A household appliance module, such as a dishwasher or washing machine, typically has a metal, often steel, shell or carcass. Metal is a relatively heavy, relatively expensive material, if a carcass is damaged it is difficult or impossible to repair, and if appliance modules in different colours or bearing different logos are required paint or enamel must be applied to the carcass, e.g. by spraying the carcass or dipping it in the paint or enamel, or a logo has to be applied. Specific tooling is required to manufacture any particular casing. In the event that a manufacturer wishes to produce a range of appliance modules each consisting of one of or any combination of a number of modules, tooling is required for producing a casing for each module or each possible combination of modules, which is burdensome.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide an appliance module which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of known appliances.

The term "appliance module" as used herein refers to one or more modules, e.g. for crushing and/or compacting recyclable waste materials, such as cans, and or storing compacted or non-compacted recyclable waste materials. Each module may perform one or more different functions.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides an appliance module having a chassis and a casing carried by, and covering, the chassis, wherein the casing comprises a thermoplastics material.

Advantages of having a thermoplastics casing include lower weight, quick replacement if damaged, and different colours and logos without spraying. Thermoplastics materials offer a cheap alternative to tooling for each appliance module in a range. Tooling costs for thermoplastics materials are a much less than steel, and thermoplastics materials are cheaper than steel.

Appliance modules of the present invention include, for example, appliance modules for can crushing and storing; for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; and for waste storage, e.g. for glass.

Suitable materials for the chassis which supports the casing include

metals, such as mild steel, galvanised mild steel or aluminium alloys, and engineering plastics, such as polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulphone (PES) and polyethylenechlorinates (PEC). Suitable materials for the chassis which supports the casing include metals, such as mild steel and galvanised mild steel.

Suitable thermoplastics materials for the casing include high molecular-weight polymers, such as polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP); polyamides, e.g. polyamide (PA or nylon) and polyamideimide (PAI); polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexylene terephthalate (PCT), polycarbonate (PC) and polyhydroxyalkanoates, such as polycaprolactones, polyketones (PK) and aromatic polymers, such as polystyrene. Particularly suitable materials include semi-crystalline thermoplastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Particularly suitable thermoplastics materials include polymers such as polyolefins, for example polyethylene and polypropylene, e.g. polypropylene. Aptly, such polyolefins are high-density polyolefins, especially high-density polypropylene. Aptly, the thermoplastics material is used in the form of a sheet, for example a layer or panel.

For the appliance module of the present invention, having a chassis and a casing, the chassis may suitably comprise members forming a box and defining a box-shaped space having at least three and aptly a plurality of walls. Aptly, the members are linear and elongate, and define front, sides, back, front and bottom faces that are planar, and form a cuboidal box and define a cuboidal box-shaped space within the box. Aptly, the members form an open framework, e.g. a cage-like structure. Aptly, the members each comprise two integral linear and elongate parts with a right angle between their common edges where the two parts meet, i.e. each member is in the form of an angle iron.

Three linear and elongate members will meet at each corner of the cuboidal box, and are connected and/or attached together (depending on the materials of the chassis) by bonding, such as by adhesive, welding or thermal welding, and/or by fastening, such as bolting or clipping. Where the chassis is in the form of a cuboidal box, the casing may comprise at least one piece of thermoplastics material sheet that is wrapped around more than one side of the chassis. The sheet may be folded along and around an edges edge where two sides of the chassis meet.

In an alternative, embodiment, the casing may comprise a number of pieces of thermoplastics material sheet, each applied to one side of the chassis. Often a module of the present invention which is in the form of a cuboidal box with a chassis in the form of an open framework, e.g. a cage-like structure, comprises at least one drawer slidably received and mounted in the cuboidal box-shaped space within the box, e.g. on conventional sliders and/or rollers. The or each drawer will usually slide in and out horizontally of the space through the front of the module.

In such an embodiment, as described further hereinafter, the front is open, and the casing may comprise one piece of thermoplastics material sheet that is wrapped around the sides, top and bottom faces of the cuboidal box chassis, the sheet being folded along and around the top and bottom edges where the two side faces of the chassis meet the top and bottom faces respectively. In such an embodiment, the casing will comprise a separate piece of sheet covering the back face of the box.

It will be seen that the pieces of thermoplastics material sheet applied to the faces of the chassis will meet or overlap along their edges. For example, the casing may comprise a first thermoplastics material sheet that is wrapped around the side, top and bottom faces of the cuboidal box chassis, and a second sheet covering the back face of the box.

The first sheet will be folded along and around the top and bottom edges where the side faces meet the top and bottom faces respectively, and opposite edges of the first plastics material sheet will meet or overlap. All four edges of the second sheet covering the back face of the box will meet or may be adapted to overlap the rear edges of the first sheet.

The opposite edges of the first plastics material sheet may meet or overlap at a top or bottom edge, or on one of the side, top or bottom faces, of the cuboidal box chassis, aptly at/on the rear upright edges. The four edges of the second plastics material sheet will meet or overlap at the back top, bottom and side edges of the chassis with the back top, bottom and side edges of the first plastics material sheet.

Sheet edges that meet or overlap, for example the opposite edges of the first plastics material sheet, may be connected and/or attached together (depending on the materials of the chassis) by bonding, such as by adhesive, welding or thermal welding, and/or by fastening.

Alternatively or additionally, at least two, and aptly more of the walls, of the casing may be formed in their final configuration wrapped around more than one side of the chassis by a forming or moulding one or more pieces of thermoplastics material sheet in a process such as vacuum forming or heat shrinking, optionally in situ on the chassis. In this latter embodiment, the module may suitably comprise a cuboidal chassis. The component thermoplastics material sheets, when one or each is applied to one side of the chassis may be held in place on the chassis

by adhesive and/or

by fastening or clipping, or

where the chassis comprises an engineering plastics material, by welding or thermal welding.

Where the chassis is in the form of a cuboidal box, and the casing comprises at least one piece of thermoplastics material sheet that is wrapped around more than one side of the chassis, the sheet being folded along and around an edge or edges where two sides of the chassis meet, the thermoplastics material sheet may be held in place on the chassis by

adhesive and/or

by fastening, or clipping, or

where the chassis comprises an engineering plastics material, by welding or thermal welding.

The thermoplastics material sheet may be made a shrink fit on the members which form that part of the open framework bearing, and wrapped around by, the piece of thermoplastics material sheet, and held in place by the compressive forces of the shrink fit. Appliance modules of the present invention include appliance modules for can crushing and storing; for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; and for waste storage, e.g. for glass. Such appliance modules usually comprise operative units, e.g. the type described in our copending applications, respectively for

can crushing and storing, comprising a first drawer, slidably mounted in the chassis, and a can crushing device, wherein the can crushing device is mounted in the first drawer, and a storage box, mounted in a second the drawer, slidably mounted in the chassis, in the storage unit below the crushing unit;

compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers, comprising a receptacle in a drawer slidably mounted in the chassis below a drive means and a compacting means, wherein the drive means is operably connected to the compacting means, and, during a compacting operation, the drive means drives the compacting means into the receptacle; and/or

waste storage, comprising a waste storage container in a drawer slidably mounted in the chassis.

Each appliance module has the same construction, that is, has a chassis and a casing carried by, and covering, the chassis, wherein the casing comprises a thermoplastics material.

An appliance module of this invention may serve as a stand-alone appliance in its own right, or it may comprise two or more operative units, e.g. the type described above in this application, within a common chassis.

Each unit will usually perform a different function, e.g. crushing cans, compacting recyclable waste materials, or storing compacted or non-compacted recyclable waste materials.

Accordingly, in a second aspect, the present invention provides an appliance module comprising two or more operative units, e.g. the type described above in this application, within a common chassis of the present invention. Aptly, each operative unit is one that is used in a range of appliance modules comprising one or more such units, such that the units are interchangeable between the modules, thus avoiding the burdensome need for different specific tooling for producing a casing for each module or each unit and/or possible combinations of units in the modules. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide an appliance module which overcomes the disadvantages of known appliances, which do not have this facility. The operative units, e.g. the type described in our copending applications, respectively for can crushing and storing, compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers, or waste storage aptly have the same height. Two units, e.g. the type described in our copending applications, respectively for can crushing and storing, and for compacting and storing paper, abut each other laterally. The units are then aptly of the same height and the same depth so that the units are coterminous in the abutting faces and the units are readily interchangeable between the modules.

Suitable construction and materials for the chassis and the casing of the module of this second aspect of the present invention include those include those constructions and materials so described above. That is, a chassis and a casing carried by, and covering, the chassis, and materials for the chassis and the casing, including thermoplastics materials for the casing, including in particular the construction wherein a first plastics material sheet covers the back top, bottom and side faces of the module of this invention.

Appliance modules of this aspect of the present invention usually comprise operative units of the type described in our copending applications, respectively for can crushing and storing, and for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers.

Such an appliance module that comprises two or more units with a common chassis comprises units for can crushing and storing, comprising a first drawer, slidably mounted in the chassis, and a can crushing device, wherein the can crushing device is mounted in the first drawer, and a storage box, mounted in a second the drawer, slidably mounted in the chassis, in the storage unit below the crushing unit;

compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers, comprising a receptacle in a drawer slidably mounted in the chassis below a drive means and a compacting means, wherein the drive means is operably connected to the compacting means, and, during a compacting operation, the drive means drives the compacting means into the receptacle; and optionally, waste, comprising a waste storage container in a drawer slidably mounted in the chassis.

In this embodiment, the module may suitably comprise a cuboidal chassis, and the crushing unit is mounted in, and adjacent to a top side edge of, the chassis, extending rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the crushing unit drawer from the front of the chassis.

The drive means of the compacting and storing module for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers is mounted in, and adjacent to the other top side edge of, the chassis than that where the crushing unit is mounted, and also extends rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the crushing unit drawer from the front of the chassis. In this embodiment, the compacting drive means and the crushing unit abut each other laterally.

Although each component of the module performs different functions, it is then convenient to have the compacting drive means and the crushing unit share a common storage unit, mounted in the module on the chassis. The common storage unit is positioned below the crushing unit and the compacting drive means, such that a crushed can drops into it and other recyclable waste materials put into it may be subjected to a compacting operation.

The crushing compartment may include a slot adjacent to the first fixed end wall through which a crushed can may drop under gravity, and in the rest position of both, the receptacle is positioned underneath the slot in the crushing unit compartment. The compacting plate extends in a generally horizontal direction under the crushing unit and the compacting drive means, but in this form of the embodiment, it only extends forwards in the direction of sliding of the crushing unit drawer from the rear of the chassis for its front edge to overlap the rear part of the slot in the crushing unit compartment and to define a space behind the receptacle drawer front.

The crushing compartment is slidable out of the front of the chassis from the rear of the chassis in a direction generally corresponding to its elongate dimension after a crushing operation (during which the crushing unit drawer is closed). A crushed can will be retained in the slot adjacent to the first fixed end wall by the compacting plate until withdrawal of the crushing unit, when the slot clears the front edge of the compacting plate, so that a crushed can drops under gravity through the space in front of the compacting plate into the receptacle.

Suitable storage units include an embodiment of a storage unit drawer in which the drawer has a front mounted on a container part, and a box-like receptacle is slidably locatable and sits in the drawer container part. The drawer front is suitably planar, and aptly rectangular. Aptly, the container part conforms to the box-like receptacle, so that it holds the box-like receptacle.

The container part may be an open framework, e.g. it may have a cage-like structure formed by intersecting members. In one form of this embodiment, the cage-like container part comprises members which are first, second and third arms, wherein each arm extends from a rear face of the drawer front rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer. In a form of this embodiment, the arms further extend transversely of the direction of sliding of the drawer to meet adjacent to the rear of the drawer.

In particular, the arms may be so arranged that they conform to the outside of the box- like receptacle, so that they hold the box-like receptacle.

In a form of this embodiment, the receptacle has an open-top generally cuboidal box- shaped structure, optionally splaying slightly on all sides in the direction of the top side of the chassis, and a projecting lip extending in a generally horizontal direction on all sides from the top of the receptacle, by which it is supported solely on the second and third arms extending from a rear face of the drawer front rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer, and not on the first arm towards the bottom of the chassis.

In another form of this embodiment, the cage-like container part has a first arm in perpendicular relationship with second and third arms to give the drawer stability when it is slid in and out and prevent it rocking or rotating, and to prevent the drawer runners binding.

An appliance module of this invention may serve as a stand-alone appliance in its own right, or it may be combined with one or more other modules to form an integrated appliance assembly comprising two or more modules, e.g. type described above in this application, within a common chassis. Each module will usually perform a different function, e.g. crushing cans, compacting recyclable waste materials, or storing compacted or non-compacted recyclable waste materials. Each module is aptly one that is used in a range of appliance modules comprising one or more such modules, such that the modules are interchangeable in the assembly, thus avoiding the burdensome need for different specific tooling for producing a casing for each module or each module and/or possible combinations of modules in the modules. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide an appliance module which overcomes the disadvantages of known appliances, which do not have this facility.

Accordingly, in a third aspect, the present invention provides an appliance assembly comprising two or more modules, e.g. the type described above in this application, wherein each module is attached or fastened to another module to form an integrated appliance assembly.

The modules, e.g. the type described in our copending applications, respectively for can crushing and storing, compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers, or waste storage preferably have the same height. Two modules, e.g. the type described in our copending applications, respectively for can crushing and storing, and for compacting and storing paper, abut each other laterally. The modules are then aptly of the same height and the same depth so that the modules are coterminous in the abutting faces and the modules are readily interchangeable between the modules.

Suitable construction and materials for the chassis and the casing of the modules in this second aspect of the present invention include those include those constructions and materials so described above. That is, a chassis and a casing carried by, and covering, the chassis, and materials for the chassis and the casing, including thermoplastics materials for the casing, including in particular the construction wherein a first plastics material sheet covers the back top, bottom and side faces of the module of this invention.

Appliance modules in this aspect of the present invention usually comprise modules of the type described in our copending applications, respectively for can crushing and storing, and for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers.

Such an appliance assembly with two or more modules each with its own chassis comprises modules for

can crushing and storing, comprising a first drawer, slidably mounted in the chassis, and a can crushing device, wherein the can crushing device is mounted in the first drawer, and a storage box, mounted in a second the drawer, slidably mounted in the chassis, in the storage unit below the crushing unit;

compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers, comprising a receptacle in a drawer slidably mounted in the chassis below a drive means and a compacting means, wherein the drive means is operably connected to the compacting means, and, during a compacting operation, the drive means drives the compacting means into the receptacle; and

optionally, waste, comprising a waste storage container in a drawer slidably mounted in the chassis.

The modules will be usually coterminous in the faces where they are attached or fastened and will be attached or fastened to one another to form an integrated appliance module by locking, securing or tying means, such as bolting, or clipping, or welding across the common abutting faces of two modules.

In a fourth aspect, the invention also provides an appliance module from a range of appliance modules comprising one or more modules wherein, irrespective of the number of modules, each appliance module has the same control circuitry.

For instance, a module for can crushing and storing may comprise a can crushing and storing module comprising a crushing unit and a storing unit in a chassis, enclosed on all sides apart from its front by a skin, e.g. of a plastics material. Aptly, the crushing unit and a storing unit are mounted, e.g. slidably mounted, in the chassis, in a generally horizontal direction of sliding.

The can crushing unit may comprise a drawer and a can crushing device mounted in the drawer. The can crushing device used in the crushing unit may comprise an elongate crushing compartment having at least two, and aptly a plurality of walls. At least one of the walls is moveable during a crushing operation thereby to reduce the size of the crushing compartment. A can is crushed by placing it in the crushing compartment and moving the movable wall to reduce the size of the crushing compartment, thereby subjecting the can to a crushing operation. At least one of the other of the walls is aptly an opposing fixed end wall towards which the moveable wall moves during a crushing operation. Aptly, the device comprises non-manual drive means for driving the movement of the moveable wall during the crushing operation.

Aptly, the drive means comprises a linear ram, which is an electrically powered device connected to a linearly acting drive rod, in turn connecting the drive means to the movable wall, thereby to drive the wall during a crushing operation.

A bottom wall of the crushing compartment may include a slot adjacent to the fixed end wall through which a crushed can may drop under gravity, with the slot so positioned that the crushed can drops into a storage box, mounted in the drawer, slidably mounted in the chassis, in the storage unit below the crushing unit.

Aptly, the storage unit comprises a least one bin which is slidably locatable in the box. Once it is full of cans, the bin may be slidably removed from the box.

For example, the bin may conform to the inside of part of the box such that it may be lifted into and out of the box with the crusher unit drawer closed and the storage unit drawer open. A drive means that is electrically powered, such as a linear ram, has a control electronics sub-module, which may conveniently be housed in the crushing unit.

The control electronics may include an initiation switch whose operation initiates a crushing operation. The switch may be operated directly by a user or may be operated indirectly as a result of some other operation by a user.

For instance, in the case where the crushing unit comprises a drawer containing a crushing compartment which during the crushing process is pulled outwardly of the module to load a can for crushing into the compartment, and then pushed inwardly of the module to start the crushing process, with the storage unit drawer closed, an initiation switch may be operated by the crushing unit drawer itself, when it reaches its fully closed position. The control electronics may include a sensor switch that, when a can has been crushed, switches the drive means so that it then retracts until the movable wall regains its rest position. The compartment is then ready to receive another can for crushing.

Aptly, the control electronics also comprises jam and overload detection, and failsafe switching to halt the crushing process.

Similarly, a module for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers may comprise a receptacle, and drive means and a compacting means, wherein the drive means is operably connected to the compacting means, where, during a compacting operation, the drive means drives the compacting means into the receptacle, all in a chassis, enclosed on all sides apart from its front by a skin, e.g. of a plastics material.

Aptly, the receptacle is mounted, for example slidably mounted, in the chassis, in a generally horizontal direction of sliding, in a drawer below the compacting means. Any cartons, packaging or containers in the receptacle are compacted by the action of the compacting means.

Following a compacting operation, the drive means drives the compacting means in a withdrawing operation out of the receptacle. Aptly, the compacting means is in the form of a compacting plate, for example a planar and rectangular plate which extends in a generally horizontal direction. During a compacting operation, the compacting means is driven by the drive means into the receptacle from its rest position clear of the receptacle before the compacting operation. Often the receptacle is elongate from the front to the rear, and aptly the compacting means conforms to the inside of the receptacle close to its bottom. The drive means may be an electrically powered linear ram which is pivotally attached to a scissor jack mechanism, which is slidably located and sits in a compactor compartment at the top of the space enclosed by the chassis. The compacting plate is then attached to a bottom plate of the scissor jack mechanism. A drive means that is electrically powered, such as a linear ram, has a control electronics sub-module, which may conveniently be housed in the compactor compartment at the top of the space enclosed by the chassis. The control electronics may include an initiation switch whose operation initiates a compacting operation. The switch may be operated directly by a user or may be operated indirectly as a result of some other operation by a user. For instance, where the compacting module comprises a drawer containing the receptacle, which during the compacting process is pulled outwardly of the module to load waste for compacting, such as paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers, and then pushed inwardly of the module to start the compacting process, an initiation switch may be operated by the compacting unit drawer itself, when it reaches its fully closed position.

The control electronics may include a sensor switch that, when the waste has been compacted, switches the drive means so that it then retracts until the compacting means (in the form of a planar and rectangular plate which extends in a generally horizontal direction) regains its rest position. The receptacle is then ready to receive other waste for compacting, such as paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers. Aptly, the control electronics also comprises jam and overload detection, and failsafe switching to halt the compacting process.

It will be seen that the control electronics sub-module in both the modules respectively for can crushing and storing and for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers comprise the same components:

an initiation switch which activates drive means which aptly comprises a linear ram, which is electrically powered, to drive a crushing or compacting device in a crushing or compacting operation, when a drawer slidably received and mounted in the space within the chassis, in a generally horizontal direction, when it reaches its fully closed position; a sensor switch that, when a can has been crushed or waste compacted, switches the drive means so that it then retracts the crushing or compacting device to its rest position, so that the device is then ready to receive another can for crushing or other waste for compacting, such as paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; and

optionally jam and overload detection, and failsafe switching to halt the crushing or compacting device in its operation. The present invention thus provides a control electronics sub-module, which may conveniently be used in both the modules, respectively for can crushing and storing and for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material. This control electronics sub-module overcomes the disadvantages of known appliances, which do not have control electronics sub-modules which can conveniently be interchanged.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a trolley for transporting together two or more waste storage receptacles, so that they are removable together as a single unit. Removability assists with transporting, emptying cleaning of the receptacles.

The trolley may comprise a rectangular framework, e.g. it may have a lattice-like structure formed by intersecting elongate members, comprising longitudinal members extending in the direction of movement of the trolley and transverse members extending across the direction of movement of the trolley. The framework can receive a lower receptacle with a rectangular cross-section and a rectangular bottom complementarily shaped to be received by the framework, in the form of a generally cuboidal box defining a cuboidal box-shaped space within it. The framework has rolling means, such as wheels or rollers, e.g. a pair of rollers, mounted at one end of its bottom, aptly symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the framework in the direction of movement of the trolley.

In an alternative embodiment, the rolling means, such as wheels or rollers, optionally a pair of rollers, is mounted at one end of the bottom of the lower receptacle without a framework.

In such an embodiment, without a separate framework of elongate members, the lower receptacle is capable of receiving at least one upper receptacle on or in its open upper face, with its top rim abutting the bottom face of a single upper receptacle and/or slidably receiving the bottom face in the cuboidal box-shaped space within the lower receptacle, e.g. on a ledge running around the box-shaped space within the lower receptacle. The receptacles will be usually coterminous in the faces where they engage.

The lower receptacle is also capable of receiving at least two upper receptacles on or in its open upper face, with its top rim abutting the bottom faces of the upper receptacles and/or slidably receiving the bottom faces in the cuboidal box-shaped space within the lower receptacle, e.g. on a ledge running around the box-shaped space within the lower receptacle. For example two upper receptacles on or in the open upper face of the lower receptacle may abut each other laterally. Aptly, the upper receptacles are then of the same height and the same length or depth so that the upper receptacles are coterminous in their abutting faces and the upper receptacles are of the same length or depth as the lower receptacle, so that their bottoms abutting the top of the lower receptacle are coterminous with it in at least one direction.

All the receptacles may suitably be attached or fastened to one another to form an integrated multiple receptacle, by locking, securing or tying means spanning the relevant edges of the lower receptacle and upper receptacle or upper receptacles, e.g. by quick release means. They may be connected and/or attached together by means of wing bolts, or wing nuts on bolts, through lugs spanning the relevant edges of the lower receptacle and upper receptacle or upper receptacles, or slide bolts and hasps spanning the relevant edges of the lower receptacle and upper receptacle or upper receptacles. Suitable quick release means include fasteners, such as clips or clasps spanning the relevant edges of the lower receptacle and upper receptacle or upper receptacles. At least one of the receptacles may be a receptacle for storing waste from an appliance of the present invention. As noted hereinbefore, appliance receptacles of the present invention include receptacles for can crushing and storing; for compacting and storing paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; and for waste storage, e.g. for glass. Such receptacles are usually of the types described in this application. Such receptacles usually comprise storage means respectively for crushed can storing; for storing compacted paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; or for waste storage e.g. for glass.

The present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures, in which:

Figure 1 a shows an isometric view of an extended module comprising two different modules for crushing, compacting and storing recyclable waste. Figure 1 b shows a cross-sectional view from the longitudinal mid-point of the extended module of Figure 1 a facing rearwardly;

Figure 2 shows an exploded isometric view of an appliance comprising three different modules for crushing, compacting and/or storing recyclable waste; and Figure 3 shows a trolley for transporting together three waste storage receptacles, so that they are removable together as a single unit. All the appliance modules depicted have a chassis and a casing carried by, and covering, the chassis, wherein the casing comprises a thermoplastics material.

Referring to Figure 1 , the extended module 61 illustrated comprises two different units: The extended module 61 illustrated comprises two different modules:

A crushing unit 76 comprising a first drawer 77, mounted in, and adjacent to the top left side edge 64a of, the chassis 62 of the extended module 61 , occupying approximately half of the top one third of the volume of the space 63 within the chassis 62, and extends rearwardly the front of the chassis 62.

An electrically powered drive means 28 of a compacting and storing module for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers is mounted in, and adjacent to the right top side edge 64a of, the chassis 62, also occupying approximately half of the top one third of the volume of the space 63 within the chassis 62, and extends rearwardly the front of the chassis 62.

The drive means 28 of a compacting and storing module for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers 60 is operably connected to compacting means 29 (not shown), here a planar and rectangular plate which extends in a generally horizontal direction.

The drive means 28 and the crushing unit 6 abut each other laterally. Although each component of the module performs different functions, the compacting drive means 28 and the crushing unit 6 share a common storage unit, here a storage unit drawer 65 with a cage-like container part 71 and an open-top generally box-shaped receptacle 72, which is smaller than the container part 71 and is slidably received in the container part 71 .

The storage unit drawer 65 is slidably mounted in the chassis 2 below the crushing unit 6 and the compacting drive means 28, such that in use a crushed can drops into it and the drive means 48 drives the compacting means 49 downwardly into the receptacle 72 from a rest position clear of the receptacle 72 before the compacting operation, such that any cans, cartons, packaging or containers in the receptacle 72 are compacted. The drawer 65 occupies the remaining two thirds of the volume of the space 3.

The crushing unit 76 comprises a crushing compartment 16 with a first fixed end wall 17 adjacent to the crushing unit drawer front 10 (all not shown). The compartment 16 includes a slot 22 (not shown) adjacent to the first fixed end wall 17 through which a crushed can may drop under gravity, and in the rest position of both units, the receptacle 72 is positioned underneath the slot 22 in the crushing unit compartment 16. The compacting plate 49 extends in a generally horizontal direction under the crushing unit 76 and the compacting drive means 48, but in this form of the embodiment, it only extends forwards in the direction of sliding of the crushing unit drawer 77 from the rear of the chassis for its front edge to overlap the rear part of the slot 22 in the crushing unit compartment and to define a space behind the receptacle drawer front.

The crushing compartment 16 is slidable out of the front of the chassis from the rear of the chassis in a direction generally corresponding to its elongate dimension after a crushing operation (during which the crushing unit drawer 77 is closed).

A crushed can will be retained in the slot 22 adjacent to the first fixed end wall 17 by the compacting plate 49 until withdrawal of the crushing unit 76, when the slot 22 clears the front edge of the compacting plate 49, so that a crushed can drops under gravity through the space in front of the compacting plate 49 into the receptacle 76.

The cage-like container part 71 comprises members which are first, second and third arms 59a, 59b, 59c.

The arms 59a, 59b, 59c extend from a rear face 60 of a drawer front 71 rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer 65. and further extend transversely of the direction of sliding of the drawer 65 to meet adjacent to the rear of the drawer 65. The arms 59a, 59b, 59c are so arranged that they conform to the outside of the receptacle 72 to hold the receptacle 72. The cage-like container part 71 so formed has a first arm 59a in perpendicular relationship with second and third arms 59b, 59c. Each arm 59a, 59b, 59c comprises a C-shaped channel 60a, 60b, 60c and the chassis 2 comprises three runners 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, each in a position corresponding to one of the first, second and third arms 59a, 59b, 59c. 59a, 59b, 59c Each of the C-shaped channels 60a, 60b, 60c slots and runs over a corresponding runner 61 a, 61 b, 61 c. Each runner 61 a, 61 b, 61 c comprises first and second members (not shown), wherein the first member is mounted on the chassis 3, extending rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer 45 from the front of the module 41 and the second member loosely conforms internally to the outside of the first member and is held captive by a C-shaped channel, respectively 60a, 60b, 60c, that slots and runs over the corresponding runner second member. This arrangement allows each runner 61 a, 61 b, 61 c to float within controlled limits to take up any inaccuracies in the cage-like container part 51 .

The C-shaped channel 60a of the first arm 59a lies in one plane on the bottom 63 of the chassis 3, and the C-shaped channel 60b, 60c of each of the other arms 59b, 59c lies in a another plane, perpendicular to the first plane.

Drawer runners usually tend to be rigid in one direction only. Thus, each of the runners 61 b, 61 c in a lateral position corresponding to one of the second and third arms 59b, 59c, and over which each of the C-shaped channels 60b, 60c slots and runs, are rigid to vertical motion but not lateral.

The bottom runner 61 a in a position corresponding to the first arm 59a, and over which the C-shaped channel 60a slots and runs, is rigid to lateral motion but not vertical. The bottom runner 61 a makes the top runners 61 b, 61 c more rigid laterally and the top runners 61 b, 61 c make the bottom runner 61 a more rigid vertically.

The perpendicular relationship of the first channel 59a and the second and third channels 59b, 59c and between the corresponding runners 61 a, 61 b, 61 c gives the drawer 65 stability when it is slid in and out and prevent it rocking or rotating, and prevent the drawer runners binding.

The receptacle 72 has an open-top generally cuboidal box-shaped structure, splaying slightly on all sides in the direction of the top side of the chassis, and a projecting lip 69 (not shown) extending in a generally horizontal direction on all sides from the top of the receptacle, by which it is supported solely on the second and third arms 59b, 59c extending from a rear face of the drawer front 60 rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer 71 , and not on the first arm 59a towards the bottom of the chassis. In use, a can may be crushed in the crushing unit 6, with the crushed can being dropped from the crushing unit drawer 77 into the receptacle 62, which acts as a storage unit for compacted recyclable waste materials.

Alternatively or subsequently, the drawer 65 is slid outwards, and paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers are put into the receptacle 72. The drive means 48 drives the compacting plate 49 downwardly into the receptacle 72 from a rest position clear of the receptacle 72 before the compacting operation, such that any cans, cartons, packaging or containers in the receptacle are compacted. Following a compacting operation, the drive means 48 drives the compacting plate 49 in a withdrawing operation out of the receptacle 72 to its rest position clear of the receptacle 72 before the compacting operation. The receptacle 72 then acts as a storage unit for compacted recyclable waste materials.

Referring to Figure 2, a recycling appliance assembly is indicated generally at 80.

The term "appliance assembly" as used herein refers to one or more modules for crushing and/or compacting recyclable waste materials, such as cans, and or storing compacted or non-compacted recyclable waste materials. An appliance may consist of any one of the modules or a combination of any two or more of the modules.

The appliances illustrated consist of modules selected from three different modules: a first, left-hand, can crushing and storing module 1 ; a second, centre, compacting and storing module 42 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; and, a third, right -hand, storage module 63, e.g. for glass.

The appliance may consist of: The can crushing and storing module 1 in the casing 71 with bezel 81 ;

The compacting and storing module 42 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers in the casing 74 with bezel 84 and drawer front 104; The can crushing and storing module 1 with the compacting and storing module 42 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers in the casing 72 with bezel 82 and drawer front 102; The can crushing and storing module 1 with the compacting and storing module 42 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers and the storage module 63, e.g. for glass, in the casing 73 with bezel 83 and drawer front 103.

Each module has its own chassis and where the first, can crushing and storing module 1 is combined with the second, compacting and storing module 42 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; or also with the storage module 63, e.g. for glass, the chassis of the first module 1 is fastened to the chassis of the second module 42 to form an integrated, two-module unit, or the chassis of the third module 63 is also fastened to the chassis of the second module 42 to form an integrated, three- module unit.

Referring to Figure 3, a trolley for transporting together three waste storage receptacles, so that they are removable together as a single unit, is indicated generally at 90.

Rolling means, here a pair of rollers 91 , is mounted at one end of the bottom of the lower receptacle. The lower receptacle 92 receives two upper receptacles 93, 94 on its open upper face, with its top rim abutting the bottom faces of the upper receptacles 93, 94. The two upper receptacles 93, 94 on the open upper face of the lower receptacle 92 abut each other laterally. The upper receptacles 93, 94 are same height and the same depth so that the upper receptacles 93, 94 are coterminous in their abutting faces, and the upper receptacles 93, 94 are of the same length or depth as the lower receptacle 92, so that their bottoms abutting the top of the lower receptacle 92 are coterminous with it.

All the receptacles 92, 93, 94 are fastened to one another to form an integrated multiple receptacle, by quick release clips 95 the relevant edges of the lower receptacle 92 and upper receptacle or upper receptacles 93, 94.

A tow handle 95 is fastened by quick release clips 96 (not shown) to the front faces of the upper receptacles 93, 94. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to any details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.