Patent ID: 7415925
Filing Date: 2008-08-26
Classification: B30B

Abstract:
1. A refuse compactor for a restaurant facility comprising: (a) a structurally supportive cabinet comprising a horizontal rectangular base, four upwardly extending mutually perpendicular sheet metal panel members affixed to the base along perimeter edges thereof, and a horizontal top panel extending across the top of and joining the panel members at upper ends thereof, (b) a shelf extending across a width dimension of said cabinet and affixed to opposed ones of the panel members at a predetennined elevation above the base; (c) a compaction plate assembly including a one-piece platen pivotally affixed to a support member for rotation about a horizontal axis, a compaction plate driver mounted on said shelf operatively coupled to said support member for driving the compaction plate in a vertical direction toward and away from said base; and (d) a cam block for pivoting the platen from a first position inclined to the vertical to a second horizontal position during a downward movement of the compaction plate assembly and returning the platen to the inclined position during an upward movement of the compaction plate assembly, (e) the cam block having an arcuate cam surface, the cam block being affixed to an upper surface of the compaction plate; a cam follower roller affixed to the shelf and positioned in a path of travel of the cam block; and a tension spring operatively coupled between the upper surface of the compaction plate and said shelf, said tension spring having one end connected to the upper surface of the compaction plate and an opposing end connected to the support member.