CA2655453A1 - Method and vehicle of receiving and transporting solid waste - Google Patents
Method and vehicle of receiving and transporting solid waste Download PDFInfo
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- CA2655453A1 CA2655453A1 CA 2655453 CA2655453A CA2655453A1 CA 2655453 A1 CA2655453 A1 CA 2655453A1 CA 2655453 CA2655453 CA 2655453 CA 2655453 A CA2655453 A CA 2655453A CA 2655453 A1 CA2655453 A1 CA 2655453A1
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Abstract
A method of receiving and transporting solid waste includes providing a strong, disposable waste container and a disposable pallet for supporting the container when the latter is loaded with waste. After loading, both the pallet and the container can be lifted onto a rear transporting section of a truck. The pallet and container are placed on a rear end section of the truck and pushed to a forward position by a pushing apparatus. A forklift unit can be used to lift and move the container and pallet to the rear end of the truck. The pushing apparatus comprises a horizontal push bar extending transversely relative to the length of the rear end section. Hydraulic cylinder actuators connected to the push bar can move it from a rearmost position adjacent the rear end of the truck to a forward position. The truck is equipped. with a tiltable rear transporting section to allow the container and pallet to be dumped at the disposal site.
Description
METHOD AND VEHICLE OF RECEIVING AND TRANSPORTING
SOLID WASTE
This invention relates to methods of receiving and transporting solid waste and garbage and vehicles for transporting containers.
Various types of vehicles are known for transporting waste and garbage to a disposable site. Some of these waste disposal vehicles employ a fork lift on the front, rear or side thereof which can be used to lift a relatively large, metal container from one position to another or which can be used on some trucks to lift and dump a large steel container so that the contents of the waste container are deposited into a hold in the vehicle. In many ca'ses, the forklift devices on these vehicles are constructed only to lift containers having pockets or sleeves on the sides thereof for insertion of fork arms.
A variety of forklift vehicles or units are known and are capable of lifting a pallet loaded with boxes or other items or products. It is also known to provide a system whereby a forklift unit can be mounted at the rear end of a truck in order to transport the forklift unit to a work site. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,530,739 issued March 11, 2003 teaches a forklift that can be mounted on a carrier vehicle, the forklift including a frame, a mast connected to the frame, and a fork carriage having a pair of forks extending therefrom and adapted to be vertically displacable on the mast. The vehicle includes a rear mounting end with at least one fork receiver adapted to receive the pair of forks therein and to allow complete lifting of the forklift off a ground surface by vertically displacing the fork carriage. Another, earlier patent disclosing a forklift vehicle and method of mounting same on the rear end of a truck is U.S. Patent No. 3,799,379 issued March 26, 1974 to T. H. A. Grether et al.
It is a common practice to provide a large, steel waste disposal bin at a construction site for the disposal of waste materials and, in particular, waste construction materials. However, it can be unduly expensive to use this method for disposing of construction waste under some circumstances, ,for example, on a small construction site where . .._ _ . ,~.~.~n_~,~..,..~,.,.~.~..,a....~
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SOLID WASTE
This invention relates to methods of receiving and transporting solid waste and garbage and vehicles for transporting containers.
Various types of vehicles are known for transporting waste and garbage to a disposable site. Some of these waste disposal vehicles employ a fork lift on the front, rear or side thereof which can be used to lift a relatively large, metal container from one position to another or which can be used on some trucks to lift and dump a large steel container so that the contents of the waste container are deposited into a hold in the vehicle. In many ca'ses, the forklift devices on these vehicles are constructed only to lift containers having pockets or sleeves on the sides thereof for insertion of fork arms.
A variety of forklift vehicles or units are known and are capable of lifting a pallet loaded with boxes or other items or products. It is also known to provide a system whereby a forklift unit can be mounted at the rear end of a truck in order to transport the forklift unit to a work site. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,530,739 issued March 11, 2003 teaches a forklift that can be mounted on a carrier vehicle, the forklift including a frame, a mast connected to the frame, and a fork carriage having a pair of forks extending therefrom and adapted to be vertically displacable on the mast. The vehicle includes a rear mounting end with at least one fork receiver adapted to receive the pair of forks therein and to allow complete lifting of the forklift off a ground surface by vertically displacing the fork carriage. Another, earlier patent disclosing a forklift vehicle and method of mounting same on the rear end of a truck is U.S. Patent No. 3,799,379 issued March 26, 1974 to T. H. A. Grether et al.
It is a common practice to provide a large, steel waste disposal bin at a construction site for the disposal of waste materials and, in particular, waste construction materials. However, it can be unduly expensive to use this method for disposing of construction waste under some circumstances, ,for example, on a small construction site where . .._ _ . ,~.~.~n_~,~..,..~,.,.~.~..,a....~
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the amount of waste may not be very great or on a "do it yourself"
construction site where the construction work or renovations may progress relatively slowly, for example, at the pace that the homeowner is prepared to work on the project.
Another difficulty with the large, known waste disposal bins is that in order to deliver these bins to a waste producing site or job site, a relatively large truck is required and generally this truck must be fitted with special features to enable it to deposit the large container or bin at a suitable location at the site. When the waste container has eventually been filled, this relatively large truck must then return to the construction or other site in order either to pick-up the large container and its contents for transport to a waste disposal site or to dump the contents of the waste container into a waste containing box of the truck and then leave the waste container at the site for further use.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method ~of receiving and transporting solid waste for affecting disposal thereof includes providing a disposable waste container having a capacity of at least 500 pounds of suitable, solid waste and a disposable pallet capable of supporting the waste container when the container is loaded with this solid waste. After the container has been loaded in whole or in part by the user with the container resting on and supported by the pallet and the waste container is ready for transport to a disposal site, the pallet and container are lifted and moved onto a substantially horizontal rear end section, of a transporting bed of a truck. Then the pallet, and waste container together are moved horizontally to a forward position on, the transporting bed by means of a conveyor system associated with the transporting. bed. The conveyor system comprises a horizontal push bar extending transversely relative to the transporting bed and movable along the transporting bed from a rearmost position adjacent a rear end of the truck to at least one forward position. A power actuator mechanism is operatively connected to the push bar and capable of moving the push bar from the rearmost position to the at least one forward position and back again. The pallet and container are then transported by means of the truck to a waste disposal site for disposal thereof at this site.
According to one version of this method, the disposable waste container is. constructed of strong corrugated cardboard panels which are biodegradable and coated on an exterior surface thereof with a water and moisture impervious layer.
According to one version of this method of receiving and transporting waste, the forklift unit is transported to the waste producing site by means of the truck when the waste container is ready for transport to the disposal site. The forklift unit is unloaded from the truck prior to using the forklift unit to lift and move the pallet and waste container onto the transporting bed.
According to another version of the method of the present disclosure, a method of receiving and transporting waste for disposal comprises:
providing a transport truck having a flat bed rear section capable of carrying a plurality of disposable waste containers, a hydraulic power mechanism for moving the waste containers substantially horizontally from a rear end section of the flat bed rear section to at least one forward position on the fiat bed rear section, and a raising mechanism for pivoting the flat bed rear section from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position for dumping the waste containers;
lifting one of the waste containers, which has been loaded with solid waste, onto the rear end section by means of a fork lift unit;
moving the one waste container by means of the hydraulic power mechanism from the rear end section to the forward position or one of the forward positions;
transporting at least the one waste container by means of the truck to a waste disposal site; and dumping at least the one waste container at the waste disposal site by operating the raising mechanism.
According to one embodiment of a vehicle of the present disclosure, a vehicle for transporting a plurality of separate containers comprises:
construction site where the construction work or renovations may progress relatively slowly, for example, at the pace that the homeowner is prepared to work on the project.
Another difficulty with the large, known waste disposal bins is that in order to deliver these bins to a waste producing site or job site, a relatively large truck is required and generally this truck must be fitted with special features to enable it to deposit the large container or bin at a suitable location at the site. When the waste container has eventually been filled, this relatively large truck must then return to the construction or other site in order either to pick-up the large container and its contents for transport to a waste disposal site or to dump the contents of the waste container into a waste containing box of the truck and then leave the waste container at the site for further use.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method ~of receiving and transporting solid waste for affecting disposal thereof includes providing a disposable waste container having a capacity of at least 500 pounds of suitable, solid waste and a disposable pallet capable of supporting the waste container when the container is loaded with this solid waste. After the container has been loaded in whole or in part by the user with the container resting on and supported by the pallet and the waste container is ready for transport to a disposal site, the pallet and container are lifted and moved onto a substantially horizontal rear end section, of a transporting bed of a truck. Then the pallet, and waste container together are moved horizontally to a forward position on, the transporting bed by means of a conveyor system associated with the transporting. bed. The conveyor system comprises a horizontal push bar extending transversely relative to the transporting bed and movable along the transporting bed from a rearmost position adjacent a rear end of the truck to at least one forward position. A power actuator mechanism is operatively connected to the push bar and capable of moving the push bar from the rearmost position to the at least one forward position and back again. The pallet and container are then transported by means of the truck to a waste disposal site for disposal thereof at this site.
According to one version of this method, the disposable waste container is. constructed of strong corrugated cardboard panels which are biodegradable and coated on an exterior surface thereof with a water and moisture impervious layer.
According to one version of this method of receiving and transporting waste, the forklift unit is transported to the waste producing site by means of the truck when the waste container is ready for transport to the disposal site. The forklift unit is unloaded from the truck prior to using the forklift unit to lift and move the pallet and waste container onto the transporting bed.
According to another version of the method of the present disclosure, a method of receiving and transporting waste for disposal comprises:
providing a transport truck having a flat bed rear section capable of carrying a plurality of disposable waste containers, a hydraulic power mechanism for moving the waste containers substantially horizontally from a rear end section of the flat bed rear section to at least one forward position on the fiat bed rear section, and a raising mechanism for pivoting the flat bed rear section from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position for dumping the waste containers;
lifting one of the waste containers, which has been loaded with solid waste, onto the rear end section by means of a fork lift unit;
moving the one waste container by means of the hydraulic power mechanism from the rear end section to the forward position or one of the forward positions;
transporting at least the one waste container by means of the truck to a waste disposal site; and dumping at least the one waste container at the waste disposal site by operating the raising mechanism.
According to one embodiment of a vehicle of the present disclosure, a vehicle for transporting a plurality of separate containers comprises:
a truck having a front section with an engine to power the truck and a rear section having a flat bed capable of supporting the plurality of containers for transport, the rear section having a rear end section adapted for placement thereon of one of the containers by a fork lift unit;
an apparatus for pushing the one container substantially horizontally from the rear end section to at least one forward position "on the flat bed, th'is apparatus being mounted on the rear section of the truck adjacent the flat bed; and a raising mechanism for pivoting the flat bed from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position in order to dump the containers off the rear section of the truck.
According to an exemplary ve.rsion of the above described vehicle, the pushing apparatus comprises a horizontally extending push bar extending transversely relative to a lengthwise dimension of the flat bed, which extends from a front end to a rear end thereof, and a hydraulic cylinder arctuator mechanism operatively connected to the push bar and capable of moving the push bar from a rearmost position adjacent the rear end of the flat bed to the at Ieast one'forward position and back to the rearmost position.
Further features and advantages of the method of receiving and transporting solid waste and vehicle for transporting containers according to the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
IN THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a rear view of a waste transporting truck with rear doors in their closed position;
Figure.2 is a rear view similar to Figure 1 but showing the doors in a swung open position;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the waste transporting truck of Figure 1 with the,rear transporting section raised;
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Figure 4 is an isometric view take from above and from the rear showing another embodiment of a conveyor system mounted on a rear section of the truck, this view showing the system's push bar in an initial horizontal position;
an apparatus for pushing the one container substantially horizontally from the rear end section to at least one forward position "on the flat bed, th'is apparatus being mounted on the rear section of the truck adjacent the flat bed; and a raising mechanism for pivoting the flat bed from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position in order to dump the containers off the rear section of the truck.
According to an exemplary ve.rsion of the above described vehicle, the pushing apparatus comprises a horizontally extending push bar extending transversely relative to a lengthwise dimension of the flat bed, which extends from a front end to a rear end thereof, and a hydraulic cylinder arctuator mechanism operatively connected to the push bar and capable of moving the push bar from a rearmost position adjacent the rear end of the flat bed to the at Ieast one'forward position and back to the rearmost position.
Further features and advantages of the method of receiving and transporting solid waste and vehicle for transporting containers according to the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
IN THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a rear view of a waste transporting truck with rear doors in their closed position;
Figure.2 is a rear view similar to Figure 1 but showing the doors in a swung open position;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the waste transporting truck of Figure 1 with the,rear transporting section raised;
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Figure 4 is an isometric view take from above and from the rear showing another embodiment of a conveyor system mounted on a rear section of the truck, this view showing the system's push bar in an initial horizontal position;
5 Figure 5 is another isometric viewsimilar to Figure 4 but showing the push bar of the conveyor in an upright position;
Figure 6 is an isometric view similar to Figure 4 showing the push bar along with two waste containers in a forward position;
Figure 7 is a further isometric view similar to Figure 4 showing the push bar moved back to its rearward, horizontal position with two additional containers loaded onto the flat bed.of the truck;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the forklift unit and waste container, this view being-taken from the front and from one side of the forklift unit and this view showing the waste container in a raised position;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the forklift unit of. Figure 8, this view being taken from the front side and from above;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of another version of a forklift unit with a disposable~ waste container mounted thereon, this view being from the rear and from one side;
Figure 11 is a detail rear end view of a guideway on the right side of the conveyor shown in Figure 4;
Figure 12 is a detail side view of the push bar showing its pivot pin connection;
Figure 13 is a detail top view of an end section of the push bar and a connecting plate pivotably connected to the bar; and Figure 14 is a detail top view of a support for a front end of a hydraulic cylinder used in the conveyor system of Figure 4.
Figure 15 is a top view of a disposable pallet that can be used to support the. waste container;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the pallet of Figure 15, this view being taken from below and from one side of the pallet; and Figure 17 is a perspective view taken from above of a second form of disposable pallet made of chipboard with a folded disposable container affixed to its top surface.
Figure 6 is an isometric view similar to Figure 4 showing the push bar along with two waste containers in a forward position;
Figure 7 is a further isometric view similar to Figure 4 showing the push bar moved back to its rearward, horizontal position with two additional containers loaded onto the flat bed.of the truck;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the forklift unit and waste container, this view being-taken from the front and from one side of the forklift unit and this view showing the waste container in a raised position;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the forklift unit of. Figure 8, this view being taken from the front side and from above;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of another version of a forklift unit with a disposable~ waste container mounted thereon, this view being from the rear and from one side;
Figure 11 is a detail rear end view of a guideway on the right side of the conveyor shown in Figure 4;
Figure 12 is a detail side view of the push bar showing its pivot pin connection;
Figure 13 is a detail top view of an end section of the push bar and a connecting plate pivotably connected to the bar; and Figure 14 is a detail top view of a support for a front end of a hydraulic cylinder used in the conveyor system of Figure 4.
Figure 15 is a top view of a disposable pallet that can be used to support the. waste container;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the pallet of Figure 15, this view being taken from below and from one side of the pallet; and Figure 17 is a perspective view taken from above of a second form of disposable pallet made of chipboard with a folded disposable container affixed to its top surface.
Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a method of receiving and transporting solid waste for effecting disposal thereof. This method can include a forklift unit to lift and move a disposable waste container onto the waster disposal truck 31 shown in Figures 1 to 3 which is adapted to transport and off load these containers. A suitable forklift unit 10 is illustrated in Figures 8 to 10 and it will be understood that this unit is constructed so that it is large enough and strong enough to lift and move a disposable waste container such as the illustrated container 12. Although two suitable forklift units are illustrated in the drawings and are described hereinafter, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of known forklift units having sufficient capacity and lifting strength can also be used to carry out at least some of the methods of receiving and transporting solid waste disclosed herein.
Turning now to the construction of the waste collection vehicle used to carry out the method illustrated by Figures 4 to 7 the truck 31 has a front section 225 of standard construction, this section having an engine to power the truck, and a rear section that includes a transporting bed 220. The rear section can be enclosed in the normal fashion of a transport trailer and can include upright sidewalls that extend vertically from the transporting bed 220 and that can be rigidly attached to the transporting bed and/or the underlying frame structure of the truck. A rigid or flexible top cover 227 can extend between sidewalls 229, 231 and, in this way, the disposable containers are completely enclosed for transport to the waste disposal site. Pivoting or removable rear doors 233 can also be provided on the truck so the containers are secured within the rear section of the waste transporting truck. Two of these rear doors are shown in their closed position in Figure 1 and in their open position in Figure 2. Metal hinges 235 pivotally connect each door to the adjacent sidewall of the truck.
A standard door locking mechanism (not shown) can be,used to hold the doors in their closed position. As the construction of such rear , doors is well known in the construction of transport trucks, a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.
Turning now to the construction of the waste collection vehicle used to carry out the method illustrated by Figures 4 to 7 the truck 31 has a front section 225 of standard construction, this section having an engine to power the truck, and a rear section that includes a transporting bed 220. The rear section can be enclosed in the normal fashion of a transport trailer and can include upright sidewalls that extend vertically from the transporting bed 220 and that can be rigidly attached to the transporting bed and/or the underlying frame structure of the truck. A rigid or flexible top cover 227 can extend between sidewalls 229, 231 and, in this way, the disposable containers are completely enclosed for transport to the waste disposal site. Pivoting or removable rear doors 233 can also be provided on the truck so the containers are secured within the rear section of the waste transporting truck. Two of these rear doors are shown in their closed position in Figure 1 and in their open position in Figure 2. Metal hinges 235 pivotally connect each door to the adjacent sidewall of the truck.
A standard door locking mechanism (not shown) can be,used to hold the doors in their closed position. As the construction of such rear , doors is well known in the construction of transport trucks, a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.
The above described truck is equipped with a conveyor system 222 which comprises an apparatus for pushing at least one container substantially horizontally from the rear end section of the truck to at least one forward position -on the flat transporting bed 220. This pushing apparatus is mounted on -a rear section of the truck adjacent the flat bed and comprises a horizontally extending push bar 230 extending transversely relative to a lengthwise direction of the flat bed, this direction being indicated by the arrow A in Figure 4. For the purposes of this disclosure, the lengthwise dimension will be considered the dimension which extends from a front end 231 of the transporting bed to a rear end 232 thereof. The pushing apparatus also includes a hydraulic cylinder actuator mechanism operatively connected to the push bar 230 and capable of moving the push bar from a rearwardmost position (shown in Figure 4) adjacent the rear end of the flat bed to at least one forward position, for example the position shown in Figure 6. In the particular hydraulic'cylinder actuator mechanism shown, there are two elongate hydraulic cylinder.
actuators 234, 236 located on opposite longitudinal sides of the flat bed and extending close to and parallel to the surface of the bed. Each cylinder actuator has' an elongate rod 238, an outer end of which is visible in Figure 4. Two elongate guide tracks 240, 242 are located respectively on opposite longitudinal sides of the flat bed and can be attached thereto-by outwardly and inwardly extending lugs 244 each having a bolt or threaded fastener extending through it and into-the bed. Each elongate rod 238 extends along a respective one of these guide tracks when the rod is extended. It will be understood that the _ . , guide tracks are adapted to guide the horizontal movement of adjacent ends of the push bar 230. Each guide track is substantially channel-shaped with its inwardly facing side forming a slot 246 (see Figure. 11) extending the length of the track. Slidable along this slot-and connected to the outer end of the respective rod 238 is a flat -connecting plate 248 having an open-ended sleeve 250 mounted on its rear edge. Extending through this sleeve is a pivot pin 251 which extends through and is connected to a connecting sleeve 252 which is rigidly attached to push bar 230 and pivots with the push bar.
actuators 234, 236 located on opposite longitudinal sides of the flat bed and extending close to and parallel to the surface of the bed. Each cylinder actuator has' an elongate rod 238, an outer end of which is visible in Figure 4. Two elongate guide tracks 240, 242 are located respectively on opposite longitudinal sides of the flat bed and can be attached thereto-by outwardly and inwardly extending lugs 244 each having a bolt or threaded fastener extending through it and into-the bed. Each elongate rod 238 extends along a respective one of these guide tracks when the rod is extended. It will be understood that the _ . , guide tracks are adapted to guide the horizontal movement of adjacent ends of the push bar 230. Each guide track is substantially channel-shaped with its inwardly facing side forming a slot 246 (see Figure. 11) extending the length of the track. Slidable along this slot-and connected to the outer end of the respective rod 238 is a flat -connecting plate 248 having an open-ended sleeve 250 mounted on its rear edge. Extending through this sleeve is a pivot pin 251 which extends through and is connected to a connecting sleeve 252 which is rigidly attached to push bar 230 and pivots with the push bar.
Attached to the outer end of the pivot pin is a pivoting plate 254 which is shown in its rearmost vertical position in Figure 4 and is shown in a horizontal position in Figure 5.
The push bar includes a right angle extension plate 256 visible in Figures.5 and 12. The plate 256 extends horizontally and rearwardly when the push bar is advanced from the position shown in Figure 5 and it extends downwardly in the rearward position in Figure 4. In addition to providing strength to the push bar, the extension plate 256 acts as a weight which will bias the push bar to the position shown in Figure 4 when the push bar is moved rearwardly beyond the rear end 232 of the flat bed. In other words the push bar pivots,about the transverse axis formed by the pivot pins that extend through the two sleeves 250. With the push bar in the position shown in Figure 4, it becomes relatively easy for a fork lift vehicle to deposit a waste container 12 and its pallet on the rear section of the transport bed 220.
The leg members of the pallet can be placed by the forklift directly on the flat bed where they then will support fully the weight of a container. It is then easy for the fork lift operator to withdraw the fork tines from under the container. Once the container has been deposited on the flat bed and the fork tines removed, the push bar 230 can then be advanced short distance to the position shown in Figure 5 with the push bar engaging not only the adjacent edge of the pallet but also the side of the container. Note that the push bar is brought to the upright position shown in Figure 5 either by engagement between the extension plate 256 and the rear end 232 of the flat bed or by engagement between front, vertical edges of the pivoting plates 254 and the rear edge of the flat bed.
Shown in Figure 14 is the forward mounting for the hydraulic cylinder of the actuator 236. A short cylindrical post 280 extends upwardly from a support plate 282 which is bolted at 284, 286 to. the flat bed of the truck. A sleeve member 288 connected to the end of the hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the post and held thereon by snap ring 29'0.
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The push bar includes a right angle extension plate 256 visible in Figures.5 and 12. The plate 256 extends horizontally and rearwardly when the push bar is advanced from the position shown in Figure 5 and it extends downwardly in the rearward position in Figure 4. In addition to providing strength to the push bar, the extension plate 256 acts as a weight which will bias the push bar to the position shown in Figure 4 when the push bar is moved rearwardly beyond the rear end 232 of the flat bed. In other words the push bar pivots,about the transverse axis formed by the pivot pins that extend through the two sleeves 250. With the push bar in the position shown in Figure 4, it becomes relatively easy for a fork lift vehicle to deposit a waste container 12 and its pallet on the rear section of the transport bed 220.
The leg members of the pallet can be placed by the forklift directly on the flat bed where they then will support fully the weight of a container. It is then easy for the fork lift operator to withdraw the fork tines from under the container. Once the container has been deposited on the flat bed and the fork tines removed, the push bar 230 can then be advanced short distance to the position shown in Figure 5 with the push bar engaging not only the adjacent edge of the pallet but also the side of the container. Note that the push bar is brought to the upright position shown in Figure 5 either by engagement between the extension plate 256 and the rear end 232 of the flat bed or by engagement between front, vertical edges of the pivoting plates 254 and the rear edge of the flat bed.
Shown in Figure 14 is the forward mounting for the hydraulic cylinder of the actuator 236. A short cylindrical post 280 extends upwardly from a support plate 282 which is bolted at 284, 286 to. the flat bed of the truck. A sleeve member 288 connected to the end of the hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the post and held thereon by snap ring 29'0.
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With reference to Figure 6, this view shows two waste containers advanced to a forward position at 260. by the push bar 230 which is moved to its forwardmost position. At this stage in the container loading process, there can still be empty flat bed space at 262 forward of the two containers 12 shown in Figure 6. This space can optionally be filled later after further containers 12 are loaded onto the flat bed as explained below.
Turning to Figure 7 wherein the push bar 230 has again been moved to its most rearward position, another pair of waste containers 12 are shown loaded onto the rear end section of the transport bed.
These two containers can now be moved by means of the push bar from the rear end section to a desired forward position such as the positions 264 and 266 located just to the rear of the two first loaded waste containers. Alternatively, by constructing the push bar so that it has sufficient strength and by providing cylindrical actuators of sufficient strength, the push bar can use the pair of rearward containers to push forwardly the pair of forward containers into the empty section 262. In other words, the two rearward containers shown in Figure 7 can be pushed forward into the position of the two forward containers shown in Figure 7. By repeating this process as necessary, all or much of the forward bed section 262 can be filled.
The waste collection vehicle is provided with a raising mechanism 267 for pivoting this bed from the horizontal transporting position shown in Figures 4 and 5 to a sloping position shown in Figure 3 in order to dump containers from the rear section of the truck. As such raising mechanisms are common in rear-dumping trucks, a detailed description herein is deemed unnecessary. Commonly, such a raising mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder actuator 279 which is able to pivot in a vertical plane as the transport bed section of the truck is raised.
In one embodiment of the conveyor system 222, the two hydraulic cylinders of the actuators 234, 236 are 4 inch diameter cylinders equipped with 10 feet long actuator rods. The hydraulic source and hydraulic pump for the two actuators 234, 236 can be the same as that for other hydraulic components of the truck, for example the hydraulic lift or raising mechanism used to pivot the rear section of the truck to dump the containers.
5 The forklift unit 10 of Figures 8 and 9 has a U-shaped body 14 which can be constructed of tubular frame members.-These frame members can include U-shaped upperframe,member 16 and a generally U-shaped lower frame member 18, with these two frame members connected by relatively short, vertically extending connecting 10 tubes 20. Mounted at the forward end of the body 14 are two front wheels 22, one of which can rotate freely while the other is a driven wheel. Alternatively, if desired, both wheels 22 can be driven by suitable drive mechanisms such as those described hereinafter. Each wheel 22 is mounted in a U-shaped wheel bracket 24 with two forwardly extending legs in the form of vertical plates. Each wheel 22 is rotatably mounted on a relatively short shaft (not shown) which is rotatably supported at each end by means of suitable standard bearing units (not shown). A chain sprocket 26 is mounted between one of these bearings and one wheel 22 which, in the illustrated version of the lift unit, is the right side wheel as viewed from the front of the lift unit. Continuous drive chain 28 extends around the sprocket and this drive chain can be driven by an electric motor 29 powered by a standard battery, for example, a car battery.
The lift unit has a vertically extending support frame 30 of sufficient height to permit the lift unit to lift the waste container 12 onto a truck such as the truck illustrated in Figures I to 3. In one embodiment, the height of the frame is between 4 feet and 4.5 feet and the frame's bottom end is about six inches above the ground. The frame 30 has two vertical frame members, which can be channel members 32, connected together at the top by horizontal. connecting strip 34. A lower portion of each channel member 32 is rigidly connected to the body 14 on a front side thereof. To add further rigidity, triangular brace members 36 can be used to secure the channel members to the upper frame member 16.
Turning to Figure 7 wherein the push bar 230 has again been moved to its most rearward position, another pair of waste containers 12 are shown loaded onto the rear end section of the transport bed.
These two containers can now be moved by means of the push bar from the rear end section to a desired forward position such as the positions 264 and 266 located just to the rear of the two first loaded waste containers. Alternatively, by constructing the push bar so that it has sufficient strength and by providing cylindrical actuators of sufficient strength, the push bar can use the pair of rearward containers to push forwardly the pair of forward containers into the empty section 262. In other words, the two rearward containers shown in Figure 7 can be pushed forward into the position of the two forward containers shown in Figure 7. By repeating this process as necessary, all or much of the forward bed section 262 can be filled.
The waste collection vehicle is provided with a raising mechanism 267 for pivoting this bed from the horizontal transporting position shown in Figures 4 and 5 to a sloping position shown in Figure 3 in order to dump containers from the rear section of the truck. As such raising mechanisms are common in rear-dumping trucks, a detailed description herein is deemed unnecessary. Commonly, such a raising mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder actuator 279 which is able to pivot in a vertical plane as the transport bed section of the truck is raised.
In one embodiment of the conveyor system 222, the two hydraulic cylinders of the actuators 234, 236 are 4 inch diameter cylinders equipped with 10 feet long actuator rods. The hydraulic source and hydraulic pump for the two actuators 234, 236 can be the same as that for other hydraulic components of the truck, for example the hydraulic lift or raising mechanism used to pivot the rear section of the truck to dump the containers.
5 The forklift unit 10 of Figures 8 and 9 has a U-shaped body 14 which can be constructed of tubular frame members.-These frame members can include U-shaped upperframe,member 16 and a generally U-shaped lower frame member 18, with these two frame members connected by relatively short, vertically extending connecting 10 tubes 20. Mounted at the forward end of the body 14 are two front wheels 22, one of which can rotate freely while the other is a driven wheel. Alternatively, if desired, both wheels 22 can be driven by suitable drive mechanisms such as those described hereinafter. Each wheel 22 is mounted in a U-shaped wheel bracket 24 with two forwardly extending legs in the form of vertical plates. Each wheel 22 is rotatably mounted on a relatively short shaft (not shown) which is rotatably supported at each end by means of suitable standard bearing units (not shown). A chain sprocket 26 is mounted between one of these bearings and one wheel 22 which, in the illustrated version of the lift unit, is the right side wheel as viewed from the front of the lift unit. Continuous drive chain 28 extends around the sprocket and this drive chain can be driven by an electric motor 29 powered by a standard battery, for example, a car battery.
The lift unit has a vertically extending support frame 30 of sufficient height to permit the lift unit to lift the waste container 12 onto a truck such as the truck illustrated in Figures I to 3. In one embodiment, the height of the frame is between 4 feet and 4.5 feet and the frame's bottom end is about six inches above the ground. The frame 30 has two vertical frame members, which can be channel members 32, connected together at the top by horizontal. connecting strip 34. A lower portion of each channel member 32 is rigidly connected to the body 14 on a front side thereof. To add further rigidity, triangular brace members 36 can be used to secure the channel members to the upper frame member 16.
A metal box 38 can be used to house the aforementioned battery which, as indicated, can be a standard 12 volt car battery.
Mounted on the left side of this box is a metal housing 40 and located within this housing is an electrical DC motor operable on 12 volts, a hydraulic pump operated by the motor, and a hydraulic oil tank or reservoir having a one gallon capacity. The motor and pump can be of standard construction and a detailed description herein is deemed unnecessary. A standard push-button control can operate the motor and pump. Both the box 38 and the housing 40 are mounted on the rear side of the body 14 and between them is a vertically extending ,hydraulic cylinder 42 (see Figure 10) which has an extendible rod 44 projecting from its top end. The cylinder 42 is rigidly mounted to the horizontal strip 34 and at its bottom end to the body 14. The top end of rod 44 is connected to L-shaped actuator arm 46. This arm has a relatively short, horizontal portion 48 and a relatively long vertical section 50. The rod 44 can be extended or retracted by operation of the motor and pump to provide required pressurized hydraulic fluid.
Mounted on the lower portion of the actuator arm 46 is a fork carriage or fork supporting frame 54 (see Figure 9). Extending forwardly from the frame 54 are two wide fork members 52. In one particular version of this forklift unit, the fork'members have a width of about eight inches (as, compared.to only four inches in some known lift trucks of similar size). One preferred form of the container 12 measures about forty inches in each horizontal direction. Thus, with these wide forks, this preferred lift unit is able to lift even a relatively weak disposable pallet as described hereinafter with its waste container and contents resting thereon without damage being caused to or without failure of the support pallet during a lifting and moving operation. It will be understood that it is possible to construct the forks of standard fork width in some cases but, in such a case, it may be necessary to provide a stronger pallet than would otherwise be the case.
It will be understood that both sides of the fork frame 54 are fitted with wheels or rollers that can run up and down in their respective adjacent channel member 32. In this way, vertical .....:w. rv......x.yvq:y.pq,y%MpMfi.... ..........,.:.MnMA='!F'M+.... .
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Mounted on the left side of this box is a metal housing 40 and located within this housing is an electrical DC motor operable on 12 volts, a hydraulic pump operated by the motor, and a hydraulic oil tank or reservoir having a one gallon capacity. The motor and pump can be of standard construction and a detailed description herein is deemed unnecessary. A standard push-button control can operate the motor and pump. Both the box 38 and the housing 40 are mounted on the rear side of the body 14 and between them is a vertically extending ,hydraulic cylinder 42 (see Figure 10) which has an extendible rod 44 projecting from its top end. The cylinder 42 is rigidly mounted to the horizontal strip 34 and at its bottom end to the body 14. The top end of rod 44 is connected to L-shaped actuator arm 46. This arm has a relatively short, horizontal portion 48 and a relatively long vertical section 50. The rod 44 can be extended or retracted by operation of the motor and pump to provide required pressurized hydraulic fluid.
Mounted on the lower portion of the actuator arm 46 is a fork carriage or fork supporting frame 54 (see Figure 9). Extending forwardly from the frame 54 are two wide fork members 52. In one particular version of this forklift unit, the fork'members have a width of about eight inches (as, compared.to only four inches in some known lift trucks of similar size). One preferred form of the container 12 measures about forty inches in each horizontal direction. Thus, with these wide forks, this preferred lift unit is able to lift even a relatively weak disposable pallet as described hereinafter with its waste container and contents resting thereon without damage being caused to or without failure of the support pallet during a lifting and moving operation. It will be understood that it is possible to construct the forks of standard fork width in some cases but, in such a case, it may be necessary to provide a stronger pallet than would otherwise be the case.
It will be understood that both sides of the fork frame 54 are fitted with wheels or rollers that can run up and down in their respective adjacent channel member 32. In this way, vertical .....:w. rv......x.yvq:y.pq,y%MpMfi.... ..........,.:.MnMA='!F'M+.... .
......riy.rb nr.w~e.sx.+~nw.W'k..~ya... ., . .Hnwrx..+Wv. .. .
.,,...rr^~WM'..#re..C+. ......Kr+.n-s.:,wMww+'rMiw+'.+.u.n+-e+m..r r.+^'mp'rr..M+fwA'+f ' -' WM~ u....... .,. ..v.rwM.'.x.wr'uV. . . ,.,..
movement of the-fork frame is guided by the supporting frame 30. As indicated, the height of the supporting frame 30 can be about 4 to 4.5 feet in one embodiment but it will be appreciated that the height of the frame 30 can vary depending upon particular lifting requirements for the waste removal method. Depending on the type of truck used, the transporting bed of the truck can be three, four or more feet above ground level.
Rotatably mounted on the body 14 are two closely spaced rear wheels 60. These wheels are mounted at the center of the body 14 and substantially to the rear of the body. In one version of this unit, these wheels are ten inches in diameter. The lower frame member 18 can be bent upwardly along a central section thereof to accommodate turning movement of these wheels. The wheels 60 are mounted on a vertical shaft so that they can pivot together about a vertical axis in order to steer the lift unit. The unit is steered manually by means of an elongate handle member 62 which can be biased to the upwardly extending position by a suitable spring 63 (shown in Figure 10).
An alternate forklift unit 200 that can be used for the present method of waste disposal is illustrated in F"igure 10. The unit 200. is constructed in substantially the same manner as the unit 10 described above except as explained hereinafter. Instead of being electrically powered by a battery, the unit 200 is powered by a gasol'ine engine 202 which can be mounted on support platform 204 that is rigidly attached to.the rear of the body 14. One suitable form of gas engine is 6 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. The motor can be started manually by a pull cord or by a batte`ry powered electric starter if desired. Both wheels 22 in this forklift unit are driven by respective hydraulic motors 206 which can be mounted on the outer surface of the wheel brackets 24 and can be operatively connected to each wheel's axfe. The hydraulic motor 206 can operate in forward and reverse and there is also a neutral motor control position. Preferably the forklift has a maximum lifting and moving capacity of at least 2000 lbs and has a usable straddle width of 50 inches (ie. capable of accommodating containers having a horizontal width of 50 inches). A brake lever is ...... .
Rotatably mounted on the body 14 are two closely spaced rear wheels 60. These wheels are mounted at the center of the body 14 and substantially to the rear of the body. In one version of this unit, these wheels are ten inches in diameter. The lower frame member 18 can be bent upwardly along a central section thereof to accommodate turning movement of these wheels. The wheels 60 are mounted on a vertical shaft so that they can pivot together about a vertical axis in order to steer the lift unit. The unit is steered manually by means of an elongate handle member 62 which can be biased to the upwardly extending position by a suitable spring 63 (shown in Figure 10).
An alternate forklift unit 200 that can be used for the present method of waste disposal is illustrated in F"igure 10. The unit 200. is constructed in substantially the same manner as the unit 10 described above except as explained hereinafter. Instead of being electrically powered by a battery, the unit 200 is powered by a gasol'ine engine 202 which can be mounted on support platform 204 that is rigidly attached to.the rear of the body 14. One suitable form of gas engine is 6 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. The motor can be started manually by a pull cord or by a batte`ry powered electric starter if desired. Both wheels 22 in this forklift unit are driven by respective hydraulic motors 206 which can be mounted on the outer surface of the wheel brackets 24 and can be operatively connected to each wheel's axfe. The hydraulic motor 206 can operate in forward and reverse and there is also a neutral motor control position. Preferably the forklift has a maximum lifting and moving capacity of at least 2000 lbs and has a usable straddle width of 50 inches (ie. capable of accommodating containers having a horizontal width of 50 inches). A brake lever is ...... .
preferably provided on the handle 62 to enable horizontal forklift movement to be stopped by wheel brakes (not shown) when required.
Turning now to the construction of the waste container 12 that can be used in the present method of receiving and transporting solid waste; one form of this container can be a corrugated cardboard box constructed of strong corrugated cardboard panels which are biodegradable. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the box can have a cubical shape with four square (or rectangular) side panels 70 and a bottom panel or bottom panels at 72 which can be integrally connected to the side panels. Preferably the box or container is also provided with a removable and replaceable cardboard top 74. This top can have a square or rectangular horizontally extending panel .76 and extending about the perimeter of this panel is a cardboard edge flange 78. The edge flange can, for example, extend three to four inches down from the top panel 76. The top 74 should be sized and constructed so that it fits snugly on the open top of the main body of the container. In this way, a friction fit is formed between the edge flange 78 on the four sides of the top with the side panels 70. If desired the top 74 can be formed with a flexible hinge 75 extending its entire width, this hinge location indicated by the dash line in Fig. 4. In this way it is not necessary to remove the entire top 74 from the container in order to place waste therein. The top section 77 is simply pivoted upwardly for waste insertion. In one particular; cubical version of the container, the external dimensions of the container are 40" x 40" x 40". For reasons of economy and efficiency, the two horizontal dimensions of the container can be made the same as the horizontal dimensions of a separate, disposable pallet 80 on which the waste container is placed so that the container is in condition for loading of the solid waste into the container at a waste producing site. One form of disposable pallet -that can be used is illustrated separately in Figures 15 and 16 of the drawings and is_ described further hereinafter.
The waste container 12 should have a sufficient waste capacity to hold a reasonably large amount of waste since a construction site or renovation site can produce significant quantities of solid waste. A
preferred embodiment of the waste container has a waste capacity of -. -... . , -.. :.-. . - . W~ax.".s,.õyM.. ...= . w pqmc..e:' .,....:_...
Turning now to the construction of the waste container 12 that can be used in the present method of receiving and transporting solid waste; one form of this container can be a corrugated cardboard box constructed of strong corrugated cardboard panels which are biodegradable. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the box can have a cubical shape with four square (or rectangular) side panels 70 and a bottom panel or bottom panels at 72 which can be integrally connected to the side panels. Preferably the box or container is also provided with a removable and replaceable cardboard top 74. This top can have a square or rectangular horizontally extending panel .76 and extending about the perimeter of this panel is a cardboard edge flange 78. The edge flange can, for example, extend three to four inches down from the top panel 76. The top 74 should be sized and constructed so that it fits snugly on the open top of the main body of the container. In this way, a friction fit is formed between the edge flange 78 on the four sides of the top with the side panels 70. If desired the top 74 can be formed with a flexible hinge 75 extending its entire width, this hinge location indicated by the dash line in Fig. 4. In this way it is not necessary to remove the entire top 74 from the container in order to place waste therein. The top section 77 is simply pivoted upwardly for waste insertion. In one particular; cubical version of the container, the external dimensions of the container are 40" x 40" x 40". For reasons of economy and efficiency, the two horizontal dimensions of the container can be made the same as the horizontal dimensions of a separate, disposable pallet 80 on which the waste container is placed so that the container is in condition for loading of the solid waste into the container at a waste producing site. One form of disposable pallet -that can be used is illustrated separately in Figures 15 and 16 of the drawings and is_ described further hereinafter.
The waste container 12 should have a sufficient waste capacity to hold a reasonably large amount of waste since a construction site or renovation site can produce significant quantities of solid waste. A
preferred embodiment of the waste container has a waste capacity of -. -... . , -.. :.-. . - . W~ax.".s,.õyM.. ...= . w pqmc..e:' .,....:_...
at least 500 lbs of suitable solid waste and in a particularly preferred version of the container the waste capacity is at least 1000 lbs. of suitable solid waste. The term "suitable solid waste" as used herein is meant to refer to typical solid waste materials such as those generated at construction, renovation and clean-up sites. This waste can be reasonably heavy, for example, the weight of wood, chunks or pieces of bricks or blocks and pieces of wallboard and it is sized normally to fit within the dimensions of the waste container. Obviously if the waste material is.a particularly light material which has a relatively large volume, for example, insulation material, then the waste container may not hold 500 lbs. of such Iight material and still have a dimension .of only forty inches in each direction. It will be appreciated that not only does the preferred container have the capacity and strength to hold the aforementioned amount of waste material but also the pallet 80 qn which the container sits during the waste collection process is constructed to have sufficient strength and rigidity to hold a fully loaded waste container.
It will be understood that the waste container can be made of paper sheets which are biodegradable so that they will eventually decomppse. when the waste container is dumped in a landfill site..
However, in one desirable embodiment of the waste container, the exterior of each of these cardboard panels is coated with a water and moisture impervious layer which can take the form of a thin, plastic sheet or layer that adheres to the outside surface of the outer paper sheet or that is bonded to this sheet by means of a suitable adhesive.
The cardboard top 74 can be constructed in the same manner and can also be covered with a water and moisture impervious layer. With the use; of the water impervious layer on the exterior of all of the cardboard panels, the waste container can withstand inclement weather even if it is exposed to such weather when the container is left at a waste producing site, such as a construction site. In order to protect the inside cardboard material of the container, the top 74 can be put on top of the main body of the container during wet weather conditions.
rm,.,,,....,, +.w... ..õ.,....,.,.,., ..,,,+n:.,.~-.,..~..e-....:.,.+wv~.w.,.r. . . . . .Fmm.w .....eww..v. ......:,...,,. ._.
.....*r.......,.~.,..~,.-,r~*-p.r.wn~.+ ., .:r~... . n,..n..,..,,.. .... , .
As an alternative to a waste container made of strong corrugated cardboard panels, it is also possible to construct the waste container from suitably strong and rigid plastic panels. Plastic panels or plastic boards that can be used for purposes of a waste container 5 include those called "cloroplast" or "corrugated plastic". As such plastic boards are already known in the plastic industry for other purposes, for example, plastic signs, a detailed description of this material herein is deemed unnecessary.
According to one form of the method of receiving and 10 transporting waste disclosed herein, the waste container 12 can initially be provided to a customer, such as a home renovator, in a collapsed flat state and then the user of the container can expand, unfold and tuck the container panels to form a usable waste container such as that shown in Figures 4 and 8. It will be appreciated that it is 15 easy to ship and provide the containers in a collapsed flat state as they take up very little room in this condition and, if appropriate, a number of the collapsed, flat containers can be shipped together so that the renovator or other waste producer can create a number of waste containers as and when required. The collapsed, flat containers can also be shipped with a number of disposable pallets as described herein which preferably are nestable so that they also can readily be shipped in a compact state.
Using the truck 31 to transport solid waste for disposal, the method of transporting the solid waste includes providing the disposable waste container 12 and the separate disposable pallet 80 which is capable of supporting the waste container 12 when the latter is loaded with solid waste. After the container and pallet have been provided to a waste producing site, the fully expanded container is placed on the pallet so that the container is in condition for loading the solid waste into the container at the site. Then, after the waste container has been loaded in whole or in part (to the extent desired by the waste producer) and is ready for transport to a disposal site, the pallet and the container can be lifted and moved by the forklift unit 10 onto a rear end section of the truck 31. Then the pallet and waste container can be moved together to a forward position on the transporting bed of the truck by means of a conveyor system 222.
The waste disposal truck can itself be used to transport the forklift unit 10 to the waste producing site when the waste container 12 is ready for transport to the waste disposal site. There can be mounted at the rear end of the truck 31 a pair of tubular sockets 270.
These sockets can be rigidly connected, to the underside of the truck bed. It will be understood that the fork members or tines 52 of the forklift unit 10 can be raised to a position where they are the same height as the sockets 270 and then, by moving the forklift unit forwardly, the tines can be inserted into these sockets. When the fork tines have been inserted into the sockets, hydraulic power can then be applied to the fork to move it downwardly relative to the supporting frame 30. However, because the tines are unable to move downwardly relative to the back end of the truck, the rest of the fork lift unit 10 including the U-shaped body 14 and the wheels are raised from the ground to an elevated transporting position. It will be appreciated that by transporting the forklift unit in. this manner, all of the transporting bed of the truck is left available for transporting waste containers.
Accordingly, the truck 31 fitted with the tine-receiving sockets 270 at its rear end can be used to transport the forklift unit 10 to the waste producing site where the forklift unit can be unloaded from the truck.
Then the forklift unit can be used to lift and move the pallet and its waste container which can include lifting and moving the pallet and waste container onto the rear end section of the truck as described above.
Turning now to the disposable pallet 80 illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, this pallet has a planar, substantially rectangular support member 185 made of biodegradable material such as strong, rigid cardboard material. If desired, this cardboard material can be made and constructed in a manner similar to the panels of the waste container itself as described above. In one embodiment, the support member 185 is a triple wall panel and, if desired, at least the upper surface thereof can be coated with a plastic layer. The pallet also has a -35 plurality of plastic cup-shaped leg members 188 which are capable of supporting the support member 185 above ground or above a floor during use of the pallet. Four of these leg members 188 are located at four corners of the support member and an additional four of the leg members can be located midway between a respective two of the leg members located at adjacent corners of the support member. There is also a central leg member indicated at 188' located in the centre of the pallet. Each leg member 188 can be formed at its wider top end with an outwardly extending connecting flange 190 which can be used to secure the leg member to the bottom of the support member 185, for example, by means of staples. Each leg member is located below a circular hole 191 formed in the member 185. In this way, the pallets 80 are made stackable and nestable so that a plurality of them can easily be stored and transported without taking up a lot of room. It will be understood that the pallet 80 is dimensionedin the lengthwise and widthwise. directions so that its dimensions correspond to those of the waste container 12 to be placed thereon. In order that water will not accumulate in the open topped leg members, they are provided with at least one and preferably two or three small drainage holes 192 at each of their bottom ends. The leg members are made from a suitably strong plastic material such as PVC. It will be understood that the leg members are spaced apart a sufficient distance in the lengthwise and widthwise direction to permit insertion of the forklift tines from any of the four sides of the pallet. This permits the pallet and its container to be readily_picked-up. by the forklift unit even if the pallet and waste container have been placed near a wall or other obstacle.
Instead of the aforementioned construction for the pallet, it is also possible to construct a disposable pallet from woodchip material and a suitable adhesive orbinder to hold the chips together. This material is commonly referred to as "chipboard" in the construction industry. A disposable pallet 200 of this type is illustrated in Figure 17.
With the use of this material, the flat, square upper portion 202 of the pa(let can be formed integrally with the leg members 204 which would still have the same general shape as the plastic leg members 188 shown in Figures 15 and 16. The integral leg members are also constructed with an open top so that the pallets can be stacked one on top of the other without requiring an undue amount of storage or transporting space.
According to another aspect of the present method of waste disposal and as illustrated in Figure 17, it is also possible to ship the disposable waste containers to the user in a collapsed, folded and flat state attached to the top of the disposable pallet. Such a collapsed container is indicated at 206 and it will be seen that the side panels 207 are folded on top of a square bottom panel structure 208. The bottom of the container can be secured, for example, by staples and/or adhesive to the top of the pallet. The container is then expanded, unfolded and tucked while secured to the pallet.
Another form of collapsed container construction that can be used has the four side panels of the container connected in a row and hingedly connected to one another to allow them to be stored and shipped in a flat, stacked condition. At the job site, they are unfolded to form an open ended cube and are mounted on a container/pallet base that has an upwardly extending flange extending around its square perimeter. This flange holds the unfolded sidewalls in position and can be secured by tape or other means to the sidewalls.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the disposal of waste materials and in the transportation of same, various modifications and changes can be made to the described method. of receiving and transporting waste using a disposable waste container and the described vehicle without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and changes to the described method and vehicle as fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be part of this invention.
It will be understood that the waste container can be made of paper sheets which are biodegradable so that they will eventually decomppse. when the waste container is dumped in a landfill site..
However, in one desirable embodiment of the waste container, the exterior of each of these cardboard panels is coated with a water and moisture impervious layer which can take the form of a thin, plastic sheet or layer that adheres to the outside surface of the outer paper sheet or that is bonded to this sheet by means of a suitable adhesive.
The cardboard top 74 can be constructed in the same manner and can also be covered with a water and moisture impervious layer. With the use; of the water impervious layer on the exterior of all of the cardboard panels, the waste container can withstand inclement weather even if it is exposed to such weather when the container is left at a waste producing site, such as a construction site. In order to protect the inside cardboard material of the container, the top 74 can be put on top of the main body of the container during wet weather conditions.
rm,.,,,....,, +.w... ..õ.,....,.,.,., ..,,,+n:.,.~-.,..~..e-....:.,.+wv~.w.,.r. . . . . .Fmm.w .....eww..v. ......:,...,,. ._.
.....*r.......,.~.,..~,.-,r~*-p.r.wn~.+ ., .:r~... . n,..n..,..,,.. .... , .
As an alternative to a waste container made of strong corrugated cardboard panels, it is also possible to construct the waste container from suitably strong and rigid plastic panels. Plastic panels or plastic boards that can be used for purposes of a waste container 5 include those called "cloroplast" or "corrugated plastic". As such plastic boards are already known in the plastic industry for other purposes, for example, plastic signs, a detailed description of this material herein is deemed unnecessary.
According to one form of the method of receiving and 10 transporting waste disclosed herein, the waste container 12 can initially be provided to a customer, such as a home renovator, in a collapsed flat state and then the user of the container can expand, unfold and tuck the container panels to form a usable waste container such as that shown in Figures 4 and 8. It will be appreciated that it is 15 easy to ship and provide the containers in a collapsed flat state as they take up very little room in this condition and, if appropriate, a number of the collapsed, flat containers can be shipped together so that the renovator or other waste producer can create a number of waste containers as and when required. The collapsed, flat containers can also be shipped with a number of disposable pallets as described herein which preferably are nestable so that they also can readily be shipped in a compact state.
Using the truck 31 to transport solid waste for disposal, the method of transporting the solid waste includes providing the disposable waste container 12 and the separate disposable pallet 80 which is capable of supporting the waste container 12 when the latter is loaded with solid waste. After the container and pallet have been provided to a waste producing site, the fully expanded container is placed on the pallet so that the container is in condition for loading the solid waste into the container at the site. Then, after the waste container has been loaded in whole or in part (to the extent desired by the waste producer) and is ready for transport to a disposal site, the pallet and the container can be lifted and moved by the forklift unit 10 onto a rear end section of the truck 31. Then the pallet and waste container can be moved together to a forward position on the transporting bed of the truck by means of a conveyor system 222.
The waste disposal truck can itself be used to transport the forklift unit 10 to the waste producing site when the waste container 12 is ready for transport to the waste disposal site. There can be mounted at the rear end of the truck 31 a pair of tubular sockets 270.
These sockets can be rigidly connected, to the underside of the truck bed. It will be understood that the fork members or tines 52 of the forklift unit 10 can be raised to a position where they are the same height as the sockets 270 and then, by moving the forklift unit forwardly, the tines can be inserted into these sockets. When the fork tines have been inserted into the sockets, hydraulic power can then be applied to the fork to move it downwardly relative to the supporting frame 30. However, because the tines are unable to move downwardly relative to the back end of the truck, the rest of the fork lift unit 10 including the U-shaped body 14 and the wheels are raised from the ground to an elevated transporting position. It will be appreciated that by transporting the forklift unit in. this manner, all of the transporting bed of the truck is left available for transporting waste containers.
Accordingly, the truck 31 fitted with the tine-receiving sockets 270 at its rear end can be used to transport the forklift unit 10 to the waste producing site where the forklift unit can be unloaded from the truck.
Then the forklift unit can be used to lift and move the pallet and its waste container which can include lifting and moving the pallet and waste container onto the rear end section of the truck as described above.
Turning now to the disposable pallet 80 illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, this pallet has a planar, substantially rectangular support member 185 made of biodegradable material such as strong, rigid cardboard material. If desired, this cardboard material can be made and constructed in a manner similar to the panels of the waste container itself as described above. In one embodiment, the support member 185 is a triple wall panel and, if desired, at least the upper surface thereof can be coated with a plastic layer. The pallet also has a -35 plurality of plastic cup-shaped leg members 188 which are capable of supporting the support member 185 above ground or above a floor during use of the pallet. Four of these leg members 188 are located at four corners of the support member and an additional four of the leg members can be located midway between a respective two of the leg members located at adjacent corners of the support member. There is also a central leg member indicated at 188' located in the centre of the pallet. Each leg member 188 can be formed at its wider top end with an outwardly extending connecting flange 190 which can be used to secure the leg member to the bottom of the support member 185, for example, by means of staples. Each leg member is located below a circular hole 191 formed in the member 185. In this way, the pallets 80 are made stackable and nestable so that a plurality of them can easily be stored and transported without taking up a lot of room. It will be understood that the pallet 80 is dimensionedin the lengthwise and widthwise. directions so that its dimensions correspond to those of the waste container 12 to be placed thereon. In order that water will not accumulate in the open topped leg members, they are provided with at least one and preferably two or three small drainage holes 192 at each of their bottom ends. The leg members are made from a suitably strong plastic material such as PVC. It will be understood that the leg members are spaced apart a sufficient distance in the lengthwise and widthwise direction to permit insertion of the forklift tines from any of the four sides of the pallet. This permits the pallet and its container to be readily_picked-up. by the forklift unit even if the pallet and waste container have been placed near a wall or other obstacle.
Instead of the aforementioned construction for the pallet, it is also possible to construct a disposable pallet from woodchip material and a suitable adhesive orbinder to hold the chips together. This material is commonly referred to as "chipboard" in the construction industry. A disposable pallet 200 of this type is illustrated in Figure 17.
With the use of this material, the flat, square upper portion 202 of the pa(let can be formed integrally with the leg members 204 which would still have the same general shape as the plastic leg members 188 shown in Figures 15 and 16. The integral leg members are also constructed with an open top so that the pallets can be stacked one on top of the other without requiring an undue amount of storage or transporting space.
According to another aspect of the present method of waste disposal and as illustrated in Figure 17, it is also possible to ship the disposable waste containers to the user in a collapsed, folded and flat state attached to the top of the disposable pallet. Such a collapsed container is indicated at 206 and it will be seen that the side panels 207 are folded on top of a square bottom panel structure 208. The bottom of the container can be secured, for example, by staples and/or adhesive to the top of the pallet. The container is then expanded, unfolded and tucked while secured to the pallet.
Another form of collapsed container construction that can be used has the four side panels of the container connected in a row and hingedly connected to one another to allow them to be stored and shipped in a flat, stacked condition. At the job site, they are unfolded to form an open ended cube and are mounted on a container/pallet base that has an upwardly extending flange extending around its square perimeter. This flange holds the unfolded sidewalls in position and can be secured by tape or other means to the sidewalls.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the disposal of waste materials and in the transportation of same, various modifications and changes can be made to the described method. of receiving and transporting waste using a disposable waste container and the described vehicle without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and changes to the described method and vehicle as fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be part of this invention.
Claims (13)
1. A method of receiving and transporting solid waste for affecting disposal thereof, said method comprising:
providing a disposable waste container having a waste capacity of at least 500 pounds of suitable solid waste and a disposable pallet capable of supporting said waste container when said container is loaded with said solid waste to a user for use at a waste producing site;
after said waste container has been loaded in whole or in part by said user with said waste container resting on and supported by said pallet and said waste container is ready for transport to a disposal site, lifting and moving said pallet and waste container onto a substantially horizontal rear end section of a transporting bed of a truck;
moving said pallet and waste container together horizontally to a forward position on the transporting bed by means of a conveyor system associated with said transporting bed, said conveyor system comprising a horizontal push bar extending transversely relative to said transporting bed and movable along said transporting bed from a rearmost position adjacent a rear end of said truck to at least one forward position and a power actuator mechanism operatively corrected to said push bar and capable of moving said push bar from said rearmost position to said at least one forward position and back again;and transporting said pallet and waste container by means of said truck to a waste disposal site for disposal thereof at this site.
providing a disposable waste container having a waste capacity of at least 500 pounds of suitable solid waste and a disposable pallet capable of supporting said waste container when said container is loaded with said solid waste to a user for use at a waste producing site;
after said waste container has been loaded in whole or in part by said user with said waste container resting on and supported by said pallet and said waste container is ready for transport to a disposal site, lifting and moving said pallet and waste container onto a substantially horizontal rear end section of a transporting bed of a truck;
moving said pallet and waste container together horizontally to a forward position on the transporting bed by means of a conveyor system associated with said transporting bed, said conveyor system comprising a horizontal push bar extending transversely relative to said transporting bed and movable along said transporting bed from a rearmost position adjacent a rear end of said truck to at least one forward position and a power actuator mechanism operatively corrected to said push bar and capable of moving said push bar from said rearmost position to said at least one forward position and back again;and transporting said pallet and waste container by means of said truck to a waste disposal site for disposal thereof at this site.
2. A method of receiving and transporting waste according to claim 1 wherein said disposable waste container is constructed of strong corrugated cardboard panels which are biodegradable and coated on an exterior surface thereof with a water and moisture impervious layer.
3. A method of receiving and transporting waste according to claim 1 or 2 including transporting a separate forklift unit to said waste producing site by means of said truck when said waste container is ready for transport to the disposal site, unloading said forklift unit from said truck, and employing said forklift unit to lift and move said pallet and waste container for said step of lifting and moving said pallet and waste container onto said rear end section of the truck.
4. A method of receiving and transporting solid waste according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said push bar pivots about a longitudinal axis from a vertically extending position to a horizontal position when said push bar is moved to said rearmost position prior to the step of moving said pallet and waste container onto said rear end section of the truck, said method including pivoting said push bar to its vertically extending position after moving said pallet and waste container onto said rear end section of the truck to a position forward of said push bar, said push bar then being used to move said pallet and waste container to said forward position by engaging a side of the combination comprising the pallet and waste container.
5. A method of receiving and transporting waste for disposal, comprising:
providing a transport truck having a flat bed rear section capable of carrying a plurality of disposable waste containers, hydraulic power means for pushing the waste containers substantially horizontally from a rear end section of the flat bed rear section to at least one forward position on said flat bed rear section, and a raising mechanism for pivoting said flat bed rear section from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position for dumping said waste containers;
lifting one of said waste containers, which has been loaded with solid waste, onto said rear end section by means of a fork lift unit;
pushing said one waste container by said hydraulic power means from said rear end section to the forward position or one of the forward positions;
transporting at least said one waste container by means of said truck to a waste disposal site; and dumping at least said one waste container at said waste disposal site by operating said raising mechanism.
providing a transport truck having a flat bed rear section capable of carrying a plurality of disposable waste containers, hydraulic power means for pushing the waste containers substantially horizontally from a rear end section of the flat bed rear section to at least one forward position on said flat bed rear section, and a raising mechanism for pivoting said flat bed rear section from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position for dumping said waste containers;
lifting one of said waste containers, which has been loaded with solid waste, onto said rear end section by means of a fork lift unit;
pushing said one waste container by said hydraulic power means from said rear end section to the forward position or one of the forward positions;
transporting at least said one waste container by means of said truck to a waste disposal site; and dumping at least said one waste container at said waste disposal site by operating said raising mechanism.
6. A method of receiving and transporting waste according to claim wherein said waste containers each have a waste capacity of at least 500 pounds of solid waste and each waste container is attached to a pallet which facilitates the lifting of the waste container by means of the fork lift unit and supports the waste container and its waste contents.
7. A method of receiving and transporting waste according to claim 5 or 6 wherein each waste container is constructed of corrugated cardboard panels coated on their exterior surfaces with a water and moisture impervious layer.
8. A method of receiving and transporting waste according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said fork lift unit is a separate fork lift truck, said transport truck has a supporting device located at a rear end of said rear section for transporting said fork lift truck, and said method includes the step of transporting said fork lift truck unit by means of said transport truck to a waste producing site where said one waste container is located in order to lift and transport same.
9. A vehicle for transporting a plurality of separate containers, said vehicle comprising:
a truck having a front section with an engine to power said truck and a rear section having a flat bed capable of supporting said plurality of containers for transport, said rear section having a rear end section adapted for placement thereon of one of said containers by a fork lift unit;
an apparatus for pushing said one container substantially horizontally from said rear end section to at least one forward position on said flat bed, said apparatus being mounted on said rear section of the truck adjacent said flat bed; and a raising mechanism for pivoting said flat bed from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position in order to dump said container off said rear section of the truck.
a truck having a front section with an engine to power said truck and a rear section having a flat bed capable of supporting said plurality of containers for transport, said rear section having a rear end section adapted for placement thereon of one of said containers by a fork lift unit;
an apparatus for pushing said one container substantially horizontally from said rear end section to at least one forward position on said flat bed, said apparatus being mounted on said rear section of the truck adjacent said flat bed; and a raising mechanism for pivoting said flat bed from a horizontal transporting position to a sloping position in order to dump said container off said rear section of the truck.
10. A vehicle according to claim 9 wherein the pushing apparatus comprises a horizontally extending push bar extending transversely relative to a lengthwise dimension of said flat bed, which extends from a front end to a rear end thereof, and hydraulic cylinder actuator means operatively connected to said push bar and capable of moving said push bar from a rearmost position adjacent said rear end of the flat bed to said at least one forward position and back to said rearmost position.
11. A vehicle according to claim 10 wherein said push bar is connected to two horizontally extending rods of said actuator means so as to be pivotable about a longitudinal axis thereof from an upright position to a horizontal position when said push bar is moved to said rearmost position, said push bar in use being pivoted to said upright position when said push bar is moved forwardly from said rearmost position to push said one container forwardly.
12. A vehicle according to claim 10 or 11 wherein said actuator means comprises two elongate hydraulic cylinder actuators located on opposite longitudinal sides of said flat bed, each cylinder actuator having an elongate rod having an outer end connector which is connected to a respective adjacent end of the push bar.
13. A vehicle according to claim 12 including two elongate guide tracks located respectively on said opposite longitudinal sides of said flat bed, each elongate rod extending along a respective one of said guide tracks, wherein said guide tracks are adapted to guide horizontal movement of adjacent ends of the push bar.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12/286,463 US20090035106A1 (en) | 2006-04-10 | 2008-09-30 | Method of receiving and transporting solid waste |
| US12/286,463 | 2008-09-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2655453A1 true CA2655453A1 (en) | 2010-03-30 |
Family
ID=42097461
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2655453 Abandoned CA2655453A1 (en) | 2008-09-30 | 2009-02-25 | Method and vehicle of receiving and transporting solid waste |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2655453A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107934316A (en) * | 2017-12-31 | 2018-04-20 | 何润 | A kind of Environmental-protecting dustbin clears device |
| CN113245352A (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2021-08-13 | 重庆智得热工工业有限公司 | Medical waste treatment mobile shelter and medical waste treatment method |
-
2009
- 2009-02-25 CA CA 2655453 patent/CA2655453A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107934316A (en) * | 2017-12-31 | 2018-04-20 | 何润 | A kind of Environmental-protecting dustbin clears device |
| CN113245352A (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2021-08-13 | 重庆智得热工工业有限公司 | Medical waste treatment mobile shelter and medical waste treatment method |
| CN113245352B (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2022-12-27 | 重庆智得热工工业有限公司 | Medical waste treatment moving square cabin and medical waste treatment method |
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