Abstract: A sump pump crock includes a body including a first portion and a second portion separate from the first portion. The first portion includes one of a tab and an opening, and the second portion includes the other of the tab and the opening. The tab is received in the opening to secure the first portion to the second portion. The body defines a base, a plurality of sidewalls, and a top opening, and a plurality of flanges extend around an outer perimeter of the body. The sump pump crock includes a removeable lid that covers the top opening.

Abstract: A rotating container dumper includes a bin assembly having at least one opening configured to receive a container, a frame that is configured to receive the bin assembly, and a linkage system that is operably coupled to the frame and the bin assembly. The linkage system is configured to rotate the bin assembly between a home position and a deployed position. In the home position, the bin assembly is disposed within the frame and a first opening of the at least one opening is positioned at a top of the bin assembly. In the deployed position, the bin assembly is disposed outside of the frame and the first opening of the at least one opening is positioned at a bottom of the bin assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a container from a first station to a second station of a container forming line includes a frame, a slide mounted to the frame, and a robotic arm mounted to the slide and movable along the slide between the first station and the second station. The robotic arm includes an end effector operable to remove the container from the first station. The frame is removably coupleable to at least one of the first station and the second station such that the apparatus is transportable to a different container forming line.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a locking device for waste containers, particularly residential or commercial waste containers. In particular, the invention provides a waste container locking device which keeps the container closed when a sudden jerk or jarring, such as by ground impact, is applied on the container, so that the container does not open when it is accidentally knocked over, but may be opened when tipped during dumping.

Abstract: A locking device for a container having a hinged lid, comprises a base unit adapted to be fixed to the container and a pivotable unit mounted to the base unit and pivotally movable between on open and closed positions. The base unit includes a base member and a pinion member non-movably attached to the base member. The pivotable unit includes a locking mechanism comprising a pivotable locking member, a sliding member reciprocating between the locking member and the pinion member. The locking member is movable between a blocking position preventing the movement of the sliding member relative the pinion member so as to prevent relative movement between the pivoting unit and the base unit, and a release position permitting the movement of the sliding member relative the pinion member so as to permit relative movement between the pivoting unit and the base unit.

Abstract: A container includes an enclosure housing an interior compartment for containing waste and further defining slots on sides of the enclosure for receiving lifting forks, a lockable rear lid pivotally connected to the enclosure, and an automatic unlocking mechanism actuated by lifting forks inserted into the slots for unlocking the rear lid to enable waste to be dumped from the container. The container may also be automatically re-locked when the forks are withdrawn from the slots.

Abstract: A method for unlatching a latch on a container includes providing a lifting arm for lifting a latched container. Moving the latched container from a first position to a second position with the lifting arm and unlatching the container by flexing the latch on the container by moving the container from the first position to the second position. The latch includes a first member which is pivotably mounted to a lid. A second member is adapted to selectively engage a projection on a body of the container. An arch member connects the first member to the second member and a handle extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the arch member extends. The step of deflecting the handle is by movement of the moving member to the flex the latch.

Abstract: A cash box system with a cash container for receiving cash is described. The cash container has an inlet opening which can be closed by a cover and a locking mechanism having a locked state in which the cover is locked in a position closing the inlet opening, and a release state in which the cover is unlocked and can be brought in a position to release the inlet opening. The locking mechanism is configured such that it is forcibly transferred from the locked state to the release state when the cash container is emptied. The cash box system is preferably for a vending machine in which the cash container is inserted.

Abstract: The present invention features a receptacle lift arm 100 that can maintain the receptacle lid closed after the receptacle is picked up and the contents there in are dumped.

Abstract: A weight based load limiting system for a refuse vehicle. The system includes a weight determination module that generates a signal that varies in accordance with a vehicle weight. If the vehicle weight approaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum weight, the signal inhibits a portion of the loading or packing operation to prevent overloading the vehicle. In various configurations, the inhibiting can be to prevent a lifting of a refuse container to prevent emptying the container into the vehicle hopper. In other various configurations, the inhibiting occurs by maintaining engine power to less than the engine power typically output during a packing operation.

Abstract: A front loading refuse collection vehicle (10) has a cab (12) connected with a storage bin (14). The storage bin (14) includes an opening (18) that enables refuse to enter into the storage bin (14). The refuse is supplied by a front loading device (16) into the bin. Covers (20, 120) overlay the opening (18) when the vehicle (10) is in motion from collection position to collection position. Additionally, the cover (20, 120) moves from a bin covering position into a cab shielding position.

Abstract: A proppant discharge system has a container with an outlet formed at a bottom thereof and a gate slidably affixed at the outlet so as to be movable between a first position covering the outlet to a second position opening the outlet, and a support structure having an actuator thereon. The container is removably positioned on the top surface of the support structure. The actuator is engageable with gate so as to move the gate from the first position to the second position. A conveyor underlies the container so as to receive proppant as discharged from the container through the outlet. The container is a ten foot ISO container.

Abstract: A gravity-responsive system for securing or restraining the lid or lids of dumping containers in their on-the-ground position and releasing the lid or lids when the container is lifted to its overhead dump position includes a pivotally mounted over-center swingarm that is connected via a connecting link to a lid-restraining bail. When the dumping container is substantially in its on-the-ground position, the bail is rotated to a lid-securing or restraining position in which the lid or lids cannot be opened fully. As the dumping container is lifted toward and to is overhead dump position, the swing-arm rotates in response to gravity to move the bail toward and to a lid-release position to allow the lid or lids to swing away from their closed position to allow the dumping of the contents into the trash truck.

Abstract: An animal-resistant container includes a body and a lid. The body has an interior volume in which refuse may be placed. At least one latch mechanism is secured in the body and at least one latch receptacle is secured in the lid. The latch mechanism is engaged with the latch receptacle to secure the lid to the body and prevent access to the interior volume. The latch mechanism can be actuated by a gripping arm of a refuse pickup vehicle to release the latch mechanism from the latch receptacle so that contents of the container can be emptied during automated collection. A tilt sensor detects tilting movement of the container, and the latch mechanism is prevented from actuation following detection of the tilting movement so that an animal intruder cannot tip over the container and gain entry into the container.

Abstract: The device for unloading an open-top tray filled with flat articles placed in a stack on the bottom of the tray comprises a pivot member suitable for taking hold of the tray and for tilting its opening downwards. The device further comprises: a pusher for holding the flat articles at the bottom of the tray when the tray is tilted; a shuttle box moved by a conveyor between the pivot member and a box unloading zone remote from the pivot member, the shuttle box having a bottom with back and front walls that are retractable or removable relative to the bottom; a box tilting device for tilting the box into a tilted position immediately below the tray; and a moving paddle mounted to be moveable vertically and horizontally, and designed in such a manner as to retract the front wall of the box and as to be inserted between the back wall of the box and the stack of flat articles.

Abstract: A discharge hopper for a tray discharge station for serially discharging shaft trays filled with rod-shaped products includes a conveying element for carrying away the products flowing from the shaft trays and a connecting device for coupling the shaft trays to be emptied to the conveying element. The connecting device is arranged substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the conveying element to form a channel for the product flow and includes an opening for passage of the products from the shaft tray into the channel. In the region of the connecting device there is provided a closure unit to open and close the opening. The closure device is coupled to a movable actuating element so that the closure device can be opened and closed shaft by shaft in relation to the shaft tray to be emptied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately and repeatably depositing edible particulates on edible products. A dual-drum rotary feed system accurately meters an amount of edible particle for each edible product with a first rotary drum while a second rotary drum deposits the edible particulates onto or within the edible product. The dual-drum rotary feeder can comprise replaceable drums wherein drums can be quickly removed and replaced for cleaning, sanitization and to adjust processing conditions such as, for example, changes in production rates and/or product size.

Abstract: A locking device for a dumpster container, wherein the dumpster container is movable between an upright storing position and a tilted dumping position. The locking device includes a main locking device moveable between an engaged position, where the main locking device engages the dumpster container to retain the dumpster container in the upright storing position, and a disengaged position, where the main locking device disengages the dumpster container to permit movement of the dumpster container into the tilted dumping position. The locking device further includes a blocking plate pivotally coupled to the main locking device. The blocking plate is moveable between a blocking position, where the blocking plate prevents the main locking device from moving from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and an unblocking position.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle is provided with a dual chute system for receiving sorted refuse from curbside containers that have one or two compartments. A powered lifting system elevates the curbside container, dumping sorted refuse into the dual chute system. A divided diverter plate with two panel portions present within the vehicle chute allows an operator to direct refuse into selected, segregated storage compartments within the refuse vehicle. In this manner, presorted refuse from the curbside container may be collected without any intermingling of such presorted refuse. The diverter plate has one driven portion and one free swinging portion. These portions may be joined by a temporary link to allow the free swinging panel portion to be positioned by the driven panel portion.

Abstract: The vehicle for collecting, sorting and reducing the volume of recyclable wastes and regular household and commercial garbage includes a large container with plural compartments mounted to the exterior of the vehicle includes a lifting mechanism for lifting the container to the top of the vehicle so that its contents can be dropped through chutes into plural bins. The lifting mechanism assures that the integrity of the sort of recyclables into each compartment of the container is maintained as the waste drops from the compartments through the chutes into individual bins. Between the chutes and the bins are crushers and shredders for reducing of volume of wastes deposited in the bins. Other wastes are placed in balers for baling. The bales of wastes are stored in a rack under the vehicle's housing. Crushing, shredding and baling not only reduces volume but allows the vehicle to collect wastes from more homes than without these on-board capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a FOUP door opening apparatus capable of stably supporting a FOUP door, implementing a smooth door locking and unlocking operation and preventing a particle from being introduced into the system when opening a FOUP door. The FOUP door opening apparatus includes a door opening unit having a front end having a latch key and a rear end having a worm wheel wherein the work wheel is engaged with a worm, and the worm is connected with a driving motor shaft, a particle discharging unit which has a suction hole at a certain portion wherein the suction hole is connected with a suction and discharging unit having a certain pressure for thereby sucking and discharging the particles to the outside when opening the door, and a door support unit which includes buffering rollers installed at both ends of the latch key for enhancing a contact feel and implementing a door support based on an expansion force of the compressed air before the FOUP door is opened.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle comprising a vehicle body supported by wheels and a hopper secured to the vehicle body. The hopper has a bumper lip at the rear thereof of a fixed height to which are secured at least two safety hooks. The safety hooks help prevent a pivot bar of a refuse container from moving rearwardly while the refuse container is being emptied. The safety hooks also help prevent accidental spillage of the contents of the container during the emptying procedure.

Abstract: A machine and method is disclosed for stacking product, including but not limited to, cardboard, magazines, newspapers, newspaper supplements, flyers, press signatures, and softcover books. The stacking machine includes an infeed assembly for receiving a product stream or flow. The infeed assembly includes a belt jogger assembly for aligning product as it enters the machine. A transport assembly delivers product from the infeed assembly to a stacking assembly. The stacking assembly includes an interrupter that creates a gap in the product stream and assists in accumulating a single lift of product on a separator. The separator delivers a single lift of product to one of a pair of elevators, which deliver a first application of compression to the lift. After the first compression, the lift is transferred to a compression apparatus where a second round of compression is applied in the process of forming a final stack.

Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built into the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles.

Abstract: A transfer car for transporting a container of tobacco from a first location to a second location includes an outer frame and an inner frame rotatable within the outer frame. The interior frame is adapted to hold a container therein and is provided with a lid lifter for removing the lid from a container. A system for rotating the container from an upright position to a dumping position is also included. The transfer car is also provided with an internal power source for moving the transfer car from the first location to the second location.

Abstract: A system for separating waste by type and collecting the separated wastes, preserving the integrity of the separation during the collection and consolidation, comprising a multi-compartment inside container for the initial separation, an outside container that interfaces with the inside container so that the separated contents of the latter can be dumped into the former, a mobile collection unit that transfers the separated wastes from the outside container to a plurality of bins, again preserving the separation, and transports the waste to a distribution facility. The volume of the separated waste is reduced by the collection vehicle as it is dumped through hatches on the top of the vehicle into chutes that lead to the appropriate bin for that type of waste. The collection vehicle grips, lifts and inverts the outside container, made up of three subcontainers, and then separates them so that each can be positioned over and aligned with a different hatch on the top of the vehicle.

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 locking mechanism for a container having a hinged lid comprising a shaft adapted to be secured to a container and journaled for rotation about its axis. A locking bar is removably secured to the shaft and rotatable about the axis with the shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position. A lock lever is secured to the shaft between the locked position and the unlocked position and a roller is mounted on a track over the lock lever for motion into and out of an engagement with a lock lever. The shaft is held from rotation when the roller and the locking bar is in the locking position. The locking bar is free to move into and out of its locked and unlocked position and the roller is moved from its locking position.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing separated materials includes a material receiving container having at least one horizontal longitudinally extending partition subdividing the container into upper and lower compartments. The container is provided with a packing device for simultaneously compacting the materials in the upper and lower compartments. The packing device includes a lower packer blade mounted to lower swing arms that are pivotally mounted for pendular movement toward and away from the rear end of the container, to compact the materials in the lower compartment, an upper packer blade mounted to upper swing arms that are pivotally mounted for pendular movement toward and away from the rear end of the container, to compact the materials in the upper compartment, and swing links pivotally connecting the upper and lower swing arms so that the upper and lower packer blades move simultaneously.

Abstract: A refuse collecting vehicle with a two-tier collection compartment. Recyclable material is placed in the upper portion of the collection compartment and conventional rubbish is collected in the lower portion of the collection compartment. The receptacle for depositing the recyclable material preferably is located between the cab and the collection compartment. The roof closure device for a roof opening at the top of the collection compartment is operatively connected to the lifting arms of the receptacle whereby the roof is opened while the receptacle is lifted to its uppermost discharge position and closed as the receptacle is lowered to its lowermost refuse-receiving position.

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 system for separating waste by type and collecting the separated wastes, preserving the integrity of the separation during the collection and consolidation, including a multi-compartment inside container for the initial separation, an outside container that interfaces with the inside container so that the separated contents of the latter can be dumped into the former, a mobile collection unit that transfers the separated wastes from the outside container to a plurality of bins, again preserving the separation, and transports the waste to a distribution facility. The volume of the separated waste is reduced by the collection vehicle as it is dumped through hatches on the top of the vehicle into chutes that lead to the appropriate bin for that type of waste. The collection vehicle grips, lifts and inverts the outside container, made up of three subcontainers, and then separates them so that each can be positioned over and aligned with a different hatch on the top of the vehicle.

Abstract: The container is adapted to be lifted and swung upwards and rearwards across the driver's cab of the vehicle to an emptying position over a collecting receptacle on the vehicle; the container being provided with one or more cover members which can be opened for emptying and/or filling is pivotably and movable connected at the upper side edge portions of the container such that when the cover plate member is turned upwards, for example, when the container is standing on the ground, may be moved and pivoted away from the container in order to open one side thereof. The cover plate member, when turned downwards, for example, during the emptying of the container, automatically during movement may be pivoted away from the container in order to empty the container, and when the cover plate member, is again turned upwards, for example, after the container is emptied, the container automatically is pivoted back, closing the container.

Abstract: A standard garbage receiving dumpster is provided with a locking bar disposed across its lid. A locking mechanism cooperating with the locking bar is added to the dumpster to prevent the locking bar from rotating when the dumpster is in an upright position. A lock is provided which when opened permits the locking bar to be disengaged from the locking mechanism to allow authorized users to rotate the locking bar and open the dumpster lid to permit the deposit of garbage therein. The locking mechanism is disengaged when the dumpster is in an inverted position to permit the lid to open and the contents of the dumpster to be removed.

Abstract: A lid locking device for an industrial waste container having a lid and a pair of sleeves capable of receiving the pick-up arms of a vehicle. The device has a plate rotatably disposed adjacent one of the sleeves such that the plate rotates on entry of a pick-up arm into the sleeve and a locking mechanism attached to the lid. A rotating bar with a swinging arm at its top end interconnects the plate and the locking mechanism. Rotation of the plate disengages the locking mechanism. A spring biases the rotating bar to the engaged position. An obstruction in the sleeve helps prevent manual levering of the plate within the sleeve.

Abstract: A locking mechanism having a latch and linkage system that automatically unlocks the lid on trash bins when the trash bin is lifted into the air and then automatically re-locks the lid when the trash bin is placed back on the ground. A leg and pod assembly is attached to the linkage system and pulls the linkage system pivotably downward to move the latch away from the lid when the bin is lifted and thereafter pushes the linkage system upward to pivotably move the latch to secure the lid when the bin is repositioned.

Abstract: A refuse collection and delivery system, which includes a garbage can for collection garbage and a garbage truck for receiving and delivering the garbage collected from the garbage can. The garbage can includes a horizontal type cylinder having an opening covered with a sliding cover which has lifting-eyes thereon for the fastening therein of the hooks of a crane of the garbage truck to lift the garbage can to a dustbin tipping device thereof for dust-free tipping operation.

Abstract: A waste container comprising a cylindrical barrel having a lid hingedly secured thereto and which may be moved between open and closed positions. A latching mechanism is secured to the side wall of the barrel and securely latches the lid in its closed position until sufficient force is applied to a pressure pad located at the outside of the barrel.

Abstract: A motor-driven garbage truck provided with a detachable garbage container equipped with releasable coupling elements, and also having permanently mounted thereon which includes a pouring chute in the forward portion, lifting and tipping apparatus for picking up a garbage can and discharging the contents thereof into the chute leading to a receiving space, and a conveying and compacting apparatus for transferring the garbage from the receiving space into the container through the receiving opening, which is provided with a closure is disclosed. The pouring unit is disposed in part above the driver's cab and in part between the cab and the container, the chute being disposed in a region extending behind and above the cab. The lifting and tipping apparatus includes at least one lifting arm, pivotally movable about a transverse pivot carried by the pouring unit or the chassis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bin for holding material and expelling it when the bin is inverted, the bin comprising a bottom, and front, rear, and side walls extending generally upwardly from the bottom, an opening in the top, a lid mounted pivotally over the opening in tracks so that the lid freely pivots open and so that the lid can slide upwardly a relative to the bin in response to applied pressure when the bin is inverted.

Abstract: A self-propelled wheeled vehicle has a load receiving tank with the driving wheeled suspension system and the driven steering control system directly attached to the load receiving tank. The prime mover and power transmission system is also attached to the tank and interconnected with the driving wheels. An operators cab is attached to the forward end of the load receiving tank. A front loader mechanism is integrated with a top front load receiving opening in the tank and the closure therefor such that movement of the closure simultaneously lifts an interconnected load container, raises same and dumps the load into the load receiving tank and vice-versa. The chassiless vehicle is applicable to rear loader and side loader use.

Abstract: A litter control assembly for use with a refuse collection vehicle including a drive vehicle having a collection box removably mounted thereon. The litter control assembly comprises a pair of upstanding screen members which extend upwardly from opposite sides of the collection opening in the upper forward end of the refuse collection box. A flexible sheet member is secured to the refuse collection box rearwardly of the collection opening and is secured to the upper rearward ends of the screens to prevent litter from blowing rearwardly therebetween. A crusher panel is pivotally mounted on the vehicle and is positioned between the forward ends of the screen members. Elongated flexible whiskers are secured to the upper ends of the screen members and extend inwardly over the collection opening. A plurality of elongated flexible whiskers are also secured to the upper end of the crusher panel and extend inwardly over the forward end of the opening formed in the collection box.

Abstract: A refuse container incorporating a security locking mechanism disposed completely within the container and which is actuated only when the container is turned over. In one embodiment a weight is mounted to pivot by gravity through a circular path when the unit is tilted. A hammer carried by the weight strikes an anvil on a crank arm which operates through a toggle connecting link to pivot a locking lever. A detent on the locking lever is moved out of engagement with a perimeter frame which is pivotally mounted on the open end of the container. A closure lid which is independently locked to the frame swings open with the frame for discharging the contents. In another embodiment a weight is moved by gravity through an arc to strike and pivot a detent arm which normally retains a larger second weight. The second weight then moves by gravity along a linear path towards the end of a tube where it strikes and pivots a locking lever.