GB2132471A - Litter bins - Google Patents

Abstract

A litter bin has an open-ended tubular sleeve or casing 22, which stands on base 10 and is held there by releasable means 24. In use the mouth of a bin liner or sack 26 placed within the sleeve or casing, is draped over the upper end of the sleeve or casing where it is held by the releasable means. By virtue of this construction, cleaning of the bin is facilitated. The bin has a lid 18 operated by a pedal 20. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved litter bin This invention relates to a bin such as a litter or waste disposal bin and, more particularly, such a bin intended to receive plastic bin liners or sacks.

One type of litter bin in common use has a metal stand, usually fitted with a lid and a supporting collar within which a bin liner or sack is inserted such that the mouth of the bin liner is draped over the collar and clamped thereto either by a hinged arm or a spring strap. The bag is, however, exposed to view and when litter is packed tightly, or when damaged, is likely to burst spilling unsightly litter into public areas.

In certain applications, for example when used in hospitals, another disadvantage of such litter bins is the lack of protection against fire. With this in mind other litter bins somewhat akin to the conventional domestic pedal bin have been developed and these have proved satisfactory but for the fact that the interior of the metal casing has proved difficult to clean. This is especially so for tall bins of the size required in hospitals and elsewhere, to accommodate large volumes of waste.

It will be appreciated that the health hazard is if anything, more important than the fire hazard particularly in hospitals and it is an object of this invention to enable litter bins to be more easily cleaned. A further object of the invention is to simplify the construction and manufacture of litter bins.

According to the present invention we propose a litter bin comprising a stand or base, an open ended tubular sleeve or casing standing on the base to define a container for receiving a bin liner or the like, and releasable means for holding the sleeve or casing on the base.

In a preferred embodiment, the releasable means is also arranged to clamp the mouth of the bin liner or sack which in use, is draped over the upper end of the tubular sleeve or casing. The releasable means may comprise a loop or ring having the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the tubular casing and hinged to an upper portion of the bin frame so that by raising the loop or ring, the bin liner can be replaced and more particularly, the tubular sleeve or casing can be removed for cleaning.

Further, the bin frame, may if desired be fitted with a hinged lid for covering the upper end of the sleeve or casing and may also include a pedal operated linkage for raising the iid.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a side view (partly in cross-section) of a litter bin according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a rear view of the litter bin as shown in Figure 1.

The litter bin shown in the Figures has a generally L-shaped frame or stand 10 to which is attached a base plate 12 having upstanding flanges 14 and 16 respectively at the front and rear of the frame. A lid 18 hinged to the top of the frame is operated by a pedal 20 through a conventional linkage 22 connected between the pedal 20 and the lid 18.

An open-ended tubular, in this embodiment square section, casing 22 stands on the base plate and is located between the flanges 14 and 1 6. At its upper end, the casing 22 is held by a square loop 24 pivotally attached to the frame as shown.

To release and remove the casing 22 for cleaning it is necessary only to raise the loop and lift the casing from the frame.

Another advantageous feature of the above described embodiment is that the loop can also be used to retain the mouth of a bin liner or sack 26 which in use is draped over the upper rim of the casing 22 as illustrated in Figure 1.

1. A litter bin comprising a bin frame providing stand or base, an open-ended tubular sleeve or casing standing on the base to define a container for receiving a bin liner or the like, and releasable means holding the sleeve or casing on the base.

2. A litter bin according to claim 1 wherein the releasable means is also arranged to clamp the mouth of the bin liner or the like which in use is draped over the upper end of the tubular sleeve or case.

3. A litter bin according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the releasable means comprises a loop or ring having the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the tubular casing and hinged to an upper portion of the bin frame.

4. A litter bin according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and comprising a hinged lid for covering the upper end of the sleeve or casing.

5. A litter bin according to claim 4 and comprising a pedal operated linkage for raising the lid.

6. A litter bin according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the sleeve casing is quadrangular in cross-section, the base having on opposed side edges thereof upstanding flanges for locating the sleeve or casing on the base.

7. A litter bin constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved litter bin This invention relates to a bin such as a litter or waste disposal bin and, more particularly, such a bin intended to receive plastic bin liners or sacks. One type of litter bin in common use has a metal stand, usually fitted with a lid and a supporting collar within which a bin liner or sack is inserted such that the mouth of the bin liner is draped over the collar and clamped thereto either by a hinged arm or a spring strap. The bag is, however, exposed to view and when litter is packed tightly, or when damaged, is likely to burst spilling unsightly litter into public areas. In certain applications, for example when used in hospitals, another disadvantage of such litter bins is the lack of protection against fire. With this in mind other litter bins somewhat akin to the conventional domestic pedal bin have been developed and these have proved satisfactory but for the fact that the interior of the metal casing has proved difficult to clean. This is especially so for tall bins of the size required in hospitals and elsewhere, to accommodate large volumes of waste. It will be appreciated that the health hazard is if anything, more important than the fire hazard particularly in hospitals and it is an object of this invention to enable litter bins to be more easily cleaned. A further object of the invention is to simplify the construction and manufacture of litter bins. According to the present invention we propose a litter bin comprising a stand or base, an open ended tubular sleeve or casing standing on the base to define a container for receiving a bin liner or the like, and releasable means for holding the sleeve or casing on the base. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable means is also arranged to clamp the mouth of the bin liner or sack which in use, is draped over the upper end of the tubular sleeve or casing. The releasable means may comprise a loop or ring having the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the tubular casing and hinged to an upper portion of the bin frame so that by raising the loop or ring, the bin liner can be replaced and more particularly, the tubular sleeve or casing can be removed for cleaning. Further, the bin frame, may if desired be fitted with a hinged lid for covering the upper end of the sleeve or casing and may also include a pedal operated linkage for raising the iid. One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a side view (partly in cross-section) of a litter bin according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a rear view of the litter bin as shown in Figure 1. The litter bin shown in the Figures has a generally L-shaped frame or stand 10 to which is attached a base plate 12 having upstanding flanges 14 and 16 respectively at the front and rear of the frame. A lid 18 hinged to the top of the frame is operated by a pedal 20 through a conventional linkage 22 connected between the pedal 20 and the lid 18. An open-ended tubular, in this embodiment square section, casing 22 stands on the base plate and is located between the flanges 14 and 1 6. At its upper end, the casing 22 is held by a square loop 24 pivotally attached to the frame as shown. To release and remove the casing 22 for cleaning it is necessary only to raise the loop and lift the casing from the frame. Another advantageous feature of the above described embodiment is that the loop can also be used to retain the mouth of a bin liner or sack 26 which in use is draped over the upper rim of the casing 22 as illustrated in Figure 1. CLAIMS

1. A litter bin comprising a bin frame providing stand or base, an open-ended tubular sleeve or casing standing on the base to define a container for receiving a bin liner or the like, and releasable means holding the sleeve or casing on the base.

2. A litter bin according to claim 1 wherein the releasable means is also arranged to clamp the mouth of the bin liner or the like which in use is draped over the upper end of the tubular sleeve or case.

3. A litter bin according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the releasable means comprises a loop or ring having the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the tubular casing and hinged to an upper portion of the bin frame.

4. A litter bin according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and comprising a hinged lid for covering the upper end of the sleeve or casing.

5. A litter bin according to claim 4 and comprising a pedal operated linkage for raising the lid.

6. A litter bin according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the sleeve casing is quadrangular in cross-section, the base having on opposed side edges thereof upstanding flanges for locating the sleeve or casing on the base.

7. A litter bin constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.