Patent Abstract:
In some embodiments, a compactor for a restaurant facility may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base, a first side panel, and a second side panel, (b) a first door for access to the compactor to place trash into the compactor for compacting, (c) a second door for access to the compactor to remove compacted trash, (d) at least one door operably coupled to a counterbalance weight to provide easy movement of the at least one door to move along a track, and (e) at least one continuous channel beginning in an upper portion of a back wall and traversing to a front of the base, the channel having a curved portion transitioning from the back wall to the bottom wall.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to waste management. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to improved methods of handling waste products. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to baling recyclables and trash. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A baler is a piece of machinery used to compress material into bales and bind the bales. There are several different types of balers commonly used. Balers are also used in the material recycling facilities, primarily for baling plastic, paper, or cardboard for transport to a recycling facility. 
     A baler is a piece of machinery used to compress material. Compressing takes up less space when stored, or when transported via truck or train to a recycling facility. A baler is just one step of the recycling process. They can also be used to compact other forms of waste, such as trash or even large boxes. 
     Balers can be portable or stationary. Older machines tend to be stationary—once they&#39;re set up, they stay there. Today, most balers are portable. Almost all modern balers use a hydraulic press. A motor powers a pump that pushes hydraulic fluid to drive cylinders. Using principles of force-multiplication, a hydraulic system can generate over 2,000 psi and impart more than 150 tons of force. 
     The press consists of several parts: bed where all the material is loaded; a plate rises to apply the compacting power; an engine, pump, valves, tubing and other parts of the hydraulic system, guideposts aligning the plate and making sure the compacting force is applied evenly. 
     While the above described baling structure may be suitable for baling paper, cardboard or other dry materials, it is generally not suitable for handling trash including moist garbage or other fluid containing refuse. 
     There are also available refuse compactors which are suited to the handling of liquid containing refuse and they generally solve the problem by utilizing a waterproof container into which the loose trash is compacted. It is to be noted; however, if one were to attempt to utilize a preformed carton in the baler apparatus, during the downward stroke of the compaction plate thereof, the container would be at least partially torn and crushed. 
     Most trash compactors compress trash in the compactor into a cube shape but when the trash is removed the trash tends to expand and unless contained in a bag or box the cube of compacted trash tends to expand and fall apart making the compacted trash hard to handle and move from the trash compactor to a waste container such as a dumpster or for shipping to a land fill. 
     It would be an advantage to be able to bale the compacted trash in the trash compactor before removing the compacted trash and transporting it to waste storage and thereafter to a landfill or other waste disposal facility. 
     A need, therefore, exists for a waste baling machine providing: 
     an easy way to wrap string around a bale of compacted trash in the cavity of a trash compactor without removing the bale from the trash compactor cavity before it is baled; 
     quick and easy baling of trash in a trash compactor; 
     easy access to the bale of trash and safety features to isolate the trash during compaction; 
     easy access entryways to the trash bales; 
     effortless handling of large access doors to the trash bales; 
     a way to pull baling string around the back and under a bale of compacted trash without undue resistance of the string between the compacted trash and the cavity walls or base; and 
     a storage area for the baling string and an easy way to use the string stored in the storage area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In some embodiments, a compactor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base, a first side panel, and a second side panel, (b) a first door for access to the compactor to place trash into the compactor for compacting, (c) a second door for access to the compactor to remove compacted trash (d) at least one door operably coupled to a counterbalance weight to provide easy movement of the at least one door to move along a track, (e) at least one continuous channel beginning in an upper portion of a back wall and traversing to a front of the base, the channel having a curved portion transitioning from the back wall to the bottom wall, (f) a machine compartment for housing string used to tie around a bale of trash in the compactor, the string surrounding the compacted trash and tied off to secure the bale of compacted trash prior to removal from the cavity of the compactor, (g) a top panel operably coupled to the first and second side panel, (h) a third door for access to the machine compartment, and (i) a second counterbalance operably coupled to the second door to provide easy movement of the second door along a second track. 
     In some embodiments, a refuse compactor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base, a first side panel, and a second side panel, (b) a machine compartment, a receiving compartment, and a compaction compartment located within the compactor, (c) a first door operably coupled to a first counterbalance to allow the first door to slidably move along a first track, (d) a second door operably coupled to a second counterbalance to allow the second door to slidably move along a second track, (e) a platen operably coupled to a hydraulic pump located in the machine compartment for compacting refuse in the compaction compartment, (f) a top panel, (g) a third door providing access to the machine compartment, (h) a control box located on at least one side panel, and (i) a power control switch and operational switch located adjacent to the control box. 
     In some embodiments, a method of compacting refuse may include or more of the following steps: (a) inputting the refuse into a receiving compartment of a compactor where the refuse comes to rest in a compacting compartment of the compactor, (b) placing a first door over an access to the receiving compartment and a second door over an access to the compacting compartment, (c) initiating compaction of the refuse, (d) powering on the compactor, and (e) removing a refuse bale after compaction. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a front of a compactor in an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow process diagram showing an operation in an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present teachings. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the present teachings. Thus, the present teachings are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of the present teachings. While embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to a trash compactor it is fully contemplated embodiments of the present invention could be used for recyclables and reusable material&#39;s without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , the trash compactor cabinet of the present invention is indicated generally by numeral  10 . It includes a base plate  12 , a top panel  14 , frame  11  having a right side panel  16 , a left side panel  18 , and a rear wall  20 . These panels are joined to form a generally rectangular parallelepiped of a predetermined length, width, and height Secured in tracks  4 ,  6 , and  8  on the front edge of the front portion  21  are first  22 , second  24 , and third  26  access doors. The cabinet  10  may be mounted on castors as at  28  to facilitate the repositioning of the compactor  10 . 
     Frame  11  can be made of two panels  16  and  18  of sheet metal which are shaped to provide a front portion  9 , a side wall  5 , and half the back wall  20  of frame  11 . The construction of frame  11  is discussed in more detail in a co-pending patent application titled “Trash Compactor Cabinet”, Ser. No. 11/949,855, filed on Dec. 4, 2007, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Front portion  9  of frame  11  has a small front facing surface for attaching doors  22 ,  24 , and  26  for access to compactor  10 . Back  20  and sides  5  has a V-shaped indentation  44  for allowing a passage between back  20  and shelving in compactor  10  and to give back  20  added strength. Back  20  also has a V-shaped overlap portion  37  which connects two pieces  16  and  18  of frame  11  and adds strength to compactor  10 . Shelves can be attached to the walls in frame  11  which provide strength for frame  11  and support the mechanisms for compacting trash. 
     Compactor  10  can be made from pieces of sheet metal which are shaped to provide side panels  16  and  18  and rear  20 . The front of compactor  10  has doors  22 ,  24 , and  26  for access to compactor  10 . Rear panel  20  has a V-shaped indentation for allowing a passage between the back wall and a shelf in compactor  10  and to give rear panel  20  added strength. Shelves and supports are attached to panels  16 ,  18 , and  20  in compactor  10  which provide strength for compactor  10  and support the mechanisms for compacting trash. A base  12  and top panel  14  attached to the sheet metal pieces complete the construction of compactor  10 . Panels  16  and  18  of compactor  10  are bent into the desired shape and are lightweight, inexpensive, and strong. V-Shaped indentations  44  add strength to rear panel  20  and allow a passageway between rear panel  20  and shelves ( FIG. 3 ) inside trash compactor  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a side view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Mounted upon right side panel  16  is control box  30  with power control switch  32  and operational switch  34 . Power control switch  32  activates or provides power to compactor  10  when an operator turns power control switch  32  from an “off” position to an “on” position. Operational switch  34  is used by an operator when it is desired to compact materials within compactor  10 . The operator would turn operation switch  34  to a “compact” position to begin the compaction process. Also shown are counterbalances  40  and  42  discussed in more detail below. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen the interior of compactor  10  is effectively and functionally divided into three compartments or volumes. Specifically, the so-called machine compartment is identified by numeral  50 , trash receiving compartment  51 , and the trash compacting compartment by numeral  52 . Dividing the machine compartment  50  from the trash compacting compartment  52  is a mounting plate  54  on which is mounted a hydraulic pump  56 , a hydraulic cylinder  58 , and the various electrical and hydraulic controls for the system. Piston  60  of the hydraulic cylinder  58  passes through an opening in the mounting plate  54  and affixed to the lower end thereof is a compaction plate or platen  62 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , there is further shown a cross arm  64  which is also disposed in the machinery containing compartment  50  and which is affixed at opposed ends thereof to panels  16  and  18 . The uppermost end of the cylinder  58  abuts and is fastened to a further horizontal structural member comprising the cabinet framework and the lower end thereof is suitably clamped to the cross arm  64 . Thus, when actuated, the piston  60  moves outwardly from its cylinder  58  causing the platen  62  to move downward for a predetermined distance into compaction compartment  52 . 
     In operation, after trash compactor  10  compresses the trash in compaction compartment  52  a cube of trash in compartment  52  could be baled so it remains in a cube and is easier to handle for transporting, storing, and disposal. In order to bale the cube of compacted trash it is necessary to surround the bale with a bailing material such as twine, rope, string, a webbing material, tape, or wire. A spool of string  70  provides string to bale the left side of the compacted trash in compartment  52  and a spool  72  provides string for the right side of the compacted trash in compartment  52 . String from spool  70  runs behind spool shelf  74  and then travels in channel  80  behind mounting plate  54  and stays in channel  80  behind platen  62  to enter compartment  52 . Similarly string from spool  72  runs behind spool shelf  74  and then travels in channel  82  behind mounting plate  54  and stays in channel  82  to go behind platen  62  to enter compartment  52 . The strings can then be placed on the back side and the bottom side of the compacted cube of trash without removing the cube of trash from the cavity. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , an isometric view of a front of a compactor in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Door  22  is most commonly shut to isolate machine compartment  50  from the operator. Should the operator need access to machine compartment  50 , perhaps to replace a spool of string  70 , the operator would simply grasp handle  100  and pull door  22  towards the operator lifting on handle  100  and sliding door  22  along roller tracks  101  along a top portion of machine compartment  50 . With door  22  open, the operator could perform duties or maintenance within machine compartment  50  as necessary. When the operator was finished, he/she could grasp handle  100  pull door  22  towards them, lowering handle  100  so door  22  once again covers machine compartment  50 . 
     Trash compacting compartment  52  is adjacent to trash receiving compartment  51 . Trash receiving compartment  51  provides a space for an operator to input trash and recyclables into compactor  10 . There are several ways an operator could input trash and/or recyclables into compactor  10 . An operator could slide door  24  upward along track  6  placing door  24  in an up position. Now the operator could input the trash directly into trash receiving compartment  51  allowing the materials to fall to compacting compartment  52 . Door  24  slides easily along track  6 . Very little effort is needed by the operator as door  24  is counterbalanced by weight  42 . Door  24  could also be lowered toward base  12  thus again exposing trash receiving compartment  51 . In this operation, door  24  would move in a downward direction as counterbalance  42  moved man upward direction. Whether door  24  is in a fully up or down state, the operator is able to input trash into trash receiving compartment  51 . 
     If necessary trash receiving compartment  51  and compaction compartment  52  can be fully exposed to an operator by sliding doors  24  and  26  along tracks  6  and  8  respectively upwards. Here once again, counterbalances  42  and  40  respectively allow the operator to apply minimal force to doors  24  and  26  to raise them. Doors  24  and  26 , and counterbalances  42  and  40  can weigh approximately the same amount. Therefore, counterbalances  42  and  40  would not tend to fall due to gravity if doors  24  and  26  weighed less than counterbalances  42  and  40 . This would also prevent doors  24  and  26  from falling due to gravity if left unattended if the weight of counterbalances  42  and  40  was less than the doors. By having the weight of doors  24  and  26  be approximately the same as the counterbalances  42  and  40  a balance can be obtained where doors  24  and  26  will remain when placed somewhere by the operator. 
     With door  26  in an upward position, an operator could have access to compaction compartment  52  to remove a bale of trash or recyclable material. The operator could also insert material to be compacted this way as well. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a flow process diagram showing an operation in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In process operation  200  then, trash can be inserted into the compaction compartment  52  or receiving compartment  51  at state  202 . The operator can also ensure doors  22  is closed and doors  24  and  26  are covering receiving compartment  51  and compaction compartment  52  respectively at state  204 . When a sufficient level of trash is deposited into compaction compartment  52 , the operator turns switch  34  to actuate motor  56  causing the hydraulic piston  60  to move out from its cylinder  58  at state  206 . In doing so, compaction plate  62  traverses receiving compartment  51  and partially enters compaction compartment  52  at state  208 . The loose refuse is thereby compacted and, again, piston  60  and platen  62  can be raised to permit additional trash to be deposited. When the level of compacted trash reaches a predetermined level or weight, the operator can open the access door  26  and remove the trash bale at state  210 . More material can now be inserted into receiving compartment  51  and the process can begin all over again at state  202 . 
     Thus, embodiments of the WASTE BALING MACHINE are disclosed. One skilled in the art will appreciate the present teachings can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present teachings are limited only by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1