Waste baling machine

In some embodiments, a compactor for a restaurant facility may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base, a first side panel, and a second side panel, (b) a first door for access to the compactor to place trash into the compactor for compacting, (c) a second door for access to the compactor to remove compacted trash, (d) at least one door operably coupled to a counterbalance weight to provide easy movement of the at least one door to move along a track, and (e) at least one continuous channel beginning in an upper portion of a back wall and traversing to a front of the base, the channel having a curved portion transitioning from the back wall to the bottom wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to waste management. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to improved methods of handling waste products. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to baling recyclables and trash.

BACKGROUND

A baler is a piece of machinery used to compress material into bales and bind the bales. There are several different types of balers commonly used. Balers are also used in the material recycling facilities, primarily for baling plastic, paper, or cardboard for transport to a recycling facility.

A baler is a piece of machinery used to compress material. Compressing takes up less space when stored, or when transported via truck or train to a recycling facility. A baler is just one step of the recycling process. They can also be used to compact other forms of waste, such as trash or even large boxes.

Balers can be portable or stationary. Older machines tend to be stationary—once they're set up, they stay there. Today, most balers are portable. Almost all modern balers use a hydraulic press. A motor powers a pump that pushes hydraulic fluid to drive cylinders. Using principles of force-multiplication, a hydraulic system can generate over 2,000 psi and impart more than 150 tons of force.

The press consists of several parts: bed where all the material is loaded; a plate rises to apply the compacting power; an engine, pump, valves, tubing and other parts of the hydraulic system, guideposts aligning the plate and making sure the compacting force is applied evenly.

While the above described baling structure may be suitable for baling paper, cardboard or other dry materials, it is generally not suitable for handling trash including moist garbage or other fluid containing refuse.

There are also available refuse compactors which are suited to the handling of liquid containing refuse and they generally solve the problem by utilizing a waterproof container into which the loose trash is compacted. It is to be noted; however, if one were to attempt to utilize a preformed carton in the baler apparatus, during the downward stroke of the compaction plate thereof, the container would be at least partially torn and crushed.

Most trash compactors compress trash in the compactor into a cube shape but when the trash is removed the trash tends to expand and unless contained in a bag or box the cube of compacted trash tends to expand and fall apart making the compacted trash hard to handle and move from the trash compactor to a waste container such as a dumpster or for shipping to a land fill.

It would be an advantage to be able to bale the compacted trash in the trash compactor before removing the compacted trash and transporting it to waste storage and thereafter to a landfill or other waste disposal facility.

A need, therefore, exists for a waste baling machine providing:

an easy way to wrap string around a bale of compacted trash in the cavity of a trash compactor without removing the bale from the trash compactor cavity before it is baled;

quick and easy baling of trash in a trash compactor;

easy access to the bale of trash and safety features to isolate the trash during compaction;

easy access entryways to the trash bales;

effortless handling of large access doors to the trash bales;

a way to pull baling string around the back and under a bale of compacted trash without undue resistance of the string between the compacted trash and the cavity walls or base; and

a storage area for the baling string and an easy way to use the string stored in the storage area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a compactor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base, a first side panel, and a second side panel, (b) a first door for access to the compactor to place trash into the compactor for compacting, (c) a second door for access to the compactor to remove compacted trash (d) at least one door operably coupled to a counterbalance weight to provide easy movement of the at least one door to move along a track, (e) at least one continuous channel beginning in an upper portion of a back wall and traversing to a front of the base, the channel having a curved portion transitioning from the back wall to the bottom wall, (f) a machine compartment for housing string used to tie around a bale of trash in the compactor, the string surrounding the compacted trash and tied off to secure the bale of compacted trash prior to removal from the cavity of the compactor, (g) a top panel operably coupled to the first and second side panel, (h) a third door for access to the machine compartment, and (i) a second counterbalance operably coupled to the second door to provide easy movement of the second door along a second track.

In some embodiments, a refuse compactor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base, a first side panel, and a second side panel, (b) a machine compartment, a receiving compartment, and a compaction compartment located within the compactor, (c) a first door operably coupled to a first counterbalance to allow the first door to slidably move along a first track, (d) a second door operably coupled to a second counterbalance to allow the second door to slidably move along a second track, (e) a platen operably coupled to a hydraulic pump located in the machine compartment for compacting refuse in the compaction compartment, (f) a top panel, (g) a third door providing access to the machine compartment, (h) a control box located on at least one side panel, and (i) a power control switch and operational switch located adjacent to the control box.

In some embodiments, a method of compacting refuse may include or more of the following steps: (a) inputting the refuse into a receiving compartment of a compactor where the refuse comes to rest in a compacting compartment of the compactor, (b) placing a first door over an access to the receiving compartment and a second door over an access to the compacting compartment, (c) initiating compaction of the refuse, (d) powering on the compactor, and (e) removing a refuse bale after compaction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first toFIG. 1, the trash compactor cabinet of the present invention is indicated generally by numeral10. It includes a base plate12, a top panel14, frame11having a right side panel16, a left side panel18, and a rear wall20. These panels are joined to form a generally rectangular parallelepiped of a predetermined length, width, and height Secured in tracks4,6, and8on the front edge of the front portion21are first22, second24, and third26access doors. The cabinet10may be mounted on castors as at28to facilitate the repositioning of the compactor10.

Frame11can be made of two panels16and18of sheet metal which are shaped to provide a front portion9, a side wall5, and half the back wall20of frame11. The construction of frame11is discussed in more detail in a co-pending patent application titled “Trash Compactor Cabinet”, Ser. No. 11/949,855, filed on Dec. 4, 2007, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Front portion9of frame11has a small front facing surface for attaching doors22,24, and26for access to compactor10. Back20and sides5has a V-shaped indentation44for allowing a passage between back20and shelving in compactor10and to give back20added strength. Back20also has a V-shaped overlap portion37which connects two pieces16and18of frame11and adds strength to compactor10. Shelves can be attached to the walls in frame11which provide strength for frame11and support the mechanisms for compacting trash.

Compactor10can be made from pieces of sheet metal which are shaped to provide side panels16and18and rear20. The front of compactor10has doors22,24, and26for access to compactor10. Rear panel20has a V-shaped indentation for allowing a passage between the back wall and a shelf in compactor10and to give rear panel20added strength. Shelves and supports are attached to panels16,18, and20in compactor10which provide strength for compactor10and support the mechanisms for compacting trash. A base12and top panel14attached to the sheet metal pieces complete the construction of compactor10. Panels16and18of compactor10are bent into the desired shape and are lightweight, inexpensive, and strong. V-Shaped indentations44add strength to rear panel20and allow a passageway between rear panel20and shelves (FIG. 3) inside trash compactor10.

With reference toFIG. 2, a side view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Mounted upon right side panel16is control box30with power control switch32and operational switch34. Power control switch32activates or provides power to compactor10when an operator turns power control switch32from an “off” position to an “on” position. Operational switch34is used by an operator when it is desired to compact materials within compactor10. The operator would turn operation switch34to a “compact” position to begin the compaction process. Also shown are counterbalances40and42discussed in more detail below.

Next, with reference toFIG. 3, it can be seen the interior of compactor10is effectively and functionally divided into three compartments or volumes. Specifically, the so-called machine compartment is identified by numeral50, trash receiving compartment51, and the trash compacting compartment by numeral52. Dividing the machine compartment50from the trash compacting compartment52is a mounting plate54on which is mounted a hydraulic pump56, a hydraulic cylinder58, and the various electrical and hydraulic controls for the system. Piston60of the hydraulic cylinder58passes through an opening in the mounting plate54and affixed to the lower end thereof is a compaction plate or platen62. With reference toFIG. 3, there is further shown a cross arm64which is also disposed in the machinery containing compartment50and which is affixed at opposed ends thereof to panels16and18. The uppermost end of the cylinder58abuts and is fastened to a further horizontal structural member comprising the cabinet framework and the lower end thereof is suitably clamped to the cross arm64. Thus, when actuated, the piston60moves outwardly from its cylinder58causing the platen62to move downward for a predetermined distance into compaction compartment52.

In operation, after trash compactor10compresses the trash in compaction compartment52a cube of trash in compartment52could be baled so it remains in a cube and is easier to handle for transporting, storing, and disposal. In order to bale the cube of compacted trash it is necessary to surround the bale with a bailing material such as twine, rope, string, a webbing material, tape, or wire. A spool of string70provides string to bale the left side of the compacted trash in compartment52and a spool72provides string for the right side of the compacted trash in compartment52. String from spool70runs behind spool shelf74and then travels in channel80behind mounting plate54and stays in channel80behind platen62to enter compartment52. Similarly string from spool72runs behind spool shelf74and then travels in channel82behind mounting plate54and stays in channel82to go behind platen62to enter compartment52. The strings can then be placed on the back side and the bottom side of the compacted cube of trash without removing the cube of trash from the cavity.

With reference toFIG. 4, an isometric view of a front of a compactor in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Door22is most commonly shut to isolate machine compartment50from the operator. Should the operator need access to machine compartment50, perhaps to replace a spool of string70, the operator would simply grasp handle100and pull door22towards the operator lifting on handle100and sliding door22along roller tracks101along a top portion of machine compartment50. With door22open, the operator could perform duties or maintenance within machine compartment50as necessary. When the operator was finished, he/she could grasp handle100pull door22towards them, lowering handle100so door22once again covers machine compartment50.

Trash compacting compartment52is adjacent to trash receiving compartment51. Trash receiving compartment51provides a space for an operator to input trash and recyclables into compactor10. There are several ways an operator could input trash and/or recyclables into compactor10. An operator could slide door24upward along track6placing door24in an up position. Now the operator could input the trash directly into trash receiving compartment51allowing the materials to fall to compacting compartment52. Door24slides easily along track6. Very little effort is needed by the operator as door24is counterbalanced by weight42. Door24could also be lowered toward base12thus again exposing trash receiving compartment51. In this operation, door24would move in a downward direction as counterbalance42moved man upward direction. Whether door24is in a fully up or down state, the operator is able to input trash into trash receiving compartment51.

If necessary trash receiving compartment51and compaction compartment52can be fully exposed to an operator by sliding doors24and26along tracks6and8respectively upwards. Here once again, counterbalances42and40respectively allow the operator to apply minimal force to doors24and26to raise them. Doors24and26, and counterbalances42and40can weigh approximately the same amount. Therefore, counterbalances42and40would not tend to fall due to gravity if doors24and26weighed less than counterbalances42and40. This would also prevent doors24and26from falling due to gravity if left unattended if the weight of counterbalances42and40was less than the doors. By having the weight of doors24and26be approximately the same as the counterbalances42and40a balance can be obtained where doors24and26will remain when placed somewhere by the operator.

With door26in an upward position, an operator could have access to compaction compartment52to remove a bale of trash or recyclable material. The operator could also insert material to be compacted this way as well.

With reference toFIG. 5, a flow process diagram showing an operation in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In process operation200then, trash can be inserted into the compaction compartment52or receiving compartment51at state202. The operator can also ensure doors22is closed and doors24and26are covering receiving compartment51and compaction compartment52respectively at state204. When a sufficient level of trash is deposited into compaction compartment52, the operator turns switch34to actuate motor56causing the hydraulic piston60to move out from its cylinder58at state206. In doing so, compaction plate62traverses receiving compartment51and partially enters compaction compartment52at state208. The loose refuse is thereby compacted and, again, piston60and platen62can be raised to permit additional trash to be deposited. When the level of compacted trash reaches a predetermined level or weight, the operator can open the access door26and remove the trash bale at state210. More material can now be inserted into receiving compartment51and the process can begin all over again at state202.

Thus, embodiments of the WASTE BALING MACHINE are disclosed. One skilled in the art will appreciate the present teachings can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present teachings are limited only by the following claims.