Sealing device for odor-generating waste

Abstract

The present invention provides a sealing device for odorous waste that can reduce the impact on the surrounding environment of odors released from waste during or immediately before sealing. [Solution] The sealing device for odorous waste comprises a sheet supply mechanism 10, an introduction section 20, a crimping mechanism 30, a cutting mechanism 40, and a deodorizing means 50. The sheet supply mechanism 10 supplies a pair of elongated sealing sheets S for sealing waste W in an overlapping manner. The introduction section 20 introduces waste W between the pair of elongated sealing sheets S. The crimping mechanism 30 crimps the pair of elongated sealing sheets S, which are overlapped with the waste W in between, to seal the waste W. The cutting mechanism 40 cuts the pair of elongated sealing sheets S, separating the sealed body W1, in which the waste W is sealed by the pair of elongated sealing sheets S, from the pair of elongated sealing sheets S. The deodorizing means 50 deodorizes the odor emitted from the waste.

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] <00000 = 04>The present invention relates to a sealing device for odorous waste, and more particularly to a sealing device for odorous waste that seals odorous waste such as used diapers, food waste, used sanitary products, medical waste, etc.

Background Art

[0002] As a sealing device for sealing odorous waste such as used diapers, food waste, used sanitary products, medical waste, etc., Patent Document 1 describes a sealing device for odorous waste that seals waste by sandwiching it between a pair of films. In the sealing device described in Patent Document 1, the waste sandwiched between the pair of films is compressed by a pair of rollers, and the film surfaces around the waste are crimped, thereby sealing the waste.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the sealing device described in Patent Document 1, for example, when an operation is performed to seal waste at a predetermined time, the odor emitted from the waste before it is sealed may be trapped indoors if ventilation is not good. Also, when the waste is sealed, since the waste is compressed, it is conceivable that the odor extruded from the waste may flow, for example, towards the user's face.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a sealing device for odorous waste that can reduce the impact on the surroundings of the odor emitted from the waste when sealing the waste or immediately before sealing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sealing device for odorous waste disclosed herein comprises a sheet supply mechanism (10), an introduction section (20), a crimping mechanism (30), a cutting mechanism (40), and a deodorizing means (50). The sheet supply mechanism (10) supplies a pair of elongated sealing sheets (S) for sealing waste (W) in a superimposed manner. The introduction section (20) introduces the waste (W) between the pair of elongated sealing sheets (S). The crimping mechanism (30) crimps the pair of elongated sealing sheets (S) that are overlapped with the waste (W) in between, thereby sealing the waste (W). The cutting mechanism (40) cuts the pair of elongated sealing sheets (S) and separates the sealing body (W1) in which the waste (W) is sealed by the pair of elongated sealing sheets (S) from the pair of elongated sealing sheets (S). The deodorizing means (50) deodorizes the odor emitted from the waste (W).

[0007] In the waste sealing device disclosed herein, the deodorizing means (50) has an air intake port (51A) provided in the introduction section (20).

[0008] Furthermore, in the waste sealing device disclosed herein, the deodorizing means (50) has an air outlet (55) and an air intake (51B) positioned closer to the floor than the air outlet (55). The air outlet (55) discharges deodorized air. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The odor-causing waste sealing device of the present invention can reduce the impact on the surroundings of odors released from the waste when the waste is sealed or immediately before it is sealed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view showing an odor-causing waste sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is an internal perspective view from a predetermined direction showing the internal structure of the sealing device. [Figure 3] This is an internal perspective view from another predetermined direction showing the internal structure of the sealing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the sealing device shown in Figure 1 with the lid of the casing open. [Figure 6] This is a magnified view of the lid as seen from the outside. [Figure 7] This is a magnified view of the lid as seen from the inside. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the crimping roller according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing the basic operation of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view showing a cutting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is an exploded perspective view showing a deodorizing unit that constitutes a deodorizing means according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 13] This is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the deodorizing means of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is an external perspective view showing a sealing device for odor-producing waste according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is an exploded perspective view showing a deodorizing means of another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, a waste sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred examples for carrying out the present invention and therefore have various technical limitations. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless specifically stated in the following description to limit the invention.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a sealing device for odorous waste according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the sealing device for odorous waste according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view from a predetermined direction showing the internal structure of the sealing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an internal perspective view from another predetermined direction showing the internal structure of the waste sealing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the waste sealing device according to the embodiment is a sealing device for sealing various odorous wastes such as used diapers, food waste, used sanitary products, medical wastes, etc., and includes a housing 1, a sheet supply mechanism 10, an introduction part 20, a crimping mechanism 30, a cutting mechanism 40, and a deodorizing means 50. Further, the sealing device of the embodiment includes an upper waste passage sensor 5, a lower waste passage sensor 6, a winding prevention sensor 7, a roller drive motor 8, a drive gear 8a, and a battery (not shown), which will be described in detail later.

[0014] The housing 1 has a handle 1a for movement, an openable and closable lid 2, an operation panel 3 on the upper surface, and is movably supported by support legs 4 having casters 4a at the lower ends. The operation panel 3 has various buttons such as a power button, a sealing start button, and an emergency stop button, and receives button operations for operating the waste sealing device. The deodorizing means 50 basically starts operating automatically when sealing the waste W, but the operation panel 3 may be provided with a start button and a stop button for instructing the start and stop of the deodorizing means 50 independently of the sealing of the waste.

[0015] The sheet supply mechanism 10 is arranged above the crimping mechanism 30 and supplies a pair of long sealing sheets S for sealing the waste W in a superposable manner. In the embodiment, the sheet supply mechanism 10 has two winding cores around which the long sealing sheet S is wound in a cylindrical shape so that the long sealing sheet S can be unwound. By rotating each winding core, the pair of long sealing sheets S are supplied in a facing state.

[0016] As the long sealing sheet S, it is possible to use one that comprises a covering substrate and an adhesive layer (tack layer) formed on the covering substrate, and that has gas barrier properties due to the covering substrate and the adhesive layer, so that waste W is wrapped in the covering substrate and sealed by the adhesive layer. As the covering substrate, it is preferable to use a substrate that transmits infrared rays, visible light, etc., used in various sensors, such as plastic films and plastic sheets.

[0017] The gas barrier properties of the encasing substrate and adhesive layer can be achieved by the encasing substrate itself having gas barrier properties, by the adhesive layer having gas barrier properties, or by the synergistic effect of the encasing substrate and adhesive layer. Furthermore, the adhesive layer can be an adhesive layer that feels slightly sticky at room temperature. The long encapsulating sheet S is made by laminating an adhesive layer made of polyester polyurethane resin onto one side of an encasing substrate made of unstretched polypropylene (CPP) film, and can be wound into a roll and unwound.

[0018] Next, the basic structure of the introduction section 20 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the casing of the sealing device in Figure 1 with the lid open. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the lid as seen from the outside. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of the lid as seen from the inside. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 7.

[0019] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the introduction section 20 functions as an inlet for introducing waste W into the crimping mechanism 30, introducing the waste W between a pair of long sealing sheets S. In this embodiment, the introduction section 20 includes a cylindrical guide 21 positioned vertically directly above the crimping mechanism 30. The upper end opening 21a of the cylindrical guide 21 has a larger area than the lower end opening 21b, making it easier to introduce the waste W.

[0020] Furthermore, the cylindrical guide 21 has multiple air intake ports 51A formed therein for drawing in air that has been deodorized by the deodorizing means 50, and also has a pair of sensor holes 23 for the upper waste passage sensor 5.

[0021] Next, the crimping mechanism 30 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, as well as Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is an external perspective view of the crimping roller of the embodiment. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic operation of the sealing device of the embodiment.

[0022] The crimping mechanism 30 crimps a pair of long sealing sheets S that are overlapping with the waste W in between, thereby sealing the waste W. The crimping mechanism 30 of this embodiment includes a pair of crimping rollers.

[0023] The crimping roller, which serves as the crimping mechanism 30 shown in Figure 9, is made of urethane sponge and has a small-diameter elastic compression section 32 that rotates around a rotation axis 31, large-diameter sealing sections 33 disposed at both axial ends of the elastic compression section 32, and a gear 34 disposed on one end face. The gears 34 of the pair of crimping rollers are meshed with each other, and the pair of crimping rollers rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0024] The sealing portion 33 of the pressure roller may be a hard polymer material such as metal or resin that can be subjected to various surface treatments, or an elastic polymer material such as butadiene rubber or silicone rubber. The elastic compression portion 32 may also be an elastic polymer material such as butadiene rubber or silicone rubber. With this configuration, both ends of the long sealing sheet S are securely sealed by the sealing portion 33 of the pressure roller, and the opposing ends of the long sealing sheet S are also bonded together by contact with the elastic compression portion 32.

[0025] Furthermore, by making the elastic compression section 32 from an elastic material, even if the waste W gets slightly caught in this section, it can deform and tolerate it, eliminating the need to emergency stop the device as would be the case if the elastic compression section 32 were made of metal. In addition, since the long sealing sheet S is sealed by the sealing sections 33 at both ends, which have a diameter larger than the elastic compression section 32, the waste W does not spill out to the outside, and airtightness at both ends is ensured. Moreover, if the structure is designed without the elastic compression section 32, the device can be operated even if multiple waste W are supplied intermittently or over a long length.

[0026] One gear 34 of the pair of crimping rollers is meshed with the drive gear 8a of the roller drive motor 8 shown in Figure 10, and when one of the pair of crimping rollers is rotationally driven by the roller drive motor 8, both of the pair of crimping rollers are rotationally driven.

[0027] In order to enable automatic crimping by the crimping mechanism 30, the upper waste passage sensor 5 described above can be provided at an appropriate position between the crimping mechanism 30 and the introduction section 20, and the lower waste passage sensor 6 can be provided at an appropriate position below the crimping mechanism 30. Furthermore, in order to prevent the sealing body W1 from getting caught in the crimping mechanism 30, an anti-entanglement sensor 7 can be provided at an appropriate position below the crimping mechanism 30.

[0028] Retroreflective photoelectric sensors can be used as the upper waste passage sensor 5 and the lower waste passage sensor 6. This retroreflective photoelectric sensor consists of a device having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit integrated together, and a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the device, used as a pair at opposing positions. Alternatively, small amplifier-integrated retroreflective photoelectric sensors can be used as sensors 5 and 6.

[0029] Then, when the upper waste passage sensor 5 detects the introduced waste W, the crimping mechanism 30 starts operating. Furthermore, if a lower waste passage sensor 6 is provided, when the lower waste passage sensor 6 detects the long sealing sheet S, it operates the crimping mechanism 30 to feed the long sealing sheet S for a predetermined length, and then stops the crimping mechanism 30.

[0030] If the lower waste passage sensor 6 is not provided and only the upper waste passage sensor 5 is provided, when the upper waste passage sensor 5 detects waste W, the crimping mechanism 30 is activated, and when the long sealing sheet S has been fed for a predetermined length, the crimping mechanism 30 is stopped if the upper waste passage sensor 5 no longer detects waste W.

[0031] If an anti-entanglement sensor 7 is provided, the operation of the crimping mechanism 30 will stop when the anti-entanglement sensor 7 detects a long sealing sheet S or sealed waste W. Furthermore, when the anti-entanglement sensor 7 detects sealed waste W, it may be linked to a mechanism that notifies the outside, such as a warning sound or warning light.

[0032] Next, the cutting mechanism 40 will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the cutting mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The cutting mechanism 40 cuts a pair of long sealing sheets S, separating the sealing body W1, in which the waste W is sealed by the pair of long sealing sheets S, from the pair of long sealing sheets S. The cutting mechanism 40 of this embodiment comprises a pair of bonding gears 41 that serve as support during cutting, an electric motor 42, a cutting blade 43, and an interlocking gear 44. The pair of bonding gears 41, the electric motor 42, the cutting blade 43, and the interlocking gear 44 are supported by a support frame so as to be movable as a whole.

[0034] A pair of bonding gears 41 are rotated by an electric motor 42 via an interlocking gear 44 to clamp the compressed sealing sheet S. In this state, the cutting blade 43 moves in the cutting direction, separating the sealing body W1 from the pair of long sealing sheets S. With this configuration, since the sealing sheet S is clamped and stretched between the bonding gears 41, the cutting blade 43 can reliably cut from the edge of the compressed sealing sheet S, thereby reducing the time required for cutting.

[0035] Next, the deodorizing means will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a deodorizing unit constituting the deodorizing means of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the deodorizing means of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The deodorizing means 50 deodorizes the odor emitted from the waste W. The deodorizing means 50 in this embodiment is a photocatalytic sterilization and deodorization machine, and its basic deodorizing principle is to irradiate a photocatalyst 50a, which has titanium dioxide (TiO2) as its main component, with light from an LED 50b to generate reactive oxygen species, and deodorize odor-causing substances by bringing them into contact with the reactive oxygen species, thereby breaking them down into water and carbon dioxide.

[0037] As shown in Figure 12, in the deodorizing unit 51 that constitutes the deodorizing means 50, the carrier supporting the photocatalyst 50a is housed in a metal inner box 50c. One side of the inner box 50c is closed by an inner box lid 50d to which an LED 50b is attached. The inner box 50c also houses an inner box frame 50e and a spacer 50f, and air circulation holes 50g for guiding outside air to the photocatalyst 50a are formed in the opposing side walls.

[0038] As shown in Figure 13, in this embodiment, two deodorizing units 51 are housed in an outer box 52, and one side of the outer box 52 is closed by an outer box lid 53. An air inlet 52a is formed on the bottom surface of the outer box 52 so as to face one of the air circulation holes 50g of each deodorizing unit 51, and a blower fan 54 is positioned at the top opening of the outer box 52 so as to face the other air circulation hole 50g of each deodorizing unit 51. The blower fan 54 blows air through an air outlet 55, supplying outside air to the photocatalyst 50a of each deodorizing unit 51.

[0039] Furthermore, the deodorizing means 50 shown in Figure 13 is installed inside the housing 1, inverted as shown in Figure 1, with multiple ducts 57 connected to the air inlet 52a. When installed inside the housing 1, the ventilation means 56 and air intake port 51B shown in Figure 13 are removed.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, a ventilation space 2c is formed between the outer side plate 2a and the inner side plate 2b of the lid 2, and the duct 57 is inserted into an air collection opening 2e formed in the inner side plate 2b of the lid 2. The air collection opening 2e is an opening for connecting the ventilation space 2c to the outside, and the duct 57 connects the air inlet hole 52a to the ventilation space 2c. A packing 2f is also provided along the edge of the air collection opening 2e.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the inner side plate 2b has an elliptical guide insertion hole 2b1 through which a cylindrical guide 21 is inserted. Along the guide insertion hole 2b1, as shown in Figure 8, the inner side plate 2b is bent so as to stand upright toward the outer side plate 2a, forming an upright wall 2d.

[0042] Multiple pipe insertion holes 2d1 are formed in the upright wall 2d, and a pipe 22 is inserted through each of the multiple pipe insertion holes 2d1. One end opening of the pipe 22 is connected to an air intake port 51A formed in the cylindrical guide 21, and the other end opening of the pipe 22 opens toward the ventilation space 2c, so that the air intake port 51A and the ventilation space 2c are in communication via the pipe 22.

[0043] As described above with reference to the drawings, according to the embodiment of the sealing device for odorous waste, the sheet supply mechanism 10 supplies a pair of long sealing sheets S in an overlapping manner, the cylindrical guide 21 as an introduction section 20 introduces odorous waste W between the pair of long sealing sheets S, the crimping roller as a crimping mechanism 30 seals the waste W by crimping the pair of long sealing sheets S that are overlapped with the waste W in between, and the deodorizing means 50 deodorizes the odor emitted from the waste W. The air intake port 51A of the deodorizing means 50 is opened into the cylindrical guide 21 as an introduction section 20.

[0044] Therefore, when the waste W is compressed by a pressure roller and sealed between a pair of long sealing sheets S, the air pushed out from the waste W is drawn in through the air intake port 51A provided in the introduction section 20 and deodorized by the deodorizing means 50, thereby reducing the impact on the surroundings of odors released from the waste W when it is sealed or just before it is sealed.

[0045] In particular, the crimping roller, which serves as the crimping mechanism 30, is housed inside the housing 1, and the air pushed out from the waste W when the waste W is compressed by the crimping roller is released toward the introduction section 20 installed above the crimping roller. Therefore, the air pushed out from the waste W when the waste W is compressed can be sent to the deodorizing means 50 with almost no leakage, and the impact of the odor released from the waste W when the waste W is sealed or just before it is sealed on the surroundings can be reduced more effectively.

[0046] Furthermore, the air drawn in from the air intake port 51A is sent to the deodorizing means 50 via the ventilation space 2c formed between the outer side plate 2a and the inner side plate 2b of the lid 2. Therefore, even if a large number of air intake ports 51A, which are necessary to draw in the air pushed out from the waste W with almost no leakage, are provided in the introduction section 20, the large number of air intake ports 51A can be connected to the deodorizing means 50 without providing a large number of ducts corresponding to the number of air intake ports 51A, thereby simplifying the structure.

[0047] Furthermore, if start and stop buttons for starting and stopping the deodorizing means 50 independently of sealing the waste W are provided on the operating unit 3, then even if the waste is sealed at a predetermined time, for example, the odor in the room can be deodorized, and the impact of the odor released from the waste W when it is sealed or just before it is sealed on the surroundings can be reduced more effectively.

[0048] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is an external perspective view showing a sealing device for odor-producing waste according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the detailed structure of the deodorizing means of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As shown in Figure 14, the sealing device of this embodiment has a photocatalytic sterilization and deodorization machine, which serves as a deodorizing means 50, attached to the outside of the housing 1 that houses the main body of the sealing device. The photocatalytic sterilization and deodorization machine, which serves as a deodorizing means 50, has an air outlet 55 and an air intake 51B that is located closer to the floor than the air outlet 55.

[0050] Furthermore, in the deodorizing means 50 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, the main body portion 58 forming the outer casing, the blowing fins 58a, the back cover 58b, the intake filter 58c covering the air intake port 51B, the pair of side covers 58d, and the support base 58e are attached to the deodorizing means 50 shown in Figure 13. Note that the attachment of the support base 58e is optional.

[0051] As described above with reference to Figures 14 and 15, in this embodiment of the sealing device, the photocatalytic sterilization and deodorization machine, which serves as the deodorizing means 50, is attached to the housing 1 that houses the main body of the sealing device. Therefore, for example, even if the device is operated in such a way that a certain amount of waste W is accumulated and then sealed together at a set time, and odors emitted from the waste W remain in the room until the waste W is sealed, the odors in the room can be removed, and the impact of odors released from the waste W when or immediately before the waste W is sealed on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the sealing device of this embodiment, the photocatalytic sterilization and deodorization machine, which serves as the deodorizing means 50, has an air intake port 51B positioned closer to the floor than the air exhaust port 55. Therefore, if odors emitted from the waste W are trapped in the room before the waste W is sealed, the deodorizing means 50 draws in air from the area closer to the floor where odors tend to accumulate and deodorizes it, thereby more effectively reducing the impact of odors emitted from the waste W when the waste W is sealed or immediately before it is sealed on the surrounding area.

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (Figures 1 to 15). However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] S... Sealing sheet W...waste W1...Sealing body 1…Cabinet 2…Lid 10...Sheet supply mechanism 20...Introduction 30... Crimping mechanism 40...Cutting mechanism 50… Deodorizing methods 51A, 51B... Air intake 55... Air outlet

Claims

1. A sheet supply mechanism (10) that supplies a pair of long sealing sheets (S) for sealing waste (W) in a polymerizable manner, An introduction section (20) for introducing the waste (W) between the pair of long sealing sheets (S), A crimping mechanism (30) that crimps the pair of long sealing sheets (S) that are overlapped with the waste (W) in between, and seals the waste (W), A cutting mechanism (40) cuts the pair of long sealing sheets (S) and separates the sealing body (W1) in which the waste (W) is sealed by the pair of long sealing sheets (S) from the pair of long sealing sheets (S), Deodorizing means (50) for deodorizing odors emitted from the waste (W) A sealing device for odor-generating waste that is equipped with the following features.

2. The waste sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing means (50) has an air intake port (51A) disposed in the introduction section (20).

3. The waste sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing means (50) has an air outlet (55) for discharging deodorized air, and an air intake (51B) positioned closer to the floor than the air outlet (55).

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