EP2441704A1

EP2441704A1 - A device for municipal waste collection

Info

Publication number: EP2441704A1
Application number: EP11181094A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giovanni Bragadina
Original assignee: GB Gest Srl
Current assignee: GB Gest Srl
Priority date: 2010-10-14
Filing date: 2011-09-13
Publication date: 2012-04-18
Also published as: ITMI20101873A1; IT1402025B1

Abstract

A device (100) for municipal waste collection comprises at least one container (1) for municipal waste collection including a side wall (2) defining a holding compartment (3) accessible through at least one loading mouth (4) in a loading region (C) of the container (1). Suction orifices (8) disposed at different heights starting from a minimum height from the ground are formed in the container's side wall (2) and are adapted to be brought into communication with an apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9). Means for conveying the air from the suction orifice/s (8) are arranged at least at the loading region of the container (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for municipal waste collection comprising a container for waste collection.
Containers for municipal waste collection, in particular the so-called "baskets" are widespread on the municipal territory. Generally, known baskets have a side wall defining a holding volume or compartment preferably adapted to receive a waste-holding bag. The holding compartment is accessible through a loading mouth.
Containers for municipal waste collection, in particular baskets, adapted to perform further functions in addition to the main function of collecting waste are not presently known.
In particular, the Applicant is aware of the fact that the problem concerning pollution in the urban areas is a matter as yet unsolved. In fact the air in particular in the urban areas has had increasingly higher pollution levels. The thin powders such as PM10, PM2,5, PM1 and nano-powders give rise to health problems for people living in towns.
The PM10 powders have maximum levels already determined by law that are frequently exceeded. Provision is made for also limiting the maximum levels of PM2,5. The most dangerous powders for human beings are however the smallest ones, that is the so-called nano-powders.
It is known that powders settle downwards: the heavier the powders are, the more they remain in the vicinity of the ground. Passage of motor-vehicles creates a continuous overturning of the powders and makes the powder position dynamic so that they come continuously into contact with the respiratory system of individuals. In particular, the height of 40-50 cm from the ground is the most dangerous one, for children in prams and pushchairs, for example.
In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to improve the quality of life in the urban areas, reducing the pollutants' levels in the air.
The Applicant has perceived that the air purification also in urban areas is one of the possible solutions for ensuring an appropriate level of air healthiness, so as to improve the quality of life in places where the presence of pollutants is particularly strong.
In particular, the Applicant has perceived that the air purification spread over the territory allows effects to be produced in topical regions of a town, such as squares, schools, shopping centres and sales outlets, stations, public and private environments having a high density of people traffic.
In this context, it is a further aim of the present invention to obtain a widespread distribution of the plants for air treatment in the most crowded regions without increasing bulkiness of the public land.
Since containers for municipal waste collection, in particular the so-called baskets are present on the towns' territory in great amounts, the Applicant has found that they represent a possible solution for location of air purification plants.
This enables important advantages to be achieved. First, it is possible to reach very crowded places. In fact, baskets are more widespread exactly in the most crowded regions to avoid making places dirty. Secondly, taking into account the fact that space in towns is becoming more and more precious and important, it is possible to utilise the same space taken up by the basket without requiring additional spaces.
In addition, each container for waste collection typically rests on, or is anchored to the ground exactly where there are the powders to be captured for being then treated.
Finally, each container for waste collection is visited by operators for emptying and ordinary maintenance and consequently during the same visit it is also possible to control and maintain the suction region and the air treatment region.
The technical task mentioned and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a device for municipal waste collection, comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the exemplary, non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for municipal waste collection, as illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a possible embodiment of a device for waste collection according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional front view of a possible embodiment of the device seen in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic front view of a further possible embodiment of the device seen in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic front view of a possible embodiment of a device for municipal waste collection according to the present invention, wherein some elements have been omitted;
Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic top view of the device for municipal waste collection seen in Fig. 6.

With reference to the attached drawings, a device for municipal waste collection according to the present invention has been denoted at 100; it comprises a container for waste collection 1.
The present disclosure in particular refers to a so-called basket for municipal waste collection.
Reference 2 identifies a side wall of container 1 defining a holding compartment 3 accessible through at least one loading mouth 4. The shape shown is one of the great number of possible shapes. In particular, containers having a square, rectangular, circular or elliptical plan shape can be provided. In particular, the container can have a base area with a square or circular plan shape having a side of about 50-60 cm or a diameter of 70-80 cm, respectively.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, the container rests on a base 5 made of cement.
The holding compartment 3 is, for example, suitable to receive a waste-holding bag, in particular housed in a basket 6 (Fig. 4).
The above described elements generally define a waste loading region C of the container. Possibly, at least one upper closure 7 can be provided.
Advantageously, the container has at least one suction orifice 8 adapted to be brought into communication with an apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9. Preferably, the suction orifice is formed in the side wall 2 of the container.
Preferably, as shown by way of example, a plurality of suction orifices 8 is provided and they are arranged at different heights, for example. In the example shown, suction orifices disposed to at least four different heights starting from 8 cm from the ground and preferably reaching a 60 cm height therefrom are provided. In particular, it is advantageously provided that the suction orifice/s be disposed to a minimum height Qmin from the ground at least as high as 5 cm. It is also preferably provided that the suction orifice/s be disposed to a maximum height Qmax from the ground not exceeding 90 cm.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, the suction orifices are disposed on at least two opposite sides of the container.
Advantageously, the suction orifice/s can be obtained by means of through holes made in the side wall 2 circumscribing the holding compartment 3 and protected by a reticular element.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, means for conveying air from the suction orifice/s 8 may be provided, which means is at least disposed at the loading region of container 1. An air path 10 in the loading region circumscribes the waste bag and reaches the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 accommodating one or more filters 11 set in series and intersecting the air flow, and an aspirator 12.
A possible example of accomplishment of the air-conveying means is shown in Figs. 3 to 5, wherein an air-collecting chamber 13 is disposed at the suction orifices, inside the container and also extends at the container's rear region. Preferably, this air-collecting chamber also extends on the upper part of the suction orifices, widening out towards the inside of the container and is brought into communication with the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9, through an upper chamber 14, for example. The collecting chamber takes the sucked air from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction.
An alternative example for accomplishing the air-conveying means is shown in Fig. 2, wherein each suction orifice 8 is associated with an air feeding and guiding pipe 15. The pipe is anchored to the side wall 2 of the container for example, inside the holding compartment. In addition, the pipe controls the flow trajectory creating a soft curve the radius of which is, just as an indication, included between 15 cm and 25 cm, in order to avoid the flow resistance that would result using a sharp curve for bringing the air from horizontal to vertical. Advantageously the pipes can be put into communication with the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9, by means of the upper chamber 14, for example.
In accordance with the embodiment in Figs. 1-5, container 1 comprises the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 integrated thereinto. This apparatus can be of known type and for example and may comprise at least one filter 11 (preferably a plurality of filters) and an aspirator 12 disposed in series along the air path 10.
Advantageously, the air path 10 can be provided to extend from the suction orifice 8 to at least one ejection orifice 16 disposed downstream of the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9), preferably at a greater height than the suction orifice (or orifices) 8. For instance, air ejection through said at least one ejection orifice is provided at about 160 cm from the ground, which height represents the optimal one for breathing. In the example shown, a plurality of ejection orifices 9 is provided.
Advantageously, the ejection orifice/s can be obtained by means of through holes formed in the side wall 2 and for example protected by a reticular element. Preferably, the holes are horizontal and positioned along the side wall of the container's upper part. The outlet holes can be made along at least two opposite sides of the container or distributed along the container's perimeter.
In other words, container 1 is provided with an integrated system for urban-air suction operating on a plurality of levels and for controlled conveying preferably to a higher level, for the purpose of treating the air itself.
In accordance with the embodiment in figures 1-5, the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 is, for example, integrated into container 1 and disposed above the municipal waste loading region. Container 1 therefore appears to be like a turret although it takes up the same area on the public land.
The air is sucked from above by aspirator 12 and forced to enter the inside of container 1 through the suction orifice/s 8.
The ratio between the overall area of the suction orifices 8 and the overall area of the ejection orifices 16 is preferably 5:1.
The air path 10 circumscribes the waste loading region and has access to the upper volume accommodating one or more filters set in series and intersecting the rising air flow. Chamber 13 and/or pipes 15 prevent the waste or the bag containing it from being sucked.
The structure of the container into which the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 is integrated has a central vertical axis of symmetry ensuring balance of the container for the typical positioning thereof.
Figs. 6 and 7 show a further arrangement in which the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 is disposed in an element distinct from container 1. Preferably, two or more containers, four containers for example, are associated with the same apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9. Advantageously, the containers are disposed radially, for example four containers 1 are cross-wise arranged.
A duct 17 connects one container 1 to the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9.
Each container can be made following one of the previously described embodiments, in particular with reference to the loading region. The suction orifices are not expressly shown in Figs. 6 and 7.
The ejection orifice can be made like the free opening of a pipe for example, not shown, or in the form of holes 16 of a holding element of the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment.
The apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is preferably contained in a structure 18 that is independent of the waste containers 1, resting on a base 19 of its own, for example.
Should two or more containers 1 be provided, ducts 17 converge into a collecting chamber of the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 for conveying the air to the filters.
Possibly, structure 18 too can have suction openings 20 adapted to convey air to the ejection orifice through the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9.
Denoted at 21 are possible furnishing elements containing advertising for example, and/or flower-containing furnishings arranged between the containers 1.
As an alternative to the above, the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment 9 can be disposed everywhere relative to the loading region of container 1, below it for example.
In the embodiments shown and/or described, the suction orifices can be disposed along a vertical line or distributed on part or all of the surface of the loading region following a grid-like or quincuncial distribution.
Alternatively, the suction orifices can be embodied by the access opening of a pipe disposed externally of the waste container.
The present invention enables air in the town centres to be treated in a widespread manner, through use of spaces normally already taken up by waste containers.
The air filtering solutions are typically dedicated to industrial environments, i.e. combined with conditioning of house and office premises. In both cases the environments are typically defined by walls and/or ceilings; this factor determines known conditions of air volume to be conditioned and temperature and moisture situations within known or at all events measurable ranges.
The waste containers operate in heterogeneous environments and are suitable for operation under very hard conditions dictated by seasonal factors (hot and cold weather) at partly protected positions such as squares surrounded by buildings or fully in the open air on shores and wide spaces.
In at least one of the embodiments, it is a typical feature of the invention to provide the integration of two functions - waste collection and air purification - optimising the base area on the ground, enabling suction at the heights where the maximum air pollution exists, utilising the intermediate space for receiving waste, emitting purified air from above the container at an optimal height for people breathing.

Claims

A device (100) for municipal waste collection comprising at least one container (1) for waste collection in which the side wall (2) defines a holding compartment (3) accessible through at least one loading mouth (4) in a loading region (C) of the container (1), characterised in that associated with said container is at least suction orifice (8) and in that it comprises an apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9), which apparatus is in communication with said at least one suction orifice (8) thus defining an air path (10) extending from said at least one suction orifice (8) to at least one ejection orifice (16) disposed downstream of the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9).
A device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of suction orifices (8) disposed at different heights, preferably starting from a minimum height from the ground of at least 3 cm and reaching a maximum height from the ground preferably not exceeding 90 cm, wherein said at least one suction orifice (8) is preferably formed in the side wall (2) of the container.
A device (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said path is at least partly housed within the container (1) and preferably comprises means for conveying the air from the suction orifice/s (8), which means is disposed at least at the loading region of the container (1).
A device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the air conveying means comprises an air collecting chamber (13) disposed at the suction orifice/s, within the container (1), brought into communication with the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) by an upper chamber (14) for example, and/or wherein the air conveying means comprises an air feeding and guiding pipe (15) for each suction orifice (8), said pipe (15) being preferably fastened to the side wall (2) of the container (1) and guiding the flow trajectory with creation of a soft curve preferably having a radius included between 15 cm and 25 cm, in order to limit the flow resistance for taking the sucked air from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction, said pipe (15) being brought into communication with the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) by an upper chamber (14) for example.
A device (100) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the air path (10) extends from the at least one suction orifice (8) to the at least one ejection orifice (16) disposed downstream of the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) at a greater height than the suction orifice (8), and/or wherein the ratio between the overall area of the suction orifices (8) and the overall area of the ejection orifices (16) is at least equal to 5:1.
A device (100) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the container (1) comprises the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) integrated thereinto, which apparatus preferably comprises at least one filter (11) and an aspirator (12) disposed in series along the air path (10), preferably wherein the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) is disposed above the municipal waste loading region, and preferably wherein the container has a central vertical symmetry axis ensuring the container balance for its typical positioning.
A device (100) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) is disposed in an element structurally distinct from the container (1).
A device (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a duct (17) external to the side wall (2) connects a container (1) to the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9).
A device (100) as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein two or more containers (1), four containers (1) for example, are associated with the same apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) and wherein the containers (1) preferably are disposed radially, in a cross-wise form for example.
A device (100) as claimed in claim 9 when depending on claim 8, wherein the ducts (17) open into a collection chamber of the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9).
A device (100) as claimed in one or more of claims 7 to 10, wherein the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9) is disposed in a structure comprising suction openings (20) adapted to convey the air to said at least one ejection opening through the apparatus for urban-air suction and treatment (9).