WO2008016290A1

WO2008016290A1 - Compacting system

Info

Publication number: WO2008016290A1
Application number: PCT/MY2007/000051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sri Skanda Rajah S. Ratnam
Original assignee: Nexaldes Sdn. Bhd.
Priority date: 2006-08-02
Filing date: 2007-08-01
Publication date: 2008-02-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of compressing compactable material (18) in a container (10). The apparatus comprising a container (10) with at least one moving ram (14) for moving the compactable material (18) further into the container (10), at least one compacting ram (20) placed to move away from at least one fixed surface for compacting the compactable material. These moving (14) and compacting rams (20) are moved by at least one bellows (12) to which the rams (14, 20) are attached. The rams (14, 20) are designed to operate in a sequence and are controlled by the movement of air into and out from the bellows (12). The air movement to and from the bellows (12) through an air conduit system (22) is generated by an air pump apparatus which function as a compressed air source and sub- atmospheric pressure source (16) and the air pump apparatus is controlled by a control system. The present invention also relates to same apparatus with minor modifications for use in a pneumatic solid waste collection system.

Description

COMPACTING SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of compressing compactable material. More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus to compact solid waste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the population of cities grow the solid^" waste generation from household, commercial and industrial activity is increasing at a tremendous rate. Whether the solid waste is recyclable or destined for landfills and incineration, the movement of the solid waste from a source of generation to final disposal site poses tremendous logistic and cost issues to both Municipalities and private businesses involved in handling of the solid waste.

One of the methods of increasing efficiency of the handling of the solid waste is to improve volumetric efficiency, that is, to increase density, thus reducing volumes that need to be transported in trucks or containers. This loose, solid waste is often compressed in compactor equipment before they are transported to their respective disposal sites.

Existing stationary or mobile compactors use fluids under high pressure to generate a force to a piston that is transferred to a ram that in turns compresses the solid waste into a higher density solid waste thus improving the volumetric efficiency of the solid waste for transport to the disposal site.

Compactors are generally available in two types, namely stationary and mobile compactors. The stationary compactor type is typically located at a given site and compresses the solid waste into one of a number of mobile containers which are transported periodically to the disposal site. These types of compactors are typically used when the solid waste is voluminous requiring frequent emptying or transport over long distances. The advantage with this system is that the heavy and bulky compactor does not have to be transported to the disposal site regularly saving transport and fuel cost and providing additional volume for the compacted material. However, it has the disadvantage in that during compaction cycle there is a tendency for spillage of liquids between the stationary compactor and the mobile container interfacing. The system also requires manpower for the engaging and disengaging the mobile container from the stationary compactor. Often there is also the need for a special container positioner to move the full mobile container away from the stationary compactor and to reposition an empty mobile container in front of the stationary compactor for further solid waste compression and collection.

The mobile compactor is different from the above as the compactor and solid waste storage container are combined in one integrated unit. This method is obviously advantageous providing an efficient, leak-proof method of compressing the solid waste into the container portion of the unit The mobile compactor does not require the installation of expensive container positioner equipment or the manpower to handle the container movement. These mobile compactors are typically used when daily volume of solid waste collected is limited. The solid waste is compressed into the integrated storage container to a disposal site which is not too far from a collection area as the combined weight of the compactor and collector is often heavy.

Both types of compactors use motorised hydraulic high pressure pack units to develop pressures often in excess of 100 bar which are delivered to a piston and ram system which in turn compress the solid waste. Due to the nature of these high pressures, equipment and accessories like hydraulic hoses, couplings, seals, motors and such like require regular repair and maintenance. Further the unbalanced loading of the ram on the solid waste creates skewed forces on the piston, ram and guide rail system resulting in frequent maintenance of the compactor.

As the high pressures transferred to the piston and the ram create unbalanced reactive forces from the waste material, the ram and piston are subjected to tremendous bending forces and require the use of high quality steels for durability and this often adds cost to the compactor. The scope of the present invention is to address these concerns and to provide a mobile compactor with container with good compaction ratio and low maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of compressing solid waste. The apparatus comprising a container with solid waste receiving compartment for receipt of the solid waste , at least one moving ram for moving the solid waste further into the container, at least one compacting ram placed to move away from at least one fixed surface for compacting the solid waste , at least one air conduit system connected to an air pump apparatus which acts as a compressed air source as well as a sub-atmospheric pressure source to urge movement of the moving ram and compacting ram independently. The moving and compacting ram is attached to at least one bellows respectively which provides uniform forces to the respective moving ram and compacting ram. Besides using bellows, telescopic piston is also suitably used as a means to provide uniform forces to the respective rams. The air pump apparatus used as a compressed air source is controlled by a control system for directing flow of air for generating movement of the moving ram and compacting ram independently. The air pump apparatus used as a sub-atmospheric pressure source also controlled by the control system for generating reverse movement of the moving and compacting ram independently. The compacting and moving ram are maintained in their rest position by use of magnets, catch and latch means. The apparatus itself is used as a mobile stand alone compactor complete with container.

In addition, the apparatus is also used with minor modifications in a pneumatic solid waste collection system. The apparatus comprising a container which includes an inlet port for introducing the solid waste into the container from at least one solid waste holding areas, screening means for preventing the solid waste from leaving the container, at least one outlet port connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure source for extracting air from inside the container, at least one compacting ram for compressing solid waste in the container where an uniform force is applied on surface of the compacting ram and at least one air conduit system connected to a compressed and sub-atmospheric pressure source to urge movement of the compacting ram. The compacting ram is attached to at least one bellows which provides a uniform force to the compacting ram. Telescopic piston can be also used to provide the uniform force to the compacting ram. The compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source are spaced apart from the container with male and female ports for quick coupling to and from the container when necessary. The compressed air source generates an air pressure of less than 1 bar above atmospheric pressure. The compacting ram is maintained in its rest position by use of magnets, catch and latch means. The container also includes at least one distance sensor and at least one pressure sensor to monitor the movement of the compacting ram and volumetric reduction of the compactable material. The container further includes a first ram attached to at least one bellows to urge the solid . waste, towards an open dqόr during disposal. The door is opened and _: closed by bellows system connected to a second ram, piston and lever arrangement From the above mentioned embodiment, the compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source is connected to the compacting ram, first and second ram but it is envisaged that multiple compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source can be connected to the compacting ram and first and second ram respectively. It is also mentioned that the compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source is spaced apart from the container, but it is envisaged that the compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source can be attached to the container.

There are few steps involved for compressing the solid waste in the container used in above mentioned apparatus. Firstly, the solid waste is introduced into the container. Secondly, flow of air is introduced into at least one bellows attached to at least one compacting ram. The flow of air expands the bellows and moves the compacting ram to compact the solid waste. Thirdly, extracting air from the bellows attached to the compacting ram to move the compacting ram back to its rest position. The air is extracted by a sub-atmospheric pressure means. The extraction of air from the bellows contracts the bellows. The flow of air is introduced by a compressed air source. The compacting ram is held in its rest position by use of magnets, catch and latch means. All the three steps are repeated until the container is fully compacted with solid waste. The method optionally comprises a step of introducing a flow of air into at least one bellows attached to at least one moving ram before the step of introducing air to the compacting ram. This is to further introducing the solid waste into the container.

The present invention is not limited for compressing solid waste material but can be used for compactable materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and accompanying figures which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the container and bellows ϊή rest position with solid waste being thrown into the receiving compartment.

Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the moving ram pushing further the solid waste into the container.

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the moving ram moving back to its rest position as air is sucked out of the bellows by the sub-atmospheric pressure source.

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic view of the container receiving more solid waste into the receiving compartment.

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the moving ram pushing the solid waste further into the container.

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic view of the compacting ram moving downwards to compact the solid waste. Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic view of the compacting ram moving back to its rest position.

Figure 8 shows a diagrammatic view of the moving ram moving back to its rest position.

Figure 9 shows a diagrammatic view of pneumatic compactable waste collection container system with solid waste entering the container and air leaving the container in a pneumatic sytem.

Figure 10 shows a diagrammatic view of the compacting ram moving downwards to compact the solid waste in a pneumatic system.

Figure 11 shows a diagrammatic view of the compacting ram moving back to its rest position in a pneumatic system.

Figure 12 shows a diagrammatic of the compacting ram in its rest position and more solid waste are introduced into the container in a pneumatic system.

Figure 13 shows a diagrammatic view of the container with an open door, first ram, second ram, and the container is full of the solid waste in a pneumatic system.

Figure 14 and 15 shows a diagrammatic view of the container tilted and solid waste being disposed by moving the solid waste towards the open door and opening the door for the disposal of the solid waste in a pneumatic system.

Figure 16 shows a diagrammatic view of the open door moving back to its close position in a pneumatic system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE

INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for compressing solid waste before transporting the solid waste to the final disposal site.

The first preferred embodiment describes an apparatus comprising of a container (10) with a compactable solid waste receiving compartment (24), at least one moving ram (14) for moving the solid waste further into the container (10), at least one compacting ram (20) placed to move away from at least one fixed surface of the container (10) for compacting the solid waste (18). The moving ram (14) and compacting ram (20) is attached to at least one bellows (12) which provide uniform forces to the respective moving (14) and compacting ram (20). The bellows (12) are connected to at least one air conduit system (22) that in turn is linked to air pump apparatus (16) that acts as a compressed air source as well as a sub-atmospheric pressure source. The air conduit system (22) is also connected to valves for allowing flow of air from the compressed air source (16) to the bellows (12) and extracting air from the bellows (12) to the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16). Types of valves are well known by those skilled in the art and will not be described herein. The apparatus (10) is known as a mobile stand alone compactor. The container (10) is also preferably made of light weight material such as composites of fibreglass and polyurethane foam to reduce the overall weight of the mobile compactor thus reducing the long term energy costs for transport between the collection area and the disposal site.

The compressed air source (16) works with an electronic control system that controls flow of air from the compressed air source (16) to the bellows (12) via a system of valves and air conduit system (22). The sub-atmospheric pressure source (16) also works with the same electronic control system that controls flow of air extracted from the bellows (12) to the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16) via a system of valves and air conduit system (22). The compressed air source (16) is controlled by the control system for directing flow of air for generating movement of the moving ram (14) and compacting ram (20) from the fixed surface of the container (10) independently. Whilst the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16) is controlled by the same control system to generate reverse movement of the moving (14) and compacting ram (20) independently. Besides that, the container (10) further includes at least one distance and pressure sensor to monitor the movement of the moving (14) and compacting ram (20) and volumetric reduction of the solid waste. The container further includes an open door for disposal of the solid waste by using at least one bellows attached to a ram. The ram is connected to the door. The open door is operated when the sub-atmospheric pressure source extracts air from the bellows. The ram moves back which in turn opens the door for disposing the solid waste. The open door moves back to its close position when the compressed air is applied to the bellows. Thus, the ram is pushes the door to its close position. The container also preferably includes another ram attached to at least one bellows for moving the solid waste towards the open door during disposal. The operation of the ram is same as the moving ram (14). The open door related operation and apparatus for the mobile stand alone compactor is not shown in the figures.

The bellows (12) are fabricated of a light weight material that is impervious to air and yet is able to sustain an air pressure of up to 1 bar above atmospheric pressure without damage or visible permanent deformation. The bellows (12) are also supported at the extremities by an external skeleton to maintain the outer shape of the bellows (12) during the contracting mode. As air pressure increases inside the bellows (12) they expand to create movement of the moving (14) and compacting ram (20). The bellows (12) are retracted into their original positions by suction of air from the bellows (12) to the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16). The air from a particular bellow (12) is sucked out through the respective air conduit system (22) by opening the respective valves to the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16).

As force generated by the moving ram (14) and compacting ram (20) is equivalent to the area of the respective ram multiplied by the pressure of the air inside the bellows (12) (above atmospheric air pressure) a tremendous force is exerted by a large area ram pushed by a bellow (12) with a large cross sectional area. A comparison of typical compactor system and the present invention system is described herein below. A typical compactor system using a hydraulic power pack generates huge forces on a ram area of about 1.5m² by exerting a pressure of magnitude of 300 bars (3,059 tons/m²) on a piston of diameter 160mm (cross-sectional area = 0.02m²) thus exerting a Force = 3,059 x 0.02 = 61.5 tons on the solid waste being pushed by it. The hydraulic pack uses a drive motor with 29.4kW power.

In the present invention, a container roof mounted bellows with a length of 4.5m and a width of 1.8m filled with a sustainable air pressure source of 1 bar (10 tons/m ) supporting a ram of equivalent dimensions is able to exert a downward Force

= 10 x 4.5 x 1.8 = 81 tons on solid waste located below it. From the above comparison it is noticed that the bellows with ram configuration is able to equal, or even exceed the force generated by the typical compactor system of the solid waste. The air pump apparatus that generates the 1 bar air pressure typically uses a drive motor of only

2kW.

The apparatus described above is not limited to mobile stand alone compactor but can be obviously used in pneumatic solid waste collection system. Second preferred embodiment describes the above said apparatus which is modified for use as a combined separator, compactor and collection unit for a pneumatic solid waste collection system. The modified container (40) is called as a mobile solid waste collection module (MSWCM). The container is also preferably made of light weight material such as composites of fibreglass and polyurethane foam to reduce the overall weight of the mobile compactor thus reducing the long term energy costs for transport between the collection area and the disposal site.

The MSWCM comprises of: i) inlet port (26) for introducing the solid waste into the container from at least one solid waste holding areas; W

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ii) screening means (28) for preventing the solid waste from leaving the container (40). iii) at least one outlet port (30) connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure source for extracting air from inside the container; iv) at least one compacting ram (32) for compressing the solid waste in the container (40) wherein a uniform force is applied on the surface of the compacting ram (32); v) at least one air conduit system (38) connected to a compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source (36) to urge movement of the compacting ram (32).

The compacting ram (32) is attached to at least one bellows (34) which provide the uniform force to the compacting ram (32). Besides using bellows (34), a telescopic piston may also used for the same said reason. The compressed air source (36) is . controlled by a control system for directing flow of air for generating movement of the compacting ram. The compressed air source (36) generates an air pressure less than 1 bar above atmospheric pressure. The sub-atmospheric pressure source (36) is controlled by the same control system for generating reverse movement of the compacting ram (32). The compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source (36) is spaced apart from the container (40) with male and female ports for quick coupling to and from the MSWCM. The MSWCM further includes at least one distance and pressure sensors to monitor movement of the compacting ram (32) and volumetric reduction of the solid waste (18). The MSWCM also further includes a first ram (42) attached to at least one bellows (44) to urge the solid waste towards an open door (46) of the MSWCM during disposal as shown in Figure 13. During the disposal of the solid waste, the container (40) is in a tilted position. The bellows (44) connected to the first ram (42) expands due to air being blown into it by the compressed air source (36) through the air conduit system (38). The air inside the bellows (44) moves the first ram (42) to urge the solid waste towards the open door (46). At same time, a second ram (50) connected to the open door (46) moves back to open the door (46) which in turn allows the solid waste to be disposed in the landfill as shown in Figure 14 and 15. The movement of the second ram (50) is initiated by extracting air inside bellows (48) which is attached to the second ram (50). The air inside the bellows (48) is extracted by the sub-atmospheric pressure source (36) through the air conduit system (38). When the solid wastes are disposed, the open door (46) moves back to its original close position by moving the second ram (50) forward. The bellows (48) is expanded with compressed air by the compressed air source (36) which moves the second ram (50) forward. Thus the open door (46) is pushed to its close position. The first ram (42) also moves back to its rest position by extracting the air inside the bellows (44) as shown in Figure 16. Besides using the bellows (44, 48) during the disposal, it is envisaged that a telescopic piston can be used to perform the same function as the bellows.

In the second preferred embodiment, the compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source is connected to the compacting ram, first and second ram but it is envisaged that multiple compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source can be connected to the compacting ram and first and second ram respectively. It is -also mentioned in the same embodiment that the compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source is spaced apart from the container, but it is envisaged that the compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source can be attached to the container.

The door (46) is opened and closed by at least one bellows (48) connected to a ram (50), piston and lever arrangement. The open door (46) can be on any side of the fixed surface of the MSWCM.

The MSWCM is also easily docked into a guided channel that has several built- in ports that connect to pipes that are permanently fixed in the collection centre. This allows for easy loading or unloading of the MSWCM by a single person with a flat bed truck complete with hook lift.

Advantage of the MSWCM over conventional equipment in the pneumatic solid waste collection centre is that it eliminates need for multiple container movement to a single stationary compactor thus eliminating the container positioner typical in such collection centres. It also eliminates spillage that is common in area of interfacing between compactor and the containers. It also reduces head room required for the collection centre making it cheaper aesthetically easier to locate. Overall the MSWCM offers an operator of a pneumatic solid waste collection system much lower capital costs, lower maintenance and less operating costs.

Third preferred embodiment is the method for compressing solid waste inside a container (10) before transporting the solid waste (18) to the final disposal site. Each step of the method is further elaborated herein below by using the Figures. As shown in the Figure 1, the bellows (12) in rest position with the solid waste material being thrown into the receiving compartment (24) of the container. The bellows (12) are in its rest position by use of magnets, catch and latch means. The solid waste (18) collects in area in front of the moving ram (14) with a horizontal movement . ^' ..^'.

Figure 2 shows the bellows behind the moving ram (14) expanding due to air being blown into it by the compressed air source (16). The air inside the bellows initiates movement of the moving ram until the receiving compartment is fully closed and the solid waste is pushed further into the storage portion of the container (10).

Figure 3 shows the moving ram (14) moving back to its rest position as air is sucked out of the bellows (12) by the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16). More solid waste is loaded into the receiving compartment (24) as shown in Figure 4 which is then pushed further into the container as seen Figure 5 by the movement of the moving ram (14) as compressed air is pumped into the bellows (12) attached to it. When the moving ram (14) reaches its rest position which closes the receiving compartment from receiving more solid waste, compressed air is pumped into the bellows (12) mounted to the roof of the container which forces compacting ram (20) attached to the bellows (12) to move downward to compress the solid waste (18) as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows the compacting ram (20) being lifted to its rest position towards the roof of the container as air is sucked out of the bellows (12) attached to it by the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16). The moving ram also moves back to its rest position as air is sucked out of the bellows (12) by the sub-atmospheric pressure source as shown in Figure 8. Therefore the receiving compartment (24) is opened for further introducing the solid waste. -

By repeating the moving (14) and compacting ram (20) movements as shown in the above-said Figures, the container (10) eventually fills up with solid waste (18). As vertical force exerted by the compacting ram (20) is very large due to the compacting ram's area, a good level of compression of the solid waste (18) is achieved giving a volumetric efficiency that is required for efficient transport to a final disposal site.

Method for compressing solid waste inside the MSWCM (40) for pneumatic solid waste collection system is now described. Firstly solid waste is introduced into container (40) from at least one solid waste holding area as shown in Figure 9,. secondly a flow of air is introduced into at least one bellows (34) attached to at least one compacting ram (32) to compact the solid waste (18) in the container (40) as shown in Figure 10, thirdly air is extracted from the bellows (34) attached to the compacting ram (32) to move the compacting ram (32) back to a rest position as shown in Figure 11 and 12 and all the steps are repeated until the container is fully compacted with solid waste. The solid waste is introduced from holding areas into the container (40) by sub-atmospheric means. The method optionally includes a step of introducing flow of air into at least one bellows attached to at least one moving ram and the said step is done before introducing flow of air into bellows attached to the compacting ram. The flow of air in the bellows attached to the moving ram generates a uniform force to the moving ram for further introducing the solid waste into the container.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description, rather than limitation.

The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, various changes may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for compressing compactable material (18) comprising a container (10) with a compactable material receiving compartment (24) for receipt of the compactable material characterized in that the apparatus further includes: i) at least one moving ram (14) for moving the compactable material (18) further into the container (10) wherein a uniform force is applied on the surface of the ram; ii) at least one compacting ram (20) placed to move away from at least one fixed surface for compacting the compactable material (18) wherein a uniform force is applied on the surface of the compacting ram (20); Hi) at least one air conduit system (22) connected to a compressed air and sub- atmospheric pressure source (16) to urge movement of the compacting (20) and moving ram (14) independently.

2. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim I wherein the moving ram (14) and compacting ram (20) is attached to at least one bellows (12) respectively which provides the uniform force to the respective moving (14) and compacting ram (20) independently.

3. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moving ram (14) and compacting ram (20) is attached to at least one telescopic piston which provides the uniform force to the respective moving (14) and compacting ram (20) independently.

4. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compressed air source (16) is controlled by a control system for directing flow of air for generating movement of the moving ram (14) and compacting ram (20).

5. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sub-atmospheric pressure source (16) is controlled by a control system for generating reverse movement of the moving ram (14) and the compacting ram (20) independently. ■^"'

6. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compressed air source (16) generates an air pressure of less than 1 bar above atmospheric pressure.

7. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container (10) further includes at least one distance sensor and at least one pressure sensor to monitor movement of the compacting ram (20) and moving ram (14) and volumetric reduction of the compactable material.

8. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moving ram (14) and compacting ram (20) are maintained in their rest position by use of magnets, catch and latch means.

9. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compactable material is solid waste (18).

10. An apparatus for compressing compactable material (18) in a pneumatic solid waste collection system comprising a container (40) characterized wherein the container comprises of : i) inlet port (26) for introducing the compactable material (18) into the container from at least one compactable material holding areas; ii) screening means (28) for preventing the compactable material (18) from leaving the container (40); iii) at least one outlet port (30) connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure source (36) for extracting air from inside the container (40); iv) at least one compacting ram (32) for compressing compactable material (18) in the container wherein a uniform force is applied on the surface of the compacting ram (32); v) at least one air conduit system (38) connected to a compressed air and sub-atmospheric pressure source (36) to urge movement of the compacting ram (32).

11. An apparatus for compressing compactable material (18) in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the compactable material is solid waste.

¹I. Ah apparatus for compressing compactable material (18)/in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the compacting, ram '. (32) is attached, to at; least one bellows (34) which provides the uniform fore.e to/:^' the.compacting ram (32).

13. Ah apparatus for compressing compactable material (18) in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the compacting ram (32) is attached to at least one telescopic piston which provides the uniform force to the compacting ram (32).

14. An apparatus for compressing compactable material in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the compressed air source (36) is controlled by a control system for directing flow of air for generating movement of the compacting ram (32) .

15. An apparatus for compressing compactable material in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sub atmospheric pressure source (36) is controlled by a control system for generating reverse movement of the compacting ram (32).

16. An apparatus for compressing compactable material in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the compressed air and sub- atmospheric pressure source (36) are spaced apart from the container (40).

17. An apparatus for compressing compactable material in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the compressed air and sub- atmospheric pressure air source (36) is spaced apart from the container (40) with male and female ports for quick coupling to and from the container (40).

18. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as in a pneumatic solid waste collection system claimed in claim 10 wherein the compressed air source (36) generates an air pressure of less than 1 bar above atmospheric pressure.

19. An apparatus for compressing compactable material in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the compacting ram (32) is maintained in its rest position by use of magnets, catch and latch means.

20. An apparatus for compressing compactable material in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the container (40) further includes at least one distance sensor and at least one pressure sensor to monitor movement of the compacting ram (32) and volumetric reduction of the compactable material.

21. An apparatus for compressing compactable material as in a pneumatic solid waste collection system claimed in claim 10 wherein the container (40) further includes a first ram (42) attached to at least one bellows (44) to urge the compacted material towards an open door (46) during disposal.

22. An apparatus for compressing compactable material in a pneumatic solid waste collection system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the door (46) is opened and closed by bellows (48) or telescopic piston connected to a second ram (50), piston and lever arrangement.

23. Method for compressing compactable material in a container (40) comprising steps of: i) introducing compactable material into a container (40); ii) introducing a flow of air into at least one bellows (34) attached to at least one compacting ram (32) to compact the compactable material in the container; iii) extracting air from the bellows (34) attached to the compacting ram

(32) to move the compacting ram (32) back to a rest position; and iv) repeating step (i), (ii) and (iii) until the container (40) is fully compacted with compactable material (18), . . .

24. Method for compressing compactable material in a container as claimed in claim 23 wherein the method further includes a step of introducing a flow of air into at least one bellows attached to at least one moving. ram"and the said step is. done before step (ii) of claim 23.

25. Method for compressing compactable material in a container as claimed in claim 24 wherein the flow of air generates a uniform force to the at least one moving ram for further introducing the compactable material further into the container.

26. Method for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 23 wherein the air is extracted from the bellows (34) by a sub-atmospheric pressure source (36).

27. Method for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 23 wherein the air is introduced to the bellows (34) by a compressed air source (36). W

19.

28. Method for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 23 wherein the compactable material is solid waste (18).

29. Method for compressing compactable material as claimed in claim 23 wherein the compacting ram (32) is maintained in its rest position by use of magnets, catch and latch means.