Method and apparatus for disposing of used sanitary products

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for processing used sanitary products that can eliminate variations in the separation state of used sanitary products during the disassembly process of used sanitary products in an inner cylinder separation tank. [Solution] The present invention relates to a processing device for used sanitary products, comprising an outer shell separation tank 3 fixed to a housing 2, an inner shell separation tank 4 rotatably supported within the outer shell separation tank 3, and a drive means 6 equipped with a motor 5 that provides rotational force to rotate the inner shell separation tank 4, wherein used sanitary products are placed into the inner shell separation tank 4 together with a processing liquid, the inner shell separation tank 4 is operated by supplying power to the motor 5, and rotated at a predetermined rotational speed to decompose and separate the materials constituting the used sanitary products, and a method for processing used sanitary products to confirm the separation state of the used sanitary products is provided, characterized in that when it is detected that the current value supplied to the motor 5 has reached its maximum value, the power supply to the motor 5 is stopped and it is determined that the separation state of the used sanitary products has ended.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating used sanitary products such as used paper diapers and used urine pads.

Background Art

[0002] A treatment apparatus for used sanitary products that decomposes used paper diapers as used sanitary products and recovers the materials constituting the used paper diapers has been proposed in Patent Document 1. In this treatment apparatus for used sanitary products, a used paper diaper of a predetermined weight and a treatment liquid for decomposing the used paper diaper are put into a separator, and the used paper diaper is decomposed by immersing it in the treatment liquid.

[0003] The separator in Patent Document 1 is formed of an outer cylinder separation tank, an inner cylinder separation tank rotatably provided in the outer cylinder separation tank, and a driving means for rotationally driving the inner cylinder separation tank. Used paper diapers are put into the inner cylinder separation tank, the treatment liquid is supplied into the outer cylinder separation tank, and the inner cylinder separation tank is rotationally driven in the outer cylinder separation tank by the driving means. As a result, the treatment liquid penetrates into the used paper diapers, and the materials constituting the paper diapers, that is, pulp, plastic, etc. are decomposed.

[0004] The inner cylinder separation tank and the outer cylinder separation tank are provided with windows through which the inside can be visually observed, and the state in which the used paper diapers in the inner cylinder separation tank are gradually decomposed can be confirmed through these windows. The time for treating the used paper diapers, that is, the time for rotationally driving the inner cylinder separation tank, is determined by visually observing the decomposition state of the used paper diapers in the inner cylinder separation tank through the window. Alternatively, the average separation time of the used paper diapers is obtained by collecting data on the decomposition state of the used paper diapers, and the rotational driving time of the inner cylinder separation tank is determined from the empirical value of this average separation time, and the separation state of the used paper diapers is judged according to the driving time of the inner cylinder separation tank obtained from the empirical value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6326166 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, when visually inspecting the separated state of used disposable diapers in the inner tank, there can be inconsistencies in the judgment of the separation state depending on the worker performing the visual inspection. This can result in insufficient separation or excessive separation, leading to wasted time on the disassembly process. Furthermore, the predetermined amount of used diapers fed into the inner cylinder separation tank varies in type and weight, including those heavily soiled with human waste, those with almost no human waste, and those of different sizes. As a result, when the used diapers are decomposed using a decomposition time determined by experience, the separation may be insufficient, or they may decompose excessively, resulting in wasted decomposition time.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for processing used sanitary products that can eliminate variations in the separation state of used sanitary products in the decomposition process of used sanitary products in an inner cylinder separation tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, a first aspect of the present invention provides a processing device for used sanitary products, comprising: an outer shell separation tank fixed to a housing; an inner shell separation tank rotatably supported within the outer shell separation tank; and a drive means equipped with a motor that provides rotational force to rotate the inner shell separation tank, wherein used sanitary products are introduced into the inner shell separation tank together with a processing liquid, the inner shell separation tank is operated by energizing the motor, and rotated at a predetermined rotational speed to decompose and separate the materials constituting the used sanitary products, and a method for confirming the separation state of used sanitary products, characterized in that when it is detected that the current value supplied to the motor has reached its maximum value, the power supply to the motor is stopped and it is determined that the separation state of the used sanitary products has ended.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, after the temperature inside the inner cylinder separation tank reaches a predetermined temperature, the current value supplied to the motor is detected, and when the current value reaches its maximum value, the power supply to the motor is stopped, and it is determined that the separation of used sanitary products has ended.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, after starting the rotational drive of the inner drum separator tank, a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the inner drum separator tank, after the predetermined amount of water has been supplied into the inner drum separator tank, steam at a predetermined temperature is supplied into the inner drum separator tank, and after the temperature inside the inner drum separator tank reaches a predetermined temperature, it is determined whether the current supplied to the motor has reached its maximum value.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a processing device for used sanitary products comprising: an outer shell separation tank fixed to a housing; an inner shell separation tank rotatably supported within the outer shell separation tank; and a drive means equipped with a motor that provides rotational force to rotate the inner shell separation tank; a water supply unit that supplies water into the outer shell separation tank; a steam supply unit that supplies steam into the outer shell separation tank; a power supply unit that supplies power to the motor; a power switch provided between the power supply unit and the motor for connecting and disconnecting the motor and the power supply; an ammeter provided between the motor and the power supply unit for detecting the current supplied to the motor; a thermometer for detecting the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank; a flow meter for detecting the amount of water supplied from the water supply unit to the outer shell separation tank; and a control unit to which the ammeter, thermometer, flow meter, steam supply unit, water supply unit, and power switch are connected, and which stops the power supply to the motor and determines that the separation of used sanitary products has ended when the current value supplied to the motor detected by the current reaches its maximum value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, by detecting when the current value supplied to the motor reaches its maximum value, it is determined that the separation of used sanitary products has ended, thereby eliminating variations in the disintegration state of used sanitary products in the inner cylinder separation tank.

[0013] Furthermore, during the disassembly process of used sanitary products, by detecting when the current supplied to the motor reaches its maximum value, it is determined that the separation of used sanitary products is complete. This eliminates inconsistencies in the separation state and allows for efficient processing of used sanitary products. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a processing device used in the method for processing used sanitary products according to the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the control unit of the used sanitary product processing device according to the present invention, and the ammeter, thermometer, flow meter, steam supply unit, water supply unit, and power switch connected to the control unit. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure for disposing of used sanitary products. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the initial state and the final state of the decomposition process of used disposable diapers in the inner cylinder separation tank. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the current supplied to the motor and the change in temperature inside the outer casing separation tank as the decomposition time of used disposable diapers progresses. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The following describes embodiments of the method and apparatus for processing used sanitary products according to the present invention, with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the case in which used disposable diapers are decomposed as used sanitary products will be described. In this embodiment, the apparatus for processing used sanitary products is an apparatus for processing used disposable diapers, and will be simply referred to as the "apparatus" below. First, the apparatus for processing used disposable diapers will be described.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment is used in a separator 7 consisting of an outer separator tank 3 fixed to a housing 2, an inner separator tank 4 rotatably supported within the outer separator tank 3, and a drive means 6 equipped with a motor 5 that provides rotational force to rotate the inner separator tank 4. The outer separator tank 3 is provided with an input port 9 on one side for inserting used disposable diapers 8 into the interior, and the input port 9 is in communication with the input opening 10 of the inner separator tank 4. In addition, the input port 9 of the outer separator tank 3 is provided with an openable and closable door 11.

[0017] The driving means 6 is formed by a transmission belt 14 wound between a rotating shaft 12 protruding from the back side of the inner cylinder separation tank 4 and penetrating through the back side of the outer cylinder separation tank 3, and a driving shaft 13 of the motor 5. The motor 5 is connected to a power source 15, and driving power is supplied from the power source 15.

[0018] In addition, the processing device 1 includes a water supply unit 16 for supplying water into the outer cylinder separation tank 3, a steam supply unit 17 for supplying steam into the outer cylinder separation tank 3, a power source 15 for applying power to the motor 5, a power switch 18 provided between the power source 15 and the motor 5 for connecting and disconnecting the motor 5 and the power source 15, an ammeter 19 provided between the motor 5 and the power source 15 for detecting the energizing current to the motor 5, a thermometer 20 for detecting the temperature inside the outer cylinder separation tank 3, a flow meter 21 for detecting the supply amount of water from the water supply unit 16 into the outer cylinder separation tank 3, and a control unit 22 to which the ammeter 19, the thermometer 20, the flow meter 21, the steam supply unit 17, the water supply unit 16, and the power switch 18 are connected, and when it is detected that the current value of the energization to the motor 5 detected by the ammeter 19 reaches the maximum value, the energization to the motor 5 is stopped and it is determined that the separation state of the used diaper 8 has ended.

[0019] The water supply unit 16 is formed by a water supply pipeline 23 communicating with the inside of the outer cylinder separation tank 3, a water supply valve 24 provided in the middle of this water supply pipeline 23, and a flow meter 25 provided in the water supply pipeline 23 between the water supply valve 24 and the outer cylinder separation tank 3. The water supply valve 24 is connected to the control unit 22 and is opened and closed. The steam supply unit 17 is formed by a steam supply pipeline 26 communicating with the inside of the outer cylinder separation tank 3 and a steam supply valve 27 provided in the middle of this steam supply pipeline 26. The steam supply valve 27 is connected to the control unit 22 and is opened and closed.

[0020] Next, the procedure for decomposing the used paper diaper 8 by the used paper diaper processing method and processing apparatus 1 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. First, a predetermined amount of the used paper diaper 8 is introduced into the inner cylinder separation tank 4 through the inlet 9 and the inlet opening 10. Also, a predetermined amount of the treatment liquid is supplied into the inner cylinder separation tank 4. This treatment liquid is a decomposing agent for decomposing the used paper diaper, and is a mixture of lime, hypochlorous acid as a disinfectant, and water. The blending amounts of lime, hypochlorous acid, and water are set according to the type of the used paper diaper to be treated and the amount of the used paper diaper to be treated. Further, a cleaning agent or a bleaching agent may be added as necessary. Note that a mixture of lime and water used as the decomposition water and hypochlorous acid as the disinfectant may be supplied into the inner cylinder separation tank 4 separately from the decomposition water obtained by mixing lime and water.

[0021] From the state where a predetermined amount of the used paper diaper is introduced into the inner cylinder separation tank 4 and a predetermined amount of the treatment liquid is supplied, the control unit 22 turns on the power switch 18 in step S1 to supply power from the power source 15 to the motor 5 and drives the motor 5 (S1). When the motor 5 is driven, the inner cylinder separation tank 4 starts rotating at a predetermined rotational speed. While the inner cylinder separation tank 4 is rotating, the control unit 22 opens the water supply valve 24 in step S2 to start supplying fresh water into the outer cylinder separation tank 3 (S2).

[0022] At this time, the control unit 22 determines in step S3 whether the amount of water passing through the water supply pipe 23 by the flow meter 21 is a predetermined amount of water (S3). If the predetermined amount of water has not been reached, fresh water is continuously supplied into the outer cylinder separation tank 3 in step S2. When it is determined in step S3 that the value of the flow meter 21 is the predetermined amount of water, the control unit 22 closes the water supply valve 24 in step S4 to stop the supply of fresh water into the outer cylinder separation tank 3 (S4). [[ID=⑨]] [[ID=⑩]]

[0023] [[ID=⑪]] When a predetermined amount of fresh water is supplied into the outer shell separator tank 3, the control unit 22 starts supplying steam to the outer shell separator tank 3 in step S5 (S5). At this time, the control unit 22 opens the steam supply valve 27 and supplies steam to the outer shell separator tank 3 through the steam supply pipeline 26. When steam is supplied to the outer shell separator tank 3, the temperature of the processing liquid and fresh water in the outer shell separator tank 3 rises, and the temperature inside the outer shell separator tank 3 gradually rises.

[0024] The temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 is detected by the thermometer 20, and in step S6, the control unit 22 determines whether the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 has reached a predetermined temperature. If the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 has not reached the predetermined temperature, the steam supply continues in step S5. If the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 reaches the predetermined temperature in step S6, the control unit 22 closes the steam supply valve 27 in step S7 to stop the supply of steam to the outer shell separation tank 3 (S7).

[0025] When the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, the control unit 22 detects the current value from the power supply 15 to the motor 5 using the ammeter 19 in step S8 (S8). Then, in step S9, the control unit 22 determines whether the current value detected by the ammeter 19 is the target maximum current (S9). Whether or not it is the target maximum current value is determined, for example, by whether or not the detected current value has reached its maximum value. If the current value detected by the ammeter 19 has not reached the target maximum current value, steps S5 and below are repeated.

[0026] Specifically, the control unit 22 determines whether the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 is at a predetermined temperature. If the temperature has not reached the predetermined temperature, steam is supplied again. If the temperature has reached the predetermined temperature, the steam supply is stopped, and then the current value is detected by the ammeter 19. When the ammeter 19 detects that the current value has reached the target maximum current value, the control unit 22 stops driving the motor 5 in step S10 (S10). In this case, the control unit 22 turns the power switch 18 to the OFF position and stops the supply of power from the power supply 15 to the motor 5.

[0027] By stopping the power supply from the power source 15 to the motor 5, the rotation of the inner cylinder separation tank 4 stops. In this state, the disintegration of the used diaper 8 inside the inner cylinder separation tank 4 is completed. With the above procedure, confirmation of the separation state of the used diaper 8 inside the inner cylinder separation tank 4 is completed.

[0028] In this embodiment, the current value supplied to the motor 5 is detected, and when this current value reaches the maximum current value, it can be determined that the separation of the used diaper 8 has ended. The relationship between the separation state of the used diaper 8 and the current value supplied to the motor 5 will be explained using Figures 4 and 5.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4(a), when used diapers 8 are placed in the inner cylinder separation tank 4 and the processing liquid and fresh water are supplied, the size of the used diapers 8 is large because they have not yet undergone decomposition treatment, and the pulp, plastic, and other materials decomposed from the used diapers 8 are not mixed in the processing liquid and fresh water. When the inner cylinder separation tank 4 is rotated, the used diapers 8 are stirred up by the scraping protrusions 28 inside the inner cylinder separation tank 4 and fall onto the surface of the processing liquid, causing agitation. As a result, the used diapers 8 are decomposed, and the pulp and plastic are mixed into the processing liquid.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4(b), as the decomposition of the used diaper 8 progresses, the size of the solids in the processing liquid decreases, and pulp, plastic, and other materials become mixed in the processing liquid. When the scraping projection 28 scrapes up the pulp and plastic in the processing liquid in this state, the resistance to the rotation of the inner cylinder separation tank 4 increases compared to the state before the decomposition of the used diaper 8. Therefore, in order to rotate the inner cylinder separation tank 4 at a predetermined rotational speed, the current supplied to the motor 5 increases. Then, as the decomposition of the used diaper 8 progresses, the increase in the current supplied to the motor 5 stops, and the current value becomes stable.

[0031] Next, using Figure 5, we will explain the change in the current supplied to the motor 5 and the change in the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 and inner shell separation tank 4 (hereinafter referred to as "tank temperature") with respect to the decomposition time. In Figure 5, curve A shows the change in the current supplied to the motor 5, and curve B shows the change in the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank 3 and inner shell separation tank 4. As shown in Figure 5, as the decomposition time progresses, the tank temperature rises as shown by curve B, and once it reaches a predetermined temperature, it is maintained at the set temperature. Also, as shown by curve A, the current value detected by the ammeter 19 is the current value required to rotate the inner shell separation tank 4 at a predetermined rotational speed. As the used diaper 8 is decomposed and pulp, plastic, and other materials begin to mix in the processing liquid, the rotational resistance increases, and the current value supplied to the motor 5 gradually increases. When the decomposition process of the used diaper 8 reaches its final stage, the increase in the current value supplied to the motor 5 stops, and the current value remains constant.

[0032] The current value supplied to motor 5 stops increasing and levels off. At this point, the current value P can be determined to be the maximum value P, which means that the used diaper 8 will not decompose any further even if it is agitated with the processing liquid. Therefore, when the current value supplied to the motor reaches its maximum value P, it is determined that the separation of used sanitary products has ended.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, by detecting when the current value supplied to the motor 5 reaches its maximum value, it is determined that the separation of the used diaper 8 has ended. This makes it possible to eliminate variations in the disintegration state of the used diaper 8 in the disintegration process of the used diaper 8 in the inner cylinder separation tank 4.

[0034] Furthermore, by detecting when the current supplied to the motor 5 reaches its maximum value during the disassembly process of the used diaper 8, it is determined that the separation of the used diaper 8 is complete. This prevents insufficient separation of the used diaper 8 or excessive disassembly, thus eliminating variations in the separation state and enabling efficient disassembly of the used diaper 8.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the current value supplied to the motor 5 is detected when the temperature inside the tank reaches a predetermined temperature, but the current supplied to the motor 5 may be detected from the start of power supply to the motor 5. Also, when the current supplied to the motor 5 reaches its maximum value, a buzzer or the like may be used to indicate that the separation of used diapers is complete. Furthermore, a process after the disassembly of used diapers is completed, such as a dewatering process, may be performed automatically after the disassembly is complete.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the current value when the increase in the current supplied to motor 5 ceases and stabilizes is determined to be the maximum value of the current supplied to motor 5, and it is determined that the dismantling process of used disposable diapers has been completed. However, when the increase in the current supplied to motor 5 ceases and a slight decrease is detected, the current value just before the decrease may be determined to be the maximum value of the current supplied to motor 5. [Industrial applicability]

[0037] The separator for processing used sanitary products according to the present invention can be used not only for decomposing used disposable diapers but also for used sanitary products such as urine pads. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1. Processing equipment for used sanitary products (processing equipment) 2 cabinets 3 Outer shell separation tank 4 Inner shell separation tank 5 Motors 6. Driving means 7 Separator 8. Used disposable diapers

Claims

1. A processing device for used sanitary products comprising an outer shell separation tank fixed to a housing, an inner shell separation tank rotatably supported within the outer shell separation tank, and a drive means equipped with a motor that provides rotational force to rotate the inner shell separation tank, wherein used sanitary products are introduced into the inner shell separation tank together with a processing liquid, the inner shell separation tank is operated by energizing the motor, and rotated at a predetermined rotational speed to decompose and separate the materials constituting the used sanitary products, and a method for processing used sanitary products to confirm the separation state of the used sanitary products, A method for processing used sanitary products, characterized in that when it is detected that the current value supplied to the motor has reached its maximum value, the power supply to the motor is stopped and it is determined that the separation of used sanitary products has ended.

2. The method for processing used sanitary products according to claim 1, characterized in that, after the temperature inside the inner cylinder separation tank reaches a predetermined temperature, the current value supplied to the motor is detected, and when it is detected that the current value has reached its maximum value, the power supply to the motor is stopped, and it is determined that the separation of used sanitary products has ended.

3. The method for processing used sanitary products according to claim 2, characterized in that, after starting the rotational drive of the inner cylinder separator tank, a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the inner cylinder separator tank, after the predetermined amount of water has been supplied into the inner cylinder separator tank, steam at a predetermined temperature is supplied into the inner cylinder separator tank, and after the temperature inside the inner cylinder separator tank reaches a predetermined temperature, it is determined whether the current supplied to the motor has reached its maximum value.

4. A processing device for used sanitary products comprising an outer casing separation tank fixed to a housing, an inner casing separation tank rotatably supported within the outer casing separation tank, and a drive means equipped with a motor that provides rotational force to rotate the inner casing separation tank, A water supply unit that supplies water into the outer shell separation tank, A steam supply unit that supplies steam into the outer shell separation tank, A power supply that provides power to the motor, A power switch is provided between the power supply and the motor to connect and disconnect the motor and the power supply, An ammeter is provided between the motor and the power supply to detect the current supplied to the motor, A thermometer for detecting the temperature inside the outer shell separation tank, A flow meter for detecting the amount of water supplied from the water supply unit into the outer shell separation tank, A processing device for used sanitary products, comprising: a control unit which, when the current value supplied to the motor detected by the current has reached its maximum value, the current supply to the motor is stopped and the processing device for used sanitary products is determined to have reached the end of the separation state, and the ammeter, thermometer, flow meter, steam supply unit, water supply unit, and power switch are connected, and the control unit determines that the current value supplied to the motor detected by the current has reached its maximum value.

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