Abstract:
An apparatus for compacting waste objects includes a seat provided with a support assembly for supporting the waste object to be compacted; a push member being moveable inside the seat for compacting in use of the apparatus the waste object against an end wall of the seat; the support assembly including two support members that rotate away from each other for discharging the compacted object through an aperture. The support members can impede discharge of a compacted object of a specific type through the aperture to collect the compacted object of the specific type in a dedicated container. Protuberances can be applied to the push member and an end wall of the seat for producing depressions in the compacted object so that the compacted object does not lose the compacted condition once pressure applied by the push member is removed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to waste compacting devices, and in particular to devices that are appropriate for kitchen environments, where it is desirable to compact waste objects like plastic and metal containers, for example plastic bottles and tin or aluminum cans. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A particular requirement in such devices is that of separately compacting the various objects depending on the type of object that needs to be compacted, and then separately collecting the various types of compacted objects. 
     During the compacting operation, the objects are compressed to occupy less space and separately collected, for example each type of waste is collected in a specific container. 
     The cycle of compaction and separate collection becomes necessary and vital in the treatment of waste produced by a population. 
     Treating of waste for its reuse requires separate collection and increased optimization of the management of the waste produced in the domestic environment and other areas. 
     Consequently there is an increasing requirement of compacting a greater number of types of waste and separately collecting them when they have been compacted. 
     EP 1707345 describes a waste compacting unit capable of separately compacting different objects like plastic containers and metal containers, and separately collecting these objects after compacting. More particularly, each type of object can be compacted with an appropriate compression cycle in a compacting chamber that is dedicated to a type of waste. Successively, the compacted objects are discharged into specific containers, which have been aligned with an assigned compacting chamber. 
     The height of the space occupied by the compacting chamber and the lower collection containers notably influences the accommodation of the compacting device in required locations. In fact, the height of this space becomes relevant in those devices of reduced height, for example devices with height less than 50 cm, which need to be located under washing basins of kitchen units or in other locations where the available height is limited. 
     The bottom surfaces of the compacting chamber support the objects during the compacting operation, and are opened during, or after, the final stage of the compression, to allow the compacted objects to fall into the respective collecting containers. 
     The bottom surfaces can be portions of hinged structures that rotate to be opened so that the compacted object falls into a container. The hinged structures when rotating occupy space which is above or within the collecting container. The height of this space becomes particularly relevant when designing the size of the waste compacting unit. This space influences the above mentioned space for accommodation of the compacting device in required locations. In some cases the waste compacting unit also needs to be adjacent to waste grinding units like those described in WO2008000510, therefore also the width of the compacting device should not be considerably influenced by the solution for supporting the objects to be compacted. 
     In addition, solutions are required for assisting and optimizing loading of the object to be compacted by a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide waste compacting devices which occupy less space in height in the position where the waste compacting devices need to be located to operate. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide waste compacting devices which occupy less space in width in the position where waste compacting units need to be located to operate. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide compacting devices in which loading of the object to be compacted by the user is facilitated and optimized. 
     It is yet an object of the invention to provide compacting devices in which removal of the compacted objects from the devices by the user is facilitated and optimized. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide waste compacting units that are equipped with support assemblies in the compacting chambers for supporting the waste objects during the compacting operation in which support members can be opened to discharge the compacted objects and occupy less space during their motion for opening. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide waste compacting devices equipped with supporting structures in the compacting chambers for supporting the objects during the compacting operation, in which the support assemblies can be rapidly and accurately moved during the opening motion to discharge the compacted objects. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a compacting device that is able to compact a greater number of types of waste and separately collect the various types of compacted waste. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a compacting device that is able to compact a greater number of types of waste and occupies minimum space in height where the device is located. 
     These and other objects are accomplished with a compacting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention comprising:
         a seat having end walls;   a support assembly for supporting a waste object to be compacted in the seat;   a push member that is moveable inside the seat for compacting in use of the apparatus the waste object against an end wall of the seat;   wherein the support assembly is moveable from a support position, for supporting the waste object, to a discharge position for discharging a compacted object;   wherein the support assembly when moving to said discharge position forms an aperture for discharging the compacted object;   wherein the support assembly comprises two support members that are adapted to rotate away from each other for discharging the compacted object;   wherein the aperture is formed between edges of the two support members when rotating away from each other; and   wherein the support members have a curvilinear concave profile that faces the seat and at least partially encircles the waste object that in use of the apparatus is supported within the seat.       

     A support member can comprise a support surface and at least one arm for connecting the support surface to a rotation centre of the support member; the arm can be hinged to the structure of the seat for rotating the support member. 
     One of the support member can be driven by a motor to rotate around a rotation centre, whilst the other support member can rotate around a further rotation centre and be moved by the motion of the first support member. 
     Movement of the push member can cause the support members to rotate around respective rotation centers when the push member moves within the seat for compacting a waste object; the rotation of the support members can be derived from engagement of an assembly of the push member with a cam surface of a support member. 
     A waste compacting device can be moved between a position where the objects to be compacted can be loaded from a vertical direction and a position where the waste compacting device becomes operative to carry out the compacting operation and discharge the compacted objects. 
     An air duct can be positioned above the seat to supply heated air around an object to be compacted. The heated air improves the compacting operation, whilst the support members contribute to convey the heated air around the object. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus for compacting waste objects comprising:
         a seat that is defined by end walls for containing a waste object to be compacted;   a support assembly of the seat, the support assembly adapted to support a waste object to be compacted;   a frame having support means for supporting the seat;   a push member that is moveable inside the seat for compacting in use of the apparatus the waste object against an end wall of the seat;   a means for moving the seat on the support means of the seat from a first position that is totally or partially extracted from the frame, such that in use of the apparatus the waste object to be compacted is placed in the seat when the seat is in said first position, to a second position where in use of the apparatus compacting of the object occurs;   a collection container for receiving a compacted object from the seat,   and wherein the means for supporting the seat support the seat and the collection container aligned together as a unit, said means for moving adapted to move said seat and collection container as a unit from the first position to the second position.       

     Preferably the seat is adapted to receive the waste object to be compacted in a vertical direction when the seat is in the first position. 
     Preferably the means for supporting the seat comprises a fixed structure for supporting the seat and a moveable supporting portion; the means for moving the seat comprises a guide means that is arranged between the frame of the device and the moveable supporting portion. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus for compacting waste objects of at least a first type and a second type comprising:
         a seat provided with an entrance for introducing an object to be compacted;   a support assembly for supporting the waste object to be compacted;   a push member that is moveable inside the seat for compacting in use of the apparatus the waste object to be compacted; wherein the support assembly is moveable from a position for supporting the object during compacting to a position for discharging an object of the first type.   and wherein an aperture is formed by the movement of the support assembly for the passage of the compacted object of the first type during discharging;   means for impeding the discharge of a compacted object of a second type through the aperture;   means for collecting compacted objects of the second type.       

     Preferably the means for impeding comprise support members of the support assembly; an actuator for moving the support members and a control system for the actuator 
     Preferably the means for collecting compacted objects of the second type are adjacent to the support assembly. 
     Preferably the means for impeding comprises support members of the support assembly, an actuator for the movement of the support members and a control system of the actuator. 
     Preferably, the seat extends above at least two collection containers of the compacted objects, wherein a first collection container is aligned with a portion of the length of the seat adjacent a first end wall of the seat for collecting compacted objects of the first type and a second collection container is aligned with a portion of the length of the seat adjacent a second end wall of the seat for collecting compacted objects of a third type 
     Preferably, means are provided for moving the seat from a first position in which an object to be compacted is loaded in the seat to a second position in which the object of the first type is compacted. Preferably the object of the second type is compacted with the seat in the first position. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention which optimizes the compacting result, protuberances can be applied to the push member and an end wall of the seat for producing depressions in the compacted object; the protuberances having a major extension dimension in a direction that is parallel to a plane that is perpendicular to the direction for moving the push member to compact the waste objects 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described with reference to the following description relating to exemplary embodiments thereof, which are exemplifying but not limitative, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a unit provided with a device for compacting according to the invention. The unit can be located in a kitchen environment and in a position like the space under the washing basin; 
         FIG. 2  is a section view from directions  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  illustrating the spacing of a compacting chamber with an object positioned for compacting. A collection container for collecting the compacted object is also shown. In  FIG. 2  certain parts have been omitted for reasons of clarity; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 2  illustrating the compacting device in a condition where the object shown in  FIG. 2  has been compacted and discharged in a collection container; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view as seen from direction  4  of  FIG. 1  of a portion of the compacting device.  FIG. 4  shows a seat of the compacting chamber with an object to be compacted positioned therein. In  FIG. 4  certain parts have been omitted for reasons of clarity; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the compacting device as seen from direction  5  of  FIG. 4 , and in particular of a support member according to the invention for supporting the waste object to be compacted. The support member of  FIG. 5  is shown disassembled from the compacting device; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial section view of a portion of the compacting device as seen from direction  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  illustrating two support member according to the invention in a closed position for supporting the waste object to be compacted.  FIG. 6  also illustrates a mechanism for moving the support members from a closed position to an open position; the open position is used for the discharge of the compacted object; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the compacting device as seen from direction  7  of  FIG. 4 , in which the support members of the object to be compacted are moved by means of a device which is different with respect to the device illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial view from direction  8  of  FIG. 1  of an alternative solution of the support members for supporting the object to be compacted; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1  illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are two schematic representations in a plan view as can be seen from direction  9 A of  FIG. 1  illustrating the stages of compacting of an object respectively before and after compacting an object; 
         FIGS. 9C and 9D  are two schematic representations in plan views similar to the plan views of  FIGS. 9A  and  9 B illustrating a further embodiment for improving compacting of an object; 
         FIG. 9E  is a partial view as seen from directions  9 E- 9 E of  FIG. 9C . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  9  the compacting device comprises a seat  10  where an object  11  to be compacted is positioned by the user. In particular,  FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate object  11  in seat  10  ready to be compacted. Object  11  has been introduced in seat  10  through an entrance opening  40 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , seat  10  is horizontally delimited by a surface  12 ′ of a push member  12  and by a surface  13 ′ of an end wall  13 . Push member  12  can be translated in directions X and X′ by rotation of screws  14  and  15 . More particularly, screw  15  results hidden in  FIG. 1 , although it is visible in  FIG. 4 . Screws  14  and  15  are on the sides of seat  10  and engage respective threaded bushes  14 ′ and  15 ′, which are integral with push member  12  for translating the push member in the directions X and X′. 
     Rotation of the screws can occur by means of a motor and reduction gear assembly  102 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , that rotates a gear transmission (hidden by a plate  71 ), which is connected to screws  14  and  15 . 
     The translation in direction X causes push member  12  to compress an object like a plastic bottle  11  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , against surface  13 ′ of wall  13  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     A translation in the opposite direction X′ returns the push member to the rest position as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
     Furthermore, the translation in direction X′ of push member  12  can be used to compress another object, like a metal can, against surface  16 ′ of wall  16 . Therefore seat  10  can be delimited also by end wall  16  when push member  12  pushes a metal can against surface  16 ′. 
     The object to be compacted  11  is supported by a support assembly comprising support members  18  and  19  (see also  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) during the compacting operation by push member  12  against end wall  13 ′ or  16 ′. 
     In particular, support members  18  and  19  have respective edges  18 ′ and  19 ′, which are adjacent to each other in the closed position to support an object, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . 
     The object that needs to be compacted can be positioned in seat  10  with its major dimension positioned approximately parallel to axis  10 ′ in seat  10 , see the example of the plastic bottle  11  of  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Support members  18  and  19  of the support assembly can be moved for being opened and therefore increase a distance that separate edges  18 ′ and  19 ′. The increase of the distance between edges  18 ′ forms aperture P that opens below a compacted object  11 ′, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Compacted object  11 ′ can therefore fall by gravity through aperture P when push member  12  moves in direction X′ or X to return to the rest position. Compacted object  11 ′ falls in a specific container, referenced like  20  or  20 ′, which is aligned under the portion of the length of seat  10  that is adjacent to where compacting has occurred with push member  12 . In the case of the bottle shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the compacted object  11 ′ falls into container  20  because the compacting has occurred against surface  13 ′ (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  9 ). 
     For an object of a second type, like a metal can which has been compacted by the translation of member  12  in opposite direction X′, therefore with a pressing action against surface  16 ′ of the end wall  16  (see  FIG. 4 ), the compacted object can fall through aperture P into second collection container  20 ′, which is aligned under the second portion of the length of seat  10  adjacently to surface  16 ′ (see  FIGS. 1 and 9 ). 
     The user can position the object into seat  10  from an upper position to a lower position (see direction Z), as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  9 . To perform this loading step of the object, the compacting device together with collection containers  20  and  20 ′ are brought to position A, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , by moving them in direction X′. In position A, the compacting device together with collection containers  20  and  20 ′ are completely or partially outside of frame  50  of the units shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . In this way, access to seat  10  is facilitated along direction Z and though opening  40  to load the object into seat  10 , as described above. Furthermore, the collection containers  20  and  20 ′ are easily extracted laterally in direction L when they need to be emptied, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . 
     The compacting device and containers  20  and  20 ′ can be assembled on a carriage  53  by means of a supporting and connecting structure  55  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), therefore the compacting device and container  20  and  20 ′ can form a unit that is assembled on carriage  53 . Carriage  53  can slide on guides  51  of frame  50  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) for translation in directions X and X′. In this way the compacting device together with containers  20  and  20 ′ can be translated together in direction X′ to reach a position A where they are outside frame  50 . The translation in the opposite direction X returns the compacting device and the containers  20  and  20 ′ to the internal position B of frame  50 , where the compression and discharge of compacted objects into container  20  or  20 ′ occurs. In the solution of  FIG. 1  the user pulls or pushes carriage  53  by acting on front panel  54  to move carriage  53  respectively in directions X′ or X. 
     The upper portion  50 ′ of frame  50  can be positioned below a kitchen basin. In this situation the solution described above for extracting the compacting device in direction X′ to position A makes it possible to load seat from the above without interfering with overhead structures. 
     The surface  13 ′ of wall  13  is provided with device  17  (see  FIG. 2 ) to puncture the object as it becomes compacted in order to allow accumulated air to exit, as has been described in EP 1707345. 
     Each device  17  comprises a pin with a pointed end for puncturing the object  11 . The pin is surrounded by a cylindrical edge fixed to surface  13 ′. The pins are able to pass through surface  13 ′ and are carried by springs (not shown). 
     For an additional type of object that needs to be compacted, like a carton box  100  (see  FIGS. 9A and 9B ), the user can position this object  100  in the compacting space exiting between push member  12  and the end wall  16 ′. Successively the motor and reduction gear  102  can be activated for moving member  12  to cause the compacting cycle of the object  100  against surface  16 ′. During and after compacting of object  100 , the support members  18  and  19  remain with edges  18 ′ and  19 ′ closed (see  FIG. 9B ), therefore the compacted object  100 ′ remains supported by support members  18  and  19  of seat  10  without being discharged in container  20 ′, which is aligned under the second portion of the length of seat  10  adjacent to surface  16 ′. 
     Impeding discharge of object  100 ′ is achieved by foreseeing a functioning cycle in which motor  30  for opening support members  18  and  19  after compacting of object  100  is not activated by controls  103  of the compacting device (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     After compacting object  100 , push member  12  is moved by activating the motor and reduction gear  102  to move in direction X (see  FIG. 9B ) and then push member  12  returns to a position which removes pressure on the compacted object (see compacted form  100 ′ of the object). 
     This leaves enough space for the user to grasp object  100 ′ and transfer it manually to container  30 . Container  30  can be specific for compacted carton objects and will therefore result positioned on one side of seat  10  after compacting. 
     Transfer of the compacted carton objects  100 ′ to container  30  can occur with manual lifting of the object  100 ′ from seat  100 , by passing through entrance  40  followed by lateral translation of object  100 ′ for the alignment with container  30 . After this alignment, object  100 ′ can be allowed to drop or be accompanied into container  30 . 
     To perform the loading condition of object  100 ′, the compacting device is brought to the position A illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , by moving the compacting device in direction X′. In position A the compacting device together with the collection containers  20 ,  20 ′ and  30  are outside frame  50  of the units shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . In this way access to seat  10  is facilitated along direction Z to load the carton object  100  and for unloading object  100 ′ through entrance  40 , as described above. Furthermore, the collection containers  20 ,  20 ′ and  30  can be easily extracted laterally in direction L when they need to emptied, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . 
     The compacting device and the containers  20 ,  20 ′ and  30  can be assembled on carriage  53  by means of supporting and connection structure  55  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), therefore the compacting device with containers  20 ,  20 ′ and  30  can form a unit which can be translated in directions X and X′ by means of carriage  53 . 
     In particular, the translation of carriage  53  in direction X returns the compacting device and the containers  20 ,  20 ′ and  30  to internal position B of frame  50 , where the compression and discharge of the compacted objects in container  20  and  20 ′ can occur, whilst the translation of carriage  53  in opposite direction X′ returns the compacting device with containers  20 ,  20 ′ and  30  to the extracted position A outside of frame  50 , where in general the objects can be loaded to be compacted in seat  10 , compacting of objects like carton  100  and unloading of the carton type of compacted objects in their respective container  30 . 
     In the solution of  FIG. 9  the compacting device can be assembled on guides  60  positioned on each side of the longitudinal part of seat  10 . The guides are moveable on supports located inside frame  50 , and guides  60  allow the compacting device to be moved in directions X and X′ to reach positions A or B without moving containers  20 ,  20 ′ and  30 . In the extracted position A loading can occur of any type of object, whilst in position B compacting occurs of those objects which need to be discharged into containers  20  and  20 ′. In the extracted position A, the steps of compacting those objects of an additional type like carton  100  and of discharging this type of objects into container  30  when they have been compacted. 
     In the solution of  FIG. 9 , a user pulls a front panel  61  of the compacting device in direction X′ to reach extracted position A or pushes front panel  61  to move the compacting device in direction X to reach internal position B. 
     Still within the solution of  FIG. 9 , the containers  20  and  20 ′ are assembled on a separate carriage  65  to reach extracted position A or internal position B. 
     In the extracted position A the collection containers  20 ,  20 ′ can be easily removed from carriage  65  with a lateral movement in direction L when they need to be unloaded. 
     The user can push front panel  62  to move carriage  65  in direction X to reach position B or the user pulls front panel  62  to move carriage  65  in direction X′ to reach position A. 
     Furthermore, in the solution of  FIG. 9  container  30  can be assembled on a separate carriage  80  to reach the extracted position A or the internal position B. 
     The user pulls the front panel  82  to move carriage  80  in direction X′ to reach extracted position A or pushes the front panel  82  to move carriage  80  to move in direction X to reach internal position B. 
     In both the solutions of  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the upper part  50 ′ of frame  50  can be placed below washing basins of kitchens. In this situation, the solution described above of extracting the compacting device in direction X′ up to the extracted position A allows loading seat  10  from above and transfer of object  100 ′ to container  30  without interference with overhead structure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the edges  18 ′ and  19 ′ of the support members  18  and  19  are moved above the aperture P which is being formed under the object that has been compacted in seat  10 . 
     Furthermore, edges  18 ′ and  19 ′ and all the other portions which form members  18  and  19  are positioned laterally with respect to seat  10  and to the aperture P which is being formed. In fact, the support members  18  and in being separated to form the aperture P move laterally to become adjacent to side walls  22  which delimit seat  10 . 
     Members  18  and  19  are provided, respectively, with curvilinear surfaces  18 ″ and  19 ″ for supporting objects like  11 . The concavity of surfaces  18 ″ and  19 ″ face seat (see  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 ). In this way, members  18  and  19  in the closed position partially surround, or totally surround, the object to be compacted depending on the size of the object to be compacted. 
     The height of the space occupied by members  18  and  19  in being opened and closed can be above aperture P, which is progressively formed and can be contained in the same height occupied by the lateral walls  22  of seat  10  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Based on this characteristic, the height of the space required for opening and closing members  18  and  19  is negligible in terms of additional height that is required for locating the compacting device in its operation position. 
     Furthermore, the fact that members  18  and  19  become positioned adjacent to the lateral walls  22  which delimit seat  10  (see  FIG. 3 ) and the fact that members  18  and  19  have a form and thickness which occupy minimum space next to side walls  22 , bring the advantage of having a reduced width (dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  10 ′) of the compacting device. 
     Each support member  18  and  19  is provided with arms, indicated with  23  and  24 , that are placed at the ends of the support members  18  and  19 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7 . The arms can be hinged in support pins that are seated in bores  25  (see  FIGS. 5 and 7 ). The support pins can be fixed to the external surface  13 ″ of the end plate  13  and to the external face  16 ″ of the end plate  16 . 
     In particular, the pins of two adjacent arms  23  and  24 , which are at end of support members  18  and  19 , are positioned on plate  13  in the positions indicated with  23 ′ and  24 ′ of the face  13 ″ behind gear  32  (see  FIG. 6 ). The pins on the external face  16 ″ of plate  16  are opposite to the positions indicated with  23 ′ and  24 ′ so that edges  18 ′ and  19 ′ can result parallel and aligned with the longitudinal axis  10 ′ of seat  10  when the support members  18  and  19  are assembled for rotating and forming aperture P (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
     With arms  23  and  24  that are hinged as it has been described above, gears  26  which are concentric with bores (see  FIG. 5 ) and fixed to arms  23  and  24  of the support member  18 , engage identical gears  26  which are concentric with bores  25  and fixed to arms  23  and  24  of the support member  19 . 
     In this way, the transmission of opening and closing rotations R and R′ of arms  23  and  24  occurs through gears for progressively forming and closing aperture P. Furthermore, a synchronous transmission occurs between members  18  and  19  due to the engagement of gears  26 . 
     Support member  18  is fixed to a gear member  28  (see  FIG. 6 ) by means of screws in bores  28 ′. Gear member  28  engages a gear sector  29 , which is supported for rotation together with a motor shaft (see  FIG. 4 ) housed in bore  29 ′. 
     The motor shaft housed in bore  29 ′ belongs to motor  30 , which is fixed to plate  31  (see  FIG. 4 ). To illustrate the parts of  FIG. 6 , plate  31  has been disassembled with respect to the assembly condition shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Rotation of motor  30  in direction R′ causes support members  18  and  19  to rotate around pins which are received in bores  25  and therefore support members  18  and  19  to open for reaching the condition shown in  FIG. 3 . The rotation of motor  30  in the opposite direction R causes the support members  18  and to close for reaching the condition shown in FIGS.  2 , 4  and  6 . 
     The rotations R and R′ of motor  30  causes direct rotation of support member  18 , whilst the gears  26  described above transmit synchronous rotations of motor  30  from support member  18  to support member  19 . 
     The gear train shown in  FIG. 6 , consisting of gears  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36  transmits synchronous rotations from reduction gear  102  (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) to screws  14  and  15  for the translation of member  12  in directions X and X′. In fact, the output shaft of the reduction gear  102  engages the central bore of gear  32  (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). Gears  35  and  36  are coupled respectively to the ends of screws  14  and  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , intermediate gears  33  and  34  have the same number of teeth in order to guarantee transmission of synchronous rotation to screws  14  and  15  from reduction gear  102 . 
     End path switches  41  and  41 ′ are fixed to plate  13  and are connected to control unit  103  of the compacting device for monitoring the end positions reached by the gear sector  29 . In this way control unit  103  determines when a complete aperture or a complete closure of support members and  19  is reached for allowing further operation sequences of the device. 
     In  FIG. 7  support members  18  and  19  are moved by using a device that is different from motor  30  and gear members  28  and  29 . 
     In fact,  FIG. 7  shows a support assembly where members  18  and  19  are provided with respective channels  75  and  76  which are engaged respectively by pins  70  and  71  that are integral with push member  12 . 
     In the solution of  FIG. 7 , the movement of push member  12  in direction X′ is used for compacting the objects against the end walls of wall  16 . During compacting, pins  70  and  71  run with a surface engagement in stretches  75 ′ and  76 ′ of channels  75  and  76 , whilst in the return movement of push member  12  in direction X′ the pins run with surface engagement in stretches  75 ″,  76 ″,  75 ′″,  76 ′″. Running of the pins along stretches  75 ″,  76 ″,  75 ′″,  76 ′″ causes the support members  18  and  19  to rotate respectively in direction Q and Q′ to form aperture P, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     With reference to the solution of  FIG. 8 , parts are visible because plate  54  has been disassembled in comparison with the assembly conditions of  FIG. 3 . 
     The alternative solution of  FIG. 8  provides a support assembly with support members  18  and  19  having a planar configuration, which are moved by motor  84  and gears  80  and  80 ′ in the horizontal directions T and T′. Gears  80  and  80 ′ respectively engage sectors  81  and  81 ′ of support members  18  and  19 . In this way the distance separating edges  18 ′ and  19 ′ is increased, thereby aperture P is opened or closed for discharge of the compacted object. 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  illustrate a distributor of heated air  105  located on one side of object  11  when it is positioned in seat  10 . In this situation portions  18 ″ and  19 ″ of support members  18  and  19  for supporting the object are positioned on the opposite side of the object  11 . 
     The heated air is distributed around the object (see arrows  60 ′ in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and along direction X or X′ for compacting object  11 . The hot air heats the object to be compacted up to a temperature which reduces the resistance to compression of object  11  in order to ease the compaction and maintaining a compacted configuration within seat  10 . 
     Object  11  results aligned with the distributor of heated air  105  when seat  10  is in the operation position B within frame  50 . In this situation, distributor  105  results positioned above seat  10  and extends along the object as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
     The air can be fed by a ventilator  106  (see  FIG. 1  connected by means of tubing  107  to distributor  105 . An electric resistance  108  present within the distributor  60  can be used to heat the air. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9C , push member  12  and end wall  13  is provided with protuberances  110 . Protuberances  110  have a major extension dimension in a direction  113  (see  FIG. 9E ), which is parallel to the push plane of member  12 . Protuberances  110  preferably extend perpendicular to axis  10 ′ and can be provided with sharpened ends  110 ′ (see  FIG. 9E ). A certain number of protuberances are placed at constant distances from each other as shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D . The protuberances of push member  12  can be aligned with spacing  116  separating the protuberances of end wall  13  as shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D . 
     Neck and top  111  of bottle  11  can be seated in a recess  112  of push member  12 . 
       FIG. 9D  shows the compaction result after push member  12  has moved in direction  115  to an end position towards end wall  13 . In this situation, ends  110 ′ apply high pressure on specific areas of the compacted object  11 ′. The pressure can be such that a depression  114  is caused on the compacted object  11 ′ where ends  100 ′ are in contact, as shown in the  FIG. 9D . The material forming the sides of the depression undergoes a permanent deformation, therefore there is no elastic return of the material in these areas of compacted object  11 ′. The distribution of the depressions along compacted object  11 ′ avoids that compacted object  11 ′ tends to loose the compact condition once the pressure applied by push member  12  is removed. In other words object  11  tends to remain in the compact size shown in  FIG. 9D  instead of opening in directions  117  and  117 ′. 
     Members  120  can be located in a spacing existing between protuberances of push member  12  and protuberances of end wall  13 , as shown in  FIGS. 9C ,  9 D and  9 E. Members  120  may have the form of curvilinear plate beams made of elastic material with convexity facing the object being compacted. Members  120  become deformed during compaction by being pressed against the surface of the object being compacted in the areas adjacent to depressions  114 . 
     When the compression action of push member  12  is removed by moving push member  12  away from end wall  13 , members  120  elastically react and return to their original configuration. The return motions of members  120  to their original configuration obtain that members  120  push compacted object  11 ′ away from push members  12 , or from end wall  13 , and therefore unwanted attachment of compacted object  11 ′ on push members  12 , or on end wall  13  is avoided. This attachment can be due to adherence of the compacted object  11 ′ on the surfaces of protuberances  110 . The adherence can impede discharge of the compacted object in a container like  20  or  20 ′ when support members  18  and  19  are moved to form the discharge aperture (P). Protuberances  110  and members  120  can be assembled on slides  118  and  119  which are assembled in a removable manner respectively on push member  12  and end wall  13  in direction towards and away from the observer viewing  FIGS. 9C and 9D , i.e. parallel to direction Z (see  FIG. 1 ). This assembly solution facilitates changing the size and position of the protuberances on push member  12  and end wall  13  to optimize forming the depressions based on the size and nature of the container  11  that needs to be compacted. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiments without further research and without departing from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.