CA3056366A1

CA3056366A1 - Waste material disposal and sorting modules adapted for processing and removing waste and for installation and use in dwellings and other structures

Info

Publication number: CA3056366A1
Application number: CA3056366A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Paul A. Butcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-09-23
Filing date: 2019-09-23
Publication date: 2021-03-23

Abstract

The present invention pertains to devices, apparatus, methods and systems that are adapted and arranged together, sort for removal, temporarily contain, and package for disposal many varieties of waste from a dwelling, commercial or other structure. The present invention includes devices, systems, modules and methods for separating, sorting, preparing for transport and disposing of waste materials at the level of waste production, such as at the level of the domestic kitchen. Modules of the invention can be installed into a dwelling or other structure during construction, or may be retrofitted into existing structures. Means and methods of the many embodiments of the invention provide ease of adaptability to many applications, and to many waste material problems.

Description

DESCRIPTION FOR THE INVENTION:
WASTE MATERIAL DISPOSAL AND SORTING MODULES
ADAPTED FOR PROCESSING AND REMOVING WASTE AND FOR
INSTALLATION AND USE IN DWELLINGS AND OTHER
STRUCTURES
Inventor: Paul Butcher [001] The present invention pertains to devices, apparatus, methods and systems that are adapted and arranged together, sort for removal, temporarily contain, and package for disposal many varieties of waste from a dwelling, commercial or other structure. The present invention includes devices, systems, modules and methods for separating, sorting, preparing for transport and disposing of waste materials at the level of waste production, such as at the level of the domestic kitchen. Modules of the invention can be installed into a dwelling or other structure during construction, or may be retrofitted into existing structures. Means and methods of the many embodiments of the invention provide ease of adaptability to many applications, and to many waste material problems.

[002] The following description refers to the attached Figures 1-61, and is provided by way of example only, and is not as a limiting description. In a typical embodiment of the invention, a pass-through (1) is set into the wall of a building such that the inside surface of the invention is essentially coplanar with the inside surface of a wall (25) and (1) projects through the wall to the outside surface (27). The pass-through could be constructed from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as stainless steel, reclaimed woods or fibres, one or more post consumer plastics or plastic composites, one or more blow moulded plastics, one or more compression moulded plastics, one or more rotation moulded plastics or any combination thereof.

[003] The hood section (3) covers the pass-through opening and upper portion of the spreader section (5). Below the spreader section is provided a receptacle housing (7).
Materials for manufacturing modules and devices of the invention include reclaimed wood or fibres, one or more post consumer plastic composites, one or more blow moulded plastics, one or more compression moulded plastics, one or more rotation moulded plastics or any combination thereof.

[004] The are known to be advantages in the art to have a series of chutes (11), one chute for each waste stream (9a-f). In the present invention, there are provided a plurality of chutes from one to as many of a plurality as may be required for the local recycling, industrial or garbage collection purposes. Six streams are shown in the attached drawings.

[005] In the present invention each chute has an inlet port, one of ports 9a-9f comprising two doors (13&15). These doors are linked (17) such that the activation (19) of the inner door (13) will automatically activate (21) the outer door (15) to thereby enable single-handed operation. The outer door is inclined providing closed-biasing of sufficient force to seal the inner and outer doors without the use of springs. The inner door is essentially coplanar with the inside surface of a wall (17). The outer door is essentially coplanar with the outer surface of the wall (19). Each door is sealed to prevent air transfer with a thermally and audibly insulating layer, such as urethane foam to minimize heat, air and sound transfer.

[006] The invention also embodies the fully opened, linked doors to be held in position by the gravitational force of the outer door (29) forcing the inner door (27) up via linking mechanism (17). This advantageously allows hands-free operation of the inlet ports, for example, for scraping plates etc. Closure can be initiated by lowering the inner door slightly (31).

[007] The length and positioning of the link (17) is a key aspect with respect to the proper operation of the inlet ports. FIGs 7-10 show examples of relative pivotal or rotational geometries. In the attached exemplary Figures. the radius from the pivot point of the inner door (13) to the pivot point on the inner end of the link is denoted as (A).
The radius from the pivot point of the outer door (15) to the pivot point on the outer end of the link is denoted as (B). The distance between pivotal points on inner and outer doors is denoted as (C). The length between pivotal points on the link is called (D)> the geometric relationship for effective operation is A + D = cos*B + C.

[008] FIGs 9&10 demonstrate an alternative configuration. The outer door is essentially vertical with the closing force provided by angular spring tension (37) on the link mechanism by spring (35). FIGs 11-16 show the invention with side hinged inner doors (39) and side hinged outer doors (43). Similarly these doors are linked (41) to provide one handed operation. A push (45) of the inner door (39) activates (47) the outer door (43) via the link (41).

[009] The invention also embodies a third door (49) per waste stream. The gravity of the deposited items would open and pass a spring closed door (51) located downstream from , the pass-through FIGs 17 & 18. To prevent the lodging of waste items, the chute configuration is such that the waste path is of sufficient and increasing cross-sectional dimension for non- vertical sections (55). Vertical sections of the chutes (57) are smooth and of constant cross-sectional dimension.

[010] At each chute's terminus (59) are dedicated receptacles (61) mounted on a wheeled cart (63). Receptacles could be produced from blow moulded plastics, compression moulded plastics, rotation moulded plastics, enamelled steel, aluminum or stainless steel. The cart could be made from any suitable material for the intended purposes of the components of the invention. The receptacle cart assembly is held in a positive connection with corresponding chutes via a draw latch on each side (65). When the draw latches are released (69) the receptacle cart assembly lowers to grade level (67). With draw latches detached (71), the receptacle cart is free to be wheeled to the point of collection.

[011] As an additional advantage of the systems and methods of the invention, the receptacle cart assembly can be emptied by an automated, multi-stream-segregated vehicle (75). The multi-stream-segregated vehicle may lift the receptacle cart assembly by inserting forks into channels (73) on the bottom of said cart. The contents are then dumped into the top of said vehicle (77). The cart could also be lifted by side, anterior or posterior means.

[012] A further embodiment of the invention is the receptacle cart assembly can also be emptied by conventional manual means by making the receptacles (61) readily detachable from the cart (63).For comparison with conventional technology, FIG. 28 shows the collection of the garbage or landfill-bound materials by a conventional garbage truck (79).
FIG. 29 shows the recycling streams emptied by a conventional recycling truck (81). The invention embodies paths or chutes of any cross-section. As examples, FIGs 30 & 31 show circular or elliptical cross-sections (85).

[013] Receptacles for use with the invention could also be contained in a cupboard like structure. FIG 32 shows the access doors closed (87). FIG 33 shows the access doors opened (89) denoting the use of reusable receptacles (91) at the path terminus. FIG. 35 shows the access doors opened (95) and denotes the use of flexible plastic bags (97) at the path terminus (59).

[014] The present invention is adapted such that an interlock could be employed to prevent the disposing of materials while the receptacle cart assembly is detached.
FIG. 36 shows an interlock (99) in the disengaged position allowing the materials to be passed through the inlet ports. In FIG 37, the receptacle cart assembly has been detached from the chutes engaging the interlock (101) and preventing the passing of materials through the inlet ports. FIG 43 shows an example of an interlock(103) between the receptacle access doors and the inlet ports with the cupboard like configuration. FIG. 44 shows the cupboard doors open and the interlock in the engaged position (105) preventing the passing of materials through the inlet ports. In some embodiments, the interlock linkage is gravitationally biased to be engaged.
Closing the receptacle access doors translates the linkage disengaging the interlock and allowing the passage of materials through the inlet ports.

[015] FIG. 50 shows an exemplary method of detecting when the receptacle is full. At an advantageous position, such as the top of each receptacle, can be provided a photoelectric transmitter/receiver (107) which corresponds to a reflector (109) on the opposing side. Thus disposed, when the receptacle is full, or nearly so, the beam is broken by the deposited material, and an indicator LED turns on over the respective inlet port.These circuits are low voltage and current and could be powered with a photovoltaic cell (111). The full receptacle detector could also engage a solenoid which activates an inlet port stop or the solenoid could activate the interlock discussed earlier. This type of circuit may require hardwiring to a household electric source. As another advantage, the system could be configured to a reporting system which is in electronic communication with one or more of a disposal service, and the dwelling residents.

[016] The invention embodies an access door at the upper portion of the exterior of each chute giving access to the inner bore for the purpose of installation and maintenance. FIG 20 shows the access door (112) in the closed position with the chute protected from the environment. FIG
21 shows a possible method of opening the upper access door (113). FIG 22 shows the upper access door removed providing access to the upper exterior portion of the chute (114).

[017] A lower access door (115) is provided at the first module terminus as shown in FIG 55 of the present invention. FIG 56 shows the lower access (116) in the opening position. FIG 57 shows the lower access door (117) in the fully open position providing access to the chute bore (118).

[018] The present invention embodies a method of manufacturing such that each chute with all plastic parts originate from one molded plastic part. FIG 58 shows a possible orientation of the outer door (119) in the geometry of the molded part after cuts and removal of unwanted material. FIG 59 show the outer door (120) as part of the hollow plastic molded part.

[019] The present invention also embodies a pass through that is adapted for various distances between the inner plane and the outer plane of the wall or structure. FIG 60 shows the invention with the pass through (121) in the extended configuration allowing for a greater distance between inner and outer wall or structure planes. FIG 60 show the invention with the pass through (122) in the fully contracted configuration allowing for a lesser distance between the inner plane and the outer plane of a wall or structure.

[020] Exemplary embodiments of the invention can also be understood with respect to the attached brief description of the FIGs 1 to 61 and the list of elements 1 to 122 noted within said figures.

FIG 1 is an isometric view of the invention labelling the various modules.
FIG 2 is a frontal view of the present invention showing a typical series of inlet ports FIG 3 is a side sectional view of the inner and outer (gravitational) doors in their closed position FIG 4 is a side sectional view of the inner door being pushed open, and showing a linking mechanism activating the second (outer) door.
FIG 5 is a side sectional view of the gravitational doors in their fully open positions.
FIG 6 is a side sectional view of the gravitational doors in heir fully open positions showing a disengaging force enabling door closure.
FIG 7 is a side sectional view of the invention with gravitationally closed doors labelling their relative geometry.
FIG 8 is a side sectional view of the invention with gravitational doors opened labelling relative geometries.
FIG 9 is a side sectional view of the invention with doors being held closed by means of biasing springs, and labelling relative pivotal geometries.
FIG 10 is a side sectional view of the invention with spring doors opened, and labelling relative geometries.
FIG 11 is a side sectional view of the invention with closed side-hinged linked double doors.
FIG 12 is a side sectional view of the invention with opening side-hinged linked double doors.

FIG 13 is a side sectional view of the invention with opened side-hinged linked double doors.
FIG 14 is a top sectional view of the invention with closed side-hinged linked double doors.
FIG 15 is a top sectional view of the invention with opening side-hinged linked double doors.
FIG 16 is a top sectional view of the invention with opened side-hinged linked double doors.
FIG 17 is a frontal cross-sectional elevation showing tertiary doors in the closed position.
FIG 18 is a frontal cross-sectional elevation showing the tertiary doors in the open position.
FIG 19 is a frontal elevation showing a number of features of the invention.
FIG 20 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the invention with a cutaway perspective of features of a building in which the device is installed.
FIG 211s a front elevation of a typical receptacle cart assembly of the invention lowered via draw latches on opposing sides of the chute assembly.
FIG 22 is a side elevation of a receptacle cart assembly lowered via draw latch on its side.
FIG 23 is a front elevation of the draw latches being disengaged on opposing sides of the chute assembly.
FIG 24 is a side elevation of the draw latches of FIG 23 being disengaged from the chute assembly.
FIG 25 shows the receptacle cart detached and ready for collection.
FIG 26 shows the automated method of collection engaging the ganged receptacle cart assembly.
FIG 27 shows a typical automated method of collection of the invention emptying the ganged receptacle cart.

FIG 28 shows a conventional recycling receptacle being emptied by the traditional method of collection.
FIG 29 shows a conventional garbage receptacle being emptied by the traditional method of collection.
FIG 30 is a view of the present invention showing a series of six round inlet ports.
FIG 31 is a view of the present invention showing a series of six rounded paths from the inlet ports shown in FIG 30.
FIG 32 shows an embodiment of the invention with reusable receptacle access doors closed.
FIG 33 is a view of the invention having individual reusable receptacles at the terminus of each path.
FIG 34 shows the invention with plastic bag receptacle access doors closed.
FIG 35 is a view of the invention having individual flexible plastic bags at the terminus of each path.
FIG 36 is a cutaway of the invention showing a disengaged interlock from the receptacle cart assembly to the inlet ports.
FIG 37 is a cutaway of the invention showing an engaged interlock from the receptacle cart assembly to the inlet ports.
FIG 38 is an exploded view of the disengaged cart/inlet port interlock.
FIG 39 is an exploded view of the engaged cart/inlet port interlock of the invention.
FIG 40 is a side view of a cart/inlet port interlock housing of the invention.

FIG 41 is a front view of a cart/inlet port interlock housing of the invention.
FIG 42 is a front view of a cart/inlet port interlock housing with linkage according to the invention.
FIG 43 is a cutaway of an embodiment of the invention showing a disengaged interlock between the inlet ports and the receptacle access doors.
FIG 44 is a cutaway of an embodiment of the invention showing an engaged interlock between the inlet ports and the receptacle access doors.
FIG 45 is an exploded view of a disengaged receptacle access door/inlet port interlock of the invention.
FIG 46 is an exploded view of an engaged receptacle access door/inlet port interlock of the invention.
FIG 47 is a side view of a receptacle access door/inlet port interlock housing of an embodiment of the invention.
FIG 48 is a front view of a receptacle access door/inlet port interlock housing of the invention.
FIG 49 is a front view of a receptacle access door/inlet port interlock housing with linkage.
FIG 50 shows a solar powered photovoltaic sensor provided on a module according to the invention.
FIG 51 is an isometric drawing of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 52 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the upper access door in the closed position.
FIG 53 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the upper access door in the opening position.
FIG 54 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the upper access door removed.
FIG 55 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the lower access door in the closed position.
FIG 56 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the lower access door in the opening position.
FIG 57 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the lower access door in the fully open position.
FIG 58 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing placement of the outer door at the bottom of the part.
FIG 59 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the demoulded part before severing into separate components.
FIG 60 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the pass through in the fully extended configuration.
FIG 61 is an isometric drawing of the invention showing the pass through in the fully contracted configuration.

ELEMENT LIST REGARDING THE FIGURES
1 ....... pass through module 3 ....... hood module ....... spreader module 7 ....... receptacle module 9a-f .... individual chutes where a to f show a plurality of waste streams such as compost, garbage, cardboard, paper/boxboard, cans/glass, plastics 11 ...... denotes a series of chutes 13 ...... inner door ...... outer door 17 ...... linking mechanism 19 ...... activation force on inner door

21 ...... activation force on outer door 23 ...... inside surface of wall ...... outside surface of wall 27 ...... upward force exerted by linking mechanism 29 ...... gravitational force of outer door 31 ...... disengaging force A ................ radius between inner door hinge pivot point and swing of inner link mechanism pivot point ................. radius between outer door hinge pivot point and swing of outer link mechanism pivot point ................. distance between inner door hinge pivot point and outer door hinge pivot point ................. length between link mechanism pivot points a ................ angle between fully open outer top hinged door and the horizontal 33 ...... relaxed spring 35 ...... compressed spring 37 ...... angular force exerted on the link mechanism by 35 39 ...... inner side hinged door 41 ...... linking mechanism between inner and outer side hinged doors 43 ...... outer side hinged door 45 ...... activation force on inner door 47 ...... activation force on outer door 49 ...... tertiary door in the closed position 51 ...... tertiary door in the open position 53a-f ... individual chutes where a to f comprise a plurality of waste streams 55 ...... example of non-vertical sectional view of the chute 57 ...... example of vertical section of the chute 59 ...... chute terminus 61 ...... receptacle 63 ...... wheeled cart 65 ...... draw latch yoke engaged with draw latch hook and draw latch cam closed 67 ...... ground level 69 ...... draw latch yoke engaged with draw latch hook and draw latch cam open 71 ...... disengaged draw latch yoke 73 ...... channels for lifting cart assembly by automated multi-streamed-segregated collection vehicle 75 ...... automated multi-streamed-segregated collection vehicle engaging cart 77 ...... automated multi-streamed-segregated collection vehicle emptying receptacles 79 ...... conventional garbage truck 81 ...... conventional recycling truck 83 ...... round inlet port 85 ...... rounded path 87 ...... receptacle compartment access doors closed 89 ...... receptacle compartment access doors open 91 ...... reusable receptacles 93 ...... receptacle compartment access doors closed 95 ...... receptacle compartment access doors open 97 ..... plastic bags over hoops as receptacles 99 ..... receptacle cart assembly/inlet port interlock in the disengaged position 101 .... receptacle cart assembly/inlet port interlock in the engaged position 103 .... receptacle door/inlet port interlock in the disengaged position 105 .... receptacle door/inlet port interlock in the engaged position 107 .... photoelectric transmitter/receiver 109 .... photoelectric reflector 111 .... photovoltaic cell 112 .... upper access door closed 113 .... upper access door opening 114 .... upper access door removed 115 .... lower access door closed 116 ..... lower access door opening 117 ..... lower access door fully opened 118 ..... access opening to second modules 119 ..... outer door at bottom of part after cuts 120 ..... outer door at bottom of part before cuts 121 ..... pass through fully extended 122 .... .pass through fully contracted

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A waste processing system adapted and arranged for one or more of receiving, storing, transferring, sorting, composting and transporting away waste products from a building structure, the building structure having a building interior and a building exterior, the system comprising:
a first module, the first module being adapted and arranged for receiving and transferring waste items from the building interior for delivery to the building exterior, the first module comprising an interior end disposed at least partially within the interior of the building structure and an exterior end disposed at least partially on the exterior of the building structure, and communicating passages comprising chutes between interior end and the exterior end of the first module, such that the waste items can pass from the interior of the building through at least one of the passages to the exterior of the building, wherein the first module communicating passages comprise one or a plurality of chutes, each chute having a corresponding chute bore, and wherein the first module is adapted and arranged for transferring the waste product items from the interior of the building to the exterior of the building to a second module, and wherein the second module comprises one or a plurality of second module communicating passages corresponding and reversibly connectable to one or a plurality of first module communicating passages such that a first waste item placed into the bore of the first chute of the first module will be transferred in a sorted manner to the corresponding bore of the first chute of the second module to reside therein, and wherein the second module is adapted and arranged for being reversibly attached to the first module so that the second module and waste product items transferred into the second module from the first module can be transferred in a sorted manner from the second module to the third module.

2. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein the third module comprises one or more recycling vehicles, garbage trucks, bins or carts adapted and arranged for transferring the sorted materials to an appropriate processing facility in a sorted manner.

3. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein each communicating passage and its corresponding bore between the interior end and the exterior end is provided with a first sealable door proximate to the interior end of the chute, and a second sealable door disposed within the bore of the chute, wherein the second door is disposed away from the first sealable door a distance sufficient to permit the independant or coordinated operation, and wherein the first and second sealable doors are operatively connected to one another.

4. The waste processing system of Claim 3, further comprising a third sealable door wherein each communicating passage between the interior end and the exterior end is provided with a first sealable door disposed proximate to the interior end of the chute, and a second sealable door disposed within the bore of the chute, wherein the second door is disposed away from the first sealable door, and wherein the first and second sealable doors are provided with an operative connection to one another, and wherein the third sealable door is provided proximate to the second module.

5. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein each of the chute bores is provided with a corresponding inlet port disposed at, or proximate to, the first module interior.

6. The waste processing system of Claim 5, wherein each corresponding inlet port is adapted and arranged to be sealed by the corresponding first sealable door.

7. The waste processing system of Claim 6, wherein each corresponding first sealable door is denominated in some fashion and is adapted and arranged to sort the waste items with respect to selected characteristics.

8. The waste processing system of Claim 2, wherein the second module comprises a wheeled cart assembly, and wherein the receptacle cart assembly is adapted and arranged to reversibly attach to the first module, and to be reversibly attachable to the third module.

9. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein the first module comprises one or more means for detecting the level of the one or plurality of corresponding waste item levels in one or plurality of chute bores of the first module, and is also adapted and arranged to alert one or more parties, machines, communication systems or entities of the level of the waste items in the chute bores of the second module.

10. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein the second module comprises one or more means for detecting the level of the one or plurality of corresponding waste item levels in the second module, and is also adapted and arranged to alert one or more parties, machines, communication systems or entities of the level of the waste items in the second module.

11. The waste processing system of Claim 4, wherein the operative connection between the first sealable door and the second sealable door is mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic,or electromechanical.

12. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein the exterior end of the first module is adapted and arranged to communicate reversibly with one or a plurality of individual containers, and wherein each of the containers is provided with denominations relating to the status or contents of one or plurality of containers.

13. The waste processing system of Claim 13, wherein the third sealable door is adapted and arranged to reversibly communicate with the one or plurality of containers.

14. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein the first module is adapted and arranged to accept a receptacle liner in the bore of ach chute, and wherein the liner can be replaced from the exterior end of the first module.

15. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein the first module is adapted and arranged to accept a replaceable liner in the bore of ach chute, and wherein the liner can be replaced from the exterior end of the first module.

16. The waste processing system of Claim 10, wherein the means for detecting the level of the one or plurality of corresponding waste item levels comprises at least one solar powered photoelectric sensor.

17. The waste processing system of Claim 17, further comprising means for communicating signals from the at least one solar powered photoelectric sensor to an automated facility, wherein the automated facility is adapted and arranged to operate with respect to parameters selected by one or more of the owner of the building structure, the manager of the building structure, the operator of the waste collection system, and one or more residents or operators of the building structure.

18. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein each of the chute bores is provided with an access port disposed at, or proximate to, the exterior side of the first module interior proximate to the top of the invention.

19. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein each of the chute bores is provided with an access port disposed at, or proximate to, the exterior side of the first module interior proximate to the terminus of the first module allowing access to the second module.

20. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein the outer door is moulded in the terminus of the first module.

21. The waste processing system of Claim 1, wherein a single part can be produced corresponding to the first module of each stream with one or a plurality of sections from module 1 are severed or cut from the single moulded part.

22. The waste processing system of Claim 1 and Claim 21, wherein module 1 is adapted and arranged to a variety of distances between the inner plane of a building structure to the outer plane of a building structure.