GB2570935A

GB2570935A - Refuse container

Info

Publication number: GB2570935A
Application number: GB1802289.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leonardo Manuel Jose
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-13
Filing date: 2018-02-13
Publication date: 2019-08-14
Also published as: GB201802289D0

Abstract

A bin 10 has outer walls 18 and an internal platform 19 which can be raised relative to the outer walls by the action of scissor linked levers 20. A lid 17 could be opened by a motor energized by proximity of a user’s hand to a sensor. A sensor at the top of the bin could detect the volume of waste in the bin and display that at the top of the bin. The scissor lift mechanism could be operated by another motor energized by another proximity sensor 22 in a recess 21 at the base 13 of the bin which could detect the user’s foot being placed in the recess.

Description

REFUSE CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a refuse container, and in particular to a refuse container comprising a refuse containing portion and a moveable platform operable to lift the refuse containing portion to aid emptying of the refuse container.

Background

Conventional refuse container typically receive and store refuse within bin liners or receptacles placed within the container. Once full, the bin liners or receptacles are heavy and bulky and can be difficult for the consumer to remove from the refuse container. This issue becomes particularly problematic for the elderly or disabled.

There is therefore a need for a refuse container which assists in the removal of bin liners or receptacles from the container.

US2012/055933 (JONES) discloses an extractor device for removal of a garbage bag containing waste or garbage from a trash can. The extractor device has a flat lifting platform in communication with vertical lifting arms which are slideably received within slide rails. The trash can has a pull handle configured to operate the lifting arms to raise and/or lower the platform.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refuse container comprising:

a first end providing a base configured to be supported on a contact surface;

an opposed second end providing an opening;

a side portion extending between the first and second ends and defining a cavity extending from the second end towards the first end of the container;

a moveable platform configured to support refuse and to be received within and moveable relative to the cavity; and an actuator in communication with the moveable platform, and in which the actuator is operable to be moveable between a first collapsed position in which the moveable platform is located at a first lowered position and a second extended position in which the moveable platform is located at a second raised position, in which the actuator comprises a folding scissor lift assembly.

In the first lowered position, the moveable platform may be located adjacent, at or towards the first end of the container.

In the second extended position, the moveable platform may be located adjacent, at or towards the second end of the container.

Movement of the actuator between the first collapsed position and the second raised position preferably causes the moveable platform to move in a direction away from the first end and towards the second end of the container. The actuator is preferably configured to provide a continuous range of movement between the first and second position. Alternatively, the actuator may be configured to be moveable between a discrete number of position between the first and second positions. The actuator may for example further comprise a ratchet mechanism.

The container may further comprise a lid located at or adjacent the second end of the container. The lid may be moveable between a first open position providing access to the opening and the cavity of the container, and a second closed position in which the lid extends substantially across the opening at the second end of the container. Movement of the lid from the second closed position to the first open position is preferably operable by contact with or by movement of a hand of a user.

The container may further comprise a distance sensor located at or adjacent the second end of the container operable to detect location and/or volume of refuse within the container. For example, the distance sensor may be operable to detect location and/or volume of refuse within the container with a view to providing an indication as to when the container needs to be emptied.

Preferably, the container further comprises a visual guide providing a visual indication to a user of the location and/or volume of refuse within the container. The visual guide may for example comprise one or more LEDs. For example, the visual guide may comprise colour coded LEDs providing a visual indication to a user as to the volume of refuse contained within the container.

The visual guide is preferably located at or adjacent the second end of the container. It is however to be understood that the visual guide may be located at any suitable location on the container.

The container may further comprise a proximity or movement sensor operable to activate the actuator. The proximity or movement sensor may be located at or adjacent the first end of the container. It is however to be understood that the proximity or movement sensor may be located at any suitable location on the container. In one embodiment, the container may further comprise a recess configured to receive at least a portion of a foot of a user, and in which a proximity or movement sensor may be located at or adjacent the recess to detect the presence or movement of the foot of the user.

The scissor lift assembly preferably comprises a pair of elongate members pivotally connected to each other. The pair of elongate members are preferably pivotally connected at or adjacent a central region of each elongate member. Each elongate member comprises a first end configured to be located adjacent the moveable platform and an opposed second end configured to be located adjacent the first end of the container. One of the first or second end of a first elongate member is fixedly secured to the adjacent moveable platform or first end of the container, and one of the second or first end of a second elongate member is fixedly secured to the adjacent first end of the container or moveable platform. At least one of, preferably each of, the moveable platform and/or first end of the container further comprises a guide mechanism configured to receive an end of an elongate member and to allow slideable movement of the end of the elongate member there within.

The actuator may comprise a motorised folding scissor lift assembly.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a view from above of a refuse container according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a side view of the refuse container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of a front view of the refuse container of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view from below of the refuse container of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the refuse container of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the refuse container 10 comprises a first end 12 providing a base 13 configured to be supported on a contact surface (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the base 13 further comprises a three spaced apart friction pads or feet 14 to aid secure placement on the contact surface. It is however to be understood that the friction pads or feet may not be present on the base 13. Furthermore, the base 13 may comprise any suitable number of friction pads or feet 14.

The refuse container 10 further comprises an opposed second end 15 providing an opening 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the refuse container further comprises a lid 17 shaped and dimensioned to cover the opening 16. It is however to be understood that the refuse container 10 may not comprise a lid. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 16 and the lid 17 are substantially triangular in shape. It is however to be understood that the opening and/or the lid may have any suitable shape depending on the requirements for the container 10.

The refuse container 10 further comprises a side portion 18 extending between the first 12 and second 15 ends and defining a cavity extending from the second end 15, and in particular from the opening 16, towards the first end 12 of the container 10.

The refuse container 10 further comprises a moveable platform 19 configured to support refuse and to be received within and moveable relative to the cavity provided by the container 10.

The refuse container 10 further comprises an actuator in communication with the moveable platform 19. The actuator 19 is operable to be moveable between a first collapsed position in which the moveable platform 19 is located at a first lowered position (adjacent or towards the first end 12 of the container 10), and a second extended position in which the moveable platform 19 is located at a second raised position (adjacent or towards the second end 15 of the container 10).

The actuator 19 comprises a folding scissor lift assembly. The folding scissor lift assembly preferably comprises at least a pair of pivotally connected elongate members

20. At least one end, preferably both ends, of at least one, preferably each, elongate member is received within a guide frame.

The container 10 further comprises a recess 21 configured to receive at least a portion of a foot of a user. A proximity sensor 22 is located within the recess to detect the presence of a foot of a user. The proximity sensor 22 is operable to activate the actuator 19.

In use, the moveable platform is located at a first lowered position. Refuse is received within the cavity. Once the container 10 becomes full and requires emptying, a user places a foot into recess 21. The proximity sensor 22 detects the presence of the foot and operates actuator 19 to cause the elongate members 20 to pivot relative to each other in a manner to enable the moveable platform 19 to be moved upwards towards the second end 15 of the container 10.

In addition the foot sensor lifts the lid, in which movement of the lid from the second closed position to a first open position is controlled by the proximity sensor 22. For example using a servo motor.

Movement of the moveable platform 19 towards the second end 15 of the container 10 enables a user to access the refuse more easily and aids the operation of emptying the container.

Claims

1. A refuse container comprising:

a first end providing a base configured to be supported on a contact surface;

an opposed second end providing an opening;

a moveable platform configured to support refuse and to be received within and moveable relative to the cavity; and an actuator in communication with the moveable platform, and in which the actuator is operable to be moveable between a first collapsed position in which the moveable platform is located at a first lowered position, and a second extended position in which the moveable platform is located at a second raised position, in which the actuator comprises a folding scissor lift assembly.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lid located at or adjacent the second end of the container, and in which the lid is moveable between a first open position providing access to the opening and the cavity of the container, and a second closed position in which the lid extends substantially across the opening at the second end of the container.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2 in which movement of the lid from the second closed position to the first open position is operable by contact with or by movement of a hand of a user.

4. A container as claimed in claim 2 in which movement of the lid from the second closed position to the first open position is operable by a proximity sensor.

5. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a distance sensor located at or adjacent the second end of the container operable to detect location and/or volume of refuse within the container.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, in which the container further comprises a visual guide providing a visual indication to a user of the location and/or volume of refuse within the container.

7. A container as claimed in claim 6, in which the visual guide is located at or adjacent the second end of the container.

8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a proximity sensor operable to activate the actuator.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the proximity sensor is located at or adjacent the first end of the container.

10. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the container further comprises a recess configured to receive at least a portion of a foot of a user, and in which the proximity sensor is located at or adjacent the recess to detect the presence of the foot of the user.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the actuator comprises a motorised folding scissor lift assembly.