GB2619958A

GB2619958A - Waste disposal receptacle

Info

Publication number: GB2619958A
Application number: GB2209224.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Perry Stuart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-06-23
Filing date: 2022-06-23
Publication date: 2023-12-27
Also published as: GB202211307D0; GB2619983A; GB202209224D0

Abstract

A waste receptacle comprising a tapered flexible net attached to a frame. The mouth can be held open by a detachable annular portion of the frame and taper down to the base from it. The annular portion can include a pair of inclined lugs which slot into the frame to hold the mouth neither horizontal nor vertical. The slots can be two uprights of the frame. The uprights can extend from two corners of a rectangular base and the base of the bag can connect to the other corner to keep it open.

Description

Waste disposal receptacle

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is concerned with a waste disposal receptacle. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a receptacle for collecting both general waste and recycling.

Background Art

[0002] Waste receptacles take many forms. Mainly, these are provided as dustbins, rubbish bins, trash cans, garbage cans, recycling bins and so on. What all these known receptacles have in common is that they have a fixed structure defining a volume, in which some kind of liner is positioned. The liner is held open at a mouth, which may be covered by a removable or moveable lid. Waste (which may be non-recyclable or recyclable) is collected in the liner for removal and processing (i.e., carriage to landfill or a recycling centre).

[0003] Liners may be flexible or rigid. Flexible liners are typically referred to as 'bin bags' or 'trash bags'. They are made from flexible plastics materials such as polyethylenes, more specifically, LDPE. LLDPE and HDPE. These materials are bad for the environment in many ways. They are commonly produced from fossil fuels. They are not readily biodegradeable and therefore make up a significant proportion of landfill, as they are seen as 'single use'. Polyethylenes break down when exposed to sunlight to release greenhouse gases such as methane.

[0004] Rigid liners are preferable in many ways. Primarily they tend to be multi-use, but the problem is that that multi-use liners need to be washed regularly. Washing can be problematic as the liner needs to be removed from the outer structure, hosed and drained, possible by inverting them. Because they are inflexible, they are prone to cracking and breakage if dropped or otherwise mistreated.

[0005] Waste receptacles are found in many environments, including in public spaces such as parks and recreation areas, streets, town and city centres. They are also ubiquitous in private residences, workplaces etc. [0006] It is an aim of the present invention to mitigate the aforementioned problems with the prior art.

Summary of Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste receptacle comprising a frame and a flexible container attached to the frame, defining a volume for receiving waste, defining a mouth and being tapered in shape from the mouth towards a base. Preferably the flexible container is a net-i.e. a porous, open-meshed material which may be constructed from crossed pieces of elongate material, or may be constructed from a sheet having a plurality of spaced-apart regular openings over its surface.

[0008] Advantageously, the use of a net provides a reusable but easily washable structure for receiving waste. Its flexibility means that it is unlikely to be damaged in use.

[0009] Preferablythere is provided a mouth frame, wherein the mouth ofthe net is attached to the mouth frame to hold it open [0010] Preferably the mouth frame is removably attached to the frame.

[0011] Preferably the mouth frame is attached to the frame so as to be at a non-zero angle between the horizontal and vertical in use.

[0012] Preferably the mouth frame comprises an annular portion and a pair of lugs engageable with the frame, wherein the lugs are angled to a plane of the annular portion.

[0013] Preferably the lugs are received in slots in the frame.

[0014] Preferably the slots are defined in two spaced-apart uprights of the frame. [0015] Preferably the net base is attached to the frame to hold the volume open.

[0016] Preferably the frame defines a frame base and two uprights extending from the frame base to which the mouth of the net is attached.

[0017] Preferably the frame base is triangular, the uprights extending from a first and second vertex of the triangular frame base, and the base of the net attached to a third vertex of the triangular frame base.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective exploded view of the receptacle of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a detail view of a part of the receptacle of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a a detail view of a part of the receptacle of Figure 1; FIGURES is a side view of the receptacle of Figure 1; and, FIGURE 6 is a front view of the receptacle of Figure 1.

Description of the first embodiment

[0019] A waste receptacle 100 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 6.

Configuration [0020] Turning to Figure 2, the receptacle comprises a support frame 102, a mouth frame 104, a net 106, first and second mouth frame fasteners 108, 110, first and second locks 112, 114 and a base fastener 116.

[0021] The support frame 102 is constructed from a plurality of individual beams, having a triangular base portion 118 with a rear boss /foot 120 and two front feet 122, 124. The base portion 118 lies on a base plane BP which in use is parallel to the ground.

[0022] Extending from each of the front feet 122, 124 there are provided two uprights 126, 128. The uprights are normal to the base plane BP. Each upright terminates in a free end 130, 132. At the respective free ends there are provided slots 134 forming a fork-like shape with fastener openings 136 passing through the uprights.

[0023] In this embodiment the frame 102 is constructed from wood, although it will be noted that other materials are envisaged such as plastics materials and metal.

[0024] The mouth frame 104 is generally circular in shape, forming an annulus with a central opening 138. At diametrically opposed positions on the mouth frame 104 there are provided attachment lugs 140, 142. The attachment lugs 140, 142 extend radially outwardly, are generally flat and disposed at an angle to the plane of the frame 104.

[0025] The net 106 is constructed from a flexible netting material. It therefore defines a plurality of openings over its surface. It is shaped such that it has an open end 144, and a closed end 146. The closed end 146 is a point, and the open end 144 is a generally circular opening with the net tapering from the open end 144 to the closed end 146. An attachment loop 147 is provided at the closed end and extends therefrom.

[0026] The next in this embodiment is generally conical, although other tapering forms (such as square pyramids, triangular pyramids and so on) are envisaged. The net may be constructed from a range of different materials. It may be extensible in order to expand as it is filled, or it may be substantially inextensible to have a fixed maximum volume.

[0027] The first and second mouth frame fasteners 108, 110 are identical, and with reference to Figure 3 each comprise a cylindrical pin 148 with a handle 150 at a first end and an opening 152 at a second end.

[0028] The first and second locks 112, 114 are padlocks (although other types of locks, and simpler non-locking fasteners are also possible).

[0029] The base fastener 116 as shown in Figure 4 comprises a hook 154 at the end of a shaft 156 terminating in a self-tapping screw thread (not visible).

Assembly [0030] The net 106 is attached to the mouth frame 104 by attaching the open end 144 to the periphery of the frame 104. Attachment may take many forms, but may be by gluing, fastening with mechanical fasteners etc. In this embodiment, the net and frame are designed to be permanently attached together, but in other embodiments they may be replaceable.

[0031] The mouth frame 104 is then lowered into the frame 102 such that the lugs 140, 142 enter the slots 134. Because the lugs 140, 142 engage in a mating engagement with the slots 134, and the lugs a40, 142 are at an angle to the main part of the mouth frame 104, the mouth frame is positioned at an angle of A=50 degrees to the base plane BP in use (Figure 5).

[0032] The first and second mouth frame fasteners 108, 110 are inserted into the openings 136 in the uprights, pass through the lugs 140, 142 and extend from the rear of the uprights. They are secured in place with the locks 112, 114.

[0033] The base fastener is screwed into the rear boss / foot 120 of the frame 102 and the loop 147 of the net 106 hooked over it to hold the net in an open, extended condition per Figure 1. Use

[0034] In use, users can place their waste into the mouth of the receptacle where it is stored for collection. The tilted mouth makes this simpler, and even introduces a challenge where the user can attempt to throw the waste into the receptacle.

[0035] The provision of a net, rather than a sealed bag or other container collects waste whilst allowing the free flow of air. This prevents stagnation of the waste.

[0036] The mouth frame (with the net) are removed to empty the receptacle.

[0037] Following emptying, the receptacle can be easily washed with a hose or similar. Beneficially, because the receptacle uses a net, it does not need to be removed to be washed. It can be cleaned whilst on the frame.

Variations [0038] Many sizes are possible depending on the application.

[0039] The receptacle may be brightly coloured to make it more visible. It may be colour coded for the type of waste (for example green for recyclables, black for non-recyclables),It may be provided adjacent a liquid receptacle to allow users to dispose of any liquids prior to throwing the container in to the receptacle.

[0040] In one embodiment, the net may be replaced with a receptacle formed from a nonporous sheet of material without holes.

Claims

Claims 1. A waste receptacle comprising a frame and a net attached to the frame, the net being flexible, defining a volume for receiving waste, defining a mouth and being tapered in shape from the mouth towards a net base.
2. A waste receptacle according to claim 1, comprising a mouth frame, wherein the mouth of the net is attached to the mouth frame to hold it open.
3. A waste receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the mouth frame is removably attached to the frame.
4. A waste receptacle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mouth frame is attached to the frame so as to be at a non-zero angle between the horizontal and vertical in use.
5. A waste receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the mouth frame comprises an annular portion and a pair of lugs engageable with the frame, wherein the lugs are angled to a plane of the annular portion.
6. A waste receptacle according to claim 5, wherein the lugs are received in slots in the frame.
7. A waste receptacle according to claim 6, wherein the slots are defined in two spaced-apart uprights of the frame.
8. A waste receptacle according to any preceding claim, wherein the net base is attached to the frame to hold the volume open.
9. A waste receptacle according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame defines a frame base and two uprights extending from the frame base to which the mouth of the net is attached.
10. A waste receptacle according to claim 9, wherein the frame base is triangular, the uprights extending from a first and second vertex of the triangular frame base, and the base of the net attached to a third vertex of the triangular frame base.