CONTAINER FOR USED MATTRESSES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cage for used mattresses intended to be unloaded into a waste compactor truck. It also relates to a method for loading used mattresses into a waste compactor truck, using the mattress cage according to the invention.

[0002] There are several known solutions for collecting used mattresses.

[0003] Used mattresses are removed from customer collection and storage sites (recycling centers, waste disposal sites, mattress supplier warehouses, etc.) by compactor trucks or standard trucks. A compactor truck can transport a capacity of approximately 5 tons of mattresses, while a standard truck can only carry approximately 500 kg.

[0004] Mattresses can be recycled. In order for them to be recycled, they must be stored in a dry place.

[0005] Mattresses collected in a standard truck are usually unloaded at an interim storage facility. From this facility, walking floor semi-trailers with a capacity of up to 4 tonnes of mattresses transport them to a recycling plant. Conditions at interim storage facilities are not always ideal and can lead to a deterioration in the quality of the mattresses for recycling.

[0006] One solution for collecting mattresses involves using standard cages (rectangular-shaped racks with side panels) in which the mattresses are stacked. The cages are unloaded manually by the collection truck driver and a refuse collector.

[0007] Examples of cages suitable for collecting used mattresses are described in documents CN106115133A, US2014 / 144808A1 and WO2015 / 060719A.

[0008] It is also known to load mattresses directly into a compactor truck. This operation is carried out by the truck driver and a porter. However, the loading process remains manual, time-consuming, unhygienic, and awkward, as the mattresses are bulky and heavy. Furthermore, customers are generally unwilling to help load the mattresses.

[0009] Another solution involves collecting mattresses in containers that are loaded directly by users. These containers are closed to keep the mattresses dry. Users must enter the container to deposit their mattress. This solution results in poor stacking of the mattresses, which is dangerous for users, and in inefficient container filling, leading to a low tonnage (0.5 tons). These containers are then transported by truck to an intermediate storage center.

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0011] The present invention proposes in particular a cage for used mattresses, easily maneuverable, which can be tipped into a standard waste compactor truck, making it possible to avoid manual loading, to reduce the time of loading the truck, to avoid contact of the mattresses with the personnel during loading, the cage being ergonomic.

[0012] The invention thus relates to a cage for used mattresses intended to be unloaded into a waste compactor truck.

[0013] The cage according to the invention comprises: a front face, extending between a lower end and an upper end of the front face, and equipped with a connecting and attaching element for attaching the cage to the truck, a rear face, two side faces and a lower face equipped with a movable floor, the front face having a lower height than the rear face, so as to define a mattress loading opening, and the movable floor being mounted to rotate around an axis preferably located at the rear of the cage, and actuated in rotation by at least one actuator, so as to be able to pivot between for example a standard mattress loading position in which the movable floor extends at or near the lower end of the front face, and a tilting position in which the front end of the movable floor is raised relative to the lower end of the front face.

[0014] This actuator, at least one of which can be a cylinder or a gas spring, is compressed by the weight of the mattresses when the actuator lowers to a horizontal position. As the weight applied to the actuator decreases, it extends and pushes under the floor, causing it to pivot.

[0015] The cage is conveniently equipped with wheels and at least one handle.

[0016] Each of the side faces may have a rectangular section at the rear, equal in height to the rear face, followed at the front by a trapezoidal section whose height gradually increases from rear to front, between the height of the rear face and the height of the front face. The shape of the front section prevents the cage from striking the truck when it is in the tipping position.

[0017] The back face is conveniently equipped with an opening.

[0018] The cage may also include a covering element fixed to the rear face and intended to cover the cage.

[0019] The rear face of the cage can be equipped with a receiving area for the folded covering element.

[0020] The invention also relates to the use of a cage described above for loading used mattresses into a waste compactor truck.

[0021] The invention ultimately relates to a method of loading used mattresses into a waste compactor truck.

[0022] The method according to the invention employs a cage described above.

[0023] The process may include: a step of loading used mattresses into a cage as described above, a step of attaching the cage to the truck, a step of tilting the cage towards the truck, so as to load the truck with used mattresses, said tilting step including the actuation of said at least one actuator of the cage so as to rotate the movable floor of the cage to its tilting position.

[0024] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying figures: [ Fig. 1 ] is a side view of a mattress cage according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] is a rear perspective view of the cage, [ Fig. 3 ] is a front view of the cage, [ Fig. 4 ] is a first perspective view of the cage, when it is covered with a covering element, [ Fig. 5 ] is a second perspective view of the cage, when it is covered with a covering element, [ Fig. 6 ] is a third perspective view of the cage, when it is covered with a covering element, [ Fig. 7 ] is a side view of the cage, in an initial floor configuration, [ Fig. 8 ] is a side view of the cage, in a second floor configuration, [ Fig. 9 ] is a side view of the cage, during the unloading of mattresses into a waste compactor truck, [ Fig. 10 ] is a perspective view of the cage, during the first stage of unloading the mattresses into a waste compactor truck, [ Fig. 11 ] is a perspective view of the cage, during a second stage of unloading the mattresses into a waste compactor truck, [ Fig. 12 ] is a perspective view of the cage, during a third stage of unloading the mattresses into a waste compactor truck, and [ Fig. 13 ] is a perspective view of the cage, during a fourth stage of unloading the mattresses into a waste compactor truck. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As illustrated on the figures 1 à 3 , a mattress cage 1 according to the invention comprises a metal frame 2, typically made of steel, which can be covered with aluminum plates to protect the mattresses.

[0026] The frame 2 comprises a rectangular front section and a rectangular rear section, the front and rear sections being vertical and the height of the front section being less than the height of the rear section, thus defining a mattress loading opening 14 also adapted to the shape of the compactor truck for unloading. The frame 2 also comprises a horizontal rectangular base section, as well as two vertical side sections, each comprising, at the rear of the cage 1, a rectangular section extended forward by a trapezoidal section, the longer base of the trapezoid being of equal height to that of the rear section and the shorter base of the trapezoid being of equal height to the height of the front section.

[0027] The frame 2 thus delimits a front face 2a, a rear face 2b, a lower face 2c and two lateral faces 2d.

[0028] Cage 1 is advantageously equipped with casters 3, typically four in number, which facilitate its movement, as well as handles 4 for users to grip the cage. Cage 1 may be equipped with a horizontal handle 4 at the rear, two vertical side handles 4, and two angled handles 4 at the front.

[0029] The cage 1 also includes at its front a connecting and attaching element 5 for the truck, allowing the cage 1 to be attached to a waste compactor truck and to be tilted. The connecting and attaching element 5 is advantageously in the form of a downward-curved U-shaped profile extending horizontally from the upper end of the front face 2a of the cage 1. A hooking element 6 prevents the cage 1 from falling into the truck when it is tilted during the unloading of the mattresses. The hooking element 6 is advantageously in the form of an upward-curved hook extending horizontally from the lower end of the front face 2a of the cage 1. It attaches to a horizontal tube located at the rear of the compactor truck.

[0030] A cover 7 allows cage 1 to be covered and thus protects the mattresses from moisture and bad weather ( figures 4 à 6 The cover element 7 allows the top of cage 1 to be easily opened and closed and can be rolled up into a cradle formed by two hooks 8 at the rear of cage 1. The front of the side faces 2d of cage 1 can be covered with a cover element. Thus, all the mattresses stacked in cage 1 are protected from the elements.

[0031] The rear face 2b of cage 1 advantageously includes an opening 10, which can be closed by a covering element, and which allows the user to look inside cage 1 when handling empty cages, and which facilitates the loading of the last mattresses into the upper part of cage 1 ( figure 5 ).

[0032] According to the invention, the lower face 2c of the cage 1 includes a movable floor which is able to pivot about an axis of rotation located for example at the rear or in the middle of the cage 1, for example an axis of rotation located at the level of the rear face 2b and at the level of the bottom of the frame 2 of the cage 1. The rotation of the floor 2c is operated by jacks 11 located under the floor 2c.

[0033] In the first position, known as the standard mattress loading position, and illustrated in the figure 7 , the movable floor 2c is in a horizontal position, orthogonally to the front face 2a and the rear face 2b, at the level of the lower end of the front face 2a, and the jacks 11 are compressed by the weight of the mattresses.

[0034] In a second position, called the tilting position, the weight applied to the actuator being zero or decreasing, the actuator relaxes, which causes the floor 2c to pivot and be lifted towards the front of the cage 1, and the front end of the movable floor 2c is located at the level of the upper end of the front face 2a ( figure 8 ).

[0035] The remainder of the description focuses on an example of loading used mattresses onto a 12-ton waste compactor truck. figures 9 à 13 represent the cage without the side plates covering the metal frame.

[0036] Cage 1, loaded with used mattresses 13, is attached to the compactor truck 12 via the cage 1 linking and attachment element ( figure 9 ).

[0037] The compactor truck then proceeds to tip the cage towards the truck, so as to collect the 13 used mattresses into the truck ( figures 10 And 11 ).

[0038] The 11 cylinders extend, allowing the movable floor to pivot from its standard loading position to its tilting position. This pivoting of the movable floor helps to unload the last mattresses from the cage ( figures 12 And 13 ). Thus, the mattresses 13 located at the bottom of cage 1 can slide smoothly towards the truck 12. The process made it possible to collect 5.4 tonnes of mattresses in the compactor truck compared to 1.5 tonnes in a standard truck.

[0039] The cage according to the invention thus presents many advantages.

[0040] This is a mobile storage cage that can be easily moved by customers and the driver and tilted into a standard waste compactor truck by pressing a button on the truck. This system eliminates manual loading, reduces truck loading time, and improves ergonomics for staff. The driver avoids contact with the mattresses, which is important for hygiene reasons. The absence of manual handling during truck loading eliminates health risks (back injuries) related to the weight and size of the mattresses.

[0041] Loading the cage is much safer and easier than loading a closed container into which the user must enter to place their mattress. In particular, it eliminates any risk of falls and any close contact with the mattresses.

[0042] Mattresses can be easily stacked in the cage without risk of them falling.

[0043] The cage is mobile and can be easily moved manually thanks to its wheels and handles. This easy handling can be particularly useful for businesses or container yards where space is limited.

[0044] Each compactor truck is equipped with a weighing system, which allows the weight of mattresses per cage to be recorded immediately.

[0045] The cage has a waterproof and well-sealed cover that can be easily folded or unfolded by the customer or the truck driver.

[0046] Logistics are also optimized. Approximately ten to twenty mattresses (a mix of single and double) can be stacked in the cage, representing a weight of between 220 and 250 kg. The mattresses can be transported directly to the recycling center by the compaction truck (5.5 T). Using a standard truck would require intermediate storage and a larger walking floor truck (3.5 T) for transfer to the recycling facility. From an economic standpoint, transport costs and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced with this invention.

[0047] Finally, the aluminum walls ensure that the mattresses are not damaged or become wet or damp.

Claims

1. A container (1) for used mattresses (13) intended to be unloaded into a waste compactor truck (12), comprising: - a front face (2a) extending between a lower end and an upper end of the front face, - a rear face (2b), - two lateral faces (2d), characterized in that - the front face is provided with a connecting and attaching element (5) intended for attaching the cage (1) to the truck (12), and in that the cage further comprises - a lower face provided with a moveable floor (2c), the front face (2a) having a height lower than that of the rear face (2b) so as to define an opening (14) for loading the mattress (13), and the moveable floor (2c) being mounted so as to rotate about an axis preferably located at the rear of the container (1) and being made to rotate by at least one actuator (11) so as to be able to pivot between a standard mattress (13) loading position , in which the moveable floor (2c) extends at the level of the lower end of the front face (2a), and a tipping position in which the front end of the moveable floor (2c) is raised with respect to the lower end of the front face (2a).

2. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one actuator (11) is a jack or a gas spring.

3. The container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided with casters (3) and at least one handle (4).

4. The container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lateral faces (2d) each have at the rear a rectangular portion with a height equal to the height of the rear face (2b), followed at the front by a trapezoidal portion with a height that changes gradually from the rear to the front between the height of the rear face (2b) and the height of the front face (2a).

5. The container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rear face (2b) is provided with an opening (10).

6. The container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it also comprises a covering element (7) attached to the rear face (2b) and intended to cover the container (1).

7. The container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the rear face is provided with a receiving area (8) for the folded covering element (7).

8. The use of a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for loading used mattresses (13) into a waste compactor truck (12).

9. A method for loading used mattresses (13) into a waste compactor truck (12), characterized in that it uses a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises: - a step of loading used mattresses (13) into a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, - a step of coupling the container (1) to the truck (12), - a step of tipping the container (1) toward the truck (12) so as to load the truck (12) with used mattresses (13), said tipping step comprising the actuation of said at least one actuator (11) of the container (1) so as to pivot the moveable floor (2c) of the container (1) into its tipping position.