GB2425040A

GB2425040A - Lidded refuse container

Info

Publication number: GB2425040A
Application number: GB0515126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Edgerley; Michael Ellams; Michael Cuneen
Original assignee: Addis Group Ltd
Current assignee: Addis Group Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-15
Filing date: 2005-07-22
Publication date: 2006-10-18
Also published as: GB0515126D0; GB0507644D0

Abstract

A refuse container comprises a lid comprising a first part 2 defining an opening and a second part 1, the two parts being movably mounted relative to each other so as to permit rotational movement therebetween, about a substantially vertical axis 4. The opening can be opened and closed by rotation of movable plate 1 about hub connection 4 which comprises a quick release connector so that the lid can be taken apart for cleaning. A bag-retaining ring 3 may comprise concentric inner and outer rims defining a well (9, Figure 2) therebetween for receiving the upper edge of a refuse sack. Lid part 2 hides the edge of the sack.

Description

Refuse Container This invention relates generally to a refuse container

and more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a refuse container or bin for household waste.

A typical household bin comprises a moulded plastic receptacle and a lid comprising a frame which fits over the rim of the receptacle and defines an access opening thereto, and a cover, hingedly mounted to the frame, and being selectively movable to between a first, closed configuration in which the access opening is covered, and a second, open configuration, in which the lid is raised, away from the opening, to allow refuse to be introduced into the receptacle. This movement between the first and second configurations may be effected manually by physically lifting or dropping the cover, or by means of a foot pedal, wherein stepping on the foot pedal causes the cover to be raised and releasing the foot pedal causes the cover to be released and to drop back to the first, closed configuration.

Many other household bin designs are known, but they all tend to suffer from a number of drawbacks, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved refuse container.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid for a refuse container, the lid comprising a first part defining an opening and a second part, said first and second parts being movably mounted relative to each other so as to permit rotational movement therebetween about a substantially vertical axis, so as to selectively open and close said opening.

In a first exemplary embodiment, the first part may comprise a cover portion defining an opening and being substantially mounted on the rim defining the container opening, and the second part may comprise a plate, mounted to the cover portion so as to permit rotational movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical axis so as to selectively open and close the opening. Beneficially, in this case, the plate is movable from a first position in which it covers the opening to a second position, underneath the cover portion, in which the opening is uncovered.

Means may be provided for facilitating manual movement of the plate relative to the cover portion. Such means may comprise, for example, an indentation for receiving a user's digit or a raised gripping member, such as a tab or the like. A pivot or hub connecting means may be provided between the first and second parts. The connecting means preferably comprises a connector portion, selectively movable between a first position wherein said first and second parts are prevented from disengaging with one another, to a second position wherein said first and second parts are able to disengage from one another. In any event, the connecting means preferably functions as a quick-release mechanism by, for example, twisting, for separating the two parts for cleaning, etc. The pivot or hub connecting means acts to hold the plate portion, rather than being held around the rim defining the container opening, thereby enabling reduced friction and therefore allowing the plate to be opened with little applied force. In normal construction, there will be clearance between the plate and the rim of the container to ensure little resistance to movement.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the first part may be a static surround which partly covers the container opening, and the second part may comprise a cover portion movably mounted on the rim defining the container opening, so as to permit rotational movement relative to the surround about a substantially vertical axis so as to selectively expose and cover the portion of the container opening not covered by the surround.

In this case, the cover part may be slidably mounted on the rim. Alternatively, the pivot or hub connecting means holds the cover portion in position without necessarily applying any force to the rim defining the container opening. Again, this provides the advantage of easy opening without little resistance to movement. The first and second parts are preferably removably mounted relative to each other.

The present invention extends to a refuse container comprising a receptacle for receiving refuse to be disposed of, and a lid as defined above removably mounted over the receptacle opening. The upper end of the receptacle, defining the opening thereof, is substantially circular.

A specific drawback of many known household bins is that when a refuse sack or bag is placed in the receptacle, the upper edge thereof is folded over the rim to retain the bag in position.

Thus, when the lid is mounted over the receptacle opening, the edge of the bag is clearly visible on the outside of the receptacle, below the lid. This can be unsightly and, in any event, simply folding the upper edge of the bag over the rim of the receptacle may not always be sufficient to retain the bag in the required position.

Thus, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a refuse container comprising a receptacle for retaining a refuse bag for receiving refuse to be disposed of, and a lid removably mounted over the receptacle opening, said receptacle having an outer rim and a concentric inner rim, as well as being defined between said outer and inner rim for receiving the upper edge portion of said refuse bag such that when said lid is mounted over said receptacle opening, said edge portion of said refuse bag is hidden from view.

It will be apparent that the edge of the refuse bag is hidden within the well defined by the concentric inner and outer rims when the lid is in place over the receptacle opening, and this also results in the bag being held more securely in the receptacle.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a refuse bin according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bag-retaining ring of the bin of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the cover of the bin of Figure 1; Figures 4a is a plan view of the bin of Figure 1 in the closed configuration; Figure 4b is a perspective view of the bin of Figure 1 in the open configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bin according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figures 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of the component parts of a hub connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a bin according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the bin of Figure 6 in a partly open configuration; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the bin of Figure 6 in a fully open configuration; and Figure 12 is a bottom view of the lid of the bin of Figure 6.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a household bin according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a receptacle 5 having an opening defined by a rim, on which is mounted a bag retaining ring 3. A footplate 6 may be provided for enabling a user to place their foot thereon to provide additional stability during use. The bin further comprises a lid comprised of a static cover 2 mounted over the bag-retaining ring 3, and a movable plate 1 rotatably mounted to the cover 2 by means of a hub connector 4.

Referring to Figure 2, the bag-retaining ring 3 comprises an inner rim 7 and a concentric outer rim 8, the inner and outer rims 7, 8 defining a well 9 therebetween for receiving the upper edge of a refuse sack, in use. The bag-retaining ring 3 fits over the rim of the receptacle 5 and the lid fits over the top, thereby hiding the edge of the refuse sack.

There are significant advantages associated with the bag-retaining ring. Referring to the first exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the plate 1 may need to be supported around at least part of its periphery when excess force is applied by someone opening the bin.

The well 9 also comprises aperture 90 therein, arranged such that a refuse bag that is too large is able to have the excess amount of bag being able to be pushed through the aperture 90. The width of the well 9 at this point may be larger than at the diametrically opposite portion of the well 9. This enables more excess refuse sack to be pushed through. In use, this wider well 9 section may be positioned at the same side as the major section of the cover 2, thereby preventing impeding filling the bag with rubbish. The aperture 90 in the well may also be shaped to grip excess bag material, such as, for example, having slots into which the excess bag is retained.

Referring to Figure 3, and as stated above, the lid is comprised of a cover 2, which fits over the bag-retaining ring 3 and is static in use. The cover 2 defines an access opening 10 in respect of the receptacle 5 and includes a hub connection 4, located substantially centrally relative to the receptacle opening, which acts as a guide to the movable plate I and as a quick- release connector so that the lid can be easily taken apart for cleaning. Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, the lid further comprises a plate 1, rotationally mounted via the hub connector 4 to the cover 2. The plate 1 is arranged and configured to be rotated or swivelled from a first, closed position (Figure 4a), wherein the access opening 10 of the cover 2 is closed, and a second, open position (Figure 4b) in which the access opening 10 is uncovered, thereby allowing access to the receptacle 5. A raised tab 11, or indentation, may be provided to facilitate manual, selective movement of the plate 1 relative to the cover 2 by a user. Figure illustrates the lid in the closed configuration, wherein an indentation 12 is provided in the plate 1 to facilitate selective operation by the user. The footplate is omitted in this case.

Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the hub connect 4 comprises portions formed in both the cover 2 and plate 1. Referring in particular to plate I as shown in Figure 6, the underside of plate I is shown having a plurality of resiliently flexible elongate members 102 extending substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the plate 1. In a preferred embodiment, the elongate members 102 are arranged in a circular configuration. The elongate members each comprise a tab 104 on the outer surface. The preferred number of elongate members 102 is three.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a perspective view of the cover 2 as viewed from the underside perspective. The cover comprises a part circular section, having an aperture 106 at substantially the centre of the circle. A tube 108 is located with one end fixedly attached at the rim of the aperture 106. A lip (not visible in figure 7) is formed at the rim of the aperture on the opposing side of the cover to the tube 108 which enables a gap to be present between the cover 2 and plate 1 when assembled.

Referring to Figure 8, a connector portion 110 is shown in a perspective view, arranged to be used to connect the plate 1 to the cover 2. The connector comprises a tube having two diameters, the first portion 114 having a diameter to enable the tube to pass through aperture 106 and the second end portion 116 having a diameter greater than the aperture 106. The first portion 114 of the tube is of a length just greater than the length of the tube 108 fixedly attached to the cover 2. The first tube portion has grooves cut from the end opposing the second tube portion to enable deformation into the aperture 106. Tabs 118 are provided on at least two of the sections formed from creating the grooves to prevent unintentional release from the tube 108 when located through the aperture 106.

On the inner surface of the second portion 116 of the tube are three recesses (not shown) into which the elongate members 102 of the plate 1 are arranged to locate. These recesses enable insertion of the elongate members 102 into the tube 112 from the end of bin diameter, and provide a locking mechanism, wherein in a first position the elongate members 102 may move in and out of the tube, and upon rotation the tabs 104 of the elongate members 102 locate within the recesses and are thereby prevented from releasing. To enable removal, the tube 112 is rotated, thereby releasing the tabs of the elongate members from the recesses, and enabling removal. This allows the cover 2 and plate 1 to be separated for ease of cleaning.

In use, when connected and locked together, the plate is easily rotatable about the hub connection 4.

Referring to Figure 9 of the drawings, a second exemplary embodiment of a bin according to the invention again comprises a receptacle 5 having an opening defined by a rim and a bag- retaining ring 3 mounted on the rim, as before. However, in this case, and referring additionally to Figure 12, the lid comprises a static inner surround 21 mounted on the bag- retaining ring 3 and defining the access opening 10 to the receptacles, and a revolving cover 22 mounted over the surround 21 and rotatable relative thereto between a first, closed position in which the access opening 10 is covered (Figure 9), through a partly open configuration (Figure 10 to a second, open position in which the access opening 10 is exposed (Figure 11).

The hub cormection 4 may be any connection enabling relative rotation between the cover 22 and surround 21. A snap-fit type connector is not specifically required as gravity holds the two components together.

The second exemplary embodiment provides an arrangement whereby the cover is rotatable rather than the plate, and is located above the plate rather than the below. This means that it is allowed to rest on the plate (surround 21) under its own weight and does not require clips or additional components to keep it upright. It therefore spins easily on a central pivot or fulcrum and is well supported in its centre and around its periphery by the surround 21 if required through application of excessive force.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A lid for a refuse container, the lid comprising a first part

defining an opening and a second part, said first and second parts being movably mounted relative to each other to as to permit rotational movement therebetween about a substantially vertical axis, so as to selectively open and close said opening.
2. A lid according to claim 1, wherein said first part comprises a cover portion defining an opening and being statically mounted on the rim defining the container opening, and the second part comprises a plate, mounted to said cover portion so as to permit rotational movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical axis so as to selectively open and close said opening.
3. A lid according to claim 2, wherein the plate is movable from a first position in which it covers the opening to a second position, underneath said cover portion, in which said opening is uncovered.
4. A lid according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein means are provided for facilitating manual movement of said plate relative to said cover portion.
5. A lid according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises an indentation for receiving a user's digit or a raised gripping member.
6. A lid according to claim 1, wherein said first part is a static surround which partly covers the container opening, and the second part comprises a cover portion movably mounted on the rim defining the container opening, so as to permit rotational movement relative to said surround about a substantially vertical axis so as to selectively expose and cover the portion of the container opening not covered by the surround.
7. A lid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a pivot or hub connecting means is provided between said first and second parts.
8. A lid according to claim 7, wherein said cover part is slidably mounted on said rim.
9. A lid according to any one of claims I to 8, wherein said first and second parts are removably mounted relative to each other.
10. A lid according to either of claims 7 and/or 9, wherein said hub connecting means comprises a connector portion, said connector portion selectively movable between a first position wherein said first and second parts are prevented from disengaging with one another, to a second position wherein said first and second parts are enabled to disengage from one another.
11. A refuse container comprising a receptacle for receiving refuse to be disposed of, and a lid according to any one of claims 1 to 10 removably mounted over the receptacle opening.
12. A refuse container according to claim 11, wherein at least the upper end of the opening, defining the opening thereof is substantially circular.
13. A refuse container comprising a receptacle for retaining a refuse bag for receiving refuse to be disposed of, and a lid removably mounted over the receptacle opening, said receptacle having an outer rim and a concentric inner rim, as well as being defined between said outer and inner rim for receiving the upper edge portion of said refuse bag such that when said lid is mounted over said receptacle opening, said edge portion of said refuse bag is hidden from view.