Compact lobby dustpan with lockable pivot assembly

Abstract

A dustpan (10) comprising, a container (100) with at least a first opening (110), a lid (200) for at least partially covering the first opening (110), a pivot assembly (300) comprising a male part (320) and a female part (310) connecting the container (100) and lid (200), allowing the lid (200) and container (100) to be ^rotated between at least an open configuration wherein the lid (200) does not cover the first opening (110) and a closed configuration wherein the first opening (110) is covered by the lid (200), a handle mount (20) attached to the lid (100) via a handle mount (210), wherein the pivot assembly (300) is further configured to have a locked and unlocked configuration for the closed and / or 10 open configuration wherein the pivot assembly (300) is shifted from the unlocked to the locked configuration by translationally displacing the male part (320) of the pivot assembly (300) from its centre of rotation to a position where it cannot rotate and from the locked to the unlocked configuration by translationally displacing the male part (320) of the pivot assembly 300) from the position where it cannot rotate to its centre of rotation.

Description

[0001] Compact lobby dustpan with lockable pivot assembly

[0002] The present invention relates to a dustpan comprising a lid and a container for containing the dust and debris swept into the dustpan. The lid and container may rotate relative to each other so that the dustpan has a closed configuration wherein the lid covers a first opening. The first opening defines a mouth of the container and an open configuration, wherein the first opening of the container is uncovered by the lid. The lid is joined to the container via a pivot assembly which may transition between a locked and an unlocked state when the dustpan is in the open and / or closed configuration.

[0003] Background of invention

[0004] When sweeping floors, it is practical to collect the swept dust and debris into a dustpan which can contain said dust and debris for storage and transport to a disposal unit, such as a trash can or container.

[0005] To improve the ergonomics for the people sweeping it is desirable to have a dustpan that can be operated from an upright position to avoid repetitive bending of the spine and knees. Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to close the dustpan when not sweeping dust and debris into it, to avoid spilling any dust and debris back on the floorwhen walking around with it. This is preferably done without having to bend down to it and even more preferably without having to touch the dustpan which may be unsanitary.

[0006] Existing solutions solve this by attaching a container of the dustpan rotationally to a lid. The container hangs below the lid when lifted from the floor and is rotated 90 degrees from the lid when pressed to the floor. This allows access to the internal cavity of the container containing the swept dust and debris. It is a problem with these solutions, that the person operating the dustpan must touch it to empty it. It is a further problem that the user may knock out dust and debris if the container hits against objects during transport. A further problem with the existing solutions is that the handle and lid may rotate relative to thecontainer when standing, thereby falling over and potentially hitting persons or objects in the near vicinity of the dustpan.

[0007] The patent US 10201262 discloses a dustpan which allows the dustpan to be locked in an open configuration, using a detent and a detent coupler. The detent and detent coupler allows the dustpan to be locked against movement when experiencing a force of a small magnitude. Furthermore, the mechanism is complicated to manufacture.

[0008] Summary of invention

[0009] The invention relates to a dustpan comprising a lid and a container connected by a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly is defined by a male and a female part. The female part is adapted to receive the male part by defining an opening in which the male part may be inserted. The dustpan further comprises a handle connected to the lid. The container has at least a first opening. The first opening can be covered at least partially by the lid, so the lid and container have an open and a closed configuration. The transition between the open and closed configuration is facilitated by pivoting the pivot assembly.

[0010] The container further comprises;

[0011] - a bottom opposite to the first opening

[0012] two opposite sides extending from the bottom to the first opening wherein the pivot assembly is located on at least one of the sides. a rear wall extending from the bottom to the first opening for contacting the floor in the open configuration

[0013] a front wall extending from the bottom to the first opening opposite from the rear wall.

[0014] The rear wall may comprise a sloped edge portion for defining a ramp ascending from the floor to a cavity of the container when the rear wall is in contact with the floor. The cavity is defined by the sides, rear wall, front wall, and bottom of the container. The lid may comprise connecting legs for connecting the portion of the lid for covering the first opening to the pivotassembly. The lid may in some embodiments be assembled to these connecting legs or the connecting legs may be formed as an integral part of the lid.

[0015] The container is arranged in such a way that the pivot assembly is between the first opening and the containers centre of mass. This has the technical effect that when the container is lifted via the lid and / or handle, the first opening orients itself to an upward facing position due the action of gravity. Thereby the first opening becomes covered by the lid, defining the closed configuration. To further facilitate this, a centre of rotation of the pivot assembly may be located on a line through which gravity acts on the containers centre of mass in the closed configuration projected onto the side of the container. This may be the case at least in the closed configuration. Optionally, it may be slightly offset from this line to create a torque driving the container into the lid when the dustpan is lifted via the handle. The closed configuration has the technical effect of allowing the dustpan to be easily transported without a risk of spilling any of its contents during transport. It may be an additional advantage that the contents of the dustpan are rendered invisible during transport, which may be important in some service sector facilities.

[0016] The handle may be offset in the closed configuration by an angle to a line normal to the bottom of the container in the closed configuration such as 1-10 degrees, such as 2-9 degrees, such as 3-8 degrees, such as 4-7 degrees, such as 5-6 degrees. The dustpan may be changed from the closed to the open configuration by pushing it in the direction faced by the rear wall when the bottom of the dustpan touches the floor, but while the dustpan is still held lifted so as to avoid it changing into the locked state of its closed configuration. The open configuration allows the dustpan to be filled with the intended content. It is possible to change the dustpan between its open and closed configuration while only being in contact with the handle of the dustpan. This is advantageous, since having to touch the container or lid may be unsanitary. It is further advantageous as it eliminates the need for the person operatingthe dustpan to bend down, which may decrease work ergonomics and increase the risk of repetitive strain on the user’s musculoskeletal system, which may cause work related injuries and pain.

[0017] The dustpan is arranged in such a way that the centre of mass of the entire dustpan is located within the area of the bottom of the container when in the closed configuration. Preferably within an area between a plurality of feet of the container. This arrangement allows the dustpan to be self-standing in the closed configuration. This enables easy storage of the dustpan and prevents the dustpan from falling over potentially spilling its contents on the floor. This feature further minimises the risk that the handle falls to the floor which may cause a risk that the user stumbles over the handle.

[0018] The dustpan may further be arranged in such a way that the centre of mass of the entire dustpan is within the area of the rear wall when in the open configuration. This has the technical effect that the dustpan is self-standing in the open configuration. This reduces the risk of the handle or dustpan falling over when in use, which could both involve a sanitary risk when picking it up and cause spillage of the contents in the dustpan.

[0019] In a first aspect of the invention, the male part of the pivot assembly may in the closed and / or open configuration be translationally displaced relative to the female part between at least one position where the male part and female part can rotate relative to each other, and at least one position where the male part and female part cannot rotate relative to each other. This displacement defines an unlocked state and a locked state of the pivot assembly respectively. The pivot assembly may have a locked and unlocked state for the open and / or closed configuration of the dustpan. The pivot assembly may enter the locked state for the open configuration when lifted and enter the locked state for the closed configuration when placed onto the floor.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the translational displacement of the male part of the pivot assembly is in a vertical direction for the open and / or closedconfiguration when the bottom and rear wall respectively rests on a horizontal surface.

[0021] Preferably this is arranged so that in the closed configuration, the male part of the pivot assembly is translationally displaced to change the pivot assembly into the locked state by the action of gravity and to change the pivot assembly into the unlocked state when the container is lifted via the lid and / or handle. This has the technical effect, that the dustpan automatically enters its locked configuration when standing. This prevents that the handle accidentally fall by pivoting around the pivot assembly, which could potentially cause damage to persons or objects. It has the further technical effect that it automatically unlocks when lifted via the lid and or handle, allowing it to be easily configured into the open configuration as described above. The concerns of work ergonomics from picking up the handle as well as the sanitary risk of the handle falling over is also solved by this arrangement.

[0022] Preferably this is further arranged so that in the open configuration, the male part of the pivot assembly is translationally displaced to change the pivot assembly into the unlocked state by the action of gravity and to change the pivot assembly into the locked state when the container is lifted via the lid and / or handle. This has the technical effect, that the dustpan may easily be lifted in the open configuration without changing into the closed configuration due to the action of gravity when lifting it via the handle and / or lid. This makes it more convenient to move it between different locations, such as when moving between several areas of dust and debris located in close vicinity. It has the further technical effect, that by tilting the handle from the vertical orientation before lifting it from the ground, the dustpan automatically pivots into the closed configuration as described above. Solving concerns of work ergonomics from picking up the handle as well as the sanitary risk of the handle falling over is also facilitated by this arrangement.

[0023] To summarize, the dustpan is closed by rotating the handle a bit forward prior to lifting the dustpan. Due to the containers centre of mass being positionedacross the pivot assembly from the first opening, the dustpan will then automatically enter its closed configuration when lifted in this manner.

[0024] The dustpan is opened by placing it onto the floor while pushing it forward. Thereby a lever arm is created between the bottom of the container and the pivot assembly via the rear wall and / or sides of the container, thereby exerting a torque opening the dustpan.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the locked and unlocked state of the pivot assembly is further stabilized in the open configuration by protruding portions on the lid and container. The protruding portions must pass over each other as a snap-fit in order for the pivot assembly to change between the locked and the unlocked state in the open configuration. This decreases the risk of the dustpan changing between these states unintentionally.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the male part of the pivot assembly is prevented from rotating when translationally displaced to change the pivot assembly into the locked state by engaging a recess. Preferably this recess is formed by the female part of the pivot assembly. The recess may be a U-shaped recess, such as a skewed U-shaped recess. In the preferred embodiment the female part has a first recess for engaging the male part in the open configuration and a second recess for engaging the male part in the closed configuration.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the male part of the pivot assembly resembles a trapezoid, with a protruding ridge arranged on the side corresponding to the shorter parallel side of the trapezoid. The sides corresponding to the nonparallel sides of the trapezoid are arced by a first radius. The side corresponding to the longer parallel side of the trapezoid may be arced by a second radius. The female part of the pivot assembly resembles a three-quarter-circle where an area bordering the non-arced sides of the three-quarter-circle have a greater radius than the rest of the circle. Alternatively, this area may be curved by the same radius but having a different centre of the radius. The portion having a greater radius is connected to the portion havinga smaller radius, whereby the portion with a greater radius defines at least one recess, preferably two recesses. The recess corresponds in height to the height of the sides arced by the first radius of the male part. Thereby defining a recess which at least a part of the male part of the pivot assembly may be translationally displaced into when being translationally displaced to change the pivot assembly into its locked state.

[0028] The protruding ridge on the male part of the pivot assembly may rest against the portion of the female part having a smaller radius when in the locked state. An apex of the protruding ridge may contact the portion of the female part having a smaller radius when the pivot assembly is in its unlocked state to position the male part correctly during rotation. Additionally at least one of the sides curved by the first radius may also contact the portion of the female part having a smaller radius when the pivot assembly is in its unlocked state to position the male part correctly during rotation.

[0029] The arc of the longer parallel side of the male part may contribute to self-centre the male part into the recesses of the female part.

[0030] The male part of the pivot assembly features a head creating an overhang. The head engages the sides bordering the female part. The head prevents the pivot assembly from unintentionally disassembling.

[0031] The first aspect of the invention may be fully embodied regardless of whether the male part is moved relative to the female part or vice versa.

[0032] The transition from the locked state to the unlocked state is, as described above, achieved by a relative translational displacement between the male part and the female part of the pivot assembly from a position where they cannot rotate relative to each other and into a position where they can rotate relative to each other.

[0033] The transition from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration is as described above achieved by a relative translational displacement betweenthe male part and the female part of the pivot assembly from a position where they can rotate relative to each other and into a position where they cannot rotate relative to each other.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the surfaces of the male and female part which are not parallel to the sides of the container when assembled and where the male and female part contacts each other are smooth. By smooth is meant a continuous surface without protrusions such as knobs. Alternatively, one of these surfaces may be smooth while the other is not smooth. This ensures, regardless of whether one or both surfaces are smooth, that the pivot assembly rotates with low friction, thereby making the transition between the open and closed configuration as well as between the locked and unlocked state easily and reliable.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment, the male part of the pivot assembly may be selfcentring into the recess or recesses of the female part of the pivot assembly. This effect may be achieved by the female part having at least one rounded corner at the entrance to the recess or recesses. The corner interacts with the smooth surface of the male part and guides the male part into the recess. Thereby locking the male part against rotation. This ensures that the pivot assembly easily and reliable transition from the unlocked to the locked state. In a second aspect of the invention, the pivot assembly is assembled by inserting the male part into the female part. The male part has a semi-circular head preventing it from accidentally being disassembled from the female part. The head can pass through the female part when the male part is oriented at a specific angle between 0- 90 degrees to the female part, such as 0-90 degrees, such as 5-85 degrees, such as 10-80 degrees, such as 15-75 degrees, such as 20-70 degrees, such as 25-65 degrees, such as 30-60 degrees, such as 35-55 degrees, such as 40-50 degrees, such as 42.5-47.5 degrees, such as a 45-degree angle. The angle is defined as the angle to the orientation in the closed configuration. The position in which the head can pass through the female part, may also be defined as the position mid-way betweenthe open configuration and the closed configuration. This has the technical effect of allowing the pivot assembly to be assembled without relying on the resilience of the materials, such as with snap-fits, while still making it easy to assemble and with a low risk of the parts disassembling unintentionally. Notably this assembly can be achieved without the use of any tools.

[0036] The dustpan may be made from metal, polymer, and / or ceramics, including alloys, polymer blends and composite materials.

[0037] The components of the dustpan may conveniently be made by one or several of the following methods: injection moulding, rotation moulding, die casting, sheet metal, deep drawing, welding, cnc-machining.

[0038] Brief description of fi

[0039]

[0040] Fig. 1 shows the dustpan lifted in its open configuration with the pivot assembly in its locked state.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows the dustpan in its closed configuration.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows the container of the dustpan.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows the lid of the dustpan.

[0044] Fig. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show the pivot assembly of the dustpan in the unlocked state, the locked state of the closed configuration, the locked state of the open configuration, and the unlocked state wherein the pivot assembly may be disassembled respectively

[0045] Fig. 6 show a part of the dustpan with pivot assembly in the unlocked state and between the open and closed configuration of the dustpan

[0046] Fig. 7 show a cross section of the dustpan lifted in the open configuration with the pivot assembly in its locked state.

[0047] Figs 8a-8c, shows the dustpan in laying on a floor in the cut-out section A-A indicated on fig. 7.Fig. 9 shows a cross section of the dustpan.

[0048] Detailed description of examples

[0049] Fig. 1 shows the dustpan 10 in the open configuration and placed with the rear wall 150 placed against the floor 30. The pivot assembly 300 is in the locked state. It can be seen from fig. 1 that by displacing the lid 200 towards the rear wall 150, the male part 320 of the pivot assembly 300 is displaced towards a position where it can rotate relative to the female part 310 and thereby changing the pivot assembly into its unlocked state.

[0050] The head 330 locking the male part 320 of the pivot assembly 300 to the female part 310 of the pivot assembly 300 can also be seen from fig. 1.

[0051] The male part 320 of the pivot assembly 300 is placed on the connecting legs 240 which are formed as an integral part of the lid 200.

[0052] The female part 310 of the pivot assembly 300 is defined by a cut-out portion of the sides 170 of the container 100.

[0053] The handle mount 210 can be seen to be vertically oriented.

[0054] The sloped edge 140 is contacting the floor 30 defining an ascending ramp from the floor 30 and into the cavity of the container 100. This has the technical effect of making it easier to sweep dust and debris from the floor 30 and into the container cavity while still maintaining a sufficient thickness of the container’s 100 walls to ensure stiffness of the container 100.

[0055] The broom handle recess 220 defined by the lid 200, can also be seen from fig 1. The broom handle recess 220 allows for the broom to be stored with the broom head within the container 100 with the broom handle sticking out of the container 100 through the broom handle recess 220 in the closed configuration of the dustpan 10. The broom recess 220 is also seen from fig. 4.

[0056] Fig. 2 show the dustpan 10 in its closed configuration. The vertical orientation of the handle mount 210 is clearly seen from this figure. The sloped edge 140on the rear wall 150 is also most easily seen from this figure. It can be seen from fig. 1 and fig. 2 how the sloped or curved edge of the container 100 at the edge surrounding the first opening 110 matches the slope or curvature of the lid 200 on the side of the lid 200 facing towards the first opening 110 in the closed configuration. This slope or curvature enables the lid 100 to be easily slid on and of the container 100 while still ensuring a close fit between the lid 200 and the container 100 in the closed configuration.

[0057] As mentioned, the handle 20 may be offset, as shown, from the container’s centre of mass (CoM) by a distance parallel to the bottom of the container. The handle 20 may further, as also shown, be offset by an angle Va to a line normal to the bottom of the container in the closed configuration such as 1 -10 degrees, such as 2-9 degrees, such as 3-8 degrees, such as 4-7 degrees, such as 5-6 degrees

[0058] Fig. 3 show the container 100 of the dustpan 10. The female part 310 of the pivot assembly 300 is shown on this figure including the first recess 315 for locking the pivot assembly 300 in the open configuration and the second recess 318 for locking the pivot assembly 300 in the closed configuration. The three-quarter circular shape of the female part 310 of the pivot assembly 300, which allows the lid 200 to be rotated 90 degrees is also shown on this figure. Fig. 4 shows the lid 200 of the dustpan 10. The connecting legs 240 comprising the male part 320 of the pivot assembly 300. The vertically oriented handle mount 210 is also shown.

[0059] Figs. 5a, 5b, and 5c show the geometry of the pivot assembly 300 including the protruding portion 130 on the container 100 and the protruding portion 230 on the lid 200. The geometries not visible due to the head 330 are shown in dashed lines.

[0060] The male part 320 of the pivot assembly 300 resembles a trapezoid, with a protruding ridge 325 from the side corresponding to the shorter parallel side of a trapezoid. The sides corresponding to the non-parallel sides of a trapezoidare arced by a first radius. The side corresponding to the longer parallel side of the trapezoid may be arced by a second radius. The female part 310 of the pivot assembly 300 resembles a three-quarter-circle where an area bordering the non-arced sides of the three-quarter-circle have a greater radius, or the same radius with a different centre, than the rest of the circle. The portion having a greater radius is connected to the portion having a smaller radius, whereby the portion with a greater radius defines two recesses 315, 318. The recess 315, 318 corresponds in height to the height of the sides arced by the first radius of the male part 320. Thereby defining the recesses 315, 318 which at least a part of the male part 320 of the pivot assembly 300 may be translationally displaced into when being translationally displaced to change the pivot assembly 300 into its locked state.

[0061] Figs. 5a-d show how the first and second recess 315, 318 interact with the male part 320 to lock the pivot assembly 300 against rotation when the male part 320 is displaced relative to the female part 310 to change the pivot assembly 300 into its locked state. It may also be seen from figs. 5b and 5c how the protruding ridge 325 of the male part 320 rest against the female part 310 in the locked state.

[0062] The head 330 locking the male part 320 from being disconnected from the female part 310 is also clearly shown in these figures including the overlap between the head 330 and the side 170 of the container 100. Fig 5a shows the pivot assembly 300 in its unlocked state, from fig. 5a it may also be seen that when the male part 320 is midway between the open and closed configuration, it may be displaced towards the corner of the female part 310 of the pivot assembly 300 to allow the head 330 to pass through the female part 310. Fig.

[0063] 5b show the pivot assembly in its locked state for the closed configuration of the dustpan. Figure 5c show the pivot assembly 300 in the locked state for the open configuration of the dustpan 10, in this figure it may be seen how the protruding portions 130, 230 interact to stabilize the locked state when thedustpan is in its open configuration. Fig. 5d show the pivot assembly 300 in the state where the male part 320 may be separated from the female part 310. Fig. 6 show a perspective view of a section of the dustpan between the open and closed configuration, the interaction between the head 330 and the side 170 of the container 100 is seen from this figure.

[0064] Fig. 7 show a cross section of the dustpan in its open configuration with the pivot assembly in its locked state, the interaction between the protruding portions (130,230) is best seen from this figure.

[0065] Figs 8a-8c, shows the dustpan in laying on a floor in the cut-out section A-A indicated on fig. 7. Fig. 8a shows the dustpan 10 in the locked state for the open configuration with the protruding portions 130, 230 engaging to stabilize the locked state so that it does not unintentionally change into its unlocked state, even if the handle 20 is released. Fig. 8b shows the dustpan 10 with the pivot assembly 300 in its unlocked and rotatable state and with the dustpan 10 between the open and closed configuration. Fig. 8c shows the dustpan 10 in its closed configuration with the pivot assembly 300 in its locked state.

[0066] Fig. 9 shows a cross section of the dustpan. From this view, it is easy to see how the head 330 of the male part 320 of the pivot assembly 300 interlocks with the sides 170 of the dustpan 10. It may also be seen from this figure how the area of the sides 170 bordering the rear wall 150 flares out slightly. This enables the rear wall 150 of the dustpan to be placed in close contact with the floor 30 even in the corner between the floor 30 and a wall of a room.

[0067] Reference list

[0068] Va angle between handle and line through centre of mass

[0069] CoM centre of mass

[0070] 10 dustpan

[0071] 20 handle30 floor

[0072] 100 container

[0073] 110 first opening

[0074] 120 bottom

[0075] 130 protruding portion on container

[0076] 140 sloped edge

[0077] 150 rear wall

[0078] 160 front wall

[0079] 170 side

[0080] 200 lid

[0081] 210 handle mount

[0082] 220 broom handle recess

[0083] 230 protruding portion on lid

[0084] 240 connecting legs

[0085] 300 pivot assembly

[0086] 310 female part of pivot assembly

[0087] 315 first recess for locking in open configuration 318 second recess for locking in closed configuration 320 male part of pivot assembly

[0088] 325 protruding ridge

[0089] 330 head

Claims

Claims1. A dustpan (10) comprising- a container (100) with at least a first opening (110), at least two opposite sides (170), a bottom (120), a rear wall (150), and a front wall (160)- a lid (200) for at least partially covering the first opening (110) - a pivot assembly (300), associated with at least one of the opposite sides (170), comprising a male part (320) and a female part (310) connecting the container (100) to the lid (200), the pivot assembly (300 is configured to allow the lid (200) to be rotated relative to the container (100) between at least an open configuration wherein the lid (200) does not cover the first opening (110) and a closed configuration wherein the first opening (110) is covered by the lid (200),- said lid (200) including a handle (20), wherein the pivot assembly (300) is configured to define a locked state and an unlocked state for the open and / or closed configuration and wherein the pivot assembly (300) is further configured to be changeable between its locked and unlocked state by a translational displacement of the male part (320) and female part (310) of the pivot assembly (300) relative to each other, so that the male part (320 is in a position where it cannot rotate relative to the female part (310) in the locked state and an unlocked state where the male part (320) is in a position where it can rotate relative to the female part (310).

2. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivot assembly (300) is configured so that a force acting on the lid (200) towards the bottom (120) translationally displaces the male part (320) of the pivot assembly (300) relative to the female part (310) so that the pivot assembly (300) is changed into the locked state in the closed configuration when the bottom (120) rests on a surface.

3. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the male part (320) of the pivot assembly (300) interlocks with a first recess (315) in the open configuration and / or a second recess (318) in the closed configuration in the female part (310) of the pivot assembly (300) when the male part (320) and female part (310) of the pivot assembly (300) is displaced relative to each other so that the pivot assembly is changed into its locked state.

4. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the male part (320) of the pivot assembly (300) has a recess interlocking with the female part (310) of the pivot assembly (300) when the male part (320) and female part (310) of the pivot assembly (300) is displaced relative to each other so that the pivot assembly (300) is changed into its locked configuration.

5. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the container (100) and lid (200) each have at least one protruding portion (130, 230) and wherein the protruding portion of the lid (230) and the protruding portion of the container (130) are configured to slip past each other when the male part (320) and female part (310) of the pivot assembly (300) is displaced relative to each other in the open configuration or at least in the open configuration.

6. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivot assembly (300) allows the container (100) and lid (200) to be rotated 70-180 degrees, such as 80-170 degrees, such as 90-160 degrees, such as 100-150 degrees, such as 110-140 degrees, such as 120-130 degrees, relative to one another.

7. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the container (100) has a sloped edge (140) protruding from a part of the17container (100) surrounding said first opening (110) and configured to contact the floor (30) in the open configuration with the sloped edge (140) defining a ramp ascending from the floor (30) and into the container (100), the sloped edge (140) preferably flaring outwards, to protrude from the sides (170)8. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the male part (320) of the pivot assembly (300) is defined by a portion of the lid (200).

9. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the female part (310) of the pivot assembly (300) is defined by a portion of the container (100).

10. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the male part (320) of the pivot assembly (300) has a head (330) configured to interlock with the side (170) of the container (100) to prevent the male part (320) and the female part (310) from disassembling.

11. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the male part (320) may be disassembled from the female part (310) when the connecting legs (240) are oriented at a 40-50 degrees angle to rear wall (150) of the container (100).

12. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the male part (320) may be disassembled from the female part when the dustpan is midway between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

13. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the side of the lid (200) facing towards the first opening (110) in the closed18configuration has a curvature matching a curvature of the edge of the container (100) surrounding the first opening (110).

14. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the side of the lid (200) facing towards the first opening (110) in the closed configuration has a slope matching a slope of the edge of the container (100) surrounding the first opening (110).

15. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein a continuous inside of the female part (310) of the pivot assembly 300 which is perpendicular to the side (170) of the container is smooth.

16. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the male part (320) of the pivot assembly (300) for contacting the inside of the female part (310) is smooth.

17. The dustpan (10) according to claim 3, wherein the male part (320) of the pivot assembly and the first and / or second recess (315, 318) of the female part (310) are configured to self-centre the male part (320) in the first and / or second recess (315, 318) in the female part (310).

18. The dustpan (10) according to claim 3, wherein the male part (320) is configured to self-centre into the first and / or second recess (315, 318) of the female part (310) by a curvature on the side of the male part (320) for contacting the inside of the female part (310) interacting with a corner defining the entrance to the first and / or second recess (315, 318).

19. The dustpan (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle (20) is mounted to the lid (200) via a handle mount (210).

Images