Refuse collection body

A refuse collection body adapted for mounting on a vehicle with a cab and a chassis, the collection body comprising:

• a. a floor structure with a centrally positioned lower surface providing unified support for the collection body;
• b. a storage area for storing and compacting refuse, the storage area supported along its extent by the floor structure and having a top, the storage area with opposed composite side structures, each side structure comprising a upper longitudinal framing member and a lower longitudinal framing member, the framing members supporting therebetween a planar inner wall and a curved outer wall, the inner and outer walls being separated by a longitudinal Z-brace;
• c. a reception area for receiving refuse, the reception area supported by the floor structure and having opposed linear side partitions coplaner with the inner walls of the composite side structures;
• and,
• d. a divider extending downwardly from the top to terminate a distance from the floor structure to define an opening between the storage area and the reception area along the floor structure.

A refuse collection apparatus adapted for mounting on a vehicle with a cab and a chassis, the apparatus comprising:

• a. a collection body mounted to the chassis;
• the collection body having a front wall, a rear end, and a floor, the collection body with a reception area bounded by the front wall and a storage area;
• the storage area having a top and opposed side structures;
• each side structure comprised of a planar inner wall, a curved outer wall, and a means for joining the inner wall to the outer wall;
• the reception area having opposed side partitions which are coplanar with the corresponding inner walls;
• a divider extending downwardly from the top to terminate a distance from the floor to define an opening between the storage area and the reception area along the floor;
• b. a tailgate connected to the collection body to provide closure for the rear end, the tailgate movable between a closed position covering the rear end providing containment for refuse in the storage area and an open position uncovering the rear end allowing emptying of refuse from the storage area;
• c. a packer disposed for reciprocating movement between a first position proximate to the front wall and a second position proximate to the rear end along the floor through the opening, the reciprocating movement provided by a packer piston fixedly attached to the front wall, the packer capable of moving refuse deposited in the reception area to the storage area and providing compressive force to the refuse to reduce its volume;
• d. a means for loading refuse contained in a curbside container into the reception area, the loading capable of optionally being performed while the refuse is being compressed;
• and,
• e. a multi-paneled cover mounted within the collection body and extending between the sides generally parallel to the floor to prevent refuse from contacting the packer piston, the cover having a first end connected to the packer and a second end, the cover guided by a track along the inner walls, the partitions, the front wall, and partially over the cab, the cover having a length sufficient to cover the packer piston when the packer is in a position proximate the divider.