SMART PORTABLE DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR DISPOSAL OF SANITARY WASTE

Abstract

The invention discloses a safe, cost effective, portable, eco-friendly sanitary pads disposing device and system. The device is smart and automatic used for shredding and disinfecting the used sanitary pads without any environmental pollution. The system comprises of plurality of collection bins, sanitary pad disposal device, a data acquisition module, a remote server, a data transmission module etc. for remotely monitoring the status of each disposal process.

Claims

1. A smart, portable, affordable device (100) for safe and hygienic disposal of sanitary waste as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a supporting structure frame (18) on which all other components of the device (100) are mounted, an opening lid (1) for loading the sanitary waste, hingely connected to a hopper (2) with a guiding arrangement wherein; said hopper (2) adapted to receive soiled sanitary waste and further comprises at least two spray nozzles (3) for spraying the dilute disinfectant solution on the soiled sanitary waste from one nozzle and water from another, a shredder (4) connected to said hopper (2) by nut and bolt arrangement is operably coupled to a shredder motor (12) for shredding the sanitary waste guided by said hopper (2) for predetermined time duration, a mixing chamber (6) arranged below said shredder (4) for homogenously mixing, whirling and spinning shredded & disinfected sanitary waste with water added via water pump from water storage (14) for a predetermined time, at least two valves positioned at the bottom of said mixing chamber (6) for separating cellulose and plastic in the waste wherein; at least one valve comprises of mesh situated at bottom portion to separate cellulose and another valve to separate plastic and other waste material into next rotating drum chamber, at least two separate rotating drums (10) mounted at the lowermost portion of said supporting structure (18) for receiving semisolid cellulose and semisolid plastic waste from said mixing chamber (6) for dewatering and drying, a dryer (11) for drying the wet cellulose and plastic in rotating drums (10) by blowing hot air and an outlet (19) arranged at the lower portion of mixing chamber (6) to discharge water separated out from the device into municipal sewage line.

2. A smart, portable, affordable device (100) for safe and hygienic disposal of sanitary waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein; said disinfectant solution is sprayed by spray nozzle (3) pumped from a dilute disinfection solution storage (15) where said solution is stored simultaneously with shredding process by shredder (4).

3. A smart, portable, affordable device (100) for safe and hygienic disposal of sanitary waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein; said disinfectant solution is organic or inorganic disinfectant or a combination thereof stored at concentrated solution storage (16) and pumped to dilute solution storage (15) for mixing with water received from said water storage (14) in the ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:20.

4. A smart, portable, affordable device (100) for safe and hygienic disposal of sanitary waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein; the amount of said disinfectant solution required for disinfecting the sanitary waste is in the range of 50-200 ml/item of sanitary waste.

5. An eco-friendly system for safe, hygienic disposal and effective monitoring of sanitary waste disposal comprising; a plurality of UV collection bins (21) mounted at remote locations for collecting the soiled/used sanitary waste and treating the waste by ultraviolet rays during storage in collection bin (21) to inactivate the microorganisms present on surface of used waste, a sanitary waste disposal device (100) at a centralized location wherein; each device (100) may comprises a supporting structure frame (18) on which all the other components of the device are mounted, an opening lid (1) for loading the sanitary waste, hingely connected to a hopper (2) with a guiding arrangement wherein; said hopper (2) may receive and push soiled sanitary waste to the shredder (4) and further comprises at least two spray nozzles (3) for spraying the dilute disinfectant solution on the soiled sanitary waste pumped from a dilute disinfectant solution storage (15) and spraying water pumped from water storage (14), a shredder (4) connected to said hopper (2) by nut and bolt arrangement is operably coupled to a controlled motor (12) for shredding the sanitary pads/diapers by rotating the shredder blades clockwise as well as anticlockwise for a cycle for predetermined time duration, a mixing chamber (6) arranged below said shredder (4) for homogenously mixing, whirling and spinning shredded & disinfected sanitary waste with water added via water pump from water storage (14) for a predetermined time, at least two valves positioned at the bottom of said mixing chamber (6) for separating cellulose and plastic in the waste wherein; at least one valve comprises of mesh situated at bottom portion to separate cellulose and another valve to separate plastic and other waste material into next rotating drum chamber, at least two separate rotating drums (10) mounted at the lowermost portion of said supporting structure (18) for receiving semisolid cellulose and semisolid plastic waste from said mixing chamber (6) for dewatering and drying, a dryer (11) for drying the wet cellulose and plastic in rotating drums (10) by blowing hot air and an outlet (19) arranged at the lower portion of mixing chamber (6) to discharge water separated out from the device into municipal sewage line, a plurality of sensors for acquiring data and sending to a remote server (20), at least three automatic valves, a remote server (20) for data analyzing, data managing and system monitoring, a data transmission module, a microcontroller (5) for controlling automatic operations of components, a display screen (13) for displaying a status of stages of disposal and an electronic device for receiving alerts or messages or electronic mails received by an operating person.

6. An eco-friendly system for safe, hygienic disposal and effective monitoring of sanitary waste as claimed in claim 5, wherein; said microcontroller (5) is configured to receive real time data from said remote server (20) for controlling operations of opening or closing of valves, pumps, rotations of motor and any other automatic functionalities thereof.

7. An eco-friendly system for safe, hygienic disposal and effective monitoring of sanitary waste as claimed in claim 5, wherein, the remote server (20) is either a physical server or cloud based server configured to receive real time data from plurality of sensors wirelessly, analyzing, monitoring the disposal process steps and sending action required to user by alerts, messages, electronic mails or any other communication means.

8. A method of disposing sanitary waste in effectively and eco-friendly way by using a device as claimed in claim 1; wherein said method comprising the steps of: opening the lid of UV collection bin (21) for the user to throw the used sanitary waste inside for storing and treating the same with ultraviolet rays in order to inactivate the microorganisms preset on the surface of used sanitary waste, sending an alert to operator at remote location when the collection bin (21) is full of capacity, collecting the pretreated sanitary waste from said collection bins (21) by the operator, unloading the said pretreated sanitary waste into sanitary waste disposal device (100) by opening of the lid (1) when the operator comes in proximity of disposal device (100), closing the lid (1) after putting the used pads/diapers in hopper (2), guiding the sanitary waste to shredder (4) wherein shredding cycle starts so as to shred the waste into small pieces for a predetermined time period, spraying the dilute disinfectant solution via spray nozzle (3) pumped from the dilute solution storage (15) during the shredding process for disinfecting soiled and shredded sanitary waste, stopping the spraying of disinfectant after a predetermined period by switching off the pump by microcontroller (5), pushing the shredded waste into mixing chamber (6) in order to homogenize the waste by adding water, mixing, whirling and rotating the solution in said mixing chamber (6) for a predetermined time, perforating the solution through sieves (9), collecting the semisolid cellulose and plastic waste into two separate rotating drums (10) for drying and separating cellulose and plastic ready for recycling and draining out the neutral liquid into municipal sewage line, running a cleaning cycle throughout the device (100) by spraying water pumped from water storage (14) through spray nozzle (3) positioned in said hopper (2).

9. A method of disposing sanitary waste in effectively and eco-friendly way by using a device as claimed in claim 8; wherein said predetermined time for homogenously mixing the sanitary waste in said mixing chamber (6) is ranging between 5-20 minutes/cycle.

10. A method of disposing sanitary waste in effectively and eco-friendly way by using a device as claimed in claim 8; wherein the time required for completing one cycle of disposing sanitary waste is in the range of 10-30 minutes/cycle for at least 30 items capacity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 cross sectional side view illustrates a smart, portable device for disposal of sanitary waste of present invention

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates isometric view of a smart, portable device for disposal of sanitary waste of present invention

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates the flow diagram of method of disposing sanitary waste by using device of present invention

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates the flow diagram of smart system of sanitary waste disposal.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE NO. 1 Legend and Legend Description Legend Description 1 Opening lid 2 Hopper 3 Nozzle Sprayer 4 Shredder 5 Microcontroller 6 Mixing chamber 7 Cellulose Outlet Valve 8 Plastic Outlet Valve 9 Perforation sieve 10 Rotating Drum 11 Dryer 12 Shredder Motor 13 Display screen 14 Water Storage 15 Dilute Solution Storage 16 Concentrated Solution Storage 17 Concentrated solution input 18 Supporting Structure 19 Sewage outlet 20 Remote server 21 UV collection bin 100 Device for disposing sanitary waste 101 System for sanitary waste disposal

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0020] The present invention is described herein below with reference to the device and system for sanitary waste disposal; however, any description and drawings herein after should not be construed to limit the scope of present invention in any manner.

[0021] Present invention relates to a smart portable device and system for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins, diapers, other feminine hygiene products etc. effectively and eco-friendly way by involving the steps like disintegration, disinfection, deodorization, decolorization, partial segregation & deactivation of super absorbent polymer which overcomes issues of smell, unhygienic environment & unsafe handling. The waste generated at the end is non-hazardous which is ready to put in normal waste channel and can be recycled. The novel system of disposal of used sanitary waste of present invention which helps in monitoring the operations of each component device at every stage from a remote location in real time monitoring to generate alerts etc.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the cross sectional side view of the device for disposing sanitary waste in ecofriendly manner is shown.

[0023] As per FIG. 1, the invention relates to a smart portable device (100) for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins diapers and other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein a device may comprises a supporting structure frame (18) on which all the other components of the device arc mounted, an opening lid (1) for loading the sanitary waste, hingely connected to a hopper (2) with a guiding arrangement wherein; said hopper (2) may receive and guide soiled sanitary waste to the shredder (4) and further comprises at least two spray nozzles (3) for spraying the dilute disinfectant solution and water on the soiled sanitary waste pumped from a dilute solution storage (15) and water storage (14) respectively, a shredder (4) connected to said hopper (2) by nut and bolt arrangement is operably coupled to a motor (12) for shredding the sanitary pads/diapers by rotating the shredder blades clockwise as well as anticlockwise for predetermined time duration, a mixing chamber (6) wherein the shredded sanitary waste is collected and incubated for homogenously mixing with water added via water pump for a predetermined time, at least two separate rotating drum (10) for rotating and dewatering the semisolid waste collected in it, a dryer (11) for drying the wet cellulose and plastic in rotating drums (10) by blowing hot air and an outlet (19) to discharge water separated out from the device into municipal sewage line.

[0024] In an embodiment, a smart portable device for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins diapers or other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein; said opening lid (1) may operate automatically with a proximity sensor to open when a user comes in contact with the lid (1) and a motion sensor for sending real time data regarding motion of hopper (2) and other devices to remote server (20).

[0025] Said spray nozzles (3) wherein one is operatively coupled to a dilute disinfection solution pump to pump the solution from dilute solution storage (15) by receiving signal from microcontroller (5) and another to a water storage (14) wherein water is pumped and sprayed via nozzle (3) simultaneously with said disinfectant solution.

[0026] In another embodiment said shredder (4) further comprises of shredder blades to rotate clockwise and anticlockwise for a predetermined time by a motor (12) which in turn operatively coupled to the microcontroller (5) to complete the predetermined rotations.

[0027] Said predetermined time for rotating motor (12) by a microcontroller (5) is 3 to 5 minutes/cycle of at least 30 items and may vary depending upon number of items to be treated per cycle.

[0028] In one embodiment, a smart portable device for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins diapers or other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein in the said mixing chamber (6) water is added by water pump for preparing a homogenous solution of shredded sanitary waste and incubated for 3-15 min/cycle of at least 30 items to obtain a decolorized, deodorized, disinfected and deactivated SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) sanitary waste to separate cellulose and plastic.

[0029] Said mixing chamber (6) may operatively couple to a motor in order to rotate clockwise and anticlockwise and thus separates the cellulose and plastic through the perforation sieve (9) at the bottom portion of said mixing chamber (6) and pretreated, disinfected and neutral water may drain off through the outlet (19) into municipal sewage line.

[0030] Said mixing chamber (6) further comprises, at least two automatic valves wherein one of the valves comprises mesh to separate cellulose and operated by an On/Off signal from microcontroller (5) and another for separation of plastic respectively as per their density difference.

[0031] In an embodiment said predetermined time for homogenously mixing the sanitary waste in said mixing chamber (6) is ranging between 5-20 minutes/cycle.

[0032] In yet another embodiment of present invention, a smart portable device for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins, diapers or other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein said two separate rotating drums (10) for cellulose and plastic respectively for separating solution, water and drying of solid output received from mixing chamber (6) by rotating the said drums at a speed of 10-100 rpm to drain out liquid through mesh as a part of rotating drum and get the dried, decolorized, deodorized, disintegrated, disinfected cellulose and plastic. A dryer (11) means for blowing hot air and removing the water content of solid material.

[0033] The dried byproducts obtain through a complete disposal cycle of sanitary waste may recycled and used in making packaging material or fuel by creating burning pallets out of it.

[0034] Said disinfectant solution may store in concentrated disinfectant solution storage (16) is an organic or an inorganic disinfectant capable of disinfecting the sanitary waste effectively pumped to dilute solution storage (15) for mixing with water received from said water storage (14) in the ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:20. The amount of said disinfectant solution required for disinfecting the sanitary waste is in the range of 50-200 ml/item of sanitary waste.

[0035] In one embodiment, a smart portable device for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins diapers or other feminine hygienic products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein said device (100) may further comprises a concentrated disinfection solution input (17) for breaking the chemical/disinfectant bottle seal, a pump for pumping the disinfection solution to spray nozzle (3) wherein; said disinfection solution is sprayed on the pads simultaneously with shredding.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, an isometric view of the device for disposal of sanitary waste such as sanitary pads, diapers or other feminine hygiene products is shown.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, in an event wherein said dilute solution storage (15) is emptied as indicated by a level sensor, a water storage container (14) wherein water may mixed with a dilute disinfectant solution storage (15) with an automated valve operatively coupled to said microcontroller (5) and a concentrated disinfectant solution storage (16) wherein concentrated solution may pumped to a dilute disinfectant solution storage (15) via automatically operated pump and thus the dilute disinfectant solution storage (15) filled up again my mixing the concentrated solution as well as water automatically depending upon disposal capacity of a device (100).

[0038] In other embodiment of the present invention, all the storages (14, 15, 16) may further comprises level sensors to detect the level of the liquid in respective storage container, transmit the data to the remote server (20) and monitor the operations of valve and pump to fill up said dilute disinfectant solution storage (15) automatically.

[0039] In another embodiment, after completing one cycle of processing sanitary waste in the device (100), a washing cycle is run with water pumped from water storage (14) to one of the spray nozzle (3) in order to spray water to clean hopper, shredder and other components of device (100) as a blank cycle.

[0040] The method for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, diapers and other feminine hygienic products napkins effectively and eco-friendly by using a device as mentioned herein above, wherein said method may comprise a cleaning cycle after every 10-50 items disposal cycle.

[0041] FIG. 3 relates to a method of disposing sanitary waste in effectively and eco-friendly way by using a device (100) as mentioned herein above, wherein said method comprising steps of; opening the lid of UV collection bin (21) for the user to throw the used sanitary pads diapers or other feminine hygiene products inside, storing the used pads and treating the same with ultraviolet rays in order to inactivate the microorganisms preset on the surface of used sanitary waste, sending an alert to operator at remote location when the UV collection bin (21) is full of capacity, collecting the pretreated sanitary waste from said UV collection bins (21) by the operator, unloading the said pretreated sanitary waste into sanitary waste disposal device (100) by opening of the lid (1) when the operator comes in proximity of disposal device (100), closing the lid (1) after putting the soiled waste in hopper (2), pushing the sanitary waste to shredder (4) wherein shredding cycle starts so as to shred the waste into small pieces for a predetermined time period, spraying the dilute disinfectant solution via spray nozzle (3) pumped from the dilute solution storage (15) during the shredding process for disinfecting soiled and shredded sanitary waste, stopping the spraying of disinfectant after a predetermined period by switching off the pump by microcontroller (5), pushing the shredded waste into mixing chamber (6) in order to homogenize the waste by adding water, mixing & whirling the solution in said mixing chamber (6), perforating the solution through sieves (9), collecting the semisolid cellulose and plastic waste into two separate rotating drums (10), drying and separating cellulose and plastic ready for recycling and draining out the neutral liquid into municipal sewage line.

[0042] In an embodiment of present invention, the method of disposing sanitary waste may monitored remotely by a remote server (20) by receiving sensor data and the remote server (20) may send alerts, sms or any other audio visual signals for operator regarding action required.

[0043] The main component of sanitary pads, napkins, diapers is super absorbent polymer (SAP) is a material having properties to absorbed the water body multiple times of its own weight. To do complete disinfection of sanitary waste the deactivation and deswelling of sanitary napkin is a mandatory process. Present invention provides an efficient deactivation and deswelling of super absorbent polymer using PH difference as reverse osmosis (RO). PH of disinfectant solution used in present process is having difference in terms of PH as compared to PH of super absorbent polymer (SAP) of used pad/diaper. Because of RO the external environment presses the SAP & deswelling happens.

[0044] In an embodiment wherein the time required for completing one cycle of disposing sanitary waste is in the range of 10-30 minutes/cycle for at least 30 items capacity.

[0045] FIG. 4 relates to a system (101) for effectively monitoring and disposing sanitary waste in an eco-friendly manner.

[0046] The system for disposing sanitary waste and monitoring the disposing cycle in an eco-friendly way comprising; a plurality of UV collection bins (21) mounted at remote locations for collecting the soiled/used sanitary pads. diapers and other feminine hygienic products for treating the waste by ultraviolet rays to inactivate the microorganisms present on surface of used waste, a sanitary waste disposal device (100) at a centralized location wherein; each device (100) may comprises a supporting structure frame (18) on which all the other components of the device are mounted, an opening lid (1) for loading the sanitary waste, hingely connected to a hopper (2) with a guiding arrangement wherein; said hopper (2) may receive and push soiled sanitary waste to the shredder (4) and further comprises at least two spray nozzles (3) for spraying the dilute disinfectant solution on the soiled sanitary waste pumped from a dilute disinfectant solution storage (15) and water from water storage (14), a shredder (4) connected to said hopper (2) by nut and bolt arrangement is operably coupled to a controlled motor (12) for shredding the sanitary waste items by rotating the shredder blades clockwise as well as anticlockwise for a cycle for predetermined time duration, a mixing chamber (6) for homogenously mixing shredded sanitary waste with water added via water pump for a predetermined time, at least two separate rotating drums (10) for rotating and drying the semisolid waste collected in it, a dryer (11) for drying the wet cellulose and plastic in rotating drums (10) by blowing hot air and an outlet (19) at the lowermost portion of said mixing chamber (6) to discharge water separated out from the device into municipal sewage line, a plurality of sensors for acquiring data and sending to a remote server (20), at least three automatic valves, a remote server (20) for data analyzing, data managing and system monitoring, a data transmission module, a microcontroller (5) for sending signals for opening or closing of valves, pumps, monitoring rotations of motor etc, a display screen (13) for displaying a status of stages of disposal and an electronic device for receiving alerts or messages or electronic mails received by an operating person.

[0047] In one embodiment said UV collection bins (21) may be mounted at washrooms or the like places for collecting the sanitary waste thrown by user.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, a system for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins, diapers or other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein said plurality of sensors means for detecting various parameters involved in the process of disposal selected from but not limited to level sensor for determining the level of disinfectant solution in concentrated solution storage (16), water storage (14), dilute solution storage (15), proximity sensor for opening the lid (1) when the user comes in proximity of device, limit sensor for indicating the collection bin (21) capacity, motor (12) rotation measurement sensor or any combination thereof.

[0049] In an embodiment, system for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkin, diapers and other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein said system may further comprises of outlet valves, HMI (Human Machine Interface) display module for displaying the stage of disposing method of present invention.

[0050] In an embodiment, a system for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, diapers and other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein said data transmission module is either wired or wireless network.

[0051] In an embodiment, a system for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads, napkins, diapers and other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein said remote server (20) may comprise a physical server or a cloud server located at the central station and operated by human expert.

[0052] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for disposal of sanitary waste for disposing soiled/used sanitary pads or napkins, diapers and other feminine hygiene products effectively and eco-friendly, wherein system may comprise alerts to be sent by sms or electronic mail in case of any liquid refill action is needed, bin capacity full indication, cycle complete alert or any non-functioning of the system.

[0053] The smart, portable device for disposal of sanitary waste of present invention provides an alternative to sanitary waste disposal management in environment friendly way. Also, present system provides a real time monitoring of each such device and thus provides a complete solution to the problem of sanitary waste disposal.

[0054] The invention provides, a safe, environment friendly, clean, easy way to dispose sanitary waste without polluting atmosphere wherein, the sanitary waste can be disintegrate, deodorized, decolorized, disinfect and deactivation of SAP in an efficient manner. The by products such as cellulose and plastic can be recycled and used in packing etc. The disposal method provides three fold disinfection wherein; first the waste is treated with ultra violet rays to stop growth of microorganisms, the second stage provides shredding into small pieces for easy mixing with disinfectant and treatment with disinfectant provides complete disinfection of sanitary waste to achieve deodorization, decolorization and disposal.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention disinfection of sanitary pads is achieved in the ratio 98 to 99.999%.

[0056] Following table illustrates the effectiveness and efficiency of a system and device for disposal of sanitary waste disclosed by present invention.

TABLE-US-00002 Sr. No. Trial Result Method 1 Disinfection trial Complete disinfection Standard plate count 2 Decolorization trial Partial Decolorization Visual of the Sanitary napkin Examination 3 pH  5 — 4 Chemical Oxygen 1280.49 mg/Lit IS: 3025 Part- 58 demand (R.A: 2006) 5 Biological Oxygen    190 mg/Lit IS: 3025 Part- 44 demand (R.A: 2003) 6 Disinfection trial <2 IS: 1622 (R.A: 2014)

[0057] The advantages of present invention are; [0058] Smart, portable device, can be monitored remotely [0059] Affordable [0060] Environment friendly [0061] The waste material obtained at the end of cycle can be recycled [0062] Very short processing time [0063] 95% material recovery [0064] Safe, easy to handle