FR2709114A1 - Sorting cabinet for recycling waste - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steel, plastic or concrete cabinet (1), which is fixed to the ground, with one or more levels. The lower level is intended to receive several rolling containers (wheeled bins) (3) to meet the need to separate recyclable waste items from one another, on the one hand, and from those which are not recyclable on the other hand. This lower level includes apertures for introduction of the waste, both on the pavement and on the residence side. On the road side, two doors enable the refuse collectors to gain access to the containers in order to empty them. The upper level of levels (2) if any, are intended for toxic (hazardous) waste.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for selectively recovering all the waste from residents and users of the public highway, including toxic waste under conditions of absolute safety.

 Currently we can see on the sidewalks a large quantity of full or empty garbage bins at all times, day and night. Even empty, they are useless since to slip a paper into it you would have to lift the cover and risk getting your hands dirty. Sometimes these bins are overturned and their contents scattered. Toxic products can thus be mixed with rainwater. We can also see piles of rubbish of all kinds such as, half-overturned bags of demolition rubble, cans of paint, glue or other more or less dangerous products, left by small businesses that cannot afford '' take their waste to distant landfills. There is indeed a container for toxic waste for which I filed patent application No. 92 08714 on July 15, 1993, but this device does not allow, as it is designed to collect the other waste under practical conditions and economic acceptable.

 The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks. It indeed includes a technical sorting cabinet for recycling at one or more levels. This cabinet must be sealed to the floor. The lower level is intended to receive several waste bins accessible to residents and passers-by through holes large enough to receive relatively large objects. The upper level (s) are intended for toxic substances.

The number of bins can vary depending on the selectivity that one wants to obtain. Examples:
- 2 bins: 1 "recyclable", 1 "non-recyclable";
- 3 bins: J "paper-cardboard", 1 "metals", 1 "not recyclable";
- 4 bins: ditto plus rubble in small quantities;
- 5 bins: ditto plus plastics;
- 6 bins: same as the glass;
- 7 bins: ditto more fluorescent and electrical equipment;
etc ...

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure 1 shows the cabinet on the street side (emptying of the bins and recovery of toxic waste from the upper part).

Figure 2 shows the sidewalk cabinet and houses.

FIG. 3 represents a section along AA 'of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents the diagram of the fire-fighting device seen from the street (closed doors).

FIG. 5 represents the same diagram seen from the left (side without opening).

Figure 6 shows the same diagram seen from above.

Figure 7 shows a manual opening system of the tray.

Figure 8 shows another tray opening system with pedal.

 With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a metal, plastic or concrete cabinet (l), an upper part (2) for toxic substances, a lower part which can accept rolling bins (3), four sealing tabs ( 7), several orifices (4) (fig. 2) corresponding to the number of incorporated bins (3), a recovery receptacle, under the conveyor belt (5) of the upper part, furnished with changeable plates of an absorbent material ( 8) (Figures 2 and 3) to counter possible leaks of toxic liquid, chutes (6) (fig.3) to guide the waste to the bins (3) (fig.3), a fire-fighting device (Figures 4, 5, 6) with a fire extinguisher (9), heat detectors (10) and supply pipes (12) for the spray points (11).

 Two doors with vertical hinges (open with a square or triangular key and not shown in the figures) must be provided on the street side, for the safety, aesthetics and olfactory comfort of road users.

For the latter reason, the waste introduction openings in the lower part can be fitted with folding flaps. Natural or electric ventilation must be provided to avoid any possible accumulation of detonating gas. The dimensions of the cabinet will depend on the size of the tanks, the population density and the selectivity that one wants to obtain. The lower part of the cabinet can be designed with cells the size of the bins to allow automation of the collection and replacement of the bins (in other words to avoid improper positioning of the bins inside the wardrobe).

 Designed by specialists in urban furniture, this wardrobe can be perfectly integrated anywhere. It can receive advertising panels on the flat side and on the doors on the street side.

 Power on, billboards can become bright, ventilation can be mechanical, an alarm can be connected to the nearest fire department, a filling rate detector (photoelectric cell) of the "toxic" part can ren seign the depositor by electronic display s device is saturated and indicate the nearest technical cabinet. This filling rate detector can be connected to the municipal road network and trigger an alarm signal. The two doors in the lower part can be replaced by a roller shutter with remote control to allow automation of the collection.

 By automation of collection I mean; a truck equipped with cameras to indicate to the driver if the positioning of the vehicle is correct in relation to the technical cabinet; several mechanisms placed on the side of the bucket simultaneously take all the bins in the cupboard, empty them into separate compartments and put them back in their place; the roller shutter is lowered by the driver from his cockpit; the vehicle leaves for the next cabinet. This type of truck has several compartments and side loading already exists.

 In another version and to avoid that the bins remain permanently open because of the odors which may escape, we can provide a slatted shutter system (l5) (fig. 7) of wood, metal or plastic , provided with a handle (13) or (l3bis) in the open position, with a male part (16) or (l6bis) in the open position which must be at the level of the handle of the cover (l4) of the container (3 ) and intended to open it when the user lifts the flap to introduce its waste. Obviously, in order not to move in its housing, the bin must be pressed against the cabinet emptying door (street side). The drawback of the system is that the user needs two hands, one to lift the flap, the other to introduce his waste.

 This drawback can be overcome in several ways: a) a sketched pedal and balance system (19) (fig. 8) (closed (17) and open (18) position) h) a hydraulic system in place of the balance, the pedal remains necessary; c) finally a photoelectric system which triggers the opening of the shutter on presentation of an object in the field of the cell.

Claims (9)

 1) Device for sorting waste at source, characterized in that it comprises a metal, plastic or concrete cabinet (l), an upper part (2) for toxic substances, a lower part which can accept wheeled bins ( 3), four sealing tabs (7), several orifices (4) (fig. 2) corresponding to the number of incorporated bins (3), a recovery receptacle, under the conveyor belt (5) of the upper part, lined with changeable plates of an absorbent material (8) (figures 2 and 3) to prevent possible leaks of toxic liquid, the shells (6) (fig 3) to guide the waste to the bins (3) (fig. 3 ), a fire-fighting device (Figures 4, 5, 6) with a fire extinguisher (9), heat detectors (10) and supply hoses (12) for the spray points (11).  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the opening of the two doors with vertical hinges (not shown) of the lower level requires a tool (square, triangle) and that that of the door or doors with horizontal hinges of the upper levels requires a key or code.  3) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can receive illuminated advertising panels on one side and on the doors on the street side.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an alarm system can be connected to the nearest fire department.  5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a filling rate detector (photoelectric cells) is provided in the upper part (toxic) to inform the depositor, by electronic display, if the device is saturated and direct it to the nearest technical cabinet.  6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this filling rate detector can be connected to the "road" service of the municipality  7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior of the cabinet, lower part, can be designed with cells of the size of the tanks to allow automation of the collection and the replacement of the trays (in other words to avoid incorrect positioning of the trays).  8) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two doors with vertical hinges of the lower part can be replaced by a rolling shutter with remote control to allow the automation of the collection.  9) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a shutter system with wooden, metal or plastic slats (l5) (fig.7), provided with a handle (13), a male part (16) intended to drive the cover (14) of the container (3) to the opening of the flap (the container cannot be moved into its housing).  lO) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pedal coupled to a balance (l9) (fig.8) or to a hydraulic system or even more simply a photoelectric cell allows the shutter to be opened having hands free.