WO2004106046A2

WO2004106046A2 - Combined horizontal/vertical compacting machine for the separate collection of non organic solid refuse

Info

Publication number: WO2004106046A2
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giancarlo Martini
Original assignee: Tecam S.R.L.
Priority date: 2003-05-27
Filing date: 2004-05-27
Publication date: 2004-12-09
Also published as: ITAR20030026A1; WO2004106046A3; EP1631448A2

Abstract

This invention regards a combined horizontal/vertical compacting machine for the separate collection of non organic solid refuse, in particular bulky plastic, glass, aluminium, cans and tins. The combined horizontal/vertical compacting machine is constituted by a simple metallic structure of reduced dimensions, a motor reducer, a torsion shaft, a series of gears and an electronic control board. One of the aims of the present invention is that of carrying out the vertical compacting of the refuse already deposited in the bin that has been lined with a bag at the same time as the horizontal compacting of the individual glass, plastic or metal containers that are deposited, thereby exploiting the same movement for both uses. When the carriage runs in one sideways direction it compacts glass, plastic and tins, when it runs in other direction it charges a pantograph b means of a cam.

Description

COMBINED HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL COMPACTING MACHINE FOR THE SEPARATE COLLECTION OF NON ORGANIC SOLID REFUSE.

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

This invention regards a combined horizontal/vertical compacting machine for the separate collection of non organic solid refuse, in particular bulky plastic, glass, aluminium, cans and tins.

Background

Compacting machines are already used for the crushing of bulky refuse. These compactors allow the container fitted to the machine to house a large quantity of refuse and consequently need to be emptied much less frequently than refuse containers that are not preceeded by any kind of compacting process. The compacting machines already in use are professional hydraulic machines that are both cumbersome and costly and therefore not suited to use in a domestic context. The high costs and the particularly cumbersome dimensions of the machine are the result of highly complex working mechanics made up of many moving members. The above mentioned characteristics appertain to the following patented machines: US 4 213 384 A (TELLING EDWARD F) 22th July 1980; PATENT ABSTRACT OF

JAPAN vol. 009, no 121 (M-382) JP 60006298 A (KAZUTOSHI OGASAWARA) 12th January 1985; US 4245 731 A (HERBST RICHARD J ET AL) 20th January 1981; US 3 983 800 A (BOOTH CLAUDE B) 5 October 1976; DE 201 15 673 U (WANG TU MU) 6th december 2001; GB 2236 726 A (STAFFORD CHRISTOPHER) 17th april 1991; as well as to the following machines for whom a patent application as an Italian Industrial Invention has already been requested, designed by the same company as the present application and distinguished by protocol numbers AR2000A00031 and AR2001A00021. A compacting machine produced by the holder of the present invention, Patent Application for an Italian Industrial Invention, protocol number AR2001A00036, submitted on 14th december 2001 and extended to an International Application with international protocol number PCT/IT 02/00777, submitted on 11th december 2002, introduced several innovative characteristics: of minimum bulk, it requires minimum internal movement and has been designed with very few components in order to reduce the need for maintenance to the minimum, allowing for maximum reliability, easy cleaning and the straightforward substitution of parts. This machine doesn't allow for the vertical compacting of the refuse that has been deposited in a bin, lined with a bag, at the same time as the compacting of the individual glass, plastic or metal containers, in this way exploiting the same movement for both uses.

Disclosure of Invention

The combined horizontal/vertical compacting machine for the separate collection of solid refuse realized by the present invention is constituted by a simple metallic structure of reduced dimensions, a motor reducer, a torsion shaft, a series of gears and an electronic control board. The system is completely mechanical, allowing for high efficiency and low power absorbtion. The power supply is electric, from 220v to 45 Ov. The system operates autonomously, independently from how it is covered or located. One of the aims of the present invention is that of carrying out the vertical compacting of the refuse already deposited in the bin that has been lined with a bag at the same time as the horizontal compacting of the individual glass, plastic or metal containers that are deposited, thereby expoiting the same movement for both uses. When the carriage runs in one sideways direction it compacts glass, plastic and tins, when it runs in the other direction it charges a pantograph by means of a cam, allowing for the crushing of the material that is already to be found inside the specially provided container. The present invention therefore introduces an innovative machine in so far as it carries out the vertical compacting of the refuse that has already been deposited into the specially lined bin, at the same time as compacting the individual glass, plastic or metal containers at the moment that they are deposited thus exploiting the same movement for both uses. The machine can be used in different sizes, it requires minimum, exclusively mechanical, internal movement and minimum power absorbtion from a single electric supply making it perfectly usable even when it is powered by photovoltaic panels or aeolian groups; situations marked by the abscence of any kind of man made source of energy. No existing machine allows for the compacting of refuse, maintaing the possibility that it is deposited into the kind of bin bag used in domestic bins or in the trolleys used by communities, bars, restaurants etc., without the compacting process that then occurs damaging or breaking that same bag. Another aim is also that of allowing for the compacting of the inorganic refuse that is usually deposited in the bin liners of the kind required, by council provisions, for the collection of refuse carried out using litter bins or skips. In effect, inside the container in which the pantograph operates, a lining is placed inside the bin bag to stop it from being broken. Once the material inside the bin bag has been compacted the lining is taken out and it is ready to be delivered to the collection company. Another aim is that of allowing for homogeneous crushing. This is obtained using a torsion shaft, making it possible for the carriage to maintain perfect parallelism. Another aim, made possible by the machine's compact shape and its mechanics, is that of having very short cycles (1 second a bottle).

The user thus has to wait no longer than one would when depositing into a normal bin. Another aim is that of designing a compacting machine for the separate collection of solid refuse that 5 requires minimal internal movement and has been designed with very few components in order to maintain a working accuracy much superior to that obtainable with existing machines. Finishing times are reduced and the treated material can be divided according to the size of the compacted pieces. The machine involves minimum movement and therefore guarantees maximum reliability. It is also easy to clean with easily substituted parts, including the following mechanical and electronic devices:

1-0 • To avoid the spring back of the compacted plastic a crushing system has been created that tends to stretch it at its yield strength in order to guarantee permanent crushing.

• In the area where plastic and tins are compacted a positioning spring has been inserted that keeps the material to be compacted in the ideal position, thus obtaining an optimum crushed product due to the minimum volume achieved through compaction.

^ • The passageways for the compacted material are of varying width/t/ze width of the passageways is variable and so allow the treated material to fall, through the force of gravity, into the various containers below that thus determine the division of the compacted material by size which is useful for the separate collection of refuse. In particular, under the escape hole for plastic and tins a mechanical system has been fitted that automatically divides the tins from the plastic

^ according to their differing compacted dimensions. Every underlying container thus collects the two different products, separating them automatically;

• By varying the run of the bin using the control program glass containers can also be broken up into varying sizes. This is extremely useful for the separate collection of refuse; • An automatic system counts the number of bottles deposited in every container. A warning light then signals that a container is full, preventing it from being over filled;

• The machine is provided with a programmable sterilising system that vaporizes a special liquid by means of a pump and nozzles, thus blocking the fermentation of residual liquids containing sugary substances and preventing the formation of bad smells;

• In special cases a magnetic access card can be applied that recognises the user;

• The machine can be fitted with an antivandalism electromagnetic locking device, that prevents it from being used or accessed when there is no power and makes it possible to program operating times. Another aim of the machine is the capacity to be powered by photovoltaic panels or aeolian groups.

This is possible because the machine is exclusively mechanical, powered by electricity with low power absorbtion levels.

Another aim is that of being able to use the machine in differing sizes. Depending on the kind of use the machine is needed for it can be used in different ways:

• loading can be carried out from the front using the two holes and a door that also works as a starter.

Sizes suitable for public areas, historical town centres, beaches, railway stations, canteens etc., with top or side loading carried out through entry holes protected by rubber flaps with the help of an electric eye that signals the emission of the material to be compacted, automatically setting off the system. In this case a high capacity container could be fitted in order to guarantee the autonomy of storing a large quantity of bottles thus reducing the number of times the machine has to be emptied. The machine under discussion is described in detail below with auxiliary exemplifying drawings that reproduce the preferred design, that is with a carriage that runs horizontally in two directions so that when it runs in one sideways direction it compacts glass, plastic and tins, and when it runs in the other direction it powers a cam by means of a pantograph that allows for the vertical crushing of the material that is to be found in the specially provided container.

Brief Description of Drawings

The front part of the machine in figure A carries an activation and control board (composed of the controls and warning lights, positions 8, 9, 10, 11), the door, pos. 4, that gives access to the loading hole for the depositing of bottles and tins, pos. 3, and allows one to take out the drawer, pos. 15, to put the refuse to be compacted in the bin, in which there is the bin bag, pos. 14, and the lining, pos. 13. The user opens the door, pos. 4, and puts the plastic and glass in, pos. 3, and/or opens the drawer, pos. 15, putting the refuse directly into the lining, pos. 13, and closing the drawer again. After having closed the door, pos. 4, the command buttons, pos. 10 and 11, are pressed and compacting begins with the movement of the sliding carriage, pos. 2, towards the hole, pos. 3, for the compacting of bottles and tins and in the opposite direction to work the pantograph control piston, pos. 17, that works the pantograph, pos. 16, by way of the sliding spool.

The compacted tins and bottles fall by force of gravity through the separater, pos. 12, that separates the bottles, of larger dimensions, from the tins,of smaller dimensions, which then fall thus divided into the containers, pos. 19. The refuse placed in the bin in pos. 15 is compacted by the compacting disk at the end ol tne pantograph, pos. 20, without damaging the bag that it is kept in, pos. 14, because it is protected by the cilindrical lining, pos. 13, exactly equal in size to the space crossed by the compacting disk in pos. 20.

The carriage in pos. 2 goes back to its central position and a new cycle can be carried out. When the containers, pos. 19 and 15, are full the warning light, pos. 9, sets off the alarm and the operator empties the containers, pos. 19, or takes out the drawer in pos. 15, slips the cilindrical lining from the bag in pos. 14 and closes the bag which is now ready to be taken to the refuse collection company.

Further attached drawings illustrate variations in form, differing mainly according to the kind of material to be worked on.

COMBINED HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL COMPACTOR SOLUTION

Having been conceived as a modular structure it can be combined with a vertical compactor in order to reduce the volume of all non organic refuse within the home, excluding plastic, tins and glass that have already been treated.

When the carriage runs to the left it compacts the individual glass, plastic and tin containers, when it runs to the right it powers a pantograph by means of a cam that allows for the crushing of all the material to be found in the container below(see figure 1.1).

In the container where the pantograph operates a lining is inserted inside the bin liner to stop it from breaking.

General Use

• To avoid the spring back of the compacted plastic a crushing system has been created that tends to stretch it at its yield strength in order to guarantee permanent crushing.

• In the area where plastic and tins are compacted a positioning spring has been inserted that keeps the material to be compacted in the ideal position, thus obtaining an optimum crushed product.

• The passageways for the compacted material that are of varying width allow the treated material to fall, by force of gravity, into the containers.

• By varying the run of the carriage using the control program glass containers can also be broken up into varying sizes, a very useful capacity for the separate collection of refuse (see figure 7). • A mechanical system has been fitted below the escape hole for the compacting of plastic and tins that automatically divides the tins from the plastic according to the different dimensions of the compacted tins and plastic. Every container collects its own products (see figure 8).

• An automatic system counts the number of bottles deposited in every container. A warning light then signals that a container is full, preventing it from being over filled;

• In special cases a magnetic access card can be added for user recognition;

• The machines can be powered by photovoltaic panels, especially in sun rich areas. This is possible because the low power absorbtion levels permit it to be used at moderate prices.

• The machine can be used in different ways according to its use:

-collection on a domestic level, the loading is carried out from the front by way of the two holes and a door that also works as a starter.

-For public areas, historical town centres, beaches, railway stations, canteens etc. loading can be carried out through entry holes protected by rubber flaps. With the help of an electric eye that signals the emission of the material to be compacted, the whole system works automatically. In this case it is possible to store a large number of bottles thus reducing the number of times the user has to empty the machine. The size of the machine makes it possible to have very short cycles (1 second a bottle), the user thus has to wait no longer than one would when depositing into a normal container/bin. The machine can be fitted with an antivandalism electromagnetic locking device, that prevents it from being used or accessed when there is no power and makes it possible to program operating times.

The best way of carrying out the invention.

The best way of carrying out the invention is described in the earlier drawings and it is compsed of straight forward mechanical mechanisms supplied by a single electric motor operated through a control panel.

Industrial applicability.

The way in which the combined horizontal/vertical compacting machine for the separate collection of solid, non organic refuse, in particular bulky plastic, glass, aluminium, cans or tins can be introduced into an industrial environment is constituted by the realisation of an electromagnetic apparatus composed, like in the previous drawings, of a contol panel, an electric motor, a sliding carriage that oscillates horizontally for the crushing of bottles and tins that then fall, already compacted, into the specially provided containers, as well as a sloping surface and a cam capable of transfering horizontal motion into the extremely compact vertical movement of a pantograph that carries out the vertical crushing of the refuse that has already been deposited into the specially provided bin.

Claims

l)The combined horizontal/vertical compacting machine for the separate collection of solid refuse aims to carry out the vertical compacting of the refuse already deposited in the bin that has been lined with a bag at the same time as the horizontal compacting of the individual glass, plastic or metal containers that are deposited, thereby expoiting the same movement for both uses. When the carriage runs in one sideways direction it compacts glass, plastic and tins, when it runs in the other direction it charges a pantograph by means of a cam, allowing for the crushing of the material that is already to be found inside the specially provided container. The present invention therefore introduces an innovative machine in so far as it carries out the vertical compacting of the refuse that has already been deposited into the specially lined bin, at the same time as compacting the individual glass, plastic or metal containers at the moment in which they are deposited thus exploiting the same movement for both uses. It can be used in different sizes, it requires minimum, exclusively mechanical, internal movement and minimum power absorbtion from a single electric supply making it perfectly usable even when it is powered by photovoltaic panels or aeolian groups; situations marked by the abscence of any kind of man made source of energy.

No existing machine allows for the compacting of refuse, maintaing the possibility that it is deposited into the kind of bin bag used in domestic bins or in the trolleys used by communities, bars, restaurants etc., without the compacting process that then occurs damaging or breaking that same bag. 2) A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that allows for the compacting of the inorganic refuse that is usually deposited in the bin liners of the kind required, by council provisions, for the collection of refuse carried out using litter bins or skips. In effect, inside the container in which the pantograph operates, a lining is placed inside the bin bag to stop it from being broken. Once the material inside the bin bag has been compacted the lining is and it is ready to be delivered to the collection company. 3)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that permits homogeneous crushing. This is obtained using a torsion shaft which makes it possible for the carriage to maintain perfect parallelism. 4)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that, thanks to its compact size and its mechanics, has very short cycles (1 second a bottle), letting the user wait no longer than one would when depositing into a normal container/bin.

5) A compacting machime, as in Riv. 1, that requires minimal internal movement and has been designed with very few components in order to maintain a working accuracy much superior to that obtainable with existing machines. Finishing times are reduced and the treated material can be divided according to the size of the compacted pieces. The machine involves minimum movement and therefore guarantees maximum reliability. It is also easy to clean with easily substituted parts, including the following mechanical and electronic devices.

6)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that has a crushing system which tends to stretch plastic containers at their yield strength in order to avoid the spring back of the compacted plastic and ensure permanent crushing. 7)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that has a positioning spring in the area where plastic and tins are compacted that keeps the material to be compacted in the ideal position, thus obtaining an optimum crushed product due to the minimum volume achieved through the compacting process. 8)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that has passageways for the compacted material of varying widths, allowing the treated material to fall, through the force of gravity, into the various containers that thus determine the division of the compacted material by size. This is useful for the separate collection of refuse.

9) A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, with the possibility of varying the course of the carriage so that glass containers can also be broken up into different sizes. 10) A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that has an automatic system that counts the number of loaded bottles in every container, signaling when it is full with a warning light thus avoiding overfilling. 11)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that has a programmable sterilising system that vaporizes a special liquid by way of a pump and nozzles, thus blocking the fermentation of residual liquids containing sugary substances and preventing the formation of bad smells.

12)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that in special cases has a magnetic access card for user recognition.

13)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that has an antivandalism electromagnetic locking device, that prevents it from being used or accessed when there is no power and makes it possible to program operating times.

14)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that is exclusively mechanical, powered by electricity with low power absorbtion levels which make it able to be powered by photovoltaic panels or aeolian groups. 15)A compacting machine, as in Riv. 1, that can be used in different sizes: loading carried out from the front by way of the two holes and a door that also works as a starter; sizes for public areas, historical town centres, beaches, railway stations, canteens with side or top loading carried out using entry holes protected by rubber flaps. The whole system works automatically with the help of an electric eye that signals the emission of the material to be compacted.