WASTE CONTAINER WITH MECHANISM FOR OPENING THE BOTTOM DOORS

Abstract

A waste container (1) with a lower door opening mechanism, equipped with a waste collection receptacle (10) having an opening (11) for the passage of waste into the container and an opening (12) for unloading waste from its lower part; one or more hinged doors (20) on the receptacle (10) that are removable in the closed position, in which they block the unloading opening (12), and in the open position, in which they release the unloading opening (12); a handle (30) attached to the receptacle (10) for grasping and lifting it; an actuator (40) accessible from outside the container, designed to operate with a mechanism (50) for opening and closing the hinged door(s); wherein the container is equipped with a rotary compactor (60) for compacting waste, located inside the waste collection receptacle (10). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: WASTE CONTAINER WITH MECHANISM FOR OPENING THE LOWER DOORS

[0001] Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to a waste container, and more particularly to a waste container with a mechanism for opening the lower doors. State of the art

[0003] Waste management and collection, in particular urban and household waste, are activities that are gaining in importance.

[0004] Urban waste bins are available with a waste compaction system that increases the volume of waste the bin can collect, thereby reducing the frequency with which collection agents empty the bins. This type of bin generally includes a scissor mechanism for compacting the waste inside the bin.

[0005] The disadvantage of municipal waste bins that incorporate a waste compaction mechanism is that they require manual collection by an operator. Generally, this involves opening a door, removing a waste container from inside and emptying its contents into a collection vehicle, then returning the container to the bin and closing the door. Another disadvantage of these bins is that the container used has a relatively limited capacity. They also present problems related to the use of scissor compaction mechanisms, for example, because they require a high compaction force and the compaction efficiency can be reduced due to the risk of the waste swelling when the compaction mechanism is no longer exerting pressure.

[0006] Another waste compaction mechanism known in the prior art is the rotary compactor, which consists of a rotating wheel driven by a motor. This wheel generally has a dual motion: a rotational movement around a vertical axis and a displacement movement along the vertical axis. The combination of these two movements gives the wheel a spiral motion. In this type of compaction mechanism, the wheel tends to descend until it comes into contact with the waste and to rise again as the container in which it is installed fills. The wheel compacts the upper part of the waste, and the action of the wheel crushes the material, so that it occupies less volume than it initially did, and thus the waste is compacted.

[0007] Rotary compactors are known, for example, from documents DE 3903642 C2 and EP 0106268 Al.

[0008] Rotary compactors are known to be used in side-loading and side-discharge industrial waste containers. These industrial waste containers include a laterally removable container, that is, one that is removable in a direction perpendicular to the rotary compactor's axis of rotation. In this type of industrial waste container, the rotary compactor acts against the removable container. These containers have significant drawbacks, particularly with regard to unloading into a waste collection vehicle, because the removable container must first be removed and then emptied into the waste collection vehicle.

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the problems of waste containers with existing compaction mechanisms.

[0010] Brief description of the invention

[0011] The present invention consists of a waste container with a lower door opening mechanism, as described in paragraph 1, which comprises:

[0012] - a waste collection container equipped with an opening for the passage of waste inside and an opening for unloading waste on its lower part;

[0013] - one or more hinged doors on the container to allow it to be moved in the closed position, so that the door(s) block the opening for unloading, and in the open position, so that they release the opening for unloading, which allows the container to be emptied by gravity;

[0014] - a handle attached to the container to allow it to be grasped and lifted; and

[0015] - an actuator accessible from outside the container, designed to operate with a mechanism for opening and closing the folding door(s),

[0016] further comprising a roto-compactor for compacting waste inside the waste collection container.

[0017] The waste container of the present invention is specifically designed for the collection of municipal solid waste, although it can also be used for the collection of other types of waste.

[0018] The waste container that is the subject of the present invention combines the advantages of waste containers with a bottom door opening mechanism, i.e. a high loading capacity and easy and quick unloading, with the advantages of waste collection containers that incorporate a roto-compactor for compacting waste inside the container.

[0019] The present invention provides that the rotary compactor may comprise a telescopic arm, essentially vertical, connected at its lower end to a compactor rotating around said telescopic arm; and an actuation mechanism for said compactor comprising an electric motor.

[0020] The telescopic arm allows the working position, or height, of the compactor to be adjusted according to the height of the waste stored inside the waste collection container.

[0021] The present invention provides that the compactor comprises at least one curved rotating face.

[0022] In addition, the compactor may have protruding parts on its curved face. These protruding parts generally increase the compaction capacity of the waste. They may be in the form of points or half-moons, for example, although other shapes are also possible.

[0023] The present invention provides that the compactor can be essentially cylindrical in shape. This shape is particularly useful as it offers an optical ratio between ease of construction and waste compaction capacity, although other shapes of the compactor are also possible within the scope of the present invention, such as, for example, a substantially spherical shape.

[0024] The present invention provides that the waste collection container may include, on an external surface, at least one photovoltaic solar panel electrically connected to a battery that powers the electric motor of the compactor's triggering mechanism. Preferably, at least one photovoltaic solar panel is located on the upper face of the waste collection container, although it may also be located on one of the container's sides. If one or more photovoltaic solar panels are located on one of the container's sides, they will preferably be oriented towards the west, south, or east, preferably towards the south.

[0025] The present invention provides that the waste collection container may include a double-drum mechanism for opening and closing the opening allowing the introduction of waste. Preferably, this double-drum mechanism is actuated by a corresponding electric motor.

[0026] The present invention provides that the waste collection container may include a hinged lid mechanism for opening and closing the opening to allow the introduction of waste. Preferably, the aforementioned hinged lid mechanism is actuated by a corresponding electric motor.

[0027] The present invention provides that the actuator which operates with the opening and closing mechanism of the door(s) may be in the form of a head. Preferably, said head also serves as a handle attached to the container to allow it to be grasped and lifted.

[0028] The waste container of the present invention is particularly useful for the collection of packaging waste and / or paper and cardboard waste, although it can also be used for the collection of glass waste, organic waste and residual waste.

[0029] References to a geometric position such as parallel, perpendicular or tangent are intended to allow deviations of up to ±5° from the theoretical position defined by this nomenclature.

[0030] Moreover, any proposed range of values ​​may not be optimal in its extreme values ​​and may require adaptations of the invention in order for these extreme values ​​to be applicable, these adaptations having to be carried out by an expert in the field. Brief description of the figures

[0031] The aforementioned advantages and features, among others, will be easier to understand from the following detailed description of an example embodiment, in accordance with the accompanying figures, which are provided by way of illustration and are not exhaustive, and in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] presents a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a waste container with a mechanism for opening the lower doors, according to the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] presents a perspective view of an example of the realization of a container illustrated in [Fig.1], part of whose outer walls have been removed and which has been emptied of its waste;

[0034] [Fig.3] presents a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of an illustrated container in figures 1 and 2;

[0035] [Fig.4] presents a perspective view of an example of the realization of a container illustrated in figures 1 and 3, part of whose outer walls have been removed and which is partially filled with waste.

[0036] Detailed description of the invention and examples of implementation

[0037] The accompanying figures illustrate non-exhaustive examples of embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of a waste container 1 with a lower door opening mechanism, according to the present invention, comprising a container 10 with an opening 11 for introducing waste and equipped with two hinged doors 20 on the container 10. Although the ideal number of doors 20 is two, Other embodiments of the present invention may include a different number, for example a single door, 20 or even three or more.

[0039] For opening and closing the opening 11 for introducing waste, the receptacle 10 of the container 1 includes a double-drum mechanism 13. The double-drum mechanism 13 allows the container to be loaded safely, without the risk of someone inserting, for example, a limb into the container 1, and more particularly into its receptacle 10, because it prevents the exterior from being in direct communication with the interior. For other embodiments of the present invention, the container 1, and in particular its receptacle 10, may include a hinged lid mechanism, not shown, for opening and closing the opening 11 for introducing waste. The double-drum mechanism 13 and the mailbox mechanism are both known in the prior art, so it is not considered necessary to further describe their operation.In other embodiments, other equivalent mechanisms can also be considered which prevent direct communication between the outside and the inside of container 1.

[0040] Near the opening 11 for introducing waste, although it may be located elsewhere, the container 1 includes a button 14 for actuating the double-drum mechanism 13, which in this embodiment is motorized, but which in other embodiments could be operated manually. For other embodiments with motorized actuation of the double-drum mechanism 13, or equivalent, the button 14 can be operated in an equivalent manner, for example, using a touchscreen.

[0041] Container 1 of the illustrated embodiment also includes, near the opening 11 and the button 14, a screen 15 indicating the operating status of the container. This operating status may, in particular, include information on the fill level of the receptacle 10 of container 1.

[0042] At its upper end, the container 1 of the illustrated embodiment includes a handle 30 attached to the container 10, which allows the container 1 to be handled and lifted using a crane or similar device. Furthermore, the container 1 also includes an actuator 40 for the opening and closing mechanism of the hinged doors 20. For further information, see Figures 2 to 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 40 is located in line with the handle 30 and defines what is known in the industry as a "mushroom."

[0043] In the prior art, there are two main types of actuators 40 or mushrooms. In the first, the closing position of the door(s) 20 consists of the actuator 40 protruding a predetermined distance from the handle 30, while the opening position of the door(s) 20 consists of the actuator 40 is fully inserted into the handle 30. On the other hand, in the second type, the closing position of the door(s) 20 consists of the actuator 40 being fully inserted into the handle 30, without protruding from it, while the opening position of the door(s) 20 consists of the actuator 40 protruding by a predetermined distance from the handle 30.

[0044] The container 1 of the present invention can be used with both the first and second type of actuator 40. It can also operate with other types of actuators mentioned above.

[0045] Figure 2 presents a perspective view of an example of the realization of a container 1 illustrated in [Fig.l], but some of the external walls of the latter, and in particular of the collection container 10, have been removed in order to facilitate the evaluation of the internal elements of container 1 not visible in [Fig.l].

[0046] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a container 1 illustrated in figures 1 and 2, thus allowing us to appreciate its internal components.

[0047] Figures 2 and 3 are now described simultaneously.

[0048] The two figures clearly illustrate the rotary compactor 60 designed to compact waste inside the waste collection container 10. However, in both figures, the container 10 is empty, i.e., it does not contain any waste. The rotary compactor 60 comprises a telescopic arm 61, essentially vertical and connected at its lower end to a compactor 62 rotating around the telescopic arm. In this embodiment, the compactor 62 is cylindrical, although in other embodiments it may have a different shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved surface of the compactor 62, i.e., the surface designed to come into contact with and crush the waste, is smooth. Conversely, in other embodiments, it may have protruding parts, in particular points, which maximize the crushing of the waste and thus its compaction.The telescopic arm 61 allows the height of the compactor 62 to be changed according to the height of the waste stored inside the container 10 (see [Fig.4]).

[0049] At its upper end, the telescopic arm 61 is fixed to the structure of the container 1 or to its upper panel.

[0050] In this embodiment, a solar panel 70 is electrically connected to batteries 71 designed to store the energy generated by the solar panel 70 and to provide the necessary power to all the elements of the container 1, including an electric motor driving the compaction mechanism and an electric motor driving the double-drum mechanism 13. These batteries 71 can also power, among other things, wireless communication systems enabling, in particular, monitoring of the container's status from a remote control station.

[0051] The photovoltaic solar panel 70 is preferably located on the upper surface of the container 1, as this provides an optimal orientation relative to the sun, which significantly determines its capacity to generate energy and protect against external damage. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the photovoltaic solar panel 70 is located only on the upper surface of the container, other embodiments allow for the placement of additional solar panels on one of the other faces, preferably facing south, west, or east. In other embodiments, it is also possible for the container 1 to include a single solar panel 70, located on one of the lateral faces of the container 10, rather than on its upper surface, as in the illustrated embodiment.

[0052] Fig. 2 illustrates the discharge opening 12 on the underside of the container 10, although said opening 12 in this figure is blocked or closed by the doors 20. In a first position, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, these doors block the discharge opening 12 and, in their open position, they release the latter, which allows the container 10 to be emptied by gravity, as is usually the case in a waste collection truck, provided that the container 1 can be emptied in any place provided for this purpose.

[0053] Fig. 4 presents a perspective view of the example embodiment of a container 1 of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, in which some of the outer panels of the container 1, and in particular of the container 10, have been removed to allow observation of the internal elements of the container 1. Contrary to what is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, Fig. 4 presents a container partially filled with waste 100 which, to simplify its representation, have been associated in this figure with a rectangular prism.

[0054] This figure illustrates how the compactor 62 is raised as the container 1, and more specifically the container 10, fills with waste. The telescopic arm 61 can be retracted, so that the compactor 62 is raised either by the action of the waste 100 itself, which moves it, or by motorized means.

[0055] On the upper surface of the waste 100, the circular trajectory 63 describing the compactor 62 of the rotary compactor 60 is graphically represented. If this circular trajectory 63 is linked to the linear upward and downward movement by means of the telescopic arm 61, the compactor 62 can be considered as defining a spiral trajectory.

[0056] Figures 2 to 4 show the mechanism 50 for opening and closing the folding doors 20, operated by means of the actuator 40 described above.

[0057] Although not illustrated in the figures, the container 1 of the present invention may include one or more sensors for detecting The volume of waste inside is 100. In this way, when a predefined level is reached, a signal is emitted to collect and empty container 1. These sensors are powered by batteries 71 charged by solar panel 70.

[0058] While the container 1 of the present invention can be used with any type of municipal solid waste, the compaction achieved by the rotary compactor 60 is maximized when the container 1 is used for collecting packaging or paper and cardboard. However, it is also useful for collecting glass, organic waste, and what is known as the residual fraction.

Claims

Demands

1. Waste container (1) with a lower door opening mechanism comprising: - a waste collection receptacle (10) including an opening (11) for introducing waste into the container and an opening (12) for unloading waste onto its lower face; - one or more hinged doors (20) on the receptacle (10) to allow movement between a closed position, in which the door(s) (20) block the unloading opening (12), and an open position in which they release the unloading opening (12), thus allowing the receptacle (10) to be emptied by gravity; - a handle (30) attached to the receptacle (10) for grasping and lifting it; - an actuator (40) accessible from outside the receptacle, intended to operate with a mechanism (50) for opening and closing the hinged door(s) (20);characterized by the fact that it also includes a roto-compactor (60) for compacting waste inside the waste collection container (10).

2. Container (1), according to claim 1, insofar as the rotary compactor (60) comprises: - a telescopic arm (61), essentially vertical and connected at its lower end to a compactor (62) rotating around said telescopic arm (61); and - an actuation mechanism for said compactor comprising an electric motor.

3. Container (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that the compactor (62) has at least one curved rotating face.

4. Container (1), according to claim 3, characterized in that the compactor (62) comprises protruding parts on its curved face.

5. Container (1), according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the compactor (62) is essentially cylindrical in shape.

6. Container (1), according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the waste collection container (10) comprises, on an external surface, at least one photovoltaic solar panel electrically connected to a battery which powers the electric motor of the compactor triggering mechanism.

7. Container (1), according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one photovoltaic solar panel (70) is located on the upper face of the waste collection container.

8. Container (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the waste collection container (10) includes a double-drum mechanism (13) for opening and closing the opening (11) allowing the introduction of waste.

9. Container (1), according to claim 8, characterized in that the double-drum mechanism (13) is actuated by a corresponding electric motor.

10. Container (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the waste collection container (10) includes a hinged lid mechanism for opening and closing the opening (11) allowing the introduction of waste.

11. Container (1), according to claim 10, characterized in that the hinged lid mechanism is operated by a corresponding electric motor.

12. Container (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (40) operating with the opening and closing mechanism of the door or doors is in the form of a head.

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