Patent Description:
Within the material handling industry, and with particular reference to the recycling industry, there is a need for the ability to spread material from a first conveyor member of a first width to a second conveyor member of equal or greater width in order to aid the further processing of the material further down the line. The material is usually a mixture of components including any of glass, wood, compost, scrap and residual sludge as well as commercial and domestic waste but may also be a more homogeneous mass.

Examples of further processing of, for example, waste material include sorting, classifying and/or shredding to reduce size. Machines involved in such further processing include screens, air separators, eddy current separators, optical sorters, robotic sorters, shredders and dryers. These types of equipment are most efficient when presented with a uniform layer of material, especially a monolayer of material, at the maximum width possible.

The device most commonly used in the recycling industry to present a uniform layer of material is a vibratory feeder, for example as disclosed in <CIT>. Vibratory feeders work well on hard objects that can roll and tumble to become level as they move along the vibratory chute. However, vibratory feeders are practically useless when the material to be separated is sticky or interlocked with other material. Sticky or damp material, such as incinerator bottom ash and refuse-derived fuel, adheres to the surface of vibratory chutes, preventing the vibratory feeder from distributing the material evenly. Such sticky material takes on the path of least resistance preventing formation of a uniform layer and resulting in the need for periodic cleaning with associated downtime.

Another known device intended for presenting a uniform layer of material is described in <CIT>. This distribution device uses two rotary plates. One problem with this rotary plate device is that the plates limit the size and type of material that may be used. Another disadvantage with this device is that material can easily get wrapped around the plates.

<CIT> disclosing the preamble of claim <NUM>, discloses a macaroni distributor shaker in which short cut macaroni, noodles or other alimentary paste particles in partially dried form are received within a hopper of partial cone shape at the top of the shaker and thereafter advanced along the length of an elongated chute extending from one side of the hopper to a lower open end of the chute for distribution over a moving drying screen therebelow.

It is a therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine for the distribution of waste material which alleviates the above disadvantages and/or provides a suitable alternative.

The present invention relates to a machine for handling waste material, the machine comprising an upper conveyor member with a conveying portion of a first width, a downstream lower conveyor member with a receiving portion of equal or greater width and an apparatus for distributing material from the upper conveyor member to the downstream lower conveyor member by way of a reciprocating attachment.

Accordingly, the present invention is a machine for handling waste material, the machine comprising an upper conveyor member with a conveying portion of a first width, a downstream lower conveyor member with a receiving portion of equal or greater width and an apparatus for distributing material from the upper conveyor member to the downstream lower conveyor member, wherein the apparatus comprises oscillating means, a drive mechanism connected to the oscillating means and a protruding element attached to the oscillating means for oscillatory movement thereof, wherein the protruding element is a reciprocating attachment adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to the direction in which it extends, wherein the apparatus is mountable between the conveying portion of the upper conveyor member and the receiving portion of the downstream conveyor member such that the protruding element extends either substantially in the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member or both in the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member and opposite to the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member and wherein, in use, the oscillating protruding element oscillates in a direction transverse to the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member at a speed of from <NUM> oscillations per minute to <NUM> oscillations per minute and agitates material being transferred from the upper conveyor member to the downstream lower conveyor member.

The protruding element is a reciprocating attachment adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to the direction in which it extends.

The apparatus is preferably removably mountable between the conveying portion of the upper conveyor member and the receiving portion of the downstream conveyor member. The distribution apparatus may be removably fitted to a hire machine for processing material such that the hire machine could both be used to process material which requires uniform distribution, e.g. compost, and to process material which does not require uniform distribution such as aggregate or which could potentially damage the protruding element, e.g. concrete. For example, the apparatus could be fitted to the hire machine to process material which requires uniform distribution and removed from the machine in order to process other material.

In use, the distribution apparatus described herein is placed between two or more conveyor members. As material is conveyed from the conveying portion of at least a first upper conveyor member to the receiving portion of a downstream lower conveyor member, at least a portion of the material comes in contact with the reciprocating attachment of the apparatus such that this material is agitated by the reciprocating attachment and spread to the edges of the downstream conveyor member receiving portion. The remaining material, i.e. material conveyed from the conveying portion to the receiving portion but which passes by the reciproacting attachment, falls directly from the conveying portion to the receiving portion. As a result, when using the apparatus according to the invention, material is evenly distributed over the width of the donwstream lower conveyor member receiving portion, thus ensuring more efficient further processing of the material.

The protruding element is adapted to receive material from the conveying portion of at least a first upper conveyor member at any angle. For example, the protruding element may extend in the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member thus receiving material at an angle of <NUM>°. Alternatively, the protruding element may extend at an angle to the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member, such as for example at <NUM>° thereto or opposite to the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member thus receiving material at an angle of <NUM>°.

The protruding element extends in the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member and is adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to said direction of conveyance.

Additionally, the protruding element preferably extends in the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member or in the opposite direction to the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member and is adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to said direction of conveyance.

In the embodiments wherein the protruding element does not extend in the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member, a chute is preferably placed between the upper conveyor member and the distribution apparatus such that material is conveyed to the chute prior to contact with the protruding element thus allowing the protruding element to receive material at the preferred angle of <NUM>°.

The protruding element may be of any suitable size or shape which achieves the required distribution.

Preferably the protruding element comprises one or more extending portions, preferably three extending portions. The extending portions may be parallel to one another, i.e. at an angle of <NUM>° to one another, or separated from one another by an angle α, wherein α is in the range of from about <NUM> ° to about <NUM>° e.g. <NUM>°.

Each extending portion independently preferably has a cross-section selected from among a circular, L-shaped, T-shaped, U-shaped, rectangular and square cross-section. For example, each extending portion independently may be an angle iron, a channel, a box section, an elongate rod or pole, or a tubular extension such as a pipe. However, these are not to be considered limiting and other shapes and cross-sections are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Each extending portion independently may be solid or hollow. In a preferred embodiment, each extending portion is hollow to reduce material cost and weight.

Each extending portion independently is preferably in the range of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> long, e.g. about <NUM> long.

Preferably the protruding element further comprises an end plate. In this preferred embodiment, the extending portion may be attached to the end plate such that it is orthogonal to the end plate. Preferably, however, the extending portion is attached to the end plate such that it points downwards, particularly preferably at an angle β from the orthogonal position, wherein β is in the range of from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>° from the orthogonal position, e.g. <NUM>°.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the protruding element is in the form of a plurality of, e.g. three, elongate poles attached to an end plate. Particularly, preferably, the poles are attached to the end plate such that they splay out in a fan like fashion at an angle α to one another, wherein α is as defined hereinabove.

The protruding element may be made of metal such as steel, e.g. stainless steel, or aluminium, preferably mild steel, i.e. steel which typically contains <NUM>% to <NUM>% carbon. However, this is not to be considered to be limiting and other suitable materials may be used to manufacture the protruding element, such as for example wood, plastic or a composite material.

In use, the distribution apparatus defined herein is preferably attached to any one of the upper conveyor member, the downstream conveyor member or a frame adjacent either conveyor member, particularly preferably to a frame surrounding the downstream conveyor member but which does not move relative the downstream conveyor member such that the apparatus is in contact with the material stream being conveyed by the upper conveyor member to the downstream conveyor member. Alternatively, the apparatus is preferably attached to a track such that it may be manually or mechanically moved out of the material stream. However, these options are not to be considered limiting and any other suitable position for the distribution apparatus is contemplated within the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is for attachment to the downstream conveyor member such that the protruding element extends entirely or in part over the receiving portion of the downstream conveyor member. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the apparatus is for attachment to the underside of the upper conveyor member, for example for attachment to a chute mounted to the underside of the upper conveyor member.

According to the invention, the protruding element is adapted to oscillate at a speed in the range of from <NUM> oscillations per minute to <NUM> oscillations per minute, preferably <NUM> oscillations per minute. By oscillation per minute is meant complete stroke from centre to left, through centre to right and back to centre per minute.

The protruding element preferably oscillates at single speed. However, oscillation at varied speed, e.g. more slowly in the centre, is also contemplated within the scope of the invention. The drive mechanism preferably comprises a motor, for example an electric motor, hydraulic motor, or pneumatic motor, particularly preferably an electric motor.

The oscillating means preferably comprises a reciprocating arm. In this embodiment, the protruding element is attached to the reciprocating arm.

The oscillating means preferably further comprises a rotating flywheel.

The drive mechanism is preferably connected to the oscillating means by a belt, particularly preferably a belt and pulley system.

The drive mechanism is preferably provided with speed control to control the speed of oscillation of the protruding element.

Alternatively, or additionally, the drive mechanism is preferably provided with eccentric adjustment to control the length of movement and/or the angle of movement of the protruding element.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper conveyor member comprises a conveyor belt, a vibratory feeder or an auger feeder.

In a preferred embodiment, the downstream conveyor member comprises a conveyor belt, e.g. an accelerator belt. Alternatively, the downstream conveyor member is selected from among a screening machine, a shredder and a vibratory feeder. The downstream conveyor member preferably conveys the material to a machine for further processing, for example to a screening machine, an air separator, eddy current separator, optical sorter, robotic sorter or the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper conveyor member comprises a vibratory feeder and the downstream conveyor member comprises a conveyor belt.

In a preferred embodiment, the machine further comprises an angled bracket with an aperture through which the protruding element extends. The angled bracket preferably has a top section for attachment to the upper conveyor member, a base section for attachment to a downstream conveyor member and a mid-section containing the aperture. The top and base section are preferably parallel to each other with the mid-section connecting the two such that the angle between the top section and the mid-section is in the range of from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°, e.g. <NUM>°.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show a preferred distribution apparatus, generally referred to herein by reference numeral <NUM>. As shown, distribution apparatus <NUM> comprises oscillating means <NUM>, motor <NUM> connected to oscillating means <NUM> and protruding element <NUM> attached to oscillating means <NUM> for oscillatory movement thereof. Distribution apparatus <NUM> is shown mounted on frame <NUM> for attachment between an upper conveyor member and downstream conveyor member. Frame <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

Oscillating means <NUM> comprises rotating flywheel <NUM> provided with offset bearing <NUM> for creating a cam effect when rotated. Rotating flywheel <NUM> is rotated by electric motor <NUM> through pulleys <NUM> and belt <NUM>. Bar <NUM> is attached to rotating flywheel <NUM> at offset bearing <NUM> and connects follower fork <NUM> to rotating flywheel <NUM>. As rotating flywheel <NUM> rotates, bar <NUM> moves in a circular motion about the centre of flywheel <NUM>. The horizontal movement component of this circular motion is transferred to protruding element <NUM> via follower fork <NUM> and base plate <NUM> to which protruding element <NUM> is bolted, while the vertical movement is removed by bearings <NUM> at the end of follower fork <NUM>.

The dimensions between offset bearing <NUM> and the centre of flywheel <NUM> may be adjusted by means of rotating bearing <NUM> in eccentric collar <NUM> of flywheel <NUM>, therefore adjusting the stroke.

As shown in <FIG>, preferred protruding element <NUM> of distribution apparatus <NUM> comprises three elongate hollow poles <NUM> each connected at one end to end plate <NUM> such that the free ends of poles <NUM> splay out in a fan like fashion. Reinforcing brackets <NUM> extend from end plate <NUM> along at least a portion of the underside of each pole <NUM>.

Poles <NUM> are attached to end plate <NUM> such that they point downwards at an angle β from the orthogonal position and are separated from one another by an angle α.

In the embodiment shown, poles <NUM> are attached to end plate <NUM> such that they point downwards at an angle of β = <NUM>° from the orthogonal position and at an angle of α =<NUM>° from one another.

Poles <NUM>, end plate <NUM> and reinforcing brackets <NUM> as shown in the Figures are each made of mild steel. In the embodiment shown, each pole <NUM> is of <NUM> diameter with a <NUM> thick wall, i.e. <NUM> x <NUM> circular hollow section, and end plate <NUM> and reinforcing brackets <NUM> are each <NUM> thick. However, this is not considered to be limiting and any suitable size is contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

Distribution apparatus <NUM> is for distributing material from an upper conveyor member with a conveying portion of a first width to downstream conveyor member with a receiving portion of equal or greater width, wherein apparatus <NUM> is removably mountable, between the conveying portion and the receiving portion.

Protruding element <NUM> is adapted to oscillate at a speed in the range of from <NUM> oscillations per minute to <NUM> oscillations per minute, preferably <NUM> oscillations per minute.

<FIG> show a preferred waste handling machine according to the invention, generally referred to herein by reference numeral <NUM>. Waste handling machine <NUM> has distribution apparatus <NUM> disposed between vibratory feeder <NUM> and speed-up conveyor <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, apparatus <NUM> is mounted adjacent receiving portion <NUM> of speed-up conveyor <NUM> such that end plate <NUM> and the portion of poles <NUM> reinforced by reinforcing brackets <NUM> are located under conveying portion <NUM> of vibratory feeder <NUM>. Protruding element <NUM> of apparatus <NUM> extends substantially in the direction of conveyance of speed-up conveyor <NUM> and is adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to the direction of conveyance of speed-up conveyor <NUM>.

<FIG> show distribution apparatus <NUM> mounted to speed-up conveyor <NUM> of waste handling machine <NUM> via frame <NUM>. Vibratory feeder <NUM> has been removed from this Figure for clarity.

In <FIG>, distribution apparatus <NUM> is shown to receive material from conveying portion <NUM> at any angle of <NUM>°. This is a result of vibratory feeder <NUM> and speed-up conveyor <NUM> being in line such that protruding element <NUM> extends substantially in the direction of conveyance of vibratory feeder <NUM>. However, this is not to be considered limiting and vibratory feeder <NUM> may instead be placed at an alternative angle to speed-up conveyor <NUM>, e.g. at <NUM>° thereto.

<FIG> shows a preferred mount <NUM> for attaching distribution apparatus <NUM> to speed-up conveyor <NUM>.

<FIG> show an alternative preferred distribution apparatus, generally referred to herein by reference numeral <NUM>, incorporated in material handling machine <NUM> according to the invention. As shown, apparatus <NUM> comprises protruding element <NUM> drivable in oscillation about a vertical axis by drive mechanism <NUM>. Protruding element <NUM> comprises an elongate hollow pole <NUM> attached to follower fork <NUM> of drive mechanism <NUM>.

Distribution apparatus <NUM> is shown attached to machine <NUM> between upper conveyor <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> such that apparatus <NUM> distributes material from conveying portion <NUM> of upper conveyor <NUM> to receiving portion <NUM> of lower conveyor <NUM>. In the embodiment shown elongate pole <NUM> of apparatus <NUM> extends through an aperture (not shown) of angled bracket <NUM>. Angled bracket <NUM> has top section <NUM> for attachment to upper conveyor <NUM>, shorter base section <NUM> for attachment to downstream conveyor <NUM> and mid-section <NUM> containing the aperture through which elongate pole <NUM> extends. Top section <NUM> and base section <NUM> are parallel to each other with mid-section <NUM> connecting the two such that the angle between top section <NUM> and mid-section <NUM> is about <NUM>°.

The arrows on upper conveyor <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> show the respective directions of conveyance. The arrows adjacent protruding element <NUM> show how this oscillates back and forth in a direction transverse to said direction of conveyance. That is, protruding element <NUM> extends in the direction of conveyance of upper conveyor <NUM> thus receiving material at an angle of <NUM>°. As the direction of conveyance of upper conveyor <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> is the same, protruding element <NUM> also extends in the direction of conveyance of lower conveyor <NUM> and is adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to said direction of conveyance.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, angled bracket <NUM> is mounted underneath upper conveyor <NUM> such that protruding element <NUM> extends through mid-section <NUM> and is above receiving portion <NUM> of lower conveyor <NUM>.

<FIG> show distribution apparatus <NUM> incorporated in material handling machine <NUM> according to the invention. Distribution apparatus <NUM> is shown attached to machine <NUM> under chute <NUM> and between upper conveyor <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> such that apparatus <NUM> distributes material received from conveying portion <NUM> of upper conveyor <NUM> to receiving portion <NUM> of lower conveyor <NUM>. In particular, apparatus <NUM> is shown mounted above receiving portion <NUM> of lower conveyor <NUM>.

The arrows on upper conveyor <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> in <FIG> show the respective directions of conveyance. Protruding element <NUM> extends in the direction of conveyance of lower conveyor <NUM>. The arrows adjacent protruding element <NUM> in <FIG> show how protruding element <NUM> oscillates back and forth in a direction transverse to the direction of conveyance of lower conveyor <NUM>. Whilst upper conveyor <NUM> is at an angle of <NUM>° to lower conveyor <NUM>, chute <NUM> ensures that protruding element <NUM> receives material at an angle of <NUM>°.

<FIG> show distribution apparatus <NUM> incorporated in material handling machine <NUM> according to the invention. Apparatus <NUM> is shown attached to machine <NUM> under chute <NUM> and between two upper conveyors <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> such that apparatus <NUM> distributes material from conveying portions <NUM> of each upper conveyor <NUM> to receiving portion <NUM> of lower conveyor <NUM>. In particular, apparatus <NUM> is shown mounted above receiving portion <NUM> of lower conveyor <NUM>.

The arrows on upper conveyors <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> in <FIG> show the respective directions of conveyance. Protruding element <NUM> extends in the direction of conveyance of lower conveyor <NUM>. The arrows adjacent protruding element <NUM> in <FIG> show how protruding element <NUM> oscillates back and forth in a direction transverse to the direction of conveyance of lower conveyor <NUM>. Whilst upper conveyors <NUM> are at an angle of <NUM>° and <NUM>°, to lower conveyor <NUM>, respectively, chute <NUM> ensures that protruding element <NUM> receives material at an angle of <NUM>°.

<FIG> shows distribution apparatus <NUM> incorporated in material handling machine <NUM> according to the invention. Apparatus <NUM> is shown attached to machine <NUM> between upper conveyor <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> such that apparatus <NUM> distributes material from conveying portion <NUM> of upper conveyor <NUM> to receiving portion <NUM> of downstream conveyor <NUM>.

The arrows on upper conveyor <NUM> and downstream conveyor <NUM> in <FIG> show the respective directions of conveyance. The arrows adjacent protruding element <NUM> show how this oscillates back and forth in a direction transverse to said direction of conveyance. That is, protruding element <NUM> extends in the direction of conveyance of upper conveyor <NUM> thus receiving material at an angle of <NUM>° and is adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to said direction of conveyance. As the directions of conveyance of upper conveyor <NUM> and lower conveyor <NUM> are opposite to each other, protruding element <NUM> extends in the opposite direction to the direction of conveyance of lower <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, apparatus <NUM> is mounted under conveying portion <NUM> of upper conveyor <NUM> such that protruding element <NUM> is above receiving portion <NUM> of lower conveyor <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A machine (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for handling waste material, the machine comprising an upper conveyor member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) with a conveying portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a first width, a downstream lower conveyor member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) with a receiving portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of equal or greater width and an apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) for distributing material from the upper conveyor member to the downstream lower conveyor member, wherein the apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises:
oscillating means (<NUM>),
a drive mechanism (<NUM>) connected to the oscillating means; and
a protruding element (<NUM>, <NUM>) attached to the oscillating means for oscillatory movement thereof,
wherein the protruding element is a reciprocating attachment adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to the direction in which it extends,
characterised in that the apparatus is mountable between the conveying portion of the upper conveyor member and the receiving portion of the downstream lower conveyor member such that the protruding element extends either substantially in the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member or both in the direction of conveyance of the upper conveyor member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and opposite to the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member; and
wherein, in use, the oscillating protruding element oscillates in a direction transverse to the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member (<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at a speed of from <NUM> oscillations per minute to <NUM> oscillations per minute and agitates material being transferred from the upper conveyor member to the downstream lower conveyor member.