WO2007027108A1

WO2007027108A1 - Recycling bin with pivoted auxiliary compartment

Info

Publication number: WO2007027108A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2006/000224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glen Bernard Castle
Original assignee: Glen Bernard Castle
Priority date: 2005-09-01
Filing date: 2006-09-01
Publication date: 2007-03-08

Abstract

A wheeled multi-compartment bin for use in the collection of refuse and/or recyclable material. The multi-compartment bin (10) includes a body (11) with a first upper receptacle (12). An open top of the upper receptacle (12) is enclosed by a lid (19). The second lower receptacle (15) is positioned below the upper receptacle (12). This is hingedly mounted within the body (11) such that when the bin (10) is tipped (inverted) for emptying the lower receptacle (15) firstly opens so that contents thereof can flow out whereupon further tipping of the bin (10) results in the lid (19) opening to permit the contents of the upper receptacle (12) to flow from the bin. In this way separate materials in the bin (10) can be deposited into separate compartments of a collection vehicle.

Description

RECYCLING BIN WITH PIVOTED AUXILIARY COMPARTMENT BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a multi-compartment bin for the storage of recyclable material and/or refuse.

Refuse disposal is a topic of some debate and consideration by local territorial authorities. On a daily basis we are inundated with products that are made of recyclable materials. Some of these include tin cans, plastic milk bottles, glass bottles and newspapers.

The main concern of local territorial authorities is the alarming rate at which the current refuse dumping sites are filling up. One of the main causes is that a large proportion of recyclable material is not being separated from the refuse by the householder. Thus, a large amount of recyclable material is potentially being dumped with refuse.

One solution is for local territorial authorities to implement recycling plans in metropolitan areas. There are already recycling depots in and around such areas, and in some community's kerbside recycling schemes have been implemented.

However, where householders save recyclable material for recycling, there is the issue of where to store such articles, as an average household may potentially generate large amounts of recyclable material on a weekly basis.

There is thus a storage issue that surrounds recycling in general. Recyclable material may potentially take up a large amount of space, which is usually at a premium in modern residential buildings. Also, a pile of recyclable material is unsightly. This may thus deter householders from saving recyclable material, resulting in potentially recyclable material being dumped with refuse. Thus traditional methods of recycling have a number of disadvantages. One disadvantage is that it is generally easier for a householder to place recyclable materials in with the refuse if they do not have any place suitable to. store the recyclable material.

Another disadvantage is generally householders who save recyclable material do not have suitable receptacles to store such articles. Therefore, the material tends to be stored in small plastic bags, which are difficult to store when they accumulate.

A further disadvantage is that in metropolitan areas that do not have a kerbside recycling program, householders must transport their recyclable materials to the local recycling stations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-compartment bin that enables a householder to store at least one kind of recyclable material and/or refuse into an aesthetically pleasing, and easy to move receptacle.

Broadly according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a wheeled multicompartment bin including a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having an opening and a lid arranged to fit over the opening, the second compartment incorporating a movable receptacle.

Preferably the second compartment is located below the first compartment.

The second compartment is in the preferred form arranged to move to an open position, upon the bin being subjected to a tipping action to assume an unloading, orientation, prior to the tipping action resulting in the lid moving toward an open position. Preferably the bin as claimed in claim 3 wherein the bin includes a body and the second compartment is formed by a movable bin located within the body. The movable bin is preferably pivotally mounted within the body, and is pivotally movable about a pivot axis which is located at or adjacent the bottom of the movable bin.

The pivot axis is preferably located toward a side of the body which is opposite to a side of the body adjacent a lid pivot axis about which the lid is pivotally coupled to the body.

In the preferred form the body includes a base or floor which separates the first compartment from a part of the body in which the movable bin is located. The base or floor can thus cover an open top of the movable bin when the movable bin is located in a closed position within the body.

Preferably a pair of wheels are mounted to the body and are rotatable about an axis which is at or adjacent a side of the body which is opposite to that side at or adjacent which is located the pivot axis of the movable bin. The wheels are at least 300mm in diameter.

One or both of the first compartment and second compartment can be further compartmentised by the inclusion of partitioning means.

In one preferred form the first compartment is further compartmentised by the incorporation of a removable tray located in or adjacent the opening of the first compartment.

Preferably the lid is of a domed shape to accommodate material when the first compartment is overfilled with the material.

Preferably the bin is manufactured of a rigid plastic type material. Preferably the second receptacle is manufactured in a colour that is different to that of the body of the bin.

Preferably the second receptacle is coupled to the body of the bin in a manner such that the second receptacle will move from an open to a closed position under its own weight.

Preferably the bin includes means of identifying the bin. Preferably this is achieved by use of a radio frequency identification device attached to the bin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following more detailed description of the invention according to preferred embodiments, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front left side of a multi-compartment bin incorporating the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front left side of the body of the multi-compartment bin of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is a top plan view,

Figure 4 is a left side elevation view of the lower movable receptacle,

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the body of the multi-compartment bin,

Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the body of the multi-compartment bin,

Figure 7 is a right side elevation of the multi-compartment bin of Figure 1 , Figure 8 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the bin,

Figure 9 is a front view of the second embodiment of the bin, and

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multi-compartment bin that allows a householder to separately place at least one kind of recyclable material and/or refuse within the bin.

The multi-compartment bin 10, according to one preferred embodiment, is illustrated in Figure 1.

The multi-compartment bin 10 includes a body 1 1 , which includes at least two receptacles, a first upper receptacle 1 2, the opening 13 of which is enclosed by a lid 19. A second lower receptacle 1 5 is positioned below the upper receptacle 12. At least two wheels 16 are provided to enable the multi-compartment bin 10 to be easily moved.

Body 1 1 of multi-compartment bin 10 is of generally rectangular shape. As illustrated in Figure 4, all four sides of the sides of body 1 1 taper inward from the top edge T of body 1 1 , down toward the base B.

At a location below the line on body 1 1 denoted by reference numeral 1 7, the left, right, and rear sides of body 1 1 are substantially vertical, relative to the ground surface. As illustrated in Figure 2, the vertical sides 1 8, between which the lower receptacle 1 5 is located, are formed as a solid member, thus providing strength to the sides.

The upper receptacle 12 has a base or floor section 1 1 a within body 11 , enclosing and thereby dividing the upper receptacle 12 from the space below occupied by the lower receptacle 15. As is evident from the drawings the floor 1 I a forms a cover for the open top of the lower receptacle 1 5 when it is in the closed position.

To enclose the open end of receptacle 1 2 is a hinged lid 1 9. The lid 1 9 preferably has an upwardly curved or domed shape, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.

To the front of the lid 1 9 is provided a recess 20, which is in the form of a handle. This thereby enables a user to easily lift the lid 19 to an open position for loading material into the upper receptacle 12.

The lid 19 is pivotally coupled to body 1 1. To the upper rear side of lid 19 is provided a plurality of projecting brackets 21. To the distal end of the brackets is provided a hollow tube 22.

Coupled to the upper rear side of body 1 1 are at least two lid mounting brackets 23. As is evident from Figure 2 the lid mounting brackets 23 are located adjacent opposing sides of body 1 1 . Each lid mounting 23 bracket contains a circular hole through which a shaft (not illustrated in the drawings) may extend.

As assembled, when the lid 19 is located over the opening 1 3 of receptacle 12, the holes in lid mounting brackets 23 and the bore of tube 22 are aligned. A circular cross-section shaft (not illustrated in the drawings) extends through tube 22 and mounting brackets 23 with the ends of the shaft located in the holes within lid mounting brackets 23. The lid 19 may thus be pivoted around the axis of the shaft. The lower receptacle 1 5 is provided in the bottom part of body 1 1 . The lower receptacle 1 5 is in the form of a movable bin.

A side elevation of receptacle 15 is illustrated in Figure 4. The front wall 24 and floor 25 of receptacle 1 5 are formed almost at right angles to each other. The edge 26a of the side portions 26 of receptacle 1 5 is curved, as illustrated in Figure 4. This curve follows substantially the curve of the floor 1 I a.

To the top edge of the front wall 24 of receptacle is moulded a handle 27. Preferably, the handle 27 extends the full width of receptacle 1 5.

Receptacle 1 5 is pivotally coupled to body 1 1. A circular shaft 28 is located through aligned holes 28a and 28b in sides 1 8 of body 1 1 and receptacle 1 5 respectively. Preferably, the shaft 28 extends from one side of body 1 1 to the other. As is evident from the drawing the shaft 28 (which defines a pivot axis) is located at or adjacent the front side of body 1 1 whereas the pivot axis of the lid is located adjacent the rear side of the body 1 1 .

The shaft 28 is located at or adjacent the lowermost part of the receptacle 1 5. Thus when the body 1 1 is tipped over to pour material from the upper receptacle through opening 13 the tipping action results in the lower receptacle 1 5 tipping open about shaft 28. The arrangement is such that the lower receptacle 1 5 moves to the open position prior to the body 1 1 being tipped sufficiently for the lid 19 to move toward an open position to allow material within the upper receptacle 12 to flow out through opening 13.

As assembled, when receptacle 1 5 is in the closed position, the outward projection of handle portion 27 is preferably virtually flush with the outside surface of body 1 1. It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that there are many different methods of attaching wheels to a body. Preferably, a wheel axle extends from one side of the bin 10 to the other, to each end of which is coupled the wheels 16.

It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that there are many different combinations of wheels assemblies available. As is disclosed herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings, a solid wheel assembly of a rigid plastic type material is described as being used.

At least two wheels 16 are pivotally mounted at each side 18 of body 1 1 , as illustrated in Figure 1 . Preferably, the wheels are of at least 300mm diameter.

The wheel axle 16a (see Figure 7) is located relative to base B of body 1 1 such that when the multi-compartment bin 10 is sitting with base B flat on the ground, there is minimal clearance between the wheel 16 and the ground i.e. there is no, or very little, load on the wheels.

Located, preferably equidistant, between the top of body 1 1 and line 1 7, is band 29. Band 29 is moulded integrally with body 1 1 , and formed as a solid body, thereby endowing the sides of the body 1 1 with additional strength.

It is envisaged that multi-compartment bins according to this invention will be provided to householders, within a district, by a local territorial authority. Thus, it is of advantage for the local authority to be able to identify each multi-compartment bin. To accomplish this, located within a recess 30 in band 29 will be affixed a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. This will allow the local authority to identify to which household a particular bin has been issued.

It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that recess 30 into which the radio frequency identification device (not shown in the drawings) is located may be of any shape and depth required to accommodate the RFID component(s). As is disclosed herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings, recess 30 is of a generally rectangular shape.

In use, the multi-compartment bin, as illustrated in Figure 1 , may be located at a residential property. Generally wheeled bins are kept outdoors, exposed to the elements. Thus to prevent the ingress of water into the multi-compartment bin, both the lid 19 and lower receptacle 1 5 will be in the closed positions.

Generally, the upper receptacle 1 2 will be used for the storage of household refuse. The lower receptacle 1 5 will be used for the storage of one kind of recyclable material, for example plastic bottles, glass or newspapers.

It may be the case that one household has two multi-compartment bins 10, so that two types or recyclable material (a different type of recyclable material placed in each bin) may be collected.

To identify the receptacle 1 5 of multi-compartment bin 10 into which a particular type of recyclable material may be placed this receptacle 1 5 may be moulded in a rigid plastic type material of a colour that corresponds to a particular type of material. For example, the receptacle may be colour coded so that it is white for newspapers, blue for plastic bottles, and green for tin cans.

For example, a single household may have two multi-compartment bins 10, the first bin 10 having a white lower receptacle 15, and the second bin having a green lower receptacle 10. Thus, the householder may determine by colour into which bin they should place the appropriate recyclable material. In use, where a householder has refuse, the householder will approach the multicompartment bin 10 and stand in front of it. With one hand, they will lift lid 19 a sufficient distance to enable them to deposit their refuse into the upper receptacle.

Where the householder has tin cans to recycle, the householder approaches the bin 10 with the green coloured receptacle 1 5. Upon bending down, the householder may grasp the handle 27 of the receptacle 1 5. By applying a pulling movement to the handle 27, the receptacle 1 5 will pivot forwards about the axis of the shaft 28.

To prevent the receptacle 15 from opening too far, a stop member 33 moulded into the receptacle 15 engages with a projection 34 from floor 1 Ia within the body 1 1 .

Once the receptacle 1 5 has been pivoted sufficiently to allow the householder to deposit their tin can(s) into the receptacle 1 5, the receptacle 1 5 is subsequently pushed back into the closed position.

Whilst receptacle 1 5 is in the open position, should the householder let go of the handle 27, so long as the receptacle 1 5 has not moved over centre, it will, under its own weight, and the weight of the contents within, move into the closed position, as illustrated in Figure 4

The multi-compartment bin 10 issued to each householder will be emptied at regular intervals, for example, weekly. The householder will be required to move their multicompartment bin(s) 10 in close proximity to the kerb or roadside.

To move the multi-compartment bin 10, the householder will stand facing the rear of the bin 10. Placing their hands on tube 22, the householder will provide a rearwards pulling force to the tube 22. The front of the multi-compartment bin 10 will lift off the ground, with the weight of the bin being supported by the wheels 16. The ground clearance between the base B of the multi-compartment bin 10 and the ground will increase the further the multi-compartment bin 10 is leant rearwards. This is facilitated by the curved edge 35 of the lower corner of the body 1 1 below the axis of the wheels 1 6.

Once the householder has reached the kerb or roadside outside of their residence, the householder return the multi-compartment bin 10 to its vertical position.

The rubbish from the multi-compartment bin will be collected by a rubbish collection vehicle (not illustrated in the drawings). The rubbish collection vehicle will contain at least one receptacle for the collection of the contents of the multi-compartment bin 10.

Preferably, the collection vehicle will contain a receptacle that is divided into at least two compartments. Depending on the size of the vehicle, the receptacle may be further divided into more or less compartments.

A movable assembly is coupled to the outside of the vehicle. Preferably, the movable assembly is controlled by an operator, via an electronic computing device, such as a programmable logic controller or portable computing device. Located on the movable assembly is a gripping arrangement which in use, extends around the sides and rear of the bin to hold it securely.

Located on the gripping means is an RFID reader. The RFID reader is electrically coupled to a central computing device on the collection vehicle, which can be, for example a portable or laptop computer.

In use, the collection vehicle drives along the street, stopping adjacent each multicompartment bin 10. The movable arm moves from its retracted position, which is preferably over the top of the receptacle(s), and extends down toward the multicompartment bin 10. The gripper means grasps hold of the bin 10. As the gripper assembly moves into close proximity to the multi-compartment bin 10, the RFID reader on the griper assembly interrogates the RFID device attached to the multicompartment bin 10. The information from the RFID device on the multi-compartment bin may be stored for future use.

When the multi-compartment bin 10 is held securely by the gripping means of the movable assembly, the movable assembly rises above the ground. Preferably, the movable assembly moves in an arc, from the position of the multi-compartment bin 10, and over the top of the receptacle of the collection vehicle.

The multi-compartment bin 10 will therefore be moved (tipped) from a generally vertical orientation, to an inclined orientation. As the multi-compartment bin 10 is being tipped the lower receptacle 1 5 will, by the weight of the receptacle and to a lesser extent, the contents within, move from a closed position to an open position. The content of lower receptacle 1 5 will therefore discharge into at least one divided receptacle within the collection vehicle.

As the multi-compartment bin is inclined further, it also moves laterally from above the first divided receptacle into which the material form the receptacle 1 5 emptied, to a second divided receptacle, i.e. as the multi-compartment bin becomes upended such that the open end of the upper receptacle 12 of the bin is lower than its base B, the lid 19 will correspondingly move from the closed position to the open position. The contents of the upper receptacle 1 2 will therefore empty into the second divided receptacle within the collection vehicle. The segregated contents of the multi-compartment bin 10 will thus remain segregated within respective compartments in the collection vehicle.

The invention is open to modifications as will be apparent to the skilled addressee. According to an alternative embodiment the wheels of the multi-compartment bin may be larger or smaller in diameter. In addition, the location of the wheel axle may be in a different position to that described above.

According to yet another embodiment, an alternative means of electronic identification may be used.

According to another embodiment, a vertical dividing element may be located in the upper receptacle 12, thereby dividing this into at least two compartments. The lower receptacle could likewise be divided/partitioned.

Thus according to a second embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 8-10 a lifting or sliding tray 31 could be provided in the upper end of the upper receptacle 12. In this form of the invention the lid 19 can be reconfigured so as to have downwardly projecting portions 32 which cover a cut-out portion in the top of the sidewalls of the body 1 1 which are configured to accommodate the ends of the sliding tray 31 . It will therefore be evident that the tray 31 spans across the width of the body 1 1 and can be removed either by lifting it out of the body 1 1 (when the lid 19 has been lifted) or slid out as indicated in Figure 10.

This tray 31 therefore provides yet a further compartment within the multi-compartment bin to accommodate separate containment of recyclable material such as tins, bottles, paper or the like.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that while it is envisaged that the multi- compartment bin will be used to store refuse and recyclable material the multi-compartment bin could be used to contain solely recyclable material. Thus one form of recyclable material could be stored in the lower receptacle 1 5 and two different types of recyclable material contained in a divided upper receptacle 12. Yet further recyclable material could be contained in the tray 31 if this embodiment of the multi-compartment bin is being used. With such an arrangement the tipping action of the multi-compartment bin would result in the lower receptacle opening first thereby depositing the material contained therein into one compartment of the collection vehicle. As the bin is tipped further the opening end (due to the lid 19 moving into an open position) would be aligned with two side by side compartments in the collection vehicle so that the contents of the respective divided portions of the upper receptacle 12 could flow into each of these compartments.

Thus as with the first embodiment the separate materials within the multi-compartment bins would automatically flow into the separate compartments in the collection vehicle. Consequently, when the bin is used for collecting recyclable material the separate material would remain separated when dumped into the collection vehicle.

The present invention therefore provides a practical solution for householders who partake in recycling. The multi-compartment bin provides householders with an aesthetically pleasing bin in which they may store both recyclable material and refuse.

One advantage of the bin is that it is water repellent, whereby the design of the lid and movable receptacle are such that the multi-compartment bin can be left exposed to the environment without the possibility of the recyclable material or refuse contained within the upper or lower receptacles of the bin from becoming waterlogged.

A further advantage is that the lid of the multi-compartment bin is upwardly curved, therefore, where the upper receptacle is overfilled, the lid will close.

Claims

CLAIMS;-

1. A wheeled multi-compartment bin including a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having an opening and a lid arranged to fit D over the opening, the second compartment incorporating a movable receptacle.

2. The bin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second compartment is located below the first compartment.

0 3. The bin as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the second compartment is arranged to move to an open position, upon the bin being subjected to a tipping action to assume an unloading, orientation, prior to the tipping action resulting in the lid moving toward an open position.

4. The bin as claimed in claim 3 wherein the bin includes a body and the second compartment is formed by a movable bin located within the body.

5. The bin as claimed in claim 4 wherein the movable bin is pivotally mounted within the body, and is pivotally movable about a pivot axis which is located at or adjacent the bottom of the movable bin.

6. The bin as claimed in claim 5 wherein the pivot axis is located toward a side of the body which is opposite to a side of the body adjacent a lid pivot axis about which the lid is pivotally coupled to the body.

7. The bin as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the body includes a base or floor which separates the first compartment from a part of the body in which the movable bin is located.

8. The bin as claimed in claim 7 wherein the base or floor covers an open top of the movable bin when the movable bin is located in a closed position within the body.

9. The bin as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein a pair of wheels are mounted to the body and are rotatable about an axis which is at or adjacent a side of the body which is opposite to that side at or adjacent which is located the pivot axis of the movable bin.

10. The bin as claimed in claim 8 wherein the wheels are at least 300mm in diameter.

1 1 . The bin as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or both of the first compartment and second compartment are further compartmentised by the inclusion of partitioning means.

1 2. The bin as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the first compartment is further compartmentised by the incorporation of a removable tray located in or adjacent the opening of the first compartment.

1 3. The bin as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is of a domed shape to accommodate material when the first compartment is overfilled with the material.

14. The bin as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bin is manufactured of a rigid plastic type material.

1 5. The bin as claimed in claim 14 wherein the second receptacle is manufactured in a colour that is different to that of the body of the bin.

16. The bin as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second receptacle is coupled to the body of the bin in a manner such that the second receptacle will move from an open to a closed position under its own weight.

1 7. The bin as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including means for mounting of an electronic identification device.

18. A multi-compartment bin substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.