EP0642457B1

EP0642457B1 - Refuse compression chamber

Info

Publication number: EP0642457B1
Application number: EP93916122A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Evangelos G. Tantsis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-02
Filing date: 1993-07-22
Publication date: 1997-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-22
Also published as: EP0642457A1; ATE154918T1; DE69311903D1; AU4580693A; WO1994020391A1

Abstract

This device consists of a chamber (1) standing at a certain height and supported by four legs (4). The chamber (1) has a window (2), through which the refuse is thrown. A type of press is installed at the top of the chamber (1), and the piston (5) of this press extends a prescribed distance, exerting pressure on the refuse by means of a compression plate (6), when the refuse accumulates to a level above the lowest point of the piston's extension. As the rubbish continues to accumulate it is further compressed, until the resistance opposed to the compression plate (6) exceeds the pressure exerted on the rubbish. The piston (5) then returns to its initial position, without having reached maximum extension. When the compressed refuse reaches a certain upper limit, which is determined visually through the window, then the bottom (3) of the chamber (1) is opened, and the compact block of refuse is collected and hermetically sealed in a sturdy plastic bag. The bottom opening is then closed, and the apparatus is once again ready for use.

Description

The refuse compression device is designed to solve the tremendous ecological and environmental problems associated with refuse disposal.
Today's refuse disposal methods have several serious drawbacks. Refuse is collected in bins which cannot be properly sealed, and which are usually too small, with the result that refuse piles up around them. These bins therefore give off unpleasant odours and pollute the environment, not only when they are full, but also while they are being emptied into the special collecrion vehicles. The next step in the procedure, the grinding of the refuse, cause further pollution. Besides their catastrophic effects on the environment, these bins create another type of problem, as they take up considerable space in the streets, thus causing traffic and parking problems.
This invention aspires to resolve these problems. It consists of a chamber with a window at the top of one of its side walls. Four legs hold it a certain distance above the ground, and the bottom can be opened when desired. The top of the chamber holds a type of press, whose piston descends to a certain point, exerting relatively gentle pressure. The lower end of the piston is attacted to a metal plate slightly smaller in contour than the inside of the chamber, so that it can move easily inside it. The refuse is thrown into the chamber through the window. When it reaches the point of maximum extension of the piston and begins to exceed that, the apparatus is set in motion and the refuse is compressed within the chamber. The piston then returns to its original position; as the process continues, the resistance opposed by the resufe increases as its volume increases, until it surpasses that exerted by the metal plate. The piston thus no longer extends fully. As soon as the compressed refuse reaches a certain lever, which is determined visually through the window, then the chamber is emptied. The botton is opened, the refuse falls into a strong plastic bag, the bottom is closed again, and apparatus is once more ready for use.
It is recommended that a certain sequene of steps be followed for maximum environmental protection; this is given below, as are all the advantages of this invention.
The sturdy plastic bag is sealed airtight by a hand clamp, and is placed beside the apparatus; it is not necessary to remove it immediately, for since these bags are completely impermeable, their contents are isolated from the environment. Filled bags are collected by ordinary trucks, fewer in number than today's special vehicles, which are costly to produce and pollute the air. The apparatus itself, as well as the "packaged" refuse, is completely impermeable, thus safeguarding the cleanliness of the city and the health of its citizens. These devices will be placed on the sidewalks, either singly or in groups; they take up little room, and will neither be obstacles to traffic flow nor occupy parking places.
The compressed refuse, already considerably diminished in volume, is now ready to be buried; this process is relatively harmless, since the sacks are airtight and sealed. In the future, or even today since there are serious problems with the garbage dumps, the plastic bags could be deposited in extremely precipitous areas, such as certain rocky ravines, with the transportation of the refuse to these sites possibly carried out by helicopter.
In conclusion, sanitation will not be dependent solely upon municipal employees, but upon the residents of the city as well, for this device is extremely simple to use. This means that in case of a strike, or on weekends and public holidays, there will be no danger to public health from contamination and offensive odour, for refuse can be compressed, packaged and sealed by the ordinary citizen.
The drawing shows the chamber 1 as a rectangle, but this could be modified, or it can also be built to another geometric shape. The chamber 1 is built of a sturdy material to withstand use, and is supported on four legs 4 at a convenient height for the collection of the compressed refuse. The aperture or window 2 is airtight, and opens and closes by means of a special mechanism. The bottom 3 of the chamber 1 is also airtight, and opens and closes like the window 2, or by means of a different and stronger system. The press can be hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic or electric. The piston 5 of the press has a prescribed maximum extenction, and at its lower end is attacted to the compression plate 6, by which it exerts a relatively gentle pressure on the refuse, so that the volume of the refuse collected is one third or less of the original. Finally, the device is cleaned either through the window 2 or through the opening at the bottom 3 of the chamber 1.

Claims

A refuse compression device, comprising:
- a refuse compression chamber (1),

- a compressing device (5) installed at the top of the compression chamber,

- a compression plate (6) attached to a piston of the compressing device,

- legs (4) for supporting the compressing device,
characterised by:
- the compressing device (5) and compression chamber (1) being a unitary complete device

- the compression chamber (1) being provided with an inlet aperture (2)

- the compression chamber having an openable bottom (3) to discharge the refusal

- the unitary device being supported on the legs (4).
Compression device as described in claim 1, characterized in that a section of the upper part of the chamber (1) can be removed, permitting inspection of the system.
Compression device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the type of press used can be hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, electric or a combination of the above.
Compression device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (3) of the chamber (1) is impermeable, opens outward by means of a powerful small device, and receives on its inner side the special plastic bag at the beginning of the process.
Compression device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the window (2) is airtight and opens outward by means of a small device.
Compression device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the piston (5) of the press describes a maximum extension determined by its length and by the resistance of the accumulated refuse, while pressure is exerted on the refuse by the compression plate (6) attacted to the end of the piston (5).
Compression device as described in claim 1, characterized in that its legs (4) are long enough to leave room for the plastic bag; the apparatus can also be suspended.
Compression device as described in claim 1, distinguished by the fact that the window (2) and the bottom (3) of the chamber (1) can be made to function automatically for increased ease of use.