Container for disposal of small particulate materials

Abstract

A container is provided for disposal of particulate material which is readily airborne. The container operates in co-operation with a shovel having an elongate handle and a scoop supported at one end thereof. A scoop opening is formed in one of the walls of the container with a gate member spanning the opening so that the opening remains substantially closed as a scoop is withdrawn from the container therethrough. Access to the opening is provided by a slot which receives the handle of the shovel to permit the scoop to be inserted through the open top end of the container and the lid placed on the container before the contents of the shovel are dumped.

1 . A container for use with a shovel having an elongate handle and a scoop supported at one end of the handle, the container comprising: 
 walls surrounding a hollow interior of the container; and    a scoop opening formed in one of the walls which is suitably sized to receive the scoop therethrough.    
   
   
       2 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided an access opening in communication with the scoop opening which is arranged to permit the scoop to be located within the hollow interior of the container with the handle extending through the scoop opening without disturbing contents of the scoop.  
   
   
       3 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a lid portion and a base portion separable from one another in an open position of the container and being closable at a seam therebetween.  
   
   
       4 . The container according to  claim 3  wherein there is provided an access slot extending between the seam and the scoop opening for receiving the handle of the shovel therethrough.  
   
   
       5 . The container according to  claim 3  wherein the scoop opening is provided in the base portion.  
   
   
       6 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a flexible gate member which spans at least part way across the scoop opening to engage the scoop as the scoop is pulled through the scoop opening.  
   
   
       7 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a shelf projecting outwardly from the container immediately below the scoop opening.  
   
   
       8 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein there is provide a receptacle on an outer side of the walls having an open top end for receiving the scoop of the shovel therein in storage.  
   
   
       9 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a liner hanger supported on the walls on the hollow interior of the container suitable for suspending a liner therefrom below the scoop opening.  
   
   
       10 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a bottom wall formed of an insulated fireproof material.  
   
   
       11 . A method of placing material in a container using a shovel having an elongate handle and a scoop supported at one end of the handle, the method comprising: 
 providing a container including walls surrounding a hollow interior; a scoop opening formed in one of the walls which is suitably sized to receive the scoop therethrough;    gathering the material on the scoop of the shovel;    positioning the scoop in the hollow interior of the container with the handle extending through the scoop opening;    closing the container;    dumping the material in the container; and    withdrawing the scoop from the container through the scoop opening while the container remains closed to substantially contain the material in the container.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  including locating the scoop within the hollow interior of the container with the handle extending through the scoop opening without disturbing contents of the scoop.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the container includes a lid portion and a base portion separable from one another in an open position of the container and being closable at a seam therebetween.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13  including providing an access slot extending between the seam and the scoop opening for receiving the handle of the shovel therethrough.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13  including locating the scoop opening in the base portion.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1  including providing a flexible gate member which spans at least part way across the scoop opening to engage the scoop as the scoop is pulled through the scoop opening.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 1  including providing a shelf projecting outwardly from the container immediately below the scoop opening.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 1  including providing a receptacle on an outer side of the walls having an open top end and inserting the scoop of the shovel into the receptacle for storage.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 1  including suspending a liner within the container below the scoop opening.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 1  including forming a bottom wall of the container of an insulated fireproof material.