WO2008110810A1

WO2008110810A1 - A modular storage receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2008110810A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/000887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kieran Ward
Original assignee: Kieran Ward
Priority date: 2007-03-15
Filing date: 2008-03-13
Publication date: 2008-09-18

Abstract

A modular storage receptacle (1) for storage of separated articles comprises a plurality of bins (2) which are adapted for releasable coupling to each other by means of a connecting pin (3, 31). Each bin (2) is mounted to the connecting pin (3, 3') so that the bins can be locked together, and unlocked from each other, by pushing on knobs (31, 31', 31 a) provided on the respective ends of the connecting pin (3, 3'). Each bin is also provided with a lid (4, 4') which is pivotally mountable to the connecting pin (3, 3').

Description

A MODULAR STORAGE RECEPTACLE

The present invention relates to a modular storage receptacle wherein two or more separate bins can be connected to provide separate storage compartments for various articles.

While the modular storage receptacle of the invention is described primarily as a waste receptacle so that waste may be separated and stored for the purpose of recycling, it is to be understood that It ia not limited to such use and can indeed be employed as a storage means for a range of items, including but not limited to, parts, components, materials or other articles.

In recent times there has been an increasing emphasis placed on householders to separate domestic waste for the purposes of recycling. To this end, local councils usually provide households with a variety of large wheeled bins into which separated waste must be placed. These large bins, which are adapted for outdoor storage, are then collected and emptied at regular intervals by the municipal waste collection and disposal services. These bins are normally located outside the home and so householders commonly separate their waste matter at source, usually the kitchen, before transferring it to said bins. In the instance where the householder is not inclined to make frequent tripe outdoors with the separated waste matter, temporary storage means Is required. Furthermore, certain waste matter types accumulate more slowly than others and so this 'temporary' storage can last for extended periods of time. Having such waste matter left in the home environment, and particularly in the kitchen, is both unhygienic and unsightly, especially where plastic bags are used as the temporary storage means. Having separate dedicated storage bins is one option for solving the storage problem however, In areas with limited space ft is not always convenient or aesthetic to have two separate bins, each With a separate removable lid, causing clutter and disorder.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the disadvantages associated with the prior art. Accordingly, the present invention provides a modular storage receptacle comprising a plurality of bins that are adapted to be releasably coupled to each other via_a connecting means and an engaging means.

Ideally, the connecting means comprises a connecting pin that is adapted to releasably engage with a formation provided on each bin.

Ideally, the connecting pin comprises an elongate rod having a series of large diameter sections and a plurality of reduced cross-section segments, each of the reduced cross- section segments interposed between consecutive large diameter sections.

Advantageously, the formation provided on each bin is raised formation, said raised formation comprising spaced apart side walls that are each provided with a recess that provides a passage to a substantially circular aperture.

Ideally, the raised formations on each bin are integrally formed to the bin structure.

Preferably, the recesses extend obliquely along the raised formation side walls.

Conveniently, the reduced cross-section segments are adapted to align with and to enter upwardly into the recesses provided on the raised formation side walls thus coupling the bins to the connecting pin.

Advantageously, the bins are locked to the connecting pin by slidably advancing said pin linearly in either direction along its longitudinal axis thereby placing the large diameter sections of said connecting pin into a barring position within the circular apertures provided in the raised formations.

Preferably, control over the locking/unlocking position of the connecting pin is provided by a stop which is integrally provided on a large diameter section of said connecting pin.

Ideally, the stop is located in use within the confines of a lid hinge member.

Advantageously, each bin is provided with a lid, wherein each lid is provided with hinge members adapted for engagement with a large diameter section of the connecting pin. Ideally, the hinge members comprise a substantially C-shaped resilient clasp having spaced apart side walls, each side wall having a recess that terminates in a substantially circular bearing surface which enables the lid to pivot about a large diameter section of the connecting pin.

Ideally the recesses provided on the hinge members are of a width such that engagement of the lid to the connecting pin is by snap-fitment onto a large diameter section of connecting pin.

Preferably, the hinge formations on the respective lids are arranged in an interleaving manner when engaged with the connecting pin.

Ideally, the hinge members are integrally formed with the lid.

Advantageously, either or both bins of the modular storage receptacle can be decoupled from the connecting pin/lid assembly once the respective lid of the particular bin to be decoupled is raised,

Advantageously, the lid or lids remain coupled to the connecting pin when the bin or bins have been detached.

Preferably, the bins are each provided with catch members and recessed portions which are adapted to mutually engage with respective corresponding recessed portions and catch members provided on additional bins thereby further enhancing the modularity of the modular storage receptacle.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is shown, by way of example only, an embodiment of the modular storage receptacle of the invention.

In the figures:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the modular waste receptacle;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the modular waste receptacle; Figure 3 is a detailed view of a formation provided on a bin;

Figure 4a is a detailed view of a lid hinge formation;

Figure 4b is a detailed view of a lid hinge formation shown from below;

Figure 5a is an isometric view of a connecting pin;

Figure 5b is an isometric view of the underside of the connecting pin;

Figure 6a is a plan view of the modular waste receptacle showing the arrangement of the bins and lids with respect to the connecting pin;

Figure 6b is a side elevation of the modular waste receptacle shown with one lid open;

Figure 7a is a detailed isometric view of the modular waste receptacle illustrating the arrangement of the bins and lids with respect to the connecting pin and shown with one lid opened;

Figure 7b is a sectioned plan view of Figure 7a;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of a modified modular waste receptacle;

Figure 9a is an isometric view of a connecting pin of a preferred embodiment;

Figure 9b is a plan view of the connecting pin of a preferred embodiment;

Figure 9c shows an end cap in association with the preferred embodiment;

Figure 10 is a detailed view of a lid hinge formation of the preferred embodiment shown from below;

Figure 11 is a detailed view of the underside of a formation provided on a bin of the preferred embodiment; and Figure 12 shows schematically the connecting pin of the preferred embodiment in position within a formation provided on a bin of the preferred embodiment.

Referring initially to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a modular waste receptacle 1 comprises a plurality of identical bins 2 which are releasably connected together v|a_a connecting pin 3. Each bin 2 is further provided with an identical lid 4, each lid being pivotally connected to connecting pin 3 and being openable independently from each other.

Each bin 2 comprises a substantially upright open-topped four-walled container having a terminal rim 21 extending continuously around the upper edges of the container walls.

Each bin 2 is further provided with a downturned peripheral lip 22 extending substantially around the container walls at a position proximate upper rim 21.

Reinforcing webs 221 extending between the container walls and the inside of peripheral lip 22 provide reinforcing for said lip. Peripheral lip 22 is also provided with a upwardly biased catch member 222 and a recessed portion 223 adapted to engage with corresponding recessed portions and catch members, respectively, provided on another bin.

On one side of each bin 2, rim 21 is integrally provided with a raised formation 23 and a recessed portion 24 which are disposed towards opposing ends of said rim. Raised formation 23 extends upwardly from rim 21 and projects outwardly to a level beyond the outer edge of peripheral lip 22. Raised formation comprises spaced apart side walls 231 that are each provided with an obliquely extending recess 232 that provides a passage to a substantially circular aperture 233 through which connecting pin 3 can extend. A raised formation 23 is illustrated in greater detail in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 2 and Figures 4a and 4b, each identical lid 4, which is provided to cover the opening of a respective bin 2, comprises a shaped planar element that is bounded by a downwardly curved periphery 41 on its front and side edges and a substantially vertical face 42 on its rear edge. The underside of each lid 4 is provided with a flange 43 that in use is adapted to substantially surround rim 21 and rest upon peripheral lip 22, of a bin 2 so as to provide a close-fitting closure for said bin.

Each lid 4 is further provided with a plurality of spaced apart hinge members 44 that extend outwardly from rear face 42 and are adapted to pivotally engage with connecting pin 3. Each hinge member 44 comprises a substantially C-shaped resilient clasp having spaced apart side walls 441 , each side wall having a recess 442 that terminates in a substantially circular bearing surface 443 which enables the lid to pivot about connecting pin 3. Recesses 442 are of a width such that the respective hinges 44 are snap-fitted onto a central section 36 of connecting pin 3 about which they pivot.

Referring to Figure 5a and 5b connecting pin 3 comprises an elongate rod which is provided with knob 31 at opposing ends. Connecting pin 3 is further provided with a series of large diameter sections 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and a plurality of reduced cross- section segments 32, 33, 34, 35, with each of the reduced cross-section segments interposed between consecutive large diameter sections. The provision of reduced cross-section segments enable bins 2 to releasably attach to connecting pin 3 via recesses 232 provided on raised formations 23 as described below. The undersides of the large diameter sections 36, 37, 38 are flattened as shown in Figure 5b.

The central section 36 of connecting pin 3, which is bound by segments 33 and 34 on either side, and is adapted to received hinge lids 4 (as shown in figures 6a and 6b), is provided with a stop 361 .

Referring to Figures 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b, the operation of a modular waste receptacle 1 will now be described.

The respective spaced apart hinge members 44 of each lid 4 are snap-fitted onto the central section 36 of connecting pin 3 in an interleaving manner as shown in Figures 7a and 7b.

A first bin is then placed onto one end of connecting pin 3 such that raised formation 23 substantially surrounds large diameter section 37 with reduced cross-section segments 32, 33 of the connecting pin entering upwardly into the obliquely extending recesses 232 provided on the side walls 231 of said raised formation 23. Similarly, a second bin is then placed onto the other end of connecting pin 3 such that raised formation 23 substantially surrounds large diameter section 38 with reduced cross-section segments 34, 35 of the connecting pin entering upwardly into the obliquely extending recesses 232 provided on said raised formation 23 on that bin. Once correctly positioned around connecting pin 3, the bins 2 are oriented in a back to back formation with their respective raised formations 23 and recessed portions 24 in engagement as shown in Figure 7a.

In this arrangement, with reduced cross-section segments 32, 33 34, 35 of connecting pin 3 in alignment with the respective obliquely extending recesses 232, either or both bins of the modular waste receptacle can be decoupled from the connecting pin/lid assembly once the respective lid 4 of the particular bin to be decoupled is raised, as shown in Figure 6b. Locking of the bins 2 to the connecting pin 3 is achieved pushing on a knob 31 thereby slidably advancing said pin linearly along its longitudinal axis (as indicated by the arrows) and thereby placing the large diameter sections 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 of said connecting pin 3 into a barring position within the circular apertures 233 of raised formations 23 thus preventing the bins 2 from disengaging. A stop 361 which is provided on central section 36 of connecting pin 3 and which in use is located within the confines of a lid hinge members 44 (as shown in figure 7b) controls and defines the locking/unlocking position of the connecting pin 3.

The modularity of the modular waste receptacle 1 can be further enhanced by attaching additional bins, or indeed additional modular waste receptacles, by means of catch members 222 and recessed portions 223 provided said bins 2 and which are adapted to mutually engage with corresponding recessed portions and catch members, respectively, provided on the additional bins.

Referring now to Figure 8 and Figures 9a to 9c in which like parts are denoted by like numerals there is shown a preferred embodiment of the modular waste receptacle of the invention. In the preferred embodiment a modified connection pin 3' is of two-part construction with a circular knob 31' integrally provided at one end of said pin and means for receiving a knob in the form of a detachable end cap 31a at the other end. Detachable end cap 31 a (Figure 9c) may connect to pin 3' by snap fitment, screw threads, by a twist locking action or other suitable means. Connecting pin 3' is further provided with a series of large diameter sections 36', 38', 39', 40' and a plurality of reduced cross-section segments 34', 35'. The undersides of the large diameter sections are provided with a substantially flattened profile in a similar fashion to those sections as shown in Figure 5b so that the overall height of the sections are partially reduced and the pin 3' be inserted into a raised formation 23' as described below. An integrally formed barrel 50 portion extending between adjacent large diameter sections 39' and 36' and having spaced apart end walls 50a and 50b, respectively, is also provided on pin 3'. Barrel 50, is provided on its curved upper surface with an integrally moulded resilient spring clip 51 having a hinge 52 at one end and a transversely arranged upwardly extending protuberance 53 at its free moving end, the protuberance 53 being adapted for releasable engagement with complementary detents provided in raised formations 23' of bins 2 as described below. The lower sides 54 of barrel 50 are flattened extensions so as to provide a pin 3' anti rotation means when the pin is in use. At the end proximate barrel portion 50, pin 3' is provided with the substantially circular knob 31 ' described above.

Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 10, in the preferred embodiment hinge members 44' provided on lids 4' are each provided with spaced apart side walls 441 ', 441 ", the outer side walls 441" being annular in shape and the inside side walls 441 ' comprising C- shaped clasps having a recess 442 that terminates in a substantially circular bearing surface 443. The inside diameter of the annular side wall 441 " and the diameter of substantially circular bearing surface 443 on each hinge member 44' is such that pin 3', with end cap 31a removed, can extend through said hinge members so that lids 4' are pivotally mountable to said pin 3'. In the preferred embodiment and as shown in Figure 10, the underside of lids 4' are further provided with a rear flange 43a. Reinforcing webs 43c, which extend between hinge members 44' and rear flange 43a provide additional rigidity to the lid. A complementary groove 445 provided on the upper surface of lids 4' is adapted to receive the lower edge of flange 43a so that lids 4' can conveniently be stacked on top of one and other for storage and transportation of the disassembled modular waste receptacle of the invention.

Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 11 , in the preferred embodiment the raised formation 23' provided on each bin 2 is substantially cylindrical in shape and is provided with spaced apart side walls 231 that are each provided with obliquely extending recesses 232 that provide a passage to a substantially circular aperture 233 as described previously in relation to raised formations 23. Raised formations 23' are each further provided with a hood portion 234 which extends laterally from said formation. As shown in Figure 11 , the underside of raised formation 23' is provided with a plurality of detents 235 which are arranged transverse the longitudinal axis said formation, the detents being adapted for engagement with protuberance 53 provided on spring clip 51 of barrel 50. Referring to Figures 8 to 12, the assembly and operation of the preferred embodiment of the modular waste receptacle of the invention will now be described. It will be appreciated that while one preferred mode of assembly is described in detail below, the modular waste receptacle can also be assembled in a number of other convenient ways, for example lids 4' may be placed onto pin 3' before fastening end cap 31a and then placing each of the bins on to said pin.

Connecting pin 3' is rotated so that the flattened undersides of large diameter sections 36' and 39' are orientated so that pin 3' can be entered upwardly through obliquely extending recesses 232 into substantially circular apertures 233 whereupon connecting pin is retained within raised formation 23' of a first bin. When connected to raised formation 23' in this way barrel 50 is contained within the inner confines of said formation and circular knob 31 ' is located substantially within hood 234 as shown in Figure 12. The length of barrel 50 is such that pin 3' can be moved back and forth along its longitudinal axis within the confines of raised formation 23' with end walls 50a and 50b acting as stops which define locked and unlocked positions of the connecting pin (3¹) by abutting against the respective raised formation side walls 231 when pin 3' is moved between unlocked and locked positions, respectively. The flattened lower sides 54 of barrel 50 prevent pin 3' from rotating once said barrel is in place within formation 23' and so pin 3' cannot inadvertently detach from the first bin. Lids 4', which are arranged with their respective hinge members 44' in an interleaving manner, are then placed upon pin 3' which extends through the respective side walls 441 ', 441 " of said hinge members so that the lids 4' are pivotally mounted to a central large diameter section 36'. End cap 31a is then fastened to the free end of pin 3'.

In the same manner as previously described for the first embodiment of the modular waste receptacle, a second bin 2 is then placed onto pin 3 such that raised formation 23' of said bin substantially surrounds large diameter section 38' with reduced cross-section segments 34', 35' of the connecting pin entering upwardly into the obliquely extending recesses 232 provided on said raised formation 23' on that bin and end cap 31 a being located substantially within hood 234 of said raised formation. Once correctly positioned around connecting pin 3', the bins 2 are oriented in a back to back formation with their respective raised formations 23' and recessed portions 24 in engagement as described previously. In this arrangement, connection of the first and second bins of the modular waste receptacle is achieved by pushing end cap 31a inwardly so that pin 3' is slidably advanced linearly along its longitudinal axis thus placing large diameter sections 36', 38' of said connecting pin into a barring position within the circular apertures 232 of raised formation 23' on the second bin, thus preventing said second bin from being disengaged from pin 3'. Once connecting pin 3' is fully advanced in this way, with end wall 50a in abutment with a side wall 231 of raised formation 23', protuberance 53 on resilient spring clip 51 of barrel 50 will be in slidable engagement with the complementary detents 235 provided in raised formation 23' and so the respective bins will be securely fastened together with detents 235, in cooperation with spring clip 51 , acting as a stay to keep pin 3' in position when the bins are locked together. To unlock and detach the bins from each other, knob 31 ' on the opposing end of connecting pin 3' is pushed inwardly thereby sliding pin 3' in a reverse direction which disengages spring clip 51 from detents 235 provided in raised formation 23' of the first bin and which places reduced cross- section segments 34', 35' of the pin in alignment with the respective obliquely extending recesses 232 of the second bin which can then be easily decoupled from the remaining assembly once its respective lid 4' is raised and folded back. By housing knob 31' and end cap 31a of connecting pin 3' substantially within hoods 234, inadvertent locking and unlocking of bins 2 though accidental movement of said pin is obviated.

In the modular waste receptacle 1 of the present invention, the terminal rim 21 of bins 2 (Figure 2) can have a circumference which substantiality corresponds to the aerial opening of a standard bin bag or bin liner which can be placed within the bin with the bag or liner aerial opening can be stretched around the downturned peripheral lip 22 to ensure secure fitment. Indeed, bins 2 in accordance with the modular waste receptacle of the present invention may be readily manufactured in a variety of scaled up or down sizes that correspond with any one of a range of standardized bin bag or bin liner sizes.

It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred or exemplary embodiments thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular storage receptacle (1) comprising a plurality of bins (2), each bin having a lid (4, 4') and engaging means (23, 23'), wherein the bins are adapted to be releasably coupled to each other vja a connecting means (3, 3') and wherein each lid (4, 4') is adapted for pivotal mounting to the connecting means.

2. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the connecting means comprises a connecting pin (3, 3') and wherein the engaging means comprises a formation (23, 23') on each bin (2), wherein the formations (23, 23') are adapted for releasable engagement with the connecting pin (3, 3') so that bins (2) can be placed upon and decoupled from said connecting pin (3, 3').

3. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the connecting pin (3, 3') comprises an elongate rod having a series of large diameter sections (36, 36',

37, 38, 38', 39, 39', 40, 40') and a plurality of reduced cross-section segments (32, 33, 34, 34', 35, 35') wherein the reduced cross-section segments are interposed between consecutive large diameter sections.

4. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the undersides of the large diameter sections (36, 36', 37, 38, 38', 39, 39', 40, 40') are provided with a substantially flattened profile so that the overall height of the large diameter sections is partially reduced.

5. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a central large diameter section (36, 36') is adapted to receive lids (4, 4') which are pivotally mountable to the connecting pin (3, 3').

6. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the connecting pin (3, 3') is provided with a knob (31 , 31') at each end.

7. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 6, wherein one knob on the connecting pin (3') is a detachable end cap (31a) which is fastenable to the pin (3') by snap fitment, screw threads or by twist locking action.

8. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the connecting pin (3') further comprises an integrally formed barrel portion (50).

9. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the integrally formed barrel portion (50) comprises spaced apart end walls (50a, 50b) and a curved upper surface.

10. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the barrel portion (50) is provided with an integrally moulded resilient spring clip (51 ) comprising a hinge (52) at one end and a transversely arranged upwardly extending protuberance (53) on its free moving end, the protuberance (53) being adapted for releaseable engagement with complementary detent means provided on a formation (23') on a bin (2).

1 1. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the barrel portion (50) is further provided with lower sides (54) which are in the form of flattened extensions so as to prevent the pin (3') from rotating when the pin is in use.

12. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the formation (23, 23') provided on each bin (2) is a raised formation comprising spaced apart side walls (231) that are each provided with a recess (232) which provide a passage to a substantially circular aperture (233), the passage defined by each recess (232) having a width such that the reduced cross-section segments (32, 33, 34, 34' 35, 35') or the large diameter sections (36', 39') of the connecting pin (3, 3') are capable of being entered into the formation (23, 23') thus placing connecting pin (3, 3') in alignment with the substantially circular apertures (233) through which it is slidably mountable.

13. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 12, wherein recesses (232) are obliquely extending.

14. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the raised formations (23') are substantially cylindrical in shape.

15. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the raised formations (23') are provided with a hood portion (234) which extends laterally from said formation.

16. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the underside of the raised formation (23') is provided with a plurality of detents (235) which are arranged transverse the longitudinal axis of said formation, the detents being adapted for engagement with a spring clip (51) provided on the connecting pin (3¹).

17. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 16, wherein the raised formation (23, 23') projects outwardly to a level beyond the outer edge of a peripheral lip (22) provided on the pin (2).

18. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein each lid (4, 4') comprises a flange (43) on its underside and a substantially vertical face (42) on its rear edge.

19. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 18, wherein each lid (4, 4') further comprises a rear flange (43) on its underside and a complementary groove (445) on its upper surface, wherein the complementary groove is adapted to receive a lower edge of the rear flange (43) so that the lids (4, 4') are stackable on top of one another when the lids are disassembled from the modular storage receptacle (1) for storage or transportation purposes.

20. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein the substantially vertical face (42) is provided with spaced apart hinge members (44, 44') which extend outwardly from said face, the spaced apart hinge members (44, 44') being adapted for engagement with a large diameter section (36, 36') of a connecting pin (3, 3') about which the lids are pivotally mountable.

21. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the spaced apart hinge members (44, 44') each comprise spaced apart side walls (441 , 441 ', 441") wherein at least one side wall (441 , 441') comprises a C-shaped clasp having a recess (442) that terminates in a substantially circular bearing surface (443).

22. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the spaced apart hinge members (44, 44') each comprise spaced apart side walls (441 , 441 ', 441 ") wherein at least one side wall (441 , 441') comprises a C-shaped clasp having a recess (442) that terminates in a substantially circular bearing surface (443) and wherein the other side wall (441 ") is annular in shape.

23. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the spaced apart hinge members (44, 44') each comprise spaced apart side walls (441 , 441 ', 441 ") wherein both side walls (441 , 441 ') comprise a C-shaped clasp having a recess (442) that terminates in a substantially circular bearing surface (443).

24. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 23, wherein the C-shaped clasps are resilient clasps with recesses (442) having a width such that the respective hinge members (44) are capable of being snap-fitted onto the connecting pin (3) about which they pivot.

25. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge members (44, 44') on the respective lids (4, 4') are arranged in an interleaving manner when mounted to a connecting pin (3, 3').

26. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein locking of the bins (2) together is effected by slidably advancing connecting pin (3, 3') linearly along its longitudinal axis thus placing large diameter sections (36, 36' 27, 38, 38' 39, 40) of the connecting pin (3, 3') into a barring position with the circular apertures 233 of the formations (23, 23') such that the bins (2) are prevented from disengaging from the connecting pin (3, 3').

27. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 26, wherein stops (361 , 52a, 52b) are integrally provided on the connecting pin (3, 3') define locked and unlocked positions of the connecting pin (3, 3') when the pin is moved between unlocked and locked positions, respectively.

28. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in Claim 26 or in Claim 27, wherein advancing connecting pin (3') along its longitudinal axis causes the transversely arranged upwardly extending protuberance (53) on the spring clip (51 ) of barrel (50) to enter into releaseable engagement with the complementary detents provided on the formation (23') on a bin (2) so that in cooperation with said detents (235), spring clip (51 ) acts as a stay to keep the pin in position when the bins are locked together.

29. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 28, wherein advancing connecting pin (3, 3') is effected by pushing on knobs (31 , 31 ', 31a).

30. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 29, wherein the knobs (31', 31a) are housed substantially within the hood portions (234) provided on raised formations (23') so that inadvertent locking and unlocking of the bins through accidental movement of the pin (3') is obviated.

31. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein each bin (2) further comprise a catch member (222) and a recessed portion

(223) which are adapted to mutually engage with respective corresponding recessed portions (223) and catch member (222) provided on additional bins so that additional bins or indeed additional modular storage receptacles can be attached to the modular storage receptacle (1 ).

32. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the catch member (222) and a recessed portion (223) are provided on a peripheral lip (22) provided on each bin (2).

33. A modular storage receptacle (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each bins (2) of the modular storage receptacle (1 ) are provided with a terminal rim (21) having a circumference which substantiality corresponds to the aerial opening of a standard bin bag or bin liner which is suitable for use within each bin (2).

34. A modular storage receptacle (1) as claimed in Claim 33, wherein the downturned peripheral lip (22) of each bin is adapted to receive the aerial opening of a bin bag or bin liner placed within the bin (2), whereby stretching of the aerial opening around the peripheral lip (22) ensures secure fitment of the bag or liner to the bin.

35. A modular storage receptacle substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.