AU2019202317A1

AU2019202317A1 - A recycling system

Info

Publication number: AU2019202317A1
Application number: AU2019202317A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew GRIFFITH
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-04
Filing date: 2019-04-03
Publication date: 2019-10-24

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wheelie bin recycling system. The system includes a wheelie bin and a recyclables container for containing eligible refundable containers (e.g. recyclable cans or bottles). Fastening means is provided for fastening the recyclables container to the wheelie bin so that the recyclables container is located within the bin. Advantageously, the recyclables container may be used to conveniently separate and store eligible refundable containers. Preferably, the container is easily removable so that it can be removed for transporting the recyclable containers to a recycling location for a refund, and then replaced as an empty container.

Description

2019202317 03 Apr 2019

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990

STANDARD SPECIFICATION

A RECYCLING SYSTEM

The following statement is a full description of this invention ί

2019202317 03 Apr 2019

A RECYCLING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to a recycling system for recycling eligible refundable containers.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Some jurisdictions offer a refund scheme to encourage the recycling of eligible refundable containers.

[0004] In Australia, a newly created Container Refund Scheme (CRS) seeks to increase recycling either already running or being introduced in SA, NSW, ACT, QLD, WA and the NT.

[0005] The preferred embodiment provides a means to increase participation in the CRS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelie bin recycling system including:

a wheelie bin;

a recyclables container for containing eligible refundable containers (e.g. recyclable cans or bottles): and fastening means for fastening the recyclables container to the wheelie bin so that the recyclables container is located within the bin.

[0007] Advantageously, the recyclables container may be used to conveniently separate and store eligible refundable containers. Preferably, the container is easily

2019202317 03 Apr 2019 removable so that it can be removed for transporting the recyclable containers to a recycling location for a refund, and then replaced as an empty container.

[0008] The wheelie bin may be fitted with a sticker to assist the user with identification of eligible refund containers.

[0009] The container may be hung or suspended in the bin using the fastening means. The container may be able to hold 33% to 100% of the volume of the bin. The bin may include space for containing other items beneath and to the side of the container.

[00010] The container may be generally rectangular or box-shaped. The container may include a bag. The bag may include synthetic plastics material (e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene sheet material), leak proof material, or UV resistant material. The container may include a handle. The handle may include aligned cutouts on opposite sides of the container. The container may include closure means for closing the container during transport or when hanging in the bin. The closure means may include hook-and-loop fasteners. The container may include a maximum fill indicator to indicate the level at which the container can be filled whilst still closed. The maximum fill indicator may include an internal line.

[00011] The container may further include at least one warning. The warning may relate to a maximum weight indicator, warn against placing broken glass in the container, or relate to any other issues affecting container integrity or handler safety.

The container may be washable.

[00012] The fastening means may include one or more straps for strapping over respective corners of the bin. The fastening means may include one or more hooks for hooking over respective edges of the bin. The hooks may be contoured to the mouth of the bin. The hooks may include clamping or clip heads for clamping or clipping the bin. The hooks may include tails for passing through the container. The hooks may be used to hang the container on the outside of the bin in the event that more storage space in the bin is required.

2019202317 03 Apr 2019 [00013] The container may further include one or more hanging means for hanging the empty container inverted for drying purposes. The hanging means may include straps for strapping to opposite sides of a lid hinge arrangement of the bin.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recyclables container for a wheelie bin recycling system, the container including:

fastening means for fastening the recyclables container to the wheelie bin so that the recyclables container is located within the bin.

[00015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bin recycling system including:

a bin;

a recyclables container for containing recyclables; and fastening means for fastening the recyclables container to the bin.

[00016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bin recycling method including:

suspending a recyclables container for containing recyclables from a bin using fastening means.

[00017] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00018] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in anyway. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00019] Figure 1 shows a wheelie bin recycling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2019202317 03 Apr 2019 [00020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a recyclables container for the wheelie bin recycling system of Figure 1;

[00021] Figure 3a is top view of the recyclables container of Figure 2;

[00022] Figure 3b is a front view of the recyclables container of Figure 2; and [00023] Figure 3c is a side view of the recyclables container of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a wheelie bin recycling system 100 as shown in Figure 1. The system 100 includes a wheelie bin 102 and a recyclables container 104 for containing eligible refundable containers including recyclable cans or bottles. Fastening means 106 is provided for fastening the recyclables container 104 to the wheelie bin 102 so that the recyclables container 104 is located within the bin 102.

[00025] Advantageously, the recyclables container 104 can be used to conveniently separate and store eligible refundable containers in the bin 102 with other waste. The container 104 is replaceable so that it can be removed when transporting the eligible refundable containers to a recycling centre for a refund, and then replaced as an empty container 104 for refilling once more.

[00026] The container 104 is hung or suspended in the bin using the fastening means 106. The container 104 may contain more than half the volume of the bin 102. The wheelie bin 102 includes storage space for storing non-refundable containers beneath and to the side of the hung container 104.

[00027] Turning to Figure 2, the container 104 is generally rectangular or box-shaped when hung. The container 104 includes a bag 200 formed from polyethylene or polypropylene sheet material which is leak-proof and UV resistant. The container 104 is washable and designed to be reusable.

[00028] The fastening means 106 includes two front straps 202a, 202b attached to the bag 200 and for strapping over respective front corners of the bin 102. The fastening

2019202317 03 Apr 2019 means 106 also includes two rear hooks 204a, 204b for hooking over opposite edges of the bin 102. The hooks 204 are contoured to the mouth of the bin 102.

[00029] The container 104 includes a handle formed by aligned cutouts 206a, 206b on opposite sides of the container 104. The container 104 includes closure means for closing the container 104 during transport or when hanging in the bin 102. The closure means includes internal hook-and-loop fasteners at the mouth of the bag 200. The container 104 also includes a maximum fill indicator to indicate the level at which the container 104 can be filled whilst still able to be closed. The maximum fill indicator takes the form of an internal line.

[00030] The container 104 further includes a pair of base hanging means 208a, 208b for hanging the empty container when drying after a wash. Each hanging means 208 includes resilient straps attached to the bag 200 and for strapping to opposite sides of a lid hinge arrangement of the bin 102 or any other suitable hanging location.

[00031] As can best be seen in Figure 3b, each hook 204 includes a resilient clamping or clip head 300 for clamping or clipping the bin 102. As can best be seen in Figure 3c, each hook 204 also includes an endless or folded tail 302 for passing through the container 104. The hook is designed to stay attached to the bag as it is removed, transported and replaced.

[00032] The container 104 further includes at least one warning on an information panel. The warning: relates to a maximum weight indicator, warns against placing broken glass in the container 104, or relates to any other issues affecting container integrity or handler safety.

[00033] Furthermore, the wheelie bin 102 may be provided a sticker for location under the lid to assist users determine which containers are eligible for a refund.

[00034] A bin recycling method using the system 100 is now briefly described.

[00035] Initially, the empty recyclables container 104 is suspended in the closed bin 102 using the fastening means 106. Eligible refundable containers can be stored in the container 104 as time goes on, whereas other recyclables can be stored beneath and adjacent the container 104.

2019202317 03 Apr 2019 [00036] The container 104 can be removed from the bin when full. In particular, the front straps 202 and side hooks 204 can be disengaged from the bin 102. The mouth of the container 200 can be closed with the closure means bringing the cutouts 206a, 206b together to form the handle for hand carrying.

[00037] Once emptied, the container 104 can be washed and hung out to dry by the base hanging means 208a, 208b.

[00038] In practice, the hooks 204a, 204b can also be used to hang the container on the outside of the bin 102 in the event that more storage space in the bin 102 is required. The container 104 can be hung in open or closed configuration.

[00039] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00040] The recyclables container can be sized to suit the size of bin 102. The contained 04 may include additional or stronger fasteners and materials for industrial applications (e.g. over 20kg).

[00041] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00042] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations to fit commercially manufactured bins of varying dimensions, profiles and volume.

2019202317 03 Apr 2019

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

Claims

1. A wheelie bin recycling system including: a wheelie bin;

a recyclables container for containing eligible refundable containers, such recyclable cans or bottles; and fastening means for fastening the recyclables container to the wheelie bin so that the recyclables container is located within the bin.

2. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recyclables container can be used to conveniently separate and store eligible refundable containers.

3. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the container is easily removable so that it can be removed for transporting the recyclable containers to a recycling location for a refund, and then replaced as an empty container.

4. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheelie bin is fitted with a sticker or sign to assist the user with identification of eligible refund containers.

5. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is hung or suspended in the bin using the fastening means, the preferably able to hold 33% to 100% of the volume of the bin with the bin preferably including space for containing other items beneath and to the side of the container.

6. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is generally rectangular or box-shaped, and preferably includes a bag.

7. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes a handle, the handle including aligned cutouts on opposite sides of the container.

8. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes closure means for closing the container during transport

2019202317 03 Apr 2019 or when hanging in the bin, the closure means preferably including hook-and-loop fasteners.

9. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes a maximum fill indicator to indicate the level at which the container can be filled whilst still closed.

10. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the maximum fill indicator includes an internal line.

11. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further includes at least one warning.

12. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the warning relates to a maximum weight indicator, warns against placing broken glass in the container, or relates to any other issues affecting container integrity or handler safety.

13. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is washable.

14. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means includes one or more straps for strapping over respective corners of the bin.

15. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means includes one or more hooks for hooking over respective edges of the bin, the hooks preferably being contoured to the mouth of the bin and preferably including clamping or clip heads for clamping or clipping the bin.

16. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hooks include tails for passing through the container, the hooks preferably being used to also hang the container on the outside of the bin in the event that more storage space in the bin is required.

17. A wheelie bin recycling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further includes one or more hanging means for hanging the

2019202317 03 Apr 2019 empty container inverted for drying purposes, the hanging means preferably including straps for strapping to opposite sides of a lid hinge arrangement of the bin.

18. A recyclables container for a wheelie bin recycling system, the container including:

19. A bin recycling system including: a bin;

20. A bin recycling method including:

Dated this 3rd day of April 2019

MATTHEW GRIFFITH by my attorneys

Spruson and Ferguson Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys

1/4

100

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FIG. 1

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FIG. 2

3/4

104

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208

FIG. 3b

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