LID FOR WASTE CONTAINERS AND PROCESS FOR ELIMINATING ODOURS FROM WASTE CONTAINERS

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a lid for a waste container in which the adsorbent is in the form of a filtering panel (2) consisting of or comprising the adsorbent for the odour-producing exhalation permitting the passage of the non-adsorbed gases and vapours and the lid (1) has ventilation openings (5) in a number and of sizes sufficient to let out the non-adsorbed gases and vapours passed through the filtering panel (2) to outside. The invention also relates to a process for eliminating odours from waste containers by using an adsorbent, in which the odour-producing exhalation is adsorbed on a filtering panel (2) and the non-adsorbed gases and vapours passed through the filtering panel (2) are lead to the environment.

Description: Lid for waste containers and process for el.iin-.riftting odours from waste containers FIELD OF THE ART This invention refers to techniques for the construction of waste containers and their lids in particular as well as for a process for eliminating odours from waste containers. REFERENCE CLASS B 65 D. STATE OF THE ART Different types of waste containers have been known. From US patent 5,158,199 there has been known a diaper container (shell) with a lid lined with a pad of adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, for adsorbing a substantial amount of noxious gaseous materials having offensive odours (column 10, lines 9 to 24) . However, this lining must be in close lying relationship with the undersurface of the lid (column 8, lines 13 to 15) . This has the drawback that the non- -adsorbed gases and vapours cannot pass through the lining but accumulate. Though a small opening, such as a slot, protected by liner, may be provided for in the lid this serves only to reduce the rush of offensive gaseous materials from the soiled diapers stored in the container (shell) caused by the draft pulled by rapid opening of the lid by the access of air from outside thuB creating a counter-pressure (column 9, lines 48 to 59) . This illustrates that the small opening is not in a position to function in the sense of letting out the an -adsorbed gases and vapours, not to say without the noxious ones which latter is impossible already because of the fact that the liner is in close lying relationship with the undersur ce of the lid. Similar diaper containers without any opening have been known from US patents 5,022,553 and 2,411,430. The problem underlying to the invention is to create a lid for a waste container by which the odour-producing exhalation is eliminated from the gases and vapours emanated by the waste and also the non-adsorbed gases and vapours are eliminated as well as a corresponding process for eliminating odour-producing exhalation from waste containers. DESCRIPTION Surprisingly this has been solved by the invention. A subject matter of the invention is a lid jointed to a container for material with odour-producing exhalation the lid being fitted internally with an adsorbent in a removable, interchangeable way and having an opening, characterized in that the container to which the lid is jointed is a waste container, the adsorbent is in the form of a filtering panel consisting of or comprising the adsorbent for the odour- -producing exhalation permitting the passage of the non- -adsorbed gases and vapours and the lid has ventilation openings in a number and of sizes sufficient to let out the non-adsorbed gases and vapours passed through the filtering panel to outside. The non-adsorbed gases and vapours are such not or essentially not producing odour. The fundamental differences and surprising advantages of the subject matter of the present invention as compared to the Prior Art are as follows : Not only the odour-producing exhalation is completely or almost completely adoorbcd on the filtering panel but also the non-adsorbed gases and vapours are eliminated by letting them out to outside of the container contrary to the Prior Art according to which this is not possible because the adsorbent is in the form of a lining on the undβrsurface of the upper part of the lid in light relationship to it so that the gases and vapours cannot press through the lining. A further reason are the other pressure conditions in both cases. Whereas according to US patent 5,158,199 the pressure of gases and vapours in the diaper container is ow, this can become very great in waste containers. By that in the said Prior Art it has been indicated that the small opening in the lid lets in air into the space under the lid this leads away from the invention by which contrary to the above the non-adsorbed gases and vapours • are discharged from the waste ontainer to outside. If the construction according to the said Prior Art for diaper containers would be used for waste containers the pressure created in them would imply the risk of damage of the containers even by bursting because of the great pressure created. Conveniently the filtering panel is disposed distant from the undersurface of the upper part of the lid. Advantageously the filtering panel is disposed parallel or a little inclined in relation to the undersurface of the upper part of the lid. This for the reason that the gases and vapours come from below. Suitably the filtering panel occupies an entire or nearly entire section inside the lateral border of the lid. This has the advantage of making sure that all odou -producing exhalation comes to the filtering panel and is adsorbed. According to an embodiment the filtering panel is inserted between two nets by having been fixed to the border joints of the nets the latter being fixed to lateral border portions of the lid. According to another embodiment the filtering panel is fixed to border portions of the lid. Preferably the openings are disposed laterally. According to a preferred embodiment the openings lead in a space between the upper part of the lid and a horizontal or almost horizontal portion of the lateral border of the lid parallel or almost parallel to the upper part of the lid. This has the advantage that the outflow of the non- dsorbed gases and vapours is promoted by an exhaust effect like in a chimney. Preferably the adsorbent material is activated carbon. Conveniently this is such prepared from carbonized material of vegetable origin by a heat treatment giving to them a great porosity. Examples for such carbonized material are coconut shells, wood of any type, peat, fossile coal, viscose rayon, polyacryl n trile fibres, polystyrene and caoutchouc. Examples for further adsorbent materials are ion exchangers and silica gel. Advantageously the thickness of the filter panel is from 3 to 8 mm, particularly from 5 to 8 sun, for example 5 mm. Such great thicknesses are advisable for the case that the filter panel rem ins for longer periods, such as one year, in the lid. The greater the thickness of the filter panel the greater the adsorbing capacity. Preferably the adsorbing capacity of the adsorbent is >4,5 mg/cm 2 , calculated on fluorobenzene of a concentration of 10%, or >3 mg/cm J , calculated on luorobenzene of a concentration of 100%. A subject matter of the invention is also a process for eliminating odours from waste containers by using an adsorbent, characterized in that the odour-producing exhalation is adsorbed on a filtering panel and the non- dsorbed gases and vapours passed through the filtering panel are lead to the environment. If in rare cases it is necessary the non-adsorbed gases and vapours are sucked off through the openings. The invention will now be described with reference to the figures of the drawings attached herein, for the sole purpose viding an example. Figure 1 shows a lateral view of the outside of the lid, tightly closed on a waste container. Figure 2 shows a cross section of the lid tightly closed on the container. Figure 3 illustrates a section of the lid in the opening position. Figure 4 is a sectional diagram showing the outflow of odour-producing exhalations through the adsorbent materials of the filtering panel. Figure 5 shows the filtering panel made of adsorbent materials. In all the figures, each element is marked as follows: 1 indicates the lid. la indicates the upper part of the lid. 2 indicates the filtering panel fitted inside the lid. 3 are arrows indicating the flow of odour-producing exhalations through the filtering panel and the outflow of the non-adsorbed gases and vapours.' 4 indicates the waste container. 5 indicates the ventilation openings located on the lid to allow the outflow of odour-producing exhalations emanated by waste. 6 indicates the horizontal or almost horizontal portion of the lateral border of the lid. The figures clearly and immediately demonstrate the functionality of the ventilation openings 5 illustrated in detail in figure 4. The ventilation openings 5 ensure constant elimination of the gases and vapours produced in the container- in fact, immediately after having been produced, all the gases and vapours flow in a fine fluid layer in contact with the filter, the odou -producing exhalations are completely or almost completely adsorbed by the latter and the rest of gases and vapourB immediately discharged to outside, completely or almost completely cleaned of their odour-producing fraction. As a result there is at most an extremely low concentration of odou -producing gases in the empty space inside the container, both in the transitory phase after a quantity of waste is introduced and in the stationary phase, i.e. during the potentially long time lapse between one introduction of waste and another. When the lid is removed in order to introduce waste, the air contained in the empty space inside the container is immediately discharged, carrying with it at most a minimal quantity of odour-producing gasβB and vapours; the concentration of these gases is so low that the user will not be exposed to unpleasant odours. The filter 2 consists Of a panel made of an adsorbent material that is capable of adsorbing every odour-producing exhalation deriving from the putrefaction of biomasses. This filter 2, fitted inside the ventilated lid, eliminates the odour-producing gases and vapours that have accumulated while the container was shut. Thus no foul odours are released when it is periodically opened for the introduction of waste, especially in summertime when the environmental conditions are further exacerbated by the presence of insects, parasites and different animals. In the warmer seasons, moreover, the organic waste inside the container putrefies at a faster rate. It is evident that the lids constructed according to the invention may have different proportions and structural dimensions. Therefore, there are comprised all lids for waste containers that reproduce the original distinguishing features of this invention, as illustrated in the claims below.

Claims: Claims 1.) Lid jointed to a container for material with odour-producing exhalation the lid being fitted internally with an adsorbent in a removable, interchangeable way and having an opening characterized in that the container to which the lid (1) is jointed is a waste container (4) , the adsorbent is in the form of a filtering panel (2) consisting of or comprising the adsorbent for the odour' -producing exhalation permitting the passage of the non- -adsorbed gaae-s and vapours and the lid (1) has ventilation openings (5) in a number and of sizes sufficient to let out the non-adsorbed gases and vapours passed through the filtering panel (2) to outside. 2.) Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the filtering panel (2) is disposed distant from the undersurface of the upper part (la) of the lid (1) . 3.) Lid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filtering panel (2) is disposed parallel or a little inclined in relation to the undersurface of the upper part (la) of the lid (1) . 4.) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized, in that the filtering panel (2) occupies an entire or nearly entire section inside the lateral border of the lid (1) . 5.) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filtering panel (2) is inserted between two nets by having been fixed to the border joints of the nets the latter being fixed to lateral border portions of the lid (1) . S.) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filtering panel (2) is fixed to border portions of the lid (1) . .) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the openings (5) are disposed laterally. 8.) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the openings (5) lead in a space between the upper part (la) of the lid (1) and a horizontal or al-most horizontal portion (6) of the lateral border of the lid (1) parallel or almost parallel to the upper part (la) of the lid (1) . 9.) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adsorbent material is activated carbon. 10.) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the thickness of the filter panel (2) is from 3 to 8 mm. 11.) Lid according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the adsorbing capacity of the adsorbent is >4,5 mg/cm', calculated on fluorobenzene of a concentration of 10%, or >3 mg/c-m 2 , calculated on fluorobenzene of a concenration of 100%. 12.) Process for eliminating odours from waste containers by using an adsorbent, characterized in that the odour- -producing exhalation is adsorbed on a filtering panel (2) and the non-adsorbed gases and vapours passed through the filtering panel (2) are lead to the environment.

Inventors: BRESSAN LORIS, BRESSAN, LORIS
Applicants: BRESSAN LORIS, SIMONI GIULIANA, BRESSAN, LORIS, SIMONI, GIULIANA
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65F7
IPC codes: B65F1, B65F7