EP1807327A1

EP1807327A1 - Bin container

Info

Publication number: EP1807327A1
Application number: EP05781707A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Robert Norton; Ian Andrew Williams
Original assignee: NORTON MOTOR SPORTS Ltd
Current assignee: TG WASTE MANAGEMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-02
Filing date: 2005-09-05
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Also published as: GB2419514B; WO2006048592A1; GB0424289D0; GB2419514A

Abstract

A bin container (2) comprises a hollow body having a plurality of compartments (17a, b, c), each for receiving a bin (4a, b, c). The body is open on at least one side to allow bins to be inserted into and removed from the compartments. The container (2) has a base (14) on which the container is supported when standing in an upright position, and a kerb-climber device (22) that engages the ground when the container is tipped from an upright position to an inclined position, and allow the bin contained to be manoeuvred over kerbs with relative ease.

Description

Bin Container

The present invention relates to a bin container. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a container for storing a plurality of bins, boxes or other similar containers, such as waste collection bins for recyclable materials, and allowing them to be moved easily and with little effort.

In many places, members of the public are encouraged to collect recyclable materials (glass, plastics, paper etc.) in their domestic refuse, so that those materials can be collected and recycled. Often, the public are provided with a number of waste collection bins, usually in the form of open-topped or lidded plastic boxes, in which the recyclable materials can be stored. These waste collection bins are emptied by a waste collection agency on a regular basis, for example every one or two weeks. The non-recyclable waste is usually stored in a separate waste refuse container, for example a large wheeled bin (or "wheelie bin").

One problem with the existing plastic collection bins is that they are quite large and can be heavy and difficult to lift when full, especially for the elderly and infirm. Also, if several waste collection bins are provided for collecting different recyclable materials they can take up a considerable amount of floor space and they can be difficult to stack, discouraging their use.

A solution to these problems is suggested in GB 2393104 A, which discloses an apparatus for storage and transportation of recyclable waste. The apparatus consists of a standard wheeled rubbish bin, which is modified to allow it to hold a number of recycling boxes. The modification consists of cutting away part of the front wall of the bin and introducing an insert to provide compartments for the recycling boxes. This process is however complex and adds to the cost and weight of the apparatus. Further, the walls of standard wheelie bins are not designed to be load-bearing and may not have sufficient strength to support a number of fully- loaded recycling boxes. Cutting away part of the front wall only weakens the apparatus further. Additional strengthening structures may therefore be required, further increasing the cost and weight of the apparatus.

Another disadvantage with the apparatus disclosed in GB 2393104 A is that it may be difficult to manoeuvre over raised kerbs and steps when fully loaded, giving rise to a risk of injury to the operator. This is not generally so great a problem with standard wheelie bins, since the weight of the contents is generally located within the lower part of the bin and is carried mainly by the wheels. However, when the apparatus is used to transport recycling boxes, the weight distribution may be very different: for example, the apparatus may be top-heavy if a large number of items are stored in the top compartment. When the apparatus is tipped the load carried by the operator may then be greatly increased, increasing the risk of injury, particularly when negotiating kerbs or steps since this is generally when the container is tipped most.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bin container that mitigates at least some of the aforesaid disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a bin container comprising a hollow body having a plurality of compartments, each for receiving a bin, said body being open on at least one side to allow bins to be inserted into and removed from the compartments, said body having a base on which the container is supported when standing in an upright position, and a kerb-climber device having a plurality of wheels that engage the ground when the container is tipped from an upright position to an inclined position, said kerb-climber device being constructed and arranged to allow the bin container to be manoeuvred easily over a raised kerb.

The bin container allows a plurality of bins to be stored conveniently with little wasted floor space, and to be moved from one location to another without lifting. The kerb-climber device makes it easy to negotiate kerbs and steps, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

Advantageously, the compartments are arranged vertically, one above another.

The bin container advantageously has between two and four compartments, preferably three compartments. Advantageously, the kerb-climber device is located on an opposite side of the container to the open side.

Advantageously, the body comprises a plastics moulding.

Advantageously, the walls are tapered and/or include outwardly-curved upper portions, for increased strength and rigidity.

Advantageously, the kerb-climber device includes one or more rotatable support elements, each support element supporting a plurality of wheels or rollers. Preferably, each support element supports three wheels or rollers, arranged in a triangular configuration.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a waste container system, including a plurality of waste collection bins and a bin container according to any one of the preceding claims, for storing the waste collection bins.

Advantageously, each waste collection bin comprises an open-topped box having a base and an upstanding wall.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a bin container according to the invention, together with a number of waste collection bins;

Figure 2 is a side view of the bin container;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a waste collection bin;

Figure 4 is a top view of a waste collection bin;

Figure 5 is a front view of the bin container holding a number of waste collection bins;

Figure 6 is a top view of the bin container; and

Figure 7 is a cross section on line VII-VII of Figure 5. Figure 1 shows a bin container 2 and three waste collection bins 4a,b,c. Two of the waste collection bins 4a,b are shown inside the bin container 2 and the third bin 4c is shown outside the container. As shown in figures 3 & 4, each waste collection bin has a substantially rectangular base 5, four inclined walls 6 and an outwardly-protruding rim 7 at the upper edge of each wall.

The bin container 2 shown in figures 1,2,5,6 & 7 comprises a plastics moulding, having two side walls 8, and rear wall 10, a top plate 12 and a base 14. The front face of the container 2 is open. Two shelves 16 extend across the interior of the container, dividing it into three compartments 17a,b,c, each of which is shaped to receive a waste collection bin 4. hi particular, each compartment 17a,b,c includes outwardly inclined side walls 18 and an enlarged upper section 20, which accommodates the rim of the bin 4. The base 14, the top plate 12 and the shelves 16 are corrugated for strength and rigidity. The tapered walls 8 and the enlarged upper sections 20 of the compartments also add strength and rigidity to the container, allowing it to support three fully-loaded waste collection bins 4. The height of each compartment 17a,b,c is sufficient to allow small recyclable items (e.g. newspapers and flattened bottles/cans) to be placed in the bin without having to remove the bin from the compartment. The bins 4 are however protected from the elements by the top plate 12 and the shelves 16, which prevent rain water from falling into the bins 4.

A kerb-climber device 22 is mounted on an axle 24, which is attached to the container 2 at the lower end of the rear wall 10. The kerb-climber device 22 consists of two spoked support elements 26 mounted on the ends of the axle 24. Three wheels 28 are attached to each support element 26, in a triangular arrangement. The kerb-climber device 22 is located so that the lowest wheels are at or just above ground level when the container is standing upright on the base 14, and so that when the container is tipped backwards the wheels engage the ground, lifting the base 14 clear of the ground. A handle 30 is provided at the upper end of the rear wall 10, which can be used to tip the container backwards onto the wheels, so that it can be easily moved.

The waste collection bins 4a,b,c can be slotted into the three compartments 17a,b,c of the container 2, so that they stand on the shelves 16 or the base 14. Each waste bin 4a,b,c can therefore be removed or replaced in the container 2 as required. They can be stored vertically within the container 2, so reducing the amount of floor space they occupy. Because the container 2 is provided with wheels 28, the container 2 and the waste collection bins 4a,b,c can be moved easily from one location to another, for example so that the waste collection bins can be conveniently emptied.

The kerb-climber device 22 makes it relative easy to manoeuvre the bin container over raised kerbs and steps, even when the bins are fully loaded. When negotiating a kerb, the container is pulled backwards towards the kerb until one of the ground-engaging wheels comes into contact with the upright part of the kerb. The container is then pulled further backwards, causing the kerb-climber device to rotate until the uppermost wheels 28 engage the upper part of the kerb. As the container 2 is pulled back still further, its weight is gradually transferred onto the upper wheels and the kerb-climber continues to rotate, the lower wheels then rolling up and over the upright part of the kerb, until all of the wheels have negotiated the kerb. This greatly reduces the effort needed to pull the container over a kerb, and so reduces the risk of injury to an operator.

Various modifications of the container are of course possible. For example, the container may have more or fewer than three compartments and its shape and construction may be adapted to suit the shape of the bins. It may be made of various different plastics materials or of other suitable materials, such as metal.

Claims

CIaims

1. A bin container comprising a hollow body having a plurality of compartments, each for receiving a bin, said body being open on at least one side to allow bins to be inserted into and removed from the compartments, said body having a base on which the container is supported when standing in an upright position, and a kerb-climber device having a plurality of wheels that engage the ground when the container is tipped from an upright position to an inclined position, said kerb-climber device being constructed and arranged to allow the bin container to be manoeuvred easily over a raised kerb.

2. A bin container according to claim 1, wherein the compartments have a vertical arrangement.

3. A bin container according to claim 1 or claim 2 having from two to four compartments, preferably three compartments.

4. A bin container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the kerb- climber device is located on an opposite side of the container to the open side.

5. A bin container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a plastics moulding.

6. A bin container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the compartments include walls, which are contoured for increased strength and rigidity.

7. A bin container according to claim 6, wherein the walls are tapered.

8. A bin container according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the walls include outwardly- curved upper portions.

9. A bin container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the kerb- climber device includes one or more rotatable support elements, each support element supporting a plurality of wheels or rollers.

10. A bin container according to claim 9, in which each support element supports three wheels or rollers, arranged in a triangular configuration.

11. A waste container system, including a plurality of waste collection bins and a bin container according to any one of the preceding claims, for storing the waste collection bins.

12. A waste container system according to claim 11, wherein each waste collection bin comprises an open-topped box having a base and an upstanding wall.