US3625138A

US3625138A - Waste disposal

Info

Publication number: US3625138A
Authority: US
Inventors: David Shinn; George Mccullough
Original assignee: Electronic Assistance Corp
Current assignee: Electronic Assistance Corp
Priority date: 1969-06-16
Filing date: 1969-06-16
Publication date: 1971-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-07

Abstract

A screw force feeds waste to a swing-hammer rotor shredder. Waste processed by the shredder sifts through a grate into a compaction chamber. A first compaction ram compresses the waste by pressing down on it at an angle of about 30*, and a second compaction ram further compresses the waste by pressing horizontally on it. A gate opens and the compressed waste is extruded. Sensors and a control circuit coordinate the various functions and automatically start and stop the apparatus under certain conditions.

Description

United States Patent David Shinn Oakhurst;

George McCullough, Oceanport, both of J.

June 16, 1969 Dec. 7, 1971 Electronic Assistance Corporation Red Bank, NJ.

Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee WASTE DISPOSAL 5 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 100/45,

Int. Cl ..Bbl5/08, B30b 15/30 Field of Search 100/41, 97,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 537,909 4/1895 Stauber 100/97 UX 657,607 9/1900 Luzatto 100/215 X 977,799 12/1910 Hiller 241/73 1,054,464 2/1913 Soucek.... 100/215 UX 1,819,480 8/1931 Paxton 100/97 UX 2,362,701 1 1/1944 Koehring 100/249 UX 2,537,920 l/ll Smith /249 UX 2,705,916 4/1955 Millgard 100/95 3,141,401 7/1964 Lindemann et a1. /95 UX Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond ABSTRACT: A screw force feeds waste to a swing-hammer rotor shredder. Waste processed by the shredder sifts through a grate into a compaction chamber. A first compaction ram compresses the waste by pressing down on it at an angle of about 30, and a second compaction ram further compresses the waste by pressing horizontally on it. A gate opens and the compressed waste is extruded. Sensors and a control circuit coordinate the various functions and automatically start and stop the apparatus under certain conditions.

PATENTEU DEC 7 Ian SHEET 1 BF 8 IN VENTORS DA V/D SHINN BY GEORGE MCCULL OUGH PATENTEU DEC mm 3.625; 138

sum 3 BF 8 INVENTORS F 6 0.4 we .SH/NN BY GEORGE McC'UUOUG/l PATENTEDUEB mm 36251138 SHEET 5 BF 8 FIGS INVENTORS 04 W0 SH/NIV BY GEORGE McCULLOUGb PATENTEU DEC 7 I971 SHEET 8 [IF 8 WASTE DISPOSAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to waste disposal and, more particularly, to novel and highly effective apparatus facilitating disposal of waste having a solids content.

It is desirable to dispose of garbage, trash, and other refuse (herein generically called waste") economically and without polluting the atmosphere or despoiling the landscape. Waste having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage is typically disposed of by burning or dumping. The waste products of civilization are produced in such profusion that burning them seriously pollutes the atmosphere and dumping them requires very large and unsightly dumps and junkyards.

Conventional apparatus and methods facilitating compaction of waste to reduce its volume and the size of the requisite dump or junkyard suffers certain serious deficiencies. Typically, such apparatus cannot process solid waste particles that are larger than a certain size or that resist grinding or shredding, and the apparatus is subject to jamming and consequent damage. Another problem is that conventional compaction apparatus generally has an awkward arrangement of compaction rams and an inefficient control cycle so that the compaction process cannot be carried out with the desired economy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to remedy the shortcomings of conventional apparatus'noted above. In particular, an object of the invention is to provide for the compaction of waste including particles of widely varying sizes without danger of damage to the compaction machinery and to perform the compaction efficiently and economically.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained by the provision of feed means for receiving waste and force-feeding the waste through a discharge and shredder means mounted adjacent to the discharge for receiving and shredding the waste. The shredder means includes a grate means for sifting the shredded waste, the grate means being formed with a plurality of relatively small openings to allow passage of waste shreds of a desired size and at least one relatively large opening to allow passage of waste that resists shredding to the desired size. The shredded and sifted waste is accumulated in compaction chamber means including a wall portion forming a right dihedral angle. First compaction ram means including a ram head wall portion forming a right dihedral angle compresses the shredded material accumulated in the chamber means into the form of a generally rectangular parallelepiped, and second compaction ram means movable at an angle to the first compaction ram means further compresses the waste compressed by the first compaction ram means. The movement of the first compaction ram means is downward at an angle, and the movement of the second compaction ram means is resisted by gate means mounted for movement between a closed position in which it prevents extrusion of the compressed waste in response to movement of the second compaction ram means and an open position in which it permits extrusion of the compressed waste.

Control means is provided for coordinating the movements of the ram means and for opening the gate means following compaction by the second ram means to permit the second ram means to extrudc the compressed waste. The ram means is retracted and the gate means closes in preparation for the next cycle of the operation.

Various sensor means are provided for cooperating with the control means to provide normally continuous operation but to stop the feed means when the supply of waste thereto is less than a predetermined minimum and when the load on the shredder means exceeds a predetermined maximum. Provision is also made for stopping the shredder means when the load thereon exceeds a predetermined level. Further, the feeder means does not start until the shredder means attains a predetermined operating speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An understanding of additional aspects of the invention may be gained from a consideration of the following detailed description of a representative embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a preferred embodiment of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation, partly broken away, of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the apparatus in a different stage of its operation;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the apparatus in another stage of its operation;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. I and showing another stage of the operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the apparatus in another stage of its operation;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 showing the apparatus in another stage of its operation;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 7 showing the apparatus in another stage of its operation;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of control means for the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the way in which FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C are to be arranged.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows apparatus 20 constructed in accordance with the invention for processing waste, particularly waste having an appreciable solids content. The apparatus 20 comprises feed means 22 including a screw chamber 24 housing a feed screw 26. The feed screw 26 is mounted on and rigid with respect to a feed screw axle 28 rotatably supported in journals 30. The axle 28, and hence the screw 26, are caused to rotate (in a clockwise direction as seen from a position to the left in FIG. 1) by motive means such as an electric motor 32 driving a pulley 34 and, by means of a belt or chain 36, a pulley 38 integral with the axle 28.

The feed means 22 has a discharge 40 through which the waste is force-fed to shredder means 42. The shredder means 42 is mounted adjacent to the discharge 40 for receiving and shredding waste fed through the discharge 40. The shredder means includes a hammer mill 44 supported within a shredder chamber 46 by an axle 48 rotatably mounted in bearings 50 (FIG. 2). The axle 48 is rotated by motive means such as an electric motor 52 that turns a pulley 54 connected by a belt or chain 56 to a pulley 58 integral with the axle 48.

The axle 48 is integral with a plurality of discs 60 each supporting a plurality of hammers or flails 62 mounted for limited pivotal movement about studs 64 affixed to the plates 60.

The motor 52 turns the hammer mill 44 at high speed so that the hammers 62 grind or shred waste in the shredder chamber 46. A flywheel 65 mounted integrally on the axle 48 turns therewith and helps maintain a uniform angular momentum of the hammer mill 44 in operation.

The shredder means 42 includes grate means 66 having a plurality of relatively small openings 68 to allow passage of waste shreds of a desired size and at least one relatively large opening 70 to allow passage of waste that resists shredding to the desired size. The sifted shreds fall into a compaction chamber means 72 having a precompaction and collection area 74 and a molding chamber 76.

The chamber means 72 includes a wall portion 78 forming a right dihedral angle A, as shown in FIG. 2.

First and second compaction means are provided for compressing waste passing the grate 66 and falling into the chamber 72. A first compaction means 80 (FIG. 2) and a second compaction means 82 (FIG. 1) have their movements efficiently coordinated to mold a very dense bale or pellet of waste.

The first compaction means 80 includes a pair of precompaction and collection hydraulic cylinders 84 each having a precompaction and collection piston 86 slidable therein in a direction indicated by an arrow 88 (FIG. 2). The pistons, which are ganged together for movement as a unit, are thus adapted to move down on the processed waste along a line forming an angle within the range of to 60 with respect to the horizontal, and preferably an angle of substantially 32 By virtue of this angle, efficient precompaction is achieved, yet the shredded waste falling into the chamber 72 presents no impediment to the withdrawal of the pistons 86.

The pistons 86 carry compaction ram reams including a ram headwall portion 90 forming a right dihedral angle A. In the retracted position shown in FIG. 2, accumulation of shredded waste in the chamber 72 is facilitated; in the extended position shown in FIG. 4, the wall portion 78 of the chamber 72 and the ram headwall portion 90 cooperate to compress shredded material accumulated in the chamber 72 into the form of a generally rectangular parallelepiped. The rectangular parallelepiped is in fact square in cross section, as FIG. 4 shows. At the same time, the rectangular parallelepiped and the wall portions 90 have a length L substantially equal to the length L of the precompaction and collection area 74 (FIG. 1). A sleeve 91 integral with the ram headwall portion 90 fits slidably within a housing 91' housing both of the cylinders 84 and facilitates withdrawal of the rams 86 while refuse falling through the grate 66 (FIG. 1) slides off the sleeve 91 and accumulates in the chamber 72. The compaction ram 80 is thus easily withdrawn without trapping waste and without jamming or clogging.

The second compaction means 82 includes a main hydraulic cylinder 92 provided with a piston (not shown) and a ram extension 94 and a ram head 96. The ram 94 and ram head 96 are adapted to compress further the waste compressed by the ram 86 and ram head 87. This is accomplished by exerting a force on the precompacted waste in a second direction indicated by an arrow 98 forming an angle with the direction 88 in which the ram 86 and ram head 87 move. The ram 94 and ram head 96 preferably move horizontally and at an angle of substantially 90 with respect to the direction of movement of the ram 86 and ram head 87. That is, the two compressive forces are substantially normal to each other.

Gate means such as a gate 100 (FIG. 3) is mounted for movement between a closed position in which it prevents extrusion of the compressed waste in response to movement of the ram head 96 and an open position (FIG. 7) in which it permits extrusion of the compressed waste in response to fully extended movement of the ram head 96 (FIG. 8). The gate 100 is operated in any suitable manner by motive means such as a gate cylinder 102 having therein a slidable piston (not shown) controlling a ram 103.

The use of the apparatus of the invention includes the step of preliminary compression by a force acting in one direction and further compression by a force acting in another direction, as described above, by virtue of which the waste is finally molded in the molding chamber 76, then reducing the force exerted by ram head 96 by withdrawing it to a partially retracted position, as shown in FIG. 6, then opening the gate 100, and finally increasing the force exerted by the ram head 96 along the same line 98 (FIG. 1) to empty the chamber 76 and extrude the compressed waste (FIG. 8), which is in the form of a highly compressed bale that can be easily disposed of. The ram head 96 is withdrawn and the gate 100 is closed, whereupon the cycle is repeated, if there is additional waste to be processed.

The operation of the apparatus of the invention is shown in sequence by FIGS. 1-9, respectively. FIG. 1 shows the main hydraulic cylinder 82 retracted, and FIG. 2 the precompaction and collection cylinder 80 retracted. FIG. 3 shows the gate cylinder 102 extended. These three figures thus show the condition of the apparatus at the start of a cycle. FIG. 4 shows the precompaction and collection cylinder extended to perform the precompaction step, and FIG. 5 shows the main hydraulic cylinder 82 extended to perform the final compression or molding step. FIG. 6 shows the main hydraulic cylinder 82 retracted partially to have a space 76 in the molding chamber 76 and relieve the strain on the gate 100, and FIG. 7 shows the opening of the gate 100. FIG. 8 shows the main hydraulic cylinder 82 extended fully to perform the extrusion step in which a portion 104 of highly compressed waste is extruded from the molding chamber 76, and FIG. 9 shows the closing of the gate to sever the portion 104 as a molded block of high-density waste.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C together constitute a schematic diagram of control means for coordinating the functions described above and others in accordance with the invention.

Sensor means such as a photocontrol sender 112 and a photocontrol receiver 114 constitute a level sensor for determining when the refuse or waste in the screw chamber 24 (FIG. 1) has built up to a predetermined level. A photocontrol time delay 116 connected to the receiver 114 by a line 117 trips after a predetermined delay following interruption of the radiation path 119 between the sender 112 and receiver 114. This actuates a rotary stepping switch 118 connected to the delay circuit 116 by a line 121. The time delay is to prevent actuation of the switch 118 by the transient signal developed by passage of particles of waste falling into the screw chamber 24 before sufficient waste has collected in the chamber 24 to reach the level of the sensor 110.

Upon actuation by the photocontrol time delay 116, the rotary stepping switch 118 advances to position 1. A signal developed in a lead 120 actuates the shredder motor 52 so that the pulley 54, belt drive 56, pulley 58, and shredder assembly 42 are actuated. The shredder assembly 42 normally continues to operate for the remainder of the cycle. A set time delay circuit 122 connected to the stepping switch 118 by a line 123 advances the stepping switch 118 to position 2 after the shredder assembly 42 has been allowed sufiicient time to reach operating speed.

In position 2, a signal is developed on a lead 124 to actuate a hydraulic motor 126. The hydraulic motor 126 controls a hydraulic pump 128 through a coupling 129. The motor 126 and the pump 128 continue to operate for the entire cycle. The set time delay 122 advances the stepping switch 118 to position 3 after the hydraulic pump 128 has had sufficient time to reach operating pressure.

In position 3, a signal is developed on a lead 130 and actuates a screw feed adjustable time delay relay 132, which in turn starts the screw feed motor 32 to which it is connected by a lead 133. The motor 32, through the pulley 34, chain drive 36, and pulley 38, actuates the screw feed assembly 22 a predetermined length of time depending on the setting of the adjustable time delay relay 132.

The set time delay circuit 122 during this time advances the rotary stepping switch 118 to position 4.

In position 4, when the screw feed adjustable time delay relay 132 cuts out, the screw feed assembly 22 stops, and a signal is developed in a lead 134 that advances the stepping switch 118 to position 5.

In position 5, a signal is developed on a line 136 which actuates a gate-extend solenoid 138. This controls a valve 140 to admit oil under high pressure through a line 142 to the rear of the gate hydraulic cylinder 102. In this position of the valve 140, the line 142 is connected to a high-pressure line 144 pressurized through a line 146, a line 148 and a line 150 connected to the pump 128. A gauge 151 indicates the pressure of the fluid immediately downstream of the pump 128. When the gate-extend hydraulic line 144 reaches a predetermined pressure, a gate-extend pressure switch 152 develops a signal in a line 154 that actuates the rotary stepping switch 118, causing it to step to position 6.

In position 6, a signal is developed in a lead 156 which actuates a solenoid 158 controlling a valve 160 so that hydraulic fiuid is admitted at high pressure through a line 162, a check valve 164, a line 166 and lines 168 to he rear ends of the hydraulic cylinders 84. This extends the rams 86. A pressure switch 170 connected by a line 172 to the high-pressure line 166 responds to a predetermined pressure in the line 166 to develop a signal in an electrical lead 172 that causes the rotary stepping switch 118 to advance to position 7.

ln position 7, a signal is developed in a lead 174 that actuates a solenoid 176 controlling a valve 178. Thus actuated, the valve 178 connects a high-pressure hydraulic line 180 to a high-pressure hydraulic line 182 that is connected to the highpressure hydraulic line 146 and through it to the

lines

148 and 150 and pump 128. Hydraulic fluid under high pressure thus passes through the line 180 to the rear end of the main hydraulic cylinder 92, causing extension of the ram 94. When pressure in the high-pressure line 182 reaches a predetermined level, a pressure switch 184 connected by a hydraulic line 186 to the hydraulic line 182 developes a signal in a lead 188 that advances the rotary stepping switch 118 to position 8.

ln position 8, a signal is developed in a lead 190 that actuates a retraction solenoid 192 controlling the valve 178. The valve 178 then admits hydraulic fluid under high pressure from the hydraulic pump 128, the line 150, a high-pressure line 194, a high-pressure line 196, the valve 178, and a highpressure line 198 to the head end of the hydraulic cylinder 92. This causes retraction of the ram 94. The set time delay circuit 122 advances the rotary stepping switch 118 to position 9 after a set time delay sufficient to allow the main ram 94 to be retracted far enough to allow the pressure to be relieved on the gate 100.

In position 9, a signal is developed in a lead 200 connected to a retraction solenoid 202 controlling the valve 140 to admit oil from the high-pressure line 194 through the valve 140 and a high-pressure line 204 to the head end of the gate cylinder 102. This causes retraction of the ram 103 and opening of the gate 100. When hydraulic pressure on the gate-retract

lines

204, 194 reaches a predetermined pressure as measured by a pressure switch 206 connected by a line 208 to the line 194, a signal is developed in a lead 210 connected to the switch 206. The signal developed in the line 210 causes the rotary stepping switch 118 to step to position 10.

In position 10, a signal is developed in a line 212 that actuates the solenoid 176. This causes full extension of the ram 94 by admitting hydraulic fluid at high pressure through the line 180 to the rear end of the cylinder 92 as explained above. The molded high-density block 104 is in this manner extruded (see also FIG. 8). When the pressure in the line 180 reaches a predetermined level the pressure switch 184 develops a signal in a lead 214 that causes the rotary stepping switch 118 to step to position 11.

In position 11, a signal is developed in an electrical lead 216 that actuates the solenoid 138. Hydraulic fluid is admitted through the line 142 as described above to the rear end of the gate cylinder 102, causing extension of the ram 103 and closing of the gate 100. The closing of the gate 100 severs the compacted block 104 from the end of the compaction chamber 76. When the pressure in the line 144 reaches a predetermined level as determined by the pressure switch 152 connected to the line 144 by the line 153, a signal is developed in an electrical lead 217 that causes the rotary stepping switch 118 to step to position 12.

In position 12, a signal is developed on a line 218 that actuates the solenoid 192. This allow hydraulic fluid under high pressure to flow through the line 198 as described above to the head of the cylinder 92 and retract the ram 94. Then the main ram 94 is fully retracted, hydraulic pressure in the line 196 builds to a predetermined pressure and, through a connecting line 220 actuates a pressure switch 222. The pressure switch 222 when actuated develops a signal in a lead 224 that causes the rotary stepping switch 118 to step to position 13.

In position 13, a signal is developed in a lead 225 that actuates a solenoid 226 to control the valve 160 in such a manner as to admit oil or other fluid under high pressure from the line 194 through the valve 160 through a high-pressure line 228 to the head ends of the cylinders 84, causing retraction of the rams 86. When the rams 86 are fully retracted, the hydraulic pressure builds to actuate a pressure switch 230 connected to the high-pressure line 228 by a line 232. The pressure switch 230 when actuated generates an electrical signal in a lead 233 that advances the rotary stepping switch 118 to position 14.

Position 14 causes generation of a signal as indicated at 236 that causes stepping of the switch 118 to a home position 238. If the photocontrol circuit means 1 10 is still broken, the entire sequence just described is repeated. If the control circuit means is not broken, thus indicating that no refuse remains to be processed, the stepping switch 118 remains at the home position 238, causing the shredder motor 52 and hydraulic motor 126 to shutdown. The entire system now remains at standby until again actuated by the control means 1 10 in the manner described above.

The system also includes hydraulic safety features such as an oil pressure bypass valve 240 which, in the event of an overload of the hydraulic system, safely bypasses fluid through a line 241 to an oil reservoir 242. A hydraulic oil filter 244 in a line 246 is also provided for filtering the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic pump 128 withdraws oil from the reservoir 242 through a magnetic suction line separator 248.

The electrical control system has built-in safety features such as power failure reset relay 250 connected to the stepping switch 118 by a line 251, and an automatic homing, shutdown, and alarm circuit 252 connected to the switch 118 by a lead 253 and to the three

motors

32, 52, and 126. The circuit 252 functions if any of the motors should trip its associated circuit breaker because of a malfunction. In addition, the shredder motor 52 and screen feed motor 32 have a power sensor an current limiting device 254 to which they are connected by

lines

255 and 256, respectively. The current limiter 254 stops the feed screw motor 32 and screw feed assembly 22 if the load on the shredder motor 52 exceeds a predetermined level, and automatically restores the screw feed motor 32 and assembly 22 to action when the shredder clears and continues operating under normal load. The current limiter 254 also stops the shredder assembly 42 when the shredder load exceeds a predetermined level.

Thus there is provided in accordance with the invention a novel and highly effective apparatus facilitating disposal of waste having a solids content. In accordance with the invention, the shortcomings of conventional apparatus are remedied and, in particular, provision is made for the compaction of waste including particles of widely varying sizes without danger of damage to the compaction machinery, and the process of compacting waste is performed efficiently and economically.

Many modifications of the representative embodiments disclosed above will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and the invention is to be construed as including all of the modifications thereof within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for processing waste including garbage, trash and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising:

feed means for receiving said waste and force-feeding said waste through a discharge,

shredder means mounted adjacent to said discharge for receiving and shredding waste fed through said discharge, said shredder means including grate means for sifting said shredded waste, said grate means being formed with a plurality of relatively small openings to allow passage of waste shreds of a desired size and at least one relatively large opening to allow passage of waste that resists shredding to said desired size,

compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means for collecting waste passing said grate means first compaction means for compressing waste collected in said compaction chamber means by exerting a force thereon in a first direction, and

second compaction means for further compressing the waste compressed by said first compaction means by exerting a force thereon in a second direction forming substantially a right angle with said first direction.

2. Apparatus for processing waste including garbage, trash and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising:

feed means for receiving said waste and force-feeding said waste through a discharge, shredder means mounted adjacent to said discharge for receiving and shredding waste fed through said discharge,

compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means for accumulating waste shredded by said shredder means first movable compaction means for compressing waste processed by said shredder means by moving down on said precessed waste along a first line forming an angle of substantially 30 with respect to the horizontal, and

second movable compaction means for further compressing the waste compressed by said first movable compaction means by moving horizontally thereagainst along a second line substantially normal to said first line.

3. Apparatus for processing shredded waste including garbage, trash and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising:

shredder means for shredding waste,

compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means and including a wall portion forming a right dihedral angle,

first compaction ram means including a ram headwall portion forming a right dihedral angle, said ram means being movable between a retracted position permitting accumulation of shredded waste in said compaction chamber means and an extended position in which said wall portion of said chamber means and said ram headwall portion cooperate to compress shredded material accumulated in said chamber means into the form of a generally rectangular parallelepiped, and

second compaction ram means movable in a direction generally parallel to said wall portions for further compressing the waste compressed by said first compaction ram means.

4. Apparatus for processing waste including garbage, trash, and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising:

shredder means for shredding waste,

compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means for accumulating waste shredded by said shredder means,

first compaction means movable within said compaction chamber means for compressing said waste shredded by said shredder means by exerting a force thereon in a first direction, second compaction means movable within said compaction chamber means for further compressing the waste compressed by said first compaction means by exerting a force thereon in a second direction forming substantially a right angle with said first direction,

gate means mounted for movement between a closed position in which it prevents extrusion of sad compressed waste in response to movement of said second compaction means and an open position in which it permits extrusion of said compressed waste in response to movement of said second compaction means, and

control means for causing said first compaction means to exert said force in said first direction, then causing said second compaction means to exert aid force in said second direction, said first compaction means continuing to exert said force in said first direction and said gate means being in said closed position, then causing said compaction means to reduce said force in said second direction, then causing said gate means to move to said open position, then causing said second compaction means to extrude said compressed waste from said compaction chamber means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said control means comprise means which then causes said gate means to move to said closed position to separate said extruded waste from waste remaining in said compaction chamber means.

Claims

1. Apparatus for processing waste including garbage, trash and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising: feed means for receiving said waste and force-feeding said waste through a discharge, shredder means mounted adjacent to said discharge for receiving and shredding waste fed through said discharge, said shredder means including grate means for sifting said shredded waste, said grate means being formed with a plurality of relatively small openings to allow passage of waste shreds of a desired size and at least one relatively large opening to allow passage of waste that resists shredding to said desired size, compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means for collecting waste passing said grate means first compaction means for compressing waste collected in said compaction chamber means by exerting a force thereon in a first direction, and second compaction means for further compressing the waste compressed by said first compaction means by exerting a force thereon in a second direction forming substantially a right angle with said first direction.

2. Apparatus for processing waste including garbage, trash and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising: feed means for receiving said waste and force-feeding said waste through a discharge, shredder means mounted adjacent to said discharge for receiving and shredding waste fed through said discharge, compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means for accumulating waste shredded by said shredder means first movable compaction means for compressing waste processed by said shredder means by moving down on said precessed waste along a first line forming an angle of substantially 30* with respect to the horizontal, and second movable compaction means for further compressing the waste compressed by said first movable compaction means by moving horizontally thereagainst along a second line substantially normal to said first line.

3. Apparatus for processing shredded waste including garbage, trash and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising: shredder means for shredding waste, compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means and including a wall portion forming a right dihedral angle, first compaction ram means including a ram headwall portion forming a right dihedral angle, said ram means being movable between a retracted position permitting accumulation of shredded waste in said compaction chamber means and an extended position in which said wall portion of said chamber means and said ram headwall portion cooperate to compress shredded material accumulated in said chamber means into the form of a generally rectangular parallelepiped, and second compaction ram means movable in a direction generally parallel to said wall portions for further compressing the waste compressed by said first compaction ram means.

4. Apparatus for processing waste including garbage, trash, and other refuse having a solids content high enough to militate against its disposal as sewage comprising: shredder means for shredding waste, compaction chamber means mounted below said shredder means for accumulating waste shredded by said shredder means, first compaction means movable within said compaction chamber means for compressing said waste shredded by said shredder means by exerting a force thereon in a first direction, second compaction means movable within said compaction chamber means for further compressing the waste compressed by said first compaction means by exerting a force thereon in a second direction forming substantially a right angle with said first direction, gate means mounted for movement between a closed position in which it prevents extrusion of said compressed waste in response to movement of said second compaction means and an open position in which it permits extrusion of said compressed waste in response to movement of said second compaction means, and control means for causing said first compaction means to exert said force in said first direction, then causing said second compaction means to exert said force in said second direction, said first compaction means continuing to exert said force in said first direction and said gate means being in said closed position, then causing said compaction means to reduce said force in said second direction, then causing said gate means to move to said open position, then causing said second compaction means to extrude said compressed waste from said compaction chamber means.