Abstract:
A divided cart has plural waste compartments and a divided intermediate transfer container has corresponding plural compartments. A deflector assembly on the intermediate transfer container deflects waste into the respective compartments as the divided cart is dumped. The deflector assembly is movable, such as comprised of flexible material, to also deflect waste in its segregated state into further corresponding compartments of a waste collection vehicle. A lift mechanism carried on the intermediate transfer container has a lifting plate which positions the divided cart so that contents of its plural waste compartments dump respectively into the corresponding plural compartments of the divided intermediate transfer container.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     Priority is claimed based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/110,362 filed Nov. 30, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a segregated waste collection system and, more specifically, to a segregated waste collection system having a divided waste cart, defining separate compartments for holding segregated waste, in combination with a divided collection container having corresponding separate compartments for receiving the segregated waste from the divided cart compartments. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Segregated waste collection systems are typically used when both recyclable and non-recyclable waste is simultaneously collected. In segregated waste collection systems, it is common to provide a user with a divided waste container, having a dividing wall defining one compartment for recyclable waste and another compartment for non-recyclable waste. A cover for each of the compartments is hingedly mounted to the divider wall in the container and performs the dual function of covering the associated compartment and deflecting the contents of the compartment when the cart is dumped. The waste cart is typically lifted with a mechanical device and inverted so that the compartments within the waste cart overlie corresponding compartments in a waste collection vehicle. As the cart is inverted, the covers open in response to gravity and serve to deflect the contents emptying from the compartments of the cart into the corresponding compartments of the waste vehicle. Examples of such a waste collection system are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,035,563, issued Jul. 30, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,805, issued Nov. 17, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,698, issued Apr. 27, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,841, issue Apr. 19, 1994. 
     One disadvantage of the prior art segregated waste collection system is there is frequently cross contamination of the contents of one cart compartment into cross compartments in the waste vehicle. Another disadvantage is that the cart construction and use becomes increasingly more complex and difficult, especially as the number of compartments increase beyond two, as compared to a traditional cart with a single cover for all the compartments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a divided cart has a single cover and a divided waste storage container has deflectors to deflect the waste stored in the divided cart into the appropriate compartments in the divided waste storage container. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the divided waste storage container is an intermediate size container adapted to be lifted and dumped into a waste collection vehicle. At least one divider wall divides the intermediate size container into multiple compartments A movable deflector is provided on the intermediate size container divider wall to deflect the waste spilling from the divided cart into the corresponding compartments in the intermediate size container. In the dump position, the deflectors can be moved to a second position where they deflect the waste spilling from the intermediate size container into corresponding compartments in the waste vehicle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a segregated waste collection system including a waste collection vehicle, an intermediate size container, and a divided cart according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the divided cart and intermediate size container of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the intermediate size container shown in FIG.  1  and illustrating the deflectors in a filling position; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 1 in the emptying position and the intermediate size container illustrating the interface between the deflector and the waste collecting vehicle; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the divided cart connected to the intermediate size container with the divided cart in a loading position; 
     FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 except that the divided cart is shown in the emptying position; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the intermediate size container in an emptying position relative to the waste-receiving vehicle; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the deflectors shown in the filling position; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the second embodiment of the deflectors in an emptying position; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a divided cart; and 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the alternative embodiment divided cart mounted to the intermediate size container in the emptying position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The segregated waste collection system  10  according to the invention comprises a waste collection vehicle  12 , an intermediate size container  14  and a divided cart  16 . In typical operation, the divided cart  16  is filled with waste and is emptied into the intermediate size container  14 , which can hold the waste from many divided carts. The contents of the intermediate size container are ultimately emptied into the waste collection vehicle  12 . 
     The waste collection vehicle  12  comprises a waste storage container  18  having a divider wall  20 , separating the waste storage container  18  into two compartments  22 ,  24 . One of the compartments is can used to store recyclable materials and the other compartment preferably stores non-recyclable materials. A hopper  26 , on the top of the waste storage container  18 , provides access to the first and second compartments  22  and  24  of the waste storage container  18 . 
     The waste collection vehicle also comprises a hydraulic lift  27  for lifting the intermediate size container  14  from a fill position (FIG. 1) to a emptying position (FIG.  7 ), where the contents of the intermediate size container are emptied into the waste collection vehicle. The hydraulic lift  27  is preferably a pair of arms  28 , which are rotatably mounted at one end to the waste collection vehicle for rotation about a first axis  29  and whose other end mounts to the intermediate size container  14 . The end of the lift arms  28  mounting the intermediate size container include hydraulic actuators  30 , which are adapted to rotate the intermediate size container about a second rotational axis  31 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the divided cart  16  comprises a generally rectangular body  40  having a front wall  42 , rear wall  44 , opposing side walls  46  and  48  and bottom wall  49 . A divider wall  50  extends between the front wall  42  and the rear wall  44  to divide the body  40  into first and second compartments  52  and  54 . 
     A cover  56  is hingedly mounted to a handle  58 , extending from the rear wall  44 . The cover  56  is adapted to close the open top of the body  40 . The rear wall  44 , side walls  46 ,  48  and bottom wall  49  all define an inset portion in which a wheel and axle assembly  60  is provided to aid in moving the divided cart  16 . The front wall  42  defines an inset portion  62  across which spans a grab handle  64 . An upper handle  66  is formed at the junction of a lip  68  and the inset portion  62 . 
     The intermediate size container  14  comprises a first compartment  70  and second compartment  72 , which are defined by a pair of spaced containers  74  and  76 . Each of the containers has a front wall  78 ,  80 , rear wall  82 ,  84 , exterior side walls  86 ,  88  and interior side walls  90 ,  92 , which effectively define a dividing wall between the first and second compartments  70  and  72 . The containers are connected at the lower portion of the interior dividing walls  90  and  92 . 
     A lift mechanism  98  is provided on the front walls  78 ,  80  and comprises a first lifting plate  100 , which has a portion that spans the divider wall between the first and second container  74  and  76 . Spaced support arms  102 ,  104 , and  106  pivotally mount the first lifting plate  100  to the intermediate size container  14  by pivotally mounting one end to the rear of the first lifting plate and the other end pivotally mounted to the front walls  78 ,  80 . A hydraulic actuator  108  is mounted to the front wall  78  and to the first lifting plate  100  to rotate the first lifting plate  100  about the pivotal connection of the arms  102 ,  104 ,  106  to the front walls  78 ,  80 . 
     Similarly, a second lifting plate  10  is pivotally mounted to the front wall  80  through spaced support arms  112  and  114 . A hydraulic actuator  116  is adapted to rotate the second lifting plate  110  relative to the front walls  78  and  80 . 
     Multiple saddles  118   a ,  120   a  and  122   a  are provided on the first and second lifting plates  100   110  and are adapted to engage the upper handle  66  of the divided cart  16  to lift the cart as the lifting plates  100 ,  110  are raised. Multiple rotatable lower respectively, are also disposed on the lifting plates  100  and  110  The lower cart hooks  118   b ,  120   b ,  122   b  rotate to engage the grab handle  64  of the cart to prevent the cart from sliding off the lift when the cart is in the inverted position. 
     The three saddles  118   a ,  120   a ,  122   a  provide additional functionality to the lift mechanism  98 . The saddle  118  is positioned on the first lifting plate  100  so that both compartments  52  and  54  of the divided cart  16  will be aligned with the first compartment  70  of the intermediate size container  14 . Similarly, the third saddle  122   a  is positioned on the second lift  110  so that the first and second compartments  52 ,  54  of the divided cart  16  will be aligned with the second compartment  72  of the intermediate size container  14 . The saddle  120   a , provided on the first lifting plate  10 , is substantially in line with the divider wall of the intermediate size container  14  so that the first compartment  52  of the divided cart  16  is aligned with the first compartment  70  of the intermediate size container and the second compartment of the divided cart  16  is aligned with the second compartment of the intermediate size container  14 . The several saddles provide for the emptying of the entire contents of the divided cart  16  into one of the compartments of the intermediate size container or segregating the contents of the divided cart  16  into the corresponding compartments of the intermediate size container. This increased functionality is very useful and advantageous in that not all users of the divided divided cart  16  separate their waste into recyclable and non-recyclable. Further, two undivided carts can be dumped simultaneously into the intermediate container  14  with the lift mechanism  98 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the intermediate size container  14  has a deflector assembly  130  comprising a pair of blades  132 ,  134 . The blades  132 ,  134  have sharply angled leading edges  136 ,  138  and more gently angled trailing edges  140 ,  142 . The trailing edges  140 ,  142  preferably have an increasing angle relative to the upper edge of the walls  90 ,  92 . The increasing railing edge angle defines a tapered opening between the trailing edges  140 ,  142  to aid in positioning the divider  20  of the storage container  18  between the blades  132 ,  134  when the intermediate size container  14  is in the emptying position (FIG. 7) 
     The blades  132 ,  134  are preferably made from a flexible material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and the like. The blades  132 ,  134  are mounted to the upper edge of the walls  90 ,  92  by threaded bolts (not shown) passing through the blades  132 ,  134  and walls  90 ,  92 , respectively, with nuts threaded on the end of the bolts. Any other suitable fastener can also be used, such as mechanical fasteners. Preferably, the blades  132 ,  134  are removably mounted for easy replacement. 
     In operation, a divided cart  16  containing, for example, recyclable material in one compartment and non-recyclable material in another compartment is moved to the leading position by wheeling the intermediate size container  14  mounted to the waste collection vehicle  12  with the intermediate size container in the fill position. The cover  56  is then opened and the divided cart  16  is placed on the lift mechanism  98  so that the cart hook  120   b  is received within the inset  62  and engages the grab handle  64 . The lift mechanism  98  is then actuated so that the first lifting plate  100  pivots about the hinge connection between the support arms  102 ,  104 ,  106  and the front walls  78 ,  80  until the divided cart  16  is partially inverted (emptying position) and the divider wall  50  of the divided cart aligns with the peak of the deflector blades  132 ,  134 . As the contents from the first compartment  52  and second compartment  54  of the divided cart  16  empty into the corresponding first compartment  70  and second compartment  72  of the intermediate size container  14 , the deflectors will deflect any waste adjacent the divider wall of the container cart into the appropriate compartment of the intermediate size container  14 . This process is repeated for multiple divided carts until the intermediate size container  14  is full or it is desired to empty the contents of the intermediate size container into the waste collection vehicle  12 . 
     Although only the description of a divided cart containing segregated waste has been described, the process for emptying a divided cart with both compartments filled with a single type of waste is similar to that described above except that the divided cart is mounted to the cart hook  118   b  or  120   b  as appropriate. 
     To empty the contents of the intermediate size container  14  into the waste collection vehicle  12 , the hydraulic lift  26  of the waste collection vehicle  12  is actuated so that the arms  28  are rotated about rotational axis  29  and the divided cart is lifted towards the hopper  27  and partially inverted. As the intermediate size container  14  is moved to a partially inverted position (the emptying position), the divider wall  20  is received between the trailing edges  140 ,  142  of the blades  132 ,  134 , effectively sealing the divider wall of the intermediate size container  14  relative to the divider wall  20  of the storage container  18 . The tapered opening defined by the trailing edges of the blades helps to ensure the divider wall  20  is received between the blades because the intermediate size container  14  is often jostled side-to-side in response to the non-steady movement of the arms  28 . 
     Typically, the divider wall  20  is knife-edged so that as it is received in the tapered opening between the blades  132 ,  134 , the divider wall deflects the blades to a greater distance as the intermediate size container is inverted. The divider wall  20  effectively “un-zips” the blades, with each blade being positioned on an opposite side of the divider wall  20  to function as a seal between and deflector for the aligned compartments  70 ,  22  and  72 ,  24  of the intermediate size container and storage container. The resiliency of the blades  132 ,  134  permits the blades  132 ,  134  to resiliently spread as the divider wall is forced in-between the blades  132 ,  134 . 
     In the partially inverted position (emptying position), the first and second compartments,  70 ,  72  of the intermediate size container  14  align with the first and second compartments  22 ,  24  of the waste storage container  18 , respectively, and the contents of the intermediate size container compartments empty into the aligned compartments of the waste storage container  18 . The hydraulic actuators  30  are then actuated to further invert the intermediate size container  14  to ensure complete transfer of the contents from the intermediate size container  14  into the waste storage container  18 . 
     After the contents of the intermediate size container  14  have been emptied into the waste storage container  18 , the intermediate size container  14  is lowered back toward the ground by reversing the direction of rotation of the lift arms  28  of the hydraulic lift  26 . As the intermediate size container  14  is lowered, the blades  132 ,  134  flex back to their original position where they form a triangular deflector for the divided cart  16 . 
     An advantage of the segregated waste collection system according to the invention is that the design and operation of the divided cart  16  is simplified with a single cover, especially when the divided cart  16  has more than two compartments. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein like numerals will be used to identify like parts. Alternative deflectors  162  comprise opposed deflector plates  164 ,  166  each of which have longitudinal supports  165 ,  167  and are pivotally mounted to interior side walls  90 ,  92  by hinges  168 ,  170 , respectively. Deflector plate  166  is rigidly mounted to a lever arm  178  through a hinge pin  174 . Likewise, deflector plate  164  is rigidly mounted to lever arm  176  through a hinge pin  172 . The hinge pins  172 ,  174  are pivotally mounted in sockets in the hinges  168  and  170  for pivotal movement of the deflector plates  164 ,  166  with respect to the walls  90 ,  92 . The lever arms  176 ,  178  are mounted at other end to actuators  180 ,  182 , respectively. The actuators  180 ,  182  are preferably pneumatic actuators, although any suitable type of actuator can be used. 
     The actuators  180 ,  182  rotate the lever arms  176 ,  178  to move the deflector plates  164 ,  166  from their filling position (FIG.  8 ), in which their upper ends meet to form an inverted V-shaped deflector, to an emptying position (FIG.  9 ), in which the deflectors  162 ,  164  are rotated away from each other. 
     The operation of the segregated waste collection system using the alternative deflectors is substantially identical as described above with the preferred deflectors. The only difference is that as the intermediate size container is moved from the fill position to the emptying position, the deflector plats  164 ,  166  must be moved from their fill position (FIG. 8) to their emptying position (FIG. 9) by actuation of the actuators  180 ,  182 . The actuators are preferably actuated by a proximity switch encountered by the lift arms  28  as they are rotated. However, any suitable way can be used to automatically or manually actuate the actuators  180 ,  182 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a second embodiment of the divided cart  16 . Like numbers will be used to identify like numbers of the segregated waste collection system  10  when describing the alternative cart  190 . The alternative cart  190  is substantially identical to the divided cart  16  except that the single cover  56  of the divided cart  16  is replaced by multiple covers  192 ,  194  corresponding to each of the compartments  52  and  54 . The covers  192  and  194  are hingedly mounted to the divider wall  50 . 
     The operation of the segregated waste collection system with the alternative cart  190  is substantially identical as described above for the preferred divided cart  16 , except that the covers  192  and  194  are not opened prior to lifting the cart  190 . Instead, the covers  192  and  194  remained closed as the cart  190  is lifted to the partially inverted position. As the cart  190  moves to the partially inverted position, the covers  192  and  194  will rotate to open under the force of gravity and lie against the deflectors on the intermediate size container  14  as best illustrated in FIG.  1 . When the cart is in the partially inverted position, the covers  192  and  194  supplement the deflective fiction of the deflectors. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.