GB2327332A

GB2327332A - A cover for a refuse container

Info

Publication number: GB2327332A
Application number: GB9714923A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Hunt
Original assignee: CRACKPOT IDEAS Ltd
Current assignee: CRACKPOT IDEAS Ltd
Priority date: 1997-07-16
Filing date: 1997-07-16
Publication date: 1999-01-27
Also published as: GB9714923D0

Abstract

A cover 16 which externally lines refuse containers 2 comprises one or more strips of material adhered to the refuse container. Preferably, all or part of the container can be lined with different washable, waterproof materials. The container may have a lid 6 which can be covered. The material may be fixed by adhesive and can be removable. Preferably, the material will be plastic, vinyl 16 or raffia (18 figure 3). The cover may be attached to the container via clips which engage with the outer edges of the container. Preferably, the container is a domestic refuse container and the material has an attractive design. A method of externally lining a refuse container, comprises affixing material to all or part of the refuse container.

Description

A COVERED CONTAINER Field of the Invention The invention relates to covers for refuse containers and more particularly, though not exclusively, to adhesive covers for covering external refuse containers such as "Wheelie Bins" and bins for "bottle banks" and "newspaper banks".

Background to the Invention Most local councils now provide refuse containers for domestic use and for use on a larger scale as part of "newspaper banks" or "bottle banks".

Refuse containers for domestic use are generally in the form of plastic bins on wheels, which are commonly known as "Wheelie Bins". Such refuse containers are kept outside of the owner's house, for example in a garden shed, in a garage or by the rear entrance to the house.

Generally refuse containers such as "Wheelie Bins", "bottle bank" containers, "newspaper bank containers, etc. are all of one colour, usually green, yellow or black. Such refuse containers may be seen as being unsightly and their presence can spoil the appearance of an otherwise attractive area, e.g. a garden or park.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to improve the refuse containers of the prior art, whether such containers are referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a partially or completely externally lined external refuse container wherein one or more strips of material are adhered to the refuse container.

The term "external refuse container" is herein taken to describe all refuse containers used externally and therefore exposed to the elements. Such external refuse containers include "Wheelie Bins", containers used at "newspaper bank" and "bottle bank" sites and the like and refuse containers used in public parks for example.

The lining of the external surface of the external refuse container in the material acts to enhance the appearance of the refuse container. For example, the material may comprise an attractive design, such as flowers or brickwork. Such designs can act to camouflage the refuse containers, helping them to blend into their local environment. The material is preferably waterproof and washable, therefore making it easier to keep the refuse container clean.

Suitably, the same material is applied to some or all of the external surfaces of the refuse container.

Preferably, different materials are applied to one or each of the external surfaces of the refuse container.

Preferably, if the container comprises a lid, one type of material is applied to the sides of the container and a different material is applied to the lid of the container.

Suitably, material is affixed by a contact adhesive.

Suitably, the material is plastic or vinyl and is preferably waterproof. Preferably, the material is a "sticky-back" vinyl such as Fablon (trade mark).

Suit ably, the material is removable from the refuse container. Suitably, the material is attached to the refuse container via clips which preferably engage with the outer edges of the refuse container.

Suitably, the material is of a "raffia" type.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of externally lining a refuse container, the method comprising affixing the material to all or part of the refuse container.

Brief Description of the Drawinas The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a refuse container according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a side view of a refuse container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a refuse container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In each of the drawings that follow like numerals are used to denote like features.

Description of the Preferred embodiments Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a refuse container 2 known as a "Wheelie Bin". The "Wheelie Bin" refuse container 2 shown is of standard dimensions and construction.

The refuse container 2 is generally a toughened plastic cuboidal elongate cylinder additionally comprising a base 4, a lid 6 and two wheels 8, 10.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings that follow there is shown an externally lined external refuse container 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sides of the refuse container 2 are externally lined (only the front side 14 being shown) with "sticky-back" vinyl material 16 of the Fablon (trade mark) type. The edges 12a and 12b of the external lining are shown. The material is waterproof and easily washable, thus making cleaning of the refuse container according to this embodiment of the present invention, easier.

In Figure 2 of the drawings that follow the lid 6 of the refuse container 2 is also externally lined with the "sticky-back" vinyl material 16.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings that follow, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lid 6 of the refuse container 2 is externally lined with a synthetic "raffia" type material external lining 18. The external lining 18 is clipped over the edges of the lid 6 to hold it in place. The external lining 18 is coloured to match the design on the sides of the refuse container 2. Additionally, the external lining 18 is made of washable material and is capable of being removed from the lid 6 for washing and replaced on the lid 6.

It is envisaged that various types of refuse containers, such as those at "bottle banks" or "newspaper banks", and refuse containers in public parks for example, may be externally lined according to embodiments of the present invention.

It is noted that the external lining or linings according to each embodiment of the present invention described herein can be formed from one single strip of material to cover the whole of the refuse container or alternatively, the refuse container may be covered by several strips of the material.

It is also noted that the external lining according to each embodiment of the present invention described herein can be in a variety of colours or designs.

Examples of such designs are a floral design or a brickwork pattern.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. An externally lined external refuse container wherein one or more strips of material are adhered to the refuse container.

2. An externally lined external refuse container as claimed in Claim 1, in which said container is completely externally lined.

3. An externally lined external refuse container according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the material is waterproof.

4. An externally lined external refuse container according to Claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the material is washable.

5. An externally lined external refuse container according to any preceding claim, in which the same material is applied to some or all of the external surfaces of the refuse container.

6. An externally lined external refuse container according to any one of Claims 1-4, in which different materials are applied to one or each of the external surfaces of the refuse container.

7. An externally lined external refuse container according to any one of Claims 1-6, in which the container comprises a lid.

8. An externally lined external refuse container according to Claim 7, in which one type of material is applied to the sides of the container and a different material is applied to the lid of the container.

9. An externally lined external refuse container according to any one of Claims 1-8, in which the material is affixed by a contact adhesive.

10. An externally lined external refuse container according to any one of Claims 1-8, in which the material is removable from the refuse container.

11. An externally lined external refuse container according to any one of Claims 1-10, in which the material is plastic or vinyl.

12. An externally lined external refuse container according to Claim 12, in which the material is a "sticky-back" vinyl such as Fablon (trade mark).

13. An externally lined external refuse container according to any one of Claims 1-10, in which the material is of a "raffia" type.

14. An externally lined external refuse container according to any one of Claims 1-13, in which the material is attached to the refuse container via clips which engage with the outer edges of the refuse container.

15. A method of externally lining a refuse container, comprising affixing material to all or part of the refuse container.

16. A refuse container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said refuse container is an external domestic refuse container.

17. A refuse container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said material has an attractive design.

18. A refuse container as described herein and with reference to the drawings hereof.