Method of collecting and recording refuse

A method of recording refuse in a container, where the refuse is poured into a container suspended in weighing cells on a refuse collection truck makes the weighing cells give an input to a computing device which calculates and records the weight of the refuse. The weighing container is then emptied, after which a new quantity of refuse can be weighed. For identification purposes each container is fitted with a transponder signalling to the computing device. The quantity of refuse in each container is hereby recorded thus permitting billing by quantity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to a method and an equipment for collecting refuse 
placed in a container standing along the road, where a refuse collection 
truck can stop and by means of a lift lift the container up and dump the 
refuse into the refuse container of the truck, after which the container 
is again returned to its place so that the truck may drive along to the 
next stop and empty another container. 
2. Disclosure of the Prior Art 
Examples are known of methods of determining the weight of for instance the 
load on a truck. 
Such a weighing system is known from U.S. Ser. No. 4,638,876 where a 
weighing plate is suspended in spherical bearings on at least three 
bar-shaped strain-gauge-transducers. These weighing cells provide input to 
a computing device whereby the weight on the weighing plate is recorded 
even when weighing eccentrically loaded weights. 
This known weighing method is, however, not particularly suited for the 
weighing of refuse which must be weighed in comparatively small amounts 
every time it is dumped in the body. 
In order to be able to determine the weight of the contents, each container 
can of course be weighed on a portable scale prior to each emptying. This 
method is, however, not particularly expedient since it requires manual 
weighing and handling of each container, before their contents are emptied 
into the truck. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A method of collecting and recording refuse, said refuse being placed in 
small containers which are lifted by means of a lift on a refuse 
collection truck, and said refuse being dumped from the container into the 
refuse container of the truck, and wherein the refuse is first led to a 
weighing container suspended in weighing cells in such a manner that the 
weight of the refuse is recorded, whereupon the refuse is discharged from 
the container down onto a compressor which moves the refuse into the 
storage chamber of the refuse container. 
This makes it possible in a surprisingly simple manner to record the weight 
of the refuse in each container while at the same time relating the weight 
to a particular container. 
This permits a continuous recording of the refuse and permits billing to 
take place on the basis of the collected quantity of refuse. First of all, 
this results in correct billing since each container owner will only have 
to pay for that quantity of refuse which he actually delivers; secondly, 
it permits a continuous monitoring of the quantity of refuse. 
Moreover, the total quantity of refuse in the truck body is easily 
determined by a simple addition of the weighing results, which is of 
importance by the delivery of the refuse and possible recording of the 
weight of the delivered refuse. 
The method will thus be an incentive for people to re-use or recycle, 
because a reduction of the quantity of refuse can be rewarded financially. 
Furthermore, the method can be applied while the driver remains in the cab 
since the lift is remote-operable; emptying can thus be performed 
automatically. 
In order to simplify recording, each container can according to the 
invention be provided with a transponder which at a given signal from a 
radio signal on the truck can transmit data to the computing device about 
the ownership of the container etc. 
The suspension of the weighing container in transducers creates an input to 
the computing device which calculates the weight. This permits recording 
and weighing to happen automatically with no need for the driver to leave 
the cab. 
To ensure a complete emptying of the weighing container, this is provided 
with a slide which opens an opening at the bottom, whereby the container 
is completely emptied after each weighing. 
The slide is moved by two hydraulic cylinders so that these are 
automatically actuated for opening following each weighing. 
In order to make sure that the weight is correctly measured, even if the 
refuse is unevenly distributed in the container, the container is 
suspended in four bar transducers, viz. two at the top of the one side and 
two approximately in the centre of the opposite side of the container. 
Hence, the sum of the four inputs from the transducers will create a 
reliable expression of the weight even when unevenly distributed in the 
container. 
In order also to obtain correct measuring results when the truck is parked 
on sloping ground, for instance on a hill, the bearing of each transducer 
may be designed as spherical surfaces providing a uniform recording even 
if the truck leans. 
The further scope of applicability of the present invention will become 
apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it 
should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, 
while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way 
of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the 
spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in 
the art from this detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIGS. 1-3 show an example of a refuse collection truck 1. 
The truck is provided with a refuse container 2 in which refuse is filled, 
weighed and compressed. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the truck is provided with a side lift 4 which 
at its end has grabbers 5 grabbing around a refuse container 6 positioned 
on the ground and the truck is parked opposite it. 
The lift 4 and the grabbers 5 are operated from the cab of the truck in 
such a manner that the container 6 is lifted up and tilted whereby the 
refuse will fall down into a weighing container 3 suspended at the top in 
the front part of the refuse container 2. 
After emptying of the container 6, this is returned to its position on the 
ground. 
Each container 6 is provided with an electronic transponder 7 enabling 
identification of each container by means of the signal transmitted by the 
transponder to a radio in the truck. 
Identification can be recorded in a commonly known manner and be printed 
out on a slip which may also contain information as to the weight of the 
refuse, as will later be explained. 
When the refuse is poured into the weighing container 3, the weight will be 
recorded, as will also be explained later, whereupon emptying of the 
container 3 will take place by the refuse falling out through an opening 
at the side of the container 3 down onto the compressor 9 shown in FIG. 3. 
The compressor 9 comprises a bottom 11 with a vertical plunger 10, which 
parts by means of a hydraulic drive 12, for instance by way of 
double-acting hydraulic cylinders, can be moved back into the refuse 
container 2 thereby moving and compressing the refuse. 
The bottom 11 and plunger 10 are then returned to their starting positions, 
as shown in FIG. 3, after which the truck is ready for the next emptying. 
The weighing container 3 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 It is designed as a 
funnel-shaped box with two rectangular side walls 15 and 28 which meet at 
the bottom in a container bottom 16, and with two triangular end walls 29. 
At the bottom of one side wall 28 an opening is formed which is covered by 
a slide plate 13 which can be displaced so that the refuse in the 
container can fall out through the opening. 
The slide plate 13 is controlled at both sides enabling the plate to slide 
upwards and downwards along the side wall 28. In each side there is 
moreover mounted a hydraulic cylinder 14 whose stationary part is secured 
at the bottom at a base 17 near the bottom 16. 
The moving part of the cylinder is secured to a base 18 on the slide plate 
13 causing the plate 13 to slide upwards, as indicated by dash line in 
FIGS. 4 and 5, when the cylinders 14 are actuated. 
The container 3 is suspended at four points, viz two at the top of the one 
side wall 29, and two at the centre of the opposite end wall 29, as shown 
in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
The suspensions 20 are shown in further detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, where they 
are secured to the two end walls 29 and form an outwardly protruding 
horizontally extending plate 20. 
Instead of the shown attachment to the end walls 29, the fitting can be 
secured to the side walls 15 and 28, if the particular construction should 
call for such an arrangement. 
The suspension 20 is provided with a hole in which a bolt 24 is fitted and 
secured underneath by a nut. 
Below the bolt head a spherical body 25 is provided, as shown in FIG. 7. 
This spherical body 25 rests in a ball socket seat 26 designed in a bar 19 
with embedded transducer. 
In the bar there is a clearance 27 below the seat 26 so that the bar is 
free to assume various inclinations relative to the suspension 20, as 
shown in FIG. 7, without having any influence on the weight. These 
inclinations may occur when the truck 1 is parked on sloping ground. 
By means of bolts 23 the opposite end of the bar is secured to a fitting 21 
which is secured to side members 22, as shown in FIG. 4, or to other 
stationary parts on the refuse container 2 of the truck. 
The transducers embedded in each bar 19 are preferably of the 
stain-gauge-type and are connected to a computing device in the driver's 
cab in a commonly known manner, where the input of the four weighing cells 
is monitored, and the quantity of refuse filled into the container is 
weighed. This permits electronic determination and printout of the weight 
of the refuse for each emptying. 
The method will now be described. 
The refuse collection truck 1 stops opposite a container 6 so that the 
grabbers 5 of the lift 4 can hold it. The container is then lifted, and 
the refuse dumped into the weighing container 3 whose side slide 13 is in 
its lower position, as shown in FIG. 3, whereupon the container 6 is 
returned to its position on the ground. 
The identification of the container is then recorded by means of the 
transponder 7, and the weight of the refuse in the weighing container 3 is 
recorded by means of the downwards impact on the four weighing cells 19. 
Following the weighing, the container 3 is emptied, because the cylinders 
14 push the side slide 13 upwards, upon which the refuse falls down into 
the compressor 9 which is then actuated by the hydraulic drive 12, whereby 
the refuse is compressed and carried to the refuse container 2. 
The compressor 9 and the side slide 13 then return to their initial 
positions. 
This makes it possible to print out a list on the refuse quantity of each 
container which enables billing by quantity. Accurate statistics of the 
quantity of refuse are also made possible in that the date and time of 
emptying can be recorded in a commonly known manner. 
The entire method can be performed by one person, usually the driver of the 
refuse collection truck. The method is thus highly rational, and refuse 
collection becomes quick and very hygienic. 
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be 
the right in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a 
departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such 
modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended 
to be included within the scope of the following claims.