US20090008402A1

US20090008402A1 - Hygienic Rubbish Bin

Info

Publication number: US20090008402A1
Application number: US11/822,041
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Kin-tak Lau; Kwan Sing Chan; Chi Pang Leung; Ching Man Yu
Original assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University HKPU
Current assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University HKPU
Priority date: 2007-07-02
Filing date: 2007-07-02
Publication date: 2009-01-08

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hygienic rubbish capable of killing harmful bacteria and expelling odors that may result from rubbish. The hygienic bin accomplishes this by including as components an ultraviolet light and exhaust system.

Description

BACKGROUND

Due to increased awareness of harmful bacteria, public and personal hygiene has become an important issue. In recent years, different kinds of infectious diseases have been spreading world-wide, seriously affecting daily life and threatening the health of people. This problem not only affects our living environment but also working performance. As the education level of the average citizen is raised, they are aware of the importance of keeping personal and public hygiene in order to get away from any possible disease, particularly in places where most viruses and dirt would commonly be, such as rubbish bins.
To address bacteria and microorganism that may be present in rubbish, a new type of bin in needed. Currently, almost all rubbish bins have no device to minimize the growth of bacteria, and control of the smell flow from the bin to the surrounding environment. Although some of the bins have a cover to avoid the smell leakage, the growth of bacteria inside the bin, and thus generation of unpleasant smell cannot be controlled. As the temperature in the world increases, the growth rate of bacteria inside an enclosed compartment increases.
It is an object of the present invention to be suitable for killing bacteria arising from rubbish inside a bin, and to generally overcome disadvantages and problem in the prior art.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention proposes a hygienic rubbish bin capable of killing bacteria arising from trash, as well as expelling odors before they enter the environment around the bin.
The present invention also proposes the killing of bacteria and expelling of odors through the use of ultraviolet lights and exhaust system.
The present invention further still stops infectious diseases by effectively killing bacteria.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a rubbish bin of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the rubbish bin expelling odors;

FIG. 3 shows the wrapping mechanism of the rubbish bin of the present invention.

The following description of certain exemplary embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Throughout this description, the term “rubbish” shall refer to biodegradable products such as food, paper trash, medical waste, metal, and the like.
Now, to FIGS. 1-3,
The present invention relates to a hygienic rubbish bin that is capable of killing bacteria and expelling bad odors that may result from the rubbish.
FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the hygienic rubbish bin 100 of the present invention. The rubbish bin 100 includes the components of an air vent 101, an ultraviolet light 103, a lid 105, a rubbish bag 107, an air inlet 111, an exhaust fan 113, an air filter 115, and an air outlet 117.
The air vent 101 is used to allow outside air to flow into the bin to maintain a certain degree of air circulation inside the bin 100. The air vent 101 is preferably attached to the lid 105 of the bin 100. Alternatively, the air vent 101 can be attached to another section of the bin 100.
The lid 105 is used for effectively covering the top of the bin 100. The lid 105 in one embodiment creates a seal with the body of the bin 100. The lid 105 can take various forms and be operated by various means, such as step-on operation, rotation operation, a handle can be attached to the top, etc.
The ultraviolet light 103 is used as a germicidal element to kill bacteria that may arise from the rubbish in the bin 100. The ultraviolet light 103 preferably has a wavelength of below 280 mm. The ultraviolet light 103 can be mercury-vapor lamp to emit UV.
The rubbish bag wrapping mechanism 106 is used to wrap the rubbish bag 107 on demand. The mechanism allows the user to minimize physically touching the rubbish bag. The wrapping mechanism 106 can be button actuated. In use, the side of the rubbish bag 107 furthest from the wrapping mechanism 106 is drawn to the wrapping mechanism in concert with the more adjacent side of the bag 107. As will be discussed later, the mechanism 106 allows both sides to be positioned outside the bin 100. The sides are then fixably attached to one another to lock the rubbish within the bag 107.
The rubbish bag 107 can be made of material selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and the like. In one embodiment, the bags can be biodegradable. The rubbish bag 107 is positioned inside the inner tank 109 of the bin 100.
An air inlet 111 is positioned above the rubbish to remove odors and noxious gases that may arise from the rubbish. The air inlet 111 is led through piping to an air filter 115. The gases and odors are drawn through by an exhaust fan 113. The air filter 115 is used for removing particulate matter that may be present in the gases and odors. Further, the air filter 115 may be used to bind noxious gases, so that they are not released to the environment.
The filter 115 can be made of paper, foam, or cotton fibers. The filter 115 can also contain activated carbon particles.
Following the treatment by the filter 115, the odors and gases are spewed from the air outlet 117. The air outlet 117 can be directed to the outside environment.
FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the bin 200 in use, whereby rubbish is contained in the bin 200. The lid 201 of the bin 200 is closed to stop odors or noxious gases from escaping untreated. The closed lid 201 maintains negative pressure inside the bin 200. Air vents are positioned at the lid 201 to allow air to enter into the bin 200.
The rubbish inside the bin 200 is exposed to ultraviolet light from a lamp 203 in order to kill any microorganisms.
Odors are directed to an air inlet 205. The odor is pulled through by an exhaust fan 207. Odors are pulled through to the air outlet 209.
FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the semi-automatic bag wrapping mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3( a), the side of the trash bag furtherest from the wrapping mechanism is brought closer to the mechanism. The sides of the bag are wrapped together (FIG. 3( b)) and then tied (FIG. 3(C)).
Having described embodiments of the present system with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present system is not limited to the precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit as defined in the appended claims.
In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that:
a) the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts than those listed in the given claim;
b) the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements;
c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope;
d) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise; and
e) no specific sequence of acts or steps is intended to be required unless specifically indicated.

Claims

1. A hygienic rubbish bin, comprising

an air vent;

an ultraviolet light;

a cover;

an air inlet;

an exhaust fan;

an air filter;

an air outlet;

and

a rubbish bag.

2. The hygienic rubbish bin in claim 1, further comprising a bag wrapping mechanism.

3. The hygienic rubbish bin in claim 2, wherein said bag wrapping mechanism.

4. The hygiene rubbish bin in claim 1, wherein said air filter contains activated carbon.