WO2010095958A1 - Portable compactor - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable compactor which includes: -support structure configured to connect to the top of at least two opposed walls, or diagonal corners, of a bin; -a compression foot; -an expansion mechanism connecting the support structure and compression plate together; wherein the expansion mechanism is arranged to cause the compression foot to move from a retracted to an expanded position within the bin as required by a user.

Description

PORTABLE COMPACTOR

STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the Provisional Specification filed in relation to

New Zealand Patent Application Number 570478, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable compactor. In particular a portable rubbish, recyclable material or trash compactor for use with a domestic rubbish/recycling bin, wheelie bin or such like.

BACKGROUND ART

The rubbish or recycled material put into wheelie bins is often compressed by users in an attempt to increase the amount of material that can be contained therein.

One method of compressing the contents simply involves a person climbing inside the bin and jumping up and down on the contents. However, this method can apply very high pressures to the base and walls of the bin, and over time may cause failure of these. If the contents include sharp objects, these may cause injury to the person concerned. People have also been known to fall out of the bin. Accordingly, this method requires a certain degree of strength and physical fitness, which many older people or infirm people do not have.

One known alternative to jumping to compress the contents involves the use of a lever device which attaches to the backup or hinges of the bin. This lever device is marketed under the trade mark TRASHBASHER as is available from www.trashbasher.co.uk. To operate this device a user employs their weight and/or strength to pull down on the lever to depress a foot into the bin in order to compress the contents of the bin, The application of a force to the lever transfers a substantial load onto the lip of the bin which can fail as a result. These lever devices also require a reasonable degree of strength to use, which many older or infirm people may not have. Lever type devices of certain designs can also cause damage to the back wall, back lip and/or hinges carrying the lid of the bin - as all the load is concentrated at one or more of these points on the back wall.

Furthermore such lever based compactors simply compress the contents for as long as the user pulls down on the handle. To overcome this at least one design incorporated a ratchet which held the load on, and in fact allowed a user to return later to 'ratchet' on more pressure. Once again this device requires a certain degree of physical fitness to use.

To avoid loading the lip of the bin it is possible to use a hydraulic jack on top of a plate, a piece of rigid material is used to brace the jack against the top of a door frame (either normal door or garage door). The jack is then used to push the plate down onto the contents of the bin. This method can apply very high pressures to the contents and inside of the bin, but due to the use of a jack little physical strength is needed. This high pressure can cause the walls/base of the bin to fail. In addition it is possible for the piece of rigid material to fly out injuring a user. A further problem with this method is lifting the jack and plate into the bin and recovering them afterwards.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTiQN

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable compactor which includes:

support structure configured to connect to the top of at least two opposed walls, or diagonal corners, of a bin;

a compression foot;

an expansion mechanism connecting the support structure and compression plate together; wherein the expansion mechanism is arranged to cause the compression foot to move from a retracted to an expanded position within the bin as required by a user.

The support structure may come in a variety of different forms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The exact nature will depend on the type of the bin.

For wheelie bins the support structure will generally be configured to engage the lips on the walls/corners of the bin.

In preferred embodiments the support structure may be in the form of a rail assembly which has lip engaging portions or corner engaging portions slidably located on a rail. The engaging portions being configured to be capable of holding the support structure to the top of the bin, when slidably moved from an expanded (open) position to a retracted (closed) position.

In another preferred embodiment the support structure may include at least one pivotal lip engaging portion(s) which depend downwardly from one or both ends of a cross member.

The lip engaging portions in preferred embodiments include a hooked distal end which can catch under the lip of a bin.

In other embodiments the support structure may include a clamp arrangement which engages the four walls/corners of the bin. Such an embodiment may be particularly useful, in bins where there are no lips, in helping to achieve sufficient purchase to enable compaction to occur. In some other embodiments the support structure may be one or more struts which span across the bin opening to rest upon two opposed walls, or diagonally opposed comers with lip engaging portions at each end of the strut(s).

In some other embodiments the support structure may be a plate which spans across the opening and rests on two opposed walls with lip engaging portions on the opposed edges of the plate.

The lip engaging portions may come in a variety of different forms but generally all should be capable of hooking under the lips to prevent upward movement of the support structure

In some embodiments the support structure may also include a housing, or be in the form of a housing.

The compaction foot may come in a variety of different forms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In general the compaction foot may have any shape which provides a surface area capable of compacting the contents of a bin or a portion thereof.

In preferred embodiments the compaction foot may be in the form of a substantially rectangular plate.

In some preferred embodiments the compaction foot may be configured to have the area spanned thereby increased or decreased. For example, the compaction foot may have a core member to which add-on members can be connected thereto. Preferably the add-on members may interlockingly engage the core member.

In some other embodiments the compaction foot may be a multiple wave shaped member similar to that used in some potato mashers. The area spanned by the compaction foot may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In some preferred embodiments the area spanned by the compaction foot may substantially cover the internal cross sectional area of the bin. The advantage of such embodiments being a single compaction movement of the foot compresses the entire contents of the bin.

In some other preferred embodiments the area spanned by the compaction foot may be a portion of the internal cross sectional area of the bin. The advantage of such embodiments being different regions of the bin can be compacted to differing degrees to create more room.

The expansion mechanism may come in a variety of different forms.

In preferred embodiments the expansion mechanism may be in the form of a scissor arm arrangement.

In some other embodiments the expansion mechanism may be in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic ram, or such like.

In some other embodiments the expansion mechanism may be in the form of solenoid.

The expansion mechanism may be connected to the supporting structure and compaction foot in any number of ways such as would be apparent to a skilled artisan that would enable relative movement there between such the distance of the compaction foot to the support structure can be increased or decreased so as to enable compaction.

In a preferred embodiment the expansion mechanism may be in the form of a scissor arm assembly and the connection may be achieved by a threaded lead screw arrangement, wheels, skids or such like, which allow for lateral movement, in order to allow for the relative distance, between the support structure and compaction foot, to be altered.

In another embodiment the expansion mechanism may simply be bolted or welded to the expansion mechanism and support structure.

The expansion mechanism may be controlled in any number of different ways depending on the type of expansion mechanism employed and whether or not manual or automated or semi-automated operation is required.

In some preferred embodiments where manual operation of a compactor including a scissor arm assembly as the expansion mechanism, is required, a turning device such as a rotating handle may be employed to control operation of the expansion mechanism.

In an alternative preferred embodiments where a semi-automated compaction is desired, a microchip or other processor may control operation of the expansion mechanism which may be in the form of a solenoid, upon receiving commands from a suitably configured control unit. Equally, it will be understood a microchip or other processor may be used to control operation of an expansion mechanism in the form of a motorized scissor arm assembly upon receiving commands from a suitably configured control unit.

Preferably the portable compactor includes a force limiting device configured to limit the force able to be applied by the portable compactor.

In general the force limiting device will be in the form of a clutch arrangement which is caused to disengage when the applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold. In some further preferred embodiments the compactor includes a further force limiting arrangement as a back up. For example, in some embodiments the compactor may include replaceable plastic fasteners which connect the compaction foot to the expansion mechanism. The plastic fasteners being engineered to fail if a force greater than a precedent threshold is encountered.

Preferably the force limiting device that rotationally isolates the turning device includes a fixed drive means, a movable drive means, a retention cap, a spring and at least one ball bearing; the retention cap is releasably attached to an end of the axle, adjacent the retention cap is the movable drive means which is slidingly attached to the Threaded Lead Screw (TLS), adjacent the movable drive means is the fixed drive means which is rigidly attached to the TLS; the spring is located between the retention cap and the movable drive means; each drive means includes at least one pocket, corresponding pockets in one of the drive means is configured to releasably retain a ball bearing; the spring is configured to lock the drive means together rotationally until a force limit is reached. At which point the ball bearings fall out of contact with one of the drive means to prevent further rotation thereof.

In a further preferred form the force limiting device that rotationally isolates the turning means may include a fluid or magnetic clutch, a clutch pack, a Bingham plastic or pseudoplastic fluid, individually sprung ball bearings or similar, either alone or in combination.

In an alternative preferred form the force limiting device that rotationally isolates the turning means operates in a similar way to a limited slip differential.

In a further preferred form each drive means includes surface features that are configured to ride over each other above a certain force. In a highly preferred form the surface features are specially formed teeth.

Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention may have a number of advantages over the prior art which can include:

providing a compactor which is safe and easy to operate for at least most people;

providing a compactor which is able to better preserve the integrity of and prevent damage occurring to a bin during compaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an end view of the invention in a partially extended state;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the invention along the line A-A in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is a front view of a primary cross-axle with first wheels attached removed from the expansion means;

Figure 4 is a top view of a scissor arm;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional end view of a wheeiϊe bin with the invention attached, prior to compressing the contents of the wheelie bin;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional end view of a wheelie bin with the invention attached, with the invention compressing the contents of the wheelie bin; Figure 7 a cross sectional side view of the preferred force limited turning means in the normal position; and

Figure 8 a cross sectional side view of the preferred force limited turning means in the disengaged position.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE [NVENTiON

Referring to Figure 1 a portable compactor (1) having a compression foot in the form of a plate (2), a carry handle (3), and a support structure in the form of a housing (4) is shown. The carry handle (3) is a u-shaped piece of rod rigidly attached to an exposed face (10) of the housing (4) configured to allow a user (not shown) to transport the portable compactor (1).

Referring to Figure 2 a cross sectional view of the portable compactor (1) along the line A-A, in Figure 1, in the direction of the arrows is shown. In this cross sectional view the housing (4) has a channel (11), a first lip engaging portion (12) and a second lip engaging portion (13). The channel (11) is an inverted u-shaped channel, the exposed face (10) of the housing (4) being the outside surface of the base (14) of said channel (11). The first lip engaging portion (12) is rigidly attached to a first end (15) of the channel (11) and the second lip engaging portion (13) is attached by a first hinge (16) to a second end (17) of the channel (11). The first hinge (16) is proximate the base (14) and lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel (11). The first hinge (16) is configured to allow the free end (18) of the second lip engaging portion (13) to swing away from the first clamp (12) increasing the distance between them. The unrestrained ends (18,19) of each lip engaging portion (12,13) are bent towards the other lip engaging portion (12,13) such that in cross section each lip engaging portion (12,13) is approximately L- shaped. Each lip engaging portion (12,13) extends away from the base (14) in the opposite direction to the carry handle (3). The portable compactor (1) further includes a TLS (20) and an expansion mechanism in the form of a scissor arm assembly (21). The scissor arm assembly (21) is configured to increase the distance between the plate (2) and the housing (4) by a scissor action.

The TLS (20) includes a handle end (23) and a first end (24), the handle end (23) is attached to a turning means (25) which is configured to allow a user to rotate the TLS (20). The handle end (23) and the first end (24) are at opposite ends of the TLS (20).

Adjacent the first end (24) is an axle support section (28) which is a reduced diameter section of the TLS (20), proximate the support section (28) is a first threaded section (30). Proximate the handle end (23) is a second threaded section (31) such that each of the threaded sections (30,31) is of opposite handedness, i.e. one threaded section is a right hand thread and the other is a left hand thread. Each threaded section (30,31) extends along the TLS (20) towards middle of the TLS (20).

The TLS (20) is rotatably located parallel to, and within, the channel (11), with its centreline coincident with that of the channel (11). The axle support section (28) is rotatably engaged with a hole (32) in a bearing block (33) which is rigidly connected to the channel (11). The handle end (23) is rotatably located by a hole (32a) in the first lip engaging portion (12).

The scissor arm assembly (21) includes a first primary cross-axle (34) with a first TLS (35) and second primary cross-axle (36) with a second TLS (37). Each TLS (35,37) has an internally threaded hole, in the corresponding primary cross-axle (34,36), lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective primary cross- axle (34,36). Each threaded connector (35,37) is configured to mate with the matching threaded section (30,31) of the TLS (20). A first wheel (40) is rotatably connected to each end of each primary cross-axle (34,36) such that each first wheel (40) lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of its respective primary cross-axle (34,36). The scissor arm assembly further includes first wheels (40) such that the peripheral edge (41) of each first wheel (40) is configured to contact the inner surface (42) of the base (14) of the channel (11).

Referring to Figure 3 a primary cross axle (34,36) and respective first wheels (40) are shown separated from the scissor arm assembly. Each primary cross-axle (34,36) includes a stub-axle (43) at each distal end which is rotatably engaged with the respective first wheel (40). Each wheel is prevented from disengaging with its stub axle (43) by a retention means (44) of a known type (such as a split pin, spring clip in a groove or similar). The width of each first wheel (40) is less than the length of the stub-axle (43) to which it is connected.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the scissor arm assembly has two first and second scissor arms (50,51), a scissor hinge (52), second wheels (53) and a first and second cross-axle (54,54a) will now be described in more detail.

A second wheel (53) is rotatably connected proximate each distal end of each cross-axle (54,54a).

The plate (2) is rigidly attached to two spaced apart parallel plate tracks (55). Each plate track (55) runs parallel to the TLS (20) and is located proximate the centreline of the compression plate (2). In cross section, the two plate tracks (55) combine to form a top hat section with a middle portion (56) missing. The middle portion (56) is dimensioned to allow the scissor arms (50,51) to pass through. The diameter of each second wheel (53) is such that it can fit into the space between a primary face (57) of the plate (2) and the inside surface of a plate track (55). The primary face (57) of the plate (2) is the face of the plate (2) that faces the channel (11). Referring to Figure 4 each scissor arm (50,51) is shown in more detail. Each scissor arm is a flat strip^* of rigid material which includes a first and second hole (58,59) located at opposite distal ends (60,61), and a hinge hole (62) located approximately equidistant from each end (60,61).

The first hole (58) in each first scissor arm (50) is rotatably connected to a separate stub-axle (43) on the first primary cross-axle (34) and the first hole (58) in each second scissor arm (51) is rotatably connected to a separate stub-axle (43) on the second primary cross-axle (34). The first and second scissor arms (50,51) on the same side of the portable compactor (1) cross over at the hinge hole (62) forming a cross. The scissor arm assembly (21) further includes a hinge axle (64) and a hinge spacer (65). The hinge axle (64) passes through the hinge holes (62) in one pair of first and second scissor arms (50,51), then through the hinge spacer (65), and finally through the hinge holes (62) in the other pair of scissor arms (50,51) forming the scissor hinge (52). The hinge axle (64) can be a nut and bolt or a rod with known retention means at each end.

The second hole (59) in one first scissor arm (50) is rotatably connected to an end of the first secondary cross-axle (54), the second hole (59) in the other first scissor arm (50) is rotatably connected to the opposite end of the first secondary cross- axle (54). The second hole (59) in one second scissor arm (51) is rotatably connected to an end of the second secondary cross-axle (54a), the second hole (59) in the other second scissor arm (51) is rotatably connected to the opposite end of the second secondary cross-axle (54a). A secondary spacer (66), which is a piece of tube, separates the scissor arms on each secondary cross-axle (54,54a). Each spacer (64,66) is dimensioned such that each pair of scissor arms (50,51) is approximately parallel to the other. In the storage position the distance between the case (4) and the plate (2) is the minimum. In the expanded position the distance between the plate (2) and the case. (4) is the maximum.

Each wheel (40,53) is adjacent the distal end of the cross-axle (34,36,54,54a) to which it is attached.

The turning means (25) is a force limiting device that is configured to turn the TLS (20). When the force required to turn the TLS (20) reaches a certain level the turning means (25) prevents more force from being applied. The turning means (25) may include spring loaded ball bearings, a split pin, magnetic coupling or other similar means for limiting the force which can be applied. One turning means (25) that limits the force will be describe in more detail after a preferred method of operation is described.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the portable compactor (1) is shown attached to a wheelie bin (70) containing material (71) to be compressed and compressed respectively. The wheelie bin (70) includes a lip (72) adjacent the opening adapted to receive the material (71). The unrestrained ends (18,19) of the lip engaging portions (12,13) are configured to engage with the underside of the lip (72). The first hinge (16) is configured to allow the second lip engaging portion (13) to swing, increasing the distance between the unrestrained ends (18,19) and thus allowing the portable compactor (1) to be releasably attached to the wheelie bin (70). The first hinge (16) also allows the portable contactor (1) to be releasably attached to different size wheelie bins (70).

In the preferred method of operation, the portable compactor (1) is attached to the wheelie bin (70) in the storage position. A user then rotates the turning means (25) which turns the TLS (20) which causes the two primary cross-axles (34,35) to move together along the TLS (20). As the two primary cross-axles move together the angle between the first and second scissor arms (50,51), measured at the scissor hinge (52) decreases. This causes the secondary cross axles (54) to move together and the distance between the housing (4) and the plate (2) to increase. At some point the compression plate (2) contacts the material (71) to be compressed, the user carries on rotating the turning means (25) until the material (71) is compressed or the preset force limit is reached. If the preset force limit is reached, the turning means (25) prevents any further compression being applied, thus preventing or reducing damage to the wheelie bin (70).

The direction of rotation is then reversed and the expansion means (21) reduces the distance between the compression plate (2) and the housing (4) until the portable compactor (1) returns to the storage position.

The compression plate (2) has a surface area which is smaller than that of the opening in the wheelie bin (70) so that it can compress a small section of the material (71) at a time -refer Figure 1 (which shows a side view of the plate (2). This allows more compressible portions of material (71) to be differentially treated. This differential treatment may involve repositioning the portable compactor (1) to a different part of the lip (72) of the wheelie bin (70). The repositioning may be by reducing the pressure on the lip engaging portions (12,13) and sliding the portable compactor (1) along the lip (72) of the wheelie bin (70) or by removing the portable compactor (1) completely then reattaching it.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 a preferred force limited turning means (25) including a fixed drive means (80), a movable drive means (81), a spring (82), a retention cap (83) and ball bearings (85) is shown. The retention cap (83) is releasably attached to the handle end of the TLS (20). The movable drive means (81) is adjacent the retention cap (83) and the fixed drive means (80). The fixed drive means (80) is rigidly attached to the TLS (20), preferably by welding but it could be keyed to the TLS (20) in some embodiments. The movable drive (81) means is slidingiy attached to the TLS (20).

The fixed drive means (80) includes a fixed drive disk (90), which is a disk of material at the end of the fixed drive means (80) closest to the movable drive means (81). The movable drive means (81) includes a moveable drive disk (91), which is a disk of material at the end of the movable drive means (81) closest to the fixed drive means (80).

In the mating face (92,93) of each drive disk (90,91) there are a series of pockets (94). Each pocket (94) in the face (92) fixed drive disk (90) aligns with a corresponding pocket (94) in the face (93) of the moveable drive disk (91) to form a void that is dimensioned to releasably contain a ball bearing (94). The pockets (94) are arranged along a radial line equidistant from the centre of the disk (90,91) inset from the peripheral edge of that disk (90,91).

The movable drive means (81) includes a collar (95) rigidly connected to, concentric with, and extending from, the movable drive disk (91). Through this collar (95), and partially into the movable drive disk (91), there is an aperture (96). This aperture (96) is dimensioned to allow the spring (82) to be retained between the movable drive means (81) and a first surface (97) of the retention cap (83). The first surface (97) is the face of the retention cap (83) facing the movable drive means (81).

The retention cap (83) includes a shield (98) which extends around the periphery of the retention cap (83) which extends towards the movable drive means (81). The length of the shield (98) is such that it protects the gap between the first surface (97) and the movable drive means (81). The turning handle (84) is a handle of known type rigidly attached to the movable drive means (81), welding, a keyway or anything similar can be used for this rigid attachment. The turning handle (84) is configured to allow a user to rotate the turning handle (84) about the centreline of the TLS (20) and, in the normal position (shown in Figure 7), turn the TLS (20).

The spring (82) is configured to apply sufficient force to the movable drive means (81) to keep it sufficiently close to the fixed drive means (80) to allow the ball bearings (85) to transfer the rotational motion of the turning handle (84) to the TLS (20) until a certain preset force limit is reached. When the preset force limit is reached, as shown in Figure 8, the spring (82) compresses, increasing the distance between the drive means (80,81) until the ball bearings (85) are released from their pockets (94) . In the force limited position the movable drive means (81) can freely rotate without turning the TLS (20). The strength of the spring (82) can be adjusted to allow more or less force to be applied before the limit is reached by spacing the retention cap (83) away from the handle end (23) of the TLS (20).

Any or all of the components making up the portable compactor (1) can be made from any suitable rigid or semi rigid material.

In a further embodiment the compression plate (2) is not rectangular, it can be circular, triangular or any other shape including the shape of a hand or a foot.

Though a specific method of limiting the force able to be applied is disclosed, any of the known means can also be used. For example each of the ball bearings (85) could be individually spring loaded so that they can move into one drive disk (90,91) and out of the pockets (94) in the other drive disk (90,91), the two drive disks could be magnetically coupled, the two drive disks could form a fluid clutch, instead of ball bearings the two mating faces could be separated by a Bingham plastic, a pseudoplastic fluid or similar. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT ϊ CLAIM IS:

1. A portable compactor which includes:

support structure configured to connect to the top of at least two opposed walls, or diagonal corners, of a bin;

a compression foot;

an expansion mechanism connecting the support structure and compression plate together;

wherein the expansion mechanism is arranged to cause the compression foot to move from a retracted to an expanded position within the bin as required by a user.

2. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support structure is configured to engage the lips on the walls/corners of a bin in the form of a wheelie bin.

3. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the expansion mechanism may be in the form of a scissor arm arrangement.

4. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the expansion mechanism may be in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic ram.

5. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the expansion mechanism may be in the form of solenoid.

6. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portable compactor includes a force limiting device configured to limit the force able to be applied by the portable compactor.

7. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the area spanned by the compaction foot may substantially cover the internal cross sectional area of the bin.

8. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the area spanned by the compaction foot may be a portion of the internal cross sectional area of the bin.

9. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein a turning device such as a rotating handle may be employed to control operation of the expansion mechanism.

10. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5 wherein a microchip or other processor may control operation of the expansion mechanism which may be in the form of a solenoid, upon receiving commands from a suitably configured control unit.

11. A portable compactor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 wherein a microchip or other processor may be used to control operation of an expansion mechanism in the form of a motorized scissor arm assembly upon receiving commands from a suitably configured control unit.