EP2589487A1

EP2589487A1 - Compactor

Info

Publication number: EP2589487A1
Application number: EP12190965.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacobus Petrus Maria Dessing; Abram Christiaan Knip
Original assignee: Craftworks BV
Current assignee: Craftworks BV
Priority date: 2011-11-03
Filing date: 2012-11-01
Publication date: 2013-05-08
Also published as: NL2007708C2

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for compacting material in a bag (33) comprising a cylindrical wall, inside the cylindrical wall, a plunger (21) with a lower seal (23) wherein the plunger (21) is moveable in the cylindrical wall between a lower position at a bottom end of the cylindrical wall and a higher position, enclosed by the cylindrical wall a bag support (17) for supporting the bag (33) and the bag support (17) has an upper rim (19) for supporting an open end of the bag, at a top end of the cylindrical wall a lid (7) with an upper seal (10), the lid creating a compacting area (5) inside the cylindrical wall between the lid and the plunger.

In accordance with the invention the bag support (17) and the upper rim (19) move with the plunger (21); and in the higher position the upper rim (19) might abut against the lid (7).

Description

The invention concerns a device in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. Such a device is known from EP 1 498 364 , US 2003/0136279 , CH 700 180 , and WO 88/09264 . In these known devices the material is to be stored in the bag and compacted upon evacuation. In these devices the bag support does not maintain a permanent shape during compression and the bag support does not properly support the bag during compression. This causes that the bag gets wrinkled between the compressed materials and during deformation of the compressed material or while pushing the compressed material to the bottom of the bag, the deformed material can rupture the bag.
US 2007/0034098 discloses a similar device wherein the bag is enclosed by a flexible enclosure which presses on the bag and the garbage material in the bag in unpredictable ways and which flexible enclosure is complicated to produce. This makes the device expensive and difficult to use, especially if more than one compacting cycle is needed to fill the bag.
FR 2 886 207 discloses a method and a device for compacting material in a bag comprising punctuating a previously closed bag and pressing air and liquids out of it. This hinders further filling of the bag.
JP S55-094 797 discloses a garbage compressing device comprising a garbage containing part, an air exhaust part and a slidable pressure plate provided to the garbage containing part, which is operated through utilization of a suction force of the air exhaust part. The device is bulky and has poor efficiency.
DE 102 57 596 discloses a device for air tight closure and evacuation of a garbage bin to prevent odours, but not for compacting the garbage.
In order to overcome such disadvantages the device is according to the characterizing part of claim 1. In this way, the bag is pulled around the material while it is being compacted, or conversely, the material is pressed into the bag, and after compacting in a first cycle the user can push the plunger with the bag support and the bag to the lower position so that the device is ready to receive further material to be compacted and to compact it into the bag in a second cycle. The device is primarily suited for compacting package or garbage material, but it may be used for any amount of material that is deformable.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 2. In this way, during the upward movement of the plunger the to be compacted material slides into the bag supported by the bag support to be compacted and does not get caught or clamped between the upper rim and the cylindrical wall.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 3. In this way, it is easy to remove the bag with compacted material from the bag support.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 4. In this way, leakage or waste from the material can be collected in the bowl and can be removed easily. The bowl may be a separate part that is removable from the bag support, e.g. for easy cleaning.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 5. In this way, the bag can be fastened to the bag support and maintains a fixed position in the bag support and material that is pressed into the bag support does not move this position.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 6. In this way, the upper rim extends above the upper end of the cylindrical wall which makes fixing the bag on the outside circumference of the bag support easy.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 7. In this way, the material is pressed below the upper rim and it is possible to pull the bag closed over the compressed material before the material starts to expand upwards due to relaxation.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 8. In this way, operation of the device is facilitated, in particular if the pressure sensitive switch can be activated by pressing the lid onto the cylindrical wall. Also the user senses when due to leakage the vacuum pump does not generate a sufficient under pressure to activate or maintain the activation of the pressure switch, so that he may correct that immediately.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 9. In this way, the device does not run unnecessary. For this, the device may comprise one or more sensors and a controller coupled with the sensor and the vacuum pump to operate the vacuum pump in response to a signal from the sensor.
In accordance with an embodiment, the device is according to claim 10. In this way the lid can be opened immediately after compacting so that the bag can be tied around the compacted material before due to relaxation the volume of the compacted material increases.
The invention further includes use of a bag in the compacting device according to claim 11. In this way, the bag can maintain the compressed volume of the compacted material after removing the bag with compressed material from the device and the inelastic material of the bag prevents relaxation of the compacted material.
In accordance with an embodiment, the use is according to claim 12. In this way the bag is fully supported and not subjected to any elongation or stress during compacting the material and can be folded and fixed around the compacted material with little effort before removing the bag with compacted material from the device.
The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of example.

Figs 1A and 1B are perspective and cut away views, respectively, of an embodiment prior to compaction;
Figs 2A and 2B are perspective and cut away views, respectively, of the device of Figs 1A-1B after compaction;
Figs 3A and 3B are perspective and cut away views, respectively, of the bag support of the device of Figs 1A-2B, with only Fig. 3B showing the bag;
Fig 4 is a partial cut away view of the cylindrical wall and the bag support in the position of Fig. 2B;
Fig. 5 is a schematic detail of cross section of Fig. 2B, also showing the bag.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral.
Figures 1A-2B show a device 1 for compacting material, here formed as a generally known garbage can, comprising a cylindrical wall 3, enclosing a cavity 5 in which, in use, a bag is arranged (see below), note that the cut away planes of Figs. 1B and 2B are indicated in Figs. 1A and 2A, respectively. An upper end of the cylindrical wall 3 comprises a lid 7, here attached to the cylindrical wall 3 by a hinge 9. As seen in Figs 1A-1B the lid 7 can be opened to fill the bag.
The lid 7 comprises a seal 10 and a groove 11 surrounding an extension in the form of a pusher 13 in the middle of the lid 7, which extends towards and into the cavity 5 and which may be at least partly hollow. The hinge 9 may provide a displaceable hinge axis to allow for both rotation and translation of the lid 7 with respect to the cylindrical wall 3, e.g. to accommodate insertion into the cylindrical wall 3 of the cylindrical pusher 13 closely fitting the cylindrical wall 3.
A vacuum pump 15 for removing air from the bag support and a bag contained therein is connected to the inside of the cavity 5. Here, the vacuum pump 15 is mounted inside (the pusher 13 of) the lid 7, which is aesthetically pleasing, protects the pump 15 from user contact and is weighting down the lid 7 so that it may close the seal and/or press on material received inside the cavity 5 and/or the bag (see below). Alternatively, a vacuum pump 15 may be arranged elsewhere or be provided as a separate object, e.g. a vacuum cleaner. Preferably, plural connections, e.g. plural openings, are provided between the vacuum pump 15 and the cavity 5, to ensure proper operation of the device in case of accidental covering, clogging or other blocking of one opening, e.g. by material sucked against the opening.
The device 1 further comprises a bag support 17, shown in detail in Figs. 3A-3B in similar views as Figs 1A-2B, located inside the cylindrical wall 3 and having an upper rim 19, and a plunger 21 with a lower seal 23, which can sealingly move, e.g. slide, in the cylindrical wall 3 between a lower position (Figs 1A-1B) and a relatively higher position (Figs 2A-2B).
The cylindrical wall 3 comprises an upper rim 25, which, together with the seal 10 of the lid 7 provides a substantially air tight seal between the cavity 5 and the environment outside the device 1. The seal 23 and the cylindrical wall 3 likewise provide a substantially air tight seal, so that when the device 1 is closed by the lid 7 the cavity 5 is substantially hermetically sealed off.
Here, and best seen in Figs. 3A-3B, part of the bag support 17 and the plunger 21 form a single part, comprising a side wall 26 and with the plunger 21 forming a bottom wall. The bag support 17 also comprises a guide ring 27 on the side wall 26 and a closed bowl 29 having a side wall 31 of conical shape expanding towards the open side providing the upper rim 19. The guide ring 27 supports the side wall 26 against the cylindrical wall 3 and guides the plunger 21 and the bag support 27. The guide ring 27 may be resilient and provide a seal to sealingly slide in the cylindrical wall 3. Such seal may form the lower seal, obviating the seal 23, and/or reversing functions between seal 23 and guide ring 27. Near the bottom end of the cylindrical wall 3 a support 30 is provided to retain the plunger 23 in the cylindrical wall 3. In another embodiment, plural guides and/or an interrupted guide ring of plural protrusions may be provided.
In use, a bag 33 is arranged inside the bowl 29 of the bag support 17 and an open end of the bag 33 is coupled to the upper rim 19 so as to support the bag 33 in open state. As indicated in Fig. 3B, the open end of the bag 33 may be folded back over the upper rim 19 and the open end of the bag 33 may be fixed on or coupled to the upper rim 19 by fixing the open end of the bag 33 to the bag support 17, e.g. with a ridge, hooks or clamping means provided on the side wall 31. Fixation may be performed or assisted by one or more hooks, clamps, elastic rings, tying a closing string, ribbon, or cord etc., e.g. provided with the bag 33, around the bowl 29 of the bag support 17. Also, or alternatively, the upper rim 19 may comprise one or more protrusions, recesses or teeth to fix the bag 33, e.g. teeth engaging meshes of a net bag. Thus, detachment of the bag 33 can be easy and fast, increasing available time for closing the bag 33 before relaxation of the compacted material.
Preferably the bag 33 and the bowl 29 of the bag support 17 have matching sizes, so that the bag 33 closely follows or lines the interior surface of the bag support 17 without stress, expansion or excess bag material, and the open volume of the bag 33 generally corresponds with that of the bag support 17. Since by compacting the compacted material is pressed into the bag 33 and the bag 33 is supported by the bag support 33 against deformation, the bag 33 may be of flexible, tear and puncture resistant material with high resistance to plastic deformation or being inelastic, so that it is substantially size retaining. Thus, the volume of the compacted material can be maintained in its compacted state in a closed bag 33 after releasing pressure on the material. A suitable material for the bag 33 is a pre-stretched polyethylene mesh or burlap, e.g. as used for transporting potatoes, wood blocks, etc.
An air permeable bag support 17, in particular the bowl 29 when present, and/or an air permeable bag 33, e.g. a net bag, of strong, substantially inelastic woven or non-woven material, prevents sucking the bag 33 on the bag support 17 and allows lifting of the bag 33 from the bag support 17.
The bowl 29 shown in Fig. 4 has optional rounded corners R at the transition between its side wall 31 and its bottom wall, facilitating cleaning. It is noted that instead of a closed bowl 29, a bottomless bowl, i.e. only a side wall 31, may be provided, or that the bag support 17 may be a single part having the upper rim 19. In the latter case the cylindrical wall 3 supports the bag 33 during compression.
When installed in the cylindrical wall 3, the radial distance DR between the upper rim 19 and the cylindrical wall 3 may be small, e.g. less than 10 mm, to prevent capturing material between them. The plunger 21 pushes the bag support 17 towards and/or against the lid 7 when the vacuum pump 15 removes air from the bag 33 received in the closed cavity 5, due to the pressure difference between the cavity 5 interior and the environment. The compacting force F is determined by the product of the surface area A of the plunger 21 times the difference of the pressure P_in in the bag 33 or the cavity 5 and the environmental pressure P_env, F = A x (P_in - P_env). The vacuum pump 15 can reduce the pressure P_in in the cavity 5 to approximately 200-300 millibar, i.e. about 20-30% of the environmental pressure P_env, so that with a plunger diameter of about 25 cm or more, a compaction force F of over 3000 N may be achieved, which is generally sufficient for compacting garbage which requires successive deformation of parts. To provide a larger force F, a large plunger diameter and/or a stronger vacuum pump 15 capable of reaching lower interior pressures may be provided. The device 1 comprises an opening to allow access and exchange of environmental air under the plunger 21 at least during use.
A comparison of Figs 1B and 2B shows that, in the shown embodiment, the distance between the higher position (Fig. 2B) and the lower position (Fig. 1B) is about equal to the diameter of the cylindrical wall 3, and that material contained inside the cavity 5 having an initial volume of more than the bag 33 is compacted between the bag support 17 and the lid 7.
Fig. 4 shows the bag support 17 and the cylindrical wall 3 in the higher position, of Fig. 2B, but with the lid 7, the rim 25 and associated portions removed for clarity.
A comparison of Figs 2B, 3B and 4 shows that in this higher position, the upper rim 19 of the bag support 17 extends above the cylindrical wall 3 for a height distance DF and that it is received in the groove 11 of the lid 7, here for the full depth of the groove 11. Thus, the pusher 13 of the lid 7 extends below the upper rim 19 and into the bag 33 and compacted material is pressed into the bag 33 which is therewith pulled around the compacted material. Here, the pusher 13 has a concave surface towards the cavity 5 to guide the material into the bag 33 and shape the compacted material to facilitate closing the bag 33. When opening the lid 7 in the situation of Fig. 2A-2B, 4, the upwardly extending upper rim 19 facilitates fixing, release, removal, and exchange of a bag 33 on / from the bag support 17. Also, the optional bowl 29 is accessible for removal and cleaning if desired.
The height distance DH between the guide ring 27 and the upper rim 19 of the bag support 17 may be chosen such that a length of the sleeve portion S of the bag 33 between the underside of the pusher 13 to the rim of the bag 33 (and over the upper rim 19) in fully compacted state (see Figs. 2B, and 5) is more than about 1/4 times, preferably more than about 1/3 times, the diameter of the upper rim 19. Thus, sufficient bag material is available for closing the bag 33 over the compacted material, facilitating closing the bag 33 without force and/or before the compacted material can relax and expand again. The distance between the guide ring 27 and the upper rim 19 may be about or less than 50 mm, but preferably it is sufficient to facilitate fixing the bag 33 folded over as in Fig. 3B.
Preferably the bag support 17 remains in place with respect to the cylindrical wall 3 when the lid is opened, e.g. by the friction of the seal 23 and the guide ring 27 or by separate means, e.g. an air cushion between the plunger 23 and a bottom wall of the cylindrical wall 3. Preferably, the bag support 17 and the plunger 21 can be pressed down towards the lower position by a user, e.g. during or prior to filling of the bag 33 and the cavity 5 with material to be compacted.
Figs. 2A and 2B show that the lid 7 contains a hand grip 35 for opening the lid 7. A user control for activating the vacuum pump 15 may be provided, e.g. on or in the lid 7, possibly on, in or near the hand grip 35.
A pressure sensitive switch, e.g. a push button, possibly covered by a membrane, may serve to activate the vacuum pump. Such switch may be arranged to be operated by pressure of the lid 7 against the cylindrical wall 3, e.g. by pressing the lid 7 deep and/or long enough with sufficient pressure. Such pressure sensitive switch may be kept activated by an under pressure in the cavity 5 and the bag 33 developed by the vacuum pump 15. The device 1 may be configured to determine a maximum under pressure for activating the switch, e.g. by using a pressure sensor, magnetic device and/or a resilient member forcing open the lid with a predetermined force. When sufficient under pressure to activate the switch cannot be achieved, e.g. due to a leak in the system by material trapped in the seal 10;25 of the lid 7, the pump 15 switches off when the lid 7 is released, allowing detection of such undesired situation and correction by the user.
The device may comprise a user operable off-switch and/or a control system to switch the vacuum pump off after achieving a predetermined compacting condition such as a compacting time, a negative pressure in the bag, a plunger position and/or a plunger displacement. A pressure may be measured with a pressure gauge, e.g. a second pressure sensitive switch overriding the first pressure sensitive switch for switching on the device and/or a pump power detector since with decreasing pressure the dissipated power of the pump will increase or other means. A distance or position measuring system may comprise a push button to be pressed by the bag support, an electrical contact to be shorted by the bag support, an optical switch to be interrupted by the bag support. etc.
As options, a lock and/or a user-operable venting valve may be provided to facilitate opening the lid 7 after evacuation of the cavity 5. The lock may be opened and/or the valve may be activated by operation of the hand grip 35. Such opening or activation may be coupled with deactivation of the vacuum pump 15 to ensure the pump 15 is switched off before opening the lid 7. This facilitates opening the lid 7 and protects the pump 15 from sudden pressure changes.
The disclosure is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, a status indicator, e.g. one or more light sources and/or acoustic signalling devices may be provided, to indicate pump operation, finished compaction, detection of a leak etc. Instead of a guide ring a plurality of guides may be provided and/or the bag support may form a close fit to the cylindrical wall.
In the shown embodiment the cylindrical wall 3 has a constant diameter. In another embodiment (not shown) the seal 23 has a larger diameter than the guide ring 27 and the corresponding portions of the cylindrical wall 3 have corresponding different diameters. In this way, downward movement of the guide ring 27 and/or the entire bag support 17 is restricted.
Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Claims

Device (1) for compacting material in a bag (33) comprising a cylindrical wall (3), inside the cylindrical wall, a plunger (21) with a lower seal (23) wherein the plunger (21) is moveable in the cylindrical wall between a lower position at a bottom end of the cylindrical wall and a higher position, enclosed by the cylindrical wall a bag support (17) for supporting the bag and the bag support has an upper rim (19) for supporting an open end of the bag, at a top end of the cylindrical wall a lid (7) with an upper seal (10), the lid creating a compacting area (5) inside the cylindrical wall between the lid and the plunger, and a vacuum pump (15) or a connection to a vacuum pump for removing air from the compacting area, characterized in that the bag support (17) and the upper rim (19) move with the plunger; and in the higher position the upper rim might abut against the lid (7).
Device (1) in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distance (DR) between the upper rim (19) and the cylindrical wall (3) is less than 10 mm.
Device (1) in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the bag support (17) has a conical shape.
Device (1) in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the bag support (17) comprises a closed bowl (29) and wherein preferably the bowl has rounded corners (R).
Device (1) in accordance with one of the previous claims wherein the bag support (17) has a ridge, hooks, teeth or clamping means on or near the upper rim (19) for fixating the bag (33) on the upper rim and wherein preferably the ridge, hooks, teeth or clamping means are on the outer circumference of the bag support near the upper rim.
Device (1) in accordance with claim 5 wherein the lid (7) has a recess (11) or is shaped such that in the higher position the upper rim (19) with the ridge, hooks, teeth or clamping means are accessible.
Device (1) in accordance with one of the previous claims wherein the lid (7) has an extension (13), a chamber and/or a groove (11), so that in the higher position a portion of the lid extends inside the bag support (17) below the upper rim (19).
Device (1) in accordance with one of the previous claims comprising a pressure sensitive switch to operate the vacuum pump (15) and wherein under-pressure in the compacting area activates or maintains the activation of the pressure sensitive switch.
Device (1) in accordance with one of the previous claims wherein the vacuum pump (15) is configured to be switched off after achieving a predetermined compacting condition and wherein preferably the compacting condition is a compacting time, a negative pressure in the bag support, a position of the plunger or the upper rim, and/or a plunger displacement.
Device (1) in accordance with one of the previous claims comprising a valve for venting the compacting area (5).
Use of a substantially flexible, size retaining or inelastic bag (33) that might be tear and/or puncture resistant in a device (1) in accordance with one of the previous claims.
Use of the bag (33) in accordance with claim 11, wherein the bag has such dimensions that the open end of the bag can be folded over the upper rim (19) of the bag support (17) while the sides and bottom of the bag are supported by the bag support.