Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to new and improved self-contained compactor systems incorporating a straight-push cylinder design, in which the compactor system is actuated in a horizontal direction. The improved design accommodates increased storage volume, long wear parts, simplified reservoir cleaning, and easier external access to the components, cylinders, and hoses of the self-contained compactor system.

Abstract: A solar-powered waste compactor comprises a waste container for housing waste, a compactor ram actuated by a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for compacting the waste in the waste container, and a hydraulic power unit operably associated with the hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for powering the compactor ram. The hydraulic power unit comprises a motor/pump assembly including a pump unit, a single-phase electric motor driving the pump unit and a flow control valve operating the motor/pump assembly at first or second flow rate depending on an operating pressure. The hydraulic power unit further comprises a battery unit, a solar panel to charge the battery unit, a DC-to-AC inverter, a single-phase AC power inlet connectable to a source of a single-phase electrical power grid, and a reversing contactor providing the electric current only from the inverter or the power inlet at any given time.

Abstract: A solar-powered waste compactor comprises a waste container for housing waste, a compactor ram actuated by a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for compacting the waste in the waste container, and a hydraulic power unit operably associated with the hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for powering the compactor ram. The hydraulic power unit comprises a motor/pump assembly including a pump unit, a single-phase electric motor driving the pump unit and a flow control valve operating the motor/pump assembly at first or second flow rate depending on an operating pressure. The hydraulic power unit further comprises a battery unit, a solar panel to charge the battery unit, a DC-to-AC inverter, a single-phase AC power inlet connectable to a source of a single-phase electrical power grid, and a reversing contactor providing the electric current only from the inverter or the power inlet at any given time.

Abstract: A hydraulic power device usable to power a compactor ram of a waste compactor is provided. The hydraulic power device includes a pump assembly having first and second pumps for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly associated with the compactor ram. A battery is provided for storing energy and for providing energy to the pump assembly. A solar panel converts solar energy and charges the battery. A pump control unit simultaneously operates the pumps when an operating pressure of the pump assembly is less than a predetermined threshold and operates only the first pump when the operating pressure of the pump assembly is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A hydraulic power device usable to power a compactor ram of a waste compactor is provided. The hydraulic power device includes a pump assembly having first and second pumps for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly associated with the compactor ram. A battery is provided for storing energy and for providing energy to the pump assembly. A solar panel converts solar energy and charges the battery. A pump control unit simultaneously operates the pumps when an operating pressure of the pump assembly is less than a predetermined threshold and operates only the first pump when the operating pressure of the pump assembly is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus designed to effectively twist and cut baling wire during the baling process. The apparatus includes a twister assembly that has a plurality of gear-driven twister heads. During the baling process the twister assembly extends from a slide housing so that the twister heads engage and twist adjacent strands of baling wire. The twister assembly then retracts back into the slide housing so that the twisted portion of the baling wire is cut by a cutting assembly attached to the slide housing.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus designed to effectively twist and cut baling wire during the baling process. The apparatus includes a twister assembly that has a plurality of gear-driven twister heads. During the baling process the twister assembly extends from a slide housing so that the twister heads engage and twist adjacent strands of baling wire. The twister assembly then retracts back into the slide housing so that the twisted portion of the baling wire is cut by a cutting assembly attached to the slide housing.

Abstract: A compaction and transfer apparatus adapted to measure the length and/or weight of a waste log during compaction and transfer thereof, is provided. The apparatus comprises a compaction chamber, a closure device, a compaction ram, and a movement and/or weight detector. The compaction chamber is adapted to receive waste material. The compaction chamber has a discharge opening. The closure device is selectively movable into and out of the discharge opening to control the size of the discharge opening. The compaction ram is movable through the chamber to press the waste material against the closure device and thereby provide compaction of the waste material. The movement detector preferably is mounted on the closure device. The movement detector is adapted to detect movement of the waste material through the discharge opening, which movement corresponds to the length of the waste log extending out of the discharge opening.

Abstract: A compaction and transfer apparatus adapted to measure the length and/or weight of a waste log during compaction and transfer thereof, is provided. The apparatus comprises a compaction chamber, a closure device, a compaction ram, and a movement and/or weight detector. The compaction chamber is adapted to receive waste material. The compaction chamber has a discharge opening. The closure device is selectively movable into and out of the discharge opening to control the size of the discharge opening. The compaction ram is movable through the chamber to press the waste material against the closure device and thereby provide compaction of the waste material. The movement detector preferably is mounted on the closure device. The movement detector is adapted to detect movement of the waste material through the discharge opening, which movement corresponds to the length of the waste log extending out of the discharge opening.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a roll-off container hoist. The locking mechanism secures a roll-off container to the roll-off container hoist when the hoist is in a transport orientation and releases the roll-off container when the hoist is moved from the transport orientation toward a hoisting orientation. Also provided is a container hoist which includes such a locking mechanism, as well as a vehicle which carries a locking-mechanism-equipped container hoist. A method of using the container hoist likewise is provided. Preferably, the locking mechanism requires no springs or other resilient actuators and instead is freely actuated by gravity in one direction and by engagement with a preferably rigid actuating surface in an opposite direction. The locking mechanism includes a movable plate and a guide for the movable plate. The movable plate is freely movable through the guide, from a locking position to an unlocking position and vice versa.

Abstract: A volume reduction machine for crushing beverage containers has a pair of feed rolls and a pair of crusher rolls. The feed rolls in spaced relationship to a feed plate, urge containers to be crushed, while puncturing them. The feed rolls comprise a plurality of spaced feed discs and are aligned to overlap to ensure self cleaning. The crusher rolls comprise a plurality of closely-spaced discs. Spaces between discs slightly exceeding the thickness of the disc. The crusher rolls are offset such that the discs of one roll align with the spaces between discs of the other roll. The crusher rolls have an adjustable gap and are aligned with a lower edge of the feed plate. The discs forming the crusher rolls include circumferential notches of a given size and shape to deform plastic beverage containers beyond their modulus of elasticity thereby overcoming the problem of such containers springing back after crushing. An oscillating horizontal bar provides a debridging dejamming feature to the machine.

Abstract: A compactor assembly comprises a ground supported housing having an open top through which waste material is deposited. An auger is rotatable on an axis positioned within the housing for breaking waste material received therein through the open top, and for transporting the waste material therethrough. A drop area is downstream of the receiving chamber of the housing and has a remote open portion. A compactor ram is reciprocal on an axis parallel to the auger axis for transferring waste material through the open portion. A first drive is operably associated with the auger for rotating the auger, and a second drive is operably associated with the compactor ram for causing reciprocation thereof.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment includes first and second waste storage compartments for storing separately nonrecyclable and recyclable waste products. A compression member is operably associated with the first and second waste storage compartments for compressing waste material therein. The compression member includes a ram operably connected to a piston and cylinder assembly. The ram is displaced along a single directional path to compress waste material in both the first and second waste storage compartments. An adjustable member is operably associated with the first and second waste storage compartments for varying the storage capacity thereof. The adjustment member includes a baffle extending substantially the length of the first and second waste storage compartments. The baffle is hingedly connected to a support member. Upper and lower doors are associated with each of the first and second storage compartments.

Abstract: A horizontal baler has a longitudinally extending generally rectangular frame assembly defining a receiving chamber and an adjacent aligned compaction chamber. Each of the chambers has a top, a bottom, and sides. A ram is mounted for reciprocation within the receiving chamber so that material therein may be transferred to the compaction chamber and compacted therein by reciprocation thereof. A first cylinder and piston assembly is longitudinally disposed within the frame assembly and is operably associated with the ram for causing reciprocation thereof. A door defines one of the sides of the compaction chamber. The door is selectively securable and movable relative to an opening communicating with the compaction chamber. A support defines a portion of the bottom of the compaction chamber. The support is reciprocable transverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly and is aligned with the door for moving compacted material through the opening.

Abstract: A container for compacting refuse is provided. The compacting container is mounted transversely to the elongated bed of a refuse collection vehicle. Refuse is deposited into the compacting container through a first refuse inlet located in a first end of the compacting container along one side of the truck and through a second refuse inlet located in the top of the compacting container via a pivotally mounted basket located on the second end of the container and which is operated by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. The compacting container is discharged through a pivotally mounted door located on the same end of the container as the basket. An automatic latch keeps the door closed during compaction of the refuse.

Abstract: A method of determining the fullness of a compactor having a reciprocating ram and a container includes the steps of setting a target for the number of reciprocations of the ram required to fill the container to a preselected partial fullness. Each reciprocation of the ram is monitored and the total number is summed. The total number of reciprocations is compared to the target number, and the percentage fullness is calculated from those numbers. The percentage fullness is then displayed locally.

Abstract: A system for compacting and storing separately recyclable and nonrecyclable waste materials. The system includes two separate storage and compacting units, one of which is designated for the storage of recyclable material and the other designated for the storage of nonrecyclable material. The system further includes a rack structure having a substantially horizontally extending platform and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly from the substantially horizontally extending platform. The support legs and platform form a passageway or channel for receiving at least a portion of one storage and compacting unit. The other storage and compacting unit is mounted on the substantially horizontally extending platform of the rack directly above the first compacting and storage unit.

Abstract: A horizontal baler has a longitudinally extending generally rectangular frame assembly defining a receiving chamber and an adjacent aligned compaction chamber. Each of the chambers has a top, a bottom, and sides. A ram is mounted for reciprocation within the receiving chamber so that material therein may be transferred to the compaction chamber and compacted therein by reciprocation thereof. A first cylinder and piston assembly is longitudinally disposed within the frame assembly and is operably associated with the ram for causing reciprocation thereof. A door defines one of the sides of the compaction chamber. The door is selectively securable and movable relative to an opening communicating with the compaction chamber. A support defines a portion of the bottom of the compaction chamber. The support is reciprocable transverse to the first cylinder and piston assembly and is aligned with the door for moving compacted material through the opening.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a compactor for compacting waste materials. The compactor includes a compression unit for receiving and compressing waste materials and a power unit detachably connected thereto. The compression unit includes a ram and a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies. The power control unit activates the piston and cylinder assemblies to move the ram between an operating position and a storage position. A support bracket slideably connects the power control unit to the compression unit permitting an individual to readily access the power control unit to service the same. The support bracket extends from the left side wall to the right side wall of the compression unit thereby permitting an individual to attach the power control unit to either the left side or right side of the compression unit.