GB2451896A - Storage system for material to be recycled - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage system 10 for materials to be recycled comprises an open fronted housing 12 having a base member 14, a rear wall (16), a left hand side wall 18, a right hand side wall 20 and preferably a forward-sloping hinged lid 22. Storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44 are sized to be received in spaces 30, 32, 34, 36 between planar partition members 24, 26, 28 which divide the interior of the housing 12. Each bin can be slid out through the open front of the housing. The lid 22 may have a respective inlet aperture, such as a slit in a rubber cover member, above each bin.

Description

Storage System The present invention relates to a storage system and particularly to a storage system for storage of materials intended to be recycled.

In the UK alone, every year more than 30 million tonnes of domestic waste is created, which has to be disposed of, either in landfill or in some other way. Approximately 17% of this domestic waste is currently collected for recycling. Recycling of waste is highly desirable, because landfill volume is reduced, recycling is energy efficient and recycling reduces the consumption of raw materials, the supply of which is dwindling.

A problem associated with domestic and commercial recycling is the lack of segregated storage for waste. This problem has been addressed, to some extent, in GB 2419804 A, which discloses a multi-compartment wheeled bin. However, this bin can be difficult to empty and its size is limited, because the bin is wheeled and is intended to be pushed by hand.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved storage system which reduces or substantially obviates the aforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage system for storage of materials for recycling comprising an open fronted housing having a base member, a rear wall and two side walls extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base member, and a plurality of storage bins adapted to be received within the housing.

Preferably a plurality of substantially planar partition members are provided spaced between the side walls. The partition members provide spaces adapted to receive the storage bins, which may be of different sizes.

The planar partition members may be equi-spaced between the side walls, and the storage bins may be of equal size.

Preferably the housing includes a lid. The lid may be hinged about an axis disposed along an upper edge of, and substantially parallel with, the rear wall.

Preferably the lid substantially covers an open upper end of the housing. Preferably the lid has a curved upper surface which slopes, when in a closed position. This means that precipitation such as rain and snow runs off the lid, and is prevented from entering the housing or the storage bins.

Preferably indicia is provided on a surface of the lid for identifying the contents of each storage bin. The indicia may be provided on an upper or lower surface of the lid.

The indicia may be moulded into the lid or applied in any suitable way, for example, using stickers or transfers.

Preferably a plurality of apertures are provided in the lid, each aperture being aligned with a respective space between the planar partition members, into which a storage bin is adapted to be received.

A cover may be provided over each aperture, each cover having an opening therein allowing placement of an article through the cover. Each cover may be made from rubber.

The storage bins preferably each comprise a base and four walls. A handle may be provided on one of the four walls of each bin.

Preferably each storage bin is slidingly received within the housing and can be removed for emptying through the open front of the housing. The handle may face the front of the housing and ideally enables a person to grip and remove or replace the bin from the housing.

The housing and storage bins may be made from plastics, or any other suitable material, such as metal, metal alloys or composite materials.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into a storage system according to the first aspect of the invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective front view of a storage system of the invention in a closed position; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective rear view of the storage system shown in Figure 1 in the closed position; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective front view of the storage system of Figures 1 and 2 in the open position; and Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective front view of an alternative embodiment of storage system in the closed position.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, a storage system for storage of materials for recycling is indicated generally at 10. The storage system 10 comprises a housing 12 having a base member 14, a rear wall 16, a left hand side wall 18, a right hand side wall 20 and a lid 22. Planar partition members 24, 26, 28 are provided between the left and right hand walls 18 and 20, and divide the interior of the housing 12 into a plurality of spaces or segregated compartments 30, 32, 34, 36. The storage system 10 also comprises a plurality of storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44, which are sized to be received in the spaces 30, 32, 34, 36.

The rear wall 16, left hand side wall 18 and right hand side wall 20 extend perpendicularly upwards from the base member 14 to create an open fronted box. The rear wall 16 extends a greater distance away from the base 14 than the front edges of the side walls 18, 20, the upper edges of which slope downwards towards the front of the housing. The rear wall 16, left hand side wall 18 and right hand side wall 20 are formed with recessed panels, several of which are referenced at 46, which add strength and decoration to the housing.

The lid 22 is hinged to the side walls 18, 20 and the partitions 24, 26, 28 about a hinge 48 (see Figure 3). The axis of the hinge 48 is disposed along the upper edge of, and substantially parallel with, the rear wall 16. The lid 22 extends over and overlaps the rear walls 16, the side walls 18, 20 and the open front of the housing. Skirt portions 50, 52 extend downwards from the underside of the lid 22 on either side and extend part-way down the side walls 18, 20 when the lid 22 is in the closed position as shown in Figure 2. The lid 22 has a curved upper surface, which allows run off of precipitation, for example, snow and rain water. Indicia, for example, wording such as "PLASTIC, ALUMINUM, GLASS and PAPER" is provided on the underside of the lid 22 adjacent to respective storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44, as shown in Figure 3, which indicates to a user where to store a particular category of waste material for recycling.

A pair of reinforcing ribs 54, 56 are provided on the underside of the lid 22, either side of the central partition 26.

Each storage bin 38, 40, 42, 44 is constructed as an open ended container, which slides into the housing 12 into one of the spaces 30, 32, 34, 36. The upper ends of the storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44 slope from rear to front and extend substantially to the full height and depth of the housing 12. When the lid 22 is closed, the open ends of the storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44 are fully covered, i.e. protected from the weather. A handle 58, substantially in the shape of a downward facing lip member, is provided on the front upper edge of each storage bin 38, 40, 42, 44.

Referring now to Figure 4, an alternative embodiment of storage system is indicated generally at 60. The storage system is substantially identical to the storage system 10, save that apertures 62, 64, 66, 68 are disposed in the lid 22, through which items can be placed into the storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44. Rubber covers 70, 72, 74, 76 cover the apertures 62, 64, 66, 68 and have self sealing slits 78, 80, 82, 84 therethrough for protection against the weather whilst allowing access.

In use, when the storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44 need to be emptied, they can be easily slid Out of the front of the housing 12 and tipped, for example, into a collection vehicle.

The storage systems 10, 60 are made from plastics, but may be made from any suitable material. The housing 12 can be fastened to the floor or ground, as desired, and the housing 12 and the storage bins 38, 40, 42, 44 can be provided in any colour andlor desired size. Typically the size of the housing 12 ranges from I m to 2.5m in width. Other larger or smaller sizes can be provided as desired. In other embodiments, there may be more or less partitions and associated storage bins. For example, there may by 2 partitions and 3 storage bins.

Claims (17)

1. A storage system for storage of materials for recycling comprising an open fronted housing having a base member, a rear wall and two side walls extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base member, and a plurality of storage bins adapted to be received within the housing.

2. A storage system as claimed in claim I, in which a plurality of substantially planar partition members are provided spaced between the side walls.

3. A storage system as claimed in claim 2, in which the planar partition members are equi-spaced between the side walls.

4. A storage system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing includes a lid.

5. A storage system as claimed in claim 4, in which the lid is hinged about an axis disposed along an upper edge of, and substantially parallel with, the rear wall.

6. A storage system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the lid substantially covers an open upper end of the housing.

7. A storage system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the lid has a curved upper surface which slopes, when in a closed position.

8. A storage system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, in which indicia is provided on a surface of the lid for identifying the contents of each storage bin.

9. A storage system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, when dependent on claims 2 or 3, in which a plurality of apertures are provided in the lid, each aperture being aligned with a respective space between the planar partition members, into which a storage bin is adapted to be received.

10. A storage system as claimed in claim 9, in which a cover is provided over each aperture, each cover having an opening therein allowing placement of an article through the cover.

11. A storage system as claimed in claim 10, in which each cover is made from rubber.

12. A storage system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the storage bins each comprise a base and four walls.

13. A storage system as claimed in claim 12, in which a handle is provided on one of the four walls of each bin.

14. A storage system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each storage bin is slidingly received within the housing and can be removed for emptying through the open front of the housing.

15. A storage system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing and storage bins are made from plastics.

16. A kit of parts for assembly into a storage system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

17. A storage system substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.