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(11) | EP 2 330 051 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | MOULDED TRAY FORMED BY SEPARABLE BIODEGRADABLE DISPOSABLE SHOVELS |
| (57) The invention relates to a tray obtained by moulding, manufactured using biodegradable
material, based on cellulose and additives, and having a series of scrapers that can
be separated from one another, in which each scraper has a grip or handle, and a scraper
or actuating and cleaning end, each joined to one another by an intermediate section,
having a general concave configuration that allows stacking the trays or the scrapers
once separated, the scrapers being used to clean those objects or devices on which
organic or any other nature of waste may be deposited. |
Object of the Invention
[0001] The object of the present invention is a moulded tray formed by separable biodegradable and disposable scrapers, in which each of the scrapers which can be separated from the rest of the scrapers of the tray is used to clean those surfaces on which organic or any other nature of waste may be deposited.
[0002] The object of the present invention is the design and development of a moulded tray which is made up of more than one scraper, in which each of the scrapers is biodegradable, disposable, and in which each of the scrapers can furthermore be separated and segregated from the rest of the scrapers of the tray assembly by means of broken or perforated lines.
[0003] The present invention is characterized by the special configuration and constructive design of both the tray and each of the scrapers forming part of the tray such that a single assembly which can be handled as a whole, from which each of the scrapers forming part of the tray can be easily and simply separated and segregated, is obtained from the start.
[0004] Another object of the invention is to develop a scraper which can be discarded after its use, so it is generally designed for a single use for the purpose of being environmentally friendly; the scraper is made with completely biodegradable materials.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to develop a scraper which, in addition to having the aforementioned features, is lightweight and inexpensive for the purpose of facilitating its use and introduction on the market.
[0006] The present invention is also characterised by the diversity of uses it can have given the wide variety of sectors in which it can be used such as the hotel-residential sector, industrial sector, public health sector and even the domestic sector.
[0007] Therefore, the present moulded tray invention lies within the field of cleaning devices for the removal of waste that may be deposited in various devices.
Background of the Invention
[0008] There are a number of situations in which continuously reused cleaning objects or utensils are used for the removal of waste deposited on various surfaces, said cleaning objects having to be stored in containers for such purpose.
[0009] The current cleaning system has several obvious drawbacks. On one hand, organic waste remains adhered on the cleaning object or utensil, and even in the case of this waste being removed, the utensil is contaminated by having been in contact with the waste to remove. On the other hand, since the clearing utensil requires another storage device because it is for several uses, such storage device is also another continuous source of germs because it is in contact with the device for the removal of the organic waste.
[0010] The utensils that could be used in the removal of organic waste are also for a single use and are usually distributed in a separate manner, with the consequent drawback for the distribution and storage, the fact that several of said utensils or scrapers for the removal of organic waste could be simultaneously manufactured and distributed greatly facilitating the manufacture and distribution.
[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, i.e., to avoid successively using one and the same tool that has been in contact with germs and bacteria in succession, and is therefore for a single use, and is furthermore biodegradable; the present invention also seeks to develop an assembly that facilitates both the manufacture and distribution of several utensils simultaneously and allows the subsequent use in a separate manner.
[0012] A moulded tray such as that which is the object of the present invention is developed to overcome said drawbacks.
Description of the Invention
[0013] The moulded tray invention formed by biodegradable and disposable scrapers basically consists of a tray which is obtained by moulding and which is made up of more than one scraper, in which the scrapers can be separated or segregated from the rest, and in which the resulting scrapers are biodegradable and disposable.
[0014] Given that each of the scrapers forming the tray object of the invention is for a single use, i.e., they are disposable, this means that a large number of scrapers are used, therefore for the purpose of facilitating their manufacture and transport they have been arranged in trays made by moulding, forming a single part, in which each of the scrapers forming the tray can be separated or segregated from the rest.
[0015] The means for separating or segregating each of the scrapers forming the tray are perforated lines or trepanned lines, or simply alternating perforations, such that separation can be performed manually without needing to use any additional utensil, in which the separation edges are completely clean without any burrs once the scrapers are separated.
[0016] Each of the scrapers forming part of the moulded tray is made as a single part, having a configuration and design perfectly studied for its adaptation to the functions to be performed, as well as for facilitating its handling by the user.
[0017] The scraper is a multiuse scraper as it has multiple applications in various sectors such as the hotel-residential sector, the public health sector, even in the domestic sector.
[0018] For the purpose of facilitating its manufacture by moulding, the scraper is manufactured using a composite of basic products, which basically contain cellulose and additives which make the fibre impermeable and increase its rigidity. On the other hand, as a result of manufacturing the scraper with cellulose, an entirely biodegradable product which completely decomposes upon contact with water and which allows disposal through drains in accidental cases, although it is especially designed to be thrown in the trash for its subsequent recycling or destruction, is achieved.
[0019] As previously mentioned, the scraper is especially designed for the functions for which it has been conceived and for user handling, to that end it has a series of outer shapes cooperating with said purposes.
[0020] Basically, a grip or handle area and a scraper or actuating and cleaning area are distinguished in the scraper, connected to one another by an intermediate area. The actuating and cleaning area could have front ribs to strengthen it.
[0021] On the other hand, intermediate strengthening ribs increasing the rigidity of the scraper are also additionally arranged in the joining area between the grip or handle and the scraper or actuating and cleaning area for the purpose of improving the strength of the assembly .
[0022] A series of grooves adapted to the hand can also be made on the grip or handle for the purpose of facilitating user handling of the scraper.
[0023] Additionally, and for the purpose of facilitating stacking and transporting the moulded trays, such trays have a design in which each of the scrapers has a general concave configuration created by moulding, which facilitates their stacking.
[0024] Also, for the purpose of taking maximum advantage of the used surface of each of the moulded trays, the arrangement of each of the scrapers thereon is such that they are alternated, such that a scraper placed with the grip or handle in what could be called the upper part of the tray is followed by a scraper which has the scraper or actuating and cleaning end in the upper part and so on and so forth, which allows optimising the moulding surface.
[0025] As has previously been mentioned, the moulded tray is mainly made up of cellulose, 100% coming from recycled paper or cardboard and additives mixed with the cellulose which make the fibre impermeable and increase its rigidity.
[0026] Furthermore and additionally, one or a combination of the following elements can be added in small proportions to the aforementioned composite for the purpose of achieving the functionalities associated with the added elements.
- Bactericides, which would be added for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of bacteriological contamination in the manufacturing process.
- Cationising agents, which would be added in the event of seeking to eliminate the ionic waste of the pulp.
- Dye, for the purpose of providing a determined colour to the final scraper.
- Defoamer which avoids the occurrence of entrained air in the final product.
- Flocculants, which would be added as a retaining and draining agent, which improves the deformation of the process.
- Aromas, added for the purpose of providing a characteristic smell to the scraper.
- Disinfectants and/or detergents, which are incorporated to act during the moment of use and on contact with water.
[0027] The amount and number of additive products will vary according to preferences or the needs of the product, or due to the environmental conditions which the scraper must endure, however adverse these are.
[0028] As a moulded tray assembly, the final product can be stored in closed plastic bags separately for the purpose of protecting the trays from humidity, particularly in those environments in which humidity is high.
[0029] Therefore, as a result of the aforementioned features, a tray manufactured by moulding with biodegradable materials such as cellulose, which is made up of several scrapers which are biodegradable and disposable and which can be easily and simply separated from the rest, is obtained. As a result of the arrangement of the scrapers in trays, the manufacture and the distribution of the assembly, as well as its storage, are improved.
Description of the Drawings
[0030] To complement the description given below and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in the figures of which the most significant details of the invention are depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner.
Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a tray with the punch frame and a profile view.
Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of a tray without the punch frame and another real view.
Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of a progressive side expansion which allows making trays with a greater number of scrapers, in multiples of four, and which maintain the same structure for efficient manufacture.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a scraper 3 which will result from the separation of the scrapers of each tray, separated by lines 4.
Figure 5 shows a profile view of one of the scrapers 3.
Figure 6 shows an elevational view of one of the scrapers.
Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section of one of the scrapers.
Figure 8 shows a longitudinal section of an assembly of scrapers of the stacked trays, showing their perfect stacking, which will improve their handling, distribution and storage.
Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
[0032] The moulded tray invention is characterised in that it is obtained by moulding, manufactured from a composition of cellulose and additives and consisting of several scrapers which can be separated from one another, in which each of the scrapers has a general concave configuration.
[0033] Each of the scrapers that make up the moulded tray has a grip or handle and a scraper or actuating and cleaning end, each joined to one another by an intermediate section, having a concave inner configuration.
[0034] Figure 1 shows a moulded tray (1) surrounded by a frame (2), in which the tray (1) is separated from the frame by a punch.
[0035] The tray consists of several scrapers (3) which can be separated from one another by perforated lines (4) separating the sides joining some scrapers with others.
[0036] The means which facilitate the separation or segregation of each of the scrapers can be perforated lines (4) such as those depicted, trepanned lines or lines with a cut that is shallower than the thickness of the sheets used in forming the trays.
[0037] As can be seen in Figure 4, each of the scrapers (3) consists of a grip or handle (7) and a scraper or actuating and cleaning end (6), each joined to one another by means of an intermediate section.
[0038] The general configuration of each of the scrapers (3) is such that the part corresponding to the grip or handle (7) is narrower than the part corresponding to the scraper or actuating and cleaning end (6), so for the purpose of taking advantage of the moulding surface, it is done so that the scrapers are in alternating positions. In other words, as can be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the grip or handle of each of the scrapers is arranged in an alternating manner, whereas when it is in the upper part in one scraper, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, in the adjacent scraper the grip or handle is in the lower part, and so on and so forth.
[0039] A possible embodiment of the moulded tray is by means of moulding four scrapers, as shown in Figure 2, in which it can be seen that as a result of the alternating arrangement of the scrapers, the moulding surface is optimised.
[0040] However, the number of scrapers per tray does not have to be limited to four, being able to be, as shown in Figure 3, which shows a tray with twelve scrapers and in which groups of four scrapers have been maintained to achieve a more efficient manufacture, the segregation between them of groups of four scrapers being possible.
[0041] Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the constructive details of each of the scrapers consisting of a grip or handle (7) and a scraper or actuating and cleaning end (6), each joined to one another by means of an intermediate section.
[0042] In Figure 7 the concavity (8) defined in the lower part of the scrapers (3), seen in the longitudinal section of the scraper, is noteworthy. As a result of this general concave configuration, stacking several scrapers is possible, which facilitates their storage and distribution.
1. Moulded tray, characterised in that it is obtained by moulding, manufactured using a composition of cellulose and additives,
wherein the tray consists of several scrapers which can be separated from one another
and wherein each of the scrapers has a general concave configuration.
2. Moulded tray according to claim 1, characterised in that the scrapers forming the tray are separated by means of perforated lines (4).
3. Moulded tray according to claim 1, characterised in that each scraper making up the tray has a grip or handle (7), and a scraper or actuating
and cleaning end (B) each joined to one another by an intermediate section and having
a concave inner configuration.
4. Moulded tray according to claim 3, characterised in that each tray consists of four scrapers arranged in an alternating manner, the grips
or handles being adjacent to a scraper or actuating and cleaning end.
5. Moulded tray according to claim 3, characterised in that each tray consists of a number of scrapers which is a multiple of four, which can
be segregated into groups of four scrapers, and wherein the scrapers are arranged
in an alternating manner, the grips or handles (7) being adjacent to a scraper or
actuating and cleaning end (8)
6. Moulded tray according to claim 1, characterised in that in addition to cellulose, one or a combination of some or all of the following additives
are added in the composition:
- glues
- bactericide
- cationising agent
- dye
- defoamer
- flocculant
- mould release agent
- aromas
- disinfectants
- detergents.
7. Stacked assembly of scrapers, wherein each of the scrapers has the previously claimed
features, characterised in that the trays are stacked taking advantage of the general concave configuration (8) of
each of the scrapers forming the trays.