Wheel and container in particular for waste, equipped with at least one such a wheel

The invention relates to a wheel and a container including waste, equipped with at least one such wheel.

Containers are known comprising a vessel consisting of a bottom and a side wall provided with a rim defining the opening of the vessel and usually a hinged lid relative to the vessel between two extreme positions of opening and closing, respectively displaced towards a face of the side wall and folded down onto the flange.

Near the bottom of the tank, these containers are provided with wheels, generally two in number or four.

When these containers are used in courtyards, they are made available to residents, and emptied periodically by road services. At present, these containers are mostly made of plastic material such as polyethylene.

Examples include documents concerning such containers.

EP-A-435 733 discloses a container fitted with pads of elastic material, projecting between the bottom face of the lid and the rim of the vessel for damping the cover make contact.

DE-A-35.17.723 also describes a container fitted reported damping pads made of elastic material.

A drawback of these containers is that they are relatively noisy, especially when moving.

As part of the integration of such containers in the city, it was sought technical solutions to reduce noise induced by their use.

Among the chosen research areas, most are related to the opening sounds and closing lids, as in the cited documents.

The research focus of the invention is to reduce rolling noise of a waste collection container, especially on uneven ground.

Because the clearances between the wheels, the metal shaft and the vessel of a container, this bearing can generate a noise of about 90 dBA at the source.

And the vessel acting as a sounding board, that noise constitutes a nuisance to the environment where the container is used.

It would therefore be desirable to limit the transmission of vibrations by replacing the plastic / metal contact by a plastic against plastic touch, without additions of fragile parts and / or costly.

It would also be desirable to facilitate maintenance and replacement of wheels to ensure quiet operation, among others.

None of the cited documents provides an efficient and reliable solution to the problem of noise caused by vibration of the wheels during travel of the container and transmitted by the vessel.

The object of the invention is to solve this problem in a simple, lightweight and economical.

To this end, an object of the invention is a wheel, especially for a container, including waste collection, comprising:<ul><li>a tank forming a receptacle including waste collection, possibly with a cover;</li><li>mounting means of the wheel on the vessel; and</li><li>a support shaft, forming part of the mounting means and generally extended along an axial direction; the wheel being arranged to allow its immobilization on the axis with the mounting means.</li></ul>

The wheel comprises a sleeve rigidly secured to a hub, a free end is provided at the outside with a substantially cylindrical guidance surface intended to be housed internally and rotatably, in a part of the cell as tab, this part belonging to the mounting means, while the sleeve has on the inside a housing extended from the hub and opening out at the free end provided with the scope, this housing being intended for insertion in the axial direction of axis of the support.

The sleeve comprises at one end of the reach opposite the free end in the axial direction, a shoulder in peripheral projection, and a radial duct opening into the housing and for guiding a wheel of the locking finger on the support shaft in the axial direction.

According to another feature, the sleeve of the housing comprises at least three radial internal protuberances for guidance in rotation, intended to guide with a contact surface and limited radial clearances, the wheel with respect to the supporting shaft, in the mounted position of wheel.

According to yet another feature, the sleeve and the wheel hub are integrally formed and one-piece, one with the other.

A feature provides that the conduit is provided with an access radial slot opening onto one face of the hub, whilst the locking finger, which is permanently biased by a resilient member such as a spring, towards the axis of the wheel , is provided with shape engagement with a tool, to allow the radial movement of the finger toward the outer periphery of the hub, under the effect of the tool and counter to the elastic member, so as to obtain the unlocking of the wheel and the axis in the axial direction.

In one example, the light is arranged on one side of the hub opposite to the sleeve, in the axial direction, the light possibly having a complex shape to allow exclusively access to a correspondingly shaped tool.

Another object of the invention is a container including the collection of waste and equipped with at least one such wheel briefly mentioned above, and for example two or four wheels disposed close to a bottom wall of its tank.

Other features of the invention result from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:<ul><li>Figure 1 is a schematic view of a container according to the invention in the closed state in elevation and viewed from the side;</li><li>Figure 2 is a partial view in section along the plane II-II of Figure 1, which shows a wheel according to the invention, provided with a quick release system;</li><li>Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, which shows another embodiment of the wheel hub according to the invention, provided with internal protrusions or corrugations of reduced radial clearances; and</li><li>Figure 4 is a front view along the arrow IV of Figure 2, of a wheel hub according to the invention.</li></ul>

Referring at first more particularly to Figure 1 which illustrates an example container A having a portion forming a receptacle 1 and a part 2 lid.

Part 1 or vat comprises a bottom 3 and a side wall 4 adjacent to the bottom and provided opposite to the latter with a flange 5 directed outwardly defining an opening 6.

When the container is in its normal position of use for filling, the base 3 is placed at its lower part, the side wall 4 extends substantially vertically and the opening 6 is placed in the upper part.

The flange 5 itself comprises an edge 7 directly adjoining the opening 6 and a wing falling 8 adjoining the edge 7 and directed towards the bottom 3.

In the embodiment shown, the side wall 4 has a substantially square or rectangular contour with rounded corners.

Furthermore, the side wall 4 and the bottom 5 have the general shape of truncated pyramid with large upper and lower free base basis. Therefore, the part 1 forming receptacle has a greater space to the opening 6 than towards the base 3.

It is also expected wheel 9 driven by a shaft 10 itself carried by the side wall 4 at the location of a reserve 11 formed to this effect.

On the other hand, the wall 4 may comprise reliefs, reserves, 12 configurations, such as functional or aesthetic. This is in particular the stiffening of the part 1 and its guiding in a container turning means for emptying.

The cover 2 has an outer face 13 that is visible when the lid is in the closed position and an inner face 14 directed towards the opening 6 when the cover is in the closed position.

The lid 2 is generally provided with gripping means such as a handle 15.

The cover 2 is associated with the receptacle portion 1 so as to form a whole with it. This association is mobile, the cover 2 may be in two closed end positions (Figure 1) or opening.

In the embodiment shown, the lid 2 is pivotally mounted on the receptacle portion 1. For this purpose, there is provided a pivot pin 16. The latter is found to be substantially parallel to the axis 10. The axis 16 is carried by a bracket 17 attached to the side wall 4 towards the opening 6 and the arms or flanges 18 extending the wall of the cover 2.

In other embodiments can be envisaged although not shown, the pivot axis of the cover 2 on the receptacle portion 1 extends substantially parallel to the general direction of the receptacle portion 1 rather than orthogonally as has been described with reference to FIGS.

In other embodiments, the lid 2 is slidingly mounted relative to the receptacle portion 1. Finally, the lid 2 can be mounted on the receptacle portion 1 as combined means for pivoting / sliding.

It will be understood that here the lid 2, in full open position is directed downwardly towards the base 3 by coming against the side wall 4 above and substantially in line with the wheels 9.

It will be noted that between the extreme closed position and the extreme open position which has just been described, there is an intermediate position in which the lid 2 is placed substantially horizontally outwardly from the receptacle portion 1.

This intermediate position is of common use for this type of container.

The container A comprises in the example illustrated, at least an internal partition 19 extending between the bottom 3 and the opening 6 (or the lid 2) and, on both sides, up to the side wall 4.

This partition 19 is rigidly associated with the receptacle portion 1. It separates the receptacle portion 1 into at least two compartments 20. Each compartment 20 has a proper opening, the opening 6 being shared for this purpose by the person or partitions 19.

The partition 19 extends, when the container is in normal position of use for filling, in a vertical position and substantially parallel to the axes 10 and 16.

A partition such as 19 may be removably mounted and / or adjustable in position.

The container as described above is preferably made of plastic so as to have sufficient rigidity, not to be of excessive weight to be handled and, finally, to be properly maintained.

It should be noted that the lid 2 rests here on the rim 5 in the closed position by means of damping pads 21.

In the example, the pads are formed by a pair of pads of resilient material such as rubber, which are absorbing the noise of closing the lid and are arranged in contact-tank cover flange.

The cover here is amortized both the opening and closing, adaptable to existing tanks. It is also preferred, unlike some solutions, have the (s) pad (s) elastic (s) absorbing the shock and noise of closure, not on the cover, but the tub rim. Indeed, the vessel flange is wide and can receive resilient pads of larger size.

This arrangement is also advantageous because the noise produced by a lid, both when opening and closing, is a function of its mass in motion; by placing the resilient pads on the vessel and not on the cover, it slightly reduces the mass of the latter.

Given the position of a damper pad located on a cover at the area that describes the largest arc, reduces the kinetic energy that must be absorbed by the end of opening or late closing lid.

Similarly, the container 1 is provided in some embodiments of a stroke limiting device for the opening and / or a braking device of the end of the opening to reduce the use of this container noises.

In a not shown example, at least one wing as formed here by the bracket 17 associated integral with the tank, is provided so that the lid can be folded down in the closed position on the rim, and in the open position in the direction a face of the side wall.

At least a first wing has a stroke limiter, acting on the flange 18 associated, limiting the movement of the cover, while at least one wing 17 of the tank has a lower edge with a convex profile. At least one corresponding wing 18 of the cover has an abutment surface of which a concave profile substantially complements that of the edge.

The latter and the abutting surface being arranged so that at the opening of the cover 2, the edge and the surface come into partial contact interrupting the rotation of the cover at a determined distance from the side wall 4 of the vessel 1.

A space is then formed between the edge and the surface to allow an elastic deformation of the damping flange 2 of the cover until the edge and the surface substantially embrace the lid 2 without striking the vessel 1.

now describe a wheel 9, its assembly on the tank 1 of the container A, and its benefits.

To do this, reference is made to Figures 2, 3 and 4 particularly.

The wheel 9 is especially intended for a container, in particular of waste collection, such as the container A.

The latter comprises means 22 of the wheel mounting on the tank 9 which cooperate with the axis 10 of support. The axis 10 forming part of the mounting means 22 is generally extended along an axial direction "B". The wheel 9 is arranged to allow its immobilization on the shaft, with the mounting means 22.

Here, the wheel 9 comprises a sleeve 23 rigidly secured to a hub 24. A free end 25 of sleeve 23 is provided outside, with a range of substantially cylindrical guide 26 intended to be housed internally and rotatably, in a part of the vessel 1 such that the tab 27. This part 27 belongs to the mounting means 22.

The sleeve 23 has on the inside, a housing 28 extended from the hub 24 and opening at the free end 25 provided with the scope 26. This housing 18 is for introducing the axial direction B of the axis of support 10 in the wheel 9.

This particular structure allows to limit especially effective and simple way, the road noise.

Obtained optimization function of the parts of the container A for its working.

Thus, the axis 10 of rigid material such as metal primarily fulfills the wheel support function 9 of the vessel 1. It also ensures the positioning of the wheel 9, and participates in its immobilization (as seen below) as well as its rotational guidance.

For its part, the scope 26 refines the guidance wheel rotation limiting 9 games in the mounting means 22. But also, the portion 26 when mounted in the bracket 27, which is provided for the purpose of bore provides a soft touch, here plastic against plastic, between the means 22 and the wheel 9, in particular during rotation of the latter.

Figures 2 and 3, the sleeve 23 has at one end 29 of the bearing surface 26 opposite the free end 25 in the axial direction B, a shoulder 30 in peripheral projection.

Following the example of Figure 3, the housing 28 of the sleeve 23 has at least three internal protuberances 31. The protuberances 31 are here radial grooves for guiding in rotation, intended to guide with a contact surface and limited radial clearances, the wheel (9) relative to the support shaft 10, in the mounted position. The grooves 31 are extended in the direction B, substantially from the bottom of the housing 28 to near the right shoulder 30.

Note that in the examples, the sleeve 23 and the hub 24 of the wheel 9 are integral and one-piece, one with the other. Here they are made by plastic injection molding. And a solid tire 32 is mounted on a closing part attached 33 of hub 24.

The band 32 is of flexible synthetic material and / or rubber, according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

also is provided in certain embodiments that the sleeve 23 and the hub 24 are two distinct parts assembled to each other. Nevertheless, as the scope is here integrated into the sleeve 23 and is not obtained by addition of an end piece of the sleeve.

Figures 2 and 4 it is seen that the sleeve 23, and here also the hub 24 comprises a radial conduit 34 opening into the housing 28.

The duct 34 serves to guide a pin 35 of the locking wheel 9 on the axis 10 of the support in the axial direction B. This duct is provided with a radial port 36 access. Light opens onto a face of the hub 24.

The locking finger 35, which is permanently biased by an elastic member 37 such as a spring, towards the axis B or 10 of the wheel 9, is provided with shape 38.

The shape 38 allows the entry into engagement of a tool with the pin 35 to allow its radial movement toward the outer periphery of the hub 24, under the effect of the tool and counter to the elastic member 37 , so as to obtain the unlocking of the wheel and the axis in the axial direction.

This radial displacement is depicted by arrow C in Figure 2, in one direction and in opposite direction under the effect of the element 37.

In the example, the light is arranged on a so-called outer 39 face of the hub 24 remote from the sleeve 23 in the axial direction B.

This structure allows installation and / or quick and easy removal of the wheel 9. The latter can be maintained and / or changed to ensure the container A a smooth ride, smooth and silent.

In Figure 4, light 36 has a complex shape, here substantially "pear". This light only allows access to the finger 35 with a special tool correspondingly shaped key here. This is provided for security issues, including to prevent accidental removal of the wheels 9, or theft.

The invention also provides a container A including waste collection, and equipped with at least one wheel as briefly mentioned above. In the example shown, the container A comprises two wheels 9 arranged near a bottom wall 3 of the tank 1. One can also provide four wheels 9, possibly directional.

The invention is obviously not limited to the embodiments described and / or illustrated. For example, a wheel 9 is mounted either directly as here, or by means of a swivel plate or not, on the vessel.