Waste container with volume-calibrated waste introduction system

Abstract

Waste container comprising a casing (1) above the waste storage container (2), in which is made an opening (3) for the introduction of waste which can be closed by a hatch which can be moved by the user by means of maneuvering (10, 20) between an open position for the introduction of waste and a closed position for the emptying of waste.This container is such that the hatch is a solid wall of a single drum (4) mounted rotatably in the casing (1), said drum (4) having a window (5) positioned opposite the opening (3) of the casing (1) in a first positioning of the operating means (10, 20) corresponding to the open position for the introduction of waste and positioned vertically above the container (2) in a second positioning of the operating means (10, 20) corresponding to the closed position for emptying waste, the opening (3) of the casing (1) being completely obstructed by the drum (4) in this second position of the drum (4), return means (40) being provided to return the drum (4) to said second position.

Description

[0001] The present invention is in the field of waste collection, it concerns public waste containers and more particularly relates to a system for introducing this waste - in particular in the conventional form of household waste bags - which makes it possible to calibrate the volume of waste deposited. Carrying out a calibration responds to the progressive implementation, by the various public and private operators, of the polluter-pays principle, which leads these operators to set up pricing systems based on the volume of waste deposited by a user. This involves an evaluation of the quantity of waste that will be treated, which is done at the level of the system for introducing the waste into the containers. In essence, the waste collector includes and makes available to users, through its introduction system, a volume capacity that cannot be exceeded during each manipulation of said system.

[0002] Waste volume calibration introduction systems are based on a mobile compartment above the actual storage container, which the user fills as many times as necessary to get rid of all their waste. The more waste a user generates, the more mobile compartments they fill, and the more they pay for its subsequent processing. The polluter-pays principle is intended, in particular, to financially incentivize users to reduce their waste production. It also provides indirect encouragement for waste sorting and recycling. For authorities, it allows for more efficient management of the quantity of waste to be processed, which has been noted to increase significantly from year to year. It also, quite simply, reflects a certain fairness, as the "polluter-pays" principle actually ensures that those who generate more waste logically pay a greater share of the costs of its management.

[0003] Currently, existing waste quantity measurement systems are based on permanently concealed double-drum configurations. These designs feature two coaxial half-cylinders or drums rotating in opposite directions, so that when the opening for introducing waste is facing the user, the rest of the double-drum system, on the side allowing waste to be discharged into the container, is closed. The system is therefore designed so that when the user places their waste in the double drum, it remains there. Only when the double drum is closed does an opening appear above the container, and the waste can then fall into it by gravity.

[0004] The disadvantages of these structures are of several kinds. Firstly, double drum systems are expensive because they consist of two drums with separate movements that require relatively complex mechanics. This is especially true since when the waste introduction system is being opened or closed, it must not be possible to introduce waste before the passage to the waste container is completely closed, otherwise the calibration mentioned above cannot be carried out. If it is possible to circumvent the system by introducing waste during the opening or closing phases knowing that it falls directly into the storage container, calibration for the purpose of invoicing no longer makes much sense.It is therefore necessary to mechanically manage the movements of the two drums or of the single drum for single-drum configurations, to avoid direct paths during the intermediate phases of rotation, which complicates the mechanical structure.

[0005] This is precisely what is missing in the structure described in EP 2 821 352, in which the drum shown simply has the function of obstructing the opening for depositing waste in the insertion column. In this configuration, a partial opening for the purpose of filling the waste container is perfectly possible, since no measurement of the volume of waste for the purpose of payment is provided. Document ES 2 326 012 discloses a configuration in which the semicircular nature of the drum allows, upon partial opening of said drum, to throw waste which clearly goes directly into the waste container. There is no management of movements / positions which allows retention of the waste during its loading, before releasing it by gravity while at the same time making any new posting of waste impossible.

[0006] Such a system must also be equipped with a handle and / or an opening pedal that can be operated by users to move from a closed position of the system to an open position for introducing waste. However, in double drum configurations, the actuation angles of these devices are limited by the shape of the waste introduction systems, which are dependent on the particular configuration linked to the double rotating cylinder. They are also limited by the shape of the waste containers themselves. The ergonomics and practicality of these operating devices can therefore be improved.

[0007] The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by proposing a mechanically less complex structure, easy to use and reliable in calibrating the volumes of waste dumped. The simplicity of the design is in this case a guarantee of robustness. The configuration has also been designed to facilitate its handling by users.

[0008] For these purposes, the waste container of the invention, conventionally comprising a casing surmounting the waste storage container, in which is made an opening for introducing the waste which can be closed by a hatch which can be moved by the user by operating means between an open position for introducing the waste and a closed position for emptying the waste, is such that the hatch is a solid wall of a single drum rotatably mounted in the casing, said drum comprising a window positioned opposite the opening of the casing in a first position of the operating means corresponding to the open position for introducing the waste and positioned directly above the container in a second position of the operating means corresponding to the closed position for emptying the waste, the opening of the casing being completely obstructed by the drum in this second position of the drum,return means being provided for returning the drum to said second position.,

[0009] The configuration in this case is based on a single rotating cylinder or drum, which considerably simplifies the structure and allows for the rethinking of its actuation methods. The structure is designed in such a way that no waste can reach the container if the drum is in its open position, with its window accessible to the user via the opening in the casing. Conversely, in the closed position, no access to the drum is possible.

[0010] The operating means, in the structure of the invention, are designed to drive the drum through a rotation greater than 180° and less than 220°. Preferably, this is a rotation of the order of 200°, the drive of which is not carried out directly on the drum, for obvious practical reasons. This significant angular displacement is necessary due to the existence of a single drum. It also results from the configuration of the casing, and meets the need to avoid any unwanted deposit of waste between the two open and closed positions. Finally, it results from design choices, the drum window being, for example, large in size, both to facilitate its filling and to ensure its emptying. Thus, for example, according to the invention, the angular sector covered by the drum window is close to the diameter of the drum.

[0011] To prevent any attempt at fraud by attempting to "mail" waste directly to the storage container during the drum movement phases, and to ensure correct calibration, it is provided according to the invention that the respective shapes of the drum and the casing leave minimal clearance, on the one hand between the edges of the opening made in the casing and the drum, and on the other hand between the wall of the casing opposite the opening and the drum. By minimal clearance, we mean minimal functional clearance, which could be translated by the fact that there is no clearance between the shapes or volumes respectively outside the drum and inside the casing.

[0012] The question of the means for operating the drum has been mentioned previously, which allow it to be moved between its two positions, respectively open, with the drum window clear and facing the user, and closed, with the window overlooking the storage container in order to pour the waste contained in the drum into it. In the present invention, these two positions are angularly relatively spaced apart, of the order of 200°, which poses particular problems in terms of operation of the operating means. Thus, it is not possible to directly secure a handle to the drum, because this would amount to providing an opening in the casing over an angular sector of the same order of idea, which would make it almost impossible to provide sufficient casing to prevent users from throwing their waste directly into the storage container.

[0013] In the invention, according to a preferred configuration, the operating means may comprise a handle rotating relative to the casing according to a predetermined stroke of amplitude between 90° and 110°, connected to the axis of rotation of the drum by a mechanism multiplying the rotary stroke of the handle, achieving a multiplication by a factor between 1.9 and 2.1 of the rotary stroke of the drum. Preferably, the multiplication factor is of the order of 2.

[0014] Since the handle is offset from the trapdoor formed by the drum, generally positioned laterally to the casing and therefore freed from the constraints specific to the movement of the drum, the operation is easy for users. The stops limiting the amplitude of the stroke are therefore also managed at the level of a rotating device of the handle which is separate from the drum / casing structure. This separation of functions results in an improvement in the overall robustness, each of the functions being able to be analyzed individually in order to be optimized for the proper functioning of the system.

[0015] Preferably, the multiplication mechanism comprises a drive wheel integral with the rotation axis of the handle, connected by a chain or a belt to a drive wheel integral with the rotation axis of the drum. The principle being thus established, it may be a question of toothed wheels cooperating with a chain, friction wheels cooperating with a belt, etc.

[0016] Secondarily, or even alternatively, the operating means may comprise a pivoting pedal with an angular movement of between 15° and 25°, which may be connected to the rotation axis of the drum by a mechanism multiplying the pedal stroke, thus multiplying the rotary stroke of the drum by a factor of between 8 and 13. Each action on the pedal causes the waste introduction system to open and initiates the calibration operation, which ends when the pedal is released, the drum then being in the waste emptying position. These operations are carried out under the same conditions as via the handle, actuated then released. Preferably, the amplitude of the pedal rotation is of the order of 20°, for ergonomic reasons.

[0017] Preferably, each container may be provided with two operating members operable in combination, and the operating means in this case comprise a pedal pivoting with an angular movement always between 15° and 25°, connected by connecting means to the mechanism multiplying the stroke of the handle. A single multiplier mechanism is then used, which results in simplifying the system.

[0018] In the event that this multiplication mechanism is as described above - that is to say based on two wheels, a drive wheel integral with the axis of rotation of the handle connected by a belt or a chain to a drive wheel integral with the axis of rotation of the drum - the connecting means consist of a cable or a connecting rod pivotally mounted on the one hand on the pedal and on the other hand at the periphery of a rotary device of the handle, in a pivot axis capable of transforming the angular displacement of the pedal into a rotation of said rotary device of the handle covering the amplitude of the predetermined stroke of said handle.

[0019] Actions on the pedal therefore cause a complete rotation of the handle, according to the predetermined amplitude, and move the drum by an angular sector allowing it to pass from the second closed position to the first open position for introducing waste.

[0020] Return means may be provided to return these operating means to the second position of the drum, which allows the waste to be emptied and corresponds to the closing of the hatch, for example comprising a traction spring interposed between the pedal and a drum support, which may also be covered by the casing.

[0021] In the invention, the stable rest position, in the absence of any action, is logically the closed position, and the return means lead there after each operation on the handle and / or the pedal. The calibration function, which results in a cycle of opening, introduction of waste and closing / emptying, actually imposes this “normal” state of closure without actuation. The division into two successive phases, first of opening carried out by hand or foot by the user and then of automatic re-closing, can be controlled, with a view to invoicing, by an electronic identification and authorization unit cooperating with an electro-mechanical device for locking / unlocking the drum.

[0022] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the following description, which presents a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is, however, given only as an indicative and non-limiting example.

[0023] Understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which: There figure 1 represents a central sectional view of a container according to the invention, with the drum in the open position for introducing waste; The figure 2 resumes the sectional view of the figure 1 , with the drum in the closed waste emptying position; The figure 3 shows the same sectional view as the two previous ones, with the drum in an intermediate position between opening and closing; The figure 4 represents a sectional view at a side end of the container of the invention, without the casing; The Figure 5illustrates an enlarged detail of the handle's rotating device; and The figure 6 shows a sectional view showing the mechanism for multiplying the rotary stroke of the handle.

[0024] In reference to the figures 1 to 3 , the container comprises a casing 1 surmounting the container 2 (or bin) for storing waste, which can be buried underground. This casing 1 comprises an opening 3 in front of which a rotating drum 4 rotates along a horizontal axis. The drum is rotatably mounted on a support structure, for example of the gantry type, which is covered by the casing 1. The drum 4 rotates in the casing 1 in such a way that if a solid wall of said drum 4 is placed in front of the opening 3, it is not possible to introduce waste. The drum 4 acts like a pivoting trapdoor. It comprises a window 5 (shown in crossed dashed lines) which moves according to the rotation of the drum 4.

[0025] In the figures 1 to 3, this window 5 is located successively opposite and opposite the opening 3, overlooking the storage container 2, and finally in an intermediate position between the latter. The opening 3 is delimited, on its upper and lower sides, by panels 6, 7 of the casing, and it is generally rectangular. The casing also delimits it on its lateral sides. The window 5 of the drum 4 is also rectangular in appearance, covering an angular sector greater than that of the opening 3, which it has been specified is preferably close to the diameter of the drum 4 in order to facilitate the introduction of the waste and especially its emptying, in the position of the figure 2. The casing 1 and the drum 4 are designed so that the casing makes it possible to conceal any possibility of waste passing between the drum 4 and the casing 1, whatever their relative position, since there is no play. The functional play remaining between them, very small, for example less than 5 mm, leaves no sufficient space for waste to fall between the casing 1 and the drum 4. The clockwise rotation of the drum 4, driven by the operating means manipulated by the user (see below) has the particular consequence that even in the intermediate position, as shown in figure 3 , if the user introduces waste into the drum 4, which is still possible because he still has access to a portion of the window 5 in the vicinity of the pane 6, this waste will fall into the drum 4 and will be part of the quantity of waste which is calibrated by the drum 4. They cannot fall directly into the storage container 2.

[0026] In the drum position 4 shown in figure 2 , which corresponds to the emptying position, the solid wall of the drum 4 is facing the user, between the sides 6 and 7, and no introduction of waste is possible. On the other hand, in this so-called emptying position, the large width of the window 5 allows the drum to be emptied well, the waste falling via this large opening by gravity into the container 2 located below. This is the position which corresponds to the rest state of the system, which can be considered as the initial stage of a calibration operation of a volume of waste. It corresponds to the stable state to which the operating means have been recalled by the system's return means, as will be explained in more detail below. An action on these operating means allows the drum 4 to be opened by rotation towards its position appearing in figure 1with a view to filling, which the user has an interest in doing as completely as possible, the compartment delimited by the drum 4, the internal volume of which essentially defines a calibration volume, a possible basis for subsequent invoicing.

[0027] We see at the figures 1 to 3 that the angular displacement of the window 5 of the drum 4 is sufficiently large to ensure that, in the emptying position of said drum 4, the two transverse sides delimiting the window 5 are at a distance from the two horizontal edges delimiting the opening 3, and outside the surface of this opening 3.

[0028] The means of maneuvering the movement of the drum 4 available to the user are shown in figures 4 to 6 and allow it, by acting on these means, to move from a stable closed rest position to an open waste introduction position, before automatic return - due to the return means - to the closed emptying position.

[0029] The handle or lever 10 is in the high position at rest, and can be lowered to move the drum 4 from its position of the figure 2 towards that of the figure 1 , in the open waste introduction position. An action on the pedal 20 has the same effect. These two members 10, 20 have a rotary stroke amplitude - around rotation axes 11, 21 - limited by stops of the system. A mechanism multiplying the stroke of the handle 10 is shown in figure 6: a toothed wheel 12 secured to the rotation axis 11 is connected via a chain 13 to a second toothed wheel 14, of smaller diameter, secured to the rotation axis of the drum 4. The respective diameters of the wheels 12, 14, and consequently the number of teeth of each of these wheels 12, 14, are chosen to amplify the angular travel of the wheel 12, in this case by a factor of order 2. More precisely, the angular travel of the handle 10 is provided to be of the order of 100°, and that of the drum 4 driven by the wheel 14 is of the order of 200°. This latter value corresponds to the amplitude of the rotation that one wishes to give to the drum 4 so that it can fulfill its introduction / emptying function in connection with the configuration given to the calibration system of the invention.

[0030] The choice of offsetting the operating handle 10 to the side makes it possible to implement such a rotary amplitude for the drum 4, whereas conventional systems with a handle placed directly on the drum 4 would not have allowed it for this type of amplitude. Between an open position allowing the deposit of waste and a closed position preventing the deposit of waste but allowing it to fall towards the storage container 2, a rotation greater than 180° is necessary in the configuration of the invention while the stroke carried out by the user to control the operating member is more limited, essentially for ergonomic reasons.

[0031] The user is also offered a second possibility for activating the system: the pedal 20 results in the same rotation effect for the drum 4, also controlled between its closed rest position of the figure 2 and the opening position of the figure 1. In this case, however, the multiplication problem is a little different, knowing that the rotational amplitude of a normally ergonomic pedal is of the order of 20°. A single mechanism is used, and the pedal 20 is for this purpose connected to a rotary device 15 of the handle 10 by a connecting rod 30 articulated on the one hand on the pedal 20 at an axis 31, and on the other hand on said rotary device 15 of the handle 10, at an axis of rotation 32. The articulation 31 in the vicinity of the location of action of the foot on the pedal 20 guarantees that the amplitude of the movement is close to that which exists at the level of the pedal 20. The articulation 32 is located at the periphery of the rotary device 15 of the handle 10, device 15 which takes for example the form of a plate to which said handle 10 is secured and which manages the rotation relative to the casing 1 and the rotary connection 32 with the connecting rod 30.The location of this articulation 32, in the immediate vicinity of the base of the handle 10, makes it possible to give its rotary device 15 substantially the same angular travel as when it is actuated by a user directly via the handle 10. The rotary travel of the drum 4, when it is driven by the pedal 30, is therefore the same as when it is controlled by the handle 10.

[0032] Return means, in the form of a traction spring 40, are interposed between the pedal 20 and the structure of the container of the invention, at the level of a fin 51 protruding from one of the uprights 50 of a gantry supporting the rotation of the drum 4.

[0033] The design methods illustrated by the figures are of course not exhaustive of the invention, which on the contrary includes variants of form for its different components.

Claims

1. Waste container comprising a casing (1) surmounting the waste storage container (2), in which is made an opening (3) for introducing waste which can be closed by a hatch which can be moved by the user by operating means (10, 20) between an open position for introducing waste and a closed position for emptying waste, characterized in thatthe hatch is a solid wall of a single drum (4) rotatably mounted in the casing (1), said drum (4) comprising a window (5) positioned opposite the opening (3) of the casing (1) in a first positioning of the operating means (10, 20) corresponding to the open position for introducing the waste and placed directly above the container (2) in a second positioning of the operating means (10, 20) corresponding to the closed position for emptying the waste, the opening (3) of the casing (1) being completely obstructed by the drum (4) in this second position of the drum (4), return means (40) being provided to return the drum (4) to said second position.

2. Waste container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the operating means (10, 20) drive the drum (4) in a rotation greater than 180° and less than 220°.

3. Waste container according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe angular sector covered by the window (5) of the drum (4) is close to the diameter of said drum (4).

4. Waste container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the respective shapes of the drum (4) and the casing (1) leave minimal clearance, on the one hand between the edges of the opening (3) made in the casing (1) and the drum (4) and on the other hand between the wall of the casing (1) opposite the opening (3) and the drum (4).

5. Waste container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating means comprise a handle (10) rotating relative to the casing (1) according to a predetermined stroke of amplitude between 90° and 110°, connected to the axis of rotation of the drum (4) by a mechanism multiplying the rotary stroke of the handle (10) achieving a multiplication by a factor between 1.9 and 2.1 of the rotary stroke of the drum (4).

6. Waste container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the multiplication mechanism comprises a drive wheel (12) integral with the rotation axis (11) of the handle (10), connected by a belt or a chain (13) to a drive wheel (14) integral with the rotation axis of the drum (4).

7. Waste container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating means comprise a pedal (20) pivoting with an angular movement of between 15° and 25°, connected to the axis of rotation of the drum by a mechanism multiplying the travel of the pedal (20) achieving a multiplication by a factor of between 8 and 13 of the rotary travel of the drum (4).

8. Waste container according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the operating means comprise a pedal (20) pivoting with an angular movement of between 15° and 25°, connected by connecting means to the mechanism multiplying the stroke of the handle (10).

9. Waste container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting means consist of a cable or a connecting rod (30) pivotally mounted on the one hand on the pedal (20) and on the other hand on the periphery of a rotary device (15) of the handle (10), in a pivot axis (32) capable of transforming the angular displacement of the pedal (20) into a rotation of said rotary device (15) of the handle (10) covering the amplitude of the predetermined stroke of said handle (10).

10. Waste container according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the return means comprise a traction spring (40) interposed between the pedal (10) and a support (50) of the drum (4).

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