EP0511034A2 - Refuse container and an actuating mechanism for the container trapdoor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a refuse container, equipped with an actuating mechanism for a trapdoor with which this container is equipped, which comprises a bottom opening closed by the said trapdoor (9) via fastening means (15). The mechanism in question comprises a first elongate pedal (41) articulated on the outside relative to the trapdoor in order to permit a distribution of forces over an elongate bearing surface when the said pedal bears on such a support, and actuation means (45, 47) stressed by this first pedal in order to manoeuvre the fastening means (15) via a second pedal (37). On the inside, a reinforcement of the container is ensured laterally by means of a small arch (10), for taking up the force, connected to a bottom belt (13) and to a lifting ring (12). Application to the collection of paper. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a control mechanism for a hatch with which a tank or container for collecting waste is fitted.

The invention also relates to the container as such which can in particular be used for collecting paper (newspapers, magazines ...).

For some time now, especially in cities, there has been a need to recover used paper.

To allow the collection of such papers in relatively large quantities, it has been envisaged to use containers comparable to those used for collecting glass.

However, it turned out that this collection of relatively “soft” or deformable article or substance when it is not compacted poses specific problems not encountered in the context of the collection of glass objects given the different nature of materials.

In the general context of the devices used for collecting waste, containers are already known comprising a bottom with an opening normally closed by an articulated hatch used for emptying the container, hooking means for locking the hatch in the closed position, a control mechanism for said attachment means for causing the opening or closing of this hatch and force recovery means extending substantially between a belt surrounding said bottom opening of the container and an upper lifting ring of this same container.

Such a container is for example described in patent FR-A-2,592,636.

But in this patent, the force recovery means and both the control mechanism and the hooking means of the hatch are located in the central zone of the container.

At first glance, such an arrangement seems entirely suitable insofar as the force recovery means can then consist of a mast or a frame extending internally in the central part of the container, near its vertical central axis, thus allowing a mechanically satisfactory path of efforts.

After a series of tests was carried out with such a type of container for uses relating to the collection of various wastes, in particular glass and paper or cardboard, problems of adaptation appeared.

In particular, it turned out that the central arrangement of the force recovery means could hinder the filling of the container and especially its emptying, by obstructing compact packages, in particular of paper.

It has also been found that if these means of force recovery were moved, this created an additional difficulty linked to the necessary balance of the container when it is lifted and that it must be emptied, the container then having to be sufficiently well balanced so that its bottom is substantially horizontal in order to avoid any operating defect at the opening, during the emptying or at the closing of the hatch.

In the invention, these various problems have been resolved by providing, according to an important characteristic of this invention, that the force recovery means and the means for hooking the hatch with their control mechanism are, inside of this container, offset laterally, near peripheral walls of the latter externally delimiting its useful internal volume, said attachment means and their control mechanism then being located at a distance from the articulation axis of the hatch.

Preferably, the aforementioned means for internal recovery of forces will have the shape of an arch. connected at its ends to two substantially opposite zones of said belt surrounding the bottom opening of the container, passing substantially through the top of this container where the hoop is connected to the lifting ring, which protrudes above the container.

Thus, the interior reinforcement of the container will present a balance compatible with the different possible uses of the latter.

• une première pédale portée par la trappe et articulée en rotation par rapport à elle le long d'un axe sensiblement horizontal, cette première pédale s'étendant sous la trappe le long de toute une partie de cette dernière,pour répartir la charge du conteneur sur une surface de contact relativement importante ou allongée, lorsque ladite pédale est dans un état d'appui (par exemple à l'intérieur de la benne de récupération),
• et des moyens complémentaires d'actionnement sollicités par cette première pédale lorsque celle-ci, partant d'une position de rotation basse, pivote par appui autour de son axe vers une position de rotation haute pour provoquer la manoeuvre desdits moyens d'accrochage en vue de l'ouverture de la trappe.

According to another characteristic of the invention, in so far as the container is in particular suitable for collecting substances having a consistency close to that of paper or cardboard, the mechanism for controlling the means for hooking the hatch may include :

• a first pedal carried by the hatch and articulated in rotation relative to it along a substantially horizontal axis, this first pedal extending under the hatch along a whole part of the latter, for distributing the load of the container over a relatively large or elongated contact surface, when said pedal is in a supported state (for example inside the recovery bucket),
• and additional actuation means requested by this first pedal when the latter, starting from a low rotational position, pivots by pressing about its axis towards a high rotational position to cause the operation of said hooking means in view opening the hatch.

In a preferred embodiment, it will also be noted that the first aforementioned pedal may be in the form of a hoop connected at its ends to the hatch.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de face d'un conteneur conforme à l'invention équipé du mécanisme de commande également objet de l'invention, étant remarqué que la trappe dont est muni ce conteneur apparaît en traits mixtes dans sa position ouverte,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté dans le sens de la flèche II de la figure 1, la trappe, ainsi que la première pédale du mécanisme de commande, étant à nouveau représentées en traits mixtes dans une position de pleine ouverture de cette trappe,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessous du conteneur, dans le sens de la flèche III de la figure 1 (toujours en vue schématique).

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention may also appear from the description which follows, given with reference to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of nonlimiting example and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a container according to the invention equipped with the control mechanism also subject of the invention, it being noted that the hatch with which this container is provided appears in dashed lines in its open position,
• FIG. 2 is a side view in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1, the hatch, as well as the first pedal of the control mechanism, being again shown in phantom in a fully open position of this hatch,
• Figure 3 is a bottom view of the container, in the direction of arrow III of Figure 1 (still in schematic view).

In the figures, there is therefore illustrated a container 1 which can be used for the collection of soft and / or compactable waste such as paper, cardboard or objects made of these materials.

The container 1 consists of a storage tank comprising outer peripheral walls of the envelope 3 forming a sort of bell above a bottom 5.

Side orifices 4 formed in the wall of this bell make it possible to throw the waste inside the tank.

The bottom 5 has a wide opening 7 (FIG. 3) allowing the container to be emptied and that a bottom door or door 9 can completely block it.

The hatch 9 is articulated in rotation relative to the container about a substantially horizontal axis 9a (when the container is arranged vertically), via hinges 11 which can be carried by a metal reinforcing belt 13 surrounding or bordering the opening 7 on its periphery, as illustrated in Figure 3.

The hatch 9 can also be closed or locked to the container by means attachment 15 actuable by an articulated control mechanism identified as a whole 17 in FIG. 1.

Inside the tank, marked 2, extend means 10 for taking up forces mechanically connecting the metal lower reinforcement belt 13 and an upper lifting ring 12 which projects above the tank 2, substantially in the vertical central axis 2a thereof.

In accordance with an important characteristic of the invention, the force recovery means consist in this case of a metal hoop marked 10 in each of the figures. This arch 10 has substantially the shape of an inverted U. Its lower ends 10a, 10b are mechanically linked (directly or indirectly) to the lower belt 13, while its upper central part cooperates with a connection plate 14 extending under the top of the tank. To this plate 14 is fixed the lifting ring 12.

It will be noted that the arch 10 extends over its entire length in the immediate vicinity of the external walls 3 of the tank so as to free up the maximum useful storage volume of the latter. For good balancing, the arch 10 can be arranged in a substantially median vertical plane of the container, as illustrated in the figures.

As regards the attachment means 15 and part of their control mechanism 17 mentioned above, it will be noted that they were already described in French patent application FR-A-87 17074 to which reference may be made usefully.

We thus find a tilting bolt 19 articulated in rotation around a pivot with a horizontal axis 21 carried by the tank 2. This bolt comprises in the lower part a hook 23 able to cooperate with a ring or a lug 25 attached internally to hatch 9.

In the opposite upper part, the bolt 19 has a protrusion 27 intended to come to cooperate with a tilting latch 29 itself articulated in rotation around a pivot with horizontal axis 31 carried by the tank.

The latch 29 comprises a retractable latch 33 which can pivot between two stops around a horizontal axis 35.

We also find the pedal 37, called in this case the second pedal, articulated in rotation around a pivot with a horizontal axis 39 carried by the tank (or its bottom belt). This second pedal which can have the shape of a relatively narrow plate (see FIG. 2) protrudes under the hatch in the unsolicited position, as seen in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the invention, all of these parts are arranged in the immediate vicinity of a side edge of the tank, thereby freeing up the maximum useful internal volume for storing the latter.

Externally, the means 15 in question are located just behind a boss 59 of the outer lateral wall 3 of the container, formed laterally at the base of the latter and acting as an outer protective casing. Inside the container, the protection of these means can be ensured by a flange 60 (Figures 1 and 2) extending substantially opposite the boss and to which will then be connected one of the distal ends (10b) of the hoop 10 as well as the bottom belt 13 which will be interrupted at 13a and 13b, the flange 60 transmitting the forces from one part to another.

It will be noted that the means 15 with their boss 59 are situated substantially opposite, or at least at a distance from, the axis of articulation of the hatch, still shown at 9a in FIG. 2.

In view of Figures 1 and 2, it will be understood that the control mechanism of the fastening means 15, 25 is in this case supplemented by another pedal, called the first pedal 41, articulated in rotation about pivots with horizontal axis 43 situated near the vertical median plane 1a of the container, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, with however a slight lateral offset relative to the axis 39 of the second pedal and slightly below the latter, so as to be able to "hang" under the hatch in the low rotational position (marked in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2).

Note the large dimension, in particular the length, of this pedal 41 which will ensure a distribution over a relatively large area of the load that can be supported by the container, in particular when the latter is full.

For effective use on bearing surfaces which may consist of non-compacted paper, it may be preferable for this first "lower" pedal 41 to be in the form of a " U- shaped" metal hoop articulated relative to the hatch at the top of its two lateral end branches 41a, 41b. This hoop will then advantageously extend over the greater part of the width of the tank, without overflowing under the second pedal 37 but nevertheless extending to a level below that of the latter when it is in position low rotation.

To be able to act on the second pedal, a horizontal tab 45 projecting laterally from the first pedal has been provided, this tab extending just below the second pedal 37, without however being hampered by it during the downward rotational movement. of the first pedal.

The operating principle of such a mechanism is comparable to that described in the aforementioned application FR-A-87 17074.

This principle will be briefly recalled below.

The container is first placed on the ground.

Its hatch is closed.

The positioning of the articulation axes 43 and 39 of the first and second pedals is provided so that these two pedals are substantially camouflaged or retracted at the level of the hatch under which they then extend substantially horizontally.

The hatch is also locked, the tab 25 being attached to the hook 23.

To empty the container then assumed to be full, we then lift it by its lifting ring 12. It will be noted that the forces supported by the container are then limited, being transmitted and distributed to the base of the tank by the peripheral arch 10 then by the bottom reinforcement belt 13 (possibly via the flange 60).

When lifting the tank, and due to their weight, the pedals pivot themselves from their high rotation position to their low position (see Figures 1 and 2, solid lines), causing the latch 29 to rotate, including the latch 33 is retracted by rotation when the projection 27 of the bolt 19 passes.

It will be noted that the rotational movement (in both directions) of the latch 29 is here guided by a rod 47 articulated in rotation at its two opposite ends around two pivots carried respectively by the latch and by the second pedal 37.

When they reach the low position, the pedals stop, for example under the effect of a stop (not shown).

The first pedal 41 then hangs down to a level lower than that of the second and the hatch is of course always closed.

To open this hatch, we will come to rest the container on a support, such as for example the bottom of a pickup truck tipper. Even if this bucket is already partially filled with waste paper, the first pedal 41 will still be able to act effectively due to its conformation, its range being distributed over an extended bearing surface. Thus, it will pivot in the direction of its high position (arrow 49, FIG. 1) to act on the second pedal 37 via the lateral actuating tab 45. The second pedal is then pushed upwards and its rotation causes the rise of the latch 29, the latch (then locked in rotation) pushes the rear protrusion 27 of the bolt, causing it to tilt forwards in the direction of arrow 51 in FIG. 1, thus releasing the latching lug 25 of the hatch which then opens, allowing the contents of the tank to fall.

Once emptied, the container is lowered, the opening angle of the hatch having been adapted to ensure its "natural" closing during this lowering, in the direction of arrow 53 in FIG. 2.

The replacement of the container in the original position causes the hatch to close with a new locking of the bolt and the hook, the pedals replacing themselves under the hatch in the retracted position, parallel to the bottom. The container is then again ready to be filled.

Claims (10)

1. - Container for collecting waste, such as paper or cardboard, comprising a bottom with an opening (7) normally closed by a hatch (9) articulated in rotation relative to the container for emptying the latter, hooking means (15) for locking the hatch in the closed position, a control mechanism (17) of said hooking means (15) for causing the opening or closing of this hatch, and force recovery means (10) extending substantially between a reinforcement belt (13) surrounding said bottom opening (7) and an upper ring (12) for lifting the container, characterized in that, in particular for releasing the useful internal volume of said container , the force recovery means (10) and the hooking means (15) with their control mechanism (17) are, inside the container, offset laterally near peripheral walls (3) of this container externally delimiting its volume useful waste storage. 2. - Container according to claim 1 characterized in that the force recovery means (10) have the shape of a hoop connected, by its ends and inside the container, to two zones of said belt (13 ) located away from each other, passing substantially through the top of the container where this hoop is connected to the lifting ring (12) which projects above the container. 3. - Container according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the control mechanism (17) comprises a first pedal (41) carried by the hatch (9) and articulated relative to it along a substantially axis horizontal, this first pedal extending transversely over the width of the hatch. 4. - Container according to claim 3 characterized in that it further comprises: an actuating tab (45) laterally integral with said first pedal (41), - And a second pedal (37) carried by the container (2) and articulated relative to it along a substantially horizontal axis, this second pedal which is arranged next to the first being biased by said actuating tab ( 45) of this first pedal when the latter comes to bear on a support to cause the opening of the hatch (9), the biasing of said second pedal causing an operation of the control mechanism (17) of the locking means (15) of the hatch causing the unlocking of these means and the opening of the hatch. 5. - Container according to claim 3 or claim 4 characterized in that the first pedal (41) is in the form of a substantially U- shaped hoop articulated in rotation relative to the hatch, towards its two opposite ends (41a , 41b), the actuating tab (45) being disposed laterally at the location of one of the side branches of the U to position itself under said second pedal (37) when it must urge it to cause opening from the hatch. 6. - Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control mechanism (17) further comprises: - a bolt (19) carried by the container (2) and articulated in rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, - a tilting latch (29) carried by the container (2) and articulated in rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, - a retractable latch (33), retracting in a movement of descent of the latch, on the passage of a protuberance (27) of the bolt and acting on this same protrusion to cause its maneuver when the latch is raised, - A push rod (47) for transmitting the movement of the second pedal (37) to the latch (29), this rod being fixed in an articulated manner in rotation on this second pedal (37) and on the latch (29). 7. - Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control mechanism (17) and the hooking means (15) are protected externally by a lateral boss (59) of the peripheral wall (3) of the container forming a protective casing at which said bottom belt (13) is interrupted to connect to an inner flange (60) also of protection to which is fixed one end (10b) of said force recovery means (10). 8. - Mechanism for controlling a hatch with which a container is fitted, in particular according to any one of the preceding claims, for collecting waste, this container comprising a bottom with an opening (7) which the hatch (9) can close , said mechanism acting on hooking means (15) to cause the opening or closing of the hatch, characterized in that it comprises: - A first pedal (41) carried by the hatch and articulated in rotation relative to it along a substantially horizontal axis, outside the container, so as to allow a distribution of forces on a bearing surface elongated when said pedal comes to bear on such a support, - And complementary means (37, 45) for actuating said mechanism (17) for controlling the means for hooking the hatch (9), these actuating means being urged by said first pedal (41) when the latter , starting from a low rotational position, pivots about its axis towards a high rotational position to cause the operation of said attachment means (15) for the opening of the hatch. 9. - Mechanism according to claim 8 characterized in that the first pedal is in the form of a substantially U- shaped hoop articulated relative to the hatch (9) at the location of its two opposite ends (41a, 41b). 10. - Mechanism according to claim 8 or claim 9 characterized in that it further comprises: a lateral actuating tab (45) integral with the first pedal (41), - And a second pedal (37) carried by said container (1, 2) and articulated in rotation relative to it along a substantially horizontal axis, this second pedal being urged by the actuating tab (45) of the first pedal when the latter comes to bear on a support to cause the opening of the hatch (9), the biasing of said second pedal causing an operation of the control mechanism of the hooking means (15) of the hatch, causing unlocking of these means and the opening of said hatch.

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