Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing waste objects. The present invention further relates to a method of processing waste objects.

A method and arrangement for processing waste objects is known from EP 3 816 345 A1. The arrangement comprises a chamber comprising an upright wall, wherein the upright wall is provided with a plurality of sieve sections. The sieve sections are distributed over the upright wall and disposed at an inclination angle with respect to the circumference direction of the chamber. The arrangement furthermore comprises at least two rotary arms positioned in a lower part of the chamber. A portion of waste objects, comprising a plurality of materials, is ripped apart by subjecting the portion of waste objects in between the at least two rotary arms. The ripped portion of waste objects are slung, by the at least two rotary arms, against the plurality of sieve sections, for separating a first stream from the ripped portion of waste objects, wherein the first stream comprises a first material of the plurality of materials.

The arrangement for processing waste objects, known from the state of the art, may be further optimized by improving the separation of the first material is not separated from the plurality of materials, to further decrease a residual stream of first material which is not separated from the plurality of material, and which remains at the inside of the chamber, and needs to be abducted. This leads to non-separable waste, that for example needs to be burned or gathered at waste deposits.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus for processing waste objects, and more in particular, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide for an improved method and apparatus for processing waste objects, for reducing the non-separated waste in apparatus for processing waste objects.

In the first aspect, the object is solved by an apparatus for processing waste objects, wherein said waste objects comprise a plurality of materials, said apparatus comprising: a container, for receiving a portion of said waste objects, said container comprises an upright wall, wherein said upright wall comprises a sieve arrangement and an unravelling arrangement; at least two rotary cranks positioned in a lower part of said container, adjacent to each other and arranged for rotating in a mutual rotational plane, for ripping apart said portion of said waste objects into a ripped portion of waste objects, by subjecting said portion of said waste objects in between said at least two rotary cranks, wherein said unravelling arrangement is positioned in the circumference of said rotary cranks, for unravelling said ripped portion of waste objects into an unravelled ripped portion of waste objects, said unravelling arrangement comprising: protrusions arranged in a pattern on said upright wall and extending into the inside of said container, for unravelling said ripped portion of waste objects, wherein said sieve arrangement is positioned in the circumference of said rotary cranks, said sieve arrangement comprising a plurality of sieve sections, wherein said sieve sections are distributed over said upright wall and disposed at an inclination angle with respect to the circumference direction of said container, arranged for separating a first stream from said unravelled ripped portion of waste objects, said first stream comprising a first material of said plurality of materials, by slinging, by said at least two rotary cranks, said unravelled ripped portion of waste objects against said plurality of sieve sections.

The waste objects processed by the apparatus according the present disclosure may comprise a plurality of materials. The apparatus may thus be arranged for processing a chemical composition of the plurality of materials which can be identical or different, differ in density, differ in specific weight, and/or differ in surface/weight ratio, for example, two or more of the plurality of materials comprise mutually attached components. For example, the apparatus may be arranged or configured for the processing of multi-layer waste objects. An example of this are laminates. A waste object is for example composed of one or more layers selected from plastic foil, rubber, foam, cellulose fibers and/or textile. In a further example, the first material of the plurality of materials comprise fibers, wherein the fibers are synthetic fibers, like polyethylene fibers, and/or natural fibers, like paper, cotton, hemp or jute. Furthermore, the plurality of materials can comprise materials of low specific weight and a stream of components of high specific weight. Components of height specific weight, typically comprising hard plastics (PVC) and/or rubber. Components of low specific weight, typically comprising plastic foils such as polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate foils. Additionally, the waste objects can comprise impurities, typically of high specific weight, such as stones and/or metal components.

The container comprises a bottom in the lower part of the container, for receiving a portion of the waste objects, an upright wall, and an upper part, which is either open or closable by a cover. Preferably, from a top view, the container is hexagonally shaped and/or made of steel.

The upright wall of the container comprises a sieve arrangement, comprising a plurality of sieve sections, and an unravelling arrangement, comprising a plurality of unravelling sections. In a preferred embodiment, the upright wall comprises wall sections, wherein the wall sections are removably connected to the upright wall, each wall section comprising a sieve section and/or an unravelling section. In particular, each wall section comprises a steel plate, on or into which the sieve section and/or an unravelling section is received. The size of the wall section is typically, but not limited to, 200 x 200 mm.

The at least two rotary cranks, in particular two or three rotary cranks, are positioned in the lower part of the container. The at least two rotary cranks are positioned adjacent to each other and are arranged for rotating in a mutual rotational plane, at least substantially, parallel to the bottom of the container. Each rotary cranks is rotatably connected to an upright shaft, wherein each upright shaft extends into the container, at least substantially, parallel to the upright wall. The at least two rotary cranks extend transversely to the respective upright shaft and into the container.

The at least two rotary cranks are arranged for ripping apart the portion of the waste objects into a ripped portion of waste objects, by subjecting the portion of the waste objects in between the at least two rotary cranks. The at least two rotary cranks rip apart large components and friction created in between the rotary cranks rip apart various mutual attached components, such as a plurality of materials comprising fibers mutually attached to other materials, wherein the other materials comprise materials of low specific weight, such as plastic foil, and high specific weight, such as rubber.

Preferably, the at least two rotary cranks comprise a fixed crank element and disposable shredding tips or shredding knives. The shredding tips are preferably configurable in position on the crank such that the mutual distance between the free ends of the tips of two neighboring rotary cranks can be set in the range between 1 cm and 10 cm, and preferably between 1 cm and 5 cm, whereas in the preferred configuration, the mutual distance is set at approximately 5 cm.

Furthermore, during the process of processing waste objects, large components of mutually attached materials are ripped apart into smaller components. The longer the components of mutually attached materials are subjected in between the at least two rotary cranks, the smaller the size of the components, wherein during the ripping apart, the first material, such as fibers, is separated from the plurality of materials.

It was the insight of the inventor to provide an additional unravelling arrangement to the apparatus, positioned in the circumference of the rotary cranks, and comprising protrusions arranged in a pattern on the upright wall and extending into the inside of the container, for unravelling the ripped portion of waste objects into an unraveled ripped portion of waste objects. The unravelling arrangement is arranged for generating friction to the ripped portion of waste objects, for unravelling the ripped portion of waste objects, by slinging, by the at least two rotary cranks, the ripped portion of waste objects against the protrusions.

The protrusions extend into the inside of the container, preferably in the range between 15 mm and 30 mm.

The main functions of the unravelling arrangement is to further unravel the components of mutually attached materials into smaller components of mutually attached materials, and/or to further unravel the components of mutually attached materials, for separating the first material from the plurality of materials, during the process of processing waste objects.

The invention is based on the insight that the process of processing waste objects is far more efficient by applying an unravelling arrangement, for additionally unravelling the ripped portion of waste objects, in addition to the least two rotary cranks, for ripping apart the portion of the waste objects. An advantage of the apparatus according to the present invention is that the first material is separated more effectively and efficiently from the plurality of materials, in comparison to arrangements known from the state of the art, leading to less residual non-separable waste, that needs to be burned or gathered at waste deposits. A further advantage of the apparatus according to the present invention is that energy transferred from the at least two rotary cranks to the material subjected in between the at least two rotary cranks, is smaller than in arrangements known from the state of the art. Advantageously, less power is required for driving the at least two rotary cranks and less heat, generated by friction created in between the rotary cranks, is generated inside the container, in comparison to arrangements known from the state of the art. This results in a more energy efficient arrangement, less deterioration due the heat generated inside the container, and a more fireproof process of processing waste objects.

The sieve arrangement is positioned in the circumference of the rotary cranks. The sieve sections of the sieve arrangement are distributed over the upright wall and disposed at an inclination angle of preferably at most 5 degrees, with respect to the circumference direction of the container.

Due to the rotation of the at least two rotary cranks, an airflow is generated in the circumference of the rotary cranks, defining an airflow direction inside the container. Each sieve section comprises an downstream part, downstream to the airflow direction, and an upstream part, upstream to the airflow direction, wherein the downstream edge of the respective sieve section extends more into the inside of the container than the upstream edge of the respective sieve section. This reduces the risk that material will get caught in a sieve section and/or that material will get accumulated in the sieve section, which is effective in preventing material from sticking to the upright wall.

The first material, such as fibers, are slung through the sieves of the sieve arrangement and collected outside the container, thereby separating a first stream of first material from the unravelled ripped portion of waste objects. The remaining materials of the plurality of materials, comprising materials of low specific weight and materials of high specific weight, remain in the inside of the container. Impurities in the waste objects, typically of high specific weight, also remain in the inside of the container.

In an example, the least two cranks are arranged for generating a thermal turbulence for separating further materials from said plurality of materials into a second stream of materials of low specific weight and a third stream of materials of high specific weight. Advantageously, the third stream of materials of high specific weight can be collected at, and removed from, the bottom of the container. By dispersing the remaining materials of the plurality of materials by thermal turbulence generated by the at least two rotary cranks and/or by heat generated in the container, the second stream of materials of low specific weight will swirl up in the container and can be collected at, and removed from, the upper part of the container.

In an example, said protrusions comprising a rod, extending into the inside of said container.

The rod, preferably made of metal, is fixed or removably attached to the unravelling section, and extends, at least substantially, perpendicular to the upright wall into inside of the container in the range between preferably 15 mm and 30 mm. For example, the rod is cylindrically shaped.

In an example, said protrusions comprising a welded protrusion, extending into the inside of said container.

The welded protrusion is adapted for roughening the surface of the sieve section at the inside of the container, extends into the inside of the container in the range between preferably 5 mm and 15 mm.

In an example, said protrusions comprise a cutting arrangement.

For example, the protrusion is one of a knife with a cutting edge or blade, extending into the inside of the container and a rod extending into the inside of the container, wherein at least one longitudinal edge of the protrusion comprises a cutting edge or blade, wherein the cutting edge or blade is arranged for receiving the ripped portion of waste objects and wherein the cutting edge or blade is directed upstream the airflow direction, for unravelling the ripped portion of waste objects by cutting the ripped portion of waste objects into smaller components.

This is specifically beneficial for unravelling large components of high density comprised in the waste objects, for example shoes, in particular safety shoes with steel toe caps, into smaller components.

In an example, said protrusions are arranged in a row, perpendicular to the circumference direction of said container, in a row parallel to the circumference direction of said container, or both, and optional, wherein said protrusions are arranged equidistant from each other.

In a further example, said unravelling arrangement comprising a plurality of unravelling sections, wherein said protrusions are removably connected to said plurality of unravelling sections and/or wherein a length of said protrusions is adjustable.

This is beneficial, as the unravelling arrangement is adjustable for different types of waste objects, thereby adjusting the amount of friction to the ripped portion of waste objects, wherein the number of protrusions of a respective unravelling section can be adjusted, the protrusions of a respective unravelling section can be arranged in different patterns, for example arranged in a row or in matrix, the distance between subsequent protrusions can be adjusted, and/or the length of individual protrusions can be adjusted.

In an example, the sieve sections and the unravelling sections can be provided in said upright wall at different locations and/or at different heights at said upright wall.

Advantageously, the unravelling arrangement is provided in the corners of the container, for example in the corners of the hexagonal shaped container.

In an example, said sieve arrangement is provided in said upright wall at a height of said upright wall, at least substantially, between 1/4 and 3/4 of the height of said upright wall, preferably, at least substantially, between 1/3 and 2/3 of the height of said upright wall, and/or said unravelling arrangement is provided in said upright wall at a height of said upright wall, at least substantially, between 1/4 and 3/4 of the height of said upright wall, preferably, at least substantially, between 1/3 and 2/3 of the height of said upright wall.

This is advantageous, as operation of the sieve arrangement and/or the unravelling arrangement is most effective at this respective height of the upright wall.

In an example, said sieve has a mesh diameter in the range of between approximately 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between approximately 2 mm and 12 mm, more preferably between approximately 2 mm and 6 mm, and most preferably approximately 2mm.

This is advantageous for slinging the first material, such as fibers, comprised in the unravelled and ripped portion of waste objects through the sieves.

In an example, said at least two rotary cranks are positioned at a mutual distance such that said at least two rotary cranks pass at a distance in the range of between approximately 1 cm and 25 cm, preferably between approximately 2 cm and 20 cm, more preferably between approximately 3 cm and 15 cm, and most preferably between approximately 5 cm and 10 cm.

This is advantageous for effectively ripping apart the portion of waste objects.

In an example, said rotary cranks have a rotary frequency of in the range of between approximately 100 rpm and 1500 rpm, preferably between approximately 400 rpm and 1200 rpm, more preferably between approximately 800 rpm and 1000 rpm, and most preferably approximately 900 rpm.

This is advantageous for effectively ripping apart the portion of waste objects and/or for generating a thermal turbulence by said at least two cranks, for separating further materials of low specific weight from said plurality of materials.

In an example, at least one upright air guiding element is provided inside said container, for defining in cooperation with said upright wall a passage for air along said upright wall, which passage tapers in a airflow direction, wherein the airflow direction is defined as the direction of the airflow in the circumference of said at least two rotary cranks, generated by said at least two rotary cranks.

The at least one upright air guiding element is provided outside the rotational volumes of the at least two rotary cranks and is at least partly higher than the rotational volumes of the at least two rotary cranks. The at least one upright air guiding element defines in cooperation with the upright wall a passage for air along the upright wall, which passage tapers in the flow direction.

This is advantageous for guiding the ripped portion of waste objects towards the sieve arrangement and/or the unravelling arrangement and/or for guiding the unravelled ripped portion of waste objects towards the sieve arrangement and/or the unravelling arrangement.

In an example, said apparatus further comprising at least one motor for driving said at least two rotary cranks, and a power supply for powering said at least one motor.

The apparatus can comprise one motor for driving each rotary crank separately. Preferably, the apparatus comprises one motor for driving at least two rotary cranks, which is advantageous for the power consumption of the apparatus. In an example, said apparatus further comprising an air pump for generating an airflow for removing said stream of components of low specific weight from said container.

The components of low specific weight swirl up in the container, and can advantageously be removed from the upper part of the container by the air pump.

In an example, said portion of said waste objects having a humidity of at most 40 wt%.

The process of processing waste objects is most effective for waste objects having a humidity of at most 40wt%. If the humidity is above 40wt%, waste object will accumulate inside the container, in particular against and around de sieve sections and the unravelling sections, which is undesirable.

If the initial humidity of the waste objects is above 40wt%, then additional drying processes steps may be initiated, for example through heating, centrifuging, wringing or rolling. If the humidity of the waste objects is below 40wt%, then water may be added to control and maintain the humidity at a constant level, for example by a spray nozzle inside the container.

In an example, said waste objects comprise carpets.

The apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for processing waste objects comprising carpets, wherein the carpets comprise an upper layer of pile attached to a backing. The pile is made of natural fibers or synthetic fibers. The backing is made of a material of high specific weight. During the processing of the waste objects, the fibers leave the container through the sieve arrangement, and the backing materials remains inside the container.

In an example, said waste objects comprise artificial grass mats.

The apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for processing waste objects comprising artificial grass mats, wherein the artificial grass mats comprise synthetic fibers, and further materials, mutually attached to each other. Furthermore, the artificial grass mats comprise rubber granulate. During the processing of the waste objects, the synthetic fibers leave the container through the sieve arrangement, and the further materials and rubber granulate remain inside the container.

In an example, said waste objects comprise paper waste, drink packages, beverage packages, shoes or tennis balls. The apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for processing waste objects comprising paper waste, drink packages or beverage packages. During the processing of the waste objects, the paper fibers leave the container through the sieve arrangement, and the further materials remain inside the container. Materials of low specific weight, like plastic foil can be removed from the upper part of the container.

Furthermore, the apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for processing waste objects comprising shoes or tennis balls. During the processing of the waste objects, the fibers leave the container through the sieve arrangement, and further materials remain inside the container.

In the second aspect, the object is solved by a method of processing waste objects using an apparatus according to one of the previous claims, wherein said waste objects comprise a plurality of materials, said method comprising the steps of: providing said portion of said waste objects to said container; ripping apart said portion of said waste objects into a ripped portion of waste objects, by subjecting said at least portion in between said at least two rotary cranks; unravelling said ripped portion of waste objects into said unravelled ripped portion of waste objects, by said unravelling arrangement; separating a first stream from said unravelled ripped portion of waste, said first stream comprising a first material of said plurality of materials, by slinging said unravelled and ripped portion of waste objects against said plurality of sieve arrangements.

In an example, the method further comprising the step of: separating further materials from said plurality of materials into a second stream of materials of low specific weight and a third stream of materials of high specific weight, by generating a thermal turbulence by said at least two cranks.

Examples, advantages and embodiments of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention are applicable mutatis mutandis to the method according to the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

Embodiments of the method and apparatus according to the present invention will now be explained with reference to the figures, in which Fig. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of an apparatus for processing waste objects according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 for processing waste objects according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3A and 3B show different embodiments of an unravelling section according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiments of a method of processing waste objects according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

Figures 1 and 2 show a top view and side view respectively, of an embodiment of an apparatus for processing waste objects according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

The apparatus 100 comprises a container 101 comprising an upright wall 103, composed of sieve arrangement 105 positioned in the circumference of two rotary cranks 111’, 111”. The sieve arrangement 105 comprises sieve sections 105’ provided with sieves with a mesh diameter of for example 2 mm, which are selected depending on the type of waste object to be processed. The sieve sections 105’ are distributed over the upright wall 103 and disposed at an inclination angle of 4 degrees with respect to the circumference direction of the container 101. Each sieve section 105’ comprises an downstream part, downstream to the airflow direction D, and an upstream part, upstream to the airflow direction D, wherein the downstream edge of the respective sieve section extends more into the inside of the container 103 than the upstream edge of the respective sieve section 105’.

The upright wall 103 further comprises an unravelling arrangement 107 positioned in the circumference of the two rotary cranks 111 ’ , 111 ”. The unravelling arrangement 107 comprises unravelling sections 107’ provided with protrusions 109. The type, length and pattern of the protrusion 109 on a respective unravelling section 107’ is also dependent on the type of waste objects to be processed. In this embodiment, the protrusions 109 are cylindrical shaped metal rods of length 20 mm extending into the inside of the container 101 , arranged in a matrix pattern.

The sieve section 105’ and the unravelling section 107’ are provided in or on a metal wall plate of dimensions 200 x 200 mm, and are removably attached to the upright wall 103. Both the sieve section 105’ and the unravelling section 107’ can easily be replaced or reordered, dependent on the type of waste object to be processed. Furthermore, the protrusions are removably connected to the unravelling sections and the length of the protrusions is adjustable.

A portion of waste objects, is supplied, either continuously or phased, via the upper part of the container 101 to the lower part of the container 101 , for example using one or more conveyor belts located above theca container 101.

The waste objects for example comprise pieces of carpets, wherein the pieces of carpets are pre-cut in pieces of approximately 0,1 to 0,5 m2, such that the pieces of carpet can easily be supplied to the apparatus 100. The carpets comprise an upper layer of pile mutually attached to a backing. The upper layer of pile is for example woven or knotted to the backing. The pile is made of natural fibers or synthetic fibers and the backing is made of a material of high specific weight. Furthermore, the waste objects comprise impurities, such as stone, metal components, and plastic foil.

The container 101 is provided with two upright shafts 109’, 109”. A first upright shaft 109' is provided with a rotary crank 11 T having distal ends 113'. A second upright shaft 109" is provided with a rotary cranks 111" having distal ends 113". The distal ends 113’, 113” comprise a fixed crank element and disposable shredding tips or shredding knives. The upright shafts 109', 109" are driven by motors 121 , and are both rotating in the same direction, in this embodiment counterclockwise as seen from above, thereby defining an airflow direction D at the circumference of the upper wall 103. The distal ends 113', 113" of two rotary arms 111', 111" simultaneously pass a line extending between the two upright shafts 109’, 109” for ripping apart the pieces of carpets, introduced into the lower part of the container 101 , into a ripped portion of carpets.

Both rotary cranks 111’, 111” define a rotational volume. Two upright air guiding elements 115 are provided above that rotational volumes of the rotary cranks 111’, 111”. The upright air guiding elements 115 have a conical profile with rounded ends in order to prevent material from sticking to the upright air guiding element 115 instead of being discharged from the container 101 .

The upright air guiding element 115 defines in cooperation with said upright wall 103 a passage 117 for air along the upright wall 103, which passage 117 tapers in the airflow direction D.

The ripped portion of carpets are slung, by the two rotary cranks 11 T, 111”, against the sieve arrangement 105 and the unravelling arrangement 107. Fibers that are already separated from the carpets are slung through the sieve openings of the sieve arrangement 105 and are discharged by screw conveyors 123. Pieces of carpets from which the fibers have not yet been separated, are slung against the protrusions 107’ of the unravelling arrangement 107, for further unravelling of the fibers from the carpets.

The unravelled ripped portion of carpets is further ripped apart by subjecting the unravelled ripped portion of carpets in between the two rotary cranks 111’, 111” and by slinging the unravelled ripped portion of carpets, by the two rotary cranks 111’, 111”, against the unravelling arrangement 107, thereby ripping and unravelling the unravelled ripped portion of carpets in smaller portions and separating the fibers from the carpets. The upright air guiding element 115 guides the unravelled ripped portion of carpets towards the sieve arrangement 105 and the unravelling arrangement, wherein eventually the fibers are separated from the carpets and are slung through the sieve openings of the sieve arrangement 105.

Materials of high specific weight, in particular the backing, stones and metal components, remain at the bottom of the container 101 and can be discharged from the container 101 after finishing the process of processing the waste objects.

Materials of low specific weight, in particular plastic foil, swirls up in the container 101 due to the thermal turbulence generated by the two rotary cranks 111’, 111” and by heat generated in the container 101 and can be discharged from the upper part of the container 101 using air pump 125.

Figure 3A shows an embodiments of an unravelling section 107’ according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, comprising two cylindrically shaped metal rods 109, adjustable attached to the metal plate of the unravelling section 107’. The two rods are adjustable in length by a rod receiving arrangement 127. By rotating screw 129 clockwise, the rod 109 is displaced inside the rod receiving arrangement 127, thereby reducing the length of the rod 109 extending into the inside of the container 101. By rotating the screw 129 counter-clockwise, the rod 109 is displaced outside the rod receiving arrangement 127, thereby increasing the length of the rod 109 extending into the inside of the container 101.

Figure 3B shows another embodiments of an unravelling section 107’ according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, comprising two knives 109 with a cutting edge, extending into the inside of the container 101 , wherein the cutting edge of the knife 109 is positioned downstream the airflow direction D and arranged for receiving the ripped portion of waste objects, for unravelling the ripped portion of waste objects by cutting the ripped portion of waste objects into smaller components.

Figure 4 shows an embodiments of a method 200 of processing waste objects according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

The method 200 of processing waste objects uses the apparatus 100 as described above and comprises the steps of: providing 201 the portion of said waste objects to the container 101 ; ripping apart 203 the portion of said waste objects into a ripped portion of waste objects, by subjecting the at least portion in between the two rotary cranks 11 T, 111”; unravelling 205 the ripped portion of waste objects into the unravelled ripped portion of waste objects, by the unravelling arrangement 107; separating 207 a first stream from the unravelled ripped portion of waste objects, wherein the first stream comprises a first material of the plurality of materials, by slinging the unravelled and ripped portion of waste objects against the sieve arrangements 105. separating 209 further materials from the plurality of materials into a second stream of materials of low specific weight and a third stream of materials of high specific weight, by generating a thermal turbulence by the at least two rotary cranks 11 T, 111”.