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 bottom walls (12) defining a waste storage volume, - at least one partition wall (14) dividing the storage volume into several storage sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed by a portion of the bottom walls (12), - a device for simultaneously opening all the bottom walls (12), characterized in that it comprises at least one opening selection device (32) for the bottom walls (12), the opening selection device (32) being configured to occupy at least one first position in which it prevents the emptying of at least one storage sub-volume by locking the portion of the bottom walls (12) closing said storage sub-volume. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Waste collection container with opening selection

[0001] The invention relates to voluntary drop-off waste collection containers, and more particularly to bottom-empty waste collection containers.

[0002] Voluntary drop-off waste collection containers are defined as containers placed on public roads at specific locations where users bring sorted or unsorted waste. Such containers may be above ground, underground, or semi-underground. Typically, such containers conform to standard NF EN 13071:2019.

[0003] This refers more specifically to waste containers whose structure is delimited by at least one or more upper / side walls and bottom walls (or lower walls), typically discharge hatches. These lower walls may be movable and mounted on a lower frame. These various walls define a storage volume, or usable volume, of the collection container. The container may also include a lid covering the usable volume, in which an opening for the introduction of waste is generally provided, which may also be provided in another wall.

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

[0005] To facilitate emptying, the collection vehicle is equipped with a lifting 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 lifting device to raise the container above the collection vehicle, and then the hatches are opened 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, that is to say, they may comprise a single storage volume, with the discharge hatches allowing the emptying of said storage volume by their opening. The gripping and emptying device, by its actuation, allows all the discharge hatches to be opened.

[0007] Waste containers can also be multi-stream, for example dual-stream, meaning they comprise several storage sub-volumes by dividing the storage volume. Each storage sub-volume is closed by at least one dedicated discharge hatch. The gripping and discharge mechanism is therefore adapted and includes several activation parts, each part being able to be activated to open only the discharge hatch(es) corresponding to one or more particular storage sub-volumes 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 adapted for emptying single-stream containers, or a gripping and emptying device adapted for emptying multi-stream containers. This can pose a problem because, in such a case, a collection vehicle adapted for emptying single-stream containers will not be able to selectively empty a sub-volume of a multi-stream container containing waste of the same type as that collected in the single-stream containers it is emptying. It will be necessary for a collection vehicle adapted for emptying multi-stream containers to empty said sub-volume.

[0009] The invention aims in particular to provide a multi-stream waste container that can be emptied by a collection vehicle equipped with a standard gripping and emptying device 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 dividing wall splitting the storage volume into several sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed off by a portion of the lower walls, - a device for the simultaneous opening of 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 one first position in which it prevents the emptying of at least one storage sub-volume 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 discharge hatches) that allows all lower walls to be opened by default, while selecting the storage sub-volume(s) whose opening is desired by an auxiliary device that locks the lower wall(s) closing the other sub-volume(s). This makes it possible to standardize the opening device between single-stream and multi-stream containers, allowing the same waste collection vehicle to empty both, while ensuring, in the case of a multi-stream container, that only the sub-volume(s) whose discharge hatch(es) are required have their openings opened by the opening selection device. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide for waste collection vehicles specific to multi-stream 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 a third position in which it does not lock onto 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 initial positions, - the opening control device includes at least one electronic control unit configured to move the locking device between at least two initial positions, - the opening control device includes a movable selector between the at least two initial positions, a movement of the selector allowing movement of the locking mechanism between at least two initial positions, - The opening selection device is dimensioned so that the selector is against a stop when it occupies a first position, - the lower wall locking mechanism comprises a static locking element carried by a lower wall and a movable locking element carried by a part of the waste collection container other than the lower walls, - the movable locking element may include a hook and the static locking element may include 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 supported by the separating wall, - the opening device comprises a fixed gripping element and a movable element whose movement allows for the 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 upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a front view of a waste collection container according to the invention,

[0016] [Fig.2] is a first perspective view of a lower part of the container of waste collection according to the invention, a first lower wall being open,

[0017] [Fig.3] is a second perspective view of the lower part of the container waste collection according to the invention, a second lower wall being open,

[0018] [Fig.4] is a first view of an example embodiment of a selection device of opening according to the invention, one lower wall being open and the other closed, and

[0019] [Fig. 5] is a second view of the exemplary embodiment of a selection device opening according to the invention, the lower walls being closed. Detailed description

[0020] Reference is now made to [Fig. 1] illustrating a waste collection container 2 (“container 2” hereafter). The container 2 shown in the figures is an underground container, i.e., a storage volume is buried, an above-ground terminal 4 allows waste to be introduced by a user (via waste inlet ports 6 and 7) and interaction 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 an underground portion of the container and an above-ground portion) or an above-ground container (storage volume entirely above ground).

[0021] The container 2 comprises at least one side wall, in the example four side walls 10, and a plurality of bottom walls, here two bottom walls 12, forming emptying hatches for the container 2. This set of walls forms a waste storage volume, here buried and accessible via the above-ground terminal 4 and waste inlet ports 6 and 7, each waste inlet port allowing access to a sub-volume of waste storage (described below) in order to define two different waste streams.

[0022] In the present application, the terms empty / empty, collect / collect and recover / recovery all have the same meaning.

[0023] 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 about an axis of rotation coinciding 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.

[0024] The number of side walls 10 and bottom walls 12 as well as the materials forming them or the means of connection between them can obviously be different from the illustrated example.

[0025] The container 2 further comprises at least one partition wall 14 dividing the storage volume into several storage sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed by a part of the lower walls, here by a lower wall 12. In the illustrated example, the partition wall 14 divides the storage volume into two storage sub-volumes of identical size by extending perpendicularly 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 joining line extending along the lower side of the partition wall 14.The separating wall 14 could alternatively extend in an inclined direction 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.

[0026] The container 2 also includes a device for the simultaneous opening 8 of all the lower walls 12. This means 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 manipulation of the container and two hooks whose respective activations allow the opening of different lower walls).

[0027] We will describe a simultaneous opening device 8 usable within the scope of the present invention and commonly called a "mushroom" or "kinshofer" type gripping member. The container according to the invention may nevertheless be equipped with any other opening device allowing simultaneous opening of all the lower walls. For example, a double-hook system could be used: a first hook solely for lifting the container, and a second hook whose manipulation allows the lower walls to be opened.

[0028] The simultaneous opening device may include a beam 16 and tie rods 18 connecting the latter to the lower walls 12.

[0029] The beam 16 can be connected to a gripping member. The latter can consist of a cylinder 22 fitted 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 to that connected to the beam 16, to a movable opening element 26.

[0030] Each tie rod 18 is formed, in the illustrated example, of two connecting rods 28 and 30. The first connecting rod 28 may include a first end fixed and movable in rotation and translation to the body of the container 2. The second connecting rod 30 may include a first end fixed and movable in rotation to a lower wall 12. The first and second connecting rods 28 and 30 include second ends mounted movable to each other.

[0031] The operation of the simultaneous opening device 8 is as follows: - A collection vehicle including a lifting device such as a lifting crane can lift the container 2 by grasping the fixed collar 24. The movable element 26 is also grasped and pulled by the lifting crane, the chain then extending out of the cylinder 22 to ensure closure of the lower walls 12. The lifting device holds container 2 above a collection vehicle by means of the fixed flange 24 and slowly releases tension on the moving element 26 so that the chain and beam 16 descend into the waste container. The tie rods 18 also descend and pivot to allow the lower walls 12 to open. - The lifting device can, after emptying container 2, raise beam 16 and chain again via mobile element 26 to close container 2, which can be repositioned in operational position before release by the lifting crane.

[0032] As an alternative to using tie rods 18, it is possible to use several chains connected directly to the moving element 26 or connected to it via a beam 16. The operation is similar to that described above with the tie rods 18. This is particularly true when a beam 16 is present, the chains replacing the tie rods 18.

[0033] In the case of a direct connection between the chains and the moving element 26, the chains can be tensioned by the movement of the moving element 26 when the opening device 8 is simultaneously gripped by the lifting device, in order to keep the lower walls 12 closed. A gradual release of the moving element 26 leads to a downward movement of the chains, and thus to the simultaneous opening of all the lower walls 12.

[0034] 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 one 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, while the simultaneous opening device 8 allows by default the opening of all the lower walls 12, the opening selection device 32 prevents the opening of at least one of the lower walls 12 when it occupies a determined first position. It can therefore occupy several first positions, each first position corresponding to a locking of different lower walls 12.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The opening selection device 32 may include 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 initial positions.

[0037] The opening control device may include at least one electronic control unit configured to move the locking device between at least two initial positions. An operator can then control the electronic control unit to operate the locking of the lower walls 12, either at the level of the container 2 (for example, using controls placed on the container) or remotely, for example, from inside a collection vehicle.

[0038] The opening control member may also include, as illustrated in the figures, a selector 34 and at least one locking member, a movement of the selector 34 allowing a change in the configuration of the locking member.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the selector 34 is movable between two first positions, each first position corresponding to a locking of a different lower wall 12. Figure 2 illustrates a first configuration in which the selector 34 is placed in a first position (to the left) with a locking of the lower wall 12 on the left side 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. Fig. 3 illustrates a second configuration in which the selector 34 is placed in another first position (to 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.

[0040] According to the illustrated example, the opening selection device 32 is dimensioned so that the selector 34 bears against a stop 20 when it is in its first position. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate these two stops 20, with the selector 34 bearing against one or the other of them in both figures. This makes the operator's work easier, as they only need to place the selector 34 against the stop in one direction or the other. A guide element 21 for the selector 34, here a guide rail, can also facilitate the manipulation of the selector 34.

[0041] The lower wall locking member 12 may include 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.

[0042] The static locking element 38 may include a receiving element for a hook, for example a 40' or 40" cylinder, and the movable locking element 36 may include a movable hook 42' or 42'' between a first position in which it interacts with the 40' or 40" cylinder by extending around the latter and a second position in which it releases the 40' or 40" cylinder.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the selector 34 takes the form of a rotating movable lever whose movement allows the change of configuration of two locking members each comprising a receiving element for a hook, here a cylinder 40' or 40" fixed on a lower wall 12 and a movable hook 42 or 42' 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" by means of a motion transmission member, for example an axis having one end fixed to the selector 34 and carrying the hooks 42 and 42'.

[0044] Alternatively to the use of a 40' or 40" cylinder, the hook receiving elements can 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.

[0045] 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 motion transmission member.

[0046] In the illustrated example, the operation of the aperture selection device 32 is as follows: - The selector 34 can be moved to position the locking elements in a particular configuration. In the example in [Fig. 3], the selector 34 is positioned at the end of its travel to the right. This positioning allows a first hook 42' to be placed around a first cylinder 40', and a second hook 42" to be placed at a distance from a second cylinder 40" (visible in [Fig. 5]). - Container 2 is moved and opened according to the process 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 the retention of the first cylinder 40' by the first hook 42'. The one whose second cylinder 40" does not interact with the second hook 42" opens.

[0047] The opening selection device 32 described above could be structurally modified while still allowing selection of the lower wall(s) whose opening is or is not permitted. For example, it would be possible to: - To implement a mobile selector whose movement would be different from a rotation, for example being a translation or a combined translation / rotation movement. - To place the movable 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 devices comprising only a movable locking element, for example a movable part of the bolt type, which can, for example, be inserted into an opening made in a lower wall, or a movable locking element which can be moved so as to be placed against an external face of one or more lower walls to prevent its opening.

[0048] 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 a third position in which it does not lock any lower wall.

[0049] It is thus possible to obtain more flexibility by ensuring that it remains possible to open all the lower walls if necessary, or to prevent any unwanted opening of container 2.

[0050] The method for emptying a collection container according to the invention may include the following steps: - The first step is the collection of 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 over a waste collection vehicle. - Activation of the opening device 8 for the opening of the lower wall(s) 12 which are not locked. - Closure of the lower wall(s) 12 by the waste collection vehicle, for example as described above. - Repositioning of container 2 in operational position. It is possible to leave the opening selection device in the selection position chosen before emptying, or to place it in another position, for example a standby 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 over 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

[0051] 2: waste collection container 4: overhead terminal 6, 7: waste inlet ports

[0052] 8: Opening device

[0053] 10: Side walls

[0054] 12: Bottom walls

[0055] 14: Separating wall

[0056] 16: Beam

[0057] 18: Tie rods

[0058] 20: Stop

[0059] 21: Selector guide element

[0060] 22: Cylinder

[0061] 24: Fixed collar

[0062] 26: Movable opening element

[0063] 28: First connecting rods

[0064]

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[0068]

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072] 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

Demands

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

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 portion 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 control member (32) comprises at least one electronic control unit configured to move the locking member between at least two initial positions,

5. Collection container (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening control member comprises a selector (34) movable between at least two first positions, a displacement of the selector (34) allowing a displacement of the locking member between at least two first positions.

6. Collection container (2) according to claim 5, wherein the opening selection device (32) is dimensioned so that the selector (34) is against a stop (20) when it occupies a first position.

7. Collection container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, 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).

8. Collection container (2) according to claim 7, wherein the movable locking element may include a hook (42', 42") and the static locking element may include 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.

9. Method of 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), - simultaneous activation of the opening device (8) for the opening of the unlocked lower wall(s) (12).

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