CA2035456A1 - Trash collection vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

2035456 9100231 PCTABS00003 The refuse collection vehicle has a collection container (2A) with an upper fill opening (14) and compacting means (7). An intermediate container (12A) adjacent the driver's cab has a fill opening (13A) and a discharge opening (14) communicating with the main container. Inside the intermediate container (12A) means (17) are provided for emptying its contents.

Description

~ W091/00231 PCT/E~0~00992

2~354~
TRASH COLLECTION VE~ICLE
__ The present invention relates to a trash collection vehicle of the type which includes a collection container disposed behind an operator station, particularly behind the driver's cab of a motor vehicle. The collection container, which is preferably releasable lrom ~he vehicle, has a fill opening disposed in its upper region and at least one wall portion which can be opened for emptying, preferably the wall facing away from the fill openingO The type of trash collection vehicle to which the present invention relates a~so includes means ~or compacting the waste filled into the collection container.
A trash collection vehicle of the above-mentioned type is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,202,305 to George R. ~empster and another. The trash containers are picked up from the ground at the front of the vehicle ahea~ of the driver's cab by a pair of pivot arms which are connected with the collection container. The trash containers ~re then pivoted high above ~he driver's c~b and emptied into the fill ` ~ 20 opening o~ the collection container disposed behind the driver's cab by~tipping them over. A significant drawback of these vehic~les, known as i'overhead loader~," is that during pivoting o~ ~hé trash containers for emptying i~to the fill opening a~ the top of;the collection container~ the n~rmal 25 ~ clearance pro~ile of such vehicles is exceed~d considerably.
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The term "clearance profile'^ as used herein means the height `

WO91/00231 2 PCT/EP90/00992 ~ ~Is 20354~8 of the vehicle at its highest point when trash is not being transferred.
U.S. Patent 4,096,959 ~o Georg Schaffler further discloses a trash collection vehicle in which a receiving hopper is disposed on the chas~is between the driver's cab and the collection container, wnich is relea~ably connected with the vehicle. The trash containers are emptied into this receiving hopper by a pair of pivot arms which flip them over in the manner of an overhead loader. The trash is then moved by a shoveling device from the recei~ing hopper into the fill opening at the top of the collec~ion container~
Compaction of the trash in the collection container is not possible, so that optimum loading cannot be realized. Aside from the above described dxawbacks of an overhead loader~
this vehicle has the further drawback that the arrangement of the receiving hopper between the:~c~llection containex and the driver's cab reduces the volume available for the collection container to a considera~le degree.
U.S. Patent 3,643,824 to Har~ie C. Partridge discloses a trash collection vehicle in~which a~receiving hopper is disposed ~etween the driver's cab and the collection containex, which is fixed to~the cnassis~but is tilta~lel.
The receiving hopper can be loaded manually from the ground with small trash;containers or by way of an appropriate . -`
filling device. The trash di:sposed I~ the receiving happer : is then pushed by a:pusher into the collection container : ;: `:
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through an opening disposed in the bottom region of the front wall of the collection container, and is substantially compacted. Large trash containers can not be emptied.

SUMMARY OF T~HE_INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a trash collection vehicle of the above-mentioned type which utilizes the advantages known for an overhead loader, namely the fact that the workers are able to operate in front of the ~ driver's cab in eye contact with the driver, and which avoids the drawbacks of the above-described systems, while permitting small-volume trash containers such as household trash cans to be emptied.
This is accomplished according to the invention in that, in the front region of the driveris cab, at least one intermediate container is disposed~for recei~ing the trash ~rom trash containers. This intermediate container is in communication with means for emptying the contents of the intermedlate container into the f ill opening at the top of the collection:container~ The intermediate container has a discharge opening separate fr~m its fill opening. At least durling the e~mptying process, the d;scharge open;ing bf the intermediate container is in communication with the fill :~ opening of ~he collection container.
: An advisable:further feature of the invention provides ~that the discharge opening of the intexmediate ~ontainer ,:
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and/or the fill opening of the collection container are olosable. In this way it is possible for the intermediate container to have a closed configuration except for the mentioned openings. The arrangement of such an intermediat~
container in the front region of the driver's cab has the advantage that the space behind the driver's cab is available for practically its entire length to accommodate the collection container, which can thus be of the largest possible size. The term "front region" in the sense of the invention includes the space in front of the driver's cab as well as the space above the driver's cab.
A further advantage of a vehicle a~cording to the invention, compared to conventional trash collection vehicles, is that its weight distribution i5 better, since the weight of the components required for manipulating the trash containers and the intermediate container is absorbed by the front axle of the vehicle. A~cordingly, the region at the rear axle is available to the fullest extent for accommodating the load provided by the filled colle~tion ~ontainer. This results in better load distribution.
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A further advantage of a trash collec~ion vehicle conf igured acc~rding to the invention is that the intermediate container is emp~ied through an ope~ing at the ;~ top~of ~he collection container so:that, in conjunction wi~h : 25 a compaction device such as a pusher, optimum filling of the : ~
~ coll:ection container is possible. The filling from the top ij~
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~ WOgl/00231 5 PCT/EP90/00992 ~3~
is of particular significance for the compaction process since the ~uantities of trash received in the fill opening of the collection container by way of the intermediate containe~
are pushed together a~ainst the opposite end wall and are compacted below the ceiling of the container. The compacting device i5 preferably configured in such a manner that it essentially covers the entire container cross section.
Sufficient space for maneuvering the vehicle must always be available ln the direction of travel, so sufficient room is ensured for manipulating the trash containers, and eye contact can easily be established between the driver and the operating crew. The workers can give a signal ~o mo~e on to the next pickup location, for example, once they have climbed onto the vehicle.
A trash collection ~ehicle according to the invention is of such design that it can be constructed to particular advantage on the basis of a mass-produced chassis. The trash collection vehicle may also be configured as a special 20 vehicle with a so-called dropped frame design which has only a slight clearance above the ground. This makes it possible ~ I` i " I ' ~ ' ~
to provide a low lying driver's cab and/o~ a ~ow lying chassi~s so that a relatively great height is available for the intermediate container and the collection container~

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without exceeding the maximum pe~missible height during emptying~ This makes a large capacity available.
A preferred feature of the invention provides that the intermediate container is in communication with at l~ast one device for manipulating the trash containers to be emptied into it~ Depending on the configuration and/or arrangement of the intermediate container, a device for manipulating trash containers may include a con~entional, pivotable trash container holder mechanism~ as they are employed for the Io manipulation of household trash cans ha~ing a volume b2tween 50 and 240 liters and/or also for the manipulation of large containers having a capacity of 1 to 2 m3. While it is possible, in principle, to configure the intermediate container as an open container, it is ad~isable for it to be a closed structure having a closable fill opening that can be opened, for example, by way of the~holder mechanism. If only a single intermediate container is provided, it ~ay be connected with two or more holder mechanisms so that several trash containers can be emptied simultaneously.
The intermediate container may b~ subdi~ided into at least two container portions, with each container portion ha~ing an a$sociated dischar~e ope~in~. This permits discharge of sorted trash into the intermediat container for subsequent transfer to a colle tion container that is also subdivided in accordance with the invention. Each SUBSTITUTE SHE~E~T

~; WO91/00231 PCT/EP9OJ00992 colltainer portion of ~he intermediate container may be connected with its own holder mechanism for the trash cans.
It is also possihle ~o provide two separate intermediate containers, which is of particular advantage for embodiments which are equipped with a displacement apparatus for the intermediate container. In this case, each intermediate container has its own associated displacement apparatus and can be moved independently of the other.
If the collection ~ontainer is subdivided, at least some of the container portions may be releasably connected with one another. This has the advantage that, ~or example, household trash, which forms the major component of the collected trash load, can be dumped into a large basic container which acts as a supporting body f~r the releasable container portions.~ Special trash can then be dumped separately and sorted into the container portions. For example, a large hospital or a remotely located treatme~t facility can be served in only one trash removal trip. The container por~ions with the special trash can then be sepaxated from the normal waste without any reloading being required. Glass or paper can also be trancported away in a sorted manner together with the hous hold trash if it i5~ made available appropriately pre-sorted. If an intermediate container is provided, appropriate control at a displacement 2~ apparatus according to the invention permits the inter mediate container to then be moved directly toward individual :

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WO91~0023~ . PCT/EP90/00992 ~ j 2 ~ 5 ~ 1: oontainer portions of the collection container t~ be emptied thereinto.
A preferred feature of the invention ~urther pr~vides that the discharge opening of the intermediate container 5 and/or the fill opening of the collection container are - -~
provided with an extension which projects into the respec-tive other opening at least when the intermediate container is being emptied. This is advantageous particularly for trash collection vehicles in which the intermediate container 0 and the collection container can be separated from one another according to the invention, since a proper seal is provided between the two mutually associated openings and no trash is able to escape to the outside. Moreover, such an extension which enters into the respective other opening makes it possible to seal the transition region.
As an advantageous feature of the invention, it is further provided that at lea~t one wall portion extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the collection container is displ~ceable in the longitudinal direction of the container and is in communication with an actuation mechanism (pre~erably operated hydraulically) which acts on the displaceable wall portion. The wall portion may be ~
container wall hut it may also be a pressing plate or pusher which lies against the con~ainer wall. It i5 advantageous to mount the pusher~ at the end of the collection container faciny the dri~er's cab because considerable sa~ings in ~: :
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weight for the container can be obtained since the actuation mechanism for the pusher can be arranged at the ~ehicle and no hydraulic components need be provided in the collection container for compactin~ the trash. Accordingly the entire hydraulic system can be fixedly installed in the vehicle. A
releasable coupling must be provided between the displaceable wall portion of the collection container and the actuation mechanism (preferably a telescoping hydraulic unit) if the collection container is confi~ured to be releasable.
10 During operation, the actuation unit provldes a forward and return movement required for compaction ~ia the releasable coupling. Moreover, this has the advantage that relati~ely small trash collection vehicles which are able to move : through narrow streets can be employed. Particularly for this use, the arrangement of the intermediate container and its filling by way o~ ~he ~ill opening at the ~ront region of <!~ .
the vehicle is o~ advantage because of its better maneu~erability. A filled collection container can then be deposited by the trash collection vehicle while it is stilI
within its assigned region ~nd an empty new container c~an be ~eceiv~d as a replacement so that:the trash collection vehicle and its operating crew~need travel only in the~ ,~
collection àreaO The filled collection containers can thein : be transported away by other vehicles which are able to 25: transport~several such~collectlon~containers by road or by railroad to more~distant depositories~ It is important tha~
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2 ~ 3 ~ ~eloading of the trash is necessary. Rather, the filled collection containers are merely set down one place and are then picked up again for further transporting. Depending on their siæe, the transporting ~ehicles can transport one or more such collection containers, and a trailer filled with collection containers can be employed.
It is advisable for the ccll~ction container to be ::
e~uipped with extendable ground supports. This makes it possible to employ a con~entional truck chassis equipped for operation with so-alled interchangeable bodies for the above described transport of collection containers. Both filled and empty collection containers can be transported by vehicles designed for purely highway traffic. If, fox example, the trash is driven to a waste incineration system, a filled collection container can be deposited there on a tilting device, can be emptied, and can be picked up again by the transporting vehicle.
In one embodiment of a trash collection vehicle according to the invention, the intermediate container is ~0 disposed above the driver's cab and a device for manipulating the trash containers or dumping device is conigured as a pivotable holder mechanism and is equipped wi~h a pickTup dr elevating mechanlsm for the tra~h containers to be emptied, with such elevating mechanism :25 extending into the bottom region in front o~ the driver's cab. This arrangement has the advantage that a relati~ely SlUiB~iTlTaJlTE S~ ET

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~ WO 91/00;!31 ^ Pl'/EP90/OOg92 ~! 2~5~
large capacity intermèdiate container can be employed. Two or more such dumpin~ devices may be provided so that several trash containers can be manipulated independently and simultaneously. If the intermediate container is accessible from its frontal face, the tilting of the trash containexs caused by the dumping can be effected in such a manner that the clearance profile is not exceeded substantially. During operation, the driver's view is not obstructed. The arrangement ~f the intermediate container above the driver's cab also permits the use of a driver's cab having a second ~ seating bench for the operating crew so that, for longer trips between stops, for example in spread-apart residential areas, the crew is able to enter the vehicle from the front, that is, within the driver's viewing range.
As a further feature of the invention it is pro~ided that the intermediate container above the driver's cab may be movable back and forth along a guiae from a forward posltion into an emptying position at the collection container. This confi~uration i5 of advantage, in particular, if the collec-tion container and/or khe i~termediate container are parti-tioned into several portions. Th~ intermediate container can then directly approach the associated fill opening of the colleckion container.~ The guide may be~configured in uch a manner that one portion o~ the guide~is disposed.above the driver's cab and is fixed to the chassis and another portion of the gUidQ is fixed to ~he collectiQn containerr This SU3~T~TUTE S~E~ET

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WO91/00231 12 PCT/E~0/0099~ ~ i -` 2035~
advantage also exists if two independently movable intermediate contain2rs are employed.
In another preferred embodiment of the trash collection vehicle according to the invention, a displacement apparatus for the intermediate container is connected with the vehicle so as to move the intermediate container over the driver's cab from a ~ill position on or near the ground in front of the driver's cab to the intermediate container's emptying position at the collection container. This configuration has O the ad~antage, inter alia, that the dimensions of the intermediate container may extend almost over the entire width of the vehicle and approximately over the length of the driver's cab so that a large capacity intermediate container can be employed. In the fill position, this intermediate container can also be filled manually with trash b~gs and small trash containers. Howe~er, by way of an appropriate holder mechanism associated with the intermediate container, conventional trash containers can also be emptied~ The : particular advantage here is that little work needs to be per~ormed to empty the trash containers into the collec~ion ~ container, and consequently the trash containers are emptied : fas~er. Since the displacement apparatus permits the intermediate container to be brought close to the ground, the shortening of: the lif~ing path connected therewith aIso ~: 25~ simplifies the deslgn of the holder mechanism. As soon as , the lntermediate container is filled completely, it is lifted .

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with the aid of the displace~ent apparatus to the height of the roof of the driver's cab. The intermediate container is then moved to the fill opening of the collectlon container behind the driver's cab and is there emptied with the aid of its emptying means. Although the intermediate container is still in its emptying position, the trash collection vehicle is able to move on to the next pickup location. The intermediate container can then be moved back to its pickup position near the ground by the displacement appara~us. In an arrangement where the intermediate cont~iners can be moved independently of one another, each intermediate container has an associated displacement apparatus.
The ~isplacement apparatus for the intermediate container may include a lifting mecha~ism disposed in front ~ of the driver's cab for an essentially ~ertlcal lifting movement, and a driving de~ice for an essentially hori20ntal (and pref~rably longitudinal) movement above the~driver's ;;, cab~ This conf i~uration has the advantage that the movement of the intermediate container is composed of only an essentially vertical li~ting component and a movement component in an essentially horizontal plane. In contxast to h~ large pivot a~ s of the prior art overhèad loaders, the prescribed clearance profile is~not exceeded~any time during movement of the~intermediate container. This-makes i~
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possible to perform all functions without any obstruction even in cove~red entrances, under~overhead stree~car contact SUBSTITUTE SH~ET

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lines, or under trees. The lifting mechanism may, for example, include a carriage which can b~ moved vertically up and down in front of the dri~er's cab by a lifting drive or by appropriately arranged pivot levers which raise the intermediate container only to the level of the horizontal plane of movement. In this connection, it may also be advisable to provide~a carriage guide for the basic movement of the carriage and, in view of minimum clearance with the ground, to perform the final movement during lowering of the inkermediate container to the ground region by means of pivot levers. The movement in the horizontal plane may be a pivoting movement by which the intermediate container is pivoted about a vertical axis above the driver's cab directly into it5i mptying position. If required, the Intermediate container can be push~d a~ter the pivoting or it can be mo~ed following the lifting~movement by means of a horizontal pushing movement along a guide which extends ~o the region of the fill opening of the collection contai~er.
As a further advantageous feature of ~he in~ention, drive means are provided which~move the intermediate co~-tainer along the guide to th~ emptying position a~ the ~;l` col1ectionicontainer and bac~ again. Thi 5i arrangement has the advantage that, in spite~of the relative mobility of the in~ermediate container along the guide, ~he intermedlat2 container can be fixed in~its direction of ~ove~ent by way of the: dri~e m~ans and remain connected with ~he trash S~IBS~ITUTE SH~ET
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collection vehicle The drive means may include, for example, horizontally acting hydraulic cylinders, revolving endless chains, or a driven carriage which recei~es the intermediate container The underside of the intermediate container may be guided while resting on the guides or, by way of appropriate connecting means, the intermediate container may be suspended~from the guides at its upper side ~r laterally~
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: In a particularly advisa~l;e ~configuration of an arrange-ment which includes an apen intermediate :ccntainer, a . .
pressure plate is displaceable along~the horizontal gulde so as to close the opening of the intermediate container when it is in the raised position This has ~the advantage that,~for ~;
~` ~ example, if the intermediate c~ortainer is loaded with bulky trash or with trash bags, the~intermediate container is closed~for the horizontal movement following the lifting ,, movement and thus no parts projecting from the~buIky trash;or;~
tr-;sh~bags ar~ able~eo~interfere~with its~operation The pressure plate~ may ~be configured~in~such a manner~that~it 20 : ~also carrle5~the~intermédiate~container by way~;~of~releasa~le~
connecting~me~ans~and~thus fo~ms~a~carriage which ~is iD ;
coDuni`cation with the dri~,re means~ ~ for example hydraulic~
c y 1 i n d e r s A~s~an~ad~ant~geous~urther`feature~of~the;inventi~on~,~ the~ ;~
25~dis~charge~opening~of~the~intermediate~contaln~er~may be~
rovided ~l~h a~ lackable: closure. ~Actuatlng means ~ro=

W091/0~231 l6 PCT/E~0/~992 ~ ! , 2~3~6 opening the lock are disposed at the guide in the region of the emptying position at the fill opening of the collection, container. If the intermediate container is subdivided into several container portions, each container portlon may be provided with an appropriate closure which can be opened only at the associated fill opening of the collection container. , The disoharge opening of the intermediate container may be disposed at its rearward end, with a discharging apparatus which is mo~able toward the discharge opening being provided as an emptying means in the intermediate container. This`configuration of the intermediate container can be employed ~or an intermediat :container which is fixedly disposed above the driver's cab or f or an intermediate container that is movable by way of a displacement apparatus. Depending on the configuration of the intermediate container, the discharging apparatus may also be e~ployed to partially cqmpact the trash in the intermediate contai~er. For emptying, the discharging apparatus then pushes the trash through the discharge opening into the ~ill opening in the upper region of the collection container. A discharging apparatus in the sense of the , ` present invention may be a movable push plate as wel1 as a rolling or~scraper floor or a 50-called;~push-rod~floor in the intermediat~ container. The factor:of primary importance in :~ 25 this co~nection :i5 that the~quantities of trash falling into ::`: : ~: :
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~ WO91/0023l 17 PCT/E~0100992 2~3!~45~S

the intermediate container are moved towards its discharge ~p~ g.
The discharge opening may alternatively be disposed at the bottom of the intermediate container. This arrangement has the advantage that the displacement apparatus is able to bring the intermediate container to a position where it lies closely above a fill opening in the ceiling of the~collection container. After the closure is op~ened, the trash is able to drop directly from the intermedlate container into thè
collection container.~ This arrangement is of partlcular advantage for intermediate containers that are subdivided into container portions and/or for subdivided collection .
containers since the intermediate container can be~moved aver ~he collection container until it reaches the associated , 15~ fill op~ning. By arranging approp~iate sealing means at the~
;~ lower edge o~ the intermediate conta~iner andjor at the;edge of the fill openi~g of the collection container~,~for example~
. .
; in th~e form of;~a continuous rubber~bead, a good~seal can be : ~ ~ ` obt~ined.
~ ~20~ A further~advantageoDs ~eatur~e~of~;ehé inventlon pro.ide~
;` that the~ displacement apparatus may be is ,disposed at a}
supporting frame which is:connected with the ~ehi~le ch~ssi The supporting;~frame carriec the lifting mechanism in the~
front and~carries the~guide~and the~drive;means for~the 25~ ~intermediate ~ont~ainer~ i~D the~r~gion above the~driver's cab.
This~arrangement has~the advan~age tha~t~the displacement SUBSTITUTE SHEET

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apparatus forms a closed system in itself which is releasably connected with the vehicle. Accordingly, after the displacement apparatus h~s been removed, i~ is possible to use the vehicle also for other transporting purp~ses.
A preferred feature of the invention provid~s that one end of the supporting frame, preferably the end in front of the driver's cab, is supported on the chassis at least two front fastening points. A~ its other end, preferably the end disposed behind the driver's cab, the supporting frame is supported at least by one rear fastening point, which is preferably disposed on the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle. The supporting frame is inheren~ly rigid, and this arrangement permits the supporting frame to be fastened in such a manner that buckling of the chassis during operation is possible without adverse effects. Another advantage of this configuration is that the supporting frame can be fastened in the front region at the ends of the chassis that are easily accessible, and are configur~d on conventional trucks for the connection of additional assemblies.
The rear fastening point is preferably formed by a joint having at least two d~rees of freedom. The joint may be, ~, ; for example, a ~niversal joint, a ball joint, or a flexible rubber joint.
~: Another feature~of the in~ention provides that the rear b fastening point may:be releasable and the ~upporting frame ~ may be mounted so as to be pivotal a~out a horizontal axis at SUBSTITIJT ~à~lE~T

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its front fastening points. This configuration permits so-called forward control vehicles, in which the dri~e motors lie partially within the driver's cab and the driver's cab can be pivoted forward for purposes of repair, to be used as trash collection vehicles. If engine repair is necessary, the supporting frame can be pivoted forward to permit the driver's cab to be pivoted so that the engine can be repaired. It is particularly advisable for the supporting frame to be equipped with a controllable pivot drive, preferably at least one hydraulic cylinder. In this way, the supportin~ frame can be pivoted completely forward to enable the driver's cab to be tilted as well. Furthermore the supporting frame can be pivoted~by only a slight amount, so that sufficient f ree space is availa~le for exchangins collection contalners. This results in the additional advantage that, assuming that the ~ill opening of the collection container i~:at the top, the ~ill opening of a collection container attached to the vehicle will be tightly sealed against the outside at the supporting ~rame in the region of the transfer point when the supporting frame is : ~ loweredO In this connection, it is advisable ~or ~he I i ~supporting,frame`to be releasably connec~ed with the chlassis.
: ~nother advantageous ~eature of the inven~ion pro~ides ~ : tha~, at least in ~he:region extending over the driver's cab, : ~
the supporting frame includes~a guide which is enclosed on : all sides except::for an entrance opening for the intermediate ~ ~ ~ sU3s ~ IT~ S~EE~

WO91J00231 PCT/E~0/00992 ~ ' ~` ~ 3 ~
container and a transfer opening that can be connected to the fill opening of the colle~tion container. This configuration has the advantage that, once the lifting movement has been completed, the intermediate container is conducted on its horizontal path in a manner encapsulated against the outside.
There is a practicaIly dust-tight seal toward the outside, and in particular the fill opening of the collection container is sealed in the emptying region for the intermediate container, and thus the intermediate container 1.0 can be emptied without adversely affecting the environment.
Another advantageous feature of the invention provides that a cover may be disposed at the guide, with the cover at least partially enclosing the space in front of the driverls cab between the guide and the intermediate container, in its fill position on the ground. The length of this cover is variable to correspond to the lif~ ng mov~ment of the intermediate container. This has the ad~antage that, for intermediate containers that are open at the top, the trash containers ~an be emptied while~the intermediate container is : 20 substantially shi~lded from th2 outside. The forward region of the cover, through which the trash container must ~ moved y,the holding apparatus during dumping! is~preferably i configured as a:str:ip curtain or the like. T~e strip curtain is mounted at the guide by way of a winding device so that 2~ . its length can be shorten2d cor~esponding to the lifting -~ movement. The side and rear regions of the cover may also be :

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formed by such windable curtains. However, a bellows which encl~ses the side and rear regions in a tightly sealing manner and which has an approximately C-shaped cross section is prefera~ly used. The~forwardly oriented free opening of the C can then be closed by the above-mentioned strip curtain.
An expedient additional feature provides that the upper end of the cover is fastened to the pressure plate, which is movable back and f~rth along the guide in the manner of a -10 caxriage, and its lower end is fastened to the intermediate container. This arrangement has the advantage that the cover is affixed t~ the movable components only and is carried along when the pressure plate moves the i~termediate container through ~he guide.
Another feature of the invention provides that the intexmediate container may be exohangeably connected with the displacement appara~us. Thi arrangement has the advantagP
that such intermediate containers can be employed as large-volume trash containers, ~or example, for pecial types of refuse or bulky refuse. The trash collection~vehicle merely picks up the set~down i~termediate container, empties it in o ; , i the collecltiqn conta~iner of the~vehicle, and sets it back down at the pickup location.~
A further~eature of the invention provides that the ~ displa~ement~apparatus, particularl~ if it includes a l.lfting mechanism, may~be connected with a pulverlzing de~ice ~: :
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and/or a pressing device. This arrangement permits a trash collection vehicle according to the invention to be used for picking up bulky refuse. The advantages of a trash collec-tion vehicle with a releasable collection container can thus also be utilized to advantage for the collection of bulky refuse.
As a further feature of the invention, the arrangement of the intermediate container in conjunction with a displac2ment apparatus which allows an essentially horizontal movement of the intermediate container over the driver's cab permits the device for manipulating the trash containers to be provided in the ~orm of a controllable pickup and emptying deYice which is disposed in the front xegion of the driver's cab~ Such a devicel which may be constructed in the manner of a so-called robot arm as it is employed in industrial manuf~acturing, permits the operation of the trash co}lection vehicle to be simplified since all ~unctions can be controlle~ by the driver in the vehicle, particularly by a second operator, without their movements overlapping. ~ ~ ~
~ The pickup device may be mounted so as to be pi~otal : ~ about a vertical pivot axis and it may include a gripping and dùmping device for~the trash containers to be emptied. This : gripping and dumping device is pivotal about at leas~ one .~ 25 coordinate axis and is held at ~n arm at a variable distance .?, ~ from the pivat~axis.: With such a pickup device, trash ::
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~ WO91/00231 ~ 23 PCT/E~0/0~992 ` 2i~ 3 ~
containers of all different sizes and in any kind of arrangement can be picked up directly, for example from the edge of the road, and emptied.
Another advantageous feature of the invention provides that, in the region between the driver's cab and the front end of the trash collection containerr a protected worker station may be provided on least at one longitudinal side of the vehicle. This configuration has the advantage that the worker can step onto the vehicle in the immedi~te ~icinity lO of the driver's cab, still in eye contact with the driver. ~-The worker can ride along to the next pickup locatlon without having to enter the driver's cab. This is of particular advantage in communities where the pickup points for the trash containers are located at distances which are a multiple of the length of the vehicleO In such cases, the wo~ker can traverse these greater distances while sitting or standing on the vehicle. The worXer station may be provided with a co~er as protection against the weather, and additional safety means may be pro~ided which protect the 20 worker from falling out as a result o~ abrupt vehicular movements, such as emergen~y braking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIQN, OF THE DRAWINGS
~ igure 1 i a side vlew, partially in section, showing an embodiment of a trash collection vehicle ha~ing a 2S stationary intermed~ate c~ntainer.

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WO91/00231 PCT/EP90/00992 ~
2(~3~4~ `
Figure 2 is a side view, partially in section, showing a further embodiment which includes a stationary intermediate container.
Figure 3 is a side view, partially in section, showing an embodiment having a movable intermediate container.
Figure 4 is a side ~iaw, p~rtially in section, showing an embodiment which includes a displacement apparatus having a lifting mechanism for the intermediate container.
Figure 5 is a side view, partially in section, showing a modification of the embodiment of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a side view, partially in section, showing an embodiment which includes a displacement apparat~s having a lifting mechanism for the intermediate container and which includes additional manipulating devices for the ~rash containers.
Figure 7 is a top view schematically illustrating a subdivided collection container.
Figure 8 is a~ side view showing a further embodiment, which includes a tiItable supporting frame for a displacement apparatus.
Figure 9~is a side view showing details of a portion of the displacement ~pparatus for the embodiment of Figure 8.
~ Figure ,lO is a:side view, partially;in section,l showing an embodiment having a horizontally pivotal intermediate container.
Figure ll i5 a top view of the embodiment of Figure 9.

5~ ;TlTlJTE ~
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1 ~ WO91/00231 25 PCT/E~0~00992 `2~4LS6 Figure l2 is a sectional view, taken along line XII-XII
of Figure 13, showing a longitudinally divided collection container.
Figure 13 is a sectional view, taken along line XIII-S XIII of Figure 12, of the longitudinally divided collectioncontainer.
Figures l4A to 14G are schematic side views showing a sequence of steps when trash is collected with a modification of the vehicle shown in Figure 8.
-lO Figure 15 is a perspective view of a collection con-tainer for three different materials.
Figure 16 i5 a schematic side view of a lifting device for the intermediate container.

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WOgl/00~31 26 PCT/EP90/OiD992 ~
`:2~3'~4~
DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a simple embodiment of a trash collec-tion vehiclel primarily in order to descri~e the basic structure and functions of the present invention. A
collection container 2A is r~leasably fastened on a chassis 1, for example by locking members 3 as they are customary in container transporting vehicles. The rear of collection container 2A is configured as a discharge opening and ther2-fore includes a pivotable rear wall 4. Rear wall 4 can be 10 pivoted open toward the top, and it can be held in the closed position by locking members 5.
The trash collection vehicle is provided with a pressing apparatus 60 which includes a pressing plate or pusher 7.
Pusher 7 is disposed in the interior of container 2A, normally adjacent the end walI of cantainer ~A that faces the driver's cab 6, and is guided so as to be displac~able within collection container 2A in the longitudinal direction of the container 2A. Push~r 7 is movable by an actuation mechanism 9, for example a telescoping hydraulic cylinder, which is releasably connected with pusher 7 by a~oupllng 31. An : opening is provided in the front end wall of collection container 2A as shown,;~and the coupling 31 is manually ;j ac~essible through this opening. When collection container ~: : 2A is completely ~ill d, as will be discussed in more detail i,: :

SUI~STITUTE 5~E~ET
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27 2 ~ 3 ~
i,.~ WO91/00231 - PCT/EP90/00992 hereafter~ this opening is closed by pusher 7!~ Actuation mechanism 9 may be permanently disposed in collection container 2A as an alternative.
Pusher 7 has two primary portions. It includes a base member 8, to which the actuation mechanism 9 can be connected, and an extension member 10 which can be raised ~ertically upwardly so that the pusher 7, with its extension member 10 raised, covers almost the entire container cross l~ section as shown in dot-dash lines. In its end position at `, 10 the front wall and with extension member lO lowered, collection container 2A has a fill opening llA ln its upper region. This fill opening llA can be closed by extension member 10.
An intermediate container 12A is permanently mounted above driver's cab 6 and is provided with a fill opening 13A
in its ~orward region. The intermediate container 12A
extends essentially over the entir~ width of driver's cab 6.
At i~s rear end 14, intermediate container 12A has a discharge opening which correspo~ds in size to~fill opening llA of collection container 2A. The rear end 14 of intermediate container 12A extends slightly into collection container 2~ and bridges the gap between the end wall of intermediate -ontainer 12A and the ~ear wall of driver's cab 6.

~3 ~ ;~

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28 .~( 2 ~ 3 ~ With continuing refere~ce to Figure 1, a dumping apparatus 61 is disposed at the front of driver's cab 6 as an apparatus for manipulating the trash containPrs 16. Dumping apparatus 61 includes a holder mechanism 26 which is pivotably mounted on a caxriage ~2. Holder mechanism 26 cooperates wi~h elements (not illustrated) on trash container 16 so as to releasably grip the trash container 16. Carriage 62 is provided with rollers which extend into channels in a pair of guide rails 15 that are mounted on the vehicle.
Guide rails 15 are part:of a trash container elevating ~ mechanism which also includes a drive mechanism (such as hydraulic cylinders, not shown) for raising or lowering carriage 62 along rails 15 and a further drive mechanism (such as further hydraulic cylinderst not shown) for rotating holde~ mechanism 26 with respec~ to carriage 62 when carriage 62 is at the top of the rails 15. After the trash container : 16~is manually placed on holder me~hanism 26, dumping apparatus 61 raises it from ground level to the region above intermedia~e cantainer 12A, and:then~holder:mechanism 26 is pivoted with respect to carriagè 62 so as to empty trash container 16 into intermediate container 12A, Fill~opening 13A is shown only schematically. The fill opening 13A is ad~isably proYi~d~d~ in the intermedia~e container 12AIin such a manner that~ in conjunction with t~e dumping apparatus 61, .

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:~ WO91100231 PCT/EP90/~0992 " '' 2 ~3 3 the pivoting of trash container 16 into the discharging position causes the clearance profile of the vehicle (that is, the normal height of the vehicle) to be exceeded at most o~ly slightly.
Two (or more) dumping apparatuses may also be arranged next to one another and actuated independently of one another so that two trash containers 16 can be emptied simultaneously, although this is not shown in ~igure 1.
The trash emptied into intermediate container 12 is then pushed by a discharging apparatus 17 in intermëdiate container 12A through fill opening llA and into collection container 2A. The discharging apparatus 17 is illustrated only schematically and may include a pusher as shown, in . addition to associated equipment such as guides (not shown) 1~ for the rollers of the pusher and a hydraulic cylinder (not showrl ~ ~or moving the pusher back and f orth along the guides .
Alternatively, a conveyor belt ~not illustrated) or floor scraper (not illustrated) which moves the incoming trash int~
collection container 2A could be employed for discharge apparatus 17.
At appropriate intervals, pusher 7 pushes the trash whi ch has been discharged into th2 collection container 2A

.
~ toward rear~wali 4 so that, once the trash in container 2A

::~ reaches a certain fil} volume, ~he trash is pressed against ~: ~
SUBSTITOTE 5HIE~ET

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WO91/00231` PCT/EP90/00992 ~
203~56 the rear wall 4 and thus compacted. Sufficient free fill space is thus made available below fill opening llA ~or each new discharge process from intermediate container 12A. In the final phase, a small remainder can then be s~ueezed by discharge apparatus 17 of intermediate container 12A into the region of collection container 2A immediately adjacent fill opening IlA, whereupon extension member 10 is raised to close the filI opening llA completely.
The collection container 2A, which s thus filled tightly and almost completely:with`trash, can then be driven ; to a depositing location and can there be set down by the vehicle. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, : :~
: : telescoping supports 18, which can be~extended downward and ~; locked, are provided for this purpose on the exterior of~
co}lection container 2A. After the extension of~supports 18, : locking members 3 are released. Dapending on the type of :
th:e collection con~ainer, the locking members are raised ; somewhat~before~the supports 18~are:lo~cked or:the vehicle~is lowered~somewhat~af ter~;the supports~ 8: are~locked,~:for:~
20 ~ example~ with~the~ a~id~of~the Yehicle's~air~suspension tnot ~
: illustrated)~ The~vehicle can~:then move~out from~underneath~;
the thus set-up~collecti~on containe~r ~A and~pick up a:~
ikewise support~ed:~empty c~ollection container before ::~
returning to it~s~l~assigned area. ~The~filled collection~con~

SUBSl lTUrE SHEeT

~ WO91/00231 31 PCT/EP90/00992

3 ~
tainers 2A can then be picked up by a purely tr~nsporting vehicle (not illustrated) and driv~n to an unloading location, be it an incineration plant or some other depository such as a dump landfill.
The modified embodiment shown in ~igure 2 corresponds generally to the embodiment of Figure l. Here, intermediate container 12B extends rearwardly beyond driverls cab 6 and covers a recess in collection container 2B. The plane of ~ill opening llB of collection container 2B thus extends horizontally, and the associated discharge opening of ~ intermediate container 12B is disposed in the bottom, in alignment with fill opening llB. Trash is pushed through these openings by discharging apparatus 17~
Figure 3 shows a ~urther modification. Here, inter-mediate container 12C is mounted above driver's cab 6 in a horizontally displaceable manner, as by being suspended from a guide 20 which is mounted on the~vehicle. A guide 34 which follows guide 20 is mounted on the ceiling of collection container 2C, so that a drive mechanism (not shown) is ~ble to move intermediate container 12C into collection container 2C through ~ill opening llC.
~ Intermediate container 12C can be emptied, for example, :` I th~ough a flap (not shown) in its bottom. In this embodiment, the intermediate container 12C is filled in the ~;U 1~3sTlTuTE ~tt F~ r .. , . ..... . . . ~ .. . ~ . . . .

WO91/00~31 32 PCT/EP90/00992 ~
2~35~5~
manner described above Guide 20 may also be disposed directly on the roof of driver's cab 6 so that the inter-mediate container l2C enters into guide 34 only when it enters into the collection container 12C for the emptying process Figure 4 shows an em~odiment in which intermediate container 12D can be moved from a fill position near the ground in front of the driver's cab 6 to a raised position in front of and over the driver's cab 6~, and then to an emptying position at collection container 2D Intermediate container 12D is shown in dot-dash lines in its emptying position Although not shown in Figure 4, intermediate conta:iner 12D is emptied by a discharging apparatus 17~as described, for example, in connectlon with Figure`~l ~Collection container lS 2D itself is ~ery similar to the collection container 2A in the Figure 1 embodiment, except that an overhang 59 is mounted at the front end Wdll of collection container 2D to reduce the risk: that trash might fall between the front end wall and pusher 7 `20 In the illustxated embodiment, a~displacement apparatus ; l9 includes a guide 63 Which is mounted~on ~he vehicle above driver's cab 6 This guide 63~may be provided,~for example, ` in the form of two parallel rails~which~are 5paced apart and hich rollers hold Z~ thae are connected tc int-rmediate~;

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WO91fO0231 33 PCTtEP90/00992 container 12D. Alternatively, the rails may hold slides (not shown~ connected to intermediate container 12D, or a carriage ~not shown) khat can be connected to intermediate body l~D.
Displacement apparatus l~ also includes a lifting 5 mechanism 22 which moves intermediate container 12D
vertically. Lifting mechanism 22 inc~udes vertically extending guides 23 in which a lifting frame 24 can be moved vertically up and down with the aid of a lifting drive ~5, for example in the form of hydraulic cylinders or rapid -lO thrust spindle drives (not:illustrated) driven by an oil ~otor (not illustrated). Lifting frame 24 is provided with the appropriate rails ~or receiving intermediate container 12D.
A holder mechanism 26 of conventional construction may be disposed at the front of lifting frame 24 for emptylng trash containers into intermediate container 12D. Trash bags may be thrown manually into fill opening 13D.
Displacement apparatus 19 al~o includes drive means for advancing intermediate container 12D, in the xaised position ~as shown in Figure 4, by way of guide 63 int4 its emptying posi~ion, and for retracting it again . In the illus~rated embodiment~ a~hydraulic cylin~er 2J is pro~ide~ aslthe drive means. It is fastened to lifting frame 24 and engages the ; ~:
; : bottom region of intermediate container 12D. However, the .

SU13STITIJTE S~lE~T

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WO9l/00231 PCT/EP90/00992 ~
2~3~`456 drive means may also be disposed in the region of.guide 63 and if a hydraulic cylinder is employed, for example, its piston rod can be retracted to draw intermediate container 12D to the emptying position. Thus intermediate container 12D can be pressed against collection container 2D and locked (it being noted that the emptying position of intermediate container 12D is also its position when the vehicle is being driven).
The rear wall of intermediate container 12D is closed by at leas~ one loc~able ~lap 28. In the region of the emptying position, shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 4, guide 63 is equipped with actuating means, for example in the form of hydraulic cylinders (not illustra~ed). When the intermediate container 12D is moved to the~emptying:~ 15~ p~osition, the actuating means is engaged and releases the lock ~not illustrated) of flap 28 3nd/or~opens flap 28. :B~y way of a discharging apparatus disposed in intermediate container 12D but not shown~in Figure 4, the trash can now be :
:; ~ pushed out of the intermediate containe~ 12D~and~into:
20~ collecting container 2D. :~
Fig~re~S~shows a;;modified version of the~embodime~t of:
: Figure 4.~ ;The~displacement~apparatus~corresponds ess;entlially in structure and function to~the~displacement apparatus l9 in th~ bod~ment~of Flgur- 4. :The~dl~ferenc- in the F:gur-~S~

SuBsT~lTuT~E 8HEEr ~ WO91/0023l PCTlEP90/00992 ~r 203~4 embodiment is tha~ the end of collection container 2E facing driver's cab 6 has a stepped region at the height of intermediate container 12E, with a fill opening for container 2E. Guide 63' extends over the stepped region of collection container 2E so that the in~ermediate container 12E can be ~oved to a position above the fill opening. The guide 63' may be fastened to the vehicle o~er its entire length, but it is preferable to divide guide 63' (or rather the parallel rails which form it) into a forward portion which is 10 connected to the vehicle over driver's cab ~ and a rear portion which, in a manner corresponding to the embodiment of Figure 3, is fastened to the collection container 2E over the fill opening o~ the collection container 2E. In this embodiment, intermediate container 12E has a front-end ~ill opening 13E. More importantly, intermediate cQntainer 13E
has bottom flaps 29, shown in dot-dash lines, which can be unlocked and opened to empty~ intermediate container 12E into collection container 2E. After intermediate container 12E
has ~een emptied, the f1aps 29 are locked again by an appropriate actuating means (not i1lustrated). The pusher 7 ~: is moved back and forth over this re~ion of collection ¦: container 12 by actuation mechanism 9 to keep the region l~ clear~
:

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1`~ SUBST5TU~E~ SHEFr ., WO9t/00231 PCT/EP~0/00992 ~3~;~3~ j ~v In the embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the collection container ~for example, reference number 2.~ in Figure 1~ includes, at its fill opening (for example, reference number llA in Fi~ure 1), a closing flap (not illustrated) which is closed tightly as soon as the collection container is to be released from the vehicle when filling is completed.
The embodiment shown in Figure 6 depicts a collection container 2F which is subdivided by a partition 64 into two portions 33 and 33' and which is provided with two fill openings on its upper side. Guide 65 has a rear portion 58, for example in the form of rails, which is firmly connected with the collection container 2F so that collection container 2F may be releasably connectediwith the chassis 1. The collection container might alte~natively be configured accordin~ to Figure 3 (that is, so that the intermediate container 12F is able to move into it through an opening~.
Both end walls of collection container 12F ~an be opened by pivoting a respective wall 4. The fill in container portion ~3 can be compacted by pusher 30 and the fill in container portion:33':can be compacted by pushe~r 30'.
Pushers 30 and 30'~, which are connected by hydraulic c~ nders (inot!illustrated) to partition 64, clan aiso~be used to push out the compacted trash after the resp~ctive wa~l 4 ::

~: : SU5STIT~ITE S~IEET

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WO91~00231 PCT/EP9~/00992 has been opened. With collection container 2F, pre-sorted trash can be collected with a single vehicle. The collection container can, of course, be partitioned in various different ways. If there are ~ore than two transverse partitions, the collection container may be emptied throuyh respective openings in the side wall. It is also possible to partition it longitudinally. In this case, the intermediate container must be provided with appropriately associated discharge openings. If the partitioning is longitudinal, the collec-tion container can be emptied and its fill compact d by meansof several parallel, independently guidable pushers. The container portions may, as shown, form a closed unit.
Alternatively, they may be configured as separate container~
which can be connected with the chassis l so as to be individually releasable. Each container portion may here be equipped with its own pusher whose hydraulic cylinder can be connected with the hydraulic supp;y of the vehicle by a plug-in connection~ ; ~
Fi~ure 12 is a schematic top view and Figure 13 a cross-sectional view of such a longitudinally divided collection container, which is identified using reference number 2G.
Each of the container portions has a respective pressing àpparatus with a pusher, identified here as pushers 66, 67, ~ ~ and 6-. For reasons of better weight dis ribution, the : ~ SUB~;TITUT6 SHE~ET

WO91/00231- 38 PCT/EP90/00992 ~
233~4~ `

container portion intended for the type of trash occurring in larger quantities may be arranged in the middle. Instead of a single longitudinally partitioned collection container such as container 2G, separate elongated collection containers S (not illustrated) which can be releasably connected with one another and with a base frame may be employed.
Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a collection container 2H which includes a basic container 2a', which simultaneously constitutes a base or supporting frame for container portions which are provided by individual containers 2b'~ 2c' and 2d'. The individual containers 2b', 2c', and 2d' are releasably connectable with basic contalner : .2a'. The basic container 2a' and the individual containers are provided with fill openings ~not illustrated) through which pre-sorted trash can be drop~ed from an intermediate container 2F that is movable on the rails of guide 58 (see Figure 6). Depending on the particular case, the co~tainer portions may ~e provided with ~ill openings which can be charged independently o~ the intermediate container 2H, for example in a respectl~e side wall. For example, paper could may be deposited in individual container 2b', while special re~use, for example from hospitals, could be filled into : individual containers 2c' and 2d'. The individual containers can then be released from the collection container 2H or from ' SUE~ST'TUTE S~EET

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the vehicle for emptying, and can be transported away without being reloaded while the normal trash contained in basic container 2a' is dumped in the usual manner.
Returning to Figure 6, a dumping apparatus 35 is provided in the ~orm of a robot-type arm for manipulating trash containers 16 to be emptied into intermediate container 12F. Dumping apparatus 35 is connected with the vehicle or, more precisely, with the guide 65, so as to be pivotal about a vertical axis 36. Dumping apparatus 35 includes an arm section 37 whose length can be varied horizontally, as by ~ using a hydraulic cylinder, as well as an arm section 38 whose length can also be varied. Arm section 38 i5 pivotably artlculated to arm section 37. With dumping apparatus 35 the clearance profile of the vehicle (that is, the vehiclels normal height) is not exceeded by very much during manipula-tion of trash conkainer 16 and intermediate container 12F. A
~xipper mechanism 39 ~shown only schematically~ is disposed at the free end of arm section 38 and is itself pivotal relati~e to arm section 38 about at least one coordinate axis :~ 20 so that practicall~y any type:of trash container can be picked ; up from the edge o~ the:road, precisely posit oned in front : of intermediate container 12F, emptied into it by pivoting thelgripper mechanism~9, and~put ~own again. Such a grlpper mechanism 39 can be operated from the driver's cab or from an ~ S:U~STlTU~E SHE T ;~

WO~1/00231 PCT/E~0/0099 ~1 2~3~4S~ `
operating station (not illustrated in Figure 6) disposed on 1 the side of the ~ehicle. Gripper apparatus 39 is equipped ;i with means (not illustrated) for opening and holding the cover of the trash container 16 during the emptying process.
If configured appropriately, a gripper apparatus is able to also pick up trash bags and smaller bulky pieces of rubbish.
Advantageously, if the gripper apparatus is pivotal about all three coordinate axes, it will be able to pick up trash containers standing at an angle to the edge of the road.
In all embodiments, the intermediate container can be closed completely (although the closure is not illustrated in some of the drawings). For example, a flap 28 as in Figure 4 or ~laps 29 as in Figure 5 may be used to cl~se the discharge opening~ The intermediate container may also be provided with a closable fill opening for the trash c~ntainers to be empkied, with such opening being opened only during emptying of the trash container. This may be accomplished by using one or more covering fIaps tnot illustrated) for the fill opening~ The fill opening o~ ~he intermediate container may also extend over almost the entire length of the ceiling of the container.
Returning to the embodiment of Figure 4, instead of a ~ holder mechanism 26, a pulverizing machine (not illustrated~
: may be disposed at lif~ing frame 240 With an appropri~tely SUB~iTUT~ S~ET

~i~ WO91l00231 PCT/E~0/00992 ; configured intermediate containex 12D (such as a con~ainer , that is open at the top, not illustrated in Figure 4) such a .i trash collection vehicle may also be used for collecting ;l .
;i bulky rubbish. The intermediate con~ainer 12D could be .~ 5 emptied into collection container 2D after displacement, either through an appropriate discharging mechanism (not illustrated in Figure 4), through bottom flaps (not illus~rated in ~igure 4), or by dumping.
In the embodiment shown in a side ~iew in Figure lO and in a top view in Figure 11, intermediate container 12I is ;~ - fastened to a lifting column 69 with which the intermediate ' container 2I can be raised to above the height of the i`!
~' driver's cab 6. The subsequent horizontal movement into the i~ emptying position is performed by pivoting ahout the axis of lifting column 69, so that intermediate container 2I is moved in a horizontal plane, as can be seen in Figure 11.
In modification oP the embodi~ent shown in Figure 10, lifting column 69 may also be disposed in the middle in front of the driver's cab 6; the intermediate containex 12I
can still be brought into its emptying posîtion at the collection container 2I by a pi~oting movement in the horizontal plane.
~ Dependlng qn the dimensi~ons of the intermediate container 12I and the driver's oab 6, the pi~otit~g process , ~ S~J~3STITUTE SHEET

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WO91i~0231 42 PCT/EP90/00992 ~
2~3~4~5 may also be followed by a horizontal pushing moYement. Thls is advisable, for example, in order to produce a tight connection between the intermediate container 12I and the fill opening of the collection container 2I.
The embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11 can also be modified, with respect to the horizontal displacement movement, so that the intermediate container 12I is pushed into the collection container 2I after the pivoting process, in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, 10 if a partitioned collection container according to Figure 7 is employed instead of collection container 2I, after pivoting the intermediate container 12I can be moved, by way of guides 58 on or at the container, to a posîtion above the fill opening of the appropriate container portion. For a lS longitudinally partitioned container as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the pivoting process is advisably followed by shifting the intermediate container 12I in the transverse direction above. the driver's cab 6 so that the intermediate container 12I can be emptied into the ~ppropriate container portion. The intermediate con~ainer 12I may be provided with a holder mechanism 26 as in Figure 4 Qr with some other manipulating mechanism, for example in the form of a robot arm as in Figure 6.

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The most desirable embodiments including a mdvable intermediate container are embodiments in which, after the lifting process, the intermediate container is moved only in a horizontal plane, so that at no time is the greatest permissable height exceeded.
Figure 8 shows a further embodiment in which displace-ment apparatus l9" includes a closed supporting frame 70 which is connected with vehicle chassis l. Supporting frame 70 is provided with a guide 71 above driver's cab 6 and with drive means (not illustrated) for moving intermediate - container 12J horizontally. Intermediate~container 12J has an open top as its fill opening. Displacement apparatus l9l' also includes a lifting mechanism 72 (which is not shown in Figure 8 and will be described later with reference to Figure lS 9) for the inter=ediate container 123. Vertically extending guides 23' for the lifting mechanis= 72 are rigidly connected to guide 71, which includes a shie~dedi portion 73:and an open portio~ 74. The open portion 74 of guide 71 extends forward of the guides 23'. The shielded portion 73 o~ guide 71 is configured in the form of a rectangular channel that is ~ : closed on four side~ and that extends from guide~ 23' to a :~ transfer region 40 aboYe fill opening llJ of col~le~ction : container 2J. Transfer region 40~is tightly connec~ed a~ its bottom ~y way o~ an intermediate seal 41 with the fill :
SU~TITUTE SH~ET

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~a3~4~3 44 ~f' W~ 91tO0231 PCT/~P90/00992 ~ i`

- opening llJ of collection container 2J. With the aid of the drive means (not illustratPd~/ for example ~n endless revolving chain drive mechanism extending horizontally in guide 71, intermediate container 12J can be moved back and forth along guide 71 by a carriage 42 which is configure~ as a cover plate. The drive means may alternatively be a hydraulic cylinder corresponding to hydraulic cylinder 27 in the embodiment of Figure 4, except that the cylinder is advisably fixed, together with carriage 42 and the piston rod, at the rear end of the guide 71. In the emptying ~ position, which is simultaneously the driving position, th~
piston/cylinder unit would then be pushed together. The horizontal movemenk of the intermediate container 12J can also be effected by means of other drive systems, for example oi} motors (not illustrated) or electrlc motors (not illustrated). The width of the rectangular channel provided by shielded portion 73 is such th~t it i5 able to accommodate intermediate container 12J together with its carriage-like coYer plate 42. Rear wall 40' is closed.
The supporting frame:70 of displacement device 19l' is articulated to the front end of the vehicle chassis at two ~astening points 43O It is also supported on an abutment 75 fqr actuatin~mechanism 9 at a fastening point 44,'so ~hat a three-point support is provided. Fastening point 44 is SU~STITUTE~ SHEET

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~ WO91~00231 PCT/EP90/00992 ~5~6 configured as a joint so that vehicle chassis l is able to freely buckle rela~ive to the supporting frame 70, which is inherently rigid. The fastening point 44 may be a universal joint which permits transverse displacement of the abutment 75 relative to the supporting frame 70.
A hydraulic cylinder 45 is connected on each side of supporting frame 70. The hydraulic cylinders 45 can raise the supporting frame 70 by a slight amount from the illustrated horizontal position ~the operating position~ so that fill opening llJ is exposed and collection container 2J
can be separated from the vehicle. Hydraulic cylinders 45 are dimensioned in such a way that they can also pivot displacement device l9 " forward~into the position sho~n in dot-dash lines. This permi~s driver's cab 6 to also be pivoted in the conventional manner to the position shown in dot-dash lines so that repair or~maintenance work can be performed on the vehic}e engine. : ~
The mod~ of operation of th~:dispIacement:apparatus l9'' of Figure 8 oth~rwise correspqnds to:that of displacement apparatus lg descri~ed in connection~with Figure 4 and displacement apparatu 19' described in:connection~with Figure S. The trash containers ~not shown in Figur~ &~ are emptied by way of a holder mechanism (not shown in Figure 8~
into the intermediate contamer~l2J, which is shown in Pigure SUBSTITUTE SHEET :

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WO9l/0023l . 46 PCT/EP9~/00992~ `
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8 in dot-dash lines in its fill position near the ground.
Then, by way of the lifting mechanism 72 (see Figure 9) the intermediate container 12J is lifted until it abuts against the carriage 42 and is locked to it. Thereafter, the drive S means (not illustrated) provided in guide 71 moves the carriage 42 together with inte~mediate container 12J out of the lifting mechanism into the shielded portion 73 of guide 71, and then to the emptying position. Here a closing flap (not illustrated in Figure 8) which forms the rear wall of the intermediate container 12J opens and the trash contained in intermediate container 12J is pushed out by a discharging apparatus 17 (which may, for example, be dri~en by a hydraullc cylinder as shown) into transfer region 40 and drops into collection container 2J through fill opening llJ.
Inside collection container 2J, pusher 7 pushes the trash into the rear portion of collection container 2J. Pusher 7 is advanced by actuation mechanism 9 (s~ch as a hydraulic cylinder) until it has swept over the region ~ene~th fill opening llJ, which lies in a portion of collection container 12J ha~ing a relati~ely low ceiling. Due to the relatively low ceiling, the forward portion of collection container 2J
has a smaller container cross section than the rest of "
collection cont:ainer 2J. The trash is pressed from the ~- region of the~small container crosC section to the region-of .

~ ~L iT~TE ~tET

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~ WO9l/00~31` PCT/E~0/00992 `- ' 2~5~5~
the large container cross section and almost completely fills the larger cross section region of collection container 12J due to the structure of the trash in ~he final filling phase.
The shielded portion 73 of guide 71 encloses intermediate container 12J during~its horizontal range of movement, all the way to the transfer region 40. This keeps trash from being blown out throu~h the open top of intermediate container 12J. In any event intermedia~e 0 container 12J is closed by carriage 42 during the horizontal movement. The lifting mechanism 72 shown in Figure g may be used in order to also shield intermediate container 12J
against the outside during the vertical lifting movement.
Like the li~ting mechanism~22 in Figure 4, the lifting : 15 mechanism 72 shown in Figure ~ includes~a lifting frame 24 . which is mounted on guides 23' fo~ up and down movement.
Lifting mechanism~72 aleo includes a lifting drive,:~although this is not shown in Fi~ure 8 for the sake of clarity.::A
lifting drive 25 as describeù in conjunction with ~igure 4 ~may be used. Unli~e the:Fi~ure 4 embodiment, lifting ~ :~
mechanism 72 also has a ~ariable length cover 46. Cover ~6 includes a ~ellows 47 which has a basically C-shapeld cross section and encloses~the:lifting region:on the s~ides and t~ward the driver's~ cab 6. ~Bellows 47~is open toward the:

; :: SU~T~TUTE :SH~ET

: `: . ~ :~
, ~ i ~; : : :

WO91/00231 48 PCTIEP90/00992 ~
2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ ~ront, with respect to the direction of travel. This opening is closed by a strip curtain 48. The bottom end of bellows 47 is fastened to intermediate container 12J and the top end is fastened to carriage 42. After it has been completely filled, intermediate container l2J is rai~ed by lifting frame 24 and pressed ag~inst carriage 4Z, and while this occurs bellows 47 is pushed together and is partially rPceived by recesses 49 in carriage 42. The bottom end of strip curtain 48 is fastened to a handle 76 which can be removably clipped onto intermediate container 12J. The top end is attached to a winding mechanism 50 that is connected to carriage 42.
Since at least part of the front region of cover 46 can be opened, the trash contain~r (not illustrated in Figure 9) to be emptied can be moved through with t~e aid of a holder mechanism 26 so as to empty it into the upwardly open interme~iate container 12J without noticeable quantities o~
dust or refuse escaping. As soon~as intermediate container 12J is locked to carriage 42, the entire system including cover 46 can be moved to the emptying position shown in Figure 8. Lifting frame 24 remai~s in the raised position.
In the fill position of intermedia~e container 12J near he ground as~shown in Fi~ure 9, cover 46 obstructs the river's ~iew:;im~ediately toward the front. However,`this generally does;not matter since the lifting mechanism 72 of : ~

:~
SU~STITUTE S~EET

4~
~O91/00231: -PCT/E~0100992 2 a ~
displacement device 19 is able to quickly raise intermediate oontainer 12J and lifting: frame:24~;and thus enable the d~iver to see again. If small trash containers are to be emptied at different stops a~long a relatively long route, the intermediate container~12:J may have:~to be moved up and down : several times to enable the vehic:le to move on before it is : : :
completely filled. On the other hand i~ large-~rash containers are to be~emptied, for example:~at:mult~i-family :dwellings,~ or~if:a~large:number of~smaller trash containers are~set out next to;:;one~another~,;the~:intermedlate:contalner ~ :
12J is generally filled completely at one pickup location and can then be emptied~into:the vehicle as the:vehicle is :
driven to~the~ next~p~ickup~:location::during :the horizontal movement~and duri~n~g:~the~:emptying:process.
: ; 15~If~bags-~(not `illustrated):~are to :bé employed for the ::~
.. ~
trash~, instead of~trash~;containers,:~and if such bagsl~are~to ~ be~dropped~into~'thé~opeD~top~o't~;~lntermedlate conta:iner 12J~
'~ without~being~emptied,¦it would be desirable for~ carriage:4:2 to~ include~:a:~pressure~p~late~whiGh is~actuated when~
';~ ;20'~ inte ~ ediàte~o i ~12J~ s~ thel~raised:;pos i~on~;to~
` m ress ~ ~cont'ni .;~ Such~'~a~pressure~plate~woul ~be ~
carr~ied ~along~by: carri~age~42:during~;the ~horiz~ontal~movemlqnt of!intermedI'atè~`container 12J~;unt~ the latterl~has rea~ched~
ts~emptying ~ n:~above the collecOion container ~J.

5UEisTlTUT~ T;

1`
WO 9ttO0231 PCTJE~0/00992 ~ ~`
2 ~ 3 ~ r Instead o~ a separate pressure plate, however, the fill opening at the top of the intermediate container 12J may be closable with flaps (not illustrated) which are fastened to intermediate container 12J~ In embodiments without cover 46, such flaps could be folded open enclose the fill opening on three sides to thus fvrm a protection shield against the wind during emptying of the trash containers into the intermediate container 2J.
As can be seen from Figure ~, a space exists between -10 the rear of driver's cab 6 and the front wall of collection container 2J and outward of the a~utment 75 for ac~uation mechanism 9. This space is sufficient for a protected worker .station where the worker can stay during travel between two relati~ely distant pickup locations for trash containers. A
ladder 51, which is provided to permit con~enient access to the upper regions of the yehicle,~is mounted by hinges (not illustrated) on one side and has a latch (not illustrated) on the other side. This permits the ladder 51 to also serve as a latchable door to the worker station, Pnsuring that the 20~ worker will not be flung out of the worker station.
Althou~h not shown to avoid obscuring ~he drawings, the wqrker station~may also be pro~ided wit;h wails at ~he top and on three sides to:protect the worker against the weather ~;during his stay at this location.~ At the same time, the `
`
;W BSTITlJTE SHI ~El~

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~` :

~ WO91~023t` 51 PCT/EP90/OOg92 - 2 ~ 3 !~
worker has a sec re position here during travel even if the vehicle is forced to brake suddenly.
Figures 14A to 14G show, f or better understanding, the sequence of the individual functions with referencP to a vehicle of the general type shown in Figures 8 and 9. Some o~ the elements shown in Figures 8 and 9 are not depicted in Fi~ures 14A to 14G to avoid obscurLng the drawings, and it should be noted that the holder mechànism 26' and the ladder 51' in Figures 14A to 14G are modified forms of the holder 26 and the ladder 51 in Figures 8 and 9. Additionally, the vehicle shown in Figur~es 14A to 14G has horiæontal hydraulic cylinders 45' for pivoting the supportin~ frame instead of he vertical hydraulic cylinders 45 shown in Figure ~.
~` ~ Figure 14A shows the emptying of a large trash container :~ , ~; 15 16 ' into the intermediate container 12J, which is in a ~ :
position near the ground. The~space ab~ove the interm diate container 12J is enclosed by cover 46 so that trash container 16' can be pivoted~into this area through the strip~curtain.;
Figure~14B~shows the lifting process.
~20~ ~ Figure 14C~shows~the displacement o~intermediate container 12J in the channel like guide 71 until it reaches he emptying position.~ Lifting frame~24 is held in the~
raised position.

u~s~l~urE ~;HEET~

WO91/00~31- PCT~F~0/00992 ~

2 0 3 ~ 4 ~ ~ Figure 14D shows the emptying of intermediate container 12J into collection container 2J, with a rear closing flap 77 on intermediate container 12J releasing the discharge opening of intermediate container 12J.
Figures 14E and 14F show the return movement of inter-mediate container 12J. Figure 14F also shows the pushing of the trash to the rear region of collection container 2J by pusher 7.
Figure 14G shows thè vehicle with displacement apparatus 19 " pivoted slightly forward1y and with ground supports 18 extended from collection container 2J. By lowering the vehicle relative to the collection container 2J in the manner customary for interchangeable bodies J the vehicle is released from the collection container 2J and is able to move forward.
A new, empty collection container can now be pic~ed up in the reverse sequence. If maintenance and/or repair work is required for the engine, the displacement can be pivoted further into the position shown in ~igure 8.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 14A.to 14G, the stationary ends of the hydraulic cylinders 45' are articulated to the upper portion of abutment 75. This has the advantage, inter alia, that more space is available for , , , . I ` , : i ; ! ~1 `
~ the worker station behind laddex 51', i~ c~mparison with the ; : arrangement shown in Figure 8.

` ~ SUE~STITUTE 5HEET

r'~ WO ~l/00~31- 53 PCT/FP90/00992 ,~ . .
~ 0 3 ~ 4 5 The vehicle can be driven only if the intermediate container has been raised. Although not shown, this can be accomplished by additional safety maans which are connected `
with the controls for the displacement apparatus, for example in the form of a so called interlock which permits release of the brake only lf the intermediate container has been raised.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of a collec~ion con-tainer 2X for use with a vehicle according to Figure 8 in lieu of collection container 2J i~ pre-sorted trash is to be 1-0 collected as described already in connection with:Figures 12 and 13. Collection container 2K may be configured as a unitary component so that the container portions 7~, ~9j and 80 are formed by longitudinally extending partitions.
i ~: Collection container 2K might also~be~composed of three : lS narrow individual containers which are connected with one another by releasable locking mean~ (not illustrated) to form~
a:;comp~ct unit which can be pla~ed on:~o the vehicle and can .
~.
:~ be released from it again~ The fil}ed individual containers can then~be moved separately;to different dumping locations~
The fill openings llK of the container~por~ions 78~, 79,::~
and 80 may be closed by separate:closing flaps 81 once the c,onltainexs have been released from:~ithe~vehicile.l;Fu~the~ore ~he rear wall of collection co~tainer is divided int~ three ~:
piYotable portions 4 ' . AccordingIy,~the three container~

S ~ ~3 ST~ T U

WO91/00231 54 PCT/E~0/00992 ~ ~
`2~3~S~

portions can be fi11ed and emptied separately. Although not shown in Figure 8, transfer region 40 should be subdivided above fill opening 11k by corresponding meta1;partitioning sheets if co11ection container 2K is to be used.
In order to prevent in~dvertent mixing of the diff~rent types of trash in the fill region of the partitioned intPr-mediate container 12K when trash containers are emptied, partitions (not illustrated) may also be disposed in the area enclosed by cover 46 (see Figure 9) above the intermediate cantainer, with the length of t~ese partitions being Yariab1e to correspond to the lifting stroke.

In the emobodiments shown in Fig~res 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 or raising and lowe-ing the intermediate container 12 ln frGnt of the dirver's cab 6 a 1i~t~1ng device could ~e used as it is known in pri~ciple from fork-1ift-truc.~s. As shown schematica11y in Figure 16, ~his~ 1ifting de~ic~ compri~es at least ohe hydraulic cylinder 82, the free end o~ lts piston rod 83 carries a roller 84. This roller 84 is wor.~inS
:20 on a s~r~cket chain 85~with Qne end 86 fastened at a bottom part of the ~ehi1e,~the sproc~et cha1n 85 passing ove~
aforesaid rol1er 84 and wlth its other end 87 afrixed to the 1i~ting rame 24, so that the lifting frame can be mo~ed ver~ically from;its~filling position ln ~he battom ~ -region to the top region~for couplin~ the intermediatecontainer with the drive meansO

~;U~3~T~T~JIT

~ ~ WO9}/00231 55 PCTJEP90/0~992 '`!~` `-` i i ~3~
The dumpin5 a~?ara~ls 35 s;~own in Figure 6 c~n 3e adoDte~ for all e~odi~en.ts 0~ t~e in~e~tion, wher~ t-ne ~ inter~ediate container 12 is l~ d ~er~ically and t:~n .~
~1 moved hori~ontall~J to the collec_~ on contzine- 2. I- is ~ 5 an adavntage o~ t;~is dumpin~ àDparatus 35 in connec=- on ,~: with the system of an lnt ~ed~ 2t- cont~lner acc~rd~ n~
~ to the invention ~ that both par;s can move ~reC~ ly wl .hout .~ any collisio during their res?eC=ive movement.
r ~

LO It will be unders~o~d that ~1~ abave desc--~p.icn ~f t-~
pres2nt invention i5 sus~:2~ible ~ arious madi_ic~ s, ~ ` :
~ c;lanqes, and adaptati~nS, and ~he :same a~e~ inte~ded t~ ke ; ~ c~m~rehended wit~in the me2ninq and range~: o~ equival enls c~
the ap~ended c7 aim,.

SUDSTITUTE SH E~T

Claims (41)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A trash collection vehicle, comprising a vehicle with an operator station, namely:
a motor vehicle having a driver's cab;
a collection container carried by the vehicles behind the driver's cab, the collection container having an upper region with a fill opening and having a wall portion which can be opened for emptying;
an intermediate container adjacent the driver's cab, the intermediate container having a fill opening for receiving trash and having a discharge opening which is separate from the fill opening of the intermediate container;
emptying means, communicating with the intermediate container, for emptying the trash in the intermediate container into the fill opening of the collection container via the discharge opening of the intermediate container, the discharge opening of the intermediate container being in communication with the fill opening of the collection container at least when the trash is being emptied by the emptying means; and compacting means for compacting the trash in the collection container.

2. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1, wherein the trash is received at the fill opening of the intermediate container from trash containers, and further comprising manipulating means, communicating with the intermediate container, for manipulating the trash containers.

3. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for closing at least one of the fill opening of the collection container and the discharge opening of the intermediate container.

4. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 3, further comprising means for subdividing the intermediate container into a plurality of container portions, each container portion of the intermediate container having a respective discharge opening.

5. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the discharge opening of the intermediate container and the fill opening of the collection container is provided at an extending portion of the respective container, the extending portion projecting into the other container at least when thrash is being emptied by the emptying means.

6. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 5, wherein the collection container is elongated and has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the compacting means comprises a pusher that is movably mounted in the collection container, the pusher having a surface which is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the collection container, and actuation mechanism means for moving the pusher in the longitudinal direction of the collection container.

7. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 6, further comprising extendable ground supports on the collection container.

8. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 7, wherein the collection container comprises subdivision means for subdividing the collection container into a plurality of container portions, each container portion having its own fill opening.

9. The trash collection vehicle of claim 8, wherein the subdivision means comprises means releasably connected to the vehicle for forming at least one of the container portions.

10. The trash collection container of claim 8, wherein the collection container includes a plurality of wall portions which can be opened for emptying, each container portion having a respective one of the wall portions which can be opened for emptying, and wherein the compacting means comprises a plurality of pushers, each pusher being disposed in a respective container portion and facing the respective wall portion thereof which can be opening for emptying.

11. The trash collection vehicle of claim l to 10, wherein the trash is received at the fill opening of the intermediate container from trash containers, wherein the intermediate container is disposed above the driver's cab, and further comprising means for manipulating the trash containers, the means for manipulating including a trash container holder and elevating means for raising the holder, the elevating means including a portion which extends toward the ground in front of the driver's cab.

12. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 11, further comprising guide means for guiding the intermediate container for back and forth motion over the driver's cab, from a forward position to an emptying position at the collection container.

13. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 12, further comprising displacement means connected to the vehicle for moving the intermediate container over the driver's cab from a fill position adjacent the ground in front of the driver's cab to an emptying position at the collection container.

14. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 13, wherein the intermediate container is exchangeably connected with the displacement means.

15. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 14, further comprising a pulverizing apparatus connected to the displacement means.

16. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 15, wherein the displacement means comprises first means disposed at the front of the driver's cab for moving the intermediate container along a generally vertical path, and second means for moving the intermediate container along a generally horizontal path above the driver's cab.

17. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 16, further comprising a supporting frame connected to the motor vehicle to support the displacement means, the support frame having a front portion which carries the first means of the displacement means and having an upper portion which is disposed above the driver's cab and which carries the second means of the displacement means.

18. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 17, wherein the front portion of the supporting frame is connected to the vehicle by way of a plurality of front fastening points, and wherein the upper portion of the supporting frame has a rear end that is connected to the vehicle by way of a rear fastening point.

19. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 18, wherein the rear fastening point is releasable, and wherein the supporting frame is mounted at the front fastening points so as to be pivotable about a generally horizontal axis.

20. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 19, wherein the second means comprises a guide extending to the emptying position, the emptying position being adjacent the fill opening of the collection container.

21. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 20, wherein the intermediate container includes a lockable closure for the discharge opening of the intermediate container, and further comprising actuating means, disposed at the guide adjacent the emptying position, for unlocking the closure.

22. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 21, wherein the intermediate container has an open top that provides the fill opening of the intermediate container, and further comprising a carriage-like pressure plate which is movably disposed at the guide so as to close off the open top of the intermediate container when the intermediate container is in a raised position.

23. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 22, wherein the second means further comprises propelling means for propelling the intermediate container along the guide from a forward position to the emptying position at the collection container and back again.

4. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 23, wherein the intermediate container has an open top that provides the fill opening of the intermediate container, and wherein the propelling means comprises a carriage-like pressure plate which is movably disposed at the guide so as to close off the open top of the intermediate container when the intermediate container is in a raised position, and releasable connecting means for coupling the carriage-like pressure plate to the intermediate container.

25. The trash collection vehicle of claim1 to 24, wherein a portion of the guide has a channel-like configuration, with a front entrance opening for the intermediate container and with a discharge opening which can be sealed to the fill opening of the collection container.

26. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 25, further comprising a cover for shielding the space between the guide and the intermediate container in its filling position, the cover having a length that is variable in dependence on the distance between the guide and the intermediate container, the cover having a rear portion which faces the driver's cab and having side portions adjacent the rear portion.

27. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 26, wherein the intermediate container further comprises means for subdividing the intermediate container into a plurality of intermediate container portions, and wherein the cover further comprises means for subdividing the space shielded by the cover to provide a plurality of shielded portions, each shielded portion communicating with a respective intermediate container portion, the means for subdividing the space shielded by the cover including at least one partition having a length that is variable in dependence on the distance between the guide and the intermediate container.

28. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 27, wherein the cover has an upper end which is fastened to the carriage-like pressure plate and a lower end which is fastened to the intermediate container, the cover being movable along the guide with the carriage-like pressure plate and the intermediate container.

29. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 28, wherein the trash is received at the fill opening of the intermediate container from trash containers, wherein the trash collection vehicle further comprises a pivotably mounted holder to dump the trash from a trash container into the intermediate chamber when the intermediate container is in its filling position, and wherein the cover further comprises an additional portion which is openable to permit the holder to dump trash from a trash container.

WO 91/00231 65 PCT/EP90/00992 The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 29, further comprising a supporting frame connected to the motor vehicle to support the displacement means, the supporting frame having a front portion which carries the first means of the displacement means, the support frame additionally having an upper portion which is disposed above the driver's cab and which carries the guide and the propelling means of the second means of the displacement means.

31. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 30, wherein the front portion of the supporting frame is connected to the vehicle by way of a plurality of front fastening points, and wherein the upper portion of the supporting frame has a rear end that is connected to the vehicle by way of a rear fastening point.

32. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 31, further comprising a joint at the rear fastening point, the joint having at least two: degrees of freedom.

33. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 32, wherein the rear fastening point is releasable, and wherein the supporting frame is mounted at the front fastening point so as to be pivotable about a generally horizontal axis.

34. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 33, further comprising pivot drive means for controllably pivoting the supporting frame.

35. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 34, wherein the supporting frame is releasably connected to the vehicle.

36. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 35, wherein the intermediate container has a rear end and the discharge opening of the intermediate container is disposed at the rear end of the intermediate container, and wherein the emptying means comprises a discharging apparatus which is movable toward the discharge opening.

37. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 36, wherein the intermediate container has a bottom side and the discharge opening of the intermediate container is disposed in the bottom side of the intermediate container.

38. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 37, wherein the trash is received at the fill opening of the intermediate container from trash containers, and further comprising means for manipulating the trash containers, the means for manipulating including a controllable pickup and emptying mechanism disposed at the front of the driver's cab.

39. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 38, wherein the controllable pickup and emptying mechanism is mounted so as to be pivotable about a generally vertical axis, and includes a trash container gripper mechanism, and mounting means, including at least one arm, for holding the gripper mechanism at a variable distance from the generally vertical axis, the gripper mechanism being held by the mounting means so that the gripper mechanism is pivotable about an axis that is orthogonal to the generally vertical axis.

40. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 39, wherein the motor vehicle has a longitudinal side and the collection container has a front end that is oriented toward the:
driver's cab, and wherein a protected worker station is disposed between the driver's cab and the front end of the ?ollection container on the longitudinal side of the motor ?hicle.

41. The trash collection vehicle of claim 1 to 40, wherein the collection container has a front end that is oriented toward the driver's cab, and wherein the fill opening of the intermediate container is located in front of the front end of the collection container when the fill opening of the intermediate container receives trash.