GB2393381A

GB2393381A - Multi-compartment waste container with bag dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2393381A
Application number: GB0320343A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Whatley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-29
Filing date: 2003-08-29
Publication date: 2004-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-29
Also published as: GB0220068D0; GB2393381B; GB0320343D0

Abstract

A container 1 for segregated waste comprises a housing 2 and a divider 7 that separates a cavity within the housing into two or more compartments A, B. Each compartment A, B may contain a bag 13 for receiving a particular type of waste. The divider 7 is resiliently flexible, allowing the relative volumes of the compartments A, B to vary according to the amount of waste stored therein and prevents the bags 13 and their contents snagging during removal. A compartment A, B, may be further divided using multiple bags 13 or inner containers (31) located within the compartment A, B. The container 1 may comprise hinged bag retaining means (27). A bag dispensing device 6 comprises a housing (18a, 18b) with one or more apertures 23 and means (20) for locating one or more rolls 21 of bags 13, so that the bags 13 may be passed through an aperture 23. A bag 13 remains attached to the roll 21 while receiving waste. As the bag 13 is removed, by lifting it out of the waste container 1, the next bag 13 on the roll is drawn through the aperture 23 and raised into position for use. The dispensing device 6 may include recesses for storing deodoriser (22a), string (22b) etc.

Description

1 239338 1

Waste container with multiple compartments This invention relates to a waste container with multiple compartments, a device for dispensing bags for use with a waste container and a waste container comprising 5 such a dispensing device.

There is a wide recognition of the need to raise recycling levels over those presently achieved in order to reduce the disposal of waste by incineration or landfill.

However, recycling schemes may suffer from lack of funding and poor participation 10 by residents.

Early recycling schemes were based on banks, where people could deposit different types of waste, e.g. paper, glass or aluminium cans, into large dedicated containers.

In order to increase participation, many local authorities now provide collection 15 schemes where each household is given a box to fill with recyclable waste for collection on a regular basis. However, the various types of waste must then be separated, increasing the costs associated with providing this service.

The provision of multi-compartment bins, so that the separation of waste is made 20 by the user, has been previously considered. For example, WO94/01349 discloses a rigid divider for mounting in a "wheelie" bin. In GB2279551, a household bin with means for mounting containers for receiving waste is described. The compartments defined in both arrangements are inflexible and cannot adapt in response to the user's pattern of waste production. In DE4037009 A, a household bin is described 25 which, instead of defining rigid compartments, allows two bin liners, i.e. bags for receiving waste, to be mounted in a single container. However, such an arrangement may make the removal of full bags difficult for a user as the contents of the first bag may snag on the waste stored in the second bag when it is lifted out of the container.

The invention aims to increase the efficiency of collection schemes by facilitating the segregation of different types of waste in the household, allowing the collection

- 2 schemes to handle pre-sorted waste while minimising the inconvenience to a user associated with prior art arrangements.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a container for storing segregated waste 5 comprises a housing which defines a cavity for receiving waste and a flexible dividing member which separates said cavity into two or more compartments.

In this manner, the same waste container can be used for storing two or more types of waste, such as glass, paper, aluminium or plastics for recycling and putrescibles 10 for composting or landfill. The divider prevents bags used for storing the different types of waste from snagging on one another when removed for disposal. The use of a flexible component allows for variations in the volume occupied by the compartments according to the user's waste production.

IS The dividing member is preferably in the form of a sheet made from a pliant material attached to the housing by connectors. The connectors may also be resilient, e.g. resilient ties.

Another example of a suitable dividing member is a rigid sheet of material attached 20 to the housing by resilient connectors. Where the dividing member comprises a sheet, the sheet may be perforated in order to increase its flexibility.

The dividing member may comprise means for locating one or more bags for receiving waste.

The cavity may be separated into more than two compartments. For example, the container may comprise multiple dividing members. Alternatively, one or more dividing members may be used in combination with one or more inner containers to define more than two compartments within the container.

The container may comprise retaining means for retaining bags for receiving waste deposited in a compartment. The retaining means may be located on the container

and/or on the flexible dividing member and may also be pivotally mounted on the housing or onto a hinge bar. The container may be arranged so that multiple bags are retained within a single compartment, in order to allow the compartment to be subdivided into two or more waste receiving zones.

S Where the cavity is separated into two compartments, the dividing member may comprise an upper portion arranged to function as a lid to cover either of said compartments. 10 The container may comprise a rim at the opening of the cavity, formed by an extruded member having one or more recesses. The recesses may be used to receive hooks so that extra bags may be attached to the outside of the waste container.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a dispensing device for use with a 15 waste container comprises a housing including one or more apertures, means for locating the housing on the waste container and means for locating one or more rolls, each roll being formed from a plurality of bags, so that the bags may be passed through the one or more apertures.

20 As the device is located at the base of a waste container, it is not necessary to detach a bag from its roll until it is removed for disposal. As the bag is removed by lifting it out of the container, the next bag is automatically raised into its position for use. This reduces the inconvenience to the user, who, in prior arrangements, would have to position the bag through the top of the container without the bag 25 being retained at the base. Furthermore, as the bags can be arranged in the dispensing device to correspond with their compartments, i.e. on the basis of the type of waste to be stored in them with bags of different sizes, lengths or colour coding as appropriate.

30 The dispensing device may further comprise recesses for receiving other materials, such as deodorising materials or means for dispensing string for use in securing filled bags.

- 4 Example embodiments of the invention now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts a waste container and a dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the invention; 5 Figures 2a and 2b are views of the upper portion of the waste container of Figure 1, demonstrating the attachment of bags for receiving waste and means for selecting a compartment; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the waste container of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of an alternative extruded member for use as a 10 rim of the waste container of Figure 1; Figure 5 depicts a waste container and dispensing device according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a waste container comprising connectors for use in retaining bags; 15 Figure 7 depicts a waste container according to a third embodiment of the invention; and Figures 8a to 8d illustrate further embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 depicts a waste container 1 formed by a housing 2, a rim 3 and a hinged lid 20 4. In this embodiment, the housing 2 is formed by a sheet of material wrapped into the shape of a cylinder and held by the rim 3, a second rim 5 located at the base 6 of the container 1 and a jointing strip (not shown) which secures the ends of the sheet in a push-fit arrangement.

25 The housing 2 forms a cavity which is divided into two zones A, B. by a dividing member 7. The dividing member 7 is a sheet of flexible plastics material, such as polypropylene, polythene or PVC, which may contain perforations 8 to enhance its flexibility. The lower portion of the dividing member 7 is attached to the housing 2 by means of elastic ties 9a, 9b. The dividing member 7 is also attached to the 30 housing 2 by rods 1 Oa, 1 Oh, so that its upper portion may be rotated by 180 about the axis defined by the rods 10a, 10b between two positions in which one of the zones A, B is covered as shown in Figures 2a and 2b.

- 5 A flange 11 of rigid plastic is provided to facilitate rotation of the upper portion of the dividing member 7 by the user. Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, two hoop members 12a, 12b are attached to the flange 11 and biased to bear against it. A bag 13, which is shown in cross- section for greater clarity, can be mounted on the S dividing member 7 by passing an edge of the bag 13 between a hoop member 12 and the flange 11, so that the edge of the bag 13 is held in place by the biased hoop member 12.

The rim 3, shown in cross-section in Figure 3, is formed by extruded plastic material 10 and includes a continuous ledge 14. The ledge 14 and the other parts of the rim 3 do not protrude into the cavity, in order to prevent snagging of the contents of the bags 13 on the rim 3 during removal. The rim 3 includes sets of apertures 15 for receiving two hoop members 16, 17 and rod members 10a, 10b.

15 In this particular embodiment, the hoop members 16, 17 are biased so that they bear against the ledge 14. The bag 13 is attached to the rim 3 of the waste container 1 by passing an edge of the bag 13 between a hoop member 16 and the ledge 14, so that the edge of the bag 13 is retained, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, in the same manner as described above in relation to the hoop member 12 and flange 11.

20 However, it is not essential to bias the hoop members 16, 17. In an alternative arrangement, the edge of the bag 13 may be held against the ledge 14 by the weight of the hoop member 16.

With two bags 13 mounted in this manner, corresponding to the two zones defined 25 within the waste container 1, the upper portion of the dividing member 7 operates as a means for selecting one of the zones A, B for receiving an item of rubbish, according to the type of waste that is to be stored. Depending on the position of the flange 11, only one bag 13 is accessible and a wide disposal aperture is presented to the user as shown in Figures 2a and 2b.

I he lid 4 is formed from a rigid foam material so that it can be opened and closed silently and may be arranged for operation by hand or using a foot pedal. Useful information, e.g. about the type of material to be placed in each zone, rules about

- 6 waste segregation, collection information, may be included on the internal surface of the lid 4. The waste container 1 may also contain a sound generating chip, which emits a message acknowledging the deposit of waste whenever the lid is operated.

5 The use of a dividing member 7 prevents the bags 13 and their contents snagging on each other when lifted out for disposal. The flexible nature of the dividing member 7 means that the relative sizes of the zones A, B can be varied to allow for changes in waste production. For example, where zone A is used for glass and zone B for paper, it may be that, under normal conditions, the user tends to dispose of a 10 greater volume of paper than glass. The dividing member 7 will deform in response to the pressure exerted by the bag of waste paper, so that the volume of zone B is increased with respect to zone A, without impeding the removal of either bag 13 when full. However, should the user's need to dispose of an increased volume of glass, the dividing member 7 can respond similarly to accommodate it in zone A. 15 The bags 13 are oversized with respect to the nominal volume of the zones A, B. i.e. the sizes of the two compartments when the dividing member 7 is not deformed.

This allows the bags to accommodate such an expansion in the size of a compartment. 20 The base 6 of the waste container 1 is formed by a cassette, which stores and dispenses the bags 13. As shown in Figure 3, the cassette comprises a housing formed by upper and lower casing sections 1 8a, 1 8b. A pair of ledges 19 extend around the exterior of the casing sections 1 8a, 1 8b for mounting the cassette at the base of the waste container 1. The lower casing section 18b is in the form of a tray 25 with projections 20 which define recesses for locating rolls 21 of bags 13 or other material, such as deodorant material 22a or means for dispensing string 22b for use in tying filled bags. The lower casing section 1 8b is attached to the upper casing section 1 8a using a hinged connection (not shown) allowing the user to access the tray for refilling. The upper casing section I 8a contains slots 23 through which the 30 bags 13 are dispensed.

When a bag 13 has been filled with waste, the user removes the bag 13 by dislodging the hoop members 12, 16 to free the bag edges and lifting the bag 13 out of the

- 7 waste container 1. As the bag 13 has not yet been detached from the next bag in its roll 21, the lifting action will automatically pull the next bag through its slot 23 and raise it into position for use. The edges of the new bag will be brought up to the rim 3 of the waste container 1, ready for attachment to the ledge 14 and flange 11.

S The cassette can be provided with the pre-loaded rolls 21 arranged according to the compartment they are associated with, for example, with bags 13 of different sizes, lengths or colour coding according to the type of waste that is to be stored in them.

The rolls 21 contain varying numbers of bags 13 according to the expected rate of 10 use.

Figure 4 depicts an alternative rim 3' for the container 1. The rim 3' is formed with a recess 24 to allow the attachment of hook members 25. The hook members 25 can then be used to retain extra bags 13 on the exterior of the waste container 1.

Various components of the waste container 1 are formed from recyclable material.

For example, the lid 4 is formed from recyclable foam material and the housing 2 can be made from cardboard, metal or plastic that may be chrome plated, printed or laminated as desired. in addition, the cassette may be reused and/ or made of 20 recyclable material.

Figure 5 depicts a waste container 26 according to a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a housing 2, hinged lid 4, base rim 5 and a cassette 6 for dispensing bags 13. The waste container 26 shares many of the features of the 25 waste container 1 of the first embodiment and similar components are indicated using the same reference labels. The description of the waste container 26 is

therefore limited to those features in which it differs from the first embodiment.

The waste container 26 differs from the first embodiment in that three zones A, B. 30 C for receiving waste are defined using two dividing members 7a, 7b, similar to the dividing member 7 of the first embodiment. In addition, the housing 2 of the waste container 26 is formed from a tubular plastic member and the rim 3, 3 of the first embodiment is omitted.

in order to retain the bags 3 in position for receiving waste, retainers 27a to 27f are provided. The retainers 27a to 27f are in the form of open loops to permit deformation while positioning or removing bags 13 and are pivotally mounted on 5 one of two hinge bars 28a, 28b. For example, in order to locate a bag 13 for receiving waste in zone A, the retainer 27a is rotated as indicated by arrow 29. An upper portion of a bag 13 is passed through an aperture partially defined by inside edges of the retainer 27a and drawn over the retainer 27a, i.e. the edges are folded over the retainer 27a against its exterior face. The retainer 27a is then returned to 10 its normal position, so that the upper portion of the bag 13 is positioned outside the outer edges of the retainer 27a.

Figure 6 shows an example of a suitable connector 30a for attaching a retainer 27a to a hinge bar 28a. The connector 30a comprises a channel 31 for receiving a part 15 of the upper edge of the bag 13. The inward faces of the channel 31 are textured to provide a gripping surface for retaining the edge of the bag 13 under friction.

Depending on the form of the connector 30a, it may be snapped, slotted or threaded onto the hinge bar 28a and retainer 27a.

20 A bar 32 may be provided within the housing 2. The bar 32 is fixed relative to the hinge bar 28a. When the retainer 27a is positioned for receiving waste, the connector 30a abuts against the bar 32, so that downward rotation of the connector 30a and retainer 27a is prevented. Rotation of the retainer 27a relative to the connector 30a is also prevented, for example, by providing a gripping surface within 25 a snap fitting or aperture 33 in the connector 30a or by using a retainer 27a and snap fitting or aperture 33 within the connector 30a with corresponding non circular cross-sections.

Spacers 34 are provided for maintaining a fixed separation between adjacent 30 connectors 30a, 30b, 30c. The spacers 34 may be snapped, slotted or threaded onto the hinge bar 28a.

If required, the subzones B1 to B3, C1, C2 may be further separated using a further flexible dividing member (not shown). For example, a dividing member in the form of a sheet, similar to the dividing members 7a, 7b, may be attached to dividing member 7b in order to separate sub-zones C1 and C2.

S A further difference between the waste container 26 and the first embodiment lies in the arrangement of the waste receiving zones A, B. C. Dividing members 7a, 7b are positioned between zones A and B and between zones B and C respectively. In this particular embodiment, the dividing members are attached to the hinge bars 28a 10 and 28b or to second bars 32 and at points on the base of the waste container 26 by resilient ties, e.g. 9a, 9b. The dividing members 7a, 7b do not extend above an upper edge of the housing 2 and so are not arranged to cover one or more of the zones A, B. C. 15 Multiple retainers 27b to 27f are provided in zones B and C. This allows a plurality of bags 13 to be located within a zone B. C. In this manner, a single zone B. C may be divided into subzones B1 to B3, C1, C2, in which the shape of the opening of the subzone is defined by the shape of the corresponding retainer 27b to 27f. In this embodiment, the cassette 6 contains a number of slots 23, and therefore 20 accommodates a number of rolls 21 of bags 13, corresponding to the number of undivided zones A and subzones B1 to B3, Cl, C2.

The container 26 may be configured so that it is possible to reconfigure the arrangement of zones and subzones A, B1 to B3, C1, C2, by replacing retainers 27a 25 to 27f, connectors 30a to 30c and spacers 34 as necessary.

Figure 7 depicts a waste container 35 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The waste container 35 differs from that of the second embodiment as follows. A dividing member 7 is attached to a hinge bar 28 and housing 2 and 30 divides a cavity within the housing 2 into two zones A, B. An inner container 36 is provided, that defines a subzone B1 within zone B. The inner container 36 may be formed from a substantially rigid material or a partially

- 10 flexible material, for example thick polythene. The inner container 36 is particularly suitable for storing breakable waste, such as glass which may break and damage one or more bags 13. The inner container 36 can also be used where the relative volumes of subzones Bl, B2 are to be maintained within certain limits when one 5 subzone Bl, B2 is used to store heavy or bulky waste.

Although the invention has been described with respect to the above examples, many modifications and variations falling within the scope of the invention will be evident to those skilled in the art.

For example, Figures 8a to 8d are plan views of waste containers according to further embodiments of the invention in which a cavity within a housing 2 of a waste container is divided into zones A, B or A, B. C using one or more dividers 7, 7a, 7b. In Figure 8a, a housing 2 is divided into two zones A, B. using a single 15 divider 7 attached to a hinge bar 28. The arrangements of Figures 8b to 8d comprise one or more zones A, B. C that are divided into subzones. This division may be achieved by using a plurality of bags 13 within a zone A, B. C, as described in relation to the second embodiment, or using one or more inner containers, as described in relation to the third embodiment. Furthermore, a waste container 1, 20 26, 35 may comprise more than three zones A, B. C. In the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 8a to 8d, one or more of the hinge bars 28a, 28b may be omitted and the retainers 27a to 27f may instead be mounted onto the housing 2 via a hinged connection.

Although the retainers 27a to 27f described above are of circular crosssection, retainers of other cross-sectional shape may be used, including square or rectangular retainers. 30 While the above described embodiments comprise dividing members 7, 7a, 7b formed by flexible sheets, a dividing member comprising a substantially rigid sheet attached to a housing 2 using resilient ties may be used instead, if required.

- 11 The housing 2 of a waste container according to the invention may be formed by a flat sheet, as in the waste container I of the first embodiment, or by a tubular member, as in the waste containers 26, 35 of the second and third embodiments.

5 In the embodiments described above, where provided, rims 3 and 5 are formed by an extrusion process. However, the rims 3, 5 may instead be produced by pressing, injection moulding or other moulding technique.

The material for the lid 4 may vary according to the type of environment the waste 10 container 1, 26, 35 will be used in. For example, a lid 4 of waterproof material, such as plastic, may be provided in a waste container 1, 26, 35 intended for outdoor use.

Claims

- 12 Claims

1. A container for storing waste comprising a housing, which defines a cavity for receiving waste, and a resiliently deformable divider that separates said cavity 5 into two or more compartments such that the relative volumes of the compartments can vary according to the volume of waste therein.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the divider comprises a sheet of material containing perforations.

3. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the divider is attached to the housing by resilient connectors.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the divider comprises 15 means for mounting one or more bags for receiving waste deposited in the container. 5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the cavity is separated into two compartments and the divider comprises an upper portion arranged to 20 function as a lid for covering either of said compartments.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of dividers. 25 8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one compartment is subdivided into two or more sub-compartments.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein means for retaining one or more bags within a given compartment are provided.

3C o 10. A container according to claim 8, further comprising one or more inner containers located within one compartment.

- 13 11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising hinged retaining means for retaining one or more bags for receiving waste.

12. A container according to claim 11, wherein said hinged retaining means are 5 provided in the form of an open loop.

13. A container according to any preceding claim, comprising an extended member forming a rim at the opening of the cavity, said extended member having one or more recesses for receiving hooks.

14. A container for storing waste comprising a housing with an opening and a base defining a cavity and a bag dispenser, said bag dispenser comprising means for locating rolls of bags arranged so that: a first bag may be positioned to receive waste through said opening while 15 attached to its roll; said first bag may be removed from the container through the opening while remaining attached to its roll; and the removal of the first bag causes the next bag in said roll to be pulled from the bag dispenser and positioned for use in said container.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein the bag dispenser comprises a recess for receiving deodorant material.

16. A container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the bag dispenser 25 comprises means for dispensing string.

17. A container according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising a resiliently deformable divider which divides the cavity into two or more compartments. 18. A container according to claim 17, comprising a plurality of resiliently deformable dividers.

- 14 19. A container according to claim 17 or 18, wherein at least one compartment IS subdivided into two or more sub-compartments.

20. A container according to claim 19, wherein means are provided for retaining 5 more than one bag for receiving waste within a given compartment.

21. A container according to claim 91, further comprising one or more Inner containers located within a given compartment.

10 22. A container according to any one of claims 14 to 21, comprising retaining means for retaining one or more bags for receiving waste, wherein said retaining means are attached to the housing via a hinged connection.

23. A container according to claim 22, wherein said retaining means are in the 15 form of an open loop.

24. A dispensing device for use with a waste container comprising: a housing comprising one or more apertures; means for locating the housing on the waste container; and 20 means for locating one or more rolls, each roll being formed from a plurality of bags, so that one of said bags may pass through the one or more apertures while remaining attached to the next bag in the roll.

25. A dispensing device according to claim 24, wherein the housing further 25 comprises a recess for receiving deodorising materials.

26. A waste container comprising a dispensing device according to claim 16 or 17. 30 27. A container substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to and/or as shown in Figures I to 3, Figures 1, 2 and 4, Figure S. Figure 7 or any one of Figures 8a to 8d of the accompanying drawings.

- 15 28. A dispensing device substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to and/or as shown in Figures I and 3 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.