A receptacle for holding household waste and / or recyclable materials

Abstract

A receptacle (1) for holding waste, the receptacle (1) comprising: a housing (2) having a floor (3) and at least one wall (4), the floor (3) being horizontal to the ground and the at least one wall (4) being vertical to the floor (3) when the receptacle (1) is in an upright position; a lid (20) pivotally attached to a steering handle (30) that is attached to the at least one wall (4); and an axle (5) with two wheels (6) positioned where the at least one wall (4) and the floor (3) meet; wherein the at least one wall (4) is a rear wall.

Description

[0001] Title

[0002] A receptacle for holding household waste and / or recyclable materials

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The invention relates to a receptacle. In particular, the invention relates to a receptacle suitable for containing household waste.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Waste receptacles, such as 'wheelie bins', are in common use to hold and move waste materials from the household to the kerbside for collection by waste collection operators. These wheelie bins are typically emptied by a truck with a wheelie bin lifting mechanism. Commonly, mixed waste is put into one bin such as a wheelie bin, and then emptied into a waste collection lorry. Potentially valuable recyclable materials are often soiled by food waste or sanitary waste. Alternatively mixed recyclables are put into one wheelie bin. Meaning there is no separation of waste types at source.

[0007] Modern environmental legislation demands that all householders separate their various household waste types into such categories as non-recyclable waste, organic (food) waste and recyclable waste. Recyclable waste generally comprises paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastic. While this can lead to the recovery of some recyclables, further separation of waste at a waste processing facility is required. This is an inefficient system that consumes time and energy. Often many of the recyclables are lost because they are contaminated by other waste when all the recyclables are places in a single receptacle.

[0008] In dealing with this requirement for waste segregation, waste management company’s offer some or all of the following: non-wheeled bins, wheelie bins, bags, boxes, or crates. These may be collected by waste management operatives on a given day of each week, on different days of the same week, on the same day of different weeks on a rotating cycle, or differing waste types may be collected on different days.

[0009] While these systems do help in separating waste types, and facilitate the logistics of collection, the complexity of the collection schedule confuses many householders, and the incorrect waste types are often left out for collection on the incorrect day / week of the collection schedule. This may cause distress where the collection cycle is bi-weekly - if a collection is missed, a receptacle may well be overfilled by the time it is finally collected, leading to potential for waste spilling out, and the possibility of a fine for littering. Further, the resultant plurality of crates, bins, boxes, and bags invariably block pavements and walkways, forcing pedestrians to walk on narrow streets, encumbering motorists and even the bin collection lorries themselves. Additionally, waste collection operatives generally handle these varied receptacles manually. These containers can vary considerably in weight and size and as such may represent a health and safety hazard: containers may be very light or very heavy - they are unspecified weights, and as such contravene current EU health and safety legislation regarding manual lifting of unspecified weights.

[0010] GB2442191A describes a multicompartment insert that will fit into existing wheelie bins or can be incorporated into new wheelie bins. The multicompartment insert is configured for storing different types of household waste. The insert is removable as a whole or each compartment can be removed separately, and each removable inner compartment is intended to have a handle. The removable inserts do not extend from the top to the bottom of the wheelie bin. A great deal of lifting is required to insert and remove them from the bin. All this lifting in and out is liable to lead to injury on the part of the householder and the waste management operative.

[0011] KR200295741Y1 describes waste receptacle with a lid, and a plurality of removable inner waste holders, each having a handle. The lid covers all the inner waste holders. The waste holders use rope handles, which may absorb and harbour contaminants, debris, and / or bacteria over time.

[0012] GB2397010A describes a wheelie bin having a lid and a handle. It has a plurality of vertically stacked compartments for containing different types of household waste, that are wholly or partially removable. The plurality of compartments is in the form of sliding drawers. To make such sliding drawers work properly would require that the inner walls of the receptacle have guide rails that would keep the drawers on a horizontal plain as they open and close. Without such guide rails the drawers would tend to tilt downward was they open, and thus may spill their contents, fall out of the receptacle, or get jammed. Further, their contents must be removed to the waste collection vehicle, and this requires lifting on the part of the waste collection operative. The drawers being at the lower end of the receptacle will case the operative to have to do a lot of bending and stooping. This will likely result in back pain and / or injury and the removal and replacement of these drawers will be very time consuming.

[0013] GB2419804A describes a multi-storage receptacle for containing different household waste, with at least three inner compartments that may be removable. This multi-compartment receptacle is rather long from end to end and would be quite heavy and difficult to steer. It shows little by way of improvement on existing systems, nor does it offer much by way of improved segregation of recyclable wastes. GB2459931A describes a removable and disposable inner compartment for a wheelie bin. The insert is disposable, being made of cardboard and is not intended to be used multiple times. There is no segregation of waste types and the insertable bin liner becomes additional waste, thus it produces more waste rather than less.

[0014] KR20100078711 A describes a plurality of removable (recycling) bins that are mounted on a wheelbase around a central pole or pillar. Each bin has its own lid. The bins are mounted on the central pillar by a hanging bracket. The problem with this system is that it is cumbersome to use, unstable and requires a locking mechanism to keep the individual bin attached to the central pillar.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

[0016] Summary of the Invention

[0017] The invention relates to a multicompartment frame for use with a receptacle adapted to accommodate household waste. The receptacle typically comprises a housing, being substantially comprised of a floor and a back wall, the floor being horizontal to the ground when the wheelie bin is in an upright position, and the back wall being vertical with respect to the ground when the wheelie bin is in an upright position. At the lower portion of the housing, where the floor meets the back wall there is an axel with two wheels, at the top of the back wall there is a handle and a lid, the lid pivots around the handle. The frame is configured to have at least two bays, each bay adapted to accommodate a container that can be used to hold a specific type of waste, such as general house waste, organic waste, glass-free recyclable material, and glass. The arrangement allows for waste from a household to be stored separately in a designated container prior to collection. The frame is configured to allow the containers to be removed from the bay and receptacle either horizontally and / or vertically (or vice versa).

[0018] In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a receptacle for general household and / or recyclable waste as set out in the claims.

[0019] In one aspect, there is provided a receptacle (1) for holding waste, the receptacle (1) comprising: a housing (2) having a floor (3) and at least one wall (4), the floor (3) being horizontal to the ground and the at least one wall (4) being vertical to the floor when the receptacle (1) is in an upright position; a lid (20) pivotally attached to a steering handle (30) that is fixed to the at least one wall (4); and an axle (5) with two wheels (6) positioned where the at least one wall (4) and the floor (3) meet; wherein the at least one wall (4) is a rear wall, wherein the receptacle (1) further comprises a frame (7) and at least one container (12), the frame (7) having at least one horizontal divider (8) supported by the at least one wall (4) and forming at least two bays (10) having an open side (11) that is parallel and perpendicular to the rear wall, each bay (10) adapted to accommodate one container (12), and wherein the open side (11) permits a user to remove the container (12) from the receptacle (1) in a direction substantially parallel to the floor (3).

[0020] In one aspect, the frame (7) further comprises at least one perpendicular divider (8a) that is perpendicular to the horizontal divider (8) and which divides the horizontal divider (8) in two, forming at least four bays (10).

[0021] In one aspect, the frame (7) further comprises at least one vertical divider (9) extending distally upwards from the floor (3), achieving a total height equal to or less than the vertical height of the at least one wall (4). Preferably, the one vertical divider (9) is positioned at the junction of where the at least one horizontal divider (8) and the at least one perpendicular divider (8a) meet.

[0022] In one aspect, the bay (10) further comprises a retainer (14), the retainer (14) comprising a three-sided shelf (14a) having a top portion (14b) that sits proud of or level with the dividers (8,9), and a corresponding downward stanchion (14b) that narrows the open side (11) of the bay (10). Preferably, when the container (12) is accommodated within the bay (10), it rests on the top portion (14b) of the retainer (14). In one aspect, when the lid (20) is in a closed position, the lid (20) rests on the distal end of the divider (9) and the horizontal divider (8), or on the top portion (14b) of the retainer (14).

[0023] In one aspect, each container (12) comprises a front-facing panel, a back-facing panel, and two side panels therebetween, a closed or sealed bottom section and an open top section, wherein the open top section further comprises a ridge that cooperates with the lid (20) when in a closed position. In one aspect, each container (12) has its own lid in place of the lid (20) that also cooperate with the ridge.

[0024] In one aspect, the panels of the container (12) taper from the open top section towards the bottom section. Preferably, the side panels are tapered from the front-facing panel towards the back-facing panel but do not taper towards each other / do not taper from the top section to the bottom section. In one aspect, only the front-facing panel is tapered towards the bottom panel. In one aspect, only the rear-facing panel is tapered towards the bottom panel.

[0025] In one aspect, the container (12) further comprises a handle (16). Preferably, the handle (16) is positioned on a side of the container (12), on the top of the container (12), or a combination thereof.

[0026] In one aspect, the container (12) further comprises an indentation adapted to be gripped by a user, wherein the indentation is positioned distal to the bottom panel. In one aspect, the indentation is outward facing, that is, on the side of the container (12) facing the user; or is side-facing, that is, on the side of the container (12) facing left and / or right of the user.

[0027] In one aspect, each container (12) incorporates a computer chip, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, which can perform certain roles, for example, to determine the weight of waste material in a container (12) being collected, provide feedback to a user as to where a container is if it cannot be located, or is missing, report to the provider if the container (12) has a structural defect, and the like.

[0028] In one aspect, the container (12) has an overhanging lip (19) configured for engagement with a lifting apparatus on a waste collection vehicle. The overhanging lip (19) is typically positioned on the front-facing panel that would allow the container (12) to sit securely onto the protruding element of the lifting arm the waste collection vehicle to be emptied automatically by the vehicle, as well as, or instead of, being emptied manually.

[0029] In one aspect, the dividers (8,9) comprise several sheets of a rigid material arranged at right angles to each other.

[0030] In one aspect, the dividers (8,9) comprise several sheets of a latticed material arranged at right angles to each other.

[0031] In one aspect, the frame (7) further comprises a locking member that matingly cooperates with a corresponding locking member on the lid (20). the forward edge of the distal end of the double H frame is provided with a locking member,

[0032] In one aspect, the floor (3) further comprises a plurality of drainage holes. In one aspect, the frame (7) has at least one horizontal divider (8) divided into four by at least four perpendicular dividers (8a) and at least two vertical dividers (9) to form at least four bays (10), each bay (10) having an open side (11). The frame (7) forms a structure resembling a double H-structure (a double H-frame). The horizontal divider (8) of the double H frame where it interacts with the rear wall and a front wall of the receptacle (1) further comprises a ridge. This ridge and the ridge of the container (12) combine to form a complete ridge which encircles the upper portion of the receptacle (1) and fits inside the lid (20) when the lid (20) is in a closed position. Preferably, the double H-frame is supported by six supporting dividers that extending from the floor upwards, achieving a total height equal to or less than the vertical height of the back wall.

[0033] Definitions

[0034] In the specification, the term “receptacle” should be understood to mean a hollow object (for example, a container) used to contain or hold something.

[0035] In the specification, the term “wheelie bin” should be understood to mean a container set on at least one pair of wheels that is used to hold waste prior to disposal. Wheelie bins come various sizes, such as 60L, 80L, 90L, 100L, 120L, 140L, 160L, 180L, 200L, 220L, 240L, 280L, 300L, 360L, 400L, 460L, 500L, 560L, 600L, 660L, 700L, 760L, 770L, 800L, 860L, 900L, 960L, 1000L, 1100L, 1160L,1200L, and 1280L.

[0036] In the specification, the term “recyclable material” should be understood to mean used or old materials that can be used to make some other material. Examples of materials that can be recycled are glass, aluminium, rigid plastic (for example, plastic drink bottles, plastic cleaning bottles, butter, yoghurt and salad tubs, plastic trays for fruit and vegetables, plastic milk containers, plastic bottles for liquid soap or shampoo), soft plastic (frozen food bags, bread wrappers, plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap, crisp wrappers, pasta bags, outer wrapping on kitchen and toilet rolls, breakfast cereal bags), metal scrap (tin cans, drink cans), different kinds of paper (card, printing paper, newspaper, brochures, cardboard boxes, egg cartons, cardboard centres from toilet roll and kitchen roll, Tetra Pak® cartons, etc.), electronics (computers, cellular phones, keyboards, batteries, headphones, and other small electronic equipment), textile, wood, wire, cables, rubber, organic waste, etc.. In particularly, the material is typically domestic recyclable material found in the typical household.

[0037] In the specification, the term “bay” should be understood to mean a four-sided, open structure that acts like a surrounding frame-like structure that is open on one side. The term “retainer” is used to describe an insert incorporated in the bay that sits on top of the bay structure and narrows the width of the open side of the bay.

[0038] In the specification, the term “rigid material” should be understood to mean any material and / or structure that would hold up the insert bay, e.g., tubular bars, round bars running from the top to the bottom. If these would not be suitable, e.g., if they were wobbly and unstable another material to use could be sheets of plastic, e.g., two sheets of polymer slotted at right angles that would support without wobble or bending.

[0039] In the specification, the term “latticed material” should be understood to mean a framework of strips of material, such as plastic, polymer, metal, wood, or other material, overlaid in a regular crisscross pattern. The lattice is an alternative to this structure. If the above embodiment is too heavy / costly, this series of cut out triangles achieves the right amount of stability and rigidity while keeping the amount of material / weight and cost down.

[0040] In the specification, the terms “strut” or “divider” are interchangeable and should be understood to mean a support or brace that can be horizontal or vertically plumb, provide outwards-facing support in their lengthwise direction, and which can be used to act as dividers to separate a larger space into individual smaller spaces. The strut or divider also provides structural support in the vertical direction.

[0041] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0042] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

[0043] Figure 1 shows a side view of the receptacle with its lid open, two containers can be seen inside the receptacle, one of the containers is in a resting position inside a first bay formed by a frame, the other is partially raised in a second bay formed by the frame. This raised position illustrates the approximate height a container is lifted to be removed from the receptacle. The containers are prevented from falling out of the receptacle by retainers, highlighted here in grey, sitting on top of the frame.

[0044] Figure 2 shows the same side view of the receptacle with its lid closed and two containers can be seen in a resting position in their bays.

[0045] Figure 3 shows the details of the wheels and their axle, the lid and its associated hinging system (which from one part of the handle with the rear wall). Drainage holes are visible on the floor of the receptacle. The drainage holes are intended to allow rainwater which may collect on the floor of the receptacle to drain off. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle of Figure 1 with the frame configured to have double H shape forming four bays. A front wall and lid of the receptacle are not shown here to highlight the frame configuration and the supporting struts or dividers.

[0046] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a retainer of the receptacle of the claimed invention.

[0047] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the receptacle of the claimed invention, illustrating the frame closed on three sides and an open fourth side forming a bay. The frame is shown to have the retainers of Figure 5 sitting on and proud of the frame. The retainers prevent the container from falling out of the bay. The back wall is also present in the receptacle providing support.

[0048] Figure 7 is a side view showing two bays arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The image on the left shows a container lifted partially out of its bay. The image on the right shows a container fully inserted into its bay and accommodated in the retainer of Figure 5.

[0049] Figure 8 shows a container with handles and having tapered sides. The containers have a wide top portion, and a narrow lower portion. The wide portion is intended to fit into the bay, but not beyond the retainer, the narrow portion of the container is intended to fit through the narrow opening of the retainer.

[0050] Figure 9 is a side view of two containers having tapered sides, the one on the left is raised up from its bay, the one on the right is positioned in its bay resting on a retainer of Figure 5.

[0051] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the receptacle indicating the four bays, but does not show a lid or a steering handle. The floor of the receptacle is shown. A latticed dividing wall has been inserted between the two sets of bays so as to clearly separate these elements.

[0052] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the receptacle indicating the four bays, but does not show the rear wall, a lid, or a steering handle. The floor of the receptacle is shown. A (grey) dividing wall has been inserted between the two sets of container bays so as to clearly separate these elements.

[0053] Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0054] Wheelie bins with ‘inserts’ have been offered as a possible industry solution to the issue of multiple receptacles, and multiple types of recyclable materials in a single compartment receptacle. In general inserts are ‘containers’, which fit into a wheelie bin or similar receptacle. Each container is intended to receive a different waste type: household, organic, glass, plastic, cardboard etc. In the main, these wheelie bins have a lid, and the lid is opened for the purposes of inserting and removing the containers, through the top of the receptacle that normally resides under the lid. To insert or remove such containers from a receptacle requires the container to move through a certain range of motion. A typical household wheelie bin (240 litre) is approximately 120cm tall. A container fitting into such a receptacle would be at least 110cm in height. The container would need to be raised approximately 230cm into the air to lift such a container into and out of such a receptacle. To empty and replace many thousands of such containers each working day would require waste collection operatives to do a great deal of lifting. Even for a very tall operative, this would be a lot of stretching. A shorter operative would be less likely to successfully lift such a container clear of the opening of a wheelie bin. In either case, operatives would be repeatedly raising and lowering containers through a very wide range of motion, generally to a height far above their heads. This wide range of motion would be time consuming, cumbersome, inefficient, and likely to result in a neck, back or shoulder strain, or injury. This is a very serious failing of current designs.

[0055] To solve this problem the present invention proposes a new design wherein a receptacle, comparable to a wheelie bin, that uses containers but where the receptacle will have side openings. These side openings will allow containers to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle without recourse to potentially injurious lifting. The proposed containers need only be raised slightly from their resting position within the receptacle, in order to be removed from the receptacle. At this raised point, the containers can be drawn out from the receptacle with a sideways motion. Some benefits or advantages of the present invention are:

[0056] • A shorter range of motion is required to remove and replace the containers

[0057] • Less time is required to remove / replace the containers

[0058] • A reduced risk of injury to waste management operatives

[0059] • Improved waste collection efficiency

[0060] • Easier to use for both householder and waste collection operative

[0061] The receptacle is intended to hold at least four containers; however, it could be adjusted to hold two containers or six, or another number of containers. The containers are intended to stand upright within the receptacle, their open end facing upward, their closed end is facing downwards (towards the ground). The containers are intended to be wider at their open end (top) and narrower at their closed end (bottom).

[0062] Each container is intended to reside in a container bay, hereinafter “bay”. The bay surrounds the container on three sides. The fourth side of the bay has an opening. This container bay opening (hereinafter “bay opening”) is partially closed off by a bay retainer, hereinafter “retainer”. The retainer narrows the aperture of the bay opening, to the extent that the top portion of the container cannot fit out through the bay opening when the container is in its resting position in the bay. However, when the container is lifted to the extent that its wider, top portion is above the bay, and the narrower, lower portion of the container is aligned with the bay opening, then the container can be drawn out from the receptacle with a sideways motion.

[0063] Further, the containers are intended to have a handle. This handle is intended to be used as a means by which the waste collection operative grips the container. The handle is intended to be positioned at the top, open end of the insert. Alternatively, a handle could be located on the side of the container, or both on the top and at the side.

[0064] The receptacle is intended to have a lid, which would cover the four containers, protecting them from rain getting in, and from waste falling out.

[0065] Referring now to the figures, where Figure 1 illustrates a general embodiment of a receptacle of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a receptacle of the present invention containing two containers, and is generally referred to by reference numeral 1. The receptacle 1 is suitable for waste, for example a refuse bin such as a wheeled bin, truck, hand cart or trolley with several individual storage compartments. The receptacle 1 comprises a housing 2 having at least one wall, typically a rear wall 4 and optionally a front wall 34, and a floor 3. The floor 3 further comprises a foot 32 and a plurality of drainage holes 36 (see Figure 3). The foot 32 is intended to be the foremost point of contact between the receptacle 1 and the ground it stands on. Further, it raises the front of the receptacle 1 keeping the receptacle 1 in a more upright orientation, rather than tilting forward. This will make it easier to tilt the receptacle 1 back onto a set of wheels when the receptacle 1 needs to be moved from the household to the kerbside, and from the kerbside to the waste collection vehicle, and back again.

[0066] The housing 2 further includes a steering handle 30 attached to the rear wall 4, and a lid 20 pivotally attached to the steering handle 30 (see Figure 3). The steering handle 30 can be one handle extending across the width of the rear wall 4, or it can be two or more smaller dimensioned handles along the rear wall 4. The lid 20 is typically attached to the steering handle 30 by a hinge system 60 (see Figure 3). In the example shown in Figure 3, the steering handle 30 is shown as two or more smaller dimensioned handles along the rear wall 4. The hinge system 60 comprises a series of protruding elements 61 at a proximal end 62 of the lid 20, each of the protruding elements 61 have a through-going aperture 63 that are adapted to receive and retain the steering handle 30. The steering handle 30 is secured within the series of protruding elements 61 via a pair of grommets 68. This arrangement simultaneously forms the steering handle 30 and creates a hinge type mechanism around which the lid 20 pivots to open and close. The same hinge system 60 can be used where the steering handle 30 is a single piece along the width of the rear wall 4.

[0067] The steering handle 30 allows the receptacle 1 to be steered by the user and the waste material collection service worker. A pair of wheels 6 are connected to the floor 3 via an axel 5. The axle 5 passes through an aperture 19 at the lower rear of the receptacle 1 and runs the width of the receptacle 1 (see Figure 3). The wheels 6 allow the receptacle 1 to be moved without recourse to lifting.

[0068] The receptacle 1 is tapered, being widest at its top end 41 and narrowing to its lower end 43, its lower end 42 being that part of the receptacle 1 proximal the ground when the receptacle 1 is in an upright position.

[0069] Figure 1 shows a side view of the receptacle 1 with the lid 20 open, while Figure 2 shows the receptacle 1 with the lid 20 closed and the containers 12 in a resting position. The lid 20 is outwardly convex, such that when the lid 20 is closed over the containers 12, rainwater will run off the receptacle 1 , thereby keeping the contents of the containers 12 dry.

[0070] Within the receptacle 1 is a frame 7. The frame 7 comprises at least one horizontal strut or divider (hereinafter the “divider”) 8 (parallel to the rear wall) divided in two by at least one perpendicular divider 8a. The frame 7 can also comprise at least one vertical divider 9 (relative to the ground). In this embodiment, two vertical dividers 9 are shown as the receptacle 1 is shown without the front wall 34. The vertical divider 9 traverses the length and height of the receptable 1 , and forms at least two bays 10. Each bay 10 has three closed sides and an open side 11 , each bay 10 is configured to accommodate a container 12. The open side 11 is parallel to the rear wall 4 and permits a user to remove the container 12 from the receptacle 1 in a direction substantially parallel to the floor 3. In one aspect, the horizontal divider 8 and the vertical divider 9 are attached to the rear wall 4 and to the front wall 34 (when present). However, it should be noted that the rear wall 3 should be sufficient to support the frame 7.

[0071] The receptable 1 also contains a retainer 14 that sitting proud of the horizontal divider 8 of the frame 7 (see Figure 5 and Figure 6). The retainer 14 forms a three-sided shelf 14a that corresponds to the three closed sides of the frame 7. The retainer 14 also comprises a vertical stanchion 14b that drops downwards from the underside of the shelf 14a towards the floor 3, narrowing the width of the open side 11 of the bay 10. Figure 1 is a side view which illustrates what a two bay 10 receptacle 1 could look like, while Figure 4 (and onwards) show the receptacle 1 with a fame 7 that is configured to have four bays 10. The use of at least four perpendicular dividers 8a relative to the horizontal dividers 8 give the frame 7 a double H (also called a double H-frame) appearance, or two H’s side-by- side. The number of bays 10, and thus containers 12, could change depending on factors such as local or regional regulations or differing approaches to recycling and waste management, as such any number of bays 10 may be incorporated into the receptacle 1 .

[0072] In one aspect, at least one of the horizontal dividers 8 can be positioned so that it spans the width of the receptacle 1 and the perpendicular divider 8a is repositioned relative to the widthspanning horizontal divider 8 so that the receptacle 1 has two front-loading bays 10, and two side-loading bays 10.

[0073] Figures 7 to 9 illustrate the container 12. The containers 12 are configured for storing household waste and they allow the user to sort the waste as the user is depositing the waste in the receptacle 1. The container 12 comprises a front-facing panel 40, a back-facing panel 42, and two side panels 44 therebetween, a bottom section 46 and an open top section 48. The open top section 48 further comprises a ridge 50 that cooperates with the lid 20 when in a closed position. Alternatively, or in combination with the lid 20, each container 12 can have its own lid, which will also cooperate with the ridge 50.

[0074] The panels 40,42,44 of the container 12 taper from the open top section 48 towards the bottom section 46. The side panels 44 can be tapered from the front-facing panel 40 towards the back-facing panel 42, but the side panels 44 do not taper towards each other. Alternatively, only the front-facing panel 40 is tapered towards the bottom panel 46. Alternatively, only the rear-facing panel 42 is tapered towards the bottom panel 46.

[0075] The container 12 can also comprise a handle 16. The handle 16 can be positioned on a side panel of the container 12, on the top of the container 12, or as a combination thereof. The container 12 also has an overhanging lip 19 configured for engagement with a lifting apparatus on a waste collection vehicle. The overhanging lip 19 is typically positioned on the front-facing panel 40 that would allow the container 12 to sit securely onto the protruding element of the lifting arm the waste collection vehicle to be emptied automatically by the vehicle, as well as, or instead of, being emptied manually. In one aspect, the container 12 further comprises an indentation adapted to be gripped by a user, wherein the indentation is positioned distal to the bottom panel 46. Figures 10 and 11 show that the dividers 8,9 can comprise several sheets of latticed materials 50 or several sheets of a rigid material 52, respectively, arranged at right angles to each other. The arrangement of Figures 10 and 11 provide stability while allowing movement. When the receptacle 1 is configured to hold four containers 12, this provides a square or rectangular shaped receptacle 1 . This shape allows the receptacle 1 to be rigid, but allows the containers 12 to be easily removed.

[0076] The containers 12 are intended to allow for the efficient and easy sorting of household waste, household recyclables and other waste in one waste management receptacle. The present invention allows for the simplification of sorting of household wastes by the householder, ease of storage of household wastes, ease of movement of waste and recyclables from household to kerbside and the accessible collection of said wastes by waste collection service providers, while keeping the different types of waste segregated. Furthermore, the receptacle is a wheelmounted receptacle with a steering handle, both the wheels and the steering handle allow for physical ease of movement of the bin. This allows the householder to wheel the receptacle to the kerbside, without any potentially injurious lifting, and it allows the waste collection operative to move the receptacle from the kerbside to the waste collection vehicle without any potentially injurious lifting. Each container 12 can be colour coded to indicate what type of waste is to go into which container 12. Further, each container 12 can have other means included to identify to the user the correct forms of waste that go into the appropriate container 12. Such additional means include signage, numbers, braille, surface texture, and the like.

[0077] A benefit of the receptacle 1 is that it allows for ease of segregation and storage of household waste and recyclables by the householder.

[0078] A further benefit of the receptacle 1 is that it allows for ease of collection of household waste and recyclables by the waste collection service without recourse to building a special waste collection vehicle, and suits waste collection vehicles that have separate compartments for differing waste types but can also be used in conjunction with waste collection vehicles that do not have compartments for differing waste types.

[0079] A further benefit of the receptacle 1 is that it resolves the issues of successfully employ removable containers 12 without having to endure excessive lifting when removing the containers 12 from or replacing the containers 12 back into the receptacle 1 . A benefit of the receptacle 1 is that it works by providing a purpose-built, wheeled receptacle which contains four easily inserted / removed containers 12, each container 12 being intended to hold a different waste types.

[0080] The receptacle 1 allows waste collection service workers to easily move the recyclables from the kerbside to the waste collection vehicle without recourse to manual lifting of unspecified weights, which could potentially lead to a lifting-injury.

[0081] During the emptying sequence, one container 12 is emptied at a time.

[0082] An advantage of the claimed receptacle 1 is that it supports four (or more or less) separate containers 12, each intended for a different waste type. Further, given that the receptacle 1 has wheels, it can be moved from the household to the waste collection vehicle without recourse to manual lifting, reducing the workload and risk of injurious lifting or strain on the waste collection operative. By reducing the workload, it is likely that waste can be collected more quickly, thereby increasing the efficiency of the waste collection system.

[0083] A further advantage of the containers 12 is that they may be emptied independently of each other allowing for a very clear separation of waste types at source, such waste types being intended to be received by a waste collection vehicle which itself has individual compartments for different waste types.

[0084] A further advantage of the receptacle 1 is that the containers 12 can easily be lifted out of the receptacle 1 through the open sides 11 of the receptacle 1 , reducing the risk of injurious lifting to waste collection operatives.

[0085] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the embodiments described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments described above are examples to illustrate various features of the receptacle.

[0086] In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms “include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa. The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A receptacle (1) for holding waste, the receptacle (1) comprising: a housing (2) having a floor (3) and at least one wall (4), the floor (3) being horizontal to the ground and the at least one wall (4) being vertical to the floor (3) when the receptacle (1) is in an upright position; a lid (20) pivotally attached to a steering handle (30) that is fixed to the at least one wall (4); and an axle (5) with two wheels (6) positioned where the at least one wall (4) and the floor (3) meet; wherein the at least one wall (4) is a rear wall, wherein the receptacle (1) further comprises a frame (7) and at least one container (12), the frame (7) having at least one horizontal divider (8) supported by the at least one wall (4) and forming at least two bays (10) having an open side (11) that is parallel and perpendicular to the rear wall, each bay (10) adapted to accommodate one container (12), and wherein the open side (11) permits a user to remove the container (12) from the receptacle (1) in a direction substantially parallel to the floor (3).

2. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the frame (7) further comprises at least one divider (8a) that is perpendicular to the horizontal divider (8) and which divides the horizontal divider (8) in two, forming at least four bays (10).

3. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the frame (7) further comprises at least one vertical divider (9) extending distally upwards from the floor (3), achieving a total height equal to or less than the vertical height of the at least one wall (4).

4. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 3, wherein the vertical divider (9) is positioned at the junction of where the at least one horizontal divider (8) and the at least one perpendicular divider (8a) meet.

5. The receptacle according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the bay (10) further comprises a retainer (14), the retainer (14) comprising a three-sided shelf (14a) having a top portion (14b) that sits proud of or level with the dividers (8,9), and a corresponding downward stanchion (14b) that narrows the open side (11) of the bay (10).

6. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 5, wherein when the container (12) is accommodated within the bay (10), it rests on the top portion (14b) of the retainer (14).

7. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the when the lid (20) is in a closed position, the lid (20) rests on the distal end of the divider (9) and the horizontal divider (8), or on the top portion (14b) of the retainer (14).

8. The receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each container (12) comprises a front-facing panel (40), a back-facing panel (42), and two side panels (44) therebetween, a closed or sealed bottom section (46) and an open top section (48), wherein the open top section (48) further comprises a ridge (50) that cooperates with the lid (20) when in a closed position.

9. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 8, wherein each container (12) has its own lid in place of the lid (20), that also cooperates with the ridge (50).

10. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the panels (40,42,44) of the container (12) taper from the open top section towards the bottom section.11 . The receptacle (1) according to any one of Claims 10, wherein the side panels (44) are tapered from the front-facing panel (40) towards the back-facing panel (42) but do not taper towards each other.

12. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 10, wherein only the front-facing panel (40) is tapered towards the bottom panel (46).

13. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 10, wherein only the rear-facing panel (42) is tapered towards the bottom panel (46).

14. The receptacle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (12) further comprises a handle (16).

15. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 14, wherein the handle (16) is positioned on a panel (40, 44) of the container (12), on the top of the container (12), or a combination thereof.

16. The receptacle (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the container (12) further comprises an indentation adapted to be gripped by a user, wherein the indentation is positioned distal to the bottom panel (46).

17. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 16, wherein the indentation is outward facing, that is, on the side of the container (12) facing the user; or optionally is side-facing, that is, on the side of the container (12) facing left and / or right of the user.

18. The receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (12) has an overhanging lip (19) configured for engagement with a lifting apparatus on a waste collection vehicle.

19. The receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dividers (8,9) comprise several sheets of a rigid material arranged at right angles to each other.

20. The receptacle (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 18, wherein the dividers (8,9) comprise several sheets of a latticed material arranged at right angles to each other.21 . The receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (7) further comprises a locking member that matingly cooperates with a corresponding locking member on the lid (20).

22. The receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor (3) further comprises a plurality of drainage holes (36).

23. The receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (7) has at least one horizontal divider (8) divided into four by at least four perpendicular dividers (8a) and at least two vertical dividers (9), wherein the at least two vertical dividers (9) achieve a total height equal to or less than the vertical height of the rear wall 4 to form at least four bays (10), each bay (10) having an open side (11).

24. The receptacle (1) according to Claim 23, wherein when the frame (7) comprises at least four bays (10), the frame (7) resembles a double H-frame.

25. The receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or each container (12) incorporates a computer chip such as a radio-frequency identification chip.

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