Abstract:
Several embodiments of plastic dumpsters with improved strength and durability are disclosed. In one embodiment, gussets connect pockets to bevel walls, connecting the side walls to front and rear walls of the dumpster. The bevel walls are stronger than the side walls of the dumpster. Other embodiments disclose gussets integral with front and rear walls of the dumpster for improved strength. Other embodiments disclose removable, separately formed sleeves that are secured to the sides of the dumpster to form pockets for receiving the forks of a truck.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/021,404, filed Jan. 16, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to large containers, in particular dumpsters that can be lifted and dumped by forks of a refuse or recycling truck. Traditionally, these dumpsters were constructed of metal with metal pockets welded to side walls for receiving the forks of the truck. A more recent dumpster is constructed entirely of plastic. The pockets on the side walls are integrally molded with the walls of the dumpster in a rotomolding process. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides several embodiments of plastic dumpsters with improved strength and durability. 
     In one embodiment, gussets connect pockets to bevel walls, connecting the side walls to front and rear walls of the dumpster. The bevel walls are stronger than the side walls of the dumpster. Other embodiments disclose gussets integral with front and rear walls of the dumpster for improved strength. Other embodiments disclose removable, separately formed sleeves that are secured to the sides of the dumpster to form pockets for receiving the forks of a truck. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dumpster according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a section view through one of the pockets of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the dumpster of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a dumpster according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a section view through one of the pockets of the dumpster of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a dumpster according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the dumpster of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a section view through one of the pockets of the dumpster of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a dumpster according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a section view through one of the pockets of the dumpster of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a dumpster according to a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  shows the dumpster of  FIG. 17  with the lids removed. 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of the dumpster of  FIG. 18   
         FIG. 20  shows the dumpster of  FIG. 18  with the sleeves removed. 
         FIG. 21  is a top view of the dumpster of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a section view taken along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a section view taken along line  23 - 23  of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of one of the sleeves of the dumpster of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 25  is a rear view of the sleeve of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a horizontal section view through the sleeve of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 27  is a vertical section view through the sleeve of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 28  is a section view through one set of supports and one sleeve of the dumpster of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 29  is a side view of the dumpster of  FIG. 17  with a similar dumpster nested therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A dumpster  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The dumpster  10  includes a base wall  12 , front wall  14 , side walls  16  and a rear wall  46  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) defining an interior of the dumpster  10 . Between the front wall  14  and side walls  16  are front bevel walls  18 . Between the rear wall  46  and side walls  16  are rear bevel walls  19 . 
     The dumpster  10  includes pockets  20  adjacent each side wall  16 . An upper gusset  22  above the pocket and a lower gusset  24  below the pocket  20  are integral with the rear bevel wall  19 . An upper gusset  28  above the pocket and a lower gusset  30  below the pocket  20  are integral with the front bevel wall  18 . The gussets  22 ,  24 ,  28 ,  30  support and reinforce the pockets  20 . The pockets  20  include openings  32  for receiving the fork of a truck for lifting and dumping the dumpster  10 . 
     By virtue of the connected perpendicular walls, the joints between the side walls and the front or rear wall of a container (usually the “corners,” and here including the bevel walls) are inherently stronger and more rigid than the walls themselves. By positioning the gussets  22 ,  24 ,  28 ,  30  in the corners (i.e. the bevel walls  18 ,  19 ) in the dumpster  10 , the connection of the pockets  20  to the dumpster  20  is stronger and more rigid. 
     The dumpster  10  may include optional casters  36  on the base  12 . 
     As shown, the upper edges of the side walls  16  are angled downwardly toward the front wall  14 . The upper edges of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  46  include a lip  38  that reinforces the walls and accommodates a hinge  42  connecting a pair of lids  40  to the rear wall  46 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the dumpster  10 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of the dumpster  10 , showing the gussets  22 ,  24 ,  28 ,  30  connected only to the bevel walls  18 ,  19 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective interior view of the dumpster  10 , partially broken away. The base  12  may include convex portions  13  for reinforcement. The lip  38  is hollow, as shown. A center wall  48  extends outwardly from the rear bevel wall  19  to the pocket  20 . The gussets  22 ,  24  on the rear bevel wall  19  are open to the interior of the dumpster  10 . The upper gusset  22  includes a first wall  50  extending from the rear bevel wall  19  to the center wall  48 , a second wall  52  adjacent the first wall  50  and extending from the rear bevel wall  19  to an area proximate the outer edge of the pocket  20  and a third wall  54  adjacent the second wall  52  and extending from the bevel wall  19  across a portion of the pocket  20 . 
     Similarly, the lower gusset  24  includes a first wall  56  extending upwardly from the rear bevel wall  19  to the center wall  48 , a second wall  58  adjacent the first wall  56  and extending from the rear bevel wall  19  to an area proximate the outer edge of the pocket  20  and a third wall  60  adjacent the second wall  58  and extending from the bevel wall  19  across a portion of the pocket  20 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , apertures  73  are formed through the side wall  16  above and below the pocket  20 . 
     The apertures  73  are also shown in  FIG. 5 , which illustrates a portion of the pocket  20 , sectioned laterally and longitudinally. The pocket  20  includes an upper wall  68 , a lower wall  64  and an outer wall  66 . The upper wall  68  includes alternating single wall sections  76  and box beam sections  80 , thereby defining alternating channels  78  above the single wall sections  76  between the box beam sections  80 . The box beam sections  80  define apertures  73  that open to the interior of the dumpster  10  ( FIG. 3 ). The lower wall  64  includes alternating single wall sections  70  and box beam sections  72 , thereby defining alternating channels  74  above the single wall sections  70  between the box beam sections  72 . The box beam sections  72  define apertures  73  that open to the interior of the dumpster  10  ( FIG. 3 ). 
       FIGS. 6-9  are front, rear, top and bottom views of the dumpster  10 , without the lids  40  or casters  36 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a dumpster  110  according to a second embodiment. The dumpster  110  includes a base wall, front wall  114 , side walls  116  and a rear wall  146  defining an interior of the dumpster  110 . The dumpster  110  includes pockets  120  adjacent each side wall  116 . The pockets  120  define openings  132  for receiving a fork of a truck. A lip  138  is defined around the upper edges of the walls. Lids  140  may be connected via a hinge  142 . 
     Each pocket  120  is supported by the front wall  114  and rear wall  146  which extends outward continuously to circumscribe the opening  132  of the pocket  120 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates one of the pockets  120  in more detail in section. The pocket  120  includes a lower wall  164 , outer wall  166 , inner wall  167  and upper wall  168  that define the opening  132  through the pocket  120 . The lower wall  164  is formed similarly to that of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9 , having box beam sections  172  having openings  173  into the interior of the dumpster  110 . Over the side walls  116 , the lip  138  includes an upper wall  180  having a inner flange  182  extending downward from an inner edge thereof. A corrugated wall  184  extends downward from the outer edge of the upper wall  180  down to the upper wall  168  of the pocket  120 . The corrugations increase the rigidity and strength of the corrugated wall  184  to further support the pocket  120 , although most of the support for the pocket  120  comes from the front wall  114  and rear wall  146 . When the dumpster  110  is lifted by the fork, most of the weight of the dumpster  110  and its contents is transferred directly to the front wall  114  and rear wall  146 . 
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrate a dumpster  210  according to a third embodiment. The dumpster  210  includes a base wall  212 , front wall  214 , side walls  216  and rear wall  246 . Pockets  220  are adjacent side walls  214  and are reinforced by rear gussets  222 ,  224  and front gussets  228 ,  230 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the upper rear gusset  222  includes a first wall  250 , second wall  252  and third wall  254  all supporting the pocket  220 . The third wall  254  is generally parallel to the rear wall  246  of the dumpster  210  so that weight is transferred directly to the side wall  216 , while the first wall  250  is generally a continuous extension of the outer wall of the lip  238 . Similarly, the lower rear gusset  224  includes a first wall  256 , second wall  258  and third wall  260 , with the third wall  260  being generally parallel to the rear wall  246  of the dumpster  210  and connected to the side wall  216 . 
     The front gussets  228 ,  230  each have three walls extending to the pocket  220  in a similar manner, such that the innermost walls of the gussets  228 ,  230  are generally continuous extensions of the front wall  214 . Additionally, the outermost wall of the upper gusset  228  is generally a continuous extension of the outer wall of the lip  238 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the pocket  220  has walls that are generally formed with alternating single wall sections and box beam sections, as described above with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a dumpster  310  according to a fourth embodiment. The dumpster  310  includes a base wall  312 , front wall  314 , side walls  316  and rear wall  346 . The pockets  320  are each formed by a sleeve  390  inserted (or, alternatively, insert-molded) into a front support  392  and a rear support  394 . 
     The supports  392 ,  394  are reinforced by gussets  328 ,  322 . Additional gussets below the supports  392 ,  394  could optionally be used. Referring to  FIG. 16 , the upper front gusset  328  includes a wall  329  extending perpendicularly to the side wall  316  and to the pocket  320 . 
     The sleeves  390  could be formed of a material different from that of the rest of the dumpster  310 . For example, the sleeves  390  could be metal, or the sleeves  390  could be a higher-density polymer. If plastic, the sleeves  390  could be injection molded or extruded. The sleeves  390  could be removable, such that damaged sleeves  390  could be replaced. 
     A dumpster  410  according to a fifth embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 17-21 . Referring to  FIG. 17 , the dumpster  410  includes a base wall  412 , front wall  414 , side walls  416  and rear wall  446  ( FIG. 18 ). A hollow lip  438  extends around the upper edge of the periphery of the dumpster  410 . Lids  440  are hingeably mounted on the dumpster  410 . Pockets  420  are each formed by a sleeve  490  inserted (or, alternatively, insert-molded) into a front support  492  and a rear support  494 . 
     The supports  492 ,  494  are reinforced by upper gussets  428 ,  422 . Stacking posts  506  are formed below the supports  492 ,  494 . The sleeves  490  could be formed of a material different from that of the rest of the dumpster  410 . For example, the sleeves  490  could be metal, or the sleeves  490  could be a higher-density polymer. The sleeves  490  could be removable, such that damaged sleeves  490  could be replaced. The sleeves  490  each include a front flange  496 , including a large inner flange portion  498 . 
       FIG. 18  shows the dumpster  410  with the lids removed to show the interior. The upper gusset  422  includes an outer wall  422   a  extending at an angle from the lip  438  to an inner wall  494   a  of the support  494 . The upper gusset  422  also includes generally triangular side walls  422   b  extending between the side walls  416  of the dumpster  410  to the inner wall  494   a  of the support  494 . The upper edge of the lip  438  includes stacking recesses  508  aligned with the stacking posts  506 . 
       FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of the dumpster  410  of  FIG. 18 . The base wall  412  includes a plurality of recesses  510  for receiving plates of casters (e.g. casters  36  of  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 20  shows the dumpster  410  without the lids  440  or sleeves  490 . In the illustrated embodiment, what is shown in  FIG. 20  is rotomolded as a single piece. The lids  440  and sleeves  490  are subsequently attached. 
       FIG. 21  is a top view of the dumpster  410  of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 22  is a section view taken along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 23  is a section view taken along line  23 - 23  of  FIG. 21 . As shown, each pocket support  494  includes an inner wall  494   a  spaced inwardly of the pocket support  494 . 
     The sleeve  490  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 24-27 . The sleeve  490  includes the front flange  496  around the periphery of the front opening of the sleeve  490 . The inner flange portion  498  is larger than the remainder of the front flange  496  and includes a convex outer surface  500  protruding outwardly. The convex outer surface  500  protects the outer surface of the front wall  414  of the dumpster  410  from the fork and helps redirect the fork into the sleeve  490 . The sleeve  490  further includes an elongated hollow body portion  502 , which in the example shown is tapered toward the rear of the sleeve  490 . At least one, and optionally several, protruding retainers  504  are integrally formed in the body portion  502  of the sleeve  490 . One is shown formed in the front surface of the sleeve  490 , and a second retainer  504  is formed one the rear surface of the example sleeve  490  (as can be seen in  FIG. 25 ), but the upper and lower surfaces could also be used. The retainers  504  are sized and positioned to snap-fit past the front supports  492  to retain the sleeves  490  in the supports  492 ,  494 , as shown in  FIG. 28 . Alternatively, recesses could be formed in the sleeves  490 , with corresponding protrusions formed in the supports  492 ,  494 . Additional, or alternate, fasteners (e.g. screws, rivets, etc) could also fasten the sleeves  490  to the dumpster  410 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , the retainers  504  and the sleeve  490  deform as the sleeve  490  is inserted through the front support  492  and then the retainers  504  snap behind the support  492  to prevent the unintended removal of the sleeve  490  forwardly from the support  492 . Meanwhile, the front flange  496  and the taper of the body portion  502  prevent the sleeve  490  from sliding rearwardly in the supports  492 ,  494 . 
     During use, the sleeves  490  will be subject to impact from the forks of the truck, but can be replaced by releasing the sleeve  490  by depressing the retainers  504  and sliding the sleeve  490  forwardly. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates the dumpster  410  (without lids  440 ) with a similar dumpster  410 ′ nested therein, such as for shipping or for storage. The stacking posts  506 ′ of the upper dumpster  410 ′ are received in the stacking recesses  508  of the lower dumpster  410  for more stable stacking and better transfer of the weight of the upper dumpster  410 ′ to the lower dumpster  410 . 
     The dumpsters  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410  disclosed herein can be rotomolded plastic dumpsters; however, other manufacturing techniques could conceivably be used instead or in addition to rotomolding. The dumpsters  10 ,  110 ,  210  are disclosed as having integrally molded pockets, but alternatively the pockets could be formed separately and subsequently attached. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. Alphanumeric identifiers on method steps are for convenient reference in dependent claims and do not signify a required sequence of performance unless otherwise indicated in the claims.