Patent Publication Number: US-2018037407-A1

Title: Trash compactor and trash bin equipped with a trash compactor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a trash compactor ana more specifically to a trash compactor mountable on a cover of a trash bin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known that collection of particularly dry and mixed waste is inefficient. This is mainly due to inefficient use of trash bins. In practice, waste is airy and it is often packed unsorted in bags or sacks. Thus, a trash bin may already become filled with a few bags of waste, although, when compacted, the trash bin might take even a double amount of waste compared to uncompacted waste. 
     For example, waste can be compacted by stomping or by pushing with a rod. However, this is inefficient and even dangerous because of a risk of falling. Therefore, mechanical tras 6 h compactors have been developed to compact waste. A trash compactor is supported to the edges of a trash bin and it is operated utilising the user&#39;s mass. The compaction power is based on a long lever arm. 
     Because of its principle of operation, the known trash compactor is large and heavy and thus difficult to use. The movement range of a long lever arm is impractically wide. Nevertheless, compaction additionally requires a great amount of force, although the user&#39;s mass is utilised. This may lead to injuries. In addition, the apparatus must be removed during the emptying of the trash bin and even during the insertion of waste. This makes it difficult to use the trash compactor and increases the risk of the trash compactor&#39;s disappearing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,480 proposes a trash compactor fastened to the cover of a trash bin. A lever arm is used to operate a pusher, which is connected to the lever arm with a vertical shaft. The length of the shaft can be varied to set the pusher at a suitable height. On the other hand, the shaft can be shortened in such a way that it can be fitted in the groove provided in the lever arm for the idle time. 
     The movement range of the lever arm is also disadvantageous in the trash compactor proposed above. Nevertheless, the compaction range achieved is short, the trash compactor thus being suitable for low trash bins only. In addition, the length of the shaft must be repeatedly adjusted. Furthermore, after the use, the shaft must be separately removed from the pusher, which is separately fastened to the lower surface of the cover for storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a novel trash compactor, which is more versatile and efficient than before, yet easier and lighter to use than heretofore. More specifically, a trash compactor for a trash bin with an openable cover includes a frame conforming to and fastenable on the openable cover. The frame has an actuator of a telescopic construction and a one-way clutch allowing extension in a trash compaction direction. A pusher mounted on an end of the actuator is moveable for compacting trash. A lever arm connected to the actuator operates the actuator to telescopically extend the actuator in the compacting direction. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a novel trash bin equipped with a trash compactor, which can be filled more efficiently than before and which is easier to empty than heretofore. The principle of operation of the trash compactor according to the invention is new. Thus, the trash compactor has been made compact, yet efficient. The use of the trash compactor is easy without the risk of injuries. In addition, the trash bin can be filled and emptied without obstacles in spite of the trash compactor. In other words, it is not necessary to remove the trash compactor. The trash compactor is firmly supported and its operation is fast. A trash compactor can remarkably increase the filling ratio of a trash bin, which reduces waste treatment costs. At the same time, problems related to smells and vermin reduce. 
     These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a lateral view of a trash bin equipped with a trash compactor according to the invention, 
         FIG. 1 b    is a front view of the trash bin of  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 1 c    is a top view of the trash bin of  FIG. 1   a,    
         FIG. 2 a    is a front view of the trash compactor according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2 b    is a lateral view of the trash compactor according to the invention, 
         FIG. 3 a    is a cross-sectional view of level A-A of  FIG. 2 a    in the top position of the trash compactor, 
         FIG. 3 b    is a partial enlargement of  FIG. 3   a,    
         FIG. 3 c    is a modification of the one-way clutch of  FIG. 3   b,    
         FIG. 4 a    is a top view of the trash compactor of  FIG. 2   b,    
         FIG. 4 b    is a partial enlargement of  FIG. 4 a   , 
         FIG. 5 a    shows the trash compactor of  FIG. 3 a    in the bottom position, 
         FIG. 5 b    is an axonometric view of a modification of the trash compactor according to the invention, 
         FIG. 6 a    is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the trash compactor according to the invention, 
         FIG. 6 b    is a lateral view of the trash compactor of  FIG. 6   a,    
         FIG. 7 a    is a cross-sectional view of the trash compactor of  FIG. 6   b,    
         FIG. 7 b    shows the pusher of the second embodiment, 
         FIG. 7 c    is a lateral cross-sectional view of an intermediate sleeve of the second embodiment, and 
         FIG. 7 d    is a cross-sectional front view of the intermediate sleeve of  FIG. 7   c.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail,  FIGS. 1 a  to 1 c    illustrate a trash compactor according to the invention fitted in a trash bin  10 . As such, the apparatus according to the invention can also be used to compact matters other than waste; however, a practical example is illustrated here. Generally, the apparatus can be used to remarkably increase the filling ratio of a container, such as the filling ratio of the trash bin in this example. The trash compactor includes a frame  11  and equipment  12  for fastening the frame  11  to a trash bin  10  equipped with an openable cover  13 . The cover prevents water and snow from getting into the trash bin. On the other hand, the cover prevents access of vermin, such as rodents and birds, into the trash bin. The cover is also significant for the trash compactor according to the invention. The trash compactor also includes a pusher  14  connected to the frame  11  and a lever arm  15  for operating the pusher  14  and compacting waste while the trash compactor is connected to the trash bin  10 . 
     In the trash compactor, the frame  11  is arranged to conform to the cover  13  and the equipment  12  is arranged to be fastened to the cover  13 . In other words, the trash compactor is fixedly fastened to the trash bin, more precisely, to its cover. Thus, it is not necessary to remove the trash compactor when it is not in use and when emptying the trash bin. This essentially facilitates the use of the trash compactor. In addition, the trash compactor can be securely fastened thus avoiding that the trash compactor disappears and is stolen. In other words, the trash compactor can be fastened with fasteners, the removal of which requires using special tools or breaking constructions. Various locking devices can also be used. In addition, a part of the trash compactor remains above the cover; i.e. outside the trash bin. Thus, the trash compactor hardly reduces the useful volume of the trash bin.  FIG. 1 a    illustrates the pusher  14  in the top and bottom positions. 
       FIGS. 1 a  to 1 c    illustrate a trash bin  10  equipped with a trash compactor, with the cover  13  of the bin closed. Nevertheless, the trash compactor still has enough space to be fastened to the trash bin even with the cover closed. When inserting waste to the bin, the cover is opened in a normal way and the trash compactor is then lifted up simultaneously with the cover. With the cover opened, waste can be inserted to the trash bin in a normal way. If necessary, waste present in the trash bin is compacted by operating the trash compector so that more waste can again be inserted to the trash bin. Thus, the filling ratio of the trash bin can be remarkably improved. The trash compactor also turns with the cover when emptying the trash bin by tipping. 
       FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    show front and lateral views of a modification of the embodiment of the trash compactor according to the invention. Unlike in  FIGS. 1 a  to 1 c   , the frame  11  is here longer extending essentially over the entire length of the cover  13  ( FIG. 2 b   ). Thus, the trash compactor can be firmly fastened. According to the invention, the pusher  14  is fastened to the frame  11  with an actuator  16 . Furthermore, the lever arm  15  is connected to the actuator  16 . Thus, a remarkably short lever arm can be used and, in addition, its movement range can be made ergonomic. The actuator is also a part of the frame. In other words, the actuator supports the pusher thus simplifying the structure of the trash compactor. 
     While the actuator can be implemented in different ways, the stroke of the actuator  16  advantageously ranges from 20% to 50% of the depth of the trash bin  10 . Thus, the trash bin can be filled as completely as possible with the total volume hardly being reduced, although the trash compactor is fastened to the cover.  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    show a cross-sectional view of the trash compactor according to the invention. Here the actuator  16  is composed of a telescopic construction  17 . Thus, the space required by the actuator can be minimised while, on the other hand, a long stroke is achieved. In other words, the telescopic construction is robust and simple. At the same time, the trash compactor becomes compact, and the movement of the pusher can still be made sufficiently large. Advantageously, the telescopic construction  17  includes a one-way clutch  18 , the free direction of which is opposite to the compaction direction of the pusher  14 . Due to the one-way clutch, the trash compactor can be efficiently and conveniently used. The one-way clutch  18  is connected to the lever arm  15 . Thus, the force of the lever arm  15  is transmitted to the one-way clutch  18  and further to the pusher  14  via the actuator  16 . By pushing down the lever arm, the compactor is pushed down. By pulling up the lever arm, the one-way clutch is released. Thus, the lever arm lifts up whereas the pusher remains in place. In this way, the lever arm can be repeatedly moved up and down thereby moving the pusher downwards. The movement of the pusher depends on the movement of the lever arm; however, the pusher will move for about 10 mm with one press, for example. At first, when waste is loosely packed, the lever arm can be moved along a wide arc. As waste becomes more compact, the movement of the lever arm can be shortened to select, in this way, the most suitable movement range for the user. 
       FIG. 3 b    shows in more detail the telescopic construction of the actuator  16 . Here, the frame  11  includes a frame pipe  19 , which extends through the cover of the trash bin. In practice, a hole conforming to the frame pipe is made in the cover. Advantageously, a mounting plate  20  fitted below the cover is additionally used. The mounting plate may be located at the frame pipe, but it can also be set essentially over the entire distance of the frame. The frame  11  can also be provided with openings  21  for fitting mounting bolts. Thus, the cover can be pressed between the frame and the mounting plate. In other words, the frame  11  is additionally fastened to the inner surface  45  of the cover  13 . In this way, the cover is uniformly loaded and deformations and breaking of the cover are avoided. Here the frame pipe  19  has a flange  22 , to which support rods  23  are fastened for the lever arm  15 . The rest of the frame construction  11  is composed of a profiled plate component  24 , which conforms to the profile of the cover. Here the frame construction  11  is additionally supported to the hinge pins of the cover  13 , for which arrangement the plate component is equipped with suitable claws  25 . The frame component is profiled and dimensioned specifically for each trash bin, whereas the rest of the trash compactor is universal in design. In addition to the plate component, other fitting parts can also be used, with which the trash compactor is adapted to fit in different trash bins, particularly trash bin covers. 
     Correspondingly, the pusher  14  is provided with a pusher pipe  26 , which is dimensioned in accordance with the frame pipe  19 . Thus, the pusher pipe is supported to the frame pipe while their mutual axial movement is still possible. To enable sliding, suitable covers or sliding blocks are applied to or between the components. The use of a lubricant is also possible. In  FIG. 3 b   , the pusher  14  is in the top position where the pusher  14  butts against the frame pipe  19 . The lever arm  15  is also in the top position here. 
     In the condition shown in  FIG. 3 b   , when starting the compacting action, the lever arm  15 , which is connected to the one-way clutch  18  with an intermediate sleeve  27 , is first lifted. Advantageously, the intermediate sleeve  27  is supported to the pusher pipe  26 , the one-way clutch thus remaining in the correct position. The one-way clutch  18  is located in the lower part of the intermediate sleeve  27  and the locking paws  28  included in the one-way clutch  18  butt against the inner surface of the pusher pipe  26 . Thus, force is transmitted from the lever arm  15  via the one-way clutch  18  to the pusher  14 . Due to the one-way clutch, a notably longer pusher pipe can be used with a short intermediate sleeve. At the same time, the movement range of the lever arm can be made short while still achieving a long range for the pusher. 
     The one-way clutch operates automatically in the compaction direction of the pusher. In other words, it is released when the lever arm is lifted and locked when the lever arm is lowered. Here the one-way clutch  18  is friction-locked. In other words, the locking paws  28  butt against the inner surface of the pusher pipe  26 , whereby force is transmitted from the lever arm to the pusher via friction. To ensure smooth operation of the trash compactor, the lever arm  15  also includes operating equipment  29  for operating the one-way clutch  18 . In the embodiment proposed, the operating equipment includes a locking lever  30  fitted in the lever arm  15 , which is connected to the locking paws  28  with a wire  31 . By pulling the locking lever  30 , the spring load of the spring  32  keeps the locking paws  28  of the one-way clutch  18  against the pusher pipe  26  ensuring in this way a continuous movement for the lever arm  15 . This accelerates the use of the trash compactor. The locking lever  30  connected to the wire  31  with the spring  32  is fitted to the lever arm  15  fixedly, yet turnably. In practice, the length of the wire  31  remains essentially unaffected regardless of the position of the lever arm  15 . However, the locking lever turns to such an extent that the locking paws can be pressed against the pusher pipe. In  FIG. 3 c   , the locking paws  28  are connected to each other with an intermediate component  44 . In addition, the spring  32  has been moved from the lever arm into the pusher pipe, near the intermediate component. The locking lever can be equipped with a locking button, which can be pressed with a thumb of either hand, for example (not shown). 
     In addition, the lever arm  15  includes lifting equipment  33  connected to the pusher  14 . Thus, the pusher can be lifted to the top position without touching the pusher. In the embodiment shown, when the locking lever is released while simultaneously using the lifting equipment, the locking paws are opened due to the effect of gravity. Then the one-way clutch is opened and the lever arm can be simultaneously set in the desired position. In other words, the lever arm can be moved regardless of the position of the pusher. For example, when the lever arm remains in the top position, the lever arm can be lowered to the bottom position by operating the lifting equipment. On the other hand, if the trash bin only contains a small amount of waste, the one-way clutch can be first opened with the lifting equipment and then the pusher can be lowered by gravity. Correspondingly, when closing a trash bin that is almost full, it is sufficient to release the locking paws. Thus, when closing the cover, the pusher can be lifted to the top position and the cover can then be closed. After this, the trash compactor can be used to compact waste by moving the lever arm.  FIG. 3 a    also illustrates a latch  34  arranged in the frame  11  with which it is possible to lock the frame together with the cover onto the collar of the trash bin. In this way, the cover remains closed when using the trash compactor. Advantageously, the locking action of the latch is realised by gravity. Thus, the latch turns to the locking position when closing the cover. At the same time, part of the load is applied to the collar of the trash bin, which reduces the load applied to the cover. By releasing the latch, the cover is released for opening. In addition, the cover can be opened by holding the latch. The latch is also dimensioned in such a way that it is also opened by gravity. Thus, when emptying the trash bin by tipping, the latch is also opened allowing the cover to be opened in a normal way. 
     Here, the lifting equipment  33  also includes a wire  35 , as well as a slide  36  that is slideably fitted around the lever arm  15 . In addition to lifting, the wire  35  prevents the pusher  14  from falling out of the frame pipe  19 . During the operation, the location of the slide  36  along the lever arm  15  varies according to the position of the pusher. The deeper the pusher, the closer to the pusher pipe  26  the slide  36  is located ( FIG. 5 a   ). The slide  36  is also equipped with a handle  37 , which can be used to grasp the slide  36  for moving the slide  36  and thereby, to lift the pusher  14 . The lifting action also causes the locking paws to open. If it is desired to keep the pusher in the top position, the slide  36  is locked against a locking counterpart  38  fitted in the frame. The locking counterpart  38  is provided with a hole and a corresponding pin  39  is provided in the slide  36 . By pulling out the slide  36  completely and lowering the lever arm  15  to the bottom position, the pin  39  can be set in the hole  40  provided in the locking counterpart. Thus, as the pusher remains in the top position and the lever arm simultaneously remains in the bottom position, the cover can be opened in a normal way when filling and emptying the bin. When using the trash compactor again, both the slide and the lever arm are released. 
     The lever arm  15  is equipped with sheaves  41  for both wires  31  and  35 . The sheaves  41  are located inside the circular arm ring  42  of the lever arm  15  at the same axial level with the intermediate sleeve  27 . This simplifies the structure and keeps the movement ranges of the wires optimal. 
     The trash compactor can be supported to the trash bin in different ways. Advantageously, equipment  12  is arranged for fastening to hinges that are fitted in the trash bin  10 , partly for the cover  13  as well. Thus, the trash compactor can be easily, yet firmly, fastened. More generally, the frame  11  conforms to the cover  13  and the equipment  12  is fastened to the cover  13 . More specifically, the frame  11  is fastened to the outer surface  43  of the cover  13 . Thus, the pusher and a part of the actuator only extend within the trash bin. In  FIG. 5 b   , the plate component  24  is smaller than in the previous embodiment. In the case of a metal cover, for example, the trash compactor can be fastened by the mere frame pipe flange. With a plastic cover, in turn, a full-length plate component and a mounting plate are advantageously used. 
     After use, the pusher is lifted up and locked in the top position. In this way, when emptying the trash bin, the trash compactor can turn with the cover. On the other hand, the pusher can be left in the waste compaction position so that waste compacted cannot be re-expanded. In addition, access of vermin to waste is prevented. The pusher is almost of an equal size with the trash bin, in which case is presses down the waste uniformly in the entire area. Advantageously, a mesh plate is used, in which case the pusher becomes robust, yet light and air permeable. The figures illustrate both a circular and a square pusher. Advantageously, the shape of the pusher conforms to that of the trash bin. 
     A trash bin of 240 litres is illustrated in the example, but the trash compactor also operates equally in a trash bin of 660 litres, for example. A large trash bin may be equipped with two trash compactors. However, using a suitable adapter, one trash compactor can be fastened in such a way that it can be laterally moved to the desired position. In this case, a gap with a suitable length is made in the cover of the trash bin. 
     In the embodiment proposed above, the stroke of the actuator is approximately 300 millimetres, which corresponds to a fifth of the depth of the trash bin. In practice, the trash bin is first filled and then compacted, as necessary, using the trash compactor. An almost full trash bin can be pressed down with the pusher when closing the cover. When the cover is closed, the pusher is operated with the actuator.  FIGS. 6 a  to 7 d    illustrate a second embodiment of the trash compactor according to the invention. Here, too, an actuator  16 , advantageously a telescopic construction  17 , and a one-way clutch  18  are applied. The frame pipe  19  and thus the pusher pipe  26  as well are made of a square pipe. In addition, a one-way clutch based on friction is replaced with a form-lockable type. In other words, the pusher pipe  26  and the one-way clutch  18  are mechanically connected to each other. More generally, the one-way clutch  18  is form-lockable. Thus, the trash compactor operates without disturbances in wet and cold conditions as well. The same reference numbers are used for functionally identical parts. 
     The one-way clutch  18  is located in the bottom part of of the intermediate sleeve  27  and it is composed of two opposing claws  46 . Rows of openings  47  corresponding to the claws are machined in the base material of the pusher pipe  26  ( FIGS. 6 a  and 7 b   ). In practice, thin gaps are perforated on the two opposing walls of the pusher pipe. Instead of through-holes, grooves or similar profiles can be used, with which the claws can mechanically engage. 
     In  FIG. 6 b   , the pusher  14  is shown in the bottom position, and in  FIG. 7 a   , the pusher  14  is shown in the top position. Here the stroke is approximately 250 mm. The embodiment proposed additionally includes a retainer  48 , which also locks into the gap-like openings provided in the pusher pipe  26 . The retainer  48  is arranged to prevent the pusher  14  from lifting up when the pusher  14  is connected to the frame  11  with two springs  49 . The springs  49  draw the pusher  14  upwards all the time. In other words, the springs draw the telescopic construction to a short position. More generally, the lifting equipment  33  is composed of continuously operating spring elements  50  arranged between the frame  11  and the pusher  14 . The retainer  48  has a rear weight  51 , which pushes the nose  52  of the retainer into the opening of the pusher pipe  26  by gravity. When the pusher moves, the retainer turns and the wedge-shaped nose  52  enters the subsequent opening. The retainer  48  is connected to the latch  34  with a wire  53 . Thus, when releasing the latch  34 , the retainer  48  turns and the pusher  14  is lifted up to the top position by the spring force. This makes emptying of the trash bin easier and simultaneously ensures that the pusher is always in the top position during the emptying of the bin. 
     The claws  46  are moveably fitted along a common shaft  54 . In  FIG. 7 a   , the one-way clutch  18  is in the free position and the claws  46  are then inside the pusher pipe  26 , out of the opening. Thanks to the retainer  48 , the pusher  14  remains in place, although the springs  49  draw all the time. The claws  46  and the shaft  54  are floatably within the intermediate sleeve  27  and they are connected to the lever arm  15  with a connecting rod  55 . The intermediate sleeve  27  is provided with an elongated hole  56 . Thus, when lifting the lever arm  15 , the connecting rod  55  is lifted first, which releases the one-way clutch  18  while the claws  46  move towards each other and are lifted slightly upwards relative to the intermediate sleeve  27 . When the lever arm is further lifted, the intermediate sleeve  27  rises upwards. If necessary, the one-way clutch can be released by lifting by the connecting rod (not shown). Thus, the lever arm can be lowered to the bottom position for the time between uses. On the other hand, the lever arm can in this way be set in the desired position when operating the trash compactor. 
     By pushing the lever arm  15  down, the claws  46  are separated from each other guided by a V-shape detent  57  and are pressed into the openings provided in the pusher pipe  26 . Then the one-way clutch  18  is locked and the pusher  14  can be pressed down with the lever arm  15 . The pin  58  restricts the movement of the pusher and prevents it from releasing from the frame  11 . 
     Although the invention has been described by reference to a specific embodiment, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiment, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.