WO2003106062A1

WO2003106062A1 - Machine for packaging a shredded substance

Info

Publication number: WO2003106062A1
Application number: PCT/FR2003/001784
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Claude Joly
Original assignee: Jean-Claude Joly
Priority date: 2002-06-14
Filing date: 2003-06-13
Publication date: 2003-12-24
Also published as: CN1662312A; FR2840825A1; FR2840825B1; AU2003260589A1; EP1549445A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a packaging machine equipped with a container which itself includes a feeding opening for receiving a powdery substance. The container which comprises an orifice (50) designed at least to encase said substance, consists of two mobile parts (37). Said machine further comprises a marking member (77). It is optionally supplied by a shredder. The invention also concerns a method for encasing a substance using said machine. The invention is advantageously applicable to waste treatment.

Description

The present invention relates to a machine for packaging a ground substance.

There is a need to split a large volume of a given substance into small objects, if only to ensure its packaging or transport.

The field of the invention is therefore that of the packaging of a pulverulent substance or else of a substance previously ground.

In a related field, document US Pat. No. 3,968,625 teaches an apparatus for the treatment of waste or the like using a foam-type material. This device is provided with a container which has a supply opening for the introduction of waste. The container also has orifices provided for coating the waste. To recover the coated waste, it is necessary to dismantle the container which is formed from detachable walls. Such disassembly is a tedious operation which takes time.

A first object of the present invention is therefore a packaging machine whose very simple mechanical structure does not require disassembly, this machine being well suited to substances having a relatively large particle size.

According to the invention, a packaging machine is provided with a container itself comprising a supply opening for receiving a substance and an orifice at least provided for coating this substance; this container is formed by two moving parts. This mobility characteristic makes it possible, among other advantages, to avoid any dismantling.

It is also desirable that the container has an extraction opening for discharging the coated substance.

Preferably, the internal surface of these moving parts delimits a closed volume when these two parts move between an initial position and a terminal position.

In addition, in the initial position, the two movable parts come to bear on a stop.

It is desirable that the end of this stop is flush with the internal surface of the moving parts in said initial position.

m »1 ES OF COKFîRδî ATiON In addition, in the terminal position, the two movable parts come into contact with one another.

Thus, the supply opening is determined by the free space between the moving parts in the initial position. Likewise, the extraction opening is determined by the free space between the moving parts in the terminal position.

Advantageously, the closed volume is substantially spherical. Indeed, spherical objects can move easily on an inclined plane or in any pipe. In order to facilitate extraction, the internal surface of these moving parts is at most equal to a quarter of the same sphere.

The internal surface of the container has a non-stick coating so that the coated substance does not remain stuck to this container by the coating material. A particularly advantageous application of the invention relates to the treatment of household waste.

In fact, the evacuation of household waste is traditionally carried out by collecting trash cans, the contents of which are dumped into garbage trucks. These trucks transport the waste to incineration plants or to landfills.

The household waste disposal chain as it is currently performed has the following characteristics: a high cost due in particular to the numerous breaks in the chain (domestic storage, collective storage in buildings and on the streets, discontinuous disposal by trucks ); many sources of unhealthy conditions, failure to maintain collective hygiene and the quality of the environment; frequent malfunctions linked in particular to the fact that manual collection tasks are dirty, painful and not very rewarding; - induced effects in particular on traffic and cleanliness in cities.

A second object of the present invention is therefore an optimized packaging of waste.

According to the invention, the machine comprises a grinder, the outlet of which communicates with the supply opening. The waste introduced into the crusher is shredded to produce a pulverulent substance which is then coated in the container to form objects of small dimensions.

The machine according to the invention makes it possible to substitute for the known treatment chain, an automated chain conditioning household waste

"Current" which represent almost all of the volumes to be treated. This garbage can be evacuated continuously by existing pipes, in particular by sewage and sewer networks.

This device can be used in all types of individual and collective dwellings with a waste water outlet (PVC pipe of 6 cm and more).

In addition, it can be used in shops that produce household waste (drinking places, breweries, hotels, restaurants, butchers, delicatessens, fishmongers, canteens, etc.). Preferably, the mill comprises a horizontal rotor provided with at least one shredding member itself provided with a shredding pad.

On the other hand, the crusher has a static grid inscribed in a cylinder with the same axis as that of the rotor and an internal radius almost identical to that of the shredding range. Advantageously, this grid has cutting edges.

According to an additional characteristic, the crusher comprises means for returning the grid in the direction of the rotor.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shredding area is preceded by an inclined grinding wedge. This grinding wedge is provided with lugs. In addition, the grinding wedge is preceded by a drive edge provided with a recessed stop relative to this grinding wedge.

Furthermore, the crusher comprises a drum movable in rotation about the same axis as that of the rotor, the grid being arranged inside this drum.

The space between the grid and the drum therefore communicates with the supply opening.

In general, it would be interesting to be able to process different substances with a single machine.

In the specific case of household waste, some municipalities are trying to develop sorting at source by making collective selective sorting bins available on public roads available to households. We know a lot of trash cans for glass, plastic, paper, plants, etc. However, sorting is manual, which is a source of errors, it is discontinuous and therefore only allows very limited reprocessing of waste.

A third object of the invention is the packaging of different substances using the same machine. According to the invention, the packaging machine comprises a marking member.

This identifies the nature of the coated substance for further processing.

By way of example, this marking member comprises at least one movable marking bar between a position where it is flush with the internal surface of the container and a position where it projects from this surface.

According to a first variant, the crusher being designed to receive a container identifying the nature of the substance by means of marks, it includes means for activating the marking member in response to the detection of these marks.

Advantageously, the machine comprises a control member for controlling the mill according to these marks.

According to a second variant, the machine comprises a selection member for identifying the nature of the substance, and it comprises means for activating the marking member by means of this selection member.

In this case, the machine includes a control member for controlling the mill in response to the selection member.

In any event, the packaging machine according to the present invention also has the following optional characteristics. The container is surmounted by a sleeve provided with nozzles provided for compacting the substance to be coated.

The machine comprises a receptacle communicating with the extraction opening, this receptacle being provided with ducts for the ventilation of the coated substance. The machine has a movable support disposed between the container and the receptacle.

The machine comprises a tube, a first end of which communicates with the receptacle, this tube having a negative slope.

The second end of this tube communicates with an airlock which, preferably, is watertight.

This airlock is advantageously provided with a pressure inlet. The invention also relates to a method for coating a substance by means of the machine described above, this substance possibly being composed of waste.

The present invention will now appear in more detail in the context of the following description of an exemplary embodiment given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures which represent:

FIG. 1, a diagram in section of the machine seen from the front,

FIG. 2, a diagram in section of the machine seen from the side,

- Figure 3, a detailed view of a crusher, - Figure 4, a unit of the ball power plant seen in section,

FIG. 5, a detailed view in section of a quarter of a sphere of the ball power plant,

FIG. 6, a sectional view of an airlock, and

- Figure 7, a sectional view of the loading door of the machine. The elements present in several figures are assigned a single reference.

The invention, now presented in relation to waste treatment, makes it possible to replace the known treatment chain with an automated system. This system comprises, at the start of the chain, a domestic appliance for individual or collective use, for shredding household waste, compacting this shredded waste into a ball and coating compacted waste, this in order to constitute watertight and resistant balls. can be removed without risk of breakage. It provides for the marking of logs according to the type of waste they contain, and the evacuation of these logs by the wastewater networks of buildings and everything in the sewer.

The system also includes industrial equipment at the end of the chain for treating the balls, which is not described here.

This equipment can be used in all or part of its functions at the outlet of collectors from the main sewer, before the treatment of wastewater. It allows you to carry out the different processing steps in different places. The invention provides for treating pulverulent substances, so that when this is not the case, in particular when it is household waste, it is advisable to start by grinding these substances. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the machine therefore optionally includes a grinder capable of grinding and shredding all of the materials which constitute ordinary household waste. This mill is composed of a rotor 5 on which are arranged one, two or three blades 6 rotating around a horizontal axis 7 fixed to the bottom of the device by an axis support 8. The rotor 5 also rotates in a drum 9, itself rotating at a speed lower than that of the rotor in the same direction and around the same horizontal axis 7. Between these two rotating elements is disposed a shredding grid 10 fixed. This grid constitutes the support against which the waste is shredded by the blade or blades 6.

With reference to FIG. 3, a blade of the mill is described in more detail. It comprises a drive edge 11 having an opening angle 12 which allows the rotating mill to treat waste whose height is of the order of 10 centimeters, for treating a bottle for example. A stop 13 forming the start of a screw in its lower part carries the waste between the blade 6 and the shredding grid 10. Behind the drive edge 11, a grinding wedge 14 is composed of grinding lugs 15 which constitute waste crushing points and knives 16 making it possible to cut waste of a certain length. The pins 15 and the knives 16 are approximately perpendicular to the path of movement of the blade, inclined in the direction of rotation, and they are staggered over the entire surface of the grinding wedge 14.

Behind the grinding wedge 14, a shredding area 17 follows the precise shape of the shredding grid 10 described in more detail below. During their rotation, the blades 6 gradually compress the waste against this grid, the cutting edges 18 of which shred the waste.

The shredding grid 10 is extended by two solid parts for attachment by a spring fixing system on the rotating axis 21 and by two spring fixing systems on a fixed support 22. The waste is shredded under the pressure of the blades by the cutting edges 18 formed by the top roughness of the holes of the shredding grid 10. The shredded waste passes through the shredding grid through the conical bevel holes 23 and falls into the drum 9. The shredding process is defined according to the type of waste to be treated and is controlled by an appropriate shredding cycle. When a waste has a hardness such that it cannot be shredded, the force applied to the supports of the shredding grid 10 causes the compression of the springs and the detachment of this grid in a low position allowing the passage of the waste between the grid and the blade 6. This situation causes the machine to stop and signal the presence of this type of waste by means any visual and / or audible indication. The cylindrical drum 9, the bottom of which is integral with the single axis of rotation of the machine is open at the front. It also has an opening which allows the passage of the rotor 5. A self-lubricating ring is placed between these two elements which rotate at different speeds. A shoulder 25 is provided to prevent the formation of a shredded waste plug between the vertical part of the drum 9 and the shredding grid 10. The exterior of the drum 9 has a raceway 26 which rests on two roller supports 27. L the interior of the drum 9 is rubberized and has fins 28 to reduce noise and cause the shredded waste to move towards the opening 29 of the drum 9. The crusher has a passage for conveying the crushed waste to a central ball 2. This passage begins here in the free space between the drum 9 and the shredding grid.

It is incidentally noted that the packaging machine could be used with another crusher. With reference to FIG. 4, the bead power plant makes it possible to compact the shredded waste 30, to coat it with an envelope 31 to form watertight and resistant balls and possibly to mark them according to the nature of the waste. This power plant includes one or more log production units, each composed as described below. A sleeve 34 which communicates with the mill has a fixed cylinder 35 and a sliding cylinder 36 vertically. Under this sleeve, a container here takes the form of two movable quarter spheres 37. In this initial position, these two movable parts are positioned side by side in their lower parts to form a hemisphere, the space open between the quarters sphere and the sleeve 34 defining a supply opening for filling the container.

In the fixed cylinder 35 are arranged nozzles 39 supplied with gas under high pressure to compress the substance introduced into the sleeve 34. These nozzles 39 are oriented from top to bottom. This is a solution well suited to compressing waste. However, this operation could be carried out in many other ways, by means of a piston press for example.

The two quarters of sphere 37 each pivot around a horizontal axis. A first electromagnet 45 moves a first vertical rod 46 which goes up a sliding arm 47. This first rod 46 is provided with a first return spring 82. Firstly, this sliding arm is pivotally mounted on an anchor point 48 secured to the machine frame. Secondly, the sliding arm 47 is articulated on the quarter sphere 37 so as to make it perform a quarter turn upwards when the first electromagnet 45 is activated. Thus, in a terminal position, the two quarter spheres are positioned side by side in their upper parts to form another half-sphere, the open space present under these quarter spheres defining an extraction opening making it possible to evacuate the substance of the container.

The control unit is designed to coat the substance contained in the container. Consequently, the two quarter spheres 37 are provided on their internal surfaces with orifices 50 to diffuse a coating product. These orifices 50 are supplied by pipes 51 pierced in the quarter-sphere 37, these pipes being connected by pipes to a coating product supply system compiling a possibly removable tank. By moving the quarter-spheres towards the upper position, that is to say towards the terminal position, the machine proceeds progressively to deposit the coating product all around the substance formed into a ball. The internal surfaces of the quarter balls 37 are covered with a non-stick layer, so that the coated substance does not remain stuck to this container by the coating material.

By moving the two quarters of a sphere 37 in the end position, the unit progressively releases the lower part of the coated ball which is under the effect of cooling air jets coming from conduits 79, thus solidifying the coating. The ball remains maintained for the time necessary before a support 80 appearing under the two quarters of sphere 37 does not retract. On the support 80, a stop 93 appears between the two quarters of a sphere 37 so that the ball does not descend when these two moving parts are raised. To do this, the end of this stop 93 is flush with the internal surface of these moving parts in the initial position. This support 80 is activated by a second electromagnet 81 to allow the ball to descend gradually, the time to ensure the solidification of the upper part of the coating. The quarter of sphere return to their initial position when the first electromagnet 45 is deactivated. The support 80 also returns to its original position by recalling a second spring 83.

It is specified that the invention applies regardless of the shape of the container. However, the fact that this container consists of two movable parts has a certain advantage.

The present invention also provides for the marking of the beads as a function of the nature of the waste treated.

Many techniques are available to mark any object such as color or magnetism. Here, an organ is provided for making an imprint on the ball which identifies the nature of the waste it contains.

With reference to FIG. 5, one to six fingerprints are made on the balls using marking bars 77 positioned in a quarter of a sphere 37 and actuated by cams under pressure. These marking bars 77 are movable between a position where they are flush with the internal surface of the container and a position where they project from this surface.

With reference to FIG. 6, the balls and possibly the liquids are conveyed from the extraction opening by an inclined pipe to an airlock connected directly to a waste water pipe. Indeed, it is not desirable to be connected upstream of a siphon disposed at the outlet of a sink, a washbasin or a bathtub because the balls could be blocked in this siphon.

This airlock 84 includes two valves, an inlet valve 85 and an outlet valve 86 forming a water reserve 87 which prevents the rise of odors from the whole sewer. The water reserve 87 is provided with a compressed air inlet 94. The inlet valve 85 is provided with a third return spring 91 and the outlet valve 86 is provided with a fourth return spring 92 When the coating of the ball is solidified, the ball is ejected downwards by the pressure of the cooling conduits 79. The balls are discharged to a waste water pipe 301. Otherwise, when the pipe is too small in diameter, only the liquids are discharged and the balls are stored in a receiving tank.

The machine is also provided with a control block (not shown). Essentially, this control unit includes a dashboard equipped with an on / off button, a program selection indicator light. shredding, indicator lights and a programmer. The programmer takes into account the type of waste to control the shredding cycle, the compaction cycle, the bead production cycle, the coating cycle, the evacuation cycle, the cleaning cycle and the marking of the logs. The indications (call to reserve, reserve exhausted) of a coating product indicator, the indications (call to reserve, reserve exhausted) of a cleaning product indicator and malfunction alerts (rotor lock, departure of fire, ...) communicated by other sensors are also taken into account by the programmer. Chips are used to detect the different types of waste introduced into the device and can automatically modify the programs running.

With reference to FIG. 7, the machine includes a loading door making it possible to introduce household waste without dirty handling. This rectangular loading door is equipped with an opening stop 1 at 30 °, an anti-odor seal 2 and sensors 3 which mechanically detect the nature of the waste which appears in the form of a pointer on the bin. Information relating to the nature of this waste is transmitted to the control unit and it controls the marking unit. The door is also provided with a secure opening opening handle 4. If the sensors 3 do not record any information on the type of waste to be treated, the machine selects the “all comers” type. The door is locked when the machine starts.

The household waste bin 157 is provided with a positioning edge 158 at the loading door of the appliance, a pointer 159 making it possible to indicate to the appliance the type of waste to be treated, a marking of the type of waste 160 encrusted on the lid of each bin, an odor-proof lid 161 and a carrying handle 162. The waste is placed in appropriate bin bags 163.

In the event that there are no sensors or chips identifying the nature of the waste, the machine comprises on its front face a selection member with manual actuation. This selection unit transmits information relating to the nature of this waste to the control unit and controls the marking unit.

The machine is also equipped with an automatic high pressure cleaning system which is not shown in the figures, if not injectors in Figure 2. This system includes a supply sub-system of cleaning product, a storage subsystem for this product, a device for mixing water, air and cleaning product and a spraying subsystem.

The cleaning product supply subsystem can receive a removable cleaning product box.

The water, air and cleaning product mixer is supplied by a water supply, by pressurized air from a compressor and by cleaning product from the supply of product. The mixer supplies the spraying subsystem composed of several cleaning injectors 19 placed in the front part of the interior of the device.

The spraying subsystem projects, using the injectors 19 placed facing the opening of the drum, the mixture under pressure of water, air and cleaning liquid making it possible to disinfect all the organs of the machine in contact with household waste.

The embodiment of the invention presented above was chosen for its practicality. However, it would not be possible to exhaustively list all the embodiments covered by this invention.

In particular, any means described may be replaced by equivalent means without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1) Packaging machine provided with a container itself comprising a supply opening for receiving a substance, this container comprising an orifice 50 at least provided for coating this substance, characterized in that said container is formed of two moving parts 37.

2) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said container has an extraction opening for discharging said coated substance.

3) Machine according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the internal surface of said movable parts 37 defines a closed volume when these two parts move between an initial position and a terminal position.

4) Machine according to claim 3 characterized in that, in said initial position, the two movable parts 37 come to bear on a stop 93. 5) Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the end of this stop 93 is flush the internal surface of said moving parts in said initial position.

6) Machine according to claim 5 characterized in that, in said end position, the two movable parts 37 come into contact with one another.

7) Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said supply opening is determined by the free space between said movable parts 37 in said initial position.

8) Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said extraction opening is determined by the free space between said movable parts 37 in said end position.

9) Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said closed volume is substantially spherical.

10) Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the internal surface of said movable parts is at most equal to a quarter of the same sphere.

11) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal surface of said container comprises a non-stick coating.

12) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a marking member 77 of said coated substance. 13) Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that said marking member comprises at least one marking bar 77 movable between a position where it is flush with the internal surface of said container and a position where it projects from this surface. 14) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said container is surmounted by a sleeve 34 provided with nozzles 39 provided for compacting said substance.

15) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle communicating with said extraction opening, this receptacle being provided with ducts 79 for the ventilation of said coated substance.

16) Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a movable support 80 disposed between said container and said receptacle.

17) Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a tube of which a first end communicates with said receptacle, this tube having a negative slope.

18) Machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the second end of this tube communicates with an airlock 84.

19) Machine according to claim 18, characterized in that this airlock 84 is sealed. 20) Machine according to claim 18, characterized in that said airlock

84 is provided with a pressure inlet 94.

21) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a crusher whose outlet communicates with said supply opening. 22) Machine according to claim 21, characterized in that said grinder comprises a horizontal rotor 5 provided with at least one shredding member 6 itself provided with a shredding pad 17.

23) Machine according to claim 22, characterized in that said grinder comprises a static grid 10 inscribed in a cylinder of the same axis as that of said rotor 5 and of internal radius almost identical to that of said shredding range 17.

24) Machine according to claim 23, characterized in that said grid 10 has cutting edges 18.

25) Machine according to claim 23, characterized in that said grinder comprises a return means 21, 22 of said grid 10 in the direction of said rotor 5. 26) Machine according to claim 22, characterized in that said shredding area 17 is preceded by an inclined grinding wedge 14.

27) Machine according to claim 26, characterized in that said grinding wedge 14 is provided with lugs 15. 28) Machine according to claim 26, characterized in that said grinding wedge 14 is preceded by a drive edge 11 provided with a stop 13 set back relative to this grinding wedge.

29) Machine according to claim 23, characterized in that said crusher comprises a drum 9 movable in rotation about the same axis as that of said rotor 5, said grid 10 being disposed inside this drum.

30) Machine according to claim 29, characterized in that the space between said grid 10 and said drum 9 communicates with said supply opening.

31) Machine according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises a marking member 77.

32) Machine according to claim 31, characterized in that said grinder being designed to receive a container identifying the nature of said substance by means of markers, it comprises means for activating said marking member 77 in response to detection 3 of these landmarks. 33) Machine according to claim 32, characterized in that it comprises a control member for controlling said mill according to said marks.

34) Machine according to claim 12 characterized in that, comprising a selection member for identifying the nature of said substance, it comprises means for activating said marking member 77 by means of this selection member.

35) Machine according to claim 34, characterized in that it comprises a control member for controlling said grinder in response to said selection member. 36) Method for coating a substance by means of the machine according to any one of the preceding claims.

37) Method according to claim 36, characterized in that said substance is composed of waste.