Apparatus for compressing waste materials

An apparatus for compressing waste materials, comprising:

• a) compression unit having a housing, said housing including an opening for receiving waste material, said housing having first and second bottom surfaces, said first bottom surface extending substantially parallel to said second bottom surface, said second bottom surface being offset upwardly from said first bottom surface;
• b) a ram positioned in said housing of said compression unit, said ram including a front compacting face;
• c) a power unit means for activating and deactivating said compression unit for moving said ram between a storage position and an operating position;
• and,
• d) detachable connecting means for detachably connecting said power unit means to said compression unit, said detachable connecting means being secured to and extending downwardly from said second bottom surface, said detachable connecting means extending substantially the entire width of said second bottom surface thereby permitting said power unit means to be inserted from either side of said compression unit.

An apparatus for compressing waste materials, comprising:

• a) compression unit means for receiving and compressing waste materials, said compression unit means including a housing having front, left side, right side and rear walls, said housing further including an opening for receiving waste materials, said compression unit means including at least one piston and cylinder;
• b) power unit means for activating and deactivating said compression unit means, said power unit means having a forwardmost portion;
• and,
• c) detachable connecting means for detachably connecting said power unit means to said compression unit means such that said forwardmost portion is positioned rearwardly of said piston and cylinder, said detachable connecting means including at least one rail support means for receiving and supporting at least a portion of said power unit means upon movement of said power unit means relative to said compression unit means in a direction which forms an angle with at least one of said left and right side walls.

An apparatus for compressing waste materials, comprising:

• a) compression unit for receiving and compressing waste materials, said compression unit including at least one piston and cylinder, said compression unit further including a housing having an opening for receiving waste materials;
• b) power unit for activating and deactivating said compression unit, said power unit having a forwardmost portion;
• and,
• c) at least one support member for detachably connecting said power unit to said compression unit such that said forwardmost portion is positioned rearwardly of a rearwardmost portion of said cylinder, said at least one support member being secured to said housing.