AU728688B2 - Bin washer - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT BIN WASHER The following statement is a full description of this invention and its operation.

9* -1- BIN WASHER This invention relates to the automatic cleaning of domestic or commercial waste storage bins or other receptacles. At present this is either done by hand or pressure sprays on site. This invention as a mobile application allows the receptacle to be lifted up, washed and replaced without an operator touching the receptacle. For example, if this invention is fitted to an approapriate vehicle the operator could drive behind the domestic garbage contractor and pick up and clean the bin without leaving the vehicle. The waste is stored within the invention to be disposed of later. In an on site situation, the bins or rubbish receptacles would be taken to the invention and placed near it to allow the operation to take place.

The examples given and diagrams offered show only one combination of operation of the invention, to clean household "wheelie bins." The invention allows for interchangeable parts to suit customer needs i.e. the capturing device needed for a household "wheelie bin" is simply substituted by jaws to capture cylindricalshaped bin or drum. Brushes replaced with high pressure nozzles or other suitable cleaning operations as described. The invention is not limited to one style of receptacle or cleaning method and does not require any lifting or physical contribution by the operator other than turning the invention on, contrary to current methods being employed.

OPERATION

A receptacle is lifted by the invention A/ moved to the cleaning section of the invention for cleaning or B/ the cleaning section of the invention is moved to the lifted receptacle.

The references made in parts of this application refer to method A, but this invention is not limited to or by this one example.

ENERGY SOURCE REQUIRED TO OPERATE INVENTION:- In one form of this invention this assistance to move any moving parts is provided by electric "AC" or "DC" motor.

In another form of this invention the assistance to move any moving parts is provided by hydraulics.

In another form of this invention the assistance to move any moving parts is provided by compressed air.

In another form of this invention the assistance to move any moving parts is provided by vacuum assistance.

In another form of this invention the assistance to move any moving parts is provided by a stationary motor through mechanical gears or linkages.

In another form of this invention the assistance to move any moving parts is provided by any combination of electric motor, stationary motor, hydraulics or compressed air.

1, 1, -2- LIFTING

OPERATION.

In one form of this invention the receptadle to be lifted is done so by one part of the invention hooking itself under or attaching itself to any protrusion, cavity or hole, in or on the receptacle.

In one form of this invention the receptacle to be lifted is done so by one part of the invention clasping or attaching itself to the receptacle.

In one form of this invention the receptacle to be lifted is done so by the receptacle being placed onto or into a lifting -harness of platform or other form of attachment that would enable the receptacle to be attached to or supported by the invention.

CLEANING OF TIHE RECEPTACLE In one form of this invention the cleaning of the receptacle is done by means of mechanical friction, i.e. Bristles on a brush or other surface touching material.

In one form of this invention the cleaning of the receptacle is done by pressured liquid.

In one form of this invention the cleaning of the receptacle is done by steam or other gaseous substance.

Any waste liquids or solids as a result of the cleaning process are either recycled or stored within the invention for disposal at a later time.

To assist with the understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to oo. o the accompanying drawing which show one example of the invention. The receptacle used in this example of the invention is a "Wheelie Bin" and the cleaning method by "Brush." FIGURE 1 shows an example of the automated lifting and cleaning device according to this invention.

FIGURE 2 shows an example of the pick-up arm in rest position FIGURE 2a shows an example of the pick-up arm moved from rest position to vertical, through which it has attached itself to the wheelie bin.

FIGURE 3 shows an exam ple of the pick-up structure collapsed and locked in an approximate horizontal position (REST POSITION 1) as opposed to FIGURE 2 where the pick-up arm and the support arm are in an approximate vertical position.

At this point the wheelie bin is now laying approximately horizontal and fixed to a moveable bed.

FIGURE 4 shows an example of the movable bed with wheelie bin attached after it has travelled along other structural parts of the invention to it's REST POSITION 2.

As can be seen by comparing FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4 the bin has now been impaled during the travel between REST POSITION 1 and 2. The brushes were set in motion and with the aid of a cleaning agent being simultaneously dispensed onto the brushes and the internal surfaces of the bin, a cleaning action takes place.

The bin is then moved from rest position, back to rest position 1 still being cleaned by the brushes.

The locking devices holding the movable bed are released, the bin then moves ~from its horizontal position as in FIGURE 3 through FIGURE 2a where it disengages from the invention and the pick-up arm returns to its rest position ready for the next bin.

This example of the invention takes up an area of approximately 2.5 metres square and can easily be mounted within a vehicle i.e. utility, truck, trailer or in a fixed position within a factory or other stationary area.

ooooo Materials used in the construction of this example were steel, however, the invention is not limited to or by any one material.

Claims (4)

1. A device that has been designed for the automated lifting and cleaning of rubbish or other receptacles whereby the self contained design and construction of the device enables its use in a fixed or static position on site, or mobile use when mounted on a vehicle or trailer.

2. The device as mentioned in claim 1 captures the receptacle to be cleaned by means of:- a. a structure that either hooks under, into or onto any protrusion, cavity or hole the receptacle has. b. jaws that clasp the receptacle. c. a platform inserted under the receptacle. d. rope, webbing, cable or any other material that is secured around, under or over the receptacle. e. any combination of methods described in claim 2.

3. The device of claim 1 having captured the receptacle by means of a method or I •methods as mentioned in claim 2 then lifts the receptacle with the aid of a lifting structure it is attached to and transfers it to another section of the device to be cleaned, the structure lifting the receptacle can be assisted by means of:- a. any mechanical assistance. b. any pressurised gas or liquid c. any vacuum. d. any electric or fuel driven motor e. any combination of methods described in claim 3. The device as mentioned in claim 1 having captured and transferred the position of the receptacle for washing then washes the receptacle by means of:- a. brushes. b. steam. c. high pressure fluid. d. low pressure fluid. e. abrasive material. f cleaning solvents or chemicals. g. any combination of methods described in claim 4. t September 2000. The device as mentioned in claim 1 after washing the receptacle then returns and releases the receptacle to where it was originally captured.

6. A receptacle lifting and cleaning device substantially herein described with reference to accompanying drawings. h September 2000. APPLICANTS i. Robin Pankowski .i Marnie Pankowski 2 o