Composite dumpster

Abstract

A dumpster comprises a fiber-reinforced composite material. Exemplarily, the dumpster comprises a metallic frame and a plurality of fiber-reinforced polymer panels secured to the metallic frame to define an interior waste storage volume for storing waste in the dumpster.

1 . A dumpster comprising opposed first and second side walls, first and second end walls interconnecting the first and second side walls at opposite longitudinal ends of the dumpster, and a floor to which the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls are secured, the first and second side walls, the first and second end walls, and the floor cooperating to define an interior waste storage volume, the first end wall comprising a door openable to discharge waste from the interior waste storage volume, wherein at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall, the second end wall, or the floor comprises a fiber-reinforced composite component.  
   
   
       2 . The dumpster of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall, the second wall, and the floor comprises a fiber-reinforced polymer panel.  
   
   
       3 . The dumpster of  claim 2 , comprising a metallic frame to which each panel is secured.  
   
   
       4 . The dumpster of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second side walls comprises a plurality of fiber-reinforced polymer panels.  
   
   
       5 . The dumpster of  claim 1 , wherein component is a fiber-reinforced composite panel comprising first and second skins and a core sandwiched therebetween.  
   
   
       6 . The dumpster of  claim 5 , wherein the panel comprises a plurality of fiber insertions extending from the first skin through the core to the second skin.  
   
   
       7 . The dumpster of  claim 1 , comprising a gasket, wherein the door comprises a fiber-reinforced composite panel that cooperates with the gasket to establish a seal therebetween when the door is closed.  
   
   
       8 . The dumpster of  claim 1 , comprising a metallic frame member to which the fiber-reinforced composite component is secured.  
   
   
       9 . A dumpster comprising a metallic frame and a plurality of fiber-reinforced polymer panels secured to the metallic frame to define an interior waste storage volume for storing waste in the dumpster.  
   
   
       10 . The dumpster of  claim 9 , comprising a fiber-reinforced polymer longitudinal member connecting two adjacent fiber-reinforced polymer panels.  
   
   
       11 . The dumpster of  claim 9 , wherein the metallic frame defines an opening at the top of the dumpster for introducing waste through the opening into the interior waste storage volume.  
   
   
       12 . The dumpster of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the panels is included in a door of the dumpster.  
   
   
       13 . The dumpster of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the panels is included in a wall of the dumpster.  
   
   
       14 . The dumpster of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the panels is included in a floor of the dumpster.  
   
   
       15 . A dumpster comprising a fiber-reinforced composite material, wherein the dumpster complies with ISO 1496-1:1990(E).  
   
   
       16 . The dumpster of  claim 15 , comprising a wall, a floor, a door, and an interior waste storage volume defined at least partially by the wall, the floor, and the door, wherein at least one of the wall, the floor, and the door comprises a fiber-reinforced polymer panel.  
   
   
       17 . The dumpster of  claim 15 , comprising a fiber-reinforced polymer panel.  
   
   
       18 . The dumpster of  claim 17 , wherein the fiber-reinforced polymer panel comprises first and second skins, a core sandwiched between the first and second skins, and a plurality of fiber insertions extending from the first skin through the core to the second skin.  
   
   
       19 . The dumpster of  claim 15 , wherein the dumpster weighs less than 10,000 pounds.  
   
   
       20 . The dumpster of  claim 15 , wherein the dumpster weighs about 6,300 pounds and is about 20 feet long, about 8 feet wide, and about 12 feet high.