THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concept describes a mechanism for visual and digital signalling between e.g. households and companies responsible for waste collection, e.g. concerning communication about matters as requesting emptying of a waste container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collection of waste is costing the municipalities large sums annually. Emptying of waste bins is done according to a predetermined schedule, resulting in emptying of many bins that are not entirely filled. Cost reductions is a common objective of the municipalities, and waste collection is an area that often is addressed. Furthermore, emptying of empty waste bins has unnecessary environmental effects. Emptying of waste bins according to a predetermined schedule means that waste bins sometimes are overfilled, resulting in unsatisfied citizens and impaired recycling as a result, and also worse working environment for the waste collectors.

To make waste collection more effective and optimize the collection routes, waste level sensors can be installed in the waste bins, and then connect the bins to a communication network. The waste bin signals at a predetermined waste level, and the collection route is planned after the bins that require emptying. This has resulted in savings for the municipalities.

A challenge for these types of systems is that waste bins often comprises several sections, onto which some sections has an additional extra lid to ensure a seal against e.g. flies. To measure waste levels in these types of sectioned bins would be difficult and costly.

Another challenge is the forces present under an emptying cycle, when the waste bin is emptied into a waste truck. These forces can damage electronics and other components on a transmitter and dislocate a visual indicator from its position and thus give an incorrect indication.

RECORD COPY TRANSLATION

(Rule 12.4) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention concept aims at solving the problems above by having the following characteristics

The invention is intended for households, and therefore to complex solutions concerning handling will result in error in handling or that the product is not used at all.

A too expensive solution will result in too high cost for real estate company or municipality, with the consequence that another, less expensive, and perhaps function-wise worse alternative is introduced instead.

To deal with the challenges above, an intuitive and inexpensive system is required. According to a first aspect of the invention, a digital and visual signalling mechanism is designated, also called sliding mechanism (1 ,2), intended to be used on waste containers, comprising:

A base plate (1 ), on which a slider (2) is allowed to slide in the length direction (21 ) of the base plate (1 ).

The sliding mechanism (1 ,2) comprising a transmitting device, in the base plate, and a sensor detecting the position of the slider (2) in the length direction (21 ) of the base plate (1 ).

The base plate (1 ) comprises 1 or more fields of information (24), that entirely or partly are covered by the slider (2), depending on the position of the slider (2).

The transmitter is arranged to send information about the position of the slider (2) on the slider mechanism (1 ,2) to external receiver. When triggering transmission of the signal, information (24) is visible on the base plate (1 ), so that visual feedback is given.

The mechanism is arranged so that the slider (2) has 1 or several distinct positions on the base plate (1 ). This since the base plate (1 ) has a rail (4), on which the slider (2) can slide in the length direction (21 ) of the base plate (1 ), and is guided onto with the guide protrusions (5) of the slider (2). This by engaging the engaging protrusions (7) of the slider, that are allowed to deflect vertically in relation to the length direction (21 ) of the base plate (1 ), into the engaging slots (6) of the base plate (1 ) and lock geometrically, so that the slider (2) is locked in one of its end positions (8,9) or between, until a force overcomes the locking force of the engaging protrusions (7) and the slider (2) is released. To increase the distinctness of the end positions (8,9) and to avoid that the slider (2) is moved unintendingly e.g. during emptying of the waste container, the rail (4) of the base plate (1 ) is arranged so that the friction force developed between the slider (2) and the base plate (1 ) increases on the central part (12) of the base plate (1 ), and a larger force is required to move the slider (2) passed the central part of the base plate (1 ).

Furthermore, the distinctness of the end positions (8,9), can be further increased when the sliding mechanism (1 ,2) is assembled onto a waste container or another surface. This since the base plate (1 ) can be arranged so that the shape of the base plate (1 ) is transformed from a planar shape into a bent shape, and thus the slider (2) is given a larger resistance of passing the central part (12) of the base plate (1 ), when friction is developed or increases between the guiding protrusions (5) of the slider (2) and the rail (4) of the base plate (1 ) at the central part (12) of the base plate (1 ). The changed shape of the base plate (1 ) can be achieved by having the backside (26) of the base plate (1 ) comprising one or more enlargements (17) and a locally weaker section (15), that when exposed to a pulling force (25) from the fasteners at the assembly holes (14) of the base plate (1 ) creates an angle (1 1 ) between the two end positions (8,9) of the slider (2), and the resistance increases when the slider (2) passes the central part (12) of the base plate (1 ).

The desired shape can be achieved without the enlargements (17), when the sliding mechanism (1 ,2) is assembled onto a waste bin with a waste bin lid that has a domed surface. The locally weaker section (15) has the effect that the slider mechanism (1 ,2) is shaped after the lid of the waste container (18) and not the opposite.

SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 Sliding mechanism

Figure 2 Base plate

Figure 3. Fields of information on the base plate

Figure 4 Slider

Figure 5 The different positions of the slidern

Figure 6 Waste bin with lid in its opened end position

Figure 7 Waste bin with several sections

Figure 8 Assembly of sliding mechanism on waste bin.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The sliding mechanism (1 ,2) comprises to main components: the base plate (1 ) and the slider (2). Below described is an example of where the sliding mechanism is assembled on a waste bin with several sections (3).

The base plate (1 ) comprises a rail (4) on which the slider (2) guides with its guiding protrusions (5).

In this manner, the slider (2) can glide in the length direction (21 ) of the base plate (1 ). Further, the base plate (1 ) comprises 2 pairs of engaging slots (6), in which the engaging protrusions (7) locks the slider geometrically in its end positions (8,9). The engaging protrusions can deflect vertically in relation to the length direction (21 ) of the base plate (1 ).

The base plate is designed so that it, during assembly, is bent round its z axis (10), so that an angle (1 1 ) is created between the end positions (8,9) of the slider (2). By changing the shape of the base plate (1 ), a larger resistance is created for allowing the slider (2) to pass the central position (12) of the base plate (1 ). This results in more distinct end positions (8,9) of the slider (2) and ensures that the slider (2) doesn't change its position during emptying of the waste bin. The sliding mechanism becomes bi-stable.

The stability of these end positions (8,9) can be increased by shaping the rail (4) so that the friction against the slider (2) is increased when the slider (2) is passing at the central part (12) of the base plate (1 ).

The slider (2) comprises a magnet (13), the position of the magnet is detected by a magnet sensor. When the slider (2) is detected to be in its second position (9), a signal is sent to an external receiver, with a request of emptying of the waste bin. When the magnet is in any other position but the second position (9) of the slider (2), then no signal is transmitted or just a status signal saying if the slider mechanism is functioning or not.

On the information field (24) of the base plate (1 ), 2 or more fields of information (24) are present, that partly or entirely are coved by the slider (2) when it is in one of its end positions (8,9). When the slider is in its first position (8), shown is a field with text or illustrations describing what happens when the slider (2) is moved to its second position (9). When the slider is in its second position (9), shown is a text or illustration informing the user that a signal is transmitted with a request of emptying of the waste bin. In this way an inexpensive, analogue and visual feedback is given to the end user, telling that an emptying request has been sent. An alternative solution to this would have been a digital feedback to the end user about that transmission has been done. This should be done with a display or with diodes, requiring larger battery, more components and resulting in a more expensive solution.

An alternative to using a large battery, could be to replace the battery more frequently.

This would require a more complex design since the battery would require easy access.

The slider mechanism (1 ,2) is assembled onto the waste bin with fasteners, that are assembled in two holes (14) in the ends of the base plate (1 ). A local weakness (15) of the central part of the base plate (1 ), has the effect that the base plate will be shaped after the curvature of the bin of the waste container, and the desired angel (1 1 ) of the base plate (1 ) is created.

Furthermore, can enlargements (17) be added to, or be present on, the backside (26) of the base plate (1 ), so that a pulling force from the fasteners at the assembly holes (14) results in that the angle (1 1 ) is created.

The lid of the waste bin (18) is, during the emptying process, opened into its emptying position (19). The sliding mechanism (1 ,2) is assembled close to the handle (16) of the waste bin, assembly position A (22), to avoid that the sliding mechanism (1 ,2) hits the back of the waste bin (20), during the emptying process. Another preferred assembly position is, assembly position B (23), on the inside of the lid of the waste bin (18).