GB2122477A - Waste containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A waste container (1), for the temporary storage of hot waste material for subsequent disposal in a cooled condition, comprising an open-ended vessel (2) for receiving hot waste material and means (4) for supporting the vessel (2), preferably pivotally, in register with an open top of a refuse container, the vessel (2), in use, being movable between an upright position, with its open end facing upwardly, and an inverted position with its open end facing downwardly. Said supporting means may comprise a pair of clips (4), upon which opposed ends of the waste container (1) are pivotally mounted, or a housing arranged to rest on the top edge of a refuse container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Waste containers This invention relates to waste containers for the temporary storage of hot waste material for subse quentdisposal in a cooled condition.

Hot ashes from domestic solid fuel burners are both dangerous and awkward for disposal purposes. When removed from a burner grate they must be allowed to cool to at least nearly ambient temperature before being stored in a suitable containerforsubsequent disposal. Alternatively, the hot ashes may be allowed to cool before being spread on the land as a means of disposal. This alternative procedure has two major disadvantages, in that, firstly, the cooled ashes tend to accidifythesoil upon which they have been spread, thereby rendering the ground unsuitable for cultivation, and, secondly, in a confined land area, the build-up the ground level over a period.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a waste container which eliminates the disadvantages described above and which- permits cooled waste material, such as, cooled domestic ashes, to be disposed of in a non-hazardous manner.

Accordingly, the invention provides a waste containerforthetemporary storage of hot waste material, such as, hot ashes, for subsequent disposal in a cooled condition,the container comprising an open-ended vessel for receiving hot waste material and means for supportingthevessel in registerwith an open top of refuse container, such as, a distbin, in use, the vessel being movable between an upright position, with its open end facing upwardly, and an inverted position with its open endfacing downwardly.

Theopenendofthevessel may be provided with a removable grid which, in the inverted position of the vessel, acts as a sleeve forthe waste material.

Preferably,thevessel is mounted upon said supporting means for pivotal movement with respect thereto between the upright and inverted positions.

In orderthatthe invention may be morefully understood two preferred embodiments, in accord ancetherewith,will now be described byway of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig lisa side elevational view, in cross-section, of a first embodiment of waste container; Fig 2 is a plan view ofthe embodiment of waste container of Fig 1; and Fig 3 is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of a second embodiment of waste container, shown supported upon a dustbin.

Referring to the first embodiment shown in Figs 1 and 2, a waste container 1, for support above the open topofadustbin (notshown), comprises an openended vessel 2 which is pivotally mounted at 3 upon respective supporting means in the form of a pair of clips 4.

The clips 4 are spaced and shaped to sit upon the top edge of a dustbin, with each outer and inner arm 5,6 located outside and inside the dustbin wall, respectively, and with the dustbin top edge received within respective recesses 7 provided at the upper portion of the clips 4. Also, the shape of the top portion of each clip 4 is generally arcuate to take into account the curvature ofthetop edge ofthe dustbin.

When the container 1 is supported upon the top edge of the dustbin, the vessel 2 is located within the confines of the dustbin, such that the dustbin lid (not shown) can be replaced.

In the upright position, as shown in Figs 1 and 2, the open end of the vessel 2 is facing upwardly and, in the inverted position, after being pivoted about the axis 3, the open end of the vessel faces downwardly.

Agrid 8, partially shown in Figs 1 and 2, may be detachably secured to the open end ofthe vessel 2, such that, in the inverted position ofthevessel, itcan be used to sieve orfilterthe waste material.

The pivotal axis ofthevessel 2 is defined at3 bya pair of opposed studs which are attached to respective opposite walls 9 of the vessel and which are located in open slots 10in the inner arms 6 of the supporting clips 4. Thus, the vessel 2 can be removed, in an upward direction, from the clips 4.

In use of the waste container 1, hot ashes are placed in the vessel 2 after removal ofthe latterfrom the clips 4mounted upon the top edge of the dustbin. The vessel 2, containing the hot ashes, is then replaced upon the clips 4 by causing the studs 3to be received in their respective slots 10 such that the vessel is in its upright position. After a sufficient period of time has passed, the hot ashes in the vessel will have cooled down, preferably, to ambient temperature. Then, the vessel 2 is pivoted about the axis 3 into its inverted position, such thatthe cool ashes fall into the interior of the dustbin.Optionally, and before the vessel 21s pivoted into its inverted position, the grid 8 be secured to the vessel, such that, after inverting the vessel, the cool ashes can be sieved, by a rocking action of the vessel about its pivotal axis, before they fall intothedustbin interior. Inthis manner, the larger lumps of, say, partially burnt solid fuel clinker can be retained and, possibly, used again, whilst the u nwanted smaller lumps and dust pass through the grid 8 into the distbin interiorfor subsequent disposal.

For carrying purposes, the vessel 2 is provided with pair of carrying handles 11, as shown in Fig. 2.

Turning now to the second embodiment shown in Fig 3, a waste container 31 comprises an open-ended vessel 32 which is pivotally mounted at33 upon a generally cylindrical housing 34 shouldered at 35 to restuponthetop edge of a dustbin 50.

When the container31 is so-supported on the dustbin 50, the vessel 32 is located above the open top of the dustbin, whilst the dustbin lid 51 is shown as located upon the top edge of the housing 34 and a smaller diameter portion 36 of the housing extends downwardlyintothe interiorofthedustbin.

The operational use of the container 31 is essentially the same as that described aboveforthefirst embodiment shown in Figs 1 and 2. However, in an alternativearrangementthegrid (not shown in Fig 3) may be located across the inside of the housing 34, resting upon the shoulders 35. Of course, the grid could also be detachably secured to the open end of thevessel32.

Itwill be appreciated that the dustbin associated with either embodiment described above may be provided with a removable, inner plastics liner in which the cooled ashes are received for subsequent disposal.

With particular regard to the second embodiment described with reference to Fig 3, the cylindrical outer wall of the housing 34 may be extended downwardly past the top edge of the dustbin 50, to provide a skirt which is generally concentric with the side of the dustbin and the smaller diameter portion 36 of the housing, thereby defining an annular recess within which the top edge and adjacent region of the dustbin is received.

CLAIMS (filed on 20/6183) 1. Awaste container, for the temporary storage of hot waste material for subsequent disposal in a cooled condition, comprising an open-ended vessel for receiving hot waste material and means for supporting the vessel in registerwith an open top of a refuse container, the vessel, in use, being movable between an upright position, with its open end facing upwardly, and an inverted positionwith its open end facing downwardly.

2. Acontaineraccording to claim 1,wherein the vessel is mounted upon said supporting means for pivotal movementwith respect thereto between the upright and inverted positions.

3. Acontaineraccording to claim 1 or2,wherein the vessel has a removable grid which, in the inverted position of the vessel, can act asa sieve for the waste material.

4. A container accordingto claim 1,2 or3, wherein said supporting means comprises a pair of clips at respective opposed ends ofthevessel, arranged to be located over the top edge ofa refuse container at respective, generally opposed positions thereof.

5. A container accordingto claim 4, when dependent upon claim 2 or 3, wherein thevessel is pivotally mounted, at opposed endsthereof, upon thectips.

6. A container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each clip is generally arcuateto take into accountthe curvature of the top edge if a circularly CFOSS- sectioned refuse conabrerwith which the waste container can be used.

7. A container according to any preceding claim arranged to be located within the confines of a refuse container with which it can be used, whereby a lid of the refuse container can be replaced thereon, in use of the waste container.

8. Acontaineraccordingto claim 1,2 or 3, including a housing which constitutes said supporting means and which is locatable upon the top edge of a refuse container.

9. Acontaineraccordingtoclaim 8, wherein the housing has a reduced cross-sectional portion which is arranged to extend downwardly into the interior of a refuse container, in use ofthe waste container.

10. A container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the housing has an outerwallwhich is arranged to extend downwardly around the exterior of the refuse container, in use of the waste container.

11. Awaste containersubstantiallyas hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. resting upon the shoulders 35. Of course, the grid could also be detachably secured to the open end of thevessel32. Itwill be appreciated that the dustbin associated with either embodiment described above may be provided with a removable, inner plastics liner in which the cooled ashes are received for subsequent disposal. With particular regard to the second embodiment described with reference to Fig 3, the cylindrical outer wall of the housing 34 may be extended downwardly past the top edge of the dustbin 50, to provide a skirt which is generally concentric with the side of the dustbin and the smaller diameter portion 36 of the housing, thereby defining an annular recess within which the top edge and adjacent region of the dustbin is received. CLAIMS (filed on 20/6183)

1. Awaste container, for the temporary storage of hot waste material for subsequent disposal in a cooled condition, comprising an open-ended vessel for receiving hot waste material and means for supporting the vessel in registerwith an open top of a refuse container, the vessel, in use, being movable between an upright position, with its open end facing upwardly, and an inverted positionwith its open end facing downwardly.

2. Acontaineraccording to claim 1,wherein the vessel is mounted upon said supporting means for pivotal movementwith respect thereto between the upright and inverted positions.

3. Acontaineraccording to claim 1 or2,wherein the vessel has a removable grid which, in the inverted position of the vessel, can act asa sieve for the waste material.

4. A container accordingto claim 1,2 or3, wherein said supporting means comprises a pair of clips at respective opposed ends ofthevessel, arranged to be located over the top edge ofa refuse container at respective, generally opposed positions thereof.

5. A container accordingto claim 4, when dependent upon claim 2 or 3, wherein thevessel is pivotally mounted, at opposed endsthereof, upon thectips.

6. A container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each clip is generally arcuateto take into accountthe curvature of the top edge if a circularly CFOSS- sectioned refuse conabrerwith which the waste container can be used.

7. A container according to any preceding claim arranged to be located within the confines of a refuse container with which it can be used, whereby a lid of the refuse container can be replaced thereon, in use of the waste container.

8. Acontaineraccordingto claim 1,2 or 3, including a housing which constitutes said supporting means and which is locatable upon the top edge of a refuse container.

9. Acontaineraccordingtoclaim 8, wherein the housing has a reduced cross-sectional portion which is arranged to extend downwardly into the interior of a refuse container, in use ofthe waste container.

10. A container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the housing has an outerwallwhich is arranged to extend downwardly around the exterior of the refuse container, in use of the waste container.

11. Awaste containersubstantiallyas hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.