Dust control cover for a refuse bin

Abstract

The dust control cover for a refuse bin is removably installed atop a refuse bin, dumpster, or similar container. The cover has a truncated pyramid configuration, with a series of doors in the sides and top. A system of perforated pipes or tubes is preferably installed within the cover. The pipes connect to a water inlet fitting extending through the cover wall. A water supply (garden hose, etc.) is connected to the fitting, and the water is turned on to produce a fine spray or mist within the cover and its underlying refuse bin, thereby wetting down the contained materials to reduce or eliminate hazardous airborne dust or particulates from the material. The cover may include forklift pockets to facilitate installation and removal of the cover upon and from the bin, and a series of latch pin assemblies for positively securing the cover to the bin.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,477, filed Sep. 29, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to solid waste disposal devices, and particularly to a dust control cover for a refuse bin, e.g., a dumpster or the like, for reducing dust otherwise emitted into the atmosphere during construction, demolition, and similar operations.

2. Description of the Related Art

Building construction and demolition operations are notorious for raising dust due to the movement of large components or masses of loose material. While building construction can raise a fair amount of such airborne particulates, demolition operations tend to be far worse. Generally, discarded materials (concrete, insulation, etc.) are transferred into large refuse bins or containers, i.e., dumpsters, as soon as practicable after being broken up for removal from the building structure. In many instances, workers attempt to reduce the scatter of dust and particulate matter by delivering such materials from the construction or demolition site to the dumpster by means of an enclosed tube or the like, and covering the bin or dumpster.

This can be particularly critical in the demolition of older building structures, when asbestos and/or other hazardous materials were used in the construction of the building years in the past. In many instances, there was no knowledge or realization of the potential hazards in handling such materials, e.g., asbestosis from breathing air laden with asbestos dust or fine fibers, etc., at the time the structure was built. Accordingly it is not only good practice, but required by law in nearly all demolition operations, to take steps to at least greatly reduce, if not entirely eliminate, the airborne spread of such potentially hazardous materials.

In many instances a relatively simple tarpaulin or the like is used to cover the interior of the refuse bin or dumpster in order to reduce the spread of airborne dust and particles therefrom. While such devices provide some reduction in airborne dust emission from the bin or dumpster during operations, a better solution is the provision of a rigid cover or shell over the otherwise open top of the dumpster or bin. However, such rigid covers or shells are clearly relatively heavy, and conventionally do not include means to facilitate their handling and placement atop or removal from the underlying bin or dumpster. Moreover, such a removable top should be secured positively to the bin or dumpster for transport of the dumpster or bin to and from the construction or demolition operation. Even though such a rigid cover or top is relatively massive, the jarring of the dumpster and top due to the stiff suspension of the truck as it travels over rough pavement or terrain can cause the top to be dislodged from its placement atop the refuse bin if not positively secured in place.

Thus, a dust control cover for a refuse bin solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The dust control cover for a refuse bin has the general form of a truncated pyramid. A plurality of doors are provided in the sides and top of the cover to provide for the dumping of rubble or other materials into the refuse bin or dumpster upon which the dust control cover is installed. The interior of the cover is preferably provided with a series of perforated pipes or tubes that communicate with a water inlet connection disposed to the exterior of the cover. The cover may be installed atop a refuse bin, e.g., a dumpster, roll-on bin or the like, with a water supply line (garden hose, etc.) connected to the water inlet. When the water supply is turned on a fine mist of water is sprayed into the interior of the refuse bin and cover, wetting down the contents thereof and any dust rising from the contents to reduce or eliminate the emission of dust and particulate matter from the operation.

The cover further preferably includes a pair of parallel forklift pockets or receptacles disposed along the opposite longer edges or sides of the cover. This enables a forklift to pick up the cover and install it on the bin, or to lift the cover from the bin as desired. A plurality of locking pins and receptacles are also provided for positively securing the dust control cover removably to the underlying refuse bin or dumpster, as desired. The dust control cover when secured to the underlying refuse bin allows the assembly to be transported with assurance that the cover cannot be dislodged from the bin while in motion due to jarring of the bin and cover when traveling over rough surfaces, thus positively retaining the rubble, debris, and/or other collected materials within the refuse bin until the cover is removed to dump the load.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a dust control cover for a refuse bin according to the present invention, showing its installation atop a refuse bin or dumpster.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in section of the dust control cover of FIG. 1, showing the sprinkler or water misting pipes or tubes therein.

FIG. 3 is an environmental perspective view of the dust control cover of FIG. 1 being manipulated by a forklift for placement onto or removal from a refuse bin.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, partial perspective view of a portion of the dust control cover of FIG. 1 and the underlying refuse bin, showing an exemplary means of positively securing the cover to the underlying bin.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the completed installation of the dust control cover of FIG. 1 to the refuse bin, using the securing means illustrated in FIG. 4.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The dust control cover for a refuse bin may include a water system for reducing airborne dust, as well as a series of retaining pin assemblies to assure that the cover or lid remains positively attached to the underlying bin or dumpster during transport. FIG. 1 provides an environmental view of the dust control cover or lid 10 secured to the top of a refuse bin or dumpster D at a building construction or demolition site. The bin or dumpster D may be a roll-off type dumpster having wheels W, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, or other refuse bin type or configuration as desired.

The dust control cover or lid 10 is in the general form or shape of an elongated and truncated pyramid, having opposite first and second major sides 12 and 14, opposite first and second minor sides or ends 16 and 18, and a flat top or apex 20; the second major side 14 and second minor side 18 are shown in the elevation view in section of FIG. 2. Each of the sides 12 through 18 has a lower edge, respectively 22 through 28 and slopes upwardly and inwardly from its respective lower edge to the top or apex 20 to define a hollow interior volume 30 therein, as shown in FIG. 2.

Each of the sides 12 through 18 preferably includes at least one access opening therethrough, e.g., the opening 32 of the first minor or end side 16 shown in FIG. 1. Each opening is provided with a selectively openable door thereover, with doors 34 through 40 provided for the respective sides 12 through 18. The flat top apex 20 is also preferably provided with at least one door. In the exemplary bin cover or lid 10 shown in the drawings, the apex or top 20 includes two oppositely hinged doors 42 and 44. Each of the doors 34 through 44 is hinged along its lower or outer edge, with a latch provided at its opposite edge. Thus, the doors 34 through 44 may be closed to retain dust, particulate matter, and debris within the interior volume 30 of the dust control cover or lid 10, with only those doors necessary for the receipt of materials into the lid and underlying dumpster or bin being opened, e.g., the open single first end door 38 shown in FIG. 1.

The height of the sloping sides 12 through 18 is one of the factors defining the extent of the interior volume 30 of the lid or cover 10. Additional volume may be gained by providing a depending vertical wall, respectively 46 through 52, from the respective lower edges 22 through 28 of the four sides. The refuse bin or dumpster D includes first through fourth sides S1 through S4 and a bottom B, with the sides and bottom of the bin or dumpster D defining an interior volume V. The lower edges 22 through 28 of the sides of the cover or lid 10, or more specifically their lower vertical walls 46 through 52, seat atop the upper edges E1 through E4 of the corresponding sides S1 through S4 of the refuse bin or dumpster D to enclose the combined interior volumes 30 of the cover or lid 10 and V of the underlying bin or dumpster D, as shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The dust control cover or lid 10 is a relatively massive structure, as it is preferably formed of steel sheet and other steel components and may be configured to fit a relatively large roll-off refuse bin or dumpster D. Accordingly, handling of the lid or cover 10 may be facilitated by forklift pockets 54 and 56 installed along the lower edges or depending vertical walls of the first and second major sides 12 and 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The provision of such forklift pockets 54 and 56 enables a forklift F to manipulate the cover or lid 10 for placement on or removal from the underlying bin or dumpster D as desired, generally as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Flanges 58 and 60 depending from the respective forklift pockets 54, 56, or from the lower edges of the lower vertical walls 46 and 48 depending from the lower edges of the major sides 12 and 14, provide more positive positioning of the cover or lid 10 atop the bin or dumpster D.

The interior volume 30 of the dust control cover or lid 10 includes at least one water spray pipe therein. In the example of FIG. 2, a series of pipes 62 is installed along the inner edges of the top or apex 44, internally along each lateral edge of the sloping major and minor sides 12 through 18, and internally along the lower edge of each of the sides 12 through 18 or along their respective depending vertical walls, e.g., the vertical wall 48 of the second major side panel 14, as shown in FIG. 2. More or fewer spray or misting pipes 62 may be installed within the dust control cover or lid 10 as desired, and/or their placement may be other than that shown in FIG. 2. Each of the pipes 62 includes a large number of very small water spray or misting perforations or nozzles 64 therein adapted to spray a fine mist of water into the interior volume 30 of the dust control cover or lid 10, and thus to the interior volume V of the underlying bin or dumpster D when the lid or cover 10 is installed thereon, when water is supplied to the pipes 62.

A water supply fitting 66, e.g., a threaded or quick release hose connection or the like, extends through one of the sides or lower vertical walls of the lid or cover 10 and communicates with the spray pipe(s) 62 therein, generally as shown in FIG. 2. A conventional water hose H (FIG. 1) may be connected to a suitable water supply and to the water supply fitting 66 (FIGS. 2 and 3; the fitting 66 is concealed by the open door 38 in FIG. 1) to provide water to dampen the air volumes 30 and V within the lid or cover 10 and underlying bin or dumpster D, thus wetting down airborne dust and particulates within the dumpster and its cover or lid. The result is the elimination of nearly all airborne dust and particulates within the dumpster and its cover, thus essentially eliminating the escape of such potentially harmful particles into the surrounding atmosphere where they might otherwise be inhaled by workers or others in the area.

The dust control cover 10 and its underlying refuse bin D further include a series of latch assemblies 68 to provide positive attachment of the cover or lid 10 to the bin or dumpster D, to assure that the lid or cover 10 cannot be jarred loose from the bin or dumpster D during transport. One or more such assemblies 68 may be installed along each major side of the cover and corresponding side of the dumpster, with there preferably being two or more such assemblies 68 along each side, depending upon the size of the cover 10 and its bin or dumpster D. These assemblies 68 are shown generally in FIGS. 1 through 3 and in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Each latch assembly 68 comprises a tab 70 extending outwardly from the upper edge of the major side walls of the bin or dumpster, e.g., edge E1 of side S1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each tab 70 includes a slot 72 therein. Corresponding plates 74 extend horizontally outwardly from the two major sides 12 and 14 of the lid or cover 10, with the planes of the tabs 70 being substantially vertical and the planes of the plates 74 being substantially horizontal, i.e., normal to the planes of the corresponding tabs. Each plate 74 is positioned to lie immediately above and slightly to one side laterally of the corresponding tab 70 of the bin or dumpster D when the cover 10 is placed thereon. Each plate 74 includes a pin passage 76 therethrough, for the removable insertion of a pin 78 therethrough. Each pin 78 has a slot 80 therethrough, with the slot 80 of each pin 78 aligning with the slot 72 of a corresponding tab 70 when the cover or lid 10 is placed atop the dumpster or bin D and the pin 78 is dropped into the pin passage 76 of its plate 74. A retainer pin 82 installs removably through the slot 80 of the slotted pin 78, thereby locking the slotted pin 78 to the underlying tab 70 of the bin or dumpster D and precluding removal of the lid or cover 10 therefrom. The pins 78 and 80 may be tethered or otherwise secured to their corresponding structures to prevent their loss, or alternatively they may be supplied in a bag or other container for safekeeping when not installed.

The bin or dumpster lid or cover 10 is used essentially as shown in the drawings and described further above. The dumpster D and its cover or lid 10 are transported to the construction or demolition site and positioned as desired. The lid or cover 10 is placed atop the bin or dumpster D by a forklift F, as shown in FIG. 3, or by other suitable means as desired. The lid or cover 10 is then positively secured to the top of the dumpster or bin D for transport, by means of the latching assemblies 68 shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and described further above.

Once the bin and cover assembly have been positioned at the construction or demolition site, a hose H is extended from a water supply and connected to the fitting 66 of the cover or lid 10, The water is turned on when material is dumped into the dumpster D and its overlying cover or lid 10, thereby wetting down any dust and/or particulate matter to preclude its escape from the dumpster and its cover. Once the dumpster has been filled or is no longer needed at the site, it may be hauled away conventionally for disposal of the construction debris therein. The debris remains damp if no appreciable time has passed for it to dry, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the production of dust when the lid or cover 10 is removed from the dumpster or bin D and the contents are dumped.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A dust control cover for a refuse bin, comprising:

a refuse bin lid having a plurality of sloping sides and a flat apex, each of the sides having a lower edge, the sides and apex of the lid defining a hollow interior volume;

a water supply fitting extending from the lid; and

at least one perforated pipe disposed within the interior volume of the lid and communicating with the water supply fitting, the perforated pipe being adapted to produce a fine spray of water within the interior volume of the lid when water is supplied thereto through the water supply fitting.

2. The dust control cover according to claim 1, wherein the sides of the lid comprise mutually opposed first and second major sides and first and second minor sides joining the major sides, each of the sides having a lower edge, the refuse bin further comprising a forklift pocket extending along the lower edge of each of the major sides.

3. The dust control cover according to claim 1, further comprising a refuse bin having a bottom wall and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls extending around the bottom wall, the bin defining a hollow interior, the lower edge of each of the sides of the lid fitting closely atop a corresponding one of the sidewalls of the refuse bin, the interior volume of the lid communicating with the interior volume of the refuse bin when the lid is installed upon the refuse bin.

4. The dust control cover according to claim 3, wherein:

the refuse bin has mutually opposed major sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having an upper edge, the refuse bin having at least one slotted tab extending outwardly from each of the major sidewalls;

the lid has mutually opposed first and second major sides and first and second minor sides joining the major sides, each of the sides having a lower edge, the lid having at least one horizontally disposed plate extending from each of the major sides of the lid adjacent the lower edge thereof, each of the plates having a pin passage disposed therethrough, each of the plates being positioned immediately above and slightly horizontally offset from a corresponding one of the slotted tabs of the refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin;

the dust control cover further comprises a slotted pin removably disposed within the pin passage of each of the plates, the slot of the slotted pin being aligned with the slot of the slotted tab of the refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed through the pin passage of the plate; and

the dust control cover further comprises a retainer pin removably disposed through the slots of the slotted pin and slotted tab when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed through the pin passage of the plate.

5. The dust control cover according to claim 3, wherein the refuse bin comprises a roll-off bin.

6. The dust control cover according to claim 1, wherein each of the sides and the apex further include at least one selectively openable door disposed therein.

7. The dust control cover according to claim 1, wherein each of the sides has a vertical wall depending from the lower edge thereof.

8. A dust control cover for a refuse bin, comprising:

a refuse bin lid, the lid having mutually opposed first and second major sides, first and second minor sides joining the major sides, and a flat apex, each of the sides having a lower edge, the sides and apex of the lid defining a hollow interior volume; and

a forklift pocket extending along the lower edge of each of the major sides.

9. The dust control cover according to claim 8, further including:

a water supply fitting extending from the lid; and

at least one perforated pipe disposed within the interior volume of the lid, the pipe communicating with the water supply fitting, the perforated pipe being adapted to produce a fine spray of water within the interior volume of the lid when water is supplied thereto through the water supply fitting.

10. The dust control cover according to claim 8, further comprising a refuse bin having first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls and a bottom, the bin defining a hollow interior, the lower edge of each of the sides of the lid fitting closely atop a corresponding one of the sidewalls of the refuse bin, the interior volume of the lid communicating with the interior volume of the refuse bin when the lid is installed upon the refuse bin.

11. The dust control cover according to claim 10, wherein:

the refuse bin has mutually opposed major sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having an upper edge, the refuse bin having at least one slotted tab extending outwardly from each of the major sidewalls;

the lid has at least one horizontally disposed plate extending from each of the major sides of the lid adjacent the lower edge thereof, each of the plates having a pin passage disposed therethrough, each of the plates being positioned immediately above and slightly horizontally offset from a corresponding one of the slotted tabs of the refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin;

the dust control cover further comprises a slotted pin removably disposed within the pin passage of each of the plates, the slot of the slotted pin aligning with the slot of the slotted tab of the refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed through the pin passage of the plate; and

the dust control cover further comprises a retainer pin removably disposed through the slots of the slotted pin and slotted tab when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed through the pin passage of the plate.

12. The dust control cover according to claim 10, wherein the refuse bin comprises a roll-off bin.

13. The dust control cover according to claim 8, wherein each of the sides and the apex further include at least one selectively openable door disposed therein.

14. The dust control cover according to claim 8, wherein each of the sides has a vertical wall depending from the lower edge thereof.

15. A refuse bin and a dust control cover therefor, comprising in combination:

a refuse bin having a bottom wall and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls extending around the bottom wall, the bin defining a hollow interior; and

a refuse bin lid, the lid having a plurality of sloping sides and a flat apex, each of the sides having a lower edge, the sides and apex of the lid defining a hollow interior volume, the lower edge of each of the sides fitting closely atop a corresponding one of the sidewalls of the refuse bin, the interior volume of the lid communicating with the interior volume of the refuse bin when the lid is installed upon the refuse bin, the lid further having a selectively openable door disposed in each of the sides and at least one door disposed in the apex.

16. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to claim 15, further including:

a water supply fitting extending from the lid; and

at least one perforated pipe disposed within the interior volume of the lid, the pipe communicating with the water supply fitting, the perforated pipe being adapted to produce a fine spray of water within the interior volume of the lid when water is supplied thereto through the water supply fitting.

17. The refuse bin and duct control rover combination according to claim 15, wherein the sides of the lid comprise mutually opposed first and second major sides and first and second minor sides joining the major sides, each of the sides having a lower edge, the combination further comprising a forklift pocket extending along the lower edge of each of the major sides of the lid.

18. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to claim 15, wherein:

the refuse bin has mutually opposed major sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having an upper edge, the refuse bin having at least one slotted tab extending outwardly from each of the major sidewalls;

the lid has mutually opposed first and second major sides and first and second minor sides joining the major sides, each of the sides having a lower edge, the lid having at least one horizontally disposed plate extending from each of the major sides adjacent the lower edge thereof, each of the plates having a pin passage disposed therethrough, each of the plates being positioned immediately above and slightly horizontally offset from a corresponding one of the slotted tabs of the refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin;

the combination further comprises a slotted pin removably disposed within the pin passage of each of the plates, the slot of the slotted pin being aligned with the slot of the slotted tab of the refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed through the pin passage of the plate; and

the combination further comprises a retainer pin removably disposed through the slots of the slotted pin and slotted tab when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed through the pin passage of the plate.

19. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to claim 15, wherein the refuse bin comprises a roll-off bin.

20. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to claim 15, wherein each of the sides of the lid has a vertical wall depending from the lower edge thereof.