Device for transforming and storing recyclable waste

Abstract

Title: Device for Transforming and Storing Recyclable Waste The invention relates to a device (1) for storing recyclable waste, comprising: - a frame (2); - a waste transformer (3) fixedly mounted relative to the frame (2), the transformer (3) having an outlet (31) for transformed waste; - a group of at least two containers (4) for storing transformed waste, the storage containers (4) being located within the frame (2); - a fixed location relative to the frame (2) for each of the storage containers (4); - a distributor (5) for transformed waste collecting transformed waste at the outlet (31) of the transformer (3) and distributing it between the storage containers (4). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for transforming and storing recyclable waste

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of waste storage devices.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a device designed to transform recyclable waste, and to store this transformed waste.

[0003] In the field of the invention, devices are known for determining whether the material constituting waste is recyclable, for transforming this waste, and then for storing it.

[0004] Recyclable waste corresponds, for example, to a metal container or a plastic container.

[0005] A plastic container can in particular be made of PET (acronym for polyethylene terephthalate), and be transparent or colored.

[0006] For recycling purposes, it is important to separate the metal from the plastic, and the transparent PET from the colored PET.

[0007] Sensors make it possible to carry out such sorting.

[0008] The transformation of waste can be carried out in different ways.

[0009] For example, the transformation may consist of compacting the waste.

[0010] According to another example, the transformation may consist of grinding the waste into smaller particles.

[0011] Once transformed, the waste is stored in rigid or flexible containers so that it can then be transported and recycled, once these containers are filled.

[0012] A commonly implemented solution consists of adding a rotatably mounted block in the device, on which or in which the containers intended to receive the waste are located. Weighing means make it possible to know the weight of these containers and to consider that they are filled from a certain weight.

[0013] The devices according to the prior art do not give full satisfaction.

[0014] Indeed, they result in design, manufacturing and operating costs that are not optimized.

[0015] The invention thus aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0016] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a device for storing recyclable waste which is more economical than those according to the prior art.

[0017] This objective, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a device for storing recyclable waste, comprising: - a frame; - a waste transformer mounted fixedly relative to the frame, the transformer having an outlet for transformed waste; - a group of at least two containers for storing processed waste, the containers being placed in the frame; characterized in that it comprises a fixed location relative to the frame for each of the storage containers, and in that the device comprises a transformed waste distributor collecting transformed waste at the outlet of the transformer and distributing it between the storage containers.

[0018] The storage device according to the invention has a more economical design than those of the devices according to the prior art.

[0019] In fact, the distributor redirects the transformed waste and it is therefore not necessary to have a system that is sufficiently robust and precise to move each of the containers, even when they are fully loaded.

[0020] The distributor being used only to redirect transformed waste, then it does not require motor means as substantial as those which must be implemented to allow, for example, the rotation of a platform on which the transformed waste storage containers would be arranged.

[0021] According to a preferred design, the distributor comprises: - a transformed waste redirection device having, for each storage container in the group, an indexed position for redirecting the waste to said storage container; - an electric motor driving the redirection member between the indexed positions.

[0022] Thanks to this design, the redirection of waste towards each storage reception is carried out safely due to the presence of the indexed positions, while only requiring a simple electric motor to drive the passage of the distributor from one indexed position to another.

[0023] Advantageously, the device comprises: - means for determining a material constituting recyclable waste and / or transformed waste, these determination means being positioned upstream of the distributor along a recyclable waste treatment path; - an electronic unit controlling the electric motor to drive the redirection member between its indexed positions depending on the materials constituting the recyclable waste and / or the transformed waste to be collected and distributed between the storage containers.

[0024] The distributor is thus driven into an indexed position following detection of the material which will constitute the waste which will be transformed, or the material which constitutes the transformed waste.

[0025] In this case, the electronic unit includes programming assigning each storage container a type of recyclable material.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the redirection member comprises: - at least one transformed waste inlet opening, the opening(s) being overlooked by an outlet of the waste transformer in each indexed redirection position of the redirection member; - a transformed waste outlet opening, the outlet opening overlooking the storage container, for each indexed position, towards which the redirection member redirects the transformed waste.

[0027] Advantageously, the redirection member forms a gravity flow passage for the transformed waste.

[0028] The progression of the transformed waste in the distributor does not require energy. The sole action of gravity allows this transformed waste to be redirected within the distributor towards the correct storage container.

[0029] Preferably, the redirection member takes the form of a funnel.

[0030] Such a type of redirection organ has a simple and economical design.

[0031] According to an alternative embodiment, the device comprises at least one filling sensor capturing a height reached by waste transformed in a storage container.

[0032] The filling level of a storage container is thus determined using a measurement of the height of the processed waste inside the storage container.

[0033] Such a type of measurement proves to be particularly reliable and avoids having to carry out various calculations to determine a filling level. This type of measurement is reliable in particular in that it depends on the relative size of the transformed waste inside the storage reception area, and the level reached by this transformed waste inside the storage reception area.

[0034] Preferably, the filling sensor is a contactless sensor.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the filling sensor is integral with the redirection member, and in that for each indexed position, the filling sensor overhangs the storage container towards which the redirection member redirects transformed waste.

[0036] A single filling sensor thus makes it possible to determine the filling level of each of the storage containers overlooked by the redirection member.

[0037] For example, following the detection of a material constituting recyclable waste, and prior to the transformation of this recyclable waste, the electronic unit can drive the redirection member into its position indexed on the storage container. corresponding to the detected material, then directly measure the height of the transformed waste inside the storage container to find out if this storage container is not too full to receive the transformed recycled waste.

[0038] Preferably, the waste transformer is a crusher.

[0039] Crushed recyclable waste has a particularly small footprint and is easy to redirect using a distributor as described above.

[0040] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of different preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings among which: • [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation seen from the side of a device for storing recyclable waste according to the invention; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic representation in perspective of the device according to the invention, illustrating storage containers and a distributor; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation seen from the side of the distributor and a filling sensor.

[0041] With reference to [Fig.l], a device 1 for storing recyclable waste is shown schematically.

[0042] This device is designed to process recyclable waste such as plastic bottles (PET), or such as metal cans.

[0043] Plastic bottles can be colored or transparent and must be sorted according to this characteristic in order to guarantee their proper handling in a recycling circuit.

[0044] To this end, the device 1 comprises storage containers 4 in which the waste is sorted, as detailed below.

[0045] More generally, and according to the present embodiment, the device 1 comprises: - a frame 2; - means of supplying 8 recyclable waste; - means of determining 7 a material constituting recyclable waste and / or transformed waste; - a waste transformer 3; - a group of at least two containers 4 for storing processed waste - a distributor 5 of transformed waste distributing the waste transformed by the transformer 3 into the storage containers 4.

[0046] The frame 2 forms a support on which different components of the device 1 are coupled.

[0047] This frame 2 also defines the volume in which these components are located.

[0048] Although not illustrated, the frame includes a base and supports walls. One or more doors may be provided in the walls to allow maintenance of the components, including emptying of the storage containers 4.

[0049] The frame 2 may also comprise at least one carriage on which at least some of the components are coupled, in order to allow their extraction for maintenance, then their reinsertion into the device. Such a carriage makes it possible to ensure the correct positioning of the components after reinsertion of the carriage into the frame 2.

[0050] For standardization purposes, the volume occupied by the frame 2 corresponds to a straight block allowing the device 1 to be easily positioned against a wall, such as a drinks dispenser.

[0051] The supply means 8 are fixedly mounted on the frame 2.

[0052] These feeding means 8 comprise a window 81 through which recyclable waste can be introduced from outside the device 1.

[0053] The feeding means 8 also comprise a conveyor designed to move waste introduced through the window 81, and feed the waste transformer 3.

[0054] According to the present embodiment, the supply means 8 are associated with the determination means 7. Consequently, the determination means 7 make it possible to determine a material constituting recyclable waste.

[0055] According to another conceivable embodiment, the determination means 7 could be located after the transformer 3. In this case, the determination means 7 make it possible to determine a material constituting transformed waste.

[0056] In any event, the determination means 7 are positioned upstream of the distributor 5 along a path for processing recyclable waste.

[0057] These determination means 7 comprise scanners capable of reading a bar code located on the recyclable waste.

[0058] Reading a bar code is likely to allow the determination of the material constituting the waste.

[0059] The determining means 7 may also comprise a PET sensor, and a metal sensor capable of determining whether the waste is made of PET plastic, aluminum or steel.

[0060] The determination means 7 may also comprise: - a camera capable of taking a photo of the waste to take a measurement on it; - a weight sensor capable of measuring the weight of the waste.

[0061] If the waste material is not recognized and / or not accepted by the determination means 7, the feed means 8 are configured to bring out the waste through the window 81 of the feed means 8.

[0062] If the waste material is recognized and accepted, the feeding means 8 advance the recyclable waste towards the waste transformer 3.

[0063] The waste transformer 3 is mounted fixed relative to the frame 2, and in particular on the frame 2.

[0064] This transformer 3 is supplied by the supply means 8, as mentioned previously, and brings out the transformed waste through a transformed waste outlet 31.

[0065] According to the present embodiment, the waste transformer 3 is a crusher.

[0066] According to another possible embodiment, the waste transformer 3 is a compactor.

[0067] The crusher comprises in particular two rollers equipped with knives, rotated by a motor to reduce recyclable waste into particles of predetermined granulometry.

[0068] These recyclable waste particles form the transformed waste.

[0069] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, and as previously mentioned, the device 1 comprises a group of at least two storage containers 4.

[0070] According to the present embodiment, the group comprises six storage containers 4. These storage containers 4 each have the shape of a straight block.

[0071] According to possible embodiments, the group could comprise other quantities of storage containers 4, such as three, four, or five containers 4 for example, and the containers could have other shapes such as that of sections of cylinders of revolution.

[0072] It is also conceivable that the device includes other containers outside the group.

[0073] A larger number of storage containers 4 makes it easier to transport and empty each container 4 once they are full.

[0074] The storage containers 4 are placed in the frame 2.

[0075] More precisely, when the device 1 is in a use phase, then the containers 4 of the group assume a fixed position relative to the frame 2.

[0076] In other words, the device 1 comprises a fixed location relative to the frame 2 for each of the storage containers 4.

[0077] With reference to [Fig. 1], the frame 2 comprises a support plate 21 on which the storage containers 4 rest, via their lower face located at a lower end. The storage containers 4 can also be wedged on these support plates 21 to ensure that their position remains fixed relative to the frame 2 when using the device 1.

[0078] As can be seen, the containers 4 are positioned under the transformer 3 and under the waste distributor 5, and each container 4 has an opening on a upper end opposite the lower end.

[0079] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the waste distributor 5 is described below.

[0080] The transformed waste distributor 5 collects transformed waste at exit 31 from transformer 3 and distributes them among the storage containers 4.

[0081] The distributor 5 comprises: - a redirection body 51 for transformed waste; - an electric motor 52 driving the redirection member 51 in movement.

[0082] The redirection member 51 having, for each storage container 4 of the group, an indexed position for redirecting the waste towards said storage container 4.

[0083] This redirection member 51 comprises at least one inlet opening 511 for transformed waste, the inlet opening(s) 511 being overlooked by the outlet 31 of the waste transformer 3 in each indexed redirection position of the redirection member 51.

[0084] According to the present embodiment, the redirection member 51 comprises a single inlet opening 511 which has dimensions large enough to be overhung by the outlet 31 of the waste transformer 3 in each of the indexed redirection positions of the redirection member 51.

[0085] Indeed, the redirection member 51 takes the form of a funnel. This funnel has a section that tapers from the single inlet opening 511 which is overlooked by the outlet 31 of the transformer 3 to its lower end.

[0086] According to one possible embodiment, the redirection member comprises an inlet opening 511 for each indexed position.

[0087] According to another conceivable embodiment, the redirection member 51 takes the form of a tube whose inlet opening 511 has dimensions adjusted to those of the outlet 31 of the transformer 3, but which always remains under this outlet 31 in each of the indexed positions of the redirection member 51.

[0088] The redirection member 51 also comprises an outlet opening 512 for transformed waste.

[0089] This outlet opening 512 overlooks the storage container 4, for each indexed position, towards which the redirection member 51 redirects the transformed waste.

[0090] As can be seen, the funnel shape does not have radial symmetry. Indeed, as illustrated in [Fig.3], seen from the side, the outlet opening 512 is offset from a central axis 510 of the redirection member 51.

[0091] This makes it possible to bring the outlet opening 512 above each storage container 4 according to each indexed position.

[0092] Indeed, the redirection member 51 is mounted to rotate relative to the frame 1 around of its central axis 510. Thus, since the input opening 511 is centered on this central axis 510, this input opening 511 is always overlooked by the output 31 of the transformer 3, while the output opening 512 is displaced around the central axis 510.

[0093] According to the present embodiment, and in particular with reference to [Fig.l] which illustrates a vertical axis V, the redirection member 51 forms a gravity flow passage for the transformed waste.

[0094] In other words, the shape of the redirection member 51 alone allows the flow of the transformed waste from the inlet opening 511 to the outlet opening 512, without additional mechanical action such as the actuation of a pusher.

[0095] The redirection member 51 thus presents, in any indexed position, a gravitational flow slope between the volume underlying the outlet 31, that is to say the or one of the inlet openings 511, and the outlet opening 512.

[0096] It is nevertheless possible to provide additional assistance to facilitate the total flow of the transformed waste in the redirection member 51.

[0097] For example, the redirection member 51 can be vibrated, or shaken, in particular using the electric motor 52. A flow of air can also be propelled to expel residual particles of transformed waste located on the redirection member 51.

[0098] With reference to [Fig.2], the electric motor 52 drives the redirection member 51 in movement between the indexed positions.

[0099] More precisely, the electric motor 52 drives the redirection member 51 in rotation around its central axis 510.

[0100] The electric motor 52 is of course fixed relative to the frame 2.

[0101] The device 1 comprises an electronic unit (not shown) which controls the electric motor 52 to drive the redirection member 51 in movement between its indexed positions.

[0102] This control is carried out according to the materials constituting the recyclable waste and / or the transformed waste to be collected and distributed between the storage containers 4. The electronic unit is thus associated with the determination means 7 in order to know the materials of the recyclable waste to be transformed and stored.

[0103] The electrical unit is programmed with the nature of the materials that can be recycled, with the storage containers 4 assigned to these materials, and with the indexed positions of the redirection member 51 which redirects towards the storage containers 4.

[0104] After determining the material of a recyclable waste, the electronic unit controls the electric motor 52 to bring the redirection member 51 to the correct indexed position corresponding to the correct storage container 4, then actuates the means of transformation 3.

[0105] With reference to figures 1 and 3, the device 1 comprises at least one filling sensor 6 which captures a height H reached by waste transformed in a storage container 4.

[0106] According to the present embodiment, the device 1 comprises a single filling sensor 6.

[0107] This filling sensor 6 is a non-contact sensor. For example, this filling sensor can be formed by a laser rangefinder or by an ultrasonic sensor.

[0108] This filling sensor 6 is designed to overhang a storage container 4, and to be oriented towards the bottom of the container 4, in order to measure the distance separating it from the pile of transformed waste.

[0109] As can be seen, the filling sensor 6 is integral with the redirection member 51.

[0110] Indeed, in this way for each indexed position, the filling sensor 6 overhangs the storage container 4 towards which the redirection member 51 redirects transformed waste.

[0111] To this end, the redirection member 51 comprises a support 513, in particular secured to the central axis 510 and the outlet opening 512, to carry the filling sensor 6 next to the outlet opening 512.

[0112] The device 1 previously described forms a solution optimizing design, manufacturing, and operating costs. Indeed, it makes it possible to transform and sort recyclable waste in a plurality of storage containers 4, without requiring oversized technical components.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for storing recyclable waste, comprising: - a frame (2); - a waste transformer (3) mounted fixedly relative to the frame (2), the transformer (3) having an outlet (31) for transformed waste; - a group of at least two containers (4) for storing transformed waste, the storage containers (4) being placed in the frame (2); characterized in that it comprises a location fixed relative to the frame (2) for each of the storage containers (4), and in that the device (1) comprises a transformed waste distributor (5) collecting transformed waste at the outlet (31) of the transformer (3) and distributing it between the storage containers (4).

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the distributor (5) comprises: - a redirection member (51) for the transformed waste having, for each storage container (4) of the group, an indexed position for redirecting the waste towards said storage container (4); - an electric motor (52) driving the redirection member (51) in movement between the indexed positions.

3. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises: - means (7) for determining a material constituting recyclable waste and / or transformed waste, these determining means (7) being positioned upstream of the distributor (5) along a path for processing the recyclable waste; - an electronic unit controlling the electric motor (52) to drive the redirection member (51) between its indexed positions depending on the materials constituting the recyclable waste and / or the transformed waste to be collected and distributed between the storage containers (4).

4. Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the redirection member (51) comprises: - at least one inlet opening (511) for transformed waste, the inlet opening(s) (511) being overhung by the outlet (31) of the waste transformer (3) in each indexed redirection position of the redirection member (51); - an outlet opening (512) for transformed waste, the outlet opening (512) overlooking the storage container (4), for each indexed position, towards which the redirection member (51) redirects the transformed waste.

5. Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the redirection member (51) forms a gravity flow passage for the transformed waste.

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the redirection member (51) takes the form of a funnel.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one filling sensor (6) capturing a height reached by transformed waste in a storage container (4).

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the filling sensor (6) is a contactless sensor.

9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, and any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the filling sensor (6) is integral with the redirection member (51), and in that for each indexed position, the filling sensor (6) overhangs the storage container (4) towards which the redirection member (51) redirects transformed waste.

10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the waste transformer (3) is a crusher.

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