EP1749762B1 - Assembly of at least one container and a protective lid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly of at least one tank of a waste collection tank, in particular a plurality of tanks that can be stacked according to the preamble of claim 1, and a protective cover according to the preamble of claim 13, a method for temporarily closing a tank of a waste collection tank according to claim 15, and a method of mounting a waste collection tank according to claim 16.

The use of rolling bins for waste collection is widespread, this type of tank generally having a lid hingedly mounted on a tank.

Before mounting the hinged lid on the tank, it is possible to stack a plurality of tanks for storage or transport, the lids being stored and transported separate tanks.

In order to protect such a stack of tanks against, for example, rain water, when this stack is stored outside, it is known to use a protection assembly arranged on the tank at the top of the stack, comprising a wooden frame supporting a plastic film.

This protection assembly does not reliably prevent the accumulation of water at the level of the stack, which can pose safety problems for a person handling this stack because the accumulated water is likely to flow on this nobody.

In addition, in winter, the accumulated water can turn into ice, which can make the handling of the stack of tanks dangerous.

In addition, the protection assembly mentioned above is not suitable for automated implementation, especially on robotic cells. The assembly of the protection assembly on the tank is carried out manually.

We also know, in particular, the publication EP 0 798 236 , an assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 comprising a tank of a waste collection tank and a plastic cover adapted to be fixed temporarily on the tank of the waste collection tank by mechanical means.

The invention aims in particular to overcome the above problems.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an assembly according to claim 1.

In particular, the invention makes it possible to prevent the accumulation of water during outdoor storage of a stack of tanks whose top tank is protected by the protective cover. Moreover, the invention, because the cover of protection can have a shape allowing it to be manipulated on robotic cells, makes possible a mounting of the protective cover in an automated manner.

Advantageously, the protective cover is made in one piece.

The protective cover can be rigid.

In an exemplary implementation of the assembly of the invention, the protective cover is made of plastic, in particular polystyrene, for example by thermoforming.

Alternatively, the protective cover may, if desired, be made by injection molding.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive, optionally hot-melt, and having, if necessary, self-adhesive properties.

The adhesive may be a rubber-based adhesive.

The adhesive can be deposited beforehand on the protective cover, before being put in place on the tank.

Advantageously, the tank comprises a collar substantially surrounding an upper opening of the tank and the protective cover is arranged to be fixed on the collar of the tank.

The protective cover preferably comprises a lower rim, in particular an annular rim, bearing on the flange of the tank when the protective cover is provisionally fixed on the tank, the adhesive being deposited between this lower rim of the protective cover and the collar of the tank.

Preferably, the lower edge of the protective cover has, in section, a substantially rectangular shape, in particular substantially square, with for example rounded corners, and the cover is fixed on the tank using at least one line of adhesive, for example four lines of adhesive deposited on the four sides of the lower rim of the protective cover.

Preferably, the protective cover is entirely contained in an area delimited by the outer contour of the collar of the tank when the assembly is observed from above.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the tank comprises fastening means for a pivoting cover different from the protective cover, these fastening means including in particular a tubular element extending parallel to a rear side of the tank.

The protective cover advantageously comprises one or more rib ridigification, including protruding on an upper face of the protective cover.

Preferably, the protective cover comprises one or more recesses extending in particular under the upper face of the protective cover. This or these recesses are arranged to allow the stacking, for example for storage or transport, of several protective covers with sufficient spacing between two consecutive covers chosen to prevent the contact of the adhesive on a protective cover with the lid immediately underneath, the recesses of two consecutive lids being able to cooperate.

The protective cover may comprise a slightly convex upper face so as to offer no wind catch.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the vessel is a tank of a garbage collection container.

The tank may be made of thermoplastic material, for example HDPE.

The tank can have a capacity of between 60 L and 360 L.

The invention further relates to a protective cover according to claim 13.

Preferably, the lid comprises a lower rim, in particular annular, adapted to bear against a flange of the tank.

The invention further relates to a method for temporarily closing a tank of a waste collection tank according to claim 15.

The invention further relates to a method of mounting a waste collection tank according to claim 16.

• la figure 1 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en perspective, un ensemble d'une cuve et d'un couvercle de protection conforme à l'invention,
• les figures 2 et 3 représentent, schématiquement et partiellement, respectivement suivant II-II et III-III, l'ensemble de la figure 1, et
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique et partielle, de côté, d'une cuve sur laquelle est monté un couvercle pivotant.

The present invention may be better understood on reading the following detailed description of an example of non-limiting implementation of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and partially, in perspective, an assembly of a tank and a protective cover according to the invention,
• the Figures 2 and 3 represent, schematically and partially, respectively following II-II and III-III, the whole of the figure 1 , and
• the figure 4 is a schematic and partial view, from the side, of a tank on which is mounted a pivoting lid.

We have shown on the figure 1 an assembly 1 comprising a tank 2, partially shown, and a protective cover 3.

The tank 2 is made of thermoplastic material, for example HDPE (high density polyethylene), and may have a capacity of for example between 60 L and 360 L.

In the example considered, the tank 2 comprises a collar 4 substantially surrounding an upper opening 5 of the tank 2.

The collar 4 has, in plan view, a substantially square outer contour.

The tank 2 has a wall 6 defining above the flange 4 an annular rib 7, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2 and 3 .

The tank 2 comprises, at the rear, fastening means 10 arranged to allow the fixing of a pivoting lid 11 on the tank 2, as illustrated in FIG. figure 4 .

The tank 2 and the pivoting lid 11 form a rolling container for collecting waste 12.

The protective cover 3 is different from the pivoting cover 11, the protective cover 3 being intended to close the tank 2 temporarily for example during storage of a stack of tanks, and the pivoting cover 11 being intended to remain permanently on the tank 2 during the period of use of the roll container 12.

In the example, the protective cover 3 is made of thermoplastic material, for example polystyrene, especially by thermoforming.

Alternatively, the cover 3 can be made for example by injection molding.

The lid 3 has a lower annular flange 14 bearing against the flange 4 of the tank 2 when the lid 3 is fixed on the tank 2.

The lower flange 14 has in particular, in section, a substantially square shape, with rounded corners, and is applied laterally against the annular rib 7 of the vessel 2.

As can be seen for example on the figure 1 , the protective cover 3 is entirely contained in an area delimited by the outer contour of the flange 4 of the tank 2 when the assembly 1 is observed from above.

The protective cover 3 comprises a plurality of stiffening ribs 15 projecting on an upper face 16 of the cover 3.

The stiffening ribs 15 can extend for example between two opposite points of the lid 3, in particular along a diagonal of the lid 3.

In the example under consideration, the lid 3 comprises a plurality of recesses 18 extending under the upper face 16 of the lid 3.

Each of these recesses 18 is disposed between two stiffening ribs 15, as illustrated in particular on the figure 1 .

The upper face 16 of the lid 3 is slightly convex upwards.

The lid 3 is fixed temporarily on the tank 2 with an adhesive 20 for example hot-melt and self-adhesive rubber-based. The properties of the adhesive 20 allow it to adhere to the materials constituting the lid and the bowl. It is applied hot on the lid and the lid is attached to the tank. The cover 3 can be fixed on the tank 2 for example by means of four lines of adhesive deposited on each of the four sides of the lower rim 14 of the cover 3.

The adhesive used allows a subsequent separation of the protective cover 3 of the tank 2, substantially without leaving any trace of adhesive on the flange 4 of the tank 2. Indeed, the bonding of the adhesive 20 with the protective cover , on which it has been applied hot, is more stable and, during a separation of the tank 2 and the protective cover 3, the adhesive is detached from the tank 2.

The protective cover 3 has on its underside a protrusion 19 arranged to provide a spacing between two stacked lids 3, sufficient to prevent contact of the adhesive on a lid with that immediately below.

The recesses 18 also fulfill this spacing function.

As can be seen, the protective cover 3 is devoid of articulation means for mounting the cover 3 in an articulated manner on the tank 2.

In order to form the roll container 12, the separation is done, automatically or manually, the protective cover 3 of the tank 2 and then mounting the pivoting cover 11 on the tank 2.

Claims (16)

1. Assembly (1) of at least one tank (2) of a waste collection bin (12), in particular of a plurality of tanks (2) that can be stacked, and of a protective lid (3) made of plastic, the assembly being characterised in that the assembly comprise an adhesive and in that the protective lid (3) is attached temporarily to a tank (2) of the assembly (1) using the adhesive applied on the protective lid (3), the adhesive (20) being selected so as to allow subsequent separation of the protective lid (3) from the tank (2), in particular substantially without leaving any residue of adhesive on the tank (2) and in that the tank (2) comprises attachment means (10) for a pivoting lid (11) different from the protective lid (3).
2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the protective lid (3) is made in a single piece.
3. Assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the protective lid (3) is made of polystyrene, for example by thermoforming.
4. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adhesive (20) is a rubber-based adhesive.
5. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tank (2) comprises a flange (4) substantially surrounding an upper opening (5) of the tank (2) and in that the protective lid (3) is arranged to be attached to the flange (4) of the tank (2).
6. Assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the protective lid (3) comprises a lower edge (14), in particular annular, bearing on the flange (4) of the tank (2) when the protective lid (3) is attached to the tank (2), the adhesive (20) being deposited between this lower edge (14) of the protective lid (3) and the flange (4) of the tank (2).
7. Assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the lower edge (14) of the protective lid (3) has a substantially rectangular, in particular substantially square, cross-section, with for example four rounded corners, and in that the protective lid (3) is attached to the tank (2) using four lines of adhesive (20) deposited along the four sides of the lower edge (14) of the protective lid (3).
8. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the protective lid (3) is completely contained within an area bounded by the flange (4) of the tank (2) when the assembly (1) is viewed from above.
9. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the attachment means (10) comprise a tubular element extending parallel to a rear side of the tank (2).
10. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective lid (3) comprises one or more stiffening ribs (15), in particular projecting on an upper side of the protective lid (3).
11. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective lid (3) comprises one or more recesses (18) extending in particular under the upper side of the protective lid (3).
12. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tank (2) is a tank (2) of a wheeled waste collection bin (12).
13. Protective lid (3) to temporarily close a tank (2) of a waste collection bin (12), the tank (2) comprising attachment means (10) for a pivoting lid (11) different from the protective lid (3), the protective lid (3) is made of plastic, characterised in that it is made in particular by thermoforming, and in that it comprises at least one line of adhesive (20) for temporarily attaching the protective lid (3) to the tank (2), the adhesive (20) being selected so as to allow subsequent separation of the protective lid (3) from the tank (2), in particular substantially without leaving any residue of adhesive (20) on the tank (2).
14. Protective lid (3) according to claim 13, characterised in that it comprises a lower edge (14), in particular annular, adapted to bear against a flange (4) of the tank (2).
15. Method for temporarily closing a tank (2) of a waste collection bin (12) of an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the step of temporally attaching, automatically or manually, the protective lid (3) of the assembly (1) to the tank (2) using an adhesive applied on the protective lid (3), the adhesive (20) being selected to allow subsequent separation of the protective lid (3) from the tank (2),in particular substantially without leaving any residue of adhesive (20) on the tank (2).
16. Method for forming a waste collection bin (12), comprising a tank (2) and a pivoting lid (11), the tank (2) being initially closed using a protective lid (3) attached temporally on the tank (2) using an adhesive (20) applied on the protective lid (3), in particular substantially without leaving any residue of adhesive (20) on the tank (2), the method comprising the following steps:

    - separating, automatically or manually, the protective lid (3) from the tank (2),

    - mounting the pivoting lid (11) on the tank (2).

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