NO340710B1 - Container - Google Patents

Description

Container

The invention relates to containers, more particularly to a container håving means to compress the contents therein.

Background

There is a global problem that we are creating too much garbage, and there are many problems related to safe deposit of garbage. Deposit of garbage from private hornes requires a lot of space, space which may have been used in more convenient ways if the amount of garbage was reduced. There are many national and international programs running trying to reduce the production of garbage.

In a regular household in Norway, one separates the garbage when throwing it, often plastic, food, paper, glass and metal are thrown in separate bins. Then the municipal refuse disposal collects the different fragments at regular intervals. In Norway, as in many other countries, the garbage for private households is collected by a garbage truck, and the route for each truck is estimated based on the volume of garbage in that area and the load on the truck.

If a household produces more garbage than estimated, one has to pay a higher fee. If several households in one area are producing more garbage, then the garbage truck will be full before the route is completed, and the routes must be reconsidered. Thus, if each household could reduce their volume of garbage, it would both benefit the actual household by a reduction of the fees, and the environment as the truck may drive longer routes before it must return to the waste plant for emptying. A waste container is easily filled since garbage occupies a lot of space when thrown away in their original shapes and sizes, and several telescopic waste containers are known, for instance from GB 2401775. If one is able to compress garbage inside the waste container, more waste could be thrown into the container before it needs to be emptied. Further, it is preferred that the container compressing the garbage should be the bin wherein one throws garbage for the first time, for instance a garbage bin in the kitchen.

There is a wide variety of known waste bins and containers, and also containers which are made to compress the waste. Some of the containers have a lid which is pressed onto the waste by the force of a hand or foot see for instance DE 4023843, or GB2278311 where the lid is pressed onto the waste by an acuator. Other containers comprise a plate or the similarfastened to the lid, wherein the plate is pressed onto the waste by different means outside the bins see for instance US 5090309, US 2003/0233950 or US 2013/0299494.. However, there are some problems related to the known containers. One problem is that the pressure onto the garbage will only be temporarily, and released again once the foot or hand effecting the pressure is removed. Another problem is that the opening for throwing more waste into the container will be closed by the pressing-means, and thus one must unlock and remove the means for compression every time more garbage should be thrown into the container.

Thus, the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved container

håving means for compressing the contents therein. Further, it should be easy to add more garbage into the container even after the compression has stated. Further, the contents of the container should preferably be under constant pressure. Yet another object is that it should be possible to use a regular garbage bag in the container, and that the garbage bag should be easy to remove from the container, when it is full. Yet another object of the invention is that the container should be easy to use, and not be larger than regular kitchen waste bins.

The invention

In the following the invention will be described by reference to use for compressing garbage, however, the invention is not limited to such use and may be used in many areas where compression of different articles is desirable.

The objects of the invention are met by a container, a method and a use of a container, according to the characterizing part of de independent claims. Further advantageous features are given in the corresponding independent claims.

The invention relates to a container comprising an upper part, a lower part and a lid, wherein the lid is connected to an upper end of the upper part. The upper part has an opening in both ends, and the lower part has an opening at its upper end and a bottom at its lower end. The bottom of the lower part is the bottom of the container. The upper and lower part are performed telescopic, in such a way that the total length of the container, and thereby the total volume of the container, may be adjusted. The adjacent faces of the upper and lower parts are provided with knobs and recesses respectively, wherein a knob may engage a recess to lock the distance between the parts. Further, the lid comprises a lock between the lid and the upper part, and at least one memberfor releasing the engagement between the knob and recess.

"By telescopic" it is herein meant that the parts may be moved in relation to each other, and the length and thus the inner volume of the container may be adjusted by moving the parts. This is preferably performed by producing two similar parts håving the same design and shape, but that one of the parts has larger cross section than the other part, and that the larger part may accommodate the smaller part. This will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The term "longitudinally" may also be used to denote the direction in which the length of the container may be adjusted. Upon normal use, the container is standing on the bottom, and adjusted vertically, meaning that the telescoping parts are arranged vertically on top of each other, and that it is the height of the container from the bottom to the lid which may be adjusted.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower part has equally shaped cross-section, but the upper part is larger than the lower part, and designed to accommodate the lower part. For instance, if the lower part is square-shaped, the upper part should also be square-shaped, but the sides should be larger, in such a way that the inner cross-section of the upper part is slightly larger than the outer cross-section of the lower part. In this way, the upper part will accommodate the lower part, and may be moved in relation to the lower part.

The phrase "upper" and "lower" is herein used to distinguish the two parts from each other, and refers to a use where the bottom of the lower part is placed on the floor or ground. The container may however also be used placing the bottom perpendicular to the floor, and the "upper" and "lower" wording should not be interpreted restrictive in such a way that such use is not enclosed by the scope of the claims.

When the container is used, the lid is removed, and contents are added thereto. Then the lid is replaced, and the upper part is pushed towards the lower part, in order to compress the contents of the container. This is repeated whenever it is desirable to add more contents to the container, and to compress the contents. One may not always compress the contents when new matter is added, but it is however preferred. Further, if the container seems to be filled, the container is lengthen by pulling the upper part away from the lower part, and thus more contents may be added to the container, and the process may be repeated. Before the upper part may be pulled away from the lower part, the engagement between the knobs and recesses on adjacent faces of the upper and lower part must be released.

A method for compressing the contents in a container according to the invention, comprises steps for opening the lid, adding contents into the container, closing the lid and pressing the upper part towards the lower part until the volume of contents are reduced sufficiently, and engaging a knob into a recess to secure the position of the upper and lower parts in relation to each other. The contents of the container will be compressed until the lid is opened the next time. If the lid comprises a lock, then the method should comprise steps for releasing and locking the lid.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises a step for releasing the knob from the recess and lengthen the container by pulling the parts apart, before adding the contents into the container. The movement of the parts towards each other are preferably performed by the user, and his/her manual power, but it may also be used other means as will be obvious to a person skilled of the art.

The distance between the bottom of the lower part and the upper end of the upper part will vary depending on the amount of contents in the container, and the engagement between the knobs and recesses will prevent the distance to change unintentionally. The engagement between the knobs and recesses will lock the position of the upper part to the lower part in such a way that pressure from inside the container, such as pressure from compressed contents, will not be able to push the upper part away from the lower part, and thus expand the inner volume of the container. When the inner volume is to be expanded, the knobs must be released from the recesses, and then the upper part may be moved away from the lower part.

The knobs and recesses may be performed in such a way that the size of the container may easily be reduced by simply pressing the parts together, and that they must be released from each other in order to lengthen the container. One way to achieve this is to design them in such a way that they slide towards each other upon compression, but will engage each other if the parts are moved apart, and thus prevent the movement and retrain the position.

The knobs and recesses are provided on adjacent faces of the upper and lower parts, meaning that if the upper part is accommodating the lower part, then the knobs and recesses should be on the inside of the upper part, and the outside over the lower part. The engagement between the knobs and recesses may be released by amending the position of the knob away from the recesses.

The knobs and recesses prevent that the upper and lower parts move away from each other unintentionally, but the container may also comprise expanding elements pushing the upper and lower parts apart. These elements may in corresponding way be arranged on adjacent faces or edges of the upper and lower parts, and will act to lengthen the container when the knobs and recesses are unlocked. The expanding elements should be strong enough to push the container until the maximum size, once the knobs and recesses are released.

The expanding elements may be a spring, such as a helical spring or an elastic band. The fastening of these elements to the parts of the container will depend on the type of elements chosen. In a preferred embodiment the expanding elements are an endless elastic band, and the band is fastened to a hook in the upper part and a corresponding hook in the lower part. When the container is fully compressed the band is stretched, and when the container is at its maximum length, the elastic band is relaxed.

As described above, the contents of the container is compressed by pushing the parts towards each other. A lid is connected to the upper end of the upper part, and the lid will be in touch with the contents of the container during the compression. Thus, there is a lock between the lid and the upper part wherein the lid may not be opened until the lock is released. In this way the contents of the container may not push the lid open and decompress itself.

Further, the lid comprises at least one member for releasing the engagement between the knobs and recesses, and in a more preferred embodiment the lid must be opened at the least about 75 % before the knob is released from the recess. The lid should be hinged to the container, preferably at or close to the upper edge of the container. When the lid is opened, the end opposite the hinged end will be lifted from the container. By "opened at least 75%" it is herein meant that the angle between the lid and the opening of the container will be about 67 degrees. With such an embodiment it is possible to open the lid and through something into the container without releasing the knob from the recess. If the container is filled, the knob is released from the recess by opening the lid more than about 75 %, and the expanding means will push the parts apart and thus lengthen the container, and thereby increase the inner volume of the container. The shape and embodiment of the member and the knobs and recesses may be chosen or adjusted to engage at any other degree of opening, such as 90 % or 100 % or even at an angle of 180 degrees.

When one part is designed to accommodate the other part, and the container is lengthen to its maximum, the distance wherein the parts are overlapping each other will be a minimum. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower part are provided with cooperating means to ensure that the parts are held in correct position to each other, even when the container is at its longest. Cooperating means may for instance be a rail a recess on the adjacent faces of the parts, but the cooperating means may be performed in many ways which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art. Further there is an advantage if the knobs and recesses and/or cooperating means include stop organs, in order to avoid that the upper part is pulled so far away from the lower part that the parts separate.

A plastic bag may be used inside the container to collect the contents thrown therein, in regular way. When the container is full, and the container is at it maximum size, the bag is removed, and a new bag is inserted. When the container is empty the parts should be pressed towards each other, and the container should have its minimum size. The minimum size will depend on the size of the upper part, and the minimum distance between the upper and lower part.

The lid may have a certain thickness, in order to exert more pressure to the contents, or it may be hollow in order to resist the pressure from the compressed contents better, and thus reduce the forces on the lock of the lid.

The lid may have a protrusion extending into the container, in order press the contents. The protrusion should preferably have a size corresponding to the opening of the container, in such a way that the protrusion covers most of the cross section of the container, when the container is closed. Further, the protrusion may slanting, håving the most shallow end close to the end of the lid being fastened to the container. In this way it is easier to close the container when the container is filled.

In the following the invention will be described by reference to a garbage bin. The bin is suitable for compressing waste from a regular household, and should preferably be used inside the house for compressing the garbage when it is produced. A similar larger container may also be used to compress the bags of garbage thrown therein. The container may of course also be used in other areas, which will be obvious to a person skilled of the art.

Example

The invention will now be described with the help of the enclosed figures, showing a container according to the present invention. The different parts of the figure are not necessarily in scale to each other, as the figure is merely for illustrating the invention.

The following description of an exemplary embodiment refers to the drawing, and the following detailed description is not meant or intended to limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The invention will in the following be described with reference to the enclosed figures, where

Figure 1 shows a garbage bin in perspective from above,

Figure 2 shows the lower part in perspective from above, and

Figure 3 shows the lid in perspective from below.

Figure 1 shows the garbage bin comprising an upper part 1, a lower part 2 and a lid 3, wherein the upper part 1 is larger than the lower part 2, and accommodates the lower part. The upper and lower part is arranged telescopic, and the distance between the parts is adjusted by knobs and recesses. On the lid 3 there is shown a handle 4 and by pressing the handle down a hook 5 of the lid will be released from the upper edge of the container, and the lid may be opened. Figure 2 shows the lower part 2 of the garbage bin in Figure 1, in perspective from above. On the outside the lower part is performed with hooks 6 in each corner.

Corresponding hooks are performed on the inside of each corner of the upper part. These hooks 6 engage an endless elastic band (not shown) which will act as expanding elements, and push the upper part 1 away from the lower part 2.

Further, in the shown embodiment, the lower part 2 has a recess 7 in each corner, and the inside of each corner of the upper part is provided with corresponding rails. These recesses 7 and rails act as cooperating means and keep the upper 1 and lower 2 parts in a correct position to each other, so that the telescopic function of the container is optimal. They are also provided with stop organs (not shown) to prevent that the parts are separated by pulling the upper part 1 away from the lower part 2.

In Figure 2 it is shown a row of protrusions 8 on the outside of the lower part, and a knob 9 arranged on a bar 10 extending to the upper edge of the upper part. When the parts are pressed towards each other, the knob 9 will slide over the protrusions 8, and when the parts are separated, the knob 9 will engage the protrusion 8 and prevent that the parts are separated.

In Figure 3 details of the lid 3 of the container in Figure 1, is shown. The lid 3 is hinged to the upper part 1 of the container on the side opposite of the handle 4 for locking the lid to the container. The lid 3 is provided with a tenon 10, preferably a curved tenon 11 being a memberfor releasing the knob from the recess. When the lid 3 is fastened to the container, the tenon 11 will, as shown in Figure 1, run through a hole 12 of the upper part 1, and into the bar 10. When the lid 3 is opened by releasing the handle 4, and rotated in order to open the container, the tenon 11 will engage and lift the bar 10, and thus the knob 9 will be freed from the protrusions 8, and the expanding elements will lengthen the container. When the lid 3 is closed, the tenon 11 will no longer engage the bar 10, and the knob 9 will engage a protrusion 8 again. In a preferred embodiment, the knob 9 and protrusions 8, and the tenon are designed in such a way that the knob will be released when the lid is opened 75 - 90%.

The shown lid further has a protrusion 13 facing the inside of the container, and a corresponding recess 14 facing the outside of the lid. The protrusion 13 has the same shape as the cross section of the container, and is designed to fit into the opening of the container. The protrusion 13 is slanting, and the shallow side is on the side of the lid being hinged to the container. In this way it is easy to close the lid even if the lid is touching the garbage of the container when it is closed.

The example above is given to illustrate the invention and should not be used to

interpret the following claims limiting. The scope of the invention is not limited by the example give above, but the following claims. Modifications and amendments of the invention, being obvious to a person skilled of the art, should also be included in the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. Container comprising an upper part (1), a lower part (2) and a lid (3) connected to an upper end of the upper part (1), - the upper part (1) has an opening in both ends, and the lower part (2) has an opening at its upper end and a bottom at its lower end, - the lower (2) and upper (1) part are arranged telescopic, for adjustment of a total volume of the container,characterized in that- adjacent faces of the upper and lower parts are provided with knobs (9) or recesses (8) respectively, wherein a knob (9) may engage a recess (8) to lock the distance between the parts, and in that - the lid (3) comprises a lock between the lid and the upper part and at least one member (11) for releasing the engagement between the knob (9) and recess (8).

2. Container according to claim 1,characterized in thatthe upper (1) and lower (2) part have equally shaped cross-sections, whereby that the upper part is larger than the lower part, and designed to accommodate the lower part.

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2,characterized in thatexpanding means are arranged between the upper (1) and lower (2) part, pushing the parts away from each other and thus increasing the volume of the container.

4. Method for compressing contents in a container according to claims 1-3,characterized bycomprising the following steps - opening the lid (3) and adding new contents into the container, - closing the lid (3) and pushing the upper part (1) towards the lower part (2) until the volume of contents is reduced, and - engaging a knob into a recess to secure the position of the upper and lower parts in relation to each other.

5. Method according to claim 4,characterized byfurther comprising a step of releasing the knob from the recess and increasing the volume of the container, before adding the contents to the container.

6. Use of a container according to any one of claims 1-3, for compressing household garbage.