GB2433226A

GB2433226A - Compaction of waste cardboard

Info

Publication number: GB2433226A
Application number: GB0624833A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ashley Paul Middleton
Original assignee: Middleton Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Middleton Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-13
Filing date: 2006-12-13
Publication date: 2007-06-20
Also published as: GB0525360D0; GB0624833D0

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the compaction of cardboard includes:- <SL> <LI>a) providing a compactor that includes a compartment within which cardboard can be placed, <LI>b) loading cardboard into the compartment, <LI>c) effecting compaction of the cardboard within the compartment, <LI>d) introducing further cardboard into the compartment and effecting compaction thereof so as to form a slug of compacted cardboard, and <LI>e) transferring the slug of compacted cardboard into a wheeled cage. </SL>

Description

COMPACTION OF WASTE CARDBOARD

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the compaction of waste cardboard and other packaging materials.

Large quantities of cardboard and other packaging materials are supplied each day to shops and supermarkets and there is a requirement for the provision of an improved method and means for the compaction of waste cardboard and other packaging materials (hereinafter referred to for convenience as "cardboard").

It is an object of the present invention to satisfy that requirement.

Many of the foodstuffs and other products supplied to shops and supermarkets are transported using wheeled cages, the cages being of generally rectangular form and having one or two hinged doors. Such cages are hereinafter referred to for convenience as "wheeled cages".

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method for the compaction of cardboard that includes the use of wheeled cages.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the compaction of cardboard that includes:-a) providing a compactor that includes a compartment within which cardboard can be placed, b) loading cardboard into the compartment, c) effecting compaction of the cardboard within the compartment, d) introducing further cardboard into the compartment and effecting compaction thereof so as to form a slug of compacted cardboard, and e) transferring the slug of compacted cardboard into a wheeled cage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for the compaction of cardboard, said apparatus being in the form of a compactor that includes:-a) a compartment within which cardboard can be placed, b) means for effecting compaction of the cardboard within the compartment such that, by repeated introduction of cardboard into the compartment, and repeated compaction thereof, a slug of compacted cardboard can be formed, c) means for holding a wheeled cage in engagement with the compactor, and d) means for transferring a formed slug of compacted cardboard into the wheeled cage.

The means for compacting the cardboard within the compartment preferably comprises a hydraulic ram that is movable horizontally and the arrangement is preferably such that, after a quantity of cardboard has been loaded into the compartment, the hydraulic ram is caused to move horizontally to compress the cardboard between the ram and a sliding door that forms a wall of the compartment. After a first quantity of cardboard has been compressed to a predetermined extent, the ram is preferably retracted to allow a further quantity of cardboard to be loaded into the compartment.

Loading of the cardboard into the compartment is preferably effected from the top of the compartment and a hingedly mounted door is preferably provided for closing the top of the compartment, the arrangement preferably being such that the hydraulic ram cannot effect a compacting movement unless and until the hingedly mounted door has been closed.

The wheeled cage is preferably positioned on the side of the sliding door remote from the compartment and the arrangement is preferably such that, when a predetermined quantity of cardboard has been loaded into the compartment and then compacted to form a slug, the sliding door is opened and further advancing movement of the hydraulic ram is effected to displace the formed slug from the compartment into the interior of the wheeled cage.

The hydraulic ram preferably comprises a pair of piston and cylinder mechanisms for effecting horizontal movement of a vertical plate.

Means are preferably provided for holding the compacted slug within the wheeled cage after it has been displaced by the hydraulic ram to prevent recoil thereof when the hydraulic ram is retracted, such holding means permitting closing of the sliding door of the compartment and movement of the filled wheeled cage away from the compactor.

The holding means may take the form of pins that are movable into the cage so as to bear against the slug of compacted cardboard and prevent recoil thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus for compacting waste cardboard and transferring it to a wheeled cage, Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the main ram showing the hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism acting on the main ram, and * Figure 4 is a front view of the main ram.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The apparatus shown in the drawings is for use in, for example, a supermarket or other location at which a large number of cardboard boxes are emptied and it is desired to effect compaction of the empty boxes to facilitate disposal thereof.

The apparatus includes a main body structure 10 within which there is a chamber into which waste cardboard boxes and the like are introduced by an operator standing on a platform that acts as a loading area 1. The cardboard is fed into the chamber via a hopper at the top of the main body structure 10 and the hopper opening is closed by means of a hingedly mounted door 5. A control system is provided for controlling operation of the apparatus and the control system includes a control unit contained within a cabinet 6 positioned adjacent the loading area 1. The control system includes sensors for sensing whether or not the hingedly mounted door 5 is in its closed position.

At one side of the chamber into which the cardboard is introduced, there is a compartment 11 within which there is a hydraulic ram comprising a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms 12 and 13 arranged to act on a rectangular plate 14.

The free ends of the pistons of the piston and cylinder mechanisms 12 and 13 are pivotally connected to brackets 15 at corners of the plate 14.

At the other side of the chamber into which the cardboard is introduced, there is a sliding door 2 and the control system includes sensors for sensing the position of the sliding door 2. The arrangement is such that, after an appropriate, estimated quantity of cardboard has been introduced into the chamber, the operator presses a button (or operates some other operating element) and, provided that the sensors indicate that the hingedly mounted door and the sliding door 2 are in their closed positions, the hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms 12 and 13 are caused to advance the plate 14 and compress the cardboard within the chamber. The piston and cylinder mechanisms 12 and 13 are operated until a predetermined resistance to movement is sensed and they then retract to allow further cardboard to be introduced into the chamber.

This introduction of cardboard into the chamber and compaction thereof is repeated several times so that a slug of compressed cardboard is formed within the chamber.

On the side of the sliding door 2 remote from the chamber, there is a station at which a wheeled cage 3 can be placed. The station is enclosed and, when the cage 3 has been wheeled into position, a door 4 for the enclosure is moved into its closed position.

After the slug of cardboard formed in the chamber has reached a predetermined (estimated) size, the sliding door 2 is moved into a retracted poison -as shown in Figure 1 and the control system checks that the door 4 for the enclosure is in its closed position. The hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms 12 and 13 are then caused to advance fully so that the slug of compressed cardboard in to chamber is pushed out of the chamber into the cage 3. When the plate 14 is in its fully advanced position, a number of pins (not shown) are moved into the cage 3 so as to bear against the slug of compacted cardboard and prevent recoil thereof when the plate 14 is retracted. The hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms 12 and 13 are withdrawn and the sliding door 2 is then returned to its original position, as shown in solid lines in Figure 1.

The door 4 is then opened and the wheeled cage 3 is taken away (for transport of the compacted cardboard to a recycling centre) and replaced by an empty cage 3. The sequence of operations outlined above is then repeated.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A method for the compaction of cardboard that includes:-a)

providing a compactor that includes a compartment within which cardboard can be placed, b) loading cardboard into the compartment, c) effecting compaction of the cardboard within the compartment, d) introducing further cardboard into the compartment and effecting compaction thereof so as to form a slug of compacted cardboard, and e) transferring the slug of compacted cardboard into a wheeled cage.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which loading of the cardboard into the compartment is effected from the top of the compartment.

3. A method for the compaction of cardboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. Apparatus for the compaction of cardboard, said apparatus being in the form of a compactor that includes:-a) a compartment within which cardboard can be placed, b) means for effecting compaction of the cardboard within the compartment such that, by repeated introduction of cardboard into the compartment, and repeated compaction thereof, a slug of compacted cardboard can be formed, c) means for holding a wheeled cage in engagement with the compactor, and d) means for transferring a formed slug of compacted cardboard into the wheeled cage.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which the means for compacting the cardboard within the compartment comprises a hydraulic ram that is movable horizontally.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, in which the arrangement is such that, after a quantity of cardboard has been loaded into the compartment, the hydraulic ram is caused to move horizontally to compress the cardboard between the ram and a sliding door that forms a wall of the compartment.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, which includes means whereby, after a first quantity of cardboard has been compressed to a predetermined extent, the ram is retracted to allow a further quantity of cardboard to be loaded into the compartment.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, which is so arranged that loading of the cardboard into the compartment is effected from the top of the compartment and a hingedly mounted door is provided for closing the top of the compartment.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, which includes means whereby the hydraulic ram cannot effect a compacting movement unless and until the hingedly mounted door has been closed.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, in which, in operation, the wheeled cage is positioned on the side of the sliding door remote from the compartment.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, which includes means whereby, when a predetermined quantity of cardboard has been loaded into the compartment and then compacted to form a slug, the sliding door is opened and further advancing movement of the hydraulic ram is effected to displace the formed slug from the compartment into the interior of the wheeled cage.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 11, in which the hydraulic ram comprises a pair of piston and cylinder mechanisms for effecting horizontal movement of a vertical plate.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, in which means are provided for holding the compacted slug within the wheeled cage after it has been displaced by the hydraulic ram to prevent recoil thereof when the hydraulic ram is retracted, such holding means permitting closing of the sliding door of the compartment and movement of the filled wheeled cage away from the compactor.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, in which the holding means comprises pins that are movable into the cage so as to bear against the slug of compacted cardboard and prevent recoil thereof.

15. Apparatus for the compaction of cardboard constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.