WO2010020973A1

WO2010020973A1 - A compartmentalised wheelie bin with interlocking lids

Info

Publication number: WO2010020973A1
Application number: PCT/IE2008/000079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bob O'connell
Original assignee: O'shaughnessy, Myles
Priority date: 2008-08-22
Filing date: 2008-08-22
Publication date: 2010-02-25
Also published as: EP2326577A1; EP2326577B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid assembly constructed to facilitate compartmentalisation of a wheelie bin, to allow separate opening and closure of compartments either side of a central hinge axis, to allow the securing of either lid independently in the open or closed position, and to prevent the ingress of rain or other precipitation into the internal compartments when the lids are in the closed position.

Description

A compartmentalised wheelie bin with interlocking lids

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a compartmentalised wheeled container (Figures 1 & 2) that allows for the efficient sorting of waste and recyclable materials in one unit.

Refuse containers or wheelie bins as they are commonly known are used often to transport waste and recyclables from the household to the kerbside for collection. The bins are typically emptied by a truck with either an arm with jaws or a comb- like apparatus with a clamp. Multiple wheelie bins or containers such as sacks or plastic boxes are used to segregate the different waste materials prior to collection causing clutter on the pavements and necessitating the lifting of unspecified weights, both of which can be hazardous. Paper can be particularly heavy when wet. Terraced housing estates with narrow streets are vulnerable to the above issues to a greater degree because of the lack of space.

Object of the invention

It is therefore the object of the present invention to remove these hazards and allow waste to be recycled at source in one unit while maintaining the ease of use and mobility of existing wheelie bins. The invention may be made from any suitable material such as metal or plastics. Typically the material is corrosion resistant and can be sourced from recycled materials.

Brief Summary

The invention relates to a wheelie bin with separate compartments and two lids. Drainage channels are used to keep the contents free from rain contamination. The bin is compatible with standard bin lifting and emptying equipment. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a side view of the invention and contains aspects of the lids (A3 & A4), wheels (Figure A8), T-piece (A5 & A6), reinforced lifting section (A2), wheel axles (A9) and pivot bar (A10) around which the lids operate. Figure 2 shows the handles (B11) and the reinforcing ribs (B10).

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the bin body and shows the handles (B11), reinforced lifting section (A2), wheel housings (C12 ) and axle housings (C13), T- piece retaining slot (C15) and T-piece block retaining slot (C14). Figure 4 shows a cutaway of the bin showing the body (A1) with the wet side lid (A3) in the open position resting on the closed dry side lid (A4). The open lid is prevented from pivoting by the top of the T-piece (J1) which will only allow the lids to pivot when both are fully open.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the bin with the wet lid (A3) in the open position resting on the closed lid (A4). Figure 6 shows both lids in a closed aspect with the sections F3 and F4. The pivot bar(A10) can also be seen.

Figure 7 shows the top section of the T-piece water drainage channels (J1), retaining block (J2) and pivot bar holes (J3). Figure 8 shows a side view of the T-piece assembly with drainage channels (J1 ), retaining block (J2), axle holes (J3), retaining bolt holes (J 10) and upper part of separator section (A6).

Figure 9 shows a front view of the T-piece (A5) assembly with drainage channels (J1), retaining block (J2), pivot bar holes (J3), retaining bolt holes (J10) and separator section (A6). Figure 10 shows lids (A3 and A4) and a section of the main body.

Figure 11 shows a lid in the interlocked/closed position and a section of the main body. The figure is cutaway to show the lid handle (P1 ) and the distance it travels (X) before buffering against the bin body. The lip A1 can also be seen interlocking with the lid in this aspect. The reinforced lifting section (A2) can be seen cutaway with the reinforcing ribs also visible.

Figure 12 shows a side view of the bin body with the drainage angle of the rim (Y)-

Figure 13 shows the two lids interlocking with one (A4) in the open aspect and the other (A3) in the closed aspect. The T-piece can also be seen and the section that restricts the open lid from pivoting during emptying is denoted by (Z).

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention comprises a lid assembly and a wheelie bin dividing insert and a drainage facility. The lid assembly comprises two lids mounted either side of a central hinge. For the purposes of discussion, each lid has a an end which is proximal with respect to the hinge and an end which is distal from the hinge.

Each lid is designed with a female lip (Figure 4 D1 ) at the distal rim. Each lid has hinge sections at the proximal end through which the hinge is threaded. The hinge aperture is in a slotted configuration in order to allow both rotation of the lid about the hinge axis and movement of the lid substantially in the plain of the lid (Figure 5). The hinge is mounted and secured on a T-piece which has supporting blocks at either end for this purpose. Drainage channels run on either side of the hinge bar and these channels also accommodate the slotted sections at the proximal end of each lid when in both the open and closed positions. Furthermore the drainage channels are designed to prevent pivotal movement of the lids when they are in the secured position. Each lid may also have one or more recessed handles in a wedge shaped configuration tapered towards the proximal end of the lid which may also act as supporting and strengthening ribs. When both lids are in the closed configuration, the proximal ends interlock (Figure 6). The T-piece sits on top of the dividing insert (Figure 8). Each lid may be colour coded for identification purposes.

The invention further comprises a wheelie bin body designed to accommodate the lid assembly described above. Two female slotted sections are incorporated into the rim of the bin aperture to accommodate the T-piece supporting blocks of the lid assembly. A channel to accommodate the dividing piece is located on the internal walls and floor of the bin, thereby allowing the T-piece and divider to be connected to the bin in a watertight and secure manner. The bin has four wheels mounted just above the base and are placed so as to be raised off the ground when the bin is in the upright position The wheels are secured to the bin with axles which are threaded through moulded housings in the floor of the bin and run the width of the bin base. The bin body has handles placed at either end to allow the bin to be moved from either end by tilting the bin onto a pair of wheels at the relevant end. These handles may be incorporated in the reinforced lifting section. The bin body also has two male lip sections to accommodate the female lips at the distal end of each lid. The bin has moulded sections to allow it to be utilised by standard bin lifting equipment. The bin may be tapered for stacking to allow for ergonomic transportation of large quantities.

Either lid may be opened by drawing it substantially horizontally away from the hinge before raising said lid. The butt end of the wedge shaped handle on the lid may act as a buffer against the bin wall to prevent unnecessary wear or stress to the hinge (Figure 11 ). The lid may then be then lowered with respect to the hinge so that the end of the hinge slots furthest from the main body of the lid rests in the drainage channels of the T-piece to brace the lid in the open position for filling the relevant partition of the container. The lid may be secured in the closed position by lowering it on to the bin and pushing it substantially horizontally towards the hinge, so that the female lip of the bin receives the male lip of the container rim. The rim of the container is angled so that both lids are inclined downwards towards the hinge to allow rain to flow towards the drainage channels on the T-piece and also to prevent standing water on the lids or in the lid handles (Figure 12). When one lid is opened fully it lies flat on the closed lid and their respective hinges interlock (Figure 13). When the closed lid is in the secure position with its securing lip engaged with the container lip and the hinge bar positioned at the end of the hinge slot nearest the main body of the closed lid. The open lid is also secured in position by the combination of the interlocking hinges and the position of the hinge bar. The open lid is also prevented from pivoting by the T-piece raised section between the drainage channels (Z) which is designed to accommodate the slotted hinge sections of the lids. Strengthening ribs may be used on the bin for secure operation and longevity. The lid assembly and container may be made from metal or plastic or a combination of both or any other materials that fulfil the necessary requirements and standards.

Claims

1. An apparatus for retaining waste, recyclables or other materials separably in a compartmentalised container comprising; two opposing interconnecting lids, arranged either side of a central axis, each interconnecting lid having members projecting from the lid substantially in the plane of the lid, the members having slotted apertures allowing the lid to rotate around a hinge axis and also to move perpendicular to the hinge axis substantially in the plane of the lid, and wherein the projecting members of each lid alternate with the members of the opposing lid with respect to the hinge axis, the outer rim of each lid on the side opposite the hinge axis being downwardly and inwardly curved to receive a lip on said container to secure the lid in the closed position, each lid further comprising one or more recessed strengthening ribs extending downwards in a substantially wedge-like recess, deepening towards the outer rim of the lid, the ribs being sufficiently wide to allow them to act as handles for drawing the lid outward from the hinge in the substantially horizontal orientation, the ribs further acting as buffers to prevent stress or damage to the slotted hinge apertures as the lid is drawn horizontally outwards from the hinge during opening; a dividing piece, shaped and formed to fit said container, atop of which is attached a T-piece with drainage channels on either side and locking blocks at either end also shaped and formed to fit the container, the locking blocks comprising securing bolt holes, the drainage channels being positioned lower but parallel to the hinge axis to receive the inner end of the slotted hinge apertures on a lid to secure the lid when it is in the open position, the channels being wide enough to catch water runoff when the lids are drawn substantially horizontally away from the hinge; the dividing piece being fitted securely in complementary locating channels on said container, the joins between the dividing piece and said container being sealed so as to be watertight, the dividing piece further comprising a pivot bar, which acts as said hinge axis for the interconnecting lids, housed in the dividing piece, which allows the two opposable interconnecting lids, each covering compartments of said container which are set either side of the pivot bar, to slide and pivot for locking and/or opening the lids against a complimentary lip on the container so as to keep each compartment of the container's contents protected from the rain when closed.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the dividing piece and the T- piece are manufactured in two separate components.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the dividing piece and the T- piece are manufactured as a single component.

4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the plane of the lid in the closed position rises from the horizontal as the lid extends away from the hinge, in an amount sufficient to compensate for the deviation of the strengthening ribs from the plane of the lid, so as to prevent the pooling of water in the ribs.

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 which is made from metal or plastics or any combination of these materials.

6 A wheeled refuse container comprising the apparatus of any of claims 1 to

5. further comprising internal channels for securing and fastening the dividing piece, complimentary lips extending outwards from the sides of rim of the container parallel to the hinge axis, which are received by the outer rim of the lid in the closed position such as to secure the lid when in the closed position and during handling of the container and to further prevent ingress of water into the container, handles mounted on the sides of the container furthest from the hinge, the handles being mounted below the lip of the container four wheels, positioned at the base of the container, substantially at each corner of the base, each wheel being raised off the ground when the container is in the upright position, but two of which come into contact with the ground when the container is tipped, to allow the container to be moved when held by its handles; and a lifting housing and reinforced section underneath the lips of the container, allowing the container to be emptied with standard wheelie bin lifting equipment, the lifting housing comprising handles for the tipping and manipulation of the container.

7. A container according to claim 6 further comprising a housing for accommodating chip technology for the tracking and weighing of the contents of said container.

8. A container according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the compartments either side of the hinge axis are further separated with dividing pieces.

9. A container as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8 which is made from metal or plastics or any combination of these materials.

10. An apparatus for retaining waste, recyclables or other materials separably in a compartmentalised container, substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A wheeled refuse container substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.