FR2746379A1 - Container for collecting rubbish - Google Patents

Abstract

The rubbish container (1) comprises a rear wall (3), a front wall (2), two side walls (4) and a bottom. The two side walls are deformable and can be folded onto each other to allow the front and rear walls to be brought together. The bottom is hinged on the front or rear wall. Each side wall has two folding sections (4a,4b) which are hinged together on an edge and hinged on the opposite edge to the rear and front walls. The front and rear walls, the folding sections and the bottom are all made by extrusion or injection moulding in high density polythene. There are also holders (17,18) for maintaining the container in the unfolded position. Each side wall holder is mounted so it can be displaced in the direction of the geometrical hinge axis of the associated folding section. Each holder is displaced between a locking position, in which it grips the two folding sections and holds them in the unfolded position, and a raised position allowing the flaps to be folded.

Description

 The present invention relates to a container. such as a rolling bin. for waste collection.

 Containers are known which have a generally parallelepipedal shaped tank provided at its lower part with wheels for the displacement by rolling of the container and having on its front wall a hooking means for lifting. tilting and emptying of the container by a collection vehicle.

 The invention relates to a new container. characterized in that it has a rear wall and a front wall and two deformable side panels connecting the front and rear walls. each side panel comprising two flaps hinged together. can be folded in on themselves to allow the front and rear walls to come together. the container further comprising a bottom wall pivotally mounted on one of the front and rear walls and at least one member for holding the container in the unfolded position.

 The size of a container according to the invention. empty. is thus reduced compared to that of a known non-collapsible container. and the storage of the containers awaiting their filling is facilitated.

 Producers of large volumes of waste. especially businesses such as florists. fishmongers. pharmacies. who until now could not present the waste for collection in containers for lack of space to store the latter waiting for their filling and who therefore had the waste in bulk on the sidewalk can now use foldable containers according to the invention .

 In a preferred embodiment of the invention. the container comprises two holding members respectively associated with said side panels. each holding member being mounted to move in the axis of articulation of the two flaps of the side panel considered. between a locking position in which it engages with these two flaps to maintain them in the unfolded position in the extension of one another, and a raised position allowing the folding of the flaps.

 Advantageously. at least one of the holding members is shaped to engage from above with the front and rear walls when the container is folded, to maintain it in this state.

 Advantageously. each holding member is provided with a handle.

 Thus, the members for holding the container in the unfolded position can advantageously be used to help the user fold or unfold the container without risk for the user to get dirty or to be injured during this operation. for example by pinching your fingers between the flaps of the side panels.

 In addition. the holding members are of particularly reliable operation. compatible with the severe conditions of use to which the containers are subjected.

 In the aforementioned preferred embodiment. each retaining member advantageously comprises an elongated body capable of coming into engagement with the upper edges of the two associated flaps to maintain the latter in the extension of one another.

 This elongated body advantageously has at its longitudinal ends lugs projecting downwards. able to engage with the upper edges of the rear and front walls to maintain the container in the folded state.

 Advantageously. each holding member is returned by an elastic return means in its locked position.

 Advantageously. each holding member is integral with a rod guided to slide by at least one of the associated flaps.

this rod preferably lying in the extension of the hinge axis connecting the two flaps.

 The elastic return means is advantageously constituted by a spring located in the extension of the axis of articulation of the two flaps.

 This spring is advantageously housed in a housing comprising a lower part and an upper part capable of sliding one inside the other and respectively secured to the rod of the holding member and to one of the flaps. said spring working in compression to urge said spacing parts.

 In another particular embodiment of the invention. the container comprises at least one holding member constituted by a frame articulated on the upper part of one of the front and rear walls and capable of coming into engagement with the other of the front and rear walls to oppose the bringing together of these and lock the container in the unfolded state.

 Advantageously. this frame is articulated at one end on the rear wall and it is able to snap into place at the opposite end in a clamp secured to the front wall.

 In another particular embodiment of the invention. the container comprises at least one holding member articulated at one end on one of the front and rear walls and capable of engaging on top of the flaps of a side panel at least. to keep it in the unfolded position.

 Advantageously. this holding member is constituted by a frame articulated at one end on one of the front and rear walls and capable of engaging from above on the two flaps of each side panel to keep them in the unfolded position.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge on reading the detailed description which follows. of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments of the invention. and examining the attached drawing in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view. schematic, of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention.

 - Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the container shown in Figure 1. folded.

 - Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view in a median plane of the lower part of the container shown in Figure 1.

 - Figure 4 is a partial schematic perspective view showing the upper part of the articulation of two flaps of a side panel before setting up the associated holding member.

 - Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the holding member in the raised position for folding the flaps.

 - Figures 6 and 7 are two side elevations of the rod used for mounting each holding member in the extension of the hinge axis of two associated components.

 - Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view. partial. of the rod in place on the container.

FIG. 9 shows in elevation the lower part of a mechanism serving to return the rod downwards,
- Figure 10 shows in elevation the upper part of the mechanism for the return of the rod down.

 FIG. 11 is a cross section along the section line XI-XI of FIG. 10.

 - Figure 12 is a perspective view. schematic. of a container according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross section along the section line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12,
FIG. 14 is a cross section along the section line XIV-XIV of FIG. 12. and
- Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view. of a container according to a third embodiment of the invention.

 The container 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 has a front wall 2 and a rear wall 3 of rigid plastic.

 These walls 2, 3 are generally flat and parallel and have a substantially rectangular shape, of the same widths and heights, with long sides oriented vertically.

 The long sides of the front 2 and rear 3 walls extending opposite one another are connected by side panels 4 each consisting of two flaps 4a and 4 ~. Each component 4a. 4b has a generally rectangular shape with large sides oriented vertically.

 Flaps 4a. 4b of the same side panel 4 are connected to one another in an articulated manner by a longitudinal edge and are connected in an articulated manner to the longitudinal edge opposite the rear wall 3 and the front wall 2 respectively.

 The flaps 4a and 4b are articulated on the front 2 and rear 3 walls by means of metal pins 5a extending substantially over the entire height of the flaps in superimposed holes in the flaps and the associated front or rear walls.

 The front wall 2 has at its upper edge a rim 6 projecting forward and defining a groove 7 open at the bottom for attachment. in a manner known per se from the container 1 on a comb or lifting bar of a waste collection vehicle.

 The rear wall 3 is provided at its lower end with a running gear for moving by rolling the container 1. This running gear has two wheels 9 carried by an axle 10 horizontally passing through the rear wall 3 and extending generally in parallel at the front wall 2.

 The rear wall 3 is provided above with a handle 11 extending obliquely towards the rear, in a manner known per se.

 A cover 12 is pivotally mounted on the handle 11 between an open position where it rests opposite the external face of the rear wall 3 and a closed position of the container in the deployed state. in which it rests on the upper edge of the front wall 2.

 The container 1 has a bottom wall 13 pivotally mounted on the axle 10. This bottom wall 13 is integral with a pedal 14 projecting from the rear of the container between the wheels 9 and allowing the user to lift the bottom wall 13 before folding the container 1.

 When the latter is deployed. the bottom wall 13 rests at its end 13a, opposite the articulation end 13k, on the rear wall 3, on a shoulder 15 of the front wall 2.

 In the embodiment described, this shoulder 15 is constituted by the inner edge of a profile 16 engaged on the lower edge of the front wall 2. as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

 The container 1 normally rests on the ground by the wheels 9 and by the base of the profile 16 and / or the lower edge of the front wall 2.

 As a variant. the container 1 is provided with a roller (not shown) pivotally mounted in the lower part of the front wall 2 and intended to facilitate the movement by rolling of the container 1.

 Preferably. the front 2 and rear 3 walls the flaps 4a. 4k and the bottom wall 13 are produced by extrusion / blow molding in high density polyethylene or by injection.

 The container 1 is provided with holding members 17. 18 able to hold it in the unfolded position. the flaps 4a, 4k of each side panel 4 then being located in the extension of one another.

 More specifically, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. each holding member 17 or 18 is associated with a side panel 4 being mounted to move in the direction of the axis of articulation of the two flaps 4a. 4k, correspondents between a locking position in which it engages with the two flaps to keep them in the unfolded position in the extension of one another and a raised position allowing the folding of the flaps.

 Each holding member 17, 18 comprises. as shown more particularly in FIG. 5, an elongated body 19 open towards the bottom and shaped so as to be able to adapt from above on the upper part of the flaps 4a 4k and maintain them in the unfolded position in the extension of one of the 'other.

 The elongated body 19 is surmounted by a handle 20 allowing the user to pull up the holding member 17 or 18 and it is extended downwards by a rod 21 shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, sliding guide in a direction parallel to the hinge axis connecting the associated flaps.

 Each holding member 17, 18 is recalled. by an elastic return means. moving down.

 In the embodiment described, this elastic return means consists of a spring 22 working in compression.

 More particularly, the spring 22 is interposed axially between two coaxial cylindrical parts 23, 24 able to slide one inside the other.

 These cylindrical parts are shown in isolation in FIGS. 9 and 10 in lateral elevation.

 The part 23 is intended to be fixed in a cylindrical housing formed inside a cylinder 25 integral with one of the flaps.

 The part 24 snaps inside the part 23 after the spring 22 has been put in place and the part 23 has internally two diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves 26 for guiding the internal part 24 by sliding over a limited downward stroke.

 The part 24 has at its upper part two elastic tongues 27 able to snap into the grooves 26 and in the lower part two other elastic tongues 28 having internally a projection capable of engaging in an annular groove 29 formed at the lower end of the rod 21.

 The rod 21 is provided at its upper end with an elastic tongue 30 allowing the snap fastening of the rod 21 in a bore of the elongated body 19.

 To assemble two flaps 4a.4k of a side panel 4, an axis 31 is engaged in superimposed holes in flaps 4a and 4k.

 The axis 31 extends over only part of the height of the flaps 4a and 4k from their lower edge.

 In the particular example shown in FIG. 4. the flaps 4a and 4k have at their upper part four cylinders axially traversed by holes overlapping to receive the rod 21 and the part 23, as shown in FIG. 4.

 The lower cylinder corresponds to the aforementioned cylinder 25.

 The rod 21 is engaged from above in a bore 32 of the elongated body 19 until the elastic tongue 30 clicks into place.

 The part 24 is snapped into the part 23 after the spring 22 has been put in place, then the assembly is fixed in the bore formed inside the cylinder 25. by being introduced into the latter from below.

 The holding member 17 or 18, with the corresponding rod 21, is then engaged from above in the four superimposed cylinders until the annular groove 29 is snapped into the part 24.

 The part 24 is biased in displacement by the spring 22 and recalls the rod 21 downwards.

 As shown in FIG. 5, the elongated body 19 has at its longitudinal ends lugs 33 projecting downward and capable of coming to bear on the outer and upper edges of the front 2 and rear 3 walls to keep the container in place. folded state. as shown in figure 2.

 The elongated body 19 may have transverse internal stiffening walls. not shown in the figures.

connecting its side walls 34, and in this case there are provided on the upper edge of the flaps 4a and 4k recesses 35 intended to accommodate these transverse walls when the elongated body 19 covers the upper edge of the flaps 4a and 4b to keep them in deployed position.

 When the container is in the unfolded state, for filling or emptying. the holding members 17 and 18 engage on the upper edge of the flaps 4a and 4k of each of the side panels 4 to maintain the latter in the extension of one another.

 The holding members 17 and 18 are held in this locking position by the action of the springs 22.

 To fold the container 1. the user lifts the holding members 17 and 18 until the lugs 33 are located above the upper edge of the flaps 4a and 4b and switches the bottom 13 by depressing the pedal 14. The bottom 13 then comes against the internal face of the rear wall 3, as shown in FIG. 3.

 Then, the user brings the front 2 and rear 3 walls together, using the holding members 17 and 18 if necessary.

 The flaps 4a and 4b pivot towards the inside of the container 1 until the latter is completely folded. as shown in figure 2.

 The flaps 4a and 4k then rest against one another and against the front walls 2 and the bottom wall 13.

 When the distance between the upper outer edges of the front 2 and rear 3 walls becomes less than the distance separating the lugs 33 from the opposite longitudinal ends of the elongated body 19, the holding members 17 and 18 automatically engage on the front and rear walls to keep the container in the folded state.

 The holding members 17 and 18 are returned to this locking position of the container by the springs 22.

 To unfold the container, the user lifts the holding members 17 and 18 to release the lugs 33. then urges the holding members 17 and 18 apart to facilitate the unfolding of the side panels 4.

 There is shown in Figure 12 a container 40 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

 This container 40 differs from the previous container by the absence of holding members 17 and 18, replaced by a frame 41 pivotally mounted at one end on a handle 42 secured to the rear wall 43 of the container 40. The latter has a wall before.

referenced 44. and two side panels 45, each constituted by two flaps hinged together 45a. 45k, and a tilting bottom not shown like the container 1 described above.

 The frame 41 is shaped to engage on top on each side panel 45 to maintain the flaps thereof in extension of one another.

 The side parts 46 of the frame 41 are shaped to engage the upper edges of the side panels 45 in the deployed position and have, in cross section, as shown in Figure 13, a section having the general shape of a U open towards the bottom.

 The frame 41 is provided at the front with a flange 47 which forms with the front wall 44, when it is folded over the side panels 45.

a groove open downward, allowing the introduction of a lifting member P of a waste collection device.

 The front wall 44 has a rib 48 projecting outwards and intended to serve as a stop for this member P, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 14. Before the container is turned over, by the collecting device, a plate V of the latter comes close to or in contact with the top of the frame 41 to prevent it from pivoting and to keep the container in the unfolded state.

 To fold the container. the user lifts the frame 41 and makes it pivot backwards until it extends opposite the external face of the rear wall 43.

 There is shown in Figure 15 a container 50 according to a third embodiment of the invention.

 This container 50 differs from the container 40 previously described in that the frame 41 is replaced by a frame 51 articulated at one end on the rear panel 43 and capable of engaging at the other end with a clamp 52 secured to the wall. before 44.

 In the unfolded position of the container, the frame 51 is retained at the front by the clamp 52 and prevents the front 44 and rear 43 walls from coming together.

 To fold the container, the user lifts the front end of the frame 51 to disengage it from the clamp 52 and makes it pivot backwards until it comes opposite the external face of the rear wall 43 .

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

 So. the container can rest on the ground by four steerable wheels pivoting around vertical axes and fixed two by two respectively to the front and rear walls.

 The lifting of the bottom wall can be assisted by any suitable spring or jack mechanism.

 The bottom wall may be provided at its periphery with a sealing lip which is applied. when the container is in the deployed state. on the inside of the front, rear and side panels.

 The holding members in accordance with the invention, in particular those referenced 17, 18 and 41, make it possible to stiffen the upper part of the container in the deployed state and to ensure good hold during emptying.

Claims (14)

 1. Container (1; 40; 50) for collecting waste, characterized in that it has a rear wall (3; 43) and a front wall (2; 42) and two side panels (4; 45) deformable connecting the front and rear walls, each side panel having two flaps (4a.4k: 45a.45k) hinged together. can be folded in on themselves to allow the front and rear walls to come together, the container further comprising a bottom wall (13) pivotally mounted on one of the front and rear walls and at least one holding member (17 , 18; 41,51,50) of the container in the unfolded position.  2. Container according to claim 1. characterized in that it comprises two holding members (17.18) respectively associated with said side panels, each holding member being mounted to move each in the direction of the axis of articulation of the two associated flaps, between a locking position in which it engages with the two flaps to keep them in the unfolded position in the extension of one another, and a raised position allowing the folding of the flaps.  3. Container according to claim 2. characterized in that at least one of the holding members (17.18) is shaped to be able to engage from above with the front and rear walls when the container is folded. to keep him in this state.  4. Container according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that each holding member (17.18) is provided with a handle (20).  5. Container according to any one of claims 2 to 4. characterized by the fact that each holding member comprises an elongated body (19) capable of coming into engagement with the upper edge of the two associated flaps to keep the latter in line with one another.  6. Container according to claim 5. characterized in that said elongated body (19) has at its longitudinal ends lugs (33) projecting downward, capable of engaging with the upper edges of the rear and front walls for keep the container in the folded state.  7. Container according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each holding member is returned by an elastic return means (22) in said locking position.  8. Container according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that each holding member is integral with a rod (21) guided by sliding, by at least one of the associated flaps. in the extension of the axis of articulation connecting these two components.  9. Container according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said elastic return means is constituted by a spring (22) located in the extension of the axis of articulation of the two components.  10. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that said spring is housed in a housing comprising a lower part (24) and an upper part (23) capable of sliding one inside the other and integral respectively with said rod (21) and one of the flaps, said spring (22) working in compression to urge said parts apart.  11. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one holding member is constituted by a frame (51) articulated on the upper part of one of the front and rear walls and capable of engaging with the 'other of the front and rear walls to oppose the approximation of the latter.  12. Container according to claim 11, characterized in that said frame (51) is articulated at one end on the rear wall and is able to snap at the opposite end in a clamp (52) integral with the wall before.  13. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one holding member (41) is articulated at one end on one of the front and rear walls and is capable of engaging on top of the flaps d 'a side panel at least, to maintain the latter in the unfolded position.  14. Container according to claim 13. characterized in that said at least one holding member is constituted by a frame (41) articulated at one end on one of the front and rear walls and capable of engaging on both flaps (45a, 45k) of each side panel (45) to keep them in the unfolded position.