WO2001030671A2

WO2001030671A2 - Method for collecting segragated refuse and recyclables

Info

Publication number: WO2001030671A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/041220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyle Scott Adams; Mark S. Williams
Original assignee: Otto Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-10-27
Filing date: 2000-10-18
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: AU1968001A; WO2001030671A8; WO2001030671A9; WO2001030671B1; WO2001030671A3

Abstract

A method for storing, transferring and disposing of segregated recyclables and/or refuse comprising collecting segregatable materials in containers (76) which are preferably multi-chambered (90, 92), and transferring the contents to a mobile collection vehicle (12) by automatically lifting the container (76) with lifting arm (40) and the container lid (80) via a lid-lifting arm mechanism (72) engaging a tabbed lid (80, 88), on the container (76) and depositing the container contents into segregated chambers (16, 18) in the collection vehicle (12).

Description

COLLECTION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING SEGREGATED

REFUSE AND RECYCLABLES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to waste collection systems, more particularly to a method and apparatus for collecting recyclable waste material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recycling efforts nationwide have grown in popularity recently. Indeed, many municipalities presently require recycling. The weekly or biweekly recyclable pickup necessitates placing recyclables at the curbside in containers. Preferably the recyclables are segregated according to type, for example, plastic, paper, glass, etc. However, such segregation often requires multiple containers that can be unsightly and contribute to odors and potentially unhealthy neighborhood conditions.

Alternatively, large containers having internal separate sections to segregate materials are known. These containers with multiple internal sections obviate the need for multiple containers. While such containers can be emptied laboriously by manual labor, emptying systems involving specially fitted mobile collection vehicles, for example specially fitted trucks, are known. Such trucks ideally have separate chambers to house different recyclable types as described above. Such trucks have a lifting mechanism engage the container securely, and then lift and orient the container to empty its contents into the truck. Collection systems are known that allow for different types of materials in the containers to be emptied into the truck's separate areas. This has been accomplished by orienting the container's separator relatively closely with a wall in the truck separating the truck's chambers.

However, the known systems have experienced difficulty in reliably automating the entire process. To effectively make the transfer of material from the container to the truck, the container must open and its lid must not interfere with the eventual material transfer from the container into the truck. Prior systems have allowed gravity to open the lid as the container is inverted. These systems suffer by not reliably segregating all of the material. As gravity opens the lids, some of the contents spill into the wrong area of the truck. Other collection systems rely on the lid to act as a chute to direct the container contents into the proper opening in the truck. Other lid opening systems are known, but do not reliably open the lid and keep the lid from interfering with the segregated contents emptying into the segregated collection areas in the truck. Still other lid opening mechanisms are unduly complex.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment the present invention relates to a method for automatically transferring materials from a first receptacle to a second receptacle. A first receptacle is provided and positioned at a starting position. The first receptacle comprises a body having a width and an open top, and a lid hinged to the top and dimensioned to cover the top. The lid has a tab extending outwardly from the lid. A second receptacle is provided having a body having a height and an opening with a retaining bar positioned lengthwise across an edge of the opening. A lifting mechanism preferably attached to the second receptacle is dimensioned to engage the first receptacle. A lifting mechanism having a plurality of gripping arms is moveably attached to the body, with a lever having a proximal end movably attached to a drive mechanism located on an arm. The lever is positioned to move along a path such that the free end engages the lid tab and lifts the lid to an open position. The lift mechanism is engaged to lift the top of the first receptacle to effect material transfer from the first receptacle to the second receptacle. Preferably, the first receptacle is lifted to a height greater than the second receptacle body height. A drive mechanism on the gripping arms then pivots the gripping arms such that the first receptacle rotates bringing the top of the first receptacle toward the opening of the second receptacle. With the top of the first container positioned near the second receptacle opening, the contents of the first receptacle are emptied into the second receptacle with the first receptacle lid retained in an open position by the retaining bar. To complete the system's cycle, the first container is lowered to the starting position and disengaged from the lifting mechanism.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the transfer of material from a container having multiple compartments to a second container having multiple compartments for the purpose of segregating refuse or recyclables. Specifically, a first receptacle is positioned at a starting position. The first receptacle comprises a body having a plurality of chambers separated by at least one divider. The body has an overall width and an open top having a flange about the perimeter of the top. A lid is hinged to the flange and dimensioned to cover the open top. The lid has a tab extending outwardly from the lid, preferably from one of the lid sides. A second receptacle is provided that has a plurality of chambers with a separator separating the chambers. The second receptacle has a retaining bar positioned lengthwise across an upper edge of the opening to the chambers. A lifting and gripping mechanism dimensioned to engage the first receptacle is attached to the second receptacle. The lifting mechanism comprises a lifting arm attached to a plurality of gripping arms, with a lever movably attached to at least one arm, said lever positioned to move along a vertical arcuate path to engage the lid tab and lift the lid from a closed to an open position. As or after the lid is opened, the lift mechanism lifts the first receptacle to a height sufficient to transfer material from the first receptacle to the second receptacle, preferably to a height greater than the second receptacle body height. The lifting arms then move in a fashion to rotate the top of the first receptacle toward the opening of the second receptacle. The top of the first container is positioned near the second receptacle opening such that the divider of the first receptacle substantially aligns with the separator of the second receptacle with the contents of the first receptacle emptied into the second receptacle. The lid is retained in an open position by the retaining bar during the segregated transfer of the contents of the first receptacle into the separated compartments or chambers of the second receptacle. The first container is then lowered back to the starting position and the lifting mechanism is disengaged from the first receptacle.

A still further embodiment of the present invention relates to a container lid having a durable tab able to support the weight of the lid. Because of the location of the tab, the lid preferably is asymmetric about its longitudinal and transverse axes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the removal system including the container, lifting mechanism and mobile collection vehicle. FIG. 2 shows the gripper of FIG. 1 engaging the container.

FIG. 3 shows the container with the lid in the open position. FIG. 4 is a side view of the container being opened and lifted as viewed from the rear of the mobile collection vehicle. FIG. 5 is a side view of the container being inverted as viewed from the rear of the mobile collection vehicle.

FIG. 6 is an overhead view of the collection vehicle and lifting mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The recyclable and/or trash collection and removal system of the present invention enables one operator to drive a mobile collection vehicle (typically a truck) to a specially designed container placed at curbside, and empty the segregated contents of the container into the segregated storage areas within the collection vehicle, and then return the container to its original position. The collection vehicle may then move down the street to the next container and repeat the process. Thus, the collecting, sorting, emptying and removing of recyclables and/or trash from a neighborhood, can be more efficiently and sanitarily effected by using the system of the present invention.

FIGs. 1 and 6 show one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A removal system 10 is contemplated where a collection vehicle 12 comprises an integrated receptacle 14 having a plurality of openings 16, 18 and a separator 20. A retaining bar 22 is attached to supports 24, 26 which are attached to the receptacle 14. A barrier catch 28 formed of barrier walls 30, 32 and 34 are fixedly attached to receptacle 14. Lift mechanism 36 is pivotally attached to receptacle 14 via brackets 37, 38. Lift arm 40 is actuated by pistons 41, 42. Lift arm 40 rests in the at-rest position on I-beam 44. Lift arm 40 is rotatably attached to cross arm 46 through gear mechanism 48. Gripping arms 50, 52 are moveably attached to the cross arm 46 through gear mechanism 54. Tension cables 56, 58 extend from proximal ends 60, 62 of gripping arms 50, 52 respectively. Rollers 64, 66 are attached to the second end 68, 70 of gripping arms 50, 52 respectively. Lid opening arm 72 is rotatably attached to piston on gripping arm 50. Container 76 has a body portion 78 and a lid 80 hingedly attached via hinges 82, 84 to body 78. The lid 80 has a flange 86 about its perimeter. Tab 88 extends out from the flange 86 of the lid. The tab 88 is strategically located at the periphery of the container 76 such that the lid 80 is asymmetric about its longitudinal and transverse axes. The container 76 has wheels 81, 83 mounted on axle 85.

FIG. 2 shows the gripping arms of the system 10 in the gripping position about the body 78 of the container 76. FIG. 3 shows the container 76 with the lid 80 in the open position revealing chambers 90, 92 and separator 94. Though not shown, it is understood that the chambers of the container may also be longitudinally separated. In such systems, the chambers on the integrated receptacle would be oriented to match the longitudinally separated chambers in the container being emptied. FIG. 4 shows the system 10 at the beginning of its lifting operation whereby the container is lifted as the lifting arm is engaged to move upward. Meanwhile, lid-lifting arm 72 is engaged by piston 74 and moves upward and forward through its vertical arcuate path until it engages the tab 88 on the lid 80 of the container 76. The lid lifting arm 72 continues to move upward with force sufficient to lift the container lid 80 to a fully opened position. See FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the lifting arm 72 continuing its movement upward near the position at which the contents of container 76 would be emptied into receptacle 14. As shown in this figure, the contents of chambers 90, 92 would leave the container and proceed via gravity into chambers 16, 18 respectively of receptacle 14. The retainer bar 22 maintains lid 80 in the open position, frustrating the forces of gravity that would otherwise allow the lid to interfere with the transfer of material from the container 76 to the receptacle 14. Lifting arm 72 is shown returned to its original position, its job of opening the lid 80 completed. Finally, FIG. 6 shows an overhead plan view of the receptacle and lifting arm without the container in place.

In operation, a mobile collection vehicle having receptacle 14 in the form of a trailer would position itself alongside a container 76 such that gripping arms 50, 52 can be extended from the vehicle and engage the container. Lifting arm 72 is then engaged via piston 74 and moves through a vertical plane until it engages tab 88 of container lid 80. As the lifting arm continues through its range of motion, lid 80 is opened further until gravity forces the lid 80 to fall to a completely open position. The lifting arm 72 may return to its original position resting against the gripping arm 50 to which it is attached. During the lid-opening operation, the gripping arms lift the container 76 to a predetermined height and rotate the container toward the vehicle's chambers. As the container 76 rotates, gravity causes the container's contents to be spilled into the vehicle's cavities. The materials contained in container cavity 90 spill into vehicle cavity 18. Container separator 94 is brought into substantial contact with the vehicle chamber divider 20. In this way, the contents of the chamber 92 remain segregated, being transferred from the container to vehicle cavity 16. Cavity divider 20 acts to keep any unwanted material from container chamber 92 from emptying into any cavity other than cavity 16. As the container is rotated toward the vehicle cavities, gravity will also act to force lid 80 to begin to close. However, retaining bar 22 will keep lid 80 in an open position and keep the lid from closing or otherwise interfering with the material transfer from the container to the vehicle cavities. Once the material transfer is completed, the gripping arms lower the container to the starting position and release from the container. The vehicle then moves to the next container located, for example, at curbside.

According to the system of the present invention, segregated materials may be transferred from a specially fitted container to a receptacle such as an adapted mobile collection vehicle. Different types of recyclables such as paper, glass, plastic, etc. may be segregated through this process, thus obviating manual separation and sorting. In addition, it is contemplated that, where allowed by local ordinances, the container may separate trash from recyclables, greatly reducing the number of containers placed at curbside for pickup, and simplifying a homeowner's refuse removal needs.

The present invention depicts containers of a predetermined dimension being used in concert with a mobile collection vehicle. However, the present invention further contemplates a collection vehicle that can be used preferably with any container that has a divider separating multiple chambers. In such a system, the only limiting factor is the width of the first container which must be dimensioned to fit within the gripping arms of the lifting mechanism. It is further understood that the containers used in connection with the removal system of the present invention, may not have separated chambers and therefore may not have dividers. Further, the collection vehicle may use an electric beam or pattern recognition means to align segregated containers over the mobile collection vehicle's cavities or chambers to insure that the first container separator meets the vehicle's chamber separator. This arrangement insures complete material segregation during material transfer from the first container to the second container.

To employ the system of the present invention, the first container must have a lid with a tab dimensioned to be opened by a lid-lifting mechanism such as a lever. Therefore, a sturdy integrated tab preferably must extend from the lid flange to a predetermined distance that is equal to or greater than the width of the lid-lifting arm. This insures that the lid- lifting arm will not disengage or break contact with the container lid tab throughout the lifting arm's lid lifting cycle. According to the present invention, the first container is made from a sturdy metal, plastic or rubber material, preferably a polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene-containing material. The material is molded to an appropriate thickness suitable to withstand exposure to the elements as well as the effects from the decomposing organic products found in refuse. The material may comprise anti- bacterial compounds and/or deodorizers as would be readily understood by one skilled in the field of refuse container manufacture. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container has a plurality of chambers separated by a centrally disposed wall extending longitudinally across the container at about the vertical midpoint. Such wall or barrier is preferably molded into the container, although a wall may be attached to the container after its manufacture.

The lid may be made from a material that is the same as or different from the container material. Preferably the lid is made from an impact resistant metal, or a plastic material such as polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene, with polyethylene being particularly preferred. The lid is preferably molded to a finished thickness that is the same gauge (thickness) as the container or different therefrom. Preferably, the lid gauge is slightly less than the container gauge. However, the lid must be of a gauge that is adequately durable and thus able to sustain a large number of repeated open/close cycles during which the lid, by its tab, is impacted by the lid- opening arm. The lid has a tab that is preferably molded in, although the tab may be an add-on part that is fastened to the lid. The lid and tab design contemplates and accounts for the repeated and severe impact forces of the lid-lifting arm mechanism, as well as the impact of the lid against the retaining bar on the vehicle responsible for holding the lid in an open position. Therefore, the tab is dimensioned, machined and formulated to withstand both the repeated impact of the lid- lifting arm and the weight of the lid such that the tab will not break away or separate from the lid. The tab is preferably located on one of the lid side edges. In this way, the lifting arm is positioned on the side of the container and moves in one plane as the arm engages the tab and opens the lid.

It is contemplated that the tab could be located on the front of the lid, with design changes made to the lifting arm such that the arm is lifted to engage the tab and result in the opening of the lid. In one preferred embodiment, the position of the tab is strategically located to be in the preferably arcuate path of the lid-lifting arm. More preferably, the arcuate path is a vertical arcuate path. If the lid has but one tab located on one side of the container, the lid preferably will be asymmetrical about the lid's longitudinal and transverse axes. In a further preferred embodiment, the lid may have tabs oriented on multiple sides at the periphery of the opening such that the lid is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, but asymmetrical about the transverse axis. The gripping arms and lifting arm assembly preferably includes a first arm having one end adapted for pivotal connection to a side or front of a collection structure, and the other end pivotally attached to a second arm. The second arm is connected to the gripping mechanism preferably comprising a plurality of gripping arms. The lifting arm and associated mechanism may be made from any material capable of supporting the weight of the filled container to a height sufficient to effect the transfer of the first container's contents into the second container. The material may be any polymeric-containing, composite-containing or metal-containing material as would be readily understood by one skilled in the field of lift mechanism manufacturing. The lifting arm mechanism, and gripping arm lift mechanisms are preferably driven by known lift mechanisms for elevating and moving objects and include, for example, hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical pistons, cables, gears, chains, etc. that may reliably effect the repeated lifting and lowering cycles required of the lift mechanism of the present invention, as would be readily understood by one skilled in the field of drive mechanisms. As shown in the figures, electrically driven pneumatic or hydraulic pistons are particularly preferred. The particular configuration of the gripping arms may vary and are selected in accordance with the size and shape of the container and/or the mobile collection vehicle. For example, the container lifting arms and assemblies may be oriented on the mobile collection vehicle to effect either a side-loading operation as depicted in the Figures, or a front or rear-loading operation not shown in the drawings.

According to present invention, the recyclable and refuse collection and transport system enables one operator to collect segregated materials such as differing types of recyclables, or recyclables and refuse, by transferring the materials from a first container into the second receptacle. The lid-opening mechanism is facilitated by the extended tab on the lid that engages the lift arm. The lid is kept open by the placement of the retaining bar on the mobile collection vehicle which keeps the lid from closing or otherwise interfering with the material transfer from first to second receptacles.

The second receptacle is preferably a mobile collection vehicle, for example a truck that has separate collection chamber within. In this way, the first container at curbside, in combination with the collection vehicle, comprise a customized recyclable and refuse collection system wherein the differing materials being simultaneously collected are initially segregated, and are transferred and finally collected in a maintained, segregated fashion. Depending upon the design of the second container, the collected materials also may be finally deposited in a segregated state. The entire collection and final depositing system can be effected by one operator, reducing manpower, cost, time, etc. thus increasing overall system efficiency.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. A method for automatically transferring materials from a first receptacle to a second receptacle comprising: providing a first receptacle positioned at a starting position, said first receptacle comprising a body having a width and an open top, and a lid hinged to the top and dimensioned to cover the top, said lid having a tab extending outwardly from the lid; providing a second receptacle having a body having a height and an opening with a retaining bar positioned at an upper end of the opening; providing a lifting arm mechanism movably attached to the second receptacle, said lifting arm mechanism comprising a gripping mechanism having at least one gripping arm dimensioned to engage the first receptacle; providing a lid lifting arm movably attached to a gripping arm and positioned to move along a path to engage the lid tab and lift the lid to an open position; engaging the lift mechanism to lift the first receptacle to a predetermined position, then moving the arms to rotate the first receptacle, moving the top of the first receptacle toward the opening of the second receptacle; positioning the top of the first container substantially near the second receptacle opening; transferring the contents of the first receptacle into the second receptacle with the lid retained in an open position by the retaining bar; lowering the first container to the starting position; and disengaging the lifting mechanism from the first receptacle.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the first receptacle lid is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene and metal.

3. The method of Claim 1, wherein the first receptacle is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene and metal.

4. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the gripping mechanism is powered by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical mechanisms.

5. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the retaining bar keeps the first receptacle lid from interfering with the material transfer.

6. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the opening of the second receptacle is dimensioned to substantially match the dimension of the opening of the first receptacle.

7. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the retaining bar extends across substantially the entire length of the opening to a length equal to or greater than the width of the first receptacle lid.

8. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the lid lifting arm is moved along an arcuate path.

9. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle is lifted to a height greater than the second receptacle body height.

10. The method of Claim 1, wherein the tab is positioned on the lid such that the lid is asymmetrical about its longitudinal axis.

11. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the lid is asymmetrical about its transverse axis.

12. A method for automatically transferring segregated materials from a first multi-chambered receptacle to a second multi-chambered receptacle comprising: providing a first receptacle positioned at a starting position, said first receptacle comprising a body having a plurality of chambers separated by at least one divider, said body having an overall width and an open top perimeter having a flange about the open top perimeter, with a lid hinged to the flange, and dimensioned to cover the top, said lid having a tab extending outwardly from the lid; providing a second receptacle having a body having a height and an opening to a plurality of chambers separated by a separator, with a retaining bar positioned at an edge of the opening, and a lifting arm pivotally attached to a lifting mechanism attached to the second receptacle, said lifting arm movably attached to at least one articulated gripping arm, with a lever attached to an actuating means and movably attached to at least one gripping arm, said lever positioned to move along a path to engage the lid tab and lift the lid to an open position; actuating the lever arm to move and engage the lid tab and open the lid; engaging the lift arm to lift the top of the first receptacle to a predetermined position, then moving the gripping arms to rotate the first receptacle moving the top of the first receptacle toward the opening of the second receptacle; positioning the top of the first container near the second receptacle opening such that the divider substantially aligns with the separator; emptying the contents of the first receptacle chambers into the second receptacle chambers with the lid retained in an open position by the retaining bar, such that the segregated materials from the first receptacle remain similarly segregated in the chambers of the second receptacle; lowering the first container to the starting position; and disengaging the lifting mechanism from the first receptacle.

13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the lifting arm of the second receptacle lifts the first receptacle to a height greater than the second receptacle body height.

14. The method of Claim 12, wherein the first receptacle lid is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene and metal.

15. The method of Claim 12, wherein the first receptacle is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene and metal.

16. The method of Claim 12, wherein the gripping mechanism is powered by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical mechanisms.

17. A container for collecting recyclables, said container comprising a lid hingedly attached to a body portion, said lid having a tab extending from the perimeter of the lid.

18. The container of Claim 17, wherein the body portion is divided into a plurality of interior sections.

19. The container of Claim 17, wherein the tab is positioned on the lid such that the lid is asymmetrical about its longitudinal axis.

20. The container of Claim 17, wherein the lid is asymmetrical about its transverse axis.

21. A lid for a recyclable or trash container comprising a non-uniform flange.

22. The lid of Claim 21 , wherein the flange further comprises a tab extending a predetermined distance from the flange.

23. The lid of Claim 21, wherein the lid is asymmetrical about its longitudinal axis.

24. The lid of Claim 21, wherein the lid is asymmetrical about its transverse axis.

25. A lid for a recyclable or trash container comprising a flange about the perimeter of the container, a portion of the flange dimensioned to extend from the perimeter to form a tab.

26. A system for transferring segregatable contents from the chambered container into the chambered collection vehicle without intermingling the segregated contents comprising: collecting segregatable material in a multi-chambered container having at least one separator separating the container chambers, said container having a lid dimensioned to cover the container, said lid comprising a tab extending from an edge of the lid, said container containing segregatable material; and transferring the segregatable material from the container to a mobile collection vehicle, said vehicle having openings leading to a plurality of chambers separated by a divider, and a lifting and gripping mechanism dimensioned to engage and lift the container, and a lid lifting arm movably attached to the lifting and gripping mechanism; activating the lid lifting arm to raise vertically and engage the tab, said lid lifting arm applying a force to the lid sufficient to raise the container lid to an open position, and activating the gripping mechanism to lift the container and position the container openings adjacent the collection vehicle openings, and the container separator adjacent the collection vehicle divider; and transferring the segregatable first container contents from the first container chambers to the to the collection vehicle chambers such that the contents remain segregated.