AU697334B2 - Expansion panel - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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Name of Applicant: MACDONALD JOHNSTON ENGINEERING COMPANY PTY LTD Address for Service: OBERINS 'RTHUR ROBINSON HEDDERWICKS Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 530 Collins Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia Invention Title: EXPANSION PANEL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: ITY fnltl3(01m1727 f S C 2.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to improvements to refuse collection vehicles and more particularly to a means for efficiently using the volume within a refuse collection vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART Different types of recyclable refuse may be stored in a single refuse storage compartment in a refuse vehicle (ie. be commingled). Since different types of recyclable refuse may require different processes to be recycled, such different types of recyclable refuse need to be separated after collection by the refuse vehicle.

Where recyclable refuse is commingled, there is a limit to the amount of compaction that the refuse can sustain before the different components of the refuse become inseparable. Consequently there is a need for controlling the degree of compaction to which commingled recyclable refuse is to be subjected in a refuse vehicle.

In the case of certain types of refuse, once a certain degree of compaction is exceeded, the refuse becomes difficult to discharge from the vehicle. Hence there is a need for controlling the operation of refuse compactor devices in order to control the degree of compaction to which refuse may be subjected.

In order to make better use of the volume available in a refuse storage vehicle, a refuse vehicle may be provided with extra volume by means of a bubble door, that is, a door which is bulged so as to have a space for storage in addition to merely functioning as a door.

Where a refuse vehicle has more than one refuse storage compartment for separately storing different types of refuse, it is generally considered advantageous from the point of view of the refuse vehicle's stability to separate the refuse storage compartments horizontally so the vehicle's weight is distributed as equally as possible in the direction transverse to the forward direction of the vehicle. That is, the storrge compartments are typically arranged substantially one on top of the other.

From the point of view of the vehicle's stability it is advantageous to place the densest refuse in the lowermost refuse storage compartment so as to maintain the lowest possible centre of gravity of the vehicle. Where there are two or more refuse storage compartments in a vehicle which are disposed substantially one on top of the other, since the limitation on the degree of compaction of commingled recyclable refuse means that such commingled recyclables will not be the densest refuse, such commingled recyclables will often not be stored in the bottom refuse storage compartment.

Where there are two or more refuse storage compartments in a vehicle which are disposed substantially one on top of the other and commingled recyclables are not being 5.50..

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stored in the bottom refuse storage compartment, if the top refuse storage compartment communicates with the extra volume provided by a bubble door, then glass bottles in the upper compartment may fall from the upper part of the upper refuse storage compartment into the bubble door and may thereby break.

Where glass is to be recycled and is to be commingled with other forms of recyclable refuse, breakage of glass is disadvantageous since presently known machines for separating commingled recyclable refuse require that glass bottles be intact for effective separation.

After refuse is loaded into a refi!e vehicle it is generally conveyed into the appropriate refuse storage compartment with some form of refuse movement device. Such a device may be an oscillating piddle packer such as is disclosed in Australian Patent Application No 60230/90 (Acceptance No 645,512) and Australian Patent Application No 77352/94. Other packing devices, such as longitudinal packers are also known in the art.

Such refuse movement devices are typically intended to convey refuse into a refuse storage compartment without compaction when the compartment is not full and are adapted to compact the refuse once thce refuse storage compartment has been initially filled.

In the case of a refuse storage compartment for commingled recyclable refuse, where such a compactor device is used, the degree of compaction exerted must be controlled to ensure that the refuse is not overcompacted so as to become inseparable by current refuse separation processes.

One problem with such compactor devices is that even when they are merely moving refuse without compacting (ie. when the refuse storage compartment is not yet full), glass bottles are often broken by the compactor devices.

One solution is to install a conveyor belt or the like to move the refuse with no or minimal glass breakage. However, this has the disadvantage of severely reducing the volume available for the storage of refuse in a refuse storage compartment of given size.

Waste collection systems have been disclosed in Australian specifications Nos. 15277/92 and 22410/92, the first relating to a refuse container of the wheely bin type having a plurality of discrete compartments and the latter to a collection vehicle for handling such multi-compartment bins in which the compartment of the vehicle extends across the vehicle at different levels for even weight distribution.

A divisional petty patent No. 647724 relates to a collection vehicle for recyclable elements hclh in two or more compartments in a bin. The petty patent specification discloses two ur more chutes which are aligned with the bin compartments, each chute communicating with one of a plurality of storage zones in the vehicle. The storage zones are located on different horizontal planes one above the other.

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European specification No. 0356833 discloses a refuse collection vehicle with several vertical shafts having an adjustable guide baffle for the incoming refuse.

German specification No. 3510700 discloses a vehicle having separate chambers for different kinds of refuse.

German specification No. 3537546 discloses a refuse collection vehicle with a container divided by horizontal partitions.

German specification No. 3703557 discloses a collection vehicle with collecting shafts for refuse controlled by a movable flap diverting flow of refuse to different shafts.

US patent No. 5176488 discloses a rear loading refuse vehicle which collects, compacts and separates recyclable materials.

Other patents of which we are aware arc US patent No. 5123801, 5078567, 5035564, W090/11952 and US patent No. 5035563.

One of the problems perceived with the collection and separation of different types of refuse in the refuse collection vehicle is the differing volumes of rcfuse and the possibility of inadequate utilization of refuse vehicle storage volume in the collection of such refuse. Furthermore, as stated above, different types of refuse usually require :differing levels of compaction in the loading compartment of the refuse vehicle. For i.' 20 example it is advantageous if glass is not broken and therefore relatively low compaction forces are desirable for glass bottles and similar recyclable materials.

It is difficult to maintain low levels of compaction where the vehicle body is made longer to achieve greater volumes. It has been found difficult to achieve adequate compaction in long body volumes and similar problems occur in achieving removal or 25 discharge of the compacted material from the divided co..tainer.

Single paddle systems are well known having been disclosed in our patent application No. 60230/90 and German patent specification No. 1196122. Furthermore, te "double paddle systems are known to applicant, for example as disclosed by the Geesink refuse collection machinery.

Other examples of paddle type compactor systems are disclosed in British patent o No. 651156 and Australian patent No. 552878. All of these patents relate to means of controlling and actuating a single reciprocating paddle for compacting refuse into a refuse vehicle compartment.

!i 4 74, DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Acording to the present invention there is provided a refuse collection vehicle with at least one refuse storage compartment wherein said at least one refuse storage compartment includes a first and second region, there being provided a panel, the panel being arranged such that when the said at least one ,efuse storage compartment is empty the panel is in an initial position and separates the first region from the second region, the panel being adapted to move from its initial position to allow entry of refuse into said second region when the first region fills.

The said second region may include the volume defined by the inside surfaces of a door having a concavity region.

The said at least one refuse storage compartment may have an associated compactor device for moving refuse from a refuse entry region into the refuse storage compartment and control means for controlling the compactor device responsive to sensor means whereby to control the degree of compaction of refuse in said at least one refuse storage compartment.

A refuse collection vehicle according to the present invention may be provided with at least two separate refuse storage mpartments, said at least two separate refuse storage compartments each having a compactor device and said control means controls the ,compactor devices whereby to provide different degrees of compaction in said at least two S 20 refuse storage compartments.

SA refuse collection vehicle according to the present invention may be provided with with at least one refuse storage compartment, said at least one refuse storage compartment being associated with at least one refuse entry region, said at least one refuse storage compartment having at least one raking means provided with downwardly extending refuse engaging means, said raking means having driving means arranged to make the i refuse engaging means undergo a pull phase and a return phase, the refuse engaging means i being adapted to pull refuse from a start position into the refuse storage compartment during the pull phase and to return to the start position during the return phase wherein the path of the bottom of the refuse engagement means during the return phase is above the 3 0 path of the bottom of the refuse engagement means during the pull phase.

ii "A refuse collection vehicle according to the present invention may be provided with at least two separate refuse storage compartments, at least two of the refuse storage compartments each having a compactor device including a paddle that is adapted to move refuse from a refuse entry portion into the respective refuse storage compartment, each paddle being connected to a common drive shaft, the paddle associated with one of the refuse storage compartments having a different length to at least one ,,addle associated with 6.

another refuse storage compartment so that paddles of different length exert different compaction forces on refuse by virtue of their different lengths.

Such a refuse collection vehicle may be arranged so that one of said at least two refuse storage compartments is partly or wholly above another one of said at least two refuse storage compartments, the paddle associated with the upper refuse storage compartment being shorter than the paddle associated with the lower refuse storage compartment.

A refuse collection vehicle according to the present invention may be provided with sensor means associated with the compactor device and control means for controlling 10 the compactor device responsive to the sensor means whereby to provide different degrees of compaction of refuse in said at least two storage compartments.

A refuse collection vehicle according to the present invention may he provided with at least two separate refuse storage compartments, at least two of the refuse storage compartments each having a compactor device that is adapted to move refuse from a refuse is entry portion into the respective refuse storage compartment, sensor means associated with the compactor device and control means for controlling the compactor device responsive to said sensor means whereby to provide different degrees of compaction olf refuse in said at least two refuse storage compartments.

A refuse collection vehicle may include chute means having a mouth with uivider 20 adapted to interengage with a divider of a refuse bin to direct refuse from different parts of the storage bin into separate refuse compartments in the vehicle.

Refuse storage compartments may extend longitudinally with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Refuse storage compartments may extend transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Refuse storage compartments may be wholly or partly above each other. Refuse storage compartments may be wholly or partly alongside each other.

A refuse vehicle according to the present invention is provided with at least one refuse entry region for temporarily holding refuse loaded into the refuse vehicle. Refuse loaded into a refuse entry region may subsequently be moved from the refuse entry region 30 into a refuse storage compartment by means of gravity or a refuse movement device. A refuse entry region may be provided with one or more physical boundaries, such as walls or a refuse entry region may have no physical boundary other than a floor or other supporting surface.

A refuse storage compartment according to the present invention is to bp 35 associated with one or more refuse entry regions. A refuse entry region may be associated with more than one refuse storage compartment. A refuse entry region may be located inside, outside or partly inside and partly outside an associated refuse storage compartment.

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ar oi r Io lr )1 ii i j A refuse storage compartment according to the present invention may have an associated refuse movement device whereby to move refuse from an associated refuse e region into the refuse storage compartment The refuse movement device may be located inside, outside or partly inside and partly outside its associated refuse storage compartment.

A refuse movement device according to the present invention may be a compactor device for compacting refuse or it may move refuse with minimal or no compaction. A refuse movement device may include a longitudinal packer. A refuse movement device may include an oscillating paddle packer. A refuse movement device may include a double paddle compactor such as is disclosed in Australian Patent Application No 77352/94 whereby the paddles are connected to a common drive shaft.

A refuse vehicle according to the present invention may be provided with a control means. A control means may be used to control the operation of refuse movement devices in order to limit the degree of compaction to which refuse in a refuse storage compartment is subjected. A control means may be used to control the condition including the position or mode of operation of anY component or components of the refuse vehicle.

The present invention may incorporate computer control which enables "on demand" automatic operation of the paddle during a refuse loading operation. Thus any tendency to over-compaction is avoided or at least minimized.

A refuse vehicle according to the present invention may be provided with a sensor means whereby to provide input to the control means.

The sensor means may include pressure sensors wh-,reby to sense the pressure of hydraulic fluid required to drive one or more compactor devices. The sensor means may include a means to sense the force exerted by one or more compactoi devices on refuse.

The sensor means may include a transducer whereby to generate an electrical signal that can be correlated with a quantity being measured. The sensor means may involve the production of an electrical signal when a quantity being measured equals, exceeds, or falls below, a predetermined value.

The sensor means may include a means for determining the location of a component of the refuse movement device, eg. a paddle. Such means may include a potentiometer for providing an electrical resistance which varies with linear position or angular position. Such means may include appropriately located switches which are activated when a refuse movement device passes through a given position.

The sensor means may include a means for counting the number of bins that have been emptied into the refuse vehicle. The counter may be arranged to reset to zero, that is, the counter may be started afresh after the occurrence of one or more events.

The sensor means may sense the rate of filling of one or more refuse storage compartments.

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41 The panel may be adapted to move within the second region. The panel may be so arranged that when the refuse storage compaitment is empty, the panel prevents refuse moving or falling from the first region into the second region. Such a panel may be arranged to prevent glass bottles breaking as a result of falling from the first region into the second region.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second region is located at least partly within the volume within a bubble door such as is known in the art.

There may be provided more than one refuse storage compartment each with a panel in the form of a door arranged such that the refuse storage compartment communicates with an overflow region when the door is opened. Each door is adapted to move within the overflow region. The overflow region defines the second region of each refuse storage compartment having a said door. Each said door is selectively openable to :i!iow refuse from the refuse storage compartment associated with that door to vntr the overflow region. Preferably, the overflow region is located at least partly within the volume within a bubble door such as is known in the art.

Preferably a panel may move by rotating about an axis. A panel may move through a path defined by a track or other means for constraining the motion of the panel.

A panel may form part of, or be connected to, a mechanical linkage.

A panel may be held in a particular position with respect to the refuse vehicle by bearing against a surface which is fixed with respect to the refuse vehicle. A panel may be held in a particular position with respect to the refuse vehicle by one or more hydraulic cylinders. A panel may be held in a particular position with respect to the refuse vehicle when the weight of any refuse on the panel is exactly balanced by the force supporting the panel.

A panel may move under the weight or pressure provide by refuse. A panel may move as a result of being driven by a linkage, a hydraulic cylinder or other power means.

A panel may move due to the net force acting on the panel as a result of the combined action of refuse pressure or weight and any power means.

A sensor means according to the present invention may include a means for detecting the position of a panel. Said means may include a switch which is activated when the panel reaches a given position. Said means may include a potentiometer which provides an electrical output which may be correlated to the position of a panel. Said means may include any means for detecting the position of an object including without limitation a photovoltaic cell, an infra red sensor, a laser sensor and/or a strain gauge.

A control means according to the present invention may implement a predetermined program based upon inputs provided by sensor means. A control means may encapsulate its logic in an electrical, electronic or hydraulic circuit. A control means may .i,

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include a computer program. Such a computer program may be implemented on any computer including without limitation a programmable logic controller (PLC).

A program included in a control means may cause a refuse movement device to stop operating when the refuse vehicle enters a predetermined condition. A program included in the control means may, when the refuse vehicle enters a predetermined condition, cause a refuse movement device to operate for a given number of cycles only when a person appropriately signals the refuse movement device to operate.

A program included in the control means may cause a panel to move or a door to open. A program included in a control means may cause the hydraulic pressure with which a hydraulic cylinder is being driven to be changed. A program included in a control means may cause switching between a number of alternative hydraulic circuits in the refuse vehicle.

A program included in a control means may cause a door to the overflow region to open so that refuse in the most rapidly filling compartment is allowed to flow into the overflow area.

A program included in the control means may require the occurrence of one or several events before the program causes a change in the condition of any component of the refuse vehicle. Al event which may be registered by the program may include the movement of a panel to a given position, the attainment of a pressure in excess of a predetermined pressure in a hydraulic supply line or the completion of a predetermined number of bin emptying cycles. An event which may be registered by the program may include the giving of an appropriate signal by a person for example by pressing a switch.

A refuse collection vehicle according to the present invention may have two or more separate refuse storage compartments. A refuse storage compartment may have a compactor device such as a paddle that is adapted to move refuse from a refuse entry region into an associated respective refuse storage compartment. In one embodiment each paddle is connected to a common drive shaft and the paddle associated with one of the refuse storage compartments has a different length to at least one paddle associated with another refuse storage compartment so that paddles of different length exert different compaction forces on refuse by virtue of their different lengths.

The common drive shaft for the paddles vehicle may be driven by a pair of hydraulic cylinders. The paddles may be adapted to pivot through an arc that extends over an angle of approximately 180'. The paddle operation may be controlled in the mamnner described in Australian application 60230/90.

One of the refuse storage compartments of the refuse storage vehicle may be partly or wholly above another one of the refuse storage cotnpartments. The paddle associated with the upper refuse storage compartment may be shorter than the paddle i a-- F-i 7 associated with the lower refuse storage compartment. Conveniently the compaction force applied to recyclable refuse such as glass bottles may be lower than other types of refuse such as paper and plastics material.

There may be provided according to the present invention a refuse storage compartment with at least one raking means whereby to rake or sweep refuse into a refuse storage compartment. A raking means may be located inside, outside or partly inside and partly outside its associated refuse storage compartment.

A raking means may be associated with a refuse storage compartment having a compactor device. The raking means may lessen the load on the compactor device, especially during initial filling stages of the refuse storage compartment.

The raking rleans may move refuse without breaking glass or with minimal glass breakage. The raking means may be constructed so as to take up much less volume than a conveyor belt or the like. The refuse engaging means may be of relatively light construction so as to be capable of quicker movement than a compactor device. The refuse engaging means may be of relatively light construction as it may not need to be constructed to withstand high compaction loads.

A raking means according to the present invention includes a refuse engaging means whereby to engage and move refuse. The refuse engaging means is adapted to move refuse by pulling the refuse.

A raking means also includes a drive means whereby to drive the refuse engaging means to move refuse. The drive means includes a constraining means whereby to define the path through which a refuse engaging means is to travel. A drive means includes a power means whereby to drive the refuse engaging means through the path defined by the S...constraining means.

S 25 The refuse engaging means may be pivotally, slidably, rigidly or otherwise connected to the constraining means.

i A raking means may rake refuse from a refuse entry region into the refuse storage S* compartment or may move refuse from a first part of a refuse storage compartment to a second part of the refuse storage compartment.

For convenience, a reference to the refuse engaging means moving away from the refuse entry region is to be taken to include a reference to the refuse engaging means moving in a direction which has a component of its motion directed away from the refuse entry region. A reference to the refuse r-_.,ging means moving towards the refuse entry region has a corresponding meaning.

The raking means may be continuously driven in a series of periodic cycles.

Alternatively, the raking means may be driven intermittently. In particular, the raking means is adapted to undergo a reciprocating motion so that at the end of one cycle, the 2 io; rr n~ r ~ur r orr raking means is in a position to commence another cycle, whether the raking means is continuously driven or intermittently drive'l.

The cycle of driving the raking means comprises a pull phase and a return phase.

A substantial part of the pull phase of the raking meair during the motion of the refuse engaging means away from the refuse entry region.

The refuse engaging means is adapted to en3age refuse when moving in the pull phase of its driving cycle. In particular, the refuse engaging means is adapted to engage refuse when moving away from the refuse entry region.

The refuse engaging means may include one or more projections for engaging refuse. Sucii a projection may be in the form of a line. Such a projection may have a more extensive surlace than a tine for engaging refuse. Such a surface may be flat or curved or partly flat and partly curved. Such a surface may include a concavity with which to engage refuse by cupping, scooping or the like.

A projection for engaging refuse may be substantially rigid or may be flexible.

Where a projection for engaging refuse is flexible it is preferably sufficiently stiff so as not to deflect out of engagement with refuse when moving through refuse away from the refuse entry region. A projection for engaging refuse may have a greater bending stiffness in one direction than in the opposed direction.

A projection for engaging refuse may consist of more than one component.

Components of a projection for engaging refuse may be pivotally, slidably, rigidly or otherwise linked. Components of a projection for engaging refuse rmay be substantially rigid or may be flexible A projection for engaging refuse may be mounted on the drive meuans so as to be prevented from moving out of engagement with refuse when moving away from the refuse entry region through refuse but having the freedom to move out of engagement with refuse when moving towards the refuse entry region. In particular, a projection for engaging refuse may be mounted in such a way as to push refuse along a refuse storalge compartment when travelling in one direction but to pivot or flex out of pushing engagement with the refuse when t7avelling in the opposite direction.

A projection for engaging refuse may be mounted on the drive means so as to be prevented from moving out of engagement with refuse when moving away from the refuse entry region through refuse and be driven out of engagement with refuse when the engaging means moves towar is the refuse entry region.

A projection for engaging refuse that moves out of engagement with refuse when moving towards the refuse entry region may be provided with a spring or other urging means to urge the projection back to a refuse engaging position when it is no longer being urged by refuse to move out of a refuse engaging position.

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According to the present invention, the constraining means defines a path for raking whereby during the return phase the bottom of the refuse engagement means is driven through a path that is above the path t:ough which the bottom of the refuse engamement means travels during the pull phase.

A constraining means may include a track, slot or guide. Such a track, slot or guide may follow a straight path, a curved path or a path that is partly straight and partly curved.

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I9 :1 A constraining means may include a mechanism including a linkage. In particular a constraining means may include a number of links pivotally connected. A constraining means may include a wheel. A constraining means may include any means for defining an appropriate path for the refuse engaging means to travel through.

A raking means according to the present invention is preferably located such that glass bottles will not be broken by the movement of the rakir. neans. In particular, the raking means is preferably located such that the bottom of the refuse engagement means is driven through a path during the pull phase that is a sufficient distance above the suriace beneath the raking means that glass bottles wil not be broken by the movement of the raking means.

The refuse collection vehicle may have a computer which can be programmed to initiate operation on differing cycles and after predetermined time delays, and has the facility to sense actual compaction pressures at different points of travel of the paddles to enable accurate pressure sensing and therefore to provide control over the degree of compaction in each compartment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a refuse collection vehicle having at least two separate refuse storage compartments, at least two of the refuse storage compartments each having a compactor device that is adapted to move refuse from a refuse entry portion into the respective refuse storage compartment, sensor means associated with the compactor device and control means for controlling the compactor device responsive to said sensor means whereby to provide different degrees of compaction of refuse in said at least two refuse storage compartments.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a refuse collection vehicle including chute means having a mouth with divider adapted to interengage with a divider of a refuse bin to direct refuse from different parts of the storage bin into separate refuse compartments in the vehicle. This arrangment may avoid or minimize spillage of refuse material as the open end of the refuse bin as is raised to an emptying position.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 depicts a side elevation of a raking meanl. ccording to the present invention.

Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of refuse engaging means according to the present invention.

Figure 3 depicts the various positions of the raking means of Figure 1.

Figure 4 dep:.cts a side elevation of a refuse collection vehicle with a panel and raking means according to the present invention.

Figure 5 depicts a side elevation of a raking means according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 depicts a further side elevation of a raking means according to Figure Figure 7 depicts a side elevation of a refuse collection vehicle with a panel and J "raking means according to the further embodiment of the present invention depicted in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a refuse vehicle with a panel and compactor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an intake head for engaging a refuse bin.

sj«,I PFigure 10 is a side view showing an unloading process of a refuse bin.

Figure 11 is a sectional side view of a paddle compac or taken on line V-V.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the paddle comwpactor shown in Figure 11.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to Figure 8, there is provided a side loading refuse vehicle 110 with an upper refuse storage compartment 111 and a lower refuse storage compartment 112.

The lower refuse storage compartment is provided with a panel 113. The space 114 within the bubble door 115 forms part of the upper refuse storage compartment. j c. .i 14.

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Typically, the upper refuse storage compartment is used to store recyclable refuse and the lower refuse storage compartment is used to store nonrecyclable refuse.

Each refuse storage compartment is provided with a paddle compactor 116, 117 which is connected to a common drive shaft 118 such as is disclosed in Australian Patent Application No 77352/94.

The drive shaft is driven by a pair of hydraulic cylinders in the manner disclosed in Australian Patent Application No 60230/90, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Australian Patent ApplicatiLn No 60230/90 discloses inter alia a method for driving a drive shaft having a paddle mounted thereon. The paddle sweeps back and forth through an arc of 1800.

As disclosed in Australian Patent Application No 60230/90, the drive shaft 118 is riven by two double acting hydraulic cylinders which are pivotally coupled to a linkage means adjacent the drive shaft. The linkage is offset from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft so that the power cylinders are angularly offset from the axis of rotation to avoid jamming. The hydraulic cylinders are so arranged that during operation, each cylinder must act in one direction for half the cycle and each cylinder must then act in the other direction for the other half of the cycle. There are provided hydraulic switches that switch between two hydraulic circuits, one circuit driving the cylinders in one direction, the other circuit driving the cylinders in the other direction.

As disclosed in Australian Patent Application No 60230/90, there is provided a potentiometer 119 which produces an electrical signal having a magnitude that can be correlated to the angular position of the drive shaft. A computer program which receives as input the signal from the potentiometer causes the hydraulic cylinders to be driven in the appropriate direction by appropriately switching the hydraulic circuit. When the paddle is in that part of its cycle where the direction of action of the driving hydraulic cylinders must change, the computer program causes the hydraulic circuit to be appropriately switched.

During operation of the refuse vehicle, the paddles continuously cycle back and forth through their 1800 range. As will be further explained below, the control means causes the paddles to cease continuously cycling in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.

There is provided a panel 120 which is pivotally mounted near the end of the dividing floor 140 of the upper refuse storage compartment. The panel may move within the bubble door by pivoting at 121.

Initially, when the refuse vehicle is empty, the panel is located in an initial position as shown in Figure 8. The panel is initially in a position of approximately below horizontal. The panel is held in this initial position by two one way hydraulic cylinders 122. A one way hydraulic cylinder is a cylinder that delivers force in one i.

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The hydraulic fluid supply line to the hydraulic cylinders that are supporting the panel is provided with a relief valve that allows the passage of hydraulic fluid when the pressure in the line exceeds a given value. The supply line is supplied hydraulic fluid at an approximately constant predetermined value.

Once the weight of refuse on the panel exceeds a given value, the panel will slowly move downwards from its initial position. However, for a given amount of refuse on the panel, the panel will come again to rest with respect to the refuse vehicle and will not immediately move all the way to its lowermost position.

It is thought that the response of the panel is governed by the following factors although the theory behind the response of the panel is not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention in any way: If the vector component normal to the panel of the total weight of refuse on the panel exceeds the vector component normal to the panel of the force from the hydraulic cylinders, then the component normal to the panel of the net force on the panel will cause the panel to rotate in the downward direction. When the panel rotates in the downward direction the hydraulic cylinders supporting the panel will be forced to retract. In so retracting, the hydraulic cylinders will force hydraulic fluid through the release valve.

For a given weight of refuse on the panel, the vector component normal to the panel of the total weight of refuse on the panel will decrease as the panel moves down due to the increasing angle between the normal to the panel and the vertical. Consequently, the panel will not necessarily be driven all the way to the bottom (approximately 900 below horizontal) once the weight of refuse on the panel is sufficient to cause the panel to move from its initial position or a subsequent position at which the panel is at rest with respect to the refuse vehicle.

As the weight of refuse on the panel increases the panel will be slowly pushed to its lowermost position. Any glass bottles on top of the panel will thus be lowered gently into the interior volume 114 of the bubble door and will not fall to the bottom of the bubble door from the part of the upper refuse storage compartment that is above the lower refuse storage compartment.

There is provided a switch which is activated when the panel reaches its lowermost position. This switch forms part of the sensor means of the present embodiment.

The sensor means of the present embediment also includes two pressure switches in the hydraulic fluid supply line to the hydraulic cylinders that drive the drive shaft which drives the paddles. These pressure switches each produce an electrical signal when the ~xpiessure in the supply line exceeds a predetermined value, the predetermined value being different for each of the two pressure switches. The pressure switch which is set to respond to the lower pressure will be referred to as the low pressure switch for convenience and the pressure switch which is set to respond to the higher pressure will be referred to as the high pressure qwitch.

The sensor means of the present embodiment also includes a means for counting the number of bins that have been emptied into the refuse vehicle.

The sensor means of the present embodiment also includes the potentiometer 119 for determining the angular position of the drive shaft which drives the paddle packers.

The present embodiment includes a control means in the form of a computer program. The control means receives input from the sensor means. The control means embodies an algorithm which, based on the state of the vehicle, stops the operation of the paddle packers. The control means is presently set to stop the operation of the paddle packers once three events have occurred.

The algorithm underlying the operation of the control means may be varied to account for different relative amounts of recyclable and nonrecyclable refuse that is collected. This ratio may differ depending upon the neighbourhood in which refuse is collected.

The algorithm underlying the operation of the control means in the present embodiment is chosen for the situation where it is to be expected that the total volume of uncompacted recyclable refuse will be greater than the total volume of uncompacted nonrecyclable refuse. Under these circumstances, prior to any significant compaction taking place, it would be expected that the upper refuse storage compartment would fill prior to the lower refuse storage compartment.

The algorithm underlying the operation of the control means is as follows: The first event registered by the control means is the closing of the panel. As explained, this event causes a switch to activate which in turn provides the information that the event has occurred to the control means.

Once the first event has occurred, the control means initiates counting of the number of bins emptied into the vehicle since the first event.

The second event is whichever of the following two events occurs first: the control means registers the activation of the low pressure switch; or the number of bins loaded since the first event exceeds a predetermined value.

After the first event, when the paddles nre: if' I ro i-r- I: ji

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located at 100 or 170' with respect to the plane transverse to the direction of travel of the refuse vehicle; and are travelling in a direction capable of moving refuse from the refuse entry region into the refuse storage compartment; the control means checks; whether the low pressure switch has been activated.

The stated positions of the paddles are considered to be appropriate locations to check if the low pressure switch is activated since at these locations, when either or both of the paddles are compacting refuse, the hydraulic pressure required to drive the paddles would be indicative of the maximum pressure required to drive the paddles through the compacting cycle in question.

If the activation of the low pressure switch is registered by the control means or if a certain number of bins have been loaded after the first event, the algorithm assumes that the upper refuse storage compartment has been filled with uncompacted recyclable refuse and the lower refuse storage compartment is not yet full. As stated above, this assumption is based on the characteristics of refuse in a particular area in which refuse is collected.

The low pressure switch is presently set to activate when the pressure in the hydraulic supply line exceeds 1400 psi. (Include dimensions of the paddles, volume of the storage compartments and volume of the bins being emptied.) The predetermined number of bins at which the second event may occur is presently set to 375 bins.

The third event is whichever of the following two events occurs first: the control means registers the activation of the high pressure switch; or the number of bins loaded since the second event exceeds a predetermined value.

Activation of the high pressure switch is checked by the control means at the same location of the paddles the low pressures switch is checked in relation to the second event. If the high pressure is registered by the control means, the algorithm assumes that this indicates that the lower refuse storage compartment is full, that is, that refuse in the lower refuse storage compartment has been compacted to a level such that it would be undesirable to compact any further because the refuse would be compacted to a level where it wvould be difficult to discharge from the vehicle.

If a certain number of bins having been loaded after the second event, the algorithm assumes that the refuse in the upper refuse storage compartment has been w compacted to a level such that it would be undesirable to compact any further because commingled refuse would be compacted to a level where the different components of the refuse could not easily be separated.

The high pressure switch is preferably set to activate when the pressure in the hydraulic supply line exceeds 3000 psi. The predetermined number of bins at which the second event may occur is preferably set to 100 bins.

When the third event is registered by the control means, as foreshadowed above, the control means causes the paddles to cease continuously cycling.

After the third event has occurred, the control means may be configured to allow the paddles to be operated a discrete number of 1800 cycles at a lime either at the request of an operator of the vehicle or after each further bin that is loaded into the vehicle. In such a case the control means may keep count of the number of bins loaded since the third event or the number of paddle cycles that have occurred since the third event. The algorithm underlying the control means may include provision for the refuse loading and refuse compaction functions of the vehicle to be rendered inoperable without first discharging the refuse from the vehicle.

The refuse vehicle of Figure 8 may include one or more raking means of the form depicted in Figures 5 and 6. Such raking means are preferably mounted inside the upper refuse storage compartment in the same manner as shown in Figure 7. The raking means will be described in more detail below.

With reference to Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a raking means wherein the drive means includes a constraining means in the form of a four bar linkage 10. There is provided a crank 11 which is pivotally connected to the refuse vehicle. The crank is pivotally connected to a connecting linlk 12.

25 The connecting link is pivotally connected to a rocker link 13. The rocker link is pivotally connected to the refuse vehicle. The end part 14 of the connecting link is rigidly connected to the refuse engaging means The raking means is driven by a motor connected to the crank. The motor may be for example a hydraulic motor or an electric motor. Preferably the motor is a hydraulic motor.

In use, the drive means passes through the positions shown in parts to in Figure 3. The crank 11 is driven in an anticlockwise direction. The configuration of the raking means depicted in Figure 3(h) is the same configuration as depicted in Figure 1. The reference numerals in Figure 3 refer to the same features referred to in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure the driving means has commenced the pull phase of the motion of the refuse engaging means. Refuse to the right of the refuse engaging means is pulled to the right as the crank 11 drives the connecting link 12 to th, right. In Figure

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4 the crank 11 has rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 3(a).

The refuse engaging means 15 is still moving to the right and continues in the pull phase to pull refuse to the right. In Figure the crank 11 has rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure The refuse engaging means 15 is still moving to the right and continues in the pull phase to pull refuse to the right.

In Figure the crank 11 has rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 3(c) and in Figure the crank 11 has rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 3(d).

In Figure 3(1) the crank 11 has rotatcd counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure The crank 11 is now driving the bottom of the connecting link 14 and consequently the refuse engaging means 15 to the left. In Figure 3(g) the crank 11 has rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure The refuse engaging means 15 is still moving to the left. In Figure 3(h) the crank 11 has rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure The refuse engaging means 15 is still moving to the left. In Figure 3(i) the crank 11 has rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure The end of the conrn-'Ling link 14 has moved to its leftmost position and at the instant shown in Figure 3(i) is about to be driven downwards and to the right. The end of the return phase and the start of the pull phase occurs at a position intermediate to that shown in Figures 3(i) and As can be seen from Figure 3, the motion of the driving means is such that during the return phase the bottom of the refuse engagement means is driven through a path that is above the path through which the bottom of the refuse engagement means travels during the pull phase.

As shown in Figure 2, the refuse engaging means 15 comprises a sequence of tines 16 mounted on a crosspiece 17. Preferably the refuse engaging means is compliant but appreciably stiff.

With reference to Figure 3, in use, the crank is driven in an anticlockwise direction by the power means. As can be seen, the linkage is constrained such that a given position of the crank uniquely determines the positions of the connecting link and the rocker link. For this reason, the rotation of the crank drives the refuse engaging imeans through the predetermined path. As the crank is rotated, the linkage passes through the positions shown in Figure 3.

Turning to Figure 4, the raking means 10 is preferably mounted in the refuse vehicle at a position inside the refuse storage compartment and within the refuse entry region. As can be seen, the refuse entry region is so constructed that after entry into the vehicle, refuse will tumible down the incline 20. Any refuse in the path of the raking means will be swept by the raking means into the refuse storage compartment.

1' A 7~ A refuse storage compartment according to the present invention is to bs associated with one or more refuse entry regions. A refuse entry region may be associated with more than one refuse storage compartment. A refuse entry region may be located inside, outside or partly inside and partly outside an associated refuse storage compartment.

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Sr Ur aa a p .r $1 ili With reference to Figure 5, according to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a raking mcans 30 wherein the drive means includes a constraining means in the form of a track with a slider 31. The slider may be driven by any means. Preferably the slider is driven by a chain drive. The refuse engaging means 32 i pivotally connected to the slider at 33. The refuse engaging means comprises a sequence of tines connected to a crosspiece.

There is provided a stop 34 which prevents rotation of the refuse engaging means out of engagement with refuse as the refuse engaging means is driven through refuse away from the refuse entihy region.

Due to the pivotal connection between the slider and the refuse engaging means, when the refuse engaging means is moving through refuse towards the refuse entry region, refuse in the path of the refuse engaging means may exert a reaction force on the refuse engaging means causing the refuse engaging means to rotate out of engagement with the refuse as shown in Figure 6.

1 There may be provided a spring 35 to urge the refuse engaging means into the engaging position shown in Figure 5 from the nonengaging position shown in Figure 6.

Alternatively, the refuse engaging means may simply be allowed to fall under the action of gravity to the engaging position. Where a spring 35 is employed, the tension in the spring may easily be. chosen so that the force of refuse on the refuse engaging means exceeds the tension exerted by the spring on the refuse engaging means when the refuse engaging means is travelling through refuse towards the refuse entry region.

With reference to igure 7 the refuse collection vehicle incorporates a multi-compartmented contailr 210 as viewed from the side having a dividing floor 240 with the left hand end of the compartment being fed from separate chutes and compacted by 25 an upper and lower paddle 212 and 213.

Refuse is collected through the intake mouth which will be described in greater detail later.

The upper compartment at least is preferably provided with a raking mtneans 214 which is adapted to reciprocate along the length of the upper compartment to draw refuse 30 from the compaction end to the rear end of the vehicle. The raking means includes tines 215 pivotally mounted on support means which are moved by a power cylinder 216 to and fro along the length of the container. The tines 215 may be simple spring tines to apply a larger force when travelling to the rear end of the vehicle as compared to the force applied whet, travelling towards the compaction end of the vehicle brought about by the configuration of the tines 215.

It has been found that the raking means 214 is particularly suitable for pushil, the loose recyclable material such as glass bottles etc., which is best not subjected to high I? been emptied into the refuse vehicle. The counter may be arranged to reset to zero, that is, the counter may be started afresh after the occurrence of one or more events.

The sensor means may sense the rate of filling of one or more refuse storage compartments.

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0 compaction forces. Thus the raking means 214 achieves movement of the material along the length of the compartment to fully utilise the volume therein.

The rear end of the vehicle includes a pair of doors which may be sliding doors or swing doors on the upper and lower compartments which are selectively openable to provide an overflow of material into the unloading volume at the rear of the vehicle in the event of one of the compartments overfilling prior to the other compartment. The doors are selectively openable such that either of the compartments can overfill into the rear compartment 217. The doors 218 and 219 are mounted on pivots however alternative means such as sliding doors 220 may be provided to control movement of the refuse material out of the compartments. The doors 218 and 219 may be automatically controlled to open when one or the other compartments first fills, so that additional refuse can be filled into the rear part of the compartment until both compartments are filled or virtually filled.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10 there is a shown an intake mouth 208 which is pivotally mounted on shaft 209 and controlled by power cylinder 221 to move in an arcuate manner during an unloading operation to meet the open mouth of a refuse bin prior to it being tipped vertically during an unloading operation. This will minimize spillage of the contents of the bin prior to it being tipped over into the intake mouth.

The intake mouth includes a cushion edge 222 which is adapted to interengage with the edge of the refuse bin together with its central divider. The central divider may be directed in a north-south or east-west direction as desired.

The upper and lower paddles 212, 213 best shown in figures 11 and 12 are commonly mounted on a vertical shaft 230 driven by a hydraulic motor or the like 231.

The upper paddle is of shorter dimension and therefore applies less forces during compaction of the upper compartment which may contain fragile material such as glass bottles. The lower compartment destined to collect crushable and compressible general household and putrescible refuse has a larger dimension paddle 213 adapted to apply a greater compaction force to the refuse material and therefore achieve greater compression of the refuse material which is usually putrescible household refuse in the lower compartment.

The upper and le'ver paddles 212, 213 are removably bolted to the drive shaft 230. This allows for the use of paddles of selected dimensions for specific purposes depending upon the nature of material to be handled by the collection vehicle. Thus if the predominant material to be carried is recyclable, small dimension low compaction pressure paddles would be used and large dimension paddles bur high pressure compaction systems would be used.

The paddles are preferably driven by a hydraulic motor 231 which lends itself to electronic control means (not shown). The control means may include pressure sensors o i; I ~Ye

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associated with the paddle drive operating so that the paddle movement through its angular arc of approximately 1800 senses any impact upon material in the chamber whereby the panel drive is controlled to move the paddles upon demand as the collection vehicle is loaded with material.

The dividing floor 211 extends horizontally in a horizontal plane along the compartment of the vehicle. To avoid difficulty in unloading, the compacted refuse that has accumulated in the lower chamber the floor 211 is adapted to be pivotal at the loading end to allow the floor to move upwardly at the unloading end and thereby release pressure on the load for easy tipping at a tip site. This is a particularly useful feature when the chamber 10 is very long as is conventional in modern refuse vehicles. The floor will tilt approximately 6' to allow the floor to lift approximately 30 centimetres at the discharge end. The floor may be manually or hydraulically lifted to achieve this result.

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Claims (2)

1. 23. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: .6 6r 6** *6 6 6 6 6 6 6 1. A refuse collection vehicle with at least one refuse storage compartment wherein said at least one refuse storage compartment includes a first and second region, there being provided a panel, the panel being arranged such that when the said at least one refuse storage compartment is empty the panel is in an initial position and separates the first region from the second region, the panel being adapted to move from its initial position to allow entry of refuse from the first region into said second region when the first region fills. 2. A refuse collection vehicle according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the said second region includes the volume defined by the inside surfaces of a door having a concavity region. 3. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein movement of the panel is controlled by at least one hydraulic cylinder attached thereto. 4. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one refuse storage compartment has an associated compactor device for moving refuse from a refuse entry region into the refuse storage compartment and control means for controlling the compactor device responsive to sensor means whereby to control the degree of compaction of refuse in said at least one refuse storage compartment. A refuse vehicle according to claim 4 wherein the sensor means include a means for sensing the position of the panel. 6. A refuse vehicle according to either of claims 4 or 5 wherein the sensor means includes a means for measuring the force exerted by a compactor device on refuse. 7. A refuse vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the compactor device is driven by at least one hydraulic cylinder and the sensor means includes a pressure sensor in a hydraulic supply line to the said at least one hydraulic cylinder whereby to measure the force exerted by the compactor device on refuse. 8. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7 having at least two separate refuse storage compartments, said at least two separate refuse storage compartments each having a compactor device and said control means controls the compactor devices whereby to provide different degrees of compaction in said at least two refuse storage compartments. 9. A refuse vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the sensor means includes a means for counting bins loaded Lnto the vehicle. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims with at least one refuse storage compartment, said at least one refuse storage compartment being associated with at least one refuse entry region, said at least one refuse storage compartment having at least one raking means provided with downwardly extending refuse engaging i i IT ~1 i A: 11 Li region has a corresponding meaning. luigtwrsheefeeny The raking means may be continuously driven in a series of periodic cycles. Alternatively, the raking means may be driven intermittently. In particular, the raking means is adapted to undergo a reciprocating motion so that at the end of one cycle, the 4. f. *4 a, a, means, said raking means having driving means arranged to make the refuse engaging means undergo a pull phase and a return phase, the refuse engaging means being adapted to pull refuse from a start position into the refuse storage compartment during the pull phase and to return to the start position during the return phase wherein the path of the bcttomi of the refuse engagement means during the return phase is above the path of the bottom of the refuse engagement means during the pull phase. 11. A refuse collection vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the raking means is adapted to move refuse from a refuse entry region into an associated refuse storage compartment. 12. A refuse collection vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the raking means is adapted to move refuse from a first part of the refuse storage compartment to a second part of the refuse storage compartment. 13. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein thle refuse engagement means includes a plurality of downwardly extending tines. 14. A refuse collection vehicle according to claim 13 wherein the tines are adapted to bend or pivot substantially out of engagement with the refuse during the return phase. A refuse collection vehicle according to any ow' of claims 10 to 14 wherein said at least one refuse storage compartment has a compactor device. 16. A refuse collection vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the raking means includes a crank pivotally connected to the vehicle, a connecting link pivotally connected to the crank, a rocker link pivotally connected to the convlecting link, the rocker link being pivotally connected to the vehicle, the refuse engaging means being connected to the connecting link. 17. A refuse collection vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the raking means includes a slider element and a track, said slider element being adapted to slide with respect to said track, the refuse engaging means being connected to the slider element. 18. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims having at least two separate refuse storage compartments, at least two of the refuse storage compartments each having a compactor device including a paddle that is adapted to move refuse from a refuse entry portion into the respective refuse storage compartment, each paddle being connected to a common drive shaft, the paddle associated with one of the refusL storage compartments having a different length to at least one paddle associated with another refuse storage compartment so that paddles of different length exert different compaction forces on refuse by virtue of their different lengths. 19. A refuse collection vehicle according to claim 18 wherein the said common drive shaft is driven by a pair of hydraulic cylinders. A refuse collection vehicle according to either claims 18 or 19 wherein each of en. 1*~t*a J a 1 *S.a ,aa A.. a 11 '4 21 I. ft jl,, Luwala tII1i IiLU iiLfy region. A projection for engaging refuse that moves out of engagement with refuse when -j moving towards the refuse entry region may be provided with a spring or other urging means to urge the projection back to a refuse engaging position when it is no longer being urged by refuse to move out of a refuse engaging position. the said paddles is adai.ed to pivot through an arc that extends over an angle ,f approximately 180°. 21. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein one of said at least two refuse storage compartments is partly or wholly above another one of said at least two refuse storage compartments, the paddle associated with the upper refuse storage compartment bcing shorter than the paddle associated with the lower refuse storage compartment. 22. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of claims 18 to 21 with control means arranged to control the operation of the paddles, the control means having one mode of operation wherein the paddles continuously pivot back and forth through an arc and another mode of operation wherein the paddles pivot through an arc for a given number of cycles when a specific signal is given. 23. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of claims 18 to 22 including sensor means associated with the compactor device and control means for controlling the compactor device responsive to the sensor means whereby to provide different degrees of compaction of refuse in said at least two storage compartments.
2. 24. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 17 having at least two separate refuse storage compartments, at least two of the refuse storage compartments each having a compactor device that is adapted to move refuse from a refuse entry portion 20 into the respective refuse storage compartment, sensor means associated with the compactor device and control means for controlling the compactor device responsive to said sensor means whereby to provide different degrees of compaction of refuse in said at least two refuse storage compartments. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims including _5 chute means having a mouth with divider adapted to interengage with a divider of a refuse ij bin to direct refuse from different parts of the storage bin into separate refuse compartments in the vehicle. l 25. A refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims I substantially as hereinbefore described. DATED this 17th Day of October 1997 OBERINS ARTHUR ROBINSON HEDDERWICKS Patent Attorneys for MACDONALD JOHNSTON ENGINEERING COMPANY PTY LTD ABSTRACT A refuse collection vehicle with at least one refuse storage compartment wherein said at least one refuse storage compartment includes a first and second region, there being provided a panel, the panel being arranged such that when the said at least one refuse storage compartment is empty the panel is in an initial positio.i and separates the first region from the second region, the panel being adapted to move from its initial position to allow entry of refuse into said second region when the first region fills. 0* 0000 0o 000 0 0 if--