Receiving container

Abstract

The invention describes a waste bin for receiving and spatially separating waste such as non-recyclable household waste on the one hand and recyclable waste such as plastics or paper on the other, with filling openings that can each be completely covered or closed by a pivotably arranged lid, wherein a locking device is provided which blocks both lids in the closed position and prevents unauthorized pivoting of one or both lids, wherein the locking device is designed such that when the waste bin is pivoted by more than 90 degrees in an emptying direction, a self-unlocking occurs, i.e., the locking device is moved into a release position and the lids are opened.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of collection containers, in particular for the collection of waste.

[0002] Recently, there has been a growing desire among the population to avoid unnecessary waste and to recycle as much waste as possible. To this end, it is common practice to separate household waste into recyclable and non-recyclable waste. Non-recyclable household waste is often collected in a container, usually a garbage can, while recyclable waste, such as reusable plastics or paper and cardboard, is collected in separate, designated containers and then placed out for collection. Collection is generally carried out by local waste management companies, which often use specialized vehicles to collect these containers and transfer the contents into their vehicles.

[0003] For large containers, such as garbage bins with a capacity of several hundred liters, commonly used in residential complexes and similar locations, it is known to secure the main lid with a lock to prevent unauthorized opening. This lock opens automatically when the bin is emptied by a vehicle at a certain angle of inclination, such as 35°, eliminating the need for manual operation. The now unlocked lids then automatically swing open at an angle of approximately 90°.

[0004] This means that when a suitable vehicle picks up such an equipped receiving container and swivels it for emptying, the lock releases the lid of this receiving container from the specified swivel angle, so that manual unlocking is not necessary.

[0005] Such solutions have proven effective in general. Particularly in households with smaller waste volumes, it is common to provide several containers, such as bins, each for a different type of household waste, for example, recyclable household waste on the one hand and non-recyclable household waste on the other, in order to dispose of them appropriately.

[0006] US 2015 / 0314957 A1 discloses a container according to the preamble of claim 1. From GB 2456162 A1, a receiving container of a similar type, comprising two lids, is known.

[0007] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the present invention aims to further develop a collection container with regard to its functionality and safety in such a way that it can simultaneously collect several types of waste, such as recyclable and non-recyclable waste, without mixing them, is effectively secured against unauthorized use, and optionally enables automatic emptying by a suitable vehicle, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture and having a long service life.

[0008] To solve this problem, the invention proposes a receiving container for receiving and spatially separating waste such as non-recyclable household waste on the one hand and recyclable waste such as plastics or paper on the other, comprising at least two receiving chambers spatially separated from each other by means of a vertically arranged partition, which open at their upper side facing away from the plane of installation, wherein the opening forms a filling opening, wherein each filling opening can be completely covered or covered and closed or closed by a pivotably arranged lid, wherein the respective lid can be pivoted between a closed position covering the filling opening and an open position releasing the filling opening and back to the closed position, wherein both lids are arranged on an outer edge or on opposite outer edges of the receiving container.and a locking device is provided which blocks both lids in the closed position and prevents unauthorized pivoting of one or both lids, wherein the locking device is designed such that if the waste bin is pivoted by more than 90 degrees in an emptying direction, a self-unlocking action occurs, i.e., the locking device moves into a release position and the lids open.

[0009] With such a receiving container according to the invention, an unnecessarily large number of containers for receiving different types of waste, such as recyclable waste on the one hand and non-recyclable waste on the other, can be avoided, since the spatially separated receiving chambers effectively prevent the mixing of the already separated waste types.

[0010] The arrangement of a lid for each receiving chamber ensures that only the intended type of waste is introduced into the respective chamber at all times. For example, the lid that closes the receiving chamber for recyclable waste can be opened first, allowing the waste to be placed in that chamber. Then, the lid that closes the second receiving chamber can be opened, allowing different types of household waste, such as non-recyclable household waste, to be placed into the now open receiving area.

[0011] Once the authorized user has completed filling the container, unauthorized opening and thus use of the collection chamber is effectively prevented by a locking mechanism that blocks both lids in the closed position. This means that a user can only open the lids to add waste to the respective collection chamber after activating the locking mechanism, which could be, for example, a key lock or a combination lock.

[0012] Furthermore, the locking mechanism is designed such that the lids automatically adjust to a release position when the waste bin is tilted by, for example, more than 35° in an emptying direction. The now unlocked lids automatically pivot into an open position at an angle of approximately 90°.

[0013] This ensures that no manual intervention is required to unlock the lids if the garbage can is to be picked up and emptied by a suitable vehicle.

[0014] The locking device comprises a first housing with a housing upper part and a housing lower part, wherein the housing upper part is arranged and attached on the outside of one of the covers adjacent to the other cover, wherein parts of an adjustable actuating lever are arranged inside the housing upper part, which extends inwards through the cover and engages in the housing lower part, is pivotable there about a first pivot axis and extends through the housing lower part on the side opposite the housing upper part and contacts a pivot lever there with its free end and moves this lever from a blocking position to a release position when pivoting about the first pivot axis.

[0015] In such a locking device according to the invention, when actuated by a user, i.e., when the user wishes to unlock a locked lid in order to open it, the locking device arranged in the upper part of the housing is actuated to adjust an actuating lever located in both the upper and lower parts of the housing. During adjustment, this actuating lever pivots about a first pivot axis located in the lower part of the housing and, with its free end extending through the lower part of the housing towards the receiving space of the container, contacts a pivot lever located there and pivots this lever from a locked position to a release position, so that the lids are released and can be pivoted upwards in an opening direction.

[0016] The locking device located in the upper part of the first housing can be formed by a locking cylinder which adjusts the operating lever when a key is turned, or alternatively by a combination lock which, for example, releases an additional adjusting knob or rotary lever or the like, which pivots the operating lever to allow the lids to be opened.

[0017] Furthermore, it can be particularly preferred that the pivot lever is pivotably mounted in a second housing about a second pivot axis, wherein a woodpecker-head-like holding area is formed on a first end region of the pivot lever which is spaced apart from the second pivot axis and approximates the lower part of the first housing, and a weight is formed on the other end region of the pivot lever which is also spaced apart from the second pivot axis, by means of which the pivot lever is automatically pivoted into the locking position in the normal operating position of the receiving container and is held in this position, wherein the free end region of the pivot lever (11) extends through the second housing in the direction of the lower part of the first housing and the woodpecker-head-like holding area is formed there.

[0018] This design of the pivot lever allows it to automatically pivot into the locking position and remain in that position when the bin is on the ground or a similar level surface during normal use. This means that manual adjustment to the locking position by the user is unnecessary, as the pivot lever automatically locks the lid in the closed position after it is closed.

[0019] Furthermore, this design allows the locking lever to pivot into a release position when the entire container is picked up by a suitable garbage truck after the entire bin has been swung beyond a certain angle for emptying. This eliminates the need for manual unlocking of the locking mechanism by a user. When the emptying vehicle subsequently places the container on the ground, the weight of the vehicle automatically returns the lever to the locked position, securing the lid without any user intervention.

[0020] Furthermore, it may be particularly preferred that the locking device has a first locking bar running approximately parallel to the surface of the receiving container in the normal operating position, which is arranged between retaining elements projecting vertically from the lower part of the housing towards the ground and is engaged from behind by the woodpecker-head-shaped retaining area in the locked position, so that the lid is fixed in the closed position.

[0021] In the closed position of the lid, such a locking bar is engaged from behind by the woodpecker-head-shaped retaining area of ​​the pivot lever, so that the lid is secured against unauthorized opening in this engaged closed position. The locking bar is arranged on the lower housing between retaining elements that project vertically from the lower housing part towards the ground.

[0022] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivot lever may have two spaced-apart and parallel woodpecker-head-like holding areas which can be pivoted together about the second pivot axis, wherein in the closed position the first woodpecker-head-like holding area engages behind the first locking bar and the second woodpecker-head-like holding area engages behind a second locking bar, which is arranged indirectly on the other cover and projects into the receiving area in the closed position, and secures the other cover.

[0023] In such a solution according to the invention, two woodpecker-head-like retaining areas, arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other, are formed on the pivot lever. Each woodpecker-head-like retaining area engages behind a locking bar formed on one of the lids, thus securing each lid individually against unauthorized opening. This means that, if desired, only one lid is pivoted in the opening direction initially, releasing the corresponding receiving space of the container, while the second lid remains in the locked position. Only after actuation of the pivot lever can the second woodpecker-head-like retaining area release the second locking bar to open the second lid. If desired, both lids can also be opened simultaneously when the pivot lever is actuated.The second housing, in which essential parts of the pivot lever are arranged, can be located in a recess of the approximately vertically arranged partition wall that spatially separates the receiving chambers from each other.

[0024] Each lid has a locking bar, which is engaged by a woodpecker-head-like holding area of ​​the swivel lever in the locked position, in order to prevent the respective lid from being swung open by unauthorized persons and thus from opening the garbage can.

[0025] Furthermore, it may be particularly preferred that the actuating element is held in the locked position against the force of a spring and the pivot lever by gravity.

[0026] The spring force ensures that the actuating element only pivots when activated by a user, thereby indirectly releasing the respective cover. In the non-use position, the spring force holds the actuating element in a position where it merely makes contact with the pivoting lever, if necessary, without pivoting it.

[0027] The pivot lever is held in the locked position, in particular by the weight at its second free end, in the normal position in which the receiving container is on the ground or a corresponding receiving plane.

[0028] Furthermore, it may be particularly preferred that the second housing has guiding means along which the second end of the pivot lever, together with the weight arranged there, is guided.

[0029] Such guide elements in the second housing enable both the automatic unlocking of the locking device when the receiving container is pivoted in the emptying direction by a suitable vehicle, and the pivot lever to remain in the locked position when the receiving container is not in use.

[0030] Finally, it may be particularly preferred that the woodpecker-head-like end of the pivot lever has a hook-like first slope, a pointedly tapered area opposite this slope and a contact surface as a support for the actuating lever.

[0031] In particular, the hook-like first angled section of the pivot lever engages the locking bar, which is located directly or indirectly on the lid, to secure the lid in the closed position. The opposite, pointed section acts as a travel limiter when the pivot lever is pivoted. The woodpecker-head-shaped end of the pivot lever also features a contact surface that serves as a support for the actuating lever. When the actuating lever is actuated, i.e., pivoted, it contacts the contact surface of the woodpecker-head-shaped end of the pivot lever and exerts force upon it. Subsequently, the pivot lever, along with the woodpecker-head-shaped end, pivots around the second pivot axis into a position where the hook-like first angled section no longer engages the locking bar, thus releasing the lid for pivoting and opening the receiving chamber.

[0032] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures and described in more detail below.

[0033] It shows: Fig. 1 shows a waste bin according to the invention with closed lids 5, 6, viewed obliquely from the front; Fig. 2 shows the same with only one closed lid part; Fig. 3 shows a first view of a locking device according to the invention with first and second housings; Fig. 4 shows the same from the front in a sectional view of the second housing; Fig. 5 shows the same with a sectional view of the first and second housings; Fig. 6 shows the same from Figure 5 with a pivot lever in the release position; Fig. 7 an embodiment of the locking device on a partition wall2; Fig. 8 an exploded view of a particularly preferred embodiment;

[0034] The figures show a collection container 1 for receiving and spatially separating waste. The waste can consist, for example, of non-recyclable household waste on the one hand and recyclable waste such as plastics or paper on the other. The waste container 1 comprises two collection chambers 3, 4, spatially separated from each other by a vertically arranged partition 2. These collection chambers 3, 4 have open openings at their upper surfaces facing away from the level of the container. The opening of each collection chamber 3, 4 forms a filling opening for filling the respective collection chamber 3, 4 of the collection container 1. Each filling opening can be completely covered by a pivotably arranged lid 5, 6, or as shown in the figure. Figure 1The lids 5 and 6 are shown covered and closed. Each lid 5 and 6 can be pivoted between a closed position covering the filling opening and an open position releasing the filling opening, and back to the closed position. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the pivot axes of the lids 5 and 6 are arranged on opposite outer edges of the receiving container 1. Furthermore, according to the invention, a locking device is provided that blocks both lids 5 and 6 in the closed position and prevents unauthorized pivoting of one or both lids 5 and 6. The locking device is designed such that if the receiving container 1 is pivoted by more than 90° in an emptying direction, a self-unlocking mechanism occurs, i.e., the locking device moves into a release position so that the lids 5 and 6 can pivot in the opening direction.

[0035] By means of such a receiving container 1 according to the invention, it is possible to collect, store and subsequently hand over, for example, to a suitable collection vehicle in a particularly convenient, clean and secure manner against unauthorized use, using only one receiving container.

[0036] This reduces the number of storage containers (1) required, especially in smaller households.

[0037] The locking device according to the invention comprises a first housing with an upper housing part 7 and a lower housing part 8. The upper housing part 7 is arranged and fastened on the outside of one of the covers 5 or 6, adjacent to the other cover 5 or 6, respectively. Parts of an adjustable actuating lever 9 are arranged inside the upper housing part 7. The actuating lever 9 extends inwards through the cover 5 or 6 and engages in the lower housing part 8.

[0038] There, the actuating lever 9 is pivotable about a first pivot axis 10 and simultaneously extends through the lower housing part 8 on the side opposite the upper housing part 7 in order to contact a pivot lever 11 with its free end and, when the actuating lever 9 pivots about the first pivot axis 10, to move the pivot lever 11 from a locking position to a release position. The pivot lever 11 is pivotably mounted in a second housing 12 about a second pivot axis 13. The pivot lever 11 has a woodpecker-head-shaped retaining area 14 at a first end region, which is spaced away from the second pivot axis 13 and approaches the lower housing part 8 of the first housing.A weight is formed at the other end of the pivot lever 11, which is also spaced apart from the second pivot axis 13. This weight causes the pivot lever 11 to automatically pivot into the locked position in the normal operating position of the waste container 1 and remain in that position. The free end of the pivot lever 11 extends through the second housing 12 towards the lower housing part 8 of the first housing and features the woodpecker-head-shaped retaining area 14 at this point. The locking device may also have a first locking bar 15 that runs approximately parallel to the surface of the waste container 1 in the normal operating position. This first locking bar is arranged between retaining elements projecting perpendicularly from the lower housing part 8 towards the ground and is engaged from behind by the woodpecker-head-shaped retaining area 14 in the locked position. This engagement secures the respective lid 5, 6 in the closed position.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the pivot lever 11 has two spaced-apart and parallel woodpecker-head-like retaining areas 14. These can be pivoted together about the second pivot axis 13. The first woodpecker-head-like retaining area 14 engages a first locking bar 15, and the second woodpecker-head-like retaining area 14 engages a second locking bar 15, which is arranged indirectly on the lid 5 or 6 and projects into the receiving area in the closed position, thus securing both lids 5 and 6 simultaneously. In this embodiment, a locking bar 15 is arranged on each lid 5 or 6 and engaged by a woodpecker-head-like retaining area 14 in the closed position. Therefore, both lids 5 and 6 are fixed to the waste container 1 in the closed position and secured against unauthorized pivoting for use of the waste container 1.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment, the actuating element 9 is held in the locked position against the force of a spring and must be adjusted against the force of the spring to open a cover 5, 6. This adjustment can be made by means of a key-operated locking cylinder or by a combination lock (not shown in the figures) which adjusts the actuating element 9.

[0041] The pivot lever 11 is held in the locking position by the weight arranged at its second free end in the normal position of the receiving container 1, i.e. in the position in which the receiving container 1 is on the ground or a surface.

[0042] When emptying a collection container 1 according to the invention by a waste disposal vehicle, the collection container 1 is usually first lifted and then pivoted for emptying. From a certain pivoting angle, in the exemplary embodiment approximately 35°, the weight 17 arranged at the second end of the pivoting lever 11, together with the pivoting lever 11, slides along guide means 16 into a position in which the woodpecker-head-shaped retaining area 14 no longer engages behind the locking bar 15 and thus the lids 5, 6 are released and can be opened automatically by further pivoting of the entire collection container 1, i.e. without the influence of an operator.

[0043] To enable the intended use over a long period of time, the guide means 16, which are formed within the second housing 12, are designed in particular.

[0044] As can be seen from the figures, the woodpecker-head-like end 14 of the pivot lever 11 has a hook-like first slope and a pointed, tapered area opposite this slope. Furthermore, a contact surface 18 is formed on the pivot lever 11 as a support for the actuating lever 9. When the locking mechanism is actuated to open the covers 5, 6, the actuating lever 9 exerts force on this contact surface 18 of the pivot lever 11 until the pivot lever 11 pivots and the woodpecker-head-like end 14 no longer engages the web 15, thus releasing the covers 5, 6 for opening.

[0045] The container shown and described in the figures can also be used for the safe storage of items such as file folders or other items that need to be kept secure from unauthorized access.

[0046] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but is variable in many ways within the scope of the disclosure.

[0047] All individual and combination features disclosed in the description and / or drawing are considered essential to the invention. Reference symbol list:

[0048] 1 Waste bin 2 Partition 3 Receiving chamber 4 Receiving chamber 5 Lid 6 Lid 7 Upper housing 8 Lower housing 9 Operating lever 10 First pivot axis 11 Swivel lever 12 Second housing 13 Second pivot axis 14 Woodpecker-shaped holding area 15 Locking bar 16 Guide element 17 Weight 18 Contact surface

Claims

1. A receiving container (1) for collecting and storing waste such as non-recyclable household waste on the one hand and recyclable waste such as plastics or paper on the other, the mouth forming a filling opening, the filling opening being able to be completely covered or being covered and being able to be closed or being closed by a pivotably arranged cover (5, 6), the cover (5, 6) being pivotable between a closed position covering the filling opening and an open position exposing the filling opening and back to the closed position, the cover (5, 6) being pivotably arranged on an outer edge of the receiving container (1), and a locking device being provided, which locks the cover (5, 6) in the closed position and prevents unauthorized pivoting of the cover (5, 6), the locking device being configured such that when the receiving container (1) is pivoted in an emptying direction, self-release occurs, i.e., the locking device is moved into a release position and the cover (5, 6) is moved into the open position, characterized by that the waste is stored spatially separately, the receiving container (1) comprising two receiving chambers (3, 4) that are separated from each other by a vertically arranged partition (2) and open at their upper side facing away from the installation level, each filling opening being completely covered or being closable or closed by a pivotably arranged cover (5, 6), the locking device being configured in such a way that it locks both covers (5, 6) in the closed position, and the locking device comprising a first housing with an upper housing part (7) and a lower housing part (8), the upper housing part (7) being arranged on the outside of one of the covers (5, 6) adjacent to the other cover (5, 6) and being fastened there, parts of an adjustable actuation lever (9) being arranged inside the upper housing part (7), which lever extends inwardly through the cover (5, 6) and engages in the lower housing part (8), where it can be pivoted about a first pivot axis (10), and the lower housing part (8) extends through the side opposite the upper housing part (7) and contacts a pivot lever (11) with its free end and, when pivoting about the first pivot axis (10), moves it from a blocking position to a release position.

2. The receiving container (1) of claim 1, characterized by that the pivot lever (11) is mounted in a second housing (12) so that it can pivot about a second pivot axis (13), a woodpecker head-like holding area (14) being formed on one end region of the pivot lever (11) spaced apart from the second pivot axis (13) and close to the lower housing part (8) of the first housing, and a weight (17) being formed on the other end region of the pivot lever (11), also spaced apart from the second pivot axis (13), by means of which the pivot lever (11) automatically pivots into the locking position in the normal position of use of the garbage bin (1) and is held in this position, the free end region of the pivot lever (11) extending through the second housing (12) in the direction of the lower housing part (8) of the first housing, and the woodpecker head-like holding area (14) being formed there.

3. The receiving container (1) of claim 2, characterized by that the locking device has a first barrier web (15) which, in the normal position of use of the receiving container (1), runs approximately parallel to the standing plane of the receiving container (1), is arranged between holding elements projecting vertically from the lower housing part (8) in the direction of the ground and, in the locking position, is engaged from behind by the woodpecker head-like holding area (14), so that the cover (5, 6) is fixed in the closed position.

4. The receiving container (1) of claim 3, characterized by that the pivot lever (11) has two woodpecker head-like holding areas (14), which are spaced apart and arranged parallel to one another, and which can be pivoted together about the second pivot axis (13), in the closed position, the first woodpecker head-like holding area (14) engaging behind the first barrier web (15) and the second woodpecker head-like holding area (14) engaging behind a second barrier web (15) which is arranged indirectly on the other cover (5 or 6) and projecting into the receiving area in the closed position and fixes the other cover (5 or 6).

5. The receiving container (1) of one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the actuating element (9) is held in the locked position against the force of a spring and the pivot lever (11) is held in the locked position by the gravity of the earth.

6. The receiving container (1) of one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that the second housing (12) has guiding means (16) along which the second end of the pivot lever (11) is guided together with the weight (17) arranged there.

7. The receiving container (1) of one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by that the woodpecker head-like end (14) of the pivot lever (11) has a hook-like first slope, a pointedly tapering region opposite this slope, and a contact surface (18) as an abutment for the actuation lever (9).

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