WASTE PACKER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A WASTE PACKER

Abstract

 The invention relates to a waste packer, which is intended to collect four different types of waste. The waste packer (10) includes a two-compartment rear packer (11) and a two-compartment intermediate packer (12). The invention also relates to a method for operating a waste packer.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a waste packer, which is intended for collecting four different types of waste. The invention is also related to a method for operating a waste packer.

[0002] European patent number 1491464 discloses a waste truck, in which there is a so-called four-compartment packer. The waste truck is intended for sorting and recycling waste. The waste truck and the four-compartment packer installed in it are designed specifically for emptying four-compartment bins. All four compartments of a four-compartment bin are emptied simultaneously in about half a minute, with the aid of a bin lift installed in the rear of the waste truck.

[0003] The known bin lift is extremely complicated and thus expensive. In addition, the specially built bin lift is only suitable for emptying four-compartment bins. In particular, the space reserved for smaller compartments is small. Further, it is difficult to empty the four different compartments of the waste truck. In other words, during emptying the different types of waste easily become mixed.

[0004] The invention is intended to create a new type of waste packer, which is simpler than previously, but is also more versatile than before. The characteristic features of the waste packer according to the present invention are stated in the accompanying Claims. The invention is also intended to create a new kind of method for the operation of the waste packer, which is clearer than previously and by means of which the different types of waste collected can be kept separate from each other. In the invention, the various functions are clarified and, at the same time, diverse functions have been combined. By means of the waste packer different kinds of waste bin can be emptied using simple devices. The emptying of the waste packer is quick and the different types of waste remain separate even when being emptied.

[0005] In the following, the invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings depicting one embodiment of the invention, in which

Figure 1a

shows a top view of a multi-compartment bin, without a cover,

Figure 1b

shows a side view of the multi-compartment bin,

Figure 1c

shows schematically the waste packer according to the invention,

Figure 2

shows a front view of the intermediate packer according to the invention,

Figure 3

shows a partial cross-section of the intermediate packer according to the invention,

Figure 4

shows the intermediate packer according to the invention, seen at an angle from in front.

[0006] Figures 1a and 1b show one multi-compartment bin 25. Here, the multi-compartment bin 25 is a four-compartment bin, in which there are two compartments 27 and 28 divided by a partition 26. On each side of the partition 26 there are small compartments 29 and 30, which are joined together by a lifting frame 31 to form a small two-compartment bin. The compartments can be used, for example, in such a way that metal, glass, cardboard, and mixed waste have their own compartments. The total capacity of the waste bin in about 360 litres, of which about 180 litres is reserved for mixed waste, about 120 litres for cardboard, and 30 litres each for metal and glass.

[0007] Figure 1c shows schematically the waste packer 10 according to the invention. The waste packer is installed on top of the chassis of a vehicle, in order to form a waste truck. In this case, the waste packer is intended to collect four different types of waste. According to the invention, the waste packer 10 includes a two-compartment rear packer 11 and a two-compartment intermediate packer 12. Thus four types of waste can easily be collected from, for example, domestic households. In this case, the compartments of the rear packer 11 are of equal size, but they can also be of different sizes. Collection is facilitated by a waste truck, in which the rear packer 11 and intermediate packer 12 are equipped with universal-model bin lifts 13 and 14. The waste truck can then be used to collect different kinds of waste irrespective of the kind of waste bins being used. In other words, by using a waste truck equipped with the waste packer according to the invention, it is possible to collect waste at the same time no matter in what kind of waste bin it has been placed. Using the waste packer, it is possible to empty both four-compartment bins and conventional waste bins. When emptying a conventional waste bin containing a single type of waste, the waste bin is placed in the bin lift next to the container containing the type of waste in question and the waste bin is emptied into the container by using the bin lift.

[0008] The waste container 15 of the intermediate packer 12 according to Figures 1a, 2, 3, and 4 includes a bin lift 14 and a two-part container 16 equipped with two covers 17 and 18. Thus, two types of waste can be collected in the same waste container using a single bin lift. The small compartments 29 and 30 are preferably joined together by a lifting frame 31, so that they are emptied simultaneously. As the bin lift 14 is of a universal model, it is possible to empty, for example, a conventional 140 or 240-litre bin for metal collection. The bin lift 14 is so dimensioned that two 140 or 240-litre waste bins can be placed next to each other in it. There is a partition 19 in the waste container 15, so that the types of waste collected will remain separate from each other (Figure 3).

[0009] Here, the bin lift 14 of the intermediate packer 12 is equipped with support arms 20, on which the bin lift 14 first descends and at the same time moves away outwards from the waste truck (Figures 2 and 3). The bin lift then extends a suitable emptying distance, without changes to the truck's chassis. In other words, for example, the fuel tank of a type-approved vehicle will remain untouched. In practice, a multi-compartment bin 25 according to Figure 1b is taken, with its cover 32 open, to the bin lift 14 of the intermediate packer 12, by which the small compartments 29 and 30 are raised and tipped into the container 16. In emptying, the covers are open, according to Figures 2, 3, and 4. While the small compartments are being emptied, the multi-compartment bin 25 is taken to the rear packer 11, by which the large compartments 27 and 28 are emptied. After emptying, the multi-compartment bin 25 is taken back to the bin lift 14 of the intermediate packer 12 and the small compartments 29 and 30 are lowered into the multi-compartment bin 25.

[0010] In the covers 17 and 18 there are two parallel counter-pieces 21 and 22 for waste bins. Inside the covers there are also second counter-pieces (not shown). Thus, the bin lift 14 of the intermediate packer 12 can be used to empty normal large waste bins and the small two-compartment bin of a four-compartment bin. The large two-compartment bin of a four-compartment bin is emptied into the rear packer. A four-compartment bin is an embodiment of the multi-compartment bin. The bin lift 14 shown of the intermediate packer 12 is completely mechanical and thus reliable and easy to use. By means of one hydraulic cylinder 23 the support arms 20 are moved and by means of the second hydraulic cylinder 24 a small two-compartment bin or conventional waste bin is raised and tipped. The two-compartment bin or waste bin is placed in the bin grip of the bin lift and when lifting starts the waste bin is locked mechanically into the bin lift.

[0011] In Figure 3, the waste container 15 is partially cross-sectioned. Here the partition 19 delimits two separate compartments in the container 16, which can be filled and emptied separately. In the case of the waste container 15 of the intermediate packer 12, the selected cover is locked when emptying one compartment at a time. The waste container 15 of the intermediate packer 12 is emptied by tipping the bin lift 14 to the opposite side of the waste truck. In this way the bin lift remains clean. During tipping, the cover of the compartment being emptied is open and correspondingly the cover of the other compartment is then locked. In other words, the covers are arranged to be independent of each other. Both compartments can be emptied by tipping simultaneously, in which case the locking of both covers will be open. In other words, the same waste can be collected in both compartments, in which case the compartments can be emptied simultaneously.

[0012] In Figure 4, the intermediate packer 12 is shown seen from the emptying side. The waste container 16 comprising two compartments is supported on the lower frame 34 of the intermediate packer 12 by two pivot points 33 at the outer edge. At the sides of the waste container 16 there are hydraulic cylinders 35, by means of which the waste container can be rotated relative to the pivot points 33. The angle of rotation is more than 100°, so that the waste container is sure to empty to the side of the waste truck.

[0013] Each cover 17 and 18 is in two parts and the first part 36 of the cover's parts is hinged to the cover 17 or 18 in question while the second part is hinged to the waste bin 16. In addition, each cover 17 and 18 includes a lock 38 for locking the first part 36 to the cover 17 or 18. Correspondingly, each cover 17 and 18 includes a lock 39 for locking the second part 37 to the waste bin 16. In this way, it is possible when necessary to open and lock the desired cover and part of the cover. When emptying, the part 36 of the open cover 17 of Figure 4, for example, is closed and locked with the lock 38, the hydraulic cylinder 40 operating the bolt of which is on the front edge of the cover. On the other edge is also a lock 39 with a small hydraulic cylinder 41 in it. When emptying, by releasing the lock 39 the cover 17 with its parts 36 and 37 can rotate relative to the pivot point 42 in the outer edge. The waste packer 10 is preferably arranged in a vehicle 43 and the intermediate packer 12 is located between the rear packer 11 and the cab 44 of the vehicle 43.

[0014] The waste container of the intermediate packer is installed between the rear packer and the waste truck's cab. In practice, the widths are 800 - 2000 mm and the capacity is 3 - 8 m³. It is also possible to install several intermediate packers one after the other on a chassis. For example, in a waste truck there can be two wide or four narrow double-compartment waste containers. An increasing number of types of waste can thus be collected at one time. The intermediate packers can also be installed on a skip chassis. The intermediate packer is fast and is easy to control.

[0015] In the method according to the invention, a two-compartment rear packer 11 and a two-compartment intermediate packer 12 are used in the waste packer 10. A multi-compartment bin 25 is preferably used, some of the compartments of which are emptied into the rear packer 11 and some into the intermediate packer 12. Emptying is then systematic and the different types of waste remain separate from each other. More specifically, in the method, a four-compartment bin is used, the two small compartments 29 and 30 of which are emptied into the intermediate packer 12 and the two large compartments 27 and 28 are emptied into the rear packer 11. Then when the small compartments 29 and 30 are being emptied, the large compartments 27 and 28 of the same four-compartment bin are emptied into the rear packer 11. The small compartments wait in the side-packer's bin lift, when after emptying the large compartments 27 and 28 the four-compartment bin in question is moved to the intermediate packer 12 and the small compartments 29 and 30 are lowered into the four-compartment bin. This sequence accelerates and lightens working.

Claims

1. Waste packer, which is intended for collecting four different types of waste, characterized in that the waste packer (10) includes a two-compartment rear packer (11) and a two-compartment intermediate packer (12).

2. Waste packer according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rear packer (11) and the intermediate packer (12) are equipped with universal-model bin lifts (13, 14).

3. Waste packer according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate packer (12) includes a two-part waste container (16) equipped with two covers (17, 18).

4. Waste packer according to Claim 3, characterized in the there are counter-pieces (21, 22) in the covers (17, 18) for waste bins of different sizes.

5. Waste packer according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the covers (17, 18) are arranged independently of each other.

6. Waste packer according to any of Claims 3 - 5, characterized in that each cover (17, 18) is in two parts and the first part (36) of the cover is hinged to the cover (17, 18) in question and the second part (37) to the waste bin (16).

7. Waste packer according to Claim 6, characterized in that each cover (17, 18) includes a lock (38) for locking the first part (36) to the cover (17, 18).

8. Waste packer according to Claim 6, characterized in that each cover (17, 18) includes a lock (39) for locking the second part (37) to the waste bin (16).

9. Waste packer according to any of Claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the waste packer (10) is arranged in a vehicle (43), and the intermediate packer (12) is located between the rear packer (11) and a cab (44) belonging to the vehicle (43).

10. Method for operating a waste packer, in which method four different types of waste are collected in the waste packer (10), characterized in that a two-compartment rear packer (11) and a two-compartment intermediate packer (12) are used in the waste packer (10).

11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that in the method a multi-compartment bin (25) is used, some of the compartments of which are emptied into the rear packer (11) and some into the intermediate packer (12).

12. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that in the method a four-compartment bin is used, the two small compartments (29) and (30) of which are emptied into the intermediate packer (12) and the two large compartments (27) and (28) are emptied into the rear packer (11).

13. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that, while the small compartments (29) and (30) are being emptied, the large compartments (27 and (28) of the same four-compartment bin are emptied into the rear packer (11).

14. Method according to Claim 13, characterized in that, after the emptying of the large compartments (27) and (28), the four-compartment bin in question is moved to the intermediate packer (12) and the small compartments (29) and (30) are lowered into the four-compartment bin.

15. Method according to any of Claims 10 - 14, characterized in that in the method a waste packer according to any of Claims 2 - 9 is used.

Drawing