Abstract: A trash compactor has a reciprocable platen with a pivotable outer leaf. An electric motor rotates with a telescoping drive-screw mechanism which reciprocably drives the platen in its compaction and retraction strokes. A toggle linkage mechanism automatically pivots the outer leaf to an upwardly inclined orientation from a coplanar relationship with the platen in response to upward and downward reciprocable movement of the platen by the drive-screw.

Abstract: A process for the transportation and subsequent final compression of, for example, synthetic fiber material from rough filling presses to a central press utilizes thin-walled filling bins for the initial precompression. In the rough presses, the fiber material is deposited into the thin-walled filling bins, the filling bins are then transported to the central press, transferred at that location one after the other into the compressing position of the central press, thereafter an additional compression bin is placed over the filling bin in such a way that the walls of the filling bin are in close contact with the inner surface of the walls of the compression bin, and finally the final compression step is performed. With a final compacting pressure being maintained unchanged, the filling bin as well as the walls of the compression bin are pulled off in the upward direction in order to make it possible to package and reinforce the finished bale.

Abstract: A container for receiving material to be compacted therein comprises a cylindrical body arranged with its longitudinal axis of symmetry vertical. The bottom is closed off and the top is closable by a lid. The material is introduced into the hollow body through a port in the peripheral wall of the body by a tube having an axis of symmetry which does not intersect the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the body.

Abstract: A compactor comprising a frame with a fluid operated, double acting ram mounted on the frame. A compactor plate is slidably mounted in the frame to be reciprocable by the ram. A back plate is positioned at an end of the frame remote from the ram. A container receives material to be compacted. The container is mounted adjacent the back plate. The container is open ended and has a top, sides and a base. The base is hingedly attached to one side. The compactor plate can be received in the container so that material in the container can be compacted by the plate. A housing in the container top allows lifting of the container for unloading of compacted material by hinging downwardly of the base. This housing comprises a plurality of open mouthed compartments arranged in a circle and extending upwardly outwardly to receive a grapple of a lifting crane for lifting the container.

Abstract: An improved system (10) is provided for loading compacted waste bales (34) in each compartment (22, 24, 26) of a container (14). The system (10) includes a container handling apparatus (12) which sequentially positions each of the compartments before the discharge opening (32) of a compactor assembly (18) for receiving a bale. Further, a control circuit is provided which controls the operation of the compacting ram (20) so that an overlength bale is prevented.

Abstract: A compression apparatus for reducing solid waste in volume, including: a base; an axial compression mechanism for axially compressing a columnar container containing the solid waste, the axial compression mechanism including a punching mechanism having first teeth projecting radially outwards from an outer periphery thereof at equal angular intervals about an axis thereof, a bottom mold mechanism mounted on the base, and a drive mechanism for driving the punching mechanism toward the bottom mold mechanism for axial compression; and a mold adapted to be placed on the bottom mold mechanism to be concentric with the punching mechanism and having a cavity wall for coaxially receiving the container, the cavity wall including a plurality of mold projections projecting radially inwards therefrom and extending axially at equal angular intervals about the axis, each mold projection including an inclined inner face inclined to the axis and in contact with a conical plane tapering toward both the axis and the bottom mol

Abstract: A mechanical lock-in device for a front loader compaction assembly to prevent relative movement of the refuse container with respect to the stationary compactor head and support. The lock-in device includes a lock-in bracket fixed to the compactor head support, and a locking member movably mounted on the refuse container adjacent one of the horizontally extending side pockets which are engaged by lifting forks of a collection vehicle for dumping. The lower portion of the locking member engages the lock-in bracket to prevent relative movement of the refuse container while in use. When it is desired to dump the container, when the lifting fork of the collection vehicle is inserted into a container side pocket, it engages a portion of the locking member which extends transversely of the pocket, thereby effecting an upward movement of the locking member out of engagement with the lock-in bracket to permit the container to be moved from its position beneath the stationary head.

Abstract: A compression apparatus for solid waste includes a precompression device and main compression device. A precompression device includes a precompression sleeve for receiving therein a cylindrical vessel filled with the solid waste and a press ram arranged above said precompression sleeve and movable upward and downward for compressing, at high pressure, the cylindrical vessel in the precompression sleeve. The compression sleeve includes an upper straight large diameter portion, and an intermediate tapered portion, thereby compressing the cylindrical vessel and reducing its volume in three dimensional directions by compressing the vessel radially inwardly at the tapered inner surface of the intermediate tapered portion. The main compression device includes a main compression press ram and a main compression sleeve having an inner diameter no more than the inner diameter of a lowermost end of the intermediate tapered portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably locking a refuse container to a trash compactor in the form of a pair of identical locking arms projecting outwardly from the container at either side of the loading opening in the end of the container. The locking arms are of plate material with leading edges inclined downwardly and toward the container to cam the container upwardly on corresponding locking pins projecting horizontally outwardly from the sides of the compactor. A vertically extending notch in each arm receives its corresponding pin to lock the container to the compactor as the container is moved into loading position adjacent the compactor.

Abstract: An analog indicator for indicating the upper level of compacted trash in a trash compactor container. The indicator provides an analog indication of the travel of the ram into the container during a compaction operation and, in the illustrated embodiment, displays a bar graph having a variable vertical extent corresponding to the ram travel, thereby indicating the upper level of the compacted trash in the container relative to a preselected maximum level at the time of a compaction operation. An actuating element is mounted to the ram for operating switches associated with a plurality of lamps providing the analog indication.

Abstract: An automated trash management system for measuring the fullness of a plurality of trash containers, each trash container associated with a packing system having a compression member for engaging and compacting the trash in the container and, optionally having a limit switch activated by the compression member when the compression member is fully extended for controlling the movement of the compression member by the packing system.

Abstract: A cassette which retains a plurality of stacked resin sheets is loaded on a retaining member of a driving device. A plurality of press-heating stations and a number of cooling stations which is smaller than the number of press-heating stations are disposed around the driving device, and the retaining member is sequentially sent to each of the stations by means of the driving device. In each press-heating station, each of the resin sheets in the cassette retained by the retaining member is thermowelded, and the press-heated resin sheets are cooled in the cooling station. The cassette comprises a cassette body for accommodating a plurality of stacked resin sheets, and a pressing plate brought into contact with the stacked resin sheets so as to press them by means of a resilient member such as a coned disk spring. Thus, the resin sheets are moved from one press-heating station to another while being maintained in a pressed state.

Abstract: In a refuse compactor wherein refuse in a disposable bag within a receptacle is compacted by a ram driven by a reversible electric motor, a "full bag" indicator lamp is energized when the refuse compacted in the receptacle is at a predetermined level. The motor drives the ram downward into the receptacle to compact the refuse, and when the ram slows in response to the reactive load of the refuse, a centrifugal switch reverses the direction of the motor to return the ram to a rest position above the receptacle. The bag is diagnosed full to energize the indicator lamp if the ram is at a predetermined level in the receptacle when the motor reverses. The indicator lamp is controlled by a latching relay that requires only one pair of contacts to energize and latch on the lamp.

Abstract: A stationary chamber is located below an apron on which garbage and other refuse is dumped from collection trucks. An opening in the apron is aligned with an opening in the top of the chamber. The discharge end of the chamber is closed by a gate which slants rearward at an angle of 15.degree. to the vertical against which the refuse is compacted. The gate may be raised when the chamber is to be discharged. Reciprocating within the chamber is a platen having its upper portion slanted forward at about an angle of 42.degree.. The platen is driven by a multi-stage hydraulic ram. Loads of about 15 cu. yds. are dumped into the chamber opening by a bulldozer. The bulldozer operator by a radio control causes the platen to move forward, compacting the first load to about one-half the original volume of the loose material. When the ram pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the platen is automatically retracted. The operation is repeated until a predetermined weight has been received and compacted.

Abstract: An improved lightweight aircraft or aerospace trash compactor having a nonmetallic, penetration-resistant lining for the compacting chamber. The lining is a nonmetallic, high strength fabric, such as aramid, graphite, or mixtures, thereof which is impregnated with a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin.

Abstract: An improved aircraft trash compactor having an elongated inner chamber which is separated into front and rear chamber sections by means of a movable door or wall disposed transversely across the width of the chamber. The movable door or wall supports the rear panel of the trash container in the front chamber section during the compaction of trash therein and may be moved to an out-of-the-way position to allow the filled trash container to be moved into the rear chamber section for storage or disposal. The filled trash container in the rear chamber section supports the rear panel of a trash container in the front chamber section during the compaction of trash therein.

Abstract: An indicator for use in a refuse compactor for effectively indicating the need for replacement of a refuse-treating material supply as a function of the normal depletion thereof. The indicator is controlled by a timer accumulating incremental time during each operation of the compaction ram and operates a signaling indicator when the accumulated time reaches a preselected value. The indicator may be used with any form of refuse-treating material apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the refuse-treating material apparatus is an aerosol spray can of deodorizing and sanitizing material removably mounted within the refuse compactor cabinet.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of domestic refuse to convert it into a solid odorless and non putrefiable residue of reduced weight and volume, comprises a sealable casing housing a process cylinder provided with means for compacting refuse introduced therein, and heater means for raising the temperature within the process cylinder to a level such as to vaporize any liquids contained in the refuse, the casing also housing extractor means for removing vapors, gases and fumes generated upon incineration of the refuse, and being provided with an upper door for the introduction of domestic refuse, and a lower door for the withdrawal of residues obtained after treatment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a trash compactor suitable for use in aircraft and aerospace vehicles. The compactor includes improved hydraulic power and control systems which provide short compaction cycle times and high compaction ratios and which has integrated means to loosen trash containers from the supporting walls of the compacting chamber at the completion of the compaction cycle so that the filled trash containers can be readily removed from the compactor.

Abstract: A receptacle for use in compacting liquid laden trash and removal of liquid from said trash. The receptable is a bag made from a porous fabric of hydrophobic material which resists leakage of the liquid within the trash. The bag is crushed within a compactor causing liquid to pass out through the wall of the bag. The receptacle includes means to suspend the bag with the opening up in the compactor and to close the opening once the receptacle is removed from the compactor. A handle on the receptacle facilitates removal of the filled receptacle.

Abstract: A compact, heavy duty trash compactor is provided for compacting trash in locations where space is limited. The compactor includes a C-shaped frame mounted on a skid. A cylindrical container is mounted on a tilt table attached to the skid such that the container is within the C-shaped frame. A telescoping ram is mounted on the frame to compact trash within the container. A foot guard is provided around the bottom of the container to prevent objects from being placed under the container when it is tilted forward.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fullness of a compactor waste receiving container utilizes the back pressure generated by the compacted waste for determining the fullness of the container. The compactor ram is stopped when in the forward compacting position and the pressure exerted by the waste on the ram is monitored for thereby determining the fullness of the container. The system further includes a timer for monitoring the time required for displacement of the ram. Should the ram fail to attain the waste compacted position within a pre-determined time period then the hydraulic system is shut down and an indicator is lit in order to show to the operator that the container is full.

Abstract: An upper portion of each power screw of a refuse compactor is covered by a protective sleeve to insulate the threads of the screw from refuse. The upper end of the sleeve is loosely retained to the ram to move longitudinally with the ram while yielding to any pivoting of the ram during its downstroke under load. The protective sleeve additionally tends to distribute lubrication along the threads of the power screw during cycling of the ram. A protective skirt mounted to the frame of the compactor insulates a lower portion of the power screw from refuse.

Abstract: A trash compactor is disclosed which has a wheeled bin within a trash compactor cabinet. The bin is adapted to contain a trash bag and the trash compacted therein and then may be withdrawn partially from the cabinet so that a handle may be inserted downwardly into vertical apertures in the front of the bin. A fixed pin and latches provide a reaction means to secure the handle in a downward position in the bin front, and this also secures the front wheels of the bin in a downward position of a lost motion between the front wheels and the bin. The wheeled bin may then be completely removed from the cabinet and wheeled to the disposal site. The container front may be unlatched and hinged forwardly and downwardly so that the trash bag may be pulled horizontally out of the wheeled bin for ready removal.

Abstract: A refuse compacting system having an elongated hopper of rectangular cross-section with an ejection opening at one end, a tailgate movable for opening and closing the ejection opening, a refuse entry opening in the top of the hopper, a compactor within the hopper, located at one end, and pairs of dual parallel connected cylinders for moving the compactor towards the ejection opening and back again.

Abstract: A trash compactor and collapsible box for use therewith to handle waste material generated during flight of passenger-carrying aircraft. The trash compactor includes a housing formed with front and rear box chambers to receive first and second collapsible trash-receiving boxes. A front door is provided for the housing having a trash-receiving chute in its upper portion. The first box is initially disposed in the front box chamber. When it is filled, the front door is opened and the first box is pushed to the rear box chamber. The second box is then positioned within the front box chamber to receive trash, and the front door is shut. The collapsible boxes have a front wall disposed at the same elevation as the lower edge of the chute, while the tops of the side and rear walls are at a higher elevation than the top of the front wall to permit the boxes to receive a maximum amount of trash for their size. The bottom portion of the wall is of liquid-tight construction.

Abstract: A trash compactor is provided with a ram having a single inclined surface so that on the ram's downward compacting stroke a horizontal force is created through the trash acting on the bin wall to press the bin against a retaining bar thereby preventing "walking" or horizontal movement of the bin.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fullness of a compactor waste receiving container utilizes the back pressure generated by the compacted waste for determining the fullness of the container. The compactor ram is stopped when in the forward compacting position and the pressure exerted by the waste on the ram is monitored for thereby determining the fullness of the container. The system further includes a timer for monitoring the time required for displacement of the ram should the ram fail to attain the waste compacted position within a pre-determined time period then the hydraulic system is shut down and an indicator is lit in order to show to the operator that the container is full.

Abstract: An improved trash receptacle is provided according to this invention. This invention is particularly directed to trash containers of the type having a top assembly which attaches to the open perimeter of a container wherein the top assembly pivotably mounts a swinging door which permits access to the interior cavity of the container. The improvement comprises the addition of releasable pivot means permitting the door to be released from its pivotable engagement with the top frame such that the top can be pushed downwardly into the interior cavity of the container by the user, thereby compacting trash material therein. Once the user has completed the compaction step, the door is re-engageable with the top frame.

Abstract: A refuse packaging assembly of the kind comprising a refuse press having a pressing plunger which is axially movable in a pressing box, and a container which is adapted to be connected to the outlet end of the pressing box in order to be filled with refuse by the plunger, the container having a closure plug which is uncoupled from the container and coupled to the plunger for movement therewith when the container is connected to the press. The container carries at least one spring loaded pin which is biased into a coupling aperture in the closure plug to couple the two together, and the plunger carries at least one weaker spring loaded pin which aligns with the coupling aperture when the container is moved into position for connection to the press and the plunger is moved to a coupling position.

Abstract: Loading doors for a container such as a transfer container for domestic waste which cooperates with a compactor loader having a horizontally reciprocating ram comprise a plurality of flaps which effectively close an opening sized to correspond with a spigot of the compactor loader the doors being opened by mechanical connection with a part of the compactor loader and resulting from relative movement between it and the door.

Abstract: A trash compactor apparatus including a tubular support structure on which is mounted a cylinder assembly which may be pressurized with water such as from a municipal water system. A piston of the cylinder assembly carries a compaction foot for compressing waste within an open receptacle. Elastic tubing functions to retract the piston in the absence of cylinder pressure. The tubing may be mounted in a detachable manner.

Abstract: According to the invention, elongate legs suspend a refuse engaging ram surface and guide reciprocative movement thereof between retracted and compacting positions. Adjustable pressure equalizing pads are spaced lengthwise on each of the legs and have flat contact areas for facial engagement with a guiding surface to effect distribution of forces transverse to the line of the ram compacting stroke over the guiding surface. The invention contemplates sufficient force distribution that the inside surface of a thin wall, typically forming the exposed shell of the compactor, is suitable as a sole ram guiding structure.

Abstract: An integrated system for the treatment of waste products such as domestic, industrial, or commercial trash comprises the placement of waste in barrel-shaped, self-supporting containers, compaction of the waste in the containers in an especially adapted waste compactor, and the fitting of covers to the containers to provide sealed readily transportable and disposable packages of compacted waste.

Abstract: A trash compactor system which includes a trash compactor unit, a compaction receptacle and a trash deposit door disposed above the receptacle to enable trash to be desposited in the system. The door is automatically opened when a person approaches the compactor to deposit waste material therein by pressure being applied to a mat switch positioned on the floor adjacent the compactor. The compactor member compacts waste in the receptacle by passing through a compaction cycle. When pressure is removed from the switch, a predetermined time period has elapsed and the waste deposit door is closed, the compaction cycle is initiated. At this time, mechanical locks within the compactor are forced against the door, preventing the door from being opened during the compaction cycle. The mechanical locks are released after the compaction cycle is completed.

Abstract: A refuse compactor of the type having a receptacle drawer removably contained within a cabinet wherein refuse is compacted by a ram to a fraction of its normal volume. The ram includes a refuse-compressing platen actuated through a toggle linkage to which force is applied by a single screw driven by an electric motor coupled to the screw through a reduction drive. The screw, motor and drive train are carried as a unit by the toggle linkage and move bodily therewith. Improvements are provided in the cabinet, receptacle drawer, compacting mechanism and mounting framework for the same which embody many structural and operational simplification features greatly reducing the size, weight and cost of the compactor.

Abstract: A trash container has a collecting trough for receiving and retaining liquid and solid spillage The trough is secured to the front wall of the trash container immediately below an opening through which refuse is deposited from a trash compactor. Liquid spillage drains into the trough rather than onto the ground to create a mess. Solid spillage is caught and retained by the trough when the container is separated from the compactor. In a modified form of the invention, a barrier extends along the sides of the opening and above it to prevent liuqid from running along the front wall of the trash container when it is inverted for dumping of its contents.

Abstract: The fuel assembly skeleton compaction system provides a means for remotely dismantling an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly skeleton once the nuclear fuel rods have been removed therefrom while the skeleton remains submerged in a coolant. The system comprises a feed chamber for holding the spent fuel assembly skeleton and for feeding a spent fuel assembly skeleton into a shear chamber which is arranged near the feed chamber. The shear chamber contains a shearing device for shearing the skeleton into small pieces and for moving the pieces of the skeleton into a compaction chamber which is located adjacent to the shear chamber. The compaction chamber contains a compaction cylinder for compacting the pieces of the skeleton introduced thereinto. A storage canister is located below the compaction chamber such that when the slide of the compaction chamber is opened, the compacted pieces of the skeleton may be pushed into the storage canister.

Abstract: Equipment for compacting trash consisting of packaging materials and easily compressed wastes, such as cardboard, light plastic and wood packings, paper, wastes of blanks and wood, plastic and metal chips held in containers open at the top using a compacting roller entering the container and therein circularly revolving on the trash and held by a post reaching above the container, this roller performing a relative motion with respect to the container during the compaction while the contents are rising is desired to be so designed as to suffice with relatively few parts, that it be resistant to malfunction and suited to receive bulky trash.

Abstract: A trash-and-garbage-compactor apparatus having a power-driven cam lobe, whereby the circular motion of the cam lobe is transferred into an alternating rectilinear motion for the overriding spring-loaded ram rod. The ram rod includes a first tubular ram-rod member and a second ram-rod member having an overriding spring interposed therebetween, the first ram-rod member operably engaging the cam lobe and the second ram-rod member having a pressure plate attached thereto. The pressure plate is formed to be received in a trash receptacle defined by a drawer slidably mounted to the compactor housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a container (1) for receiving rubbish, with a closure plate (3) disposed on an end, which plate can be mated with a rubbish injection device (4) having a hopper (5) and a ram (6). The closure plate (3) is made in two parts, the upper part (8) limiting a free space being vertically movable, and the lower part (9) limiting the filling opening being horizontally movable. The lower part (9) of the closure plate (3) can be connected with the face (16) of the ram (6) and thus serves as a front plate of the ram (6).

Abstract: Refuse delivered into an elevatable pivoted dumping bin is transferred by gravity and by the operation of a positive pusher element into a hopper bin above and in communication with a horizontal axis ram compactor. The hopper bin/ram compactor unit is interfaced with a large volume refuse transporting container which is removed to a refuse dumping site periodically. The system is capable of on-site operation for extended periods of time with minimal operator attendance. The system assures a substantially trash-free environment.

Abstract: An airborne refuse compactor to compact liquid laden trash for storage until the end of the flight. The compactor relies on the difference between pressure within the pressurized passenger cabin and outside pressure at operating altitude. The compactor also discharges to outside atmosphere liquid which has collected on the bottom of the receptacle in which the trash is collected. Liquid is discharged while compaction is taking place.

Abstract: A novel mechanical power coupling means employed with a novel material compacting apparatus and utilizing either reciprocal or continuous drive inputs with the coupling means. In the preferred compacting apparatus embodiment a reciprocal drive is used such that the compactor is powered by both reciprocating movements of the input shaft. The compactor may be driven in a variety of speed/torque arrangements using the novel coupling means. The coupling means includes a wrapped spring clutch which automatically engages the highest speed mechanical arrangement capable of overcoming the load on the output shaft.

Abstract: The combination of a storage bin, such as a dumpster container for trash and refuse, with a compactor adapted to convey a solids or particulate material thereto, wherein the compactor incorporates a compactor ram having a face plate releasably latched to the forward or head end of the ram. When the dumpster container is full, the face plate is adapted to be detached from the ram and concurrently fastened to the storage bin to constitute a closure for the material inlet opening of the container so as to prevent spills of trash therefrom.

Abstract: A compactor safety interlock mechanism including a support with the support including a trash container receiving means and a compactor mechanism, the compactor mechanism including a door opening for receiving the trash and a door for said door opening, outlet means in the compactor mechanism dispensing trash into a trash container when the trash is put into the door opening, ram means in the compactor mechanism having up and down positions movable from a compactor mechanism from above the door opening, past the door and into a trash container when positioned in the support, interlock means associated with the support responsive to a trash container when the trash container is in proper position in the support for activating the ram, latch means for maintaining the door locked when the ram is in down position and for unlocking the door when the ram is in up position, control means associated with the door for deactivating the ram when the door is opened and for activating the ram when the door is closed, mean

Abstract: Apparatus for compacting waste material. The apparatus includes a over adapted to close the open end of a waste container. The cover includes a lip member adapted to engage the top ends of the container. The lip member has a central aperture formed therein. A cover member having a shape proximate the shape of the central aperture in the lip member is removably supported on the lip member to close the central aperture. The cover member is adapted to be inserted through the central aperture in the lip member into the interior of the container and urged downward to compact the contents of the container.

Abstract: A weight indicator for use with a refuse compactor. Structure is provided for sensing the weight of refuse in the refuse compactor receptacle. An indicator is operatively associated with the sensing structure to provide an indication of the sensed weight to the user of the refuse compactor. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing structure is operated as an incident of moving the receptacle to an accessible position. The receptacle is disposed to be pivoted by the weight of refuse therein when disposed in the accessible position and the sensor structure is responsive to the pivotal displacement. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing and indicating structure are fluid operated and define a movement amplifier for facilitating readout of the weight indication.

Abstract: The invention discloses a refuse compactor assembly for compacting refuse into a cubical open-topped refuse receptacle having an enclosure structure for slidably receiving the cubical refuse receptacle and retaining same within the compactor assembly by force of gravity alone by providing a downwardly rearwardly inclined refuse receptacle support surface in the interior of the refuse compactor assembly. The refuse placed into the refuse receptacle is compacted by a reciprocably operable ram member which is provided with a wedge like compactor surface in the shape of a prism or, alternatively, an inverted pyramid.

Abstract: A pin-off and door closure assembly for a stationary refuse compactor which includes a packer unit having a ram for forcing refuse into a portable container through a load opening in the door thereof, the container being removably attached to the packer unit. The pin-off portion of the assembly includes an elongated pipe which, when not in use, is stored in a refuse-free compartment on the face of the ram. The pin-off pipe is transferred to its position of use across the container door load opening by extension of the ram into the container, following which pins are inserted through both sides of the container into the ends of the pipe for securing the latter into position. A hinged flap forming the forward side of the storage compartment permits the pipe to be removed from the compartment upon retraction of the ram.