METHOD AND APPARATUS IN CLEANING

Abstract: A method in the cleaning of refuse carts (11) entails that an empty refuse cart (11) is washed at a mobile washing apparatus (4). Before the wash, the refuse cart (11) is temporarily emptied of refuse, and after the wash the refuse is refilled into the cart (11). An apparatus for cleaning refuse carts (11) is mobile and includes a washing apparatus (4). Further, the apparatus includes a storage space (2) for temporary storage of refuse which is possibly located in the refuse cart (11) before the cleaning.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS IN CLEANING TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method in the cleaning of refuse vessels or carts, an empty refuse cart being washed at a mobile washing apparatus. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for cleaning refuse carts, the apparatus being mobile and including a washing apparatus. BACKGROUND ART Refuse collection, which implies that the individual households deposit their refuse in sacks which are collected by a refuse collection truck at regular intervals, is being phased out. Instead, use is now being made of movable refuse vessels or carts which are preferably manufactured of plastic and are provided with wheels. The advantage with these carts is, among other things, that they are easier to move than the previously known sacks and that the working environment for the refuse collection workforce is thereby improved. Furthermore, the movable refuse carts do not require sacks above and beyond the bags in which households pack their refuse, and this implies a certain advantage as far as the environment is concerned. The disadvantage inherent in the new type of vessel or cart is that they easily become dirty, since they may come into direct contact with the refuse if refuse is deposited unpacked in the carts, or if the refuse bags which are deposited in them break apart. Consequently, these refuse carts need to be washed at regular intervals. The commitment to this task is often poor among individual households, in particular in multi-family dwellings, and the wish is therefore to automate this task. Washing facilities or apparatuses for the wholly or partly automated washing of refuse carts are per se known in the art. One example of such an apparatus is shown in GB-1 239 903. This Patent Specification discloses a vehicle for cleaning refuse carts. In the rear end of the vehicle, there is a lifting device for the refuse carts so that they may be pivoted upwards. A rinsing pipe with a nozzle extends into the raised refuse cart. Heated rinsing liquid is fed from a tank via a pump to the rinsing pipe. The spent rinsing liquid is collected and led to another tank. Heating, and driving of the pumps take place using a diesel-electric unit. Regardless of the appearance of the washing apparatus, there is a considerable difficulty involved in the washing operation, namely that the vessel or cart must be empty in order to be washed. As a result, cleaning using existing washing facilities must take place immediately after emptying of the carts so that no-one will have time to deposit new refuse bags in the refuse carts. Consequently, the rounds of the washing vehicle must be co-ordinated with the collection rounds of the refuse collection vehicle, which is not always feasible. In addition, emptying only every other - or even every fourth - week has become increasingly commonplace, which implies that the times when the refuse carts may be expected to be completely empty occur more seldom. PROBLEM STRUCTURE The present invention has for its object to design the method intimated by way of introduction such that cleaning is made possible at any optional point in time between the refuse collection rounds. Correspondingly, the present invention has for its object to design the apparatus intimated by way of introduction such that it may be employed in cleaning at optional points in time between the refuse collection rounds. SOLUTION The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the method intimated by way of introduction is characterised in that the refuse vessel or cart is temporarily emptied of refuse before the wash, and that the refuse is returned to the cart after the wash. Further advantages will be attained in respect of the method if this is moreover given one or more of the characterising features as set forth in appended Claims 2 to 5. Concerning the apparatus, the objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if this is characterised in that it further includes a storage space for the temporary storage of refuse which may possibly be located in the refuse cart before the cleaning operation. Further advantages will be attained in respect of the apparatus if this is moreover given one or more of the characterising features as set forth in appended Claims 7 or 8. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle which includes an apparatus according to the present invention and which may be employed in connection with the method according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view from a different angle of the vehicle according to Fig. 1, where the cleaned refuse cart has been illustrated; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle, where its outer body structure has been omitted and the refuse cart has been illustrated, showing two of the positions which it assumes in the method according to the invention; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view from another angle of the vehicle of Fig. 3, where the refuse cart has similarly been illustrated, showing three of the positions which it assumes in the method according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figs. 1 and 2 show, in two different perspectives, a vehicle 1 which is employed in the method according to the present invention for cleaning. The method substantially proceeds as follows: refuse in a vessel or cart 11 which is to be cleaned is emptied in the space 2 for the intermediate storage of refuse. The cart 11, which is preferably provided with wheels 12, is rolled a distance along the vehicle up to the washing apparatus 4 where it is washed. When the washing is completed, the refuse cart 11 is rolled forward to the discharge hatch 6 where refuse is replaced in the cart 11 from the intermediate storage space 2. In detail, the method functions in cleaning such that the refuse cart 11 is first rolled up to the vehicle 1 and lifted by a hoist 7 to the intermediate storage space 2, and that the refuse is emptied therein. On emptying, the hatch 3 which otherwise covers the infeed opening to the intermediate storage space 2 is opened. Once the refuse in the cart 11 has been emptied in the intermediate storage space 2, the cart 11 is once again set down on the ground and rolled forward to the washing apparatus 4. The cart 11 is lifted by the hoist 8 in a manner corresponding to that at the hoist 7. In the preferred embodiment, , the washing apparatus 4 functions like the apparatus according to Swedish Patent Application 9901984-6, but other variations are also possible. In brief, this implies as follows: a rinsing nozzle 15 which projects in a distance into the lifted refuse cart 11 leads in rinsing liquid from a tank 10 in the bottom of the vehicle 1. The rinsing liquid is heated and pumped to the nozzle 15 so that the liquid is pressurised. The rinsing nozzle 15 is rotary and can either be motor-driven or driven by the pressure of the rinsing liquid. Cleaning agent or disinfectant may also be added to the rinsing liquid. The spent rinsing liquid is collected and led down into a collection receptacle. When the refuse cart 11 has been completely washed, it is once again set down on the ground and rolled forward for refilling. The refilling of the cart 11 implies that this is placed below the discharge hatch 6 which is shown in Fig. 2. The refuse which had previously been emptied into the intermediate storage space 2 slides out from the intermediate storage space 2 under force of gravity when the discharge hatch 6 is opened. The infeed into the intermediate storage space 2 took place at a higher level than where the discharge takes place. As a result, this ensures that no refuse is left in the intermediate storage space 2. In detail, the apparatus for cleaning refuse carts according to the present invention works as follows. The hoist 7 has a movable gripping member which grips beneath the upper edge region of the refuse cart and makes it possible to lift the refuse cart 11 upwards. The apparatus also has a support plate which rests against the side wall of the cart 11. The hoist 7 is operated hydraulically. The intermediate storage space 2 has, as was mentioned previously, an upper hatch 3. The hatch 3 may be opened so that an infeed opening to the intermediate storage space 2 is exposed. The intermediate storage space 2 extends, in the preferred embodiment, across the entire width of the vehicle 1. This is best visible in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, it is also seen that the intermediate storage space 2 is defined by two side walls 13 and a bottom surface 14. The bottom surface 14 is essentially a sloping plane which extends from the infeed hatch 3 on the one side of the vehicle 1 and down to the discharge hatch 6 on the opposite side of the vehicle 1. The slope of the bottom plane 14 is such that refuse which is emptied into the intermediate storage space 2 will, with great certainty, move downwards along the bottom 14 under force of gravity. At the infeed hatch 3, the width of the bottom is such that it at least corresponds to the width of the wisest refuse cart 11 which is intended for washing in the apparatus. The width of the bottom 14 at the discharge hatch 6 is narrower in the preferred embodiment, so as to ensure that no refuse ends up outside the refuse cart 11 when this is refilled. The bottom surface 14 is further manufactured from a material which has rather low friction coefficient. This facilitates the above-mentioned downward movement of the refuse. The washing apparatus 4 is disposed on the vehicle 1 in such a manner that the refuse cart 11 must be transported a minimal distance on the ground. In practice, this implies that if the infeed to the intermediate storage space 2 is disposed on the one longitudinal side of the vehicle 1, the washing apparatus 4 is disposed at the rear end of the vehicle 1 and the discharge hatch 6 is disposed on the other longitudinal side of the vehicle 1. As was previously mentioned, the washing apparatus includes a hydraulic hoist 8, a rinsing nozzle 15, water tanks 10 for both clean and spent water, and a diesel unit 9 which heats up the rinsing water and drives the pumps that pump the rinsing water. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS The method and the apparatus for cleaning refuse carts which were described above may naturally be varied. The space 2 for intermediate storage need not be disposed on the same vehicle 1 as the washing apparatus 4. For example, the washing apparatus 4 may be disposed on a trailer which is coupled to a towing vehicle on which the intermediate storage space 2 with its associated hoist 7 is disposed. However, it is still advantageous if the refuse cart 11 can be simply transported between the three stations for emptying the cart, washing the cart and refilling the cart, respectively, with a minimal transport distance. Certain vehicle types have such dimensions that it is difficult to form the intermediate storage space 2 in such a manner that its bottom 14 can be given a slope which is sufficient for the refuse to slide downwards under force of gravity. Since it is occasionally nevertheless desirable to employ such types of vehicles, the intermediate storage space 2 can be designed differently. Preferably, the intermediate storage space 2 is, in such cases, movable so that it can be lifted up and out from the vehicle when the refuse is to refilled into the cart 11. The lifting then takes place advantageously with the aid of a hydraulic hoist which is similar to the above-described hoists 7 and 8. A variation of the intermediate storage space 2 is that this is a vessel or cart which is similar to or identical to the refuse vessel or cart 11 which is to be cleaned. This cart may, during the intermediate storage, either be disposed on the vehicle 1 or on the ground. As was mentioned above, the employment of a hydraulic hoist on emptying and refilling is advantageous, but emptying and refilling may possibly also take place manually, at least if the quantities of refuse are small. Finally, the present invention may be varied such that, when the refuse in the refuse cart 11 which is to be washed has been emptied into a clean cart which is identical to the first refuse cart, the second refuse cart is returned together with the refuse to its original position, typically in the yard of the individual household. Hence, a substitution of refuse carts takes place. At the same time, the first refuse cart is washed so that refuse from the next refuse cart can be filled into it. Regardless of whether the refuse carts are substituted or not, a space for transport of a clean cart must be available on the vehicle 1. The present invention may be further modified without departing from the scope of the appended Claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method in the cleaning of refuse vessels or carts (11), an empty refuse cart being washed at a mobile washing apparatus (4), characterised in that refuse cart (11) is emptied of refuse before the wash; and that this refuse is returned to a clean cart. 2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the refuse is filled directly into the clean cart which is thereafter moved to the original position of the refuse cart. 3. The method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the refuse cart (11) is temporarily emptied of refuse before the wash; and that the refuse is refilled into the cart (11) after the wash. 4. The method as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the refuse, during the wash, is intermediately stored in a mobile intermediate store (2) closely adjacent the washing apparatus (4). 5. The method as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the emptying of the refuse takes place at one end of the intermediate storage (2) and refilling takes place at its other end. 6. The method as claimed in any of Claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the intermediate store (2) is lifted up on the refilling of the refuse into the cart (11). 7. The method as claimed in any of Claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the refuse is permitted to slide out of the intermediate store (2) under force of gravity on refilling of the refuse into the cart (11). 8. An apparatus for cleaning refuse carts (11), the apparatus being mobile and including a washing apparatus (4), characterised in that it includes at least one hoist device for emptying refuse which may possibly be located in the refuse cart (11) prior to the cleaning. 9. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that it further includes a storage space (2) for the temporary storage of refuse which may possibly be located in the refuse cart (11) prior to the cleaning. 10. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the storage space (2) is fixed, with a bottom (14) which slopes downwards from one end where emptying of the refuse cart (11) takes place, to another end where the refuse cart (11) is refilled. 11. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the storage space (2) is liftable for refilling of the refuse cart (11).

Inventors: FORNELL STAFFAN, NEWMAN RUNE, FORNELL, STAFFAN, NEWMAN, RUNE
Applicants: ELEIKO SANERA AB, FORNELL STAFFAN, NEWMAN RUNE, FORNELL, STAFFAN, NEWMAN, RUNE
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B65F7
IPC codes: B65F7