JP2003181834A - Volume reducing-solidifying device for wastes such as expanded polystyrene - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably mold wastes such as expanded polystyrene in a manner to be convenient for the storage or transport by a volume-reducing-solidifying device while keeping a melting temperature required for the shape retention even under various kinds of wastes such as expanded polystyrene or various kinds of environments to be installed. <P>SOLUTION: This volume-reducing-solidifying device comprises a screw body 30 which compresses and carries expanded polystyrene or the like, a compressing chamber 14, in the compressing chamber external cylinder 22 of which the final end section of the screw body 30 is housed, and a molding cylinder 23 of which the cross section being connected with the compressing chamber external cylinder 22 is approximately uniform. In such a volume-reducing-solidifying device, a cover 24 which covers the compressing chamber external cylinder 22 or a molding cylinder 23 is provided, and an opened heat-emitting state wherein air between the cover 24 and the compressing chamber external cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23 is ventilated and a sealed heat-insulating state wherein the air between the cover 24 and the compressing chamber eternal cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23 resides can be changed to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is convenient for storing and transporting waste such as Styrofoam, which is widely used as a packaging container for seafood and vegetables, a cushioning material for product packaging, or a heat insulating material for buildings. The present invention relates to a device for reducing volume and solidifying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Waste such as styrofoam is light and bulky, and for efficiency in transportation and storage, the volume is reduced as close as possible to the point where the waste is generated, and the waste is collected for secondary processing or recycled products. Need to be converted. Therefore, there is a need for a compacting and solidifying device which has a relatively simple structure, does not require special materials and skills to operate the device, and is small in size and easily movable.

As a volume reducing and solidifying device of this type, the present inventors have disclosed, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-323606, one screw body for compressing and transporting styrene foam and the like, and screw blades of the screw body toward the end in the transport direction. The outer diameter of the compression chamber that accommodates the screw body is gradually reduced,
The compression chamber outer cylinder has a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases as the diameter of the screw blades gradually decreases, and a water tank is provided below the screw body so that the water accumulated in the water tank is sequentially taken out by Styrofoam or the like conveyed by the screw body. Is proposed.

This volume reduction and solidification device using one screw body and one molding cylinder has a simple structure and a small size, and is easy to handle.

Further, the water taken out by the Styrofoam or the like causes heat generation and melting while suppressing excessive heat generation,
It is cooled and solidified by a molding cylinder that is connected to the compression chamber outer cylinder, forming a column shape that is easy to handle.

That is, styrofoam used as a heat insulating material for buildings often has a low expansion ratio and contains unfoamed raw materials, and contains materials other than styrol, such as pigments, and tends to reach high temperatures. When the temperature rises, secondary foaming may not occur at the outlet of the molding cylinder and may not solidify, so excessive heat generation with water is suppressed.

Styrofoam, which is used as a cushioning material for packing electric products and the like, has a high expansion ratio, is easily broken into powder when crushed, and is easily melted at a high temperature. Suppress fever.

In such a volume-reducing and solidifying device for suppressing excessive heat generation by water, the coarsely crushed waste generates frictional heat between the waste and the screw blades, and the temperature of the waste is kept at 60 to 7.
It partially melts at around 0 ° C. and uses itself as a binder to improve the shape retention of the lump.

[0009]

There are various types of styrofoam to be discarded, such as a difference in foaming ratio at the time of production depending on the application, one containing a substance other than styrene such as pigment, one containing an unfoamed raw material, and the like. There is one.

The styrofoam transport packaging container represented by a fish box has a foaming ratio of about 50 to 60 times, and it is difficult to reach a high temperature for volume reduction and solidification by a device using screw blades.
It is relatively easy to keep relatively large lumps when crushed.

Since the device handles waste, it is rare that the device is installed in a warm room even when the temperature is low such as in winter, and most of the devices are installed in an environment such as a warehouse or a garage that is easily exposed to the outside air. To be done. However, when the outer cylinder of the compression chamber and the molding cylinder connected to it are cooled by the outside air, the Styrofoam may not reach the melting temperature required for shape retention and may not be solidified.

Further, when the outer cylinder of the compression chamber and the molding cylinder connected to it are cold at the time of starting the operation of the apparatus, the styrofoam may not reach the melting temperature necessary for shape retention and may not solidify forever.

Styrofoam, which is used as a cushioning material for packing electrical products and the like, has a high expansion ratio and low strength, so when it is crushed, it easily breaks into pieces and should be conveyed to the compression chamber with screw blades. However, there is a case where convection occurs and feed is deteriorated, and the styrofoam stays in the compression chamber for a long time and excessively generates heat.

Therefore, the present invention enables stable molding while maintaining the melting temperature required for shape retention even in various wastes such as Styrofoam and the environment where it is installed, and wastes such as Styrofoam that are easily broken into a compression chamber. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for solidifying the volume of waste such as Styrofoam, which is reliably fed and stably molded without excessive heat generation.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for reducing the volume of solid waste such as Styrofoam, which comprises a screw body 30 for compressing and conveying Styrofoam and the like, and screw blades of the screw body 30 toward the end in the conveying direction. The diameter of 32 is gradually reduced, and the end of the screw body 30 is
The compression chamber 14 housed in the compression chamber 14 and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 are composed of a molding cylinder 23 having a cross-section opening area that gradually decreases in accordance with a gradual decrease in the diameter of the screw blades 32, and a cross section connected to the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 has a substantially uniform cross section. In the volume reduction and solidification device, the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23
A cover 24 for covering the cover 24 and the cover 24 and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23.
It is possible to change to a hermetically sealed state in which air stays between 24 and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23.

In the apparatus for solidifying the volume of waste such as styrofoam according to the invention of claim 2, a water tank 15 is provided below the screw body 30, and the water accumulated in the water tank 15 is conveyed by the screw body 30 by the styrene foam or the like. It is designed to be taken out one after another.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for reducing the volume of solid waste such as styrofoam and the like. The screw body 30 compresses and conveys styrene foam, and the diameter of the screw blades 32 of the screw body 30 gradually decreases toward the end of the conveying direction. The compression chamber 14 in which the terminal end of the screw body 30 is housed in the compression chamber outer cylinder 22, and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 has a cross-section opening area that gradually decreases as the diameter of the screw blade 32 gradually decreases. A convection prevention wall 40 that reduces the cross-sectional opening area above the screw body 30 is provided at the rear part of the crushing chamber 12 that accommodates the front side of the compression chamber 14.

In the apparatus for reducing the volume of waste such as styrofoam according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the sectional opening area of the convection prevention wall 40 is variable.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the invention of claim 1, the compression chamber outer cylinder
22 or a cover 24 that covers the molding cylinder 23 is provided, and an open heat radiation state in which air flows between the cover 24 and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23, and the air between the cover 24 and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23. Since it can be changed to a closed heat insulation state in which the stagnation occurs, the temperature can be easily raised to the melting temperature necessary for shape retention in the closed heat insulation state when cooled by the outside air or when the operation of the apparatus is started. Further, when excessive heat is generated, the heat can be released to an open heat dissipation state, and the temperature can be easily lowered to the melting temperature required for shape retention.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the water tank 15 is provided below the screw body 30, and the water stored in the water tank 15 is
Since the styrene foam or the like conveyed by 30 is used to take it out one by one, water is supplied to the compression chamber 14 by the rotation of the screw body 30, and the temperature can be easily lowered to the melting temperature necessary for shape retention.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the convection prevention wall 40 for reducing the cross-sectional opening area above the screw body 30 is provided in the rear portion of the crushing chamber 12 which accommodates the front of the compression body 14 of the screw body 32, It is possible to prevent crushed styrofoam from convection from above with low pressure in the rear part of the crushing chamber 12.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the sectional opening area by the convection prevention wall 40 is variable, it is possible to easily convey even a styrofoam having a relatively large lump to the compression chamber 14.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The wastes such as Styrofoam in the present invention include a single Styrofoam or a mixture containing the same, or a foamed waste of a polymer compound having a property similar to that of Styrofoam such that heat is generated by frictional heat and softens at a low temperature. Is included.

As shown in FIG. 1, the volume reduction and solidification device has a substantially cubic outer frame 1, a charging port 2 at the center of the upper surface thereof, and a pair of fixed wheels 3 for moving to the lower part thereof. A free wheel 4 is provided. Further, a control panel 5 for operating the device is provided on the side surface of the outer frame 1.

Inside the outer frame 1, a motor chamber 13 is provided on one side thereof.
And the remaining upper hopper 11 and the lower crushing chamber 12 are provided. The hopper 11 communicates the upper part with the waste input port 2, the hopper 11 and the crushing chamber 12 communicate with each other, and the hopper 11 and the crushing chamber 12 The motor chamber 13 is partitioned by a partition wall.

A motor 21 with a speed reducer is provided in the motor chamber 13, a screw body 30 that rotates about a horizontal axis is provided in the crushing chamber 12, and one end of a screw shaft 31 of the screw body 30 is connected to the motor 21. , Screw body 30 is a motor
Rotate by 21. The screw body 30 is rotated so that the end opposite to the motor 21 side is the end of conveyance.

The screw body 30 is projected from the crushing chamber 12 to the outside of the outer frame 1, and a compression chamber outer cylinder 22 for accommodating the terminal end of the projecting screw body 30 is provided from the outer frame 1, and the inside of the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 is compressed. Let's say 14

The screw body 30 is provided with a screw shaft 31 which is an elongated round bar, a screw blade 32 spirally wound around the screw shaft 31, and a crushing rod 33 radially attached to the screw shaft 31. The styrofoam and the like are compressed and conveyed by the screw blades 32 of the screw body 30.

The pitch of the screw blades 32 is constant in the crushing chamber 12 and gradually decreases in the compression chamber 14. Screw blade
The diameter of 32 is constant in the crushing chamber 12, is maximized immediately before the compression chamber 14 and is minimized at the end of the conveyance, and the diameter of the screw blade 32 of the screw body 30 is gradually reduced toward the end in the conveyance direction inside the compression chamber 14. .

The crushing rod 33 is radially attached only to the screw body 30 in the crushing chamber 12, and the tip of the crushing rod 33 protrudes from the outer diameter of the screw blade 32 and has a comb-blade shape provided on one side of the crushing chamber 12. The crushed plate 34 and the crush plate 34 are crushed into small pieces.

The outlet of the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 and the end of the screw blade 32 in the conveying direction are substantially aligned with each other, and waste such as styrofoam in the compression chamber 14 is compressed and conveyed by the rotation of the screw blade 32.

The compression chamber outer cylinder 22 is a funnel-like cylinder with a truncated cone shape in which the cross-sectional opening area gradually decreases as the diameter of the screw blades 32 gradually decreases, but when viewed in detail, the inner surface thereof has an elongated trapezoidal shape. It has a polygonal pyramid shape with a head-cutting structure that prevents the whirling.

Flange is attached to the inlet and the outlet of the compression chamber outer cylinder 22, the flange is attached to the outer frame 1 by the inlet side flange, and the molding cylinder 23 is provided continuously from the outlet side flange.

The molding cylinder 23 is a cylinder having a substantially quadrangular cross section and an inner surface opening having an octagonal cross section with its corners cut off. The molding tube 23 has a uniform inner surface opening over its entire length, and an opening at the end of the compression chamber outer cylinder 22. The cross-sectional opening area of the molding cylinder 23 was made slightly larger than the area.

The length of the molding cylinder 23 has a predetermined length necessary for solidification of the waste material such as Styrofoam extruded from the screw body 30 and solidification, and the molding cylinder 23 is a thin steel plate with good heat dissipation. The inner surface is formed smooth.

A cover 24 for covering the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 and the molding cylinder 23 is provided from the outer frame 1 to protect the operator from the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 and the molding cylinder 23 which become hot.

The cover 24 is a cylinder having a substantially octagonal cross section, one end of which is attached to the outer frame 1 in a substantially sealed state, and an insulating material 24a is attached to the inner surface of the cover 24.

A cover lid that can be attached to and detached from the other end of the cover 24
Provide 24b. The outer shape of the cover lid 24b is substantially octagonal, and a substantially rhombic hole is formed at the center of the cover lid 24b.
4 It is screwed to the main body in a substantially sealed state and has a gap from the molding cylinder 23. Here, by attaching and detaching the cover lid 24b, it is possible to change between the open heat radiation state and the closed heat insulation state.

That is, by removing the cover lid 24b, the air heated in the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 and the molding cylinder 23 becomes lighter and is discharged from the upper portion of the opening, and instead, cool air enters from the lower portion of the opening, so that the cover 24 Then, an open heat radiating state is achieved in which air is passed between the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 and the molding cylinder 23.

Further, by attaching the cover lid 24b, the air heated in the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 and the molding cylinder 23 is not released, and the substitute cold air does not enter the cover 24 and the compression chamber outer cylinder.
A closed heat insulation state in which the air between the mold 22 and the molding cylinder 23 accumulates.

A water tank 15 is provided below the crushing chamber 12 below the screw body 30, and water is stored in the water tank 15.

The water tank 15 communicates with the crushing chamber 12 at the top opening,
Water is stored in a water tank 15 at a predetermined water level by communicating with a water supply port provided in the outer frame 1. As a result, the water stored in the water tank 15 is sequentially taken out by the styrofoam or the like carried by the screw body 30.

A convection prevention wall 40 for reducing the cross-sectional opening area above the screw body 30 is provided in the rear portion of the crushing chamber 12 that accommodates the front of the screw body 32 with respect to the compression chamber 14.

The convection prevention wall 40 is composed of a convection prevention plate 41 which is a substantially rectangular thin plate, and a pair of signs 42 connecting between the upper rear portion of the crushing chamber 12 and the upper portion of the convection prevention plate 41. Convection prevention plate 41
The lower side is cut in an arc shape according to the outer diameter of the screw blade 32 of the screw body 30 so as not to come into contact with the screw blade 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, the convection preventive plate 41 usually hangs down from the fulcrum of the number 42, and when it is pushed by the styrofoam block conveyed to the screw blades 32, the lower end thereof is compressed as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional opening area by the convection prevention wall 40 is automatically variable. The lower end of the convection prevention plate 41 is regulated so as not to incline in the direction of the motor chamber 13 from the vertical direction, and is prevented from opening even if it is pushed by the styrofoam in the direction of the compression chamber 14 from the convection prevention wall 40.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the convection prevention wall 40, which is formed by a convection prevention plate 43 which is a thin plate having a substantially trapezoidal shape. The lower end of the convection prevention plate 43 projects from the upper rear part of the crushing chamber 12. ,
The amount of protrusion is manually adjustable up and down.
That is, the sectional opening area by the convection prevention wall 40 was manually changed.

Next, the operation will be described together with its effect.

Waste such as Styrofoam is thrown into the hopper 11 from the feeding port 2 as a lump. When the control panel 5 is turned on, the motor 21 rotates and the screw body 30 rotates.

The styrofoam lumps that have reached the crushing chamber 12 are finely crushed by the crushing rod 33 and the crushing plate 34, and are conveyed to the compression chamber 14 by the screw blades 32.

At this time, when the environment of the waste or the device which is likely to generate excessive heat is high, the water tank 15 is provided below the screw body 30, and the water accumulated in the water tank 15 is conveyed by the screw body 30. Water is sequentially taken out by styrofoam, etc.
The temperature can be easily lowered to the melting temperature required for shape retention, so that excessive heat generation can be suppressed and stable molding can be performed.

In the case of waste that is easily broken and shattered when crushed, the compression chamber of the screw body 32
A screw body is provided in the rear part of the crushing chamber 12 that houses the front of 14
A convection prevention wall 40 that reduces the cross-sectional opening area above 30 is provided,
Since it is possible to prevent crushed and shattered Styrofoam from convection from above with low pressure in the rear part of the crushing chamber 12, the styrene can be reliably fed into the compression chamber 14 and stably molded without excessive heat generation.

Furthermore, in the case of a waste that retains a relatively large lump when it is crushed, the cross-sectional opening area by the convection prevention wall 40 is made variable so that even a styrene foam or the like that retains a relatively large lump can be easily used. Because it can be transported to the compression chamber 14,
Stable molding is possible without clogging.

The styrofoam or the like conveyed to the compression chamber 14 gradually reduces the diameter of the screw blade 32 toward the terminal end in the conveyance direction, and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 gradually reduces the sectional opening area in accordance with the reduction of the diameter of the screw blade 32. Therefore, it is compressed and conveyed and delivered to the molding cylinder 23.

The Styrofoam or the like delivered from the compression chamber 14 to the molding cylinder 23 is successively pushed by the succeeding ones to proceed,
In the meantime, it is cooled and solidified to improve shape retention,
It becomes a column shape that is easy to handle, and the volume is reduced to about 1/25 and discharged.

At this time, when the environment of the apparatus is exposed to the outside air or the operation is started, the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23
A cover 24 for covering the cover 24 and the cover 24 and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23.
It is possible to change to a closed heat insulation state in which air between 24 and the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 or the molding cylinder 23 accumulates, and when it is cooled by the outside air or when the equipment starts operating, it will be a closed heat insulation state, up to the melting temperature necessary for shape retention. Since the temperature can be raised easily, stable molding is possible. Further, when the environment of the waste or the apparatus which is likely to generate excessive heat is high, the heat can be easily lowered to the melting temperature required for shape retention in the open heat radiation state, so that stable molding can be performed.

After the completion of the work of throwing in the waste, the operation is stopped when the styrofoam and the like are almost eliminated in the compression chamber 14.

In the above embodiment, the cover 24 is the compression chamber outer cylinder.
Although an example is shown in which both 22 and the molding cylinder 23 are covered, the cover 24 may cover one of the compression chamber outer cylinder 22 and the molding cylinder 23.

Also, an example has been shown in which the cover 24 can be changed between the open heat radiation state and the closed heat insulation state by attaching and detaching the cover lid 24b. However, the cover lid is formed as a door that can be opened and closed, or the cover itself is attached and detached. Alternatively, the blower may be stopped to change between the open heat radiation state and the closed heat insulation state.

Further, as the convection prevention wall 40, the convection prevention plate 41
Shows an example in which the number 42 automatically rotates or the convection prevention plate 43 can be manually adjusted up and down, but the convection prevention wall 40 partially reduces the cross-sectional opening area above the screw body 30. Any material may be used, and a fixed wall may be used as long as it corresponds to the type of waste to be input.

[0061]

According to the invention of claim 1, a cover for covering the compression chamber outer cylinder or the molding cylinder is provided, and an open heat radiation state in which air is ventilated between the cover and the compression chamber outer cylinder or the molding cylinder, and the cover and the compression chamber outside. It can be changed to a closed heat insulation state in which air between the cylinders or molding cylinders stays, and it can be easily raised to the melting temperature necessary for shape retention when it is cooled by outside air or when the equipment starts operating. , Stable molding is possible. Further, when the environment of the waste or the apparatus which is likely to generate excessive heat is high, the heat can be easily lowered to the melting temperature required for shape retention in the open heat radiation state, so that stable molding can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the water tank is provided below the screw body so that the water accumulated in the water tank is sequentially taken out by the Styrofoam or the like conveyed by the screw body, and the water is generated by the rotation of the screw body. Since it is supplied to the compression chamber and the temperature can be easily lowered to the melting temperature required for shape retention, excessive heat generation can be suppressed and stable molding can be performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a convection prevention wall for reducing the cross-sectional opening area above the screw body is provided at the rear portion of the crushing chamber that accommodates the front side of the compression chamber of the screw body, and crushed and shattered polystyrene foam or the like. Can be prevented from convection from above with low pressure in the rear part of the crushing chamber, so that it can be reliably fed into the compression chamber and can be stably molded without excessive heat generation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional opening area by the convection prevention wall is made variable, and even styrofoam having a comparatively large lump can be easily conveyed to the compression chamber, so that it is not clogged and is stable. Can be molded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view showing an embodiment of a volumetric solidification apparatus for waste such as styrene foam.

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a main part of FIG.

5 is a partially enlarged view showing the convection prevention wall of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operating state of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing another embodiment of the convection prevention wall.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Crushing room 14 compression chamber 15 aquarium 22 Compression chamber outer cylinder 23 Molded tube 24 cover 30 screw body 32 screw blades 40 Convection prevention wall

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 3F040 BA01 CA02 DA03 DA07 DA08                       EA01 FA02                 4D067 EE04 GA16 GB03                 4F301 AA15 BF16 BF17 BF29

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A screw body for compressing and conveying Styrofoam, etc., a diameter of a screw blade of the screw body is gradually reduced toward the end in the conveying direction, and a compression chamber in which the end portion of the screw body is housed in a compression chamber outer cylinder, The outdoor cylinder has a cross-sectional opening area that gradually decreases as the diameter of the screw blade gradually decreases, and the compression cylinder outer cylinder or the molding cylinder is covered in a volume reduction and solidification device that is connected to the compression chamber outer cylinder and has a substantially uniform cross-section. Styrofoam, etc. that is provided with a cover and can be changed to an open heat radiation state in which air flows between the cover and the compression chamber outer cylinder or the molding cylinder, and a closed heat insulation state in which air stays between the cover and the compression chamber outer cylinder or the molding cylinder Volume solidification equipment for waste. 2. A volume reduction solidification of waste such as styrofoam according to claim 1, wherein a water tank is provided below the screw body, and water accumulated in the water tank is sequentially taken out by styrene foam or the like conveyed by the screw body. apparatus. 3. A screw body for compressing and conveying Styrofoam, etc., a diameter of a screw blade of the screw body is gradually reduced toward the end in the conveying direction, and a compression chamber in which the end portion of the screw body is housed in a compression chamber outer cylinder, In the volume reduction and solidification device in which the cross section opening area of the outdoor cylinder gradually decreases as the diameter of the screw blade gradually decreases, convection reduces the cross section opening area above the screw body to the rear part of the crushing chamber that accommodates the front of the compression chamber of the screw body. A volume reduction and solidification device for waste such as Styrofoam with a prevention wall. 4. A solidification apparatus for reducing the volume of waste such as styrofoam according to claim 3, wherein the sectional opening area of the convection prevention wall is variable.