Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a device for collecting and compacting waste, in particular a waste container. The present disclosure furthermore relates to a process for collecting and compacting waste. The process includes aspirating part of the gaseous atmosphere from the waste bag that contains waste, with simultaneous mechanical compression of the waste bag and external air pressure loading of the waste bag.
Claims
1. Device (1) for collecting and compacting waste comprising a) a container (2) for accommodating a waste bag, the container comprising side walls (3), a moving base plate (4) inside and a first seal (5) at the opening (6), b) a cover (7) with a second seal (8), wherein the cover is configured and arranged such that: it can be brought to an open position with respect to the opening (6) of the container (2), so that the opening (6) of the container (2) is accessible for placing a waste bag inside, and it can be brought to a closed position with respect to the opening (6) of the container (2), so that the cover (7) interacts positively with the opening of the container (2) such that a waste bag placed inside the container (2) between the first seal (5) and the second seal (8) can be sealed airtight against the cover (7), c) means (9) for producing compressed air, d) means (10) for producing negative pressure, and e) means (11) for heat sealing a waste bag placed inside the container (2) when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the means are situated at the opening (6) of the container and/or on the cover (7), characterized in that the cover (7) has an aspiration opening (12), which is arranged on the cover (7) such that in the closed position, the gaseous atmosphere can be partially aspirated from the interior of a waste bag placed inside the container (2) by means of the means (10) for producing negative pressure, when the opening (6) is closed, the container (2) is sealed airtight, the base plate (4) of the container can be moved with respect to the side walls (3) and, in the closed position, in the direction of the cover (7), the device (1) has means (14) for moving the base plate (4) with respect to the side walls (3), and the container (2) has an inlet port (15) for compressed air, which, controlled by means of an inlet valve (16), can be charged with compressed air supplied by the means (9) for producing compressed air.
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (7) comprises means (21) for perforating a waste bag.
3. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (14) for moving the base plate (4) is driven by compressed air supplied by the means (9) for producing compressed air.
4. Device (1) according to claim 1, which is configured so that the compressed air used for the means (14) for moving the base plate (4) can also be delivered to the inlet port (15), controlled by an inlet valve (16).
5. Device (1) according claim 1, wherein the means (14) for moving the base plate are pneumatically operated and are preferably one or more pneumatic cylinders or one or more pneumatic bellows.
6. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (10) for producing negative pressure, preferably a vacuum pump, are arranged in the cover (7).
7. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (10) for producing negative pressure comprise a filter, preferably a carbon filter and/or a liquid sensor.
8. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (7) has means for irradiating the interior of the container with UV light.
9. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device has means (17) for attaching a waste bag, preferably a clamping frame, on the opening (6) of the container.
10. Method for collecting and compacting waste comprising the step of aspirating part of the gaseous atmosphere from the waste bag that contains waste, with simultaneous mechanical compression of the waste bag and external air pressure loading of the waste bag, wherein a device (1) according to claim 1 is used.
11. Method according to claim 10, in which before the step of aspirating part of the gaseous atmosphere from a waste bag that contains waste, with simultaneous mechanical compression of the waste bag and external air pressure loading of the waste bag, a step is first performed in which the waste bag is only mechanically compressed, followed by additional aspiration of a first part of the gaseous atmosphere from a waste bag.
12. Method according to claim 10, in which before the step of aspirating part of the gaseous atmosphere from a waste bag that contains waste, with simultaneous mechanical compression of the waste bag and external air pressure loading of the waste bag, the waste bag is sealed by means of a part of the bag or a separate part of the waste bag by pressing on the part, this part of the bag or a separate part of the waste bag is perforated and part of the gaseous atmosphere is aspirated from the waste bag through the perforation port.
13. Method according to claim 10, which furthermore comprises a step of sealing the waste bag by heat sealing during or after aspiration of part of the gaseous atmosphere from the waste bag.
14. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] The invention is now described on the basis of the drawings.
[0055] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a device according to the invention.
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the rear side of a device according to the invention.
[0057] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a device according to the invention with extended containers.
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of two containers of a device according to the invention.
[0059] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of two containers of a device according to the invention with open clamping frames.
[0060] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the rear side of two containers of a device according to the invention.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows a detail view of two containers of a device according to the invention.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of two containers of a device according to the invention without the container side wall.
[0063] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of two containers of a device according to the invention without the container side wall and without the base plate.
[0064] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of two containers of a device according to the invention without the container side wall with means for moving the base plate extended.
[0065] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of two containers of a device according to the invention without the container side wall with means for moving the base plate extended without the base plate.
[0066] FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of two covers of a device according to the invention in extended position.
[0067] FIG. 13 shows a detail view of two covers of a device according to the invention.
[0068] FIG. 14 shows a detail view of two covers of a device according to the invention from the rear side.
[0069] FIG. 15 shows a detail view of a device according to the invention.
[0070] FIG. 16 shows a section A-A as indicated in FIG. 15.
[0071] FIG. 17 shows a detail view B of the section A-A of FIG. 17.
[0072] FIG. 18 shows a detail view C of the section A-A of FIG. 17.
[0073] FIG. 19 shows a detail view B of the section A-A of FIG. 17.
[0074] FIG. 20 shows a detail view C of the section A-A of FIG. 17.
[0075] FIG. 21 shows a detail view of two containers of a device according to the invention.
[0076] FIG. 22 shows a detail view of two containers of a device according to the invention.
[0077] FIG. 23 shows a section through the device according to the invention of FIG. 22.
[0078] FIG. 24 shows a detail view from FIG. 23.
[0079] FIG. 25 shows a detail view from FIG. 23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0080] A device (1) according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1, embodied here as a base unit with a front panel, control element and base board, e.g. suitable as a kitchen unit. The extendable middle part, fastened by the side pull-out runners, comprises the container unit, the upper part with the control elements comprises the cover unit, which is preferably also designed to be pulled out for operating purposes.
[0081] FIG. 2 shows a device (1) according to the invention from the rear side, here also designed as a base unit with a front panel and base board, e.g. suitable as a kitchen unit. From the rear side, the means (9) for producing compressed air, shown here as a compressor, can be seen as well as the means (10) for producing negative pressure, shown here as a vacuum pump. These means are both disposed in the container unit. The activated carbon filter (19) here is mounted above the vacuum pump. The pressure/negative pressure lines are not shown.
[0082] FIG. 3 shows a device (1) according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1, designed as a base unit with a base board and control element, e.g. suitable as a kitchen unit. The front panel is not shown. The central part, which comprises the container unit, is shown pulled out by means of the side pull-out runners. The upper part, with the control elements, which comprises the cover unit, is shown in the retracted position. The container unit comprises two containers (2) with the respective side walls (3) and openings (6). The first seal (5) is provided at the opening of each container.
[0083] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the containers of the device (1) according to the invention. The containers are substantially formed from the side walls (3) and the container bottom (not visible here). The moveable base plates (4) are located inside the containers. The first seal (5) is provided at the opening (6) of each container. The heat sealing means (11) are embodied as strip electrodes at the openings (6), but only over approximately one third of the circumference of the openings (6). The corresponding electrodes on the cover, not shown here (see FIG. 12) complete the heat sealing means (11) over the entire circumference around the openings. This ensures that the waste bag is completely sealed during sealing. Alternatively, the strip electrodes can also be disposed fully circumferentially around the container opening. The control unit (11a) for the heat sealing means powers the heat sealing means (11) at the opening (6) or cover (7). The seal (13) on the base plate (also designated third seal) seals the base plate (4) at all of its positions with respect to the side walls (3), airtight in an embodiment described in detail above, preferably at least so as to prevent dirt from possibly being able to penetrate under the base plate (4). When the container opening (6) is closed, the container is thus hermetically sealed by the side walls (3) (these are also made to be airtight) and either by the base plate (4) or at least by the container bottom (18) (not shown here, see FIG. 9 for example). Compressed air can enter the interior of the container through the inlet port (15), via the controlled compressed air inlet valve (16). This compressed air is used to compress the waste in the waste bag arranged inside the container (and above the base plate), when the cover is in the closed position and the waste bag presses against the first seal (5). If the seal (13) is made to be airtight, the compressed air is injected into the inner space of the container above the base plate. The fastening means (17), designed here as clamping frames and shown in the closed position, surrounds the opening (6) on the outside and, when a waste bag (not shown here) is placed inside (with the clamping frames open), can clamp the latter and thereby fasten it to the container. The fastening means (17) only partially covers the seal (5), here in the figure at the end of the opening (6) shown at the front. In this region, the fastening means (17) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is used to form a recess for perforation (25). A waste bag placed inside with the clamping frames (17) open is clamped over the first seal (5) by means of the clamping frame. Without the perforation recess (25), which is preferably formed by the clamping frames while covering the first seal (5), the closing tab (part of the waste bag or a separate part) and the waste bag would lie directly over each other when covering the waste bag for sealing, so that the closing tab could not be perforated or could only possibly be selectively perforated by the perforation means (21). The perforation recess (25) therefore protects the waste bag against the perforation means (21), and so the latter can only perforate the closing tab in order to aspirate the gaseous atmosphere and/or to allow the gaseous atmosphere to escape from inside the waste bag. This is described in more detail with FIG. 17.
[0084] FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the container (2) of the device (1) according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 4, except that the fastening means (17) designed here as clamping frames is shown in the open position. In this position, a waste bag (not shown here) can be placed inside the container through the opening (6).
[0085] FIG. 6 shows a detail view of the container (2) of the device (1) according to the invention from the rear side. The containers (2) comprise the side walls (3) and the container bottom (not visible here) and have the openings (6). The fastening means (17), designed here as clamping frames and shown in the closed position, surround the opening (6) on the outside and when a waste bag (not shown here) is placed inside (with the clamping frames open), can clamp the latter and thereby fasten it to the container. In order to use the space in the device (1) according to the invention advantageously, particularly when the device is configured as a base unit, e.g. suitable as a kitchen unit, the means (9) for producing compressed air, shown here as a compressor and the means (10) for producing negative pressure, shown here as a vacuum pump, are arranged in the container unit of the device behind the containers. The activated carbon filter (19) here is mounted above the vacuum pump. The control for the heat sealing means (11a) is arranged below the compressor.
[0086] FIG. 7 shows a detail view of the inside of a container (2) of the device (1) according to the invention. The region of the container (2) into which the waste bag can extend is limited by the side walls (3) and the moveable base plate (4), shown here in the high extension position. The first seal (5) is disposed at the opening (6) of the container, together with the heat sealing means (11). The seal (13) on the base plate seals the base plate (4) with respect to the side walls (3), either airtight, or preferably at least so as to prevent dirt from possibly penetrating under the base plate (4). The fastening means (17) only partially covers the first seal (5), here at the end of the opening shown at the front in the figure. In this region, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means (17) is also used to form the perforation recess (25).
[0087] FIG. 8 shows a detail view of the inside of a container (2) of the device (1) according to the invention. The containers are substantially formed from the side walls (3) (the front side wall is not shown) and the container bottom (18). The region of the container (2) into which the waste bag can extend is limited by the side walls (3) and the moveable base plate (4), shown here in the lowered position. The seal (13) on the base plate seals the base plate (4) with respect to the side walls (3), either airtight, or preferably at least so as to prevent dirt from possibly penetrating under the base plate (4). The means (14) for moving the base plate according to the invention preferably comprises sliding elements, formed here as bellows, which can push the base plate (4) in the direction of the cover, as well as retraction elements, designed here as spiral springs.
[0088] FIG. 9 shows a detail view corresponding to FIG. 8 of the inside of a container (2) of the device (1) according to the invention. The containers are substantially formed from the side walls (3) (the front side wall is not shown) and the container bottom (18). Compared with FIG. 8, the base plate (4) is not shown. The means (14) for moving the base plate, shown here in the lowered position, according to the invention preferably comprises sliding elements, formed here as bellows which are connected by a holder, and which can push the base plate (4) in the direction of the cover, as well as retraction elements, designed here as spiral springs.
[0089] FIG. 10 shows a detail view corresponding to FIG. 8 of the inside of a container (2) of the device (1) according to the invention, however, the moveable base plate (4) is brought to the high extension position by the means (14) for moving the base plate. The means (14) for moving the base plate preferably according to the invention comprises sliding elements, formed here as bellows, which can push the base plate (4) in the direction of the cover, as well as retraction elements, designed here as spiral springs. The latter are tensioned in the high extension position and allow the base plate to retract, for example after emptying the container, i.e. after removing the compressed and sealed waste bag.
[0090] FIG. 11 shows a detail view corresponding to FIG. 10 of the inside of a container (2) of the device (1) according to the invention. The means (14) for moving the base plate is shown in the high extension position, the base plate is not shown.
[0091] FIG. 12 shows a detail view of the covers (7) of the device (1) according to the invention, here in the position extended by means of the pull-out runners (for operating purposes). The covers (7) comprise the second seal (8) on the cover, which interacts with the first seal (5) at the container opening (not shown here) in the closed position. The heat sealing means (11) are designed as strip electrodes, but only over approximately two thirds of the circumference of the opening. The corresponding electrodes at the container opening, not shown here (see FIG. 4 for example), complete the heat sealing means (11) for a full circumference around the opening. This ensures complete sealing of the waste bag during sealing. The atmosphere can be aspirated from the waste bag through the aspiration openings (12).
[0092] FIG. 13 shows a detail view of the covers (7) of the device (1) according to the invention illustrated here from below from the direction of the container. The covers (7) comprise the second seal (8) on the cover, that interacts in the closed position with the first seal (5) at the container opening (not shown here). The heat sealing means (11) are designed as strip electrodes, but only over approximately two thirds of the circumference of the opening. The atmosphere can be aspirated from the waste bag through the aspiration opening (12). The aspiration opening (12) also accommodates the perforation means (21). The protection device (20) can be folded away during operating, and thereby gives the irradiation means, typically a UV lamp, optical access to the interior of the container. The light from the UV lamp can therefore reach the interior of the container as soon as the protection device (20) has been moved aside, e.g. rotated or pushed. In the closed position, the protection device (20) substantially forms a plane with the side face of the cover (7), which, in the closed position, is oriented in the container direction.
[0093] The covers (7) of the device (1) according to the invention remain in the retracted position during normal operation of the device, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In order to place waste in the waste bag, the container unit is typically extended as shown in FIG. 3, and retracted again as shown in FIG. 1 after placing the waste inside. In the retracted position, the cover (7) with the second seal (8) is normally lowered, so that the second seal (8) interacts, in the closed position, with the first seal (5) at the container opening, and the waste bag is sealed by the cover (7). This prevents unpleasant odours due to the waste, and for this purpose, after the container unit has been retracted, the waste can additionally be irradiated with UV light by the means on the cover for irradiating the interior of the container. In one embodiment, irradiation takes place at every retraction of the container unit after placing the waste inside and/or part of the atmosphere has been aspirated from the rubbish bag.
[0094] FIG. 14 shows a detail view of the covers (7) of the device (1) according to the invention, illustrated here from above. The atmosphere can be aspirated from the waste bag through the aspiration opening (12). The housing, which normally encloses the aspiration opening, the UV lamp (26) and the protection device (20), is not shown. The waste bag can be perforated through the aspiration opening (12) by the perforation means (21), shown here as a blade, which leaves a semi-circular cut region. On the cover shown in the foreground, the UV lamp (26) and the protection device (20) are not visible, only the opening normally filled by the protection device (20) is shown.
[0095] FIG. 15 shows the device (1) according to the invention, schematically from above, in order to illustrate the position of the section A-A as shown in FIG. 16.
[0096] FIG. 16 shows the section A-A of FIG. 15. The illustration shows both the cover unit with a cover (7), the UV lamp (26) and the protection device (20) as well as the container opening. The perforation means (21), shown here as a blade protrudes through the aspiration opening (12) and perforates the part of the waste bag, or rather the separate part that covers the waste bag. This is shown in detail in FIGS. 17 and 19, which illustrate section B. Of the container (2), the side walls (3), the clamping frame (17) and the opening of the container are shown. The waste bag is also indicated, as well as the part of the waste bag, or rather the separate part that covers the waste bag, and therefore stretches over the container opening. This is shown in detail in FIGS. 17 to 20.
[0097] FIG. 17 shows the section B from FIG. 16 with more details for the perforation and aspiration process step. Section B shows the upper edge of the container (2) with the first seal (5) at the opening of the container. The cover (7) is shown in the closed position, the second seal (8) on the cover interacts with the first seal (5), here over a part of the clamping frame (17), including a corresponding further seal (17a) on the clamping frame. The heat sealing means (11) are arranged on the cover, designed here as strip electrodes. A waste bag (23) is shown inside the container and lies inside the container against the side wall (3). The waste bag is stretched over the container opening by the means (17) for fastening the waste bag, designed here as clamping frames, in particular over the first seal (5) at the opening of the container. In the section B case, the clamping frame (17) presses the waste bag (23) directly onto the first seal (5), since the clamping frame (17) here, including the further seal (17a) on the clamping frame protrudes above the first seal (5). In regions where the means (17) for fastening the waste bag do not protrude above the first seal (5), as shown for example in FIG. 4 and discussed with FIG. 4, the means (17) for fastening the waste bag stretch the waste bag only over the first seal (5). In order to seal the waste bag on reaching the specified fill level, according to the invention, a part, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably a separate part (24) of the waste bag, for example from a continuous roll, must be placed over the container opening. This typically takes place manually with the container unit pulled out, however, appropriate means can also be provided, which automatically position the separate part, for example a flap of the waste bag or, preferably, a separate part (24), for example from a continuous roll, over the container opening. This can also be envisaged for the container unit in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1. After retracting the container unit into the device (1) according to the invention, which can be envisaged and carried out manually or automatically, e.g. at the touch of a button, the cover is brought to the closed position as shown in FIG. 17. In this case, the second seal (8) of the cover is pressed onto the clamping frames (17) including a corresponding further seal (17a), and this onto the first seal (5). In regions where the clamping frame does not protrude above the first seal (5), as shown for example in FIG. 4 and discussed with FIG. 4, the clamping frame stretches the waste bag only over the first seal (5). Here, the second seal (8) of the cover is pressed directly onto the first seal (5). In either case, the second seal (8) of the cover seals the part of the waste bag, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably the separate part (24) against the waste bag (23). In this position, the interior of the waste bag is hermetically sealed with respect to the surroundings. However, this also means that in this condition, the atmosphere could not be aspirated from the interior of the waste bag, or the atmosphere could not escape from the interior of the waste bag by compressing the waste bag. In order to allow this, a defined opening is made in the closing tab of the waste bag by means of the perforation means (21). The perforation recess (25) made by the clamping frame (17) by overlapping the first seal (5) allows selective perforation of the overlapping part of the waste bag, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably the separate part (24) as shown in FIG. 17. As FIG. 17 also shows in section B, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means (17) are used to form a recess (25) for perforation. Without the perforation recess (25), which is preferably formed by the clamping frames while overlapping the first seal (5), when closing the waste bag for sealing, the closing tab (part of the waste bag or a separate part) and the waste bag would lie directly on top of each other, so that it would not be possible for the perforation means (21) to selectively perforate only the closing tab. The perforation recess (25) therefore protects the waste bag against the perforation means (21), the latter can therefore only perforate the closing tab. After completing the perforation, part of the atmosphere can be aspirated from the interior of the waste bag through the aspiration opening (12), as indicated by the arrow, or part of the atmosphere can escape from the interior of the waste bag by compressing same, and in fact through the aspiration slot (22), which remains between the waste bag (23) and the overlapping part of the waste bag, for example a flap of the waste bag or preferably the separate part (24).
[0098] FIG. 18 shows a section C from FIG. 16 with more details corresponding to the perforation and aspiration process step as in FIG. 17. Section C shows the upper edge of the container (2) with the first seal (5) at the opening of the container. The cover (7) is shown in the closed position, the second seal (8) on the cover interacts with the first seal (5). The heat sealing means (11) are arranged on the container, designed here as strip electrodes. A waste bag (23) is placed in the container and lies inside the container against the side wall (3). The waste bag is stretched over the container opening by the means (17) for fastening the waste bag, designed here as clamping frames, in particular over the first seal (5) at the opening of the container. In order to seal the waste bag according to the invention, a part, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably a separate part (24) of the waste bag, for example from a continuous roll, is placed over the container opening. As shown in FIG. 18, corresponding to FIG. 17, the cover is brought to the closed position. The second seal (8) of the cover is thereby pressed against the first seal (5), and the second seal (8) of the cover seals the part of the waste bag, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably the separate part (24), against the waste bag (23). In this position, the interior of the waste bag is hermetically sealed against the surroundings. The aspiration slot (22) between the waste bag (23) and the overlapping part of the waste bag, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably the separate part (24) remains between the heat sealing means (11) and the corresponding opposite mating surface.
[0099] FIG. 19 shows the section B from FIG. 16 with more details for the sealing process step. As in FIG. 17, the cover is also shown in the closed position, but lower down so as to allow the waste bag to be sealed. Here, the cover is moved further towards the upper edge of the container (2) with the first seal (5), the second seal (8) on the cover furthermore interacts with the first seal (5), here over a part of the clamping frame (17) including a further corresponding seal (17a). The heat sealing means (11) arranged on the cover, designed here as strip electrodes, now lie directly on the corresponding mating surface of the container opening, the aspiration slot (22) still present in FIG. 17 is closed. The waste bag (23) placed inside the container is therefore under the heat sealing means (11) with the part, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably a separate part (24) of the waste bag, for example from a continuous roll, in contact, and can be sealed to it and thereby sealed up.
[0100] FIG. 20 shows the section C from FIG. 16 with more details for the sealing process step. Compared with FIG. 18, the cover is also shown in the closed position, but lower down so as to allow the waste bag to be sealed. Here, the cover is moved further towards the upper edge of the container (2) with the first seal (5), the second seal (8) on the cover furthermore interacts with the first seal (5), here over a part of the clamping frame (17) including a further corresponding seal (17a). The heat sealing means (11) arranged on the container (2), designed here as strip electrodes, are now directly in contact with the corresponding mating surface of the cover, the aspiration slot (22) still present in FIG. 18 is closed. The waste bag (23) placed inside the container is therefore above the heat sealing means (11) with the part, for example a flap of the waste bag, or preferably a separate part (24) of the waste bag, for example from a continuous roll, in contact, and can be sealed to it and thereby sealed up.
[0101] FIG. 21 shows a section of a preferred device according to the invention, designed here as a base unit with a front panel, control element and base board, e.g. suitable as a kitchen unit. The pull-out middle part, fastened by the side pull-out runners, comprises the container unit, two containers here, shown in the pulled-out position with the front panel slightly folded down. In the embodiment shown, the heat sealing means (11) are disposed fully circumferentially on the opening of the container, which is preferred according to the invention. In the container shown in the foreground, the opening of the container is covered by a separate part (24) of the waste bag and therefore shown closed. The separate part (24) of the waste bag comes, as shown in the figure, from a roll (30) (continuous roll), which supplies several parts (24) of the waste bag provided to cover the waste bag. The roll (30) is preferably arranged at the rear end of the container, i.e. at the end of the container further distanced from the front panel. As in the condition shown in FIG. 21, the roll (30) is therefore preferably arranged such that, in order to close the waste bag, according to the invention, a separate part (24) of the waste bag can be unrolled from the roll (30) and can be placed over the container opening. The part (24) of the waste bag can then be fastened by the means for fastening the closing tab (27) of the waste bag, designed here as a folding frame on the front side of the container. Here, the means (27) for fastening the closing tab of the waste bag of the part (24) of the waste bag preferably presses against spikes (27a) for fastening the closing tab of the waste bag. Means (29) for cutting, designed here as cutting electrodes are typically present between the roll (30) and the opening of the container. Alternatively, the cutting means (29) can also be designed as a tear bar. Circuit breakers (28) are preferably arranged such that they are activated when the part (24) of the waste bag is correctly placed over the container opening. This arrangement allows, as soon as the part (24) of the waste bag which will close the waste bag, is placed over the container opening, the part (24) to be fastened by the means for fastening the closing tab (27) of the waste bag, wherein the circuit breakers (28) are activated when the part (24) is correctly placed over the container opening. The waste bag can then be sealed and therefore closed by the heat sealing means (11) fully circumferentially on the container opening and, preferably after the waste bag has been sealed, the part (24) is cut from the roll (30) by the cutting means (29). Finally, the sealed waste bag can be removed from the container after opening the means for fastening the closing tab (27) and the means (17) for fastening the waste bag.
[0102] FIG. 22 shows the section of a preferred device according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 21. In the container shown in the foreground, the container opening is covered by a separate part (24) of the waste bag and is shown closed. Compared with FIG. 21, the means for fastening the closing tab (27) of the waste bag, designed here as folding frames on the front side of the container, are shown closed. The part (24) of the waste bag is therefore fastened. Here, the means for fastening the closing tab (27) of the waste bag of the part (24) of the waste bag preferably presses against spikes (27a) for fastening the closing tab of the waste bag and activates the circuit breakers (28) (not shown here).
[0103] FIG. 23 shows a section through a preferred device according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 16. In the container shown, the container opening is covered by a separate part (24) of the waste bag and the waste bag (23) placed inside is therefore shown closed. The separate part (24) of the waste bag comes as shown in the figure from a roll (30) (continuous roll), which supplies several parts of the waste bag (24) provided to cover the waste bag. In the process according to the invention, three means are used simultaneously to reduce the waste volume, firstly, aspiration of the gaseous atmosphere from the waste bag, secondly, mechanical compression which is used to assist the removal of the gaseous atmosphere, and above all allows higher pressures on the waste, and thirdly and finally, application of compressed air on the outside of the waste bag. The aspiration of the gaseous atmosphere from the waste bag which produces negative pressure inside the waste bag, is shown in the figure as A. The compression loading is illustrated by the arrows marked B. The latter is done by injecting compressed air into the container, here under the base plate. The compressed air flows past the seals of the base plate and acts on the waste bag, which is sealed against the cover. The force due to raising the base plate results in mechanical compression of the waste.
[0104] FIG. 24 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 17 with more details of the process step of perforation and aspiration, as well as the air pressure loading. The upper edge of the container is shown, the cover is in the closed position, the second seal on the cover interacts with the first seal, here over a part of the clamping frame including a corresponding further seal on the clamping frame (as in FIG. 17). The heat sealing means (11) are arranged at the container opening, designed here as strip electrodes. A waste bag (23) is shown in the container and lies inside the container against the side wall (and the base plate, not shown here). The waste bag is stretched over the container opening by the means for fastening the waste bag, designed here as clamping frames. In order to close the waste bag when the specified fill level is reached, according to the invention, a part, for example a flap of the waste bag or, preferably a separate part (24) of the waste bag, for example from a continuous roll, is placed over the container opening. This typically happens manually with the container unit pulled out, but appropriate means can also be envisaged, which position the separate part (24), for example from a continuous roll, automatically over the container opening. The separate part (24) of the waste bag is clamped by the means for fastening the closing tab (27) of the waste bag, a correctly placed part (24) activates the circuit breakers (28). With the cover in the closed position, the second seal of the cover is positioned directly on top of the first seal of the container (see more precisely in FIG. 17). The seals of the cover and of the container seal the separate part (24) against the waste bag (23). In this position, the interior of the waste bag is hermetically sealed against the surroundings. In order to allow the atmosphere to be aspirated from the interior of the bag, a defined opening is made in the closing tab of the waste bag by the perforation means. After completing the perforation, a part of the atmosphere can be aspirated from the interior of the waste bag through the aspiration opening in the cover, or a part of the atmosphere can escape from the interior of the waste bag by compressing same. The aspiration of the gaseous atmosphere from the waste bag, which produces a negative pressure in the waste bag is shown as A in the figure. The pressure loading is illustrated by the arrows marked B. The latter is done by injecting compressed air into the container, here under the base plate. The compressed air flows past the seals of the base plate and acts on the waste bag, which is sealed against the cover. The force due to raising the base plate results in mechanical compression of the waste.
[0105] FIG. 25 shows the section corresponding to FIG. 24 at the other end of the container, corresponding to FIG. 18. The upper edge of the container is shown, the cover is in the closed position, the second seal on the cover interacts with the first seal (as in FIG. 18). The heat sealing means (11) are arranged at the container opening, designed here as strip electrodes. A waste bag (23) placed inside the container is shown. The waste bag is stretched over the container opening by the means for fastening the waste bag, designed here as clamping frames. According to the illustrated preferred embodiment, a separate part (24) of the waste bag from a roll (30) is positioned over the container opening and the waste bag placed inside it, typically manually with the container unit pulled out, however, appropriate means can also be provided, which automatically position the separate part (24) over the container opening. The seals of the cover and of the container seal the separate part (24) against the waste bag (23). The aspiration of the gaseous atmosphere from the waste bag, which produces a negative pressure in the waste bag is shown as A in the figure. The pressure loading is illustrated by the arrows marked B. After the aspiration, the waste bag is closed by sealing it to the separate part (24), and the latter is cut off the roll (30) by the means (29) for cutting the separate part, designed here as cutting electrode.
[0106] A waste container is thereby provided, in which a comparatively large quantity of waste can be collected and stored, which can be compacted to the maximum and subsequently cleanly disposed of, and which at the same time is easy to operate.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0107] 1 Device [0108] 2 Container [0109] 3 Side walls [0110] 4 Base plate [0111] 5 First seal at the container opening [0112] 6 Container opening [0113] 7 Cover [0114] 8 Second seal on the cover [0115] 9 Means for producing compressed air [0116] 10 Means for producing negative pressure [0117] 11 Heat sealing means [0118] 11a Control for the heat sealing means [0119] 12 Aspiration opening on the cover [0120] 13 Seal on the base plate [0121] 14 Means for moving the base plate [0122] 15 Inlet port in the container [0123] 16 Inlet valve for compressed air [0124] 17 Means for fastening a waste bag [0125] 17a Seal on the means for fastening a waste bag [0126] 18 Container bottom [0127] 19 Activated carbon filter [0128] 20 Protection device for UV lamp [0129] 21 Perforation means [0130] 22 Aspiration slot [0131] 23 Waste bag [0132] 24 Flap of the waste bag or separate part [0133] 25 Recess for perforation [0134] 26 UV lamp [0135] 27 Means for fastening the cover panel of the waste bag [0136] 27a Spikes for fastening the cover panel of the waste bag [0137] 28 Circuit breaker [0138] 29 Means for cutting the separate part [0139] 30 Roll of the separate part for covering the waste bag
