Modular Waste Cartridge Base with Tine Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste collection systems for commercial facilities are inefficient in handling waste transfer from smaller containers to large commercial containers, especially with heavy organic materials, and lack the capability to separate different types of waste.

Innovation Solution

A modular waste collection system comprising a base with bays and tine openings, and cartridges with wheels and interlocking mechanisms that allow them to be easily loaded, transported, and emptied by standard collection vehicles, while enabling separation of different waste types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If waste is transferred from smaller containers to a large commercial container, then waste collection capacity is improved, but manual handling difficulty increases due to heavy waste material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste collection capacityVSAvoidmanual handling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the waste collection into multiple modular cartridges that can be independently handled and rolled into place, eliminating the need to manually lift heavy waste while maintaining large-scale collection capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base with tine-receiving openings acts as an intermediary between the cartridges and the collection vehicle, allowing standard tines to lift and invert the entire assembly without manual handling of the waste itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If a single large commercial container is used, then waste collection capacity is improved, but waste separation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste collection capacityVSAvoidwaste separation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the single large container into multiple separate cartridges that can be assigned to different waste streams, enabling waste separation while maintaining overall collection capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base unit serves multiple functions by accommodating different types of cartridges for different waste categories, making the system versatile for various waste separation needs while preserving large-scale collection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If waste is lifted over the top of the commercial container, then waste transfer is achieved, but operational complexity and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste transfer efficiencyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of lifting waste upward over the container top, the system inverts the entire base-cartridge assembly downward to empty waste, reversing the traditional approach and eliminating complex lifting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The base with its interlocking portions and tine-receiving openings serves as an intermediary mechanism that enables simple rolling and inverted emptying operations, replacing complex lifting procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250122007A1Modular cartridge waste collection system

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 REHRIG PACIFIC CO INC

AI summary

A waste collection system includes a base defining a plurality of bays. A pair of tine openings are defined in the base. A plurality of container bodies are each receivable in one of the plurality of bays, such that the plurality of container bodies would be emptied when the base is inverted.