Device for securing recycling and waste containers

Abstract

Device for securing recycling and waste containers (6), comprising a support system for at least one waste container (6), a drive motor (5), and a flexible plate (3) attached under the support system, - wherein the support system comprises a base support (2) for supporting the base of at least one waste container (6) and at least one hook (1) for supporting the upper part of the waste container (6) in question, - wherein the mounting system and drive motor (5) are designed to move waste containers (6) held in the mounting system vertically by means of the drive motor, - and wherein the flexible plate (3) comprises plastic or metal and is designed such that, after the device is raised, one side remains connected to the floor (4) and, after the device is lowered, lies flat on the floor (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for securing recycling and waste containers, in particular recycling and waste bins.

[0002] There is a growing need to secure recycling and waste containers. On the one hand, securing them serves to prevent the increasing problem of animals scavenging the containers in cities and the associated contamination of the area around them; on the other hand, it prevents unauthorized removal of the contents.

[0003] Previously, attempts to remedy the situation were made by housing recycling and waste containers in specially designated rooms or enclosures. Even supermarkets that previously had freely accessible containers for the disposal of expired goods are increasingly opting to construct wire mesh enclosures to prevent unauthorized removal.

[0004] A disadvantage of the current state of the art is the considerable cost of the premises or enclosures. Furthermore, protection against animal damage is often still not guaranteed.

[0005] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an optimized device for securing recycling and waste containers.

[0006] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1.

[0007] The device according to the invention for securing recycling and waste containers comprises a mounting system for at least one waste container, a drive motor, and a flexible plate attached under the mounting system, wherein the mounting system has a base bracket for holding the base of at least one waste container and at least one hook for holding the upper part of the waste container in question, wherein the mounting system and drive motor are designed to move waste containers held in the mounting system vertically by means of the drive motor, and wherein the flexible plate comprises plastic or metal and is designed such that, after the device is raised, it remains connected to the base on one side and lies flat on the base after the device is lowered.

[0008] The mounting system is designed to hold at least one recycling or waste container and preferably comprises at least one container holder and a lifting unit, which is designed to allow the container holder to move vertically, while the lifting unit is designed for stable attachment to a floor, ceiling, wall or other fixed room elements.

[0009] According to the invention, the container holder comprises a base bracket for supporting the base of at least one waste container and at least one hook for holding the upper part of the waste container. Recycling and waste containers are generally standardized and designed to be emptied by waste collection vehicles. Therefore, they typically have recesses in their upper parts into which hooks can engage.

[0010] The base is preferably shaped so that, when a suitable waste container is placed on it, the base does not protrude more than 1 cm, in particular no more than 0.5 cm, or even less than 0.2 cm, above the base of the waste container. This prevents a person or animal from gaining a foothold on the base.

[0011] For the same reason, the lifting unit is preferably designed on its outer surface such that it has no features that could be used as steps or handles. Climbing, for example, provides a standard for steps and handles. It is particularly preferred that the outer surface of the lifting unit has no surfaces oriented at an angle of 30° to the horizontal and that have a length and / or width of no more than 1 cm, preferably no more than 0.5 cm. Likewise, it is preferred that there are no (rod-shaped) protrusions that project more than 1 cm from the surface, preferably no more than 0.5 cm.

[0012] The drive motor is designed to move at least one of the waste containers held in the mounting system vertically, i.e., to raise and lower it. The travel distance is at least 20 cm, preferably at least 50 cm, and depending on the application, at least 1 m or even at least 1.5 m. The maximum travel distance is determined by economic considerations and the available ceiling height. It is preferably a maximum of 3 m, and particularly a maximum of 1.5 m (e.g., in basements).

[0013] The drive motor and mounting system are preferably designed to allow waste containers to be moved automatically and vertically along the entire travel path. In a preferred embodiment, the drive motor is designed to move a container mounting relative to a lifting unit.

[0014] Preferably, the device includes a control unit for controlling the drive motor. Such a control unit preferably comprises levers or buttons and preferably also sensors for automatic shutdown upon reaching an end position.

[0015] When a user needs access to one of the bins, they press a button, for example, and the bin is lowered by the drive motor. After use, the bin is raised again either automatically or after the user activates a corresponding setting on the control unit.

[0016] Preferably, the control unit is installed where no unauthorized person has access (e.g. inside the house) or it has coding or locks on the operating elements.

[0017] The flexible plate attached beneath the mounting system serves to prevent climbing on the mounting system. It is flexible and preferably elastic.

[0018] It is preferably oriented such that, when the device is raised, it moves increasingly away from an observer standing in front of it as it moves towards the ground. Preferably, it assumes a straight, convex, or concave shape, where "concave shape" in this context means that the gradient of the distance of the flexible plate towards the ground decreases. This concave shape is particularly preferred. In particular, the flexible plate has a round shape (e.g., a quarter circle), with the curve of this rounded portion pointing away from the observer standing in front of the device (concave shape).

[0019] According to the invention, the flexible plate comprises plastic or metal and is designed so that it lies flat on the floor after the device is lowered and / or remains connected to the floor on one side after the system is raised.

[0020] Flat contact with the floor is preferably achieved by making the flexible plate elastic and partially contracting inwards, or by mounting the flexible plate movably on rails or other guide elements at least on one side.

[0021] The surface of the flexible panel is smooth and preferably has a non-slip coating. Preferably, the flexible panel and / or its surface contains silicone, plastic, or rubber. This prevents rats, which would otherwise exploit unevenness in the wall, from accessing the garbage cans.

[0022] In particular, the flexible plate is designed to extend at least across the entire width of the device or at least the intended waste containers.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the device additionally comprises an alarm system, which in particular includes a sensor system and an alarm output unit. Preferably, a system such as that known to those skilled in the art from the automotive industry as a vehicle alarm system is used, which triggers an alarm upon strong contact with the secured object.

[0024] The alarm system is configured to be deactivated when the device is lowered and remains in the lowered position, and activated when the device is raised and remains in the raised position. This prevents unauthorized access to the waste containers by climbing or using ladders.

[0025] This device makes it possible to secure recycling or waste bins against unauthorized access. The bins are raised (e.g., 1 meter high) using this device, so that neither people nor animals can reach the lids. This also prevents rats from accessing the bins, even if the lids are not closed.

[0026] Examples of preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown in the figures. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment without a waste container. Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a preferred embodiment with a waste container.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment without a waste container, which, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the container holder is attached to the hook 1 and the base bracket 2. Beneath the base bracket 2, the flexible plate 3, in the shape of a quarter circle, is mounted and extends to the floor area 4, which can be part of the waste room floor. A drive motor 5 allows the container holder, consisting of the hook 1 and the base bracket 2, to be raised and lowered. The device is shown in Figure 2. Fig. 1 in the raised position. In the lowered position, the base support 2 would rest on the floor (the flexible plate 3 would still be flat between the floor area 4 and the base support 2) and waste containers could be rolled onto the device.

[0028] This is in Fig. 2 shown. Here, recycling or waste containers 6 are placed on a similar device to the one in Fig. The device shown in section 1 was pushed up and moved upwards. The device was then moved to the next position. Fig. 2 differs from the one according to Fig.1 merely by the fact that it also has an alarm system 7 to prevent unauthorized climbing attempts.

Claims

[1] Device for securing recycling and waste containers (6), comprising a support system for at least one waste container (6), a drive motor (5), and a flexible plate (3) attached under the support system, - wherein the support system comprises a base support (2) for supporting the base of at least one waste container (6) and at least one hook (1) for supporting the upper part of the waste container (6) in question, - wherein the mounting system and drive motor (5) are designed to move waste containers (6) held in the mounting system vertically by means of the drive motor, - and wherein the flexible plate (3) comprises plastic or metal and is designed such that, after the device is raised, one side remains connected to the floor (4) and, after the device is lowered, lies flat on the floor (4). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the support system is designed to support at least one recycling and / or waste container (6) and preferably comprises at least one container support and a lifting unit which is designed to allow the container support to move vertically, while the lifting unit is designed for stable attachment to a floor, ceiling, wall or other fixed room elements. [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive motor (5) is designed to move at least one of the waste containers (6) held in the support system vertically, i.e. to move it up and down, wherein the travel distance is at least 20 cm, wherein the drive motor is preferably designed to move a container support relative to a lifting unit. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the device has a control unit for controlling the drive motor, which preferably has levers or buttons and preferably also sensors for automatic switching off when an end position is reached. [5] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the flexible plate (3) attached under the support system is designed to prevent climbing up the support system, and the flexible plate is preferably designed to extend at least over the entire width of the device or at least of the intended waste containers (6). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the flexible plate (3) is preferably oriented such that, when the device is raised, it moves away from the observer standing in front of the device in its course towards the floor (4) and assumes a straight, convex or concave shape, wherein a concave shape, in particular that of a quarter circle, is particularly preferred. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the surface of the flexible plate (3) is designed to be smooth and preferably has a non-slip layer, wherein the flexible plate and / or its surface contains silicone, plastic or rubber. [8] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the device additionally comprises an alarm system (7) which in particular includes a sensor system and an alarm output unit, wherein the alarm system is in particular configured to be deactivated when the device is shut down and remains in the shut-down state and to be activated when the device is powered up and remains in the powered-up state.

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