GB2490891A

GB2490891A - Cover for wheeled bin

Info

Publication number: GB2490891A
Application number: GB201108092A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lindsey Jane Groom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-16
Filing date: 2011-05-16
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: GB201108092D0

Abstract

A cover is releasably attachable to a weelie bin. Ideally the cover is made from a flat, flexible, rectangular sheet 1 of polythene which is reinforced with fabric material. The edges of the cover could be elasticated 11 to seal it to the bin. The cover may include flaps 17, 21 to surround the bins hinges which are securable 19, 29 to the bins body or each other. The flaps could be reinforced by thickening the material or laminating an extra layer. Formations 3, 5, 7, 9 at the covers corners can be sealed together forming a concave surface. The cover can fasten to the bin on 3 or 4 sides. The cover may include a frame. Fastening means can include elasticated hems, hook and loop fasteners, cord and eyelets, and/or press studs.

Description

COVER FOR WHEELIE BIN

This invention relates to a cover for a wheelie bin.

Wheelie bins are widely used for refuse. They hold a significant amount of refuse, are relatively easy to transport to a location where they are to be emptied due to the provision of a pair of wheels, and they are straightforward for local authorities to empty using specially-adapted vehicles due to the provision of a flap lid. However, due to their size, they are often difficult to store and often appear unsightly, and, also due to their size, they are generally not often emptied frequently (fortnightly or monthly rather than weekly, as in the past) and this can give rise to problems with flies and/or other insects breeding in the refuse, as well as attracting vermin.

It is well known to attempt to conceal wheelie bins, for example by applying adhesive panels or adhesive covers to the bodies of the wheelie bins. Adhesive panels can be applied to one or more sides of the body of a wheelie bin in an effort to conceal the bin itself. Adhesive covers can be applied to the entire body of a wheelie bin and again serves to conceal the appearance of the bin, at least in part. As a further alternative, a wheelie bin can be hidden behind a separate cover which serves to screen the bin in its entirety, such covers generally being made of wood or plastics material.

While all of these covers serve to conceal a wheelie bin, either completely or in part, none of them serves to exclude flies and other insects or animals from the contents of the bin because such flies and insects can gain access to the interior of the bin through apertures between the flap lid and the body of the bin.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wheelie bin cover which overcomes, or at least ameliorates the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a wheelie bin cover comprising a cover portion, and fastening means for releasably attaching the cover to a wheelie bin.

The cover portion may comprise a generally rectangular piece of material, such as of polyethylene, which may be reinforced with a fabric material. The edges of the material may be reinforced with a suitable material, such as bias binding or Petersham ribbon.

Part of the cover portion may be configured to fit around the hinges of a wheelie bin while the remainder, preferably the majority of the cover portion, is dimensioned to fit over the wheelie bin. Two adjoining corners of the cover portion may be formed with darts which, when sealed together (for example by sewing, with hook and loop material, press studs orthreaded eyelets) form a cap which fits over the top of the wheelie bin. Two opposing side regions may also be formed with darts. The cover may extend about 10 cm down the body of the bin. The sides of the cover may be provided with fastening means to secure a lower edge of the cover around at least three sides, for example around three sides or around all four sides, of the outer surface of the body of the wheelie bin.

Suitable fastening means includes an elasticated hem, press studs, eyelets and a drawstring, or magnetic strips.

The part of the cover portion configured to fit around the hinges of the wheelie bin may be formed with a central protruding flap, the flap having fastening means at a free end region thereof for securing the flap to the outer surface of the wheelie bin. The fastening means may comprise one part of a hook and loop material, the other part of which is secured in use to the outer surface of the wheelie bin by way of a contact adhesive or the like and which is initially provided with a peelable cover strip (not shown). Other forms of fastening means may be provided, such as a press stud or a magnetic strip. The cover portion may be provided with at least one first connecting flap, a free end region of which is provided with fastening means. The fastening means may comprise one part of a hook and loop material, a press stud or a magnetic strip. The cover portion may also be provided with a complementary second connecting flap which is adapted to co-operate with the first connecting flaps, a free end region of the second connecting flap being provided with a fastening means for engaging with the fastening means of the first connecting flap. The second connecting flap may be provided with a further fastening means for securing the cover to the body of the wheelie bin.

That part of the cover adapted to fit around the hinges of the wheelie bin may be employ a heavier grade of material than the remainder of the cover. A heavier grade of material may be achieved by using two or more layers of material or by using a thicker material in this region. Where two or more layers are employed, the layers may be secured together by an adhesive, such as a polyethylene adhesive and/or by stitching.

Alternatively, the cover may comprise a frame to which a piece of material is attached so as to extend across the interior of the frame and beyond the periphery thereof and a short distance down the body of the wheelie bin. The periphery of the material may be provided with fastening means, such as an elasticated hem, hook and loop material, a cord passing through eyelets or press studs.

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 is a plan view of a blank for one embodiment of a wheelie bin cover according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of an alternative blank for a wheelie bin cover according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a view of a wheelie bin provided with a first embodiment of a wheelie bin cover according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is a plan view of a wheelie bin provided with another embodiment of a cover according to the present invention.

The wheelie bin cover blank shown in Figure 1 comprises a generally rectangular piece of material 1, such as of polyethylene, which may be reinforced with a fabric material if desired. Other suitable waterproof and tear-resistant materials may, of course, be used, but polyethylene has the advantages that it is both resilient and relatively inexpensive. One end of the material I is configured to fit around the hinges of a wheelie bin as will be explained hereinafter, but the majority of the material is dimensioned to fit over the cover and around the body of a wheelie bin. To this end, two adjoining corners of the material are formed with darts 3, 5 and two opposing side regions are also formed with darts 7, 9 which, when sewn or otherwise sealed together (for example with hook and loop material, press studs or threaded eyelets) form a cap which fits over the top of the wheelie bin and extends about 10cm down the body of the bin. The sides of the cap from one of the darts 7, 9, around the free edges (past the darts 3, 5 and to the other of the darts 9, 7) is formed with an elasticated hem 11 or is otherwise provided with fastening means to secure the lower edge of the cap around three sides of the outer surface of the body of the wheelie bin. Other suitable fastening means includes press studs, eyelets and a drawstring, or magnetic strips (not shown). The fastening means, such as elasticated hem 11, allows ready access to the interior of the wheelie bin for the disposal of refuse, but limits the escape of odours that might attract insects, such as flies, and prevents such insects and other animals gaining access to the interior of the wheelie bin.

As noted previously, the remaining portion of the material 1 beyond the darts 7, 9 is configured to fit around the hinges and handles of the wheelie bin and to secure part of the cover to the wheelie bin to prevent the cover becoming detached. The remaining portion of the material I may be formed with a central protruding flap 13 (arranged centrally between the darts 7, 9, the flap having fastening means 15 at the free end region thereof for securing the flap to the outer surface of the wheelie bin. The fastening means 15 may comprise one part of a hook and loop material, the other part of which is secured in use to the outer surface of the wheelie bin by way of a contact adhesive or the like and which is initially provided with a peelable cover strip (not shown). Other forms of fastening means may be provided, such as a press stud or a magnetic strip.

On each lateral side of the central protruding flap 13 there may be provided a first connecting flap 17, which first connecting flap is spaced at each side from adjoining portions of the material 1 so as to allow the first flaps 17 to pass between handles of the wheelie bin and the body thereof. The free end region of each of the first connecting flaps 17 is provided with fastening means 19, the function of which will be explained hereinafter. The fastening means may comprise one part of a hook and loop material, but other fastening means may be provided, such as a press stud or a magnetic strip.

The laterally outermost portions of the material 1 adjacent to the darts 7, 9 are each configured to provide a complementary second connecting flap 21 which is adapted to co-operate with a corresponding one of the first connecting flaps 17. The laterally outermost portions are in two parts, a first part closer 23 to the respective dart 7, 9 and a second part 25 farther from the respective dart. The first part 23 is curved or angled on that side adjacent to the first connecting flap 17 such that the second part 25 is only partly connected to the first part 23. A dart 27 is formed in the curved or angled surface so as to cause the second connecting flap 21 to engage closely around the corner of the wheelie bin and to configure the connecting flap 21 for engagement with the respective first connecting flap 17 by way of a fastening means 29 which engages with the fastening means 19 of the first connecting flap 17. As illustrated, the fastening means comprises a strip of hook and loop material arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cover, but other fastening means may be provided as explained hereinbefore. A further fastening means 31 may be provided on the second connecting flap 21 in the region of the longitudinal edge of the cover for securing the cover to the body of the wheelie bin. The further fastening means may comprise a hook and loop material, part of which is secured to the cover and the remainder of which is secured to the outer surface of the body of the wheelie bin, but other fastening means may be provided as explained hereinbefore.

The dimensions of the first and second connecting flaps 17, 21 may vary from those shown in the drawings in order to adapt the cover to different wheelie bin or to a range of wheelie bins. Further, the central flap 13 may be omitted if desired.

The remaining portion of the material 1 beyond the darts 7, 9 may be adapted to improve sealing with the top and body of the wheelie bin. This is achieved by using a heavier grade of material for the remaining portion. A heavier grade of material may be achieved either by using two (or more), layers of material or by using a thicker material in this region. Where two or more layers are used, they may be secured together by any suitable means, such as an adhesive (such as a polyethylene adhesive), stitching or the like. It has been found that by making the cover more robust in the region of the handles and hinges of the wheelie bin, the cover is more effective at excluding flies and other insects or animals from gaining access to the interior of the bin.

The edges of the material 1 may be reinforced with a suitable material, such as bias binding or Petersham ribbon.

The cover may be customised to individual desires. For example, a house number or name may be provided and/or the material I may be decorated, for example with butterflies or fiowers.

The cover normally remains secured to the body of the wheelie bin as illustrated in Figure 3, but may be removed therefrom in a region remote from the handles in order to place refuse in the bin. When the wheelie bin is to be emptied, the various fastenings allow the cover to be removed in its entirety so as to facilitate emptying of the bin and to avoid risk of damage to the cover. Once the wheelie bin has been emptied, the cover may be replaced and fastened in position until refuse is to be added or the bin is to be emptied again.

The cover of Figure 1 may be modified in a number of ways, a number of modifications being shown in Figure 2. The darts 3, 5 may be replaced by other fastening means 33, 35, for example in the form of strips of hook and loop material, while the darts 7, 9 may be omitted. The second connecting flap 21 may be simplified in that the first and second parts 23, 25 may be combined and the dart 27 may be omitted, with the fastening means 29 being provided, for example in the form of a strip, at the region of the free end of the second connecting flap 21. Again, the dimensions of the connecting flaps 17, 21 may be varied and the central flap 13 may be omitted.

In another alternative, the generally rectangular piece of material I may simply be provided with fastening means around the periphery thereof and may envelope the hinges and handles of the wheelie bin. The fastening means may comprise, for example, an elasticated fastening means positioned around the periphery of the material I and/or with a cord passing through eyelets positioned around the periphery of the material and/or with one component of a hook and loop material extending around the periphery of the material and engaging with the other component of the hook and loop material which is fixed around the body of the wheelie bin.

Figure 4 shows a wheelie bin cover 43 which comprises a frame 45, for example of moulded plastics material, to which a piece of material 47 is attached so as to extend across the interior of the frame and beyond the periphery thereof and a short distance down the body of the wheelie bin. The frame 45 bears on the upper surface of the body of the wheelie bin and in use is positioned between the body and the hinged lid. The periphery of the material 47 is provided with fastening means 49, such as an elasticated hem, a cord passing through eyelets or other suitable fastening means such as those described hereinbefore. -11 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wheelie bin cover comprising a cover portion, and fastening means for releasably attaching the cover to a wheelie bin.
2. A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover portion comprises a generally rectangular piece of material.
3. A cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein the material is of polyethylene.

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4. A cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein the polyethylene is reinforced with a fabric material.
5. A cover as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the edges of the material are reinforced with a suitable material.
6. A cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the edges are reinforced with bias binding or Petersham ribbon.
7. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein part of the cover portion is configured to fit around the hinges of a wheelie bin while the remainder is dimensioned to fit over the wheelie bin.
8. A cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein the majority of the cover portion is dimensioned to fit over the wheelie bin.
9. A cover as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the pad of the cover portion configured to fit around the hinges of the wheelie bin is formed with a central protruding flap, the flap having fastening means at a free end region thereof for securing the flap to the outer surface of the wheelie bin.
10. A cover as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fastening means comprises one pad of a hook and loop material, the other part of which is secured in use to C\J the outer surface of the wheelie bin by way of a contact adhesive or the like and r which is initially provided with a peelable cover strip.

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11. A cover as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fastening means comprises a press stud or a magnetic strip.
12. A cover as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein that pad of the cover adapted to fit around the hinges of the wheelie bin employs a heavier grade of material than the remainder of the cover.
13. A cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the heavier grade of material is achieved by using two or more layers of material in this region.
14. A cover as claimed in claim 13, wherein the layers are secured together by an adhesive and/or by stitching.
15. A cover as claimed in claim 14, wherein the adhesive comprises a polyethylene adhesive.
16. A cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the heavier grade of material is achieved by using a thicker material in this region.
17. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two adjoining corners C\J of the cover portion are formed with darts which, when sealed together, form a r cap which fits over the top of the wheelie bin.

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18. A cover as claimed in claim 17, wherein the darts are sealed together by means selected from sewing, hook and loop material, press studs, and threaded eyelets.
19. A cover as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein two opposing side regions are also formed with darts.
20. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover extends about 10cm down the body of the bin.

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21. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sides of the cover are provided with fastening means to secure a lower edge of the cover around at least three sides of the outer surface of the body of the wheelie bin.
22. A cover as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fastening means secures the lower edge around three sides of the outer surface of the body of the wheelie bin.
23. A cover as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fastening means secures the lower edge around all four sides of the outer surface of the body of the wheelie bin. c\J r
24. A cover as claimed in claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein suitable fastening 0 means includes an elasticated hem, press studs, eyelets and a drawstring, or magnetic strips.
25. A cover as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the cover portion is provided with at least one first connecting flap, a free end region of which is provided with fastening means.
26. A cover as ciaimed in claim 25, wherein the fastening means comprises one part of a hook and loop material, a press stud or a magnetic strip.
27. A cover as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein the cover portion is also provided with a complementary second connecting flap which is adapted to co-operate with the first connecting flaps, a free end region of the second connecting flap being provided with a fastening means for engaging with the fastening means of the first connecting flap.
28. A cover as claimed in claim 27, wherein the second connecting flap is provided with a further fastening means for securing the cover to the body of the wheelie bin.
29. A cover as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein the cover comprises a frame to which a piece of material is attached so as to extend C\J across the interior of the frame and beyond the periphery thereof and a short r distance down the body of the wheelie bin.

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30. A cover as claimed in claim 29, wherein the periphery of the material is provided with fastening means.
31. A cover as claimed in claim 30, wherein the fastening means comprises an elasticated hem, hook and loop material, a cord passing through eyelets or press studs.
32. A cover for a wheelie bin substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.