Patent ID: 8578846

Claim:
A method of compacting trash, the method comprising the steps of: providing a trash receptacle comprising a rigid outer housing with a compaction ram located therein, the rigid outer housing having a front panel, a corresponding back panel, a first side panel and a corresponding second side panel, the front panel is configured to slope generally outward relative to the back panel, the front panel including one or more passageways capable of allowing access to one or more ram connectors positioned on the compaction ram, the first and second side panels each having one or more linear guides, the trash receptacle including a top cover having a hinged connection to the back panel, wherein the hinged connection is downstream the compaction ram and opposing engaging members on each outside surface of the first and second side panels, wherein the compaction ram is moveable between the engaging members along inside surfaces of the first and second side panels; driving a satellite vehicle containing a power unit proximal the front panel, the power unit comprising a plurality of connecting bars, each connecting bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein each connecting bar is operable with an actuator at its second end; removably engaging the first end of each of the connecting bars with the one or more ram connectors through the one or more passageways of the front panel; aligning the compaction ram from an inclined position generally parallel with an angled inner surface of the front panel to a vertical position parallel to the back panel through movement of the one or more ram connectors; actuating the compaction ram for movement toward the back panel of the rigid outer housing through one or more track guides in communication with the one or more linear guides positioned on the first and second side panels, wherein the compactor ram is moveable fully along the bottom panel to the back panel restricted only by the trash being compacted thereby; compacting trash positioned within the rigid outer housing through contact between the back panel and the compaction ram; actuating the compaction ram for a return movement to a position proximate the front panel of the rigid outer housing; and disengaging each of the plurality of connecting bars with the one or more ram connectors and driving the satellite vehicle away from the trash receptacle.