GB2248381A - Container for recyclable material - Google Patents

Abstract

An outer container 30 containing a plurality of inner removable containers 40, which are suitable for receiving and storing recyclable household waste, is described. In use, different types of recyclable waste are stored in different compartments. The different types of recyclable waste can then be transferred into larger containers for processing. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION CONTAINER FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIAL The present invention relates to a compartmentalised container for household waste.

Domestic waste bins suitable for receiving and storing household waste are known in a variety of different forms, e.g. open bins, pedal bins, and swing-top bins. In use these are generally filled with a variety of household waste including for example, paper, glass containers, plastic containers and metal cans, and when the bins are full, they are generally emptied into bins of larger capacity situated for reasons of hygiene, outside the household.

These "outside" domestic bins are generally substantially cylindrical in shape and can be rolled or carried to a vehicle for transporting the waste to a tip. For ease of transportation wheels are sometimes provided so that such bins can be pushed using less effort than is required for rolling or carrying.

Over the past decade or so, the public has become more environmentally aware and has recognised the need to conserve resources by recycling what might otherwise be regarded as waste material. "Waste" or "recyclable waste" is used herein to refer to material which is waste in the sense that it has fulfilled its original purpose, but which can be recycled to give material which can be used for the same or for a different purpose. Local authorities have also recognised the need for recycling waste and have provided different disposal units for different types of recyclable household waste.

In order to utilise such units properly, household waste has to be sorted into categories appropriate to the types of waste for which each unit is intended. Such categories include e.g. newspapers and magazines, coloured glass containers, clear glass containers, plastic containers and metal containers.

Conventionally, waste which is to be recycled has been placed into different household containers before being taken to a local authority recycling unit, the number of different containers corresponding to the number of different categories of waste to be recycled. The waste may be placed directly into the separate container (after an optional cleaning step) or may be placed into these containers only after sorting from a container containing a mixture of waste from several categories.

These methods of storing recyclable waste have the disadvantage that, because several separate containers are used, a considerable amount of floor space is necessary for these containers. Furthermore, for reasons of hygiene, it is desirable to seal each of the separate containers and so a plurality of seals is necessary.

The present invention overcomes or at least alleviates the above problems of the prior art methods.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus comprising an outer container containing a plurality of inner, removable, waste-storage containers; wherein each of the inner containers is adapted a) to receive and store household waste without removing that inner container from the outer container; and b) to be removed from the outer container without substantial spillage of household waste contained by that inner container; wherein the apparatus comprises means whereby waste in the inner container can be substantially sealed from the environment external to the outer container; and wherein the apparatus is suitable for domestic use.

Preferably, the sum of the capacities of the inner containers is from 10 to 3000 litres, e.g. from at least 50, 100 or 200 litres to at least 100, 500 or 1000 litres.

Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to be portable. For the purposes of this specification, "portable" means that the apparatus with its inner containers laden with household waste, can be moved over a distance of at least ten metres over level ground by a single person without extraneous mechanical aid.

Portability can be achieved by for example, supplying the apparatus with e.g. friction reducing means which functions to reduce the friction between the container and the ground when the container is pushed/pulled. Friction reducing means include e.g.

wheels, castors or rollers. Alternatively, if the apparatus is small (e.g. with a capacity of less than 200 litres) it can be provided with means whereby it can be gripped and carried e.g. one or more handles.

Handles can also be provided for the apparatus comprising friction reducing means, to assist in pushing/pulling such apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention is preferably suitable for storing at least two of the following types of household waste:- glass containers, newspapers, metal cans and plastic containers.

Desirably, at least two of the inner containers of the apparatus of the present invention each have a capacity in excess of 2 litres (e.g. from 5, 20 or 50 litres to 20, 50 or 100 litres).

The capacities and configurations of the inner containers can be substantially similar or can be substantially different and can depend upon the particular waste which each inner container is intended to receive and store.

Preferably, the configurations and capacities are the same so as to allow interchangeability of the inner containers within the outer container.

Preferably, the inner containers are substantially water impermeable.

The inner containers can be slidably mounted within the outer container. Preferably they are stacked in a plurality of layers (e.g. 2 to 4). The stacking is desirably substantially vertical and each layer desirably comprises a plurality of inner containers. One advantage of such a stacking arrangement is that the bases of the containers in an upper layer can function to substantially seal openings in containers in a lower layer.

Another advantage of a vertical stacking arrangement is that the outer container can be provided with an opening at its upper end ("upper", as with other orientations described herein, being with respect to the container when in use) through which the containers can be lifted so as to avoid substantial spillage of the contents.

The apparatus of the present invention need not comprise vertically stacked inner containers nor an opening at the upper end of the outer container. A door can be provided at the side of the outer container so that the inner containers can be removed sideways.

Preferably, the outer container comprises an opening at its upper end and means for substantially sealing that opening. The means for substantially sealing the opening can be a lid which is pivotally mounted to the body of the container. The lid can be pivotal about a substantially horizontal and/or a substantially vertical axis. Preferably, the lid is pivotal about a substantially horizontal and a substantially vertical axis via a pivot assembly so that if pivoting of the lid about the substantially horizontal axis is constrained because of the location of the apparatus, the lid can alternatively be pivoted about a substantially vertical axis. The converse situation applies if pivoting of the lid about the substantially vertical axis is constrained.

If the outer container comprises means for substantially sealing the opening, it is preferred (for ease of use) that the inner containers have no separate seals.

It is also preferred that the outer container has inner walls which are substantially vertical and which define an inner space of substantially constant outer cross-section.

The outer container can have a substantially polygonal or substantially circular horizontal outer cross-section. Preferably, the outer cross-section is substantially rectangular e.g. square for ease of storage.

The plurality of inner containers preferably occupies the majority of the space (e.g. at least 80%) within the outer container and preferably has a horizontal outer cross-section of substantially the same shape as the horizontal outer cross-section of the outer container.

Where the outer container has a substantially rectangular horizontal outer cross-section the inner containers can each have e.g. substantially rectangular or substantially triangular horizontal outer cross-sections, where the outer container has a substantially circular horizontal outer cross-section the inner containers can each have e.g. substantially segmental horizontal outer cross-sections.

Within the scope of the present invention is the use of a container as described herein for the recycling of the recyclable waste material.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method whereby recyclable waste material is sorted by placing different types of recyclable waste material (e.g. two or more of the following categories:- paper, glass, plastic or metal) into the inner containers of the apparatus of the present invention, is then stored in these containers within the outer container (e.g. for a week or more); and is then placed into larger containers (for processing of the recyclable waste) specific for the different types of recyclable waste material.

Preferably, the inner containers containing the recyclable waste are removed from the outer container and transported to the larger containers before the recyclable material is transferred from the inner containers to the larger containers.

Preferably, dirty waste is cleaned before being placed in the larger containers.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although it is preferred that the outer container of the present invention has an opening in its upper end whereby the inner containers can be removed, it can alternatively or additionally have an opening in its side or in its lower end whereby the inner containers can be removed.

The inner containers can be provided with handles to aid in their removal from the outer container.

these handles are preferably stowable, so that if recyclable waste is to be placed in an inner container whilst it is located in the outer container, its handle can be stowed so as not to substantially impede the entry of the waste into the inner container.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention wherein the outer container has a lid at its upper end and the lid is closed; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 wherein the lid has been pivoted through 1800 on a vertical axis of pivot; Fig. 3 shows a partial side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 viewed along arrow A; and Fig. 4 shows a partial end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 viewed along arrow B.

Referring now to the drawings, bin 10 comprises lid 20, outer container 30, inner containers 40, handle 50, ridge 60, stopper 70 and wheels 80.

The apparatus is shown in its closed state in Fig. 1. As is apparent from Fig. 2, the lid can be pivoted to open the container and thereby to expose an upper layer of four inner containers. This upper layer can be removed to expose a lower layer of four inner containers.

The lid can be opened by pivoting it through a horizontal axis (as indicated by arrow C in Fig. 1) or by pivoting it through a vertical axis (as indicated by arrow D in Fig. 2). In the latter case because lid is fitted to overlap the sides of container, it is necessary to lift lid slightly before pivoting.

Pivot assembly 90 of lid 20 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 3. Rod 100 allows pivoting about a horizontal axis whilst rod 110 allow pivoting about a vertical axis. It can be seen that protruberance 120 of lid 20 functions to join lid 20 to pivot assembly 90 and that housings 130, 140 house rods 100, 110 respectively.

Once lid 20 is opened, inner containers 40 can be removed. Inner containers 40 are slidably fitted within outer container 30 so that if all four inner containers 40 in one of the rows are present it is necessary to lift one of the four containers vertically to remove it from that layer. This thereby reduces spillage of any waste within the inner container. Inner containers 40 are slidable between inner wall 150 of the outer container 30 and outer walls 160 of inner containers 40. They are provided with stowable handles 170 which are shown in Fig. 2 in a stowed position. When removing an inner container 40 from outer container 30, handles 170 are adjusted to be substantially vertical and are used to grip inner containers 40.

Stopper 70 functions to keep bin 10 stationary and to prevent the bottom of outer container 30 from being damaged. It also provides a convenient handle at the underside of outer container 30 whereby the apparatus can be gripped. This is useful when it is necessary to lift bin 10 over or around an obstacle.

A first operator can grip stopper 70 and lift bin 10 by stopper 70 whilst a second operator supports bin 10 by handle 50. The two operators can then carry bin 10 over or around the obstacle and set it down when the obstacle has been passed. Whilst bin 10 is being carried it will normally be at an angle to the vertical because of the relative positions of stopper 70 and handle 40. Bowever bin 10 need not be carried to be moved since movement can be simply achieved by pivoting bin 10 about wheels 80 so that stopper 70 no longer contacts the ground and pushing bin 10 via handle 50 so that the only contact with the ground is with wheels 80.Ridge 60 is provided to assist in the pivoting action, whereby an operator can place his foot on the upper edge of ridge 60 and can simultaneously move handle 50 through arc E, thereby causing stopper 70 to move through arc E'.

In use, different types of household waste are placed into different inner containers 40 e.g. cans, glass containers, plastic containers and aluminium foil could be placed into different inner containers 40. It is of course not necessary to use all of the inner containers 40 and some can be left vacant. If there is a large amount of one particular type of waste, then this can be placed into more than one inner container 40.

Before the waste is placed into inner containers 40, handles 170 are stowed so as not to substantially interfere with the passage of the waste.

Inner containers 40, together with any waste they may contain are stored within outer container 30 with lid 20 closed. If it is desired to put waste into inner containers 40, lid 20 is opened and if the waste is to be stored in a container which is in the lower layer, then the container immediately above it in the upper row is removed. To avoid undue inconvenience, if there is likely to be a number of individual items of a particular type of waste to be placed into the bin 10 at intervals of high frequency, then these items are stored in one of the upper containers.

Conversely, items of a particular type which are likely to be placed into the bin only at low frequency, are stored in a container within the lower layer.

For ease of cleaning, outer container 30, inner containers 40 and lid 20 are made of waterproof plastic. Nevertheless, if items of waste are likely to cause considerable soilage, these are cleaned before being placed into inner containers 40.

When it is desired to empty waste from bin 10 it is wheeled to a transportation vehicle and then any waste-containing inner containers are placed into or onto the vehicle (e.g. into the boot of a car).

The inner containers are then transported by the vehicle to a local authority recycling depot and the waste in the inner containers is emptied into local authority containers appropriate for the different types of recyclable waste.

Inner containers 40 are then taken back and reinserted into outer container 30.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus comprising an outer container containing a plurality of inner, removable, wastestorage containers; wherein each of the inner containers is adapted a) to receive and store household waste without removing that inner container from the outer container; and b) to be removed from the outer container without substantial spillage of household waste contained by that inner container; wherein the apparatus comprises means whereby waste in the inner container can be substantially sealed from the environment external to the outer container; and wherein the apparatus is.suitable for domestic use.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, where the sum of the capacities of the inner containers is from 10 to 3000 litres.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, which is adapted to be portable by a single person without extraneous mechanical aid.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of at least two of the inner containers has a capacity of at least 2 litres.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the capacities of the inner containers are substantially the same.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner containers are vertically stacked.

7. Apparatus according to any precending claim, wherein the apparatus is substantially cuboidal.

8. Apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a lid and a pivot assembly whereby the lid can be opened by pivoting about a vertical axis and by pivoting about a horizontal axis.

9. Apparatus substantially as described herein, with reference to the drawings.

10. A method of sorting recyclable household waste material wherein different types of the waste material are placed into different inner containers of the apparatus according to any preceding claim; the inner containers containing the recyclable waste are then stored within the outer container; and the waste material is then transferred from each of the inner containers to different larger containers, wherein each of the different larger containers is adapted to receive one of the different types of waste material.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the different types of recyclable waste material include at least two of:- glass, plastics, metal and paper.

12. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the inner containers are removed from the outer container and are then transported to the larger container.

13. A method substantially as described herein.