IE86119B1

IE86119B1 - A new bin

Info

Publication number: IE86119B1
Application number: IE20110507A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Myles O'shaughnessy
Original assignee: Myles O'shaughnessy
Priority date: 2011-11-21
Filing date: 2011-11-21
Publication date: 2013-01-02
Also published as: WO2013076664A1; IE20110507A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for holding household waste, comprising two principal compartments (15, 16). Each compartment (15, 16) is further divided into sub-compartments using compartmentalising inserts (8, 9, 19). Furthermore each compartment (15, 16) has an independently operated lid (7, 10) which covers the open mouths of the two compartments (15, 16) and any sub-compartments when in the closed position. The apparatus (1) has a handle (5), a pair of wheels (2) and a lifting lip (3).

Description

Title - *A New Bin' Introduction The present invention relates to a wheeled bin for example a refuse bin, and in particular it refers to wheeled bin which is capable of receiving a variety of nonrecyclabie wastes, recyclable wastes and other waste materials, in a segregated manner.

Background to Problem Overcome Refuse collection containers or ‘wheelie-bins’ are in common use to hold and transport waste materials from the household to the kerbside for collection. These wheeled bins are typically emptied by a truck with either an arm-like mechanism with jaws, or a comb-like apparatus with a clamp. The established waste management practice is to put mixed waste into one bin and then empty that unsegregated waste into one waste collection lorry.

In more recent times new environmental legislation has given rise to the requirement that ail householders must segregate their waste into such categories as non-recyclable waste, organic waste and recyclable waste such as paper, glass, metal and plastic. As such the established practise of not segregating waste cannot continue.

This new reality has given rise to new methods for dealing with segregated household waste as follows: • Use several wheelie bins • Use a mix of bin(s) and bag(s) • Use bin and Crates and/ or boxes • Use several bins, each collected on a different week This variety of options is of some value in that it allows for the segration of different waste materials. However, the resultant multiplicity of bags, boxes, crates and bins 8611 9 tends to clutter pavements and narrow streets, encumbering pedestrians, motorists and even the bin collection lorries. This clutter can be hazardous and a nuisance. A further hazard occurs when the refuse collectors have to manually lift the bags, crates and boxes of recyclables. These containers may be very light or very heavy - they are unspecified weights, and as such contravene current EU health and safety legislation regarding manual lifting.

Solution Offered The object of the present invention is overcome the problems associated with the current system as given above.

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention, given herein by was of nonlimitative example, relates to a mobile receptacle, (commonly called a wheeled bin) for receiving segregated waste materials. Notably this wheeled bin consists of: 1. A main body which is capable of being divided into compartments 2. Two lids, each of which pivots on its own independent hinge and is capable of covering one of more compartments 3. A handle which allows the wheeled bin to be moved and steered 4. Wheels which allow the wheeled bin to be moved without recourse to lifting . A lifting lip which allows the wheeled bin to be picked up by the lifting mechanism of a waste collection lorry What the Invention Does The present invention serves several explicit purposes: 1. It allows for ease of separation of recyclables by the householder 2. It allows for ease of collection of recyclables by the waste collection service The Essential Features of the Invention The present invention relates to a bin, and in particular it refers to a bin for waste material, for example a refuse bin. Moreover, the present invention relates to a compartmentalised wheeled container (Figures 1 & 2). Specifically, the present invention relates to a wheeled bin with two separate compartments, compartment A and 15 compartment B 16 (Figure 1). Either compartment may be further divided into sub-compartments.

Each compartment has a separate iid (Figures 2, 3 ) which operates independently 10 of the other compartment and of the other compartments’ lid. Compartment A, or compartment B or any of their sub-compartments may be used for holding general household waste, recyclable household materials or other waste materials.

The iid of either compartment 15 (A) or compartment 16 (B) may have a locking 15 mechanism such as that shown in Figure 2,3.

The present invention may be made from a single material or any combination of materials that fulfil the necessary requirements and standards, including, though not limited to - aluminium, steel or other metal or metallic alloy, carbon fibre, graphite, polymer, thermo plastic or thermo-set plastic, fibre glass, composite material(s), timber or resin. In particular the present invention will have a fireretardant aspect to whichever material it is made from.

The two main compartments, compartment A and compartment B are each provided with a separate, independently operated, hinged lid (Figure 2, 3). When the lids are closed and the bin is in the upright position the lids allow from water runoff thus, keeping the inside of the bin and any materials therein dry. This waterresistant affect is further achieved through the presence of a ridge around the mouth of each compartment.

How the Present Invention Works The two main compartments and any sub-compartments are intended to allow for the efficient and uncomplex sorting of household waste, household recyclables and other waste in one unit. This one unit approach allows for the simplification of sorting of household recyclables by the householder, ease of movement of waste and recyclables from household to kerbside and the accessible collection of same by waste collection service providers. Furthermore, the present invention is a wheel-mounted (Figures 1, 2,4 and 8) bin with a steering handle, (Figures 1), both of which allow for physical ease of movement of the bin. This allows the householder to wheel the bin to the kerbside, without any potentially injurious lifting.

The present invention works in several ways to overcome problems inherent in current systems of the collection of genera! household waste and recyclable household waste and other waste. Principally, the present invention works by providing a purpose-built, wheeled bin which is comprised of two separate main compartments, and any sub-compartments, as given above.

When the householder wishes to dispose of household waste, recyclables or other waste, the material for disposal is brought to the bin. Depending on which type of waste the householder has for disposal at a particular moment, the householder should approach the bin and open the appropriate lid and place the waste matter inside in the appropriate compartment or sub-compartment. This compartmentalised bin design, as given by the present invention, allows the householder to sort recyclables and other household waste quite automatically by providing dedicated compartments, for particular types of waste.

The present invention also works by allowing the waste collection service workers to easily move the recyclables, using the wheeled bin, from the kerbside to the waste collection lorry, without any manual lifting of unspecified weights, which potentially represent an lifting-injury hazard. At the waste collection lorry the bin, as given in the present invention, is then lifted using conventional lifting mechanisms, again allowing the waste collection personnel to forego potentially injurious lifting, otherwise endured when lifting or emptying the waste bags, boxes, crates or bins into the waste collection lorry. The rear lid will be held open during the lifting sequence through the use of a lid securing clasp.

Brief Description of the Drawings Drawing as following are given as a non-limitative embodiment of the invention to allow the invention to be more clearly understood Figure 1 is an isometric view of the of the compartmentalised wheeled bin according to the invention, highlighting the compartmentalisation of the bin Figure 2 illustrates the compartmentalised wheeled bin according to the present invention, highlighting the compartments’ lids 7 and 10, lifting lip 3 and rear iid lock 4.

Figure 3 is a side view of the compartmentalised wheeled bin according to the invention, highlighting the compartments’ lids, front lid lock 13 and 14.

Figure 4 Is a rear view of the invention indicating in particular the rear lid hinge 12 and the tapered body design and the rear lid 7.

Figure 5 illustrates the upper portion of the invention, highlighting the front lid 10 and its hinge 11 and locking elements 13 and 14.

Figure 6 is an isometric view detailing the dividing insert 8, 9 and 19, and how it interlocks with the front lid 10, through the dividing insert assembly nut 18 and bolt 17.

Figure 7 shows dividing insert 9 and how it may be positioned in relation to the wheeled bin.

Detailed Description of the Invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, a waste receptacle (1) is shown by way of non-iimitative 5 example. The receptacle (1) is substantially made up of a main body encapsulating a hollow interior with an upwardly facing, open mouth to the hollow interior region.

The receptacle (1), through the locating of a main dividing insert (9) is divided into two principal compartments, (15) (compartment A) positioned to the fore of the bin, and (16) (compartment B) positioned to the rear of the bin. This main dividing insert io (9) may be manufactured as part of the bin assembly or may be inserted post production.

Each compartment defines a hollow interior region, these hollow interior regions forming the two main compartments. Either compartment (15) or (16) may be subdivided by additional sub-dividers. In one embodiment of the present invention compartment (16) optionally contains a sub-divider 8.

The open mouth to compartment to compartment (16) has an independently hinged lid (7). The lid (7) closes the open mouth of (16) and any sub-compartments contained therein. The lid (7) is outwardly convex such as to allow water runoff when closed (assuming the receptacle to be in an upright position).

The lid (7) opens toward the front face of the bin (front face being the face opposite the wheeled bin handle (5)), and has a hinged section at its proximal end through which its hinge (12) is threaded as seen in figure 3. The hinge (12) allows the rotation of its lid, the hinge forming the axis about which the lid rotates.

The lid (7) is intended to be secured by an independently operated male lock component (4) positioned on the side of the bin. This lock component (4) is received by (6) a female lock member adhered to the lid (7), as illustrated in Figure 1.

Referring to figure 5, the open mouth to compartment (15) has an independently hinged lid (10). The lid (10) closes the open mouth (15) and any sub-compartments therein. The lid (10) is outwardly convex such as to allow water runoff when closed (assuming the receptacle to be in an upright position). Ί The lid (10) opens toward the front face of the bin (the front face being the face opposite the handle), and has a hinged section at its proximal end through which its hinge (11) (Figure 3, 5) is threaded. The hinge (11) allows the rotation of its lid, the hinge forming the axis about which the lid rotates. The lid (10) is intended to be secured by an independently operated male lock component (14) at its distal end.

The lock component (14) is received by the female member (13) preferably positioned on the lifting lip (3).

The lid (10) also comprises a clasping mechanism comprising a female member (21) positioned on the outer surface of the lid (7) and a male receiving member (22) io positioned on the back surface wall of the receptacle (1) for retaining the lid (7) in an open position during waste collection.

Referring to figure 4, the receptacle (1), as a whole, comprises a main body with a hollow interior. This body and hollow interior is intended to be tapered in such a manner as to allow several bins (with divider removed) to be stacked, one atop the other. Stacking would lend itself to a certain ease of storage and transport.

Referring to figure 1 and 2, one can see the lifting flap (3) which allows the present invention to be lifted by conventional wheeled bin lifting equipment. The receptacle further comprises a steering handle (5) positioned to the rear of the receptacie; the steering handle (5) allows the present invention to be steered and wheeled by householder or waste collection service worker.

Furthermore, the present invention has two wheels (2) mounted just above the base at the rear or handled face of the bin. The wheels (2) are secured to the bin with an axle which is threaded through moulded housings in the floor of the bin and runs the width of the bin base. The wheels allow the receptacle to be moved without recourse to lifting.

The main body will also contain a main dividing insert (9). This main dividing insert allows subdivision of the main body (1). Referring to figure 6, the independent hinged lid (10) on compartment (15), main dividing insert (9), main dividing insert bolt (17) and nut (18) are collectively held in place by two main dividing insert anchors (20) (see figure 5) located at either side of the hinged end of the lid (10).

The present invention comprises a waste receptacle (1) divided into two main compartments (15) and (16) using the main dividing insert (9). Either or both of these compartments may be divided into sub-compartments using compartment subdividers such as (8), (19), hingedly fixed to the main diving insert (9). Optionally these compartment sub-dividers (8,19) can be slotted, bolted, screwed, welded or glued into receiving ridges or appropriate slots positioned inside the hollow interior region of the compartment.

It is intended that these compartment sub-dividers (8, 19) and main dividing insert (9) will extend from the top of the bin to its base such that the division of the receptacle (1) or its compartments (15) and (16) is a complete separation the full length of the bin and not partial. The sub-dividers as given, are tapered to match the full taper of the main body of the receptacle (1).

These dividers may be used in several ways. In one expression of the present invention the compartment (16) is sub-divided using one rear compartment subdivider (8), thus creating two sub-compartments under lid (7) which provide for different types of recyclable or non-recyclable waste. See figures 1, 5 and 6.

In another expression of the present invention the compartment (16) is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers such as (8). These two rear compartment sub-dividers are intended to run parallel to each other thus creating three subcompartments under lid (7) which provide for different types of recyclable or nonrecyclable waste.

In another expression of the present invention the compartment (16) is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers such as (8). These two rear compartment sub-dividers are intended to run at right angles to each other thus creating four subcompartments under lid (7) which provide for different types of recyclable or nonrecyclable waste.

In another expression of the present invention two main compartments (15) and (16) are divided in two sub-compartments using compartment sub-dividers such as (8) and (19) (figure 6), thus creating four sub-compartments, two under lid (10) and two under lid (7). These four sub-compartments are provided for different types of recyclable waste or non-recyclable waste.

In another expression of the present invention the main compartment (15) is divided into two sub-compartments using compartment sub-dividers such as (19) (figure 6), thus creating two sub-compartments under lid (10). Simultaneously, compartment (16) is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers such as (8) running parallel to each other thus creating three sub-compartments under lid (7). These five sub-compartments are provided for different types of recyclable or non-recyclabie waste.

In another expression ofthe present invention the main compartment (15) is divided io into two sub-compartments using compartment sub-dividers such as (19) (figure 6), thus creating two sub-compartments under lid (10). Simultaneously, compartment (16) is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers such as (8) running at right angles to each other thus creating four sub-compartments under lid (7). These six sub-compartments are provided for different types of recyclable or non-recyclabie waste. in a further expression ofthe invention the compartments (15) and (16) and any subcompartments may be differentiated by colour coding and /or appropriate graphic images or symbols to indicate different types of recyclable wastes or non-recyclabie waste.

In another expression of the invention the compartments (15), (16) and any subcompartments are labelled in brail appropriate to the respective different types of waste.

In another expression of the invention the receptacle (1) comprises a housing to accommodate a computer chip for tracking and weighing of the contents of said container.

The present invention may be made from a single material or any combination of materials that fulfil the necessary requirements and standards in any jurisdiction where it is built, tested, marketed or sold, including, but not limited to - aluminium, steel or other meta! or metallic alloy, carbon fibre, graphite, polymer, thermoplastic or thermoset plastic, fibre glass, composite materials, timber or resin. In particular the present invention will have a fire retardant nature.

Claims

Claims:

1. An apparatus for holding household waste materials comprising: - a receptacle (1) with a tapered body encompassing a hollow interior region 5 having an upward facing open top; - a main dividing insert (9) which divides hollow interior region into two distinct main compartments (15) and (16), the dividing insert held in position by main dividing insert bolt (17) and nut (18) collectively positioned by two main io dividing insert anchors (20); - a rear compartment sub-divider (8) which divides the rear main compartment (16) into two distinct sub-compartments; 15 - a front compartment sub-divider (19) which divides the front main compartment (15) into two distinct sub-compartments; - a front independently hinged lid (10), which covers the front main compartment (15) and any sub-compartments therein, the lid opening towards 20 the front of the bin having a hinged section at its proximal end through which its hinge (11) is threaded, the hinge (11) allowing the rotation of its lid, forming the axis about which the lid rotates, the lid (10) incorporating a locking element (14) positioned on the outer surface of the lid; the lock component (14) being received by a female member (13) preferably positioned on the 25 lifting lip (3). - a rear independently hinged lid (7), which covers the rear main compartment ¢16) and any sub-compartments therein, the lid opening towards the front of the bin having a hinged section (12) at its proximal end; the hinge (12) 30 allowing the rotation of the lid, forming the axis on which the lid rotates; the lid (7) is intended to be secured by an independently operated male lock component (4) positioned on the side of the bin, this lock component (4) is received by (6) a female lock member adhered to the lid (7). - a clasping mechanism comprising a female member (21) positioned on the outer surface of the lid (7) and a male receiving member (22) positioned on the back surface wall of the receptacle (1) for retaining the lid (7) in an open position during waste collection; wherein the clasping mechanism may be of 5 the type magnetic, spring loaded, hook, latch, bolt or lever based and may be moulded as a part of their parent components or may be made as individual items and attached to their parent components thereafter; - wheels (

2. ) to allow the receptacle to be moved; io - a steering handle (5) to allow the receptacle to be moved or steered by hand; - a lifting lip (

3. ) on the side opposite of the receptacle (1) to the steering handle (5), which allows the apparatus to be lifted by a waste collection system using 15 wheelie bin lifting mechanisms; - a housing to accommodate a computer chip for tracking and weighing of the contents of said receptacle (1). 20 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which sub-dividers used to divide the two main compartments of the receptacle into sub-compartments are optionally manufactured as part of the bin, as a single item, rather than separate items added to the bin after its manufacture. 25 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the lock component (14) on the outer side surface of the front independently hinged lid (10) is alternatively received by the hinged section (12) of the rear independently hinged lid (7) to keep the front compartment (15) open and rear compartment (16) closed during waste collection.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the compartment 16 is sub-divided using one rear compartment sub-divider (8), thus creating two sub-compartments under lid (7) which provide for different types of recyclable or non-recyclable waste; optionally the compartment 16 is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers (8); these two rear compartment sub-dividers are intended to run parallel to each other thus creating three sub-compartments under lid (7) which provide for different types of recyclable or non-recyclable waste; 5. Optionally the compartment (16) is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers (8); these two rear compartment sub-dividers are intended to run at right angles to each other thus creating four sub-compartments under lid (7) which provide for different types of recyclable or non-recyclable waste; optionally the two main compartments (15) and (16) are divided in two sub10 compartments using compartment sub-dividers (8) and (19), thus creating four sub-compartments, two under lid (10) and two under lid (7), these four subcompartments are provided for different types of recyclable waste or nonrecyclable waste; optionally the main compartment (15) is divided into two sub-compartments 15 using compartment sub-dividers (19), thus creating two sub-compartments under lid (10), simultaneously, compartment (16) is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers (8) running parallel to each other thus creating three sub-compartments under lid (7), these five sub-compartments are provided for different types of recyclable or non-recyclable waste; 20 optionally the main compartment (15) is divided into two sub-compartments using compartment sub-dividers (19), thus creating two sub-compartments under lid (10), simultaneously, compartment (16) is sub-divided using two rear compartment sub-dividers (8) running at right angles to each other thus creating four sub-compartments under lid (7), these six sub-compartments are 25 provided for different types of recyclable or non-recyclable waste.

5. An apparatus for holding household waste materials as claimed in any preceding claim as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.