U.S. patent application number 12/656563 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-31 for dust control cover for a refuse bin.
Invention is credited to Luis A. Nieves.
Application Number | 20110073599 12/656563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43779156 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110073599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nieves; Luis A. |
March 31, 2011 |
Dust control cover for a refuse bin
Abstract
The dust control cover for a refuse bin is removably installed
atop a refuse bin, dumpster, or similar container. The cover has a
truncated pyramid configuration, with a series of doors in the
sides and top. A system of perforated pipes or tubes is preferably
installed within the cover. The pipes connect to a water inlet
fitting extending through the cover wall. A water supply (garden
hose, etc.) is connected to the fitting, and the water is turned on
to produce a fine spray or mist within the cover and its underlying
refuse bin, thereby wetting down the contained materials to reduce
or eliminate hazardous airborne dust or particulates from the
material. The cover may include forklift pockets to facilitate
installation and removal of the cover upon and from the bin, and a
series of latch pin assemblies for positively securing the cover to
the bin.
Inventors: |
Nieves; Luis A.; (Trujillo
Alto, PR) |
Family ID: |
43779156 |
Appl. No.: |
12/656563 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61272477 |
Sep 29, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/1615 20130101;
B65F 1/1607 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Claims
1. A dust control cover for a refuse bin, comprising: a refuse bin
lid having a plurality of sloping sides and a flat apex, each of
the sides having a lower edge, the sides and apex of the lid
defining a hollow interior volume; a water supply fitting extending
from the lid; and at least one perforated pipe disposed within the
interior volume of the lid and communicating with the water supply
fitting, the perforated pipe being adapted to produce a fine spray
of water within the interior volume of the lid when water is
supplied thereto through the water supply fitting.
2. The dust control cover according to claim 1, wherein the sides
of the lid comprise mutually opposed first and second major sides
and first and second minor sides joining the major sides, each of
the sides having a lower edge, the refuse bin further comprising a
forklift pocket extending along the lower edge of each of the major
sides.
3. The dust control cover according to claim 1, further comprising
a refuse bin having a bottom wall and first, second, third and
fourth sidewalls extending around the bottom wall, the bin defining
a hollow interior, the lower edge of each of the sides of the lid
fitting closely atop a corresponding one of the sidewalls of the
refuse bin, the interior volume of the lid communicating with the
interior volume of the refuse bin when the lid is installed upon
the refuse bin.
4. The dust control cover according to claim 3, wherein: the refuse
bin has mutually opposed major sidewalls, each of the sidewalls
having an upper edge, the refuse bin having at least one slotted
tab extending outwardly from each of the major sidewalls; the lid
has mutually opposed first and second major sides and first and
second minor sides joining the major sides, each of the sides
having a lower edge, the lid having at least one horizontally
disposed plate extending from each of the major sides of the lid
adjacent the lower edge thereof, each of the plates having a pin
passage disposed therethrough, each of the plates being positioned
immediately above and slightly horizontally offset from a
corresponding one of the slotted tabs of the refuse bin when the
lid is installed atop the refuse bin; the dust control cover
further comprises a slotted pin removably disposed within the pin
passage of each of the plates, the slot of the slotted pin being
aligned with the slot of the slotted tab of the refuse bin when the
lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is
installed through the pin passage of the plate; and the dust
control cover further comprises a retainer pin removably disposed
through the slots of the slotted pin and slotted tab when the lid
is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed
through the pin passage of the plate.
5. The dust control cover according to claim 3, wherein the refuse
bin comprises a roll-off bin.
6. The dust control cover according to claim 1, wherein each of the
sides and the apex further include at least one selectively
openable door disposed therein.
7. The dust control cover according to claim 1, wherein each of the
sides has a vertical wall depending from the lower edge
thereof.
8. A dust control cover for a refuse bin, comprising: a refuse bin
lid, the lid having mutually opposed first and second major sides,
first and second minor sides joining the major sides, and a flat
apex, each of the sides having a lower edge, the sides and apex of
the lid defining a hollow interior volume; and a forklift pocket
extending along the lower edge of each of the major sides.
9. The dust control cover according to claim 8, further including:
a water supply fitting extending from the lid; and at least one
perforated pipe disposed within the interior volume of the lid, the
pipe communicating with the water supply fitting, the perforated
pipe being adapted to produce a fine spray of water within the
interior volume of the lid when water is supplied thereto through
the water supply fitting.
10. The dust control cover according to claim 8, further comprising
a refuse bin having first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls and
a bottom, the bin defining a hollow interior, the lower edge of
each of the sides of the lid fitting closely atop a corresponding
one of the sidewalls of the refuse bin, the interior volume of the
lid communicating with the interior volume of the refuse bin when
the lid is installed upon the refuse bin.
11. The dust control cover according to claim 10, wherein: the
refuse bin has mutually opposed major sidewalls, each of the
sidewalls having an upper edge, the refuse bin having at least one
slotted tab extending outwardly from each of the major sidewalls;
the lid has at least one horizontally disposed plate extending from
each of the major sides of the lid adjacent the lower edge thereof,
each of the plates having a pin passage disposed therethrough, each
of the plates being positioned immediately above and slightly
horizontally offset from a corresponding one of the slotted tabs of
the refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin; the
dust control cover further comprises a slotted pin removably
disposed within the pin passage of each of the plates, the slot of
the slotted pin aligning with the slot of the slotted tab of the
refuse bin when the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the
slotted pin is installed through the pin passage of the plate; and
the dust control cover further comprises a retainer pin removably
disposed through the slots of the slotted pin and slotted tab when
the lid is installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is
installed through the pin passage of the plate.
12. The dust control cover according to claim 10, wherein the
refuse bin comprises a roll-off bin.
13. The dust control cover according to claim 8, wherein each of
the sides and the apex further include at least one selectively
openable door disposed therein.
14. The dust control cover according to claim 8, wherein each of
the sides has a vertical wall depending from the lower edge
thereof.
15. A refuse bin and a dust control cover therefor, comprising in
combination: a refuse bin having a bottom wall and first, second,
third and fourth sidewalls extending around the bottom wall, the
bin defining a hollow interior; and a refuse bin lid, the lid
having a plurality of sloping sides and a flat apex, each of the
sides having a lower edge, the sides and apex of the lid defining a
hollow interior volume, the lower edge of each of the sides fitting
closely atop a corresponding one of the sidewalls of the refuse
bin, the interior volume of the lid communicating with the interior
volume of the refuse bin when the lid is installed upon the refuse
bin, the lid further having a selectively openable door disposed in
each of the sides and at least one door disposed in the apex.
16. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to
claim 15, further including: a water supply fitting extending from
the lid; and at least one perforated pipe disposed within the
interior volume of the lid, the pipe communicating with the water
supply fitting, the perforated pipe being adapted to produce a fine
spray of water within the interior volume of the lid when water is
supplied thereto through the water supply fitting.
17. The refuse bin and duct control rover combination according to
claim 15, wherein the sides of the lid comprise mutually opposed
first and second major sides and first and second minor sides
joining the major sides, each of the sides having a lower edge, the
combination further comprising a forklift pocket extending along
the lower edge of each of the major sides of the lid.
18. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to
claim 15, wherein: the refuse bin has mutually opposed major
sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having an upper edge, the refuse
bin having at least one slotted tab extending outwardly from each
of the major sidewalls; the lid has mutually opposed first and
second major sides and first and second minor sides joining the
major sides, each of the sides having a lower edge, the lid having
at least one horizontally disposed plate extending from each of the
major sides adjacent the lower edge thereof, each of the plates
having a pin passage disposed therethrough, each of the plates
being positioned immediately above and slightly horizontally offset
from a corresponding one of the slotted tabs of the refuse bin when
the lid is installed atop the refuse bin; the combination further
comprises a slotted pin removably disposed within the pin passage
of each of the plates, the slot of the slotted pin being aligned
with the slot of the slotted tab of the refuse bin when the lid is
installed atop the refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed
through the pin passage of the plate; and the combination further
comprises a retainer pin removably disposed through the slots of
the slotted pin and slotted tab when the lid is installed atop the
refuse bin and the slotted pin is installed through the pin passage
of the plate.
19. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to
claim 15, wherein the refuse bin comprises a roll-off bin.
20. The refuse bin and dust control cover combination according to
claim 15, wherein each of the sides of the lid has a vertical wall
depending from the lower edge thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,477, filed Sep. 29, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to solid waste
disposal devices, and particularly to a dust control cover for a
refuse bin, e.g., a dumpster or the like, for reducing dust
otherwise emitted into the atmosphere during construction,
demolition, and similar operations.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Building construction and demolition operations are
notorious for raising dust due to the movement of large components
or masses of loose material. While building construction can raise
a fair amount of such airborne particulates, demolition operations
tend to be far worse. Generally, discarded materials (concrete,
insulation, etc.) are transferred into large refuse bins or
containers, i.e., dumpsters, as soon as practicable after being
broken up for removal from the building structure. In many
instances, workers attempt to reduce the scatter of dust and
particulate matter by delivering such materials from the
construction or demolition site to the dumpster by means of an
enclosed tube or the like, and covering the bin or dumpster.
[0006] This can be particularly critical in the demolition of older
building structures, when asbestos and/or other hazardous materials
were used in the construction of the building years in the past. In
many instances, there was no knowledge or realization of the
potential hazards in handling such materials, e.g., asbestosis from
breathing air laden with asbestos dust or fine fibers, etc., at the
time the structure was built. Accordingly it is not only good
practice, but required by law in nearly all demolition operations,
to take steps to at least greatly reduce, if not entirely
eliminate, the airborne spread of such potentially hazardous
materials.
[0007] In many instances a relatively simple tarpaulin or the like
is used to cover the interior of the refuse bin or dumpster in
order to reduce the spread of airborne dust and particles
therefrom. While such devices provide some reduction in airborne
dust emission from the bin or dumpster during operations, a better
solution is the provision of a rigid cover or shell over the
otherwise open top of the dumpster or bin. However, such rigid
covers or shells are clearly relatively heavy, and conventionally
do not include means to facilitate their handling and placement
atop or removal from the underlying bin or dumpster. Moreover, such
a removable top should be secured positively to the bin or dumpster
for transport of the dumpster or bin to and from the construction
or demolition operation. Even though such a rigid cover or top is
relatively massive, the jarring of the dumpster and top due to the
stiff suspension of the truck as it travels over rough pavement or
terrain can cause the top to be dislodged from its placement atop
the refuse bin if not positively secured in place.
[0008] Thus, a dust control cover for a refuse bin solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The dust control cover for a refuse bin has the general form
of a truncated pyramid. A plurality of doors are provided in the
sides and top of the cover to provide for the dumping of rubble or
other materials into the refuse bin or dumpster upon which the dust
control cover is installed. The interior of the cover is preferably
provided with a series of perforated pipes or tubes that
communicate with a water inlet connection disposed to the exterior
of the cover. The cover may be installed atop a refuse bin, e.g., a
dumpster, roll-on bin or the like, with a water supply line (garden
hose, etc.) connected to the water inlet. When the water supply is
turned on a fine mist of water is sprayed into the interior of the
refuse bin and cover, wetting down the contents thereof and any
dust rising from the contents to reduce or eliminate the emission
of dust and particulate matter from the operation.
[0010] The cover further preferably includes a pair of parallel
forklift pockets or receptacles disposed along the opposite longer
edges or sides of the cover. This enables a forklift to pick up the
cover and install it on the bin, or to lift the cover from the bin
as desired. A plurality of locking pins and receptacles are also
provided for positively securing the dust control cover removably
to the underlying refuse bin or dumpster, as desired. The dust
control cover when secured to the underlying refuse bin allows the
assembly to be transported with assurance that the cover cannot be
dislodged from the bin while in motion due to jarring of the bin
and cover when traveling over rough surfaces, thus positively
retaining the rubble, debris, and/or other collected materials
within the refuse bin until the cover is removed to dump the
load.
[0011] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a dust
control cover for a refuse bin according to the present invention,
showing its installation atop a refuse bin or dumpster.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in section of the dust
control cover of FIG. 1, showing the sprinkler or water misting
pipes or tubes therein.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an environmental perspective view of the dust
control cover of FIG. 1 being manipulated by a forklift for
placement onto or removal from a refuse bin.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded, partial perspective view of a portion
of the dust control cover of FIG. 1 and the underlying refuse bin,
showing an exemplary means of positively securing the cover to the
underlying bin.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the completed installation
of the dust control cover of FIG. 1 to the refuse bin, using the
securing means illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0017] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The dust control cover for a refuse bin may include a water
system for reducing airborne dust, as well as a series of retaining
pin assemblies to assure that the cover or lid remains positively
attached to the underlying bin or dumpster during transport. FIG. 1
provides an environmental view of the dust control cover or lid 10
secured to the top of a refuse bin or dumpster D at a building
construction or demolition site. The bin or dumpster D may be a
roll-off type dumpster having wheels W, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
or other refuse bin type or configuration as desired.
[0019] The dust control cover or lid 10 is in the general form or
shape of an elongated and truncated pyramid, having opposite first
and second major sides 12 and 14, opposite first and second minor
sides or ends 16 and 18, and a flat top or apex 20; the second
major side 14 and second minor side 18 are shown in the elevation
view in section of FIG. 2. Each of the sides 12 through 18 has a
lower edge, respectively 22 through 28 and slopes upwardly and
inwardly from its respective lower edge to the top or apex 20 to
define a hollow interior volume 30 therein, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0020] Each of the sides 12 through 18 preferably includes at least
one access opening therethrough, e.g., the opening 32 of the first
minor or end side 16 shown in FIG. 1. Each opening is provided with
a selectively openable door thereover, with doors 34 through 40
provided for the respective sides 12 through 18. The flat top apex
20 is also preferably provided with at least one door. In the
exemplary bin cover or lid 10 shown in the drawings, the apex or
top 20 includes two oppositely hinged doors 42 and 44. Each of the
doors 34 through 44 is hinged along its lower or outer edge, with a
latch provided at its opposite edge. Thus, the doors 34 through 44
may be closed to retain dust, particulate matter, and debris within
the interior volume 30 of the dust control cover or lid 10, with
only those doors necessary for the receipt of materials into the
lid and underlying dumpster or bin being opened, e.g., the open
single first end door 38 shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] The height of the sloping sides 12 through 18 is one of the
factors defining the extent of the interior volume 30 of the lid or
cover 10. Additional volume may be gained by providing a depending
vertical wall, respectively 46 through 52, from the respective
lower edges 22 through 28 of the four sides. The refuse bin or
dumpster D includes first through fourth sides S1 through S4 and a
bottom B, with the sides and bottom of the bin or dumpster D
defining an interior volume V. The lower edges 22 through 28 of the
sides of the cover or lid 10, or more specifically their lower
vertical walls 46 through 52, seat atop the upper edges E1 through
E4 of the corresponding sides S1 through S4 of the refuse bin or
dumpster D to enclose the combined interior volumes 30 of the cover
or lid 10 and V of the underlying bin or dumpster D, as shown
particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0022] The dust control cover or lid 10 is a relatively massive
structure, as it is preferably formed of steel sheet and other
steel components and may be configured to fit a relatively large
roll-off refuse bin or dumpster D. Accordingly, handling of the lid
or cover 10 may be facilitated by forklift pockets 54 and 56
installed along the lower edges or depending vertical walls of the
first and second major sides 12 and 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
The provision of such forklift pockets 54 and 56 enables a forklift
F to manipulate the cover or lid 10 for placement on or removal
from the underlying bin or dumpster D as desired, generally as
shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Flanges 58 and 60 depending from
the respective forklift pockets 54, 56, or from the lower edges of
the lower vertical walls 46 and 48 depending from the lower edges
of the major sides 12 and 14, provide more positive positioning of
the cover or lid 10 atop the bin or dumpster D.
[0023] The interior volume 30 of the dust control cover or lid 10
includes at least one water spray pipe therein. In the example of
FIG. 2, a series of pipes 62 is installed along the inner edges of
the top or apex 44, internally along each lateral edge of the
sloping major and minor sides 12 through 18, and internally along
the lower edge of each of the sides 12 through 18 or along their
respective depending vertical walls, e.g., the vertical wall 48 of
the second major side panel 14, as shown in FIG. 2. More or fewer
spray or misting pipes 62 may be installed within the dust control
cover or lid 10 as desired, and/or their placement may be other
than that shown in FIG. 2. Each of the pipes 62 includes a large
number of very small water spray or misting perforations or nozzles
64 therein adapted to spray a fine mist of water into the interior
volume 30 of the dust control cover or lid 10, and thus to the
interior volume V of the underlying bin or dumpster D when the lid
or cover 10 is installed thereon, when water is supplied to the
pipes 62.
[0024] A water supply fitting 66, e.g., a threaded or quick release
hose connection or the like, extends through one of the sides or
lower vertical walls of the lid or cover 10 and communicates with
the spray pipe(s) 62 therein, generally as shown in FIG. 2. A
conventional water hose H (FIG. 1) may be connected to a suitable
water supply and to the water supply fitting 66 (FIGS. 2 and 3; the
fitting 66 is concealed by the open door 38 in FIG. 1) to provide
water to dampen the air volumes 30 and V within the lid or cover 10
and underlying bin or dumpster D, thus wetting down airborne dust
and particulates within the dumpster and its cover or lid. The
result is the elimination of nearly all airborne dust and
particulates within the dumpster and its cover, thus essentially
eliminating the escape of such potentially harmful particles into
the surrounding atmosphere where they might otherwise be inhaled by
workers or others in the area.
[0025] The dust control cover 10 and its underlying refuse bin D
further include a series of latch assemblies 68 to provide positive
attachment of the cover or lid 10 to the bin or dumpster D, to
assure that the lid or cover 10 cannot be jarred loose from the bin
or dumpster D during transport. One or more such assemblies 68 may
be installed along each major side of the cover and corresponding
side of the dumpster, with there preferably being two or more such
assemblies 68 along each side, depending upon the size of the cover
10 and its bin or dumpster D. These assemblies 68 are shown
generally in FIGS. 1 through 3 and in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0026] Each latch assembly 68 comprises a tab 70 extending
outwardly from the upper edge of the major side walls of the bin or
dumpster, e.g., edge E1 of side S1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each
tab 70 includes a slot 72 therein. Corresponding plates 74 extend
horizontally outwardly from the two major sides 12 and 14 of the
lid or cover 10, with the planes of the tabs 70 being substantially
vertical and the planes of the plates 74 being substantially
horizontal, i.e., normal to the planes of the corresponding tabs.
Each plate 74 is positioned to lie immediately above and slightly
to one side laterally of the corresponding tab 70 of the bin or
dumpster D when the cover 10 is placed thereon. Each plate 74
includes a pin passage 76 therethrough, for the removable insertion
of a pin 78 therethrough. Each pin 78 has a slot 80 therethrough,
with the slot 80 of each pin 78 aligning with the slot 72 of a
corresponding tab 70 when the cover or lid 10 is placed atop the
dumpster or bin D and the pin 78 is dropped into the pin passage 76
of its plate 74. A retainer pin 82 installs removably through the
slot 80 of the slotted pin 78, thereby locking the slotted pin 78
to the underlying tab 70 of the bin or dumpster D and precluding
removal of the lid or cover 10 therefrom. The pins 78 and 80 may be
tethered or otherwise secured to their corresponding structures to
prevent their loss, or alternatively they may be supplied in a bag
or other container for safekeeping when not installed.
[0027] The bin or dumpster lid or cover 10 is used essentially as
shown in the drawings and described further above. The dumpster D
and its cover or lid 10 are transported to the construction or
demolition site and positioned as desired. The lid or cover 10 is
placed atop the bin or dumpster D by a forklift F, as shown in FIG.
3, or by other suitable means as desired. The lid or cover 10 is
then positively secured to the top of the dumpster or bin D for
transport, by means of the latching assemblies 68 shown in FIGS. 1
through 5 and described further above.
[0028] Once the bin and cover assembly have been positioned at the
construction or demolition site, a hose H is extended from a water
supply and connected to the fitting 66 of the cover or lid 10, The
water is turned on when material is dumped into the dumpster D and
its overlying cover or lid 10, thereby wetting down any dust and/or
particulate matter to preclude its escape from the dumpster and its
cover. Once the dumpster has been filled or is no longer needed at
the site, it may be hauled away conventionally for disposal of the
construction debris therein. The debris remains damp if no
appreciable time has passed for it to dry, thus greatly reducing or
eliminating the production of dust when the lid or cover 10 is
removed from the dumpster or bin D and the contents are dumped.
[0029] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *