WO2003050016A1

WO2003050016A1 - Waste sorting device

Info

Publication number: WO2003050016A1
Application number: PCT/NO2002/000472
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kristian Braathen; Hedda Heyerdahl Braathen; Ketil Mørk TVETEN
Original assignee: Accendo Produktutvikling Da
Priority date: 2001-12-11
Filing date: 2002-12-10
Publication date: 2003-06-19
Also published as: NO20016057L; NO20016057D0; NO316317B1; AU2002351512A1; EP1461274A1

Abstract

A device is described for sorting of waste into different fractions, which device includes at least two throw-in columns consisting of throw-in pipes (5) with openings (6), which throw-in pipes (5) are connected to a plate shaped lid (4), a waste container (12) for each throw-in pipe (5) arranged on a plate shaped body (11), which waste containers (12) in the normal position of use of the device are provided in an underground tank or chamber (1), and a centrally placed lifting/lowering device (3, 8, 10) for raising the waste containers (12) up to ground level for the removal of these from the device.

Description

Waste sorting device

The present invention regards a waste sorting device of the type described in the preamble of the independent claims.

Several waste handling systems are known for sorting of waste into different categories such as paper, glass, metal, food waste etc. These systems normally consist of a number of different receptacles placed either in^'each household or at central receiving sites. This arrangement requires a lot of space, especially when placed in every household.

European patent application no. 0252 437 describes the placing of removable waste containers in an underground tank or chamber. The tank or the chamber is covered by a lid provided with one or more slots connected to the containers. However, this publication does not describe any mechanism for raising the containers from the tank or chamber.

European patent application no. 0 628 499 describes a similar waste handling system, in which a container is arranged in an underground tank or chamber. The base of the container is equipped with a lifting cylinder that is used to raise the container up to ground level. The tank or chamber is furthermore closed by a lid connected to one or more lifting cylinders for lifting the lid and the slot prior to the container being lifted to ground level. The slot or opening is positioned so as to project slightly into the container below. Thus a volume is created in the container which can not be filled. This volume is equal to the volume of the opening, so that if the container and the opening are full, the waste in the opening will fill the container when the opening and the lid are lifted. This system requires the use of at least two lifting cylinders in order to first raise the opening and the lid to a sufficient height and then raise the waste containers up to ground level. This makes the system unnecessarily complex and costly.

European patent application no. 0 858 960 describes a similar system, in which the waste container is placed in an enclosing box with an opening, and where the entire box with the waste container inside may be raised to ground level by means of an electrically or manually operated mechanical lifting/lowering mechanism. The lifting/lowering mechanism is positioned on one side of the box only, thus subjecting it to a relatively high torque.

None of these known solutions combine the characteristics of the present invention, which appear in the appended claim.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a waste handling device of the type mentioned by way of introduction, which has a large capacity without being bulky and taking up a lot of space, and which is adapted to today's solutions for collection of returnable waste.

Another object of the invention is to provide a waste handling device that is hygienic, and where vermin and the like have limited access to the containers. At the same time, the system must not attract vandalism and littering.

These and other objects are achieved by a device of the type mentioned by way of introduction, characterised in that the device includes at least two throw-in columns consisting^' of throw-in pipes with openings, which throw-in pipes are connected to a plate shaped lid, a waste container for each throw-in pipe arranged on a plate shaped body, which waste containers in the normal position of use of the device are provided in an underground tank or chamber, and a central lifting/lowering device for raising the waste containers up to ground level for removal from the device.

The lifting/lowering device includes a hydraulic cylinder, the lower end of which is connected to a foundation at the bottom of the chamber or tank, and the other end of which is connected to the throw-in column, an outer pipe, the upper end of which is connected to the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder, and the lower and of which is fitted with a flange, which pipe has a length that is less than that of the hydraulic cylinder in the contracted position. Preferably, the device includes an inner pipe arranged telescopically in the outer pipe in order to stabilise this, the lower end of which inner pipe is connected to the foundation.

Each throw-in pipe projects a small distance into the container below, and the plate shaped body is disposed at a greater distance above the foundation.

Preferably, each throw-in pipe has the shape of a truncated cone, with the largest diameter facing down towards the container.

Preferably, the device is further provided with a device for selective lifting of each separate throw-in pipe.

Preferably, the hydraulic cylinder is provided with means of connecting to an external source of pressurised hydraulic fluid.

The following description of a non-limiting embodiment will explain the invention in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 schematically shows the waste sorting device in a position of use.

Figure 2 schematically shows the waste sorting device in a partially lifted position.

Figure 3 schematically shows the waste sorting device in a fully lifted position.

Figures 4 a-d shows a waste container seen from above and from two sides, respectively.

Figure 5 shows an alternative design of the throw-in pipes.

Figure 6 shows a further alternative design of the throw-in pipes.

Figures 1-3 are drawings that schematically show a preferred embodiment of the waste sorting device in accordance with the present invention. The system consists of a tank or chamber 1 placed in the ground on a foundation 2. The foundation 2 is preferably provided with a drain (not shown), potentially with run-off to sewage systems for maximum drainage. On this foundation 2 there is arranged a hydraulic lifting cylinder 3. Over the tank or chamber 2 there is a lid 4. Throw-in pipes 5 with throw-in openings 6 are provided on this lid 4. In the embodiment shown, four throw-in pipes are provided; however a greater or smaller number of throw-in pipes may be provided, depending on the requirements. The throw-in pipes 5 have the shape of a truncated cone with the largest diameter at the bottom, to prevent waste getting stuck on the way down through the throw-in pipe 5. The pipes 5 pass through the lid 4 and project slightly from the underside of this. At the upper end, the pipes 5 are equipped with couplings 7 connected to the end of the hydraulic cylinder 3. On the outside of the hydraulic cylinder 3 there is provided a pipe 8, which is of approximately the same length as the hydraulic cylinder 3 in the retracted position. The lower end of this pipe 8 is provided with a flange 9. The upper end of the pipe 8 is provided with a coupling connected to the upper end of the cylinder 3. A further pipe 10 is provided inside and along part of the length of this pipe 8, the lower end of which further pipe is attached to the foundation 2. The purpose of these pipes will be explained later.

As shown in Figures 1-3, a plate shaped body 11 is provided down in the tank 1, which body has an enclosing skirt that faces downward. This plate shaped body 11 forms a base for a^' number of containers 12 for collection of waste. Each throw-in pipe 5 extends down into the container 12 a small distance, to ensure that the pipe 5 is filled before the container 12 is completely full. When the container 12 is filled to the end of the pipe 5, the pipe 5 will fill up until it is no longer possible to put anything into the container.

When one or more of the containers 12 in the device is/are to be emptied, the entire device must be lifted so that the plate shaped body 11 reaches ground level, to allow the containers 12 to be removed and emptied. As shown in Figure 1, the throw-in pipes 5 project slightly into the containers, so that if a throw-in pipe 5 is filled up to the opening, this volume of waste will be accommodated in the container. Thus it is an important feature of the invention that the throw-in pipes 5 be pulled up from the containers 12 before these are lifted up to ground level for emptying. This function is achieved in the following way: When the hydraulic cylinder is actuated, the throw-in pipes 5, which are attached to the outer end of the cylinder 3, will first start to move upwards together with the lid 4. At the same time, the outer pipe 8, which is also attached to the cylinder 3, will start to move upwards along the inner pipe 10. The purpose of the inner pipe 10 is merely to stabilise the movement of the outer pipe 8. This is the situation shown in Figure 2. The flange 9 at the end of the outer pipe 8 will also start to move upwards, but the flange 9 will not hit the plate shaped body 11 before the hydraulic cylinder 3 has travelled a certain distance. Once the flange 9 hits the plate shaped body 11, this body 11 will also move upwards. This means that the lifting operation will take place in two steps: First the throw-in pipes 5 with the lid 4 move up a certain distance, before the plate shaped body 11 with the containers 12 move. This results in any waste in one or more of the pipes 5 being emptied into the container 12. When the hydraulic cylinder 3 is fully extended, as shown in Figure 3, the lid 11 will be at ground level, allowing easy removal of each container 12 from the sorting device.

In accordance with a special embodiment (not shown), it will be possible to pull each throw-in pipe up separately. This is particularly relevant in those cases where the containers 12 are not all emptied at the same time.

Figures 4 a-c show an example of a waste container seen from above and from two sides, respectively. Figure 4d shows the positioning of four waste containers in a tank having a circular cross section. The number of waste containers and their shape may vary according to the specific demands placed on the sorting device. As an example, the use of a tank having another cross sectional shape than circular is also conceivable. The waste containers have a construction that makes it possible to empty them by means of the emptying system used by ordinary compactor trucks. This means that the system is adapted to today's system for collection of returnable waste, with no need to develop new costly methods.

Figures 5 and 6 show alternative designs of the actual throw-in column. Instead of separate pipes, such as in Figures 1-3, the throw-in pipes may be integrated into a throw-in column having the shape of a truncated cone (Figure 5) or a cylinder (Figure 6). Other ways of constructing the throw-in column are also conceivable. The sorting device is provided with a safety device (not shown) to prevent accidental downward movement of the device. The device is further provided with yet another safety device (not shown) to ensure that the device can not be lowered before all the containers 12 are placed correctly on the plate shaped body 11. This may be achieved e.g. by means of various types of optical, mechanical or magnetic contacts.

The hydraulic cylinder may be run by a suitable hydraulic pump, but in accordance with a particular, preferred embodiment, pressurised hydraulic fluid is supplied from the truck that collects the waste. Such trucks are normally equipped with a hydraulic compactor, and as such it is an easy matter to connect the hydraulic cylinder 3 to the hydraulic system of the truck. This will greatly simplify the waste sorting device.

The embodiment of the waste sorting device according to the invention shown has a characteristic, organic and friendly form that is easily recognisable. The device is constructed from durable materials that contribute towards optimising the lifetime of the device. The device takes up a minimum of space, and the colours of the throw-in column may be matched to the surroundings or adjusted according to the customer's wishes.

The preferred embodiment of the sorting device has four openings 6. The height of the openings is suitable both for adults and children, as well as wheel-chair users. The various openings are clearly marked so as to make it easy to select the correct opening.

As mentioned previously, the throw-in pipes 5 have their greatest diameter at the waste container 12 end, in order to avoid stoppage. The openings 6 may further be covered by a rubber membrane to seal the container. This will also result in any signs of fire in the device self-extinguishing due to the lack of oxygen.

Regular maintenance and servicing is carried out by raising the device in the normal manner, as described previously. The plate shaped body 11 may be provided with a hatch that allows access to the hydraulics and makes it possible to remove waste, carry out cleaning and unclog any drains in the foundation 2. For safety reasons, the hatch is only openable when the device is locked in the upper position. If the hydraulic system is out of operation, the device may be detached from the hydraulic cylinder 3 and lifted by a crane, using a hook on top of the device.

An important characteristic of the invention is the fact that the device is constructed with an optimal (minimum) use of materials and an optimal use of identical parts (modules). For environmental reasons, the production of the raw materials should require as little energy as possible, the materials should have a long lifetime, and their maintenance should require as few resources as possible. They should also be reusable, and the materials should therefore be selected based on their recyclability. The throw-in column may consist of e.g. an aluminium profile and a rolled sheet of aluminium, which together form a module. The embodiment in Figures 1-3 show an assembly of four such modules. Preferably, the device is manufactured from anodised aluminium, which is easy to recycle.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the device is equipped with a lamp 13 containing e.g. fluorescent tubes. Optionally, the lamp may be connected to a solar panel, so as to make the device independent of an external power supply.

As a supplementary function, the device in accordance with the invention may be used e.g. to deposit returnable bottles and/or cans and credit the user. This may be achieved e.g. by placing a bar code scanner or a shape recognition device in the throw-in pipe. In addition, a sorting device in the form of e.g. an automatically adjustable vane or similar may be provided in order to sort the bottles etc. into the correct container. The device may also be equipped with e.g. a bank card or credit card reader to allow the credited amount to be registered in the user's account. Optionally, the device may be provided with a coin return device that pays out the amount in cash.

Claims

C l a i m s

1.

A device for sorting waste into different fractions, which device includes at least two throw-in columns consisting of throw-in pipes (5) with openings (6), which throw-in pipes are connected to a plate shaped lid (4), a waste container (12) for each throw-in pipe (5) arranged on a plate shaped body (11), which waste containers (12) in the normal position of use of the device are provided in an underground tank or chamber (1), and a centrally placed lifting/lowering device (3,8, 10) for raising the waste containers (12) up to ground level in order to allow these to be removed from the device, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the lifting/lowering device (3, 8, 10) includes a hydraulic cylinder (3), the lower end of which is connected to a foundation (2) at the bottom of the chamber or tank (1), and the other end of which is connected to the throw-in pipe, an outer pipe (8), the upper end of which is connected to the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder (3), and the lower end of which is fitted with a flange (9), which pipe (8) has a length that is less than that of the hydraulic cylinder (3) in the contracted position.

2.

A device in accordance with Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the device includes an inner pipe (10) arranged telescopically in the outer pipe (8) for stabilisation of this, the lower end of which inner pipe (10) is connected to the foundation (2).

3.

A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that each throw-in pipe (5) projects a small distance into the container (12) below, and that the plate shaped body (11) is disposed at a greater distance above the foundation (2).

4.

A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that each throw-in pipe (5) has the shape of a truncated cone with its largest diameter facing down towards the container (12).

5.

A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that it is provided with a device for selective lifting of each individual throw-in pipe (5).