Device for Receiving Excrement in a Container Which Can Be Provided Automatically, Such a Container, and Storage Device for Such a Container

Abstract

A container for receiving and disposing of excrement is disclosed. The container has a container wall designed in the shape of a bag, with a base and, lying opposite the latter, an edge forming a receiving opening of the container. An elastic element provided at the edge serves to stretch out the receiving opening and to stiffen the edge. The container also has a device for closing the receiving opening, wherein the edge can be pulled shut by pulling on the elastic element. Also disclosed are a storage unit for receiving, storing and making available such a container, a device with such a storage unit for receiving and handling excrement, and a roll-up dog leash having such a device.

Claims

1. A container for receiving and disposing of excrements, the container comprising: a bag-shaped container wall with a bottom and a rim opposite the bottom; a receiving opening formed by the rim; an elastic elastic element provided on the rim for stretching open the receiving opening and for stiffening the rim; and a device for closing the receiving opening, wherein the rim is closable by pulling on the elastic element.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the device for closing the receiving opening has a holding element connected to the elastic element, and a locking element provided on the holding element, wherein, a tensile force pointing away from the elastic element in the radial direction is applied to the holding element, the elastic element is moved away from the rim by pulling on the holding element relative to the locking element and is thereby be locked by the locking element.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the holding element is a pin which is firmly connected to the elastic element and extends radially away therefrom.

4. The container according to claim 2, wherein the locking element has two opposing elastic spring elements, each with an end wall arranged at a free end of the spring element, the end walls shaped in such a way that together they form a recess for the holding element to be inserted through, the recess dimensioned in such a way that when the end walls are pushed onto the holding element, the end walls are bent back in a manner that the end walls lock the holding element.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein in the assembled state of the container, the locking element is pushed onto the holding element as far as the rim.

6. A storage device for receiving, holding, and providing a container for receiving excrements, the storage device comprising: a housing with a housing interior formed by a wall, a bottom and a lid, wherein one or more containers are received or are receivable in the interior, wherein the wall has a removal compartment accessible from the outside for automatically providing one of the containers.

7. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein the wall comprises a first recess running parallel to the lid, which is located in front of the removal compartment and through which the container is removable from the removal compartment.

8. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein the wall comprises a second recess extending perpendicularly away from the first recess, and wherein a holding element of each container located in the interior is guidable in the second recess.

9. The storage device according to claim 8, wherein the wall comprises a cover which projects from the wall and is arranged above the second recess in such a way that only the holding element of a container arranged in the removal compartment is accessible from the outside.

10. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein the storage device comprises a reloading device by means of which containers located in the interior are automatically conveyed in the direction of the removal compartment, so that one of the stored containers are always provided at the removal compartment.

11. A device for receiving and handling excrements, the device comprising: a storage device for providing a container; an extendable and retractable tube arrangement; a container removal device for automated removal of the container from the storage device and conveyance of the container into a container holding device; and the container holding device for holding the container on an end wall of the tube arrangement and pulling the container closed.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the tube arrangement comprises a plurality of tube segments which are connected to one another and are extendable from a device housing in a pull-out direction A and retractable again, the foremost tube segment, as seen in the pull-out direction A, comprising an end wall, an inner tube surface tapering conically from the end wall counter to the pull-out direction A as far as a tapered region, and a recess on its underside in the region of the conical inner tube surface.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the container holding device comprises a clamping element with at least one gripper and a cable pulling mechanism with a pull cable which can be actuated, and wherein the clamping element and the pull cable are arranged reciprocally displaceable within the tube arrangement between a receiving position, in which the gripper is located in the region of the conical inner tube surface with a clamping region aligned with the recess in the tube, and a clamping position in which the gripper is displaced into a rear region of the tube in a clamping manner with respect to the holding pin.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the container removal device has one or more parallel removal arms which are pivotable back and forth about a pivot axis in a pivoting direction and which each comprise a magnet at a free end facing away from the pivot axis, the container removal device being adapted to the position of the removal compartment and to the end wall of the tube segment so that the removal arms are pivotahle between a removal position in which the removal arm rests in each case with the magnet against the locking element of the container which is provided in the removal compartment, and wherein the holding element engages through a through hole of the magnet, and a holding position in which the holding element is insertable from below into the conical inner tube surface in the clamping region of the gripper.

15. A roller dog leash, comprising: a dog leash which is installed in a housing and which is automatically releasable for unrolling and rolling up again, wherein the housing comprises a device for receiving and handling excrements, the device comprising: a storage device for providing a container; an extendable and retractable tube arrangement; a container removal device for automated removal of the container from the storage device and conveyance of the container into a container holding device; and the container holding device for holding the container on an end wall of the tube arrangement and pulling the container closed.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the container removal device has two parallel removal arms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for explanatory purposes only and are not to be construed restrictively. In the drawings are shown:

[0043] FIG. 1a a schematic top view of a container according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 1b a schematic view of a holding device of a container according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 1c a schematic, perspective view of a container according to the invention during assembly of the holding device;

[0046] FIG. 2a a schematic perspective view of a storage device according to the invention;

[0047] FIG. 2b a schematic sectional view of a storage device according to the invention with containers according to the invention;

[0048] FIG. 2c a front view of the storage device according to FIG. 2a;

[0049] FIG. 3 a schematic side view of a device according to the invention in partial view on telescopic arm in retracted position;

[0050] FIG. 4 a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention in enlarged partial view of the storage device and pivot arms resting against a container;

[0051] FIG. 5 a schematic side view of a device according to the invention in partial view of telescopic arm in extended position;

[0052] FIG. 6 a schematic, sectional plan view of the end section of the telescopic arm with clamping element in the extended position;

[0053] FIG. 7 a schematic, sectional plan view of the end portion of the telescopic arm with pivot mechanism;

[0054] FIG. 8 a schematic, cutaway side view of the end section of the telescopic arm with pivot mechanism;

[0055] FIG. 9 a schematic, cutaway plan view of the end section of the telescopic arm with clamping element in retracted position;

[0056] FIG. 10 a schematic side view of a device according to the invention for picking up excrements, in the extended position;

[0057] FIG. 11 a schematic sectional view through the housing of the device;

[0058] FIG. 12 a schematic side view of the device for picking up excrements, in the retracted state and with a storage device attached to it; and

[0059] FIG. 13 a schematic side view of the device for collecting excrements, in the retracted state and with the storage device removed therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] In the various figures of the drawing, identical parts are always given the same reference signs. With regard to the following description, it is asserted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments and thereby not limited to all or several features of described combinations of features, rather each individual partial feature of the/each embodiment is also of significance for the object of the invention detached from all other partial features described in connection therewith, and also in combination with any features of another embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 1a shows an embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention for holding excrements. FIG. 1b shows an exemplary embodiment of a holding device 7 of the container 1 shown in FIG. 1a. FIG. 1c shows the container 1 during assembly of the holding device 7.

[0062] The container 1 for receiving and disposing of excrements has a container wall 2 with a bottom 3 and a rim 4. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the container wall 2 is formed from a plastic bag. The rim 4 forms or encloses a receiving opening 5 opposite the bottom 3. The container 1 further comprises an elastic element in the form of an elastic ring 6, a holding element 7 extending away from the elastic ring 6 in the radial direction and a locking element 8 provided on the holding element. Holding element 7 and locking element 8 form a device 9 for closing the receiving opening 5. The device 9 forms a part of the container 1.

[0063] The elastic ring 6 is made of plastic. However, it could in principle also be made of any other material, such as in particular a metal. The elastic ring 6 is attached to the rim 4, for example, by means of a loop channel formed by folding over the rim 4, and may be freely displaceable within the loop channel.

[0064] The holding element 7 is formed as a pin 7, preferably integrally formed on the elastic ring 6, which projects radially from the elastic ring 6 and protrudes from the rim 4.

[0065] The locking element 8 is a rectangular, concave shaped plate, preferably metal plate 8. The radius of the concavity is adapted to the radius of the elastic ring.

[0066] The metal plate 8 has a circular recess 10 in the center. Furthermore, the metal plate 8 has a cutout 11 between the recess 10 and a longitudinal edge. The two cutouts 11 are identical and extend centered and parallel to each other in a longitudinal extension of the metal plate 8. Furthermore, each cutout 11 is connected to the recess 10, so that two opposing elastic spring elements 12 are formed by the cutouts 11 and the recess 10. The spring elements 12 each have a free end adjacent to the recess 10 with a semicircular end face 13 corresponding to the recess.

[0067] The metal plate 8 is pushed completely onto the pin 7 by means of the recess 10 with its concave side pointing in the direction of the container 1 (see FIG. 1a). The pin 7 is clamped between the spring elements 12. The metal plate 8 is thus firmly attached to the container 1.

[0068] FIGS. 2a-c each show in different views an embodiment of a storage device 14 according to the invention for receiving, holding and in particular automatically providing one or more of the containers 1 shown in FIG. 1a.

[0069] The storage device 14 shown is in the form of a hollow cylinder, having a wall 15, a bottom 16 and a lid 17, which surround a cylinder interior 18.

[0070] The cylinder interior 18 is dimensioned such that several containers 1 can be received arranged one above the other. In particular, the cylinder interior 18 is adapted to a diameter of the containers 1, i.e. to a diameter of the elastic ring 6 or of the rim 4. The mentioned diameter of the elastic ring 6 may in particular and advantageously be the outer diameter of the elastic ring 6 in a folded shape, for example the shape of a twisted folded figure of eight.

[0071] A bayonet catch 19 is provided on the lid 17 for fastening or holding the storage device 14 to a device 27 for receiving excrements according to the invention.

[0072] In the region of the lid 17, the wall 15 has a first recess 20 extending parallel to the lid 17 with a removal compartment 21 being arranged behind the recess 20. The dimensions of the first recess 20 are adapted for removing a container 1 through the recess 20.

[0073] The wall 15 also has a second recess 22 extending perpendicularly from the first recess 20 towards the bottom 16. The second recess 22 has a width which is adapted to receive the holding pins 7. The holding pins 7 of containers 1 received in the storage device 14 project out of the second recess 22 over the wall 15. A cover 23 is moulded onto the wall 15 above the second recess 22 so that only the uppermost container 1 arranged on the lid side is accessible from the outside. The second recess 22 and the cover 23 thus form a bulge.

[0074] The removable container 1 is provided in the removal compartment 21. To accomplish this, a reloading device 24 is provided in the interior 18.

[0075] The reloading device 24 is designed to displace a container 1 with associated metal plate 8 into the removal compartment 21. In the present exemplary embodiment, the reloading device 24 has for this purpose a disc-shaped pressure plate 25 extending parallel to the bottom 16 and a compression spring 26 arranged between the pressure plate 25 and the bottom 16 and supported on an inner side of the bottom 16. By means of the pressure spring 26, the pressure plate 25 is driven in the direction of the lid 17 so that the uppermost container 1 located in the interior 18 is conveyed into the removal compartment 21 and held there.

[0076] FIGS. 3 to 9 show partial views of various features of an exemplary embodiment of a device 27 according to the invention for receiving and handling excrements, in particular in the container 1 according to FIGS. 1a)-c) from the storage device 14 according to FIGS. 2a)-c).

[0077] The device 27 comprises a telescopic tube 28, a container removal device 29 and a container holding device 30, which are arranged in a housing (not shown). The device 27 further comprises the corresponding opposite 50 (see FIG. 11) of the bayonet catch 19 of the storage device 14 for fastening the storage device 14, which is preferably located on an underside of the telescopic tube 28.

[0078] The telescopic tube 28 comprises a plurality of interconnected tube segments 28a, 28b which can be extended from the housing in a pull-out direction A and retracted again. The telescopic tube 28 is hollow on the inside and the individual tube segments 28a,b form a common tube interior 31. The foremost tube segment 28a, as seen in the pull-out direction A, comprises an end wall 32, a tube inner surface 34 tapering conically from the end wall 32 against the pull-out direction A to a tapered region 33, the inner diameter of the tube 28a at the end surface being larger than that at the tapered region 33, and a radial projection 44 arranged after the tapered region 33. Furthermore, the telescopic tube 28a has a recess 34a (FIG. 8) on its underside in the region of the conical inner tube surface 34 for receiving the holding pin 7. Furthermore, the telescopic tube can be extended by means of a release mechanism, e.g. electrically driven or by a spring.

[0079] The container removal device 29 has two parallel removal arms 36 which are attached to a pivot wheel 43a with a toothed drive and can be pivoted back and forth about a pivot axis 35 in a pivoting direction S. The removal arms 36 are attached to the pivot wheel 43a by means of a bearing 37. These are attached to the underside of the telescopic tube 28 by means of a bearing 37, on which the pivot wheel 43a and a deflection toothed wheel 43b are mounted. The pivot wheel 43a or the removal arms 36 is or are drivable by means of a release mechanism, e.g. electrically or by a release spring.

[0080] The removal arms 36 have a free end 38. A magnet 39 is attached to each free end.

[0081] The container holding device 30 has a clamping element 40 with a gripper 40a and a toothed drive 43c, a cable pull mechanism with a pull cable 41 and means for actuating (not shown) the pull cable 41. The clamping element 40 and the pull cable 41 are arranged inside the telescopic tube 28. The means for actuating the pull cable 41 comprise a handle element arranged outside the housing. A stop element 45 in the form of a stop disc is also attached to the pull cable 41 on a side of the projection 44 provided on the telescopic tube 28 facing away from the clamping element 40, which serves to prevent the clamping element from being pulled out of the telescopic tube 28. Instead of a stop disc, for example, a simple button provided in the pull cable 41 can also form the stop element 45.

[0082] The gripper 40a is arranged to move back and forth within the tube segment 28a between a receiving position and a clamping position. In the receiving position, the gripper 40a is located in the region of the conical inner tube surface 34, with a clamping region 42 aligned with the recess 34 in the tube.

[0083] The container removal device 29 is aligned with the position of the storage device 14, in particular with the position of the removal compartment 21, and with the end wall 32 of the tube segment 28a, so that the removal arms 36 are pivotable between a removal position and a holding position.

[0084] In the removal position, the removal arms 36 each rest with the magnet 39 against the metal plate 8 of the container 1 provided in the removal compartment 21, so that the container 1 held resiliently in the removal compartment 21 is held in place by the removal arms 36 by the magnet-metal plate connection. As explained, the metal plate 8 is pushed onto the holding pin 7 up to the rim 4 and locked to it. By pivoting the removal arms 36, the container 1 thus contacted and attached to the magnet 39 can be pulled out of the removal compartment 21 in a removal direction E and brought into the holding position. When pivoting into the holding position, the holding pin 7 can be inserted from below into the conical inner tube surface 34 and thus between the grippers 40a which are aligned with it. For the time being, however, the container 1 is only held by the magnets 39.

[0085] By pulling back the pull cable 41, the gripper 40a can be moved into the rear area of the tube 28a, whereby the gripper 40a passes the tapered area 33 and thereby the gripping jaws are closed around the holding pin 7 and the latter is clamped or can be held against the end wall 32. The return of the removal arms 36 takes place simultaneously via the toothed wheel 43b and the toothed drive 43c.

[0086] In this position, the container 1 can be held behind a dog by means of the telescopic tube 28 while the dog is defecating, in order to collect the defecation with the container 1 even before the defecation touches the ground.

[0087] By pulling on the pull cable 41, the gripper 40a can be moved even further to the rear of the tube 28a until the clamping element 40 stops against the projection 44. In the process, the elastic element 6 is pulled out of the rim 4 through the metal plate 8 resting against the end wall 32, whereby the receiving opening 5 is pulled ever closer. During the closing process, the elastic element 6 is simultaneously locked relative to the rim 4 by means of the spring element 12.

[0088] When fully extended, the telescopic tube 28 preferably has an overall length of 500 to 1000 mm, more preferably of 600 to 800 mm, in particular of approximately 730 mm. This makes the device 27 convenient to handle by most dog owners. The diameter of the rim 4 of the unfolded container 1 is preferably in the range of 120 to 160 mm, more preferably about 140 mm. The metal plate 8 advantageously has a length of about 40 mm measured along the cutouts 11.

[0089] FIGS. 10 to 13 show a possible embodiment of a roller dog leash with a device 27 according to the invention for receiving and handling excrements. The roller dog leash has a housing 46 in which the device 27 for receiving and handling excrements is integrated. The housing 46 has a handle 47 formed thereon in the form of a through opening. Within this through-opening, i.e. in the area of the handle 47, a switch 48 is arranged for actuating the mechanism for extending and retracting the telescopic tube 28. The telescopic tube 28 can thus be extended and retracted by the user by actuating the switch 48.

[0090] As will be explained below, when the telescopic tube 28 is extended, a container 1 is automatically pulled out of the storage device 14, unfolded and brought forward to the ready position shown in FIG. 10 by means of the removal arms 36. When the telescopic tube 28 is retracted, the receiving opening 5 of the container 1 is automatically pulled closed by the grippers 40a of the container holding device 30 gripping and retracting the holding means 7, and at the same time the removal arms 36 of the container removal device 29 are brought back into the removal position. The entire function of the telescopic tube 28, the container removal device 29 and the container holding device 30 can thus be controlled and operated by means of a single switch 48.

[0091] The drive for retracting and extending the telescopic tube 28 and thus also for controlling the container removal device 29 and the container holding device 30 is shown in FIG. 11. In particular, it has a pull cable drum 54 which can be driven by means of an electric motor not shown in the figure. The direction of rotation of the electric motor and thus of the pull cable drum 54 can be controlled by means of the switch 48. The pull cable drum 54 is used to wind and unwind the pull cable 41, which, as shown in FIG. 11, extends out of the telescopic tube 28 in the end region of the housing and is guided from there to the pull cable drum 54 and wound onto it.

[0092] In the embodiment shown here, the pull cable 41 is designed as a combined pull and compression cable, which means that the pull cable 41 can be used not only to exert a pulling force against the direction A, but also to exert a push force along the pull-out direction A. Accordingly, the pull cable 41 has a certain stiffness.

[0093] To extend the telescopic tube 28, the pull cable 41 is unwound from the pull cable drum 54, causing the stop element 45 attached to it to strike forward against the radial projection 44, thereby moving the foremost tube segment 28a forward, i.e. away from the housing 46. To retract the telescopic tube 28, the pull cable is wound onto the pull cable drum 54 and thereby pulled into the housing 46. As a result, the clamping element 40 strikes rearwardly against the radial projection 44 and correspondingly pulls the foremost tube segment 28a rearwardly, that is, toward the housing 46.

[0094] The function of the container holding device 30, i.e. the automatic clamping of the holding means 7 by the grippers 40a when the pull cable 41 is pulled back, has already been described above.

[0095] The action of the pull cable 41 on the container removal device 29 takes place, as also described above, via the toothed drive 43c, the deflection toothed wheel 43b and the pivot wheel 43a. In the removal position, i.e. when the telescopic tube 28 and the pull cable 41 are fully retracted towards the housing 46, the mutual engagement of the toothed drive 43c, the deflection toothed wheel 43b and the pivot wheel 43a prevents the removal arms 36 from folding forward against a spring force.

[0096] The removal arms 36 are in fact subjected to a spring force in the direction of the removal position. The associated spring, which is not shown in the figures, can be a simple torsion spring, for example. When the pull cable 41 is unwound from the pull cable drum 54 to extend the telescopic tube 28, the removal arms 36 automatically fold forward due to the spring force. The container 1 attached to the magnets 39 via the metal plate 8 is thereby pulled out of the storage device 14 and unfolds. When the pull cable 41 is subsequently retracted into the housing 46, the removal arms 36 are folded back again into the removal position due to the mutual engagement of the toothed drive 43c, the deflection toothed wheel 43b and the pivot wheel 43a, while the grippers 40a clamp the container 1.

[0097] The deflection toothed wheel 43b advantageously has a freewheel in such a way that the mutual engagement of the toothed drive 43c, the deflection toothed wheel 43b and the pivot wheel 43a is effective during a movement of the toothed drive 43c relative to the pivot wheel 43a against the pull-out direction A (i.e. during the retraction of the pull cable 41) and leads to a corresponding folding of the extraction arms 36 backwards against the spring force. In contrast, when the toothed drive 43c moves relative to the pivot wheel 43a along the pull-out direction A (i.e. when the pull cable 41 is moved out of the housing 46), the mutual engagement of the toothed drive 43c, the deflection toothed wheel 43b and the pivot wheel 43a is advantageously ineffective due to the freewheel. The removal arms 36 are then automatically folded forwards or held in their holding position due to the spring force.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 11, a line drum 53 is also arranged in the housing 46, which retracts the dog line not shown in the figures in a known manner by means of a retraction mechanism or releases the line when a certain tension is applied. The leash drum 53 is preferably lockable by the user by means of a button 55 if required, in order to prevent further pulling out of the leash by the dog. In order to optimally utilize the space in the housing 46, the leash drum 53 and the pull cable drum 54 are preferably arranged concentrically next to each other, as shown in FIG. 11. The line extends in the housing 46 through a roller line guide 49 and is guided outwards above the telescopic tube 28.

[0099] In order to supply electrical power to the electric motor provided for driving the pull cable drum 54, at least one energy storage device 52 is provided in the housing 46. The energy storage device 52 may be one or more batteries, in particular rechargeable batteries. According to a further development of the invention, a means for energy recovery, i.e. an electric generator or dynamo, may be provided to charge the battery(ies) when the roller line is pulled out. The electrical generator is shown in FIG. 11 in the form of a small gear wheel which engages an external gear provided on the line drum 53.

[0100] The housing 46 of the present embodiment has lamps 51a, 51b and 51c. The lamps 51a, 51b and 51c are each shown in the form of a recess provided in the housing 46 and each have a light source, for example in the form of an LED. The lamp 51a faces forward and is used to illuminate the path. The lamp 51c is directed downwards to illuminate the immediate surroundings. The lamp 51b, which preferably emits a red light, serves for the safety of the dog owner and is directed to the rear. The lamps 51a, 51b and 51c are advantageously supplied with electrical energy via the battery 52.

[0101] Further, an indicator lamp may be provided on the housing 46 to indicate to other dog owners whether the user of the device 27 has time to let the dog play with another dog or is in a hurry and does not want to be disturbed. The indicator lamp, which is not shown in the figures, comprises a light source, for example in the form of an LED. The indication can be in particular colored, whereby for example green can mean “I have time, the dog may play” and red can mean “I am in a hurry and do not want to be disturbed”. The indicator lamp can also be supplied with electrical energy via the battery 52.

[0102] In FIGS. 12 and 13 the device 27 is shown in each case with the telescopic tube 28 fully retracted. In FIG. 12 a storage device 14 filled with containers 1 is attached to the device 27 by means of the bayonet catch 19, 50 and is thus ready for use. In FIG. 13, on the other hand, the storage device 14 is removed from the device 27 after all the containers 1 contained therein have been used. The empty storage device 14 can now be replaced with a new, filled storage device 14.

[0103] In the following, the functionality of the device 27 according to the invention is described by way of example on the basis of the above embodiment.

[0104] In the initial position, the removal arms 36 are ready in their removal position with the magnets 39 contacting the metal plate 8 to remove the container 1 from the removal compartment 21 (FIGS. 3 and 4);

[0105] When the telescopic tube 28 is extended, the removal arms 36 pull the container 1 out of the removal compartment 21 by means of the magnet-metal plate connection;

[0106] In the process, the container 1 and in particular its elastic ring 6 unfolds;

[0107] At the same time, the grippers 40a are moved into their receiving position on the end wall 32 of the tube 28a and the removal arms 36 are pivoted by in the pivoting direction S and brought into their holding position on the end wall 32 of the tube 28a;

[0108] When the container 1 is positioned at the front of the tube 28a, the holding pin 7 is located between the gripping jaws of the gripper 40a (FIG. 6);

[0109] The removal arms 36 are pivoted back to their removal position, causing the gripper 40a to move and clamp the holding pin,

[0110] The clamping element 40 or gripper 40a is operated by the pull cable 41 and pulled backwards, compressing the gripper 40a as it passes the tapered area 33;

[0111] This pulls the holding pin 7 together with the elastic element 6, which is pulled out of the rim 4, into the tube 28, thereby contracting the receiving opening 5 (FIG. 9);

[0112] When the pull cable 41 is released, the container 1 falls down and can thus be disposed of without ever having touched the container 1.

[0113] The invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments, but also encompasses all embodiments having the same effect within the meaning of the invention. It is expressly emphasized that the embodiments are not limited to all features in combination, rather each individual sub-feature may also have inventive significance in isolation from all other sub-features.