Abstract: An improved hydraulic system and method of operating same for waste collection vehicles is provided where a closed center valve in conjunction with a positive displacement pump is used without the need for increasing engine RPM, thus significantly reducing vehicle noise during operation of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic system and method of operating same for waste collection vehicles is provided where a closed center valve in conjunction with a positive displacement pump is used without the need for increasing engine RPM, thus significantly reducing vehicle noise during operation of the hydraulic system

Abstract: An automated refuse vehicle that provides a fast-return cycle for an engaged container, and a series of “lock-out” zones to minimize the possibility of damaging the vehicle during automated use. Methods for using an automated compacting system and for operating the refuse vehicle also form part of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic system and method of operating same for waste collection vehicles is provided where a closed center valve in conjunction with a positive displacement pump is used without the need for increasing engine RPM, thus significantly reducing vehicle noise during operation of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: An automated refuse vehicle that provides a fast-return cycle for an engaged container, and a series of "lock-out" zones to minimize the possibility of damaging the vehicle during automated use. Methods for using an automated compacting system and for operating the refuse vehicle also form part of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved compacting system, and an automated refuse vehicle that can employ this compacting system. Alternatively, the compacting system can be used with a stationary packer. The compacting system is capable of placing the packer ram, blade or panel into a creep mode in which, even if the maximum compacting force is applied, the packing ram will generally retain its position without reversing direction for a pre-programmed interval of time. The refuse vehicle also provides a fast-return cycle for an engaged container, and a series of "lock-out" zones to minimize the possibility of damaging the vehicle during automated use. Methods for using the compacting system and for operating the refuse vehicle also form part of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and transporting recyclable waste material which includes a body for receiving material mountable to a vehicle. The body has separate upper and lower material-receiving compartments. Two longitudinally-spaced loaded openings are at the top of the body. One opening is in continuous communication with only the lower compartment, and the second opening, positioned rearward of the first opening, is in continuous communication with only the upper compartment. Separate doors close the rear of each compartment; the second door, when closed, overlies and is spaced from the first door. A bucket, associated with the front of the body, can be raised, lowered and tipped, and has separate bins for receiving material. The bins are aligned with the loaded openings when the bucket is in the tipped, discharge position so that each bin can dump material into a corresponding compartment.

Abstract: A waste hauling apparatus including a truck body divided into two separate compartments by a movable dividing wall. A bucket assembly having separate side-by-side bins is operative to transfer trash material loaded into the bucket by an operator at ground level to the isolated compartments. The bucket travels between a material receiving position and a material discharging position along a trackway having a path of movement including a vertical portion and a transverse portion. At the material discharging position the material contained in the bins is discharged into associated material receiving openings that communicate with respective compartments defined by the truck body. The bucket is reciprocally conveyed between the trash receiving and trash discharging positions by a chain drive mechanism driven by a fluid pressure operated motor and interconnected with the bucket by a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism cooperates with the chains to define the limits of movement for the bucket.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and transporting recyclable waste material which includes a body for receiving material mountable to a vehicle. The body has separate upper and lower material-receiving compartments. Two longitudinally-spaced loaded openings are at the top of the body. One opening is in continuous communication with only the lower compartment, and the second opening, positioned rearward of the first opening, is in continuous communication with only the upper compartment. Separate doors close the rear of each compartment; the second door, when closed, overlies and is spaced from the first door. A bucket, associated with the front of the body, can be raised, lowered and tipped, and has separate bins for receiving material. The bins are aligned with the loaded openings when the bucket is in the tipped, discharge position so that each bin can dump material into a corresponding compartment.

Abstract: A front loading refuse collection apparatus has a body with a rear area for storing refuse, and a front hopper section for receiving refuse. The storage area has a curved roof, a curved floor and curved sidewalls. The hooper has a top opening, a curve floor and curved sidewalls. The curved sidewalls of the hopper have a smaller radius of curvature than the curved sidewalls of the storage area. The curved sidewalls of the hopper also are not symmetrical about a horizontal axis. In this way, the sidewalls of the hopper do not interfere with the operation of the loading arms and do not unnecessarily restrict the opening at the top of the hopper. The curved roof, curved floor and curved sidewalls are made from an aluminum alloy making the front loading refuse collection apparatus lightweight.

Abstract: A system for positioning uniformly sized containers such as canned or boxed merchandise in longitudinally extending rows on a laterally extending display shelf adjacent a wall. A spacing member extends laterally on top of the shelf removed from the wall. The spacing member may have a plurality of arcuate recesses formed in the front face thereof for receiving and aligning a row of cans. A plurality of laterally spaced support members are utilized to hold the spacing member in an upright position. The support members each have one end inserted into a space between the rear edge of the shelf and the wall and another end engaged with the spacing member. The support members are dimensioned so that a longitudinally extending row of a predetermined number of abutting containers will substantially extend between the front edge of the shelf and the spacing member. The system allows quick and efficient stocking of containerized merchandise on the front portion of the shelf.