AU2008249663B2

AU2008249663B2 - An Enclosure

Info

Publication number: AU2008249663B2
Application number: AU2008249663A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Derek William Boden
Original assignee: G James Extrusion Co Pty Ltd
Current assignee: G James Extrusion Co Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-08-23
Filing date: 2008-11-28
Publication date: 2010-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-14
Also published as: AU2003234999A1; AU2003234999B2; AU2008249663A1

Description

1 AN ENCLOSURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an enclosure. In particular the invention 5 concerns an enclosure for refuse bins. The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the use of the enclosure as a housing for refuse bins but it should be appreciated that this is by way of example only and contents other than refuse bins may be housed within the enclosure of the invention. 10 DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART Housing or enclosures for refuse bins typically consist of a box like structure of any suitable shape and sometimes have walls provided with a plurality of perforations. Often, cigarette butts are disposed of and cause unintentional 15 fires within the refuse bin. Sometimes fires are deliberately lit within refuse bins. Fires, regardless of how they may be initiated not only severely damage or destroy the bin but often severely damage or destroy the enclosure. The enclosures either need to be repaired or replaced. The outer surfaces of a conventional enclosure will become over-heated, and personal body contact 20 with such surfaces may result in severe burns. This gives rise to unwanted expenses. Some prior art enclosures include a door for providing access to a refuse bin which is housed in the enclosure. With these enclosures, air is able to enter the enclosure from around the periphery of the door when the 25 door is closed. If a fire has been lit in the refuse bin, air that enters the enclosure around the periphery of the door will help to sustain the fire. As the fire in the refuse bin burns, the temperature inside the enclosure increases. Most of this heat will be retained inside the enclosure if the enclosure is insulated. Also, if the refuse bin is made from plastic for example, gases with 30 potentially explosive temperatures are produced by the fire. If the door of the enclosure is opened, the sudden inrush of air into the enclosure combined with the heat and gases produced by the fire inside the enclosure can cause 2 an explosion to occur. It is an object of the invention to provide an enclosure which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or which provides the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect, the invention provides an enclosure for housing a refuse bin, the enclosure comprising an upper portion defining an opening for allowing refuse to be placed in the bin, and at least one peripheral wall including a door for providing access to the bin, the door being moveable 10 between an open position and a closed position, and a seal for sealing around the door when the door is in the closed position. The seal is able to inhibit air from entering the interior of the enclosure from around the periphery of the door when the door is closed. This reduces the amount of air that is available for a fire in the refuse bin to 15 consume. Reducing the amount of air that is available for the fire to consume is able assist in keeping the fire under control so that an explosion is less likely to occur should there be a sudden inrush of air into the enclosure as a result of the door of the enclosure being opened. It is preferred that the peripheral wall be provided by a plurality 20 of wall panels. The wall panels may be secured edge to edge to provide the peripheral wall. Where the enclosure is circular in configuration only one peripheral wall is provided in the enclosure. However, where the enclosure is square or rectangular, four such walls may be present. Other enclosure shapes are not excluded. 25 Where the enclosure is circular, the wall panels may have an arcuate or curved configuration. Where the enclosure is square or rectangular, the wall panels may be planar. For a rectangular or square enclosure, a plurality of corner members may be used to interconnect wall panels at corners of the 30 enclosure. Preferably, the wall panels have edge configurations which allow adjacent wall panels to be connected to each other. Preferably, one edge of a 3 wall panel has a longitudinally extending U shaped configuration whilst the other edge of the panel has a longitudinally extending closed configuration. In a preferred form, the at least one peripheral wall includes an inner wall and an outer wall spaced therefrom to provide a passage between 5 the inner wall and the outer wall through which air may flow. Preferably, a plurality of cooling fins project from the inner wall and extend towards the outer wall whereby air may flow between the inner and outer walls and over the fins. The inner wall, outer wall and fins are able to provide an effective means of transferring heat from inside the enclosure to air flowing between 10 the inner and outer walls and over the fins. Preferably, the cooling fins extend from the inner wall of the wall panels and part way across the space between the inner and outer walls., and are located at spaced locations along the inner wall. Preferably, the fins and the adjacent face of the inner wall are provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. The outer face of the outer is wall may also be provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. The enclosure may have a frame extending around a lower end of the peripheral walls. Preferably, when in use, the enclosure is positioned on a support surface and a sealant is deposited or placed around an inner periphery of the frame to seal it against the support surface. The peripheral 20 wall preferably has a lower edge which allows air to flow between it and the frame and into the passage between the inner and outer walls. The enclosure may include a surround extending around an upper end of the peripheral walls. The frame and surround may assist in directing the flow of air 25 into and out of the passages within the peripheral walls. Preferably the surround has a plurality of vent openings in communication with the passages in the peripheral walls. The surround may have a downwardly extending skirt portion extending over a part of the peripheral walls in the region of an upper edge of 30 the walls. The vent openings may be present in that skirt portion. The surround may have an upwardly and inwardly inclined portion extending from the skirt and spaced from the upper edge of the peripheral wall.

4 The seal for sealing around the door when the door is in the closed position may be any suitable type of seal. Preferably, the seal is a heat resistant seal. In a particular preferred form, the seal is a silicon rubber seal. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Particular preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top front perspective view of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention; 10 Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the enclosure of figure 1 shown with its door in an open position; Figure 2A is a detailed fragmentary view of a corner portion of the enclosure of figure 2; Figure 3 is a top side perspective view of the enclosure of figure is 1 shown with the door in an open position; Figure 3A is a detailed fragmentary view of a corner portion of the enclosure of figure 3; Figure 4 is a front perspective of an enclosure of an embodiment of the invention; 20 Figure 4A is a detailed fragmentary view of a hood which forms part of an enclosure of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4B is a detailed fragmentary view of a portion of the top part of the door; Figure 4C is a detailed fragmentary view of a portion of the 25 bottom part of the door; Figure 4D is a detailed fragmentary view of a top part of a wall of the enclosure of figure 1; Figure 5 is a detailed fragmentary view of a bottom part of a wall of the enclosure of figure 1; 30 Figure 6 is a plan view of a corner portion of the enclosure of figure 1; Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a curved wall of a 5 circular enclosure according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of part of a circular enclosure; and Figure 9 is a plan view of part of a circular wall of a circular 5 enclosure according to the second embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 and 2 show an enclosure 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The enclosure 10 has a lower frame 11 and an upper peripheral surround 12. Side walls 13, 14, 15 and 16 extend between 10 and are secured to the frame 11 and the surround 12. Side wall 15 is hinged in position and forms a door for the enclosure 10. A hood 17 extends over the surround 12 and partially covers an aperture 18. The frame 11 has mounting tabs 19 at its corner. These tabs may be employed to fix the housing to a support surface (not shown). 15 Figure 3 shows a ramp section 20 extending along a lower part of the opening visible when the door 15 is in its open position. A seal 21 extends around the other three sides of the opening and along a bottom edge of the door 15. Hinges 22 secure the door 15 in position. The door has a catch or lock 23 which allows the door to be maintained in its closed position 20 as shown in figure 1. The surround 12 has a plurality of spaced vent openings 24 provided in a downwardly extending skirt portion 25. These openings 24 are present in all four sides of the skirt 25. As shown in figure 4, the surround 12 has a skirt 25, an 25 upwardly and inwardly inclined portion 26, a horizontal upper portion 27 and a downwardly and inwardly inclined portion 28. Portion 28 defines the aperture 18 previously mentioned. The hood 17 is made up of a plurality of curved slats or panels 29 connected edge to edge. Each curved panel 29 has one or more 30 longitudinally extending passage 80 which allows air to flow therethrough. A cap 29A covers the free ends of the curved panels 29. Figure 4D shows an upper portion of a wall of the enclosure 10.

6 The wall is made of a plurality of slats or panels 30 connected edge to edge. Each panel 30 has an inner wall 31 and an outer wall 32. The inner wall 31 has an inner face 32A. The outer wall has an outer face 33. The outer face 33 is provided with a plurality of grooves or ridges 34. The inner and outer 5 walls are spaced from one another and provide a cavity or passage 35 through which air may flow. The inner wall 31 has a plurality of cooling fins 36 which extend from the wall 31 and into the passage 35. The cooling fins 36 and the adjacent surface of the inner wall 31 are provided with spaced ribs or grooves 37 which extend along the panels 30. 10 Figure 4D shows the manner in which the panels 30 locate relative to the surround 12. Upper ends of the panels 30 terminate short of portion 26 of the surround 12 and a strip 38 extends over inner face 32A of the inner wall 31 of the panels 30 and abuts an inner face of portion 26 of the surround 12. 15 In this way, with the panels 30 secured to the surround 12 in any suitable manner, air flows through the passages 35 in the panels 30 and is directed by the underside of portion 26 so that it escapes through vent openings 24. Figure 5 shows a lower portion of a wall of an enclosure 10. 20 Three sides of the enclosure 10 are provided with an L shaped member 39 to which panels 30 are secured. The lower ends of the panels 30 terminate short of a portion 40 of the member 39 and in this way air is able to enter the passages 35 provided by the inner and outer walls of the panels 30 and escape from the vent openings 24 discussed with reference to figure 4D. 25 Figure 6 shows how a plurality of panels 30 may be secured to one another and to a corner member 41. As shown in figure 5, each panel 30 has one edge formed with a U shaped configuration 43 and to the other edge formed with an enclosed configuration 42 (see figure 6). The enclosed configuration 42 of one panel 30 is received within the open U shaped 30 configuration 43 of an adjacent panel 30. The corner member 41 has two U shaped configurations 44, 45 arranged at right angles to one another and adapted to receive edges of adjacent panels 30 as shown in Figure 6.

7 Figures 1 to 6 relate to an enclosure 10 having a generally square or rectangular configuration. Figures 7 to 9 show details of a circular enclosure. Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a curved wall 60 of a circular enclosure 61. The view shows a plurality of curved panels 62 each 5 having an outer wall 63 and an inner wall 64 defining one or more passages 65 between them. The inner wall 64 has fins 66 extending into the passages 65. The enclosure 61 has a base 67 with vent openings 68 which allow air to flow into the passages 65. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a lower portion of the 10 circular enclosure 61. In this embodiment, a pedestal consisting of a foot 69 and stem 71 is secured to the base 67 of the enclosure 61. Drainage openings 70 are present in the base 67. Openings 70 are normally covered in use to prevent air flow into the refuse compartment. Figure 9 shows a plan view of part of a circular wall for an 15 enclosure formed from a plurality of curved panels 60. Each panel 60 has a U shaped configuration 75 along one edge and a closed formation 76 along its other edge. The closed formation 76 of one panel is received by a U shaped configuration of an adjacent panel. The upper portion (not shown) of a circular enclosure 61 may be 20 configured with a circular surround rather than the rectangular surround 12 of the first embodiment of the invention. This circular surround may be configured in essentially the same manner as the rectangular surround previously mentioned except that it has a circular configuration. This circular surround has vent openings the equivalent of openings 24 of surround 12 2S which allow air that passes through passages 65 to escape from between walls 63 and 64 at a location near the top of the enclosure 61. If desired a hood may extend partially over the top of the enclosure 61 to partially close off the opening into the enclosure 61. Although not depicted in the drawings, the circular wall of the 30 circular enclosure 61 includes a door for providing access to a refuse bin which is housed in the enclosure 61. The door is able to be moved between an open position and a closed position. The circular wall also includes a seal 8 (not depicted) for sealing around the door when the door is in the closed position to prevent air from entering the interior of the enclosure from around the periphery of the door. In use the rectangular enclosure 10 is positioned on a support 5 surface and the mounting tabs 19 are employed to anchor the enclosure to the surface. A sealant is deposited or placed around the inner periphery of the frame 11 to seal it against the support surface. The enclosure may for example house a refuse bin. In the event that the refuse within the bin catches fire, the enclosure ensures that oxygen 10 flow to the burning refuse is minimised to allow the refuse to burn or smoulder in a controlled manner. The double wall configuration allows for cooling air to flow through the walls and this ensures that the exterior face of the outer wall is maintained relatively cool and unscarred by the effects of the fire in the bin within the enclosure. The presence of the fins projecting from the inner wall 15 and into the space within the walls of the enclosure assists in this cooling effect. The fins act as cooling fins and contribute to the dissipation of heat from within the double wall configuration. Throughout the specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or 20 "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to 25 not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the 30 broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, that reference does not constitute an admission that the 9 publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Claims

1. An enclosure for housing a refuse bin, the enclosure comprising an upper portion defining an opening for allowing refuse to be placed in the bin, and at least one peripheral wall comprising an inner wall and an outer wall 5 spaced therefrom to provide an insulated space between the inner wall and the outer wall, the peripheral wall includes a door for providing access to the bin, the door being moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a seal for sealing around the door when the door is in the closed position. 10

2. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein the peripheral wall is provided by a plurality of wall panels with the wall panels being secured edge to edge to form the peripheral wall.

3. The enclosure of claim 2 wherein the peripheral wall is configured to provide a circular enclosure. is

4. The enclosure of claim 2 wherein the peripheral wall is configured to provide a rectangular enclosure.

5. The enclosure of claim 4 including a plurality of corner members for interconnecting wall panels at corners of the enclosure.

6. The enclosure of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the wall panels 20 have edge configurations which allow adjacent wall panels to be connected to one another.

7. The enclosure of claim 6 wherein one edge of each said wall panel has a longitudinally extending U shaped configuration and the other edge of each said wall panel has a longitudinally extending closed configuration 25 receivable within a corresponding U shaped configuration of an adjacent said wall panel.

8. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the insulated space between the inner wall and the outer wall is a passage through which air may flow. 30

9. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein a plurality of cooling fins project from the inner wall and extend towards the outer wall whereby air may flow between the inner and outer walls and over the fins. 11

10. The enclosure of claim 9 wherein the cooling fins extend at least partway towards the outer wall and are located at spaced locations along the inner wall.

11. The enclosure of claim 10 wherein each said cooling fin has 5 longitudinally extending grooves.

12. The enclosure of claim 10 or 11 wherein the inner wall has longitudinally extending grooves at locations between adjacent fins.

13. The enclosure of any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the outer wall has longitudinally extending grooves. 10

14. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 13 including a frame, wherein the peripheral wall is mounted to the frame.

15. The enclosure of claim 14, wherein in use the enclosure is positioned on a support surface and a sealant is deposited or placed around an inner periphery of the frame to seal it against the support surface. is

16. The enclosure of claim 14 or 15, wherein the peripheral wall has a lower edge which allows air to flow between it and the frame and into the passage between the inner and outer walls.

17. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 16 including a surround extending around an upper end of the peripheral wall. 20

18. The enclosure of claim 17 wherein the surround has vent openings which communicate with the passage between the inner and outer walls.

19. An enclosure for housing a refuse bin, the enclosure being substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 to 6, or figures 7 to 9.