IE20040597A1

IE20040597A1 - A refuse container

Info

Publication number: IE20040597A1
Application number: IE20040597A
Authority: IE
Inventors: John J Hanlon
Original assignee: John J Hanlon
Priority date: 2003-09-24
Filing date: 2004-09-09
Publication date: 2005-04-06
Also published as: IES20030705A2; GB2406260B; GB0420014D0; GB2406260A

Abstract

Refuse container (20 comprises a bin, normally made of metal and a lid (10), normally made from deformable plastics material by rotational or centrifugal moulding. The lid (10) of the bin comprises a series of spaced-apart hinge members (11) disposed along one edge of the lid, wherein each hinge member (except the two at the ends thereof) bears an open channel (11a) adapted to embrace a common hinge pin (18) without completely surrounding it. This construction eliminates the need for detachable mould parts (e.g. metal plugs, such as brass pins) in the mould, which parts constitute inconvenience in conventional moulding. The lid (10) of the bin also comprises a screen member (42), normally moulded integrally with the lid and disposed at another non-hinged edge of the lid. The screen member (42) projects from the lid and is adapted to partially emcompass a locking device (50) for the lid thereby shielding the elements of the locking device from the inner contents of the refuse container.

Description

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION 2 UNDER SECTION 28 ANO RULE 23 ? JNL No.af^/^Π The present invention relates to wheeled refuse containers. In particular, the present invention relates to a wheeled refuse container having a rotationally moulded plastic lid hinged 5 to the bin.

A conventional wheeled refuse container usually comprises a plastic or metal bin having a hinged lid at one of the top edges of the bin and a pair of wheels at one of the bottom edges of the bin. The lid of such container typically comprises a hinged edge bearing a plurality of projecting lugs each having a through perforation, the perforations being axially aligned to provide a locus for a common hinge pin. The bin likewise comprises a hinged edge with perforated lugs axially aligned to provide a similar locus for a common hinge pin. In use of the lidded bin, the lid is disposed in relation thereto so that the bin lugs alternate with the lid lugs and the hinge pin is common to bin and lid. If the bin is a metal construction, perforated brackets are used instead of lugs for mounting the hinge pin and thereby the lid. The lid also typically includes an indentation formed in the lid on the underside of the latter. The indentation is usually located proximal such edge of the lid, that is opposite to the hinged edge of the lid. An open end aperture for mounting a locking device is formed transversely through the lid sheet and one end of the aperture opens into the indentation in the lid. The lock aperture is usually non-circular in cross section to prevent the lock from turning.

The aforesaid perforated lugs of the lid of a conventional refuse container present a problem in rotational moulding in that perforations are undercut features requiring detachable mould parts (commonly metal plugs, e.g. brass pins) for their production. The problem is that of positioning such parts with sufficient stability to withstand the moulding operation without movement. Brass pins can be stably supported on brackets for the lugs at the two ends of the hinged edge of the lid, but this is not possible for the lugs intermediate those ends.

If a plug moves during moulding, it permits entrapment of air, which causes blow holes at the exposed ends of the perforation, at the edges of the lug. These blow holes are a defect which can lead to rejection of the entire lid by quality control.

The presence of pins, plugs and small discrete cores in general in moulds is regarded by plastics moulding technicians as a nuisance. Any reduction in its incidence is welcome, and leads to savings in time and material, with lower rates of rejection. ιπτα._Z-l/f? IE 0 4 0 5 9 7 Another problem present in a conventional refuse container arises during the use of the container when the locking device is fitted into the lid. In this case the components of the locking device may be obstructed by the contents of the container thereby preventing successful opening of the lid and/or emptying of the container by an automatic Iifting/emptying device It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

The present invention provides a refuse container comprising a bin and a lid of plastics material, said lid comprising a series of spaced-apart hinge members along one edge of the lid, and a screen member at another non-hinged edge of the lid, the screen member projecting from the lid and adapted to partially encompass a locking device.

Ideally, each of the inner or non-terminal members of the series bears an open channel adapted to embrace a common hinge pin without completely surrounding it Preferably the open-channel members alternate along the series between upwardly-open and downwardly-open channel members, so as to maximize the grasp they together exert on a common hinge pin in use.

The open-channel members, moulded in resilient material, can be extracted from the mould by very slight deformation. A complementary set of hinge members, consisting of an outer pair of perforate lugs enclosing an inner series of open-channel members, can be moulded with and onto one edge of the bin.

For preference, however, the bin is of metal and bears metal brackets having perforations adapted to receive and retain the hinge pin.

Preferably, the screen member is moulded integrally with the lid and proximal the edge of the lid that is opposite to the hinged edge of the lid. Advantageously, the screen member is formed on the underside of the lid in use.

Optionally, the screen member comprises a three-dimensional open-side hollow body allowing the screen member to partially encompass a locking device fitted onto the lid. £ 040597 Ideally, the screen member is facing toward the adjacent edge of the lid of the refuse container in the proximity of which the screen member is located.

Advantageously, the dimensions of the screen member correspond with those of the locking device of the refuse container, so as to shield the elements of the locking device from the contents of the refuse container.

The invention will now be described in greater detail from the following description of two embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cutaway isometric drawing of a hinged plastics lid of a conventional refuse container showing the hinge parts proper to the lid; Figure 2 is a cutaway isometric drawing of a plastics lid of a conventional refuse container showing an indentation and a lock aperture for mounting a lock; Figure 3 is a cutaway isometric drawing of a hinged plastics lid of a first embodiment of the refuse container according to the invention, likewise showing the hinge parts proper to the lid; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, additionally showing the hinge parts proper to the refuse container; Figure 5 is a detail of the refuse container of Figure 3, with the lid removed for clarity; Figure 6 is a cutaway isometric drawing of the refuse container of the invention equipped with a lid, the latter slightly modified from the design shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 7 is a cutaway isometric drawing of a plastics lid of the first embodiment of the refuse bin of the invention showing a first protective screen member; Figure 8 is a cutaway isometric drawing of a plastics lid of second embodiment of the refuse bin of the invention showing a second protective screen member; and Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a conventional lock for use in the lid of a 'F 40597 conventional refuse container and the refuse container of the invention.

Referring now to the Figure 1, a hinged lid 1 of a conventional plastics refuse container comprises a lid sheet or canopy 2 with reinforcing ribs 3, a peripheral flange 4, and a plurality of identical lugs 5 each having a cylindrical hole 6, the holes 6 being axially aligned on a hinge axis 7. For moulding the lid 1, a plurality of brass plugs have to be detachably secured in place to produce the cylindrical holes 6, and are easily dislodged from their proper position by accident during or before the moulding operation.

The lid 1 of a conventional refuse container, as shown on Figure 2, also comprises a box-like indentation 31, formed in the lid 1 on the side 32 of the lid 1, which in use of the refuse bin is the underside of the lid 1. The indentation 31 is located proximal the edge 33 of the lid 1 and substantially centrally along the edge 33. The edge 33 is opposite to the hinged edge of the lid 1.

An open end “D-shaped” lock aperture 30 is formed transversely through the lid sheet 2 in a manner that one end of the lock aperture 30 opens into the indentation 31. The lock aperture 30 is adapted to slidably receive and retain an elongate conventional lock 50 (shown on Figure 9).

The lock 50 has a portion 51, which is, likewise “D-shaped” in cross section to correspond with the “D-shape” of the lock aperture 30. Such shape of the lock aperture 30 and the portion 51 of the lock 50 prevents the lock 50 from turning about its longitudinal axis 52 when the lock is fitted into the lock aperture 30.

As shown on Figure 3, a hinged lid 10 of the first embodiment of the refuse container of the invention, on the other hand, comprises a lid sheet or canopy 12 with reinforcing ribs 13, a peripheral flange 14, a pair of outside or terminal lugs 15 each having a conventional cylindrical hole 16, and a number of hinge half-sheaths 11, including some which are upwardly open 11 a and one long half-sheath 11 b which is downwardly open. The lumens of the halfsheaths 11 a, 11 b are axially aligned with the holes 16, so that a single hinge pin 18 (Figure 5) oriented on axis 17 can occupy them all.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the refuse container of the invention indicated generally by reference numeral 20 comprises a container 25 which is fabricated from sheet steel, and has a top flange 21 and a handle 22. Welded to the outer aspect of the flange 21 are two upstanding brackets 23 with perforations 24 adapted to receive and rotatably retain the hinge pin 18. Each bracket 23 may have any selected length in the direction of the hinge pin axis 17. Thus relatively long brackets 23 are shown in Figure 4, and a short or laminar bracket 23a in Figure 6.

In moulding the lid 10, plugs are unnecessary for the entire extent of the hinge that lies between the lugs 15. This reduces the incidence of production rejects by up to 40% and significantly improves the economics of the manufacture.

As shown on Figure 7, the lid 10 of the first embodiment of the refuse container 20 of the invention comprises a “hoof-like” indentation 41, formed in the lid 10 on the side 44 of the lid 10, which in use of the refuse container is the underside of the lid 10. The indentation 41 is located proximal the edge 45 of the lid 10 and substantially centrally along the edge 45. The edge 45 is opposite to the hinged edge of the lid 10.

An open end “D-shaped” lock aperture 40, similarly to that of the lock aperture 30 of the conventional refuse container, is formed transversely through the lid sheet 12 in a manner that one end of the lock aperture 40 opens into the indentation 41. The lock aperture 40 is adapted to slidably receive and retain a conventional lock 50 described above.

An arcuate in transverse section screen member in a form of a cowl 42 projects substantially perpendicularly from the underside 44 of the lid 10 and partially encompasses the indentation 41. The cowl 42 has an open side facing towards the edge 45 of the lid 10. Thus, in use, when the lock 50 is fitted into the lid 10, the cowl 42 separates the lock 50 from the inner contents of the container 25, preventing normal operation of the lock 50 being obstructed by the contents of the container 25.

The cowl 42 is moulded integrally with the lid 10 and has a pair of reinforcing ribs 43.

The length of the cowl 42 in the direction of its projection from the lid sheet 12 corresponds with the length of the lock 50.

The second embodiment of the refuse container 20 of the invention differs from the first embodiment in that, as shown on Figure 8, the indentation 41 of the lid 10 is of a “box-like” shape and the cowl 42 is of a rectangular shape in trasverse section with one side of the rectangle, proximal the edge 45 of the lid 10, removed.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail maybe made there in without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A refuse container comprising a bin and a lid of plastics material, said lid comprising a series of spaced-apart hinge members along one edge of the lid, and a screen member at another non-hinged edge of the lid, the screen member projecting from the lid and adapted to partially encompass a locking device for the lid.

2. A refuse container as claimed in Claim 1, in which each of the inner or non-terminal members of the series bears an open channel adapted to embrace a common hinge pin without completely surrounding it.

3. A refuse container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the open-channel members alternate along the series between upwardly-open and downwardly-open channel members, so as to maximize the grasp they together exert on a common hinge pin in use.

4. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the openchannel members are manufactured from a resilient material so as to be extractable from a mould by very slight deformation. 5. 10. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the screen member is facing toward the adjacent edge of the lid of the refuse container.

5. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a complementary set of hinge members, consisting of an outer pair of perforate lugs enclosing an inner series of open-channel members, are mouldable with and onto one edge of the bin.

6. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the bin is of metal and bears metal brackets having perforations adapted to receive and retain the hinge pin.

7. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the screen member is moulded integrally with the lid and proximal the edge of the lid that is opposite to the hinged edge of the lid.

8. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the screen member is formed on the underside of the.lid in use. /£ 0 4 05 9 7

9. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the screen member comprises a three-dimensional open-side hollow body allowing the screen member to partially encompass a locking device fitted onto the lid.

10. Container, so as to shield the elements of the locking device from the contents of the refuse container.

11. A refuse container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the dimensions of the screen member correspond with those of the locking device of the refuse

12. A refuse container substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.