WO1999041163A1

WO1999041163A1 - Automatic closure system and refuse container provided with an automatic closure system of this nature

Info

Publication number: WO1999041163A1
Application number: PCT/NL1999/000069
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cornelis Jongejan
Original assignee: Cordialphen B.V.
Priority date: 1998-02-13
Filing date: 1999-02-11
Publication date: 1999-08-19
Also published as: AU2551599A; NL1008305C2

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic closure system, comprising a closure element (4) which can pivot through a pivoting angle about a pivot pin (5), between a closed position and an open position, and comprising a restoring mechanism (7, 8) which, in the pivoted position, exerts a restoring force or restoring moment, which acts in the closure direction, on the closure element. The system furthermore comprises at least one friction track (11), and the closure element is provided with at least one slide element (17). The slide element and the friction track are arranged in such a manner with respect to one another that, at least when the closure element is pivoted in the closure direction, the slide element and the friction track can engage with one another in a frictional manner over at least part of the pivoting angle. In this case, the restoring force or the restoring moment overcomes the frictional force which counteracts closure during the closure operation. The invention furthermore relates to a refuse container provided with an automatic closure system according to the invention.

Description

Automatic closure system and refuse container provided with an automatic closure system of this nature

The present invention relates to an automatic closure system, comprising a closure element which can pivot through a pivoting angle about a pivot pin, between a closed position and an open position, and comprising a restoring mechanism which, in the pivoted position, exerts a restoring force or restoring moment, which acts in the . closure direction, on the closure element.

An automatic closure system of this nature is generally known. For example, refuse containers, which are also known as rubbish bins, having an opening for throwing in refuse which is closed off by means of a flap which is oriented substantially vertically in the closed position and hinges about a horizontal hinge running along the top of the flap, are known. For refuse to be thrown in, this flap can be pivoted inwards into the refuse container manually, in order to open the opening. When the flap is released again, it will be returned to its closed position under the influence of a restoring mechanism, for example a restoring spring. A drawback of a refuse container having an automatic closure system of this nature is that when throwing in refuse it is necessary to hold the flap open manually, an operation which requires the use of a hand or additional means while throwing in refuse. In this case, it is not possible to firstly move the flap into the open position and then throw in refuse at one's leisure.

The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic closure system which can be used in particular for refuse containers and which, in particular, also does not present the above drawback.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that the system furthermore comprises at least one friction track, that the closure element is provided with at least one slide element, and that the slide element and the friction track are arranged in such a manner with respect to one another that, when the closure element is pivoted in at least the closure direction, the slide element and the friction track can engage with one another in a frictional manner over at least part of the pivoting angle, in order to delay the pivoting movement in the closure direction under the influence of the frictional force from the frictional engagement. Delay is understood here to mean allowing the pivoting movement in the closure direction to proceed slowly, for example at a rate of 10° per second or less, preferably 5° per second or less, for example 2° per 2 second or less. During the closure movement, the restoring force or the restoring moment will therefore still overcome the frictional force which counteracts closure, so that the closure movement under the influence of the restoring mechanism is still ensured. However, this closure movement is carried out slowly, at any rate over at least part of the pivoting angle. This has the advantage that the user can move the closure element into the open position, preferably the fully open position, and then, on releasing the closure element, the latter will close slowly, i.e. with a delay, at least over part of the return pivoting path, providing the user with time to use his/Tier two free hands to pass something through the passage which has been opened up by the closure element at his/her leisure, for example to deposit refuse in the refuse container via an opening. It will be clear that the slide element may engage frictioπally in or on the friction track as early as from or in the closed position, i.e. when the pivoting angle is 0°. This mutual engagement may, if appropriate, continue through the entire pivoting angle or through part of this angle. A further considerable advantage of an automatic closure system of this nature is that it can be realized using simple, relatively robust components. It is thus possible to obtain an inexpensive, reliably functioning automatic closure system.

An embodiment of an automatic closure system according to the invention which is very simple in terms of its pivoting movement is advantageously obtained if the friction track is in the form of an arc of a circle, and if the slide element is able to describe an arc of a circle which is defined by the pivoting angle and overlaps the friction track. The slide element is therefore to be designed as part of the closure element or a component which is mounted thereon which, during pivoting of the closure element, or at least when the closure element pivots towards its closed position, can travel along the friction track, which is in the form of an arc of a circle, so as to engage frictionally in or on the friction track.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, relatively fragile moving parts can be substantially avoided if the restoring mechanism comprises the pivot pin and the closure element, if the pivot pin extends horizontally, if the centre of gravity of the closure element in the closed position is lower than the pivot pin, and if the centre of gravity lies on that side of the vertical through the pivot pin which is directed away from the closure direction. It is thus possible to ensure that the closure element will carry out its pivoting movement in the closure direction under the influence of the force of gravity, and will be held in its closed position under the influence of this force of 3 gravity as long as the closure element is not moved into an open or opening position. This is because, in the closed position, the centre of gravity will lie on that side of the vertical through the pivot pin in which the torque caused by the force of gravity acts in the closure direction. In this case, it is advantageous, particularly if the closure element assumes a vertical or substantially vertical position in the closed position, if the closure element is provided with an arm which bears a counterweight, the counterweight lying on that side of the vertical through the pivot pin which is directed away from the closure direction. It is thus possible to ensure that, in the closed position, the centre of gravity will be at a relatively great distance from the vertical through the pivot pin, and that therefore the pivoting moment which acts in the closure direction as a result of the force of gravity is relatively great.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the slide element, when seen in a plane running transversely to the friction track, has a drop- shaped cross section, the convex side of the drop shape being directed in the closure direction and the pointed side of the drop shape being directed away from the closure direction. This has the considerable advantage that during pivoting in the closure direction it is necessary to overcome a relatively greater frictional force (counteracting the pivoting), which is advantageous for delaying the closure movement, than when pivoting open, meaning that the user does not have to press as hard in order to pivot the closure element open.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the slide element, when seen in the closed position, is at a certain distance from the friction track, i.e. it is necessary for this distance to be bridged by the pivoting before the slide element engages in or on the friction track when pivoting the closure element. This certain distance thus creates, as it were, an essentially unimpeded free pivoting travel.

A free travel distance of this nature also has the advantage that the closure element can be opened slightly and then quickly closed again without the slide element coming into frictional engagement in or coming free of the engagement on the friction track. In the case of a refuse container, this is advantageous, for example, if it is desired to dispose of a relatively small object where there is no need to keep the closure element in an open position for a prolonged period.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the friction track 4 comprises adjustment means for setting the contact pressure between the friction track and the slide element which can move along it. Adjustment means of this nature may be designed in many ways. For example, it is conceivable for the friction track, or at least the active part thereof, to comprise a compressible foam-like material (for example a readily compressible or soft foam-like material) which, under the influence of the adjustment means, can be displaced in a direction transverse to the friction track in order to influence the contact pressure between the friction track and the slide element which can move along it during movement along the friction track. It will be clear that it is important in this case for the foam-like material or, if appropriate, a different type of material to be slightly compressible. Particularly when the friction track means used comprise relatively or completely non-compressible materials, it is also conceivable for this active friction track means, for example a hard rubber grade, to be prestressed under the influence of a spring in a direction transverse to the friction track, in the direction of the slide element, at least when the latter passes along the track. In this case, it is advantageous if this prestress can be set or adjusted by means of adjustment means. It is thus possible for the user to adjust the delay time brought about by the frictional engagement as desired. Also, adjustment means of this nature make it possible to adjust the contact pressure after a period of time in order, if the closure element has started to close more quickly, in relative terms, over the course of time, to make this closure element close relatively more slowly again.

According to the invention, the friction track comprises an active friction element which is made from a compressible material, such as a foam-like material, a rubber, etc. The foam-like material may in this case be a foam-like material with a closed cell structure but may equally be a foam-like material with an open cell structure. In general, the active friction element will be made from a material with a relatively high coefficient of friction so that, in particular in conjunction with the slide element, a relatively great frictional force counteracting the movement of the slide element is generated. Therefore, consideration may also be given to a hard synthetic or natural rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer as the material for a friction element of this nature. According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a refuse container provided with an automatic closure system according to the invention.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated diagrammatically in the drawing, in 5 which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal section through a refuse container according to the invention which is fitted with an automatic closure system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows part of the automatic closure system according to the invention, in particular the part with the friction track, in a perspective view; and

Figure 3 shows a view onto the friction track from the direction of arrow III, the illustration being partially in section and showing a cross section through a carrier bearing friction elements. Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a refuse container 1 comprising a cylindrical refuse receptacle 2 which is closed off on its top side by means of a dome- shaped top part 3. The top part 3 is provided with a closure element 4, in this case also known as flap 4. The flap 4 can be pivoted, in the direction of double arrow 6, about a horizontal hinge or horizontal pivot pin 5 which extends perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, between a closed position shown in solid lines in Figure 1 and a position in which it is open to its maximum extent, shown by dashed lines in Figure 1.

The flap 4 is provided with an arm 7 which is rigidly connected thereto and, at its free end, bears a counterweight 8. In the closed position, this counterweight 8 is situated on the right-hand side (in Figure 1) of the vertical through the pivot pin 5, i.e. that side of the said vertical which is directed away from the closure direction. The counterweight 8 ensures that, in the closed position, the centre of gravity of the assembly comprising flap 4, arm 7 and counterweight 8 lies on the said right-hand side (directed away from the closure direction) of the vertical through the hinge pin. As a result, under the influence of the force of gravity a pivoting moment which acts in the closure direction holds the flap 4 in the closed position.

If a user pushes the flap 4 inwards, into the refuse container 1 , in the direction of arrow 9 using his/her hand, the opening in the refuse container 1 is opened further depending on the extent to which the flap is pushed. As can be seen from Figure 1, during this movement, the counterweight 8 will initially be displaced through a free angular travel 10 before entering the friction track 11, which will be described in more detail below. If the flap 4 is released while the counterweight 8 is still in the free travel area 10, the flap 4 will close rapidly and essentially without being impeded, under the influence of the force of gravity. This is useful if, for example, the user wishes to 6 dispose of a small ball of paper and there is no need for the flap 4 to remain open for a certain period of time in order to clear the opening.

If the flap 4 is pressed further inwards in the direction of arrow 9, thus pivoting about pivot pin 5, the counterweight 8 will enter the so-called friction track 11, where slide elements formed on the counterweight 8 will engage in or on active parts of the friction track 11. In doing so, the slide elements are subject to a frictional force which is directed oppositely to the pivoting direction and can be overcome manually. in order not to prevent the flap 4 from being pushed inwards in the direction of arrow 9 and in order not to prevent the flap 4 from pivoting back in the closure direction under the influence of the force of gravity, while nevertheless delaying this return pivoting.

This delay has the considerable advantage that if it is selected to be sufficiently great, for example in the order of magnitude of 5 seconds, the user has an opportunity to firstly open the flap 4 and then to use both free hands to deposit an object which is to be disposed of into the refuse container via the opening. Figure 2 shows a perspective view, in greater detail, of the so-called friction track 11, or at least an exemplary embodiment thereof. In the fitted position, the side 12 of this friction track 11 will bear against the inside of the dome-shaped top part 3. The friction track 11 can be fitted to the top part 3 in many different ways, for example by welding or by means of screws. The friction track 11 comprises assembly members 15 which bear a panel

16, which is in the form of an arc of a circle, on their underside, at least in the view shown in Figure 2. The assembly members 15 delimit a passage which is in the shape of an arc of a circle and through which the counterweight 8 can move when the flap 4 is pivoted. On its sides, the counterweight 8 is provided with side parts 17 which are drop- shaped in cross section and the convex side of which is directed in the closure direction 13 and the pointed side of which is directed in the opening direction 14.

As illustrated by Figure 3, the drop-shaped side parts 17, which form the so- called slide elements, engage in or, if desired, on an active part of the friction track, the so-called active friction element 18, which in this case is formed from a compressible foam-like material. When the counterweight 8 moves past in the direction of arrow 13 or arrow 14, this foam-like active material 18 will be compressed slightly by the slide elements 17. Depending on the contact pressure or contact force, which acts in the direction transverse to the direction 13 and/or 14, between slide elements 17 and active 7 friction elements 18, the frictional force brought about during such a pivoting movement in the direction of arrow 13 or arrow 14 will be greater or lesser. According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the contact force or contact pressure can be adjusted by means of adjustment screws 19 which act on a pressure plate 20 and by means of which the active material 18 can be pressed to a greater or lesser extent towards an opening 21 which is formed in each member 15. Via opening 21, the active material 18 projects out of the housing 22 into the passage, which is in the shape of -an arc of a circle, for the counterweight 8.

It will be clear that numerous variants to the automatic closure system according to the invention are conceivable. For example, it is conceivable to provide the counterweight 8 on its underside, instead of or in addition to the slide elements 17 arranged on the sides, with a similar drop-shaped slide element which can then engage in a frictional manner with the panel 16, which is in the shape of an arc of a circle, or a coating, which is arranged on the inside of this panel, of a material with a relatively high coefficient of friction or at least a high frictional resistance. It will also be clear that the so-called slide elements in no way have to be arranged on the counterweight. Under certain circumstances, the counterweight may even be dispensed with altogether, although it is also entirely conceivable for the counterweight to be arranged at a different location and for the slide elements to be arranged differently on the flap 4 itself or on a carrier arm attached thereto.

Claims

8Claims

1. Automatic closure system, comprising a closure element which can pivot through a pivoting angle about a pivot pin, between a closed position and an open position, and comprising a restoring mechanism which, in the pivoted position, exerts a restoring force or restoring moment, which acts in the closure direction, on the closure element, characterized in that the system furthermore comprises at least one friction _^ track, in that the closure element is provided with at least one slide element, and in that the slide element and the friction track are arranged in such a manner with respect to one another that, when the closure element is pivoted in at least the closure direction, the slide element and the friction track can engage with one another in a frictional manner over at least part of the pivoting angle, the restoring force or the restoring moment overcoming the frictional force which counteracts closure during the closure operation.

2. Automatic closure system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the friction track is in the form of an arc of a circle, and in that the slide element is able to describe an arc of a circle which is defined by the pivoting angle and overlaps the friction track.

3. Automatic closure system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the restoring mechanism comprises the pivot pin and the closure element, in that the pivot pin extends horizontally, in that the centre of gravity of the closure element in the closed position is lower than the pivot pin, and in that the centre of gravity lies on that side of the vertical through the pivot pin which is directed away from the closure direction.

4. Automatic closure system according to Claim 3, characterized in that the closure element is provided with an arm which bears a counterweight, the counterweight lying on that side of the vertical through the pivot pin which is directed away from the closure direction.

5. Automatic closure system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide element, when seen in a plane running transversely to the friction track, has a drop-shaped cross section, the round side of the drop shape being directed in the closure direction and the pointed side of the drop shape being directed away from the closure direction.

6. Automatic closure system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide element, when seen in the closed position, is situated at a 9 free travel distance from the friction track.

7. Automatic closure system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the friction track comprises adjustment means for setting the contact pressure between the friction track and the slide element which can be displaced along it.

8. Automatic closure system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the friction track comprises an active friction element which is made from a compressible material, such as a foam-like material, a rubber, etc.

9. Refuse container provided with an automatic closure system according to one of the preceding claims.