Patent Publication Number: US-10781040-B1

Title: Front load refuse container and lift pocket assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to refuse hauling and, more particularly, to front load refuse containers sized in the range of 2 to 10 cubic yards and methods of their manufacture. 
     Front load refuse containers (also called bins, cans, or dumpsters) require a significant amount of cutting and welding during their fabrication. The sheets, which make up the opposing side- and end-walls and floor, must be cut-to-size, transported to a welding operation, mated along the edges, and welded together. The structural tubing, which makes up the top rail and provides added rigidity and structural support to the wells, must also be cut-to-size, transported to a welding operation, fitted to the walls and to an adjacent rail, and welded to the walls and to each other. The sheets that make of the lift pockets which receive the forks of a refuse truck and typically include a U-shaped channel portion and gusset portions, must also be cut-to-size, transported to a welding operation, mated along the edges, welded together and then welded to the end walls. 
     The total weld length required to assemble the side- and end-walls and the lift pockets can be substantial. For example, assembling the walls of a 2-yard dumpster requires about 144 inches (12 feet) of weld length and a 10-yard dumpster requires about 360 inches (30 feet) of weld length. Assembling a lift pocket that is about 27 inches in length requires about 225 inches or so of weld length (almost 19 feet). 
     The end result of the prior art designs and fabrication methods is a container that is costly and time consuming to produce, not visually appealing because of the welded corners, and a potential safety hazard during fabrication and use because of the sharp corners and edges. Further, the lift pockets, which take a beating from refuse truck forks, can fail at the weld seams. Additionally, although not designed to provide a standing surface, the lift pockets invite standing on because either gussets are not used or, more typically, the gussets&#39; flat surfaces are arranged at a very shallow angle relative to the end wall. The pockets (as well as the top rail of the container) also provide a shelf for vandals to place rocks or other heavy objects. These objects fall off the pocket or rail as the container is being lifted by a refuse truck, damaging the truck or, worse, injuring its driver. 
     A need exists for a front load refuse container that requires less cutting, welding, and material handling during its fabrication and assembly; improves safety; and provides a more aesthetically pleasing design. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A front load refuse container made according to this invention has its four walls integrally formed out of a single piece of sheet metal. To form the walls, the opposing ends of the single sheet are aligned and joined to form a circular-shaped ring. Next, the circular-shaped ring is subjected to a swedging process that produces a rectangular-shaped ring with rounded corners. This rectangular-shaped ring forms the walls of the container body. 
     During fabrication of the container, the rectangular-shaped ring may be fitted on with complementary-shaped top rail tubing. The top rail tubing, which is preferably formed by passing a length of structural tubing through a die set in order to form a rectangular-shaped ring, also has a single vertical weld seam. The top rail tubing is then welded to the lower end of the rectangular-shaped ring. Once the floor is welded to the upper end of rectangular-shaped ring, the container is placed right side up. The top rail and floor weld seams remain hidden from view. 
     To form the circular-shaped ring, a ring-making machine may be employed that has an arm which receives the single sheet so that half the longitudinal length of the sheet lies to each side of the arm. The arm is then raised up by a slide assembly so that each half of the sheet drapes vertically down with the ends of the sheet at or near floor level. Each sheet end is then clamped to a drop away table which lies opposite and adjacent to that end. The pair of drop away tables is then rotated from the vertical to the horizontal position so that the two ends are at an appropriate spacing for welding. A seam welder welds the two ends together to form the circular-shaped ring. 
     A rack-and-pinion gear arrangement may be used to move the arm and circular-shaped ring through a 270° arc in order to center the ring over a swedging machine. The slide assembly then lowers the ring onto the swedging machine. 
     The swedging machine has a pair of opposing posts about which the circular-shaped ring is placed. One post in each pair is fixed and is connected to the cylinder end of a pair of hydraulic cylinders. The other post is moveable and is connected to the ram end of the hydraulic cylinders. The fixed and moveable posts and spaced apart such that when the circular-shaped ring is positioned over it, there is relatively little clearance between the post corners and the ring. As the cylinders move between a retracted and extended position, the circular-shaped ring is transformed into a rectangular-shaped ring. As mentioned above, a top rail tubing and floor may then be welded to the rectangular-shaped ring. 
     A front load refuse container made according to this invention may also include a lift pocket assembly whose pocket portion and forward gusset are each formed from a single sheet. The upper and lower face surfaces of the lift pocket are angled relative to the sidewall of the container, preferably at about a 25° angle from vertical, thereby eliminating the appearance of a step and preventing rocks or heavy objects from remaining on the lift pocket. 
     Objects of this invention are to:
         1. eliminate the amount of cutting and welding typically required to fabricate a front load container;   2. reduce the number of process steps and amount material handling involved;   3. error-proof the fabrication process by reducing the occurrence of fit and weld problems;   4. reduce the process time, overall cycle or flow time, and cost of producing a front load container;   5. increase the safety of the fabrication process;   6. eliminate potential safety hazards by rounding off sharp corners and edges;   7. reduce or eliminate product misuse by providing a lift pocket assembly that prevents or discourages standing on;   8. reduce the amount of material required to fabricate a lift pocket assembly;   9. improve the strength of the container and lift pocket by eliminating weld seams; and   10. improve the aesthetics the container by providing rounded corners and fewer visible weld seams.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric rear view of a prior art refuse container. Each wall is formed from a single sheet cut-to-size and then welded along its edges to other sheets cut-to-size. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the lift pocket of the prior art refuse container of  FIG. 1 . The lift pocket requires about 225 inches of welding to fabricate the pocket and secure it to an end wall of the container. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the pocket or channel portion of the lift pocket of  FIG. 1 . The gusset potions of the lift pocket are at about a 90° angle to the end wall of the refuse container. 
         FIG. 4  is rear isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a refuse container made according to this invention. The walls are formed from a single sheet that has been welded into a circular-shaped ring and subjected to a swedging process to form a rectangular-shaped ring with rounded corners. The weld used to make the circular-shaped ring is the only weld seam visible on the body of the container. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the lift pocket of the refuse container of  FIG. 4 . The lift pocket requires about 10 feet less of total welding relative to the prior art lift pocket of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the pocket or channel portion of the lift pocket of  FIG. 4 . The gusset portions of the lift pocket are angled relative to the end wall so as to eliminate the appearance of a step and prevent rocks or heavy objects from remaining on the lift pocket. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a machine used to form a single sheet into a circular-shaped ring for a subsequent swedging operation. The machine is in the sheet load position. In this position, an arm extends forwardly of the machine and receives a single sheet so that half of the sheet lies to each side of the arm. 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the ring-making machine of  FIG. 7  in the sheet lift position. As the arm is raised up the ends of the sheet begin to drape down over the arm. Once the sheet has been raised to the point where each of hits ends run parallel to but still touch the floor, each end is clamped to a vertically oriented drop away table which lies opposite to and adjacent that end. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of the ring-making machine of  FIG. 7  in the sheet seam weld position. The pair of drop away tables has been moved from the vertical to the horizontal position in order to place the ends of the sheet a distance apart that is suitable for seam welding. A seam welder then welds the two ends together to form the circular-shaped ring. 
         FIG. 10A  is a side elevation view of the ring-making machine of  FIG. 7  illustrating the adjustable length lifting arm and the vertical movement of the first slide between a retracted and extended position 
         FIGS. 10B-E  are side elevation views of the ring-making machine of  FIG. 7  as it moves the circular-shaped ring through a 270° arc. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the circular-shaped ring positioned about a swedging machine that has a pair of opposing posts. One post in each pair is fixed and is connected to the cylinder end of a hydraulic cylinder. The other post is moveable and is connected to the ram end of the hydraulic cylinder. 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the swedging machine of  FIG. 11  illustrating the cylinders in an extended position and transforming the circular-shaped ring into a rectangular-shaped ring. A top rail and floor may then be welded to the rectangular-shaped ring. 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the swedging machine of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a right side elevation view of the swedging machine of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the swedging machine of  FIG. 11  illustrating the cylinders extending between a first (retracted) position and a second (extended) position. 
     
    
    
     ELEMENT LISTING 
     Elements shown in the above drawings are referenced in the Detailed Description as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10 
                 Refuse container 
                 77 
                 First slide 
               
               
                 11 
                 Container body 
                 79 
                 Lower end of 77 
               
               
                 13 
                 End wall 
                 81 
                 Upper end of 77 
               
               
                 15 
                 Side wall 
                 83 
                 Second slide 
               
               
                 17 
                 Corner formed by 13 and 15 
                 85 
                 Upper end of 83 
               
               
                 19 
                 Rounded or radial corner 
                 87 
                 Drop away table 
               
               
                 21 
                 Floor 
                 89 
                 End of 87 
               
               
                 23 
                 Top rail tubing 
                 91 
                 Hydraulic cylinder 
               
               
                 25 
                 Bottom end of 23 
                 93 
                 Rack-and-pinion gear 
               
               
                 27 
                 End of 23 
                 95 
                 Longitudinal centerline of 93 
               
               
                 29 
                 Weld seam of 23 
                 97 
                 Hydraulic cylinder 
               
               
                 30 
                 Sheet 
                 99 
                 Rod end 
               
               
                 31 
                 Half 
                 100 
                 Swaging machine 
               
               
                 33 
                 End 
                 101 
                 Fixed post 
               
               
                 35 
                 Lateral centerline 
                 103 
                 Moveable post 
               
               
                 37 
                 Longitudinal edge portion 
                 105 
                 Bracing or fence surface 
               
               
                 39 
                 Lateral edge portion 
                 107 
                 Flat outer surface of 101, 103 
               
               
                 40 
                 Circular-shaped ring 
                 109 
                 Rounded or radial corner 
               
               
                 41 
                 Weld seam 
                 111 
                 Hydraulic cylinder 
               
               
                 43 
                 Rectangular-shaped ring 
                 113 
                 Cylinder end 
               
               
                 45 
                 Inner wall surface 
                 115 
                 Ram end 
               
               
                 47 
                 Upper end 
                 120 
                 Lift pocket 
               
               
                 49 
                 Lower end 
                 121 
                 Single sheet 
               
               
                 51 
                 Uppermost peripheral surface 
                 123 
                 Channel or pocket 
               
               
                 70 
                 Ring-making machine 
                 125 
                 Front face 
               
               
                 71 
                 Lifting surface or arm 
                 127 
                 Upper face 
               
               
                 72 
                 Forward end 
                 129 
                 Lower face 
               
               
                 73 
                 Rearward end 
                 131 
                 Longitudinal edge 
               
               
                 74 
                 Latch 
                 133 
                 Forward end 
               
               
                 75 
                 Slide assembly 
                 135 
                 Blunderbuss-shaped gusset 
               
               
                   
                   
                 137 
                 Rearward end 
               
               
                   
                   
                 139 
                 Triangular-shaped gusset 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, and first to  FIG. 4 , a front load refuse container  10  made according to this invention has a container body  11  made up of two opposing end walls  13  and two opposing side walls  15  that, instead of being four individually cut-to-size and welded pieces (see  FIG. 1 ), are integrally formed from a single steel sheet  30 . Single sheet  30  is of a type and gauge typically used in fabricating refuse containers and is preferably cut to a desired dimension using a plasma cutter. The height and length of the cut sheet  30  is such that, once fabricated into container body  11 , the container body  11  provides the volume or refuse capacity desired for container  10  (e.g. 2 cubic yards, 10 cubic yards). 
     Because sheet  30  can be cut-to-size within a 1/16 to 1/32-inch tolerance, using a single sheet  30  to form container body  11  significantly reduces the overall tolerance relative to that experienced with prior art container bodies, with their four individually cut-to-size, fitted and welded sheets (see  FIG. 1 ). Further, integrally forming container body  11  out of single sheet  30  avoids material handling and fitting problems. When fabricating the prior art container bodies, the sheets which form each wall must be stood on edge during fitting and welding. This makes it extremely difficult to hold tight tolerances, much less obtain a tolerance on each side that is one-quarter of the 1/16- or 1/32-inch total tolerance achieved by container body  11  when integrally formed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 to 10A , after sheet  30  is cut to its desired length, the opposing ends  33  of sheet  30  are joined together to form a circular-shaped ring  40  having a single vertical weld seam  41 . To form the circular-shaped ring  40 , a preferred method is to lift sheet  30  so that each sheet longitudinally extending half  31 L,  31 R lies substantially in a vertical plane with ends  33  running parallel to but touching the floor. The sheet ends  33  are then brought together and seam welded. 
     Lifting the sheet  30  so that its ends  33  may be seam welded can be accomplished by way of a ring-making machine  70 . Ring-making machine  70  includes a horizontally oriented lifting surface or arm  71  that is in communication with and arranged perpendicular to a slide assembly  75 . Lifting arm  71  is sized to handle the maximum width sheet  30  that may be formed into a container  10 . Preferably, lifting arm  71  is an adjustable length arm, extending or retracting between a first and second position as needed to accommodate different widths of sheet  30 . For example, lifting arm  71  may have an exposed working length of about 12 to 13 feet at its maximum and about 7 feet at its minimum. As explained below, because of the need to lower sheet  30  to or just above floor level when sheet  30  has been welded into a circular-shaped ring  40 , lifting arm  71  should be able to extend about 20 inches or so beyond the maximum width sheet  30  that it can accomplish this lowering task. 
     Slide assembly  75  vertically raises and lowers the lifting arm  71 . Sheet  30  is placed over the lifting arm  71  so that the lateral centerline  35  of sheet  30  is substantially co-axial to arm  71 . A longitudinal edge portion  37  of sheet  30  is then removably secured to the arm  71  at its forward end  72  by way of a pivoting latch  74 P or other similar means. An opposing longitudinal edge portion  37  is secured to arm  71  at its rearward end  73  by a fixed latch  74 F. In this loaded and secured position, the lateral centerline  35  of sheet  30  in one preferred embodiment is about 45 inches or so above the floor. 
     In a preferred embodiment, lifting arm  71  included a hydraulic cylinder  97  mounted inside and affixed to a tube  71 S (about a 3½ inch tube) with the rod end  99  of the cylinder  97  attached to a  71 L (about a 4-inche tube) and the pivoting latch  74 P. As the cylinder  97  extends from its retracted position, latch  74 P moves to its opened, non-latching position and tube  71 L extends until the fixed latch  74 F is fully on top of the sheet  30  (tube  71 L now being under the sheet  30 ). When cylinder  97  retracts, the pivoting latch  74 P moves to its closed, latched position and tube  71 L retracts along with the sheet  30 . 
     Slide assembly  75  is sized to provide a total vertical travel distance that accommodates one-half the maximum length sheet  30  used to form the largest-volume container  10  desired to be formed. The slide assembly  75  includes a first slide  77  and a second slide  83  that provides this total vertical travel distance. First slide  75  raises and lowers lifting arm  71 . A lower end  79  of first slide  77  is in communication the arm. Second slide  83  raises and lowers a rack-and-pinion gear arrangement  93 . An upper end  85  of second slide  83  is in communication with the rack-and-pinion gear arrangement  93 . Second slide  83  also raises and lowers first slide  77 . An upper end  81  of first slide  77  is in communication with the rack-and-pinion gear arrangement. 
     The slides  77 ,  83  preferably have different lengths of travel. In a preferred embodiment, second slide  83  has about three times the travel distance of first slide  77  (e.g., 72 inches and 24 inches of travel, respectively). To lift sheet  30 , first slide  77  moves between an extended and retracted position. When the first slide  77  is in its extended position, the slide  77  is at its maximum length. As slide  77  moves to the retracted position, lifting arm  71  moves away from the floor and lifts sheet  30 . Once slide  77  is fully retracted, the second slide  83  moves between a retracted and extended position and further lifts sheet  30 . 
     When the slides  75 ,  83  have lifted sheet  30  to an appropriate height, each sheet half  31 L, R is draped over lifting arm  71  and hanging substantially vertically relative to the floor with sheet ends  33  running parallel to but still touching the floor. With sheet  30  in this position, the sheet ends  33  can be easily manipulated and aligned end-to-end for welding. 
     By way of example, if sheet  30  is sized to make a 3 cubic yard container  10 , sheet  30  is about 221 inches long and about 3 feet wide. Slide assembly  75  lifts sheet  30  a total vertical distance so that its lateral centerline  35  is located about 9 feet above the floor. In a preferred embodiment, first slide  77  has about 24 inches of travel and second slide  83  has about 72 inches of travel. When first slide  77  is in its extended position, the slide  77  places the lateral centerline  35  of sheet  30  and, therefore, the upper surface of lifting arm  71 , about 45 inches above the floor. When fully retracted, first slide  77  places lateral centerline  35  about 69 inches above the floor. Second slide  83  then extends about 39 inches to place lateral centerline  35  about 108 inches (9 feet) above the floor. If slide  83  extends its full length of travel, it places the lateral centerline  35  of sheet  30  about 141 inches or almost 12 feet above the floor. 
     To align the sheet ends  33  for welding, a lateral edge portion  39  located toward each end  33  is removably secured by way of a clamp (not shown) or other similar means to an opposing end  89  of a drop away table  87 . Each drop away table  87  pivots or rotates between a vertical (first) position and a horizontal (second) position. When in the vertical position, the pair of drop away tables  87  is located about 6 feet apart and lateral edge portion  39  is removably secured to the respective adjacent drop away table  87 . A stop (not shown) of appropriate length, such as a piece of pipe or square tubing, may be positioned on the floor between the opposing drop away tables  87  to provide a visual indicator as to when sheet  30  has been lifted to an appropriate height to place sheet ends  33  in proper position for being removably secured to the drop away tables  87 . 
     Once the sheet ends  33  are secured to the drop away tables  87 , the tables  87  can be pivoted or rotated from the vertical position to the horizontal position. A hydraulic cylinder  91  may be used to accomplish this rotation. When in the horizontal position, the ends  89  of the tables  87  are about 2 to 4 inches apart and the sheet ends  33  are spaced an appropriate distance for receiving a seam weld. In a preferred embodiment, the ends  33  are spaced apart about 1/64 inch. 
     The above arrangement places the sheet ends  33  in the right relationship to one another every time. A seam welder (not shown) welds the ends  33  to form circular-shaped ring  40 . Using a seam welder in combination with ring-making machine  70  is much faster than using a robotic welder. The robotic welder must cycle to “touch sense” the ends, position itself accordingly and then weld. 
     Now that circular-shaped ring  40  has been formed, the clamps or means securing ring  40  to drop away tables  87  can now be removed and the drop away tables  87  can be returned to the vertical position. The circular-shaped ring  40  is ready for transport to a swedging machine  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10B to 10E , rather than going through the steps of (1) retracting slide assembly  75 , (2) removing circular-shaped ring  40  from the lifting arm  71 , and (3) moving the ring  40  to the swedging machine  100 , ring  40  preferably is transported to the swedging machine  100  by way of the rack-and-pinion gear arrangement  93 . By locating the swedging machine  100  directly behind ring-making machine  70 , ring  40  can be rotated through a 270° arc and then lowered onto the swedging machine  100 . Rack-and-pinion gear arrangement  93  accomplishes this rotation. 
     When rack-and-pinion gear arrangement  93  has rotated lifting arm  71  through 90° of rotation, the clamp end  73  of lifting arm  71  is at a height above the floor equal to the height of the longitudinal centerline  95  of gear arrangement  93  plus the exposed working length of arm  71 . When the gear arrangement  93  has rotated lifting arm  71  through 180° of rotation, the total height equals the height of the longitudinal centerline  95  of gear arrangement  93  plus the length of first slide  77  in its fully retracted position plus the diameter of circular-shaped ring  40 . 
     Returning to the 3 cubic-yard container example and assuming the vertical height of the longitudinal centerline  95  of the gear arrangement  93  is about 113 inches above the floor when second slide  83  fully retracted, the following rotation heights result. Immediately following seam welding, the longitudinal centerline  95  is about 152 inches above the floor and the uppermost peripheral surface  51  of circular-shaped ring  40  lies entirely below this centerline  95  at a height of about 108 inches. Because the diameter of circular-shaped ring  40  is slightly less than 6 feet, second slide  83  can be retracted the 39 inches it had previously extended. First slide  77  can remain in its fully retracted position because in this position its length is at a minimum. Therefore, at 0° of rotation, the total height is the height of the longitudinal centerline  95  of gear arrangement  93  or 113 inches. 
     At 90° of rotation, the clamp end  73  of lifting arm  71  is at a height of 197 inches—the 113-inch height of longitudinal centerline  93  plus the 84-inch working length of arm  71 . At 180° of rotation, the total height is 222 inches or 18.5 feet, the sum of the 113-inch height of the longitudinal centerline  95 , the 39-inch length of first slide  77 , and the (approximate) 70-inch diameter of circular-shaped ring  40 . At 270° of rotation, the height is equal to that of 90° of rotation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10D to 15 , after circular-shaped ring  40  has been rotated through 270°, it is substantially centered over swedging machine  100 . First slide  77  is extended to its full length to lower ring  40  to a height of about 20 inches above the floor. Lifting arm  71  may then extend to lower ring  40  to the floor or to a height about 1 inch above the floor in order to receive top rail tubing  25 . Alternately, but not preferred, swedging machine  100  may include means such as a post ledge or angle bracket (not shown) for maintaining ring  40  at a desired height above the floor or suitable material handling equipment such as an overhead hoist (not shown) may be used to lower ring  40  to the floor. 
     In order to for ring-making machine  70  to clear swedging machine  100 , circular-shaped ring  40  is released from lifting arm  71  and first slide  77  retracts to move the arm  71  vertically upward. The second slide  83  may then extend to further move arm  71  up and away. Arm  71  may then be rotated through 270° and placed in position to receive a new sheet  30 . 
     Swedging machine  100  includes two pairs of opposing corner posts  101 ,  103  connected by way of hydraulic cylinder  111 . Posts  101  are spaced-apart fixed posts connected to one another by bracing or fence surface  105   F . Fence surface  105  is substantially parallel to the flat outer wall surfaces  107  of each post  101 . Each post  101  connects to a cylinder end  113  of a pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L . The other posts, posts  103 , are spaced-apart moveable posts having a similar bracing or fence surface  105   m  spanning between them. Each post  103  connects to a ram end  115  of the pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L . The between-post spacing of post pair  101  and post pair  103  is the spacing required to provide a desired width of container body  11 . In a preferred embodiment, this between-post spacing was about 41 inches (the distance between the flat outer surfaces  107  of the pair of posts  101 ,  103 , respectively). 
     Each post  101 ,  103  has a rounded or radial corner  109  for forming the rounded or radial corner  19  of container body  11 . When each pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L  is in a first (fully or partially retracted) position, the radial corner  109  resides just inside the opposing inner wall surface  45  of circular-shaped ring  40 . A multiple of one to two times the thickness of sheet  30  is an appropriate spacing between the outer rounded edge  109  of the posts  101 ,  103  and an opposing inner wall surface  53  of the ring  40 . 
     The working height of each post  101 ,  103  is at least equal to the maximum height of sheet  30  so that no portion of circular-shaped ring  40  extends above or below the posts  101 ,  103 . In a preferred embodiment, the total height of each post  101 ,  103  is about 47 inches. As the pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L  moves between the first position and an extended second position, the cylinders  111   U&amp;L  pull ring  40  against fixed posts  101  and fence surface  105   F  and push moveable posts  103  and fence surface  105   m  into ring  40 , thereby producing a rectangular-shaped ring  43 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L  has about 20 inches of total travel. When the pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L  is fully retracted, the distance between the opposing flat outer wall surfaces  105  of opposing posts  101  and  103  is about 52 inches. When the pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L  is fully extended, this distance increases to about 72 inches. 
     After rectangular-shaped ring  43  is formed, a floor  21  is welded to the upper end  47  of the rectangular-shaped ring  43  (which, in turn, becomes the lower end of container body  11 ). A top rail tubing  23  is welded to the lower end  49  of ring  43  (which, in turn, becomes the upper end of container body  11 ). Preferably, ring  43  sits inside the top rail tubing  23  about ¼ inch and the top rail tubing  23  is welded on its bottom end  25  so that the weld is not visible to a user when container body  11  is in use. One vertical weld seam  29  connects the opposing ends  27  of the top rail tubing  23 . Vertical weld seam  29  and vertical weld seam  41  are preferably located on the rear side wall  15  side of container body  11 . 
     During the floor  21  and top rail tubing  23  welding operations, pressure is still being applied by the pair of hydraulic cylinders  111   U&amp;L . However, rectangular-shaped ring  43  will hold its shape once the cylinders  111   U&amp;L  begin to retract from their extended position even if no floor  21  or top rail tubing  23  is installed. 
     The process described so far reduces the amount of cutting and welding to form a container body by about 35 to 40%. The weld length for container body  11 , for example, is one-fourth the weld-length of an equivalent-sized old-style container in which the walls are fabricated as individual sheets and welded together. The amount of labor is also significantly reduced. Fabricating the prior art container body of  FIG. 1  requires about 12 workers. Fabricating container body  11  requires no more than 4 workers. Additionally, the amount of time required to weld seam  41  using a seam welder in combination with ring-making machine  70  is cut in half when compared to welding seam  41  with a robotic welder. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a lift pocket assembly  120  for use with container body  11  includes a channel or pocket  123  integrally formed from a single sheet  121 , thereby improving its aesthetics, increasing the strength of the lift pocket  120  and eliminating the need for welding in order to form the pocket  123 . The forward end  133  of pocket  23  receives the forks of a refuse truck (not shown) and has a blunderbuss-shaped gusset  135 . The blunderbuss-shaped gusset is formed from a single sheet  137 . A pair of triangular-shaped gussets  141  is welded to the pocket  123  at a rearward end  139 . 
     Unlike the prior art lift pocket of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upper and lower face surfaces  127 ,  129  of a pocket  123  made according to this invention are preferably angled relative to the front face surface  125  at an angle α. Preferably, angle α is about 115°. The 115° angle places the upper and lower face surfaces  127 ,  129  at about a 25° angle β from vertical when the longitudinal edge  131  of each face surface  127 ,  129  is welded to the end wall  13 . This arrangement eliminates the appearance of a step and prevents rocks or heavy objects from remaining on the lift pocket  120 . Preferably, angle β is in a range of 20 to 35°. 
     A lift pocket  120  made according to this invention requires about 100 inches less of welding per lift pocket than an equivalently sized prior art lift pocket (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The prior art lift pocket requires about 225 inches of total welding to fabricate a 27-inch pocket with gussets and attach it to the container body. A lift pocket  120  made according to this invention requires about 121 inches of total welding to fabricate the same size pocket and attach it to the container body. Additionally, less material is used.