AU2012100495A4 - Mobile Garbage Bin - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A mobile garbage bin comprising a side wall and a base which together define an interior cavity, the wall comprising a plurality of stiffening formations that extend along the side wall from the base; and, one or more panels located between the stiffening formations, the stiffening formations and the one or more panels being structured such that the or each panel has greater flexibility than the stiffening formations. 3324570_i (GHMatters) P83207AU.2 -7 2-2 2-4( (Lt !? l) r~ I/ ' ~

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant(s): SULO MGB Australia Pty Ltd Invention Title: Mobile Garbage Bin The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: 2 MOBILE GARBAGE BIN Technical Field This disclosure relates to mobile garbage bins and especially, but not exclusively, to a mobile garbage bin that is arranged to be used in conjunction with automated lifting devices for emptying the contents of the bin. Background Mobile garbage bins traditionally comprise a moulded plastics container, having a closed base, at least one container wall defining an internal cavity, an opening extending from the cavity, and wheels positioned in a lower portion of the container. The bins also traditionally comprise a pivotable lid to cover the opening in a closed position. The mobile garbage bins are manufactured using injection moulding, blow moulding or rotational moulding. A variety of lifting devices are provided for lifting and inverting of mobile garbage bins for emptying of the contents of the bins. These lifting devices include comb lifting devices, grab/clamp lifting devices, hook lifting devices and clamp lifting devices. Generally a council or waste collection agency will have standard lifting devices affixed to collection vehicles which are adapted to lift a variety of bins and to empty the contents of the bin into the collection area of the vehicle. Mobile garbage bins suffer continual wear and tear. Particular wear and tear during grab or clamp lifting is focussed on the body of the bin. Mobile garbage bins need to be sufficiently strong to withstand lifting, dragging and the weight of the materials deposited inside the bin as well as accommodating impact loading from repeated lifting and dropping of the bins during emptying. 3324570_1 (GHMatter) P3207AU 2 3 Summary of the Disclosure Disclosed is a mobile garbage bin comprising a side wall and a base which together define an interior cavity, the wall comprising a plurality of stiffening formations that extend along the side wall from the base, and one of more panels located between the stiffening formations, the stiffening formations and the one or more panels being structured such that the or each panel has greater flexibility than the stiffening formations. In one form the mobile garbage bin further comprises a rim located at an upper end of the side wall and defining an opening to the interior cavity, the rim being spaced from the base in a longitudinal direction of the bin wherein the stiffening formations extend from the base toward the rim generally in a longitudinal direction. In one form the stiffening formations are positioned such that in use a lifting device contacts the stiffening formations. In one form the combined surface area of the stiffening formations is between 30% and 70% of the surface area of the wall. In one form the combined surface area of the stiffening formations is between 40% and 60% of the surface area of the wall. In one form the side wall is generally polygonal in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and at least one of the stiffening formations extends along mutually inclined faces of the side wall. In one form the stiffening formations extend along the intersection of each of the mutually inclined faces of the side wall. In one form one or more panels is formed in the faces of the side walls. In one form the wall comprises four stiffening formations and four panels. 3324570_1 (GHMttr.) P83207AU.2 4 In one form the panels are recessed inwardly of the stiffening formations. In one form the stiffening formations have a greater material thickness than the panels. In one form the panels extend upwardly from the base and are enclosed on three sides by the stiffening formations. A clamp/grab lifting device is mounted to a truck and encloses the mobile garbage bin, applying pressure to the mobile garbage bin to allow the clamp/grab lifting device to lift and invert the mobile garbage bin for emptying. The stiffening formations supply sufficient strength to support the mobile garbage bin while the panels flex to absorb the impact of a clamp/grab lifting device. Brief Description of the Figures Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig I is a top perspective view of a mobile garbage bin of one embodiment of the disclosure; Fig 2 is bottom perspective view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig 1; Fig 3 is a side view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig 1; Fig 4 is a top view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig 1; Fig 5 is a front view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig 1; Fig 6 is a rear view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig 1; Fig 7 is a base view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig 1; 3324570_1 (GHMatter) P83207AU2 5 Fig 8 is a second top perspective view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig 1; Fig 9 is a plan view of the mobile garbage bin of Fig I being lifted by a grab lifting device. Detailed Description of Embodiments Referring to the Figures, disclosed is a garbage bin I comprising a closed base 2 and a side wall 4 that extends upwardly from the periphery of the base 2. The substantially vertical wall 4 and the base 2 define an interior cavity 5. The garbage bin I further comprises an opening 6 extending from the cavity 5. The garbage bin I can be adapted for any volume and features of the garbage bin are effective on any volume container, however the disclosure is made specifically in relation to a mobile garbage bin with an interior cavity volume of greater than 150L. The opening 6 is defined by the top edges of each of the wall 4 and is substantially horizontally aligned with the base 2 of the garbage bin 1. The opening 6 is surrounded by a peripheral rim 7. At the rear top edge 8 of the garbage bin 1 an elongate hollow handle bar 9 is provided. The bar 9 is secured to the garbage bin I by handle webs 10 extending outwardly from the rear top edge 8. The webs 10 are spaced apart across the length of the bar 9 such that the bar 9 forms handles. The bars 9 are arranged to support a lid (not illustrated). The lid pivots between a closed position in which the lid rests on the rim 7 and covers the opening 6 and an open position in which the lid hangs from the bar 9 and rests against the rear wall 4d of the garbage bin 1. 3324570_1 (GHMatters) PB3207AU2 6 The front portion 12 of rim 7 which projects outwardly from the front container wall 4a includes a recess 13. The recess 13 is positioned extends upwardly into the rim 7. The recess 13 is adapted to allow a comb lifting device to be inserted therein to lift the garbage bin. The recess 13 includes webs 14 extending from the front wall 4a to the rim 7 to provide support to the rim 7. The webs 14 are positioned sufficiently far apart to allow a comb lifting device to insert a comb into the recess for lifting. The base 2 includes a convex portion 16 which is positioned centrally within the base 2. The convex portion allows for flex in the base which improves the wear of the base 2 and reduces incidence of cracking. The base 2 comprises two lugs 17 which act as placement guides for positioning wheels during manufacturing. The rear portion 20 of the base 2 is supported above the ground by a pair of wheels (not illustrated) interconnected by an axle (not illustrated). The axle is mounted to extend across the rear wall 4d through axle retaining apertures 18 in axle supports 19 such that the wheels extend below the base 2. The wall 4 of the garbage bin I extends upwardly from the base 2 to the opening 6. The wall 4 includes stiffening formations 26, in the form of columns which extend upwardly from the base 2 and are integral to the wall 4. The stiffening formations 26 therefore act with the base to provide column support from the base 2. The stiffening formations 26 meet at an upper portion 27 of the vertical wall 4. Two adjacent stiffening formations 26 therefore form an arched shape across the wall 4. In the illustrated form, the wall 4 comprises four wall faces - a front wall 4a, side walls 4b and 4c and a rear wall 4d. The stiffening formations 26 are positioned at the juncture between adjacent wall faces. Panels 29 are positioned within the arched shape and between the stiffening formations 26. The panels 26 are recessed inwardly from the stiffening formations 26 at stepped border 27. The stiffening formations 26 project beyond the recessed panels 29 as best seen in Fig 9. In the illustrated form, each panel 29 is surrounded by two stiffening formations 26 which meet above the panel 29. Similarly each stiffening formations 26 has a panel 29 on either side. 3324570_1 (GHatters) P83207AU2 7 In the illustrated form the panels 29 have a material thickness of between 2.9 and 4.0mm while the stiffening formations have a thickness greater than the wall thickness between 3.2 and 4.5 mm. The thickness of the panels 29 allows the wall to flex through the panel 29. The stiffening formations 26 provide structural rigidity to the wall 4. The use of stiffening formations extending from the base to provide structural rigidity to the bin, while the flexible panels absorb impact on the bin, allows for a lower material thickness overall and therefore reduces material used. As best seen in Fig 9, a grab lift device 40 associated with a truck approaches the mobile garbage bin to lift and empty the bin. The grab lift device 40 contacts the mobile garbage bin I at the stiffening formations 26. The grab lift device comprises a flexible lifting band 41 which is mounted to generally C-shaped arms 42. In use, the arms 42 close around the mobile garbage bin, bringing the flexible lifting band 41 into contact with the stiffening formations 26. The arms tighten about the mobile garbage bin so that the lifting band 41 applies pressure to the stiffening formations 26. This allows the grab lift device 40 to grasp and lift the mobile garbage bin 1 for emptying and return the mobile garbage bin to the ground. The stiffening formations 26 have sufficient structural rigidity to withstand the impact of the lifting band 41. In use, the recessed panels 29 flex in response to the impact of the lifting band 41 and thus absorb some of the force of the grab lift on the walls. The panels 29 do not contact the grab lift device. The combined surface area of the stiffening formations is between 30% and 70% of the surface area of the wall. In the illustrated form, in which the mobile garbage bin has a capacity of 240L, the wall 4 has an overall surface area of greater than 1500000mm2, or approximately 1700000mm2. The stiffening formations form upwards of 30% of the surface area of the wall, or in the illustrated case, the stiffening formations form approximately 50% of the surface area of the wall. Specifically, the stiffening formation surface area is approximately 873726mm2 while the overall surface area is approximately 1706664 mm2. That means the combined surface area of the four stiffening formations is approximately 51.2% of the overall wall surface area. 3324570_1 (GHMatter)P83207AU.2 8 The relatively low thickness of the flexible panels allow for reduction in use of raw materials in manufacturing, along with a reduction in the overall weight of the bin. In the illustrated form which has a capacity of 240L, the materials used are reduced by approximately 4 to 8% when compared with previously known 240L mobile garbage bins. Similarly in the illustrated form the weight is reduced by 0.3 to 0.7kg when compared with previously known 240L mobile garbage bins. It will be clear to persons skilled in the art that different configurations would lead to different changes in material. Thus the structure of the mobile garbage bin allows for reduced material usage without impacting the overall strength, performance and compliance with Australian Standard AS4123 and European standard EN 840 of the mobile garbage bin. The material of the bin I may be composed of a single layer, the thickness of which can be varied depending upon the strength needed in the bin walls 4 and base 2. For example if the bin I is being utilized for construction waste thicker stiffening formations and base would provide additional strength. In one form the bin I is rotationally moulded or injection moulded. The bin can be moulded by any other type of plastics moulding without departing from the scope of the claims. In the claims which follow and in the preceding summary of the disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", that is the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the mobile garbage bin. Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure. 3324570.1 (GHMMter) P83207 AU2

Claims (5)

1. A mobile garbage bin comprising a side wall and a base which together define an interior cavity and a rim located at an upper end of the side wall and defining an opening to the interior cavity, the rim being spaced from the base in a longitudinal direction of the bin, the wall comprising: a plurality of stiffening formations that extend from the base toward the rim generally in a longitudinal direction; and, one or more panels located between the stiffening formations, the stiffening formations and the one or more panels being structured such that the or each panel has greater flexibility than the stiffening formations.

2. A mobile garbage bin as defined in claim 1, wherein the stiffening formations are positioned such that in use a lifting device contacts the stiffening formations.

3. A mobile garbage bin as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the surface area of the stiffening formations is between 40% and 60% of the surface area of the wall.

4. A mobile garbage bin as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the side wall is generally polygonal in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and at least one of the stiffening formations extends along mutually inclined faces of the side wall.

5. A mobile garbage bin as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the panels are recessed inwardly of the stiffening formations. 3324570_1 (GHMalers) P83207AU.2