WO2011070311A1

WO2011070311A1 - Wheelie bin cover

Info

Publication number: WO2011070311A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/002155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dina Astle
Original assignee: Dina Astle
Priority date: 2009-12-08
Filing date: 2010-11-22
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: GB2476047B; GB2476047A; GB0921479D0

Abstract

A bin cover device fitted to a wheelie bin lid which enables a variety of simulated trailing plastic to be attached in order to flow over the bin lid and down the sides to give the impression of a large trailing flowerpot. The trailing plants (1) are attached in this example by ring fixtures (3) with plastic clips (4) to a removable rail (2), which can be removed from the base unit (5) by a quick release button (6) which is fixed to the top of the bin Hd magnetically using magnets within the base unit and one on the underside of the lid.

Description

Wheelie Bin Cover

Background

This invention relates to a removable wheelie bin cover.

Wheelie bins are quite large and unsightly. Most people now have at least two or three and many people are not able to hide them in a rear garden, which means that they take up a large amount of space at the front of people's houses or in their front gardens. The look of

previously well-kept and pretty front and rear gardens is often ruined by the garish appearance of large wheelie bins. For people with small front gardens and no outdoor access to the rear this is a particular problem. The current antipathy towards the wheelie bin has, in some areas in the UK resulted in anti-wheelie bin demonstrations and marches by residents

Statement of invention

To overcome the unsightly appearance of the wheelie bins/bins the present invention proposes an appropriately shaped rail with several ring attachments, which move around the rail, to which plastic trailing simulated plants/flowers are fixed by plastic clips/ties or an alternative appropriate method. The trailing simulated plants drape over the bin lid and down the sides of the wheelie bin giving the bin the appearance of a large trailing flowerpot. The rail is attached by an appropriate fixing mechanism to a base, which is fixed to the bin lid by magnets, or strong adhesive, screws, or an alternative appropriate method. The ring attachments to which the ivy is attached are easily moved around the rail to the sides enabling the bin to be opened without obstruction from the plants. On bin collection days the rail and the plants are easily removed by an appropriate release mechanism in the base and then replaced as easily when the bin has been emptied.

Description.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings. Please note, the drawings are for prototype use and are subject to change as are sizes and shapes of components as well as materials at the discretion of D. Astle or the current Directors of Challenge Interactive Multimedia Ltd and any persons authorised to do so by those parties. Figure 1

Shows a wheelie bin without the trailing ivy cover.

Figure 2

Shows a wheelie bin with the trailing ivy cover.

Figure 3

Shows the fixture, which will fit on top of the wheelie bin lid, to which the trailing plants are fixed.

The removable rail (1) is fitted in to the base by a release locking/release mechanism. (Though if desired it could be permanently attached to the base, so long as the base was easily removed from the bin lid). The base (2) is fitted to the bin lid magnetically with one part on the top of the lid, the other on the underneath side. The fixing of the base can also be achieved by a variety of other appropriate methods. The magnetic option is preferable in case of problems with the release mechanism for the rail. This will enable the whole attachment to be removed easily should the need arise. The simulated trailing ivy and flowers are attached to adjustable clips/ties (3) enabling a variety of widths to be accommodated and also enable the ivy to flow over the bin cover attachment so that it not visible and also over the bin lid and down the sides. (See Figure 2 and Figure 4). The rings (4) with trailing ivy attached are easily moved around the rail to the sides which is necessary when the bin lid needs to be opened to put in refuse. As you can see from Figure 3., additional fixing rings (4) can be attached if required as they simply slide off the rail unit when it is detached from the base. On bin collection days the release mechanism (5) is used to detach the rail and plants from the bin lid easily and then fit it back on when the bin has been emptied.

Figure 4

Shows the simulated trailing ivy (1.) attached to one of the moveable rings (3) which is attached to the removable rail,(2.) flowing over the bin attachment and consequently over the top of the bin lid and down the sides. The ivy is attached to the rings by the plastic clips (4.) (Also see Figure 2). The removable rail (2) is shown fixed to the base component (5.) and can be easily removed by using the quick release button (6.) A variety of ivy plants and trailing flowers (1) can be used to give the bins a more attractive appearance. Figure 5.

Shows an aerial view of the wheelie bin cover mechanism.

Figures 6,7 and 8.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show eye level views of bin lid cover mechanism.

The advantages of this invention are that the wheelie bin can become a feature of the garden rather than an eyesore. Consequently the device may encourage people to be more enthusiastic about recycling, rather than resenting having to do so because of the appearance of their bin. The cover is easily removed and replaced on bin collection days. The moveable plants on the rail make it easy to open and close the bin without obstruction. The simulated plants give an authentic look of a trailing plant pot to the wheelie bin and they do not need any cleaning or maintenance.

Claims

Claims.

1. A bin cover device including a rail or track, a base and simulated plants and flowers wherein the appropriately shaped rail or track is fitted to a base unit which is detachably fixed to a bin lid which enables the simulated plants and flowers to be attached to fittings on the rail and moved around the rail enabling the trailing plants to flow over the bin lid and down the sides of a bin in a decorative manner giving the bin the appearance of a large trailing flowerpot.

2. A bin cover device according to claim 1 wherein the rail is easily detached from the base by a quick release mechanism to enable the trailing plants and flowers to be removed easily and then replaced on bin collection days.

3. A bin cover device according to claim 1, wherein the rail has a similar appearance to a curtain rail from which trailing plants of various widths can be attached to the rail by ring fittings and adjustable plastic clips enabling the trailing plants to be moved around the rail easily which enables the bin lid to be opened easily when necessary without obstruction from the plants.

4. A bin cover device according to claim 1, wherein the base unit is magnetically fixed to the bin lid by the use of one magnet inside the base unit which is attached to the top of the bin lid and one magnet fixed to the inside of the bin lid, to ensure that the whole unit can be removed easily should a problem arise with the quick release mechanism for the rail/track device.

5. A bin cover device according to claim 1, wherein various widths and types of trailing plants can be attached to the ring fixtures by the adjustable plastic clips and different types of trailing plants can be used to give a more decorative effect to the bin.

6. A bin cover device according to claim 1, wherein the device can be used with a variety of different sizes of bins and wheelie bins.

7. A bin cover device according to claim 1 wherein additional ring fittings can be added to the rail if required.

8. A bin cover device according to claim 1, wherein the rail or track is permanently attached to the base unit.