Compact Apparatus for Covering Landfill

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure An apparatus and method for covering a landfill includes a deployer suspended below the bucket of a loader. A roll of film is disposed on the deployer and uncoiled to deploy a film covering on the landfill surface as the loader driven across the surface. Periodically, the bucket, containing a ballast material, is manipulated, allowing ballast material to be disposed on the film to hold the deployed film in place. In a preferred embodiment, the deployer includes a mandrel mounted between two flanges for supporting a roll of film. The deployer is preferably attached to the bucket by chains or wire rope in such a manner so as to allow full operation of bucket while the deployer is attached.

Claims 
     
         1.   An apparatus for mounting on a lift of a vehicle to deploy covering on a landfill, comprising: 
       a spool adapted to support the covering; and 
       connection members releasably attached to said spool and adapted for suspending the covering below the lift to deploy the film over the landfill. 
     
     
         2.   The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said connection members are selected from the group consisting of chains, braided wire, rope, or rigid beams. 
     
     
         3.   The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said spool includes a mandrel extending between opposed flanges. 
     
     
         4.   The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said opposed flanges include a first flange coupled to one end of said mandrel and a second flange detachably connected to another end of said mandrel. 
     
     
         5.   The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said second flange is connected to said mandrel by a J-slot and pin. 
     
     
         6.   The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said flanges include a flat side. 
     
     
         7.   The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said connection members include a connector adapted for mounting on said lift. 
     
     
         8.   The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said connector includes a shield. 
     
     
         9.   The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a container adapted for disposal on the lift adapted to contain a ballast for deployment on the covering. 
     
     
         10.   The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a sprayer to apply a chemical solution is disposed between said spool and the vehicle. 
     
     
         11.   The apparatus of  claim 10  where said chemical solution includes a pesticide. 
     
     
         12.   The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said chemical solution is a deodorizer. 
     
     
         13.   The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said covering is a degradable film. 
     
     
         14.   An apparatus for covering a landfill comprising: 
       a vehicle having a container disposed thereon which may raised, lowered and tilted; 
       a spool suspended below said container; 
       a roll of film disposed on said spool; and 
       ballast disposed in said container. 
     
     
         15.   The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said spool includes a mandrel disposed between flanged ends. 
     
     
         16.   The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said flanged ends include sector cuts adapted to face the landfill. 
     
     
         17.   The apparatus of  claim 15  further including bearing members disposed between said mandrel and said roll. 
     
     
         18.   The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said bearing members are roller or ball bearings. 
     
     
         19.   The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a sprayer to apply a chemical solution to the landfill. 
     
     
         20.   The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said chemical solution includes a pesticide. 
     
     
         21.   The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said chemical solution includes a deodorant. 
     
     
         22.   A method for covering a landfill surface comprising: 
       rotatably disposing a roll of film on a spool below a bucket on a mover; 
       moving the mover over the landfill surface; 
       rotating the roll on the spool to unroll a panel of film from the roll; 
       deploying the film onto the landfill surface; and 
       selectively depositing ballast on top of the deployed film from the bucket.. 
     
     
         23.   The method of  claim 22  further including overlapping adjacent panels of film on the landfill surface. 
     
     
         24.   The method of  claim 22  further including spraying a chemical solution on the landfill prior to deploying the film to the surface. 
     
     
         25.   A method for covering a surface of a landfill comprising: 
       depositing ballast material in a bucket device of a loader; 
       mounting a film deployer to the bucket device; 
       backing the loader over the surface; 
       deploying the film from a spool mounted below the bucket; and 
       depositing ballast material on top of the film from the bucket.. 
     
     
         26.   The method of  claim 25  wherein adjacent panels of the film are deployed atop the surface of the landfill. 
     
     
         27.   The method of  claim 25  wherein adjacent panels of the film overlap. 
     
     
         28.   The method of  claim 25  further including spraying a chemical pesticide on the landfill surface prior to deploying said film.