The object of the invention is an apparatus as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is also a waste tank as defined in claim 12. The invention relates generally to material conveying systems, such as to partial- vacuum transporting systems, more particularly to the collection and conveying of wastes, such as to the conveying of household wastes.

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. Input points, such as refuse chutes, are used in the systems at the material input end, into which input points material, such as waste material, is fed and from which the material to be conveyed is conveyed into a conveying pipe by opening a discharge valve means. The conveying of wastes occurs mainly by the aid of an air flow produced by a pressure difference. The air flow is generally brought about by sucking air through the piping. Waste material, such as e.g. waste material packed into bags, is conveyed from an input point into a conveying pipe and onwards into a separating device, where the wastes are separated from the transporting air. In connection with the separating device can be a transfer device, such as a transfer device arranged into a cylinder-piston combination, with which transfer device the wastes are transferred from the separating device into a waste tank, e.g. into a freight container. The transfer device is thus mainly a press, which on the one hand transfers material into a transport container and also condenses the material to be more compact, in which case more of it fits into a waste tank, which can be replaced. The aim of the present invention is to achieve an entirely new type of solution for joining a waste tank into connection with a waste system and for detaching the waste tank from being in connection with the waste system and also for securing the fixing between the waste system and the waste tank. Another aim of the invention is to achieve method and a coupling apparatus, by the aid of which the connection between replaceable tanks and a waste system forms quickly, dependably and operationally reliably. Another aim of the invention is to achieve a coupling solution, which retains its operating capability despite the force effects being exerted on it.

Brief description of the invention

The apparatus according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in the characterization part of claim 1.

The apparatus according to the invention is also characterized by what is stated in claims 2 - 10. The waste tank according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in claim 12.

The solution according to the invention has a number of important advantages. With the solution according to the invention a highly effective and reliable solution for detaching and for fixing a waste tank into connection with pneumatic waste conveying systems, more particularly in applications in which waste is transferred from a separating device with a press device into a separate waste tank that is detachable from the system. By arranging a coupling device to comprise a screw means and a countermeans for it in the waste tank a dependable and operationally reliable solution is achieved. By arranging a flexing function in the coupling device, in which function the screw means of the coupling device and its drive devices displaces against a spring force, the availability and operational reliability of the apparatus can be improved. With the apparatus according to the invention an efficient solution is achieved for detaching a waste tank from being in connection with a waste system and for securing the fixing between the waste system and a waste tank. With the coupling apparatus according to the invention the connection between detachable waste tanks and a waste system forms quickly, dependably and operationally reliably. Owing to the flexing solution of the screw means of the coupling device or of the counterpart, the apparatus retains its operating capability despite the force effects being exerted on the screw means or on the counterpart.

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 a simplified and partially cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of an apparatus for a pneumatic conveying apparatus of wastes, Fig. 2 presents a part of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 3 presents a detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 4 presents a simplified detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a first position,

Fig. 5 presents a simplified detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a second position,

Fig. 6 presents a simplified detail of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a third position, Fig. 7 presents a simplified view of a part of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 8 presents a simplified view of a part of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a first position,

Fig. 9 presents a simplified view of a part of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a second position, Fig. 10 presents a simplified view of a part of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a third position.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 presents a solution in which a press apparatus/compactor apparatus 9 is arranged in connection with a separating device 1 of a pneumatic wastes handling system, which apparatus comprises a transfer member 10 and its drive apparatus 11. The separating device 1 comprises a tank part 4, to which an inlet pipe 2 is connected, which inlet pipe is connected to the conveying piping (not presented) for wastes and which can be connected to input points (not presented). Material, such as household waste is fed in an input point into the piping, where it is conveyed by the aid of suction/a pressure difference and/or transporting air flowing in the piping into the tank part 4 of the separating device from the inlet pipe 2, in which tank part 4 of the separating device the waste material is separated from the transporting air, e.g. by the aid of gravity and/or centrifugal force, such that heavier material finds its way to the bottom part 5 of the separating device. An outlet pipe 3 is arranged in the top part of the separating device, which outlet pipe is connected to the suction side of a partial-vacuum generator, such as of an ejector pump or fan. The transporting air leaves the tank part 4 of the separating device into the outlet pipe 3. The tank part 4 of the separating device 1 comprises, in the embodiment of the figure, a section tapering conicaliy towards the bottom part. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 , a cylindrical section, having an output aperture 6 for material in its bottom part, is arranged in the bottom part 5 of the tank part 4 of the separating device after the conical section. Material can thus leave the tank part 4 via the output aperture 6 formed in its bottom part 5.

An output aperture 6 for the material of the tank part 4 of the separating device and a press device 9 for a separate waste tank 15 are arranged in connection with the separating device 1 , the feed aperture 8 of which press device is arranged face-to-face with the output aperture 6 of the tank part 4 of the separating device. The output aperture 12 of the press device 9 can be arranged face-to-face with the feed aperture 4 of the separate waste tank 15. The feed aperture 8 of the press device is connected to the bottom part 5 of the tank part 4 of the separating device with a collar part 7.

The press device 9 comprises a transfer member 10 that moves between at least two positions. The transfer member is arranged to transfer waste material, which is conducted from the feed aperture 8 into the press device, towards its output aperture 12 and onwards into a separate waste tank 5 from the feed aperture 1 , or at least to the proximity of the feed aperture 14. The transfer member can, in connection with the transfer, simultaneously also compress the waste to be conveyed to be denser, i.e. to compact the waste into the separate waste tank 15.

Fig. 2 presents a press device 9 and a separate waste tank 15, such as a waste container, that can be coupled into connection with said press device. The figure presents a feed aperture 8 on the top of the press device 9 and a neck 7 surrounding the feed aperture. In the figure, the press device 9 and the waste tank 15 are arranged on a mounting surface 25, such as on a floor surface. The press device 9 is typically coupled into connection with a separating device of a pneumatic pipe transport system for wastes, from where the waste material is fed into the press 9 from the feed aperture 8 of it.

The press device comprises an output aperture 12, from which the waste material is transferred into the waste tank 15 from the feed aperture of the waste tank. When a waste tank is coupled into connection with the press device, the waste tank 15 and the press device 9 are arranged face-to-face such that the output aperture of the press device and the feed aperture of the waste tank are face-to- face. Coupling means 16, 17 are arranged in the apparatus according to the invention, by the aid of which means a detachable waste tank 15 can be fixed into connection with a pneumatic wastes conveying system, more particularly with the press 9 of it, and can be detached from being in connection with it. The coupling means 16, 17 comprise a coupling device 16 and also a countermeans 17 to it. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 two coupling means 16, 17 are arranged, one of which is visible in the figure and the other of which is in a corresponding point on the other side of the press device in the direction of viewing the figure.

Fig. 3 presents a more detailed and partially sectioned view of the coupling means 16, 17 according to the invention. In the solution according to Fig. 3 the coupling device 16 comprises a screw means 18, to drive which a drive device 19 is arranged. The coupling device 16 comprises a frame part 20, from which it is arranged on the frame structure 24, which in the figure is supported on a mounting surface 25, with fixing means 21 , 22, 23. The frame structure 24 can be a part of the frame structure of the press device 9 or a separate frame structure. The counterpart 17 of the coupling means 16, 17 is arranged in the embodiment of the figure in the structures of the waste tank 15, most suitably to be supported on the frame of the waste tank 15. The counterpart comprises thread means, which are counterthreads for the threads of the screw means 18 of the coupling device. In the figure the counterpart 17 is arranged on a counterpiece 30, in which a hole is formed, such as a bore, in the wall of which counterthreads are arranged.

In Fig. 4 the coupling apparatus according to the invention is arranged in a first position, i.e., in a position in which the waste tank 15 is separated from being in connection with the pneumatic waste system, more particularly with the press device 9 of it. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, moving means 26, 27 of the waste tank 15 are arranged in connection with the apparatus, more particularly in connection with the press device, by the aid of which moving means the waste tank 15 is shifted at least into the proximity of the press device and/or is shifted a distance away from the press device 9. The moving means 26, 27 comprise a drive device 27, such as a hydraulic cylinder, and the stem part 26 of it, which can be connected to the bottom part of the waste tank at least during the moving phase. In Fig. 4 the stem part 26 of the moving device is connected to the bottom part of the waste tank 15, from where the moving device 26, 27 shifts the waste tank 15 towards the press device 9. Friction-reducing means, which facilitate the moving of the waste tank, e.g. roller means 28 according to the figure, are arranged on the bottom part of the waste tank 15.

The output aperture of the press device comprises a collar 13, which when joining the waste tank into connection with the press device fits face-to-face with the feed aperture of the waste tank, most suitably such that the collar 13 of the output aperture of the press device extends a distance inside the feed aperture of the waste tank 15. The feed aperture of the waste tank can also comprise a collar 14. Fig. 4 also presents one arrangement of a counterpart 17 in a waste tank 15. A space 33 is formed in the waste tank, into which space the counterpart 30 is arranged. A bore 31 and counterthreads 32, which suit the threads of the screw means of the coupling device 16, are formed in the counterpiece. The counterpiece is preferably arranged in the proximity of the support beam 37 of the waste tank 15. A bore 34 is made in the support beam 37, which bore extends into the space 33 arranged in the waste tank for the counterpiece 30. There is a support surface 35, on which the counterpart rests at least when a waste tank coupling is being formed with the waste tank with the coupling means 16, 17 or when the coupling is being detached.

Fig. 5 presents a second position, in which the moving device 26, 27 has shifted the waste tank 15 into connection with the pneumatic pipe transport system for wastes, more particularly with the press device 9 of it, in which case the screw means 18 of the coupling device 16 is at the point of the counterpart 17 and in the mouth of its hole 31 on the press device side. The coupling device has a flexing property, which is described in more detail later in connection with Figs. 7-10.

The drive device 19 of the coupling device 16 drives the screw means 18, in which case the threads of the screw means correspond to the counterthreads of the counterpart 17, in which case the screw means 18 and/or its counterpart 17 move in relation to each other forming a secure and reliable coupling between the press device 9 and the waste tank 15.

Fig. 6 presents a third position, in which the waste tank 15 is coupled into connection with the pneumatic pipe transport system for wastes, more particularly with the press device 9 of it. With the coupling means 16, 17 a secure and reliable coupling has been formed between the press device 9 and the waste tank 15.

Figs. 7 - 10 further present, for the sake of clarity, simplified views of the coupling means detached from their installation points. In Fig. 7 the coupling device 16 comprises a frame part 20, inside which is arranged an inner frame 40, to which in turn the drive device 19 is fixed. The frame part 20 is a pipe part mainly rectangular in its cross-sectional shape and having rounded corner areas.

The parts and operation of the coupling device 16 are presented better in Figs. 8- 10, which are longitudinal cross-sections of the coupling device 16 and of its counterpart 17. On the inside of the frame part 20 of the coupling device 16 is an inner frame 40, onto the butt end of which a drive device 19 is fixed. The screw means 18 is fixed to the drive shaft 41 of the drive device with a coupling part 42. The screw means 18 extends through the frame part 20. Inside the tubular frame part 20 is a transverse wall part 43, which divides the inside space of the frame part 20 into at least two compartments 51 , 52. The inner frame 40 can be moved inside the first compartment 51 in the longitudinal direction of the frame part 20 up to the transverse wall and away from it. The transverse wall 43 comprises an aperture, through which the screw means 18 or its drive means extends in the embodiments of the figures. The second compartment 52 of the frame part extends from the transverse wall 43, in figure 8 to the right, towards the second open end of the frame part. A spring means 44 is arranged in the second compartment 52 of the frame part. The spring means 44 is arranged in the space of the second compartment bounded by the transverse wall 43 and the bushing part 45. The screw means 18 extends through the spring means and the bushing means 45. Tightening means 46, 47 are arranged on the screw means 18 for keeping the bushing part 45 at a certain point with respect to the screw means 18. In this case the spring force of the spring means 44 presses the bushing part 45 towards the first tightening means 46.

The screw means 18 and the bushing part 45 arranged on it are configured to move in the second compartment 52 of the frame part towards the transverse wall 43. In this case correspondingly the inner frame 40 moves in the first compartment 51 away from the transverse wall 43. With this arrangement, i.e. with a flexing arrangement, flexing of the screw means 18 of the coupling device 16 is achieved when the waste tank 15 and its countermeans 17 are brought against the free end 50 of the screw means 18. The free end 50 of the screw means comprises an area 49 shaped like a truncated cone narrowing towards the end. The countermeans 17 comprises a correspondingly contracting section, into which when the end of the screw means hits it is guided towards the bore and the counterthreads of the countermeans. In the flexing arrangement the spring force tries to push the screw means towards the countermeans, in which case at the start of engagement the formation of the coupling of the screw means and the countermeans is facilitated. The flexing arrangement can also be brought about such that the countermeans 7 is flexibly arranged in the waste tank.

In Fig. 8 the coupling device is presented in a first position. The waste tank and its countermeans 17 are at a distance from the screw means 18. In this case the spring 44 of the coupling device 16 presses the screw means 18 in the figure to the right, but the inner frame 40 is touching the transverse wall 43. The screw means is consequently in its first extreme position, i.e. in Fig. 8 on the right. In Fig. 9 the waste tank and its countermeans 17 has been brought towards the screw means, in which case the screw means has been shifted against the spring force of the spring 44, in the figure to the left. The surface of the bushing part on the transverse wall side is touching the transverse wall and the spring is in the compressed state. The screw means 18 is consequently in its second extreme position, i.e. in Fig. 9 on the left. At the same time the inner frame and the drive device of the screw means have shifted in the first compartment also to the left along with the screw means. The end of the screw means seeks its way into the mouth 36 of the bore 31 of the countermeans 17. Fig. 10 presents a position in which the screw means 18 of the coupling device 16 has been rotated with the drive device, in which case a coupling has been formed between the screw means 18 and the countermeans 17 of the waste tank. When the screw means 18 is rotated with the drive device 19 and preferably the spring force of the spring 44 acts, at least initially, pressing the screw means towards the countermeans, the threads of the screw means easily settle into the counterthreads 32 of the countermeans 17. When the screw means is further rotated with the drive device, the screw means shifts according to the pitch of the threads from Fig. 9 into the position of Fig. 10, i.e. to the right in the figure, until the inner frame 40 or other limiting part comes into contact with the transverse wall 43. After this the screw means pulls the countermeans and the waste tank towards the press device such that a reliable coupling forms between the pneumatic pipe transport system for wastes and the waste tank 15.

The invention thus relates to an apparatus for coupling a waste tank 15 to a compression device 9, which apparatus comprises coupling means 16, 17. The coupling means 16, 17 comprise a coupling device 16, which is arranged in the press device or in the proximity of it, which coupling device comprises a screw means 18 and a drive device 19 for the screw means, and arranged in the waste tank 15 a countermeans 17 for the screw means 18 of the coupling device 16, in which case a coupling can be formed between the screw means of the coupling device and the countermeans of the waste tank. The coupling means comprise a flexing arrangement, which allows movement in the axial direction. According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises at least two coupling device -countermeans combinations 16, 17. According to one embodiment the countermeans 17 comprises a bore 31 , in the wall of which are arranged counterthreads 32 for the threads 48 of the screw means.

According to one embodiment a flexing arrangement 40, 43, 44, 45, 46 allowing axial movement of the screw means 18 is arranged in the coupling device 16.

According to one embodiment the countermeans 17 is arranged in the waste tank 15 flexibly at least in the axial direction of the screw means. According to one embodiment the coupling device 16 comprises a frame part 20, in relation to which the screw means 18 is arranged to be moved in the axial direction.

According to one embodiment the coupling device 16 comprises a frame part 20, and a spring means 44 arranged in the frame part, which spring means at least when tensioned presses the screw means towards its free end 50 and/or towards the countermeans 17 of the waste tank.

According to one embodiment the apparatus relates to a coupling between the press device 9 of a pneumatic pipe transport system for wastes and a waste tank 15.

According to one embodiment an inner frame 40 is arranged inside the frame part 20 of the coupling device, on which inner frame a drive device 19 of the screw means 18 is arranged, which inner frame 40 can be moved in the frame part in the axial direction of the screw means.

According to one embodiment limiting means 40, 43, 45 of the flexing movement of the screw means are arranged in the frame part 20 and/or in the screw means 18. According to one embodiment the apparatus further comprises moving means 26, 27 of the waste tank i 5.

The invention also relates to a waste tank 15 for an apparatus according to any of claims 1 - 9. At least one counterpart 17 for the screw means 18 of the coupling device 16 is arranged in the structures of the waste tank 15.

Typically the material is waste material, such as waste material arranged in bags. A refuse chute can be configured to be a part of a pneumatic waste conveying system or it can be a separate part, in which waste material is conducted into a waste room, waste tank or corresponding.

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 if necessary be used separately to each other.