The invention relates generally to pneumatic material conveying systems, such as partial-vacuum transporting systems, specifically to the collection and transfer of material, such as to the transfer of industrial materials or domestic waste or recyclable material .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Systems in which solid material, for example solid waste, may be conveyed in piping by means of suction and/or a transporting air flow are known. In such systems, material may be conveyed over long dis tances in the piping pneumatically by means of suction and/or a pressure difference typically together with transporting air. The apparatuses are used, among oth er things, for conveying material in various facili ties, for conveying domestic waste or for conveying other waste. It is typical of them that a partial- vacuum apparatus is used to provide the pressure dif- ference needed for transporting the material, in which partial-vacuum apparatus the negative pressure into the conveying pipe is provided by partial-vacuum gen erators, such as partial-vacuum pumps or an ejector apparatus. In the conveying pipe there is typically at least one valve member, by opening and closing which valve member the replacement air coming in to the con veying pipe is controlled. As a result, an air flow is provided into the conveying pipe, with which air flow the material may be conveyed. Also systems in which the pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow in the conveying piping may be provided for exam- pie by a blowing arrangement are known. One of the convenient solutions of new regional building projects is waste management operating on a pipe transporting system. This means that the sorted waste or material to be recycled is sucked through underground pipes to a waste management station common to the whole area. The system is a tidy, odourless and noiseless solution as well as environmentally friendlier and safer for the surrounding area than the traditional waste man- agement. On the other hand, part of the waste is often such that it cannot be satisfactorily transported in the long piping because of its size or other quality.

The object of this invention is to provide a completely novel solution in connection with material conveying systems, by means of which the disadvantages of the known solutions will be avoided. Another ob ject of the invention is to provide a solution in which some of the material is not necessarily intended to be transported over the whole distance in a long conveying pipe to a waste management station, but it is instead transported to a separately emptied collec tion container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on an idea of provid ing a pneumatic material conveying pipe in which suc tion and, by controlling the replacement air, a transport air flow may be arranged. According to one embodiment, the material conveying pipe may be a con veying pipe suitable for pneumatic transport, into which conveying pipe suction is arrangeable by par tial-vacuum devices and a transport air flow is ar- rangeable by controlling the replacement air. A second material conveying arrangement may be connected to the material conveying pipe, along the pipe, i.e. along its length, which second material conveying arrange ment utilizes the negative pressure provided in the piping of a first material conveying system.

The invention relates according to one embod iment to a method for conveying material in a convey ing pipe pneumatically by means of suction, a pressure difference and/or a transporting air flow in a materi al conveying system.

The method according to the invention is characterized by features set forth in independent claim 1. The embodiments of the method of the inven tion are characterized by features set forth in the dependent claims. By arranging in connection with a first material conveying system a second material con veying arrangement utilizing the suction/negative pressure of a partial-vacuum generator of the first material conveying system, but wherein the material being transported may be conveyed from an input point along a separate conveying pipe to its own separating device into a container thereof, it is possible to provide an efficient solution for the transfer and collection of a second material. According to one em bodiment, the components of the second waste conveying arrangement may also be better adapted in terms of their properties to the properties of the material conveyed in the second material conveying arrangement.

According to one embodiment, the material conveying system may comprise a first input point for feeding a first material, a first conveying pipe, at least one first separator device at an outlet end of the material conveying pipe as well as a partial- vacuum generator, a suction side of which may be con nectable, for example via the first separator device, to the first conveying pipe. Additionally, the materi al conveying system may comprise means for opening and closing an access of replacement air to the conveying pipe, for conveying the material from at least one first input point in at least one first conveying pipe, to the first separator device. A negative pres sure or a pressure difference relative to surrounding pressure may be provided in the conveying pipe by the partial-vacuum generator. In the method a second mate rial conveying arrangement is provided, which second material conveying arrangement may comprise a second input point for feeding a second material, a second separator device, a second conveying pipe between at least one second input point and the second separator device, in which method the separator device of the second material conveying arrangement may be opera tively connected into medium communication with the conveying pipe of the first material conveying system along the pipe, i.e. along its length, in order to connect the suction or pressure difference acting in a first pipeline to act via the second separator device in the second conveying pipe, whereby the second mate rial may be conveyed from the second input point in the second conveying pipe to the second separator de vice where the second material may be separated from transporting air flow, and the second material may be collected into a collection container of the second separator device. This has, among other things, the advantage that the suction, negative pressure and flow of transporting air provided by the partial-vacuum generator of the first material conveying system may be utilized in the second material conveying arrange ment. At the same time, the separator device and/or the input points of the second material conveying ar rangement may be arranged to be operatively connected to the conveying pipe of the first material conveying system, but if desired, independently of the location of the input points and the separator device thereof. Additionally, the conveying pipe of the second materi al conveying arrangement may be adapted specifically to the second material intended to be conveyed there in.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the second con veying arrangement may comprise a separator device in which there is a collection container, a material and transporting air input aperture of which may be opera tively connected by the second conveying pipe to the second input point in order to convey the material in the second conveying pipe from the input point into the collection container of the second separator de vice together with the transporting air flow, when an operative medium communication is formed from a trans porting air output aperture of the separator device by a pipeline with the first conveying pipe, in order to connect the suction or pressure difference acting in a first pipeline to act via the second separator device in the second conveying pipe. Thereby the second mate rial may be conveyed from the second input point in the second conveying pipe into the second separator container where the second material is separated from the transporting air flow, when access of replacement air to the second conveying pipe to an opposite side of the material being conveyed as seen from the second separator device in the direction of travel of the ma terial is allowed.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the first mate rial may be conveyed in the first conveying pipe from the first input point arranged directly or via a branch line along the pipe, or along its length, to the first pipeline and further to the at least one separator device arranged at an outlet end of the first conveying pipe, in which separator device the first material may be separated from the transporting air flow. Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the second in put point or the second conveying pipe may be provided with a valve for opening and/or closing and/or con trolling the input of replacement air.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the medium com munication between the first conveying pipe and the second separator device may be opened and closed by a valve.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the method abrasive, i.e. wear-causing, second material (M), for example glass material, may be conveyed from the sec ond input point in the second conveying pipe.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the method second material, the properties of which may differ from the first material conveyed from the first input point in the first conveying pipe, may be conveyed from the second input point.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the second con veying pipe may be manufactured mainly from a differ ent material than the first conveying pipe.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the second con veying pipe may comprise wear-resistant material, for example metal.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the method the second separator device may comprise a collection container which is a so-called deep collection con tainer.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the material collected into the collection container of the second separator device may be discharged into a container of a transporting vehicle or the container filled with the material may be replaced by an empty collection container and the container filled with the material may be taken by the transporting vehicle to another location for being emptied.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the method the second separator device is a cyclone separator in its operating principle.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the second sep arator device is a deep collection container-separator device, the collection container of which may be lift ed by lifting means and the material collected into the collection container may be discharged, for exam ple via an openable and closable aperture arranged in its lower part.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to an arrangement for a pneumatic material conveying system. The arrangement is characterized by features set forth in claim 14. The embodiments of the arrangement are characterized by features set forth in the dependent claims.

The material conveying system may comprise a first material conveying system in which there may be at least one first input point for feeding a first ma terial, a first conveying pipe, at least one first separator device at an outlet end of the first convey ing pipe as well as a partial-vacuum generator, a suc tion side of which may be connectable via the first separator device to the first conveying pipe as well as means for opening and closing an access of replace ment air to the conveying pipe, for conveying material from the at least one first input point in the first conveying pipe, to the first separator device, in which conveying pipe a negative pressure or a pressure difference relative to surrounding pressure may be provided by the partial-vacuum generator. According to one embodiment, the arrangement may comprise a second material conveying arrangement which may further com prise at least one second input point for feeding a second material, a second separator device, a second conveying pipe between the at least one second input point and the second separator device, which second separator device may be operatively connectable into medium communication with the conveying pipe of the first material conveying system along the pipe or along its length, in order to connect a suction or a pressure difference acting in the first pipeline to act via the second separator device in the second con veying pipe to convey the second material from the second input point in the second conveying pipe to the second separator device which may be configured to separate the second material from transporting air flow, and to collect the material into a collection container of the second separator device. According to one embodiment, the second material conveying arrange ment may be a second material conveying system. Ac cording to one embodiment, the second material convey ing arrangement may be an arrangement utilizing at least one partial-vacuum generator of the first mate rial conveying system.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the arrange ment a pipeline may be arranged from an output side of the second separator device to the first conveying pipe and which separator device may be connectable from an input side by the second conveying pipe to the second input point.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the arrange ment the first input point and/or the second input point and/or the first conveying pipe may be provided with a replacement air channel and a valve for opening and/or closing and/or controlling the input of re placement air.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the arrange ment the second input point may be configured to re ceive and/or the second conveying pipe may be config ured to convey and/or the separator device may be con figured to receive abrasive, i.e. wear-causing, second material, for example glass material.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the arrange ment the second conveying pipe may be mainly of a dif ferent material than the first conveying pipe. The second conveying pipe may thus be adapted to the sec ond material. This allows the first conveying pipe not having to be adapted to the second material, but in stead it may be adapted for example to only fulfil the requirements of transfer of the first material. This may be economically a very significant feature, as the conveying distances may be rather long in the first material conveying system.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the arrange ment the second conveying pipe may comprise wear- resistant material, for example metal.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, in the arrange ment the second separator device may comprise a so- called deep collection container.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the second sep arator device may be a cyclone separator in its oper ating principle.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the second sep arator device may be a deep collection container- separator device, the collection container of which may comprise a lifting point from which the collection container is arranged to be lifted by lifting means, and the collection container may comprise an openable and closable aperture, via which the collection con tainer may be emptied of collected material.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the arrangement may comprise a valve for opening and closing a medium communication between the first conveying pipe and the second separator device.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, a plurality of second separator devices and second input points con nected thereto by the second conveying pipes may be operatively connected along the first conveying pipe.

Instead of or in addition to one of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments, the first con veying pipe may be operatively connected with other components or subsystems utilizing suction of the first partial-vacuum generator acting via the first conveying pipe.

According to a third aspect, the invention may relate to a material conveying system. The materi al conveying system is characterized by features set forth in claim 26. According to one embodiment, the material conveying system may comprise one or more of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments. According to one embodiment, industrial materials and/or domes tic waste and/or recyclable material may be conveyed by the first material conveying system and/or by the second material conveying arrangement. According to one embodiment, food industry materials or domestic waste are conveyed by the first material conveying system.

The solution according to the invention has a number of significant advantages. By means of the so- lutions of the invention the disadvantages of the pri or art will be avoided. By using a deep collection container as the separator device, the material con veyed into the collection container may also be effi ciently stored, and emptying of the container may be performed less frequently. Emptying of the collection container may be performed by lifting the collection container and by discharging the material collected into the container through an openable and closable aperture arranged in a lower part of the container for example into a container of a transporting vehicle, such as a waste collection vehicle. Alternatively, the container may be transported to another location for being emptied and the filled-up container may be re placed by an empty container. By means of the solution according to the invention, a separator device of a pneumatic material pipe transporting system and a tem porary collection container intended for storage of transported material may be efficiently combined. When the collection container is a so-called deep collec tion container at least partly disposed below the ground surface level or a corresponding surface level, the need for space may be efficiently reduced. By ar ranging most of the volume of the collection container below the ground surface and only a relatively small portion as a visible part, a solution suited well to the surroundings will be provided as the collection container. Because of the large volume and dimensions of the container, the material collected into the con tainer yields, i.e. compacts, whereby the collection container holds a relatively greater amount of materi al than multiple small containers. According to one preferred embodiment, the deep collection container- separator device comprises a collection container and an external container into which the collection con tainer is arranged and from which the collection con tainer is lifted for being emptied. The solution ac- cording to the invention is suitable for use in con nection with many types of pneumatic material pipe transporting systems. When using a partial-vacuum gen eration apparatus to provide the necessary pressure difference and/or transporting air flow in the convey ing piping, the partial-vacuum generation devices of a first conveying system may be used in connection with the material conveying system comprising a deep col lection separator device of the invention to provide the negative pressure needed for pneumatic material transport. A plurality of second conveying arrange ments may be arranged along the conveying pipe of the material conveying system. The system thus enables the effective operating time of the partial-vacuum source of a first material conveying system to be divided be tween a plurality of second material conveying sys tems. According to an embodiment of the invention, it may also be contemplated that the partial-vacuum source of the deep collection separator device or sep arator devices is for example an integral partial- vacuum pump apparatus of a larger system, by which partial-vacuum pump apparatus the air flow/negative pressure for conveying the material from the second input points to the second separator device is gener ated. This solution is particularly suitable for situ ations where there are multiple deep collection sepa rator devices arranged along a conveying pipe of a larger system. The solution according to the invention provides the possibility to use an existing waste col lection vehicle or the like for emptying the collec tion container of the deep collection separator de vice. The deep collection container-separator device according to the invention also provides a possibility to feed such material via an openable and closable in put aperture formed in the collection container which is not, for example due to its size or other proper ties, suitable for being conveyed in a pneumatic mate- rial pipe transporting system. In the deep collection container-separator device according to the invention, the flow of transporting air in the chamber space or output channel of the separator device is controlled by providing a control effect for the transporting air in the opposite direction relative to its rotating di rection. This way it is possible to provide a signifi cant improvement in the material being separated not drifting with the transporting air towards the output channel. Thereby for example waste particles, such as paper or plastic films or bags, are not drawn into the output aperture of the separating device and/or do not block the output aperture, and a reliable deep collec tion container-separator device for a pneumatic waste conveying system may be provided. The desired effect may be produced by arranging the output coupling to the wall of the output channel in such a way that the flow of transporting air from the output channel to the output coupling is oriented in a mainly tangential direction relative to the wall of the output channel. This may be achieved for example be arranging the out put coupling eccentrically to the output channel. The deep collection separator device according to the in vention is suitable both for material conveying sys tems in which a formator, i.e. a rotary shaper, is used for compacting and/or shaping the material con ducted from input points to the conveying piping, and for regular pneumatic material pipe transporting sys tems in which the material is fed from an input point directly to the conveying piping.

Inventive embodiments are also disclosed in the description and drawings of this application. The inventive content of the application may also be de fined in a different way than as set forth in the fol lowing claims. The inventive content may also be com prised of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in light of expressed or implicit subtasks or in terms of achieved benefits or benefit categories. In this case, some features of the following claims may be redundant for individual in ventive ideas. The features of different embodiments of the invention may be applied in connection with other embodiments within the scope of the basic in ventive idea.

LIST OF THE FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be de scribed in more detail by way of example with refer ence to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment as a simplified diagram,

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a sepa rating device according to one embodiment as a simpli fied diagram partly cut in a vertical plane in a col lection container filling mode,

Fig. 3a illustrates an embodiment of an ex ternal container of a separating device according to one embodiment as a simplified diagram partly cut in a vertical plane without a collection container,

Fig. 3b illustrates an embodiment of a col lection container of a separating device according to one embodiment as a simplified diagram partly cut in a vertical plane,

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a collec tion container of a separating device according to one embodiment as a simplified diagram partly cut in a vertical plane in an emptying mode, Fig. 5 illustrates a material conveying ar rangement according to one embodiment at an applica tion site with part of a ground structure removed to illustrate underground parts,

Fig. 6 illustrates a material conveying ar rangement according to one embodiment at an applica tion site, partly cut and with part of a ground struc ture removed to illustrate underground parts, in a first operating mode,

Fig. 7 illustrates a material conveying ar rangement according to an embodiment at an application site, partly cut and with part of a ground structure removed to illustrate underground parts, in a second operating mode, and

Fig. 8 illustrates a material conveying ar rangement according to an embodiment at an application site, partly cut and with part of a ground structure removed to illustrate underground parts, in a third operating mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some cases the features set forth in this application may be used as such, disregarding other features. On the other hand, the features set forth in this application may be combined, if necessary, to form various combinations.

The features presented in combination with other features in the following paragraphs may also be used separately, if necessary.

Some embodiments are illustrated in Fig. 1 -

8.

An embodiment of a pneumatic material convey ing system may be, according to one embodiment, a waste material or recyclable material collection and conveying system. In the pneumatic material conveying system, material may be conveyed from an input point 108 in a material conveying pipe 100 by means of a pressure difference in a transporting air flow to an outlet end of the material conveying system. At the outlet end the material being transported may be sepa rated from the transporting air flow in a separator device 90A, 90B. The separator device may be for exam ple a separator container. The pressure difference and transporting air flow needed for the transport of material may be provided for example by a partial- vacuum generator 121A, 121B, a suction side of which may be connected to act in the material conveying pipe 100. At the same time, replacement air may be conduct ed to the material conveying pipe.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates part of a pneumatic material conveying system in which there is a material conveying pipe 100 along which at least one, typically multiple input points 108 are arranged. The input point 108 may be an input station for mate rial, specifically waste material, intended to be transported, from which input station the material, specifically waste material, such as domestic waste, or recyclable material, intended to be transported is fed to the conveying system. The input station 108 may also be a waste chute to which material is fed through input apertures located on different floors of a building. The system may comprise a plurality of input stations 108 from which the material intended to be transported is fed to conveying piping 100, 101. By opening and closing a closing member, such as a valve member 30, possibly provided in connection with the input station, the material may be conveyed from the input point 108 to the conveying pipe 100. The input point 108 may be connected to the conveying pipe 100 or to an input pipe 102 which is connected to the con- veying pipe. Typically, the conveying piping may com prise a main conveying pipe 100 to which a plurality of branch conveying pipes 101 may be connected and to which branch conveying pipes, in turn, a plurality of input stations 108 may be connected. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the input point 108 may be a material input point extending upwardly from the level of a surface s.

Material input points 108 may be arranged to the material conveying pipe 100 or along its branch conveying pipes 101, 102. The system may comprise a plurality of input points 108 from which material in tended to be transported may be fed to the conveying piping. In the input point 108 there may be an input container which may be connectable to the branch con veying pipe 101. The material may be fed through an input aperture 31 of the input point for being con ducted to the material conveying pipe 100. The input aperture 31 of the input point may comprise an opena- ble and closable hatch. Between the input container of the input point and the branch conveying pipe there may be a valve member. By opening and closing the valve member, material may be conveyed from the input point to the conveying pipe. The input point 108 may thus be connected to the branch conveying pipe 101, 102 and further to the material conveying pipe 100. One or a plurality of input points 108 may be connect ed to the branch conveying pipe 101, 102. The convey ing pipe and/or the branch conveying pipe and/or the input point may be provided with means for allowing and preventing an access of replacement air to the ma terial conveying pipe. According to one embodiment, the means for allowing and preventing the access of replacement air may comprise a replacement air cou pling or an aperture which may be provided with a re placement air valve by means of which the access of replacement air to the conveying pipe may be con- trolled. A noise reducer and/or a filter device may be arranged in connection with the replacement air cou pling 110 or the aperture.

The replacement air needed for emptying the input container of the input point 108 may come via the input point. According to one embodiment, a sepa rate replacement air coupling with a replacement air valve 30 may be provided in connection with the input point.

According to one embodiment, the input point 108 may be connected via an input channel to a materi al shaper (not illustrated), which may shape and com pact the material to fit in conveying piping that is smaller in diameter than the input channel. A solution according to one embodiment may also be suitable for material conveying systems in which material shapers are not used, but material is conveyed from the input points directly to the conveying piping. The conveying piping may be arranged below the level of the surface s.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, in the convey ing piping there may be a replacement air coupling 110 which may be provided with a replacement air valve 109 for controlling an access of replacement air and for providing a transporting air flow in the conveying pipe together with suction provided by the partial- vacuum generator 121A, 121B. The conveying system may comprise one or more containers and/or material sepa rators to which the material being conveyed is con ducted in the conveying pipe by means of a pressure difference and/or a transporting air flow. In the em bodiment of Fig. 1, a separator container 90A, 90B may be arranged at an outlet end of the material conveying pipe 100, in which separator container the material being conveyed is separated from the transporting air and remains in the container of the separator device. The conveying pipe may be provided with a valve member 111 or a plurality of valve members, under the control of the position of which valve members a connection 105A, 105B may be opened from the conveying pipe to the separator container 90A, 90B. According to one em bodiment, the valve member 111 may be a multiple-way valve or an arrangement of multiple valves by which a connection from the conveying pipe 100 to a desired separator container 90A, 90B may be enabled. From the suction side of the partial-vacuum generator 121A, 122B, a connection 119A, 119B, 118, 117, 116, 115A, 115B may be provided to the separator container 90A, 90B, and further to the conveying pipe 100.

The material conveying system may comprise a second material conveying arrangement which may com prise a second separator device 10. The second separa tor device 10 may comprise a container 11 inside which a container space is formed. The second separator de vice 10 may comprise a material and transporting air input aperture 14' as well as a transporting air out put aperture 16' in communication with the container space. The second separator device may further com prise a material output aperture 6.

According to one embodiment, the second sepa rator device 10 may be a combination of a material deep collection container which is formed of an exter nal container 12 and a collection container 11, and means separating the transporting air and the material being conveyed from each other arranged therein. The second separator device 10 may according to one embod iment be a so-called cyclone separator.

According to one embodiment, the second mate rial conveying arrangement may further comprise at least one second input point 200. The at least one second input point 200 may comprise an input aperture 231 for feeding material into an input container of the second input point 200. The input aperture 231 may be arranged to be covered by an openable and closable hatch. The hatch of the input aperture may be opened and closed in order to feed material through the input aperture for being transported further in a conveying pipe. An input container may be provided in connection with the input point. The material may collect into the input container of the input point. From the sec ond input point 200 there may be, for example from its lower part, a connection to a second material convey ing pipe 201. According to one embodiment, the connec tion to the conveying pipe may be arranged from the input container of the input point. A valve may be provided between the input point and the conveying pipe. In an open position of the valve, material may be conveyed from the second input point 200 to the second conveying pipe 201. From the second material conveying pipe 201, a material pathway 202, 14 to the input aperture 14' of the second separator device 10 and further to the container space of the collection container 11 of the second separator device 10 may be provided. According to one embodiment, the material pathway may comprise a conveying pipe section 202 and an input coupling 14. According to one embodiment, the input coupling 14 may be connected to the input aper ture 14' formed in the wall of the collection contain er 11 of the second separator device 10. According to one embodiment, the input coupling 14 and the convey ing pipe section 202 may be of the same piece. Accord ing to one embodiment, the conveying pipe section may be designed to be curved, wherein its end facing the conveying pipe 201 (input side) may be vertical and its end facing the container 11 may be horizontal. The pipe may form an angle of 90 degrees between the input end and the end facing the container.

According to one embodiment, the material conveying pipe 201 may be connectable to the collec tion container 11 of the second separator device 10. The material M being transported may be separated in the second separator device 10 from transporting air. A connection member 201' may be formed in the convey ing pipe 201 and a counterpart may be formed in the material pathway leading into the collection container 11, in the conveying pipe section 202 or in the cou pling 14. The connection member 201' and the counter part may together form a connection, for example a quick connection. According to one embodiment, the connection member 201' may be a sleeve part to which the counterpart of the material pathway 202 leading into the collection container, such as the free end may be fitted. According to one embodiment, the con nection part 201' and the counterpart of the medium pathway of the container may be arranged in alignment when the container part 11 is placed in the external container.

A second connection member 204' may be formed in a transporting air output coupling 16 arranged in the collection container 11 or in a medium pathway 203, 204. The output coupling 16 of the collection container or the medium pathway 203 may be provided with a counterpart which may be arranged together with the second connection member 204' to form a connec tion, for example a quick connection. According to one embodiment, the connection member 204' may be a sleeve part to which the counterpart of the material pathway 203 leading into the collection container, such as the free end may be fitted. According to one embodiment, the connection part 204' and the counterpart of the medium pathway of the container may be arranged in alignment when the container part 11 is placed in the external container.

According to one embodiment, the output cou pling 16 and the medium pathway section 203 may be of the same piece. According to one embodiment, the out put coupling or the medium pathway 203 may be designed to be curved, wherein its end facing the pipe 204 (output side) may be vertical and its end facing the container 11 may be horizontal. The pipe 203 forming the medium pathway may form an angle of 90 degrees be tween the input end and the end facing the container.

A pipe or hose coming from a partial-vacuum source, such as from the partial-vacuum source 121A, 121B of the first material conveying system, may be operatively connected to the output aperture 16 of the second separator device 10, via which pipe or hose the negative pressure needed for the second material con veying arrangement may be caused to act in the second separator device 10 and further in the second convey ing pipe 201. The transporting air flow needed for ma terial transfer may be conducted via the output aper ture 14' of the second separator device from the col lection container.

The separator device 10 may thus comprise in one embodiment an external container 12 and a collec tion container 11. The external container 12 may be, like for example in the embodiments of Fig. 1-8, a re cess or container provided in the ground or soil, which recess or container may have a base 5 and a side wall 4. The external container 12 may extend from the surface level s to a distance in the downward direc tion. A separate collection container 11 may be ar ranged in the external container 12, which collection container arranged to fit in the external container 12. According to one embodiment, an upper part of the collection container 11 may extend above the surface level S.

According to one embodiment, the collection container 11 of the separator device 10 may be a so- called cyclone separator in which there is a container space defined by side walls 11', 11'', a bottom hatch 7 and an upper end wall 8. According to one embodi ment, the container space of the container 11 may be mainly cylindrical from an upper part 11' thereof. The container space may be in the shape of a truncated cone from a lower part thereof, which becomes conical ly smaller in the lower part 11'' towards the base where there may be an output aperture 6 and a hatch 7 opening and closing it. According to one embodiment, the hatch 7 may be arranged in a pivotable manner, for example by a hinge member 7', to the wall of the con tainer 11. An input coupling 14 may be connected to the wall of the collection container 11 of the separa tor device, in the upper part 11' thereof, via which input coupling the material M being transported, to gether with the transporting air may be conducted to the container space of the separating device through the input aperture 14'. According to one embodiment, the input aperture 14' may be arranged in the wall of the chamber space of the separating container, in the upper part of the side wall thereof.

According to one embodiment, the input aper ture 14' of the input coupling 14 into the collection container 11 may be arranged in the wall of the sepa rator device in the upper part 11' thereof, in an area between the end wall 8 and a lower part of a wall 13 extending from the upper end wall 8 to the interior of the separating device. According to one embodiment, the wall 13 may be cylindrical. In the separator de vice 10 in the collection container 11 there may be an annular portion in said area, wherein the wall 13 may form the inner circle of the annular portion and the wall 11' of the collection container, typically the upper part of the wall, may form the outer circle of the annular portion. The wall 13 may form in an upper part of the container space of the separator device a channel which is open from the side facing the cylin drical container space, i.e. from below in Fig. 2. The channel formed by the wall 13 may be arranged concen trically (coaxially) with the vertical axis of the container space. According to one embodiment, the input cou pling 14 and the input aperture 14' may be arranged to the wall 11' of the collection container 11 in a main ly tangential direction relative to the wall of the collection container 11. According to one embodiment, the transporting air a and the material M may be fed through the input aperture 14' to the annular space portion between the wall 13 and the wall of the con tainer space, in the upper part of the container space.

In one embodiment, the material M separated from transporting air, such as glass material, moves by the effect of gravity to a lower part of the col lection container 11. Fig. 2 illustrates the movement of the separated material M to the lower part of the collection container 11 of the separating device 10. In one embodiment, the material M may be glass materi al, for example collected waste glass, such as glass bottles and glass jars. The separated material may be removed from the collection container, for example as needed.

In a material removal stage, the collection container 11 may be lifted out from the external con tainer 12 by lifting means 404, 404', for example from a lifting lug 9. The lifting device may be for example a lifter 402 of a transporting vehicle. The material may be discharged into a container 405 of a transport ing vehicle 401, such as a waste collection vehicle. The material may be discharged, for example via the material output aperture 6 arranged in the lower part of the collection container 11, for example by opening the hatch 7 closing the output aperture 6. The filled- up container 11 may also be replaced by an empty con tainer, and the filled-up container 11 may be trans ported by the transporting vehicle 401 to another lo cation for being emptied (Fig. 8). The transporting air flow a may be conducted from the separator device 10 through the output aper ture 16', and further via the output coupling 16. The transporting air is typically deflected in the separa tor device 10, whereby the heavier material coming in with the transporting air separates more easily from the transporting air.

In the embodiments of Fig. 1, 2, 3a, 4 and 6, the upper part of the collection container 11 of the separating device 10 may be provided with a wall part 13 extending to the chamber space of the separating device. According to one embodiment, the wall part 13 may be cylindrical. The wall part may be coaxial with the vertical axis of the collection container 11 of the separator device. An output channel may be ar ranged inside the circumference of the wall part 13, which output channel is accessed through an opening of a lower part of the wall 13. From an upper part of the output channel there may be via the output aperture 16' a connection to the transporting air output cou pling 16.

According to one embodiment, in the embodi ment a lower end of the cylindrical wall part 13 may thus be open. The output coupling 16 may be arranged in the collection container 11 of the separator device in such a way that the transporting air is removed in a mainly tangential direction relative to the wall part 13 from the upper part of the collection contain er 11.

A rotating or tangential motion may be pro vided for the transporting air being discharged in the output channel defined by the wall part 13, which mo tion is preferably opposite to the rotating or tangen tial motion of the transporting air (and the particles carried by it) (M+a) in the collection container 11 of the separating device, at least in the chamber space in the vicinity of the input coupling 14. The rotating or tangential motion of the transporting air may be opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotating or tangential motion of the transporting air coming in to the separating device from the input coupling 14. Thereby the rotating mo tion of the transporting air coming from the chamber space of the collection container 11 may be neutral ized in the output channel 13 or in the vicinity thereof and the velocity of the transporting air may slow down. According to one embodiment, by this proce dure an easy ascent of possible harmful particles, such as paper and plastic, with the transporting air from the chamber space of the collection container 11 of the separating device to the output channel 13 may be prevented.

The collection container 11 may be lifted from the space of the external container 12 by lifting means. The upper wall 8 of the collection container 11 may be provided with a lifting lug 9 or a lifting ear or the like. Fig. 3b and 4 illustrate an embodiment with a lifting hook 404 and a simplified lifting sling 404' by means of which, by a lifter 402 (Fig. 7, 8), the collection container 11 may be lifted from the ex ternal container 12.

The second separator device may be a so- called deep collection separator. The external con tainer 12 of the deep collection container may be dis posed below the surface S or a corresponding surface. The corresponding surface may be contemplated as in cluding all planes from which material may be dropped into the container and correspondingly, from which emptying of the container may be performed. Walls 4 of the external container 12 may be comprised of a verti cal container closed from below and open from the top. The external container may be metal, plastic, compo site material, or other material. According to one em bodiment, the external container may be steel, accord- ing to another embodiment the external container may be reinforced plastic. The collection container 11 and/or the external container 12 may be disposed in a hole made for it in such a way that most of the volume of the container is located below the surface S. In one embodiment, the side wall 4 of the external con tainer 12 may continue above the surface S. In the em bodiments of Fig. 2, 3a, the cross-sectional surface area of the external container 12 in the horizontal plane is constant, but it may be horizontally enlarg ing in the upward direction, whereby the external con tainer is slightly conically widening in the upward direction.

Means for providing a pressure difference and/or a transporting air flow in the conveying pipe 100 may comprise at least one partial-vacuum generator 121A, 121B or pressure source or blower, providing suction or a pressure difference or a transporting air flow by means of which the material may be conveyed in the conveying pipe. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the partial-vacuum generator 121A, 121B is arranged at the outlet end of the first material conveying system, for example at a waste station 300.

The partial-vacuum generator may comprise a pump unit with one, or more, partial-vacuum generators 121A, 121B, such as partial-vacuum pumps, and a drive device 122A, 122B driving them. The suction side of the partial-vacuum generator 121A, 121B may be in a first operating mode via the medium pathway 119A, 19B, 118, 117, 116, 115A, 115B and via the material separa tor/collection container 90A, 90B of the first materi al conveying system to the conveying pipe 100. Thereby the suction/pressure difference needed for material transfer for the material separator/collection con tainer 90A, 90B and to the conveying piping 100, 101, 102 may be provided. Between the partial-vacuum source 121A, 121B and the collection container 90A, 90B the medium pathway may be provided with a particle separa tor and/or a filter device. On the blowing side of the partial-vacuum source 121A, 121B there may be an ex haust channel 124. The exhaust channel may be provided with a noise reducer.

The drive device 122A, 122B of the partial- vacuum source 121A, 121B is according to one embodi ment an electric drive, for example an electric motor.

The material fed from the input points 108 of the first material conveying system may be transported along the conveying piping 100, 105A, 105B into the separator container 90A, 90B of the first system, in which separator container the material being trans ported is separated from the transporting air. Instead of a separator container, in one embodiment a separate separator device and a container connectable thereto may be used. A material press, i.e. a compactor, may be arranged in connection with the separator contain er.

The purpose of the second material conveying arrangement may be to transport a second material M. The second material M may be for example material that is not suitable, because of its properties or for oth er reasons, for being transported by the first materi al conveying system. The second material may be for example wearing, abrasive, material which may wear the components, specifically pipes, of the conveying sys tem. According to one embodiment, the second material M may comprise glass material.

The second material may comprise for example glass intended to be recycled. The second material may comprise metal. The second material may comprise stone material. The second material may comprise ceramic ma terial. The second material may comprise material breaking into smaller pieces in the transfer of the material. The second material may comprise material comprising sharp edges. According to one embodiment, the components of the second material conveying arrangement may com prise material resistant to wearing, such as abrasion caused by the material being conveyed. According to one embodiment, the conveying pipe of the second mate rial conveying arrangement

Thus, the conveying pipe 100 of the first ma terial conveying system may be provided with medium communication from a connection point 205 to the sepa rator device 10 of the second arrangement, for example by a pipeline 204. As a negative pressure acts via the first conveying pipe 100 and the pipeline 204 and via the container space 11 of the separator device 10 in the second material conveying pipe 201 and further in the second input point 200, the second material M col lected into the input container of the second input point 200 may be conveyed along the second material conveying pipe to the container space of the collec tion container 11 of the separator device 10 of the second material conveying arrangement. The transport ing air may in turn be removed via the pipeline 204 to the first conveying pipe 100 and further via the sepa rator devices 90A, 90B of the first material conveying system along a medium pathway to the blowing side of the partial-vacuum generator 121A, 121B and to an ex haust pipe 123. The advantage of the arrangement is that the second material M may be conveyed a shorter distance to its own separator device 10. The second separator device 10 or the collection container 11 thereof may be emptied independently of the empty ing/replacement sequences of the separator devices of the first system.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, a plurality of second material conveying arrangements with their own separator devices 10 and input points 200 may be ar ranged along the conveying pipe 100. According to one embodiment, the input point 200 of the second material conveying arrangement may be arranged beside, or in the vicinity of, the input point 108 of the first ma terial conveying system (as in Fig. 5-7). According to another embodiment, the input point 200 of the second material may be arranged between two input points 108 of the first material conveying system. According to one embodiment, the distance between the second input point 200 and the separating device 10 may be 10-500 meters. According to one embodiment, the distance be tween the input point 108 of the first material con veying system and the separating device 90A, 90B may be 50-3000 meters. According to one embodiment, mate rial which may be waste material or recyclable materi al, for example domestic waste, or industrial material may be conveyed by the first conveying system. Accord ing to one embodiment, the material may be household waste packed into bags. According to one embodiment, the pipe of the first conveying system may comprise plastic material, fibre material or composite materi al. According to one embodiment, a different material M may be conveyed by the second conveying arrangement than by the first conveying system. According to one embodiment, the second material M conveyed by the sec ond conveying arrangement may be material of a higher density than the material conveyed by the first con veying system. According to one embodiment, the second material M conveyed by the second conveying arrange ment may comprise metal. According to one embodiment, the second material M conveyed by the second conveying arrangement may comprise glass material. According to one embodiment, the second material M conveyed by the second conveying arrangement may comprise recyclable material. According to one embodiment, the second ma terial M conveyed by the second conveying arrangement may comprise collected waste glass, for example glass bottles or glass jars. According to one embodiment, the second material M conveyed by the second conveying arrangement may comprise plastic. According to one em bodiment, the second material M conveyed by the second conveying arrangement may comprise.

According to one embodiment, the separator device of the second conveying arrangement may be ar ranged along a route 400. Fig. 5-8 illustrate one such arrangement. The figures show the underground parts of the arrangement, which parts may normally be covered with a structure, for example a street structure or a green structure or another deck structure.

According to one embodiment, a transporting vehicle 401 may be arranged to pick up or empty the container of the separator device of the second con veying arrangement. The transporting vehicle 401 may comprise a lifting device 402. The lifting device 402 may comprise a lifting hook 404 or the like, which is arrangeable to a counterpart of the container 11, such as a lifting lug 9. According to one embodiment, the transporting vehicle may comprise a rack 403 (Fig. 8) in which the containers 11 of the separator device 10 may be arranged to be placed. This embodiment is spe cifically suitable for use in connection with such ma terials the discharging of which from the container in the vicinity of the place of use of the separator de vice may cause disturbing noise. According to one em bodiment, the transporting vehicle may comprise a con tainer space 405 (Fig. 7) to which the material M col lected into the container 11 of the separator device may be discharged, for example by opening the hatch 7 covering the output aperture 6 of the container. The discharging may be performed as needed. The container 11 may be lifted by the lifting means 402, 404, 9 for example by the lifter 402 of the transporting vehicle 401 in such a way that the lower part of the container 11 and the discharge aperture 6 thereof may be ar ranged in alignment with the filling aperture of the container 405 of the transporting vehicle. When the hatch 7 covering the discharge aperture 6 of the col lection container is opened, the material may move from the container 11 into the container 405 of the transporting vehicle.

By arranging in connection with a first ma terial conveying system a second material conveying arrangement utilizing the suction/negative pressure of a partial-vacuum generator of the first material con veying system, but wherein the material being trans ported is conducted from an input point along a sepa rate conveying pipe to its own separating device into a container thereof, it is possible to provide an ef ficient solution for the transfer and collection of a second material. According to one embodiment, the com ponents of the second waste conveying arrangement may be better adapted in terms of their properties to the properties of the material conveyed in the second ma terial conveying arrangement.

The suction side of the partial-vacuum gener ator 121A, 121B of the first material conveying system may be connected to act via the first conveying pipe 100, the connection 205 arranged in the conveying pipe, in the transporting air channel 204 from which there may be, when a valve member 207 is disposed in an open position, a connection to the container to which in turn the outlet end of the second conveying pipe 201 may be connected, a negative pressure may be provided in the second conveying pipe 201. Thereby suction may act in the second conveying pipe 201 via a medium pathway connected to the container 11. The second input point 200 or the second conveying pipe 201 may be provided with a valve 30, 230 for opening and/or closing and/or controlling the input of re placement air.

Between the main conveying pipe 100 and a branch conveying pipe 101A and the input point 108 there is a feed valve 104 which is open in this oper- ating mode. Thereby suction is able to act in an input channel 106 of the input point 108 and in a possible shaper device 105. Thereby a material batch intended to be conveyed is conveyed to the branch conveying pipe 101A and further to the main conveying pipe 100. Possible replacement air to the conveying pipe comes for example via the input point 108 when the valve 104 to the conveying pipe is opened. When the valve 104 of the input point is closed, the valve 109 of the re placement air channel 102 may be opened to provide re placement air to the conveying pipe 101A, 100.

The waste material moves along the conveying piping 101A, 100 into the container 11 in which the transporting air is separated from the waste material and the waste material remains in the collection con tainer 11.

Next, other input points 108 are emptied as needed according to an emptying order or as needed.

The collection container 11 may be arranged according to Fig. 2 in the space defined by the walls 4,5 of the external container 12. When the connection 201' between the input coupling 202, 14 and the con veying pipe 201 is opened and correspondingly the con nection 204' between the output coupling 16 and the pipeline 204 coming from the partial-vacuum source is opened, the collection container 11 may be lifted by the lifting means 9, 404', 404 from the external con tainer 12 which is open from the top for being emp tied. Fig. 3a illustrates the external container with out the collection container 11.

In order to feed large-sized waste not fit ting in the conveying piping, a filling aperture may be provided in the collection container 11, for exam ple in the upper part of the container. The filling aperture of the collection container may be provided with a hatch. Fig. 7 illustrates a collection container emptying stage.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1-8, the collection container 11 of the separator device has in the upper part an upper wall 8. According to one embodiment, the transition zone between the upper wall 8 and the side wall 11, along which transition zone the upper wall connects to the side wall, may be curved. According to one embodiment, an input opening with an openable and closable hatch may be formed in the upper wall for feeding material directly into the collection contain er. The upper wall 8 may be provided for lifting with lifting means, such as a lifting lug 9, to which a lifting sling, wire or chain 404'' may be fastened and then lifted by the lifting hook 404 of the lifting de vice. The embodiment of Fig. 1- 8 is illustrated with one lifting lug 9, but there may be multiple lugs.

According to one embodiment, in the deep col lection container the depth of the external container 12 of the separator device 10 according to the inven tion from the ground surface s may be approximately 3 meters and the diameter of the external container 12 may be approximately 2 meters. The diameter may natu rally vary according to application for example 1000- 3000 mm. The placement depth of the external contain er, i.e. the distance of the base of the container from the ground surface S, may vary according to ap plication for example 2000-4000 mm. If the collection container 11 is according to the invention a deep col lection container, the material M collected into the container (depending on the material) may compact tighter in the container as the amount of material in the container increases. Thus, it is possible to save space. The separator device may be arranged to be suitable for the surroundings and the emptying or re placement thereof goes smoothly, especially as it may be easily arranged in a desired location. According to one embodiment, the material in put points 108, 200 may be input points of waste mate rial or recyclable material, such as waste bins or waste chutes.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth above, but may be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims. The features possibly pre sented in the description in combination with other features may also be used separately, if necessary.