GB2560346A

GB2560346A - A wheelie bin

Info

Publication number: GB2560346A
Application number: GB1703712.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: O'rourke David; O'hare John
Original assignee: David Orourke; John Ohare
Current assignee: David Orourke; John Ohare
Priority date: 2017-03-08
Filing date: 2017-03-08
Publication date: 2018-09-12
Also published as: GB201703712D0

Abstract

A domestic wheelie 10 bin comprises, a base section 11, a hollow body section 12 and a hinged lid 14. The lid comprises a pair of handles (16, 17, fig 1). The base comprises a pair of wheels 19, 20 mounted on the base section and at least one additional wheel 21. The additional wheel is positioned such that, in use, the wheelie bin may be moved without first having to tilt the bin. The additional wheel(s) maybe a castor wheel(s), preferably, mounted to the edge of the base section opposite the pair of wheels 19, 20. The base section may also be a separate part from the body section. Preferably, the bin comprises a means for weighing the contents. The data may then be transmitted to a display mounted 43 on the bin (preferably incorporated into a lid lock 44) or a remote receiver wirelessly, such as a smartphone. The weight of the refuse may be determined by a plurality of load sensors 32-36 located between the base and the body sections wherein the data is then transmitted to a controller unit 36 to calculate the weight of the bin contents.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

David O'Rourke

Apartment 36, Mayne River Street, Malahide Road, Burnell Green, Dublin, D17 EC56, Ireland (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2241874 A KR 101149058 A US 20160356640 A1

JP 2001310802 A US 5816591 A US 20080246239 A1

John O'Hare

St Cronin's Avenue, Swords, County Dublin, K67 CF34, Ireland (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B62B, B65F

Other: EPODOC, WPI, Fulltext Patent (72) Inventor(s):

David O'Rourke John O'Hare (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Anne Ryan & Co

Crofton Terrace, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, A96 V6P7, Ireland (54) Title of the Invention: A wheelie bin

Abstract Title: Wheelie bin with load sensors and additional wheel(s) (57) A domestic wheelie 10 bin comprises, a base section 11, a hollow body section 12 and a hinged lid 14. The lid comprises a pair of handles (16, 17, fig 1). The base comprises a pair of wheels 19, 20 mounted on the base section and at least one additional wheel 21. The additional wheel is positioned such that, in use, the wheelie bin may be moved without first having to tilt the bin. The additional wheel(s) maybe a castor wheel(s), preferably, mounted to the edge of the base section opposite the pair of wheels 19, 20. The base section may also be a separate part from the body section. Preferably, the bin comprises a means for weighing the contents.

The data may then be transmitted to a display mounted 43 on the bin (preferably incorporated into a lid lock 44) or a remote receiver wirelessly, such as a smartphone. The weight of the refuse may be determined by a plurality of load sensors 32-36 located between the base and the body sections wherein the data is then transmitted to a controller unit 36 to calculate the weight of the bin contents.

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A wheelie bin

This invention relates to an outdoor refuse bin and, in particular, to a wheelie bin.

A wheelie bin, in this context, refers to an outdoor refuse bin mounted on two rear wheels and having a hinged lid on the top, which bin may be tipped over on the wheels for easier mobility.

Wheelie bins, for domestic purposes come in capacities ranging from 90 to 340 litres and are generally colour coded as an aid in the separation of refuse. A 240 litre bin is the most popular bin for domestic use. Each size of wheelie bin has a pair of handles at the top of the bin, above the pair of wheels, and these handles are used to tip the bin over onto the wheels for moving the bin around. The handles are also used by a lifting mechanism on a commercial refuse vehicle, which mechanism raises up the bin, and tips it over, while opening the lid, so that the refuse spills into the body of the vehicle.

Generally, a wheelie bin is left outside the owner’s home, on a particular day, for collection by the commercial refuse vehicle.

However, a problem with the current, 240 litre capacity wheelie bin is that, when full of refuse, it can be difficult to move out to the roadside for collection. Tipping a full bin onto its wheels and then maintaining it in balance while pulling it to the roadside can be challenging. If an obstacle, such as the comer of a building, is hit by the wheelie bin, while it is being pulled along, the bin may fall over, which could result in injury to the user. These problems are exacerbated, where the owner is frail.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the wheelie bin as hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides a domestic wheelie bin comprising, a base section, a hollow body section mounted, at one end thereof, on the base section and having a hinged lid attached at the other end thereof, a pair of handles incorporated into a lid hinge, a pair of wheels mounted on the base section below the lid hinge, and one or more additional wheels mounted on the base section, with the additional wheel or wheels being positioned such that, in use, the wheelie bin may be moved without first having to tip it over onto the pair of wheels.

An advantage of the domestic wheelie bin according to the invention is that, due to the fact that it may be moved without first having to tip it over onto the pair of wheels, the risks of moving a full bin on the two wheels are averted, particularly for an owner who is frail.

A further advantage of the domestic wheelie bin according to the invention is that it can be pushed as well as pulled on the wheels, and is therefore easier to move around and to locate it in a tight space.

Preferably, one additional wheel is centrally mounted on the edge of the base section opposite to where the pair of wheels is mounted.

An advantage of the centrally mounted additional wheel is that it creates, with the pair of wheels, the most stable distribution of the three wheels on which the wheelie bin sits.

Further, preferably, the additional wheel is a locking castor wheel.

An advantage of the castor wheel is that the wheelie bin is more manoeuvrable. Thus, it can be pulled or pushed in a straight line or around a corner.

An advantage of the additional wheel being a locking castor wheel is that the wheel can be locked when the wheelie bin is located at a desired place, such as at the roadside waiting for collection of the refuse.

In one embodiment of the invention, two additional, spaced apart wheels are mounted on the edge of the base section opposite to where the pair of wheels is mounted.

An advantage of having two additional wheels on the wheelie bin 15 is that the bin is more stable, as there is a wheel at each corner of the base unit.

Preferably, the additional wheels are castor wheels, with at least one of the additional wheels being a locking castor wheel.

An advantage of one of the additional wheels being a locking 20 castor wheel is that the wheel can be locked when the wheelie bin is located at a desired place, such as at the roadside waiting for collection of the refuse.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the base section is separate to the body section.

An advantage of a separate base section is that a wheelie bin can be retro-fitted with a base section to assemble a wheelie bin in accordance with the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, means for weighing the contents of the bin is mounted therein.

There is an increasing trend in the developed world to charge for refuse collection based on the weight of refuse being collected. The weight of the refuse is calculated when automatically lifting the wheelie bin off the ground to empty it into a refuse vehicle. However, if this weighing method is faulty, an incorrect weight may be recorded. In such a situation, the owner will have his own figure for the weight of refuse in the event that a dispute arises.

Preferably, a display unit for displaying the weight of the bin contents is mounted thereon.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the weight of refuse in the bin can be monitored in real time, such as when adding refuse to the bin.

In a further embodiment of the invention, means for communicating the weight of the bin contents to a remote receiver is mounted therein.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the weight of 5 refuse can be sent to a PC or smartphone or to the refuse vehicle and the current cost of collection and disposal of the refuse by a service provider can be calculated.

Preferably, the communicating means communicates wirelessly.

An advantage of wireless communication is that the current weight 10 of refuse can be retrieved by the owner at some remove from the actual bin.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the weighing means is a plurality of load sensors located between the base section and the body section.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that a load sensor is a simple yet robust method of measuring the weight of the refuse. This is important as the wheelie bin is usually located out of doors and is exposed to the elements.

Preferably, the plurality of load sensors is located in an enclosure, which enclosure is located between the base section and the body section.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the load sensors are protected within the enclosure.

Furthermore, in the event that a fault develops in one or more of the load sensors, the whole unit can be exchanged for a new enclosure.

A further advantage of this arrangement is that a standard wheelie bin may be retro-fitted with a base unit incorporating additional wheels and the bin will be supported on the enclosure, which in turn is located on the body unit. This simplifies the retro-fitting process.

Further, preferably, the plurality of load sensors is connected to a controller unit, which controller unit calculates the weight of the bin contents.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the weight is calculated by the controller unit, which can then send the results to the display unit and/or to a remote device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the display unit is incorporated into a lid lock, which is mounted on the bin lid.

Unfortunately, where there is a cost involved in having refuse collected, a dishonest person may attempt to put his refuse into a bin belonging to a neighbour. Thus, it is advantageous to be able to lock the lid of the bin.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above and to one side of a 5 domestic wheelie bin in accordance with the invention, having one additional wheel;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the domestic wheelie bin of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above and to one side of a further embodiment of a domestic wheelie bin in accordance with the invention, having two additional wheels;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the domestic wheelie bin of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from above and to one side of a further embodiment of a domestic wheelie bin in accordance with the invention, having one additional wheel retro-fitted to the bin;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the domestic wheelie bin of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view from above and to one side of a further embodiment of a domestic wheelie bin in accordance with the invention, having two additional wheels retro-fitted to the bin; and

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the domestic wheelie bin of Fig. 7;

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, a domestic wheelie bin comprising, a base section 11, a hollow body section 12 mounted, at one end 13 thereof, on the base section 11 and having a hinged lid 14 attached at the other end 15 thereof, a pair of handles 16, incorporated into a lid hinge 18, a pair of wheels 19, 20 (see Fig. 2) mounted on the base section 11 below the lid hinge 18, and an additional wheel 21 mounted on the base section 11 at position 22, which position 22 is midway along side 23 of the base section 11 with the additional wheel 21 being positioned such that, in use, the wheelie bin 10 may be moved without first having to tip it over onto the pair of wheels 19, 20.

Additional wheel 21 is a locking castor wheel.

Referring to Fig. 2, the wheelie bin 10 of Fig. 1 is illustrated in an exploded view. The base section 11 is in the form of a tray 24 having formations 25, 26, 27 therein located, at end 28 thereof. An axle 29 passes through formations 25, 26, 27 and the pair of wheels 19, 20 are located on ends 30, 31, respectively, of the axle 29.

Four load sensors 32, 33, 34, 35 are arranged in tray 24 and are connected to a controller unit 36, which is a printed circuit board (PCB).

End 13 of the body section 12 is located in the tray 24, such that the load sensors 32, 33, 34, 35 can measure the weight of the refuse in the body section 12.

The hinged lid 14 attaches to the other end 15 of the body section 12 by way of two pivot pins 37, 38, which pass through respective flanges 39, 40 on the hinged lid 14 and locate in respective ends 41, 42 of hinge 18.

A display unit 43 is incorporated into a lid lock 44, which lid lock is mounted in an orifice 45 in the hinged lid 14. In use, the weight of the refuse in the body section 12 is measured by the load sensors 32, 33, 34, 35 and the signals therefrom are received by the controller unit 36, which calculates the weight of the refuse in the body section 12 and sends the weight to the display unit 43. The weight can also be communicated from the controller unit 36 to a remote receiver, such as a smartphone.

Referring to Tig. 3, there is illustrated generally at 50, a further embodiment of a domestic wheelie bin in accordance with the invention. Wheelie bin 50 shares most of the features of wheelie bin 10, as illustrated in Tigs. 1 and 2 and thus, the same reference numerals are used for like features. Wheelie bin 50 differs from the embodiment illustrated in Tigs. 1 and 2 only in that two additional wheels 51, 52 are mounted on the base section 11 at comers 53, 54, respectively, thereof The additional wheels 51, 52 are positioned on the base section 11 such that, in use, the wheelie bin 10 may be moved without first having to tip it over onto the pair of wheels 19, 20.

Referring to Tig. 4, the wheelie bin 50 of Tig. 3 is illustrated in an exploded view. As indicated above, additional wheels 51, 52 are mounted on the base section 11 at comers 53, 54, respectively, thereof. Each additional wheel 51, 52 is a locking castor wheel.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is illustrated generally at 60, a further embodiment of a domestic wheelie bin in accordance with the invention.

Wheelie bin 60 shares most of the features of wheelie bin 10, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and thus, the same reference numerals are used for like features.

Wheelie bin 60 consists of a standard wheelie bin 61, minus the usual pair of wheels, which wheelie bin 61 is mounted on a retro-fit chassis 62. An additional wheel 63 is attached to the chassis 62 at position 64.

Referring to Fig. 6, the wheelie bin 60 of Fig. 5 is illustrated in an exploded view. The chassis 62 is a metal platform 65 having a flange 66 extending from end 67 thereof. The additional wheel 63 is mounted on flange 66.

A pair of wheels 68, 69 replaces the pair of wheels removed from wheelie bin 61. Wheels 68, 69 are fixed at respective ends 70, 71 of an axle 72, which axle 72 is located in a pair of brackets 73, 74 which is mounted on the other end 75 of the chassis 62.

The four load sensors 32, 33, 34, 35 and the controller unit 36 are housed in a sensor enclosure, shown generally at 76. The sensor enclosure 76 consists of a sensor enclosure base 77, and a sensor enclosure cover 78. The wheelie bin 61 is located on the sensor enclosure 76 and the weight of refuse in the wheelie bin 61 may be measured, as previously described.

The additional wheel 63 is positioned on the chassis 62 such that, in use, the wheelie bin 60 may be moved without first having to tip it over onto the pair of wheels 68, 69.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is illustrated generally at 80, a further embodiment of a domestic wheelie bin in accordance with the invention. Wheelie bin 80 shares most of the features of wheelie bin 60, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 and thus, the same reference numerals are used for like features.

Wheelie bin 80 consists of a standard wheelie bin 61, minus the usual pair of wheels, which wheelie bin 61 is mounted on a retro-fit chassis 81. Two additional wheels 82, 83, which are locking castor wheels, are attached to the chassis 81 at positions 84, 85, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 8, the wheelie bin 80 of Fig. 7 is illustrated in an exploded view. The chassis 81 is a metal platform 86 having flanges 87, 88 extending from end 89 thereof. The two additional wheels 82, 83 are mounted on flanges 87, 88, respectively such that, in use, the wheelie bin 80 may be moved without first having to tip it over onto the pair of wheels 68, 69.

Claims

Claims: 1. A domestic wheelie bin comprising, a base section, a hollow body section mounted, at one end thereof, on the base section and having a hinged lid attached at the other end thereof, a pair of handles

5 incorporated into a lid hinge, a pair of wheels mounted on the base section below the lid hinge, and one or more additional wheels mounted on the base section, with the additional wheel or wheels being positioned such that, in use, the wheelie bin may be moved without first having to tip it over onto the pair of wheels.

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2. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 1, wherein one additional wheel is centrally mounted on the edge of the base section opposite to where the pair of wheels is mounted.
3. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 2, wherein the additional wheel is a locking castor wheel.

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4. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 1, wherein two additional, spaced apart wheels are mounted on the edge of the base section opposite to where the pair of wheels is mounted.
5. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 4, wherein the additional wheels are castor wheels, with at least one of the additional

20 wheels being a locking castor wheel.
6. A domestic wheelie bin according to any preceding claim, wherein the base section is separate to the body section.
7. A domestic wheelie bin according to any preceding claim, wherein means for weighing the contents of the bin is mounted therein.
8. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 7, wherein a display unit for displaying the weight of the bin contents is mounted

5 thereon.
9. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein means for communicating the weight of the bin contents to a remote receiver is mounted therein.
10. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 9, wherein the 10 communicating means communicates wirelessly.
11. A domestic wheelie bin according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, wherein the weighing means is a plurality of load sensors located between the base section and the body section.
12. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 11, wherein the 15 plurality of load sensors is located in an enclosure, which enclosure is located between the base section and the body section.
13. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the plurality of load sensors is connected to a controller unit, which controller unit calculates the weight of the bin contents.
14. A domestic wheelie bin according to any one of Claims 8 to 13, wherein the display unit is incorporated into a lid lock, which is mounted on the bin lid.
15. A domestic wheelie bin according to Claim 1, substantially 5 as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and Figs. 3 and 4, and Figs. 5 and 6, and Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1703712.8