WO1999043579A1

WO1999043579A1 - Machine for recovering recyclable waste

Info

Publication number: WO1999043579A1
Application number: PCT/EP1999/001157
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clive Malcolm Griffiths
Original assignee: Silver River Trading Ltd.
Priority date: 1998-02-25
Filing date: 1999-02-23
Publication date: 1999-09-02
Also published as: AU2928299A; ITPD980039A1; CA2322150A1

Abstract

A machine for recovering recyclable waste comprising in a containment chassis (11): a waste receiving and compaction unit (12), which is associated with one or more waste collection devices (13); a waste data acquisition unit (14); a user interface unit (15); a novelty item dispenser unit (16) to certify that the waste has been introduced; one or more sensors (46) associated with devices for the electronic processing of signals and implemented programs.

Description

MACHINE FOR RECOVERING RECYCLABLE WASTE

Technical field

The present invention relates to a machine for recovering recyclable waste.

Background art

Undoubtedly, one of the problems that is currently most strongly felt relates to achieving a substantial reduction in waste generation by finding new solutions in the packaging and distribution of products which are obviously meant to become garbage.

Different strategies are currently available which are aimed at reducing the "garbage product" in terms of produced amount and at increasing the recycling and/or reuse of the waste, which is accordingly considered more as a resource than as waste.

This second strategy, in particular, is evidently very advantageous, since ideally it eliminates the concept of waste, replacing it for all purposes with the concept of a semifinished product which can be reused unlimited times according to different and targeted transformation cycles which can be entirely artificial or partially artificial and partly natural. However, while many studies confirm the validity of the strategy of waste recycling, on the other hand they show that such recycling usually has a critical step which prevents its complete fulfillment and development.

This critical step, in particular, is waste recovery. in other words, it has been shown that users, after purchasing and using a product, have not yet acguired the mental attitude and education to conceive the waste that 2

originates from said product as a valuable item to be returned to the transformation cycle.

It is true that currently there are already strategies which facilitate sorted and classified waste collection and which are substantially constituted by sorted-collection wheeled bins, which however are not always appreciated by users since they force said users to perform a sorting operation which is often anything but simple and in any case work-intensive.

Disclosure of the invention The aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for recovering recyclable waste which allows simple disposal of the waste for the user, giving an incentive to adopt the solution of recycling rather than conventional generic disposal. Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a machine which is simple to use and whose operation can be grasped even by users having no technical skills.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine which is particularly safe and reliable, can be easily integrated in any environment or can be managed easily by public administrations and by private management companies or authorities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine which is capable of integrating many functions so as to cover the entire spectrum of the recovery of recyclable waste.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine which can be manufactured with conventional 3

technologies and equipment.

This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a machine for recovering recyclable waste, characterized in that it comprises, in a containment chassis: a waste receiving and compaction unit, which is associated with one or more waste collection devices; a waste data acquisition unit; a user interface unit; a novelty item dispenser unit to certify that the waste has been introduced; one or more sensors associated with devices for the electronic processing of signals and programs. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation view of a machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partially sectional view of a detail of the machine 1;

Figures 3 to 5 are further views of the detail of Figure 2 ;

Figure 6 is a block diagram of the control logic of the machine of Figure 1. Ways of carrying out the invention With particular reference to Figures 1 to 6 , a machine for recovering recyclable waste, according to the invention, is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. 4

The machine 10 comprises, in a wheeled containment chassis 11: a unit for receiving and compacting waste, generally designated by the reference numeral 12, which in this case is associated with two collection devices for said waste, only one of which is shown in dashed lines and designated by the reference numeral 13; a waste data acquisition unit 14; a user interface unit 15; a novelty item dispenser unit 16 which certifies that the waste has been introduced; and one or more sensors, described in greater detail hereinafter, which are associated with devices for the electronic processing of signals and implemented programs, shown schematically in Figure 6, which are described in greater detail hereinafter and are all per se known. In particular, in this embodiment the interface unit 15 is substantially constituted by a monitor 17 and/or television screen and by speakers 18 which allow the user to follow the waste recovery process step by step.

In more sophisticated embodiments, it is possible to provide interaction of the user with the machine 10, accordingly providing an I/O interface such as keyboards, buttons, trackballs, touchscreens.

The waste receiving and compaction unit 12 has a pressing section 19 which is indeed constituted by a press 20 driven by a gearmotor 21.

In particular, the press 20 is constituted by two plates 22 and 23; the plate 22 is fixed and the plate 23 is moved by means of a mechanical actuator 24 which can slide in a guide 25 (see Figure 5) fixed to the chassis 11. In particular, the actuator 24 is connected to the 5

gearmotor 21 by means of a rack mechanism 26 with a clutch 27.

As an alternative, it is possible to provide a rod- and-crank mechanism. The press 20 is also associated with retractable supports which in this case are constituted by a series of rods 28 which are supported by a bracket 29.

In particular, the rods 28 are moved with a linear reciprocating motion which is synchronized with the press 20 by a corresponding mechanical actuator which is constituted by a rod-and-crank mechanism, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which is motorized.

The press 20 is further associated with a sorting section 31, which in this case is constituted by at least one motorized conveyor belt 32 whose ends are arranged vertically above the collectors 13 or adjacent thereto.

As an alternative it is possible to provide a movable surface, for example of the disk type.

The receiving and compaction unit 12 also comprises at least one door 33 which is available for the action of the user.

In particular, in this case the door 33 is operatively connected to an electromagnet 34 which is associated with an articulated mechanism 35 for locking and release by means of a bolt 35a (see Figure 5).

As an alternative, it is possible to provide one or more simple inlets, each for a specific product, equipped with an identification marking.

In this case, product discrimination is performed directly by the user by selecting the inlet. 6

The inlets can also have a combined manual/automatic feed.

The waste data acquisition unit 14 is constituted, in this case, by a barcode sensor which is now commonly commercially available.

This allows perfect integration with the standardized commercial identification of the different products and of their containers.

The novelty item dispenser unit 16 is constituted in particular by two devices: a first one, designated by the reference numeral 36, is a device for dispensing a ticket or receipt that certifies that the waste has been introduced, while a second one, generally designated by the reference numeral 37, is constituted by a free novelty item dispenser which is meant to give the user an incentive to perform recovery.

The dispenser 37 can operate by means of suitable sensors of the data acquisition unit 14 which are capable of checking the value of the object introduced in the machine, determining the type of reward to be given.

It is also possible to provide a magnetic card read/write device which manages loyalty programs by loading the introduced amounts of "garbage product" on the magnetic badges of the users. In alternative embodiments which also provide for the disposal of dangerous products, such as medicines and/or drained batteries, the dispenser 37 can be configured to dispense, when the waste is introduced in the machine, suitable empty containers for said products. In more sophisticated embodiments it is possible to 7

provide sensors which determine the quality, composition and value of the object inserted; such sensors are in any case all already commercially available.

With particular reference to Figure 6, a block diagram of the control logic of the machine 10 is generally designated by the reference numeral 38.

This diagram includes a programmable digital computer (CPU), represented by the block 39, which is associated with an implemented program and with autodiagnostic circuits, represented by the block 40.

In this case, the barcode device, represented by block 41, the user interface, represented by the block 42, a ticket printer, represented by the block 43, a modem or cellular data card for remote wired or wireless connection, represented by the block 44, and an optional central processing unit, represented by the block 45, are associated with the computer 39.

The program and the autodiagnostic circuits, represented by the block 40, are connected to material discrimination sensors 46 and to the actuators that are present in the machine 10, represented by the block 47.

It is possible to provide code-controlled access to the removable collection trolleys on the part of personnel authorized by means of a mechanical, electronic, barcode or magnetic key.

It is also possible to provide a system for collecting the recovered products with a device for indicating that the maximum amount has been reached.

In more complete embodiments it is possible to provide an increase in the sensors assigned to detecting 8

atmospheric parameters, pollution levels, etcetera depending on the conditions of the site where the machine may be placed.

Moreover, the chassis 11 of the machine can be either a simple cladding body or a true container for outdoor use and be therefore weather-tight.

In practice it has been observed that the present invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.

It should in fact be noted that the user is given a particular incentive and is facilitated in the waste recovery performed by the machine according to the invention, which not only allows easier waste recovery but also rewards the user both by certifying that recovery has occurred and by means of the optional compensation with free novelty items.

In practice, the machine combines savings with communication, giving an incentive and achieving the sorted collection of recyclable materials.

It should also be noted that the structure of the machine according to the invention is particularly flexible in relation to different requirements of application and can ultimately be considered as a reference for the detection and recovery of waste.

It should also be noted that the machine according to the invention allows whoever manages it to have a particularly straightforward but at the same time complete management of recovery.

It should also be noted that the machine according to the invention allows high integration with any other existing recovery-orientated equipment. 9

The present invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

The technical details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

The materials and the dimensions may be any according to requirements.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD98A000039 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

10CLAIMS

1. A machine (10) for recovering recyclable waste, characterized in that it comprises, in a containment chassis (11): a waste receiving and compaction unit (12), which is associated with one or more waste collection devices (13); a waste data acquisition unit (14); a user interface unit (15); a novelty item dispenser unit (16) to certify that the waste has been introduced; one or more sensors (46) associated with devices (39) for the electronic processing of signals and implemented programs (40).

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said interface unit (15) is constituted by a monitor (17) and/or a television screen.

3. The machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said interface unit (15) comprises I/O interfacing peripherals such as keyboards, buttons, trackballs, touchscreens or the like.

4. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said waste receiving and compaction unit (12) comprises a pressing section (19) which is constituted by a press (20) which is actuated by a gearmotor (21).

5. The machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said press (20) is constituted by two plates (22,23), one plate (22) being fixed, the other one (23) being movable and actuated by an actuator (24).

6. The machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said actuator (24) is mechanical and is constituted by a rack mechanism (26) with a clutch (27) or by a rod-and- 11

crank mechanism.

7. The machine according to claim 5, characterized in that a removable supporting surface (28,29) is associated with said press (20) in a downward region.

8. The machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said removable support is constituted by a plurality of removable rods (28) which are mutually parallel and are supported by a corresponding bracket (29).

9. The machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said rods (28) are moved with a linear reciprocating motion which is synchronized with the press (20) by a corresponding mechanical actuator (30).

10. The machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said mechanical actuator (30) for moving said rods (28) is constituted by a motorized rod-and-crank mechanism.

11. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said waste receiving and compaction unit (12) is associated with a sorting section (31) which is arranged below the pressing section (19).

12. The machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said sorting section (31) is constituted by at least one conveyor belt (32) whose ends are arranged above the collection device (13).

13. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said waste receiving and compaction unit (12) also comprises at least one door (33) with servo-controlled locking and release.

14. The machine according to claim 13, characterized in that said at least one door (33) is locked and released by an electromagnet (34) which is associated with an 12

articulated mechanism (35) provided with a bolt (35a).

15. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said waste data acquisition unit (14) is constituted by a barcode recognition device.

16. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said dispenser unit (16) is constituted by a dispenser (36) for tickets or other paper or nonpaper media certifying that insertion of the waste has occurred.

17. The machine according to claim 16, characterized in that said dispenser unit (16) comprises a device (37) for dispensing novelty items as gifts.

18. The machine according to claim 17, characterized in that said dispenser device (37) dispenses empty containers for hazardous waste.

19. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said one or more sensors detect the quality, composition and value of the inserted waste.

20. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a circuit (40) for autodiagnostics and remote wireless and/or wired data transmission and reception.

21. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a sensor for the code-controlled access to collection trolleys on the part of personnel authorized by means of a mechanical and/or electronic and/or barcoded and/or magnetic key.

22. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said one or more sensors (46) comprise at least one sensor meant to detect surrounding atmospheric parameters, pollution levels, etcetera, in relation to the sites where 13

it is placed.

23. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said chassis (11) is weather-tight, allowing to use said machine outdoors.

24. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said waste receiving and compaction unit (12) comprises one or more manually-fed, automatically-fed or combined-feed inlets, each inlet being meant for one type of product.