[0001] The present invention relates generally to apparatus for the disposal of waste.
[0002] Domestic rubbish is usually thrown into small bins located around the home, which
are then emptied into dustbins. Dustbins are normally free-standing and remain outside
the home. Waste bins for use inside the home are generally small so as to be unobtrusive,
and consequently have a small capacity and require emptying frequently.
[0003] Bins in domestic kitchens, where a large proportion of domestic waste is generated,
are small for reasons of hygiene, and may need to be emptied several times a day.
Bins in commercial kitchens present a health hazard which may be reduced by frequent
emptying.
[0004] The present invention is defined in its various aspects in the appended claims to
which reference should now be made.
[0005] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the waste disposal apparatus
seen from the outside of the house;
Figure 2 shows the apparatus open for removal of the waste receptacle and for cleaning;
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the apparatus;
Figures 4 & 5 shows a preferred form of structure for the chute inlet;
Figures 6 and 7 show an alternative form of structure for the chute inlet;
Figure 8 shows the bag collar assembly;
Figure 9 is an exploded view of part of the collar assembly in more detail;
Figure 10 is an interrupted sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention
for use inside the house;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the waste disposal apparatus
seen from the outside of the home;
Figure 12 shows the apparatus of Fig 9 open for remcval of the waste receptacle and
for cleaning;
Figure 13 is a sectional view through the apparatus of Fig 9;
Figures 14, 15 and 16 are perspective view of a further embodiment with the housing
closed and open;
Figures 17 to 20 and Figure 22 are perspective views of two free-standing embodiments
of the invention, and
Figure 21 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted embodiment of the invention which
does not use the chute assembly.
[0006] Figures 1 to 3 show a rubbish disposal unit 10 installed for use on a wall 12 of
a building such as a house. The wall 12 is an exterior wall of the house and the outer
face of the wall is seen in Figure 1. When the unit is installed for use, only a housing
or cover 14 is visible from outside the building. The cover 14 comprises a hood 16
and a body 18, which define together with an area of the wall a region large enough
to accomodate a waste receptacle 20 of generous proportions, typically of the size
of a dustbin liner. The receptacle 20, shown in Figure 2 as a disposable bag, is,
in use, hung from a support 22 which is fixed to the wall. At least the cover 16 and
preferably also the body 18 is provided with a handle 19.
[0007] The term 'bag' is used in this specification to include a sack or similar container.
[0008] The support 22 holds the mouth of the bag 20 open and below the outlet 24, in the
outer face of the wall 12, of a sloping chute 26 which guides waste to the outlet
24. The chute lies in a hole 27 found in the wall. The mouth of the bag 20 is positioned
beneath the outlet 24 so as to catch waste falling from the chute 26.
[0009] The inner end of the chute 26 lies against the inner face of the wall, a flange 28
bearing against the wall around the inner end of the hole 27. The chute inlet is higher
in the wall 12 than the outlet 24, so that the chute slopes downwardly from the inlet
to the outlet 24, causing waste on the chute 26 to move towards the lower end of the
chute 26 and into the bag 20. The lowermost edge 30 of the chute 26 projects beyond
the outer face of the wall 12 to reduce the likelihood of waste fouling the wall 12
above the bag.
[0010] The support 22 for the bag 20 is integral with a frame 32 which is mounted against
the outer face of the wall. The frame 32 is attached to the wall 12 (by means described
below) and includes an upper horizontal portion 34 above the chute outlet 24. The
hood 16 is pivotally mounted on this horizontal frame portion 34. The hood can be
lifted from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2 using
the handle 19, to allow access to the upper part of the unit and particularly to the
bag clamp for changing the bag and to the chute 26 for cleaning. The pivotal connection
is provided by means of suitable lockable hinges (not shown) which are arranged to
hold the hood.16 in the raised position.
[0011] The body 18 of the cover 14 is pivotally mounted directly on the wall 12 so as to
be pivotable about a horizontal axis at the bottom of the body 18. The body 18 and
the hood 16 meet when the cover is shut"at a horizontal plane in the region of the
support 22. Two ties 36 connected between the frame 32 and the body 18, at the two
opposed sides of the frame and body, limit the range of angles through which the body
portion 18 can pivot. The bag 20 can be removed, for instance when it is full of waste,
by releasing it from the support 22 (as will be described later) and allowing it to
drop into the body 18. The body 18 is tilted back to the position shown in Figure
2 which allows the bag 20 to be tied and then removed between the upper edge of the
body 18 and the support 22, by sliding it out on the smooth inner surface of the body
18. A new bag can be hung on the support 22 before the cover 14 is closed. The body
18 is retained by a detent 58 engaging the support 22.
[0012] The ties 36 are shown fixed to the frame and the body 18. Alternatively, the ties
may be fixed to the frame, extended through a hole in the body 18 and terminate in
a toggle. A jamming cleat for instance, of the type used in boats, may be provided
to grip the ties to hold the body open at angles intermediate in the range of possible
angles.
[0013] To secure the frame 32 against the wall and also retain the chute 26 in the hole
27 in the wall, four long bolts 58 extend from an apertured flange 60 around the central
part of the chute 26 outwardly through selected ones of sets of apertures 62 in the
frame 32. Nuts 64 on the outer ends of the bolts are tightened both to mount the frame
32 securely on the wall and also to pull the chute outwardly so that the flange 28
is pulled firmly against the inner face of the wall 12.
[0014] Wall thicknesses vary, and to accomodate for this the chute 26 and bolts 58 are supplied
sufficiently long to cover all possibilites and are then cut down on site to the required
length. The other components are unaffected by variations (between limits) in the
wall thickness.
[0015] Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a flap 38 may be mounted in the front 40 of a
backless drawer 42 accomodated in the chute 26. The drawer 42 is slidably mounted
in the chute 26 on longitudinal notched flanges 41 (see Fig. 3) which act as runners,
so that it may be drawn out of the chute inlet by hand (see hand A, Fig. 4) using
the integral handle 43 below the flap. The drawer may be drawn to a position such
that it tips slightly backwards into the room. Large objects which cannot conveniently
be pushed through the "letter-box" aperture in the front 40 of the drawer and which
is covered by the flap 38, may be placed in the drawer 42 from above. When the drawer
42 is pushed back into the chute 26, waste in the drawer 42 tumbles over the backless
edge of the drawer, down the chute and into the bag. The planes of the front 40 and
the drawer base 42 are so angled that when the drawer 42 is pushed into the chute,
the front 40 lies against the flange 28. In this position, the flap 38 can be pushed
away to allow waste to be deposited on the chute, as shown by hand B in Fig. 4. Alternatively,
the backless drawer may be dispensed with and the flap hung directly in the chute
inlet, where it may be used as described above.
[0016] When rubbish is being pushed through the flap 38, there is a danger of a hand becoming
trapped between the bottom of the flap and the chute. The danger may be reduced by
forming the lower peripheral of the flap 38 of a flexible material, for instance natural
or a synthetic rubber.
[0017] Figures 6 and 7 show an alternative drawer and flap for use in the inlet end of the
chute. The drawer is the drawer shown in Figures 4 and 5, adapted to accommodate the
different flap. The flap 250 comprises a rectangular sheet 251 fixed along its top
edge to a rod 252. The rod has a circular cross-section and is longer than the longest
dimension of the sheet 251, so that it projects beyond the sheet 250 at each end.
[0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view from inside the drawer towards the corner righthand
most in Figure 6. At each front corner of the drawer is a rest 260 into which the
projecting ends of the rod 252 may be placed. The bar 256 across the top of the drawer
front is shaped to allow the rod 252 to rest and to turn in the rests 260.
[0019] With the rod 252 in the rests 260, the sheet 251 hangs down closing the opening 258
in the drawer front. The sheet 251 is oversize for the opening 258 and so cannot be
pulled through the opening 258, but can be pushed into the drawer, pivoting about
the axis of the rod 252.
[0020] The danger of a hand being trppped is removed in this embodiment, because in the
event of trapped, the rod 252 can move up out of the rests 260, as shown in Figure
6, thereby freeing the hand.
[0021] The backless drawer described above may be drawn entirely out of the chute to enable
the chute and the drawer to be cleaned. Moreover, when the drawer is out of the chute,
it may be used as a dustpan, which is emptied by replacing the drawer in the chute.
Conveniently, the integral handle 43 may be replaced by a handle or a pair of handles
which may be oriented horizontally, for drawing the drawer, or vertically for holding
the drawer when it is being used as a dustpan. A further handle can be provided in
the form of a bar attached to the drawer side and extending across the top of the
drawer at the end remote from the flap. The further handle will also function as a
bracing bar between the two sides of the backless drawer. The mounting of the handle
could include a locking mechanism which, when the handle is vertical, prevents the
drawer moving in the chute. The lock avoids the dangers which the chute might otherwise
present to young children or domestic animals.
[0022] Referring now to Figures 2, 8 and 9, the bag support 22 comprises a rim 23 having
the shape of a closed curve defining a substantially horizontal plane. The rim 23
is above the body of the support 22. To hang the bag 20 from the support 22, the neck
of the bag 20 is passed upwardly through the rim. The mouth portion of the bag, that
is, the material adjacent the mouth of the bag, is folded back to lie over and around
the rim, so that the inside and outside vertical faces and the top of the rim are
covered by the material of the bag 20. A resilient collar assembly 44 holds the material
of the bag 20 against the outer vertical surface of the rim, to prevent the mouth
of the bag slipping back through the rim.
[0023] The rim 23 is shaped with a "hockey-stick" section so that the collar assembly 44
engages the bag 20 under the hook thus formed at the top edge of the rim, providing
substantial resistance to pulling through of the bag.
[0024] The collar assembly comprises a flexible strip 46 whose ends 46a, 46b overlap. Four
lugs 48 integral with the inner end 46a of the strip 46 hold the inner and outer ends
46a, 46b of the strip together and constrain the ends in move relatively to each other
longitudinally of the strip. The strip 46 has a longitudinal slot 50 adjacent the
outer end. A first stud 52a is provided on the outer end 46b of the strip 46 to which
a loop or band 54 of resilient material may be attached. A second stud 52b is provided
on the inner end 46a of the strip 46 and projects through the slot 50. The loop 54
of resilient material is also attached to the second stud 52b, having passed substantially
entirely around the periphery of the collar assembly 44. The loop 54 thus urges the
studs 52 apart, causing the collar to contract and grip the mouth of the bag against
the rim. Two grips 56 are provided, one adjacent each stud 52. The grips may be used
manually to expand the collar against the resilience of the loop 54, to allow the
bag to be removed from the rim.
[0025] In the embodiment described above, the hood 16 and the body 18 of the cover 14 are
identically formed. They may be moulded in a plastics material or manufactured from
metal for instance. Similarly, many materials can be used in the manufacture of the
other integers of the apparatus. The materials are chosen according to the environment
in which the apparatus is to be used and the type of waste which it is required to
handle. When used on an exterior wall, the cover provides substantially weatherproof
protection for the bag and the chute.
[0026] In order to be able to tell from inside the house that the bag 20 is nearly full,
a mirror 66 may be mounted on the inside of the hood 16, as shown in Figure 3. Alternatively,
a light source may be provided to generate a horizontal beam of light directed across
the mouth of the bag to a light sensitive element. Electrical circuitry connected
to the ligh sensitive element detects when the beam is broken by rubbish which projects
above the mouth of the bag, and generates a warning signal to indicate that the bag
is full.
[0027] In order to prevent unpleasant smells entering the building, through the chute, a
second flap may be provided which covers the outlet of the chute. The flap may be
right enough to be opened by the impact of rubbish or may be manually openable from
within the building by means of a lever arrangement. In addition, a tablet of air-freshener
may be mounted inside the housing 14.
[0028] For convenience, brackets may be provided inside the hood 16 to support a roll of
replacement bags and a set of ties for tying the bags when full. Mounts may be provided
adjacent the inlet of the chute for a roll of absorbent paper towelling in which rubbish
may be wrapped, if desired, or on which hands may be cleaned.
[0029] Figure 10 is an interrupted sectional view through a second embodiment 70 of the
invention designed for use wholly inside the building. Similar corresponding parts
are given the same reference numerals and these parts will not be described again
in detail. The body 18 forming the lower part of the unit as well as the bag supporting
structure are the same as in the previous embodiment, but in this case a simple lift-up
cover 72 is provided which can be lifted up to permit waste material to be put into
the bag. Alternatively, or additionally, a flap may be provided in the cover 72 through
which waste may be pushed. The frame 74, which takes the place of the frame 32 in
supporting the unit against the wall, need not be so tall as in the first embodiment
but must of course be securely fixed to the wall by screws or other suitable fasteners.
[0030] This unit 70 uses the collar assembly 44 of Figures8 and 9. To replace a bag, the
collar is released allowing the bag to fall into the body 18. The body 18 is then
tipped back, as shown for the first embodiment in Figure 2, until held by the ties
36, and the bag can be tied while the weight is taken by the body 18. The bag can
then be slid out of the unit and a new bag put in.
[0031] Various features of the two embodiments may be of more general application. In particular,
the bag clamping assembly, and the chute inlet drawer with a flap in its front may
be used for other unrelated purposes.
[0032] It will be realised that means for suspending the bag, other than those described
above, are known and are equally applicable in the apparatus. Similarly, a variety
of types of cover may be used, depending on factors such as the overall size of the
apparatus.
[0033] Figures 11 to 13 show a third embodiment of a rubbish disposal unit, which is for
use on a wall 112 of a building such as a house. For clarity, the hood 116 is not
shown in Fig.
12. The unit incorporates a chute, a backless drawer and a flap which are identical
to those of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5. The wall 112 is an exterior wall of the
house and the outer face of the wall is seen in Figure
11. When the unit is installed for use, only the cover 114 is visible from outside the
building. The cover 114 comprises a hood 116 and a body 118, which define together
with an area of the wall a region large enough to accomodate a waste receptacle 120
of generous proportions, typically of the size of a dustbin liner. The receptacle
120, for instance a disposable bag, is, in use, hung from a supporting rim 122. At
least the cover 116 and preferably also the body 118 is provided with a handle 119.
[0034] The mouth of a bag 120 is, in use, held open and below the outlet 124, in the outer
face of the wall 112, of a sloping chute 126 which guides waste to the outlet 124.
The chute lies in a hole 127 found in the wall. The mouth of the bag is positioned
beneath the outlet 124 so as to catch waste falling from the chute 126.
[0035] The inner end of the chute 126 lies against the inner face of the wall, a flange
128 bearing against the wall around the inner end of the hole 127. The chute inlet
is higher in the wall 112 than the outlet 124, so that the chute slopes downwardly
from the inlet to the outlet 124, _.causing waste on the chute 126 to move towards
the lower end of the chute 126 and into the bag 120. The lowermost edge 130 of the
chute 126 projects beyond the outer face of the wall 112 to reduce the likelihood
of waste fouling the wall 112 above the bag.
[0036] A frame 132 is mounted against the outer face of the wall 112 and includes an upper
horizontal portion 134 above the chute outlet 124. The hood 116 is pivotally mounted
on this horizontal frame portion 134. The hood can be lifted from the position shown
in Figure 9 to a raised position, using the handle 119, to allow access to the upper
part of the unit and particularly to the bag support for changing the bag and to the
chute 126 for cleaning. The pivotal connection is provided by means of suitable lockable
hinges (not shown) which are arranged to hold the hood 116 in the raised position.
[0037] The body 118 of the cover 114 is pivotally mounted on the frame 132 so as to be pivotable
about a horizontal axis at the bottom of the body 118. Two ties 136 connected between
the frame 132 and the body 118, at the two opposed sides of the frame and body, limit
the range of angles through which the body portion 118 can pivot. The bag 120 can
be removed, for instance when it is full of waste, by releasing it from the supporting
rim 122 (as will be described later) and allowing it to drop into the body 118. The
body 118 is tilted back to the position shown in Figure 10 which supports the bag
120 while it is tied, before being removed from the housing, by sliding it out on
the smooth inner surface of the body 118. A new bag can be hung on the supporting
rim 122 after the cover 114 has been closed. The toggled ties and jamming cleat described
above may be used in this embodiment.
[0038] Referring now to Fig. 12, the supporting rim 122 comprises a first rim portion 122a
mounted on the frame 132 and a second rim portion 122b which is integral with the
body 118, and which forms the upper periphery of the -body 118. When the body 118
is closed, the two rim portions meet at a vertical plane substantially parallel to
the plane of the frame 132, to form a rim 122 having the shape of a closed curve defining
a substantially horizontal plane. The circumference of the rim so formed is the same
as or slightly less than the circumference of the mouth of the bag to be used. To
hang a bag from the supporting rim 122, the neck of a bag is held between the rim
portions 122a, 122b while the body 118 is closed to form the rim 122 about the neck
of the bag. The mouth portion of the bag, that is, the material adjacent the mouth
of the bag, is folded back to lie over and around the rim, so that the inside and
outside vertical faces and the top of the rim are covered by the material of the bag.
The distance by which the rim 122 upwardly extends is such that when the housing 114
is closed, the mouth portion of a bag hung from the rim 122 as described above is
pinched between the rim and the inside surface of the hood 116 along a substantial
length of the rim 122 of the rim portion 122b. The pinching action prevents the mouth
of the bag slipping back through the rim 122. Because of the pinching action, the
bag is held adequately securely without using the collar of Figs. 6 and 7. However,
the collar may be used for extra security, in which case, the distance by the which
the studs 52, and the grips 56 project horizontally, in use, should be so small that
they do not prevent the hood 116 closing. In common with the other embodiments, if
the bag is deep enough, it will rest on the bottom surface of the body, which will
support some of the weight.
[0039] To secure the frame 132 against the wall and also retain the chute 126 in the hole
127 in the wall, four long bolts 158 (see Fig. 11) extend from an apertured flange
160 around the central part of the chute 126 outwardly through selected ones of sets
of apertures 162 in the frame 132. Nuts 164 on the outer ends of the bolts are tightened
both to mount the frame 132 securely on the wall and also to pull the chute outwardly
so that the flange 128 is pulled firmly against the inner face of the wall 112.
[0040] Wall thicknesses vary, and to accomadate for this the chute 126 and bolts 158 are
supplied sufficiently long to cover all possibilities and are then cut down on site
to the required length. The other components are unaffected by variations (within
limits) in the wall thickness.
[0041] In order to be able to tell from inside the house that the bag 120 is nearly full,
a mirror 166 may be mounted on the inside of the hood 116, as shown in Fig. 3.
[0042] A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 14 to 16. This embodiment
of a rubbish disposal unit is for use on a wall 212 of a building such as a house,
and can be positioned beneath a window as shown in the drawings. The unit incorporates
a chute, a backless drawer and a flap which are identical to those of the embodiment
of Figures 1 to 5. The wall 212 is an exterior wall of the house and the outer face
of the wall is seen in Figure 12. When the unit is installed for use, only the cover
214 is visible from outside the building. The cover 214 comprises a hood 216, a rear
housing 217 and a body 218, which define a region large enough to accommodate a waste
receptacle 220 of generous proportions, typically of the size of a dustbin liner.
The receptacle 220, for instance a disposable bag, is, in use, hung from a supporting
rim 22. In this embodiment, waste may be deposited in the receptacle 220 either along
the chute, from inside the building, or by lifting the hood 216 which is pivotally
mounted on the rear housing 217. A handle 219 on the hood 216 enables a person to
open the hood to the position shown in Figure 15, exposing the mouth of the bag 220,
into which waste can be dropped. Preferably the hood 216 can be locked in this position
by means of suitable catches (not shown) , ..and
' when in this position covers the outlet 224 of the chute to prevent the hand of an
outside user being fouled by waste leaving the chute.
[0043] The mouth of the bag 220 is, in use, held open and below the outlet 224, in the outer
face of the wall 212, of a sloping chute 226 which guides waste to the outlet 224.
The chute lies in a hole found in the wall. The mouth of the bag is positioned beneath
the outlet 224 so as to catch waste falling from the chute 226.
[0044] The sloping chute 226 may be identical to the chute 126 described above, and may
be mounted in the wall by the means described above. Preferably the lowermost edge
230 of the chute 226 projects beyond the outer face of the wall 212 to reduce the
likelihood of waste fouling the wall 212 above the bag.
[0045] The rear housing 217 is mounted against the outer face of the wall 212. The hood
216 is pivotally mounted on the rear housing 217 and can be lifted from the position
shown in Figure 14 to a raised position shown in Figure 15, using the handle 219,
to allow access to the upper part of the unit for waste disposal from outside the
building, to the bag support for changing the bag and to the chute 226 for cleaning.
The pivotal connection is provided by means of a simple stud and socket arrangement.
If, as is preferred, the rear housing is a plastics or fibre glass moulding, the hood
may be removed for cleaning by deforming the rear housing 217.
[0046] The body 218 of the cover 214 is pivotally mounted on the rear housing 217 so as
to be pivotable about a horizontal axis at the bottom of the body 218. Two ties 236
connected between the rear housing 217 and the body 218, at the two opposed sides
of the rear housing and body, limit the range of angles through which the body portion
218 can pivot. The bag 220 can be removed, for instance when it is full of waste,
by releasing it from the supporting rim 222 (as will be described later) and allowing
it to drop into the body 218. The body 218 is tilted back to the position shown in
Figure 16 which supports the bag 220 while it is tied, before being removed from the
housing, by sliding it out on the smooth inner surface of the body 218. A new bag
can be hung on the supporting rim 222 after the cover 214 has been closed. The body
218 may be held closed by any convenient type of catch. If the body 218 and rear housing
217 are made of a pliable material, the catches may comprise studs on one member and
mating sockets in the other, so that the body 218 is slammed shut to engage the catches.
The toggled ties and jamming cleat described above may be used in this embodiment.
[0047] Referring now to Fig 16, the supporting rim 222 comprises a first rim portion 222a
mounted on the rear housing 217 and a second rim portion 222b which is integral with
the body 218. When the body 218 is closed, the two rim portions meet at a vertical
plane substantially parallel to the plane of the wall 212, to form a rim 222 having
the shape of a closed curve defining a substantially horizontal plane. The circumference
of the rim so formed is the same as or slightly less than the circumference of the
mouth of the bag to be used. To hang a bag from the supporting rim 222, the neck of
a bag is held between the rim portions 222a, 222b while the body 218 is closed to
form the rim 222 about the neck of the bag. The mouth portion of the bag, that is,
the material adjacent the mouth of the bag, is folded back to lie over and around
the rim, so that the inside and outside vertical faces and the top of the rim are
covered by the material of the bag. A tight-fitting, resilient band (not shown), for
instance a loop of rubber tubing, may then be placed around the rim and bag to secure
the bag in position. In common with the other embodiments, if the bag is deep enough,
it will rest on the bottom surface of the body, which will support some of the weight.
[0048] To secure the unit to the wall and also retain the chute 226 in the hole 227 in the
wall, four long bolts may be used as described with reference to Fig 13.
[0049] This embodiment can also be used without a chute as a waste receptacle suitable for
mounting on any fixed support.
[0050] Free-standing apparatus for the disposal of waste is a fourth embodiment of the invention
and is shown in Figs 17 to 20 and Fig 22. The apparatus may be used in public places,
for instances on a pavement or in a park. The embodiment is an adaptation of the embodiment
of
[0051] either Fig. 2 or Fig. 12. The vertical members of the frame 32 or 132 extend down
to the ground and support the apparatus. The lower ends of the vertical members may
be concreted into the ground, for instance. The chute arrangement is not used in this
embodiment. Instead, the hood of the casing has a hole, 200, high in the front through
which waste may be dropped into the bag. The face of the frame which is normally attached
to the wall is covered with a board, the visible face of which may be used to carry
advertisements or other information, (see Fig.
19). Provision may be made for the advertisement to be back-illuminated, (see Fig. 20),
for instance by providing a number of fluorescent tubes 202 over which the transparent
advertisement may be held by a sheet of glass, in an arrangement which is well-known.
Alternatively, the board may support display shelves. The apparatus may be located
on the forecourt of a petrol station, when the board may support a variety of ancillary
equipment, for instance a water hose or a compressed air line. The frame may extend
above the housing to provide an additional region 204 on which advertisements may
be displayed (see Fig.18 ) which is visible to a person depositing waste. The means
for supporting the bag may be that of any of the other embodiments described above.
[0052] The free-standing apparatus can be adapted for use on a wall through which it is
indesirable to make a hole for a chute. The frame is mounted on the wall with a bag
suspended within the housing, so that waste may be dropped through the hole 200 in
the top of the housing (see Fig. 21). This adaptation of the free-standing apparatus
may be used in cinema or theatre foyers, for instance, or mounted on a bus shelter.
[0053] Preferably, when the free-standing apparatus or the above adaptation is used outdoors,
the housing comprises a lip 206 (see Fig. 17) above the hole 200 in the front of the
casing, to shield the interior of the casing from precipitation. Further, when used
in public places, the casing is preferably provided with a lock 207.
[0054] The capacity of the free-standing apparatus can be increased by mounting a housing
and bag support on each side of the frame. Alternatively, the capacity may be increased
by mounting a one piece housing 208 on one side of the frame and a two piece housing
as described above on the other (see Fig. 22). The means for supporting the bag described
above are enlarged to a size commensurate with the increased size of the apparatus,
to enable a larger bag to be used. One or both of the housings may have a hole 200
through which waste may be dropped. Preferably, the dimensions of the one piece housing
208 are those of the two-piece housing when shut, to facilitate moulding of the housing.
[0055] The frames of the embodiments described above may be constructed from tubular metal,
in which case, counterweights may be suspended inside the tubes to counterbalance
the weight of the hood and body. The counterweight attached to the body may be large
enough to counterbalance the weight of a full bag. Alternatively, springs may replace
the weights.
[0056] It will be seen that a number of features of the embodiments described above may
be used with any of the embodiments, for instance the use of a tablet of air freshener.
l. A rubbish receptacle for mounting on a fixed structure, comprising a releasable
support for supporting a bag with its mouth open, and a pivotable cover member which
when in its normal cover position forms part of a structure which surrounds the bag,
wherein the support comprises a first rim portion carried by the fixed structure and
a second rim portion carried by the cover member, the first and second rim portions
meeting at a substantially vertical plane when the cover member is in its normal cover
position to define a rim having the shape of a closed curve in a substantially horizontal
plane which may surround the neck of the bag and over and around which the mouth of
the bag may be folded back, and wherein when a bag is released from the support it
falls into the cover member, and the cover member can be pivoted to an offset position
where the bag can be slid out of the cover member.
2. Apparatus for waste disposal comprising an inclined chute for guiding waste material
from an inlet in a first face of a wall of a building through to an outlet in the
second face of the wall, and supporting means adapted to be capable of so supporting
a waste receptacle below the outlet that, in use of the apparatus, waste deposited
in the inlet passes along the chute and falls into the receptacle, the apparatus further
comprising covering means which define together with an area of the second face of
the wall a region substantially entirely surrounding the receptacle, with which region
the chute communicates through its outlet.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the covering means comprises a hood and
a body portion which meet at a substantially horizontal plane, the hood and the body
portion being pivotally connected to the supporting means or to the wall, the body
portion being pivotable such that when the receptacle is released from the supporting
means it falls into the body portion, and the body portion can be pivoted away from
the wall to a pcsitien where the receptacle can be slid out of the cover past the
supporting means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the supporting means comprises a first
rim portion carried by the second face of the wall, a second rim portion carried by
the body portion, the first and second rim portions meeting at a substantially vertical
plane when the body portion is against the wall, to define a rim having the shape
of a closed curve in a substantially horizontal plane which may surround the neck
of a bag and over and around which the mouth of the bag may be folded back.
5. Apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, in which the inlet end of the chute is
provided with a backless drawer, whereby material may be put into the chute by withdrawing
the drawer, placing the material in the drawer from above and closing the drawer.
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, in which a portion of the covering
means may be opened from outside the building, to allow waste to be deposited in the
waste receptacle.
7. Apparatus for waste disposal comprising an inclined chute for guiding waste material
away from an inlet, and a backless drawer slidably mounted in the inlet end of the
chute, whereby material may be put into the chute by withdrawing the drawer, placing
the material in the drawer from above and closing the drawer.
8. Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a flap mounted in the front
of the drawer, whereby material may be put into the chute either by depressing the
flap or by withdrawing the drawers, placing the material in the drawer from above
and closing the drawer.