GB2377923A

GB2377923A - Container for handling waste

Info

Publication number: GB2377923A
Application number: GB0206142A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Goulden; Vincent Meddings
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-26
Filing date: 2002-03-15
Publication date: 2003-01-29
Also published as: GB0118190D0; GB0206142D0

Abstract

A handling apparatus comprising a frame structure (11) defining an interior space in which is disposed a non-rigid waste bag (12). The four corners of the bag at its open end are provided with respective straps (29), each formed with a loop to enable the bag to be secured to the frame by way of respective pins (31) at the corners of the frame. The frame structure is demountable, being formed of an upper square component (13), a lower corresponding square component (14) which is formed in two halves, and four hollow circular elongated tubes (17) which are fitted at each corner of the frame to connect, in a spaced apart parallel relationship, the horizontal upper and lower components (13,14) respectively. Accordingly, in use, the frame can be demounted and removed from around a filled bag, while said bag awaits removal by a vehicle. In the meantime the frame can be re-used at another location.

Description

HANDLING APPARATUS This invention relates to a handling apparatus, principally for use in handling waste items and materials.

An object of the invention is to provide such apparatus in a convenient and efficient form.

According to the present invention handling apparatus comprises a frame structure which in an assembled state defines an interior space, a non-rigid or substantially non-rigid container disposed, in use, within the interior space in an open condition, the frame structure and/or the container having means for removably attaching said container to the frame structure so that the container can be retained in place, in use, when in said interior space, disassembly of the frame structure, in use, enabling it to be removed from around the container.

The invention also relates to a kit of parts for forming said handling apparatus.

Preferably the container is received in the frame structure upon completion of the assembly or re-assembly thereof, and is then attached to the frame structure, thereby holding it open. Conveniently the container is a nylon bag.

The invention also relates to a kit of parts for forming a handling apparatus comprising a multiplicity of frame structure components adapted to be assembled together into a frame structure defining an interior space, and a

non-rigid or substantially rigid container intended to be disposed within the interior space, in use, in an open condition, the frame structure and/or the container having means for removably attaching said container to the frame structure so that it can be retained in place, in use, when in said interior space, disassembly of the frame structure components, in use, enabling them to be removed from around the container.

The handling apparatus is thus in the form of a container assembly which is principally intended to replace a conventional waste skip, and is advantageous in comparison thereto in not being of rigid, fixed form. The demountable nature of the frame structure facilitates transport thereof from one site to another and the non-rigid nature of the containers enables them to be stored, along with the disassembled frame structure components, in a much reduced space. The container assembly can be supplied as a kit of parts for assembly on site, with such assembly being a relatively simple matter. A filled container can easily be recovered by a vehicle having simple lifting gear, and thus not requiring the more complex skip handling means.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a perspective view from above of handling apparatus of the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of a frame structure of the apparatus shown in Figure 1,

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a top plan view and a side view of an upper component of the frame structure of Figure 2, Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a top plan view and a view of one side of a lower component of the frame structure, shown with its two parts separated, Figure 7 is a side view of a pin for securing a container of the assembly to the frame structure, Figure 8 is a side view of a joint pin for securing together the two parts of the lower component shown in Figures 5 and 6, and Figures 9 and 10 are respectively a top plan view and a side view of a leg of the frame structure, which extends between the upper and lower components thereof.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the handling apparatus is in the form of a container assembly 10 which is shown in Figure 1, and comprises a demountable frame structure 11 and a non-rigid or substantially non-rigid container which is typically in the form of a nylon waste bag 12. In this embodiment, it can be seen that in its assembled state, the frame structure 11 is square and defines a correspondingly square interior space in which the bag 12 is disposed, being removably attached to the frame structure and held in an open condition, as will hereinafter be described. It will however be appreciated that the frame can be of any suitable alternative form, for example with closed sides, and in particular it will be appreciated that it can

be of any alternative suitable shape, for example circular, triangular, rectangular or the like.

In the example illustrated, the frame structure is made up of a multiplicity of frame structure elements generally in the form of rods, tubes and bars.

These are arranged for quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the frame structure, as will be described, so that this frame structure can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled on site. Moreover as will be described, the bag 12 can quickly and easily be attached to the assembled frame structure by simple fixing pins.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the embodiment of the frame structure illustrated is formed by an upper square component 13, a lower correspondingly square component 14, which is formed in two halves 15,16 respectively, and four hollow circular elongated tubes 17 which, as will be described, are intended to be fitted and each corner of the assembled open frame structure to connect, but spaced apart in a parallel relationship, the horizontal upper and lower components 13,14 respectively.

The component 13 is formed by welding together in a square configuration four hollow square-section tubes 18. One of the pairs of parallel tubes 18, which are slightly shorter than the tubes of the other pair, are fitted between said other pair of parallel longer tubes, adjacent the respective opposite ends thereof, so as to have their ends closed by abutting said longer tubes, whilst the longer tubes themselves have their respective opposite ends open. The tubes can be connected together by welding, brazing or other suitable means.

At each corner of the component 13 at the underside thereof, is secured,

again by welding, brazing or the like, a short hollow cylindrical tube 19.

Moreover adjacent each corner, on the opposite side of the component 13 to that from which the tubes 19 extend, is fitted a pair of linearly aligned short hollow cylindrical tubes 20 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Thus for each tube 18, there are respective tubes 20 secured thereto adjacent its respective opposite ends, with each of the pair of linearly aligned tubes 20 on abutting tubes 18 lying at 450 to the longitudinal extent of the tube 18 on which it is carried.

The lower component 14 is, as described, formed in two halves. However basically, with these two halves assembled, it is substantially of the same form as the upper component 13 but of inverted form. In other words it is made up of four hollow square-section tubes 21 connected together into a square in the same way as described for the tubes 18, i. e. with one pair of parallel shorter tubes welded or otherwise secured within a pair of parallel longer tubes 21 whose ends remain open. At the respective corner of the component 14 are upwardly extending short hollow cylindrical tubes 22 of the same inner diameter as the tubes 19. The assembled component 14 differs from the component 13 in that it does not have tubes 20 on its side opposite to that from which the tubes 22 extend and moreover at the respective ones of the longer tubes 21, a circular section rod or tube 23 extends parallel to the tube 21 being connected to respective ones of the tubes 22 so as to position the tubes 23 at respective opposite outer sides of the component 14, with the tube 23 lying parallel to a longer tube 21.

As mentioned, each of the shorter ones of the tubes 21 is formed in two halves, substantially of equal length, with the tube half 15 having at its free

end a cylindrical spigot 24 arranged as a relatively tight fit in the open square-section free end of the tube half 16. Although in the embodiment described and illustrated, it is only the lower component 14 which is formed in said two halves, it will of course be appreciated that this arrangement could also be employed with the upper component 13. Moreover additionally it will also be appreciated that it would be possible for the longer squaresection tubes 18 and 21 similarly to be divided for interconnection by a similar spigot and socket connection on assembly. However the arrangement illustrated with the component 13 in one piece is preferred in order to add stability to the assembled frame structure. As can be seen from Figures 2 and 5, the spigots 24 have respective apertures 25 therein, whilst the respective upper sides of the tube halves 16 adjacent their respective free ends are provided with complementary apertures 26 arranged so that when the halves 15 and 16 are assembled together, with the respective spigots 24 being received fully in the respective open ends of the tube half 16, the apertures 25 and 26 align so as to allow the insertion thereinto of respective joint pins 27 shown in Figures 1,2 and 8 which can be a tight fit within said aligned apertures so as positively to retain or lock the two halves 15,16 together against inadvertent or other separation whilst the assembled frame structure is in use. The joint pin can be of any convenient form, but as shown in the drawings, it is of generally shallow U-shape to enable it easily to be gripped during insertion and removal. The part of the pin which is received in the aligned apertures 25 and 26 can be'divided'from the remainder of the pin by a collar 28 which engages against the tube half 16, in use, to denote that the pin has been correctly fully inserted.

The outer diameter of each of the tubes 17 is slightly less than the inner diameter of both the tubes 19 and 22 so that the respective opposite ends of each tube 17 can be received in the tubes 19 and 22 respectively thereby to connect the upper and lower components 13,14 together as shown in Figure 1 with these legs in effect forming columns to space the components 13 and 14 apart but in a parallel, horizontal spaced relationship. The tubes 17 can be a relatively tight friction fit within the tubes 19 and 22 so as to prevent any inadvertent or other separation of the component 13 from said tubes 17 or said tubes 17 from said component 14. It will be appreciated that, in use, the component 14 would normally rest upon the ground or other surface at which the container is placed, although in an alternative embodiment, legs could be provided on the underside of the component 14, for example at the four corners thereof so as to raise the component 14 above the ground or other surface.

The bag 12 shown in Figure 1 is preferably, as stated, of nylon, but any suitable alternative material could be used. With a square frame structure as described and shown, it is convenient that the bag is also of square form, at least in its'open'state. As shown in Figure 1, the bag 12 is four sided having its base closed and its upper end open. However the material of the bag may be such that until it is attached to the frame, as will be described hereinafter, this'open'end may not have sufficient rigidity to remain fully open, so that, as with a nylon bag, the attachment to the frame accomplishes two objectives, namely releasably to attach the bag to the frame so as to retain it within the interior open space defined by the frame, and also to hold it open at its upper end for reception of waste or other material. It will however be appreciated that these two functions could be separate, namely

that the bag could be attached to the frame without its upper end being opened, with different, separate means being provided to open said upper end of the bag. These may or may not be another part of the frame structure. It will also be appreciated that in an alternative arrangement, a side rather than the top of the bag could be the one which is held open for reception of the waste material, although this is likely to be less convenient in terms of material possibly spilling from the bag in use and/or when the frame structure is disassembled, as will be described. Although with the embodiment shown the bag rests on the surface on which the frame assembly is carried, it could be arranged to be above the ground, particularly if the frame assembly has legs.

As shown in Figure 1, the four comers of the bag at its upper open end are provided with respective straps 29 which can be of any suitable form.

However as shown in Figure 1, each strap is formed at its free end with a loop 30 which is arranged to be disposed between a pair of said spaced aligned tubes 20 at each corner, the loop defining a circular-section opening therethrough which thus aligns with the already aligned circular-section openings through the respective tubes 20. Thus as shown in Figure 1, with the two tubes having the loop between them, it is possible to pass through the tubes and the loop a removable pin 31 shown in Figure 7, thereby releasably securing each strap to the frame structure, and thus securing the bag in position within the interior open space defined by the frame structure. As described, with the embodiment shown the fixing of the four straps at the four corners of the upper component 13 opens out the upper end of the bag so that the releasable attachment of the bag to the frame structure also opens it. However as described, the attachment of the bag need not so open the bag

and this could be then accomplished by other means. Accordingly it will be appreciated that with other arrangements of the frame structure and the bag, it may not be necessary to have four bag attachment points at the frame. As with the joint pins 27, the pins 31 can be a relatively tight friction fit with the tubes 20 at each corner, so that they resist inadvertent disengagement during use, so that the bag is tightly held in place yet can be easily released when this is required. The pins 31 can be of a somewhat similar form to the joint pins 27 in having a grip part 32 extending at an angle, by way of an arcuate part, from the main straight part of the pin 31 which is received through the tube 20 and loop 30. However as with the joint pin 27, the pin 31 can be of any alternative suitable form.

As described previously, the container assembly of the invention can replace a conventional waste skip and is advantageous in relation thereto in that it can be supplied in the form of a kit of parts and assembled on site. Accordingly the lower frame component 14 would firstly be assembled together by receiving the spigots 24 into the respective open ends of the half 16, and then securing these two halves together by means of the joint pins 27. The tubes 17 can then be received into the tubes 22 and finally the frame structure assembly is completed by placing the upper component 13 down onto the respective upper ends of the tubes 17 so that these upper ends are received in the respective tubes 19 of the upper component. Thereafter the bag 12 can be placed in the interior space defined by the assembled frame structure with its corners in general alignment with the four corners of the frame structure so that its four straps can be moved in to position at said corners so that the respective loops thereof can be received between the respective pairs of tubes 20. The respective pins 31 are then inserted through the tubes 20 and loop

30 so as removably to secure the bag 12 in place and, as described, hold it in its open state as shown in Figure 1. Waste or other material, for example wooden window frames which require removal when replacement windows are fitted, can then be received into the bag, although it will be appreciated that any alternative form of waste material can be placed therein, including materials which it is desired to recycle. When all the material to be removed has been inserted into the bag, or when the bag is full, it is intended that firstly the pins 31 would be removed and, and in a convenient arrangement, the four straps can then be brought together to close the open end of the bag, these straps being secured together by any suitable means if required. The frame structure is then disassembled, this being the reverse of the assembly described, although it will be appreciated that both assembly and disassembly, the tubes 17 could be received in the tubes 22 when the lower component halves are assembled or disassembled. Once the frame assembly has then been removed from around the bag this can easily and conveniently be removed from site, for example by means of a vehicle having suitable lifting means, for example which can engage with the straps of said bag. It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides an effective and convenient alternative to the use of a skip. As the container assembly is not of rigid, fixed form, it is easy to transport from one site location to another and additionally requires less storage space. Supply as a kit of parts is particularly convenient allowing assembly on site only when required.

Moreover even if there is a delay in removal of the bag after use, this delay does not'tie-up'the frame structure which can be disassembled and removed to another site whilst the bag awaits removal by a vehicle as described. Thus

provided a replacement bag is available, the removed frame structure can then be reused at another location.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Handling apparatus comprising a frame structure which in an assembled state defines an interior space, a non-rigid or substantially nonrigid container disposed, in use, within the interior space in an open condition, the frame structure and/or the container having means for removably attaching said container to the frame structure so that the container can be retained in place, in use, when in said interior space, disassembly of the frame structure, in use, enabling it to be removed from around the container.
2. A kit of parts for forming said apparatus of Claim 1.
3. A kit of parts for forming handling apparatus comprising a multiplicity of frame structure components adapted to be assembled together into a frame structure defining an interior space, and a non-rigid or substantially rigid container intended to be disposed within the interior space, in use, in an open condition, the frame structure and/or the container having means for removably attaching said container to the frame structure so that it can be retained in place, in use, when in said interior space, disassembly of the frame structure components, in use, enabling them to be removed from around the container.