CONTAINER FOR RECYCLABLE AND OTHER MATERIALS
There is provided a container including: framing elements connected to the bottom of the container, projecting upwards from the bottom towards the top and being symmetric about a transverse plane that transects the bottom and top defining a front and back section of the container; fabric material connected to the framing elements; a closure mechanism for selectively closing the open top comprising: a primary flap for covering the top hingedly connected at the top to the back section and operable between a closed and open position, the primary flap covering the top and being under elastic tension when in a closed position and exposing the top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position; and a first handle operatively connected to the primary flap for snappingly engaging an open position thereof; and a second handle disposed in the front section for handling and transporting the container.
The present invention relates to a container that can be used to transport and store any number of items or materials. In a particular aspect of the invention, the container is particularly useful for recyclable materials.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTIn the domestic recyclable industry, consumers are asked to place paper and cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, and the like in containers which are then placed on a curb for pick up by municipal authorities. These containers, particularly in North America, can take the form of rigid bins, which are small enough to be carried by a person with both hands and large enough to provide adequate volume for placing items within it. Some users will also supplement the storage capacity of these bins with paper bags, empty cardboard boxes, etc.
In some areas, not only is recycling encouraged, but also the municipality (or other local or regional authority) may further require sorting of the items by the consumer. For example, glass and plastic needs to be sorted and separated from paper, and further separated from metal. This allegedly reduces the burden on the municipality of having to sort the materials at a central location. Compliance with these requirements is tepid at best.
Rigid plastic bins do suffer some disadvantages, in that breakage can occur often requiring replacement of the bin altogether. Furthermore, the bins can become relatively heavy if loaded with newspapers and empty glass bottles, which deters from universal acceptance and use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a container for materials, and more particularly recyclable materials, which will promote acceptance and use by a greater segment of the population.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a container having an open top, a closed bottom and an outside surface, the container including:
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- framing elements connected to the bottom and projecting upwards from the bottom towards the top, the framing elements being symmetric about a transverse plane transecting the bottom and top, the transverse plane defining a front section and a back section of the container;
- fabric material connected to the framing elements thereby defining a volume bounded within the framing elements and by the bottom;
- a closure mechanism for selectively closing the open top, the closure mechanism comprising:
- a primary flap for covering the open top hingedly connected at the open top to the back section, the primary flap operable between a closed position and an open position, the primary flap covering the open top and being under elastic tension when in a closed position, the primary flap exposing the open top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position; and
- a first handle operatively connected to the primary flap for snappingly engaging an open position of the primary flap; and
- a second handle disposed in the front section of the container for handling and transporting the container.
The bottom may be releasably secured to the framing elements for selectively engaging an operative position of the container.
In accordance with an embodiment of the container, the bottom may be foldable along an axis within the transverse plane for engaging a collapsed position of the container.
The closure mechanism may further include a secondary flap hingedly connected to the front side and overlappable over the primary flap. Preferably, the secondary flap is operable between a closed position and an open position, the secondary flap overlapping the primary flap and being under elastic tension when in a closed position, the secondary flap exposing the open top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position.
The first handle may include a loop of material operatively connected to the primary flap and the back section.
The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:
In general, the present invention provides a container useful for transporting and storing any number of items or materials, including recyclable materials. At least one advantage of this container lies in the easily-actuated closure mechanism used to close the contents of the container. The description of preferred embodiments of the invention is made with reference to the accompanying drawings,
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container 10 that has an open top 21, a closed bottom 11 and an outside surface. The open top 21 provides an opening 29 allowing placement of items within the container 10 and removal of the items therefrom.
The container 10 includes framing elements 13 connected to the bottom 11 and projecting upwards from the bottom 11 towards the top 21. The framing elements are symmetric about a transverse plane 23, transecting the bottom 11 and top 21 and defining a front section (also referred to as consumer side) 37 and a back section 39 (also referred to as collector side) of the container 11.
Of course, the framing elements may be embodied by rods, wires, strips of material (see
As especially seen in
Fabric material 15 is attached, sewn, glued or otherwise connected to the framing elements 13, and generally espouses the shape defined by the framing elements and defines a volume bounded within the framing elements 13 and by the bottom 11. The fabric material may be a breathable material allowing aeration of the contents of the container. Mesh material, of any suitable composition such as nylon or plastic, may be used to advantageously provide aeration and visual inspection of the contents.
The container 10 itself, in general, may be made of any appropriate material, including a thermoplastic material flexible over a wide temperature range. Preferably, the fabric material 15 used is HDPE, which is resistant, relatively firm but flexible enough to not crack especially in areas of harsh elements (for example cold temperatures). Further preferably, the frame elements 13 are semi-rigid, providing stiffness to the container but also allowing some play for users that will often fill the container to the brim or with heavier or bulkier objects.
Alternatively, the container 10 may be made of a single extruded piece of plastic as with the embodiment shown in
The bottom 11 of the container 10 may be solid. As seen in the embodiment of
The bottom 11 may be hingedly connected to the framing elements 13, for example using such hinges as a mechanical hinge (e.g. hinge 33 and 35 seen in
Now, in order to be able to selectively close the open top 21 of the container 10, a closure mechanism 60 is provided. The closure mechanism includes a primary flap 53 for covering the open top 21. The primary flap 53 is hingedly connected, preferably using a live hinge 57, to the back section 39 (the collector side) at the top 21 of the container 10. To close the open top 21, the primary flap 53 is flipped over to cover the open top 21 and in so doing it is placed under elastic tension from the hinged connection; this elastic tension also serving to maintain the primary flap in place. When the primary flap 53 is flipped back to the open position to uncover the open top, the elastic tension is released and the primary flap is no longer under this elastic tension.
A secondary flap 55 may be provided. This secondary flap 55 is hingedly connected to the front side (consumer side) 37 and overlaps the primary flap 53. When engaging the closed position of the top 21, this secondary flap 55 is flipped over the primary flap 53 and is thus placed under elastic tension, keeping it in the closed position. When engaging the open position, the secondary flap 55 is flipped back and the elastic tension is released.
To secure the container in the closed position, securing means such as a tie or clip hinge 61 may be provided.
To facilitate the re-engagement of the open position from the closed position of the primary flap 53, and closure mechanism in general, a first (collector) handle 19 is provided. This collector handle 19 is operatively connected to the primary flap. Upon grabbing of this handle 19, the primary flap 53 is snapped out of its closed position, releasing the elastic tension which held it in the closed position, and is flipped into an open position uncovering the top and allowing access to the contents of the container 10. This first handle 19 may include a loop of material connected to the primary flap as shown in the embodiment of
A second (consumer) handle 17 disposed in the front section (consumer side) 37 of the container 10 for handling and transporting the container. This consumer handle 17 may include an opening in the fabric material 15 or the framing elements as shown in the embodiment of
A third handle 31 may be provided for further facilitating handling the container 10. This third handle may be disposed on or near the bottom 11. It may be a recess in the bottom 11 of the container or it may include a loop material.
The first 19, second 17, and third 31 handles may be integral with the container 10 and its structural elements.
Although the many features of the present invention have been described hereinabove with reference to many alternate forms of embodiments of the container of the present invention, a more detailed description of one of the embodiments, that shown in
As seen in
The frame elements 13 thus comprise a bottom element 42 shaped and sized to conform to the outside of bottom 11. Opposite ends of the elements 42 include vertical posts 41. Intermediate posts 43 also project upwardly, and join at intermediate apex 27. Bridge segment 45 bridges the frame from intermediate apex 27 to top 21 of frame. The frame elements 13 are completed by top arms 47 extending from top 21 of frame to the upper portion of the vertical posts 41. Viewed from the top, the top arms 47 define a square opening (see
The vertical posts 41 of the consumer side are preferably hingedly connected to the vertical posts 41 of the collector side.
Also preferably, the intermediate posts 43 project outwardly, so that the intermediate apex 27 projects beyond the bottom 11.
The bottom 11 is preferably hingedly connected to the frame 13 along an edge parallel to the plane 23 on the consumer side. Furthermore, for purposes which will be explained hereinafter, the bottom 11 is also foldable along axis 25.
A closure mechanism 60 is further provided at top 21 of container 10, to close the container to protect the contents from the elements.
The closure mechanism is preferably a clip hinge 61.
The consumer handle 17 is preferably connected in the vicinity of apex 27 on the consumer side of the container. The apex is further preferably located slightly below the top of the vertical posts, so that the fabric over the intermediate posts and the bottom defines an outwardly projecting surface 49 (see
On the other side of container, the collector handle 19 is preferably a loop of material extending from the apex 27 (or higher) to the top 21 of container. Further preferably, the handle 19 is further preferably operatively connected to hinge 61 so that when the collector grabs handle 19, the weight of the container 10 combined with the pulling motion on the handle 19 opens hinge 61 (if closed, of course) in one step. Advantageously, in order to facilitate the emptying of the container 10 in a truck or the like, the container is further provided with a second collector handle 31 on the bottom. Thus, with his or her two hands, the collector can efficiently grab the bag from the top and the bottom in order to empty container 10.
As mentioned previously, a variety of hinges, mechanical or otherwise, are provided in container. Notably, the bottom 21 is hingedly connected to the frame, so that the bottom can be snapped into the operative position, giving shape to the bottom of the frame. It can also be unclipped or unsnapped and pivoted upwardly. In such a case, and referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A container having an open top, a closed bottom and an outside surface, said container comprising:
- framing elements connected to said bottom and projecting upwards from said bottom towards said top, said framing elements being symmetric about a transverse plane transecting said bottom and top, said transverse plane defining a front section and a back section of said container;
- fabric material connected to said framing elements thereby defining a volume bounded within said framing elements and by said bottom;
- a closure mechanism for selectively closing said open top, said closure mechanism comprising: a primary flap for covering said open top hingedly connected at said open top to said back section, said primary flap operable between a closed position and an open position, said primary flap covering said open top and being under elastic tension when in a closed position, said primary flap exposing said open top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position; and a first handle operatively connected to said primary flap for snappingly engaging an open position of the primary flap; and
- a second handle disposed in the front section of the container for handling and transporting the container.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said bottom is hingedly connected to said framing elements.
3. The container according to claim 2, further comprising a live hinge for hingedly connecting said bottom to said framing elements.
4. The container according to claim 2, wherein said bottom is releasably secured to said framing elements for selectively engaging an operative position of the container.
5. The container according to claim 2, wherein said bottom is foldable along an axis within said transverse plane for engaging a collapsed position of the container.
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein said bottom is solid.
7. The container according to claim 6, wherein said bottom comprises at least one hole.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein said bottom comprises a breathable fabric material.
9. The container according to claim 8, wherein said breathable fabric material is a mesh material.
10. The container according to claim 1, wherein said bottom is rigid.
11. The container according to claim 1, wherein said framing elements are contiguously connected to each other and to said fabric material.
12. The container according to claim 1, wherein said framing elements are hingedly connected to each other.
13. The container according to claim 12, further comprising live hinges for hingedly connecting said framing elements to each other.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein said framing elements further define supports extending from said bottom for supporting the container in an operative upright position and maintaining said bottom off a surface.
15. The container according to claim 1, wherein the fabric material comprises a breathable material.
16. The container according to claim 1, wherein the fabric material comprises mesh material.
17. The container according to claim 1, wherein the fabric material is flexible.
18. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of an extruded single-piece of plastic.
19. The container according to claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a secondary flap hingedly connected to said front side and overlappable over said primary flap.
20. The container according to claim 18, wherein said secondary flap is operable between a closed position and an open position, said secondary flap overlapping said primary flap and being under elastic tension when in a closed position, said secondary flap exposing said open top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position.
21. The container according to claim 1, wherein said first handle comprises a loop of material operatively connected to said primary flap and said back section.
22. The container according to claim 21, wherein said first handle is integral with said primary flap and said back section.
23. The container according to claim 21, wherein said first handle comprises a loop of material operatively connected to said primary flap and said back section proximate said open top of said container.
24. The container according to claim 1, wherein said second handle comprises an opening in said fabric material or said framing elements.
25. The container according to claim 1, wherein said second handle comprises a loop of material connected to said fabric material or said framing elements.
26. The container according to claim 25, wherein said second handle is integral with said fabric material or said framing elements.
27. The container according to claim 1, comprising a third handle for handling the container, said third handle disposed proximate or on said bottom element.
28. The container according to claim 27, wherein the third handle is a recess in said bottom element.
29. The container according to claim 27, wherein said third handle comprises a loop of material.
30. The container according to claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism further comprises securing means for securing the primary flap in a closed position.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 5, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 11, 2009
Inventors: Claude Mauffette (Montreal), Colin Cote (Montreal)
Application Number: 12/329,203
International Classification: B65D 33/00 (20060101);