GB2448698A

GB2448698A - A compacting apparatus for a refuse container.

Info

Publication number: GB2448698A
Application number: GB0707844A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Reihill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-24
Filing date: 2007-04-24
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-24
Also published as: GB2448698B; GB0707844D0

Abstract

A compacting apparatus (10) mountable to a standard refuse container (100), the compacting apparatus comprising: mounting means (20) for removably mounting the apparatus to the refuse container; a compacting plate (30); and a linear actuator (40) for vertically moving the compacting plate. The compacting plate comprises a number of plates (32, 34) horizontally moveable relative to each other so that the effective compacting plate area adapts to a varying sectional area of the refuse container. The linear actuator comprises a toothed push rod (42) meshing with a pinion (46) rotated by a motor (50) via a gearing system (52).

Description

I

Compacting Apparatus The present invention relates to compacting apparatus. in particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to apparatus for compacting refuse in wheelie bins, mobile garbage bins, dumpsters and the like.

Many types of refuse containers are available. Many of these are of standard geometry and construction to assist emptying of the containers mechanically. Indeed, various industrial standards exist to ensure that they mate correctly with the unloading equipment. For instance, in Europe, the geometry of wheelie bins is governed by the European Standard EN840. * e

Wheelie bins have a roughly cuboidal geometry. They have a hinged lid, and two wheels at the base on the same side as the lid hinge. A bar is *.*.

*..: provided on the same side as the lid hinge at the top of the bin for moving the bin. Wheelie bins typically have a 120, 240 or 360 litre capacity, with the 240 litre capacity version being the most common. The dimensions of the 240 litre capacity version are typically 107 cm high by 58 cm wide by 74cm deep. This width is at the upper end of the bin and, due to tapering of the sides, the width decreases towards the base of the bin.

Typically, a household is assigned a single wheelie bin which is emptied on a weekly basis but this can be insufficient for many households.

However, there are typically charges to be paid if it is requested that the bin is emptied more frequently. Compacting of the refuse within the bin can substantially increase the amount of refuse that can be placed in the bin.

It is known to provide compacting apparatus for bins. Many types are not suitable for particular bins such as wheelie bins due to their size, construction (such as lack of mating with the bin) or operation. Known compacting apparatus for wheelie bins are typically manual lever operated devices, and these suffer from a number of disadvantages.

Due to the lever operation, the compacting plate does not move a substantial linear distance and so the devices have a limited compaction depth.

Also, the compacting force which can be exerted is limited for practical sizes of the lever arm. This is particularly the case since the compacting plate and lever arm are typically provided on both sides of the pivot point and so there is little force amplification. The compacting force required increases with the compaction depth. S...

S

* Also, due to the use of a lever arrangement, the bin must typically be around 80% full before the first compaction event. This decreases the S...

overall efficiency.

It is desirable to provide a device which can be used for a first compaction event when the bin is less than 80% full, such as when it is 50% full. It is desirable to provide a device having a linear operation.

For optimum efficiency, the device would have a compacting plate having a width which substantially covers the top surface of the refuse in the bin.

However, due to the tapered sides of bins, known devices are provided with a compacting plate having a reduced width. There is a trade off between efficiency and compaction depth.

It is desirable to provide a device including a compacting plate having a width which substantially covers the top surface of the refuse throughout the compaction event.

Furthermore, known devices are removed shortly after a compaction event. This allows "spring back" of the refuse once the compacting force has been removed. Such spring back reduces efficiency and can even be hazardous if an item rapidly springs back while the operator is close by.

Even if the compacting force could be maintained, the refuse would be exposed to the atmosphere for prolonged periods which could be hazardous to health.

It is desirable to maintain the compacting force on the refuse after the event to allow the refuse to settle closer to the compacted depth and to allow an operator to safely depart following the compaction event. It is desirable to provide a device which can maintain the compacting force without exposing refuse to the atmosphere. * * ****

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compacting apparatus suitable for use with a standard refuse container, the compacting apparatus comprising: mounting means for removably mounting the apparatus to the refuse container; a compacting plate; and linear actuating means for vertically moving the compacting plate.

Preferably the compacting plate includes a main plate and at least one secondary plate which is moveable relative to the main plate, the main plate and the at least one secondary plate defining a total compacting plate area. Preferably the at least one secondary plate is horizontally moveable relative to the main plate. Alternatively the at least one secondary plate may be pivotably moveable relative to the main plate.

Preferably the total compacting plate area corresponds to an enclosed area defined by the perimeter of the refuse container at an upper portion of the refuse container.

Preferably the total compacting plate area is substantially square.

Alternatively the total compacting plate area may be rectangular.

Alternatively the total compacting plate area may be circular.

Preferably a plurality of secondary plates are equispaced around the main plate. Preferably four secondary plates are provided.

Preferably biasing means is provided for biasing at least a portion of one or more secondary plates away from the main plate to maximise the total compacting plate area. Preferably one or more secondary plates is * adapted to contact an inner surface of the refuse container when the compacting apparatus is mounted to the refuse container. **.. *. ** * * *

* 20 Preferably one or more of the secondary plates includes bearing means for reducing friction caused by contact with the inner surface of the refuse container during vertical movement of the compacting plate. Preferably the bearing means comprises a roller.

Preferably the linear actuating means includes a push rod coupled to the compacting plate. Preferably the push rod comprises a rack member having a plurality of linear teeth. Preferably the linear actuating means includes a pinion having rotating teeth which mesh with the linear teeth such that rotation of the pinion causes vertical movement of the compacting plate.

Preferably the compacting apparatus includes a motor for rotating the pinion. Alternatively the compacting apparatus may include a crank member. Preferably a gearing system is provided between the motor and the pinion. Preferably limiting means is provided for limiting the travel of the compacting plate in at least one direction.

Preferably the compacting apparatus includes a cover member for covering the compacting apparatus when mounted to the refuse container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refuse container including a compacting apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. * * * ***

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: * Fig. 1 is a side view of a compacting apparatus with the compacting plate **** retracted; Fig. 2 is a side view of the compacting apparatus of Fig. 1 mounted to a refuse container and with the compacting plate extended; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the extended compacting plate and refuse container of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the motor and gearing system of the compacting apparatus of Fig. 1.

Figs 1 and 2 show a compacting apparatus 10 which, in Fig 2, is mounted to a standard refuse container or wheelie bin 100. The compacting apparatus 10 comprises mounting means 20 for removably mounting the apparatus 10 to the wheelie bin 100 and a compacting plate 30 for compacting refuse within the wheelie bin 100.

The wheelie bin 100 is cuboidal with a hinged lid (not shown) that is free to pivot to one side of the bin 100 exposing the interior of the bin 100. The upper rim 102 of the wheelie bin 100 defines an enclosed square area 104 having sides of 58 cm in length. Due to tapering of the sides 106 of the bin 100, the square area 104 varies in size and decreases towards the base of the bin 100. * * * ***

The mounting means 20 comprises front spring clamps 22 and rear spring clamps 24 for holding the apparatus 10 to the bin 100. The front spring clamps 22 allow the apparatus 10 to be pivoted relative to the bin 100 ** * when the rear spring clamps 24 are released. Four guide rails 26 positioned at each side of the apparatus 10 ensure correct mating with the bin 100.

The compacting apparatus 10 also includes linear actuating means 40 for vertically moving the compacting plate 30 as indicated by arrow 110. The linear actuating means 40 includes a push rod 42 connected to the compacting plate 30 which defines a rack member having a plurality of linear teeth 44. A bracket assembly 48 movably supports the push rod 42.

A pinion 46 having rotating teeth mesh with the linear teeth 44 so that rotation of the pinion 46 causes vertical movement of the compacting plate 30.

A single phase 1200 W motor 50 is provided for rotating the pinion 46 via a gearing system 52 providing a gear ratio of 40:1. An up limit switch 54 and a down limit switch 56 limit the travel of the compacting plate 30 in the respective vertical direction by electrically disconnecting the motor 50 in the event of excessive travel.

The compacting plate 30 includes a main plate 32 and four secondary plates 34 which are equispaced around the main plate 32. The main plate 32 and secondary plates defining a total compacting plate area 36. This total compacting plate area 36 corresponds to the enclosed square area 104. In Fig 2, the compacting plate 30 has extended into the bin 100 and so the total compacting plate area 36 corresponds to the enclosed square area 104 at a lower portion of the bin 100 rather than at the upper rim 102. * * ****

Each secondary plate 34 is horizontally moveable relative to the main plate 32 as indicated by arrows 112. Biasing means in the form of *** compression springs (not shown) are provided for biasing the secondary plates 34 away from the main plate 32 to maximise the total compacting plate area at a particular depth within the bin 100. This causes each secondary plate 34 to contact an inner surface of the bin 100.

Bearing means in the form of rollers 38 are provided at each peripheral edge of the secondary plates 34. This reduces friction caused by contact with the inner surface of the bin 100 during vertical movement of the compacting plate 30.

A cover member 60 is provided. This includes an extending portion 62 for covering the push rod 42 and bracket assembly 48. On the surface of the cover member 60 is provided an on/off switch 57 which controls power to the motor 50. Also provided is an electrical socket 58 for receiving a cable 59 to supply power to the motor 50.

The compacting apparatus 10 is particularly suited for use with a wheelie bin 100 due to it size, mounting means 20 and linear operation. Due to the linear operation, the compacting plate can move the complete linear distance from the rim 102 to the base of the bin 100.

The compacting force being exerted is, following conversion from rotation of the pinion 46 to linear movement of the push rod 42, in the same direction as the movement of the compacting plate 30. The motor 50 provides greater power than can be provided manually. The gearing system 52 allows this power to be converted into substantial torque. The apparatus 10 can be used for a first compaction event when the bin is less than 50% full, as shown in Fig 2.

The compacting apparatus 10 has a compacting plate 30 having a total compacting plate area 36 which substantially corresponds to the enclosed square area 104 regardless of the vertical position of the compacting plate 30. Therefore, the compacting plate 30 substantially covers the top surface of refuse 108 in the bin 100.

Following compaction, the compacting plate 30 can be maintained at the extended position to allow the refuse 108 to settle closer to the compacted depth and to allow an operator to safely depart following the compaction event. The cover 60 further protects an operator from the hazards of spring back of refuse 108 once the compacting force has been removed.

The apparatus 10 can be kept on the bin 10 for prolonged periods as the cover 60 prevents refuse 108 from being exposed to the atmosphere.

Various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. * * * *** S... * . ***. **I. * * S... * S S... 5S * S *

Claims

1. A compacting apparatus suitable for use with a standard refuse container, the compacting apparatus corn prising: mounting means for removably mounting the apparatus to the refuse container; a compacting plate; and linear actuating means for vertically moving the compacting plate.

2. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the compacting plate includes a main plate and at least one secondary plate which is moveable relative to the main plate, the main plate and the at least one secondary plate defining a total compacting plate area. S... * .

3. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the at least *... . . one secondary plate is horizontally moveable relative to the main plate.

,

4. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the S...

total compacting plate area corresponds to an enclosed area defined by the perimeter of the refuse container at an upper portion of the refuse container.

5. A compacting apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the total compacting plate area is substantially square.

6. A compacting apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein a plurality of secondary plates are equispaced around the main plate.

7. A compacting apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6, including biasing means for biasing at least a portion of one or more secondary plates away from the main plate to maximise the total compacting plate area.

8. A compacting apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7, wherein one or more secondary plates is adapted to contact an inner surface of the refuse container when the compacting apparatus is mounted to the refuse container.

9. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein one or more of the secondary plates includes bearing means for reducing friction caused by contact with the inner surface of the refuse container during vertical movement of the compacting plate. I...

10. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the bearing means comprises a roller.

*

11. A compacting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the linear actuating means includes a push rod coupled to the I...

compacting plate.

12. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the push rod comprises a rack member having a plurality of linear teeth.

13. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the linear actuating means includes a pinion having rotating teeth which mesh with the linear teeth such that rotation of the pinion causes vertical movement of the compacting plate.

14. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, including a motor for rotating the pinion.

15. A compacting apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein a gearing system is provided between the motor and the pinion.

16. A compacting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including limiting means for limiting the travel of the compacting plate in at least one direction.

17. A compacting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a cover member for covering the compacting apparatus when mounted to the refuse container.

18. A refuse container including a compacting apparatus as claimed in *...

any preceding claim.

* S S*

19. A compacting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described * with reference to the accompanying drawings. S... * S S... S. 5. * S S

S S