Waste storage container

Abstract

To provide a waste storage container capable of increasing compression capacity when compressing waste inputted in a garbage box.SOLUTION: A waste storage container 1 includes: a garbage box 4 which has an opening part, and where waste can be inputted from the opening part; and press means 150 provided so as to advance in the garbage box 4 from the opening part of the garbage box 4 and to be able to compress the waste. The press means 150 is connected to a linear-motion slider 11 placed behind the garbage box 4, and by the linear-motion slider 11 reciprocating in the vertical direction, it reciprocates parallelly between a non-compression position where the waste is not compressed and a compression position where the waste in the garbage box 4 cab be compressed. Thus, since the press means 150 moves parallelly, the compression capacity of the waste in the garbage box 4 can be increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste container suitable for storing and collecting various types of waste, particularly infectious medical waste. [Background technology]

[0002] A known conventional waste container is the one described in Patent Document 1. This waste container includes a compression member that can enter a collection bag held in the container body and a compression operation means for moving the compression member toward and away from the collection bag. The compression member is integrally connected to a support shaft provided on the outside of the container body. When the compression operation means is activated to rotate the support shaft around its axis, the compression member rotates integrally with the support shaft, thereby moving the compression member toward and away from the collection bag. The operation of this compression member compresses waste in the collection bag. This conventional waste container allows even infectious medical waste, which must not be touched by hand once disposed of in the collection bag for infection prevention purposes, to be compressed within the collection bag. This increases the amount of waste that can be placed in the collection bag, thereby reducing the waste collection cost, which is determined per collection bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-196369 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional waste containers, the compression member rotates to move toward and away from the collection bag, making it difficult to increase the volume of waste that can be compressed. Also, because the compression member operates to scrape the upper layer of waste in the collection bag, the compression force of the compression member is not easily transmitted to the waste in the middle or lower layers of the collection bag, making it impossible to compress the waste in these layers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a waste storage container that can increase the waste compression capacity. To achieve this object, the waste storage container of the present invention includes a trash can having an opening through which waste can be deposited, and a press means that enters the trash can through the opening and can compress the waste, and further includes a reciprocating movement means that translates the press means back and forth between a non-compressing position where the waste is not compressed and a compressing position where the waste in the trash can can be compressed. The translation of the press means within the trash can increases the waste compression capacity within the trash can.

[0006] The pressing means is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the trash can, and a rotation operating means is preferably provided for rotating the pressing means, so that the pressing means can be removed from its position relative to the trash can as needed to open the opening of the trash can for inserting waste or replacing trash bags.

[0007] It is preferable to provide a rotation lock mechanism that prevents the press means from rotating when the press means is reciprocating. This rotation lock mechanism preferably includes a rotation blocking member extending in the direction of reciprocating movement of the press means and an engaging member that engages with the rotation blocking member as the press means translates and is capable of reciprocating integrally with the press means. It is also preferable that the rotation blocking member and the engaging member are not engaged when the press means is in the rotation operating position. By providing such a rotation lock mechanism, when the press means translates to compress waste in the trash can, the press means is prevented from rotating due to a reaction force from the waste, thereby ensuring reliable compression of the waste.

[0008] In addition, in the waste container having the above-mentioned structure, it is preferable to provide a movement lock mechanism that prevents the pressing means from moving in a parallel direction when the pressing means is rotated by the rotation operating means. This prevents the pressing means from moving in a parallel direction due to the force when rotating the pressing means, and makes it possible to reliably rotate and retract the pressing means from the position where it engages with the trash can.

[0009] Furthermore, the rotation operating means may have a floating operating member that is movable relative to the press means by a predetermined distance and that pivotally engages with the press means after the predetermined distance, and the movement lock mechanism may include a movement preventing member that can protrude into the parallel movement path of the press means while the floating operating member is moving relative to the press means. The movement preventing member may be, for example, a leaf spring that can protrude into the parallel movement path of the press means when pushed by a push member that moves integrally with the floating operating member as the floating operating member moves relative to the press means. This makes it possible to prevent the parallel movement of the press means in conjunction with the rotation of the press means. Furthermore, by reliably preventing the parallel movement of the press means before the force of the rotation operating means acts on the press means, the force of the rotation operating means is concentrated on the rotation of the press means, thereby enabling the press means to rotate reliably. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The waste container of the present invention has a translational pressing means, which allows a larger volume of the pressing means to enter the trash can compared to conventional types in which the pressing means rotates. This increases the volume of waste that can be compressed, allowing more waste to be placed in the trash can. Furthermore, when the waste is infectious medical waste, handling the discarded waste is prohibited for infection prevention reasons. However, by using the waste container of the present invention, it is possible to compress more waste without handling it, further reducing the financial burden on those who generate infectious medical waste, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0011] Furthermore, a rotation lock mechanism is provided to prevent the pressing means from rotating when it enters the trash can, so when the pressing means compresses the waste inside the trash can, the pressing means is prevented from rotating and escaping due to the reaction force from the waste, making it possible to reliably compress the waste with the pressing means.

[0012] Furthermore, since a movement lock mechanism is provided that prevents the parallel movement of the press means when the press means rotates, the force that rotates the press means prevents the press means from moving so as to enter the trash can, and the press means can be rotated reliably to open the opening of the trash can. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the waste container according to the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a waste container according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the waste container according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of a waste container according to the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is an enlarged, partially cutaway front view of a main portion showing a garbage compression unit of a waste container according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is an enlarged, partially cutaway right side view of a main portion of a garbage compression unit of a waste container according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged, partially cutaway, left side view of a main portion of a garbage compression unit of a waste container according to the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is an enlarged, partially cutaway plan view of a main portion showing a garbage compression unit of a waste container according to the present invention; [Figure 9] 3 is an enlarged, partially cutaway right side view of a main portion of the garbage compression unit in the waste storage container according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is an enlarged, partially cutaway right side view of a main portion of the garbage compression unit in the waste storage container according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 3 is an enlarged, partially cutaway right side view of a main portion of the garbage compression unit in the waste storage container according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the waste storage container according to the present invention taken along line BB in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 13] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the waste storage container according to the present invention taken along line CC in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 14] 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of a rotation operation link mechanism of a waste storage container according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the press link mechanism of the waste storage container according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 16] This is an explanatory diagram of the operation when the press means rotates, with the main parts of the garbage compression unit of the waste storage container of the present invention enlarged and partially cut away to form a cross section, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a right side view. [Figure 17] This is an explanatory diagram of the operation when the press means rotates, with the main parts of the garbage compression unit of the waste storage container of the present invention enlarged and partially cut away to form a cross section, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a right side view. [Figure 18] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the garbage compression unit of the waste container according to the present invention. [Figure 19] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the waste storage container according to the present invention. [Figure 20] 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the rotational operation of the pressing means of the waste storage container according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 21]This is an explanatory diagram of the operation during waste compression operation, with the main parts of the garbage compression unit of the waste storage container of the present invention enlarged and partially cut away to form a cross-section, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a right side view. [Figure 22] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the garbage compression unit of the waste container according to the present invention. [Figure 23] 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the waste compressing operation of the waste storage container according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 24] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the waste storage container according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Modes for carrying out the invention will now be described. In Figures 1 to 24, the reference numeral 1 denotes one embodiment of a waste storage container of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, this waste storage container 1 comprises a base 2 made by combining an angle bracket and a steel plate, a housing 3 removably fixed to the base 2 and configured so as to be U-shaped in plan view with its top and front open, a trash can 4 removably placed on the base 2 within the housing 3, a lid 5 rotatably attached to the housing 3 so as to normally close the top of the housing 3 and the trash can 4, and a trash compression unit 6 installed on the base 2 within the housing 3.

[0015] As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 , the trash can 4 is a hollow rectangular box with an open top, and a trash bag (not shown) is attached to the inside. The trash can 4 is placed within the housing 3 along installation guide plates 3a and 3b that are provided to match the shape of the trash can 4, thereby positioning it at a predetermined position within the housing 3. A long, plate-shaped gate bar 7 is provided on the front of the housing 3. The gate bar 7 is positioned so as to always cross the front of the housing 3, with one end pivotally supported on the housing 3 and the other end always abutting against a stopper pin 3c provided on the housing 3. An adjuster 8 that protrudes toward the inside of the housing 3 is attached to the longitudinal middle of the gate bar 7. The adjuster 8 is screwed into the gate bar 7, and the amount of protrusion into the housing 3 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of screwing. The adjuster 8 is adjusted so as to always be in contact with the front surface of the trash can 4, and plays a role in positioning the trash can 4 at a predetermined position within the housing 3 together with the installation guide plates 3a and 3b.

[0016] The lid 5 is generally trapezoidal in side view, and is a hollow box with an open surface facing the housing 3 and the trash can 4. The lid 5 is attached to the upper part of the back surface of the housing 3 with a hinge 9, which allows it to rotate relative to the housing 3, the trash can 4, etc. The lid 5 is also fitted with a stopper (not shown) that catches on the housing 3 as the lid 5 rotates, and when the lid 5 rotates to a position that fully opens the openings of the housing 3 and the trash can 4, the stopper catches on the housing 3 and prevents the lid 5 from rotating any further.

[0017] As shown in Figures 5 to 11, the trash compression unit 6 has a guide post 10 made of a square pipe that is fixed upright on the base 2 behind the trash can 4, and a linear slider 11 made of a square pipe is inserted into this guide post 10. The linear slider 11 has outer dimensions slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the guide post 10 and is designed to slide longitudinally along the guide post 10. The linear slider 11 is constantly biased by a gas spring 12 installed inside the guide post 10 so that it protrudes to a predetermined height from the guide post 10. In addition, a guide rail 13, which is an example of a rotation-preventing member, and a leaf spring 14, which is an example of a movement-preventing member, are attached to the side of the guide post 10 and extend vertically to the side of the linear slider 11.

[0018] A press means 150 consisting of a support arm 15, a support pin 16, and a press member 17 is connected to the upper part of the linear motion slider 11. The support arms 15 of this press means 150 sandwich the linear motion slider 11 from the left and right and extend above the linear motion slider 11, and the portion sandwiching the linear motion slider 11 is rotatably connected to the linear motion slider 11 by a support pin 16 that passes through the linear motion slider 11 perpendicular to its axis. This allows the support arm 15 to move up and down integrally with the linear motion slider 11 and to rotate back and forth around the support pin 16 relative to the linear motion slider 11 (in the following description, the clockwise direction in FIG. 6 is referred to as the opening direction, and the counterclockwise direction is referred to as the closing direction). One end of the support pin 16 protrudes a predetermined amount from the support arm 15 so as to come into contact with the leaf spring 14 when the leaf spring 14 is bent.

[0019] The press member 17 is connected and fixed to the upper part of the support arm 15. The press member 17 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the trash can 4, is arranged concentrically with the trash can 4 in a plan view, and is configured to be able to advance and retreat into the trash can 4. The support arm 15 is connected to the rear part of the upper surface of the press member 17, and the linear slider 11 or support arm 15 is constantly urged upward by the gas spring 12, so that the press member 17 is always positioned slightly above the trash can 4 (in this example, this position is referred to as the non-compression position where waste is not compressed). Furthermore, because the support arm 15 is connected and fixed to the rear part of the upper surface of the press member 17, when the linear slider 11 or support arm 15 descends, almost the entire press member 17 can be advanced into the trash can 4. Furthermore, a plate-shaped stopper member 18 (highlighted in light ink in Figure 8) is fixed to the upper end surface of the linear slider 11, and this stopper member 18 always engages with the left side plate 15b of the support arm 15 from below, preventing it from rotating any further in the closing direction. As a result, the press member 17 is always held in a position where its lower surface is parallel to the opening surface of the trash can 4 (hereinafter this position will also be referred to as the closed position).

[0020] A cam follower 19, which is an example of an engaging member, is rotatably attached to the right side plate 15a of the support arm 15. This cam follower 19 is configured to engage with and roll along a guide rail 13 arranged on the guide support column 10 as the linear motion slider 11 or the press means 150 descends. The upper end 13a of the guide rail 13 is inclined forward to provide relief, so that the descending cam follower 19 can be smoothly guided along the guide rail 13 and will not interfere with the cam follower 19 when the press means 150 rotates.

[0021] A gas spring 20 is rotatably attached to the front of the left side plate 15b of the support arm 15. A rod 20a of this gas spring 20 is rotatably connected to a bracket 21 that is integrally connected to the upper end of the linear slider 11, and constantly biases the support arm 15 with a predetermined force that rotates the support arm 15 in the opening direction. The biasing force of this gas spring 20 is set to a force slightly smaller than the moment caused by the mass of the support arm 15 or press member 17 around the support pin 16 at normal times, i.e., the force that normally tends to rotate the support arm 15 or press member 17 due to the mass of the support arm 15 or press member 17. Therefore, even when biased by the gas spring 20, the support arm 15 or press member 17 is normally maintained in the closed position.

[0022] Furthermore, a pressing link 22 and a rotating link 23 for transmitting the force for operating the support arm 15 are connected to the left side plate 15b of the support arm 15, respectively.

[0023] The press link 22 is rotatably connected to the left side plate 15b of the support arm 15, and extends downward along the linear slider 11 or the guide column 10, with its lower portion extending into the base 2. Inside the base 2, as shown in FIG. 12 , there are provided an actuation link 24 rotatably supported on the front portion of the top plate 2a of the base 2, a pedal link 25 rotatably supported on the rear portion of the top plate 2a of the base 2, and a connecting link 26 connecting the actuation link 24 and the pedal link 25. The joints of each link, including the press link 22, are rotatable, and these constitute a press link mechanism 220. The pedal link 25 protrudes forward from an opening in the base 2, and a foot pedal 27 is attached to this protrusion. Operating the foot pedal 27 (by stepping on it with your foot) moves the press link 22 up and down.

[0024] The pivot link 23 is loosely fitted in a rearward protrusion 15c provided on the left side plate 15b of the support arm 15, and is configured to be movable a predetermined amount relative to the support arm 15 and to operate integrally with the support arm 15. Details of this connection structure will be described later. The pivot link 23 is located behind the linear slider 11 or the guide column 10 and extends downward, with its lower portion extending into the base 2. As shown in FIG. 13 , an operating link 28, a pedal link 29, and a connecting link 30, each of which has a configuration similar to that of the press link mechanism 220, are arranged inside the base 2. The joints of each link, including the pivot link 23, are configured to be freely rotatable, and these together form a pivot operation link mechanism 230. The pedal link 29 of the pivot operation link mechanism 230 also protrudes forward from the base 2, and a foot pedal 31 is also attached to this protrusion. The pivot link 23 is configured to move up and down by operating (stepping on) the foot pedal 31.

[0025] The connection structure between the pivot link 23 and the support arm 15 described above is such that a loose-fit pin 34 that protrudes and is fixed to the left side plate 15b of the support arm 15 is loosely fitted into the middle position of an oval ring 33 that has an elongated hole and is integrally formed on the upper part of the pivot link 23. In other words, the loose-fit pin 34 is fitted into the elongated space of the oval ring 33, and the pivot link 23 is therefore able to rotate around the loose-fit pin 34 and also able to slide a predetermined amount relative to the loose-fit pin 34, making up for the play between the oval ring 33 and the loose-fit pin 34. The pivot link 23 is constantly urged upward by a spring 35, and as a result, a predetermined amount of play is always created between the oval ring 33 and the loose-fit pin 34.

[0026] A connecting rod 36 extending laterally from the linear slider 11 is fixed to the oval ring 33 portion of the pivot link 23, and a cam follower 37, an example of a push member, is rotatably attached to the tip of this connecting rod 36. This cam follower 37 is always positioned above the leaf spring 14 arranged on the guide support 10, and is configured so that as the pivot link 23 descends, the cam follower 37 pushes and bends the leaf spring 14 toward the linear slider 11. The upper part of the leaf spring 14 is curved toward the linear slider 11, and therefore, when the leaf spring 14 is pushed by the cam follower 37 and bends, this curved portion 14a is configured to be located below the protruding portion of the support pin 16. Furthermore, since the upper portion of the leaf spring 14 is curved, the cam follower 37 smoothly engages with the leaf spring 14, and the leaf spring 14 can be reliably pressed and deflected.

[0027] Next, the operation of the waste container 1 according to the present invention will be described. When waste is to be dumped into the waste container 1 with the lid 5 closed, the foot pedal 31 is depressed to open the lid 5. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 , stepping on the foot pedal 31 activates the pivot operation link mechanism 230, which pulls the pivot link 23 downward. At this time, because there is a predetermined amount of play between the oval ring 33 and the loose-fit pin 34, the pivot link 23 moves downward relative to the loose-fit pin 34 by the amount of play. Therefore, the operation of the pivot link 23 is not transmitted to the support arm 15 or the press member 17 (press means 150). With the pivot link 23 moving a predetermined amount relative to the press means 150, and immediately after the pivot link 23 begins to descend, the cam follower 37 at the tip of the connecting rod 36 integral with the pivot link 23 engages with the curved portion 14a at the top of the leaf spring 14. 16(a), 16(b), and 20(b), as the cam follower 37 descends together with the pivot link 23, it pushes the leaf spring 14 in the direction of arrow Y, bending it toward the linear motion slider 11. As a result, the curved portion 14a of the leaf spring 14 is positioned directly below the protruding portion of the support pin 16.

[0028] As described above, when the pivot link 23 descends enough to deflect the leaf spring 14, the play between the oval ring 33 and the loose-fit pin 34 disappears, and the oval ring 33 engages with the loose-fit pin 34. Therefore, from this point on, the force that lowers the pivot link 23 is transmitted from the loose-fit pin 34 to the support arm 15 or the press member 17. In response to this, as shown in FIGS. 17(a), 17(b), and 18, the support arm 15 or the press member 17 rotates in the opening direction around the support pin 16 as a fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 19, the cover 5 rotates together with the press member 17. At this time, the support arm 15 or the press member 17 is biased in the opening direction by the gas spring 20, allowing the support arm 15 or the press member 17 to rotate with little force. Furthermore, because the cam follower 19 is not engaged with the guide rail 13 at this time, the rotation of the support arm 15 or the press member 17 is not impeded by these forces. By opening the lid 5 in this manner, the opening of the trash can 4 is opened, and waste can be dumped into the trash bag attached to the trash can 4 (the position of the press member 17 in this state is hereinafter also referred to as the open position).

[0029] When the press members 17 and the like are in the open position, the moment around the support pin 16 caused by the mass of the support arm 15 or the press member 17 acting on the gas spring 20 becomes smaller than when the press members 17 and the like are in the closed position (see FIG. 18). Therefore, the biasing force of the gas spring 20 overcomes the force that tries to return the support arm 15 or the press member 17 to the closed position, and the press members 17 and the like are kept in the open position even when the foot is released from the pedal 31.

[0030] When opening the press means 150 or the lid 5, the force of the pivot link 23 also acts as a force to lower the linear slider 11 via the support arm 15. However, once the force is transmitted from the pivot link 23 to the support arm 15, the upper part of the leaf spring 14 is interposed below the protruding portion of the support pin 16. Therefore, even if the press means 150 or the linear slider 11 attempts to lower due to the force from the pivot link 23, the lowering is prevented by the support pin 16 hitting the leaf spring 14. The cam follower 37 rolls along and continues to press the leaf spring 14 while the press means 150 is rotating, thereby preventing the press means 150 from lowering during that period. In this way, by preventing the force of the pivot link 23 from dissipating as a force to lower the linear slider 11, it is possible to reliably rotate the support arm 15 or the press member 17 in the opening direction and open the lid 5.

[0031] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing only the main components of the series of rotational movements of the press means 150 described above. (a) in FIG. 20 shows the state in which the press means 150 is normally maintained in the closed position at its original position. When the foot pedal 31 is depressed from this state, the pivot link 23 moves a predetermined distance relative to the press means 150, as shown in (b), during which the cam follower 37 pushes the leaf spring 14, bending it so that it is positioned below the path of the support pin 16. When the foot pedal 31 is further depressed, the pivot link 23 moves a predetermined distance relative to the press means 150 and engages with the loose-fit pin 34, as shown in (c), thereby pivoting the press means 150 in the opening direction. During this time, the cam follower 37 continues to roll along and push the leaf spring 14, preventing the leaf spring 14 from descending.

[0032] After waste is placed in the trash can 4, the lid 5 must be closed manually. By holding the handle 5a of the lid 5 and rotating it in the closing direction (the direction in which the lid 5 is closed), the press member 17 or support arm 15 rotates together with the lid 5, and these can be returned to a position where the press member 17 is positioned above the trash can 4. At this time, if the lid 5 is rotated to a certain extent, the force of the press member 17 and other elements attempting to return to the closed position under their own weight overcomes the biasing force of the gas spring 20, and the lid 5, press member 17, and other elements then rotate to the closed position under their own weight. When returning the lid 5 and press member 17 to the closed position, the force of the gas spring 20 acts as resistance, allowing the lid 5 and press member 17 to rotate to the closed position smoothly and without impact.

[0033] When this waste container is used to store medical waste, it is not permitted to touch the waste placed in the waste container for hygienic reasons, such as to prevent infection. Therefore, when handling medical waste, it is not possible to manually compress the waste placed in the trash can 4 to ensure its capacity. However, with this waste container, once a certain amount of waste has accumulated in the trash bag of the trash can 4, the waste can be compressed using the pressing means 150. Of course, the same applies when handling waste other than medical waste.

[0034] To compress waste accumulated in the trash can 4, the foot pedal 27 is depressed to lower the press member 17 into the trash can 4. That is, as shown in Figure 15, when the foot pedal 27 is depressed, the press link mechanism 220 is activated and the press link 22 is pulled downward. This force is transmitted to the linear slider 11 via the support arm 15 and support pin 16, so that the linear slider 11 descends against the bias of the gas spring 12, thereby lowering the support arm 15 and the press member 17.

[0035] Shortly after the press member 17 begins to descend, the cam follower 19 engages with the guide rail 13, and thereafter, the cam follower 19 rolls along the guide rail 13 as the press member 17 descends. Because the cam follower 19 is restricted by the guide rail 13 in this manner, the press member 17 or the support arm 15 cannot rotate in the open direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b), the press member 17 moves parallel to the inside of the trash can 4 while maintaining the closed position. This parallel movement (downward movement) of the press member 17 into the trash can 4 allows it to compress the waste inside the trash can 4 (in this example, this position is referred to as the compressing position where the waste can be compressed). At this time, the press member 17 receives a reaction force from the waste. However, because the press member 17 or the support arm 15 is prevented from rotating by the engagement of the cam follower 19 with the guide rail 13 as described above, the press member 17 and the support arm 15 are prevented from rotating by the reaction force from the waste. Therefore, the pressing means 150 (pressing member 17) can be reliably moved in parallel to compress the waste.

[0036] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram showing only the main components of the series of operations for compressing waste by the press means 150 described above. Figure 23(a) shows the state in which the press means 150 is normally maintained in the closed position at its original position. When the foot pedal 27 is depressed from this state, the press link 22 causes the press means 150 to descend in a horizontal direction and enter the trash can 4, as shown in Figure 23(b). At this time, the cam follower 19 engages with the guide rail 13 and rolls, preventing the press means 150 from rotating in the opening direction.

[0037] The bracket 21 supporting the gas spring 20 is designed to extend downward with a required gap between it and the linear slider 11, except for the connecting portion with the upper end of the linear slider 11. Therefore, even if the linear slider 11 slides downward as described above, it will not interfere with the guide support 10, etc. (see Figure 22).

[0038] The timing for the cam follower 19 to engage with the guide rail 13 should be between when the press member 17 starts to descend and when it receives the reaction force of the waste. If the cam follower 19 were configured to always engage with the guide rail 13, it would prevent the press member 17 or the support arm 15 from rotating when the above-mentioned lid 5 is opened. For this reason, it is important to configure the cam follower 19 so that it does not engage with the guide rail 13 when the press member 17 is always in the raised position (a position where it is not compressing the waste).

[0039] When the compression of the waste is completed and the foot pedal 27 is released, the linear slider 11 rises under the force of the gas spring 12, which causes the press member 17 or support arm 15 to return to its original position where the waste is not compressed. This also causes the press link mechanism 220 or foot pedal 27 to return to its original position.

[0040] When removing the trash can 4 from the housing 3, such as when removing a trash bag from the trash can 4, the press member 17 is rotated as described above to open the lid 5, and the gate bar 7 is rotated as shown in Figure 24. This allows the trash can 4 to be removed to the front of the housing 3.

[0041] In this waste container, the support arm 15 is connected to the upper end of the press member 17, and the press member 17 is designed to move up and down vertically, so that almost the entire press member 17 can enter the trash can 4, compressing this amount of waste. By designing the press member 17 to move up and down in this way, it is possible to apply a compressive force to the waste below the trash can 4 through the waste pressed by the press member 17, making it possible to increase the amount of waste compressed compared to conventional methods. Therefore, even waste that cannot be touched by hand after being placed in the waste container, such as medical waste, can be compressed, making it possible to further conserve trash bags.

[0042] The technical concept of the present invention is not limited by the above description, and various selections, substitutions, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, instead of the leaf spring 14, a plunger or the like may be operated by the cam follower 37 to protrude below the support pin 16 of the pressing means 150. Alternatively, an air cylinder or electric cylinder may be provided instead of the leaf spring 14, and the movement of the cam follower 37 or connecting rod 36 may be detected by a sensor, and the piston rod of the air cylinder or the like may protrude below the support pin 16 in response to this signal. Furthermore, although the pressing member 17 is configured to be always positioned above the trash can 4, the pressing member 17 may also be configured to always be positioned inside the trash can 4 and then lower to a position from which it compresses the waste.

[0043] Finally, we will discuss consistency with the terminology used in the claims. In this embodiment, the reciprocating movement means in the claims is operably realized by a series of mechanisms, including the press link mechanism 220, guide support 10, and linear slider 11. Similarly, the rotation lock mechanism is realized by the guide rail 13 and cam follower 19. Similarly, in this embodiment, the rotation operation means is realized by the rotation operation link mechanism 230. Similarly, in this example, the floating operation member is operably realized by the rotation link 23 equipped with the oval ring 33 that engages with the loose-fit pin 34. Similarly, the movement lock mechanism is operably realized by the connecting rod 36, cam follower 37, and leaf spring 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Waste container 2. Bass 3. Housing 4. Trash Can 5 Lid 6. Garbage Compaction Unit 10 Guide support 11 Linear slider 13 Guide rail 14 Leaf spring 150 Pressing means 15 Support arm 16 support pin 17 Pressed parts 19 Cam follower 22 Press Links 23 Rotating link 33 Oval Ring 37 Cam follower

Claims

1. A waste storage container comprising a trash can having an opening through which waste can be thrown, and a pressing means provided to be able to enter the trash can through the opening and compress the waste, A waste storage container characterized by comprising a reciprocating movement means for moving the press means in a reciprocating parallel movement between a non-compression position where the waste is not compressed and a compression position where the waste can be compressed.

2. 2. A waste container according to claim 1, wherein the pressing means is provided rotatably relative to the trash can, and a rotation operating means is provided for rotating the pressing means.

3. 3. The waste container according to claim 2, further comprising a rotation lock mechanism for preventing the pressing means from rotating when the pressing means is reciprocating.

4. The waste container according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotation locking mechanism includes a rotation preventing member extending in the reciprocating direction of the press means, and an engaging member that engages with the rotation preventing member in accordance with the parallel movement of the press means and can move reciprocatingly together with the press means.

5. 5. A waste container according to claim 4, wherein the rotation preventing member and the engaging member are not engaged with each other when the pressing means is in the rotation operation position.

6. 6. A waste container according to claim 2, further comprising a movement locking mechanism for preventing the pressing means from moving in parallel when the pressing means is rotated by the rotation operating means.

7. the rotation operation means has a floating operation member that is movable relative to the press means by a predetermined amount and that is engaged with the press means so as to be rotationally operable after the floating operation member has moved relative to the press means by the predetermined amount; 7. A waste container according to claim 6, wherein the movement lock mechanism includes a movement preventing member that can protrude into the parallel movement path of the pressing means while the floating operating member is moving relative to the pressing means.

8. A waste storage container as described in claim 7, characterized in that the movement preventing member is a leaf spring that can be pushed by a push member that can move integrally with the floating operating member as the floating operating member moves relative to the press means, and can protrude onto the parallel movement path of the press means.

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