Apparatus removably arrangeable in a work machine and a method for collecting material

Abstract

The disclosed solution relates to an apparatus removably arrangeable in a work machine and a method for collecting material. The apparatus comprises a body (2) which forms a collection container (1) for receiving material and a negative pressure unit (4), fixed to the body (2), to create suction. The apparatus further comprises in the body (2) an adjustable nozzle opening (3) through which the negative pressure unit (4) is arranged to suck material into the collection container (1), and through which nozzle opening (3) material is removed from the collection container (1). The apparatus additionally comprises a closing and opening mechanism (5) arranged to the nozzle opening (3).

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to apparatuses for collecting materials. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for collecting material, which is removably arranged in a work machine.

[0002] Apparatuses for collecting materials and debris are needed at various worksites to facilitate cleaning up the surroundings and working area. For collecting smaller materials, it is commonly known to use a suction machine installed on a work machine, by means of which stone chips, for example, are sucked to a container of the device through a suction hose. Once the container becomes full, it is emptied through a separate outlet opening. To collect metallic materials, a magnet is usually employed.

[0003] A problem with the aforementioned systems is that these apparatuses used for collecting materials cannot be utilized to collect larger and non-metallic debris, such as pieces of plank wood, insulation, and plastics. The larger materials easily clog up the suction hose which has a small cross-sectional area, and additionally the suction power is not enough to collect such materials. This means that the materials need to be manually collected, which is slow and labour-intensive. It is furthermore important to avoid stones and sand from being gathered among the collected material, because debris is charged for on the basis of its weight. Another apparatus for collecting materials is shown in US5054150A.Brief description of the invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus so that the aforementioned problems may be solved. The object of the invention is achieved by an apparatus and method which are characterised by what is stated in the independent claims. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention is based on a new idea in which an apparatus has been developed, which is capable of sucking larger materials, too, directly to a collection container through a nozzle opening in the collection container. Once the container becomes full, it is emptied through the nozzle opening used for suction.

[0006] The advantage of the apparatus according to the invention is the facilitating and speeding up of collecting large materials and debris in worksite conditions. When the inventive apparatus is used, labour costs are reduced as the apparatus takes care of collecting the materials. For example, in demolition work recyclable materials may be collected by sucking them into the collection container. The apparatus may also be used when cleaning up a demolition site, construction site, or similar worksite by sucking dust, garbage and similar to the collection container. The suction power of the inventive apparatus may be increased or decreased by means of a nozzle opening whose size is adjustable, making the use the apparatus more diverse. Other advantages of the solution will be discussed in connection with the description.Brief description of the drawings

[0007] The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the cross-section of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where the nozzle opening of the collection container is fully open; Figure 2 is a side view of the cross-section of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where a lid partly closes the nozzle opening of the collection container; Figure 3 is a side view of the cross-section of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where a lid fully closes the nozzle opening of the collection container; and Figure 4 is a side view from the outside of the structure of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where a lid partly closes the nozzle opening of the collection container. Detailed description of the invention

[0008] Figure 1 shows a side view of the cross-section of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, removably arrangeable in a work machine, where a nozzle opening 3 of a collection container 1 is fully open. The apparatus may be used to collect materials of different kinds. In this description, material generally refers to materials that may be collected, such as garbage, worksite debris, stones, planks, insulating material, and plastics of various kinds. The work machine may be any known work machine, such as an excavator or another similar machine. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be mounted to the end a work machine boom or another suitable location. The apparatus may be fixed to the work machine by quick clamping or another suitable fastening method. Examples of work machines where the apparatus may be employed are also a parcelled goods crane, wheel loader, or tractor. In a tractor, for example, the apparatus may be fixed to its front end loader or to a three-point support. In an excavator, the apparatus may fixed in place of its bucket.

[0009] The apparatus may comprise a body 2 which forms a collection container 1 for receiving material. In an embodiment, the body 2 comprises a top part, bottom part, and four side parts. The body may also be of another shape, such as round or angular. The nozzle opening 3 of the collection container 1 needs to be large enough to be able to receive large material, too. The apparatus may additionally comprise a negative pressure unit 4, fixed to the body 2, to create suction. As shown in Figure 1, the negative pressure unit 4 may be arranged to the top part of the body 2 so that the suction side, lower in the negative pressure unit, is in connection with the collection container 1, making possible a suction flow from the outside of the collection container 1 to its inside.

[0010] In addition to what is described in the above, the apparatus may have, in the body 2, a nozzle opening 3 having an adjustable size through which the negative pressure unit 4 is arranged to suck material into the collection container 1 and through which nozzle opening 3 the material is removed from the collection container 1. In an embodiment, the collection container 1 has one opening, only, through which material comes in and through which it is removed. The nozzle opening 3 may be located in the side part of the body. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the nozzle opening 3 is located at the left edge, as seen from the viewing direction. In an embodiment, the nozzle opening 3 comprises at least a part of one side part of the body 2 and it is open all the way to the bottom part of the body 2, allowing unobstructed passing for the material into the collection container 1 and its storage in the collection container 1. In an embodiment, the nozzle opening 3 comprises the entire side part. By means of the adjustable nozzle opening 3, the size of the nozzle opening 3 may be enlarged so big that also large debris fits in the collection container 1.

[0011] To close and open the nozzle opening 3, a closing and opening mechanism 5 may be arranged to the nozzle opening 3. In accordance with an embodiment, the closing and opening mechanism 5 may be arranged to at least partly open the nozzle opening 3 for sucking material into the collection container 1, to close the nozzle opening 3 for the duration of moving the collection container 1 or of transporting the apparatus, and for opening the nozzle opening 3 for its emptying. The nozzle opening is thus at least partly open during suction, but it may be closed during a relocation or transport to prevent material from falling out when the apparatus is transported to an emptying location.

[0012] The nozzle opening 3 may be fully open during suction whereby large debris also fits in the collection container 1. At an emptying location, the nozzle opening 3 is opened and the material is removed through the nozzle opening. If need be, the apparatus is tilted to facilitate its emptying. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be arranged to adjust the suction power by opening and closing the nozzle opening 3 as needed. Closing and opening may take place mechanically or by automation. The nozzle opening may be opened in steps or steplessly. To adjust the nozzle opening, hydraulics may be used. In an embodiment, the closing and opening mechanism 5 may comprise a lid 6 to close the nozzle opening 3. The lid 6 may be slid over the nozzle opening either partly or fully.

[0013] In an embodiment, the apparatus is so formed that a bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 and an edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2 form gripping jaws to enable a clamping grip to various materials. A gripping jaw may be used to grab different materials, such as larger strips of plastics, and transfer the material to a recycling platform so that the material when being transferred is not at least entirely inside the collection container but at least partly outside the collection container 1. In such a case, material is thus picked up so that the nozzle opening 3 is closed when there is material at it, and the apparatus is used to grab it.

[0014] There may be a lip plate, which may be tempered, at the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. The shape of the lip plate may be as desired, whereby the lip plate may be serrated or straight, for example. By making use of the lip plate, material may be sorted or moved, for example.

[0015] Figure 1 shows the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where the nozzle opening 3 of the collection container 1 is fully open and the lid 6 is turned aside from covering the nozzle opening 3. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the apparatus according to an embodiment where the lid 6 partly closes the nozzle opening 3 of the collection container 1 whereby the closing and opening mechanism 5 of the nozzle opening 3 in within the adjustment range, making it possible to adjust the suction power of the apparatus. Figure 3 is a cross-section of the apparatus according to an embodiment where the lid 6 fully closes the nozzle opening 3, whereby the apparatus may be moved or transported to an emptying location or to another worksite, for example, while the material is safely kept in the collection container 1.

[0016] To the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6, a flap 6b may be arranged. The flap 6b may be arranged to close the gap between the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2 before the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 touches the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. Such a situation is shown in Figure 2. Between a front wall 6c and rear wall 6d of the lid 6, from the bottom edge of the lid towards its top edge, there is a channel 6e or passage along which material is sucked as shown by the arrow A. So, in this situation, the channel 6e acts as the flow path allowing a flow to the collection container 1. The flap 6b thus reverses the flow after the nozzle opening 3 between the bottom edge 6a of the front wall of the lid and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body upwards to flow in the channel 6e in the lid.

[0017] When the flow is running along the channel 6e between the front wall 6c and rear wall 6d of the lid, the material moves on according to the arrow A and after the lid 6 in the collection container 1 they fall to the bottom of the collection container 1. In the nozzle opening and channel, the flow rate is high, which carries the material through the channel 6e. Following the channel 6e, the flow area in the collection container 1 increases and the flow rate consequently decreases. This results in that the carrying of the material along the flow is weakened, and it falls to the bottom of the collection container. Plastic and other light-weight material, for example, may seek to go up towards the negative pressure unit, but this may be prevented by the channel solution.

[0018] The flap 6b may be of rubber or another flexible material. On the other hand, the flap 6b may also be of a rigid material, such as a steel or aluminium plate whereby it may be hinged to the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6.

[0019] When the nozzle opening 3 is fully open, as in Figure 1, and when the distance between the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2 is larger than the distance between the front wall 6c and the rear wall 6d of the lid 6, most of the material is sucked into the collection container 1 between the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. Suction power is increased by moving the lid 6. When the lid 6 is moved downwards, the suction power is increased, because the size of the nozzle opening 3 is decreased and consequently the flow rate through it is increased.

[0020] When the flap 6b touches the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2, the flow for the most part takes place through the channel 6e of the lid 6, as shown in Figure 2. Because the flow cross-section of the channel 6e is relatively small and the channel 6e also causes the flow to be throttled in its longitudinal direction, the flow rate is rather high in the channel 6e. The suction power can still be increased from the situation of Figure 2 by moving the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 closer to the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2, that is, by reducing the size of the nozzle opening 3.

[0021] In the situation of Figure 3, the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 is against the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. The flap 6b may be between the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. Because the bottom edge of the front wall of the lid 6 is against the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2, no flow can take place along the channel between the front wall and the rear wall of the lid 6. In other words, the lid 6 fully closes the flow opening 3 in such a case.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the apparatus may additionally comprise a separation unit 7 by means of which air and / or dust flow may be separated from the material that is to stay in the collection container 1. The separation unit 7 may be located inside the collection container 1 between the negative pressure unit 4 and nozzle opening 3 or under the negative pressure unit 4. In an embodiment, the separation unit 7 may be a filter and / or a cyclone.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the filter of the separation unit 7 is formed by a mesh, such as a steel mesh, with the mesh size of 2 to 20 mm, for example. Such a filter allows, for example, dust and sand pass through, whereby larger material pieces, only, remain in the collection container 1, which are emptied to a recycling platform from the collection container. This way the apparatus avoids collecting material that is, for example, not meant to be taken to waste recycling. Instead of a steel mesh, a filter cloth, for example, may be used as the filter. The filter may be provided with a self-cleaning system.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a suction outlet 8, to which a suction hose may be arranged to suck material to the collection container 1 when the nozzle opening 3 is closed. The suction hose may be alternatively used to suck material into the collection container 1 instead of the nozzle opening 3. In this case, the nozzle opening 3 is fully closed. The collection container 1 may, however, be emptied through the nozzle opening 3. When material is collected through the nozzle opening 3, the suction outlet 8 is closed with a flap or a plug.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the apparatus is hydraulically operated. In an embodiment, the negative pressure unit 4 additionally comprises a hydraulic motor 9. Figure 4 shows from the outside the structure of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment in which the closing and opening mechanism 5 of the nozzle opening 3 of the apparatus may additionally comprise a hydraulic cylinder 10. By means of the hydraulic cylinder 10, the apparatus may be arranged to hydraulically adjust the suction power by opening and closing the lid.

[0026] If so desired, the apparatus may also be electrically operated, for example. In such a case, the negative pressure unit 4 has an electric motor instead of the hydraulic motor 9. Correspondingly, the closing and opening mechanism 5 may have an electric actuator instead of the hydraulic cylinder 10. The means for making the lid 6 move may also be mechanical. The lid 6 may also be arranged to close by the suction pressure.

[0027] The apparatus may be arranged to obtain its driving energy from the work machine. So, a hydraulically operated apparatus may be connected to the hydraulic system of the work machine. Correspondingly, an electrically operated apparatus may be connected to the electric system of the work machine.

[0028] A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that, as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above-described examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0008]Figure 1 shows a side view of the cross-section of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, removably arrangeable in a work machine, where a nozzle opening 3 of a collection container 1 is fully open. The apparatus may be used to collect materials of different kinds. In this description, material generally refers to materials that may be collected, such as garbage, worksite debris, stones, planks, insulating material, and plastics of various kinds. The work machine may be any known work machine, such as an excavator or another similar machine. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be mounted to the end a work machine boom or another suitable location. The apparatus may be fixed to the work machine by quick clamping or another suitable fastening method. Examples of work machines where the apparatus may be employed are also a parcelled goods crane, wheel loader, or tractor. In a tractor, for example, the apparatus may be fixed to its front end loader or to a three...

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to apparatuses for collecting materials. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for collecting material, which is removably arranged in a work machine.

[0002] Apparatuses for collecting materials and debris are needed at various worksites to facilitate cleaning up the surroundings and working area. For collecting smaller materials, it is commonly known to use a suction machine installed on a work machine, by means of which stone chips, for example, are sucked to a container of the device through a suction hose. Once the container becomes full, it is emptied through a separate outlet opening. To collect metallic materials, a magnet is usually employed.

[0003] A problem with the aforementioned systems is that these apparatuses used for collecting materials cannot be utilized to collect larger and non-metallic debris, such as pieces of plank wood, insulation, and plastics. The larger materials easily clog up the suction hose which has a small cross-sectional area, and additionally the suction power is not enough to collect such materials. This means that the materials need to be manually collected, which is slow and labour-intensive. It is furthermore important to avoid stones and sand from being gathered among the collected material, because debris is charged for on the basis of its weight. Another apparatus for collecting materials is shown in US5054150A.Brief description of the invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus so that the aforementioned problems may be solved. The object of the invention is achieved by an apparatus and method which are characterised by what is stated in the independent claims. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention is based on a new idea in which an apparatus has been developed, which is capable of sucking larger materials, too, directly to a collection container through a nozzle opening in the collection container. Once the container becomes full, it is emptied through the nozzle opening used for suction.

[0006] The advantage of the apparatus according to the invention is the facilitating and speeding up of collecting large materials and debris in worksite conditions. When the inventive apparatus is used, labour costs are reduced as the apparatus takes care of collecting the materials. For example, in demolition work recyclable materials may be collected by sucking them into the collection container. The apparatus may also be used when cleaning up a demolition site, construction site, or similar worksite by sucking dust, garbage and similar to the collection container. The suction power of the inventive apparatus may be increased or decreased by means of a nozzle opening whose size is adjustable, making the use the apparatus more diverse. Other advantages of the solution will be discussed in connection with the description.Brief description of the drawings

[0007] The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the cross-section of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where the nozzle opening of the collection container is fully open; Figure 2 is a side view of the cross-section of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where a lid partly closes the nozzle opening of the collection container; Figure 3 is a side view of the cross-section of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where a lid fully closes the nozzle opening of the collection container; and Figure 4 is a side view from the outside of the structure of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where a lid partly closes the nozzle opening of the collection container. Detailed description of the invention

[0008] Figure 1 shows a side view of the cross-section of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, removably arrangeable in a work machine, where a nozzle opening 3 of a collection container 1 is fully open. The apparatus may be used to collect materials of different kinds. In this description, material generally refers to materials that may be collected, such as garbage, worksite debris, stones, planks, insulating material, and plastics of various kinds. The work machine may be any known work machine, such as an excavator or another similar machine. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be mounted to the end a work machine boom or another suitable location. The apparatus may be fixed to the work machine by quick clamping or another suitable fastening method. Examples of work machines where the apparatus may be employed are also a parcelled goods crane, wheel loader, or tractor. In a tractor, for example, the apparatus may be fixed to its front end loader or to a three-point support. In an excavator, the apparatus may fixed in place of its bucket.

[0009] The apparatus may comprise a body 2 which forms a collection container 1 for receiving material. In an embodiment, the body 2 comprises a top part, bottom part, and four side parts. The body may also be of another shape, such as round or angular. The nozzle opening 3 of the collection container 1 needs to be large enough to be able to receive large material, too. The apparatus may additionally comprise a negative pressure unit 4, fixed to the body 2, to create suction. As shown in Figure 1, the negative pressure unit 4 may be arranged to the top part of the body 2 so that the suction side, lower in the negative pressure unit, is in connection with the collection container 1, making possible a suction flow from the outside of the collection container 1 to its inside.

[0010] In addition to what is described in the above, the apparatus may have, in the body 2, a nozzle opening 3 having an adjustable size through which the negative pressure unit 4 is arranged to suck material into the collection container 1 and through which nozzle opening 3 the material is removed from the collection container 1. In an embodiment, the collection container 1 has one opening, only, through which material comes in and through which it is removed. The nozzle opening 3 may be located in the side part of the body. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the nozzle opening 3 is located at the left edge, as seen from the viewing direction. In an embodiment, the nozzle opening 3 comprises at least a part of one side part of the body 2 and it is open all the way to the bottom part of the body 2, allowing unobstructed passing for the material into the collection container 1 and its storage in the collection container 1. In an embodiment, the nozzle opening 3 comprises the entire side part. By means of the adjustable nozzle opening 3, the size of the nozzle opening 3 may be enlarged so big that also large debris fits in the collection container 1.

[0011] To close and open the nozzle opening 3, a closing and opening mechanism 5 may be arranged to the nozzle opening 3. In accordance with an embodiment, the closing and opening mechanism 5 may be arranged to at least partly open the nozzle opening 3 for sucking material into the collection container 1, to close the nozzle opening 3 for the duration of moving the collection container 1 or of transporting the apparatus, and for opening the nozzle opening 3 for its emptying. The nozzle opening is thus at least partly open during suction, but it may be closed during a relocation or transport to prevent material from falling out when the apparatus is transported to an emptying location.

[0012] The nozzle opening 3 may be fully open during suction whereby large debris also fits in the collection container 1. At an emptying location, the nozzle opening 3 is opened and the material is removed through the nozzle opening. If need be, the apparatus is tilted to facilitate its emptying. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be arranged to adjust the suction power by opening and closing the nozzle opening 3 as needed. Closing and opening may take place mechanically or by automation. The nozzle opening may be opened in steps or steplessly. To adjust the nozzle opening, hydraulics may be used. In an embodiment, the closing and opening mechanism 5 may comprise a lid 6 to close the nozzle opening 3. The lid 6 may be slid over the nozzle opening either partly or fully.

[0013] In an embodiment, the apparatus is so formed that a bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 and an edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2 form gripping jaws to enable a clamping grip to various materials. A gripping jaw may be used to grab different materials, such as larger strips of plastics, and transfer the material to a recycling platform so that the material when being transferred is not at least entirely inside the collection container but at least partly outside the collection container 1. In such a case, material is thus picked up so that the nozzle opening 3 is closed when there is material at it, and the apparatus is used to grab it.

[0014] There may be a lip plate, which may be tempered, at the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. The shape of the lip plate may be as desired, whereby the lip plate may be serrated or straight, for example. By making use of the lip plate, material may be sorted or moved, for example.

[0015] Figure 1 shows the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment where the nozzle opening 3 of the collection container 1 is fully open and the lid 6 is turned aside from covering the nozzle opening 3. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the apparatus according to an embodiment where the lid 6 partly closes the nozzle opening 3 of the collection container 1 whereby the closing and opening mechanism 5 of the nozzle opening 3 in within the adjustment range, making it possible to adjust the suction power of the apparatus. Figure 3 is a cross-section of the apparatus according to an embodiment where the lid 6 fully closes the nozzle opening 3, whereby the apparatus may be moved or transported to an emptying location or to another worksite, for example, while the material is safely kept in the collection container 1.

[0016] To the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6, a flap 6b may be arranged. The flap 6b may be arranged to close the gap between the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2 before the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 touches the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. Such a situation is shown in Figure 2. Between a front wall 6c and rear wall 6d of the lid 6, from the bottom edge of the lid towards its top edge, there is a channel 6e or passage along which material is sucked as shown by the arrow A. So, in this situation, the channel 6e acts as the flow path allowing a flow to the collection container 1. The flap 6b thus reverses the flow after the nozzle opening 3 between the bottom edge 6a of the front wall of the lid and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body upwards to flow in the channel 6e in the lid.

[0017] When the flow is running along the channel 6e between the front wall 6c and rear wall 6d of the lid, the material moves on according to the arrow A and after the lid 6 in the collection container 1 they fall to the bottom of the collection container 1. In the nozzle opening and channel, the flow rate is high, which carries the material through the channel 6e. Following the channel 6e, the flow area in the collection container 1 increases and the flow rate consequently decreases. This results in that the carrying of the material along the flow is weakened, and it falls to the bottom of the collection container. Plastic and other light-weight material, for example, may seek to go up towards the negative pressure unit, but this may be prevented by the channel solution.

[0018] The flap 6b may be of rubber or another flexible material. On the other hand, the flap 6b may also be of a rigid material, such as a steel or aluminium plate whereby it may be hinged to the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6.

[0019] When the nozzle opening 3 is fully open, as in Figure 1, and when the distance between the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2 is larger than the distance between the front wall 6c and the rear wall 6d of the lid 6, most of the material is sucked into the collection container 1 between the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. Suction power is increased by moving the lid 6. When the lid 6 is moved downwards, the suction power is increased, because the size of the nozzle opening 3 is decreased and consequently the flow rate through it is increased.

[0020] When the flap 6b touches the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2, the flow for the most part takes place through the channel 6e of the lid 6, as shown in Figure 2. Because the flow cross-section of the channel 6e is relatively small and the channel 6e also causes the flow to be throttled in its longitudinal direction, the flow rate is rather high in the channel 6e. The suction power can still be increased from the situation of Figure 2 by moving the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 closer to the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2, that is, by reducing the size of the nozzle opening 3.

[0021] In the situation of Figure 3, the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 is against the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. The flap 6b may be between the bottom edge 6a of the lid 6 and the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2. Because the bottom edge of the front wall of the lid 6 is against the edge 2a of the bottom part of the body 2, no flow can take place along the channel between the front wall and the rear wall of the lid 6. In other words, the lid 6 fully closes the flow opening 3 in such a case.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the apparatus may additionally comprise a separation unit 7 by means of which air and / or dust flow may be separated from the material that is to stay in the collection container 1. The separation unit 7 may be located inside the collection container 1 between the negative pressure unit 4 and nozzle opening 3 or under the negative pressure unit 4. In an embodiment, the separation unit 7 may be a filter and / or a cyclone.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the filter of the separation unit 7 is formed by a mesh, such as a steel mesh, with the mesh size of 2 to 20 mm, for example. Such a filter allows, for example, dust and sand pass through, whereby larger material pieces, only, remain in the collection container 1, which are emptied to a recycling platform from the collection container. This way the apparatus avoids collecting material that is, for example, not meant to be taken to waste recycling. Instead of a steel mesh, a filter cloth, for example, may be used as the filter. The filter may be provided with a self-cleaning system.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a suction outlet 8, to which a suction hose may be arranged to suck material to the collection container 1 when the nozzle opening 3 is closed. The suction hose may be alternatively used to suck material into the collection container 1 instead of the nozzle opening 3. In this case, the nozzle opening 3 is fully closed. The collection container 1 may, however, be emptied through the nozzle opening 3. When material is collected through the nozzle opening 3, the suction outlet 8 is closed with a flap or a plug.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the apparatus is hydraulically operated. In an embodiment, the negative pressure unit 4 additionally comprises a hydraulic motor 9. Figure 4 shows from the outside the structure of the inventive apparatus according to an embodiment in which the closing and opening mechanism 5 of the nozzle opening 3 of the apparatus may additionally comprise a hydraulic cylinder 10. By means of the hydraulic cylinder 10, the apparatus may be arranged to hydraulically adjust the suction power by opening and closing the lid.

[0026] If so desired, the apparatus may also be electrically operated, for example. In such a case, the negative pressure unit 4 has an electric motor instead of the hydraulic motor 9. Correspondingly, the closing and opening mechanism 5 may have an electric actuator instead of the hydraulic cylinder 10. The means for making the lid 6 move may also be mechanical. The lid 6 may also be arranged to close by the suction pressure.

[0027] The apparatus may be arranged to obtain its driving energy from the work machine. So, a hydraulically operated apparatus may be connected to the hydraulic system of the work machine. Correspondingly, an electrically operated apparatus may be connected to the electric system of the work machine.

[0028] A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that, as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above-described examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0008]Figure 1 shows a side view of the cross-section of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, removably arrangeable in a work machine, where a nozzle opening 3 of a collection container 1 is fully open. The apparatus may be used to collect materials of different kinds. In this description, material generally refers to materials that may be collected, such as garbage, worksite debris, stones, planks, insulating material, and plastics of various kinds. The work machine may be any known work machine, such as an excavator or another similar machine. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be mounted to the end a work machine boom or another suitable location. The apparatus may be fixed to the work machine by quick clamping or another suitable fastening method. Examples of work machines where the apparatus may be employed are also a parcelled goods crane, wheel loader, or tractor. In a tractor, for example, the apparatus may be fixed to its front end loader or to a three...

Claims

1. An apparatus removably arrangeable in a work machine for collecting material, the apparatus comprising a body (2) which forms a collection container (1) for receiving material; a negative pressure unit (4), fixed to the body (2), to create suction. in the body (2), a nozzle opening (3) having an adjustable size through which the negative pressure unit (4) is arranged to suck material into the collection container (1) and through which nozzle opening (3) the material is removed from the collection container (1); and. a closing and opening mechanism (5) arranged to the nozzle opening (3).

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the closing and opening mechanism (5) of which is arranged to at least partly open the nozzle opening (3) for sucking material into the collection container (1), to close the nozzle opening (3) for the duration of transportation, and to open the nozzle opening (3) for its emptying.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the closing and opening mechanism (5) comprises a lid (6) to close the nozzle opening (3).

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a bottom edge (6a) of the lid (6) and an edge (2a) of the bottom part of the body (2) are arranged to form gripping jaws to enable a clamping grip to various materials.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the bottom edge (6a) of the lid (6) has a flap (6b) which is arranged to close the gap between the bottom edge (6a) of the lid (6) and the edge (2a) of the bottom part of the body (2) before the bottom edge (6a) of the lid (6) touches the edge (2a) of the bottom part of the body (2), and the lid (6) has a channel which thereby acts as a flow route, making possible a flow to the collection container (1).

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle opening (3) comprises at least part of the side part of the body (2) and is open all the way to the bottom part of the body (2).

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which additionally comprises a separation unit (7).

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the separation unit (7) comprises a filter and / or cyclone.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is arranged to obtain its energy from a work machine.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus being hydraulically operated.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the negative pressure unit (4) additionally comprises a hydraulic motor (9).

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the closing and opening mechanism (5) of the nozzle opening (3) additionally comprises a hydraulic cylinder (10).

13. A method for collecting material, in which method an apparatus is arranged to an end of a boom of a work machine, the apparatus having a body (2) which forms a collection container (1), a negative pressure unit (4), fixed to the body (2), to create suction, and a nozzle opening (3) in the body (2), in which method material is sucked into the collection container through the nozzle opening (3), the suction power is adjusted by adjusting the size of the nozzle opening (3), and the material is removed from the collection container (1) through the nozzle opening (3).

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which method the nozzle opening (3) is closed for the duration of transporting the material in the collection container (1).

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, in which method the nozzle opening (3) is closed when there is material at it, and the apparatus is then used to grab the material.

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