The present invention relates to a device for the individualized introduction
of objects, such as household refuse, comprising an introduction opening which can be
closed off by a drum-shaped outer flap, a drum-shaped inner flap which interacts with
the drum-shaped outer flap and is able to open a discharge opening to a store, such as a
household-refuse store, the interaction between outer flap and inner flap being such that
when the introduction opening is open the inner flap closes off the discharge opening, in
order in this way to define a limited introduction volume.
Devices of this nature are placed on containers, which may or may not be
arranged beneath the ground, for containing domestic refuse. These devices are provided
with locks which optionally interact with cards or other systems, with payment being
made for each filled drum. This may take place on the basis of the number of drums
filled, but also on the basis of the weight placed in the drum.
Various authorities are seeking to charge the users of such devices in a
manner which is as far as possible individualized for the domestic refuse discharged by
the users, in order in this way to promote environmental awareness amongst the
population. It has been found that when using devices of this nature the users will
attempt as far as possible to separate domestic refuse into different streams, certain
streams being paid for at a lower rate or even being free.
Although devices of this kind are satisfactory, there are mechanical problems
with operating the drums. In the prior art, the inner flap and outer flap are designed so
as to rotate concentrically one inside the other, and the various movements are realized
by providing a geared transmission between the outer flap and inner flap. This
arrangement, on the one hand, has to be of particularly robust design and, on the other
hand, comparatively simple to operate, since it is undesirable for external energy to be
supplied in order to facilitate operation.
It has been found that in the long term the movement mechanisms for the
outer flap and inner flap fail. This is caused in particular by the abrupt ending of the
opening or closing travel of the outer flap. The inner flap, which is arranged so that it is
concentrically connected to the outer flap via gear wheels, has to dissipate the energy
which is stored therein within a very short time, which in the long term leads to damage.
Moreover, the fact that the drums rotate inside one another leads to them becoming
jammed. If large tolerances are observed, thus reducing the risk of them becoming
jammed in this way, it is inevitable that odour will emerge from the store, which is a
problem in particular at high temperatures. Moreover, vermin are more easily able to
reach the store. Another problem which makes it difficult for the movement of the outer
flap and inner flap to run easily is that under high loads it is no longer possible to ensure
that the bearing support for the various drums, which bearing support is arranged in the
housing, is accurately aligned. This means that these movements become more difficult,
with the result that bearings are subject to high loads. Providing the housing with a
stronger design leads to a disproportionately high increase in the costs and, in the long
term, does not solve this problem. This is because in a number of designs, the
introduction device, together with the store, is periodically lifted with the aid of a crane
and the waste is removed from the underside of the store. During this lifting, the housing
is subjected to a high level of loading, with the result that slight deformations may
occur.
The object of the present invention is to avoid the above-described
drawbacks and to provide a structure with which, on the one hand, individualized
introduction is possible but, on the other hand, the service life of the two drum-shaped
flaps and the associated bearings is increased considerably, while the structure does not
become so heavy that it is difficult for certain people to operate the outer flap in a
simple manner. Moreover, it must be possible for a system of this kind to be easy to
combine with electronic access systems in order to make it possible to receive, and in
particular weigh, domestic refuse in an individualized manner.
This object is achieved in the case of a device described above in that the
inner flap and outer flap can be coupled to one another in such a manner that during the
first part of the opening travel the inner flap is connected to the outer flap in the sense
of closing off the introduction opening by the inner flap, that during the second part of
the opening travel the inner flap is uncoupled from the outer flap and moves in the sense
of opening the introduction opening, and that during closure of the outer flap the latter is
coupled to the inner flap.
The invention is based on the insight of no longer coupling the outer flap
and inner flap rigidly to one another, but rather of coupling them only over certain parts
of the opening or closing path of the outer drum. This means that starting from the
closed position of the outer flap, during a first part of the opening travel of that flap, the
introduction opening is not opened, owing to the inner flap moving with the outer flap.
Also, during this movement, the discharge opening is exposed, so that domestic refuse
which is still situated in the two drum halves can be discharged into the store. On
approaching the limit position of the outer flap, i.e. the completely open position, the
inner flap is uncoupled from the outer flap and moves "back", i.e. into the position in
which it blocks off the discharge opening. In this position, the introduction opening is
open and domestic refuse can be introduced into the chamber which is delimited between
the two drum halves. Then, the outer flap is closed and, at the end of the closure path, is
coupled to the inner flap. During these movement steps, there is no question of large
quantities of kinetic energy building up as a result of the inertia effect, which energy is
converted into deformation at the end of a travel movement and could ultimately lead to
the device failing. The structure described above is not only particularly wear-resistant,
but can also be made in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner while
maintenance, such as lubrication, is not required. Assembly is easy. Owing to the fact
that inner flap and outer flap no longer move past one another, the problems of inner
flap and outer flap becoming jammed to one another no longer exist, and low tolerances
can be used, so that a better sealing action against odour pollution can be achieved and
the self-cleaning effect can be realized in a simple manner.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the coupling
between the inner flap and the outer flap is preferably achieved by means of a lock. A
lock of this nature can be controlled electrically or mechanically. In the case where it is
controlled electrically, a position sensor for either the outer flap or the inner flap needs
to be present, while in the case of mechanical control it is necessary in whatever way for
a projecting surface to be present for uncoupling the inner flap and outer flap on
reaching the opening position of the outer flap.
As a result of the structure which is now proposed, there is considerable
freedom in positioning various components. It is no longer necessary to design the inner
flap and outer flap to rotate exactly concentrically inside one another. As a result, these
components may take a form which differs from the drum shape, but this is not currently
preferred. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inner flap and
outer flap are arranged so as to rotate about essentially the same axis. In an embodiment
in which it is important to determine the weight of the domestic refuse which is placed
in the device, the inner flap which, after the outer flap has closed, supports the domestic
refuse, is preferably provided with at least one axle journal which is supported on a
weighing element. In order to avoid problems relating to errors introduced by the
bearing, it is proposed to design the bearing for the axle journal as an elongate slot
which extends essentially vertically. As a result, horizontal guidance is provided and the
inner drum is ultimately supported on the weighing element.
With the design described above, it is possible to design inner flap and outer
flap with the same diameter, with the result that a seamless, uninterrupted unit is formed
in the closed, i.e. locked, position.
If, in certain applications, the weight of the inner or outer flap is too high to
be operated by everyone, it is possible to provide auxiliary means which assist with the
rotational movement of the flaps. Consideration may be given here to gas springs and the
like.
It will be understood that the device described above can be combined with
all electronic devices which are known in the prior art for feeding objects, such as
domestic refuse, in a metered manner and recording and charging for them. Moreover,
the device described above may be provided with a transmitter or the like, with the
result that data transmission takes place at the moment at which the store which is
associated with this device is emptied. As a result, it is impossible to add additional
material, such as domestic refuse emanating from other sources, to the lorry into which
the store is emptied, during or after the emptying operations. Moreover, it is possible in
this way to check when the lorry in question emptied the store in question.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an
exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic view, partially in cross-section, of the device
according to the invention combined with a store for domestic refuse; Fig. 2 shows a side view, in cross-section, of the device according to the
invention in the closed position of the outer flap; Fig. 3 shows the device in accordance with Fig. 2 with the outer flap in the
open position and the inner flap still locked; Fig. 4 shows the device in accordance with Fig. 2 and 3 with the outer flap
open and the inner flap moved back; and Fig. 5 shows details of the mounting for the inner flap and outer flap.
In Fig. 1, 1 denotes a storage device for domestic refuse. In the example, the
actual store 4 is arranged in an opening 3 in the ground 2. Store 4 is provided with a
pivotable cover 5 which, after store 4 has moved out of opening 3 in a manner not
shown in more detail, can be pivoted open during emptying into a lorry in order to
discharge the domestic refuse situated inside the store. An introduction 6 which forms
the actual device according to the application is arranged on top of store 4.
As will be clear on studying the remaining figures, this device comprises a
housing 7 which is provided with an introduction opening 8 and a discharge opening 9.
Introduction opening 8 is closed off by an outer flap 10, while discharge opening 9 is
closed off by an inner flap 11. A plate 12 is present which, via a hinge 13, is connected
to housing 7. Plate 12 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 2 with the aid of rod 14.
The end is provided with a sealing strip which is able to interact with the outer surface
of inner flap 11. This plate 12 will move downwards when the inner flap 11 moves
upwards, in order to be able to introduce large objects into the store 4 (Fig. 5).
The outer drum is provided with two axle journals 16 which are supported in
a bearing block 17. Bearing block 17 may comprise any material which is known in the
prior art, but preferably consists of a self-lubricating material such as "material A". This
is a self-lubricating nylon material. It can be seen from the drawings, and in particular
Fig. 5, that the bearing is provided with a constriction for supporting the axle journals
16. This is such that in the event of the mutually opposite bearing blocks 17 becoming
displaced slightly with respect to one another, rotation of the outer flap is not actually
impeded. Bearing blocks 17 are attached to housing 7 via bolts 18.
Inner flap 11 is provided with axle journals 19. The position of the inner flap
with respect to the outer flap is fixed with the aid of rings 20. Axle journals 19 move
inside a vertical slot-shaped opening 21 which allows vertical movement of, for example,
2 cm but at least 1 cm, but limits horizontal movements. In this case, the position of the
slot-shaped opening 21 with respect to weighing elements 22 is such that, under normal
conditions, the inner flap always rests on the weighing element 22 and not on the bottom
of slot-shaped opening 21.
A slot 26 is formed in the housing. One end of gas spring 25 engages
therein. This gas spring 25 is connected, at the other end, to the outer flap 10 via a slot
27 which is formed therein. While the outer flap is moving to and fro, the gas spring,
depending on its position, is situated in various positions with respect to the outer flap,
with the result that the heaviest part of the travel of the outer flap is always supported by
the positive action of the gas spring.
A lock 28 is shown, comprising a lock member 29 arranged on outer flap 10
and a lock member 30 arranged on inner flap 11. In the example shown here, this is a
mechanically acting lock which is actuated by projection 32.
A hydraulic damper 31 is present on which a projection 33, which is
arranged on the side wall of the inner flap, strikes in the limit position at the start of the
return movement.
It can be seen from Fig. 1 that there is a card-reader 36 which is connected
to the control system 37. Moreover, there is a transmitter 38, which is also connected to
control system 37. Control system 37 comprises a memory for storing the number of
operations performed. This can take place on an individualized basis, so that it is
precisely known when the user last introduced domestic refuse. Control system 37
regulates an electrical locking coil 34 which is arranged on housing 7 and successively
engages on three projections 35 on the outer flap 10.
The device described above operates as follows:
Starting from the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the outer flap 10 is closed by
locking coil 34 and associated projection 35, and domestic refuse lying in the chamber
delimited between outer flap 10 and inner flap 11, on top of inner flap 11, is illustrated
by bag 23. A user approaches card-reading device 36 or any other access device. After
the data which he has input has been checked and accepted, a lock (not shown in more
detail) between coil 34 and projection 35 is released, so that outer flap 10 can be moved
upwards by taking hold of handle 24, which may optionally be provided with a rubber
buffer block. In this case, each projection 35 can move freely past coil 34. Lock 28 is
active, so that during the upwards movement inner flap 11 moves with it, with the result
that discharge opening 9 is opened, partly by opening plate 12, and bag 23 falls into
store 4. On approaching the end of the travel of outer flap 10, the situation will be
similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3. Despite having been opened by outer flap 10,
introduction opening 8 will be completely blocked by inner flap 11. In this situation, the
lock members 28 and 29 are unlocked, i.e. uncoupled, by the action of projection 32 on
lock 28. Inner flap 11 moves back. This movement is decelerated by projection 33
striking damper 31, so that sufficient time remains to discharge bag 23. It is possible for
a further projection, which damps the end of the movement of inner drum 11, to be
present. The result is the situation shown in Fig. 4. Now, the introduction opening 8 is
free, while the discharge opening is closed off, and the user can introduce domestic
refuse. After having filled the chamber delimited by the inner flap and the outer flap, the
user will then close the outer flap, locking taking place between locking members 29 and
30. During the closure operation, outer flap 10 is moved in steps along housing 7 past
successive projections 35 and coil 35, resulting in the initial position shown in Fig. 2.
The transmitter 38 shown in Fig. 1 becomes active in particular when
emptying store 4. At that time, the data present in control system 37 are either
transmitted to a central processing unit or are taken over by the electronics present in the
refuse vehicle intended for this purpose.
The gas spring 25 described above ensures that the action of the outer flap is
assisted both when opening and closing the latter. This is caused by one "attachment
point" of this gas spring moving along the slot 26 and the other attachment point moving
along slot 27. A dirt scraper is denoted by 39.
The weighing system described above makes it possible to weigh the bag 23
of domestic refuse resting on the inner flap 11 in the position in accordance with Fig. 2
and to store this weight in the memory of control system 37. If appropriate, balancing
weights may be present in inner flap 11, in order to eliminate effects produced by the
weight thereof.
The structure described above can be sealed in a particularly successful
manner, so that gases emanating from the store are as far as possible prevented from
passing out into the atmosphere. Moreover, controlled ventilation is possible. It is also
possible to provide wiper means in order to clean the inner and/or outer flaps during
each opening and/or closing operation.
It will be clear from the above that a particularly expedient device for
feeding in objects in an individualized manner is achieved by particularly simple means.
It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be
made which are obvious to the person skilled in the art on reading the above text and
which lie within the scope of the appended claims.