AU622536B2

AU622536B2 - Waste container

Info

Publication number: AU622536B2
Application number: AU52467/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Noel Graham Pamment
Original assignee: Industrial Containers Aust Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Industrial Containers Aust Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1989-04-04
Filing date: 1990-04-02
Publication date: 1992-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-02
Also published as: AU5246790A

Description

i IIEDIDPIEI-~CB 9 -!1lASTRALIAA I PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: So Complete Specification-Lodged: So Accepted: 36 Form ec.0 00ooo00 0 Priority: o o Q 0ooo Related Art: 0000 0 0 20n Lapsed: Published: 00 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT o Name of Applicant: INDUSTRIAL-CONTAINERS (AUST.) PTY. LTD., a Victorian i* company, formerly of Cnr. Moore Road Louis Street, Airport West, now of Lot 15, Tullamarine Park Road, Tullamarine, Victoria 3043, Australia.

Address of Applicant: 06 0 o s o 2 0 Actual Inventor: NOEL GRAHAM PAMMENT Care of: COWIE, CARTER HENDY, Address for Service: Patent Attorneys, 71 Queens Road, Melbourne, Vic., 3004, Australia.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: WASTE CONTAINER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to -1- Note: The description is to be typed in double spacing, pica type face, in an area not exceeding 250 mm in depth and 160 mm in width, on tough white paper of good quality and it is to be inserted inside this form.

14599/78-L Printed by C. J. THOMPSON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra i i i i -i i

I

ii 4 This invention relates to improvements in waste containers and relates particularly to an improved commercial and industrial waste container, and a lid therefor, adapted to be handled by mechanical handling equipment for emptying the container.

Industrial waste containers are generally used around factories, warehouses, public buildings such as schools, restaurants, office buildings and all other areas requiring waste disposal facilities. The commonly used containers are generally of substantially rectangular configuration with means to enable mechanical handling equipment to lift the container and empty its contents into the waste vehicle.

In our Australian Patent No. 580,308 we have S 15 described an improved waste container construction having 0 t So a lid pivotally mounted to arms pivoted on the sides of the container to enable the lid to move rearwardly relative to the container opening. The arms are so located that o initial rearward movement lifts the rear edge of the lid S 20 relative to the rear edge of the container opening. The 000 a lid is pivoted to the arms to enable the lid to pivot to an open position when the container is inverted for emptying. Biasing means are provided to assist in movement .0 of the lid between open and closed positions.

oo25 The construction of container and container lid described in our aforesaid Australian patent is very effective and provides a container which is easy and safe to use, which is substantially vermin and insect proof and which is relatively easy to handle by mechanical o 30 handling equipment.

However, in some installations, it is desirable that the lid be constructed so as to be self-closing.

It is also desirable in some installations that the opening and closing movement of the lid is not inhibited by contact of front edges of the lid sliding across side portions of the container.

Still further, it is desirable in some installations that the lid be openable by a foot operated mechanism or, alternatively, is able to be held in an open -2position by a foot operated mechanism.

Accordingly, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste container having a pair of arms extending upwardly from pivotal connections on opposed container end walls, means pivotally connecting upper ends of the arms to a container lid which closes the area forming the container opening, the length of the arms and location of the pivotal connection thereof to the container end walls being such that the rear edge of the lid is raised relative to the rear edge of the container opening to permit the lid to be pivoted rearwardly, and said arms including support means to support the container lid during pivotal movement of the arms.

In a preferred form of the invention, the container lid is curved, such as in arcuate form. The support means may comprise a part of the arm extending forwardly from the pivotal connection to the lid, the portion adapted to be engaged by an end means on each end of the lid.

The engagement of the end means with the arm portion limits pivotal movement of the lid relative to the arms in a lid closing direction but enables the lid to pivot relative to the arms for emptying of the container when the container is inverted by mechanical handling equipment.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a waste container having a pair of arms extending upwardly from pivotal connections on opposite container end walls, pivot means pivotally connecting upper ends of the arms to a container lid, the lid being operable by pivotal movement of the arms, foot operable bar means pivotally mounted to the container and having a foot engageable portion at a front side of the container, and connecting means connecting the bar means to at least 4 one of the arms whereby movement of the bar means causes opening or closing movement of the container lid.

In a preferred form of the invention, the lid opening is facilitated by foot operated lever means connected to the pair of arms. In one particular arrangement, a bar extends across the front of the container, the bar being connected to a pair of elongated K rockers pivoted beneath the container, the rockers having their rear ends interconnected by a rear bar which operates a pair of links mounted on the container ends and connected to the respective arms. The geometry of the lever means is such that downward movement of the front bar causes the arms to be moved so as to open the container lid.

L Preferably, the pivotal connection of the arms to the container ends is located so that the centre of Sbalance of the lid in an open position is forwardly of the pivot axis so that the lid tends to close itself under gravitational influence. Alternatively, biasing means may be provided to facilitate closing of the lid, such biasing means being arranged to operate in a single direction or in both directions, as shown in our earlier

OW

00 15 application.

o* In order that the invention will be more readily V understood, two embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: o o0 0 Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the contain- 0 a er of one embodiment of the invention with the lid in the closed position, Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with oo the lid in an open position, Figure 3 is a part front elevational view of the 0 0a S0" °25 container of Figure 1, a. ~Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a *0 second embodiment of the invention, Figure 5 is a part cross-sectional, side elevational view of the container of Figure 4 showing o *0 0 0° the lid in a closed position, and Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure showing the lid in an open position.

Referring to the drawings, the container 12 may be of any desired shape although the invention will be described with reference to an industrial waste container of substantially box shape. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the container has lifting sockets 14 at each side of the container 12 to enable mechanized equipment to lift and empty the container by inversion.

As will be explained hereinafter, the lifting sockets 14 are spaced from the container ends 17. Additional lifting sockets 15 are located beneath the container for use, where necessary, by mechanical handling equipment of a different type, such as rear loading equipment.

The ends 17 of the container 12 have curved upper edges 16, preferably arcuate, and the top of the container is open except for a rear portion which is closed by a fixed panel 18. Thus, the opening through which material is inserted and removed from the container is defined by the upper edges 16 of the ends 17, the front edge of the rear fixed panel 18 and the upper edge of the front panel 21 of the container.

The container lid comprises a lid member 22 having bl 15 a curved or arcuate shape corresponding to the shape of o 'the upper edges 16 of the container ends 17. The front °OVI edge 20 of the lid member 22 is formed with a rolled 000w o. section 20a to which is fastened a flexible and/or resilient sealing member 23 which seals the lid against the 20 top of the front panel 21. The sealing strip 23 is preferably formed of synthetic plastic material or rubber and may constitute a hollow buffer which will not damage the 0000 fingers or hands of a person using the container if the p6 ~lid should inadvertently close.

o0P o 25 The ends of the lid member 22 are formed with 0,segmental flanges 24 which overlie the curved upper edge portions of the ends 17. If desired, sealing strips may be located to engage between the segmental flanges 24 and the container ends 17 to seal against insects, vermin 30 and the like.

The lid member 22 is pivoted adjacent its rear edge to a pair of arms 28 which are, themselves, pivoted to the container ends 17. In one form of the invention, the pivotal connection between the lid 22 and the arms 28 comprises a hinge rod or bar 26 extending along the rear edge of the lid member 22 and pivotally engaged with the arms 28.

The pivotal connection of the arms 28 to the container ends 17 is preferably by way of a frustoconical shaped plate 32, in a manner similar to that described in our aforesaid patent. However, it will be appreciated that the arms 28 may be pivotally connected to the container by any appropriate pivotal means.

The arms 28 each include a supporting member 34 which extends forwardly and supportingly engages the lower edge of the segmental flanges 24. The supporting member 34 is so arranged that, when the lid 22 is in the closed position, the supporting member 34 is substantially load free. However, when the lid 22 is moved to the open position by a pivotal movement of the arms 28, the supporting member 34 engages and lifts the segmental flanges 24 to prevent relative pivotal movement of the lid. The lid 22 is therefore opened in the manner shown in Figure o 0 15 2 carried on the supporting member 34 on each arm 28.

o0 The front edge of the lid member 22, therefore, does not engage with the upper edges 16 of the container end 17, o as is the case in our earlier application.

0 By appropriately locating the pivot connection "20 between the arms 28 and the container ends 17, the lid can be balanced in an open position or can be arranged to rest against a stop 33. The stop 33 can also be located at a position, or may be adjustable to a position whereby the lid member will not remain in an open position of 25 its own accord but will tend to close under the influence V Cof gravity.

Because the lid 22 is pivoted to the ends of the arms 28, if the opening provided by the normal opening 4 movement as indicated above, with the lid supported by 0 40 the supporting members 34, is insufficient to enable large articles to be loaded through the container opening, the lid member 22 may be pivoted upwardly about the hinge rod or bar 26 or other appropriate pivotal connection in the direction of the arrow A to provide greater accessibility to the container. A handle 36 is provided on the lid member to facilitate the opening thereof.

When the container is to be emptied, a pair of forks (not shown) from mechanical handling apparatus engage the appropriate lifting sockets 14 or 15 to lift and invert -6the container over a waste disposal vehicle. The inversion of the container 12 results in the lid member 22 pivoting relative to the arms 28 to an open position in which the lid hangs substantially vertically downwardly from the arms 28.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of means for enabling the container lid 22 to be opened by foot-operated lever means. As shown in the Figures 1 to 3, a pair of rockers 41 are pivotally mounted to brackets 42 beneath the container 12. The forward ends of the rockers 41 are interconnected by a front bar 43 which acts as a foot operating mechanism for opening the container lid. At the rear of the container, the rockers 41 extend upwardly and engage with a 15 a rear bar 44 extending along the rear of the container 4 12. The rear bar 44 engages a pivoted link 46 on each o end 17 of the container, the forward end of each pivoted o link being connected by a vertical link 47 to the arms C 00 2 28. As previously indicated, the lifting sockets 14 on a 20 the container ends 17 are spaced from the ends to enable the vertical link 47 to pass between the sockets 14 and the end walls.

In use, downward pressure on the front bar 43 O 6 results in movement of the rockers 41, clockwise pivotal movement (as viewed in Figures 1 and 2) of the pivoted link 46 and corresponding downward movement of the vertical link 47 which acts to rotate the arms 28 about their pivotal connection to the container end 17. Such movement .o of the arms 28 causes the lid 22 to be moved to the open 30 position. The lid may be closed under the action of gravity on release of foot pressure. Alternatively, manual closing or spring biasing means may be provided. It will be appreciated that the lid of the container may be constructed of any suitable material such as metal, synthetic plastic material or the like. If necessary, appropriate strengthening ribs or other strengthening formations may be formed in the lid surface to assist the lid in withstanding the rigours of mechanical handling.

-7i O It oC 00 00 o #00 0*i 0*o 0 Further, although the arms 28 are indicated in a relatively simple form in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the arms may be of any suitable construction incorporating the supporting members 34 or having separate supporting means associated therewith. As the purpose of the supporting members 34 is to lift the lid from the closed position so that it does not contact the container ends, any suitable means for facilitating this function may be used in place of the supporting members described in reference to this embodiment.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings there is shown a modified form of container 51 in accordance with the invention having a curved lid 52 pivotally mounted to a pair of arms 53. The arms 53 are, themselves, 15 pivotally mounted on frusto-conical pivotal supports 54 carried on the ends 56 of the container 51. The arms 53 extend beyond the pivotal supports 54, and a biasing cylinder 57 interconnects with the arm extensions 58.

The biasing cylinders 57 are used to counterbalance the weight of the lid 52 in such a way that the biasing either assists in opening the lid or assists in closing. If desired, the biasing cylinder 57 may be a gas cylinder which is used to hold the lid in the open and the closed positions. Alternatively, the cylinders 57 may be used 25 to provide automatic closure for the lid 52.

In this embodiment of the invention, the lid 52 engages with, and slides along the upper edges 59 of the container ends 56. The lower edge of the lid 52 is provided with a handle 61 which extends the full width of the lid 52.

The container 51 is provided with a foot operated, lid opening mechanism. This mechanism consists of a foot operated lever bar 62 pivotally mounted in brackets 63 which extend downwardly from the container base 64. The lever bar 62 has a forwardly and upwardly extending, foot engageable portion 66, and the ends of the lever bar 62 extend outwardly beyond the ends 56 of the container 51, and upwardly to terminate at enlarged ends 67 which are bored to receive a pivotal engagement for operating rods oo0 o 0 0 o *0 I, I 0 0 0b 00 -8- Dar.r i I- rru 3luriP rsxrr~~ 68. The operating rods 68 extend between the enlarged end 67 of the lever bar 62 and the arm extensions 58 of the respective arms 53.

As will be seen in Figures 5 and 6, pivotal movement of the lever bar 62 causes the operating rods 68 to move the arms 53 so that the lid 52 slides to the open position as shown in Figure 6. The biasing cylinder 57, if desired, may be set up to counterbalance that movement and automatically close the lid 52 on release of pressure on the foot portion 66 of the lever bar 62.

It will be appreciated that, in this embodiment of the invention, the container 51 does not have the lifting sockets which are provided on the container of the previous embodiment, however, such lifting sockets 0) 0,0 15 as are required, or other lifting means, may be provided 4' .0 0 a 4to enable the container to be inverted over a waste I" collection vehicle in the manner previously described 44l1 0 or as described in our previous patent.

Although the container is illustrated with a curved 20 lid, it will also be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to lids of any other configuration, including planar lids.

0,U9 o 4 o. tL6 o oe -9ii i- i 's i i 1 _I_

Claims

1. A waste container having arms extending generally upwardly from pivotal connections on opposite container end walls, a container lid, pivot means pivotally connecting the container lid to the arms, the lid being operable by pivotal movement of the arms, foot-operable means pivotally mounted to the container and having a foot engageable portion at a front side of the container, and connecting means connecting the foot-operable means to at least one of the arms whereby movement of the foot-operable means causes opening or closing movement of the container lid.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the foot-operable meains is carried by brackets extending downwardly from a bottom wall means, the foot-engageable part extending forwardly and upwardly to extend from beneath the container, and the ends of the foot-operable means extend outwardly beyond the sides of the container, and upwardly and are connected to connecting rods which operate the arms.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the foot-operable means comprises a pair of rockers pivotally mounted beneath the container and interconnected by the foot- engageable part, the rockers extending beyond the rear of the container and connected by pivotal links to the arms.

4. A container according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the arms include extensions and the connecting means connect to the arm extensions. 20

5. A waste container having a pair of arms extending upwardly from pivotal connections on opposed container end walls, means pivotally connecting upper ends of the arms to a container lid which closes the area forming the container opening, the length of the arms and location of the pivotal connection thereof to the container end walls being such that the rear edge of the lid is raised relative to the rear edge of the container opening o 25 to permit the lid to be pivoted rearwardly, and said arms including support means to support the container lid during 'JVT 'IV\ .V pivotal movement of the arms.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is curved.

7. A container according to claim 5 wherein the support means each comprises a forwardly extending abutment integral with the respective arm.

8. A container according to claim 5 or claim 7 wherein the lid has flange means on each end to engage the support means and restrict pivotal movement of the lid relative to the arms in a lid closing direction.

9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pivotal movement of the arms is controlled, restricted or assisted by biasing means carried by the container. 01

10. A container according to claim 9 wherein the biasing means biases the lid to a closed position.

11. A container according to claim 5 and including foot-operable means pivotally mounted to the container and having a foot-engageable portion, and connecting means aconnecting the foot-operable means to at least one of the arms whereby movement of the foot-operable means causes opening or closing movements of the container lid.

12. A waste container substantially as hereinbefore I"G described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2nd day of April, 1990. INDUSTRIAL CONTAINERS (AUST.) PTY. LTD. po COW E, CARTER HENDY PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 71 QUEENS ROAD, MELBOURNE, 3004, AUSTRALIA -11- 1