COMPACTION DEVICE

Abstract: A compaction device for compactible waste materials comprising a hopper (11) for receiving waste materials from a chute (10), an oscillatable ram (3) which in a retracted position forms a wall of said hopper (11) to guide waste material to the interior of a collection bin (13). The oscillatable ram (3) in the extended position compacts waste material at one end of said compaction bin (13) in a downward and rearward direction. The oscillatable ram (3) comprises a plate (4) pivotable about a transverse axis and includes a rearwardly extending hood (6, 7) to close said hopper (11) when said ram (3) is in an extended position.

Description: "COMPACTION DEVICE" This invention is concerned with compaction devices particularly, although not exclusively, suitable for compaction of waste in high rise buildings. In the design and construction of high rise residential buildings a number of significant constraints are imposed by local government or health department regulations, which in turn have a serious effect on cost considerations. Among such constraints is the requirement for a trash or waste disposal chute located internally of the building with a suitable means for removal of the waste from the lower end of the chute. In modern high rise buildings the waste chute is usually located within or adjacent the "wind load core" and the outlet of the chute is usually located in the basement within the car parking area. Under cover car park space in such high rise buildings is at a premium which means that every endeavour is made to reduce the floor space occupied by waste collection and disposal means. In an .-endeavour to reduce the floor area occupied by the waste handling apparatus, compaction devices are commonly used to reduce the volume of waste and thus minimise the necessary storage area and frequency of bin removal. These compaction devices are generally hydraulically, electrically, or pneumatically operated and may be arranged in a horizontal or vertical state to receive waste from a chute. Compaction devices of this kind generally fall into two categories. The first type compacts waste into paper or plastic bags whereas the second type compacts waste within a large steel bin. A major disadvantage associated with compacting waste into bags is that the bags are generally small and require constant attention from a building attendant to replace the bags as they fill. This problem is overcome to some extent by arranging a series of empty bags on a carousel or linear conveyor for sequential - 2 - filling. Compaction of waste into large, wheeled, steel bins overcomes the problem of the need for constant supervision, but of necessity, the floor space required for horizontal ramming units is excessive whereas vertically operated rams are not applicable as there is insufficient headroom (usually only around 2.4 metres) in the basement area of a conventional high rise building. Prior art reciprocating ram devices all suffer the disadvantage that rearward of the feed hopper, a considerable amount of floor space (or height in an analogous vertical unit) is required to enable retraction of the ram. In most units of this kind the distance is usually substantially the same length (or height) as the container into which waste " is being compacted. The provision of this "retraction space", at least in horizontally reciprocating devices causes the need for sloping feed chutes from a corner of the waste handling room where the chute usually enters from the ceiling. The relatively low ceiling height (approximately 2.4 metres) in turn results in a low chute angle which in practice can lead to blocking of the chute. Most devices of this kind include a photo-electric cell positioned in the feed throat of the inclined chute to activate the reciprocating ram. Thus if waste was to lodge in the chute adjacent the P.E. cell, the ram would continue reciprocation leading to unnecessary wear on the compacting device and excessive power consumption. The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate the problems of prior art waste compaction devices and to provide a simple robust and compact device suitable for high rise buildings. According to the present invention there may be provided a compaction device comprising:- a body member adapted for location in use over a waste collection bin; waste inlet means associated with said body member, oscillatable ram means located within said body for movement between a retracted position clear of said bin and an extended position to compact waste within said bin. Preferably said ram means comprises a member pivoted about a transverse axis relative to said body member, Preferably said ram means is pivotably mounted intermediate the length of said body. Preferably said ram means is adapted, in the extended position to guide waste towards one end of said bin. Preferably said ram is adapted to close said waste inlet means at a position intermediate the retracted and extended positions. Preferably said body member is adapted for interlocking engagement with said waste collection bin. Preferably said body member is adapted for elevated mounting on a frame member, said frame member being adapted to interlockingly engage said bin beneath said body member. Preferably said inlet means is adapted for connection to a waste disposal chute. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation of the compaction device. FIG. 2 illustrates a support frame for the device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front end elevation -of the device shown in FIG. 1. ' In FIG. 1 the device comprises a sturdy framework of suitable material such as rolled steel channel or the like. The framework comprises a base 1 and an arch 2 located inwardly of the sides of base 1. Pivotally mounted on the base 1 is a ram assembly 3 comprising a face plate 4 and a reinforcing framework 5 on the rear side thereof. The ram assembly is shown in the retracted position and the extended position is shown in phantom. Attached to the rear of ram assembly 3 are sector shaped plates 6 with a curved cover plate 7 extending therebetween to form a hood. An hydraulic cylinder 8 is pivotally connected between the ram assembly 3 and frame arch 2 for movement of the ram assembly between its retracted and extended positions. The ram assembly 3 is located within a body 9 supported on the base frame 1. At one end of the body 9 is an inlet chute 10 comprising a hopper 11 and a sloping throat 12. When the ram assembly is in the retracted position, face plate 4 serves as one of the walls defining the sloping throat 12 for guiding waste into the bin 13 shown partially in phantom. An inspection door 14 is provided in one or both sides of throat 12. An electrically operated hydraulic pump 30 and an oil reservoir 31 are located within the body within the space bounded by the hood on the rear of the ram assembly when in the retracted position. An electrical control panel 32 is provided suitably at one end of body 9. A photo-electric cell 15 is provided in the region of the bottom of throat 12 to detect an accumulation of waste within the throat. Suitable timing delay circuitry is provided to ensure that the ram is activated only by a stationary accumulation of waste. The operation of the device will now be described. With a waste bin installed under frame 1 and secured thereto, waste, falling from a waste chute, is directed into hopper 11, via throat 12 into bi 13. When sufficient waste has accumulated to block the path of the P.E. cell sensing device, the hydraulic pump connected to cylinder 8 is actuated. Ram assembly 3 moves to its fully extended position as shown in phantom and pushes the waste downwardly and rearwardly towards the other end of the bin. This cycle is repeated as further waste accumulates. When the bin is full and the degree of compaction reaches the desired level, a pressure regulated electrical control switch 33 in the hydraulic circuit senses this condition and isolates the power supply to the hydraulic pump such that the ram • assembly remains in an extended position. A warning light or buzzer on the control panel 32 is activated to indicate the "full" state of the bin. The operator then actuates a return button on the control panel to return the ram assembly to the horizontal position. Once in the horizontal position, the ram assembly is clear of the bin thus permitting its removal and replacement by an empty bin. At the same time throat 12 is closed by the hood attached to the rear of ram assembly 3 thus preventing waste from passing through throat 12 or into the region of the hydraulic controls. When an empty bin is repositioned under the compaction device, the ram assembly is then returned to the retracted position allowing waste to fall into the bin. In the event of a power failure or hydraulic failure, the device is preferably provided with mechanical override means whereby the ram assembly can be cranked into position to close throat 12 and to permit removal of the bin. The device according to the invention can be mounted directly onto a bin for mobile applications but preferably is fixedly mounted on an elevating frame to permit a bin to be wheeled underneath. One end of the device is preferably stepped as shown to permit one lid of the bin to be folded into an open position. FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of an elevating support frame. A bin (not shown) is wheeled from right to left in the illustration to engage at one end towards rear frame member 5. Attached to front frame member 16 is pivotally attached a screw clamp device 17. By operating cranked handle 18 clamp member 19 is adapted to engage a slotted aperture in the bin to enable at least limited rearward and frontward movement under the influence of the screw clamp. A base member 20 is provided to support the base of the bin during the compaction cycles. In addition, lifting wedges 21, 22 lift the bin off the ground surface to prevent damage to the bin wheels and bearings resulting from the downward component of the compaction force. The apparatus according to the invention is preferably adapted to be positioned in any of four corners of a basement waste handling room as waste chutes generally emerge from the ceiling in a corner due to building constraints. The compaction device is preferably positioned directly below the chute outlet as inclined chutes give rise to problems of blockage and because of ceiling height limitations, any inclined chute is often at a low angle thus increasing the length of space required. FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1. Inlet 10, comprising hopper 11, has one sloping side 23 and at its lower extremities has a substantially square mounting flange 24 to permit the sloping side of the hopper to be positioned in any one of four directions relative to the length of the compacting device. The width of the compaction device is preferably less than the waste collection bin and the elevating support frame of FIG. 2. In this manner, the device can be moved transversely relative to the frame and bin to enable alignment with and/or attachment to a waste chute in any of four corners of a confined space without wasting floor space. The upper phantom outline illustrates a possible left to right movement with the inclined wall 23 of the hopper 11 rotated through 180°. The lower phantom outline in the figure illustrates the ram assembly 3 in the extended position. Where the device is adapted to be mounted directly onto a bin or to be supported by an elevating frame, suitable infill panels are provided to seal the otherwise exposed portion of the bin aperture. FIG. 3 also shows the control panel 32 in detail. An operating switch 34, preferably key actuated to prevent unauthorized use, is positioned adjacent a "stop" button 35. As previously indicated the apparatus may be put into operation by actuation of switch 34. The operational mode of the apparatus is indicated by a first warning light 35a. When the pressure regulated control switch 33 shown in FIG. 1 is triggered by a "bin full" or overload condition, the hydraulic pump is electrically isolated and a second warning light 36 is illuminated and light 35 is extinguished. The operator then actuates push button switch 37 to return the ram assembly to the horizontal position. When the full bin has been replaced by an empty bin, the operator actuates push button 38 to. retract the ram assembly to its fully retracted position to allow accumulated rubbish to pass into the bin. Start switch 34 is then reactivated to commence the automatic compaction cycle. It will be readily apparent to a skilled addressee that the present invention provides a compact device capable of compacting a large volume of waste yet occupying a minimum of floor space. It will further be clear to a skilled addressee that many modifications or variations may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, instead of the crank handle mechanism as shown in FIG. 2, the waste collection bins may be urged into position by a lever, hydraulic rams or any other suitable means. Alternatively, by appropriate modification to the bin construction, the bin may be suitably reinforced to avoid the need for support during compaction. O H

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A compaction device comprising:- a body member adapted for location in use over a waste collection bin; waste inlet means associated with said body member, oscillatable ram means located within said body for movement between a retracted position clear of said bin and an extended position to compact waste within said bin. 2. A compaction device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ram means comprises a member pivoted about a transverse axis relative to said body member. 3. A compaction device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said ram means is pivotably mounted intermediate the length of said body. 4. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said ram means is adapted, in the extended position to guide waste towards one end of said bin. 5. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said ram is adapted to close said waste inlet means at a position intermediate the retracted and extended positions. 6. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said body member is adapted for interlocking engagement with said waste collection bin. 7. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said body member is adapted for elevated mounting on a frame member, said frame member being adapted to interlockingly engage said bin beneath said body member. 8. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said inlet means is adapted for connection to a waste disposal chute. 9. A compaction device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said waste collection bin includes ground engaging wheels and said frame member is adapted to support said bin during a compaction cycle whereby said wheels are clear of a ground surface . 10. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said waste inlet means comprises a hopper reversibly associated with said body member to enable selective positioning of said device in any one of four corners of a room. 11. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein sensing means is provided to initiate a compaction stroke when uncompacted waste reaches a static predetermined level within said waste inlet means. 12. A compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means is provided to detect an overload condition during a compaction stroke whereby power to operate said oscillatable ram means is interrupted upon detection of an overload condition. 13. A method of compacting waste using a device according to any preceding claim wherein a compaction cycle is commenced only when uncompacted waste reaches a static predetermined level within said waste inlet means. θ.iPI

Inventors: EDMONDS JOHN GEORGE, EDMONDS, JOHN, GEORGE
Applicants: EDMONDS JOHN GEORGE, EDMONDS, JOHN, GEORGE
Application year: 1983
Main classification: B30B9
IPC codes: B09B3, B30B9, B65F5