Selective-Opening Waste Collection Container for Multi-Stream Emptying

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste collection vehicles are unable to selectively empty multi-stream waste containers using standard gripping and emptying members designed for single-stream containers, necessitating specialized vehicles for each type.

Innovation Solution

A waste collection container with movable lower walls and an opening selection device that allows selective opening of sub-volumes, enabling standard vehicles to empty both single- and multi-stream containers by locking unwanted sub-volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a standard gripping and emptying member is used for single-stream containers, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to empty multi-stream containers selectively is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to empty multi-stream containersVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower walls are divided into multiple separable parts, each part corresponding to a specific storage sub-volume. Each lower wall part can be independently opened or locked, allowing selective emptying of different waste streams while using a standard emptying mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A locking device acts as an intermediary between the standard emptying member and the lower walls. This locking device selectively prevents opening of specific lower wall parts, enabling a standard emptying member to work with multi-stream containers by mediating which sub-volumes are emptied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If specialized vehicles are used for multi-stream containers, then the adaptability and selective emptying capability are improved, but the loss of time and productivity are worsened due to requiring different vehicles for different container types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective emptying capabilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The emptying system is designed to be universal, allowing a single standard emptying member to handle both single-stream and multi-stream containers. The selective locking capability enables one vehicle to perform multiple functions: emptying entire single-stream containers or selectively emptying specific sub-volumes of multi-stream containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is configured in advance to prevent opening of specific lower wall parts corresponding to unwanted waste streams. This preliminary action of selective locking allows the standard emptying member to efficiently empty only the desired sub-volumes without requiring specialized vehicle equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If all lower walls are opened by the standard emptying device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to selectively empty specific sub-volumes is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidselective emptying capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static all-or-nothing opening mechanism to a dynamic selective opening system. The locking device can be configured in different states (locked or unlocked) for each lower wall part, allowing the standard emptying member to adaptively open only the desired sub-volumes while maintaining ease of operation through a single control interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables standard waste collection vehicles to efficiently empty multi-stream containers by standardizing the opening device, eliminating the need for specialized vehicles and ensuring selective emptying of desired sub-volumes.

Implementation Method 1

a device for simultaneously opening all the lower walls, the waste collection container comprising at least one device for selecting the opening of the lower walls, the opening selection device being configured to occupy at least a first position in which it prevents the emptying of at least one sub-volume storage by locking the part of the lower walls closing said storage sub-volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the hatches are operated so that the waste contained in the container falls by gravity into the collection vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4631885A1Waste collection container with opening selection

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SULO FRANCE

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a waste collection container (2) comprising: - at least one side wall (10) and a plurality of movable lower walls (12) defining a waste storage volume, - at least one separating wall (14) dividing the storage volume into several storage sub-volumes, each sub-volume being closed by a portion of the lower walls (12), - a device (8) for simultaneously opening all the lower walls (12), characterized in that it comprises at least one opening selection device (32) for the lower walls (12), the opening selection device (32) being configured to occupy at least a first position in which it prevents the emptying of at least one storage sub-volume by locking the portion of the lower walls (12) closing said storage sub-volume.