WO1996011155A1

WO1996011155A1 - Improved waste bin

Info

Publication number: WO1996011155A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil Graeme Bone
Original assignee: Upmarket Force Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-10-07
Filing date: 1995-10-06
Publication date: 1996-04-18
Also published as: AUPM866394A0

Abstract

A waste disposal bin is comprised of two or more separate receptacles (1, 8) for waste. Each receptacle (1, 8) is adapted for releasable engagement to an adjoining receptacle. The engagement is effected by an engagement means including a protruding lug (9) formed on rear side (3) of first receptacle (1), a complementary receiving socket (11) on rear side of the other receptacle (8), and a fastening means (11) adapted to hold the adjoining receptacles (1, 8) in abutting engagement. The engagement means (9, 11, 14) is capable of sufficiently rigid engagement such that the engaged receptacles (1, 8) form a substantially unitary structure able to be handled by mechanical waste handling equipment.

Description

IMPROVED WASTE BIN

INTRODUCTION TO INVENTION

This invention relates to waste bins, and in particular to industrial or heavy domestic front lift waste disposal bins.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Industry makes extensive use of contracted services for waste disposal whereby waste bins are delivered to a site by a contractor, filled up on site and then emptied on site or removed by the contractor.

The range of waste bins and methods of handling are numerous, including a broad range of bin capacities and options for bin emptying on site or complete bin removal to a tip. A popular type of industrial waste bin is the "front lift" waste bin which is designed for emptying on site into a vehicle and immediate return on site.

The front lift bin is of a fixed size and specifically adapted to interact with a dedicated removal vehicle having a spaced pair of lifting arms which engage respective channels on the opposite ends of the bin to lift the bin up and over the vehicle, whence the bin can be upturned to empty its contents into the vehicle. The bin can then be returned to the site for further use.

The arms of the removal vehicle are set at a standard spacing and as such, one dimension, generally the length dimension of the bin is dictated by this spacing. Such bins generally have a capacity of between l ϋ to 6 cubic metres and weigh about 180kg when empty. Such bins are generally too large for many purposes. For example, it is desirable to place a bin inside a factory adjacent the location of waste production but, the bins referred to above are usually too large to be conveniently located inside a factory. Moreover, it is not generally possible or practical to freely move such bins about unless a fork lift or other means is available. Whilst the large capacity of such bins is an attractive aspect of the front lift bin, the weight and size of the bins per se which restricts their maneuverability without aid is a limitation to the full potential use of such bins. OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF INVENTION

It is therefor desirable to provide a bin construction which obviates at leas some of the disadvantages mentioned.

It is also desirable to provide a bin which is simple and economical to manufacture.

It is also desirable to provide a bin which is easy to use and be handled b mechanical handling equipment.

According to the invention, there is provided a waste disposal bin comprisin two or more separate receptacles for waste characterised in that each receptacle i adapted for releasable engagement to an adjoining receptacle wherein said engagement is effected by an engagement means which is capable of sufficiently rigid engagement such that said engaged receptacles form a substantially unitary structure able to be handled by mechanical waste handling equipment.

Preferably, the bin includes lifting means facilitating handling by the mechanical waste handling equipment. Suitably, the lifting means are in the form of two lifting channels provided on respective receptacles such that the lifting channels are located on opposite ends of the bin.

The engagement means may take the form of a protruding lug at or near a side of a first receptacle which is adapted to engage a corresponding receiving socket at or near a side of a second receptacle. There may be a number of lugs and sockets provided at the rear of said receptacles at or near both the top and bottom of said receptacles. The engagement means may further include a fastening or locking means adapted to hold said first and second receptacles in firm abutment.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the waste disposal bin is in the form of two substantially cuboid receptacles wherein a first receptacle is provided with a single elongate lug on a rear side thereof extending in an upright manner at or near the side adapted for abutment with a second receptacle, said second receptacle is provided with an elongate overhanging receiving socket positioned for co-operative engagement with said protruding lug of said first receptacle so as to effect the snug engagement of said first and second abutted receptacles.

The overhanging socket is preferably formed in an outrigger attached to the rear side of said second receptacle, the outrigger being adapted to overlap the rear side of said first receptacle.

The fastening or locking means may take the form of a hasp and pin or an over center toggle catch located on the front of the receptacles and adapted to pull both receptacles into snug and positive abutment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to one particularly preferred embodiment of a front lift waste bin as detailed in the following Figures. FIGURE 1 shows a front view of a dual receptacle front lift bin in full engagement. FIGURE 2 is a view through A-A of Figure 1 showing the receptacles in full engagement. FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 except showing the receptacles as separated.

Referring to the Figures, the front lift waste disposal bin comprises a first separate receptacle 1 for waste, being a substantially cuboid container with a front side 2, a rear side 3, an outer side 4, an abutment side 5, a bottom 6 and an optional lid 7. The second separate receptacle 8 is of a substantially similar configuration to the first receptacle with a front side 2, a rear side 3, an outer side 4, an abutment side 5, a bottom 6 and an optional lid 7. The separate receptacles are dimensioned to be approximately half the size of a standard dedicated front lift waste bin, such that when the two separate receptacles 1 and 8 are secured together, the two separate receptacles act as a unitary bin dedicated to function as a front lift waste bin.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each receptacle is provided with a complimentary engagement means adapted to provide a ready means of engaging and disengaging the separate receptacles. The engaging means of this embodiment includes an elongate protruding lug 9 formed on the rear side 3 of the first receptacle 1 at or near the abutment side 5 and extending in a substantially vertical manner along the rear of the first receptacle 1.

An elongate outrigger 11 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 extends in an uprigh manner along the rear of the second receptacle 8 along a substantial proportion o its width and defines an elongate socket 10 to co-operatively receive the lug 9 o said first receptacle 1.

Referring now to Figure 2, the first receptacle 1 and the second receptacle are shown in abutting engagement which is maintained by a fastening means 1 positioned on the front sides 2 of the first and second receptacle 1 and 8. As mos clearly shown in Figure 1, the fastening means 14 includes a pair of space mounting plates 15 on the first receptacle 1 to which is pivotally mounted a closin arm 16. The closing arm 16 is pivotable between an open and a closed positio and includes a box member 17 open towards the front 2 of the receptacles when th closing arm 16 is in the closed position to thereby define an elongate socket 1 (Figure 3). The fastening means 14 also includes an elongate lug 19 which i engaged by the elongate socket 18 when the closing arm 16 is in the close position. The closing arm 16 also includes an extended arm 20 having an aperture 21 therein. A spring loaded pin 22 engages in the aperture 21 to lock the closin arm 16 in the closed position as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The provision of an elongate lug and socket engaging means at the rear o the separate receptacles ensures that the two receptacles can be securely engaged to prevent vertical displacement. The full engagement of the two receptacles by securing the fastening means at the front of the bin provides locked abutment of the two receptacles such that they cannot be separated in horizontal displacement. The combined action of the engaging means ensures that the unitary bin does not suffer from any torsional distortion and is capable of being lifted by mechanical handling equipment on a lift vehicle by engagement of the side channels 24 provided separately on each receptacle.

In use, the waste bin is delivered to site as a joined unit. At site, the bin can be conveniently separated into two manageable halves, each having its own casters 26, such that each half can be moved easily to a convenient position on site. When the receptacle halves are filled, they are joined together and the dedicated removal vehicle is used to lift the bin onto the top of the vehicle for emptying. The bin can then be lowered onto the site and the two receptacles separated ready for further use.

The invention provides a much needed improvement in waste handling bins and provides a considerable improvement in the versatility and utility of such bins.

Many modifications may be made in the design and/or construction of a waste handling bin in accordance with the invention. For example, the lugs and sockets can be replaced by other engaging means such as a pair of complementary channels related to the adjacent rear edges of the receptacles and adapted to interengage to lock the edges together. In another variation, the bin may include

3 or more separate receptacles. All such modifications which come within the scope of the description shall be within the ambit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A waste disposal bin comprising two or more separate receptacles for waste characterised in that each receptacle is adapted for releasable engagement to an adjoining receptacle wherein said engagement is effected by an engagement means which is capable of sufficiently rigid engagement such that said engaged receptacles form a substantially unitary structure able to be handled by mechanical waste handling equipment.

2. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the waste disposal bin includes lifting means to facilitate lifting by the mechanical waste handling equipment, the lifting means being provided on respective receptacles such that the lifting means are located on opposite sides or endsof the waste disposal bin.

3. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 2 wherein each lifting means is in the form of a channel.

4. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 1 wherein adjoining receptacles are complimentary and are adapted for abutting engagement on respective abutment sides.

5. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of the separate receptacles includes the abutment side and front and rear sides, the engagement means for adjoining receptacles extending between the rear sides and extending between the front sides.

6. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of the separate receptacles is in the form of a rectangular prism including the abutment side and front and rear sides both adjacent to the abutment side, wherein the engagement means for adjoining receptacles includes a protruding lug on the rear side of one of the receptacles and a complimentary receiving socket on the rear side of the other receptacle, and wherein the engagement means further includes a fastening means adapted to hold the adjoining receptacles in abutting engagement.

7. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fastening means is in the form of a hasp and pin disposed on the front sides of adjoining receptacles.

8. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 5 comprising two receptacles each having a lifting channel provided on an outer side thereof opposite the abutment side.

9. The waste disposal bin as claimed in claim 1 comprising two substantially cuboid receptacles.