The present invention relates to waste collection. Specifically, the present invention concerns a garbage container for collection of solid waste.
Evidence most representative prior technical and the most relevant is the GB patent 2407282 of Damani et al. published on Apr. 27, 2005. A problem with the waste container described in this document is that a motor is used to power a device that crushes the wastes. The waste container is therefore relatively complex and expensive.
In view of the above, there is a need in the industry to provide novel and improved hoist overload protectors.
In a broad aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for grinding solid waste, the apparatus comprising: a first plurality of grinding blades parallel to one another and disposed on a first axle perpendicular to an axis thereof; a second plurality of grinding blades parallel to one another and disposed on a second axle perpendicular to an axis thereof, the axis of the second axle being parallel to the axis of the first axle, wherein the first and second plurality of blades are interleaved and adapted for counter-rotation with respect to each other; a set of gears operatively connected to each of the first and second axles; and means for driving the set of gears to effectuate rotation of each set of grinding blades.
In a variant, the set of gears comprises at least one of the group: epicyclical, cycloidal, and planetary.
In a variant, the means for driving the set of gears is chosen from the group: manual, hand-operated, foot operated, and electric.
In a variant, the set of gears is chain driven.
In a variant, the axles and the blades are spring loaded.
In a variant, the apparatus further includes means for preventing retrograde movement of the plurality of blades, the means for preventing retrograde movement comprising a ratcheting system.
In a variant, the apparatus further includes means for separating the first and second axles to prevent jamming, wherein the means for separating the first and second axles to prevent jamming comprises an axle backlash tolerance.
In a variant, the grinding blades pivot.
In a variant, the grinding blades are released when a tough piece of waste is encountered.
In a variant, the apparatus further includes means for cleaning the grinding blades
In a variant, the apparatus further includes a scale for weighing the ground waste material.
In a variant, the apparatus further includes a global positioning system (GPS) for signaling location of the ground waste material.
In another broad aspect, the invention provides a crushing container for solid waste collection, the crushing container defining container left and right sides, the crushing container comprising: a container body, the container body defining an upper aperture leading thereinto; at least two crushing elements each supported in the container body and each rotatable on a respective crushing element axis extending generally parallel to the upper aperture, each of the crushing elements including a plurality of blades extending generally substantially perpendicular to the crushing element axis, the blades of one of the crushing elements being interleaved with the blades of the other one of the crushing elements, the crushing elements being operatively coupled to each other so as to be jointly counter-rotatable with respect to each other; a sliding lid provided substantially adjacent the upper aperture, the sliding lid being movable along the container so as to be positionable in a lid closed position, wherein the lid is substantially in register with the upper aperture and a lid open position wherein the lid is at least partially retracted from the lid upper aperture, the sliding lid being operatively coupled to the toothed crushing elements for rotating the crushing elements when the sliding lid is moved between the lid open and closed position.
The current system of selective collection of solid waste in Europe is based on the location on the street of similar waste containers only different by color or shape. The present system innovates because it introduces a volume reducing system that can reduce, for example, waste five and up to ten times the volume of the actual waste collection systems because the container introduces a toothed wheel system driven by a series of sprockets when turning are driven by toothed drums activated by manual movement of the sliding top lid of the container, ensuring its grinding through a slitter blade system—or even small hammers for glass—, system that may be implemented in public administrations to require waste collection services, so that the collection is “nonmaterial” (—from a unique material—) due to the introduction of different specialized container for each type of waste so that it can be required due to the existence of the following types of containers:
It is possible to increase the range of containers to other specialized that can be
used in public spaces for a collection of more specialized use such as the collecting of:—batteries, appliances, furniture, wood and other bulky waste even tissues or other potentially polluting domestic waste such as used oil, or non-biodegradable chemicals such as cleaners, detergents, varnishes, paints, medicines, among others.
This invention belongs to the technical field of grinding which seeks to contribute to current waste recycling systems adding a mechanical grinding in the already existing waste containers reducing volume of different types of solid waste from human daily consumption, avoiding the use of more natural resources and irresponsible and abusive consumption of raw materials every day less abundant. In a specific embodiment of the invention, its system is based on a simple manual mechanism consisting of a group of toothed wheels that achieves by transforming a simple movement of moving the sliding upper lid opening the container, in a rotary motion of the blade axes minimizing the volume of different types of waste—either cans, packaging paper, paper, organic matter, glass (vitreous vessels), non-recyclable waste, according to different blade systems, adapted to each type of waste (in case of glass are replaced by a disk system with small hammers) being enough with the will to move, helped by a pedal on which to transfer our body weight or to give more force reducing these blades (—pedal that is essential in case of metal containers because of its hardness).
The present invention in its manual version, unlike its motorized variant, is completely ecological in its use because it does not consume any type of energy for its use, trying to cooperate with various European Public Services (Regional and Local Administrations) in accomplishment with Directive 2004/12/CE it imposing on Member States of the European Union the obligation to take measures to reach-in phase 2 these objectives:
D) On Dec. 31, 2008 at latest, a minimum of 55% and a maximum of 80% weight of waste containers must be recycled.
E) On 31 Dec. 2008 latest the following minimum recycling targets for materials measured in the waste containers must be achieved:
I) 60% weight of glass.
Ii) 60% weight of paper and cardboard.
Iii) 50% weight of metals.
Iv) 22.5% weight of the plastics material counting only the one that is recycled back into plastic, and
v) 15% weight for wood.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the appended drawings, the following Figures illustrate:
FIG. 9.3.1: Top of the box spring.
FIG. 9.3.2: Initial position of the blades to axis through the lever drag.
FIG. 9.4.1: Box spring in the normal position without its lid.
FIG. 9.4.2: Blade spring box after closure.
Introducing the explanation of the invention, the first phase of mechanical grinding system is based on the transformation of a mechanical movement produced by a horizontal displacement of the curved sliding lid (1)—located on the upper side of the container, transforming the opening movement (16) in a circular motion of the two drums (10) of gears located on the side walls of the container (both left and right) by a symmetrical teeth system, acting as a “zipper”, causes the rotation of each drum as an eyelid (curved top) rotating on its eye (or drum), situated on the upper side of each drum of the container. The movement of the sliding lid on its own rotation axis (6), makes its own toothed bands (9) located at the bottom both left and right sides of the cover move the teeth of the outer zone (9) of each drum which is supported on an independent frame (14) thereby causing the circular motion of the side drum—as explained in
In the same way, and in order to ensure the opening of a sliding lid with hands (5) it is provided with a horizontal bar (4) in the bottom front face of the container (as shown in
In a second mechanical phase, simultaneous in time, the movement caused by the upper sliding lid over each of the two drums located on the upper side of the side walls both left and right sides of the container, gives them a circular motion to each of the two side drums respect their axes (as shown in
On the other hand, this frame (14)—which is situated at the upper and interior of the container as an internal belt and must be constructed of a robust material to support the torsions generate the blade axes (—28, 29, 30 and 31 —) which hold, (—which in the example shown in
In this third phase, equally synchronized in time as the two before, —the movement of the two side drums caused by the lid, will cause the following rotations induced by each group of four small gears placed in contact with each other (—inside of each of the two side drums) such that:
In the same phase we must inform you that the peculiar position of the four small gears introduced in the inside of each side drum (as indicated in
Therefore, and in order to explain the rotation of the grinding axis, as the fourth effect of the movement of the lid, we clarify that in case of axis E-1 (31) and E-2 (30) its rotation will be:—in the left drum, in a clockwise sense if viewed from the inside the container, while:—in the right drum, on axis E-1 and E-2, will rotate in a counter clockwise sense if we look from inside of the container, for the case of axis E-3 (28) and E-4 (29) will be opposite to the direction axis of rotation of E-1 and E-2, in both drums, this will cause a synchronous and simultaneous movement in a opposite direction between the two axes. Both upper blades E-1 and E3 and between the two lower blade axis E-2 and E-4, because the first two blades have the function of bringing closer the waste dropped in the central area of the container for grinding, turning both axes above E-1 and E-3 in a contrary sense to each other, while initially pushing and flattening such waste, whereas the lower axis E-2 and E-4, turn out the function of swallowing the grinded, turning these axes opposite to each other, while crushing the waste when they come near the upper blade axes, once crushed to the bottom of the container.
Grinding system: Though the compression system of the crushing of waste by the intersection of blades on their axes is the same for all types of waste (with the exception of glass, which is performed by a system of small hammers) however the size of the disc blades (43) will change depending on the type of waste to be crushed, but in all cases, this new system is characterized in that the blades are not fixed, such as other electric grinders—in this case this blade to its axis is movable.
A) —In the first place it is mobile in its attachment, which allows the blade to stop or slow even if its axis continues turning, while its robust internal spring (45) (—in the attachment zone of blade axis (47)—) allows the blade to make the necessary tolerances that will require the grinding of harder materials that all waste incorporate, and although the spring is to give in gradually, such tolerance of the spring will end at a maximum recoil (located around the axis) whose internal shaft lever (44) will not continue to allow more braking (see
B)—Secondly, this blade system (39 and 40) with tolerance in rotation on its own axis (50 and 51), also has a secondary lock system that allows oblique side movement of the blade perpendicular to its axis which is located in the blade, leaving its initial parallel position with the other blades, this occasional oblique position will allow the entry of this crushable waste, waste with excessive hardness or volume, that would otherwise block the crusher axle (—
Regarding the design of each type of blade, and in the case of metal containers, its blades are slightly rounded and robust, —which are drawn as an example in
It is also proposed to incorporate blades axes for organic matter (61) with a much wider section of a few centimeters of width, and with the edges of its blades with smaller teeth (62), separating the blades with rubber rollers, which will allow a maximum compression of volume of organic matter, thanks to the higher density of rubber between the blade discs (63) for each axle (—
The system proposed for crushing glass is based on a disk set (66) characterized with series of small hammers (65) which are together with its respective disc and articulated arm—in our case and as an example, these articulated arms are plotted in
Finally for the collection of non-recyclable waste (
Another feature of the grinding system is the function of ratchet on each bearing (15) having the blade axes which are embedded in the rack, as (—As a bicycle rear wheel device), this device only allows rotation in a single direction:—the continuous entry of waste, maximizing the container's capacity, not allowing the pawl bearing device the rotation of the opposite blade axis when drums rotate on the opposite side, since such a bearing device only allows rotation in the initial direction, preventing the exit of waste in the opposite direction from the one previously swallowed allowing the filling to its maximum (—changing for each type of waste and by its specific composition in each case—) crushing of the contents slowly and progressively for the simple function of permanent or continuous swallowing allowed by the ratchet device.
Therefore, if a single displacement of the lid is not enough to crush and swallow all waste, we can start over again activating the lid and repeat the operation it is all swallowed.
The only lock limit that is expected by the rotation of the side drums will come from the rise of the frame as a result of up coming caused by the filling of waste to the top of the container, causing the movement of the frame from its initial position, as a result of lifting of the front edge of the frame from its own fixed hinges situated on the bottom side of said frame, and frame whose elevation will prevent the sliding of the lid, which is the origin of the movement of all the system.
Finally, regarding the problems that may take place by the clogging of the grinding axis as a result of the entry of waste, of a width exceeding the width of entry that the lower shafts tolerates, —in addition to the tolerances that allow previous spring systems already incorporated in the blades themselves, and the twisting system with oblique blades each on its axis, this “tolerant” system, provided in FIG. 21—whose purpose is to win the initial resistance that produce a lower grinding axes fixed on the frame, consisting on placing a system with two “tolerant” springs (72) which are placed at both ends of each axis simultaneously, these two springs placed (76) perpendicular to the direction of the respective shaft in each of the boxes (75) located on both sides of the frame (—as in
It will also will produce the lower shaft displacement E-2, by sliding in another box of identical springs housed in the frame, although it may bent in an oblique position and the chain will follow a forced obliquely upward through the end of the said blade axis and put to in permanent contact with the toothed belt of the right drum.
At the same time, for the cleaning of the four blade axes, it is provided the placement of a metal comb to be placed under each axis, with the rotation of each of the tines with respect to its longitudinal axis, so that its spikes can guarantee permanent cleaning and unclog waste that remains caught between the blades, with a fixed frame in case of top axes, though the cleaning of the lower axes have the possibility of having small combs not held to the frame, but with a small fork, attached directly to the lower axis permanently and parallel.
Similarly, in order to expel the waste outside the container, it is provided the placement of a pair of curved hooks opening/closing the lower front edge of the frame, although these hooks are placed to the edge usually on the upper front face of the container the pressure effect of the springs of such hooks can release the pressure that will move the comb due to the truck lifting arm on the triggers on the top of the front face of the body container causing the release of the hooks on the frame.
It also is optionally provided, that can be placed in the bottom of the body of said container with a simple electronic scale (108) with weight indicator, due its small cost, it can be powered either by battery or by a simple rechargeable to be placed at the ends of the blade axes—including the possibility of placing complementary batteries on the axes of the two side drums, having the possibility of placing an electronic weight indicator at the top front face of the container so that, thanks to traditional weight memory systems, may show the weight of waste introduced each time you use the container and transfer to a data center receiving waste weight and notice sent to this center, which will inform you when a container is full, being sufficient to incorporate a SMS system with a simple cell phone, so that, when the frame is raised from the front edge of the cup as a result of overfilling, a continuous signal can be produced in which, by combining this data with weight data entered, can assure that such a signal responds to its actual excessive filling, with the advantage of having information supplied in real time, and knowing at all times when the containers are full, and may design collecting routes through a simple “GPS (107) navigation” program that may arrange cheaper collecting routes.
Electrical supply alternative: (—see
An alternative motor position provides the possibility of placing this engine longitudinally in the bottom of the container along the central area of its base, exceeding at both ends of the side walls of the container in its lower central zone, the axes can move each of the drums, both left and right side through a bevel gear shafts, and even by belts or chains pulley sprockets, chains placed independent to the body container, protected under a separate side frame, with an outer cover for opening and for occasional maintenance or mechanical repair. Anticipating further, in the case of belts or chains, the placement on the upper outer side of the container and under the frame, a bearing system to allow passing these belts or chains pulleys from one side of the drum shaft sprocket to another of identical bearings located near the drum axis and parallel to it. In order to allow by this powered bearing change system through an external lever change, the lever can move the pulleys or chain from the bearing rolling parallel drum, and may be release the side drums locking frame linked to the transmission chains, so the frame will get free from its usual position to allow the exit of waste, when not being the lateral drums embedded in its respective chains, being foreseen that for the displacement of the chain by means of a bearings changing system, it is also foreseen a chain stress by providing for an additional wheel with a clamping function, placed along the vertical path of the chain that will grant tolerance.
Alternative domestic garbage container: (—see FIGS. 22 and 25.1,): There is another variant planned for domestic garbage container, smaller but identical grinding alternatives, both, manual or electric, but also a mixed system, characterizes this type of domestic garbage container with possible wheels (94) and of a smaller dimension than those designed for public use. It is also possible “fixed” container (smaller size too), put in a cabinet, or placed for example in the kitchen bench (88), or in the balcony, etc. with the possibility to incorporate all types of blades studied in the basic blade system, (—although it seems more appropriate to use the split-blade for non-recyclable waste) incorporating this domestic container all the claims as defined under the basic or general.
In return, the domestic garbage container is remarkable for its safety lid which allows the system to operate only when the crushing is certainly safe, either because when the blades are moving the top lid is closed (—whether it's mechanical or electrical—), or because, when the lid is open, there is a safety guard located between the lid and blades, which allows only the entry of small waste, preventing the possible entry of the user's body limbs. Also provided by an external switch on the top near the entry of the container that allows the user to stop the engine and put it on again to eliminate possible obstructions, or providing a lever for a manual system, which stops the rotation of the blades, thanks to a lever that moves a braking bolt under the R-2 front wheel of the inner toothed belt of the drum, which is what gives motion to both axes lower blades.
Variety developed for the rotation of the grinding blades:
If considered that each operation of opening the lid is not enough for grinding a specific type of waste or is regarded as desirable that each blade axis should realize more than one turn for each lid opening, it is sufficient to introduce a sprocket of double development between the lateral tread which contact the lower supports of both left and right of the lid, with the treads of both drums, so that, the gear which contacts the top, shall move simultaneously a concentric gear, having this last sprocket the double number of teeth (—or triplex, etc.—) which will be responsible for moving the rolling toothed belt of each side drum.
Indication of how the invention is industrially applicable:
Respecting the materials to use to build this grinding container, it is important to say that all parts can be built with common materials, such as plastic for the body container, and different metals for the rest mechanisms of the system (for example steel for blade axes, toothed wheels, drums, or blades, and a strong plastic or hard rubber for some other parts). This material may be satisfactory, and even have the opportunity of using duralumin for the frame (—to endure the pressure on it by the exercise of both side drums and blade axes), which will allow this system to reduce weight of this grinding container. Considering that it does not seem necessary to make this description more extensive for an expert to understand the advantages of this invention, unnecessary to describe the material composition of each part type, shape, size, or arrangement of its elements and not been specified more precisely for reasons of convenience for its patentability, and that may be susceptible to variation not producing an alteration of the invention. So it should be noted that this description has been written, and must be understood in a broad and not limiting sense.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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P200701259 | Apr 2007 | ES | national |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12597775 | Mar 2010 | US |
Child | 14037508 | US |