Device for opening the lid of a voluntary waste collection container

Abstract

The invention relates to a voluntary waste collection container (2) comprising a main body (6) forming a waste collection volume, at least one opening for introducing waste into the voluntary waste collection container (2) and a cover (3) movable in rotation closing the opening for introducing waste, the container (2) comprising a cover opening device (4) comprising: - a cover opening pedal (8) arranged on one face of the main body (6) and movable between a rest position and an activation position, - at least one force transmission cable (12) connecting the pedal to the cover (3), the cover opening device (4) being configured so that actuation of the pedal (8) causes opening of the cover (3), the force transmission cable (12) being arranged on the same face of the main body (6) as the cover opening pedal (8). Figure for abstract: figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for opening the lid of a voluntary waste collection container

[0001] The invention relates to containers for the voluntary contribution of waste comprising a cover, and more particularly a device for opening such a cover.

[0002] Containers for voluntary waste supply, whether they are aerial columns for voluntary waste supply, for example comprising emptying hatches on a lower face of the supply column, or large volume containers, may comprise a cover in order to close a waste introduction opening.

[0003] In order to be able to open the lid of the container in a simple manner, in particular when an individual bringing his waste to the container carries waste to be placed in the voluntary contribution container, it is known to put in place a device for opening the lid allowing, by its actuation, to open the lid so as to free the opening for introducing waste and thus to be able to place the waste in the voluntary contribution container.

[0004] The operation of the lid opening device is as follows: the user presses a pedal in order to open the lid. The force exerted by this pedal is transmitted to the lid by means of tie rods connected to the pedal and to the lid. The tie rods are placed on side faces of the container on either side of the lid, the pedal being placed on a front face of the container, i.e. the face in front of which a user stands in order to deposit his waste in the voluntary contribution container. An example of such a lid opening device is known from document ES 1 233 409 U.

[0005] A lid opening device according to the prior art has drawbacks related to the positioning of the tie rods. Indeed, and in the case of a container comprising emptying hatches forming the lower face of the latter, such placement of the tie rods at two lateral faces of the waste supply container, and extending over the entire height of these faces, could lead to placing the tie rods in areas already comprising means for opening the emptying hatches. This could therefore lead to unwanted clutter in areas where the voluntary supply container is handled by an operator.

[0006] In addition, the tie rods must be protected, whether they are placed outside the voluntary contribution container (in order to protect them against impacts which could lead to damage to the tie rods and therefore to a malfunction of the lid opening device) or inside the latter (in order to avoid blockage movement of the tie rods by the waste already stored in the voluntary contribution container). For this, it may be necessary to provide tie rod protection devices, similar to boxes in which the tie rods are housed. This leads to design complexity, a multiplication of parts to form the voluntary contribution container and a loss of waste storage volume in the case where the tie rods are arranged inside the voluntary contribution container.

[0007] The aim of the invention is to provide a device for opening a lid of a voluntary waste supply container which is less inconvenient than those of the prior art and less exposed to damage and blockages than those of the prior art, while avoiding a loss of waste storage volume.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a container for voluntary waste contribution comprising a main body forming a waste collection volume, at least one opening for introducing waste into the voluntary contribution container and a cover which can rotate between a first position closing the opening for introducing waste and a second position in which the opening for introducing waste is accessible, the voluntary contribution container comprising a device for opening the cover comprising: - a cover opening pedal arranged on one face of the main body and movable between a rest position and an activation position in which the cover is open, - at least one force transmission cable connecting the lid opening pedal to the lid, the lid opening device being configured so that actuation of the lid opening pedal causes the lid to open by pulling the force transmission cable on the lid, the cable being arranged on the same face of the main body as the lid opening pedal.

[0009] Thus, a cover is obtained comprising at least one force transmission cable arranged on the same face as the cover opening pedal. This arrangement makes it possible to free faces of the voluntary contribution container on which other means can be arranged, for example those allowing the opening of emptying hatches forming a lower face of the voluntary contribution container in the event of emptying from the bottom of the voluntary contribution container. In addition, the flexibility of the cable allows the latter to be placed in the main body so as to avoid the cable being blocked by waste and therefore making it impossible to open the cover, while not encroaching on the waste storage space. In addition, the flexibility of the force transmission cable(s) allows greater freedom of installation of the cover on the main body due to the ease of arrangement of the cable(s) thanks to their flexibility.

[0010] According to other optional characteristics of the voluntary contribution container taken alone or in combination: - the cover is arranged on the same face of the main body as the cover opening pedal and the force transmission cable; - the cover is arranged on a first face of the main body different from a second face of the main body on which the cover opening pedal and the force transmission cable are arranged; - the main body comprises at least locally at the level of the face receiving the lid opening pedal an internal wall of the voluntary contribution container, an external wall removable from the main body being attached to the main body so as to delimit with the internal wall a technical volume in which at least part of the lid opening device is housed; - the lid opening device comprises at least one actuating bar connected to the lid opening pedal and on which the force transmission cable is fixed, the actuating bar being rotatable, the lid opening device being configured so that an actuation of the lid opening pedal causes a pull of the force transmission cable on the lid by rotation of the actuating bar; - the cover opening pedal is rotatable along a first rotation axis, the actuating bar being rotatable along a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis; - the actuating bar is rotatable around a first of its two ends, the force transmission cable being fixed to the actuating bar in an area located between a second end of the actuating bar and the middle of the actuating bar; - the lid opening device comprises a connecting element attached to the lid opening pedal and to the actuating bar, the connecting element being configured to convert a movement of the lid opening pedal into a rotation of the actuating bar; - the connecting element is formed by a connecting rod comprising two ends fixed respectively to the lid opening pedal and to the actuating bar, the fixing of the connecting rod to the lid opening pedal and to the actuating bar being carried out by a connecting member authorizing at least one degree of freedom in rotation of the connecting rod relative to the cover opening pedal and the actuating bar; - the connecting element is fixed to the actuating bar in an area located between the first end of the actuating bar and the middle of the actuating bar; - the lid opening device comprises at least one member for returning the lid opening pedal to the rest position; and - one end of the force transmission cable connected to the cover passes through the cover in its thickness from a first face of the cover, the end of the force transmission cable comprising an end piece configured to be placed in abutment against a second face of the cover without being integral with the cover. Brief description of the figures

[0011] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0012] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a voluntary waste collection container according to the invention,

[0013] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a portion of a voluntary waste collection container comprising a lid opening device according to the invention, the lid opening device being in a first rest configuration,

[0014] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a portion of a voluntary waste contribution container comprising a lid opening device according to the invention, the lid opening device being in a second configuration in which the lid is open, and

[0015] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a part of a cover crossed by one end of the force transmission cable. Detailed description

[0016] We now refer to [Fig. 1] illustrating a voluntary waste contribution container 2 (hereinafter called “container 2”) comprising a main body 6, a cover 3 closing an opening for introducing waste (not visible in [Fig. 1]).

[0017] A voluntary waste contribution container is understood to mean a container placed in a given location, for example defined by a community, and accessible by a group of people, for example citizens, in order to allow them to deposit their waste in the container. These may be overhead columns for voluntary waste contribution, for example comprising emptying hatches on a lower face of the contribution column, or large-volume containers.

[0018] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 illustrating a part of the container 2, the latter comprises a lid opening device 4 according to the invention.

[0019] The main body 6 forms a waste collection volume. The latter can be formed of several faces (7, 7', 7” and 7”' in [Fig.l]) connected to each other and the number of which is variable.

[0020] The container 2 also comprises one or more waste introduction openings, one or more covers closing the openings (one cover per opening), the cover 3 being movable in rotation between a position closing the waste introduction opening and a maximum open position in which the waste introduction opening is accessible to a user.

[0021] The lid opening device 4 comprises a lid opening pedal 8 (hereinafter referred to as "pedal 8") arranged on one face of the main body 6 as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The pedal 8 is movable between a rest position and an activation position in which the lid 3 is open. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the rest position and the activation position of the pedal 8 respectively. In the example illustrated, the pedal 8 is rotatable relative to the main body 6 by being fixed to perforated slides 10 by cylindrical lugs. Lowering the pedal 8 leads to opening of the lid by, as described hereinafter, transmission of forces by at least one force transmission cable 12. The pedal 8 could also be movable in translation by being, for example, slidably mounted along lateral slides.

[0022] As mentioned above, the lid opening device 4 comprises at least one force transmission cable 12 (hereinafter referred to as “cable 12”, two cables 12 in the illustrated example) connecting the pedal 8 to the lid, the lid opening device 4 being configured so that actuation of the pedal 8 causes the lid 3 to open by pulling the cable(s) 12 on the lid 3. In other words, and in the illustrated example, lowering the pedal 8 leads to pulling the cables 12 downwards, the cables 12 being connected to the lid 3 so as to pivot it to release the waste introduction opening. This force transmission can be carried out using a special architecture, visible in FIGS. 2 and 3 and described below, or by direct attachment of the cable(s) 12 to the pedal 8 and to the lid.

[0023] The cable(s) 12 are arranged on the same face of the main body 6 as the pedal 8 to obtain the advantages mentioned above. They can, in a fairly conventional manner, be arranged in a sheath, which facilitates their placement and movement, and ensures compact protection of the latter. The attachment to the cover 3 is chosen so as to ensure the rotation of the latter when stressed by the cable(s) 12. It is possible to provide that the cover 3 comprises an axis of rotation with a distal part (i.e. moving furthest away from the container 2 when the lid 3 is rotated) on one side of the axis of rotation and a proximal part (i.e. moving least away from the container 2 when the lid 3 is rotated) on one side of the axis of rotation. The cable(s) 12 may be connected to the proximal part so as to pull it when the pedal 8 is lowered. This traction leads to a lowering of the proximal part of the lid which will therefore pivot and open, causing the distal part of the lid 3 to move away from the main body 6.

[0024] The main body 6 may comprise, as is the case in Figures 1 to 3, at least locally at the level of the face receiving the pedal 8, an internal wall 9 of the container 2, an external wall 5 (visible in [Fig. 1]) removable with respect to the main body 6 and being attached to the main body 6 so as to delimit with the internal wall 9 a technical volume in which is housed at least a part of the device for opening the cover 4. Thanks to this configuration, the device for opening the cover is at least partly arranged in a housing protecting it from potential external damage but also from the waste present in the container 2. This is done by using a part of the main body 6 (the internal wall 9 being able to form an entire interior part of the main body 6, for example to ensure a seal of the latter, or be smaller) as part of the housing, which reduces the number of parts to be added.Finally, this arrangement allows easy access to the device for opening the cover 4 from outside the container 2 by simply removing the external wall 5, which can be likened to a hood, even if the container 2 contains waste, because it is not necessary to access the waste storage volume to access the device for opening the cover.

[0025] The cover 3 can be arranged on the same face of the main body 6 as the pedal 8 and the cable(s) 12. This makes it possible to obtain a compact cover opening system, the entire cover being accessible by dismantling the external wall 5. Alternatively, the cover 3 can be arranged on a different face of the main body 6 from the pedal 8 and the cable(s) 12. This demonstrates the freedom offered in the positioning of the cover 3 relative to the pedal 8 and the cables 12 while retaining the other advantages associated with the invention.

[0026] The device for opening the cover 4 may comprise at least one intermediate element arranged between the cable(s) 12 and the pedal 8. It is for example possible to provide the presence of at least one actuating bar 14 connected to the pedal 8 and on which the cable(s) 12 are fixed, the actuating bar 14 being movable in rotation, the device for opening the cover 4 being configured so that an actuation of the pedal 8 causes a traction of the cable(s) 12 on the cover 3 by rotation of the actuating bar 14. The implementation of an element intermediate rotating element, such as for example the intermediate bar 14, makes it possible to vary the stroke of the pedal 8 while obtaining an unchanged opening of the cover 3, or to vary the level of opening of the cover 3 while maintaining an unchanged stroke of the pedal 8, by modifying the position of attachment of the cable(s) 12 on the intermediate element, here the actuating bar 14. Examples of implementation demonstrating this possibility will be given later.

[0027] Preferably, the pedal 8 is rotatable along a first rotation axis B visible in [Fig.2], the actuating bar 14 being rotatable along a second rotation axis C visible in [Fig.l] and perpendicular to the first rotation axis. Such an arrangement makes it possible to double the rotations and therefore the possibility of varying the travel of the pedal 8 while obtaining an unchanged opening of the cover 3, or of varying the level of opening of the cover 3 while maintaining an unchanged travel of the pedal.

[0028] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the actuating bar 14 can be movable in rotation around a first of its two ends (here a first end 16), the cable(s) 12 being fixed to the actuating bar 14 in an area located between a second end 18 and the middle of the actuating bar 14 (a separation axis A makes it possible in Figures 2 and 3 to visualize the middle of the actuating bar 14). In the present case, a small rotation of the actuating bar 14 allows a greater stroke of the cables 12 and therefore a significant opening of the cover.

[0029] In order to vary the travel of the pedal 8 while obtaining an unchanged opening of the cover 3, or to vary the level of opening of the cover 3 while maintaining an unchanged travel of the pedal, an optimal balance can be found by choosing the positioning of the cable(s) 12 on the actuating bar 14. As will be described, this choice also involves consequences in terms of force to be applied to the pedal 8 to open the cover 3. A positioning distant from the axis of rotation of the actuating bar 14 makes it possible to obtain a limited travel of the pedal 8 for a complete opening of the cover 3 (or a greater opening of the cover 3 for the same travel of the pedal 8), because a small rotation of the intermediate bar 14 leads to an increasingly significant displacement of the latter as one moves away from the first end 16 towards the second end 18.On the other hand, the force to be exerted on the pedal 8 to open the cover 3 will also be greater. Conversely, positioning the cable(s) 12 close to the axis of rotation of the actuating bar 14 does not make it possible to significantly reduce the travel of the pedal 8 for a complete opening of the cover 3 (or to obtain an opening. greater force of the cover 3 for the same stroke of the pedal 8), but the force to be produced on the pedal 8 to open the cover 3 is less important.

[0030] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the device for opening the cover 4 may comprise a connecting element fixed to the pedal 8 and to the actuating bar 14, the connecting element being configured to convert a movement of the pedal 8 into a rotation of the actuating bar 14. This use makes it possible to add an additional adjustment in the desired balance between the amplitude of the travel of the pedal 8 relative to the opening of the cover 3 (and in the determination of the force to be applied to the pedal 8 to open the cover 3) mentioned above.

[0031] The example of figures 2 and 3 illustrates a connecting element formed by a connecting rod 20 comprising two ends fixed respectively to the pedal 8 and to the actuating bar 14, this fixing being carried out by a connecting member allowing at least one degree of freedom in rotation of the connecting rod 20 relative to the pedal 8 and to the actuating bar 14. It may for example be a ball joint type connection.

[0032] The connecting rod 20 can be fixed on the actuating bar 14 in an area located between the first end 16 and the middle of the actuating bar 14, illustrated by the separation axis A. Such an arrangement allows, by a small movement of the pedal 8, to move the second end 18 of the actuating bar 14 by a significant amplitude, and therefore to open the cover 3 by a large opening amplitude (and with a greater force to be exerted on the pedal 8). Conversely, and if the connecting rod 20 is fixed in an area located between the second end 18 and the middle of the actuating bar 14, such an arrangement requires a greater movement of the pedal 8 to move the second end 18 of the actuating bar 14 by a significant amplitude, and to open the cover 3 by a large opening amplitude (but with a less significant force to be exerted on the pedal 8).This is once again an adjustment between on the one hand the reduction of the travel of the pedal 8 (or the increase in the opening of the cover 3) and on the other hand the force to be exerted on the latter to open the cover 3. By combining this possibility of adjustment with the choice of the position of fixing of the cable(s) 12 on the actuating bar 14, this allows a fine adjustment of the kinematics of opening the cover 3.

[0033] Advantageously, the device for opening the cover comprises at least one member for returning the pedal 8 to the rest position, for example a spring deformed when pressure is exerted on the pedal 8 and returning to a rest position by returning the pedal 8 to the rest position. This allows in particular opening of the cover 3 without lowering movement of the pedal 8, which can in particular block a foot of a user who has opened the cover with his hand. Indeed, a such opening leads to a relaxation of the cable(s) 12, the latter exerting no force on the pedal 8 which remains in position thanks to the return means.

[0034] Advantageously, and as illustrated in [Fig. 3], One end 22 of the cable(s) 12 is connected to the cover 3 by passing through the latter in its thickness from a first face 24 of the cover 3, the end 22 comprising an end piece 26 configured to be placed in abutment against a second face 28 of the cover 3 without being integral with the cover 3. Such a configuration makes it possible, in the context of a possibility of movement of the cover 3 by hand, to ensure that the cable does not follow the movement of the cover moved by hand by a user, and therefore to limit the movement of the cable(s) 12 when a movement of the cover is not induced by a movement of the pedal 8. List of references

[0035] 2: voluntary waste contribution container

[0036] 3: cover 4: cover opening device

[0037] 5: external wall

[0038] 6: main body

[0039] 7, 7', 7”, 7”': faces of the main body

[0040] 8: lid opening pedal

[0041] 9: internal wall

[0042] 10: perforated slides

[0043] 12: force transmission cables

[0044] 14: actuating bar

[0045] 16: first end

[0046] 18: second end

[0047] 20: connecting rod

[0048] 22: cable end

[0049] 24: first face of the cover

[0050] 26: tip

[0051] 28: second face of the cover

[0052] A: separation axis

[0053] B: first axis of rotation

[0054] C: second axis of rotation

Claims

1.

2. Claims Voluntary waste collection container (2) comprising a main body (6) forming a waste collection volume, at least one opening for introducing waste into the voluntary waste collection container (2) and a cover (3) movable in rotation between a first position closing the waste introduction opening and a second position in which the waste introduction opening is accessible, the voluntary waste collection container (2) comprising a cover opening device (4) comprising: - A cover opening pedal (8) arranged on one face (7) of the main body (6) and movable between a rest position and an activation position in which the cover (3) is open, - at least one force transmission cable (12) connecting the lid opening pedal (8) to the lid (3), the lid opening device (4) being configured so that actuation of the lid opening pedal (8) causes the lid (3) to open by pulling the force transmission cable (12) on the lid (3), the force transmission cable (12) being arranged on the same face (7) of the main body (6) as the lid opening pedal (8), the lid opening device (4) comprising at least one actuating bar (14) connected to the lid opening pedal (8) and on which the force transmission cable (12) is fixed, the actuating bar (14) being rotatable, the lid opening device (2) being configured so that an actuation of the lid opening pedal (8) causes a pull of the force transmission cable (12) on the lid (3) by rotation of the actuating bar (14), the lid opening pedal (8) being rotatable about a first axis of rotation, the actuating bar (14) being rotatable about a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. Voluntary contribution container (2) according to claim 1, in which the cover (3) is arranged on the same face (7) of the body. main (6) as well as the cover opening pedal (8) and the force transmission cable (12).

3. Voluntary contribution container (2) according to claim 1, in which the cover (3) is arranged on a first face of the main body (6) different from a second face of the main body (6) on which the cover opening pedal (8) and the force transmission cable (12) are arranged.

4. Voluntary contribution container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the main body (6) comprises at least locally at the level of the face receiving the lid opening pedal (8) an internal wall (9) of the voluntary contribution container (2), an external wall (5) removable relative to the main body (6) being attached to the main body (6) so as to delimit with the internal wall (9) a technical volume in which at least part of the lid opening device (4) is housed.

5. Voluntary contribution container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating bar (14) is rotatable around a first (16) of its two ends, the force transmission cable (12) being fixed to the actuating bar (14) in an area located between a second end (18) of the actuating bar (14) and the middle of the actuating bar (14).

6. A voluntary contribution container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid opening device (4) comprises a connecting element attached to the lid opening pedal (8) and the actuating bar (14), the connecting element being configured to convert a movement of the lid opening pedal (8) into a rotation of the actuating bar (14).

7. Voluntary contribution container (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the connecting element is formed by a connecting rod (20) comprising two ends fixed respectively to the lid opening pedal (8) and to the actuating bar (14), the fixing of the connecting rod (20) to the lid opening pedal (8) and to the actuating bar (14) being carried out by a connecting member allowing at least one degree of freedom in rotation of the connecting rod (20) relative to the cover opening pedal (8) and the actuating bar (14).

8. A voluntary contribution container (2) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the connecting element is fixed to the actuating bar (14) in an area located between the first end (16) of the actuating bar (14) and the middle of the actuating bar (14).

9. Voluntary contribution container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lid opening device (4) comprises at least one member for returning the lid opening pedal (8) to the rest position.

10. Voluntary contribution container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which one end (22) of the force transmission cable (12) connected to the cover (3) passes through the cover (3) in its thickness from a first face (24) of the cover (3), the end (22) of the force transmission cable (12) comprising an end piece (26) configured to be placed in abutment against a second face (28) of the cover (3) without being integral with the cover (3).

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