Dust control cover for a refuse bin

Abstract

The dust control cover for a refuse bin is removably installed atop a refuse bin, dumpster, or similar container. The cover has a truncated pyramid configuration, with a series of doors in the sides and top. A system of perforated pipes or tubes is preferably installed within the cover. The pipes connect to a water inlet fitting extending through the cover wall. A water supply (garden hose, etc.) is connected to the fitting, and the water is turned on to produce a fine spray or mist within the cover and its underlying refuse bin, thereby wetting down the contained materials to reduce or eliminate hazardous airborne dust or particulates from the material. The cover may include forklift pockets to facilitate installation and removal of the cover upon and from the bin, and a series of latch pin assemblies for positively securing the cover to the bin.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 272,477, filed Sep. 29, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to solid waste disposal devices, and particularly to a dust control cover for a refuse bin, e.g., a dumpster or the like, for reducing dust otherwise emitted into the atmosphere during construction, demolition, and similar operations.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Building construction and demolition operations are notorious for raising dust due to the movement of large components or masses of loose material. While building construction can raise a fair amount of such airborne particulates, demolition operations tend to be far worse. Generally, discarded materials (concrete, insulation, etc.) are transferred into large refuse bins or containers, i.e., dumpsters, as soon as practicable after being broken up for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The dust control cover for a refuse bin has the general form of a truncated pyramid. A plurality of doors are provided in the sides and top of the cover to provide for the dumping of rubble or other materials into the refuse bin or dumpster upon which the dust control cover is installed. The interior of the cover is preferably provided with a series of perforated pipes or tubes that communicate with a water inlet connection disposed to the exterior of the cover. The cover may be installed atop a refuse bin, e.g., a dumpster, roll-on bin or the like, with a water supply line (garden hose, etc.) connected to the water inlet. When the water supply is turned on a fine mist of water is sprayed into the interior of the refuse bin and cover, wetting down the contents thereof and any dust rising from the contents to reduce or eliminate the emission of dust and particulate matter from the operation.

[0010]The cover further preferably includes a pair of parallel forklift pockets or receptacles disposed along the opposite longer edges or sides of the cover. This enables a forklift to pick up the cover and install it on the bin, or to lift the cover from the bin as desired. A plurality of locking pins and receptacles are also provided for positively securing the dust control cover removably to the underlying refuse bin or dumpster, as desired. The dust control cover when secured to the underlying refuse bin allows the assembly to be transported with assurance that the cover cannot be dislodged from the bin while in motion due to jarring of the bin and cover when traveling over rough surfaces, thus positively retaining the rubble, debris, and / or other collected materials within the refuse bin until the cover is removed to dump the load.

Problems solved by technology

Building construction and demolition operations are notorious for raising dust due to the movement of large components or masses of loose material.

While building construction can raise a fair amount of such airborne particulates, demolition operations tend to be far worse.

This can be particularly critical in the demolition of older building structures, when asbestos and / or other hazardous materials were used in the construction of the building years in the past.

In many instances, there was no knowledge or realization of the potential hazards in handling such materials, e.g., asbestosis from breathing air laden with asbestos dust or fine fibers, etc., at the time the structure was built.

However, such rigid covers or shells are clearly relatively heavy, and conventionally do not include means to facilitate their handling and placement atop or removal from the underlying bin or dumpster.

Even though such a rigid cover or top is relatively massive, the jarring of the dumpster and top due to the stiff suspension of the truck as it travels over rough pavement or terrain can cause the top to be dislodged from its placement atop the refuse bin if not positively secured in place.

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