Household waste management centre

Abstract

A waste segregation and recycling receptacle which can receive and store different types of recyclabale, biodegradable and non-recyclable waste. The receptacle contains an upright outer open-top vessel, several insertable and removable upright inner open-top vessels, seated within the outer vessel, and a removable top cover with a lid. Flanges along the tops of the inner vessels can rest on the top rims of the side walls of the outer vessel and retain the inner vessels within the outer vessel. The flanges also allow for the retaining and supporting of thin-walled non self supporting collection bags within the inner vessels if required. The outer vessel can be easily lifted and carried for emptying. The receptacle can be free standing or integrated into kitchen units, and its design reduces the odours and leachate normally associated with bio-waste.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to a household waste receptacle, whereby household waste can be segregated at source for the purposes of recycling and disposal. The invention has a novel means of utilising the outer vessel of the receptacle and the smaller inner vessels in a manner commensurate with the varieties and amounts of different wastes deposited in the receptacle. The receptacle incorporates a novel ventilation system to miminise the production of odours and lechate that may arise due to the plurality of wastes deposited in the receptacle. The embodiment is easily handled and transportable when filled and is designed to be easily maintained and cleaned.

BACKGROUND

Environmental concerns in conjunction with legislation and increased waste disposal charges are encouraging householders worldwide to recycle as much as possible of their domestic waste, and thus minimise the amount of waste directed to landfill. Such recycling requires the segregation of waste into categories determined by the waste disposal service provider, and it is not uncommon for households to have numerous vessels within the home to facilitate this segregation of waste. This invention addresses this need to segregate waste at source with the provision of an upright vessel, which is easily transportable by the average human to larger waste recycling and disposal vessels. The invention takes into consideration the plurality of wastes needing to be disposed of or recycled, the quantities involved, the characteristics of the wastes generated within the household and the desirability of the householder for an ergonomically pleasing product with is easily maintained both esthetically and hygienically.

It is therefore the objective of the present invention to overcome the problems and shortcomings in prior art and provide a new and improved household waste management system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a receptacle assembly into which can be placed three upright open top inner vessels allowing for the placement of four types of waste in the embodiment. Various depths of inner vessels can be placed in the outer vessels to facilitate the volumes of various wastes needing to be segregated. Ventilation is provided in the preferred embodiment by way of raised ventilation holes at the base of the outer vessel, ventilation holes in the bases of the inner vessels and the incorporation of an air vent in the lid. This ventilation system helps to mininise the production of leachate and odours created by the decomposition of any biodegradable compostable waste which may be placed in an inner vessels. The inner vessels can support and retain non self supporting thin walled bags for ease of waste removal, and the inner vessels are dishwasher compatible in order to facilitate ease of maintenance and hygiene. The outer vessel is more suitable for dry recyclable wastes and the ventilation holes therein allow for ease of maintenance and cleaning of the vessel. The outer vessel contains a cross member between the tops of opposing upright side walls which incorporates a carrying handle. This handle facilitates the carrying by humans of the vessels, and the waste therein, to larger waste management systems usually located external to the home. The removable cover of the embodiment which incorporates a hinged lid, sits on the tops of the four side walls of the outer vessels, and overhangs the side walls of the outer vessel, ensuring that the cover does not become dislodged form the outer vessel. The overhang of the cover incorporates retention features which prevent the cover from lifting from the outer vessel, when the lid is open or is being opened. The lid when closed sits on a depressed flange along the opening in the cover and the lid is hinged so as to prevent it from opening more than 60 degrees beyond the vertical. The lid encompasses a recessed handle with a ventilation opening. While the receptacle is a free stand alone unit, a retaining attachment is included in the embodiment to allow for the embodiment's integration into a pull out under counter kitchen unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The compartmentalized waste storage and recycling receptacle comprises of an outer open top vessel 1, into which can fit smaller inner open top vessels 2. The bases of the inner and outer vessels are perforated to allow for ventilation of both vessel types, with the outer vessels having standoffs at the base to facilitate air movement to the perforations in its base. In an alternative embodiment the inner and outer vessel can be vented by the use of perforations in their side walls, removing the requirement for standoffs in the outer vessel. The inner vessels are supported and retained in position within the outer vessels with the aid of flanges 7 on the inner vessels which rest on, and interface with the flange along the top rim of the outer vessel 10. The cross member 5 interlocks with opposing sides of the outer vessel along their top edges, and forms both a strengthening member and a carrying handle for the receptacle. The cover 3 when positioned on top of the outer vessel rests on the top flanges 10 of the outer vessel and the top flanges 7 of any inner vessels placed within the outer vessel. Within the cover 3 is a lid 4 with a handle 8, which has a hinge 9 enabling the lid to the opened using the handle. The lid pivots in a vertical plane about the hinge, and is prevented from pivoting further than 150 degrees beyond its horizontal closed position in the cover. Flanges on the underside of the lid and along the edge of the cover's openings help to prevent the lid from dropping below the uppermost horizontal plane of the cover when the lid is in a closed position. The handle 8, is integrated into the lid and also acts as a vent. The side walls of the cover 3, when it is positioned in place on the top of the outer vessel, extend below the horizontal plane of the outer vessel's rim and prevent lateral movement of the cover. Flanges within the cover prevent vertical movement of the cover when the lid contained therein, is opened or being opened. The design incorporates a fixture, 6, which allows for the embodiment to be attached to the rear of the front facing door of a pull-out kitchen unit. The topmost flange of the outer vessel, when the embodiment rests on the base of the pull-out unit, sits into the aforementioned fixture which is attached to the rear of the kitchen unit's front facing door. This attachment of the outer vessel to the kitchen-unit's door prevents the embodiment from moving within the pull-out kitchen unit.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment herein-before described which may vary in detail.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. A vented receptacle for the segregation and storing of a plurality of waste types, comprising

(a) an outer open top vessel having side walls, a top rim, and a bottom wall with ventilation holes

(b) inner smaller open top vessels, each having side walls, a bottom wall with ventilation holes, and flanges for the supporting of the vessels themselves within the outer vessel and the retention of bags with flexible walls within the inner vessel

(c) a removable top cover compatible with the top rim of the outer vessel

(d) a lid which contains ventilation openings, and is hinged within the top cover

(e) a carrying mechanism allowing for of the vented receptacle to be lifted and carried by a householder

9. The vented receptacle of claim 1 wherein the outer vessel is itself a receptacle for receiving waste

10. The vented receptacle of claim 1 wherein the amount of access to the outer vessel is determined by the number of inner vessels placed in the outer vessel

11. The vented vessel receptacle of claim 1 wherein the capacity of the outer vessel to accept waste is determined by the number and size of inner vessels placed within it

12. The vented receptacle of claim 1 wherein the passage or air through it is achieved by the use of the ventilation holes in the outer and inner vessels and the ventilation openings in the lid

13. The vented receptacle of claim 1 wherein the outer vessel can be a standalone unit or integrated and enclosed in larger household units such as kitchen units.

14. A method for the segregation and storing of a plurality of household waste types, comprising whereby waste generated odours and leachate are reduced as a result of the air currents created within the vented receptacle due to the ventilation holes in the bottom walls of the inner and outer vessels and the opening in the lid. Various quantities and types of household waste can be accommodated within the one receptacle, which due to its design can accommodate both waste and inner vessels, allowing for a plurality of waste types and quantities to be stored effectively and efficiently. This is achieved by maximising the utilisation of the internal space of the outer vessel, by providing flexibility in the number and sizes of inner vessels that can be accommodated and by maintaining access to the outer vessel for use as a depository of waste. The receptacle is designed to be a standalone unit or integrated into an under counter kitchen cabinet.

(a) an outer open top vessel having side walls, a top rim, and a bottom wall with ventilation holes

(b) inner smaller open top vessels, each having side walls, a bottom wall with ventilation holes, and flanges for the supporting of the vessels themselves within the outer vessel and the retention of bags with flexible walls within the inner vessel

(c) a removable top cover compatible with the top rim of the outer vessel

(d) a lid which contains ventilation openings, and is hinged within the top cover

(e) a carrying mechanism allowing for of the vented receptacle to be lifted and carried by a householder