| 1. | A waste container capable of indicating when a predetermine load therein has been reached, which container comprises An elongate sleeve (1), having opposed longitudinal ends and defined by a 5. peripheral wall, at least one of which opposed longitudinal ends of the sleeve(l), is open, A bag (6), capable of receiving the waste, and having an open end and a closed end, Which bag (6), is capable of insertion into the or an open end of the sleeve (1), so that the closed end of the bag (6), lies within the sleeve,(l), and which bag (6), is capable of folding, in a region (3), towards the open end of the bag (6), over the open end of the sleeve (1), into which 10. the bag (6), is to be inserted , where by the bag (6), in the said region (3), toward the open end of the bag (6) , surrounds each of an outer and an inner peripheral wall portion of the open end of the sleeve (1), which peripheral wall portion of the sleeve (1), has therein at least two openings (2), each having a respective crimping element associated therewith and spaced apart from one another around the sleeve,(l) 15. Each of which said openings (2), is capable of receiving, from out side the sleeve,(l), a respective adjacent proportion of the bag surrounding the sleeves so as to be retained within the opening in a crimped fashion by a respective crimping element, the bag (6),thereby being releasably secured within the open end thereof surrounding an open end of the sleeve at one of the opposed longitudal ends of the sleeve (1), and the closed ends of the bag (6), terminating 20. short of the other of the opposed longitudinal ends of the bag (6), so that the bag is suspended within the elongate sleeve(l). which waste container additionally comprises a lid (7), adapted to fit over an open end of the sleeve and over an open end of the bag (6), suspended therein, which lid (7), has a cover member (8), with an aperture therein, which aperture is capable of retention in a generally open condition at least until the predetermined load has been reached, 5. so as to allow access of waste into the open end of the sleeve (1), and which lid (6), has a peripheral flange attached to the cover member (8), and which, when the lid (7), fits over the open end of the sleeve (1), and over the open end of the bag (6), suspended therein, is adapted to engage frictionally with the folded region of the bag (6), folded over the open end of sleeve(l), 10. whereby, upon increasing the load of the bag (6), with waste, the bag (6), is retained in the suspended condition until, at least when approaching the predetermined load, tension in the bag (6), provided by the suspended load causes upward movement of the said folded region of the bag as crimped portions of the bag are released from the openings, which upward movement of the said folded region of the bag (6), by virtue of the said 15. frictional engagement thereof with the flange of the lid(7), carries the lid(7), upwardly at least until the lid(7), no longer engages with the sleeve (1), the position of the lid there by indicating the presence in the bag (6), of the, or the load approaching the, predetermined load. |
| 2. | A waste container according to claim 1, wherein the lid (7), is additionally provided with closure means (18), operable when the predetermined load has been reached, to close at least 20. partially the aperture in the Hd (7), so as at least to discourage further loading . 3. A waste container according to claim 2, wherein the closure means is operable in response to the upward movement of the lid (7) towards the position thereof free from engagement with the sleeve(l).. 4. A waste container according to claim 3, wherein the closure means comprises 5. at least one closure flap (7), pivitoval, about a line of weakening at an edge of the aperture(17), between a first position and a second position and resiliently biased, by the line of weakening, towards the first position, in which first position the flap (17), assumes an at least partially closed position generally in register with the aperture and in which second position the flap (17), assumes a position out of register with the aperture, in which the aperture is open, 10. a flexible element connected at one end thereof to a part of the closure flap forward of and remote from the line of weakening and at an opposite end thereof to a internal peripheral region of the flange spaced from the plane of the aperture and rearwardly of the line of weaking , whereby, on fitting the lid (7), over the sleeve (1), a rim defined by the longitudinal end of the sleeve(l), around which the bag (6),is folded cooperates with the flexible element(18), so 15. as to provide therein a tension inducing pivotal movement of the flap(17), against the said bias thereof, from the said first position to the second position in which the flap(17), assumes a position in which the aperture is opened to allow access therethrough of waste into the container, while on the said upward movement of the lid(7), in response to an increasing load within the bag(6), the tension is released from the flexible element(18), thereby allowing the flap (17), to return to the said first position generally in register with the aperture and thereby at least discourage further loading above the predetermined load. 5. A waste container according to claim 4, wherein the closure means comprises two said closure flaps(17), each having associated therewith a respective flexible element(18),and each closure flap (17), being adapted, when in the said first closure position thereof, to close a respective part of the aperture and together to close the entire aperture. 5, 6. A waste container according to anyone of the proceeding claims, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal ends of the sleeve (1), is open . 7. A waste container according to claim 6, wherein a respective peripheral wall portion of the sleeve adjacent to each longitudinal end has therein at least two openings (2), having respective said crimping elements associated there with and spaced to part around the sleeve(l), thereby 15, allowing the sleeve to be turned upside down for reuse. 8. A waste container according to any one of the other preceding claims, wherein the predetermined load is controlled by the number of said openings having respective crimping elements associated therewith, which are provided adjacent the longitudinal end of the sleeve from which the bag(6), is to be suspended. 20, 9, A waste container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each crimping element associated with each respective opening (2), comprises a flap pivotable about a line of weakening at an edge of the opening between a first position, protruding externally of the sleeve(l), to which the flap may be pushed from within the sleeve (10, and at which an adjacent portion of the bag (6), surrounding the sleeve(l), may be wrapped around the flap and a second 25. position protruding internally of the sleeve(l), to which the flap may be pushed from outside the sleeve(l), and at which the said adjacent portion of the bag(6), surrounding the sleeve(l), is held in crimp condition within the opening. 10. A waste container according to anyone of the preceding claims , wherein the lid (7)has flange of sufficient depth to cover each of the openings(2), and crimping elements associated therewith adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the sleeve(l). 11. A waste container according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve(l), 5. is of cardboard . 12. A waste container according to anyone of the preceding claims, having a lateral cross section which has from four to ten sides. 13. A waste container according to claim 12, which has an octagonal cross section. |
| 3. | 14 A method of waste collection in which the amount of waste collected is controlled, which 15, method comprises Providing an elongate sleeve (1), having an opposed longitudal ends and defined by a peripheral wall, at least one of which opposed longitudinal ends of the sleeve (1), is open, which elongate sleeve(l) has, in the peripheral wall thereof , towards the or a said open end, at least two openings (2), each having a respective crimping element associated therewith and 20. spaced apart from one another around the sleeve (1), inserting into an open end of the sleeve(l), a bag having an open end and a closed end so that the closed end enters the sleeve(l), and folding the bag , in a region (3) thereof towards the open end of the bag (6), over the said open longitudinal end of the sleeve, so that the bags(6), surrounds each of an outer and inner peripheral wall portion of the open end of the sleeve(l), 25. Urging, from outside the sleeve(l),, respective portions of the bag surrounding the sleeve into respect adjacent openings(2) of the sleeve(l), so as to retain the respective portions of the bag (6),within respective openings(2), in a crimped fashion provided by a respective said crimping element , so as to secure the bag(6), releasably within the open end thereof surrounding an open end of the sleeve(l), at one of the opposed longitudinal ends thereof and the closed end of the bag terminating short of the othe of the opposed longitudinal ends of the sleeve(l), so that the bag(6) is suspended within the elongate sleeve; 5 Loading the bag (6), until, upon reaching the predetermined load therein,, tension in the bag (6),provided by the said load causes release from the opening s of the crimped portions of the bag to allow the bag to fall into the sleeve(l), thereby indicating the presence in the bag of the predetermined load, thus allowing the control of the amount of waste collected. |
| 4. | A method according to claim 14, which additionally comprises 10 providing a lid(7), adapted to fit over an open end of the sleeve(l) and over an open end of the bag (6). suspended in the sleeve(l), which lid has an aperture therein and a peripheral flange adapted to engage frictionally with the folded region of the bag folded over the open end of the sleeve, prior to loading, or at some stage prior to approaching the said load, fitting the lid (7), over 15. the opening end of the sleeve(l) and over an open end of the bag suspended in the sleeve so as to bring the peripheral flange of the lid into frictional engagement with the said folded region of the bag , maintaining the aperture in the lid in an open condition at least until the predetermid load is reached, and loading waste into the bag(6), through the aperture in the lid until, at least when approaching determined load, tension in the bag(6) provided by the suspended load causes upward movement of the said folded region of the bag (6), as crimp portions of the bag are released from the openings, which upward movement of the folded regions of the bag,(6), by virtue of the said frictional engagement there of with the flange of the lid,(7), carries the lid upwardly at least 5. until the lid no longer engages with the sleeve(l), the position of the lid(7), thereby additionally indicating the presence in the bag(6), of the or a load approaching the, predetermined load. |
which bag is capable of insertion into the or an open end of the sleeve so that the closed end of the bag lies within the sleeve, and which bag is capable of folding, in a region towards the open end of the bag , over the open end of the sleeve into which the bag is to be inserted, whereby the bag, in the said region toward the open end of the bag, 15. surrounds each of an outer and an inner peripheral wall portion of the open end of the sleeve, which peripheral wall portion of the sleeve has therein at least two openings , each having a respective crimping element associated therewith and spaced apart from one another around the sleeve, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "crimped portals", 20. each of which said openings is capable of receiving, from outside the sleeve, a respective adjacent portion of the bag surrounding the sleeves so as to be retained within the opening in a crimped fashion by a respective crimping element, the bag thereby being releasably secured within the open end thereof surrounding an open end of the sleeve at one of the opposed longitudinal ends of the sleeve and the closed ends of the bag terminating short of the other of the opposed longitudinal ends of the bag so that the bag is suspended within the elongate sleeve, which waste container additionally comprises a lid adapted to fit over an open end of 5. the sleeve and over an open end of the bag suspended therein, which lid has a cover member with an aperture therein, which aperture is capable of retention in a generally open condition at least until the predetermined load has been reached, so as to allow access of waste into the open end of the sleeve, and which lid has a peripheral flange attached to the cover member and which, when the 10. lid fits over the open end of the sleeve and over the open end of the bag suspended therein, is adapted to engage frictionally with the folded region of the bag folded over the open end of sleeve, whereby, upon increasing the load of the bag with waste, the bag is retained in the suspended condition until, at least when approaching the predetermined load, tension in the bag provided by the suspended load causes upward movement of the said folded region of the 15. bag as crimped portions of the bag are released from the openings, which upward movement of the said folded region of the bag, by virtue of the said frictional engagement thereof with the flange of the lid, carries the lid upwardly at least until the lid no longer engages with the sleeve, the position of the lid thereby indicating the presence in the bag of the, or the load approaching the, predetermined load.
20. The lid preferable has a flange of sufficient depth to cover the crimped portals adjacent to longitudinal end of the sleeve. This sleeve is preferably made of cardboard as is the lid. Typically the sleeve and the lid have a lateral cross section which has from 4 to 10, especially 8, sides. According to another aspect, invention provides a method of waste collection in which 5. the amount of waste collected is controlled, which method comprises providing an elongate sleeve having opposed longitudal ends and defined by a peripheral wall, at least one of which opposed longitudal ends of the sleeve is open, which elongate sleeve has, in the peripheral wall thereof, towards the or a said open end, at least two openings each having a respective crimping element associated therewith and spaced apart 10. from one another around the sleeve,inserting into an open end of the sleeve a bag having an open end and a closed end so that the closed end enters the sleeve and folding the bag, in a region thereof towards the open end of the bag, over the said open longitudinal end of the sleeve, so that the bag surrounds each of an outer and inner peripheral wall portion of the open end of the sleeve, 15. urging, from outside the sleeve, respective portions of the bag surrounding the sleeve into respective adjacent openings of the sleeve so as to retain the respective portions of the bag within respective openings in a crimped fashion provided by a respective said crimping element, so as to secure the bag releasably within the open end thereof surrounding an open end of the sleeve at one of the opposed longitudinal ends thereof and the closed end of the bag 20. terminating short of the other of the opposed longitudinal ends of the sleeve so that the bag is suspended within the elongate sleeve, and loading the bag until, upon reaching the predetermined load therein, tension in the bag provided by the said load causes release, from the openings , of the crimped portions of the bag to allow the bag to fall into the sleeve thereby indicating the presence in the bag of the predetermined load, tihus allowing the control of the amount of waste collected. 5. A preferred method additionally comprises, providing a lid adapted to fit over an open end of the sleeve and over an open end of the bag suspended in the sleeve, which lid has an aperture therein and a peripheral flange adapted to engage frictionally with the folded region of the bag folded over the open end of the sleeve, 10. prior to loading, or at some stage prior to approaching the said load, fitting the lid over the opening end of the sleeve and over an open end of the bag suspended in the sleeve so as to bring the peripheral flange of the lid into frictional engagement with the said folded region of the bag, maintaining the aperture in the lid in an open condition at least until the predetermined 15. load is reached, and loading waste into the bag through the aperture in the lid until, at least when approaching the predetermined load, tension in the bag provided by the suspended load causes upward movement of the said folded region of the bag as crimped portions of the bag are released from the openings,
20. which upward movement of the folded regions of the bag, by virtue of the said frictional engagement there of with the flange of the lid, carries the lid upwardly at least until the lid no longer engages with the sleeve, the position of the lid thereby additionally indicating the presence in the bag. of the, or a load approaching the, predetermined load. In a preferred waste container embodying the invention, the lid is additionally provided with closure means operable when the predetermined load has been reached, to close the aperture in 5. the lid so to at least discourage further loading. More preferably, the closure means is operable in response to the upward movement of the lid towards the position thereof free from engagement with the sleeve. In an especially preferred waste container embodying the invention a closure means comprises at least one closure flap pivotable, about a line of weakening at an edge of the aperture, 10. between a first position and a second position and resiliently biased, by the line of weakening, towards the first position, in which first position the flap assumes an at least partially closed position generally in register with the aperture and in which second position the flap assumes a position out of register with the aperture, in which the aperture is open,
a flexible element connected at one end thereof to a part of the closure flap forward 15. of and remote from the line of weakening and at an opposite end thereof to an internal peripheral region of the flange spaced from the plane of the aperture and rearwardly of the line of weakening , whereby, on fitting the lid over the sleeve, a rim defined by the longitudinal end of the sleeve around which the bag is folded cooperates with the flexible element so as to provide therein a tension inducing pivotal movement of the flap, against the said bias thereof, from the said first position to the second position in which the flap assumes a position in which the aperture is opened to allow access therethrough of waste into the container, while on the said upward movement of the lid in response to an increasing load within the bag , the tension is 5. released from the flexible element, thereby allowing the flap to return to the said first position generally in register with the aperture and thereby at least discourage further loading above the predetermined load. The closure means may comprise two said closure flaps, each having associated therewith a respective flexible element and each closure flap being adapted, when in the said first closure 10. position thereof, to close a respective part of the aperture and together to close the entire aperture. For reasons explained more fully below, the sleeve of a preferred waste container is open at each of its opposed longitudinal ends. A respective peripheral wall portion of the sleeve adjacent to each longitudinal end may have at least two, and preferably several, crimped portals spaced apart around the sleeve, thereby 15. allowing the sleeve to be turned upside down for reuse. The predetermined load which the waste container may receive may be controlled by the number of crimped portals which are provided adjacent the longitudinal end of the sleeve from which the bag is to be suspended. Typically, each crimping element associated with each respective opening may comprise a 20. flap pivotable about a line of weakening at an edge of the opening between a first position, protruding externally of the sleeve, to which the flaps may be pushed from within the sleeve and at which an adjacent portion of the bag surrounding the sleeve may be wrapped around the flap and a second position, protruding internally of the sleeve, to which the flap may be pushed from outside the sleeve and at which the said adjacent portion of the bag surrounding the sleeve is held in crimped condition within the opening. As can be seen from the above, a novel waste container embodying the invention may have a 5. shell or hollow elongate structure with crimped portals at each end, the crimp portals having hinged flap closures. Although not limited to this construction, for the release of securement of a bag (which may be conveniently be a type conventionally referred to as a bin liner), when the container is stood on end the liner may be inserted and draped over the then top edge, the crimp portal flap pressed outward, the top part of the liner tucked into the crimp and the 10. flap closed, thus suspending the liner clear of the floor inside the structure. As waste material is added to the container liner, the crimps take the strain but give way when the load overcomes the resistance of the crimps. The amount of load is controlled by the number of crimps used. The operative, on seeing the bag is no longer suspended, is then aware that the load is ready for removal and will then turn the container sleeve upside down, insert a fresh 15. liner and safely remove the load. A lid may be added for designated waste with a flap actuator member to indicate load control by tension return means. Both sleeve and lid may be constructed or moulded in plastics or from other flexible materials such as cardboard. In order that the invention may be understood fully, a preferred form of container embodying 20. the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows in plan view an elongate structure of a sleeve (1) of the container in rectangular form. At each end are shown lap joints (5) with spaced apart crimp portals (2) adjacent both entrance (3) edges, the crimp portals being interspaced by creased bend lines (4) running at right angles from one entrance (3) edge to the other. The structure is formed from a rectangular sheet of flexible material such as cardboard by joining the lap joints (5) with 5. adhesive or staple means. Figure (6),shows the assembled container including a sleeve (1) in an upright position. A liner (6) may be inserted and draped over the entrance (3) and the liner (6) tucked in to the crimp portal (2). A designated waste and load indicator lid (7) may be added. As explained more fully below, when waste is placed into the liner (6), the increasing load exceeds the resistance of 10. the crimp portals and the liner externally of the sleeve rises and carries with it the load indicator lid (7). Eventually, the liner(6), drops to the floor. The operative will then turn the container up side down using centralised hand holds (16), fit a new liner and remove the controlled load. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the rear of the blank from which the load indicator lid (7) is 15. made. Lines of weakening, preferably creases, all formed on the rear (internal) face are shown as dotted lines. The blank includes a central cover member (8) which is preferably octagonal in configuration and has a plurality of hinged attached facets (9) each with a hinged attached locking flap (10) which locates in the locking slot (11) and a hinged attached securing flap (12) to the right of each facet in a clockwise direction. 20. There is an incised line (13) striking 90 degrees from a facet base hinge (14) to the left of each facet to enable the facet (9) to be raised 90 degrees to the central cover member (8) and locked in a substantially vertical position by the locking flap (10), located in the locking slot (11). As this process progresses in a clockwise direction, each securing flap (12) is trapped beneath the locking flap (10). so as to define a flange depending from the cover member (8). Aperture flaps (17) are each provided by three adjacent incisioned lines together defining a cut-out part which in turn defines a half portion of the aperture and a crease line in the internal surface of the cover member (8) whereby the resultant flange is resiliently attached to the cover 5. member (8), and biased towards a closed position. Flexible member location points (15) are sighted in the facet wall ( 9) and the aperture flaps (17). Respective flexible members (18) are then secured in place between the aperture flaps (17) and a facet wall (9). In operation, when the cover is applied to the sleeve, an entrance rim, (13) engages with the flexible members at respective points between the facet walls (9) and aperture flaps (17), thus applying an increasingly upward distortion to the flexible members as the load indicator lid (7) is pressed firmly downwardly. As a result of this, the flexible members (18), come under tension and draw the flaps (17) rearwardly away from their closed position generally in register with aperture to open the cover. On the other hand, as load is applied to the liner (6), 15. the liner (6) is drawn out of crimp portals (2) and the upper end of the liner (6) still outside the sleeve (1) rises as the liner (6) sinks towards the bottom of sleeve (1). As a result of the frictional engagement between the flange of the load indicator lid (7) and the upwardly moving liner (6), the load indicator lid (7), is carried upwardly with the movement of the liner (6), and releases the tension in the flexible member (18). 20. This allows the aperture flaps (17) to return to their generally closed position by virtue of the resilience provided by the respective creases in the internal surface at respective edges of the aperture from which the flaps extends. Particularly preferred aspects of the invention may be defined as follows. (1 ) A load control waste container of a hollow elongate body with crimp portals adjacent each entrance wherein the crimp portal has a flap type closure for the releasable securement of a flexible liner or bag. 5. ( 2) A container according to (1) wherein the body is stood upright for the insertion of a flexible liner or bag, said liner being suspended with in over the container entrance by entrapment of the liner on the outside of the container by the crimp portals. (3) A container according to( 2) wherein the liner or bag is pressed in 10. or tucked under a crimp portal flap or the flap pressed outward from within the container and the liner tucked under the flap on the outside and the flap closed to secure the liner in a suspended state within the container. (4) A container according to (3) whereas the container load is regulated by the number of crimp portals used, the optimal load is reached when the 20. crimps fail and allows the loaded liner to fall the floor (5) A container according to (4 ) whereas the container maybe turned upside down for reuse. (6) A container whereon a friction fit cover for a designated waste maybe used with a controlled flap aperture actuated via 25. flexible members realesably connected between the flaps and the lower edge of the cover side to indicate load control. (7) A container Whereon the cover sides extends to below the line of the crimp portals flaps allowing the cover to rise with the movement of the liner and the cover aperture flaps react as the tension is removed from the flexible members. (8) A container herein the container is turned upside down to reveal the liner and the 5. first cover may remain in place and a second alternative designated waste cover may be used. (9) A container wherein the crimp portals and hand holds may be incised and creased along with fold lines in to a strip of semi-ridged material or the like such as cardboard and formed by joining the ends by adhesive or stapling means. (10) A container wherein designated waste covers maybe formed from a semi ridged material such as cardboard or the like characterised by the activated flap aperture and continuous double lined sides. (11) A body or shell of the container (1) with upright sides and apertures for the ease of lifting (6) and crimp ports (5) to retain the liner, a detachable tray form base (2) and 15. cover type lid (3) containing an aperture through which waste may pass in to a bag or liner(4) The shape of the container may be round, or octagon but then not restricted to these shapes as long as the sides are upright when standing in the base. The upright sides are realisably connected to the base and the top likewise connects to the body. 20. 12. The liner or bag for insertion in to the container is preferably of a material that is transparent or at least opaque and of a plastic and flexible nature. The size of the liner shall be of such a volume as to be turned over the circumference of the top rim of the container, the bottom of the liner is to hang clear of the base of the container. The liner is then located to crimp portals sited around the upper body of the container, with the top cover in place, the system employs the 5. coefficient of friction between the rim and the liner material and the top cover to restrain the suspended weight.
Once the weight in the liner exceeds the coefficient of friction, the liner will slip to the base of the container, and having done so will indicate excessive weight to the operative when they come to collect the waste, The operator will then lift the body of the 10. container off the liner and approach the lifting of the weight from a safer and more appropriate position. The liner shall have a convenient means of sealing or tying the top when required. Preferable the container is made of plastics, cardboard or other lightweight material or a combination of these materials. 15. As waste is placed in to the container, the weight pulls against the frictional resistance of the container edge and the crimp portals to a force of in excess of the coefficient and as the resistance is overcome and the crimps fail, the liner slips down to the base of the container providing a visual indication that the weight involved may be hazardous, at the same time the aperture flaps close 20. with the released of the flexible member. Assembly of this embodiment is now described:
With the body of the container standing in the base and with the top removed , a liner is placed in the body of the container and the top of the liner turned over the top edge of the container and secured in to the crimp 5. ports in the out-side of the container, the liner is then suspended clear of the container base the top is replaced on the container. Thus the waste/ recycle container is improved by the application of the crimp portals to the body of the container for location of the liner to provide weight assessment and reduce the risk of injury to the operative.
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