Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to a refuse collection system for use in association with a transport vehicle. The system comprises a container having multiple internal compartments and a refuse-receiving trough divided into a plurality of trough-shaped receptacles, each communicating with an internal compartment. The system further comprises an actuation system which engages a packer to displace refuse from the trough to the container.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a container for use in association with a transport vehicle, for collecting and transporting various types of waste.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Rear loading refuse vehicles are well known and are widely employed to transport municipal waste, for example. Generally, such vehicles employ an internal compartment, integral with a tailgate assembly, into which waste is deposited. The waste is then transferred into a main storage compartment and is compressed to economize on space. The system is typically integral with a purpose-built vehicle, although it may also be independently mounted to a truck chassis. The systems as described in some patents, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,746,192, 3,777,917 and 4,029,224 (each of Herpich et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,739 (Smith et al.), have improved upon the efficiency and durability of packing mechanisms by altering the placement of the hydraulic cylinders that mobilize the packing blade. Other improvements to rear loading refuse vehicles include positioning of the packing blade to avoid obstruction of the refuse deposited in the hopper, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,307 (Durant et al.) and improved safety features such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,008 (Ratledge).  
           [0003]    With the advent of recycling of municipal waste, it has become important to separate the waste stream, for example into “dry” and “wet” waste.  
           [0004]    It is thus known to separate the refuse storage area of the main compartment into multiple sub-compartments to hold different waste materials. For example, each of U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,953 (St. Gelais), U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,125 (Schiller) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,801 (O&#39;Daniel) disclose refuse vehicles with more than one storage compartment, with the compartments being aligned side by side. St. Gelais&#39; truck has two compartments, one of which is served by a scraper blade, the other of which is packed by a press panel or ram. Schiller&#39;s refuse collecting system contemplates a separate feed or loading shovel for each separate chamber. Finally, O&#39;Daniel&#39;s vehicle employs multiple scraper blades that empty the multiple buckets that receive refuse.  
           [0005]    Multiple compartments may also aligned so that one compartment is above the other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,049 (McNeilus et al.) depicts a multiple compartment refuse vehicle in which one compartment is above the second compartment. The hopper has a lower and upper portion each of which is served by a separate packing mechanism.  
           [0006]    Vehicles that employ multiple compartments for storing refuse have some limitations. For example, the viability of such vehicles is contingent upon the waste collection programmes and methods of public authorities. Different jurisdictions may have different waste separation and collection regimes such that a multi-compartmented vehicle may be suitable for one jurisdiction but not for its neighbour. Furthermore, the use of a separate packing mechanism to compress refuse in each separate compartment presents numerous disadvantages. First, if there are multiple tailgates and packing mechanisms, it is necessary to employ multiple power sources and components to operate those mechanisms. This increases the mass of the vehicle and thus diminishes its fuel efficiency. It also causes imbalance, since the packing components are located behind the rear wheels of the vehicle. Furthermore, the addition of more packers necessitates more frequent maintenance and thus makes the vehicle more expensive to build and operate. Finally, the individual packing mechanisms have less compaction capacity when there are multiple compacting means. Multiple packers are less efficient and thus the vehicles have less compaction capacity than traditional refuse transporting vehicles, known as “single stream” vehicles. As a result, such vehicles haul less trash than single stream vehicles with vehicle bodies having identical volumes.  
           [0007]    Finally, the provision of a separate storage compartment to hold “wet” waste leads to other requirements. For example, as the compostable waste is compacted, it loses its water, thus creating liquid waste. This waste frequently escapes the refuse vehicle and presents an environmental hazard.  
           [0008]    Once a number of loads of refuse have been transferred from the waste collection sub-compartments into the waste storage sub-compartments, the waste storage sub-compartments must have waste ejected from them. This can be achieved using rams or reciprocating slat-type conveyors.  
           [0009]    Reciprocating slat-type conveyors are also known in the art for discharging refuse from a garbage truck. This type of conveyor system provides a convenient method of discharging refuse (or other loads) rearwardly from a trailer or container without tilting the trailer or utilizing rams with hydraulic extensions. The system typically includes a plurality of moveable slats extending lengthwise at the base of the trash compartment. The slats are independently driven with three or more drive means in a forward and rearward direction such that at any given moment either all slats or every third slat is in movement. Thus, a relatively short reciprocating movement will displace over time the entire load out of the trailer in a stepwise movement. Examples of such conveyors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,760 (Hallstrom), U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,587 (Hallstrom), U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,819 (Hallstrom), U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,805 (Foster) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,445 (Foster et al.).  
           [0010]    When the loads transported by a vehicle contain a liquid component, liquid may seep onto conveyor slats, between conveyor slats onto the drive means and out of the trailer or vehicle onto the road. This is especially problematic when the load is refuse such that the liquid may be toxic and its escape from the trailer or vehicle contravenes environmental regulations. Various solutions have been proposed in response to the seepage of toxic liquids from the load. U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,585 (Foster et al.) describes a method for manufacturing conveyor slats that are chemical resistant and non-corrosive. Each of U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,525 (Quaeck), U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,641 (Hallstrom, Jr.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,067 (Foster) disclose base members to which the conveyor slats are attached. The base members may be attached, configured or sealed in such a manner so as to prevent the leakage of liquid beneath them. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,088,595 and RE35,156 each disclose a liquid receptacle that collects liquid. The liquid receptacle extends beneath a portion of each base member.  
           [0011]    Reciprocating conveyors may be attached to frameless trailers, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,267 (Quaeck et al.). Frameless trailers minimize the total mass of the load by eliminating components of the conventional framework assembly that normally supports the load. One drawback associated with the use of a frameless trailer is the damage sustained by the piston rods, which are components of the drive means, when loads are dropped on the conveyor slats above the piston rods. U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,267 adds fixtures to the drive means assembly, which fixtures bear the loads that are dropped upon the conveyor slats.  
           [0012]    A further limitation that has been identified in prior art reciprocating conveyors is the position of the drive means. When such reciprocating conveyors are not fitted with base members, liquid waste seeps onto the drive means located beneath the conveyor slats, thus hampering movement of the conveyor slats. In liquid impermeable conveyor systems, it is expensive and labour intensive to mount a drive means below the conveyor slats. This is because an extensive hose and tubing system is necessary to connect the hydraulic fluid supply that is frequently a component of such drive means to drive units such as pistons. Thus U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,590 (Quaeck) discloses a configuration in which the drive means is positioned outside of the container in which the load is transported.  
           [0013]    There are a number of limitations associated with prior art reciprocating conveyors, including improved reciprocating conveyors adapted to transport loads having a liquid component. Adding seals to each base member increases the costs of manufacture. Using base members to prevent the leakage of liquid beneath them is undesirable because such base members are susceptible to damage from the impact that they sustain when loads are dropped upon them. Replacing such base members is more costly and time-consuming when they are sealed. Furthermore, changing the configuration of the slats when they have a complicated base member structure, whether or not such structure includes seals, is also costly and time-consuming. Moreover, such seals trap moisture amongst the base member structure, thus making it susceptible to damage from the freezing of such moisture in cold temperatures. Finally, previous means for preventing leakage through the conveyor could not be attached to the conveyors of more than one manufacturer, since the width of the conveyor slats varies depending on who manufactures them.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    An object of the invention is to provide an improved waste transportation system that compacts different classes of refuse separately by using a single tailgate assembly and packing mechanism and stores the classes of waste in separate compartments.  
           [0015]    A further object of the invention is to provide an improved rear loading refuse vehicle with an improved movable barrier shaped so as to maximize the volume of the waste storage area and having a telescopic extension configured so as to maximize the volume of the waste storage area and the force exerted by the telescopic extension.  
           [0016]    A further object of the invention is to provide an improved rear loading refuse vehicle with multiple storage compartments in which at least one compartment includes a reciprocating conveyor for removal of waste from the compartment.  
           [0017]    In one aspect, the refuse collection system of the present invention comprises a refuse storage compartment divided into multiple internal compartments for receiving separate waste streams and each of said internal compartments has an opening to receive refuse. The system also has a refuse-receiving trough with an opening into which a user may deposit refuse. The trough is divided internally by at least one generally vertical barrier into a plurality of adjacent trough-shaped receptacles each communicating with a corresponding internal compartment. The trough has a floor and a rear wall dividing the trough from the storage compartment and the rear wall has an upper edge at the openings of the internal compartments. The system also has a packer to displace refuse from the receptacles into the internal compartments. The packer has a unitary upper blade that substantially spans the width of said trough and a plurality of lower blades independently hinged to the upper blade. Each lower blade corresponds to a receptacle for scooping refuse from the receptacle upon rotation of said lower blade. Finally, the system has an actuation system with a plurality of actuators for independently rotating the lower blades to scoop refuse from the receptacle for elevation to the upper edge of said rear wall and at least one actuator for driving the upper blade and the lower blades in a reciprocating movement for packing said refuse into the storage compartment.  
           [0018]    In a further aspect, the refuse collection system of the present invention comprises a refuse storage compartment divided into multiple internal compartments for receiving separate waste streams and each of said internal compartments has an opening to receive refuse. The system also has a refuse-receiving trough with an opening into which a user may deposit refuse. The trough is divided internally by at least one generally vertical barrier into a plurality of adjacent trough-shaped receptacles each communicating with a corresponding internal compartment. The trough has a floor and a rear wall dividing the trough from the storage compartment and the rear wall has an upper edge at the openings of the internal compartments. The system further has a packer for displacing refuse from the receptacles into the internal compartments and a tunnel-like internal compartment having a ceiling such that the height of the tunnel-like internal compartment is lower than the height of the at least one other internal compartment.  
           [0019]    In a further aspect, the refuse collection system of the present invention comprises a refuse storage compartment divided into multiple internal compartments for receiving separate waste streams. Each of the internal compartments has an opening to receive refuse and the storage compartment includes a forward extension. The system also has a refuse-receiving trough with an opening into which a user may deposit refuse. The trough is divided internally by at least one generally vertical barrier into a plurality of adjacent trough-shaped receptacles each communicating with a corresponding internal compartment. The trough has a floor and a rear wall dividing the trough from the storage compartment and the rear wall has an upper edge at the openings of the internal compartments. The system further has a packer for displacing refuse from the receptacles into the internal compartments. The system also has movable barriers for displacing refuse from said internal compartments outside of said system and a rams attached to each movable barrier wherein each ram is at least partly housed within said forward extension. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the waste collection container with the tailgate assembly in a closed position;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a rear view of the waste collection container from which the tailgate assembly has been detached;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a detached tailgate assembly with a packing mechanism in a position above the refuse-receiving compartment;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a side plan view of a detached tailgate assembly with the packing mechanism in positions above and within the refuse-receiving compartment;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tailgate assembly with the packing mechanism in a position above the refuse-receiving compartment;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tailgate assembly with the packing mechanism in a position within the refuse-receiving compartment;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tailgate assembly with the packing mechanism in a position to deliver refuse to the main collection container;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a side plan view of a further embodiment of the waste collection container attached to a vehicle in which the container has alternatively shaped dual rams and alternatively configured telescopic extensions;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a side plan view of a further embodiment of the waste collection container with a single ram and a reciprocating conveyor;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a rear plan view of the further embodiment of the waste collection container shown in FIG. 9;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a rear plan view showing the configuration of slats and slat-bearing bars that comprise the moving conveyor;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a drive means for moving the conveyor;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a rear plan view of a further embodiment of the waste collection container attached to a vehicle with an extended tray for collecting liquid waste;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the waste collection container with a transverse tray attached to the extended tray; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cross member and two slats. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    A container  5  for collecting and transporting multiple types of waste is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Typical uses include handling of refuse and one or more recyclable waste products that have been placed at the curbside in separate containers. The container  5  is mounted on a chassis of a waste collection vehicle, as seen on FIGS. 8 and 9. The container  5  depicted has a top  7 , a floor  9 , a front wall  11  and side walls  13  and  15 . The top  7  may be fully closed, open or openable, although a closed top is preferred. A tailgate assembly  17  is attached to the container  5  at a pivot attachment  19  and acts as a collection unit. Alternatively, a non-pivoting collection compartment may attach to the container  5 . The interior of the container  5  is divided into two compartments for storing waste. It will be apparent that the container  5  may be divided internally into more than two internal compartments by providing suitable internal dividers.  
         [0037]    Two movable barriers  23  and  24  for displacing refuse from container  5  are located within the container  5 . The barriers  23  and  24  each comprise a plate that substantially spans an internal compartment. The barriers  23  and  24  are attached by rams  25  and  26  respectively to the front wall  11  of the container  5 . The barriers  23  and  24  ride in tracks  27  which extend along the length of the container  5 . The barriers  23  and  24  dispose of waste from separate compartments of the container  5 , as will be described below.  
         [0038]    The floor  9  beneath at least one of the compartments is perforated such that the compartment is in communication with a channel  29  located at the base of the container  5 , to receive liquid waste that seeps from the stored waste. Channel  29  is also in communication with a sump  31 . The sump  31  is attached to the container  5 . A drain  33  is attached to the sump  31 .  
         [0039]    A first embodiment of the multiple compartments for storing waste is shown in FIG. 2. The container  5  is divided internally into two compartments for carrying separate waste streams. Each compartment has an opening to receive refuse. The compartments comprise a primary compartment  38  and a secondary compartment  39 . The secondary compartment  39  is tunnel-like (i.e. it has a lower ceiling relative to the compartment  38 ) and extends generally the length of the container  5 . The secondary compartment  39  is defined by a divider  35  attached to the floor  9  of the container  5  and a ceiling  37  attached to the divider  35  and the side wall  13 . Thus, the secondary compartment  39  is defined by the floor  9 , the divider  35 , the ceiling  37  and the side wall  13 . The secondary compartment  39  thus may be specially adapted to receive compostable waste. Specifically, the divider  35 , the ceiling  37  and the side wall  13  are sealed so as to prevent moisture from the compostable waste from leaking from the tunnel. Furthermore the floor  9  is perforated.  
         [0040]    The barrier  24  has a portion extending above the secondary compartment  39  and approaching the side wall  13 .  
         [0041]    The divider  35  and the ceiling  37  are preferably removably attachable to the floor  9  and the side wall  13  of the container  5 . When the divider  25  and the ceiling  37  are removed, the container  5  is converted to a single undivided compartment.  
         [0042]    The tailgate assembly  17  has a front wall  43 , a top  45 , side walls  47  and  49  and a back wall  51 , as shown in FIGS.  3  to  7 . Front wall  43  has an opening  53 . Attached to the front wall  43  of the tailgate assembly  17 , and defining a floor of tailgate assembly  17 , is a refuse-receiving trough  55 . The front wall  43  has an upper edge at the opening  53 . Preferably, the trough  55  is divided into two or more separate receptacles  56  by a generally vertical barrier  57 . The vertical barrier comprises two spaced apart walls  57   a  and  57   b  which define an open-topped slot  57   c  between them. Although only two receptacles are depicted in FIGS.  5  to  7 , it will be readily apparent that a greater number of receptacles may be provided. The number of receptacles should correspond to the number of compartments within the container  5  to receive refuse from a single receptacle  56  of the tailgate assembly  17 .  
         [0043]    A refuse packing mechanism or packer  59  is mounted within the tailgate assembly  17  for displacing refuse from the receptacles  56  into the compartments of the container  5 . The packing mechanism  59  includes lower blades  61  and  63 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that more than two lower blades should be provided if there are more than two receptacles  56 .  
         [0044]    The packing mechanism  59  is also comprised of a movable divider  65 . The movable divider  65  is flat and a fin  67  is attached to the movable divider  65 . A portion of the movable divider  65  and the fin  67  fit within the slot  57   c . The movable divider  65  moves within the slot  57   c  from a position proximate to and between the receptacles  56  to a position where the movable divider  65  is above the receptacles  56 . The movable divider  56  fits within the slot  57   c . The movable divider  65  and the fin  67  prevent refuse from spilling between receptacles  56  during transfer of refuse from the trough  55  to the container  5 .  
         [0045]    The packing mechanism  59  also has a unitary upper blade  66  which traverses the full width of the tailgate assembly  17 . The upper blade  66  is not shown in FIGS.  5  to  7 .  
         [0046]    First hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  are pivotably attached near the top of the packers  61  and  63 . First hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  also engage upper blade  66 . At a second end, the first hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  are pivotably attached to the tailgate assembly  17  near the top  43  of the tailgate assembly  17 . More than two first hydraulic cylinders would add significantly to the mass of the tailgate assembly. Furthermore, adding further first hydraulic cylinders would necessitate a more complex system for engaging the first hydraulic cylinders. Finally, adding further first hydraulic cylinders would make it more difficult to achieve uniform movement of the packers  61  and  63 . Second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  are pivotably attached near the base of the packers  61  and  63 . A second end of each of the hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  is pivotably attached to the tailgate assembly  17  near the back wall  49  of the tailgate assembly  17 .  
         [0047]    It will be understood that the packing mechanism  59  may be driven by any convenient type of actuators. While hydraulic rams, such as the rod and cylinder rams described herein, are convenient, other actuators may be employed with suitable system modifications.  
         [0048]    Linkage arms  73   a ,  73   b  and  73   c  are pivotably attached at first ends to the tailgate assembly  17  near the back wall  51  of the tailgate assembly  17 . Arms  73   a ,  73   b  and  73   c  are pivotably attached at second ends to lower blade  61  and arm  73   c  is pivotably attached at a second end to lower blade  63 . A guide  75  pivotably attaches to the movable divider  65  at a first end of the guide  75 . A second end of the guide  75  is pivotably attached near the intersection of the top  45  and the back wall  51  of the tailgate assembly  17 .  
         [0049]    When the container is in operation, waste that has been deposited into the refuse-receiving trough  55  and thus into the receptacles  56  is moved to the container  5  by the packing mechanism  59 . The packing mechanism  59  has four primary positions through which it cycles within tailgate assembly  17 . The positions of the lower blades  61  and  63  are controlled by the first hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  and second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c . First hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  govern the vertical position of the lower blades  61  and  63 , while second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  rotate the lower blades  61  and  63 . The vertical position of the movable divider  65 , and thus the fin  67 , corresponds with the vertical position of the lower blades  61  and  63  such that different types of refuse are kept separate during the cycle of the packing mechanism  59 . The vertical position of the unitary upper blade  66  moves in concert with the vertical position of the lower blades  61  and  63  and holds the refuse in place as it approaches opening  53 .  
         [0050]    In the first position of the packing mechanism  59 , shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the lower blades  61  and  63  are positioned near the opening  53  in the front wall  43  of the tailgate assembly  17 . The first hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  are fully retracted and the second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  are fully extended. Preferably the packing mechanism  59  is in the first position when waste is added to the receptacles  56 .  
         [0051]    In the second position of the packing mechanism  59 , the second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  are retracted so as to rotate the lower blades away from the front wall  43  of the tailgate assembly  17 . This will provide some clearance between the packers  61  and  63  and refuse within the refuse-receiving trough  55  as the lower blades  61  and  63  are displaced by the extension of the first hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  toward the refuse-receiving trough  55 . If retraction of the second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  occurs when the first hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  are not in a fully retracted position, waste may be forced from the waste-receiving trough  55  outside of the tailgate assembly  17  as the packing mechanism  59  moves toward the third position.  
         [0052]    In each of the first and the second position of the packing mechanism  59 , a portion of the moveable divider  65  and the fin  67  are orientated above the refuse-receiving trough  55 . The unitary upper blade is also orientated above the refuse-receiving trough  55  proximate to the opening  53 .  
         [0053]    In the third position, shown in stippled lines in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5, the packing mechanism  59  is positioned near the back wall  51  of the tailgate assembly  17  and is above the waste within the refuse-receiving trough  55 . The first hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  are fully extended, while the second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  are fully retracted. The movable divider  65  is above the refuse-receiving trough  55  and the fin  67  separates the receptacles  56 .  
         [0054]    In the fourth position of the packing mechanism  59 , also shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 6, the lower blades  61  and  63  engage the refuse within the refuse-receiving trough  55 . The packers  61  and  63  have rotated into the receptacles  56  as the second hydraulic cylinders  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  have extended. Retraction of the first hydraulic cylinders  69   a  and  69   b  return the lower blades  61  and  63  to the first position and the unitary upper blade  66  moves in concert with the lower blades  61  and  63  such that refuse does not spill from the tailgate assembly  17 . Refuse is thus swept from the receptacles  56  toward the opening  53  in the front wall  43  of the tailgate assembly  17 . The movable divider  65  and the fin  67  have moved in conjunction with the lower blades  61  and  63  and the unitary upper blade  66  to ensure the continued separation of refuse from receptacles  56 . The refuse is ultimately deposited by the lower blades  61  and  63  through the opening  53  into the primary compartment  38  and the secondary compartment  39 . The tunnel-like shape of secondary compartment  39  permits the corresponding receptacle  56  to have a width sufficient to permit the loading of refuse while maximizing the volume of the primary compartment  30 .  
         [0055]    A further embodiment of the container  5  is shown in FIG. 8. This embodiment of the container  5  has J-shaped barriers  85  and  87 , which occupy less volume in the compartments for storing waste than the barriers  23  and  24 . The J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  have upper portions  86  and  88  respectively that are generally parallel to the front wall  11  and rearwardly curving lower portions to form a rearwardly facing scoop.  
         [0056]    In this further embodiment of the container  5 , the rams  25  and  26  have been replaced with overhead rams  89  and  91  such that the J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  are located proximate to front wall  11  when the overhead rams  89  and  91  are in a fully retracted position. Overhead rams  89  and  91  attach at one end to container  5  within a forward extension or overhang  93 , which extends from the front wall  11  and protrudes forwardly, extending at least partly over a truck cab  94 . Thus a more space-efficient mounting position is provided. At a second end, overhead rams  89  and  91  attach near the top of J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  respectively. In this embodiment of the container  5 , wet refuse is stored in a compartment having a height similar to the height of a dry refuse compartment rather than in the secondary compartment  39 .  
         [0057]    After many cycles of the packing mechanism  59  through position one to position four within the tailgate assembly  17 , it will be necessary to expel waste from the container  5 . The tailgate assembly  17  may be opened and closed by hydraulic means. The tailgate assembly  17  pivots about the pivot attachment  19  upward and away from container  5  and may be locked in the open position.  
         [0058]    When the container  5  is empty, the barriers  23  and  24  or alternatively the J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  are located at or near the front wall  11  of the container  5 . In operation, the barriers  23  and  24  or the J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  move upon the tracks  27  in response to force exerted by the rams  25  and  26  or the overhead rams  89  and  91  to a position represented by the references  23   a  and  24   a  in FIGS. 1 and 85 a  and  87   a  in FIG. 8. The rams  25  and  26  or alternatively the overhead rams  89  and  91  may be engaged separately so as to expel waste from a single compartment of the container  5 . The rams  25  and  26  or the overhead rams  89  and  91  preferably extend the barriers  23  and  24  or the J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  to a position of the container  5  proximate to the tailgate assembly  17  so that all refuse in the path of the barriers  23  and  24  or the J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  as defined by the tracks  27  is ejected from the container  5  so as to empty the container  5  at the waste deposit site. When container  5  is emptied of refuse material, the rams  25  and  26  or the overhead rams  89  and  91  are retracted, thus returning the barriers  23  and  24  or the J-shaped barriers  85  and  87  to their position near the front wall  11  of the container  5 .  
         [0059]    FIGS.  9  to  12  show a further embodiment of the container  5  in which the container floor comprises a reciprocating conveyor  95  to discharge waste from the container  5  at a dump site. Elongated slats  97  extend lengthwise within at least one compartment in the container  5  for reciprocal movement between a first position and a second position in the fore/aft direction within the container  5 . Such movement advances refuse from the container  5 .  
         [0060]    Each slat  97  is engaged to a lengthwise member or slat-bearing bar  99 . Each slat-bearing bar  99  has a bearing  101  clipped to the slat-bearing bar  99  and the slat  97  engages and slides upon the bearing  101 . The elongated slats  97  are set upon the slat-bearing bars  99  such that there is a space between the adjacent slats  97 . This space is wide enough for liquid to seep through. Preferably the space is about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch but may have a width of between {fraction (1/64)} of an inch and three inches. Preferably the space is of a size so as to prevent solid waste from falling between the slats  97 .  
         [0061]    The slat-bearing bars  99  are attached to at least two cross members  105  such that the slat-bearing bars  99  and the cross members  105  form a frame  107 . The slat-bearing bars  99  are attached generally perpendicularly to the cross members  105 . Preferably, the cross members  105  and the slat-bearing bars  99  are hollow.  
         [0062]    The reciprocating conveyor  95  is powered by a drive means  115  for displacing the elongated slats  97  in the fore/aft direction. One component of the drive means  115  is a hydraulic drive  117 . The hydraulic drive  117  is situated outside of the container  5  and out of the path of the liquid refuse falling between the elongated slats  97 . The hydraulic press  117  delivers hydraulic fluid to three hydraulic rams  121 ,  123  and  125 , each of which extend through an opening  127  in the front wall  11  into the container  5 . Each of the hydraulic rams  121 ,  123  and  125  are attached to one of three transversely mounted drive bars  131 ,  133  and  135 . Each of the drive bars  131 ,  133  and  135  have extending rearwardly therefrom an array of spaced-apart fingers  137 . The fingers  137  of each drive bar are attached to the elongated slats  97  in a manner such that every third elongated slat  97  is attached by a finger  137  to the same drive bar. Preferably, fingers  137  are bolted to the elongated slats  97 .  
         [0063]    It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the drive means  115  may have any number of hydraulic cylinders greater than one and that the number of cross drives is equal to the number of hydraulic cylinders. Furthermore, the drive means may also comprise any convenient means to displace the elongated slats  97  such as an electronic motor.  
         [0064]    As shown in FIG. 13, the reciprocating conveyor  95  may service one or more compartments of the container  5 . The compartments of the container  5  that are serviced by the conveyor  95  will not have rams or upright rams for expelling waste from such compartments.  
         [0065]    In a further embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 13, the cross members  105  are attached to a collecting tray  145 . The collecting tray  145  is situated beneath the floor  9 . In a preferred embodiment of the trailer, the collecting tray  145  extends beneath the floor  9  along most of the length of the floor  9 . The collecting tray  145  attaches to the cross members  105  near the side wall  13  and the side wall  15 . Though the collecting tray  145  may have any shape, it is preferred that it be arcuate in cross-section. In relation to the floor  9  above the extended tray  145 , the collecting tray  145  is convex-shaped in cross-section. The collecting tray  145  is also preferably progressively sloped, either downward or upward, from the end of the collecting tray  145  proximate to the front wall  11  to the end of the collecting tray  145  proximate to the tailgate assembly  17 . The collecting tray  145  is preferably sealed.  
         [0066]    The collecting tray  145  forms a structural component of the container  5  since the collecting tray  145  supports the frame  107 . It is preferred that the tray  145  be a single integral component. However, the collecting tray  145  may comprise multiple sections fastened together and sealed.  
         [0067]    An alternative embodiment of the trailer  10 , shown in FIG. 14, has a transverse tray  149  which is in communication with the collecting extended tray  145 . Preferably, the transverse tray  149  also spans the width of the container  5  but is deeper than the collecting tray  145  since its floor is lower than that of collecting tray  145 . Preferably, the transverse tray  149  is positioned near the drive means  115  but may be positioned anywhere along the length of the extended tray  145 . The transverse tray  149  is equipped with a plug  151  to drain the transverse tray  149 .  
         [0068]    In a further embodiment of the container  5 , shown in FIG. 15, the cross member  105  has a first aperture  155  and a series of second apertures  157  by which the cross member  105  is in communication with the lengthwise members  99 . Both the cross member  105  and the lengthwise members  99  have slits  159 .  
         [0069]    Thus one or both compartments of the container  5  may be emptied by reciprocating conveyors. The operation of the conveyor will be explained with reference to a reciprocating conveyor used to expel waste from the secondary compartment  39 . Wet refuse is deposited upon the floor  9  of the secondary compartment  39 . Liquid from the refuse seeps between the elongated slats  97  and into the channel  29  after which it collects in the sump  31 . In the alternative embodiment with the collecting tray  145 , the liquid collects in the collecting tray  145 . The liquid may also collect in the transverse tray  149  in the embodiment of the container  5  with an collecting tray  145  and a transverse tray  149 .  
         [0070]    Once the refuse has been collected and transported to its destination, the drive means  115  is engaged. The hydraulic cylinders  121 ,  123  and  125  extend and retract so as to move the transversely-mounted drive bars  131 ,  133  and  135  and thus displace the elongated slats  97  upon the bearings  101  on the lengthwise members  99 . The hydraulic cylinders  121 ,  123  and  125  may extend in tandem so as to move all of the elongated slats  26  at once between a first and a second position and thus displace refuse. Alternatively, the hydraulic cylinders  121 ,  123  and  125  may extend and retract sequentially so as to return the elongated slats to the first or the second position at different times and thereby not displace the refuse.  
         [0071]    Finally, in the alternative embodiment in which the cross member  105  and the lengthwise members  99  have first aperture  155  and second apertures  157 , respectively, water or a suitable cleaning fluid is sprayed through the first aperture  155  into the cross member  105 . The water or cleaning fluid then flows into the lengthwise members  99  through the second apertures  157 . The water or cleaning fluid flows through the slits  159  in the cross member  105  and in the lengthwise members  99  and is thus dispersed throughout the extended tray  145  so that the extended tray  145  is easily cleaned.  
         [0072]    Numerous modifications may be made to the embodiments as described above without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1