EP3865426B1 - Container for storing used tyres and dumping them in a skip - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container for storing used tires and dropping them into a skip.

The applicant for the present invention is the author of a patent application published under number FR3057257 and which relates to a container intended to contain and transport domestic or industrial waste and bulk products. The container comprises a tank with an open bottom, a frame equipped with an opening bottom, the frame carrying and surrounding said tank. The bottom of the frame is mounted in an articulated manner between a closed position of the lower part of the tank and a release position allowing said tank to be drained by gravity. The chassis is provided with a lock that can be deactivated by an operating bar allowing the bottom to be blocked in its closed position. By positioning the container above a collection bin, it is possible to empty the contents of the tank by unlocking the lock.

A fixed frame is mounted in the lower part of the chassis and the bottom of the chassis comprises a second frame mounted in an articulated manner under the fixed frame, a return means being interposed between the fixed frame and the movable frame. The return means makes it easier to close the bottom.

This container was tested to, on the one hand, temporarily store used vehicle tires and, on the other hand, empty the tires into a collection bin intended to transport them to a recycling site. This need to collect used tires exists particularly in road vehicle maintenance centers.

By using this container in this application, the applicant has observed that used tires escape outside the bin by bouncing, while the bottom of the container frame is opened or that they form a pile which remains stuck in the tank. because the tires adhere to each other and also adhere to the walls of the tank.

Based on this observation, the applicant sought to design a container specially adapted to temporarily store used tires and release them, once filled, into a collection bin.

The document FR-A-3 061 899 discloses a prior art container that includes the technical features of the preamble of claim 1.

For this purpose, a container is proposed designed to store used tires and release them by gravity into a skip, the container comprising a tank with an open bottom, a chassis comprising an openable floor for the tank; according to the invention, said floor comprises a frame, under which two flaps are mounted in an articulated manner, the two flaps being mounted oppositely between a closed position forming the floor for said tank and an open position in which they are oriented downwards, each flap comprising a support frame covered by a plate. The container is characterized in that the frame is provided with a pair of locks adapted to lock a shutter in its closed position, each lock comprising a lever which is mounted at one of its ends in an articulated manner, by a pin , on a frontal or dorsal spar constituting the frame and which projects offset from its other end, on a lateral side of the container, the two levers being connected by an operating bar, each lock comprising on the side of the axis d articulation, a cam followed by a housing shaped to receive and block a locking lug secured to a front or dorsal spar constituting said support frame of said flap, the two flaps being provided with a mechanical connection means comprising two end pieces respectively mounted in the two ends of the two front and back spars of the support frame of one shutter and which are dimensioned to fit into the two ends of the two front and back spars of the support frame of the other shutter, during the closing of the two flaps, in that the two flaps are respectively mounted in an articulated manner under the two lateral longitudinal members constituting the frame via at least one axis, each axis being mounted through a first pair of yokes fixed under the face lower side of said lateral spar of the frame and through a second pair of yokes fixed laterally on a lateral spar constituting the support frame, where the second pair of yokes is nested in the first pair of yokes and in that a torsion spring is mounted on the axle between each second pair of yokes.

Used tires are stored in the container, then when it is full, it is moved above a collection bin. By opening the two flaps, the amalgamated mass of tires falls as one unit into the bin due to the presence of the two flaps open and facing opposite each other and which guide the mass of tires into the bin. Almost all of the tires remain in the bucket, without bouncing outside of it. A larger number of used tires can be stored in the collection bin.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the geometry of the tank is defined by side walls forming a truncated pyramid of large base facing its open bottom.

The mass of tires in contact with the interior faces of the side walls immediately detaches from said side walls of the tank as soon as the two flaps are opened which initiates the release.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the side walls of the tank are joined via a roof wall and the frame is provided with a door allowing access to said tank.

The tank forms a shelter which protects the used tires from bad weather and the sun to better preserve them. The door allows access to the tank to store the tires in the container on demand.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the chassis comprises rectilinear uprights fixed to the corners of the frame to surround the tank, a lifting bracket fixed to the upper parts of the uprights.

The chassis thus makes it possible to contain the tank by protecting it from shocks and to transport the tank.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the lower edge of each wall is shaped into a rim formed of two L-shaped folds which extend respectively outwards and downwards, overlapping a corresponding spar of the frame of the chassis of said container.

There is thus no protruding edge in the tank at its open bottom which could hinder the release of used tires.

• [Fig 1] représente une vue en perspective d'un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules selon l'invention,
• [Fig 2] représente une vue en perspective d'un châssis étudié pour contenir une cuve constitutive d'un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules selon l'invention,
• [Fig 3] représente une vue en perspective d'une cuve pour un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules selon l'invention,
• [Fig 4] représente une vue de face d'un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules, le conteneur reposant sur le sol selon l'invention,
• [Fig 5] une vue de face d'un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules, le conteneur comprenant deux volets formant à l'état fermé un plancher pour la cuve et qui sont montrés à l'état ouvert pour larguer, sous l'effet de la gravité, le contenu de la cuve selon l'invention,
• [Fig 6] représente une vue de dessous en perspective d'un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules, les deux volets étant fermés selon l'invention,
• [Fig 7] représente une vue d'un détail d'une articulation d'un volet dans un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules selon l'invention et,
• [Fig 8] représente une vue d'un détail d'un verrou dans un conteneur conçu pour stocker et larguer des pneumatiques usagés de véhicules selon l'invention, le verrou est conçu pour bloquer les deux volets quand ils forment un plancher pour la cuve et les débloquer pour qu'ils puissent s'ouvrir sous l'effet de la gravité selon l'invention.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned below, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

• [ Figure 1 ] represents a perspective view of a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires according to the invention,
• [ Figure 2 ] represents a perspective view of a chassis designed to contain a tank constituting a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires according to the invention,
• [ Figure 3 ] represents a perspective view of a tank for a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires according to the invention,
• [ Figure 4 ] represents a front view of a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires, the container resting on the ground according to the invention,
• [ Figure 5 ] a front view of a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires, the container comprising two flaps forming a floor for the tank in the closed state and which are shown in the open state for releasing, under the the effect of gravity, the contents of the tank according to the invention,
• [ Figure 6 ] represents a bottom perspective view of a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires, the two flaps being closed according to the invention,
• [ Figure 7 ] represents a view of a detail of an articulation of a flap in a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires according to the invention and,
• [ Figure 8 ] represents a view of a detail of a lock in a container designed to store and release used vehicle tires according to the invention, the lock is designed to block the two flaps when they form a floor for the tank and to unblock them so that they can open under the effect of gravity according to the invention.

Container 100 presented on the Fig. 1 is designed to, on the one hand, temporarily store used vehicle tires and, on the other hand, dump them, for example in a collection bin. When a vehicle's tires are worn, they should be replaced, for example, in a road vehicle maintenance center. Used tires can advantageously be temporarily stored by being stored in the container 100 of the invention. When it is full, the container 100 is moved to a collection pit or preferably to a collection bin, then the used tires are released into said bin. The empty container is then returned to the working environment of the road vehicle maintenance center. It can also be made available outdoors.

The container 100 is mainly made up of a rigid chassis Ch, a tank Cv. The tank Cv is surrounded by the chassis Ch. The chassis Ch is designed to carry and contain the tank Cv and it also serves to protect said tank from shocks, during the use of the container 100.

The Ch chassis is essentially constructed with Tb tubular components preferably made of galvanized steel to resist corrosion. It is preferably manufactured with hollow tubes of square section.

On the Fig. 2 , the chassis Ch comprises a frame Cd, on which are fixed at its corners uprights Mt which extend upwards in the position of use of the container 100 to surround the tank Cv, two flaps Vt1 and Vt2 arranged under the frame Cd, a Pt bracket fixed on the upper parts of the Mt uprights. The Mt uprights are rectilinear. On this Fig. 2 , the Cd frame has a square or rectangular geometry. Four uprights Mt1-Mt4 are fixed to the four corners of the Cd frame.

The Mt uprights converge from the top, that is to say that the perimeter of a fictitious frame bringing together the four upper ends of the Mt uprights is smaller than the perimeter of the Cd frame.

The Cd frame is made up of four L beams assembled at their corners by angle irons. Each angle is secured to the lower end of a corresponding Mt upright.

The Ch chassis is defined by a front side facing forward on this Fig. 2 , a dorsal side and which are joined by two lateral sides. The frame of a Po door is fixed in the front side of the Ch frame. A Po door is placed in the frame.

The Mt uprights which form the dorsal side and the two lateral sides are joined by connecting Tv crosspieces. The Tv crosspieces are arranged horizontally, in the position of use of the container 100. The Tv crosspieces joining the Mt uprights on the two lateral sides are assembled by removable connections to facilitate the construction of the container 100.

On the Fig. 1 , the Pt jib is designed to allow the container 100 to be lifted to transport it, in particular, above a collection pit or a collection bin. The Pt stem includes, on the Fig. 2 , a beam P fixed at its two ends, via bolted flanges, to two hoops Ac. Each arch Ac is fixed at its two ends to the tops of a pair of uprights Mt1, Mt2, Mt3, Mt4, the two pairs of uprights Mt being preferably arranged opposite each other. Each Ac hoop is advantageously manufactured in a curved tube, as appears on this Fig. 2 . The attachment between the Ac hoops and their corresponding Mt uprights is carried out by welding. Gussets also welded between the tops of the Mt uprights and the ends of the Ac arches reinforce the fixing.

A lifting ring An is fixed to the middle of the beam P to allow a lifting machine, such as a crane truck, to lift and move the container 100. A disc, not shown, can be fixed to the base of the lifting ring An so that the carrier equipped with a grapple can grasp said disc and lift the container.

The frame of the door Po comprises two bars fixed parallel between an arch Ac and a corresponding spar L constituting the front side of the frame Cd.

The Cv tank is made of a plastic material and more precisely of polyethylene and preferably of high density polyethylene (PEHD) by a rotational molding process. It is made in one piece, that is to say it is in one piece. This material is recyclable. The tank having reached the end of its life, the polyethylene which constitutes it can be collected, then transformed into granules which will be used in the manufacture of new polyethylene products. The tank of the invention thus contributes to the development of the circular economy. We can also carry out thermal recycling of polyethylene.

In an interesting manufacturing method, the thickness of the tank is approximately 8 mm.

On the Fig. 1 , the tank Cv takes place in the chassis Ch. The tank Cv is set back from the sides of the metal frame Ch which then serves as a means of protecting the tank against impacts.

On the Fig. 3 , the tank Cv is formed of an envelope which is defined, by side walls, four in number on this Fig. 3 , P1-P4, delimiting the perimeter of the tank Cv and a roof wall P5, concave seen from the inside of said tank. The roof wall P5 joins the side walls P1-P4 in a watertight manner. This construction of the Cv tank forms a shelter which protects the used tires from bad weather and the sun, which is a recommendation for good conservation from AlliaPur, a leading company in the recycling of used tires.

The tank Cv has no bottom wall between its four side walls P 1-P4.

The side walls P1-P4 are generally flat apart from reliefs intended to stiffen them. Recesses Rf are also formed in the walls P1-P4 by being positioned to receive the crosspieces constituting the container chassis, to limit the widening of the tank Cv filled with tires.

Recesses are also formed in the four corners of the Cv tank, in which the four uprights of the container frame can be placed to protect the Cv tank from impacts.

The tank rests by the lower free edges of its four walls P1-P4 on the frame, when it is placed in the container frame. More precisely, the lower edge of each wall P1-P4 is shaped into a rim Rb formed by two L-shaped folds which extend respectively outwards and downwards. Each edge can thus overlap a corresponding spar which constitutes the frame of the container chassis. There is thus no protruding edge in the tank at the level of its open bottom and which would be likely to hinder the release of used tires.

A passage Ps is made through the wall P4, to be positioned opposite the door of the frame constituting the container.

In the invention, and with reference to the Fig. 2 , two movable flaps Vt1 and Vt2 are arranged under the frame Cd to, on the one hand, serve as a floor by supporting the mass of used tires contained in the tank and, on the other hand, allow by the opening of the two flaps Vt1 and Vt2, the release of used tires, for example in a collection bin placed under the container.

For this purpose, the two flaps Vt1 and Vt2 are mounted movably between a closed position, visible on the Fig. 4 , where they form a floor to the tank Cv by being arranged in a coplanar manner and an open position, visible on the Fig. 5 , in which they open the bottom of the tank Cv while being oriented downwards to allow the release of used tires.

On the Figs. 5 And 6 , each flap Vt is mounted in an articulated manner under a lateral spar L constituting the frame Cd via at least one axis frame Cd. The two flaps Vt1 and Vt2 are thus arranged in an opposite manner to guide vertically, in their open position, the descent of the pile of tires stored in the tank Cv into the collection bin.

On the Fig. 6 , each flap Vt is preferentially mounted on a corresponding lateral spar L, via two coaxial axes X.

Each shutter Vt comprises a support frame Cs reinforced with a transverse bar, on which is fixed a plate Pq forming a floor part, in the closed position of said shutter.

More precisely, and with reference to the Fig. 7 , each axis Cs. The second pair of clevises Cp2 is nested in the first pair of clevises Cp1. By this construction, the open bottom of the tank Cv opens right through into the open position of the two flaps Vt allowing a direct fall of the used tires.

Each shutter Vt is equipped with a return means Mr designed to limit the amplitude of the opening movement of said shutter from its closed position to its release position, to an angular value a1 (for the shutter Vt1) and a2 ( for the Vt2 flap) which is less than 90°, as can be seen on the Fig. 5 , to allow the folding of said flap towards its closed position by simply placing the container on the ground. The Mr return means is used to facilitate the folding of the two Vt flaps. The Mr return means also serves to prevent flapping Vt towards the end of its opening and which could damage the walls of the receiving bin. On the Fig. 7 , this return means Mr is according to the invention made up of at least one torsion spring mounted on a corresponding axis The stiffness of this spring is calculated so that the mass of the tires can, however, during their release, open the two flaps to 90°.

On the Figs. 4 And 5 , according to the present invention, the container 100 is equipped with a pair of Vr locks designed to block the two flaps Vt1 and Vt2 in their closed position.

Two locks are used, one is located on the front side of the container and the other is located on its dorsal side. The two locks are used to block a first shutter, while the second shutter is held closed by the first shutter.

Each lock Vr is formed of a lever Lv which is mounted at one end in an articulated manner, by an axis X2, on a front or dorsal spar L of the frame Cd and which projects offset from its other end on a lateral side of container 100.

On the Fig. 8 , the two levers Lv, only one being visible in this Fig., are joined by an operating bar Bm, which serves to operate the two locks Vr between a locking position of the two flaps Vt arranged in their closed position and a position unlocking allowing the free opening of the two Vt flaps under the effect of gravity, towards their release position.

The two levers Lv are arranged horizontally in the locking position of the lock Vr and rest by gravity respectively on two stops Bu fixed on two longitudinal members L arranged opposite and constituting the frame Cd.

The lock Vr comprises on the side of the axis Cs support of at least one Vt flap. The Gt lug is preferably a solid cylinder and the housing Lg has a complementary geometry defined by a concave wall in the shape of a portion of a cylinder.

In the invention and with reference to the Fig. 3 , the planes of the side walls P1-P4 of the tank Cv form a truncated pyramid with a large base located at the level of the opening of its open bottom and a small base positioned at the base of the roof P5. The result is that the mass of tires in contact with the interior faces of the side walls P1-P4 immediately detaches from said side walls of the tank Cv as soon as the two flaps are opened which initiates the release.

On the Fig. 5 , the two ends of the two frontal and dorsal spars L2' constituting the support frame Cs of a shutter and here the shutter Vt1 are respectively provided with two end pieces Bt dimensioned to fit into the two hollow ends of the two frontal and dorsal spars L2 ' of the other flap Vt2, during the closing of the two flaps Vt, as suggested by the arrow F. Thus, the two flaps Vt1, Vt2 are mechanically linked in their closed position, visible on the Fig. 4 , where they form the floor for the Cv tank, although only one flap and in this case the Vt2 flap is locked.

On the Fig. 4 , cleats T are fixed transversely under the two front and back beams L2' to serve as support on the ground S for the container 100.

On the Fig. 5 , two of these cleats T are fixed under the free ends of the two front and dorsal spars L2' of the two flaps Vt1 and Ct2 which are intended to slide on the ground to bring the two flaps Vt back to their closed position.

At least one torsion spring Mr equipping the shutter Vt2 is more powerful than the spring of the other shutter Vt1 so that the opening angle a2 of the shutter Vt2 can be smaller than the opening angle a1 of the shutter Vt1 . The two end pieces Bt of the flap Vt1 can then certainly penetrate into the ends of the two front and dorsal spars L2' of the flap Vt2 during the closing of the two flaps.

The construction of the container 100 of the invention is carried out in the following manner. We assemble the two support frames Cs of the two shutters Vt under the frame Cd and we mount the two locks Vr. We place the tank Cv on the frame Cd. We assemble the uprights Mt on the frame Cd. We fix the crosspieces Tv on the uprights Mt which take place in the recesses Rf. We fix the bracket Pt on the tops of the uprights Mt.

The operation of the container 100 of the invention is as follows. The container 100 is placed on the ground, for example in a center of fitting of tires on road vehicles. The door Po of the container 100 is opened and, as the tires are replaced, the used tires are placed on the floor of the container and preferably stacked until the tank Cv is filled. We close the Po door.

The used tires can thus be transported in the container 100 of the invention to a collection bin of relatively large capacity which can collect them and transport them, in particular, to a recycling site. To this end, the container 100 is lifted using a lifting device and transported above the collection bin. The driver of the lifting machine lowers the container 100 so that he can press the operating bar Bm of the two locks Vr on the edge of a wall of the bin. The arrow V suggests on the Fig. 5 raising the levers Lv. The two Vr locks then release the two Gt lugs of the Vt2 flap. The mass of tires stored on the floor immediately opens the two Vt flaps and the group of tires falls as one unit into the bin, being guided vertically by the two Vt flaps.

It should be noted that the mutually adhering tires which are stored in the tank Cv form a compact assembly which also adheres against the side walls P1-P4 of the tank Cv. In the invention, these inclined side walls of the tank Cv cause the mass of used tires to detach immediately after opening the flaps. The presence of two flaps arranged opposite each other channels the descent of the pile of tires into the dumpster. The tires do not jump out of the body.

The mass of tires which was dropped almost instantly into the skip remains compact in it. A larger number of tires can be stored in the skip.

The driver then places the emptied container 100 on the ground S, the cleats T slide on the ground S and the end pieces Bt mutually secure the two flaps Vt. Towards the end of the closing movement of the two shutters Vt, the two lugs Gt lift the two cams Cm of the two bolts Vt and take place in the two housings Lg. Under the effect of gravity, the two levers Lv lower and force the two cams Cm to lock the two lugs Gt, thus maintaining the two flaps in their closed position where they form a floor in the tank. Container 100 is ready to be used again.

The container 100 of the invention allows, firstly, to temporarily store used tires, then secondly, to release them, without rebound and without fail, above a collection bin.

It protects used tires from bad weather and the sun throughout their storage.

Claims (6)

1. Container (100) designed to store used tyres and to dump them by gravity into a skip, the container (100) comprising a vessel (Cv) with an open bottom, a chassis (Ch) comprising an openable floor for the vessel (Cv), said floor comprising a frame (Cd), under which two flaps (Vt1, Vt2) are mounted in an articulated manner, the two flaps being mounted in an opposed manner between a closed position forming the floor for said vessel and an open position in which they are oriented towards the bottom, each flap (Vt) comprising a support frame (Cs) covered by a plate (Pq), characterized in that the chassis (Ch) is provided with a pair of locks (Vr) designed to block a flap (Vt1 or Vt2) in its closed position, each lock (Vr) comprising a lever (Lv) which is mounted at one of its ends in an articulated manner, by a pin (X2), on a front or dorsal longitudinal member (L) making up the frame (Cd) and which projects by its other end beyond a lateral side of the container (100), the two levers (Lv) being connected by an operating bar (Bm), each log (Vr) comprising, on the articulation pin (X2) side, a cam (Cm) followed by a housing (Lg) configured to receive and block a locking pin (Gt) secured to a front or dorsal longitudinal member (L2') making up said support frame (Cs) of said flap, the two flaps (Vt1, Vt2) being provided with a mechanical connection means active only in their closed position and comprising two end pieces (Bt) which are respectively mounted in the two ends of the two front and dorsal longitudinal members (L2') of the support frame (Cs) of a flap and which are dimensioned so as to fit into the two ends of the two front and dorsal longitudinal members (L2') of the support frame (Cs) of the other flap, during the closure of the two flaps (Vt), and in that the two flaps (Vt1, Vt2) are respectively mounted in an articulated manner under the two lateral longitudinal members (L) making up the frame (Cd) by means of at least one pin (X), each pin (X) being mounted through a first pair of clevises (Cp1) fastened under the lower face of said lateral longitudinal member (L) of the frame (Cd) and through a second pair of clevises (Cp2) fastened laterally on a lateral longitudinal member (L2) making up the support frame (Cs), wherein the second pair of clevises (Cp2) is nested in the first pair of clevises (Cp1), and in that a torsion spring (Mr) is mounted on the pin (X) between each second pair of clevises (Cp2).
2. Container (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one torsion spring (Mr) equipping a flap (Vt2) is more powerful than the spring of the other flap (Vt1).
3. Container (100) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the geometry of the vessel (Cv) is defined by lateral walls (P1-P4) forming a truncated pyramid with a large base facing towards its open bottom.
4. Container (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the lateral walls (P1-P4) of the vessel (Cv) are joined by means of a roof wall (P5), and in that the chassis (Ch) is provided with a door (Po) allowing access to said vessel.
5. Container (100) according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the chassis (Ch) comprises rectilinear uprights (Mt) fastened to the corners of the frame (Cd) to surround the vessel (Cv), a lifting bracket (Pt) being fastened to the upper parts of the uprights (Mt) .
6. Container (100) according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the lower edge of each wall (P1-P4) is configured as a rim (Rb) formed of two L-shaped folds which respectively extend outwards and downwards while straddling a corresponding longitudinal member (L) of the frame (Cd) of the chassis of said container.

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