US4020956A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Live bottom pit for a solid waste disposal system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-07-18
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Granted: 1977-05-03
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Expires: 1995-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A live bottom pit for a solid waste disposal system is disclosed in which an endless device or endless belt-like structure driven by a motor is positioned near the bottom of the pit and extends upward along one side of the pit at an angle in excess of 35 degrees. A plurality of the endless belt-like structure may be provided to cover the entire bottom of the pit. The endless belt-like structure is comprised of a plurality of plates pivotally joined together. The plates are provided with projecting members which slice through a solid waste mass piled thereon. The solid waste is piled to a substantial height on the live bottom. A layer of solid waste is fed from the bottom of the mass of solid waste. Material from the rear of the mass of solid waste is fed first by the endless belt-like structure. The material being piled to a substantial height and the feeding action of the endless belt-like structure causes the mass of solid waste to become packed thereby allowing the pit to hold more solid waste material. Furthermore, the action of the live bottom device causes the solid waste material to be broken up as it is fed for further processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman Van Hille
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:15
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G23/00; B65G23/02; B65G23/14; B65G65/00; B65G65/30; B65G65/34; B65G65/40; B65G65/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a solid waste disposal system, a pit for the collection of solid waste to be incinerated, said pit comprising: a pair of opposed walls and a bottom therebetween; a plurality of endless means positioned between said opposed walls, a first portion of said plurality of endless means being positioned in a substantially horizontal position near at least a portion of the bottom of said pit for forming a live or moving bottom for the pit and a second portion of said plurality of endless means extending inclined upwardly at an angle in excess of 35° and out of said pit; and means for driving said endless means to remove a layer of solid waste adjacent said endless means from the bottom of a mass of solid waste in the pit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a solid waste disposal system, a pit for the collection of solid waste to be incinerated, said pit comprising: a pair of opposed walls and a bottom therebetween; a plurality of endless means positioned between said opposed walls, a first portion of said plurality of endless means being positioned in a substantially horizontal position near at least a portion of the bottom of said pit for forming a live or moving bottom for the pit and a second portion of said plurality of endless means extending inclined upwardly at an angle in excess of 35° and out of said pit; and means for driving said endless means to remove a layer of solid waste adjacent said endless means from the bottom of a mass of solid waste in the pit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said endless means comprises a plurality of plates joined together by pivotal joint means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal system in accordance with claim 2 wherein at least a predetermined number of said plurality of plates are provided on their outer surface with projecting members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said projecting members are positioned perpendicular to the direction of movement of the endless means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said projecting members are positioned parallel to the direction of movement of the endless means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said plurality of plates are provided with curved portions for overlapping said pivotal joint means thereby preventing the passage of material between said plates at the joints.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal system in accordance with claim 2 wherein predetermined ones of said plurality of plates include axle means mounted in a supporting relationship and each of said axle means being provided with a wheel at each end and a track means for the wheels on each end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal system in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of plates is provided with a substantially vertical side member on each side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises at least one sprocket drive means at each extreme of said endless means and an auxiliary drive means positioned between said sprocket drive means, said auxiliary drive means including two sprocket wheels and a chain driven by said two sprocket wheels, said chain engaging and driving said endless means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
211 words
In a solid waste disposal plant, a live bottom pit comprising: a pit having at least two opposed sides and a bottom, said opposed sides having at their upper ends cantilever projections thereon, said cantilever projections being located at the floor level of the plant for enabling solid waste carrying vehicles to dump into the pit and for substantially reducing dust flow from the pit during dumping; a plurality of endless carrier means extending substantially along the bottom of said pit and rising inclined upwardly at an angle in excess of 35 degrees at the end of said pit between said opposed sides, said endless carrier means being comprised of a plurality of plates joined together by pivotal joint means with each of said plurality of plates being provided with a substantially vertical side member on each side; skirt means mounted between said plurality of endless means, said shirt means being comprised of an upsidedown v-shaped structure, the lower ends of said upsidedown v-shaped structure extending inside the side members of adjacent endless carrier means; and means for driving said plurality of endless carrier means whereby a layer of solid waste adjacent said endless carrier means may be removed from the bottom of a mass of solid waste in the pit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
211 words
In a solid waste disposal plant, a live bottom pit comprising: a pit having at least two opposed sides and a bottom, said opposed sides having at their upper ends cantilever projections thereon, said cantilever projections being located at the floor level of the plant for enabling solid waste carrying vehicles to dump into the pit and for substantially reducing dust flow from the pit during dumping; a plurality of endless carrier means extending substantially along the bottom of said pit and rising inclined upwardly at an angle in excess of 35 degrees at the end of said pit between said opposed sides, said endless carrier means being comprised of a plurality of plates joined together by pivotal joint means with each of said plurality of plates being provided with a substantially vertical side member on each side; skirt means mounted between said plurality of endless means, said shirt means being comprised of an upsidedown v-shaped structure, the lower ends of said upsidedown v-shaped structure extending inside the side members of adjacent endless carrier means; and means for driving said plurality of endless carrier means whereby a layer of solid waste adjacent said endless carrier means may be removed from the bottom of a mass of solid waste in the pit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 wherein at least a predetermined number of said plurality of plates are provided on their outer surface with projecting members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 11 wherein said projecting members are positioned perpendicular to the direction of movement of the endless carrier means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 11 wherein said projecting members are positioned parallel to the direction of movement of the endless carrier means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 wherein said plurality of plates are provided with curved portions for overlapping said pivotal joint means thereby preventing the passage of material between said plates and the joints.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 wherein predetermined ones of said plurality of plates of said endless carrier means include axle means mounted in a supporting relationship and each of said axle means being provided with a wheel at each end and a track means for the wheels on each end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 wherein said drive means comprises at least one sprocket drive means at each extreme of said endless carrier means and auxiliary drive means positioned between said sprocket drive means, said auxiliary drive means including two sprocket wheels and a chain driven by said two sprocket wheels, said chain engaging and driving said endless drive means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cantilever projections extend a predetermined uniform distance from the opposed sides.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cantilever projections are sawtooth shaped to enable the dumping of vehicles into said pit at an acute angle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cantilever projections are provided with stop means, said stop means comprising a rotatably mounted cylindrical member mounted substantially perpendicular to the approach path of vehicles carrying solid waste material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 19 wherein said stop means includes at least one support member mounted between the ends of said cylindrical member, said support member supporting a portion of the lower and pit sides of the cylindrical member and extending upward not in excess of the top of said cylindrical element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 10 including at least three endless carriers, said at least three endless carriers being mounted in parallel adjacent each other, at least one center endless carrier extending rearward to a greater distance than the two outer endless carriers, and a second set of opposed walls forming the sides of the pit for the length of extension of said center endless carrier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A pit in a solid waste disposal plant in accordance with claim 21 wherein the opposed walls of said second set of opposed walls are provided at their upper ends with cantilever projections thereon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-02 | 1980-11-01 | 1981-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-02 | 1984-11-01 | 1985-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-02 | 1988-11-01 | 1989-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |