Sorting aids and bins

Abstract

To provide a technique that can add a sorting / collecting function to an installed trash box.SOLUTION: A sorting auxiliary tool (1), which can be installed in a box body (20) of a trash box (10), comprises a support part (2) that has a shape at least partially following an opening part (21) of the box body (20) and can be placed on the opening part (21), and a partition wall (3) that is supported at two points by the support part (2). The partition wall (3) extends toward above the opening part (21), with the support member (2) placed on the opening part (21).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting aid that can be attached to the body of a trash can, and to a trash can with the aid attached. [Background technology]

[0002] The efficiency of recycling of reusable waste, such as beverage containers like PET bottles and cans, depends greatly on the accuracy of sorting at the time of collection. For this reason, various proposals have been made to enable effective sorting of waste in trash bins used for waste collection.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-86934 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-290598 (Patent Document 2), and Utility Model Registration No. 3118302 (Patent Document 3) disclose trash cans that have multiple openings and are configured so that collection bags corresponding to each of the multiple openings can be attached. According to these inventions, multiple spaces divided by multiple bags can be provided inside a single trash can, and multiple categories of waste can be separated and collected using a single trash can. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-86934 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-290598 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3118302 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the structure that enables the separate collection of waste had to be installed in advance during the manufacturing stage of the trash can, which made it difficult to add the separate collection function to an already installed trash can. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for technology that can add a sorting collection function to existing trash bins.

[0007] The sorting aid according to the present invention comprises: Rectangular in plan view With opening At the same time, the edge of the opening has a step. A trash can comprising a box body, at least two openings through which materials to be collected in the box body can be put, and a lid body capable of at least partially closing the openings. 、 The box body The step is fitted at least partially along the opening while being placed on the step. A sorting aid, When placed on the step, Fitted at least partially along the opening a first side having a length approximately half the width of the opening in the left-right direction; a second side having a length shorter than approximately half the width of the opening in the left-right direction; and a third side connecting one end of the first side and one end of the second side and having a length approximately equal to the length of the opening in the depth direction. a support portion, the other end of the first side portion and the other end of the second side portion Two points of support are provided by Flat a partition wall; before When the support portion is placed on the opening, the partition wall extends above the opening, The partition wall defines a first portion of the opening and a second portion having an opening area smaller than that of the first portion, and the partition wall is disposed between one side of the opening and another side opposite to the one side in a manner that diagonally crosses the opening in a plan view. It is characterized by:

[0008] According to this configuration, by additionally installing the sorting aid according to the present invention to an already installed trash bin, a sorting and collection function can be added to the already installed trash bin.

[0009] The trash can according to the present invention comprises: Rectangular in plan view With opening At the same time, the edge of the opening has a step. box body a lid having at least two inlets through which materials to be collected can be put into the box body and capable of at least partially closing the openings; and a sorting aid that is fitted at least partially along the openings while being placed on the step of the box body. Equipped with It is a trash can , The sorting aid is fitted at least partially along the opening when placed on the step, and comprises a support part having a first side having a length of approximately half the left-right width of the opening, a second side having a length shorter than approximately half the left-right width of the opening, and a third side connecting one end of the first side and one end of the second side and having a length approximately the same as the depth direction length of the opening, and a flat partition wall supported at two points by the other end of the first side and the other end of the second side of the support part, the partition wall extending above the opening, defining a first portion of the opening and a second portion having an opening area smaller than that of the first portion, and the partition wall is arranged between one side of the opening and another side opposite to that side in a manner that diagonally crosses the opening in a plan view. It is characterized by:

[0010] This configuration allows for the addition of a separate collection function to an already installed trash can. Also, a larger volume can be allocated to items that are expected to be collected in larger quantities, allowing for more effective use of the internal volume of the trash can.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described below.

[0012] The present invention minutes In one aspect of the separate auxiliary tool, the partition wall is preferably configured integrally with the support portion.

[0013] This configuration tends to simplify the operation of installing the sorting aid according to the present invention.

[0020] In one aspect, the trash can according to the present invention comprises: ,before It is preferable that on the inside of the lid body, at least one of the inlets opens toward the first portion, and at least one of the inlets different from the inlet opens toward the second portion, and that at least in the portion of the opening closest to the inlet, the first portion and the second portion have an opening width larger than the inlet.

[0021] According to this configuration, the two inlets can be appropriately associated with the first portion and the second portion, respectively, which makes it easier to improve the accuracy of sorting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a trash can according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the separation aid according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used; [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a state in which the trash can according to the present invention is used; [Figure 4] An example of placement of the bag in the trash can according to the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of containers stacked above the height of the opening [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a trash can according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a separation aid according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] First Embodiment A first embodiment of a sorting aid and a trash can equipped with the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example will be described in which a sorting aid 1 is installed in a trash can 10 that collects beverage containers (an example of collected items).

[0024] <Configuration of sorting aids and trash bins> First, the configurations of the sorting aid 1 and trash can 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The trash can 10 according to this embodiment includes a box body 20 and a lid body 30, and the sorting aid 1 according to this embodiment is installed in the opening 21 of the box body 20 (FIG. 1). In the following description, the "state of use" refers to the state in which the sorting aid 1 is installed in the opening 21 of the box body 20 and the opening 21 is closed with the lid body 30 (FIG. 3).

[0025] The box 20 has a generally cubic shape and is a bottomed box whose entire top surface is opened as a generally rectangular opening 21. A step 21a is provided in the opening 21, and the sorting aid 1 is placed on the step 21a as described below.

[0026] The lid 30 can be removably attached to the top of the box 20, and closes the opening 21 when attached to the box 20 (FIG. 3). The lid 30 is provided with a first insertion opening 31 and a second insertion opening 32, and a container inserted through the first insertion opening 31 or the second insertion opening 32 is contained inside the box 20 through the opening 21. In the following description, when referring to the front-rear direction, the side where the first insertion opening 31 and the second insertion opening 32 are open when the lid 30 is attached to the box 20 is defined as the "front."

[0027] In use, it is expected that a PET bottle P (an example of a collection item, hereinafter simply referred to as a PET bottle P) with a capacity of approximately 200 to 600 mL will be placed through the first insertion opening 31, and a can C (an example of a collection item, hereinafter simply referred to as a can C) with a capacity of approximately 150 to 600 mL will be placed through the second insertion opening 32. Therefore, the dimensions of the first insertion opening 31 and the second insertion opening 32 are selected so that the PET bottles P and cans C expected to be placed can pass through. In this embodiment, the first insertion opening 31 and the second insertion opening 32 are both circular openings with a diameter of 8.5 cm. Furthermore, the first insertion opening 31 is positioned to fit within the left half of the front surface of the lid body 30 in a front view, and the second insertion opening 32 is positioned to fit within the right half of the front surface of the lid body 30 in a front view (FIG. 3). In addition, a first indicator 33 is attached below the first insertion port 31 to encourage the user to insert a PET bottle P, and a second indicator 34 is attached below the second insertion port 32 to encourage the user to insert a can C.

[0028] A sorting aid 1 according to this embodiment is placed in the opening 21 (FIG. 1). The sorting aid 1 includes a support part 2 that can be placed in the opening 21 of the box body 20, and a partition wall 3 that is integral with the support part 2 (FIG. 1).

[0029] The support part 2 has sides 2a, 2b, and 2c (Fig. 2). The length of side 2a is approximately half the width of the opening 21 in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the length of side 2b opposite side 2a is shorter than half the width of the opening 21 in the left-right direction. The length of side 2c connecting side 2a and side 2b is approximately the same as the length of the opening 21 in the depth direction. Due to the above dimensional relationship, the support part 2 has a shape that partially follows the approximately rectangular periphery of the opening 21 in a plan view. This allows the support part 2 to be fitted into the opening 21 by being placed on a step 21a provided in the opening 21.

[0030] The partition wall 3 is a member having a substantially triangular plate-like portion (FIG. 1). The partition wall 3 is provided across an end 3a of the side 2a of the support part 2 and an end 3b of the side 2b, i.e., it is supported at two points at the ends 3a, 3b. In use, the partition wall 3 extends above the opening 21 and is housed in the space defined between the opening 21 and the lid 30.

[0031] When the sorting aid 1 is placed on the opening 21, the opening area of ​​the opening 21 is divided into two by the partition wall 3 (FIG. 2). Here, the length of the side 2a is approximately half the width of the opening 21 in the left-right direction, and the length of the side 2b is shorter than half of that width, so the opening areas of the first portion 21b and the second portion 21c defined by the partition wall 3 are not equal. Specifically, the opening area of ​​the first portion 21b is larger than the opening area of ​​the second portion 21c.

[0032] When the sorting aid 1 is placed in the opening 21 and the lid 30 is attached to the box 20, the first opening 31 opens toward the first portion 21b of the opening 21, and the second opening 32 opens toward the second portion 21c of the opening 21. Here, because the front end 3a of the partition wall 3 is located near the center of the side 2a, the left-right opening widths of the first portion 21b and the second portion 21c are approximately equal on the front side, and therefore the first portion 21b and the second portion 21c each have an opening width on the front side that is approximately half the width of the trash can 10. On the other hand, the first opening 31 and the second opening 32 are located so as to fit within the left and right half of the area of ​​the front portion of the lid 30, respectively, and therefore their opening widths are smaller than approximately half the opening width of the trash can 10. Due to the above dimensional relationship, on the front side (an example of the portion closest to the insertion port), the opening width of first portion 21b is larger than the opening width of first insertion port 31, and the opening width of second portion 21c is larger than the opening width of second insertion port 32. This allows containers inserted through first insertion port 31 to be properly directed toward first portion 21b, and containers inserted through second insertion port 32 to be properly directed toward second portion 21c.

[0033] How to use sorting aids and trash cans Next, a method of using the sorting aid 1 and trash can 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The trash can 10 is installed adjacent to a beverage vending machine, for example, and beverage containers are expected to be inserted into it. As described above, plastic bottles P are expected to be inserted into the first insertion opening 31, and cans C are expected to be inserted into the second insertion opening 32. The sorting aid 1 and trash can 10 according to this embodiment are installed with the expectation that the inserted plastic bottles P and cans C will be separated and collected.

[0034] In actual use, a first bag body 22 for collecting plastic bottles P and a second bag body 23 for collecting cans C are installed in the box body 20. The first bag body 22 is installed in a manner that its mouth portion is hooked around the periphery of the first portion 21b of the opening 21. Similarly, the second bag body 23 is installed in a manner that its mouth portion is hooked around the periphery of the second portion 21c of the opening 21 (FIG. 4).

[0035] When installing the first bag body 22 and the second bag body 23, first, the sorting aid 1 is placed on the empty box body 20. At this time, the first portion 21b and the second portion 21c of the opening 21 are defined. Next, the first bag body 22 is inserted into the box body 20 through the first portion 21b, and the opening of the first bag body 22 is hooked onto the opening 21 and the partition wall 3. Similarly, the second bag body 23 is inserted into the box body 20 through the second portion 21c, and the opening of the second bag body 23 is hooked onto the opening 21 and the partition wall 3.

[0036] After the first bag body 22 and the second bag body 23 are installed, the lid body 30 is attached to the box body 20, and the trash can 10 becomes usable. As described above, the first insertion opening 31 opens toward the first portion 21b of the opening 21, so that a container inserted into the first insertion opening 31 easily passes through the first portion 21b when being stored in the box body 20. Here, the first bag body 22 is installed in a manner such that its opening is hooked onto the first portion 21b, so that a container inserted into the first insertion opening 31 is easily stored in the first bag body 22. Furthermore, since PET bottles P are expected to be inserted into the first insertion opening 31, it is expected that the majority of the containers collected in the first bag body 22 will be PET bottles P. Similarly, a container inserted into the second insertion opening 32 is easily stored in the second bag body 23, and it is expected that the majority of the containers collected in the second bag body 23 will be cans C.

[0037] Here, the partition wall 3 serves to prevent the inserted PET bottles P and cans C from being placed in a bag different from the bag that each container is expected to be placed in. For example, even if a PET bottle P inserted through the first insertion port 31 advances toward the second portion 21c of the opening 21, the PET bottle P will hit the partition wall 3 and fall toward the first portion 21b.

[0038] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the trash can 10 is installed in a location where the amount of collected plastic bottles P tends to be greater than the amount of collected cans C. If the first bag body 22 and the second bag body 23 are the same size, the first bag body 22 will become full first. At this time, even though the capacity of the box body 20 still has room, collection of plastic bottles P cannot continue.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first bag body 22 is made larger than the second bag body 23 to accommodate the difference in the amount of collected plastic bottles P and cans C. Also, the opening area of ​​the first portion 21b of the opening 21 is made larger than the opening area of ​​the second portion 21c to accommodate the difference in size between the first bag body 22 and the second bag body 23. With the above configuration, more of the internal space of the box body 20 can be allocated to the plastic bottles P, which are collected in larger quantities, and the internal volume of the box body 20 can be used effectively.

[0040] Furthermore, as the collection of containers progresses, the containers may pile up beyond the height of the opening 21 as shown in Figure 5. In this case, the partition wall 3 prevents the containers from falling from the top of one bag body to the other bag body side.

[0041] As described above, by using the trash can 10 equipped with the sorting aid 1, it is possible to improve the sorting rate of collected PET bottles P and cans C. Therefore, it is easy to reuse the collected PET bottles P and cans C as resources.

[0042] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of a sorting aid and a trash can equipped with the same according to the present invention will be described. Note that parts common to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0043] The separation aid 4 according to this embodiment includes a support member 5 (an example of a support part) that can be placed on the opening 21 of the box body 20, and a partition wall member 6 (an example of a partition wall) that can engage with the support member 5 (FIG. 6).

[0044] The support member 5 has a generally rectangular outer shape that is slightly smaller than the opening 21, and can be fitted around the entire periphery of the opening 21 by being placed on a step 21a provided in the opening 21. The support member 5 also has engaged portions 5c and 5d that can engage with engaging portions 6a and 6b of the partition wall member 6 near the center of the side 5a that is located on the front side when placed on the step 21a, and on the side 5b that faces the side 5a. The engaged portion 5d on the side 5b side is provided in a position offset from the center of the side 5b toward one end (FIG. 7).

[0045] The partition wall member 6 is a plate-like member having a substantially triangular shape (FIG. 6). The partition wall member 6 has engaging portions 6a, 6b at both longitudinal ends of its lower end portion, which are engageable with the engaged portions 5c, 5d of the support member 5. In use, the partition wall member 6 is fixed in a manner such that the engaging portions 6a, 6b engage with the engaged portions 5c, 5d, and extends above the opening 21, and is housed in the space defined between the opening 21 and the lid 30.

[0046] As can be seen from the exploded perspective view shown in Fig. 6, the separation aid 4 according to this embodiment can define the first portion 21b and the second portion 21c of the opening 21, similar to the separation aid 1 according to the first embodiment, when the support member 5 and the partition wall member 6 are engaged. Therefore, the method of using the separation aid 4 is similar to that of the separation aid 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] Other Embodiments Finally, other embodiments of the sorting aid and trash can according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0048] The shape of the support part according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be placed on the opening of the trash can. For example, the support member according to the present invention may be shaped to fit along part of the periphery of the opening as in the first embodiment (support part 2), or may be able to fit over the entire periphery of the opening as in the second embodiment (support part 5). Regardless of the shape of the support part, the support part and the partition wall may be integrally formed as in the first embodiment, or the support part and the partition wall may be separate as in the second embodiment.

[0049] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the partition wall 3 (partition wall member 6) is supported at two points by the side 2a (side 5a) located on the front side and the side 2b (side 5b) opposite the side 2a (side 5a) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the partition wall according to the present invention can be provided in any location as long as it is supported at two points by the support portion. For example, when the support portion is at least a part of a substantially rectangular shape as in the above embodiment, the partition wall can be provided across two adjacent sides or across two different points on one side. However, providing the partition wall across two opposing sides as in the above embodiment is preferable because it makes it easier to ensure sufficient opening areas for both the first and second portions of the opening defined by the partition wall, thereby making it easier to ensure sufficient storage capacity for each of the collected objects.

[0050] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the box 20 has a substantially cubic shape and the opening 21 is a substantially rectangular opening. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the outer shape of the box according to the present invention is not particularly limited and may be, for example, cylindrical. Note that the shapes of each part of the sorting aid according to the present invention may be changed as desired to correspond to the shape of the trash bin in which the sorting aid is installed.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the trash can 10 has been described as having a lid 30. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the trash can according to the present invention does not necessarily have to have a lid. However, if the trash can has a lid with an opening, it is easier to prevent items that do not fit the shape of the opening from being thrown in, which tends to improve the separation rate of collected waste.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the first and second input ports 31 and 32 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the at least two input ports provided on the lid of the trash can according to the present invention may be arranged in any manner as long as they do not interfere with each other. For example, the two input ports may be spaced apart in the vertical or front-to-back direction. The shape of each part of the sorting aid may be changed as appropriate depending on the arrangement of the input ports. Therefore, although the partition wall 3 is arranged across the front-to-back direction in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the partition wall is arranged across the left-to-right direction may also be adopted.

[0053] The trash can according to the present invention may have a fixing member for fixing the bag to the box body or the lid body, or the bag may be fixed by being sandwiched between the opening and the support part, or a fixing member for fixing the bag to the sorting aid may be provided.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the trash can 10 is installed for the purpose of separating and collecting plastic bottles P and cans C. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the sorting aid and trash can according to the present invention can be used for the purpose of separating any collection items.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the partition wall 3 or partition wall member 6 defines the first portion 21b and the second portion 21c of the opening 21. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the partition wall according to the present invention may have a shape that defines the opening by dividing it into three or more portions. In such a case, the shape of the support member may also be changed to fit the shape of the partition wall. In addition, in this case, when the trash can has a lid, the number of slots provided in the lid may be changed depending on the number of portions into which the opening is divided.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the opening areas of the first portion 21b and the second portion 21c defined by the partition wall 3 or the partition wall member 6 are such that the opening area of ​​the first portion 21b is larger than the opening area of ​​the second portion 21c. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the opening areas of the first and second portions of the opening defined by the partition wall of the present invention may be such that the opening area of ​​the second portion is larger than the opening area of ​​the first portion, or the opening areas of the first and second portions may be equal. Furthermore, even when the partition wall of the present invention has a shape that divides and defines the opening into three or more portions, there is no particular limitation on the size relationship of the opening areas of the divided portions.

[0057] The material constituting the sorting aid of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, metal, plastic, etc. If the sorting aid of the present invention is made of metal, it is easy to make a sorting aid that matches the dimensions of each trash can. In addition, since the weight of the partition wall is relatively large, it is easy to effectively fix the bag body. If the sorting aid of the present invention is made of plastic, it is easy to mass-produce a sorting aid that fits trash cans of a predetermined size. In addition, since it is easy to make the sorting aid relatively lightweight, it is easy to perform tasks that involve moving the sorting aid (such as replacing the bag body).

[0058] Regarding other configurations, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all respects and that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. Those skilled in the art will easily understand that appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The present invention can be used, for example, in a trash can for collecting beverage containers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] First Embodiment 1: Sorting aid 2: Support Department 2a: Side 2b: Side 2c: Side 3:Shiqiebi 3a: End 3b: End [Second form] 4: Separate supplementary tools 5:Supporting parts and materials 5a: Side 5b: Side 5c: quilt closure 5d: quilt closure 6: Cutting wall materials 6a: Joint 6b: Tie [Common to all facilities] 10:ごみbox 20: Cabinet 21: Opening 21a: step difference 21b: Part 1 21c: Part 2 22: First bag body 23: Second bag body 30: Cover 31: First input port 32: Second input port 33: First representation 34: Second representation C: Fou P:Tower

Claims

1. A sorting aid for a trash can having a box body with a rectangular opening in a plan view and a step at the edge of the opening, and a lid body having at least two openings through which materials to be collected in the box body can be put and capable of at least partially closing the opening, the sorting aid being fitted at least partially along the opening when placed on the step of the box body, a support portion that is fitted at least partially along the opening when placed on the step, and that has a first side portion having a length that is approximately half the width of the opening in the left-right direction, a second side portion having a length that is shorter than approximately half the width of the opening in the left-right direction, and a third side portion that connects one end of the first side portion and one end of the second side portion and has a length that is approximately the same as the length of the opening in the depth direction; a flat partition wall supported at two points by the other end of the first side portion and the other end of the second side portion of the support portion, When the support portion is placed on the opening, the partition wall extends above the opening; The partition wall defines a first portion of the opening and a second portion having an opening area smaller than that of the first portion; and The partition wall is disposed between one side of the opening and another side opposite to the one side, in a manner diagonally crossing the opening in a plan view. Sorting aid.

2. The sorting aid according to claim 1 , wherein the partition wall is integral with the support portion.

3. A box body having a rectangular opening in a plan view and having a step at the edge of the opening; A lid body having at least two inlets through which materials to be collected can be put into the box body and capable of at least partially closing the openings; A sorting aid that is fitted at least partially along the opening in a state where it is placed on the step of the box body, The separation aid is a support portion that is fitted at least partially along the opening when placed on the step, and that has a first side portion having a length that is approximately half the width of the opening in the left-right direction, a second side portion having a length that is shorter than approximately half the width of the opening in the left-right direction, and a third side portion that connects one end of the first side portion and one end of the second side portion and has a length that is approximately the same as the length of the opening in the depth direction; a flat partition wall supported at two points by the other end of the first side portion and the other end of the second side portion of the support portion, the partition wall extends above the opening; The partition wall defines a first portion of the opening and a second portion having an opening area smaller than that of the first portion, and The partition wall is disposed between one side of the opening and another side opposite to the one side, in a manner diagonally crossing the opening in a plan view. trash can.

4. Inside the lid body, at least one of the inlets opens toward the first part, and at least one of the inlets different from the inlet opens toward the second part, 4. The trash can according to claim 3, wherein the first and second portions have an opening width greater than the opening width at least in a portion of the opening closest to the insertion opening.

Images