GB2411339A

GB2411339A - A waste bin for recyclable materials

Info

Publication number: GB2411339A
Application number: GB0404237A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Mcnarry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-26
Filing date: 2004-02-26
Publication date: 2005-08-31
Also published as: GB0404237D0

Abstract

A waste bin 2 houses a number of removable smaller containers or bins 7 for the collection of recyclable materials, each container or bin 7 providing separate storage for a different type of recyclable material. Preferably the removable containers or bins 7 would include a folding or retractable handle 8 to enable them to be removed from the larger outer container 2 which may be divided into sections 4 by interior walls 5. They may also include an indication of the recyclable material to be stored within it by means of descriptive labelling or embossing 10 or by colour coding. Preferably the larger outer container would include a cover 6 to prevent spillage and retain odours. The waste bin 2 may be free standing, wall mountable or built into a cupboard. Preferably the containers shall be constructed of a suitable durable, non-corroding easily cleanable material.

Description

2411 339

SECTIONAL CONTAINER FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sectional container which includes a number of smaller removable containers or bins for the collection or disposal of recyclable materials which may be located anywhere convenient which a dwelling.

Background Art Known to the Applicant

A number of basic materials used in everyday life are recyclable and consumers are encouraged to collect these materials for return to a suitable recycling center. Such centers are typically run by private enterprises or local authorities who arrange for collection of the recyclable materials from various premises which typically include domestic households. In smaller premises such as domestic households there is often no safe storage space available for the segregation and collection of recyclable materials prior to collection by the recycling agencies. Typically most domestic households will only have a household refuse bin so many otherwise recyclable materials are therefore disposed of as part of the household waste.An object of this invention is to provide a number of sectional containers or bins housed within a larger container for the collection, segregation and safe storage of recyclable materials in a domestic environment for later bulk collection by a recycling agency.

SumrnarY of the Invention According to the present invention in its broadest aspect, there is provided a larger sectional container which houses a number of removable smaller containers or bins for the collection of recyclable materials, each sectional container providing separate storage for a different type of recyclable material.

Preferably the removable sectional containers or bins would include a folding or retractable lifting handle to enable them to be removed from the larger outer container.Preferably each removable sectional container may include an indication of the type of recyclable material to be stored within it. This may be in the form of descriptive labeling or embossing of the sectional container, but may be a simple form of colour coding, for example white for glass, blue for paper, black for metals, etc. Preferably the larger outer container would include a cover that can be removed or opened to prevent spillage of the contents of the smaller interior sectional containers or bins, retain any odours from the stored materials, provide safety by preventing inadvertent insertion of hands, fingers or arms into the containers which may contain potentially hazardous materials such as glass or sharp metal. The opening action of the cover may be by manual lifting, pedal or lever operated in the manner of household refuse bins.

Preferably the larger outer container would be of regular cross section so it may be equally sub-divided into sections for the smaller interior containers or bins.

l s Preferably the sectional container shall be free standing, but may be so configured to be wall mountable or to be built into a cupboard or similar prepared space.

Preferably the containers shall be of stainless steel or plastics material, but may be made from any suitable durable, non-corroding, easily cleanable material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the whole sectional container assembly FIGURE 2 illustrates a plan view of the sectional container with the cover removed to show the interior sectional containers in place FIGURE 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view through the center of the assembled sectional container through its vertical plane illustrating how the interior sectional containers may be supported FIGURE 4 illustrates a perspective view of a typical interior sectional container illustrating how they may be labeled or otherwise marked to show the material to be stored in that container

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates a sectional container for the segregation and safe storage of recyclable materials generally referenced 1 comprising a larger outer container 2 with an open top 3. The interior of the container 2 is divided into sections 4 by interior walls 5. The top edge of the container 1 is reinforced to provide strength and extends wider than the sides of the container to provide a supporting edge for the removable cover 6.

In each interior section 4 is a removable interior container 7.

l 5 Figure 2 illustrates how the user would be presented with a number of interior containers 7 when the cover 6 was removed.

Figure 3 illustrates that each interior container 7 has a reinforced top edge that engages with the interior sectional walls 5 of the outer container 2. The walls of the interior sectional containers 7 shall be of smaller dimensions or drafted away from the inner walls of the outer container sections 4 to ensure the interior containers 7 can be removed without impedance as illustrated in figure 1.

Attached to the reinforced top edge of each removable interior container 7 may be a lifting handle 8. The lifting handle 8 would preferentially be hinged 9 such that it could be folded flat when not in use allowing unrestricted access to the removable interior container 7.

Figure 4 illustrates how each removable interior container 7 may be labeled or otherwise marked 10 to indicate the recyclable material to be deposited. Additionally to or in place of labeling the removable interior containers 7 may be colour coded to identify the type of recyclable material to be stored.

The cover 6 shall fit over the reinforced top edge of the outer container 2 to prevent it being inadvertently dislodged. For ease of removal for access to the removable interior containers 7 the cover 6 may incorporate an integral handle 11. To identify the purpose of the container assembly the cover 6 may be labeled or otherwise marked with the internationally recognized recycling symbol. There may also be a warning notice advising the user that the container is not for the disposal of non- recyclable refuse.

Claims

1. A sectional container which houses a number of removable smaller interior containers or bins for the collection of recyclable materials, each sectional container providing separate storage for a different type of recyclable material

2. A sectional container as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that the removable interior containers include a folding or retractable handle.

3. A sectional container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized in that the removable interior containers include an indication of the type of recyclable material to be stored within it.

4. A sectional container as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterized in that the outer container would have a cover that can be removed or otherwise opened to gain access to the removable interior containers.

5. A sectional container as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterized in that the outer container is of regular cross section so it may be equally sub divided into sections for the removable interior containers.

6. A sectional container as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterized in that it is free standing, well mountable or able to be built into a cupboard or other similar prepared space.

7. A sectional container as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterized in that the containers shall be made from stainless steel, plastics or any other suitable durable, non-corroding, easily cleanable material or a combination of any of these materials.

8. A sectional container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate selection or combination of the accompanying figures