Abstract
The invention relates to a cover (1) for a waste container (3), having an opening (5) that is formed in the cover (1). Waste (11) can be transferred into the waste container (3) via a sliding surface (9) of a slide (7), the surface being associated with the opening (5). At least one metal detector (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) is associated with the cover (1) such that metal components (15) of the waste (11) can be detected before transferring the waste (11) into the waste container (3).
Claims
1. A one piece cover for a waste container, comprising: an opening formed in the cover; at least one sliding surface provided with the opening through which waste is transferred into the waste container; a slide, including the at least one sliding surface, is rigidly arranged on the cover such that an upper portion of the sliding surface projects above a surface of the cover and a lower portion of the sliding surface of the slide extends into the waste container, wherein the lower portion includes a front edge; a reduced slope, which is formed in a region of the front edge of the sliding surface of the slide, wherein the slope is smaller than the rest of the sliding surface of the slide; and, a first metal detector arranged below the sliding surface in a seating in the region of the front edge of the sliding surface and the first metal detector is arranged such that metal components of the waste are detectable prior to a transfer of the waste into the waste container.
2. The one piece cover according to claim 1, wherein the first metal detector is mounted below the sliding surface and in the region of the front edge.
3. The one piece cover according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of permanent magnets are attached to the cover underneath the sliding surface so that metallic and magnetizable components of the waste are catchable on the sliding surface before the transfer of the waste into the waste container.
4. The one piece cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one active catching means is designed such that, due to a signal of the first metal detector, the active catching means is transferable into a falling area of said metallic components.
5. The one piece cover according to claim 1, wherein across the opening from the slide a further sliding surface is formed which has a smaller inclination than the sliding surface of the slide.
6. The one piece cover according to claim 5, wherein a leading edge of the further sliding surface is arranged such that waste to be removed from the further sliding surface falls prior to its transfer into the waste container onto the sliding surface of the slide.
7. The one piece cover according to claim 1, wherein a chamber is formed below the surface of the cover, in which electronics and a controller for the first metal detector are placed.
8. The one piece cover according to claim 1, wherein the one piece cover is formed by a polymer injection molding process.
9. The one piece cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a circumferential edge with which the cover rests on the waste container.
10. The one piece cover according to claim 9, wherein the cover rests with the circumferential edge on an adapter, if a diameter of the waste container is greater than a diameter of the cover.
11. A one piece cover for a waste container, comprising: an opening formed in the cover; at least one sliding surface provided with the opening through which waste is transferred into the waste container; a slide, including the at least one sliding surface, is rigidly arranged on the cover such that an upper portion of the sliding surface projects above a surface of the cover and a lower portion of the sliding surface of the slide extends into the waste container; a first metal detector arranged below the sliding surface; and, a further sliding surface arranged across the opening from the at least one sliding surface and above the surface of the cover, the further sliding surface having a smaller inclination than the sliding surface of the slide; wherein: the sliding surface of the slide includes a reduced slope formed in the region of a front edge of the sliding surface which is smaller than the rest of the sliding surface of the slide; and, the first metal detector is arranged such that metal components of the waste are detectable prior to a transfer of the waste into the waste container.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the following, embodiments of the invention and its advantages are further illustrated by the accompanying figures. The proportions of the individual elements do not always correspond to the real proportions, since some forms are simplified and other forms, for clarity reasons are shown enlarged.
(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the inventive cover for a waste container.
(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a possible further embodiment of the inventive cover for a waste container.
(4) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, taken along line A-A in FIG. 2.
(5) FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the inventive cover for a waste container in FIG. 2.
(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the inventive cover for a waste container.
(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the cover, wherein the waste container is not shown for clarity reasons, and the active catch means is in a retracted position and not in the catching position.
(8) FIG. 7 shows the representation of FIG. 6, wherein the active catch s is brought into the catch position.
(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention, wherein the waste container is not shown for clarity reasons.
(10) FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of an additional embodiment of the invention.
(11) FIG. 10 shows a waste container, which is provided with an adapter for attaching or mounting the cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(12) For the same or equivalent elements of the invention, like reference numerals are used. Further, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals in the various figures are illustrated which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are only examples of how the invention can be designed to cover a waste container and do therefore not constitute a limitation of the invention.
(13) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a cover 1 for a waste container 3 according to the invention. In the cover 1 an opening 5 is formed and a sliding surface 9 of a slide 7 is associated with the opening 5, so that the waste 11 can be transferred into the waste container 3. In the present embodiment, two metal detectors 13a, 13b are positioned at the cover 1 such that a metallic component 15 of the waste 11 can be detected prior to the transfer of the waste 11 into the waste container 3. The metal detectors 13a, 13b, allow the detection of both magnetizable metallic components 15 and non-magnetizable metallic components 15 in the waste 11.
(14) In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, a metal detector 13a is arranged below the sliding surface 9. A further metal detector 13b is located at the opening 5 of the cover 1. The further metal detector 13b at least partially surrounds the opening 5.
(15) As described above, it is advantageous when the cover 1 has at least one passive catch means which is at least one permanent magnet 17. The permanent magnets 17 are assigned to the cover 1 such that the metal components 15 are detected and caught prior the transfer of the waste 11 into the waste container 3. Thus the metal components 15 cannot be lost. Magnetizable and metallic components 15 remain attached to the slide 7 of the waste container 3 by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 17 and are not transferred into the waste container 3. In order to enable a secure transfer of the waste 11 into the waste container 3, the slide 7 is arranged such that the sliding surface 9 of an upper portion 23 extends above a surface 25 of the cover 1. A lower portion 24 of the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 extends into the waste container 3.
(16) The cover 1 is mainly used for a waste container 3 for waste 11 from food leftovers, so that metal cutlery 15 and/or metallic food preparation utensils are detected and/or caught before the transfer of the waste 11 in the waste container 3. Thus, inadvertent discarding of magnetizable and/or non-magnetizable metallic pieces of cutlery 15, and/or food preparation utensils is prevented. In the embodiment shown here a first item of cutlery 15 is detected by a metal detector 13a or 13b and then is captured by permanent magnet 17. As described above, the cover 1 according to the invention can be used for a waste container 3 for medical waste 11, such that metallic surgical instruments and the like.
(17) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a further possible embodiment of the inventive cover 1 for a waste container 3 (not shown here). The waste container 3 has a substantially circular cross section and has a diameter 20. In the event that the waste container 3 has a larger diameter 28, as the cover 1, an adapter 30 is placed on the waste container 3 and the cover 1 is fixed on the corresponding adapter 30 (also see FIG. 10). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 a further sliding surface 32 is provided opposite to the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7. The further sliding surface 32 is arranged such that it inclined and directed towards the slide surface 9 of the slide 7. A front edge 34 of the slide 7 is provided substantially below the surface 25 of the cover 1. By the inventive arrangement of the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7, both above and below the surface 25 of the cover 1, it is ensured that the waste 11 will remain for a certain amount of time on the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 so that the metallic components 15 of the waste 11 can be detected and removed. The cover 1 has a peripheral edge 22 with which the cover 1 is seated on the waste container 3 or on an adapter 30 for the cover 1. The cover 1 is integrally formed by an injection molding process from a polymer.
(18) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the inventive cover 1. Across the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 a further sliding surface 32 is provided which is inclined to and faces the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7. The further sliding surface 32 has a leading edge 35 which is formed slightly below the surface 25 of the cover 1. The further sliding surface 32 has a smaller inclination than the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7. The inclination of the further sliding surface 32 has an advantage, since the waste 11 can be safely transferred from further sliding surface 32 into the waste container 3. For this purpose, the front edge 35 of the further sliding surface 32 is arranged so that the waste 11 drops from the further sliding surface 32 onto the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 before it is transferred into the waste container 3. When projected in the Z-direction, the front edge 35 of the further sliding surface 32 is spaced apart from the front edge 34 of the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 by a distance 29, The distance 29 of the front edge 35 of the further sliding surface 32 is dimensioned such that the waste 11 cleared away from the further sliding surface 32 drops onto the sliding surface 7 of the slide 9 before it is falls into the waste container 3. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a seating 36 is formed in the region of the front edge 34 of the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 in which the metal 13 detector is housed. Below the surface 25 of the cover 1 further a compartment 37 is formed in which the electronics and control 40 of the metal detector 13 is placed. Below the lower portion 24 of the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 a plurality of seatings 38 are formed for the permanent magnets 17.
(19) FIG. 4 shows the bottom view of the embodiment of the inventive cover 1, shown in FIG. 2, for the waste container 3. Below the lower portion 24 of the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7, the seatings 38 are formed for the permanent magnets 19. Similarly, in the region of the front edge 35 of the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7 a seating 36 is formed for the metal detector 13. On the underside of the further sliding surface 32 a plurality of bars 41 are formed for a mechanical stabilization of the further sliding surface 32. Similarly, the compartment 37 is formed for the electronics and control 40 at the underside 26 of the cover 1. The compartment 37 can be closed with a cover not shown so as to provide protection against contamination and water spill. The seatings 38 for the permanent magnets 17, the seating 36 for the metal detector 13, the compartment 37 and the bars 41 are formed during the production of the one-piece cover 1 by an injection molding process.
(20) As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 5, the non-magnetizable components 15 of the waste 11 are captured active catching means 19, which is coupled in a suitable electric manner to the metal detectors 13a, 13b.
(21) The slide 7 has the upper portion 23, which projects above the surface 25 of the cover 1. Thus, the waste 11 (leftovers on the plate) can be tapped off from the plate at this upper portion 23 of the slide 7 and consequently the waste 11 is transferred from plate into the opening 5 of the cover 1. Therefore, the waste 11 (food particles) must not be pushed forcibly by hand or any other object from the plate.
(22) With regard to the operation of the metal detectors 13a, 13b, for example with battery or accumulator, and/or a conventional power supply, reference is made to the above description. The signals from the metal detectors 13a, 13b are registered by a counter (not shown). The schematic view of present embodiment of the inventive cover 1 for the waste container 3 shows two metal detectors 13a, 13b. However, an active catching means 19 is provided instead of the at least one permanent magnet 17 (see FIG. 1).
(23) The advantage of the active catching means 19 is that non-magnetizable metallic components 15 are catchable and are not lost. For example, the active catching means 19 is formed in the cover 1, such that the active catching means 19 can be brought into a falling area 21 (catching position) if there is a signal from the metal detector the 13a and/or 13b. The falling area 21 is shown hatched in FIG. 5. It is also conceivable to provide further active catching means 19 at or close to the cover 1, which are brought on demand into the falling area 21 of the waste 11 and the metallic components 15, respectively. According to this embodiment, the arrangement of the metal detectors shows only one possible configuration out of several possibilities. The arrangement shown herein is not to be construed as limiting the invention.
(24) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the cover 1 and the waste container 3 is not shown for clarity reasons. As described in the two previous figures, the cover, shown here, also includes two metal detectors 13a, 13b. The cover 1 is provided with at least one permanent magnet 17 and at least one active catching means 19 so that metallic and magnetizable components 15 (not shown here) and metallic and non-magnetizable components 15 can be trapped prior to their transfer into the waste container 3.
(25) As already mentioned, the active catching means 19 in the cover 1 is formed such that, due to a signal from the metal detector 13a or 13b (also see FIG. 5) of the metal components 15 the active catching means 19 can be brought into a falling area 21. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the active catching means 19 is in a retracted position 19a if no metallic components 15 are detected by the metal detectors 13.
(26) Further, the cover 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has a scraper 27 which is attached to an upper portion 23 of the slide 7 which in turn makes the tapping of the waste 11 (food waste) from the plate easier.
(27) FIG. 7 schematically shows the transition of the active catching means 19 from the retracted position 19a into a catching position 19b. By means of an electronic controller (not shown) the active catching means 19 is controlled. The signals from the metal detectors 13a and/or 13b are used that the active catching means 19 is brought into a catching position 19b, that is, in the falling area 21 of the metallic components 15, or is brought back into its retracted position 19a. In the embodiment shown, the active catching means 19 is brought by a pivoting motion into the catching position 19b.
(28) FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention. The cover 1 has three metal detectors 13a, 13b, 13c, The two metal detectors 13a, 13b are arranged as in the previous FIGS. 1 to 4, that is, below the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7, and in the region of the opening 5 of the cover 1. The third metal detector 13c is disposed below the slide 7 and after a permanent magnet 17, so that a triple detection of metal components 15 is given. Furthermore, an active catching means 19 is provided in the cover 1 such that the active catching means 19 can be brought into the falling region 21 of the metallic components 15 due to a signal from all three of metal detectors 13a, 13b, 13c. The magnetizable and metallic components 15 are already captured by the passive catching means 17 (permanent magnet), so that metal components 15 do not cause the third detector 13c to deliver a signal. Therefore, the active catching means 19 need not be brought into the catching position 19b.
(29) FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of an additional embodiment of the invention, but also without a waste container 3. The cover 1 has only one metal detector 13, which is arranged after the one permanent magnet 17 and below the sliding surface 9 of the slide 7. Metallic and magnetizable components 15 are captured by the permanent magnet 17. Other metallic and non-magnetizable components 15 are detected by the metal detector 13 downstream of the permanent magnet 17 and due to a signal from the metal detector 13 the passive catching means 19 captures the metallic and non-magnetizable components 15 prior to the transfer of the waste 11 into the waste container 3.
(30) FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of an inventive cover 1 placed on a waste container 3. The diameter 28 of the waste container 3 is greater than the diameter 20 of the cover 1. In order to attach or mount the cover 1 onto the waste container 3, an adapter 30 is provided. The adapter 30 according to the invention, the cover 1 is placed.
(31) The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it is conceivable to one skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the claims.
