GB2294869A

GB2294869A - A cover for a refuse container

Info

Publication number: GB2294869A
Application number: GB9521908A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adair Egbert Taylor
Original assignee: Egbert H Taylor and Co Ltd
Current assignee: Egbert H Taylor and Co Ltd
Priority date: 1994-11-09
Filing date: 1995-10-26
Publication date: 1996-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-26
Also published as: GB2294869B; GB9521908D0

Abstract

A lid (15) for a wheeled refuse container is provided with openings (18), through which refuse may be placed in the container. The openings 18 are positioned on the rear side of the container and emptying of the container takes place from the front side. This arrangement of the lid enables the front side, which may be dirty as a result of the emptying of the container, to be located out of sight of a person placing refuse in the bin. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN REFUSE CONTAINERS This invention relates to an improved refuse container, and particular to the hinged lid of a wheeled refuse container.

Wheeled refuse containers have replaced the traditional dustbin both for domestic and commercial rubbish. Typically such a container is square or rectangular in section and has a lifting bar at the front edge for engagement by a lifting and tipping mechanism of a dustcart. Such containers are normally provided with lids which are hinged so as to permit opening from the front edge; usually the lid is hinged about the upper rear edge of the container or moves arcuately on opposed arms pivoted on the sides of the container.

In use the front face of this kind of container is often damaged because of rough handling or contact with the lifting and tipping mechanism. Refuse collection is inevitably dirty and accordingly the container front face may be rather soiled due to contact with the dustcart and the workers who manoeuvre the container during the emptying operation. As the container is upended during emptying, solid and liquid waste may run over or fall against the front edge of the lid and container causing yet more soiling. Finally this kind of container is a common item of street furniture and may also carry a livery or advertising and promotion materials; it is thus desirable that the container remain in clean and presentable condition for as long as possible.

According to the present invention there is provided a lid for a wheeled waste container having a front side, a back side and lifting means attached to the container to permit emptying thereof over the front side, said lid being adapted for pivotal attachment to a container so as to open from the front side, and having a loading opening at the rear thereof.

Such a construction permits a container of this kind to be placed with the potentially damaged and dirty front side away from a user, for example against a wall. The user can load the container from the rear side through the loading opening. Thus the loading side of the container is opposite to the unloading side. The problems associated with containers having a front edge opening for loading are obviated, and the appearance of containers as items of street furniture is substantially improved since the rear side of the container is not subject to contact damage or fouling during the emptying operation.

The secondary opening does not necessarily require a closure since during emptying the contents of the container fall away from the secondary opening. However a closure for the secondary opening is desirable, not least for reasons of hygiene.

The loading opening is preferably closed by a hinged cover adapted to remain closed when the container is upended for emptying. Such a cover may have its hinge axis arranged such that it remains shut under its own weight when the container is upended. Alternatively the cover may be secured by a catch or lock, or secondary opening may be closed by brush seals, rubber diaphragms or any other suitable closure. In the preferred embodiment the cover is hinged about an axis substantially parallel to the front side of the bin and inboard of the rear side thereof. The hinge axis of the cover is preferably higher than the hinge axis of the lid, and in the preferred embodiment the hinge axis of the cover is higher than the centre of mass thereof in the closed condition.

More than one such secondary opening may be provided.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates the end elevation of a waste container incorporating the present invention.

A waste container 10 comprises a generally rectangular bin 11 having a caster 12 at each corner. The container includes a lifting bar 13 extending along the front edge thereof and handles 14 to permit the container to be moved easily. A lid 15 is pivoted about an axis 16 which extends longitudinally and generally horizontally of the container 11. In use, and during emptying, the lid opens from the front edge about the pivot axis 16, as indicated by arrow 17.

A secondary opening 18 is provided adjacent the rear edge of the container 11 and is closed by a cover 19 hinged about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the lid 15. The hinge axis is arranged such that during opening of the lid during emptying, the cover remains closed by virtue of its own weight.

It is not however essential for the cover to remain closed during emptying because rubbish naturally exits the bin over the front edge lip and thus not in the vicinity of the secondary opening.

More than one secondary opening may be provided in the lid, and furthermore the lid may be secured by a latch or lock. This latter feature has the advantage that loading access is through relatively small openings, and thus unauthorised disposal of large items of waste, such as televisions, car engines and the like, is prevented.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lid for a wheeled waste container having a front side, a back side and lifting means attached to the container to permit emptying thereof over the front side, said lid being adapted for pivotal attachment to a container so as to open from the front side, and having a loading opening at the rear thereof.

2. A lid according to claim 1 wherein the loading opening includes closure means.

3. A lid according to claim 2 wherein said closure means comprises cover hinged to said lid.

4. A lid according to claim 3 wherein the hinge axis of said cover is parallel to the pivot axis of said lid.

5. A lid according ot claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said hinge axis of said cover is in use higher than the pivot axis of said lid.

6. A lid according to claim 5 wherein said loading opening is planar and in use at greater than 200 to the horizontal.

7. A lid according to any of claims 3-6 wherein in use the hinge axis of said cover is higher than the centre of mass of said cover.

8. A lid according to claim 7 wherein said cover is rectangular and the hinge axis is along one edge thereof.

9. A lid according to any of claims 3-8 wherein the hinge axis of said cover is inboard of the pivot axis of said lid.

10. A refuse container having a lid according to any preceding claim.

11. A lid substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

12. A refuse container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.