Patent ID: 6776570
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: B30B,B65F

Abstract:
A refuse handling apparatus having a collection receptacle, the collection receptacle comprising:a charging hopper having a first opening for loading material into the charging hopper, a second opening through which material can be discharged from the charging hopper, the second opening being disposed below the first opening when the apparatus is in use, the charging hopper having a curved guide surface therein which extends between the first and second openings so as to form a slide for directing material towards the second opening; a control member having a work head which is mounted for movement within the charging hopper about a pivot axis which extends generally horizontally when the apparatus is in use, the control member being pivotally movable about the pivot axis between a first position in which the work head is spaced from and disposed above the second opening, and a second position in which the work head is adjacent or within the second opening; the curved guide surface of the hopper being generally complementary to the arc of movement of the lower most part of the work head between the first and second positions, the work head being disposed adjacent the guide surface and in close proximity thereto during movement between the first and second positions, the control member comprising a top surface of the work head, and a lower surface curved to substantially the same arc as the guide surface, the top surface being shaped to act as a sloping surface when the work head is in the first position to guide material towards the second opening, and wherein the top surface is at all times exposed to the hopper and the first opening, whereby material may enter into the first opening and the hopper irrespective of the position of the control member at and between the first position and the second position; wherein the control member comprises: a block having a front wall, the top surface, the lower surface, and side walls, the front wall being arranged to push the material through the second opening and, to compact the material within the receptacle, the side walls each having a section which is complementary to the guide surface, the section of the side walls and the lower surface of the control member being adjacent to the guide surface of the charging hopper, whereby when the control member moves from the second position to the first position the leading edge of the control member defined by the end of the top surface most remote from the front wall and the lower surface will tend to scrape material off the guide surface onto the top surface; mounting arms which have the work head operatively connected to one end thereof, the other ends of the mounting arms being mounted for pivotal movement about the pivot axis; and a pivot tube coupled to the mounting arms for maintaining stability between the mounting arms and to ensure proper movement of the control member.