Automated wash system for gravity chutes with intelligent air quality monitoring and multistage cleaning

Abstract

The present invention relates to an innovative automatic wash system designed for gravity chutes, optimizing cleanliness and hygiene while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. This system leverages advanced air quality, gas, and particle sensors to detect and respond to unclean or unsanitary conditions within the gravity chute. The automated wash process comprises three distinct cleaning stages, each tailored to efficiently address specific cleaning needs. The system's intelligent hardware architecture includes strategically positioned air quality sensors and an air evacuation fan located at the chute's roof, constantly drawing air upward to prevent the accumulation of foul odors and harmful microorganisms. These sensors are interconnected with firmware that establishes predefined thresholds for air quality parameters, automatically initiating cleaning cycles when undesirable conditions are detected, such as foul odors or bacterial or fungal growth.

Description

Automated Wash System for Gravity Chutes with Intelligent Air Quality Monitoring and Multistage CleaningBackground and Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention pertains to the field of industrial hygiene and waste management, particularly addressing the cleaning and maintenance of gravity chutes used for the transport of materials in industrial and commercial settings.

[0002] Gravity chutes are an integral part of material handling systems in numerous industries, facilitating the efficient movement of waste, recyclables, or other materials from upper levels to lower collection areas. However, these chutes are susceptible to accumulating debris, foul odors, and the growth of harmful microorganisms over time. The existing methods for chute cleaning often rely on manual labor, lack precision, and may not consistently meet hygiene standards.

[0003] Challenges associated with conventional chute cleaning methods include:

[0004] Health and Safety Concerns: The accumulation of debris and microbial growth within chutes poses health and safety risks to facility personnel, as exposure to contaminants and foul odors can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems.

[0005] Environmental Compliance: Environmental regulations demand strict control over the use and disposal of cleaning agents within industrial facilities. Non-compliance can result in legal consequences and environmental harm.

[0006] Operational Efficiency: Manual cleaning processes are labor-intensive, timeconsuming, and can disrupt facility operations. The inefficiency of these methods can lead to increased maintenance costs and downtime.

[0007] In light of these limitations and challenges, there is a pressing need for an innovative and automated solution that addresses these concerns effectively.

[0008] The present invention introduces an automated wash system for gravity chutes, leveraging advanced air quality, gas, and particle sensors to monitor chute conditions continuously. This technology enables the system to activate wash cycles automatically when specific thresholds associated with foul odors, microbial growth, or air quality deterioration are exceeded.

[0009] The wash cycle consists of three distinct cleaning stages:

[0010] Presoak with Non-Toxic Surfactant: A non-toxic industrial surfactant is applied to the chute's inner lining to presoak and loosen immediate debris.

[0011] Disinfectant Application: A disinfectant stage follows to eliminate germs and microbial growth.

[0012] Final Clean Rinse with 2NHexylresorcinol: The cleaning process concludes with a final clean rinse that coats the chute's inner lining with 2N Hexylresorcinol, acting as a wetting agent and disinfectant.

[0013] Water and cleaning agents are efficiently distributed through a controlled waterline system, ensuring precise agent delivery to each floor and optimizing water pressure.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention incorporates a collection room component with a "neutralizer puck" to capture and neutralize cleaning agents, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

[0015] The automated wash system enhances hygiene, safety, and regulatory compliance while reducing labor costs and operational disruptions, making it a significant advancement in chute maintenance.Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 shows an end view of a waste trolley under a fire cutoff door connected to a germ infested chute.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a wash control system with metered cleaning fluids controlled by a plurality of air quality and gas / odor sensors connected to a main water valve to disperse through a lower flow meter and fluid intake manifold. Also shown Figure 2 are positive displacement pump motors controlled by a wash controller which controls the static air flow in a gravity waste chute.

[0018] Figure 3 shows a side view trash trolley below a side view of fire cutoff door with a soup tray on rollers tracks controlled by a linear actuator which pushes the said soup tray into position when the chute cleaning system is activated to divert water away from the trash trolley directly into the floor drain below.

[0019] Figure 4 shows a floor module connected to a floor sprinkler control solenoid valve with water inlet and spray outlet.

[0020] Figure 5 shows a gravity chute branch connected to the gravity chute corridor with a hopper door access point, control valve, floor module control board, cleaning spray element and odor trajectory.Detailed Description of Drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 shows an end view of a full trash trolley (103) below a sliding soup tray (107) which is on sliders (135 Figure 3) under a fire cutoff door connected directly to the lower gravity chute base (100). Also shown in Figure 1 is a bacterial growth (200) infested and affixed to the gravity chute (100) inner lining which produces foul odors (201) which rise upwards to the top of the chute (100) pulled by an exhaust fan (77A Figure 2) designed to maintain a static air flow from the base of the chute (100) to the top of the chute (100) preventing the odors (201 figure 1 & Figure 5) from escaping out any of the floor hopper door access points (300 Figure 5). Also shown in Figure 1 is a lever arm (113) which moves a soup tray (107) into position when the wash is started to catch and filter larger debris which was stuck from the inner lining of the gravity chute (100) walls.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a complex operation diagram containing a plurality of air particle sensors (65A & 70A) connected via signal bus (65B & 70B) to a wash controller. Said wash controller operates voltage and current to control an exhaust fan located at the top of the gravity chute (100 figures 1). Also shown are three (3) cleaning agent dispersing tanks (20A, 20B & 20C Respectively), whereby each said cleaning agent dispersing tank (20A, 20B & 20C) contains at least one of the following three (3) elements, namely a surfactant or emulsification solution, a disinfectant and a concentrated Clean Rinse solution. At the base of each cleaning agent dispersing tank (20A, 20B & 20C) are positive displacement metering pump motors (17B, 18B &19B) which are controlled by the respective controller outputs (17A, 18A & 19A) independently by a wash controller element (25 A). Said wash controller element (25A) output controls the water main solenoid valve (33) by energizing the solenoid coil (35) with signal output (31) allowing the water to flow from intake (51A) through a water meter flow sensor (48) which reports the Liters Per Minute via signal bus (48A) to the wash controller (25A) which monitors and controls flow output from this feedback loop by controlling the main solenoid valve (33). The water flows through the water flow sensor (48) through a manifold (42) containing an inlet nipple (45) where any one of the 3 positive displacement metering motors (17B, 18B & 19B) may pump independently through the T connector (43) to said nipple (45) on the water manifold thereby mixing cleaning agents into the main waterline connected to floor sprinkler control valves (33 Figure 4) on each floor which evenly disperses the diluted cleaning concentrate in controlled timed intervals where said floor module boards (25B Figure 4) receive signals from a network connection (27B) which emanated from the wash controller network interface (27A) which determine their operation timing.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a side view of a trash trolley (103) residing below a gravity chute base (100) where said gravity chute base (100) is affixed to a fire cutoff door (121). Also shown in figure 3 is a soup tray (107) below the fire cutoff door (121) which sets on a ball bearing track (135) whereby said soup tray (107) moves in and out of position by an actuator (111) pushing on a fulcrum arm (113) where the end of the lever connects to an extension arm (137) applying pressure to the soup tray (107) attachment arm (115) moving said soup tray (107) drain pipe fitting (124) towards a stationary drain pipe receiver (127) so when the wash is active, the soup tray (107) moves into position and catches the water flow containing larger contaminants whichare filtered before entering the drain pipe receiver (127) allowing the filtered water to flow through the flexible drain pipe (130) to the drain (131) thus preventing the collection room floor from flooding.

[0024] Figure 4 is a floor module control board (25 B) which receives sufficient data signals (27B) from the wash controller (25A Figure 2) which signals the floor controller (25B) to turn on the solenoid coil (31) allowing the mixture of water and anti-rust agents (11 Figure 1) to flow through the solenoid (33) via the water intake port (51C) which flows through the nozzle (65) under high pressure through the sprayer (64) thus controlling the coating of the inside lining of the gravity chute to prevent rust from forming.

[0025] Figure 5 shows a side view of a gravity chute branch (301) affixed to the gravity chute (100) where odors (201) flow upward caused from germs (200 figure 1) adhering to the inner walls of the gravity chute (100) when the hopper door (300) opens, the germs odors (201) escape causing odors in the garbage rooms in the high rise buildings. Also shown in figure 5 is a floor control module (25B) which connects to a network (27B) and communicates with the wash controller network (27A Figure 2) which commands said floor module (25B) to control the floor solenoid (33) in the dispersal of diluted cleaning concentrated agents in a spray (51D).Summary of the Invention

[0026] The automated wash system for gravity chutes represents a cutting-edge solution to ensure cleanliness, hygiene, and regulatory compliance in industrial environments. This innovative system integrates advanced air quality and gas / particle sensors to monitorthe chute's environment continuously. When undesirable conditions, such as foul odors or microbial growth, are detected, the system automatically triggers a multistage cleaning process.

[0027] The cleaning process comprises three distinct stages: a presoak with a non-toxic surfactant, a disinfectant application, and a final clean rinse using 2NHexylresorcinol as both a wetting agent and disinfectant. Water and cleaning agents are precisely distributed through a controlled waterline system, optimizing water pressure and agent delivery to each floor.

[0028] A key feature is the integration of a "neutralizer puck" in the collection room, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations by capturing and neutralizing residual cleaning agents. The system also communicates with a collection room master controller, logging wash events and notifying facility management upon completion.

[0029] By combining intelligent sensor technology, precise agent delivery, and comprehensive monitoring, this automated wash system ensures a healthier, odor-free chute environment, contributing to enhanced workplace hygiene and regulatory adherence.Methods of Preferred Embodiments:

[0030] Air Quality Monitoring and Sensor Integration

[0031] Sensor Placement: Position air quality sensors and gas / particle sensors strategically within the gravity chute, including placement near the top of the chute and at critical locations to ensure accurate detection of foul odors and microbial growth.

[0032] Air Evacuation: Implement an air evacuation fan at the chute's roof to maintain consistent airflow, preventing the accumulation of unpleasant odors and facilitating sensor functionality.

[0033] Threshold-Based Automatic Activation

[0034] Firmware Thresholds: Develop firmware with predefined thresholds for air quality parameters, including levels associated with foul odors, bacterial, or fungal growth.

[0035] Automatic Activation: Configure the firmware to automatically initiate the wash cycle upon detecting air quality conditions exceeding established thresholds.

[0036] Collection Room Preparation

[0037] Neutralizer Puck Placement: Equip the collection room with a "neutralizer puck" placed in a designated collection tray to capture and neutralize any residual cleaning agents for regulatory compliance.

[0038] Cleaning Stages

[0039] Presoak with Surfactant: Initiate the cleaning cycle with the release of a non-toxic industrial surfactant, applied to the chute's inner lining to loosen immediate debris.

[0040] Disinfectant Application: Execute a disinfectant stage, releasing an appropriate disinfectant solution for a specified duration on each floor.

[0041] Rinse Cycles: Implement rinse cycles after each cleaning stage to remove contaminants and excess cleaning agents.

[0042] Final Clean Rinse with 2NHexylresorcinol: Conclude the cleaning process with a final clean rinse, applying 2NHexylresorcinol as a wetting agent and disinfectant, ensuring uniform coating and additional microbial control.

[0043] Controlled Waterline System

[0044] Sprinkler Valve Placement: Position a sprinkler valve at the top floor to regulate water flow into the chute's cleaning system.

[0045] Water Flow Sensor: Integrate a water flow sensor below the sprinkler valve to measure Liters Per Minute (LPM) flow.

[0046] Manifold and Meter Flow Pumps: Utilize a manifold connected to cleaning disbursement tanks, each equipped with meter flow pumps to control the precise distribution of cleaning fluids into the main waterline.

[0047] Floor-Level Controllers: Install networked controllers on each floor, linked to floor solenoid valves, allowing independent or grouped control of floor valves to optimize water pressure and cleaning agent delivery.

[0048] Communication and Monitoring

[0049] Collection Room Master Controller: Establish a communication link between the wash controller and a collection room master controller to log wash events and send notifications to facility management upon task completion.

[0050] Post-Wash Air Quality Check: After the wash cycle, perform a post-wash air quality assessment using sensors to confirm the removal of germs and odors.

[0051] These methods of preferred embodiments describe the essential steps and processes involved in the operation of the automated wash system for gravity chutes, ensuring efficient and effective cleaning while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

Claims

Claims:Claim 1. An automated wash system for gravity chutes, comprising: air quality monitoring sensors configured to detect air quality parameters within the gravity chute; gas and particle sensors configured to detect harmful particles within the gravity chute; an air evacuation fan positioned at the top of the chute to maintain constant airflow from the chute, preventing the accumulation of odors and assisting in the operation of the air quality monitoring sensors; firmware with predefined thresholds connected to said air quality monitoring sensors, said gas sensors, and said particle sensors, said firmware configured to activate a wash cycle when detected air quality parameters surpass specified thresholds associated with foul odors, bacterial, or fungal growth; a collection room interface for receiving and processing wash cycle activation signals, said interface further comprising: an automatic soup tray capable of receiving and containing harmful debris generated during the wash cycle; a neutralizer puck located within said automatic soup tray, configured to capture and neutralize cleaning agents to ensure environmental regulatory compliance; and a waterline system for distributing water and cleaning agents, comprising: a sprinkler valve positioned at the top floor of the chute; a water flow sensor located below said sprinkler valve to determine Liters Per Minute (LPM) flow; a manifold below said water flow sensor connecting to cleaning disbursement tanks; a meter flow pump associated with each cleaning disbursement tank, configured to meter cleaning fluids into the main waterline; floor-level controllers connected to said waterline system, each equipped with floor solenoid valves and network connectivity, said controllers receiving group commands for independent or grouped activation of said floor solenoid valves to optimize water pressure and cleaning agent distribution;Claim 2. The automated wash system of Claim 1, further comprising: a first rinse stage wherein water is sprayed onto the inner lining of the chute to initiate the cleaning process;a surfactant foam release mechanism configured to introduce a surfactant foam into the main waterline, said surfactant foam being distributed to each floor in synchronization with group commands; a delay mechanism to allow soaking time following the distribution of surfactant foam;Claim 3. The automated wash system of Claim 1, further comprising: a disinfectant spray stage wherein a disinfectant solution is sprayed onto the inner lining of the chute in response to group commands received by said floor-level controllers; a delay mechanism to ensure sufficient time for disinfection after the release of the disinfectant solution.Claim 4. The automated wash system of Claim 1, further comprising: a final rinse stage wherein a final rinse cycle is initiated, removing residual contaminants from the inner lining of the chute; a delay mechanism to allow time for final rinsing; a wetting agent release mechanism configured to introduce 2NHexylresorcinol into the main waterline for coating the inner lining of the chute, said 2NHexylresorcinol also acting as a disinfectant.Claim 5. The automated wash system of Claim 1, further comprising: a collection room master controller configured to receive information from the wash controller, log wash events, and notify a Facility Manager upon task completion; an air quality reassessment module within the wash controller, re-evaluating air quality to verify the effectiveness of the wash cycle in removing germs and odors.

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