Plastic refuse container

Abstract

A rotational molded plastic refuse container having side walls defining downwardly facing shoulders. A pair of metal side fork pockets each having outwardly extending flanges abutting one of said shoulders and being affixed thereto. The shoulders and the flanges functioning to bear the weight of the container and its contents when the container is being manipulated to empty its contents. A lid pivotally attached to the open upper end of the container and casters removably attached to the bottom of the container. ARFID tag disposed internally of at least one of the side walls.

1 . A plastic refuse container having a molded plastic body including a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, a first end wall, and a second end wall, the combination defining an open topped plastic container, the container further comprising:
 (1) a downwardly directed shoulder on each of said first and second end walls,   (2) first and second side fork pockets secured to said first and second end walls, respectively;   (3) each said side fork pocket comprising means for abutting said downwardly facing shoulder;   (4) each said side fork pocket including a lift tube for receiving a fork on a refuse truck; and   (5) the combination of said means for abutting and said downwardly facing shoulder supporting the weight of said container and its contents for manipulation and emptying.   
   
   
       2 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 1  wherein each said side fork pocket further includes a curved plate extending from an opening therein and over the plastic container adjacent said side fork pockets to protect said container. 
   
   
       3 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for abutting includes a flange extending from said side fork pocket. 
   
   
       4 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 3  wherein each of said first and second side fork pockets includes a second flange which extends upwardly therefrom along said first and second end walls respectively and further includes means for fastening said flange to said shoulder and said additional flange to said first and second end walls respectively. 
   
   
       5 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 4  which further includes a plurality of reinforcing gussets affixed to said second flange and said side fork pockets. 
   
   
       6 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 1  which further includes first and second caster plates affixed to said bottom wall of said container, each including caster receiving brackets and means for removably attaching casters to each of said caster receiving brackets. 
   
   
       7 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 6  wherein said means for rotatably attaching casters includes an axel support bracket and an axel disposed in openings defined by said axel support bracket. 
   
   
       8 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 1  which further includes a hollow non-vented molded plastic rim disposed at and surrounding said open top, an elongated metal bar disposed over and secured to said rim adjacent the rear wall of said container, a lid, and means for pivotally attaching aid lid to said metal bar. 
   
   
       9 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 8  wherein said means for pivotally attaching includes a plurality of hinge plates affixed to said metal bar and a rod passing through said hinge plates and said lid. 
   
   
       10 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 5  wherein all metal components thereof are formed from stainless steel. 
   
   
       11 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 1  which further includes an RFID tag disposed internally of at least one wall of the container. 
   
   
       12 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 11  wherein said RFID tag is disposed in said front wall between said first and second side fork pockets. 
   
   
       13 . A plastic refuse container as defined in  claim 11  wherein said RFID tag is insitu molded within said at least one side wall.