ES2854827T3 - Garbage collection system and container for it - Google Patents

Abstract

Garbage collection container (1) for a garbage collection system, comprising a support base (2), a lid (3), a circumferential wall (4) extending between the base (2) and the lid (3), where the base, the lid and the circumferential wall define a garbage collection chamber (8), and an opening that can be closed to deposit the garbage in the chamber (8), where said garbage collection container (1) comprises coupling means (10, 11) for fastening the garbage collection container (1) to a lifting device (19) to empty the garbage collection container (1), the coupling means comprises elongated slots ( 11) for use in a bayonet-type coupling means, where the coupling brackets (10, 17) of the garbage collection container (1) are placed on opposite sides (9) of the garbage collection chamber (8 ), characterized by the fact that a skirt (16) is provided on each of these sides (9) and supports Coupling tees (10, 17) each extend between a side (9) and a respective skirt (16), wherein the coupling brackets (10, 17) each comprise a support plate (10), connected to a respective side (9) of the garbage collection chamber (8) at approximately right angles with respect to said side (9) and parallel to the base (2), where the grooves (11) are provided in said plates of support (10), or the coupling supports (10, 17) each comprise an end strip, connected to a respective side (9) of the garbage collection chamber (8) at approximately right angles with respect to said side ( 9) and to the base (2) of the garbage collection chamber, the grooves (11) being provided in said end strips (17).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Garbage collection system and container for it

[0001] The invention relates to a garbage collection container according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a garbage collection system, comprising the garbage collection container, a lifting device and a floor surface, wherein said Garbage collection container comprises a support base supported on the ground surface, an upper part that extends above the ground while the base is supported on the ground surface, a circumferential wall that extends between the base and the upper part, where said base, upper part and circumferential wall define a garbage collection chamber, and a closable opening to deposit garbage in the chamber, where said garbage collection container and lifting device comprise coupling means which can be activated to couple the garbage collection container and the lifting device to each other to empty the waste collection container. asuras.

[0002] These garbage collection systems are widely known. Prior art garbage collection systems are commonly applied to handle relatively large amounts of garbage, for example in public areas. Applications in industrial environments are also known. The garbage collection containers are placed on a surface, so that the garbage collection opening is accessible to the public. Therefore, the cover of the garbage collection opening must be easily accessible, which is the case when said cover is at a height of, for example, about 1 to 1.5 meters above the surface. Such a garbage collection system is known.

[0003] Other garbage collection systems are known according to which the garbage collection container is completely contained in an underground space below ground level. Through a column on the cover that closes the underground space at the top, the garbage can be collected in the garbage collection container that is open at the top and therefore does not include a cover itself. . This type of garbage collection system is outside the scope of the present invention. An example of such a garbage collection system is described in patent EP 1679 271 A, which describes the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] In order to empty the garbage collection container, various systems are known. These generally make use of a garbage collection vehicle that carries a lifting device that is capable of holding the garbage collection container, lifting it and placing it upside down above the loading area of the garbage collection vehicle. to move the collected garbage from the garbage collection container to said loading area.

[0005] Although these prior art systems are widespread, there are some disadvantages associated with them. These disadvantages are related to the way in which the refuse collection containers are connected to the lifting device. This coupling generally allows for quite a bit of slack, making lifting and turning garbage containers in order to empty them not very convenient. Furthermore, this process is accompanied by the generation of noise, which makes the prior art garbage collection system less suitable for specific applications, such as in crowded areas.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a garbage collection container by means of which a better coupling between the garbage collection container and the lifting device can be obtained. Said object is achieved by a garbage collection container according to claim 1. The application of bayonet-type coupling means has several advantages. First of all, such a coupling means can be made in such a way as to provide a solid and rigid connection between the refuse collection container and the lifting device. In this way, the lifting and turning process of the garbage collection container can be carried out reliably, taking into account the absence of clearance between the garbage collection container and the lifting device. Furthermore, noise generation is largely suppressed thanks to such a rigid connection.

Furthermore, the bayonet-type coupling means provide the possibility of approaching the garbage collection container from various directions by means of the lifting device. This facilitates proper positioning of the lifting device relative to the refuse collection container, which is favorable for a quick coupling process. Thus, the work of the operator who controls the docking process is greatly simplified and furthermore the cycle time for handling a refuse collection container for emptying is shortened. Alternatively, bayonet-type coupling means make it more attractive to apply an automatic coupling process, that is, without control by an operator.

[0008] The garbage collection container comprises coupling brackets having elongated grooves, and the lifting device comprises rotating locking elements having a longitudinal shape, where each one of said locking elements can be inserted through a corresponding coupling bracket slot and rotated to engage behind the coupling brackets. In order to further simplify the process of coupling the lifting device to the garbage collection container, the grooves can be curved in shape, with a radius of curvature of an order of magnitude greater than the length of said grooves.

[0009] Thanks to this curvature, the coupling between the refuse collection container and the lifting device can take place even in the event that the rotating locking elements are positioned at a certain angle with respect to the grooves in question. This is achieved because the curvature can provide the rotating elements with initial engagement within a certain range of clearance, such that the rotating elements are guided further into the grooves for complete engagement.

The coupling brackets are positioned on opposite sides of the garbage collection chamber, with a skirt arranged on each of these sides, and the coupling brackets each extend between one side and a respective skirt. These skirts have the function of protecting the coupling supports, which protrude with respect to the garbage collection chamber, in such a way that the users of the garbage collection container do not injure themselves with said projecting parts, or get dirty with them. After all, the garbage collection container is placed on the surface of a specific area that users have access to to dispose of their garbage.

Furthermore, the skirts may comprise end strips which are oriented perpendicular to and connected to a respective side of the refuse collection chamber. Furthermore, the coupling brackets may comprise a support plate, each of which is connected to a respective side of the refuse collection chamber at approximately right angles to said side, where the grooves are provided in said plate plates. medium.

The lifting device may comprise counter supports which are positioned against the support plates to provide a rigid connection between the lifting device and the garbage collection container when the coupling means is in the activated state. As mentioned above, said lifting device approaches the support plates from above during the docking process. Finally, the coupling means touches or even collides with the supporting plates, and subsequently the coupling means is pressed firmly on said supporting plates to allow the activation of the rotary anchor couplings. Therefore, the downward forces exerted by the coupling means can be considerable. Furthermore, since the weight of the refuse collection container, together with the collected refuse, can be considerable, the coupling elements must be of a robust nature. In order to provide sufficient resistance against such coupling forces and loads, various types of stiffeners can be applied to the refuse collection container.

[0013] As mentioned above, the coupling means can approach the container from various directions. In a first embodiment, the approach direction is vertical from above. To this end, the coupling brackets each comprise a support plate, connected to a respective side of the garbage collection chamber at approximately right angles to that side and parallel to the base, where the grooves are provided at said support plates.

According to a second possibility, the coupling means can approach the container in a horizontal direction towards one side of the latter. In this regard, the coupling brackets comprise an end strip, each connected to a respective side of the garbage collection chamber at approximately right angles to that side and the base of the garbage collection chamber, where the grooves are provided in said end strips.

Fixed stiffeners may be provided which are each connected to the underside of a respective skirt support plate and to the respective side. Furthermore, each reinforcement may comprise respective vertical and horizontal reinforcement plates extending between the underside of a respective support plate and the respective support base between the sides. Fixed gussets can extend between opposite end strips. These stiffeners provide a load path by which the coupling forces exerted on the coupling plates can be transferred, for example to the support base and thus to the floor surface. In addition, the reinforcing plates give the garbage collection container a robust character to cope with the loads of the waste collected in it.

[0016] According to a further possibility, movable stiffeners are provided, where each of said movable stiffeners extends in a vertical direction in line with a respective elongated slot and comprises an upper control part and a lower foot part, where said movable stiffeners have a rest position in which the lower foot part is at a distance above the ground surface and the upper control part protrudes upwards through the corresponding elongated slot, and an activated position in which the part The lower foot rests on the ground surface and the upper control part is at a distance below the corresponding elongated slot.

[0017] Such movable stiffeners can be activated by the lifting device. In this regard, the upper control part comprises an upper control surface against which a corresponding locking element rests, where a distance of the upper control surface of the upper control part below the corresponding elongated slot is, for generally equal to the thickness of the corresponding locking element.

In this way, after the rotary type coupling means have been applied, the displaceable stiffeners are simultaneously activated to transfer the coupling forces to the ground surface. These coupling forces are directed downward and would possibly expose the refuse collection container to undesirable loads. This type of reinforcement is particularly useful in case the garbage collection container comprises wheels that are placed under the support base. Since the coupling forces are transferred by the activated bracing, the vulnerable wheels are protected against overloads.

[0019] The upper part can be provided with all kinds of closable openings, depending on the use of the garbage collection chamber and the desired ease of handling. In particular, the upper part may be provided with at least one garbage collection opening and at least one cover for respectively opening and closing said garbage collection opening. Said lid may have a handle that the user can grasp at a convenient height, for example 1 to 1.5 meters above the surface that supports the garbage collection container. Furthermore, to facilitate handling and accessibility, the cover can extend to a transverse side of the garbage collection chamber, a handle being provided on said cover bordering said side. According to a variant, two opposite lids can be provided, where said lids are hingedly supported in the center of the garbage collection chamber between two opposite sides of the garbage collection chamber. Therefore, the garbage collection container is accessible from two sides. Typically, the lifting device is mounted on a garbage collection vehicle provided with a loading area for garbage collection.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a garbage collection system according to the preamble of claim 14.

[0021] Said garbage collection system is described in patent EP-A-1679271. Such a prior art garbage collection container is located completely underground in a garbage collection chamber. Therefore, this prior art garbage collection container is less suitable for its above-ground location.

The object of the invention is to provide a garbage collection container of the type described above, which allows a location on the ground. Said object is achieved by the characteristic features of claim 14.

The invention will allow a further description with reference to the garbage collection system as shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the garbage collection container according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the top view of the garbage collection container according to Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the garbage collection container according to figure 1.

Figures 4a-d show various phases of the garbage collection system according to the invention, during the emptying of the garbage collection container according to Figures 1-3.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the garbage collection container.

Figures 6-8 show a third embodiment of the garbage collection container.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the container according to figure 1.

Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the container according to Figure 6

Figure 11 shows an example of handling the container according to Figures 9 and 10.

[0024] The refuse collection container 1, as shown in Figures 1-3, comprises a support base 2 and an upper part which has been indicated with the reference 3 in general. Furthermore, the circumferentially extending wall 4 extends between the base 2 and the upper part 3. The upper part comprises four covers 5, each provided with a handle 6 to be grasped by a user to open the respective cover 5 around hinge 7.

The base 2, the upper part 3 and the circumferential wall 4 define the garbage collection chamber 8. In particular, said garbage collection chamber 8 is delimited by two sides 9 and two transverse sides 25. Welded to the upper part of the sides 9 are the respective support plates 10, each of which comprises a curved groove 11. At the location of these curved grooves 11, each support plate 10 is reinforced by means of a box 12, comprising vertical reinforcement plates 13 and a spacer plate 14. The reinforcement plates 13 are welded to the bottom of the respective support plate 10, at opposite ends of the curved slot 11, as well as to a respective side 9 of the chamber garbage collection 8.

The lower end of the reinforcement plates 13 is welded to the projecting parts 26 of the support base 2. The spacer plate 14 is positioned at a distance from the groove 11, and is welded to the reinforcement plates 13.

[0026] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the support plates each have a curved outer edge 15 onto which a similarly curved skirt 16 has been welded. Said curved skirt 16 has end strips 17, which are welded on one side to the curved skirt 17 and on the other side to the garbage collection chamber 8.

Turning now to the phases shown in Figures 4a-b, the garbage collection container 1 is shown, as well as a garbage collection vehicle 18 that is provided with a lifting device 19. Both the device refuse collection system 1 and vehicle 18 are positioned on a floor surface 23. Said lifting device has an articulated arm 20, the free end of which is provided with elongated rotating locking elements 21, as well as counter supports 22. In its entirety, Two of said elongated rotatable locking elements 21 and counter supports 22 are arranged side by side on the lifting device 19.

In the phase shown in figure 4a, the lifting device 19 has been manipulated in such a way that the rotary locking elements 21 have each been inserted into a respective curved slot 11 of the garbage collection container 1 , and subsequently they have been rotated 90 ° until they are clamped behind the support plate 10 according to a widely known bayonet coupling. By raising the arm 19 to the position shown in figure 4b, the garbage collection container 1 tilts slightly towards the loading area 24 of the garbage collection vehicle 18. As the arm 19 is moved further to the position that shown in figure 4c, the garbage collection container 1 is flipped over the loading zone 24. Under the influence of gravity, the lids 5 (or 32, see figure 5) pivot to the open position , after which the garbage collected in the garbage container 1 is dropped into the loading zone 24.

[0029] By reversing the movements of the lifting device 19, the garbage collection container is turned in the opposite direction and repositioned on the surface of the ground 23. During all these movements, the bayonet-type coupling means in combination with the support plates 10 and the counter supports 22 they provide a firm grip on the lifting device 19 to ensure a stable and slack movement of the garbage collection container 1.

[0030] As shown in figure 4d, the garbage collection container 1 can also be fitted into a recessed area 40, with the base of the container below the floor surface 23. However, the upper part is still at a sufficient height above the surface of the ground 23 in order to allow users to dispose of their garbage in a convenient way.

The garbage collection container 1, as shown in figure 5, comprises two lids 5, each of which can be equipped with an electronic access device. Furthermore, solar cells may be present, as well as a battery to power such an electronic access device. By presenting an access card near the electronic access device, a customer can gain access by opening the cover by hand or by an automatically actuated cover. There may be a fill segment under the lid in order to limit the amount of trash that can be deposited at one time.

Furthermore, said garbage collection container is equipped with an emptying lid 32, provided with a twist lock 33. Said twist lock is permanently locked in the nominal position of the garbage collection container. After turning the garbage collection container over by means of the lifting device of the garbage collection vehicle, said twist lock automatically disengages and releases the emptying of the lid to deposit the garbage collected in the container in the loading area of the garbage collection device.

[0033] The container, as shown in Figures 6-8, comprises wheels 31. Although said wheels 31 are strong enough to manipulate the container in normal use, they are vulnerable with respect to the coupling forces exerted by the device. lift at the top of the support plates. 10. In order to transfer these forces to the ground surface other than the wheels 31, the movable stiffeners 27 are provided. These movable stiffeners 27 are guided in the vertical direction by means of the guides 35. Through the springs 36, the stiffeners 27 are pushed upward. Thus, in the rest position, the upper control part 28 protrudes above the slot 11. Furthermore, the foot part 29 is at a distance above the surface of the ground 23.

[0034] As the garbage collection container is approached by means of the lifting device, the locking elements 21 of the counter supports 22 come into contact with the upper surface 30 in the middle of the upper control part 28. Then, when lower the lifting device further, the stiffeners 27 are pushed downwards, against the deformation of the springs 36. Finally, the foot part 29 ends on the ground surface 23, and the upper control parts 28 at a distance below of the slot 11. The locking elements 21 are then rotated. The forces generated by the lifting device on this face on the upper side of the refuse collection container, however, are transferred to the ground surface 23 through the stiffeners 27, such that the wheels 31 are not exposed to these relatively high forces.

In the embodiments of Figures 9-11, the curved grooves 11 are provided in the end strips 17. As shown in Figure 11, the lifting device 19 can be approached to the container 1 from the side.

Furthermore, the garbage collection containers described above can be provided with a control system to control the degree of filling. Said control system can, for example, make use of GPRS. These types of components can be accommodated in the space behind one of the skirts.

Claims (19)

1. Garbage collection container (1) for a garbage collection system, comprising a support base (2), a lid (3), a circumferential wall (4) extending between the base (2) and the lid (3), where the base, the lid and the circumferential wall define a garbage collection chamber (8), and an opening that can be closed to deposit the garbage in the chamber (8), where said collection container garbage (1) comprises coupling means (10, 11) for fastening the garbage collection container (1) to a lifting device (19) to empty the garbage collection container (1), the coupling means comprises grooves elongated (11) for use in a bayonet-type coupling means, where the coupling brackets (10, 17) of the garbage collection container (1) are placed on opposite sides (9) of the garbage collection chamber (8), characterized in that a skirt (16) is provided on each of these sides (9) and the coupling supports (10, 17) each extend between one side (9) and a respective skirt (16), wherein the coupling supports (10, 17) comprise a support plate (10) each, connected to a respective side (9) of the garbage collection chamber (8) at approximately right angles with respect to said side ( 9) and parallel to the base (2), where the grooves (11) are provided in said support plates (10), or the coupling supports (10, 17) each comprise an end strip, connected to one side respective (9) of the garbage collection chamber (8) at approximately right angles with respect to said side (9) and to the base (2) of the garbage collection chamber, the slots (11) being provided in said strips finals (17). Garbage collection container (1) according to claim 1, in which the grooves (11) have a curved shape, where the radius of the curvature is an order of magnitude greater than the length of said grooves (11). Garbage collection container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the skirts (16) have a convex outer surface. Refuse collection container (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein fixed stiffeners (12) are provided which are each connected to the bottom of a respective support plate (10) or behind of the skirt (16) and to a respective side (39). Garbage collection container (1) according to claim 4, wherein each reinforcement (12) comprises reinforcement plates (13), one of the edges of which is connected to the bottom of a respective support plate (10) , and extending downwardly from said respective support plate. (10). Garbage collection container (1) according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing plates (13) are connected to the respective side (9) of the garbage collection chamber (8). 7. Garbage collection container (1) according to claim 5 or 6, in which the support base (2) protrudes with respect to the sides (9) of the chamber (8), where the lower part of the plates Reinforcement (13) is connected to the projecting parts (26) of the support base (2). Garbage collection container (1) according to any of claims 5-7, wherein a spacer plate (14) is connected between the reinforcing plates (13). Garbage collection container (1) according to any of claims 5-8, wherein the reinforcing plates (13) enclose the elongated slots (11). Garbage collection container (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1-9, in which the upper part (3) is provided with at least one of said openings that can be closed to deposit the garbage in the chamber ( 8) and at least one cover (5) for opening respectively closing said closable opening. Garbage collection container (1) according to claim 10, wherein the lid (5) extends to a transverse side (25) of the garbage collection chamber (8), where a handle (6) is provided on the cover near said transverse side. Garbage collection container (1) according to claims 10 or 11, wherein two opposite lids (5) are provided, wherein said lids are hingedly supported in the center of the garbage collection chamber (8) between two opposite transverse sides (25) of the garbage collection chamber (8). Garbage collection container (1) according to claim 10 or 11, in which an emptying lid (32) is provided, wherein said lid is in a closed position by means of a twist lock (33), wherein said Twist lock (33) is locked in the nominal position of the garbage collection container (1) and is released in the overturned position thereof to empty the contents of the garbage collection container (61). 14. Garbage collection system, comprising the garbage collection container (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1-13, a lifting device (19) and a floor surface (23), where the upper part (5) extends above the height of the ground while the base (2) is supported on the ground surface (23), where said garbage collection container (1) and lifting device (19) comprise coupling means (10, 11, 21, 22) that are activatable to hold the garbage collection container (1) and the lifting device (19) together to empty the garbage collection container (1), characterized by the fact that the lifting device (19) comprises rotatable locking elements (21) having an elongated shape, wherein said locking elements (21) are each insertable through a corresponding coupling support slot (11) and they are rotatable to hook behind the coupling brackets (10, 17). System according to claim 14, wherein the lifting device (19) comprises counter supports (22) which are positioned against the coupling supports (10) to provide a rigid connection between the lifting device (19) and the container. garbage collection (1) when the coupling means (10, 11, 21, 22) is in the activated state. 16. System according to claim 14, refuse collection container (1) according to claim 4, in which fixed reinforcements are provided extending between opposite end strips. 17. System according to any of the preceding claims 14-16, comprising a garbage collection vehicle (18) provided with a garbage collection loading area (24), in which the lifting device (19) is mounted in the garbage collection vehicle (18). 18. System according to any of the preceding claims 14-17, wherein the ground surface (23) is level with respect to ground level. System according to any one of claims 14-17, in which the ground surface is lowered (40) with respect to the ground level (23) by a distance that is at most equal to half the height of the collection container. garbage (1).