EP2432713A1

EP2432713A1 - Method and equipment for collecting household refuse

Info

Publication number: EP2432713A1
Application number: EP10710187A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo Belardinelli; Giancarlo Burattini; Claudio Freddi; Paolo Pennacchioni
Original assignee: ANCONAMBIENTE SpA; Nuove Officine Ribaltabili Autocarri Srl
Current assignee: ANCONAMBIENTE SpA; Nuove Officine Ribaltabili Autocarri Srl
Priority date: 2009-05-22
Filing date: 2010-02-24
Publication date: 2012-03-28
Also published as: WO2010133265A1; ITAN20090015U1

Abstract

A method for the collection of household refuse, including the phases of transporting a multitank structure (3) equipped with at least two independent tanks (4) destined for the selective and separate containing of refuse on a vehicle (2), said phase of transportation being carried out between a household location (5) where the refuse is collected and accumulated in the tanks (4) and a refuse discharge location (6); unloading the multitank structure (3) from the vehicle (2) and placing it in the household location (5), said phase of unloading being accomplished by first movement devices (7; 10) carried by the multitank structure (3); loading the multitank structure (3) with the accumulated refuse onto the vehicle (2), using again the first movement devices (7; 10); transporting the multitank structure (3) from the household location (5) to the discharge location (6); and selectively emptying the tanks (4) of the multitank structure (3) using second movement devices (8;12,14) carried by the multitank structure (3).

Description

METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR COLLECTING HOUSEHOLD REFUSE

Technical Field

This invention is a collection method and a multitank for the separate collection of solid urban waste. The method uses a mobile apparatus that can be moved onto and off of a relative means of transport .

Background Art

A recognised method for activating the separate collection of solid urban waste is the transfer of a series of waste accumulation containers near the home of those for whom the collection service is provided. The containers are autonomous and in general differ from each other because of their shape and dimensions, and are recognisable in relation to the different types of refuse they are to contain. The Company in charge of the collecting service reaches the house containers daily using specialised means with particular eguipment for grasping, moving and unloading the containers near the served housing area; same specialised means is equipped with a bin for the collective accumulation and possible compacting of the refuse that is collected from the various household containers.

Following a pre-established rota of collection dates, the collection service empties the containers, according to the type of refuse to be collected, near each housing area daily. The emptied containers are then repositioned in the housing area, in which they remain for the use of the local users, until the next emptying which will be automatically proposed when all the different types of container have been alternated in an orderly manner in the programmed sequence of periodic emptying.

A method like this, even though operating superbly as far as the separation and selective collection of the various types of refuse are concerned, is not without problems.

A first problem is determined by the fact that the refuse is collected separately for recycling and this is done on a daily basis depending upon the specific kind of refuse collected that specific day, the daily recurrence of collecting a pluralism of differently separated refuse follows a multi-daily periodicity; periodicity that extends accordingly to the selection of refuse separated by home users .

This means that the refuse - remaining accumulated for several days in the housing area, or even worse outside the household containers when their accumulation capacity has been exceeded - can degrade, becoming odorous and potentially unhealthy, particularly with hot weather and/or even in relation to the greater or lesser exposure of the containers to high temperatures and/or the sun' s rays.

A second problem is presented by the fact tnat with repeated use the house containers inevitably tend to become dirty and odorous, requiring washing and disinfecting. These operations, however, are not normally carried out. As these operations are assigned to the discretion of the individual household producers of refuse - in the majority of cases - their execution results as being fairly problematic, above all in the case of condominium users who, having large-sized containers, do not have suitable equipment, and/or also because the necessary operators are not always easily available.

The possible ad hoc organisation of a collection system that enters the individual household areas would solve this problem, but is not done because it would require the use of equipment and specific personnel which would add to the already high cost of the refuse collecting service in its whole.

Yet another inconvenience is that the containers currently being produced, being independent from each other and susceptible to easily assuming an untidy appearance, occupy significant spaces and result as being unpleasant to the eye, even when positioned tidily. This - in particular in historical centres or in areas with reduced space - causes practical problems of positioning and a visual lowering of the aesthetic quality of the urban surroundings and the living environment in general that cannot be ignored.

Description of the Invention

The primary purpose of this invention is to eliminate these problems using a collection method and collecting equipment that make it possible to collect refuse separately with simultaneous collection of the various types of refuse coming from local home producers, domestic and not.

Another purpose of the invention is to simplify the collecting system equipment, making it constructively simpler, less costly and easier, and making handling more economic and faster, being possible even with a single operator who is trained to collect m less time than that required for collection using traditional methods. Yet another purpose is to make available smaller containers for tne separate collection of refuse but with the same accumulation capacity as the noted containers; with an intrinsically tidy configuration and a pleasant aesthetic aspect the containers become less disturbing in the surrounding environment.

A further purpose of this invention is to permit the easy, fast and economic cleaning and disinfection of the containers to protect the health of both humans and animals and the conservation integrity of the natural environment. In consent with the invention, these purposes are reached using a collection method and apparatus, the characteristics of which are shown in one or more of the attached claims.

A Brief description of the Drawings The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned purposes, are clearly verified by the contents of the claims given below, and the advantages of the invention result as being more evident in the detailed description that follows, which includes attached drawings, and which represents a purely exemplary but unlimited realisation, in which:

- figures 1, 2 and 3 are perspective views of an apparatus showing the invention represented in its entirety during different operation phases.

- figures 4-10 schematically illustrate a succession of phases in which the collection method of the solid urban refuse using the apparatus demonstrated in the previous figures is shown.

Detailed description of preferred Invention actuation forms

With reference to the figures in the attached drawings, position 1 of figure 1 shows a whole apparatus for the separate collection of solid urban refuse that is essentially made up of a structure (3) with removable multitanks that can be removed from and transported on the plane (11) of a vehicle (2) and which can be loaded onto and unloaded from same plane (11) using autonomous first movement devices (7) with which the structure (3) is equipped.

More in particular, the multitank structure (3) essentially includes a variety of independent tanks (4), for example five tanks, made preferably from a lightweight aluminium alloy, each of which contains a single type of solid urban refuse from among the typical selection of refuse that is habitually thrown away by the producers of same refuse in a separate collection context. The multitank structure (3) includes a smooth, horizontal frame (13), preferably made from steel, structured in a suitable manner for giving collective support to the tanks (4), positioned one beside the other above the frame (13) . The previously mentioned first movement devices (7) are connected to the frame (13) . These first movement devices (7) are solidly realised preferably in the shape of four linear actuators (10), oleodynamic and hydraulically extendable, which are rigidly connected to the frame (13) in correspondence with the relative vertex and connected two by two to a pair of vertical projections (13s) which are connected to two parallel sides of the frame (13) .

The actuators (10) are substantially connected to four uprights (13m) of the frame (13); they are directed perpendicularly towards the lying plane of the frame (13) and four rods (10s), carrying on their respective free ends a foot (lOp) for floor support, project towards the floor.

The actuators (10) are used to lift or lower the frame (13) to variable heights from the ground, heights that can be selected as required, using suitable controlled modulation of the exit or entry run of the rods (10s) .

Using a suitable drive for the actuators (10), the multitank structure (13) can be lifted from the ground in a manner that renders it self-loading onto the vehicle (2). This is clearly shown in figure 1, from which it can be seen that if the multitank structure (3) is lifted suitably the plane (11) of the vehicle (2) can be positioned between the frame (13) and the ground.

A subsequent command for the progressive re-entry of the rods (10s) of the actuators (10) makes it possible to deposit the multitank structure (13) on the plane (11).

When the rods (10s) have returned to their rest position, the multitank structure (3) can be transported on board the vehicle (2) from one location to another in the territory. If the operations described above are carried out in reverse, the multitank structure (3) can be unloaded from the vehicle (2) using the actuators (10).

In fact, placing the feet (lOp) against the ground and lifting the structure (3) from the plane (11) allows the vehicle (2) to exit from the space that exists between the vertical surface of the frame (13) and the ground. The multitank structure (3) can then be lowered without meeting obstacles until it reaches the minimum height from the ground, taking the tanks (4) to a position that is accessible to the user for positioning and accumulating the refuse inside the tanks (4) . This situation is shown in Figure 2.

From Figure 3 it can be seen that the multitank structure (3) includes also second movement devices (8) interposed in an orderly manner between the frame (13) and each of the tanks (4) . The movement devices are present to allow selective emptying of the contents of each tank (4).

These second movement devices preferably include hinging organs (12) that allow each tank (4) to rotate around a longitudinal side of the frame (13). In addition, the second movement devices (8) include power or torque actuators (14) - made for example from a system of articulated arms - positioned between each of the tanks (4) and the frame (13), the controlled movements of which allow the user to rotate the corresponding tank (4) on the hinging organs (12) between two extreme positions. In the first of these positions, the tank (4) is basically overturned for emptying the refuse it contains; in the other position, it is instead associated with the frame (13) in such a manner as to receive the refuse when the refuse is poured into it directly by the domestic producers.

One function among the mentioned extreme positions, clearly seen in Figures 3 and 2 when compared, is carried out with the tanks (4) maintained in permanent connection with the frame (13) of the structure (3) . Returning to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the tanks (4) have lids (15) moved by two symmetrical doors (15p), bilateral on one side (15c) and fixed in the centre, that have a handle (15m) for manual opening, and which are equipped with a closing device (16) that can be opened using a key (17). The key (17) is preferably activated by electronic means (18) including pnysical organs ana relative lUim±rig software that carry out the personal recognition of the user of the tanks (4). These electronic means (18) include an electronic switchboard (19) which makes it possible to subordinate lid (15) opening and gain access to the relative tank (4) upon recognition and identification of the user.

This makes it possible to not only stop unauthorised users from accessing the tanks (4), but also to record data regarding each refuse deposit by each user of the tanks (4) for suitable counting of personal deposits.

The switchboard (19) can be electrically powered by electric power supply means (20) that include batteries that recharge using solar energy captured by solar panels installed preferably on the fixed, central, and upper part of the lids (15c) of the tanks (4) . When used, the equipment (1) makes it possible to carry out a particularly innovative and advantageous method of collection that manifests itself in a subsequence of operative phases that are schematically shown in the figures from 4 to 10.

It can be seen in Figure 4 in particular that the multitank structure (3; loaded uπ the vehicle (2) is transported from a refuse disposal site (6) to a household collection location (5) situated near the seat of a generic refuse producer. In Figure 5, it can be seen that when it reaches its destination in the household location (5), the structure (3) is unloaded from the vehicle (2) by activating the first movement devices (7) of the structure (3), opportunely coordinated with the movement of the vehicle (2) .

It should be noted that the first movement devices (7) can be activated and controlled in just a few minutes by a single operator equipped with for example a handheld remote control (9), preferably portable . As shown in figures 6 and 7, the unloaded vehicle (2) together with the plane (11) subsequently return to the premises of the Company charged with collecting, while the multitank structure (3), which is deposited in the household location (5), remains available in the same place for the users to dispose of their household refuse.

When it is time to collect the refuse, tne unloaded vehicle (2) (figure 8) with the plane (11) returns to the household location (5) and, being activated by the movement devices [I), it loads the multitank structure (3) onto the plane (11) together with the refuse that has been collected and is contained inside the individual tanks (4) .

The multitank structure (3) together with the refuse previously accumulated in the household location (5) (figure 9) is transported by the vehicle (2) to a discharge location (6), in which each of the tanks (4) is selectively emptied by activating the second movement devices (8). After this the cycle can be repeated again, starting from the initial situation outlined in Figure 4.

Before this occurs, the described sequence preferably includes a tank (4) washing and disinfecting phase, subsequent to which the multitank structure (3) can be redelivered to the household user and a new cycle restarted beginning from the conditions outlined in Figure 4.

The equipment (1) that has just been described gives the advantage of placing in the household location (5) a multitank structure (3) of reduced dimensions and limited bulk that can be easily positioned even in reduced spaces, for example those available in the urban areas of historical centres. The tanks (4), being permanently connected to the frame (13) and positioned close to each other, present a tidy, pleasant aspect and also make best rational use of the available spaces. There is no useless and unused dead space between one tank (4) and another. The multitank structure (3) presents an external view that is extremely pleasant to the eye given the substantial external continuity of the front surface of the tanks (4), their complementary shape, and their reciprocal positioning on the frame (13). They create an almost continuous surface which, when necessary, can be further camouflaged in respect of or in coordination with the surrounding urban scenery, for example by the placing of films and/or decorative images.

As a result of the daily washing and disinfection, the presence of the multitank structure (3) in urban household locations (5) does not cause any disadvantage to the wellbemg of people and animals, nor does it contaminate the surrounding environment.

Regarding the method used to collect the refuse, is should be noted that a single operator can carry out household collection rapidly alone, without tiring, and without useless manual transfers of refuse containers from the household location (5) to the collection centre and viceversa.

Following the fact that the multitank structure (3) makes it possible to collect all types of refuse daily and contemporaneously from households, all the problems related to the permanence of refuse in household locations (5) while waiting for the specific collection turns are avoided. In addition, the capacity of the tanks (4) can be advantageously reduced further, on account of the fact that the collection routine is carried out several times a day, therefore it is useless to make available a large accumulation capacity to stock the whole mass of refuse produced.

A further advantage of the invention, particularly appreciable for nightly collection, is given by the fact that the household refuse can be collected during a short stoppage time and without producing unpleasant noises characteristically produced by conventional methods, which involve manipulation and discnarge of the refuse containers directly in the household location (5) of collection. The invention designed in this manner can be evidently applied for industrial use; it can also be modified and varied within the ambit of the invention concept; in addition all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. Method for collecting household refuse, characterised by the fact that it includes the phases of: transporting a multitank structure (3), equipped with at least two independent tanks (4) for the selective separate containing of refuse on a vehicle (2), this transportation being carried out between one household location (5) where the refuse is collected and accumulated in the tanks (4), and a location (6) where the refuse can be discharged; discharging the multitank structure (3) from the vehicle (2) and placing it in the household location (5) where the refuse is collected and accumulated, this unloading phase being accomplished using first movement devices (7; 10) autonomously carried by same multitank structure (3); loading the multitank structure (3) together with the refuse accumulated in the household location (5) onto the vehicle (2) by activating the aforementioned first movement devices (7; 10) again; transporting the multitank structure (3) from the household location (5) where the refuse is collected and accumulated to the discharge location (6) of same; and selectively emptying the tanks (4) of same multitank structure (3) using second movement devices (8; 12, 14) carried by the multitank structure (3) .

2. Method, as described in claim 1, characterised by the fact that a phase for washing the tank (4) after the refuse it contains has been emptied is included.

3. Method, as described in claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that a phase for disinfecting the tank (4) after the refuse it contains has been emptied is included.

4. Method, as described in claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterised by the fact that same phases are controlled by a single operator using suitable remote control means (9)

5. Method, as described in claim 1, characterised by the fact that same movement devices (7; 10) includes linear actuators (10) connected to the multitank structure (3) which can support the multitank structure (3) at a selectively variable height from the ground; lifting the multitank structure (3) allows the vehicle (2) to interpose a loading plane (11) between the multitank structure

(3) and the ground or, viceversa, to take same loading plane (11) outside the vertical bulk of the multitank structure (3), these operations of interposition and extraction being correlated with same phases of loading and unloading the vehicle (2) onto and from the multitank structure (3) .

6. Method, as described in claim 1, characterised by the fact that same second movement devices (8; 12, 14) include hinging organs

(12) that connect each previously mentioned tank (4) to the frame

(13) of the structure (3) and power or torgue actuators (14), so permitting rotation of the corresponding tank (4) on the hinging organs (12) between two extreme positions, respectively for tank

(4) emptying and loading.

7. Method, as described in one of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that same tanks (4) are collectively coupled to a single frame (13), same frame being suitably devised to allow the loading and unloading of the vehicle (2) onto and from the multitank structure (3) as a single body.

8. Equipment for the separate collection of refuse, characterised by the fact that it includes a multitank structure (3) equipped with at least two independent tanks (4) that contain separate and selected refuse, a collective support frame (13) for these tanks (4); first movement devices (7;10) that support same frame (13) at a certain height from the ground permitting lifting or lowering in relation to the ground level, this lifting and lowering making it possible to allow interposition of the loading plane (11) of a vehicle (2) between the ground and the support frame (13), and viceversa; and second movement devices (8;12,14) positioned between same frame and each of the individual tanks (4) that are suitable for rotating these tanks (4) around the frame (13) to empty the contents of the tanks (4), or viceversa for placing them in a suitable position for containing refuse.

9. Equipment, as described in claim 8, characterised by the fact that a remote control means (9) is included for controlling the distanced activation of the first and second movement devices (7; 8) which load or unload the multitank structure (3) onto or from a vehicle (2) and/or for controlling the autonomous emptying of each of same tanks of the multitank structure (3) .

10. Equipment, as described in claim 8, characterised by the fact that same first movement devices (7; 10) include linear actuators which can support the multitank structure (13) at a selectively variable height from the ground, the structure (3) being lifted to allow the vehicle (2) to position a loading plane

(11) between the multitank structure (3) and the ground, or viceversa to remove same loading plane (11) from the vertical edge of the multitank structure (3) during the loading and unloading phases of the multitank structure (3) onto and from the vehicle

(2) .

11. Equipment, as described in claim 8, characterised by the fact that same movement devices (8;12,14) include organs (12) for hinging each of same tanks (4) to the frame (13) of the structure

(3) and power or torque actuators (14) positioned between same tanks (4) and same frame (13), the movement of same actuators (14) making it possible to rotate the corresponding tank (4) on the hinging organs (12) between two extreme positions, respectively the emptying and loading positions of same tank (4) .

12. Equipment, as described in claim 9, characterised by the fact that same tanks include lids (15) equipped with closing devices (16) that can be opened with a key (17) .

13. Equipment, as described in claim 12, characterised by the fact that same key (17) is moved by electronic means (18/17,19) including organs that recognise the tank (4) user.

14. Equipment, as described in claim 12 or 13, characterised by the fact that same electronic means (18; 17,19) include an electronic switchboard (19) associated with the tank structure (3), same switchboard (19) being suitable for controlling the movement of the closing device (16) of the lids (15) subordinately to recognition of the user.

15. Equipment, as described in claim 14, characterised by the fact that same switchboard (19) is suitable for recording the data regarding each delivery of refuse made by each user of same tank (4) .

16. Equipment, as described in claim 14 or 15, characterised by the fact that an electric power supply means (20) is included for the switchboard (19) that includes batteries rechargeable by solar power .

17. Equipment, as described in any of the claims from 8 to 16, characterised by the fact that same tanks (4) are made using a light metal alloy.

18. Equipment, as described in any of the claims from 8 to 17, characterised by the fact that same support frame (13) for the tanks (4) is made of steel.