US3638561A

US3638561A - Refuse compactor

Info

Publication number: US3638561A
Application number: US13705A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard Price; Seymour Wallick; Irwin Math
Original assignee: INT PATENTS AND DEV
Current assignee: INT PATENTS AND DEV
Priority date: 1970-02-24
Filing date: 1970-02-24
Publication date: 1972-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-01

Abstract

A vertical refuse compactor in which the ramming piston used to compact the refuse also ejects the refuse from the compactor after it has been compressed into a reduced bale. A vertical tubular housing is held in place through structural members and contains the hydraulically operated ramming piston. Refuse enters the ramming chamber from a hopper and through an opening below the piston when retracted. A door at the bottom of the tubular cylinder serves simultaneously as the ejecting door and the base upon which the refuse is compacted. The door is pivotally mounted and operated through hydraulic cylinders supported by the structural members. A refuse receiving can or container located beneath the ejecting door receives the compacted bales of refuse after the door has been swung open through actuation of the respective hydraulic cylinders.

Description

United States Patent Price et a1.

1 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [541 REFUSE COMPACTOR International Patents 8: Development, Kings Point, NY.

[22] Filed: Feb. 24, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 13,705

[73] Assignee:

[52] US. Cl ..100/2l5,100/45,100/50, 100/75, 100/245, 100/250, 100/256, 100/266,

[51] Int. Cl. ..B30b 15/30, 1330b 15/32 [58] Field of Search ..l00/218, 215, 229, 245, 229 A, 100/250, 266, 269, 295, 45, 50, 52, 73, 74, 75, 256,

1,515,078 11/1924 Shee ..248/145 3,065,586 1l/1962 Ghiringhelli ..l00/229 UX OTHER PUBLlCATlONS Research-Cottrell Pamphlet" Dec. 1968 5 pp,

Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Alt0rneySparrow and Sparrow [57} ABSTRACT A vertical refuse compactor in which the ramming piston used to compact the refuse also ejects the refuse from the compactor after it has been compressed into a reduced bale. A vertical tubular housing is held in place through structural members and contains the hydraulically operated ramming piston. Refuse enters the ramming chamber from a hopper and through an opening below the piston when retracted. A door at the bottom of the tubular cylinder serves simultaneously as the ejecting door and the base upon which the refuse is compacted. The door is pivotally mounted and operated through hydraulic cylinders supported by the structural members. A refuse receiving can or container located beneath the ejecting door receives the compacted bales of refuse after the door has been swung open through actuation of the respective hydraulic cylinders.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED B 1 17/11/0141 MIPUI' 5190mm MHz (K ATTORN EYS PATENIED FEB I sum 3 v, K 0 0 P 5 Mm a Mama. PM 0/0 M 6 .0 M, 0 F WW 4 mwwz/ WWW W h \& a A J 7 MW :wl G W a w w M w F j REFUSE COMPACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The removal of refuse and garbage from populated areas has become a pressing problem. One solution to this problem resides in the procedure of reducing the refuse to compacted masses or bales and then to transport these compacted masses to locations at which the refuse is either destroyed or used for land fills, for example.

In reducing the refuse to compacted bales or compressed masses, it is desirable to have available a low cost compacting unit which may be readily installed in homes and apartment houses, for example, and which does not occupy a large amount of space. It is also desirable that such a compactor be operable in conjunction with existing flues which were previously used for conveying the refuse downward for incineration purposes. Whereas incinerators were previously used extensively to destroy the refuse, this method of discarding the refuse has been found to contaminate the atmosphere and environment to the extent that it may interfere with the human respiratory function and general health. As a result, various densely populated areas have outlawed the destruction of refuse through private incineration.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refuse compactor which is low in cost, may be readily fabricated, and occupies substantially little space.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a refuse compactor which may be easily installed in existing homes and buildings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a refuse compactor of the aforementioned character, which is operable in conjunction with existing incinerator flues in buildings.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a compactor which may be either manually or automatically operated and controlled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A refuse compactor in which a vertical tubular shell contains a hydraulic piston and cylinder for ramming refuse admitted into the cylinder through an opening beneath the piston head when retracted. The opening for admitting the refuse into the compactor, communicates with the hopper which, in turn, leads to the flue of an existing incinerator within a building. The vertical tubular shell is supported through structural frame members, and possesses a bottom door which is pivotally suspended from substantially the central portion of the cylinder. The door is swung away from beneath the bottom opening of the vertical cylinder when the compacted mass is to be ejected. At the same time, this door also serves as a base upon which the refuse is rammed to result in compacted blades. Upon pushing of a control button or switch, the compacting ram is reciprocated within the vertical cylinder for a period of time established through a timing device. When the refuse has become compacted within this period of time, hydraulic cylinders are further operated to swing the bottom door from the base of the vertical cylinder and to permit, thereby, the ejection of the compacted mass by the ramming cylinder. The ejection process is accomplished by fully extending the vertical ramming piston. A series of limit switches or a pressure switch determines the instant at which ejection of the compacted mass is to be carried out. A refuse can or container in the form of a disposable bag, for example, is located beneath the bottom door of the vertically held cylinder, and is used for the removal of the refuse from the compactor.

Various further and more specific purposes, features and advantages will clearly appear from the detailed description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification and illustrate merely by way of examples, embodiments of the device of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but such names are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings, in which FIG. I is a front elevational view of the compactor installed with feed hopper, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the compactor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the control arrangement for operating the compactor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational front view of a feeder unit for feeding refuse into the compactor from a hopper;

FIG. 5 is a partial side view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5a is a partial sectional view taken along line 5a5a in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a swivable container holding device for the refuse compactor in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing and in particular to FIG. 1, the outer shell casing or housing 10 of the compactor is supported by structural frame members l2, l4, and 16. The supporting structural frame members may be of standard steel structural cross sections in the form of I or H beam or column sections, for example. The horizontal supporting member 12 may be welded to the vertical member 14 which, in turn, may be secured through weldments to the base frame member 16.

Within the outer shell or casing 10 of the compactor, resides a stationary cylinder 18 into which a movable cylinder 20 is telescoped. The cylinder 18 serves as a bushing for the movable cylinder 20 which moves slidingly within the cylinders I8 along the longitudinal axis thereof. At the lower rim of the cylinder 20, is secured thereto a ring-shaped member 22. The ring-shaped member 22 moves with the cylinder 20, since the member 22 is secured to this cylinder. A circular cap-shaped member 24 covers the opening of the ring-shaped member 22. The cap-shaped member 24 also moves with the cylinder 20. The combination of the internal movable cylinder 20, ringshaped member 22 and cap 24 constitutes the compacting as well as ejecting piston. Thus, the inner movable cylinder 20 slides along the internal walls of the stationary cylinder 18 which, in turn, resides against the outer shell or housing 10 of the compactor.

When in the position of FIG. I, the compacting and ejecting piston 20-24 is in the retracted state in which case it occupies substantially half the internal volume of the compactor. To facilitate extension of the piston, a two-stage telescopic hydraulic mechanism is provided internal to the movable cylinder 20. This telescopic and hydraulic actuating mechanism consists of an outer sliding cylinder 26 which slides, in turn, on the outer wall of an inner cylinder 28. When in the retracted state of the compacting piston, the inner cylinder 28 resides within the interior of the cylinder 26. In view of the telescopic arrangement of these cylinders 25 and 28, the cylinder 26 will slide downward upon the outer wall of the cylinder 28 when extending the compacting piston, and the cylinder 28 will, in turn, slide downward on a still further inner cylinder 30. Thus, the cylinders, 26, 28, and 30 form a telescopic hydraulically operated cylinder arrangement. This telescopic arrangement of the ramming and ejecting actuating mechanism, permits the compactor in accordance with the present invention, to be constructed as a substantially small unit which may be readily installed within homes and apartment houses, for example.

The top of the outer shell or housing 10 is closed through a cap member 32 which is welded on to the top rim of the housing. For the purposes of admitting refuse within the confines of the compactor, the latter has an opening 34 which forms the entrance from a hopper 36 through which refuse is fed to the compactor. The hopper 36 is installed to communicate, in

turn, with an existing flue which was previously used, for example, as an incinerator flue or duct. Thus, in a practical installation the hopper 36 is installed directly at the lower end of the flue 38. The flue 38 is of the conventional type used to convey refuse downward for purposes of destruction through incineration. Accordingly, this same flue 38 is used, in accordance with the present invention, to convey the refuse or garbage downward into the hopper 36 from which the refuse is fed into he lower chamber of the compactor through opening 34. A hopper door 40 provides for access into the interior of the hopper by operating personnel in the event of blockages which may occur, for example, as a result of refuse having constituents of unusually large dimensions. The hopper 36 includes an inclined base 36a for the purpose of facilitating the transfer of the refuse from the hopper into the compactor, through the action of gravity.

To provide a base against which the refuse may be rammed through the compacting piston 20-24, a bottom door 42 is pivotally suspended at the bottom rim of the outer shell or housing 10. The bottom door 42 is suspended through substantially triangular brackets 44 which are pivotally held on pivoting shafts 46 secured to the outer shell by means of the structural support 48. By rotating the brackets 44 to the left, in the drawing, for example, the bottom door 42 may be swung away from the lower opening of the casing 10 of the compactor. For the purpose of carrying out such movement of the bottom door 42, a hydraulic cylinder and piston 50 and 52, respectively, are provided. The hydraulic cylinder 50 is pivotally secured at its back end through the pivot structure 54. The end of the piston 52, on the other hand, is pinned to the bracket 44 through the pin 56. Thus, when retracting the piston 52 within the cylinder 50, the bracket 44 is rotated so as to swing the door away from the bottom of the compactor and thereby permit refuse to be ejected therefrom.

For stable and reliable operation of the bottom door 42, two brackets 44 are provided, and both are pivoted from two pivoting pins 46 situated diametrically opposite each other with respect to the central axis of the housing or casing 10. In conjunction with the two brackets 44, two hydraulic cylinders and pistons 50, and 52 are provided for cooperating with the two brackets 44. When the piston 52. retracts into the cylinder 50 and thereby produces rotation of the bracket 44, the end of the piston 52 at the pin 56, executes rotational motion. In order to permit such rotational motion to take place freely and allow the door 42 to be moved into open position through rotation of the brackets 44, the rear end of the cylinder 50 is pivoted through the pivoting arrangement 54. Consequently, with the inclusion of the pivot 54, the pinned end of the piston 52 is free to rotate with rotation of the bracket 44 so as to result in the swinging away of the bottom door 42 from the bottom opening of the housing or casing 10.

with the removal of the bottom door 42 in this manner, the compacted mass or refuse may be freely ejected through downward motion of the compacting and ejecting piston composed of

elements

20, 22, 24. The kinematic requirements for motion of the bottom door 42, furthermore, necessitates the removal or cutout of the base of the housing 10 along half of its bottom circumference and along the line 58. Thus, to permit rotation of the bottom door 42 about the pivot 46, through the brackets 44, the base of the housing or casing 10 of the compactor must be cut away along the line 58 in order to prevent interference between the housing and the swinging door. When the door 42 is in closed position, however, it is undesirable to have the cutaway portion of the base of the housing 10 exposed, since refuse would be squeezed out through such cutaway opening during the compacting process.

To prevent the emergence of such refuse through the eutaway portion of the housing at the bottom thereof, a covering rim portion 60 is secured to the base door 42, for the purpose of covering up the cutaway portions when the door 42 is in closed position. Thus, the rim portion 60 is a member surrounding the outer housing or casing 10 and moves with the door 42 as it is secured thereto. When, accordingly, the door is swung away into open position, the cutaway portion of the bottom of the housing 10 is exposed, but this is of no consequence since at that time the mass has been compacted and is being ejected. When the bottom door 42 is in closed position preparatory to the compacting of the refuse, the cutaway portion is covered through the covering member 60 which extends over and envelopes the cutaway portion, so that no refuse can be squeezed therethrough as a result of the compacting process.

When the refuse has been compacted into a mass or bale of predetermined size or density, and the bottom door 42 is in open position, the refuse may be ejected into a container or can 62 beneath the bottom opening of the housing or casing 10. The container 62 and be, for example, in the form of a waste can of a disposable plastic bag into which the compacted refuse is dropped. When using a disposable bag for the container, it may be desirable to use in conjunction with the bag, a metal type of can or container which supports the bag while being filled. In that event, the supporting container is continuously reused, and the disposable bag serves as a lining for the container which is removed when the bag is filled. The container 62, furthermore, may be manually placed in position beneath the opening of the housing 10 and manually removed after the container has been filled with refuse. At the same time, an automatic arrangement may be provided whereby a plurality of containers 62 are mounted or positioned on a circular conveyor, for example, and this conveyor is indexed as required so as to place an empty container beneath the compactor bottom opening and to remove the container therefrom after having been filled with compacted refuse.

The operation of the refuse compactor, in accordance with the present invention, may be carried out through the arrangement shown in schematic form in FIG. 3. The compacting cylinder and

piston

18, 20, 22, 24 are actuated through a hydraulic pump 64 which draws operating oil from a reservoir 66. The hydraulic pump is set into functional operation through a controlling unit 68 which may be actuated through either a manual input 70 or an automatic input 72. When manual operation of the compactor is to be carried out and the controlling unit 68 is actuated through the manual input 70, the hydraulic pump 64 is set into motion and the compacting piston is reciprocated for a time interval established by the controlling unit 68. After the expiration of such a predetermined time interval, the compacting piston is stopped from further operation and is held in raised position. This time interval for operating the compacting piston is selected so as to reciprocate the compacting ram or piston for a sufficiently long time to assure that the refuse introduced into the compacting space through the opening 34, has been properly processed and compacted.

To determine when a compacted bale or mass of refuse has been completed so that the ejection cycle may be initiated, a pressure switch '74 communicates with the hydraulic line 78 between the hydraulic pump 64 and the compacting cylinder and piston. Thus, when the compacting pressure attains a predetermined level, the refuse under compaction has attained a predetermined density, and when this density corresponds to that of the desired completed bale or compacted mass, the pressure switch 74 is actuated through the communicating line 80 which transmits the hydraulic pressure, applied to the compacting cylinder and piston, to the switch 74. when the pressure within the line 80 has attained the predetermined level at which the refuse has been compacted to the desired density, the pressure switch 74 transmits a signal to the controlling unit 68 along the path 82.

Upon the transmission of this signal along the path 82, the ejection door operating cylinder and piston, 50 and 52 are set into functional operation so as to remove the door 42 into open position. An auxiliary pump 84 may be actuated for this purpose of operating the cylinder and piston 50, 52 as a result of a signal transmitted from the controlling unit 68 along the path 86. The pump 84 also draws operating oil or fluid from the reservoir 66. In lieu of the auxiliary pump 84, it is also possible to have only one pump 64 and to operate the different cylinders and piston in the arrangement through the actuation of electromagnetically controlled fluid valves. Once the ejection door 42 has been removed from beneath the bottom opening of the compactor housing 10, the controlling unit applies a signal along the path 88 to the hydraulic pump 64 for the purposes of extending the compacting piston into an ejecting stroke. Upon ejection of the compacted mass, in this manner, the compacting piston is again retracted and the ejection door 42 is closed through a sequence of operations established by controlling unit 68.

The completion of the compacted mass or bale corresponding to a predetermined compacted size or volume, may also be established through the use of

limit switches

90 and 92. These two limit switches are mounted spaced from each other along the vertical travel of the compacting piston. The locations of the two limit switches are selected so that when a compacted mass or bale of refuse has been completed, the limit switch 92 lies beneath the top surface of the compacted bale, whereas the limit switch 90 lies above the top surface of the bale. Accordingly, when the compacting piston is reciprocatingly moved in the performance of the compacting process, and the amount of accumulated refuse is not sufficient to form a compacted mass of the predetermined size for ejection, both

switches

90 and 92 will become actuated during the travel of the compacting piston. When, on the other hand, the amount of refuse is sufiicient to form a complete compacted bale, only the limit switch 90 will become actuated, and the limit switch 92 will remain unactuated since the compacting piston will no longer extend downward to the level at which this switch 92 is located. Consequently, by transmitting the signals from the two

limit switches

90 and 92 to the controlling unit 62, it is possible to determine when a compacted bale of the desired size has been completed. When both

limit switches

90 and 92 become successively operated and transmit signals to the controlling unit, this designation of the two signals prevailing in sequence is used as the designation that the compacted mass has not yet attained the desired size. When, on the other hand, the limit switch 90 only transmits a signal and the switch 92 does not thereafter transmit a signal as well, this situation is designated as the one in which the compacted mass has been completed, whereupon the ejection cycle can be initiated.

For sanitary purposes, a spraying unit 94 can be actuated from the controlling unit 68 to spray disinfectant into the accumulated refuse within the compactor whenever the piston has been retracted or is in raised position. The controlling unit 68 may also be used to operate and control a conveyor 96 which is indexed to place an empty container 62 beneath the bottom opening of the compactor housing, and to remove the container afterward when it has been filled with compacted refuse. The operation of such an indexed conveyor, for example, is realized through the application of controlling signals from the unit 68. In conjunction with the operation of such a conveyor 96, the system is set to automatic operation through actuation of the automatic input 72.

To facilitate transfer of the refuse within the hopper 36 and into the compactor beneath the piston, through the opening 34, the arrangement of FIG. 4 is used. This refuse feeding arrangement includes a shovel member 100 rotatable about a pivot 102. The shovel member 100 is an enclosed unit having surfaces in the form of plates 100a, and 100c. The plates 100a and 100b are angularly spaced from each other, and the plate 100: is curved along an arc of a circle drawn about the pivot 102. The shovel member 100 is pinned to one end of a connecting rod 104, through the pin arrangement 106. The other end of the connecting rod 104 is pinned to a bar member 108. The bar member 108 is situated outside of the outer housing 10.

When the rod member 108 is raised, the connecting rod 104 is substantially also raised in position and thereby pulls on the pin 106. Through this force and motion exerted upon the pin 106. the shovel member 100 is rotated about the pivot 102, so

that the shovel member moves into the interior of the hopper and towards the opening 34 of the compactor. In executing this rotational motion, the shovel member forces refuse through the opening 34, by means of the plate 10%.

To maintain adequate closure between the plate member 1000 and the lower surface 36a of the hopper, the plate 1006 is curved along a cylindrical surface with axis through the pivot 102. Through such curvature of the plate 1000, the refuse within the hopper 36 cannot pass through the space between the hopper surface 36a and the exterior surface of the plate 100C. Consequently, through such designs of the shovel member 100 with curved plate 1000, the shovel member may freely move to feed refuse into the compactor, without refuse spilling out of the hopper, as a result of this feed motion.

For the purpose of obtaining a symmetrically balanced unit, two such connecting rods 104 are provided at each end of the shovel member 100. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 5. Both of these connecting rods 104 are pinned to the rod member 108. Extension or tension springs I10 act on the rod member 108 and urge this rod member in a downward direction. Two such springs 110 are provided for symmetrical purposes, and to obtain smooth operation of the feed arrangement.

To limit the downward motion of the connecting rod 104 due to the forces applied by the springs 110, a stop 112 is provided for each one of the connecting rods. This stop 112 allows the connecting rod to come to rest at a predetermined level or position along the height of the compactor. When the connecting rod 104 rests against the pin 112, the plate 100b of the shovel member 100 lies planar with the lower hopper wall 36a. The connecting rod 104 is provided with a projecting portion 104a through which the connecting rod is positively and firmly seated upon the stop 112 when pulled downward by the spring 110. Consequently, in the nonoperative position of the feed arrangement, the plate 10% of the shovel member 100 lies along the lower wall 36a, and provides a continuous surface for the hopper.

The cylinder 18 is slotted through an elongated slot 114 extended along the vertical axis of the compactor. Through this slot 114 shown in FIG. 5, passes a guide block member 116 which is secured to the wall 20 of the piston. The arrangement is such that as the piston 20 moves up and down, the guide block member 116 moves correspondingly up and down through the slot 114. The guide block member 116 supports an actuating bracket 118 with projecting ends 1180. The bracket 118 is secured to the guide block 116 and moves, thereby, in an upward and downward direction directly along with the guide block which projects through the slot 114.

When the piston 20 moves in an upward direction, the bracket 118 is brought into contact with the rod member 108 through the projecting portions 1180. With the raising of the piston towards its uppermost position, the bracket 118 forces the rod member 108 in the upward direction also. This upward motion of the rod member 108 results in the lifting of the connecting rod 104 and thereby rotation of the shovel member 100. With such motion of the shovel member, the refuse is fed into the compactor below the piston through the opening 34.

When the piston has finally attained its uppermost position, the springs 110 will be extended corresponding to that position of the piston and hence the position of the connecting rod 104. Consequently, when the piston descends subsequently for the purpose of compacting the refuse which has been fed into the compacting chamber beneath the piston, the springs 110 force the connecting rods 104 back to their downward position where they come to rest on the stops 112. When the connecting rods finally reach this lowermost position, the shovel member 100 is aligned, through its plate member 100b, with the lower wall 36a of the hopper. The feed arrangement, in accordance with the present invention, therefore operated in a manner whereby the shovel member 100 forces refuse into the compactor whenever the piston 20 moves upward, whereas the shovel member 100 returns to its nonoperative position, when the piston moves in a downward ramming or ejection stroke.

To facilitate removal of the refuse from the container 62, the construction of FIG. 6 is used. In this design, a circular ring 200 is supported or suspended by a vertical rotatable shaft member 202. This shaft member 202 also supports a lower circular plate 204.

Vertical rods

206 and 208 serve to connect the ring member 200 and plate member 204, in the assembly, and provide the necessary structural rigidity. Thus, the combination of the elements 200 to 208 constitute a container holder which is pivoted through the shaft member 202. By gripping the ring member 200, for example, it is possible to rotate the latter together with the container 62 about the axis of the shaft member 202. Through such rotation of the container holder and container 62 therein, it is possible to conveniently move the container 62 away from beneath the bottom door 34 for the purpose of removing the container and transporting it away. In swinging the container 62 through its holding assembly away from beneath the bottom door or ejection door 42, it is possible to perform this swinging motion to either side of the compactor, so that the container 62 may be conveniently exposed to the operator at either his leftor right-hand side.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a certain preferred embodiment, it will be unclerstood by those skilled in the art after understanding the principle of the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Refuse compacting apparatus comprising in combination, a vertical substantially tubular housing having a first opening at the lower end thereof; feed means adjacent to said housing for feeding refuse into the interior of said housing through a second opening in said housing above said first opening; a telescopic piston and cylinder arranged vertically within said housing and reciprocatingly movable along a vertical path within said housing for compacting said refuse fed into the interior of said housing and ejecting the compacted mass from said housing through said first opening; door means covering said first opening when in closed position and supporting said refuse while being compacted by said telescopic piston and cylinder; suspension means for suspending said door means beneath said first opening when in closed position; and door operating means for moving automatically said door means from said first opening after said refuse has been compacted for ejection of said compacted mass by said telescopic piston and cylinder returning said door means beneath said first opening for covering said first opening after said compacted mass has been ejected.

2. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim I wherein said door means is pivotally suspended by said suspension means.

3. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said suspension means comprises pivot means and bracket means secured to said door means and pivotally rotatable about said pivot means.

4. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said pivot means is mounted substantially above said door means and in proximity of the central portion along the vertical height of said tubular housing.

5. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said door operating means comprises hydraulic cylinder and piston means.

6. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said piston comprises two telescopic members.

7. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means comprises hopper means adjacent to said tubular housing.

8. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 7 including access door means on said hopper means for providing access to the interior of said hopper means.

9. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 including container means beneath said first opening for receiving said compacted mass of refuse upon ejection from said tubular housingf.

10. The re use compacting apparatus as defined in claim 9 including conveyor means for supporting said container means and conveying said container means to and from beneath said first opening of said tubular housing.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including container means beneath said door means for receiving said compacted mass of refuse after ejection through said door means; and rotatable container holding means for holding said container and being swivable away from beneath said door means.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said container holder means comprises a vertical rotatable shaft member; and a supporting base member secured to said rotatable shaft member for supporting said container, said container being swivable away from beneath said door means through rotation of said rotatable shaft member.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 including a ringshaped member above said supporting base member and secured to said rotatable shaft member for retaining said container in predetermined position in said container holding means.

Claims

1. Refuse compacting apparatus comprising in combination, a vertical substantially tubular housing having a first opening at the lower end thereof; feed means adjacent to said housing for feeding refuse into the interior of said housing through a second opening in said housing above said first opening; a telescopic piston and cylinder arranged vertically within said housing and reciprocatingly movable along a vertical path within said housing for compacting said refuse fed into the interior of said housing and ejecting the compacted mass from said housing through said first opening; door means covering said first opening when in closed position and supporting said refuse while being compacted by said telescopic piston and cylinder; suspension means for suspending said door means beneath said first opening when in closed position; and door operating means for moving automatically said door means from said first opening after said refuse has been compacted for ejection of said compacted mass by said telescopic piston and cylinder returning said door means beneath said first opening for covering said first opening after said compacted mass has been ejected.

2. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said door means is pivotally suspended by said suspension means.

9. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 including container means beneath said first opening for receiving said compacted mass of refuse upon ejection from said tubular housing.

10. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 9 including conveyor means for supporting said container means and conveying said container means to and from beneath said first opening of said tubular housing.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 including a ring-shaped member above said supporting base member and secured to said roTatable shaft member for retaining said container in predetermined position in said container holding means.