TECHNICAL FIELD
Disposal of cementious waste water.
BACKGROUND
As environmental standards and regulations affecting the construction industry have evolved practices have been modified to manage storm water runoff and enhance sensitivity to recycling excess and waste materials. One significant area is the handling of washout water from redimix concrete trucks. In the past, concrete chutes were simply washed and the waste water and some residual sand and aggregate dumped on the ground.
This practice may have serious environmental impact. State and federal agencies have begun prohibiting concrete washout water from being dumped on the ground. The redimix industry has responded by modifying their procedures to facilitate putting the washout water and waste materials back into the drum to return it back to the batch plant for further recycling. The Redimix companies have also instituted an additional surcharge to cover the cost of the extra handling. This procedure is labor intensive and expensive.
SUMMARY
A concrete washout & recycling bucket or hopper is described that separates the aggregate and accumulates all the waste water until the last truck leaves the work site each day. The waste water is then emptied into the last redimix truck for recycling back at the plant. The design of the recycling hopper makes the process of washing the chutes much safer and efficient. Further, use of the recycling hopper eliminates the extra charge and labor needed to process washout water as each truck is unloaded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the present subject matter may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative Figures. In the following Figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the Figures.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a cementious washout bucket.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2B is a plan view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3A is a bottom perspective view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3B is a side view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a side view of another example of a container valve.
FIG. 5A is a front view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5B is a rear view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6A is a first side view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6B is a second side view of the cementious washout bucket shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing one example of a method for using a cementious washout bucket.
Elements and steps in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the Figures to help to improve understanding of examples of the present subject matter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific examples in which the subject matter may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present subject matter is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
The present subject matter may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of techniques, technologies, and methods configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cementious washout container 100. The cementious washout container 100 includes a container body 102 having a container reservoir 104. A rotatable hinged chute 106 is rotatably coupled with the container body 102. As will be described in further detail below the cementious washout container 100 is sized and shaped to receive waste cement, concrete and the like on the hinged chute 106, strain fine particles and water from the waste concrete and then poor or dump the cleaned aggregate particles off the hinged chute 106 and away from the cementious washout container 100. The container 100 thereby retains and stores fluid from the cementious material including washout water and fine particles therein until removed from a construction site for environmentally safe disposal. In one example, waste concrete from multiple trucks is consecutively deposited on the hinged chute 106 and the corresponding fluids such as washout water and fine particles are accumulated and stored in the container body 102 until it is desirable to empty the container body 102 into a single truck for environmentally appropriate disposal.
The container body 102 is constructed with, but is not limited to, durable materials such as, steel, cast iron, composites and the like. Similarly, the other components of the cementious washout container 100, such as the hinged chute 106, are constructed with steel, cast iron, composites and the like.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cementious washout container 100 is shown in corresponding perspective and plan views. As shown, the container 100 includes a container body 102 having a container reservoir 104 sized and shaped to receive fine particles and washout water from waste cementious materials. The hinged chute 106 is shown rotatably coupled with a container body 102 at a rotatable joint 207. For instance, the hinged chute 106 is coupled with a rotatable hinge between a chute panel 109 and a hopper screen 110. The hinged chute 106 including the chute panel 109 and the hopper screen 110 are included in a hinged chute assembly 105, in one example. As shown, the hopper screen 110 includes perforations or openings therein to facilitate the passage of fluids through the hopper screen 110 as well as fine particles while at the same time straining out aggregate materials which are thereafter transferred from the container 100 across the chute panel 109 (e.g., with rotation of the hinged chute 106). the example shown in FIG. 2A, a chute lever 112 is coupled with the chute panel 109 to facilitate rotation of the chute panel relative to the container body 102. In another example, the container body 102 includes a supporting tube 114 extending across at least a portion of the container body 102. In one example, the supporting tube 114 provides structural support to the container body 102 and the hopper assembly.
Optionally, the cementious washout container 100 includes a chute opening 108 within a cover 111 extending over the container reservoir 104. The chute opening 108 is sized and shaped to receive at least the hopper screen 110. The hopper screen 110 in combination with the cover 111 encloses the top of the container reservoir. Waste cementious materials are dumped over the hopper screen 110, as described above, to strain washout water and fine particles from the materials. The cover 111 ensures the materials are not able to easily bypass the hinged chute assembly 105. In another example, the cementious washout container is without a cover and the hopper screen 110 is formed as a bounded basket (see FIG. 2A) with a perforated screen on one or more sides of the hopper screen 110.
In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the cementious washout container 100 further includes one or more rails 116 sized and shaped to receive lifting features such as forks from a fork lift and lifting lugs 118 sized and shaped to receive hooks coupled with a crane, hoist or other similar mechanisms. The rails 116 and the lifting tugs 118 are configured to facilitate lifting and transporting of the cementious washout container 100 in a full or empty state. Where the cementious washout container 100 is, full lifting of the container 100 is performed to hoist and center the container over the orifice of a cement truck to facilitate draining of the washout fluid and fine particles into the cement truck. A chain 116A (not depicted on drawing 2a but clearly seen on FIG. 1) is included to secure the bucket to the forklift, which is an OSHA requirement when lifting operators.
Referring again to FIGS. 2A and 2B in another example, the cementious washout container 100 includes a ladder 120 coupled with the container body 102. The ladder 120 facilitates easy and safe access for the operation of the hinged chute 106 of the hinged chute assembly 105, for instance, by reaching and actuating the chute lever 112. In one example, the ladder 120 is positioned on the container body 102 adjacent to the chute lever 112. When the cementious washout container 100 is positioned adjacent to a cement truck for dispensing of washout water and fine particles into the cement truck the ladder 120 is positioned on the container body 102 so the ladder is positioned on the appropriate side of the cement truck. Stated another way the ladder 120 is positioned on the container body 102 to be adjacent to the driver's side of the truck relative to the remainder of the container body 102. In addition, the left hand rail of the ladder includes tie off points 121 for the operator to attach his body harness as required when the unit is hoisted and positioned for unloading. (See FIG. 1).
Referring to FIG. 2A again, the cementious washout container 100, in another example, includes one or more supports 122 extending from the container body 102. The supports 122 provide support to the container body 102 to make sure the container body 102 is maintained relatively level on a flat surface when positioned thereon.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show the cementious washout container 100 in perspective and side views, respectively. Referring to both FIG. 3B, the container body 102 is shown having a drain 202 extending from a lower surface of the container 102. A drain shroud 208 at least partially surrounds the drain 202. As shown in FIG. 3B, the container body 102 is graduated or tapers (e.g., is funneled) toward the drain 202 to ensure funneling of washout water and fine particles to the drain 202 for emptying out the container 100. The container valve 200 extends across the drain 202 and ensures the container body 102 is in the closed configuration while washout water and fine particles are accumulated within the container reservoir 104. In the example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cementious washout container 100 further includes a valve operating mechanism 204 (e.g., a (linkage) extending from the container valve 200 to a valve lever 206. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3A, operation of the valve lever 206 is configured to open the container valve 200 and thereby allow the draining of washout water and fine particles through the drain 202. The valve lever 206 is configured for remote operation of the container valve 200 with the valve operating mechanism 204 coupled there between. In one example, the valve operating mechanism includes a linkage having linkage bars 212A, B that hold the container valve 200 in the closed configuration until the valve lever 206 is operated to move the valve operating mechanism 204 beyond a retention position (e.g., a center point or intermediate point 216) that allows the container valve 200 to assume the open configuration (see FIGS. 3B and 4). Stated another way, the linkage bars 212A, B are arranged to have a greater length in the deflected orientation (whether open or closed) between joints 214A, B than when traversing the intermediate point where the bars are substantially parallel. The linkage bars 212A, B are thereby biased into a closed configuration that engages the container valve 200 with the drain while the linkage bars are oriented below the intermediate point 216. That is to say, the valve operating mechanism 204 biases the container valve 200 into the closed configuration.
As shown in FIG. 3B, in another example, the valve operating mechanism 204 is rotatably coupled with the valve lever 206 and the container valve 200. With the valve operating mechanism 204 an operator may open the container valve 200 from the side of the container and not from underneath. For instance, the operator may open the container valve 200 from the ladder 120 (see FIG. 2A) adjacent to the valve lever 206. In yet another example, the valve operating mechanism 204 includes a pin, locking feature and the like configured to engage with the mechanism 204 and lock the mechanism in place (e.g., with the valve closed). The pin or locking feature is used by itself or in combination with the exemplary valve operating mechanism 204 including the linkage bars 212A, B to retain the valve 200 in the closed position.
Referring again to FIG. 3B, container body 102 is shown with a tapered portion 300 tapering toward the drain 202. As shown the tapered portion 300 is proximate a lower end 302 of the container body 102. Stated another way, the tapered portion 300 is remote from the upper end 304 of the container body 102 (e.g., it has a squat configuration near the lower end 302). The tapered portion 300 ensures washout water and fine particles are diverted substantially centrally to the drain 202. For instance, in one example, the tapered portion 300 and the drain 202 are aligned or near a longitudinal axis 306 of the cementious washout container 100. Additionally, positioning of the tapered portion 300 proximate to the tower end 302 ensures that the center of gravity of the cementious washout container 100 is centrally positioned. The center of gravity is similarly positioned centrally while the container body 102 is filled (partially or fully) with washout water. That is to say, the container body 102 in one example is without a tapered portion extending from proximate the upper end 304 and thereby accordingly does not include a center of gravity elevated with corresponding handling issues (e.g., tipping and difficulty of handling with forklift forks engaged near the lower end 302).
FIG. 4 shows one example of a container valve 200 in an open configuration relative to the drain 202. As also shown in FIG. 4, the valve mechanism 204 extends away from the container valve 200 to a valve lever. Although FIG. 4 shows the container valve 200 having a circular configuration in other embodiments, the container valve 200 has a square, oblong Or other configuration sized and shaped to engage with a correspondingly shaped drain 202. The container valve 200 as shown provides a butt engagement with the drain 202, Stated another way, the container valve 200 shown as an example in FIG. 4 engages with the drain 202 perimeter at the lip 201 (e.g., edge) of the drain. The container valve 200 in the example shown is a flapper (e.g., clamp type valve) engaged with the drain 202. Optionally, one or more of the valve 200 and the edge of the drain 202 includes a gasket configured to provide a tight sealing engagement between the container valve 200 and the drain 202 in the closed configuration.
The container valve 200 shown in FIG. 4 is not received within the drain 202. The cementious washout container 100 with the above described container valve 200 is configured for use in freezing temperatures (e.g., below 32 degrees Fahrenheit). The container valve 200 (e.g., a flapper) will reliably open and reseal even while the drain is frozen because of the engagement of the valve 200 around the edge 201 of the drain is 202. Frozen washout water from the container 100 is not able freeze around a valve mechanism because of the direct engagement of the container valve 200 with the drain 202 on the drain exterior. Additionally, the valve operating mechanism 204 is similarly exterior to the container body 102 and thereby isolated from freezing of washout water therein. In another example, the container valve 200 includes, but is not limited to, a ball valve, gate valve and the like.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show the cementious washout container 100 from respective side views with the hinged chute 106 of the hinged chute assembly 105 in an upright orientation. As shown the hinged chute 106 is rotatably coupled with the container body 102. The hinged chute assembly 105 includes the chute panel 109 extending out of the container body 102. As has been previously described, rotation of the hinged chute 106 allows for aggregate particles accumulated on the hopper screen 110 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) to be dispensed away from the container body 102, for instance, into a separate container adjacent to the cementious washout container 100. Further, operation of the chute lever 112 to rotate the hinged chute 106 into a substantially horizontal position allows for the placement of waste cementious materials on the hopper screen 110 to facilitate straining of washout water and fine particles through the hopper screen 110 while aggregate particles are left on the hopper screen 110. Further rotation of the chute lever 112 tips the chute panel 109 past horizontal and allows the cleaned aggregate particles to slide (e.g., are unloaded) off the chute panel 109 into another container or simply onto the ground adjacent to the container body 102.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show additional views of the hinged chute 106 with backward and forward rotational arrows depicting relative rotation of the hinged chute 106 relative to the container body 102. Views of the hinged chute 106 are provided in phantom lines to show receiving and discarding positions 600, 602 of the chute, respectively. In the receiving position 600, the hinged chute 106 of the hinged chute assembly 105 is positioned substantially horizontally. For instance, the hopper screen 110 substantially fills the chute opening 108. In this position, washout water including fine particles and aggregate is deposited on the hopper screen 110. As described herein, the washout water and the fine particles pass through the hopper screen 110 while the aggregate remains segregated on the hopper screen 110.
After straining of the washout water with the hinged chute 106 in the receiving position 600, the hinged chute is rotated to the discarding position 602 (also shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 6A, B). The aggregate remaining on the hopper screen 110 slides from the screen to the chute panel 109. The chute panel 109 directs the aggregate to the ground or a container adjacent to the cementious washout container 100. in another example, the hinged chute 106 (e.g., the hinge chute assembly 105) is movable to a third position as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 6A, B. In the third position, the hinged chute 106 is substantially vertical to facilitate the cleaning out of the container body 102, for instance with pressurized water delivered by hose with an operator standing on the ladder 120. Additionally, in yet another example, the hinged chute 106 is biased into the third position for transport, storage and the like of the cementious washout container 100 according to the weight and length of the hopper screen 110. The substantially vertical orientation minimizes outlying projections of the container 100 during transport and handling.
Further shown in FIG. 6A, is the ladder 120 previously described. As shown, the ladder 120 extends over the container body 102 and allows for easy access to the chute lever 112 by an operator. Also shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, are the valve lever 206 and the drain 202. As previously described, a valve operating mechanism 204 extends between the valve lever 206 and the drain 202 to operate the container valve 200 remotely relative to the drain 202.
The drain shroud 208 is also shown in FIGS. 6A, B. The drain shroud 208 is positioned around the drain 202 and the container valve 200 to substantially prevent splashing and deflection of washout water emptying through the drain 202. As shown in FIG. 4, in the open position container valve 200 is partially disposed below the drain 202. Because of the flapper type configuration (e.g., for use in cold weather) of the container valve 200 washout water exiting the drain 202 may impinge upon the container valve 200 and deflect from its downward path. The drain shroud 208 extends around the drain 202 and intercepts deflected water and redirects it downwardly, for instance into the delivery chute of a cement truck. In one example, the drain shroud extends downwardly from the container body 102 and is opposed to at least the open face 210 of the container valve 200.
As previously described, in operation, the cementious washout container 100 is placed at a work site where multiple loads of ready mix concrete or cement are delivered. Where waste cement remains in the cement trucks the method includes dumping the cementious liquids including fluids such as water, aggregate particles and fine particles onto a hopper screen, such as hopper screen 110. In one example, the hopper screen 110 is part of a hinged chute assembly 105, such as the hinged chute 106 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The hopper screen 110 overlies a container reservoir 104 of the container body 102. The method further includes screening the fluid and fine particles through the hopper screen 110 into the container reservoir 104 and leaving the aggregate particles on the hopper screen 110.
After screening of the fluid and fine particles the hinged chute assembly 105, including for instance, the hinged chute 106 is rotated relative to the container body and the aggregate particles are diverted away from the container body 102 by a chute panel 109 included with the hinged chute assembly 105 (e.g., hinged chute 106).
The method further includes accumulating washout water including the fluid (e.g., water) and fine particles in the container body 102. After accumulation of the washout water and the fine particles, for instance, after receiving multiple loads of cement or concrete at a job site, the accumulated washout water and fine particles are funneled to a concrete chute (e.g., on a truck, trailer or the like) through a container drain 202 opened a container valve 200 on the container body 102. The container valve 200, in one example, is operated by a valve operating mechanism 204 that facilitates drainage operation of the valve 200 with the valve lever 206. In another example, the valve operating mechanism 204 includes a locked configuration. For instance, the valve operating mechanism 204 includes linkage bars 212A, B that deflect between locked and open configurations when moving past an intermediate point. The linkage bars 212A retains the container valve 200 against the drain 202 and substantially prevents leakage of washout water. Movement of the valve lever 206 and corresponding movement of the linkage bars 212A, B beyond the intermediate point releases the container valve 200 to open the drain 202.
CONCLUSION
The cementious washout container described herein separates aggregate particles from waste water and fine particles and accumulates the waste water and fine particles until the last truck having cement or concrete is delivered to a job site. The waste water (including fine particles) is then emptied back into the drum of the last truck at the end of the day for recycling back at the concrete or cement plant. By accumulating and retaining the waste water and fine particles at the job site throughout the day intensive labor and expense for continuously refilling each chute of each truck with washout water and correspondingly transporting and dumping the washout water individually at a waste site is thereby avoided.
In the foregoing description, the subject matter has been described with reference to specific exemplary examples. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present subject matter as set forth herein. The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present subject matter. Accordingly, the scope of the subject matter should be determined by the generic examples described herein and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process example may be executed in any order and are not limited to the explicit order presented in the specific examples. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus example may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present subject matter and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular examples; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problems or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components.
As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present subject matter, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
The present subject matter has been described above with reference to examples. However, changes and modifications may be made to the examples without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present subject matter, as expressed in the following claims.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. It should be noted that examples discussed in different portions of the description or referred to in different drawings can be combined to form additional examples of the present application. The scope of the subject matter should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Patent Application
20120037231
