GB2150816A - Dustbin - Google Patents

Abstract

A dustbin, e.g. a kitchen dustbin fitted with a disposable plastic liner is stored in a base unit 1 in fitted kitchen furniture. As well as the normal door 3 to the unit through which the bin may be removed for emptying, a second access is provided for inserting rubbish via a circular hatch directly above the bin in the worktop, consisting of a removable lid 6 held in place by a rim 7 set into an aperture cut to size in the worktop 2. Rubbish can easily be swept from the worktop into the bin without having to stoop or open the cupboard door. Where a bin is already stored in a kitchen base unit below a worktop, it can be transformed by the provision of the inset lid, the rim and a template to enable the required aperture to be cut in the existing worktop. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Integral dustbin This invention relates to an integral dustbin.

Dustbins are well known containers for the temporary accumulation of waste material. In kitchens, where they normally hold garbage and are provided with a disposable plastic or paper liner, they are often kept in cupboards or in the base units of fitted kitchen furniture under sinks orworktops.

Access to such dustbins normally requires the opening of a cupboard door and/or the lifting of the dustbin lid. It also requires the operator to stoop and to take care while inserting rubbish lest any should fall on the floor.

According to the present invention there is provided a dustbin, complete with disposable liner, stored in a kitchen base unit with, firstly, access via a door in the front of the unit through which the bin may be removed for emptying and, secondly, accessforthe inserting of rubbish via a small circular hatch directly above the bin in the worktop of the kitchen unit consisting of a removable lid and reasonable means to support this lid flush with the worktop.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a kitchen base unit with a worktop provided with a hatch; Figure 2 shows the lifting of the hatch for the inserting of rubbish; Figure 3 shows the unit door open for the removal ofthe bin.

Referring to the drawing the integral dustbin comprises a storage cupboard 1 in the form of a fitted kitchen base unit supporting a worktop 2. The unit has a hinged door 3 and contains a dustbin 4 provided with a disposable paper or plastic liner 5.

In order to insert rubbish the operator lifts the removable lid 6 which has been set into a hole cut in the worktop, as in Figure 2. The hole has been provided with a rim 7 which forms a trim for the aperture allowing it to be easily cleaned. The rim also provides a means of supporting the lid flush with the worktop.

In order to empty the dustbin the operator removes it from the base unit through the door, as in Figure 3.

In a situation where a bin is already stored in a kitchen base unit with a worktop, it can be transformed into an integral dustbin by the provision of the inset lid, the rim and a template to enable the required aperture to be cut in the existing worktop.

1. A dustbin complete with disposable liner stored in a kitchen base unit with, firstly, access via a door in the front of the unit through which the bin may be removed for emptying and, secondly, access for the inserting of rubbish via a small circular hatch directly above the bin in the worktop of the kitchen unit consisting of a removable lid and reasonable means to support this lid flush with the worktop.

2. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid is rectangular.

3. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid is made of turned wood.

4. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the lid is made of glazed ceramic.

5. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the lid is made of a synthetic plastic material.

6. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the lid is made of a synthetic laminate.

7. A dustbin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lid is reversible.

8. A dustbin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means provided for lifting the lid are in the form of a small hole passing through the lid through which a finger may be inserted.

9. A dustbin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means provided to support the lid consist of a trim set in an aperture in the worktop cut to size.

10. A dustbin as claimed in claim 9 wherein a template is provided to facilitate the cutting of the aperture.

11. A dustbin as claimed in claim 9 or in claim 10, wherein the trim provided includes a vertical section which lines the side of the aperture and a horizontal ledge which supports the lid.

12. A dustbin as claimed in claim 11 wherein the trim provided also includes a horizontal iip which rests on the edge of the aperture cut in the worktop as a means of support both for itself and consequentlyforthe lid.

13. A dustbin as claimed in claim 11 wherein the trim provided also includes reasonable means to allow it to be secured to the underside of the worktop.

14. A dustbin as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein the hatch in the worktop is incorporated in a sinktop, a draining board or a cooking hob.

15. The wherewithal to convert an existing dustbin into an integral dustbin by the provision of the components of the hatch and the template described in claim 10.

16. A dustbin substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (16)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Integral dustbin This invention relates to an integral dustbin. Dustbins are well known containers for the temporary accumulation of waste material. In kitchens, where they normally hold garbage and are provided with a disposable plastic or paper liner, they are often kept in cupboards or in the base units of fitted kitchen furniture under sinks orworktops. Access to such dustbins normally requires the opening of a cupboard door and/or the lifting of the dustbin lid. It also requires the operator to stoop and to take care while inserting rubbish lest any should fall on the floor. According to the present invention there is provided a dustbin, complete with disposable liner, stored in a kitchen base unit with, firstly, access via a door in the front of the unit through which the bin may be removed for emptying and, secondly, accessforthe inserting of rubbish via a small circular hatch directly above the bin in the worktop of the kitchen unit consisting of a removable lid and reasonable means to support this lid flush with the worktop. A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a kitchen base unit with a worktop provided with a hatch; Figure 2 shows the lifting of the hatch for the inserting of rubbish; Figure 3 shows the unit door open for the removal ofthe bin. Referring to the drawing the integral dustbin comprises a storage cupboard 1 in the form of a fitted kitchen base unit supporting a worktop 2. The unit has a hinged door 3 and contains a dustbin 4 provided with a disposable paper or plastic liner 5. In order to insert rubbish the operator lifts the removable lid 6 which has been set into a hole cut in the worktop, as in Figure 2. The hole has been provided with a rim 7 which forms a trim for the aperture allowing it to be easily cleaned. The rim also provides a means of supporting the lid flush with the worktop. In order to empty the dustbin the operator removes it from the base unit through the door, as in Figure 3. In a situation where a bin is already stored in a kitchen base unit with a worktop, it can be transformed into an integral dustbin by the provision of the inset lid, the rim and a template to enable the required aperture to be cut in the existing worktop. CLAIMS

1. A dustbin complete with disposable liner stored in a kitchen base unit with, firstly, access via a door in the front of the unit through which the bin may be removed for emptying and, secondly, access for the inserting of rubbish via a small circular hatch directly above the bin in the worktop of the kitchen unit consisting of a removable lid and reasonable means to support this lid flush with the worktop.

2. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid is rectangular.

3. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid is made of turned wood.

4. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the lid is made of glazed ceramic.

5. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the lid is made of a synthetic plastic material.

6. A dustbin as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the lid is made of a synthetic laminate.

7. A dustbin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lid is reversible.

8. A dustbin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means provided for lifting the lid are in the form of a small hole passing through the lid through which a finger may be inserted.

9. A dustbin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means provided to support the lid consist of a trim set in an aperture in the worktop cut to size.

10. A dustbin as claimed in claim 9 wherein a template is provided to facilitate the cutting of the aperture.

11. A dustbin as claimed in claim 9 or in claim 10, wherein the trim provided includes a vertical section which lines the side of the aperture and a horizontal ledge which supports the lid.

12. A dustbin as claimed in claim 11 wherein the trim provided also includes a horizontal iip which rests on the edge of the aperture cut in the worktop as a means of support both for itself and consequentlyforthe lid.

13. A dustbin as claimed in claim 11 wherein the trim provided also includes reasonable means to allow it to be secured to the underside of the worktop.

14. A dustbin as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein the hatch in the worktop is incorporated in a sinktop, a draining board or a cooking hob.

15. The wherewithal to convert an existing dustbin into an integral dustbin by the provision of the components of the hatch and the template described in claim 10.

16. A dustbin substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.