Submerged trash bins   

Abstract: A system comprising trash bins that are submerged or recessed in the ground is disclosed, with the system lowering the trash bin opening. This can reduce the need for lifting of trash to an elevated bin opening and in some instances can eliminate the need to lift the trash by hand. In one embodiment, a hole can be formed in the ground that is sized to accept a trash bin. A bin vault is placed in the hole, and a trash bin is placed inside the vault. The bin opening is at a lower level than the same bin at ground level, and the submerged bin can be lifted out of the vault for emptying using conventional trash trucks.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/425,123, to Borgatello, filed on Dec. 20, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to trash bins or receptacles, and in particular to trash bins or receptacles that are submerged or recessed partially below the ground.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional trash bins have an opening at the top through which trash and debris are loaded into the bin. For some bins the top opening can be 4′ or more above the ground, which can require lifting of the trash or debris for loading in onto the trash bin. Often times this is done by hand either through lifting of the trash directly with the hands, or by lifting another smaller receptacle that is holding the trash and dumping it into the bin. This can require a lifting and twisting motion that can lead to physical injury, including but not limited to injury to the back, neck or arms. These injuries can lead to lost worker productivity and losses due to injury compensation claims.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention provide improved trash bins that are submerged or recessed in the ground to lower the opening. This can reduce the need for lifting of trash to an elevated bin opening and in some instances can eliminate the need to lift the trash by hand. In one embodiment, a hole can be formed in the ground that is sized to accept a trash bin. A bin vault is placed in the hole, and a trash bin is placed inside the vault. The bin opening is at a lower level than the same bin at ground level, and the submerged bin can be lifted out of the vault for emptying using conventional trash trucks.

These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective views of a hole that can be dug for one embodiment of a submerged bin system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3 through 5 are perspective views of a vault being installed in the hole shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bin installed in the vault shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of a bin installed in the vault shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a submerged bin system according to the present invention with a protective fence;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the one embodiment of a submerged bin system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is another front view of one embodiment of a submerged bin system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to an improved arrangement for trash bins, dumpsters or receptacles (“bin” or “bins”) that can reduce injuries caused by lifting of trash and debris to the bin opening. The present invention provides for a submerged or recessed bin system that effectively reduces or eliminates the need for lifting of trash into an elevated bin opening. In some embodiments, a hole is dug in the ground having a size to accommodate a trash bin, with the hole dug to the depth equal to the how the trash bin opening is to be lowered. In some embodiments, a vault can be included in the hole with the vault sized to closely hold the bin and to allow for repeated removal and replacement of the bin for emptying of trash. The bin can be arranged to allow for proper drainage of liquids, such as by having drainage holes in its bottom surface. Many different bins can be used, and in some embodiments conventional trash trucks can be used that allow for the emptying of trash containers using a fork and arm assembly mechanism that lifts the trash container at the front of the truck and empties it in the bed of the truck. Other bin and truck combinations can be used, such as cylindrical cans used with trucks that grasp and lift the cans.

The present invention is described herein with reference to certain embodiments, but it is understood that the invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In particular, the present invention is describes one type of trash bin that can be submerged or recessed, but it is understood that many other types of receptacles having different shapes, sizes and features can be similarly submerged.

It is also understood that when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “in” or “on” another element, it can be directly in or on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Furthermore, relative terms such as “above” and “below”, and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of feature or another feature. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

FIGS. 1 through 8 show one embodiment of a submerged or recessed bin system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the bin to be submerged has a rectangular shape with a rectangular top opening, and referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 a rectangular hole 10 can be dug in the ground with a size to accommodate the rectangular bin. The hole 10 has a rectangular shape, but it is understood that the hole can have many different shapes as long as it is large enough to accommodate a bin. Is some embodiments, the hole 10 can comprise features or systems that promote drainage of liquids entering said hole. In some embodiments, a layer of gravel 15 can be provided at the base of the hole for support and drainage. It is understood that other materials or features can also be included to assist in drainage, such as drainage pipes.

The hole can be dug to a depth that corresponds to the desired distance for lowering of the bin opening. In one embodiment, if the bin opening is to be lowered 3 feet, the hole 10 can be dug to a depth to lower the bin this distance while still accommodating a layer of gravel. If the gravel is 6 inches deep, the hole can be 3½ feet deep to lower the opening 3 feet. It is understood that the bin system can be arranged to lower the bin to many different depths other than 3 feet, including but not limited to, 2, 2½ or 3½ feet, and the gravel 15 at the bottom of the hole can be many different depths, including but not limited to 1 or 1½ feet.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5 show a vault 20 that can be lowered into the hole 10 and can rest on the gravel 15 (shown in FIG. 1) with the top lip of the vault being above the surface of the ground surrounding the vault 20. In embodiments not having gravel, the vault 20 can rest at the bottom of the hole 10. In other embodiments, the top of the vault 20 can be at or below the surface of the surrounding ground. The vault 20 can be made of much different material, with suitable material being rigid and robust and a material that can withstand extended outside use. In some embodiments the vault can comprise a metal that is painted. The vault 20 is sized to accommodate the rectangular trash bin and is arranged so that the trash bin can be repeatedly raised and lowered from the vault for emptying of the bin. In some embodiments the vault 20 can comprise openings or holes to provide for drainage, although in other embodiments these holes may not be needed. In one embodiment, the vault 20 has several holes in its bottom surface to allow water or any other liquid to drain out. The holes can be many different sizes and can be arranged in different locations, with suitable holes having a 1 inch diameter. Water passing through these holes can pass into the gravel, where the water can drain. Water that can enter the bin typically originates from rainfall.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a trash bin 25 can be lowered into and rests in the vault 20. The bin 25 can be of the type that is raised and lowered by conventional trash trucks that allow for the emptying of trash containers using a fork and arm assembly mechanism that lifts the trash container at the front of the truck and empties it in the bed of the truck. This mechanism typically comprises an arm assembly pivotally attached to truck chassis at some point rearward of the truck cab. Hydraulic cylinders and valve mechanisms provide force and control means to swing the arm assembly from a lowered loading position where the forks engage the trash container, to a raised dumping position where trash from the container is dumped in the bed of the truck. The forks are pivotally mounted at the front of the arm assembly. Hydraulic cylinders and valve apparatus provide force and control means, independent of the arm assembly controls so that the forks may be rotated and controlled independently of the fork frame. The forks of a trash truck can engage for openings 30 in the bin 25.

The bin 25 can rest on the bottom surface of the vault 20, or can be arranged to rest with a space between the bottom of the bin 25 and the bottom of the vault 20. The bin 25 can also be provided with a flange 35 around its top edge with the flange resting on the top edge of the vault 20. The flange 35 can also be sized to that it deflects water, spillage and debris from running inside the vault, with the top lip of the vault being tucked under the angled flange 35. As far as drainage, the dumpster is 100% water proof so whatever liquid that goes inside the dumpster stays in the dumpster until dumped into the truck.

Referring now to FIG. 8, some embodiments can be provided with a protective fence 40 to prevent access by animals or unauthorized users. The fence 40 shown is a conventional chain link fence, but many other fences can also be used. The fence 40 can have a front gate that opens to allow access to the bin 25 for dumping of trash into the bin 25 or for emptying the bin 25. The bin can also be arranged with other devices to prevent unauthorized access, such as covers or nets. It is understood that these are only a few of the many different devices that can be included to control access to the bin.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show one embodiment of a bin 25 in use and holding trash or debris that is loaded into it from a much lower height than if the bin were arranged at ground level. The lower level for the opening eliminates excess lifting and twisting while loading the bin manually. In some instances waste or debris is gathered through the use of maintenance vehicles such as a commercially available vehicle from John Deer under the Gator brand. These can be provided with an electric dump having a dump height of approximately 18″ from the ground level. With a conventional bin resting at ground level, the material from the electric dump could not be dumped directly into the bin because the bin opening is approximately 4 feet. With bins that are not submerged the material from the electric dump had to be loaded in the bin by hand, either from the vehicle or the ground. By submerging the dumpster in a vault as provided by the present invention, the bin opening can be at a height that allows a John Deer Gator to dump directly in the bin without spillage. The submerged bin arrangements also make it much easier to hand load all types of debris in other situations, such as loading from a smaller container or bag. The present invention reduces the need for lifting and twisting when loading a bin, while at the same time providing a bin system that is reliable, easy to use, and easy to maintain.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive subject matter. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example, and that it should not be taken as limiting the inventive subject matter as defined by the following claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.