Litter cage

Abstract

To provide a garbage cage that takes into consideration the environment and appearance. [Solution] A waste cage 1 for storing waste has a first main body portion 11 that can be made compact by folding the mesh cage for storing waste, and a second main body portion 13 that is folded and stored in the first main body portion 11. The waste cage 1 can be removably stored in a storage recess 3 formed on flat ground, with the first main body portion 11 and the second main body portion 13 overlapping each other in a compact form.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a litter cage, which is a device for storing litter. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, garbage collection was done by 10 to 20 households bringing their garbage to a designated location (garbage station) within a town, but nowadays, door-to-door collection, where garbage is collected from each household in front of their home, is becoming more common in many municipalities, including urban areas in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture.As a result, some households are now seen placing garbage collection bags filled with garbage in front of their homes on each collection day, or putting buckets or baskets inside those bags (and even preparing weights in case of strong winds).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a "garbage collection box that can prevent the lid from being accidentally blown up by wind pressure and that can be easily opened by simply pressing the handle."

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses that "a foldable trash can is provided that is resistant to crows and wind, is environmentally and traffic-friendly, and helps people learn rules and manners."

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses that "when a garbage collection box is installed on the side of a road, after collection on that day has finished, the garbage collection box will not protrude significantly into the road, preventing it from obstructing pedestrians or passing vehicles. As a result, the garbage collection box can be easily folded and unfolded with a single touch, making it easy to use and preventing it from damaging the surrounding scenery."

[0006] Patent document 4 discloses that "This invention involves creating a polygonal garbage storage device using panels and placing garbage inside it. Traditionally, garbage was disposed of in plastic buckets, but over time, garbage has started to be disposed of in garbage bags. This garbage storage device was developed to find a way to deal with the piles of garbage bags. It is intended to be clean, improve the environment, and beautify the city."

[0007] Patent Document 5 proposes a garbage post that aims to "prevent garbage from scattering and improve the aesthetic appearance." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5114442 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-015856 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 3664709 [Patent Document 4] Utility Model Registration No. 3026775 [Patent Document 5] Utility Model Registration No. 3015713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, the systems described in Patent Documents 1 to 5 are designed to install trash cans and trash storage devices above ground, and are not intended to store trash containers underground. This means that many households have to carry trash bags out in front of their homes on each collection day, and even buckets and baskets (even weights during strong winds). Furthermore, in such situations, there is also the problem that damage caused by crows is likely to occur. Thus, conventional household trash disposal systems have had problems in terms of both environmental hygiene and appearance, making them undesirable.

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention is directed to a double-structure litter cage having a first storage container section with perpendicular front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions, and two sets of parallel wall surfaces forming a rectangular cylindrical shape that form breathable and transparent walls, and a second storage container section located inside the first storage container section and that is breathable and transparent like the first storage container section.

[0012] The litter cage according to the present invention is characterized as follows: the first and second storage container sections are configured to be extendable and foldable in the front-to-rear direction, and either the first or second storage container section is configured to be able to rise above the other and then fall.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, of the first storage container portion and the second storage container portion, the one that can be raised upward is provided with a lid portion that opens and closes by pivoting in the vertical direction.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cover portion can be folded and stored inside either the first storage container portion or the second storage container portion.

[0015] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the litter cage is removably stored in a storage recess dug into the ground. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The litter cage of the present invention is a double-structure litter cage consisting of an outer container portion and an inner container portion, and both litter cage portions can be extended and folded in the front-to-back direction, so that the internal volume can be increased when litter is placed inside and the entire cage can be made smaller when not in use. Since such a litter cage can be made small when not in use, it does not require a large storage space. Furthermore, when it is desired to store it in a recess underground, the recess can be made relatively small. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] A bird's-eye view showing the installation of waste cages (also known as waste storage devices) on the premises. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of the litter cage when removed from the underground storage area and placed in a usable state; FIG. [Figure 3] 1A, 1B, and 1C are perspective and side views showing the folded litter cage stored in the ground and removed from the ground. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view of a litter cage in use. [Figure 5] 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line V(a)-V(a) in FIG. 3(b), and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line V(b)-V(b) in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view of the litter cage when the second body portion is raised. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled litter cage. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second main body when the lid is open. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating situations in which the litter cage is used. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a litter containment cage including a litter cage. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view of the waste containment cage with the first body portion in the process of opening; FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the litter cage when the first body portion is open. [Figure 13] 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 when the second body portion is raised; [Figure 14] 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 when the second body part is open. [Figure 15] A view similar to FIG. 14 with the lid closed. [Figure 16] 11 is a perspective view of a waste containment cage in a different embodiment from that of FIG. 10. [Figure 17] 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 when the first body part is about to be opened; [Figure 18] 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 when the first body part is open. [Figure 19] 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 when the second body portion is being raised. [Figure 20] 19 when the second body part is about to be opened; FIG. [Figure 21] 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 when the cover of the second main body part is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This application omits a description of technologies that are already known. Furthermore, this application merely exemplifies structures and methods for embodying the technical idea of ​​the invention, and the technical idea of ​​the invention is not limited to the following. Various modifications can be made to the technical idea of ​​the invention within the scope of the matters described in the utility model claims. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, waste cage 1, an embodiment of the present invention, is a suitable device for storing waste contained in waste bags. As shown in FIG. 2 below, waste cage 1 can be made compact by folding the mesh cage portion that stores waste. When folded, waste cage 1 can be stored in underground storage section 3, a box-shaped recess dug into ground 15. Waste cage 1 also has a first body section 11 that is placed on ground 15 when in use, and a second body section 13 that slides upward relative to first body section 11 and overlaps the first body section 11. When storing underground, second body section 13 slides downward and fits outside or inside first body section 11, compacting waste cage 1 and storing it in underground storage section 3. In FIG. 1, waste cage 1 is located inside property 9, above underground storage section 3. Inside property 9, for example, there is a garage 5 or a house 7. The underground storage unit 3 has a lid 3a as shown in the figure, and when the waste cage 1 is stored, the lid 3a can be closed to improve environmental safety and hygiene and prevent the intrusion of fallen leaves and the like. In this invention, the waste cage 1 and the underground storage unit 3 are collectively referred to as a waste storage mechanism A, as will be described later. Furthermore, the first main body 11 may be referred to as a first storage container unit, and the second main body 13 may be referred to as a second storage container unit.

[0020] Referring to Figure 2, waste cage 1 has a mesh cage for storing waste, and in Figure 2, it is placed on the ground 15, which forms an underground storage section 3 for storing folded waste cage 1. Waste cage 1 has a first body section 11 placed on the ground 15 and a second body section 13 that slides upward from first body section 11. Here, when there is little waste, second body section 13 can be positioned outside first body section 11 without sliding upward relative to first body section 11 that has been unfolded from underground storage section 3, thereby forming a double-structure cage for use. When there is a lot of waste, second body section 13 can be slid upward and stacked on top of first body section 11, as shown, to use it as a cage with a larger capacity.

[0021] Referring again to FIG. 2, the first body 11 is rectangular or cubic, but the bottom and top are open. The four surrounding sides are mesh-like, allowing for breathability and transparency. The second body 13 is also rectangular or cubic, but the bottom and top are open. However, lids 13a and 13b can be attached to the tops. The opening and closing of the lids 13a and 13b will be described later. The width and depth of the first body 11 can be, for example, 50 cm and the height can be 40 cm. The width and depth of the second body 13 can be slightly larger than those of the first body 11, and the height can be approximately 40 cm. Furthermore, although the second body 13 is vertically slidable relative to the first body 11 in this embodiment, it can also be horizontally slidable, as described later.

[0022] 3(a), (b), and (c) are diagrams illustrating how the waste cage 1 is removed from the underground storage section 3. The waste cage 1 is folded and stored in the underground storage section 3 as shown in FIG. 3(a). When using the waste cage 1, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the waste cage 1 is removed from the underground storage section 3 by holding the handle 1a of the waste cage 1 and then stretching it horizontally to unfold it. As shown in FIG. 3(c), a member 11d that acts as a lid for the underground storage section 3 is attached to the bottom of the removed waste cage 1. As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, when the folded waste cage 1 is unfolded, the member 11d is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow F to close the top opening of the underground storage section 3 and prevent waste bags (not shown) from falling into the underground storage section 3.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3(b), when removing the waste cage 1 from the underground storage unit 3, the entire waste cage 1 is brought out of the underground storage unit 3 and then part of the first main body 11 is fixed to the edge of the opening of the underground storage unit 3. Then, the folded waste cage 1 is unfolded. This prevents the waste cage 1 from being blown away by strong winds, etc.

[0024] Fig. 4 is a side view of the litter cage 1 in Fig. 2. The second body portion 13, which has been pulled up to the top of the second body portion 13, is supported by a stopper member 31 which extends horizontally from the top of the first body portion 11 so as to be able to retract.

[0025] 5(a) and 5(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line V(a)-V(a) in FIG. 3 and line V(b)-V(b) in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5(a), two sets of guide members 23 are interposed between the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 13, enabling smooth vertical sliding of the second body portion 13 relative to the first body portion 11. Reference numeral 13a in these figures denotes an openable / closable lid attached to the second body portion 13. Reference numeral 23 in these figures also denotes a guide member interposed between the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 13, acting as a rail assembly to ensure smooth vertical movement of the second body portion 13. Additionally, reference numerals 26 and 27 denote hinges used in the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 13. The action of these hinges 26, 27 allows smooth bending and stretching movements at the peripheral wall portions of the first main body portion 11 and the second main body portion 13 shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

[0026] Fig. 6 is a side view of the litter cage 1, showing the second main body 13 in the process of rising relative to the first main body 11, as indicated by arrow 20. In Fig. 6, the second main body 13 can be raised by grasping the pair of handles 1a formed at the top of the second main body 13 and lifting it up to reach the state shown in Fig. 4. As described above, the second main body 13 in Fig. 4 is supported from below by the stopper member 31 that is retractably advanced at the top of the first main body 11, forming the second floor of the litter cage 1. The second main body 13 is provided with a foldable lid 13a.

[0027] Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the litter cage 1, but with the lids 13a and 13b slightly open. As an example, the dimension (width) of the lateral direction X of the lids 13a and 13b can be approximately 50 cm, the dimension (length) of the lid 13a in the front-to-rear direction Y can be approximately 30 cm, and the dimension (length) of the lid 13b in the front-to-rear direction Y can be 20 cm. Furthermore, the lid 13a can be rotated relative to the second main body 13 via a hinge (not shown), and the lid 13b can be rotated relative to the lid 13a via a hinge (not shown).

[0028] Although not shown, this invention can be modified in design so that the second body portion 13 is positioned inside the first body portion 11. Also, the configuration in the illustrated example in which the second body portion 13 moves up and down relative to the first body portion 11 can be changed to a configuration in which the first body portion 11 moves up and down relative to the second body portion 13. Also, the lid portions 13a and 13b can be attached to a first body portion 11 different from that in the illustrated example.

[0029] In the examples described above, the first body portion 11 overlaps the inside of the second body portion 13. However, by making the width of the lid portions 13a and 13b of the second body portion 13 smaller than that of the first body portion 11, the lid portions 13a and 13b can be stored inside the first body portion 11. These lid portions 13a and 13b also serve to secure the second body portion 13 together when folded. Also, in this invention, the second body portion 13 may be configured to overlap the inside of the first body portion 11. This allows the lid portions 13a and 13b to be folded without interference from the first body portion 11. In other words, when the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 13 are overlapped, the lid portions 13a and 13b are stored inside the first body portion 11. Therefore, even when the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 13 are overlapped, the lid portions 13a and 13b can be opened and closed independently of the first body portion 11.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second main body 13. A lid can be attached to the second main body 13 as needed. In the illustrated example, the lid is composed of a first lid 13a and a second lid 13b. The first lid 13a is rotatably attached to the second lid 13b via a hinge 10, and the second lid 13b is rotatably attached to the first lid 13a via a hinge 10. FIG. 9 shows the scene when the litter cage 1 of this embodiment is placed on the premises 9 of a home.

[0031] As described above, the waste cage 1 according to this invention can be made compact by folding the mesh cage that stores waste, and the folded waste cage 1 can be stored in the underground storage section 3. Such a waste cage 1 has a first body section 11 placed on the ground 15 and a second body section 13 that slides out from the first body section 11, and by stacking the second body section 13 on top of the first body section 11, the waste cage 1 can be made compact and stored in the underground storage section 3.

[0032] In this invention, the second body portion 13 can be provided with lid portions 13a and 13b. By using the lid portions 13a and 13b, it is possible to protect the waste from animals, birds, etc.

[0033] When stored, the lid portions 13a and 13b are folded and stored inside the second main body portion 13. This allows the device to be folded compactly.

[0034] The underground storage unit 3 is installed inside the site 9 .

[0035] 10 to 15 are perspective views showing how to use a waste collection mechanism A, which is one embodiment of the present invention. In the figures, a waste cage 1, which is one of the components of the waste collection mechanism A, has been removed from an underground storage section 3, which is another component, and placed on flat ground 15.

[0036] In Figure 10, the waste cage 1 has been removed from the underground storage unit 3 and is supported by a movable support member (not shown) in the underground storage unit 3. It is at rest at the same height as the ground 15, i.e., at the top of the opening of the underground storage unit 3, and is in a position where it can be extended to the right (forward) in the fore-and-aft direction indicated by the double-headed arrow Y. The first body 11 constituting the waste cage 1 has a front surface 50, side surfaces 51, and a rear surface 52, with both side surfaces 51 folded in an accordion-like manner. The second body 13 is located inside the first body 11, and both side surfaces 81 are folded in an accordion-like manner. The first body 11 has a cover 53 behind the rear surface 52 that is parallel to the rear surface 52 and movable in the vertical direction Z. Figures 11 and 12 are views similar to Figure 10, illustrating the operation of the first body 11. The first main body 11 has a front portion 50, a rear portion 52, and a lid portion 53 connected to both side portions 51. When the front portion 50 slides to the right in the figure, both side portions 51 also extend in the front-to-rear direction Y, forming a first garbage receptacle 54 together with the rear portion 52. Behind the rear portion 52 is a movable lid portion 53 that is parallel to the rear portion 52 and fits behind the first main body 11 and can move back and forth in the up-down direction Z; in Figure 12, the movable lid portion 53 is in a raised position. The lid portion 53 can pivot back and forth in the up-down direction indicated by the double-headed arrow P. When the lid portion 53 pivots downward in the figure, the first main body 11, which is the first garbage receptacle 54, can be closed from above in the figure.

[0037] 13, 14, and 15 are similar to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 and show the operation of the second body portion 13. In FIG. 13, the second body portion 13, which is folded inside the first body portion 11, is pulled upward in the vertical direction Z. The first body portion 11 is in the state shown in FIG. 12, but the cover portion 53 is in a lowered state. Both side surface portions 81 of the second body portion 13 are folded in an accordion-like manner in the front-rear direction Y.

[0038] 14, the second main body portion 13 has been pulled to the right (forward) in the front-rear direction Y from the state shown in FIG. 13, and both side surface portions 81, which were folded in an accordion-like shape, are in an extended state. A lid portion 83 is connected to the rear of the rear surface portion 82 via a hinge portion 85. The lid portion 83 has not yet been used.

[0039] FIG. 15 shows the second body 13 when the lid 83 is in a closed position. The lid 83 can be rotated in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow Q to open or close the second body 13. The waste collection mechanism A shown in FIG. 15 provides a deep cage that can accommodate a large amount of waste. The cage can also be made using plates or nets with ventilation holes for the first body 11 and the second body 13, so the collected waste will not be blown away by the wind and scattered. Furthermore, because the waste is contained in a cage made of plates or nets with ventilation holes, it will not be attacked by crows or other birds.

[0040] 16 to 21 are a series of perspective views illustrating how to use a waste collection mechanism A, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, the waste cage 1 forming the waste collection mechanism A has been removed from the underground storage unit 3 also forming the waste collection mechanism A and placed on flat ground 15.

[0041] In Figure 16, the waste cage 1 has been pulled out from the underground storage section 3 and is in a state in which it can be extended in one of the forward and backward directions indicated by arrow Y. The first main body section 11 constituting the waste cage 1 has a front section 50, both side sections 51, a rear section 52, and a lid section 53 located behind the rear section 52, with both side sections 51 folded in an accordion-like manner. The side sections 51 and the lid section 53 are connected by a drive wire 55.

[0042] 17 and 18 are diagrams showing changes in the state of the litter cage 1 when the first body 11 moves forward in the front-to-rear direction Y. In FIG. 17, when the first body 11 is moved forward in the front-to-rear direction Y, both accordion-shaped side sections 51 extend. The drive wire 55 connected to the side sections 51 via the slide piece 56 is pulled in the lateral direction Y as the side sections 51 extend. The rear end 55R of the drive wire 55 extending in the front-to-rear direction Y is connected to the lower end of the side section of the lid 53 of the first body 11. As the drive wire 55 moves forward in the front-to-rear direction Y, it begins to move upward in the vertical direction Z (see FIGS. 16 and 17). When the drive wire 55 moves until it is horizontal, the lid 53 reaches the top of the first body 11 (see FIG. 18). 18 is capable of repeating a reciprocating motion in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow S, in other words, a motion that opens and closes the top opening of the first body part 11. In this state, the first body part 11 can be used as a litter cage 1 with an openable and closable top opening.

[0043] 19 shows a state in which the second main body portion 13 is being removed from the front portion in the front-to-rear direction Y of the first main body portion 11 which is in the unfolded state in FIG. 18, i.e., from between the front surface portion 50 of the first main body portion 11 and the partition plate 49. At the rear portion of the first main body portion 11, the lid portion 53 stands upright.

[0044] In FIG. 20 , the removed second main body 13 is spread rearward in the front-to-rear direction Y. A lid 63 is attached to the outer side of a rear surface 82 of the second main body 13 so as to be movable up and down. A second drive wire 65 is connected to the side surface 81 via a slide piece 66, and the second drive wire 65 is connected to and fixed to the side surface of the lid 63. When the second main body 13 is spread rearward in the front-to-rear direction Y (to the left in the figure), the lid 63 is pulled up by the second drive wire 65. As shown in FIG. 21 , when the second main body 13 is sufficiently spread, the lid 63 finishes rising and falls down so as to close the second main body 13 from above, using the attachment portion 67 of the second drive wire 65 as a fulcrum, thereby forming an openable and closable lid for the litter cage 1.

[0045] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the utility model claims. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine all or a plurality of the components of the above-described embodiments. For example, the structures and dimensions exemplified above are not limited to the illustrated examples and can be modified in various ways. In the illustrated examples, the lids 13a, 13b, 53, 63, etc. attached to the first body 11 and the second body 13 are not limited to the one side to which they are attached in the illustration, but can also be attached to a side parallel to that side, in other words, the opposite side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 litter cage 3 Underground storage section 5 Garage 7. Housing 9 Site 11 First body part 13 Second body part

Claims

1. A double-layered waste cage having a first storage container section having mutually orthogonal front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions, and two sets of mutually parallel walls forming a rectangular tube shape and creating a breathable and transparent wall section, and a second storage container section located inside the first storage container section and being breathable and transparent in the same way as the first storage container section, The first storage container section and the second storage container section are formed to be extendable and foldable in the front-rear direction, and the second storage container section is formed to be able to move upward above the first storage container section and then downward. The first storage container section is provided with a first lid that rises when the second storage container section is closed inside the first storage container section, and opens and closes the first storage container section by a vertical rotational movement. The garbage cage is characterized in that the second storage container section is provided with a second lid section that can be opened and closed by rotating the second storage container section when it is in an open state after the second storage container section has risen above the first storage container section and has extended in the front-rear direction.

2. The waste cage according to claim 1, wherein the waste cage is removably stored in a box-shaped storage recess made by digging into the ground.

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