Waste disposal containers

Abstract

 The invention provides a set of containers 242, 244, 246 comprising a plurality of smaller containers suitable for holding waste at one location (e.g. within a building); and a plurality of larger containers 242, 244, 246 suitable for holding waste at another location (e.g. outside a building); at least one of the smaller containers having one or more ventilation openings in at least a side wall thereof and containing an air-permeable liner for receiving organic compostable waste, and optionally being provided with a lid; and at least one of the larger containers having a lid, and one or more ventilation openings in at least the side wall thereof, so as to allow ventilation of an air permeable liner containing organic compostable waste placed in the said larger container when the lid of the larger container is closed.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to waste disposal containers, and in particular to waste disposal containers for use in recycling waste.

[0002] A major problem facing communities is the handling of very large quantities of waste material generated each day. In general, it is regarded as being desirable to recycle as much waste material as possible thereby avoiding the need to bury or burn the waste.

[0003] In order to ensure that a market develops for recycled materials, waste material needs to be presented by the collector to the processor of the waste in a form which enables the processor to provide users of waste-derived products with material in the requisite form. The market requires consistency of quality of waste derived products in which levels of contaminated materials mixed in with the waste products are minimised. Optimum results in processing waste material are achieved, in terms of both economics and the properties of the end product, when waste material is separated at source into different fractions.

[0004] One of the major problems facing any collector of waste, such as a local authority, is to ensure that generators of the waste, be they householders, industrial, commercial or public sector institutions, ensure that the waste material is consistently sorted into desired fractions. Many recycling schemes have failed to work in the past because of a lack of cooperation on the part of the generator of the waste material.

[0005] One approach to the sorting and handling of domestic waste, and in particular organic waste, is disclosed in WO-A-97/07036 in the name of Matti Jyllinmaa. WO-A-97/07036 proposes the sorting of household organic waste into small paper sacks pre-filled with an accelerator such as willow chips for accelerating composting and then transferring the small paper sacks to an outdoors container prior to collection and transportation to a waste collection point. There are several problems inherent in the Jyllinmaa approach. Firstly, the need to pre-fill the smaller paper collection bags with an accelerator reduces the capacity of the bag, increases the volume and/or weight of material that must be taken to the waste collection point, increases the cost of collection and introduces a further level of complexity into the waste handling process thereby reducing the likelihood of user compliance. Secondly, Jyllinmaa does not fully recognise or address the problems that can arise (e.g. with regard to anaerobic decomposition and odour generation) if the containers and waste are not properly ventilated. For example, although Jyllinmaa uses paper sacks for the indoor containers, it is suggested that biodegradable plastics materials can be used for the bags instead of paper. Similarly, Jyllinmaa suggests that either plastics or paper sacks can be used as liners in the outdoors containers to which the smaller sacks are transferred when full. Furthermore, Jyllinmaa uses outdoors containers that appear to have no means of ventilation other than the lid. Thus, Jyllinmaa appears not to recognise the importance of ventilating both the indoors and outdoors containers, but instead focusses on the provision of a composting accelerator as a means of overcoming problems such as bad odours that arise as a consequence of the lack of ventilation either in the kitchen or outside.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome problems inherent in known waste handling systems such as the Jyllinmaa system, and to provide a system in which organic waste can be maintained under aerobic conditions from the point at which it is discarded by the householder to the point at which it reaches the local waste collection facility and beyond.

[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide a waste collection system which encourages the waste generator to sort his or her waste more carefully and to provide a system in which essentially no additional effort is required to sort waste in an effective manner.

[0008] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a set of containers comprising a plurality of smaller containers suitable for holding waste at one location (e.g. within a building); and a plurality of larger containers suitable for holding waste at another location (e.g. outside a building); at least one of the smaller containers having one or more ventilation openings in at least a side wall thereof and containing an air-permeable liner for receiving organic compostable waste, and optionally being provided with a lid; and at least one of the larger containers having a lid, and one or more ventilation openings in at least the side wall thereof, so as to allow ventilation of an air permeable liner containing organic compostable waste placed in the said larger container when the lid of the larger container is closed.

[0009] In another embodiment, the invention provides a set of containers comprising a plurality of smaller containers suitable for holding waste at one location (e.g. within a building); and a plurality of larger containers suitable for holding waste at another location (e.g. outside a building); each smaller container having indicator means associating it with one of the larger containers.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention provides a set of waste containers comprising one or more smaller container (e.g. for indoor use) and one or more larger containers (e.g. for outdoor use), at least one smaller container being formed from a moulded plastics material and having one or more (and preferably a plurality of) ventilating openings in a side wall thereof and optionally being provided with a lid, and at least one larger container being formed from a moulded plastics material and having one or more (and preferably a plurality of) ventilating openings in a side wall thereof, wherein optionally the said at least one smaller container has indicator means linking it with the said at least one larger container

[0011] The waste held by the containers can be fractions of, for example, domestic, commercial or industrial waste divided into a wet fraction (containing biodegradable material), and a dry fraction; or alternatively a biodegradable fraction, dry recyclable material fraction (such as bottles or newspapers) and a fraction for disposal; or alternatively further sub-divisions of the various types of waste material.

[0012] In a further aspect, the invention provides a set of waste containers comprising a smaller container for use at one location (e.g. for interior use), the smaller container being compartmentalised into a plurality of compartments or being of modular construction and comprising a plurality of container modules adapted to be fitted together; and a plurality of larger containers for use at another location (e.g. externally); each compartment or module of the smaller container preferably having indicator means linking it with one of the larger containers.

[0013] In a still further aspect, the invention provides a method of handling waste comprising providing a plurality of smaller containers (e.g. in modular form), or a compartmentalised smaller container; and a plurality of larger containers; sorting waste by type and temporarily storing waste of a particular type in one smaller container or a compartment of one smaller container; and subsequently transferring waste from the said one smaller container or one compartment of a smaller container to an associated one of said larger containers; the smaller containers being stored at one location (e.g. within a building); and the larger containers being stored at another location (e.g. externally of said building).

[0014] For convenience, where the context requires it, the smaller containers may be referred to hereinafter as the "indoor" containers, whilst the larger containers may be referred to as the "outdoor" containers. It is to be understood however that the outdoor containers need not be left out in the open but could be stored in a covered or sheltered area such as a shed, for example.

[0015] By providing the waste generator with a plurality of waste containers for temporarily storing different types of waste (e.g. within the home, office or factory, for example in the kitchen), and an associated set of containers for use at another location (e.g. outside), it is envisaged that the waste generator is more likely to sort waste correctly before disposal. The indicator means for linking the associated smaller and larger containers should assist the user in ensuring that the contents of the smaller container are tipped into the correct larger container.

[0016] The indicator means can be in the form of letters, numbers or other symbols or any combination thereof, for example. Alternatively, or additionally, the respective pairs of indoors and outdoors containers can each share a common colour code, or a code based on shape, configuration or surface markings, or apertures, for example. Where the containers are linked by means of surface markings, the markings can be printed, stamped, engraved, moulded, sprayed, or formed in or on the surface in any suitable manner. For example, the surface markings can take the form of ridges or other protrusions, or recesses.

[0017] Alternatively, the indicator means can take the form of particular liners, interior baskets, or other interior containers. For example, for the storage of organic compostable waste, both the smaller and larger containers may be characterised by virtue of having air permeable liners, preferably biodegradable air permeable liners and particularly paper liners.

[0018] Purely by way of example, the larger containers can have a capacity of at least about twice that of the smaller containers, the precise capacity of the containers reflecting the circumstances of use.

[0019] The containers of the invention are typically formed of a metal or a plastics material, preferably a thermoplastics material and can be, for example, formed by a suitable thermoforming technique such as injection moulding, rotomoulding or the like.

[0020] Both "indoor" and "outdoor" containers, but more commonly the outdoor container, can be provided with a ventilation system, or example a ventilation system substantially as set forth in my co-pending International patent application number No. PCT/GB98/01899, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0021] For example, in one embodiment, at least one larger container is provided with one or more ventilation openings in the side walls thereof and is provided with a lid; and at least one smaller container is provided with one or more ventilation openings in the side walls thereof and is provided with a lid. Such ventilated containers are typically used for containing organic or compostable waste, and the presence of the ventilation openings allows air to circulate freely within the container, e.g. between the container wall and a liner (such as an air permeable bag or sack) disposed therein, thereby preventing the establishment of anaerobic conditions and assisting any wet materials to dry out.

[0022] In the foregoing embodiment, the at least one larger container can be provided with spacers on the inner walls and/or floor thereof to space an air permeable biodegradable liner or sack disposed therein away from the said inner walls and/or floor. Similarly, the at least one smaller container can be provided with spacers on the inner walls and/or floor thereof to space an air permeable biodegradable liner or sack disposed therein away from the said inner walls and/or floor. The spacers serve to facilitate air flow between the container walls and/or floor and any liner (e.g. air permeable liner) placed within the container.

[0023] One or more of the larger containers can take the form of wheeled bins. Thus for example, in a set of two, three or four larger containers, one, two, three or four of them can be wheeled bins. Alternatively, one or two of the containers may have no wheels and/or may be in the form of a bag or sack.

[0024] In one particular embodiment of the invention, there is provided a set of containers comprising at least three larger containers, at least two of which are optionally provided with wheels, and at least one of which is provided with an air permeable biodegradable liner, in particular a paper liner; and at least three smaller containers, at least one of which is provided with an air permeable biodegradable liner, in particular a paper liner; and wherein preferably at least one of the smaller containers has indicator means associating it with one of the larger containers.

[0025] In a further aspect, the invention provides containers and sets of containers per se (i.e. without liners, or prior to insertion of liners) of the foregoing types.

[0026] In a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided container as hereinbefore defined, having a modular form.

[0027] The modular container can take the form of a pair of container modules (and optionally a third or further container modules) arranged side by side and having a lid or lids covering an open upper end of each of the pair; means being provided for releasably securing the pair of container modules together.

[0028] The container modules arranged side by side can be secured together by means of interengaging securing means such as one or more lugs and complementary recesses. Thus the container modules can be secured together by means of a snap fit or push-fit/friction fit securing arrangement.

[0029] Alternatively, or additionally, the container modules can be held together by a frame member arranged about the upper ends of the modules, the frame member having a lid, eg. a swing lid, connected thereto.

[0030] One of the side-by-side container modules typically is smaller than the other(s). The smaller container module is typically used for collecting organic compostable waste and preferably is lined with an air permeable liner such as a paper liner.

[0031] The uppermost side-by-side container module can be supported by a first underlying container module preferably having a side opening, means being provided for releasably holding the uppermost side-by-side container modules on the first underlying container module. Optionally, the first underlying container module can be supported by or stacked on a second and further underlying container module, each preferably having a side opening. The or each side opening can take the form of, for example, a drawer or drawer-like bin, or a rocker bin. In use, the underlying container module can be used to collect, for example, recyclable waste such as metal, glass or paper.

[0032] The invention will now be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of a compartmentalised indoor waste container;

Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of an alternative form of indoor container;

Figure 3 shows a set of outdoor containers for use with the indoor containers of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of a further form of indoor container; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of an another indoor container.

[0033] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an indoor container 2 comprising four stacked box-like structures 4, 5, 6 and 8 held together by means of interlocking formations such as lugs and holes (not shown). The box-like structures are each formed from metal or a moulded plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene and may optionally be coded to indicate the nature of the waste that is to be stored therein.

[0034] The lower two box-like structures are both open on one side and one contains a sliding bin 12. The other contains a rocking bin 10. It will be appreciated however that both containers could contain the same type of bin. Both bins 10, 12 have slotted openings 14, 16 in their walls which can serve as handles.

[0035] The uppermost box-like structures 4 and 5 are shaped so as to fit closely together and can optionally be provided with means such as lugs, holes, clips etc for holding the two structures together. Box-like structures 4 and 5 also have slotted openings 24, 25 in their walls which serve as handles.

[0036] Resting on top of the stack of box-like structures is a swing lid and supporting frame arrangement 26 which allows access to the open tops of the box-like structures 4 and 5. The frame also serves to hold the containers 4 and 5 together.

[0037] The indoor container is thus formed in a modular manner to provide a required number of individual bins or compartments into which different fractions of domestic waste can be placed. For example, the upper containers 4 and 5 can be used to store compostable organic waste and waste for disposal respectively. To this end, the container 4 is provided with a paper liner (not shown). Container 4 is also designed to reflect a smaller volume of compostable organic waste which is generated in the time in which a relatively large volume of waste for disposal is generated. Although not shown in the drawings, container 4 is preferably provided with vents in its side walls in order to allow air to circulate between the container wall and the liner to prevent the establishment of anaerobic conditions and to assist in the drying of the compostable material.

[0038] Middle container 10 (the rocker bin) can be used to store waste such as tin cans, aluminium drinks cans and bottles, whilst lower container 12 can be used to hold waste paper.

[0039] When a container module is full, it can be detached from the remainder of the indoor container and carried outside where it can be emptied into an associated outdoor bin, as discussed below.

[0040] The modular construction of the indoor container means that a variety of different types of container module can be linked together, the precise number and configuration of the individual bins or containers being determined by the needs of the user. For example, if it is desired to split the domestic waste into a larger number of types, further bins or compartments can be added to the structure as needed. Similarly, a smaller number of bins or compartments can be used, as shown in Figure 2 for example. In Figure 2, the indoor container 102 comprises lower box-like structure 106, a pair of upper box-like structures 104 and 105 and a swing lid and frame arrangement 126. Lower box-like structure 106 is open on one side and contains a sliding bin 1 10 (or rocker bin). Upper box-like structures 104 and 105 are detachably linked or nested together and are held in place by the frame of the swing lid. The smaller compartment 104 is provided with means (not shown) for retaining a liner such as a paper sack 130.

[0041] The indoor containers shown in Figures 1 and 2 are used in conjunction with a plurality of outdoor containers as shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, which mirrors the fractions into which waste is divided in Figure 2, three outdoor containers are shown, a pair of wheeled bins 242 and 244, and a basket 246. One of the wheeled bins typically is used to store organic waste and hence contains a paper liner, the basket can be used to store dry recyclable materials whilst the other wheeled bin can be used to store waste for disposal. Further outdoor containers can be provided, for example if it is required to sub-divide the waste further by separating out e.g. plastics waste, or metal waste such as aluminium drinks cans, or food cans. In general however, the number of indoor containers will mirror the number of outdoor containers, although an indoor container may have more than one associated outdoor container to accommodate larger quantities of waste of one or more particular types.

[0042] The indoor and outdoor containers are preferably provided with indicator means which associate a given indoor container with a given outdoor container so as to assist correct disposal of the waste. For example, an associated pair of indoor and outdoor containers can be colour coded; either by means of a coloured label or coloured (e.g. painted) panel of section of the container, or by virtue of the entire container being coloured. Alternatively, the association between an indoor container and an outdoor container can be indicated simply by letters, words, numerals or indeed any other markings. For example, the containers can bear wording to indicate the nature of the waste materials to be stored therein. More simply, the nature off the waste can be indicated by means of, for example, the type of liner used in the container. Thus, a paper or other air-permeable liner or sack can be used for compostable organic waste whereas a plastic liner can be used for disposable waste, e.g. waste destined for incineration or landfill disposal.

[0043] The outdoor and indoor containers used for the collection of organic waste, e.g. compostable waste are preferably ventilated such that air can flow freely between the container and any paper or other air-permeable liner or bag held within the container. As indicated above, the presence of the vents helps prevent the establishment of anaerobic conditions and assists in the drying of the organic matter. In order to improve air flow, spacers may be provided on the floor and/or the inner walls of the containers in order to space the liners or bags away from the floor and/or walls. Two examples of ventilated indoor containers are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0044] Figure 4 is an exploded view of an indoor container 300 which is provided with a lid 302. A liner 304 formed from a paper material can be held within the container 300. Container 300 is provided with an array of corrugations 306 in its side walls which serve as spacers and assist in spacing the liner 304 away from the walls of the container so as to facilitate air flow. A series of corrugations 308 is also provided on the floor of the container 300 and these serve to space the liner above the floor. An array of elongate vents 310 is disposed between each adjacent pair of spacers 306. The combination of vents 310 and spacers 306 and 308 enables air to flow freely around the liner 304 and this prevents the establishment of anaerobic conditions and thereby reduces or eliminates the unpleasant odours resulting from the anaerobic degradation of organic waste matter.

[0045] Figure 5 shows an alternative form of indoor container which possesses vents (not shown) in its side walls, and spacers 402 on the floor of the container, but does not have corrugations or spacers on its side walls.

[0046] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that in accordance with the invention, there is provided a waste management system which encourages the user to divide his or her waste up into categories for appropriate collection by a local waste collecting organisation, thereby facilitating the recycling of recyclable waste.

[0047] It will readily be apparent that numerous alterations and modifications could be made to the waste containers shown in the drawings without departing from the principles underlying the invention. For example, the invention has been illustrated by reference to domestic waste, but the principles underlying the invention could equally be applied to industrial or office waste, for example. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

1. A set of containers comprising a plurality of smaller containers suitable for holding waste at one location (e.g. within a building); and a plurality of larger containers suitable for holding waste at another location (e.g. outside a building); at least one of the smaller containers having one or more ventilation openings in at least a side wall thereof and containing an air-permeable liner for receiving organic compostable waste, and optionally being provided with a lid; and at least one of the larger containers having a lid, and one or more ventilation openings in at least the side wall thereof, so as to allow ventilation of an air permeable liner containing organic compostable waste placed in the said larger container when the lid of the larger container is closed..

2. A set of waste containers comprising a smaller container for use at one location (e.g. for interior use), the smaller container being compartmentalised into a plurality of compartments or being of modular construction and comprising a plurality of container modules adapted to be fitted together; and a plurality of larger containers for use at another location (e.g. externally); each compartment or module of the smaller container preferably having indicator means linking it with one of the larger containers.

3. A set of waste containers comprising one or more smaller container (e.g. for indoor use) and one or more larger containers (e.g. for outdoor use), at least one smaller container being formed from a moulded plastics material and having one or more (and preferably a plurality of) ventilating openings in a side wall thereof and optionally being provided with a lid, and at least one larger container being formed from a moulded plastics material and having one or more (and preferably a plurality of) ventilating openings in a side wall thereof, wherein optionally the said at least one smaller container has indicator means linking it with the said at least one larger container.

4. A set of waste containers as defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein (i) the indicator means is in the form of letters, numbers or other symbols or any combination thereof, or the respective pairs of smaller and larger containers each share a common colour code, or a code based on shape, configuration or surface markings, or apertures; and/or (ii) the indicator means takes the form of a type of liners, interior basket, or other interior containers.

5. A set of containers according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the larger containers have a capacity of at least about twice that of the smaller containers.

6. A set of containers comprising at least two larger containers, at least one (e.g. two) of which are optionally provided with wheels, and at least one of which has one or more ventilation openings in the side walls thereof, is provided with an air permeable biodegradable liner or sack, in particular a paper liner or sack and optionally is provided with a lid; and at least three smaller containers, at least one of which is has one or more ventilation openings in a side wall thereof and is provided with an air permeable biodegradable liner or sack, in particular a paper liner or sack and is optionally provided with a lid; and wherein preferably at least one of the smaller containers has indicator means associating it with one of the larger containers.

7. A set of containers as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one larger container is provided with one or more ventilation openings in the side walls thereof and is provided with a lid; and at least one smaller container is provided with one or more ventilation openings in the side walls thereof and is provided with a lid.

8. A method of handling waste comprising providing a plurality of smaller containers (e.g. in modular form), or a compartmentalised smaller container; and a plurality of larger containers, the smaller and larger containers being as defined in any one of the preceding claims; sorting waste by type and temporarily storing waste of a particular type in one smaller container or a compartment of one smaller container; and subsequently transferring waste from the said one smaller container or one compartment of a smaller container to an associated one of said larger containers; the smaller containers being stored at one location (e.g. within a building); and the larger containers being stored at another location (e.g. externally of said building).

9. A modular container comprising a plurality of modules each of which is suitable for use as a smaller container as defined in any one of the preceding claims, a pair of the container modules being arranged side by side and having a lid or lids covering an open upper end of each of the pair; means being provided for releasably securing the pair of container modules together.

Drawing