ES2662294B1 - SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE FOR MANAGEMENT OF WASTE COLLECTION AND URBAN WASTE CONTAINER - Google Patents

Description

System and procedure of management of waste collection and urban waste container

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure refers to a waste collection management system of the type "voluntary contribution", for example, for the collection of urban waste, whether domestic, commercial, etc. The present disclosure also refers to a waste collection management procedure and an urban waste container.

STATE OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

There are multiple types of containers that are placed in the streets for the collection of waste, both for selective collection and for the generic collection. Usually, the containers are arranged in groups of several, commonly known as "container islands", arranged along the side of the street to facilitate their collection with trucks.

There are waste collection management systems that include containers of different forms of loading, rear loading, lateral loading, and frontal loading. An important point for the management systems of the collection is a good route planning of the trucks in order to optimize costs and complexity. For this there are technologically more advanced collection systems that use "smart" containers equipped, for example, with sensors to measure the level of waste deposited inside them.

There are also waste containers provided with some kind of label or identifier (barcode, high and low frequency RFID) with information of the container (number, type of container, location) that allow identifying the container, for example, when it has been emptied or when it has been cleaned and dump the information in a database. And containers are known that comprise sensors for fire detection that are capable of emitting a signal. Document ES2432474 describes these containers.

Likewise, containers comprising some type of electronic or magnetic lock configured to be opened only by a user possessing a suitable card or key, for example, a "contactless" contactless card, are also known.

On the other hand, there is a growing evolution in the cities to promote the recycling of waste with a view to reducing environmental problems and as a business opportunity. However, despite the constant efforts and incentives to recycling, the percentage of waste that is recycled seems to have stagnated. Therefore, there is a need to take measures to increase the recycling rate.

It is an objective of the present disclosure to promote an active participation of citizens in the development of new measures of sustainable behavior that best suit their needs.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

In the first aspect, a management system for the collection of urban waste is provided. The system comprises a waste container; and a unit for consulting the user. The user inquiry unit comprises, in turn, at least one selection switch for obtaining signals linked to a response from the user; and a communication module configured to transmit the signals to a remote server.

According to this aspect, the presence of a unit for querying the user and a communication module for transmitting the responses obtained from the user to a remote server facilitates an interaction between a user, for example, and the operator of the collection service or administration. that manages the collection service or other related entities. The system allows the user to be consulted about certain preferences and / or degree of satisfaction related to the container, its situation and / or the current management system, among others. This information can be taken into account when developing new measures, for example of sustainable behavior, with a view to increasing the percentage of recycling, and / or to act on possible incidents, even in real time. The development of new measures, incorporating the opinion / comments of the user propitiates their good predisposition to adopt these measures, increasing their degree of satisfaction and commitment to them.

In some examples, the user inquiry unit may comprise two or more selection switches.

The selection switches may comprise capacitive switches arranged in a space isolated from the environment and inaccessible to the user and mounted adjacent to a panel that is accessible to the user. In this way the switches are isolated from adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow and / or possible vandalism usually suffered by urban furniture, particularly containers. According to some examples, the panel can be formed by printed circuits embedded between layers of plastic material subjected to a rolling process to form the container.

Throughout the present disclosure, capacitive switches or sensors should be understood as those that react by proximity to the user's body. However, other types of selection switches can also be provided, for example those that are activated both by contact and by pressure.

According to some examples, the system can comprise two or more containers that define an island of containers, for example, from 2 to 6 containers, or even more.

In some examples, the user inquiry unit may be arranged at least in part in a closed space of the container. This helps to reduce possible vandalism attacks against the query unit itself since it is camouflaged (goes unnoticed) inside the container. The arrangement in an enclosed space allows to protect, for example, the electronic part of the query unit of the residues that are deposited inside the container, thus lengthening the useful life of the query unit.

In some of these examples, the query unit may be arranged in association with a lateral armature configured to house mechanisms for opening and closing the container. In some of these cases, the at least one switch can be arranged inside a protection box or armature coupled to the side frame of the container.

In some examples, the system may further comprise a base or communication pole, in which the user inquiry unit may be arranged in the post. These examples are especially suitable for those cases in which two or more containers define an island of containers. This allows to establish a management system substantially as described, ie "interactive" with the user, without the need to renew the current container, but simply by providing a communication post provided with a user consultation unit substantially according to has been described above.

According to some examples, the system may also comprise a voice capture device configured to act as an intercom. This allows establishing a communication between the user and the operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service. In these cases, the voice capture device can be provided on the communication pole and can communicate with a permanent acting center of the collection service operator or of the administration that manages the collection service. Examples of speech capture devices may include a microphone, a telephone or an intercom, among others.

According to some examples, the user consultation unit can incorporate a two-dimensional code configured to provide access to a web page, for example, bar codes or points (QR code). These examples are especially suitable for those users equipped with smart devices, ie mobile phone, PDA or similar, provided with some two-dimensional code reading application. In these cases, the user can access, for example, the QR code to a web page in which the operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service can provide information on the container. For example, they can provide information about collection schedules, recycling statistics such as percentages of recycling obtained in previous months, percentages of recycling in other containers, averages of the city, comparisons between different areas of the city, including latest incidents associated with container, among others. In some of these examples, an application can be provided that allows the user to consult in which container a waste should be thrown. Alternatively, this information can be consulted on the website to which the QR code provides access.

The communication module can be a wireless communications module selected from the group consisting of a WiFi module or a 3G, 4G or 5G module or a GSM or GPRS module, among others. These communication modules allow the direct and immediate sending of the signals to the remote server. In particular, the 3G, 4G or 5G, GSM or GPRS modules do not depend on the state of the internet network, so they speed up the signal traffic (questions / answers) even more.

According to some examples, the user inquiry unit may comprise a visualization screen. In this way, the user consultation unit allows, not only the transmission of signals linked to user responses, but allows the display of questions or signals sent by the remote server to the user, ie questions formulated, for example, by the user. operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service. This streamlines the user / operator interaction of the collection or administration service that manages the collection service. These examples are particularly suitable for systems comprising groups of containers that define an island and a communication pole associated with said island. In these cases, it is enough to incorporate the display screen in the communication post.

In some examples, the user inquiry unit may comprise a memory configured to store the signals linked to the responses obtained. Examples of memory can be EPROM, EEPROM or FLASH, among others.

In more examples, the system may also comprise a plurality of badges intended to be delivered to users. In these cases, the user inquiry unit may comprise electronic / computerized means configured to decode said badges. This allows a customized interaction user / operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service. Likewise, with the information of the user, the operator of the service or the administration that manages the service can send him proposals, evolution reports or actions to the user, for example, using his e-mail. Alternatively, the user's personalization can be carried out by other devices configured to identify a user.

According to more examples, the system may also comprise a programmable electronic label. In this way the operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service can dynamically expose information to users, for example, about the subject on which they should comment. Examples of programmable electronic signs are formed by LEDs. In them you can program a variety of animations. The provision of an electronic sign is especially suitable for those cases in which the system does not include a post or base of communication. Also, in examples comprising a speech capture device configured to act as an intercom, this device may be provided on a post adapted to support the programmable tag.

According to another aspect, a management procedure for the collection of urban waste is provided. The method comprises providing a management system for collecting urban waste substantially as described. In addition, the procedure comprises obtaining one or more responses from a user through the user inquiry units, sending the responses from the query unit to the remote server, analyzing the responses obtained, and determining, based on the responses obtained , changes in the collection of waste and / or maintenance of containers.

In some examples, depending on the answers obtained, changes in the rates charged to the related citizens can be determined, for example with the container (s). You can also establish incentives to the user, for example, in the form of vouchers to buy in shops in the area, or in the form of free parking hours, among others.

The answers can represent at least a degree of positive satisfaction or a degree of negative satisfaction of the user.

In some examples, the method may further comprise generating an alert signal when a degree of negative satisfaction is detected and establishing the activation of an alarm when a predefined number of warning signals is generated. The predefined number of warning signals that trigger the alarm signal can be defined by the collection service operator, the maintenance operator, or the administration that manages the collection service.

In some of these examples, establishing the activation of an alarm may comprise sending a warning signal or message, for example an SMS, to a cleaning team or a maintenance team or a rapid intervention team.

According to some examples, obtaining one or more responses from a user through the user inquiry units may comprise obtaining a second response once a predefined time has elapsed from a first response. In this way, the user inquiry unit is configured to avoid the reception of repeated responses, for example, due to a user repeatedly pressing a switch either through impatience, carelessness or vandalism.

In more examples, obtaining one or more answers from a user through the units of consultation to the user can understand obtaining a single response at each moment. In this way, the user consultation unit is configured to prevent two simultaneous pulsations (of different switches) being registered, thus minimizing the number of erroneous responses received.

Even in more examples, the method may also include customizing a user's badge before obtaining one or more responses from a user through the user inquiry units. This allows a personalized interaction user / operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service, being able to send proposals, evolution reports or actions to be carried out or made in a personalized way to each user.

In short, an urban waste management system substantially as described allows an interaction between the users and the collection service operator or the administration that manages the collection service. This interaction can be personalized or not, but in any case allows an active participation of citizens in the development of measures to improve the management of waste collection. Whether the participation is personalized or not, from the interaction it is also possible to establish incentive programs that encourage this participation. Also, the active participation of citizens results in a better predisposition of them to adopt new measures that arise from their opinions.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a container for urban waste, made of plastic material comprising a tank intended to contain waste, a lid and a reinforcement lateral to the lid and upper to the tank configured to house opening and closing mechanisms of the container. The container comprises a unit for consulting the user. The user inquiry unit comprises at least one selection switch for obtaining signals linked to a user response and a communication module configured to transmit the signals to a remote server.

According to some examples, the at least one selection switch can comprise capacitive switches arranged in a space associated with the lateral reinforcement of the container, the space being isolated from the environment and inaccessible to the user, in which a panel accessible to the user can instead be provided adjacent to the capacitive switches.

The panel accessible to the user can be formed by printed circuits embedded between layers of plastic material subjected to a rolling process to form the lateral reinforcement of the container.

In examples, the container may also comprise a flexible solar panel arranged in an upper area of the lid of the container. In some examples, the flexible solar panel can be integrated between layers of plastic material including a base layer and a transparent outer layer, subjected to a rolling process to form the lid of the container.

Other objects, advantages and characteristics of embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description, or can be learned with the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, particular embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a scheme of an urban waste management system according to an example;

Figure 2 shows another example of a container suitable for the system of Figure 1;

In Figure 3 a schematic of a partial section of the container of any one of the examples of Figures 1 or 2 is shown; Y

Figure 4 shows a schematic of an urban waste management system according to another example.

DETAILED EXHIBITION OF REALIZATION MODES

In the following figures, the same reference numbers have been used to indicate matching elements.

Figure 1 shows a management system for collection of urban waste comprising an urban waste container 10 and a user inquiry unit 17 comprising a panel 15 accessible to the user configured to obtain user responses through at least a selection switch (see extended detail). The user inquiry unit 17 also comprises electronic / computerized means configured to transmit (arrow A) the user's responses to a remote server 20. In alternative examples, the system may comprise more than one container.

The container can be any standard container commonly used for the collection of urban waste. In particular, a side loading container is shown, ie, adapted to be handled by the side of a waste collection vehicle. Alternative examples may include any other type of urban waste container, such as front-loading collection containers, rear cargo collection containers, top-loading cargo collection (by crane or equivalent), underground containers, etc. In short, all containers included in the standards EN 840, EN 12574 and EN 13071, whether metal, metal-plastic or plastic.

The container 10 is formed by a main body 11 adapted to receive waste therein. In examples, the body of the container can be made of polyethylene and polypropylene, reinforced polyester, steel, etc., and can have a capacity of 2200 liters or 3200 liters or even more. In the example of figure 1, the body 11 of the container 10 has a loading area 12 and a discharge area 13 in which respective closure covers are provided, for example tilting-type covers. In addition, the container 10 comprises a lateral reinforcement 14 in which the opening and closing mechanisms of the lids can be housed and protected.

In the example of figure 1, the panel 15 is arranged in an area of the side frame 14 in correspondence with a base of the lid 121 of the loading area of the container.

The example of figure 2, however, the panel 15 is arranged in an area of the armature 14 in correspondence with a side of the closing lid 121.

In the enlarged details of the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, panel 15 allows to display two selection switches 151, 152. Each switch is associated with a degree of user satisfaction. In these examples, one of the switches 151 represents a degree of positive satisfaction and the other switch 152 represents a degree of negative satisfaction. In more examples, more switches may be provided associated, for example, to intermediate degrees of satisfaction or to other alternatives on which a response from a user is desired. Even a query unit comprising a single switch can be provided.

In these examples, the panel can be formed by printed circuits arranged interspersed between layers of plastic material such that by subjecting them to a rolling process to form the lateral reinforcement of the container are embedded between the layers of plastic material.

In addition, in these examples, the containers may comprise flexible solar panel to provide power to the user inquiry unit. In these cases, the solar panel can be arranged in an upper area of the lid of the container. In some examples, the flexible solar panel can be embedded intercalandolo between layers of plastic material, including at least one base layer and a transparent outer layer such that by submitting them to a lamination process the panel is embedded in the lid of the container. In alternative examples, the user inquiry unit may comprise another type of power module, for example, batteries or batteries. In more examples, the power modules can also be combined with the flexible solar panel.

Figure 3 shows a diagram of a partial section of the container of any one of the examples of figures 1 or 2. In this example, the at least one selection switch includes capacitive switches 16 arranged inside the armature 141 14 of the container that are mounted adjacent to the panel 15. In this way the capacitive switches 16 are isolated from the environment, "hidden" behind the panel 15. Likewise, it is provided that the switches 16 are housed inside a housing, armature or housing. protection 161 that can be coupled to the side frame 14 of the container. In this way, the switches are also protected from the waste that is thrown inside the container. Alternatively, a partition that partially covers the switches may be provided to isolate them from the waste.

In the example of figure 4, the urban waste management system comprises three containers 30 that define an island 300. In this example the containers are the same, but for different waste fractions, for example paper / cardboard, containers, organic waste and they are of the lateral load. In more examples, the containers can be different and can be of any type of those usually used for the collection of urban waste. In this example, the system also comprises a base or communication pole 40 and the user inquiry unit 41 is arranged on the communication pole 40. In these cases, the user inquiry unit may comprise a panel and at least a selection switch substantially as described in relation to Figures 1 or 2.

In some examples, the user inquiry unit may comprise a switch to identify which container is being considered and one or more switches configured to answer the question on which the user wishes to receive an opinion. In these cases, the user can give a personalized opinion by container of an island by first pressing the switch that indicates about which container is going to give his opinion and then pressing the switch associated with the answer he wants to give.

One aspect of providing a post or communication base is that it allows to maintain the usual containers that are already in use. Only the installation of a communication pole equipped with a user inquiry unit is needed substantially as described to put into operation a waste management system. In these examples, the feeding of the user inquiry unit can be "centralized" in the post or communication base. For this purpose, a power supply module of the type batteries, batteries, photovoltaic cells or combinations of these alternatives can be provided. Alternatively, the post can be directly connected to the city's electrical network. Another aspect of using a communication base is that the visualization panel may comprise a larger area. This encourages the use of an additional screen or the use of a larger panel, facilitating or improving the visualization, therefore, of the questions or information (for example teaching a graph) relative to the collection sent by the operator of the collection service or by the administration that manages the collection service or other related entities, depending on the circumstances.

In some of these examples, the post 40 or the user inquiry unit 41 may further comprise a speech capture device 42 configured to act as an intercom. This allows a permanent interaction between a user and the operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service or other related entities.

In more examples, the base or communication pole may be combined with one or more containers substantially as described in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2. Likewise, all the examples described may be combined with a programmable electronic tag 50 (see FIG. ), for example, formed by LEDs, thus allowing the operator of the collection service or the administration that manages the collection service or other related entities to dynamically expose information or questions to users.

Throughout the present description and claims, the transmission of signals of answers or questions from or to the user (arrow A) can be carried out through a known wireless communications module. For example, a WiFi module or a 3G, 4G or 5G module or a GSM or GPRS module, among others. The term WiFi (name common in Spanish from the Wi-Fi brand) should be understood as a mechanism for connecting electronic devices wirelessly.

In all the examples, the user inquiry unit may be configured so that the selection switch (s) can only obtain a second signal linked to a response once a predefined time has elapsed from a first signal linked to a response. In this way, repeated results derived from a user who erroneously press a switch repeatedly and a user who makes repeated presses by vandalism are minimized. In some of these cases, the selection switches may be configured not to register a second pulsation if a predefined time of, for example 10 or 20 seconds, has not elapsed since the first press. Other predefined time intervals can be foreseen according to the circumstances.

Also, in all the examples, the user inquiry unit can be configured to obtain a single signal linked to a response at any time. This configuration is especially suitable when the system comprises two or more switches, thus eliminating (or at least reducing) duplicate results, either by mistake or vandalism, derived from a user who presses two switches at the same time.

Although only certain embodiments and particular examples of the invention have been described here, the person skilled in the art will understand that other alternative embodiments and / or uses of the invention are possible, as well as obvious modifications and equivalent elements. Furthermore, the present invention encompasses all possible combinations of the specific embodiments that have been described. Numerical signs relating to the drawings and placed between parentheses in a claim are only to attempt to increase the understanding of the claim, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the protection of the claim. The scope of the present invention should not be limited to specific embodiments, but should be determined solely by an appropriate reading of the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. An urban waste collection management system characterized in that it comprises: - a waste container (10; 30); Y - a user inquiry unit (17; 41) comprising - at least one selection switch for obtaining signals linked to a user response; Y - a communication module configured to transmit (A) the signals to a remote server (20). The system of claim 1, characterized in that the user inquiry unit comprises two or more selection switches (151, 152). The system of any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the selection switches comprise capacitive switches (16) arranged in an isolated space (161) of the environment and inaccessible to the user and mounted adjacent to a panel (15) that It is accessible to the user. 4. The system of any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that it comprises two or more containers (10; 30) that define an island of containers (300). The system of any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the user inquiry unit (17) is disposed at least in part in a closed space of the container. 6. The system of claim 5, characterized in that the query unit (17) is arranged associated with a lateral reinforcement (14) configured to house mechanisms for opening and closing the container. The system of any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that it further comprises a base or communication pole (40), in which the user inquiry unit (41) is arranged in the post (40) . 8. The system of claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a voice capture device (42) configured to act as an intercom. The system of any one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the user inquiry unit (17; 41) incorporates a two-dimensional code configured to provide access to a web page. The system of any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the user inquiry unit (17; 41) comprises a display screen. The system of any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the user inquiry unit (17; 41) comprises a memory configured to store the signals linked to the responses obtained. The system of any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of badges intended to be delivered to the users and the user inquiry unit (17; 41) is configured to decode the badges. The system of any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that it also comprises a programmable electronic tag (50). 14. A management procedure for collection of urban waste characterized because it comprises: - provide a management system for collection of urban waste according to any one of the preceding claims; - obtain one or more answers from a user through the units of consultation to the user; - send the responses from the query unit to the remote server, - analyze the answers obtained, and - determine, based on the answers obtained, changes in the collection of waste and / or the maintenance of the containers. 15. The method of claim 14, characterized in that the responses represent at least: - a degree of positive satisfaction; or - a degree of negative satisfaction. 16. The method of claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises - generate a warning signal when a degree of negative satisfaction is detected; Y - set the activation of an alarm when a predefined number of alert signals is generated. 17. The method of claim 16, characterized in that establishing the activation of an alarm comprises sending a warning signal or message to a cleaning team or a maintenance team or a rapid intervention team. The method of any one of claims 14-17, characterized in that obtaining one or more responses from a user through the user inquiry units comprises obtaining a second response once a predefined time has elapsed from a first response. The method of any one of claims 14 - 18, characterized in that obtaining one or more responses from a user through the query units to the user comprises obtaining a single response at each moment. The method of any one of claims 14-19, characterized in that prior to obtaining one or more responses from a user through the user inquiry units, it comprises customizing a user's badge. 21. A container for urban waste (10), made of plastic material comprising a tank to contain waste, a lid (121) and a lateral reinforcement (14) to the top and top to the tank configured to house opening mechanisms and closure of the container, characterized in that it comprises a user inquiry unit (17), in which the user inquiry unit comprises - at least one selection switch for obtaining signals linked to a user response; Y - a communication module configured to transmit (A) the signals to a remote server (20). 22. The container of claim 21, characterized in that the at least one selection switch comprises capacitive switches (161) arranged in a space associated with the lateral reinforcement (14) of the container, the space being isolated from the environment and inaccessible to the user, in that a panel (15) accessible to the user is provided adjacent to the capacitive switches (161). 23. The container of claim 22, characterized in that the panel (15) accessible to the user is formed by printed circuits embedded between layers of plastic material subjected to a rolling process to form the lateral reinforcement (14) of the container. 24. The container of any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that it also comprises a flexible solar panel arranged in an upper area of the lid of the container. 25. The container of claim 24, characterized in that the flexible solar panel is integrated between layers of plastic material including a base layer and a transparent outer layer, subjected to a rolling process to form the lid of the container.