WO2011099929A1

WO2011099929A1 - Insertion chute

Info

Publication number: WO2011099929A1
Application number: PCT/SE2011/050149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Lif
Original assignee: Lw Imr Ab
Priority date: 2010-02-10
Filing date: 2011-02-10
Publication date: 2011-08-18
Also published as: SE1050137A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an insertion shaft (1) for a collection plant (16), comprising an upper shaft pipe (2) having a shell surface (4), an upper end surface (6) and a lower end opening (8). A first insertion opening (10) is disposed in the upper shaft pipe (2) and a hatch (12) is provided for the first insertion opening (10). A force member (11) is connected to the hatch (12) and a control unit (14) is coupled to the force member (11), so that the hatch (12) is adjustable into at least two positions in relation to the first insertion opening (10).

Description

Insertion chute.

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to an insertion shaft for a collection plant, comprising an upper shaft pipe having a shell surface, an upper end surface and a lower end opening. A first insertion opening is disposed in the upper shaft pipe and a hatch is provided for the first insertion opening. BACKGROUND ART

Insertion shafts are used in collection plants for products, such as refuse, recyclables, dirty laundry, etc. The insertion shaft is connected to a conveyor conduit, which is preferably buried and runs below the ground. By means of an airflow, the conveyor conduit transports the products which are led down through the insertion shaft to a collection station forming part of the collection plant.

It is previously known to connect insertion shafts to conveyor conduits in collection plants which operate on the basis of negative pressure. The insertion shaft comprises an upper shaft pipe having a shell surface, an upper end surface and a lower end opening. A first insertion opening is disposed in the upper shaft pipe and a hatch is provided for the first insertion opening. A lower shaft pipe is provided with a valve, which is opened by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder when a product has been fed into the insertion shaft. The product thus passes through the valve and enters into the conveyor conduit, which, by means of an airflow formed by the negative pressure, sucks the product onward to one or more containers in a collection station. If the product

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(Ηϋ ίβ ^"i £- ,4) or products are refuse, the container is emptied or collected for onward transport of the refuse by means of vehicles to a refuse management facility, such as a trash dump. Since the collection plant operates on the basis of negative pressure, air must be supplied to the conveyor conduit, so that said airflow for transporting the products from the insertion shaft to the collection station can be formed. This air is usually supplied through an air valve disposed at the end point of the conveyor conduit, and sometimes in combination with a supply air valve disposed in the insertion shaft. The task of the latter air valve is to form an airflow and transport the products down to the conveyor conduit, in which the airflow from its air valves conveys the products to the collection plant.

In known collection plants, it is difficult to monitor the volume of products which are fed in through the insertion opening of the insertion shaft. In particular, there is interest in separating, monitoring and controlling the size of product which can be fed in through the insertion opening of the insertion shaft, since the fee for handling of different products in the collection plant can vary based on the size of the product. For example, the cost of feeding in refuse from large households or restaurants can be greater than the cost of feeding household refuse into the collection plant. The user friendliness of existing insertion shafts is limited, since a hatch must generally be opened manually in order to feed a product through the insertion opening. Thus hygiene problems also arise, since a person must open the hatch by hand, allowing bacteria and viruses on the hatch to be transferred to the person. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to simplify the transport of products in a collection plant.

A further object of the invention is to increase the user friendliness of collection plants. Another object of the invention is to increase the hygiene in collection plants.

Another object of the invention is to provide a product separation in collection plants. Another object of the present invention is to allow the supply of products in a collection plant to be controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact construction of an insertion shaft in collection plants.

This is achieved with an insertion shaft as claimed in patent claim 1.

By virtue of an insertion shaft according to the invention, the transport of products such as refuse through the insertion shaft in the collection plant is simplified. No separate supply air valve needs to be disposed in the insertion shaft, since the hatch can be put in a position such that air is supplied to the collection plant for transport of the products through the insertion shaft to a collection station. The fact that a force member, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or an electric motor, puts the hatch in different positions means that a user does not need to open and close the hatch manually by hand. This increases user friendliness and improves hygiene, since any bacteria and viruses on the hatch are not transferred to the user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a second insertion opening is disposed in the insertion shaft. The second insertion opening allows smaller objects, such as wrapping papers and other smaller refuse, to be thrown away. This second insertion opening 32 is always open, so that no hatch needs to be opened, which in turn increases the user friendliness of the insertion shaft.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a sensor of the insertion shaft is configured to detect signals from a RFID circuit and the control unit controls the force member so that the hatch is brought to a position in dependence on information from the RFID circuit. It is thus possible to effect a product separation. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the hatch is made up of at least two substantially parallelly arranged tubes and the force member is configured in at least one of the tubes of the hatch 12. A compact construction of the insertion shaft is thereby obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further advantages and distinguishing features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 2 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 4 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 5 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 6 shows a side view of a shaft in cross section, fig. 7 shows a side view of a shaft in cross section, fig. 8 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 9 shows a front view of a second embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 1 1 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 12 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 13 shows a side view of a third embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, fig. 15 shows a side view of a third embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention, and fig. 16 shows a side view of a third embodiment of an insertion shaft according to the present invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In fig. 1 is shown a first embodiment of an insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention in a side view. The insertion shaft 1 comprises an upper shaft pipe 2 having a shell surface 4, an upper end surface 6 and a lower end opening 8. A first insertion opening 10 is disposed in the upper shaft pipe 2 and a hatch 12 is provided for the first insertion opening 10. A force member 11 is connected to the hatch 12. A control unit 14 is coupled to the force member 11, so that the hatch 12 is adjustable into at least two positions in relation to the first insertion opening 10. The first insertion opening 10 is disposed in the shell surface 4 of the upper shaft. The insertion shaft 1 forms a component part of a collection plant 16.

Preferably, the hatch 12 is adjustable into at least three positions in relation to the first insertion opening 10, which shall be described in greater detail below. In fig. 1, the hatch 12 is set in a first position, in which a gap of the first insertion opening 10, above the hatch 12, is left open.

A sensor 18 is coupled to the control unit 14, so that the set position of the hatch 12 in relation to the first insertion opening 10 is dependent on signals detected from the sensor 18. The sensor 18 is configured to detect signals from a RFID circuit 20, and the control unit 14 controls the force member 11 so that the hatch 12 is brought to a position in dependence on information from the RFID circuit 20. It is thus possible to effect a product separation and to control categories of users. The products 22 which are to be handled by the collection plant 16 can be refuse, recyclables, dirty laundry, etc. In fig. 1 is shown how a RFID circuit 20 is attached to a trash bag 22. When the trash bag 22 with the RFID circuit 20 is brought up to the sensor 18, the sensor 18 will detect in the RFID circuit 20 stored information and relay the information to the control unit 14. Depending on the information content, the control unit 14 will give signals to the force members 11 to adjust the hatch 12 into a position adapted to the information content. It is also possible to separate the RFID circuit 20 from the bag. A user of the insertion shaft 1 can thus use the RFID circuit 20 as a separate, personal RFID circuit 20 and bring this close to the sensor 18 in order to identify the type of product 22 which is to be fed in through the first opening of the insertion shaft 1. A camera 24 is disposed in the upper shaft pipe 2 and the inside of the upper shaft pipe 2 is preferably monitored remotely with the camera 24 by virtue of the fact that the control unit 14 is coupled to a control center 26 situated at a distance from the insertion shaft 1, so that the hatch 12 can be controlled from the control center 26. The communication between the control unit 14, the camera 24 and the control center 26 can be made through signal lines 28, or wirelessly with transmitters and receivers. With the camera 24, it becomes possible to monitor any operating disturbances in the insertion shaft 1, which simplifies servicing and possible repair of the insertion shaft 1.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the first embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention. It can be seen how the hatch 12 is brought to the first set position, when a gap of the first insertion opening 10, above the hatch 12, is left open. The hatch 12 is arranged to be moved substantially linearly and vertically. By leaving a gap open above the hatch 12, the risk of jamming is reduced.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention. The hatch 12 is brought to the first set position, so that a gap of the first insertion opening 10 has been formed above the hatch 12. The hatch 12 according to this first embodiment is made up of at least two substantially parallelly arranged tubes 30. Between the tubes 30 are formed a number of openings, which together constitute a second insertion opening 32 for refuse management. The second insertion opening 32 allows smaller objects, such as wrapping papers and other smaller refuse, to be discarded. This second insertion opening 32 is always open when the hatch 12 is in the first set position, so that the hatch 12 does not need to be opened when small objects are fed into the insertion shaft 1, which thus increases the user friendliness of the insertion shaft 1. It is also possible to feed small objects into the insertion shaft 1, through the gap formed above the hatch 12 by the first insertion opening 10, when the hatch 12 is brought to the first set position.

As has been stated above, the hatch 12 according to the first embodiment of the invention is made up of at least two substantially parallelly arranged tubes 30, and preferably the force member 11 is configured in at least one of the tubes 30 of the hatch 12. A compact construction of the insertion shaft 1 is thereby obtained. The force member 11 preferably comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor. The fact that a force member 1 1 , such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor, puts the hatch 12 into different positions means that a user does not need to open and close the hatch 12 manually by hand. This increases user friendliness and improves hygiene, since any bacteria and viruses on the hatch 12 are not transferred to the person using the insertion shaft 1.

If the trash bag 22 with the RFID circuit 20, which is brought up to the sensor 18, is of a type corresponding to trash bags for household garbage, the sensor 18 will detect the information stored in the RFID circuit 20 and relay the information to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 will then give signals to the force members 1 1 to adjust the hatch 12 into a second set position, as is shown in fig. 4. In this second set position, the hatch 12 has been linearly lowered, so that the first insertion opening has been opened into a position adapted to the information in the RFID circuit 20. The first insertion opening 10 has thus been opened to the extent that trash bags for household trash are allowed to be fed in through the first insertion opening 10. However, a bag or other product 22 which is larger than a trash bag 22 for household garbage will not be able to be fed in through the first insertion opening 10 when the hatch 12 is set in the second set position shown in fig. 4.

If the trash bag 22 with the RFID circuit 20, which is brought up to the sensor 18, is of a type corresponding to trash bags for commercial use, such as trash bags with refuse from large households or restaurants, the sensor 18 will detect the information stored in the RPID circuit 20 and relay the information to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 will then give signals to the force members 11 to adjust the hatch 12 into a third set position, as is shown in fig. 5. In this third set position, the hatch 12 has been lowered linearly, so that the first insertion opening has been opened into a position adapted to the information in the RPID circuit 20. The first insertion opening 10 is thus fully open, so that trash bags for commercial use are allowed to be fed in through the first insertion opening 10. As is stated above, the RPID circuit 20 can, however, be separate from the bag.

Fig. 6 shows a side view of a shaft 34 in cross section. The shaft 34 has a substantially vertical lower shaft pipe 36 with an end surface 38. A pneumatic cylinder 40 is arranged to control a flap 44 of a valve member 46 into a closed and open position via a link mechanism 42. The flap 44 is adapted to, in a closed position, bear sealingly against the end surface 38. In fig. 6, the valve member 46 is shown in a closed position. When the valve member 46 is closed, products 22 to be handled by the collection plant 16 can be dropped through the lower shaft pipe 36 and fall down onto the closed flap 44, whose substantially plane surface provided with sealing material has assumed a substantially horizontal position.

After a predetermined period, or when a predetermined quantity of products 22 is present on the flap 44, the flap 44 is opened with the aid of the cylinder 40. In fig. 7, the valve member 46 is shown in a fully open position. In this open position, the plane surface of the flap 44 has assumed a substantially horizontal position, which means that the products 22 can fall down from the flap 44 and into a conveyor conduit 48 in which the products 22 are transported onward by an airflow in the conveyor conduit 48. The flap 44 here has the function of temporarily storing the products 22 before they are passed on through the conveyor conduit 48 to the collection plant 16. The control unit 14 is coupled to the valve member 46, and the control unit 14 controls the cylinder so that the hatch 12 is opened into a first open position when the valve member 46 is brought to an open position, so that an airflow is formed through the insertion shaft 1 and onward through the conveyor conduit 48 to the collection plant 16.

That end of the lower shaft pipe 36 which is opposite the end surface 38 is provided with a mounting flange 50 for the detachable fitting of an insertion shaft 1. Preferably, the region of the mounting flange 50 is arranged at ground level, so that the insertion shaft 1 mainly projects above the ground. It is also possible to connect the insertion shaft 1 to the lower shaft pipe 36 in another way, for example with a sealing weld joint.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention. According to this second embodiment, the first insertion opening 10 is disposed in the shell surface 4 of the upper shaft pipe 2 and the hatch 12 is arranged to be moved with a rotary motion about a pivot joint 52. A force member 11 is connected to the hatch 12. A control unit 14 is coupled to the force member 1 1, so that the hatch 12 is adjustable into at least two positions in relation to the first insertion opening 10. Preferably, the hatch 12 is adjustable into at least three positions in relation to the first insertion opening 10 and the hatch 12 is controlled as described in connection with the first embodiment above. Fig. 9 shows a front view of the second embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention, and fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention. In figs. 8-10, the hatch 12 is set in a first position, when the first insertion opening 10 is fully closed.

Fig. 11 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention, when the hatch 12 is set in a second position. Fig. 12 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention, when the hatch 12 is set in a third position, in which third position the first insertion opening 10 is fully open.

The insertion shaft 1 comprises a second insertion opening 32 for refuse management, which second insertion opening 32 is configured in the shell surface 4 of the upper shaft pipe 2.

Apart from the described distinguishing features of the insertion shaft 1 according to the second embodiment, the insertion shafts 1 according to the first and second embodiments have identical functions.

Fig. 13 shows a side view of a third embodiment of an insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention. According to the embodiment in fig. 13, the first insertion opening 10 is disposed in the upper end surface 6 of the shaft pipe 2 and a hatch 12 for the first insertion opening 10 is vertically raised and lowered with a linear motion with the aid of vertical, tubular rods 54. A force member 11 is connected to the hatch 12. Preferably, a force member 11 is inserted in each rod 54. A control unit 14 is coupled to the force member 11, so that the hatch 12 is adjustable into at least two positions in relation to the first insertion opening 10. The hatch 12 is controlled as described in connection with the first embodiment above. Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention. In figs. 13 and 14, the hatch 12 is set in a first position, when the first insertion opening 10 is partially open.

Fig. 15 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention, when the hatch 12 is set in a second position. Fig. 16 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the insertion shaft 1 according to the present invention, when the hatch 12 is set in a third position, in which third position the first insertion opening 10 is fully open.

Apart from the described distinguishing features of the insertion shaft 1 according to the third embodiment, the insertion shafts 1 according to the first and third embodiments have identical functions.

By virtue of an insertion shaft according to the invention, the transport of products 22, such as garbage in the collection plant 16 is simplified. No separate supply air valve needs to be disposed in the insertion shaft 1, since the hatch 12 can be put in a position so that air is supplied to the collection plant 16 for transport of the products 22 to a collection plant 16.

Components from the above-shown embodiments can be mutually combined. For instance, the camera 24 can be disposed in the insertion shaft 1 according to the second and third embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An insertion shaft for a collection plant (16), comprising an upper shaft pipe (2) having a shell surface (4), an upper end surface (6) and a lower end opening (8); a first insertion opening (10) in the upper shaft pipe (2) and a hatch (12) for the first insertion opening (10);

a force member (11), which is connected to the hatch (12);

a control unit (14) coupled to the force member (11), so that the hatch (12) is adjustable into at least two positions in relation to the first insertion opening (10), characterized in that a sensor (18) is coupled to the control unit (14), so that the set position of the hatch (12) in relation to the first insertion opening (10) is dependent on signals detected from the sensor (18), which sensor (18) is configured to detect signals from a RFID circuit (20), and in that the control unit (14) controls the force member (11) so that the hatch (12) is brought to a position in dependence on information from the RFID circuit (20), in which the first insertion opening (10) has been opened into a position adapted to the information in the RFID circuit (20).

2. The insertion shaft as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hatch (12) is adjustable into at least three positions in relation to the first insertion opening (10) by means of the force member (1 1).

3. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion shaft (1) comprises a second insertion opening (32) for refuse management.

4. The insertion shaft as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the second insertion opening (32) is configured in the hatch (12).

5. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hatch (12) is made up of at least two substantially parallelly arranged tubes (30).

6. The insertion shaft as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the force member (1 1) is configured in at least one of the tubes (30) of the hatch (12).

7. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hatch (12) is arranged to be moved substantially linearly.

8. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the hatch (12) is arranged to be moved with a rotary motion about a pivot joint (52).

9. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first insertion opening (10) is disposed in the shell surface (4) of the upper shaft pipe (2).

10. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first insertion opening (10) is disposed in the upper end surface (6) of the upper shaft.

11. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a camera (24) is disposed in the upper shaft pipe (2), and in that the inside of the upper shaft pipe (2) is monitored remotely with the camera (24).

12. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (14) is coupled by means of signal lines (28), or wirelessly with transmitters and receivers, to a control center (26) situated at a distance from the insertion shaft (1), so that the hatch (12) can be controlled from the control center (26) by means of the force member (11).

13. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force member (1 1) comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor.

14. The insertion shaft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (14) is coupled to a valve member (46) disposed by a lower shaft pipe (36), and in that the control unit (14) controls the force member (1 1) so that the hatch (12) is opened into a first open position when the valve member (46) is brought to an open position, so that an airflow is formed through the insertion shaft (1).