GB2472017A - Bin partition where the compartments are independently closable - Google Patents

Abstract

An insert 10 to partition 30 a bin 100 into two compartments includes a lid 40 which can be positioned to cover either of the compartments. The insert preferably includes a frame 20; the lid can be hingedly attached to the frame or the partition 30. The lid ideally includes a fastening latch 41 to secure the lid in the closed position over either compartment. The frame, the lid when closed, and the partition should be entirely contained within the bin. The lid and the partition can be solid and can span the frame. A bin including the insert, and a bin with an integrally formed partition, frame and lid are also claimed.

Description

Bin Insert The present invention relates to bin inserts and bins.

It is known to partition bins into compartments using a bin insert -AU 1992-15277 Al describes such an insert. In AU 1992-15277 Al the bin insert establishes compartments each having a latching lid. A lid and latch are provided for each compartment, enabling each compartment to be emptied separately. However, provision of multiple latching lids increases the complexity and therefore cost of the insert.

It is an aim of example embodiments of the present invention to address one disadvantage of existing bin inserts, whether identified herein or otherwise.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a bin insert comprising: a bin engaging element to cooperate with a bin and locate the bin insert in position therewith; a partition to separate the bin into first and second compartments when the bin insert is located in a bin; and a lid; characterised in that with the bin insert located in a bin the lid is arrangeable in a first latching position in which the first compartment is open, and is arrangeable in a second latching position in which the second compartment is open.

Suitably, with the lid arranged in the first latching position the second compartment is closed.

Suitably, with the lid arranged in the second latching position the first compartment is closed.

Suitably, the bin engaging element comprises a frame. Suitably, the frame is arranged to engage an inner surface of the bin proximate to an open end of the bin. Suitably, the frame is arranged to provide a friction fit with the inner surface of the bin. Suitably, the frame is arranged to lie completely within the bin when the bin insert is in use.

Suitably, the frame carries a lid-carrying element. Suitably, the lid-carrying element spans the frame. Suitably, the partition is a solid partition. Suitably, the partition is arranged to lie completely within the bin when the bin insert is in use. Suitably, the partition spans the frame.

Suitably, the partition carries a lid-carrying element. Suitably, the lid-carrying element comprises a hinge or a portion of a hinge. Suitably, the bin insert comprises a hinge coupling the lid to the bin engaging element and/or to the partition. Suitably, the lid is arranged to lie completely within the bin when the bin insert is in use and the lid is arranged in the first or second latching position.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided in combination a bin and a bin insert according to the first aspect of the invention. Suitably, the bin insert is formed integrally with the bin.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bin insert according to a first example embodiment of the present invention from the side and above; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a combination of the bin insert of Figure 1 and a bin, with the lid of the bin insert arranged in a first latching position; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a combination of the bin insert of Figure 1 and a bin, with the lid of the bin insert arranged in a second latching position; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a combination of the bin insert of Figure 1 and a bin, with the lid of the bin insert arranged between the first and second latching positions; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the bin of Figure 1 with its lid closed and the bin insert contained completely there-within.

Figure 1 shows a bin insert 10 comprising: a bin engaging element 20 to cooperate with a bin and locate the bin insert 10 in position relative to the bin; a partition 30 to separate the bin into first and second compartments when the bin insert 10 is located in a bin; and a lid 40. The lid is arrangeable in a first latching position in which a first compartment is open, and is arrangeable in a second latching position in which a second compartment is open, when the bin insert 10 is arranged in position in a bin. With the lid 40 arranged in the first latching position the second compartment is closed by the lid. With the lid 40 arranged in the second latching position the first compartment is closed by the lid. In this way a single lid 40 is able to selectively open and close first and second compartments in the partitioned bin, which is an efficient way of allowing selective access for separate filling or emptying of compartments in the bin. In particular, providing a single lid 40 operable as described is efficient when using the bin insert 10 in a bin which is already provided with its own bin lid, and the bin insert 10 is arranged within the bin, under the bin lid.

Figures 2 and 3 show the bin insert 10 arranged in a bin 100. The bin engaging element 20 comprises a frame arranged engage an inner surface 110 of the bin 100 proximate to an open end 120 of the bin 100. The frame provides a friction fit with the inner surface 110 of the bin 100, and is arranged to lie completely within the bin 100 when the bin insert 10 is in use. In some embodiments the bin engaging element 20 may be supported on a lip or rim present at theopen end 120 of the bin 100.

The partition 30 spans the frame and is also arranged to lie completely within the bin 100 when the bin insert 10 is in use. The partition 30 is solid, and is shaped to fit closely against the inner surface 110 of the bin 100 to prevent passage of material between first and second compartments. In some embodiments the partition 30 is shaped to form a friction fit against the inner surface 110 of the bin 100, aiding retention of the bin insert 10 in the bin 100. In some embodiments fixings such as screws, bolts or the like may be used to couple the bin insert 10 to the bin, either by attachment to the bin engaging element 20 or the partition 30, or both.

The partition 30 carries a lid-carrying element 22 in the form of a hinge. The lid-carrying element 22 couples the lid 40 to partition 30, which is itself coupled to the bin engaging element 20. The lid 40 is also arranged to lie completely within the bin 100 when the bin insert 10 is in use with the lid 40 arranged in the first or second latching position.

In the first latching position the lid 40 closes the second compartment, and is held in place using a first latch element 41. The first latch element 41 is provided on the lid 40 and engages with a keeper or receiver positioned at portion of the bin 100 at the open end 120 of the bin 100. In the second latching position the lid 40 closes the first compartment, and is held in place using a second latch element 42. The second latch element 42 is provided on the lid 40 and engages with a keeper or receiver positioned at portion of the bin 100 at the open end 120 of the bin 100. In an alternative embodiment the latch elements 41,42 may conveniently engage a portion of the bin engaging element 20, however, by latching on the bin 100 the latch elements 41,42 provide a further degree of fixing to hold the bin insert 10 in position in the bin 100.

Figure 4 shows the lid 40 in an intermediate position, between first and second latching position.

Figure 5 shows the bin 100 with the bin engaging element 10 contained completely therein.

The bin 100 comprises a lid 140 which covers all of the bin insert.

In making the bin insert 10, a number of considerations are relevant to ensuring that the bin insert 10 works effectively with a particular bin 100. In particular, the bin engaging element 20 should properly engage the bin 100 to hold the bin insert 10 in place, while the partition 30 should form an effective barrier separating the first and second compartments. To meet these requirements the bin engaging element 20 and partition 30 are suitably chosen with predetermined dimensions to fit a width known bin with which the bin insert 10 is to work.

By latching in first and second positions as described, the lid of the bin engaging element can conveniently be used to close off one compartment in the bin while the bin is being filled or emptied. Thus the bin insert provides a convenient way of establishing multiple compartments within a bin, enabling the separate collection of waste of different types. The bin insert described herein is of simple and robust construction, and is easy to fit into existing types of bin. Furthermore, the bin insert described herein is easy to integrate with existing bin collection apparatus and techniques. The manufacturing methods described herein facilitate simple and efficient making of the bin inserts, in particular enabling bin inserts to be manufactured efficiently to fit with a range of existing bins.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (19)

1. C'aims 1. A bin insert comprising: a bin engaging element to cooperate with a bin and locate the bin insert in position therewith; a partition to separate the bin into first and second compartments when the bin insert is located in a bin; and a lid; characterised in that with the bin insert located in a bin the lid is arrangeable in a first latching position in which the first compartment is open, and is arrangeable in a second latching position in which the second compartment is open.
2. 2. The bin insert of claim 1, wherein with the lid arranged in the first latching position the second compartment is closed.
3. 3. The bin insert of claim 1 or 2, wherein with the lid arranged in the second latching position the first compartment is closed.
4. 4. The bin insert of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bin engaging element comprises a frame.
5. 5. The bin insert of claim 4, wherein the frame is arranged to engage an inner surface of the bin proximate to an open end of the bin. o 20
6. 6. The bin insert of claim 5, wherein the frame is arranged to provide a friction fit with the inner surface of the bin.
7. 7. The bin insert of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the frame is arranged to lie completely within the bin when the bin insert is in use.
8. 8. The bin insert of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the frame carries a lid-carrying element.
9. 9. The bin insert of claim 8, wherein the lid-carrying element spans the frame.
10. 10. The bin insert of any preceding claim, wherein the partition is a solid partition.
11. 11. The bin insert of any preceding claim, wherein the partition is arranged to lie completely within the bin when the bin insert is in use.
12. 12. The bin insert of claim 4, or any one of claims 5 -11 as dependent on claim 4, wherein the partition spans the frame.
13. 13. The bin insert of any preceding claim, wherein the partition carries a lid-carrying element.
14. 14. The bin insert of claim 13, wherein the lid-carrying element comprises a hinge or a portion of a hinge.
15. 15. The bin insert of any preceding claim, wherein the bin insert comprises a hinge coupling the lid to the bin engaging element and/or to the partition.
16. 16. The bin insert of any preceding claim wherein, the lid is arranged to lie completely within the bin when the bin insert is in use and the lid is arranged in the first or second latching position.
17. 17. In combination, a bin and a bin insert according to any one of claims 1 -16.
18. 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the bin insert is formed integrally with the bin.
19. 19. A bin insert or combination of bin and bin insert substantially as herein described, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. Q 20