Field of the invention The object of the invention is a method as defined in the preamble of claim 1 ,

The object of the invention is also an apparatus according to claim 16.

Background of the invention

The invention relates generally to material conveying systems, such as to pneumatic partial-vacuum transporting systems, more particularly to the collection and conveying of wastes, such as to the conveying of household wastes. Such systems are presented in publications WO 2009/080880, WO 2009/080881 , WO 2009/080882, WO 2009/080883, WO 2009/080884, WO 2009/080885, WO 2009/080886, WO 2009/080887 and WO 2009/080888, among others. The invention also relates to waste feeding means, such as to input points or refuse chutes, with which waste is conveyed, typically by gravity, e.g. from higher input apertures in residential buildings to a lower collection space or corresponding container.

Systems wherein wastes are conveyed in piping by means of a pressure difference or suction are known in the art. In these, wastes are conveyed long distances in the piping by sucking. It is typical to these systems that a partial- vacuum apparatus is used to achieve a pressure difference, in which apparatus a partial vacuum is achieved in the conveying pipe with partial-vacuum generators, such as with vacuum pumps or with an ejector apparatus. A conveying pipe typically comprises at least one valve means, by opening and closing which the replacement air coming into the conveying pipe is regulated. Waste input points, e.g. rubbish containers or refuse chutes, are used in the systems at the waste material input end, into which waste input points material, such as waste material, is fed and from which waste input points the material to be conveyed is conveyed into a conveying pipe by opening a discharge valve means, in which case, by means of the sucking effect brought about by means of the partial vacuum acting in the conveying pipe and also by means of the surrounding air pressure acting via the refuse chute, material such as e.g. waste material packed into bags, is conveyed from the refuse chute into the conveying pipe and onwards to a reception point, where the material being transported is separated from the transporting air and conveyed for further processing or e.g. into a shipping container. The pneumatic waste-conveying systems in question can be utilized particularly well in densely populated urban areas. These types of areas have tall buildings, in which the feeding in of wastes into a pneumatic conveying system for wastes is performed via an input point, such as a refuse chute arranged, in the building.

A drawback in prior-art solutions is that the input apertures of input points situated on different floors are adapted to operate in such a way that the input apertures of input points situated on different floors cannot be open at the same time, so that the waste material fed in from higher up does not travel out of an input aperture lower down that is open. This is a particular problem especially in high-rise buildings or in tall vessels, in which it is desired to feed material into a shared channel simultaneously from its different input apertures.

Known in the art also in inlet chutes, such as in refuse chutes, are hatch arrangements for input apertures situated on different floors, in which arrangement is a small storage space e.g. with double hatches. One such solution is presented e.g. in publication WO201 1/027026 in Fig. 9. The storage spaces arranged between two hatches that are disposed in connection with an input aperture are, however, too small and expensive, and are also however space-consuming solutions.

The aim of the present invention is to achieve a new type of solution in connection with the refuse chutes of a wastes conveying system, by means of which solution the drawbacks of prior art solutions are avoided. Another aim of the invention is to achieve a solution with which the feeding in of waste material from an inlet chute into a container space is reliably facilitated. Brief description of the invention

The invention is based on a concept in which at least one arresting means is arranged in a mainly vertical material-conveying channel, e.g. in a refuse chute, which comprises at least two input apertures at a vertical distance from each other, in a section between input apertures, which arresting means has at least two positions, a first position, in which the arresting means extends into the material conveying channel and limits the displacement of the material in the material conveying channel, and a second position, in which the arresting means does not essentially limit the displacement of material in the material conveying channel. Material can be fed in simultaneously from different input apertures into the mainly vertical material-conveying channel and stored in it when the arresting means is in the first position. The vertical material-conveying channel is emptied in a controlled manner by acting on the arresting means in sequence from the bottom upwards in stages or floor by floor, by displacing the arresting means from the first position into the second position. According to the invention the volume of the mainly vertical material-conveying channel is demarcated with the arresting means into parts in the vertical direction, e.g. floor by floor.

The method according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in claim 1. The method according to the invention is also characterized by what is stated in claims 2 - 15.

The apparatus according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in claim 16.

The apparatus according to the invention is also characterized by what is stated in claims 16 - 32.

The solution according to the invention has a number of important advantages. By means of the invention simultaneous use of the different input points of a material conveying channel is achieved in the phase of feeding in material. In addition, the material space of a material conveying channel divided into parts with arresting means can be utilized in temporary storage more efficiently than before. The possibility to feed into the input points is unavailable for only a short duration in the material conveying phase. The solution according to the invention enables fast and effective emptying of a material channel, such as an inlet chute, i.e. a refuse chute, and also enables the conveying of material by means of gravity and the suction effect brought about by a partial-vacuum generator of the pneumatic material-conveying system. The invention can be utilized in systems in which material is conveyed from a mainly vertical material-conveying channel into the actual material-conveying pipe directly, or in systems in which a material shaper is used between the vertical material-conveying channel and the actual material- conveying pipe. By arranging for emptying of the material conveying channel to occur in stages, most suitably floor by floor, effective and well controlled emptying is achieved at least partly by means of suction, which in turn reduces the possibility of clogging. By arranging a replacement air duct to the top part of each compartment bounded by an arresting means, most suitably in connection with the input apertures, a solution is achieved wherein the material sinks down effectively in the channel from the effect of suction. At the same time, however, in the emptying phase excessive stressing is not exerted by the suction on those of the arresting means that are higher up than the section being emptied. By arranging a ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel and connections from it into the channel space of the material conveying channel, the pressure in the channel space on the different sides of the material being held by an arresting means that is in the first position can be equalized. In this case the effect brought about by the suction of the partial-vacuum generator on an arresting means that is in the first position, and on the material held by it, is reduced. Ventilation of the channel space can also be arranged via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel. By arranging a number of connections, and possibly also a number of shut-off means and actuators of the shut-off means, between the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel and the material conveying channel, the connections from the different sections of the channel space of the material conveying channel to the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel can be efficiently controlled, i.e. opened and closed. By arranging a fan in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel and an outward blowing aperture, e.g. in the roof, the channel can be efficiently ventilated and possibly undesirable odors can be removed. By arranging a shut-off means in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel, between the connection of the material conveying channel and the fan, the operating states of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel can be varied. When the shut-off means is open, the connection to the output aperture of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel is open and the fan sucks, the channel space of the material conveying channel can be efficiently ventilated via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel. When the shut-off means in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel is in the closed position and the connection to the output aperture of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel is closed, the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel functions specifically as a pressure equalization channel between the material spaces of the material channel. A mainly vertical material-conveying channel can also mean a material conveying channel that is arranged in a direction deviating from the vertical, or sections deviating from the vertical can be in it. The method and apparatus according to the invention are particularly well suited for use in applications in which sections deviating from the vertical, e.g. horizontal sections, are a requirement.

The method and apparatus according to the invention are particularly well suited in connection with conveying systems of waste material or recyclable material, such as waste material or recyclable material arranged in bags.

Brief description of the figures In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid of an embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a first operating state,

Fig. 1a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 2 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state,

Fig. 2a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig.

2, Fig. 3 presents a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in a first operating state,

Fig. 4 presents a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention from the direct of the arrow A of Fig. 3, Figs. 5a and 5b present a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 5a with the replacement air duct closed and Fig. 5b with the replacement air duct open, Fig. 6 presents a cross-section of an arresting device according to an embodiment of the invention, from the direction of the line VI-VI of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 presents a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state,

Fig. 8 presents, as separate parts, the construction of the material channel of an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 9 presents a detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a first operating state,

Fig. 10 presents a detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state, Fig. 11 presents a detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a first operating state,

Fig. 12 presents a detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state,

Fig. 13 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a first operating state,

Fig. 13a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 13,

Fig. 14 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state, Fig. 14a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 14, Fig. 15 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state,

Fig. 15a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 15,

Fig. 16 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a third operating state, Fig. 16a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to

Fig. 16,

Fig. 17 presents a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in a first operating state,

Fig. 18 presents a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention from the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 17,

Figs. 19a and 19b present a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 19a with the replacement air duct closed and Fig. 19b with the replacement air duct open,

Fig. 20 presents a cross-section of an arresting device according to an embodiment of the invention, from the direction of the line XX-XX of Fig. 17,

Fig. 21 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a first operating state,

Fig. 21a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 21 ,

Fig. 22 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state, Fig. 22a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 22, Fig. 23 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a second operating state,

Fig. 23a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 23,

Fig. 24 presents one simplified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, in a third operating state, and Fig. 24a presents the top part of the embodiment of the apparatus according to Fig. 24.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 presents a simplified diagram of an apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus has a mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1 , such as an inlet chute 1 , which comprises a number of input points 2, in which are input apertures 20 for feeding in material w from an input aperture into channel space 10 of the mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1. In the embodiment of the figure, an openable and closable hatch 21 or corresponding is in connection with the input aperture 20 of an input point 2, which hatch when closed covers the input aperture 20 and when opened enables the feeding in of material via the input aperture 20 into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1. In the embodiment of the figure a feeder channel is arranged in connection with an input aperture 20, which feeder channel connects the input aperture 20 to the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel. According to one embodiment restrictor means 40 are arranged in connection with an input aperture 20 for limiting the amount or the size of the material w being fed in. In the embodiment of the figure the input points 2 and their input apertures 20 are arranged at a vertical distance from each other. The input points are arranged on the different floors F1 , F2, F3...Fn of e.g. a building or vessel. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the input points 2 are arranged in connection with the vertical wall P. The input points 2 are described in more detail hereinafter. The mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1 , such as an inlet chute, is connected in Figs. 1 and 2 from the bottom part with a curved channel part 130 to the conveying pipe 200 of a pneumatic material-conveying system. Between the curved channel part 130 and the material conveying pipe 200 is arranged a discharge valve 80, in which is a shut-off means 81 and its drive device 82. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the interface of the material conveying channel 1 and the material conveying pipe 200 is arranged e.g. in a space of the bottom part of the building, such as in the basement B. In the conveying piping 200 of a pneumatic material-conveying system the material displaces together with the transporting air to a reception point, such as a waste station, of the system, in which the material, such as waste material or recyclable material, being transported is separated from the transporting air and conveyed for further processing or into a shipping container. The operation of a pneumatic material-conveying system, more particularly of a wastes conveying system, is not described in more detail here. Various examples of pneumatic wastes transporting systems are presented generally, e.g. in publications WO 2009/080880, WO 2009/080881 , WO 2009/080882, WO 2009/080883, WO 2009/080884, WO 2009/080885, WO 2009/080886, WO 2009/080887, WO 2009/080888, and WO/201 1 /110740.

In the mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1 , which comprises at least two input apertures 20 at a vertical distance from each other, at least one arresting means 31 is arranged between the aforementioned input apertures 20, which arresting means has at least two positions, a first position (Fig. 1 ), in which the arresting means 31 extends into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel, and limits the displacement of material w in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel, and a second position (Fig. 2), in which the arresting means 31 does not essentially limit the displacement of material w in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1.

Figs. 1 and 2 present an input point 2 on the first floor F1 and a second input point 2 on the second floor F2. Fig. 2a presents the input point 2 of the topmost floor Fn, above which is the roof R. The channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 is connected at its top end 119 to an air duct 121. A protective part 20 is arranged to protect the top end 1 19 of the material conveying channel. The air duct is situated on the roof of the building according to Fig. 2a. A valve means 123 and its drive device 124 are arranged between the air duct 121 and the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel. According to Fig. 1 a the valve means 123 is in the first operating state open, in which case the connection from the top part of the material conveying channel to the air duct 121 is open.

The material conveying channel 1 extends in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 through the structures separating the different floors F1 , F2, F3... Fn of the building. The construction of one embodiment of the material conveying channel 1 is described in more detail hereinafter.

According to Fig. 1 the material w can be fed in simultaneously from the input apertures 20 of the different floors F1 , F2...Fn into the channel space 10 of the mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1 and stored in it when the arresting means 31 is in the first position.

In Fig. 1 , the arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 in the section between an input point 2 on the first floor F1 and an input point on the second floor F2. Fig. 1 also shows the arresting means 31 between the input point of the second floor F2 and the input point (not presented) of the third floor. According to Fig. 1 the arresting means 31 are in the first position when the material is intended for feeding into the channel space of the material conveying channel. In this case the material w fed in from the input point 2 of the second floor F2 remains in the vertical material-conveying channel 1 , supported by the arresting means 31 arranged in the channel space 10 of it, which arresting means 31 is situated above the input aperture 20 of the input point 2 lower down (in the figure the input point of the first floor F1 ) in the conveying direction of the material.

Correspondingly, an arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 above the input aperture 20 of the input point 2 of the second floor F2, supported by which arresting means the material w fed in via an input aperture 20 from a higher input point (e.g. from the input point of the third floor) remains.

According to the invention the volume of the mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1 , such as an inlet chute, can be divided by means of the arresting means 31 of the arresting devices 3 into compartments, at least in the phase of feeding in material. In the material input phase the hatches 21 of the input apertures 20 are open or openable In the material conveying phase (Fig. 2) the arresting means 31 are displaced with a drive device 32, 34 from the first position into the second position, i.e. the material w supported by an arresting means 31 is released to displace in the material conveying channel, displaced mainly by gravity and by the suction brought about by the material conveying system, towards the conveying piping 200. In the conveying phase the hatches 21 of the input apertures are closed. In the conveying phase the shut-off means 81 of the valve means 80 that is between the conveying pipe 200 and the material conveying channel is opened with a drive device, in which case the suction brought about by the partial-vacuum generator, such as a pump or fans, of the material conveying system is able to act via the conveying pipe 200 in the material conveying channel 1. At first the channel section nearest the conveying pipe 200 is emptied, which channel section is the curved channel section 130 in the figure. The material w that has accumulated in it is displaced by the effect of suction into the conveying pipe 200. In the figure a replacement air duct 65 is also arranged into the curved channel section 130, in which replacement air duct is arranged a valve means comprising a shut-off means 66 and its drive device 67. The vertical material-conveying channel 1 is emptied in a controlled manner by acting on the arresting means 31 of the arresting device 3 with a drive device 32, 34 in sequence from the bottom upwards in stages or floor by floor, by displacing the arresting means 31 with the drive device 32, 34 from the first position into the second position. According to the invention with the arresting means 31 the volume of the channel space 10 of the vertical material-conveying channel 1 is demarcated into parts in the vertical direction, e.g. floor by floor.

In Figs. 1 and 2, an arresting means 31 is arranged in the section between the input point 2 of the first floor F1 , i.e. the lowermost input point, and the discharge valve 80, in the figures before the curved channel section 130 in the material conveying direction. In the embodiment of the figure a replacement air duct 61 comprising a valve means 60, such as a flexible flap, that opens along with the suction is arranged between the bottom part of the material conveying channel 1 and the curved channel section 130. This valve means produces a resistance, in which case the suction coming from the conveying pipe 200 acts in the vertical material-conveying channel 1 , in the channel space 10 of it, and contributes, along with gravity, to the emptying of it. The replacement air duct 61 in question is arranged after the arresting means 31 that is below the input aperture 20 of the first floor F1 in the material conveying direction.

According to one embodiment, an arresting means 31 is arranged in the materia! conveying channel 1 by connecting the frame 33 of the arresting device 3 to the material conveying channel 1. The arresting device 3 comprises, in addition to the frame 33, an arresting means 31 , which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, the drive device 32, 34 of the arresting means 31 comprises a cylinder-piston unit. The arresting means 31 is arranged to be movable along with the piston 34. The piston 34 is moved by a medium, such as a gas, e.g. compressed air, or a liquid, being conducted into the cylinder part 32. The drive device 32, 34 can also be some other device, e.g. an electrical device. According to one embodiment, the arresting means 31 in the first position closes the material conveying channel completely in the transverse direction. According to a second embodiment the arresting means 31 in the first position closes the material conveying channel in the transverse direction partly. According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 is a plate part, which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. According to a second embodiment the arresting means 31 is a rod part or pipe part, which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 is formed from a number of rod parts or pipe parts, which are moved with a drive device, in the embodiment of Fig. 6 the arresting means 31 is formed from a number of rod parts or pipe parts, which are moved with a drive device 32, 34. In Figs.3, 4 and 6, each rod means or pipe means of the arresting means 31 of the arresting device 3 has its own drive device 32, 34, but some of them or all of them can, according to another embodiment, be moved with a shared drive device.

In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 means 40 for limiting the size or amount of the material being fed in are arranged in an input point 2. In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, a restrictor means 41 is arranged between the input aperture 20 of an input point 2 and the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 , which restrictor means has two positions, a first position, in which the restrictor means 41 essentially limits or prevents the feeding in of material w via an input aperture into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel, and a second position, in which the restrictor means 41 does not essentially prevent the feeding in of material w into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel. In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the restrictor means 41 is formed from two rod means or pipe means, which are moved with a drive device 42, 43. In Fig. 3 the restrictor means 41 is in the first position. In Fig. 7 the restrictor means 41 is in the second position. The restrictor means 41 can comprise one or more rod means, pipe means or plate means or some other means limiting the feeding in of material w.

An input point 2 is arranged in the wall P in the embodiments of Figs. 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 7. An aperture 26 having a location and dimensions corresponding to the set requirements is formed in the wall. A cover plate 25 is adapted to cover the aperture 26 of the wall P, which cover plate can comprise switches, sensors and/or control means. A coupling part 104, 105 of the feeder channel from the material conveying channel 1 is arranged at the point of the aperture 26 of the wall P and the input aperture 20. In the cover plate 26 of the wall is an aperture, in which is fitted an adapter part 22 extending from the cover plate 25 towards the material conveying channel, in which adapter part is a material input aperture 20, through which the material w is adapted to be fed in for conveying in the material conveying channel. The adapter part 22 is arranged to be fixed at its first end 23 to a cover plate 25 or to the wall P. The second end 24 of the adapter part 22 extends, according to Figs. 3. 5a and 7, into the channel space of the coupling part 104, 105 of the feeder channel. The hatch 21 of the input point 2 can be automatic or manually openable and closable. In connection with the hatch there can also be e.g. a lock, a possible reader device, such as an RFID reader.

According to one embodiment means are arranged in the material conveying channel 1 for conducting replacement air into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 at least in the material conveying phase. According to one embodiment of the invention means for conducting replacement air are arranged in connection with each material input point 2. According to one embodiment the input aperture 20 of a material input point is connected with an adapter part 22 to the coupling part 104, 105 of the feeder channel leading to the material conveying channel 10. In the embodiment of the figure the coupling part 105 and the adapter part 22 are of different sizes in their diameter, in which case a gap remains between them. To seal the gap a ring-shaped sealing means 50 is arranged, which can be moved with a drive device 51. The sealing means 50 is e.g. of a flexible material, such as rubber. The sealing means is e.g. a flat ring, the inside edge of which is fitted against the outer surface of the adapter part 22. The side surface of the sealing means 50 is fitted in the sealing position against the end of the coupling part 105 of the feeder channel, such as against the collar 06. The sealing means 50 is moved mainly along the outer surface of the adapter part 22, in the axial direction of the adapter part. The different positions of the sealing means are presented in more detail in Figs. 5a and 5b. In Fig. 5a the sealing means 50 seals the aperture between the end of the coupling part 105 and the outer surface of the wall of the tubular adapter part 22. The sealing means 50 is displaced, e.g. by the aid of the moving means 51 that are arranged on the end of the coupling part 105, such as on the collar 106, a distance from the end of the coupling part 105, such as from the collar 106. In this case a pathway for replacement air opens from between the sealing means 50 and the end, such as the collar 106, of the coupling part 105 into the channel of the coupling part 105 of the feeder channel and onwards into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 . The flow of replacement air from outside the material conveying channel from between the coupling part 105 and the sealing means 50 is described with arrows in Figs. 2, 5b and 7. In this case in the material conveying phase, i.e. when emptying material w from the material conveying channel towards the conveying pipe 200 by displacing the arresting means 31 into the second position, replacement air is obtained in the channel space 10 via the replacement air pathway situated in the material conveying channel above the released arresting means 31 , which pathway is formed from between the sealing means 50 and the end of the coupling part 105 into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel.

Figs. 7 and 8 further present the structure of the material conveying channel 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, and the structural elements of it (in Fig. 8 the structural elements are presented separated from each other). Figs. 7 and 8 present the main parts of the channel section of the material conveying channel 1 between floors F1-F2. The section of the material conveying channel 1 according to Figs. 7 and 8 comprises a first channel section 101 , which comprises the coupling sections 104 and 05 of the feeder channel, which extend away from the side wall of the channel section. The first coupling part 104 from the channel 10 of the feeder channel forms an angle a (alfa) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the material channel. The first coupling part 104 of the feeder channel slopes in the material conveying direction downwards towards the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel. In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the second coupling part 105 of the feeder channel is transverse with respect to the material conveying channel 1 and typically aligned towards the input aperture 20. The adapter part 22 of the input point, through the input aperture 20 formed by which the material is fed into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 via the coupling part 105, 104, extends to some extent inside the second coupling part 105. At the top end 103 of the first channel section 101 of the material conveying channel 1 is a coupling point for the frame 33 of the arresting device 3. The second channel section 107 is fixed from the coupling point of its bottom part 108 to the frame 33 of the arresting device 3. The top end of the second channel section 107 is arranged to fit into a binding part 1 13, such as a band part, with which the second channel section 107 is joined to the structures of the upper floor directly or via intermediate parts supported on an adapter part 1 10. In the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8, the lead-in through the structures of the floors comprises a lead-in frame 1 14, at the top end of which is an outward-pointing collar 116 and at the bottom end an inward-pointing collar 1 15. The lead-in frame 1 14 is adapted to fit in a hole made through the structure, in which case the collar 1 16 of the top end of the lead-in frame 1 14 extends above the top surface of the structure resting on the top surface of the structure. The length of the lead-in frame is preferably adapted according to the thickness of the structure. The adapter part 1 10 is threaded downwards through the lead-in frame, in which case it remains supported on the collar 112 of the top part on the inward-pointing collar of the bottom part of the lead-in frame 11 . Next, the bottom end 102 of the first channel section 101 is placed on top of the collar 116 of the adapter part, arranged to be supported on the collar of the bottom end of the lead-in. After this a seal 1 17 is arranged in the space between the lead-in frame 114 and the wall of the first channel section. Finally a ring-shaped cover part 118 is arranged on top of the top part of the lead-in frame 1 14. According to one embodiment the structure of the material conveying channel that is between each of the storeys therefore rests mainly on the floor of the storey, and possibly also on the roof, via a lead-in frame. In this case also the mass of the material w that is supported by the arresting means 31 that is between each of the floors in the material conveying channel rests on the structures of the floors.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the input, conveying and handling device for material operates as follows: Material w is fed from material input points 2 into the channel space of the material conveying channel. At first the hatch 21 of the input aperture is opened. The hatch 21 can be manually openable and closable or automatically openable and/or closable. The hatch 21 of the input aperture can comprise a lock and e.g. means for reading and/or entering a code. One such is e.g. an RFID reader. With this, access (opening of the hatch 21 ) to feed in material w via the input aperture 20 covered by the hatch can be regulated, e.g. on the basis of the time of day, the user, the type of material or some other applicable variable. In connection with an input aperture 20 or hatch 21 there can be restrictor means 40 for limiting the size or amount of the material being fed in at one time. In the situation according to Fig. 1 , the material to be fed in is displaced from the input point of the first floor F1 in the material conveying channel 1 to be restricted by the discharge valve 80 or to be supported by the arresting means 31 that is below the first input point in the material conveying direction, in many sites there are functions on the first floor that produce more waste material compared to the higher floors, so that the channel volume of the material channel between the input aperture of the first floor and the discharge valve, or the channel volume of the channel space between the input aperture of the first floor and the arresting means 31 that is below it in the material conveying direction, can be made to be larger than the channel volume between the arresting means and the input apertures that are higher up. The material w of the input points of the second floor F2, or of the floors higher than it, displaces to be supported by the arresting means 31 that is below, in the material conveying direction, each input point in the material conveying channel. According to one embodiment, material can be fed into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel simultaneously via the input apertures 20 of the input points 2 of the different floors F1 , F2, F3... Fn. The material w remains between each two input points that are at a vertical distance from each other, supported by the arresting means 31 arranged in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel. The channel space 10 of the material conveying channel is in this case divided by the aid of the arresting means 31 into compartments, in which material w can be temporarily stored.

When a suitable amount of material has been fed in, or when it is desired to convey the material w that has been fed into the material conveying channel and is supported by the arresting means 31 onwards into the conveying piping 200, the following procedure is followed: The hatches 21 of the input apertures 20 are typically closed. The discharge valve 80 is opened by displacing the shut-off means 81 into the open position with the drive device 82. in this case the suction is able to act at first in the curved section 130 and then in the channel space 10 of the mainly vertical channel section. First, the bottommost arresting means 31 is displaced into the second position (Fig. 2), in which it does not prevent the displacement of material downwards in the channel space of the material conveying channel, in which case the materials w that were supported by the arresting means 31 are able to be displaced, mainly from the effect of gravity and the suction acting from the direction of the conveying pipe 200, downwards in the material conveying channel 10 and onwards into the conveying pipe 200. The replacement air duct that is in connection with the input aperture 20 that is above the arresting means 31 is opened, typically before the displacement of the arresting means 31 into the second position, e.g. by displacing the seal 50 with the drive device 51. Next, the arresting means 31 that is under the material w that was fed in from an input aperture of the next floor F3... Fn+1 is displaced into the second position, in which case the material w that was supported on it is able to drop and can be conveyed in the material conveying channel towards the conveying pipe 200. This is continued until all the arresting means 31 of the material conveying channel, starting from the bottom upwards, i.e. in counterflow with respect to the conveying direction of the material, have been displaced into the second position and the material that was in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel has been displaced into the conveying pipe 200 for transporting onwards to the delivery end of the pneumatic material-conveying system. In the conveying phase the air duct 121 disposed on the roof R of the building is closed, according to Fig.2a, with the shut-off means 123 of the valve means, which shut-off means has been displaced with the drive device 124.

Figs. 9 and 10 present an embodiment of the invention, wherein a material shaper

90 is arranged before the discharge valve 80, between the material conveying channel 1 and the conveying pipe 200. The material shaper 90 and its drive device

91 are presented diagrammatically in the figure. The material shaper 90 is e.g. a rotary shaper (formatter), which shapes/compresses the material into a size of smaller diameter to fit via its output aperture into the (curved) channel section 130 that is smaller in diameter than the vertical material-conveying channel 10, and onwards into the conveying pipe 200. Between the material shaper 90 of the material conveying channel and the arresting means 31 is arranged a first replacement air duct 61 , in which a valve means 60 is arranged. After the material shaper 80 in the material conveying direction and before the discharge valve is arranged a second replacement air duct 65, in which is a valve means 66 and its drive device 67. When the material is conveyed from the vertical channel section 1 , from the channel space of it, into the conveying pipe, the arresting means 31 is displaced into the second position, in which it does not prevent the displacement of material downwards in the channel space. The discharge valve has been opened and replacement air can get into the channel space from the first and second replacement air ducts, as well as from the input aperture of the channel section being emptied, or from a replacement air duct arranged in connection with said input aperture, by displacing the sealing means 50 with the drive device 51 into the second position. The material shaper is driven by a drive device 92 and it shapes the material w to be denser in order to fit into the conveying pipe 200 that is smaller in diameter. The material is conveyed into the material shaper and through it by means of gravity and suction or a pressure difference. When the desired amount of material w has been conveyed, or when the material supported by arresting means 31 and stored in the channel space 10 of the vertical material- conveying channel has been emptied in stages, as has been described in the preceding, the arresting means 31 are again displaced into the first position (Fig. 9 and Fig. 1 ).

In Figs. 9 and 10 with the first arresting means 31 of the arresting device 3, said arresting means being above the material shaper 90, the input of material into the shaper 90 of the material can also be regulated, and/or by the aid of said arresting means the material w can also be prevented from rising up during the shaping of the materia! back (upwards) in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 when the arresting means 31 is in the first position.

Rotary shapers and the operation of them are presented in more detail in publications WO/201 1 098666, WO/2011/098667, WO/2011/098668 and WO/2011/098669.

Figs. 11 and 12 present yet another embodiment wherein the replacement air duct 65 is arranged in the curved channel part 130 arranged between the discharge valve 80 and the bottom part of the vertical material-conveying channel 1. The replacement air duct 65 is arranged to be smaller in its flow cross-sectional area (or larger in its flow resistance) than the material conveying channel and the conveying pipe, in which case sufficient flow resistance is achieved and correspondingly a suction effect produced by the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system from the direction of the conveying pipe 200 into the channel space 10 of the vertical material-conveying channel 1 when the shut-off means 81 of the discharge valve 80 has been displaced by the drive device into the second position, in which a connection into the conveying pipe 200 is opened. In this case the suction of the partial-vacuum generator is able to act from the direction of the conveying pipe 200 into the channel section 130 and onwards into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1. At the same time the valve means 66 of the replacement air duct 65 is displaced with the drive device 67 into the second position, in which case the replacement air can get to the channel section 130 between the discharge valve 80 and the bottom part of the vertical channel section, and the material w that has possibly collected in it is displaced into the conveying pipe 200 and onwards in the conveying pipe to the delivery end of the pneumatic pipe conveying system for material, where the material w is separated from the transporting air. By means of gravity and suction, therefore, the material that has collected supported on the arresting means 31 of the mainly vertical material-conveying channel, in stages starting from below and progressing upwards in the channel space of the material conveying channel, by displacing the arresting means from the first position into the second position.

When all the desired arresting means 31 have been displaced from the first position into the second position and the material has been emptied from the channel space, the arresting means 31 can again be displaced into the first position, after which material can again be conveyed from the input apertures 20 into the channel space 10.

Figs. 13-16 present an apparatus of an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a material conveying channel 1 , in which are sections substantially deviating from the vertical. The apparatus comprises a number of input points 2 that are at a vertical distance from each other, in which input points are input apertures 20 for feeding in material via an input aperture 20 into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 , which material conveying channel is adapted to convey the infed material w in the channel space 10 to the delivery end of the material conveying channel mainly by means of gravity and the suction brought about by the partial-vacuum generator of the pneumatic material- conveying system, the suction side of which partial-vacuum generator can be connected to act in the material conveying channel 1. In the embodiment according to Figs. 13-16 the material conveying channel 10 comprises vertical parts and a horizontal part, and curved parts joining them. The material conveying channel 1 comprises a number of input points 2, comprising an input aperture 20 for feeding in material w from an input aperture into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 . In the embodiment of the figure, an openable and closable hatch 21 , or corresponding, is in connection with the input aperture 20 of an input point 2, which hatch when closed covers the input aperture 20 and when opened enables the feeding in of material via the input aperture 20 into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1. In the embodiment of the figure a feeder channel is arranged in connection with an input aperture 20, which feeder channel connects the input aperture 20 to the channel space 0 of the material conveying channel. According to one embodiment restrictor means are arranged in connection with an input aperture 20 (as has been done in the embodiment of Fig. 1 ) for limiting the amount or the size of the material w being fed in. In the embodiment of the figure the input points 2 and their input apertures 20 are arranged at a vertical distance from each other. The input points are arranged on the different floors F1 , F2, F3... Fn of e.g. a building or vessel. In the embodiment of Fig. 13 the input points 2 are arranged in connection with the vertical wall P. The input points 2 are described in more detail hereinafter.

The material-conveying channel 1 , such as an inlet chute, is connected in Figs. 13-16 from the bottom part with a curved channel part 130 to the conveying pipe 200 of a pneumatic material-conveying system. Between the curved channel part 130 and the material conveying pipe 200 is arranged a discharge valve 80, in which is a shut-off means 81 and its drive device 82. In the embodiment of Figs. 13-16, the interface of the material conveying channel 1 and the material conveying pipe 200 is arranged e.g. in a space of the bottom part of the building, such as in the basement B.

In the conveying piping 200 of the pneumatic material-conveying system the material displaces together with the transporting air to a reception point, such as a waste station, of the system, in which the material, such as waste material or recyclable material, being transported is separated from the transporting air and conveyed for further processing or into a shipping container.

In the material conveying channel 1 , which comprises at least two input apertures 20 at a distance from each other, at least one arresting means 31 is arranged between the aforementioned input apertures 20, which arresting means has at least two positions, a first position (Fig. 13) in which the arresting means 31 extends into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel and limits the displacement of material w in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel, and a second position (Fig. 15), in which the arresting means 31 does not essentially limit the displacement of material w in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1. Figs. 13-16 present an input point 2 on the first floor F1 and a second input point 2 on the second floor F2. Fig. 13a presents the input point 2 of the topmost floor Fn, above which is the roof R. The channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 can be connected at its top end 1 19 to the air duct 121 , as in Fig. 2a, on which a protective part 120 is arranged to protect the top end 1 19 of the material conveying channel. The air duct 121 is situated on the roof R of the building according to Fig. 13a. Between the air duct 121 and the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel is arranged a valve means 123 and its drive device 124. Via the air duct, replacement air can be conducted via the air duct 121 and the aperture 126 formed in the duct. An aperture 126 is formed in the junction point 125 formed in the wall of the channel. According to Fig. 13a, the valve means 123 is in the first operating state closed, in which case the connection from the top part of the material conveying channel to the air duct 121 is closed. In the embodiment of Fig. 13a, via the air duct 121 replacement air can be conducted to the replacement air ducts of the input points 2, a valve means 50 driven by an actuator 51 closing said replacement air ducts. Channels 127 are formed in the structures for conducting replacement air, in which case replacement air can be conducted via the air duct 121 , via the aperture 126 and via the channels 127 to the replacement air valves of the different floors F1...Fn. In the embodiment according to Figs. 13-16 a ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is arranged in connection with the apparatus. The ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is connected to the channel space 10 from at least one junction point 151. In the embodiment of Figs. 13-16 a connection is arranged from the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 into the channel space 10 at least to one first point and at least to one second point, Typically there are a number of connections 151 from the channel space of the material channel to the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, e.g. one arranged in the section of each input point 2. In addition a fan 155 is arranged in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel, which fan is typically arranged to be driven with a drive device 156. According to Figs. 13a, 14a and 15a a pathway can be arranged from the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 to the output aperture 157, which in the embodiment of the figure is arranged on the roof R of the building. Arranged in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel is at least one shut-off means 152, which in the embodiment of the figures is driven with drive means 153, 154. The pathway to the output aperture 57 of the ventilation and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is opened and closed with a shut-off means 152. According to one embodiment the shut-off means is arranged between uppermost junction point 151 of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel and the fan 155. When the shut-off means is in the open position and the connection to the output aperture is open, the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 functions as a ventilation channel. In this case the suction side of the fan 155 is connected to suck from the ventilation channel and to blow towards the output aperture 157.

The material conveying channel 1 extends in the embodiments of the figures through the structures separating the different floors F1 , F2, F3... Fn of the building.

According to Fig. 13, the material w can be fed in simultaneously from the input apertures 20 of the different floors F1 , F2...Fn into the channel space 10 of the mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1 and stored in it when the arresting means 31 is in the first position. In the operating state of Fig. 13 the connection from the channel space 10 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is open from at least one connection 151 , in Fig. 13 from a number of connections. When the fan 155 is on and its suction side is connected to the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 and the blowing side is towards the output aperture 157, possible undesirable odors are displaced out of the material channel 10 via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 and its output aperture. In this operating state the material can be fed into the channel space 10 from the input apertures 20 of the input points.

In Fig. 13, the arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 in the section between an input point 2 of the first floor F1 and an input point of the second floor F2. Fig. 13 also shows the arresting means 31 between the input point of the second floor F2 and the input point (not presented in figure) of the third floor. According to Fig. 13 the arresting means 31 are in the first position when the material is intended for feeding into the channel space of the material conveying channel. In this case the material w that was fed in from the input point 2 of the second floor F2 remains in the material conveying channel 1 deviating from the vertical or supported by the arresting means 31 arranged in the channel space 10, which arresting means 31 is situated above the input aperture 20 of the input point 2 lower down (in the figure the input point of the first floor F1 ) in the conveying direction of the material.

Correspondingly, an arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 above the input aperture 20 of the input point 2 of the second floor F2, supported by which arresting means the material w that was fed in via an input aperture 20 from a higher input point (e.g. from the input point of the third floor) remains.

According to the invention, the volume of the material conveying channel 1 , such as an inlet chute, can be divided by means of the arresting means 31 of the arresting devices 3 into compartments, at least in the phase of feeding in material. In the material input phase the hatches 21 of the input apertures 20 are open or openable. In the material conveying phase (Figs. 14 and 15) the arresting means 31 are displaced with a drive device 32, 34 from the first position into the second position, i.e. the material w supported by an arresting means 31 is released to displace in the material conveying channel, displaced mainly by gravity and/or the suction brought about by the material conveying system, towards the conveying piping 200. In the conveying phase the hatches 21 of the input apertures are closed. In the conveying phase the shut-off means 81 of the valve means 80 that is between the conveying pipe 200 and the material conveying channel is opened with a drive device, in which case the suction brought about by the partial-vacuum generator, such as a pump or fans, of the material conveying system is able to act via the conveying pipe 200 in the material conveying channel 1. At first the channel section nearest the conveying pipe 200 is emptied, which channel section is the curved channel section 130 in the figure. The material w that has accumulated in it is displaced by the effect of suction into the conveying pipe 200. In the figure a replacement air duct 65 is also arranged into the curved channel section 130, in which replacement air duct is arranged a valve means comprising a shut-off means 66 and its drive device 67. According to Fig. 14, there is an open connection from the channel section to be emptied first, i.e. from the channel space 10 of the material channel being filled via the input aperture 2 of the first floor F1 , said open connection being via the connection 151 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150. According to Fig. 14 there is also an open connection from the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 to the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel being filled next, i.e. in the figure via the input aperture 2 of the second floor F2, and possibly to the channel sections above it via the connections 151 between them and the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, in which case negative pressure produced by the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system, corresponding to that in the section of the channel space being emptied, acts on the material w that is above each arresting means 31. This reduces the loading exerted on the material w, and on the arresting means 31 holding it, by the suction of the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system.

The material-conveying channel 1 is emptied in a controlled manner by acting on the arresting means 31 of the arresting device 3 with a drive device 32, 34 in sequence from the bottom upwards in stages or floor by floor, by displacing the arresting means 31 with the drive device 32, 34 from the first position into the second position. According to the invention, the volume of the channel space 10 of the vertical material-conveying channel 1 is demarcated with the arresting means 31 into parts, e.g. floor by floor. Fig. 15 presents the conveying of the material fed in from the input aperture of the second floor by releasing the material supported by the arresting means 31 in the channel part deviating from the vertical (in the figure, in the horizontal channel section) from the channel space 10 by displacing the arresting means 31 into the second position. In this case the replacement air duct in the section of the material conveying channel being emptied is open, since the sealing means 50 has been displaced with the drive device 51 into the second position (into the open position). Correspondingly, the connection from the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 to the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel being filled next, i.e. in the figure via the input aperture 2 of the third floor F3, is also open, and possibly to the channel sections above it via the connections 151 between them and the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, in which case negative pressure produced by the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system, corresponding to that in the section of the channel space being emptied, acts on the material w that is above each arresting means 31.

In Figs. 13 and 14, a separate arresting means is not arranged in the section between the input point 2 of the first floor F1 , i.e. the lowermost input point, and the discharge valve 80, but instead the discharge valve 80 and its shut-off means 81 can function as an arresting means. In the embodiment of the figure a replacement air duct 61 , presented in Fig. 1 , comprising a valve means 60, such as a flexible flap, that opens along with the suction can also be arranged between the bottom part of the material conveying channel 1 and the curved channel section 130. This valve means produces a resistance, in which case the suction coming from the conveying pipe 200 acts in the material conveying channel 1 , in the channel space 10 of it, and contributes, along with gravity, to the emptying of it.

According to one embodiment, an arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 by connecting the frame 33 of the arresting device 3 to the material conveying channel 1. The arresting device 3 comprises, in addition to a frame 33, an arresting means 3 , which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, the drive device 32, 34 of the arresting means 31 comprises a cylinder-piston unit. The arresting means 31 is arranged to be movable along with the piston 34. The piston 34 is moved by a medium, such as a gas, e.g. compressed air, or a liquid, being conducted into the cylinder part 32. The drive device 32, 34 can also be some other device, e.g. an electrical device. According to one embodiment, the arresting means 31 in the first position closes the material conveying channel 1 completely in the transverse direction. According to a second embodiment the arresting means 31 in the first position closes the material conveying channel in the transverse direction partly. According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 is a plate part, which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. According to a second embodiment the arresting means 31 is a rod part or pipe part, which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 is formed from a number of rod parts or pipe parts, which are moved with a drive device. In the embodiment of Fig. 19, the arresting means 31 is formed from a number of rod parts or pipe parts, which are moved with a drive device 32, 34. In Figs.16, 17 and 19 each rod means or pipe means of the arresting means 31 of the arresting device 3 has its own drive device 32, 34, but some of them or all of them can, according to another embodiment, be moved with a shared drive device. As mentioned previously, the discharge valve 80 can also be used as an arresting means.

Fig. 16 presents an operating state in which the material channel and the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 can be flushed with air, in which case according to Fig. 16a the valve means 123 is in the second open, in which case the connection from the top part of the material conveying channel 10 to the air duct 121 is open. In this case the replacement air can be conducted into the material conveying channel 1 via the air duct 121. Between the air duct and the actual material-conveying channel is a tapering channel section 128, which narrows from the material conveying channel 10 direction towards the air duct 121. Using the air duct also in conducting air directly from outside gives the advantage that when the material conveying channel 10 is finally empty and the material w is transported in the conveying pipe onwards to the waste station, replacement air can be conducted directly from outside. In this case, in cold conditions heat is not wasted.

In the embodiment of Figs. 17 and 18 means 40 for limiting the size or amount of the material being fed in are not arranged in an input point 2 as they are in the manner of Figs. 3 and 4. A restrictor means 41 can be arranged in them, however, in a corresponding manner to the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, between the input aperture 20 of an input point 2 and the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 , which restrictor means has two positions, a first position, in which the restrictor means 41 limits or prevents the feeding in of material w via the input aperture 20 into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel, and a second position, in which the restrictor means 41 does not essentially prevent the feeding in of material w into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel. In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the restrictor means 41 is formed from two rod means or pipe means, which are moved with a drive device 42, 43. In Fig. 3 the restrictor means 41 is in the first position. In Fig. 7 the restrictor means 41 is in the second position. The restrictor means 41 can comprise one or more rod means, pipe means or plate means or some other means limiting the feeding in of material w.

An input point 2 is arranged in the wall P also in the embodiments of Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. An aperture 26 having a location and dimensions corresponding to the set requirements is formed in the wall A cover plate 25 is adapted to cover the aperture 26 of the wall P, which cover plate can comprise switches, sensors and/or control means. In the embodiment of the figures the restrictor means 31 and its machinery can be serviced, according to one embodiment, via the aperture 26. The coupling part 104, 105 of the feeder channel from the material conveying channel 1 is arranged at the point of the aperture 26 of the wall P and the input aperture 20. In the cover plate 26 of the wall is an aperture, in which is fitted an adapter part 22 extending from the cover plate 25 towards the material conveying channel, in which adapter part is a material input aperture 20, through which the material w is adapted to be fed in for conveying in the material conveying channel. The adapter part 22 is arranged to be fixed at its first end 23 to the cover plate 25 or to the wall P. The second end 24 of the adapter part 22 extends, according to Figs. 17, 19a, 19b, into the channel space of the coupling part 104, 105 of the feeder channel. The hatch 21 of the input point 2 can be automatic or manually openable and closable. In connection with the hatch there can also be e.g. a lock, a possible reader device, such as an RFID reader.

According to one embodiment means are arranged in the material conveying channel 1 for conducting replacement air into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 at least in the material conveying phase. According to one embodiment of the invention means for conducting replacement air are arranged in connection with each material input point 2. According to one embodiment the input aperture 20 of a material input point is connected with an adapter part 22 to the coupling part 104, 05 of the feeder channel leading to the material conveying channel 10. In the embodiment of the figure the coupling part 105 and the adapter part 22 are of different sizes in their diameter, in which case a gap remains between them. To seal the gap a ring-shaped sealing means 50 is arranged, which can be moved with a drive device 51. The sealing means 50 is e.g. of a flexible material, such as rubber. The sealing means is e.g. a flat ring, the inside edge of which is fitted against the outer surface of the adapter part 22. The side surface of the sealing means 50 is fitted in the sealing position against the end of the coupling part 105 of the feeder channel, such as against the collar 106. The sealing means 50 is moved mainly along the outer surface of the adapter part 22, in the axial direction of the adapter part. The different positions of the sealing means are presented in more detail in Figs. 18a and 8b. In Fig. 18a the sealing means 50 seals the aperture between the end of the coupling part 105 and the outer surface of the wall of the tubular adapter part 22. The sealing means 50 is displaced, e.g. by the aid of the moving means 51 that are arranged on the end of the coupling part 105, such as on the collar 106, at a distance from the end of the coupling part 105, such as from the collar 106. In this case a pathway for replacement air opens from between the sealing means 50 and the end, such as the collar 106, of the coupling part 105 into the channel of the coupling part 105 of the feeder channel and onwards into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1. The flow of replacement air from outside the material conveying channel from between the coupling part 105 and the sealing means 50 is described with arrows in Figs. 14, 15 and 19b. In this case in the material conveying phase, i.e. when emptying material w from the material conveying channel towards the conveying pipe 200 by displacing the arresting means 31 or the discharge valve 80 into the second position, replacement air is obtained in the channel space 10 via the replacement air pathway situated in the material conveying channel above the released arresting means 31 or discharge valve 80, which pathway is formed from between the sealing means 50 and the end of the coupling part 105 into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel. According to Fig. 16a, replacement air can be conducted into the material conveying channel also from the top end of the channel via the air duct 121 , by arranging the shut-off means 123 into the open position. For the sake of clarity, the positions (open-closed) of the replacement air valves, as well as the positions (open-closed) of the shut-off means 152 of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, in the different operating states are marked in Figs 13-24. The ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is smaller in its flow cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the channel space 10. According to one embodiment the cross-sectional area of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is 10-25% of the cross-sectionai area of the material conveying channel 1.

Figs. 21-24 present yet another embodiment of the apparatus. In the embodiment of the figures the replacement air needed in conveying material is taken e.g. from elsewhere than from the proximity of the input points on the different floors. In this case the replacement air is taken e g. from outside the building, such as via one or more air intake apertures 121 , 157 that is/are on the roof R and/or e.g. from the basement space B via the air intake channels 61 , 65. The solution according to Figs. 21-24 is particularly well suited to case in which replacement air may not be taken from floors F1 ... Fn. This requirement generally results from technical reasons relating to fire, when fire separation of the building must be done even floor by floor. The concept in this embodiment is that the space for waste above a floor being emptied is closed, so that the same negative pressure is produced in it as in the floor being emptied. Ventilation is arranged at the top end with a bypass pipe 150' and a fan 155. A number of shut-off means 152 are arranged in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 in the embodiment of Figs. 21 -24, which shut-off means are driven in the embodiment of the figures with the drive means 153, 154. The pathway to the output aperture 157 of the ventilation and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is opened and closed with a shut-off means 152. According to one embodiment the shut-off means is arranged between uppermost junction point 151 of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel and the fans 155. When the shut-off means 152 is in the open position and the connection to the output aperture 157 is open, the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 functions as a ventilation channel. In this case the suction side of the fans 155 is connected to suck from the ventilation channel and to blow towards the output aperture 157. Fig. 21 a presents an embodiment wherein a bypass channel 150', which bypasses the fan 155, is arranged in the top part of the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150. A shut-off means, which in the situation of Fig. 21 a is in the closed position, is arranged in the bypass channel 150'. The shut-off means 152 of the bypass channel 150' is in the open position in Figs. 23a and 24a, in which case replacement air can be conducted via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel. In this case in the embodiment of the figures the shut-off means 152 in the channel part of the fan 155 is in the closed position, in which case replacement air comes via the output aperture 157 via the bypass channel 150' into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 and onwards via the connection 151 coming into the material conveying channel 10 in question. A suitable number of shut-off means can be arranged in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel so that the replacement air can be conducted to the desired point from the connection 151 between the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel and the material conveying channel 10. In the embodiment of Fig. 21 , material can be filled into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 via the input apertures of the input points. Replacement air valves have not been fitted in connection with the input points 2 as has been done in the embodiments of the previous figures. Instead, the replacement air is brought from the output aperture 157, and possibly also via the air duct 121 , either directly or via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150. The air duct 121 is disposed according to Fig. 21 a on the roof R of the building. Between the air duct 121 and the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel is arranged a valve means 123 and its drive device 124. In the embodiment according to Figs. 21 -24, arranged in connection with the apparatus is a ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, which is used at least in the emptying phases (Figs 22 and 23) as a replacement air duct, and also in the flushing stage (Fig. 24) replacement air is conducted into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150. The ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is connected to the channel space 10 from a number of junction points 151 , at least in the embodiments of Figs. 21 -24. In the embodiment of Figs. 21-24 a connection is arranged from the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 into the channel space 10 at least to one first point and at least to one second point. Typically there are a number of connections 151 from the channel space of the material channel to the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, e.g. one arranged in the section of each input point 2. In addition a fan 155 is arranged in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel, which fan is typically arranged to be driven with a drive device 156. According to the figures, there is a bypass channel 150 ^' in the embodiments of Figs. 21 a-24a.

The material conveying channel 1 extends in the embodiments of the figures through the structures separating the different floors F1 , F2, F3... Fn of the building.

According to Figs. 21 , 21 a, the material w can be fed in simultaneously from the input apertures 20 of the different floors F1 , F2...Fn into the channel space 10 of the mainly vertical material-conveying channel 1 and stored in it when the arresting means 31 is in the first position. In the operating state of Fig. 21 the connection from the channel space 10 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 is open from at least one connection, in Fig. 21 from a number of connections. When the fan 155 is on and its suction side is connected to the ventilation channel and or pressure equalization channel 150 and the blowing side towards the output aperture 157, possible undesirable odors are displaced out of the material channel 10 via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 and its output aperture. In this operating state the material can be fed into the channel space 10 from the input apertures 20 of the input points. According to Fig. 21 , the arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 in the section between an input point 2 on the first floor F1 and an input point on the second floor F2. Fig. 21 also shows the arresting means 31 between the input point of the second floor F2 and the input point (not presented) of the third floor. According to Fig. 13 the arresting means 31 are in the first position when the material is intended for feeding into the channel space of the material conveying channel. In this case the material w fed in from the input point 2 of the second floor F2 remains in the material conveying channel 1 deviating from the vertical or supported by the arresting means 31 arranged in the channel space 10, which arresting means 31 is situated above the input aperture 20 of the input point 2 lower down (in the figure the input point of the first floor F1 ) in the conveying direction of the material.

Correspondingly, an arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 above the input aperture 20 of the input point 2 of the second floor F2, supported by which arresting means the material w fed in via an input aperture 20 from a higher input point (e.g. from the input point of the third floor) remains.

According to the invention, the volume of the material conveying channel 1 , such as an inlet chute, can be divided by means of the arresting means 31 of the arresting devices 3 into compartments, at least in the phase of feeding in material. In the material input phase the hatches 21 of the input apertures 20 are open or openable.

In the material conveying phase (Figs. 22 and 23) the arresting means 31 are displaced with a drive device 32, 34 from the first position into the second position, i.e. the material w supported by an arresting means 31 is released to displace in the material conveying channel, displaced mainly by gravity and/or the suction brought about by the material conveying system, towards the conveying piping 200. In the conveying phase the hatches 21 of the input apertures are closed. In the conveying phase the shut-off means 81 of the valve means 80 that is between the conveying pipe 200 and the material conveying channel is opened with a drive device, in which case the suction brought about by the partial-vacuum generator, such as a pump or fans, of the material conveying system is able to act via the conveying pipe 200 in the material conveying channel 1. At first the channel section nearest the conveying pipe 200 is emptied, which channel section is the curved channel section 130 in the figure. The material w that has accumulated in it is displaced by the effect of suction into the conveying pipe 200. In the figure a replacement air duct 65 is also arranged into the curved channel section 130, in which replacement air duct is arranged a valve means comprising a shut-off means 66 and its drive device 67. In the embodiment of the figure a replacement air duct 61 comprising a valve means 60, such as a flexible flap, that opens along with the suction is arranged between the bottom part of the material conveying channel 1 and the curved channel section 130. This valve means produces a resistance (e.g. in the region of approx. -l OOmbar), in which case the suction coming from the conveying pipe 200 acts in the vertical material-conveying channel 1 , in the channel space 10 of it, and contributes, along with gravity, to the emptying of it. The replacement air duct 61 in question is arranged below the input aperture 20 of the first floor F1 in the material conveying direction.

According to Fig. 22 there is an open connection from the channel section to be emptied first, i.e. from the channel space 10 of the material channel being filled via the input aperture 2 of the first floor F1 , said open connection being via the connection 151 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150. According to Fig. 22 there is also an open connection from the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 to the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel being filled next, i.e. in the figure via the input aperture 2 of the second floor F2, and possibly to the channel sections above it via the connections 151 between them and the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, in which case negative pressure produced by the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system, corresponding to that in the section of the channel space being emptied, acts on the material w that is above each arresting means 31. This reduces the loading exerted on the materia! w, and on the arresting means 31 holding it, by the suction of the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system. According to Fig. 22a, the shut-off means 152 before the fan 155 is in the closed position and the shut-off means 152 of the bypass channel 150' is also in the closed position.

The material-conveying channel 1 is emptied in a controlled manner by acting on the arresting means 31 of the arresting device 3 with a drive device 32, 34 in sequence from the bottom upwards in stages or floor by floor, by displacing the arresting means 31 with the drive device 32, 34 from the first position into the second position. According to the invention the volume of the channel space 10 of the vertical material-conveying channel 1 is demarcated into parts, e.g. floor by floor, with the arresting means 31. Fig. 23 presents the conveying of the material fed in from the input aperture of the second floor by releasing the material supported by the arresting means 31 in the channel part at least partly deviating from the vertical (in the figure, in the horizontal channel section) from the channel space 10 by displacing the arresting means 31 into the second position. In this case the replacement air duct, via the ventilation channel and pressure equalization channel 150, in the section of the material conveying channel being emptied is open. Correspondingly, the connection from the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 to the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel being filled next, i.e. in the figure via the input aperture 2 of the third floor F3, is also open, and possibly to the channel sections above it via the connections 151 between them and the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, in which case negative pressure produced by the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system, corresponding to that in the section of the channel space being emptied, acts on the material w that is above each arresting means 31.

In Figs. 21 and 22 a separate arresting means is not arranged in the section between the input point 2 of the first floor F1 , i.e. the lowermost input point, and the discharge valve 80, but instead the discharge valve 80 and its shut-off means 81 can function as an arresting means. In the embodiment of the figure a replacement air duct 61 , presented in Figs. 21 -24, comprising a valve means 60, such as a flexible flap, that opens along with the suction can thus be arranged between the bottom part of the material conveying channel 1 and the curved channel section 130.

According to one embodiment, an arresting means 31 is arranged in the material conveying channel 1 by connecting the frame 33 of the arresting device 3 to the material conveying channel 1. The arresting device 3 comprises, in addition to a frame 33, an arresting means 31 , which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. The drive device 32, 34 of the arresting means 31 in the embodiment of the figure comprises a cylinder-piston unit. The arresting means 31 is arranged to be movable along with the piston 34. The piston 34 is moved by a medium, such as a gas, e.g. compressed air, or a liquid, being conducted into the cylinder part 32. The drive device 32, 34 can also be some other device, e.g. an electrical device. According to one embodiment, the arresting means 31 in the first position closes the material conveying channel 1 completely in the transverse direction. According to a second embodiment the arresting means 31 in the first position closes the material conveying channel in the transverse direction partly. According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 is a plate part, which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. According to a second embodiment the arresting means 31 is a rod part or pipe part, which is moved with a drive device 32, 34. According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 is formed from a number of rod parts or pipe parts, which are moved with a drive device. In the embodiment of Fig. 19, the arresting means 31 is formed from a number of rod parts or pipe parts, which are moved with a drive device 32, 34. In Figs.16, 17 and 19 each rod means or pipe means of the arresting means 31 of the arresting device 3 has its own drive device 32, 34, but some of them or all of them can, according to another embodiment, be moved with a shared drive device. As mentioned previously, the discharge valve 80 can also be used as an arresting means.

Fig. 24 presents an operating state in which the material channel and the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 can be flushed with air, in which case according to Fig. 24a the valve means 123 is in the second position (open position), in which case the connection from the top part of the material conveying channel 10 to the air duct 121 is open. In this case the replacement air can be conducted into the material conveying channel 1 , into the channel space 10 of it, via an air duct 121. Between the air duct and the actual material-conveying channel is a tapering channel section 128, which narrows from the material conveying channel 10 direction towards the air duct 121. Using the air duct in conducting replacement air directly from outside gives the advantage that when the material conveying channel 10 is finally empty and the material w is transported in the conveying pipe onwards to the waste station, replacement air can be conducted directly from outside. In this case, in cold conditions heat is not wasted. As is presented in Fig. 24, some of the replacement air can be conducted into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 for flushing it with air.

The invention thus relates to a method for feeding in and for conveying material in a pneumatic material-conveying system, in which method material w is fed into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 via a number of input apertures 20 of input points 2 that are at a vertical distance from each other and is conveyed in the channel space onwards to the delivery end of the material conveying channel mainly by means of gravity and the suction brought about by the partial-vacuum generators of the pneumatic material-conveying system. In the material input phase the displacement in the channel space 10 of at least most of the material w fed in from higher up to the point in the channel space of a lower input point is prevented with an arresting means 31 arranged in the material conveying channel, between the input aperture 20 of the input point 2 situated higher up and the input aperture of a second input point below it, in which case the material collects in the input phase in the channel space 10 supported by the arresting means 31 , and that in material conveying phase the connection from the suction side of the partial-vacuum generator of the material conveying system is connected to the material conveying channel 1 , the arresting means 31 is displaced from the first position into the second position in such a way that the material w that was supported by the arresting means 31 is able to displace in the channel space 10 of the material channel towards the delivery end of the material conveying channel 1.

According to one embodiment a number of arresting means 31 are arranged in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 and that the arresting means are displaced from the first position, in which the arresting means 31 prevents the displacement past the arresting means of at least most of the material w that has collected to be supported by it, into the second position, in which the material w is able to displace in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel towards the delivery end, in stages starting from the arresting means 31 that is closest to the delivery end and is in the first position and then transferring in sequence to the arresting means that is next closest and continuing the displacement of the arresting means into their second position until the material w that has been supported by the arresting means 31 that are in the channel space of the material conveying channel has been able to displace towards the delivery end.

According to one embodiment the material is conducted from the delivery end of the material conveying channel 1 into a conveying pipe 200 connectable to it or that the material is processed with a material shaper 90 before conducting the material w into the conveying pipe 200 According to one embodiment material is fed in simultaneously from the input apertures 20 of different input points 2. According to one embodiment the amount or size of the material being fed in from the input aperture 20 of an input point 1 is limited with restrictor means 40.

According to one embodiment the displacement of the material in the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 is limited with a restrictor means arranged between the lowermost input point 2 and the delivery end of the material conveying channel 1 at least in the phase of feeding in material.

According to one embodiment in the method the material w to be conveyed is waste material, such as waste material packed into bags, or recyclable material.

According to one embodiment in the method replacement air is brought at least in the conveying phase into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 to the opposite side of the material batch that has collected on top of the arresting means 31 with respect to the conveying direction.

According to one embodiment the method is used in buildings or in vessels for conveying waste material or recyclable material.

According to one embodiment a part of the channel space of the material conveying channel is adapted to travel in a direction deviating from the vertical

According to one embodiment the effect of the suction brought about by the partial-vacuum generator on the arresting means 31 that is in the first position, and possibly on the material w held by it, is reduced by forming a connection from the channel space 10 from the first side of the arresting means 31 into the channel space to the second side of the arresting means 31 , most suitably to the other side of the material.

According to one embodiment a connection is arranged from the channel space 10 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150. According to one embodiment the pressure of the channel space 10 is equalized by forming a connection from the channel space from below the arresting means 31 in its first position and/or from the side closer to the partial-vacuum generator in the conveying direction of the material via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 into the channel space to above the material that is supported by the arresting means and/or to the side that is farther from the partial- vacuum generator in the conveying direction of the material.

According to one embodiment a connection is formed from the channel space 10 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 and suction is brought about in the channel space 10 with a fan device 155, 156, for ventilating the channel space.

According to one embodiment at least in the ending phase of the emptying of the material conveying channel some of the replacement air is conducted to travel in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for feeding in and conveying material in a pneumatic material-conveying system, which apparatus comprises a number of input points 2 that are at a vertical distance from each other, in which input points are input apertures 20 for feeding in material via an input aperture 20 into the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 , which material conveying channel is adapted to convey the infed material w in the channel space 10 to the delivery end of the material conveying channel mainly by means of gravity and the suction brought about by the partial-vacuum generator of the pneumatic material- conveying system, the suction side of which partial-vacuum generator can be connected to act in the material conveying channel 1 . An arresting means 31 is arranged in connection with the material conveying channel 1 between an input aperture 20 of an input point 2 higher up and the input aperture of a second input point below it, which arresting means has at least two positions, a first position, in which the arresting means extends into the channel space 10 and in which the arresting means prevents the displacement of at least most of the material w fed in higher up past the arresting means in the channel space 10, in which case the material collects in the input phase in the channel space 10 supported by the arresting means 31 , and a second position, in which the arresting means 31 does not prevent the displacement of material w past the arresting means in the channel space 10 of the materia! channel towards the delivery end of the material conveying channel 1.

According to one embodiment a number of arresting means 31 are arranged at a vertical distance from each other in the material conveying channel 1 , preferably at least in the section between each two input apertures 20 of input points 2 at a vertical distance from each other.

According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 are adapted to displace from the first position into the second position in phases, starting from the lowermost arresting means 31 that is in the first position and transferring always from the preceding to the next lowermost arresting means until all the arresting means of the material conveying channel 1 have been displaced from the first position into the second position.

According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 is a plate means, rod means, pipe means or a combination of these.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises restnctor means 40 for limiting the size or amount of the material being fed in.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises means 50, 51 arranged in connection with the input points 2 for conducting replacement air into the channel space 10 of the material channel 1.

According to one embodiment the arresting means 31 are adapted to divide the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel into number of, suitably consecutive parts in the conveying direction of the material when the arresting means 31 is in the first position.

According to one embodiment between the material conveying channel 1 and the conveying pipe 200 of the pneumatic material-conveying system is arranged a material shaper 90, through which the material w is adapted to be conducted, into a conveying pipe 200 that is preferably smaller in diameter than the diameter of the material conveying channel 1. According to one embodiment the apparatus is are arranged in a building or vessel for being applied in the conveying of waste material or recyclable material.

According to one embodiment a part of the channel space 10 of the material conveying channel 1 is adapted to travel in a direction deviating from the vertical.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises channel means 150, 151 from the channel space 10 from the first side of the arresting means 31 into the channel space to the other side of the arresting means 31 , most suitably to the other side of material possibly held by the arresting means.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises means for opening and closing 152, 153, 154 the connection from the ventilation and/or pressure equalization channel 150 to the output aperture 157.

According to one embodiment a connection is arranged from the channel space 10 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises means for equalizing the pressure of the channel space 10 by forming a connection from the channel space 10 from below the arresting means 31 in its first position and/or from the side closer to the partial-vacuum generator in the conveying direction of the material via the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150 into the channel space 10 to above the material that is supported by the arresting means 31 and/or to the side that is farther from the partial-vacuum generator in the conveying direction of the material.

According to one embodiment a fan device 155, 156 is arranged in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel for ventilating the channel space 10.

According to one embodiment a number of connections 151 are arranged from the channel space 10 into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150. According to one embodiment a number of connections 151 are arranged from the channel space into the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150, said number corresponding to the number of material input points of each channel section.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises an operating state in which at least some of the replacement air is conducted to travel in the ventilation channel and/or pressure equalization channel 150.

Typically the material is waste material or recyclable material, such as waste material arranged in bags.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above, but that it can be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. The characteristic features possibly presented in the description in conjunction with other characteristic features can also, if necessary, be used separately to each other.