Alternative daily cover system with re-usable panels and method for using same

Abstract

A system of panels for use in covering an active face of an operational landfill, in order to prevent and/or minimize litter, odors, leachate production, fires, and the prevalence of flies and vectors. Each panel comprises a plate; one or more brackets; and optionally, a flap. The brackets are adapted to engage with the blade of a compactor or other type of heavy equipment. The panels are moved to and from the active face of an operational landfill using the compactor. The panels are durable and fireproof, and can be transported in a variety of weather conditions. Transporting the panels to and from the active area is easy and efficient as compared with prior art methods.

1 . A panel for covering a portion of the active face of an operational landfill, comprising:
 (a) a plate having a top face and a bottom face; and   (b) at least one bracket attached to said top face of said plate,   
     wherein said bracket is adapted to be engaged by a loading means, allowing said panel to be picked up and transported by said loading means for placement onto said active face. 
   
   
       2 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein said loading means is a compactor. 
   
   
       3 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein said plate has a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges. 
   
   
       4 . The panel of  claim 3  wherein said rear edge and said front edge are parallel. 
   
   
       5 . The panel of  claim 4  wherein said panel is one of rectangular, trapezoidal, or rhombus-shaped. 
   
   
       6 . The panel of  claim 3  wherein said panel further comprises a flap attached to said plate near said front edge. 
   
   
       7 . The panel of  claim 3  wherein said panel further comprises a flap attached to said plate near said side edge. 
   
   
       8 . The panel of  claim 6  wherein said panel further comprises a flap attached to said plate near said side edge. 
   
   
       9 . The panel of  claim 6  wherein said flap covers the entire length of said front edge. 
   
   
       10 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein said panel has two brackets. 
   
   
       11 . The panel of  claim 10  wherein each bracket comprises an arm and an elbow. 
   
   
       12 . The panel of  claim 10  wherein said two brackets are equidistant from said two side edges. 
   
   
       13 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein said plate is made from steel. 
   
   
       14 . The panel of  claim 6  wherein said flap is made from rubber. 
   
   
       15 . The panel of  claim 14  wherein said flap is made from rubber conveyor belting. 
   
   
       16 . An alternate daily cover system for covering at least a portion of the active face of an operational landfill comprising:
 (a) a plurality of panels, each panel having:
 a plate with a top face and a bottom face and a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges; and 
 at least one bracket attached to the top face of said plate; and 
   (b) a means for loading said panels onto said active area;   
     wherein said bracket is adapted to engage with said loading means, allowing said panels to thereby be picked up by said loading means from a storage location, transported by said loading means to said active face, and removably deposited onto said active face by said loading means. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said loading means is a compactor. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said panel has two brackets. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said panels further comprise a flap; and wherein said flap is attached to each one of said plates near said front edge. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said flap covers the entire length of said front edge. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said panels are placed by said loading means in a shingle-like arrangement, at least some panels overlapping one or more other panels when deposited into position on said active face. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the flap of at least one panel overlaps an edge of an adjacent panel. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said two brackets are equidistant from said two side edges and wherein each one of said brackets comprises an arm and an elbow. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said plate is made from steel. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said flap is made from rubber. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said flap is made from rubber conveyor belting. 
   
   
       27 . A method of covering at least a portion of the active face of an operational landfill comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of panels at a storage location, each panel having:
 a plate with a top face and a bottom face and a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges; and 
 at least one bracket, each bracket being attached to the top face of said plate and each bracket having an arm and an elbow; 
   (b) providing a loading means having a blade;   (c) in respect of each one of one or more of said plurality of panels at the storage location, engaging the bracket of the panel by sliding the blade of said loading means on or above the top face of said plate and underneath the arm of said bracket;   (d) lifting the blade of said loading means, thereby lifting the panel to which the engaged bracket is attached;   (e) transporting said panel by moving said loading means from said storage location to a desired location at the active face of a the operational landfill;   (f) lowering the blade of said loading means so that the bottom face of said plate is placed against the surface of the active face and the panel rests on the active area; and   (g) retracting the blade from the panel so that the blade and bracket disengage from one another.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , repeating steps (a) to (g) with one or more of said panels at said storage location, wherein each successive plate is placed by said loading means in shingle-like arrangement with a previously-placed panel, overlapping said previously-placed panel. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , repeating steps (a) to (g) with more of said panels until the active face is covered.