Patent GB-1396514-A (GB)
Title: Refuse compactors
IPC: B30B1/10
Filed: 1972-05-26
Abstract: 1396514 Refuse compactors J W MOON 26 May 1972 [1 June 1971] 24836/72 Heading B8C A refuse compactor comprises a framework 22, a receptacle 200, Fig. 4, removably received in the framework adjacent one end thereof and having an open end face facing the end of the framework opposite said one end, a compacting mechanism mounted in said framework adjacent said opposite end thereof including a pressure platen 106 movable into, and out of, the open end of said receptacle between extended and retracted positions thereof, said mechanism comprising an extensible toggle linkage means 82, 84, 88, 90, 86, 92, having first connector means 74, 76, Fig. 2, operably connected to said framework, second connector means 104 operably connected to said platen 106 and movable therewith, and third connector means intermediate said first and second connector means and including first and second spaced pivot means 110, 114 movable relative to one another transversely of the direction of movement of the platen 106 to extend and retract the linkage means. According to the invention the compactor also includes a motor 78 carried by said toggle linkage means for bodily movement therewith, the toggle linkage means including force transmitting means 138 operably coupling the motor with the toggle linkage means for causing the relative movement of the spaced pivot means to thereby move the platen between the extended and retracted positions thereof. As shown, the two identical extensible toggle linkage, are each pivoted, at their upper ends, such as 96, 98 for one of the linkages, Fig. 1, to a respective one of two spaced, and parallel, angle bars 76, 74 which are secured between the side walls 24, 26 of a sheet metal cabinet 22 and at their lower ends such as 112, 108, to a block 104 carrried by the platen 106 which is provided with a wiper skirt 154. The central pivots 112, 108 are connected respectively to the drive trunnions 114, 110 which engage an operating screw 80 which extends symmetrically between the pair of toggle linkages and which, by means of a mounting bracket 130, carries the reversible electric motor 78. The trunion 112 threadedly engages the screw 80, a reduced plain end of which is rotatably received in the trunnion 110. The driving shaft 126 of the motor 78 is connected to the corresponding end of the screw 80 by chain and sprocket mechanism 133 and 128, 136 to extend and retract the toggle mechanisms. A drawer 160 having a front wall 180 and downwardly-stepped side walls 182, 184 is mounted on a pair of conventional drawer slides comprising a track 162 and a roller-carrier assembly 168. The drawer 160 is adapted to receive an open rectangular framework basket 200 which has a drip-pan 203 at its lower end and is adapted to receive a refuse bag 202 made, e.g. or plastics lined paper. The upper side edges of the bag 202, slit at 202a, are, but for the front edge 208, Fig. 4, folded down over the upper edge of the basket framework 200, the upper edge 208 of the bag remaining upright to be clamped against a front seating strip 209 on the cabinet when the drawer 160 is shut. A control circuit, Fig. 6, not shown, for operating the compactor includes a start-stop switch (230), a hold cycle switch (262), and relays and limit switches to regulate the compacting and retracting strokes of the compactor 94. By pushing the cycle switch to "hold" and then pushing the start button (230) the refuse in the bag can be more tightly compacted, the motor 78 remaining stopped with the platen 106 locked at its maximum pressure point in its downstroke until the operator actuates the switch (262) to the "cycle" position, e.g. when it is desired to charge the bin again. The compacted material can be left under holding pressure, e.g. over night. If the amount of refuse in the bag 202 is insufficient to cause a pressure-trip reversal of the compacting mechanism, the travel of the left-hand trunnion 114, Fig. 1, to its extreme on the screw 80 closes a limit switch (4LS) which instigates reversal of the motor 78. If switch (4LS) fails the trunnion (114) eventually contacts a plate 290, Fig. 3, so that increased load on the motor 78 causes the current therethrough to a reversal value. In a modification, Fig. 7, not shown, a front panel (302) hinged to the front edge of the bottom wall of the cabinet (390) is movable from an upright position to close the front of the cabinet to a horizontal down position in which a basket (304) with rollers (306) can move out of the cabinet along tracks (308) on the bottom of the cabinet and on to aligned tracks (310) on the panel (302). The sliding drawer 160, Fig. 4, is replaced by a swinging drawer arrangement (334), in a further modification, Fig. 8, not shown. In another arrangement, Fig. 10, not shown, the compactor is built into a kitchen wall unit (372) the drawer 160 being replaced by a flour-bin type front panel (380). In a still further embodiment, Figs. 11-15, not shown, the bottom wall of the compactor cabinet has four pockets (404, 406, 408, 410) and a combination drawer, basket, drip-pan and handle assembly (412) serves as a basket for the refuse bag, a set of four casters (422) on the underside of the wall (418) of the assembly (412) being adapted to register with the pockets (404-410) when the drawer is closed. Pan (416) is liquid-tight.