Waste collection system

A waste collection system to identify and classify waste materials into a plurality of pre-established categories and then to sort into and collect the waste materials by the plurality of the pre-established categories for subsequent disposal comprising a cabinet to house a plurality of collection bins or containers corresponding to the plurality of pre-established categories of waste materials to receive and collect the waste materials by the corresponding pre-established category, a waste sorting assembly to selectively direct the waste materials into the collection bin or container corresponding to the particular category of waste material, a latch mechanism to selectively engage the waste sorting assembly to control access into the cabinet and a system control to identify and classify waste materials into one of the plurality of pre-established categories and to direct the categorized waste material into the appropriate or corresponding collection bin or container for subsequent disposal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A waste collection system for identifying and classifying waste materials into a plurality of categories and then to sort into and collect the waste material by the pre-established categories for subsequent disposal.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) which was enacted in 1976 in order to control the disposal of harmful or hazardous waste materials that include many thousands of different drugs and medical waste material considered hazardous by RCRA requirements found in hospitals and other medical facilities. Thus there is an ever increasing need for hospitals and other medical facilities to audit compliance with the laws and implemented regulations as wall as industry guidelines. To economically and efficiently dispose of their hazardous materials there is a need to sort and separate hazardous materials that require special handling and disposal from nonhazardous materials.

Often medical personnel manually sort waste streams into different colored containers for proper disposal of the separate waste streams. It is always not clear which pharmaceuticals or waste materials are hazardous simply by looking at the container. Confusion can result in disposing materials such as sharps containers, infectious waste bags and drugs into non-hazardous pharmaceutical containers.

There have been efforts to mechanize the sorting and separating process. Several examples are discussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,322 teaches a secure disposable container assembly for medical sharps and waste comprising a lower housing with a top having an upwardly extending rectangular opening for providing access to the housing and a top cover secured by locking tabs for permanent securement thereto. An access opening is fixed in the top for receiving materials that are dumped into the lower housing receptacle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,385 discloses a disposable container assembly comprising an open top housing for receiving an inner disposable container having a lockable cap and a bracket assembly for permanent attachment to a stationary object in combination with a lock latching means for securing an outer container to the bracket and for lockably securing the inner container in a position inside the outer container.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,138,918 shows a system for disposing of medical waste configured to sort waste items into a plurality of disposable containers comprising sorting stations each of which houses a number of disposable containers.

While some of the prior art may contain some similarities relating to the present invention, none of them teach, suggest or include all of the advantages and unique features of the invention disclosed hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a waste collection system to identify and classify waste materials into a plurality of pre-established categories and then to sort into and collect the waste materials by the plurality of the pre-established categories for subsequent remote disposal.

The waste system comprises a cabinet to house a plurality of collection bins or containers corresponding to the plurality of pre-established categories of waste materials to receive and collect the waste materials sorted into the corresponding pre-established category and a waste sorting assembly including a plurality of waste subassemblies corresponding to the plurality of pre-established categories of waste materials each including a directional chute movable between a first position and a second position by a corresponding chute positioning device to selectively direct the waste material into the appropriate collection bin or container corresponding to the particular waste material for subsequent disposal.

A latch mechanism is disposed to selectively engage one of the plurality of directional chutes to control access to the interior of the cabinet to permit waste materials to be deposited into the cabinet for sorting and collection into the appropriate collection bin or container.

A system control including a memory, microprocessor and scanner identifies and classifies waste material into one of the plurality of pre-established categories, controls the latch mechanism and actuates the appropriate chute positioning device or devices to position the appropriate directional chute or chutes to receive and direct the categorized waste material into the appropriate collection bin or container for subsequent disposal.

When used to sort and collect medical waste materials, the waste materials may be sorted into hazardous and nonhazardous materials. Further, by configuring the waste collection system with multiple cabinets controlled by the system control the pre-established categories of medical waste may include material returnable for credit, nonhazardous controlled material, nonhazardous noncontrolled material and hazardous material. Unidentified or unclassified waste material is defaulted as hazardous material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention relates to a waste collection system generally indicated as10to identify and classify waste material into a plurality of pre-established categories and then to sort into and collect the waste materials by the pre-established categories for subsequent disposal. When used to sort and collect medical waste materials the pre-established categories may comprise material returnable for credit, nonhazardous controlled material, nonhazardous noncontrolled material and hazardous material. Unidentified waste material or unclassified waste material may be defaulted as hazardous material.

As shown inFIG. 3, the waste collection system10is a smart cabinet generally indicated as12to house a plurality of collection bins or containers each indicated as14corresponding to the plurality of pre-established categories of waste materials and a waste sorting assembly including a first waste sorting subassembly and a second waste sorting subassembly generally indicated as16and18respectively.

As shown inFIGS. 3 through 8, the first waste sorting subassembly16comprises a first directional chute generally indicated as20movable between a first position and a second position by a first chute positioning device generally indicated as22; while, the second waste sorting subassembly18comprises a second directional chute generally indicated as24movable between a first position and second position by a second chute positioning device generally indicated as26. The first waste sorting subassembly16further includes a latch mechanism generally indicated as28to selectively secure the first directional chute20of the first waste sorting subassembly16in the first position.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, operation of the waste sorting assembly is controlled by a system control located in the upper portion of the cabinet12comprising a scanner reader (not shown) aligned with a scanner window30and a data input device (not shown) aligned with a touch screen, key pad or similar input device32together with a hard drive, a microprocessor/computer board, an input/output board, a printed circuit board, a wifi circuit with antenna and a USB hub indicated as34,36,38,40,42,44and46respectively. The system control is coupled to an external power supply by a power cable48and to a series or plurality of cabinets12A,12B and12C by a cable connector50and corresponding cables52A,52B and52C that together comprise an alternate embodiment of the waste collection system (FIG. 11).

A cover54hingedly attached to the rear portion of the cabinet12by at least one hinge56provides access to the components of the system control for maintenance, repair or replacement. The cover54may be locked to the cabinet frame by a standard or state of the art cover lock mechanism58.

In addition to the cover54which includes a substantially flat rear portion and a diagonally disposed front portion, the cabinet12comprises a front panel and a rear panel indicated as60and62respectively, a side panel64, an access door panel66hingedly attached to the cabinet frame by a pair of hinges each indicated as68. The access door panel66may be secured or locked by a standard or state of the art access door panel lock mechanism69.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the system control components and the collection bins or containers14and14A are supported by an upper support panel70and a lower support panel72respectively.

Each of the panels60,62,64,66,70and72is supported on or attached to a cabinet frame comprising a plurality of cabinet frame members each indicated as74.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, the cabinet12may be supported by a plurality of wheels or casters each indicated as76set inwardly from the lower periphery of the cabinet12. In addition, the cabinet12may be tethered by a cable78coupled between a wall or similar structure (not shown) and the cabinet12by an anchor80secured to the cabinet12as shown inFIG. 3.

As described hereinafter, an access opening82is formed in the upper portion of the front panel60of the cabinet12to allow the waste material to be placed into the cabinet12.

As shown inFIGS. 4 through 8, the first directional chute20of the first sorting subassembly16comprises a substantially flat trough-like chute panel84that when in the first position covers the access opening82above or in the flat wall panel60of the cabinet12and a pair of side panels each indicated as86rotatably coupled to or mounted on the cabinet12by a cross-bar88extending between the opposite sides of the cabinet12. Of course, the first directional chute20may be rotatably coupled to each side of the cabinet12by a separate or corresponding pin or member (not shown). A handle90may be attached or mounted on the outer face of the substantially flat trough-like chute panel84.

As shown inFIGS. 4 through 8, the first chute positioning device22comprises a first positioning element and a second positioning element operatively coupled and selectively movable relative to each other coupled to the cabinet12and the first directional chute20respectively. The first chute positioning device22may comprise a gas spring generally indicated as92to pivot the first directional chute20from the first position (FIG. 4) to the second position (FIGS. 6 and 7) to expose or open the access opening82of the cabinet12to allow access to the interior thereof when the latch mechanism28is moved from the latched position (FIG. 9) to the unlatched position (FIG. 10).

The gas spring92comprises a gas cylinder94coupled to the cabinet12by a coupling pin or member96and a piston/rod combination98reciprocally disposed within the gas cylinder94coupled to the upper rear portion100of one of the side panels84by a coupling pin or member102to pivot the first directional chute20to the second position when the latch mechanism28is unlatched. Specifically, the piston/rod combination98will extend under the pressure of the gas within the gas cylinder94when the latch mechanism28is unlatched and retract when an operator pushes or closes the first directional chute20against the gas pressure within the gas cylinder94to relatch the first direction chute20in the first position to cover or close the access opening82.

As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the latch mechanism28comprises an electronic rotary latch including a latch housing or enclosure104mounted to a cabinet frame member74of the cabinet12by a pair of fasteners each indicated as105to house a micro-switch, spring and electronics to selectively rotate or open the latch member106from a first or latched position (FIG. 9) to a second or unlatched position (FIG. 10) having a slot108formed therein relative to a recess110formed in the latch housing or enclosure104mounted to the cabinet12and a striker bolt112mounted on one side of the first directional chute20. The latch housing or enclosure104is offset relative to the cabinet12such that a line A-A bisecting the recess110is inclined from about 30 degrees to about 40 degrees and preferably about 35 degrees from the horizontal to properly align the striker bolt112relative to the slot108and the recess110when the latch member106moves between the latched and unlatched position. An example of a suitable latch mechanism28is Southco R4 EM electric rotary latch.

As shown inFIGS. 3 through 4, the second directional chute24comprises a substantially flat chute panel114, a diagonally inclined or disposed front chute panel116forming an angle of greater than 90° extending forwardly from the front portion of the substantially flat chute panel114, a pair of chute side walls118extending upwardly from the substantially flat chute panel114and an open rear portion120rotatably coupled to the opposite sides of the cabinet12by a cross-member or mounting rod122extending through a support side panel124affixed to a corresponding chute side wall118.

As shown inFIGS. 4 through 8, the second chute positioning device26comprises a first positioning element and a second positioning element operatively coupled and selectively movable relative to each other coupled to the cabinet12and the second directional chute24respectively. The second chute positioning device28may comprise an actuator including a first positioning member or element such as a motor126mounted to opposite sides of the cabinet12by a mounted bracket128and a mounting cross member130operatively coupled to a second positioning member or element such as a worm gear or screw133disposed within a housing135by a gear or gears generally indicated as134by a cross member rod136coupled to opposite sides of the second directional control chute24by the support side panels124. An M-Track Acme screw actuator is an example of such a positioning device. Alternatively, the second chute positioning device26may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder/piston combination or assembly.

The unlatching of the latch mechanism28and the operation of the second chute positioning device24are controlled by the system control as described hereinafter.

As shown inFIG. 3, a sensor138such as an electric eye or similar device or a scale140corresponding to each collection bin or container14and14A may generate a signal fed to the system control to energize an audible or visual indicator142on the diagonally disposed front portion62of the cover54when the corresponding collection bin container14or14A is at or approaching capacity and should be replaced or emptied. Of course, a separate audible or visual indicator142may be provided for each individual collection bin or container14and14A.

To implement the setup and operation of the waste collection system10, items of waste materials WM are grouped into predefined categories comprising the plurality of the pre-established categories such as nonhazardous noncontrolled material, hazardous material, non-hazardous controlled material and material returnable to a supplier or vendor for credit. Once the categories are defined, the specific items of waste materials WM to be sorted and collected in the collection bins or cans14or14A are assigned to one of the plurality of pre-established categories. The specific items of waste materials WM and the corresponding pre-established category are entered into a look-up table or data base within the system control or a remote look-up table or remote data base hard wired to the system control or coupled through the wifi44.

Described generally, the sequence of operation of the waste collection system comprises the following steps.identify employee or operator (RFID, magnetic card);scan item (bar code or other discrete item identifiers);search item in look-up table or data base;if item is not identified, a series of prompts such as product name or patient name may assist in identifying the item;item identified;item sorted into designated collection bin or container;if item is not be identified, item is assigned to a default category and sorted into designated collection bin or container;a web based program may be used to identify, track and report items' collected.

More particularly, the process of identifying and classifying, sorting and collecting items of waste materials WM into two categories for subsequent disposal is illustrated inFIG. 12depicting a first or initial routine to identify the item of waste material WM to be sorted and a second or final routine to direct or channel the items of waste material WM into the correct collection bin or container14or14A designated for the particular category of waste material WM such as nonhazardous or hazardous for temporary storage and subsequent off site disposal.

Referring toFIG. 12, the employee's identification card or the like may be read through the scanner window30by the reader or scanner (not shown) and compared to a list of employees. Then, when sorting and collecting the items of waste material WM into two (2) pre-established categories such as nonhazardous or hazardous, the bar code or other discrete identifier of the items of waste material WM to be placed in the waste collection cabinet12is scanned through the scanner window30by the reader or scanner (not shown) and compared with the list of items of waste material WM stored in the look-up table or data base (not shown) to determine whether or not the scanned item of waste material WM is classified. The item of waste material WM is either identified or not identified. If the item of waste material WM is identified by the look-up table or data base, the item of waste material WM is classified as either nonhazardous or hazardous and deposited in the appropriate collection bin or container14or14A. If the item of waste material WM is not identified from the look-up table or data base, the employee or operator may enter the patient's name or information from the item of waste material WM or container in which the item of waste material WM is contained into the system control through the use of the data input device (not shown) through the touch screen, key pad or similar input device32. If the item of waste material WM is identified by the look-up table or data base, the item of waste material WM is classified as either nonhazardous or hazardous and deposited in the appropriate collection bin or container14or14A. If the item of waste material WM is not identified, the items of waste material WM is deposited in the collection bin or container14or14A designated for hazardous items of waste material WM.

Once the first stage or phase of identifying and classifying each item of waste material WM is complete, the second stage or phase of sorting and collecting the items of waste material WM into the appropriate collection bin or container14or14A is preferred.

In particular, if the item of waste material WM is classified as nonhazardous, a first actuator signal is fed to release the latch mechanism28allowing the first chute positioning device22to move from the first or retracted position to the second or extended position to pivot the first directional chute20from the first position to the second position to direct the item of waste material WM to the collection bin or container14(FIG. 6). Once the item of waste material WM is directed to the collection bin or container14, the operator returns the first directional chute20to the first or retracted position by pivoting the first directional chute20from the second position to the first position against the force or bias of the first chute position device22returning the piston/rod combination98of the second positioning element from the extended to the retracted position such that the striker bolt112re-engages and rotates the latch member106to the first or latched position to latch the first directional chute20in the first position for subsequent operation.

If the scanned item of waste material WM is classified as hazardous, then a second actuator signal is generated by the system control to actuate the second chute positioning device26to move the second positioning element133from the first or retracted position to the second or extended position to pivot or rotate the second directional chute24from the first position to the second position then the a first actuator signal is fed to release the latch mechanism28allowing the first chute positioning device22to move from the first or retracted position to the second or extended position to pivot the first directional chute20from the first position to the second position such that a hazardous item WM placed into the first directional chute20will be directed into the second directional chute24(FIG. 7).

Once the hazardous item of waste material WM is directed to the second directional chute24, the operator returns the first directional chute20to the first or retracted position by pivoting the first directional chute20from the second position to the first position against the force or bias of the first chute position device22returning the piston/rod combination98of the second positioning element from the extended to the retracted position such that the striker bolt112re-engages and rotates the latch member106to the first or latched position to latch the first directional chute20in the first position.

Once the first directional chute20is returned or pivoted to the first position and the latch member106of latch mechanism28is returned to the first or latched position, the system control generates a third actuator signal to actuate the second chute positioning device26to move the second positioning element133of the second chute positioning device26from the second extended position to the first retracted position to pivot rotate the second directional chute24from the second position to the first position depositing the hazardous item of waste material WM into the collection bin or container14A (FIG. 8).

With both the first directional chute20and second directional chute24in the first position, the waste collection system10is configured for an additional cycle of identifying, classifying, sorting and collecting.

As shown inFIGS. 11 and 13, the waste collection system of the present invention may comprise a plurality of cabinets12,12A,12B and12C. So configured, the waste collection system is capable of sorting and collecting more than two (2) categories of waste material WM such as material returnable for credit, nonhazardous controlled material, nonhazardous noncontrolled material and hazardous material.

In addition, when a collection bin or container14/14A is full an electronic message′ is sent to notify that the collection bin or container14/14A needs to be replaced or items of waste material WM may be directed to a second collection bin or container14/14A by a fourth actuator signal.

Further, each collection bin or container14/14A has a unique bar code that identifies container and contents of each container:each collection bin or container14/14A is tracked through common carrier until disposal; andcontrol drugs to be tracked and disposed and provide accountability and a system to “Close The Loop” from dispensing to disposal.

Now that the invention has been described