Bin for liquid waste storage

Abstract

A container for the storage and transport of liquid waste such as used cooking oil comprises a container body (101) and a lid (201) for sealably enclosing liquid waste in the container body (101). The container body (101) includes a viewing pane (7) allowing viewing of content from the bottom of the container to a position upwards of the bottom of the container. The container optionally also includes a monitoring device (33) allowing the real-time monitoring of the location of the container and / or other parameters related to the contents such as weight or optical characteristics. Another optional feature is a filter (301) configured to collect objects which may be thrown into an open end of a filled container allowing easy removal without disturbing the contents.

Description

[0001] BIN FOR LIQUID WASTE STORAGE

[0002] The present invention relates to the storage and transport of liquids, for example (but not limited to) liquid food waste such as used cooking oil.

[0003] There is a growing interest in re-use and recycling of waste, for example used cooking oils can be re-used as biofuel for motor vehicles, to produce animal feeds or in cleaning supplies. Food collected from scraped plates may also be re-used, for example as animal feed. To facilitate its re-use, such waste needs to be collected from the location where it is generated and transported to another location for processing prior to re-use.

[0004] There are several challenges to storing and transporting liquid food waste products and many regulations prescribing how this must be done. Businesses producing the waste must comply with storage requirements and use licensed collectors and waste management firms to ensure the storage and transport is properly managed. Failure to do so can result in heavy fines.

[0005] Spills of such waste present a health and safety hazard, such products if not properly cleaned up can leave a floor surface extremely slippery. Spills can also result in environmental hazards if the waste infiltrates soft ground, waterways or enters the sewage system. As food products, such waste is vulnerable to decay over time and can generate offensive odours and prevent a risk to health. It is important therefore not only to seal in the waste to prevent leakage but also to seal against the atmosphere to minimize such decay during storage.

[0006] For logistics purposes liquid food waste may be collected and transported in bulk, multiple containers being collected and transported together. For maximum use of space in a transport vehicle, it may be desirable to stack containers. The nature of liquids is such that their centre of mass can move when containers are moved, for example during loading or transport. This can result in potential toppling of the containers. Accordingly, it is desirable for containers to be sturdy and stable during transit.

[0007] Purchasers of liquid food waste may wish to be sure of the content of the waste before taking delivery and making payment. It has been known for unscrupulous persons to add contaminants to used cooking oil to increase volume and secure a higher price from a purchaser, contaminants can often be hidden at the bottom of a storage container and not visible for inspection from the opening at the top of a container. It is not desirable for purchasers to disturb the contents of such a container to seek out such contaminants.

[0008] Due to its many potential re-uses, liquid food waste is a valuable commodity and may be subject to theft. For this reason, it is desirable to be able to monitor and track storage containers on their journey from source to end customer to ensure the end customer receives what they believe they have purchased.

[0009] The present invention provides a container which is designed to address these many challenges of liquid food waste storage and transport.

[0010] A container in accordance with the invention comprises: a container body for containing liquid waste, a lid for sealably closing the container, at least one elongate non-opaque pane extending along a length of the container permitting visibility of the container contents from outside of the container.

[0011] The elongate non-opaque pane is desirably substantially transparent. For example, the pane comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PM MA) and / or polycarbonate (PC). The pane may extend along between 25% and 100% of a length of a side wall of the container body. Preferably the pane provides visibility to at least part of a volume extending from an inner bottom surface of the container to around 50% the distance from the bottom to the top of the container body, or optionally 25%, more desirably up to 95%.

[0012] The container optionally further includes a secure pocket in or on a wall of the container body, the wall may be the bottom surface of the container or a side wall of the container. The pocket may be integrated in an inner wall or an outer wall of the container. Particularly if accessible from inside the container, the pocket may be sealed against ingress of container contents. Alternatively, the pocket is a separate vessel which can be fixed to and / or detached from the container. The secure pocket may be integrally formed with the container body, alternatively the sealable container may comprise a separate component bonded to the container body. The secure pocket may incorporate a lockable closure means, for example, the closure means is locked by means of screws, pins or the like which require a dedicated tool for removal.

[0013] The secure pocket may enclose a monitoring device. For example, the monitoring device may monitor one or more of; real-time location of the container, optical properties of the container contents, chemical properties of the container contents, a weight of the bin. The monitoring device may include a memory to store collected data. In addition or alternatively, the monitoring device may be in data communication with a computer server to which data collected by the monitoring device is communicated. The server is optionally cloud based. Optionally customers of the liquid waste may be provided with access to data from a monitoring device associated with a container to be used in delivering their product, access may be provided via a server to which the monitoring device is communicating collected data. The secure pocket may optionally be permanently sealed or locked with a monitoring device enclosed in it. The pocket may incorporate a feature that renders visible any opening of the pocket for example to replace, remove or tamper with an enclosed monitoring device.

[0014] Optionally, the container further includes a filter configured to sit adjacent a top of the container body within the sealed container. The filter is configured to be course enough to allow passage of the liquid waste but fine enough to capture contaminant debris which may be dropped into the container after the liquid waste has been added. The filter may optionally be secured or attached to the top of the container body. Means used to secure the filter to the top of the container body may require a dedicated tool to unlock and remove the filter.

[0015] The filter may take any of a number of forms, for example but not strictly limited to; a perforated plate comprising stainless steel and / or a corrosion resistant plastic material, a mesh of Nylon ® or other inert I corrosion resistant material, a slotted plate comprising stainless steel and / or a corrosion resistant plastic material. Where the filter is mesh, the filter may include a zip fastener for opening / closing the filter and / or removing the filter from the container body.

[0016] An external surface at the bottom of the container body may be configured to fit with a complementing external surface of the lid. This arrangement allows for convenient and secure stacking of the containers when transported in bulk. For example, the complementing surfaces may comprise one or more ridges or protrusions on the bottom of the container body which fit into complementing grooves or indentations on the top of the lid.

[0017] The lid may comprise a skirt section which extends from an internally facing surface of the lid, the skirt section is dimensioned to fit snugly within an internal perimeter wall of the container body. Optionally the lid may include a second skirt or partial skirt section which extends from an internally facing surface of the lid and is dimensioned to fit snugly outside an external perimeter wall of the container body. The container may further comprise one or more clamps for clamping the lid to the container body. Optionally, the one or more clamps are configured to extend along a short length of an external wall of the container body from a top of the container body over raised sections provided on the external wall. The clamp may include an inwardly extending end section arranged to engage under a raised section of the external wall.

[0018] The lid may be hingedly attached to the container body. In an embodiment the clamp(s) is integrally formed with the lid. In an option, the clamp(s) comprises a single clamp extending substantially along an edge of the lid which is opposite to an edge which may be hingedly attached to the container body. The lid on an outwardly facing surface, may be shaped to engage with complementing shapes on an outwardly facing surface of a bottom of the container body facilitating stackability of the containers

[0019] The container body may include one or more handles to assist in lifting of the filled container whether manually or by mechanical lifting equipment.

[0020] The container body and / or lid may comprise high density polyethylene (HDPE). In other options the container body and / or lid may comprise polypropylene (PPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The container body and / or lid and or pane may be injection moulded. Optionally the pane is injection moulded with the container body using a two-component injection moulding process. In an alternative the pane is joined to the remainder of the container body, for example by adhesion or welding. In a further embodiment the pane comprises nucleated polypropylene and is over-moulded with a compatible material of the container body.

[0021] Weights and dimension of the container body are desirably compliant with International Standard ISO EN 840-1.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a perspective view in schematic of a container body of a container in accordance with the invention.

[0024] Figure 2 a top view of a lid suitable for use with the container body of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 3 shows a side view of a lid suitable for use with the container body of Figure 1 .

[0026] Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the lid of Figure 2.

[0027] Figure 5 shows the lid view of Figure 4 incorporating an optional additional feature.

[0028] Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the container of Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 7 shows a first example of a filter suitable for use with the container body of Figure 1 and lid of Figure 2.

[0030] Figure 8 shows a second example of a filter suitable for use with the container body of Figure 1 and lid of Figure 2.

[0031] Figure 9 shows a third example of a filter suitable for use with the container body of Figure 1 and lid of Figure 2.

[0032] Figure 10 shows a partial side view of a container body of a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 shows a bottom view an alternative bin lid design to that shown in Figures 2 to 5 above.

[0033] Figure 12 shows a partial side view of a container body of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0034] As can be seen in Figure 1 , a container body 101 comprises a wall 1 extending from an open end 2 bordered by a substantially square rim 3 to a rounded bottom 4. Extending downwardly from a front facing surface of the wall 1 , is a downwardly projecting stand section 5. Extending downwardly from a rear facing surface of the wall 1 is a mount 6 for receiving a wheel shaft. The mount includes a hole 6a through which the shaft can be mounted. The container body may include a second such mount allowing a pair of wheels to be mounted on opposing sides of the container body. On the front facing surface of the wall there is provided an elongate pane 7 extending from adjacent the rim 3 to adjacent the rounded bottom 4. Whilst wall 1 is substantially opaque, the pane 7 comprises a material which is translucent or transparent and allows visibility of contents of the container without the need to gain access to the open end 2. A series of ribs 8 and 9 extending longitudinally for a short distance from beneath the rim 3 provide for reinforcement of this area of the container body 101 ensuring there is minimal deformation and consequent spillage of content when the container is lifted. Some ribs 8, 9 may additionally be configured to allow interlocking with a complementing profile of a clamp used to fasten a lid over the open end 2.

[0035] As can be seen from Figure 2 a lid 201 comprises a closing section 11 proportioned to cover the open end 2 and rim 3 of the container body 101. Extending rearwardly from the closing section 11 is one or more supports 12 including a bore for receiving a hinge pin (shown in Figure 6, reference 10) provided on container body 101. Also extending rearwardly and in alignment with the supports 12 is one or more hooks 13 configured to hook around the hinge pin 10 when the lid 201 is properly fitted atop the container body 101.

[0036] Extending from a front facing surface of the closing section 11 is a clamp section 16. The clamp section 16 extends forwardly and then downwardly from the closing section 11 and incorporates strengthening ribs 17.

[0037] The lid 201 further includes a pair of recessed boxes each having an outer wall 18 which extends upwardly from the lid 201 when the lid is in a closed configuration on a container body 101. The wall 18 has a perimeter proportioned to receive a wheel of a container body when two containers are stacked. A bottom surface of the box is provided with ridges 19 which provide friction to help grip wheels engaged within the perimeter wall 18 and resist slippage of wheels when stacked containers are in transit. To further help with stackability, a raised ridge14 also extending upwardly from the lid, the raised ridge 14 may be proportioned to engage with a perimeter of a bottom of container body stacked on the lid. Extending outwardly from the ridge 14 is a rim 15 of the lid which extends wider than the outer perimeter of an open end of a container body which the lid 201 may be used to close.

[0038] As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4 the underside of the lid 201 comprises a closing section 21 proportioned to cover the open end 2 and rim 3 of the container body 101. Extending rearwardly from the closing section 21 is one or more supports 22 including a bore 22a for receiving a hinge pin (shown in Figure 6, reference 10) provided on container body 101. Also extending rearwardly and in alignment with the supports 22 is one or more hooks 23 configured to hook around the hinge pin 10 when the lid 201 is properly fitted atop the container body 101.

[0039] Extending downwardly from the main body 21 is a skirt 24. The skirt 24 is proportioned to fit snugly inside the open end 2 of the container body 101. The skirt 24 is provided with a gasket 25 extending around an outside perimeter of the skirt 24 providing improved sealing of a closed container body 101 when the lid 201 is properly closed over the open end 2.

[0040] Extending from a front facing surface of the closing section 21 is a clamp section 26. The clamp section 26 extends forwardly and then downwardly from the closing section 21 and terminates with one or more upwardly turned hook portions 27 positioned, in use to engage under a complimenting ridge or protrusion on the wall 1 of the container body 101. For example, these ribs or protrusions may form an integral part of the ribs 8, 9 of the container body 101.

[0041] Figure 5 shows the bottom view of the lid of Figure 4, in this figure the lid 201 includes an optional recess 30 in an underside of the lid 201. The recess is proportioned to receive a sensor 31. The recess is provided with a cover which desirably, when in a closed configuration, sits approximately flush with the remainder of the undersurface 21 of the lid. The cover may be secured by means which require specific tooling to unlock. The cover may be non-opaque. For example, the sensor 31 monitors a level of the content in the container body 101. The sensor 31 may be configured to generate an alert when a predefined content level is detected. For example, the sensor may be in data communication with a computer processor (not shown) which monitors data received from the sensor 31 and may be programmed to communicate directly or via another connected device that a predetermined level of contents has been reached, or that the level of contents has changed. For example, the sensor is an infrared sensor.

[0042] Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the bottom of container body 101 of Figure 1 . From this view, a hinge pin 10 can be seen extending rearwardly of container body 101. In use the supports 22 of lid 201 are clipped onto the hinge pin 10 be means of bores 22a. Hooks 23 of the lid 201 are hooked under the hinge pin 10 to further support the lid 201 when the lid 201 is flipped over to provide access to the open end 2 of container body 101 . As can be seen from Figure 6, the stand section 5 comprises is arcuate in cross section and is supported by ribs 32. In use, wheels (not shown) may be mounted to the bottom of the bin by means of mounts 6. The hinge pin 10 may serve a secondary function as a handle allowing a user to tip container body 101 rearwardly lifting support 5 from the ground and allowing container body 101 to be conveniently wheeled across a ground surface.

[0043] Also visible in his view is an integrally formed pocket 33 provided in the rounded bottom 4 of the container body 101. The pocket 33 is arranged to be accessible only from the inside of container body 101 when container body 101 is empty. The pocket 33 incorporates a seal and lockable closure. The lockable closure may optionally be translucent or transparent so the monitoring device can be viewed when container body 101 is empty. In use, a monitoring device (not shown) may be sealed in the pocket becoming in accessible once content is added to container body 101 . The monitoring device may, for example, include one or more of; a GPS tracking device for tracking the location of the filled container body 101 during transport, a weight sensor for monitoring the weight of filled container body 101 during transport to detect if there has been spillage of or tampering with the content of filled container body 101 , and / or an optical sensor for monitoring optical properties of content of filled container body 101 , again this can help detect tampering of the content and / or determine of the lid 201 of container body 101 has been opened in transit.

[0044] The monitoring device preferably includes a memory for storing data collected during transport of filled container body 101. Collected data can be used to reassure suppliers and customers that the content delivered to the customer is the same content placed in container body 101 by the supplier. In an option, the monitoring device is in data communication with a cloud server accessible by a supplier and or / customer of the content of the filled container body 101. The cloud server may be accessed to obtain real-time data collected by the monitoring device. In an option, the cloud server may include programming to issue an alert to a customer and / or supplier in the event a monitored parameter deviates unexpectedly from an expected value. For example, where a GPS tracking device records a deviation from a planned route, or there is a sudden significant weight change or change ion the optical properties of content in filled container body 101 , the cloud server programming is configured to send an alert. One example of a monitoring device suitable for use in accordance with the invention is a Sensolus®

[0045] Figure 7 shows a first example of a filter 301 for use in An embodiment of the invention. The filter comprises a slim filter rim 41 which is proportioned to sit between the rim 3 of container body 101 and lid 201 when the container is closed. Extending across a mid-portion of the filter 301 is an array of ports 42. The ports 42 are sized to allow easy passage of the liquid waste content, but to capture larger contaminants which might be thrown in the open end 2 top of the container body 101 when left unsupervised. This enables easy capture and removal of potential contaminant objects.

[0046] Optionally the filter may be integrally formed with or connected to the container body. For example the filter is pivotally connected to the container body and is arranged to be liftable along an axis parallel with a hinge between the lid and container body.

[0047] Figure 8 shows a second example of a filter 401. The filter has a peripheral rim 52 and a mesh 51 extending across an inner space defined by the rim 52. The mesh may, for example, comprise Nylon® or an inert, non-corrosive metal fibre. The mesh includes holes 53 in corners of the peripheral rim 52 which in use may receive flat head screws or similar fastening devices used to secure the filter 401 to a container body such as that shown in Figure 1 .

[0048] Figure 9 shows a third example of a filter 501. In this example, the filter has a peripheral rim 62 and a plurality of closely aligned, slim slots 61 extending between opposing sides of the peripheral rim 62.

[0049] Figure 10 shows a partial side view of a container body 701. The container comprises a wall 71 an upper open end surrounded by a rim 73 and support ribs 78 which serve to strengthen the container body when under load from above, for example when multiple similar containers are stacked. An elongate non-opaque pane 77 extends length ways from adjacent a bottom to adjacent a top of the bin wall. The pane 77 may be used to view contents of the container body. Adjacent the pane 77 is a marked, graduated scale 80 which can be used to indicate a volume of the contents within a level of the contents is viewed through the adjacent non-opaque pane 77.

[0050] Figure 11 shows a lid 801 having many features in common with the lids of Figures 2 to 5 above. The lid 801 comprises a closing section 81 proportioned to cover the open end 2 and rim 3 of the container body 101. Extending rearwardly from the closing section 81 is one or more supports 82 each including a bore for receiving a hinge pin (shown in Figure 6, reference 10) provided on container body 101. Also extending rearwardly and in alignment with the supports 82 is one or more hooks 83 configured to hook around the hinge pin when the lid 801 is properly fitted atop the container body.

[0051] Extending downwardly from the main body 81 is a skirt 84. The skirt 84 is proportioned to fit snugly inside the open end 2 of the container body 101. The skirt 84 is provided with a gasket 85 extending around an outside perimeter of the skirt 84 providing improved sealing of a closed container body 101 when the lid 801 is properly closed over the open end 2.

[0052] The lid 801 of Figure 11 is distinguished by a pattern of reinforcing ribs 810. In the example shown, the ribs are each hexagonal shaped and arranged to form a honeycomb pattern across the inner surface of the of lid 801. The ribs 810 are proportioned, shaped and arranged to reinforce the lid 801 when a heavy load is applied to a top, outer surface of the lid 801. The arrangement prevents significant deformation of the lid 801 when under load. For example, the applied load might be a full bin stacked on top of the lid for storage or transport. Whilst the example shows a uniform honeycomb pattern, the skilled addresses will appreciate other rib shapes, uniform patterns and non-uniform patterns may also be suitable to achieve an acceptable result.

[0053] Figure 12 shows a partial side view of a container body 901. The container comprises a wall 91 an upper open end surrounded by a rim 93 and support ribs 98 which serve to strengthen the container body when under load from above, for example when multiple similar containers are stacked. A pair of elongate non-opaque panes 97a and 97b extend length ways between a top and a bottom of the bin wall. The first pane 97a extends from adjacent the top to mid region of the bin wall, the second pane 97b is horizontally distanced from the first pane 97a and extends from the mid region of the bin wall 91 to adjacent a bottom of the bin wall 91. The panes 97a, 97b may collectively be used to view contents of the container body along substantially the entire length of the container body. Adjacent each pane 97a, 97b is a marked, graduated scale 90 which can be used to indicate a volume of the contents when a level of the contents is viewed through the adjacent non-opaque pane 97a or 97b.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A container for the storage and transport of liquid waste comprises: a container body for containing liquid waste, a lid for sealably closing an open end of the container body, at least one elongate non-opaque pane extending along a length of the container body permitting visibility of the container body contents from outside of the container body, wherein the container body further includes a sealable pocket in or on a wall of the container body, where the wall may be a bottom surface of the container or a side wall of the container, and further comprising a monitoring device sealably enclosed in the container body.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the elongate non-opaque pane is substantially transparent.

3. The container of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the pane extends along between 25% and 100% of a length of a wall of the container body.

4. The container of any preceding claim wherein the pane provides visibility to at least part of a volume extending from an inner bottom surface of the container to around 95% the distance from the bottom to the top of the container body.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein the pane provides visibility to at least part of a volume extending from an inner bottom surface of the container to around 50% the distance from the bottom to the top of the container body.

6. The container of claim 4 wherein the pane provides visibility to at least part of a volume extending from an inner bottom surface of the container to around 25% the distance from the bottom to the top of the container body.

7. The container of any preceding claim wherein the pane comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and / or polycarbonate (PC).

8. The container of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the pane comprises nucleated polypropylene and is overmoulded to the main body material of the container body.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the sealable pocket is integrally formed with the container body10. The container of Claim 1 or9 configured to be accessible only from an inner surface the container body.11 . The container of any preceding claim wherein the monitoring device is configured to monitor any one or more of real-time location of the container, optical properties of the container contents, chemical properties of the container contents, a weight of the container including the contents.

12. The container of preceding claim wherein the monitoring device includes a memory for storing data collected by the monitoring device.

13. The container of any of any preceding claim wherein the monitoring device is in data communication with a computer server to which data collected by the monitoring device is communicated.

14. The container of claim 13 wherein the server is cloud based and accessible by customers of the contents of the container.

15. The container of any preceding claim further comprising a filter proportioned to sit over the open end of the container body and be held in position by the lid when the open end is closed and sealed.

16. The container of claim 15 wherein the filter comprises an outer rim which is larger than the maximum perimeter of the open end of the container body and an array of ports provided across a mid-section of the filter.

17. The container of any claim 15 wherein the filter incorporates a mesh.

18. A container as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a recess in an undersurface of the lid for receiving a sensor, wherein the recess includes a closure which when closed sits substantially flush with the remainder of the undersurface of the lid.

19. A container as claimed in claim 18 is a sensor configured to monitor a level of contents contained in the container body.

20. A container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sensor is in data communication with a computer processor.21 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim including a graduated scale marked adjacent the pane whereby a volume of contents in the container body can be determined when viewing a level of the contents through the pane.

22. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a top surface of the lid is contoured to receive complementary shaped surfaces on a bottom surface of the container body.

23. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a bottom surface of the lid is provided with a pattern of reinforcing ribs, the ribs proportioned, shaped and arranged to reinforce the lid preventing deformation when a heavy load such as a second filled container is applied to the top surface of the lid.

24. A container body as claimed in claim 23 wherein the bottom surface includes one or more wheels and the contoured surface includes boxes for receiving the wheels.

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