GB2451322A

GB2451322A - A textile bank having a removable inner container

Info

Publication number: GB2451322A
Application number: GB0812174A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Spittle; John Spittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-03
Filing date: 2008-07-03
Publication date: 2009-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-03
Also published as: GB0812174D0; GB2451322B

Abstract

A textile bank includes an outer container 10 comprising one or more perimeter walls 11, 12, 13 defining an internal textile receiving space with an open upper end and a base which closes a lower end of the clothes receiving space. An openable lid 14 is present that covers an open upper end of the outer container when in a closed position, and there is also a clothes insertion opening 24 through which clothes can be deposited into the outer container without opening the lid 14. A removable inner container 20 fits within the textile receiving space defined by the outer container 10, the inner container 20 being so positioned that textiles inserted through the clothes insertion opening 24 are received within the inner container 20. The lid 14 when in the open position permits the inner container 20 to be withdrawn from the outer container 10 by lifting it upwards through the lid opening. The textile bank is also provided with a door 17 in which the clothes insertion opening 24 may be provided; the door 17 may be provided with protruding elements 22, 23 which interlock with the lid 14 to prevent the lid being opened if the door 17 is closed.

Description

* 2451322

A TEXTILE BANK

This invention relates to improvements in textile banks.

A textile bank is a bulk storage container in which the general public can deposit unwanted clothes and shoes for subsequent collection, processing and either recycling or in many cases exportation for resale in various countries. They are typically sited at civic amenity sites, supermarket car parks, public car parks etc. They are usually steel construction storage containers that can hold many kilograms of textiles and shoes with a loading chute and an access door through which an operator can empty the container.

In a common design the bank is a single skin steel container and access for emptying the container is through a lockable hinged door on the front or side of the textile bank. Textiles are scooped out by hand through the doorway to be loaded onto a truck to be taken away. This is time consuming, labour intensive and physically demanding and poses a health and safety risk as unwanted and dangerous items such as glass may be in the bank.

In a refinement it is also known to provide a bank with lockable doors in its base formed from hinged flaps that can open through 90 degrees. The textiles can be removed by lifting the bank above a lorry using a crane hook and release system to open the base. The textiles can simply fall out into the lorry. This means that a single operator can collect more material quicker, and using less fuel. A problem with this design is that any contaminants in the bank will be released into the lorry and therefore the whole load of the lorry will become contaminated. The operator is not able to identify this contamination until it is too late.

An object of the invention is to provide a bank which allows fast collection of textiles stored in the bank but overcomes the problem of contamination present with the bottom opening banks.

Accordingly the invention provides a textile bank comprising: an outer container comprising one or more perimeter walls defining an internal textile receiving space with an open upper end, a base which closes a lower end of the clothes receiving space, an openable lid that covers the open upper end of the outer container when in a closed position, and a clothes insertion opening through which clothes can be deposited into the textile receiving space without opening the lid, and a removable inner container which fits within the textile receiving space defined by the outer container, the inner container being so positioned that textiles inserted through the clothes insertion opening are received within the inner container, and in which the lid in the open position permits the inner container to be withdrawn from the outer container by lifting it upwards through the lid opening.

The outer container may be rigid, for instance a metal container of steel construction. It may have an integral base.

The inner container is preferably a flexible bag. The bag may be suspended from one or more hooks fixed to the outer container. It may be suspended so that it is supported a distance above the base of the container.

At least one, and preferably all of the outer walls of the outer container may be tapered outwardly from a lower point to a higher point. They may taper from the bottom of each wall to a point at least half way up the wall, or all the way to the top. They taper to at least the level of the top of the inner container when located within the outer container. This taper helps ensure the inner container does not jam in the outer container as it is lifted out.

Alternatively, or additionally, the inner container may be tapered inwardly from top to bottom. The outer container may then have vertical walls, but it could also still have outwardly tapering walls from base to top (or some point part way up the walls).

At least one of the walls may be provided with a door. The clothes insertion opening may be located within the door. The door may be provided with one or more protruding elements which interlock with the lid to prevent the lid being opened if the door is closed.

The protruding elements may comprise two clips fixed to the top of the door that enclose a part of an edge of the lid.

The clothes insertion opening may be accessed through a loading chute.

The chute may be provided with a handle which allows it to be hinged open or closed. The chute may be so constructed and arranged as to allow contents to be inserted but make it difficult to remove contents as is known in the field of textile banks. The loading chute may be positioned such that any clothes inserted through it fall into the inner container, e.g. the bag.

The inner container may be located at or slightly below the level of the chute so that textiles added through the chute enter the container.

The lid may be attached to one wall of the outer container through a hinge and one or more springs may be provided which take at least part of the weight of the lid when it is open, making it easier to open.

The inner container may be provided with one or more lifting points which permit the container to be attached to a crane or hoist. These may comprise loops of material.

In a modification, the outer container may receive more than one inner container alongside one another. For example, two inner containers may be located adjacent one another, each accessed through a respective loading chute and lid. The inner containers may be removed for emptying individually.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a removable inner container for use with a textile bank according to the first aspect of the invention, the container comprising a flexible bag which is provided with hanging points that are positioned corresponding to the positions of hanging hooks provided on the inner walls of the textile bank.

The bag may have four generally vertical walls and a base when fully opened, and may be provided with four hanging points, one at each upper corner.

The hanging points may comprise loops.

There will now be described, by way of example only, three embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a textile bank in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the bank of Figure 1 showing the walls tapering outwards and with an inner bag fitted; Figure 3 is a front view of the front wall only of the outer container of the bank of Figure 1 showing the location of a door opening; Figure 4 is a detail of the front wall with the door and lid fitted; Figure 5 is a detail view of the hinge attachment of the lid to the main body of the outer container; Figure 6 is an alternative detail view from the side showing detail of the lid and the hinge; Figure 7 is a side view showing the door and lid open and the inner container being lifted out as the textile hank is emptied; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a textile bank in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 9 is a front view of the bank of Figure 8 showing by dotted line the location of two inner flexible bags.

A first embodiment of a textile bank is shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

The textile bank has two parts-an outer container 10 which is a rigid steel assembly and a removable inner container 20 which comprises a flexible bag.

The outer container 10 comprises a rectangular base (not shown) and four walls; front wall 11, side walls (of which the right side wall 12 only is shown), and rear wall 13 which extend upwards from the base to form an approximately cuboid textile storage space. More precisely, all of the walls taper outwards slightly from the base to a point about 2/3rd of the way up so that the cross Section of the top of the space is wider and longer than the cross section of the base.

The top of the outer container 10 is provided with a lid 14 which is connected to the rear wall 13 by a spring loaded hinge 15. Two springs 16a, 16b are arranged SO that the springs are loaded as the lid 14 is closed which has the effect of providing an assistance force that takes some of the weight of the lid 14. The lid 14, when opened, provides a clear passageway of about the same width and length as the top of the textile receiving space defined by the walls and when closed it covers the top of the space. The lid is provided with a stop 14a on its hinged edge which prevents it from being opened beyond about 100 degrees, and an optional handle (not shown) which an operator can use to open the lid 14.

The front wall 11 is provided with a door 17 which covers a rectangular opening 18 and is attached by two short hinges 19a,19b on one edge and a lock mechanism 21 on the opposite edge by which the door 17 can be locked closed. At the top of the door 17 are two clips 22,23 which fit around a front edge of the lid 14 when the door 17 is closed. These clips 22,23 prevent the lid 14 being opened unless the door 17 is opened first to swing the clips 22,23 clear of the lid 14. A loading chute 24 is provided in the top of the door to give access to the inside when the door and lid are closed.

The outer container is also provided with four hooks, one in each internal corner where the walls meet. The hooks are positioned below the base of the chute, about 2/3 of the way up the container walls. Three hooks 25a,25b and 25c are shown in the figures.

The inner flexible bag 20 has a shape which matches the internal shape of the lower 2I3 of the outer container up to the level of the bottom of the shoot and just below the hooks, and is therefore also tapered. Four hanging loops are provided, one at each upper corner of the bag. Each hanging ioop is placed onto one of the hooks so that the bag 20 hangs within the outer container 10. In this position any clothes or shoes inserted through the chute 24 will fall into the bag. The bag is also provided with lifting eyes 25 so it can be attached to a crane hook.

In use, an empty flexible bag 20 is initially hung inside the outer container, the lid 14 closed and the door 17 locked. The textile bank is then left for people to fill with textiles.

When the bank is ready to be emptied, the door 17 is unlocked and swung open. The lid 14 is then hinged back to give access to the top of the flexible bag 20. It is secured in the open position by a safety chain (not shown) so it cannot swing shut if there is a gust of wind. The bag 20 is then pulled upwards and out through the opening revealed by the lid using a crane mounted on a collection vehicle which attaches to lifting eyes 25 at the top of the bag 20. The bag 20 and its contents are then lowered into the vehicle so that the contents remain in the bag 20. A fresh empty bag is then hung from the hooks inside the outer container 10 and the lid and door are closed and locked. This operation is shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Because the contents of the textile bank are transported in the vehicle in the bag 20, any contaminants in the bag will not contaminate other textiles already loaded on the vehicle and the operator does not have to sort through the textiles when loading.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings. In this alternative, a bank is provided which comprises an outer container 30 and two inner bags 40,50. The outer container 30 has eight hooks and can accommodate the two inner flexible bags side by side hanging from 4 hooks each. It also has two doors 60,70, each with a chute 65,75, and two separate lids 66,76. The overall construction and the operation is the same as the first embodiment but each bag can now be emptied and replaced separately.

As shown the outer container comprises two smaller containers, each with front/back and side waiJs, fixed together along a central seam 80 to provide a separate compartment for each bag 30,40.

Claims

1. Accordingly the invention provides a textile bank comprising: an outer container comprising one or more perimeter walls defining an internal textile receiving space with an open upper end, a base which closes a lower end of the clothes receiving space, an openable lid that covers an open upper end of the outer container when in a closed position, and a clothes insertion opening through which clothes can be deposited into the outer container without opening the lid, and a removable inner container which fits within the textile receiving space defined by the outer container, the inner container being so positioned that textiles inserted through the clothes insertion opening are received within the inner container, and in which the lid in the open position permits the inner container to be withdrawn from the outer container by lifting it upwards through the lid opening.

2. A textile bank according to claim I in which the outer container is of rigid construction.

3. A textile bank according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the inner container is a flexible bag.

4. A textile bank according to claim 3 in which the flexible bag is suspended from one or more hooks fixed to the outer container.

5. A textile bank according to any preceding claim in which at least one of the outer walls of the outer container is tapered outwardly from a lower point to a higher point to prevent the inner container jamming in the outer container when it is lifted upwards.

6. A textile bank according to any preceding claim in which one of the walls is provided with a door and in which, optionally, the clothes insertion opening is located within the door.

7. A textile bank according to claim 6 in which the door is provided with one or more protruding elements which interlock with the lid to prevent the lid being opened if the door is closed.

8. A textile bank according to any preceding claim in which the inner container is provided with one or more lifting points which permit the container to be attached to a crane or hoist and lifted out through the top of the outer container when the lid is open.

9. A textile bank according to any preceding claim in which the outer container receives more than one inner container alongside one another, each accessed through a respective loading chute and lid.

10. A textile bank substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. p p. * * a * S. * a p... a

4S*sS* * p * * *. * S a.c.

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10. A textile bank substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A removable inner container for use with a textile bank according to the first aspect of the invention, the container comprising a flexible bag which is provided with hanging points that are positioned corresponding to the positions of hanging hooks provided on the inner walls of the textile bank.

12. A removable inner container according to claim 111 which has four generally vertical walls and a base when fully opened and is provided with four hanging points, one at each upper corner.

II

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A textile bank comprising: an outer container comprising one or more perimeter walls defining an internal textile receiving space with an open upper end, a base which closes a lower end of the clothes receiving space, an openable lid that covers an open upper end of the outer container when in a closed position, and a clothes insertion opening through which clothes can be deposited into the outer container without opening the lid, and a removable inner container which fits within the textile receiving space defined by the outer container, the inner container being so positioned that textiles inserted through the clothes insertion opening are received within the inner container, and in which the lid in the open position permits the inner container to be withdrawn from the outer container by lifting it upwards through the lid opening, in which one of the walls is provided with a door.

2. A textile bank according to claim 1 in which the door is provided with one or more protruding elements which interlock with the lid to prevent the lid being opened if the door is closed. **. S * *

3. A textile bank according to claim I or claim 2, in which the outer *.. S..

* container is of rigid construction.

**S*.. *

4. A textile bank according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the inner container is a flexible bag.

5. A textile bank according to claim 4 in which the flexible bag is suspended from one or more hooks fixed to the outer container. I2.

6. A textile bank according to any preceding claim in which at least one of the outer walls of the outer container is tapered outwardly from a lower point to a higher point to prevent the inner container jamming in the Outer container when it is lifted upwards.

7. A textile bank according to any preceding claim in which the clothes insertion opening is located within the door.