IT202000006367A1 - Household appliance for the treatment and disposal of waste. - Google Patents

Description

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES FOR THE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF WASTE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention? relating to a household appliance for the treatment and disposal of household waste. In particular, the present invention refers to a household appliance capable of shredding and disposing of organic waste and, at the same time, compacting non-organic waste. The problem related to municipal waste management? known for decades and does not seem to find a solution. Suffice it to say that, currently, around four billion tons of waste are produced every year in the world, of which half? ? represented by municipal waste (extracted from the latest report of the International Solid Waste Association). There? it generates obvious problems of landfill saturation and above all environmental contamination, with negative consequences for human health. Furthermore, according to the World Bank, the disposal of urban waste, currently, costs the communities? about $ 205 billion every year. The World Bank estimates that this cost? destined to double within a decade.

To overcome these relevant problems, local, national and international policies have pushed more and more? strongly towards the separate collection of waste which allows the reuse of waste materials, in an attempt to reduce their effects on human health and the impact on the environment.

Generally, municipal solid waste is divided into the following categories: organic (also called wet), glass, paper, plastic, metal and undifferentiated. These categories may vary by country and by local government.

Normally glass, paper, plastic and metal are conveyed to ecological islands where they are processed and recycled. On the other hand, organic waste, being subject to rapid deterioration, cannot be recycled. The waste management times, in fact, are not sufficiently contained to avoid dangers from the hygienic-sanitary point of view as well as the emanation of bad smells, not to mention the problems that organic residues during the percolation phase could cause to the aquifers. Therefore the wet is incinerated or disposed of in landfills, with serious consequences from the point of view of polluting gas emissions. To overcome this drawback, in recent years numerous biological treatments for the disposal of organic waste have made their way. With these treatments, biogas and / or compost can be recovered. However, they are extremely long, their duration, in fact, varies from about two months to nine months. Furthermore, these processes emit large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, with negative repercussions on human health.

Normally, domestic waste is collected door-to-door or by collective bins and then transported by appropriate means of transport to the relative recycling or treatment centers. Therefore, to the problems listed above, we must add the costs related to the transport of waste, both in economic terms and in terms of pollution.

Although the Governors are strongly committed to this, using appropriate policies that provide for strict regulations, as well as incentives aimed at encouraging the development of new technologies to assist in the disposal of waste, the problem does not seem to find a solution.

The Applicant therefore deemed it necessary to seek solutions upstream of the process, i.e. treat urban waste and / or assist in the disposal of municipal waste where they are produced, i.e. in the home.

At present, however, there? it is complicated for several reasons. In the first place, the habitual residences are more and more? reduced in terms of size so that accumulating waste at home, in a differentiated way, is problematic. Separate collection, in fact, implies the positioning of a collection container for each type of waste (wet, paper, plastic, glass, metals, special waste), in an easily accessible position in the house, thus requiring a dedicated space of considerable size. Furthermore, the containers in use, in particular the containers used for the collection of organic waste, release bad odors, causing obvious drawbacks. Also, because of this, the user? forced to quickly dispose of waste with consequent waste of waste bags as well as waste for the user in terms of time and energy.

Based on these considerations, the need clearly emerges? to provide a household appliance for the treatment and disposal of waste that allows to eliminate or minimize the aforementioned inconveniences.

Purpose of the present invention? therefore that of making available an appliance that helps to solve the problem of waste management in a broad sense.

In particular, within the scope of this aim, an objective of the present invention? that of reducing the frequency of travel by means of transport of the garbage from the bins (single or collective) to the disposal and / or treatment points, thus reducing the polluting emissions produced by the means of transporting the garbage.

Another object of the present invention? reduce polluting emissions related to disposal processes.

A further object of the present invention? make available an appliance that reduces the space required for the separate collection of waste inside homes and that is both simple and economical.

Another object of the present invention? that of providing a household appliance capable of increasing the user's comfort by solving the problem related to bad smells emanating from the waste contained in domestic collection containers and reducing the frequency of the user's trips to go to the collective bins.

A further object of the present invention? to provide a household appliance capable of reducing the number of garbage bags used on average by one user each year.

The present invention? therefore relating to a household appliance for the treatment and disposal of household waste comprising a module for the treatment of organic waste and at least one module for the treatment of inorganic waste, in which each module? provided with at least one shredding chamber, which in turn comprises corresponding shredding means. The household appliance is characterized by the fact that the module for the treatment of organic waste comprises means for feeding water inside the shredding chamber and means for discharging the water / organic waste mixture shredded from said shredding chamber and for the fact that the module for the treatment of inorganic waste includes a collection drawer for shredded inorganic waste, downstream of the shredding chamber.

An appliance with these characteristics? able to reduce the volumes of waste produced by households, thus eliminating? the inconvenience created by waste in homes, both from the point of view of space and odors. In fact, such a household appliance, thanks to the presence of the shredding means, the water supply means and the means for discharging the water / waste mixture from the organic waste shredding chamber,? able to completely dissipate and dispose of organic waste, eliminating the volumes of organic waste to be accumulated, collected and transported to landfills and / or treatment centers. Furthermore, this household appliance, thanks to the presence of the inorganic waste shredding means,? able to reduce the volumes of inorganic waste. In other words, the household appliance of the present invention allows to dispose of organic waste in the domestic sewer system, completely eliminating the accumulation of organic waste in homes, as they are dissipated when they are produced, as well as significantly reducing the volumes occupied by inorganic waste with all the aforementioned advantages.

Such a reduction in waste volumes? why? made possible by the combination of the organic waste treatment module with the inorganic waste treatment module. In fact, each module individually partially reduces the volume of total waste, but? the combination of the two modules that drastically reduces these volumes.

A reduction in the volumes of waste also implies a reduction in the frequency of the user's trips to go to the collective bins, a reduction in the frequency of travel of the means of transport of the rubbish from the bins (single or collective) to the disposal and / or disposal points treatment (with consequent reduction of contaminants) and a reduction of polluting emissions related to disposal processes.

Furthermore, a household appliance for disposing and treating waste with the aforementioned characteristics allows to reduce the number of bags used by users to collect waste with advantages from an economic point of view, but above all from an ecological point of view.

Finally, such a household appliance is simple and economical to build and use, in addition to encumbering a small space.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the household appliance of the invention, the module for the treatment of organic waste comprises a first shredding chamber, suitable for carrying out a first coarse shredding of the organic waste, through first shredding means, and a second shredding chamber shredding, suitable for finely shredding the previously coarsely shredded organic waste, by means of second shredding means, in which said first shredding chamber and said second shredding chamber are communicating. Thereby ? It is possible to finely grind organic waste and, thanks to the entry of water into the grinding chamber, reduce it to pulp and dissipate it in the sewer system.

Preferably, the first shredding chamber and the second shredding chamber are both provided with means for feeding water into the shredding chambers themselves and with means for discharging the water / organic waste mixture therefrom. Thereby ? pi? simple to dispose of organic waste.

Alternatively, only the second shredding chamber, the one used for the fine grinding of waste,? equipped with internal water supply means and means for discharging the shredded water / organic waste mixture.

Preferably, the first shredding means and the second shredding means are driven by the same motor. There? allows a further reduction in the size of the appliance as well as a reduction in investment and operating costs.

Even more? preferably, the shredding means are all driven by a single motor to which they are connected directly or by means of motion transmission. In this way the appliance is even more? simple from the constructive point of view.

Advantageously, the module for the treatment of inorganic waste? a module for the treatment of plastics.

The latter preferably includes a first unit? intended for the treatment of PET waste and a second unit? intended for the treatment of waste in plastic materials other than PET, the same module being equipped with a deflector, which can be operated by the user, suitable for selecting the first unit? or the second unit ?. There? allows the collection of PET to be sent to machines that accept PET in exchange for money or other benefits.

In the preferred embodiments, shown in the figures, there are two modules for the treatment of inorganic waste and they are intended for the treatment of two corresponding materials of different nature.

Advantageously, at least one module for the treatment of inorganic waste comprises compacting means for the shredded waste, downstream of the shredding chamber. There? it allows a further compaction of the waste and therefore a further reduction of the inorganic volumes. Preferably, said compacting means comprise a piston or equivalent means. The shredding means preferably comprise at least one of: rotating blades, rotating drums provided with perforating means, cutting teeth or sharp points and / or other functionally equivalent means. They are selected according to the type of waste to be treated (organic / inorganic and type of inorganic).

Preferably, each module? equipped with a lid for the hermetic closure of the module itself, whose opening? controlled by a pedal, a manual button or a presence sensor. It further reduces the problem of bad odors emanating from waste.

In the preferred embodiments, means are also provided for cleaning the shredding means inside the household appliance for disposing and treating waste. In particular, they can comprise a hydraulic line adapted to convey a cleaning fluid in correspondence with spray means positioned at least in the shredding chambers of the inorganic waste treatment modules. They allow you to maximize hygiene and further reduce the problem of odors.

In the present context when it comes to? Municipal waste? or? household waste ?, refers to the waste produced in the home.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a household appliance for the treatment and disposal of waste according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a first embodiment of the household appliance for treating and disposing of waste according to the present invention; Figure 2 schematically shows a left side view of the appliance of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic side view, partially in transparency, of a module for the treatment of inorganic waste of a household appliance for treating and disposing of waste according to a second embodiment of the present invention; And

Figure 4 shows a perspective schematic view of a third embodiment of the household appliance for treating and disposing of waste according to the present invention. With reference to Figures 1 to 4, with the reference number 1? generally indicated is a household appliance for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to the present invention.

The household appliance 1 for the treatment and disposal of waste includes a module for the treatment of organic waste 2 and at least one module for the treatment of inorganic waste 3 ?, 3 ??. Each of these modules 2, 3 ?, 3 ?? ? provided with at least one shredding chamber 4a, 4b, 4 ?, 4 ??, in which the process of shredding / grinding of the waste takes place by means of corresponding shredding means 5. In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the module for the treatment of organic waste 2 comprises a first shredding chamber 4a, suitable for carrying out a first coarse shredding of the organic waste, through first shredding means 5, and a second shredding chamber 4b, suitable for finely shredding the organic waste - previously coarsely shredded - through second shredding means 5. The first shredding chamber 4a and the second shredding chamber 4b are in communication to allow the organic waste to pass through both.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the modules for the treatment of inorganic waste 3?, 3 ?? there are two and are intended for the treatment of two corresponding materials of different nature, such as paper and plastic or plastic and glass. However, one could think of providing for a greater number of modules for the treatment of inorganic waste.

In accordance with the present invention, the module for the treatment of organic waste 2 comprises means 6 for feeding water into the shredding chamber 4a, 4b and means 10 for discharging the water / organic waste mixture shredded from said shredding chamber. 4a, 4b.

The introduction of water into the shredding chamber 4a, 4b, during shredding, has the purpose of reducing the shredded organic waste to a pulp and then dissipating it in the sewer system. There? allows you to quickly process organic waste and immediately discharge it into the sewer system, avoiding accumulation. Therefore such a module does not require a collection drawer for organic waste.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the modules for the treatment of inorganic waste 3?, 3 ?? include respective collection drawers 7 ?, 7 ?? of the shredded inorganic waste, downstream of the corresponding shredding chamber 4 ?, 4 ??.

Those drawers 7 ?, 7 ?? they are preferably extractable from the bottom so as to allow the removal of the shredded inorganic waste.

Preferably, the first shredding chamber 4a and the second shredding chamber 4b are both provided with means 6 for feeding water inside them and with means 10 for discharging the shredded water / organic waste mixture. In other words, water? passed through both the shredding chambers 4a and 4b to process the organic waste. However ? It is possible to provide that only the second shredding chamber 4b, the one used for the fine grinding of the waste, is provided with means 6 for feeding water inside it and means for discharging the mixture of water / shredded organic waste. In other words, in this second case, the first shredding can? be made without the addition of water which is added only in the second trituration.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the second shredding chamber 4b? positioned under the first shredding chamber 4a, in order to exploit the force of gravity? for the passage of the organic waste from the first shredding chamber 4a to the second shredding chamber 4b and then from the second shredding chamber 4b towards the discharge. However ? possible to think of a different configuration.

The first shredding means 5 of the first shredding chamber 4a and the second shredding means 5 of the second shredding chamber 4b are driven by the same motor 8, positioned under the shredding chambers 4a and 4b of the organic waste treatment module 2. If the household appliance 1 is provided with a plurality of of inorganic waste shredding chambers 3`, 3``, the inorganic waste shredding means 5 are all driven by a single motor 8 to which they are connected directly or by means of motion transmission. For example, one could think of using a single drive shaft, passing through a plurality of? of shredding chambers 4 ?, 4 ??, to which different shredding means 5 are applied in the different modules and connect it to the motor 8. In the configuration of Figure 2, this single drive shaft could also pass into the first organic waste shredding chamber 4a , incorporating the relative shredding means 5.

Preferably, all the shredding means 5 are driven by the same motor 8.

In the event that one of the modules for the treatment of inorganic waste 3 ?, 3`` is used for the treatment of plastics, this could include two units: a first unit? intended for the treatment of PET waste and a second unit? intended for the treatment of waste in plastic materials other than PET. If so, can you? think about providing module 3 ?, 3 ?? of a deflector, operated by the user, suitable for selecting the first unit? or the second unit ?. In other words, when the user selects the mode? PET, the deflector guides the waste in the first unit? of PET treatment and when selecting other material, the waste? deviated in the second unit ?. The first unit? of that module? provided with a first collection drawer 7a and the second unit? of a second collection drawer 7b.

At least one module for the treatment of inorganic waste 3 comprises compacting means for the shredded waste, not shown in the drawings, downstream of the shredding chamber 4 ?, 4 ??.

Preferably, said compacting means comprise a piston, or equivalent means, able to push the waste against a wall which acts as a contrast, compacting it. These compacting means are known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be further described. The shredding means 5 may comprise rotating blades, rotating drums equipped with perforating means, rotating drums fitted with cutting teeth or rotating drums fitted with sharp points, such as those visible in figure 3, or functionally equivalent means, depending on the type of waste. to be treated (i.e. depending on the organic / inorganic form and the type of inorganic).

Preferably, each module? provided with a cover 9 for the hermetic closure of the module itself, whose opening? controlled by a pedal, by a manual button or, automatically, by a presence sensor.

If the inorganic waste treatment module 3 includes the two aforementioned first units? and second unit, one could think of using a single cover 9, as in figure 4, or two separate covers.

In the preferred embodiments, means are also provided for cleaning the shredding means 5 inside the household appliance 1 for disposing and treating waste. With particular reference to Figure 3, they can comprise a hydraulic line 14 adapted to convey a cleaning fluid in correspondence with spray devices 15 positioned at least in the grinding chambers 4?, 4? of inorganic waste treatment modules 3 ?, 3 ??. In fact, the shredding chambers 4a and 4b of the organic waste treatment module 2 do not need to be cleaned since during their use, a? Suitable water flow? made to flow inside them in such a way as to transport all the organic waste being shredded towards the discharge and to leave the shredding chambers 4a and 4b clean. However, if desired, a cleaning cycle could be envisaged that also includes the introduction of water into the organic waste treatment module 2. The cleaning fluid preferably comprises water or a water / detergent mixture or other suitable solutions.

The cleaning means of the household appliance 1 also comprise a removable septum 13 at the base of each grinding chamber 4 ?, 4?. Once the cleaning cycle has been activated, it is automatically interposed between the shredding chamber 4?, 4 ?? and the corresponding collection drawer 7 ?, 7 ??, so as to direct the cleaning fluid towards the discharge means 10 of the organic waste treatment module 2. In this way the fluid does not pour into the collection drawers 7? , 7 ??, but in the sewer system, together with the organic waste dissipated. Once the cleaning cycle is finished, the septa 13 are automatically removed.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the septum 13? a plane constrained to one side by means of a pin or a hinge so as to be able to rotate from a rest position (as illustrated in figure 3) to a working position, in which it assumes a substantially horizontal position so as to close the collection drawer 7 ?. The septum 13 can? not be horizontal in the working position, but inclined so as to convey the cleaning fluid towards a discharge channel, not shown in the figure, connected to the discharge means 10.

The spraying devices 15 shown schematically in Figure 3 are arranged above the grinding chamber 4 ?, however, alternatively or in addition,? It is possible to provide spray devices 15 also in a lateral position to said chamber.

In the embodiment of figure 3, the inlet 11 to the inorganic waste treatment module 3 has the shape of a truncated cone, ie its diameter increases upwards to simplify the insertion of the waste.

The appliance 1? designed to be preferably positioned next to a sink, for example in the kitchen, so as to simply connect the supply means 6 to the sink water supply network and the drain means 10 to the sink drain. However ? It can be placed wherever there is a water outlet and a drain (for example in a laundry room or garage). It ? advantageously positioned so that the organic waste treatment module 2 is proximal to the wall and the inorganic waste treatment modules 3?, 3 ?? are respectively in a medial and distal position with respect to the wall, but? It is possible to foresee different configurations.

The collecting drawers 7 ?, 7 ?? are configured in such a way as to be extractable laterally, as visible in figure 1, or from the front, as visible in figure 4. In this regard, the Applicant has found that the configuration illustrated in figure 4? the one that best optimizes the available space. This configuration is more versatile with respect to the water intake and the drain pipe, especially if the latter are those of the sink. The device, in fact, in this configuration, can? be placed both on the right and on the left side of the sink as the drawers are positioned parallel to the long side. Therefore the user can? choose where to place it and possibly change its position in case of structural changes.

The shredding means 5, the feeding means 6 and the discharge means 10, the cleaning means and / or the deflector are preferably coordinated by a CPU.

Will come now described a mode? of preferred operation of the household appliance 1 according to the present invention.

When is an organic waste? inserted in the organic waste treatment module 2 through a corresponding inlet 11, and the cover 9? closed, the shredding means 5 of this module are activated and, simultaneously and / or successively, water is introduced into the first shredding chamber 4a and into the second shredding chamber 4b, through the opening of respective valves connected to feeding means 6 The organic waste shredded and diluted in the water is then discharged through the drainage means 10 to be disposed of in the domestic sewer system.

When is an inorganic waste? inserted in the inorganic waste treatment module 3, through a corresponding inlet 11, and the cover 9? closed, the shredding means 5 of this module are activated and, subsequently, the compaction means are also activated.

? It is possible to use the organic waste treatment module 2 and the inorganic waste treatment module 3 at the same time, if necessary.

When do you want it,? It is possible to activate a cleaning cycle by means of a special button connected to the CPU of the appliance 1. At this point, the septum 13? placed in the working position and the spraying devices 15 spray the cleaning liquid on the grinding means 5. At the end of the cycle, the septum 13? repositioned in the rest position and the appliance 1 pu? be used again.

When the collection tray 7 ?, 7 ?? reaches a predefined level, the appliance 1 emits a light signal indicating the need? to remove its contents. At this point the user can? remove the collection tray 7 ?, 7 ??, take out the contents and reposition it.

At any time the user can? extract the collection drawer 7 ?, 7 ?? to inspect it or to remove the content and reposition it easily.

As can be seen from the description given, the technical solutions adopted for the household appliance 1 according to the present invention allow to fully accomplish the intended tasks and purposes. In fact, by considerably reducing the volume of waste produced daily by households, it reduces polluting emissions related to the transport of waste and its disposal, reduces the space dedicated to the collection of waste in homes and eliminates unpleasant odors, as well as reducing the number of bags used by households for waste collection.

The household appliance for treating and disposing of household waste cos? conceived lends itself to numerous possible variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the present invention. The materials used as well as? the contingent shapes and dimensions may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste comprising a module for the treatment of organic waste (2) and at least one module for the treatment of inorganic waste (3 ?, 3 ??), each module (2, 3 ?, 3 ??) being provided with at least one shredding chamber (4a, 4b, 4 ?, 4 ??) comprising relative shredding means (5), in which: - the module for the treatment of organic waste (2) comprises means (6) for feeding water into the grinding chamber (4a, 4b) and means for discharging (10) the shredded water / organic waste mixture from said chamber shredding (4a, 4b); And - the module for the treatment of inorganic waste (3 ?, 3 ??) includes a collection drawer (7 ?, 7 ??) for shredded inorganic waste, downstream of the shredding chamber (4 ?, 4 ??). Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to claim 1, wherein the module for the treatment of organic waste (2) comprises a first shredding chamber (4a), suitable for carrying out a first coarse shredding organic waste through first shredding means (5), and a second shredding chamber (4b), suitable for finely shredding the previously coarsely shredded organic waste through second shredding means (5), in which said first shredding chamber (4a ) and said second shredding chamber (4b) are communicating. Electric household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to claim 2, wherein said first shredding chamber (4a) and said second shredding chamber (4b) are both provided with feeding means (6) for water inside the shredding chamber (4a, 4b) itself and in the discharge means (10) of the water / organic waste mixture shredded therefrom. Electric household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to claim 2 or 3, in which the first shredding means (5) and the second shredding means (5) are driven by the same motor (8) . 5. Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shredding means (5) are all driven by a single motor (8) to which they are connected directly or by means of transmission motion. 6. Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to one of the preceding claims, in which the module for the treatment of inorganic waste (3 ?, 3 ??)? a module for the treatment of plastics. Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to claim 6, wherein the module for the treatment of plastics comprises a first unit? intended for the treatment of PET waste and a second unit? intended for the treatment of waste in plastic materials other than PET, the same module being equipped with a deflector, which can be operated by the user, suitable for selecting the first unit? or the second unit ?. 8. Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to one of the preceding claims, in which the modules for the treatment of inorganic waste (3 ?, 3 ??) are two and are intended for the treatment of two corresponding materials of different nature. Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one module for the treatment of inorganic waste (3 ?, 3 ??) comprises means for compacting the shredded waste, downstream of the shredding chamber (4?, 4 ??). Electric household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shredding means (5) comprises at least one of: rotating blades, rotating drums provided with perforating means, cutting teeth or points sharp. 11. Household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to one of the preceding claims, in which each module? provided with a cover (9) for the hermetic closure of the module itself, whose opening? controlled by a pedal, a manual button or a presence sensor. Electric household appliance (1) for the treatment and disposal of household waste according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for cleaning the shredding means (5).