Trash can

Abstract

Typical kitchen trash cans have lids to prevent food waste odors from escaping. However, the sealing action of these lids actually activates anaerobic microorganisms that cause food waste odors, making the smell even stronger. [Solution] By creating numerous holes in the lid of the trash can that are too small for pests to enter, it is possible to keep food waste constantly exposed to fresh air, preventing the activation of anaerobic microorganisms that cause odors. Furthermore, by providing air inlet and outlet holes in the body of the trash can, the heat generated from food waste is released to the outside of the trash can, preventing the high temperature and humidity environment that anaerobic microorganisms prefer, thus preventing their activation in a double way.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is a garbage bin that suppresses the activation of anaerobic microorganisms, which are the cause of the odor of raw garbage, by adopting a shape that emphasizes breathability. Further, even if anaerobic microorganisms are activated, by creating an environment in which the inside of the garbage bin can be constantly naturally ventilated, heat generated from the activities of the microorganisms can be discharged, and a high-temperature and high-humidity state that accelerates the progress of activation of anaerobic microorganisms can be suppressed.

Background Art

[0002] Generally distributed kitchen garbage bins are intended to prevent the odor generated from raw garbage from leaking to the outside, and most of them require a lid and emphasize airtightness. In addition, there is a known kitchen waste container in which a container having a lid that can be opened and closed on the upper surface for storing insect repellents and deodorants, with innumerable ventilation holes drilled in the bottom surface of the lid, is mounted in a state of being embedded in the central portion of the lid (Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] When there is a lack of oxygen in raw garbage, fermentation (decay) by anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria) progresses, the components of the raw garbage are decomposed, and organic acids and hydrogen sulfide, which are the elements of the odor, are generated. The above-mentioned general kitchen garbage bin prevents ventilation with a lid, but on the contrary, it activates anaerobic microorganisms, which are the cause of the odor of raw garbage, and intensifies the odor of the raw garbage itself. In order to make it difficult to generate an odor, it is ideal not to use a lid and to have fresh air touching the raw garbage and to keep the temperature at which the activities of anaerobic bacteria are not activated. However, if ventilation is considered first and the lid is not used, there are many problems such as the concern that pests such as cockroaches may enter, the appearance is not pleasant, and the risk of accidental ingestion by infants and pets.

[0004] Furthermore, while the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 can exert an insect-repellent effect through ventilation holes and insecticides provided in the lid, it does not take into consideration the suppression of anaerobic bacteria activation. The objective of the present invention is to provide a trash can that prevents the entry of pests and other harmful substances and accidental ingestion by infants and pets by covering it with a lid, maintains a neat appearance, and also prevents the activation of anaerobic microorganisms by providing ventilation, thereby suppressing the generation of odors from food waste. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The trash can according to the present invention is A box having a bottomed storage compartment for holding garbage inside, with an opening above the storage compartment for removing the garbage, The opening is provided with a cover to close it, The storage compartment and the lid are characterized by being provided with ventilation holes that allow outside air to circulate inside the storage compartment.

[0006] This invention features a lid with ventilation holes, allowing fresh air to constantly come into contact with food waste. This creates an environment where anaerobic microorganisms, the main cause of food waste odors, cannot easily survive, thus reducing odor generation. Furthermore, even if anaerobic microorganisms become active, the ventilation holes in both the lid and the trash can body allow the heat generated by these microorganisms to be released, preventing the creation of the high-temperature, high-humidity environment that anaerobic microorganisms thrive in. Through these synergistic effects, the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria is reliably suppressed, and the odor generated from food waste can be reduced.

[0007] By providing a space below the storage compartment, between the bottom of the storage compartment and the garbage bag, it becomes possible to allow the cold air at the bottom of the storage compartment to come into contact with the food waste inside the garbage bag. Furthermore, when heat is generated, it is preferable that air can be circulated upwards in a balanced manner. The ventilation holes provided in the aforementioned housing are preferable in that they are arranged facing each other, as this allows outside air to circulate throughout the entire housing.

[0008] The ventilation holes provided in the aforementioned housing section include an air inlet provided at the bottom of the housing section, The configuration, which includes an air outlet in a larger area than the air inlet in a separate part from the aforementioned part, is preferable because, as the cold air flowing in from the air inlet circulates within the containment and is discharged from the air outlet, the heat generated from the food waste can be discharged to the outside.

[0009] By providing an attachment section on the periphery of the opening for attaching a garbage bag to the storage section, a garbage bag containing food waste can be attached to the storage section, making it easier to handle garbage. Furthermore, the opening of the garbage bag becomes wider, allowing it to come into contact with outside air more easily, which is preferable because it can suppress the growth of anaerobic bacteria. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a trash can according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the short side of a trash can according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a trash can according to the first embodiment of the present invention, cut along the long side. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the trash can body according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the trash can body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 show a trash can 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the trash can 1 according to the present invention consists of a body 2, a lid 3, and a partition plate 4 placed inside the body 2. The materials for each can be resin such as polypropylene or metal such as stainless steel. Metals such as stainless steel are more preferable because they do not absorb odors.

[0012] The main body 2 has a bottomed, roughly rectangular shape, and has an air inlet 5 at the bottom of its front surface 7 to introduce outside air into the main body 2. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the entire rear surface 8 opposite the front surface has an air outlet 6 to discharge the air inside the main body 2 to the outside. In this embodiment, the diameter of the air inlet 5 and air outlet 6 is 5 mm, and it is desirable that the total area of ​​the holes be 20% of the bottom area. In particular, it is preferable that the size of the holes be within 5 mm, regardless of shape. This is because it is a size that makes it impossible for pests such as cockroaches that occur in homes to enter (black cockroaches 30-40 mm, German cockroaches 10-15 mm). Furthermore, various shapes can be combined considering the design. The size should be within a range that prevents the entry of pests and allows ventilation.

[0013] The lid 3 is designed to open and close freely so as to close the top of the main body 2. The main body 2 and the lid 3 are each provided with hinges 9, 9 and connected by a hinge shaft 10. A flange 11 is also provided on the outer circumference of the lid 3. Furthermore, the lid 3 is provided with ventilation holes 12. In this embodiment, the ventilation holes 12 have a diameter of 5 mm, and it is preferable that the total surface area of ​​the ventilation holes 12 provided in the lid 3 be 10% to 20% or more of the surface area of ​​the lid 3. If it is less than 10%, ventilation will be insufficient and anaerobic microorganisms will easily grow. The upper limit of the total surface area of ​​the ventilation holes 12 should be within a range that maintains the strength of the lid 3, in relation to the material, thickness, and shape of the lid 3.

[0014] The partition plate 4 has a shape and size that closely conforms to the interior of the main body 2, and is placed inside the main body 2 near the upper end of the air inlet 5. The area above the partition plate 4 constitutes a storage section 13 for accommodating garbage bags G, and the area below the partition plate 4 constitutes a ventilation space S. The partition plate 4 is also positioned at a height lower than the height at which the top of the air inlet 5 is located. The partition plate 4 is provided with a communication hole 14 that connects the storage section 13 and the space S. The partition plate 4 can be made of bamboo slats, metal mesh, or other materials, and known methods such as attaching legs to the partition plate 4 can be used to hold it in place.

[0015] When using the trash can 1 having the structure described above, it should be placed in a kitchen or similar location with the front 7 of the main body 2 facing forward. Consequently, the rear 8 of the main body 2 will be positioned behind the user. Then, the lid 3 is opened and a trash bag G of an appropriate size is placed in the storage compartment 13. In this embodiment, the trash bag G is sized to float above the partition plate 4, but a larger trash bag G that touches the partition plate 4 may also be used. In this case, as shown in Figure 2, the opening area of ​​the air inlet 5 is relatively smaller than that of the air outlet 6, and due to this difference, outside air flows in preferentially through the air inlet 5 rather than the air outlet 6. Also, since the air inlet 5 is located at the bottom of the main body 2, cooler outside air preferentially flows into the main body 2 through the air inlet 5. In this case, since the partition plate 4 is set at a height lower than the height at which the top of the air inlet hole 5 is located, the incoming outside air is divided into two parts: air that passes over the space S as shown by the arrow in Figure 2 and is discharged to the outside through the air outlet hole 6, and air that passes from the space S through the communication hole 14 of the partition plate 4, circulates through the storage section 13, is heated by the heat generated from the garbage in the garbage bag G, and is discharged to the outside through the air outlet hole 6. As the heat generated from the garbage in the garbage bag G is also discharged along with this airflow, it is possible to prevent the temperature from rising to a level favored by anaerobic bacteria that cause the odor of food waste.

[0016] Furthermore, the ventilation holes 12 in the lid 3 cause convection due to the temperature difference between the heat from the garbage and the outside air, allowing outside air to flow into the storage compartment 13 and into the garbage bag G. This dries the food waste and lowers its temperature, suppressing the activation of anaerobic bacteria. The synergistic effect of the actions described above effectively suppresses the generation of odors from food waste.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferable that the total surface area of ​​the air exhaust holes 6 on the rear surface 8 be 20% or more of the bottom surface area of ​​the main body 2 (let's call this A), and the total surface area of ​​the ventilation holes on the front side surface 2 be 20% to 50% of A. This makes it possible to create airflow by making exhaust > intake, which not only makes natural ventilation smoother but also allows ventilation to be carried out by the heat released from the dust.

[0018] In the above-mentioned trash can 1, 50 g of the same type of raw garbage was aged for 3 days in Example 1, Comparative Example 1 (without holes), and Comparative Example 2 (holes only in the lid), and Table 1 shows the results of judging the odor by 11 people's senses (olfactory). Compared with Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, in Example 1, the number of people who answered that there was an unpleasant smell was zero, and it was confirmed that the temperature of the garbage was also lower than that in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2.

Table 1

[0019] Also, regarding the first embodiment, Comparative Example 1 without ventilation holes, and Comparative Example 2 in which ventilation holes were formed only in the lid 3, the odor of the garbage was evaluated under the following conditions. The ventilation holes 12 in the lid 3 of the first embodiment had a total opening area of 10% with respect to the entire area of the lid 3, the air inlet holes 5 in the front surface 7 had an opening area of 5% of the bottom area of the trash can, and the air discharge holes 6 in the rear surface 8 had an opening area of 20% of the bottom area of the trash can.

[0020] 〔Evaluation conditions〕 In an environment with an air temperature of 28 degrees, about 50 grams of raw garbage (apple peels, onion peels, potato peels) was confined in a 5-liter garbage bag for 3 days for evaluation.

[0021] [[ID=2l]] 〔Results〕 First embodiment... There is almost no odor even when the lid 1 is opened. Comparative Example 1... When the lid 1 is opened, the odor of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide is strongly felt. Comparative Example 2... The garbage is warm and has a slight odor, but it is not a problem. From the above two experimental results, it was found that providing holes for air flow in both the main body 2 and the lid 3 has a high effect of reducing the odor of raw garbage.

[0022] Next, FIG. 4 shows the main body 2 of the trash can 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that a mounting portion 15 for mounting the garbage bag G is provided at the opening periphery of the main body 2, and the description of the other structures is omitted because they are common to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the attachment section 15 has notches 16 and four holes 17 in a part of it (six locations on the long side of the main body 2 in Figure 5). The garbage bag G can be stored in the storage section 13 and its end can be folded back along the attachment section 15 as shown in Figure 6 to ensure secure storage. When attaching a garbage bag G larger than the main body, the end of the garbage bag G can be inserted into the holes 17, allowing the opening of the garbage bag to be set larger and enabling more air to come into contact with the garbage.

[0023] It should be noted that the trash can 1 according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the shape of the ventilation holes provided in the main body 2 and lid 3 is not limited to round, and any size that can prevent the entry of pests is acceptable. However, since the optimal temperature conditions for anaerobic microorganisms are 30 to 60 degrees Celsius, it is preferable to form the ventilation holes so that the storage section 13 can be kept at room temperature outside the trash can (a temperature at which people can live comfortably). In Embodiment 1, the trash can 1 is fitted with a lid 3 on the upper surface that is in contact with the opening of the trash bag. However, in trash cans where the opening for removing trash is located on the upper side of the storage section, a lid with ventilation holes in a position that covers that opening may be provided.

[0024] In Example 1, ventilation is performed using the heat generated from the waste without the use of power, but a ventilation fan may also be installed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0025] 1 Trash can 2 Main unit 3 Lid 4 partition plates 5. Air inlet 6 Air vents 13. Detention Unit 15 Mounting part S space

Claims

1. A box having a bottomed storage compartment inside the main body for collecting garbage, with an opening for removing the garbage from the storage compartment provided above the storage compartment, The opening is covered with a lid, At least the housing and the lid are provided with ventilation holes that allow outside air to circulate inside the housing. Trash can.

2. A space is provided below the storage section between the bottom of the main body and the garbage bag. The trash can according to claim 1.

3. The ventilation holes provided in the aforementioned housing are characterized in that they are provided in a part of the housing so as to face each other. The trash can according to claim 1 or 2.

Images