The invention relates to containers, more particularly to a container having means to compress the contents therein as well as to a method for compressing the content and to a use of said container.

Background

It is a global problem that we are creating too much garbage, and there are many problems and challenges related to handling and safe deposit of garbage. Deposit of garbage from private homes requires a lot of space, space which may have been used in more convenient ways if the amount of garbage was reduced. There are many national and international programs running trying to reduce the production of garbage. In a regular household in Norway, consumers separate the garbage when throwing it. Typically plastic, food, paper, glass and metal are thrown in separate bins. Then the municipal refuse disposal collects the different fragments at regular intervals. In Norway, as in many other countries, the garbage from private households is collected by a garbage truck, and the route for each truck is estimated based on the volume of garbage in that area and the load on the truck.

If a household produces more garbage than estimated, one has to pay a higher fee. If several households in one area are producing more garbage, then the garbage truck will be full before the route is completed, and the routes must be reconsidered. Thus, if each household could reduce their volume of garbage, it would benefit both the actual household by a reduction of fees, and the environment as the truck may drive longer routes before it must return to the waste plant for emptying. A waste container is easily filled since garbage occupies a lot of space when thrown away in their original shapes and sizes. If one is able to compress garbage inside the waste container, more waste could be thrown into the container before it needs to be emptied. Another advantage is that the consumer would need less spaces for intermediate storage of garbage between two collections. Further, it is preferred that the container compressing the garbage should be the bin wherein one throws garbage for the first time, for instance a garbage bin in the kitchen.

There is a wide variety of known waste bins and containers, and also containers which are made to compress the waste. Some of the containers have a lid which is pressed onto the waste, by the force of a hand or foot. Other containers comprise a plate or the similar fastened to the lid, wherein the plate is pressed onto the waste by different means outside the bin. See for instance US 5090309 or US 2003/0233950. However, there are some problems related to the known containers. One problem is that the pressure onto the garbage will only be temporarily, and released again once the foot or hand effecting the pressure is removed. Another problem is that the opening for throwing more waste into the container will be closed by the pressing- means, and thus one must unlock and remove the means for compression every time more garbage should be thrown into the container.

Thus, the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved container having means for compressing the contents therein. Further, it should be easy to add more garbage into the container when already compressed. Further, the contents of the container should preferably be under constant pressure. Yet another object is that it should be possible to use a regular garbage bag in the container, and that the garbage bag should be easy to remove from the container, when it is full. Yet another object of the invention is that the container should be easy to use, and not be larger than regular kitchen waste bins. The invention

In the following the invention will be described and exemplified by reference to a use for compressing of household garbage, however, the invention is not limited to such use and may be used in many areas where compression of different articles is desirable. The objects of the invention are met by a container, a method and a use of a container, according to the characterizing part of the independent claims. Further advantageous features are given in the corresponding dependent claims. The invention relates to a container comprising an upper part, a lower part and a lid, wherein the lid is connected to an upper end of the upper part with a lock. The upper part has an opening in both ends, and the lower part has an opening at its upper end and a bottom at its lower end. The bottom of the lower part is the bottom of the container. The upper and lower part are designed telescopic, in such a way that the total length of the container, and thereby the total volume of the container, may be adjusted. The container further comprises interlocking means having at least two members, wherein a first member is attached to the upper part and a second member is attached to the lower part of the container, the members engage each other and the total length of the container may be adjusted or locked by engaging and disengaging the members.

By "telescopic" it is herein meant that the parts may be moved in relation to each other, and the length and thus the inner volume of the container may be adjusted by moving the parts. This is preferably performed by producing two similar parts having the same design and shape, but that one of the parts has a larger cross section than the other part, and that the larger part can accommodate the smaller part. The term "longitudinally" may be used to denote the direction in which the length of the container may be adjusted. Upon normal use, the container is standing on the bottom, and adjusted vertically, meaning that the telescoping parts are arranged vertically on top of each other, and that it is the height of the container from the bottom to the lid which may be adjusted.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower part has equally shaped cross- section, but the upper part is larger than the lower part, and designed to

accommodate the lower part. For instance, if the lower part is square-shaped, the upper part should also be square-shaped, but the sides should be larger, in such a way that the inner cross-section of the upper part is slightly larger than the outer cross-section of the lower part. In this way, the upper part will accommodate the lower part, and may be moved in relation to the lower part.

The phrase "upper" and "lower" is herein used to distinguish the two parts from each other, and refers to a use where the bottom of the lower part is placed on the floor or ground. The container may however also be used placing the bottom perpendicular to the floor, and the "upper" and "lower" wording should not be interpreted limiting in such a way that such use is not enclosed by the scope of the claims. By "interlocking means" it is meant any suitable means which may be used to regulate and maintain a defined distance between the upper and lower parts of the container, and to prevent unintended changes of the distance. The means have at least two members wherein a first member is attached to the upper part and a second member is attached to the lower part. The distance between the upper and lower part of the container is regulated by engaging and disengaging the first and second member of the means.

In a preferred embodiment of the interlocking means, the second member has several positions where the first member may engage, arranged along the length of the lower part. When the size of the container should be regulated, the first member is disengaged from one position of the second member, reflecting the first size, and engaged at another position reflecting the new size of the container. This can be either a reduction of the total volume of the container i.e. for compressing the content or an increase of the total volume of the container i.e. when adding more content to the container. The means may for instance be a detent lock, knobs and recesses, or knobs and holes, preferably spring loaded knobs.

When the container is used, the lid is opened or removed, and contents are added thereto. Then the lid is replaced and locked, and the upper part may be pushed towards the lower part, in order to compress the contents of the container. The compression is achieved by the locked lid which is pressed against the content of the container when the total container volume is reduced. This is repeated whenever it is desirable to add more contents to the container, and/or to compress the contents. One may not always compress the contents when new matter is added, the contents may be compressed whenever convenient or needed. Further, if the container seems to be filled, the container may be lengthen by pulling the upper part away from the lower part, and thus more contents may be added to the container, and the process may be repeated. Before the upper part may be pulled away from the lower part, the interlocking means between the upper and lower part must be released.

A method for compressing the contents in a container according to the invention, comprises, in addition to steps for unlocking and opening the lid, adding contents into the container closing and locking the lid, steps for pressing the upper part towards the lower part until the volume of contents are reduced sufficiently, and activating the interlocking means to secure the position of the parts in relation to each other. The contents of the container will be compressed until the interlocking parts are released.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises a step for releasing the interlocking means and lengthen the container by pulling the parts apart, before contents are added into the container. In a preferred embodiment, the interlocking means are connected to the lid in such a way that they are released whenever the lid is opened. The pressing of the upper part towards the lower part is preferably performed by the user, and his/her manual power, but it may also be used other means such as an electrical motor or other suitable means for pressing which as will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

The distance between the bottom of the lower part and the upper end of the upper part will vary both depending on the amount of contents in the container, the degree of compression and the engagement of the interlocking means. The interlocking means will lock the position of the upper part to the lower part in such a way that pressure from inside the container, such as pressure from compressed contents, will not be able to push the upper part away from the lower part, and thus expand the inner volume of the container. When the inner volume is to be expanded, the interlocking means must be released, and then the upper part may be moved away from the lower part.

In a preferred embodiment, the interlocking means are designed in such a way that the size of the container may easily be reduced by simply pressing the parts together, but the means must be released in order to lengthen the container. One way to achieve this is to design the two parts of the means in such a way that they slide towards each other upon compression, but engage each other if the parts are moved apart and thus prevent the movement and restrain the position.

In a preferred embodiment the interlocking means are knobs and recesses, preferably one knob and a number of recesses, even more preferred one knob and a row of recesses. A "knob" may also be a pin, tenon, latch, peg or the similar, and in a more preferred embodiment, the knob is a spring loaded latch. The knob(s) and recesses should be attached to adjacent faces of the upper and lower parts of the container. If the upper part is accommodating the lower part, then the knobs and recesses should be on the inside of the upper part, and the outside of the lower part. The means may be released by changing the position of the knob, and disengage it from the recesses. The interlocking means and the release of the means may however be designed in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the interlocking means may be released by organs connected to the lid, in such a way that when the lid is opened, the interlocking means are released.

The interlocking means prevent that the volume of the container increases unintentionally by preventing that the upper and lower parts move away from each other, but the container may also comprise expanding elements pushing the upper and lower parts apart. These elements may in corresponding way be arranged on adjacent faces or edges of the upper and lower parts, and will act to lengthen the container once the members of the interlocking means are disengaged. The expanding elements should be strong enough to push the container until the maximum size, once the interlocking means are released.

The expanding elements may be a spring, such as a helical spring, extension spring or an elastic band. The fastening of these elements to the parts of the container will depend on the type of elements chosen. In a preferred embodiment the expanding elements are extension springs fastened to a hook in the upper part and a

corresponding hook in the lower part. When the container is fully compressed the spring is stretched, and when the container is at its maximum length, the spring is relaxed. When using a container having expanding elements, the upper part will automatically rise from the lower part once the interlocking means are released.

As described above, the contents of the container is compressed by pushing the parts towards each other. A lid is connected and locked to the upper end of the upper part, and the lid is typically in touch with the contents of the container during the compression. Thus, there must be a lock between the lid and the upper part of the container wherein the lid may not be opened until the lock is released. In this way, the contents of the container may not push the lid open and decompress itself. Further, the lid should preferably be hinged to the container, preferably at or close to the upper edge of the container. The axe of rotation of the lid is preferably arranged on the side of the container, in such a way that the lid is lifted from the upper edge of the container and no part of the lid is touching the container once the lid is opened. This may be performed in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art, and is thus not described any further here. In yet a preferred embodiment, the lid also comprises at least one organ for releasing the interlocking means, and in a more preferred embodiment the same organ will release the lock that locks the lid to the container. In an alternative embodiment, the lid is removable and lockable to the upper part of the container by locking elements on at least two opposing sides of the lid. The upper end of the upper part is provided with corresponding elements for stable and safe fixing/ locking of the lid to the container. The lid and its lock must have a stability and strength which is suitable to withstand the mechanical forces and pressure exposed to during the compression process. Typically, the lid and the whole container is made of plastic.

The lid may have a certain thickness, in order to exert more pressure to the contents, or it may be hollow in order to resist the pressure from the compressed contents better, and thus reduce the forces on the lock of the lid. The lid may have a protrusion extending into the container, in order exert pressure the contents. The protrusion should preferably have a size corresponding to the opening of the container, in such a way that the protrusion covers most of the cross section of the container, when the container is closed. Further, the protrusion may be slanting, having the most shallow end close to the end of the lid being fastened to the container. In this way it is easier to close the container when the container is filled.

When one part of the container is designed to accommodate the other part, and the container is lengthen to its maximum, the distance wherein the parts are overlapping each other will be a minimum. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower part are provided with cooperating devices to ensure that the parts are held in correct position to each other, even when the container is at its longest. Cooperating devices may for instance be a rail and a recess on the adjacent faces of the parts, but the cooperating devices may be performed in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. Further there is an advantage if the interlocking means and/or cooperating devices include stop organs, in order to avoid that the upper part is pulled so far away from the lower part that the parts separate.

A plastic bag should be used inside the container to collect the contents thrown therein, in regular way. When the container is full, and the container is at it maximum size, the bag is removed, and a new bag is inserted. In the following the invention will be described by reference to a garbage bin. The bin is suitable for compressing waste from a regular household, and should preferably be used inside the house for compressing the garbage when it is produced. A similar larger container may also be used to compress the bags of garbage thrown therein. The container may of course also be used in other areas, which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Example

The invention will now be described with the help of the enclosed figures, showing a container according to the present invention. The different parts of the figure are not necessarily in scale to each other, as the figure is merely for illustrating the invention.

The following description of an exemplary embodiment refers to the drawing, and the following detailed description is not meant or intended to limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more

embodiments.

The invention will in the following be described with reference to the enclosed figures, where

Figure 1 shows a garbage bin from behind in perspective from above,

Figure 2 shows the bin of Figure 1 wherein parts of an upper part is removed, and Figure 3 shows a cross section of the bin in Figure 1 , from the front, in perspective from above The Figures show the garbage bin comprising an upper part 1 , a lower part 2 and a lid 3, wherein the upper part 1 is larger than the lower part 2, and accommodates the lower part. The upper and lower parts are arranged telescopic, and the distance between the parts are adjusted by interlocking means.

The interlocking parts comprise two main parts, wherein a first member is attached to the upper part 1 of the container, and a second member is attached to the lower part 2 of the container. The second member is a row of protrusions 5 creating a row of recesses 6 between the protrusions, and is shown integrated into the wall of the lower part of the container. The first member of the interlocking means is a spring- loaded knob or latch 4 which will engage the recesses 6 between the protrusions 5 of the first member. The protrusions 5 and latch 4 are designed in such a way that the latch 4 will slide over the protrusions 5 and into the recesses 6 when the upper part 1 of the container is moved towards the lower part 2, but will engage the recess 6 and prevent movement of the upper part 1 away from the lower part 2.

The container further comprises extension springs (not shown) arranged between the upper and lower part, which acts as expanding elements as described above. The springs are loaded when the container is compressed, and unloaded when the container is at its full length.

In the shown embodiment, the lid 3 is hinged to the upper part 1 of the container on one side, and fastened to the upper edge of the upper end by a lock, preferably a detent lock on the opposite side. The axe of rotation is on the side of the container, and thus the lid 3 will be lifted from the top of the container when it is rotated. The lid comprises a bar 7, wherein a first end 7a of the bar is a part of the detent lock, and the lock may be released by moving the bar crosswise of the lid. This may be preformed in many ways, but in the shown embodiment, the end 7a of the bar 7 is designed as a hook, engaging an upper lip 8 of the edge of the container. The second end 7b of the bar is abutting an upper end 9a of a vertical rod 9 running along the side of the upper part of the container. The lower end 9b of the vertical rod is abutting the latch 4 and the spring loading (not shown) of the latch 4 pushes the rod 9 upwards. Once the bar 7 in the lid 3 is moved crosswise to the container to disengage the detent lock of the lid (being the hook 7a of the bar and the lip 8 of the upper edge of the upper part), the bar 7 will not abut the upper end 9a of the vertical rod 9, and the latch 4 will push the rod 9 upwards, and be able to move out of engagement with the recess 6. The upper part 1 of the container will then move away from the lower part 2, due to the extension springs, and the container will be lengthen.

The bar 7 of the lid 3 is preferably spring loaded and the spring (not shown) will return the bar 7 to its original position. When the lid 3 is opened by moving the bar to release the detent lock, and rotated in order to open the container, the lid 3 will be lifted off the upper part of the container, and the bar 7 will move back to the original position due to the spring. When the lid 3 is returned to the top of the container, the bar 7 will abut the upper end 9a of the rod again and press it down, which in turn will rotate the latch 4 and the latch 4 will engage a recess 6. When the upper part 1 is pressed towards the lower part2 of the container, to compress the contents of the container, the spring of the latch 4 will be further stretched, and the latch 4 will slide over a protrusion 5 and into the next recess 6.

Further, in the shown embodiment, the lower part 2 has a groove 10 in each corner, and the inside of each corner of the upper part is provided with corresponding rails (not shown). These groves 10 and rails act as cooperating means and keep the upper 1 and lower 2 parts in a correct position to each other, so that the telescopic function of the container is optimal. They are also provided with stop organs (not shown) to prevent that the parts are separated by pulling the upper part 1 away from the lower part 2. The shown lid further has a protrusion 1 1 facing the inside of the container, and a corresponding recess 12 facing the outside of the lid. The protrusion 1 1 has the same shape as the cross section of the container, and is designed to fit into the opening of the container. The protrusion 1 1 is slanting, and the shallow side 1 1 a is on the side of the lid being hinged to the container. In this way it is easy to close the lid even if the lid is touching the garbage of the container when it is closed.

When using the container shown in the Figures, the user will move the bar 7 crosswise to the lid 4, in order to disengage the hook 7a from the lip 8 of the container, and thus be able to open the lid. When the bar 7 is moved crosswise, the upper end 9a of the vertical rod 9 will be released from the abutment to the second end 7b of the bar 7. The spring loaded latch 4, which is abutting the lower part 9b of the rod, will thus be able to push the vertical rod upwards, and rotate out of engagement with the recess 6. Once the latch 4 is no longer in engagement with the recess 6, the extension springs (not shown) will push the upper part 1 away from the lower part 2, and the container will lengthen. When the lid is opened, the bar 7 will be raised from the upper end 9a of the vertical rod, and return to its original position due to the spring loading. The user may add contents to the container while the lid is open, and thereafter close the lid. When closing the lid, the hook 7a will snap over the lip 8 of the container to lock the lid, the second end 7b of the bar will abut the upper end 9a of the vertical rod 9, and thereby the lower end 9b of the rod will force the latch 4 to rotate. By rotating the latch 4 it will engage a recess 6, and thus prevent the upper part 1 of the container from moving away from the lower part 2.

If desirable, the user may press the lid towards the upper part to compress the contents of the container. Then the latch 4, attached to the upper part, will rotate to slide over a protrusion 5 and into the next recess 6 as the upper part accommodates more of the lower part 2 of the container. When the user is satisfied with the compression, the contents will be compressed and can not decompress as the lid 3 is locked to the upper part 1 of the container, and the upper part 1 can not move away from the lower part 2 because the latch 4 is engaged in a recess 6.

The example above is given to illustrate the invention and should not be used to interpret the following claims limiting. The scope of the invention is not limited by the example given above, but the following claims. Modifications and amendments of the invention, being obvious to a person skilled of the art, should also be included in the scope of the invention.