Waste collection container with opening selection

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste collection container (2) comprising: - at least one side wall (10) and a plurality of movable lower walls (12) defining a waste storage volume, - at least one separating wall (14) dividing the storage volume into several storage sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed by a portion of the lower walls (12), - a device (8) for simultaneously opening all the lower walls (12), characterized in that it comprises at least one opening selection device (32) for the lower walls (12), the opening selection device (32) being configured to occupy at least a first position in which it prevents the emptying of at least one storage sub-volume by locking the portion of the lower walls (12) closing said storage sub-volume.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to voluntary waste collection containers, and more particularly to waste collection containers emptied from below.

[0002] Voluntary waste collection containers are defined as containers placed on public roads at specific locations where users bring sorted or unsorted waste. Such containers can be above ground, buried or semi-buried. Typically, such containers comply with the NF EN 13071:2019 standard.

[0003] More specifically, these are waste containers whose structure is delimited by at least one or more upper / side walls and bottom walls (or lower walls), typically emptying hatches. These lower walls can be mounted movably on a lower frame. These different walls define a storage volume, or useful volume, of the collection container. The container can also include a cover covering the useful volume, in which is generally made an opening for introducing waste, which can also be made in another wall.

[0004] The lower walls therefore form hatches that can be opened to empty the container, for example in a collection vehicle typically meeting the requirements of standard NF EN 1501:2021.

[0005] To enable emptying, the collection vehicle is equipped with a gripping device for lifting and emptying the container, which is connected to the lower walls by a force transmission structure. Most often, a lifting crane is attached to the gripping device so as to lift the container above the collection vehicle, then the hatches are operated so that the waste contained in the container falls by gravity into the collection vehicle.

[0006] The waste containers as described above may be single-flow, i.e. they may comprise a single storage volume, the emptying hatches allowing, by their opening, the emptying of said storage volume. The gripping and emptying member allows, by its actuation, to open all the emptying hatches.

[0007] Waste containers can also be multi-flow, for example bi-flow, that is to say they comprise several storage sub-volumes by dividing the storage volume. Each storage sub-volume is closed by at least one dedicated emptying hatch. The gripping and emptying member is therefore adapted and comprises several activation parts, each part being able to be activated to open only the emptying hatch(es) corresponding to one or more particular storage sub-volumes and this in order to empty only the part of the container corresponding to a type of waste that one wishes to collect.

[0008] Waste collection vehicles are equipped according to the type of container to be emptied. For example, a waste collection vehicle may include a gripping and emptying device suitable for emptying single-flow containers, or a gripping and emptying device suitable for emptying multi-flow containers. This can be problematic because, in such a case, a collection vehicle suitable for emptying single-flow containers will not be able to selectively empty a sub-volume of a multi-flow container containing waste of the type recovered from the single-flow containers it is emptying. It will be necessary for a collection vehicle suitable for emptying multi-flow containers to empty said sub-volume.

[0009] The invention aims in particular to provide a multi-stream waste container which can be emptied by a collection vehicle equipped with a standard gripping and emptying member used for emptying single-stream waste collection containers.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a waste collection container comprising: at least one side wall and a plurality of movable lower walls defining a waste storage volume, at least one separating wall dividing the storage volume into several storage sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed by a part of the lower walls, a device for simultaneously opening all the lower walls, the waste collection container comprising at least one device for selecting the opening of the lower walls, the opening selection device being configured to occupy at least a first position in which it prevents the emptying of at least one sub-volume storage by locking the part of the lower walls closing said storage sub-volume.

[0011] Thus, it is possible to equip a waste collection container with a standard lower wall opening device (or emptying hatches) allowing by default opening of all the lower walls, while selecting the storage sub-volume(s) whose opening is desired by an additional device locking the lower wall(s) closing the other sub-volume(s). This makes it possible to standardize the opening device between single-flow and multi-flow containers, which allows the same waste collection vehicle to be able to empty both, while ensuring in the case of a multi-flow container that only the sub-volume(s) whose emptying is desired have their emptying hatch(es) open thanks to the opening selection device. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide waste collection vehicles specific to multi-flow containers in terms of their means of lifting and emptying said containers.

[0012] Depending on other optional features of the waste collection container taken alone or in combination: the opening selection device is configured to occupy several first positions, each first position preventing the emptying of different storage sub-volumes by locking the part of the lower walls closing said storage sub-volumes, the opening selection device is configured to occupy: at least one second position in which it locks all the lower walls, and / or at least one third position in which it does not lock any lower wall, the opening selection device comprises at least one opening control member and one locking member, the opening control member being configured to move the locking member between at least two first positions, the opening control member comprises at least one electronic control unit configured to move the locking member between at least two first positions,the opening control member comprises a selector movable between at least two first positions, a movement of the selector allowing a movement of the locking member between at least two first positions, the opening selection device is dimensioned so that the selector bears against a stop when it occupies a first position, the lower wall locking member comprises a static locking element carried by a lower wall and a movable locking element carried by a part of the waste collection container different from the lower walls, the movable locking element may comprise a hook and the static locking element may comprise a hook receiving element, the hook being movable between a first position in which it interacts with the receiving element and a second position in which it releases the receiving element,the receiving element is formed by an element chosen from a ring or a cylinder, the opening selection device is carried by the separating wall, the opening device comprises a fixed gripping element and a movable element whose movement allows simultaneous opening of the lower walls, and the collection container is a semi-buried or buried container.

[0013] The invention also relates to a method for emptying a waste collection container according to the invention, comprising the following steps: selection of the lower wall(s) to be locked by the opening selection device, activation of the opening device for opening of the unlocked lower wall(s). Brief description of the figures

[0014] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a front view of a waste collection container according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] is a first perspective view of a lower part of the waste collection container according to the invention, a first lower wall being open, [ Fig. 3 ] is a second perspective view of the lower part of the waste collection container according to the invention, a second lower wall being open, [ Fig. 4 ] is a first view of an exemplary embodiment of an opening selection device according to the invention, one lower wall being open and another closed, and [ Fig. 5 ] is a second view of the exemplary embodiment of an opening selection device according to the invention, the lower walls being closed. Detailed description

[0015] We now refer to the figure 1 illustrating a waste collection container 2 (“container 2” hereinafter). The container 2 shown in the figures is an underground container, i.e. a storage volume is buried, an above-ground terminal 4 allowing the introduction of waste by a user (via waste introduction orifices 6 and 7) and interactions with a waste collection vehicle (via an opening device 8). Alternatively, the container 2 could be a semi-underground container (waste storage volume shared between a buried portion of the container and an above-ground portion) or above-ground container (storage volume only above-ground).

[0016] The container 2 comprises at least one side wall, in the example four side walls 10, and a plurality of lower walls, here two lower walls 12, forming hatches for emptying the container 2. This set of walls forms a waste storage volume, here buried and accessible by the aerial terminal 4 and waste introduction orifices 6 and 7, each waste introduction orifice allowing access to a waste storage sub-volume (described below) in order to define two different waste streams.

[0017] In this application, the terms empty / empty, collect / collection and recover / recovery all have the same meaning.

[0018] The side walls 10, for example metallic, are fixed to each other by conventional techniques such as screwing, riveting, welding, etc. Each lower wall 12 is in this example movable in rotation around an axis of rotation coincident with a lower side of a side wall 10, the two lower walls 12 joining in the closed position to form a solid lower surface of the container 2.

[0019] The number of side walls 10 and bottom walls 12 as well as the materials forming them or the means of connection between them may of course be different from the example illustrated.

[0020] The container 2 further comprises at least one separating wall 14 dividing the storage volume into several storage sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed by a portion of the lower walls, here by a lower wall 12. In the example illustrated, the separating wall 14 divides the storage volume into two storage sub-volumes of identical size by extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container 2, the two lower walls 12 being of the same dimensions to close the two storage sub-volumes and joining, in the closed position, to form a junction line extending along the lower side of the separating wall 14.The separating wall 14 could alternatively extend in a direction inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the container 2 and / or could separate the storage volume into storage sub-volumes of different sizes, the dimensions of the lower walls 12 being adapted so as to allow each of them to close a storage sub-volume.

[0021] The container 2 also comprises a device 8 for simultaneously opening all the lower walls 12. This is understood to mean a device which, by its actuation, and without additional hindrance, leads to the opening of all the lower walls 12. The latter is therefore opposed to a selective opening device comprising several parts, the activation of each part individually leading to the opening of only a part of the lower walls (for example a triple hook system: one hook allowing the container to be manipulated and two hooks whose respective activations allow the opening of different lower walls).

[0022] We will describe a simultaneous opening device 8 that can be used in the context of the present invention and is commonly called a "mushroom" or "kinshofer" type gripping member. The container according to the invention can nevertheless be equipped with any other opening device that allows all the lower walls to be opened simultaneously. For example, a double hook system can be cited: a first hook intended solely for lifting the container, and a second hook, the manipulation of which allows the lower walls to be opened.

[0023] The simultaneous opening device may comprise a beam 16 and tie rods 18 connecting the latter to the lower walls 12.

[0024] The beam 16 can be connected to a gripping member. The latter can be composed of a cylinder 22 set with a fixed collar 24 and a chain passing through the cylinder 22 and fixed to the beam 16, the chain being longer than the cylinder 22. The chain is fixed, at its end opposite that connected to the beam 16, to a movable opening element 26.

[0025] Each tie rod 18 is formed, in the example illustrated, of two connecting rods 28 and 30. The first connecting rod 28 may comprise a first end fixed to move in rotation and translation to the body of the container 2. The second connecting rod 30 may comprise a first end fixed to move in rotation to a lower wall 12. The first and second connecting rods 28 and 30 comprise second ends mounted to move between them.

[0026] The operation of the simultaneous opening device 8 is as follows: A collection vehicle comprising a lifting device such as a lifting crane can lift the container 2 by gripping the fixed collar 24. The movable element 26 is also gripped and is pulled by the lifting crane, the chain then extending out of the cylinder 22 to ensure closure of the bottom walls 12. The lifting device holds the container 2 above a collection vehicle by the fixed collar 24 and slowly releases the tension on the movable element 26 so that the chain and the beam 16 descend inside the waste delivery container. The tie rods 18 also descend and pivot to allow opening of the bottom walls 12. The lifting device can, after emptying the container 2, again raise the beam 16 and the chain by means of the movable element 26 to close the container 2 which can be repositioned in an operational position before release by the lifting crane.

[0027] Alternatively to the use of tie rods 18, it is possible to use several chains connected directly to the mobile element 26 or connected to the latter via a beam 16. The operation is similar to that described above with the tie rods 18. This is particularly true in the presence of a beam 16, the chains replacing the tie rods 18.

[0028] In the case of a direct connection between the chains and the movable element 26, the chains can be tensioned by the movement of the movable element 26 during the simultaneous gripping of the opening device 8 by the lifting device in order to keep the lower walls 12 closed. A progressive release of the movable element 26 leads to a movement of the chains downwards, and therefore to a simultaneous opening of all the lower walls 12.

[0029] The container 2 further comprises at least one opening selection device 32 for the lower walls 12, the opening selection device 32 being configured to occupy at least a first position in which it locks at least a portion of the lower walls 12, thus preventing said portion from opening during an opening as described above. In other words, and while the simultaneous opening device 8 allows by default an opening of all the lower walls 12, the opening selection device 32 makes it possible to prevent the opening of at least one of the lower walls 12 when it occupies a first determined position. It can therefore occupy several first positions, each first position corresponding to a locking of different lower walls 12.

[0030] We will subsequently describe a configuration with two lower walls 12 and an opening selection device 32 allowing the selective locking of one or the other of the lower walls 12.

[0031] The opening selection device 32 may comprise at least one opening control member and a locking member, the opening control member being configured to move the locking member between at least two first positions.

[0032] The opening control member may comprise at least one electronic control unit configured to move the locking member between at least two first positions. An operator may then control the electronic control unit in order to control the locking of the lower walls 12, either at the container 2 (for example using controls placed on the container) or remotely, for example from inside a collection vehicle.

[0033] The opening control member may also comprise, as illustrated in the figures, a selector 34 and at least one locking member, a movement of the selector 34 allowing a change in configuration of the locking member.

[0034] In the example illustrated, the selector 34 is movable between two first positions, each first position corresponding to a locking of a different lower wall 12. The figure 2 illustrates a first configuration in which the selector 34 is placed in a first position (towards the left) with a locking of the lower wall 12 on the left of the figure, on the side of the selector 34, and an opening of the lower wall 12 on the right of the figure, opposite the position of the selector 34. The figure 3illustrates a second configuration in which the selector 34 is placed in another first position (towards the right) with a locking of the lower wall 12 on the right of the figure, on the side of the selector 34, and an opening of the lower wall 12 on the left of the figure, opposite the position of the selector 34.

[0035] According to the example illustrated, the opening selection device 32 is dimensioned so that the selector 34 is in contact with a stop 20 when it occupies a first position. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate these two stops 20, the selector 34 being in abutment against one or the other of them in the two figures. This makes the work of an operator easier, having only to place the selector 34 in abutment in one direction or another. A guide element 21 of the selector 34, here a guide rail, can also facilitate the manipulation of the selector 34.

[0036] The lower wall locking member 12 may comprise a static locking element 38 carried by a lower wall 12 and a movable locking element 36 carried by a part of the container 10 different from the lower walls 12. Therefore, the movable locking element 36 may, depending on its position, interact or not with the static locking element 38 in order to prevent or not the opening of the lower walls 12.

[0037] The static locking element 38 may comprise a hook receiving element, for example a cylinder 40' or 40", and the movable locking element 36 may comprise a hook 42' or 42" movable between a first position in which it interacts with the cylinder 40' or 40" by extending around the latter and a second position in which it releases the cylinder 40' or 40".

[0038] In the example illustrated, the selector 34 takes the form of a rotating movable lever whose movement allows the configuration of two locking members to be changed, each comprising an element for receiving a hook, here a cylinder 40' or 40" fixed to a lower wall 12 and a movable hook 42 or 42' and whose movement is controlled by the movement of the selector 34. A rotation of the selector 34 induces a rotation of the hooks 42' and 42" via a movement transmission member, for example an axle having one end fixed to the selector 34 and carrying the hooks 42 and 42'.

[0039] Alternatively to using a 40' or 40" cylinder, the hook receiving elements may be formed by rings. In such a case, the 42' or 42" hook is movable between a first position in which it interacts with a ring by inserting itself into the latter and a second position in which it releases the ring.

[0040] The movable locking element 36, for example the hook 42 or 42', can be carried by the separating wall, which can for example carry the selector 34, the movable locking element(s) 36 as well as the movement transmission member.

[0041] In the example illustrated, the operation of the opening selection device 32 is as follows: The selector 34 can be moved to place the locking members in a particular configuration. In the example of the figure 3 , the selector 34 is placed at the end of its travel on the right. This placement makes it possible to place a first hook 42' around a first cylinder 40', and to place a second hook 42" at a distance from a second cylinder 40" (visible on the Figure 5). The container 2 is moved and opened according to the method described above via, for example, the simultaneous opening device 8 described above. All the lower walls are released. The one whose first cylinder 40' interacts with the first hook 42' remains closed by retaining the first cylinder 40' by the first hook 42'. The one whose second cylinder 40" does not interact with the second hook 42" opens.

[0042] The opening selection device 32 described above could be structurally modified while still allowing a selection of the lower wall(s) whose opening is or is not permitted. For example, it would be possible: To implement a mobile selector whose movement would be different from a rotation, being for example a translation or a combined translation / rotation movement. To place the mobile locking element on the lower wall and the static locking element on a part of the container other than the lower walls. To produce one or more locking members comprising only a mobile locking element, for example a movable part of the bolt type, which can for example be inserted into an orifice provided at a lower wall, or a mobile locking element which can be moved so as to be placed in abutment against an external face of one or more lower walls to prevent them from opening.

[0043] It is possible to provide that the opening selection device 32 is configured to occupy: at least one second position in which it locks all the lower walls, and / or at least one third position in which it does not lock any lower walls.

[0044] This makes it possible to achieve greater flexibility by ensuring that it remains possible to open all the lower walls if necessary, or to be able to avoid any unwanted opening of container 2.

[0045] The method of emptying a collection container according to the invention may comprise the following steps: The first step is the handling of the container 2 by a waste collection vehicle interacting with the simultaneous opening device 8. Selection of the lower wall(s) 12 to be locked by the opening selection device 32. This selection can take place before or after lifting the container if it is an above-ground container, or after removing the buried or semi-buried container from its housing, with or without resting the latter on the ground and before placing it above a waste collection vehicle. Activation of the opening device 8 for opening the unlocked lower wall(s) 12. Closing of the lower wall(s) 12 by the waste collection vehicle, for example as described above. Repositioning of the container 2 in the operational position.It is possible to leave the opening selection device in the chosen selection position before emptying, or to place it in another position, for example a waiting position, for example corresponding to a locking of all the lower walls 12. Possible repetition of the steps of selecting the lower wall(s) 12 to be locked, lifting the container 2 above a waste collection vehicle, activating the opening device 8 and closing the lower wall(s) 12 to empty several storage sub-volumes. List of references

[0046] 2: waste collection container 4: overhead terminal 6, 7: waste introduction holes 8: opening device 10: side walls 12: bottom walls 14: dividing wall 16: beam 18: tie rods 20: stop 21: selector guide element 22: cylinder 24: fixed collar 26: movable opening element 28: first connecting rods 30: second connecting rods 32: opening selection device 34: movable selector 36: movable locking element 38: static locking element 40': first cylinder 40": second cylinder 42': first hook 42": second hook

Claims

1. Waste collection container (2) comprising: - at least one side wall (10) and a plurality of movable lower walls (12) defining a waste storage volume, - at least one separating wall (14) dividing the storage volume into several storage sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed by a part of the lower walls (12), - a device (8) for simultaneously opening all the lower walls (12), characterized in that it comprises at least one opening selection device (32) for the lower walls (12), the opening selection device (32) being configured to occupy at least a first position in which it prevents the emptying of at least one storage sub-volume by locking the part of the lower walls (12) closing said storage sub-volume.

2. Collection container (2) according to claim 1, wherein the opening selection device (32) is configured to occupy several first positions, each first position preventing the emptying of different storage sub-volumes by locking the part of the lower walls (12) closing said storage sub-volumes.

3. Collection container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening selection device (32) is configured to occupy: - at least one second position in which it locks all the lower walls (12), and / or - at least one third position in which it does not lock any lower wall (12).

4. Collection container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening selection device (32) comprises at least one opening control member and one locking member, the opening control member being configured to move the locking member between at least two first positions.

5. Collection container (2) according to claim 4, wherein the opening control member (32) comprises at least one electronic control unit configured to move the locking member between at least two first positions, 6. Collection container (2) according to claim 4, in which the opening control member comprises a selector (34) movable between at least two first positions, a movement of the selector (34) allowing a movement of the locking member between at least two first positions.

7. Collection container (2) according to claim 6, wherein the opening selection device (32) is dimensioned so that the selector (34) bears against a stop (20) when it occupies a first position.

8. Collection container (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the lower wall locking member (12) comprises a static locking element (38) carried by a lower wall (12) and a movable locking element (36) carried by a part of the waste collection container (2) different from the lower walls (12).

9. A collection container (2) according to claim 8, wherein the movable locking element may comprise a hook (42', 42") and the static locking element may comprise a hook receiving element (42', 42"), the hook (42', 42") being movable between a first position in which it interacts with the hook receiving element and a second position in which it releases the hook receiving element.

10. Method for emptying a waste collection container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - selection of the lower wall(s) (12) to be locked by the opening selection device (32), - activation of the opening device (8) simultaneously for the opening of the lower wall(s) (12) not locked.

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