GB2326814A

GB2326814A - Ventilation of material, such as refuse, in a container

Info

Publication number: GB2326814A
Application number: GB9713649A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard John Rand
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-30
Filing date: 1997-06-30
Publication date: 1999-01-06
Also published as: GB2327034B; GB2327034A; GB9713649D0; GB9806059D0

Description

A CONTAINER The subject invention relates to a container comprising an outer-receptacle, usually provided with at least one openable lid, in a range of shapes and sizes with or without wheels for use with bags, most commonly paper sacks, for use indoors or outdoors for household, commercial, industrial, municipal, medical, sanitary or other users.

The outer-receptacle is intended for use with one or more bags, commonly a paper sack. Major applications for the invention include organic waste materials storage and collection, and also the storage, transport and handling of dry or humidity sensitive products.

For waste materials storage and collection the main choices open other than disposal are either incineration to generate energy, or for separation of the waste materials into fractions for recycling or composting or anaerobic digestion.

As a waste materials fraction, organic waste generally has a high moisture content.

The characteristics of a paper sack are that it allows the migration of gases and moisture setting up the conditions in which aerobic decomposition can take place, with the main beneficial consequence of weight reduction and reduced odour.

Consideration must also be given to health and safety of the collection contractor who comes into direct contact with the paper sack. Use of an outer-receptacle with bags reduces potential health and safety problems.

To help encourage the co-operation of householders and other generators of waste materials to separate waste at source in a way which helps the processor ofthe waste to produce what the market demands, it can be helpful to make available not just outside waste material collection bins, but also conveniently sized collection bins for indoor use for the same types of waste.

Paper sacks vary in their specifications and performance. For example, paper sacks may be manufactured from recycled paper which weight for weight generally has lower strength than sacks made of, for example, kraft paper. The aim is to provide in the outer- receptacle sufficient support to prevent the bag breaking, balanced by the need to minimise the contact between outer-receptacle and bag to maximise circulation of air. One way collection authorities are planning to reduce the amount of waste generated is to provide the waste generator with a smaller collection bin. A smaller bag can be specified as an insert in the outer-receptacle, but there will still be the need to provide the bag with the same level of physical support.

One way being considered by collection authorities to reduce the cost of collections is to reduce the frequency of collections of waste, including organic waste. In warmer weather conditions unpleasant smells build up more rapidly when anaerobic conditions are set up in the waste collection bin used in conjunction with plastic sacks. However, if aerobic conditions are set up in a well ventilated container, smells in the container are reduced which means that the option of reducing frequency of collection can be put into practise.

Other patents for waste collection or storage bins providing an aerobic environment exist, but they have limitations including a narrow design of form and therefore range of applications: European Patent Application 92610025 requires a specially designed cart to transport the rubbish bag holder to the collection vehicle for emptying. The consequence is that the bag holder cannot be used with existing collection vehicle lifting gear generally in use in many districts, and the time taken for the contractor to empty the bag holder and move onto the next is greater than if the bag holder had its own wheels. International Patent WO 95/01294 is complicated to manufacture and therefore a relatively expensive solution, relies on support bags which can need maintenance, and when loaded with certain including sharp or spiked materials might need physical help from a contractor to encourage emptying. United States Patent 5031796 is not specifically designed for use with inner bags, and the spacer members may as a consequence only perform effectively for a narrow range of materials. The receptacle is not provided with ventilation to the whole column of waste materials within, but relies to an extent on the migration of air through the material contained. The ventilation holes are potentially susceptible to being blocked which will reduce the ventilation available. The total amount of ventilation is in any case potentially inadequate for optimum aerobic activity.

The range of organic waste materials which can be accepted is also potentially relatively narrow.

Within industry, the subject invention has applications involving, among other things, the protection of dry materials or humidity sensitive products with examples including but not limited to textiles, food, chemicals and pharmaceuticals and bulk materials.

Further more, the invention has applications in a range of areas where due diligence is involved in the protection of contents and handlers.

The subject invention sets out to provide an aerobic environment for the one or more bags and their contents by means of a plurality of vents allowing the circulation of air in the container arranged between a plurality of spacers holding the one or more bags away from the inside face of the outer-receptacle. The bottom of the outer-receptacle will commonly contain a plurality of vents, or one or more integral or detachable trays to catch any liquids, or a combination of vents and tray or trays. By using an outerreceptacle with a bag, commonly but not limited to being in the form of a paper sack, which allows the migration of liquids and gases, a wide range of waste materials, raw materials and products with differing physical properties can be handled while still allowing the outer-receptacle to perform operationally to its optimum level in terms of providing ventilation and support.

The outer-receptacle can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes for a variety of uses and will usually be provided with at least one openable lid, sides and a bottom face. Examples of features of the outer-receptacle include but are not limited to use in combinations of one or more units, with or without one or more wheels, with or without handles, dividers, and or lifting points being a reflection of the fact that the one or more outer-receptacles may be used in a list of situations which includes but is not limited to with or without collection vehicles, indoors or outdoors, for household, commercial, industrial, municipal, medical, and sanitary.

The spacers and vents can be as narrow and deep as necessary to match the twin variable requirements of adequate ventilation for optimum aerobic conditions, and support for the bag which may be available in a range of specifications and therefore performance standards. For example, the user may employ either a relatively high performance kraft paper sack or a lower performance recycled paper sack of similar weight. Paper sacks can be manufactured of one or more layers of paper. Examples of other forms of bag might include plastic sacks with micropore surface or fabrics which allow unidirectional flow of moisture. The vents can also be designed to be narrow enough to be vermin proof according to the standards of the end user.

The spacers and vents are designed to be able if required to run substantially vertically down the full length ofthe sides ofthe outer-receptacle subject to the requirements for structural support, both for even distribution of ventilation and to provide low surface resistance if it is intended that the bag and contents is tipped out of the outerreceptacle. The spacing and proportions of the vents and spacers are also designed where necessary to minimise the jamming of sharp materials, such as hedge trimmings which might or might not have punctured the bag, in between the spacers upon emptying of the outer-receptacle.

The outer-receptacle can be manufactured substantially or completely in one piece using an injection mould as well as other manufacturing techniques to produce a simple robust and economical product. As well as a variety oftypes of plastic, it is suitable for manufacture in other materials. The spacers introduce additional strength to the container, thus freeing up the opportunities for different designs, materials and manufacturing techniques.

Using one of a variety of mechanisms, the one or more bags can if necessary be suspended in the outer-receptacle, which may or may not have dividers, with the mouth of the bag open and with the base of the bag either supported or unsupported by the ventilated base or tray depending on the use to which the bag is to be put and the specification of the bag.

If it is decided that a smaller bag is to be used, an insert either ventilated or forming a tray can be inserted into the outer-receptacle to support the reduced size bag if it is judged necessary. The method of fastening the insert to the outer-receptacle will make use of the existing vents in either its side or bottom face.

Although for most uses there will be no need to do so, it will be possible to fit a rain proof cowl or other form of rain proof ventilation on the lid of the outer-receptacle to draw still more air through the container.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1. shows a cut-away diagram of the outer-receptacle in a wheeled bin configuration, in which the bag is suspended in the outer-receptacle; Figure 2. shows a horizontal slice through the container depicted in Figure 1.

on the line marked A .. A; Figure 3. similarly shows a slice through the container depicted in Figure 1.

but this time on the line Y .. Y; Figure 4. shows a cut-away diagram of the outer receptacle in a chest configuration; Figure 5. shows a side elevation of the lower half of a container in which a ventilated insert has been placed; Figure 6. shows the container of Figure 5. from above with the insert in place; Figure 7. shows a cut-away diagram of the outer-receptacle in a configuration suitable for a kitchen bin.

Figure 1. is a container (1) which shows a cut-away diagram of the outer-receptacle (2) in a wheeled bin configuration which is provided with an openable lid (3), sides (4) and a bottom face (5). The bag (6) is suspended in the outer-receptacle and secured at the top of the outer-receptacle (2) by suspension means (7). The substantially vertical spacers (8) which run parallel to each other from top-to-bottom of the sides (4) hold the bag (6), in this embodiment a paper sack made of graft paper, away from the inside face of the side-walls (9) of the outer-receptacle (2). Except at the corners between two sides (4) the vents (10) in this embodiment are arranged between each adjacent pair of spacers (8) are placed down the length of the sides as well as the bottom face (5) of the outer-receptacle (2). The bag (6) shown in this embodiment is assumed to be manufactured to a specification in which it is not necessary for its base (11) to be supported by the bottom face (5) of the outerreceptacle. In this embodiment the total length of the vents (10) cover typically fifty to sixty percent of the total length of each side (4) arranged evenly from top-tobottom of the container (1) and the width of each vent in this embodiment will be typically 4 millimetres to stop access to rodents. The spacers (8) in the sides (4) in this embodiment are typically around 15 millimetres apart. A pair of wheels (15) are provided.

Figure 2. shows a horizontal slice through the container depicted in Figure 1. on the line marked A.. A. It shows the side (4) of the outer-receptacle, the position of the spacers (8) and vents (10), and the bag (6) which is being held away from the inside face of the outer-receptacle. The radius of each side of the opening (12) is proportionately large to make it difficult for a rodent to gain a purchase to gnaw its way through the outer receptacle (2).

Figure 3. similarly shows a slice through the container depicted in Figure 1. but this time on the line Y .. Y. It shows a vertical slice through the container demonstrating the position of the vents (10) and spacers (8). The bag (6) is shown retained by suspension means (7) at the mouth of the container and held away from the inside face of the side-wall (9) of the container.

Figure 4. is a container (1) which shows a cut-away diagram of the outer-receptacle (2) in a chest configuration, equipped with a hinged lid (3). The spacers (8) and vents (10) are shown evenly distributed along the inside face of the side-walls (9) of the outer-receptacle (2), with a ventilation grid (13) shown above the pair of removable trays (14) which can be inserted if it is necessary to capture solids or liquids discharged from the material stored in the container. The vents (10) can, if necessary be continued in the bottom face (5) of the outer-receptacle. This embodiment shows the bags (6) placed in the container without the need for any suspension means. For waste materials storage and collection the measurements and the need to consider rodents will apply as in the case of Figure 1. However, the sizes of vents and spacers can be larger for certain industrial uses, dictated by the point loading capacity ofthe bags in use and degree of ventilation required. In this embodiment wheels (15) at each corner are included.

Figure 5. shows a side elevation of the lower halfofa container (1) in a wheeled bin configuration in which an insert (16) has been placed, enabling the container to be used with a smaller capacity bag. With the insert with vents (10) included, the outerreceptacle is able to provide support to the base of a shorter bag (6). In this example use is made of the vents in the base of the container in fastening (17) the insert in place.

Figure 6. shows the container (1) of Figure 5. from above with the insert in place. The insert (16) is positioned inside the side-wall spacers (8). The insert is shown with vents (10) in its top face enabling substantially the same level of air circulation in the container for the base of the shorter bag.

Figure 7. shows a cut-away diagram ofthe outer-receptacle (2) in a configuration suitable for a kitchen bin with hinged lid (3) and suspension means (7) for holding the bag (6) open at the top end of the container. In this embodiment the bag (6) is a paper sack which is assumed to be manufactured to a specification in which it is necessary for its base to be supported. The substantially vertical spacers (8) hold the bag away from the inside face of the side-walls (9) of the outer-receptacle (2) with a regular distribution of vents (10) in between. In this example the container has been designed with an integral tray (14) to catch any liquids or solids, but also has bottom face (5) vents (10) which ring the tray to bring some ventilation to the base ofthe bag (11).

The embodiments in the accompanying drawings are just examples of the use of the subject invention. Changes may be made, and all such modifications and alterations are in the scope of this patent application.

Claims

1. A container comprising an outer receptacle and, disposed therein an inner receptacle in the form of a bag; the bag being permeable to gases; the outer receptacle having a plurality of spacers extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof, and a plurality of vents in the side walls of the outer receptacle; the spacers serving to support the inner bag such that it is spaced apart from the inner surface of the outer receptacle; and the vents serving to allow air to circulate between the bag and outer receptacle.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the bag is permeable to liquids.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the bag is permeable to vapours.

4. A container according to claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the bag liquid and vapour permeability is unidirectional.

5. A container according to claim 1 wherein the bag is permeable to water.

6. A container according to claim 1 wherein the bag is also permeable to water vapour.

7. A container according to claims 1, 5 and 6 wherein the bag water and water vapour permeability is unidirectional.

8. A container according to claim 1 wherein the bag is also permeable to hydrocarbon liquids.

9. A container according to claim 1 wherein the bag is also permeable to hydrocarbon vapour.

10. A container according to claims 1, 8 and 9 wherein the bag hydrocarbon liquids and vapour permeability is unidirectional.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bag is a paper sack.

12. A container according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the bag is a paper sack containing a liner or non-paper coating.

13. A container according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the outer receptacle has an openable lid.

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein the lid comprises a pair of lid members hingedly attached to the outer receptacle.

15. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bag is secured to an upper end of the outer receptacle.

16. A container according to claim 15 wherein the upper end of the bag is secured to the upper end of the outer receptacle.

17. A container according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the outer receptacle has suspension means for suspending the bag in the outer receptacle such that the mouth of the bag is open.

18. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer receptacle has spacer means at the lower end of the outer receptacle for supporting the bag.

19. A container according to claim 18 wherein the spacer means is an insert.

20. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer receptacle has a tray for catching liquids or solids.

21. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer receptacle has wheels or other formations to allow the container to be moved.

22. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer receptacle has handles or other formations to allow the container to be lifted or moved.

23. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spacers take the form of generally upward extending elongated ribs on the inner surfaces of the side walls of the outer receptacle.

24. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ribs are substantially continuous from top to bottom of the side walls.

25. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ribs are 0.25 cm to 8 cm apart.

26. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ribs are 0.25 cm to 8 cm wide.

27. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the depth of the ribs is from 0.25 cm to 8 cm.

28. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ribs are substantially parallel.

29. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the vents are between at least 10 percent ofthe spacers.

30. A container according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the vents are between each adjacent pair of spacers.

31. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a vent can be placed at any point in a vertical plain in a side elevation of the outer receptacle to fit between an adjacent pair of spacers.

32. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the vents are shaped to prevent rodents from gnawing through the outer-receptacle.

33. An outer receptacle as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

34. A container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. An outer receptacle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.