WO2006048667A1

WO2006048667A1 - Apparatus and method for compacting and conveying materials

Info

Publication number: WO2006048667A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/004270
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Gordon Skea; Ronald Stuart Graham
Original assignee: NAMENEEDED Ltd
Current assignee: NAMENEEDED Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-04
Filing date: 2005-11-04
Publication date: 2006-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-04
Also published as: GB0424388D0

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for compacting and conveying materials. The apparatus comprises a vessel (90, 250) having an opening (12) for receiving material. The apparatus also includes a compacting and conveying means (76), wherein the compacting and conveying means (76) to reduce the volume of material and simultaneously convey the material from one part of the vessel to another. The invention further provides a mobile unit (50) for compacting and containing materials. The unit comprises a container (56) and a vessel having an opening (12) for receiving material and an outlet for delivering material into the container.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMPACTING AND CONVEYING MATERIALS

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for compacting and conveying materials. In particular, the apparatus and method is suitable for use on a mobile unit or vehicle for compacting waste materials and transporting these to one or more containers. The present invention also provides a mobile unit for compacting and containing material.

Devices for compacting and collecting different waste materials are known. However, known compacting devices often contain and batch the compacted materials, and typically a separate mechanism is required to transport the materials following compaction. The separate transporting mechanism is typically large and therefore not very mobile.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for compacting and conveying materials, the apparatus comprising: a vessel having an opening for receiving material,- a compacting and conveying means, wherein the compacting and conveying means is arranged to reduce the volume of material and simultaneously convey the material from one part of the vessel to another.

At least a portion of the vessel can define a channel and the compacting and conveying means can be actuable to force the material along the channel .

The compacting and conveying means can comprise a plate movable by a propulsion means. The propulsion means can comprise a hydraulic ram. Alternatively, the propulsion means can be an electromagnetic or linear actuator, an air press, a pulley and cable, a rack and gear, a parallel ram or a multi-stage ram.

The apparatus can further comprise a second compacting means to apply force to the material within the channel.

The second compacting means can comprise a plate with one edge pivotally attached to the vessel and pivotable about its edge to force the material within the channel. The pivotable plate can be hydraulically actuable.

The opening can be provided with a cover to retractably cover the opening. One or more sensors can be arranged to detect the cover in a closed configuration when the cover is disposed over the opening. The one or more sensors can be electronically coupled to at least one of the compacting and conveying means and the second compacting means. The sensors can be capable of automatically actuating at least one of the compacting and conveying means and the second compacting means on detection of the cover in the closed configuration.

At least a portion of the channel in the region of the compacting and conveying means can have a substantially constant cross-sectional area.

The channel can be provided with a restriction means to cause a reduction in the cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the channel, and thus cause a reduction in volume of the material conveyed therethrough.

The restriction means can comprise one or more wedges coupled to the vessel, increasing in width in the direction of travel of the conveyed material and projecting inwardly to thereby reduce the cross- sectional area of the channel. The wedges can be pivotally mounted and movable in certain embodiments to vary the extent of the restriction during use of the apparatus. In other embodiments, the restriction can comprise a fixed narrow throat in the channel, through which the material is forced as it moves axially along the channel. The degree of restriction of the restriction means can be adjustable. The vessel can be provided with one or more cut-out portions and the wedges are provided within the cut-out portions, hinged at their thin end and adjustably biased inwardly within the channel by resilient means, typically by spring means.

The channel can be provided with a non-return means to substantially restrict the compacted material from travel in the direction opposing the direction of travel of the compacting and conveying means.

The non-return means can comprise a barrier actuable to retractably project into the channel. The barrier can comprise one or more hydraulically operated bars projecting into the vessel.

The apparatus can further comprise mounting means suitable for mounting the apparatus on a vehicle.

The apparatus can comprise a support for supporting one or more containers in use. The support can be actuable to selectively deliver material from the one or more containers through the opening.

The vessel can be provided with a removable portion to allow access to the interior of the channel. According to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for compacting and conveying materials including the steps of: providing a vessel having an opening; inserting material through the opening; and conveying the material to another part of the vessel and simultaneously compacting the material.

The method can include forcing the material along a channel defined by at least a portion of the vessel to compact and convey the material .

The method can also include pivotally mounting a plate on the vessel and pivoting the plate to apply force to the material within the channel .

The method can include selectively disposing a cover over the opening. The method can further including detecting when the cover is disposed over the opening using one or more sensors. The method can include automatically compacting and conveying material when the cover is detected over the opening.

The method can include mounting the compacting and conveying means on a mobile unit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile unit for compacting and containing materials, the unit comprising: a container; a vessel having an opening for receiving material and an outlet for delivering material into the container; and a compacting and conveying means, wherein the compacting and conveying means is arranged to reduce the volume of material within the vessel and simultaneously convey the material from one part of the vessel towards the outlet, for delivery of the material into the container.

The mobile unit can be a vehicle.

The mobile unit can comprise two or more containers having corresponding vessels and compacting and conveying means.

Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to and as shown in the following drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile unit according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of apparatus for compacting and conveying material according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 showing a plunging unit in a retracted configuration; Fig. 4 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 2 showing the plunging unit in the extended configuration; and Fig. 6 is a side view of the apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

A vehicle is shown generally at 50 in Fig. 1. The vehicle 50 has a cab 44 and a trailer 46. The trailer 46 has several containers 52, 54, 56 and 58 mounted thereon. The container 52 is provided for waste paper products. The container 54 is provided for waste cans. The container 56 is provided for waste plastic materials and the container 58 is provided for glass. Three compacting and conveying units 74, 72, 76 are shown mounted on the rear of the trailer 46. Different numbers of units can be provided in other embodiments. Each compacting and conveying unit 74, 72, 76 is provided with a chute 64, 62, 66 to deliver waste materials to the relevant container 52, 54, 46 respectively. A removable cover 60 is provided over the chutes 64, 62, 66, allowing access to thereto in the event of a blockage. At the rear of the vehicle 50, a platform 70 is provided. The platform 70 is arranged to support boxes or other containers of waste materials in use.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the chute 66 coupled to the compacting and conveying unit 68. The chute 66 is made from several connected modules 66a, 66b, 66c. Each module 66a, 66b, 66c is provided with a connection at one or both ends thereof for joining each module 66a, 66b, 66c to an adjacent module 66a, 66b, 66c. The modules 66a, 66b, 66c are made from steel sections and open ended to thereby create a continuous conduit by connecting ends of adjacent modules 66a, 66b, 66c. The modules 66a, 66b, 66c can be of different lengths, varying cross-sectional areas and incorporate bends or turns. Thus the dimensions of the modules 66a, 66b, 66c can be selected according to the required application and desired overall dimensions of the chute 66.

The compacting and conveying unit 68 is shown in greater detail in Figs. 3 and 4. The compacting and conveying unit 68 comprises an upper hopper 16, a lower hopper 100, a plunging unit 130, a tube portion 250 and an upper and lower restriction means 260U, 260L.

The upper hopper 16 comprises a hinged plate 30. The hinge is provided towards a lower end of the tube portion 250 and the plate 30 is actuable to rotate around its hinges by means of a hydraulic ram 32. The upper hopper 16 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 with the hinged plate 30 in an open configuration to thereby define an upper chamber 10. The arc of travel of the hinged plate 30 is limited in the open configuration by the hydraulic ram 32 and in the closed configuration (Fig 5) by one or more guide stops 80. The upper hopper 16 also comprises an opening 12 and a flap 20 for selectively covering the opening 12. The flap 20 has a handle 21 to aid manual operation. The lower hopper 100 is formed from steel sections and when the hinged plate 30 is in its closed configuration, as shown in Fig. 5, . the lower hopper 100 defines an open ended lower chamber 90.

The plunger unit is shown generally at 130 and comprises a frame 136 for supporting a plate 150. The plate 150 has a steel base to which the frame 136 is attached and an upper plastic layer to reduce the wear on the plate 150. The plate 150 closes one end of the hopper unit 100. The plate 150 has attached guide wheels 140. A linkage member 162 is attached to a central area of the plate 150 at one end and a further linkage member 160 at another. A hydraulic ram 190 is coupled to another end of the linkage member 160. The linkage member 160 is coupled to the linkage member 162 and the hydraulic ram 190 by means of pins 170 about which the attached components can pivot. The hydraulic ram 190 is arranged to drive the plate 150 back and forth within the chamber 90 via link members 160, 162. Operation of the hydraulic ram 190 is effected by sensors within the chamber 90, timers and a control programme.

The lower hopper 100 is provided with a slot 134 where the link member 160 passes through the wall of the lower hopper 100. A drip tray or container (not shown) can be provided beneath the slot 134 in use to retain liquids seeping from the compacted waste materials any leaking hydraulic fluid. The compacting and conveying device 68 is provided with a mounting means 200 for attaching the device 68 to the vehicle 50 in use.

Towards one end of the lower hopper 100, corresponding holes 237U and 2371 are provided on opposing upper and lower sides. The holes 237U, 2371 allow two upper and lower parallel prongs 240U, 240L to be retractably inserted therethrough to retractably project within the chamber 90. Each of the upper and lower prongs 240U, 240L are coupled to a respective bar 236U₇ 236L and pass through upper and lower guide tubes 230U, 230L. The bars 236U, 2361 are selectively moved perpendicular to the side of the lower hopper 100 by an upper and lower hydraulic ram 234U, 234L. In use, the hydraulic ram 234 is operated to extend and retract the bar 236 to which the prongs 240 are attached to thereby move the forks 240 through the guide tubes 230 in and out of the chamber 90.

The tube portion 250 has a similar cross-sectional area to the lower hopper 100. The tube portion 250 has cut out parts to accommodate upper and lower wedges 260U, 260L. The wedges are inwardly biased by upper and lower springs 258U, 258L that can be suitably tightened and loosened depending on the degree of restriction required in the tube portion 250. The wedges 260U, 2601 present an impediment to the material conveyed along the tube portion 250 and in use, this restriction results in further compaction of the material. The tube portion 250 is provided with a removable hatch 220 allowing access to the interior of tube portion 250.

In operation, it is envisaged that the vehicle 50 in the present embodiment provides a mobile unit to collect and process domestic waste. An operator collects one or more containers of waste materials (not shown) , for example waste plastic materials. The one or more containers of plastic waste can be supported by the platform 70 and the waste plastic is inserted through the opening 12 into the upper chamber 10 of the compacting and conveying device 76. Once sufficient plastic waste material has been inserted through the opening 12, the flap 20 can be manually closed over the opening 12 using the handle 21. This action is detected by appropriately positioned sensors and initiates automatic operation of the hydraulic ram 32 which pivots the hinged plate 30 to force the plastic into the lower chamber 90 and cause an initial degree of compaction of the plastic waste. When the hinged plate 30 reaches the guide stops 80, further travel of the hinged plate 30 is restricted.

Once the hinged plate 30 reaches the guide stops 80, a sensor detects that the hinge plate 30 is in the closed configuration as shown in Fig 5 and causes automatic operation of the hydraulic ram 190. The hydraulic ram 190 moves the link members 160 and 162 pivotally coupled thereto by pins 170. Since the link member 162 is attached to the plate 150, the plate 150 is propelled through the chamber 90. The sudden impact of a force applied by the plate 150 at the rear of the waste plastic materials causes the plastic material to further compress within the boundaries of the lower hopper 100 and tube portion 250. The plastic waste materials are propelled up the tube portion 250 and are further impeded by wedges 260U, 260L which provide a restriction in the cross sectional area of the tubing 250. The wedges 260 are biased by springs 258 to project inwardly. Thus, any waste plastic materials which have passed through the wedges 260 are prevented from re- entering the tube portion 250 by the wide end of the wedges 26Ou, 2601.

Furthermore, sensors are provided to detect when the plunger unit 130 is in the fully extended position shown in Fig 5. The sensors cause automatic actuation of the hydraulic rams 234U, 234L to move upper and lower bars 236U, 236L that cause upper and lower prongs 240U, 240L to project into the chamber 90. The upper and lower prongs 240U, 240L are aligned to present an impediment to waste plastic which has been compacted in chamber 90 and conveyed to tube portion 250 thereby preventing waste plastic from returning to the chamber 90 when the plunging unit 130 is withdrawn from the chamber 90.

Following withdrawal of the plunging unit 130 from the chamber 90, the hydraulic ram 32 draws the flap 30 upwardly to create the chamber 10 and the flap 20 automatically springs away from the opening 12. Thus a compacting and conveying cycle is complete and the upper chamber 10 is ready to be reloaded.

Successive operation of the compacting and conveying unit 76 causes waste plastic to be compacted and conveyed along chute 66 to the module 66c with a splayed end allowing waste plastic to fall into container 56. Similarly, the compacting and conveying units 72, 74 operate in the manner described above and can be loaded with paper and cans respectively. The container for glass 58 can be provided with its own conveyor or separate openings for feeding the glass directly into the container 58 for safety reasons. Each container 52, 54, 56, 58 can be removable from the trailer 46 and can be provided with pockets (not shown) suitable for lifting the containers from the trailer 46 using a forklift truck. The trailer 46 can be fully enclosed with removable side and rear portions for ease of access to the compacting devices 74, 72, 76 and the containers 52, 54, 56, 58.

The flap 20 can be movable on runners or may be in the form of a roller shutter-type door. Alternatively, the flap 20 can be operated by means of control levers or automatically by means of a switch on a control box. The flap 20 can be manufactured from and can comprise more than one part. The flap 20 can also be provided with a safety catch. The platform support 70 can be automatically operated to tip or up-end containers allowing waste material to be fed through the opening 12 automatically. The support 70 can comprise rails, catches or clamps.

The plate 150 can be provided with brushes or sliding seals along the edges thereof to act as a low friction seal between the plate 150 and the inner wall of the lower hopper 100. The face of the plate 150 may be shaped to aid the degree of compaction.

Figure 6 shows an alternative compacting and conveying unit generally at 476. The unit 476 can be mounted on the back of the vehicle 50 using a mounting means 400.

The unit 476 comprises a hinged plate 330 pivotable 180° about hinges 310 and a hopper unit 316 having an opening selectively covered by a flap 320 with a handle 321. The hopper unit 316 and the hinged plate 300 define a chamber 390. The hopper unit 316 is also provided with a support 370. A plunger unit 430 is actuable in the direction of an arrow 412 to rotate the plate 330 about its hinges 310, in the same manner as the plunger described for the previous embodiment.

A shutter 500 is movable to project into one end of the chamber 390 to prevent waste materials returning to the chamber 390 once the plunger unit 430 has reached its fullest extent and begun to retract. A chute 366 is coupled to the unit 476.

The unit 476 operates in a similar manner to the previous embodiment. Waste materials are added to the chamber 390 which can then be closed by the flap 320. The flap 320 is closed using the handle 321 and sensors provided within the chamber 390 detect this action, which then automatically causes actuation of the plunger unit 390. The plunger unit 390 forces the hinged plate 330 to rotate about its hinges 310. The hinged plate 330 thus compacts and conveys the waste material up the chute 366, which can additionally be provided with restriction means if required.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is a one step process, whereby closing the flap 320 causes a single action that directly compacts and conveys the waste material. The advantage of this embodiment and the single action for compacting and conveying waste material is that fewer mechanical parts are required. The associated benefits are: cheaper manufacturing costs; reduction in size and weight, with the resultant improved fuel economy when several devices are mounted on a vehicle 50; faster process; and less prone to failure.

Further embodiments can be dimensionalIy compact and this can allow multiple units to be transported on one vehicle allowing the collection and compaction of multiple materials into different containers. It can also enable the overall size of the vehicle to be smaller and therefore adapted to environments less suited to other types of material collection.

Modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In certain embodiments, portholes can be provided on a side of the tube section that allows the progress of materials to be viewed. The upper chamber 10 is typically constructed in such a way that a small lip is formed on its upper surface (within the compacting chamber) . This lip can retain the plunger unit within the chamber. This can otherwise be caused if there is sufficient forward resistance, even with the hinged plate 30 in the closed configuration.

The link 160 is typically curved to allow clearance and to facilitate travel of the plunger to its fullest extent.

In certain embodiments, pivots are provided with bearings and bushes as appropriate and springs may be replaced with hydraulic or gas rams or rubber brushes.

Claims

1. Apparatus for compacting and conveying materials, the apparatus comprising: a vessel having an opening for receiving material; a compacting and conveying means, wherein the compacting and conveying means is arranged to reduce the volume of material and to simultaneously convey the material from one part of the vessel to another.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the vessel defines a channel and the compacting and conveying means are actuable to force the material along the channel.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the compacting and conveying means comprises a plate movable by a propulsion means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the propulsion means comprises a hydraulic ram.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second compacting means to apply force to the material within the channel.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second compacting means comprises a plate with one part pivotally attached to the vessel and pivotable about that part to apply force to the material within the channel.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pivotable plate is hydraulically actuable.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening is provided with a cover to retractably cover the opening.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, comprising one or more sensors arranged to detect the cover in a closed configuration when the cover is disposed over the opening.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors are electronically coupled to at least one of the compacting and conveying means and the second compacting means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sensors are capable of automatically actuating at least one of the compacting and conveying means and the second compacting means on detection of the cover in the closed configuration.

12. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 11, wherein at least a portion of the channel in the region of the compacting and conveying means has a substantially constant cross-sectional area.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the channel is provided with a restriction means to cause a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the channel and thus cause a reduction in volume of the material conveyed therethrough.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the restriction means comprises one or more wedges, increasing in width in the direction of travel of the conveyed material and projecting inwardly to thereby reduce the cross-sectional area of the channel .

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 13 or 14, wherein the degree of restriction of the restriction means is adjustable.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the vessel is provided with one or more cut-out portions and the wedges are provided within the cut-out portions, hinged at their thin end and adjustably biased inwardly within the channel by resilient means.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 16, wherein the channel is provided with a non-return means to substantially restrict the compacted material from travel in the direction opposing the direction of travel of the compacting and conveying means.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the non-return means comprises a barrier actuable to retractably project into the channel.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the barrier comprises one or more hydraulically operated bars projecting into the vessel.

20. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising mounting means suitable for mounting the apparatus on a vehicle.

21. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a support for supporting one or more containers in use.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the support is actuable to selectively deliver material from the one or more containers through the opening.

23. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 22, wherein the vessel is provided with a removable portion to allow access to the interior of the channel.

24. A method for compacting and conveying materials including the steps of: providing a vessel having an opening; inserting material through the opening; and conveying the material to another part of the vessel and simultaneously compacting the material.

25. A method according to claim 24, including forcing the material along a channel defined by at least a portion of the vessel to compact and convey the material.

26. A method according to claim 25, including pivotally mounting a plate on the vessel and pivoting the plate to apply force to material within the channel.

27. A method according to any of claims 24 to 26, including selectively disposing a cover over the opening.

28. A method according to claim 27, including detecting when the cover is disposed over the opening using one or more sensors.

29. A method according to claim 28, including automatically compacting and conveying material when the cover is detected over the opening.

30. A method according to any of claims 24 to 29 including mounting the compacting and conveying means on a mobile unit.

31. A mobile unit for compacting and containing materials, the unit comprising: a container; a vessel having an opening for receiving material and an outlet for delivering material into the container; and a compacting and conveying means, wherein the compacting and conveying means is arranged to reduce the volume of material within the vessel and simultaneously convey the material from one part of the vessel towards the outlet, for delivery of the material into the container.

32. A mobile unit according to claim 31, wherein the mobile unit is a vehicle.

33. A mobile unit according to claim 31 or claim 32 comprising two or more containers having corresponding vessels and compacting and conveying means.