SE2150446A1

SE2150446A1 - Storage container for handling in connection with recycling

Info

Publication number: SE2150446A1
Application number: SE2150446A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Magnus Sundfeldt
Original assignee: Sundfeldts Miljoetjaenst Ab
Priority date: 2021-04-09
Filing date: 2021-04-09
Publication date: 2022-10-10
Also published as: EP4071088A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a storage container, suitably for secure storage of used batteries, etc. for recycling, comprising a container body (1) and a lid (2), said container body (1) comprising of bottom wall (10), a front wall (11), a back wall (12), two longitudinal walls (13) and an opening (14) facing upwardly enabling introduction of a battery in to the interior of the storage container (1, 2), said container body (1) having a fork lifting arrangement (3) attached to the outside of the bottom wall (10), and wherein there is arranged a locking arrangement (29) arranged to securely lock the lid (2) to the container body (1), wherein said locking arrangement (29) includes a key operated locking member (290), having a movable plunger device (293), which key operated locking member (290) is positioned within a protected space (153) provided by a housing device (152) fixedly attached to said container body (1) and that said lid (2) is arranged with a downwardly protruding locking member (291) arranged to enable locking of said lid (2) by interaction with said plunger device (293).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a storage container, especially for secure storage of used batteries, comprising a container body (1) and a lid (2), said container body (1) comprising of bottom Wall (10), a front Wall (11), a back Wall (12), two longitudinal Walls (13) and an opening (14) facing upwardly enabling introduction of a battery in to the interior of the storage container (1, 2), said container body (1) having a fork lifting arrangement (3) attached to the outside of the bottom Wall (10), and Wherein there is arranged a locking arrangement (29) arranged to securely lock the lid (2) to the container body.

BACKGROUND The storage for recycling of valuable bulky objects, e. g. used batteries, especially lead batteries, is causing some serious problems. Firstly, due to the fact that such objects may be hazardous to handle due to being heavy and/or containing harmful chemicals, e. g. strong acid. Hence, storage thereof requires fulfilment of some requirements set by authorities regarding handling of hazardous objects. Secondly, because some of these objects have a relatively great value on the market, especially the black market, Which make them attractive for theft. Since most storage containers for recycling have a lid that is locked by use of pad lock/s it is mostly easy for professional thieves to open end steel objects from today"s kind of storage containers for recycling.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved storage containers for recycling for recycling of valuable bulky objects SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide for improvements regarding recycling of valuable bulky objects, Which is achieved by means of storage container in accordance With the independent claim appended hereto.

There is achieved a logistic chain that may increase the amount of valuable bulky objects that are successfully recycled. Thanks to the invention there is provided a storage container that offers a more secure storage of bulky valuable object that may eliminate or at least minimize theft.

According to further aspects of the invention: - said protected space (153) is in the form of a, preferably vertically extending, hollow channel of an enforcement member (152) attached to said container body (1), which provides a synergetic advantage, preferably positioned along the inside of one of said container walls, more preferred positioned at a corner bridging two of said walls (1 1,12, 13). - that said container body (1) has width and length dimensions adapted to a EURO-pallet and having an upper edge (17) that is provided at height (H) that is less than 1 m, preferably in the range of 600-900 mm, which may provide for easy logistics. - said lid (2) is arranged with downwardly protruding ﬂanges (220) and that preferably said container body (1) at its outside, below but adj acent an upper edge (17) is arranged with a protective member (16), providing an upper surface in close proximity and/or in contact with the lowermost edge of said downwardly protruding ﬂanges (220) when the lid is in its closed locked position, which may provide for extra security, wherein preferably said lid (2) along its edges is arranged with L-shaped edge members (22) that provide said downwardly protruding ﬂanges (220). - said fork lifting arrangement (3) includes frame members (31, 32) providing the ability to keep said container body (1) upside down by means of forks introduced into the fork lifting arrangement (3), which may provide for easy logistics.

Further advantageous aspects will become apparent from the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE F IGURES In the following the invention will be described more in detail with reference to the enclosed figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a storage container according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view along II-II in Fig. 1, Figure 3 shows a corner part, from below of a lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and Figure 4 shows a corner part, from above of a container body without lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, DETAILED DESCRIPTION In figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of a storage container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, There is shown a container body 1 on top of which is arranged a lid 2. The lid 2 has a basic lid plate 20 that is substantially horizontally arranged in level with the upper main level of the storage container body 1, preferably by having the lid 2 resting upon an upper edge 17 of the container body 1.

The container body 1, may be parallel epipedic, comprising a bottom wall 10, a front wall 11, a rear wall 12 and two side walls 13 and an upper supporting edge 17, for the lid 2. Alternatively, at least one of the walls 10,12, 13 is arranged at an angle larger than 90° in relation to the bottom 10, such that emptying of the container may be more easily achieved.

Below the container body 1 there is arranged a fork lifting arrangement 3 attached to the outside of the bottom wall 3. The fork lifting arrangement is basically designed in a traditional manner but also includes frame members 31, 32 that will enable the forks of the fork lifter to hold the container body 1 also in a up-and-down turned position which may be needed in connection with emptying the container body 1.

Further, it is shown that at one side wall 11 of the container body 1 there is arranged a key operated locking member 290 that forms a part of a locking arrangement 29. The key operated locking member 290 includes a movable plunger device 293, which plunger device 293 may be moved in and out in a traditional manner. In cooperation with the plunger 293 there is arranged a protruding locking member 291 attached to the lid 2, which protruding locking member 291 is arranged with a recess/passage 294 or similar arrangement that may provide an edge interacting with the plunger 293 to hinder removal of the lid 2 once the key operated locking member 290 is activated. It is evident that the key operated locking member 290 may be provided in many various kinds. It is foreseen that most existing key operated locking members may be used in connection with the invention to fulfil the basic function of the invention. For instance, it is evident that an electrically powered key operated locking member 290 may be used by providing a battery in near proximity to the key operated locking member 290. Such a key operated locking member may use a variety of electronic keys, e. g. RFI-tags, smart phone operated software, biometrics, etc. As shown in Fig.1 it is of course foreseen that also traditional keys may be used to control the plunger 293, enabling the lid 2 to be either locked onto the container body 1 or free to be removed from the container body 1.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4 the key operated locking member 290 is preferably positioned within a protected space 153. In the preferred embodiment the protected space 153 is provided by means of an enforcement member 152, that provides a synergetic effect of protecting the key operated locking member 290 and also to provide extra strength to the container body 1. A main reason to use a protected space 153 is to make it more difficult for thieves to get access to the key operated locking member 290. However, there is also an advantage in hiding the key operated locking member 290 in a protected space 153, due to the fact that some objects that are stored within recycling containers may contain chemicals that could jeopardize the functionality of the key operated locking member 290, if coming into contact therewith. Of course it also provides protection against wear and mechanical strikes.

In the shown figures it is exemplified that the protected space 153 is provided by an L- shaped beam that is welded into a comer of the container body 1. It is evident that many other forms may be used to provide said protective space 153. For some applications it may be preferred to use a tubular member, e. g. square tube or circular tube to provide extra strength and/or security. Moreover, it is foreseen that other materials may be used, e.g. composites and/or strong polymer.

In the preferred embodiment there is a further security arrangement. Preferably the lid 2 at its outer periphery is arranged with downwardly protruding ﬂanges 220, e. g. by means of using L-beams 22, that protrude below the upper edge 17 of the container body 10, Which in itself may hinder a bending object to be introduced between the edge 17 and the lid 2. Further, there is preferably arranged protective rods 16 onto each wall 11, 12, 13 which are positioned below the upper edge 17 of the container body at the outside thereof at a level such that the lower edge of the downwardly protruding ﬂange 220 is in near proximity to and/or contact with its upper surface, whereby no tools may be introduced in between the two parts 220, 16.

In Fig 3 it is shown that at the lower surface of the lid 2, preferably near a corner position there is attached (e. g. by welds) a locking member 291 provided with a passage 294 that matches the plunger 293 of the key operated locking member 290. Accordingly, the lid 2 may be locked into position by activating the key operated locking member 290 to thereby push the plunger 293 through the opening 294 whereby the two parts are securely locked into each other.

In Fig. 4 there is shown in more detail a corner part from above of a container body 1, without lid 2, according to the invention, wherein the plunger 293 has been activated to protrude out from the key operated locking member 290. Further it is shown that preferably the upper edge 17 of the container body may b provided with extra enforcement, e. g. by folding the upper edge, to safe guard extra strength of the upper edge.

It is foreseen that the lid 2 may be arranged with hinges (not shown) at the other end of the lid in relation to the position of the locking arrangement 29, such that the lid 2 may be pivoted away to present the opening 14 of the container body 1, e. g. in connection with putting objects into it or emptying it from stored objects. The hinges are preferably such that the lid 2 may easily be removed from the container body 2, in connection with emptying. Moreover, it is foreseen that to provide for a more easily lifted lid 2, there may be a lid arrangement (not shown), where it is divided into two halves by hinges provided at the centre thereof. In such an arrangement it is foreseen that lock arrangements 29 will be provided for at both sides of the container.

The container 1,2 may be placed in an accessible position on desired place for placement of desired objects, e. g. recirculation of batteries. When the container body l is sufficiently filled it may be lifted by use of a fork lifter and moved to a desired position for emptying. Thereafter the container may be sequentially emptied by sequentially rotating the forks. Hence, the container l may easily be emptied by lifting and turning it 180 degrees.

Further the container 1,2 may be equipped With sensor and communication devices (not shown) that may remotely inform of the filling level of a container 1,2, that may eliminate need of human control for initiating emptying of a container 1,2 and Which may assist in optimizing (e.g. by means of software assembling data from a plurality of containers) a transport route of a collecting vehicle having capacity to collect from a plurality of containers 1,2. This equipment can also be used to send alarm if there is identified a pattern of movements that indicates a possible attempt of unauthorized opening of the container. Possibly also in combination With initiating an audible alarm at the site.

The invention is not limited to that described above but may be varied within the scope of the claims. It is realized that many modifications may be arranged for by the skilled person Within the ambit of the claims Without inventive skill, e. g. to use different materials and/or different numbers of details than that described and/or to use the container for secure storage of other objects that may need extra security, e. g. due to including material that has a high value, e. g. cables including copper. In that regard it is foreseen that the size of the container may have other preferred dimensions, e. g. larger for cables since cables are normally not as heavy as batteries. It is evident that the skilled person foresees that in principle various sizes/formats may be used Without departing from the inventive concept. LikeWise, it is foreseen that the same principles apply for the lid. Further it is foreseen that different kind of lids 2 may be used for one and the same container body l, e.g. one kind of lid 2 for collection of objects (e.g. a more sophisticated lid as that described in SE-A-1951155) and another kind of lid 2 for transportation of a filled container. Moreover, it is foreseen that to provide for extra security, more than one locking arrangement 29 may be arranged for at each side, i.e. implying that four locking arrangements 29 may be used if a divided lid 2 is used. Furthermore, it is evident for the skilled person that the security arrangement according to the invention may be arranged in various manners, e. g. that the locking arrangement 29 may be positioned With a protected space 153 that must not necessarily be a part of an enforcement member but provided in a separate housing.

Claims

1. A storage container, suitably for secure storage of used batteries etc, for recycling, comprising a container body (1) and a lid (2), said container body (1) comprising of bottom wall (10), a front wall (11), a back wall (12), two longitudinal walls (13) and an opening (14) facing upwardly enabling introduction of a battery in to the interior of the storage container (1, 2), said container body (1) having a fork lifting arrangement (3) attached to the outside of the bottom wall (10), and Wherein there is arranged a locking arrangement (29) arranged to securely lock the lid (2) to the container body (1), characterized in that said locking arrangement (29) includes a key operated locking member (290), having a movable plunger device (293), which key operated locking member (290) is positioned within a protected space (153) provided by a housing device (152) fixedly attached to said container body (1) and that said lid (2) is arranged with a downwardly protruding locking member (291) arranged to enable locking of said lid (2) by interaction with said plunger device (293). A storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that said protected space (153) is in the form of a, preferably vertically extending, hollow channel of an enforcement member (152) attached to said container body (1). A storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that said enforcement member (152) is positioned along the inside of one of said walls (11,12, 13). Storage container according to claim 2, characterized in that said enforcement member (152) is positioned at a corner bridging two of said walls (1 1,12, 13), Wherein preferably all four comers are arranged with such an enforcement member (152), Wherein more preferred merely one, or two may be equipped with said key operated locking member (290), Storage container according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said enforcement member (152) has a cross-sectional form that includes, L-shape, preferably includes U-shape, wherein more preferred said cross-sectional form is tubular. Storage container according to claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said container body (1) has width and length dimensions adapted to a EURO-pallet and having an upper edge (17) that is provided at height (H) that is less than 1 m, preferably in the range of 600-900 mm. Storage container according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said lid (2) is arranged with downwardly protruding ﬂanges (220) and that said container body (1) at its outside, below but adj acent an upper edge (17) is arranged with a protective member (16), providing an upper surface in close proximity and/or in contact with the lowermost edge of said downwardly protruding ﬂanges (220) when the lid is in its closed locked position. Storage container according to claim 7, characterized in that said lid (2) along its edges is arranged with L-shaped edge members (22) that provide said downwardly protruding ﬂanges ( Storage container according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said fork lifting arrangement (3) includes frame members (31, 32) providing the ability to keep said container body (1) up side down by means of forks introduced into the fork lifting arrangement (3).