Abstract:
A refuse compactor especially designed for use in fast-food restaurant environments includes a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor for actuating a hydraulic ram to compress restaurant waste materials. The compactor includes a unique outer support structure that derives strength from the outer housing skins to support a compaction plate assembly. The compaction plate assembly maintains the platen inclined at a predetermined angle to the vertical when the platen is elevated and which forces the platen to a horizontal disposition during a downward compaction stroke. A motor operated closure member selectively blocks and unblocks a refuse-receiving opening formed in a front door of the compactor unit and with a motion detector controlling the opening and closing of the refuse entry door panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    I. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to equipment for compacting waste material, and more particularly to the design of a trash compactor for use in fast food restaurants and other food vending establishments where the patron is expected to deposit his/her waste paper products in a trash receptacle upon leaving the establishment. 
         [0003]    II. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Many fast food restaurants and cafeterias typically provide a refuse or waste container near the exit doors of the establishment and at other convenient locations so that at the conclusion of a meal, the patron&#39;s tray containing napkins, paper cups, food wrappers, placemats, etc. can be dumped into the waste receptacle by the patron rather than by restaurant staff. However, it is up to the restaurant staff to periodically empty these trash receptacles, bag the waste materials in polyethylene bags, and then deposit the bagged waste in a dumpster for pick-up by a refuse removal service. 
         [0005]    Because the waste material is merely allowed to fall by gravity in the conventional waste receptacles currently used, it is not particularly dense and frequent emptying of the waste receptacles by staff personnel is required to prevent overflow and attendant lack of patron compliance. The need to frequently empty the refuse receptacles can be a significant cost item for a restaurant operation. Moreover, since refuse haulers generally charge by volume and not by weight, bagged, loosely-compacted refuse takes up an inordinate amount of space in a dumpster and also adds to the cost of refuse disposal. 
         [0006]    Trash compactors intended to meet these needs have been designed to effectively reduce this problem. One such compactor is fully described in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,928 which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, those trash compactor designs typically utilize an internal support structure formed from steel I-beams or rectangular tubing that is independent of sheet metal or plastic panels comprising the outer housing or “skins” of the trash compactor. It would be beneficial if such an independent supporting structure were not necessary to provide the rigidity and strength for the hydraulic ram based compaction processes utilized in the prior art trash compactor designs. Eliminating support structures within the compactor would be greatly beneficial in terms of space savings and manufacturing costs. 
         [0007]    A need, therefore, exists for an improved and more efficiently designed refuse compactor capable of compressing fast food restaurant trash so that less frequent emptying is required and a greater mass of waste material can be contained in a smaller volume. The present invention provides a unique solution to this problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a refuse compactor especially designed for use in a restaurant facility that comprises a structurally supportive housing frame having a horizontal, rectangular base and four upwardly extending sheet metal cabinet panels referred to herein as “skins” affixed to the base around its four perimeter edges. Extending across the width dimension of the compactor between its side wall proximate the top thereof is a horizontal tray member. Supported on the tray member is a hydraulic ram along with an electric motor and a hydraulic pump used to drive a hydraulic ram. A compaction plate assembly that includes a one-piece platen pivotally affixed to a support member for rotation about a horizontal axis, is coupled to the piston rod of the hydraulic ram. The piston rod is joined to the support member for driving the compaction plate in a vertical direction toward and away from the base. A pair of guide rods extends through sleeve bearings mounted on the tray member for maintaining alignment of the compaction plate assembly during its operational stroke. A biasing spring is disposed between the support member and the compaction plate for urging the platen from a first position that is inclined to the vertical, to a second horizontal position during a downward movement of the compaction plate assembly when the hydraulic ram is actuated. On a return stroke of the compaction plate assembly, the platen is returned to its inclined position. 
         [0009]    Extending between the refuse compactor&#39;s sidewalls and mounted on the base is a front panel that includes a door which can be opened about a vertical hinge to withdraw a wheeled cart containing compacted trash. Located above this door is a refuse receiving opening. Mounted relative to the opening is a hinged panel that is pivotable about a horizontal axis for selectively blocking the refuse-receiving opening. In that the compaction plate is inclined to the vertical when in its raised disposition, it does not interfere with the opening of the hinged panel by a patron wishing to deposit refuse into the compactor. Means are provided for automatically swinging the hinged panel to its open position upon detection of the approach of a patron toward the compactor. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The foregoing features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, especially when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to corresponding parts. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the trash compactor comprising a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional right side view of the trash compactor of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is rear view of the invention, where the back panel is removed; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is rear view of the invention, where the back panel is removed and the compaction plate is in the open position; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is rear view of the invention, where the back panel is removed and the compaction plate is in the closed position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and associated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
         [0018]    Shown in  FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a trash compactor specifically designed for use in fast food restaurants. It is indicated generally by number  10 . In this figure, the compactor cabinet  12  comprises an enclosure having four mutually perpendicular sidewalls joined to one another. The four sidewalls include a front panel  14 , a back panel  16 , and two side panels  18  and  20 . An opening  22  is found in the top half of the front metal skin panel  14 . Restaurant waste or the like can be deposited through this opening  22 . As in my earlier &#39;928 patent, the compactor is designed such that deposited waste falls into a polyethylene refuse bag (not shown) used to line the box of a removable cart assembly when the lower door  24  of the front skin panel is closed and locked. A removable plastic top panel  26  is attached to the top of the device. The top panel has upwardly projecting ribs  27  adjacent the side and rear perimeters of the top panel. The space between these ribs provides a convenient place for serving trays to be stacked once the waste has been deposited into the cart  28  (See  FIG. 2 ) through the opening  22 . 
         [0019]    During use, the door  24  will be closed and locked. The door is only open to remove the cart  28  once it is filled with compacted waste material. A motor-operated hinged panel  30  normally blocks the opening  22 , but swings to an open position when a proximity sensor detects the approach of a patron. An audio message is also played. The manner in which this is accomplished will be explained in considerably more detail as the description of the preferred embodiment continues. 
         [0020]    Referring then to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a cross-sectional right side view of the waste compactor  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The framework differs significantly from what is shown in my aforementioned &#39;928 patent in that instead of utilizing heavy square tubes (labeled  18 ,  20 , an  24  in the &#39;928 patent), in the construction of the present invention the compactor force is resisted only by the sheet metal skins comprising side panels  18  and  20  ( FIG. 1 ). The framework for the compactor includes a flat, generally rectangular steel base  32  that is mounted on four caster wheels, as at  34 , to facilitate moving and positioning of the compactor. Extending between the upper ends of the side panels or vertical skins  18  and  20  is a steel plate  38  that spans the width of the opening between the metal skins found above the cabinet. The sides of that plate are bent perpendicular and are welded to the opposite side panels  18  and  20  comprising the sheet metal cabinet skins. The plate  38  conveniently supports electronic circuit boards comprising the compactor&#39;s controls. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a steel plate  42  spanning the width of cabinet  12 . This component is also welded to the opposed side panels  18  and  20  about the steel plate&#39;s perimeter. There is a large key hole shaped aperture  37  in the center of the plate  42  through which the piston rod of the hydraulic ram  80  may extend when the cylinder thereof is bolted vertically in place with fasteners (not shown) that pass through the four apertures  41 . Additionally found in plate  42  are a pair of holes  39  for accommodating passages of the guide rods  84 . These holes  39  are disposed on either side of the keyhole shaped aperture  37 . Extra rigidity and support is supplied by the steel plate  42 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the back of the device is seen with a back cover panel removed so that the device&#39;s internal features can be readily viewed. First, located above the large upper opening in the back of the device, is the steel tray  38  welded to the edges of the wall skins, on which is supported an electronic control board assembly. (Not shown) Electrical power is delivered to the compactor  10  by way of a power cord  40  that is adapted to plug into a connector on the rear of the tray  38 . Residing on the support plate  42  are an electric motor  44  that is coupled in driving relation to a hydraulic pump  46  for powering the ram  80 . 
         [0023]    Referring again to the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , also welded to the vertical skins  12  at a location proximate the upper ends thereof, is a steel tray indicated generally by numeral  50 . It has a vertical rear wall  52  welded at each side edge to the vertical skins  12  and a vertical front wall  54 . To add additional rigidity to the steel tray  50 , a steel partition plate  58  located approximately midway across the width dimension of the steel tray  50  is welded to the rear plate  52 , the front plate  54  and the floor plate  48 . 
         [0024]    Referring momentarily to  FIG. 5 , there is indicated generally by numeral  70  a compaction plate assembly. It includes a cast aluminum plate or platen  72  that is pivotally mounted to a steel channel support member  74 . The pivot connection includes a pair of compactor plate bearings  76 , disposed midway along the side edges of the compaction plate  72 , through which a cylindrical hinge rod (not shown) extends to allow rotation of the platen  72  about a horizontal axis. A pair of strong, helical springs  78  is mounted on the pivot pin. They are operatively disposed between the channel support member  74  and the compaction plate  72  so as to apply a biasing force thereto tending to rotate the compaction plate  72  so that it becomes parallel to the top surface of the channel support member  74 , i.e., horizontal, during a compaction stroke, all as will be further described. 
         [0025]    With continued reference to the compaction plate assembly  70  of  FIG. 5 , affixed to the top surface of the channel support member  42  is the hydraulic ram  80 . It is centrally disposed between a pair of guide rods  82  and  84 . Guide sleeves, as at  86 , fit into openings formed through the support plate  42  from which the compaction plate assembly  70  is suspended and serve as bearings for the guide rods  82  and  84 . The ram attaches to the steel plate  42  and is vertically oriented such that when pressurized by hydraulic fluid from the pump  46  causes the compaction plate to execute a compaction stroke whereby trash deposited in the cart  28  is crushed and compressed. 
         [0026]    As in my earlier &#39;928 Patent, to avoid having trash deposited on the top surface of the compaction plate  72 , it is imperative that the compaction plate be inclined as shown in  FIG. 5  as waste is being deposited through the door opening  22 . However, in order to effect compaction, the plate must assume a horizontal disposition during its downward compaction stroke (as seen in  FIG. 6 ) and return to its inclined disposition at the end of the compaction stroke. To achieve this result, there is provided an assembly structure holding two non-axially aligned large diameter rollers  88  and  90  that are suspended from a tube  94  of rectangular cross section that is welded to the undersurface of the support plate  42 . The roller  90  is journaled for rotation in a U-shaped bracket  96  having a rectangular tube  98  welded to it. Also protruding out the side of rectangular tube  98  is a rod  100 , thereby providing an axis for rotation of roller  88 . The rectangular tube  98  is dimensioned to telescopingly fit within the tubular bracket  94  and is held in place by setscrews whereby the degree of extension can be adjusted. 
         [0027]    Also attached to the top surface of the compaction plate is a compactor plate latch assembly  102 . It is used to releasably lock the platen in a horizontal position during the downward compaction stroke of the platen  72 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the compactor plate latch assembly comprises a rectangular base  108  pivotally supporting a rearwardly protruding, spring-loaded platform  104 . Bolts, as at  110  extend through base  108  to permit attachment to the compaction plate  72 . The platform assembly is set up such that as the compaction plate descends from the disposition shown in  FIG. 5 , the roller  88  will move out of contact with platform  104  and its spring will rotate the plate  104  so that a hook thereon will engage member  74  to latch the compaction plate. It will be latched in its horizontal disposition during the downward movement of the compaction plate assembly, assuring that any objects that may be in the trash being compacted cannot tilt the compaction plate away from its desired horizontal disposition. 
         [0028]    During upward travel of the compaction plate, a point in the cycle is reached where the roller  88  again comes into contact with the latch plate  104  to disengage the latch from member  74  and, at this point, roller  90  riding on its cam surface  91  will cause the compaction plate to tilt against the force of spring  93 . 
         [0029]    Returning again to  FIG. 2 , the hinge panel  30  comprising the waste entry door is pivotally mounted to a pair of door hinge arms  112  which fasten by screws to the floor  48  of the steel tray  50 . Fastened to the inside surface of the hinge panel  30  is a door motion arm that has an arcuate cam profile formed therein along its length dimension. Also mounted on the floor plate tray  48  is a door actuating motor  114  which is coupled through a gear box to one end of an arm supporting a cam follower roller on the free end thereof. The arm is joined to an output shaft of the gear box, as is a further cam (not shown). This further cam cooperates with Microswitches® which are connected in circuit with the motor  114  to cause the arm to be rotated 180° upon each actuation of the motor. 
         [0030]    The roller is positioned to cooperate with the arcuate surface  116  on the arm  112  so as the arm moves through 180°, the waste entry door swings open to the position, allowing waste to be dumped into the cart  28 . Because the platform of the compaction plate assembly is inclined, it does not interfere with the opening of the hinged panel waste entry door  30 . 
         [0031]    The actuation of the motor  114  is controlled by a commercially available motion sensor on the front panel  14 , all as is further explained in my &#39;928 patent. Thus, when the door  24  is closed and locked, as a patron approaches the waste compactor  10 , the motion is detected and a signal is sent to the motor  114  to initiate a 180° swing of arm  112  to first open the waste entry door  30 . As the patron moves away after depositing refuse into the compactor, the action is again sensed and the motor  114  is triggered to rotate the arm an additional 180°, allowing the waste entry door  30  to reclose. 
         [0032]    A programmable logic array comprising the electronic circuit is configured to initiate a compaction cycle after a predetermined number of openings of the waste entry door  30 . For example, and without limitation, the electronic circuit may be programmed such that ten patrons approaching and depositing refuse into the cart  28  will initiate a compaction cycle whereby that refuse is compressed into a cube defined by the side walls of the cart  28 . To prevent the waste entry door  30  from opening during the compaction cycle, which might expose a patron to injury, an interlock is provided to block the waste entry door  30  from opening during a compaction cycle. 
         [0033]    The door lock for securing the door  24  preferably comprises a bolt assembly  118  that is designed to pass through the door  24 . The bolt  118  is sufficiently long to project through the thickness dimension of the door  24  and into a threaded block (not shown) within the device. Bolt  118  additionally has an enlarged plastic knob on the exterior of the front panel to enable easy opening and closing of the device. 
         [0034]    The cart  28  includes a base tray  120  mounted on wheels  122  and supported on the base tray is a separable trash-receiving chamber  124 . The chamber  124  has four mutually perpendicular sidewalls, an open top and an open bottom. For convenience, a polyethylene bag may be inserted into the chamber  124  for ultimately containing the trash once impacted. A pull handle may be pivotally attached to the base  120  to facilitate removing a filled and compacted mass of waste material through the open door  24  and to a temporary storage site. Once at the storage site, the tube-defining chamber  124  can be lifted free of the tray  120 , leaving a compacted trash-filled bag for ultimate disposal by a trash hauling company. 
         [0035]    It has also been found desirable to mount an audible speaker inside the front panel  14  where the speaker is coupled by wires to a voice chip integrated circuit on the electronics panel. Holes  126  are placed in the front panel  14  to aid those using the device in hearing this speaker. As in many telephone answering machines, these voice chips may be used to store several short audio messages that are played each time a patron causes the waste entry door  30  to swing open as a marketing tool. The messages may thank the patron for visiting the restaurant or for dumping his/her trash, etc. 
         [0036]    It can be seen then that the trash compactor of the present invention provides all of the functionality of my earlier embodiment described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,928 while obviating the need for heavy I-beam or square tubing frame elements to withstand the forces applied to the waste during the compaction stroke. 
         [0037]    This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different equipment and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.