Segregated waste collection system

Details Segregated waste collection system Segregated waste collection system

1999-11-30

2001-12-04

Keenan, James W. (Department: 3652)

Material or article handling

Device for emptying portable receptacle

For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means

C220S909000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06325587

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a segregated waste collection system and, more specifically, to a segregated waste collection system having a divided waste cart, defining separate compartments for holding segregated waste, in combination with a divided collection container having corresponding separate compartments for receiving the segregated waste from the divided cart compartments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Segregated waste collection systems are typically used when both recyclable and non-recyclable waste are simultaneously collected. In segregated waste collection systems, it is common to provide a user with a divided waste container, having a dividing wall defining one compartment for recyclable waste and another compartment for non-recyclable waste. A cover for each of the compartments is hingedly mounted to the divider wall in the container and performs the dual function of covering the associated compartment and deflecting the contents of the compartment when the cart is dumped. The waste cart is typically lifted with a mechanical device and inverted so that the compartments within the waste cart overlie corresponding compartments in a waste collection vehicle. As the cart is inverted, the covers open in response to gravity and serve to deflect the contents dumping from the compartments of the cart into the corresponding compartments of the waste vehicle. Examples of such a waste collection system are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,563, issued Jul. 30, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,805, issued Nov. 17, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,698, issued Apr. 27, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,841, issued Apr. 19, 1994.
One disadvantage of the prior art segregated waste collection system is there is frequently cross contamination of the contents of one cart compartment into cross compartments in the waste vehicle. Another disadvantage is that the cart construction and use becomes increasingly more complex and difficult, especially as the number of compartments increase beyond two, as compared to a traditional cart with a single cover for all the compartments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a segregated waste collection system for collecting segregated waste from a distant location and moving the collected segregated waste to a centralized collection station, while maintaining the segregated state of the waste. The segregated waste collection system comprises a waste container, a transfer container, and a collection vehicle. The waste from the waste container is transferred to the transfer container and is then transferred to the collection vehicle.
The waste container is located at the distant location and comprises a bottom wall from which extends a peripheral wall to define a waste-receiving chamber. A divider is disposed within the waste-receiving chamber to divide the waste-receiving chamber into two waste compartments. Each of the waste compartments is capable of receiving different types of waste to thereby segregate the waste. The transfer container comprises a base from which extends a peripheral wall to define a transfer chamber and a divider disposed within the transfer chamber to divide the transfer chamber into two transfer compartments. Each of the transfer compartments corresponds to a different one of the two waste compartments in the waste container. The collection vehicle comprises a storage container and a divider disposed within the storage container to divide the storage container into two storage compartments. Each of the storage compartments corresponds to one of the transfer compartments. A collection vehicle additionally includes a loading mechanism that carries the transfer container and is operable between a transfer position, in which the container is positioned to receive the contents of the waste container, and a dumping position, in which the transfer container is positioned to dump its contents into the storage container.
The segregated waste collection system further includes a deflector on the transfer container aligned with the transfer container divider and operable between a fill position and a dump position. In the fill position, the divider deflects the waste container contents from the waste compartments into the corresponding transfer compartments when the waste container is at least partially inverted over the transfer container when the transfer container is the transfer position. In the dump position, the deflector deflects the contents from the transfer compartments into the corresponding storage compartments when the transfer container is in the dumping position to thereby maintain the segregated status of the waste from the waste container to the storage container.
Preferably, the deflector comprises a pair of opposing vanes. Each vane can have an inner edge and an outer edge, with the inner edges extended along the transfer container divider and the outer edges being spaced above the transfer container divider. The outer edges can be spaced with respect to each other to define a gap that receives at least one of the container divider when the transfer container is in the transfer position and the storage container divider when the transfer container is in the dumping position. The vanes can be made from a flexible material and the gap can be sized so that the vanes are flexed slightly outward when at least one of the at least one container divider and the storage container divider are received within the gap to thereby form a substantially continuous barrier between the transfer container divider and the one of the at least one container divider and the storage container divider.
The vanes are preferably pivotally mounted at their inner edges to the transfer container for pivotal movement between a fill position in which the outer edges substantially abut each other and a dump position in which the outer edges are spaced from each other and each outer edge partially overlies a different transfer compartment. The vanes are in the fill position when the transfer container is in the transfer position and the vanes are in the dump position when the transfer container is in the dumping position. A pair of hinges can be provided to mount each of the vane inner edges to the divider of the transfer container to thereby pivotally mount the vanes to the transfer container. Preferably, a pair of actuators between the transfer container and one of the vanes are adapted to selectively pivot the vanes between the fill and dump positions.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a segregated waste collection system for collecting segregated waste from a distant location and moving the collected segregated waste to a centralized collection station while maintaining the segregated state of the waste. The segregated waste collection system comprises a transfer container with a deflector and a collection vehicle. The transfer container comprises a base from which extends a peripheral wall to define a transfer chamber. A divider is disposed within the transfer chamber to divide the transfer chamber into two transfer compartments. The collection vehicle comprises a storage container in which a divider is disposed to divide the storage container into two storage compartments. Each of the storage compartments corresponds to a different one of the two transfer compartments. The collection vehicle further includes a loading mechanism carrying the transfer container and operable between a receiving position, in which the transfer container is positioned to receive waste material, and a dumping position, in which the transfer container is positioned to dump its contents into the storage container. The deflector comprises a pair of opposing vanes. Each of the vanes has an inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edges of the vanes extend along the transfer container divider. The outer edges of the vanes are spaced above the transfer container divider. The deflector deflects the waste compartment contents into the corresponding transfer compartments to aid in segregating the waste. The divi

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Segregated waste collection system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Segregated waste collection system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Segregated waste collection system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2563849