WO2002026596A1

WO2002026596A1 - Assembly of a waste container and its housing

Info

Publication number: WO2002026596A1
Application number: PCT/NL2001/000716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marinus Adrianus Henrikus Den Otter
Original assignee: Den Otter Marinus Adrianus Hen
Priority date: 2000-09-29
Filing date: 2001-10-01
Publication date: 2002-04-04
Also published as: EP1320497A1; ATE312781T1; AU2002211073A1; EP1320497B1; DE60115924T2; DE60115924D1; NL1016299C2

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly of at least one waste container such as, for instance, an OTTO-waste container, and a housing in which the waste container is fittingly received with some clearance, the waste container being provided with a first cover for opening and closing the waste container, the housing being provided with a second cover for opening and closing the housing, the housing being provided with an opening for receiving the waste container in the housing, the opening extending along a rear side and an underside, the housing being provided with at least one wheel, the at least one wheel being positioned such that the housing is at least mobile in a direction being substantially at right angles to the rear side of the housing. The invention also relates to a housing of the assembly according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for the use of the assembly according to the invention.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF A WASTE CONTAINER AND ITS HOUSING

The invention relates to an assembly of a waste container, such as^- for instance, an OTTO-waste container, and a housing in which the waste container is fittingly received with some clearance.

The invention also relates to a housing in which a waste container is fittingly receivable with some clearance.

The invention further relates to a method for the use of an assembly according to the invention. Such an assembly is known from practice.

As a rule, the waste container is placed near a house on a piece of land such as, for instance, a garden, a terrace or a drive. In such a waste container, the so-called GFT-waste, which stands for vegetable, fruit and garden waste, can be collected. However, it also happens that in such a waste container, a different type of household waste is stored until the waste is collected. Such a waste container has as a drawback that, for instance, the shape, the color or the dimensions are not geared to the direct surroundings in which the waste container is placed. Therefore, the waste container is often experienced as being an "eyesore". A further drawback is that the waste container can strongly heat up in the sun. This can prime a process of decay of the waste stored in the container. In the long run this leads to the spread of an unpleasant smell from the waste container. Besides the waste container, an assembly of the known sort therefore also comprises a housing in which the waste container can be received. The housing is built at a location where the waste container is to be taken from the housing, and to be stored. As a rule, when the waste is collected, the waste container is placed on the sidewalk by the side of the road by the user so that employees of the waste collection services do not have to enter an individual garden, terrace or drive. Once the waste container has been emptied, the user fetches the waste container again. Then, the waste container is housed in the constructed housing. Storing the waste container in the housing necessitates more space in the housing than the space taken up by the waste container when the waste container is in the housing in a condition of rest. In particular with waste containers provided with wheels on a side of the waste container where also a cover is hingedly connected (to the waste container), it is necessary to take into account a space taken up by the waste container when it is swiveled about an upwardly directed axis. Additionally, the waste container is often in a tilted position during storing, which also requires extra space for the waste container to be placed. Moreover, space is necessary for at least the arms of the user who tries to maneuver the waste container in the desired position in the housing. Due to this additionally required space, the housing has to be built so as to be spacious, which is experienced as a drawback.

The assembly according to the invention contemplates meeting the above-outlined drawbacks. To this end, the invention provides in an assembly of a waste container, such as, for instance an OTTO-waste container, and a housing in which the waste container is received with some clearance, the waste container being provided with a first cover for opening and closing the waste container, the housing being provided with a second cover for opening and closing the housing, the housing being provided with an opening for receiving the waste container in the housing, the housing extending along a rear side and an underside, the housing being provided with at least one wheel, the at least one wheel being positioned such that the housing is at least mobile in a direction being substantially at right angles to the rear side of the housing. This offers the advantage that the waste container received in the housing is hidden from sight and sunlight. Another advantage is that the housing can have dimensions which are smaller than the dimensions of a constructed housing in which the waste container is placed. The fact is that no extra space is necessary in the housing to maneuver the waste container in the housing. As the housing is at least mobile in a direction being substantially at right angles to the rear side of the housing, the housing is placeable around or over the waste container. When the waste container is placed against a wall or a fence, the housing is placed around or over the waste container so that the waste container is completely enclosed by the wall and the housing. An embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the second cover is connected to the housing with the aid of a hinging connection near a housing edge which, is formed by the junction of the upper side and a side located at the side of the housing, or the rear side. This offers the advantage that the waste container can be placed against, for instance, a wall such that the hinging connection of the second cover is located at a side of the waste container directly opposite the wall. This means that a user can swing the second cover open towards the wall, so that the second cover guarantees the accessibility of the waste container. Also, if desired, when the first cover too is connected to the waste container with a hinging connection, one of the side walls of the housing can be placed, such, that the first cover and the second cover can be opened in a similar manner, i.e. they can be opened in a direction corresponding to the pivotal direction.

A special embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the second cover rests on the housing at a slight inclination. This offers the advantage that the rainwater cannot accumulate on the second cover but will drip from the second cover.

A further elaborated embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the first and the second cover are detachably connected to each other, such that the first cover follows the opening and closing of the second cover. This offers the advantage that only one cover, i.e. the second cover, needs to be opened for depositing waste in the waste container.

A still further elaborated embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the housing and/or the waste container is provided with means for detachably coupling the housing and the waste container such that the housing and the waste container are mobile together. This offers the advantage that the housing and the waste container can be wheeled simultaneously by one user.

The invention also relates to a housing of the assembly according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a construction kit for a housing of the assembly according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a method for the use of an assembly according to the invention. A method according to the invention comprises at least the following steps: a) receiving the waste container in the housing by wheeling the housing around or over the waste container which has previously been placed at and/or in a desired position; and b) opening and closing the second and first cover; and c) taking the waste container out of the housing by wheeling the housing in a direction being substantially at rights angles to the rear side of the housing.

The invention is presently further elucidated with reference to a drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a waste container being placed against a wall by a user;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of a housing of an assembly according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the housing shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a housing of an assembly according to the invention being placed over a waste container;

Fig. 5 shows a housing with a waste container received therein, in which waste is being deposited;

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of an assembly of the container;

Fig. 7 shows a more elaborate embodiment of an assembly according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, a waste container 1 is placed against a wall 3 by a user 2. In this example, the waste container 1 is provided with wheels 4. The waste container 1 is provided with a first cover 5 for opening and closing the waste container 1. In this drawn example, the first cover 5 is connected to the waste container 1 with the aid of a hinging connection 6, near a waste container edge 7 which is formed by the junction of a waste container upper side 8 and a vertical waste container side 9. Although, preferably, the first cover 5 is connected to the waste container 1 with the aid of a hinging connection 6, it is also possible that the first cover 5 is loosely placed on the waste container 1. During displacement, the waste container 1 can be tilted to some extent to facilitate displacement. In this drawn example, the hinging connection 6 is located on a side of the waste container 1, situated opposite a side where the wheels 4 of the waste container 1 are located. However, in another variant of the waste container 1, the wheels 4 and the hinging connection 6 are located on the same side of the waste container 1.

In Fig. 2, a side view is shown of a housing 10 of an assembly according to the invention. The housing 10 is provided with a second cover 11 for opening and closing the housing 10. The second cover 11 is connected to the housing 10 with the aid of a hinging connection 12, near a housing edge 13, which is formed by the junction of an upper side 14 and a rear side 15. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the housing 10 is provided with wheels 16 so that the housing 10 is mobile. The wheels 16 of the housing 10 are ordinary wheels. However, it is also possible to provide the housing with swiveling wheels or rigid casters. Thus, for instance, an alternative embodiment according to the invention can be provided with rigid casters at the underside of the housing. In Fig. 3, a rear view of the housing 10 is shown. The rear side 15 is provided with an opening 17 for receiving the waste container 1 in the housing 10. The opening 17 extends along the rear side and an underside (not shown). The wheels 16 are positioned such that the housing 10 is at least mobile in a direction being substantially at right angles to the rear side 15 of the housing 10. The hinging connection 12 with which the second cover 11 is connected to the housing 10 can also be located near a housing edge which is formed by the junction of the upper side 14 and a side located at the side of the housing. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, the second cover 11 rests on the housing 10 at a slight inclination. Preferably, the wheels 16 of the housing 10 are positioned near the front side 18 of the housing 10. Preferably, the housing 10 is provided near the front side 18 with at least one handle 19 for tilting and/or steering or pushing or pulling the housing during wheeling.

In Fig. 4 it is shown how a housing 10 is placed over the waste container 1 placed against a wall 3.

In Fig. 5, the situation is shown in which the second cover 11 of the housing 10 is opened by a user 2 for depositing waste 20 in the waste container 1. In the example drawn in Fig. 5, the first cover 5 of the waste container 1 is opened. Preferably, however, the first cover 5 of the waste container 1 is also kept shut while the waste container 1 is received in the housing 10. To that end, in Fig. 6, a further embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is shown. The first cover 5 and the second cover 11 are detachably connected to each other, such that the first cover 5 follows the opening and closing. Other than using a wall 3, against which the waste container 1 can be placed, the waste container 1 can also be freely arranged and the housing 10 can also be placed around the waste container 1. A housing 10 may be provided with a panel (not shown) to be arranged separately, with which, in that case, the rear side 15 of the housing 10 is closed off.

As shown in Fig. 7, it is also possible to place two rear sides 15 of two housings 10 against each other.

The invention is not in any way limited to the exemplary embodiments shown.

In a special embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, the housing 10 and/or the waste container 1 is provided with means for detachably coupling the housing 10 and the waste container 1 such, that the housing 10 and the waste container 1 are mobile together. The housing 10 can be provided with a multiplicity of wooden panels (not shown), connected to each by means of a groove and tongue connection. With the aid of slotted poles, a connection may be formed between the sides of the housing formed with the panels. The housing 10 can also be built up from other materials. Materials^""" and color can be designed in agreement, or, if desired, in contrast with the surroundings in which the assembly is placed. The housing 10 can also be designed as a construction kit.

The use of an assembly according to the invention takes place according to a method comprising at least the following steps: a) receiving the waste container 1 in the housing 10 by wheeling the housing 10 around or over the waste container 1 which has previously been placed at and/or in a desired position; and b) opening and closing the second cover 11 and the first cover 5; and c) taking the waste container 1 out of the housing 10 by wheeling the housing 10 in a direction being substantially at right angles to the rear side 15 of the housing 10.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention provided with a connecting mechanism 21. This connecting mechanism 21 is connected to the first cover 5 and the second cover 11. When the second cover 11 is opened, the first cover 5 will also be opened through the connection with the connecting mechanism 21. The connecting mechanism 21 between the first cover 5 and the second cover 11 can be designed in different manners. The connecting mechanism 21 can simply comprise a chain, but can also comprise a more sophisticated, sliding connection, known per se, between the first cover 5 and the second cover 11. In all cases, the connection is a detachable coupling. The housing 10 can also be designed such that two waste containers 1 can be received next to each other in the housings 10. In this case it is preferred not to connect the first covers 5 and the second covers 11 to each other. The invention has been described with reference to a few preferred embodiments. However, as will be evident to the skilled person, many embodiments are possible which also fall within the scope of the invention. Such variants are all understood to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An assembly of at least one waste container, such as, for instance, an OTTO-waste container, and a housing in which the waste container is fittingly received with some clearance, the waste container being provided with a first cover for opening and closing the waste container, the housing being provided with a second cover for opening and closing the housing, the housing being provided with an opening for receiving the waste container in the housing, the opening extending along a rear side and an underside, the housing being provided with at least one wheel, the at least one wheel being positioned such that the housing is at least mobile in a direction being substantially at right angles to the rear side of the housing.

2. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with the aid of a hinging connection, the second cover is connected to the housing near a housing edge which is formed by the junction of the upper side and a side located at a side of the housing, or the rear side.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the waste container is provided with at least one container wheel so that the waste container is mobile.

4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with the aid of a hinging connection, the first cover is connected to the waste container near a container edge which is formed by the junction of the waste container upper side and a vertical waste container side.

5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second cover rests on the housing at a slight inclination.

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one wheel of the housing is positioned near the front side.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, near the front side, the housing is provided with at least one handle for tilting and/or steering and/or pushing or pulling the housing during wheeling. __^

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second cover are detachably connected to each other, such that the first cover follows the opening and closing of the second cover.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing and/or the waste container is provided with means for, detachably, coupling the housing and the waste container such that the housing and the waste container are mobile together.

10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sides of the housing are provided with a multiplicity of wooden panels, each wooden panel being connected by means of a groove and tongue connection to a neighboring panel, the housing further being provided with slotted poles which form a connection between the sides.

11. A housing of the assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A construction kit for a housing of the assembly according to claim

10, at least comprising the wooden panels for the vertical walls and the slotted poles.

13. A method for the use of an assembly according to any one of claims

1 — 10, at least comprising the following steps: a) receiving the waste container in the housing by wheeling the housing around or over the waste container which has previously been placed at and/or in a desired position; and b) opening and closing at least the second cover; and c) taking the waste container out of the housing by wheeling the housing in a direction being substantially at right angles to the rear side of the housing.