GB2038304A - Compost bin - Google Patents

Abstract

Compost bins comprising a plurality of panels slidably interengaged along vertical sliding joints are described in British Patent Specification No: 1,427,331. By providing a means for housing the bases of the panels which restrains their lateral movement the requisite strength of the panels may be reduced with a consequent reduction in manufacturing costs. The means provided by the present invention is a base element 6 which defines an upwardly directed flange, (and preferably a groove 10) which receives the bottom ends of the panels 2, under cover 8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Compost bins This invention relates to compost bins and more particularly to compost bins generally of the kind described in our British Patent Specification No.

1,427,331.

In Specification No: 1,427,331 there is described a compost bin comprising a plurality of panels slidably interengaged to form an enclosure, one or more panels being raisable with respect to the remaining panels to provide access to the interior of the bin adjacent the base thereof. In order that a bin of the kind described in said specification functions properly, it is important that the bin wall formed by the panels is stable, both when all the panels are fully engaged and when one or more panels are raised.

To achieve this, the panels and joints must be sturdily designed and able to withstand the pressure of the contents of the bin on the wall without substantial deformation. As a consequence, each panel must be made with minimum flexibility.

We have found that the rigidity of the panels is not required to be so great if some kind of support is provided which assists in preserving the integrity of the bin at all times; i.e., whether or not a panel is in its raised position. To this end, the present invention provides a compost bin comprising a plurality of panels slidably interengaged along vertically extending joints to form an enclosure, the lower ends of the panels being supported in a base element having an upstanding peripheral flange which restrains the supported panels against outward deformation; and a cover for enclosing the upper ends of the interengaged panels, which cover is at least partially removable to enable one or more panels to be raised with respect to the others to provide access to the interior of the bin adjacent the base element.

Normally, the base element provides an annular groove for receiving the lower ends of the panels.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the base element includes an apertured floor portion for separating the contents of the bin from the substrate upon which the bin rests. Base ventilation may be enhanced by passageways for ventilating air there below.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a compost bin according to the invention; Figure2 is a sectional, part broken elevation taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the base element shown in Figures 1 and 2, the element being shown in two parts; Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial cross-section of the cover; Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of that portion of the cover flange indicated by the arrow V IN Figure 1; Figure 6 is a section on a panel showing the manner of engagement with adjacent panels; and Figure 7 is a detail section of a securing clip of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The bin shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises twelve similar panels 2 slidably interengaged along vertical joints 4 to form a generally cylindrical enclosure. The panels, which will normally include ventilation apertures 5, are supported on a base element 6 and the bin is closed at the top by a cover 8. The cover may come in two parts as described below, one for each half of the top of the bin, the parts being secured to one another prior to use to form a single component cover. In some embodiments, the cover may be hinged either along a diameter thereof or by means of pins connecting overlapping portions of the respective outer flanges 22, so that one half may be lifted while feeding matter to the bin without having to be separated from the bin.The cover 8 is provided with clips 9 for securing it to the panels and hence the unraised half of a hinged cover will ensure that upon lowering the raised half, it will properly locate on the bin wall.

However, a substantially rigid cover, only removable as a whole, is preferred.

As better shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base element 6 is formed with an annular groove 10 therein for receiving the lower ends of the panels 2 when the bin is formed. This groove serves to retain the panels in place and impart stability to the structure. The weight of matter in the bin will of course generate forces acting outwardly on the bin wall and these forces will be greatest at the bottom.

By securely retaining the bottom edges of the panels, separation and deformation thereof is inhibited while at the same time making it possible to use panels of less inherently stiff material. In practice, this means that thinner panels may be used with a consequent reduction in manufacturing costs.

Figure 3 shows the base element 6 in more detail.

Base element 6 as shown is polygonol and the annular groove 10 is shaped to receive the bottom ends of the panels 2 and the joints 4 in specified positions. The base element includes a floor 12 upon which matter in the bin is supported, the floor being formed with recesses 14 of depth sufficient to define feet 16 which space the groove 10 and hence the panels 2 form the substrate 18 upon which the bin rests. Between the recesses 14 are formed apertures 20 enabling air circulating around the recesses 14to ventilate the contents of the bin from below. The base element 6 thus serves a dual purpose; it provides means for enhancing the stability of the bin panels, and serves to separate matter in the bin from the substrate upon which the bin rests by means of the recesses 14to provide ventilation therefor.The base element 6 is normally provided in two halves, for ease of transportation, which may be secured together across a diameter 24 by suitable means before the bin is erected.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the groove 10 is discontinuous. Between the corners where the groove 10 is enlarged to receive a joint 4, the inner wall of the groove opens into a recess 14. The remaining part of the wall is sufficient to provide the desired support and, as will be described below, provides means by which each panel is resiliently held in the groove. This arrangement has the advantage that the recesses 14 which form the feet 16 for the bin are close to the external periphery of the base which enhances the stability of the bin when in use.

The cover 8, an enlarged partial cross-section of which is shown in Figure 4 is also provided with an annular groove 26 for receiving the tops of the panels, which further enhances the stability of the bin. The cover 8 is also normally provided in two halves 28,30 but because it will be frequently moved as the bin is used, the securement of the halves should be more positive. As shown in Figures 1 and 4the two halves overlap substantially at a diameter of the bin cross-section, complementary channels 42 and 34 nesting together. The joint between the halves is secured by pins 36 in the channels and where the flanges 22 overlap. As shown in the detail of Figure 5, the stepped flange 22 on half 28 nests within its counterpart on half 30.The inner boundary of the annular groove 26 is defined by a recess 40 formed adjacent the flange 22 in each half but which terminates short of the overlapping portions.

Referring more particularly to Figure 5, it will be noted that each half 28, 30 extends around a corner where the cover will enclose a joint 4. The channel 32 of half 30 is shown (in dotted outline) nested within the channel 34 of half 28. To accommodate the half 30, the half 28 is enlarged somewhat in the region of the join and if necessary, the half 30 may also be distorted. The pin 36 in the flange 22 will be recessed into the half 30 so as not to impede a panel 2 enclosed thereby.

Asimplerform of cover may be used, especially with smaller bins where the deforming forces will not be so great. For example, a planar cover with no more than an outer substantially vertical flange can suffice to hold the top ends of the panels in place. An outer flange alone can also be sufficientforthe base element, particularly in smaller bins of the invention, in place of the groove 10. Use of the groove does however provide greater stability.

A preferred panel cross-section is shown in Figure 6. The panel comprises a planar portion 42 flanked by a male edge 44 on one side and complementary female edge 46 on the other. The female edge 46 defines a passage 48 of substantially square or rectangular cross-section having a slot 50 aligned with planar portion 42. Side-wall 52 of the passage 48 extends substantially parallel with the planar portions 42 slightly beyond the slot as shown. The male edge 44 is of V-shaped cross-section to be accommodated by the passage 48. The slot 50 is wide enough to allow the male edge 44 to be loosely and slidably received in the passage 48 to define a joint 4.The V-shaped cross-section of the male edge 44 defines a range of pivotal movement between joined panels within limits determined by the engagement of the arms of the "V" with the walls of the passage 48. These limits are illustrated in Figure 6, about 40 of movement being preferably provided for. By allowing for such pivoting, similar panels may be used in bins having different numbers of panels to provide both a range of capacities and enable an existing bin to be enlarged without replacing all the panels, although a new base element and cover will of course be needed.

As shown in Figures 1,2 and 6 the planar portion 42 of each panel is formed with ribs 52. As each panel is fitted into the groove 10 in the base 6, either during erection or use, these ribs engage the groove walls which resiliently hold the panel in place. This further enhances the stability of the assembled bin.

The dimensions of the groove will of course be chosen to suit but projections from the groove wall may be provided either as well as or in place of the ribs 52.

The clip 9 shown in Figure 1 and 2 is illustrated in detail in Figure 7. The clip is of generally inverted "R" shape, the straight leg 54 of the "R" being provided with double sided adhesive type 56 to secure it to a panel as shown in Figure 1 and 2. The clip is formed in a resilient plastics material such that the other legs 58 may be bent away from the leg 54 when the cover 8 is removed or replaced, the leg 58 of the clip then catching over the stepped flange 22 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to hold the cover on the enclosure.

Because of the restraint provided by the base element and cover, resistance to separation of engaged panels does not have to be so great, permitting the use of pivotable joints. It will be appreciated that the panels need not fit precisely into the groove 10 and hence the greater thickness atthe joints 4 does not have to be specifically catered for.

However, different forms of joint may be used as indeed may be different profiles for the central portions. For example, the central portion may be curved as part of a cylinder or include a central planar portion flanked by side portions at an angle thereto. Each panel might alternatively be provided with like edge cross-sections, for example, male, for joining with a panel having two like female edge cross-sections, the panels being arranged alternately around the pin periphery. The important factor is that the panel design is such as to permit the ends thereof to be received and retained in the groove 10.

Panels used in bins of the invention are preferably extruded in a plastics material and the described design is eminently suitable therefor. The base and cover may each be vacuum formed, also in a plastics material and the described designs are developed with this in mind. The preferred plastics material is polyvinylchloride (PVC). It will though, be appreciated that other base designs can be equally effective in bins of the invention so long as the described restraints against lateral movement outward at least, is provided for.

Once erected, the bin is used in substantially the same manner as is described in our Patent Specification No: 1,427,331 referred to above. Matter is placed in the bin by removal, or partial removal, of the cover and compost is extracted from the base by raising one or more panels and withdrawing it through the space thus created adjacent the base element 6.

Claims (14)

1. A compost bin comprising a plurality of panels slidably interengaged along vertically extending joints to form an enclosure, the lower ends of the panels being supported in a base element having an upstanding peripheral flange which restrains the supported panels against outward deformation; and a cover for enclosing the upper ends of the interengaged panels, which cover is at least partially removable to enable one or more panels to be raised with respect to the others to provide access to the interior of the bin adjacent the base element.

2. A compost bin according to Claim 1 wherein the base element provides an annular groove for receiving the lower ends of the panels.

3. A compost bin according to Claim 2 wherein the panels are substantially planar, wherein said groove is polygonol to accommodate the planar panels, and wherein the inner wall of the groove is discontinuous between the corners of the groove.

4. A compost bin according to any preceding Claim wherein each panel is substantially rectangular, the longitudinal edges thereof having complementary cross-sections whereby one edge of one panel slidably engages the other edge of an adjacent panel.

5. A compost bin according to any preceding Claim wherein the base element includes an apertured floor portion for separating the contents of the bin from the substrate upon which the bin rests.

6. A compost bin according to Claim 5 wherein the base element includes feet for holding the floor portion above the substrate.

7. A compost bin according to Claim 6 wherein the feet comprise recesses in the floor portion, the flange being integral with and peripheral to the floor portion.

8. A compost bin according to Claim 3 and Claim 7 wherein each said discontinuity opens into a recess.

9. A compost bin according to any preceding Claim wherein each of the base element and cover is formed in two halves, the halves being secured to each other prior to erection of the bin.

10. A compost bin according to any preceding Claim including means for removably securing at least a part of the cover to the panels.

11. A compost bin according to Claim 10 wherein the cover includes a stepped peripheral flange, the securing means comprising a spring clip attached to at least one of the panels for engaging said step.

12. A compost bin according to any preceding Claim wherein the cover is formed with an annular groove for receiving the upper ends of the interengaged panels.

13. A compost bin according to any preceding Claim wherein each of the base element and cover is vacuum formed in a plastics material.

14. A compost bin substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.