Abstract:
A trash compactor includes a loading vestibule which extends forwardly of a cabinet. Pivotally mounted to a lower edge of the vestibule entrance is a carriage having a panel which functions as a vestibule lid. When the lid is pivoted downwardly, a distal panel of the carriage pivots upwardly, blocking access to a trash discharge outlet. Trash is then loaded on the carriage. When the lid is closed, the distal panel is sloped downwardly to an angle which discharges the trash through the discharge outlet and into a trash compaction compartment. An overhead compaction mechanism includes a reciprocating ram which compresses the trash in the compaction compartment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to trash and waste collection and to receptacles for the deposit of trash, waste and other refuse by members of the general public. More specifically, the invention relates to trash compaction systems for use by the general public. 
   2. Antecedents of the Invention 
   Throughout the ages, the disposal of trash, waste and refuse was a problem which required addressing. Increasing environmental regulations and constraints as to disposal, e.g. incineration restrictions, landfill restrictions, etc., as well as demands for increasing the collection, efficiency, safety and temporary storage of trash, waste and other refuse prior to disposal have been of major concern. 
   Development in the areas of collection and treatment of trash, waste and refuse prior to collection by commercial or public trash haulers has been considered from cost, space and efficiency standpoints, as well as from the standpoints of sanitation, health, odor and pest control. 
   While trash compaction systems have been in usage, such systems were relegated to commercial installations, primarily due to size, cost and operator safety constraints. Such systems comprised a hydraulic compaction mechanism which included a cylinder having a piston rod and a trash compaction ram or plate fixed to the end of the piston rod. A motor was employed to drive a hydraulic fluid pump and a fluid control system actuated fluid flow into the cylinder, resulting in movement of the piston to force the ram against the trash or refuse to be compacted and subsequently withdrawal of the ram so that additional trash may be deposited over the compacted trash. 
   Among the major concerns in connection with the design of such systems was operator safety, i.e. avoidance of inadvertent engagement between an operator body appendage, clothing, etc. and the compaction mechanism, as well as controls against the placement of inappropriate objects in the compacting unit, e.g. objects too large, objects not designed or otherwise unsafe for compaction, e.g. metal objects, hazardous materials, etc. 
   Since the prior systems were primarily designed for industrial or commercial applications, wherein trained operators were employed to load the compactor and operate the compaction mechanism, operator safety training was heavily relied upon. 
   With public safety of paramount consideration, public use trash collection systems employed at public access areas, e.g. amusement parks, fast food restaurants, public streets, parks and other facilities, comprised either an open container lined with a plastic trash bag or a container lined with a plastic trash bag having a lid with an access opening. Since the material deposited in the container was not compacted, labor costs of frequent bag removal were incurred. Further, because the waste collected in these containers, particularly food waste, was accessible to pests, scavengers and the like, employment of such containers included concomitant pest control issues as well as scavenger problems, wherein collected trash became strewn about by the scavenger in search of food or some other thing of perceived value. 
   The need was apparent for a cost effective public access trash collection system wherein deposited trash would be inaccessible to the public, pests and scavengers and which compacted the deposited trash for more efficient handling, while at the same time maintaining public safety by minimizing the potential for injury resulting from operation of a compaction mechanism. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A front-loading public access trash compactor includes a cabinet having front, side and rear panels arrayed with an upper compaction machinery compartment and a lower compaction compartment, within which trash is compacted. The front panel includes a forwardly extending trash loading vestibule having a trash loading entrance at one end and a trash discharge outlet at its opposite end. 
   A biplanar unitary load carriage is pivotally mounted at a lower edge of the trash loading entrance, with a proximal panel of the carriage functioning as a lid, selectively closing the trash loading entrance. 
   When the proximal panel is pivoted downwardly to open the entrance, a distal panel of the carriage rotates upwardly, blocking the user&#39;s access to the trash discharge outlet. 
   Trash is then loaded onto the carriage, resting upon the inner face of the proximal panel and upon the distal panel. 
   When the trash loading entrance is closed, the distal panel is sloped downwardly to an angle which discharges the trash load through the discharge outlet and into the cabinet. The trash load then falls into a container positioned in the compaction compartment. 
   A system controller is coupled to a plurality of sensors for monitoring the status of the carriage position, controlling a latch to prevent opening the lid when the compaction mechanism is operating and when the container is full, monitoring the status of the compaction mechanism, monitoring the status of trash collected in the container, actuating the compaction mechanism and generating a signal for trash pickup. 
   The trash compactor is also equipped with alternate power supply sources. 
   From the forgoing compendium, it will be appreciated that it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is not subject to the disadvantages of the antecedents of the invention aforementioned. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is safe for use by members of the general public. 
   A consideration of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described, the operation of which is economical. 
   Another feature of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is relatively low in cost. 
   An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is easy to use. 
   A further consideration of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which reduces costs related to frequent emptying of trash containers. 
   To provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is well suited for economical mass production fabrication is a still further aspect of the present invention. 
   Another feature of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described having a cabinet housing, a compaction mechanism and a container for the collection of trash within a cabinet wherein the cabinet interior is inaccessible to the public. 
   A still further consideration of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described wherein the public may deposit only trash loads of predetermined maximum size. 
   Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which includes a pivotable load carriage for depositing trash. 
   Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described featuring automatic trash compaction. 
   To provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is effective for pest control in public areas is a still further aspect of the present invention. 
   To provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which generates a signal indicating the need for collection of compacted trash is a further consideration of the present invention. 
   Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which renders deposited trash inaccessible to scavengers. 
   Providing a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is unobtrusive and public user friendly is a still further feature of the present invention. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is well suited for free standing use in public areas wherein direct connection to an electrical supply line is unavailable. 
   Yet another consideration of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which eliminates the need for frequent emptying. 
   To provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which is portable for strategic placement in public areas during special events is a still further aspect of the present invention. 
   Another feature of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described having a cabinet and a trash loading entrance wherein access to the interior of the cabinet is automatically blocked when the trash loading entrance is accessed. 
   A still further consideration of the present invention is to provide a public access trash compactor of the general character described which includes a safety interlock for preventing access to a trash loading entrance when a compaction mechanism is in operation. 
   Other aspects, features and considerations in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter. 
   With these ends in view, the present invention finds embodiment in the various combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and series of steps by which the aforesaid aspects, features and considerations and certain other aspects, features and considerations are attained, all with reference to the accompanying drawings and the scope of which will be more particularly pointed out and indicated in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings in which one of the various possible exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown, 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a public access trash compactor constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention and illustrating a cabinet having a trash-loading vestibule; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged scale sectional view through the compactor, the same being taken substantially along the plane  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  and illustrating the vestibule including a trash loading entrance, a trash discharge outlet and a pivotally mounted trash carriage; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematized illustration of a trash compactor control system including a controller having a plurality of sensor inputs as well as outputs for actuation of the compaction mechanism, a safety lid latch and a signal for collection of compact trash; and 
       FIG. 4  is a schematized illustration of a trash compactor power supply indicating alternate and/or conjunctive power sources. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral  10  denotes generally a public access trash compactor constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention. As employed hereinafter, the term “trash” should be construed to encompass all manner of refuse, waste, rubbish and the like. 
   The compactor  10  may comprise a freestanding cabinet  12  having a front panel  14 , a rear panel  16 , side panels  18 , a bottom panel  20  and a top panel  22 . The front and rear panels  14 ,  16  may include inwardly sloped upper sections  24 ,  26 . As will be noted from the drawing figures ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ), all of the components of the compactor  10  are self-contained within the cabinet  12 . 
   As will be noted from an examination of  FIG. 1 , a plurality of optional casters  28  may be affixed to the bottom panel  20  to facilitate portability. Advertising signage  30  as appearing in the upper section  24 , may be positioned on one or both of the upper sections. An auxiliary power supply solar panel  32 , as appearing on the upper section  26 , may be mounted to one or both of the upper sections. 
   In accordance with the invention, the cabinet  12  includes an upper compaction machinery compartment  34  and a lower trash compaction compartment  36 , within which a trash container  38  is positioned. The trash container  38  is preferably lined with a plastic trash bag for ease of removal of compacted trash. 
   To facilitate removal of the container  38  for the collection of compacted trash, as well as for servicing compaction machinery and controls, one of the panels, e.g. a side panel  18 , comprises an access door and is connected to the remaining cabinet panels by a hinge  40  and is opened by accessing a safety lock  42 . 
   The compaction machinery compartment  34  houses a hydraulic cylinder  44  which carries a reciprocating piston  46  having a compaction ram or plate  48  at its lower end. The movement of the piston  46  is controlled by a motor operated hydraulic pump  50 , which draws hydraulic fluid from a suitable reservoir  52 , in a manner well known to those of skill in the art. Alternate compaction mechanisms may be employed including, for example, a mechanical rack engaged by a motor driver pinion through a suitable gear train. 
   In accordance with the invention, positioned adjacent the upper end of the front panel  14  is a forwardly extending trash loading vestibule  60 . The vestibule  60  includes a generally planar top  62 , a pair of parallel sides  64  and a downwardly sloped bottom  66 . The forward edges of the top, sides and bottom define a generally rectangular trash loading entrance  68 . 
   The interior of the vestibule  60 , from the trash loading entrance  68  to a lower elevation discharge outlet  70 , which extends through the front panel  14 , constitutes a passageway which is defined by the interior faces of the sides  64  and an upper curved arch panel  72  having a smooth surface which promotes the downward flow of trash. 
   Pursuant to the invention, there is provided a biplanar unitary load carriage  74  having a proximal panel  76 , which functions as a lid selectively closing the trash loading entrance  68 , and a distal panel  78 . The panels  76 ,  78  intersect at a juncture axis  80  and are inclined with respect to one another at an obtuse angle. 
   A journal  82  projects laterally from the sides of the carriage at the juncture axis  80  with each journal being seated in a respective aperture or bearing  84  in the sides  64 . The carriage  74  is thus mounted for rotation relative to the vestibule  60  about its juncture axis  80 . 
   It should be noted that the proximal panel or lid  76  includes a suitable hand grip  86  and may also include a curved flange  88 , which extends the length of its upper edge. The purpose and function of the flange  88  will be described hereinafter. 
   It should be appreciated, from the examination of  FIG. 2 , that with the carriage  74  positioned such that the proximal panel or lid  76  is vertical, i.e. closing the vestibule trash loading entrance, the distal panel  78  of the carriage lies against the sloped bottom  66  and the discharge outlet  70  into the cabinet  12  is open. 
   In order for a member of the public to load trash, the hand grip  86  is pulled downwardly, to the position shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 2 . A predetermined stop for such position is effected by engagement between the distal panel  78  and an upper edge of the discharge outlet  70 . In such position, a member of the public may insert or load onto the carriage, i.e. the inner faces of the proximal and distal panels  76 ,  78 , a trash load of a maximum permitted size and volume, with such size and volume being predetermined by the dimensions of the carriage and the vestibule. 
   The flange  88  serves as an edge guide for maintaining the trash load within the carriage and also serves to prevent access to the discharge outlet  70  by a member of the public when the carriage is in an intermediate position. 
   When the lid (proximal panel  76 ) is closed, the proximal panel lies in a vertical plane and the distal panel is sloped downwardly, resting against the sloped bottom  66  of the vestibule. In such position, the trash load slides freely through the discharge outlet  70  and drops into the container  38 . 
   In accordance with the present invention, the compactor  10  includes a control system which incorporates numerous operational safeguards. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , it should be noted that the control system  90  includes a system controller  92 , which receives inputs by polling various strategically positioned sensors including, for example, a lid open sensor  94 , an optical load height sensor  96 , a load weight sensor  98 , an access door sensor  100  and a ram stroke sensor  102 . 
   Signal outputs of the controller  92  may be coupled to an “in use” or “full” signal  104  which cautions the public against attempting to pull the lid, a lid safety latch  106 , which prevents opening the lid when the compaction mechanism is operating or when the container load is full, a compaction mechanism  108  and a ready for collection signal  110 , which may comprise an optical signal and/or a radio transmitted signal. 
   In operation, the controller  92  continuously monitors the load sensor  96  and determines when the compaction mechanism  108  is to proceed with a compaction cycle by sensing the height of the trash load in the container  38 . 
   The controller  96  actuates the compaction mechanism  108  to extend through a compaction cycle after verifying that the lid is not opened (sensor  94 ) and after actuating the lid latch  106 , to prevent a member of the public from opening the lid during the compaction cycle. The controller  92  additionally actuates an “in use” signal  104  to notify the public that the compactor will not currently accept trash. 
   The controller  92  also determines when the compacted trash load carried in the container  38  is ready for collection by accessing for example, the weight load sensor  98  or the ram stroke sensor  102 . 
   If the controller  92  determines that the trash load is full, it actuates the ready for collection signal  110 , which will advise a trash collector to empty the trash load either by viewing an optical signal or by radio transmission. 
   Upon the access door sensor  100  sensing that the access door or the lock  42  has been opened, the controller  92  enters an appropriate safety interlock to assure that the compaction mechanism will not operate, except for overriding servicing procedures. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , wherein the power supply  112  is depicted in schematized format together with various adjuncts thereof, it should be noted that the compactor  10  can be operated utilizing a standard AC power cord  114 . The power cord  114  is also utilizable for the purpose of energizing an internal circuit to charge a storage battery  116 , such that the compactor may be operated on battery power when positioned in a public area inaccessible to a conventional power outlet. Alternately or conjunctively, the battery  116  may be charged through utilization of the conveniently positioned solar panels  32 . 
   It should be appreciated that the vestibule  60  need not project forwardly of the front panel  14 . The front panel  14  may be flush, with the vestibule extending internally into the cabinet, for example. 
   Thus it will be seen that there is provided a public access trash compactor which achieves the various aspects features and considerations of the present invention and which is well suited to meet the conditions of practical usage. 
   As various changes might be made in the public access trash compactor as above set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.