Magnetic cutlery catcher for garbage chutes, garbage chute assembly including the garbage chute

Abstract

------- Magnetic cutlery collector for garbage chute, garbage chute assembly and garbage chute comprising The invention relates to a magnetic cutlery collector (1) for garbage chute, the magnetic cutlery collector (1) comprising a fixing part (2) configured to be fixed to a garbage chute seal and a magnetic cutlery retrieval part (3) rigidly attached to the fixing part (2) such that, in the position of use of the magnetic cutlery collector (1) in a garbage chute with the fixing part (2) fixed to the garbage chute seal, the retrieval part (3) is configured to protrude radially inside the garbage chute in order to insert itself into the waste stream to intercept cutlery by magnetization, characterized in that the magnetic retrieval part (3) is metallic and forms a sealed housing (4) in which at least one magnet (A) is received.Figure to be published: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Magnetic cutlery retriever for garbage chutes, garbage chute assembly and garbage chute comprising

[0001] The invention relates to the field of waste treatment, and more particularly to a magnetic cutlery collector for garbage chutes, intended in particular for garbage chutes in professional kitchens, a garbage chute assembly and a garbage chute comprising it.

[0002] Professional kitchens often incorporate a waste chute into a stainless steel worktop, in the form of a circular hole, usually about 20 centimeters in diameter, into which a garbage bag is inserted and held in place by a flexible plastic waste chute seal. The garbage bag is positioned between the worktop and the waste chute seal, creating a counterweight for the waste that falls during food service.

[0003] Waste can be grouped on the same plate to minimize back-and-forth trips. Cutlery thus ends up mixed with waste, so that when the plate is emptied, the cutlery can fall into the garbage chute, forcing restaurants and institutions to regularly replenish their stocks of cutlery.

[0004] Magnetic waste collectors must allow all types of waste to pass through. Prior art magnetic waste collectors attached to a garbage chute seal comprise a magnetic cutlery retrieval element consisting of an upper plate under which a plastic housing containing a magnet is screwed. The retrieval element is configured to protrude radially inside the garbage chute so as to be inserted into the waste stream and intercept magnetic cutlery by magnetization. The magnetic waste collector is fixed to the central part of the garbage chute seal, i.e., within the waste stream.

[0005] The drawback of this embodiment is that the magnetic cutlery retrieval part is not waterproof, so it needs to be wrapped, for example with cling film, to prevent it from being exposed to moisture that would lead to its degradation. Regular wrapping and unwrapping of the cling film around the magnetic part is therefore necessary. These operations are time-consuming for users and use up cling film. Furthermore, the magnetic retrieval device is attached to the central part of the joint, in such a way that areas are created in which bacteria can lodge.

[0006] The invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art and to ensure a seal, the magnetic retrieval part forming a sealed housing in which at least one magnet is received. The magnetic retrieval part is formed in one piece, so that it is not necessary to screw in a housing containing a magnet. In addition, the magnetic retrieval unit is configured to be fixed to the rear of the central part of the garbage chute seal, which makes the garbage chute assembly more hygienic by avoiding the presence of areas where bacteria can accumulate.

[0007] In the present application, the term "radially" is understood as extending from an edge towards the inside and center of the garbage chute, in particular along a radius towards the inside and bottom of the garbage chute when the latter has a circular opening, it being understood that the radially extending surface is small compared to the opening surface of the garbage chute, so that all types of waste can pass through and reach the bottom of the garbage chute without being retained by the magnetic cutlery collector.

[0008] The object of the invention is a magnetic cutlery retriever for garbage chutes, the magnetic cutlery retriever comprising a fixing part configured to be attached to a garbage chute seal and a magnetic cutlery retrieval part rigidly attached to the fixing part such that, in the position of use of the magnetic cutlery retriever in a garbage chute with the fixing part attached to the garbage chute seal, the retrieval part is configured to protrude radially inside the garbage chute in order to insert itself into the waste stream to intercept cutlery by magnetization, characterized in that the magnetic retrieval part is metallic and forms a sealed housing in which at least one magnet is received.

[0009] Thus, a completely sealed housing is created, not requiring any operation to protect the magnetic part.

[0010] Preferably, at least one magnet occupies the entire sealed housing to maximize the cutlery interception surface area. The invention is not limited in this respect, and the sealed housing may include one or more magnets, occupying all or part of the sealed housing.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the fixing part is a curved plate configured to follow the shape of the garbage chute seal and includes holes, the fixing part being configured to be fixed to the garbage chute seal by screws passing through the holes.

[0012] Advantageously, the fixing part is of sufficient thickness to resist shocks, and thin enough to be twisted by hand, to fit different garbage chute openings and garbage chute joint diameters.

[0013] In particular, when the fixing part is made of stainless steel, it can have a thickness of between 2 and 3 mm.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the recovery part is tubular, comprising a connecting end to the fixing part and a free end, the sealed housing being formed between the connecting end and the free end.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the connecting end is obtained by pressing the tubular recovery part, the pressed connecting end being welded to the fixing part.

[0016] Advantageously, the angle between the connecting part and the fixing part at the connecting end can be adjusted, increased or decreased, by exerting a force at the connecting end, in order to be able to adapt to different garbage chutes.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the fixing part is rigidly connected to the retrieval part by a rod.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the free end is sealed by welding.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the section of the tubular recovery part is one of round, square, rectangular, polygonal.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the collector is made of stainless steel. Advantageously, a food-grade stainless steel of type AISI304 conforming to food standards can be used.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least one magnet is made of neodymium. The sealed housing can receive a single magnet occupying all or part of the sealed housing, or several magnets, joined together or separated by compartments formed in the sealed housing, occupying all or part of the sealed housing.

[0022] According to one embodiment, in the position of use of the collector in a garbage chute, the fixing part is configured to apply over at least one quarter of the length of the garbage chute joint.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the retrieval part forms a non-right angle with the fixing part such that in the position of use of the magnetic cutlery retrieval device in a garbage chute with the fixing part fixed to the garbage chute seal, the retrieval part extends towards the bottom of the garbage chute.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the recovery part is tiltable.

[0025] Another object of the invention relates to a garbage chute assembly comprising a magnetic cutlery retriever as previously defined and a seal garbage chute, the garbage chute seal including holes for fixing the fixing part.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the magnetic collector is fixed to the rear of the central part of the garbage chute seal.

[0027] Consequently, the fixing part is not in the waste stream, which avoids the presence of areas in the center of the garbage chute seal in which bacteria can lodge.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the garbage chute seal is annular.

[0029] In one variant, for large sizes of garbage chute joints, the magnetic collector can also be fixed to the front of the central part of the garbage chute joint, so that the magnetic collector is further forward in the garbage chute to thus increase the magnetization area compared to the case where the magnetic collector would be fixed to the rear of the central part of the garbage chute joint.

[0030] Another object of the invention relates to a garbage chute, characterized in that it comprises a garbage chute seal and a magnetic cutlery collector as previously defined configured to be attached to the garbage chute seal.

[0031] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, particular embodiments will now be described, by way of example and not limitation, in connection with the attached drawings.

[0032] On the drawings:

[0033] [Fig-1] is a schematic side view of the magnetic cutlery retriever according to the invention.

[0034] [Fig.2] is a schematic front view of the magnetic retrieval system covered according to the invention.

[0035] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the garbage chute assembly.

[0036] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of the garbage chute assembly in use.

[0037] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 represent the magnetic cutlery retriever 1 according to the invention.

[0038] The magnetic retrieval device 1 comprises a mounting portion 2 configured to be attached to a garbage chute seal (as described below in conjunction with Figures 3 and 4) and a magnetic cutlery retrieval portion 3 rigidly attached to the mounting portion 2. The magnetic retrieval portion 3 is metallic and forms a sealed housing 4 in which at least one magnet A is received. Preferably, the at least one magnet A is made of neodymium. Although only one magnet A is shown in [Fig. 1], the sealed housing 4 can receive a single magnet A occupying all or part of the sealed housing 4, or several magnets, joined or separated in compartments formed in the sealed housing 4, occupying all or part of the sealed housing 4.

[0039] In the position of use of the magnetic cutlery retriever 1 in a garbage chute, the fixing part 2 is fixed to the garbage chute seal, the retrieval part 3 is configured to protrude radially inside the garbage chute in order to insert itself into the waste stream to intercept cutlery by magnetism.

[0040] Magnet A is integrated into the waste stream and collects stainless steel or other metal cutlery to prevent it from falling into the garbage chute. Inserting magnet A into the sealed housing 4 prevents it from being exposed to moisture and degrading.

[0041] The fixing part 2 is a curved plate configured to follow the shape of the garbage chute seal and comprising holes 5. The fixing part 2 is of sufficient thickness to withstand impacts when cutlery and waste fall onto the magnetic cutlery receptacle 1, and thin enough to be bent by hand to fit different garbage chute openings and garbage chute seal diameters.

[0042] The recovery part 3 is tubular, in particular round, square, rectangular or polygonal, and includes a connecting end 3a to the fixing part 2 and a free end 3b, the sealed housing 4 being formed between the connecting end 3a and the free end 3b.

[0043] In one embodiment, the connecting end 3a is obtained by pressing the tubular recovery part 3, the pressed connecting end 3a being welded to the fixing part 2. In another embodiment, the fixing part 2 is rigidly connected to the recovery part 3 by a rod (not shown).

[0044] The free end 3b is sealed by welding a stainless steel plate.

[0045] The connecting end 3a is configured to tolerate adjustment of the angle between the fixing part 2 and the retrieval part 3 by application of a force, in order to adapt to different configurations and geometries of garbage chutes.

[0046] The collector 1 is made entirely of stainless steel, making it dishwasher safe. In particular, food-grade stainless steel of type AISI304, which meets food standards, can be used. Furthermore, since the magnetic collector 1 has no threaded parts or protrusions, it is more hygienic and easier to clean.

[0047] The collection portion 3 forms an obtuse angle with the fixing portion 2. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the collection portion 3 can be tilted, allowing the passage of the waste stream to be increased or decreased. When some waste is bulky, the passage can be increased by tilting the collection portion 3 downwards, or conversely when the waste is not bulky, The passage can be reduced by tilting the recovery part 3 upwards, thus increasing the contact area with the recovery part 3.

[0048] Fig. 3 represents an exploded view of the garbage chute assembly.

[0049] The fastening part 2 is a curved plate configured to follow the shape of the A garbage chute seal 8 is annular and preferably made of flexible plastic. More precisely, the garbage chute seal 8 is shaped like a half-torus, with the central portion of the half-torus extending into a cylindrical portion 8a designed to be inserted into the garbage chute, while the edges 8b rest on a surface during use. The mounting portion 2 and the garbage chute seal 8 each have holes 5 and 8c, respectively, with the holes 8c for the garbage chute seal 8 being formed in the cylindrical portion 8a. The mounting portion 2 is configured to be attached to the garbage chute seal 8 by a fastening means, in particular by screws 6 passing through the holes and associated with nuts 7, or by rivets. The screws 6 and nuts 7, like the magnetic catcher 1, are also preferably made of food-grade stainless steel.

[0050] In the operating position of the magnetic retrieval unit 1 in a garbage chute, the fixing part 2 applies over at least one quarter of the length of the garbage chute seal 8.

[0051] The magnetic collector 1 is fixed to the rear of the cylindrical part 8a of the garbage chute seal 8, between the cylindrical part 8a and the outer edge 8b of the garbage chute seal 8, allowing the garbage chute assembly to be more hygienic by avoiding the presence of areas in which bacteria can lodge at the level of the part of the garbage chute seal 8 which is in the waste stream.

[0052] In an unrepresented variant, for large garbage chute seal sizes, the magnetic collector 1 can also be fixed to the front of the cylindrical part 8a of the garbage chute seal 8, so that the magnetic collector 1 is further forward in the garbage chute to increase the magnetization area compared to the case where the magnetic collector would be fixed to the rear of the cylindrical part 8a of the garbage chute seal 8.

[0053] Fig. 4 represents a schematic view of the garbage chute assembly in use.

[0054] The waste chute is integrated into a stainless steel worktop 9 at a convenient height, making it more ergonomic for users. The waste chute is characterized by a circular hole 9a in the worktop 9, which may be approximately 20 centimeters in diameter, into which a garbage bag 10 is inserted and held by the waste chute seal 8, preferably made of flexible plastic. This waste chute seal 8 covers the edges of the bag 10, thus creating a counterweight for the waste that falls during the food service.

[0055] The recovery part 3 is configured to protrude radially inside the garbage chute in order to insert itself into the waste stream to intercept cutlery by magnetism.

[0056] The recovery part 3 forms a non-right angle, an obtuse angle as shown in [Fig.4], with the fixing part 2 such that the recovery part 3 extends towards the bottom of the garbage chute.

Claims

Demands

1. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) for garbage chute, the magnetic cutlery retriever (1) comprising a fixing part (2) configured to be fixed to a garbage chute seal (8) and a magnetic cutlery retrieval part (3) rigidly attached to the fixing part (2) such that, in the position of use of the magnetic cutlery retriever (1) in a garbage chute with the fixing part (2) fixed to the garbage chute seal (8), the retrieval part (3) is configured to protrude radially inside the garbage chute in order to insert into the waste stream to intercept cutlery by magnetization, characterized in that the magnetic retrieval part (3) is metallic and forms a sealed housing (4) in which at least one magnet (A) is received.

2. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing part (2) is a curved plate configured to follow the shape of the garbage chute seal (8) and includes holes (5), the fixing part (2) being configured to be fixed to the garbage chute seal (8) by screws (6) passing through the holes (5).

3. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the retrieval part (3) is tubular, comprising a connecting end (3a) to the fixing part (2) and a free end (3b), the sealed housing (4) being formed between the connecting end (3a) and the free end (3b).

4. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting end (3a) is obtained by pressing the tubular retrieval part (3), the pressed connecting end (3a) being welded to the fixing part (2).

5. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing part (2) is rigidly connected to the retrieval part (3) by a rod.

6. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the free end (3b) is sealed by welding.

7. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the cross-section of the tubular retrieval part (3) is one of round, square, rectangular, polygonal.

8. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the retriever (1) is made of stainless steel.

9. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one magnet (A) is made of neodymium.

10. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, in the position of use of the retriever in a garbage chute, the fixing part (2) is configured to apply over at least one quarter of the length of the garbage chute seal (8).

11. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the retrieval part (3) forms a non-right angle with the fixing part (2) such that in the position of use of the magnetic cutlery retriever (1) in a garbage chute with the fixing part (2) fixed to the garbage chute seal (8), the retrieval part (3) extends towards the bottom of the garbage chute.

12. - Magnetic cutlery retriever (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the retrieval part (3) is tiltable.

13. - Garbage chute assembly comprising a magnetic cutlery collector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a garbage chute seal (8), the garbage chute seal (8) comprising holes for the attachment of the attachment part (2).

14. - Garbage chute assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the magnetic collector (1) is fixed to the rear of the central part of the garbage chute joint (8).

15. - Garbage chute assembly according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the garbage chute seal (8) is annular.

16. - Garbage chute, characterized in that it comprises a garbage chute seal (8) and a magnetic cutlery collector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 configured to be fixed to the garbage chute joint (8).

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