Patents are a virtue: Annoying talking trash can

If you think fridges that beep at you when the door is open are the ultimate infuriating device, check out US patent 8,820,567, issued to Cutler, D: a rubbish bin which tells you when it is full.

The bin has a beam sensor that runs across the top and senses when rubbish has piled up. It then plays a pre-recorded message via speakers near the top. As an added bonus, you can record your own personal message. “Take the friggin bin out before I dock your pocket money for a month,” for example.

Cutler says his device could also be retrofitted to existing bins, by clipping on the sensor and speakers.

Another effective modification might be an alarm which keeps going until someone actually takes the trash out. Or locks the rubbish bin in the fridge. Compiled by Anton Blijlevens and Jillian Lim, patent specialists at AJ Park