EP1136393B1 - Refuse receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

A garbage can has a first lid segment hingedly attached to a first wall and a second lid segment hingedly attached to a second side wall. An actuator raises the lid segment from a closed position to an opened position. The actuator includes vertical rods attached to a foot pedal. Depression of the foot pedal causes the vertical rods to move upwardly and move the lid segments into the opened position. The first and second side walls meet a corner and a third arcuate side wall connects the first and second side wall to give the garbage can a sector shape.

Description

The present invention relates to a waste collector a container containing the waste, comprising a Lid, which is by lowering one on the waste collector the attached foot lever can be opened, with the lid off there are two approximately the same size cover segments, each have their own external pivot axis and at Swing the actuation of the foot lever up like a wing door.

Waste collectors of this type are well known. The Waste collector of this type with a foot pedal opening hinged lids usually have one cylindrical housing with a corresponding cylindrical usually removable container for the waste. It are also waste collectors of this type with one rectangular plan known. For example, the GB shows 257 081 a waste collector of the type mentioned, the has a rectangular plan and two approximately the same has large lid segments, each with its own have external pivot axis, the two Lid segments also have a rectangular outline.

An important concern in recent times has been the so-called waste separation into different types of waste such as for example organic waste (organic waste), waste paper, Waste glass, special waste, residual waste etc. This waste separation if possible, should already be there at the consumer Household take place where the waste is generated, that is for example on the one used in the kitchen area Waste collector. For this purpose, too Waste collectors have become known that several in one housing have smaller removable inner containers, which then absorb different types of waste. The waste collector itself then has just like the smaller inner containers in the Usually an approximately rectangular floor plan. These conventional ones However, waste collectors have the disadvantage that they are reasonable later expansion of the absorption capacity for Do not allow waste. Although you can basically next to a waste collector with a cylindrical housing make another similar cylindrical waste collector. However, this is from the point of view of space utilization quite inconvenient, since the two housings do not become one complete closed form and thus wasted space becomes. The given space requirement, for example, in one However, kitchen base cabinets are usually scarce. Moreover there is no such thing with free-standing waste collectors of this type attractive appearance.

The well-known waste collectors with a foot pedal pressure Opening lids also have the disadvantage that the lid due to its construction, it opens in such a way that it maximum opening position not completely vertical but something is inclined towards the front. This does not result in any optimal conditions for the disposal of waste. The one from above seen from the maximum available opening cross-section of the Waste receptacle is partially covered through the slightly protruding lid.

The object of the present invention is a To create waste collectors of the type mentioned, the better availability of the opening after opening the Guaranteed cover.

A solution according to the invention provides this object Waste collector of the type mentioned at the beginning with the characteristic features of the main claim. As a result of that the lid is made up of two part-circular ones of about the same size Cover segments exist, each with its own have external pivot axis and when actuated of the foot lever swings up like a wing door, says after Open the lid of the opening in the middle practically completely available so that you can waste throw in practically immediately vertically from above can. The task solution according to the invention provides that Waste collector housing a part-circular plan having.

A quarter-circle outline is particularly preferred (Floor plan) of the waste collector. The quarter-circle outline has the advantage that you then have two identical designs Garbage collectors of this type can stand side by side, so to get a semicircular outline, that is a body with a half cylinder housing. One can also put three of these waste collectors next to each other, which then in the top view form a three-quarter circle or four Waste collectors of this type that form a full circle (Cylinder housing) add. The individual waste collector with a quarter-circular outline then has two lid segments each with an approximately eighth-circle outline. The Quarter-circle outline shape therefore enables the assembly especially from two or four of these waste collectors optimal use of space without any dead zones and under Creation of a waste collector ensemble with an aesthetic attractive design.

Compared to a waste collector with several smaller ones Inner containers also result in greater flexibility Use of waste separation. The user can first an existing waste collector for a pure waste type or use without waste separation. If he does wishes to have a larger absorption capacity or separate waste, he can use a second waste collector of the same type acquire and these two waste collectors immediately side by side and then for different types of waste or use for a larger waste capacity. As well offers a third or fourth waste collector of the same Type further separation options, with four Waste collector to a total of approximately cylindrical Complete the overall arrangement, but a much larger one Have waste capacity as if you had one conventional cylindrical waste collectors by appropriate Inner container divided into several inner compartments.

In a waste collector according to the invention, the Mechanism for opening the lid segments preferably one linkage that is operationally connected to the foot pedal at least one vertically arranged bar for each Cover segment, with the rod in its upper end area is articulated on the underside of the cover segment. If then the foot pedal is operated, the rods are synchronized for all (preferably two) lid segments raised and both cover segments synchronously upwards and outwards pivoted about their respective external pivot axis.

To leverage when opening the lid segments too Improve a development of the invention provides that the rod is articulated in its upper end area a short lever arm is connected, which in turn on rigidly connected at its other end to the cover segment is. The pivot point of the rod is preferably at Lever arm at a distance from the swivel axis of the cover segment arranged. This results in opening the Lid segments better balance of power. This You can further improve the balance of power if you according to a preferred development provides that the rod in their upper end area one inward from Cover segment has angled offset. Preferably the opening mechanism of the cover segments is like this trained that the substantially vertical rod that the lid segment does not raise a mere upward movement takes place, but also with the upward movement shifted approximately laterally, especially in the upper area. there the rod is preferably in parts of the housing of the Waste collector in the direction transverse to its longitudinal axis slidably guided. This movement of the rod results in a constructive training of the aforementioned type in that the pivot axis of the cover segment is fixed, but the pivot point of the rod on the lever arm when opening of the cover segment usually on a circular path relocated.

A further development of the invention provides that continue a damping device is provided, by means of which the Return movement (lowering movement) of the rods and thus the Lid segments is braked after releasing the foot pedal. This can prevent that after releasing the foot pedal the lid makes an unpleasant noise when it closes. Such a damping device can, for example Include spring mechanism or preferably a Rack and pinion gear or equivalent gear elements.

Furthermore, at least one spring mechanism is preferably in Form a return spring or the like provided to the Return movement (lowering movement) of the rod after releasing the Support foot pedal. This is particularly advantageous if the opened lid segments are vertical or nearly stand vertically.

The features mentioned in the subclaims relate to preferred developments of the invention Solution of the problems. Further advantages of the invention result from the detailed description below.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Abfallsammlers;

Fig. 2

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch einen Abfallsammler gemäß Fig.1;

Fig. 3a

eine Detailansicht als Draufsicht in einer ersten Bewegungsphase;

Fig. 3b

eine entsprechende Detailansicht wie Fig. 3a jedoch in einer anderen Bewegungsphase;

Fig. 4

eine Detailansicht, die den Öffnungsmechanismus demonstriert;

Fig. 4a

eine Detailansicht von der Seite her in der Bewegungsphase von Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4b

eine entsprechende Detailansicht von der Seite her in der Bewegungsphase von Fig. 3b;

The present invention is described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show

Fig. 1

an overall perspective view of a waste collector according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a vertical section through a waste collector according to Figure 1;

Fig. 3a

a detailed view as a plan view in a first movement phase;

Fig. 3b

a corresponding detailed view as Figure 3a but in a different phase of movement.

Fig. 4

a detail view demonstrating the opening mechanism;

Fig. 4a

a detailed view from the side in the movement phase of Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4b

a corresponding detailed view from the side in the movement phase of Fig. 3b;

First, reference is made to FIG. 1.
The waste collector according to the invention is generally designated 1 in FIG. 1. This waste collector 1 consists of a housing 2, which can for example consist of sheet metal and which, as can be seen, has a quarter-circular outline. The housing has a cover consisting of two part-circular cover segments 10, 11 of approximately the same size, each of which has an approximately eighth-circle outline. The opening of the cover segments 10, 11 takes place by actuating a foot lever 15, which is articulated on the underside of the two cover segments 10, 11 via a linkage, which is not shown in FIG. 1, so that when the foot lever 15 is lowered, the two Lid segments 10, 11 are raised and each swing up about their own external pivot axis 12, 13 approximately like a wing door. The pivot axes 12, 13 run, as can be seen in FIG. 1, in each case approximately parallel to the outer boundary edge of the waste collector 1. The housing 2 of the waste collector also rests in a base part 3, which can be made of plastic, for example, and which consists, for example, of sheet metal Border housing 2 in the lower area. The foot lever 15 has a part-circular ring shape and extends into the foot part 3 at both ends thereof. The partially annular foot lever 15, which is designed as a type of pedal bracket, is pivotally mounted in the foot part 3 about an axis which extends approximately transversely through the waste collector. The waste collector also includes an upper part 4, which is also preferably made of plastic and on which the two cover segments 10, 11 are mounted in the closed position.

In the following, reference is now made to FIG. 2. The The illustration shows the waste collector 1 from the side. you recognizes here the pivot axis 15a of the part-ring Foot lever 15 and part of the mechanism is shown which serves to open the cover segments 10, 11. This is the Foot lever 15 inside the waste collector 1 as a linkage formed with an operating section 15b, the rear end is raised when lowering the foot pedal 15. This actuating section 15b is in turn articulated with vertically arranged rods 20 connected when lowering of the foot pedal 15 from the rear end of the Actuating section 15b can be raised. There are two such rods provided, as can be seen in Fig. 4. The details of this boom will be discussed later explained in more detail. For each of the two cover segments 10, 11 such a rod 20 is required for lifting. in the A return spring 28 can be located in the lower region of the rod 20 be arranged, which is a return movement, that is Lowering movement of the rod 20 after releasing the foot pedal 15 supports, so that the cover segments 10, 11 better pulled out of the vertical position into a tilt position from which they then automatically fall. To this Braking the lid segments shut down and thus to avoid unpleasant noise when falling also preferably a damping device 27 provided by means of which the return movement of the rods 20 and thus the cover segments 10, 11 after releasing the foot pedal 15 is braked. This damping device 27 can for example a rack and pinion gear with Gear include, which is not explained here. This damping device 27 is the subject of another Registration of the applicant.

In Fig. 2 you can also see the container 5, which for Waste collection serves. It is this Container 5 around a removable inner container.

More details of the opening mechanism will now be given hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4, 4a, 4b explained in more detail. 3a shows the top view Waste collector with closed lid segments 10, 11, whereas in Fig. 3b the lid segments are open, so that the opening of the waste collector is free. One can in both representations the vertical rods 20, 21 for recognize the lifting of the lid segments 10, 11, and the Recesses 25 in which the rods 20, 21 when lifting the Cover segments 10, 11 in the direction transverse to their longitudinal axis are slidably mounted. When lifting the cover segments 10, 11 namely the rods 20, 21 experience a light Transverse displacement, which is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3b is. This movement results from the joint relationships, because the upper end of the rods 20, 21 each move in the side view seen on a circular path, what next is explained in more detail below. The right cover segment 11 is partially cut open in Fig. 3a, so that you look directly at the vertical bar 21, which is shown cut here. The whole view is schematically simplified for better clarity.

3b, the two cover segments 10, 11 are open, see above that you can see the short lever arms 23, respectively which the rods 20, 21 each have in their upper end region are articulated. These short lever arms 23 are on the other end with the underside of the cover segment 10, 11 rigidly connected.

The movement conditions when opening the cover segments 10, 11 can be based on FIGS. 4a, 4b, on the following Reference is made to explain clearly. In these Fig. are only the essential for the explanation of the invention Parts shown. One recognizes one of the two rods 21, which is articulated on the short lever arm 23, which in turn is connected to the cover segment 11. Fig. 4b shows that fully open cover segment 11, which is in a about vertical position. You can also see here the outer pivot axis 13 around which the cover segment 11 pivots during the opening movement. Furthermore you can see in Fig. 4b that the rod 21 in its upper end region bend inwards directed away from the cover segment 11 has an obtuse angle. The hinge axis between Rod 21 and lever arm 23, that is the upper articulation point the rod 21 is designated 29. You can also see the guide slot 25 already shown in FIG. 3a, within which the rod 21 is in the opening movement of the cover segment 11 shifted transversely.

4a shows two positions of the cover segment 11 shown, namely once the closed position in solid lines and once an approximately half-open one Position in dashed lines. You can see that that Cover segment 11, 11 'pivots about the pivot axis 13 and it will also the movement of the rod 21 and the short Lever arm 23 clearly when opening the cover segment 11, 11 '. The respective parts are in the open position with 21 ' or 23 '.

In the following, reference is made to FIG. 4. From this Representation once again shows the context of the movement of the two rods 20, 21 for the two cover segments 10, 11 clearly. Unlike in FIGS. 4a and 4b, both are here Bars 20, 21 shown, both in their upper End area where they lift the lid segments 10, 11 as well in its lower end area so that you can connect to the Recognize the operating section 15b of the linkage of the foot pedal can. The representation is again simplified schematically. 4, the two rods 20, 21 are once in one bottom position shown in solid lines that the closed position of the two cover segments 10, 11 equivalent. The upward or downward movement of the Rods 20, 21 each time the foot pedal 15 is actuated indicated by arrows. The end of the Actuating section 15b becomes when the foot lever 15 is lowered raised so that the rods 20, 21 are pushed upwards become. The respective upper ends move accordingly the rods 20, 21 upwards and press the short lever arm 23 upwards, so that the cover segments 10, 11 around their external pivot axes 12, 13 like a wing door upwards swivel or fold. The open position of the Cover segments are shown at 10 'and 11', respectively in dashed lines as well as the position of the two Rods that are in the open position with 20 'or 21' are designated. 4 can also be seen quite well in FIG. that the pivot point 29 of the rod 21 on the lever arm 23 at Opening the lid segment 11 moves on a circular path. In addition, Fig. 4 can be seen that the respective offset 24 of the rods 20, 21 in the upper end region Leverage ratios when opening the respective cover segment 10, 11 improved. The lower end of each Rods 20, 21 are articulated about a horizontal axis 28 pivotally connected to the operating portion 15b. The Actuating section 15b is again at its other end via a linkage system with multiple direction change the partially annular arranged outside the container Foot lever 15 connected, which is already below 2 was explained. Through this Construction is possible when the foot lever 15 is lowered (see Fig. 2) both lid segments 10, 11 for opening the Waste collector to swing up synchronously.

Claims (15)

1. Refuse collector (1) having a refuse-accommodating container, comprising a lid which can be opened by virtue of a foot lever (15) fitted on the refuse collector (1) being lowered, the lid comprising two lid segments (10, 11) of approximately equal size, which each have a dedicated pivot axis (12, 13) located on the outside and, when the foot lever (15) is actuated, pivot up in the manner of a double-leaf door, characterized in that the refuse collector (1), overall, has an approximately partly circular outline, and the lid segments (10, 11) of approximately equal size, which make up the lid, are designed in the form of part-circles.
2. Refuse collector (1) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the refuse collector (1) has an outline in the form of a quarter-circle, and the lid segments (10, 11) approximately have an outline in the form of an eighth of a circle.
3. Refuse collector (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot axis (12, 13) of the lid segments (10, 11) runs in each case approximately parallel to the outer boundary edge of the refuse collector (1).
4. Refuse collector (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mechanism for opening the lid segments (10, 11) comprises a linkage which is connected in operational terms to the foot lever (15) and has at least in each case one approximately vertically arranged rod (20, 21) for each lid segment (10, 11), the rod (20, 21), in its top end region, being articulated in each case on the underside of the lid segment (10, 11).
5. Refuse collector (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the rod (20, 21), in its top end region in each case, is connected in an articulated manner to a short lever arm (23) which, for its part, is connected rigidly, at its other end, to the lid segment (10, 11).
6. Refuse collector (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the point at which the rod (20, 21) is articulated on the lever arm (23) is spaced apart from the pivot axis (12, 13) of the lid segment (10, 11).
7. Refuse collector (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the rod (20, 21), in its top end region, has in each case one angled portion (24) which is directed inwards away from the lid segment (10, 11).
8. Refuse collector (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the rod (20, 21) is mounted in parts (25) of the housing of the refuse collector (1) such that it can be displaced in the direction transverse to its longitudinal axis.
9. Refuse collector (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the linkage connected to the foot lever (15) has at least one actuating section (26) which, in its end region, is connected in an articulated manner, for pivoting action, to the bottom end region of at least one of the vertical rods (20, 21), that end of the actuating section (26) which is connected to the rod (20, 21) being raised when the foot lever (15) is lowered.
10. Refuse collector (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 9, characterized in that a damping device (27) is provided in order to brake the return movement (lowering movement) of the rods (20, 21) and thus of the lid segments (10, 11) following release of the foot lever (15).
11. Refuse collector (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the damping device (27) comprises at least one rack gear mechanism or similar gear-mechanism elements.
12. Refuse collector (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 11, characterized in that at least one spring mechanism, preferably a restoring spring (28), is provided for assisting the return movement (lowering movement) of the rods (20, 21) following release of the foot lever (15).
13. Refuse collector (1) according to Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has a foot part (3) on which the refuse-accommodating container rests and which encompasses this container.
14. Refuse collector (1) according to Claim 13, characterized in that a foot-operable pedal bracket is mounted in a pivotable manner on the foot part (3).
15. Refuse collector (1) according to Claim 14, characterized in that the pedal bracket has a partly annular section, which engages around the foot region of the refuse collector (1) at a small distance therefrom, and also has a bearing section, which is mounted in a pivotable manner within the foot part and extends transversely through the refuse collector (1), diagonally in relation to the rear corner of the outer dimension, and further has an actuating section (26), which extends at right angles to the diagonal section.

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