Abstract:
A trash receptacle compaction system for compacting trash, a trash receptacle of the system having upstanding front, side and back panels, a closed bottom, and a lid. The system further includes a drivable satellite vehicle having a power unit which is operably connectable between the front panel and a compaction ram of the trash receptacle. The separate compaction ram is positioned within the receptacle for slidable movement between the forwardly front panel and the rearwardly rear panel, the compaction ram being driven by the power unit to compact the trash within the receptacle after the satellite vehicle is driven to and properly aligned with the trash receptacle. These trash compaction cycles minimize the frequency of trash receptacle emptying required.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This disclosure relates generally to vehicles and systems for collecting and removing trash in commercial and residential community settings and more particularly to a system and trash receptacle for intermittently compacting trash deposited within the trash receptacle to reduce the frequency of trash receptacle emptying required. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In commercial and residential community settings, large receptacles or bins are provided at strategic locations for individual depositing of trash into one or more trash receptacles. One or more lids are typically pivotally openable for trash to be deposited into the receptacle and periodically, a large waste collection vehicle is scheduled to visit each of the trash receptacles and by interengagement with large forwardly extending forks, temporary engagement with each trash receptacle to lift it and invert it over the open top of the truck cargo bed of the vehicle to empty trash from the trash receptacle and then to replace it on the ground for continued use. 
     The trash collection service for this routine scheduled emptying of the trash receptacles constitutes a significant expenditure for the commercial establishment or residential community and is typically billed on a per-visit basis. However, many times these trash receptacles are less than full and the emptying schedule is excessive in that the trash receptacles could easily be filled with additional trash before emptying occurs. 
     Moreover, trash which is typically loosely thrown into these trash receptacles accelerates the appearance of trash receptacle fullness whereas, if somehow compacted or otherwise reduced in overall volume, the trash receptacle could easily handle significantly increased amounts of compacted trash before the receptacle would be required to be emptied. 
     A number of prior art vehicles, systems and receptacles are known in prior art which attempt to address this issue of increasing the efficiency and cost of trash removal as follows: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,967 to Mettetal, Jr. discloses a mobile apparatus for compacting refused. It is the primary object of the &#39;967 patent to provide a mobile refuse compacting vehicle for compacting refused contained in separately located receptacles which will extend the time interval between the unloading of such receptacles. LaBarbera teaches a mobile trash pulverizer in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,535. As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the self-propelled vehicle pulls up to an open top container and, using a pivoting arm with a heavy pulverizing roller, compacts the trash contained therein. 
     A device for compacting waste in containers is disclosed in newly-issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,500 to Soler as shown in  FIG. 3 . The Soler device teaches a vehicle having a platform, handling arm, compactor roller and support frame. A transportable recyclable materials densifier is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,343 to Taylor. The system of the &#39;343 patent uses an integral conveyor, separator and compacting chamber. 
     Shinjo, et al. teach a solid substance crushing vehicle which is able to move to a collection center in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,626 and a waste recycling processing vehicle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,652 to Warsing, et al. 
     A compactor comprising a rotating auger for breaking waste material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,201 to Fenner, et al. and Faccia teaches a combined shredding and mixing truck in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,465,914 and 6,983,902. 
     Waste compaction apparatus with a screw conveyor for waste material compacting is taught by Hamilton in U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,662 and the method and apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,550. The front page of a refuse collecting and disposal handling vehicle teaching two vehicles working in tandem is taught by Talamantez in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,625. 
     My previous U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,507 teaches a unique system and trash receptacle as a separate service offering for compacting trash deposited within the trash receptacle periodically in between times of trash removal by a commercial trash collection operation. A compaction vehicle periodically visits each trash receptacle in the system to operate a power unit which effects compaction of the trash collected within the trash receptacle and, at a point when the operator of the compaction vehicle determines that the compacted trash has adequately filled the receptacle, a radio signal is activated to advise the waste collection company that the trash receptacle is ready for emptying. 
     The present disclosure teaches an improved system and trash receptacle for periodically compacting trash deposited into the receptacle in between times of trash removal from the receptacle by a commercial trash collection operation. An improved compaction vehicle periodically visits each trash receptacle in the system and, after proper engagement with the internal moveable compaction ram, a power unit attached to the front of the vehicle will actuate the compaction ram to effect compaction of the trash then collected within the receptacle. Trash compaction by this new system more efficiently effects trash compaction for extended time periods between each trash receptacle emptying. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure is directed to a system for compacting trash within a trash receptacle including a trash receptacle having upstanding front, side and back panels, a closed bottom, and a lid. A compaction ram sized in width and length similar to that of the front panel and positioned within the receptacle against the front panel and is separate and movably held by spaced parallel upper and lower slide rails. A drivable satellite vehicle having power unit temporarily connectable to the compaction ram drives the compaction ram into the interior volume of the trash receptacle which compacts the trash within the receptacle at the time to minimize the frequency of receptacle emptyings required. 
     It is therefore an object of this disclosure to provide a system for compacting trash within a trash receptacle of the system at least once in between scheduled periods of entirely emptying of the trash receptacle. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a means for compacting loose trash deposited within a uniquely configured trash receptacle to reduce the cost and frequency of emptying of the trash receptacle by use of a commercial trash collection vehicle. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a trash receptacle which is adapted for compacting loose trash deposited therewithin by a compaction vehicle equipped with a power unit for temporary engagement with a movable compaction ram within the trash receptacle to effect compaction of the loose trash collected within the trash receptacle. 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative and not limiting in scope. In various embodiments one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference of the drawings and by study of the following descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the trash receptacle assembly in a lid-open position. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the movable compaction ram. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an end elevation view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 6  (A and B) are side elevation section view of  FIG. 1  showing the sequence of temporary engagement between the compaction ram and the power unit attached or attachable to the satellite vehicle. 
         FIGS. 6  (C, D and E) are side elevation section views similar to  FIG. 6B  showing the progression of the compaction ram within the trash receptacle. 
         FIG. 7  is a section view in the direction of arrows  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 8  is a rearward perspective view of one end of the drivable satellite vehicle and the power unit attached thereto. 
         FIG. 9  is a forward perspective view similar to  FIG. 8 . 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the sequential approach and alignment between the locking pin support and the lifting bracket assisted by an upright v-shaped alignment plate. 
         FIG. 11  is an inner perspective view of the front panel and actuator openings depicting the v-shaped splash guards beneath each of the actuator openings. 
     
    
    
     Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in reference figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered to illustrative rather than limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the preferred embodiment of the trash receptacle assembly is there shown generally at numeral  12 . The trash receptacle assembly  12  includes the receptacle  18  having upright side walls, a back panel and a front panel  20 , along with a closed bottom thereof. The configuration of the front panel  20  is sloped generally outwardly or forwardly and includes three spaced actuator openings  22 , the purpose of which will be described herebelow. The trash receptacle assembly  12  further includes a lid  40  pivotally attached to the upright back panel about a lid hinge bar  82  for convenient pivotal opening as the assembly  12  is lifted by a forklift truck facilitated by engagement with lift sockets  34  attached to the outer surfaces of the side panels of the receptacle  12 . Thus, with respect to the periodic emptying of trash from the receptacle assembly  12 , a forklift truck (not a part of this invention) simply engages its forks horizontally into the lift sockets  34  and lifts the entire assembly  12  upwardly, then tipping the assembly  12  through an overhead angle of approximately 90°-270° at which time gravity will automatically open the lid  40  for emptying of trash which has accumulated and been compacted within the receptacle assembly  12 . 
     A separate moveable compaction ram  16  is positioned within the interior volume of the receptacle  18  and, in the at rest position shown in  FIG. 1 , and later in  FIG. 6A , the compaction ram  16  rests against the inner surface of the front panel  20 . Movement of this compaction ram  16  is guided by upper and lower slides  36  and  38 , respectively, which slide within an upper channel  32  and a lower slide rail  48  which extend fore and aft of the receptacle  18  in spaced parallel fashion as shown. The upper slide  36  is held for rotation and sliding translation within slot  50  formed into the side margin of the compaction ram  16  on glide car shaft  80  which is rigidly connected to a glide car  86 . By positioning the compaction ram  16  in the forwardly tipped at rest position against the front wall  20 , trash may periodically be manually deposited within the receptacle  18  through doors  90  which slidably open in the direction of arrows K in  FIG. 1 . 
     Attached to one face of the compaction ram  16  are three spaced ram connectors  24 , each of which define an upwardly facing U-shaped hook. Each of these ram connectors  24  is oriented to align with the corresponding actuator opening  22  as best seen in  FIG. 1 . The compaction ram  16 , as best seen in  FIGS. 3 to 5  and  7 , includes an inwardly facing surface which carries of a plurality of spaced apart elongated V-shaped concentrator wedges  46  which extend along substantially the entire inner face of the compaction ram  16 . These elongated wedges  46  serve to enhance the trash compactability aspect of the present invention as will be described more fully herebelow. 
     As will be more fully described below with reference to  FIGS. 6A-E , the trash compaction process of this disclosure generates considerable internal forces. Therefore, the lid  40  must be securely restrained in the closed position during each compaction cycle. 
     When the lid  40  is in the closed position as best seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the receptacle assembly  12  rests upon elongated fore and aft extending floor supports  92 . A foot  94  is connected adjacent each forwardly lower corner of the receptacle  18  about a foot pivot shaft  106  passing through an outer margin of a foot cover  96  attached to the front panel  20 . An elongated lid hook link  42  is slidably connected about link lower pin  118  to each corresponding foot  94  and extends within an elongated protective cover  100  which is also attached to the outer surface of the front panel  20 . The upper end of each lid hook link  42  is pin connected by an upper pin connection  104  to a lid latch  44 , the lid latch being pivotally connected about latch pivot  102  to a latch support bracket  108  also connected to the outer surface of the front panel  20 . 
     Two coil springs  110  and  116  are positioned over the lid hook link  42 . The main spring  110  is held in compression between spring stop bracket  112  attached to the front panel  20  and a spring stop pin  114  rigidly connected transversely through the hook link  42 . Spring  116  at its lower end bears against an edge of foot  94  while the upper end thereof is restrained by spring pin  120 . 
     The lid  40  includes two spaced apart lid hooks  90  which align themselves into a notch formed into the lid latch  44  as best seen in  FIG. 2A . Thus, when the receptacle assembly  12  is resting atop the floor or ground, each foot  94  is pivoted upwardly about each foot pivot shaft  106  into coplanar relationship with bottom surface of each floor support  92 . In this orientation, each hook link  42  is in its upper position and each lid latch  44  engages with the corresponding lid hook  98  to hold the lid  40  in a closed position. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2B , when the trash receptacle assembly  12  is lifted by a forklift truck about lift sockets  34  as previously described, in order to empty the trash contents in the receptacle  18 , each foot  94  is rotated downwardly in the direction of arrow N, which moves each of the lid hook link  42  in the direction of arrow M, causing the lid latch  44  to also pivotally rotate about latch pivot  102  disengaging the lid latch  44  from each lid hook  98 . Thereafter, the forklift truck will continue to lift and pivot the receptacle assembly  12  into an overhead orientation to dump the trash contents into the bed of the trash pickup truck. Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , spaced apart lifting brackets  26 , also connected to the outer surface of the front panel  20 , include spaced upper and lower engagement holes  28  and  30 , the purpose of which will be described herebelow. Note an additional benefit of this self- or automatic lid lock feature. Only trash which will fit through the doors may be deposited into the trash receptacle so long as the lid is locked closed. 
     Operational Sequence 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A to 6E , the complete sequence of initial engagement between a power unit shown generally at numeral  10  in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , which is attached to a satellite vehicle  14  (shown in phantom) and the trash receptacle assembly  12 , is there depicted. The satellite vehicle  14 , which is separately drivable to the location of each of the trash receptacle assemblies  12 , includes the power unit  10  supported at one end of the satellite vehicle  14 . The power unit  10  includes a vertical mounting plate  84  movable in the direction of arrows A/A′. A housing assembly  88  connected to the vehicle mounting plate  84  is pivotally movable in the direction of arrows B/B′ about an axis of rotation shown and is also movable laterally in the direction of arrows J/J′. The housing assembly  88  includes two spaced apart sets of locking pin supports  56  or  56 ′, each of which includes downwardly oriented upper and lower locking pins  66  and  68 , respectively. Extending from the face of the housing assembly  88  are three separate upper and lower cylinders  52  and  54  and associated actuators  58  and  62 , respectively. These actuators  58  and  62  may be pneumatically or hydraulically powered to effect linear extension and contraction thereof in the direction of arrows C and D, respectively. Transverse upper and lower connecting bars  60  and  64 , respectively, are attached to the distal ends each of the actuators  58  and  62 , respectively. 
     Operational Sequence 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A to 6E , the complete sequence of engagement and movement between the vehicle/power unit  14 / 10  is thereshown. As the satellite vehicle  14  is moved toward the front panel  20  of the trash receptacle  12 , the connector bars  60  and  64  pass through the corresponding actuator openings  22 , having been positioned at a height just above that of the ram connectors  24 . The height of the housing assembly  88  is then lowered on the vehicle mounting plate  84  downwardly in the direction of arrow A and/or pivotally moved in the direction of arrow B so as to position the connector bars  60  and  64  into the upwardly oriented jaws of each of the ram connectors  24  as seen in  FIG. 6A . Thereafter, actuators  58  and  62  are extended in the direction of arrows C and D, respectively, in  FIG. 6B  causing the connector bars  60  and  64  to pivotally move each of the ram locks  70  in the direction of arrow H about the lock pin  76  causing the lock notches  72  of each of the ram locks  70  to move in the direction of arrow H. This releases the positional hold of the compactor ram  16  against the inner surface of the front wall  20 . Continued extension in the direction of arrows C′ and D′ of the actuators  58  and  62 , respectively, will cause the compaction ram  16  to initially rotate into the upright position in the direction of arrow E shown in  FIG. 6C . A slight compaction of the trash T′, within the receptacle assembly  12  thus begins. 
     As seen in  FIG. 6D , the actuators  58  and  62  continue to extend in the direction of arrow F at a uniform rate one to another causing the trash to further compact at T″ as the compaction ram  16  continues to move aft with respect to the front panel  20  of the trash receptacle assembly  12 . When the trash T″ is fully compacted by the compaction ram  16 , the actuators  58  and  62  then retract causing the compaction ram  16  to move forwardly in the direction of arrow F′ back to the at rest position shown in  FIG. 6E . The final non-linear movement of the actuators  58  and  62  thus draws the compaction ram  16  back into the orientation against the front panel  20 , whereafter, a combination of lifting and/or pivoting of the housing assembly  88  upwardly in the direction of arrow A′ and pivotally in the direction of arrow B′ effect disengagement of the upper and lower connector bars  60  and  64  from within the upwardly facing jaws of each of the corresponding ram connectors  24 . Likewise, the locking pins supports  56  moves upwardly in the direction of arrow A′, disengaging the locking pins  66  and  68  from engagement with the engagement holes  28  and  30  of each of the lifting brackets  26 . 
     It is noted that both of the engagements with the trash receptacle assembly  12 , i.e., the locking pins support  56  with the lifting bracket  26  and the connector bars  60  and  64  against the ram connectors  24  of the compaction ram  16  are both required to maintain stable positioning of the trash receptacle assembly  12  during compaction. That is the trash receptacle  18  is restrained from movement while the compaction ram  16  is being moved fore and aft within the receptacle  18  to effect compaction of the trash T and then a retraction of the compaction ram  16  back to its at rest position against the inner surface of the front panel  20 . Without the opposing forces being generated, the system would be unstable. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , to facilitate quick, accurate alignment between the locking pins  66 / 68  and the upper and lower engagement holes  28  and  30  of the lifting bracket  26  as the satellite vehicle  14  approaches the trash receptacle assembly  12 , an elongated upright V-cross-section alignment plate  22  rigidly connected to each of the locking pin supports  56  is also provided. As the satellite vehicle  14  is driven in the direction of arrow G up to the trash receptacle assembly  12 , there may be slight misalignment between the locking pins  66 / 68  and the engagement holes  28 / 30 . However, as the inner surfaces  122   a  of each of the alignment plates  122  contact the distal arcuate surface  26   a  of each of the lifting brackets  26 , two important alignments are achieved, i.e., the lateral, as well as fore and aft, positioning of the locking pins  66  and  68 , after which, as shown between  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the entire housing assembly  88  is lowered to effect temporary lock engagement between the power unit  10  and the trash receptacle assembly  12 . Any lateral misalignment is accommodated by the lateral forced movement of the trash receptacle assembly  12 . 
     Referring lastly to  FIG. 11 , it is common for the trash receptacle  12  to accumulate rainwater and other liquids from the trash within the interior volume when the trash receptacle assembly  12  is lifted as previously described for emptying into a trash refuse pickup truck (not shown), the entire trash receptacle assembly  12  must be both lifted and rotated to empty the contents thereof into the open top of the trash pickup truck. The addition of the actuator openings  22  may thus lead to draining of the liquid prematurely onto the cab or windshield of the trash pickup truck. Splash guards  124  connected to the inner surface of the front panel  20  just below each of the actuator openings  22  serve to divert the liquids within the trash receptacle assembly  12  sufficiently to avoid any such inadvertent liquid drainage. 
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permeations and additions and subcombinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permeations, additions and subcombinations that are within their true spirit and scope.