Garbage Station

Abstract

To provide a garbage station which allows garbage bags to be thrown in without opening or closing a net or a lid, prevents birds and animals from rummaging through the garbage and scattering the garbage, allows a garbage collector to efficiently collect the garbage, and can flexibly deal with the amount of garbage to be stored without increasing the size. [Solution] A garbage inlet frame 11 is installed in the upper opening 10, and a wire 12 is attached to the garbage inlet frame 11 and installed so as to cross the upper opening 10, and a bird and animal damage prevention rod 13 is installed so as to intersect with the wire 12. A roller 14 is attached to the front side of the upper opening 10, which rotates when a bird lands on it. The bird and animal damage prevention rod 13 is made of an elastic body, and has the property of bending downward when a load is applied from above, and returning to its original shape due to its restoring force when the load is removed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a garbage station that can prevent birds such as crows and animals from rummaging through garbage and scattering it. [Background technology]

[0002] Garbage stations are set up by municipalities for the purpose of garbage collection and are used by local residents, and have become widespread nationwide. However, these garbage stations are often littered with garbage scattered by birds and animals such as crows rummaging through the garbage, posing a problem in terms of hygiene and environmental conservation.

[0003] An example of such technology relating to garbage stations aimed at dealing with birds and animals is disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-238330 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] At conventional garbage stations, users have to open and close the net or lid of the garbage station when putting garbage bags in, which is time-consuming. These nets and lids are often in direct contact with garbage, so not only do they easily get hands dirty when operating them, creating hygiene issues, but there is also the risk of the lid suddenly closing when a strong gust of wind blows, which could injure users. Such nets and lids have been considered essential to prevent birds and animals, such as crows, from rummaging through garbage, but it would be extremely convenient if measures to prevent birds and animals could be taken without opening and closing the net or lid of the garbage station when putting garbage bags in. From the perspective of the collection company, the opening and closing of the net or lid requires that the net or lid be kept open during collection work, which is a factor that reduces the efficiency of collection work.

[0006] Furthermore, since garbage stations are designed to accept garbage bags, they must have sufficient capacity. This means that the units tend to be large, which often obstructs the passage of pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles when not in use. Furthermore, existing garbage stations have a fixed capacity, so it is expected that garbage exceeding the capacity will spill over, creating a demand for garbage stations that can flexibly accommodate the amount of garbage stored.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a garbage station that allows garbage bags to be thrown in without opening or closing a net or lid, that can prevent birds and animals from rummaging through the garbage and scattering the garbage, that allows garbage collectors to collect garbage efficiently, and that can flexibly accommodate the amount of garbage to be stored without being large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the garbage station of the present invention has a garbage inlet frame installed in the upper opening which functions as a garbage inlet when garbage is thrown in, a wire attached to the garbage inlet frame and installed so as to cross the upper opening, a bird and animal damage prevention rod attached so as to cross the wire, and a net formed to cover the front, rear and two side surfaces of the garbage storage section, the bird and animal damage prevention rod is formed from an elastic body and has the property of bending downward when a load is applied from above and returning to its original shape due to its restoring force when the load is removed, so that garbage thrown in from above bends the bird and animal damage prevention rod and falls into the garbage storage section where it is stored, and birds that land on the bird and animal damage prevention rod are repelled by the bending action of the bird and animal damage prevention rod and fly away.

[0009] The trash slot does not have a mesh cover, but is an opening on the top, so trash can be thrown in without opening or closing the mesh or lid. This means that hands do not get dirty when operating the trash can, eliminating hygiene issues. It also prevents the lid from suddenly closing in the event of a sudden gust of wind, preventing injury to users.

[0010] The upper opening, which functions as a garbage inlet when garbage is thrown in, is equipped with a garbage inlet frame, a wire attached to the garbage inlet frame and installed across the upper opening, and a bird and animal damage prevention rod installed so as to cross the wire. The bird and animal damage prevention rod has the property of bending downward when a load is applied from above and returning to its original shape due to its restoring force when the load is removed, so that birds and animals that land on the wire or bird and animal damage prevention rod will avoid their unstable movements and fly away. Therefore, even without a mesh cover on the garbage inlet, it is possible to prevent birds and animals such as crows from rummaging through the garbage and scattering it.

[0011] This solves both the problems that arise from opening and closing the net or lid when putting garbage in, and the problems that arise from birds such as crows and animals rummaging through the garbage.

[0012] In the garbage station of the present invention, a roller that rotates when a bird lands on it is attached to the front side of the upper opening, and the birds are repelled by the rotating motion of the roller and fly away.

[0013] The rollers are made up of free rollers, and even if birds grab them with their feet, the rotational movement of the rollers makes them unstable, making it difficult for birds to stay on, thereby providing a bird damage prevention effect.

[0014] In the garbage station of the present invention, the rollers may be provided with a pattern that repels birds.

[0015] Birds such as crows have excellent eyesight, so when searching through trash in a garbage station, they are expected to check the situation from the front before approaching. Therefore, by applying a pattern to the roller that repels birds, an environment that makes it psychologically difficult for them to approach is created. Examples of repelling patterns include high-contrast striped patterns, spiral patterns using reflective material, and dot patterns.

[0016] In the garbage station of the present invention, the garbage inlet frame and the net can be folded when not in use and when garbage is collected, and can be set up so that they stand upright along the outer frame that is set upright in the vertical direction.

[0017] The structure allows it to be folded and stored compactly when not in use, so it does not obstruct pedestrians, bicycles, or vehicles when not in use. Furthermore, because the structure does not have a net attached to the underside of the garbage storage section, simply folding the garbage inlet frame leaves only the garbage bags on the ground, reducing both the burden on garbage collectors to remove the garbage and the burden on the manager to clean up. In this way, garbage can be easily collected simply by folding the garbage inlet frame, and garbage collection and storage can be performed efficiently as a single unit, reducing the labor required for collection work and the time required to clean up the garbage station.

[0018] In the garbage station of the present invention, the outer frame and the garbage inlet frame are connected by a garbage inlet frame fixing wire, and the garbage inlet frame can be configured so that when the garbage inlet frame is unfolded during use, the garbage inlet frame is maintained in a horizontal direction.

[0019] The outer frame and the garbage inlet frame are connected by a garbage inlet frame fixing wire, which limits the movement of the garbage inlet frame so that it does not drop below horizontal when the garbage inlet frame is unfolded, thereby maintaining the shape of the garbage storage section stably.

[0020] In the garbage station of the present invention, a net storage cover can be attached to the garbage inlet frame, which functions to hold down the net when the net is folded when not in use.

[0021] The net storage cover is a component attached to the garbage inlet frame, and has the function of pressing down the net with its own weight as the garbage inlet frame is opened and closed. Therefore, when not in use, the protective net can be pressed down against the outer frame in conjunction with the action of folding the garbage inlet frame, and the installation width of the garbage station can be reduced when not in use.

[0022] In the garbage station of the present invention, the position at which the garbage inlet frame is fixed to the outer frame can be changed in the height direction of the outer frame when not in use and when garbage is collected, so that the capacity of the garbage storage section when in use can be changed.

[0023] By adopting a structure that allows the position where the garbage inlet frame is fixed to the outer frame to be changed in the height direction of the outer frame, the capacity of the garbage storage section during use can be changed. Specifically, by raising the position where the garbage inlet frame is fixed, the capacity of the garbage storage section during use increases, and by lowering the position where the garbage inlet frame is fixed, the capacity of the garbage storage section during use decreases. Therefore, the capacity of the garbage storage section can be appropriately changed depending on the usage conditions of the area. Existing garbage stations have a fixed capacity, so garbage that exceeds the capacity overflows, which is undesirable from an environmental perspective. However, by being able to change the capacity of the garbage storage section depending on the usage conditions of the area, this problem does not occur. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, garbage bags can be thrown in without opening or closing the net or lid, and it is possible to prevent birds and animals from rummaging through the garbage and scattering it, allowing collection companies to collect garbage efficiently and realizing a garbage station that can flexibly accommodate the amount of garbage to be stored without being large. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of a garbage station according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram showing details of the upper opening of the garbage station. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the function of the bird and animal damage prevention pole. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the function of a roller. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern applied to a roller to repel birds. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the function of a wire. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing that the structure is folded when not in use and when collecting garbage. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the operation when the garbage insertion port is unfolded. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing details of the setting of the garbage inlet frame fixing wire and the function of the net storage bar. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a garbage collection operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The garbage station of the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment thereof. FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a garbage station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the garbage station when garbage is being dropped in, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing the structure of the garbage station when garbage is being dropped in.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1(a), garbage station 1 comprises an outer frame 2 that stands vertically relative to the ground, and a net 4 that covers the front, rear, and two side surfaces of garbage storage section 3, with outer frame 2 fixed to the ground by a base 5. No net 4 is attached to the top side of garbage storage section 3, leaving an open garbage inlet 6. The net 4 is not attached to the underside of garbage storage section 3, so that garbage 7 placed in garbage storage section 3 is kept on the ground. Depending on the installation situation, this garbage station 1 can also be used in the state shown in FIG. 1 without the folding opening and closing operation described below.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1(b), when garbage is being thrown into the garbage storage section 3, no net 4 is hung on the top surface, so the upper opening 10 serves as the garbage throwing opening. The upper opening 10 is configured to accommodate a garbage throwing opening frame 11, and is equipped with a wire 12 that crosses the upper opening 10 and a bird and animal damage prevention rod 13 that is attached so as to intersect with the wire 12. A roller 14 that rotates when a bird lands on it is attached to the front side of the upper opening 10. The wire 12 and roller 14 are attached via a flat bar 15, which is a metal frame. The outer frame 2 and the garbage throwing opening frame 11 are connected by a garbage throwing opening frame fixing wire 21, and a net storage bar 20 is attached to the garbage throwing opening frame 11. The functions of the wire 12, bird and animal damage prevention rod 13, roller 14, net storage bar 20, and garbage throwing opening frame fixing wire 21 will be described in detail below.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the upper opening of the garbage station in detail. FIG. 2(a) is a left side view of the upper opening, FIG. 2(b) is a plan view of the upper opening, and FIG. 2(c) is a front view of the upper opening. A garbage inlet frame 11 is installed in the upper opening 10, and is equipped with a wire 12 attached to the garbage inlet frame 11 and installed so as to cross the upper opening 10, and a bird and animal damage prevention pole 13 installed so as to intersect with the wire 12. In Figures 1 and 2, the garbage inlet frame 11 is shown to be rectangular, but the shape is not limited to this and may be other shapes, for example, a circular shape. The shape of the garbage inlet frame 11 is selected appropriately depending on the conditions of the location where it is installed.

[0030] The garbage inlet frame 11 is a frame that unfolds when in use to form an opening through which garbage bags can be thrown from above, and the wire 12 is attached to the garbage inlet frame 11 so as to cross the upper opening 10, and preferably has a diameter of approximately 2 mm to 3 mm. The wire 12 is thick enough to make it difficult for birds and animals to land on, making it one means of preventing damage from birds and animals. If the wire 12 is stretched several centimeters apart from the flat bar 15, which is the metal frame to which the wire 12 is attached, when birds and animals land on the wire 12, they will not also grab the flat bar 15 with their feet, creating an environment in which it is difficult for birds and animals to land on.

[0031] The bird and animal damage prevention rod 13 is provided to prevent bird and animal damage, and is made of an elastic material, so that it bends downward when a load is applied from above, and returns to its original shape due to its restoring force when the load is removed. Garbage 7 thrown in from above bends the bird and animal damage prevention rod 13, falls into the garbage storage section 3, and is stored therein, and birds that land on the bird and animal damage prevention rod 13 are repelled by the bending action of the bird and animal damage prevention rod 13 and fly away. As an example, the bird and animal damage prevention rod 13 can be made using a material equivalent to the wire 12.

[0032] A roller 14 is attached to the front side of the upper opening 10, rotating when birds land on it. The roller 14 is designed to repel birds and fly away. The front side of the upper opening 10 refers to the side closest to the user, as shown in Figure 1(a). The roller 14 is a free roller with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm, making it difficult for birds such as crows to grab onto. Even if a bird manages to grab onto it with its feet, the rotation of the roller 14 makes it unstable, making it difficult for the bird to land, thereby providing bird damage prevention. By attaching the roller 14 only to the front side of the upper opening 10, the weight of the garbage inlet frame 11 can be reduced while still providing bird damage prevention. The wire 12 and roller 14 are installed via a flat bar 15, which is a metal frame.

[0033] The function of the bird and animal damage prevention pole will be explained based on Figure 3. Fig. 3(a) shows the explanatory parts in this figure. Fig. 3(b) is a front view of the bird and animal damage prevention pole 13, and Fig. 3(c) is a side view thereof. As an example, the bird and animal damage prevention pole 13 is made of a wire of the same thickness as the wire 12.

[0034] When garbage 7 is thrown into the animal pest control pole 13, as shown in Figure 3(d), the weight of the garbage 7 causes the animal pest control pole 13 to temporarily bend downward, but the animal pest control pole 13's own restoring force automatically returns it to its original position. Furthermore, the animal pest control pole 13 is intentionally designed to be unstable and prone to shaking, making it difficult for crows and other birds to land on, as shown in Figure 3(e). The same applies to small animals such as cats that jump onto the pole, which will retreat due to its instability. By securely fastening the animal pest control pole 13 with nuts or other fasteners, it is less susceptible to deterioration over time compared to other components, maintains high durability, and contributes to improved maintainability.

[0035] The function of the roller will be explained based on FIG. Figure 4(a) shows the explanatory part of this figure. Figure 4(b) is an enlarged view of an excerpt. When a bird such as a crow tries to land on the roller 14, the roller 14 rotates due to the action of contact with the roller 14, as shown in Figure 4(c). As a result, the bird dislikes the instability and flies away from the roller 14.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows an example of a pattern that can be applied to the roller 14 to repel birds. Figure 5(a) shows high-contrast vertical stripes, Figure 5(b) shows a spiral pattern using reflective material, Figure 5(c) shows high-contrast horizontal stripes, and Figure 5(d) shows a dot pattern. These are just examples, and other patterns may be used as long as they have the effect of repelling birds.

[0037] The function of the wire will be explained based on FIG. Figure 6(a) shows the explanatory part in this figure. Figure 6(b) shows the structure in which the wire 12 is attached to the flat bar 15. As shown here, if the wire 12 is stretched several centimeters apart from the flat bar 15, when birds and animals land on the wire 12, they will not be able to grab the flat bar 15 with their feet, making it difficult for them to land. When birds such as crows try to land on the wire 12, the wire 12 installed at the entrance is configured to have a diameter of 2 to 3 mm, making it difficult for birds such as crows to grasp it. Even if they do manage to grab it with their feet, the wire is so thin that it becomes unstable when they land. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6(c), birds will dislike the instability and fly away from the wire 12, preventing them from landing.

[0038] Figure 7 shows that the structure allows it to be folded when not in use and when it is time to collect the trash. Figure 7(a) shows the process of transforming the trash storage compartment from its folded state when not in use to its ready-to-use state. The trash inlet frame 11 is fixed to the outer frame 2 by a hook attached to the trash inlet frame fixing wire 21. The user holds the trash inlet frame 11, which is standing along the outer frame 2, and moves it until it is positioned horizontally to secure the trash storage compartment 3. In this state, the trash storage compartment 3 is open at the top and is covered on the front, back, and two sides by the mesh 4.

[0039] Figure 7(b) is a left side view of the trash can folded up when not in use, and Figure 7(c) is a front view of the trash can folded up when not in use. When not in use, the trash inlet frame 11 is folded up and stands upright along the outer frame 2, so it does not obstruct the passage of pedestrians, bicycles, or vehicles when not in use. A net storage bar 20 is attached to the trash inlet frame 11. The function of the net storage bar 20 will be described in detail later.

[0040] The structure for dealing with the garbage storage capacity will be described based on FIG. 7(d). The position 22 where the waste inlet frame 11 is fixed to the outer frame 2 is structured to be changeable in the height direction of the outer frame 2. If the position where the waste inlet frame 11 is fixed is made higher, the capacity of the waste storage section 3 when in use increases, and if the position where the waste inlet frame 11 is fixed is made lower, the capacity of the waste storage section 3 when in use decreases. This makes it possible to change the capacity of the waste storage section 3 when in use.

[0041] This allows the capacity of the garbage storage compartment to be adjusted as needed depending on the area's usage. Existing garbage stations have a fixed capacity, so garbage that exceeds the capacity spills out, which is undesirable from an environmental conservation perspective. However, by adopting the above-mentioned structure, the capacity of the garbage storage compartment can be adjusted depending on the area's usage, eliminating this problem. In this way, the position 22 where the garbage inlet frame 11 is fixed to the outer frame 2 can be changed in the height direction of the outer frame 2, which is a simple structure, but has the great advantage of being able to flexibly accommodate the amount of garbage to be stored.

[0042] As an example, in Figure 7(d), the position 22 at which the garbage inlet frame 11 is fixed to the outer frame 2 can be selected from five height positions in accordance with the amount of garbage, the age group of the user, etc. This prevents garbage exceeding the capacity from spilling out and harming the sanitary environment. When not in use, the garbage inlet frame 11 can be folded up so that the overall width is within approximately 15 cm (within approximately 12 cm if only the structure including excess flex of the mesh is taken into account).

[0043] FIG. 8 shows the operation of the trash receptacle when it is unfolded. FIG. 8(a) shows the state before unfolding, FIG. 8(b) shows the state during unfolding, and FIG. 8(c) shows the unfolded state. In the unfolded state shown in FIG. 8(a), the trash receptacle frame 11 stands upright along the outer frame 2. When a user manually moves the trash receptacle frame 11, the trash receptacle frame fixing wire 21 extends, causing the trash receptacle frame 11 to tilt, as shown in FIG. 8(b). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the trash receptacle frame 11 is set to maintain a horizontal orientation, ensuring the stability of the trash storage section 3. In this state, the trash storage section 3 has an open top and is covered on the front, back, and two side surfaces by the net 4. The front portion of the net 4 can be partially overlapped in the left-right direction, allowing trash to be thrown in from below.

[0044] In this way, the garbage inlet frame fixing wire 21 is a wire attached between the outer frame 2 and the garbage inlet frame 11, and functions as a stopper that limits the movement of the garbage inlet frame 11 so that it does not drop below the horizontal position when the garbage inlet frame 11 is unfolded. In addition, by being stretched diagonally, it also functions as a measure against damage caused by birds and animals.

[0045] Figure 9 shows the details of the setting of the garbage inlet frame fixing wire 21 and the function of the net storage bar 20. Figure 9(a) shows the garbage inlet frame fixing wire 21 connected to the upper end of the outer frame 2 and the middle position of the garbage inlet frame 11, and Figure 9(b) shows the garbage inlet frame fixing wire 21 connected to the upper end of the outer frame 2 and the tip of the garbage inlet frame 11. It is also possible to avoid installing the bird and animal damage prevention wire 12 in a position that overlaps with the garbage inlet frame fixing wire 21.

[0046] Figure 9(c) shows the case when the net storage bar 20 is not installed, and Figure 9(d) shows the case when the net storage bar 20 is installed. As shown in Figure 9(c), if the net storage bar 20 is not installed, the net 4 will expand when not in use, but as shown in Figure 9(d), if the net storage bar 20 is installed, the weight of the net storage bar 20 can hold down the net 4, making it possible to reduce the installation width of the garbage station even slightly when garbage is not being collected. By installing the net storage bar 20, it is possible to reduce the width by about 10 cm.

[0047] The garbage collection operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10(a) shows the state before garbage collection, with garbage 7 stored in the garbage storage unit 3. When the garbage collector lifts the garbage inlet frame 11, the net 4 folds up, as shown in FIG. 10(b), and the garbage 7 stored in the garbage storage unit 3 is left on the ground. This structure makes garbage collection more efficient and reduces the physical burden on the garbage collector. By not installing the net 4 on the underside of the garbage storage unit 3 in this way, simply folding the garbage inlet frame 11 leaves only the garbage bags on the ground, reducing both the burden on the garbage collector to remove the garbage and the burden on the manager to clean up.

[0048] As explained above, the garbage station of the present invention has a great advantage in that it can prevent birds and animals from rummaging through the garbage and scattering it, even if the garbage station has a structure with an opening at the top, by arranging the wire 12, the bird and animal damage prevention rod 13, and the roller 14 everywhere. Regarding damage caused by birds and animals, it has been reported that after birds such as crows have rummaged through the garbage, small animals such as cats target the scattered garbage, and the damage is exacerbated. From this perspective, the first priority is to prevent birds such as crows from rummaging through the garbage, and this device fully solves this problem. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] To provide a garbage station that can be widely used as a garbage station that can throw garbage bags without opening or closing a net or a lid, can prevent birds and animals from rummaging through the garbage and scattering the garbage, allows garbage collectors to efficiently collect garbage, and can flexibly accommodate the amount of garbage to be stored without being large. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Garbage Station 2 Outer frame 3 Garbage storage area 4 net 5. Foundation 6 Garbage inlet 7. Garbage 10 Upper opening 11 Garbage inlet frame 12 wires 13 Bird and animal damage prevention pole 14 Roller 15 Flat Bar 20 Net storage bar 21 Garbage inlet frame fixing wire 22 Position where the garbage inlet frame is fixed to the outer frame

Claims

1. A garbage inlet frame is installed at the upper opening, which functions as a garbage inlet when garbage is thrown in, and the garbage inlet frame is equipped with a wire attached to the garbage inlet frame and installed so as to cross the upper opening, a bird and animal damage prevention rod installed so as to cross the wire, and a net formed so as to cover the front, rear and two side surfaces of the garbage storage section, The bird and animal damage prevention rod is made of an elastic body, has the property of bending downwards when a load is applied from above, and returning to its original shape by a restoring force when the load is removed, and garbage thrown in from above bends the bird and animal damage prevention rod and falls into the garbage storage section to be stored, and the garbage station is set up so that birds that land on the bird and animal damage prevention rod fly away to avoid the bending action of the bird and animal damage prevention rod.

2. A garbage station as described in claim 1, characterized in that a roller that rotates when a bird lands on it is attached to the front side of the upper opening, and the birds are repelled by the rotating motion of the roller and fly away.

3. 3. The garbage station according to claim 2, wherein the rollers are provided with a pattern to repel birds.

4. The garbage station according to claim 1, characterized in that the garbage inlet frame and the net are folded when not in use and when garbage is collected, and are configured to stand upright along an outer frame that is erected in the vertical direction.

5. A garbage station as described in claim 4, characterized in that the outer frame and the garbage inlet frame are connected by a garbage inlet frame fixing wire, and when the garbage inlet frame is unfolded during use, the garbage inlet frame is configured to be maintained in a horizontal direction.

6. A garbage station as described in claim 4, characterized in that a net storage cover is attached to the garbage inlet frame, which functions to hold down the net when the net is folded when not in use.

7. A garbage station as described in claim 4, characterized in that the position at which the garbage inlet frame is fixed to the outer frame can be changed in the height direction of the outer frame when not in use and when garbage is collected, so that the capacity of the garbage storage section when in use is variable.

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