Dustbin entirely made of plastic, recyclable, with facilitated assembly and disassembly for maintenance

Abstract

A dustbin (30) comprises a container body (1); a tubular axle (2) supported by the container body (1); a pair of wheels (3) which include a rim (4), bearing a flange (5) with two faces (6,7) which face opposite ways, and a tubular hub (8); and interconnecting means (9) for interconnection of the wheels (3) to the axle (2). The interconnecting means (9) include at least one rotation pin (10) of a corresponding wheel (3), which is housed inside an axial cavity (11) of the tubular axle (2) and which at its opposite ends bears at least two projections (12, 13). The projections (12, 13) are spaced apart longitudinally relative to an axis (14) of rotation of the wheels (3), and jut out cantilever-style transversally to the axis (14) of rotation, a first projection (12) being placed axially abutting against a first face (6) of the flange (5), the second projection (13) engaging with and pressing the tubular axle (2) against a second face (7) of the flange (5) which faces the opposite way to the first face.

Description

[0001] DUSTBIN ENTIRELY MADE OF PLASTIC , RECYCLABLE ,

[0002] WITH FACILITATED ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY FOR

[0003] MAINTENANCE

[0004] Technical field

[0005] This invention relates to a dustbin entirely made of plastic, recyclable, with facilitated assembly and disassembly for maintenance .

[0006] Background art

[0007] The prior art , relating to dustbins made of plastic by injection moulding and provided with wheels for moving, already includes dustbins with a wheel-holder support composed of a metal, tubular, cylindrical axle, equipped with two wheels placed at its opposite ends . The wheels have a plastic rim with a band of rubber tread .

[0008] For the axle - rim connection, on the axle, at each end of the axle, there is a circumferential groove made by means of permanent deformation of the axle on a press or by means of an equivalent knurling operation .

[0009] The rim is provided with a substantially cylindrical hub on which a steel radial pin is mounted .

[0010] Once the rim is mounted on the axle, the pin is made to move forward along its own geometric axis so as to penetrate the groove and remain retained therein, preventing freedom of translation of the rim and axle relative to each other along the line longitudinal to the axle itself .

[0011] After the rim has been fixed to the axle, a rubber tread covering is fitted with circumferential elastic interference on the rim, making the metal pin, made of steel, practically unreachable, without first disassembling the tread covering .

[0012] Although that construction method is widely used in the sector, it is not without disadvantages . In fact , a first disadvantage, of the economic type, is the high industrial cost of the wheel-holder support , which costs practically as much as the entire container body of the dustbin .

[0013] The second and even more critical disadvantage is the fact that the dustbin which has reached the end of its useful life cannot be sent directly for grinding to allow recovery and recycling of the plastic material of which it consists , since it must be subjected to preliminary operations for disassembly and selective separation of the metal materials from the plastic material , in particular removal of the metal pins .

[0014] Given the construction structure of the wheel-holder supports , their disassembly involves the use of complex and expensive forced disassembly equipment whose use largely cancels out the economic benefits of recovery of the modest economic value of the plastic material .

[0015] However, this type of product is also governed by strict regulations requiring such products to provide minimum strength performance, without damage, according to which it must be capable of withstanding impact against the ground, resulting from a free fall from a predetermined height and with minimum overloading which is also predetermined, and finally with the entire reaction to the impact force concentrated on a single wheel .

[0016] Attempts to apply the wheels to the dustbin independently and without the use of a metal connecting axle, provided entirely unsatisfactory results in terms of the dustbin mandatory minimum strength capacity .

[0017] Therefore a technical bias persists , indicating the unavoidable practical need for a metal axle connecting the two wheels of the dustbin .

[0018] Disclosure of invention

[0019] The main aim of this invention is therefore to overcome these disadvantages by proposing a dustbin in which the wheel-holder support has an axle made of plastic material which is capable of positively meeting all of the regulatory requirements and which at the same time is compatible with grinding together with the dustbin wheels and body, without requiring any preparatory activity before the dustbin, no longer used, is sent for recovery of the raw material of which it consists .

[0020] A second aim of the invention is to make an axle shaped in such a way as to simplify and minimise its assembly with the wheels , in order to cut the industrial cost of this type of products .

[0021] A further aim of the invention is also to allow each individual part of the dustbin to be substituted, without having to also collectively dispose of as waste parts which could still be usable, all with an enormous versatility in the management and / or partial substitution of the components of the dustbin .

[0022] Accordingly, the invention achieves that result with a dustbin whose technical features are defined in the appended claims .

[0023] Brief description of drawings

[0024] Further technical features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention, provided by way of example only and non-limiting, with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which :

[0025] - Figure 1 is an axonometric assembly view of a dustbin in accordance with the invention;

[0026] - Figure 2 is an axonometric exploded view of a wheelholder unit with which the dustbin of Figure 1 is equipped;

[0027] - Figure 3 is a partial axial section of the dustbin according to the invention;

[0028] - Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a particular rotation pin of the wheels of the dustbin;

[0029] - Figure 5 is a plan view of the pin of Figure 4 ;

[0030] - Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sections of the pin respectively according to cross-section planes shown by lines D - D and E - E of Figure 5 ;

[0031] - Figures 8 and 9 are axial sections of a wheel and of the wheel-holder axle of the dustbin;

[0032] - Figures 10 , 11 and 12 are views which illustrate the sequence for assembly of the wheel-holder unit to the dustbin containment body;

[0033] - Figure 13 illustrates disassembly of the wheel-holder unit from the dustbin containment body;

[0034] - Figures 14 , 15 and 16 are respectively : and axial view and two axial section views , at right angles to each other, according to the planes of lines A - A and B - B, of a component of the invention;

[0035] - Figure 17 is a three-dimensional view of a further variant of another component of the invention;

[0036] - Figures 18 , 19 and 20 are respectively : and axial view and two axial section views , at right angles to each other, according to the planes of lines A - A and B - B, of the component of Figure 17 ;

[0037] - Figure 21 illustrates a partial axis section of the dustbin according to the invention, assembled as a whole with the variants of Figures 14 - 20 .

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0039] With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings , in Figure 1 the number 30 identifies a dustbin basically comprising a container body 1 with relative lid 31 and provided with a wheel unit 32 for moving the dustbin 30 . Figure 2 shows in particular that the wheel unit 32 basically comprises a tubular axle 2 , intended to be supported at the base of the container body 1 in a completely conventional way; and a pair of wheels 3 , rotatable around an axis of rotation 14 , which, individually, include a rim 4 bearing a circular flange 5 concentric with the rim 4 , a cylindrical tubular-shaped hub 8 which projects cantilever-style from the rim 4 towards the axle 2 and interconnecting means for interconnection of the wheels 3 to the axle 2 labelled with the number 9 as a whole .

[0040] More specifically, Figure 3 shows that the interconnecting means 9 for interconnection of the wheels 3 to the axle 2 include rotation pins 10 of a respective wheel 3 which are housed inside corresponding axial cavities 11 of the tubular axle 2 .

[0041] The pins 10 have a cylindrical tubular body 23 which, at its opposite ends , has added projections 12 , 13 jutting out from the body 23 cantilever-style and radially, transversally to the axis 14 of rotation of the wheels 3 .

[0042] More specifically, the projections - which are spaced apart longitudinally relative to the axis 14 of rotation - comprise a first projection 12 having a circular, cylindrical disk shape, and a pair of second projections 13 , with a substantially wedge-shaped structure which are borne by the body 23 in diametrically opposed positions corresponding to through openings 16, made in the wall of the tubular axle 2 .

[0043] The rim 4 is provided with a flange 5 bearing two flat faces , a first of which is labelled 6, the second in contrast being labelled 7 , is interposed between the first projection 12 and an end stretch 33 of the axle 2 and acts as an axial contact stop : on one side, for the first projection 12 which is opposite the first face 6 ; and, on the other side, for a base 34 of the axle 2 which is opposite the second face 7 .

[0044] In practice, through the interaction of the pin 10 with the flange 5 , the wheel 3 and the axle 2 are interconnected, on one side, by the direct contact of the first projection 12 with the flange 5 and, on the other side, by the engagement with dragging and axial pressure applied by the second projections 13 with the opening 16 in the wall of the axle 2 and against the reaction of the flange 5 .

[0045] Figures 4 - 7 show, more specifically : that the radial first projection 12 preferably consists of a disk-shaped cylindrical head 17 ; that the tubular body 23 has a cylindrical stretch 35 proximal to the head 17 , which moving away from the head 7 has longitudinal notches 36 which allow the definition of flexible leaf springs 15 , elongate longitudinally to the pin 10 and which in the end stretch, distal from the head 17 , bear the second projections 13 .

[0046] Thanks to the leaf springs 15 , the second projections 13 are capable of engaging in the openings 16 of the axle 2 with an elastic snap-in movement as a result of which the second projections 13 and the openings 16 remain stably hooked as a result of the simple relative translating movement of the pin 10 and of the tubular axle 2 along the line of the axis 14 of rotation .

[0047] From Figures 4 and 5 it can be seen in particular that the pin 10 is provided with a pair of ribs 20 delimited by prismatic surfaces ( 18 and 19 ) , which are elongate longitudinally to the axis 14 of rotation . The ribs 20 radially protrude from the tubular body 23 , and are angularly offset 90 ° relative to the second projections 13 . The ribs 20 run along almost the entire length of the pin 10 , and finally they protrude axially beyond the second projections 13 .

[0048] Figure 8 shows in particular that the flange 5 is contained in the rim 4 in a location lowered according to the line of the axis 14 of rotation of the wheel 3 to house the entire disk-shaped head 17 of the pin 10 in a way suitable for avoiding superfluous , bulky and unsafe, protrusions beyond the surface of the rim 4 .

[0049] Figure 9, with regard to the tubular axle 2 , shows that the latter has prismatic grooves 21 , elongate parallel to the axis 14 of rotation, which are made on an inner surface 22 of the axle 2 in positions offset 90 ° relative to the openings 16 in the wall of the tubular axle 2 itself .

[0050] The surfaces 18 and 19 of the ribs 20 of the pin 10 are united with the equally prismatic surfaces of the inner grooves 21 of the axle 2 .

[0051] As a result of that , at the moment when the pin 10 is inserted into the axial cavity 11 of the tubular axle 2 - those united prismatic surfaces define sliding guides 27 suitable for orienting the second projections 13 on a congruent longitudinal directrix which aligns the second projections 13 with the openings 16 of the axle 2 for the snap-in hooking of projections 13 and openings 16 .

[0052] As a result of those technical features the interconnection of the wheels 3 with the tubular axle 2 can be made immediately and securely by simply inserting the pin 10 into the cavity 11 of the axle 2 .

[0053] The interconnection is not just immediate, instantaneous and secure, but is also reversible . In fact , Figure 4 shows that the second projections preferably also bear a shallow seat ( 24 ) , recessed in the wedge-shaped body of the projection 13 . Figure 3 shows in particular that the hub 8 of the wheels 3 bears a through window 25 , which in the interconnection of the pin 10 , wheel 3 and tubular axle 2 to each other is aligned with the second projections 13 . As a result of that , it is sufficient to insert through the window 25 a thrust rod ( for example a simple screwdriver) to be able to instantaneously disengage the projection 13 from the opening 16 so as to immediately disassemble the wheel 3 , pin 10 and axle 2 .

[0054] Figures 10 , 11 and 12 show an assembly sequence which makes clear the rapidity with which the wheel unit 32 can be assembled to the body 1 of the dustbin 30 .

[0055] Figure 13 makes it equally apparent how rapidly and simply the wheel unit 32 can be disassembled from the body 1 of the dustbin 30 , without the aid of any special equipment , it being sufficient to use a common screwdriver .

[0056] Preferably, all of the component parts of the dustbin 30 - including the entire wheel unit 32 - are made of plastic, and a tread 26 for covering the wheels 3 can be made of thermoplastic rubber .

[0057] In this way, when a dustbin 30 has reached the end of its useful life, the entire object can be sent for recovery of the material of which it is made up without the need for any selection and any selective disassembly of its component parts ; which, in terms of product disposal, means , on one hand, important cost reductions , and on the other hand, minimum environmental impact .

[0058] All of that not only makes it quite inexpensive to recover the materials as is appropriate in a circular economy context combining rational use of resources and careful protection of the environment , but also allows the further advantage of extending the useful life of the dustbin 30 through simple and extremely rapid maintenance which is limited to substitution of only- damaged parts , without the need to prematurely send the entire dustbin 30 for recovery .

[0059] The invention may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept .

[0060] A first variant of the invention, non-limiting and described by way of example only, is shown in Figures 14 - 16 . It being understood that the same reference numbers are used for identical elements in the drawings , it is apparent from the above-mentioned figures that making the axle 2 by injection moulding a thermoplastic resin also means that it is easy to make a tubular structure with variable thickness that has higher thicknesses in its end stretches adjacent to the wheels 3 , and lower thicknesses in the central, intermediate stretch of the axle 2 .

[0061] Figures 17 - 21 show that a variant of the axle 2 can be obtained with a structuring of the pins 10 and of the axle 2 such that one of said guides 27 for relative axial sliding of said component parts can be obtained, in which the positions of the ribs 20 and of the grooves 21 are reversed compared with those of Figure 4 . In fact , in Figures 17 - 21 , it can be seen that the grooves 21 are preferably borne by the outer lateral surface of the pins 10 ; at the same time, in Figures 14 - 16, the ribs 20 are in contrast borne by the inner surface of the axle 2 from which they jut out radially .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Dustbin comprising a container body (1) ; a tubular axle (2) supported by the container body (1) and comprising two openings (16) in the wall placed in diametrically opposed positions of said tubular axle (2) ; a pair of wheels (3) which include a rim (4), bearing a flange (5) with two faces (6,7) facing opposite ways and a tubular hub (8) ; and interconnecting means (9) for interconnection of the wheels (3) to the axle (2 which include at least one rotation pin (10) of a corresponding said wheel (3) , which is housed inside an axial cavity (11) of said tubular axle (2) and which at its own opposite ends bears at least two projections (12,13), said projections (12,13) being spaced apart longitudinally relative to an axis (14) of rotation of the wheels (3) , and jutting out cantilever-style transversally to said axis (14) of rotation, a first projection (12) being placed axially abutting against a first said face (6) of the flange (5) , at least one said second projection (13) being engageable with an elastic snap-in movement in a corresponding opening (16) in the wall of said tubular axle (2) in such a way as to press said tubular axle (2) against a second said face (7) of the flange (5) which faces the opposite way to the first face; said dustbin (30) being characterised in that said tubular axle (2) and said at least one pin (10) are provided with united prismatic surfaces (18,19) , which are elongate longitudinally to the axis (14) of rotation of the wheels (3) for guiding said one or each pin (10) , during insertion into the axial cavity (11) of the axle (2) , with orientation of said at least one second projection (13) congruent with a corresponding saidopening (16) in the wall.

2. Dustbin, according to claim 1, characterised in that said united prismatic surfaces (18,19) are alignment ribs (20) , protruding radially from the tubular body (23) of the pin (10) , and are corresponding grooves (21) made on an inner surface (22) of the lateral wall of said tubular axle (2) .

3. Dustbin, according to claim 1, characterised in that said united prismatic surfaces (18,19) are alignment ribs (20) , supported by an inner surface of the tubular axle (2) and protruding radially from the latter, as well as a corresponding groove (21) made on an outer surface of said pin (10) .

4. Dustbin, according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a pair of corresponding second projections(13) of a said pin (10) which are engageable with an elastic snap-in movement in a respective corresponding opening (16) in the wall of said tubular axle (2) .

5. Dustbin, according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or each pin (10) is provided with a tubular body (23) bearing a flexible leaf spring (15) which extends longitudinally to the pin (10) and which supports said second projection (13) ; said tubular axle (2) bearing at least one corresponding opening (16) in the wall for hooking said second projection (13) with an elastic snap-in movement when said pin (10) and said tubular axle (2) are engaged with each other with relative translating movement longitudinal to the axis(14) of rotation of the wheel (3) .

6. Dustbin, according to claim 1, characterised in that said first projection (12) consists of a disk-shaped head (17) .

7. Dustbin, according to claim 6, characterised in that said flange (5) is contained in said rim (4) in alocation lowered according to the line of the axis (14) of rotation of the wheel (3) to house at least one part of said disk-shaped head (17) .

8. Dustbin, according to claim 1, characterised in that said interconnecting means (9) are reversible.

9. Dustbin, according to claim 8, characterised in that said reversible interconnecting means (9) comprise, made in at least one said second projection (13), a recessed shallow seat (24) , a window (25) aligned with said seat (24) being made on the hub (8) of the wheel (3) to allow the transit of a thrust rod suitable for disengaging the pin (10) from the tubular axle (2) for disassembly of the wheel (3) with a movement transversal to the line of the axis (14) of rotation of the wheel (3) .

10. Dustbin, according to any one of said claims, characterised in that said wheel (3) is provided with a tread (26) made of thermoplastic rubber.

11. Wheel (3) support comprising a tubular axle (2) ; and interconnecting means (9) for interconnection of the wheels (3) to the axle (2) which include at least one rotation pin (10) of a corresponding said wheel (3) , which is housed inside an axial cavity (11) of said tubular axle (2) ; characterised in that it is joinable to a dustbin made according to any one of the preceding claims .

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