Waste transfer apparatus

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a waste processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Throughout history, waste has been treated and compressed. However, the transfer and treatment of waste have been carried out in a relatively simple manner in spite of sophisticated technology.

The known waste transfer and compression solutions, which have previously been used, include crushers, shredders, balers, piston compressors, barrel presses, conveyor belts, various moving devices and open containers. However, there are problems with these known solutions. It has been observed that the lack of compression in crushers and shredders and the return of material to the feed hopper are problematic. Wearing of the blades also constitutes a disadvantage. Further- more, the crushers and the shredders are clogged relatively easily. Neither are the crushers and the shredders very safe. The use of the compressor and the presses, in turn, is limited. Furthermore, the reciprocal movement of the compressors and the presses decelerates the processing. This is mainly due to the waiting time of the return movement. One problem in the open containers is the lack of compression and the overflow of waste over the container and the spreading of material, as well as the incomplete degree of filling of the container. Accordingly, this is not hygienic and it increases the number of pests.

SUMMARY

The object of the invention is thus to provide waste treatment that is more continu- ous and better in compressing the waste and carrying it forward. The object is achieved by means of the waste transfer apparatus according to Claim 1. According to an aspect of the invention, a waste transfer apparatus is provided, which is characterized in including a surface and another surface so that the surfaces are at least partly adapted to compress the waste that moves between them, and that a first and a second conveyor surface are adapted to emerge from at least one of the surfaces so that the first conveyor surface is adapted to transfer the waste on

the surface for a first distance, and the second conveyor surface is adapted to continue transferring the waste for a second distance after the first distance.

In some embodiments of the invention, the conveyor surfaces, which emerge by means of a rotary movement, are adapted to transfer and carry material, such as waste, alternately on the surface. The conveyor line can be vertical or horizontal and radial. The material can be conveyed, transferred, and also compressed. When so needed, the material can also be cut, crushed, and ground. The waste transfer apparatus can be manual or provided with an external power source. The material hole of the waste transfer apparatus can be changeable according to the material, or fixed. In one embodiment of the numerous embodiments of the invention, the rotary movement is eccentric. In one embodiment of the numerous embodiments of the invention, the rotary movement is radial or staggered, whereby two circular orbits touch each other, for example.

In numerous embodiments of the invention, the feed of material is continuous. Also the compressing process is continuous. The return of the material can be prevented. Furthermore, the transfer of the material is quicker. The structure of the numerous embodiments of the waste transfer apparatus is light, yet robust. In addition, it can be possible to perforate the material and break its shape to maximize the compression.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is now described as an example only and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the diagram of the waste transfer apparatus according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows the conveyor surfaces and the groups of conveyor surfaces according to numerous embodiments of the invention;

Figs. 3A and 3B show lateral diagrams of the waste transfer apparatus according to another embodiment;

Fig. 4 shows the diagram of the waster transfer apparatus from above according to another embodiment, and

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment example of the waste transfer apparatus according to the invention and according to the numerous embodiment examples.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the waste transfer apparatus. The waste transfer apparatus comprises conveyor surfaces, such as conveyor surfaces 1 and 2. The conveyor surfaces are essentially perpendicular to a surface, such as a lower frame 4, for example. However, it should be noticed that in the numerous embodiments of the invention, the conveyor surfaces can deviate from the vertical even by an angle of several degrees. The conveyor surfaces 1 and 2 emerge from an upper frame 3 and/or the lower frame 4. The conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 emerge alternately so that the waste can move on the frame 4, when the conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 transfer the waste alternately. The conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 are attached to axes 5 by means of an eccentric structure. In that case, the rotary movement of the axes 5 causes a movement of the conveyor surfaces 1 and 2 in the direction of the surfaces of the frames 3, 4 or tangentially. From the pulling device 7 of the waste transfer apparatus, such as a motor, for example, the rotary movement is conveyed by a chain traction 8 to the axes 5 of the conveyor surface 1 and the conveyor surface 2, the structure of the axes being eccentric. When the conveyor surface 1 and the conveyor surface 2 move between the slots of the upper frame 3 and the lower frame 4, the conveyor surfaces 1 and 2 move and compress the material. The conveyor surfaces 1 and 2 are pivoted to the upper and lower frames 3, 4. For example, the pivoting can be based on the rotary movement, or it can also be based on a slide bearing and, respectively, also the movement of the conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 with respect to the lower frames 3, 4. The upper frame 3 and the lower frame 4 are supported to each other by means of the interconnector 6 of the frames. The interconnector can also be sprung 9.

In some embodiments of the invention, the upper frame 3 and the lower frame 4 are placed with respect to one another so that they converge in the direction of the waste transfer. In that case, compression and pressure are exerted on the waste that travels in between. This, in turn, decreases the volume of the waste and also keeps the waste more effectively attached to the conveyor surfaces. In the exam- pie of Fig. 1 , the waste is thus adapted to move in the direction from the interconnector 6 to the interconnector 9.

In Fig. 2, the conveyor surfaces 1 and 2 are shown in an exploded view. The conveyor surface 1 is part of a group 10 of conveyor surfaces. In other words, all the conveyor surfaces in the group 10 move together. The group 10 of conveyor sur- faces is connected to the frames 3, 4 by means of the axes 5 in an eccentric way. Correspondingly, the conveyor surface 2 is part of a group 20 of conveyor sur-

faces. In other words, all the conveyor surfaces in the group 20 move together. The group 20 of conveyor surfaces is also connected to the frames 3, 4 by means of the axes 5 in an eccentric way. When the axes 5 rotate, the eccentric structure causes the movement of the groups 10, 20 of conveyor surfaces and the conveyor surfaces 1 , 2, respectively. Thus, their movement emerges from the slots of the frame, i.e., it ascends with respect to the surface of the frame and is in the direction of the surface of the frame, i.e., it pushes the waste forward in the direction of the surface. Thus, the eccentric structure causes both an ascending/descending movement, and an essentially tangential movement of the surface, which prefera- bly takes the waste forward on the surface of the frame.

The conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 and the groups 10, 20, respectively, have their movements adapted so that the waste is transferred alternately. First, the conveyor surface 1 emerges from the slot and starts to move the waste, when the axis 5 rotates. When the conveyor surface 1 rises, the surface 1 also pushes the waste for- ward in the direction of the surface because of the rotary movement. When the conveyor surface 1 reaches the highest point, it starts to lower inside the slot. At that time, the conveyor surface 1 still pushes the waste because of the rotary movement and the eccentricity, until it has fully descended inside the slot. Accordingly, the waste has moved a certain distance on the surface of the frame. Corre- spondingly, the conveyor surface 2 now emerges from a spot that is approximately at the beginning of this distance and, when emerging, starts to push the waste forward in the direction of the surface due to the eccentric rotary movement, respectively. In other words, the conveyor surface 2 emerges from the slot and starts to move the waste, when the axis 5 rotates. When the conveyor surface 2 rises, the surface 2 also pushes the waste forward in the direction of the surface. When the conveyor surface 2 reaches the highest point, it begins to lower inside the slot. At that time, the conveyor surface 2 still pushes the waste until it has fully descended inside the slot. Thus, the waste has moved a certain second distance on the surface of the frame.

The conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 are adapted so as to have their rotary movements and those in the tangential direction such that when the one is at the highest point, the other surface is at the opposite highest point. The surfaces 1 , 2 do not then disturb one another and the waste moves continuously forward on the surface of the frame.

In the numerous embodiments, the upper frame 3 and the lower frame 4 can be attached together firmly or by means of a spring or floatingly. The number of

groups 10, 20 of conveyor surfaces (alternatively referred to as transfer elements) may vary. In the embodiment examples described, there are two groups 10, 20 of conveyor surfaces. This is an exemplary qualifier only. For example, the number of conveyor surface groups can be 3 or N, wherein N is a positive integer number. The number of conveyor surface groups 10, 20 and that of the conveyor surfaces 1 , 2, respectively, also have an effect on the design of the transfer movement that takes place on the surfaces of the frames 3 and 4. The transfer elements or the conveyor surfaces/surface groups can move in synchronization or asynchronously.

The transfer elements can be situated on one side. In the examples of the figures, the transfer elements are shown on both frames 3, 4. However, the transfer elements 1 , 10, 2 and 20 can either be situated on the upper 3 or the lower frame 4. The shape of the protruding parts of the transfer elements (alternatively referred to as conveyor surfaces 1 and 2) can vary, and they can be spikes, serrated, waves or separate detachable wearing edges. In the embodiment examples described, the perpendicular parts of the transfer elements 1 , 2 move the waste on the frames 3, 4.

Fig. 5 shows one embodiment example of the numerous embodiment alternatives of the waste transfer apparatus according to the invention. The embodiment example in Fig. 5 shows the waste transfer apparatus in an action and with a struc- ture that resemble a "Frisbee". The waste transfer apparatus forces the selected object into an ever narrowing space, until the space opens and the object is released. The waste transfer apparatus comprises a disc 3. For example, the disc 3 is adapted to rotate clockwise and fitted with a bearing. The disc 3 can also rotate in other directions, for example, counterclockwise. The disc 3 is in synchronization with the disc 21 of the waste transfer apparatus. The disc 21 can also be fitted with a bearing. The discs 3 and 21 are at an angle to each other. The angle may vary or be fixed or predetermined. The disc 21 has conveyor surfaces 1 and 2 attached thereto. When the discs 3 and 21 are at an angle, the conveyor surfaces 1 and/or 2 ascend once per rotation, penetrating through the disc 3. At that moment, the conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 have emerged through the holes in the disc 3.

The conveyor surfaces 1 , 2 are distributed throughout the punching/perforation of the disc 3 so that the first conveyor surface 1 is adapted to emerge from the disc 3 and transfer the waste for a distance. The conveyor surface 2 is adapted to emerge subsequently, for example, the next time the conveyor surfaces 1 and 2 ascend, say, on the next rotation, and to transfer the waste for another distance. In

that case, the conveyor surface 2 can thus continue transferring the waste forward.

It should be noticed that the invention is not limited to the two conveyor surfaces but there can be several of them. The conveyor surfaces are located so as to transfer the waste for a distance on the surface, the next conveyor surface continuing to transfer the waste on the surface, and the next, again, continuing to transfer the waste on the surface, etc.

The selected object, such as waste, enters between the discs 3 and 4. In the example of Fig. 5, the conveyor surfaces 1, 2 transfer the object clockwise to the ever narrowing space. If the selected object is not compressed, the disc 4 gives way in the direction allowed by hinges 9, pressing under the effect of a spring load 11 , still continuing to transfer the selected object forward. Accordingly, by means of the springback factor or the like, the disc 4 is adapted to be pressed, when a suitable amount of waste comes between the discs 3, 4. When the waste object has been released from underneath the disc 4, the conveyor surfaces withdraw until fully concealed. The plates 5 and 6 work as side edges. The plates 5, 6 can limit the drifting of the waste on the surface of the moving disc 3, 4.

In one embodiment example, the disc unit, i.e., the positions 3 and 21 , can be placed opposite each other, thus doubling the attention towards the selected ob- ject. In other words, there are structures 21 and 3 according to Fig. 5 both below and above, whereby the disc 4 is replaced with a corresponding structure 21 , 3.

The figure shows the surface 3 rotating, but it can also be stationary and perforated/divided so that the spikes come through during part of the rotation.

In the embodiment example according to Fig. 5, there are necessarily no eccentric axes to provide the movement of the spikes/conveyor surfaces. Thus, the embodiment example according to Fig. 5 can comprise the axis 5, in which there is the disc 3. The same axis can also pull the conveyor surfaces by means of a cardan, but the axis of the conveyor surfaces must be at an angle to the axis 5 to provide the in and out movement. Alternatively, there are separate axes. In a further alternative, the axis 5 is installed on the conveyor surface 1.

In some embodiments, the waster transfer apparatus is connected to a waste container. In that case, the waste transfer apparatus can both compress and compact the waste, when transferring the waste into the actual waste container. In other words, in addition to the waste transfer and possible compression, the waste can

also be compacted into the container. In that case, when transferring and compressing the waste, the waste transfer apparatus also compacts the waste into the waste container.

Consequence and scope

Although the above description contains many details, their sole purpose is to illustrate the invention and they should not be taken as limitations to the scope of the invention. It should also be noticed that the details of the invention can be combined in various ways in an individual or several embodiments. Therefore, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the apparatus according to the invention without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention.