Volume Reduction Device for Waste Container Access Hatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste containers for recyclable waste do not allow the simultaneous deposition of multiple items, as they are designed to prevent the introduction of household waste bags, making it tedious for users to recycle and requiring costly replacements.
Innovation Solution
A volume reduction device for the access hatch of waste containers, made from bent sheet metal, that reduces the waste reception volume and includes a slope to prevent liquid entry, allowing multiple recyclable items to be deposited while preventing bulky household waste bags, and can be easily installed in existing containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the access hatch is designed with a large opening to allow bag deposition, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of household waste introduction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access hatch is divided into two functional zones: an upper deposition zone with a flat surface for placing recyclable items, and a lower reception zone with reduced volume that limits the size of objects that can be introduced. This segmentation allows the hatch to accommodate multiple small recyclable items while physically preventing large household waste bags from being deposited.
Solution Approach 2:
The access hatch has different geometric characteristics in different regions: the upper portion has a large flat area for easy deposition, while the lower reception volume is constrained and reduced. This local differentiation of geometric properties enables the hatch to facilitate deposition of multiple small items while limiting the introduction of bulky household waste.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the access hatch volume is reduced to prevent household waste, then the risk of harmful factors is reduced, but the quantity of recyclable waste that can be deposited is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The access hatch is segmented into an upper deposition zone with large surface area for placing multiple small recyclable items, and a lower reception zone with reduced volume that filters out large household waste bags. This segmentation allows the system to accept multiple small recyclable items while physically preventing large waste bags from being introduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The access hatch utilizes changes in geometric parameters (surface area, volume, depth) to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable waste types. The upper zone has large surface area for deposition, while the lower zone has constrained volume that naturally limits the size of objects that can be introduced, effectively filtering out household waste bags.
3Ease of manufacture
If an existing container is modified rather than replaced, then cost and installation time are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modification device is segmented into discrete components: a deposit surface element, fixing means, and optional rain-proof rim. This segmentation allows the device to be manufactured separately and installed in existing containers without requiring complete replacement, reducing installation cost and time while keeping individual components relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The access hatch modification acts as an intermediary device that can be installed in existing containers to change their functionality. This intermediary approach allows existing containers to be adapted for recyclable waste collection without replacing the entire container structure, reducing overall system complexity and installation costs.
4Volume of stationary object
If the deposit surface covers the entire waste deposit wall, then the volume reduction is maximized, but the ease of operation for depositing items is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deposit surface covers the waste deposit wall partially rather than completely, leaving certain areas exposed. This partial coverage is sufficient to reduce the reception volume and prevent household waste introduction, while the exposed areas maintain ease of operation for depositing recyclable items. The device achieves the necessary volume reduction without overly complicating the deposition process.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a volume reduction device (26) for a waste inlet hatch of a waste container. The hatch is movable between an open position providing access to the inlet opening and a closed position closing the inlet opening. It is delimited by walls defining, in the open position, a waste reception volume communicating with the waste inlet opening, including at least one substantially flat wall for waste deposit. The volume reduction device (26) is configured to be inserted into said access hatch in a removable manner and includes a substantially flat deposit surface (28) configured such that, once the volume reduction device is inserted into the access hatch, the deposit surface covers the entire waste deposit wall of said access hatch so as to reduce the waste reception volume.