GB2458728A

GB2458728A - Apparatus for sealing a wheelie bin

Info

Publication number: GB2458728A
Application number: GB0805708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Gunter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-29
Filing date: 2008-03-29
Publication date: 2009-10-07
Also published as: GB0805708D0

Abstract

A sealing device for a wheelie bin lid is provided to prevent the escape of odours that could attract flies. The device comprises a lid unit 1 and a fixing-leg 5 to attach it to the bin lid edge 4, and a bin unit 2 and means to attach it to the bin flange 3. Each unit is sponge-like, flexible and stretchy to enable a seal to form. The lid unit has a profile that may be U-shaped, L-shaped, T-shaped or P-shaped; the vertical leg length of the profile may function as fixing-leg that can be fixed onto the inside or outside edge of the bin lid and around the lid's full perimeter. The sealing device may be cut to length to fit the perimeter of the bin lid and the stretch quality utilised to bring the two ends together to bridge any unwanted gap.

Description

I

Wheelie bin preventer unit This invention relates to a device for making an airtight seal on a wheelie bin.

Wheelie bins are commonly used for domestic household use. They usually supplied by local authorities who empty them, in many cases, on a fortnightly basis. Being massed produced items, the bin lids almost always do not form a full seal when in a closed position, leaving small gaps between the lid and bin. Because the refuse is in the bin for at least two weeks it decays, giving off strong smells. The smells attract flies which enter through the gaps between the lid and bin. The flies lay eggs and a maggot infestation occurs. Rats are also attracted by the smells. What is needed is a seal which fits around a bin lid, or a seal which fits on a bin body, or a combination of the two that will prevent smells exiting the bin and prevent small flies getting into the bins. Furthermore, the aforementioned seal (s) needs to be supplied to current owners of wheelie bins so that the seal (s) can be retro-fitted to existing bins.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a wheelie bin preventer unit, comprising a bin lid preventer and a bin flange preventer, attachment means to attach the lid preventer to a bin lid and attachment means to attach the flange preventer to a bin flange. The lid bin lid preventer may have an approximate L' shape profile (or an approximate T' shape inverted profile, or an approximate P' shape inverted profile') and of a sufficient horizontal leg length so that it may cover the width or exceed the width of a bin lid rim. The vertical leg length of the profile so that it may perform as a fixing-leg when attached along the edge of a bin lid. The fixing-leg may have an adhesive coating for attachment means. A bin lid preventer of a sufficient length to accommodate the whole perimeter rim of a bin lid edge. There is also provided a flange preventer of a sufficient length to accommodate the full perimeter of a bin flange and have a sufficient width when fitted on a bin flange to fuliy span or to exceed the width of a wheelie bin lid rim when a bin lid is in a closed position and resting on a bin flange. An adhesive coating may be provided on the bin flange preventer to hold it in position. A sufficient sponge-like fabrication factored into the bin lid preventer so that a seal will be formed when a bin lid is in a closed position and resting on a bin flange. A flexible-like fabrication factored into the preventer so that any shape or contour of a bin lid or of a bin flange may be accommodated. A stretch-like fabrication factored into the preventer so that a wheelie bin of a differing lid perimeter size or of a differing perimeter flange size may be fitted.

Apertures or vertical slits may be provided on the bin lid preventer on the combined fixing-leg so that any moulded protuberances on a bin lid may be circumvented.

A U' type channel profile may be provided (for the bin lid preventer only) which has a narrow enough width between the vertical legs and sufficient depth in the channel so that it may tightly fit onto the rim of a bin lid, using the natural tension in the stretch-like fabrication which has been factored in to keep it on a bin lid. The aforementioned U' channel may have similar fabrication qualities to that of the previously described wheelie bin preventer unit. A self-adhesive coating may be supplied on the U' type channel profile for additional attachment means. A closed-loop U' type channel version may be provided with a stretch-like quality factored into the fabrication so that it may be stretch fitted onto the rim of a bin lid and around the whole perimeter thereof, the natural tension keeping it attached to a bin lid. As in common with the closed-loop U' type channel version, a loose-length U' type channel version may be provided so that it may accommodate a wheelie bin lid of any size.

Preferably, the wheelie bin preventer unit may be provided in a loose-length form so that it may be cut to the required length to fit around the perimeter of any size of bin lid rim.

In this form, it may be fitted to the inside edge or fitted to the outside edge of a bin lid by the fixing-leg, whichever is the easier to fit. This will depend upon a particular wheelie bin lid design as to whether moulded protuberances are more prominent the inside or on the outside of a bin lid. An adhesive coating may be provided for attachment means on the fixing-leg side that contacts a bin lid edge.

Preferably, the wheelie bin preventer unit may be provided in a loose length-length form so that it may be cut to a required length to fit around the perimeter of any particular size bin flange. An adhesive coating may be provided for attachment means on the side that contacts a bin flange.

Preferably, the wheelie bin preventer unit may be provided with a sponge-like quality factored into the fabrication so that when a bin lid is in a closed position the weight of the bin lid may form a seal.

Preferably, the wheelie bin preventer unit may be provided with a flexible quality factored into the fabrication so that any shape or contour on a bin lid edge may be accommodated.

Preferably, the wheelie bin preventer unit may be provided with a flexible quality factored into the fabrication so that any shape or contour on a bin flange may be accommodated.

Preferably, the wheelie bin preventer unit may be provided with a stretch-like quality factored into the fabrication so that when in a loose-length form and roughly cut to the required length of the perimeter of a bin lid edge, the two ends may be pushed together, thus bridging an unwanted gap.

Preferably, the wheelie bin preventer unit may be provided with a stretch-like quality factored into the fabrication so that when cut to the required length of the perimeter of a bin flange the two ends may be pushed together, thus bridging an unwanted gap.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and by reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1, shows a wheelie bin with the lid in a closed position and with the preventer unit fitted.

Figure 2, shows a wheelie bin with the lid in an open position and with the preventer unit fitted.

Figure 3, shows the preventer unit on a wheelie bin lid.

Figure 4, shows the preventer unit in an alternative position on a wheelie bin lid.

Figure 5, shows the preventer unit in an alternative embodiment on a wheelie bin lid.

Figure 6, shows the combined fixing-strip in a further alternative embodiment on a wheelie bin lid.

In figure 1, the preventer unit 1 may be fitted on a wheelie bin lid 4, and the preventer unit 2 may be fitted on a wheelie bin flange 3 using a provided adhesive coating for attachment means. A wheelie bin flange 3 is moulded as an integral part of a wheelie bin container 6. A sponge-like quality is factored into the fabrication of the preventer unit I and 2 so that when a bin lid 4 is closed and resting on a wheelie bin flange 3, a seal is formed. A flexible quality is factored into the fabrication of the preventer unit 1 and 2 so that any contour or shape of a bin lid 4 or a bin flange 3 may be accommodated. A stretch-like quality is factored into the fabrication of the preventer unit 1 and 2 to accommodate size differences in a bin lid 4 perimeter and size differences in a bin flange 3 perimeter, particularly useful when the preventer unit I and 2 is in a closed-loop embodiment.

In figure 2, the preventer unit I includes a combined fixing-leg 5 which is attached to the edge and around the perimeter by a self-adhesive coating, fitted on the inside or fitted on the outside of a wheelie bin lid 4, and the preventer unit 2 which is attached on a wheelie bin flange 3 around the perimeter thereof, covering a sufficient width on the flange 3 so that when a bin lid 4 is in a closed position the preventer 2 may enable a seal to be formed.

When the preventer unit 1 is fitted on a wheelie bin lid 4 and the preventer unit 2 is fitted on a wheelie bin flange 3 a double seal is formed when a bin lid 4 is closed. When the preventer unit I only is fitted on a bin lid 4 a seal may still be formed when a bin lid 4 is closed. When the preventer unit 2 only is fitted on a wheelie bin flange 3 a seal may still be formed when a bin lid 4 is closed.

In figure 3, the preventer unit 1 (as shown in profile) may be positioned on the inside of a wheelie bin lid 4 (as shown in cross-section) using the combined adhesive coated fixing-leg 5 for attachment means.

In figure 4, the preventer unit 1 (as shown in profile) may be positioned on the outside of a wheelie bin lid 4 (as shown in cross section) using the combined fixing-legs for attachment means.

In figure 5, the preventer unit 7 may be provided with a U' type channel slot 8 of an appropriate width and depth (shown in profile) so that it fits tightly onto the edge of a Li.

wheelie bin lid 4 (shown in cross-section). An adhesive coating may be provided on the channel slot 8 for additional attachment means.

The preventer unit I may be fitted on a wheelie bin lid 4 in a closed-loop form (not shown) provided with a stretch-like factor in the fabrication. There may be a U' type channel slot 8 factored into the preventer 1 of appropriate width and depth dimensions so that it may be stretch fitted onto the edge of a wheelie bin lid 4 thus forming an edging strip that will perform as a seal when a wheelie bin lid 4 is closed, enabled because of the sponge-like quality factored in the fabrication of the preventer unit 1. The natural tension of the stretch fabrication may keep the preventer unit I on a wheelie bin lid 4. An adhesive coating may also be supplied on the channel slot 8 for additional attachment means. A similar U' channel adaptation as aforementioned (not shown) also applies to a preventer 1 excepting that it may be supplied in a loose-length form so that it may be cut to the required length to fit a wheelie bin lid of any size.

In figure 6, the combined fixing-leg 5 may be fitted on a wheelie bin lid 4 and provided with either vertical slits (not shown) or apertures 9 factored on the fixing-leg 5 so that any moulded protuberances on the inside or the outside on a wheelie bin lid 4, such as hinges 10, may be circumvented to allow the fixing-leg 5 to fit flush to a wheelie bin lid edge 4 without impediment. c

Claims

Claims 1. A wheelie bin preventer unit comprising attachment means to attach the unit to a wheelie bin lid edge, attachment means to attach the unit to a wheelie bin flange, a profiled shape to cover the width or exceed the width of the rim wheelie bin lid, a combined fixing-leg, a sufficient length to accommodate the full perimeter of a wheelie bin lid edge, a sufficient length accommodate the perimeter of a wheelie bin flange, a sufficient width to exceed the width of a wheelie bin lid rim, a sponge-like fabrication to enable a seal, a flexible factor in the fabrication, a stretch factor in the fabrication, a loose-length form, a U' type channel profile in a closed-loop version, a U' type channel profile version in a loose-length version, slits factored in the fabrication, apertures factored in the fabrication.
2. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim i, in which there is provided an approximate L' shape profile, or an approximate 1' shape inverted profile, or an approximate P' shape inverted profile, with a horizontal leg length so that it may cover the width of or exceed the width of a wheelie bin lid rim, thus forming a seal when a wheelie bin lid is in the closed position resting on a wheelie bin flange.
3. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 2, in which there is provided a vertical leg length on the L' shape profile so that it may function as a fixing-leg which is capable of fitment onto the inside edge or onto the outside edge of a wheelie bin lid and around the full perimeter thereof.
4. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 2, in which there is provided a vertical leg length on the inverted 1' shape profile so that it may function as a fixing-leg which is capable of fitment onto the inside or onto the outside edge of a wheelie bin lid and around the full perimeter thereof.
5. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 2, in which there is provided a vertical leg length on the inverted P' shape profile so that it may function as a fixing-leg which is capable of fitment onto the inside edge or onto the outside edge of a wheelie bin and around full perimeter thereof.
6. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 3, in which there is provided an adhesive property on the side of the profile that will be attached to a wheelie bin lid edge.
7. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 3, in which there is a provided at least one vertical slit on the fixing-leg so that moulded protuberances on a wheelie bin lid edge, such as a lid hinge extrusion, may be circumvented to allow the fixing-strip to adhere to a wheelie bin lid edge without undue impediment.
8. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 5, in which there is provided at least one aperture on the fixing-leg so that moulded protuberances on a wheelie bin lid edge, such as a hinge extrusion, may be circumvented to allow the fixing-strip to adhere to a wheelie bin lid edge without undue impediment.
9. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 1, in which there is provided a sufficient length to accommodate the whole of a wheelie bin flange perimeter and of a sufficient width so that when fitted on a wheelie bin flange it may span or exceed the width of a wheelie bin lid rim when a wheelie bin lid is in a closed position resting on a wheelie bin flange.
10. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 7, in which there is provided an adhesive coating on one side for attachment means to a wheelie bin flange.
11. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 1, in which there is provided a loose-length form so that a wheelie bin lid and a wheelie bin flange of any size may be accommodated by measuring and cutting to the required length of the respective perimeters.
12. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 1, in which there is provided an approximate U' channel shape profile which has a narrow enough width between the vertical legs and sufficient depth in the channel so that it may tightly fit onto the rim of a wheelie bin lid and around the whole perimeter of the wheelie bin lid edge.
13. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 10, in which there is provided a loose-length form so that a wheelie bin lid of any perimeter size may be accommodated.
14. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 10, in which there is provided a closed-loop version with a stretch-like quality factored into the fabrication so that it may be stretched fitted onto the rim of a wheelie bin lid and around the whole perimeter thereof, the natural tension keeping it attached.
15. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 10, 11 and 12, in which there is provided an adhesive property on the U' channel for added attachment means.
16. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 1, in which there is provided a sponge-like quality factored into the fabrication so that when a wheelie bin lid is in a closed position, and resting on the wheelie bin flange, the weight of the wheelie bin lid will form a seal.
17. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim I, in which there is provided a flexible quality factored into the fabrication so that any shape or contour of a wheelie bin lid edge or of a wheelie bin flange may be followed and accommodated.
18. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 1, in which there is provided a stretch-like quality factored into the fabrication so that a loose-length form when roughly cut to the required length of the perimeter of a wheelie bin lid edge, the two ends can be pushed together, thus bridging an otherwise undesirable gap.
19. A wheelie bin preventer unit according to claim 1, in which there is provided a stretch-like quality factored into the fabrication, so that when a loose-length form is roughly cut to the required length of the perimeter of a wheelie bin flange, the two ends can be pushed together, thus bridging an otherwise undesirable gap.