Abstract:
A compactor comprising a base structure having a compaction chamber mounted thereto is provided. The compactor further comprises a ram which is horizontally movable through the compaction chamber between a withdrawn position and an extended position. An actuator is pivotally movable mounted to the ram at a first end portion. The actuator moves the ram from the withdrawn position to the extended position. An actuator frame is pivotally movable mounted to the base structure at a first end portion such that the pivot of the actuator frame is aligned with the pivot of the actuator when the ram is in the withdrawn position. A second opposite end portion of the actuator is mounted to a second opposite end portion of the actuator frame. The actuator frame is movable between a transport position where the actuator is oriented substantially vertical and an operating position where the actuator is oriented substantially horizontal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to material compactors especially for waste or recyclable materials, and more particularly relates to compactors which may be transported by a truck, trailer or other vehicle for the purpose of compacting recyclable materials for subsequent transportation of the compacted recycled materials. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Recycling programs may result in the collection, at collection stations, of sorted or unsorted recyclable materials, including, for example, plastic beverage bottles, aluminum beverage cans, and other recyclable materials (hereinafter collectively referred to as “recyclable materials” unless otherwise specifically indicated). In some cases, the recyclable materials are sorted at the collection stations and thereafter temporarily stored in large compressible containers such as fabric bags, in which, for example, between 1000 and 2000 beverage bottles or beverage cans can be temporarily stored, for subsequent transportation to a processing facility factory. In some cases, it may be necessary to transport collected recyclable materials a significant distance from the collection stations. However, as the recyclable materials may contain large volumes of air (for example, the volume of air in an empty plastic beverage bottles or empty aluminum beverage cans), when transporting and subsequently storing these recyclable materials, there may be significant inefficiencies and waste associated with the transporting and storing processes, as these large volumes of air are transported and stored. 
   It is desirable to have a portable compactor which may be transported to or installed at one or more of the collection stations, which may be utilized to receive the containers, e.g. the fabric storage bags filled with sorted recyclable materials, and thereafter compact the filled containers (and the contents thereof) and thereafter transport (and, where appropriate and/or desirable, store) the compacted recyclable materials and containers for subsequent processing of the recyclable materials. Preferably the compactor may be carried by a truck or trailer vehicle. 
   PRIOR ART 
   Compactors and balers for trash or waste material are well known. Typically these are loaded from the top, e.g. through a hopper, and have a hydraulic cylinder which moves horizontally in a compaction chamber to compress the trash. The trash may be compacted against a door which can be slid open when sufficient compaction has taken place, or may it may be compacted against a discharge channel which has converging walls, sometimes termed a “size reduction chamber”. In the latter case, it is usual for the compacting ram to have teeth at its forward end for the purpose of breaking up large pieces of material in the compaction chamber; such designs are shown for example in:
         U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,949, issued Nov. 24, 1970 to Clar, and   U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,335, issued Jan. 16, 1979 to O&#39;Rourke, et al.       

   The need for teeth on the ram in these compactors has been noted as a drawback, since the teeth become worn and need replacement. 
   In some compactors or baling machines the compaction is done in two stages, by first and second hydraulic rams operating successively along directions perpendicular to each other. Such a design for example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,261, issued Apr. 20, 1993 to Davis. This patent is concerned with compacting cans and similar articles for recycling; like many designs it is fed from the top, and the two mutually perpendicular rams act horizontally. Designs of this type, with two mutually perpendicular, horizontal rams, occupy considerable floor space, more than is desirable in a compactor intended to be carried by a vehicle. Also, the Davis design uses a slidable door against which to perform the second stage compaction; this slidable door requires its own hydraulic cylinder and this increases the expense and complexity of the apparatus. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a recyclable materials compactor which is of relatively simple form and which is compact enough to be carried in a vehicle. 
   The apparatus may make use of size reduction chamber for a second stage of compaction, but does not require the use of teeth on the compacting ram since the material being compacted can be separated into distinct batches by having been placed into bags or other compressible containers, which can be fed singly to the apparatus. 
   In accordance with this feature of the invention, the method of compacting waste material comprises:
         placing said material in compressible containers such as bags,   loading a single such filled container into a compaction chamber in compaction apparatus via a side inlet,   compressing said container in a first direction by means of a first ram communicating with said chamber,   further compressing said container in a second direction by means generally perpendicular to the first direction by means of a second ram while simultaneously ejecting said container via a size reduction chamber.       

   As indicated, in this method, unlike in the type of garbage compactor described by Clar or O&#39;Rourke et al., the ram which moves the material into the size reduction chamber has no cutting teeth and needs none. 
   The containers are preferably loaded into the side of the compaction chamber, rather than into the top as is common with trash compactors. This of course means less lifting for the operators. It also allows the first ram to operate vertically, thus saving floor space, as compared for example to the Davis patent and other similar designs with mutually perpendicular, horizontal rams. A special feature of the invention is the means which allow the second ram, which acts horizontally, to have a good range of travel and yet to occupy little space in an inoperative condition when the vehicle is loaded and ready for travel. 
   In accordance with this latter feature of the invention, in apparatus suitable for use in a vehicle for compacting waste, including a base which carries the compaction chamber and which has a horizontally operating compaction ram movable in said chamber and a hydraulic cylinder for moving the horizontally movable ram, said cylinder has its outer end carried by a frame which has a first pivotal connection to the base allowing the cylinder to pivot 90° from a horizontal orientation up to a vertical orientation. The piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the horizontally operating ram by a second pivotal connection which is aligned with the first pivotal connection when the compaction ram is in a withdrawn position relative to the compaction chamber. In the preferred apparatus described, having also a vertically operating ram for giving a first stage compaction, this arrangement allows the second, horizontally operating ram to be folded vertically close to the vertically operating ram when the compaction apparatus is in inoperative condition for traveling. When folded out into the operative condition for loading the vehicle, the horizontally operating ram can project out of the rear door of the vehicle. 
   As indicated, the ram giving the first stage of compaction preferably operates vertically. To reduce the height of the hydraulic cylinder means needed for this first, vertically operating ram, such cylinder means may be inclined at an angle to the vertical. In the initial position, with the first ram raised, the cylinder means may be at an angle of more than 30° to the vertical; this angle reduces when the cylinder is extended. The fact that this cylinder means is providing much less than its maximum downwards force in the first stage of its action is unimportant since the compaction force needed at this stage is not as high as in the later stages. Preferably, these cylinder means comprises two cylinders symmetrically arranged so that the horizontal components of force which they apply to the first operating ram are balanced. The ram itself is in the form of a carriage having rollers which move along vertical guideways extending up from the corers of the compaction chamber. 
   The apparatus also includes means for tying the compacted containers; this however is not part of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the apparatus of the present invention in the stored position; 
       FIG. 2  is a view of the same apparatus in the operative condition, with entry doors removed, with compaction rams retracted, and with the chamber holding an uncompressed container; 
       FIG. 3  is a similar view of the apparatus with the container having been vertically compacted; 
       FIG. 4  is a view of the apparatus with no container in place, and showing the rear part of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 5  is a view of the vertically operating carriage component which constitutes the first ram; 
       FIG. 6A  is an enlarged rear isometric view of the means for supporting the second ram, and a portion of the second ram and its connection to the operating cylinder, with the latter cylinder in its inoperative position; 
       FIG. 6B  is a cross-section view of one embodiment of a horizontally mounted grooved roller of one embodiment of the present invention, and 
       FIG. 7  is a view of a base component of the apparatus showing support means for the second, horizontally operating ram. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a compactor apparatus, generally shown as  2 , has a base member assembly  4  which is separately illustrated in  FIG. 7 , and which may be bolted or otherwise securely mounted to the floor of, for example, a truck or trailer (not shown). The apparatus has an the ejection ram assembly, generally shown as  10 , which in  FIG. 1  is in the vertical storage position; as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  this ejection ram assembly is in the horizontal operative position. Mounting means for this ram assembly will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  7 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4  the apparatus has a compaction chamber  12 , which as illustrated in  FIG. 1  has doors  14  which open to provide a side inlet through which a fabric storage bag  20  filled with recyclable material may be inserted into the compaction chamber  12 , the doors  14  thereafter being securely fastened in the closed position (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) during the compaction phase described hereinafter. One end wall of the compaction chamber  12  is formed by the face  22  of the ejection ram  24  best seen in  FIG. 4 , details of which will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , an opening  26  is provided in the lower portion of the end wall  28  of the compaction chamber opposite the ejection ram assembly  24 , the opening  26  providing a passageway to an exit chamber  30  as more fully described herein. 
   A vertically acting compaction ram  32  having a lower face plate  32   a  initially positioned above the compaction chamber  12 , is provided. This ram  32  moves within a structure which includes vertical corner members  34  supporting opposed end walls  28  and  35  of an upper part of the compaction chamber  12 , a closed side face  36 , and the side doors  14 . At front and rear of the central part of the apparatus the upper ends of members  34  support triangulated brackets  37  the apices  37   a  of which provide firm anchors for the outer ends of double acting hydraulic cylinders  38 , the lower ends of which cylinders are attached to the ram  32 , as described more fully below. The compaction ram  32  can be lowered by the two double-acting hydraulic cylinders  38  to come into contact with the fabric storage bag or container  20  filled with recyclable material positioned within the compaction chamber  12 . Further lowering of the ram  32  compacts the fabric storage bag  20  to a desired height, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once the lower face plate  32   a  of the compaction ram is at or below the level of the top of opening  26  in the end wall  28  wall of the compaction chamber, the compaction ram  32  is maintained in that compacting position. Thereafter, the horizontal ejection ram  24  is activated and extended, pushing the compacted fabric storage bag filled with now compacted recyclable materials through the opening  26  in the wall  28  and into the exit chamber  30 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the walls of the exit chamber  30  are, over their length, each gently angled inwardly a short distance of approximately one half inch to reduce the width of the chamber by about one inch over its length to produce a gently tapered narrowing exit passageway through the exit chamber, (it being understood that a range of angles and width narrowing distances are possible in alternative embodiments of the present invention and that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the amount of angling and width narrowing distance may be adjustable). The inwardly angled/tapered walls constitute a size reduction chamber and thus provide some resistance to the movement of the compacted fabric storage bag  20  therethrough. After each compacted fabric storage bag has been pushed into the exit chamber  30  by the ejection ram  24 , it will remain in the exit chamber until expelled/pushed therefrom by the force applied thereto by the arrival of the next compacted fabric storage bag which is being forced through the opening  26  and into the exit chamber  30 . In this way, the force applied on this next compacted fabric storage bag by the ejection ram is partially opposed by the resistance of the previously processed fabric storage bag wedged in the exit chamber  30 , the ejection ram being able to overcome this resistance and forcing the most recently compacted fabric storage bag into the exit chamber  30  while at the same time moving the immediately previously processed fabric storage bag along the exit chamber  30  until it is expelled therefrom. In this way, the compacted shape and configuration of each processed fabric storage bag may be established. 
   As indicated above, the apparatus is designed to minimize both the height and length of the apparatus, as compared to what would be expected for conventional apparatus having both vertically and horizontally operating rams. 
   As seen in  FIG. 5 , the vertically operating compaction ram  32  is formed as a horizontal rectangular face plate  32   a  with stiffening side ribs  32   b , and stiffening cross ribs  32   c . At each corner the ribs support open vertical hollow structural tube members  40  with coped ends which are each provided with upper and lower rollers  42 , which rollers move in tracks provided on the inner facing surfaces of corner members  34 . The cross ribs  32   c  support a central block  44  the opposed ends of which provide anchor points for the piston rods of cylinders  38 . Accordingly the cylinders  38  slope inwardly from the apices of the brackets  37  to the central block  44  of the ram  32 . When the ram  32  is in its uppermost position, as in  FIG. 1 , the cylinders  38  slope at an angle of slightly more than 30° to the vertical (as seen from the side of the apparatus), thus reducing the height compared to what would be needed with conventional vertical cylinders. This slope reduces the downwards force which is applied to the ram, as compared to the force which would be given by vertical cylinders; however the reduction occurs mainly in the initial stages of compression, when comparatively little force is required; when fully extended the cylinders are within about 10° of the vertical. 
     FIGS. 4 ,  6 A and  7  show how the ejection ram assembly  10  is pivotally mounted to the base member  4  so as to be pivotable (as illustrated by the arrow in  FIG. 4 ) from the operative position of  FIGS. 2 to 4  into the vertical storage position of  FIG. 1  by means of double acting hydraulic pivoting cylinder  48  which is securely and pivotally attached  48 A, for example, to a cross-member  48 B and securely and pivotally attached  48 C for example, to the one side of the frame member  78 . 
     FIG. 6A  shows details of the ejection ram  24  and its mounting means. The front face  22  of the ram  24  (seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is provided by a rectangular plate  50  provided with vertical stiffening members  52 , which are in turn supported by upper and lower horizontal plates  54  and  56  and by outer vertical brackets  58  which connect the horizontal plates  54  and  56  and have their inner edges attached to members  52 . A further, intermediate, horizontal plate  60  connects vertical brackets  58  to a pair of inner vertical brackets  62 , having a connection to the ejection ram cylinder as will be described. 
   The lower horizontal plate  56  carries, at each of its four corners, a short vertical axle which rotatably supports a grooved roller  66 ; these grooved rollers movably engage inwardly projecting flanges of parallel rails  68 , which run along front and back sides of the bottom of the compaction chamber, being carried by base  4 . This roller and rail combination allows the ejection ram  24  to have relatively frictionless movement along the compaction chamber. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , each of the grooved rollers  66  are rotatably supported by a short horizontal axle  98 , each of the grooved rollers  66  being movably engaged with parallel rails  68  in secure engagement with and supported by the base and the parallel rails  68  extending along the length of travel of the ejector ram, thereby supporting and positioning the ejector ram as it is extended and retracted (in this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , inverted lengths of angle material welded or otherwise securely fastened to the base may be used to provide the parallel rails  68 ). 
   As also shown in  FIG. 6A , the inner vertical brackets  62  have rear ends which carry a horizontal shaft  70  which provides a pivot connected to the piston rod of double-acting hydraulic cylinder  72 .  FIGS. 6A and 7  also show fixed support brackets  74  extending upwards from the base assembly  4 ; as shown in  FIG. 4  these brackets have a pivotal connection at  76  to frame members  78  constituting part of the ejector ram assembly  10 . The outer ends of members  78  hold the outer end of the ejector cylinder  72  by means of a pin (not shown) spanning the members  78  proximate the cross member closure plate  78   a  about which pin a pivot sleeve (not shown) is positioned which is securely attached to the ejector cylinder  72 . The arrangement is such that when the ejector ram  24  is fully withdrawn, as in  FIG. 6 , the pivot  70  is aligned with the pivotal connection  76 , so that in this situation the ejector ram assembly  10 , including frame  78  and the cylinder  72 , can be pivoted from the horizontal position to the vertical position by the pivoting cylinder  48 . As seem in  FIG. 1 , this brings the ejector ram assembly  10  close to the main structure formed by the corner members  34 ; the height of the ejector ram assembly is then slightly less than the height of the main structure. In practice, this allows the ram assembly  10  to project out of the back of a vehicle in which it is mounted when the vehicle is being loaded, and to be folded clear of the rear doors of the vehicle for traveling. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compacted fabric storage bag may be securely bound in the compacted state by binding the compacted bag with wire, plastic or other banding material. For this purpose spools of banding material  80  and  82  are mounted respectively on the rear and front of the apparatus, outside the rear and front end walls  28  and  35  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , which spools supply banding material which passes over pulleys  84 ,  86 , and  51  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 A respectively, subsequently being wrapped around the compacted fabric storage bag and thereafter securely fastened to maintain the compacted fabric storage bag in the compacted position. The means for feeding the banding material includes hollow steel tubes  55  (through which the banding material may freely pass) positioned beneath inverted lengths of angle material  53  welded or otherwise securely fastened to the base as shown in  FIG. 7  and includes vertically movable carriages  88  movable by hydraulic cylinders  90  such as shown in  FIG. 3 , which carriages carry probes for taking the banding material down to tying means (not shown) incorporated in the base  4  and positioned beneath holes  57  in the base through which holes  57  the binding material supplied by way of the probes and by way of the hollow steel tubes pass for tying. However, these tying means are not part of the present invention, and may be conventional, such as have been used for many years in the tying of hay bales. 
   The hydraulic cylinders referenced herein may be operated manually, or automatically to provide for the movement of the components described herein, it being understood that alternative mechanical, hydraulic or electrical components may be used as required or desired to achieve the above-described movement of the components described herein. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the compactor may be powered by the truck, trailer or other vehicle on which it is installed, it being understood that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, it may be temporarily or permanently installed in a fixed location, such as at a depot or redemption centre where materials for recycling may be collected for subsequent transportation. 
   The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.