Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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-LID FOR A WASTE RECEPTACLE-
This patent application relates to a lid for a waste
receptacle, in particular for a receptacle used to collect
organic waste.
In order to reduce pollution and support waste
recycling, waste sorting more and more frequently occurs at
the household. Furthermore, in some cities, compulsory
waste sorting systems have been introduced. This means
that, sometimes, organic waste is collected only
periodically and, therefore, said waste must be kept in the
house for different days. However, organic waste tends to
ferment and generate moulds, bacteria and bad smells.
Known containers generally comprise a lid, which is
configured to close, at the top, a receptacle having an
inner compartment, which is suited to house the waste.
Known organic waste containers tends to develop, after some
time, a bad smell due to the fermentation, ripening,
deterioration of the waste held on the inside.
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In order to solve this problem, known receptacles
usually house dispensers that are suited to spray treatment
liquids, for example to stop the fermentation and/or
sanitize and/or deodorize. Known dispensers are arranged on
the inside of the receptacle and are configured to be
automatically activated upon opening of the lid, thus
producing a jet of liquid without a person's direct
intervention. Known dispensers are applied to a side wall
of the receptacle on the inside of the compartment.
Preferably, dispensers are applied in the area of an upper
edge of the compartment, just underneath the lid.
Known solutions described above have the drawback of
providing dispensers that, as they are located on the
inside of the compartment of the receptacle, take up space
that should be used for the collection of waste.
Furthermore, since dispensers are applied to a side wall,
the liquid, which is generally atomized in the form of a
conical spray, is not distributed uniformly on the inside
of the receptacle, but, on the contrary, some areas are
covered by more liquid compared to others and there are
even areas that are not reached by the liquid at all.
Moreover, the fact the liquid is dispensed in an automatic
manner causes the product to be sprayed even when this is
not actually needed, for example when someone opens the
container to check the filling level or to replace the bag
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that is normally fitted on the inside of the compartment
for the collection of waste. This, besides generating an
unnecessary spray, increases the consumption of treatment
liquid and causes the liquid dispenser to be emptied more
quickly, which forces users to fill it more frequently,
with a consequent waste of time.
The object of the invention is to provide a lid for a
waste receptacle, which overcomes the drawbacks described
above.
The object of the invention is to provide a lid
according to the appended claims.
The invention will now be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings, which show a non-limiting
embodiment thereof, wherein:
- figure 1 is a partially exploded, perspective view
of the lid according to the invention applied to a waste
receptacle;
- figure 2 is an exploded view of the lid according to
the invention;
- figure 3 shows a detail of figure 2;
- figure 4 is a view from the bottom of a further
detail of figure 2; and
- figure 5 is a side view of the detail of figure 4.
In figure 1, number 1 indicates, as a whole, a waste
container 1, in particular for organic waste, comprising a
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receptacle 2 and a lid 3. The receptacle 2 comprises a
support base 4 and one or more side walls 5, which are
suited to delimit, together with the support base 4, an
inner compartment 6. The receptacle 2 has an upper opening
7, which establishes a communication between the
compartment 6 and the outside. Preferably, the upper
opening 7 is opposite the support base 4. Hereinafter, the
terms upper/lower, top/bottom are used with reference to
the support base 4. According to figure 1, the receptacle 2
substantially has the shape of a parallelepiped. According
to variants that are not shown herein, the receptacle 2 can
have different shapes, for example a cylindrical shape.
According to figure 2, the lid 3 comprises a plate 8,
which has a side perimeter that is complementary to the
side perimeter of the receptacle 2. The plate 8 has an
inner wall 9, which is configured to face the inside of the
compartment 6, and an outer wall 10, which is configured to
face the outside of the container 1 when the lid 3 is
applied to the receptacle 2. According to figure 1, the lid
3 has a shape that is substantially rectangular in its plan
view.
According to figure 2, the lid 3 has a longitudinal
axis A and has, in the area of a middle position, a handle
11, which is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis A. Advantageously, the handle 11 is
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manufactured as one single piece together with the plate 8
of the lid 3 and is defined by a pair of recesses 12, which
extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A and are
arranged in a mirror-like manner relative an axis B, which
5 is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis A and coplanar
to the side profile of the lid 3. In other words, the
handle 11 is defined on the outer wall 10 by the portion of
the lid 3 extending along the axis A between the two
recesses 12. The handle 11, on the side of the outer wall
10, has a pair of vertical walls 13A and 13B and a
horizontal wall 14, which connects the vertical walls 13A
and 13B on the upper side. Advantageously, the lid 3 has a
window 15, which establishes a communication between the
outer wall 10 and the inner wall 9 of the lid 3. In
particular, the window 15 is made on a vertical wall 13 of
the handle 11. Advantageously, the lid 3 has an opening 16,
which establishes a communication between the outer wall 10
of the lid 3 and the inner wall 9. In particular, the
handle 11 divides the lid 3 into two halves 17A and 17B and
the opening 16 is obtained through the half 17B that is
opposite the window 15 of the handle 11 relative to a
vertical wall 13.
The lid 3 comprises, furthermore, a distribution
system 18, which is suited to distribute a waste treatment
material inside the compartment 6. In particular, the waste
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treatment material is a liquid and the distribution system
18 comprises a tank 19, which is suited to house the
liquid. Advantageously, the tank 19 has an inlet mouth 20,
which is at least partially arranged through the opening 16
of the lid 3 and projects from the outer wall 10 of the lid
3. The tank 19 comprises, furthermore, a plug 21 for
closing said mouth 20. Advantageously, the tank 19 is
configured to be filled by means of the mouth 20 from the
outside of the container 1.
The distribution system 18 comprises, furthermore, a
dispenser 22, which is in fluid communication with the tank
19 and is suited to atomize the liquid to the outside of
the tank 19 when it is activated. Advantageously, the
dispenser 22 is connected to the inner wall 9 of the lid 3.
The dispenser 22 is configured to be arranged close to the
window 15 of the handle 11.
Advantageously, the distribution system 18 comprises a
lever 23, which is mounted in a known manner and so as to
slide inside the window 15 and is interposed between the
window 15 of the lid 3 and the dispenser 22. The dispenser
22 is configured to be operated by applying pressure on the
lever 23 from outside the lid 3.
Advantageously, the distribution system 18 comprises a
casing 24, which is configured to house the tank 19 and the
dispenser 22 and to be connected to the inner wall 9 of the
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lid 3.
Advantageously, the tank 19 is a bottle 19.
Advantageously, the bottle 19 is made of a plastic
material. Advantageously, the bottle 19 has an elongate
body with a longitudinal axis C and a side wall 25. In
particular, the bottle 19 has an inner cavity 26, which is
suited to house a liquid. Advantageously, the bottle 19
comprises two necks 27 and 28; a vertical neck 27 arranged
on the side wall 25 and substantially perpendicular to the
axis C; and a horizontal neck 28. Advantageously, according
to figure 2, the bottle 19 has an end portion 29 that is
inclined relative to the axis C and the horizontal neck 28
is applied to the end of the end portion 29 itself;
therefore, the horizontal neck 28 is coaxial to an axis E,
which is substantially parallel to the axis C.
Advantageously, the vertical neck 27 defines the mouth
of the tank 19 and is configured to be at least
partially inserted through the opening 16. The plug 21 is
suited to be screwed, in a known manner, around the
20 vertical neck 27.
Advantageously, the dispenser 22 is a known spray
nozzle, which is shown in a schematic manner. In
particular, the dispenser 22 has an axis D, which is
coaxial to the axis E, and comprises a dispensing cap 30
having a dispensing hole 31 and a suction tube 32. The
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dispenser 22 is known. In particular, the dispensing cap 30
is arranged in such a way that the dispenser 22 is suited
to atomize the liquid above and towards the inside of the
compartment 6 when the lid 3 is arranged so as to close the
receptacle 2. In other words, the dispensing cap 30 is
arranged in such a way that the dispensing hole 31 is
suited to atomize the liquid towards the inside of the
compartment 6, preferably in a central area and as
uniformly as possible. According to figure 2, the
dispensing cap 30 can be found in stores and has a groove
33, i.e. a raiser, which is configured to be normally
engaged, in use, by a person's finger and to be obtained in
the area of the free end of the dispensing cap 30. The
groove 33 of the dispensing cap 30 is substantially
transverse to the axis D of the dispenser 22.
The dispensing cap 30 is screwed, in a known manner,
around the horizontal neck 28 and the suction tube 32 is
arranged inside the cavity 26 of the bottle 19.
Advantageously, the inclined end portion 29 of the bottle
19 is configured so as to create a suction - and confluence
- area 34 for the liquid. In other words, the inclination
of the end portion 29 is such that is causes the liquid
contained in bottle 19 to flow, due to gravity, towards the
suction area 34. In this way, the emptying of the bottle 19
is optimized.
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According to figure 3, the casing 24 is substantially
made by means of a shaped wall and is configured to house
and connect the to the inner wall 9 of the lid 3 the
dispenser 22 and the tank 19, which are assembled together.
Advantageously, the casing 24 has a shape that is
substantially complementary to the shape of the bottle 19
and of the dispenser 22 assembled together. The casing 24
advantageously has a level indicator 35, which is suited to
signal the filling level of the bottle 19. Advantageously,
the casing 24 has a window 36, which is configured to
longitudinally extend along the bottle 19. The window 36
has one or more marks 37, which are suited to indicate the
filling level of the tank 19. The assembly consisting of
the window 36 and the marks 37 defines the level indicator
35 of the casing 24. Advantageously, the bottle 19 is made
of a translucent material. Advantageously, the casing 24 is
made of a plastic material.
Advantageously, the casing 24 has a portion 44, which
is suited to house the end portion 29 of the bottle 19, in
particular in correspondence to the suction area 34. The
casing 24 has, furthermore, a portion 45, which is suited
to house the dispenser 22. Advantageously, the casing 24
has a hole 46, which is suited to be aligned with the
dispensing hole 31 of the dispenser 22 and to be flown
through by a jet of atomized liquid. The casing 24 is
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configured to be fixed to the inner wall 9 of the lid 3 by
means of known fixing means. For example, the casing 24 is
suited to be fixed to the inner wall 9 by means of screws.
According to figure 3, the casing 24 has slots 47 for the
5 application of screws or equivalent fixing elements, such
as, for example, locking elements, bayonet elements, rivets
or nails.
According to figures 4 and 5, the lever 23 comprises a
shaped body open on the lower side. In particular, the
10 lever 23 comprises a case 38 having a housing 40, which is
configured to at least partially hold the dispensing cap
30. In particular, the case 38 has a partially tubular
body, which is fitted around the periphery of the
dispensing cap 30, and a stopping wall 39, which is
substantially transverse to the the tubular body and is in
contact with the free end of the dispensing cap 30. The
stopping wall 39 has a face 49 that is configured to be at
least partially housed inside the groove 33 of the
dispensing cap 30.
The stopping wall 39 is configured to press against
the free end of the dispensing cap 30. Advantageously, the
case 38 comprises an inner striker element 41, which is
suited engage the groove 33 of the dispensing cap 30. The
inner striker element 41 is configured to constrain the
rotation of the dispensing cap 30 around the axis D of the
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dispenser 22. Therefore, the dispensing cap 30 is mounted
inside the distribution system 18 and, more in detail,
inside the lever 23 so as to axially slide and be
constrained in its rotation.
Advantageously, the stopping wall 39 has a guide
element 48, which is configured to engage, in an axially
sliding manner, the inside of a respective longitudinal
groove (not shown and known) made inside the casing 24.
Alternatively or in addition thereto, the guide element 48
is a longitudinal fin, which is configured to engage, in an
axially sliding manner, the inside of a respective
longitudinal groove (not shown and known) made inside the
lid 3 and to constrain the rotation.
Alternatively or in addition thereto, the case 38 has
a guide element 48, which is suited to at least partially
engage a respective portion of the lid 3 and is configured
to guide the lever 23 during the translation and to avoid
possible rotations.
The lever 23 comprises, furthermore, a button 42,
which radially projects outwards from the case 38. The
button 42 is engaged inside the window 15 of the handle 11
so that it can be pressed by a person through the window 16
of the handle 11 itself. Advantageously, the lever 23 has a
shape and a size that are such as to close the window 15 of
the lid 3. The distribution system 18 can comprise gaskets,
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known and not shown, between the window 15 of the lid 3 and
the lever 23 of the distribution system 18.
According to a variant that is not shown herein, the
distribution system 18 comprises elastic return means,
which are suited to cause the case 38 of the lever 23 to go
back to a rest position when the lever 23 is not pressed by
a user. For example, the lever 23 comprises one or more
elastic elements, for example one or more springs, which
are interposed between the dispensing cap 30 and the
stopping wall 39 of the case 38 and are suited to cause the
case 38 to go back to a rest position when the lever 23 is
not pressed from the outside by a user. In the example
shown in the accompanying drawings, the return of the lever
23 to the rest position is ensured by the spring that is
normally located inside the dispensing cap 30 of the spray
nozzle.
According to a variant that is not shown herein, the
tank substantially is a compartment obtained inside a body
configured to the connected to the inner wall of the lid
and comprising adequate gaskets or sealing system to
prevent liquid from accidentally flowing out in the area of
joints.
In use, when a user wants to atomize a waste treatment
liquid, for example a liquid aimed at stopping fermentation
and/or sanitizing and/or deodorizing, presses the lever 23
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when the lid 3 is arranged so as to close the receptacle 2.
In this way, the dispenser 22 atomizes the treatment liquid
from above into the receptacle 2.
Therefore, the lid 3 described above allows the
treatment liquid to be applied only when necessary.
Furthermore, the distribution system 18 described
above occupies, inside the compartment, a delimited area in
correspondence to the lid 3, at a level where waste is not
usually housed. Therefore, the lid 3 described above allows
the containing space of the receptacle 2 to be increased
and, in particular, it does not engage areas close to the
side wall of the receptacle 2.
Furthermore, the distribution system 18 allows the
liquid to be atomized into the compartment 6 from above and
from a substantially central position; therefore, the lid 3
described above allows the treatment liquid to uniformly
and completely settle inside the compartment 6, regardless
of the waste filling level of the receptacle 2.
Furthermore, the lid 3 described above can be used as
a replacement for know lids already in use, with no need to
also replace the receptacle. Therefore, the lid 3 described
above can easily be adopted also for receptacles already in
use and not provided with a distribution system 18 waste
treatment material.
To check the filling level of the tank 19, the user
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lifts the lid 3 and places it with the axis A perpendicular
to a resting surface and the horizontal neck 28 upwards. In
this way, the liquid contained inside the tank 19 flows,
due to gravity, towards the bottom of the bottle 19 and the
filling level of the bottle 19 can be detected through the
level indicator 35, i.e. the window 36, on the casing 24.
Finally, the presence of the mouth 20 to fill the tank
19 from above makes it especially easy and quick for the
tank 19 to be filled.
