Abstract:
A retaining system for maintaining a refuse container in a substantially upright position, said retaining system comprising: a retaining device for removably receiving a handle bar of said container, said retaining device fixedly attached to a rigid mount; a platform for receiving a base of said container and elevating said container above a support surface; an enclosure disposed around said container, said enclosure having an enclosure opening to facilitate depositing of said refuse into said container and removal of said container from said retaining device and said enclosure, and placement of said container in said enclosure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to refuse containers, and more particularly it relates to securing a refuse container to counter forces intended to tip it over. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Garbage containers, such as green bins, are placed outdoors for health or sanitary reasons and to prevent odour from fouling up the indoor living space. In addition, garbage containers are not aesthetically pleasing, unsightly, and do not typically fit in with the decor of most interior spaces. It is a well-known problem that garbage or food containers left outdoors are prone to getting accessed, or knocked over, by domestic and wild animals, such as raccoons and bears, in search of food. 
     In the event that a garbage container is knocked over by animals, or wind, the container lid is forced open and the animals rummage through the container in search of food, resulting in the contents of the container being strewn in the vicinity of the container, or all over the porch, yard, driveway, or street curb. Exposed contents provide a breeding ground for maggots and flies, and also attract vermin, such as mice and rats, leading to increased populations of same. Accordingly, one is compelled to expeditiously gather the unsightly, and often foul-smelling strewn waste material and redeposit it in the container, which can be a time-consuming and frustrating exercise, and not one without embarrassment. 
     Numerous prior art solutions have been proposed to address the above-noted problem, however these proposals have been primarily directed towards providing containers with lids that can not be opened by animals, especially raccoons. These prior art proposals include complicated locking and latching mechanisms, spring-loaded devices, bungee cords, and rocks or other heavy objects placed on top of the lids, and so forth. However, most of these approaches are easily defeated by raccoons which readily tip the container over, forcing the lid off the container. In addition to being ineffective, spring-loaded devices and bungee cords can be relatively difficult to operate, especially for the elderly, and can be hazardous. Placing rocks and other heavy objects on the lid, in order to weigh the lid down, requires considerable strength and dexterity, and is fraught with accidents. Such proposals also present a problem to the sanitation personnel who have to decipher how these prior art solutions function in order to open the lid for waste disposal. 
     It is an object of the present invention to mitigate or obviate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one of its aspects, there is provided an enclosure for a container, said container having a substantially rectangular walled body having a front wall facing a back wall, and joined together by opposed body side walls and a base to define an interior volume with a body opening for input of refuse into said interior volume; said body having handle supports and a handle bar extending therebetween and integrally formed therewith; a lid associated with said opening and operable between a closed position and open position, and is pivotably attached to said handle bar via hinge means for access to said interior volume, said having a recessed lid handle engageable by a user&#39;s hands to provide a lifting force to said lid to swing open said lid about said hinge means, and place said lid in said open position, said enclosure comprising:
         a back wall, opposed enclosure side walls having a top end and a bottom end, and a top wall to collectively define an enclosure opening opposite said back wall;   a platform disposed between said top end and said bottom end, said platform for elevating and supporting said container;   a retainer member secured to said back wall, said retainer member comprising a unitary frame having a flat, elongate mounting plate with a first longitudinal axis in a vertical plane, with an angled segment extending downwardly therefrom with a second longitudinal axis oblique to said first longitudinal axis, a U-shaped segment comprising a first arm with a third longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis of said mounting plate, an arcuate portion joining said first arm to a second arm extending upwardly towards said first arm with a fourth longitudinal axis oblique to said third longitudinal axis, whereby an enclosure opening is defined between said first arm, arcuate portion and said second arm, and said enclosure opening is dimensioned to receive said handle bar associated with said container; a tether having a hook member at one end and other end secured on said mounting plate, said hook member being removably attached to said lid to maintain said lid in an angled open position;       

     whereby said handle bar is placed within said U-shaped segment and in close proximity to said arcuate portion, and said base engages and rests on said platform to co-operatively resist a force is applied to said body intended to topple said container, and maintain said container in a substantially upright position. 
     In another of its aspects, there is provided a retaining device for use with a container, said retaining device comprising:
         a unitary frame having:
           a flat, elongate mounting plate with a first longitudinal axis in a vertical plane, with an angled segment extending downwardly therefrom,   a U-shaped segment with a first arm in a plane substantially parallel to said vertical plane of said mounting segment,   an arcuate portion joining first arm to a second arm extending upwardly towards said first arm, whereby an opening is defined between said first arm, arcuate portion and said second arm, and said opening is dimensioned to receive a handle bar associated with said container, said handle bar disposed between a pair of handle supports integrally formed with said container;   a tether having a hook member at one end and other end secured on said mounting plate, said hook member being removably attached to a lid hingedly connected to said container to adapt said lid between an angled open position and a closed position; and   
           whereby said mounting plate is fixedly attached to a rigid mount.       

     In yet another of its aspects, there is provided a retaining system for maintaining a refuse container in a substantially upright position, said retaining system comprising:
         a retaining device for removably receiving a handle bar of said container, said retaining device fixedly attached to a rigid mount;   a platform for receiving a base of said container and elevating said container above a support surface;   an enclosure disposed around said container, said enclosure having an enclosure opening to facilitate depositing of said refuse into said container and removal of said container from said retaining device and said enclosure, and placement of said container in said enclosure.       

     Advantageously, the container is maintained in a generally upright position by the retaining device co-operating with the surface that the container rests on. Positioning the container on an elevated platform at a predetermined height foils the way raccoons operate to tip over a container, since the lid or opening of the container is placed beyond the reach of a raccoon. Typically, raccoons rear up on their hind legs, or climb on each other, and use their body weight to tip over the bin and thereby popping open the lid. The height of the platform above the ground is also selected to allow a user to open and close the container lid, or lift the container, in a substantially upright posture. In addition, the device and platform do not include any moving parts, or resiliently biased elements, such as springs or bungee cords, that can cause injury, or parts that require replacement. In addition, no modification to the container is required in order for operation of the container retaining system, unlike some prior art proposals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Several exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of a retaining device in use with a container; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a perspective view of the retaining device; 
         FIG. 1 c    is a side view of the retaining device; 
         FIG. 1 d    is a perspective view of a retaining device in use with a container, after a force has been applied to one of its sidewalls; 
         FIG. 2 a    shows a perspective view of a retaining device and a platform; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a perspective view of a container with a lid in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2 c    is a perspective view of a container with a lid in a closed position, after a force has been applied to one of its sidewalls; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a container enclosure, with a lid of the container in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a perspective view of a container enclosure, with a lid of the container in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Looking at  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , 1 c  and 1 d   , there is shown a retaining device generally designated by the numeral  10 , in an exemplary embodiment, for use with a refuse container  12 , such as a green bin, used to contain biodegradable waste or compostable materials as a means to divert waste from landfills. In some localities green bins are also used to contain unsorted municipal waste. Retaining device  10  is fixedly secured to a substantially vertical, rigid structure  13 , such as a brick or masonry wall, siding or post, by fastening means, including but not limited to, screws, rivets, nails, bolts, nuts and bolts, anchors, clamps, and welding. Device  10  maintains refuse container  12  in a substantially upright position while resting on a substantially horizontal support surface  14 , such as the ground, and placed adjacent to rigid structure  13 . 
     Now looking at  FIG. 1 c   , container  12  comprises a substantially rectangular walled body  16  having front wall  17   a  facing back wall  17   b , and joined together by opposed body side walls  18   a ,  18   b , and base  19 , to define interior volume  20  with body opening  22  for input of refuse  24  into interior volume  20 . Container  12  may be formed from thermoplastic material, such as, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, and the like. In addition, body  16  includes handle supports  26 ,  28  and a substantially cylindrical handle bar  30 , integrally formed therewith. Wheels  31  (not shown) are rotatably attached to an axle affixed to base  19  to enable maneuvering, as needed, such as to facilitate transporting container  12  to and from the curb. Lid  32  is pivotably attached to handle supports  26 ,  28  via hinge means  33   a ,  33   b  for access to interior volume  20  for placing refuse  24  therein, or to remove refuse  24  therefrom for disposal. In a closed position, lid  32  rests on body opening  22 . Lid  32  includes recessed lid handle  34  engageable by a user&#39;s hands to provide a lifting force to lid  32  and swing open lid  32  about hinge means  33   a ,  33   b . Container  12  also includes locking mechanism  35  for securing lid  32  to body  16  when lid  32  is in a closed position, thereby protecting the contents  24  of container  12  from animal intruders, as well as inclement weather conditions. An exemplary locking mechanism  35  includes latch mechanism  36  on lid  32  and catch member  38  on body  16 . Latch mechanism  36  is actuable by a user to lock and unlock lid  32  to and from body  16 , respectively. Each of opposed body side walls  18   a ,  18   b  includes auxiliary handles  39   a ,  39   b  integrally formed therewith, such that container  12  may be picked by a user for placement on retaining device  10  or removal therefrom, as well as for transportation. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 c   , handle bar  30  of container  12  is removably attached to retaining device  10 . Generally, retaining device  10  comprises a unitary frame with a flat, elongate mounting plate  40  having a longitudinal axis in a vertical plane, with angled segment  42  extending downwardly therefrom, U-shaped segment  43  with first arm  44  with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of mounting plate  40 , and arcuate portion  46  joining first arm  44  to second arm  48  extending upwardly and angled towards first arm  44 . As such, angled second arm  48  has a longitudinal axis that is oblique to the longitudinal axis of first arm  44 . Channel  50  is defined between first arm  44 , arcuate portion  46  and angled second arm  48 , and channel  50  is dimensioned to receive handle bar  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 b    and  1   c,  channel  50  has a transverse opening  51  dimensioned to fit handle bar  30 , and therefore the distance between a top edge  52  of angled second arm  48  and first arm  44  is slightly larger than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical handle bar  30 . The width of the unitary frame is dimensioned such that it is slightly smaller than the distance separating handle supports  26  and  28 . Accordingly, handle bar  30  is received in channel  50 , and abuts or is in close proximity with arcuate portion  46 , and edges  53 ,  54  of arcuate portion  46  face handle supports  26  and  28 , respectively. Phantom lines in  FIG. 1 c    illustrate the position assumed by handle bar  30  as it travels in and out of channel  50 , when securing container  12  to retaining device  10 , and when removing container  12  from retaining device  10 , respectively. 
     Secured on flat, elongate mounting plate  40  is tether  60  at end  66 , with hook member  62  at other end  64 . Hook member  62  is removably attached to lid  32  and holds lid  32  in an angled open position such that a sufficient portion of body opening  22  is accessible for placing refuse  24 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Maintaining lid  32  in an open position prevents lid  32  from inadvertently closing and falling on a user&#39;s hand and/or fingers while placing refuse  24  inside container  12 , or disposing of said refuse  24 . The length of tether  60  may be varied depending on the desired angle of lid  32  when opened. 
     In operation, container  12  is picked up via auxiliary handles  39   a ,  39   b  and handle bar  32  is guided towards retaining device  10 , placed above transverse opening  51  between edge  52  of angled second member  48  and first member  44 , and introduced into channel  50 . Container  12  is then lowered towards surface  14  until handle bar  32  is in close proximity with arcuate portion  46 , or abuts arcuate portion  46  and base  19  engages and rests on horizontal surface  14 . In the event that force is applied to one of opposed body side walls  18   a  to push container  12 , in an effort to topple container  12 , edge  72  at base  19  adjacent to side wall  18   a  in contact with horizontal surface  14  is caused to move longitudinally along the horizontal surface  14  until handle support  26  engages edge  53  of arcuate portion  46 , while edge  70  at base  19  adjacent to side wall  18   b  travels in the direction of the applied force, as shown in  FIG. 1 d   . Once handle support  26  engages edge  53  of arcuate portion  46 , continued application of the force has no effect on body  16 , and container  12  remains relatively stationary and in an upright position. Even when rocked, container  12  remains in a substantially upright position. Correspondingly, a pushing force applied to other opposing side wall  18   b  with the intention of toppling over container  12  is also thwarted by the engagement of handle support  26  with edge  54  of arcuate portion  46  of retaining device  10 . 
     Alternatively, in the event a force is applied adjacent to lid  32  or container body opening  22  via side wall  18   a  in an effort to pull down container  12 , body  16  begins to briefly rotate about edge  72  at base  19  adjacent to side wall  18   a  acting as a pivot. Concurrently, handle support  28  rotates briefly before coming into contact with edge  54  of arcuate portion  46 , and handle bar  30  fails to clear edge  52  of angled second arm  48 , and therefore remains within channel  50 . The engagement of handle support  28  with edge  54  of arcuate portion  46  and the engagement of edge  72  with surface  14  co-operatively arrests the rotational motion of body  16 , and thereby maintaining container  12  in a substantially upright position. Once the force is removed, container base  19  returns to its resting position on horizontal surface  14 . 
     Correspondingly, in the event a force is applied adjacent lid  32  or container body opening  22  via side wall  18   b  in an effort to pull down container  12 , body  16  begins to briefly rotate about edge  70  at base  19  adjacent to side wall  18   b  acting as a pivot. Concurrently, handle support  26  rotates briefly before coming into contact with edge  53  of arcuate portion  46  of retaining device  10 , and edge  70  engages surface  14  to co-operatively inhibit the rotational motion of body  16 , and thereby maintaining container  12  in a substantially upright position. Once the force is removed, container base  19  returns to its resting position on horizontal surface  14 . 
     In the event a force is applied adjacent lid  32  or container body opening  22  via front wall  17   a  in an effort to pull down container  12 , body  16  attempts to rotate about front edge  74  at base  19 , however back wall  17   b  of body  16  or wheels  31  swiftly abut and engage vertical surface  13 , thereby inhibiting any further motion, thus maintaining container  12  in a substantially upright position. All the while, handle bar  30  fails to clear edge  52  of angled second arm  48 , and therefore remains within channel  50 . 
     Now looking at  FIG. 2 a    there is shown retaining device  10  and exemplary platform  80 , and  FIG. 2 b    shows container  12  secured to retaining device  10  and resting on exemplary platform  80 . Generally, platform  80  includes circumferential wall  82  having top surface  84  and bottom surface  86  engaging a substantially horizontal surface  14 . The height of top surface  84  above horizontal surface  14  is chosen such that when container  12  is placed on top surface  84 , a user standing on horizontal surface  14  can open and close lid  32  without stooping or bending over, thereby reducing the strain on the user&#39;s lower back and knees, including possible musculoskeletal injury. Platform  80  comprises a galvanized steel base with a top surface  84  that conforms closely to the shape of container  12  such that raccoons have no ledge to climb on. In addition, top surface  84  is elevated about 14 inches above ground  14 , thereby placing container  12  beyond the raccoon&#39;s proven anatomical ability to climb into interior volume  20 , or climb on another raccoon in order to access interior volume  20 . Platform  80  may be secured to horizontal surface  14  or vertical structure  13  such that it remains stationary while in use. For example, platform mounting plate  88  has one portion attached to circumferential wall  82  and another portion secured to vertical structure  13 . 
       FIG. 2 c    shows container  12  resting on platform  80 , with handle bar  30  residing within channel  50 , following an application of a force to sidewall  18   a . As described above, when a force is applied to one of opposed body side walls  18   a  in an effort to topple container  12 , edge  70  of side wall  18   b  in contact with top surface  84  acts as a pivot point, while edge  72  of side wall  18   a  travels away from top surface  84  in a rotational fashion. As body  16  begins to rotate, handle support  26  comes into contact with arcuate portion  46  of retaining device  10 , and arrests the rotational motion of handle  30 , and therefore that of body  16 . Correspondingly, a force is applied to other opposing side wall  18   b  with the intention of toppling over container  12  is also thwarted by the engagement of handle support  28  with arcuate portion  46  of retaining device  10 . Once the force is removed, container base  19  returns to its resting position on top surface  84 . Accordingly, any force applied to the side wall  18   a  or  18   b , or front wall  17   a  by an animal or wind, or repeated force to rock container  12 , in an effort to release handle  30  from retaining device is curtailed. Accordingly, despite these forces, handle  30  is maintained within channel  50  of retaining device  10 , and handle  30  can only be completely removed from channel  50  by lifting container  12  off top surface  84  such that handle  30  travels upwardly to clear edge  52  of second angled arm  48 . Once cleared, container  12  is then pivoted away from the retaining device  10  and platform  80 , for subsequent placement on the curb for collection, relocation, or cleaning. 
     Similarly, in the event a force is applied adjacent to lid  32  or container body opening  22  via side wall  18   a  in an effort to pull down container  12 , body  16  begins to briefly rotate about edge  72  at base  19  adjacent to side wall  18   a  acting as a pivot, and handle support  28  rotates briefly before coming into contact with edge  54  of arcuate portion  46 , and handle bar  30  fails to clear edge  52  of angled second arm  48 , and therefore remains within channel  50 . Therefore, the engagement of handle support  28  with edge  54  of arcuate portion  46  and the engagement of edge  72  with top surface  84  co-operatively arrests the rotational motion of body  16 , thereby maintaining container  12  in a substantially upright position. Once the force is removed, container base  19  returns to its resting position on top surface  84 . Correspondingly, when a force is applied adjacent to lid  32 , or container body opening  22 , via side wall  18   b  in an effort to pull down container  12 , body  16  begins to briefly rotate about edge  70  at base  19  adjacent to side wall  18   b  acting as a pivot, and handle support  26  rotates briefly before coming into contact with edge  53  of arcuate portion  46  of retaining device  10 , and edge  70  of base  19  engages top surface  84  to co-operatively inhibit the rotational motion of body  16 , and thereby maintaining container  12  in a substantially upright position. Once the force is removed, container base  19  returns to its resting position on top surface  84 . 
     In the event a force is applied adjacent to lid  32  or container body opening  22  via front wall  17   a  in an effort to pull down container  12 , body  16  attempts to rotate about front edge  74  and back wall  17   b  or wheels  31  abut and engage vertical surface  13 , thereby inhibiting any further motion, thus maintaining container  12  in a substantially upright position. All the while, handle bar  30  fails to clear edge  52  of angled second arm  48 , and therefore remains within channel  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , retaining device  10  is secured by fastening means to housing enclosure  90  resting on horizontal surface  14 , such the ground, or elevated on platform  91 , similar to platform  80  described above. Housing enclosure  90  comprises back wall  94  separating opposed housing walls  96   a ,  96   b  and top wall  97  to define enclosure opening  98  in front of back wall  94 . Container  12  rests on top surface  99  of platform  91 , and retaining device  10  receives handle  30  such that container  12  is maintained in a substantially upright position. Platform  92  is secured to horizontal surface  14  or vertical structure  13 , such that it remains stationary while in use. 
     As described above, when a force is applied to one of opposed body side walls  18   a  in an effort to topple container  12 , edge  70  of side wall  18   b  in contact with top surface  99  acts as a pivot point, while edge  72  of side wall travels away from top surface  99  in a rotational fashion. As body  16  begins to rotate, handle support  26  comes into contact with arcuate portion  46  of retaining device  10 , and arrests the rotational motion of handle  30 , and therefore that of body  16 . Correspondingly, a force is applied to other opposing side wall  18   a  with the intention of toppling over container  12  is also thwarted by the engagement of handle support  26  with arcuate portion  46  of retaining device  10 . Once the force is removed, container base  19  returns to its resting position on top surface  99 . 
     The dimensions of housing enclosure  90 , especially the separation distance between opposed housing walls  96   a ,  96   b  is chosen such that the clearance between each of opposed housing walls  96   a ,  96   b  and opposed side walls  18   a  and  18   b  is minimized to prevent access by animals, such as raccoons. However, should an animal manage to gain access to the clearance, the restricted space impedes an animal, such as a raccoon, from having sufficient leverage to apply a force intended to tip over container  12 . 
     In one example, enclosure  90  and platform  91  are constructed from galvanized steel, or other materials able to withstand the environmental effects or inclement weather. Platform  91  conforms closely to the shape of base  19  of container  12  such that raccoons have no ledge to climb on, and platform  91  is elevated about 14 inches above the ground level, thereby placing container  12  beyond a raccoon&#39;s proven anatomical ability to climb into interior volume  20 , while minimizing stooping by a user, in operation. In exemplary enclosure  90 , the depth between enclosure opening  98  and back wall  94  is about 19 inches, while the width of enclosure  90  extending between opposed housing walls  96   a ,  96   b  is about 22 inches, which provides adequate room for securing container  12  to retaining device  10 , removing container  12  for placement on the curb, or otherwise. When container  12  is secured to retaining device  10  and resting on platform  91 , the spacing between container sidewall  18   a  and housing wall  96   a , and the spacing between container sidewall  18   b  and housing wall  96   b  is minimized, such as 3 inches, to inhibit ingress of raccoons with intentions of tipping over container  12 . 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, no element described herein is required for the practice of the invention unless expressly described as “essential” or “critical.” 
     The preceding detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. Further, the present invention may be practiced using one or more servers, as necessary. Thus, the preceding detailed description is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation, and the scope of the invention is defined by the preceding description, and with respect to the attached claims.