GB2443414A

GB2443414A - Hollow building block for containing waste material

Info

Publication number: GB2443414A
Application number: GB0621876A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Edward Allbrighton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-02
Filing date: 2006-11-02
Publication date: 2008-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-02
Also published as: GB2443414B; GB0621876D0

Abstract

A building block comprises a hollow body with an opening at one end thereof. An end piece mates with the opening in the hollow body to close the block. The hollow body further comprises means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block. In use, the hollow body is filled with waste material and closed with the end piece.

Description

A Building Block The present invention relates to a building block

containing waste material, and to a method of producing such a block.

The problem of storing and disposing of waste material is a growing problem in the UK. It is estimated that in 2005, UK households disposed of 33 million tonnes of waste material. The Environment Agency predicts that the amount of waste material produced in the UK is growing by about 3% per annum. This waste must be transported to landfill sites or incinerated which costs millions of pounds per annum. Landfilling and incinerating waste can place pressures on the environment, for example, the leaching of nutrients, heavy metals and other toxic compounds from landfills into the surrounding environment, or the emission of greenhouse gases from landfills and toxins by incinerators. Accordingly, it would save money and be beneficial to the environment to reduce the amount of waste that has to be incinerated or disposed of in landfill sites.

Every year, the construction industry uses large numbers of bricks for building. Bricks cost a large amount to produce, as traditional clay bricks must be fired in a kiln at high temperature under very specific conditions. Bricks also cost a large amount to transport due to their considerable weight.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a building block that can be filled with waste material from households, shops and offices. This will reduce the amount of waste that needs to be transported to landfill sites or incinerated.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide building blocks that are lightweight and can be transported with greater ease than conventional bricks due to the vastly reduced weight.

According to the present invention there is provided a block for use in building, the block comprising a hollow body with an opening at one end thereof and an end piece that mates with the opening in the hollow body to close the block and the hollow body further comprises means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block, wherein in use the hollow body is filled with waste material and closed with the end piece.

With such a block, waste material is stored inside the block. This gives the advantage of saving both time and money as the waste can come from a local source so that it does not have to be transported to a landfill site or incinerator. The waste material stored inside the hollow body of the block also adds weight to the block which gives it more stability in use.

A further advantage with such a block is in its transportation. Blocks according to the present invention can be transported in their hollow form. In this form they are much lighter than the equivalent amount of conventional bricks. Accordingly, the blocks are much easier and cheaper to transport and handle due to their significantly lower weight compared to conventional bricks. Once the blocks have been transported to the site at which they will be used, they can then be filled with waste material.

The hollow body can be any suitable size and shape to allow it to be used in building. Blocks with a suitable shape and size for use in building are well known to those skilled in the art.

For example, the hollow body may take the size and shape of a brick, a breeze block, a slab, a cornerstone or an arch. The hollow body can be made from any suitable material. Suitable materials are well known to those skilled in the art and include plastic materials, metal, steel, wood, manufactured wood-based materials (such as chipboard, hardboard, or the like), hollow concrete, hollow clay pot, glass, fibre glass materials, carbon fibre materials, rubberoid, or any other material that is suitable. Preferably, the hollow body has a uniform cross-section and a uniform length. Preferably, the hollow body has a square or rectangular cross-section. The weight of the hollow body will depend on the material from which it is made. The hollow body should weigh substantially less than an equivalent volume of bricks.

Preferably, the hollow body should weigh less than 10 kg. More preferably, the hollow body weighs substantially 3 kg.

In one particular embodiment, the hollow body has the shape of a cube or a rectangular prism. In such an embodiment, the hollow body has a width, a length and a height that lie substantially within the range from 30 mm to 1 metre.

Alternatively, the hollow body may have an elongate shape representing a number of bricks joined together. In a second embodiment, the hollow body has an elongate shape representing a line of bricks laid end to end. The hollow body has a uniform cross-section with a horizontal transverse dimension lying substantially within the range from 50 mm to 500 mm and a vertical transverse dimension lying substantially within the range from 30 mm to 500 mm. Preferably, the hollow body has a horizontal transverse dimension that is substantially 102.5 mm and a vertical transverse dimension that is substantially 65 mm. In other embodiments the hollow body has a uniform length which lies substantially within the range from 1 metre to 10 metres. Preferably, the hollow body is substantially 5 metres in length. Of course, in further embodiments the hollow body may be of any suitable dimensions to the task in hand.

The hollow body may be comprised of separate flat sections which can be joined together to form the hollow body. For example, if the hollow body was the shape of a cube, the flat sections could be each face of the cube which, when put together, form the cube shaped hollow body. In this situation, one of the faces would form the end piece which would mate with the opening in the hollow body to close the block. The separate flat sections could be joined together in any suitable way. This would depend on the material that the sections were made from. The advantage of the hollow body being comprised of separate flat sections is that during transportation the flat sections occupy less space and are easier to handle than a complete hollow body. The hollow bodies can then be constructed on site.

The hollow body comprises means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block. This may be done in any suitable way and positioned anywhere on the hollow body in order to interconnect with the other block. Preferably, multiple interconnection should be able to be made between the hollow bodies. In one embodiment, a conduit passes vertically or horizontally through the hollow body. This conduit is designed to allow a rod to pass through it. This rod can pass through a similar conduit in a second hollow body, thereby connecting the two hollow bodies. Each hollow body may have multiple conduits passing through it. These can be used to have multiple connections between two blocks or can enable a hollow body to be connected to multiple other hollow bodies in a vertical and horizontal direction. Preferably, there are more than two conduits in each hollow body. More preferably, there are four or more conduits in each hollow body. For the elongate embodiment, there are preferably five or more conduits in a five metre length.

Alternatively, the hollow body may further comprise a recess in the hollow body extending vertically or horizontally from the surface of the hollow body rather than a conduit passing through it. This recess is designed to contain a rod which may be used to connect the hollow body to another hollow body, either via a similar recess or via a conduit. A hollow body with a recess rather than a conduit could be used to form a side, an end or a corner for multiple hollow bodies connected together. Each hollow body may have multiple recesses in it. These can be used to have multiple connections between two blocks or can enable a hollow body to be connected to multiple other hollow bodies in a vertical and horizontal direction.

Preferably, there are more than two recesses in each hollow body. More preferably, there are four or more recesses in each hollow body. For the elongate embodiment, there are preferably five or more recesses in a five metre length.

The advantage of being able to connect a hollow body to another hollow body is that it increases the overall strength when a number of hollow bodies are connected together. For example, when a number of blocks are connected together to form a wall, it may not be necessary to use any kind of adhesive or mortar between the blocks, as the multiple connections may provide sufficient strength to support the wall. This allows a wall to be constructed more quickly and more easily as time will not be spent applying the adhesive or mortar. This will also eliminate any problems associated with using adhesive or mortar, for example, applying to and connecting the blocks before the adhesive/mortar has dried, mixing the adhesive/mortar, running out of adhesive/mortar, etc. The blocks can simply be connected together as the wall is constructed. This also allows the wall to be easily disassembled and reassembled, as the blocks are not permanently joined together.

The rod can be any suitable size, shape or length so that it can pass through a conduit in a hollow body or fit into a recess in a hollow body. The rod may be hollow or solid and can be made of any suitable material, for example, plastics material, wood or metal. The rod may be connected to another rod in order to extend its length to join together a greater number of hollow bodies. This may be done in any suitable way. For example, a separate rod connecting piece could be used which fits over the end of each rod and connects the two. Alternatively, a helical thread section could be present on the end of one of the rods which screws into a corresponding section on the end of the other rod.

The opening in the hollow body can be any suitable size and shape to allow the hollow body to be filled with waste material. Preferably, the opening has the same dimensions as the cross-section of that end at which the opening is situated. In one particular embodiment, the hollow body may be provided with an opening at each of its ends with a respective end piece being provided to close the block at each end. The openings may be different in size or shape or substantially the same. Preferably, both openings have the same dimensions as the cross-section of that end at which the opening is situated.

The end piece may be any suitable end piece for mating with the opening in the hollow body to close the block. The end piece can fit on the inside or the outside of the hollow body to close the block. The end piece could take the form of a plug which fits into the opening in the hollow body to close the block. There could be a protruding rim around the perimeter of one end of the plug to stop it entering further into the hollow body than is required and to keep it flush with the end of the hollow body. Alternatively, the end piece could take the form of a cap which fits around the outside of the hollow body to close the block. The end piece can be made from any suitable material. Suitable materials are well known to those skilled in the art and include plastic materials, metal, steel, wood, manufactured wood-based materials (such as chipboard, hardboard, or the like), hollow concrete, hollow clay pot, glass, fibre glass materials, carbon fibre materials, rubberoid, or any other material that is suitable.

The end piece may have a securing mechanism to ensure that it does not accidentally become detached from the hollow tube, thus opening the block. For example, if the end piece is substantially cylindrical, a helical thread could be used to secure the end piece within the opening in the hollow body. Such securing mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art.

The end piece may be modified to enable it to join together two or more hollow bodies. For example, an end piece comprising two end pieces joined back to back could be used to join together two hollow bodies end-to-end. Alternatively, an end piece comprising two end pieces joined at an angle of substantially 90 could be used to join two hollow bodies at substantially 90 to each other. In another embodiment, the end piece is connectable to at least one other end piece so that multiple hollow bodies can be joined together.

The hollow body may be filled with any suitable waste material, for example, non-biodegradable material, paper, cardboard, wood, sawdust, tin cans, plastic bottles, or a combination of these. The waste material may be shredded before being used to fill the hollow body. It may be compacted into the hollow body. The advantage of shredding and/or

I I

compacting the waste material is that more waste material can be contained in the hollow body of a block. This helps to maximise the amount of waste material contained in the block and, therefore, the amount of waste material that does not have to be disposed of in an alternative manner, e.g. landfill or incineration. The waste material can be shredded and/or compacted in any suitable way. Methods of shredding and compaction are well known to those skilled in the art. A binding agent may also be inserted into the hollow body with the waste material in order to bind the waste material together. The binding material may also act as a fire retardant to reduce the risk of any potentially combustible waste contained in the hollow body, for example, paper or wood. In one embodiment, shredded paper and sawdust is mixed with water and PVA glue to form a papier-mâché-like substance. This has the effect of reducing the combustibility of the paper and sawdust.

The present invention also provides a method of making a building block, the method comprising: providing a block with a hollow body comprising means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block; filling the hollow body with waste material; and closing the hollow body to form a block.

The present invention also provides a block made by the above-mentioned method.

Blocks for use in building in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a stack of hollow bodies which are to form building blocks constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an end piece for a hollow body of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an end piece designed to join two hollow bodies at substantially 90 to each other; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a rod connecting piece for connecting two or more rods; and Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a filled block.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a stack of hollow bodies 10 each having a rectangular cross-section. The hollow bodies 10 have a horizontal transverse dimension of 102.5 mm, a vertical transverse dimension of 65 mm and a length of 5 metres. Each hollow body 10 has an opening 11 a and lib at each of its ends, the openings having the same dimensions as the cross-section of that hollow body 10. Each hollow body 10 has three circular conduits 12 passing through it in a vertical direction. The hollow bodies 10 are joined together by three cylindrical rods 13 passing through the conduits 12. Each hollow body 10 is made of plastics material, and has a weight of substantially 3 kg in an unfilled state.

Figure 2 shows an end piece 20 which can be used to close the openings I Ia and 1 lb at each end of each hollow body 10. The end piece 20 has substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions as the cross-section of the openings ha and lIb.

Figure 3 shows an alternative end piece 30 that can be used to join two hollow bodies 10 at substantially 90 to each other. Each arm 31 of the end piece 30 has substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions as the cross-section of the openings I Ia and 1 lb. Accordingly, this end piece 30 can be used to introduce corners between two of hollow bodies 10.

Figure 4 shows a rod connecting piece 40. This rod connecting piece 40 is a hollow tube with a larger diameter than that of the rods 13 in Figure 1. This hollow tube 40 fits over the ends of two rods 13 thus joining them together.

In use, a hollow body 10 can have either opening I Ia or lib closed by an end piece 20 or 30.

The hollow body 10 can then be filled with waste material, through the opening ha or 1 lb that is not closed, until it is full. The opening through which the hollow body was filled can then be closed with another end piece 20 or 30 to form the block.

Figure 5 shows another form of filled block 50 being 30 cm wide, 20 cm high and 50 cm long. The face 51 thereof is an end piece which allows the block to be filled with waste material before being closed. There are several recesses 52 extending vertically from the top surface of the block 50. There are also recesses 53 extending horizontally from the side of the block. These recesses 52 and 53 can accommodate the rods 13 allowing the block 50 to act as a large structural block with the possibility of supporting other blocks, for example, the stack of hollow bodies 10 of Figure 1.

Claims

Claims L A block for use in building, the block comprising a hollow

body with an opening at one end thereof and an end piece that mates with the opening in the hollow body to close the block and the hollow body further comprises means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block, wherein in use the hollow body is filled with waste material and closed with the end piece.
2. A block according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block is a conduit passing vertically or horizontally through the hollow body.
3. A block according to claim 2, wherein there are multiple conduits in the hollow body.
4. A block according to claim I, wherein the means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block is a recess in the hollow body extending vertically or horizontally from the surface of the hollow body.
5. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body is provided with an opening at each of its ends, a respective end piece being provided to close the block at each end.
6. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body has a uni form cross-section.
7. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body has a unifomi length.
8. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body has a square or rectangular cross-section.
9. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body weighs less than 10 kg.
10. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body weighs* substantially 3 kg.
11. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body is made from plastics material, metal, wood, manufactured wood-based materials (such as chipboard, hardboard, or the like), hollow concrete, hollow clay pot, glass, fibre glass materials, carbon fibre materials, rubberoid, or any other material that is suitable.
12. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the hollow body lies substantially within the range from 30 mm to 1 metre.
13. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the hollow body lies substantially within the range from 30 mm to 1 metre.
14. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the hollow body lies substantially within the range from 30 mm to 1 metre.
15. A block according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the hollow body is elongate.
16. A block according to claim 15, wherein a horizontal transverse dimension of the hollow body lies substantially within the range from 50 mm to 500 mm.
17. A block according to claim 16, wherein the horizontal transverse dimension is substantially 102.5 mm.
18. A block according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein a vertical transverse dimension of the hollow body lies substantially within the range from 30 mm to 500 mm.
19. A block according to claim 18, wherein the vertical transverse dimension is substantially 65 mm.
20. A block according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the hollow body has a length lying substantially within the range from 1 metre to 10 metres.
21. A block according to claim 20, wherein the hollow body is substantially 5 metres in length.
22. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each opening has the same dimensions as the cross-section of that end at which the opening is situated.
23. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each end piece is such that it can be used to join together two hollow bodies.
24. A block according to claim 23, wherein the or each end piece is such that it can be used to join two hollow bodies at substantially 900 to each other.
25. A block according to claim 23, wherein the or each end piece is such that it can be used to join together two hollow bodies end-to-end.
26. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each end piece is connectable to at least one other end piece so that multiple hollow bodies can be joined together.
27. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body is comprised of separate flat sections which can be joined together to form the hollow body.
28. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body is filled with waste material that has been shredded.
29. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waste material is compacted into the hollow body.
30. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waste material comprises non-biodegradable material, paper, cardboard, wood, sawdust, tin cans, plastic bottles or a combination of these.
31. A block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waste material is paper and sawdust mixed with water and PVA glue.
32. A method of making a block according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: providing a block with a hollow body comprising means for connecting the hollow body to the hollow body of another block; filling the hollow body with waste material; and closing the hollow body to form a block.
33. A block made by the method of claim 32.
34. A block for use in building, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.