GB2569545A

GB2569545A - Waste compacting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2569545A
Application number: GB1721291.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Overfield Paul; Mark Brown Simon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-12-19
Filing date: 2017-12-19
Publication date: 2019-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-19
Also published as: GB201721291D0; GB2569545B

Abstract

A waste compacting apparatus comprises a casing / frame 1 for receiving a roll cage, side plates 9 movably provided within the casing to advance towards and retract from sides of a roll cage, and a mast 17 provided within the casing. Mast 17 carries a platen 19, via carriage 23, and is movable downwardly to compact waste within an associated roll cage and upwardly to allow a roll cage to pass into and out of casing 1 which itself comprises panels 3, floor (7, Fig 2), hinged door 5 and cover (8). Plates 9 are mounted to frame 1 by hinge mechanism 11 and may be moved by hydraulic ram 15. Pusher plate 27 is operable by hydraulic ram (29). Other components shown include tie bar 13, tapered lower face 25 of platen 19 and pusher plate scissor mechanism 31.

Description

This invention relates to a waste compacting apparatus.

It is common practice when restocking shelves in retail premises, especially supermarkets, to place discarded packaging, in particular cardboard, or other waste material in a roll cage. It is impractical for the operatives restocking the shelves to compress the cardboard in the roll cage and the procedure is therefore very space inefficient and results in the use of a large number of roll cages. Other organisations, such as food outlets, also employ roll cages.

A roll cage generally has a rectangular or square base provided beneath the base with wheels, for example in each corner region, and with a cage framework extending upwardly from the base to a predetermined height on three sides, either leaving a front of the roll cage open or including a removable front (referred to herein as the generally open side). In some embodiments, the arrangement of wheels can be varied and may, for example, be arranged at the corners of a trapezium, with fixed wheels at the base corners and casters at the top corners of the trapezium. In some embodiments, the cage framework can be disassembled and reassembled to reduce the volume required when an empty roll cage is being transported. The cage framework is therefore relatively flimsy and cannot be subjected to substantial stress without being damaged. In some embodiments, the sides of the cage generally hook into position with a hook type element being positioned at the lower horizontal member of the sides

-2closest to the generally open side of the roll cage. The sides pivot along a vertical axis at the opposing side of the roll cage to the generally open side. The sides of the roll cage can be lifted vertically as they are pivoted to allow the hook to pass over the base of the roll cage and then dropped into position such that the sides are fixed by the hook into the base in a configuration in which the sides are substantially parallel to each other and form opposing sides of the cuboid shape of the roll cage. Lateral forces on the sides from within the roll cage can force these hooks out of position either by deformation or by a lifting motion.

Once filled, the roll cages are stored temporarily at the retail premises or other location and subsequently transported for recycling, or landfill if unsuitable for recycling.

The large number of roll cages filled with discarded packaging gives rise to both storage problems and transportation problems.

It is desirable to be able to compress the discarded packaging or other waste, but known methods and apparatus are unsatisfactory, in particular because it has proved difficult to compact the material within a roll cage . One option is to repackage the discarded packaging from roll cages into bales, but the requirement for double handling of the material is undesirable because it is time consuming and uneconomic. The alternative of baling at a local location has been found to increase the risk of contamination of the material and to require

-3further sorting and re-baling at a central location, which again involves double handling of the material which is time consuming and uneconomic.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a waste compacting apparatus which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a waste compacting apparatus comprising:

a casing for receiving a roll cage;

side plates movably provided within the casing to advance towards and retract from sides of a roll cage; and a mast provided within the casing, the mast carrying a platen which is movable downwardly to compact waste within a roll cage and upwardly to allow a roll cage to pass into and out of the casing.

The mast may be provided in a rear region of the casing. The platen may be movable upwardly and downwardly on the mast by means of a hydraulic ram. The platen may be mounted to the mast by way of a carriage. The mast may be substantially upright with an upper portion that is angled away from the front of the casing. The mast may be in the form of two laterally spaced uprights. The angled portion of the mast may cause the platen to tilt such that the front of the

-4platen rises relative to the rear thereof to lift the platen clear of waste in the roll cage. The carriage may engage with each of the uprights. The upper portion of the mast may be at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the lower portion. Alternatively, a multiplying device, such as chains or a hydraulic ram with more than one telescopic portion, may be provided. The platen may taper on its upper surface from the region of the carriage, narrowing in a vertical direction towards the front of the platen. The platen may be provided with a further taper on its lower face, again narrowing towards the front of the platen.

Each side plate may be mounted to the frame by way of a hinge arm mechanism such that the side plate is movable between an upper, retracted configuration and a lower, extended configuration. The hinge arm mechanism may include laterally spaced angled hinge arms in both lower and upper regions of the side plate, with the pair of lower and upper arms of each side plate being interconnected by a tie bar. Movement of the side plates may be determined by a hydraulic ram acting between the casing and the respective side plate. The side plates may be configured such that, In the extended configuration, the side plates move inwardly towards a roll cage and downwardly to engage with a base of the roll cage. In the extended configuration, the side plates may substantially engage with the sides of the roll cage.

A pusher plate may be provided in a rear region of the casing. The pusher plate may be located in front of the mast. The pusher plate may be operable by means of a hydraulic ram which serves to move the pusher plate between a

-5retracted position and an extended position. The pusher plate may be mounted on a scissor mechanism. The scissor mechanism may comprise a pair of bracing members at each side of the pusher plate, the bracing members of each pair being pivotably mounted to each other in a mid region of each bracing member. An upper end of each bracing member may be pivotably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the mast and a lower end of each bracing member may be slidably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the mast. The hydraulic ram may be pivotably mounted to the pivot point of one or both of the pairs of bracing members. A lower edge of the pusher plate may be provided with a brush.

The casing may comprise a frame provided with sides, a rear, a cover and a floor. The floor may be provided with a ramp to facilitate the passage of a roll cage into and out of the apparatus. The casing may be provided with a hinged door. The door may be provided with locking means for securing a roll cage within the apparatus. The locking means may include an interlock.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, byway of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a waste compacting apparatus according to the present invention, with part of a casing removed to aid understanding;

-6Figure 2 is a side view of the waste compacting apparatus shown in Figure 1, with a side panel omitted to aid understanding;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the waste compacting apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 with a side panel omitted a with platen in a raised position;

Figure 4 is a side view of the waste compacting apparatus shown in Figure 3 with a side panel omitted;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the waste compacting apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4 with a pusher plate in an extended position; and

Figure 6 is a side view of the waste compacting apparatus shown in Figure 5 with a side panel omitted.

The waste compacting apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a casing which in Figure 1 has one side panel omitted and in Figure 2 has the other side panel omitted, in both cases to better show the interior components of the apparatus.

The waste compacting apparatus comprises a frame 1 generally in the form of the outline of a box, but higher at the rear than at the front and without any obstruction at the front to allow a roll cage to be wheeled into and out of the apparatus beneath a cover of the casing. Sides of the frame extend to a height

-7 somewhat above the level of a roll cage. The frame 1 is provided with side panels 3, a hinged door 5, a floor 7 and, as shown in Figure 2, a cover 8. A ramp (not shown) may be provided at the front of the floor to facilitate passage of a roll cage into and out of the apparatus. The door is provided with locking means (not shown) which allow the door to be secured in a closed configuration and released to allow the passage of a roll cage (also not shown) into and out ofthe apparatus. The locking means may include an interlock (also not shown) to ensure the door is latched as well as being closed.

A side plate 9 is provided within the apparatus at each side thereof and extending in the illustrated embodiment in a plane substantially parallel with the side panels 3. In practice the side plates extend in planes substantially parallel to the sides of the roll cage and it is convenient for the side panels to be parallel with the side of the roll cage. Each side plate 9 is mounted to the frame 1 by way of a hinge arm mechanism 11 which includes laterally spaced angled hinge arms in both the lower and upper regions of the side plate, with the pair of lower and upper arms of each side plate being interconnected by a tie bar 13. Movement of the side plates is determined by a hydraulic ram 15 which acts between the frame and the respective side plate. Operation of the ram 15 moves the respective side plate between an upper, retracted configuration and a lower, extended configuration. In the retracted configuration the two side plates are spaced apart a distance greater than the width of a roll cage to allow a roll cage to be inserted between the side plates and removed from between the side plates. In the extended configuration, the side plates move inwardly

-8towards a roll cage and, in at least some embodiments, downwardly to engage with a base of the roll cage to stabilise the same. In the extended configuration the side plates substantially engage with the sides of the roll cage to eliminate deformation of the roll cage when discarded packaging within the roll cage is being compacted.

The rear region of the frame is provided with a mast 17 to which is mounted a platen 19 which is movable upwardly and downwardly on the mast by means of a main hydraulic ram 21. The platen is mounted to the mast by way of a carriage 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the mast is generally upright with an upper portion that is angled away from the front of the frame, the mast in the illustrated embodiment being in the form of two laterally spaced uprights and the carriage engaging with each of the uprights. The precise angle of the upper portion of the mast to the lower portion is not important, but may be, for example, in the region of about 45 degrees. The angled portion serves to reduce the overall height that is required of the mast. Alternatively, the overall height of the mast may be reduced if a multiplying device is employed, but this complicates the construction of the apparatus. A multiplying device may comprise, for example, chains or a hydraulic ram with more than one telescopic portion. The upper face of the platen 19 in the illustrated embodiment tapers from the region of the carriage, narrowing in a vertical direction towards the front of the platen. Similarly, the lower face of the platen may taper in a vertical direction, again narrowing in a vertical direction towards the front of the platen as illustrated at

25. As shown in particular in Figures 3 to 6, the effect of the angled portion of the mast 17 is to cause the platen to tilt such that the front of the platen rises relative to the rear thereof to lift the platen clear of the discarded packaging in the roll cage. That is, for a given stroke of the ram 21, the platen 19 is tipped back so as to maximise movement away from the roll cage. The side panels 3 are configured to extend to the height of the platen in its raised position with the cover 8 extending above the platen. The main hydraulic ram 21 serves to raise the platen 19 to allow a roll cage to be inserted beneath the platen or removed therefrom and to lower the platen to compact the discarded packaging in the roll cage.

The rear region of the frame is also provided with a pusher plate 27 located in front of the mast 23, the pusher plate being operable by means of a pusher hydraulic ram 29 which, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, serves to move the pusher plate between a retracted position as shown in Figures 3 and 4 and an extended position as shown in Figures 5 and 6. As can be seen more particularly in Figures 5 and 6, the pusher plate is mounted on a scissor mechanism 31 in the form of a pair of bracing members at each side of the pusher plate, the bracing members of each pair being pivotably mounted to each other in a mid region of each bracing member. An upper end of each bracing member is pivotably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the mast 23 and a lower end of each bracing member is slidably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the mast. The pusher hydraulic ram is pivotably mounted to the pivot point of one or both of the pairs of bracing members. The pusher hydraulic ram 29 can be retracted to draw the pusher plate rearwardly to its retracted position or can be extended to

-10urge the pusher plate forwardly to its extended position. Forward movement of the pusher plate may be employed to urge the roll cage out of the apparatus. Although not illustrated, a lower edge of the pusher plate 27 may be provided with a brush to sweep any debris out of the apparatus as the pusher plate is moved towards its extended position. The brush has the effect that users do not need to enter the apparatus to clear away any debris.

In use of the waste compacting apparatus, the hinged door 5 is opened, the platen 19 is raised, and the side plates are retracted to the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4 in readiness to receive a roll cage (not shown) containing discarded packaging or other waste material. The roll cage is advanced into the apparatus with the open face of the roll cage facing the pusher plate 27 until the roll cage contacts the pusher plate, the door 5 is closed and locked, and the side plates 9 are lowered to engage with the base and support the sides of the roll cage. Once the apparatus has been prepared, the main hydraulic ram 21 is actuated to lower the platen 19 and compact the discarded packaging or other waste material. In this case, it is not necessary to compact the material to a high degree. The material can be compacted in stages, with the roll cage being topped up with additional material between the stages. To this end, the main hydraulic ram is governed by a pressure switch which acts to stop compaction and to cause the ram to extend, and therefore the platen to rise, at a point before the load rating of the roll cage is exceeded. It has been found that the pressure switch is not activated during a first compaction, but as the density of the discarded packaging or other waste material increases, the pressure switch

-11 is activated at an earlier stage in the compaction process and the ram will return to its extended configuration to raise the platen at a correspondingly earlier stage. Overall, the material may be compacted in a range of about 2:1 to about 10:1 depending, for example, on the nature of the material. Cardboard may be compacted in a range of about 2:1 to about 4:1, ideally about 4:1, while plastics material, such as wrappings, may be compacted in a range of about 2:1 to about 10:1, ideally about 10:1. Such a compaction ratio significantly reduces the number of roll cages required for the material without damaging the roll cages during the compaction procedure.

Once the discarded packaging or other waste material has been compacted, the main hydraulic ram 21 is actuated to raise and pivot the platen 19, the side plates are raised and moved outwardly away from the base and sides of the roll cage by actuating the hydraulic ram 15, the door 5 is unlocked and opened and the roll cage is withdrawn from the apparatus, for example with the aid of the pusher plate 27. Where provided, a brush at the base of the pusher plate serves to clean the floor 7 of the apparatus.

Once the roll cage has been removed, the pusher plate can be retracted and the door 5 closed until the apparatus is next required. The roll cage can be taken back to the shop floor and can continue to be filled with discarded packaging or other waste material and then returned for further compaction of the material in the apparatus until the roll cage is filled with compacted material. At this time the roll cage is stored until it can be taken away for recycling or other use.

Claims

1. A waste compacting apparatus comprising:

5 a casing for receiving a roll cage;

side plates movably provided within the casing to advance towards and retract from sides of a roll cage; and

10 a mast provided within the casing, the mast carrying a platen which is movable downwardly to compact waste within a roll cage and upwardly to allow a roll cage to pass into and out of the casing.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mast is provided in a rear 15 region of the casing.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the platen is movable upwardly and downwardly on the mast by means of a hydraulic ram.

20

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the platen is mounted to the mast by way of a carriage.

-1321 09 18

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mast is substantially upright with an upper portion that is angled away from the front of the casing.

5

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mast is in the form of two laterally spaced uprights.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the carriage engages with each of the uprights.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the angled portion of the mast causes the platen to tilt such that the front of the platen rises relative to the rear thereof to lift the platen clear of waste in the roll cage.

15

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the upper portion of the mast is at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the lower portion.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the platen tapers

20 on its upper surface from the region of the carriage, narrowing in a vertical direction towards the front of the platen.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the platen is provided with a further taper on its lower face, again narrowing towards the front of the platen.

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12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each side plate is mounted to the frame by way of a hinge arm mechanism such that the side plate is movable between an upper, retracted configuration and a lower, extended configuration.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hinge arm mechanism includes laterally spaced angled hinge arms in both lower and upper regions of the side plate, with the pair of lower and upper arms of each side plate being interconnected by a tie bar.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the side plates are configured such that, In the extended configuration, the side plates move inwardly towards a roll cage and downwardly to engage with a base of the roll cage.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein in the extended configuration, the side plates substantially engage with the sides of the roll cage.

20

16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pusher plate is provided in a rear region of the casing.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pusher plate is located in front of the mast.

21 09 18

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the pusher plate is mounted on a scissor mechanism.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the scissor mechanism

5 comprises a pair of bracing members at each side of the pusher plate, the bracing members of each pair being pivotably mounted to each other in a mid region of each bracing member.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein an upper end of each bracing

10 member is pivotably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the mast and a lower end of each bracing member is slidably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the mast.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein a lower edge

15 of the pusher plate is provided with a brush.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the casing includes a floor, the floor being provided with a ramp to facilitate passage of a roll cage into and out of the apparatus.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the casing is provided with a hinged door.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the door is provided with locking means for securing a roll cage within the apparatus.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the locking means includes an 5 interlock.

21 09 18