Refuse receiving device

A refuse device, for receiving and separately holding heavy articles and light refuse articles, the refuse device comprising:

• a mounting structure;
• a first and a second open-topped refuse receptacle supported on the mounting structure such that top edges of respective side walls of the receptacles are laterally adjacent along a first horizontal line;
• a cover means supported in relation to the mounting structure, above the receptacles, said cover means defining a guide surface which, relative to a second horizontal line normal to said first horizontal line, is inclined downwardly to an edge thereof which is located over an elongated feed region above said top edges such that articles of refuse received onto the guide surface are caused to pass down said guide surface into the feed region;
• and
• an elongate flap member mounted in and extending along the feed region above said top edges, the flap member having opposite side edges and being pivotable between a first position in which, relative to said second line, it is inclined down to a first one of said opposite side edges thereof towards the first receptacle, and a second position in which, relative to said second line, it is inclined down to a second of said opposite side edges towards the second receptacle, the flap member being urged to its second position by biasing means operable to provide a required biasing force such that a light refuse article which passes to the feed region from the guide surface is able to pass across the flap member into a collection zone defined by the second receptacle, and such that a heavy refuse article which passes to the feed region from the guide surface causes tilting of the flap member to said first position and then is able to pass across the flap member into a collection zone defined by the first receptacle.