GB2630374A

GB2630374A - A waste processing apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2630374A
Application number: GB2307896.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Unwin-Berry Adam; Compton Steven; Andrew Durban John
Original assignee: Primal Acad Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Primal Acad Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-26
Filing date: 2023-05-26
Publication date: 2024-11-27
Also published as: GB202307896D0; WO2024245584A1

Abstract

A waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 comprising a waste processing device 250 for processing items of waste to reduce a volume of the items of waste; a container 208 for receiving and storing the processed items of waste; and an inlet assembly comprising: an inlet chute extending between an opening into the apparatus and the waste processing device; and a mechanism for adjusting a length of the inlet cute. A method for the waste item processing and storage apparatus is also provided. The adjustment mechanism may adjust the length of the inlet chute in a direction perpendicular to the surface of a base of the apparatus. The volume of the container may be fixed. The chute may comprise a plurality of chute parts telescopically connected.

Description

A waste processing apparatus and method

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to waste processing systems and is particularly, although not exclusively concerned with waste processing system comprising increased storage space for processed waste items.

Background

Sorting items of waste into different waste bins depending on the material composition of those waste items has become an important part of household waste management. The recycling processes of many waste collection organisations rely on sorting being performed by householders before their waste is collected, in order to improve the proportions of that waste that can be recycled. Additionally, many authorities have introduced measures to incentivise households to recycle more of their household waste, necessitating the sorting of waste in the home.

However, keeping multiple bins sufficient in size to store a convenient amount of sorted waste items can take up a large amount of space in the home. Further, ensuring that all items of waste are placed into the correct bin can be time consuming for householders and mistakes in waste sorting are undesirable.

Statements of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a waste item processing and storage apparatus comprising: a waste processing device for processing items of waste to reduce a volume of the items of waste; a container for receiving and storing the processed items of waste; and an inlet assembly comprising: an inlet chute extending between an opening into the apparatus and the waste processing device; and a mechanism for adjusting a length of the inlet cute.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus may be configured, such that adjusting the length of the inlet chute adjusts a straight line distance between the opening into the apparatus and the waste processing device.

The inlet chute may be arranged on an opposite side of the waste processing device from the containers. The apparatus may comprise a base to be placed in contact with a surface on which the apparatus is standing. The inlet chute may be arranged on an opposite side of the waste processing device from the base.

The mechanism may be configured to adjust the length of the inlet chute in a direction perpendicular to the surface which the base is in contact with. The containers may be provided between the one or more waste processing devices and the base. A volume of the container is fixed. For example, a dimension of the container in a direction in which the length of the inlet chute is adjustable may be fixed.

The inlet chute may comprise a plurality of tubular chute parts. The mechanism may be configured to move the plurality of chute parts telescopically inside one another in order to adjust the length of the inlet chute. The inlet chute may comprise a fixed part, fixedly mounted on the apparatus relative to the waste item processing device, and a moving part. The moving part may be configured to move relative to the waste item processing device in order to adjust the length of the chute. For example, one of the tubular chute parts may be fixed relative to the waste item processing device, and one or more of the tubular chute parts may be movable relative to the waste item processing device for adjusting the length of the chute.

The mechanism may comprise a motor. The motor may be configured to drive movement of the moving part of the chute in order to adjust the length of the chute. The motor may be configured to move together with the moving part of the chute.

The apparatus may comprise a slide support member fixedly mounted relative to the waste processing device. The moving part of the inlet chute may be movably coupled to the slide support member.

The apparatus may comprise a first fixed frame member and a second fixed frame 35 member. The first and second fixed frame members may be spaced apart from one another in a direction in which the length of the inlet chute is adjustable. The slide support may extend between the first and second fixed frame members. The slide support member may comprise a rod, e.g. a cylindrical rod, and the moving part of the inlet chute may be slidable coupled to the rod by a linear bearing arranged about the rod.

The mechanism may comprise a drive rack fixedly mounted relative to the waste processing device and a pinion gear rotatably mounted on the moving part of the inlet chute. The rack may extend between the first and second fixed frame members.

The mechanism may comprise a belt drive comprising first and second pulleys and a drive belt extending around the first and second pulleys. The first and second pulleys may be rotatably mounted relative to the moving part of the chute. The motor may be configured to drive rotation of the first pulley. The second pulley may be configured to drive rotation of the pinion gear.

The apparatus may comprise a sensor configured to measure one or more parameters of an item of waste to be input to the device. The apparatus may further comprise a controller configured to determine a dimension of the item of waste based on the one or more parameters of the item of waste. The controller may be further configured to operate the mechanism to adjust the length of the chute based on the length of the item of waste. The controller may be configured to operate the mechanism to adjust the length of the chute so that the length of the chute is greater than or equal to the dimension of the item of waste.

The apparatus may comprise a door configured to selectively cover the waste inlet. The controller may be configured to operate the waste processing device to process the item of waste when the item of waste has been received within the inlet chute and the waste inlet is covered by the door.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a waste item processing and storage apparatus. The waste item processing and storage apparatus comprises a waste processing device for processing items of waste to reduce a volume of the items of waste; a container for receiving and storing the processed items of waste; and an inlet assembly comprising: an inlet chute extending between a waste inlet into the apparatus and the waste processing device; and a mechanism for adjusting a length of the inlet cute. The method comprises: operating the mechanism to adjust the length the inlet chute.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus may comprise a sensor configured to measure a parameter of an item of waste to be input to the apparatus.

The method may comprise determining, e.g. sensing, a parameter of an item of waste to be input to the apparatus. The method may further comprise determining a dimension of the item of waste based on the parameters of the item of waste. The mechanism may be operated to adjust the length of the inlet chute based on the dimension of the item of waste.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus may comprise a door configured to selectively cover the waste inlet. The method may comprise operating the waste processing device to process an item of waste when the item of waste has been received within the inlet chute and the waste inlet is covered by the door.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention. For example, features described in relation to the first mentioned aspect may be combined with the features of the second mentioned aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a waste item processing and storage apparatus according to arrangements of the present disclosure, with a waste container drawer in an open position; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the waste item processing and storage apparatus with exterior panels of the apparatus omitted for clarity; Figure 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of another waste item processing and storage apparatus according to arrangements of the present disclosure: Figure 4 is a flow chart depicting a method for a waste item processing and storage apparatus according to arrangements of the present disclosure; Figure 5a is a front perspective views of an inlet assembly for the waste item processing and storage apparatus in a configuration in which a length of inlet chutes is at a minimum; Figure 5b is a front perspective views of the inlet assembly with a trim panel removed for clarity; Figure 6 is a front perspective views of the inlet assembly in a configuration in which a length of inlet chutes is at a maximum; and Figure 7 is a perspective bottom view of the inlet assembly, with components of the inlet assembly omitted for clarity.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200, according to arrangements of the present disclosure, may comprise a housing 3. The housing 3 may comprise a frame 4, for supporting components/assemblies of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200, and one or more body panels 6 coupled to the frame 4 for enclosing an interior of the apparatus within which components and assemblies of the apparatus are housed. The body panels 6 may be configured to provide an aesthetic exterior appearance of the waste processing and storage apparatus 2. In some arrangements, the body panels 6 may be structural. In such arrangements, one or more components/assemblies of the waste processing and storage apparatus may be mounted to, e.g. at least partially supported by, the body panels. Further, in such arrangements the frame 4 may be omitted.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200, e.g. the housing 3, may comprise a base 7 to be placed in contact with a surface, e.g. a floor surface, on which the apparatus is standing, e.g. in use of the apparatus 2, 200. The base 7 may be on a bottom of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200. For example, the base 7 may comprise one or more feet coupled to the bottom of the frame 4.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 comprises one or more openings 12 into the apparatus, e.g. into the interior of the housing 3. The openings 12 may be selectively closed by one or more doors 14 respectively.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may be configured to receive items of waste through the openings 12, 212 to be processed and stored by the apparatus. In Figures 1 and 2, the openings 12 are provided on a front side of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2. However, in other arrangements the openings 212 may be provided or any other side or on the top of the waste sorting device, as in Figure 3. The openings 12, 212 may be spaced apart from one another over the side or top of the apparatus 2, 200, for example, the openings 12, 212 may be spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction of the apparatus.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 comprises a plurality of containers 8, 208 for receiving items of waste that have been processed by the apparatus 2, 200. In the arrangement depicted in Figure 1, the waste item processing and storage apparatus comprises six containers 8. However, in other arrangements the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2 may comprise any other number of containers 8, 208, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 or more than 8 containers. In the arrangements depicted, volumes of the containers are fixed. However, in other arrangements, the volumes of the containers may be variable, e.g. selectively variable.

Each of the containers 8, 208 may be for receiving items of waste of a particular material. For example, the plurality of containers 8, 208 may comprise containers for receiving glass, paper, card, plastic, metal and/or any other materials respectively. Optionally, different ones of the containers may be for receiving different types of plastic, glass or metal. For example, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may comprise separate containers for receiving polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), poly styrene (PS), and/or other plastic materials; separate containers for receiving tin, steel, aluminium and other metals respectively; and/or separate containers for receiving colourless and coloured glass, such as green and/or brown glass, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the containers 8, 208 may be for receiving a combination of the above-mentioned plastic, metal or glass materials. For example, one of the containers 8, 208 maybe for receiving LDPE, HDPE and PET, or any other combination. In some arrangements, one or more of the containers may be for receiving items of waste of two or more materials. For example, one of the containers may be for receiving paper, cardboard and metal. Additionally or alternatively, one of the containers may be for receiving metal and plastic, e.g. one or more plastic materials. Additionally or alternatively again, one of the containers may be for receiving any other combination of materials. As described herein, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may be configured to sort items of waste into the appropriate containers. The waste item processing and storage apparatus may be configured to deliver the items of waste received by the apparatus, e.g. within the openings 12, 212 to the appropriate container 8, 208, e.g. based on a material of the item waste.

The containers 8, 208 may be arranged within a drawer 10, 210 which may be removable, e.g. may be slid out, from within the interior of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 for a user to access the containers 8, 208. The containers 8, 208 may be removable from the drawer 10, 210 to facilitate emptying of the containers. In other arrangements, the containers may be removably mounted in the waste item processing and storage apparatus in any other way.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may comprise one or more sensors configured to measure a weight and/or height of waste within the respective containers. Maximum desirable values of weight and/or height of waste to be stored within the containers, e.g. the respective containers, may be predetermined, e.g. based on legislation, or selected by a user and may be stored by the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 208. The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may be configured to prevent an item of waste from being sorted into a container if the weight and/or height of waste within the container is equal to or greater that the maximum desirable value, or if sorting the item of waste into the container will result in the weight and/or height of waste within the container exceeding the maximum desirable value of weight and/or height for the container. For example, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may prompt a user to empty the container before the item of waste is sorted or delivered to the container 8, 208.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 further comprises a waste item processing device 250. The waste item processing device is operable to process, e.g. shred or crush, the items of waste input to the apparatus to reduce a volume of the items of waste prior to the waste materials being delivered into the containers 8, 208. The waste item processing device may comprise a first section 252 configured to process items of waste comprising plastic, a second section 254 configured to process items of waste comprising metal and a third section 256 configured to process items of waste comprising glass. In other arrangements, the apparatus 200 may comprises two or more waste processing devices, e.g. for processing items of waste comprising different materials, such as plastic, metal and glass, respectively.

As depicted, the waste item processing device 250 may be arranged above, e.g. vertically above, the containers 8, 208, e.g. when the base 7 is placed in contact with a surface that is horizontal, or approximately horizontal. For example, the containers 8, 208 may be arranged between the waste item processing device 250 and the base 7. Arranging the containers 8, 208 below the waste processing device 250 may enable the items of waste material to be conducted through apparatus, e.g. through the waste item processing device 250, to the containers 8, 208 at least partially under the action of gravity.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may be configured to receive items of waste of particular materials within a particular one or ones of the openings 12. For example, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2 may be configured to receive glass waste items within a first opening 212a, plastic waste items within a second opening 212b, and metal items within a third opening 212c. In such arrangements, each of the openings 12, 212 may be associated with one of the waste processing devices, or sections 252, 254, 256 of the waste item processing device 250. Hence, receiving waste items of particular materials within particular ones of the openings 12, 212 may enable the waste items to be delivered to the section of the waste item processing device 250 that is appropriate for processing the material of the waste item.

In other arrangements, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may comprise any other number of openings and may be configured to receive items of waste of any material or any combination of materials through particular ones of the openings.

For example, in one or more arrangements, the apparatus may comprise a single opening for receiving all waste items regardless of material.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may further comprise a user interface 30, such as a touch screen, for receiving inputs from the user. For example, as described in greater detail below, the user may provide inputs to the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 identifying an item of waste material and/or a material of the item of waste. Additionally or alternatively, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 may further comprise a communication module, such as a wireless communication module, and may be configured to receive the inputs via the communication module. In such arrangements, the user may provide the inputs using a separate computing device, such as a computer, tablet computer, or smartphone, which may communicate the inputs to the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 via the communication module.

Referring now to Figure 3, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 may further comprises one or more sensors 240, such as an image capture sensor 242, e.g. a camera or 3D camera, a proximity/distance sensor, such as an ultrasound sensor 246, and/or a hall effect sensor 248. The sensors 240 may be configured to capture an image of the item of waste to be processed and stored by the apparatus 200 and/or measure one or more parameters of an item of waste to be processed and stored. For example, the sensors 240 may be configured to measure a size, shape, aspect ratio and/or

magnetic field strength of the item of waste.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 may further comprise an inlet assembly 500 configured to receive the items of waste and deliver the items of waste received by the apparatus to the waste item processing device(s) 250, e.g. to one of the first, second or third sections 252, 254, 256 of the waste item processing device.

As depicted in Figure 3, the inlet assembly 500 may comprise a plurality of inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 extending from respective ones of the openings 212 to the waste item processing device, e.g. to the first, second and third sections 252, 254, 256 of the waste item processing device respectively. For example, the inlet assembly 500 may comprise a first chute 512 extending between the first opening 212a and the first section 252 of the waste item processing device, a second chute 514 for extending between the second opening 212b and the second section 254 of the waste item processing device and a third chute 516 for extending between the third opening 216c and the third section of the waste item processing device 256. The inlet chutes may be spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction of the apparatus.

The inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may be arranged on the opposite side of the one or more waste processing devices 250 from the containers 8, 208. Additionally or alternatively, the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may be arranged on the opposite side of the one or more waste processing device from the base 7. In particular, the inlet chutes may be arranged above, e.g. vertically above, the waste processing device 250, e.g. when the base 7 is placed in contact with a surface that is horizontal, or approximately horizontal. Arranging the inlet chutes to be above the waste processing device and the containers may enable the items of waste material to be conducted through the apparatus from the openings 212 towards the containers 8, 208 via the waste processing device 250 at least partially under the action of gravity.

The inlet assembly 500 may comprise one or more actuators 706. The actuators 706 may be configured to cause the items of waste material to be delivered to the waste item processing device(s) 250, e.g. to one of the first, second, or third sections 252, 254, 256 of the waste item processing device. The one or more actuators 706 may be configured to cause the items of waste to be delivered to a particular one of sections of the waste item processing device that is appropriate for the material of the item of waste material.

In some arrangements, one or more of the actuators of the inlet assembly may be configured to directly displace the items of waste being sorted by the apparatus 200 to deliver the items of waste to waste item processing device 250, e.g. by pushing against the items of waste. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the actuators may be configured to cause the items of waste to be delivered to the appropriate section of the waste item processing device by displacing, e.g. moving and/or tilting, one or more interior surfaces of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200, e.g. of the inlet assembly 500, to allow or cause the items of waste material to move with and/or over the interior surface towards the waste item processing device 250.

Additionally or alternatively to the actuators being configured to directly displace the items of waste and/or displace interior surfaces of the apparatus, one or more of the actuators 706 may be configured to cause the items of waste to be delivered to the waste item processing device(s), e.g. a particular one of the sections of the waste item processing device 250 by opening one of the doors 214 covering one of the openings 212 that leads, via an associated inlet chute, to the appropriate section of the waste item processing device 250. In this way, when the item of waste is input to the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 via the opening 212, the door covering which has been opened by the actuator 706, the waste item may be conducted through the apparatus, e.g. by the corresponding inlet chute 588, to the appropriate waste item processing device 250 or waste item processing device section.

One or more of the sensors 240 may be configured to capture an image and/or sense one or more parameters of the item of waste prior to the item of waste being inserted into one of the openings 212 into the apparatus 200. For example, the sensors 240 may comprise an image capture device 242 configured to capture an image of an item of waste being held by a user, e.g. proximate the sensor, outside the apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the sensors 240 may be configured to capture an image and/or sense one or more parameters of the item of waste after the item of waste has been inserted into one of the openings 212.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 may comprise an internal space within which an item of waste is received after being inserted into one of the openings 212. For example, the interior space may be a space inside one of the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516. When one or more of the sensors 240 are configured to capture an image and/or sense one or more parameters of the item of waste after the item of waste has been inserted into one of the openings 212, this may be performed whilst the item of waste is within the interior space. Further, one or more of the actuators may be configured to displace the items of waste material out of the interior space, as described above, in order to cause the items of waste material to be delivered to the waste item processing device 250, e.g. after the image has been captured and/or the parameter(s) sensed.

The waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 may further comprises a controller 260. The controller 260 may be configured to control the operation of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200. In particular, the controller 260 may be configured to control the operation of the sensors 240, e.g. the image capture device 242, the one or more actuators 706 and, optionally, the waste item processing device 250. Additionally, the controller 260 may be configured to receive inputs from a user via the user interface 30 (described above with reference to Figure 1).

With reference to Figure 4, the controller 260 may be configured to control the operation of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 according to a method 400. The method 400 comprises a first step 402, at which the controller operates one or more sensors 240 to capture an image of an item of waste to be sorted and processed by the apparatus 200 and/or measure a parameter of the item of waste.

The method 400 further comprises a second step 404, in which the controller 260 determines a material of the item of waste, e.g. a material from which a majority of the item of waste is formed, by weight or volume.

In the second step 404, the controller 260 may be configured to determine the material of the item of waste based on the image captured of the item of waste. For example, the controller 260 may process the image of the item of waste to determine an identity of the item of waste e.g. a product to which the item of waste relates, and may determine the material of the item of waste based on the identity of the item of waste. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 260 may determine the material of the item of waste based on the parameters of the item of waste measured by the sensors 240. For example, the controller may be configured to determine the material of the item of waste and/or the identity of the item of waste, based on the size, shape and/or aspect ratio of the item of waste, e.g. in combination with the image of the item of waste.

Returning briefly to Figure 3, the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 may further comprise a memory 262, e.g. provided as part of or associated with the controller 260, the memory 262 may store a database comprising information for identifying items of waste, and materials of the waste items. The information for identifying the items of waste may include a product name to which the item of waste relates, one or more images of the item of waste and/or one or more parameters of the items of waste that correspond to those that may be measured by the sensors 240. The controller 260 may be configured to determine the material of the item of waste to be sorted based on the information stored in the database. For example, the controller 260 may be configured to perform a comparison between the image of the item of waste, e.g. captured by the sensors, and/or the parameters of the item of waste with the information stored in the database, e.g. the information for identifying items of waste.

In some arrangements, the memory may store parameters, e.g. weights and biases, defining an artificial neural network, such as a convolutional neural network, trained to recognise items of waste based on inputs comprising images of the item of waste and/or parameters relating to the item of waste measured by the sensors 240. The controller 260 may be configured to determine the material of the item of waste by providing the image captured by the sensors 240 and/or one of more of the parameters measured by the sensors as inputs to the artificial neural network. The artificial neural network may be trained to output a material of the item of waste material or information identifying the waste material, such as a product name, which can be used to determine the material from the database.

In some arrangements, the artificial neural network, may be trained to recognise a symbol, e.g. a recycling symbol, or logo on the item of waste material that is visible in the captured image. The controller 260 may be configured to determine the identity and/or the material of the item of waste based on the symbol or logo on the item of waste.

In some arrangements, the sensors 240 may comprise a scanner configured to read a bar code, e.g. a 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional bar code, such as a QR code. On the item of waste material. The controller 260 may be configured to identify the item of waste and/or determine the material of the item of waste based on the information provided in the barcode. In other arrangements, the controller 260 may be configured to read or recognise a barcode visible in the image of the item of waste captured by the camera.

Returning to Figure 4, the method 400 may further comprise the third step 406, in which the controller 260 operates the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 to receive and process the item of waste.

In the third step 406, one or more of the actuators 706 may be operated to enable or cause the item of waste material to be delivered to the waste item processing device(s), e.g. to one of the first, second, or third sections 252, 254, 256 of the waste item processing device, based on the material of the item of waste.

In arrangements in which the waste item processing and storage apparatus 2, 200 comprises a plurality of openings 12, 212, one or more of the actuators 706 may be configured to open one of the doors 14, 214 covering the openings, so that the item of waste can be inserted into the waste item processing and storage apparatus through one of the openings. Operating the one or more actuators to cause the item of waste material to be delivered to one of the first, second, or third sections of the waste item processing device may comprise opening the door 14, 214 of the appropriate opening 12, 212.

In arrangements in which the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 comprises an internal space within which an item of waste material is received after being inserted into the opening 212, operating the one or more actuators to cause the item of waste material to be delivered to one of the containers may comprise displacing the item of waste material out of the internal space towards the containers.

In the third step 406, the controller 260 may operate the waste item processing device 250 through which the item of waste will pass to reach one of the containers 8, 208 in order to process, e.g. shred or crush, the item of waste to thereby reduce a volume of the item of waste.

With reference to Figures 5a and 5b (collectively referred to as Figure 5), 6 and 7, the inlet assembly 500 for the waste item processing and storage device, according to arrangements of the present disclosure, will now be described in greater detail. As described above, the inlet assembly 500 may be provided as part of the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200.

As mentioned above, the inlet assembly 500 comprises one or more inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 extending between the openings 212 into the waste processing and storage apparatus and the waste processing device(s) 250. In the arrangement depicted in Figures 4 to 6, the inlet assembly 500 comprises three chutes 512, 514, 516 configured to extend between the first, second and third openings 212a, 212b, 212b and the waste processing device respectively. The inlet chutes may have first ends 512a, 514a, 516a, which may at least partially form the openings 212 into the apparatus 200, and second ends 512b, 514b, 516b, which may be arranged adjacent the waste processing device 250, so that the items of waste passing out of the inlet chutes at the second end may be delivered to the waste processing device(s).

As described above, the openings 212 into the apparatus 200 may be for receiving items of waste of different materials, such as glass, metal and plastic. Accordingly, the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 of the inlet assembly 500 may be for carrying items of waste of different respective materials to the waste processing device 250. Cross-sections of the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may be configured to enable desirable items of corresponding materials to fit through the inlet chutes. Additionally, the cross-sections of one or more of the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may vary along the length of the inlet chutes. For example, an area of one or more of the inlet chutes may reduce between the openings 212 and the waste processing device(s) 250. Additionally or alternatively, the shape of the cross-section of one or more of the inlet chutes may vary in order to encourage folding, e.g. inward folding, or collapsing of the items of waste or portions of the items of waste, e.g. edge portions, as the item of waste passes through the inlet chutes.

The inlet assembly 500 further comprises a mechanism 520 for adjusting a length of the one or more inlet chutes 510. The length of the one or more inlet chutes 510 may be a straight line distance between the openings 212 into the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 and the waste processing device 250. As described above, the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the surface which the base 7 is in contact with, or otherwise arranged so that the inlet chute extending in a direction with a vertical component. Accordingly, the mechanism 520 may be configured to adjust the length of the inlet chute in the direction perpendicular to the surface, e.g. in a vertical direction. The waste processing device 250 may be provided on the apparatus at a fixed position. Hence, adjusting the length of the inlet chutes may correspond to adjusting a distance of the first ends of the chutes from the waste processing device. As described above, the inlet chutes may be arranged above, e.g. vertically above, the waste processing device 250. Further, the inlet chutes may extend in a vertical direction. Hence, adjusting the length of the inlet chutes may adjust a height of the waste processing and storage apparatus 200.

As illustrated, the inlet chutes, e.g. each of the inlet chutes, may comprise a plurality of tubular chute parts. The tubular chute parts may be configured to telescope inside one another in order to enable the length of the chutes 510 to be adjusted. In the arrangements depicted in the Figures, the inlet chutes, e.g. each of the inlet chutes, comprise a fixed chute part 512c, 514c, 516c, which is fixed relative to the waste item processing device 250, and a moving chute part 512d, 514d, 516d, which is movably coupled to the fixed chute part. The moving chute part 512d, 514d, 516d is thereby configured to move relative to the waste item processing device 250 to adjust the length of the chute.

The inlet assembly 500 may comprise a fixed sub-assembly 530, which may be fixed relative to the waste processing device 250, and a moving sub-assembly 540, which may be movable relative to the fixed sub-assembly in order to enable the length of the inlet chutes to be adjusted, The fixed sub-assembly 530 may comprise a first fixed member 532. The first fixed member 532 may be mounted on, e.g. coupled to, the housing 3 of the waste processing and storage apparatus 200, e.g. to the frame 4 and/or panels 6 and/or the waste processing device 250. The inlet assembly 500 may be mounted on the apparatus 200 at least partially via the first fixed member 532.

As depicted, the first fixed member 532 may comprise a plate portion 532a, e.g. substantially planar plate portion. The plate portion 532a may be substantially rectangular. Alternatively, the plate portion may be any other shape. The first fixed member 532 may comprise one or more wall portions 532b projecting from the plate portion perpendicular to the surface of the plate portion. The one or more wall portions may extend around the perimeter of the plate portion. The first fixed member 532 may be mounted on the apparatus, e.g. coupled to the frame 4 and/or panels 6, by the plate portion and/or one or more of the wall portions.

The inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may be coupled, e.g. fixedly coupled, to the first fixed member 532. The inlet chutes may be coupled to the first member at the second ends of the inlet chutes, e.g. end of the inlet chutes opposite the openings 212 into the apparatus 200. In particular, the fixed chute parts 512c, 514c, 516c of the inlet chutes may be coupled to the first fixed member 532.

The first fixed member 532 may comprise one or more openings 532c through the first fixed member, e.g. through the plate portion 532a, and the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may be coupled to the first fixed member at the openings 532c, e.g. at respective ones of the openings. The inlet chutes may extend at least partially through the first fixed member, e.g. through the openings. As depicted, one or more of the walls portions 532b may extend about the openings, and optionally, the inlet chutes. The inlet chutes may be coupled to the first fixed member at the wall portions 532b extending about the openings. The inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 may be coupled to the first fixed member 532 such that the inlet chutes extend away from the first fixed member in a direction perpendicular to the plate portion 532a.

The first fixed member 532 may be mounted on the apparatus 200 adjacent, e.g. directly adjacent, the waste processing device 250, such that items of waste passing out of the inlet chutes at the second ends of the inlet chutes are delivered to the waste item processing device 250.

The fixed sub-assembly 530 may further comprise a second fixed member 534. The second fixed member 534 may be coupled, e.g. fixedly coupled to the first fixed member 532. The first and second fixed members 532, 534 of the fixed sub-assembly may be spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel with an inlet chute direction Dc extending between first and second ends of the inlet chutes. As depicted, the second fixed member 534 may be coupled to the first fixed member 534 by one or more rods 536. The rods 536 may extend in the inlet chute direction Dc. The rods 536 may be spaced apart from one another in direction perpendicular to the inlet chute direction. For example, the rods 536 may be spaced around the perimeter of the plate portion 532a. In the arrangement depicted, the rods 536 are circular in cross-section. However, in other arrangements, the rods 536 may be any other shape in cross section, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, or any other shape.

The second fixed member 534 may be configured to be mounted on, e.g. directly coupled to the housing 3, e.g. to the frame 4 and/or panels 6. The inlet assembly 500 may be mounted on the apparatus 200 at least partially via the second fixed member 534. Accordingly, the inlet assembly 500 may be mounted on the apparatus 200 by the first and second fixed members 532, 534. Alternatively, the second fixed member 534 may not be mounted directly on the housing 3, e.g. may not be directly coupled to the frame or panels. In such arrangements, the inlet assembly 500 may be mounted within the housing 3 via the first fixed member 532 only.

The second fixed member 534 may comprise one or more openings 534a for the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 to pass through. In some arrangements, the inlet chutes, e.g. the fixed parts 512c, 514c, 516c of the inlet chutes, may be coupled to the second fixed member 534, e.g. to the one or more openings 534a. Alternatively, the inlet chutes may not be directly coupled to the second fixed member 534.

The moving sub-assembly 540 may comprise a first moving member 542. The first moving member 542 may be coupled to the moving parts 512d, 514d, 516d of the inlet chutes. In particular, the first moving member 542 may be coupled to the inlet chutes at the first ends 512a, 514a, 516a of the inlet chutes. The first moving member 542 may comprise a substantially planar plate portion 542a. In some arrangements, the first moving member 542 may be configured to form an outer surface of the apparatus 200. In particular, the first moving member may form an outer surface of the apparatus 200 opposite the base 7. For example, the first moving member 542 may form an upper surface of the apparatus 200.

As depicted in Figure 6, the openings 212 into the apparatus 200 may be formed in the first moving member 542, e.g. in the plate portion 542a. Additionally, the doors 214 for covering the openings 212 may be movably, e.g. pivotally, coupled, to the first moving member 542 and may be movable relative to the first moving member 542 to selectively open and close the openings 212.

The moving sub-assembly 540 may further comprise a second moving member 544. The second moving member 544 may be fixedly coupled to the first moving member 542 at a position spaced apart from the first moving member in the inlet chute direction Dc. As depicted, the second moving member 544 may be coupled to the first moving member 542 by one or more rods 546 extending between the first and second moving members 542, 544 in the inlet chute direction. The second moving member 544 may comprise one or more openings 544a for the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 to pass through.

The second moving member 544 may be movably coupled to the fixed sub-assembly 530. As depicted, the second moving member 544 may be movably coupled to one, more than one or each of the rods 536 extending between the first and second fixed members 532, 534. The mechanism 520 may comprise one or more linear bearings 522 coupled to the second moving member 544. The second moving member 544 may be coupled to the fixed sub-assembly, by the linear bearings 522. In particular, the linear bearings 522 may be coupled to the rods 536, e.g. respective ones of the rods 536. The linear bearings 522 may be slidable along the rods 536 between the first and second fixed members. In this way, the moving sub-assembly may be movable relative to the fixed sub-assembly in the inlet chute direction Dc. In particular, the second moving member 544 may be movable in the inlet chute direction by a distance equal to the length of the rods 536 between the first and second fixed members 532, 534. In this way, the fixed subassembly 530 and the moving sub-assembly 540 may be configured to move relative to one another in order to support movement of the fixed and moving parts of the inlet chutes relative to one another, in order to adjust the length of the inlet chutes.

The moving sub-assembly 540 may be configured to move relative to the fixed subassembly 530 between a first position, depicted in Figures 5a and 5b, in which a length of the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 is at a minimum, and a second position, depicted in Figure 6, in which the length of the inlet chutes is at a maximum.

As depicted in Figure 5a, the moving sub-assembly 540 may comprise a trim portion 548. The trim portion 548 may extend around a perimeter of the first moving member 542 and may extend between the first moving member 542 and the second moving member 544. As mentioned above, the first moving member 542 may form at least part of an outer surface of the apparatus. The trim portion 548 may thereby be arranged to form part of an outer surface of the apparatus when the moving sub-assembly is in the second position, e.g. by filling a gap in the outer surface of the apparatus present between the first moving member 542 and an adjacent part of the outer surface of the apparatus.

The mechanism 520 further comprises one or more racks 524 and one or more, e.g. a corresponding number of, pinion gears 526 meshingly engaged with the racks 524. As depicted, the racks 524 may extend in the inlet chute direction Dc between the first and second fixed members 532, 534. Longitudinal ends of the racks may be coupled to the first and second fixed members respectively. In the arrangements illustrated, the mechanism 520 comprises two racks spaced apart from one another in a direction perpendicular to the inlet chute direction Dc, e.g. in the lateral direction of the apparatus 200.

The one or more pinion gears 526 may be coupled to the moving sub-assembly 540 for rotation relative to the moving sub-assembly about an axis perpendicular to the inlet chute direction Dc. In particular, as illustrated in the Figures, the pinions gears 526 may be mounted on a common pinion shaft 527 rotatably coupled to the second moving member 544 for rotation about a pinion axis Ap. The racks and pinion gears may thereby be configured such that rotating the pinion shaft causes the pinion gears to drive along the racks, thereby driving the moving sub-assembly 540 to move in the direction in which the racks extend, e.g. the inlet chute direction Dc. Rotating the pinion shaft 527 thereby causes the length of the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516 to be adjusted.

The mechanism 520 may further comprise a belt drive 560 for driving rotation of the pinion shaft 527. As depicted, the belt drive 560 may comprise a first pulley 562, a second pulley 564 and a drive belt 566 extending about the first and second pulleys 562, 564, such that rotation of the first pully 562 is transmitted to the second pulley 564 by virtue of the drive belt 566.

The first pulley 562 may be rotatably coupled to the first moving member 542 for rotation about a first pulley axis Ai, which may be parallel with the pinion shaft axis Ap. The second pulley 564 may be coupled to the pinion shaft 527. Accordingly, rotation of the first pulley 562 may result in rotation of the pinion shaft 527 about the pinion shaft axis Ap. In the arrangement depicted in Figures 5 and 6 the first and second pulleys 562, 564 have the same diameter, such that the second pulley is driven to rotate at the same speed as the first pulley. However, in other arrangement, the first and second pulleys may have different diameters.

The mechanism 520 may further comprise a motor 528. The motor 528 may be coupled to the moving sub-assembly 540. In particular, the motor 528 may be coupled, e.g. directly coupled, to the first moving member 542. The motor 528 may be configured to drive rotation of the first pulley 562 about the first pulley axis Ai. In this way, the motor 528 may be configured to drive movement of the moving sub-assembly 540 relative to the fixed sub-assembly 530, via the belt drive 560 and the racks and pinion gears 524, 526, to thereby adjust the length of the inlet chutes 512, 514, 516.

In other arrangements, the motor 528 may be configured to drive rotation of the pinion shaft 527 directly. In such arrangements, the belt drive 560 may be omitted. Further, in such arrangements, the motor 528 may be coupled, e.g. directly coupled to the second moving member 544.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the doors 214 may be configured to move, e.g. pivot, between closed positions, illustrated in Figure 5, in which the openings 212 are covered by the doors, and open positions, illustrated in Figure 6, in which the openings 212 are not covered by the doors. The doors 214 may be biased into their open positions. For example, the apparatus 200 may comprise resilient elements, such as torsion springs, configured to bias the doors 214 into their open positions.

With reference to Figure 7, the apparatus 200 may comprise one or more latches 702 configured to selectively latch respective ones of the doors 214 in their closed positions. In particular, the latches may be movable between latching positions, in which the latches can engage the doors to restrict or prevent the doors from opening, and open positions, in which the latches 702 do not engage the doors. The latches 702 may be biased into the latching positions. For example, the apparatus 200 may comprise one or more latch biasing elements 704, such as coil springs, configured to bias the latches 702, e.g. respective ones of the latches, into their latching positions.

One or more actuators 706 of the apparatus 200, such as solenoids, may be configured to move the latches 702, e.g. respective ones of the latches, between their latching and open positions. As described herein, the doors 214 may be biased into their open positions. Hence, the doors may be moved into their open positions when the actuators move corresponding ones of the latches into their open positions. In this way, the one or more of the actuators 706 may be configured to selectively open the doors 214 to the openings 212. The doors 214 may be movable, e.g. manually by a user, back into their closed positions, and may be latched in their closed positions when the corresponding latches are in their latched positions.

In other arrangements, one or more actuators of the apparatus 200 may be configured to drive, e.g. directly drive, movements, such as rotations, of the doors 214 to uncover, and optionally close, the openings 212.

Returning to Figure 6, the apparatus 200 may further comprise one or more door sensors 602 configured to determine whether the doors 214 of the apparatus are open or closed.

For example, the apparatus 200 may comprise a door sensor 602 associated with each of the doors 214 for determining whether a corresponding one of the doors 214 is open or closed. In one arrangement, the door sensors 602 comprise buttons which are pressed against a surface of the apparatus when the doors are closed.

Returning now to Figure 4, in the second step 404, the controller 260 is configured to determine a dimension of the item of waste, e.g. a dimension of the item of waste in a direction in which the item of waste can be inserted through the appropriate opening 212 of the apparatus, such as a minimum dimension of the item of waste in a direction in which the item of waste can be inserted through the appropriate opening 212 of the apparatus. The direction in which the item of waste can be inserted though the opening may be determined based on a shape of the item of waste and a cross-sectional shape and size of the appropriate opening.

The dimension of the item of waste may be determined in a similar way as the material of the item of waste is determined, as described above. For example, the controller 260 may be configured to determine the dimension of the item of waste based on the image captured of the item of waste. The controller 260 may process the image of the item of waste to determine the dimension of the item of waste, e.g. directly from the image. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 260 may process the image of the item of waste to determine the identity of the item of waste, e.g. a product to which the item of waste relates, and may determine the dimension of the item of waste based on the identity of the item of waste.

Additionally or alternatively again, the controller 260 may determine the dimension of the item of waste based on the parameters of the item of waste measured by the sensors 240. For example, the controller may be configured to determine the identity of the item of waste, based on the size, shape and/or aspect ratio of the item of waste, e.g. in combination with the image of the item of waste. The information for identifying the items of waste stored in the database may include the dimension of the item of waste.

In arrangements in which the memory 262 stores parameters defining an artificial neural network, the artificial neural network or another artificial neural network may be configured to determine the dimension of the item of waste in the same manner as described above in respect of the material of the item of waste.

In some arrangements, the controller 260 may be configured determine the dimension of the item of waste, and/or the identity of the item of waste, based on the information provided in a barcode printed on the item of waste.

In the third step 406, the controller 260 of the waste item processing and storage apparatus may operate the mechanism 520 of the inlet assembly 500 to adjust the length of the inlet chutes based on the dimension of the item of waste. In particular, the controller 360 may adjust the length of the inlet chutes to be equal to or greater than the dimension of the item of waste. In other words, operating the waste item processing and storage apparatus 200 to receive and process the item of waste may comprise operating the mechanism to adjust the length of the inlet chutes, e.g. to be equal to or greater than the dimension of the item of waste. The length of the inlet chutes may thereby be adjusted so that the waste item can be received, e.g. completely received, inside of the inlet chute between the opening into the apparatus and the waste processing device. It will be appreciated, that when the dimension of the item of waste is less than or equal to the minimum length of the inlet chutes, the length of the inlet chutes may not be adjusted in the third step 406.

In some arrangements, the controller 260 may be configured to compare the dimension of the item of waste with the minimum length of the inlet chutes. If the dimension of the item of waste is greater that the minimum length of the inlet chutes, then the controller 260 may operate the mechanism 520 in the third step to adjust, e.g. increase, the length of the inlet chute. For example, the controller may operate the mechanism to increase the length of the chutes to their maximum length. In some arrangements, determining the dimension of the item of waste may comprise determining whether the dimension of the item of waste is greater than the minimum length of the inlet chutes.

In the third step 406, the controller 260 may be configured to operate the waste processing device to process an item of waste when the door 214 associated within the opening 212 that has been opened to receive the item of waste has been closed. The apparatus 200 may be configured to determine that the item of waste has been received inside the inlet chutes and the associated door is closed, e.g. using the corresponding door sensor 602, and the waste processing device 250 may be operating to process the item of waste when the item of waste is received within the inlet chute and the associated door has been closed.

After the item of waste has been processed, the controller 260 may be configured to operate the mechanism 520 of the inlet assembly to reduce the length of the inlet chutes, e.g. to their minimum length, or another pre-determine length.

It may be desirable, for the length of the inlet chutes to be sufficiently long for the item of waste to be received, e.g. completely received, inside the inlet chute so that the door of the associated opening into the inlet chute can be closed prior to the waste processing device being operated to process the item of waste material. Additionally, it may be desirable for a height of the waste processing and storage apparatus to be minimised when not in use. By providing the inlet assembly 500, which enables the length of the inlet chutes, and therefore the height of the apparatus 200, to be adjusted, the apparatus can take up less space in a direction between the base 7 and the outer surface of the apparatus formed by the inlet assembly, e.g. in a vertical direction of the apparatus, when the apparatus is not in use. This may allow a height of the container 8, 208 to be increased compared to another apparatus which does not comprise the inlet assembly 500, without increasing the height of the apparatus when the apparatus is not in use.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more exemplary examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A waste item processing and storage apparatus comprising: a waste processing device for processing items of waste to reduce a volume of the items of waste; a container for receiving and storing the processed items of waste; and an inlet assembly comprising: an inlet chute extending between an opening into the apparatus and the waste processing device; and a mechanism for adjusting a length of the inlet cute.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the waste item processing and storage apparatus is configured, such that adjusting the length of the inlet chute adjusts a straight line distance between the opening into the apparatus and the waste processing 15 device.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet chute is arranged on an opposite side of the waste processing device from the containers.
4. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a base to be placed in contact with a surface on which the apparatus is standing, wherein the inlet chute is arranged on an opposite side of the waste processing device from the base.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mechanism is configured to adjust the length of the inlet chute in a direction perpendicular to the surface which the base is in contact with.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein the containers are provided between the one or more waste processing devices and the base.
7. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein a volume of the container is fixed.
8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet chute comprises a plurality of tubular chute parts, wherein the mechanism is configured to move the plurality of chute parts telescopically inside one another in order to adjust the length of the inlet chute.
9. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet chute comprises a fixed part, fixedly mounted on the apparatus relative to the waste item processing device, and a moving part, wherein the moving part is configured to move relative to the waste item processing device in order to adjust the length of the chute.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mechanism comprises a motor, wherein the motor is configured to drive movement of the moving part of the chute in order to adjust the length of the chute.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein the apparatus comprises a slide support member fixedly mounted relative to the waste processing device, wherein the moving part of the inlet chute is movably coupled to the slide support member.
12. The apparatus of any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the mechanism comprises a drive rack fixedly mounted relative to the waste processing device and a pinion gear rotatably mounted on the moving part of the inlet chute.
13. The apparatus of claims 11 or 12, wherein the apparatus comprises a first fixed frame member and a second fixed frame member, wherein the first and second fixed frame members are spaced apart from one another in the direction in which the length of the inlet chute is adjustable, wherein the slide support extends between the first and second fixed frame members.
14. The apparatus of claims 12 and 13, wherein the rack extends between the first and second fixed frame members.
15. The apparatus of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the mechanism comprises a belt drive comprising first and second pulleys and a drive belt extending around the first and second pulleys, wherein the first and second pulleys are rotatably mounted relative to the moving part of the chute.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 when depending on claim 10, wherein the motor is configured to drive rotation of the first pulley.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16when depending on claim 12, wherein the second pulley is configured to drive rotation of the pinion gear.
18. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a sensor configured to measure one or more parameters of an item of waste to be input to the device; and a controller configured to determine a dimension of the item of waste based on 10 the one or more parameters of the item of waste; and operate the mechanism to adjust the length of the chute based on the length of the item of waste.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to operate the mechanism to adjust the length of the chute so that the length of the chute is greater than or equal to the dimension of the item of waste.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a door configured to selectively cover the waste inlet, wherein the controller is configured to operate the waste processing device to process the item of waste when the item of waste has been received within the inlet chute and the waste inlet is covered by the door.
21. A method for a waste item processing and storage apparatus, the waste item processing and storage apparatus comprising: a waste processing device for processing items of waste to reduce a volume of the items of waste; a container for receiving and storing the processed items of waste; and an inlet assembly comprising: an inlet chute extending between a waste inlet into the apparatus and the waste processing device; and a mechanism for adjusting a length of the inlet cute, wherein the method comprises: operating the mechanism to adjust the length the inlet chute.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the waste item processing and storage apparatus comprises a sensor configured to measure a parameter of an item of waste to be input to the apparatus, wherein the method further comprises: determining a parameter of an item of waste to be input to the apparatus; and determining a dimension of the item of waste based on the parameters of the item of waste, wherein the mechanism is operated to adjust the length of the inlet chute based on the dimension of the item of waste.
23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein the waste item processing and storage apparatus comprises a door configured to selectively cover the waste inlet, wherein the method comprises: operating the waste processing device to process an item of waste when the item of waste has been received within the inlet chute and the waste inlet is covered by the door.