Waste receptacle organiser

Abstract

A waste container comprises an accessory holder (20) attached to a surface (13) of the container, the accessory holder (20) comprising a wall structure (30) defining a holding volume (26) for retaining accessory items (48), wherein the wall structure (30) comprises an open side to be closed by attachment of the accessory holder (20) to the surface (13) of the container. The accessory holder (20) also includes a trap structure (25), such as an upstand or lip, to prevent thin accessory items (48) such as cable ties from slipping between the accessory holder (20) and the surface (13). Further disclosed is an accessory holder (20) to be fitted to a surface, and a method of fitting an accessory holder (20) to a surface of a container or door.

Description

[0001] Waste receptacle organiser

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a bin, specifically to bins or waste cabinets of the type used with a bin bag or with a continuous liner system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an accessory holder to be integrated with a bin or cabinet for ready availability of accessories such as scissors, cable ties and the like that are used during the replacement of a full bag with an empty bag.

[0004] Background

[0005] Waste disposal bins using a liner system use individual bags or bags formed from a liner supply system to provide a waste bag. Replacement of such bags may involve cutting a length of supply liner, tying a lower and / or upper end to close a full bag or to form a new bag from a tubular supply.

[0006] Staff members attending to bin maintenance and servicing typically require accessories such as scissors, cutters and / or cable ties, and / or liners (bags). The applicant has developed waste management systems with a tethered cutter in the form of scissors on a string to provide a cutting tool in a safe manner.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide further improvements in the management and storage of accessories for continuous bin liner systems.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a waste container as defined in claim 1, comprising an accessory holder attached to a surface portion of the container, the accessory holder comprising a wall structure defining at least part of a holding volume for retaining one or more accessory items to be provided, wherein the wall structure comprises an open side to be closed by attachment of the accessory holder to the surface portion of the container. In some embodiments, the surface portion of the container is provided by a wall of the container.

[0010] In some embodiments, the surface portion of the container is provided by a door of the container.

[0011] In some embodiments, the open side and the surface portion are detachably connected to each other.

[0012] In some embodiments, the open side and the surface portion comprise corresponding engagement features for mechanical engagement.

[0013] In some embodiments, one or more engagement features are located in or near a floor region of the accessory holder.

[0014] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises a plurality of engagement features spaced apart along the wall structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises a thickness dimension defining its projection from the surface portion, the thickness dimension not exceeding 5 cm.

[0016] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises internal wall structures to separate compartments.

[0017] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises a floor structure comprising an abutment face for abutment against the surface portion.

[0018] In some embodiments, the floor structure tapers towards the abutment face.

[0019] In some embodiments, the open side of the side wall structure comprises a trap structure.

[0020] The trap structure may be provided in the form of an upstand or lip, defining a recess to catch accessory items in the holding volume, thereby preventing them from slipping through between the accessory holder and the waste container. In some embodiments, the trap structure is in or near an in-use floor region of the open side.

[0021] In some embodiments, the trap structure extends along the length of an in-use floor region of the open side.

[0022] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an accessory holder, for use with a container according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the accessory holder comprising a wall structure defining at least part of a holding volume to retain one or more accessory items, wherein the wall structure comprises an open side comprising a contoured edge, the contoured edge comprising a first edge portion generally extending along a plane so as to be suited to create a line contact when abutted against a surface wall portion, the wall structure further comprising an access opening providing access for accessory items into the holding volume when the open side is closed by abutment of the first edge portion against said surface wall portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises one or more engagement features for mechanical attachment to a surface portion.

[0024] In some embodiments, one or more engagement features are located in or near a floor region of the accessory holder.

[0025] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises a plurality of engagement features spaced apart along the first edge portion.

[0026] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises a thickness dimension defining its projection from the plane defining the first edge portion, the thickness dimension not exceeding 5 cm.

[0027] In some embodiments, the accessory holder comprises internal wall structures providing compartments, the internal wall structures extending no further than the plane. In some embodiments, the first edge portion comprises a trap structure.

[0028] In some embodiments, the trap structure is in or near a floor region of the first edge portion.

[0029] In some embodiments, the trap structure extends along the length of an in-use floor region of the first edge portion.

[0030] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of fitting an accessory holder according to any one of the embodiments of the preceding aspects to a surface portion of a container or door thereof, the accessory holder comprising a wall structure with an open side, the method comprising providing a container comprising a surface portion, and attaching the open side of the wall structure to the surface portion, to form a holding volume surrounded by the wall structure and the surface portion.

[0031] In some embodiments, the method is used with an accessory holder comprising a trap structure, and the method comprises providing an engagement to maintain an abutment of the trap structure against the surface portion.

[0032] The engagement may be provided by mechanical engagement features such as tabs or hook structures.

[0033] Any one or more embodiments of the second and third aspects may be used in combination with any one or more embodiments of the first aspect and combinations of such embodiments. Embodiments of the method in accordance with the third aspect may use any one or more embodiments of the first and second aspect.

[0034] Description of the Figures

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a waste container in a closed condition;

[0037] Figure 2 is an isometric exploded view of the Figure 1 container; Figure 3 illustrates selected components of the Figure 1 container;

[0038] Figure 4 is a section through a container in a closed condition;

[0039] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a first side of an accessory holder component;

[0040] Figure 6 is an isometric view of a second side of the Figure 5 component;

[0041] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the upper region of the Figure 4 section;

[0042] Figure 8 is a further enlarged view of a portion of Figure 7;

[0043] Figure 9 is an isometric view of a first side of another component;

[0044] Figure 10 is an isometric view of a second side of the Figure 9 component; and Figure 11 shows steps of an exemplary assembly method.

[0045] Description

[0046] Figure 1 illustrates a bin 10 constituting a waste container, comprising a body 12, a liner supply holder 14 held in the body 12, and a lid 16. The lid 16 can be closed over the liner supply holder 14 and comprises an opening to allow waste items to be placed into the container. The lid 16 can be removed to provide access to the liner supply holder 14, which is removeable from the body 12 for servicing, e.g. for replacing a full waste bag with an empty waste bag.

[0047] For context, Figure 3 shows the bin 10 without a liner supply holder 14, showing part of an accessory holder 20, otherwise concealed from view, and attached to an internal wall of the body 12. Figure 4 shows a section of the bin 10 with the liner supply holder 14 inserted in place and the lid 16 closed over it, the accessory holder 20 being attached in a free volume between the liner supply holder 14 and the body 12.

[0048] Turning to Figures 5 and 6, the accessory holder 20 is manufactured as a separate component for attachment to a wall 13, the wall 13 constituting a surface portion of the body 12. Herein, the accessory holder 20 is a unitary component made from moulded plastics material. However, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and the holder 20 may be made from multiple components and / or from different materials.

[0049] An appreciation underlying the invention was that material savings can be made by providing an accessory holder with less wall material, for instance with holes in the manner of wire basket. However, typical accessory items held in an accessory holder include cable ties, which are relatively thin, or scissors or cutters, which can comprise thin ends. As such, an accessory holder component of this type is believed to require a solid, continuous wall without holes or lattice structures that would otherwise allow an accessory holder to be made with less material, because even relatively small holes in the accessory holder wall may result in cable ties or other thin structures falling through and / or protruding outside the accessory holder.

[0050] The accessory holder 20 comprises a body 22 comprising a frame 24 surrounding a free region in the form of a framed opening 26. The frame 24 has, here, a generally quadrilateral form comprising a first end portion 24a, which is the in-use lower end, a second end portion 24b, which is the in-use upper end opposite the first end portion 24a, and two lateral frame portions 24c, 24d connecting the first and second end portions 24a, 24b. The accessory holder 20 comprises a wall plate 30 connected to the first end portion 24a and connected via two gusset portions 28a, 28b to the lateral frame portions 24c, 24d. The gusset portions 28a, 28b may be considered sidewalls of the accessory holder 20 or of the wall plate 30. In this manner, the wall plate 30 is provided with a closed, continuous connection to the first end portion 24a and to the lateral frame portions 24c, 24d. The wall plate 30 comprises a free edge 32 that is spaced from the second end portion 24b, the space between the free edge 32 and the second end portion 24b providing a free region 34, constituting an access opening. Partway between the two lateral frame portions 24c, 24d, the wall plate 30 comprises a partition 36 that extends parallel (here, vertically) to the lateral frame portions 24c, 24d between the first end portion 24a and the second end portion 24b. The partition 36 separates the opening 26 into two halves. As may be appreciated, each of the two halves provides a generally elongate, upright holding volume suited for containing a plurality of cable ties in an upright orientation. The partition 36 may also increase the stability of the accessory holder 20. As will be appreciated, depending on the size dimensions of the accessory holder, and depending on the items intended to be held in it, the number and location of partitions may differ, as well as their angle relative to the lateral frame portions. In some embodiments, the accessory holder 20 is not provided with a partition. In other embodiments, the accessory holder 20 is provided with more than one partition. Likewise, the accessory holder 20 may be provided without a second end portion 24b of the frame 24. For instance, in the absence of a second end portion 24b of the frame 24, the accessory holder 20 may be configured for attachment to a surface via the first end 24a and the lateral frame portions 24c, 24d. The first end portion 24a, the lateral frame portions 24c, 24d and the second end portion 24b comprise a flange portion 38 with a generally planar face, surrounding the opening 26. As will be appreciated, abutment of the planar face against a correspondingly shaped surface wall will result in the bridging of the opening 26 to thereby provide a closed volume, constituting a holding volume, surrounded by the wall plate 30, the gusset portions 28a, 28b and the planar surface. Closed in this manner, the holding volume is accessible via the access opening provided by the free region 34. The holding volume remains accessible via the access opening while the accessory holder is affixed to the surface, here the wall 13, of the container. The suggestion made in this disclosure is that a surface of a container or of a door thereof, such as the wall 13, may be used to provide a suitable abutment surface.

[0051] Portions of the accessory holder 20, here the gusset portions 28a, 28b of the frame 24, may be provided with sockets 37 or slots providing an anchoring point or tether location for tethered accessories, such as scissors (scissors not shown in Figure 6, see scissors 48b indicated in Figure 10). Scissors or cutter elements may be used during the replacement of a continuous liner and may also be stored in the accessory holder. A practical issue sometimes observed in office environments is that scissors may be removed for use elsewhere if they are not tethered to the bin 10. By provided a tethering location near the accessory holder, the removal of scissors can be inhibited, and users may be encouraged to return scissors after use. The arrangement allows a pair of scissors to be stored in the accessory holder via the free region 34 while it is also tethered to the socket 37.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the first end portion 24a and the second end portion 24b are provided with tabs 42 and hook structures 44, constituting engagement features, to allow the accessory holder 20 to be attached to corresponding complementary engagement features on the container body 12. The corresponding engagement features of the container body 12 may be provided by an edge of a slot, ledge or recess. However, in other embodiments, the attachment may be achieved using mechanical fasteners and / or adhesive, or other suitable fastening means. For instance, the flange portion 38 may be provided with holes or countersunk recesses for fixings such as screws. Turning to Figures 7 and 8, the accessory holder 20 is attached to an inner surface of a rear wall 13 of the body 12 of the container 10, using a mechanical engagement of the tabs 42 and the hook structures 44 with corresponding complementary slots or recesses integrally moulded with the body 12.

[0053] Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged section of the first edge portion 24a, showing a portion (here: the lower end) of the wall plate 30 and the flange portion 38 of the first edge portion 24a carrying a hook structure 44. The first edge portion 24a comprises an inward-facing lip 25 in the form of an upstand located near the hook structure 44, whereby location of the hook structure 44 assists with pulling the inward-facing lip 25 to the wall 13 of the body 12. The lip 25 defines a pocket 46, providing a trap structure, near the first edge portion 24a, in the in-use lower region of the accessory holder 20. As illustrated in Figure 8, the lip 25 provides a barrier that hinders and practically prevents that an end of a cable tie 48 or other elongate structure slips through or is pushed into a gap between the accessory holder 20 and the body 12. The profiles of the wall plate 30 and of the lip 25 may be tapered and / or curved to provide a slide or chute profile to facilitate retention of an accessory item in the pocket 46. It will be appreciated that, while the hook structures may be spaced apart along the first edge portion 24a, the lip 25 extends continuously to provide an effective trap structure along the extension of the first edge portion 24a.

[0054] A further appreciation underlying the invention was that cable ties, in particular, comprise a free end of narrow, terete form, that tends to be able to slip into narrow tolerance gaps between snap-fitted components, or that are affixed with spaced-apart fasteners such as screws, and may become wedged in such gaps. The provision of a trap structure, here in the form of the lip 25, provides a barrier hindering the slipping of accessories, and specifically cable ties, clips or the like through a gap that may exist between the contact surfaces, here between the accessory holder flange portion 38 and the bucket wall 13. Thereby, the lip structure 25 addresses and practically removes a disadvantage of the absent integral, continuous wall of the accessory holder. Specifically for cable ties, due to their narrowly tapering, terete end, it was found that the volume and width of the pocket 46, and as such the height of the lip 25, need not be much in order to obtain a barrier effect. In this manner, the material required for the production of an accessory holder can be reduced by omission of a ‘fourth’ integral wall, without having to tolerate issues otherwise arising with perforated wall structures or wire basket structures. While the trap structure is provided in Figure 8 by a prominent lip 25 forming a pocket 46, it will be appreciated that the trap structure may be provided by a groove or re-entrant profile along the in-use lower edge of the accessory holder 20.

[0055] Conveniently, the accessory holder 20 may be mounted on an inside surface of the container, so as to be concealed from view. In that case, it is thought that the accessory holder should conveniently be located in easy reach of a user. For instance, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the accessory holder 40 may be located in an upper region of the body 12 beneath the liner supply holder 14. As such, the accessory holder 20 can remain hidden during use of the waste container 10, as illustrated in Figure 1. When the liner supply holder 14 is removed for relining the bin, the accessory holder 20 is easily visible. However, the invention is not necessarily limited to using the accessory holder at a specific position of the container. As such, the accessory holder 20 may be located further within the body 12, and / or may be located either on the inside or on the outside of the bin 10. In containers comprising a door or hatch, the accessory holder 20 may be located on the door or hatch. Being of relatively slim profile, it is believed that the accessory holder is relatively easily accommodated in a housing, cabinet or bucket for a bin bag. The exemplary accessory holder of Figure 7 may have a width of a few centimetres so as to fit between a liner supply holder 14 and the wall 13. However, the invention is not necessarily so limited and the accessory holder may be larger.

[0056] While the illustrated embodiment is shown with one accessory holder 20, a container may be provided with multiple accessory holders. The accessory holders may, in that case, have the same shape, or may have different shape according to the accessory items to be held therein.

[0057] The illustrated embodiment comprises retainer structures (tabs 42 and hooks 44) integrally moulded with the accessory holder 20. In embodiments, a retainer structure may be provided by separate fixing means such as mechanical connection including bolts, rivets or screws, or adhesive. Such embodiments may also comprise a barrierproviding trap structure such as the lip 25. Figures 9 and 10 show another embodiment in the form of an accessory holder 20b. Several features of the accessory holder 20b correspond to, or may be identical to, the accessory holder 20, and reference numerals for such features are repeated in Figures 9 and 10 without necessarily repeating the description thereof. Similarly to the accessory holder 20, the accessory holder 20b comprises a body 22 comprising a frame 24 to surround a free region in the form of an opening 26, providing a holding volume for items such as cable ties. The accessory holder 20b is arranged such that, when it is mounted to a surface portion 13, the opening 26 is closed by the surface portion 13, while a free region 34b between an edge 32 and the surface portion 13 provides an access opening into the holding volume, which may be used to store servicing accessories such as cable ties, scissors, cutters and the like.

[0058] In addition to the features described in relation to the accessory holder 20 of Figures 5 and 6, the accessory holder 20b comprises reinforcing tabs 39, including one reinforcing tab 39 in the corner region between the first end portion 24a and the second end portion 24b, and one reinforcing tab 39 in the corner region between the first end portion 24a and the third end portion 24c. Other reinforcing tabs may be provided, depending on the shape, geometry, wall thickness, as well as depending on the arrangement of hook structures 44, to ensure a tight abutment is maintained between the accessory holder 20b and a surface portion 13. During the development of further embodiments, it was discovered that, while such reinforcing structures may help with the fitting or handling of the accessory holder during assembly, the structures might interfere with a cable or wire used to tether an accessory such as scissors 48b or other cutters to a socket 37. The reinforcing tabs 39 are formed as protruding structures, protruding sufficiently to define beneath them a free region 39b, the free region 39b providing a cavity underneath the reinforcing tab 39. The free region 39b is preferably open to at least two sides, e.g. to an in-use underside and to an in-use laterally outward side, to allow a cable or wire 50 to be fed through underneath the reinforcing tabs 39, as illustrated in Figure 10. As will be appreciated, using a wire 50 of appropriate length, tethered to one socket 37, the wire 50 may be wound around the accessory holder 20b, engaged in the free regions 39b underneath the reinforcing tabs 39. An accessory item, such as scissors 48b, tethered via the wire 50, may be stored in a pocket provided by the holding volume 26, while the wire 50 is kept away from a bin bag of the container, as some portions of the wire 50 are tucked underneath the reinforcing tabs 39. While a wire-retaining function may be provided by the reinforcing tabs 39, a wire-retaining function may be provided by one or more other structures arranged to temporarily hold a wire to the accessory holder, such as hook structures or lip structures located along or around the accessory holder, and / or structures arranged across an outer surface of the plate 30. Multiple wire passages may be defined on the accessory holder for wires of different lengths.

[0059] As illustrated in Figure 10, the sockets 37 may be provided internally with rib structures 37b, extending over the inner opening of the sockets 37, thereby providing an internal separation between the interior holding volume 26 and the socket 37. In this manner, a free end of a tethering structure (such as the wire 50) is structurally separated from the holding volume 36, inhibiting or avoiding interference or entanglement of a tethered wire end with accessory items contained in the holding volume 36.

[0060] While the description refers to a generally planar surface at the engagement interface between the accessory holder and the receptacle surface, the invention is not necessarily limited to a flat surface or to a particular geometry. The expression “generally planar surface” will be understood as meaning a surface wall portion that is sufficient to close off the fourth side, i.e. the opening 26, of the accessory holder 20. As will be appreciated, a surface to which the accessory holder is to be attached may have a curved, tapering or concave wall profile, and / or may comprise a stepped profile, and / or combinations thereof. In that case, it will be appreciated that the contacting interfaces, e.g. the flange portion 38 and the wall 13, may be shaped complementarily to each other, e.g. concavely curved, convexly curved, and / or stepped. However, in many embodiments the flange portion 38 can be generally planar.

[0061] While the illustrative embodiments show an accessory holder 20 and 20b, respectively, designed to fit a specific style of bin 10, the accessory holder 20 may be provided as a retrofit item. In that case, the flange 38 of the frame 24 will be understood to provide a contoured edge surrounding an open side in the manner of the opening 26 on three of four sides thereof, and the free edge 32 being spaced from the flange 38 to provide an access opening when the open side is closed by abutment against a planar surface portion.

[0062] Figure 11 illustrates exemplary steps of a method 60 of fitting an accessory holder, such as the accessory holder 20 or 20b, to a surface portion of a container or door thereof. In step 62, an accessory holder is provided, shaped to form a holding volume by attachment to a “fourth” surface portion to which it is to be attached. In step 64, the accessory holder is mounted to the surface portion. As will be appreciated, the surface portion may be a free surface, for instance an inside surface, of a cabinet, container, or door of a cabinet or container. In step 66, it is ensured that an open side is affixed to the wall portion in a manner closing the open side of the accessory holder to form a holding volume surrounded by the side wall structure and the surface portion, while ensuring that an access opening is maintained to provide access for accessory items into the holding volume while the accessory holder is affixed to the surface wall portion.

[0063] As part of carrying out step 66, the method 60 may comprise providing an engagement to maintain an abutment of a trap structure, such as the lip 25, against the surface portion. In an optional step 68, a wire structure is tethered to a socket of the accessory holder. The wire structure may be a cable or wire as illustrated in Figure 10. As will be appreciated, step 68 may be carried out before step 64, or as part of step 64 or 66.

[0064] Whilst the principle of the invention has been illustrated using exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited, and that the invention may be embodied by other variants defined within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A waste container comprising an accessory holder attached to a surface portion of the container, the accessory holder comprising a wall structure defining at least part of a holding volume for retaining one or more accessory items to be provided, wherein the wall structure comprises an open side to be closed by attachment of the accessory holder to the surface portion of the container.

2. The waste container according to claim 1 , wherein the surface portion of the container is provided by a wall of the container.

3. The waste container according to claim 1 , wherein the surface portion of the container is provided by a door of the container.

4. The waste container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open side and the surface portion are detachably connected to each other.

5. The waste container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open side and the surface portion comprise corresponding engagement features for mechanical engagement.

6. The waste container according to claim 5, wherein one or more engagement features are located in or near a floor region of the accessory holder.

7. The waste container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the accessory holder comprises a plurality of engagement features spaced apart along the wall structure.

8. The waste container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory holder comprises a thickness dimension defining its projection from the surface portion, the thickness dimension not exceeding 5 cm.

9. The waste container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory holder comprises internal wall structures to separate compartments.

10. The waste container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory holder comprises a floor structure comprising an abutment face for abutment against the surface portion.

11. The waste container according to claim 10, wherein the floor structure tapers towards the abutment face.

12. The waste container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open side of the side wall structure comprises a trap structure.

13. The waste container according to claim 12, wherein the trap structure is in or near an in-use floor region of the open side.

14. The waste container according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the trap structure extends along the length of an in-use floor region of the open side.

15. An accessory holder for use with a container according to any one of the preceding claims, the accessory holder comprising a wall structure defining at least part of a holding volume to retain one or more accessory items, wherein the wall structure comprises an open side comprising a contoured edge, the contoured edge comprising a first edge portion generally extending along a plane so as to be suited to create a line contact when abutted against a surface wall portion, the wall structure further comprising an access opening providing access for accessory items into the holding volume when the open side is closed by abutment of the first edge portion against said surface wall portion.

16. The accessory holder according to claim 15, comprising one or more engagement features for mechanical attachment to a surface portion.

17. The accessory holder according to claim 16, wherein one or more engagement features are located in or near a floor region of the accessory holder.

18. The accessory holder according to claim 16 or 17, comprising a plurality of engagement features spaced apart along the first edge portion.

19. The accessory holder according to any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising a thickness dimension defining its projection from the plane defining the first edge portion, the thickness dimension not exceeding 5 cm.

20. The accessory holder according to any one of claims 15 to 19, comprising internal wall structures providing compartments, the internal wall structures extending no further than the plane.

21. The accessory holder according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the first edge portion comprises a trap structure.

22. The accessory holder according to claim 21 , wherein the trap structure is in or near a floor region of the first edge portion.

23. The accessory holder according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the trap structure extends along the length of an in-use floor region of the first edge portion.

24. A method of fitting an accessory holder to a surface portion of a container or door thereof according to any one of the preceding claims, the accessory holder comprising a wall structure with an open side, the method comprising providing a container comprising a surface portion, and attaching the open side of the wall structure to the surface portion, to form a holding volume surrounded by the wall structure and the surface portion.

25. The method according to claim 24, when used with an accessory holder comprising a trap structure, the method comprising providing an engagement to maintain an abutment of the trap structure against the surface portion.

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