Method and means in waste handling

• US 9,090,399 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MariCap Oy
• Original Assignee: MariCap Oy
• Inventors: Sundholm, Gran
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYEN KIM
• Application Number:
  US13/259,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20120234924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,960 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/451, 235/492
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 2501/0054 Sorting of waste or refuse
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3412 according to a code applied to the object which indicates a property of the object, e.g. quality class, contents or incorrect indication sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means B07C5/10; sorting according to optical properties B07C5/342; for packages B65D79/02; for information carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/002 with means for opening or closing of the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/112 Coding means to aid in recycling
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1125 Colors
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/128 Data transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1443 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/176 Sorting means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation

Abstract

A closing system and associated method for closing and handling waste or recyclable material which utilizes in the closing system a closing device which is provided with at least one, visible, RFID identifier and which contains an adhesive surface which is used to close and secure the waste or recyclable material within the receptacle.

Claims

1. A method for transporting, identifying and tracking waste or recyclable material which comprises:

placing the waste or recyclable material into a receptacle provided with carrying loops,

forming the carrying loops into a knot to close the receptacle,

applying a closing means having an adhesive surface, on the knot for sealing the receptacle and securing the knot so that the knot does not open and the receptacle is maintained closed during transport,

wherein the closing means is provided with at least one, visible RFID identifier for tracking purposes and for identifying waste products, content of waste, and the amount of waste, said closing means further containing information selected from waste identification, visible markings in multiple languages, color code, picture code, consumer code, recycling code and advertisements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is made of a plastic material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a second visible identifier is applied as a closing means to identify the user community or household.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface is provided on the opposite side of the closing means from the visible identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface is covered with a protective base member which is removed prior to fixing the closing means to the receptacle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a reading unit of the RFID identifier is coordinated with a disposal point for the waste or recyclable material and a waste transport system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the waste or recyclable material is sorted into different categories and allotments based upon information given by the RFID identifier.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the closing means is produced in quantity as a sheet or roll, with adjacent closing means being connected together with perforations which provide for ready detachment.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID identifier is provided with a fire alarm and the filling degree at the waste disposal plant.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the closing means is fixed on top of the knot and another knot is formed on top of the closing means with the carrying loops.

10. A receptacle used for transporting, identifying and tracking waste or recyclable material, said receptacle comprising:

carrying loops formed into a knot to close the receptacle, and

a closing means having an adhesive surface placed on the knot for sealing the receptacle and securing the knot so that the knot does not open and the receptacle is maintained closed during transport,

wherein the closing means is provided with at least one, visible RFID identifier for tracking purposes and for identifying waste products, content of waste, and amount of waste, said closing means further containing information selected from waste identification, visible markings in multiple languages, color code, picture code, customer code, recycling code and advertisements.

11. The receptacle of claim 10, wherein an additional knot is formed in the carrying loops, said additional knot being formed on top of the closing means to protect the RFID identifier.

12. The receptacle of claim 10, wherein the closing means are provided in sheets

and are pre-cut for closing and securing the closing of the receptacle.

13. The receptacle of claim 10, wherein the closing means is paper based and provide with instructions on how to use the closing means.

14. The receptacle of claim 10, wherein the RFID identifier of the closing means is pre-programmed according to the customer and according to waste type or recyclable material type.

16. The receptacle of claim 10,

wherein the RFID identifier is provided with a fire alarm and the filling degree at the waste disposal plant.