Anti-ligature bin

Abstract

A receptacle for receiving, among other things, waste. The receptacle includes an outer shell, within which is located a receiving compartment. The outer shell has an opening to deliver waste into the compartment, the opening leads to a downwardly sloped channel which extends 5 into the receptacle. The peripheral edge of the distal end of the channel, opposite to the opening has a bellmouth formation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an anti-ligature bin. More especially, the invention relates to bin that has an anti-ligature opening. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Bins are required in clinical environments with mentally unstable residents, such as for example, prisons and hospitals. It is important that bins, along with any other furniture, are designed to be anti-vandal and antiligature to avoid them being objects that can cause harm to the residents or others visiting. Generally, the cleanest and most efficient way to collect waste is to use bin liners. The use of bin liners though is not suitable for such environments as the liner can be separated from the bin and become a potential hazard. Consequently, the hollow bin structure provides the receptacle for waste making them unhygienic and requiring constant cleaning. Moreover, the aperture though which waste is placed provides internal surfaces which can be hooked or secured to, to form a ligature. The present invention seeks to provide a bin suitable for use in clinical environments that utilises a bin liner for hygiene, and which has an anti-ligature opening. STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention provides receptacle for receiving, inter alia, waste, the receptacle having an outer shell within which is located a receiving compartment, the outer shell having an opening to deliver waste into the compartment, the opening leading to a downwardly sloped channel extending into receptacle, the peripheral edge of the distal end of the channel, opposed to the opening, having a bellmouth formation. Preferably, a top section of the bellmouth extends to the top inside surface of the outer shell. Preferably, a lower section of the bellmouth is extended downwardly into the outer shell at an angle towards a front of the bin in which the opening is formed. Preferably the outer shell is locatable on, and secured to, on a base secured to a floor structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a side cross-section view of the receptacle of figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a bin 2 which comprises a hollow outer shell 4 upstanding from a base 6 which is secured to the floor. The shell 4 is secured to the base 6 in use. As such, the bin 2 cannot ordinarily be lifted off the ground in order to be used as a weapon or barricade. In an alternative embodiment, the bin 2 is designed to be secured to vertical wall. Ideally, any wall fastening mechanism is anti-tamper proof in that it provides no exposed features which could be used for disconnection. An inner receptacle 8 is locatable on the base 6 which forms the compartment for the bin in which waste is received and held. As the receptacle 8 is located inside the outer shell 4, so not being accessible to unauthorised personnel, the receptacle 8 can be lined with a removable and replaceable bin liner (not shown) to maintain a high level of hygiene. To gain authorised access to the inner receptable 8, in order to empty the bin liner, the shell 4 can be unsecured from the base 6 using a specialist tool, to allow the shell 4 to be lifted off the base 6. Once the receptacle 8 has been emptied, and the bin liner replaced, the shell 4 can be placed back over the base 6 and secured using the same tool. As can seen in figure 1, the outer profile of the bin is shaped to be ligature-proof, being designed entirely with curved surfaces and edges having no surface feature which could provide securement of a ligature. The top end of the bin 2 is provided with an opening 10 for delivery of waste products and rubbish into the outer shell 4, to then fall into the receptacle 8. The peripheral edge of the opening 10 is curved to not provide any rim which could allow a ligature. Internally, the opening 10 extends into a downwardly angled channel or chute 12 extending into the shell 4. The size and dimensions of the opening 10, together with the length of angle of the channel 12, are carefully selected to not allow an arm of person inserted into the opening to be twisted or bent sufficiently to cause injury. The size of the opening would, though preferably be sufficient to receive a two-litre water bottle, for example. The distal end of the channel 12, opposed to opening 10, has a bellmouth formation 14 so not to provide an accessible peripheral edge or rim against which a ligature could be secured. The top section 16 of the bellmouth 14 extends to the inside top surface of the shell 4. The bottom section 18 of the bellmouth 14 is extended further so that the rim 20 cannot be reached by anything pushed into the channel 12 for the purpose of attempting to form a ligature. Further, as the channel 12 is angled downwardly, the extended lower bellmouth section 18 is angled downwardly and towards the front of the shell 4 to further prevent its accessibility. In an alternative embodiment, the lower bellmouth extension 18 may extend to the inside surface of the front wall of the shell 4. The fact that the extension 18 is angled towards the front of the shell 4, it does not obstruct any rubbish from falling into the receptacle 8. Whilst the embodiments described relate a bin, it is envisaged that the ligature-proof opening could be adapted to other receptacles for holding items placed through an opening, such as, for example but without limitation, a post box.

Claims

1. A receptacle for receiving, inter alia, waste, the receptacle having an outer shell within which is located a receiving compartment, the outer shell having an opening to deliver waste into the compartment, the opening leading to a downwardly sloped channel extending into receptacle, the peripheral edge of the distal end of the channel, opposed to the opening, having a bellmouth formation.

2. A receptacle according to claim 1, comprising a top section of the bellmouth extends to the top inside surface of the outer shell.

3. A receptacle according to claims 1 or 2, comprising a lower section of the bellmouth is extended downwardly into the outer shell at an angle towards a front of the bin in which the opening is formed.

4. A receptacle according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer shell is locatable on, and secured to, on a base secured to a floor structure.

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