BIN DIVIDER

Abstract: In a large wheeled bin (1) of the type commonly used for refuse collection a vertical divider (4) is inserted dividing the bin into two compartments (5 and 6) for the collection of different types of recyclable material. The planar divider (4) has lugs (8) protruding through holes in the side walls (9) of the bin, the lugs being secured by caps (10) engaged over the lugs. A description of the barbed engagement of the caps (10) with the lugs (8) is given together with an embodiment in which there are no caps (8) but the divider is held in place by deformation of the side walls (9) due to a convex profile on the lower edge of the divider (4).

Description: BIN DIVIDER TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a bin divider and has been devised particularly though not solely as a vertical divider to divide a wheeled garbage bin into two compartments so that at least one of those compartments can be used for the collection of recyclable waste material . BACKGROUND ART In the past it has been common in many domestic and commercial situations to arrange for the collection of garbage and other waste in wheeled garbage bins which are typically injection moulded from a resilient plastics material and which typically have a hinged lid and a capacity between 120 and 240 litres, although larger bins are also known. There are many systems available for the semi- automated collection of such bins by engaging the bin with a lifter arm on a collection truck and elevating and inverting the bin to empty the contents into a hopper in the truck. Proposals have been made to use such bins for the collection of recyclable waste, eg: waste paper, bottles, cans and plastic containers but in order to make such collections efficient it is highly desirable for the user to pre-sort some of the recyclable material. For example it is desirable to provide a container having at least two compartments so that waste paper can be placed in one compartment and recyclable bottles, cans and plastic containers in the other compartment. Proposals have also been made for the semi-automated emptying of such containers in a manner that the material held in the different compartments is emptied into different defined areas of a collection vehicle. The most economical way of providing a suitable compartmentalised container or bin is to incorporate a vertical partition into existing wheeled bins which may, for example, presently be used for the collection of garbage . In one aspect the present invention therefore provides a method of inserting a vertical partition into a refuse or recycling bin of resilient plastics material, comprising the steps of: providing a partition of generally planar configuration having an outline corresponding approximately to the internal cross-sectional profile of the bin at the desired location for the partition, said partition having lugs protruding from the outline in predetermined locations, forming holes in the walls of the bin in locations corresponding to the locations of the lugs when the partition is positioned in its desired location, deforming the walls of the bin to bulge outwardly in the region of the holes, inserting the partition into the bin with the lugs aligned with the holes, and allowing the bin walls to revert to their original shape with the lugs engaged in the holes. Preferably the bin has an outwardly extending upper rim and the lugs include a pair of upper lugs located such that they engage under the rim, the upper lugs being formed as a continuation of the planar partition, each having a relatively wide upper edge tapering downwardly to a relatively narrow lower edge. In one form of the invention the partition has a convex lower edge adapted to bear against the bottom of the bin, causing the side walls of the bin to be biased inwardly in the vicinity of the partition. Preferably the method includes the step of forcing the partition downwardly into the bin, causing the convex lower edge of the partition to deform the middle area of the bottom of the bin downwardly and flex the bin in such a manner that the side walls are biased inwardly in the vicinity of the partition, positively engaging the lugs in the holes. In another form of the invention the lugs are deeper than the bin wall thickness and wherein a • plurality of caps are provided and engaged with protruding portions of the lugs, one to each, after the lugs are engaged in the holes, preventing withdrawal of the lugs from the holes once engaged with the caps. In another aspect the invention provides a divider for dividing the interior of a refuse-type bin having walls and a base into two compartments, the divider comprising a sheet material member shaped to fit within the bin in a desired location, and a plurality of lugs extending from the side edges of the divider adapted to engage slots formed in the walls of the bin in corresponding locations . In one form of the invention the lugs are adapted to protrude through the slots beyond the outer face of the walls, and a plurality of caps are provided engageable over the lugs, one to each, preventing withdrawal of the lugs from the slots once engaged with the caps. Preferably the faces of each lug are grooved providing engagement ledges for corresponding members within the cap. Preferably the cap is formed from a resilient material and has inwardly extending barbed protrusions engageable with the ledges of the lug. Preferably the cap has side walls from which the barbed extrusions extend, the side walls extending through the corresponding slot in the bin wall to lie between the slot edges and the lug when engaged with the lug. Preferably the cap has outwardly extending members arranged to engage the outer face of the adjacent bin wall upon attempted withdrawal of the lug from its slot, preventing that withdrawal, the outwardly extending members forming a skirt extending outwardly around the cap. In an alternative form of the invention the divider has a convex lower edge adapted to bear against the bottom of the bin, causing the side walls of the bin to be biased inwardly in the vicinity of the divider. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope, one preferred form of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bin with a divider in place ready to receive securing caps; Fig. 2 is a scrap view to an enlarged scale showing a cap about to be engaged with a lug; Fig 3 is a horizontal cross-section on the line A-A of Fig. 2 showing the cap engaged with the lug; and Fig. 4 is an elevation of an alternative divider. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the preferred form of the invention a large refuse collection bin such as a 240 litre bin 1 supported on wheels 2 and having a hinged lid 3 is fitted with a vertical divider 4 forming two separate compartments 5 and 6 within the bin in the following manner. The divider is formed from a suitable sheet material such as a flexible plastics material having a profile shaped to fit within the bin in the desired location. The divider incorporates a plurality of lugs 7 extending from the side edges of the divider and being adapted to engage slots 8 formed in corresponding location in the side walls 9 of the bin. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the divider 4 has three such lugs 7 protruding from each side of the bin. The divider is secured in place by way of caps 10 engageable with each of the lugs 7 in the following manner. Referring to Fig. 2 it can be seen that the faces 11 of each lug 7 are provided with grooves 12 formed parallel with the side wall of the bin providing engagement ledges for corresponding members within the cap. The configuration of the grooves can be clearly seen in Fig. 3 which shows the grooves of barbed configuration forming the ledges 13 separated by ramps 14 for engagement with barbed protrusions within the cap. Each cap 10 has side walls 15 from which barbed protrusions 16 corresponding to the profile of the grooves 12 extend. The side walls protrude beyond the barbed protrusions in portions 17 which extend through the corresponding slot 8 in the bin wall 9 to lie between the slot edges 18 and the lug 7 when engaged with the lug. Each cap also has outwardly extending members 19, preferably in the form of a continuous skirt extending outwardly around the cap and having free edges arranged to engage the outer face 20 of the adjacent bin wall 9 upon attempted withdrawal of the lug from its slot, preventing that withdrawal. The caps 10 are preferably formed of a resilient plastics material such as high molecular weight nylon or other high strength plastics that could be formed from other materials such as metal. In use the divider wall 4 is inserted into the bin with the lugs 7 protruding through the slots 8, and caps 10 are simply pushed or hammered into place over the lugs 7 until the barbed protrusions 16 within each cap engage the ledges 13 formed by the grooves 12 in each lug. Because the side walls 15 of each cap protrude through the bin wall in portions 17, once the cap is engaged the side walls are prevented from moving outwardly by the edges 18 of the slots 8 in the bin wall so securely retaining the barbed portions 16 behind the ledges 13 in the lug. In this manner, once the cap is engaged with the lug, it is almost impossible to dislodge the cap. The protruding skirt 19 on the cap prevents the cap and therefore the engaged lug from being withdrawn through the slot 8 in the bin wall so securely and permanently locating the divider within the bin. It is desirable that a gap be left between the lower edges of the skirt 19 and the adjacent bin wall outer face 20 as can be seen in Fig. 3 so that the divider 4 may be flexed or distorted under load allowing the lug to twist within its corresponding slot before the skirt comes in contact with the bin wall . In this manner flexing of the divider under load does not immediately stress the bin wall in the location of the slot, giving increased life in service. Because the caps 10 are instantly engageable with the lugs 7, the fitting of a bin divider 4 in this manner is extremely quick and can be easily performed in the field to convert existing rubbish bins into two compartment recyclable collection bins. The design of the divider does not incorporate any inwardly projecting flanges or ledges in the bin, resulting in a "clean" bin which will pass all hygiene requirements for bins of this type. In an alternative form of the invention it is possible to insert the divider and hold it in place without using the caps (10) . In this embodiment, the divider as shown in Fig. 4, is formed from a suitable plastics material of generally planar or sheet-like configuration to the outline shown in Fig. 4 having shaped sides (21) , a generally straight upper edge (22) and a convex lower edge (23) . The shape of the side edges (21) is formed to conform with the internal cross- sectional profile of the bin at the desired location for the divider but the lower edge (23) may have a convex profile which is slightly exaggerated (ie: of lesser radius) than the corresponding concave (or flat) profile of the bottom of the bin. The divider is provided with a plurality of lugs extending outwardly from the side edges (21) comprising a pair of upper lugs (24) , a pair of lower lugs (25) and a pair of intermediate lugs (26) . The lugs are typically extensions of the planar material from which the partition is formed. The side walls of the bin (1) are provided with holes in locations corresponding to the locations of the lugs (24, 25, ' 26) when the divider is positioned in its desired location, and the holes are typically formed as slots in the bin wall by the use of a router. The pair of upper lugs (24) are shaped and located to engage under the rim of the bin. To this end the upper lugs are of generally "ear" shaped configuration having a relatively wide upper edge (27) and a rounded corner (28) tapering downwardly to a relatively narrow lower edge (29) . The lower lugs (25) and intermediate lugs (26) are generally rectangular extensions of the planar partition having a depth approximately equal to the thickness of the bin wall material so that the outer edges of the lower and intermediate lugs lie approximately flush with the outer face of the bin walls when the divider is inserted in the bin. The divider is inserted into the bin by aligning the divider in the desired location slightly above its ultimate placement in the bin and flexing the resilient bin walls outwardly in the location of the divider edges (21) . Due to the resilient nature of the material from which the bin is formed, this deformation tends to cause the bottom of the bin to bulge upwardly. The divider is then forced downwardly into the bin by applying force to the upper edge (22) eg: by way of an hydraulic ram, until the convex bottom edge (23) contacts the bottom of the bin and the lugs (24, 25, 26) engage in the preformed slots in the bin walls. Due to the careful sizing of the divider and the configuration of the convex lower edge (23) , the downward force applied by the convex lower edge to the bottom of the bin causes a reverse deformation of the bin walls forcing the walls inwardly in the vicinity of the side edges (11) and positively engaging the lugs with their corresponding holes in the bin walls . Due to the resilient nature of the bin material, a continued upward force is exerted by the bottom of the bin on the convex lower divider edge (23) forcing the upper edges (27) of the upper lugs (24) hard up against the underside of the rim firmly and permanently locking the partition into place in the bin. It has been found that this engagement alone is sufficient to secure the partition within the bin, but if desired the protruding lugs may be heat welded or glued to the side walls of the bin for added long-term security. In this manner a partition can be quickly and inexpensively inserted into a mobile plastics refuse collection bin to convert that bin into a multiple compartment container suitable for use in the collection of recyclable material.

Claims: CLAIMS : - 1. A method of inserting a vertical partition into a refuse or recycling bin of resilient plastics material, comprising the steps of : providing a partition of generally planar configuration having an outline corresponding approximately to the internal cross-sectional profile of the bin at the desired location for the partition, said partition having lugs protruding from the outline in predetermined locations, forming holes in the walls of the bin in locations corresponding to the locations of the lugs when the partition is positioned in its desired location, deforming the walls of the bin to bulge outwardly in the region of the holes, inserting the partition into the bin with the lugs aligned with the holes, and allowing the bin walls to revert to their original shape with the lugs engaged in the holes . 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bin has an outwardly extending upper rim and the lugs include a pair of upper lugs located such that they engage under the rim, the upper lugs being formed as a continuation of the planar partition, each having a relatively wide upper edge tapering downwardly to a relatively narrow lower edge. 3. A method as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the partition has a convex lower edge adapted to bear against the bottom of the bin, causing the side walls of the bin to be biased inwardly in the vicinity of the partition. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 including the step of forcing the partition downwardly into the bin, causing the convex lower edge of the partition to deform the middle area of the bottom of the bin downwardly and flex the bin in such a manner that the side walls are biased inwardly in ' the vicinity of the partition, positively engaging the lugs in the holes. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lugs are deeper than the bin wall thickness and wherein a plurality of caps are provided and engaged with protruding portions of the lugs, one to each, after the lugs are engaged in the holes, preventing withdrawal of the lugs from the holes once engaged with the caps. 6. A divider for dividing the interior of a refuse-type bin having walls and a base into two compartments, the divider comprising a sheet material member shaped to fit within the bin in a desired location, and a plurality of lugs extending from the side edges of the divider adapted to engage slots formed in the walls of the bin in corresponding locations . 7. A bin divider as claimed in claim 6 wherein the lugs are adapted to protrude through the slots beyond the outer face of the walls, and a plurality of caps are provided engageable over the lugs, one to each, preventing withdrawal of the lugs from the slots once engaged with the caps . 8. A bin divider as claimed in claim 7 wherein the faces of each lug are grooved providing engagement ledges for corresponding members within the cap. 9. A bin divider as claimed in claim 8 wherein the cap is formed from a resilient material and has inwardly extending barbed protrusions engageable with the ledges of the lug. 10. A bin divider as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cap has side walls from which the barbed extrusions extend, the side walls extending through the corresponding slot in the bin wall to lie between the slot edges and the lug when engaged with the lug. 11. A bin divider as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the cap has outwardly extending members arranged to engage the outer face of the adjacent bin wall upon attempted withdrawal of the lug from its slot, preventing that withdrawal. 12. A bin divider as claimed in claim 11 wherein the outwardly extending members form a skirt extending outwardly around the cap. 13. A bin divider as claimed in claim 6 wherein the divider has a convex lower edge adapted to bear against the bottom of the bin, causing the side walls of the bin to be biased inwardly in the vicinity of the divider.

Inventors: HICKEY COLIN JOSEPH, HICKEY, COLIN, JOSEPH
Applicants: HICKEY COLIN JOSEPH, HICKEY, COLIN, JOSEPH
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B65F1
IPC codes: B65D25, B65F1