GB2252032A - Rubbish container provided with deodorising apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A rubbish container (22) has a lid (20) mounted by a horizontal hinge (21) for movement between open and closed positions. A holder (23) is secured to the underside of the lid (20) by a pair of self adhesive foam pads (24, 25) and defines a pair of spring clips (26, 27) to retain in position a replaceable or refillable module (28) for emitting a substance into the rubbish container (22). The substance is chosen for its effect in eg. masking or reducing any unpleasant smells emanating from the rubbish. The holder (23) can alternatively be formed as part of the lid (20). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO RUBBISH CONTAINERS The present invention is concerned with various types of lidded rubbish container including the domestic pedal bin, the domestic swingtop bin, the domestic dustbin, and large industrial and commercial lidded bins.

By their very nature rubbish containers receive waste products which are either already decaying, or are liable to degenerate before the bin is emptied, particularly when the ambient air temperature is warm, for instance in a kitchen or a centrallyheated room, or during warm weather. Decaying or degenerating rubbish gives off unpleasant and sometimes unhealthy odours and attracts pests such as ants and flies.

It is the object of this invention to provide a rubbish container which can reduce the unpleasant effccts of decaying or degenerating rubbish and/or its attraction to pests.

According to the invention a rubbish container includes a lid having a holder arranged to retain in position a replaceable or refillable module for emitting a substance into the rubbish container whenever the lid is closed, whereby the emitted substance will permeate any rubbish in the rubbish container. The substance can be, for instance, a scent or other vapour or gas, or a powder; the substance being chosen for its effect in either masking or reducing any unpleasant smells emanating from the rubbish, or for reducing the decay of the rubbish, or for sterilising the rubbish, or for killing pests entering the rubbish, or for otherwise deterring pests from entering the rubbish container.

The holder is preferably provided with a releasable coupling device for engaging the replaceable module whereby the replaceable module will be located in a predetermined position relative to the lid.

Alternatively the replaceable module may be provided with a releasable coupling device for engaging the holder whereby the replaceable module will be located in a predetermined position relative to the lid.

In either case the releasable coupling device may include at least one releasable clip. The releasable coupling preferably includes a plurality of releasable clips for engaging the module or part of the module. Also a detent means may be carried either by the holder, or by the replaceable module, to prevent the replaceable module from being engaged in any position other than the aforesaid predetermined position relative to the lid. Each releasable clip is preferably a spring clip. Alternatively each releasable clip may be mounted on a slide for movement between a first position in which the replaceable module is retained by the holder, and a second position in which the replaceable module is released from the holder. In the case where the slide is carried by the holder, it may include means for perforating the releasable module to enable the substance to be emitted.

In the case where the replaceable module is a receptacle holding a liquid from which a scent, vapour or other gas is to be slowly emitted through one or more emission orifices, the releasable coupling device is preferably arranged to locate the receptacle in a position in which the liquid cannot flow through any of the emission orifices when the lid is in either its open or its closed position.

In the case where the replaceable module is a receptacle holding a powder to be sprinkled into the rubbish through one or more orifices, the releasable coupling device is preferably arranged to locate the receptacle in a position in which the powder cannot flow through any of the orifices when the lid is in its open position, but a small quantity of the powder will be discharged as the lid is moved to its closed position.

New rubbish containers made in accordance with this invention may have the holder made as part of the lid. In this case the holder may be formed as an integral tubular extension of the lid which extension defines a surface for releasably coupling with the replaceable module. Such surface may be a cylindrical surface of the extension embracing, or embraced by, a complementary surface of the module, or may be a threaded surface, or may define part of a bayonet or other coupling. Alternatively the tubular extension may terminate in a plurality of releasable clips for engaging the module or part of the module. The tubular extension may be arranged to define a refil opening through the lid into a portion of a refillable module located in the holder, sealing means being provided for closing the refil opening when not in use.

Alternatively the holder may be positioned behind an access panel carried by the lid whereby the module may be replaced or refilled after the access panel has been opened.

Alternatively rubbish containers may be converted to benefit from this invention by the use of a separate holder having means for securing it to the lid. Such securing means may be in the form of an adhesive and, in this event, is preferably in the form of one or more resilient pads secured to the holder in a position which is to abut the lid, each resilient pad having an adhesive surface which is covered by a removeable strip until such times as the holder is to be fitted to the lid. To ensure that the holder is adhered to the lid in the correct position, it is preferably marked with instructions indicating its correct orientation and positioning relative to the lid. Each removeable strip preferably extends beyond the adhesive surface that it protects whereby it can be pulled off when the holder has been correctly positioned.

Alternatively the securing means may be in the form of one or more clips positioned to engage existing features of the lid thereby securing the holder to the lid in the correct position.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a holder and a replaceable cylindrical module; Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through the uppermost portion of a domestic pedal bin showing the lid open and carrying the holder and replaceable module of Figure 1, the closed portion of the lid being shown in chain-dotted lines; Figure 3 is an isometric view of another type of holder and a replaceable rectangular module containing a liquid; Figure 4 is an isometric view of an alternative rectangular module containing a powder for use in the holder of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the holder of Figure 3 showing the replaceable liquid module in position;; Figure 6 is a scrap side elevation similar to the right hand end of Figure 5 but illustrating the position of the replaceable powder module of Figure 4; Figure 7 is an underplan view of the replaceable liquid module in a modified holder; Figure 8 illustrates an alternative to the arrangement shown in Figure 3; Figure 9 illustrates another alternative to the arrangement shown in Figure 3; Figures 10, 11 and 12 are side elevations of different holder and module combinations with portions broken away to illustrate the engagement of the modules by the holders; Figure 13 is a vertical section through part of a domestic dustbin lid having a tubular holder supporting a refillable module; Figure 14 illustrates the tipped position of the dustbin lid shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is similar to Figure 13 but illustrates an integral holder supporting a replaceable module; ; Figure 16 is also similar to Figure 13 but illustrates another form of integral holder supporting a replaceable module; Figure 17 shows an alternative module for use in Figure 16, and Figures 18, 19 and 20 are vertical sections through the uppermost portion of a domestic pedal bin showing the lid open and provided with different holder and module combinations with portions broken away to illustrate the engagement of the modules by the holders.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 a domestic pedal bin comprises a lid 20 connected by a horizontal hinge 21 to the rubbish container 22. A holder 23 is secured to the underside of the lid 20 by a pair of parallely- spaced self-adhesive resilient foam pads 24, 25. The resilient nature of these pads enables the holder 23 to be adhered to irregular or slightly curved lid surfaces. If desired, these pads may be curved or otherwise shaped. As shown in Figure 1, the holder is marked with the word TOP to ensure that it will be assembled to the lid the correct way up. If the positioning of the holder 23 is at all critical, it may be supplied with a template or other aid to ensure that it is correctly positioned before it is permanently adhered to the lid. The adhesive surface of the pads 24, 25 would be protected by a removable strip until such time as the holder is to be fitted to the lid.To facilitate accurate assembly, each removable strip will be doubled-over and extended to the side of the holder - in this manner the removeable strips can be left in position whilst the holder is positioned correctly, and can then be pulled off whilst the holder is held in the correct position.

The holder 23 is a simple injection-moulding of plastic material and is formed integral with a releasable coupling device, in the form of a pair of spring clips 26, 27 for engaging the cylindrical surface of a replaceable cylindrical module 28, an end stop 29, and a detent means in the form of an upstanding ledge 30.

The module 28 is a generally cylindrical receptacle holding a liquid from which a scent, vapour or other gas is to be slowly emitted through an emission orifice 31. The lower end of the module 28 is formed with an indentation 32 which is positioned relative to the emission orifice 31 such that the module 28 can only be gripped by the spring clips 26, 27 when the ledge 30 is fully engaged with the indentation 32. The end stop 29 serves to locate the module axially to ensure that the ledge 30 and the indentation 32 are kept in alignment. Whilst the spring clips 26, 27 can be sufficient to retain the module 28 in its correct position, the end stop 29 can, if desired, also be provided with a clip 33 at its outer end for clipping the module 28 axially against the ledge 30.

The surface of the holder 23 adjacent to the module 28 is formed with two transverse recesses 34, 35. The recess 34 serves primarily to facilitate gripping the module 28 to pull it out of the clips 26, 27, 33 when it is to be replaced, but secondarily can reduce the longitudinal rigidity of the holder to facilitate the attachment of the pads 24, 25 to a curved surface. The recess 35 serves two purposes, the first being to increase the springiness of the end clip 33 and the second being to allow a space for the scent, vapour or gas (as the case mey be) to leave the emission orifice 31. As shown in Figure 2, the emission orifice 31 is spaced above the level 36 of the liquid and the engagement of the ledge 30 with the bottom of the module 28 ensures that the emission orifice 31 points directly towards the undersurface of the lid 20.In this manner the liquid in the module 28 always lies below the level of the emission orifice 31 so that the liquid cannot flow out of the emission orifice 31 in any working position of the lid 20. This feature is the subject of our Patent Number (Case C).

The embodiments illustrated in Figures 3 to 9 are similar in some respects to that of Figures 1 and 2 and the same reference numerals are therefore used to identify equivalent features, only the points of difference being described.

With reference to Figures 3 and 5, the holder 23 has been modified to carry a rectangular module 128 of larger capacity, the spring clips 26, 27 being separated to accommodate the increased width of the module 128 and having their outer ends formed to grip the back surface of the module. The end stop 29 carries no clip and merely ensures that the ledge 30 is correctly aligned with the indentation 32 which again ensures that the module 128 can only be held in the correct position. There are now a row of emission orifices 31 in a raised wedge-shaped extension 37 of the module 128. The extension 37 is received in the transverse recess 35 whilst leaving adequate space for the emission of scent, vapour or gas from the liquid in the module 128.The extension 37 also serves to increase the vertical level of the orifices 31 above the liquid level 36, as seen in Figure 5, thereby minimizing the possibility of the liquid escaping through the orifices when the lid is shut and the liquid tends to surge towards the orifice end of the module 128.

Figures 4 and 6 illustrate a powder module 228 and its attachment to the same holder. The primary difference is that the indentation 32 is now on the opposite side of the module 228 so that the emission orifices 31 point in the opposite direction. In this manner a small quantity of the powder will be discharged into the rubbish container, as indicated by arrow 38, whenever the lid is closed. As the lid shuts, the powder tends to surge towards the orifice end of the module 228 as indicated by the powder level 39 in Figure 6.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure 7 is identical to that already described with reference to Figures 3 and 5 except that the adhesive pads 24, 25 have been replaced with another type of securing means in the form of two pairs of resilient clips 40, 41 which are formed integral with the holder 23 and are designed to engage some feature of the lid, such as projection 42. As illustrated, the clips 40, 41 may be designed to engage apertures in the projection 42 to enhance their grip. In the case where the holder 23 is to be secured to some existing lid feature, the clips 40, 41 will need to be positioned so that the holder 23 will be secured to the lid in the correct position.

Unless there is also some further detent means between the lid and the holder 23 to ensure correct orientation of the holder relative to the lid, the clips 40, 41 would preferably be arranged so that the holder can only be secured to the lid in the correct orientation. The latter feature would be most readily contrived if the lid has projections formed from its underside specifically for engagement by clips such as 40, 41. The holder 23 of any of the embodiments of the invention may be secured to the lid by such clips instead of the self-adhesive pads, or in any other convenient manner.

In Figure 8 the holder 23 has been simplified to a simple rectangular body with one pair of integral spring clips 26 and a single self-adhesive pad 24 of larger dimensions to prevent the holder body 23 from rotation relative to the lid. The main feature of this embodiment is that the clips 26 are of different size and engage respective recesses 42, 43 formed in the sides of the module 128. m this manner the wider clip 26 can only fit in the wider recess 43 thereby locating the module 128 in the correct position provided the top end or the lower surface are clearly identified. If such identification is not given or followed, it is possible for the module 128 to be fitted upside-down and back-to-front.Such incorrect fitting can be prevented by incorpoorating a detent at the base or tip of one of the clips 26 for engagement with a corresponding indentation in the appropriate recess 42 or 43.

In Figure 9 the module 128 is retained in position by the holder 23 using an inversion of the clips 26 used in the other embodiments. Thus the module 128 is provided with a releasable coupling device in the form of a yoke 44 bearing the spring clips 26 for engaging the holder 23. In this manner the holder 23 is further simplified to the illustrated rectangle defining a pair of equal recesses 45 for receiving the spring clips 26. The yoke 44 is adhered to the module 128 in the position shown and also carries a detent 46 positioned just to miss the bottom edge of the holder 23. It should be noted that the recesses 45 are closer to the bottom edge of the holder than its upper edge so that the yoke 44 can only engage the holder in the orientation illustrated thereby ensuring the correct assembly of the module 128 to the holder 23.Instead of the yoke 44 incorporating the detent 46, one of the spring clips 26 and its corresponding recess 45 may be made somewhat larger in the manner taught by Figure 8.

The embodiments illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12 are designed to support a vacuum-packed module comprising a backing card 47 carrying one or more impregnated modules 328 sealed in position by a transparent vacuum-formed film 48 sealingly secured to the backing card 47. Such vacuum-packed modules are already available containing two or more cylindrical impregnated waddings for use in carpet sweepers. Such existing cylindrical impregnated waddings comprise an impermeable tube of plastics material containing a compressed cotton wadding impregnated with a scented liquid which emits scent from both ends. For the purpose of the present invention such existing cylindrical impregnated waddings may be utilized for scenting the interior of rubbish containers.However it should be appreciated that the strength or nature of the impregnating liquid may be altered as desired, the wadding may be held in shape merely by the film 48, or the cylindrical tube may be made of a permeable material. Also each impregnated module may be a deliquescent solid or jel incorporating an appropriate scent, vapour or gas.

In each of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12 there is provided a fixeixed hollow spur 48 for perforating the vacuum-formed film 48 thereby releasing the scent, vapour or gas. In Figure 10 the spur is formed integral with the holder 23, the module 328 being simply pushed upwards onto the spur 48, with the top of the backing card 47 trapped between the spur 48 and the holder 23, and the bottom of the backing card 47 being simply pressed behind a lip 50 defined by the bottom of the holder 23.

The arrangement in Figure 11 is similar except that the bottom of the backing card 47 is first fitted behind the lip 50. The spur 49 is part of a slide 51 supported by the holder 23, and the slide 51 is simply pressed downwards until the spur 49 perforates the film 48 thereby releasing the scent, vapour or gas and also locking the module 328 in position.

The embodiment shown in Figure 12 has a slide 51 which operates in exactly the same manner as in Figure 11. The only difference is that the lip 50 has been replaced by an opposing hollow spur 149.

Slides, such as the slide 51, may alternatively be ue used to carry any of the clips described for holding any of the modules in position on the holder. Various other types of releasable coupling device known in that art may be used instead of any of the clips or combinations of clips herein described. Also the holder may be formed with a strap or recess into which the module may be inserted, being releasably held in position by any convenient device. Furthermore the releasable coupling device between the holder and the module may be a screw- fitting or a bayonet-fitting.

The various modules 28, 128, 228 and 328 having fixed emission orifices 31 would be supplied with tear- off strips sealing these orifices until such time as they are ready for use.

Where the holder is to support modules as taught in our Patent Number (Case D), the releasable coupling means may be arranged to hold the module in an appropriately inclined or asymmetrical position.

The holders described with reference to Figures 1 to 12 enable an existing rubbish container to be modified to support a replaceable module. However, it should be noted that a holder in accordance with this invention may also be incorporated into the design of a new rubbish container. In this event the holder would either be formed as part of the lid, or would be permanently secured to the underside of the lid using an adhesive or possibly a solvent-adhesive, or there would be some other convenient coupling incorporated in the design for securing the holder in the correct position.

The remaining Figures illustrate several lid constructions having integral holders for liquid receptacles as taught in our Patent Number (Case) C. Of these, Figures 13 to 16 illustrate the application of the present invention to a dustbin lid 75 having a central handle 76, and the remaining Figures illustrate the application of the present invention to a domestic pedal bin lid 20.

With reference to Figures 13 and 14, the lid 75 is formed with a holder in the form of an integral tubular extension 77 co-axial about the vertical axis of the lid. This tubular extension is normally filled by a plug 78 which is a close fit underneath the handle 76 to prevent accidental removal. If desired, the central handle 76 may be formed as part of the plug 78 which must then be securely fastened to the lid 75, for instance, be a screw or a bayonet fitting. A refillable toroidal receptacle 79 is a push fit onto the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular extension 77, but may alternatively be secured by a threaded, or a bayonet, or any other form of coupling.

The upper surface 80 of the receptacle 79 is an annulus around the tubular extension 77 and contains a series of emission orifices 81. As the receptacle 79 is symmetrical about its vertical axis through the centre of the lid 75, an annular ullage space 82 surrounds the emission orifices 81 so that the liquid will be accommodated irrespective of the direction in which the lid 75 is tipped. Whilst Figure 14 shows the maximum angle of inclination of the lid before any liquid can escape through any of the emission orifices 81, it should be noted that, whilst an increased angle will promote the flow of some of the liquid through the orifices 81, the recessed area on the top of the receptacle would prevent spillage into the dustbin up to the chain-dotted line 83.The extent to which the lid 75 is tipped is in the control of the operator and, in normal use it is not likely that the lid will be tipped more than shown in Figure 14. However, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to release some of the liquid into the bin and this can be achieved by maintaining an adequate fluid level in the receptacle and by deliberately over-tipping the lid 75.

Figure 15 shows a variation of the arrangement illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the lid 75 being provided with a holder comprising a circular array of at least three integral spring clips 83 of which only two are shown. In this manner a replaceable toroidal module 84 can be clipped to the underside of the lid 75 as shown.

Figure 16 shows a further variation of the arrangement illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the holder comprising the tubular extension 77 which terminates in an annular array of resilient clips 85 gripping a groove 86 formed in the replaceable toroidal module 184. It will be noted that the emission orifices 81 are positioned around a cylindrical part of the module 184 which is received inside the clips 85, and that the orifices 81 are inclined slots to ensure emission through the gaps between the clips 85.

Figure 17 illustrates an alternative module 284 having a cylindrical part to be received inside the clips 85 of Figure 17, the orifices 81 being two rows of staggered holes to ensure emission through the gaps between the clips 85.

In Figures 18, 19 and 20 features similar to the already described with reference to Figure 2 have been given the same reference numerals. In Figure 18 a replaceable module 328 has a cylindrical part received inside a holder having clips 85 in the same manner as described with reference to Figure 16, the lid 20 being additionally formed with a crutch 87 to locate the module 328 in its correct alignment relative to the lid 20.

In Figure 19 the holder is provided by the tubular extension 77 which extends completely through lid 20 and is internally threaded to receive complementary threads of a refillable module 428 at its inner end, and a refill plug 178 at its outer end. In Figure 20 an access panel 90 clips into the lid 20 and has a recessed handle 91 to facilitate its removal. A module 128, of the type already described with reference to Figure 3, is retained by a holder comprising a surface 92 formed integral with the lid 20, and abutments 93,94 formed integral with the access panel 90.

If desired, the holder comprising the space between the access panel 90 and the surface 92, or comprising the tubular extension 77, may be arranged to support other types of replaceable or refillable module, such as impregnated waddings, and many include wire clips or other retainers either to hold such modules in place, or with the correct alignment relative to the lid.

Claims (1)

1. A rubbish container including a lid having a holder arranged to retain in position a replaceable or refillable module for emitting a substance into the rubbish container whenever the lid is closed,whereby the emitted substance will permeate any rubbish in the rubbish container.

2. A rubbish container,according to claim 1,in which the holder is provided with a releasable coupling device for engaging the replaceable module whereby the replaceable modulus will be located in a predetermined position relative to the lid.

3. A rubbish container, according to claim I,in which the replaceable module is provides with a releasable coupling device for engaging the holder whereby the replaceable module will be located in a predetermined position relative to the lid.

4. A rubbish container,according to claim 2 or 3,in which the releasable coupling device includes at least one releasable clip.

5. A rubbish container,according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the releasable coupling includes a plurality of releasable clips for engaging the module or part of the module C. A rubbish conteiner,according according to any of claims 2 to 5, in which a detent means is carried either by the holder,or by the replaceable module,to prevent the replaceable module from being engaged in ay position other tham the aforesaid predetermibed position relative to the lid 7. A rubbish ccntainer,according to claim 4 or 5,in which each releasable clip is mounted on a slide for novement between a first position in which the replaceable module is retained by the holder,and a second position in which the replaceable module is released from the holder.

8. A rubbish container,according to claim 7,in which the slide is carried by the holder and includes means for perforating the releasable module to enable the substance to be emitted.

9 A rubbish container,according to any preceding claim,in which the replaceable module is a receptacle holding a liquid from which a scent, vapour or other gas is to be slowly or gradually emitted through one or more emission orifices ,and the releasable coupling device is arranged to locate the receptacle in a position in which the liquid cann -ot flow through any of the emission orifices when the lid is in either its open or its closed position.

10 A rubbish container,according to any of claims 1 to 8,in which the replaceable module is a receptacle holding a powder to be sprinkled into the rubbish through one or more orifices,and the releasable coupling device is - arranged to locate the receptacle in a position in which the powder cannot flow through any of the orifices when the lid is in its open pcsition,but a small quantity of powder will be discharged as the lid is moved to its closed position.

11 A rubbish container,according to any preceding claim,in which the holder is made as part of the lid.

12 A rubbish container,according to claim 11,in which the holder is formed as an integral tubular extension of the lid which extension defines a surface for releasably coupling with the replaceable module.

13 A rubbish container,according to claim 12,in which the surface is a cylindrical surf cue of the extension embracing,or embraced by,a complementary surface of the module.

14 A rubbish container,according to claim 12,in which the tubular extension terminates in a plurality of releasable clips for engaging the module or part of the module.

15 A rubbish container,aecording to any of claims 12 to 14,in which the tubular extension is arranged to define a refil opening through the li1 into a pcrtion of a refillable module located in the holder,and sealing means is provided for closing the refil opening when not in use.

16. A rubbish container,according to any of claims 12 to 14,in which the holder is positioned behind an access panel carried by the lid whereby the nodule may be replaced or refilled after the access panel has been opened.

17. A rubbish container substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

18. A holder having means for securing it to the lid of a rubbish container according to any preceding claim.

19. A holder,according to claim 18,in which the securin means is in the for form of an adhesive.

20. A holder,according to claim 19,in which the securing means is in the form of one or more resilient pads secured to the holder in a position which is to abut the lid,each resilient pad having an adhesive surface which is covered by a remove able strip until such time as the holder is to be fitted to the lid 21. A holder,according to any of claims 18 to20,which is marked with instr uctions indicating its correct orientation and positioning relative to the lid.

22. A holder,according to claim 20,in which each removeable strip preferably extends beyond the adhesive surface that it protects whereby it can be pulled off when the holder has been correctly positioned 23. A holder,according to claim 18,in which the securing means is in the form of one or more clips positioned to engage existing features of the lid thereby securing the holder to the lid in the correct position.

24. A holder,having means for securing it to the lid of a rubbish container,substantialla as described with preference to dny of the accompanying drawings.