SMART BALER

• US 20180056618A1
• Filed: 08/29/2016
• Published: 03/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WM Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC (Waste Management Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WM Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC (Waste Management Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chan, Chung Wah, Perez, Ricardo J.
• Granted Patent: US 11,780,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/3007 Control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/22 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for baling recyclable materials and managing the baling of recyclable materials. The apparatus for baling includes a baler for compressing and baling recyclable materials, a scale, label printer, and a processor. Certain embodiments further comprise at least one digital camera, RFID dispenser, and an internet connection that allows the processor to transmit collected data to a remote database for further analysis.

The disclosed method for baling recyclable materials comprising the steps of baling materials; weighing the bale automatically using a digital scale operably connected to the processor; recording the weight of the bale automatically; and printing a label which displays the recorded weight of the bale. Additionally, the method may comprise inputting information and/or automatically recording data, and/or automatically transmitting the data associated with a bale to a remote database.

Claims

1. An apparatus for baling materials comprising:

a baler for baling materials;

a scale with digital signal output;

a processor operably connected to said scale; and

an input device operably connected to said processor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one digital camera, wherein the digital camera is operably connected to the processor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one printer, wherein the printer is operably connected to the processor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the printer is configured to dispense a radio frequency identification tag.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer is configured to transfer data to a database.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to notify the operator if the scale signal is outside of a predetermined range.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display screen.

6. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the database is cloud based.

9. A method for baling recyclable materials comprising the steps of:

feeding recyclable materials into a baler, wherein the baler is operably connected to a processor;

baling the materials;

forming a completed bale;

weighing the bale automatically using a digital scale operably connected to the processor;

recording the weight of the bale automatically; and

printing a label which displays the recorded weight of the bale.

10. The method of claims 9 further comprising the steps of entering an operator identification into the processor using an associated input device.

11. The method of claims 9 further comprising the steps of entering the type of material being fed into the baler.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the processor automatically records the time at which material is initially fed into the baler and the time at which the completed bale is formed.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising taking a image of the material being fed into the baler.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising taking an image of the completed bale.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising automatically transmitting the data associated with a bale to a remote database.

16. Equipment for retro-fitting a traditional baler with smart baler technology, the equipment comprising:

at least one scale configured to weigh a bale;

a processor operably connected to said scale, wherein the processor is configured to transfer data to a database;

an input device operably connected to said processor;

a printer operably connected to said processor;

17. The equipment of claim 16, further comprising a frame designed to elevate a traditional baler and allow the scale to be positioned lower than the traditional baler.

18. The equipment of claim 16, further comprising an imaging device operably connected to said processor.