GB2520568A

GB2520568A - Sealing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2520568A
Application number: GB1320845.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Barnes; Andrew Turner; Colin Wreyford
Original assignee: ALVEIER Ltd
Current assignee: ALVEIER Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-26
Filing date: 2013-11-26
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Also published as: WO2015079214A1; GB201320845D0

Abstract

An animal bedding waste bag sealing apparatus 10 comprises a planar body 12 with an upper sheet 14 and lower sheet 15 and opposing side walls 18 mounted between them. An opening 20 is arranged in the planar body that can accommodate a bag to be sealed. The apparatus has first and second sealing members 24, 25 located between the upper face 16 and lower face 17 of the planar body, orientated parallel to each other. Each sealing member further has an upper sealing portion and a lower sealing portion, which may be heat bars, and a cutting portion, which may be a wire cutter, arranged between the two sealing portions. A conveying device provides movement of the first and second sealing members 24, 25 in a first direction towards the opening where they may contact each other, and in a second direction away from the opening. The conveying device may comprise a motor, two conveyor belts and two or more pulleys. A holder may also be provided by the upper sheet 14 for a cassette of bag material. A system comprising the sealer, bin housing and an extraction/ filtration hood and a method of sealing are also disclosed.

Description

SEALING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a sealing apparatus. The invention is an animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus and to a system and method in the field of animal bedding waste disposal. Particularly, but not exclusively, to a sealing apparatus for sealing bags of animal bedding waste and to a system and method for disposing of animal bedding waste from animal housings.

Many organisations, particularly in the biomedical field, have large numbers of animals in animal housings. These animal housings are currently cleaned out manually. An open topped bag is supported and positioned by the user in a bin housing usually under an extraction or filtration hood and the waste bedding from the animal housing is then deposited into the bag. This apparatus is generally known as a Bedding Disposal Station (BDS). The BDS reduces exposure to allergens such as dander, dust, animal down and hair. Once deemed full, the bag is sealed, often by a flexible tie. The closure of the bag occurs outside often of any extraction/filtration hood region which consequently exposes the user to allergens as well as unpleasant odours. Once sealed, the bag is removed by lifting upwards and out of the bin and a new bag is fitted to the bin housing which is then positioned back under the BDS.

This whole procedure can be time-consuming, inconvenient and poses an undue safety risk to the user tasked with cleaning out the animal housings who is exposed to animal allergens when sealing and replacing waste bags.

The present invention describes an alternative bag sealer apparatus for sealing bags of animal bedding waste and a system and method for disposing of waste from animal housings. The risk of the user being exposed to allergens and odours can be reduced.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from the first aspect, there is provided an animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus for sealing bags of waste animal bedding from animal housings for disposal, comprising: a substantially planar body with an upper sheet, a lower sheet and at least two opposing side walls mounted between the upper and lower sheets; an opening arranged in the planar body so as to accommodate a bag to be sealed; first and second sealing members; the first and second sealing members located between the upper sheet and the lower sheet of the planar body, each member comprising an upper sealing portion, a lower sealing portion and a cutting portion, the cutting portion arranged between said upper and lower sealing portions; wherein the first sealing member is orientated substantially parallel to the second sealing member; a conveying device; the conveying device arranged to move the first sealing member in a first direction towards the opening and in a second direction away from the opening; the conveying device arranged to move the second sealing member in a first direction towards the opening and in a second direction away from the opening.

Preferably, the first and second sealing members are moveable from a first configuration, wherein they are positioned apart at opposing ends of the body, to a second configuration, wherein they are positioned in contact below the opening. The means for conveying is arranged to provide movement of the two members from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

The opening in the planar body extends from the upper sheet to the lower sheet.

Preferably, the opening is circular. Preferably, the opening is large enough to allow a bin bag and waste to pass through the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus whilst enclosing the means for conveying and the two sealing members when in the first configuration. The upper sheet of the body may also comprise a holder such as a former, recess or fixings around the outer edge of the opening, suitable for holding a cassette of bag material. Accordingly, new bags can be continuously deployed from the cassette of bag material for use with the apparatus, instead of having to manually replace a bag when it is full of waste. This is convenient, time-saving and reduces the risk of exposing the user to allergens.

Preferably, the conveying device comprises a motor, two conveyor belts aligned in parallel, two or more pulleys for each conveyor belt and an axle suitable for engaging the at least two pulleys with the motor.

Preferably, the upper and lower sealing portions of the first and second sealing members are arranged substantially in parallel.

Preferably, the first and second sealing portions and the cutting portion are located on an inner face of the first sealing member that is complementary to an inner face of the second sealing member, such that when the members are moved by the conveying device in the first direction towards the opening, the respective sealing portions and cutting portion on the inner face of the first sealing member contact the respective sealing portions and cutting portion on the inner face of the second sealing member.

Preferably, the cutting portion is a wire cut-line. The wire cutting line is suitable for forming a perforated cut line on a plastic bag.

Preferably, the sealing portions are heat bars. Alternatively, the sealing portions may be arranged to provide any suitable method for sealing the bag sufficiently, depending on the material of the bag, for example, staples, adhesives, UV cured adhesives or pressure.

The animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus is preferably arranged such that the first sealing member comprises upper and lower sealing portions that are heat bars and a cutting portion suitable for receiving a wire cut-line. The second sealing member comprises a cutting portion that is a wire cut-line and upper and lower sealing portions suitable for creating a heat seal on a plastic bag when in contact with the heat bars on the first sealing member.

Preferably, the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus is mains powered.

Preferably the apparatus is DC powered and hence will be globally compatible.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus is suitable for carrying out a sealing process on a bag. The arrangement of the upper and lower sealing portions and the cutting portion on the first and second sealing members creates an upper seal, a lower seal and cut on the bag cassette. The lower seal closes the opening to the bag filled with animal bedding waste. Removing the sealed filled bag from the continuous bag cassette can be achieved by a light tearing action along the perforated cut line. Removing the sealed filled bag favourably positions the next bag in the bag cassette ready to be filled with waste, the base of which has been provided by the upper seal. The method can be repeated for this next bag.

Preferably, the sealing process is automated. Advantageously, this eradicates the need for the user to manually close the bag outside of the extraction/filtration hood, hence the risk of the user being exposed to allergens and odours is greatly reduced.

The need for scissors or other cutting implements is removed. The automated sealing process is safe and convenient for the user and saves time.

Preferably, the automated sealing process is activated via an operator interface.

Preferably the operator interface is a colour touch screen. Activation may be in the form of a touch sensitive button or a foot operated device for convenience.

The operator interface may also be used to monitor the weight or height of waste in the bag and to determine when the bag is full. It is envisaged that the operator interface will warn the user, for example by displaying a red light and/or an alarm, that the bag is full or at capacity and the user will then be prompted to activate the automated sealing process, remove the filled bag and then deploy a new bag from the bag cassette.

Preferably, the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus further comprises a means for removing excess air from the filled waste bag. The means for removing excess air may comprise arms or paddles extending from the body of the apparatus and moved together and towards each other around the waste bag so as to compress and squeeze the filled bag. Alternatively, the means for removing excess air may comprise a vacuum pump or a similar device.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a system suitable for disposing of animal bedding waste from animal housings using the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus as described above and with a BDS with an extraction/filtration hood and a bin housing.

It will be appreciated that the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus may be a self-contained entity, preferably with dimensions to be used in conjunction with existing BDS's with extraction/filtration hoods and bin housings, or the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus may be integrated into an extraction/filtration hood and/or a bin housing.

Preferably, the housing has means for moving the housing from one location to another to assist with placement and bedding disposal at a number of different locations. The means for moving may comprise casters. Preferably the casters are fixed wheels at the rear of the housing and rotatable wheels at the front of the housing. Preferably the casters are lockable. The casters allow the user to conveniently manoeuvre and position the bin housing containing the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus containing a continuous bag cassette under the extraction/filtration hood to be used for disposal of animal bedding waste.

Preferably, the housing has an opening on a side face. Preferably the opening can be closed by means of a door on the side face. The opening allows the user to access the bag that is positioned inside the bin housing.

In one embodiment, the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus is provided with dimensions suitable for fitting at the opening on the upper face of a bin housing, preferably the bin housing of an existing bedding disposal station (BDS) with an extraction/filtration hood such that the apparatus can be used for the disposal of animal bedding waste as herein described.

In an alternative embodiment, the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus is integrated into an extraction/filtration hood, preferably the extraction/filtration hood of an existing bedding disposal station (BDS) with a bin housing, such that the apparatus can be used for the disposal of animal bedding waste as herein described.

The waste bag sealer and the BDS are then a single integrated unit.

Preferably, the operator interface monitors parameters in the system, for example, the weight or height of waste in the bag. The interface will warn the user when the bag of waste is full and the user will then use the interface to commence the automated sealing process described above. Advantageously, this ensures that the bag cannot be overfilled. The maximum parameters for size or weight of the filled bag can be pre-set and tailored to the preference of the user and the strength of the bag. a

This allows for easy and safe handling of filled waste bags to the point of disposal.

The parameters and usage data can be stored via the operator interface and can be made accessible to those managing the process who may wish to monitor the throughput of waste.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from a third aspect, there is provided a method suitable for sealing bags of waste from animal housings for disposal with a system as set out above.

It will also be appreciated that although the invention is in the field of animal bedding waste disposal, the apparatus, system and method may also similarly be applied to other waste disposal scenarios. Examples include waste disposal on public transport systems or in healthcare environments where the containment of pathogens and potentially disease spreading waste is important.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bag sealer apparatus for sealing bags of waste.

The members are shown in a first configuration. Internal pads are also shown.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1. The members are shown in a second configuration.

Figure 3 is a top-side view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4a is a side view of the bag sealer apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4b is an alternative side view of the bag sealer apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of of the bag sealer apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 along the line A-A.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of a system for disposing of waste from animal housings.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of a system for disposing of waste from animal housings containing the bag sealer apparatus illustrated in Figure 1. The members are shown in the second configuration.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a bag sealer apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus has a substantially planar body 12 with an upper sheet 14 and a lower sheet 15 that define the upper 16 and lower 17 faces of the body, and four side walls 18. There is an opening 20 through the centre of the body 12 that extends between the upper and lower sheets 14, 15. The four side walls 18 and the upper and lower sheets 14, 15 are fixed together with screws 22. The opening 20 is suitable to permit a bin bag and an amount of waste to pass through the apparatus from the upper face 16 to the lower face 17 of the body 12.

Within the body 12, between the upper and lower sheets 14, 15, there are first and second sealing members 24, 25 arranged in parallel, and a conveying device 26. The first and second sealing members 24, 25 are moveable from a first configuration in which they are positioned at opposing ends of the body 12, as illustrated in Figure 1, to a second configuration in which they are positioned within the opening 20 at the midline of the body 12, as illustrated in Figure 2. The conveying device 26 provides movement of the first and second sealing members 24, 25 between the first and second configurations. The conveying device 26 comprises a motor 28, an axle 30 and two conveyor belts 32, each conveyor belt 32 comprising a continuous piece of material, a first pulley 34 and a second pulley 36. The motor 28, axle 30 and first pulleys 34 are arranged substantially in parallel along a first inner wall 38 of the body 12. The motor 28 is connected to the axle 30 which is connected to the first pulley 34 of each conveyor belt 32. The first pulleys 34 are at opposing ends of the axle 30.

The two conveyor belts 32 lie along two parallel inner walls 40 of the body, perpendicular to the axle 30 and the first inner wall 38. The second pulley 36 is at the opposing end of the conveyor belt 32 to the first pulley 34.

The first and second sealing members 24, 25 are connected to the conveyor belt at an or each end.

In use, the motor 28 drives the axle 30 which in turn drives the two conveyor belts 32 simultaneously and allows the sealing members 24 to be conveyed so that they are moveable from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), one of the sealing members is moveable and the other sealing member remains static.

The apparatus 10 has a detachable mains cable (not shown) with a 013 (lEO 60320 standard) female connector at the machine end and a power plug to suit the country in which the machine is to be used. The machine may also have a C14 (IEC 60320 standard) switched inlet.

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the bag sealer apparatus further comprises a housing 40 for the motor 28 which is relatively bulky and so protrudes below the substantially planar body 12.

Referring to Figure 5, the first sealing member 24 comprises upper 40 and lower 42 sealing portions arranged above and below a cutting portion 44. The sealing portions 40, 42 are heat bars and the cutting portion 44 is suitable for receiving? a wire cut-line. The second sealing member 25 (not shown) comprises upper and lower sealing portions suitable for receiving the heat bars and a wire cut-line. The sealing portions 40, 42 and cutting portion 44 extend along a length roughly 75% of the sealing member 24. This length is slightly longer than the diameter of the opening 20 in the body 12.

In use, it is envisaged that the user will place a cassette of bag material, in the form of a concertina-ring, on the upper face of the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus. A suitable material for the continuous bag cassette is plastic. With the two members in the first configuration, the user will insert an end of the continuous bag cassette through the opening from the upper face of the body to the lower face of the body. The opening will guide the bag between the two sealing members comprising the sealing portions and cutting portion. The two sealing members will be moved to the second configuration with the end of the bag cassette between them, and the heat bars will be engaged to create a heat seal at the end of the bag. The bag cassette will then be pulled through the apparatus to a suitable length for waste to be deposited inside the bag. The user will fill the bag with waste through the opening in the bag until it is deemed to be full and then will command the animal bedding waste bag sealer to activate an automated sealing process via an operator interface (not shown). The operator interface monitors parameters such as the weight or height of the filled waste bag and will notify the user with a flashing light and/or alarm when the bag is deemed to be full. The weight of the filled waste bag can be pie-set according to the user preferences. The automated sealing process may be controlled by a touch-sensitive button or alternatively by a footswitch.

In the automated sealing process, the conveying device 26 moves the two sealing members 24 from the first configuration to the second configuration which brings the top portion of the bag that lies within the body 12 together and closes the opening to the bag. The sealing portions 40, 42 and cutting portion 44 of the respective first and second sealing members 24, 25 come into contact either side of a plastic bag. The upper and lower sealing portions 40, 42 on the first and second sealing members 24, are arranged such that they create a perforated cut-line between an upper and lower heat seal on a plastic bag. The perforated cut-line between the filled bag and the next bag is performed at the same time as the two seals are created.

The lower heat seal creates a closing at the top of the filled bag and the upper heat seal becomes the base of the next bag. There is continuous bag deployment; the user can easily detach the filled bag from the continuous bag cassette via the perforated cut line by a light tearing action which also pulls the next bag down through the body of the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus.

In the automated sealing process, the first and second sealing members 24, 25 are programmed to be driven by the conveying device 26 at a predetermined first speed for around 95% of their travel between the first and second configurations. For the final 5% of their travel, the speed increases to a predetermined second speed such that they come into contact in the second configuration with an appropriate degree of force to close the top of the bag. The upper and lower heat bars 40, 42 are heated to a temperature in the range of 80-1 00 °C and the first and second sealing members 24, 25 comprising the upper and lower heat bars 40, 42 are programmed to stay in contact in the second configuration for 4-5 seconds. After this time, the upper and lower heat bars 40, 42 are held in the second configuration until the temperature has dropped below 50 °C. This programming ensures that effective heat seals are created on the plastic bag.

The time taken for the first and second sealing members 24, 25 to travel said 95% of their travel is also monitored by the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus and compared to a known travel time. In the event of an obstruction, for example, if the bag has been overfilled and it is not possible for the first and second sealing members 24, 25 to approach each other within a known travel time then an alert state is activated. In other words if the sealing members do not complete 95% of the travel distance in the known (a predetermined) time, the automated sealing process will be halted. The operator interface will alert the user to the malfunction or obstruction via the colour touch screen, a warning light and/or an alarm. The user can take appropriate action and the sealing process can be reactivated once the obstruction or other issue has been removed and resolved.

A method for disposing of animal bedding waste from animal housings may comprise the steps of: providing an apparatus 10 as hereinbefore described; providing a continuous cassette of bag material; filling a bag with waste; providing two seals: a lower seal to close the filled bag and an upper seal to form the base of the next bag in the bag cassette; providing a cut between the two seals; and removing the sealed filled bag.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, there is illustrated a bin housing 50 comprising a container with an opening 52 on an upper face 54 and casters 56 on a lower face 58.

The bin housing 50 further comprises a closure 60 with an aperture 62 that is hingedly connected to the upper face 54. The animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus 10 (not shown in Figure 6) can be fitted at the opening 52 to the bin housing 50 and the closure 60 fitted in place over the apparatus. The bin housing 50 further comprises an opening 62 on a side face 64. In use, when a bag has been filled with waste and the automated sealing process has been completed, it is envisaged that the user will access the filled bag from the opening 62 in the side face 64 of the bin housing 50 to remove the filled bag by tearing along the perforated cut-line. This in turn pulls the next section of bag material down into place ready to be filled with waste. The filled bag may be moved to an incinerator cart or similar. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there may be a door on the side face 64 of the bin housing 50 to close the opening 62.

In Figure 7, the sealing members 24 are shown in the second configuration, as they would be in use as part of the automated bag sealing process.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus further comprises means for removing excess air from the filled waste bag prior to sealing. The means for removing excess air may comprise arms extending from the body of the apparatus for squeezing' the filled bag. Alternatively, the means for removing excess air may comprise a vacuum pump or a similar device.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in some embodiments, it will not be necessary for the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus to comprise upper and lower sheets. It will also be appreciated that the upper and lower sealing portions may be arranged as separate entities or may be arranged as a single sealing device separated into upper and lower sealing portions by the cutting portion. In addition the bin housings may take many shapes and forms however the bin housing can generally be described as a container with an opening on an upper face. The bin housing may also comprise a closure that is hingedly attached to cover the opening on the upper face. In some settings the closure is an aperture suitable to allow a bin bag and waste to pass through to the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus. The aperture can have the same dimensions as the aperture on the covering of the animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus. The arrangement of the motor, driver and combination of pulleys may be of any sort that enables the operation of the sealing members and sealing and cutting functionality of the sealing bars.

The animal bedding waste bag sealer apparatus, the automated system and the method for disposing of animal bedding waste from animal housings in accordance with the present invention is easy to use and provides for a reduction in the exposure of a user to allergens and odours from the waste. The interface on the bag sealer apparatus relieves the user of the task of having to manually monitor the system parameters and the automated system can be tailored to the user's needs for safety and convenience.