Patent ID: 6158336
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: B30B

Abstract:
A trash compactor, comprising:a) a trash container housing with a front, a rear and a pair of side walls interconnected by a floor;b) a compression plate positioned within said housing, said compression plate being pivotally attached to said housing near a junction of a first of said side walls and said floor such that it is pivotable in an arc from a retracted, substantially vertical position proximate said first side wall to an extended position in which it is nearly parallel to said floor;c) a double action hydraulic ram with a first end pivotally attached to said first side wall and with a second end pivotally attached to said compression plate such that extension of said ram moves said compression plate from said retracted to said extended position;d) a lid covering said container;e) a first refuse guide plate attached to the lid and extending between the front wall and the rear wall;f) a second refuse guide plate attached to a second of said side walls and extending between the front wall and the rear wall; andg) said first and second guide plates collectively forming a shape which closely follows the path of a distal end of the compression plate as the plate moves from its retracted position to its extended position.