Abstract: A refuse container having an indicator assembly for informing a waste generator of contamination in a waste stream. A refuse container includes a container body comprising a receptacle portion and a lid coupled with the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion includes a plurality of walls that together define an enclosed space for containing refuse. An indicator device is coupled with the container body. The indicator device is movable relative to the container body between a first position and a second position. First indicia is provided on one of the indicator device or the container body. When the indicator device is in the first position, the first indicia are visible from the exterior of the refuse container, and when the indicator device is in the second position, the first indicia are not visible from the exterior of the refuse container.

Abstract: A container including vertical side walls and a horizontal bottom wall coupled with the vertical side walls to define an interior volume. At least one vertical side wall includes an inner wall, a spaced apart outer wall, a top rail coupled with the inner wall, a bottom sill coupled with the inner wall, and a plurality of vertical supports coupled with the inner wall and extending between the top rail and the bottom sill. The inner wall has a first surface area and the outer wall portion has a second surface area that is less than the first surface area. A frame is coupled with the inner wall and supports the outer wall and extends between two of the plurality of vertical supports, the top rail, and the bottom sill. A panel is supported by the frame and disposed on the outer wall.

Abstract: Container tracking systems and related methods. A container tracking assembly comprises a processor having a powered-off state and a sleep state, at least one sensor, a radio frequency transceiver, and a power source in electrical communication with the processor, the at least one sensor, and the radio frequency transceiver. Additionally, the container tracking assembly comprises a non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, are operative to acquire, via the radio frequency transceiver, a current location of the container and cause the processor to enter the powered-off state if the current location of the container does not differ from a previously-acquired location of the container by more than a threshold amount. If the current location of the container differs from the previously-acquired location of the container by more than the threshold amount, the processor enters the sleep state for a first period of time.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle frame. The hoist apparatus assembly includes a hoist apparatus comprising a hoist apparatus frame. The hoist apparatus frame has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis. The hoist apparatus assembly also includes an apron plate disposed at the hoist apparatus frame first end, and the apron plate defines at least one slot therethrough. Also, the hoist apparatus assembly includes at least one first bracket including a plate and a stem disposed at a right angle to the plate. The plate of the at least one first bracket is coupled with the hoist apparatus frame at the hoist apparatus frame first end. The stem of the at least one first bracket extends through the at least one slot in the apron plate and is coupled with the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A refuse container having an indicator assembly for informing a waste generator of contamination in a waste stream. A refuse container includes a container body comprising a receptacle portion and a lid coupled with the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion includes a plurality of walls that together define an enclosed space for containing refuse. An indicator device is coupled with the container body. The indicator device is movable relative to the container body between a first position and a second position. First indicia is provided on one of the indicator device or the container body. When the indicator device is in the first position, the first indicia are visible from the exterior of the refuse container, and when the indicator device is in the second position, the first indicia are not visible from the exterior of the refuse container.

Abstract: A baler and methods of operating a baler. The baler includes a housing defining an interior volume, the interior volume including a compression portion and a loading portion. The baler also includes a first closure movably coupled with the housing and operative to enclose the compression portion and a second closure movably coupled with the housing and operative to enclose the loading portion. Further, the baler includes a reciprocating compression assembly including a linear actuator and a platen operably coupled with the linear actuator. The platen is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in response to actuation of the linear actuator. Additionally, the first closure defines at least one recess therein and a lip extending about at least a portion of the at least one recess. The lip is operative to engage with compressible material disposed in the compression portion.

Abstract: A transport container is provided including a frame including a front frame and a rear frame, each including two vertical corner posts interconnected by lower and upper crossmembers. The frame also includes a set of lower rails and a set of upper rails extending between the front and rear frames defining upper and lower longitudinal corner edges of the container. The transport container also includes a body comprising a plurality of container walls defining a cargo receiving space, each of the container walls being supported by the frame. The plurality of container walls includes a bottom, first and second longitudinal walls, and first and second end walls. The first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall are flared, such that distance between the first longitudinal wall the second longitudinal wall is widest proximate to an opening disposed at the first end wall.

Abstract: A system including a container having a door pivotably coupled to the container that is movable between a first position and a second position. A locking assembly is coupled with the container and includes a first shaft and a second shaft generally parallel with and spaced apart from the first shaft, and an over center linkage extending between a respective first pivotal connection between the over center linkage and the first shaft and a respective second pivotal connection between the over center linkage and the second shaft. Further, the locking assembly includes at least one latch coupled with the second shaft and movable between an unlatched position and a latched position. The over center linkage is movable, when the door is at the second position, over center to a state at which the latch is in the latched position and the door is biased toward the second position.

Abstract: A hoist mechanism having an improved locking assembly. A hoist mechanism includes a frame including a first end and a second end, and the frame is pivotably coupled with a mounting structure at the frame first end. The hoist mechanism also includes a hoist arm assembly pivotably coupled with the frame second end, and the hoist arm assembly includes a jib operative to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The locking assembly includes a lug disposed on the jib and a link arm coupled with the frame. The link arm defines a slot dimensioned to selectively engage with the lug when the jib is moved from the retracted position. The hoist arm assembly is pivotable with respect to the frame when the jib is in the retracted position, and the frame and the hoist arm assembly are pivotable together when the jib is in the extended position.

Abstract: A hoist assembly is disclosed. The hoist assembly can include a frame, a first sheave assembly fixed relative to the frame, a second sheave assembly movable relative to the frame, and a cable engaged with the first sheave assembly and the second sheave assembly. The first sheave assembly can include a first sheave comprising a first axis of rotation and a second sheave comprising a second axis of rotation oriented perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. The second sheave assembly can comprise a third sheave comprising a third axis of rotation and a fourth sheave comprising a fourth axis of rotation angularly-oriented relative to the third axis of rotation. The third axis of rotation and the fourth axis of rotation can be coplanar. The sheaves can be removable and replaceable.

Abstract: A system for selectively covering a container with a tarp. The system includes a roller and a tarp connected to the roller. A motor is connected to an output member, and the output member is releasably engaged with the roller. Actuation of the motor when the output member and the roller are engaged causes movement of the roller relative to the tarp. A crank is releasably connected with the roller, wherein one of the crank and the roller is connected to a coupler and the other of the crank and the roller is connected to a joint. When the output member and the roller are disengaged and the crank is connected with the roller, rotation of the crank causes movement of the roller relative to the tarp.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a tank to a chassis. In an embodiment, a vehicle includes a chassis and a tank having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is coupled with the chassis for pivotal movement with respect thereto. The vehicle also includes a structural pad coupled to the tank and at least one rib extending from the structural pad. The at least one rib has at least one aperture defined therethrough. At least one fluid cylinder is coupled with the chassis. The at least one fluid cylinder is coupled with a pin aligned with the aperture. Actuation of the at least one fluid cylinder causes the pin to move between a first position wherein the pin is not received within the aperture and a second position wherein the pin is received within the aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a hoist apparatus on a vehicle to automatically load and unload a container. The vehicle includes a chassis, a hoist apparatus coupled with the chassis, and at least one lift mechanism operative to move the hoist apparatus with respect to the chassis in response to the flow of hydraulic fluid along a fluid flow path. The vehicle also includes at least one valve in fluid communication with the at least one lift mechanism, a control system in electronic communication with the at least one valve, and a transceiver in electronic communication with the control system. The control system is operative to receive, via the transceiver, an initiation signal from a remote control unit. Further, the control system is operative to selectively actuate the at least one valve in response to the initiation signal to move the hoist apparatus.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed. The assembly can comprise a sensor comprising external threads. The assembly can further comprise a flexible mount for mounting the sensor to a support. The flexible mount can threadably engage the external threads of the sensor. Additionally, the flexible mount can comprise a spring-loaded casing and/or an elastomeric sleeve and/or nut, for example. The sensor can extend through the support and can be configured to float and/or shift relative to the support. The flexible mount can be positioned on one side of the support.

Abstract: A pneumatic locking system configured to secure a container to a vehicle chassis. The locking system can include a hook pivotable between an unlocked orientation and a locked orientation relative to the chassis and an inflatable bellows intermediate the hook and the chassis, wherein inflation of the inflatable bellows is configured to pivot the hook from the unlocked orientation to the locked orientation. The locking system can further include an air line system fluidically coupled to the inflatable bellows and an air supply system. The air line system can include a valve controllable by a switch, wherein actuation of the valve is configured to supply air from the air supply system to the inflatable bellows and pivot the hook to the locked orientation.

Abstract: A latch for a container is disclosed. The latch can comprise a body, which can be mounted to a lid of the container. The latch can further comprise a wheel that is rotatable relative to the body. The latch can engage the receptacle of the container. For example, the wheel can protrude under the rim of the receptacle when the lid is in a closed orientation relative to the receptacle. In other instances, the latch can be mounted to the receptacle of the container, and can releasably engage the lid of the container.

Abstract: The invention is generally applicable to a container. More specifically, the invention is applicable to a container for the collection, storage and transport of waste and refuse material, such as food grease generated by restaurants, schools, hospitals, grocery stores, hotels and other institutions that generate waste food grease.

Abstract: The invention is generally applicable to a waste compactor. More specifically, the invention is applicable to a waste compactor including a secondary fill door that allows the operator to fill the waste compactor without cycling the waste compactor to conserve energy, increase the life expectancy of the compactor, reduce the number of compaction cycles that may be necessary to compact the contents of the container and/or permit loading of the waste compactor even when the waste compactor is inoperable.