Abstract:
A refuse compactor especially designed for use in fast-food restaurant environments includes a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor for actuating a hydraulic ram to compress restaurant waste materials. The compactor includes a unique compaction plate assembly that maintains the platen inclined at a predetermined angle to the vertical when the platen is elevated and which forces the platen to a horizontal disposition during a downward compaction stroke. A motor operated closure member selectively blocks and unblocks a refuse-receiving opening formed in a front door of the compactor unit and with a motion detector controlling the opening and closing of the refuse entry door panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     I. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to equipment for compacting waste material, and more particularly to the design of a trash compactor for use in fast food restaurants and other food vending establishments where the patron is expected to deposit his/her waste paper products in a trash receptacle upon leaving the establishment.  
         [0003]     II. Discussion of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Many fast food restaurants and cafeterias typically provide a refuse or waste container near the exit doors of the establishment and at other convenient locations so that at the conclusion of a meal, the patron&#39;s tray containing napkins, paper cups, food wrappers, placemats, etc. can be dumped into the waste receptacle by the patron rather than by restaurant staff. However, it is up to the restaurant staff to periodically empty these trash receptacles, bag the waste materials in polyethylene bags and then deposit the bagged waste in a dumpster for pick-up by a refuse removal service.  
         [0005]     Because the waste material is merely allowed to fall by gravity in the conventional waste receptacles currently used, it is not particularly dense and frequent emptying of the waste receptacles by staff personnel is required to prevent overflow and attendant lack of patron compliance. The need to frequently empty the refuse receptacles can be a significant cost item for a restaurant operation. Moreover, since refuse haulers generally charge by volume and not by weight, bagged, loosely-compacted refuse takes up an inordinate amount of space in a dumpster and also adds to the cost of refuse disposal.  
         [0006]     A need, therefore, exists for a refuse compactor capable of compressing fast food restaurant trash so that less frequent emptying is required and a greater mass of waste material can be contained in a smaller volume. The present invention provides a unique solution to this problem.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a refuse compactor especially designed for use in a restaurant facility that comprises a frame having a horizontal, rectangular base and a pair of upwardly extending structural members affixed to the base along opposed side edges thereof. Extending across the structural members at the top thereof is a horizontal cross member. Further supported by the frame is a compaction plate assembly that includes a one-piece platen pivotally affixed to a support member for rotation about a horizontal axis, a hydraulic ram that is operatively disposed between the horizontal cross member of the frame and the support member for driving the compaction plate in a vertical direction toward and away from the base and a pair of guide rods for maintaining alignment of the assembly during its operational stroke. Biasing springs are disposed between the support member and the platen for urging the platen from a first position that is inclined to the vertical to a second horizontal position during a downward movement of the compaction plate assembly when the hydraulic ram is actuated. On a return stroke of the compaction plate assembly, the platen is returned to its inclined position.  
         [0008]     The refuse compactor has decorative sidewalls mounted in surrounding relation to the frame and includes a door at a front thereof which can be opened to withdraw a wheeled cart containing compacted trash. Formed through the door is a refuse receiving opening and mounted relative to the opening is a hinge panel that is pivotable about a horizontal axis for selectively blocking the refuse-receiving opening. In that the compaction plate is inclined to the vertical when its raised disposition, it does not interfere with the opening of the hinged panel by a patron wishing to deposit refuse into the compactor. Means are provided for automatically swinging the hinged panel to its open position upon detection of the approach of a patron toward the compactor.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The foregoing features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, especially when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to corresponding parts.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the trash compactor comprising a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view from the front and right side of the trash compactor of  FIG. 1 , but with the decorative outer skins removed to show the internal construction;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view like that of  FIG. 2 , but taken from the rear and right side;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the frame structure for the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the compactor plate assembly used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the door motion arm that is attached to the waste entry door;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is an alternative embodiment of a compaction plate drive assembly; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a partial view of the compaction assembly of  FIG. 8  showing the drive mechanism. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and associated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.  
         [0020]     Shown in  FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a trash compactor specifically designed for use in fast food restaurants. It is indicated generally by number  10 . In this figure, decorative plastic skins  11  form an enclosure having a pair of sidewalls joined to one another by a rear wall that are in place on the machine. A door  13  forms a front of the enclosure. It has an opening  15  through which restaurant waste or the like can be deposited, the waste is adapted to fall into a polyethylene refuse bag (not shown) used to line the box  156  of a removable cart assembly  17  when the door  13  is closed and locked. A removable plastic top panel  19  is attached that has upwardly projecting ribs adjacent the side and rear perimeters of the top panel. The space between these ribs provides a convenient place for serving trays to be stacked once the waste has been deposited into the cart  17  through the opening  15 .  
         [0021]     During use, the door  13  will be closed and locked. The door is only open to remove the cart  17  once it is filled with compacted waste material. A motor-operated hinged panel  23  normally blocks the opening  15 , but swings to an open position when a proximity sensor detects the approach of a patron. an audio message is also played. The manner in which this is accomplished will be explained in considerably more detail as the description of the preferred embodiment continues.  
         [0022]     Referring then to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a front isometric view of a waste compactor constructed in accordance with the present invention, it is indicated generally by numeral  10  and, for clarity, the outer skins  11  are removed to better illustrate the machine&#39;s internal parts. The framework for the compactor includes a flat, generally rectangular steel base  12  that is mounted on four caster wheels, as at  14 , to facilitate moving and positioning of the compactor. Welded to the upper surface  16  of the base  12  midway along its opposed sides are upwardly extending structural members here shown as vertically oriented steel channels  18  and  20 . These heavy gauge steel channels are further supported by triangular steel gussets  22  that are welded both to the top surface  16  of the base  12  and to the respective vertical channels  18  and  20 . Extending between the upper ends of the vertical channels  18  and  20  is a horizontal cross member, here shown as a steel top channel  24  that is also welded in place.  
         [0023]     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , there is welded to the rear edges of the vertical channels  18  and  20  proximate the upper end thereof a steel tray on which is supported an electronic control board assembly  28 . Electrical power is delivered to the compactor  10  by way of a power cord  30  that is adapted to plug into a connector  32  on the rear of the tray  26 .  
         [0024]     Disposed below the tray  26  and also welded to the vertical channels  18  and  20  is a support plate  34  on which is mounted an electric motor  36  that is coupled in driving relation to a hydraulic pump  38 .  
         [0025]     Referring to the isometric view of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 4 , also welded to the vertical channels  18  and  20  at a location proximate the upper ends thereof is a steel tray  40 . It has a vertical rear wall  42  affixed to front edge surfaces of the channels  18  and  20  and a vertical front wall  44 . The rear and front walls are connected by a horizontal, forwardly projecting floor plate  46 . To add additional rigidity to the steel tray  40 , a steel plate  48  located approximately midway across the width dimension of the steel tray  40  is welded to the rear plate  42 , the front plate  44  and the floor plate  46 .  
         [0026]     Welded to the rear plate  42  and to the channel  20  at its upper end is a steel arm  50  that passes through a notch  52  formed in the front wall  44 . Secured to the arm  50  is a door hinge pin  54 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . A further door hinge pin  56  is affixed to the front edge of the base  12  by a forwardly projecting ear  58 . The hinge pins  54  and  56  are vertically aligned with one another, allowing the door  13  to be suspended thereon. The door  13  as well as the skins  11  are preferably fabricated from fiberglass.  
         [0027]     The frame structure shown in  FIG. 4  also includes a triangular bracket  60  that is welded to the vertical channel  18  and projects forwardly to support a box-like housing  62  in which a door lock assembly is to be contained.  
         [0028]     Referring momentarily to the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , there is indicated generally by numeral  64  a compaction plate assembly. It includes a cast aluminum plate or platen  66  that is pivotally mounted to a steel channel support member  68 . The pivot connection includes a pair of compactor plate bearings  70 , disposed midway along the side edges of the compaction plate  66 , through which a cylindrical pin  72  extends to allow rotation of the platen  66  about a horizontal axis. A pair of strong, helical springs  74  are mounted on the pivot pin  72 . They are operatively disposed between the channel support member  68  and the compaction plate  66  so as to apply a biasing force thereto tending to rotate the compaction plate  66  so that it becomes parallel to the top surface of the channel support member  68 , i.e., horizontal, during a compaction stroke, all as will be further described.  
         [0029]     With continued reference to the compaction plate assembly  64  of  FIG. 5 , affixed to the top surface of the channel support member  68  is a hydraulic ram  76 . It is centrally disposed between a pair of guide rods  78  and  80 . Guide sleeves, as at  82 , fit into openings formed through the support tray  34  from which the compaction plate assembly  64  is suspended and serve as bearings for the guide rods  78  and  80 . The ram attaches to the top channel  24  and is vertically oriented such that when pressurized by hydraulic fluid from the pump  38  causes the compaction plate to execute a compaction stroke whereby trash deposited in the cart  17  is crushed and compressed.  
         [0030]     To avoid having trash deposited on the top surface of the compaction plate  66 , it is imperative that the compaction plate be inclined as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  as waste is being deposited through the door opening  15 . However, in order to effect compaction, the plate must assume a horizontal disposition during its downward compaction stroke and return to its inclined disposition at the end of the compaction stroke. To achieve this result, there is provided a relatively large diameter roller  84  that is suspended from a tube  86  of rectangular cross section that is welded to the undersurface of the support plate  34 . The roller  84  is journaled for rotation in a U-shaped bracket  88  having a rectangular tube  90  welded to it. The rectangular tube  90  is dimensioned to telescopingly fit within the tubular bracket  86  and held in place by setscrews whereby the degree of extension can be adjusted.  
         [0031]     Also attached to the top surface of the compaction plate is a compactor plate pin assembly  92 . It is used to releasably lock the platen in a horizontal position during the downward stroke of the platform. As shown in the detailed view of  FIG. 6 , the compactor plate pin assembly comprises a rectangular block-like housing  94  having laterally extending flanges  96  and  98  with bolt apertures  100  extending through it to permit attachment to the compaction plate. The block  94  includes a bore  102  formed longitudinally therethrough and into which is fitted a locking pin  104  that is provided with a gear rack on an undersurface thereof (not shown). Cooperating with the gear rack on the locking pin  104  is a pinion (not shown) that rotates with an L-shaped lever  106  that is journaled in the housing  94 . Rotation of the lever therefore causes reciprocal movement of the pin  104  in the bore  102 . The lever  106  is positioned relative to the roller  84  so that as the compaction plate descends from the disposition shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pin  104  will be made to project out through the bore  102  at the inner edge of the block  94  to overlay the top surface of the channel  68 , thereby locking the compaction plate  66  in its horizontal disposition during the downward movement of the compaction plate assembly, assuring that any objects that may be in the trash being compacted cannot tilt the compaction plate away from its desired horizontal disposition.  
         [0032]     Upon the return stroke, as the compaction plate assembly again rises, a point is reached where the roller  84  again engages the L-shaped lever  106  to thereby move the locking pin  104  to the right when viewed in  FIG. 6  whereby the engagement of its far end with the upper surface of the channel  68  no longer pertains. Thus, the continued engagement between the roller  84  and the compaction plate  66  can return the compaction plate to its tilted disposition shown in  FIG. 2  against the force of the springs  74 .  
         [0033]     Returning again to the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , the hinge panel  23  comprising the waste entry door  23  is pivotally mounted to a pair of door hinge arms  108  and  110  which fasten by screws to the floor plate  46  ( FIG. 4 ) of the steel tray  40 . Fastened to the inside surface of the hinge panel  23  is a door motion arm  112  that has an arcuate cam profile  114  formed therein along its length dimension. Also mounted on the floor plate  46  of the tray  40  is a door actuating motor  116  which is coupled through a gear box  118  to one end of an arm  120  supporting a cam follower roller  122  on the free end thereof. The arm  120  is joined to an output shaft of the gear box  118 , as is a further cam (not shown). This further cam cooperates with Microswitches®  124  and  126  which are connected in circuit with the motor  116  to cause the arm  120  to be rotated 180° upon each actuation of the motor.  
         [0034]     The roller  122  is positioned to cooperate with the arcuate surface  114  on the arm  112  so as the arm moves through 180°, the waste entry door swings open to the position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , allowing waste to be dumped into the cart  17 . Because the platform of the compaction plate assembly is inclined, it does not interfere with the opening of the hinged panel waste entry door  23 .  
         [0035]     The actuation of the motor  116  is controlled by a commercially available motion sensor  128  that mounts to a bracket  130  on an upper rear surface of the main entry door  13 . Thus, when the door  13  is closed and locked, as a patron approaches the waste compactor  10 , the motion is detected and a signal is sent to the motor  116  to initiate a 180° swing of arm  120  to first open the waste entry door  23 . As the patron moves away after depositing refuse into the compactor, the action is again sensed and the motor  116  is triggered to rotate the arm an additional 180°, allowing the waste entry door  23  to reclose. To prevent the door  23  from bouncing upon closure thereof, a permanent magnet  129  is mounted on the tray  46  ( FIG. 4 ) that attracts a ferrous metal disk  131  that is suspended by a threaded rod from an appendage on the arm  112  as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0036]     A programmable logic array comprising the electronic circuit  28  is configured to initiate a compaction cycle after a predetermined number of openings of the waste entry door  23 . For example, and without limitation, the electronic circuit may be programmed such that 10 patrons approaching and depositing refuse into the cart  17  will initiate a compaction cycle whereby that refuse is compressed into a cube defined by the side walls of the cart  17 .  
         [0037]     To prevent the waste entry door  23  from opening during the compaction cycle, which might expose a patron to injury, an interlock is provided to block the waste entry door  23  from opening during a compaction cycle. Specifically, a solenoid  132  is mounted on a rear surface of the rear end plate  42  of the steel tray  40  with the solenoid plunger  134  extending through a hole drilled in that plate. When the solenoid is energized, the plunger  134  extends in a forward direction to overlay and interfere with a stop bracket  136  that is affixed to swing arm  112  to which the waste entry door  23  attaches. The pin on the solenoid thus blocks the waste entry door  23  from being swung open so long as the solenoid  132  is energized. At the completion of the compaction stroke and return of the compaction plate to its elevated and tilted disposition, the solenoid is deenergized, retracting the pin  134 , thus allowing swinging movement of the waste entry door under control of the motor assembly  116 .  
         [0038]     The door lock for securing the door  13  preferably comprises a socket head bolt  138  that is designed to pass through a sleeve  140  that is mounted in the door  13 . The bolt  138  is sufficiently long to project through the thickness dimension of the door  13  and into a threaded block  142  designed to fit within the triangular bracket  60 . The block  142  is urged forward within the confines of the box-like housing  62  by a helical spring  144 . Using an Allen wrench, the bolt  138  may be rotated to draw the door  13  against the vertical edge  146  of the inner wall  148  disposed in the frame and preventing the door  13  from being opened by persons not having an appropriate Allen wrench.  
         [0039]     To prevent actuation of the compaction plate assembly if the door  13  is open, a magnetic proximity switch of a well-known type has its switch contact member  148  fastened to the front wall  44  of the steel tray  40  at a position where it will be actuated when a magnet  150  that is affixed to the inside surface of the main door panel  13  is brought into close proximity to it. Thus, only when the door is closed will the switch contacts of the magnetic switch  148  be closed to permit the motor  36  driving the hydraulic pump to run.  
         [0040]     The cart  17  includes a base tray  152  mounted on wheels  154  and supported on the base tray is a separable trash-receiving chamber  156 . The chamber  156  has four mutually perpendicular sidewalls, an open top and an open bottom. For convenience, a polyethylene bag may be inserted into the chamber  156  for ultimately containing the trash once impacted. A pull handle  158  is pivotally attached to the base  152  to facilitate removing a filled and compacted mass of waste material through the open door  13  and to a temporary storage site. Once at the storage site, the tube-defining chamber  156  can be lifted free of the tray  152 , leaving a compacted trash-filled bag for ultimate disposal by a trash hauling company.  
         [0041]     It has also been found desirable to mount an audible speaker  160  to the front wall  44  of the steel tray  40  where the speaker is coupled by wires to a voice chip integrated circuit on the electronics panel  28 . As in many telephone answering machines, these voice chips may be used to store several short audio messages that are played each time a patron causes the waste entry door  23  to swing open as a marketing tool. The messages may thank the patron for visiting the restaurant or for dumping his/her trash, etc.  
         [0042]     This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different equipment and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself. For example, satisfactory performance has been achieved when the hydraulic ram  76  has been eliminated, along with its associated hydraulic pump and associated hydraulic lines, and replaced with a mechanical drive. As shown in  FIG. 8  the cylindrical guide rods  78  and  80  seen in  FIG. 6  have been replaced by elongated bars  162  and  164  and the rectangular bars have a gear rack  166  formed longitudinally there along. An electric motor  168  ( FIG. 9 ) is affixed to the support tray  34  and its output shaft is coupled through a gearbox  170  to an output shaft  172  on which pinion gears  174  and  176  are keyed. Upon command from the devices&#39; programmable logical ray to initiate a compaction stroke, the motor  168  is energized, thereby driving the pinion gears  174  and  176  on the rack surfaces  166  of the guide rods  162  and  164  to cause the compaction plate to descend and later ascend. The compaction plate assembly of  FIGS. 8 and 9  is otherwise identical to that of  FIG. 6  whereby the locking of the compaction plate in a horizontal disposition and a subsequent release thereof to allow it to assume and inclined disposition is the same as has already been explained.