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(11) | EP 3 339 214 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | WASTE COLLECTION CONTAINER |
| (57) Container (10) for the collection of waste of various volumes, movable for emptying
with specific machines such as side loaders or front loaders, comprising a waste containment
tank (11), at least one waste disposal mouth (22), two opposing gripping areas (19)
and a structural portal beam (16) consisting of at least two lateral uprights (18)
fixed to the opposing sidewalls (15) of the tank (11), on which said opposing gripping
areas(19) are respectively provided, and a crosspiece (17) provided at a higher level
with respect to said gripping areas (19).
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Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of waste collection, and in particular it relates to a stationary container for the collection of waste of various volumes, movable for emptying with specific machines such as side loaders or front loaders, preferably but not exclusively of the type to be lifted for emptying thereof.
Background art
[0002] As is known, the field of stationary waste containers, commonly known as bins, is very crowded.
[0003] Due to the need to operate with container gripping, lifting and emptying machines of a standardized type, the dimensions and requirements of the containers are regulated by specific regulations. For this reason, mandatory measures indicated in these standards must be complied with in the design of the containers, as they are essential to allow the coupling with the machinery used for emptying the containers.
[0004] For example, for waste collection systems with side-loading equipment, also called side loaders, stationary containers with volumes from 1700 liters to 3200 liters with a pivot lifting device are normally used. The current production of containers for this type of use, in some cases, contemplates bins with constructive and aesthetic characteristics that are over twenty-five years old, in other cases bins with specific characteristics that may limit the use thereof.
[0005] Currently, the containers are made with different technologies and materials such as: galvanized steel sheet, aluminum sheet and galvanized steel structure, fiberglass with structural parts in galvanized steel, rotational polyethylene with structural parts in galvanized steel, injection polyethylene with steel reinforcements and parts in PP, and others.
[0006] Such current containers, both those made of metal and those made of plastic, are designed by constructing the tank of the bin as an element that, in addition to the containment function, also performs the function of structural strength. In general, there are two types of structural tanks, a tank built around a three-dimensional frame, which defines the corners of the tank and to which the aluminum walls are fixed or which contains a plastic tank (e.g. rotational polyethylene), and a tank of the intrinsically structural type, such as for example in the case of bins made of welded steel or high-density polyethylene, in which the shape of the tank in practice provides "single pieces".
[0007] In general, in such bins, the most important structural stiffening element is a circle on the edge of the tank. The circle that in steel bins for example consists of a specific shaped profile welded to the walls of the tank, while in polyethylene or high density plastic containers this reinforcing structure is directly constructed with the molding of the container.
[0008] In addition, in the tanks of plastic bins, in order to increase the resistance and distribute the stresses due to the lifting and handling of the container, reinforcement profiles made of metal or plastic are generally applied.
[0009] Furthermore, in these bins, there are anchored to the sidewalls of the tank two structures necessary to implement the overturning stops and accommodate the lifting pins of the container, and the structure of the closing covers. The latter, in bins with tilting closing system of the symmetrical "house-shaped" or asymmetric type used with automatic side loading collection equipment, becomes a mechanical device of considerable importance both for construction features and for functional features required, considering that it must allow the opening of the lids, controlled by the machine used for emptying, and the subsequent closing generally obtained with a complex system of levers and springs that requires maintenance.
[0010] In some models a closing system with non-tilting flat lids or with asymmetric lids is used, in this case, the opening of the lid during the emptying step occurs by simple gravity.
[0011] The push towards increasingly selective separate collection, besides the use of containers for different types of materials (paper, organic, glass, etc.) has seen the introduction on the market of disposal control devices, both in terms of volume and access. These devices, called "caps", are mounted on the lids of the bins adapting the structure of the lid. Together with the caps, electronic control means may be provided such as, waste level control, localization, emptying sensor, temperature/fire sensor, etc. increasingly requested for monitoring and/or planning the waste collection service (called intelligent or smart bins).
[0012] It is clear that the constructive configuration of the bins currently produced, may limit the reconfiguration of the same towards a smart use, since the lids of the bins may not be of necessary structural strength and of sufficient space for attaching the caps and the electronic means.
[0013] In addition, the trend in recent years has been that of preferring the maximization of the collection volume, with increasingly larger bins.
[0014] There has been a switch-over from bins which had a volume of 1300 liters to bins with volumes up to 3200 liters obtained by increasing the height and the width of the container, increase in height which may generate difficulties for waste disposal and create a visual barrier for pedestrians and for cars.
[0015] This size problem also refers to the fact that the user may have difficulty in waste disposal due to the excessive height and/or type of portal or cap used.
[0016] Furthermore, such bins have problems related to unused or unusable volume especially with the use of caps which do not allow optimal filling.
[0017] In addition, in relation to the sheet metal bins, there are problems related to the corrosion of the bottom of the bin, to the noise during movement, to the noise during the opening of the tipping lid.
[0018] Furthermore, in relation to the plastic bins, there are problems related to the deformations and breakages of the plastic walls in the connection points, to the breakages in the steel structure attachment points, to breakages in the attachment points of the hinges and of the support of the container, to the noise during the opening of the tipping lid, to the low shape stability of the material (for low density plastic materials).
Object and summary of the invention
[0019] The task of the present invention is to solve the mentioned drawbacks in waste containers of the known type.
[0020] Within such a task, an important object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which allows to reduce the visual impact, or not act as a visual barrier, with the same volume, with respect to bins of the known type.
[0021] Another important object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which is easy to use by the users.
[0022] Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which allows to increase the actually usable volume of the bin.
[0023] A further important object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which allows to reduce the manufacturing costs.
[0024] Another important object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which allows to reduce the maintenance thereof.
[0025] Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which allows to apply disposal caps, or similar disposal devices, both during the manufacturing step, and during the subsequent optional reconfiguration of the bin.
[0026] A further important object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which allows to apply management and control electronic means in order to create a so-called "smart bin".
[0027] Last but not least, an object of the present invention is to provide a waste collection container which guarantees a complete modularity for the various types of waste collection, maintaining the same measurements in height and depth with the best aesthetic harmony.
[0028] These and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved with a waste collection container, of the type to be lifted for emptying thereof, comprising a waste containment tank, at least one waste delivery mouth and at least one gripping area intended to be gripped by a container gripping, lifting and emptying machine, the waste container is characterized in that it comprises a structural portal beam comprising a crosspiece and two side uprights fixed to the opposing sidewalls of the tank which develop downwardly from said crosspiece; two opposing gripping areas are provided on the structural beam.
[0029] In practice, the bin provides a structural portal beam comprising a crosspiece and two side uprights fixed or integrated in the sidewalls of the waste containment tank. On the uprights of the structural beam there are gripping points necessary for emptying with specific equipment such as side or front loading vehicles.
[0030] In some construction embodiments the structural beam may be also made with a lower base crosspiece which also connects the two uprights in the lower part, which, preferably develop up to the base of the tank.
[0031] The container according to the invention, unlike the known bins, does not have a frame or a waste containment tank of the structural type since the structural beam, inserted in the upper part and in the sidewalls of the tank, being provided with gripping areas, directly receives all of the lifting and overturning force, and allows to reduce the forces acting on the sidewalls and on the edge of the tank.
[0032] Therefore, the structural strength for emptying the container is not provided with the containment tank with the relative frame or reinforcing circle, but with the structural beam, and each connected element participates, in the specificity thereof, in the mechanical strength of the container. Irrespective of the type of material used for the construction of the container, the insertion of this beam allows to simplify the construction of the tank and of the entire container.
[0033] It should be noted in fact that the waste in the bins make up weight which, when the bin is emptied and overturned for emptying thereof, tends to create a deformation of the sidewalls of the bin wherein there are the gripping pins or pockets for lifting and overturning. The deformation corresponds to a warping or enlargement of the base of the tank and a bending towards the inside of the upper vertices of the sidewalls. To withstand such bending in the existing configuration, a suitable sizing of the containment frame of the tank or of the circle and of the walls of the same is necessary. The insertion of the structural beam according to the invention allows to eliminate this bending effect of the walls, thus allowing to avoid the circle of the tank and to reduce the thickness of the walls or to eliminate the frame.
[0034] With the elimination of the circle of the tank or of the containment frame, besides a significant simplification and reduction of costs in the construction of the tank, a considerable recovery of useful volume equal to the overall outer size is obtained.
[0035] This construction method may be applied to multiple bin designs, since the idea of inserting an inner or outer structural beam, which connects the lifting and moving elements, such as the lifting pins (or pockets), the overturning and anti-rotation stops, does not constrain the outer design of the container.
[0036] Therefore the gripping areas may be integrated or fixed on said uprights. Such gripping areas may be made and shaped to be able to interact with any known lifting device, such as for example a pin or pocket lifting device, or other innovative device.
[0037] By waste "delivery mouth" it is meant any one area of the container for access to the tank for inserting waste which has a lower edge delimiting at least in part such an area. A delivery mouth may be an opening defined for example on a cover of the tank, to which a port, a separator, a cap, etc. may be associated or it may also be all the upper area of the tank delimited by the upper edge thereof, and which is always open, or closed by a partially openable lid.
[0038] Preferably, the container comprising two opposing gripping areas provided on respective uprights and wherein the crosspiece is at higher level than such gripping areas.
[0039] Preferably, such at least one gripping area is defined on a pin integral to a respective upright and laterally outgoing therefrom, to be able to interact with the gripping machines provided with pin lifting devices of the known type. It is understood that such gripping areas may be made and shaped to be able to interact with any known lifting device, such as for example a pocket lifting device of the known type, or other innovative device. Therefore the gripping areas may comprise respective lifting pockets defining, or integrated, or fixed on, said uprights, and adapted to receive forks of a container gripping, lifting and emptying machine (such pockets may make up part of the uprights, or be fixed to the uprights, or be made on the uprights).
[0040] Preferably, the lower limit of said at least one delivery mouth is provided, in height, at a lower position with respect to the crosspiece. This means that the delivery mouth is at a height at least partially lower with respect to the position, in height, of the crosspiece, for which the waste is at least partially inserted in a gap comprised between the crosspiece and the lower limits of the delivery mouth.
[0041] More preferably, the lower limit of said at least one delivery mouth is provided, in height, in a position comprised between said gripping areas and said crosspiece.
[0042] Preferably, the uprights are internal or at the same level, with respect to the outermost surface of the tank sidewalls, or are internal or at the same level of the maximum lateral encumbrance defined by such sidewalls. This means that the dimensions of the container are substantially the same dimensions of the tank, for which the uprights do not take away lateral space to the container.
[0043] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the uprights may be partially external, or completely external, with respect to the outermost surface of the sidewalls, or external with respect to the level of the maximum lateral encumbrance defined by said sidewalls.
[0044] Preferably at least one upright has a portion elongated downwards beyond the respective gripping area, or beyond the pin in cases wherein the gripping zone is defined on a pin laterally outgoing from the upright; on the side of the container where there is such a gripping area (or pin) there is a recess entering towards the interior of the sidewall surface and open on at least the front or rear side of the container, adapted to emboss at least part of the portion of the upright elongated downwardly with respect to the bottom of the recess, thus defining a lower abutment area at the gripping area (or pin) to allow the partial overturning of the container by the container gripping, lifting and emptying machine adapted to enter said recess; preferably there is an elongated portion and a pocket for each upright.
[0045] Preferably, the pocket is open both on the front side, and on the rear side of the container.
[0046] On preferred embodiments, the container comprises a cover of the tank, on which said at least one waste delivery mouth is defined; preferably at least one portion of said cover is movable to allow waste emptying, preferably by gravity.
[0047] Preferably, such a cover has a substantially asymmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through a middle area of the container, or preferably passing through the gripping areas, or through the gripping pins in cases wherein they are present.
[0048] Preferably, the cover has a substantially trapezoidal sectional shape, with the minor base provided at the top with respect to the major base, the latter preferably provided at the edge of the tank.
[0049] Preferably, the cover has a substantially asymmetrical trapezoidal sectional shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through a middle area of the container, or preferably passing through the gripping areas, or through the gripping pins in cases wherein they are present.
[0050] Preferably, said at least one delivery mouth is provided at least on one of the inclined faces of the trapezoidal shape of said cover.
[0051] Preferably, the container comprises a cover portion of said tank, whereon said at least one waste delivery mouth is defined.
[0053] According to preferred embodiments, the crosspiece is placed at the highest area of the cover.
[0054] Preferably, the uprights comprise a vertical part, whereon said gripping area is provided, and an inclined or curved part comprised between said crosspiece and said vertical part.
[0055] Preferably, in the embodiment with pin lifting device, on said upright there is an anti-tipping element, preferably in the form of a pin-shaped element, preferably at a height comprised between the respective gripping area and said crosspiece (or wherever necessary in relation to the type of attachment used), adapted to prevent the tipping downwards when the container is lifted and rotated downwards for gravity emptying.
[0056] Preferably, the container may comprise one or more of the following:
- a lock device for closing said cover or said delivery mouth,
- a device for opening/closing said delivery mouth,
- battery recharge device or electric battery, such as for example a solar panel,
- one or more of the following sensors: sensor to assess the degree of filling of the container, temperature sensor, fire sensor, humidity sensor, water presence sensor on the bottom, sensor for the overturning of the bin, impact sensor,
- a user recognition device of the bin,
- remote communication device, which allows an operations center to check the status of the bin through the interaction with one or more of the sensors and/or devices listed above,
- electronic means for managing one or more of the above devices and/or sensors.
[0057] Preferably, one or more of said sensors and one or more of said devices are fixed or connected to the structural beam, or to the crosspiece or to the uprights.
[0058] According to preferred embodiments, on the structural beam, and more preferably on the crosspiece, there are fixed the support means for a waste delivery cap placed on said cover to define a corresponding delivery mouth.
[0059] In practice, the waste collection container houses a user disposal control system and an operating collection control, such as for example:
- a sensor system which applied to the container is capable of detecting the volume thereof, the filling level and other "internal and qualitative waste status" measurements and of communicating to a remote server;
- an electronic closing system, or more generically access control, with which "to enable the delivery" or make the bin accessible only to people provided with an electronic board (or with other recognition means) for an accurate identification of the user and recording of the date and time of use;
- applications capable of processing collected data and of replanning the "collection routes" directly indicating them, even in real time, towards the vehicles used for emptying the containers/bins, so as to drastically reduce service times and street routes thereof to cover. Therefore the means would go near the bins only when these are effectively to be emptied, with consequent reduction and optimization of routes, of fuel consumption, reduction of pollutants produced and dispersed into the air, reduction of hours on the road with benefits to the viability and to the possible accident risks;
- indication of the energy status (batteries and chargers) of the system and remote control of the closing state of the container and state and alarm detection such as forcing/violation actions;
- electrical power system based on chargers and on the integrative action of solar panels, suitably sized, useful for recharging the batteries and reducing the maintenance need for charger replacements.
[0060] The structural beam, being positioned on upper part of the container and on the sidewalls, allows to house all this technology and sensors and to become a solid anchor for all the opening devices.
[0061] To obtain a reliability over time of these technologies, a resistance to the vandalism acts, to the atmospheric agents, to the aggressions of waste to the mechanical stress of emptying is also required. The idea to install these technologies and sensors in an integrated way in the structural beam, just like a specific container, fully responds to these requirements.
[0062] Resistance logics also thought of for installing solar panels, provided in the upper part of the structural beam, in a horizontal position and difficult to access and mechanically protected by the underlying beam.
[0063] This positioning further allows to have the maximum electrical yield of the solar panel independently from the orientation of the bin.
[0064] The "smart" applications or more correctly ICT, Information and Communication Technology, transform the bin into a primary operating subject where an intelligence capable of controlling the operational status, enabling access to the delivery, interacting with the emptying systems, communicating service information to the operator in order to supervise, control, plan and optimize waste collection, must be applied.
[0065] Only a bin natively designed to become a "smart bin", as that according to the present invention, allows to apply these technologies in a structured and reliable way.
Brief description of the drawings
[0066] Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment thereof, shown by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which
figure 1 shows a front view of a container diagram according to the invention, wherein the external dimension of the container is indicated with dashed lines, while the structural beam of the container is indicated with continuous lines;
figure 2 shows a side view of the container diagram in figure 1;
figure 3 shows a front axonometric view of the container schematized in figures 1 and 2;
figure 4 shows the rear (unloading side) axonometric view of the container shown in figure 3;
figure 5 shows a schematic portion of a container according to the invention, varying with respect to the previous examples, wherein some accessory elements are visible;
figure 6 shows the rear axonometric view of a container according to the invention varying with respect to that in figure 4;
figure 7 shows the rear axonometric view of a container according to the invention similar to that in figure 3, but varying in the number of delivery mouths;
figure 8 shows the front view of another container according to the invention, varying with respect to the previous figures;
figure 9 shows a side view of the container in figure 8;
figure 10 shows the side view of a further container according to the invention, varying with respect to the previous figures even in the gripping type for emptying;
figure 11 shows the rear (unloading side) view of the container in figure 8.
Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention
[0067] With reference to the figures previously described, a stationary waste container according to the invention is globally indicated with reference numeral 10.
[0068] The stationary waste collection container 10, of various volumes, movable for emptying with specific machines such as side or front loader vehicles comprises a tank 11 and a cover 12 of the tank 11.
[0069] The tank 11 is provided with a front side 13, a rear side 14, two sidewalls 15 and a bottom 15A.
[0070] The tank may be made in different ways. It may be a monolithic piece, or shaped by sides, sidewalls and bottom mutually connected at the edges thereof. Even the materials may be more varied, from metal to plastic or a combination of these.
[0072] For example the cover 12 has a substantially asymmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through a middle area of the container. For example, such an asymmetrical shape has a substantially trapezoidal section, with the minor base 12A provided at the top with respect to the major base 12B, the latter provided in proximity to the edge 11A of the tank 11. Such a cover 12 therefore has two oblique sides, a front minor oblique side 12C and a rear major oblique side 12D. It should be noted that in this example, the sidewalls 15 of the tank develop up to surpassing the outer edge 11A of the tank and also laterally delimit the cover 12 and have a trapezoidal asymmetrical pattern at the upper end similar to that of the cover.
[0073] Suitably all of the cover 12 or only a part thereof (for example an oblique side thereof) is movable (for example rotates on a horizontal axis) to allow waste emptying (for example by gravity when the container is lifted and rotated for emptying thereof, the movable part rotates by gravity and allows the emptying).
[0074] It is clear that in other embodiments, the cover may not be present, or may be present and have a symmetrical, irregular or whatever shape most suitable for the need.
[0075] The waste container 10 advantageously comprises a structural portal beam 16, in turn comprising a crosspiece 17 and two side uprights 18 which develop from the end of the crosspiece 17 downwards and which are fixed to the sidewalls 15 of the tank 11.
[0076] The structural beam 16 is typically made of metal, for example steel or aluminum or alloys thereof or other material.
[0077] The structural beam 16 may be made for example in a single piece directly with the desired shape, or as a subsequently deformed rectilinear bar, or it may also be made in more pieces solidly mutually connected by welding, bolting or other, so as to obtain a stiff union of such pieces.
[0078] The beam 16 substantially develops for the entire inner length of the container and occupies the highest area of the cover 12, at the minor base 12A.
[0079] On the other hand, the side uprights 18 comprise a first, vertical, part 18A, provided at the above mentioned vertical plane passing through the middle area of the container, or the substantial center line area thereof, and a second, oblique, inclined or curved, part 18B comprised between the crosspiece 17 and the vertical part 18A.
[0080] The side uprights 18 are fixed to the walls of the sidewalls of the tank for example by threaded connections (bolts or the like), not shown in the figures, so as to create a stiff connection between the structural beam 16 and the tank 11.
[0081] From the first vertical parts 18A of the uprights, gripping pins 19 laterally develop, which allow a container gripping, lifting and emptying machine, of the per se known type, to operate the emptying steps. Such gripping pins 19 define gripping areas for such a machine. In place of the gripping pins there may be different gripping elements for lifting by types different than pin lifting. It is understood that such gripping areas may be made and shaped to be able to interact with any known lifting device, such as for example a pocket lifting device of the known type, or other innovative device.
[0082] In this example, such pins 19 are positioned at a lower height with respect to the upper edge 11Aof the tank 11.
[0083] Still from the uprights 18, in a close position to the crosspiece 17, respective anti-tipping elements 20 develop, preferably pin-shaped, adapted to prevent, according to the known method, the tipping downwards when the container is lifted and rotated downwards by the above mentioned machine, to allow gravity emptying.
[0084] In figures 1 and 2, the uprights 18 are shown interrupted in the part facing downwards. They may develop along the respective sidewalls of the tank up to the bottom, or be interrupted in a position intermediate to the sidewall in relation to the type of attachment of the bin to the gripping, lifting and emptying machine (or type of interaction with gripping, lifting and emptying machines provided with pin, pocket or other lifting devices). In other embodiments, said uprights may also be connected in the lower part of the tank or interrupt under the base of the tank.
[0085] In these examples, the first parts 18A of the uprights are in practice portions elongated downwards beyond the respective gripping area defined by the respective pin 19. On the sidewalls 15 of the tank 11 there are respective recesses 21 entering towards the interior of the respective sidewall surfaces and open both on the front side 13 and on the rear side 14 of the tank 11.
[0086] Such recesses 21 are adapted to emboss a portion of the first vertical parts 18A of the uprights 18 thus defining an abutment area 23, according to the known method, by an arm of the above mentioned gripping machine, thus allowing the partial overturning of the container by the gripping machine.
[0087] Advantageously, the uprights are internal or at the same level, with respect to the outermost surface 15S of the sidewalls 15 of the tank 11, or are internal or at the same level of the maximum lateral encumbrance defined by such sidewalls. This means that the dimensions of the container are substantially the same dimensions of the tank, for which the uprights do not take away lateral space to the container.
[0088] The recesses of the tank 21, in relation to the type of lifting device have different shapes as shown in figures 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11.
[0089] Obviously the shapes of the delivery mouths and the number thereof may be the most varied. In figure 7, for example, a container 10 is shown provided with a cover 12 which comprises two delivery mouths alongside each other 22 and 22' on the front minor oblique side 12C.
[0090] In figure 6 a container 10 is shown provided with a cover 12 which comprises two delivery mouths 22 and 22' arranged on the opposing front and rear oblique sides 12C and 12D (12D - unloading side)
[0092] In this example, the lower limit 22A of the delivery mouth 22 is provided, in height, at a lower position with respect to the crosspiece 17. In practice, the waste is inserted in a gap comprised between the crosspiece 22 and the lower limits 22A of the delivery mouth. More in particular, in this example, the lower limit 22A of the delivery mouth 22 is provided at a position comprised between the pins 19 and the crosspiece 17.
[0093] In figure 5 a schematic portion of a container according to the invention is shown, wherein there are some accessory elements. In particular there are electronic means 25 for managing devices and sensors associated to the container 10, fixed on the structural beam, and more specifically, on the crosspiece 17. On the same crosspiece the solar panels 26 are also fixed, operatively connected with the electronic management means 25, which allow the electric powering thereof.
[0094] Other accessory elements (not shown, for simplicity, in the figures) associated to the container are for example one or more of the following:
- lock devices, preferably electronic, electromechanic, for closing the cover or more specifically, the delivery mouth,
- motor-driven devices for closing/opening the delivery mouth(s),
- one or more of the following sensors such as: sensor to assess the degree of filling of the container (for example ultrasounds), temperature sensor, fire sensor, humidity sensor, water presence sensor on the bottom, sensor for the overturning of the bin, impact sensor,
- a user recognition device of the bin, for example by RFID reader (or other electronic or magnetic or optical reading device) associated to waste bag or magnetic/electronic card reader associated to a user,
- a remote communication device.
[0095] Suitably, the most part, or all, of the sensors and the devices now listed, are housed or supported on the structural beam.
[0096] Still in figure 5 a delivery mouth 22' is also shown, defined by a disposal cap 27, of cylindrical type, in se known, for example of electronic type which is opened by a user code and allows the measuring of the disposed waste. Such a cap is partially constrained, in structural terms, at the crosspiece 17, for example by brackets 30.
[0097] It is clear that the cover, in relation to the various operation requirements, may be, fixed with the single or double delivery mouth, fixed with the single or double delivery portal with the possible volume control, fixed with the cap, or with the cover manually openable or openable with a pedal, etc.
[0098] In figures 8 and 9 a variation of the container 10 is shown, wherein the uprights 18 are external, or partially external, with respect to the outermost surface of the sidewalls 14.
[0099] In figures 10 and 11 a further variation of the container 10 is shown, wherein in place of the lifting pins 20 there are pockets 120, accessible by the rear side 14 by lifting forks of a container gripping, lifting and emptying machine, according to known methods. In this example the pockets 120 are each shaped by a metal hollow structure 120A which defines the first part 18A of the respective upright 18. In other embodiments such a metal hollow structure may be fixed to a first part 18A of an upright, or be integrated therein.
[0100] Still in this example, such pockets 120 are internal to the container, or internal to the maximum lateral encumbrance thereof. In other embodiments, of the container, such pockets may be external, or partially external to the maximum lateral encumbrance of the container.
[0101] It is clear that the waste container now described solves and achieves the objects thereto proposed. The use of the structural portal beam allows to increase the lateral internal volume of the tank and therefore, equal to the volume, allows to lower the height of the container with respect to the containers of the known type. In addition, it allows to have tanks with simpler structures and therefore less expensive for the construction and easier to design. For example, it simplifies the construction of a tank with sidewalls and sides in steel or other metal and the bottom in plastic which reduces the noise problem during the movement of the container and guarantees a high corrosion resistance.
[0102] In addition, the presence of the structural beam allows to have optimal fixing areas for electronic management means, for any disposal caps, and various devices and sensors. Therefore containers of this type may be free of such accessories and be optionally provided with these at a later time, without any problem of structural nature.
[0103] In the described examples, from the mechanical point of view, the only movable remaining parts are the discharge cover and any delivery portals and/or volume control which, unlike the other construction solutions, are anchored to a high mechanical resistant element, such as the structural beam.
[0104] The discharge cover, with gravity opening, in relation to the various operation requirements may be provided with portals to allow side street delivery. To avoid the opening of this cover, wherein necessary, it may be provided with automatic closing systems (mechanical lock with gravity opening for discharging) or closing systems with manual key or electric/electronic opening integrated in the access control system.
[0105] It is understood that the description above only represents practical non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which can vary in forms and arrangements without however departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. Any use of reference numbers in the attached claims is made exclusively for the purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims in the light of the above description and attached drawings, and shall not be deemed to restrict the scope of the invention in any way.
1. Container for the collection of waste, of the type to be lifted for emptying thereof,
comprising a waste containment tank, at least one waste delivery mouth and two opposing
gripping areas intended to be gripped by a container gripping, lifting and emptying
machine, characterized in that it comprises a structural portal beam comprising
- two side uprights, fixed to the opposing sidewalls of the tank, on which said opposing gripping areas are respectively provided, and
- a crosspiece, provided at a higher level with respect to said gripping areas.
2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the lower limit of said at least one delivery
mouth is provided, in height, at a lower position with respect to said crosspiece.
3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower limit of said at least one
delivery mouth is provided, in height, in a position comprised between said gripping
areas and said crosspiece.
4. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said uprights
are
- internal with respect to the outermost surface of said sidewalls, or internal with respect to the level of the maximum lateral encumbrance defined by said sidewalls, or
- at the same level, with respect to the outermost surface of said sidewalls, or at the same level of the maximum lateral encumbrance defined by said sidewalls,
- external, or partially external, with respect to the outermost surface of said sidewalls, or external or partially with respect to the level of the maximum lateral encumbrance defined by said sidewalls.
5. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said gripping
areas comprise
- respective lifting pins laterally outgoing from the respective uprights, or
- respective lifting pockets defining, or integrated with, or fixed on, said uprights, adapted to receive forks of said container gripping, lifting and emptying machine, or
- other gripping elements for lifting for types other than the pin lifting.
6. Container according to claims 4 and 5, wherein at least one upright has a portion
elongated downwards beyond the respective said pin, a recess being provided on the
respective sidewall of the container, developed towards the interior of the sidewall
surface and open on at least the front or rear side of the container, said recess
being adapted to emboss at least part of said elongated portion downwardly with respect
to the bottom of said recess, thus defining an abutment area which is lower than a
respective gripping area to allow the partial overturning of the container by the
container gripping, lifting and emptying machine adapted to enter said pocket; preferably,
one said elongated portion and one said recess being provided for each upright; preferably,
said recess being open both on the front side and on the rear side of the container.
7. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a cover of
said tank, whereon said at least one waste delivery mouth is defined.
8. Container according to claim 7, wherein at least one portion of said cover is movable,
to allow the waste to be emptied, preferably by gravity; preferably on said beam and
more preferably on said crosspiece, there being hinge means of said covering portion.
9. Container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said cover has a substantially asymmetrical
shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through said gripping areas; preferably,
said cover having a substantially trapezoidal sectional shape, with the minor base
provided at the top with respect to the major base provided at the edge of said tank;
preferably, said at least one delivery mouth being provided at least on one of the
inclined faces of the trapezoidal shape of said cover; preferably, said crosspiece
being located at the minor base of said trapezoidal shape.
10. Container according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, wherein said crosspiece is placed
at the highest area of said cover.
11. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said uprights
comprise a first part, preferably vertical, on which said gripping area is provided,
and a second part, inclined or curved, comprised between said crosspiece and said
first part.
12. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising one or more
of the following
- a lock device for closing said cover or said delivery mouth,
- a device for opening/closing said delivery mouth,
- at least one battery recharge device, such as a solar panel,
- one or more of the following sensors: sensor to assess the degree of filling of the container, temperature sensor, fire sensor, humidity sensor, water presence sensor on the bottom, sensor for the overturning of the bin, impact sensor,
- a user recognition device of the bin,
- remote communication device, which allows an operations center to check the status of the bin through the interaction with one or more of the sensors and/or devices listed above,
- electronic means for managing one or more of the above devices and/or sensors.
13. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein on said structural
beam, and more preferably on said crosspiece, there are fixed the support means for
a waste delivery port or cap placed on said cover to define a corresponding delivery
mouth.
14. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said
upright there is an anti-tipping element, preferably in the form of a pin-shaped element,
preferably at a height comprised between the respective gripping area and said crosspiece,
adapted to prevent the tipping downwards when the container is lifted and rotated
downwards for gravity emptying.