GB2482690A

GB2482690A - A collapsible insert for a dustbin

Info

Publication number: GB2482690A
Application number: GB1013398.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sara Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-10
Filing date: 2010-08-10
Publication date: 2012-02-15
Also published as: GB201013398D0

Abstract

A liner for a dust bin is formed from a continuous sheet of flexible material which is shaped to match with the interior shape of an outdoor bin. The liner has a base 102 and clips 103 to engage said bin. The liner ideally includes ribs 105 on its walls 101 to allow them to fold in a concertina or bellows manner. The liner preferably includes handles 104. The liner may be formed from a plastic in a cuboid, or other tubular shape. The insert prevents the bin interior becoming dirty, and is easier to clean than a rigid bin due to its collapsibility.

Description

A collapsible insert for a dusthin

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to dustbins and, more specifically, the cleaning of dustbins.

[2] In most buildings, waste is collected in dustbin liners placed in waste paper bins or kitchen bins. The full dustbin liners are then stored in outdoor dustbins, ready for refuse collection.

[3] A particular problem with this arrangement is that waste can fall from, or leak out of, the dustbin liner when stored in an outdoor dustbin. Consequently, outdoor dustbins require frequent cleaning to ensure they do not harbor pathogens and other unsanitary substances that may cause harm to humans, animals and the general environment.

[4] The vast majority of outdoor dustbins are relatively tall, narrow containers adapted to hold a number of full dustbin liners. As such, it is difficult to reach the very bottom of the outdoor dustbin to effectively clean and disinfect it, resulting in the build-up of unsanitary substances and bad odours.

[5] Means of cleaning the inside of outdoor dustbins are known in the art. DK200301060 to HEW discloses a method of washing the inside of dustbins with water as they are emptied into refuse collection vehicles. Water is automatically flushed into the emptied bin by mechanisms on the collection vehicle. Similarly, ES2073995 to Salles discloses an apparatus attached to a refuse collection vehicle that sprays water and disinfectant into emptied outdoor bins.

[6] These devices are intended for use at the point of refuse collection, and not by the owner of the bin. As such, they are not adapted for domestic use.

[7] Means of making outdoor dustbins easier for the bin owner to clean are known in the art. For example, GB2409154 to Hoiroyd discloses a collapsible dustbin comprising a flexible sheet affixed to a post, formed into a tubular body that may be adjusted. The flexible sheet may be removed from the post and flattened out for cleaning.

[8] Though this does represent an improvement on standard outdoor dustbins, it requires the dustbin owner to purchase an entirely new outdoor dustbin. In many areas, this is not possible -local authorities distribute specific dustbins that must be used by residents. In such instances, a retrofittable means for easily cleaning existing outdoor dustbins would be of great benefit.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[9] It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen for a retrofittable means for cleaning and disinfecting existing outdoor dustbins more easily. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a device achieving this.

[10] To this end, disclosed is a collapsible insert for a dustbin, comprising: a continuous sheet of flexible material formed into the shape of the inside of an outdoor dustbin; a base enclosing one end of the continuous sheet; and a series of clips to clip the continuous sheet to an outdoor dustbin.

[11] The user places the continuous sheet into an outdoor dustbin, with the enclosed end of the sheet adjacent to the bottom of the dustbin. The clips should then be used to hold the continuous sheet in place in the dustbin.

[12] The dustbin insert thus prevents leakages from filled dustbin liners from entering the outdoor dustbin itself. Nhen the insert requires cleaning, it is simply removed from the outdoor dustbin and the flexible material pushes downwards, collapsing the insert and allowing easy access to the bottom of the insert.

[13] An advantage of the present invention is that it allows the user to easily access all parts of the insert for cleaning, ensuring that cleaning is complete and insanitary substances are not haboured in the insert.

[14] A further advantage is that the insert can be used in existing outdoor dustbins and does not require the user to purchase a new dustbin.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [15] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [16] Figure one shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

[17] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figure 1, a collapsible insert for a dustbin is disclosed, comprising: a continuous sheet 101 of flexible material formed into the shape of the inside of an outdoor dustbin; a base 102 enclosing one end of the continuous sheet 101; and a series of clips 103 to clip the continuous sheet 101 to an outdoor dustbin.

[18] The continuous sheet 101 is shown in the drawings as formed into a cuboid shape, following the shape of common wheelie bins' distributed by local authorities in the UK.

Alternatively, however, the continuous sheet 101 may be formed into a tubular shape to fit barrel-shaped outdoor dustbins, or any other suitable shape as required.

[19] The continuous sheet 101 should be formed of a flexible material such that it may be easily collapsed when removed from the outdoor dustbin for cleaning. This flexible material may be a type of plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate, or any other suitable material known in the art.

[20] In order to facilitate the collapse of the continuous sheet 101, it may comprise a series of ribs 105 that enable the sheet 101 to fold down in a concertina fashion.

[21] The continuous sheet 101 is shown in the drawing as comprising two handles 104, to aid in lifting the insert from the outdoor dustbin. Though two such handles are shown, any number of handles may be provided as required. The handles 104 may be formed of simple, reinforced apertures in the continuous sheet, or may be additional ioops of material connected to the sheet.

[22] One end of the cuboid, tubular or other shape formed by the continuous sheet 101 is enclosed by a base 102. The base 102 should completely seal that end of the shape formed by the continuous sheet 101, and may be connected by any suitable means known in the art.

[23] The base 102 is ideally formed of the same material as the continuous sheet 101. The base 102 may comprise a handle with which the continuous sheet 101 may be inverted for further cleaning.

[24] The clips 103 to clip the continuous sheet 101 to an outdoor dustbin are shown in the drawing as shaped to follow the contours of the very top of an outside dustbin. At one end, the clips 103 curve around to hold onto the handles 104 of the continuous sheet 101. At their other end, they are shaped to follow the contour of the outdoor bin, holding the clips 103 in place. The clips 103 are ideally formed of a lightweight but durable, rigid plastic, though any suitable material known in the art may be used.

[25] Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism of clipping the continuous sheet 101 to an outdoor dustbin known in the art may be used.

Claims

Claims 1. A collapsible insert for a dustbin comprising: a continuous sheet of flexible material formed into the shape of the inside of an outdoor dustbin; a base enclosing one end of said continuous sheet; and a series of clips to clip said continuous sheet to said outdoor dustbin.
2. The collapsible insert of the preceding claim where said continuous sheet is formed in a cuboid or tubular shape.
3. The collapsible insert of any preceding claim where said flexible material is a plastic.
4. The collapsible insert of any preceding claim where said continuous sheet comprises a series of ribs such that it may fold down in a concertina fashion.
5. The collapsible insert of any preceding claim where said continuous sheet comprises at least one handle at its open end.