CA1063426A - Horizontal trash compactor - Google Patents

Abstract

HORIZONTAL TRASH COMPACTOR

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention is a trash compactor for compressing trash as it is moved in a horizontal direction, the compactor including a rectilinear section into which the trash is placed, a power member for forcing the trash through the rectilinear section and a curvilinear section into which the trash is forced for further compression. The curvilinear section is of sinuous of S-shape configuration and is disposed in either a vertical or horizontal plane. Engagement of the trash with the walls of the curvilinear section effect compaction of the trash prior to emission for dis-posal. A gate within the curvilinear section is operative to in-crease compaction therein before emission from the compactor.

Description

In United ';tates Patent Mo. 3,657,999 issued l~pril 25, 1972 to I.ewis P. I~hite there is disclosed apparatus for compacting trash by movi.ng the trash hori%ontally through t'le rectilinear section into a curved portion where the trash i5 compacte~ by virtue o~ the fri.ctional engagerlent of the trash witn the ~alls o the curved section. It has ~een found that although the clevice of this invention is effectiv2 fox co~n--pacting trash, it is desirable i.n some instances to effect a much greater compaction in order that the trash ma~ take up ` --a smaller volume of space upon disposal.
It is th~refore an object of this inventi.on to provide a trash compactor ~7hexein the trash is comPressed by forcir.g the same throu~h a sinuous path, therch-~ producing compres~ion by the frictional enyagement o~ the trash with the walls of the co~iLpactor prior to removal for disposal.
~ nother object is to provide a trash Gompactor inclu-ding a rectilinear portion lvins in a horizontal plane and a curvilinear portion ~refera~ly o 5-shape conforMation, thereky forcing the trash to pass through a douhl2 curve section and be subjectecl to greater frictional resistance in ~a.ssi.ng throuah the co~pactor, for increased compaction of thc trash.
A further object is to provide a device of the char- -acter descrihed wherein gate r.~eans are provided in the curvi-linear section ~or further incrcasing the compaction of the trash where desired, the gate means being selectively ad~ust-able to reduce the size of the passage through whlch the trash passes, t~.ereby increasing compaction o the trash.
A further o~ject is to provide a compactor of the character descrihed ~therein the S-shape curvilinear section thereof is disposed in a vertical plane, thereby effecting greater compaction ~, :

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- of the trash by forcing the trash to follow an upward path against the force of gravity, the compacted trash being del-ivered from the compactor appreciably above ground level, thereby enabling the same to be directly delivered onto a truck or other conveyance for removal.
A further object is to provide a compactor of the character described wherein the S-shape curvilinear section is disposed in a horizontal plane in order to permit delivery of the compacted trash to a point laterally of the compactor.
Other objects are to provide a trash compactor of the character described including a gate movable into the path of movement of trash within the curvilinear section for impeding the flow of trash therethrough, and increasing the compression of the trash; to provide a gate which is power ~ -operated for selective movement into operative position;
to provide a gate which is spring-actuated for normally ; extending into the path of movement of the trash until the pressure of the trash against the gate overcomes the tension of the spring to force the gate to an open position, and - 20 to provide a spring-actuated gate, wherein the tension of ; the spring may be adjusted to vary the pressure by the trash required to open the gate.
Other objects will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred forms of the invention taken in connection with the appended drawings.
In its broadest aspect the invention consists of a trash compactor comprising: an elongated chamber, said chamber including a rectilinear section and a curvilinear section, said curvilinear section being of S-shape con-formation and comprising a pair of spaced, reversely B ~ 3 _ curved portions connected by a straight portion, means for admitting trash to the interior of said rectilinear section, a packer assembly movable longitudinally of said rectilinear section for forcing trash in advance thereof into said S-shape curvilinear section, whereby the trash is compressed by frictional engagement with the wall thereof, and power means engageable with said packer assembly for moving the latter longitudinally of said rectilinear section.
Example embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a trash compactor constructed in accordance with the present invention;
portions thereof being broken away to disclose details of construction;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same;
Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the present invention, showing to advantage the spring-actuated gate forming a part thereof;
:

- - 3a -FIGURE 4 is an elevational view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4;
FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the form of invention illustrated in FIGURE 5;
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of another modified form of the present invention, a portion thereof being broken ~ -away to disclose details;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the form of invention illustrated in FIGURE 7;
; FIGURE 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of a packer-head assembly comprising a part of the form of invention illustrated ; in FIGURE 7, and FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectlonal view taken along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9 looking in the direction of the arrows.

` SUMMA~Y OF THE N_VENTION

The present invention is a trash compactor which includes an elongated chamber comprising a rectilinear section which is disposed in a horizontal plane and a curvilinear section in communi-cation with the rectilinear section. Trash is fed into the recti-linear section and moved towards the curvilinear section by a -~-power member, and the major portion of the compression is effected within the curvilinear section.
The curvilinear section is of generally S-shape confo~mation so that, as the trash is fed into the compactor, it is forced to take a sinuous path, thereby effecting frictional engagement of the ~
trash with the walls of the S-shape section, thereby compacting the ~ -trash~

A gate is movable into a portion of the curvilinear section to effect constriction of the passageway through which the trash travels, to increase the compression or compaction of the trash.
This gate may be controlled manually or may be automatically operated through spring actuation.
The S-shape section of the compactor may line in a sub-stantially vertical plane in order to effect increased compression of the trash by foreing the trash to move in an upward direction against the force of gravity, and this also effects delivery of the compacted trash at a point appreciably above the ground level for ready placement onto a vehicle for removal.
If desired, the S-shape section may lie in a horizontal plane for delivery of the compacted trash laterally of the com-pactor onto a railway car or other conveyance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FORM OF INVENTION
ILLUSTRATED IN FIGURES 1 TC ~

In FIGURES 1 to 4 there is illustrated a trash compactor constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention which includes an elongated chamber open at both ends and comprising a rectilinear section 20 which is in communication with a curvilinear section 22. The compactor is preferably supported on pairs of legs indicated at 24.
Rectilinear section 20 is preferably substantially square in cross section and includes a top 26, sides 28 and 30 and a bottom 32. A portion of top 26 is cut away to provide an opening indicated at 34, and a hopper 36 is mounted on the top proximate to the opening to facilitate the delivery of trash to the interior of the rectilinear section.

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A packer assembly 38 is mounted within rectilinear section 20, as shown to advantage in FIGURE 1. This packer assembly is . ~ . .
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similar in construction to that illustrated in above-mentioned United States Patent No. 3,657,999 and includes a horizontally disposed power cylinder 40 provided with a piston 42, the free terminal of which is bifurcated to provide spaced ears 44.
The opposite terminal of cylinder 40 is also provided with a pair of spaced ears 46 between which a vertical support 47 fits between spaced horizontal supports 48.
Ears 44 connected to piston 42 is engaged with vertical support 50 by pin 52.
The packer assembly further includes a packer member 54 which is preferably square in cross section and provided ;- with a front presser plate 56 connected to one end thereof. ~.
Packer member 54 is connected to support 50 and is movable longitudinally of the rectilinear section upon extension of piston 42. Longitudinal guides are indicated at 58. Beyond : :
opening 34 and hopper 36, the terminal of rectilinear section ' 20 is joined at 60 to curvilinear section 22. :-As shown in Figure 1, curvilinear section 22 is pref- ~ -erably of S-shape conformation and includes reversibly curved portions 62 and 64 which are connected by a straight portion 66. Curvilinear section 22 is preferably of uniform cross ~ sectional area throughout its length, and, in the form of ; invention illustrated in Figure 1, the curvilinear section is disposed in a vertical plane with the outlet thereof in a horizontal plane appreciably above that of rectilinear section . -20.
By having the outlet of the compactor considerably .
spaced from ground level, the trash may be delivered directly onto a trurk or other conveyance for removal to a disposal site. Also, as the trash is forced through the curvilinear ~ 6 -B

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sectionr it is forced to take a sinuous path whereby it first frictionally engages the walls ~ ~ -- 6a -of curved portion 62 and then the walls of curved portion 64, thereby effecting compaction of the trash. Additional compaction is also effected by forcing the trash upwardly through curved portions 62 and 64 and straight section 66 against the force of gravity.
With the apparatus of the present invention, the compression of the trash may be further increased by means of a gate assembly 68 which is mounted on curvilinear section 22 and is effective to reduce the cross section area thereof to the desired degree for greater compaction of the trash.
Gate assembly 68 includes spaced brackets 70 mounted on the upper side of curved portion 64 in spaced parallel relationship.
A pair of spaced parallel links 72 are hingedly connected at 74 . to brackets 70, the free terminals of links 72 being fixed to 'I 15 opposite sides of a cylinder 76.
~, Referring now to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that one terminal d of cylinder 76 is provided with an end cap 78 through which a threaded shaft 80 passes. A convolute spring 82 of the type employed for railroad cars is placed within cylinder 76 about threaded shaft 80, one end of the spring being engaged with cap 78 and the opposite end thereof being engaged by a movable end plate 84. Threaded shaft 80 extends through and beyond movable plate 84 and adjustment nuts 86 are threaded on the end of shaft 80 to relocate end plate 84 within the cylinder 76 in order to effect the desired spring tension.
Shaft 80 extends through a block 88, the lateral edges of which block are connected to ears 90 by pins 92. As illustrated in FIGURE
4~ a connector 94 is located between ears 90 and joined thereby by spacers 96. An edge portion of connector 94 remote from shaft 80 is fixed to a gate or door 98 which is substantially perpendicular thereto.

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Gate 98 is provided with a peripheral upstanding frame 100 which is hingedly connected at 102 to supporting ears 104 mounted exteriorly of straight portion 66 of curvilinear section 22.
As shown in FIGURE 3, gate 98 is movable in and out of an 5opening in straight portion 66 of cur-vilinear section 22. Gate 98 assumes the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 3 when no trash is within the compactor. This is effected by spring 82 exerting a longitudinal force on threaded shaft 80 in the direction of curved portion 64 against movable cap plate 84, 10causing a corresponding movement of connector 94 and inward motion of gate 98 about hinge 102.
Since gate 98 is normally located within the stra~ght portion of curvilinear section 22, any movement thereof to the full lines position shown in FIGURE 3 is accomplished by virtue of the ',-'~
~` 15 compacted trash exerting sufficient pressure on the gate to cause compression of spring 82. The force which must be exerted to overcome the tension of the spring may be varied by adjusting nuts 86. This regulates the pressure which must be exerted on gate 98 before it is rotated about hinge 102 to fully open the curvilinear 20section for passage of trash therethrough.
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oPERA~ION
In use of the compactor of this form of the present invention, trash is admitted to the interior of the compact through hopper 36, after which packer assembly 38 is actuated to move packer member 2554 longitudinally of the rectilinear section, thereby forcing the trash ahead of it in the direction of curvilinear section 22. Con- ' tinued reciprocation of packer member 54 casues the trash to be forced into curved portion 62 of curvilinear section 22 where it is com-pressed by virtue of the fri,ctional engagement of the walls of the lg~ 2~

curved portion with the trash. The trash is then forced to move in an upward direction against the force of gravity through straight portion 66 where it engages gate 98 restricting the cross-sectional area of the straight portion, thereby causing further compression of the trash until the pressure thereof overcomes the tension of spring 82. This effects movement of the gate about hinge 102, permitting the trash to pass upwardly into curved portion 64 where once again it is compacted further by frictional engagement with the walls thereof.
As the trash passes through curved portion 64, it is bound together by the forces which have compressed the same into a shape corresponding to the cross sectional area of the outlet of the com-pactor. It may therefore be fed directly onto a flat bed truck or like conveyance since the outlet is appreciably above the ground level.
When the conveyance is full, it may simply be removed and the compressed trash will break apart at the outlet of the compactor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FORM OF INVENTION
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In FIGURES 5 and 6 there is illustrated a modification of the form of invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4 wherein the parts thereof are the same as illustrated in the form of invention of FIGURES 1 to 4 and accordingly are identified by like, primed numbers. However2 in this~form of the invention? as shown to advantage in the drawings, the S-shape rectilinear section 22' is not disposed in a vertical plane but is disposed in a horizontal plane so that the trash is directed laterally of the rectilinear section 20' of the compactor. This form of the invention is particularly adapted for applications where it is desired to deliver the compressed trash laterally of the unit, such as for example~ onto a railway car or the - . . : .
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-like. The operation and the manner of usage in this form of the : invention is the same as described above in connection with the form of invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FORM OF INVENTION
- 5 AS ILLUSTRAI'ED IN FIGURES 7 TO 10 In FIGURES 7 to 10 there is illustrated a modified form of trash compactor of the present invention of which is particularly --adapted for use as a transfer station where large quantities of trash may be compacted prior to removal for disposal.
The horizontal trash compactor of this form of invention -~ includes an elongated chamber having a rectilinear section 106 to which is connected a curvilinear section 108.
Rectilinear section 106 includes a top 110, a bottom 112 and sides 114 and 116. The chamber formed between the top, bottom and sides of the rectilinear section are reinforced throughout their length by horizontal reinforcing means 118 secured to top 110, hori-zontal beams 120 secured to bottom 112, vertical beams secured to :~ side 114 and vertical beams 124 secured to side 116.
A portion of top 110 is removed to provide an opening or hopper 126 through which the trash to be compacted is admitted to the interior of the rectilinear section.
In order to effect compaction of the trash, there is provided a mobile packerhead assembly generally designated 128. Packerhead assembly includes a pair of spaced, horizontally disposed I-beams 130 and 132 extending between sides 114 and 116 of the rectilinear section at the end thereof. I-beam section 130 is provided with two pairs of spaced ears 134 between which a pair of power cylinders 136 are connected. I-beam 132 is also provided with two pairs of spaced ears 138 to which power cylinders 140 are connected.

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The forward end of power cylinders 136 are provided with pistons 142, the outer ends of which are connected to a cross member 144. In like manner, power cylinders 140 are provided with pistons 146, the outer ends of which are connected to a cross member 148 which is in spaced parallel relationship to cross member 144. The lateral extremities of cross members 144 and 148 are connected to vertical supports 150 and 152. Intermediate vertical supports are indicated 154.
Upper side rails 156 extend rearwardly from vertical supports 154 in spaced relation to top 110. Bottcm side rails are indicated at 158 and are located proximate bottom wall 112. Vertical connectors are indicated at 160.
In order to facilitate movement of the packerhead assembly, there are provided on each side thereof a pair of front wheels 162 rotatably mounted in bracket supports 164 which are hingedly engaged with vertical supports 154 and 152. A second bracket support for each wheel is indicated at 166. ~langes 165 and 167 extend from bracket supports 164 and 166 respectively and are connected by a bolt and spring assembly 170 for permitting limited vertical movement of wheels 162.
At the aft end of the packerhead assembly, there is provided a cross beam 172 which is vertically disposed and is joined to a horizontally disposed cross beam 174. Angular brace members 176 extend rearwardly from a point approximately the midpoint of vertical supports 150, 152 and 154 to the lower aft end of the packer member where it is secured to cross beams 172 and 174. A pair of wheel brackets are indicated at 178 which brackets are hinged to brace 176 at 180, the brackets rotatably supporting rear wheels 182. The upper end of brackets 178 are connected to cross beam 172 by a bolt and spring assembly 186 for allowing limited movement of rear wheels 182 in a vertical plane.

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A presser plate 188 is fixed to vertical support members 150, 152 and 154 for engaging the trash and pushing it in advance of the packerhead assembly. An upper plate is indicated at 190 which plate is secured to transfer braces 192 which span upper side rails 156.
Curvilinear section 108 includes a curved portion 194 which is upwardly directed as indicated in FIGURE 7, which portion is connected by a straight portion 196 to a second curved portion 198 which is curved in a direction opposite to curved portion 194 thereby producing a curvilinear section of S-shape conformation similar to that illustrated in the form of the invention shown in :-FIGURES 1 to 6.
A gate assembly is generally designated at 200 for restrict-ing the flow of trash through the straight portion 196 thereby effecting compaction of the trash in addition to that already effected by virtue of the S-shape conformation of the curvilinear section.
Gate assembly 200 generally indludes a U-shape frame including side members 202 which are joined together by a pair of spaced I-beams 204. A plurality of plates 206 are fixed between I-beam 204, said plates being provided with openings to receive the terminals of spaced power cylinders 208. Each cylinder is provided with a piston 210, the outer end of which is connected to the upper limit of a gate 212 mounted in an opening in the top wall of straight portion 196.
Gate 212 is hingedly mounted at 214 on a support bar 216 mounted on the top of the curvilinear section. Upon actuation of the power cylinders 208 ~o extend the pistons 210, gate 212 is pivoted inwardly about hinge 214 into the space within the curvilinear section to effect greater compaction of the trash in a manner similar to that shown and -described in connection with the form of invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4.
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Power cylinders 208 as well as power cylinders 136 and 140 are preferably of the hydraulic type and may be operated by suitable controls indicated at 218. These controls are selectively operable to actuate the packerhead assembly to move the trash through the rectilinear section and also to actuate the gate assembly for effecting greater compaction when desired.
In order to prevent upward movement of packerhead assembly 128 as it moves longitudinally of rectilinear section 106, there is provided a guide assembly generally designated 220, which is shown to advantage in FIGURE,S 9 and 10. Guide assembly 220 includes horizontal guide rails 222 of generally triangular shape which are mounted on the inner faces of sides 114 and 116 in the manner illustrated in ~IGURE 10.
Stanchions 224 are welded or secured in any other manner at their lower end to the lateral limits of cross beam 174, at the aft end of the compactor. As shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, each ~ stanchion extends upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly at an angle and - a cast iron wear shoe 226 is mounted on the top of the stanchion.
As the packerhead assembly moves longitudinally of rectilinear section 106, wear shoes 226 engage guide rails 222 to prevent upward movement of the rear of the assembly upon engagement of presser plate 188 with the trash.
The present invention further includes a breaker bar assembly 228 which is mounted on top 110 of rectilinear section 106 adjacent the frontof trash opening 126, The breaker bar assembly is substantially coextensive with the width of top 110 and serves to prevent jamming of trash between packerhead of assembly 128 and top 110. -Breaker bar assembly 228 includes a box-like member 230 which extends transversely of top 110, the terminals of which are : .

' ' secured to brackets 232 hingedly connected to rectilinear section 106 at 234. Member 230 is normally maintained in contiguous relation with top 110 by a plurality of bolts 236. In the event that trash becomes wedged between the top of the rectilinear section and the packerhead assembly, pressure is exerted against the bre~Xer bar assembly. Upon exertion of a predetermined pressure on the breaker bar assembly, bolts 236 will break and member 230 will pivot about hinge 234. Movement of member 230 actuates a switch 238 connected to controls 218 for shutting down the machine to prevent longitudinal movement of the packerhead assembly with possible damage thereto. : -After the trash is removed from wedging engagement with the compactor, the bolts 236 replaced, the compactor is ready for operation.
m e operation of this form of the invention is similar to that described above in connection with the form of invention illustrated in FI~URES 1 to 4. In this form of the invention, however?
the unit is SQ constructed that large quantities of trash may be compacted in the order of 1800 pounds per linear foot.
With the apparatus of the present invention efficient means are provided for compacting trash preparatory to removal thereof to a disposal site. Compaction is effected in a lateral direction and the sinuous or S-shaped configuration of the curvi-linear path forces the trash to follow a similar path whereby it must pass through a double curve. me friction exerted by the double curve on the trash effects compression of the trash which compression may be increased when desired, by the gate operable within the curvilinear section. When the curvilinear section is disposed in a vertical plane? compression is increased by forcing the trash to move in an upward direction against the force of gravity.
: While there has been herein shown and described the presently preferred forms of this invention, it is to be understood 1 that such has been done for purposes of illustration only, and that various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.
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Claims (2)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows;

1. A trash compactor comprising:
a. an elongated chamber, b. said chamber including a rectilinear section and a curvilinear section, c. said curvilinear section being of S-shape conformation and comprising a pair of spaced, reversely curved portions connected by a straight portion, d. means for admitting trash to the interior of said rectilinear section, said means comprising an opening in said rectilinear section, e. a packer assembly comprising a mobile member movable longitudinally of said rectilinear section, f. power means engageable with said packer assembly for moving the latter longitudinally of said rectilinear section, and g. gate means movable into said curvilinear section for impeding the passage of trash therethrough, to effect compaction of the trash, h. power means for moving said gate means into said curvi-linear section, and i. means on said rectilinear section adjacent said opening in the rectilinear section for preventing wedging of trash between said chamber and packer assembly.

2. The trash compactor of claim 1, wherein:
a. said means on said rectilinear section includes a breaker bar assembly, b. said breaker bar assembly comprising a boxlike member extending transversely of, and in engagement with said rectilinear section, c. said box-like member being hingedly engaged with said rectilinear section, d. bolts securing said box-like member to said rectilinear section, e. said bolts being broken upon application of force on said box-like member by trash, whereby said boxlike member moves out of engagement with said rectilinear section, and f. switch means actuated by said box-like member upon movement of the latter, g. said switch means being in operative engagement with said power means for halting movement of said packer assembly.