Patent ID: 6077020
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B65F

Abstract:
An actuator assembly for use in a garbage or recyclable material handling system wherein material containers are each pivotally mounted to respective container supports at desired locations for movement between a lower material receiving position and a partially inverted material discharge position and wherein a material collection vehicle is adapted to communicate with respective containers when in the discharge position to receive the materials discharged therefrom;said actuator assembly comprising an arm having one end portion adapted to be attached to the vehicle and said arm being extendable outwardly of the vehicle during use and an actuator secured to a distal end of the arm, which actuator is adapted to be positioned to operatively engage between the container support and the container when the vehicle is located to receive said materials from a selected container with said actuator being operable to exert forces between the container support and the container to cause the container to pivot from the lower receiving position to the discharge position to effect discharge of said materials into the vehicle and to thereafter cause or permit the container to pivot back to the lower receiving position, said actuator being disengageable from the container support and the container when said container is in the lower receiving position following which said arm together with said actuator may be retracted inwardly toward the vehicle to allow the vehicle to move away from the container.