초록 ▼

This invention relates to a large capacity, molded refuse container having a lid comprised of two identical, overlapping cover elements. The cover elements are each pivotally interconnected to the container by a hinge means which includes a hinge pin passing through an integral sleeve molded into th

This invention relates to a large capacity, molded refuse container having a lid comprised of two identical, overlapping cover elements. The cover elements are each pivotally interconnected to the container by a hinge means which includes a hinge pin passing through an integral sleeve molded into the hinge. Portions of the hinge pin are exposed to allow the hinge pin to function as a handle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A large molded plastic container comprising: a plastic container body having a bottom and an upstanding sidewall joined to said bottom, said bottom and said sidewall defining a container interior, and said sidewall having an upper edge defining an opening into said interior; a plastic lid, ha

1. A large molded plastic container comprising: a plastic container body having a bottom and an upstanding sidewall joined to said bottom, said bottom and said sidewall defining a container interior, and said sidewall having an upper edge defining an opening into said interior; a plastic lid, having a plurality of cover elements, adapted to overlie said opening; independent hinge means freely pivotally interconnecting the outer periphery of each of said cover elements to said sidewall so that each of said cover elements is free to pivot independently of the others to an angle no greater than slightly more than 90 degrees; each of said cover elements extending a sufficient distance from said hinge means so that when closed the distal ends of said cover elements overlap, said barrier means for preventing water from entering said container body irrespective of which cover element overlies the other; said barrier means comprising: each cover element having adjacent it's inner edge, an upturned flange, a rib, and a channel located between said upturned flange and rib. 2. A container as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said hinge means comprises a plastic container body hinge portion integral with and extending laterally from said container body near the upper edge of said sidewall, and a mating plastic cover element hinge portion integral with and extending laterally from the outer periphery of said cover element; said mating adjacent hinge portions pivotally interconnected by a hinge rod so that each of said cover elements is individually pivotally interconnected to said container body. 3. A container as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said container body hinge portions and each of said cover element hinge portions comprises a pair of transversely spaced, parallel, laterally extending flanges having aligned apertures therethrough, and a transverse web interconnecting the distal ends of said flanges, the flanges of said cover element hinge portion being longer and farther apart than the flanges of said container body hinge portion so that said container body hinge portion fits within said cover element hinge portion. 4. A container as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said container body hinge portions further comprises an integral sleeve extending between the aligned apertures of said flanges of said container body hinge portions, and said hinge rod passes through said sleeve. 5. A container as recited in claim 4 further comprising at least two transversely spaced hinge portions on each of said cover elements, and at least two corresponding transversely spaced hinge portions on said container body, said hinge rod passing through each of said transversely spaced hinge portions and said hinge rod being exposed in the region between said transversely spaced hinge portions so that said hinge rod can be grasped and function as a handle for manipulating the container. 6. A container as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said cover element hinge portions further comprises a top web covering the space between the flanges of said cover element hinge portion, said top web being connected to the cover element of said lid and to the flanges and to the transverse web of said cover element hinge portion. 7. A container as recited in claim 6 wherein said cover element hinge portions further comprise sleeve-like projections on each of said flanges of said cover element hinge portion extending from the apertures therein, said projections directed inwardly toward the opposite flange so that the bearing area of said hinge rod is increased thus reducing the bearing load. 8. A container as recited in claim 5 wherein said container body, said lid, and said hinge means are rotationally molded of a cross-linked, high density polyolefin. 9. A container as recited in claim 1, wherein said container body, said lid, and said hinge means are rotationally molded of a cross-linked, high density polyolefin. 10. A large molded plastic container comprising: a plastic container body having a bottom and an upstanding sidewall joined to said bottom, said bottom and said sidewall defining a container interior, and said sidewall having an upper edge defining an opening into said interior; two identical, overlapping plastic cover elements adapted to overlie said opening; one of said cover elements pivotally interconnected to one side of the upper edge of said sidewall and the other of said cover elements pivotally interconnected to the opposite side of the upper edge of said sidewall so that when closed one of said cover elements overlaps the other of said cover elements; the outer surface of each of said cover elements being convex and the inner surface of each of said cover elements being concave; barrier means for preventing water from entering said container body irrespective of which cover element overlies the other; said barrier means comprising: each cover element having adjacent it's inner edge, an upturned flange, a rib, and a channel located between said upturned flange and rib, hinge means for pivotally interconnecting the outer periphery of each of said cover elements to said sidewall; said hinge means comprising a hinge having a container body hinge portion integral with and extending laterally from said container body near the upper edge of said sidewall, and a cover element hinge portion integral with and extending laterally from the outer periphery of each of said cover elements, said cover element hinge portion positioned adjacent said container body hinge portion and pivotally connected thereto so that each of said cover elements is individually pivotally interconnected to said container body and is free to pivot to an angle no greater than slightly more than 90 degrees; said container body hinge portion and said cover element hinge portion further comprising a pair of transversely spaced, parallel, laterally extending flanges having aligned apertures through which a hinge rod passes, and a transverse web interconnecting the distal ends of said flanges, the flanges of said cover element hinge portion being longer than and farther apart than the flanges of said container body hinge portion so that said container body hinge portion fits within said cover element hinge portion; and said container body hinge portion further comprising an integral sleeve extending between said flanges of said container body hinge portion, said hinge rod passing through said sleeve. 11. A container as recited in claim 10 further comprising at least two transversely spaced hinges, said hinge rod passing through each of said transversely spaced hinges and said hinge rod being exposed in the region between said transversely spaced hinges so that it can be grasped and function as a handle for manipulating the container. 12. A container as recited in claim 10 wherein said container body, said lid and said hinge means are rotationally molded of a cross-linked, high density polyolefin.