Abstract: A manually-operated cart retrieves a waste container from a compactor and transports the waste container across a support surface to a waste collection receptacle. An operator activates a winch and a belt that extends from the winch to a base frame lifts the base frame. The base frame is constrained to travel between a pair of vertically disposed channel members that form part of a back frame for the cart. A waste container rotating apparatus is secured to the base frame and is lifted with it until an immovable barrier secured to one of the channel members is encountered. Continued lifting of the base frame effects rotation of the waste container about an axis of rotation until the waste container tilts sufficiently to allow waste contained in it to fall out under the influence of gravity into the waste collection receptacle.

Abstract: A retriever and a cart that are detachably secured to one another are used for retrieving and transporting, respectively, heavy containers of the type found in trash compactors. A pair of biased looking bolts hold the retriever and container together when they are in repose. The locking bolts are retracted by squeezing a latch release handle positioned just below the retriever handle so that the cart and retriever can be easily separated from one another. The cart has curved leading surfaces so that the two parts can be reattached by simply pushing them together; the curved surfaces drive the locking bolts into their respective retracted positions so that the latch release handle need not be activated during the reattachment procedure.

Abstract: Pleural and other body fluids that may harbor disease organisms are emptied from a container by connecting the container to a venturi device and running water under pressure through the venturi device so that the fluids in the container are entrained into the flow of water under pressure. The outlet of the venturi device is in fluid communication with a sanitary sewer.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids and liquids includes a pair of compaction chambers into each of which is inserted a fifty five gallon drum that receives the liquids and solids before they are separated. A compaction platen has a liquid-retaining wall mounted about its periphery in trailing relation to the platen, and separation of the solids and liquids is accomplished by lowering the platen into a container that has been filled with flotsam including liquids and solids. The platen has a breadth slightly less than the breadth of the container so that liquids may escape around the peripheral border of the platen as it descends into the container. The escaping liquids are collected on the trailing end of the platen by the retention wall and are carried under a vacuum or pumped to a liquid storage facility for further treatment. The platen is telescopically mounted in a housing that reciprocates between the compaction chambers so that the separation process is continuous.