CA2418583A1

CA2418583A1 - Refuse container

Info

Publication number: CA2418583A1
Application number: CA 2418583
Authority: CA
Inventors: Narayan Raghunathan
Original assignee: Norseman Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Norseman Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 2002-02-15
Filing date: 2003-02-07
Publication date: 2003-08-15

Abstract

A container is provided including a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior and, a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position. A
container is also provided including a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open configuration providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to the interior, a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when the latch is disposed in the locked configuration and, a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.

Description

REFIJSf? CON'fAINIR
t=field of the Invention l~he prcaent invention relates t0 COlltalnei's for holding relusc, and particularly to containers 1U confi~urecl for fa~cilitatin~ easier filling ancf ~~rnptyin~.
Back; ound of the Invention In modern, urban communities, refuse containers are; used to store accumulated household 15 refusi; until such household refuse can be collccled by 'garbage trucks or the like. 'Typically, such refuse containers include a lid for coacealin~ tllc household refuse collected therein, as well as to prevent wild animals li-om accessing this householc.l reluse. VV'ith some containers, the lid is integrally mounted to a storat~c bin which contains the collected household refuse. Such containers, homver, arc aw ~kward to use. For instance, when durnpin~ the contents of such containers, the lid

2() has a tendency to revert to the closed position in response to gravitational forces acting thereon as the entire container is tilted for du117p11'1~ of its contents. I~urtlner, a convenient latch mechanism, positively locking the lid against the rorrespondin~ bin. is not provided.
Summary of Invention The present invention provides a container comprising a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position pt-oviding ,:ICCCSS to an interior of the; bin and a closed position inhibitin~~ access to 'the interior, a dct.ent mechanism auctin~
batwcet~ the bin and they lid for lllallltclllllll'~ the lid in the open position until a n llnlmulll thresloold force is applied to the lid toward

3() the closed position. The defeat mech~lnism can comprise a protrusion configured to interfere with 1114 movement of the lid belw been the open and thv closed position. 'l he protrusion can be wedge-shapccl and resilient.

In one aspect, the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means for effecting later support of matter beings vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the; lateral support means for effecting deposit of~the matter into or removal of the matter from the 1 (o cavity, wherein, in the closed position, the licl closes the opening.
In another aspect, in the close! position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.
In yet another aspect, the lateral support means includes at (east one sidewall extending from 1 s the floor and terminating at a rim wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.
In a further aspect, the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, wherein, ~n the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.
fhe sidewall can be a continuous sidewall.
In another aspect, the bin inclrtdcs a lmndlc configured for grasping by a Duman operator to ci~fcct movement of the container, the Dandle being coupled to the lateral support means by me>unting means, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.
2~ The present invention alse~ provides a container comprising a bin, f first and second mounting brackets coupled to the bin, a la andic, configured for ~~rasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, extending betty ~ecn the first and second mounting brac><:ets, a lid pivotally coupled to the mounting bracketa for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior, and a detent mechanism 3() acting between thv bin and the lid for maintaining the: lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.
In one aspect, the lid rotates about ate axis during the movement between tloe open and closed positions, and whi;rcin the axis is disposed vertically above the bin.

In one aspect, the handle is disposed vertically above the axis.
In another aspect, the detent mechanism comprises at (cast one protrusion extending ti-om at 1 () least on of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and the closed positions.
In a further aspect, the at least one protrusion is disposed between the axis and the handle.
1 ~ 'I~he present invention also provides a cuntaincr comprising a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin fcor movement between an open confi guratiun providing; access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to toe interior, a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked conliguration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when the latch is disposed in the locked configuration, and a detent ?t) imcchanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.
In one aspect, a retainer is additionally provided for limiting pivotal movement of the latch.
In a further aspect, the latch includes a loandle member and a detent mechanism engaging member for engaging the dctent mechanism to effect the locking of' the latch to the detest mechanism, and when the latch is in the locked contiguration, the handle member is spaced apart from the detest mechanism to define a space for facilitatinf; grasping of the latch by a human 3U operator.

t In a further aspect, the lid included a slot to facilitate deformation ofthe lid as the latch rides ovwr the dctent mechanism when moving between the lc~cl:ed and the unlocked configurations.
1 () Description of Drawings The invention will he better understood and objects other than those set forth above will Is become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view o1- tho container of~the present invention, illustrating the lid in a closed position;
Figure ? is a detailed view ofthe latch of the container ol~the present invention, illl.lstrating the latch 20 in a locked condition;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the upper sections ofthe container of the present lll~'elltlOn;
2s Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view ol~the upper section of the container of the present invention, illustrating the lid ire a fully open position.
3() Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the container of the present invention, illustrating the; lid in various positions relative to the bin;
l~i~,!ure C is a top perspective vi~w~ ofthc bin ofthc container, wherein the lid is removed for purposes ot~clarity;

Fi~~ure 7 is a top perspective view of the lid ol~the container ol~the present invention, wherein the bin is removed for purposes ofclarity;
1 (> Figure 8 is a front section elevation view of the lid in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a top plan vicw~ of the bin in Figure (>, wherein the lid is removed for purposes of clarity.
Fissure 1 (> is a fragnlentaly top perspective view of an embodiment of the detest mechanism of the 1 S container of the present invention; and Figure I 1 is a fragmentary re~rr elevation view of an embodin -rent of the detest rnechanism of the COlltaIrrC1' oi'tllC prCSCllt lllVellllon.
?() Detailed Dcscrintion Referring to higures 1 and 7. a refuse c;ont~uner 1 S is provided including a bin 20 defining a cavity ~0, and a lid 60. The bin 20 is cost figured to receive and contain solid and/or liquid materials within the cavity 50 such as household refuse. ~hlle lid 60 is pivotally coupled to the bin 20 for 2~ opening access to the cavity 50 to permit deposit and removal of materials from the cavity 50 while closing access at other times to hide the contents of the cavity 50 1i-om view and mitigate egress of deposited materials out of the cavity 50.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation view ofthe rciilsc container l5, illustrating the lid 60 in five 3() di I~f'erent positions indicated by refercn cc numerals 100, I02, 104, 106, and 108. The lid 60 is disposed in i'ully open and fully closed positions in those positions illustrated by reference numerals I t)U and 108, respectively. The lid 6t,'= is ill various intel-llledi<lte open positions in those positions illustrated by reference numerals 102, 104, and 106.

J
O
lvi~;urc 7 is a top perspective view of the bin 2() of the container 15, wherein the lid 60 is ri;moved for purposes of clarity. Rcfel-ring to l~i~ur~.s =1 - ~), the bin 2(:) includes a floor 3() and a continuous upstanding sidcwall 40 e:xtendillg from the floor 30. 'fhe floor 30 and the sidewall 40 1(! colnhine to define the cavity ~(). In one embodiment, the floor ~0 is configured to facilitate mounting of rolling mans 2~? , sac-h HIS casters, to the bin ?U and thereby facilitating transport of the refuse container 15 across a reaction surface, such as road surfaces.
Thi: sidewall 40 terminates at a rim 42. Atl llpSt~111d111~T llp 44 extends from and about the 1 ~ entire perimeter of the rim 42, and is confif;urce! to register with a recess G2 (see Figure 8) in the lid t~() when the lid IS itl the closed position 1 t)8. 'fhe sidewall includes an exterior surface 46 and an interior surface 48. The interior surface 48 I unctions as means for providing lateral support of matter being vertically supported by floe floor 3(.). 1'he exterior surface 4t~
generally includes front and rear surfaces 7U, 72 rcspcc-tivcly connected by opposite first and sceoncl side surfaces 74, 76 respectively.
?0 First and second handles 8t.), 82, cxterld laltcrally outwardly from ihc first and second side surfaces 74. i G, respectively. The handles 8(~~, 82 arc conf igus~cd for gripping by a human operator laterally of the first and second side surfaces 74, 7(a.
Referring to Figure 9, a sport O4 is fonaoed in the rim 42 proximate to the front surface 70 to ?5 facilitate flow ofmaterials out of the bin 2() when it is desired to empty the contents ofthe cavity 50 of the bin ?(). rl'he interior surface 48 is tapc;rccl to urge flow of materials Iron within the container towards the spout.
A strike 90 is generally disposed on and e!ctc~nds laterally outwardly from the front surface 70.
3U 'The strike 90 includes a dctent c)2 or latch retainer, and is conti~uretl to resist movement of a latch 2(?(), as will hereinafter he described. Thr latch ?0() is provided on the lid fi0 to lock the lid GO to the bin 20 by engagement with the decent 92.

A pair oibrackets 120, 122 extend front the rear surface 72 ofthc bin 20. 'The brackets l 2(), 122 include respective apertures 130, 132 to receive respective pins 140, 142 of the lid f0 for pivotally Illolllltlng the lid O0 to the bin 20.
A handle 170 is further prouidcd and mounted to the bin 2() for graspin<~ by a human operator, to effect rolling movement ofthe entire centainer I ~. To fvcililate such action, the handle 17() is disposed vertically above the: bin 2i1 01~ the container 15, when the container l5 is in an upstanding position (such as that illustrated in Figutrc 4). In one cnlbocYimcnt, the handle 170 extends between and connects the pair of brackets 1 ?(), 122. 'hhc halnc.lle 170 is reinforcc;d by a plurality of reinforcement ribs 172, extcndtng racfially from the handle 170.
'hhe lid 60 is pivotally coupled to the bin 20, to ~-f~feet opening and closing of the bin 20 by the lid (i() while integrating the lid 6t) with floc bin 2t) into a single structure. In this respect and referring to Figure O, a pair of opposing mounting brackets 24(1, 242 extend from the rear section (i6 of the lid 60. The mounting brackets 24i>, 2=12 arc configured to ol~fect pivotal coupling ofthe lid (i0 to the bin 20. The mounting brackets 240, 242 include rcspectiv=e inwardly facing mounting pins 1=t0, 14?. 'l~hc mounting plus 140, 142 are received within the apc;rtures 130, 13'? ofthe respective bin brackets 120, 122, thereby effecting pivotal coupling of the lid 60 to the bin 20.
2j A decent mechanism 160 is provided and is configured to resist rotational movement of the lid 60 relative to the bin 20 between the. fully open position l00 and the fully closed position 108 (see Figure 5). Referring to Figure 1, 4, at~ef 7, in otoe embodiment, the detent mechanism 16() comprises a wedge-shaped protuberance 161,11 extending laterally from the bracket 120. The wedge-() shaped protuberance 1 (>01 provides a c<uo surface to interfere with movement of the lid 60 past the protuberance: 160l . ft is understood that a correspondins protuberance 1601 couYd also be disposed on bracket 122. to another emboeliment. and a s illustrated in Figures 10 and 1 1, the decent ntcchanism 160 further comprises a Irrotubcranoc 1602 provided on the lid 60 configured to engage the protuberance 1601 durin~y movement o1'the lid from the I~uily open position 100 to the fully closed position, whereby such en~a~erner~t causes an interference with the movement of the lid 60 post the protuberance 1601.
Refcr-ing to Figures ,, 4, 5, and 7, the lid 60 is rotatably moveable relative to the bin 20 between the fully closed position 108 and the fully open position 100, as described above. When it is desired to dump the contents of the bin 20, the lid (f() is moved to the 1'ully open position 100, and is substantially disposed below the handle 170. >,he detent mechanism 160 is configured to resist movement ol~the lid 60 away from the fully open position 1()0. As such, when the container 15 is 1 ~ tilted to Facilitate gravitational flow of its contents for discharge from the container 15, the detent mechanism 160 resists the lid GO from closing itself'ar;ainst the: bin 20.
'fhe decent mechanism 160 may, in one embodiment, include a wedge-shaped protuberance 1601 extending from the bracket 12(i and is configured to interfere with the lid (i0 during movement ti~creof from the fully open position 100 to the fully closed position 1()h. fo facilitate movement ol~the lid 60 past the detest mechanism 160. and towards the fully closed position 108, the bin bracket 120 and the lid bracket 240 arc made sufficiently resilient to permit clcformation in response to application o('a force to the lid 60 when the detest mechanism 16() is engaged, so as to urge the lid 60 towards the fully closed position 108. Such deformation is facilitated by making these elements from sufficiently resilient materials, such as polyethylene. Accordin~~ly, in order to close the lid 60 against the bin 20, a 2~ threshold force must be applied to the lid ~() to effect the necessary deformation and move past the detest mechanism 100. In the closed configuration, the lid (~0 is seated against the rim 42.
Referring to Figures 2 and 6, the lid 60 generally includes a front section 65, a rear section 66 and first and second opposite side sections 6~', O8 respectively extending between and merging with 3( the ti-ont and rear sections 65, 66. A latch 2O) is pivotally coupled to the ti'ont section 65 ofthe lid 6t, and is configured to ride over the detect ~)? provided e>n the striker 90 between locked and unlocked configurations. The latch 200 assumes the locked configuration when the lid 60 is in the closed position. When in the locked configuration, the detest 92 resists movement ofthe latch 200, () and the lid 60 is n maintained in the closed position 108. In the unlocked configuration, the lid 60 is five to move between open and closed positions.
The latch 200 includes a handle 21 (~~ conligurcii to be grasped by a human operator to facilitate application of the necessaty force by the human operator. In (his respect, when the latch 2()U is in the locked configuration, the handle ? 10 is spaced apart from the striker 90 to detine a space for facilitating grasping of the Dandle 21 (,> by a human operator.
The lid 60 can be locked or unlocked relative to the bin 2l1 by applying a force to the latch 1 > 21)t) to move the latch ?00 past the dctent 92. Tllc latch 200 is ~f~fected to move past the detent 92 by simultaneously causing resilient deformation of one or both of the latch 200 and the striker 90.
'The ti-ont section Ci5 of the lid 60 includes a slot (~~) to facilitate def"onnation of the lid 60 as the latch 2l)0 rides over the detent i>'? to a locked canliguration. In one ~mbodimcnt, the latch 20 causes resilient deforn~ation of the strike 90. In this respect, the latch 200 is made from a metal and the strike ~)(:1 is made of polyethylene. Such deformation e(~fccts additional resistance to the movement of thi: latch 200 away from the locked Cl)ntl~ul'atlon. Once in the locked configuration, the latch 200 crln be moved to the unlocked ci>nfigttration by a hand of a human operator applying the necessary threshold force to the latch 2011 so that the latch 2()0 rides over the detent 92 to the unlocked canfiuuration.
The lid 60 includes a retainer '_' l I for llmltlng pivotal lllOVt.'Illetll of the latch 200 away from the unlocked conli~~uration. In doing so, forces applied to the latclu 200 by a hand of a human operator effect pivotal IllOVenlent ot~ the latch 200 away from the unlocked configuration until engagement with the retainer 211. Once the latch is i;ngageil to the rclainc;r 211, continued s0 application of forces to the latch 200 arc translatcci to the lid 6(), causing.: pivotal movement ofthe lid 6() to thereby el~feia unseating of~thc Iid 60 from the rim 42, and thereby opening the bin 20. In this respect, UI110Cklllg and opening of the bin 2li calm ho effected by a human operator in a single action.

As described above, the lid OO inc:ludcs a ri;cess configured to receive the lip 44 of the bin 20, when the lid GO is in the closed pitsition 108. Such enga'ement substantially prevents the egress of any ntatcrials front the container cavity 50, v~hert the lid Ci(> is fully closed and locked to the bin 20.
1 (.) Although the disclosure dcacribes aml illtnstrates preferred cmbo diments ofthe invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art. For definition of the invention, reference is to be made to the appended claims.
li

Claims

Claims:

1. A container comprising:
a bin;
a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior; and a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.

2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means configured for effecting lateral support of matter being vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the lateral support means for effecting deposit of the matter into or removal of matter from the cavity, wherein, in the closed position, the lid closes the opening.

3. The container as defined in claim 2, wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.

4. The container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.

5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.

6. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a continuous sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.

7. The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container the handle being coupled to the lateral support means by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.

8. The container as defined in claim 7, wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.

9. The container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.

10. The container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, the handle being coupled to the sidewall by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.

11. The container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to affect movement of the container, the handle being coupled to the sidewall by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.

12. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detent mechanism comprises a protrusion configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and the closed positions.

13. The container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the protrusion is resilient.

14. The container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the protrusion is wedge-shaped.

15. The container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means configured for effecting lateral support of matter being vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the lateral support means for effecting deposit of the matter into or removal of matter from the cavity, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid closes the opening.

16. The container as claimed in claim 15, wherein in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.

17. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.

18. A container comprising:
a bin;
first and second mounting brackets coupled to the bin;
a handle, configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, extending between the first and second mounting brackets;

a lid pivotally coupled to the mounting brackets for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior; and a decent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.

19. The container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle is disposed vertically above the bin.

20. The container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detent mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least one of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and closed positions.

21. The container as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lid rotates about an axis during the movement between the open and closed positions, and wherein the axis is disposed vertically above the bin.

22. The container as claimed in claim 21, wherein the handle is disposed vertically above the axis.

23. The container as claimed in claim 22, wherein the detent mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least one of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and closed positions.

24. The container as claimed in claim 23, wherein the at least one protrusion is disposed between the axis and the handle.

15 A container comprising:

a bin;
a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open configuration providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to the interior;
a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when tire latch is disposed in the locked configuration; and a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.

26. The container as claimed in claim 25, wherein the latch includes a handle member and a detent mechanism engaging member for engaging the detent mechanism to effect the locking of the latch to the detent mechanism and when the latch is in the locked configuration, the handle member is spaced apart from the detent mechanism to define a space for facilitating grasping of the latch by a human operator.

27. The container as claimed in claim 26, further comprising a retainer for limiting pivotal movement of the latch and effecting translation of a force being applied to the latch into pivotal movement of the lid.

28. The container as claimed in claim 27, wherein the retainer is disposed on the lid.