Abstract: A vehicle for collecting and hauling material includes a truck chassis and a detachable truck body/semi trailer. The detachable truck body/semi trailer includes a body having a rear end, a front end, and a bottom surface, a frame coupled to the bottom surface, the frame extending from proximate the rear end to a position spaced a distance from the front end, and an axle mounted to the frame. A coupling assembly couples the truck body/semi trailer to the truck chassis and is movable between a truck body configuration in which the frame abuts the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is prevented and a semi trailer configuration wherein the frame is spaced apart from the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is permitted.

Abstract: A vehicle for collecting and hauling material includes a truck chassis and a detachable truck body/semi trailer. The detachable truck body/semi trailer includes a body having a rear end, a front end, and a bottom surface, a frame coupled to the bottom surface, the frame extending from proximate the rear end to a position spaced a distance from the front end, and an axle mounted to the frame. A coupling assembly couples the truck body/semi trailer to the truck chassis and is movable between a truck body configuration in which the frame abuts the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is prevented and a semi trailer configuration wherein the frame is spaced apart from the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is permitted.

Abstract: A truck, trailer or other vehicle and a method of collecting recyclable materials are disclosed in which such materials are kept segregated in a container, box or otherwise near a home or an apartment, then the materials not originally placed in a container are so placed and then the container is lifted and moved to a position at which it is inverted and emptied of its materials, while still segregated, into respective compartments on the vehicle. The vehicle has a bed, a pair of outer side walls, and inner walls for defining a plurality of compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle. Each compartment is adapted for receiving a specific recyclable material. Each compartment has a ram for forcing the materials out of the compartment through an access opening. The container is provided with front access openings to permit recyclable materials to be put into respective compartments of the container.

Abstract: A vehicle having a bed which is pivotal from a trash collection position to a trash dumping position. The bed is provided with inner walls for dividing the interior of the bed into three compartments, a central compartment for receiving paper and two side compartments for receiving, respectively, metal materials and glass materials. The central compartment has a push blade which forces paper materials rearwardly toward a rear access door. The blade carries two skimmer plates in respective side compartments for skimming the top piles of waste materials in the two side compartments. The bed is provided with rear side openings covered by doors which, when opened, allow materials to move out of the side compartments when the bed it tilted.

Abstract: A truck, trailer or other vehicle and a method of collecting recyclable materials are disclosed in which such materials are kept segregated in a container, box or otherwise near a home or an apartment, then the materials not originally placed in a container are so placed and then the container is lifted and moved to a position at which it is inverted and emptied of its materials, while still segregated, into respective compartments on the vehicle. The vehicle has a bed, a pair of outer side walls, and inner walls for defining a plurality of compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle. Each compartment is adapted for receiving a specific recyclable material. Each compartment has a ram for forcing the materials out of the compartment through an access opening. The container is provided with front access openings to permit recyclable materials to be put into respective compartments of the container.

Abstract: A vehicle having a bed pivotal from a trash collection position to a trash dumping position. The bed has inner walls for forming three compartments, a central compartment for receiving paper and two side compartments for receiving, respectively, metal materials and glass materials. The central compartment has a pusher ram which forces paper materials rearwardly toward a rear access door. The blade carries two skimmer plates in respective side compartments for skimming the top piles of waste materials in the two side compartments. The bed has rear side openings covered by doors which, when opened, allow materials to exit the side compartments when the bed is tilted. The vehicle has a lifting structure provided with a pair of pivotal blades for placement in the side guides of a container to be lifted into a dumping position above the top, front opening of the bed.

Abstract: A glass container for holding hot liquids and having a shatter resistant plastic coating which resists fragmenting of the glass and which is serviceable for containers that are subjected to intermittent heating and cooling during use.