Method of sealing a filling opening of an interchangeable container by a detachable pressing plate, refuse collection vehicle and interchangeable container

Abstract: A method of sealing a filling opening (7) of an interchangeable container (2) situated on a refuse collection vehicle by a detachable pressing plate (17) of a pressing device (5) with the aid of locking means, which pressing device (5) is arranged in a detachable loading device (4) and which pressing device (5) comprises a yoke (8) which is hingeable about a horizontal axis (9) located in the region of the bottom as well as a pressing plate support (12) which is hingeable about a horizontal axis (13) located in the region of the top end of the yoke (8) and to which the detachable pressing plate (17) is fastened, comprises rotating the pressing plate support (12) so far with respect to the yoke (8) that the bottom edge (17') of the pressing plate (17) reaches past the yoke (8) in the direction of the container (2) and thus the pressing plate (17) is positioned in a virtually vertical position in the filling opening (7), and then disconnecting the pressing plate (17) from the support (12) thereof. A refuse collection vehicle and interchangeable container, which are suitable for use in this method, are also disclosed.

Description: The invention relates to a method of sealing a filling opening of an interchangeable container situated on a refuse collection vehicle by a detachable pressing plate of a pressing device with the aid of locking means, which pressing device is arranged in a detachable loading device and which pressing device comprises a yoke which is hingeable about a horizontal axis located in the region of the bottom end of the container, as well as a pressing plate support which is hingeable about a horizontal axis located in the region of the top end of the yoke and to which the detachable pressing plate is fastened. Such a method, as well as a refuse collection vehicle suitable for carrying out this method are known from European Patent 0 467 836. A refuse collection vehicle of this kind is employed in refuse collection systems using interchangeable containers and is usually provided with a bin loading device for emptying refuse bins, as well as a loading device having a compressing mechanism for compressing the refuse in the interchangeable container. When the interchangeable container is full, the loading device is uncoupled and then the full interchangeable container is replaced by an empty interchangeable container, whereupon the loading device is coupled to the empty interchangeable container. Collection can then be continued. The full interchangeable containers can be picked up using a vehicle specifically designed for distance transportation and removed to refuse processing installations or dumping sites. In order to be able to remove the full interchangeable container from the collection vehicle, the interchangeable container has to be detached from the loading device, as described above. In order to prevent refuse from spilling out of the full interchangeable container, the filling opening of the interchangeable container is sealed before the interchangeable container is detached from the loading device. Various sealing systems are known for sealing the filling opening. These sealing systems depend, inter alia, on the type of compressing mechanism which is used for compressing the refuse in the interchangeable container. A compressing mechanism which is particularly suitable for large containers is described in the patent publications NL-B-162 877 and EP-A-0 049 024. A slightly different compressing mechanism is used in the refuse collection vehicle of EP-B-0 467 836. The sealing device used in this case between the interchangeable container and a loading device coupled thereto comprises one shut-off element, a so-called "shut-off and pressing plate". In addition to the function of sealing the filling opening of the loading container during transportation of a full interchangeable container, this shut-off and pressing plate is likewise used as the pressing plate of the pressing device present in the loading device, to which pressing device this plate is coupled when the filling opening of the loading container is open. In contrast to the pressing plate in accordance with NL-B-162,877 and EP-A-0,049,724, this shut-off and pressing plate is a flat plate which can be fastened to a flat plate of the pressing plate support. This means that no shield can be present on the top of the yoke, along which the top edge of the pressing plate moves during the compressing movement, which shield thus prevents refuse from falling back into the loading device over the pressing plate. When the filling opening of the interchangeable container is open, the shut-off and pressing plate for the filling opening is rotated away, so that the interchangeable container can be filled. The pressing device having the pressing plate pushes the refuse out of the loading device into the interchangeable container. Before exchanging an interchangeable container for an empty loading container, the shut-off and pressing plate is put back in the filling opening and the connection between the pressing plate and the pressing device itself is interrupted. The shut-off and pressing plate is fastened in the filling opening of the interchangeable container or to the pressing device with the aid of locking members. The movements of the shut-off and pressing plate which have to be executed in order to position this plate in the filling opening are not described in EP-B-0 467 836. These movements cannot be executed using the known compressing mechanisms. In addition, a collection vehicle of this kind has various drawbacks which relate, inter alia, to the sealing. As a result of the movement of the pressing plate during the compression operation, this plate needs to pass the yoke of the pressing device, for example when the plate is placed in the filling opening from the inserting movement. The pressing plate is therefore narrower than the internal width of the yoke of the pressing device. As a result, there is a space on both sides between the pressing plate and the side walls of the loading container. Thus the pressing plate cannot shut off the complete width of the filling opening. However, this drawback is inherent to the design of the pressing mechanism used. A further drawback of the design described in EP-B-0 467 836 is that the pressing plate is locked with the aid of pins, which are slid sideways into holes in the side wall of the interchangeable container. In order to do this, the pins have to pass through the above-described space between the pressing plate and the side walls of the interchangeable container. However, when an interchangeable container has been filled, compressed rubbish, through which it is difficult to push the pins, is also situated in this space. If this space is filled with sturdy rubbish, such as wood, paper or steel, it is even impossible to introduce the pins into the holes. In addition, these holes are of continuous design, which is necessary in order to prevent them becoming blocked with rubbish. However, these continuous holes have the drawback that during normal compression operation moisture passes through the holes to the outside. Yet another drawback of the known design is that it comprises many slidingly movable parts, both on the pressing plate and its support. As a result, there is a risk of the sliding movements being impeded or becoming completely impossible as a result of coming into contact with the refuse, and thus of the pressing plate no longer locking correctly in the filling opening or to the pressing plate support. This risk is increased as a result of the fact that the slidingly movable parts are arranged horizontally, so that spilt rubbish remains on these parts. In addition, these parts can be damaged if they come into contact with large, rigid pieces of refuse. The risk of damage occurring is particularly great during the inserting movement of the pressing plate, since the parts are positioned at right angles to the direction of movement of the pressing plate. A further drawback is that, when fastening the pressing plate to the pressing plate support, the locking members are slid into bushes which are arranged in the vicinity of the centre of the pressing plate. In the event of loading on the outer side of the pressing plate, there is a large moment on the pressing plate. Since there is only a small distance between the bushes, the force on the locking members is extremely high, which may result in the locking mechanism being damaged. In the first place, the object of the present invention is to provide a method of sealing the filling opening of an interchangeable container by a detachable pressing plate, as well as a refuse collection vehicle with an adapted pressing mechanism, by means of which it is possible to execute the movements required for positioning the pressing plate in the filling opening. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a more reliable seal for the known refuse collection vehicle, and specifically to improve the locking of the pressing plate in the filling opening and the locking to the pressing plate support. A method of the type described above according to the invention is characterized by rotating the pressing plate support so far with respect to the yoke that the bottom edge of the pressing plate reaches past the yoke in the direction of the interchangeable container and thus the pressing plate is positioned in a virtually vertical position in the filling opening, and then disconnecting the pressing plate from the support thereof. Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention are defined in the subclaims 2-4. A refuse collection vehicle, which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention is defined in claim 5. According to the invention, the pressing plate support can be moved past the yoke, in order to position the pressing plate in the correct position in the filling opening. This extra rotation of the pressing plate support may be realized in a variety of ways. Examples include adapting the drive means of the pressing plate support or adapting the points of action thereof on the yoke and/or the pressing plate support. The latter possibility includes, inter alia, a sliding design of the points of action, such as, for example, a tongue-and-groove structure, so that, in a first position of the points of action, the normal compression movements can be executed with the pressing plate and, after displacing one or both points of action into a second position, the pressing plate can be positioned in the filling opening. In order to limit the number of movable components of the pressing device, the drive means of the pressing plate support are advantageously designed such that they can rotate the pressing plate support so far with respect to the yoke that the bottom edge of the pressing plate reaches past the yoke in the direction of the interchangeable container and thus the pressing plate can be positioned in a virtually vertical position in the filling opening. In this embodiment of the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention, the length of movement of the drive means of the pressing plate support is longer than in the case of the known refuse collection vehicles, in order to make it possible to position the pressing plate in the filling opening, that is to say that the stroke of the drive means is longer. In principle, it is possible for the further rotation of the pressing plate support with respect to the yoke to take place from various positions of the yoke. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the control means, for the purpose of sealing the filling opening, actuate the drive means of the pressing plate support such that, in the sealing position of the yoke, the pressing plate support is rotated further with respect to the yoke. The sealing position of the yoke is defined here as that position of the yoke in which it is only necessary to move the pressing plate support in order to position the pressing plate in the filling opening. If the movement of the pressing plate with respect to the yoke is carried out in this position, the pressing plate can be locked in the filling opening in a simple manner, as will be discussed hereinafter. In accordance with a second preferred embodiment, the control means actuate the drive means of the pressing plate support such that, in the front position of the yoke, the pressing plate support is rotated further with respect to the yoke. This front position of the yoke is the extreme position of the yoke in the interchangeable container. Therefore, in order to seal the filling opening, the yoke needs to be rotated back, following the extra rotational movement of the pressing plate support, until the pressing plate adopts the correct position in the filling opening. If this embodiment is selected, additional locking means need to be present in order to lock the top side of the pressing plate in the filling opening. Rotating the pressing plate support further with respect to the yoke may likewise be executed at the end of the shovelling movement of the pressing plate, i.e. when the yoke is directed obliquely rearwards in the loading device. However, in this position refuse will fall back into the pressing tub after the tip of the pressing plate has passed the point of rotation of the yoke, because the gap between the pressing plate and the bottom of the pressing tub then becomes larger. If the yoke is then moved further in the direction of the interchangeable container, in order to position the pressing plate in the filling opening, the bottom edge of the pressing plate will move slightly in the vertical direction towards the bottom cross-member of the rear door, as a result of which the rubbish situated between the bottom edge of the pressing plate and the bottom of the loading device and/or the bottom cross-member of the rear door is not pressed in the interchangeable container, but rather becomes trapped. As a result, a great load will also be exerted both on the pressing plate and on the bottom cross-member of the rear door, with all the associated risks. It is also possible that the drive means will not apply sufficient force to be able to execute the movement completely. Advantageously, the drive means of the pressing plate support comprise a piston/cylinder assembly, one point of action of which acts on the top end of the yoke and the other point of action of which acts on a fixed arm which is fastened on the rear side of the pressing plate support. Thus the required length of movement of the drive means of the pressing plate support is obtained in a simple manner. Furthermore, the coupling of the pressing plate to the pressing plate support is advantageously independent of the locking of the pressing plate in the filling opening, so that the freedom of movement of the pressing plate is greater than in the case of the design known from EP-B-0 467 836, in which the coupling and locking are carried out using the same means. If the coupling and locking are independent of one another, it is possible to check the correct position and functioning of the locking means and, if desired, to correct the position of the pressing plate in the filling opening before the pressing plate is detached from the pressing plate support, and vice versa. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the pressing plate comprises at least one ear which faces towards the pressing plate support and in which a coupling member fastened to the pressing plate support can be placed in the vertical direction. The coupling member, for example a piston/cylinder assembly, is fastened to the front side of the pressing plate support in the vertical position. In this vertical position, the coupling member is protected from the refuse in the pressing tub by means of the other structural parts of the pressing plate support. Advantageously, the pressing plate is supported on the pressing plate support by means of support points which take up the substantially rearwardly directed force of the refuse on the pressing plate during compression. This prevents great loads on the coupling of the pressing plate to the pressing plate support, and a relatively lightweight design of the ear and coupling member will suffice. The control means, which coordinate the movements of the yoke and the pressing plate support, preferably comprise signalling means for determining the (relative) positions of the yoke and the pressing plate support, such as position switches. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a framework having at least one opening, preferably in the top side of the framework, is present around the filling opening for receiving an edge of the pressing plate, in particular the top edge thereof. If, in the sealing position of the yoke, as defined above, the pressing plate support is rotated further with respect to the yoke, so that the bottom edge of the pressing plate rotates past the yoke, the pressing plate will also be displaced slightly in the vertical direction. If an opening is provided in the top side of the framework, the top edge of the pressing plate can be received therein. This insertion movement can be executed under the control of the pressing mechanism itself. This design reduces the number of moving parts of the seal. In this case, additional locking means for locking the top half of the pressing plate in the filling opening are superfluous. It is not possible for any rubbish to be situated in front of this opening in the top side of the framework, which could impede the introduction of the top side of the pressing plate. The reason for this is that the pressing mechanism comprises a yoke, the top side of which is provided with a rounded plate, the end of which scrapes past the opening during each compressing movement when reaching the extreme front position of the yoke, and thus any rubbish situated near the opening in the top side of the framework will be pushed into the container by this scraping movement of the end of the rounded plate. However, the locking of the top side of the pressing plate in the filling opening may be implemented in various ways, for example with the aid of vertically displaceable pins which are arranged in the top side of the framework. If the movement of the pressing plate is controlled from the front position of the yoke, it is not possible to use an opening in the framework to lock the pressing plate at the top side. In that case, (swing-out) stops or other locking mechanisms can be used. Advantageously, the locking means used for locking the pressing plate in the filling opening are locking means which can be displaced substantially vertically along the pressing plate. The locking means used according to the invention, which are fastened to the interchangeable container, are thus not slid into openings in the interchangeable container but rather along the pressing plate. Thus openings cannot be blocked up by rubbish. Due to the vertical sliding movement of the locking means, the latter can generally be used to lock both the bottom side and the top side, if necessary, of the pressing plate. In these regions, the locking means are not troubled by any rubbish which may be present, since this rubbish can easily be pushed aside or out of the way, because the rubbish is not blocked. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, the pressing plate is locked at its top and bottom side instead of by means of horizontally moving locking means at the sides. Preferably, the locking means are present in the underside of the framework for the purpose of locking the bottom side of the pressing plate, and preferably at least one opening is present in the top side of the framework for receiving the top edge of the pressing plate. In this embodiment of the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention, the locking means are arranged in the underside of the framework which delimits the filling opening. This framework may, for example, be the bottom beam of the door casing of the rear door of the interchangeable container. During the normal compression movement of the pressing plate, these locking means are situated at approximately the same level as the top edge of the bottom beam. Because of this withdrawn state of the locking means, the refuse is not impeded thereby during the compression operation. In order to lock the pressing plate in the filling opening, the locking means are slid out of the withdrawn position, upwards along the pressing plate, as a result of which the bottom side of the pressing plate is thus locked. Any rubbish situated in the movement path of the locking means is in the process easily pushed away to the side or upwards. Since the locking means are not slid into openings or the like in the pressing plate, but rather along the pressing plate, the operation of the locking means is always ensured. With this positioning of the locking means at the bottom side and the top side of the pressing plate, the distance between them is relatively large when the filling opening is closed, so that the forces on the locking means resulting from the moment of the refuse exerted on the pressing plate are relatively small. Advantageous embodiments of the locking of the pressing plate in the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention are defined in the subclaims, the advantages of which will emerge from the following description of the drawing. The invention also relates to an interchangeable container having a filling opening which is delimited by a framework and is intended for use in a refuse collection vehicle according to the invention, which interchangeable container is characterized in that the framework of the filling opening is provided with at least one opening for receiving an edge of a pressing plate which is to be positioned in the filling opening. The invention also relates to an interchangeable container having a filling opening which is delimited by a framework and is intended for use in a refuse collection vehicle according to the invention, which interchangeable container is characterized in that the interchangeable container comprises locking means which are substantially vertically displaceable for the purpose of locking a pressing plate which is to be placed in the filling opening. The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a view of the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention; Figures 2-5 show four compressing movements, in accordance with which the pressing mechanism of the refuse collection vehicle presses refuse in the interchangeable container; Figures 6-7 show the movements of the pressing device for sealing the filling opening and uncoupling the loading device. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a refuse collection vehicle according to the invention. An interchangeable container 2 is mounted on a chassis 1, which interchangeable container is provided at the rear side with a rear door 3. A loading device 4 is fastened in a manner known per se at the rear side of the interchangeable container, for example with the aid of hooks. A pressing device 5, the basic type of which is known from EP-A-0 049 724, but the drive means of which have been adapted, is situated in the loading device 4. In the following figures, only the rear part of the refuse collection vehicle, that is to say part of the interchangeable container 2 and the loading device 4, is depicted. Figures 2 to 5 inclusive illustrate four movements, by means of which the pressing device 5 compresses refuse, in a conventional manner, from a pressing tub 6 into the interchangeable container 2 via a filling opening 7 situated in the rear door 3. For a detailed description of these movements, reference is made to NL-B-162 877 and EP-A-0 049 724. The pressing device 5 comprises a yoke 8 which is hingeably fastened to the loading device 4 at the fastening points 9. These fastening points 9 are situated at the front side of the pressing tub 6, at the level of the bottom beam 10 of the rear door 3 of the interchangeable container 2. The yoke 8 is driven by means of cylinders 11, as a result of which the yoke 8 can move over a limited angle of rotation with respect to the loading device 4. The two extreme positions of the yoke are depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 3, respectively. A pressing plate support 12 is fastened hingeably to the yoke 8 at points 13. The pressing plate support 12 itself is driven by means of cylinders 14, one point of action 15 of which is fastened to the yoke 8 and the other point of action 16 of which acts on the pressing plate support 12. In the case illustrated, the point of action 16 is situated in a fixed arm 12', which is fastened to the rear side of the pressing plate support 12. The stroke length of the cylinders 14 is therefore longer than in the known pressing mechanism, in orto be able to execute the movements of the pressing plate 17 which are required to seal the filling opening 7. As a result thereof, the pressing plate support 12 can be rotated over a limited angle with respect to the yoke 8. The two extreme positions of the pressing plate support 12 with respect to the yoke 8 during the normal compressing movement are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The pressing plate 17 is detachably fastened to the pressing plate support 12. Refuse is compressed into the interchangeable container 2 by inserting the pressing plate 17 behind the refuse (not shown) present in the pressing tub 6 and then moving the pressing plate 17 towards the interchangeable container 2. During these movements, the bottom edge 17' of the pressing plate 17 follows the shape of the bottom of the pressing tub 6 and the top edge 17'' of the pressing plate 17 follows the rounded plate 18, which is fastened to the yoke 8 over the width of the pressing plate 17. As a result, refuse cannot become caught between the moving parts of the pressing mechanism and the loading device. A preferred manner of arranging and locking the pressing plate 17 in the filling opening 7 of the rear door 3 of the interchangeable container 2 will now be explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The arrangement of the pressing plate 17 in the filling opening 7 is shown in Figure 6. To this end, the yoke 8 is rotated rearwards from its extreme front position (see Figure 5) in the longitudinal direction of the refuse collection vehicle. In the correct sealing position, the end of the rounded plate 18 is situated opposite openings 19 in the rear door 3. This sealing position of yoke 8 can be monitored using signalling means (not shown), which are generally arranged at positions in the loading device 4 which are protected from rubbish. The openings 19 are arranged in the top beam of the rear door structure. Preferably, two openings are present on the left-hand and right-hand side, at the location of the outer sides of the pressing plate 17. In order to slide the top edge 17'' of the pressing plate 17, which edge in the case illustrated is specifically pins 20, into the openings 19, the pressing plate support 12 is rotated to an additional extent with respect to the yoke 8. In this way, the pins 20 are received in the openings 19 and the top side of the pressing plate 17 is locked. The additional movement of the pressing plate support 12 with respect to yoke 8 can likewise be monitored with the aid of signalling means. It is not possible for any rubbish which could impair the introduction of the pins 20 to be situated in front of the openings 19. The reason for this is that the top side of the rounded plate 18 of the yoke 8 scrapes past the openings 19 each time the extreme front position of the yoke 8 is reached. Any rubbish present in the openings 19 likewise forms no obstacle to the introduction of the pins 20, because the space 21 behind the openings 19 is in open communication with the interchangeable container 2. By introducing the pins 20, the rubbish is forced upwards and discharged through the openings 22 to the interchangeable container 2. By rotating the pressing plate support 12 further with respect to the yoke 8, the bottom edge 17' of the pressing plate 17 pivots past the hinge point 9 of the yoke 8 and into the filling opening 7 of the rear door 3. In the process, the bottom edge 17' of the pressing plate 17 comes to rest on supports 23 located in the rear door. Preferably, these supports 23 are situated both on the left-hand and the right-hand side, at the location of the outer sides of the pressing plate 17, on or in the bottom beam 10. The refuse which is compressed out of the loading device into the interchangeable container 2 is subject to minimum interference from the supports 23, an effect which is improved further by the rounded shape of the supports 23. Locking members 24 and 25 are arranged in the bottom beam 10 of the rear door 3, for the purpose of locking the pressing plate 17 on its underside. These locking members may, for example, be hydraulic cylinders, the pistons of which, or pins fastened thereto, are withdrawn during the normal compressing movement as far as approximately the same level as the top edge of the bottom beam 10. By withdrawing the locking members 24 and 25, the refuse is not impeded by the locking members during the compression operation and the load on the locking members is low. In order to lock the underside of the pressing plate 17 to the bottom beam 10, the locking members 24 and 25 are slid upwards along the bottom point of the pressing plate 17. Preferably, three locking members, for example pins, are used, two pins of the locking members 24 being situated on the left-hand and right-hand sides, approximately at the location of the outer side of the pressing plate. Preferably, these two locking members 24 are arranged at the rear side of the pressing plate, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the collection vehicle. Since the load from the refuse of a full interchangeable container is directed rearwards onto the pressing plate, this design has the advantage that the higher load is taken up by two pins 24. Preferably, a third locking means 25 is arranged in the centre of the bottom beam 10 at the front side of the pressing plate 17. Only one pin 25 is sufficient at the front side of the pressing plate 17, because the forwards load on the pressing plate 17 is low and only occurs when the interchangeable container is empty or during coupling. An additional advantage thereof is that only one pin 25 needs to be forced upwards into the rubbish. In any case, problems will not occur here, since any rigid refuse present above the pin 25 can easily be pushed away upwards into the chamber of the container 2. If the locking means comprise hydraulic cylinders, these may be single-acting cylinders having a spring on the piston side thereof. This means that oil pressure is required in order to unlock the pressing plate 17 by sliding in the cylinders. This oil pressure may be provided, for example, by the loading device 4 after the latter has been coupled on. The hydraulic coupling may, for example, be realized automatically in the coupling point 26 at the top side of the rear door 3. The advantage thereof is that the locking can be maintained without requiring pressure. The locking members 24 and 25 may also be double-acting hydraulic cylinders, making it possible to exert a higher extension force compared to the single-acting cylinders. In order to prevent the pistons from sliding in following uncoupling as a result of leakage and thus to prevent the pressing plate from being unlocked, a controlled non-return valve is preferably arranged in the line on the piston side of the cylinders. The locking means in the bottom beam of the rear door may be operated, instead of hydraulically, also manually via mechanical transmissions, for example by means of an operating lever (not shown) on the side of the rear door. After the pressing plate 17 has been arranged and locked in the rear door 3, the pressing plate 17 is detached from the pressing plate support 12. To this end, the piston of a coupling cylinder 27 attached to the pressing plate support 12 is withdrawn out of the hole in an ear 28 which is fastened on the pressing plate 17. By then pivoting the pressing plate support 12 back with respect to the yoke 8, the support points 29 and 30 are released from the pressing plate 17. When the yoke 8 is then pivoted rearwards, the loading device 4 can be detached from the interchangeable container 2, the pressing plate 17 remaining behind in the filling opening 7 of the rear door 3 and thus sealing this filling opening 7. During the normal compressing movement of the pressing plate 17, the forces are transferred completely from the pressing plate 17 onto the pressing plate support 12 via the support points 29 and 30. This is because the supporting direction of the combination of support points 29 and 30 is opposed to the load of the refuse on the pressing plate 17, which load is directed primarily rearwards. As a result, a relatively lightweight design of the ear 28 on the pressing plate 17 and of the coupling cylinder 27 on the pressing plate support 12 will be sufficient. The coupling cylinder 27 is situated in a vertical position at the front side of the pressing plate support 12. In this position, the cylinder is substantially shielded from the refuse in the pressing tub 6 by the other components of the pressing plate support 12. Due to the vertical position of the cylinder, the latter runs parallel to the direction of movement of the pressing plate 17, as a result of which high loads from the refuse on the cylinder 27 are also prevented. One of the advantages of the above-described pressing mechanism in combination with the seal according to the invention is that, during the normal compressing movement, the pressing plate is situated further forwards in the interchangeable container than in the uncoupling position thereof. As a result, the refuse is, as it were, forced through further and the resistance which the refuse exerts on the pressing plate arranged in the filling opening after having sprung back is low. As can further be seen from the drawings, the loading device is provided with extendable support legs 31, on which the loading device can rest in the uncoupled state.

Claims: Method of sealing a filling opening (7) of an interchangeable container (2) situated on a refuse collection vehicle by a detachable pressing plate (17) of a pressing device (5) with the aid of locking means, which pressing device (5) is arranged in a detachable loading device (4) and which pressing device (5) comprises a yoke (8) which is hingeable about a horizontal axis (9) located in the region of the bottom end of the container (2), as well as a pressing plate support (12) which is hingeable about a horizontal axis (13) located in the region of the top end of the yoke (8) and to which the detachable pressing plate (17) is fastened, characterized by rotating the pressing plate support (12) so far with respect to the yoke (8) that the bottom edge (17') of the pressing plate (17) reaches past the yoke (8) in the direction of the container (2) and thus the pressing plate (17) is positioned in a virtually vertical position in the filling opening (7), and then disconnecting the pressing plate (17) from the support (12) thereof. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotating of the pressing plate (17) is carried out by the drive means (14) of the pressing plate support (12). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive means (14) of the pressing plate support (12) are actuated by the control means such that, in the sealing position of the yoke (8), the pressing plate support (12) is rotated further with respect to the yoke (8). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive means (14) of the pressing plate support (12) are actuated by the control means such that, in the front position of the yoke (8), the pressing plate support (12) is rotated further with respect to the yoke (8) in order to seal the filling opening (7). Refuse collection vehicle having an interchangeable container (2) with filling opening (7) and a detachable loading device (4) with a pressing device (5) arranged therein, which pressing device (5) comprises a yoke (8) which is hingeable about a horizontal axis (9) located in the region of the bottom end of the interchangeable container (2), as well as a pressing plate support (12) which is hingeable about a horizontal axis (13) located in the region of the top end of the yoke (8) and to which a detachable pressing plate (17) is fastened, which pressing plate (17), when the filling opening is closed, is locked in the filling opening (7) with the aid of locking means and, when the filling opening is open, is coupled to the pressing plate support (12), as well as drive means (11) for rotating the yoke (8) and drive means (14) for rotating the pressing plate support (12), and control means for controlling the movements of the yoke (8) and the pressing plate support (12), characterized in that the pressing device (5) is designed such that the pressing plate support (12) can be rotated so far with respect to the yoke (8) that the bottom edge (17') of the pressing plate (17) reaches past the yoke (8) in the direction of the interchangeable container (2) and thus the pressing plate (17) can be positioned in a virtually vertical position in the filling opening (7). Refuse collection vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive means (14) of the pressing plate support (12) are designed such that they can rotate the pressing plate support (12) so far with respect to the yoke (8) that the bottom edge (17') of the pressing plate (17) reaches past the yoke (8) in the direction of the interchangeable container (2) and thus the pressing plate (17) can be positioned in a virtually vertical position in the filling opening (7). Refuse collection vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the control means, for the purpose of sealing the filling opening (7), actuate the drive means (14) of the pressing plate support (12) such that, in the sealing position of the yoke (8), the pressing plate support (12) is rotated further with respect to the yoke (8). Refuse collection vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the control means, for the purpose of sealing the filling opening (7), actuate the drive means (14) of the pressing plate support (12) such that, in the front position of the yoke (8), the pressing plate support (12) is rotated further with respect to the yoke (8). Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-8, characterized in that the coupling of the pressing plate (17) to the pressing plate support (12) is independent of the locking of the pressing plate (17) in the filling opening (7). Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-9, characterized in that the drive means of the pressing plate support (12) comprise a piston/cylinder assembly (14), one point of action (15) of which acts on the top end of the yoke (18) and the other point of action (16) of which acts on a point of action (16) in a fixed arm (12') which is fastened on the rear side of the pressing plate support (12). Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-10, characterized in that the pressing plate (17) is provided with at least one ear (28) which faces towards the pressing plate support (12) and in which a coupling member (27) fastened to the pressing plate support (12) can be inserted. Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-11, characterized in that the pressing plate (17) is supported on the pressing plate support (12) by a support point (30) located at the bottom end of the pressing plate support (12) and a support point (29) which projects in the direction of the container (2) with respect to the pressing plate support (12). Refuse collection vehicle according to claim 12, characterized in that the supporting direction of the combination of the support points (29, 30) is opposed to the direction of loading by refuse on the pressing plate (17) during the compressing movements. Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-13, characterized in that a framework having at least one opening (19) for receiving an edge (17''; 20) of the pressing plate (17) is present around the filling opening (7), which framework preferably is the casing of a door structure (3) of the interchangeable container (2). Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-14, characterized in that the locking means are locking means (24; 25) which can be displaced substantially vertically along the pressing plate (17), which locking means are preferably arranged in the underside (10) of the framework for the purpose of locking the bottom edge (17'') of the pressing plate (17), and which locking means (24; 25), when the filling opening is sealed, preferably extend on either side of the pressing plate (17). Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-15, characterized in that at least one opening (19) is present in the top side of the framework for receiving the top edge (17''; 20) of the pressing plate (17), which opening (19) preferably is in open communication with the inside of the interchangeable container (2). Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-16, characterized in that two locking means (24) are arranged at the side edges of the framework, at the location of the outer sides of the pressing plate (17), which locking means, when the filling opening is sealed, extend behind the pressing plate (17), viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as well as at least one locking means (25) in the centre of the underside (10) of the framework, which locking means, when the filling opening is sealed, extends in front of the pressing plate (17), viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Refuse collection vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 5-17, characterized in that the pressing plate (17), when the filling opening is sealed, rests on support points (23) of the underside (10) of the framework. Interchangeable container (2) having a filling opening (7) delimited by a framework, obviously intended for a refuse collection vehicle according to one of claims 5-18, characterized in that the interchangeable container (2) comprises locking means (24; 25) which are substantially vertically displaceable for the purpose of locking a pressing plate (17) which is to be placed in the filling opening (7). Interchangeable container (2) having a filling opening (7) delimited by a framework, obviously intended for a refuse collection vehicle according to one of claims 5-18, characterized in that the framework, preferably the top side thereof, is provided with at least one opening (19). Interchangeable container according to claim 20, characterized in that the interchangeable container (2) comprises locking means (24; 25) preferably arranged in the underside (10) of the framework which are substantially vertically displaceable for the purpose of locking a pressing plate (17) which is to be placed in the filling opening (7). Interchangeable container according to one of the preceding claims 20-21, characterized in that the framework is the casing of a door structure (3) of the interchangeable container (2). Interchangeable container according to one of claims 20-22, characterized in that the opening (19) or openings are also in open communication with the inside of the interchangeable container (2).

Inventors: ELBRINK HEINRICH JOHANNES, ELBRINK, HEINRICH JOHANNES
Applicants: GEESINK BV, GEESINK B.V.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65F3
IPC codes: B65F3