US3890890A

US3890890A - Waste compactor with clamshell bag support

Info

Publication number: US3890890A
Application number: US342979A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ransom J Hennells
Original assignee: COMPACTOR CO Inc
Current assignee: COMPACTOR CO Inc
Priority date: 1973-03-20
Filing date: 1973-03-20
Publication date: 1975-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-24
Also published as: CA1009623A

Abstract

A waste compactor comprising a cabinet having an extendible ram assembly mounted adjacent the upper end thereof and a removable dolly associated with the lower end thereof. The dolly is adapted to support a vertically elongated support device which is adapted to be inserted into the interior of a disposable flexible bag for supporting the bag in an open and upright position for permitting trash to be deposited therein when the support device and bag is disposed on the dolly and positioned under the ram assembly. The support device also acts as a liner for protecting the bag.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Hennells June 24, 1975 [75] Inventor: Ransom J. Hennells, Plymouth Townshhip, Wayne County, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Compactor Company, Inc.,

- Belleville, Mich.

[22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1973 [21} Appl. No.: 342,979

[52] US. Cl. 100/48; 100/53; 100/229 A;

100/269 R; 141/390; 220/65 R [51] I Int. Cl B30b 15/18 [58] Field of Search 91/35; 60/D1G. 2, 431;

100/229 A, 229 R, 43, 48, 51, 269 R, 221, 224, 153; 220/65 [56] References Cited 3,463,079 8/1969 Corbett 100/229 A 3,601,953 8/1971 Boyd 100/229 A 3,691,944 9/1972 Boyd IOU/229 A 3,741,107 6/1973 Boyd et a1... 100/229 3,765,148 10/1973 Ippolito lOO/229 A OTHER PUBLICATIONS Pamphlet entitled Envirpol 2 sheets Feb. 6, 1973.

Primary Examir't'erBil1y J. Wilhite Attorney, Agent, or FirmWoodhams, Blanchard and Flynn 57 ABSTRACT A waste Compactor comprising a cabinet having an extendible ram assembly mounted adjacent the upper end thereof and a removable dolly associated with the lower end thereof. The dolly is adapted to support a vertically elongated support device which is adapted to be inserted into the interior of a disposable flexible bag for supporting the bag in an open and upright position for permitting trash to be deposited therein when the support device and bag is disposed on the dolly and positioned under the ram assembly. The support device also acts as a liner for protecting the bag.

Claims, 10 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEDJUN 24 1915 PATENTEDJUN 24 I975 SHEET ll-lllll WASTE COMPACTOR WITH CLAMSI-IELL BAG SUPPORT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is related to my copending application Ser. No. 297 822, filed Oct. 16, 1972, and entitled Waste Compactor with Clamshell Bag Support.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a waste disposal device for compacting paper and related compressible products and, in particular, relates to an improved waste compacting device which is of compact size and provides maximum operator safety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION My copending applications Ser. Nos. 297 822 and 297 823 (now US. Pat. No. 3,827,348), both filed Oct. l6, l972, disclose therein waste compacting devices which are of compact size and provide maximum operator safety. In the compacting devices disclosed in these applications, the trash is deposited into a receptacl such as a disposable bag, by means of a hopper or chute which is swingably mounted on the housing. While such a chute does facilitate depositing of waste intothe receptacle without requiring removal of the receptacle from beneath the ram, nevertheless the chute results in the overall compacting device being of substantially increased size, particularly height. This also requires that the ram be provided with increased stroke, thereby also resulting in the size of the power unit, particularly the fluid pressure cylinder, being increased. This also results in an increase in the overall size, weight and cost of the device.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an improved waste compacting device similar to the device disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 297 822, but wherein the device incorporates still further improvements so as to make the device more adaptable for use in a wide range of use situations.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved waste compacting device which is of small and compact size, which device is still able to efficiently compact rather large quantities of waste, whereupon the device can be efficiently used in numerous and varied types of use situations, particularly for use in apartment buildings, condominiums, small restaurants, offlces, residences, commercial buildings and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved compacting device, as aforesaid, which includes an improved power unit which not only minimizes the size and cost of the overall device, but also increases the reliability thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved compacting device, as aforesaid, wherein the power unit includes a reversible motor and pump associated with a fluid pressure cylinder for controlling the extension and retraction of the compacting ram, whereupon the extension and retraction of the ram occurs automatically according to a timed sequence as controlled by the reversing of the motor and the pump so that the overall fluid control system associated with the pump and the fluid pressure cylinder is free of shiftable flow control valves, pressure switches and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved compacting device, as aforesaid, which incorporates therein an improved dolly for supporting a disposable bag during the filling and compacting of trash therein, which dolly has associated therewith a removable support device which is insertable within the bag and which coacts with movable holding arms on the dolly for holding the support device and the bag firmly on the dolly.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved compacting device, as aforesaid, which includes; improved guide structure coacting between the removable dolly and the housing for facilitating movement of the dolly into or out of the housing.

Other objects and purposes of the present invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with devices of this type upon reading the following specifications and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved compacting device constructed according to the present invention, same-being illustrated with the dolly removed from the housing and with certain elements omitted from the dolly for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 2 is a side, central sectional view of the compacting device illustrated in FIG. 1, same being illustrated in its closed position and with the ram in its upward retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a frontview of the compacting device, same being illustrated with the front upper cover and dolly removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the improved dolly of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and illustrating the bag support device mounted on the dolly.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the dolly having the bag support device mounted thereon.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view similar to the bottom portion of FIG. 3 and illustrating therein the guide rail structure coacting between the dolly and the housing.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line VII-VII in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along the line IXIX in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the control system, both fluid and electrical, for the compacting device of the present invention.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only but will not be limiting. For example, the words upwardly, downwardly, rightwardly and leftwardly will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inwardly and outwardly will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A waste compactor comprising a cabinet having a fluid pressure-operated extendible ram assembly mounted adjacent the upper end thereof and having a removable dolly assembly adjacent the lower end thereof for supporting a disposable bag under the ram assembly. The bag is supported on the dolly by a sup port device which includes a pair of opposed members which are pivotally connected to form a clamshell-like structure. The support device is positionable in the interior of the bag with the friction between the device and the bag being sufficient to support the bag in an open upright position under the ram assembly. The support device, which is freestanding on the dolly and resembles a vertically elongated tubular structure, also functions as a liner for protecting the bag. The support device and dolly have movable latch members coacting therebetween for holding the support device on the dolly for preventing lifting of the support device away from the dolly during the retraction of the ram. The ram assembly, which includes a fluid pressure cylinder, is actuated by a reversible pump and motor unit which causes automatic'extension and retraction of the ram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a waste compactor constructed according to the present invention, which compactor includes a substantially box-like housing 11 containing therein a ram assembly 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for permitting waste to be compacted within a disposable receptacle, such as a flexible plastic bag.

The housingll includes a pair of opposed and substantially

parallel sidewalls

13 and 14 fixedly interconnected by a back wall 16 and a top wall 17. The upper portion of the front side of the housing 11 is closed by means of a removable upper panel 18. The lower front side of the housing is closed by means of a panel 19 which comprises a portion of a removable cart or dolly 21. The dolly 21 is adapted to have a flexible bag B supported thereon, which bag is supported in an open upright position on the dolly by means of a removable support device 22.

Considering first the dolly 21 (FIG. 4), the front panel 19 thereof is provided with substantially perpendicular flanges 26 extending along the opposite vertical edges thereof, which flanges are designed to overlap the adjacent front edges of the

housing sidewalls

13 and 14. The dolly further includes a floor 27 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is of corrugated construction to increase the strength and rigidity of same. The floor 27 preferably has the forward edge thereof upturned to form a flange 28. The floor 27 and front panel 19 are additionally fixed interconnected by a pair of spaced and substantially parallel angle plates 29 which are disposed adjacent the opposite sides of the dolly. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flange 28, plates 29 and panel 19 thus completely surround and enclose the floor 27 and are preferably sealingly connected thereto, as by being welded thereto, and thereby define a substantially closed compartment of a predetermined depth, as defined by the front flange 28, for collecting therein any liquids which may escape from the bag during the compacting operation.The dolly 21 is further provided with a plurality of rollers or casters 31 thereon to permit same to be rollingly moved about on a suitable support surface, such as on the floor or on the ground.

When the dolly 21 is disposed within the housing 11, the floor 27 of the dolly is supported upon a pair of

elongated guide rails

32 and 33 which are fixedly secured to the lower inner ends of the

housing sidewalls

13 and 14, respectively. The

guide rails

32 and 33 are suitably vertically spaced above the floor to assume the weight of the dolly 21, whereby the rollers 31 are thus maintained out of engagement with the supporting floor or surface. The guide rails 32 and 33 as shown in FIGS. 7-9 are provided with an inverted L-shaped configuration and are disposed in opposed relationship to one another. The guide rails 32 and 33 define upper slide surfaces 34 thereon for slidably engaging and supporting the under surface of the dolly 21.

The dolly 21, as illustrated in FIG. 7, has the lower edges of the parallel angle plates 29 bent inwardly to form flanges 36 which project under the floor 27 and are fixedly secured thereto. The flanges 36 project inwardly under the opposite edges of the floor 27 for only a small distance, but are of sufficient width to provide a substantial bearing engagement with the upper slide surfaces 34. The dolly 21 is additionally provided with a base plate 37 fixedly secured to the undersurface of the floor 27, which base plate 37 extends between the flanges 36. The opposite edges of the base plate 37 are in turn bent downwardly and outwardly to form a pair of substantially L-shaped

guide flanges

38 and 39, which flanges open outwardly in opposite directions. The L-shaped

flanges

38 and 39 project under the bottom guide surfaces 41 as formed on the opposed

guide rails

32 and 33.

The forward end of the horizontal leg portion of each

guide rail

32 and 33 is recessed, as at 42 (FIG. 8), so as to accommodate a cam roller 43 which is disposed in substantial alignment with the horizontal leg portion of each guide rail and is rotatably supported by means of a pivot pin 44. The cam roller 43 is positioned so that the uppermost point on the roller is disposed slightly above the upper slide surface 34. The horizontal leg portion of each

guide rail

32 and 33 is also provided with a further recess 46 formed therein and spaced approximately three-fourths of the overall length of the guide rail from the forward end thereof. A further cam roller 47 is disposed within the recess 46 and is rotatably supported by a further pivot pin 48. The cam roller 47 is positioned so that the lowermost point on the roller is disposed slightly below the lower slide surface 41. The

rollers

43 and 47 are each of the same diameter and each have a diameter substantially equal to the vertical thickness of the horizontal leg portion of the guide rails 32 and 33. The rotational axes defined by the pivot pins 44 and 48 are thus respectively offset slightly above and below the longitudinally extending center line of the horizontal leg portion of the guide rails to thus result in the

rollers

43 and 47 being disposed respectively slightly above and below the upper and lower slide surfaces 34 and 41, respectively. Further, the vertical spacing between the intumed flanges 36 and the horizontal legs of the

guide flanges

38 and 39, which structure forms a substantially channel-shaped configuration, is slightly greater than the diameter of the

rollers

43 and 47 to enable the dolly 21 to be rollingly inserted into or removed from the housing 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front plate 19 of dolly 21 projects upwardly so as to overlap the lower part of the front wall 18 of the housing when the dolly is positioned within the housing. To permit the dolly to be locked in position within the housing, the housing is provided with a locking member 51 mounted on the front wall 18 and vertically movable relative thereto between an upper unlocking position and a lower locking position. The locking member 51 specifically includes a platelike member 52 which overlies wall 18 and is connected thereto by a pair of guide pins or bolts 53, which pins extend through a pair of elongated guide slots 54 formed in the plate 52. The upper edge of the plate 52 is bent outwardly to form a handle 56, and the lower edge of the plate is similarly bent outwardly to form a laterally offset flange 57 which projects downwardly and overlaps the upper edge of the front plate 19 of the dolly 21 when same is disposedwithin the housing.

The dolly 21 is provided with a projecting flange or handle 58 fixedly secured adjacent the upper edge thereof for permitting the dolly to be manually slidably moved into or removed from the housing. Further, a conventional permanent magnet 59 is fixedly secured to the dolly between the front wall 19 and the handle 4 58 and is disposed for coaction with a conventional magnetic switch 61, which switch in turn is connected to the conventional on-off switch 62 controlled by the actuator member 63. This structure is identical to the actuator structure and switch structure described in my copending application Serial No. 297 822.

Considering now the support device 22 (FIG. 5), same includes a pair of elongated channel-

like elements

66 and 67, which elements are disposed in opposed relationship to one another so that they form a substantially vertically elongated and upwardly extending tube-like structure having a substantially square or rectangular cross section. The element 66 is slightly wider than the element 67 so that the element 66 slidably overlaps the element 67. The

elements

66 and 67 have their upper adjacent corners pivotally interconnected by pivot pins or rivets 68, which rivets 68 permit the

elements

66 and 67 to be swung outwardly away from one another. Alternately, the lower ends of the

elements

66 and 67 can be pivotally swung inwardly toward one another so that they substantially overlap.

In the illustrated embodiment, the one element 67 is formed as a deep channel-shaped element having leg portions which define the complete width or thickness of the support device 22. On the other hand, the other element 66 comprises a flat sheetlike member which is formed with small flanges or tabs on the opposed edges thereof, which flanges enable the two elements to be pivotally interconnected. The flanges of element 66 overlap the free edges of the sidewalls of the element The support device 22 preferably has the

channellike elements

66 and 67 constructed from a light sheetlike metal, such as steel or aluminum, whereupon the device is relatively durable but of light weight. The device 22 is adapted to be disposed in the interior of the empty bag B, whereupon the friction which exists between the exterior walls of the device 22 and the inte- I rior wall of the bag B results in the bag B being maintained in an open upright condition in surrounding relationship to the device 22 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, the device 22 with the bag surrounding same is adapted to be positioned on the floor 27 of the dolly 21,

the device 22 being self-supporting on the floor of the mounted and maintained on the dolly 21, the dolly is provided with a pair of opposed latching arms 71 hingedly mounted on the front plate 19 by substantially vertical hinges 72. The arms 71, which are disposed adjacent the opposite sides of the dolly and are substantially aligned with the angle plates 29, are provided with opposed inwardly projecting locking pins 73 thereon. The pins 73 are adapted to be inserted through suitable aligned openings 74 formed in the sidewalls of the channel member 67 adjacent the upper end thereof. The openings 74 are located substantially within the center plane of the device 22. The arms 71, when disposed in locking engagement with the support device 22 (as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6), thus pre vents the support device from being lifted upwardly away from the floor 27. However, the arms 71 can be individually manually moved outwardly so as to disengage the support device 22, as illustrated by the dotted line position in FIG. 6, thereby enabling removal of the device 22 from the dolly.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an intermediate substantially horizontal partition or support plate 76 is disposed within the housing 1 l and extends thereacross in substantially parallel relationship with the top wall 17, and divides the housing into a top equipment compartment 77 and a bottom trash compacting compartment 78. The intermediate partition 76 is fixedly secured to the top, back and sidewalls of the housing 11 and thus effectively seals and totally closes the equipment compartment 77 for isolating same from the trash compacting compartment 78.

The equipment compartment 77 has a conventional double-acting fluid pressure cylinder 81 positioned therein, which cylinder is a part of the ram assembly 12. The cylinder 81 includes a conventional cylinder housing 82 which has the lower end thereof fixedly secured to the partition 76. A conventional piston rod 83 slidably projects downwardly through the plate 76 into the trash compacting compartment 78 and is provided with a substantially square or rectangular compacting plate or ram 84 fixedly secured to the lower free end thereof. The ram 84 also has a guide rod 86 fixedly secured thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom in substantially parallel relationship to the piston rod 83. Guide rod 86 slidably extends through a suitable opening formed in the partition 76 for preventing rotation of the piston rod 83 and the ram 84 mounted thereon. Pressure fluid is supplied to and from the cylinder 81 by

conduits

87 and 88 which are connected to a power unit 89 which, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, includes a conventional reversible rotary pump 91 associated with an oil reservoir 92 and driven by a conventional reversible electric motor 93.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the reversible rotary pump 91, such as a gear pump, is driven by the reversible electric motor 92 so that, depending upon the direction of pump rotation, pressurized fluid can be supplied to either of the

conduits

87 and 88 for enabling either extension or retraction of the piston rod 83. For enabling and for additionally permitting the direction of pump rotation to be reversed, the one port 91a of pump 91 is connected to the reservoir 92 by a pair of

parallel flow conduits

94 and 96. Conduit 94 has a spring loaded one-way check valve 97 associated therewith for permitting flow of fluid into the reservoir when the fluid pressure in conduit 87 exceeds a predetermined level, as determined by the bias of the spring associated with the check valve. However, flow of fluid through conduit 94 in a direction away from the reservoir is positively prevented. The conduit 96 also includes a one-way check valve 98 associated therewith which positively prevents flow of fluid toward the reservoir, but enables free flow of fluid from the reservoir through the conduit 96 for supply to the pump 91.

The fluid control system includes a further pair of

parallel conduits

101 and 102 connected between the other port 91b of the pump 91 and the reservoir 92. These conduits also contain therein check

valves

103 and 104 which are analagous to the

check valves

97 and 98, respectively. That is, check valve 103 is again a spring-loaded check valve which positively prevents flow of fluid through conduit 101 away from the reservoir 92, while it permits flow of fluid through conduit 101 into the reservoir when the fluid pressure in the conduit 88 exceeds a predetermined level as determined by the bias of the spring associated with the check valve 103. Similarly, the check valve 104 positively presents flow of fluid back toward the reservoir 92, but permits free flow of fluid from the reservoir 92 so that the fluid may be supplied to the pump 91. The

check valves

103 and 104 act in opposite directions with respect to flow fluid toward and away from the reservoir, and the

check valves

97 and 98 similarly so act. The operation of the fluid control system in relationship to the overall compacting device will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

The compactor of the present invention also includes a control system associated therewith, which control system includes actuator means 106 for permitting actuation of the power unit for causing activation of the ram assembly and also includes safety interlock means 107 for positively preventing activation of the ram assembly except when the dolly is in its closed position within the housing.

The actuator means 106 includes the manually movable actuator member 63 slidably supported on the panel 18. The rearward end of the member 63 is positioned in engagement with the actuator lever of the conventional on-off electrical switch 62.

To insure that the actuator means cannot be activated to cause energization of the ram assembly when the dolly 21 is removed from the housing, the campactor 10 is additionally provided with the safety interlock means 107 associated therewith. The safety means 82 includes the above-mentioned magnetically actuated switch 61 which is mounted adjacent the inside surface of the panel 18 adjacent the lower edge thereof, substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Switch 61 is actuated and closed by the permanent magnet 59 which is secured to the upper edge of the dolly 22. So long as the switch 61 remains in an open position, such as whenever the dolly is removed from the housing, then the motor 93 cannot be activated irrespective of the position of the on-off actuator switch 62. However, when the dolly is in a closed position (see FIG. 2), magnet 59 causes closure of switch 61 so that the motor can then be energized by actuation of the actuator switch 62.

Considering now the control system for the motor 93, same includes power leads 108 and 109 (FIG. 10) for supplying electrical energy to the reversible motor 93. A conventional reversing switch 111 is associated with

leads

108 and 109 for enabling the direction of motor rotation to be selectively reversed. The reversing switch 111 also has a timer 112 connected thereto for controlling the operation thereof. The timer 112, which is of conventional construction, such as a conventional rotary cam-type timer, is designed to maintain the reversing switch in one activated position (upper position in FIG. 10) for causing rotation of the motor in one direction for a first preset time interval, whereupon the timer 112 then deactivates the reversing switch by moving it to a neutral position to permit stopping of the motor 93 for a preselected time, whereupon timer 112 then moves the switch 111 to a second active position (lower position in FIG. 10) to thus cause rotation of the motor 93 in the opposite direction for a selected period of time. Timer 112 then returns the reversing switch 111 to a neutral open position for de-energizing the motor 93.

OPERATION The operation of the compactor constructed according to the present invention will be briefly described to insure a complete understanding thereof.

It will first be assumed that the compactor 10 is in an inoperative position wherein the dolly 21 is removed from the housing. To ready the compactor 10 for use, the support device 22 is inserted into the interior of a flexible bag B and the sidewall of the bag is pulled upwardly in surrounding relationship to the device. The support device 22 with the bag B surrounding same is then positioned on the floor 27 of the dolly 22, the lower free ends of the

elements

66 and 67 being confined between the front panel 19 and the upturned flange 28. The friction which exists between the bag and the support device 22 maintains the bag in an upright condition in surrounding relationship to the support device. The arms 71 are swung inwardly until the pins 73 project through the openings 74, thereby holding the device 22 firmly positioned on the dolly 21.

The dolly 21 remains removed from the housing and trash is then deposited into the bag B until it is substantially filled. The dolly 21 is then wheeled into position directly in front of the housing 11, the dolly being pushed into the housing so that the floor of the dolly is cammed upwardly by the rollers 43 so that the floor of the dolly is thus substantially slidably supported on the guide rails 32 and 33. However, in order to permit the dolly 21 to be fully inserted into the housing, the locking plate 51 is first manually lifted vertically upwardly into its uppermost position, whereupon the dolly is then slidably inserted all the way into the housing. With the dolly so positioned within the housing, the locking plate 51 is then allowed to drop downwardly to its lowermost position so that the lower flange 57 thereof overlaps the upper edge of the front wall 19 of the dolly 21. The locking plate 51, in conjunction with the close confinement provided between the channel-shaped guide rails on the bottom of the dolly and the associated guides 32 and 33 on the housing, thus substantially fixedly locks the dolly within the lower portion of the housing so that the support device 22 and the surrounding bag B is disposed in substantial alignment with and beneath the ram assembly 12.

Further, with the dolly fully inserted within the housing, the magnet 59 causes actuation and closure of the safety switch 61, whereupon the compactor can thus be manually actuated by means of the manual control apparatus 106.

The operator then manually displaces the actuator rod 63 to cause closing of the on-off switch 62. This thus causes energization of the timer 112 which immediately causes the normally open reversing switch 111 to be moved into a first active position for allowing electrical energy to be supplied to the motor 93, thereby causing the motor 93 to rotate in a first rotational direction (for example clockwise in FIG. 10) whereupon the pump is likewise caused to rotate in a first direction so that pressure fluid is supplied from the pump 91 into the conduit 87 for supply to the upper end of the cylinder 81 for causing the piston rod 83 and ram 84 to be extended downwardly to compact the waste within the bag B. Since the waste is spaced from the wall of the bag B by the intermediate support device- 22, this thus prevents the compacted waste from tearing or cutting the bag as it is being compacted. During. this portion of the operational cycle, the amount of fluid. discharged from the cylinder 81 through the conduit 88 to the pump 91 is less than the amount of fluid being supplied through the conduit 88 into the upper end of the cylinder 81 due to the volume occupied by the piston rod 83. Accordingly, an additional quantity of fluid must simultaneously be supplied to the pump 91, and this fluid is supplied from the reservoir 92 through the conduit 102 and the one-way check valve 104 associated therewith so as to be supplied to the inlet side 91b of the pump. This mode of operation wherein pressure fluid is supplied to the upper end of the cylinder 81 continues for a predetermined time interval, as determined by the timer 1 12. During this first predetermined time interval, motor 93 is continuously rotated and pump 91 is continuously driven. However, if the ram 84 should be stopped short of its fully extended position due to accumulation of waste within the bag, then the pressure of the fluid within the conduit 87 will reach a predetermined magnitude, at which magnitude the pressure of the fluid within the conduit 87 will be sufficient to cause the spring-biased one-way check valve 97 to open so that the fluid which is being continuously supplied from the pump 91 into the conduit 87 will automatically recycle through the conduit 94 back into the reservoir 92.

After completion of the extension cycle of the ram, as described above, which extension cycle takes place over a first predetermined time as controlled by the timer 112, the timer 112 causes the reversing switch 111 to be moved into a neutral or open position, thus stopping the motor and the pump. The timer will remain in this condition for a short time interval which is sufficient to enable the motor and pump to come to a fully stopped condition.

After expiration of this short time interval, the timer then causes the reversing switch 111 to be activated to a second position for supplying electrical energy to the motor so that the motor is then rotated in the reverse direction (for example counterclockwise in FIG. 10), which causes the pump to likewise be rotated in the reverse direction. Pressure fluid will now be supplied to the conduit 87 so as to be supplied to the lower chamher of the cylinder 81 for causing upward retraction of the ram 84. During this upward retraction of the ram, the pressurized fluid from the pump flows directly through the conduit 88 into the lowermost chamber, and the fluid in the uppermost chamber of the cylinder flows through the conduit 87 and is returned to the inlet side 91a of the pump. The pressurized fluid is supplied from the pump 91 into the conduit 88 for a predetermined time interval, which predetermined time interval is again'determined by the timer 112. However, if the ram should reach its fully retracted position before the expiration of this time interval, then the pressure of the fluid within conduit 88 will increase and exceed the preset value determined by the spring bias of the check-valve 103, which check-valve will then open and allow the pressurized fluid within the conduit 88 to be recycled into the reservoir 92. The motor and pump combination will continue to run until the expiration of this time interval, whereupon the timer 112 will again automatically return the reversing switch 111 into a neutral or open position, thereby causing deenergization of the motor and stoppage of the pump.

After the compaction cycle has been completed, as described above, the locking plate 51 can then be manually lifted upwardly and the dolly 21 manually moved outwardly from the housing to permit further waste to be depositedinto the bag. After the bag has again been loosely filled with waste, the dolly is again locked in position within the housing and a further compacting cycle is initiated as described above. This cycle of depositing waste in the bag and then compacting same is repeated until the bag is substantially filled with compacted waste. When this condition is reached, the dolly is removed from the housing and the latching arms 71 are manually disengaged from the support device 22. The operator then grasps the support device 22, such as by engaging the hand openings 69, whereupon the device is initially pulled upwardly a limited amount until the lower free edges of the

members

66 and 67 are moved above the upper edge of the front flange 28. When this condition is reached, the natural tendency of the waste to expand causes the two

members

66 and 67 to pivotallyswing outwardly away from one another through a limited distance. The support device 22 thus assumes a tapered configuration which diverges downwardly relative to the bag. This thus enables the support device to be freely manually pulled upwardly from the bag, while enabling the filled bag to remain on the dolly. The open end of the bag is then suitably tied and the filled bag can then be taken to a suitable area for disposal. With respect to this latter mentioned operation, the bag can be either manually removed from the dolly and hand carried to an area for disposal or, if desired, the filled bag can be left directly on the dolly and wheeled to the disposal area, thereby minimizing the amount of carrying and lifting required by the operator.

After the filled bag has been removed from the dolly, then the support device 22 is again inserted into an empty bag and the support device and empty bag are then positioned on the dolly. The dolly is then repositioned in the housing in substantially the same manner as described above so as to permit further utilization of the compactor.

For positioning a bag B on the support device 22, it is preferable to position the device in an inverted freestanding manner on a suitable support surface, such as on a table or on the floor. The operator thus has both hands free so as to manipulate the bag to slip it over the inverted support device. After the bag has been slipped over the support device, then the free edge of the bag is preferably folded over into an overlapping position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The compactor of the present invention thus permits the bags to be supported on a removable dolly to facilitate the removal of the filled bags without requiring lifting of same. Further, the device utilizes a lightweight removable support device which is effective in maintaining the bag in an upright open position to facilitate the depositing of waste therein, while at the same time the support device effectively functions as a liner to protect the bag during the compacting of the waste. Still further, the compactor provides for the complete safety of the operating personnel by positively preventing energization of the ram assembly whenever the compactor is in its open position.

In the present invention, the pressure relief valves, that is, the

check valves

97 and 103, are preferably adjustable to enable the magnitude of the pressure required for relief to occur to be selectively adjusted. The valve 97 is normally adjusted to open at a higher pressure than the valve 103 since the valve 97 controls the downward compacting stroke. Further, the

check valves

97 and 103 could be replaced by a system incorporating flow control orifices.

The guide structure of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, is highly desirable since it permits a rolling engagement to occur between the housing and the dolly as the dolly is being moved into or out of the housing. This rolling engagement substantially minimizes friction and facilitates manual manipulation of the dolly.

The use of the guide structure of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, is also desirable since this guide structure effectively prevents the bottom of the dolly from slipping out of the housing when a compacting load is imposed on the dolly by the ram assembly. This is especially important in situations where the dolly is secured to the housing solely by means of a locking structure which is disposed adjacent the upper edge of the front wall thereof since, in this situation, the compacting ram tends to cause the dolly to swing outwardly from the front of the housing. This tendency of the dolly to move is, however, effectively prevented due to the coaction between the housing and dolly guide rails.

A further advantage of the present invention results from the fact that all of the power and control equipment is located within the upper equipment compartment 77, which compartment is effectively sealed from the waste compartment 78 by means of the intermediate partition 76. The equipment compartment is thus effectively and totally isolated from the waste compartment and is thus not subject to contamination. Further, the waste compacting compartment 78 can thus be effectively cleaned, as by means of steam, without affecting the power and control equipment located in the compartment 77.

As a variation of the present invention, the compactor 10 can be provided with a suitable restraining device, such as the flexible cable or connector 111 illustrated in H6. 1, releasably connected between the housing 11 and the dolly 21 for preventing complete removal of the dolly from the housing during normal usage of the device. The connecting cable 111 has one end thereof anchored, as by means of an eye-hook, to the sidewall of the housing closely adjacent the lower corner of the front panel 18. The other end of the cable 111 is provided with a suitable connecting member 112 thereon, such as an open eye-hook or other conventional spring-hook, which is adapted to coact with a eye-hook 1 13 as mounted on the upper side of the dolly 21. The connecting cable 111 has a length which enables the dolly 21 to be withdrawn only approximately three-fourths of the way from the housing, and thus presents the front edge of the dolly from becoming disengaged from the guide rails 32 and 33. However, since the dolly can be withdrawn approximately threefourths of the way from the housing, this is sufficient to enable waste to be deposited into the bag B, whereupon the dolly can then be fully inserted into and locked within the housing so as to permit compacting of the waste within the bag in the manner described above.

In this variation of the invention, the latching arms 71 are elongated so as to extend outwardly over a major portion of the width of the dolly. Thus, when the dolly is partially withdrawn from the housing, as limited by the length of the connecting cable 111, then the free ends of the arms 71 still project into the housing so as to partially overlap the

sidewalls

13 and 14. In this manner, the arms 71 cannot be released from the support device 22 when the dolly 21 is in this partially withdrawn position, and thus the support device 22 cannot he accidentally disconnected from the dolly.

When the bag is filled with compacted waste, then the connecting member 112 is manually disconnected from the hook 113, whereupon the dolly can be completely removed from the housing, thereby permitting the support device 22 to be removed from the bag and the filled bag then disposed of as desired. A new empty bag is again positioned around the support device 22, with the support device then being repositioned and locked on the dolly 21, whereupon the dolly is then reinserted into the housing, at least to a sufficient extent to allow the connecting device 111 to be again connected to the hook 113.

The use of the connecting device 111, which is totally optional and can be eliminated if desired, is nevertheless desirable since it prevents the dolly from being completely removed from the housing each time additional waste is to be deposited therein. This thus greatly simplifies the movement of the dolly into and out of the housing so long as waste is being deposited and compacted within the same bag.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A waste compactor for permitting the depositing and compacting of waste within a container, comprising:

housing means;

extendible ram means mounted on said housing means adjacent the upper end thereof, said ram means being vertically extendible downwardly for permitting compacting of waste;

removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing means and including a substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said ram assembly when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means being movable outwardly relative to said housing means to a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said ram means, said cart means when in said second position permitting a container to be mounted thereon or released therefrom; and

guide means coacting between said housing means and said cart means for guiding the movement of said cart means toward and away from said first position, said guide means including a pair of substantially parallel, horizontally elongated guide rails fixedly secured to the opposite sides of said housing means adjacent the lower end thereof, said guide rails each including upper and lower guide surfaces;

said guide means further including a pair of elongated, substantially L-shaped guide flanges fixedly secured to and projecting downwardly from the horizontal wall means of said cart means, said guide flanges being disposed adjacent and extending longitudinally along the opposite sides of said horizontal wall means, each said L-shaped guide flange including a substantially vertical leg which has its upper end fixedly secured to said horizontal wall means and a substantially horizontal leg fixedly secured adjacent the lower end of said vertical leg, said horizontal legs of said pair of guide flanges projecting outwardly away from one another, said L-shaped guide flanges in cooperation with said horizontal wall means defining a pair of substantially channel-shaped elements which open outwardly in opposite directions from one another, said channel-shaped elements being disposed to partially surround the guide rails when said cart means is moved toward or away from said first position.

2. A waste compactor according to claim 1, further including roller means disposed adjacent the forward end of each of said guide rails, the uppermost point of said roller means being disposed at an elevation slightly above the upper guide surface as formed on the respective guide rail.

3. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein each of said guide rails has a substantially inverted L- shaped cross section and includes a vertical leg portion fixedly secured to said housing means and a horizontal leg portion fixedly secured to the upper end of said vertical leg portion and projecting inwardly of said housing means toward the opposite guide rail, and each said guide flange being adapted to be positioned closely adjacent and extend under the horizontal leg portion when the cart means is in said first position, said horizontal wall means being adapted to slidably engage the upper surface of each said L-shaped guide rail.

4. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said housing means includes an upright box-like cabinet having substantially parallel side walls fixedly interconnected by front and back walls, said front wall projecting downwardly from the upper end of said cabinet through a distance substantially less than the overall height of said cabinet so as to leave a substantial opening adjacent the lower front side of the cabinet, and

said cart means including a front panel member for substantially closing the lower front opening of said cabinet when said cart means is in said first position.

5. A waste compactor according to claim 4, further including locking means coacting between said housing means and said cart means for fixedly maintaining said cart means in said first position, said locking means including a locking member movably mounted on the front wall of said cabinet and disposed for engagement with the upper edge of the front panel of said cart means.

6. A waste compactor according to claim 5, wherein said locking member includes a platelike member slidably supported for vertical movement on said front wall, said locking member being vertically movable between an upper position wherein it is disengaged from said cart means and a lower position wherein it overlaps the upper end of the front panel of said cart means for maintaining said cart means in said first position.

7. A waste compactor for permitting the depositing and compacting of waste within a container, comprising:

wall means defining an upright box-like housing, said wall means including front and back walls fixedly interconnected by a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and a top wall fixedly interconnected to the upper edges of all of said aforementioned walls for closing the upper end of said housing;

said front wall closing approximately only the upper one-half of said housing, whereby the remaining lower front portion of said housing is open so as to define an access opening thereinto;

said wall means further including a substantially horizontal partition disposed substantially parallel to and spaced downwardly from said top wall approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of said upright housing, said horizontal partition extending between said opposed sidewalls and said opposed front and back walls for dividing the interior of said housing into an upper equipment receiving compartment and a lower waste compacting compartment;

fluid pressure cylinder means disposed within said equipment compartment and including a cylinder housing stationarily secured to said wall means and piston means slidably disposed within said cylinder housing, said piston means including a piston rod projecting downwardly from said cylinder housing and through said horizontal partition into said lower waste compacting compartment, said piston rod having a trash compacting shoe fixedly secured to the lower free end thereof;

power means disposed within said equipment compartment and interconnected to said power cylinder for causing reciprocation of said piston rod,

said power means including motor means, fluid I pump means connected to and driven by said motor means, and reservoir means operatively associated with said pump means for supplying hydraulic fluid thereto; removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing and including a substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said compacting shoe when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means including a front wall panel disposed for substantially closing said access opening and being substantially flush with said front wall when said cart means is in said first position, said cart means being movable outwardly through said access opening relative to said housing means to a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said piston rod, said cart means when in said second position permitting a container to be mounted on or removed therefrom; and

locking means coacting between said housing and said cart means for fixedly maintaining said cart means in said first position, said locking means including a locking member movably mounted on said front wall and disposed for engagement with the upper edge of the front panel of said cart means.

8. A waste compactor according to claim 7, wherein said locking member includes a platelike member slidably supported for vertical movement on said front wall, said locking member being vertically movable between an upper position wherein it is disengaged from said cart means and a lower position wherein it overlaps the upper end of the front panel of said cart means for maintaining said cart means in said first position.

9. In a portable waste compactor having a housing, a ram assembly mounted on the housing and including a reciprocating ram and a double-acting fluid pressure cylinder connected to the ram for causing extension and retraction thereof, receptacle means positioned below the ram assembly and including means for supporting a receptacle adapted to have waste deposited and compacted therein, and a power unit associated with said ram assembly for supplying pressure fluid to said pressure cylinder, comprising the improvement wherein said power unit includes:

reversible pump means having first and second fluid ports associated therewith, operation of said pump means in one direction causing said first and second ports to respectively function as inlet and outlet ports, operation of said pump means in the other direction causing said first and second ports to respectively function as the outlet and inlet ports;

reversible electric motor means drivingly connected to said pump means for controlling the operation thereof, rotation of said motor means in a first direction causing said pump means to operate in said one direction, rotation of said motor means in the opposite direction causing said pump means to operate in said other direction;

switch means for controlling the activation of said compactor and the energization of said motor means, said switch means including (1) a first position wherein said switch means is opened and said motor means is deenergized, (2) a second position wherein said switch means is closed and said motor means is rotated in one direction to cause extension of said ram assembly, and (3) a third position wherein said switch means is closed and said motor means is rotated in the opposite direction to cause retraction of said ram assembly;

timing means operatively connected to said switch means (I) for moving said switch means from said first position into said second position and for maintaining said switch means in said second position for a first predetermined time, (2) for moving said switch means for said second position into said third position upon expiration of said first predetermined time and for maintaining said switch means in said third position for a second predetermined time, and (3) for returning said switch means from said third position to said first position upon expiration of said second predetermined time;

first conduit means connecting said first port to one end of said cylinder for providing flow communication therebetween; and

second conduit means connecting said second port to the other end of said cylinder for providing flow communication therebetween.

10. A waste compactor according to claim 9, wherein said receptacle means includes removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing and including a substantially horizontal wall positionable directly beneath said ram assembly when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means having wheel means thereon whereby same can be moved outwardly away from said housing to a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said ram assembly for permitting a receptacle to be mounted on or removed therefrom, and said means for supporting a receptacle including an elongated tubular clamshell-like structure having a pair of elongated opposed elements which are pivotally connected together adjacent one end thereof and coact to define a hollow support shell which is open at both ends, and said receptacle comprising a disposable flexible bag adapted to be positioned in surrounding relationship to said shell whereby said shell maintains said bag in an upright position while additonally protecting said bag from being damaged when waste is being compacted therein.

11. A waste compactor according to claim 10, wherein said housing comprises an upright boxlike cabinet having front and back walls fixedly interconnected by a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls, the front wall closing only the upper portion of the cabinet whereby the remaining lower front portion of the cabinet is open so as to define an access opening thereinto, and said removable cart means including a front wall panel disposed for substantially closing said access opening and being substantially flush with said front wall when said cart means is in said first position.

12. A waste compactor according to claim 10, wherein each of the sidewalls of the housing has an elongated substantially horizontally extending guide rail fixedly secured to the inner surface thereof, said guide rails being disposed directly opposite one another and said removable cart means having a pair of channel-shaped members fixedly mounted on opposite sides thereof, said channel-shaped members opening sidewardly of said cart means in opposite directions for slidably accommodating said guide rails therein whereby said cart means is supported on said guide railswhen said cart means is in said first position.

13. A waste compactor for permitting the depositing and compacting of waste within a bag, comprising:

wall means defining an upright box-like housing, said wall means including front and back walls fixedly interconnected by a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and a top wall fixedly interconnected to the upper edges of all of said afore-mentioned walls for closing the upper end of said housing;

power means disposed within said equipment compartment and interconnected to said power cylinder for causing reciprocation of said piston rod, said power means including motor means, fluid pump means connected to and driven by said motor means, and reservoir means operatively associated with said pump means for supplying hydraulic fluid thereto;

said motor means comprising a reversible motor having switch structure associated therewith for alternatively reversing the rotational direction of said motor, and timing means associated with said switch structure for automatically controlling the reversing of said motor;

said fluid pump means comprising a reversible pump having a pair of fluid ports, said pump being connected to and driven by said reversible motor, whereby said pump can supply pressurized fluid to either of said ports depending upon the direction of rotation of said motor, first conduit means connecting one of said ports to the upper end of said cylinder housing, and second conduit means connecting the other of said supports to the lower end of said cylinder housing;

removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing and including a substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said compacting shoe when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means including a front wall panel disposed for substantially closing said access opening when said cart means is in said first position, said cart means being movable outwardly through said access opening relative to said housing means to a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said ram means, said cart means when in said second position permitting a bag to be mounted on or removed therefrom;

support means removably positioned and supported on said horizontal wall means of said cart means for supporting a disposable flexible bag in an opened upright position to permit waste to be deposited therein, said support means comprising an elongated tubular clamshell-like structure having a pair of elongated opposed elements which are pivotally connected together adjacent one end thereof and coact to define a hollow support shell which is open at both ends, said disposable flexible bag being adapted to be positioned in surrounding relationship to said shell whereby said shell maintains said bag in an open upright position while additionally protecting said bag from being damaged when waste is being compacted therein. 14. In a portable waste compactor having a housing, a ram assembly mounted on the housing and including a reciprocating ram and a double-acting fluid pressure cylinder connected to the ram for causing extension and retraction thereof, a power unit associated with the ram assembly for supplying pressure fluid to the pressure cylinder, and receptacle means positionable below the ram assembly for supporting a removable container adapted to have waste deposited and compacted therein, comprising the improvement wherein said receptacle means includes:

removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing and including substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said ram assembly when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means being movable relative to said housing into a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said ram assembly, said cart means when in said second position permitting said container to be mounted on or removed therefrom;

elongated sleevelike liner means adapted to be positioned within said container for protecting said container from being damaged when waste is being compacted therein; and

releasable latch means coacting between said cart means and said liner means for fixedly holding said liner means relative to said cart means when said liner means is mounted thereon to prevent upward movement of said liner means due to expansion of the compacted waste, said latch means including a latch member movably mounted on said cart means and movable between a first position wherein it is adapted to engage said liner means when same is positioned on said cart means and a second position wherein it is released from said liner means.

15. A compactor according to claim 14, wherein said cart means has a pair of armlike latch members hingedly mounted thereon adjacent the opposite sides thereof, said pair of armlike latch members being swingable inwardly toward one another from said second position to said first position for engaging the opposite sides of said liner means adjacent the upper end thereof.

16. A compactor according to claim 15, wherein said liner means comprises an elongated tubular clamshelllike structure having a pair of elongated opposed elements which are pivotally connected together adjacent one end thereof and coact to define a hollow support shell which is open at both ends,,and said container comprising a flexible bag which is adapted to be positioned in surrounding relationship to said shell.

* =l l l

Claims

1. A waste compactor for permitting the depositing and compacting of waste within a container, comprising: housing means; extendible ram means mounted on said housing means adjacent the upper end thereof, said ram means being vertically extendible downwardly for permitting compacting of waste; removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing means and including a substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said ram assembly when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means being movable outwardly relative to said housing means to a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said ram means, said cart means when in said second position permitting a container to be mounted thereon or released therefrom; and guide means coacting between said housing means and said cart means for guiding the movement of said cart means toward and away from said first position, said guide means including a pair of substantially parallel, horizontally elongated guide rails fixedly secured to the opposite sides of said housing means adjacent the lower end thereof, said guide rails each including upper and lower guide surfaces; said guide means further including a pair of elongated, substantially L-shaped guide flanges fixedly secured to and projecting downwardly from the horizontal wall means of said cart means, said guide flanges being disposed adjacent and extending longitudinally along the opposite sides of said horizontal wall means, eaCh said L-shaped guide flange including a substantially vertical leg which has its upper end fixedly secured to said horizontal wall means and a substantially horizontal leg fixedly secured adjacent the lower end of said vertical leg, said horizontal legs of said pair of guide flanges projecting outwardly away from one another, said L-shaped guide flanges in cooperation with said horizontal wall means defining a pair of substantially channel-shaped elements which open outwardly in opposite directions from one another, said channel-shaped elements being disposed to partially surround the guide rails when said cart means is moved toward or away from said first position.

3. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein each of said guide rails has a substantially inverted L-shaped cross section and includes a vertical leg portion fixedly secured to said housing means and a horizontal leg portion fixedly secured to the upper end of said vertical leg portion and projecting inwardly of said housing means toward the opposite guide rail, and each said guide flange being adapted to be positioned closely adjacent and extend under the horizontal leg portion when the cart means is in said first position, said horizontal wall means being adapted to slidably engage the upper surface of each said L-shaped guide rail.

4. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said housing means includes an upright box-like cabinet having substantially parallel side walls fixedly interconnected by front and back walls, said front wall projecting downwardly from the upper end of said cabinet through a distance substantially less than the overall height of said cabinet so as to leave a substantial opening adjacent the lower front side of the cabinet, and said cart means including a front panel member for substantially closing the lower front opening of said cabinet when said cart means is in said first position.

7. A waste compactor for permitting the depositing and compacting of waste within a container, comprising: wall means defining an upright box-like housing, said wall means including front and back walls fixedly interconnected by a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and a top wall fixedly interconnected to the upper edges of all of said aforementioned walls for closing the upper end of said housing; said front wall closing approximately only the upper one-half of said housing, whereby the remaining lower front portion of said housing is open so as to define an access opening thereinto; said wall means further including a substantially horizontal partition disposed substantially parallel to and spaced downwardly from said top wall approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of said upright housing, said horizontal partition extending between said opposed sidewalls and said opposed front and back walls for dividing the interior of said housing into an upper equipmenT receiving compartment and a lower waste compacting compartment; fluid pressure cylinder means disposed within said equipment compartment and including a cylinder housing stationarily secured to said wall means and piston means slidably disposed within said cylinder housing, said piston means including a piston rod projecting downwardly from said cylinder housing and through said horizontal partition into said lower waste compacting compartment, said piston rod having a trash compacting shoe fixedly secured to the lower free end thereof; power means disposed within said equipment compartment and interconnected to said power cylinder for causing reciprocation of said piston rod, said power means including motor means, fluid pump means connected to and driven by said motor means, and reservoir means operatively associated with said pump means for supplying hydraulic fluid thereto; removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing and including a substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said compacting shoe when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means including a front wall panel disposed for substantially closing said access opening and being substantially flush with said front wall when said cart means is in said first position, said cart means being movable outwardly through said access opening relative to said housing means to a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said piston rod, said cart means when in said second position permitting a container to be mounted on or removed therefrom; and locking means coacting between said housing and said cart means for fixedly maintaining said cart means in said first position, said locking means including a locking member movably mounted on said front wall and disposed for engagement with the upper edge of the front panel of said cart means.

9. In a portable waste compactor having a housing, a ram assembly mounted on the housing and including a reciprocating ram and a double-acting fluid pressure cylinder connected to the ram for causing extension and retraction thereof, receptacle means positioned below the ram assembly and including means for supporting a receptacle adapted to have waste deposited and compacted therein, and a power unit associated with said ram assembly for supplying pressure fluid to said pressure cylinder, comprising the improvement wherein said power unit includes: reversible pump means having first and second fluid ports associated therewith, operation of said pump means in one direction causing said first and second ports to respectively function as inlet and outlet ports, operation of said pump means in the other direction causing said first and second ports to respectively function as the outlet and inlet ports; reversible electric motor means drivingly connected to said pump means for controlling the operation thereof, rotation of said motor means in a first direction causing said pump means to operate in said one direction, rotation of said motor means in the opposite direction causing said pump means to operate in said other direction; switch means for controlling the activation of said compactor and the energization of said motor means, said switch means including (1) a first position wherein said switch means is opened and said motor means is deenergized, (2) a second position wherein said switch means is closed and said motor means is rotated in one direction to cause extension of said ram assembly, and (3) a third position Wherein said switch means is closed and said motor means is rotated in the opposite direction to cause retraction of said ram assembly; timing means operatively connected to said switch means (1) for moving said switch means from said first position into said second position and for maintaining said switch means in said second position for a first predetermined time, (2) for moving said switch means for said second position into said third position upon expiration of said first predetermined time and for maintaining said switch means in said third position for a second predetermined time, and (3) for returning said switch means from said third position to said first position upon expiration of said second predetermined time; first conduit means connecting said first port to one end of said cylinder for providing flow communication therebetween; and second conduit means connecting said second port to the other end of said cylinder for providing flow communication therebetween.

12. A waste compactor according to claim 10, wherein each of the sidewalls of the housing has an elongated substantially horizontally extending guide rail fixedly secured to the inner surface thereof, said guide rails being disposed directly opposite one another and said removable cart means having a pair of channel-shaped members fixedly mounted on opposite sides thereof, said channel-shaped members opening sidewardly of said cart means in opposite directions for slidably accommodating said guide rails therein whereby said cart means is supported on said guide rails when said cart means is in said first position.

13. A waste compactor for permitting the depositing and compacting of waste within a bag, comprising: wall means defining an upright box-like housing, said wall means including front and back walls fixedly interconnected by a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and a top wall fixedly interconnected to the upper edges of all of said afore-mentioned walls for closing the upper end of said housing; said front wall closing approximately only the upper one-half of said housing, whereby the remaining lower front portion of said housing is open so as to define an access opening thereinto; said wall means further including a substantially horiZontal partition disposed substantially parallel to and spaced downwardly from said top wall approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of said upright housing, said horizontal partition extending between said opposed sidewalls and said opposed front and back walls for dividing the interior of said housing into an upper equipment receiving compartment and a lower waste compacting compartment; fluid pressure cylinder means disposed within said equipment compartment and including a cylinder housing stationarily secured to said wall means and piston means slidably disposed within said cylinder housing, said piston means including a piston rod projecting downwardly from said cylinder housing and through said horizontal partition into said lower waste compacting compartment, said piston rod having a trash compacting shoe fixedly secured to the lower free end thereof; power means disposed within said equipment compartment and interconnected to said power cylinder for causing reciprocation of said piston rod, said power means including motor means, fluid pump means connected to and driven by said motor means, and reservoir means operatively associated with said pump means for supplying hydraulic fluid thereto; said motor means comprising a reversible motor having switch structure associated therewith for alternatively reversing the rotational direction of said motor, and timing means associated with said switch structure for automatically controlling the reversing of said motor; said fluid pump means comprising a reversible pump having a pair of fluid ports, said pump being connected to and driven by said reversible motor, whereby said pump can supply pressurized fluid to either of said ports depending upon the direction of rotation of said motor, first conduit means connecting one of said ports to the upper end of said cylinder housing, and second conduit means connecting the other of said supports to the lower end of said cylinder housing; removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing and including a substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said compacting shoe when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means including a front wall panel disposed for substantially closing said access opening when said cart means is in said first position, said cart means being movable outwardly through said access opening relative to said housing means to a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said ram means, said cart means when in said second position permitting a bag to be mounted on or removed therefrom; support means removably positioned and supported on said horizontal wall means of said cart means for supporting a disposable flexible bag in an opened upright position to permit waste to be deposited therein, said support means comprising an elongated tubular clamshell-like structure having a pair of elongated opposed elements which are pivotally connected together adjacent one end thereof and coact to define a hollow support shell which is open at both ends, said disposable flexible bag being adapted to be positioned in surrounding relationship to said shell whereby said shell maintains said bag in an open upright position while additionally protecting said bag from being damaged when waste is being compacted therein.

14. In a portable waste compactor having a housing, a ram assembly mounted on the housing and including a reciprocating ram and a double-acting fluid pressure cylinder connected to the ram for causing extension and retraction thereof, a power unit associated with the ram assembly for supplying pressure fluid to the pressure cylinder, and receptacle means positionable below the ram assembly for supporting a removable container adapted to have waste deposited and compacted therein, comprising the improvement wherein said receptacle means includes: removable cart means coacting with the lower end of said housing and inCluding substantially horizontal wall means positionable directly beneath said ram assembly when said cart means is in a first position permitting compacting of waste, said cart means being movable relative to said housing into a second position wherein said cart means is laterally spaced from said ram assembly, said cart means when in said second position permitting said container to be mounted on or removed therefrom; elongated sleevelike liner means adapted to be positioned within said container for protecting said container from being damaged when waste is being compacted therein; and releasable latch means coacting between said cart means and said liner means for fixedly holding said liner means relative to said cart means when said liner means is mounted thereon to prevent upward movement of said liner means due to expansion of the compacted waste, said latch means including a latch member movably mounted on said cart means and movable between a first position wherein it is adapted to engage said liner means when same is positioned on said cart means and a second position wherein it is released from said liner means.

16. A compactor according to claim 15, wherein said liner means comprises an elongated tubular clamshell-like structure having a pair of elongated opposed elements which are pivotally connected together adjacent one end thereof and coact to define a hollow support shell which is open at both ends, and said container comprising a flexible bag which is adapted to be positioned in surrounding relationship to said shell.