US 4,382,740 A · Refuse compaction apparatus and method

A refuse compacting apparatus comprising:

a container for storing refuse, the container having an opening for receiving the refuse;
a loading hopper having an opening in communication with the opening in said storage container;
a refuse compacting means positioned to sweep through said hopper to compact refuse therein and to move compacted refuse from the loading hopper into the storage container;
a retainer panel positioned to move between an open position and a closed position;
said retainer panel impeding the flow of refuse from said container into said hopper through the openings in the hopper and the container with the retainer panel in its closed position and facilitating the flow from said hopper into said container of refuse which is swept from the hopper by the refuse compacting means with the retainer panel in its open position, and
control means operatively coupled to the retainer panel to position and maintain the retainer panel in the opened position while obtaining a movement of the refuse compacting means through said hopper, in the portion of the cyclic movement of the compacting means to the opening in the hopper and adjacent the opening in the hopper, to move refuse into the storage container through the opening in the hopper and in the container and to position and maintain the retainer panel in the closed position while obtaining a movement of the refuse compacting means through the remainder of the cyclic movement of the compacting means.

3 more elements

A refuse compacting apparatus comprising:

a container for storing refuse under pressure;
a loading hopper in communication with said storage container;
a refuse compacting panel positioned to move from a rest position in a first direction to sweep through said hopper to compact refuse therein while moving compacted refuse from the loading hopper into the storge container;
the compacting panel then being movable in a second direction to return to its rest position;
a relatively large first hydraulic motor for driving the compacting panel in said first direction;
a relatively small second hydraulic motor for driving the compacting panel in said second direction;
means to supply pressurized hyraulic fluid to said first and second hydraulic motors;
means mechanically interconnecting the first and second hydraulic motors such that movement of the first motor to drive the panel in said first direction causes movement of the second motor in a direction opposite to its movement in driving the panel in said second direction while movement of the second motor to drive the panel in said second direction causes movement of the first motor in a direction opposite to its movement in driving the panel in said first direction;
said first motor having a first opening and a second opening;
said second motor having a first opening and a second opening;
means connecting the second opening of the first motor with the second opening of the second motor;
a sump means to receive hydraulic fluid;
means connecting the second opening of the first motor and the second opening of the second motor to said sump means;
valve means positioned between said first and second motors and the means to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to said motors;
said valve means having a first operative position to direct hydraulic fluid to the first opening of the first motor to cause movement of the first motor to drive the compacting panel in said first direction;
said valve means in its first operative position transmitting hydraulic fluid from the first opening of the second motor to said sump as the second motor moves in a direction opposite to its movement in driving the compacting panel in said second direction;
hydraulic fluid flowing from the second opening of the first motor into the second opening of the second motor and also flowing into the sump as the first motor moves to drive the compacting panel in its first direction;
said valve means having a second operative position to direct hydraulic fluid to the first opening in the second motor to drive the compacting panel in said second direction which causes movement of the first motor in a direction opposite to its movement in driving the compacting panel in said first direction;
said valve means in its second operative position transmitting hydraulic fluid from the first opening of the first motor to the sump, and
means interconnecting the first and second openings of the first motor which is actuated when the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the first opening of the second motor reaches a predetermined value to permit hydraulic fluid to flow from the first opening of the first motor into the second opening of the first motor,
whereby the second motor acts as an accumulator for hydraulic fluid from the first motor when the first motor is moving to drive the compacting panel in its first direction and the second motor is moving in a direction opposite to its movement in driving the compacting panel in its second direction with the first motor acting as its own accumulator for hydraulic fluid when the second motor is moving in its second direction and the first motor is moving in a direction opposite to its movement in driving the compacting panel in its first direction with hydraulic fluid being transmitted from the first opening in the first motor to the second opening in the first motor,
an ejection panel movably positioned within said storage container, and
a third motor operatively connected to said ejection panel for effecting movement of the ejection panel within the storage container.

20 more elements

A refuse compacting apparatus comprising:

a container for storing refuse under pressure;
a loading hopper in communication with said storage container;
refuse compacting means positioned to move from a rest position in a working direction to sweep through said hopper to compact refuse therein and to move refuse from the hopper into the storage container;
said refuse compacting means then being movable in a return direction to return to its rest position;
a retainer panel positioned for movement between an opened and a closed position;
said retainer panel impeding the flow of refuse from said container into said hopper with the retainer panel in its closed position and permitting the movement of refuse from said hopper into said container by the refuse compacting means with the retainer panel in its opened position;
a first hydraulic motor for moving the retainer panel;
said first motor having a first opening to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to move the retainer panel to its opened position and a second opening to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to move the retainer panel to its closed position;
a relatively large second hydraulic motor for driving the refuse compacting means in its working direction;
said second motor having a first opening to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to move the second motor in a first direction to move the refuse compacting means in a working direction and a second opening to discharge hydraulic fluid as the compacting means moves in a working direction;
a relatively small third hydraulic motor for moving the refuse compacting means in a return direction;
said third motor having a first opening to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to move in a second direction in moving the refuse compacting means in a return direction and a second opening to discharge hydraulic fluid as the compacting means moves in a return direction;
means to mechanically interconnect the second and third motors such that movement of the second motor in said first direction causes movement of the third motor in a direction opposite to said second direction and movement of the third motor in said second direction causes movement of the second motor in a direction opposite to said first direction;
a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid;
a sump to receive hydraulic fluid;
valve means positioned between said source of hydraulic fluid and said second and third motors;
said valve means having a first operative position to transmit hydraulic fluid from the source of pressurized fluid to said first opening of the first motor and to the first opening of the second motor and to permit the flow of fluid from the second opening of the first motor and from the first opening of the third motor to the sump;
means interconnecting the second opening of the second motor to the second opening of the third motor;
said valve means having a second operative position in which fluid is directed from the source of pressurized fluid to the second opening of the first motor and to the first opening of the third motor;
means interconnecting the first opening and second opening of the second motor when the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the first opening of the third motor reaches a predetermined first level, and
means interconnecting the second opening of the second motor and the second opening of the third motor to the sump,
whereby the valve means in its first operative position pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the first opening of the first motor and the first opening of the second motor with the retainer panel being moved to an opened position as the refuse compacting means is moved in a working direction with hydraulic fluid discharged from the second opening of the second motor being conveyed to the second opening of the third motor and to the sump and with the valve means in its second operative position pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the second opening of the first motor and to the first opening of the third motor with the retainer panel being moved to a closed position as the refuse compacting means is moved in a return direction with hydraulic fluid from the first opening of the second motor being conveyed to the sump and also to the second opening of the second motor as fluid discharged from the second opening of the third motor is conveyed to the sump and also to the second opening of the second motor,
an ejection panel movably positioned within said storage container, and
means to move the ejection panel in small incremental movements away from a position adjacent the communication between the storage container and the loading hopper in response to the pressure of refuse against the refuse compacting means,
whereby the effective volume of the storage container is incrementally increased as the container is filled with refuse such that refuse within the storage container is packed at a relatively uniform pressure.

22 more elements

In combination for packing refuse,

a storage body having an opening for receiving the refuse,
a hopper disposed in contiguous relationship to the storage body and having a first opening for receiving refuse and a second opening communicating with the opening in the storage body, the second opening being constructed to define in the hopper an orifice of progressively decreasing dimensions with progressive positions toward the opening in the storage body to obtain a compaction and fragmentation of the refuse in the second hopper and to obtain a low pressure of the refuse in the storage body,
an ejection panel disposed in the storage body and movable in a direction toward or away from the opening in the storage body,
means disposed in the storage body and operatively coupled to the ejection panel for moving the ejection panel on an incremental basis away from the opening in the storage body to maintain the low pressures of the refuse in the storage body,
packer panel means disposed in the hopper and movable on a cyclic basis to obtain a movement toward the second opening of the refuse inserted into the first opening and to obtain a packing of the refuse during the movement of the refuse toward and through the second opening,
means operatively coupled to the packer panel means for obtaining the movement of the packer panel means on a cyclic basis, and
means operatively coupled to the moving means for the ejection panel for producing incremental movements of the ejection panel in a direction away from the opening in the storage body, upon the production of a particular pressure by the refuse in the second opening in the hopper, to facilitate the compaction and fragmentation of the refuse in the second opening in the hopper.

4 more elements

In combination for compacting and storing refuse,

a hopper having first and second opposite ends and having a first opening at the first end for receiving refuse and a second opening at the second end, the hopper being constructed to receive and retain the refuse inserted into the hopper through the first opening,
packer panel means disposed in the hopper and movable cyclically in the hopper for compacting the refuse and for passing the refuse, after compaction, through the second opening in the hopper,
the second opening being shaped to define a throat having a progressively increasing restriction for receiving the refuse being cyclically moved by the packer panel means and for progressively compacting and fragmenting the refuse as the refuse is directed by the packer panel means through the second opening and being further shaped to direct the refuse at low pressures from the second opening,
a storage body disposed in contiguous relationship to the hopper and provided with an opening communicating with the second opening in the hopper and constructed to store the refuse directed through the second opening in the hopper,
an ejection panel disposed in the storage body and movable in the storage body in a direction toward or away from the hopper, and
means responsive to the pressure of the refuse in the second opening in the hopper for producing increments in the movement of the ejection panel in the direction away from the opening in the storage body, upon the occurrence of pressures greater than a particular value in the second opening in the hopper, to maintain such pressure within particular limits facilitating an optimal compaction and fragmentation of the refuse passing into the storage body through the second opening in the hopper and to maintain the low pressures of the refuse in the storage body.

3 more elements

In combination for storing refuse,

a storage body for holding the refuse, the storage body having an opening for receiving the refuse,
a hopper having first and second opposite ends and having an opening at the first end for receiving the refuse and having an opening at the second end in communication with the opening in the storage body for providing for a transfer of refuse at low pressures from the hopper into the storage body, the opening at the second end of the hopper defining a progressive constriction with progressive positions toward the opening in the storage body to produce increasing pressures on the refuse directed into the storage body through the opening at the second end of the hopper and defining thereafter a progressive relief in such constriction to produce decreasing pressures on the refuse directed into the storage body through such opening at the second end of the hopper and to provide a transfer of the refuse at low pressures into the storage body,
packer panel means disposed in the hopper and cyclically movable to provide a compaction of the refuse in the hopper and a movement of the refuse into the storage body through the opening in the second end of the hopper,
means operatively coupled to the packer panel means for producing the cyclical movement of the packer panel means,
an ejection panel movable in the storage body in a direction toward or away from the hopper,
means operatively coupled to the ejection panel for producing a movement of the ejection panel in the storage body in the direction toward or away from the hopper, and
control means operatively coupled to the last mentioned means for producing incremental movements of the ejection panel in the storage body when the pressure of the refuse in the opening at the second end of the hopper exceeds a first particular value and until the pressures of the refuse in the opening at the second end of the hopper decrease to a second particular value less than the first particular value.

4 more elements

In combination in refuse equipment,

a hopper having first and second side walls spaced from each other,
a first shaft supported on the first side wall of the hopper for rotation,
a second shaft supported on the second side wall of the hopper for rotation,
a torque tube supported on the first shaft for rotation with the first shaft and constructed to transmit torque,
a first packing panel constructed to provide strength in resisting twisting movement and to transmit torque through the packing panel,
means connected between the torque tube and the first packing panel for providing a rigid connection between the torque tube and the first packing panel and for transmitting torque from the torque tube to the first packing panel,
means operatively coupled to the first shaft for rotating the first shaft to provide a rotary movement of the first packing panel and to provide for a compaction of the refuse in the housing during such rotary movement,
stiffening means operatively coupled between the second shaft and the first packing panel for stiffening the first packing panel at the second wall of the hopper during the rotation of the first shaft,
a second packing panel supported by the first packing panel for movement with the first packing panel and for independent movement relative to the first packing panel,
means operatively coupled to the second packing panel for providing a movement of the second packing panel independently of the movement of the first packing panel to facilitate the compaction of the refuse in the hopper,
the torque tube being hollow and being disposed near the first side wall of the hopper and the first packing panel being hollow and extending between the first and second side walls of the hopper and the second packing panel extending between the first and second side walls of the hopper,
a storage body for the refuse, the storage body having an opening,
the hopper having an opening communicating with the opening in the storage body, the opening in the hopper being shaped to define a throat having a progressive constriction with progressive positions toward the communication with the opening in the storage body,
retaining means disposed in the hopper and movable between a first position at least partially blocking the opening in the hopper and a second position at least partially defining the progressive constriction in the opening, and
means providing a movement of the retaining means between the first and second positions in synchronous relationship with the rotary positioning of the first packing panel in the hopper to obtain a coordinated operation of the retaining means and the first packing panel in providing, during the movement of the first packing panel to the opening in the hopper, for the transfer by the packing panel of refuse through the opening in the hopper and in providing, during the movement of the packing panel past the opening in the hopper, a restriction against the movement, out of the opening in the hopper, of the refuse in the hopper.

12 more elements

In combination in equipment for storing refuse,

a hopper for receiving refuse,
a first packer panel movable cyclically through the hopper for compacting the refuse received in the hopper,
first means operatively coupled to the first packer panel for producing a cyclic movement of the first packer panel through the hopper,
a second packer panel,
second means operatively coupled to the second packer panel for supporting the second packer panel for movement with the first packer panel and for independent movement relative to the first packer panel to obtain a compaction of the refuse in the hopper,
a storage body for storing the refuse,
there being an opening of progressive constriction in the hopper with progressive positions toward the storage body and there being in the storage body an opening communicating with the opening in the hopper,
retaining means disposed in the hopper and movable between a first position at least partially blocking the opening in the hopper and a second position at least partially defining the progressive restriction,
third means operatively coupled to the retaining means for moving the retaining means between the first and second positions, and
fourth means operatively coupled to the first, second and third means for providing for a movement of the retaining means to the second position and a movement of the first and second packer panels through a first cyclic portion providing for a packing of the refuse in the hopper and a direction of the refuse into the opening in the hopper and providing for a retention of the retaining means in the second position during such movement of the first and second packer panels and then providing for a movement of the retaining means to the first position and a movement of the first and second packer panels through a second cyclic portion through the progressive positions adjacent to positions for commencement of a subsequent cycle and providing for such retention of the retaining means in the first position during such movement of the first and second packer panels through progressive positions after movement of the compacting means adjacent the opening in the hopper.

7 more elements

In combination in equipment for storing refuse,

a hopper for receiving refuse,
a first packer panel movable cyclically through the hopper for compacting the refuse received in the hopper,
first means operatively coupled to the first packer panel for producing a cyclic movement of the first packer panel through the hopper,
a second packer panel,
a second means operatively coupled to the second packer panel for supporting the second packer panel for movement with the first packer panel and for independent movement relative to the first packer panel to obtain a compaction of the refuse in the hopper,
a storage body for storing the refuse,
there being an opening of progressive constriction in the hopper with progressive positions toward the storage body and there being in the storage body an opening communicatwith the opening in the hopper,
retaining means disposed in the hopper and movable between a first position at least partially blocking the opening in the hopper and a second position at least partially defining the progressive restriction,
third means operatively coupled to the retaining means for moving the retaining means between the first and second positions,
fourth means operatively coupled to the first, second and third means for providing for a movement of the retaining means to the second position and a movement of the first and second packer panels through a first cyclic portion providing for a packing of the refuse in the hopper and a direction of the refuse into the opening in the hopper and providing for a retention of the retaining means in the second position during such movement of the first and second packer panels and then providing for a movement of the retaining means to the first position and a movement of the first and second packer panels through a second cyclic portion through progressive positions adjacent the opening in the hopper to positions for the commencement of a subsequent cycle and providing for such retention of the retaining means in the first position during such movement of the first and second packer panels through progressive positions after movement of the compacting means adjacent the opening in the hopper,
an ejection panel disposed in the storage body for movement in the storage body in a direction toward or away from the opening in the hopper,
means operatively coupled to the ejection panel for moving the ejection panel in the direction toward or away from the opening in the hopper, and
means operatively coupled to the moving means for the ejection panel and responsive to the pressure exerted by the refuse in the opening in the hopper for obtaining a movement of the ejection panel in a direction to relieve the pressure of the refuse in the opening in the hopper when such pressure exceeds a particular value.

10 more elements

In combination for storing refuse,

first, second, third and fourth sheet members having flexible characteristics and disposed in an outwardly bowed relationship and having a high strength in tension as compared to their strengths in compression,
pairs of the first, second, third and fourth sheet members being disposed in abutting relationship to define a storage body with the first and second sheet members defining side panels of the storage body and the third and fourth side panels of the storage body and the third and fourth sheet members defining top and bottom walls of the storage body,
a plurality of stiffening means each disposed at one of the corners defined in the storage body by the abutting relationship between the pairs of the first, second, third and fourth sheet members,
means including an opening in the storage body for providing for the introduction into the storage body of refuse at low pressures,
a hopper having an opening communicating with the opening in the storage body, the opening in the hopper having parameters for obtaining the production within controlled limits of high pressures in the refuse in the hopper through a first portion of such opening to obtain a compaction and fragmentation of the refuse through the first portion of such opening and for relieving such high pressures through a second portion of such opening to obtain the passage of the refuse at the low pressures through the second portion of the opening and into the storage body,
packer panel means movable cyclically through the hopper for introducing the refuse into the opening in the hopper to obtain the production of the high pressures in the first portion of the opening in the hopper, and
means for maintaining the pressure of the refuse in the first portion of the opening within particular limits.

4 more elements

In combination for storing refuse,

first, second, third and fourth sheet members having flexible characteristics and disposed in an outwardly bowed relationship and having a high strength in tension as compared to their strengths in compression,
the first and third sheet members being disposed in spaced relationship in a first direction and the second and fourth sheet members being disposed in spaced relationship in a second direction transverse to the first direction and the first sheet member being disposed in abutting relationship with the second and fourth sheet members and the third sheet member being disposed in abutting relationship with the second and fourth sheet members to define a storage body with the first and second sheet members defining side panels of the storage body and the third and fourth sheets defining top and bottom walls of the storage body,
a plurality of stiffening means each disposed at one of the corners defined in the storage body by the abutting relationship between the pairs of the first, second, third and fourth sheet members,
means including an opening in the storage body for providing for the introduction into the storage body of refuse at low pressures,
a hopper having an opening communicating with the opening in the storage body, the opening in the hopper having parameters for obtaining the production of high pressures in the refuse in the hopper through a first portion of such opening to provide a compaction and fragmentation of the refuse passing through the first portion of the opening and for relieving such high pressures through a second portion of such opening to obtain the passage of the refuse at the low pressures through the second portion of the opening and into the storage body,
packer panel means movable cyclically through the hopper for introducing the refuse into the opening in the hopper and for producing the high pressures in the first portion of the opening in the hopper,
an ejection panel disposed within the storage body and movable within the storage body, and
means responsive to the pressure exerted by the refuse in the first portion of the opening in the hopper for moving the ejection panel in a direction for relieving the pressure in the opening in the hopper when the pressure of the refuse in the first portion of the opening in the hopper exceeds a particular value.

5 more elements

In combination for storing refuse,

a hopper constructed to receive the refuse and having an opening for the passage of the refuse, the opening defining a throat having a progressive constriction for producing progressive pressures on the refuse passing through the opening to provide a compaction and fragmentation of the refuse in the opening and having progressive relief in such constriction to provide a progressive reduction of the refuse in the opening,
first, second, third and fourth sheet members made from a flexible material and provided with an outwardly bowed configuration and having a higher strength in tension than in compression, the first, second, third and fourth sheet members being disposed relative to one another to define a storage body having an opening communicating with the opening in the hopper,
stiffening means disposed at the corners of the storage body,
an ejection panel disposed within the storage body for movement relative to the storage body,
packer panel means disposed within the hopper for directing the refuse into the storage body through the opening in the hopper for progressive compaction during the passage of the refuse through the portion of the opening of progressive constriction in the hopper and for progressive release of this progressive constriction upon the movement of the refuse into the storage body through the portion of the opening of progressive relief in the constriction,
means operatively coupled to the ejection panel for moving the ejection panel in directions toward or away from the opening in the storage body, and
means operatively coupled to the moving means for the ejection panel for producing controlled operations of the moving means to provide incremental movements of the ejection panel in the direction away from the storage body when the pressures of the refuse in the portion of the opening of progressive constriction in the hopper exceeds a particular value.

4 more elements

In combination for storing refuse,

a hopper having first and second walls spaced from each other and having an opening in the first wall for receiving refuse and having an opening in the second wall,
a storage body having an opening communicating with the opening in the second wall of the hopper for providing for a transfer of refuse in the storage body,
a first packer panel movable cyclically in the hopper from a starting position past the first wall of the hopper toward the second wall of the hopper and then in a return path to the starting position,
a second packer panel disposed in the hopper and supported on the first packer panel for movement with the first packer panel and for independent movement relative to the first packer panel between a collapsed position and an extended position,
means disposed in the hopper for providing for a movement of the second packer panel from the collapsed position to the extended position during the movement of the first packer panel from the starting position toward the second wall of the hopper and for providing for a movement of the second packer panel from the extended position to the collapsed position during the return movement of the first packer panel to the starting position,
a first hydraulic motor having a large hydraulic capacity,
a second hydraulic motor having a small hydraulic capacity,
valve means having first and second states of operation,
means operatively coupled to the valve means for providing an operation of the valve means in the first state of operation during the movement of the first packing panel from the starting position to the opening in the second wall and for providing an operation of the valve means in the second state during the movement of the first packer panel beyond the opening in the second wall to the starting position,
means connecting the first hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor in a hydraulic circuit, during the operation of the valve in the first state, for producing a flow of hydraulic fluid between the first hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor to obtain an operation of the first hydraulic motor in driving the first packer panel and for producing a flow of hydraulic motor, during the operation of the valve in the second state, to obtain the operation of the second hydraulic motor in driving the first packer panel through progressive positions adjacent the opening in the second wall to the starting position.

7 more elements

In combination for storing refuse transferred from a hopper,

a plurality of thin sheet members made from a lightweight material and shaped to withstand forces in tension and disposed to define a pair of side walls and top and bottom walls of a storage body,
stiffening means disposed at the corners of the storage body defined by the thin sheet members,
a tailgate assembly operatively coupled to the storage body at one end of the storage body for pivotable movement cyclically between a first position adjacent to the storage body for providing for the transfer of refuse from the tailgate assembly to the storage body and a second position displaced from the storage body for providing for a removal of the refuse from the storage body,
means included in the tailgate assembly for providing a compaction and fragmentation at high forces of the refuse with the tailgate assembly in the first position and for the production of low pressures in the refuse after such compaction and fragmentation and for providing for a passage of the refuse at the low pressures into the storage body,
a first frame disposed on the storage body at the position of the tailgate assembly,
a second frame disposed on the storage body at the end of the storage body opposite to the tailgate assembly,
a truck frame connected only to the first and second frames to support the storage body and the tailgate assembly,
the thin sheet members being bowed outwardly to withstand a greater force in tension than in compression,
means disposed in the storage body for maintaining the refuse at low pressures in the storage body, and
means for controlling the magnitude of the high forces at which the refuse is compacted and fragmented.

7 more elements

A method of transferring refuse from a hopper into a storage body where the hopper and the storage body communicate through openings in the hopper and the storage body and where the opening in the hopper has a progressive constriction with progressive displacements toward the storage body and then has a progressive relief in such constriction with further progressive displacements toward the storage body, including the following steps:

cyclically moving a packer panel through the hopper to obtain a transfer of refuse from the hopper into the storage body through the openings in the hopper and in the storage body and to obtain a progressive force from compacting and fragmenting the refuse during movement of the refuse through the progressive constriction in the opening in the storage body and to obtain a progressive relief in such force during movement of the refuse through the progressive relief in the opening in the hopper and to obtain a transfer of the refuse at low pressures from the hopper into the storage body,
determining the pressure imposed by the refuse in the progressive constriction in the opening in the hopper, and
incrementally moving an ejection panel in the storage body in a direction away from the hopper whenever the pressure on the refuse in the progressive constriction in the opening in the hopper exceeds a particular value.

A method of transferring refuse from a hopper into a storage body, including the steps of:

cyclically moving a packer panel through the hopper past an opening in the hopper to provide for an introduction of the refuse into the opening in the hopper where the opening has an extended length and communicates with an opening in the storage body at the end of this length,
providing for a progressive increase in the force exerted on the refuse during the movement of the refuse through a first distance in the opening in the hopper,
providing for a decrease in the force extended on the refuse during the movement of the refuse through a second distance in the opening in the hopper where the second distance is closer to the opening in the storage body than the first distance,
providing for a transfer into the storage body at a low pressure of the refuse in the hopper after the movement of the refuse through the opening in the hopper,
determining the pressure exerted by the refuse in the opening in the hopper during the movement of the packer panel through the first distance in such opening,
providing for incremental movements of an ejection panel in a direction away from the opening in the storage body, and
producing an incremental movement of the ejection panel in a direction away from the opening in the storage body when the pressure exerted by the refuse through the first distance in the opening in the hopper exceeds a particular value.

4 more elements

In combination for packing refuse,

a hopper for receiving refuse,
packer panel means disposed in the hopper and movable cyclically through the hopper for packing the refuse in the hopper,
there being an opening in the hopper for receiving the refuse in the hopper, the opening being provided with parameters for producing a progressively increasing force on the refuse during the movement of the refuse through a first portion of such opening and for producing a progressive reduction in such force, after the progressive increase in such force, during the movement of the refuse through a second portion of the opening, the opening in the hopper being defined by walls,
means operatively coupled to the packer panel means for providing the cyclic movement of the packer panel means through the hopper,
a retainer having a first position inhibiting the movement of refuse into the hopper from the opening in the hopper and having a second position facilitating the movement of the refuse into the opening in the hopper, and
means operatively coupled to the retainer for disposing the retainer in the second position upon the initiation of each cyclic movement of the packer panel means and for maintaining the retainer in the second position during the cyclic movement of the packer panel means to the opening in the hopper and for disposing the retainer in the first position upon the movement of the packer panel means past the opening in the hopper and for retaining the retainer in the first position until the completion of the cyclic movement of the packer panel means.

3 more elements

Refuse compaction apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Refuse compaction apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims56