GB2575923A

GB2575923A - Waste compacting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2575923A
Application number: GB1910447.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Overfield Paul; Mark Brown Simon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-24
Filing date: 2019-07-22
Publication date: 2020-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-22
Also published as: GB2575923B; GB201812031D0; GB201910447D0

Abstract

A waste compacting apparatus having a casing (1) for receiving a roll cage, the apparatus having side plates (7) movably provided within the casing to advance towards and retract from sides of the roll cage. A hydraulic ram (19) mounted in an upright tube (17) extends through an upper region of the casing and carries a platen (21) which is movable downwardly to compact waste within the roll cage and upwardly to allow a roll cage to pass into and out of the casing. The apparatus may also include a pusher plate (figure 5, 23) operated by a hydraulic ram, which serves to push the roll cage out of the apparatus, and a lockable hinged door (3).

Description

WASTE COMPACTING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to a waste compacting apparatus.

Background of the Invention.

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

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

Summary of the Invention

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 means provided in an upper region of the casing and 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 side plates movably provided within the casing are able to exert a clamping force on the roll cage received within the apparatus, thereby reducing the force transmitted down through the roll cage onto the castors.

The platen may be carried by an upright hydraulic ram extending upwardly from the upper region of the casing. The hydraulic ram may be mounted within a substantially upright tube, for example a square section tube. The hydraulic ram may be provided with a multiplying device, such as chains or a hydraulic ram with more than one telescopic portion. The lower face of the platen may taper from the rear to the front of the apparatus, narrowing in a vertical direction towards the front of the platen. An electrical or hydraulic lock bolt may be provided in order to prevent downward creep of the hydraulic ram when the apparatus is not in use.

The platen and tube for receipt of the ram may be movable between a retracted and extended position. Preferably, temporary support bars may extend between the side plates for supporting the platen within the casing in the retracted position. Prior to first use, the platen and tube may be lifted through the upper region of the casing and the tube secured to the upper region to maintain it in the extended position.

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 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 be adapted to substantially engage with the sides of the roll cage.

Optionally, a pusher plate may be provided in a rear region of the casing. The pusher plate may be operable by means of a hydraulic ram which serves to move the pusher plate between a retracted 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 casing and a lower end of each bracing member may be slidably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the casing. 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 base. The base 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. The door locking means may include a screw handle which engages with a threaded bar to progressively move the door to its locked position. The door and the pusher plate may be configured to support the front and rear sides of a roll cage when the door is locked and the pusher plate is in its retracted position. The screw handle also serves to prevent the door springing open as a result of the load on the door applied by the contents of the roll cage.

Optionally, the base of the casing may be provided with one or more sections that are relieved of material to receive wheels of a pallet truck, thereby enabling the truck to be placed within the casing with front wheels of the truck extending through base to contact the floor. Suitable securement means may also be provided over the legs of the pallet truck, such as crossbars fixed to the frame by suitable fixing means.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

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, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a waste compacting apparatus according to the present invention, with a casing removed to aid understanding and a door open, and showing a main hydraulic ram and platen in a first configuration; Figure 2 is a view of the waste compacting apparatus corresponding to Figure 1 with the door open and showing the main hydraulic ram and platen in a second configuration; Figure 3 is a front sectional view of the main hydraulic ram and platen assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a side view, not in section, corresponding to Figure 3; Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the waste compacting apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a waste compacting apparatus according to the present invention, with a casing removed to aid understanding and a door open, and showing a main hydraulic ram and platen in a first configuration; Figure 7 is an expanded view of the main hydraulic ram of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a view of the waste compacting apparatus corresponding to Figure 6 with the door open and showing the main hydraulic ram and platen in a second configuration; and Figures 9A to 9C show a waste compacting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention having multiple stages of retraction for the platen and ram.

Detailed Description of the Invention.

The waste compacting apparatus of the present invention is intended for use with a roll cage which is configured to have four sides, that is including a front panel, in position. Such a four-sided roll cage has the advantage that it is then unnecessary to encase the roll cage, for example with shrink-wrapping, after the waste material has been compacted.

The waste compacting apparatus comprises a frame 1 generally in the form of the outline of a box and without any obstruction at the front to allow a roll cage to be wheeled in and out of the apparatus beneath a cover of the casing. Sides of the frame extend to a height somewhat above the level of a roll cage. The frame is in practice provided with a casing including side panels (not shown), a floor 2 and a cover (not shown), in addition to a hinged door 3. A ramp 4 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 5, for example in the form of a screw handle which allows the door to be secured in a closed configuration when compacting waste material and to be released to allow the passage of a roll cage (also not shown) into and out of the apparatus. The locking means may include an interlock (also not shown) to ensure the door is latched as well as being closed.

The door lock additionally serves as a compression aid. Once a roll cage has been compressed a number of times as part of progressive compaction of the roll cage contents, the contents tend to cause the cage to bulge. The provision of a screw handle (clamping wheel), which allows the handle to be rotated in one direction on a threaded bar so as to release the lock and in an opposite direction on the threaded bar so as to tighten the lock, permits the front and rear sides of the roll cage to be supported and compressed between the rear of the door and a pusher plate provided at the rear of the frame (the pusher plate will be described in more detail hereinafter). Additionally, this feature also prevents the door from springing open due to the compressive force exerted by the contents of the cage.

A side plate 7 is provided within the apparatus at each side thereof (only one side shown) and extending in the illustrated embodiment in a plane substantially parallel with the side of the apparatus. In practice, the side plates 7 extend in planes substantially parallel to the sides of the roll cage and it is convenient for sides panels of the cover of the apparatus to be substantially parallel with the sides of the roll cage. Each side plate 7 is mounted to the frame 1 by way of a hinge arm mechanism 9 which includes laterally spaced angled hinge arms 11 in both the lower and upper regions of the side plate, with each pair of lower and upper arms 11 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 by way of the hinge arm mechanism 9. Operation of the ram 15 moves the respective side plate between an upper, retracted configuration and a lower, extended configuration in which the side plate is moved a distance towards the opposing side plate. 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 to be removed from between the side plates. In the extended configuration, the side plates move inwardly towards a roll cage and, at least in some embodiments, downwardly to engage with a base of the roll cage to stabilise the cage. In the extended configuration the side plates substantially engage with the sides of the roll cage to eliminate as far as possible deformation of the roll cage when discarded packaging or other waste material within the roll cage is being compacted. The side plates 7 are shown in a retracted position in Figure 1 and in an extended position in Figure 2.

The top of the frame 1 is provided with a substantially upright tube 17, for example a square section tube, within which is mounted a main hydraulic ram 19 having a platen 21 attached to the lower end thereof. The overall height of the tube 17 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 lower face of the platen 21 in the illustrated embodiment tapers from the rear to the front of the apparatus, narrowing in a vertical direction towards the front of the platen. Thus, the main hydraulic ram 19 can be retracted to raise the platen 21 to allow a roll cage to be inserted beneath the platen or removed therefrom and can be extended to lower the platen to compact the discarded packaging or other waste material in the roll cage.

An electrical or hydraulic lock bolt (not shown) may be provided, the lock bolt being activated when the platen 21 is in its raised position, in order to prevent downward creep on the main hydraulic ram 19 when the apparatus is not in use.

The rear region of the frame 1 is also provided with a pusher plate 23, the pusher plate being operable by means of a pusher hydraulic ram 25 which serves to move the pusher plate between a retracted position and an extended position as shown in Figure 5. As can be seen more clearly in Figure 5, the pusher plate is mounted on a scissor mechanism 27 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 frame and a lower end of each bracing member is slidably mounted to the one of the pusher plate or the frame. The pusher hydraulic ram 25 is pivotably mounted to the pivot point of one or both of the pairs of bracing members. More specifically, an upper end of one bracing member of each pair may be pivotally mounted in the region of the top of the pusher plate and a lower end of that bracing member may be provided with a bearing which runs on the front face of an upright provided as part of the casing, while an upper end of the other bracing member of each pair may be pivotally mounted in an upper region of the respective upright and a lower end of that bracing member may be provided with a bearing which runs on the rear face of the pusher plate. The pusher hydraulic ram 25 can be retracted to draw the pusher plate 23 rearwardly to its retracted position or can be extended to urge 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 23 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.

It is to be appreciated that the rear pusher plate may be omitted from the apparatus.

In use of the waste compacting apparatus, the hinged door 3 is opened, the platen 21 is raised, the pusher plate 23 is retracted and the side plates 7 are retracted to the configuration shown in Figure 2 in readiness to receive a roll cage (not shown) containing discarded packaging or other waste material. The roll cage is advanced into the apparatus until the roll cage contacts the pusher plate 23, the door 3 is closed, tightened by rotating the screw handle on the threaded bar and to progressively support the front and rear sides of the roll cage between the door and the pusher plate (with the pusher plate in its retracted position), and locked, and the side plates 7 are moved inwardly and downwardly to engage with the base and to support the sides of the roll cage. Once the apparatus has been prepared, the main hydraulic ram 19 is actuated to lower the platen 21 and to 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 19 is governed by a pressure switch (not shown) which acts to stop compaction and to cause the ram to retract, 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 generally not activated during a first compaction, but as the density of the discarded packaging or other waste material increases, the pressure switch is activated at a progressively earlier stage in the compaction process and the ram 19 will return to its retracted configuration to raise the platen 21 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 materials, 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.

In the extended configuration, the side plates serve to provide a clamping force whereby the force transmitted down through the castors of the roll cage is not the full compaction force that is applied to the waste material. This enables the apparatus to provide the compaction ratio required without exceeding the maximum rated load of the cage which is determined, at least in part, by the maximum static load on the castors. If the side plates were not movable with a clamping action, the apparatus would not be able to provide a sufficient compaction ratio so as to be viable. The clamping force of the side plates ensures that a proportion of the compaction force is transmitted through the sides, via a frictional hold.

A further benefit provided by the present invention is that the apparatus cannot operate if the cage is installed incorrectly within the casing. In this respect, if the hooks that maintain the cage in its open position are not correctly fastened, the side plates of the apparatus cannot move into place which prevents operation of the machine. Thus, this is a time-saving feature as the apparatus will only compact waste material within the cage if the cage is properly constructed.

Once the discarded packaging or other waste material has been compacted, the main hydraulic ram 19 is actuated to raise the platen 21 above the level of the roll cage, the side plates 7 are raised and moved outwardly away from the base and sides of the roll cage by actuating the hydraulic ram 15, the door 3 is unlocked and opened progressively (the screw handle ensuring the door cannot fly open) and the roll cage is withdrawn from the apparatus, for example with the aid of the pusher plate 23. Where provided, a brush at the base of the pusher plate serves to clean the floor 2 of the apparatus. The lock bolt is also activated to prevent downward creep of the main hydraulic ram 19.

Once the roll cage has been removed, the pusher plate 23 can be retracted and the door 3 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.

Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a waste compacting apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Identical features already discussed in relation to Figures 1 to 5 are given the same reference numerals and only the differences will be discussed in detail. The apparatus again includes a frame 1 with a hinged door 3 and side plates 7 moveable by means of a hinged arm mechanism 9 operated by a hydraulic ram 15. In this embodiment, the platen 31 and upright tube 37 are moveable between a retracted, stored position for transit (see Figures 6 and 7) and an extended position (see Figure 8) ready for use. In particular, the apparatus is provided with supporting cross bars 40 which extend through holes 42 provided in each of the opposing side plates 7. In the retracted position the platen 31 rests on these bars with the tube 37 lowered into the casing, thereby providing a more compact arrangement for transport and storage. Prior to use and using its own power, the tube 37 can be moved upwardly out of the casing and bolted by means of bracket 39 to the roof of the casing and the cross bars removed through the holes in the side plates. The platen 31 can then be retracted towards the top of the casing ready for use.

This embodiment also enables a powered or hand pallet truck to move the apparatus. In this respect, a removal plate towards the rear of the base plate has been removed to allow the truck to be moved into the casing with the front wheel protruding through the base plate onto the floor beneath. Cross bars (not shown) may then be located over legs of the pallet truck and the bars bolted to the frame 1.

The embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8 can be further improved to include a two-stage retraction of the platen and upright plate. In this respect, it is difficult to achieve the range of motion required to enable the platen and tube to be lifted and lowered across the full height of the casing without a separate lifting mechanism being attached to the apparatus. Figures 9A to 9C demonstrate how this may be overcome. The apparatus includes an upper pair of holes 42 for receiving an additional pair of temporary supporting cross bars 44 spaced above the lower temporary cross bars 40. This enables both the platen and the bracket 39 to rest on the bars and be moved sequentially by the ram by sequential removal of the upper and lower cross bars, thereby enabling both to be lowered to the floor using the limited range of movement of the ram, as shown in Figure 9C.

Claims

CLAIMS.1. 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 means provided in an upper region of the casing and 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. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platen is carried by an upright hydraulic ram extending upwardly from the upper region of the casing.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the hydraulic ram is mounted within a substantially upright tube.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a lower face of the platen tapers from the rear to the front of the apparatus, narrowing in a vertical direction towards the front of the platen.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the tube and platen are moveable from a retracted position within the casing to an extended position wherein the tube extends from an upper region of the casing.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein removable support bars extend between the side plates for supporting the platen within the casing in the retracted position.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein upper and lower removable support bars extend between the side plates for supporting upper and lower parts of the platen and tube.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7wherein in the extended position the platen and tube are lifted through the upper region of the casing and the tube is secured thereto to maintain it in the extended position.
9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 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.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the hinge arm mechanism includes laterally spaced 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.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9or 10 wherein movement of the side plates is determined by a hydraulic ram acting between the casing and the respective side plate.
12. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 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.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein, in the extended configuration, the side plates are adapted to substantially engage with the sides of the roll cage.
14. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a pusher plate provided in a rear region of the casing.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the pusher plate is operable by means of a hydraulic ram which serves to move the pusher plate between a retracted position and an extended position.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the pusher plate is mounted on a scissor mechanism comprising 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.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein an upper end of each bracing member is pivotably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the casing and a lower end of each bracing member is slidably mounted to one of the pusher plate or the casing.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the hydraulic ram is pivotably mounted to the pivot point of one or both of the pairs of bracing members.
19. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein a lower edge of the pusher plate is provided with a brush.
20. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the casing comprises a frame provided with sides, a rear, a cover and a base.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the base is provided with a ramp to facilitate the passage of a roll cage into and out of the apparatus.
22. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the casing is provided with a hinged door.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the door is provided with locking means for securing a roll cage within the apparatus, preferably including an interlock.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the door locking means includes a screw handle which engages with a threaded bar to progressively move the door to its locked position.
25. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 when dependent from claim 14 wherein at least one of the door and the pusher plate are configured to support front and/or rear sides of a roll cage when the door is locked and/or the pusher plate is in its retracted position.
26. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 20 to 25 wherein the base of the casing is provided with at least one section that is relieved of material to receive wheels of a pallet truck, thereby enabling the truck to be placed within the casing with wheels of the truck extending through the base to contact the floor.