GB2364988A

GB2364988A - Apparatus for collecting and guiding material into a receptacle

Info

Publication number: GB2364988A
Application number: GB0100005A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Barthram
Original assignee: BLACK HOLE CLEAN SWEEP Ltd
Current assignee: BLACK HOLE CLEAN SWEEP Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-20
Filing date: 2001-01-02
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: GB0100005D0; GB0017828D0

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting and guiding material into a receptacle 7 comprises a sheet of flexible material 1, with an aperture 3, preferably though the centre of the sheet. Fastening means 4 are provided to fasten the sheet 1 (around the periphery of the aperture 3) to the receptacle 7, the fastening means 4 preferably comprises a ring, such as a short open ended cylinder and a resilient member, such as an elastic band. Alternatively the sheet 1 and receptacle 7 may have engageable components which allows them to fasten together directly. The sheet 1 may have a rubber strip fastened to all or part of the edge of the sheet 1, so as to hold the sheet 1 in place while it is in use, alternatively a semi rigid rod may protrude from opposite ends of the sheet and serve as a means for anchoring the sheet 1 to a support. The sheet 1 is preferably a plastics material and the receptacle 7 is preferably a bag, either may be transparent or partially transparent and may include handles 6. The sheet may be placed around a Christmas tree and include indicia and fairy lights.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND GUIDING MATERIAL INTO A RECEPTACLE The present invention relates to apparatus for collecting and guiding material into a receptacle and particularly, but not exclusively, for collecting waste material such as garden or building waste and guiding it into a bag.

A well established method for collection of waste materials such as garden waste, say hedge clippings, is to sweep it up and shovel it into a bag. This can be inconvenient and time consuming. Another established method aimed at eliminating sweeping is to spread out a ground or dust sheet on the surface where waste material is expected to fall. The material can then be gathered up in the sheet. This, however, is rather awkward. Where there is a large quantity of material this can be difficult to contain in the sheet. Further, it can be difficult to transfer material contained by a sheet into a receptacle to allow the sheet to be reused.

The present invention seeks to improve over these known methods. According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for collecting and guiding material into a receptacle comprising a sheet of flexible material with an aperture formed therethrough and means to fasten the sheet to a receptacle so that material may pass through the aperture into the receptacle.

The sheet may be used as a conventional dust sheet or ground sheet to collect material, it may then be picked up to cause the material to pass

through the aperture into a receptacle. This overcomes the difficulties conventionally experienced when transferring material into a receptacle.

The aperture is preferably formed at or near the centre of the sheet. One or more handles are preferably fastened to the edge of the sheet, to facilitate picking up of the sheet.

The means for fastening is preferably releasable, to enable the sheet to be fastened to and unfastened from a receptacle. The means for fastening preferably comprises a ring, and may also comprise a resilient member. In particular the ring may comprise a short open ended cylinder and the resilient member an elastic band operative to fasten a bag around the ring. The ring is preferably formed from a plastics material.

In an alternative arrangement the sheet and receptacle respectively comprise engageable components, which may be engaged to fasten the sheet and receptacle together. Suitable such components comprise press studs and hook and pile fasteners such as Velcro (RTM).

The sheet may comprise a sheet of plastics material, either in the form of a fabric or film. Alternatively, fabrics of synthetic and/or natural fibres may be used as appropriate. All or part of the edge of the sheet may be reinforced, relative to the remainder of the sheet. A rubber, or like material, strip may be fastened to all or part of the edge of the sheet. This can help hold down the sheet and prevent it slipping over the ground during use, for example if waste material is being swept onto the sheet. In one

embodiment the sheet is generally rectangular and strips of material are fastened along two opposite edges of the sheet.

In an alternative embodiment means may be provided for anchoring an edge of the sheet to a support. Such means may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid rod extending through and protruding from opposite ends respectively of a sleeve formed adjacent an edge of the sheet. Such a rod could then be inserted into ferrules anchored to the ground or some other receiving means. An alternative means for anchoring the sheet to a support may include ground engaging means.

Any suitable receptacle may be used, bags being preferred, and may be intended for re-use or disposal. Bags used with.the apparatus may include handles, for example loop handles, to facilitate handling. This is particularly appropriate where the bags are intended for re-use and are hence likely to be made from a stronger material than bags intended for disposal.

The sheet and/or any bags could be made from a transparent or partially transparent material. This enables a user to see over what the sheet has been placed and/or that material is falling into a bag, and when the bag is full.

In one embodiment the apparatus comprises means for supporting a tree, for example a Christmas tree, or the like. The tree may thus be supported over the sheet, needles failing from the tree will fall onto the

sheet. When the tree is no longer required it can be removed from the support and passed through the aperture in the sheet along with the needles for disposal. The sheet could carry indicia, for example decorative or advertising matter. The sheet could also include fairy lights, which may extend around the periphery of the sheet.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with a bag attached, in a configuration in which material can be guided into the bag; Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the ring and apparatus of Figure 1 with a bag attached; Figure 4 shows a similar view to Figure 3 of an alternative ring arrangement with bag attached; Figure 5 shows a further ring arrangement with bag attached; Figure 6 shows a cross-section through the outer edges of a sheet with a rubber strip attached; and Figure 7 shows apparatus according to the invention including means for supporting a Christmas tree or the like.

Referring to Figures 1,2 and 3 the apparatus comprises a generally

rectangular sheet of flexible material 1 . Any suitable material could be used such as a sheet of plastics material or fabric, depending on the application. For example, where the sheet is to be used indoors as a dust sheet a canvas fabric would be suitable. Alternatively, for use outdoors, say for collecting garden waste, a heavy grade woven plastics sacking material would, be suitable.

The illustrated sheet 1 comprises a woven plastics fabric, its periphery includes a stitched hem 2 to increase the strength of the sheet 1 and prevent fraying.

A substantially circular aperture 3 is formed through the sheet 1 at or near the centre of the sheet 1. A moulded plastic ring 4, for example of nylon or polypropylene, is fastened to the sheet 1 around the periphery of the aperture 3.

The ring 4 takes the form of a short open ended cylinder. One end of the cylinder includes an outwardly radially projecting flange to which the sheet 1 is fastened. Depending on the material from which the sheet is formed the sheet and ring could be fastened by welding by heat or solvent, by adhesive, by stitching or any other suitable technique.

The opposite end of the cylinder includes a radially outwardly extending hook shaped projection. An elastic band or cord 5 extends around the outside of the ring 4 between the flange and hook shaped projection.

A loop handle 6 formed from the same material as the sheet 1 is fastened to each corner, and midway along each of two opposite sides of the sheet. These may be stitched, or otherwise fastened to the sheet 1.

In use, a bag 7, for example a plastic sack, is fastened to the ring 4 so that material can pass through the ring 4 into the bag 7. The bag 7 is fastened to the ring 4 by placing the open end of the bag 7 around the ring and trapping it between the elastic band 5 and ring 4. The bag 7 includes loop handles 7a. The sheet 1, and attached bag, is then placed onto a surface from which it is desired to collect material, for example outdoors to collect garden waste such as hedge clippings or indoors to collect waste when wallpaper stripping. Waste falls onto, and could be brushed onto, the sheet 1. Then the sheet 1 is picked up using its handles 6 so as to cause the collected material to fall into the bag 7, as shown in Figure 2. The bag 7 can then be detached from the sheet and disposed of. The bag could be emptied and re-used or disposed of. An empty bag can then be attached to the sheet and the apparatus used again.

For use by one person the sheet is preferably no bigger than about 2 x 3 metres.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a ring 8 for fastening around an aperture in a sheet 9. The ring 8 comprises a cylindrical portion with an outwardly radially projecting flange at one end, to which a sheet may be fastened, and an outwardly radially projecting hook like formation

at the other. This formation is configured to receive a flexible plastic ring 10 fastened around the opening of a bag 11. The ring 8 is itself slightly flexible allowing the ring 10 of a bag to snap under the hook like formation, having first been passed through the ring 8. The hook like formation can be raised to peel the ring 10 of a bag 11 out of engagement with it.

Figure 5 shows another alternative embodiment of a ring 12 for fastening around an aperture in a sheet 13. Again the ring comprises a cylindrical portion with an outwardly radially projecting flange at one end, to which a sheet may be fastened. One component of two engageable components is fastened to the outside surface of the cylindrical portion. The other component is fastened to the inside of a bag 14, near to the opening of the bag 14. This enables the bag 14 to be fastened to the ring 12. Suitable engageable components comprise the two parts of a Velcro (RTM) fastening.

Figure 6 shows the edge of a sheet 15 bonded with an adhesive to a rubber strip 16. The rubber strip 16 tapers away f rom the sheet 15. The rubber strip 16 helps to weigh down the sheet 15 and prevent is sliding over the ground in use.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the invention adapted for supporting a Christmas tree or the like. It comprises a sheet 17 having a central aperture 18. The edge of the sheet 17 surrounding the central aperture is fastened to a ring 19. The ring 19 is adapted to receive a bag

in the manner of the ring 4 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1. 'Rope' type fairy lights 22 are fastened around the periphery of the sheet 17.

A stand for supporting a Christmas tree or the like is detachably fastened to the ring 19. The stand comprises three legs 20 supporting a ring 21 in which the trunk of a Christmas tree or the like may be received. The ring 21 may support a container for water. The legs 20 of the stand are pivotally connected to the ring 21 to enable the stand to be folded for storage.

In use a bag (not shown), preferably formed from a waterproof and stretchable material, is fastened to the ring 19 in the sheet 17. The sheet 17 is placed onto the ground over the bag, the stand fastened to or simply placed within the ring 19 and a Christmas tree or the like supported in the stand. Any debris, such as needles, falling from the tree will then fall on to the sheet 17.

When the Christmas tree is no longer required it can be lifted out of the stand, the stand removed and the tree passed through the aperture 18 into the bag for disposal. Any debris from the tree which has fallen onto the sheet 17 can be guided through aperture 18 into the bag for disposal by lifting the outer edges of the sheet 17.

The present invention represents a considerable improvement over conventional dust sheets, ground sheets and other apparatus for collecting

waste and other materials.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only, many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Apparatus for collecting and guiding material into a receptacle comprising a sheet of flexible material with an aperture formed therethrough and means to fasten the sheet to a receptacle so that material may pass through the aperture into the receptacle.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture is formed at or near the centre of the sheet.
3. Apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more handles are fastened to the edge of the sheet, to facilitate picking up of the sheet.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for fastening is releasable, to enable the sheet to be fastened to and unfastened from a receptacle.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for fastening comprises a ring, and a resilient member.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ring comprises a short open ended cylinder and the resilient member comprises an elastic band operative to fasten a bag around the ring.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a receptacle and wherein the sheet and receptacle respectively comprise engageable components, which may be engaged to fasten the sheet and receptacle together.

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8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet comprises a sheet of plastics material either in the form of a fabric or film.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein all or part of the edge of the sheet is reinforced relative to the remainder of the sheet.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a rubber, or like material, strip is fastened to all or part of the edge of the sheet.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sheet is generally rectangular and strips of material are fastened along two opposite edges of the sheet.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means for anchoring an edge of the sheet to a support.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for anchoring the edge of the sheet to a support comprises a rigid or semi-rigid rod extending through and protruding from opposite ends respectively of a sleeve formed adjacent an edge of the sheet.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is a bag.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bag includes handles.
16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet and/or any bag is made from a transparent or partially transparent

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material.
17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means for supporting a tree.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 where the sheet comprises indicia.
19. Apparatus as claimed in either claim 17 or 18, wherein the sheet comprises fairy lights.
20. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or as modified as described with reference to any of Figures 4 to 7.