Field of the invention The present invention relates to a waste feeding device for a waste container, and a waste container equipped with a waste feeding device.

Background of the invention

For waste collection and recycling, various waste collection containers are provided, for example, in parks, at recycling points, as well as in connection with various events, industrial buildings and residential buildings. The quality, unit size and/or quantity of the waste entered in the containers varies to a great extent, depending on the person entering the waste, the waste entered in the container, and the location of the waste collection container. Sometimes there is a need to prevent the risk of outsiders tampering with the inside of the container or with the waste between the feeding of the waste and the emptying of the container, either for security reasons, for preventing littering, or for a similar reason.

Brief summary of the invention It is an aim of the present invention to provide a waste feeding device for a waste container. The waste feeding device comprises a rotatable waste feeding drum having a specific volume and a feeding hatch with a lid. When the lid of the feeding hatch is open, the open side of the waste feeding drum is open for the user, and waste intended to be fed into the waste container can be placed into the waste feeding drum. Upon closing the lid of the waste feeding drum, the rotatable waste feeding drum starts not only to close but also to rotate about its horizontal axis so that when the lid of the feeding hatch is completely closed, the open side of the waste feeding drum, i.e. the waste opening, through which the waste was entered in the waste feeding drum, substantially faces the bottom of the waste container and the waste falls from the waste feeding drum into the waste container. The open side of the waste feeding drum, i.e. the waste opening, is thus used both as an inlet and an outlet for waste. The rotatable waste feeding drum enables billing for waste according to volume, makes it safer to feed waste into an underground collection container by preventing the user from entering the underground collection container, and prevents tampering of waste fed into the waste container, which may prevent injury of the user from taking place if waste contained in the waste container is being handled.

The invention relates to a waste feeding device which is configured to be mounted on the cover structure of a waste container. The waste feeding device comprises a rotatable waste feeding drum, a lid for a feeding hatch, and a gearing mechanism. The waste feeding drum comprises a waste opening for feeding and discharging waste. The gearing mechanism is configured to transform the movement of the lid into a rotating movement of the waste feeding drum so that when the lid is opened, the waste feeding drum rotates to a waste feeding position in which the waste opening is underneath the feeding hatch, and when the lid is closed, the waste feeding drum rotates to a waste discharging position in which the waste opening is facing the waste container, for emptying the waste feeding drum. In a preferred embodiment, the gearing mechanism comprises a belt transmission mechanism which comprises a belt and a cogwheel fixed at the end of the waste feeding drum, the belt being coiled on the cogwheel, the first end of the belt being fastened to an arm mounted on the lower part of the lid of the feeding hatch, and the second end of the belt being fastened to the cogwheel, and the belt being configured to be coiled onto and uncoiled from the cogwheel when the lid is moved, for rotating the waste feeding drum. In another preferred embodiment, the gearing mechanism comprises a chain gearing mechanism which comprises a chain and a chain gear fixed at the end of the waste feeding drum, the chain being coiled on the chain gear, the first end of the chain being fastened to an arm mounted on the lower part of the lid of the feeding hatch, and the second end of the chain being fastened to the chain gear, and the chain being configured to be coiled onto and uncoiled from the chain gear when the lid is moved, for rotating the waste feeding drum. In another preferred embodiment, the waste opening represents an area of at least 40% of the envelope surface of the waste feeding drum, and extends substantially from one end to the other end of the waste feeding drum. In another preferred embodiment, the waste feeding device further comprises a remote ID reader for identifying the user of the waste container. In another preferred embodiment, the remote ID reader is configured to count the instances of use of the waste feeding device. In another preferred embodiment, the remote ID reader is configured to transmit data on the instances of use of the waste feeding device to the waste feeding device when a predetermined number of instances of use of the waste feeding device runs out. In another preferred embodiment, the remote ID reader is configured to lock the waste feeding device on the basis of data on the instances of use of the lid of the waste feeding device when a predetermined number of instances of use of the waste feeding device is up, for preventing the use of the waste container. In another preferred embodiment, the waste feeding device is configured to include user information, stored in the memory of the remote ID reader in connection with remote identification, in the transmission of data on the instance of use. The invention further relates to a waste container whose cover is equipped with a waste feeding device configured to be mounted on the cover structure of the waste container. The waste feeding device comprises a rotatable waste feeding drum, a lid for a feeding hatch, and a gearing mechanism. The waste feeding drum comprises a waste open- ing for feeding and discharging waste. The gearing mechanism is configured to transform the movement of the lid into a rotating movement of the waste feeding drum so that when the lid is opened, the waste feeding drum rotates to a waste feeding position in which the waste opening is underneath the feeding hatch, and when the lid is closed, the waste feeding drum rotates to a waste discharging position in which the waste opening is facing the waste container, for emptying the waste feeding drum.

In a preferred embodiment, the waste container is an underground col- lection container. In another preferred embodiment, the gearing mechanism comprises a belt transmission mechanism which comprises a belt and a cogwheel fixed at the end of the waste feeding drum, the belt being coiled on the cogwheel, the first end of the belt being fastened to an arm mounted on the lower part of the lid of the feeding hatch, and the second end of the belt being fastened to the cogwheel, and the belt being configured to be coiled onto and uncoiled from the cogwheel when the lid is moved, for rotating the waste feeding drum. In another preferred embodiment, the gearing mechanism comprises a chain gearing mechanism which comprises a chain and a chain gear fixed at the end of the waste feeding drum, the chain being coiled on the chain gear, the first end of the chain being fastened to an arm mounted on the lower part of the lid of the feeding hatch, and the second end of the chain being fastened to the chain gear, and the chain being configured to be coiled onto and uncoiled from the chain gear when the lid is moved, for rotating the waste feeding drum. In another preferred embodiment, the waste opening represents an area of at least 40% of the envelope surface of the waste feeding drum, and extends substantially from one end to the other end of the waste feeding drum. In another preferred embodiment, the waste feeding device further comprises a remote ID reader for identifying the user of the waste container. In another preferred embodiment, the remote ID reader is configured to count the instances of use of the waste feeding device. In another preferred embodiment, the remote ID reader is configured to transmit data on the instances of use of the waste feeding device to the waste feeding device when a predetermined number of instances of use of the waste feeding device runs out. In another preferred embodiment, the remote ID reader is configured to lock the waste feeding device on the basis of data on the instances of use of the lid of the waste feeding device when a predetermined number of instances of use of the waste feeding device runs out, for preventing the use of the waste container. In another preferred embodiment, the waste feeding device is configured to include user information, stored in the memory of the remote ID reader in connection with remote identification, in the transmission of data on the instance of use. Description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with advantageous embodiments with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 a shows a waste feeding device according to one embodiment of the invention, fastened to the cover of a waste container;

Fig. 1 b shows a partial enlargement of Fig. 1 a;

Fig. 2 shows a waste feeding device according to one embodiment of the invention, fastened to the cover of a waste container; shows a waste feeding device according to one embodiment of the invention, fastened to the cover of an underground collection container; shows a block chart for an operating unit for a waste feeding device according to one embodiment of the invention; and shows a waste feeding drum according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

There are waste containers of very different designs and sizes, equipped with waste feeding openings and hatches of very different designs and sizes, depending on the waste to be fed into the container and on the location of the waste container. The need for different waste feeding openings and hatches may also be based on the security aspect, whereby a suitable waste feeding opening and/or hatch may enable the safe use or prevent misuse of the waste container. In certain situations, there may be, for example, a need to prevent the user from tampering with the contents of the waste container, because of the hazardousness of the waste fed in it. Such waste containers may include e.g. a glass collection container, a container for construction waste, or the like. The waste container may also be dangerous in such a way that the user may, by intentional misuse, cause a risk of injury by penetrating into the waste container, whereby it is advisable to prevent access into the container. Such a container into which penetrating may be risky, may be, for example, an underground collection container. Underground collection containers may be collection containers similar to Deep Collection™ containers.

In this context, the term "waste container" includes any containers and bins which are equipped with a cover and which may be used for collecting waste. The waste container may be lined with a bag for collecting waste.

Apart from solving the above-mentioned problems, the waste feeding device according to the invention has many other advantages relating to the collection of waste. The waste feeding device according to the invention, mounted on the cover of the waste container, comprises a rotatable waste feeding drum, a feeding hatch with a lid, and a gearing mechanism between the lid of the feeding hatch and the waste feeding drum. The gearing mechanism may be e.g. a cogwheel transmission, chain transmission, or belt transmission. Hereinbelow, the term 'lid' refers to the lid of the feeding hatch, whereas the term 'cover of the waste container' refers to the actual cover of the waste container, to which the waste feeding device is fastened. The lid is thus used as the driving mechanism for the waste feeding device, enabling the rotation of the waste feeding drum with the correct gearing in such a way that the waste fed into the waste feeding drum will fall into the waste container when the lid is closed, and the waste feeding drum will be aligned with the feeding hatch when the lid is opened. The gearing mechanism between the lid and the waste feeding drum will transform the opening and closing movement of the lid into a rotation movement of the waste feeding drum. When the lid of the feeding hatch is open, the open side of the waste feeding drum is opened for the user, and the waste intended to be entered in the waste container can be put into the waste feeding drum. The waste feeding device is thus in the waste feeding position. Upon closing the lid of the waste feeding drum, the waste feeding drum will start to rotate about its horizontal axis, because the gearing mechanism between the lid and the waste feeding drum will rotate the waste feeding drum when the lid is closed. When the lid is completely closed, the open side of the waste feeding drum, i.e. the waste opening via which the waste was entered in the waste feeding drum when the lid was open, substantially faces the bottom of the waste container, and the waste will fall from the waste feeding drum into the waste container. The waste feeding device is thus in the waste discharging position. The open side of the waste feeding drum is thus used as both an inlet and an outlet for waste. In the opposite situation, that is, when the lid is opened, the waste feeding drum starts to open; that is, the open side of the waste feeding drum starts to rotate about its horizontal axis towards the filling opening as the gearing mechanism rotates the waste feeding drum in the direction opposite to the closing of the lid. When the lid is completely open, the open side of the waste feeding drum, via which the waste is entered into the waste feeding drum, is facing the filling opening. The waste feeding drum preferably rotates approximately 160° about its axis when moving from the waste feeding position to the waste discharging position, and vice versa. It is also possible that the rotation angle is in the range of 150° to 170°, or even greater. The lid for a waste feeding device according to the invention, including the gearing mechanism, also protects the waste container and the waste feeding drum from external conditions substantially better than lid arrangements of prior art for a waste feeding hatch, because the gearing mechanism makes it difficult for the lid to open by itself, for example when exposed to wind. The waste feeding device also prevents direct access to the inside of the container, whereby, for example, unintentional falling of small children or intentional penetration into the waste container is effectively prevented.

The waste feeding device according to the invention can also be supplemented with a locking mechanism to prevent opening of the lid of the feeding hatch of the waste feeding device without user identification. The identification can be implemented e.g. by any remote ID method, such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology. By the locking mechanism, it is possible not only to limit the use of the waste feeding device and thereby the waste container to intended users but also to count the instances of entering waste into the waste feeding device, that is, the numbers of rotations of the waste feeding drum after each emptying of the waste container, for estimating the filling of the waste container. Furthermore, it is possible to monitor the quantity of waste entered by each user individually and to bill the user for the quantity of waste, i.e. the instances of use, because it is only possible to feed a volume defined by the volume of the waste feeding drum at a time into the waste container.

The waste feeding device may also comprise a memory in which the device stores the number of rotations of the waste feeding drum, i.e. the waste feeding instances, and possibly also user data obtained in connection with identification. The waste feeding device may also comprise a data transmission module, by which the device may communicate in a wireless manner. The waste feeding device may, for example, transmit information on the filling of the waste container to a waste collection company or another party responsible for the emptying of the container, in a wireless manner by e.g. SMS, email, GPRS, or any other suitable method after the device has counted a predetermined number of waste feeding instances. The waste feeding device may comprise a remote reading option; that is, the waste container may be monitored by means of communication between a server and the waste feeding device, without physical access to the waste container. This means that the waste collecting company or other party responsible for the emptying of the container may check the number of waste feeding instances, i.e. rotations of the waste feeding drum, since the last emptying, in order to estimate e.g. when the next emptying of the waste container is due. This can be done, for example, by sending the waste feeding device a request to transmit information about the number of waste feeding instances. Collection number data can be reset in the memory of the waste feeding device in connection with emptying, or by remote control.

When the waste feeding device indicates that the number of waste feeding instances predetermined for it is up, by transmitting information on this, or when the instances of use, i.e. the number of rotations of waste from the waste feeding drum into the waste container, can be checked from the collection data stored by the waste container in its memory and transmitted by it, it is possible, for example, to avoid emp- tying of underfilled waste containers, or to reduce their number. Reducing the emptying of underfilled waste containers reduces the mileage of garbage trucks, which, in turn, reduces the resulting fuel emissions. When the number of waste feeding instances predetermined for the device is up, the device may also be automatically locked so that no more waste can be entered in the container.

The waste feeding device may comprise an internal power source, for example one or more batteries, to enable data transmission from a server to the waste feeding device and from the waste feeding device to the server, as well as the use of the remote ID method. The data transmission may be active all the time, or it may be activated for the time of the data transmission. The server may be any computer or smart phone. The lid of the waste feeding device and the waste feeding drum can be made of plastic, e.g. polyethylene plastic.

Figure 1 a shows a waste feeding device according to one embodiment of the invention, fastened to the cover 19 of a waste container 10. The waste feeding device comprises a rotatable waste feeding drum 1 1 , a lid 12 for a feeding hatch, and a gearing mechanism between the waste feeding drum 1 1 and the lid 12. In the gearing mechanism, the first end of a belt 14 is fastened to an arm 13 moving the lid 12. The belt 14 is coiled on a cogwheel 15 at the end of the waste feeding drum 1 1. The second end of the belt 14 is fastened to the cogwheel 15. When the arm 13 is moved up, that is, the lid 12 is lifted, the belt 14 is coiled on the cogwheel 15, simultaneously rotating the drum 1 1 clockwise F'. When the arm 13 is moved down, that is, the lid 12 is put down, the belt 14 is uncoiled from the cogwheel 15, simultaneously rotating the drum 1 1 counterclockwise F. In Fig. 1 a, the lid 12 is open and the open side of the waste feeding drum 1 1 , i.e. the waste opening 16, is facing the open lid 12. It is possible to provide each end of the waste feeding drum 1 1 with a separate gearing mechanism.

Figure 1 b shows a partial enlargement of the waste feeding device of Fig. 1 a.

Figure 2a shows a waste feeding device 20 according to one embodiment of the invention. Part of the cover 29 of the waste container is visible as well. In the waste feeding device 20 according to this embodiment, the gearing mechanism is a chain gearing comprising a chain gear 25 and a chain 24. The chain gear 25 is mounted on the end of the waste feeding drum 21. It is possible to provide each end of the waste feeding drum 21 with a separate gearing mechanism. One or both ends of the waste feeding drum 21 may also be provided with a number of e.g. two or three chain gears and chains in parallel. In the figure, the lid 22 of the feeding hatch of the waste feeding device 20 is open, and the open side of the waste feeding drum 21 , i.e. the waste opening 26, is facing the open lid 22. When the lid 22 is fully closed, the open side of the waste feeding drum 21 , i.e. the waste opening 26, is on top of the open upper part of the waste container, and the waste will fall into the waste container.

As already mentioned above, the gearing mechanism may also be implemented as a gear transmission mechanism instead of the belt or chain transmission mechanism. The gear transmission mechanism comprises a gearwheel fastened to the downwards extending arm of the lid, as well as a gearwheel placed at the end of the waste feeding drum. When the lid is moved, a lifting movement of the lid will make the waste feeding drum rotate by the gearwheels in such a way that the waste opening is rotated to the top of the waste container, and upon closing, the open side of the waste feeding drum is above the waste container. It is also possible to provide both ends of the waste feeding drum with gearing mechanisms.

Figure 3 shows a waste feeding device 30 according to one embodiment of the invention, fastened to the cover 32 of an underground collection container 31.

Figure 4 shows a block chart of an operating unit 40 for a waste feeding device according to an embodiment. The operating unit 40 comprises an internal power source 41. Optionally, the operating unit 40 may also comprise a memory 42, a wireless communication unit 43, a processor 44, and a remote ID reader 45. The memory 42 is configured to receive and store the number of waste feeding instances as well as the user data on the basis of identification information provided by the remote ID reader 45. The processor 44 and the remote ID reader 45 are electronically connected to the memory 42. Furthermore, the operating unit 40 may be configured to inform the user when a predetermined number of waste feeding instances is up, which is detected by the processor 44, by sending a notification by the communication unit 43. Further, the operating unit 40 may be configured to supplement the notification with user data from the memory 42. The communication unit 43 may comprise at least a transmitter for transmitting information about the number of waste feeding instances, but also a receiver for receiving a request for information about the number of waste feeding instances. The user data may also be read from the memory 42 of the device at the operating unit 40.

Figure 5 shows a waste feeding drum 50 for a waste feeding device according to an embodiment. The open side, i.e. the waste opening 51 , of the waste feeding drum 50 may represent as much as 50% of the envelope surface of the cylindrical waste feeding drum, for example at least 40%, to make sure that the entered waste will fall into the waste container in the waste discharging position, that is, when the waste opening 51 of the waste feeding drum 50 is facing the waste container and the lid of the waste feeding device is closed. The waste feeding opening 51 may be as wide as the whole waste feeding drum 50, that is, it may extend from one end 52 to the other end 52 of the waste feeding drum 50. However, the waste opening of the waste feeding drum may also represent a smaller area than 40% of the envelope surface of the waste feeding drum.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments but it may vary within the scope of the appended claims.