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(11) | EP 3 453 645 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | CONTAINER FOR COLLECTING DOMESTIC WASTE, PROVIDED WITH ROLLING WHEELS AND LIFTING AND MANOEUVRING MEANS |
| (57) The present invention is relative to a container (1), in particular for collecting
domestic waste, comprising a body (10) defining a holding cavity, rolling means (20),
and lifting and manoeuvring means (3) comprising a handle, and associable to said
body (10) through hinge means (30), said handle (3) being rotatably movable relative
to said body (10) around an axis of rotation (Z-Z) between a non-operating lowered
position, and a first raised operating position, said hinge means (30) being configured
so as to enable the free rotation between said non-operating position and said first
operating position. In particular, said hinge means (30) are also configured so that
said handle (3) is slidably movable between said first raised operating position and
a second raised operating position, in which the rotation of said handle (3) toward
said lowered non-operating position is prevented by locking means (6), to guide the
movement of said container (1) being pulled along said support plane (P) through said
rolling means (2).
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] . The present invention is relative to a container, in particular for collecting domestic waste, provided with wheels and suitable to be manoeuvred by the user by means of a manoeuvring handle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] . Separate waste collection is a system for sorting and collecting municipal waste that is widely used both in Italy and abroad and is designed to carry out the preliminary sorting of waste performed at home by the users according to type; in this manner, the moist fraction and the dry waste, itself differentiated into paper, glass, plastic, etc., are separated at the source, with the disposal of the different types in corresponding appropriate containers, generally of small sizes, that is, with a holding capacity in the order of 20 to 70 litres.
[0003] . The subsequent collecting method that has proven to be most efficient for the waste sorted in this manner is the so-called "door-to-door" method, that provides for the townspeople to place, outside their homes or in appropriate collecting sites, according to a set calendar of days and times, the container that corresponds by type with the waste indicated in a preset schedule; suitable vehicles are then used to collect the waste by emptying the containers and to carry the waste to the sorting and recycling plant.
[0004] . Generally, the waste collecting bins that are supplied to the users are provided with a handle, associated with the body of the container, suitable to allow the user to lift and carry the container outside the home and to enable the waste disposal operators to empty the contents inside the waste collecting vehicle.
[0005] . However, some containers could be too heavy or cumbersome to be lifted and manoeuvred by the user; for this purpose, the containers can be equipped with rolling means, such as for example a pair of wheels, generally positioned in the lower and rear part of the body of the container, which allow the user to move and pull the container by means of the handle, without striving very hard.
[0006] . In this case, therefore, the handle should be longer than is necessary to merely lift the container, and such that when the user grips it he/she can easily pull the container while standing on his/her feet, in the same manner as when manoeuvring rolling suitcases.
[0007] . Therefore, to limit encumbrances, the handle is associated to the body of the container through a structure that makes it telescopically extractable/retractable, and is equipped with one or more locking push buttons suitable for holding it selectively in the extracted position or allowing it to be repositioned in the retracted position.
[0008] . However, this solution, though it is practical for the user, may be rather risky for the operators involved in emptying the container: it may in fact happen that the handle, left accidentally in the extracted position, becomes entangled with the clothing of an operator during the automated emptying of the container into the vehicle, with the possibility of also causing serious accidents.
[0009] . An alternative to the previously described solution is provided by a container equipped with a pair of handles, both freely hinged to the body of the same and being of different lengths: in particular, a first, shorter handle, allows the operators to lift the container, and a second, longer handle, makes it easier for the user to manoeuvre and pull the container.
[0010] .However, this solution also has its own drawbacks: first of all, there is a larger number of component elements, which, in addition to making the container costlier and more cumbersome, makes its use less intuitive for the user.
[0011] .In addition, if the container is to be manoeuvred on its wheels, it is necessary to incline the body relative to the support plane and, using the longer handle, to pull it along a desired course: however, since the handle is freely hinged to the body of the container, it is rather difficult to maintain a stable inclination of the body to allow it to move on said wheel, since the body, under the weight of the waste contained in it, tends to tilt backward and to return to its rest position on the support plane.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] .The main task in the objective of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by devising a container for collecting domestic waste, equipped with a single handle designed to make it easier to lift and manoeuvre the container on its rolling wheels, while guaranteeing the safety of the operators involved in collecting and emptying the container.
[0013] .In the scope of the above objective, one purpose of the present invention is to implement a container for collecting domestic waste, equipped with a handle that is easy and practical to use.
[0014] .Another purpose of the present invention is to propose a container for collecting domestic waste, equipped with a sturdy handle, capable to guarantee the durability of the container.
[0015] .A further objective of the present invention is to propose a container for collecting domestic waste, equipped with a handle that can be easily replaced if it is accidentally damaged.
[0016] .One not less important objective of the present invention is to devise a container for collecting domestic waste, provided with a handle that can be made using means and components that are easily available, and that can be achieved with the usual well-known plants, machinery and equipment.
[0017] .The above objective, purposes and advantages, as well as others that will become better defined in the following description, are achieved by a container for collecting domestic waste as defined in claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] .Advantages and advantageous characteristics of a container for collecting domestic waste according to the present invention will be better illustrated in the description of particular, but not exclusive, embodiments illustrated by way of non-limiting examples in the enclosed drawings, in which:
- figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, a container for collecting waste according to the present invention, equipped with a handle arranged in a non-operating position;
- figure 2 illustrates, in a perspective view, the container of figure 1, equipped with a handle arranged in an operating position;
- figure 3 illustrates, in a perspective view, the container of figures 1 and 2, equipped with a handle arranged in a second operating position;
- figures 4A and 4B illustrate, in perspective views from different angles, the implementative details of hinge means that make it possible to associate the handle to a container according to the present invention;
- figure 4C illustrates, in a front view, an enlarged implementative detail of a component element of said hinge means;
- figure 5A illustrates, in a side view, the container with the handle in the non-operating position;
- figure 5B illustrates, in a cross-sectional view, the hinge means of figures 4A and 4B, when the handle is in the non-operating position;
- figure 6A illustrates, in a side view, the container with the handle in the first operating position;
- figure 6B illustrates, in a cross-sectional view, the hinge means of figures 4A and 4B, when the handle is in the first operating position;
- figure 7A illustrates, in a side view, the container with the handle in the second operating position;
- figure 7B illustrates, in a cross-sectional view, the hinge means of figures 4A and 4B, when the handle is in the second operating position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] .With reference to figures 1, 2 and 3, is illustrated a container 1 according to the present invention, suitable in particular for collecting domestic waste.
[0020] .Herein after in the description which follows, terms such as "on", "under", "upper", "lower", "up", "down", "front", "back" or similar terms may be used; the expert in the field will have no problem understanding that such terms refer to the container 1 in its normal working order, that is, in use, as shown in the enclosed figures.
[0021] .A container 1 according to the present invention comprises a body 10, preferably having a parallelepiped shape, defining within it a holding cavity closed at the lower end by a bottom wall 10A and suitable to collect the waste, placed into it through an access opening located advantageously in the upper part of the body of said container 1.
[0022] .A container 1 according to the present invention is also advantageously provided with rolling means 20, for example a pair of wheels, to facilitate its movement along a support surface P, such as the ground; preferably, said wheels 20 are arranged at a lower part of a back wall 11 of the body 10, near said bottom wall 10A.
[0023] .According to an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, said container 1 is also provided with lifting and manoeuvring means 3 associated to the body 10 through suitable hinge means 30, and comprising a handle by means of which the user can lift and manoeuvre the container by pulling it.
[0024] .Advantageously, said handle 3 is essentially U-shaped, and comprises a handling portion 3A, at whose opposite ends are connected a pair of articulation arms 3B that extend parallel to each other and each provided with a free end 3C with which said handle 3 is associable to the body 10 of the container 1.
[0025] .According to an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, said hinge means 30 are configured such that said handle 3 can be arranged in a plurality of positions relative to the body 10 to which it is associated, and in particular in at least three positions, described below in greater detail.
[0026] .In figures 1 and 5A is shown the container 1 with the handle 3 arranged in a non-operating position, in which it is arranged lowered in such a way that said handling portion 3A rests against the body 10, preferably against said rear wall 11 and in proximity of said wheels 20.
[0027] .In figures 2 and 6A is shown the container 1 with the handle 3 arranged in a first operating position, in which it is raised and set in such a way that said handling portion 3A extends above the body 10 of the container 1; preferably, in such first operating position, said handle 3 lies on a plane substantially orthogonal to said support plane P.
[0028] .Finally, in figures 3 and 7A is shown the container 1 with the handle 3 set in a second operating position, in which it is raised and arranged in such a way that said handling portion 3A extends above the body 10 of the container 1, and advantageously also above the position it reaches in the first operating position; preferably, also in this position the handle 3 lies on the same plane, orthogonal to the support plane P, on which it is arranged in the first operating position.
[0029] .According to an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, said hinge means 30 are configured so that said arm 3 is freely and rotatably movable relative to said body 10 around a rotation axis Z-Z at least between said non-operating position and said first operating position, and slidably movable between said first operating position and said second operating position.
[0030] .Preferably, as illustrated in figures 4A, 4B and 4C, said hinge means 30 are preferably formed by a pair of hinge elements 31, advantageously identical and specular, positioned on opposite sides of the container 1 and arranged along said rotation axis Z-Z.
[0031] .Each hinge element 31 comprises essentially a first and a second interfacing surface 40, 50, arranged facing each other and suitable to join said handle 3 to said body 10, said first interfacing surface 40 being formed on a top edge portion of said body 10, and said second interfacing surface 50 being formed instead on a free end 3C of said handle 3.
[0032] .In particular, preferably, said first interfacing surface 40 comprises a bushing 41 defined by a shaped wall, projecting with respect to the outer side surface of the body 10 of the container 1, having a shape that is substantially circular and essentially continuous, wherein is advantageously obtained a bilobate engaging seat 42, formed by a first and a second lobe 42A, 42B substantially circular and contiguous to each other, and communicating with each other through a narrowing section 43.
[0033] .Preferably, said first and second lobes 42A, 42B are aligned with respect to an axis X-X orthogonal to the support plane P of the body 10 to give to said seat 42 substantially the shape of a figure "8".
[0034] .On the other hand, said second interfacing surface 50 comprises a pair of elastically deformable retaining lugs 51 projecting from the internal surface of the free end 3C of the handle 3, advantageously arranged facing each other and slightly spaced apart to define a shaped gap 51A; said retaining lugs being suitable to selectively engage, as explained later in greater detail, one of said pair of lobes 42A, 42B that form said bilobate seat. Preferably, in the idle position said retaining lugs 51 are countershaped with respect to the shape and dimension of each of said lobes 42A, 42B.
[0035] .Further, said hinge means 30 are advantageously provided with locking means 6, suitable to prevent the free rotation of the handle 3 from the second operating position to the non-operating position, and preferably comprising a locking projection 61, arranged on said second interfacing surface 50, preferably below said retaining lugs 51, and suitable to selectively engage, in a manner that will be explained below in greater detail, a locking seat 62, arranged on said first interfacing surface 40, recessed within the outer perimeter of the bushing 41 and accessible through an opening 62A, preferably facing said support plane P of said body 10.
[0036] .If necessary, said locking means 6 also comprise an engaging body 63, itself formed on said first interfacing surface 40, extending advantageously along said X-X axis so as to project within said second lobe 42B; in particular, said engaging body 63 is suitable to engage the shaped gap 51A defined between said retaining lugs 51 when the same are received in said second lobe 42B, thus forming a further detent that prevents the rotation of said handle 3 from said second operating position to the lowered non-operating position.
[0037] .The operation of said hinge means 30 to manoeuvre said handle 3 with respect to said body 10 at least in the three positions described above is as follows: with reference to figure 5B is illustrated, in cross section, the mutual arrangement of said interfacing surfaces 40, 50 of said hinge means 30 when said handle 3 is in the lowered non-operating position shown in figures 1 and 5A. In this condition, said retaining lugs 51, projecting from the free end 3C of the handle 3, elastically engage said first lobe 42A, or lower lobe, of the bilobate seat 42 formed on the body 10 of the container 1, thus defining said axis of rotation Z-Z.
[0038] .At the same time, the locking projection 61 is positioned externally with respect to the perimeter of said bushing 41 and rotated to a distal position with respect to said locking seat 62.
[0039] .To bring the handle 3 from said non-operating position to said first operating position, shown in figures 2 and 6A, it is necessary to rotate the same around the axis of rotation Z-Z by lifting it so that the handling portion 3A is positioned substantially above the body 10. Preferably, the first operating position is reached when said handle 3 is positioned in such a way as to lie on a plane substantially orthogonal to said support plane P.
[0040] .When the handle 3 is in this position, the user, or, as the case may be, the operator in charge of waste collection, can easily lift the body 10 from the relative support plane P to move the container 1 as desired.
[0041] .As shown in figure 5B, the passage between the non-operating position and the first operating position is achieved through a rotating and free movement of said retaining lugs 51 within the lower lobe 42A of the bilobate seat 42 and around the axis of rotation Z-Z. Due to this rotation, the locking projection 61 is brought in front of the access opening 62A of the locking seat 62, remaining however outside the perimeter defined by the bushing 41.
[0042] .Thus, the rotation in the opposite direction around the axis Z-Z to bring the handle 3 back from the first operating position to the non-operating position, is free, as it is not hampered by said locking means 6.
[0043] .The handle 3 can be brought by the user to the second operating position, shown in figures 3 and 7A, by applying a traction along said axis X-X, using advantageously the handling portion 3A of the same handle: in this manner, as shown in figure 7B, said retaining lugs 51 are flexed, being pressed one against the other, and are elastically squeezed past the narrowing section 43 of the bilobate seat 42, and snap into elastic engagement in the upper lobe 42B of the seat.
[0044] .At the same time, the moment when said retaining lugs 51 move into engagement inside the upper lobe 42B, said locking projection 61 slides into the respective locking seat 62, which is recessed with respect to the perimeter of said bushing 41, and as the case may be said engaging body 63, if present, slides into the shaped gap 51A formed between said retaining lugs 51, preventing as a result any further rotation of the handle 3, and thus its rotatable return to the non-operating position.
[0045] .In this manner, advantageously, when it is in the second operating position, the handle 3 is rigidly associated to the body 10, thus allowing the user to tilt the body 10 on said wheels 20, which are preferably rotatable around an axis parallel to said axis of rotation Z-Z, lifting the bottom wall 10A from the support surface P, and pulling the container 1 along on said rolling wheels 20 without causing it to tilt backward due to the weight of the waste contained therein and to settle back on the support plane P.
[0046] .To return the handle 3 to the non-operating position it is first necessary to move it from the second operating position to the first: this can be done by firmly pushing the handle 3 downward, along said axis X-X, so that the retaining lugs 51, flexing elastically, are able to move again past the narrowing section 43 formed between the two lobes 42A, 42B of the bilobate seat 42, and snap back inside the lower lobe 42A.
[0047] .This sliding movement also entails the simultaneous egression of said locking projection 61 from the relative locking seat 62, thus allowing the free rotation of the handle 3 toward the non-operating position.
[0048] .Suitable markings S can be placed on said container 1, and preferably on the external surface of said articulation arms 3B of the handle 3, to guide the user on the operation of the handle 3 and of said hinge means 30.
[0049] .Preferably, said container 1 also comprises closure means 2, such as a lid associated with said body 10 to selectively close said access opening.
[0050] .Preferably, said closure means 2 is hinged to the body 10 so as to be rotatably movable between a closure position, in which it is substantially flush with the edge portion of said access opening, and an opening position, in which it is at least partially detached from the edge portions defining said access opening, to make it possible to insert the waste into the cavity of the container 1 and the subsequent emptying of the contents into the waste collecting vehicle.
[0051] .Said closure means 2 comprises advantageously a first lid portion 2B and a second lid portion 2B, suitable to close respective portions of the access opening on said container 1.
[0052] .In particular, said first lid portion 2A is movable with respect to the body 10 of the container 1, being hinged to the same around a first axis of articulation extending substantially at an edge portion of said access opening, while said second lid portion 2B is instead movable relative to said first lid portion 2A, being hinged to the same around a second axis of articulation, substantially parallel to said first axis of articulation and passing substantially at one side of said first lid portion 2A opposite to the one with which it is hinged to said container 1.
[0053] .Thanks to this arrangement, it is thus possible to access the cavity of said container 1 through the portion of the access opening controlled by said second lid portion 2B, independently of the position of said first lid portion 2A.
[0054] .This is particularly advantageous since said first lid portion 2A can act as support for the bottom wall 10A of another container 1, thus offering the possibility of stacking one or more containers on top of one another, and thus to better utilize the space vertically and limit the overall encumbrance.
[0055] .Consequently, even when one or more containers are stacked one on top of another, the holding cavity of each of them is still accessible for inserting the waste through the portion of the access opening that is closed by said second lid portion 2B.
[0056] .Advantageously, as shown in the enclosed figures, said first lid portion 2A and said second lid portion 2B can lie on different planes; in particular, in the closed position, said first lid portion 2A lies substantially on a horizontal plane, that is, parallel to the support plane P, in such a way as to provide a stable support for the container 1 stacked on top of the same, while said second lid portion 2B can lie on an inclined plane with respect to the lie plane of said first lid portion 2A.
[0057] .Moreover, advantageously, said first axis of articulation around which said first lid portion 2A is hinged can be defined by a rigid and elongate element, projecting from the body 10 of the container 1 at an edge portion of said access opening.
[0058] .In this case, said first lid portion 2A is rotatably connected to said rigid element 21, which if necessary is suitable to form a further handle, which makes it easy for the user to manually grip the container 1.
[0059] .In conclusion, from the above it is evident that the present invention makes it possible to achieve the initially foreseen purposes and advantages. In fact, a container has been built for the collection of domestic waste provided with a single handle that makes it possible to easily lift and manoeuvre it, in an absolutely practical and functional manner, by pulling it on the rolling wheels with which it is provided.
[0060] .This is advantageously achieved thanks to the provision of hinge means 30, suitably configured to associate the handle 3 to the body 10 of the container 1 so that the handle can be moved rotatably and freely between a lowered non-operating position and a first raised operating position, to allow the lifting of the container 1, and slidably between said first raised operating position and a second raised operating position, in which the rotation of the handle toward said lowered non-operating position is prevented.
[0061] .Advantageously, when said handle 3 is arranged in said second operating position, it is rigidly associated to the body of the container 1 and thus the user can easily use it to guide the movement of the container 1 pulled along a support plane P, similarly to a trolley case, without the container tilting backward.
[0062] .Moreover, the handle 3 can be easily returned, with a simple and immediate movement consisting of a firm downward push, to the first operating position, and return from there by itself to the lowered operating position: in this manner, the handle is prevented from accidentally entangling the clothing of the operating personnel during the automatic emptying of the container, thus guaranteeing their safety.
[0063] .Advantageously, as will be evident to a person skilled in the field, a container for collecting domestic waste according to the present invention is also rugged, and guarantees a long duration of the container.
[0064] .Moreover, should the handle become damaged, it can be easily replaced without having to replace the whole container.
1. Container (1), in particular for collecting domestic waste, comprising:
- a body (10) defining a containing cavity,
- sliding means (20) for slidingly moving said container (1) along a support plane (P),
- lifting and maneuvering means (3) comprising a handle, adapted to be associated with said body (10) through hinge means (30), said handle (3) being rotatably movable relative to said body (10) around a rotation axis (Z-Z) at least between a non-operating lowered position and a first raised operating position, said hinge means (30) being configured so as to allow the free rotation of said handle (3) between said non-operating lowered position and said first operating position,
characterized in that said hinge means (30) are also configured so that said handle (3) is slidingly movable between said first raised operating position and a second raised operating position, wherein the rotation of said handle (3) towards said non-operating lowered position is prevented by means of locking means (6) in order to drive the sliding movement of said container (1) along said support plane (P) on said sliding means (20).2. Container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said handle (3) is essentially U-shaped
and comprises a handling portion (3A) and a pair of articulation arms (3B) each connected
at opposed ends of said handling portion (3A) and provided with a respective free
end (3C) whereby said handle (3) is associable with said body (10).
3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said hinge means (30) are formed
by a pair of hinging members (31) arranged on opposite sides of said body (10) and
defining said rotation axis (Z-Z), each of said pair of hinging members (31) comprising
a first interfacing surface (40) and a second interfacing surface (50), mutually facing
and respectively obtained on a top portion of said body (10) and on a corresponding
free end (3C) of said handle (3).
4. Container (1) according to claim 3, wherein said first interfacing surface (40) comprises
a bushing (41) defined by a shaped wall, projecting with respect to the outer side
surface of said body (10), wherein an engaging seat (42) formed by a pair of lobes
(42A, 42B) arranged contiguously and communicating with each other through a narrowing
section (43) is obtained, said second interfacing surface (50) comprising a pair of
elastically deformable retaining lugs (51), facing each other and projecting from
the inner surface of said free end (3C) of said handle (3), said retaining lugs (51)
being adapted to engage one of said pair of lobes (42A, 42B) respectively when said
handle (3) is in said first operating position and in said second operating position.
5. Container (1) according to claim 4, wherein said locking means (6) comprise a locking
projection (61) formed on said second interfacing surface (50), adapted to selectively
engage a locking seat (62) obtained on said first interfacing surface (40) and indented
within the outer perimeter of said bushing (41) to selectively block the rotation
of said handle (3).
6. Container (1) according to claim 5, wherein the passage between said first operating
position and said second operating position is performed by applying a force to said
handle (3) so that said retaining lugs (51) elastically overcome said narrowing section
(43) and selectively engage one of said pair of lobes (42A, 42B).
7. Container (1) according to claim 6, wherein said pair of lobes (42A, 42B) are aligned
with respect to an axis (X-X) orthogonal to said support plane (P), the passage of
said handle (3) between said first operating position and said second operating position
being performed by a sliding movement along said axis (X-X).
8. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said sliding means
(20) comprise a pair of wheels arranged at a lower region of a rear wall (11) of said
body (10).
9. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising closure
means (2) associated with said body (10) to selectively close said containing cavity.
10. Container (1) according to claim 9, wherein said closure means (2) are formed by a
lid comprising a first lid portion (2A) and a second lid portion (2B), each of said
lid portions (2A, 2B) being adapted to close respective portions of a top opening
of said body (10), said first lid portion (2A) being rotatably connected to said body
(10) around a first joint axis, said second lid portion (2B) being hinged to said
first lid portion (2A) around a second joint axis.