WO2004000694A1

WO2004000694A1 - Waste collection device

Info

Publication number: WO2004000694A1
Application number: PCT/FR2003/001777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Jacques Jurus
Original assignee: Aa Management
Priority date: 2002-06-19
Filing date: 2003-06-13
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Also published as: FR2841229A1; EP1513745B1; ATE316050T1; US20060010837A1; AU2003260584A1; DE60303310D1; FR2841229B1; JP2005534586A; CN1668517A; EP1513745A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a waste collection device comprising a container (1) wherein is arranged a plastic refuse bag (2) characterized in that it comprises: means for driving (61, 62) an envelope (21)designed to form a plastic bag (2), comprised in a compartment (4) located in the upper part of said container (1), and said driving means (61, 62) emptying said bag from said storage compartment (4) to the bottom (11) of said container (1); and means for sealing and cutting (101, 102), preferably heat-sealing and heat-cutting, said envelope exiting from said compartment (4), then closing and separating from the remainder of said envelope, one said bag (2) once the latter is filled with refuse (20). The waste collection device of the invention can also include means (141, 142) for compacting the waste-containing bag and means for closing and opening (184) a central orifice through which refuse is introduced by the upper part of said collection device.

Description

WASTE COLLECTION DEVICE

The present invention relates to a waste collection device comprising a container in which a plastic garbage bag is placed.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for collecting or conditioning waste aiming to facilitate and simplify the operations for collecting and conditioning waste in both household and professional use, and more particularly to improve comfort and hygiene. of this use.

The present invention relates more precisely to a waste collection device comprising a container in which a plastic garbage bag is placed comprising:

- a storage compartment for a sheath or sock-shaped envelope intended to constitute a bag made of plastic film, said envelope being contained in a storage compartment, preferably in folded form, said compartment being located in the upper part of said container, preferably inside thereof, and

drive means being capable of ensuring the unwinding of said envelope from said storage compartment inside, preferably to the bottom, of said container to form a said bag, and

sealing and cutting means, preferably by heat sealing and thermocoupage, of said envelope making it possible to produce a said bag from said envelope leaving said compartment, then to close and separate from the rest of said envelope, said bag once the latter fills with waste,

- Said storage compartment being arranged so as to define an upper central orifice of said container through which waste can be introduced into said bag. In US 6 065 272, there is described a waste collection device of this type in which the drive means are rotating rollers arranged one against the other in the region of the center of the container permanently. Indeed, said rollers come to bear permanently against the plastic sheath unwound from the upper storage compartment. When a waste is dropped directly above the container, said rollers move away from one another when the waste passes, but continue to exert pressure against the sheath and the waste so as to concomitantly entrain the sheath and the waste. The constant pressure of the rollers on the sheath allows permanent containment of the container. However, the entrainment of the waste inside the container is inseparable from the unwinding of the sheath out of its storage compartment.

In fact, the device described in US 6065272 is more particularly intended for packaging waste in a unitary manner after having driven and crushed them individually, while unwinding the length of an envelope necessary and sufficient to constitute a unitary packaging.

This device cannot be used in applications which do not authorize the crushing or destructuring of the waste being collected in the container, in particular when the waste is smelly when in mechanical contact with said waste when it is collected, may cause increase in nuisance and constitute a significant drawback.

The device according to the invention therefore allows the distribution of a plastic film inside said container, the production in the form of a bag and the positioning at the bottom of said container, and automatically without manual intervention by an operator. The plastic film in the form of a sock, packaged in said container, allows the production of bags, the bottoms and the top of which can be closed using a sealing device of the type creating a weld, in particular by heat sealing or any other method of sealing or cutting with the same function. The object of the present invention is also to provide a device for collecting and conditioning waste which avoids any contact of said waste with parts of said device other than said plastic trash bag. Another object is to avoid as much as possible any possible propagation of odors, or even other possible emanations, coming from the interior of a said bag partially filled with waste with the exterior.

Another objective of the present invention is to be able to make the collection and packaging of waste as profitable as possible by allowing optimum filling of said bags.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collection and packaging device which excludes any manual manipulation of the bags and implies maximum automated operation.

To do this, the present invention provides a device for collecting waste comprising a container in which a plastic garbage bag of the type described above is placed, characterized in that

- It further comprises means for closing and opening said central opening in the upper part of said container through which waste can be introduced into said bag, the opening of said central opening being triggered when an object such as waste is detected above said central orifice, and said central orifice being kept closed between the introduction of two wastes, said means for closing and opening said central orifice being located above said driving means, and - said means are suitable for:

• adopt a release position in which they delimit an opening of the upper edge of the bag allowing the introduction of waste without contact with the open upper edge of said envelope, and • move so as to wedge said plastic film envelope leaving said compartment in the region of the center of said container to allow the entrainment of said bag, if necessary its descent to the bottom of said container.

More particularly, said drive means consist of first 'rollers located in said container below said storage compartment, which said storage compartment disposed against the inner periphery of said container so as to define an upper central orifice of said container through which can introduce said waste into a said bag, and said first rollers are capable of moving from two opposite edges of said container until it comes to wedge said plastic film envelope leaving said compartment in the region of the center of said container, and allow the entrainment of said bag and its descent to the bottom of said container by rotation of said first rollers.

More particularly still, said first rollers are arranged in parallel and, horizontally face to face, against or near two opposite edges of said container and are capable of being mechanically moved in horizontal translation in a direction perpendicular to their horizontal axes from a release position. allowing the introduction of waste into said bag through said open central hole without contact with the upper edge of said bag, to a close position towards the center of said container in which they come to wedge said envelope and allow the entrainment and, the if necessary, its closure.

The opening of the envelope, according to the present invention, is maximum during the introduction of the waste into the bag and the waste does not encounter any obstacle during their introduction into the bag. In addition, the waste is not subjected to any contact pressure before optional subsequent compaction can not occur before sealing the upper opening of the bag once it is filled with waste as explained below. More particularly, said sealing and cutting means, preferably by heat sealing and thermal cutting, make it possible to carry out the following steps comprising:

a) closing the open border of said sock-like envelope leaving its said storage compartment to produce the bottom of a said bag before it descends to the bottom of said container, and

b) the closure of a bag completely or partially filled with waste, in particular when the bag is placed at the bottom of the container, and

c) preferably, the separation of a said bag after it has been closed by sealing by cutting said plastic film envelope above the zone corresponding to the closing by sealing of the upper edge of said filled bag, and

d) preferably carrying out a partial piercing of the upper edge of a said bag above said closing zone, in particular the closing line, so as to constitute a handle of the filled bag to be evacuated, and

e) the heat-sealed closure of the lower end of the edge of the envelope leaving said compartment above the zone corresponding to said separation cut-off mentioned in step c), in particular the cut-off line, or the if necessary above said handle mentioned in step d).

Advantageously, said drive means and said sealing and cutting means are located in the upper part of said container and are able to cooperate so as to be able to seal said plastic film in order to close a bottom of a said bag according to said steps a) and e), before the descent of said bag at the bottom of said container, and if necessary after or concomitantly with said closing of the upper edge of a said bag filled according to step b), and the case if necessary after said cuts in steps c) and d). In a preferred embodiment, said heat-sealing and thermo-cutting means are capable of carrying out said steps a) to e) concomitantly, and preferably comprise two heat-sealing plates arranged face to face in parallel and able to move from two opposite edges of said container to 'to come in the region of the center of said container by wedging said plastic film envelope between the two said heat sealing and thermocoupage plates.

More particularly, said heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates are arranged below said first drive rollers respectively, and are able to cooperate with the latter so that when the two said first drive rollers are actuated in rotation so as to allow placing said bag at the bottom of said container, said heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates are in the spaced-apart position to allow passage and allow said bag to descend between them.

More particularly, said heat-sealing and heat-sealing plates are arranged respectively below said first drive rolls and integral with the latter, said first rollers being mounted in a flexible manner so that when they are in the wedging position of a said envelope of film, it is still possible to bring said heat-sealing and heat-sealing plates one against the other in the center of said container to produce said heat-sealing and said heat-sealing of said envelope wedged between the two said plates.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the device comprises compacting means capable of applying pressure to the film constituting the bag once the latter is partially or completely filled with waste from outside the bag.

These compacting means come into action after introduction of the waste into the bag and just before sealing the opening of the bag and are therefore dissociated or independent from the drive means of the envelope. The compacting device makes it possible to reduce the volume of waste inside the bag and therefore to reduce the consumption of the bag and to increase the time of use of a bag and therefore to reduce the number of bag changes. These compacting means are optional, similarly they can be actuated manually but preferably they are triggered automatically.

More particularly, said compacting means comprise pivoting compacting bars situated below said heat-sealing and thermocoupage means and able to pivot from a rest position in which said bars are respectively disposed against opposite edges of said container, up to an inclined position obtained by pivoting about an axis of rotation situated at their lower end which is fixed integrally against said opposite edges respectively of said container, until the upper end of said bars arrive in the region of the center of said container.

Preferably, the activation of said compacting means is automatically controlled using a sensor or a photoelectric cell as soon as a said bag is more than half full and preferably, after each new introduction of waste in said bag, then, when said bag is completely filled, said compacting means being maintained in the compacting position until said heat-sealing and or so-called thermal cut-off for closing said full bag and if necessary its separation is completed.

Advantageously, said compacting arms comprise flexible or semi-rigid bands stretched in rigid frames so that when said compacting bands meets said bag fills with said incompressible waste, said compacting bands are deformed thereby preventing tearing of said plastic bag, and said pivoting of said compacting bands is interrupted when it encounters a resistance corresponding to a predetermined compacting pressure. According to another advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the device comprises means for closing and opening a central orifice in the upper part of said container through which waste is introduced into said bag, said means for closing and opening being automatically controlled to using a sensor or a photocell so as to keep said container closed between the introduction of two wastes and so as to cause the opening of said central orifice when an object such as waste is presented to the above the location corresponding to said central orifice.

Advantageously also, said closing and opening means comprise a moving strip wound between two second rollers disposed against two opposite edges of said container above said storage compartment, and the running of said strip being obtained by rotation of said second rollers, and said strip running comprising a notch substantially in the shape of said central orifice so that when said notch coincides with said central orifice is in the open position allowing the introduction of said waste, and when a solid part of said strip completely covers said upper central orifice , said container is in the closed position ensuring the confinement of said waste inside said container.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the present invention, said bag is placed at the bottom of said container inside a box, said box being integral with a lower part at least of one of the edges of said container and said box. resting on sliding means making it possible to evacuate a said bag by pulling said lower part of the edge of the container secured to said box.

According to another advantageous characteristic according to the invention, the device according to the invention is characterized in that it is equipped with electronic means making it possible to control and synchronize the various following steps, as a function of the information received from said sensors or photoelectric cells: The present invention also relates to a method of collecting waste with a device according to the invention.

More particularly the method of collecting waste according to the invention performs the following successive steps: 1. sealing and cutting said envelope to form the bottom of a said bag using said sealing and cutting means (10 _t , 10 ₂ ),

2. said bag is entrained inside said container, preferably at the bottom of said container, using said drive means (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ), and

3. positioning said drive means (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) in the release position in which it defines an opening in the upper edge of the bag allowing the introduction of waste, and

4. opening of said central opening (1 ₂ ) is carried out using said closing and opening means (17, 18 _ls 18 ₅ ) when a waste is detected above said central opening (1 ₂ ) , and 5. introducing said waste through said central orifice (1 ₂ ) open, said waste being collected at the bottom of a said bag, and

6. the central opening (1 ₂ ) is closed using said closing and opening means (17, 18 _{l 3} 18 ₅ ) of said central opening (1 ₂ ) immediately after the introduction of said waste through said opening central (1 ₂ ) open from step 2, and

7. said compaction of said bag is carried out, where appropriate, with said compaction means (14 _ls 14 ₂ ).

8. the upper edge of said bag is sealed and cut once filled with waste using said sealing and cutting means (10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ ), and

9. if necessary, said full bag is removed from said container.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the light of the detailed description which follows, given with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 in which: FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a waste collection device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents a view in median section of a collection device according to the invention comprising a bag put in place and half filled with waste, the compacting arms being in the released position at rest,

FIG. 3 represents a view in median section of a collection device according to the invention, the bag being filled to two thirds and the compacting arms being put into compacting action,

- Figure 4 shows a median sectional view of a collection device according to the invention whose bag is full, with the compacting arms in the compacting position and the heat-sealing plates in the heat-sealing position.

FIGS. 5 and 6 each represent the two heat-sealing and thermo-cutting plates,

- Figure 7 shows the lower part of the device during the evacuation of a full bag, and the upper part of the device with its raised cover.

- Figure 8 shows a view of the means for opening / closing the central orifice in the upper part of said container through which waste is introduced.

The waste collection device comprises a container 1 in which a plastic trash bag 2 is placed, characterized in that it comprises:

- drive means (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) of an envelope (2 _X ) intended to constitute a plastic bag (2) contained in a compartment (4) located in the upper part of said container (1), and said drive means (6 ,, 6 ₂ ) ensuring the unwinding of said bag from said storage compartment (4) to the bottom (l _t ) of said container (1), and - sealing and cutting means (10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ ), preferably by heat sealing and thermocoupage, of said envelope leaving said compartment (4), then closing and separating from the rest of said envelope, a said bag (2 ) once the latter fills with waste (20).

The waste collection device according to the invention comprises means for compacting (14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ ) the bag containing waste and closing and opening means (17, 18 _x - 18 ₄ ) of a central orifice through which the waste is introduced through the upper part of the collection device.

More precisely, the waste collection device according to the present invention comprises a rigid rectangular container 1 in which a plastic envelope 2 is put in place intended to constitute a bag.

The plastic bag 2 comes to rest at the bottom of container 1 l _t in a lower crate 3 which ensures its maintenance and helps contain the waste 20 by ripping the bag 2 and finally allows the evacuation of the bag 2 as explained more far.

The container 1 comprises at its upper part a peripheral storage compartment 4 resting on a flat peripheral frame 5 forming a support, said storage compartment 4 serving to store a plastic film 2 in particular of polyethylene allowing the production of the bags 2. The film 2 _t is stored in the form of a sock folded back into said peripheral compartment 4, which comprises a peripheral slot (not shown) allowing it to be unwound and the output of said film in the form of a sock. It is understood that the peripheral compartment 4 defines a central orifice 1 ₂ in the upper part of the container 1 through which the waste 20 is introduced into the bag 2 when the latter has been put in place up to the bottom 1 - of the container 1.

The container 1 is equipped inside with means for placing the bag by unwinding the plastic film 2 out of its compartment 4, said means consist of two said first drive rollers 6 _ls 6 ₂ which are arranged and operate in the following manner.

Said first rollers 6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ are arranged face to face along two opposite edges 1 ₃ , 1 _{4 of} said container 1, that is to say parallel to one another. They can rotate on themselves around their longitudinal axis which therefore constitutes an axis of rotation. They are able to be moved in translation in a transverse direction, that is to say the direction perpendicular to their axis, that is to say also in the direction of the two other lateral edges of said container 1.

Said first bag drive rollers 6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ are mounted between two lateral support plates 7 _{l 5} 7 ₂ themselves mounted below said support frame 5. Said side plates 7 _{l 3} 7 ₂ are arranged against the two edges opposite 1 ₃ , 1 _{4 of} said container and are interconnected by transverse rods 8 ,, 8 ₂ and 16 _ls 16 ₂ arranged along the two other opposite edges 15, 16 of the container so as to leave said upper central opening clear 1 ₂ defined by said compartment 4. These guide rods are constituted by endless screws on which carriages can move. Two carriages 9 _{l 3} 9 ₂ move along each of the first guide rods 8 _{l 5} 8 ₂ and are each secured to the end of said first drive rollers 6 _l5 6 ₂ and thus allow the movement of said first rollers 6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ from the edges 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ of the container 1 towards the center of the latter so as to come and pinch the plastic film 2 constituting said bag. At least one β _{x of} said drive rollers is equipped with a first motor 6 ₃ fixed at one of its ends allowing it to rotate on itself. Said first motorized roller 6j drives the rolling of the second drive roller 6 ₂ by means of two toothed pulleys fixed on the axes and at the end of each of said drive rollers 6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ and thus constitutes a gear when the two rollers 6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ are in contact. The axes of the first rollers 6 _X , 6 ₂ are mounted on the two lateral guide rods 8 _{l 9} 8 ₂ at their ends and on the first carriages 9 _{l 3} 9 ₂ by means of return springs contained in part 6 ₄ which makes it possible to modulate the spacing of said first rollers 6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ against each other as a function of the thickness of the plastic film constituting the bag 2.

Said first rolls therefore make it possible to unwind the sheath constituting the envelope down to the bottom of the collector, but they can also, if they are rotated in the opposite direction, bring the sheath up to save it, if desired optimize the length of sheath used in relation to the waste it contains and therefore sealed just above this waste. When the first rollers are in the separated position, they define a large bag opening, of square section, facilitating the descent of the waste into the bag. The flexible mounting method of said drive rollers 6 _l5 6 ₂ also makes it possible to heat seal and thermo-cut the plastic film to seal the end edge of the film forming an envelope and thus form the bottom of the bag before putting it in place. place as explained below.

Indeed, the film 2 _t initially leaves its compartment 4 by forming a flexible open tubular envelope. Said container 1 is also equipped with heat-sealing and heat-sealing means 10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ which make it possible to seal the envelope to form the bottom of a bag before it unwinds to the bottom of the container 1. The heat-sealing means and thermocoupure 10 _{l 9} 10 ₂ therefore comprise two heat-sealing plates and thermocoupure 10,, 10 ₂ . These two heat sealing and thermocutting plates 10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ are mounted below said first drive rollers 6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ and are integral with these and said first carriages 9 _{l 5} 9 ₂ . Said heat-sealing and heat-sealing plates l O _j , 10 ₂ are therefore moved by the same carriages 9 _{l 3} 9 ₂ in the transverse direction from the opposite edges 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ of the container 1 as far as the center of the container by displacement along of two cross guide rods 8 _{l 5} 8 ₂ made up of endless screws. Said heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates 10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ are however slightly offset in withdrawal by about 1 cm with respect to said first drive rollers 6 _1; 6 ₂ so that when said first rolls drive 6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ are in contact with each other said heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates 10 _l3 10 ₂ leave a free space between them allowing bag 2 to unroll passing between said plates 10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ until reaching the bottom l _j of the container 1. As said first drive rollers 6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ are flexibly mounted on return springs 6 ₅ it is possible to bring said plates even closer 10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ one against the other to carry out the heat sealing and the heat cutting by continuing to move the carriages 9 _{l 3} 9 ₂ towards the centers which is made possible because the mounting of said drive rollers allows their lateral movement.

The heat-sealing and thermal-cutting of the plastic film 2 takes place in the following circumstances:

1 - a first time at the first use of the device, that is to say during the first installation of a bag. Before the envelope film is completely unwound to install it to the bottom of the container 1, the envelope is closed by heat sealing to form the bottom of the bag.

2 - then, when a bag is full, the heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates make it possible to:

at. heat seal the upper opening of the bag and thus close the bag,

b. thermocoupage separating the bag thus closed, from the film located above which was in continuity with the bag before it was closed,

vs. heat-seal the open envelope thus created to form the bottom of the next bag which will be put in place, ie lowered to the bottom l _j of the container 1, after evacuation of the previous full bag 2,

d. create a slit in the upper part of the border of the full bag located above the heat seal line. In fact the operations a) to d) mentioned above are carried out concomitantly taking into account the structure of the heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates 10 _t , 10 ₂ which will be explained below.

A first heat sealing and thermocoupage plate 10 _t comprises two longitudinal grooves along its lower and upper edges, grooves in which armored resistors \ \ _x and 11 ₂ are fixed which allow the seals of the bottom of the upper bag and of the upper border of the lower bag.

Below the upper resistance 11 _α, there is a first heating wire 12 _j fixed on said first heat-sealing plate 10 _t stretched between two fixing holes 13 _{l 5} 13 ₂ . This first heating film 12 _t comes to cooperate with the second heat-sealing plate 10 ₂ by being housed in a first slot 10 ₄ of said second heat-sealing and heat-sealing plate 10 ₂ when the two said heat-sealing and heat-sealing plates 10 _t and 10 ₂ are applied against each other in contact. The film is then cut and the two bags are separated by thermocoupage because the wire crosses the film 2 passing through the second said plate 10 ₂ while going to be housed in the first slot 10 ₄ when the two said plates \ 0 _X and 10 ₂ are brought into contact. A second heating wire 12 ₂ is placed under the first heating wire 12 _{1 5} extending over a shorter length than said first heating wire 12j. This second heating wire 12 ₂ cooperates with a second slot 10 ₅ of said second heat-sealing plate 10 ₂ . Said second slot 10 ₅ is therefore arranged opposite the second heating wire 12 ₂ and operates in the same way as the first heating wire 12 _t / first slot 10 ₄ assembly. Said second heating wire 12 ₂ cooperates with said second slot 10 ₅ to thermally cut a handle 2 _t in the upper edge of the full bag 2 which has just been closed concomitantly by heat sealing using said second lower resistance 11 ₂

Obviously without departing from the scope of the present invention, the sealing and cutting of the bags can be carried out by other methods than heat sealing and thermal cutting. The waste collection device according to the invention further comprises compacting means 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ and 15 _{l 5} 15 ₂ , 16 _{l 3} 16 ₂ , 16 ₃ , 16 ₄ of the bag 2 once it is filled partially or totally waste 20.

The compacting means comprise pivoting compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ mounted against the internal walls of the opposite edges 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ of the container 1. these compacting arms 14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ pivot around their axes of rotation 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ located at the lower ends of said compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ Said lower ends are fixedly placed against said opposite edges 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ respectively of said container 1, so that by pivoting their upper ends can tilt and approach the one of the other by pressing on the walls of the bag 2 outside of the latter in its lower part. This causes the waste 20 contained in the bag 2 to settle, avoiding any contact with said waste.

In the rest position, before being put into action, said compacting arms 14 ₁₃ 14 ₂ are arranged substantially vertically against the sides of the container 1 thus releasing the opening of the bags and therefore allowing the introduction of waste 20 into said bags.

The pivoting of said compacting arms 14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ takes place according to the following mechanism. The upper end of said compacting arms 14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ can be brought towards the center of the container 1 because they are connected by means of connecting arms 15 _{l 5} 15 ₂ in the form of deformable parallelograms to second transverse guide rods 16 _{l 3} 16 ₂ arranged transversely and ensuring the junction between said lateral support plates 7 _{l 3} 7 ₂ . It is understood that these said second transverse rods 16 _{l 3} 16 ₂ are located below said first transverse rods 8 _1; 8 ₂ and below said heat-sealing and heat-sealing plates 10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ . Said second transverse rods 16 ₁₃ 16 ₂ are constituted by endless screws supporting a second motor 16 ₃ allowing the movement of two carriages 16 ₄ , 16 ₅ , each secured to one end of said link arms 15 _{l 3} 15 ₂ on each of the transverse rods 16 _{l 3} 16 ₂ . The pivoting of said compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ occurs when said second carriages 16 ₄₃ 16 ₅ and therefore said connecting arms 15 _{l 3} 15 ₂ are moved towards the center of the container. The fixed lower end 14 ₃ , 14 _{4 of} said compacting arms 14 _{1 3} 14 ₂ is situated approximately at the level of half the height of the bag 2.

When the bag 2 is two-thirds full, a first compaction is carried out (FIG. 3). Then, if desired, a new compaction is carried out after each introduction of new waste inside the trash bag 2. Finally when the trash bag 2 is considered to be full, final compaction is carried out (FIG. 4). During the final compaction, the compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ remain inclined in the compaction position to allow heat sealing of the bag closure and thermocoupage for its separation. And said compacting arms return to the substantially vertical rest position against said opposite sides ₃ , 1 ₄ of the container 1 when the heat sealing and heat cutting are completed.

To prevent tearing of the bag during compaction, compactors pivot arm are in fact made of a rigid frame, said frame supporting a flexible belt or semirigid not shown stretched inside said frame May _14. This embodiment makes it possible to exert pressure during compaction by means of said flexible, or semi-rigid strip, which causes deformation of the strip when pressure is exerted, thus avoiding tearing of the bag 2 in in the presence of incompressible waste 20. In addition, the motor 16 ₃ actuating the pivoting of the compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ is equipped with a device allowing its disengagement when the pressure exceeds a certain given threshold, said pressure threshold is adjustable according to the nature of the waste to be collected.

The pivoting of the compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ can obviously be ensured by a different mechanism than the systems of the connecting arms 15 _{l 5} 15 ₂ guided by said second transverse rods constituted by worms 16 _l3 16 ₂ The waste collection device according to the invention is also equipped in its upper part with a sensor, not shown, in particular an ultrasonic sensor making it possible to check the filling level of the garbage bag by a known principle of distance measurement. for example. Thus when the distance between the waste 20 and the sensor has a value which corresponds to a two-thirds filling of the bag, said compacting arms 14 _α and 14 ₂ are automatically put into action. Similarly, after each introduction of a waste 20 which causes a change in height of the top of the waste, a new compacting is automatically controlled if desired. Finally, when the sensor measures the complete filling of the trash bag 2, the compacting arms 14 _ls 14 ₂ are maintained in the inclined compacting position and the heat-sealing and thermocutting plates 10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ are put into action by automatic displacement of the latter. until coming into contact with each other as mentioned above.

Note, however, that it is possible that the activation of the compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ may be optional. Thus in certain hospital uses it is forbidden to compact the waste. In this case, in the collection device according to the invention, it will be sufficient to close the bag by heat sealing when the latter is full, but without carrying out compaction.

After heat-sealing and closing a full bag, the unwinding and placing of a new bag 2 thus created is also triggered automatically after evacuation of the full bag outside the container 1 as described below.

The evacuation 3 ₂ of a full trash bag 2 is done as follows. The lower case 3 is slidably mounted on support rails, so that it can be taken out of the container 1 in the manner of a front drawer 3 _l .

In the event that the bag is evacuated before it is completely filled, the opening of the 3 _t drawer automatically controls the disconnection of the motors for actuating the various elements of the collection device according to the invention such as the compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ . This evacuation 3 ₂ is done manually, but can also be motorized and controlled automatically.

For hygienic purposes, and according to another advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the waste collection device is equipped at its upper part with a device that automatically manages the opening and closing of the upper part of the container 1 c In other words, access to the opening of the bag 2 placed in the container 1. Between two introductions of waste 20 into the collection device according to the present invention, the upper part of the container is closed, thus confining the waste in the container even if the bag 2 is not yet full and is therefore still open.

A device for closing / opening the upper part of the container 1 is constituted by a moving strip 17 which passes between two second rollers 18 _t and 18 ₂ disposed respectively against two opposite edges of the container 1 and above said storage compartment 4 of the folded film 2 _t . The moving strip 17 has a notch forming an opening of the same shape as the central opening 1 ₂ defined by the peripheral compartment 4 and said peripheral support frame 5 on which it rests. When by scrolling of the moving strip 17 between said second rollers 18,, 18 ₂ , said opening of said moving strip 17 coincides with said central opening 1 ₂ of the upper part of container 1, said container 1 is therefore opened and can introduce waste 20 into the bag 2. When by scrolling the moving strip 17, it is a solid part of the strip 17 which covers said central opening of the container 1, said container is then closed and it is no longer possible to introduce waste 20 in bag 2.

A third motor 18 ₄ drives the rotation of said second roller 18 _j which also then drives the rotation of said second roller 18 ₂ by means of a transverse connecting belt 18 ₅ connecting the axes of said second rollers 18 _t and 18 ₂ via pulleys of ends 18 ₃ . The activation of said motor 11 ₁ actuating the rotation of the rollers 18 _{l 5} 18 ₂ and therefore the movement of the strip 17 until the opening of the container 1 is triggered by a sensor or a photoelectric cell (not shown) which detects the presence either of the waste 20 which is brought opposite the top of the container 1, or of any other object such as the hand of an operator also presented opposite the top of the closed opening of the container 1. Then, the closing of the container 1 also starts automatically after a few seconds of opening.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is possible to provide an upper opening / closing system 17 of the different container 1 with in particular a tilting closed cover. However, the system proposed according to the invention with horizontal circulation has the advantage of minimizing the movement of air and therefore the exchange of air between the outside and the inside of the bag filled with waste. In hospital use, this horizontal opening system avoids possible contamination problems.

Said second rollers 18 _ls 18 ₂ which allow the scrolling of said scrolling strip allowing the upper opening / closing of the container 1 are housed in a hollow peripheral cover 19 situated above said peripheral compartment 4 and allowing access to it to fill it of a new folded film 2 _t when this one is exhausted. Said hollow cover 19 mounted on a hinge 19 _t on one of its sides so that it can be lifted 19 ₂ by tilting.

An important advantage of the invention is that all the means used, whether they are the means for unwinding the bag, the heat-sealing means and the compacting means, always act from the outside on the envelope of the plastic film constituting the wall of the bags 2 and therefore without contact with said waste 20; which is also a guarantee of hygiene. Thus waste always falls directly into the bag without any contact with the different means used. The collection device according to the invention comprises an electronic card (22) ensuring the control of the various motors making it possible to actuate the rotation of said first rollers 6 _1; 6 ₂ , second roller 18 _{l 5} 18 ₂ or the movement of said first rollers 6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ and said heat-sealing plates 10 _ls 10 ₂ and / or the pivoting of said compacting arms 14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ , depending on the information received from said sensors.

Furthermore, the electronic card also manages the disconnection of the various heat-sealing means, and of the compacting means, and the like during the evacuation 3 _{2, whether} anticipated or not, of a bag outside said container 1.

The electronic card therefore manages both the security and the functions of use of the waste collection device according to the invention.

It will be noted that the sensor for controlling the opening of the container 1 also makes it possible to verify the non-obstruction of said opening by improperly introduced waste.

Finally, it will be noted that the device can be programmed so as to produce unit envelopes waste by waste, as necessary, that is to say without waiting for the complete filling of the bag for its closure by heat-sealing and evacuation. But more generally, a global collection is carried out with the evacuation of full bags.

A device for collecting and conditioning waste as mentioned can be used advantageously, as an integrated or non-integrated trash can in a kitchen or bathroom, for household use or even for use in a community, notably a hospital or in the restoration. Finally, a collection and packaging device according to the invention can be adapted so as to contain several containers side by side or several bags 2 side by side in the same container 1 so as to be able to carry out a selective sorting of waste.

Claims

1. Waste collection device comprising a container 1 in which a plastic garbage bag (2) is placed comprising:

- a storage compartment (4) of an envelope (2 _t ) in the form of a sheath or sock intended to constitute a bag (2) produced in a plastic film, said envelope (2 being contained in a storage compartment (4) , preferably in folded form, said compartment (4) being located in the upper part of said container (1), preferably inside thereof, and - drive means (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) being capable of ensuring the unwinding of said envelope from said storage compartment (4) inside, preferably to the bottom (lj), of said container (1) to form a said bag, and

- sealing and cutting means (10 _l3 10 ₂ ), preferably by heat sealing and thermo-cutting, of said envelope (2 _t ) making it possible to produce a said bag (2) from said envelope leaving said compartment (4), then to close and separate from the rest of said envelope, a said bag (2) once the latter is filled with waste (20),

- said storage compartment (4) being arranged so as to define an upper central orifice (1 ₂ ) of said container (1) through which waste (20) can be introduced into said bag (2), characterized in that:

- It further comprises means for closing and opening (17, 18 _{l 5} 18 ₂ ) of said central orifice (1 ₂ ) in the upper part of said container (1) through which waste (20) can be introduced into said bag (2), the opening of said central opening (1 ₂ ) being triggered when an object such as a waste is detected above said central opening, and said central opening (1 ₂ ) being kept closed between insertion two pieces of waste (20), said closing and opening means (17, 18 ₁₃ 18 ₂ ) of said central orifice being located above said driving means (6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ ), and - said drive means (6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ ) are suitable for:

• adopt a release position in which they delimit an opening of the upper edge of the bag allowing the introduction of waste without contact with the open upper edge of said envelope, and

• move so as to wedge said plastic film envelope leaving said compartment in the region of the center of said container to allow the entrainment of said bag, if necessary its descent to the bottom of said container.

2. Device according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said drive means (6 _l3 6 ₂ ) consist of first rollers (6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ ) located in said container below said storage compartment (4), which said storage compartment (4) is disposed against the inner periphery of said container (1) so as to define an upper central orifice (1 ₂ ) of said container (1) through which said waste (20) can be introduced into a said bag (2), and said first rollers (6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ ) are able to move from two opposite edges (1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) of said container (1) until they jam said envelope of plastic film (2 _t ) leaving said compartment (4) in the region of the center of said container (1), and allowing the entrainment of said bag and its descent to the bottom (l _t ) of said container (1) by rotation of said first rollers (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) .

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first rollers (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) are arranged parallel and, horizontally face to face, against or near two opposite edges (1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) of said container ( 1) and are capable of being mechanically moved in horizontal translation in a direction perpendicular to their horizontal axes from a release position allowing the introduction of waste into said bag through said central orifice (1) open without contact with the upper edge of said bag, to a close position towards the center of said container in which they jam said envelope and allow the drive and, if necessary, its closure.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said sealing and cutting means (10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ ) allow the following steps to be carried out comprising:

- A) closing the open edge of said envelope (2 _X ) in the form of a sock leaving its said storage compartment (4) to make the bottom of a said bag (2) before its descent to the bottom (l _α ) of said container (1), and

- b) the closure of a bag (2) completely or partially filled with waste (20), and - c) preferably, the separation of a said bag (2) after its said closure by sealing, by making a cut said plastic film envelope above the zone corresponding to the sealing closure of the upper edge of said filled bag, and

d) preferably carrying out a partial piercing of the upper edge of a said bag (2) above said closing zone so as to constitute a handle (2 _t ) of the filled bag to be evacuated, and

- e) heat-sealing the lower end of the edge of the envelope leaving said compartment (4) above the zone corresponding to said separation cut-off mentioned in step c), or if necessary - above said handle (2 _t ) mentioned in step d).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said drive means (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) and said sealing and cutting means (10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ ) are located in the upper part of said container (1) and are able to cooperate so as to be able to seal said plastic film in order to close a bottom of a said bag (2) according to said steps a) and e), before the descent of said bag (2) at the bottom ( l _t ) of said container (1), and if necessary after or concomitantly with said closing of the upper edge of a said bag filled according to step b), and if necessary after said cuts in steps c) and d) .

6. Device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said heat-sealing and thermo-cutting means (10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ ) are capable of perform said steps a) to e) concomitantly, and preferably comprise two heat-sealing plates (10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ ) arranged face to face in parallel and able to move from two opposite edges (1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) of said container (1 ) until it comes to the region of the center of said container by wedging said plastic film envelope (2 _t ) between the two said heat-sealing and heat-sealing plates (10 _ls 10 ₂ ).

7. Device according to claims 5 and 6 characterized in that said heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates (10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ ) are arranged below said first drive rollers (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) respectively, and are able to cooperate with these so that when the two said first drive rollers (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) are rotated so as to allow the establishment of said bag at the bottom (l _t ) of said container (1), said heat sealing plates and thermocoupage (10 _{1 5} 10 ₂ ) are in the separated position to leave a passage and allow the descent of said bag (2) therebetween.

8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that said heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates (10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ ) are arranged respectively below said first drive rollers (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) and integral with the latter, said first rollers (6 _{l 5} 6 ₂ ) being mounted in a flexible manner so that when they are in the jamming position of a said envelope, it is still possible to bring said heat-sealing and thermocoupage plates (10 _t , 10 ₂ ) l 'one against the other in the center of said container (1) to make said heat seal and said heat seal of said envelope (2 _t ) wedged between the two said plates (10 _l5 10 ₂ ).

9. Device according to claims 1 to 8 characterized in that it comprises compacting means (14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ ) capable of applying pressure to the film constituting the bag (2) once the latter is partially or fully filled waste (20) from outside the bag.

10. Device according to claim 9 characterized in that said compacting means comprise pivoting compacting bars (14 _l5 14 ₂ ) located below said heat sealing and thermocoupage means (10 _l3 10 ₂ ) and able to pivot from a rest position in which said bars (14 _t , 14 ₂ ) are respectively disposed against opposite edges (1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) of said container (1), to an inclined position obtained by pivoting about an axis of rotation (14 ₃ , 14 ₄ ) located at their lower end which is fixed integrally against said opposite edges (1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) respectively of said container (1), until the upper end of said bars (14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ ) arrive in the region of the center of said container (1).

11. Device according to one of claims 9 or 10 characterized in that the activation of said compacting means (14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ ) is automatically controlled using a sensor or a photoelectric cell, from that a said bag (2) is more than half filled and, preferably, after each new introduction of waste (20) into said bag (2), then when said bag (2) is completely filled, said means for compacting (14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ ) being maintained in the compacting position until said heat sealing and or said thermocoupure for closing said full bag and if necessary its separation is completed.

12. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9 characterized in that said compacting arms (14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ ) comprise flexible or semi-rigid bands stretched in (14 ₅ ) rigid frames so that, when said compaction bands (14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ ) meet said bag (2) fills with said incompressible waste (20), said compaction bands are deformed thereby preventing tearing of said plastic bag, and said pivoting of said compaction bands is interrupted when it encounters a resistance corresponding to a predetermined compaction pressure.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12 characterized in that it comprises closing and opening means (17, 18 _{l 5} 18 ₅ ) a central orifice (1 ₂ ) in the upper part of said container (1) by which waste (20) is introduced into said bag (2), said closing and opening means (17) being controlled automatically using a sensor or a photocell so as to keep said container (1) closed between the introduction of two waste products (20) and so as to cause the opening of said central orifice (1 ₂ ) when an object such a waste (20) is presented above the location corresponding to said central orifice (1 ₂ ).

14. Device according to claim 13 characterized in that said closing and opening means (17) comprise a moving strip wound between two second rollers (18 _1} 18 ₂ ) respectively disposed against two opposite edges (1 ₅ , 1 ₆ ) of said container (1) above said storage compartment (4), and the running of said strip (17) being obtained by rotation of said second rollers (18 _{l 5} 18 ₂ ), said running strip comprising a notch, preferably substantially of the shape of said central orifice (1 ₂ ), so that when said notch coincides with said central orifice (1 ₂ ) is in the open position allowing the introduction of said waste (20), and when a solid part of said strip (17) completely covers said upper central orifice (1 ₂ ), said container is in the closed position ensuring the confinement of said waste inside said container (1).

15. Device according to claims 1 to 14 characterized in that said bag (2) is placed at the bottom (l _t ) of said container (1) inside a box (3), said box (3) being integral with at least a lower part (3 _t ) of one of the edges (1 ₅ ) of said container (1) and said box resting on sliding means making it possible to evacuate a said bag (2) by pulling said part lower edge (1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) of the container (1) integral with said box (3).

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15 characterized in that it is equipped with electronic means (22) making it possible to control and synchronize the various following steps, according to the information received from said sensors or photoelectric cells: 1. the closing and opening of said central orifice (1 ₂ ), and

2. the drive of said plastic film envelope 2 _t ) constituting the bag (2) for its positioning at the bottom (lj) of said container (1), and

3. said steps of compacting using said compacting means (14 _{l 5} 14 ₂ ), and

4. said sealing and cutting steps using said sealing and cutting means (10 _{l 3} 10 ₂ ), and

5. the interruption of the preceding steps in the event of the evacuation of a bag (2) outside said container (1).

17. A method of collecting waste with a device according to one of claims 1 to 16.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the following successive steps are carried out:

1. said envelope is sealed and cut to form the bottom of a said bag using said sealing and cutting means (10 _{l 5} 10 ₂ ),

3. positioning said drive means (6 _{l 3} 6 ₂ ) in the release position in which it defines an opening in the upper edge of the bag allowing the introduction of waste, and

4. said central opening (1 ₂ ) is opened using said closing and opening means (17, 18 _α , 18 ₅ ) when a waste is detected above said central opening (1 ₂ ), and

5. said waste is introduced through said open central hole (1 ₂ ), said waste being collected at the bottom of a said bag, and

6. closing of said central opening (1 ₂ ) is carried out using said closing and opening means (17, 18 _:, 18 ₅ ) of said central opening (1 ₂ ) immediately after the introduction of said waste through said opening central (1 ₂ ) open from step 2, and

7. said compaction of said bag is carried out, where appropriate, with said compaction means (14 _{l 3} 14 ₂ ).

9. "if necessary, said full bag is removed from said container.