Device for filling a tubular bag with waste, which is wound around a conduit fixed to a removable plate

Abstract

Title: Device for filling a tubular bag wound around a conduit fixed to a removable plate with waste. The invention relates to a bagging device (1) for materials in a tubular bag (10) comprising a movable, substantially flat lower plate (6) having a hole in its center, said hole extending upwards by a conduit (8) around which said bag is wound, the free end of the bag emerging at the top of the conduit and then entering the inside of said conduit, characterized in that the device also has a substantially flat upper plate (9) the underside of which comes into contact with the upper edge of the conduit (8) and a mechanical connecting means (12) for joining the edges of the upper plate (9) and the lower plate (6), the closure of the mechanical connecting means pinching a circumference of the bag (10) between the upper plate (9) and the upper edge of the conduit (8). Abbreviated figure: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for filling a tubular bag wrapped around a conduit fixed to a removable plate with waste. 1. SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of compacting and packaging materials in plastic bags. More particularly, the invention relates to bagging waste produced by a wastewater treatment plant after a compaction step. 2. Technological Background

[0002] The field of the invention relates to bagging waste in a way that makes it easier to transport. It is known that bins are rigid containers into which the user inserts a plastic bag shaped like a tube. When the bag is full, the user ties it closed and disposes of it in a larger container for environmentally sound treatment. The plastic bag acts as a protective barrier, preventing the inside of the bin from becoming soiled. It is closed at one end, and its opening at the other end is folded back over the rim of the bin, thus preventing waste from getting trapped between it and the inner wall. Once placed in the bin, the bag is kept open to avoid handling that could bring the hands into contact with the waste. To prevent unpleasant odors, the bin is generally equipped with a lid that is operated by pressing a foot pedal.The lid can be motorized, and an optical or infrared sensor detects the approach of a hand or object to trigger the opening.

[0003] A wastewater treatment plant filters sludge and other semi-solid materials and conveys them to a compactor. Generally, compaction takes place in a slightly inclined cylinder in which an Archimedes screw rotates. Water extracted from the materials under pressure flows down the slope of the cylinder, and the relatively dry materials emerge at the top in the form of compact clumps. These clumps will be treated elsewhere, which requires transport; therefore, they are bagged at the compactor's outlet.

[0004] Nowadays, long tubular bags are used, which are cut to the correct size. The tube is then sealed at both ends to form a container. The simplest way to seal one end is to tie the tube, but there are also bagging machines with a heat bar that heats the plastic along an entire section, thus sealing the ends. The plastic tube is positioned above a plate extending in the center with a cylindrical conduit. The tubular bag is wound around the base. To position it for filling, an operator unrolls the bag downwards to a predetermined length, passing it around the base. The end of the bag is then knotted or heat-sealed to form a bottom. The waste passes through the container's chute and falls to the bottom of the bag. To keep the bag unrolled at its predetermined length, it can be secured with an elastic band.

[0005] The tubular bag is generally inserted into a cylindrical container whose internal diameter is slightly larger than that of the bag. This container is not fixed to the bagging machine; there is a relatively large gap between the top of the container and the bottom element of the bagging machine. Whether the bag is empty or being filled, if the bagging machine is outdoors, a strong wind can exert a horizontal force on the bag's wall, and the part wound in the roller can be blown away. In extreme cases, the wind pushes the bag away from the bagging machine, causing it to unwind and eventually come completely out. An unwound bag cannot be repositioned in a bagging machine, and operators generally refrain from doing so, which is a waste of plastic and an environmental hazard if the bag blows away.Furthermore, this method of unrolling the bag means that water can accumulate on top of the bag and fall back onto an operator when they unroll the bag to the correct length.

[0006] A first solution to the disadvantages listed above is to place the compactor and the bagger in a sheltered location, but this requires building a room, which is expensive and, if it is closed, it can spread unpleasant odors due to the presence of waste.

[0007] There is therefore a real need for equipment which keeps the bag in a position where, despite the wind, it does not risk unfurling and coming completely out of its annular gutter.

[0008] 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention therefore aims, while avoiding these drawbacks, to provide a bagger that can be placed outdoors, which unwinds tubular plastic bags and which has equipment preventing the bag from flying away and unwinding under the effect of the wind.

[0010] 4. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a device for bagging materials in a tubular bag comprising a substantially flat, movable lower plate having a hole in its middle, said hole extending upwards by a conduit around which said bag is wound, the free end of the bag emerging at the top of the conduit to then enter said conduit, characterized in that the device also has a substantially flat upper plate, the face of which is below comes into contact with the upper edge of the conduit and a mechanical linking means to secure the edges of the upper plate and the lower plate, the closure of the mechanical linking means pinching a circumference of the bag between the upper plate and the upper edge of the conduit.

[0012] In this way, the upper opening of the flexible plastic tubular bag is firmly pinched between hard surfaces, thus preventing the part of the bag that remains rolled up in the upper plate from unrolling unintentionally due to the wind.

[0013] According to a first embodiment, the rim of the conduit at the top includes a flexible protective material that comes into contact with the underside of the upper plate when said plates are joined together. In this way, the flexible plastic bag is not damaged by the pinching exerted by the conduit and the upper plate.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the lower end of a vertical flap on the upper plate and the upper end of a vertical flap on the lower plate are rotationally hinged by a removable hinge, allowing the two plates to be completely separated. This facilitates opening the bagging machine to unroll a new portion or inserting a new rolled bag.

[0015] According to another embodiment, said conduit is cylindrical in shape. In this way, the conduit closely follows the shape of the bag, and this shape facilitates the fall of the waste.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the mechanical linking means securing the edges of the upper plate and the lower plate includes at least one toggle latch. In this way, the operator can easily loosen the bagging mechanism to unwind a new portion of the bag.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the mechanical linking means securing the edges of the upper plate and the lower plate comprises at least one mechanical toggle.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the mechanical fastening means comprises at least one system of screws and nuts. In this way, the fastening means is particularly simple and inexpensive to install.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the outer edge of the lower plate has at least one straight segment extending upwards to support part of the mechanical linkage, the other part being fixed opposite it on the upper plate. In this way, the mounting of the fastening means is facilitated.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the outer edge of the lower plate has a plurality of flat flaps extending upwards, for example, eight in number. In this way, the folded bag is held securely in its compartment.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the lower plate having a conduit and external edges forming straight segments is manufactured in one piece by stamping, and in that the two plates are made of stainless steel, 304L or 316L, having a thickness of 2 or 3 millimeters.

[0022] 5. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] - [Fig. 1]: [Fig. 1] shows a profile view of a closed bagging machine in use, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0025] - [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] shows a profile view of the bagger in the open position according to the same example of an implementation of the invention,

[0026] - [Fig. 3]: [Fig. 3] presents in 3D perspective the bagging machine with its two plates in closed position and not equipped with its bag

[0027] - [Fig. 4]: [Fig. 4] shows in 3D perspective a bagging machine fixed below the outlet of a compactor,

[0028] - [Fig. 5]: [Fig. 5] shows a cross-sectional view of the bagging machine equipped with a toggle latch and in the closed position.

[0029] - [Fig. 6]: [Fig. 6] shows a diagram of a side view of the same bagging machine, the The perimeter of the plates is octagonal in shape.

[0030] - [Fig. 7]: [Fig. 7] shows a dimensioned drawing of a sheet of metal before the folding, to make the top plate,

[0031] - [Fig.8]: [Fig.8] shows a dimensioned drawing of a sheet metal cutting before the folding, to make the lower plate.

[0032] 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0033] 6.1 General Principle

[0034] The invention relates to a device for bagging materials in a bag comprising a movable lower plate having a hole in its center, said hole extending upwards into a conduit around which said bag is wound, the free end of the bag emerging at the top of the conduit and then entering the conduit. The device also has a substantially flat upper plate, the underside of which contacts the upper edge of the conduit, and a mechanical means for joining the edges of the upper plate and the lower plate. Closing the mechanical means pinches a circumference of the bag between the upper plate and the upper edge of the conduit.

[0035] 6.2. Preferred embodiment

[0036] Figure 1 shows a side view of a closed bagging machine in use, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The bagging machine 1 is positioned so preferred under a compactor 2. The latter consists of a cylinder in which an Archimedes screw rotates, pushing materials 3, for example waste from a wastewater treatment plant, towards an outlet 4, compacting them. The waste falls by gravity into the inlet of the bagging machine and ends up in a section 5 of a flexible tubular plastic bag.

[0037] The bagging machine 1 comprises a movable, flat lower plate 6 having a hole 7 in its center, said hole extending upwards by a conduit 8, preferably cylindrical in shape. According to one embodiment, the conduit is made using a plurality of flat metal panels welded to the lower plate, forming a right prism having, for example, eight sides. Welding flat panels to create a prismatic shape is more easily achievable. In all cases, the outer circumference of the conduit, whether circular or polygonal, is less than the diameter of the flexible tubular plastic bag. The bagging machine also comprises an upper plate 9 fixed to a frame (not shown), also flat and having a hole in its center, which is positioned above the hole 7 and the conduit 8 of the lower plate.It is therefore understood that the waste 4 which falls from the outlet 3 of the compactor successively passes through the hole in the upper plate, the conduit and then the hole in the lower plate 6 to come into the bag 5. .

[0038] The upper part of the conduit 8 comes into contact with the underside of the upper plate 9. The circumferences of the two ends of the conduit 8 are parallel so that the two plates are also parallel. The two plates 6, 9, and the conduit 8 form an annular trough in which the rolled tubular plastic bag 10 is positioned. Said bag 10 unwinds from the top, passes over the upper circumference of the conduit 8, and descends inside the conduit, emerging below the bagging device. It becomes a portion of a bag 5 once tied to close it at the bottom. Advantageously, the upper circumference of the conduit 8 has a protective 11 made of flexible material that prevents damage to the bag while ensuring a non-slip grip.

[0039] The joining of the two plates will now be explained by a first embodiment and some variations. According to a first embodiment, the joining is achieved by means of toggle-type latches 12. These latches are positioned on the upper part of flat, vertical flaps 13, preferably formed by cutting and folding at right angles the flat sheet metal of the lower plate 6. This embodiment does not preclude welding the vertical flaps 13 to the perimeter of the lower plate. The perimeters of the two plates are polygonal in shape, which allows the flaps to be folded at right angles. The polygonal shape being an example, it is not impossible for the perimeters to be circular. The movable part of the toggle has a rectangular arch that grips a hook 14. itself fixed to a flap 15 attached to the upper plate. The flaps 15 are advantageously manufactured by cutting and bending at right angles the flat sheet metal of the upper plate 9; we will see cutting plans for the plates later. The toggle latch is preferably fixed by welding, and alternatively with a screw and nut system. The perimeter of the lower plate of the prototype is octagonal; every other side has connecting elements, in this case: 4. These connecting elements between the two plates are positioned on the four arms of a right-angled cross whose center is that of the axis of the conduit 8. Three connecting elements are toggle latches, and the fourth is a removable hinge element 16. The perimeter of the lower plate 6 and upper plate 9 has a polygonal shape, for example, a pentagon, a hexagon, a decagon, etc.These figures vary the number of flaps 13 and therefore the number of mechanical means of connection between the two plates 6 and 9. For example, with a hexagon, it is possible to use three means of connection: two toggle latches for the securing of the two plates, in addition to the removable hinge 16.

[0040] As an alternative to the toggle latch, a mechanical toggle latch can be used. The bracket is then replaced by a set screw that slides into a groove machined into a base. This type of fastening is particularly easy to release into the open position. Regardless of the type of fastening, the movable part supporting the handle can be attached to either a flap on the lower or upper plate.

[0041] This removable hinge allows a new bag to be inserted when the bagger is empty, and also allows the lower plate 6 to be removed for cleaning, for example. The hinge 16 is advantageously made using a horizontal rod spaced approximately one centimeter away from a vertical flap 17. The rod, approximately 10 centimeters long, is fixed in its middle, and its ends protrude 4 centimeters on each side. Two hooks spaced at least 4 centimeters apart are mounted on a vertical flap, which is itself fixed to the perimeter of the lower plate. The two hooks grip the rod, thus allowing rotation. To remove the lower plate, it is simply rotated a few tens of degrees and the axle is detached from the upper plate.

[0042] In addition to the vertical flaps 13, the perimeter of the lower plate 6 includes vertical edges 18 preferably formed by cutting and folding the flat sheet metal at right angles. These vertical edges help to contain the mass constituted by the rolled tubular plastic bag 10.

[0043] According to a first embodiment, the two plates are made of stainless steel, 304L or 316L, with a thickness of 2 or 3 millimeters. This is given only as an example; if the bagging machine is larger, the thickness can be increased for greater rigidity.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a side view of the bagging machine in the open position according to the same embodiment of the invention. In this position, the vertical flap 17 of the upper plate is perpendicular to the vertical flap 13 of the lower plate, the planes of the two plates 6 and 9 intersecting at right angles. Simply detaching the axle of the upper plate allows the lower plate to be removed. After cleaning, simply replace the lower plate at the same angle on the hook, then rotate it to hook the two plates together.

[0045] This position allows the operator to reload a tubular bag into the annular groove of the lower plate. To perform this operation, the operator places the tubular bag around the conduit 8 and pushes it, compressing it slightly, towards the top plate of the lower plate. The operator then unrolls the bag slightly for one or two meters to insert it into the hole at the top of the conduit 8. Next, the operator reaches into the conduit from below and pulls the unrolled end of the bag out to a sufficient length to create a portion of the bag. The operator then raises the lower plate to its maximum height and engages the hoops in the hooks attached to the flaps 15 of the upper plate. At this point, the bag is not yet pinched between the conduit and the upper plate, and the operator can pull the end of the bag to the correct length.Once this operation is completed, the operator locks the latches and the entire circumference of the bag is then pinched, thus preventing it from unfurling in the wind, while still allowing it to receive waste.

[0046] During reloading, the operator slides the empty bag into a container whose shape matches that of the bag. In this way, the bag is better held and is less likely to break.

[0047] According to another embodiment, the toggle latches are replaced by a screw and nut system. The end of the flap 17 is bent at a right angle and pierced with a hole for the screw. In the closed position, the screw passes through a second hole in the right-angled end of the flap 13 of the lower plate. This type of upright is particularly simple and allows for fine adjustment of the gap between the two plates; the operator loosens the nuts until the tubular bag slides and can unroll. Advantageously, the nuts are of the eyelet type.

[0048] Figure 3 shows a 3D perspective of the bagging machine 1 with its two plates in the closed position and without its bag. In this view, the mounting brackets 20 of the upper plate, which allow the bagging machine to be fixed to a frame, can be seen. The annular gutter formed by the lower plate 6, the upper plate 9, and the conduit 8 is clearly visible.

[0049] When the bag is full of waste, the operator opens the latches without detaching the hoop from the hooks, which has the effect of separating some The two plates, 6 and 9, are spaced several centimeters apart. Due to this spacing, the upper plate and the conduit no longer pinch the tubular bag, allowing the operator to pull it through the conduit to a predetermined length. The operator then cuts the bag with a sharp object and ties the end of the waste-containing section. The sealed bag is then removed from its housing. The other end of the bag, wrapped around the plate, is also tied to form the base of the next bag. The operator pulls the tubular bag again so that the knot reaches the bottom of the housing where it rests. Finally, the operator refastens the latches, which tightens the bag between the plates, maintaining it at this predetermined length and preventing it from unwinding in the wind.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a 3D perspective view of a bagger 1 fixed below the outlet of a compactor 2. The mounting brackets 20 of the upper plate secure the bagger 1 to the compactor 2 at three points. The compactor is inclined; the Archimedes screw pushes the waste upwards, compacting it. The waste is expelled through the outlet and falls directly vertically into the bagger's chute. The outlet 4 has a small opening, a few centimeters long, that extends into the bagger's chute. These mechanical features ensure that the bag receives only the waste coming from the compactor, and that rain does not enter the bag.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the bagging machine with a toggle latch in the closed position. The bagging machine's mounting tabs 20 are positioned at right angles on top of the upper plate. The wall of the conduit 8 is clearly visible.

[0052] Figure 6 shows a diagram of a side view of a bagging machine with octagonal plates. The flaps 13 and 18 are folded at right angles to the lower plate, but not completely flush, leaving a gap 21 between the sides to allow rainwater to drain. The diagram shows two of the three latches 12 and the hinge 16.

[0053] As previously stated, the plates are manufactured by cutting and bending, thus avoiding welding, which would be more costly. Figure 7 shows the cutting diagram of a sheet of metal before bending, to manufacture the upper plate 9. The dimensions indicated in the figure are expressed in millimeters; the folding of the flaps 17 and the fixing tabs 20 is then carried out at a right angle.

[0054] Fig. 8 shows the cutting diagram of a sheet of metal before folding, to manufacture the lower plate 6. The dimensions shown in the figure are expressed in millimeters, the folding of the flaps 13 and 18 is then carried out at a right angle.

[0055] In the foregoing, the items placed in the bags by the bagger that is the subject of this application are waste. This is just one example; any Materials, whether pre-compacted or not, can be introduced into the flexible tubular bag.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments shown, it is not limited by these embodiments illustrated in the figures, but only by the appended claims. It should be noted that changes or modifications to the description and drawings may be made by those skilled in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. Bagging device (1) for materials in a tubular bag (10) comprising a movable, substantially flat lower plate (6) having a hole in its middle, said hole extending upwards by a conduit (8) around which said bag is wound, the free end of the bag emerging at the top of the conduit to then enter the inside of said conduit, characterized in that the device also has a substantially flat upper plate (9) the underside of which comes into contact with the upper edge of the conduit (8) and a mechanical linking means (12) for joining the edges of the upper plate (9) and the lower plate (6), the closure of the mechanical linking means pinching a circumference of the bag (10) between the upper plate (9) and the upper edge of the conduit (8).

2. Material bagging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the perimeter of the conduit (8) in the upper part comprises a protection (11) of flexible material which comes into contact with the underside of the upper plate (9) when said plates are joined together.

3. Material bagging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower end of a vertical flap (17) of the upper plate and the upper end of a vertical flap (13) of the lower plate are articulated in rotation by a removable hinge (16), allowing complete separation of the two plates.

4. Material bagging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said conduit is cylindrical in shape.

5. Material bagging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical linking means securing the edges of the upper plate and the lower plate comprises at least one toggle (12).

6. Material bagging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mechanical linking means securing the edges of the upper plate and the lower plate comprises at least one mechanical toggle.

7. Material bagging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mechanical connection means comprises at least one system of screws and nuts.

8. Material bagging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer edge of the lower plate (6) has at least one vertical flap (13) which extends upwards to support a part of the mechanical linking means (12), the other part being fixed opposite it on the upper plate.

9. Material bagging device according to claim 8, characterized in that the outer edge of the lower plate (6) has a plurality of vertical edges (18) extending upwards, for example eight in number.

10. Material bagging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower plate having a conduit and external edges forming straight segments is made in one piece by stamping, and in that the two plates are made of stainless steel, 304L or 316L, having a thickness of 2 or 3 millimeters.

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