WASTE CONTAINER

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a waste container (10), said waste container (10) comprising a waste container body (11) having a container bottom (12), a container top rim (15) which encompasses a container opening and a container side wall (13; 13a, 13b, 13c) extending between the container bottom (12) and the container top rim (15), wherein the container top rim (15) comprises a container collar (20) or wherein the container top rim (15) is provided as a container collar (20), said container collar (20) protruding outwardly from the container side wall (13; 13a), wherein the container collar (20) is open pointing towards the container bottom (12), and wherein the container collar (12) provides a receiving space (21), which is adapted for interacting with a lifting device of a refuse collecting entity. Very heavy waste containers (10) cannot get emptied with a comb lifting device. For safety reasons, collection companies often instruct their operatives to empty heavy waste containers (10) via the trunnion lifting device. Practically, it is however often much more appropriate to keep using the comb lifting device. In order to make this possible, the waste container (30) comprises at least one blocking element (30), which is adapted for blocking the lifting device from entering the receiving space (21), wherein the blocking element (30) is configured as a polygonal body, wherein the blocking element (30) is at least partially disposed inside the receiving space (21) or can get at least partially disposed inside the receiving space (21), and wherein the blocking element (20) is or can get, preferably detachably, mounted to the container side wall (13; 13a) and/or to the container collar (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste container according to the preamble of independent claim 1. In particular, the present invention relates to a large-scale waste container.

[0002] Such waste containers, in particular such large-scale waste containers, are widely known in the prior art. In general, they consist of a waste container body, which is provided to receiving and to temporarily storing the waste. For a better handling of the waste container, a number of wheels can be arranged on the waste container body. With regard to a large-scale waste container it is not unusual that four wheels are fixed to the waste container body. The open top of the waste container body, through which the waste is filled in, is closed by means of a lid.

[0003] Usually, the waste containers get emptied into refuse collection vehicles. However, they are not intended for manual emptying. For this purpose, the refuse collection vehicles are equipped with suitable lifting devices, by means of which the waste containers are gripped, lifted and tipped into a receiving area of the refuse collection vehicle. The lid of the waste container opens and the waste stored in the waste container falls into the receiving area of the refuse collection vehicle. A similar lifting system can be used for stationary press containers.

[0004] In general, there are different ways of lifting waste containers by means of a lifting device. According to one embodiment, the lifting device is provided as a comb lifting device, which per se is well known in the prior art. Such a comb lifting device is disclosed in DE 10 2004 001 636 A1 or in EP 1 518 800 A1 for example. According to a different embodiment, the lifting device is provided as a trunnion lifting device, which is also well known in the prior art.

[0005] Usually, overfilling the waste container with too much load is not allowed. Nevertheless, it can happen, that an end user is unaware of this and hence that heavy waste containers are offered for emptying.

[0006] When heavy waste containers are emptied by means of comb lifting devices, different disadvantages might occur, with regard to safety requirements for example. Furthermore, occurrence of forces and the distribution of forces during the emptying process can damage the waste container and/or the comb lifting device. In addition, the comb lifting device can also jam on or in the waste container during its interaction with the waste container, which has a negative impact on the, in particular automated, emptying process, since this requires manual assistance. This is not only time consuming but also dangerous. In situations, where this could occur, the emptying via trunnion lifting devices is preferred as to better deal with the load distribution and to improve the safety. Another relevant issue is that aging comb lifter systems often experience wear and increased play on the comb lifting and clamping of the comb. These releasing clamping tolerances and overloading become a dangerous combination.

[0007] For safety reasons, collection companies often instruct their operatives to empty the waste containers, in particular large-scale waste containers, via the trunnion lifting device and with the lateral trunnions arranged at the waste container instead of the frontal comb. Practically, it is however often faster and easier to keep using the comb lifting device.

[0008] In any case, when using lifting devices, it must be ensured that the entire waste container is securely locked onto the lifting device throughout the whole emptying process. Any locking tolerances are permitted.

[0009] It is the object of the present invention of further developing a waste container, in particular a large-scale waste container, such that it is still possible to use a comb lifting device for emptying the waste container, even if the waste container is very heavy.

[0010] According to the present invention, this object is solved by the waste container with the features according to independent claim 1. Additional features and details of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims, from the description and from the drawings.

[0011] It is the general aim of the present invention, that the waste container is provided with at least one additional component, which is or which gets, preferably detachably, mounted to the waste container, and which avoids, once it has been attached to the waste container, that the comb lifting device enters a comb receiving space of the waste container. Nevertheless, due to this additional component the comb lifting device can still be used during the emptying process, no matter how heavy the waste container is.

[0012] This aim is achieved by means of a blocking element, which represents the aforementioned additional component, and which is configured in a specific way, as will be described in detail further below.

[0013] The present invention is directed to a waste container. A waste container is a container which is adapted for at least temporarily storing any kind of waste, recyclable materials or any other valuable substances. In the following, all of the aforementioned materials are subsumed under the generic term "waste". The waste container can store one waste fraction, or it can store different waste fractions at the same time, when using suitable partition walls and/or additional containers being provided inside the main waste container.

[0014] According to the present invention, the waste container comprises a waste container body, said waste container body being provided to receive and at least temporarily store the waste. For example, the waste container body can have a rectangular or almost rectangular, pot-shaped contour when viewed from above. The waste container body comprises a container bottom and a container top rim which encompasses a container opening which is adapted for receiving the waste. In particular, the top rim defines the upper edge of the waste container body. Furthermore, the waste container body comprises a container side wall extending between the container bottom and the container top rim. In case of a rectangular or almost rectangular waste container body shape, the container side wall consists of four adjoining side wall segments. In this case one wall segment is configured as a front wall segment, one wall segment is configured as a rear wall segment and two wall segments are configured as lateral side wall segments. The container bottom and the container side wall encompass the waste container body's receiving space for receiving waste.

[0015] The open top of the waste container body, which defines the container opening, through which the waste is filled in, is closed by means of a container lid. For this purpose, the container lid is hinged or movably mounted to the waste container body. For example, the container lid can be a swing lid, which is usually hinged sideways on the waste container body. In another embodiment, the container lid can be a hinged lid which is hinged, in particular via hinges, to one of the upper edges of the waste container body, in particular to the upper rear edge. According to yet another embodiment the container lid can be provided as a dome lid.

[0016] The waste container according to the present invention preferably consists of robust materials, such as metal or hard plastics.

[0017] The blocking element according to the present invention can get realized in accordance with various types of waste containers having different sizes and/or filling volumes. According to a preferred embodiment, which however does not delimit the scope of the present invention, the waste container is a so-called large-scale waste container. Such large-scale waste containers preferably have a capacity between 600 litres and 1300 litres.

[0018] For a better handling of the waste container, the waste container can be equipped with a number of wheels. The suitable number of wheels depends on the size of the waste container. The waste container may comprise 2, 3 or 4 wheels, which are mounted at the container bottom or in the area of the container bottom. A large-scale waste container is preferably equipped with 3 or 4 wheels.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment the waste container is provided as a mobile large-scale waste container having a capacity between 600 litres and 1300 litres, and having four wheels.

[0020] According to the present invention the container top rim comprises a container collar, or the container top rim is provided as a container collar, said container collar protruding outwardly from the container side wall, in particular from the container top rim, which defined the upper end of the container side wall. That means that the container collar extends, as seen from the inside the waste container body in viewing direction outside the waste container body, outwards, that is beyond, the container side wall. According to the first alternative the container collar is initially provided as an individual component, which gets assembled to the waste container. According to the second alternative, the container collar is an integral part of the waste container. Such container collars per se are well known in the prior art. In particular, they are used for interacting with a lifting device of a waste collection entity, a waste collection vehicle for example. According to a preferred embodiment, such a lifting device is configured as a comb lifting device, which is described in more detail further below. In this case the container collar is provided as a comb receiving component of the waste container.

[0021] It is preferably provided that the container collar protrudes outwardly at least from a part of the container side wall. If the waste container has a rectangular or almost rectangular shape, the container collar protrudes outwardly at least from the front wall segment.

[0022] According to the present invention, the container collar is open pointing towards the container bottom, wherein the container collar provides a receiving space which is adapted for interacting with a lifting device, a comb lifting device for example, of a refuse collecting entity, a refuse collecting vehicle in particular, or a stationary press container.

[0023] The waste container according to the present invention can get emptied into a refuse collection entity, which is preferably provided as a refuse collection vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment the waste container according to the present invention can get emptied into front, rear and side loading refuse collection vehicles using comb and trunnion retainers, therefore allowing universal emptying.

[0024] Usually there are different ways of lifting waste containers by means of a lifting device, said lifting device preferably being a structure which picks-up, tilts and empties the waste containers.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the lifting device is provided as a comb lifting device, or it comprises such a comb lifting device. The comb lifting device comprises a picking-up system consisting of a row of comb teeth. The comb teeth will enter the receiving space of the container collar from below. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the comb lifting device additionally comprises a locking system to retain the waste container during emptying. The locking device can be configured as a plate member, which presses against the container collar from above when being in use, such that the container collar gets sandwiched between the comb teeth and the pressing plate.

[0026] According to a different embodiment, the lifting device is or comprises a trunnion lifting device. Such a trunnion lifting device is preferably provided with side latches or side panels which interact with at least one, in particular lateral, trunnion being provided at the waste container. According to a preferred embodiment, the picking-up system of the lifting device preferably consists of a pair of arms with a, preferably automatic, locking mechanism to fit the trunnion to retain the waste container during emptying. For such an emptying procedure, the waste container body preferably comprises at least one, preferably two trunnions, which are adapted for interacting with the lifting device of the refuse collecting entity, the waste collection container for example. Preferably, the trunnions are provided at the container side wall, at opposite side wall portions in particular. If the waste container body has a rectangular or almost rectangular configuration, a trunnion is preferably provided at each one of the side wall segments.

[0027] According to yet another embodiment, the lifting device comprises a comb lifting device as well as a trunnion lifting device, which is a combination of both of the before mentioned embodiments. In this case, the waste container comprises both, a container collar having a receiving space interacting with the comb lifting device, as well as one or two trunnions interacting with the trunnion lifting device.

[0028] As explained further above, it is often much more appropriate, for example faster and easier, to keep using the comb lifting device, even if the waste container to get emptied is very heavy.

[0029] For that reason, the waste container comprises one or more blocking element(s), in order to support the safety requirements of collectors and to avoid any damages to the waste container and to the lifting device. The blocking device is adapted for blocking the lifting device from entering the receiving space. Therefore, it is a key function of the blocking element, that it still does allow the comb to be used in specific situations, but that it prevents the comb teeth of the comb lifting device from entering the receiving space of the container collar.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to a specific number of blocking elements. At least one blocking element is necessary for realizing the invention. However, according to preferred embodiments, the waste container comprises two or more blocking elements which are or can get disposed adjacent to each other and/or which are or can get disposed spaced apart from each other. Thus, the blocking element(s) can be used as a single component, or at multiple locations, or anywhere where they are needed to block the comb functionality of a comb lifting device. For example, the number of blocking elements can range from one, preferably central, two or even more blocking elements, which are distributed over the container collar, with the objective not to let the receiving space of the container collar get entered by the comb lifter teeth.

[0031] According to the present invention, the blocking element is configured as a polygonal, three-dimensional body. Preferred embodiments thereof are described in more detail further below.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the blocking device is made of a plastic material, in particular of a rigid plastic material.

[0033] It is preferred, that the blocking elements are manufactured by use of a moulding process, a rotational moulding process or an injection moulding process for example. However, due to recent technological developments it is also possible that the blocking device gets printed by making use of a 3D-Printing-Process. The latter process has the advantage, that almost any shape of blocking element can get manufactured very easily.

[0034] According to the present invention, the blocking element is at least partially disposed inside the receiving space or it can get at least partially disposed inside the receiving space.

[0035] In relation to the waste container, the blocking element is an additional, individual component, which is initially independent from the waste container and which gets assembled with the waste container in order to fulfil its operational function. Therefore, the blocking elements can get advantageously used as retrofit components for waste containers being already in use. In its operational mode the blocking element is at least partially disposed inside the receiving space of the container collar. In this state, the blocking element at least partially enters the receiving space from below and occupies the respective portion of the receiving space, such that this portion of the receiving space under the container collar is blocked, so the lifter teeth cannot enter the receiving space anymore.

[0036] According to the present invention, the blocking element is or can get, preferably detachably, mounted to the container side wall and/or to the container collar. This can get realized in different ways. Some preferred embodiments thereof are now described in more detail. In any case the blocking element can get easily mounted to the container side wall and/or to the container collar, under the container collar inside its receiving space for example. It is an advantage, when the blocking device is detachably mounted, such that it can be removed again at some point, for example, when the waste container is used in another functionality.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the blocking element is mounted to the container side wall and/or to the container collar by means of at least one device being selected from the following group: a locking device; screws, self-tapping screws from within for example; rivets; a snap connection; a clamp connection; a press connection.

[0038] For illustrating the safety aspect of the blocking element, the blocking element can have a signal colour, a red colour for example.

[0039] The container collar is not limited to specific configurations. In the following, some preferred embodiments thereof are described in more detail:
According to a preferred embodiment the container collar comprises a ridge element protruding outwardly from the container side wall. In particular the ridge element is some kind of a flat base element, from which, preferably at the ends thereof, other components protrude, perpendicular or almost perpendicular for example. One of such components is the container side wall. Furthermore, the container collar comprises an outer leg at a free end of the ridge element, said outer leg protruding towards the container bottom. In such a case it is preferably provided that the receiving space of the container collar is limited by the ridge element, by the outer leg and by a portion of the container side wall.

[0040] According to another preferred embodiment, two or more reinforcement ribs are provided in the receiving space. These reinforcement ribs are spaced apart from each other and furthermore, they delimit at least one receiving compartment being adapted for receiving a blocking element. In this case the configuration of the blocking element corresponds to the configuration of the receiving compartment.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the blocking element is configured as a hollow body. Such a blocking element is very lightweight on the one hand. On the other hand, it is very stable and rigid.

[0042] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the blocking element is configured as an elongated member having a length which is greater than its height and/or than its width. Preferably, the blocking element has a length that is at least equal, better greater than the length of a comb tooth of a comb lifting device. Furthermore it is preferably provided that the blocking element has a length, that is, at least a bit, smaller than the distance between two reinforcements ribs, which define a reinforcement compartment, such that the blocking element can get disposed in such a receiving compartment.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment a portion of the blocking element is located outside the receiving space, when the blocking device is mounted to the container side wall and/or to the container collar, which is the operational state of the blocking element. Due to this configuration it is avoided in any case that the comb lifting device, in particular a comb tooth thereof, can enter the receiving space of the container collar. At the same time, another portion of the blocking element is located inside the receiving space.

[0044] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the portion of the blocking element, which is located outside the receiving space, comprises at least one surface having an inclined course. That means that the course of this surface differs from a perpendicular course. It is an advantage of such an angular surface, that the rigidity of the blocking element, in particular the rigidity of its bottom, which comes in direct contact with a comb tooth of the comb lifting device, increases. Furthermore, such an angular surface is capable of guiding the comb tooth of the comb lifting device away from the blocking element, and therefore away from the container collar.

[0045] According to another preferred embodiment, the portion of the blocking element, which is located outside the receiving space, comprises at least one surface, which at least partially protrudes outwardly over the container collar. Thus, the blocking device provides a small overhang beyond the container collar, which increases the distance from the lifting device to frontal waste container surface. Thus, any damages to the waste container caused by the lifting device, by the comb teeth for example, are avoided. Furthermore, false activation of lifter sensors can be avoided.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the blocking element has a side face having the shape of a hexagon. In particular, the blocking element has an L-shaped side face. Preferably, the side face corresponds to the end face of the elongated blocking element. This particularly means that the blocking element has a hexagonal, in particular L-shaped cross-section.

[0047] A blocking element having an L-shaped side face and/or an L-shaped cross-section is preferably comprised of a first base portion, which extends in a first horizontal direction. In its mounted state, a first end face of the first base portion is directed to the container side wall, whilst a second, opposite end face of the first base portion is directed away from the container side wall. According to a preferred embodiment, the surface of the blocking element having an inclined course and/or the surface, which at least partially protrudes outwardly over the container collar, is realized by the second end face of the first base portion. Furthermore, the blocking element having an L-shaped side face or cross-section is preferably comprised of a second portion, which extends in a second vertical direction as compared to the first horizontal direction of the first base portion. According to a preferred embodiment, the portion of the blocking element, which is disposed inside the receiving space of the container collar, is represented by the second portion of the L-shaped blocking element, whilst the portion of the blocking element, which is located outside the receiving space of the container collar, is represented by the first base portion of the L-shaped blocking element.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the waste container comprises a communication module, in particular a module for nearfield communication, an RFID module for example, said communication module comprising an interface which is adapted to exchanging data between the waste container and a refuse collecting entity, in particular with a lifting device of a refuse collecting entity such as a refuse collecting vehicle. By means of such a communication module, the software of the refuse collection entity, in particular of the lifting device, receives pieces of information about characteristic properties of the waste container, about its weight for example. Thus, it can be decided at the refuse collection entities side, how the waste container has to get lifted, by means of the comb lifting device interacting with the blocking elements, or by a combination of the comb lifting device with the trunnion lifting device, if the waste container is very heavy. Otherwise, if the blocking elements are used in exceptional cases only and if the blocking elements are mounted to the waste container for these exceptional cases only, by the operator of the refuse collection entity for example, the refuse collection entity gets the information from the waste container, whether or not the blocking elements have to get mounted to the waste container for the next emptying process.

[0049] According to a different embodiment, but functionally in a similar way as described before, the waste container comprises a device for generating visual signals, by means of LED-device(s) for example, and/or acoustic signals, the signals being dependent on characteristic properties of the waste container, about the weight of the waste container for example.

[0050] The invention will now be explained in more detail by way of embodiments by making reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Figures 1 and 2

show two different views of a waste container being configured according to the present invention;

Figure 3

shows a perspective view of a blocking element according to the present invention;

Figure 4

shows a different view of the blocking element according to Figure 2;

Figure 5

shows a cross sectional view of the blocking element of Figure 3, cut along cutting line A-A; and

Figure 6

shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a blocking element as shown as detail B in Figure 1, the blocking element being mounted to the waste container.

[0051] Figures 1 and 2 depict a waste container 10, which is a large-scale waste container having a capacity between 600 litres and 1300 litres.

[0052] The waste container 10 consists first of all of a waste container body 11 which is rectangular or almost rectangular in shape and which serves to receive refuse. The waste container body 11 has a rectangular, pot-shaped contour when viewed from above. The waste container body 11 consists of a container bottom 12 and a container side wall 13. Since the waste container body 11 is rectangular or almost rectangular in shape, the side wall 13 comprises four wall segments, one front wall segment 13a, one rear wall segment 13b and two side wall segments 13c. Two trunnions 17 are provided at the side wall segments 13c, which are capable of interacting with a trunnion lifting device of refuse collecting entity (not shown), a refuse collecting vehicle or example. In Figure 2, the trunnions are not yet mounted to the side wall segments 13c. To make the waste container 10 easier to handle, four wheels 14 are provided at the container bottom 12. Furthermore, the waste container body 11 comprises a container top rim 15, which encompasses a container opening which is adapted for receiving the waste. In particular, the container top rim 15 defines the upper edge of the waste container body 11. The container opening is closed by means of a container lid 16. The waste container 10 consists of robust materials, such as metal or hard plastics.

[0053] The container top rim 15 comprises a container collar 20, which protrudes outwardly from the container side wall 13, in particular from the container top rim 15, which defines the upper end of the container side wall 13. That means that the container collar 20 extends, as seen from the inside the waste container body 11 in viewing direction outside the waste container body 11, outwards, that is beyond, the container side wall 13. It is preferably provided that the container collar 20 protrudes outwardly at least from a part of the container side wall 13. If the waste container 10 has a rectangular or almost rectangular shape, the container collar 20 protrudes outwardly at least from the front wall segment 13a.

[0054] Usually, the waste container 10 gets emptied into a refuse collection vehicle (not shown) or into a stationary press container. For this purpose, the refuse collection vehicle or the stationary press contianer is equipped with suitable lifting devices, by means of which the waste containers are gripped, lifted and tipped into a receiving area of the refuse collection vehicle.

[0055] In general, there are different ways of lifting the waste container 10 by means of a lifting device. According to one embodiment, the lifting device is provided as a comb lifting device, which per se is well known in the prior art. This comb lifting device interacts with the container collar 20, which will be described in more detail in relation to Figure 4 further below. According to a different embodiment, the lifting device is provided as a trunnion lifting device, which is also well known in the prior art, and which interacts with the trunnions 17 of the waste container 10.

[0056] Usually, overfilling the waste container with too much load is not allowed. Nevertheless, it can happen, that an end user is unaware of this and hence that heavy waste containers are offered for emptying. Very heavy waste containers 10 cannot get emptied with a comb lifting device. For safety reasons, collection companies often instruct their operatives to empty the waste containers 10, in particular large-scale waste containers, via the trunnion lifting device. Practically, it is however often faster and easier to keep using the comb lifting device.

[0057] In order to achieve this goal, the waste container 10 according to the present invention comprises one or more blocking elements 30, which are or which get, preferably detachably, mounted to the waste container 10, and which avoid, once they have been attached to the waste container 10, that the comb lifting device enters the container collar 20. The blocking elements 30 are adapted for blocking the lifting device from entering the container collar 20. Therefore, it is a key function of the blocking elements 30, that they still do allow the comb lifting device to be used in specific situations, but that they prevent the comb teeth of the comb lifting device from entering the container collar 20.

[0058] The configuration and the function of these blocking elements 30 will no be explained in connection with Figures 3 to 6.

[0059] Figures 3 to 5 depict different views of a blocking element 30 according to the present invention.

[0060] The blocking element 30 is configured as a polygonal, three-dimensional hollow body. It is made of a plastic material, in particular of a rigid plastic material.

[0061] The blocking element 30 is configured as an elongated member having a length 31, which is greater than its height 32 and/or than its width 33. Preferably, the blocking element has a length 31 that is at least equal, better greater than the length of a comb tooth of a comb lifting device. The blocking element 30 has an L-shaped side face 34 and an L-shaped cross-section 35 (see Figure 5). The blocking element 30 comprises of a first base portion 36, which extends in a first horizontal direction. Furthermore, the blocking element 30 comprises of a second portion 39, which extends in a second vertical direction as compared to the first horizontal direction of the first base portion 36.

[0062] In connection with Figure 6, which shows detail B according to Figure 2, the function of the blocking element 30 will now be described in detail.

[0063] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the container collar 20 protrudes outwardly from the container side wall 13, whereby the container collar 20 is open pointing towards the container bottom, and wherein the container collar 20 provides a receiving space 21 which is adapted for interacting with a lifting device of a refuse collecting entity, the comb teeth of a comb lifting device in particular.

[0064] The container collar 20 comprises a ridge element 22 which protrudes outwardly from the container side wall 13. The ridge element 22 is configured as a flat base element, from which, preferably at the ends thereof, other components protrude, perpendicular or almost perpendicular for example. One of these components is the container side wall 13. Furthermore, the container collar 22 comprises an outer leg 23 at a free end 22a of the ridge element 22. The outer leg 23 protrudes in a direction towards the container bottom 12, this direction being depicted with reference numeral 24 in Figure 6. The receiving space 21 of the container collar 20 is limited by the ridge element 22, by the outer leg 23 and by a portion of the container side wall 13, a portion of front wall segment 13a in the present case. Furthermore, a number of reinforcement ribs 25 are provided in the receiving space 21.

[0065] When the blocking element 30 was mounted to the waste container 10, which is shown in Figure 6, the blocking element 30 is at least partially disposed inside the receiving space 21. In this state, the blocking element 30 at least partially enters the receiving space 21 from below and occupies the respective portion of the receiving space 21, such that this portion of the receiving space 21 under the container collar 20 is blocked, so the comb lifter teeth cannot enter the receiving space 21 anymore.

[0066] The L-shaped blocking element 30 is disposed at the waste container 10 as follows:
The blocking device 30 is detachably mounted to the container side wall 13. This can get realized by means of screws 26 for example.

[0067] A first portion of the blocking element 30 is disposed inside the receiving space 21 of the container collar 20. This first portion is represented by the second portion 39 of the L-shaped blocking element 30. A second portion of the blocking element 30 is disposed outside the receiving space 21 of the container collar 20. This second portion is represented by the first base portion 36 of the blocking element 30.

[0068] A first end face 37 of the first base portion 36 is directed to the container side wall 13, whilst a second, opposite end face 38 of the first base portion 36 is directed away from the container side wall 13. The second end face 38 is configured as a surface having an inclined course. This means, that the course of this surface differs from a perpendicular course. It is an advantage of such an angular surface, that the rigidity of the blocking element 30, in particular the rigidity of its bottom, which comes in direct contact with a comb tooth of the comb lifting device, increases. Furthermore, such an angular surface is capable of guiding the comb tooth of the comb lifting device away from the blocking element 30, and therefore away from the container collar 20. Furthermore, the second end face 38 is configured as a surface, which at least partially protrudes outwardly over the container collar 20. Thus, the blocking device 30 provides a small overhang beyond the container collar 20, which increases the distance from the lifting device to side wall 13 of the waste container 10, the front wall segment 13a for example. Thus, any damages to the waste container caused by the lifting device, by the comb teeth for example, are avoided. Furthermore, false activation of lifter sensors can be avoided.

[0069] List of reference numerals

10

Waste container

11

Waste container body

12

Container bottom

13

Container side wall

13a

Front wall segment

13b

Rear wall segment

13c

Side wall segment

14

Wheel

15

Container top rim

16

Container lid

17

Trunnion

20

Container collar

21

Receiving space

22

Ridge element

22a

Free end of the ridge element

23

Outer leg

24

Direction towards the container bottom

25

Reinforcement rib

26

Screw

30

Blocking element

31

Length of the blocking element

32

Height of the blocking element

33

Width of the blocking element

34

Side face of the blocking element

35

Cross-section of the blocking element

36

First base portion of the blocking element

37

First end face of the first base portion

38

Second end face of the first base portion

39

Second portion of the blocking element

Claims

1. A waste container (10), said waste container (10) comprising a waste container body (11) having a container bottom (12), a container top rim (15) which encompasses a container opening and a container side wall (13; 13a, 13b, 13c) extending between the container bottom (12) and the container top rim (15), wherein the container top rim (15) comprises a container collar (20) or wherein the container top rim (15) is provided as a container collar (20), said container collar (20) protruding outwardly from the container side wall (13; 13a), wherein the container collar (20) is open pointing towards the container bottom (12), and wherein the container collar (12) provides a receiving space (21), which is adapted for interacting with a lifting device of a refuse collecting entity, characterized in that the waste container (30) comprises at least one blocking element (30), which is adapted for blocking the lifting device from entering the receiving space (21), that the blocking element (30) is configured as a polygonal body, that the blocking element (30) is at least partially disposed inside the receiving space (21) or can get at least partially disposed inside the receiving space (21), and that the blocking element (20) is or can get, preferably detachably, mounted to the container side wall (13; 13a) and/or to the container collar (20).

2. The waste container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two or more blocking elements (30) which are or can get disposed adjacent to each other and/or which are or can get disposed spaced apart from each other.

3. The waste container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container collar (20) comprises a ridge element (22) protruding outwardly from the container side wall (13; 13a) and an outer leg (23) at a free end (22a) of the ridge element (22), said outer leg (23 protruding in a direction (24) towards the container bottom (12), and that optionally the receiving space (21 is limited by the ridge element (22), by the outer leg (23) and by a portion of the container side wall (13; 13a).

4. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that two or more reinforcement ribs (25) are provided in the receiving space (21), which are spaced apart from each other and which delimit at least one receiving compartment being adapted for receiving a blocking element (30).

5. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blocking element (30) is configured as a hollow body.

6. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the blocking element (30) is configured as an elongated member having a length (31), which is greater than its height (32) and/or than its width (33).

7. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a portion of the blocking element (30) is located outside the receiving space (21), when the blocking device (30) is mounted to the container side wall (13; 13a) and/or to the container collar (20).

8. The waste container according to claim 7, characterized in that the portion being located outside the receiving space (21) comprises at least one surface (38) having an inclined course.

9. The waste container according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the portion being located outside the receiving space (21) comprises at least one surface (38), which at least partially protrudes outwardly over the container collar (20).

10. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the blocking element (30) has a side face (34) having the shape of a hexagon, and in particular that the blocking element (30) has an L-shaped side face (34).

11. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the blocking element (30) is mounted to the container side wall (13; 13a) and/or to the container collar (20) by means of at least one device being selected from the group consisting of a locking device, screws (26), rivets, a snap connection, a clamp connection, a press connection.

12. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the waste container body (11) comprises at least one, preferably two trunnions (17), which are adapted for interacting with a lifting device of a refuse collecting entity.

13. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the waste container (10) comprises a communication module, in particular a module for nearfield communication, said communication module comprising an interface which is adapted to exchanging data between the waste container (10) and a refuse collecting entity, in particular with a lifting device of a refuse collecting entity.

14. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the waste container (10) comprises a device for generating visual signals and/or acoustic signals dependent on characteristic properties of the waste container (10).

15. The waste container according to anyone of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the waste container (10) is a large-scale waste container, particularly having a capacity between 600 litres and 1300 litres, and/or that the waste container (10) is a large-scale waste container having four wheels (14).

Drawing