Waste container, in particular for collecting toxic waste, such as those from laboratory

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste container (1) comprising a hollow body (2) for receiving a collection bag and a filling opening (3). The container (1) comprises an annular chamber (6) extending around the filling opening (3) and a hollow column (7). The annular chamber (6) is provided with air inlet orifices (8) arranged opposite the bottom (4) of the body (2) in an active configuration of the container (1). The column (7), which includes at least one air outlet, extends outside the body (2), adjoining said body (2). Said column (7) houses a forced air circulation device, and said column (7) is, in the active configuration of the container, in fluidic communication with the annular chamber (6) by an airtight fluidic connection (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste container, in particular for the collection of toxic waste, such as that from laboratories.

[0002] It relates in particular to a waste container comprising a hollow body for receiving a collection bag and a filling opening, said body having a lower part forming a base and an upper part for access to the interior of the body.

[0003] A number of toxic wastes are produced in various industries. These toxic wastes have the particularity of emitting toxic gases. These toxic gases can spread into the environment when the toxic waste is collected in a container that must be opened and closed to allow the collection of said waste. Solutions have been devised to limit this release of toxic gases into the environment and protect users, as illustrated by documents US 2005 / 230407, US 2023 / 129640, US 10058222 and US 2020 / 339344. However, the solutions developed to date are not entirely satisfactory and do not provide a safe guarantee that the collection and storage of waste take place under conditions that prevent the release of toxic gases into the environment while not impairing the ease of collection of said waste.

[0004] An object of the invention is to provide a waste container of the aforementioned type whose design makes it possible to protect users without compromising the ease of use of the container.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a waste container comprising a hollow body for receiving a collection bag and a filling opening, said body having a lower part forming a bottom and an upper part for access to the interior of the body, characterized in that the container comprises an annular chamber extending around the filling opening and a hollow column, in that the annular chamber is provided with air intake orifices arranged opposite the bottom of the body in a so-called active configuration of the container, in that the column which comprises a base, a top and at least one air outlet, extends, outside the body, adjacent to said body, in that said column houses a forced air circulation device, and in that said column is, in the so-called active configuration of the container, in fluid communication with the annular chamber by an airtight fluid connection.

[0006] The fact that the column is, in the so-called active configuration of the container, in fluid communication with the annular chamber by an airtight fluid connection makes it possible to generate an air flow from the inside of the body to the inside of the column via the annular chamber. This air flow entrains the toxic gases potentially present in the body and prevents these toxic gases potentially present in the body from spreading into the environment. The integration of the forced air circulation device in the column makes it possible to guarantee the quality of the suction carried out. It is thus possible to keep the filling opening open during the collection phases without harming the operator. This facilitates waste collection. The arrangement of the air intake orifices of the annular chamber opposite the bottom of the body allows the flow of toxic gases to reach the annular chamber following an essentially vertical trajectory.This again results in increased efficiency.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filling opening is provided in a cover, said cover being mounted on the body, movable between a position close to and a position separated from the body, the position close to the body corresponding to the active configuration of the container. As the annular chamber surrounds the filling opening, the annular chamber is also provided in the cover. This configuration allows the annular chamber to partially close the upper part of the body. The flow of air potentially laden with toxic gases can thus, by simple movement along an essentially vertical trajectory, reach the annular chamber without complicating the design of the container.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover comprises a frame surrounding the filling opening, the annular chamber and the fluid connection being provided at the level of said frame.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the container comprises a closing valve for the filling opening mounted inside the movable frame, preferably pivotable, between an open position and a closed position of said filling opening. This closing valve facilitates access to the filling opening can be permanently opened without impairing the operation of the container.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the active configuration of the container, the fluid connection for fluid communication between the annular chamber and the column opens into the column at the top of said column and the forced air circulation device is configured to generate an air flow from the top towards the base of said column. Again, the path of the air flow potentially loaded with toxic gases is simplified to gain efficiency in collecting and transporting toxic gases.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fluid connection for fluid communication between the annular chamber and the column is formed by an external radial protrusion of the annular chamber.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the external radial protrusion is in the form of a conduit delimited at least by a peripheral wall provided with an outlet orifice positioned opposite the open top of the column in the active configuration of the container, said conduit being blind.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular chamber is delimited by walls forming, in the active configuration of the container, one, a bottom wall of the annular chamber facing the bottom of the container, the air intake orifices of the annular chamber which are arranged in said bottom wall have the form of curved slots with concavity facing the filling opening surrounded by said annular chamber, said air intake orifices being distributed circumferentially around said filling opening. This arrangement allows optimized suction making it possible to limit, or even prevent any release of toxic gases into the environment.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular chamber communicates with the fluid connection in an area called the communication area and the air intake orifices of the annular chamber remote from said communication area have an opening area of ​​greater dimension than the opening area of ​​the air intake orifices of the annular chamber closer to the communication area. This design allows for uniform air suction over the entire circumference of the annular chamber.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the so-called double-skin column is a column whose peripheral surface connecting the top and the base of the column and serving to delimit the cavity of the column inside which the forced air circulation device is housed is formed by a double wall. This arrangement makes it possible, on the one hand, to avoid the presence of obstacles to the flow of air, for example electrical wires in the cavity of the column, and on the other hand, to better isolate the flow of air potentially laden with toxic gases from the outside.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the forced air circulation device divides the interior of the column into two sections, respectively called lower and upper, extending one above the other in the active configuration of the container.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the container comprises at least one filter arranged inside said column, the or at least one of the filters being accessible through a filter access opening provided in the peripheral surface connecting the top and the base of the column and serving to delimit the cavity of the column, this access opening being closed by a hatch. This filter is optional in particular when the air outlet of the column is connected to a pre-existing air suction network incorporating at least one filter.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least the cover and the column are high-density polyethylene parts, preferably rotationally molded. This results in simplicity of manufacture. Thus, the annular chamber, the filling opening and the fluid connection can be made from a single piece.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the container comprises a sealing gasket formed of one or more seals interposed on the one hand, between the cover and the column, on the other hand, between the cover and the body, in the active configuration of the container, to allow a sealed circulation of a flow of fluid from the inside of the body to the column via the annular chamber. The presence of a sealing gasket limits the risks of suction of unpolluted outside air. This again results in increased efficiency. Brève description des dessins

[0020] The invention will be clearly understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a perspective view of a container according to the invention in active configuration; [ Fig. 2 ] represents a perspective view of a container according to the invention in non-active configuration; [ Fig. 3 ] represents a partially sectional and perspective view of a container according to the invention in active configuration to illustrate the circulation of the air flow potentially loaded with toxic gases inside the container; [ Fig. 4 ] represents a perspective view of a container according to the invention with part of the elements in exploded position in the non-active configuration of the container; [ Fig. 5 ] represents a perspective view of the hood; [ Fig. 6 ] represents a view from below the hood; [ Fig. 7 ] represents a perspective view of a container according to the invention in non-active configuration during the installation of a collection bag: [ Fig. 8 ] represents a schematic sectional view of a container according to the invention in the active configuration of the container.

[0021] The generally toxic waste container 1 of the invention may be of the type shown in figures 1 , 4 And 8 . This container 1 comprises a hollow tubular body 2 of section, here circular, in the form of a container open at the top. This hollow body 2 therefore has a lower part forming a bottom 4 and an upper part 5 for access to the interior of the body 2. The container 1 also comprises a filling opening 3 through which the waste can be introduced to be collected and stored in the body 2. The filling opening is arranged in the upper part of the body 2 or above the body 2.

[0022] The body 2 is generally lined with a waste collection bag 23. For this purpose, the body 2 may be equipped in the upper part 5 with a system 25 for holding the bag 23 in the open state in the body 2. This holding system 25 is, in the example shown in figure 7 , formed of two hoops, generally metallic, pivoting around an axis transverse to the body 2. These hoops form in one position, a circle extending in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom 4 of the body 2. The bag 23 is thus held in a position in which it follows the wall of the body 2 and presents its upper part in the open position.

[0023] The container 1 further comprises an annular chamber 6 extending around the filling opening 3 and surrounding at least partially, preferably completely, the filling opening 3. This annular chamber 6 is provided with air intake orifices 8 arranged opposite the bottom 4 of the body 2 in a so-called active configuration of the container 1, conforming to that shown in FIG. figure 1 .

[0024] In the example shown, the filling opening 3 is provided in a cover 14. The cover 14 is a pivoting cover mounted on the body 2 which can pivot between a position close to and a position separated from the body 2. The position close to the body 2 corresponds to the active configuration of the container 1. This cover 14 could, in a similar manner, have been mounted so as to slide, for example.

[0025] The cover 14 is coupled to the rest of the container by a hinge for its pivoting mounting. The cover 14 is therefore pivotally movable for the passage from a position close to the body 2, in which it rests against the upper part of the body 2, to a position separated from the body 2 as illustrated in figure 2 The position in which the cover 14 is moved away from the body 2 corresponds to the inactive configuration of the container 1.

[0026] In the examples shown, in particular in figures 5 et 6 , the hood 14 comprises a frame surrounding the filling opening 3. The frame is a hollow thick frame. The frame constitutes the annular chamber 6.

[0027] The container 1 comprises a valve 15 for closing the filling opening 3. This valve 15 is mounted inside the frame which can pivot between an open position and a closed position of said filling opening 3. This valve 15 is in the form of a circular plate with a shape complementary to the filling opening 3 which is also shown as circular. This valve 15 is more particularly visible at figure 1 .

[0028] As illustrated by the figure 3 , the annular chamber 6 is delimited by walls forming, in the active configuration of the container 1, one, a bottom wall 16 of the annular chamber 6 facing the bottom of the container 1. The air intake orifices 8 of the annular chamber 6 are arranged in this bottom wall 16. These air intake orifices 8 each have the shape of a curved slot with a concavity facing the filling opening 3 surrounded by the annular chamber 6. These air intake orifices 8 are distributed circumferentially around the filling opening 3. The filling opening 3 is circular in shape and the air intake orifices 8 are arranged on a circle around the filling opening 3. The circle is a circle with a center passing through the center of the filling opening 3.

[0029] We note, as illustrated by the figure 6 , that these air intake orifices 8 have an opening area which can vary from one air intake orifice 8 to another. The way in which this opening area varies will be described below.

[0030] The container 1 finally comprises a hollow column 7 which is adjoining, that is to say adjacent, to the body 2, to extend along the body 2 outside the body 2. This column 7 comprises a base 9, a top 10 and at least one air outlet 11 which is, in the example shown, arranged at the base 9 of the column 7, as can be seen in the figure 3 . In fact, column 7 includes a top 10 and a base 9 as well as an air outlet 11.

[0031] This air outlet 11 can open into the open air, as in the figure 2 , or be connected to a fluid circulation network, as illustrated in figure 3 . This column 7 is, in the examples shown, open at its top 10 and at its base 9. This column 7 is, in the examples shown, of square external section, but could have been circular or other without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0032] A base allows column 7 and body 2 to be kept in an upright position, i.e. vertical.

[0033] In the examples shown, the base of the column 7 extends above the ground in the upright position of the assembly. This column 7 houses a forced air circulation device 12 generally in the form of a fan. This forced air circulation device 12 divides the interior of the column 7 into two sections called, respectively, lower 71 and upper 72. These lower 71 and upper 72 sections extend one above the other in the active configuration of the container 1 in which the column 7 extends in the upright state.

[0034] The forced air circulation device 12 is preferably positioned in the upper section 72 of the column 7 to be as close as possible to the annular chamber 6.

[0035] As illustrated in the figure 4 , a grid 24 may be provided between the top of the column 7 which is open and the forced air circulation device 12. This prevents an operator from injuring his fingers by contact with the forced air circulation device 12 in the non-active configuration of the container 1.

[0036] In the examples shown, the cover 14 and the column 7 are high-density polyethylene parts, preferably rotationally molded, i.e. manufactured by rotational molding. The production of a part by rotational molding is visible on the final part.

[0037] The container 1 may comprise at least one filter 19 arranged inside the column 7. This filter 19 may be accessible through an access opening 20 to the filter 19 formed in the peripheral surface connecting the top 10 and the base 9 of the column 7, and serving to delimit the cavity of the column 7. In the examples shown, this access opening 20 is closed by a hatch 21. Such a filter 19 is visible at figure 3 .

[0038] Alternatively and, in a manner not shown, the column 7 may be without a filter and the filter may be arranged on the air circulation circuit of the type shown in figure 3 which connects the air outlet of column 7 provided at the base of column 7 to a pre-existing air circulation circuit.

[0039] We note, as illustrated by the figure 3 , that the column 7 can be a so-called double-skinned column. Indeed, the peripheral surface connecting the top 10 and the base 9 of the column 7, and serving to delimit the cavity of the column 7 inside which the forced air circulation device 12 is housed, can be formed by a double wall 18. Thus the electrical wiring, as well as any element potentially disrupting the air flow, can be arranged between the two walls. The air flow generated by the forced air circulation device 12 is thus subject to minimal disturbance inside the column 7.

[0040] The column 7 is, in the active configuration of the container, that is to say in the configuration in which the air intake orifices 8 of the annular chamber 6 are arranged opposite the bottom 4 of the body 2, in fluid communication with the annular chamber 6 by an airtight fluid connection 13, to enable a channeled air flow to be generated from the interior of the body 2 to the interior of the column 7 via the annular chamber 6.

[0041] This active configuration also corresponds to the position in which the cover 14 is brought closer to the body 2 and in particular rests on the body 2 and on the top of the column 7.

[0042] To provide a sealed bearing contact between the cover 14 and the column 7, and between the cover 14 and the body 2, the container 1 comprises a sealing gasket 22. This sealing gasket 22 may be formed of one or more seals. These seals are interposed, on the one hand, between the cover 14 and the column 7, on the other hand, between the cover 14 and the body 2, in the active configuration of the container 1 to allow a sealed circulation of a flow of fluid from the interior of the body 2 to the column 7 via the annular chamber 6.

[0043] The risk of the forced air circulation device drawing air from outside the body 2 is thus reduced.

[0044] The circuit of the air flow channeled from the body 2 to the air outlet 11 of the column 7 via the annular chamber 6 is illustrated in figures 3 And 5 .

[0045] It is understood that, in this active configuration of the container 1, the air, whether or not loaded with toxic gas contained in the body 2, cannot be evacuated directly into the atmosphere from the body 2. This air is forced to follow the path imposed on it by the forced air circulation device 12. However, the interior of the body 2 remains accessible through the filling opening 3 which can remain, if the operator so wishes, permanently open without disturbing this forced air circulation.

[0046] In the non-active configuration of container 1, as shown in figure 2 , the hood is in a position separated from the body 2 and the annular chamber 6 is no longer in fluid communication via the fluid connection 13 with the top of the column 7, so that the air potentially laden with toxic gas contained in the body 2 can be released into the environment.

[0047] In the active configuration of the container 1, the fluid connection 13, allowing fluid communication between the annular chamber 6 and the column 7, opens into the column 7 at the top 10 of the column 7, and the forced air circulation device 12 is configured to generate an air flow from the top 10 towards the base 9 of said column 7.

[0048] In the example of the figures 4 And 5, the fluid connection 13, for fluid communication between the annular chamber 6 and the column 7, is formed by an external radial protrusion 130 of the annular chamber 6. This external radial protrusion 130 is in the form of a blind conduit, that is to say a conduit one of the end faces of which is closed. This conduit is delimited by a peripheral wall provided with an outlet orifice 131 positioned opposite the open top 10 of the column 7 in the active configuration of the container 1, that is to say in the configuration in which this external radial protrusion 130 bears on the top of the column 7. The open end face of the blind conduit opens into the annular chamber 6. The annular chamber 6 communicates with the fluid connection 13 in a zone called the communication zone 17. This communication zone 17 corresponds to the open end face of the blind conduit.The air intake orifices 8 of the annular chamber 6 remote from the communication zone 17 have an opening area of ​​greater dimension than the opening area of ​​the air intake orifices 8 close to the communication zone 17. This results in homogeneity of the air inside the annular chamber 6.

[0049] The annular chamber 6 and the fluid connection form the cover 14 which is made from a single piece. This part is, as mentioned above, preferably manufactured by rotational molding.

[0050] In the active configuration of container 1, the hood is in a position close to body 2 and rests on body 2 and column 7, as illustrated in figure 1 .

[0051] The electrical forced air circulation device 12 is operated thanks to the presence of an on / off switch preferably arranged on the column 7. This forced air circulation device 12 permanently generates an air flow from the body 2 towards the air outlet 11 of the column 7 in the active configuration of the container 1.

[0052] The air potentially laden with toxic gas and contained in the body 2 is sucked into the annular chamber 6 through the air intake orifices 8, passes from the annular chamber 6 to the top 10 of the column 7 via the fluid connection 13, travels through the column 7 from the top 10 to the base 9 of the column 7 to exit the column 7 through the air outlet 11 of the column 7 formed in the base 9 of the column 7, this base 9 being spaced from the ground.

[0053] This permanent circulation in no way prevents the operator from using the container 1 as a conventional bin by introducing the waste into the body 2 through the filling opening 3 which can be closed by a valve 15.

[0054] Such a waste container 1 can be used for the collection of toxic waste without the release of toxic gas into the environment.

Claims

1. Waste container (1) comprising a hollow body (2) for receiving a collection bag (23) and a filling opening (3), said body (2) having a lower part forming a base (4) and an upper part (5) for access to the interior of the body (2), characterized in that the container (1) comprises an annular chamber (6) extending around the filling opening (3) and a hollow column (7), in that the annular chamber (6) is provided with air intake orifices (8) arranged opposite the bottom (4) of the body (2) in a so-called active configuration of the container (1), in that the column which comprises a base (9), a top (10) and at least one air outlet (11), extends, outside the body (2), adjoining said body (2), in that said column (7) houses a device (12) for forced air circulation, and in thatsaid column (7) is, in the so-called active configuration of the container, in fluid communication with the annular chamber (6) by an airtight fluid connection (13).

2. Waste container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling opening (3) is provided in a cover (14), said cover (14) being mounted, on the body (2), movable between a position close to and a position separated from the body (2), the position close to the body (2) corresponding to the active configuration of the container (1).

3. Waste container (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover (14) comprises a frame surrounding the filling opening (3), the annular chamber (6) and the fluid connection (13) being arranged at the level of said frame.

4. Waste container (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thatit comprises a valve (15) for closing the filling opening (3) mounted inside the movable frame, preferably pivoting, between an open position and a closed position of said filling opening (3).

5. Waste container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that , in the active configuration of the container (1), the fluid connection (13) for fluid communication between the annular chamber (6) and the column (7) opens into the column (7) at the top (10) of said column (7) and in that the forced air circulation device (12) is configured to generate an air flow from the top (10) towards the base of said column (7).

6. Waste container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe fluid connection (13) for fluid communication between the annular chamber (6) and the column (7) is formed by an external radial protrusion (130) of the annular chamber (6).

7. Waste container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the external radial protrusion (130) is in the form of a conduit delimited at least by a peripheral wall provided with an outlet orifice (131) positioned opposite the open top (10) of the column (7) in the active configuration of the container (1), said conduit being blind.

8. Waste container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the annular chamber (6) is delimited by walls forming, in the active configuration of the container (1), one, a bottom wall (14) of the annular chamber (6) facing the bottom (4) of the container (1), in thatthe air intake orifices (8) of the annular chamber (6) which are arranged in said lower wall (16) have the shape of curved slots with concavity facing towards the filling opening (3) surrounded by said annular chamber (6), said air intake orifices (8) being distributed circumferentially around said filling opening (3).

9. Waste container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the annular chamber (6) communicates with the fluid connection (13) in an area called the communication area (17) and in that the air intake orifices (8) of the annular chamber (6) remote from said communication zone (17) have an opening area of ​​greater dimension than the opening area of ​​the air intake orifices (8) of the annular chamber (6) closer to the communication zone (17).

10. Waste container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatthe so-called double-skinned column (7) is a column whose peripheral surface connecting the top (10) and the base (9) of the column (7) and serving to delimit the cavity of the column (7) inside which the forced air circulation device (12) is housed is formed by a double wall (18).

11. Waste container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the forced air circulation device (12) divides the interior of the column (7) into two sections called respectively lower (71) and upper (72) extending one above the other in the active configuration of the container (1).

12. Waste container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in thatthe container (1) comprises at least one filter (19) arranged inside said column (7), the or at least one of the filters (19) being accessible through an opening (20) for access to the filter (19) provided in the peripheral surface connecting the top (10) and the base (9) of the column (7) and serving to delimit the cavity of the column (7), this access opening (20) being closed by a hatch (21).

13. Waste container (1) according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 12 taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in that at least the cover (14) and the column (7) are high density polyethylene parts, preferably rotationally molded.

14. Waste container (1) according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 13 taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in thatthe container (1) comprises a sealing gasket (22) formed of one or more seals interposed on the one hand, between the cover (14) and the column (7), on the other hand, between the cover (14) and the body (2), in the active configuration of the container (1), to allow a sealed circulation of a flow of fluid from the inside of the body (2) to the column (7) passing through the annular chamber (6).

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