Apparatus for storing and compacting waste materials

Abstract: A preferred embodiment includes first and second waste storage compartments for storing separately nonrecyclable and recyclable waste products. A compression member is operably associated with the first and second waste storage compartments for compressing waste material therein. The compression member includes a ram (22) operably connected to a piston and cylinder assembly (38). The ram is displaced along a single directional path to compress waste material in both the first and second waste storage compartments. An adjustable member is operably associated with the first and second waste storage compartments for varying the storage capacity thereof. The adjustment member includes a baffle (58) extending substantially the length of the first and second waste storage compartments. The baffle is hingedly connected to a support member (54). Upper and lower doors are associated with each of the first and second storage compartments. A latch mechanism (100) is secured to the baffle and operates to prevent the opening of the upper doors of the first and second storage compartments depending upon the position of the baffle.

Description: The present invention is directed to devices for storing and compacting waste materials. More specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a compacting and storage unit designed to store recyclable and nonrecyclable waste in separate storage compartments, the storage capacity of which can be readily varied. It is well known to use trash compacting and storage units at commercial and residential locations to compact and temporarily store waste materials therein. The environmental and economic advantages of disposing of waste in this manner are well known. A number of previously known trash compacting and storage units contain only a single waste storage compartment for storing waste material therein. The waste storage compartment is of a fixed size. Compacting and storage units of this type can not separately store recyclable and nonrecyclable waste products therein. Accordingly, these compacting storage units hamper the extremely important efforts to improve the environment by recycling waste materials. Moreover, the capacity of the storage compartment of the above type of compactors cannot be readily varied to accommodate differing needs of individuals and business proprietors. One known multi-chamber trash-collecting vehicle is shown in EP 0 365 514, which trash-collecting vehicle includes a container mounted on the chassis of a vehicle for receiving trash, and includes a loading system and a discharge system. That container is equipped with horizontal and/or vertical partitions for dividing the container into several chambers, and at least one segment of those partitions is hydraulically or pneumatically pivotable. Thus, that trash-collecting vehicle requires the additional complexity of a hydraulic or pneumatic system for moving the partitions dividing the different chambers. It has previously been proposed to provide a transportable waste storage container with two side-by-side storage compartments. Recyclable waste is stored in one of these storage compartments and a different class of waste is stored in the other storage compartment. Each of these waste storage compartments includes a single opening for receiving and dispensing waste materials. These openings remain exposed. The waste storage containers detachably connect to a transfer unit having two rams, each communicating with only one of the waste storage compartments. The transfer unit includes two charging boxes, each operably associated with a storage compartment and a corresponding ram. Waste is deposited in the appropriate charging box and directed into the associated waste storage compartment by the corresponding ram. The container is transported by a truck having a specially designed chassis. The aforementioned waste storage container has numerous disadvantages associated therewith. Specifically, the container requires the use of two rams for compacting waste materials stored in the separate compartments. This significantly increases the cost as well as the overall size of the waste compacting and storage unit. Further, a piston and cylinder assembly is associated with each ram. The use of two piston and cylinders assemblies further increases the size and the cost of the compacting unit. Finally, the size of the each of the two side-by-side storage compartments is fixed. The fixed size or storage capacity of the side-by-side storage compartments is undesirable for a number of reasons. One such is that the size of the storage compartments cannot be adjusted to accommodate the needs of an individual or commercial establishment. More specifically, one business proprietor's needs may require a greater storage capacity for nonrecyclable waste materials than recyclable waste materials. Accordingly, this business proprietor will prefer to have a larger nonrecyclable waste storage compartment than recyclable waste storage compartment. Previously known compacting units could not be adapted to accommodate this proprietor's need. Rather, the nonrecyclable waste storage compartment would readily fill up while the recyclable waste compartment remains only partially filled. The compacting unit at this point must be transferred to a waste station to dispose of the waste material stored therein, even though the recyclable waste storage compartment is only partially filled. Of course, the same holds true for a business proprietor whose needs are such that a greater size recyclable waste storage compartment is desirable. An object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the disadvantages associated with previously known waste compacting and storage units. It is solved by the combination of features laid down in Claim 1. In summary, a preferred embodiment includes first and second waste storage compartments for storing separately nonrecyclable and recyclable waste products. A compression member is operably associated with the first and second waste storage compartments for compressing waste material therein. The compression member includes a ram operably connected to a piston and cylinder assembly. The ram is displaced along a single path to compress waste material in both the first and second waste storage compartments. An adjustable member is operably associated with the first and second waste storage compartments for varying the storage capacity thereof. The adjustment member includes a baffle extending substantially the length of the first and second waste storage compartments. The baffle is hingedly connected to a support member. Upper and lower doors are associated with each of the first and second storage compartments. A latch mechanism is secured to the baffle and operates to prevent the opening of the upper doors of the first and second storage compartments depending upon the position of the baffle. Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with portions thereof broken away. Figure 2 is an elevational view depicting the front end of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a fragmentary and enlarged front elevational view of the latch mechanism formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the latch mechanism illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in Figure 3. Figure 7 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1. The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference made to Figures 1 through 7. Referring to Figure 1, a compacting and storage unit A is mounted on a roll-on/roll-off skid B. The compacting and storage unit A includes a compactor 2 and a waste storage container 4 permanently fixed thereto. However, it will be readily appreciated that the compactor 2 may be detachably secured to the storage container 4. Referring to Figure 7, the upper surface 6 of compactor 2 has a pair of substantially rectangularly shaped openings 8 and 10 through which waste materials may be deposited. The compactor 2 further includes a substantially L-shaped divider 12 extending forwardly from the left end 14 and upwardly from floor 16 of compactor 2, as best seen in Figure 1. The divider 12 partitions the compactor 2 into a first charging chamber 18 and a second charging chamber 20, best shown in Figures 6 and 7. The compactor 2 further includes a ram 22 slideably mounted on the divider 12 and horizontally extending support plates 24 and 26, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3. Referring to Figure 6, the ram 22 includes a body and an elongated guide snout 28. The body has a substantially C-shaped channel extending from the front face 30 to the rear face 32. The width of the substantially C-shaped channel is slightly greater than the width of the divider 12 thereby permitting the divider 12 to slideably support the ram 22. The guide snout 28 is positioned directly above the substantially C-shaped channel and extends forwardly from the front surface 30. The guide snout 28 divides the ram 22 into a first operating face 34 and a second operating face 36, as best shown in Figure 3. A single piston and cylinder assembly 38 is operably connected to the ram 22. The piston and cylinder assembly 38 includes a cylinder 40 secured to the left end 14, as viewed in Figure 1, of the compactor 2 by a supporting member 42. The cylinder 40 extends forwardly from left end 14 through opening 41 in body 26 and into snout 28, as best shown in Figure 6. A piston 44 is slideably disposed within the cylinder 40 and is secured at its exposed end to the interior of the guide snout 28, as best seen in Figure 6. A control system (not shown) is operably connected to the piston and cylinder assembly 38 to extend and retract the piston 44 in cylinder 40. The control system may be of the hydraulic or pneumatic type. As seen in Figure 1, the forwardmost end 46 of guide snout 28 is positioned in the front end of substantially rectangularly shaped guide channel 48 when piston 44 is in the retracted position. Referring to Figure 6, the guide channel 48 includes an angled plate 49 positioned in the forwardmost end thereof. An opening (not shown) is formed in the right side wall of guide channel 48 opposite angle plate 49. The opening in the snout 48 permits an operator to remove any debris which may have accumulated therein. The guide channel 48 provides additional support for the ram 22 and prevents misalignment thereof. As is readily apparent from Figure 1, when piston 44 is extended to the operating position, shown in dotted lines, all waste materials deposited in either the first or second charging chambers 18 and 20, respectively, is directed into the storage container 4 by ram 22. The substantially L-shaped divider 12 extends along substantially the entire length of the storage container 4 thereby partitioning the same into first and second storage compartments 50 and 52, respectively. The substantially L-shaped divider 12 includes a lower section forming the stem thereof and a raised section forming the base thereof. The raised section extends from the right end (as viewed in Figure 1) of guide channel 48 to right end 56 of storage container 4. The lower section of divider 12 extends from left end 14 to the right end of guide channel 48. A support channel 54 is disposed above channel 48 and extends from the left end 14 of compactor 2 to the right end 56 of the storage container 4, as viewed in Figure 1. A floating baffle 58 is pivotally connected to the support channel 54. Specifically, a plurality of hollow collars 60 and 62 are mounted on a longitudinally extending rod 64. As best seen in Figures 1 and 3, the collars 60 and 62 are intermittently positioned along the rod 64. The collars 60 are fixed to the support channel 54 and movable relative to the baffle 58. The collars 62 are permanently fixed to the baffle 58 and movable relative to the support channel 54. Thus, the collars 60 and 62 and rod 64 act similar to a door or piano hinge to permit rotation of the floating baffle 58. Stops 66 and 68 are formed on opposing side walls 70 and 72, respectively, of storage container 4 to limit movement of baffle 58. A flexible sealing member may be provided along the top, left, and right sides of floating baffle 58 to provide a liquid tight seal between the first storage compartment 50 and the second storage compartment 52. The divider 12 provides a fluid-tight seal between the lower portion of waste storage compartment 50 and the lower portion of waste storage compartment 52. In a number of instances the fluid- tight seal needs only be maintained for the height of divider plate 12. Therefore, the flexible sealing member extending along the floating baffle 58 may be omitted. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, upper and lower doors 74 and 76, respectively, are hingedly connected to the right end 56 of the storage container 4 adjacent the first storage compartment 50. Specifically, upper door 74 is pivotally connected, via hinges 78 and 80, to the top of storage container 4. The upper door 74 is pivoted about hinges 78 and 80 to open and close the same. Lower door 76 is pivotally connected to a center portion of storage container 4 via hinge 82. The door 76 is rotated to the left and right about the hinge 82 to open and close the same. Upper and lower doors 84 and 86, respectively, are pivotally connected to the storage container 4 adjacent the second storage compartment 52. The upper door 84 is hingedly connected to the top of the storage container 4 via hinges 88 and 90. The upper door 84 is opened and closed in a similar manner as door 74. Lower door 86 is pivotally connected to the center portion of storage container 4 via hinge 82. Lower door 86 is opened and closed in a similar manner as door 76. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, an L-shaped latch 92 is fixedly secured to floating baffle 58. Thus, the L-shaped latch 92 rotates with the floating baffle 58. Thus L-shaped latch 92 likewise indicates the location of floating baffle or partition 58. As seen in Figure 4, the upper doors 74 and 84 include substantially triangularly-shaped lips 94 and 96, respectively. The lips 94 and 96 each include an arcuate inner portion 98 which cooperates with the L-shaped latch 92. If the floating baffle is positioned anywhere from a position slightly left of the vertical position shown in Figure 4 to a position abutting the stop 68, latch 92 will prevent the opening of door 84. Similarly, if the baffle 58 is at any position from that just slightly right of the vertical position shown in Figure 4 to stop 66 the latch 92 will prevent opening of door 74. This feature prevents intermixing of the waste materials stored in the first and second storage compartments 50 and 52, respectively, when emptying the compacting and storage unit A. If the baffle 58 is in the position shown in Figure 4, i.e. the vertical position, doors 74 and 84 may both be opened and closed. Referring to Figure 1, a ratchet latch mechanism 100 latches the left side of lower door 86 to the left side of storage container 4, as viewed in Figure 2. The ratchet latch mechanism 100 is of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,741,455 and thus will not be described in detail hereinafter. Although not shown, a similar ratchet latch mechanism secures the right side of lower door 76 to the right side of storage container 4. The preferred method of operating the compactor and storage unit A will be described hereinafter. First a determination must be made whether to use storage compartment 50 or 52 for the storage of recyclable waste materials. Either storage compartment 50 or 52 could be used for this purpose. Of course, once one of the storage compartments is designated for recyclable waste materials the other will be used for nonrecyclable waste materials. The following description will be based on the assumption that the first waste storage compartment 50 is to be used to store recyclable waste materials therein. If the ram 22 is in the operating position, i.e. the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, the control system (not shown) is activated to retract the piston 44 into cylinder 40 thereby returning the ram 22 to the storage position shown in full lines in Figure 1. If it is desired to deposit recyclable waste materials into the compacting and storage unit A, an individual deposits the recyclable waste materials into the first charging chamber 18 through opening 8. The control system is again activated to cause the piston 44 to extend which in turn directs the guide snout 28 through guide channel 48 and the operating face 34 forward to assist the recyclable waste material into the first waste storage compartment 50. On the other hand, if nonrecyclable waste material is to be deposited into the compacting and storage unit A, the waste material is deposited into the second charging chamber 20 through opening 10 when the ram is in the storage position. Subsequently, the control system is activated to extend the piston 44 which in turn directs snout 28 through guide channel 48 and second operating face 36 forward to assist the waste material into the second waste storage compartment 52. It will be readily appreciated that recyclable and nonrecyclable waste may be inserted into their respective openings 8 and 10 simultaneously. This procedure is desirable because recyclable and nonrecyclable waste may be compacted in waste storage compartments 50 and 52, respectively, with a single operating stroke of ram 22. Since ram 22 has two operating faces 34 and 36 aligned with storage compartments 50 and 52, respectively, the ram 22 need not be displaced along a path transverse to the operating stroke to align the ram with the appropriate storage compartment prior to the compacting step. Moreover, this arrangement obviates the need for multiple rams and multiple piston and cylinder assemblies. Therefore, this feature significantly reduces the complexity and expense of the compacting and storage unit A. Assuming that the individual's recyclable waste storage needs are greater than his nonrecyclable waste storage needs, the first waste storage compartment 50 will fill up much faster than the second waste storage compartment 52. This will cause the floating baffle 58 to rotate to the left, as seen in Figure 3, until it meets stop 68. Once the floating baffle 58 abuts stop 68, as best shown in Figure 3, the capacity of the first storage compartment 50 is at a maximum. It will be readily appreciated that the floating baffle 58 may be positioned anywhere between stops 66 and 68 depending upon the relative amounts of recyclable and nonrecyclable waste material stored therein. Once the compacting and storage unit A is filled to capacity, it is transported by a conventional tractor trailer to a waste disposal site. It may be desirable to initially unload the first waste storage compartment 50, since it has the greater amount of waste material therein. However, it will be readily appreciated that the second waste storage compartment 52 could be emptied first. To empty waste storage compartment 50, the lower door 76 is pivoted 180° about hinge 82. Subsequently, upper door 74 is pivoted 270° about hinges 78 and 80 to lie on the top of waste storage container 4. It will be readily appreciated that conventional fasteners may be provided to secure the doors 74 and 76 in their respective open positions. Door 76 must be opened first because a lip is provided on door 74 (not shown) which underlies door 76 in the closed positioned. The L-shaped latch 92 prevents the upper door 84 from being open, since the baffle is in abutting engagement with the stop 68. The recyclable waste materials are then emptied from the first storage compartment 50 through doors 74 and 76. To empty the second waste storage compartment 52, the operator merely opens lower door 86 after first closing lower door 76 and dispenses the waste material stored therein. Of course, depending upon the position of floating baffle 58 it may also be necessary to open upper door 84 to empty second waste storage compartment 52. It will be readily appreciated from the above that floating baffle 58 automatically accommodates the individual's waste storage needs. More specifically, an individual need not preset the desired final position of floating baffle 58. Rather, the final position of floating baffle 58 will be automatically determined by the relative amounts of recyclable and nonrecyclable waste materials.

Claims: An apparatus for compressing waste material, comprising: a waste storage container (4) having first and second waste storage compartments (50,52) for storing waste materials therein; a compression means (2) connected to said waste storage container for compressing waste materials stored in said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52); and adjustable partition means (58) being substantially free floating which extends substantially over the entire length of said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52) for automatically adjusting the storage capacity of said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52) based on the amount of waste materials stored therein, characterized in that said compression means (2) includes a ram (22) and displacement means (38) for displacing said ram (22) between a storage position and an operating position, said ram (22) includes a first operating face (34) and a second operating face (36), said first operating face (34) being aligned with said first waste storage compartment (50) and said second operating face (36) being aligned with said second waste storage compartment (52). An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said displacement means (38) for compression is positioned below the top of said free floating partition (58). An apparatus as in Claim 2, characterized by including means for rolling said waste storage container (4) and said compression means (2) on and off a transport vehicle. An apparatus as in any of the preceding claims, characterized by including means (92) for indicating the location of the free floating partition (58) from the exterior of the waste storage container. An apparatus as in any of the preceding claims, characterized by including: first and second stops (66, 68) operably associated with said partition (58) for limiting movement thereof; at least one door (74) operably associated with said first waste storage compartment (50); at least one door (84) operably associated with said second waste storage compartment (52); and, latch means (92) fixedly secured to said partition (58) to prevent said door of said first waste storage compartment (50) from opening when said partition (58) is in abutting engagement with said first stop (66) and to prevent said door of said second waste storage compartment (52) from opening once said partition (58) is in abutting engagement with said second stop (68). An apparatus as in Claim 5, characterized in that said latch means (92) permits said doors of said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52) to be opened simultaneously when said partition (58) extends substantially parallel to a vertical axis. An apparatus as in Claim 5, characterized in that: upper and lower doors (74, 84, 76, 86) are operably associated with each of said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52); and, said latch means (92) is operably associated with only said upper doors (74,84) of said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52). An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that: said storage container includes left and right sidewalls (70,72); first and second closure members are pivotally connected to said left and right side walls (70,72) of said storage container; and, third and fourth closure members are pivotally connected to a vertical axis positioned intermediate said left and right sidewalls (70,72) of said storage container. An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized by comprising a sealing member to prevent fluid stored in said second waste storage compartment (52) from passing into said first waste storage compartment (50). An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said partition includes a plate (58) pivotally connected to a support member (60, 62, 64). An apparatus as in Claim 10, characterized in that said plate (58) is pivotable about a horizontal axis. An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that a guide member (48) is provided for guiding said ram (22) when said displacement means (38) displaces said ram (22), and said guide member (48) is disposed between said first operating face (34) and said second operating face (36). An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said displacement means (38) displaces said ram (22) along a single linear path for compressing waste materials stored in both said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52). An apparatus as in Claim 13, characterized in that said displacement means includes a single piston and cylinder assembly (38). An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said first operating face (34) extends substantially parallel to said second operating face (36). An apparatus as in Claim 15, characterized in that said first operating face (34) extends in substantially the same plane as said second operating face (36). An apparatus as in Claim 16, characterized in that: said displacement means includes a piston and cylinder assembly (38); and said piston and cylinder assembly (38) is disposed intermediate said first and second operating faces (34, 36). An apparatus as defined in Claim 1, characterized in that said ram (22) is positioned in at least a portion of both said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52) when in said operating position; and, said partition (58) is positioned intermediate said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52) and above said ram (22). An apparatus as in Claim 18, characterized in that said displacement means (38) displaces said ram (22) along a single linear path to compress waste material in said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52). An apparatus as in Claim 18, characterized in that: said displacement means includes a single piston and cylinder assembly (38) positioned intermediate said first and second operating faces (34,36). An apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said adjustment means includes first and second sections, said first section (12) is permanently fixed to the floor of at least one of said first and second waste storage compartments (50,52), said second section includes said free floating partition (58) and is positioned on top of and is adjustably secured to said first section (12).

Inventors: ROBBINS JAMES K, ROBBINS, JAMES K.
Applicants: MARATHON EQUIPMENT CO, MARATHON EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65F3
IPC codes: B65F3, B30B9