ES2646889B1 - WASTE COLLECTION EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment for waste collection. # A device (100) for the selective collection of waste characterized by including the following devices: # 1a- a pole (10) equipped with a corresponding electronic device (11) suitable for transmitting data to a container (twenty); the data transmission may be direct between the post (10) and the container (20), or indirectly through an electronic control unit (CC); and # 1b- at least one container (20) provided with a corresponding electronic device (21) suitable for transmitting data to the post (10); the data transmission may be direct between the post (10) and the container (20), or indirectly through an electronic control unit (CC); the electronic device (21) being provided with means for activating / deactivating an electromechanical lock (22) combined with the container (20).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Equipment for waste collection.

The present invention relates to equipment for waste collection.

As is known, environmental and environmental defense problems
Environmental conditions make it increasingly difficult to find spaces for traditional landfills to unload materials of all kinds, not differentiated, sometimes pollutants (such as, for example,
medications, batteries,
solvents) or, more often, useful as a source of raw materials (such as, for example,
aluminum,
paper,
plastic,
glass).

He
Waste recycling, in addition to solving the landfill problem, allows significant savings in energy and raw materials.

As is known, the expression "selective collection" indicates a waste collection system that contemplates a first selection at the source, according to the type, by the citizens, diversifying it from the totally undifferentiated collection.

The ultimate goal is, therefore, the separation of waste by users and before the deposit of pre-selected waste in the corresponding receptacles (containers; iglues, etc.) placed in the streets.

In this way, it seeks to route each type of differentiated waste towards the most appropriate treatment of elimination or recovery, which goes from storage in the landfill to the incineration
/ conversion into energy of
undifferentiated waste, organic composting and recycling of the differentiated proper
(paper,
glass,
cans,
plastic).

When selective collection takes place on the streets, citizens must place their waste in receptacles (containers; iglues) present on the sidewalks.

Differentiating the type of waste, different types of receptacles are also necessary.

For example, a container commonly used is the so-called "iglu or bell" whose shape recalls the classic bronze bell of church bells. The iglu is generally intended for the collection of glass, cans or plastic (or a combination of these materials).

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Unlike
container, which must be overturned for emptying, the iglu is locked from below, lifting it and opening the base with a mechanical control located next to the lifting hook.

In some cities, especially in northern Europe, for reasons of space and aesthetics buried containers were installed, where the waste is deposited through a trapdoor present at street level.

The method of selective waste collection presents undoubted advantages, among which is the possibility that the user can contribute their waste at any time with lower collection costs, but also has the disadvantage of reducing the percentage of selective collection, as well as the quality of the material collected selectively, since the correct contribution of the waste depends on the citizens' sense of citizenship, since it is not possible to sanction the erroneous contributions because the street containers are used by anyone.

In addition, it was noted that one of the typical problems of the containers is that anyone can open them to remove valuable material or, more simply, to commit acts of vandalism.

The present invention, therefore, has the objective of obviating the defects present in the current selective waste collection systems.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide equipment for the selective collection of waste that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Therefore, according to the present invention, equipment for the selective collection of waste is made, as claimed in claim 1, or in any one of the claims directly or indirectly dependent on revindication 1.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, exclusively by way of non-limiting example and in relation to the attached figures, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a general scheme of the equipment for waste collection object of the present invention; Y

- Figure 2 shows a block diagram illustrating the operation of the equipment of Figure 1.

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In Figure 1, 100 indicates, as a whole, a waste collection equipment according to the imperatives of the present invention.

The equipment 100 for waste collection includes, first, the following devices:

1a- a post (data supply and reprocessing station) 10 with the corresponding electronic device 11 suitable for transmitting data to at least one container 20; data transmission may be direct between post 10 and container 20, or indirectly through an electronic switchboard (CC); Y

1b- at least one container 20 provided with a corresponding electronic device 21 suitable for transmitting data to the post (data supply and reprocessing station) 10; Data transmission can be directly between post 10 and container 20, or indirectly through the electronic control unit (CC).

The electronic control unit (CC) can be a common server or a central transmission, storage and data management itself, fully automated or with specialized auxiliary personnel.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the data input and reprocessing station (post) 10 is incorporated in the container 20 thus forming a compact container 20.

In addition, the post 10 has a screen 12, a user recognition device 13 (UT) (for example, a slot for the introduction of a paper with user identification bar code), a keyboard 14, and of a balance 15 to weigh the waste that the user (UT) wants to place in the container 20.

Incidentally, the same container 20 could contemplate the presence of a load cell itself 23 (not illustrated) (for example, placed at the bottom of the container 20) appropriate to directly weigh the amount of waste that from time to time a certain user (UT) contributes to container 20.

In addition, the container 20 is equipped with at least one level sensor 23 that detects when the container 20 is full or, more generally, when the expected filling level is reached in the container (20).

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The equipment 100 also includes at least one garbage collection truck 30 equipped with the corresponding electronic device 31 suitable for transmitting data to the electronic control unit (CC). For the transmission of data between the electronic device 31 and the electronic control unit (CC) it is possible to use a GPS system.

To complete the equipment 100 there is at least one landfill 40, this also equipped with the corresponding electronic device 41 suitable for transmitting data to the electronic control unit (CC).

Advantageously, but not necessarily, to transmit the data between the exchange (CC), on the one hand, and the electronic devices 11, 21, 31, 41 and the level sensor 23, on the other, it is possible to use a protocol of communication GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), which, as is known, is an evolved version of the well-known GSM system. It is also possible to use data transmission methods adopted in the mobile phone or in the wireless systems.

However, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is possible to advantageously use any data transmission protocol appropriate for that purpose.

In use, if the user (UT), for example, wants to place 5 Kg of glass in the container 20, the only thing to do is, first, identify himself in the post 10, for example, by inserting his paper with the corresponding bar code in the recognition device 13, or using any recognition system (fingerprints, iris, radiofrequency, etc.).

If the container 20 has enough space to receive the 5 Kg of glass, the electronic device 11 generates a first signal that is sent to the electronic control unit (CC), which, in turn, reprocesses the first received signal and generates a second signal that is sent to the electronic device 21.

The electronic device 21, if the level sensor 23 (possibly in conjunction with the load cell located at the bottom of the container 20) detects the presence of empty space in the container 20, generates a third opening activation signal of the electromechanical lock 22.

However, if the level sensor 23 detects that the container 20 is completely full, the opening of the electromechanical lock 22 is not activated (and, therefore, the container 20 remains closed), and a screen 12 is displayed. message with which the system

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Advises the user (UT) to place the waste in another container (which still has free space available) that is located nearby.

Not only that, when the container 20 is full, the electronic control unit (CC) sends a signal to the electronic device 31 mounted on the truck 30, to warn the driver of said truck 30 that in a given location there is a full container.

In addition, the electronic system controlled by the electronic control unit (CC), after a certain number of emptyings of the container 20, generates a message to warn that said container 20 must be washed, thus activating! an intervention of the cleaning / maintenance sector of the company that manages the collection of waste in a certain area.

The electronic control unit (CC) is also prepared to calculate the best route of the truck 30 to collect in a scientifically correct way the greater amount of waste during a certain route; or, the electronic control unit (CC) is able to calculate the best route of the truck 30 to collect a greater amount of waste with the minimum fuel consumption of the vehicle and / or with the minimum waste of time for the media and / or for the operators in charge of the collection.

As already mentioned, the landfill 40 is also equipped with the corresponding electronic device 41 that continuously sends signals to the state of the electronic control unit (CC), such as, for example, data corresponding to the level of filling of said landfill 40 with a certain type of waste (glass, paper etc.).

All this so that at the end of the journey, the driver of the truck 30 knows exactly if he can go to the landfill 40, or if the landfill 40 is no longer able to receive a certain type of waste.

When the landfill 40 is not in a position to receive a certain type of waste (paper, glass, cans, etc.), the electronic system controlled by the electronic control unit (CC) redirects the truck 30 to the nearest and most convenient landfill that still You have availability to receive that particular type of waste.

For the operation of the equipment 100, reference is made to the foregoing and the block diagram of Figure 2.

The main advantages of the equipment for the selective collection of waste object of the invention are the following:

prevent uncontrolled opening of containers, thus avoiding acts of vandalism, theft, etc.

Rationally manage container filling, preventing the pickup truck from stopping (which costs a lot) to dump a semi-empty container;

optimize truck travel

collection of differentiated waste; Y

optimize landfill management.

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Claims (10)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. Equipment (100) for the selective collection of waste characterized by including the following devices: 1a- at least one data supply and reprocessing station (10) equipped with a corresponding electronic device (11) suitable for transmitting data to at least one container (20); the transmission of data may be direct between said at least one station for providing and reprocessing data (10) and said at least one container (20), or indirectly through an electronic switchboard (CC); Y 1b- at least one container (20) provided with a corresponding electronic device (21) suitable for transmitting data to said at least one station for providing and reprocessing data (10); the transmission of data may be direct between said at least one station for providing and reprocessing data (10) and said at least one container (20), or indirectly through an electronic switchboard (CC); said electronic device (21) being provided with means for activating / deactivating closing devices (22) of said at least one container (20). 2. Equipment (100), as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one data supply and reprocessing station (10) is incorporated in said at least one container (20) forming a compact container (20). 3. Equipment (100), as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one container (20) is equipped with appropriate control means (23) to check the complete filling of said at least one container ( twenty). 4. Equipment (100), as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one data supply and reprocessing station (post) (10) and / or said at least one container (20) includes means (15) for weighing the waste to be contributed to the container (20). 5. Equipment (100), as claimed in claim 4, characterized by including at least one automotive collection means (30) for the removal of waste from said container (20); said at least one automotive collection means (30) provided with electronic means (31) suitable for exchanging information with said electronic switchboard (CC), in particular, through a GPS system; and why, if said means of control (23) 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 they detect that said container (20) is completely full, said opening / closing means (22) are not activated and, on the other hand, a message (12) is displayed on a screen that the system uses to inform the user (UT) that You must make the contribution of the waste in another container. 6. Equipment (100), as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, once the container (20) reaches the expected filling level, said electronic switchboard (CC) sends a signal to said mounted electronic device (31) in said at least one automotive collection means (30), to inform the driver of said at least one automotive collection means (30) the location of a full container (20). 7. Equipment (100), as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the electronic system controlled by said electronic switchboard (CC), after a certain number of emptyings of the container (20), generates a message to warn that said container (20) should be washed. 8. Equipment (100), as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic switchboard (CC) is prepared to calculate the best route for said at least one automotive collection means (30) for the purpose of collect in a scientifically correct way the greatest amount of waste during a certain route; or, said electronic switchboard (CC) is in a position to calculate the best route for said at least one automotive collection means (30) in order to collect a greater amount of waste with the minimum fuel consumption of the vehicle and / or with the minimum waste of time for the media and / or for the operators in charge of the collection. 9. Equipment (100), as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized by also contemplating the presence of at least one landfill (40) equipped with a corresponding electronic device (41) that sends said electronic switchboard ( CC) signals referring to their status, such as data corresponding to the level of filling of said landfill (40) with a certain type of waste (glass, paper, etc.). 10. Equipment (100), as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized by transmitting data between said electronic switchboard (CC), on the one hand, and said electronic devices (11, 21, 31, 41) together with said control means (23), on the other, using a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) communication protocol, or methods of data transmission adopted in the mobile telephone or in the wireless systems.