GB2509708A - Suspending a bin form a structural projection - Google Patents

Abstract

A bin 1 is provided with a hanger 2 to engage with a projection of a structure such as a door knob 101. There are additional means of attachment 3 intended to minimize movement of the bin about two axes X, Z. The additional attachment means may suction cups 31, 32, straps (fig 3) or clamps on the bin or the hanger. The bin may be directly below the projection or offset below it. The bin and hanger may be detachable. The bin can be formed from resilient material such as silicone, have a movable lid and/or have provisions to secure bin liners.

Description

A RECEPTACLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a receptacle; more particularly, but not exclusively, a receptacle for storage and collection of waste matter in a domestic or otherwise spatially limited scenario.

Background and Prior Art

Increasing populations, ageing demographics, and immigration flows have meant that in many developed countries space nd particularly living space is at a premium.

Because of such pressures on living space it is common that all available space within a dwelling or commercial premises is utilised. In particular storage is require to be used to maximum efficiency, more particularly where a disposable culture has arisen in many developed countries due to globalised production savings, with consequent accumulation of objects.

Concurrently wastage is common, and disposal of waste or garbage is keenly controlled in such developed societies particularly, with users frequently encouraged or obliged to dispose of types of waste or garbage differently; and provide receptacles or bins for each type of garbage.

Such a myriad of bins does not accord generally with greater pressure on living and storage space.

In contrast therefore the current invention seeks to provide a bin that utilises standard available space unused and common to most dwellings and premises.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a receptacle for waste comprising: a bin arranged for acceptance and storage of waste on a projection from an independent structure; and a hanger adapted for hanging the bin along a first gravity defined axis, in which said axis is definable about a projection from the structure; wherein the receptacle includes additional means of attachment to the structure; and said means of attachment minimises movement of the bin about the first axis and with respect to at least one axis extending at an angle to the first axis.

In this way the bin may be hung effectively from a projection on a myriad of independent structures to provide extra storage, particularly but not exclusively for waste, to include coat hooks, cupboard studs, and more particularly it may be envisaged, doors or door handles.

This in turn ensures that the receptacle is able to be used in a majority of buildings, to utilise space that is commonly left unused due to inefficiency or inefficacy. In particular the receptacle is prevented from falling and in preferred embodiments the additional means of attachment, or attachment means, acts to compensate for, anticipate or mitigate further movements of or in respect of the independent structure or what is commonly envisaged to be the door.

In preferred embodiments therefore and particularly in that such movement is wholly undesirable and such a receptacle is undesirable, the means of attachment acts to prevent the bin moving away from the door either close to the projection, envisaged commonly to be a handle or distant from the projection, or handle. Movement about or around the handle or projection may be ideally prevented or minimised, so as to prevent or minimise swinging of the bin and I or hanger when the receptacle is knocked or the door or structure is moved.

In preferred embodiments where a handle is not available a projection may be available as part of a kit of parts, said projection typically including a suction cup.

Typically the hanger is a discontinuous hook or a plate provided with a control lacuna in order that the projection or handle may be passed through the hanger, either by hanging the hook over the projection or by passing the projection through the lacuna.

In some further embodiments the hanger may provide a hook and a lacuna.

According to stages of use, for example whereby a user may be able to open the plate to create a hook. In such and other embodiments the plate is advantageously resiliently deformable, for example formed of or in silicone, rubber, synthetic plastic or elastomer, so the plate may be deformed to enable projection to be passed through the lacuna and reformed to close the plate.

Ideally in such embodiments a closure is provided so as to require adverse or specific movement from the user to break the closure.

Typically the bin has a substantially rectangular or otherwise elongated footprint on the structure so as to allow more efficient spatial usage. In preferred embodiments the bin is situated in use directly below the projection wherein the hanger is centrally situated with respect to the bin, and extends vertically below the projection.

In this way maximum efficiency of space and minimal impact may be guaranteed. In some further embodiments the bin may extend in further or orthogonal directions, for example horizontally and typically transverse to the first axis. For example the bin may be envisaged to spread across the structure in the direction of an axis extending perpendicular to the axis of gravity, for example horizontally, to a greater degree than vertically in some embodiments so as to provide a wider bin aperture. Said bin aperture and accordingly it may be envisaged, some bins, may consequently be envisaged to be subdivided so as to enable disposal or storage of more than one type of waste in different compartments. Such embodiments may provide independent sections or parts which pads may be displaceable or detachable.

In some embodiments the bin is ideally removably secured to the hanger, in order that the hanger may be left in a place and the bin may be emptied or cleaned and maintained. The hanger may therefore include an engagement feature for mutual engagement with a second engagement feature provided by the bin. For example the hanger may include a hook and eye clip, screw thread or detect mechanism onto or at which the bin is secured. In such embodiments the means of attachment may be compromised of or sited on the hanger.

In some further embodiments the means of attachment may comprise a grip, catch or resiliently deformable mechanism about the projection, so as to minimise movement on or about the projection.

In preferred embodiments however the means of attachment is situated or sited on the bin. The means of attachment is ideally and advantageously temporary and

adjustable.

In preferred embodiments the means of attachment is provided by suction cups or suckers located on a face of the bin in contact with presenting to, or disposed towards the structure.

For example the face, or rear face, of the bin may be substantially flat to maximise internal storage whereas the structure is envisaged to be typically flat also; and is provided with a plurality of suckers to minimise movement. A first sucker or set of suckers is preferably situated close to the projection, so as to prevent or minimise movement of the hanger along the projection or away from the structure; and at least a second sucker or set of suckers of the receptacle is situated around the projection.

The rear face is ideally substantially planar and rigid or relatively rigid, in order that other faces of the bin maymove and the rear face will remain fixed to the structure.

In other embodiments the means of attachment may be envisaged to pass around or about the structure, for example in order to utihse the structures shape and/or edges and allow attachment to multiple structures with varying finishes. Some embodiments may use morethan one means of attachment.

In such embodiments the means of attachment may be able to fit or suit different embodiments of arrangements of structures. For example the means may be flexible elastic or adjustable, comprising elasticated fabric strapping to pass around the structure or a plurality of clamp members to grip edges of the structure. Some further embodiments may include fastening, opening and closing means, for example to include clasps, catches or clips which may be fastened when the structure has been surrounded or the means of adjustment has been adjusted to conform to the structure. Yet further embodiments include adjustment on the means of attachment, such as buckles or slides.

It may be envisaged therefore that the receptacle is to be used as a waste receptacle in a home or other building with minimal space for storage, and typically with requirements for more than one waste receptacle.

For example the user may require a secondary or tertiary waste area for example in regards to vegetable matter or general food waste. The preferred embodiments of the present invention permit this. In particular where such waste is envisaged to be introduced and/or stored in the bin the bin may advantageously provide or include a lid. Said lid may be ideally hinged to the rear face of the bin, or to the hanger.

In some further embodiments the lid may be hinged distally to the hanger and rear face, such as on a front face, wherein the lid may accordingly be capable of being displaced sufficiently to enable easy emptying of the bin.

The lid may in some further embodiments be detachable and/or securable in an open or closed state so as to facilitate emptying or so as to prevent unauthorised access and/or odours.

Typically the bin may be used with bin liners or plastic bags, so as to minimise cleaning and emptying problems. For example it may be envisaged that the liners ideally have handles, which handles and liner are ideally fixed or held in position in order that waste is maintained within the liner.

In some embodiments therefore there may be provided fixing apparatus to fix a bag within the bin. Said apparatus may comprise studs or raised and lowered parts onto or over which the handles of the liner may be passed or hung.

In some further embodiments there may be provided a clip over or displaceable fixing apparatus for example wherein a displaceable cover may be fixed over and onto the bin, wherein the liner is typically folded over the bin aperture and the cover is envisaged to fix the liner between the bin and cover. Said cover may furthermore be envisaged to provide a relatively none rigid or relatively more padded surface, depending on manufacturer or user preference for example according to whether the structure is liable to knock against other structures in use.

In other embodiments at (least one) clip may be fixed over the liner and onto the bin or bin aperture. Said clips may be displaceable, hinged or separate.

In some further embodiments the hanger may be offset or offsettable from the bin in order to asymmetrically position the bin with respect to the projection or centrally position the bin with respect to the structure for example wherein the structure is a door and the projection is a handla In yet further embodiments the hanger may be movable deformable or displaceable with respect to the bin.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the receptacle in use; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the receptacle in use; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the receptacle in use; and Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the receptacle in use.

Detailed Description of Figures

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1 the bin 1 is formed of the same material as the hanger 2 wherein the receptacle is preferably a moulded silicone whole. In this way and according with an arcuate profile the bin 1 is liable to deform on, or absorb, impact such as when the structure/door 100 is opened against a wall of or a user.

The bin 1 in the preferred embodiment has a footprint that is ovaloid or tear drop and extends and tapers down the door in use, so as to ensure minimal spatial impact and interference with lower situated objects, and so as to additionally or alternatively minimise swinging away from the door in use; and having a semicircular cross-section that in addition or the alternative permits and facilitates deformation of a leading edge of the bin 1 on impact with extraneous structures, such as a wall on which the door is swinging.

The hanger 2 includes a closure 20 and brace 21 which closure 20 allows the hanger 2 to be open to receive a myriad of projections 101 so as to be suitable for a number of structures 100, and the brace 21 helps to resist inappropriate deformation of the silicone hanger 2.

Ideally the bin 1 is formed of relatively thicker silicone, and has an outer 11 with an aesthetically pleasing textured or mall finish, in order to additionally or alternatively minimise visual impact; and an inner 12 with a glossy easy to clean surface.

In some embodiments it may be envisaged that the binl is capable of deformation, in order that the bin may deform to accommodate waste.

The bin has a hinged outer 11 which is hinged to and securable to a rear face 13 in order to allow a user to access the inner 12 easily so as to clean the inner 12 or remove a liner (not shown). Two hinges 14 are provided for such, as is a catch (not shown) on a distal side of the bin 1 in some embodiments the outer 11 may be formed in a different more rigid material so as to provide structural strength to the bin in use. In some other embodiments the hanger 2 is formed of rigid material for said purposes as is the rear face 13 or a skeleton of such.

In the pictured embodiment studs 15 are additionally available for a liner with handles to be fixed in the bin 1 * wherein weight in the liner pulls handles against the studs 15.

In some embodiments the receptacle and/or bin may have an open bottom 16, wherein a liner may be able to drop under gravity and size is unconstrained. The means of attachment 3 is shown with a first relatively higher set of suckers 31 and a second relatively lower set 32; wherein the first set 31 minimises movement of the hanger along the x axis, the hanger 2 and second set 32 minimise movement on the Y axis and the two sets 31 and 32 minimise movement about the 2 radius.

In Figure 2 a second embodiment is shown wherein the bin 1 is formed in rigid material, the hanger 2 is (so as to pass over the projection 101) lacking in elasticity and the means of attachment 3 is a strap or strapping which passes about the structure 100.

The closure 20 is ideally reversible wherein the hanger 2 may be removable entirely or at a single side.

The bin 1 includes a bucket 4 which may be used to hold or contain the liner (not shown) between the outer 11 and bucket 4 or may be used without a liner so as to hold or contain waste.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment with a lid 5 and Figure 4 shows an embodiment with a rigid hanger 2 and clamping means of attachment 3 with clamps 33 to clamp over the door bottom 102.

Claims (16)

1. Claims 1 A receptacle for waste comprising: a bin arranged for acceptance and storage of waste on a projection from an independent structure; and a hanger adapted for hanging the bin along a first gravity defined axis, in which said axis is definable about a projection from the structure; wherein the receptacle includes additional means of attachment to the structure; and said means of attachment minimise movement of the bin about the first axis and with respect to at least one axis extending at an angle to the first axis.
2. 2. A receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the at least one axis is orthogonal to the first axis.
3. 3. A receptacle according to any of claims 1 or 2 wherein the means of attach-ment prevents the bin from being displaced away from the structure.
4. 4. A receptacle according to any one of claims ito 3 wherein the bin is arranged to be situated in use directly below the projection.
5. 5. A receptacle according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the bin is arranged to be situated in use offset below the projection.
6. 6. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means of attachment includes suction cups
7. 7. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means of attachment includes strapping.
8. 8. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means of attachment includes clamps.
9. 9. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means of attachment is sited on the bin.
10. 10. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means of attachment is sited on the hanger.
11. 11. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bin and hanger are separable.
12. 12. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the receptacle further comprises apparatus for securement of bin liners to the bin.
13. 13. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bin further includes a displaceable lid.
14. 14. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims in which at least part of the receptacle is composed of a resiliently deformable material.
15. 15. A receptacle as claimed in claim 14, in which the resiliently deformable mate-rial is silicone.
16. 16. A receptacle for collection or storage of waste with reference to the figures.