IES990273A2

IES990273A2 - Street waste container

Info

Publication number: IES990273A2
Application number: IE19990273A
Authority: IE
Inventors: David Mckeown; Martin Barry
Original assignee: David Mckeown
Priority date: 1998-05-12
Filing date: 1999-04-06
Publication date: 2000-11-15
Also published as: GB9907778D0; AU3440099A; GB2337195A; IE990274A1; WO1999058430A1

Abstract

A spent gum waste container (1,50) comprises a housing (2) having a top wall (3) with an opening defining a spent gum inlet (4). A ramp (10) of no stick material such as Teflon or PTFE and of curvilinear shape leads spent gum into a receptacle (11). The receptacle (11) is of disposable fire resistant material such as foil. The spent gum container (11) may be mounted by a bracket (30) to a support such as a post (27). Alternatively a spent gum waste container (50) is mounted to a stand (55) which in turn is secured to a ground engaging mounting sleeve (56). <Figure 1>

Description

“Street Waste Container” Introduction The invention relates to street furniture and in particular to a waste container for siting in public places including on pavements, at shops, shopping centres and like.

One of the most unsightly and difficult items to handle is spent chewing gum.

Users often simply drop it on a pavement, where it can become stuck to other users shoes, becomes flattened and, over time, sticks rigidly to the pavement forming a very unsightly mess.

This invention is directed towards providing street furniture which will at least assist in overcoming this problem.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a spent gum waste container comprising a housing having a spent gum inlet, a delivery means for delivery of the spent gum into a spent gum receptacle and access means for removal of the collected spent gum, the spent-gum engaging surface of the delivery means being of a non-stick material.

The invention provides a solution to the problem of effective disposal of spent gum. Because the housing has a dedicated receptacle for spent hum and access means it is readily serviced in use. Spent gum is delivered into the receptacle through a delivery means which has a spent-gum engaging surface of non-stick material. This is important in ensuring that spent gum flows freely into the receptacle rather than clogging the delivery .means.-’-—=~—----—~— \srw -- -ofise·»· -sriieKt IE 990273 -2In one embodiment of the invention the delivery means comprises a ramp or guide means extending from the spent gum inlet into the receptacle. This is a relatively simple construction which facilitates the free flow of spent gum into the receptacle.

Preferably the ramp means substantially prevents access to the receptacle from the spent gum inlet. This feature assists in preventing accidental or unauthorised access to the receptacle and ensures that the integrity of the container is maintained, in use.

In one embodiment of the invention the ramp means is of curvilinear shape to lead spent chewing gum delivered through the inlet into the receptacle.

Preferably the ramp means is movable or removable for replacement and/or cleaning.

In a preferred arrangement a support means is provided for supporting the ramp means in the container. Typically the support comprises a support bracket on which the ramp means is mounted.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the receptacle is removable through the access means to remove the collected spent gum. This facilitates ease of insertion/replacement of the receptacle.

Preferably the receptacle is of a fire resistant material. Again, this provides another feature to protect against, for example, disposing of cigarettes or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention the receptacle is a replaceable bag which is detachably mounted in the container. Most preferably the receptacle is of a foil material. A replacement bag is easy to replace and is inexpensive. Foil as at least an element of the bag provides fire resistance.

IE 990273 -3A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the access means comprises a door in the container which is movable from a normally locked and closed position to an open position for removal and replacement of the receptacle. Preferably housing comprises a top wall, and sidewall means extending from the top wall. This is a particular effective and simple construction.

The inlet opening is provided in the top wall. This facilitates ease of use. Preferably the top wall is downwardly inclined, the inlet opening being provided towards the rear of the top wall. Again, this facilitates ease of use by providing an optimised inlet position for a user.

Ideally the sidewall means is of curvilinear shape. This provides an aesthetically pleasing feature that merges with streetscapes containing posts and the like.

Preferably the side wall is a tubular side wall. Rounded edges provide additional safety and strength.

In one embodiment of the invention the container includes a bottom wall. This facilitates wall or post mounting of the container. The bottom wall may be inclined outwardly.

Preferably access means is provided in the bottom wall. The access means may comprise a closure flap forming part of the bottom wall.

In one embodiment of the invention the access means is hingedly mounted to the housing. Preferably the waste container includes an anti-vandal lock for locking the access means in the closed position.

In one embodiment of the invention the waste container includes a bracket for engaging a support. Typically the bracket is detachable from the container.

IE 990273 -4In an embodiment of the invention the container has means for receiving straps for fixing the container to a support. Typically the strap-receiving means is provided in a bracket attached to the container. Typically the support is a post.

In another embodiment of the invention the housing is engagable with a mounting stand. This facilitates mounting directly at any desired street location and does not require the use of a separate stand such as a lamppost of the like.

The housing may be engagable with the stand by a spigot and socket arrangement. This facilitates ease of assembly, in use. Typically the stand defines an upper spigot for receiving a lower socket at the bottom of the housing.

In one embodiment of the invention the housing is engagable with the stand by a bayonet type engagement. This is a particularly suitable engagement means that provides positive fixing.

Preferably the container includes locking means for locking the housing to the stand. Typically the locking means comprises a locking screw.

In a preferred aspect of this embodiment of the invention the housing is removable from the stand for removal of the spent gum receptacle.

Preferably the waste container includes a ground engaging mounting means. The ground engaging mounting means preferably comprises a ground engaging mounting sleeve to which the stand is attached.

The invention also provides street furniture including a spent gum waste container of the invention. The street furniture is preferably adapted for the collection of plastics bottles.

IE 990273 •5Preferably the street furniture has a housing with means for receiving a spent waste gum container. The receiving means preferably comprises a recess in the housing to receive a corresponding shaped spent gum container. Ideally the recess is of arcuate shape to receive a correspondingly shaped spent gum waste container.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will more clearly understood from the following description thereof 10 given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a spent gum waste container according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the container of Fig. 1 and an associated bracket; Fig. 3 is a partially cut-away view of another container with an access door 20 open; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 3 mounted on a post; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the container of Fig. 3 and an 25 associated bracket; Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the bracket of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the bracket of Fig. 6; IE 990273 -6Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another spent gum waste container according to the invention mounted on a support; Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the container and support ofFig. 8; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the spent gum container and support of Figs 8 and 9; Fig. 11 is an exploded view of part of the spent gum container of Figs. 8 and 9; Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of the exploded container and support; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a collection station with spent gum waste containers of the invention; Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the collection station ofFig. 13; and Figs 15 and 16 are views of the collection station of Figs. 13 and 14 in use.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof there is illustrated a spent gum waste container 1 according to the invention. The container 1 comprises a housing 2 which in this case is of generally cylindrical shape having a forwardly downwardly inclined top wall 3 with an opening defining a spent gum inlet 4 and an upwardly inclined bottom wall 5 having an access door 6. In the case of the container of Figs. 3 to 5 the bottom wall 5 extends substantially horizontally. Other features are similar and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals.

IE 990273 -7A ramp 10 of a non-stick material or at least having a non-stick gum-engaging surface such as of Teflon or PTFE and of curvilinear shape, leads spent chewing gum delivered through the inlet 4 into a receptacle 11. The receptacle 11 is of a disposable fire resistant material such as thin sheet aluminium foil which is removed and replaced through the access door 6. The door 6 is hinged at 15 and is retained in the closed position by a quick fit anti-vandal closure 16 requiring operation using a special key. On opening of the door 6, the receptacle 11 is readily removed and replaced.

A support member 25 is provided behind the ramp 10 to act as a stop and to support the curvilinear shape of the ramp.

The spent gum container 1 may be mounted in any convenient location. Referring in particular to Figs. 2 and 4 to 7 the container includes a rear wall mounting bracket 30 which may be integral with or separate from the container 1. In this case the bracket 30 may be mounted to a fixture such a pole 27 or wall by fixing screws engaging in fixing holes/slots 31 in the bracket 30. Alternatively or additionally the bracket 30 includes cut-outs 35 for receiving straps 36 for use in mounting the container to a post 27.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 12 there is illustrated another spent gum waste container 50 according to the invention. The waste container 50 is similar to the container of Figs. 1 to 7 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case spent gum is deflected into the container by a guide 52 of non stick PTFE material or at least having a non-stick gum engaging surface.

The spent gum waste container 50 is mounted to a stand 55 which in tum is secured to a ground engaging mounting means provided by a sleeve 56, The housing 54 is engagable with the mounting stand 55 by a spigot 60 and socket 62 arrangement. The spigot 60 includes a bayonet-type slot 63 and the housing 54 IE 990273 -8includes a corresponding inner projection 65 which engages on assembly with the slot 63. A locking screw 66 with an anti-vandal head is used to secure the housing 54 to the stand 55, on assembly.

In this case a receptacle 11 for spent gum is removable on lifting of the container 50 from the stand 55 as is particularly illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12.

The invention provides a spent gum waste container that is easy for a user to operate by simply placing the spent gum in the inlet. It is easily maintained by simply removing and replacing the receptacle. In this way the invention provides a means to alleviate the serious problem of streets and other public places being fouled by spent chewing gum.

Referring to Figs 13 to 16 there is illustrated a collection unit 80 comprising a curvilinear housing 81 with two inlets 82, each for receiving plastics bottles for waste collection/recycling. Waste bottles are received into receptacles 83 in the housing 81 which are removable through an access opening closed by doors 84 for collection of the bottles as illustrated Fig. 16. The housing 81 has arcuate sections 85 at both ends, each to accommodate a spent gum unit 50 as described above with reference to Figs. 8 to 12.

The collection unit 80 with the spent gum containers 50 provides a system for onstreet collection of two of the most pervasive public waste items, namely spent chewing gum and plastics bottles.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A spent gum waste container comprising a housing having a spent gum inlet, a delivery means for delivery of the spent gum into a spent gum receptacle and access means for removal of the collected spent gum, the spent-gum engaging surface of the delivery means being of a non-stick material

2. A waste container as claimed in claim 1 where the delivery means comprises a ramp or guide means extending from the spent gum inlet into the receptacle, preferably the ramp means substantially prevents access to the receptacle from the spent gum inlet, preferably the ramp means is of curvilinear shape to lead spent chewing gum delivered through the inlet into the receptacle, preferably the ramp means is movable or removable for replacement and/or cleaning, preferably a support means is provided for supporting the ramp means in the container, preferably the support comprises a support bracket on which the ramp means is mounted, preferably the receptacle is removable through the access means to remove the collected spent gum, preferably the receptacle is of a fire resistant material, preferably the receptacle is a replaceable bag which is detachably mounted in the container, preferably the receptacle is of a foil material, preferably the access means comprises a door in the container which is movable from a normally locked and closed position to an open position for removal and replacement of the receptacle, preferably the housing comprises a top wall, and sidewall means extending from the top wall, preferably the inlet opening is provided in the top wall, preferably the top wall is downwardly inclined, the inlet opening being provided towards the rear of the top wall, preferably the sidewall means is of curvilinear shape, preferably the side wall is a tubular side wall. IE 990273 -103. A waste container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container includes a bottom wall, preferably the bottom wall is inclined outwardly, preferably access means is provided in the bottom wall, preferably the access means comprises a closure flap forming part of the bottom wall, preferably the access means is hingedly mounted to the housing, preferably the container includes an anti-vandal lock for locking the access means in the closed position, preferably the container includes a bracket for engaging a support, preferably the bracket is detachable from the container, preferably the container has means for receiving straps for fixing the container to a support, preferably the strap-receiving means is provided in a bracket attached to the container, preferably the support is a post.

3. 4. A waste container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the housing is engagable with a mounting stand, preferably the housing is engagable with the stand by a spigot and socket arrangement, preferably the stand defines an upper spigot for receiving a lower socket at the bottom of the housing, preferably the housing is engagable with the stand by a bayonet type engagement, preferably the container includes locking means for locking the housing to the stand, preferably the locking means comprises a locking screw, preferably, the housing is removable from the stand for removal of the spent gum receptacle, preferably the container includes a ground engaging mounting means, preferably the ground engaging mounting means comprises a ground engaging mounting sleeve to which the stand is attached.

4.

5. Street furniture including a spent gum waste container as claimed in any preceding claim, typically the street furniture is adapted for the collection of plastics bottles.