WO2016085342A1

WO2016085342A1 - Disposing device for placing adjacent to a urinal

Info

Publication number: WO2016085342A1
Application number: PCT/NL2015/050829
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christiaan Leendert VAN BEEST
Original assignee: Bokhorst Installatietechniek B.V.
Priority date: 2014-11-27
Filing date: 2015-11-26
Publication date: 2016-06-02
Also published as: WO2016085342A4; NL2013888B1

Abstract

Disposing device (40) for placing adjacent to a urinal comprising a waste basket (15) having an inner space (16) and a dispose opening (14) in a side (41) providing access to said inner space (16), wherein said waste basket (15) comprises means for actively uptaking waste through said dispose opening (14), and said disposing device (40) comprises a vertical panel (10) for partitioning urinals.

Description

DISPOSING DEVICE FOR PLACING ADJACENT TO A URINAL

Field of the invention

The present invention is in the field of a disposing device for use adjacent to a urinal.

Background of the invention

Urinals are predominantly used by males for urinating. A urinal is convenient in use because only part of the clothing needs to be removed before use of the urinal and one can stay upright when using the urinal. This in comparison to a regular toilet where more clothes need to be removed and a seated position is to be assumed during use.

A disadvantage of urinals is that after urinating the penis of a male can still drip. If clothing is pulled up again over the penis, the post urinating drip can be absorbed by

clothing. The drip can cause discomfort, unpleasant odour, stains and hygienic problems.

US2009/0199329 and EP1508647A1 solve this problem by providing a tissue dispenser in reach from the urinal for cleaning the penis. Optionally a waste basket is added for used tissues.

A disadvantage of US2009/0199329 and EP1508647A1 is that it is cumbersome to install the waste basket, vertical urinal partition and optional tissue dispenser.

KR100814614B1 solves the same problem by providing a cabinet which is placed between two urinals. The cabinet provides a tissue dispenser and a waste basket for used tissues .

A disadvantage of KR100814614B1 is that it cannot be placed between already installed urinals due the limited space available between urinals. Another disadvantage of

KR100814614B1 is that the distance between newly installed urinals needs to be larger to accommodate a partition

according to KR100814614B1. A further disadvantage of

KR100814614B1 is that a person, preferably a male, might have difficulty reaching over for a tissue from the tissue

dispenser while keeping his penis above the urinal.

JP 2000 070 185 A recites a system to hygienically dispose urine stuck to a urinal after urination by a method wherein a urinal is attached on a wall surface in a toilet space, and at the same time, a wiping paper installation part to provide wiping papers is provided on at least either one of the urinal or the wall surface in the vicinity of the urinal. This system relates to a totally different problem. In addition the solution does not remove waste in an active mode, and there is no physical separation between adjacent urinals, which is considered not hygienic and not private.

US 2004/177,467 A recites a vacuum device with a housing. The housing forms an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The housing also forms a viewable compartment for retaining refuse vacuumed by the device. A vacuum motor is located in the housing. The vacuum motor has a suction inlet and a vent outlet. The suction inlet is connected to the viewable

compartment. Such relates to a prior art standalone uptake system which may be shared by users. The documents relats to a totally different field of technology, namely to further automate cleaning processes, such as certain of the manual efforts required for sweeping, collecting, gathering, and disposing of refuse via broom and dustpan.

US 7,174,602 B recites a acuum trash insertion receptacle includes an aesthetically shaped housing providing a trash tube for the insertion and transportation of garbage to a trash receptacle assembly. A control assembly in communication with a gate monitoring assembly, an interactive module

assembly, a vacuum assembly, and an indicator assembly, controls the functioning of the vacuum trash insertion

receptacle. The gate monitoring assembly provides information on the presence of garbage being inserted. The vacuum assembly provides a vacuum to the trash tube. The interactive module assembly provides audio feedback to a user of the vacuum trash insertion receptacle. The indicator assembly provides

information regarding the level of stored trash currently in the trash receptacle assembly. Apparently this device is used for theme parks and the like, in order to stimulate people and most likely kids to remove trash in an attractive way.

JP 07 097 002 A recites a circular trash basket which is formed of a trash basket main body, and a cover body installed freely detachably on its upper surface. The cover body has two pairs of photocells facing each other at a circular top part, and a circular air jet tube is disposed at a circumferential edge part of a center aperture part. In the meanwhile, a trash containing bag is installed inside the trash basket main body. In using the trash basket, when waste such as releasing paper is charged through the center aperture part compressed air is jetted from the air jet tube toward the center. As a result, an upper part of the trash basket has a negative pressure, and the trash is sucked down to be stored at a bottom part of the trash basket main body. The problem of this invention relates to putting trash such as releasing paper that clings to a hand or the like by static electricity into a trash basket easily^" and securely by disposing air blow holes to blow air toward the center at a circumferential edge part of an aperture part through which the trash is put for setting an upper part of the waste basket at a negative pressure for the trash to be sucked down. Such is a totally different problem from the present invention. In addition the device is considered unsuited for placement in urinals.

KR 101 373 847 B recites a partition used by being

installed on a side of a urinal which is mainly used by a man. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a toilet partition using a waste paper bin and wastebasket assembly capable of providing personal sanitary control convenience by making a man to treat residual urine after urinating by combining the partition with a water paper bin and a

wastebasket. The toilet partition installed between the urinals includes: a support body having supporters fixed to a wall surface and protruding forward from the lower both sides; a waste paper bin which has a toilet paper storage space having an opening on the rear side and a discharging hole in a lower part of the front side, has protrusions coupled to two coupling grooves formed vertical to the supporter on both sides of the rear side, and has a mounted groove in the lower part so as to be inserted into the mounted jaw in the upper part of the supporter; and a wastebasket which has a holding jaw inserted into the guide groove between a pair of guide protrusions formed downward of the both supporters and facing each other so as to have an insertion space upward between the supporters. Also, an upper partition is integrated with the toilet paper bin on the front and the top of the waste paper bin. A lower partition is integrated with the wastebasket on the front and the bottom of the wastebasket. The guide

protrusion forming the guide groove includes: an upper guide protrusion formed front to be short; a lower guide protrusion having a holding space on the rear side; and a stopper formed on the rear side of the holding jaw formed in the wastebasket and installed and held in the holding space. Therefore, the toilet partition is not separated from the wastebasket.

Despite that some partitioning is provided this is considered insufficient. In addition a hygienic removal of waste paper is only partly possible.

DE 20 2012 010 592 U recites a urinal cleaning station. This is meant to clean urine after urinating and it contains a cover that is opened automatically. A receiving container is then available for receiving a piece of paper or the like. This device is in a different field of technology and does not seem to relate to the present problems.

A disadvantage of the above prior art of a waste basket is that a used tissue may fall on an edge of the waste basket. A person has then to pick the tissue up again and dispose of the tissue correctly or the tissue stays on the edge and sticks out of the waste basket. Both ways may cause a hygienic problem. Another disadvantage is that for accurately throwing away used tissues a hand of a person has to come close to the opening of a waste basket. A person coming such close to a rim of the waste basket may come in contact with the rim. This contact may also cause a hygienic problem.

Therefore there still is a need for improved waste baskets adjacent to urinals, which overcome one or more of the above disadvantages, without jeopardizing functionality and

advantages.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to provide an improvement over the prior art waste baskets adjacent to a urinal. The disposing device according to the present invention of claim 1 provides such improvements.

In a first aspect of the invention disposing device for placing adjacent to a urinal comprising a waste basket having an inner space, and a dispose opening in a side providing access to said inner space wherein that said waste basket comprises means for uptaking waste through said dispose opening.

Adjacent in the context of this application is near or in contact with a urinal. Near a urinal in the context of this application should be read as a distance smaller than 2 meters, preferably smaller than 1.5 meter, more preferably smaller than 1 meter, most preferably 0.5 meter.

Waste in the context of this application is predominantly a wipe or tissue used for wiping the penis clean from urine for preventing post urinal drip, although other waste might as well be considered. Other waste may be a cigarette butt, tissues for cleaning a face or nose, or other waste common to be disposed of in a space having a urinal.

A urinal in the context of this application can be

understood to relate to a male or female urinal. Where male is stated, female may be read as well. For clarification, the post urinating drip for a male comes from his penis and for a female from her vagina and/or labia. Furthermore a urinal is used upright by a male as well as a female.

An effect of combining a waste basket with uptaking means is that a hand of a person disposing of a used tissue can stay further away from the rim of the waste basket minimizing the change the hand comes in contact with the rim. A further effect of the invention is that a used tissue partly sticking through the dispose opening and partly sticking out of the dispose opening is taken up by the waste basket preventing the need for a person to pick the used tissue again.

The disposing machine comprises a vertical panel for partitioning urinals and the waste basket is integrated in the panel, preferably incorporated in the panel. In an exemplary embodiment the vertical panel typically has a height of 30-150 cm, preferably 50-120 cm, such as 60-100 cm. In an exemplary embodiment the vertical panel typically has a width of 30-100 cm, preferably 40-80 cm, such as 50-70 cm.

The uptake means comprise a mangle for uptaking waste. In the context of this application the mangle is primarily used for transporting the waste from the opening to a waste baskets inner space. The distance between rollers of the mangle may be adaptable to prevent squeezing of waste during uptake.

Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Advantages of the present description are detailed

throughout the description.

Detailed description of the invention

In an exemplary embodiment the waste basket comprises gobbling means for gobbling waste through the opening. This provides as advantage ease of disposing of waste. A

disadvantage from prior art waste baskets is that e.g. a lit has to be pushed to dispose of waste causing hygienic problems and/or waste to be trapped between lid and waste basket opening. A further advantage is that the present gobbling means prevent waste disposed of to stay in the opening.

Another advantage of the present invention is the contactless disposal of waste.

In an exemplary embodiment the uptake means comprise a pump for inducing a suction air flow through the opening. Suction is found to be an easy and cost effective way of providing an uptake. The pump can be used for sucking air along and/or through the opening. In case the pump generates an air flow along the opening the suction is created by the Venturi effect. Examples of a pump used in the invention is an axial pump, a centrifugal pump, a blower or a fan.

The waste basket may be placed on an outside of the panel forming an integral part or placed on an inside of the panel forming an incorporated part.

A problem near urinals is the amount of space. An advantage of integrating and incorporating is miniaturization of the disposing device to fit in or on a panel.

In an exemplary embodiment the panel comprises a first side facing a urinal, a second side and a third side, wherein the second side connects the first and third sides and comprises fixation means for fixating the panel to a support.

An advantage of combining the present waste basket and panel is that less fixation means have to be used to fixate to the support, such as a rear wall, a ceiling and/or a floor. This provides the advantage of easy installation and less changes to the support. A further advantage is the ease of access to the dispose opening for a human being, such as a male using a urinal next to the vertical urinal partition. An advantage is that a male after urinating can comfortable reach the dispose opening for disposing of his used wipe minimizing or preventing hygienic problems due to contact between panel and/or waste basket.

A panel thickness is generally equal to a width of the second side. The thickness of the panel can vary over the length of the second side. The maximum thickness of the panel is preferably 30-400mm, more preferably 50-300mm, even more preferably 100-200mm.

The panel may comprise several materials, such as iron, steel, plastic, ceramics, pottery, and/or wood.

In an exemplary embodiment the dispose opening is arranged to the first side providing the advantage of an ergonomic access to the waste basket.

In an exemplary embodiment the partition is provided with a second dispose opening arranged to the third side. This provides the advantage of having access to the waste basket from both sides of the partition. Depending on the

arrangement, if present, the uptake means can be shared by the dispose openings or each dispose opening might have its own uptake means.

In an exemplary embodiment the vertical urinal partition comprises a holder for holding wipes, preferably arranged to the first side. This provides the advantage of a further easing of installation of the vertical urinal partition. Only the vertical urinal partition needs to be fixated to the support, such as a rear wall, a ceiling and/or a floor. This in comparison to individually installing the vertical urinal partition, waste basket and holder to the support. The holder is preferably arranged to the first side to provide the advantage of ease of access for a human, preferably a male using the urinal next to the vertical urinal partition. The advantage is that drip from the penis of a male after

urinating will fall in the urinal.

The holder has in an exemplary embodiment a cover for covering the wipes if not used. In a further embodiment the holder is automated with a sensor automatically dispensing wipes if needed, providing the advantage of contactless providing wipes. The sensor might be shared with the uptake and/or flush activation of the urinal, providing the advantage of one sensor for activating multiple functions.

In an exemplary embodiment the wipes are tissues. Tissues according to the invention comprise tissues which are suitable to absorb urine and/or are wet tissues and/or are hygienic tissues which optionally hold a disinfecting substance.

In an exemplary embodiment the holder is a toilet roll holder. This provides the advantage of using a standardized measure and size.

In an exemplary embodiment the first side comprises a recess having the holder arranged in the recess. A holder holding wipes might protrude from the panel. Placing the holder in the recess provides the effect of a less or not protruding holder. A less or not protruding holder provides the advantage of reducing the risk of a male using next to the partition the urinal to bump into the holder.

In an exemplary embodiment the holder has a dispense opening for dispensing the wipes on a top, a side and/or a bottom of the holder. The combination of the position of the holder relative to the (average) male using the wipes

dispensed from the holder and the side of the holder

dispensing the wipes the wipes are easier and more comfortably reached .

In an exemplary embodiment the vertical urinal partition comprises a second holder arranged to the third side. This provides the advantage of providing wipes to both sides of the vertical urinal partition, which is particularly beneficial if two urinals are positioned on either side of the vertical urinal partition. This second holder might also hold different wipes compared to the wipes of the first holder. This might be advantageously in case a urinal is positioned on one side of the vertical urinal partition and a hand wash basin on the other side.

In an exemplary embodiment the uptake means are in

electrical connection with a sensor for activation by a signal from the sensor. This sensor might be located in the panel as part of the vertical urinal partition or might be located in or near the support, such as a rear wall, a ceiling and/or a floor, or be part of the urinal. The signal of the sensor is used for activating the uptake means and might be used to trigger a flush of the urinal. The uptake means are put back in idle status after uptake, such as after 5 seconds, and remain in idle status until activation.

In an exemplary embodiment the vertical urinal partition comprises a power connection. This provides the advantage of having electrical power available. Preferable this power connection provides grid power with a nominal voltage like 230V in Europe, 120V in the US or 100V in Japan. The power connection provides the advantage of accessible grid power in a (semi-) wet environment, such as a space holding a urinal. For example additional lighting or electrical cleaning

equipment might be plugged in the power connection.

In an exemplary embodiment the vertical urinal partition comprises lighting means for lighting a part of a male using the urinal, the dispose opening, and/or any other object in the vicinity of the urinal. The presence of a body and/or an object might cast a shadow such as over the opening or over the urinal. A light provides the advantage of easing the visual recognition by the male using the vertical urinal.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will hereinafter be further explained with reference to the drawing of several figures which are

exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it will be clear that the scope of protection is defined by the appended claims which may comprise further variants. In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a disposing device.

Figure 2 shows an arrangement of urinals and partitions. Figure 3 shows a partition according to the invention in perspective view.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of a partition according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a partition according to the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments/drawings

Figure 1 shows a disposing device 40. The disposing device comprises a waste basket 15. The waste basket comprises a side 41 and a dispose opening 14 providing access to an inner space 16 of the waste basket. The disposing device further

comprising uptake means 42.

Figure 2 shows an arrangement of urinals 2, 2', 2", 2 ' ' ' and partitions 1, 1', 1''', 1'''. The partitions have a vertical orientation and are arranged between urinals to provide privacy to the users of the urinal. The partition 1 comprises a panel 10. The panel comprises a first side 11, a second side 12, 12', 12", 12'" and a third side 13. The second side connects the first and third side.

Figure 3 shows a partition 1 according to the invention in perspective view. The partition comprises a panel 10 and a waste basket 15. The panel comprises a first side 11 and a second side 12, 12'. The partition further comprises an dispose opening 14 arranged to the first side and providing access to an inner space 16 of the waste basket 15. The partition also comprises a sensor 17 arranged to sense the use of the urinal and to activate uptake means for uptaking waste through the dispose opening.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of a partition 1 according to the invention. The cross section of the partition shows an dispose opening 14 coupled with one end of a duct 21. The opposite end of the duct 21 coupled with an inner space 16 of a waste basket 15.

Furthermore a pump 20 is shown for pumping air and

generating a first air flow 31. The first air flow is lead into the duct and deflected by a deflector 22 in the direction of the inner space 16. The duct has in one embodiment a diameter of 9 cm. The movement of the first air flow in the direction of the inner space creates an under pressure above the deflector. This under pressure causes a second air flow 33 through the dispose opening to the inner space 16. The first and second air flow together form the air flow 32 into the inner space.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a partition 1 according to the invention. Although the arrangement of the parts in this embodiment is different from figure 3, the working is similar .

List of reference numerals

1, 1' , 1' ' ' , 1" ' vertical urinal partition

2, 2', 2", 2'" urinal

10 panel

11 first side

12,12', 12", 12"' second side

13 third side

14 dispose opening

15 waste basket

16 inner space

17 sensor

20 pump

21 duct

22 deflector

31 first air flow

32 first and second air flow

33 second air flow

40 disposing device

41 waste basket side

42 uptake means

Claims

1. Disposing device (40) for placing adjacent to a urinal comprising :

- a waste basket (15) having an inner space (16), and a dispose opening (14) in a side (41) providing access to said inner space;

characterized in that said waste basket comprises means for actively uptaking waste through said dispose opening (14), wherein said uptake means preferably comprise a mangle for uptaking waste, and

wherein said disposing device comprises a vertical panel

(10) for partitioning urinals.

2. Disposing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said uptake means comprise gobbling means.

3. Disposing device according to any of claims 1-2,

characterized in that said uptake means comprise a pump (20) for inducing a suction through said opening.

4. Disposing device according to any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that said waste basket is integrated in said panel .

5. Disposing device according to claims 4, characterized in wherein said waste basket is incorporated in said panel.

6. Disposing device according to claim 5, characterized in that said panel comprises a first side (11) facing a urinal (2), a second side (12) and a third side (13), wherein said second side connects said first and third sides and comprises fixation means for fixating said panel to a support.

7. Disposing device according to claim 6, characterized in that said dispose opening is arranged to said first side.

8. Disposing device according to claim 6, characterized in that said device provides a second dispose opening in said third side for uptaking waste through said second dispose opening .

9. Disposing device according to any of the claims 1-8, characterized in that said device comprises a holder for holding wipes such as tissues.

10. Disposing device according to claim 9, wherein said device comprises said first side according to any of the claims 6-8, characterized in that said first side comprises a recess having the holder arranged in said recess.

11. Disposing device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said device comprises said third side according to any of the claims 6-8, characterized in that said device comprises a second holder arranged to said third side.

12. Disposing device according to any of the claims 1-11, characterized in that said uptake means are in connection with a sensor (17) for activation by a signal from said sensor.

13. Disposing device according to any of the claims 1-11, characterized in that said device comprises a power

connection .

14. Disposing device according to any of the claims 1-13, characterized in that said device comprises lighting means for lighting a part of a male using said urinal.

15. Disposing device according to any of the claims 1-13, characterized in that said device comprises lighting means for lighting said opening.