GB2244911A - Receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

A receptacle for storing items comprises a first base member (100) and a second member (102) which defines in conjunction with the base member (100) a container for the items. The second member (102) is provided with at least one opening (112) to allow insertion of the items into the receptacle. The base member (100) and second member (102) are translatable away from each other to effect release of the items under gravity. <IMAGE>

Description

RECEPTACLE This invention relates to a receptacle for storing items generally, and particularly for storing items of rubbish or items, such as bottles or cans, for recycling.

A known receptacle comprises a dome-shaped container having a plurality of openings therein to allow insertion of the items. The container has as a base two flat, normally horizontal flaps which are connected to the container so as to be able to pivot downwardly about a common horizontal axis. Thus if the container is lifted the flaps hinge open and allow egress of the items.

The known receptacle suffers from many disadvantages.

First, it is expensive to manufacture because the flap and hinge arrangement needs to be strong and is of a relatively intricate design. Secondly, emptying of the container can be time-consuming. Thirdly, items may become jammed between one of the flaps and the side of the container.

According to the present invention there is provided a receptacle for storing items comprising a first base member and a second member which defines in conjunction with the base member a container for the items, the second member having at least one opening to allow insertion of the items, the base member and second member being translatable away from each other to effect release of the items under gravity.

By providing for translation of the base member away from the second member rather than, as occurs in the known receptacle, providing for rotation of the base member relative to the second member, the base and second members may be entirely or virtually entirely separated. Removal of items from the receptacle may thus be speeded up, and jamming of items may largely be prevented. Further, by comparison with the known receptacle, the costs of producing the receptacle of the present invention may be reduced because a less intricate design can be adopted.

Preferably, the receptacle includes first support means connected to the base member to enable the entire receptacle to be lifted, and second support means connected to the second member to enable the second member to be lifted away from the base member. The entire receptacle may thus be lifted from the ground with the base member and second member conjoined, and may then be removed to another location where, with the receptacle still suspended by.the first support means, the second member may be lifted upwardly relative to the base member (or the base member dropped downwardly) to effect release of the items. The first and second support means typically include means (such as loops or eyes) for attachment to a hook or line, and also means to limit the amount by which they can be translated away from each other.

Preferably, the first support means extends generally upwardly from the base member, such that, when the base and second member are conjoined, the first support means projects upwardly out of the second member. This not only facilitates lifting of the receptacle, but also ensures that the receptacle is suspended from a point above its centre of gravity. The first support means typically takes the form of a rigid link rigidly attached to the base member at one end and having an attachment loop. at its other end.

Preferably, the second support means takes the form of a loop attached to the top of the second member. Again, this ensures that the second member is suspended at a point above its centre of gravity.

The upper surface of the base member may be substantially horizontal. Items which can roll (such as cans or bottles) can be released quite successfully under these circumstances. However, to assist release of any type of item, it is preferred that at least part of the upper surface of the base member is formed at an incline so as to facilitate egress of the items. The entire upper surface could, for instance, be formed at one particular incline, or several parts of the upper surface may be inclined in different directions or at different angles. However, preferably the periphery of the upper surface of the base member is generally lower than the central region thereof.

This ensures effective movement of the items from central regions of the receptacle towards outer regions.

More preferably, the upper surface of the base member is approximately conical. The cone angle is preferably in the range 10 to 20 degrees to the horizontal. At substantially smaller angles satisfactory release of the items does not always occur; at substantially larger angles the overall capacity of the receptacle may be impaired to an undesirable extent. The upper surface may, for instance, have a square or hexagonal cross-sectional shape, but for simplicity and ease of construction it is preferred that the upper surface is approximately right circularly conical. If the upper surface is circularly conical, then it is preferred that the second member is circular in crosssection.

Preferably, the total area of the or each opening is small in proportion to the surface area of the second member. The proportion may be, for instance, be only a few per cent. This prevents environmental contamination entering the receptacle in excessive quantities.

A preferred shape for the second member is a dome shape. This is easy to make and use.

A preferred embodiment of receptacle according to the present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a part sectioned elevational view of a receptacle, with the wall of the receptacle cut away to expose the interior detail and the receptacle shown in its closed configuration; and Figure 2 is a view similar to that in Figure 1 but with the receptacle shown in its open configuration.

The receptacle comprises a base 100 and a hollow, dome-shaped, rotationary moulded plastics body 102 which, when conjoined (as shown in Figure 1) form a container for items. The base 100 includes a rotationary moulded plastics upper plate 104, together with a metal lower plate 106 joined to the upper plate to provide the base with a degree of structural rigidity. The upper surface of the upper plate 104 is conical. When the base 100 and body 102 are conjoined, the periphery of the upper surface of the upper plate 104 forms a seal with the base of the body 102.

A rigid link bar 108 rigidly attached to the base 100 extends through the body 102 and projects through the top thereof. It is slideable with respect to the top of the body so that the base 100 can be moved out of conjunction with the body. A first loop 110 is attached to the top of the link bar 108 and is suitable for receiving a lifting hook or line.

The body 102 has four openings 112 (only two of which are shown in the drawings) disposed symmetrically about its vertical axis, through which items can be inserted into the receptacle. The openings are approximately 150mm in diameter so as to prevent the insertion of very large objects into the receptacle. Attached to the body 102 is a second loop 114, again suitable for receiving a lifting hook or line.

When it is desired to empty the receptacle of items stored in it, it is lifted from the ground by the first loop 110 and moved until it is suspended over the container into which it is to be emptied. During this stage of the operation the base 100 and body 102 are conjoined so that no items can be released (see Figure 1). The body 102 is then raised by the second loop 114 relatively to the base 100 until the body strikes the first loop 110 which resists further raising. A gap between the body and the base is thus created (see Figure 2) through which the items can be released, the conical shape of the upper surface of the base ensuring that items egress smoothly from the receptacle without jamming. The receptacle is replaced on the ground by the reverse of the above procedure.

It will be appreciated that there are many potential uses for the receptacle. It could, for example, be used as a bottle or can bank to store bottles or cans for recycling.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A receptacle for storing items comprising a first base member and a second member which defines in conjunction with the base member a container for the items, the second member having at least one opening to allow insertion of the items, the base member and second member being translatable away from each other to effect release of the items under gravity.

2. A receptacle according to Claim 1 including first support means connected to the base member to enable the entire receptacle to be lifted and second support means connected to the second member to enable the second member to be lifted away from the base member.

3. A receptacle according to Claim 2 wherein the first support means extends generally upwardly from the base member, such that, when the base member and the second member are conjoined, the first support means projects upwardly out of the second member.

4. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the upper surface of the base member is formed at an incline so as to facilitate egress of the items.

5. A receptacle according to Claim 4 wherein the periphery of the upper surface of the base member is generally lower than the central region thereof.

6. A receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein the upper surface of the base member is approximately conical.

7. A receptacle according to Claim 6 wherein the upper surface of the base member is approximately right circularly conical.

8. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the total area of the or each opening is small in proportion to the surface area of the second member.

9. A receptacle according to any of the preceding claims wherein the second member is dome-shaped.

10. A receptacle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.