GB2446118A

GB2446118A - A compactor for a refuse bin

Info

Publication number: GB2446118A
Application number: GB0701830A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Kendall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Also published as: GB0701830D0

Abstract

A compactor for a refuse bin that applies pressure to items within the bin through the application of human force to a section of the compactor located outside the bin. The compactor is formed from a tubular frame, comprising inverted U-shaped guides 2 that extend over the rim of the bin, a pressure applying section 1 extending from the U-shaped guides positioned inside the bin, to compact the rubbish, and a section 3 extending from the U-shaped guides positioned outside the bin, to allow the user to apply pressure. When the user applies pressure to the compactor, the guide rails ensure the downward force extends onto the surface of the refuse within the bin. The compactor may be constructed from various materials and shapes to suite individual applications.

Description

Compactor for contents of a container The present invention relates to

a compactor that would be used to compact the contents of a container. It can be produced to fit any style of container but it is particularly suited to, but not limited to, compacting various forms of refuse (for example household waste, recycling, garden waste) within domestic wheelie bins.

This enables a householder to increase the quantity of refuse that can be stored within the container at any one time.

By way of example, a household with a domestic wheelie bin can experience problems when they generate more refuse than can be stored in the container between collections. Local authorities make these collections periodically and the time between these has started to increase to every two weeks in an effort to save money.

If refuse is left outside the wheelie bin, local authorities may not remove it. To try to overcome this and maximise space, a householder will often try to compact the refuse by hand or by standing on it within the wheelie bin. Both methods present a health hazard; for example contact with sharp objects or dirty items, or falling from the bin.

There are a number of previous inventions that look to address the compression of items within wheelie bins, such as DE19836308. I am not aware, however, of any inventions that utilise a platform to transfer force (for example leg muscle and body weight) directly onto the surface of refuse within a bin.

Statement of Invention

The present invention is a compactor, which applies pressure to items within a container through the application of human force (for example leg muscle and body weight) to a platform on the outside of the container. The compactor may be constructed of varies materials and shapes to suite individual application.

Advantages * The compactor has the ability to compress refuse in a container (such as a wheelie bin), maximising the amount of refuse that can be stored within it.

* As pressure is applied externally, it offers a safe way of effectively compressing refuse within a container such as a wheelie bin.

* The compactor can use a combination of body weight and leg muscle and overcomes limitations of some other devices that depend on arm strength alone.

* Pressure is applied across a large area of the surface of the items within a container (such as refuse in a wheelie bin). Therefore, the device will not fall in-between gaps of items, as is the case with some other devices.

* Preferably, the compactor has no moving parts, which reduces the risk of component failure and maintenance, as well as reducing the level of complexity from the users perspective.

Other improvements and modifications may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Introduction to Drawings

A description of the invention will now be described by referring to the drawings that accompany this document. For the purpose of explanation, the invention will be shown in operation with a wheelie bin.

Figure 1 shows the invention Figure 2 shows the invention as it is placed into the wheelie bin and onto the refuse within.

Figure 3 shows the invention once it has been pressed down onto the refuse within the wheelie bin.

Detailed Description

The actual construction and shape of the compactor and its parts may vary dependant on individual application. By way of example, the following is a detailed description of how the compactor would be used to compress refuse within a wheelie bin.

With reference to figure 1 To make contact with a large surface area of the top of the refuse in the wheelie bin, the invention has a pressure plate (1). To maintain the position of the pressure plate during operation, guides (2) are used. This ensures downward force is achieved onto the refuse when force is applied to the platform (3).

With reference to figure 2 When located onto the part filled wheelie bin, the pressure plate (1) is placed into the bin on top of the refuse. The guides (2) are placed over the edge of the wheelie bin, partly resting on the outside. Downward force is then applied to the platform (3) and the invention is guided down by (2). During this activity, the pressure plate (1) is pressed down onto the refuse in the wheelie bin.

With reference to figure 3 When the invention has been fully pressed down into the wheelie, refuse will be compacted into the wheelie bin and the invention will rest on the guides (2). The invention will then be removed for future use.

Claims

Claims 1. A compactor which by means of a pressure plate applies force

to the surface of items within a container through the application of human force to a platform on the outside of the container
2. A compactor according to claim 1, for use on refuse within a wheelie bin
3. A compactor according to claim 1, which is used on all forms of refuse bins
4. A compacting product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings