WO2021230880A1 - Trash management and transfer system - Google Patents
Trash management and transfer system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2021230880A1 WO2021230880A1 PCT/US2020/033135 US2020033135W WO2021230880A1 WO 2021230880 A1 WO2021230880 A1 WO 2021230880A1 US 2020033135 W US2020033135 W US 2020033135W WO 2021230880 A1 WO2021230880 A1 WO 2021230880A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- waste
- trash
- trolley
- breakdown
- onboard
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000010813 municipal solid waste Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 86
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 79
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 claims description 34
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 6
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 241001122767 Theaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920001222 biopolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010794 food waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/0007—Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B30—PRESSES
- B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
- B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
- B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
- B30B9/3003—Details
- B30B9/3014—Ejection means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B30—PRESSES
- B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
- B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
- B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
- B30B9/3003—Details
- B30B9/3021—Press rams
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
- B65F1/00—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor
- B65F1/14—Other constructional features; Accessories
- B65F1/1405—Compressing means incorporated in, or specially adapted for, refuse receptacles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
- B65F1/00—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor
- B65F1/14—Other constructional features; Accessories
- B65F1/1468—Means for facilitating the transport of the receptacle, e.g. wheels, rolls
- B65F1/1473—Receptacles having wheels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
- B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
- B65F2210/162—Pressing means
Definitions
- a trash management and transfer system for use on board an aircraft or other passenger transportation vehicle.
- the trash management and transfer system delivers trash or other waste collected from onboard passengers to an onboard main waste tank.
- Trash compactors designed for use on board aircraft or other passenger transportation vehicles typically have a compaction unit that is built into a galley or other working area.
- a compaction unit that is built into a galley or other working area.
- FIGs 1 A- 1D One example is illustrated by Figures 1 A- 1D.
- a rolling trolley 14 can be used to collect trash and then rolled into a compaction unit base 16.
- a compaction platen 18 may be activated that compresses the trash into an appropriate trash container or receptacle that is positioned within the trolley.
- the downward force of the trash contents is transferred through the trash and must be contained by the surrounding structure (typically the trolley unit).
- the trash Once the trash has been compacted, it may be stored in the trolley, or removed from the trolley and stored in the galley or other trash collection area. However, the volume of trash generated may be high, causing it to take up a lot of space when stored. Additionally, attempting to separate food and beverage items from recyclable items can also create disposal and storage challenges.
- the present inventors have designed a trash management and transfer system that delivers vehicle trash generated on board to the onboard waste system, rather than requiring storage of compacted trash and galleys or other common aircraft locations.
- the trash is compacted within the trolley.
- the compacted trash may pass through a breakdown system before it is transported to the onboard waste system. Further features are described herein.
- a waste transfer system method for use on board a passenger transportation vehicle comprising: collecting passenger waste in a receptacle system; processing the passenger waste via process equipment to provide broken down waste; transferring the broken down waste via one or more transport elements to an onboard waste tank.
- the process equipment may be a breakdown system.
- the onboard waste tank may be an aircraft vacuum waste tank, and the broken down waste may be transferred via one or more waste transfer lines.
- the broken down waste may be one or more biodegradable items or one or more breakaway items or both.
- the receptacle system may be a galley waste disposal unit, a trolley/trash compactor, or a lavatory waste bin.
- a trash management and transfer system comprising: a trolley or a galley waste disposal unit comprising a breakdown system, the breakdown system in fluid communication with an onboard waste tank.
- the trolley may be used in combination with a compaction unit base comprising a platen configured to compact trash into the breakdown system when the trolley is mounted on the compaction unit base.
- the platen is an angled platen.
- There may also be one or more connection elements fluidly connecting the breakdown system to one or more waste transfer lines.
- Figure 1A is a front plan view of a trash collection trolley positioned on a compaction unit base.
- Figure IB is a side perspective view of Figure 1A.
- Figure 1C is a side perspective exploded view, with the trolley rolled away from the compaction unit base.
- Figure ID is a side perspective view of the compaction unit base with a platen in an extended/compacting position.
- Figure 2 is a schematic illustrating a way system that transports to the waste tank of an aircraft.
- Figure 3 is a schematic illustrating prior art trash management onboard aircraft.
- Figure 4 is a side plan view of one embodiment of a breakdown system.
- Figure 5 illustrates an optional flow of waste from a galley waste disposal unit or an in-flight trolley and trash compactor to a main waste tank.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vehicle trash management and transfer system 10 that delivers certain types of vehicle trash generated on board to the onboard waste tank system 12, rather than requiring storage of compacted trash and galleys or other common aircraft locations.
- This flow is illustrated by the schematic at Figure 2.
- consumers create trash that is usually collected by one or more members of the flight crew and stored in a receptacle system 40 or other waste or trash holder.
- trash created and transferred according to the present disclosure is treated by one or more processes by process equipment 50 and transported via one or more transport elements 60 to an onboard waste tank 12.
- the one or more transport elements 60 cooperate with waste transfer lines 22.
- biodegradable utensils or other biodegradable meal items may be collected separately for compaction and disposal according to this disclosure.
- the current assignee has developed biopolymer utensils that break down or easily collapse for waste disposal, as described in U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/947,391, filed December 12, 2019, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by this reference.
- These utensils and other meal items are generally envisioned to be compostable or otherwise have ease of breakdown.
- This disclosure provides a trash transfer system 10 that can transfer such biodegradable or easily broken down or collapsible items to the onboard waste tank system 12, rather than allowing the items to remain in the trash receptacle 40, which does the current state- of-the-art as shown by Figure 3.
- Some embodiments first compact the trash and/or run the trash through a breakdown system prior to its transfer to the onboard waste tank through the waste transfer lines. This is illustrated by Figure 4.
- Other embodiments can transfer the trash directly to the onboard waste tank through the waste transfer lines. This is illustrated by Figure 2 [0020]
- trash may be compacted within a trolley 14, which may be the same trolley 14 that is initially used to collect the trash.
- the trolley 14 may be positioned with respect to a compaction unit 16 that has a platen 18 configured to extend down into the trash collection area 20 of the trolley 14.
- a trash collection carton or bag is typically positioned within the trash collection area 20 in order to prevent liquids associated with the trash from leaking into the body of the trolley 14 itself.
- certain types of biodegradable trash or trash that can be broken down into small enough units when compacted may be separated into a specific compartment, bag, or other collection area 20 of the trolley 14. These may be biodegradable utensils, breakaway cups, plates, or trays, or any other type of trash items that can be broken down into small units when compacted.
- the term “small units when compacted” as used herein is intended to refer to items that can be compacted and fit into (and move within) a waste transfer line 22 for delivery to an onboard waste tank system 12. Waste transfer lines 22 on board aircraft are typically about two inches in diameter, but it should be understood that other diameters are possible and considered within the scope of this disclosure and within the meaning of the term “small units when compacted.”
- compacted trash may pass through a breakdown system 24 before it is transported to the onboard waste tank system 12 through the waste transfer lines 22.
- the trolley 14 may be provided with a breakdown system 24.
- the breakdown system 24 may be a shredder that can slice, cut, grind, or otherwise breakdown compacted trash.
- the shredder may have metal parts with sharp edges or blades that are staggered and can move to cut the compacted trash into strips or smaller components, similar to a traditional paper shredder.
- the breakdown system 24 may be a macerator that helps shred, destroy, or otherwise break down trash.
- a further example of a breakdown system may be any compaction system that applies pressure on the waste, either mechanically or by using vacuum air pressure. It is generally envisioned that the compaction system/breakdown is sufficient to reduce waste to a size suitable to enter a connection element 26, that connects the breakdown system 24 with waste line 22. As shown by FIG. 4, the connection element may be formed as a receptacle in the shape of funnel in order for the waste to collapse/breakdown and travel through the funnel to as “small units when compacted.”
- the breakdown system 24 is generally intended to break down the compacted trash so that it can fit into a waste transfer line 22 and be pulled through the line via vacuum.
- the breakdown system 24 may be mounted within the body of the trolley
- the trolley 14 may be initially manufactured with the breakdown system 24 integrally formed into the trolley 14. In other embodiments, a trolley 14 may be retrofitted with a breakdown system 24. Current versions of the breakdown system 24 are intended to break down the trash into components that can pass into a 2 inch diameter tube, but as mentioned above, other options are possible and considered within the scope of this disclosure.
- the platen 18 may be adapted to ensure that once it has compacted trash, the trash is forced or otherwise pushed through the breakdown system 24.
- the platen 18 is an angled platen that forces the compacted trash in a particular direction.
- a secondary mechanism may be provided that can change the angle of the platen 18 while it is applying pressure to the trash. This may be an arm or hinge that can tilt or otherwise angle the platen 18. The angle may be changed depending upon the amount and type of trash to be compacted.
- a connection element 26 to the waste transfer line 22 may be positioned near a lower portion or base of the breakdown system 24. The platen 18 may thus be angled in such a way that compacted trash is forced near, and through, the connection element 26.
- connection element 26 is in fluid communication with the waste transfer line 22 which delivers the broken down trash to the waste tank system 12.
- valves such as flush valves, that open and close in order to move broken down trash from the breakdown system 24, into the connection element 26, through the waste transfer line 22, and into the waste tank system 12.
- the waste tank system 12 will typically be the onboard waste tank to which the vacuum toilets deliver their waste.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an example where a galley waste disposal unit 70 includes a breakdown system, rather than a trolley.
- the galley waste disposal system may be configured with a system that can break apart and transport waste items directly to a waste tank, as described above.
- figure 5 also illustrates that in flight trolleys 14 used in connection with trash compactor units 16 can also be refurbished to break apart and transport non-recyclable trash to the waste tank 12.
- a breakdown system may be provided within a lavatory cabinet in cooperation with a lavatory trash bin. As described above, the breakdown system may compact, shred, or otherwise reduce size of lavatory trash and transfer that trash to the waste tank.
- the subject matter of certain embodiments of this disclosure is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims.
- the claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Refuse Collection And Transfer (AREA)
Abstract
According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, there is provided a trash management and transfer system for use on board an aircraft or other passenger transportation vehicle. The trash management and transfer system delivers trash or other waste collected from onboard passengers to an onboard main waste tank.
Description
TRASH MANAGEMENT AND TRANSFER SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, there is provided a trash management and transfer system for use on board an aircraft or other passenger transportation vehicle. The trash management and transfer system delivers trash or other waste collected from onboard passengers to an onboard main waste tank.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Collecting and disposing of trash in confined conditions, particularly on-board passenger transportation vehicles, such as aircraft, trains, ships, buses, RVs, and other road, water, or air travel vessels can be challenging. However, a good deal of rubbish is generated on such vehicles. For example, after in-flight beverage service on an aircraft, unused items are collected, which often includes drink cups, napkins, newspapers, food wrappers, tea bags, beverage cans, other packaging or non-consumable items and the like, food wastes, or any other type of disposable item that a passenger may consume or bring on-board. These trash items take up valuable space in the galley area.
[0003] Accordingly, it may be desirable to compact trash and other unused items so that the materials collectively take up less space in the galley area. It is desirable that the trash compactor unit be appropriately sized and as efficient as possible. Trash compactors designed for use on board aircraft or other passenger transportation vehicles typically have a compaction unit that is built into a galley or other working area. One example is illustrated by Figures 1 A- 1D. As shown, a rolling trolley 14 can be used to collect trash and then rolled into a compaction unit base 16. A compaction platen 18 may be activated that compresses the trash into an appropriate trash container or receptacle that is positioned within the trolley. Typically, during
the compaction cycle, the downward force of the trash contents is transferred through the trash and must be contained by the surrounding structure (typically the trolley unit).
[0004] Once the trash has been compacted, it may be stored in the trolley, or removed from the trolley and stored in the galley or other trash collection area. However, the volume of trash generated may be high, causing it to take up a lot of space when stored. Additionally, attempting to separate food and beverage items from recyclable items can also create disposal and storage challenges.
[0005] One set of inventors of the current assignee has designed a trolley with two compartments separated by an internal flap that allows the compacted trash to be pushed to a rear portion of a trolley or positioned on a raised shelf of the trolley. This is disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 9,302,440, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, there remain many opportunities for improvements to trash compactors and trash management for use in connection with passenger transportation vehicles.
SUMMARY [0006] Accordingly, the present inventors have designed a trash management and transfer system that delivers vehicle trash generated on board to the onboard waste system, rather than requiring storage of compacted trash and galleys or other common aircraft locations. In many instances, the trash is compacted within the trolley. In specific embodiments, the compacted trash may pass through a breakdown system before it is transported to the onboard waste system. Further features are described herein.
[0007] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” “the present invention,” “disclosure,” “the disclosure,” and “the present disclosure,” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter
described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.
[0008] According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, there may be provided a waste transfer system method for use on board a passenger transportation vehicle, comprising: collecting passenger waste in a receptacle system; processing the passenger waste via process equipment to provide broken down waste; transferring the broken down waste via one or more transport elements to an onboard waste tank. The process equipment may be a breakdown system. The onboard waste tank may be an aircraft vacuum waste tank, and the broken down waste may be transferred via one or more waste transfer lines. In some examples, the broken down waste may be one or more biodegradable items or one or more breakaway items or both. The receptacle system may be a galley waste disposal unit, a trolley/trash compactor, or a lavatory waste bin.
[0009] In a further embodiment, a trash management and transfer system, comprising: a trolley or a galley waste disposal unit comprising a breakdown system, the breakdown system in fluid communication with an onboard waste tank. The trolley may be used in combination with a compaction unit base comprising a platen configured to compact trash into the breakdown system when the trolley is mounted on the compaction unit base. In some
examples, the platen is an angled platen. There may also be one or more connection elements fluidly connecting the breakdown system to one or more waste transfer lines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Figure 1A is a front plan view of a trash collection trolley positioned on a compaction unit base.
[0011] Figure IB is a side perspective view of Figure 1A.
[0012] Figure 1C is a side perspective exploded view, with the trolley rolled away from the compaction unit base.
[0013] Figure ID is a side perspective view of the compaction unit base with a platen in an extended/compacting position.
[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic illustrating a way system that transports to the waste tank of an aircraft.
[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic illustrating prior art trash management onboard aircraft.
[0016] Figure 4 is a side plan view of one embodiment of a breakdown system. [0017] Figure 5 illustrates an optional flow of waste from a galley waste disposal unit or an in-flight trolley and trash compactor to a main waste tank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vehicle trash management and transfer system 10 that delivers certain types of vehicle trash generated on board to the onboard waste tank system 12, rather than requiring storage of compacted trash and galleys or other common aircraft locations. This flow is illustrated by the schematic at Figure 2. As shown, consumers create trash that is usually collected by one or more members of the flight crew and stored in a receptacle system 40 or other waste or trash holder. Rather than maintaining the trash in the receptacle system (which is the current state of art as illustrated by the schematic
at Figure 3), trash created and transferred according to the present disclosure is treated by one or more processes by process equipment 50 and transported via one or more transport elements 60 to an onboard waste tank 12. The one or more transport elements 60 cooperate with waste transfer lines 22. [0019] In current embodiments, it is generally envisioned that biodegradable utensils or other biodegradable meal items may be collected separately for compaction and disposal according to this disclosure. For example, the current assignee has developed biopolymer utensils that break down or easily collapse for waste disposal, as described in U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/947,391, filed December 12, 2019, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by this reference. These utensils and other meal items (cups, plates, trays, or any other items) are generally envisioned to be compostable or otherwise have ease of breakdown. This disclosure provides a trash transfer system 10 that can transfer such biodegradable or easily broken down or collapsible items to the onboard waste tank system 12, rather than allowing the items to remain in the trash receptacle 40, which does the current state- of-the-art as shown by Figure 3. Some embodiments first compact the trash and/or run the trash through a breakdown system prior to its transfer to the onboard waste tank through the waste transfer lines. This is illustrated by Figure 4. Other embodiments can transfer the trash directly to the onboard waste tank through the waste transfer lines. This is illustrated by Figure 2 [0020] In many instances, trash may be compacted within a trolley 14, which may be the same trolley 14 that is initially used to collect the trash. After trash collection, the trolley 14 may be positioned with respect to a compaction unit 16 that has a platen 18 configured to extend down into the trash collection area 20 of the trolley 14. A trash collection carton or bag
is typically positioned within the trash collection area 20 in order to prevent liquids associated with the trash from leaking into the body of the trolley 14 itself.
[0021] In specific embodiments, certain types of biodegradable trash or trash that can be broken down into small enough units when compacted may be separated into a specific compartment, bag, or other collection area 20 of the trolley 14. These may be biodegradable utensils, breakaway cups, plates, or trays, or any other type of trash items that can be broken down into small units when compacted. The term “small units when compacted” as used herein is intended to refer to items that can be compacted and fit into (and move within) a waste transfer line 22 for delivery to an onboard waste tank system 12. Waste transfer lines 22 on board aircraft are typically about two inches in diameter, but it should be understood that other diameters are possible and considered within the scope of this disclosure and within the meaning of the term “small units when compacted.”
[0022] In one embodiment, compacted trash may pass through a breakdown system 24 before it is transported to the onboard waste tank system 12 through the waste transfer lines 22. For example, as illustrated by Figure 4, the trolley 14 may be provided with a breakdown system 24. In a specific example, the breakdown system 24 may be a shredder that can slice, cut, grind, or otherwise breakdown compacted trash. The shredder may have metal parts with sharp edges or blades that are staggered and can move to cut the compacted trash into strips or smaller components, similar to a traditional paper shredder. In another example, the breakdown system 24 may be a macerator that helps shred, destroy, or otherwise break down trash. A further example of a breakdown system may be any compaction system that applies pressure on the waste, either mechanically or by using vacuum air pressure. It is generally envisioned that the compaction system/breakdown is sufficient to reduce waste to a size suitable to enter a connection element 26, that connects the breakdown system 24 with waste
line 22. As shown by FIG. 4, the connection element may be formed as a receptacle in the shape of funnel in order for the waste to collapse/breakdown and travel through the funnel to as “small units when compacted.” The breakdown system 24 is generally intended to break down the compacted trash so that it can fit into a waste transfer line 22 and be pulled through the line via vacuum. The breakdown system 24 may be mounted within the body of the trolley
14. The trolley 14 may be initially manufactured with the breakdown system 24 integrally formed into the trolley 14. In other embodiments, a trolley 14 may be retrofitted with a breakdown system 24. Current versions of the breakdown system 24 are intended to break down the trash into components that can pass into a 2 inch diameter tube, but as mentioned above, other options are possible and considered within the scope of this disclosure.
[0023] As also shown by Figure 4, the platen 18 may be adapted to ensure that once it has compacted trash, the trash is forced or otherwise pushed through the breakdown system 24.
In one embodiment, the platen 18 is an angled platen that forces the compacted trash in a particular direction. In another embodiment, a secondary mechanism may be provided that can change the angle of the platen 18 while it is applying pressure to the trash. This may be an arm or hinge that can tilt or otherwise angle the platen 18. The angle may be changed depending upon the amount and type of trash to be compacted. In the example shown, a connection element 26 to the waste transfer line 22 may be positioned near a lower portion or base of the breakdown system 24. The platen 18 may thus be angled in such a way that compacted trash is forced near, and through, the connection element 26.
[0024] The connection element 26 is in fluid communication with the waste transfer line 22 which delivers the broken down trash to the waste tank system 12. Although not shown, there may be one or more valves, such as flush valves, that open and close in order to move broken down trash from the breakdown system 24, into the connection element
26, through the waste transfer line 22, and into the waste tank system 12. The waste tank system 12 will typically be the onboard waste tank to which the vacuum toilets deliver their waste.
[0025] It is also possible to provide a separate waste tank that may collect the broken down trash, but that is not required. It is expected that using the currently-existing waste tank system 12 under vacuum can help manage onboard trash without adding additional components or weight to the aircraft.
[0026] One problem this disclosure can solve is logistical implications of separating trash into different categories during the flight and then paying companies for disposal of the trash once the plane lands. Instead of requiring such disposal, the emptying of the onboard waste tank also disposes of the broken down trash delivered thereto during flight. [0027] Figure 5 illustrates an example where a galley waste disposal unit 70 includes a breakdown system, rather than a trolley. The galley waste disposal system may be configured with a system that can break apart and transport waste items directly to a waste tank, as described above. Similarly, figure 5 also illustrates that in flight trolleys 14 used in connection with trash compactor units 16 can also be refurbished to break apart and transport non-recyclable trash to the waste tank 12.
[0028] Although this disclosure has focused on galley trash, it should be understood that similar concepts and principles may be implemented in connection with lavatories on board aircraft or other vehicles. For example, a breakdown system may be provided within a lavatory cabinet in cooperation with a lavatory trash bin. As described above, the breakdown system may compact, shred, or otherwise reduce size of lavatory trash and transfer that trash to the waste tank.
[0029] The subject matter of certain embodiments of this disclosure is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
[0030] It should be understood that different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.
Claims
1. A waste transfer system method for use on board a passenger transportation vehicle, comprising: collecting passenger waste in a receptacle system (40); processing the passenger waste via process equipment (50) to provide broken down waste; transferring the broken down waste via one or more transport elements (60) to an onboard waste tank (12).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the process equipment comprises a breakdown system (24).
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the onboard waste tank comprises an aircraft vacuum waste tank, and wherein the broken down waste is transferred via one or more waste transfer lines (22).
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the broken down waste comprises one or more biodegradable items or one or more breakaway items or both.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptacle system comprises a galley waste disposal unit, a trolley/trash compactor, or a lavatory waste bin.
6. A trash management and transfer system (10), comprising: a trolley (14) or a galley waste disposal unit (70) comprising a breakdown system (24),
the breakdown system (24) in fluid communication with an onboard waste tank (12).
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the trolley is used in combination with a compaction unit base (16) comprising a platen (18) configured to compact trash into the breakdown system (24) when the trolley (14) is mounted on the compaction unit base (16).
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the platen is an angled platen.
9. The system of claim 6, further comprising one or more connection elements (26) fluidly connecting the breakdown system (24) to one or more waste transfer lines (22).
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PCT/US2020/033135 WO2021230880A1 (en) | 2020-05-15 | 2020-05-15 | Trash management and transfer system |
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PCT/US2020/033135 WO2021230880A1 (en) | 2020-05-15 | 2020-05-15 | Trash management and transfer system |
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WO (1) | WO2021230880A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE3725253A1 (en) * | 1987-07-30 | 1989-02-09 | Aquachem Ind Wasserbehandlung | Process and apparatus for treating and storing organic wastes, in particular on ships |
DE202011102252U1 (en) * | 2011-06-03 | 2011-08-31 | Deerberg-Systems Gmbh | Apparatus for collecting and removing kitchen waste |
US9302440B2 (en) | 2010-08-31 | 2016-04-05 | Driessen Aircraft Interior Systems, Inc. | Trash compactor trolleys and systems for use on commercial aircraft having mobile and stationary usage |
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2020
- 2020-05-15 WO PCT/US2020/033135 patent/WO2021230880A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3725253A1 (en) * | 1987-07-30 | 1989-02-09 | Aquachem Ind Wasserbehandlung | Process and apparatus for treating and storing organic wastes, in particular on ships |
US9302440B2 (en) | 2010-08-31 | 2016-04-05 | Driessen Aircraft Interior Systems, Inc. | Trash compactor trolleys and systems for use on commercial aircraft having mobile and stationary usage |
DE202011102252U1 (en) * | 2011-06-03 | 2011-08-31 | Deerberg-Systems Gmbh | Apparatus for collecting and removing kitchen waste |
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