Screw Compactor

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for managing recyclable materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus is described, the apparatus comprising an inlet port for receiving the recyclable materials, a tube connected to the inlet port, an outlet port as part of the tube for expelling the recyclable materials, a screw blade mounted inside the tube and the inlet port along a tube longitudinal axis for moving the recyclable materials through the inlet port, the tube, and the outlet port, a motor coupled to the screw blade for rotating the screw blade, thereby moving the recyclable materials through the apparatus, and a receptacle installed onto the outlet port for receiving the recyclable materials.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for management of recyclable materials, comprising:
 an inlet port for receiving the recyclable materials;   a tube connected to the inlet port;   an outlet port as part of the tube for expelling the recyclable materials;   a screw blade mounted inside the tube and the inlet port along a tube longitudinal axis for moving the recyclable materials through the inlet port, the tube, and the outlet port;   a motor coupled to the screw blade for rotating the screw blade, thereby moving the recyclable film materials through the apparatus; and   a receptacle installed onto the outlet port for receiving the recyclable film materials.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a friction force is created between an inner surface of the receptacle and an outer surface of tube, whereby the friction force causes the receptacle to slide off of the tube at a predetermined rate as it is being filled by the recyclable materials. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the friction force causes a compaction of the recyclable materials inside the receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a level of compaction of the recyclable materials is proportional to the rate at which the receptacle slides off of the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a retainer mounted over the receptacle and the tube for providing a frictional force between the receptacle and the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the frictional force causes the receptacle to slide off of the tube at a rate that, in turn, causes a level of compaction of the recyclable materials. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises an elongated bag having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the outlet port; wherein
 the diameter is chosen to create a frictional force between the elongated bag and the outlet port, thereby causing a desired level of compaction of the recyclable material in the elongated bag.   
     
     
         9 . A system for separating a particular type of recyclable material from a mixed stream of recyclable materials, comprising:
 a filmatic hood for receiving the recyclable materials from the stream of recyclable materials;   an air movement device for drawing the recyclable materials into the filmatic hood;   ductwork for mechanical coupling of the filmatic hood to a screw compactor; and   the screw compactor comprising an inlet port, a tube, and a screw blade, for receiving the recyclable materials and for expelling the recyclable materials into a receptacle mounted over a discharge portion of the output tube.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle comprises an elongated bag and is sized and shaped to form a frictional fit with the output tube. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the friction fit causes the receptacle to slide off of the output tube at a predetermined rate as it is being filled by the recyclable materials. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the friction fit causes a compaction of the recyclable materials inside the receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a level of compaction of the recyclable materials is proportional to a rate at which the receptacle slides off of the tube as a result of being filled with the recyclable material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a retainer mounted over the receptacle and the output tube for providing a frictional fit between the receptacle and the output tube. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the frictional fit causes the receptacle to slide off of the tube at a rate that, in turn, causes a level of compaction of the recyclable materials. 
     
     
         16 . A method for management of recyclable materials, comprising:
 installing a receptacle over an output tube such that a majority of the receptacle is installed over the output tube;   providing the recyclable materials to an inlet port of a screw compactor;   moving the recyclable film materials through the screw compactor using a screw blade mounted inside of the screw compactor;   expelling the recyclable materials from an outlet port of the tube and into the receptacle causing the receptacle to slide off of the output tube as it is filled with the recyclable materials; and   causing compaction of the recyclable materials proportional to the rate at which the receptacle slides off of the output tube.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the output tube comprises an annular lip, the method further comprising:
 installing a retainer over the receptacle and the output tube, abutting the annular lip, thereby creating a frictional force between the receptacle and the output tube.