Compact Apparatus for Covering Landfill

Abstract

An apparatus and method for covering a landfill includes a deployer suspended below the bucket of a loader. A roll of film is disposed on the deployer and uncoiled to deploy a film covering on the landfill surface as the loader driven across the surface. Periodically, the bucket, containing a ballast material, is manipulated, allowing ballast material to be disposed on the film to hold the deployed film in place. In a preferred embodiment, the deployer includes a mandrel mounted between two flanges for supporting a roll of film. The deployer is preferably attached to the bucket by chains or wire rope in such a manner so as to allow full operation of bucket while the deployer is attached.

Description

Summary of Invention

[0019] The apparatus and method of the present invention enables a landfill operator to deploy a film material from a standard bucket loader to the working surface of a landfill. The apparatus is preferably attached to the bucket assembly of loader and deploys film as the loader is driven across the working surface of the landfill. Periodically, at intervals determined by the operator, the bucket, which contains a ballast material, is manipulated to allow ballast material to drop onto the film and hold the deployed film in place. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a roll of film mounted on a mandrel between two flanges. Such an apparatus is preferably attached to the bucket device through chains or wire rope in such a manner as to allow full operation of the bucket while the apparatus is attached. The apparatus of the present invention is also capable of spraying a pesticide, deodorant, or any other chemical, to the exposed working surface. If more than one panel is required to cover the work area, it is preferred that adjacent panels, with some overlap, be laid.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] For a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 is a side view of a wheel loader and film deployer in accordance with the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is an exploded view drawing of the film deployer of Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 3 is an isometric detail of the fixed flange and mandrel of Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 4 is an isometric view of the detachable flange of Figure 2;Figure 4 is an end view of the attachment guard of Figure 2;

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a protective shield;

[0026] Figure 6 is a drawing of the wheel loader and film deployer of Figure 1 before film is deployed; and

[0027] Figure 7 is a drawing of the wheel loader and film deployer of Figure 1 during film deployment.

[0028] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

[0029] Referring initially to Figure 1, a film deployment apparatus 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment is shown. Deployment apparatus 10 is preferably attached to the front end 12 of a loader 14 such as to a container or bucket by any pair of suitable members such as chains 16. The chains 16 support a roll of film 18. As is well known in the art, the bucket 12 may be raised, lowered and tilted hydraulically by controls. Deployment apparatus 10 lays a panel of film 18 over a work surface 20, as hereinafter described, as loader 14 is driven thereover.

[0030] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, apparatus 10 preferably includes a mandrel 26 having a flange 22 fixed at one end and a flange 24 detachably connected to the opposite end of mandrel 26. Mounted upon each flange 22, 24 is a connection member such as an eyelet 28 by which deployment apparatus 10 preferably attaches bucket 12 by attaching chains 16 between eyelets 28 and hooks 34 mounted upon sides of bucket 12. The chains 16 suspend apparatus 10 below the bucket 12 taking advantage of the gravitational pull; as the bucket 12 is tilted. Although chains 16 are shown in the preferred embodiment, it can be understood that any other means of attachment can be utilized including but not limited to rope, wire, cables, or rigid structural members.

[0031] It is also preferred that flanges 22 and 24 be strong enough to resist bending if chains 16 extend inward or outward. Depending on the size of the bucket 12 and width of roll 32 of film, chains 16 may have to angle inward or outward to connect the two together. To strengthen flanges 22 and 24, they may me manufactured of a thicker material, or structural braces may be attached.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment, film roll 32 includes a length of film 18 that has been circumferentially rolled up around a tubular axle (not shown) having a bore therethrough for receiving mandrel 26. Mandrel 26 is installed by first removing detachable flange 24 and then sliding the free end 33 of mandrel 26 through the bore or film roll 32 until the end of the roll engages flange 22. Mandrel 26 acts as a spindle and preferably combines with flanges 22 and 24 to form a spool. To facilitate ease of lifting, mandrel 26 is preferably constructed in a generally tubular fashion. Film roll 32 is preferably constructed such that its inner diameter is slightly larger than outer diameter of mandrel 26 to allow film 18 to "roll" off as it is pulled from roll 32. Alternatively, bearings may be installed between roll 32 and mandrel 26 to facilitate ease of deployment. Alternatively still, bearings may be positioned between flanges 22, 24 and film roll 32 to allow film 18 to be deployed directly to work surface 20 without requiring mandrel 26. Such bearings, if used, may be of sleeve, journal, roller or ball bearing type.

[0033] Film 18 is preferably degradable through chemical, mechanical, thermal, photo, or biodegradation. Although deployer 10 preferably deploys a degradable film material, it can be used to deploy any material for covering the landfill and may be degradable or non-degradable. The material is preferably stored in rolled form. For example, non-degradable films may be deployed for more permanent or long term cover or lining applications. Alternatively, breathable textile materials may also be deployed on landfill surfaces as effective short or long-term cover. Examples of breathable textile materials for landfill cover are described in United Kingdom patent Application No. GB9407807.8 entitled "Waste Disposal," hereby incorporated herein by reference. Examples of film 18 which are degradable are described in U.S. Patents 5,416,133 and 5,565,503 incorporated by reference above.

[0034] Flanges 22 and 24 preferably include a sector cut 30 along their bottom edges to facilitate installation of film roll 32. Sector cuts 30 of flanges 22 and 24 enable mandrel 26 and flange 22 to be installed within roll 32 while flanges 22, 24 rest upon a surface without rolling. Otherwise, depending on its outer diameter, film roll 32 may have to be lifted in order to receive mandrel 26 and attached flange 22 completely through the tubular axle. Once film roll 32 is mounted on mandrel 26, detachable flange 24 is re-attached and assembly 10 is ready to be attached to bucket 12 of loader 14.

[0035] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, detachable flange 24 is preferably secured to mandrel 26 by a pin and J-slot arrangement. Mandrel 26 has one end attached to flange 22 and another end 33 free for attachment to flange 24. Free end 33 of mandrel 26 includes a J-slot 38 cut through its diameter and a tapered cone end 37. Detachable flange 24 of Figure 4 includes a short tubular extension 35 through which cone end 37 of mandrel 26 is engaged. Diametrically engaged through extension 35 of flange 24 is a pin 36 that corresponds to the width of J-slot 38. When cone end 37 is engaged within extension 35 of flange 24, pin 36 is concurrently engaged within J-slot 38 of mandrel 26. Once pin 36 is engaged within slot 38, detachable flange 24 is rotated until pin 36 securely retains flange 24 in place by J-slot 38. Alternatively, the pin and J-slot arrangement may be reversed such that tubular extension 35 includes the J-slot and mandrel 26 contains the pin. Alternatively still, both flanges 22, and 24 may optionally be detachable.

[0036] Referring again to Figure 1, the location of hooks 34 on bucket 12 are at the discretion of the end user. It is preferred that the hooks 34 are positioned on bucket 12 such that an imaginary line drawn between them is substantially parallel to the surface of workface 20. It is also preferred that apparatus 10 be mounted upon bucket 12 of loader 14 in such a fashion that the axis of the roll 32 of film 18 be located behind the leading edge 39 of bucket 12 no matter what position bucket 12 may take. An example of an acceptable location is shown in Figure 1 wherein hooks 34 are attached above the pivot axis of bucket 12 when in the "up" position. By keeping the axis of roll 32 behind the leading edge 39 of bucket 12, it is ensured that ballast material may be effectively deposited to film 18 gravitationally.

[0037] Referring now to Figure 5, it is preferred that hooks 34 be fashioned from plates 40,42 of steel welded together at joint 44. Plate 40 is to be welded in the desired location on bucket 12 such that joint 44 is pointed toward leading edge 39. Plate 42 includes an aperture 46 that includes a large profile 41 and a small profile 43. Aperture 46 is arranged such that small profile 43 is located between large profile 41 and workface 20. Small region 43 is constructed to hold a link of chain 16 in place while large profile 41 will allow free engagement therethrough. To connect apparatus 10 to bucket 12, chains 16 are connected from eyelets 28 and through large profile 11 of hook 34. Once the desired length of chain is reached between hook 32 and eyelet 28, chain 16 is then positioned from large profile 41 to small profile 43, where it is held securely in place by the weight of apparatus 10. It is also preferable to attach reinforcement guards 45 above and below plates 40 and 42 to make hooks 32 more robust. If guards 45 are not utilized, hooks 34 can be torn from bucket 12 when bucket 12 extends into the earth to collect material. By protecting hooks 34, guards 45 ensure the long term usability and durability of deployment assembly 10.

[0038] Referring now to Figure 6, when a section of landfill is to be covered, the following process is performed. First, the operator takes prime loader 14 to an area where the bucket 12 may be filled with a ballast material. Ballast material may be of any form preferable to landfill operators, but typically takes the form of clay, soil, sand, gravel, rock, or a combination thereof. Once bucket 12 is filled with ballast material, the loader 14 is then driven to the location of deployment apparatus 10. Once in position, the operator lowers bucket 12 without spilling ballast material to attach apparatus 10. With bucket 12 lowered, the chains 16 of apparatus 10 are attached to hooks 34 on bucket 12. Preferably, one chain is used to secure each end of apparatus 10 to opposing sides of bucket 12. It should be appreciated that alternative methods of attachment may be used as long as the method is simple and not labor intensive. With apparatus 10 securely attached and positioned underneath, bucket 12 of loader 14 can be raised until apparatus 10 is lifted off of landfill surface. Once apparatus 10 is lifted, film 18 may be pulled off roll 32 and preferably tucked into the ballast 48 in bucket 12 as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, clips (not shown) may be used to temporarily attach the film 18 to the bucket 12 prior to deployment. Loader 14 and deployment apparatus 10 are now ready to deploy film 18 to landfill surface 20.

[0039] Referring now to Figure 7, loader 14 with attached deployment apparatus 10 is positioned over an area to be covered. Loader 14 is positioned to move in reverse over the work area. To start laying a panel of film 18, the controls to bucket 12 are "nudged" to allow a small amount of ballast 48 to fall from bucket 12, releasing tucked film 18 with it. With film 18 deposited upon work surface 20 of the landfill, controls are again manipulated to drop more ballast 48 upon deposited film 18. With film 18 held in place securely by the weight of the dropped ballast 48, the prime loader 14 is carefully backed over the area to be covered, deploying film 18 as loader 14 progresses rearward. Periodically, at intervals to be determined by landfill operation preferences and regulations, the controls are manipulated to cause bucket 12 to tip and deposit more ballast 48 upon film 18. When at the end of a pass over the landfill ballast 48 is deposited on the end of the film panel and the panel is cut manually by the operator or an assistant. Once film 18 panel is cut, the film can be tucked into the ballast, and the loader 14 is returned to the starting point of the panel of laid film to lay an adjacent panel along a similar path. It is preferred that adjacent panels be laid with 6-24 inches of overlap to more effectively "seal" the fill from the environment. Adjacent panels are laid on top of the workface 20 of the landfill until the desired area is properly covered.

[0040] Referring now to Figure 8, a sprayer apparatus 100 to apply a fluid (liquid or gaseous) is shown attached to loader 14. Sprayer apparatus 100 includes a pressure tank 102 and a pressure cap 104. Attached to pressure tank 102 is a pressure relief valve 106 and a charging pump 108. A shut off valve 110 is connected to the bottom of tank 102 and controls the flow of liquid solution from the tank 102 to a hose 112. Attached at the end of hose 112 is a spray manifold or bar 113 with at least one spray head 114 to create a spray pattern 116 when liquid flows therethrough under pressure. Spray bar 113 preferably extends across the width of the loader 14 with distributed spray head 114 placement to more effectively cover the workface. It should be appreciated an single spray head with a wide path of coverage may communicate directly with hose 112, thus eliminating the need for a manifold device.

[0041] To operate sprayer apparatus 100, pressure cap 104 is unscrewed and the liquid to be sprayed is poured into tank 102. With the liquid in tank 102, pressure cap 104 is replaced and charging pump 108 is activated until the pressure within tank 102 reaches a predetermined level. Charging pump 108 may be of a manual or powered type and may or may not include a pressure indication device (not shown) to indicate when the pressure contained within tank 102 is sufficient. With sufficient pressure in tank 102, shut off valve 110 may be manipulated to allow the pressurized liquid to flow through hose 112 and head 114 to spray liquid 116 upon workface 20.

[0042] Sprayer 100 is preferably located and operated in a position that applies fluid to workface 20 following loader 14, but before the deployment of film 18 and ballast 48. It is preferred that sprayer 100 contain and apply a pesticide solution to the topside workface 20 in order to control the spread of flies, mosquitoes, or any other annoying insect pest, but is understood that any beneficial chemical may be applied using sprayer 100. Examples of other beneficial chemicals that can be applied using sprayer 100 are deodorants, degradation inhibitors, or degredation accelerators.

[0043] The apparatus 10 of the present invention has many advantages over the prior art. The primary advantage is reduced cost. Prior art equipment is expensive and complex, requiring systems of hydraulics, motors, and other machinery. Additionally, reliability of prior art systems is questionably when used in extreme environmental conditions. The apparatus of the present invention costs a fraction of those of the prior art and operates equally reliable in all weather conditions. Another advantage of the present invention is that ballast material can be of any size or shape. Prior art systems required that ballast material be filtered through a screening mechanism to ensure that the ballast does not clog the augers or chutes. The apparatus of the present invention does not require any such limitations.

[0044] In addition to a low cost, the present invention also offers landfill operators low equipment costs. Prior art systems require heavy prime movers that are capable of carrying deployment units that weigh several tons. The apparatus of the present invention only weighs a few hundred pounds and can be carried by smaller and less expensive machines. Almost all landfill loaders will be capable of carrying an apparatus made in accordance with the present invention. Furthermore, a device in accordance with the present invention may even be attached to the rear of a dump truck to deploy film in a manner consistent with that described above.

[0045] Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting on a lift of a vehicle to deploy covering on a landfill, comprising:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connection members are selected from the group consisting of chains, braided wire, rope, or rigid beams.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spool includes a mandrel extending between opposed flanges.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said opposed flanges include a first flange coupled to one end of said mandrel and a second flange detachably connected to another end of said mandrel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second flange is connected to said mandrel by a J-slot and pin.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said flanges include a flat side.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connection members include a connector adapted for mounting on said lift.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said connector includes a shield.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a container adapted for disposal on the lift adapted to contain a ballast for deployment on the covering.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a sprayer to apply a chemical solution is disposed between said spool and the vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 where said chemical solution includes a pesticide.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said chemical solution is a deodorizer.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said covering is a degradable film.

14. An apparatus for covering a landfill comprising:

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said spool includes a mandrel disposed between flanged ends.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said flanged ends include sector cuts adapted to face the landfill.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further including bearing members disposed between said mandrel and said roll.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said bearing members are roller or ball bearings.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a sprayer to apply a chemical solution to the landfill.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said chemical solution includes a pesticide.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said chemical solution includes a deodorant.

22. A method for covering a landfill surface comprising:

23. The method of claim 22 further including overlapping adjacent panels of film on the landfill surface.

24. The method of claim 22 further including spraying a chemical solution on the landfill prior to deploying the film to the surface.

25. A method for covering a surface of a landfill comprising:

26. The method of claim 25 wherein adjacent panels of the film are deployed atop the surface of the landfill.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein adjacent panels of the film overlap.

28. The method of claim 25 further including spraying a chemical pesticide on the landfill surface prior to deploying said film.