GB2277247A - Improvements relating to waste disposal and like bins - Google Patents

Abstract

A bin assembly for the collection and temporary storage of waste or re-cyclable materials, comprises a relatively large enclosed bin (1) with an upper materials entry opening (15) and an inner smaller materials receiving receptacle (8) which is of trough or drum like form and is arranged and mounted for at least partial rotation about a horizontal axis (8a), to have an upper materials receiving opening (9) located or locatable at the bin materials entry opening (8) when in a first position accessible to a user wishing to deposit waste or re-cyclable material; partial rotation of the receptacle (8) about its axis (8a) by the person operating actuating means (48) (49) (51) causing discharge of materials (11) in the receptacle (8) into the body of the large bin (1) by way of movement of the materials receiving opening (9) to a downwardly directed second position and simultaneous closure of the bin entry opening (15); and there being releasable locking mechanism (52), preferably fee actuated, normally preventing rotational movement of the receptacle and external access to the materials receiving opening (9) of the receptacle (8). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL AND LIKE BINS This invention is described in the following statements: This invention relates to the collection and disposal of waste and/or re-cyclable materials, and more particularly relates to portable or relocatable bin and container systems which may be conveniently situated in a vehicular publicly accessable area (such as for example in a shopping complex car parking area) for the reception and temporary storage of individually deposited quantities of waste or re-cyclable material(s), for subsequent collection in bulk and disposal or trans-shipment by an operator eg in a similar manner that provided with the now common and popular re-cycling bin systems.

Many known waste disposal and material recycling bin systems have non-closable entry openings for receiving materials; and others have openings with closable doors, but which are frequently left open by a user. Such arrangements allow rain entry and in some cases ready access for flies and emission of offensive odours. Recyling bin systems are usually intended to be restricted to use for selected articles and materials capable of being re-used and/or re-constituted or re-cycled in the manufacture of new products; and in the absence (as is common) of a readily available depository for waste material(s), un-caring persons will often wrongly place disposable waste materials in bins intended only for re-cycled materials.

Often too, known bins for receiving waste and/or re-cyclable materials have a relatively small front or upper opening, and as a result materials placed therethrough accumulate in a pile immediately below the opening and are not readily dispersed within the bins; thus the bins are not used to maximum capacity and can appear full over a short period of time.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and provide a waste disposal or re-cyclable material bin with an inner receptacle arranged to close the bin entry opening between use by users; and having an arrangement providing for more effective dispersal of materials placed therein, when discharged or transferred into the main storage area of the bin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a waste disposal or recyclable material bin which is readily adapted for restricted access with appropriate releasable locking means. Such an arrangement is particularly applicable to waste disposal.

With the development of a litter conscious society and a 'user pays' approach to refuse disposal eg with refuse tip fees being payable, there is an increasing requirement by the public for a convenient means of disposing of such as relatively small quantities of commercial and/or household and/or garden rubbish that accumulates and which may not be readily disposed of by way of periodic house to house rubbish collection systems provided by local bodies, or conveniently deposited at such as a 'land fill' or other rubbish tip site.

Another object of the present invention is to meet the aforementioned need by the provision at strategic sites throughout populated areas of numbers of similar waste reception and storage bins which can provide that, for a prescribed small fee (as herein defined) paid by a user, they are arranged to receive up to a prescribed amount of rubbish at any one time, each bin being capable of containing a number of the prescribed amounts for subsequent bulk collection and disposal by an operator.

Other and more particular objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description.

According to a first aspect of this invention therefore, there is provided a bin defining a relatively large waste or re-cyclable material collection and storage area and containing at least one smaller movable open trough receptacle located and arranged within an upper part of the bin adjacent an upper materials entry opening of the bin so as to be capable of receiving a prescribed volume of material(s) deposited through the upper entry opening of the bin when the receptacle is in a first position with its opening aligned with said entry opening, said receptacle being at least partially rotatable about a horizontal axis and movable to a second position with its opening directed inwardly and downwardly for discharging the deposited material angularly into the large collection and storage area of the bin and with a horizontal wall part of the receptacle effecting closing of said bin upper entry opening on movement of said receptacle out of said first position; there being actuating mechanism for effecting and permitting movement of the receptacle between the first and second positions and vice versa, and releasable locking mechanism for locking the actuating mechanism against operation with the bin entry opening closed by the receptacle; and said locking mechanism being releasable by a user to allow operation of the actuating mechanism and movement of the closure member clear of the entry opening for the depositing of material in the receptacle when in its aligned first position, and subsequent operation for movement of said receptacle to its second position discharging the deposited material into the large collection and storage area of the bin with simultaneous closing of the bin entry opening, the locking mechanism holding the receptacle in the entry closing position to restrict access to the receptacle opening until release by a user; and there being means for an authorised operator to gain access to said large material(s) collection and storage area for emptying of the bin contents.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a waste disposal bin defining a relatively large waste collection and storage area and containing at least one smaller movable open trough waste receptacle located and arranged within an upper part of the bin adjacent an upper materials entry opening of the bin so as to be capable of receiving a prescribed volume of waste deposited through the upper entry opening of the bin when the receptacle is in a first position with its opening aligned with said entry opening, said receptacle being at least partially rotatable about a horizontal axis and a wall part of the receptacle being arranged to close the entry opening when the receptacle is moved out of said first position; there being releasable locking and actuating mechanism for the receptacle and said locking and actuating mechanism being releasable by fee actuated means (as herein defined) on supply thereto by a user of a prescribed fee to allow movement of the receptacle to said first position and subsequently clear of the entry opening and depositing of waste material placed in the receptacle; said receptacle being movable to a second position discharging the deposited waste material into the large waste collection and storage area of the bin simultaneous closing of the bin entry opening and operation of the locking mechanism therefor to prevent opening of the closure member until supply of a next fee to the fee actuated means, the actuating mechanism effecting and permitting movement of said receptacle between the first and second positions, and vice versa; and there being means for an authorised operator to gain access to said large waste collection and storage area for emptying of the bin contents.

In versions of the invention adapted for fee actuation, the fee actuated means for release of the locking mechanism can be in the form of mechanical or electromechanical coin or token actuated means requiring one or more coins of prescribed denomination or value, or it is envisaged that such a ticket or card fee payment system can be employed and appropriate electronic identification means incorporated in the fee actuated means. The term "fee actuated" as used herein means actuable in any way by such as a coin, token, ticket card or other means having a monetary or other value - the term "fee" similarly including any article or device of the required 'value' necessary to operable the fee actuated means controlling the locking mechanism of the bin of this invention.

Some preferred aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a first perspective view of one form of the bin as viewed from the bin user side, FIGURE 2 is an opposite side perspective view, being the side to the approached by an operator for discharge of the bin contents FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the bin more particularly showing the interior and general form of the inner receptacle, and FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic side view more particularly illustrating one form releasable locking and actuating mechanism for the receptacle.

One preferred aspect of the invention provides for simple mechanical coin or disc token operation/release of mechanical locking mechanism so that electric power supply connection for the bin is unnecessary and the bin can be sited in any convenient location and readily transported without any requirement for connecting to or disconnecting from a power supply source; and for convenience this preferred aspect will be described, but it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such an arrangement.

The bin, (generally indicated by the arrow 1) is of generally rectangular form in plan view with four upstanding wall parts 2,3,4 and 5 conjoined by a flat base 6 and an upper roof section, generally indicated by the arrow 7. For convenience of description wall part 2 may be referred to as the rear wall and is the bin side to be approached by a user for depositing rubbish or other materials therein, and the opposite wall part 3 may be referred to as the bin front wall and is the bin side to be approached by an operator for discharge of the bin contents as hereinafter described. Wall parts 4 and 5 being opposite side walls of the bin 1.

The bin 1 may be of any suitable and allowable size subject to local body regulations relating to bins or containers locatable in public areas, and subject to transport regulations governing the maximum sizes of objects transportable on public roads; and in one preferred and allowable form the bin 1 is dimensioned so as to be capable of accommodating up to about six cubic metres of material, although smaller capacity bins 1 can be provided where preferred or required.The inner receptacle 8 is of horizontal trough like form eg partially cylindrical (as shown in Figures 1 and 3), or of partially regular polygonal cross section (eg octagonal), with a longitudinal opening 9 in its horizontal side wall or wall part(s) 10 dimensioned to allow convenient depositing in the receptacle 8 of, for example in a waste disposal application, a single typical filled large household rubbish bag 11 or two partly filled or small rubbish bags - the receptacle 9 can be generally dimensioned to comfortably accommodate up to the equivalent in loose rubbish of say 1 filled larger rubbish bags 11.

The receptacle 8 is located in the upper rear part of the bin 1 for rotation or at least partial rotation about its horizontal axis 8a, such axis 8a being parallel with the rear wall 2. The roof section 7 of the bin 1 is preferably of gable end form with an inclined rear part 12 conjoining and extending inwardly and upwardly from the rear wall 2, and an oppositely inclined and longer front part 13 extending downwardly from a medial transverse apex support member 14 to the front wall 3.Thus the entry opening 15 8 for a user to deposit material(s) into the receptacle 8 is located in or at the roof rear part between the apex support member 14 and a rear transverse member 16 providing strength to the bin 1 at the rear wall 2; and in the ready to use position the opening 9 of the receptacle 8 is upwardly directed and aligned with the entry opening 15, the receptacle being lockable in this position by locking mechanism.

To facilitate lifting of rubbish up to the entry opening 15, the rear wall 2 of the bin 1 is preferably provided with a horizontal step or platform 21 for placement of rubbish thereon and on which a user can stand; and whilst such step or platform 21 can be fixed and permanently projecting, preferably it is hingeably connected to the rear wall 2 and provided with at least one flexible support 22 so (eg a steel cable or link chain) that it can be moved to a non-projecting position for transport and discharge of the bin contents. The illustrated form shows a single link chain support 22 at one end of the platform 21 and a hinged depending ground support 22a at the opposite end.

To assist lateral dispersal of rubbish discharged from the receptacle 8 into the main storage area of the bin,it is envisaged that a deflector member (such as a deflector bar) 44 can be fitted to extend for example inwardly of the bin rear wall 2 (or be supported above the base 6) and be strategically positioned medially of and below the receptacle 8; rubbish discharged from the receptacle being deflected either side of the deflector member 44 to more effectively utilise the full storage area of the bin 1.

A preferred and most effective/efficient means for transporting and manoeuvring the bin 1 as required, and for emptying the bin 1 of its contents, is with the employment of a suitable vehicle with lifting arms; and preferably one such as a front end loader tractor with spaced arms or forks which are engageable with the bin 1 and operable to lift the bin 1 up and over rearwardly to an inverted position, for discharge or the bin contents either directly into a nearby refuse disposal area or into an open truck (or into a larger transportable receptacle) for transport to a refuse disposal area or site remote from the bin site.Accordingly, the opposite side walls 4 and 5 of the bin 1 are preferably provided with external support and gripping means in the form of substantially horizontal open ended tubular or like hollow sleeve supports 45 (one on each side wall and in alignment transversely medially thereof) arranged and positioned to receive lifting fork arms of the vehicle; and the remaining forward side part 13 of the roof section 7 can be or comprise the discharge door 20 (either a single door or a pair of doors) by which the bin contents can be discharged when the bin is inverted. The door(s) 20 may be hingeably connected to the apex frame member 14 to open about a horizontal transvere axis, and be lockable against unauthorised opening by any suitable means. One arrangement as illustrated in figures 2 and 3 in particular provides for a pivoted squared U-shape arm 46 to extend over the front lower end part(s) of the door(s) 20 and be locked in position for opening only by an authorised operator.

It is envisaged also that the front wall 3 of the bin can be or comprise one or more large lockable doors for access to the bin interior for servicing and/or cleaning; or, as an alternative to upending and front roof area discharge, for access to the bin 1 for removal of its contents in some instances where a suitable front end loader with inverting hoist arms or other mechanism is not available or not conveniently usable in the area concerned.

In the latter case alternative hoist support and gripping means can be provided on the side walls 3 and 4, and/or it is further envisaged that a suitably dimensioned low base wheeled open topped trolley 47 (as indicated in broken outline in figure 3) or an open topped container on skids may be locatable within the bin 1 for receipt of rubbish discharged from the receptacle 8 - the trolley 47 (or container) being wheeled or slid in and out through the front wall door.

The receptacle 8 is mounted for pivoting or partial rotation about a horizontal axis 8a; and can be supported by two similar spaced end support brackets 24' fixed to and projecting inwardly from the rear wall 2 of the bin 1, with the pivot connection in the form of stub axles 8b extending from the end walls 23 and supported in bearings 8c mounted on the inner end parts of the support brackets 24. The bin entry opening 15 is arranged to be closable by part of the longitudinal wall 10 of the receptacle 8 when the receptacle 8 is in a position other than the first position with its opening 9 aligned with the bin entry opening 15.

Pivoting or partial rotation of the receptacle between the first loading position and second inverted discharge position, and vice versa, is arranged in this case to be effected by means of a simple rack and pinion mechanism located at one end of the receptacle 8; with a pinion 48 mounted co-axially on the pivot connection (a stub axle) 8b at that end for rotation therewith by an engaging toothed rack member 49 slidably and reciprocally supported for substantially horizontal movement in a guide 50 mounted on the respective end support bracket 24 and extending substantially normal to the bin rear wall 2.An external handle 51 is connected to an end part of the rack member 49 nearest the wall 2 by a shaft or bar connection 51a (which may be generally aligned with the rack member 49), which is slidably located in and through an aperture 2a in the wall 2, so that a user may push and pull the handle 51 to effect reciprocal movement of the rack member 49; and thus rotation of the pinion 48 engaged therewith, and partial rotation of the receptacle 8. The pinion 48 is shown directly connected to the receptacle stub axle connection 8b, but it will of course be appreciated that it may be indirectly connected such as by way of one or more meshing tooth gear wheels where required to facilitate operation; and the rack member 49 and handle connection 51a need not be horizontal and/or rigidly connected.

Between use, the receptacle 8 is normally positioned with its opening 9 directed inwardly of the bin 1 so that the bin entry opening 15 is normally closed by part of the longitudinal wall 10 (the bin entry opening 15 and receptacle 8 dimensions being such the wall part 10 projects into the opening as a close fit); and the receptacle can be locked and retained in this position by releasable catch means such as, for example, a small pivoted inclined retainer 52 located below the handle connection 51a to have a lower end pivotally connected to the inner side of the rear wall 2 and an upper inner end releasably engageable with the connection Sla eg by location in a notch 51b therein (or with a projection thereon).

The retainer 52 may be biassed into the engaging position by a light spring and form part of the fee actuated and locking mechanism so as to be releasable following insertion of such as a coin or card. The arrangement can provide for the insertion of a coin in an upper coin slot 53 and direction via guide means 53a of the coin onto the retainer 52 or a connection therefor, so that the retainer 52 is movable downwardly about its pivot connection 52a and out of engagement with the handle connection 51a under the weight of the coin; the coin then dropping into a coin receptacle 54 located therebelow. To assist disengagement of the retainer 52 from the notch 51b (or projection) of the handle connection 51a, a small amount of inward pressure exerted on the handle 51 against an outward biassing spring 51c can be provided for.

The user of the bin may then pull the handle 51 outwardly to rotate the receptacle in the direction of arrow A and bring the receptacle opening 9 into alignment with the bin entry opening 15 for the user to deposit rubbish, and the receptacle retained in this first position by any suitable releasable catch/latch means (eg the notch 51b or a further notch in or projection on the handle connection 51a can be arranged to engage the part of the wall 2 adjacent the aperture 2a). Retention of the receptacle in the first loading position is necessary with the receptacle and bin openings 9 and 15 inclined as exampled in view of the gravitational bias of the receptacle and load therein otherwise urging the receptacle opening 9 to the upper horizontal position.

When the user has deposited the waste material in the receptacle 8, the handle connection 51 can be released from the locked or retained position and inward pressure exerted on the handle 51 to move the rack member 49 inwardly and cause rotation of the engaged pinion 48, and rotation of the receptacle in the direction of arrow B towards the inverted second position with the receptacle opening 9 directed inwardly and downwardly to discharge the receptacle contents; the handle connection 51a being again locked in positioned by the retainer 52 on being moved to the fully 'home' position and thus securing the receptacle 8 with its longitudinal wall part 10 again closing the bin opening 15.Again the receptacle may be allowed some free movement to assist rapid discharge, with the rack member 49 moving out of engagement with the pinion as the receptacle moves towards the discharge position; and/or spring or other bias means can be applied to urge the receptacle to selected positions.

It is also envisaged that the receptacle can be movable between the first and second positions by alternative mechanism eg such as by external lever and internally connected ratchet mechanism.

The coin (or token) box 14 would be normally locked and tamper proof and detachable/openable only by an authorised operator/collector; and preferably receiving mechanism associated with the 'coin' slot 53 and guide 53a would include coin (or token) monitoring and counting mechanism by which an operator/collector can gauge the extent of use of the bin 1 and whether or not it requires emptying, without opening the discharge or main access door 20 of the bin 1.

The coin or token operated/freed mechanism of any suitable known kind may be adpated for use with the bin 1 of this invention, or specifically designed as may be required. As first mentioned a modification envisages employment of alternative fee actuated mechanism operable by such as a special ticket or plastics credit card capable of being scanned and identified by electronic scanner means (battery or mains power operated) and where electric power is available electro-mechanically operated locking and release mechanism can be employed for the receptacle 8, if so required.

Some preferred aspects of the invention have been described and illustrated by way of example but it will be appreciated that other variations of and modifications to the invention can take place without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A bin assembly comprising a bin defining a relatively large waste or re-cyclable material collection and storage area and containing at least one smaller open trough receptacle located and arranged within an upper part of the bin to have an upper closable materials receiving opening locatable at an upper entry opening part of the bin so as to be capable of receiving a prescribed volume of material(s) deposited therein by a user when the receptacle is in a first position and open condition with its materials receiving opening at said entry opening of the bin, said receptacle being at least partially rotatable about a horizontal axis and movable to a second position with its opening directed inwardly and downwardly for discharging the deposited material into the large collection and storage area of the bin and with a horizontal wall part of the receptacle effecting closing of said bin upper entry part on movement of said receptacle out of said first position; there being actuating means for effecting and permitting movement of the receptacle between the first and second positions and vice versa, and releasable locking mechanism for locking the actuating means and/or receptacle against operation and movement with the bin entry opening closed by the receptacle; said locking mechanism being releasable by a user to allow operation of the actuating means and movement of the receptacle for the depositing of material in the receptacle when in its first accessible opening position, and subsequent operation for movement of said receptacle to its second position discharging the deposited material into the large collection and storage area of the bin with simultaneous closing of the bin entry part opening external access to the receptacle, the locking mechanism holding the receptacle in the entry closing position to restrict access to the receptacle opening until release by a user; and there being means for an authorised operator to gain access to said large material(s) collection and storage area for emptying of the bin contents.

2. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said releasable locking mechanism is releasable by fee actuated means (as hereinbefore defined) on supply thereto by a user of a prescribed fee to allow operation of the actuating means and access to the receptacle materials receiving opening and depositing therethrough of waste or re-cyclable material(s) by a user; the locking mechanism preventing unauthorised access to the receptacle opening until supply of a next fee to the fee actuated means.

3. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fee actuated means includes coin or token operated release mechanism.

4. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fee actuated means includes a ticket or card capable of being scanned and identified by electronic scanner means and electro-mechanically operated release mechanism.

5. A bin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bin is of substantially rectangular form in plan view with four upstanding wall parts conjoined by a flat base and an upper roof section; said entry opening part being provided in the roof section in close proximity to one wall part or in the upper part of said one wall part.

6. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein a deflector member extends medially and inwardly from said one wall part and below said receptacle, for deflecting the fall of waste or re-cyclable material discharged from the receptacle into said waste collection and storage area.

7. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said one wall part is provided with at least one external step faciiitating a users access to the receptacle and materials receiving opening for loading and operation.

8. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the wall part opposite said one wall part defines or incorporates a large lockable door which can be opened by an operator for access to the bin interior and removal of waste or re-cyclable materials container therein.

9. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein an open topped trolley or container of complementary dimensions to the bin interior is removably located therein for the receipt of waste or re-cyclable material from said receptacle.

10. A bin as claimed in claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7, wherein a large part of the roof section extending from the wall part opposite said one wall part defines or incorporates a discharge opening with a large lockable door which can be opened by an unauthorised operator for access to the bin interior and removal of waste or re-cyclable materials contained therein; the two remaining opposite wall parts defining side walls and being provided with external support and gripping means with which mechanical hoist means is engageable for lifting and transport and/or for up-ending of the bin for discharge of its contents through the bin discharge opening.

11. A bin assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said external support and gripping means comprise a substantially horizontal open ended tubular support on each of said remaining opposited wall parts arranged and positioned to receive lifting fork arms of mechanical hoist mechanism on a vehicle.

12. A bin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said actuating means for effecting and permitting rotational movement of the receptacle comprises a rack and pinion mechanism with the rack being reciprocatably movable by a connecting handle or lever from outside said bin, and the pinion being coupled directly or indirectly to the receptacle so that rotation of the pinion by reciprocating movement of the rack effects the required rotational movement of the receptacle to or from the first and second positions thereof.

13. A bin as claimed in claim 12, wherein said handle or lever and connected rack are releasably lockable against movement by catch means forming part of said locking mechanism and which is actuable or controlled by fee actuated means.

14. A bin assembly for the collection of waste or re-cyclable materials arranged, constructed and operable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.