EP1127811B1 - Receptacle with reduced noise of the lid during its closing movement - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bin for collecting waste.

The invention relates more particularly to a container comprising a tank and a pivoting cover, movable between an open position in which it allows the introduction of waste into the tank and a closed position in which it rests at its periphery on the tank.

Such bins are usually fitted with wheels.

To reduce noise pollution, the tank and / or the lid of certain bins known are provided with rubber stops which make it possible to absorb the shocks of the cover on the tank.

It has also been proposed to make a brake on the articulation of the cover on the tank in order to slow the movement of the latter when approaching closing and opening positions.

Such a brake is relatively difficult to achieve and moreover its effectiveness decreases during the life of the tank, due to the wear of the parts in contact.

It is already known by US-A-4,917,257 to brake a container cover at waste by providing on the tank a rib projecting towards the top of the tank container to form, in cooperation with the edge of the cover, an air path in labyrinth when closing the bin.

It turned out that this characteristic does not allow sufficient braking and does not not significantly reduce the noise created by the impact of the cover on the tank.

The invention aims to significantly reduce the closing noise of the cover of a simple, efficient and consistent throughout the life of the tank.

It achieves this by the fact that the cover and the tank are arranged in such a way that the air leaving the tank when the lid is closed and when the latter is close to its closed position is forced to make at least two turns, being forced to pass between substantially vertical surfaces belonging respectively to the cover and to the tank, at least on the front side of the cover, and preferably at least on the front side of the cover and on its two lateral sides, and preferably still along on the four sides of the cover, in order to favor the creation of an overpressure in the tank, overpressure which tends to slow the movement of the cover to its position closing.

Thanks to the invention, an efficient braking of the cover is carried out without having to put rubber bumpers on the tank or the cover.

In the case where such stops are still used, the invention provides nevertheless advantages since the speed of the cover when the latter reaches its closing position is less, so that the abovementioned stops are less requested and can be reduced in size.

In addition, in the invention, the braking intensity is all the greater as the cover is folded back violently on the tank.

Preferably, the two vertical surfaces between which air is forced to pass and which belong respectively to the cover and to the tank, are distant from less than 50 mm.

The cover advantageously includes a skirt or inner wall on its inner surface, this inner wall preferably being shaped to commit to inside the tank when the tank is closed.

The spacing between this skirt or interior wall and the main walls of the tank, when the tank is closed, is for example between 2 mm and 50 mm.

Advantageously, the skirt or inner wall has a sufficient height to begin to oppose the departure of the air contained between the tank and the cover when the cover is being closed and the opening angle is close to 2.5 °.

The height of the skirt or inner wall, along the front side of the cover, is for example between 1 and 8 cm.

The container may include, as in document US-A-4,917,257, a rib arranged in the extension of the main walls of the tank, around the opening of the latter.

This rib advantageously extends around the skirt or inner wall above when the bin is closed.

The height of the aforementioned rib, along the front side of the cover, is by example between 0 and 3 cm.

Advantageously, the cover has an outer skirt.

This outer skirt preferably extends around the aforementioned rib when the bin is closed.

The skirt or inner wall of the cover advantageously has along the lateral sides of the cover a variable height, increasing forward at least at from a central region of the cover located midway between its front sides and back.

Thus, when the cover is in its open position, pressing against the rear wall of the tank, and the tank is tilted by the lifting mechanism of a collection vehicle to empty its contents, the risk of catching the cover on a organ of the lifting mechanism is reduced.

In a particular embodiment, the skirt or inner wall has along on the lateral sides of the cover an increasing height from the vicinity of the edge back of the cover to the front edge of the cover.

In another particular embodiment, the skirt or inner wall has the along two opposite sides of the cover, preferably its two lateral sides, a rounded profile, concave towards the tank when the tank is closed and the upper wall of the cover has a convex shape towards the outside, this profile being chosen so to facilitate the stacking of the covers before their mounting on the tanks of the tanks.

The container may include a collar on which the outer skirt of the cover rests when container is closed.

This collar may include, at least at the front of the tank, a rim directed towards the bottom.

This rim can receive for example the ends of the combs of the mechanism lifting the collection vehicle.

The tank may also have two parallel ribs directed towards the top and cover a skirt arranged to engage between these ribs when the tray is closed.

In a particular embodiment, the cover includes a skirt or wall interior arranged to engage in the tank when the tank is closed and a skirt outer arranged to rest on a flange of the tank, the tank comprising in addition a rib capable of engaging between the inner and outer skirts of the lid.

In another particular embodiment, the tank has a flange and two ribs, at least one of which is carried by said flange, and the cover comprises an outer skirt arranged to engage between said ribs when the tray is closed. Preferably, the cover further includes an interior skirt or wall arranged to engage in the tank when the tank is closed.

In another particular embodiment, the tank has a flange and two ribs, at least one of which is carried by said flange, and the cover comprises a skirt or inner wall arranged to engage between these two ribs and a skirt outside arranged to surround them when the container is closed.

Still in a particular embodiment, the tank has a flange defining a groove open upwards and the cover has an outer skirt arranged to engage in said groove when the tray is closed. Preferably, the cover further comprises a skirt or inner wall arranged to engage in the tank when the tank is closed.

In a particular embodiment, the tank has a flange having a recess, the cover has an outer skirt arranged to surround said collar and a skirt or inner wall arranged to bear on the base of said offset when the tank is closed.

Still in a particular embodiment, the tank has a flange comprising a rim having a recess, the cover comprises a skirt or outer wall arranged to bear on the base of this recess when the tray is closed and an inner skirt arranged to engage in the tank.

In another particular embodiment, the tank has a flange having a section in the form of a slot and the cover has a groove open downwards, the notch-shaped part of the flange being arranged to engage in the throat of the cover when the container is closed.

Still in a particular embodiment, the tank has a flange having in section a part in the form of a niche and the cover comprises a skirt inner and an outer skirt, arranged to be placed on either side of this part of a slot when the bin is closed.

Still in a particular embodiment, the container has a collar having a rim having in section a shape of Γ, a rib extending above the main walls of the tank; the cover has a skirt arranged to engage between the aforementioned flange and the aforementioned rib.

Still in a particular embodiment, the upper edge of the tank forms, at least at the front, an inward recess and the cover has a skirt clean exterior to rest on the base of this recess when the tank is closed and an inner skirt arranged to engage in the tank.

The capacity of the tank is for example between 20 and 2,400 l.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique, en coupe, d'un bac conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 correspond au détail II de la figure 1, lorsque le couvercle est sur le point d'atteindre sa position de fermeture,
• la figure 3 est une section partielle d'un côté latéral du couvercle selon le trait de coupe III de la figure 1, lorsque le couvercle a atteint sa position de fermeture,
• les figures 4 à 16 illustrent différentes configurations du couvercle et de la cuve,
• les figures 17 à 19 illustrent trois variantes de réalisation du couvercle, et
• la figure 20 est une vue de détail d'une autre variante de réalisation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, and on examining the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view, in section, of a container according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 corresponds to detail II of FIG. 1, when the cover is about to reach its closed position,
• FIG. 3 is a partial section of a lateral side of the cover along the section line III of FIG. 1, when the cover has reached its closed position,
• FIGS. 4 to 16 illustrate different configurations of the cover and of the tank,
• FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate three alternative embodiments of the cover, and
• Figure 20 is a detail view of another alternative embodiment.

The tank 1 shown in Figure 1 has a tank 2 and a cover 3 articulated by its rear side 4 on the tank 2 around a geometric axis of rotation horizontal.

The tank 2 and the cover 3 are made of plastic.

Tray 1 is provided with wheels 5, two in number in the exemplary embodiment described.

The tank 1 has an external collar 6 extending around the entire periphery of the upper part of the tank 2.

The collar 6 has a horizontal flat wall terminated at its periphery by a flange 7 directed downwards.

This rim 7 has at the front of the tank a shape adapted to receive the ends of the combs of a lifting mechanism of a collection vehicle.

Tray 1 is emptied by being tilted forward, that is to say in the direction of arrow V in Figure 1.

When the tray 1 is open, the cover 3 rests against the rear wall 8 of the tank 2.

To prevent the cover 3, by being closed on the tank 2, generating a noise important, means for braking the closing movement of the cover are provided.

These braking means are arranged so as to slow the flow of air trapped in the tank 2 under the cover 3 when the tank 1 is closed, and can present various embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention.

Several embodiment examples are shown in FIGS. 2 to 16.

All these figures are schematic and the proportions and positioning relative of the various elements were not necessarily respected for the sake of clarity of the drawing.

Thus, the passages formed between the cover and the tank to allow the air to flow may be narrower in reality than in the drawing.

In the example of Figure 2, the cover 3 has an upper wall 30 slightly curved, provided at its periphery with an outer skirt 31 directed downwards when the bin is closed.

This outer skirt 31 comes to bear, by its lower end 32, on the collar 6 when tray 1 is closed.

An inner skirt 33, tubular, protrudes from the inner face of the wall top 30 of cover 3.

This inner skirt 33 extends vertically when the tray 1 is closed and then engages in the tank 2.

The main walls of the tank 2 are extended upwards, above the flange 6, by a rib 9, which borders the opening of the tank 2.

The inner skirt 33 of the cover is placed opposite and at a short distance of the rib 9 when the tray 1 is closed.

Preferably, the spacing between the rib 9 and the inner skirt 33, when the tray 1 is closed, is less than 50 mm.

Also preferably, the spacing between the outer skirt 31 and the rib 9 is less than 50 mm when tray 1 is closed.

The outer 31 and inner 33 skirts and the rib 9 constitute, along the front, rear and side of the cover 3, a baffle that forces the air expelled into the tank 2 by closing the cover 3 to make detours before being able to win outside.

The rib 9 of this embodiment is only optional and the effect of baffle with two bends for the air can be obtained, in a variant not shown, around the inner skirt 33 and around the lower end 32 of the outer skirt 31.

We see in Figure 3 that the rib 9 engages between the inner skirts 33 and outside 31 along the lateral sides of the cover 3, when the tank 1 is closed.

The movement of air when the cover 3 is closed is illustrated by arrows in Figure 2.

We understand that the air is forced to bypass the inner skirt 33 from below, whose height at the front of the cover 3 is for example 35 mm before reassembling in the thin space formed between the inner skirt 33 and the rib 9, then to be deflected down again by the outer skirt 31 before being able to escape by the gap left between the lower edge 32 of the outer skirt 31 and the collar 6.

Thus, the closing movement of the cover 3 brings more air into the tank 2 that it cannot escape through the gap between the cover 3 and the tank, which tends to create a temporary overpressure in the tank 2, overpressure which brakes the moving the cover 3.

The cover 3 is therefore slowed down before reaching its closed position (press of the cover on the rib 9) and the noise generated by the impact of the cover 3 on the tank 2 is decreased.

The embodiment of Figure 4 differs from the previous one by the absence inner skirt 33 and by the presence of a second rib 11, parallel to the rib 9, the outer skirt 31 engaging between the ribs 9 and 11.

The height of the rib 11 is for example between 2 and 50 mm.

The thickness of the skirt 31 is 4 mm for example.

The spacing between the ribs 9 and 11 is for example between 5 and 100 mm.

The embodiment of Figure 5 differs from the previous one by the additional presence of an inner skirt 33, like the embodiment of the figure 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the tank has ribs 9 and 11, like that of FIG. 5, and the cover 3 comprises external skirts 41 and interior 43.

The collar 6 is relatively wide.

The outer skirt 41 comes to bear on the collar 6, when the tray is closed, outside the rib 11 and the inner skirt 43 then engages between the ribs 9 and 11.

The spacing between the outer skirt 41 and the rib 11 is for example between 2 and 50 mm.

The spacing between the inner skirt 43 and the rib 11 is for example between 2 and 50 mm.

The spacing between the rib 9 and the inner skirt 43 is for example included between 2 and 50 mm.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, the flange 6 is not extended by a flange 7 downwards, like the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 6, but comprises a peripheral part 44 having in section a shape of Γ.

This peripheral part 44 defines with the rib 9 a groove 45 open towards the top, in which the outer skirt 31 of the cover engages when the container 1 is closed.

The width of the groove 45 is for example between 2 and 100 mm.

Thus, the gap between the outer skirt 31 and each of the uprights of the collar 6 delimiting the groove 45 is between 2 and 100 mm.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 differs from that of FIG. 7 by the presence of the inner skirt 33, shaped to engage in the tank 2.

The distance between the inner skirt 33 and the rib 9 is for example between 2 and 50 mm.

In the embodiment of Figure 9, the flange 6 is terminated by a peripheral part 50 having in section a niche shape.

The cover has an outer skirt 51 and an inner skirt 52 which come respectively from either side of this part 50 when the cover is closed.

The spacing between each of the skirts 51 and 52 and this part 50 is for example between 1 and 15 cm.

The embodiment of FIG. 10 is fairly close to that of FIG. 4 and differs from it only by the absence of a rim 7, the collar 6 ending in the rib 11.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the collar is stepped and comprises, from outside to inside, first 60 and second 61 steps, the last one being higher than the first.

The flange is provided at its periphery with a flange 62 directed downwards.

The cover has an outer skirt 63 and an inner skirt 64.

The spacing between the latter is for example between 1 and 15 cm.

The outer skirt 63 comes to rest on the first step 60 when the cover is closed, while the inner skirt 64 is positioned at a low distance from the inner wall of the tank.

The distance between the outer skirt 63 and the nose of the second step 61 is by example between 2 and 50 mm.

In the embodiment of Figure 12, the cover has a shape similar to that of the cover of FIG. 6, with external skirts 41 and internal 43.

Compared to the embodiment of Figure 6, the tray 1 does not have of rib 9 and the collar 6 does not have a rib 11.

The collar 6 has in section, between the outer 41 and inner 43 skirts of the cover, a portion 66 in the form of a niche.

The outer skirts 41 and inner skirts 43 are located respectively on the side and other part 66 when the tray is closed.

The embodiment of Figure 13 is similar to that of Figure 7 and differs from it by the fact that the cover has at the periphery of its upper wall 30 and beyond the skirt 31, a rib 67 substantially horizontal when the tray is closed, partially covering the top wall 68 of the peripheral part 44.

In the embodiment of Figure 14 the collar, which bears the reference 70, extends inward, that is to say towards the opening of the tank, and ends in a ledge 71 directed upwards.

The cover includes, like that of FIG. 8, an outer skirt 31 and an inner skirt 33, the outer skirt 31 coming to rest behind the rim 71 on the flange 70 when the cover is closed and the inner skirt 33 then extending in look of the ledge 71.

The distance between the skirt 31 and the rim 71 is for example between 2 and 50 mm, preferably being less than 15 mm.

The distance between the skirt 33 and the rim 71 is for example between 2 mm and 50 mm, preferably being less than 15 mm.

The height of the rim 71 is for example between 0 and 2 cm.

The height of the skirt 33, at the front of the cover, is for example between 1 and 8 cm.

The embodiment of FIG. 15 differs from that of FIG. 2 by no edge 7.

In the embodiment of Figure 16, the tank 2 has a flange identical to that described with reference to FIG. 11.

The upper wall of the cover has a peripheral part 80 having in cross section a niche shape, defining a groove 81 open downwards.

The width of this groove is for example between 1 and 10 cm.

The groove 81 is delimited by vertical uprights 82 and 83, substantially parallel, these uprights being joined by a top wall 84 horizontal when the bin is closed.

The upright 82, which also constitutes the outer skirt of the cover, comes resting on the first step 60 of the collar.

The upright 83, which in a way constitutes the inner skirt of the cover, is positioned opposite the inner surface of the main walls of the tank.

In the case where the cover has an inner skirt, such as for example the skirt 33 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the height of this skirt can vary depending on the location on the cover.

It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 17, to have an inner skirt 33 of which the height increases progressively along the lateral sides of the cover from the side rear 4 of the latter towards its front edge.

This prevents, when the tray is open and the cover 3 rests against the rear wall 8 of the tank 2, to form a recess capable of catching on a member of the lifting mechanism of the collection vehicle.

The inner skirt 33 can of course have a constant height, as shown in figure 18.

It is also possible, as illustrated in FIG. 19, to produce the inner skirt 33 with a maximum height in the vicinity of the front and rear edges of the cover and decreasing towards a middle region of the cover, to be minimal at this level, this decrease preferably taking place in such a way that the lower edge 85 of the inner skirt 33 is parallel to the upper wall 30 of the cover.

This makes it easier to stack the covers before they are mounted on the tanks.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described.

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 20, it is possible to produce reliefs such as streaks 90 on the cover or the tank, so as to create a pressure drop additional braking the flow of air leaving the tank.

Claims (27)

1. Bin comprising a receptacle (2) and a swing lid (3), movable between an opening position and a closing position, characterized in that the lid and the receptacle are arranged in such a way that the air leaving the receptacle as the lid is closed and when it is close to its closing position is forced to make at least two turns by being forced to pass between substantially vertical surfaces, belonging respectively to the lid and to the receptacle, these surfaces extending on at least the front side of the lid and preferably on at least the front side of the lid and on its two lateral sides and also preferably along the four sides of the lid in order to promote the creation of an overpressure in the receptacle, an overpressure which retards the displacement of the lid towards its closing position.
2. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lid comprises an inner skirt or wall (33; 43) on its inner surface, an inner wall which is preferably configured to fit inside the receptacle when the bin is closed.
3. Bin according to Claim 2, characterized in that the inner skirt or wall has sufficient height to begin to resist the departure of the air contained between the receptacle and the lid when the lid is in the course of closing and the opening angle is close to 2.5°.
4. Bin according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the height of the inner skirt or wall (33; 43), along the front side of the lid, is between 1 and 8 cm inclusive.
5. Bin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a rib (9) disposed in the prolongation of the main walls of the receptacle, around the opening of the said receptacle.
6. Bin according to either of Claims 2 to 4 and Claim 5, characterized in that the rib (9) extends around the inner skirt or wall (33) when the bin is closed.
7. Bin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid comprises an outer skirt (31; 41; 51; 63).
8. Bin according to Claims 5 and 7, characterized in that the said outer skirt (31; 41) extends around the rib (9) when the bin is closed.
9. Bin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid comprises an inner skirt or wall (33) having along the lateral sides of the lid a variable height which increases, towards the front at least, from a middle region of the lid situated half-way between its front and rear sides.
10. Bin according to Claim 9, characterized in that the inner skirt or wall (33) has along the lateral sides of the lid a height which increases from close to the rear edge of the lid towards the front edge of the lid.
11. Bin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid comprises an inner skirt or wall (33) having along two opposite sides of the lid, preferably its two lateral sides, a rounded profile which is concave in the direction of the receptacle when the bin is closed, and in that the upper wall (30) of the lid has a shape which is convex in the outward-facing direction, the profile of the inner skirt (33) being chosen so as to facilitate stacking of the lids before they are mounted on the receptacles of the bins.
12. Bin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar (6), and in that the lid comprises an outer skirt (31) arranged to rest on the said collar when the bin is closed.
13. Bin according to Claim 12, characterized in that the said collar comprises, at least at the front of the bin, a downwardly directed lip (7).
14. Bin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle comprises two upwardly directed, parallel ribs (9, 11), and in that the lid comprises a skirt or wall (31) arranged to fit between these ribs when the bin is closed.
15. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lid (3) comprises an inner skirt or wall (33) arranged to fit in the receptacle (2) when the bin is closed and an outer skirt (31) arranged to bear upon a collar (6) of the receptacle, the bin additionally containing a rib (9) designed to fit between the inner (33) and outer (31) skirts of the lid.
16. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar (6) and two ribs (9, 11), at least one (11) of which is borne by the said collar, and in that the lid comprises an outer skirt (31) arranged to fit between the said ribs (9, 11) when the bin is closed.
17. Bin according to Claim 16, characterized in that the lid additionally comprises an inner skirt or wall (33) arranged to fit in the receptacle when the bin is closed.
18. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar (6) and two ribs (9, 11), at least one (11) of which is borne by the said collar, and in that the lid comprises an inner skirt or wall (43) arranged to fit between these two ribs and an outer skirt (41) arranged to surround them when the bin is closed.
19. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar having an upwardly open groove (45), and in that the lid comprises an outer skirt (31) arranged to fit in the said groove (45) when the bin is closed.
20. Bin according to Claim 19, characterized in that the lid additionally comprises an inner skirt or wall (33) arranged to fit in the receptacle when the bin is closed.
21. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar having an offset, in that the lid comprises an outer skirt (51) arranged to surround the said collar and an inner skirt (52) arranged to bear upon the base of the said offset when the bin is closed.
22. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar containing a lip having an offset, and in that the lid comprises an outer skirt (63) arranged to bear upon the base of this offset when the bin is closed and an inner skirt or wall (64) arranged to fit in the receptacle.
23. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar (6) having in cross section a crenellated portion (66) and the lid comprises a downwardly open groove, the crenellated portion of the collar being arranged to fit in the groove of the lid when the bin is closed.
24. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises a collar having in cross section a crenellated portion, and in that the lid comprises an inner skirt or wall (43) and an outer skirt (41) arranged to position themselves either side of this crenellated portion (66) when the bin is closed.
25. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the collar has a lip (44) of Γ-shaped cross section, in that the bin comprises a rib (9) prolonging the main walls of the receptacle at the top, and in that the lid comprises a skirt or wall (31) arranged to fit between the abovementioned lip and the said rib.
26. Bin according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge of the receptacle forms, at least at the front, an inward-facing offset (70), and in that the lid comprises an outer skirt (31) suitable for bearing upon the base of this offset when the bin is closed and an inner skirt or wall (33) arranged to fit in the receptacle.
27. Bin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or both of the lid and receptacle also comprise(s) reliefs such as flutes (90) for retarding the flow of the air.

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