ASSEMBLY FOR A WASTE DISPOSAL BIN

Abstract

An assembly for a waste disposal bin is provided. The assembly comprises an upper device adapted for mounting on an upper opening of a lower garbage receptacle. The upper element comprises a movable cavity having at least one opening. The cavity has a first position for receiving waste therein through the opening wherein the upper device closes the opening of the receptacle to prevent communication between the cavity and the receptacle and a second position for transferring the waste from the cavity to the receptacle wherein the upper device allows communication between the cavity and the receptacle and prevents communication between the receptacle and surroundings.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS OR PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/980,170 filed on Oct. 16, 2007, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to collection and disposal of waste products and more particularly concerns an assembly for a waste disposal bin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Waste collection bins and containers are largely used for collecting a wide range of waste and garbage. They are more and more used in indoor and outdoor public areas, and still remain necessary in any private house.

Most of outdoor bins have to be opened manually. Generally, these bins have a lid which seals the odor of the garbage inside the bin when the lid is closed. However, each time they are opened, the odor tends to escape, the situation being unpleasant for the user.

Indoor bins have also to be opened manually generally, but they are often provided with a pedal which opens the lid when operated. Sophisticated waste disposal bins have been proposed in an attempt to improve ease of use thereof. However, there is still some smell issues arising each time the lid of the bin is lift. The situation can become more uncomfortable in a kitchen area where food debris such as fruits, peels, vegetables or meat for example have to be disposed of.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved waste disposal bin that will overcome, or at least reduce, the above-mentioned issue.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide an assembly for a waste disposal bin that satisfies the above-mentioned need.

Accordingly, there is provided an assembly for a waste disposal bin comprising a drum having two ends and a body extending therebetween for defining a transferring cavity therein. The body comprises at least one drum opening for providing an access to the cavity. The assembly also comprises a mounting element comprising an opening therethrough and a lower mounting portion adapted for mounting on an upper opening of a lower garbage receptacle. The mounting element comprises a drum mounting device for rotatably mounting the drum with the mounting element so that the drum is rotatable between a first position wherein at least one of the drum openings extends substantially upwardly so as to allow waste load into the transferring cavity while the body closes the opening of the receptacle to prevent communication therewith, and a second position wherein one of the drum openings extends substantially downwards for providing a waste unloading passage between the transferring cavity and the lower garbage receptacle through the opening of the mounting element.

The assembly advantageously enables to transfer waste into the garbage receptacle thanks to the transferring cavity while reducing odors escaping from the bin.

In a further embodiment, the mounting element is advantageously adapted to prevent communication between the receptacle and surroundings in the second position.

Preferably, at least one of the ends of the drum is open. The assembly further comprises a scraping member extending inside the cavity of the drum and therealong between the ends thereof. The scraping member cooperates with the mounting element so as to remain engaged therewith during rotation of the drum.

The scraping member advantageously sweeps and cleans the inside surface of the cavity of the drum when this latter is rotating, thereby preventing garbage from sticking thereto.

The invention also provides an assembly for a waste disposal bin comprising an upper device adapted for mounting on an upper opening of a lower garbage receptacle. The upper element comprises a movable cavity having at least one opening. The cavity has a first position for receiving waste therein through the at least one opening wherein the upper element closes the opening of the receptacle to prevent communication between the cavity and the receptacle and a second position for transferring the waste from the cavity to the receptacle wherein the upper device allows communication between the cavity and the receptacle and prevents communication between the receptacle and surroundings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation perspective view of an assembly for a waste disposal bin, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the assembly for a waste disposal bin shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the assembly for a waste disposal bin shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines 4-4;

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional front view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines 5-5;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is another front elevation perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, the assembly being in another position;

FIG. 7A is a cross sectional front view of the assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear elevation perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2, the assembly being in another position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the embodiments, references to the accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by which the invention may be practiced. It will be understood that other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.

The present invention is directed to an assembly for a waste disposal bin that is particularly advantageous for overcoming, or at least reducing, the odor problems encountered with the use of waste disposal bins, i.e. the escaping of odors from the waste receptacle when the lid of the bin is lift. The assembly provided by the present invention can efficiently prevent, or at least reduce this issue while being easy to operate.

The assembly relies on a movable transferring cavity which is devised to temporarily receive waste while the garbage receptacle is kept closed and then transfer the waste to the receptacle. Thus, the odors flowing in the receptacle do not escape therefrom during loading of the cavity. Preferably, communication between the receptacle and the surrounding is also prevented during the transfer of waste from the cavity to the receptacle.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8, there is shown an assembly 10 for a waste disposal bin, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As better shown in FIG. 8, the assembly 10 comprises a drum 100 having two ends 102, 104 and a body 106 extending therebetween for defining a transferring cavity 108 therein. Preferably, as illustrated, the drum 100 has a cylindrical shape but other shape may be envisaged. The body 106 comprises a drum opening 110 for providing an access to the cavity 108 to allow loading of the waste (not shown) therein.

The assembly 10 also comprises a mounting element 200 comprising an opening 202 therethrough and a lower mounting portion 204 adapted for mounting on an upper opening 12 of a lower garbage receptacle 14. For example, cooperating lips 206, 16 provided on the mounting element 200 and the receptacle 14 may be used to provide a tight connection therebetween. In the case a plastic bag (not shown) is used inside the garbage receptacle 14, the lips 206, 16 will advantageously help keeping the bag in place. The mounting element 200 comprises a drum mounting device 208 for rotatably mounting the drum 100 with the mounting element 200 so that the drum 100 is rotatable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the drum opening 110 extends substantially upwardly so as to allow waste load into the transferring cavity 108 while the body 106 closes the opening 12 of the receptacle 14 to prevent communication therewith. FIGS. 1 to 5B shows the assembly 10 in this first position. FIGS. 4 and 5B more clearly show how the body 106 of the drum 100 closes the opening 12 of the receptacle 14 to prevent air exchange with surrounding. In FIG. 8, the drum 100 is also illustrated in this first position.

In the second position illustrated in FIG. 9, the drum opening 110 extends substantially downwards for providing a waste unloading passage between the transferring cavity 108 and the lower garbage receptacle 14 through the opening 202 of the mounting element 200. When the drum 100 is rotated in this position, the waste accumulated into the transferring cavity 108 falls into the receptacle 14 under the action of the gravity.

Preferably, the opening 110 of the drum 100 and the opening 202 of the mounting element 200 are particularly shaped so that when the drum 100 is in the second position, the drum 100 advantageously collaborates with the mounting element 200 to prevent communication between the receptacle 14 and surroundings.

Once the cavity 108 has been unloaded into the receptacle 14, the drum 100 may be let in this position if the opening 12 of the receptacle 14 is not open to surroundings. Alternatively, the drum 100 may be returned into the first position to be ready for next use. In this first position, the body 106 of the drum 100 closes the opening 12 of the receptacle 14.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B and 8, the assembly 10 preferably further comprises a scraping member 18 extending inside the cavity 108 of the drum 100 and therealong between the ends 102, 104 thereof. This scraping member 18 advantageously sweeps and cleans the inside surface of the cavity 108 of the drum 100 when this latter is rotating, thereby preventing garbage from sticking thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, as better shown in FIG. 8, one of the ends 102, 104 of the drum 100 is open to ease installation and removal of the scraping member 18 in the drum 100 but other arrangements may be considered. It is an advantageous feature that the scraping member 18 be removably installed since it eases the cleaning of the assembly 10. Preferably, the scraping member 18 cooperates with the mounting element 200 so as to remain engaged therewith during rotation of the drum 100. In other words, the scraping member 18 remains immobile and this is the rotational movement of the drum 100 which slides against the scraping member 18 which provides the cleaning of the cavity 108.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the drum mounting device 208 preferably comprises side walls 210 defining an inner compartment for receiving the drum 100 therein. Still preferably, the corresponding side wall 210 facing the open end 102 of the drum 100 comprises a vertical channel 212 for receiving an end of the scraping member 18 therein. The skilled addressee will appreciate that any other means for mounting the scraping member 18 with the mounting element 200 may be considered.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the assembly 10 may advantageously be provided with rotating means mounted with the drum 100 for rotating the drum 100 between the first and second positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating means comprises a knob 20 mounted at one of the ends 102, 104 of the drum 100 but the skilled addressee will appreciate that any other arrangement for rotating the drum 100 between the first and second positions may be envisaged. For example, a pedal connected to a connecting rod may be used. In the case a knob 20 is used, this latter can advantageously be provided with markings 22 for identifying the positions of the drum 100.

The assembly 10 previously described may be designed so as to be usable with existing garbage receptacles provided with an upper opening for receiving the waste. Although the present assembly is particularly intended for a private indoor bin, it may also be used with outdoor bins and public bins.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, in a further embodiment, the assembly 10 is advantageously provided with a garbage container 14 mountable with the lower mounting portion 204 of the mounting element 200 for acting as the lower garbage receptacle. This provides a stand alone configuration of the assembly 10.

The assembly 10 may also comprise an upper lid 300 mounted with the mounting element 200 around the drum 100. The upper lid 300 has a lid opening 302 adapted for communicating with the drum opening 110 when the drum opening 110 extends upwards. In the illustrated embodiment, the drum 100 has a cylindrical shape and the upper lid 300 has a semi-cylindrical shape to enclose the drum 100 with the mounting element 200. Preferably, the drum opening 110 and the lid opening 302 have substantially a same predetermined size. The illustrated embodiment shows rectangular openings 110, 302 but other shape may be considered.

FIGS. 1, 4, 5A and 5B show the first position of the drum 100 wherein the drum opening 110 extends upwards for receiving waste. One can see that the drum opening 110 and the lid opening 302 coincide with each other.

As previously explained, when the transferring cavity 108 is loaded, the drum 100 is rotated to enable transfer of waste from the cavity 108 to the garbage receptacle 14 under the action of gravity. Then, the drum 100 may be positioned again in the first position for being ready to receive new waste. Alternatively, the drum 100 may also remain in the second position. In this case, waste can not be loaded into the cavity 108 since this one is not accessible to the user. This cavity 108 remains in communication with the garbage receptacle 14 and odors may flood into the cavity 108. Next time the drum 100 will be operated, odors having flooded into the cavity 108 may be released in the atmosphere.

In order to reduce the above-mentioned phenomenon, the drum 100 may be provided with an additional resting position, the one illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, provided a lid 300 enclosing the drum 100 is used. In fact, in this embodiment, the lid 300 and the mounting element 200 are particularly designed to enclose the drum 100, and the lid opening 302 is the only opening giving access to the drum 100. Preferably, the lid 300 is shaped so that the drum 100 snuggly fits in the compartment formed by the lid 300 and the mounting element 200. So, in this resting position, the drum opening 110 does not face the opening 12 of the receptacle 14, nor the opening 302 of the lid 300 but extends anywhere between these two positions. The body 106 of the drum 100 thus prevents communication between the receptacle 14 and the cavity 108 but also prevents communication between the cavity 108 and surrounding, as better shown in FIG. 7B. In this embodiment, the user has to rotate the drum 100 in the first position to load the waste therein and then has to operate once again the drum 100 into the second position to discharge the waste. Then, the drum 100 can be returned to the resting position.

Referring to FIG. 8, the assembly 10 of the invention may advantageously be provided with mounting means 400 for mounting the assembly 10 on a panel (not shown), such as for example a panel of a kitchen cabinet. Preferably, the mounting means 400 is mounted with the garbage receptacle 14 but the skilled addressee will appreciate that other arrangements may be envisaged. For example, the mounting means 400 may be mounted with the mounting element 200. Preferably, the mounting means 400 comprise a plate 402 attachable to the panel, with bolts and nuts for example, and also comprise attaching elements 404 for attaching the plate 402 to the receptacle 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching elements 404 comprise attaching elements provided on the plate 402 and cooperating with the receptacle 14 for removably attaching the receptacle 14 to the plate 402. It should be mentioned that other arrangements are possible. For example, complementary flexible tongues and apertures provided on the plate 402 and the receptacle 14 may be used.

In the illustrated embodiment previously described, the cavity of the drum is provided with a single opening but it is worth mentioning that more cavities may be provided. For example, an upper opening may be used for loading the waste while another opening may be used for unloading of waste. Throughout the present description, the movement of the drum has been described as a rotational movement but it should be understood that other configurations may be considered. For example, the cavity could be moved between the two positions thanks to a translation movement.

In a further embodiment, the knob may be provided with a hollow space therein that is reachable by the user's arm through the drum opening. This hollow space is advantageous for receiving therein a deodorant block that can be adhesively attached therein.

Although the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described herein.

Claims

1. An assembly for a waste disposal bin, said assembly comprising:

a drum having two ends and a body extending therebetween for defining a transferring cavity therein, said body comprising at least one drum opening for providing an access to said cavity; and

a mounting element comprising an opening therethrough and a lower mounting portion adapted for mounting on an upper opening of a lower garbage receptacle, said mounting element comprising a drum mounting device for rotatably mounting said drum with said mounting element so that said drum is rotatable between a first position wherein at least one of said drum openings extends substantially upwardly so as to allow waste load into the transferring cavity while said body closes the opening of the receptacle to prevent communication therewith and a second position wherein one of said drum openings extends substantially downwards for providing a waste unloading passage between said transferring cavity and said lower garbage receptacle through the opening of the mounting element.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said drum has a cylindrical shape.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said ends of said drum is open, the assembly further comprising a scraping member extending inside the cavity of the drum and therealong between the ends thereof, said scraping member cooperating with the mounting element so as to remain engaged therewith during rotation of the drum.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein said drum mounting device comprises side walls defining an inner compartment for receiving the drum therein, the corresponding side wall facing the open end of the drum comprising a vertical channel for receiving an end of said scraping member therein.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising rotating means mounted with said drum for rotating said drum between said first and second positions.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said rotating means comprise a knob mounted at one of the ends of the drum.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said knob comprises markings for identifying the positions of the drum.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a garbage container mountable with the lower mounting portion of the mounting element for acting as said lower garbage receptacle.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an upper lid mounted with the mounting element around the drum, said upper lid having a lid opening adapted for communicating with the drum opening when said drum opening extends upwards.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said drum has a cylindrical shape and said upper lid has a semi-cylindrical shape.

11. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the drum opening and the lid opening have substantially a same predetermined size.

12. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means for mounting said assembly on a panel.

13. The assembly according to claim 8, further comprising mounting means for mounting said assembly on a panel.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said mounting means comprise a plate attachable to said panel and attaching elements for attaching said plate to said container.

15. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein said attaching elements comprise first attaching elements provided on the garbage container and second attaching elements provided on the plate and cooperating together for removably attaching said container to said plate.

16. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a garbage container mountable with the lower mounting portion of the mounting element for acting as said lower garbage receptacle.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, further comprising an upper lid mounted with the mounting element around the drum, said upper lid having a lid opening adapted for communicating with the drum opening when said drum opening extends upwards.

18. The assembly according to claim 17, further comprising mounting means for mounting said assembly on a panel.

19. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mounting element is adapted to prevent communication between the receptacle and surroundings in the second position.

20. An assembly for a waste disposal bin comprising an upper device adapted for mounting on an upper opening of a lower garbage receptacle, said upper element comprising a movable cavity having at least one opening, said cavity having a first position for receiving waste therein through said opening wherein the upper device closes the opening of the receptacle to prevent communication between the cavity and the receptacle and a second position for transferring said waste from said cavity to said receptacle wherein the upper device allows communication between the cavity and the receptacle and prevents communication between the receptacle and surroundings.

21. The assembly according to claim 20, wherein the cavity is rotated between the first and the second positions.

22. The assembly according to claim 20, wherein the cavity is translated between the first and the second positions.