SOUKOS KONSTANTINOS (GR)
| WO2004063056A2 | 2004-07-29 |
| US3469530A | 1969-09-30 | |||
| JPH1171001A | 1999-03-16 | |||
| US6150939A | 2000-11-21 | |||
| AU5215279A | 1980-05-01 |
CLAIMS
1. Modern station of waste management, comprising:
■ At least one central supporting basement (11) onto which is mounted the main pivotal member (13) " At least one main pivotal member (13) of varying forms and dimensions. It can take various forms, such as triangle, rectangle, polygon, rhombus, forms of objects, products, persons, animals, etc.
■ At least one gate (12) for the disposal of waste, placed onto the supporting basement (11) ■ At least one waste compaction chamber (18) of varying forms and dimensions
■ At least one system (20) of upwardly lifting and controlled waste compaction
■ At least one system (24) of waste withholding inside the compaction chamber (18)
■ At least one device (19) for the displacement of at least one waste compaction chamber (18)
■ At least one scoop means (29) of waste sliding outwardly from the interior of chamber (18) ■ At least one system of disinfection of the waste compaction chamber (18) and of the chamber of waste disposal (17)
■ At least one approach sensing means (28) for the automatic opening of the gate (12)
■ At least one washing system of chambers (17, 18) with means of connection to a water supply network and/or to an inbuilt reservoir of water
■ Means of connection with sewerage (drainage) for the removal of liquid remainders after washing
■ An automatic fire extinguishing system in the interior of the station, comprising fire detecting sensor means and nozzles of water
■ A controlling and operating unit located at a suitable point on the station, which comprises all suitable buttons and switch activating means, digital indicators of volume and weight, digital indicators of filling of chamber (18) and other necessary equipment
■ At least one ventilation unit (27)
■ Sensors of data monitoring (volume and weight of compacted waste, date, etc.) with means of data transfer, with telemetric system at the central unit of management of the Municipal Authority or of other competent authority whatsoever.
The modern station of waste management is characterized by the fact that the main pivotal member (13) comprises in the interior thereof, at least one chamber of waste compaction (18) of varying forms and dimensions, by the fact that the central supporting basement (11) comprises in the interior thereof at least one chamber (17) of waste disposal and at least one system of lifting and controlled compaction (20) of the waste accumulated within chamber (17), and by the fact that the chamber of waste compaction (18) includes a system of withholding of compressed waste (24) and a scoop waste sliding means (29).
2. Modern station of waste management, according to claim I 5 characterized by the fact that the main pivotal member (13) can take various shapes and dimensions, as well as forms, such as of various objects, products of broad consumption, persons, animals, etc.
3. Modern station of waste management, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that main member (13) is detachable and is constituted by a fixed member (14) and a moving member (15), by the fact that the fixed member (14) is fixedly mounted onto the supporting basement (11), whilst moving member (15) is connected to the fixed member in at least one point, and by the fact that the moving member (15) includes in the interior thereof at least one chamber (18) of compaction of the waste.
4. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the fixed member (14) and the moving member (15) may take various forms and dimensions, in a manner such that when the moving member (15) comes in contact with the fixed member (14) they constitute a single - integral configuration.
5. Modern station of waste management, according to claim I 5 characterized by the fact that the main member (13) can include in the interior thereof more than one chambers (18) of compaction of the waste.
6. Modern station of waste management, according to claims 3 and 4, characterized by the fact that the fixed member (14) is connected with the moving member (15) by means of a suitable arrangement of bearings (16) in a manner such as to enable rotation of moving member (15) with the arrangement of bearings (16) constituting the axis of rotation thereof, creating an inclination relatively to the fixed member (14).
7. Modern station of waste management, according to claims 1 and 3, characterized by the fact that the displacement device (19) is constituted by at least one piston carrying mechanism, which is connected with main member
" (13) and with moving member (15) in a manner such as to enable rotation of moving member (15) at various inclined positions and its return thereafter at its initial position.
10. Modern station of waste management, according to claims 1 and 3, characterized by the fact that the chamber of waste compaction (18) is a chamber of varying dimensions and forms, whose upper end or a portion thereof is closed, whilst its bottom end or a portion thereof is respectively open.
11. Modern station of waste management, according to claims 1 and 3, characterized by the fact that chamber (18) is installed within moving member (15), so that moving member (15) constitutes the exterior covering of the same.
12. Modern station of waste management, according to claim I 5 characterized by the fact that the system (24) of withholding the compressed waste is installed at the bottom open end or partially open end of the chamber of compaction (18).
13. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the system of waste withholding (24) is constituted by at least one series of a plurality of pivotal members (25), that can take varying forms and dimensions, a rim (26) for entrapping and release of members (25), as well as the mechanism of movement of rim (26).
14. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the pivotal members are placed circumferentially around the bottom end of waste compaction chamber (18), in such a way that one end of each pivotal member (25) is supported onto chamber (18), whilst the other end is free, and by the fact that the axis of rotation of pivotal members (25) is their point of support in chamber (18), and by the fact that they are rotated freely upwardly by at least 90 degrees from their position of perpendicular orientation with respect to the walls of chamber (18) and again return to their initial position under gravity, and by 90 degrees downwardly when we wish to evacuate the interior of chamber (18).
15. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the rim (26) of the system of withholding of waste (24) is placed circumferentially around chamber (18) at a suitable height above the points of support of pivotal members (25), which rim is connected with pivotal members (25) in such a way that when the rim moves downwardly, it presses members (25) to take a position wherein they are oriented perpendicularly to the walls of chamber (18), whilst when the rim (26) moves upwardly, the members are released and move downwardly drifted by the weight thereof.
16. Modern station of waste management, according to claims 13, 14 and 15, characterized by the fact that pivotal members (25) preferably have a rectangular form and are manufactured from various strong materials highly resistant in friction and pressure at varying dimensions.
17. Modem station of waste management, according to claim 1, 5 characterized by the fact that the system of waste lifting and controlled compaction (20) comprises at least one waste upwardly lifting disk and a device (21) for movement of the waste lifting disk.
18. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 17, io characterized by the fact that the waste lifting disk is constituted from at least one planar surface, which has a form and dimensions same as the cross- section of the chamber of waste compaction (18).
19. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 13 and claim 15 18, characterized by the fact that the surface of waste lifting disk is provided with openings, the number of which is equal to the number of pivotal members (25) and which openings have a size and configuration such as to allow the lifting disk, when it is found above the level of pivotal members (25). during its downward movement, to pass through the pivotal members 20 (25). which are perpendicularly oriented with respect to the walls of chamber of compaction (18), without being prevented by them.
20. Modem station of waste management, according to claim 16 and 19, characterized by the fact that pivotal members (25) have a length equal or 5 smaller than the length of the openings of lifting disk (20) and a thickness smaller than the width of these openings.
21. Modem station of waste management, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that the device (21) for the movement of the lifting
30 disk is a at least one piston carrying mechanism, which is connected with the bottom central point of the lifting disk, so that, when the piston carrying mechanism is extended and is retracted, it achieves the upward and downward movement of the lifting disk.
22. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 21, characterized by the fact that the piston carrying mechanism of the lifting disk is a telescopic mechanism with a capacity of extending the lifting disk from its initial position up to at least above the level of the system of withholding (24) at a distance bigger than the length of pivotal members (25).
23. Modern station of waste management, according to claim I 5 characterized by the fact that the chamber of waste disposal (17) is a linear duct that has the same cross-section as the cross-section of the chamber of waste compaction (18) and by that it is open at its upper and lower end.
24. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the central supporting basement (11) can take various dimensions and shapes.
25. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 23 and claim 24, characterized by the fact that the chamber (17) of waste disposal is placed internally within the supporting basement (11). so that their openings may contact concentrically.
26. Modern station of waste management, according to the claim 17, 18 and 23, characterized by the fact that the lifting disk is placed concentrically at the bottom open end within the chamber (17) of waste disposal, thereby constituting the bottom thereof.
27. Modern station of waste management, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that main pivotal member (13) and the supporting basement (11) are provided at the exterior thereof with surfaces (23), that are suitable for the suspension of advertising displays - artworks. |
DEVICE FOR COLLECTING AND PRESSING WASTE
The invention relates to a modern station of waste management, which can be placed at various points where human activity develops, such as parks, stations of human gathering, beaches, tourist areas, houses, shops, working and entertainment places, malls, etc. The present invention is suitable for being used as a station of disposal of a large volume of waste within a limited space, for the ecological, hygienic management and storage of the same in the station for a long period of time until their automatic collection is implemented. Cleanliness of a city and protection of the environment are the obligation of Municipal authorities since they constitute social goods that should be provided to all citizens and it is for this reason that cleaning services of each municipality should be provided with suitable technological infrastructure of equipment. One basic problem observed is the concentration of a large volume of waste in public spaces, such as in parks, pavements, beaches, tourist areas, etc. The waste containers presently employed are in the first place unhygienic and their appearance with the garbage often disposed also outside them because of the limited space is ugly and non-aesthetic, whilst at the same time the odours emitted are unbearable for those passing by.
The lack of frequent disinfection of waste containers, as well as the lack of disinfection of the waste stored therein result in the waste containers constituting spots of infection and a public health hazard.
Moreover, a frequently observed phenomenon is the concentration of many waste containers at points, such as pedestrian passages, communal spaces, pavements, etc., whereby an unpleasant image of waste dumps within a city is created and the comfortable movement of citizens is obstructed. Furthermore, the spontaneous movement of waste containers from their predetermined places by the citizens many times, results in, waste collection from waste collecting vehicles becoming problematic.
The abovementioned disadvantages in combination with the problems arising from the non-collection of waste on a daily basis and also from their non- collection at weekends impose the need of creation of a modern station of waste management that will provide solutions to all the aforementioned problems.
The present invention relates to a modern station of waste management which comprises of:
■ At least one central supporting basement (11) onto which is mounted the main pivotal member (13). " At least one main pivotal member (13) of varying forms and dimensions, preferably comprising a fixed member (14) and a moving member (15). It can take various forms, such as triangular, rectangular, polygonal, rhomboidal, forms of objects, products, persons, animals, etc. ■ At least one gate (12) for the disposal of waste, placed onto the supporting basement (11).
■ At least one waste compaction chamber (18) of varying forms and dimensions.
■ At least one system of upwardly lifting and controlled waste compaction (20).
■ At least one system of waste withholding (24) inside the compaction chamber (18).
■ At least one means (19) for the displacement of at least one waste compaction chamber (18). ■ At least one scoop means (29) of waste discharge from the interior of chamber (18).
■ At least one system of disinfection of the waste compaction chamber (18) and of the chamber of waste disposal (17).
■ At least one approach sensing means (28) for the automatic opening of gate (12).
■ At least one washing system of chambers (17, 18) with means of connection to a water supply network and/or to an inbuilt reservoir of water.
■ Means of connection with sewerage (drainage) for the removal of liquid remainders after washing.
■ An automatic fire extinguishing system in the interior of the station, comprising fire detecting sensor means and nozzles of water.
■ A controlling and operating unit located at a suitable point on the station, which comprises all suitable buttons and switch activating means, digital indicators of volume and weight, digital indicators of filling of chamber (18) and other necessary equipment " At least one ventilation unit (27)
■ Sensors of data monitoring (volume and weight of compressed waste, date, etc.) with means of data transfer, with telemetric system at the central unit of management of the Municipal Authority or of other competent authority whatsoever.
The design of said station, according to the present invention, has been made with a scope of safeguarding public health, aesthetics for harmonious coexistence with the surrounding space, providing functionalism and the optimum commercial exploitation by the municipal authorities. The object of the present invention is to create a modern station of waste management in accordance with what has been mentioned hereinabove, which will be used as a station of concentration, ecological and hygienic management, as well as of storage of a large volume of waste emanating from houses, shops, working places and from all spaces of human activity in general, thanks to its capacity of waste compaction.
In the present invention, are being achieved in an automatic mode the opening of gate (12) for the disposal of waste, the compaction of the waste and thereafter the ecological management and disinfection thereof within an area in the station specially adapted for this purpose. Moreover it is possible to store the waste for long periods within the station, without creation of environmental problems and emission of unpleasant odours in the environment.
It is also possible to automatically evacuate the station with the already available waste collecting vehicles of the Municipalities in a fast and noiseless manner.
The compaction of the waste inside the modern station, according to the present invention, results in the reduction of their volume prior to collection so that it may be possible to collect the same also by means of waste collecting vehicles without compacting equipment means.
Moreover the waste container of the present invention can be easily and directly installed at any place desired whatsoever, it occupies a small area of installation, it provides an enhanced capacity of waste storage in comparison with existing waste containers, and it has a low cost of manufacture and maintenance. The waste container of the present invention can be manufactured at varying dimensions and forms, so that it may harmoniously adapt in any environment and to any requirement whatsoever.
A big advantage of said invention is that it provides at the same time the possibility of commercial exploitation of the large surfaces (23) of the abovementioned station of waste management through providing space for promotional displays. Furthermore the main pivotal member (13) may be representative of various forms, such as various commercial products, e.g. bottles of known refreshments, beers, cosmetics, human and animal forms, etc. Moreover the object of the present invention is achieved thanks to the fact that the chamber of waste compaction (18) includes a system of withholding compressed waste (24) and a scoop means (29) wherein waste slides.
Moreover the object of the present invention is achieved thanks to the fact that the central supporting basement (11) includes in its interior at least one chamber of waste disposal (17) and at least one system of lifting and controlled compaction (20) of the accumulated waste.
A modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, exhibits a lot of advantages.
The present invention has the advantage that it can be implemented in varying dimensions and forms, such as that of bottles of known refreshments, known beers, cosmetic products, etc. It is specifically designed in such a way that its exterior appearance -dimensions, configuration, colour, etc.- are adapted in the environment.
By way of example, the main member (13) of the present invention can take the form of a column when placed at archaeological sites, as shown in Figure 1. This will result in the replacement of non-aesthetic common waste containers with agreeable and modern cleaning equipment that is at the same time friendly to the environment.
Another possibility is that the present invention can take the form of a bottle, e.g. of a known beer or refreshment, thereby constituting a substantial
advertising promotion for the specific companies. Advertised companies are in this way promoted to the public because their product is presented in a three-dimensional form and in dimensions multiple in comparison to those of the real product in frequented roads, whilst they simultaneously provide their contribution in the big fight of municipal authorities for clean cities and for the safeguarding of public health.
The expenses of municipalities for the purchase of these novel stations of waste management are reduced when their purchase is financed or when they are straight away leased to advertising companies, which choose this manner for the promotion of products of their customers.
It is known that waste collection constitutes a big headache, so much for the residents but also for the communal and municipal authorities. With the present invention, collection is implemented automatically -with a fast and noiseless evacuation of the station- by the existing collecting vehicles of the Municipalities. The collecting vehicles, when moving on the roads, are capable of implementing evacuation of such modern stations, even when there are vehicles parked close to them.
Moreover collection is implemented in a safe and healthy manner for the waste collection employees, since it is not required for them to come in contact either with the station of the present invention or with the waste during the collecting process.
Given that the up today known waste containers are non-aesthetic and not friendly to the environment, the present invention offers a modern station of waste management that does not burden the environment because it does not allow the emission of odours and liquid elements to the atmosphere, whilst it also provides the possibility of automatic disinfection thereof.
The waste container of the present invention is a robust construction and it exhibits the advantage of occupying a minimal surface area for the installation thereof, so that its installation might be handily performed within even a limited space.
In combination with the abovementioned, the present invention moreover presents the advantage of providing a large capacity of waste storage that ranges in between 5-10 m 3 , without other sizes being excluded, in comparison with common waste containers whose capacity is approximately Im 3 .
Consequently the application of the present invention will lead to the reduction of the piles of waste that are being left outside the containers on the pavements, parks, squares, public spaces, etc., as well as in the reduction of the required number of common waste containers and consequently in the creation of a pleasant image of the city, wherein the waste and the containers thereof will not constitute sources of pollution.
Moreover it should be noted that the modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, is easy both in the installation thereof, but also in its transport to another desirable point. An important advantage of the present invention, different from the common waste containers, is that waste disposal is carried out in an automatic manner, as long as the waste bag is brought in front of the approach detecting means (28) that thereby initiates opening of the gate (12) for waste disposal.
Moreover the fact that the accumulated waste are subjected to ecological management and disinfection within the space where they are being assembled, constitutes a big advantage against common waste containers, thereby rendering waste containers that cease to constitute sources of pollution for the citizens.
Moreover the present invention renders possible the long-term keeping of waste within the abovementioned station, without the possibility of creation of sources of pollution (emission of odours, liquid and solid substances).
A big advantage and an important innovation also constitute the way in which the municipalities can commercially exploit the present invention. The present invention offers large surfaces for promotional displays (23), which the Municipal Authorities might lease to advertising companies. Given the importance and the value of advertising promotion, the disclosed stations of waste management can return substantial revenues to the Municipalities or to their proprietors. The replacement of advertised forms and configurations of the station is realized in a handy way. The surfaces (23) available for advertising purposes range from 10 till 20 m 2 without excluding other sizes depending on the dimensions of the station.
The present invention can alongside with its waste collection function, be also used as a lighting pillar. In this manner it is possible to reduce installation cost estimate of the various systems of each Municipality, whilst obtaining a reduced aesthetic burden, e.g with the reduction of pillars.
An important motive for the purchase of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, is the low cost of manufacture as well as its low cost of maintenance.
The present invention offers important possibilities that will upgrade the sector of public health, which possibilities are not provided by any other system. These possibilities relate to:
• The automatic compaction and prolonged waste storage.
• The automatic disinfection of the chamber of waste compaction (18), the chamber of waste disposal (17), as well as of the waste found within the same.
• The automatic interior washing of the station following evacuation thereof.
• The automatic alert of the station being filled to the municipality.
• The automatic monitoring of data, such as volume, weight of collected waste inside the station and/or date of filling, of evacuation, etc. with a direct "online" communication with the Municipality, so as to provide the possibility of correspondingly debiting of the users.
• The automatic operation of the gate (12) for waste disposal, so as to eliminate contact of the citizen with the station, but also avert a possibility of manual operation thereof.
The present invention is advantageous against common waste containers in that it also comprises security systems. In particular it comprises an automatic fire-extinguishing system in the event of incendiary actions, as well as providing safety in operation thereof even for small children.
The modem station of waste management, according to the present invention, is also suitable as a station of recycling of materials, since it provides the possibility of double, triple, quadruple places for the separation of useful materials, such as paper, glass, aluminium, batteries, plastics, etc. The present invention is advantageous in that its use is also feasible in the evening, where lighting is available in order to facilitate waste disposal by the citizens.
The present invention can be fully understood with the assistance of the detailed description that follows in combination with the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a frontal view of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a side view of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, with gate (12) for the disposal of waste shown in opened position.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, with the moving member (15) at an opened position for the evacuation of the filled chamber (18).
Figure 5 shows a side view of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, wherein is illustrated the interior configuration of the station.
Figure 6 shows a frontal view of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, wherein the main member (13) has the form of the bottle of a known refreshment. Figure 7 shows a side view of a modem station of waste management, according to the present invention, wherein the main member (13) has the form of the bottle of a known beer.
Figure 1 presents the frontal view of a modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, which is found at normal placement of installation and operation. In this Figure, the main member (13) has by way of example the shape of an ancient column.
In the modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, the main pivotal member (13) includes in the interior thereof at least one chamber of waste compaction (18) of varying form and dimensions. The main pivotal member (13) is preferably constituted by a fixed member (14) that is mounted onto the central supporting basement (11) and a moving member (15) that is connected with fixed member (14) at one point at least. The moving member (15) is preferably connected with the fixed member (14) by means of an arrangement of bearings (16).
Moreover, the waste container of the present invention is provided with at least one device for rotating moving member (15), which comprises at least one cam mechanism, which is connected with the moving member (15). This type of connection allows partial outwardly rotation of moving member (15) at varying inclinations and return of the same at a vertical orientation, coaxial with the fixed member (14), as shown in Figure 4.
Main member (13) is manufactured in various dimensions. By way of example, its height can range between 1 m and 10 m, whilst its diameter can range from 0.50 m up to 2 m. Moving member (15), as well as fixed member (14) can have various forms and dimensions suitably selected in order that when member (15) comes in contact with fixed member (14) they may constitute a single integral configuration, i.e. that of the main member (13). Fixed member (14) is preferably mounted vertically onto the supporting basement (11) and the moving member, when rotated and comes at the vertical orientation, suitably comes in contact with fixed member (14).
The supporting basement (11) can have varying dimensions and forms. It is externally provided with at least one gate (12) for waste disposal, at least one detector of approach (28) preferably mounted above gate (12), as well as preferably at least one electronic controlling and operating unit. The central supporting basement (11) is provided with openings on its top and bottom surfaces, which have the same dimensions and same shapes as the openings of the chamber of waste disposal (17).
As shown in Figure 3 and 5, at least one chamber (17) of waste disposal, as well as at least one system of upwardly lifting and controlled compaction (20) of the accumulated waste is provided in the interior of the central supporting basement (11).
The chamber (17) of waste disposal is preferably a linear duct with openings at the upper and lower ends thereof. The openings of " chamber (17) have the same dimensions and form as the openings of the central supporting basement (11).
Chamber (17) is mounted in the interior of the supporting basement (11) and is placed co-centrically with the opening thereof.
A portion of the walls of the chamber of disposal (17) is detachable. In this way, this portion of chamber (17) moves together with gate (12) when it opens, thereby creating a reception for the entering waste for facilitating guidance thereof inside chamber (17), as also illustrated in Figure 3. After completion of a certain time period, gate (12) closes automatically.
Chamber (17) has the capacity of allocating double, triple or quadruple places of waste disposal for the recycling of materials. Main member (13) has in particular the possibility of including more than one different chambers of compaction (18). The system of upwardly raising and compaction (20) of the waste comprises at least one disk of upwardly raising (22) the waste and at least one device for the upward-downward (21) movement of the disk of waste lifting, as shown in Figure 5.
The disk of waste lifting preferably comprises at least one surface that has such form and dimensions so that it can move upwardly or downwardly within the chamber of waste disposal (17) and the chamber of waste compaction (18) in such a manner that the central axis of this surface is coincident with the central axis of chambers (17, 18).
The waste lifting disk (22) has a form and dimensions same as the cross- section of chamber (17) and is placed co-centrically at the bottom open end of the chamber (17), so as to constitute the bottom of the latter and at the same time the space within which fall via gravity the waste following their introduction through the gate of disposal (12).
The device (21) for the movement of waste lifting disk (22) is a hydraulic or pneumatic or electric telescopic piston, which is connected at the bottom central point of the waste lifting disk, so that when the piston is extended it achieves the vertical movement of waste lifting disk (22).
As shown in Figure 5, the telescopic piston is preferably located underneath ground surface, so that the waste lifting disk might be raised when piston rod is extended and respectively lowered when piston rod retracts. The piston rod is telescopic with at least 3 members of proportional length.
The chamber of waste compaction (18) is a chamber of varying dimensions and forms that depend on the dimensions of moving member (15). The waste is accumulated, compressed and stored within this chamber.
The chamber of waste compaction (18) is preferably installed in the interior of moving member (15) in such a manner that member (15) constitutes its exterior covering.
The chamber of waste compaction (18) preferably is a linear duct of a single diameter throughout and with a capacity of waste, which can vary depending on the general dimensions of the main member (13).
The chamber of waste compaction (18) is preferably provided with its upper end or part closed, whilst with its bottom end or part of it open.
A withholding system (24) is installed at the bottom open or part open end of the chamber of compaction (18), such system preventing compressed waste from exiting out of abovementioned chamber (18) during filling of the station, whilst it allows the exit of waste when evacuation of chamber (18) and collection of the waste is desired.
The withholding system (24) adapted to control the exit of compressed waste, comprises at least one series of a plurality of pivotal members (25), which preferably have a rectangular shape and are manufactured from various durable materials exhibiting high resistances in friction and pressure, at various dimensions. Members (25) retain the waste inside the chamber of compaction (18). Members (25) are placed circumferentially around the bottom end of chamber (18) and are mounted onto chamber (18) along the dimension of thickness thereof, in a way such that one of their ends is supported by chamber (18), whilst their other end is free.
Whilst at the position of withholding waste within chamber (18), members (25) are oriented perpendicularly to chamber (18). From this position they are free to perform an upward rotation of 90 degrees, but also return at their initial position (perpendicularly oriented in relation to the chamber) via gravity.
Members (25) can also perform a downward rotation of 90 degrees if we want to evacuate chamber (18). The rotation of members (25) is always made around the point of their pivotal connection onto chamber (18).
Members (25) have a thickness which is less than the size of the openings provided onto the surface of lifting disk (22), so that disk (22) may pass freely in between pivotal members (25) when these are found at a position perpendicular in relation to the walls of chamber (18), both during its upward and its downward movement.
The number of members (25) is equal with the number of openings that exist in the lifting disk (22), as well as the length of members (25) is equal or less than the length of openings of lifting disk (22).
For the evacuation of chamber (18) the system of withholding (24) and controlled discharge of compressed waste is provided with at least one rim
(26), placed externally and circumferentially around chamber (18), at a suitable height above the points of support of pivotal members (26) and at least one piston carrying system of movement of the rim. The abovementioned rim (26) is connected with pivotal members (25) in such a way that when the rim is located at the lower position thereof it presses against members so that they are kept perpendicularly oriented with respect to the walls of chamber
(18) and prevents them from moving downwardly. In this case the single movement that they can make is only upwardly. When the rim (26) is moved upwardly, the members are released and they move downwardly being drawn by their weight, thereby leading to achieving the evacuation of chamber (18).
The surface of lifting disk (22) is provided with suitably sized openings, the number of which is at least equal with the number of pivotal members (25). Moreover these openings have such a size and such a form so that, during movement of the disk within the chamber of compaction (18), the disk may pass freely through the pivotal members (25), without being prevented thereby, when the members are perpendicularly oriented with respect to the walls of chamber (18).
The operation of gate (12) for waste disposal is made either automatically or manually. In the automatic operation mode, when a citizen approaches his bag of waste at the upper portion of the gate, wherein is provided a suitable detector of approach (28), it opens automatically. The citizen leaves the bag to fall freely under gravity within chamber of disposal (17) and then, following a certain time period that can be regulated, the gate closes automatically with complete safety and protection from accidents. Gate (12) hermetically closes the modern station of waste management for ensuring enhanced water-tightness.
The automatic operation of gate (12) for the disposal of waste upgrades the conditions of hygienic collection of waste of citizens, because it does not require from the citizen to come in contact with the station for the opening of gate (12).
Following disposal of waste by the citizen and closure of gate (12), the waste enter under gravity into chamber (17) and fall upon lifting disk (22).
For the transfer of waste from the chamber of disposal (17) to the chamber of compaction thereof (18), the upward movement of lifting disk (22) is required. During raising therefore of waste by the lifting disk (22), when they reach at the level of the system of withholding of waste (24), the waste effect an upward drifting of members (25). In this way the waste pass freely through the level of the system of withholding (24).
As soon as the lifting disk (22) passes the level of the system of withholding of waste (24), at a distance larger than the length of members (25), then the members (25) return under gravity in their initial horizontal position.
The lifting disk (22) terminates at a proportional distance above the level of the system of withholding of waste (24). When the lifting disk (22) reaches this level, it does not only lead the waste into their space of storage, but compresses the already stored waste as well. The level at which lifting disk (22) stops is selected so that all members (25) of the system of withholding (24) may return, from the upward vertical orientation to which they had been drifted during raising of waste, to their initial horizontal orientation.
When therefore the waste lifting disk (22) begins to move downwardly, members (25) are all found at the horizontal position. As soon as the disk passes the pivotal members, this results in the withholding of waste having a diameter larger than the openings of the system of withholding of waste (24), above the level of the members, i.e. within chamber (18). Thus, whilst lifting disk (22) passes in between members (25), the waste that is being carried by lifting disk (22) are blocked.
Consequently the lifting disk (22) returns at its initial position at the bottom of chamber (17), either without waste, or with waste of very small size.
When chamber (18) has been filled, its evacuation takes place with suitable rotation of moving member (15) at an inclined position. This rotation is achieved via at least one device (19) for the displacement of main member (13). That device (19) preferably comprises at least one cam mechanism (19) that is connected to moving member (15) in a manner such as to achieve rotation of moving member (15) from the vertical position to an inclined position, so that it may form a certain inclination with respect to the
horizontal level. At this position, the moving member (15) provided with the chamber of waste compaction (18) in the interior thereof, is displaced towards the side of the street, whereby the waste collection vehicle parks.
Following collection of waste, the device (19) restores moving member (15) in the initial vertical position thereof, coaxial with fixed member (14).
The operator of the waste collection vehicle is provided with a wireless remote control device via which he gives a command to the central station control and operation unit, so that the process of evacuation of the station may begin. This process is noiseless, rapid, non-polluting and takes place without human intervention.
As shown in Figure 4, the chamber of waste compaction (18) is additionally provided with a scoop means (29) for the handy sliding and directing of waste to the waste collection vehicle.
The sliding scoop means (29) is placed at the exterior of chamber (18). The sliding scoop means (29) moves onto -guides, which are fixedly mounted onto chamber (18). At least one piston carrying mechanism, provided with rods of suitable length, is connected with scoop means (29), so that when the piston rod extends, scoop means (29) is displaced and it creates an extension of chamber (18). In this way the guiding of waste discharged into the waste collection vehicles is facilitated.
In the interior of the station, according to the present invention, are being provided suitable sensors, which monitor the date, volume, weight, etc. of the collected waste, whilst they also check filling of chamber (18). When the modem station of waste management is filled, it transmits a digital message to the central unit of management that is found in the offices of the Municipality. In this way the municipality receives an indication of the filling of a specific station of waste management, so that it may arrange to send a waste collection vehicle.
The central unit of management, independently of the kilometric distance thereof from the stations of waste management connected with the same, monitors at the same time the date, the weight, the volume, as well as other optionally selected data of waste of each station, so that each municipality may have the capacity of proportionally charging the users of each specific station.
The evacuation of each station, according to the present invention, is achieved with the existing waste collection vehicles already at the disposal of the municipalities, without specialised vehicles being required.
As soon as evacuation of reported station is completed, the rim (26) of the system of withholding of waste (24) is moved downwardly, so that it may again press members (25) to their horizontal position and entrap the same so that they may not move downwardly to their vertical orientation. Pivotal members (25) return to their initial horizontal position, the sliding scoop means (29) retracts and the moving member (15) returns at the vertical position thereof.
An automatic washing of chamber (18) and of chamber of waste disposal (17) is then carried out via at least one washing system. To this purpose, the present invention is provided with additional provisions of connection to a water supply network and/or to an internal reservoir of water, so that washing of chambers (18) and (17) may become possible.
By means of a system of disinfection that is installed inside the waste container of the present invention, the disinfection of these chambers is achieved, at the choice of the responsible operator.
Moreover means of connection with the sewerage (drainage) are provided, so that liquid remaining following washing of chambers (17, 18) may be removed.
It is very important to mention that the modern station of waste management, according to the present invention, is also provided with a system of automatic fire extinguishing in its interior, which is constituted from fire detecting sensors and nozzles of water.
Constructional provision is made for the addition of a solar panel for the production of electric energy at any desired point of the modern station of waste management, said solar panel being adapted to charge a rechargeable battery or to directly supply current to various applications or to also implement the abovementioned two functions simultaneously. The applications that can indicatively be supplied are:
■ Wireless radio networks of low power for use by public services
■ Cameras for security purposes or for the management of traffic
■ Power supply for festive decoration
■ Corresponding cameras, e.g. fire detecting cameras.
Alternatively the rechargeable battery can be used for the operation of the modern station of waste management (and mainly for the evacuation of the same) in case of interruption of power supply from the network. Moreover the present invention can be used as a column of municipal road lighting, whilst, with the use of the rechargeable battery, it can also function as emergency lighting.
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