GB2241154A

GB2241154A - Receptacle for waste to be recycled

Info

Publication number: GB2241154A
Application number: GB9027439A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Morton; David Pallett
Original assignee: POLLENBASE Ltd
Current assignee: POLLENBASE Ltd
Priority date: 1989-12-19
Filing date: 1990-12-18
Publication date: 1991-08-28
Also published as: GB9027439D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a waste disposal container, comprising an inner bin (11) and an outer cover (13), the bin being adapted to receive a disposable liner (12). At the upper end of the cover (13) are a plurality of apertures (15) behind which are diaphragms (16) of flexible plastics material having a plurality of radial slits (17) to allow the inward passage of waste. The container is characterised in that it is generally in the image of the specific kind of waste for which it is intended and in that means for receiving waste thereto is sized and shaped to receive said specific kind of waste. <IMAGE>

Description

RECEPTACLE FOR WASTE TO BE RECYCLED This invention concerns a receptacle for waste intended to be recycled.

There is a growing awareness of the urgent need to recycle materials previously regarded as waste to preserve for a longer period the ever-dwindling mineral and energy reserves of our planet.

Although, and especially with current legislation trends, people are prepared to discard waste to acceptable disposal containers, be they the domestic dustbin or council litter bin, there is little willingness generally to sort waste into different categories for separate disposal - this despite the introduction of so-called bottle-banks and the like.

When a variety of different kinds of waste are discarded to a common point the operations of sorting to enable recycling are generally uneconomic.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to provide more attractive disposal containers intended to encourage a more responsible attitude to the disposal of waste.

According to the present invention there is provided a waste disposal container, characterised in that it is generally in the image of the specific kind of waste for which it is intended and in that means for receiving waste thereto is sized and shaped to receive said specific kind of waste.

The container may comprise an inner bin and an outer cover of the required shape, marked with any desired indicia and having the receiving means in a wall thereof.

The outer cover may be removable.

The outer cover may be openable.

The outer cover may be formed from hingedly connected halves.

The inner bin may be a commercially available standard bin or skip.

The inner bin (which may be anchored at any required site) may be adapted to hold a disposable liner.

The receiving means may comprise apertures.

The apertures may be backed by means which normally close the apertures, but which can be deformed or displaced to permit the "posting" of waste into the container therethrough.

The normally closing means may comprise a diaphragm of flexible material having a plurality of angularly spaced slits therein meeting at a common generally central position.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, two forms of waste disposal container embodying same.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the first form of container; Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the container on the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a detail of one of the apertures to the container of Figure 1, and on an enlarged scale; Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the second form of container; and Figure 5 shows a cross-section through the con tainer on the line II-II of Figure 4.

Referring firstly to Figures 1-3, it will be seen that the container 10 is generally in the image of an aluminium can of the kind in which drinks - be them non-alcoholic or alcoholic are sold. The container 10 is of course very much larger that the can which it simulates.

The container comprises an inner bin 11 which may be anchored to a ground surface by bolts or the like, or ballasted with sand or similar to hinder unauthorised movement.

The bin 11 is adapted to receive a disposable liner 12 of plastics material.

The container also comprises an outer cover 13, which fits over the inner bin 11 and which is securable thereto by screw-threaded engagement for example. The cover 13 has a closed top and is shaped like an aluminium drinks can and its outer surface may be printed or otherwise marked to look like the can of the manufacturer of a selected brand.

Around the upper end of the cylindrical wall of the cover 13 are a plurality of angularly spaced circular apertures 15, each of which is a clearance fit for a standard aluminium drinks can, but no larger.

This enables such cans to be "posted" through the apertures 15 to fall into the liner 12, but prevents ingress of anything of greater cross-section.

Behind the apertures 15 is a diaphragm 16 of flexible plastics material having a plurality of radial slits 17 meeting at a common point at the centre of each aperture 15.

The flaps 18 between adjacent slits 17 fold inwardly to allow passage of a can into the container and then spring back to close the aperture 15 to bar entry to insects, and importantly provide a barrier discouraging disposal of other than what is intended for the container - aluminium drinks cans in this example.

In use, it is expected that the public will discard aluminium cans into the containers. Advertising through the media or locally by signs attached to the containers will encourage this responsible behaviour pattern.

As necessary the containers will be emptied by unscrewing and lifting the outer cover 13 to enable removal and replacement of liner 12 before replacement of the cover 13.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it will be seen that the second form of container is generally in the image of a bottle - in this example a wine bottle.

The container 20 is of course very much larger that the bottle which it simulates.

The container comprises an inner bin 21 which is a standard commercially available bin, in this example of the kind equipped with wheels 22 to facilitate its movement.

The container also comprises an outer cover 23, which fits over the inner bin 21.

The cover 23, which is bottle-shaped, is formed from halves 23a and 23b hingedly connected along a vertical line 24 to enable the cover to be opened to permit emptying or exchange of the inner bin.

As with the embodiment of Figure 1, around the upper end of the cylindrical wall of the cover 23 are a plurality anularly spaced circular apertures 15, each of which is a clearance fit for a standard wine bottle, but no larger. This enables such bottles to be "posted" through the apertures 15 to fall into the bin 11, but prevents ingress of anything of greater cross-section.

Behind the apertures 15 is a diaphragm 16 of flexible plastics material having a plurality of radial slits meeting at a common point at the centre of each aperture 15 so that the apertures are normally closed as previously described.

As necessary the containers will be emptied by opening the outer cover 23 to enable replacement of the bin 21 before reclosing the cover 23.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Thus for example the containers may be shaped and decorated to simulate other kinds of waste, bottles of different colours, newspapers, magazines and so on, in every case having means for receiving the intended waste sized and shaped for such.

The waste receiving means need not be a simple aperture, but for example a pivotal receptacle which in one position receives an article to be discarded, and in another ejects it into the interior of the container.

The containers may of course mount signs giving instructions as to their proper use.

Claims

1. A waste disposal container, characterised in that it is generally in the image of the specific kind of waste for which it is intended and in that means for receiving waste thereto is sized and shaped to receive said specific kind of waste.

2. A container according to claim 1, which comprises an inner bin and an outer cover of the required shape, marked with any desired indicia and having the receiving means in a wall thereof.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the outer cover is removable.

4. A container according to claim 2, wherein the outer cover is openable.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the outer cover is formed from hingedly connected halves.

6. A container according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the inner bin is a commercially available standard bin or skip.

7. A container according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the inner bin (which may be anchored at any required site) is adapted to hold a disposable liner.

8. A container according to any preceding'claim, wherein the receiving means comprises at least one aperture.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein the or each aperture is backed by means which normally close same, but which can be deformed or displaced to permit the "posting" of waste into the container therethrough.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the normally closing means comprises a diaphragm of flexible material having a plurality of angularly spaced slits therein meeting at a common generally central position.