AU2004203634B2 - Waste System - Google Patents

Description

6-Aug- 2004 18:44 Wallin ton-Dummer Sydney No.6074 P. 3 P/00/009

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: WASTE SYSTEM The invention is described in the following statement together with the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 042013 COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 6-Aua. 2004 18:44 Wallinston-Duuuor Sydney No.6074 P. 4 -2- WASTE ISYSTEM The present invention relates to treatment and disposal of waste and, more particularly to acdmixtures of waste Particulate matter and contaminated liquid.

EAOXGRfl1 Waste disposal of excess or unwanted residue from industrial processes where such excess or residue consists of slurries of particulate matter and contaminated liquid, may be facilitated if the particulate matter can be separated from the liquid. One example of such a slurry is that of residual ready-mixed concrete delivered to construction sites.

Ready-mixed concrete is typically delivered to construction sites when significant quantities are required, by concrete mixer trucks. In large projects, further concrete handling equipment may then be required for placement of the concrete at positions remote from the delivering trucks, such as concrete pumping units and crane slung hoppers.

To maintain mixer trucks and other concrete handling equipment in good working order It is essential that residual concrete be removed from the surfaces of the equipment, such as mixer drums, chutes, pipes and hoppers, 2$ by cleaning with water spray.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 28.Nov. 2606 9:59 Walli ngton-Dummer SydneY No.1694 P. 4 -3o Frequently, the slurry so produced is allowed to ci discharge to some location on the construction site, or oworse, into storm water drains. Discharge onto the 00 construction site may result in the leaching of toxic water from the setting slurry into grounmd water or become a nuisance for later work such as landscaping for example.

en Discharge to drains is both illegal in many jurisdictions Ci and may lead to blockage as well as pollution of waterways.

o It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a slurry handling and disposal system for concrete waste; said system including a skip-type waste bin of welded steel construction; said bin having an open top and comprising an upper perimeter rim with inwardly sloping side portions extending to a base portion; said bin provided with a filter support structure; said support structure adapted to retain thereon a disposable filter element releasably attached to at least portions of said perimeter rim.

Preferably, said waste bin is-adapted for transport by a transport vehicle; said transport vehicle provided with lifting means for lifting a said -bin onto and off said transport vehicle.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28-Nov. 2006 8:58 28.No. 209 8:58 WaIlipgton-Dummer Sydney N.64 P No 7 694 P S-4- No Preferably, one side of said bin is provided with a lowered upper rim section extending substantially along one o of said sides to form a cut out portion.

00 Preferably, said bin is further provided with a tilting support arranged under said base portion and along one edge en of said base portion; said tilting support arranged to bias nO o a liquid in said bin to an end of said bin opposite said S tilting support.

Preferably, said bin is provided with liquid discharge means.

Preferably, said liquid discharge means comprises a liquid discharge port disposed in one side of said bin and adjacent to said base; said port adapted for hose connection to a pumping means for transfer of said liquid to a receiving vessel.

Preferably, said liquid discharge means comprises a pump located within an enclosure situated inside said bin; said pump adapted to transfer liquid collected within said bin to a receiving vessel.

Preferably, said receiving vessel is a drum of a readymixed concrete truck.

Preferably, said filter support structure comprises a substantially horizontal base portion extending across said COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2666 9:53 WallIington-Dummer Sydney No.1694 P. 6 S bin in a first direction and at least partly along said bin ci in a second direction normal to said f irst direction; said o base portion situated intermediate said base and said 00 lowered upper rim section, Preferably, said filter support structnre further en comprises a substantially upright portion extending from a nO o free edge of said baze portion opposite said lowered upper rim section, to proximate said upper rim; the arrangement 0 being such as to form a basket-like structure within said bin.

Preferably, said base portion and said substantially upright portion comprise framing elements supporting steel mesh.

Preferably, said filter element comprises a sheet of permeable woven polymer cloth.

Preferably, said woven polymer cloth is arranged to restrict passage therethrough of particles larger than a predetermined size.- Preferably, said predetermined size is 100 micron.

Preferably, said predetermined size is 80 micron.

Preferably, said predetermined size is 50 micron.

Preferably, said predetermined size is 20 micron.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28-Nov, 2006 8:58 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o- 76 4 P I -6- NO Preferably, said filter element is held in place within C' said basket-like structure by retaining mechanisms arranged 0 along perimeter portions of said upper rim around said 00 basket-like structure.

ci Preferably, each of said retaining mechanisms comprises a en length of steel angle section adjacent respective inner

NO

o edges of said perimeter portions; an outer edge of a first ci vertical flange of said angle section welded to said 0 perimeter portions such that a second flange is horizontal and directed away from said inner edge.

Preferably, each of said retaining mechanisms further comprises a length of steel flat bar welded along one edge of said bar adjacent respective outer edges of said perimeter portions.

Preferably, each of said retaining mechanisms further includes a loose retainer strip comprising a length of steel flat bar adapted to nest between said angle section and said steel flat bar welded along one edge, such that an edge portion of said sheet may be wrapped to pass over said angle section, under said retainer strip and over said steel flat bar welded along one edge; relative dimensions of said mechanism being such as to prevent slipping due to inward tension applied to said sheet.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28-Nov. 2006 8:58 Wall nglon-Dummer Sydney o794 P No. 7694 P 8 -7- INO TIn a further broad f orm of the invention, there is provided a waste bin for the separation of admixtures of o particulate matter and liq-uid; said waste bin provided with 00 a disposable filter element retained in said bin on a filter support structure; said disposable said bin further provided 4 with liquid discharge means.

o Preferably, said bin is a rectangular bin comprising an S upper perimeter with inwardly sloping sides from said perimeter to a base.

Preferably, said bin is provided with lifting fixtures disposed along opposing sides of said upper perimeter; said lifting f ixtures adapted for manipulating said bin by a bin handling and transport vehicle.

Preferably, one side of said inwardly sloping sides is provided with a cut out portion extending substantially the width of said one side and downwardly from said upper perimeter.- Preferably, said filter element support structure comprises a basket-like structure extending across said bin and at least partially along said bin f rom said cut out portion.

Preferably, said basket-like structure comprises support members and steel mesh; said basket-like structure formed of COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: ime 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 8:59 Wall naton-Dummer Sydney No.7694 P. 9 -8di substantially horizontal base portion and a substantially c-i upright divider portion.

o0 Z Preferably, said basket-like structure is a welded-in 00 fixture within said bin.

Preferably, said basket-like structure is releasably Va mounted within said bin.

en The waste bin of any one of claims 22 to 29 wherein said o filter element comprises a sheet of liquid permeable material.

Preferably, said permeable material comprises a woven polymer fabric.

Preferably, said permeable material is adapted to restrict passage therethrough of particulate matter larger than a predetermined size.

Preferably, said predetermined size is in a range of to 100 microns..

Preferably, said filter material is held in place by filter element retaining mechanisms so as to substantially line said basket-like structure.

Preferably, said bin is further provided with a liquid discharge means located at a first end of said bin.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28 Nov. 2006 9:59 Wallinglon-Dummer Sydney o79 .1 N o 7 6 9 4 P -9- SN Preferably, said bin is further provided with a tilt ri support under said base; said tilt support located at an end o of said bin opposite said liquid discharge means so as to 00 bias liquid in said bin towards said discharge means.

Preferably, said liquid discharge means comprises a en drainage connection fitting recessed into one of said sides en0 M of said bin.

Preferably, said liquid discharge means comprises a pump located in an enclosure within said bin; said pump accessible via an opening in one of said sides of said bin..

In still another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for the separation of aggregate and other particulate matter from a slurry; said method including the steps of:is providing a modified skip-type waste bin fitted with a filter support portion and a liquid discharge fitting a disposable sheet of filter material within said filter support portioii; said filter material releasably attached to at least portions of a perimeter rim of said waste bin, directing said slurry onto said filter material, COMS ID No: SBMI-054881 18 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 8:59 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.76 94 P. I O allowing liquid and particles in suspension to drain 0 0 through said filter material into said bin, Z pumping said liquid from said bin into a suitable 0 0-0 liquid receiving vessel, removing remaining aggregate and other particulate en eO matter with said sheet of filter material from said 0 filter support portion for disposal.

oPreferably, said modified skip-type waste bin is a ci rectangular steel bin comprised of four sides sloping inwardly from an upper rim to a base; said bin adapted for transport by a transport vehicle.

Preferably, said sheet of filter material is comprised of a woven polymer cloth adapted to restrict passage therethrough of particles larger than a predetermined size.

Preferably, said predetermined size is in a range of to 100 microns.

Preferably, said method further including the steps of:delivering to a site for use said modified skip-type waste bin nested in a second standard skip-type bin, depositing said remaining aggregate and other particulate material with said sheet of filter COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 8:59 Wa Iington-Dummer Sydney No.7694 P. 12 -11material into said second standard skip-type CAq bin 0 Z Preferably, said slurry is comprised of a residual 0 -0 concrete mixture washed from concrete mixing and concrete handling equipment at a construction site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS en 0 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a waste handling bin according to the invention, Figure 2 is a cross section of an upper rim portion of the bin of Figure 1 showing a filter element retaining mechanism, Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a bin transporting vehicle handling the bin of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the bin of Figure I in use for receiving flushed residual concrete slurry from a ready-mixed concrete truck, Figure 5 is a part perspective view of a further embodiment of the bin of Figure 1.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 6-Aug. 2004 18:46 6.Aug 290418:46 WallIinston-Dummer SydneyNo64 P.4 No. 6 074 P 14 12- DETAILED DESCRIPTION Or PREFERRED EN4BODZbMNTS With reference to Figure 1, a waste handling system is comprised of a waste bin 12, sometimes known as a skip.

Such bins are of welded steel construction having a reinforced upper rim 14 to which are attached at least four lifting fixtures 16 disposed along two opposi1ng sides of the bin. The four sides 18A, l8B, 18C and 18D all slope inwardly from rim 14 to the base 20 so that bins may be nested together for economy of transport. Lifting fixtures 16 are arranged so as to allow attachment of lifting means (as can be seen in Figure 3) for loading and unloading bins onto and off special transport vehicles. Alternatively, bins may be lifted by other means such as cranes for example.

The waste bin 12 is modified from a standard bin, by the provision of a filter element support rack 22. For the particular purpose of handling residual concrete waste, bin 12 may be further modified by the provision of a cut out portion 24 in side 18A to allow f or the level at which ready-mixed concrete truck chutes discharge. As may be seen in Figure 1, f ilter element support rack 22 is t oned of a base portion 26 and a substantially upright divider portion 28. In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention filter element support rack 22 is removably retained within waste bin 12.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 2004 18:46 WaI iington-Dummer Sydney N o.860714 13 Waste bin 12 is further provided with a tilting support 25 underneath waste bin 12 at that end of waste bin 12 provided with filter element support rack 22. A drainage connection fitting 27 is recessed into side 180 at the opposite lower corner of bin 12.

Filter element support rack 22 preferably extends part of the length of waste bin 12, but may alternatively be formed as a continuous support platform or base portion 26, disposed substantially parallel to the base 20 and at a level between base and the rim of cut out portion 24. In either case, the rack 22 forms a basket like-structure within the waste bin 12. Both base portion 26 and upright divider portion 28 are formed of framing elements and steel meshin the form shown in Figure 1, the upper perimeter of the basket-like structure 30 is made up of portions of the upper rim of sides 18B and 18D, the edge 32 of cut out portion 24, and the upper edge 34 of divider portion 28.

Each of these elements of the upper perimeter of the basket-like structure 30 is provided with a filter element retaining mechanism 36.

With reference to Figure 2, a filter element 38 according to the invention comprises a sheet 40 of woven polymer material (shown as a dashed line), which restricts the passage of particulate matter larger than approximately but allows the permeation of water and fine COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 6-Aug. 2004 18:46 6.Au& 200418:46 Wall ington-Dummer Sydney N o -66074 16 -14 particulate matter less than approximately 50pmu carried in suspension. The sheet 40 of the filter element is of an extent sufficient to line the basket-like structure 30 and overlap the filter element retaining mechanisms 36 of the upper perimeter elements.

The overlap portions 42 of sheet 40 are retaiLned in place by the filter retaining mechanisms 36. Each mechanism 36 is Comprised of a length of steel angle section 44, the edge of one flange of which is welded adjacent an inner edge 46 of upper rim 14 (or edge 32 of cut out portion 24) so that the other flange is horizontal and directed outwardly from the inner edge 46. A similar length of flat bar 48 is welded, on edge, to outer edge 50 of upper rim 14 (or edge 32). A second length of flat bar 52 is of a dimension to loosely nest between the upright flange of the angle section 44 and the welded flat bar 48 with sufficient clearance to allow the partial wrapping of the overlap portions of sheet 40 as, shown in Figure 2. Flat bar 52 is provided with handles 54 to allow the manipulation of flat bar 52 into and out of the sheet retaining position. Prior to use, a bin is fitted with a sheet 40 of filter element to effectively line the basket-like structure Bins of the type used in the present invention, are transported and handled by specially adapted vehicles.

A

typical configuration of a bin handling vehicle is shown in Figure 3. It comprises a truck chassis 60 to which is COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time (Itm) 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 6.Aug. 2004 18:47 Waf Iinston-Dummer Sydney No.-6074 17 15 fitted a pivoting frame 62, hydraulically activated to swing between a forward in-transit position 64 and a load/unload or bin tipping position 66 shown by dashed lines. Such frames are also provided with means (not shown) to vary the effective distance from pivot point to a cross shaft 70. A bin 68 is attached to the cross shaft 70 of the frame 62 by four chains 72 hooking onto the inner pairs of the lifting fixtures 16 and swung into position onto the bed 74 of the truck for transport. The bin may be unloaded from the truck by a reverse motion of the pivoting frame, maintaining the bin in a level disposition. The frame and chains may further be controlled, as well known in the art, so that the bin is swung out over the back of the truck and into a tipped position so as to discharge the contents of the bin as shown by dashed lines in Figure 3.

For the purposes of the present invention, preferably two bins are transported to a site for use, one, the special waste bin 12 constructed as described above, stacked or nested in a second standard bin. These bins are then un-stacked at the site.

Figure 4 shows a waste bin 12 in use for an on-sgite cleaning operation of the mixer drum 80, hopper 82 and delivery chutes 84 of a concrete mixer truck 86. Typically, residual quantities of concrete remain in the drum adhering to the internal helical spiral blade of the drum (not shown) as well as to the external hopper 82 and COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 6.Au&. 2004 18:47 WaIlington-Dummer Sydney o67 .1 No 6074 P 18 16delivery chutes 84. Ready-mix concrete trucks are normally Provided with an on-board Source of water and this is sprayed via hose 88 into the drum while it is rotating, and onto the hopper and chutes to dilute the residual concrete into a slurry for removal.

The residual concrete slurry is directed onto the filter element 28 in the basket-like structure 30 of waste bin 12 so that the aggregate and larger particulate matter of the slurry are captured by the filter element 28, permitting substantially only water and dissolved matter 92 to permeate the filter and collect in the base of waste bin 12. Depending on the size of the bin and the residue of concrete remaining in any given mixer truck, a number of truck residues may be accommodated in a waste bin.

Is The water collected in the base of the bin is contaminated with cement arid should not be discharged to municipal drains or otherwise be permitted to contaminate ground water. The drainage connection fitting 27 allows connection of pumping means (not shown) to transfer the contam inated water into a suitable holding tank for disposal at a waste water treatment facility, or it may be pumped back into the' drum of the mixer truck for reuse in the production of fresh concrete at a concrete production plant.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, the waste bin 12 is further provided with an in-built pump COMS 11) No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 6.Aus. 2004 18:47 WallIington-Dummer Sydney No.6074 P. 19 17- 96 as shown in Figure 5. The pump may be housed in an enclosure 100 built into a corner of the waste bin 12, isolated from the liquid contents of the bin. A scavenging inlet (not visible in Figure 5) communicates with the enclosure and is connected to the inlet part of the pump via a flexible hose for example. Access to the pump may be provided through an openable grill 102 over an opening 104 in siLde 18D.

When a quantity of residual aggregate and particulate matter 90 has accumulated in the filter element 38 of the basket-like structure 30 in the special waste bin 12, the filter element. sheet 40 may be released from the retaining mechanisms 36 and the residue bundled up in the sheet for transfer to the second standard bin. A fresh filter element 1S is then installed in the basket-like structure to allow further deposition of slurry as required.

The standard bin, when full of residual aggregate and particulate matter, may be loaded onto a transport vehicle and removed for disposal at a suitable landfill site.

Both the waste bin and the standard bin are able to be lifted by cranes and thus may be used in the construction of multi storey buildings if required.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:02 Date 2004-08-06 6.Aug. 2004 18:47 Wal Iington-Dummer Sydney No.6074 P. 18 although the above described embodiment of the invention is directed at the handling and disposal of residual waste concrete, it will be appreciated that the principles of the invention may equally be applied, to any admixture of liquid and solid material where these demand separate disposal or recycling strategies.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00860539 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:02 Date 2004-08-06

Claims (12)

1. 28-Nov. 2006 8:59 Walli ngton-Dummer Sydney N o. 76 4 P 13 -19- o 1- A slurry handling and disposal system for waste (C concrete; said system including a skip-type waste bin O of welded steel construction; said bin having an open z 00 top and comprising an upper perimeter rim with inwardly sloping side portions extending to a base portion; said bin provided with a filter support C VO Sstructure; said support structure adapted to retain 0 thereon a disposable filter element releasably 0 Sattached to at least portions of said perimeter rim. ci 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said waste bin is adapted for transport by a transport vehicle; said transport vehicle provided with lifting means for lifting a said bin onto and off said transport vehicle. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein one side of said bin is provided with a lowered upper rim section extending substantially along one of said sides to form a cut out portion. 4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said bin is further provided with a tilting support arranged under said base portion and along one edge of said base portion; said tilting support arranged to bias a liquid in said bin to an end of said bin opposite said tilting support.. COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28-Nov. 2006 9:00 28.No. 200 9:00 Wallinglon-Dummer Sydney o79 .1 No 7694 P 14 No 5. The system of any one of claims I to 4 wherein said (N bin is provided with liquid discharge means. Z6. The system of claim 5 wherein said liquid discharge 00 c-i means comprises a liquid discharge port disposed in one side of said bin and adjacent to said base; said M port adapted for hose connection to a pumping means o for transfer of said liquid to a receiving vessel. 7. The system of claim .5 or 6 wherein said liquid discharge means comprises a pump located within an enclosure situated inside said bin; said pump adapted to transfer liquid collected within said bin to a receiving vessel. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said receiving vessel is a drum of a ready-mixed concrete truck. 9. The system of any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein said filter support structure comprises a substantially horizontal base portion extending across said bin in a first direction and at least partly along said bin in a second direction normal to said first direction; said base portion situated intermediate said base and said lowered upper rim section. The system of claim 9 wherein said filter support structure further comprises a substantially upright COMS ID No: SBMI-054881 18 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 9:00 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney No.7694 P. -21- O portion extending from a free edge of said base CN portion opposite said lowered upper rim section, to O proximate said upper rim; the arrangement being such z 00 as to form a basket-like structure within said bin. ci 11. The system of claim 9 or 10 wherein said base portion n and said substantially upright portion comprise eO o framing elements supporting steel mesh. ci S12. The system of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said filter element comprises a sheet of permeable woven polymer cloth. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein said woven polymer cloth is arranged to restrict passage therethrough of particles larger than a predetermined size. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein said predetermined size is 100 micron. The system of claim 13 wherein said predetermined size is 80 micron. 16. The system of claim 13 wherein said predetermined size is 50 micron. 17. The system of claim 13 wherein said predetermined size is 20 micron. COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 9:00 Wa I in ton-Dummer Sydney No.7694 P. 16 -22- 18. The system of any one of claims 10 to 17 wherein said Cl filter element is held in place within said basket- O like structure by retaining mechanisms arranged along z 00 perimeter portions of said upper rim around said ci basket-like structure. M 19. The system of claim 18 wherein each of said retaining NO o mechanisms comprises a length of steel angle section ci Sadjacent respective inner edges of said perimeter Ci portions; an outer edge of a first vertical flange of said angle section welded to said perimeter portions such that a second flange is horizontal and directed away from said inner edge. The system of claim 18 or 19 wherein each of said retaining mechanisms further comprises a length of steel flat bar welded along one edge of said bar adjacent respective outer edges of said perimeter portions. 21. The system of claim 20 wherein each of said retaining mechanisms further includes a loose retainer strip comprising a length of steel flat bar adapted to nest between said angle section and said steel flat bar welded along one edge, such that an edge portion of said sheet may be wrapped to pass over said angle section, under said retainer strip and over said COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28-Nov, 2006 9:00 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o. 76 4 P 17 -23- N O steel flat bar welded along one edge; relative C< dimensions of said mechanism being such as to prevent O slipping due to inward tension applied to said sheet. z 00 00 22. A waste bin for the separation of admixtures of particulate matter and liquid; said waste bin C provided with a disposable filter element retained in eO o said bin on a filter support structure; said ci S disposable filter element releasably attached to at ^C least portions of a perimeter rim of said waste bin; said bin further provided with liquid discharge means. 23. The waste bin of claim 22 wherein said bin is a rectangular bin comprising an upper perimeter with inwardly sloping sides from said perimeter to a base. 24. The waste bin of claim 23 wherein said bin is provided with lifting fixtures disposed along opposing sides of said upper perimeter; said lifting fixtures adapted for manipulating said bin by a bin handling and transport vehicle. The waste bin of claim 23 or 24 wherein one side of said inwardly sloping sides is provided with a cut out portion extending substantially the width of said one side and downwardly from said upper perimeter. COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 9:00 Wal ngton-Dummer Sydney No.7 6 94 P. 8 -24 8) 26- The waste bin of claim 25 wherein said filter element c-i support structure comprises a basket-like structure o extending across said bin and at least partially z 00 along said bin from said cut out portion. ci 27. The waste bin of claim 26 wherein said basket-like M structure comprises support members and steel mesh; VO said basket-like structure formed of a substantially ci 4horizontal base portion and a substantially upright 0 0 divider portion. ci 28. The waste bin of claim 26 or 27 wherein said basket- like structure is a welded-in fixture within said bin.
2. 29. The waste bin of claim 26 or 27 wherein said basket- like structure is releasably mounted within said bin. The waste bin of any one of claims 22 to 29 wherein said filter element comprises a sheet of liquid permeable material.
3. 31. The waste bin of claim 30 wherein said permeable material comprises a woven polymer fabric.
4. 32. The waste bin of claim 30 or 31 wherein said permeable material is adapted to restrict passage therethrough of particulate matter larger than a predetermined size. COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28-Nov. 2006 9:01 28.No. 200 9:01 Wa ngton-Dummer SydneY o79 .1 N o 7 6 9 4 P 19
5. 33. The waste bin of claim 32 wherein said predetermined size is in a range of 20 to 100 microns.
6. 34. The waste bin of claim 32 wherein said filter material is held in place by filter element retaining mechanisms so as to substantially line said basket- like structure. The waste bin of any one of claims 22 to 34 wherein said bin is further provided with a liquid discharge means located at a first end of said bin.
7. 36. The waste bin of claim 35 wherein said bin is further provided with a tilt support under said base;, said tilt support located at an end of said bin opposite said liquid discharge means so as to bias liquid in said bin towards said discharge means.
8. 37. The waste bin of claim 35S or 36 wherein said liquid discharge means comprises a drainage connection fitting recessed into one of said sides of said bin.
9. 38. The waste bin of discharge means enclosure within an opening in one
10. 39. The waste bin as with reference to claim 35 or 36 wherein said liquid comprises a pump located in an said bin;- said pump accessible via of said sides of said bin. substantially herein described and the accompanying drawings. COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 9:01 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.7694 P. -26- NO 40. A method for the separation of aggregate and other C particulate matter from a slurry; said method O including the steps of;- z 00 00 providing a modified skip-type waste bin fitted with a filter support portion and a liquid discharge C means, VO eD C fitting a disposable sheet of filter material within o said filter support portion; said filter material 0 releasably attached to at least portions of a perimeter rim of said waste bin, directing said slurry onto said filter material, allowing liquid and particles in suspension to drain through said filter material into said bin, pumping said liquid from said bin into a suitable liquid receiving vessel, removing remaining aggregate and other particulate matter with said sheet of filter material from said filter support portion for disposal.
11. 41. The method of claim 40 wherein said modified skip-type waste bin is a rectangular steel bin comprised of four sides sloping inwardly from an upper rim to a base; said bin adapted for transport by a transport vehicle. COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28 28.Nov. 2006 9:01 Wal ngton-Dummer Sydney No.7694 P. 21 -27- IND 42. The method of claim 40 or 41 wherein said sheet of 0 filter material is comprised of a woven polymer cloth o adapted to restrict passage therethrough of particles z larger than a predetermined size,. c
12. 43. The method of claim 42 wherein said predetermined size M is in a range of 20 to 100 microns.. 0 44. The method of any one of claims 40 to 43 said method o further including the steps of:- ci delivering to a site for use said modified skip-type waste bin nested in a second standard skip-type bin, depositing said remaining aggregate and other particulate material with said sheet of filter material into said second standard skip-type bin. The method of any one of claims 40 to 44 wherein said slurry is comprised of a residual concrete mixture washed from concrete mixing and concrete handling equipment at a construction site. DATED: 27 November 2006 OWEN CHARLES WESTON by his Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTON-DOMUER COMS ID No: SBMI-05488118 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:05 Date 2006-11-28