Refuse container with closure device

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste container with a closure device (6) for at least partially closing at least one opening of the waste container (1), wherein the closure device (6) comprises at least one first cover element (3) for covering the opening, which is pivotably mounted on a base body (2) of the waste container about a first real or fictitious axis (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a waste container with a closing device for at least partially closing at least one opening of the waste container, wherein the closing device comprises at least one first cover element for the opening, which is pivotably mounted on a base body of the waste container about a first real or fictitious axis.

[0002] For the disposal of household waste in apartment buildings, residential blocks, or municipalities, large-capacity waste containers are frequently used. These containers have a lockable opening for depositing waste and emptying the container. The locking mechanism can be unlocked by the waste disposal company or by residents with appropriate identification, thus enabling the emptying or disposal of waste into the container.

[0003] A locked or secured waste container prevents unauthorized persons from opening it. For example, access can be blocked for people who have not paid their waste disposal fees.

[0004] Since users of the waste container pay different waste disposal fees, the cover of the container should also open to varying degrees depending on the user's authorization or identification. For example, a business owner should be able to open the cover further upon presentation of authorization and identification than a private individual who pays lower waste disposal fees and does not need to swing the entire cover open to dispose of large items such as cardboard boxes. Therefore, it is desirable that waste containers with swiveling covers allow the cover to be swung open to varying degrees to provide different sized openings for waste disposal.

[0005] Regardless of the size of the opening revealed by the cover, it is naturally desirable that the waste container remains permanently closed or locked by the cover when not in use. Some waste containers have two covers, with the second cover concealed by the first. In this way, the first cover can be used to permanently close the container. When this cover is released upon verification of user identity, a second cover can be accessed, which might, for example, have the usual circular openings for depositing glass or bottles. These openings are normally covered by the first cover.

[0006] In this configuration, it is desirable that the first cover element can be pivoted to allow access to the second cover element. However, when emptying the waste container, the second cover element must also be opened, necessitating a locking mechanism for this second cover element. Previously, two separate lock units were used for this purpose: one lock for the first cover element and another for the second. This resulted in higher costs and increased maintenance.

[0007] EP 0 589 161 A1 discloses a waste container according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] EP 3 967 627 A1 shows the latch-like design of a locking element.

[0009] SE 1 530 151 A1 concerns a waste container with a locking device.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a waste container that can be used jointly by several people and has an opening that is covered by at least one cover element which can be unlocked by an authorized user and which can assume different pivot positions depending on the user's authorization.

[0011] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0012] The core concept of the invention is that a locking device is used in a waste container for at least partially closing at least one opening of the waste container. This locking device engages in at least two recesses of a cover element for covering the opening. For this purpose, the locking device has at least one cover element for covering the opening, which is pivotably mounted on a base body of the waste container about a first fictitious or real axis. The at least one locking device attached to the base body has a locking element to prevent the pivoting cover element from moving in at least two predetermined pivot positions.The cover element has the first recess for the engagement of the locking element of the locking lock in a first locking position and the second recess directly adjoining the first recess for the engagement of the locking element in a second locking position.

[0013] The locking element is rotatably mounted about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and is designed like a latch. The first locking position corresponds to a rotation of the locking element through a first angle, and the second locking position corresponds to a rotation of the locking element through a second angle larger than the first. If the first and second recesses are designed accordingly, the first locking position allows for complete locking of the entire cover element, as is desired when the waste container is not in use. In the second locking position, the locking element is located in the second recess, which has a finite dimension. This allows the locking element to engage in such a way that the cover element, with the second recess, can move relative to the stationary locking element when the user pivots the cover element.

[0014] This requires user authentication and identification. If this is provided, the locking element is automatically positioned in the second locking position. This means that when the cover element is pivoted, the second recess, and not the first, moves relative to the locking element. Depending on the two end points of the second recess, the cover element can then be pivoted until one of these points is reached and acts as a stop against the locking element.

[0015] This means that the cover can only be pivoted to a certain degree, provided authorization has been granted. This limited pivoting of the cover means that the opening is only partially accessible, and therefore only a certain amount of waste can be placed in the waste container. If authorization for the locking element to engage in the second recess is not granted, the waste container is completely blocked, as the locking element remains in the first recess.

[0016] The locking element, and thus the locking lock, is controlled and regulated by a control unit and an associated motor, which moves the locking element either into the first or second locking position by a rotary movement of the locking element.

[0017] Thus, the first pivot position of the cover element is assigned to the first locking position of the locking element, and a second pivot position of the cover element is assigned to the second locking position of the locking element.

[0018] The second recess is designed such that when the locking element engages in the second locking position, the first cover element can pivot within two end areas of the second recess, thus allowing the cover element, or the lid of the waste container, to pivot within certain limits. Naturally, these two end areas can be modified or preselected, allowing the cover element to pivot to varying degrees, resulting in either a limited or complete opening of the waste container. Depending on this, different sized pieces of waste can be disposed of.

[0019] It is also conceivable that the second recess has more than just two stops in the form of two end areas, in order to provide a multitude of stops for several openings of different sizes when the cover element is swung out, depending on the user's authorization.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, a second cover element is provided, extending at least partially parallel to the first cover element. This second cover element is preferably covered by the first cover element and has a third recess into which the locking element engages in its second locking position. Covering the second cover element with the first cover element ensures complete locking of the waste container and thus prevents access to the second cover element and any openings therein. It is preferred that the locking element, in its first locking position where it blocks the first cover element and thus indirectly also the second cover element, creates a permanent lock.

[0021] The third recess can be designed similarly to the first recess, thus ensuring complete blocking and locking of both recesses when the locking element is locked. However, it may also be preferable to have a third recess extending to a finite length, allowing the second cover element to pivot relative to the locking element in the second locked position. This enables full or limited access to the waste container by fully or partially opening the second cover element.The advantage of this is that only one locking mechanism is needed for both cover elements, as is also the case if you only have one cover element, but want it to be available at different opening angles with respect to its pivot position.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the locking element is driven by a motor, which rotates both clockwise and counterclockwise. If a latch-type locking element is used, its latch can be rotated to engage the various recesses. For this purpose, the latch is either fully extended to block both cover elements, or, if there is only one cover element, to block it as well. Alternatively, the latch may be rotated by 45° so that, depending on the design of the first recess, the latch no longer engages in a locking manner in that recess, but rather in the second recess, which is directly adjacent to the first. When the cover element pivots, the second recess transitions into this latch area.Thus, during the pivoting movement of the cover element, the second recess moves along with the entire cover element relative to the handle until a stop and / or an end point of the second recess is reached, beyond which further pivoting by the user is no longer possible. This end point can be individually set automatically, depending on the user's authorization and the amount of opening area that should therefore be made available to them.

[0023] The recesses can have different designs. For blocking or completely locking the cover element or both cover elements, a slot-like recess can be provided for the engagement of the latch-like locking element. Alternatively, there may simply be a slot on an outer or edge area of ​​the cover element, into which the latch-like locking element engages after a rotational movement.

[0024] These recesses can also be present in a component that is permanently attached to the cover element.

[0025] The second recess can, for example, represent a circular arc in which the stationary latch or latch-like locking element moves relative to the pivoting cover element until an end stop or end area is reached. This circular arc-shaped cutout or recess can also be present as a cutout in an outer edge area of ​​the cover element.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the motor, by means of a control device, rotates the locking element by a preselectable angle in order to obtain a locking position of the locking element and a pivot position of the first cover element corresponding to this angle. Any angle is conceivable to pivot the locking element outwards in its latch-like form or intowards into the lock.

[0027] Preferably, a first sensor device for detecting the first locking position of the locking element and a second sensor device for detecting the second locking position of the locking element are provided. A third sensor device for detecting when the cover element reaches a preselected pivot position may also be provided.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, a contact sensor can be provided on the motor, which is activated upon successful identification or authentication of a user. A further contact sensor can be attached to the cover element to be activated when the user opens the cover element after successful authentication.

[0029] For this to work, the first contact sensor in the motor area must activate the motor in response to the authentication signal, causing it to release the cover element from a blocked or locked position. Subsequently, when the user closes the cover element again after filling the waste container, the contact sensor of the cover element is activated once more to indicate that the cover element is closed and to rotate any locking mechanism back into its locked position.

[0030] Thus, a first contact sensor can be responsible for activating the motor. A second contact sensor can detect the cover element in its closed pivot position and thereby trigger either an opening or a closing action by the locking element of the lock.

[0031] A third contact sensor is designed to detect when the swiveling cover element reaches a position that provides a desired, limited opening of the waste container. This limited opening corresponds to the user's authorization; it is designed so that only waste of a size that the user is authorized to dispose of, based on payment of waste disposal fees and other conditions, can be thrown in.

[0032] All contact sensors can function as magnetic sensors using magnetic devices. Advantageously, a control unit receives signals containing the user's authorization data for the waste container, enabling the motor to rotate the locking element into the first or second locking position. In this way, for example, the locking element or pawl is moved from a first locking position (blocking or fully locking the cover element) to a second locking position (45°). This allows the cover element to pivot further into the area of ​​the second recess, thereby reaching the actual pivot position for partially opening the cover element.

[0033] Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0034] They show: Figs. 1A and 1B show, in a perspective view and a top view, the waste container according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows, in a side view, a locking lock according to an embodiment of the invention in the locked position for a waste container according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows, in a side view, the locking lock according to Fig. 2 in a further locking position (a half-open or half-locked position) for the waste container according to the invention; Fig. 4 in a perspective view a section of the waste container with the in Fig. 2 and 3 shown locking mechanism and first and second recesses in a cover element; Fig. 5 the in Fig. 2 and 3 Shown: Locking lock in a side view in an open or unlocked position; Fig. 6a: Sections of two superimposed cover elements according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6b: Sections from the in Fig. 6aThe shown sections of two cover elements according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 shows a side view of a section of the waste container according to the illustrations in Figs. 6a and 6b with associated locking mechanism in the unlocked state; Fig. 8 Detail of two cover elements in the side area, as in Fig. 6b shown, but in a further pivot position; Fig. 9 in a perspective view a locking lock for a waste container according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10 the in Fig. 9 The lock shown in cutaway view; Fig. 11 that in Figs. 9 and 10 The lock shown is depicted in a side cross-sectional view.

[0035] In the Fig. 1A schematic representation shows a waste container according to one embodiment of the invention. The waste container 1 has a base body 2 in which the waste is collected. It also has a cover element 3, which can be pivoted about a real or virtual pivot axis 5 and is thus pivotally mounted. In the case of a virtual axis, the cover element 3 performs a pivoting movement, but not about a real axis, since, for example, the cover element 3 can be moved upwards and backwards via lateral rail guides.

[0036] According to the representation Fig. 1a as well as the one in Fig. 1b top view of the waste container shown according to Fig. 1aIt can be seen that the hinged cover element 3 has vertically extending side walls 4 in order to provide a barrier against the side areas when the cover element is open, preventing the unwanted and uncontrolled ingress of waste. Additionally or alternatively, the cover element 3, when hinged or open, can be designed with an upward opening such that, together with the side walls 4 (not shown in detail here), it forms a kind of receiving container for the waste, and the waste is only introduced into the base body 2 once the cover element 3 has been closed or hinged shut again.

[0037] A locking mechanism 6, which is only shown schematically but is normally located in the inner area of ​​the waste container, i.e. not visible, is firmly attached to a wall, not visible here, of the base body 2 and can engage in a recess of the side wall 4 of the cover element by means of one or more locking elements.

[0038] In Fig. 2 A locking lock 6 is shown in a side view for a waste container according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the locking lock 6 is in Fig. 2 in a fully closed or locked state. The same locking lock 6 is in Fig. 3 shown in a partially open state, i.e., in another locked state. Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 The locking mechanism is shown in a fully open position.

[0039] The in Fig. 2The locking mechanism 6, shown in a side view, comprises a base body 8 with a rotatable or pivotable locking element 7, which is designed in a latch-like form. This locking element 7 can engage in lateral walls 4a of the movable cover element 3, which is not shown in detail here. For this latch-like locking element 7 to engage in the wall 4a, which is only partially shown here, recesses 14, 15 are provided in the wall 4a, as shown in the Figures 4 , 6a , 6b and 8 can be seen from this.

[0040] The locking lock 6 is described with reference to the perspective schematic representations according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 (cutaway view) as well as Fig. 11 (side cross-sectional view) its structure is explained in more detail.

[0041] The locking mechanism comprises the base body 8, on which the latch-like locking element 7 is pivotally or rotatably mounted. A motor 9 can pivot a pivotable component 14a to different angular positions, thereby deflecting the latch-like locking element 7 into various angular positions. These angular positions or locking positions of the latch-like locking element 7 can be adapted to the respective installation situation and thus to the container architecture. This is achieved by an additional electronic control unit, which is not shown in detail here.

[0042] A spring element 10 connects the additional component 14a to the latch-like locking element 7. This spring element is intended to return the component 14a together with the locking element 7 to a home position in order to establish a locking position and thus a locking function of the waste container in the Fig. 10The locking element 7 is to assume the position shown. In this way, the waste container is locked automatically.

[0043] In Fig. 11 The locking mechanism 6 is shown again in a lateral cross-sectional view, and in this view it is also in a locked position. In this locked position, the locking element 7 is inserted into a recess in the wall 4; 4a of the cover element 3 (not shown in detail here) and thereby locks the cover element 3 against the base body 2.

[0044] The closed position of the locking mechanism 6 and the cover element 3 is determined by means of a magnet for a motor contact 12 and a reed sensor 13.

[0045] An additional contact, consisting of a magnet and a reed switch, detects the basic position of the cover element 3, which is a flap. During a waste insertion process, the system detects when the cover element moves out of its basic position and then returns to it after the waste has been inserted. This triggers a control unit to activate the motor 9, causing it to close the locking element 7 and thus engage the locking mechanism 6.

[0046] In the Fig. 3 The locking mechanism 6 is shown with a half-open or half-locked locking element 7. The locking mechanism 6 is attached to a wall section 2a of the base body 2 of the container 1. Although the complete illustration of a cover element 3, which is to be locked by it, is missing, a part of the cover element 3 with a side wall 4 can be seen as cutout 4a in the diagram. Fig. 4, locked and bolted, but can also be released by covering recesses 14 and 15 with the locking element 7.

[0047] The locking element 7, when locked, can engage in the first recess 14, which is slot-shaped, preferably in a vertical direction. In this way, the flat locking element 7, by engaging in the slot-shaped first recess 14, locks the otherwise movable cover element 3 against the side wall, a section of which 4a is shown here.

[0048] If user authentication for the waste container is established via communication with the waste container, for example via a mobile phone, the locking element 7 can be pivoted into a partially open or partially closed further locking position by appropriate control of the motor 9, as shown in Fig. 3 as is evident.

[0049] This causes the front part of the locking element 7 to move out of the first recess 14, and subsequently the second recess 15 can be moved relative to the locking element 7. This is because the second recess 15 is directly adjacent to the first recess 14.

[0050] If the locking element 7 is only partially rotated, it still engages in the second recess 15. In this way, the second recess 15, together with the cutout 4a of the cover element 3, can be pivoted to the right until a left-hand stop 15a of the recess 15 is reached. As soon as this stop 15a abuts the locking element 7, further movement is not possible. A right-hand stop is designated 15b.

[0051] In Fig. 5The locking mechanism 6 is shown in a fully open or unlocked position. The locking element 7 is now completely rotated / pivoted backwards about an axis 7a. As a result, the recesses present in section 4a of the side wall of the cover element 3 are no longer occupied by the locking element 7. This allows the cover element 3 to be fully opened, or up to the maximum permissible opening pivot or rotation.

[0052] This situation can arise, for example, when a user is authorized to dispose of particularly large waste items. This authorization is granted, for instance, to businesses that need to dispose of large cardboard boxes or similar items. Naturally, a corresponding fee must be paid for this service.

[0053] The arrangement of one or more switches, reed contacts, and magnets ensures that the position or pivot point of the cover element 3 is detected. With, for example, only two reed contacts and two magnet contacts, two feedback signals can be sent to a control unit. The first signal indicates the motor movement for closing the cover element or flap. A second signal indicates the motor movement for opening the cover element 3.

[0054] If three feedback signals are received, an additional opening position of the flap or cover element between the fully open and the fully closed pivot position is detected in order to provide the user with only a limited opening of the cover element, so that he can only throw garbage bags up to a certain maximum size into the garbage container due to his authorization.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, after successful authentication, the locking mechanism can be opened, whereupon this release is maintained for a predetermined time to give the user sufficient time to open the cover wide enough to dispose of the waste. Elderly people, in particular, often have difficulty opening the cover due to its weight and therefore require the necessary time for the opening process. However, if the cover does not move further within a predetermined time, the locking mechanism should close again after the cover has automatically returned to its closed position.

[0056] The in Fig. 6a, 6b , 7 and 8The illustrations depict a waste container according to a further embodiment of the invention, in which two overlapping cover elements are used instead of one. This can often be advantageous if the second cover element is to be additionally covered by a safety cover element. Furthermore, access to the first cover element can be restricted to certain authorized persons, while access to the second cover element can be restricted to an even smaller group of people.

[0057] In Figs. 6a and 6bThe figures again show recesses, with the first recess 16 in the first cover element 4a providing a locking function for a locking element 7. The first recess 16 interacts with a further recess, or a third recess 18, which is located in the second cover element 4b, through the jointly locking pawl 7. In this way, a locking element 7 of the locking mechanism 6, when fully extended, can lock both the first cover element 4a and the second cover element 4b.

[0058] If the locking element 7 is now turned into a half-open or half-locked state, as shown in Fig. 3As shown, a second recess 17 in the cover element 4a can move relative to the locking element 7, which means that the cover element 4a can be opened to a certain degree. The other cover element, however, can be fully opened with the recess 18. This is also evident from the illustrations according to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 stand out. Reference symbol list

[0059] 1 Waste container 2 Base body 3 Cover element 4 Side walls 4a Wall 5 Swivel axis / first axis 6 Locking lock; locking device 7 Locking element 7a Second axis 8 Base body 9 Motor 10 Spring element 12 Motor contact 13 Reed sensor 14a Component 14 Recess 15 Second recess 15a; 15b End areas 15a Stop 16 First recess 17 Second recess 18 Third recess

Claims

1. A refuse container with a closure device (6) for at least partially closing at least one opening of the refuse container (1), wherein the closure device (6) comprises at least one first cover element (3) for covering the opening, which is pivotally mounted on a base body (2) of the refuse container about a first real or virtual pivot axis (5), and wherein the closure device (6) comprises at least one locking mechanism mounted on the base body (2) for locking a pivoting movement of the pivotable cover element (3) in at least two predefined pivot positions, wherein the first cover element (3) has a first recess (14) for engagement by a locking member (7) of the locking mechanism (6) in a first locking position, and a second recess (15) directly adjacent to the first recess (14) for engagement of the locking member (7) in a second locking position, characterized in that the locking member (7) is rotatably mounted about a second axis (7a) arranged perpendicular to the first axis (5) and is configured as a latch, wherein the first locking position corresponds to a rotational movement of the locking member (7) by a first angle, and the second locking position corresponds to a rotational movement of the locking member (7) by a second angle larger than the first angle, and wherein the second recess (15) is designed such that, when the locking member (7) engages in the second locking position, the first cover element (3) is pivotable within two end regions (15a; 15b) of the second recess (15).

2. The refuse container according to claim 1, wherein a first pivot position of the cover element (3; 4a) is assigned to the first locking position of the locking member (7), and a second pivot position of the cover element (3) is assigned to the second locking position of the locking member (7).

3. Refuse container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second cover element (4b) extending at least partially parallel to the first cover element (4a), the second cover element (4b) being covered by the first cover element (4a) and having a third recess (18) in which the locking member (7) engages in the second locking position.

4. Refuse container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking member (7) is driven in its rotational movement by a motor (9).

5. Refuse container according to claim 4, wherein the motor (9), by means of a control device, rotates the locking member (7) by a preselected angle in order to set the pivot position of the first cover element (3; 4a) assigned to this angle.

6. Refuse container according to claim 5, comprising a first sensor device (13) for detecting the first locking position of the locking member (7), a second sensor device for detecting the second locking position of the locking member (7), and a third sensor device for detecting when the preselected pivot position of the cover element (3) is reached.

7. Refuse container according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a spring element (10) for rotating the locking member (7) back.

8. Refuse container according to any of claims 6 or 7, if dependent on claim 5, characterized in that the control device receives signals containing legitimation data of a refuse-container user in order to rotate the locking member (7) into the first or second locking position by means of the motor (9).

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