US3752061A - Refuse compactor - Google Patents

Abstract

A refuse compactor suitable for handling a large volume of refuse, such as from an apartment house, in which: a ram is driven mechanically to apply vertical, high load compaction by means of a jack screw assembly and the refuse is fed to the ram by means of a pivoting pushbar platform. Electrical circuitry actuates the machine automatically when a full load of refuse has been accumulated.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Hirsch Aug. 14, 1973 i 54 REFUSE COMPACTOR [75] Inventor: Stanley Hirsch, Westbury, NY.

[73] Assignee: TCI lnc., Benson, Minn.

[22] Filed: June 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.2 151,814

[52] US. Cl 100/49, 100/45, 100/52, 100/53, 100/73, 100/98, 100/99, 100/139,

[51] Int. Cl B301) 15/14 [58] Field of Search 198/61; 100/45, 49,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,675,669 7/1928 Snyder 100/289 X 3,693,541 9/1972 Lombard et al. 100/218 X 290,515 12/1883 Battson 1001289 X 3,521,553 7/1970 Smolka et a1, 100/233 X Carter 100/52 X 3,604,345 9/1971 Boje 100/289 X 3,338,385 8/1967 Sage 198/61 X 1,931,488 10/1933 Deems.. 100/215 3,129,656 4/1964 Judd 100/98 R 3,657,999 4/1972 White 100/192 Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite Attorney-Ralph L. Duggar, Clayton R. Johnson and Nickolas E. Westman ABSTRACT A refuse compactor suitable for handling a large volume of refuse, such as from an apartment house, in which: a ram is driven mechanically to apply vertical, high load compaction by means of a jack screw assembly and the refuse is fed to the ram by means of a pivoting pushbar platform. Electrical circuitry actuates the machine automatically when a full load of refuse has been accumulated.

9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PMENIEU W5 1 4 3 SHEEI 1 BF 4 INVENTOR STANLEY H IR SCH Ll-E FIG.4

PAIENIEU M13 1 4.975 3. 752.061

SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR STANLE Y H'IRS C H PATENTED M19 1 3. 7 52 O6 1 SNEEI 3 0F 4 INVENTOR STANLEY H I R SCH I REFUSE COMPACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Handling and disposal of household and commercial refuse is a growing problem, particularly in urban areas. Incineration is becoming impractical as a result of its contaminating effect on the atmosphere and environment. Loose, non-compacted refuse is inconvenient to handle, expensive to transport and is rapidly filling available dumping areas. Compacting, to reduce the bulk volume of refuse, has become desirable to allow more efficient transport and disposal of such refuse. Thus, there is a growing need for compacting machines, particularly those which are simple and economical to build and maintain; versatile as to the amount and type of refuse which can be handled; small enough to be installed in existing buildings without requiring a prohibitively large amount of space, yet large enough to handle the refuse volume of a muIti-level apartment building, factory, store or restaurant; and sophisticated enough to be capable of automatic operation day or night, without the continuous attendance of maintenance personnel.

In general, there are two basic types of compacting machines for use in buildings such as apartment houses. One type operates on the principle of extrusion with raw refuse entering a hopper and then coming to rest in front of a hydraulically driven rain. The ram is activated to compress the refuse into a compaction chamber. After completion of its forward stroke, the ram is returned to its rearward position, leaving space for new refuse to enter the cavity which is forward of the ram. With each forward stroke of the ram, more refuse is compacted into the chamber and subsequently driven out through the nozzle opening at the front end of the machine, having been compacted in the reducing cross section of the nozzle. The output of the machine is a continuous cylinder of compacted refuse.

A second type of compacting machine compresses the raw refuse irito a chamber until it is full. A door is then opened, following which the formed slug of compacted refuse is ejected into a bag or other receptacle.

Since the machines described above have generally been driven hydraulically, they have exhibited several drawbacks. Because of the requirement for motor, pump, fluid reservoir, valving, piping, filtering, temperature and pressure limitation, etc., these machines are costly to build and maintain. Also, the presence of fluid in the reservoir, and under pressure in the lines and components tends to develop leaks and other mechanical failures. In addition, the overall arrangement of these systems results in excessive weight and volume.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved refuse compactor. Although not limited thereto, it is particularly suitable for handling a large volume of refuse of various types, such as the daily garbage from the many kitchens in a multi-Ievel apartment building or from the kitchen of a restaurant or refuse from a store or factory, particularly those which handle food products and wrappings. The ram of the compactor is driven mechanically, rather than hydraulically, which simplifies the machinery involved and thereby reduces the size of the compactor. The basic drive system uses a motor driven jack screw assembly which directly drives the compacting ram. The principle of the jack screw is well known High load compaction is applied vertically, ratherthan horizontally, which results in more efficient operation and avoids the tendency of other compacting machines having a horizontal stroke to accumulate bits of refuse between the ram and the side walls of the refuse chamber. This vertical arrangement reduces the necessity for cleaning and other maintenance costs. High load compaction is accomplished by means of a jack screw arrangement in which the follower nut isclosest to the power source of the motor at the time of heaviest load. This reduces vibration along the jack screw and binding of the ram structure, thereby prolonging the life of the compactor. Thehigh load capacity allows this invention to handle the large volume of refuse from an apartment house, rather than the comparatively small volume of refuse handled by other compactors designed for use under the countcrtop in the kitchen of a dwelling.

A pushbar platform assembly is used fuse into the compaction chamber by positive action.

This prevents refuse, such as a box or a length of wood,

compactor receives a few bits of refuse. There is also a deodorant and disinfectant spray pump assembly which is actuated automatically and a fire sprinkler with thermostatic control. I

This invention is designed to handle all types of household refuse. It is not restricted to handling only certain types of household refuse, such as tin cans or paper towels.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved overall arrangement and drive system for a compacting machine which is less costly to build and less expensive and less troublesome to maintain than present systems.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine which has a high load capacity and yet occupies less floor space than existing compactor machines.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the drawings and description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine, in one stage of operation and with part of the outer wall broken away to reveal interior components.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine, in another stage of operation and with part of the outer wall broken away to reveal interior components.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of FIG. 1, with additional parts being broken away to reveal additional interior components.

. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 44 in FIG. I and in the direction of the arrows in FIG. I.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 in FIG. 1 and in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 in FIG. 3 and in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 3.

to push the re- I 2 fuse compacted.

3 FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side clcvational view in the direction of the arrows 7-7 in FIG. 3.

FlG';8'is a simplified elevational view; of the machine.

"in the'same stage of operation as FIG. I.

FIG. 9 is a simplified elevational view of the machine in the same stage of operation as FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic of the circuitry for the machine;

FIG. I! is an additional electrical schematic'of part of the circuitry in FIG. 10.

' DETAILED DESCRIPTION Mechanical Operation Referring to FIGS. 1 2 and 3, the compactor consists of a hopper module, designated generally by reference number 1,-and a press module, designated generally by reference number 3. The hopper module I contains a drives a follower nut 27. The follower nut 27 moves axially along stationary lead screw 25. Preferably, this ar rangement includes sets of independent rollers 28 and needle bearings 30, one set of which is'shown in FIG. 3. This arrangement is not as susceptible to the extent of damage caused by contaminents in ball screw arrangements. Follower nut 27 is connected to ram II by 1 vertical supports 31. This embodiment uses three vertical supports 31, most clearly shown in FIG. 6. When motor and gear reducer are energized, they drive the follower nut 27 and ram 11 upward along lead screw 25 from the down position of the ram 11 shown in FIG. 2 to'the up position of the ram shown in FIG. 1. During this upward stroke, there is relatively low load on the machine since the drive motor and gear reducer IS'rnust only overcome the weight of the ram 11 hopper'compartment 5 and apushbar platform assem- 'bly consistingofa pushbar platform 7, pushbar linkage I I 9 and deflector plate 35. The press module Scontains aram II, a ram chamber 13, a drivemotor and gear re- 1 "duc er IS, a jackserew assembly designated generally by reference number 17 and a nozzle chamber 19. Re-

fuseenters thefcompactor either through door 21 or through a chute, not shown, which is connectedto the top of 3.

the hopper module. at doors22, shown in FIG.-

and jack screw assembly :17 and the friction in the system. I a

Asthe ram 11 and jack screw assembly 17 are driven upward, the ram 11 passes through the ram chamber 13 and the raising of the ram shield 43, shown in FIG. 3, exposes a passageway located on the inside wall 33 common to both the ram chamber 13 and the hopper compartment 5. As a result, loose uncompacted refuse The operation of the compactor is illustratedin sima plified form in FIGS. 8 and 9. The refuse is deposited I in hopper compartment 5 of the hopper module 1, At

this time the pushbar platform 7 and the ram ll are,

a each in their down position, as shown in FIG; 9. When f sufficient refuse has accumulated in the hopper compartment 5, theram 11- is raised to its upper position,

as shriivn in FIG. 8 and the pushbar platform ,7 pivots upwardly to urge the refuse into the ram'chamber l3. Thengduring the compaction cycle, the ram Ill is low.-

' ered to compact the refuse during the travel of the ram' 11 through the .ramzchamber l3 and in the nozzle .chamber 19, resulting in extrusion of throughthe nozlzle chamber [9. r

a the refuse Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, loose uncompacted rerefuse strikes the leading face 6 of pushbar platform 7 at a time when the pushbar platform 7 is in its lower position, as shown in FIG. 2, when the leading face 6 is approximately above the horizontal. As refuse accumulates, it gradually reaches the level of the photosensor 23. The photosensor 23 is provided with' a time delay mechanism, such that it will close a switch to ac .tuate the compaction cycle only when the light beamis interrupted for more than a minimum of several seconds. For this reason, the passage of small batches of refuse through the light beam will not actuate the compactioncycle until a full load of refuse has accumu Iated. This achieves efficiency and economy by reducing the-number of cycles of Compactor operation to a minimum, reducing consumption of powenand reducwhich has accumulated in the hopper compartment 5 with pushbar platform 7 .in the down position, as shown in FIG. 2, is allowed to spill over from the hopper compartment 5 into the ram chamber l3 through this passageway. When the ram 11 and jack screw assembly 17 near the top of their stroke, the jack screw assembly 17 engages the pushbarlinkage 9, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is directly connected to the pushbar platform 7. During the last few inches of the upward stroke of fuse entering the hopper module I passes, through the, r j light. beani'of aphotosensor 23, shown in FIG. 3. The

mg machine wear, as compared to totalvolume of rea face 10 provides a close clearance with the lower edge the ram 11 and jack screw assembly 17, the pushbar linkage 9 pivots the pushbar platform Tapproximately 60 in a vertical plane on pivot point 44 from a lower position of the pushbar platform 7, as shown in FIG. 2, to an upper position of the pushbar platform 7, as

shown in FIG. 1, with the leading face 6 in a vertical position. When the pushbar platform 7 pivots upwardly it pushes the refuse which has accumulated in the hopper compartment 5 into the ram chamber 13. A deflector plate 35 is mounted within the hopper compartment 5 adjacent to the hollow pushbar platform 7 to deflect falling refuse on to the leading face of the pushbar platform 7, when in its lower positionas shown in FIG. 2. The pushbar platform 7 is defined by a leading face 6 which is a flat surface, an arcuate face .10 having a curving surface, and structural supports for these surfaces. Inthe side view of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the pushbar platform 7 presents a pie-shaped appearance, such pieshape being formed by the leading face 6, the arcuate face 10 and the bottom structural supports 12. Other than structural supports 12, the bottom of the pushbar platform 7 is not enclosed. Similarly, other than structural supports, the pie-shaped sides'8are not enclosed. The portions of the pushbar platform 7 "which are enclosed are the leadingface 6 and the arcuate face l0.

" Theradius of the arcuate face. 10 is equal to the length of the bottom structural supports 12 and equal .to 'the' length of the leading face 6. The radius of the arcuate of the deflector plate 3.5. Thus, little or no refuse will be able to slip down between the arcuate face 10.0f the, pushbar platform 7 and the lower edge of the deflector plate 35 A similar close clearance exists between the, sides 8 of pushbar platform 7 and side walls 16 of the hopper compartment, as shown in FIG. 6, thus allowing little or no refuse to slip between the sides 8 of the pushbar platform 7 and the side walls 16 of the hopper compartment. This close clearance between the pushbar platform 7 and the walls 16 and the deflector plate 35 minimizes the amount of cleaning and attention required by this machine.

When the ram 11 and jack screw assembly 17 reach the upper end of their stroke, the motor and gear reducer 15 are stopped and then reversed, which starts the downward stroke of the ram 1 1. During the first few inches of the downward stroke, the pushbar linkage 9 is again actuated to restore the pushbar platform 7 to its lower position, as shown in FIG. 2, with the leading face 6 approximately 30 above the horizontal. Return of the pushbar platform 7 to its lower position provides additional space for more refuse to enter the hopper compartment 5. The ram 11 and jack screw assembly 17 continue their downward movement, andram shield 43, shown in FIG. 3, closes the passageway located on the wall 33 of both the ram chamber 13 and the hopper compartment 5.

As the ram 11 moves downwardly through the ram chamber 13 it drives the refuse in the ram chamber 13 before it, pushing and compacting the refuse into the nozzle area 19, resulting in extrusion of the refuse through the nozzle chamber 19. The ram 11 penetrates several inches into the nozzle chamber 19, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3 an upper shearing bar 39 is mounted on the lower face of the ram 11. A lower shearing bar 41 is mounted on the inside wall of the ram chamber. The edge of upper shearing bar 39 is pointed downwardly and the edge of lower shearing bar 41 is pointed upwardly so that the two shearing bars 39 and 41 cooperate to shear any refuse material which is across the opening between the hopper compartment 5 and the ram chamber '13. FIG. 3 shows the ram 11 in its upper position, but shows ram shield 43 in dotted line in its downward position covering the passageway located on the inside wall of both ram chamber 13 and hopper compartment 5. Ram shield 43 covers this passageway during the downward stroke of ram 11 and exposes this passageway during the upward stroke of ram 11 to allow refuse to pass from hopper compartment 5 into ram chamber 13.

Pushbar platform 7 provides the following advantages: It takes an accumulation of refuse which has entered the hopper compartment 5 without obstructions and pushes the refuse positively into the ram chamber 13. This positive action prevents refuse material such as a box or length of wood 14, shown in FIG. 8, from bridging across the passageway located on the inner wall 33 of both the ram chamber 13 and the hopper compartment 5. In previous machines, not having such a pushbar platform 7, this condition has caused the machine to cycle continuously without receiving or discharging refuse. The pushbar platform 7 also provides a measure of precompaction to the system during the upward stroke of the ram 11 when power is not needed for compaction by the ram 11. This precompaction produces a full charge of refuse in the ram chamber 13 and nozzle chamber 19 when compaction by the ram 11 occurs later in the cycle. The pivoting movement of pushbar platform 7 about pivot point 44 is accomplished by a mechanical pushbar linkage 9, without any electrical or hydraulic components.

inside walls of the hopper compartment 5. If refuse material such as a box or length of wood become lodged between an inside wall of the hopper compartment 5 and the pushbar'platform 7 (FIG. 9), the complimentary motions of the ram stroke and the pushbar plat form stroke will eventually dislodge the material.

To eliminate twisting moments from the ram 11, a

torsion assembly 47 may-be used as an optional feature.

The follower nut 27 of the jack screw assembly 17 is fitled with a torsion roller 49 which rides on two torsion supports 51, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The torsion supports 51 are affixed to and integral with motor and gear reducer 15 and vertical supports 31 of the jack screw assembly 17. This torsion assembly 47 balances any torsional moments which would otherwise be transmitted to the ram 11 and leaves the ram 11 free to move in the ram chamber 13 with no twisting movements which would cause undue wear. This optional torsion assembly 47 may be omitted where heavy loads are not present.

The hopper module 1 and the press module 3 are both enclosed units, for safety reasons and to prevent tampering with the machine.

Electrical Operation.

Referring to FIG. 10, three phase, 60 cycle power is applied to the compactor by the on/off switch S1 through transformer T1. Transformer Tl has two secondary windings. One secondary winding provides 1 15 volts. The second provides 6.3 volts. The US volts is used for all control and indication functions. The 6.3 volts is used to provide power for all logic and sequencing functions through a regulated 5 volt dc power supply consisting of a full wave bridge 55, filter capacitor C1, and series regulator 212. These logic and sequencing functions are described below.

The 6.3 volt input power is half wave rectified by diode CR5 and converted into a pulse train by amplifier Q1 and resistors R1, R2 and R3 and inverter ZlA. This pulse train is applied to a six bit binary counter consisting of four bit binary counter Z2 and dual flip-flop Z3. This six bit counter provides an output frequency of 0.9375 cycles which is used for the time controlled functions of the machine. This signal is fed to a two stage binary counter (Z6), and a twelve bit binary counter (Z4, Z5 and Z7). The twelve bit counter provides pulses at 72.8 minute intervals, except when reset. A reset input inhibits further counting, and resets the counter to zero, thereby causing the 72.8 minute time interval to begin again after the reset is removed.

The reset signal is generated by the two stage counter Z6. Counter Z6 is enabled (allowed to count) by a cycle command. A cycle command signal is obtained whenever the photo detector (FIG. 11) senses a minimum refuse input. If this input is maintained sufficiently long to allow Z6 to receive three pulses (between 2.l3 and 3.20 seconds) the twelve bit counter will be reset. If the cycle command does not remain long enough, counter Z6 resets to zero and remains there until the next cycle command is received.

The outputs of both. the twelve-bit counter (Z4, Z5 and Z7) and two bit counters Z6 are then applied to set flip-flop Z8A and Z9A which turns on relay Kl. Contact KIA turns on the reversing contactor (RVS) 57,

T which causes the motor to drive in reverse, thereby retracting the ram. The ram continues to retract until it reachesa' limit switch S7 (maximum pull-back limit switch shown in FIG. IL'When switch S7 closes, the ZSA Z9A- flip-flop is reset, turning off [(1 and the reversing contactor 57. v

Contact X18 turns on the chemical dispenser, which i sprays deodorant; insecticide or any other suitable chemical, as selected. Contact KlC turns on neon indicator DS 3 indicating the machine is compacting. Switch S6 is for manual start of the compactor.

Closing of S7 also sets a second flip-flop (Z88 and Z98), shown in FIG. 10, lower left. This activates relay 7 One possibility is that the ram reaches limit switch S8 1 (maximum position limit switch). Switch S8 is located at the point of maximum downward ram travel. It resets flip-flop Z88 and Z98, turning ofi' relay K2. The other v possibility is that the ram encounters sufficient physical resistance from the refuse to cause the motor current to rise beyond the setting of the instantaneous Trip Current Relay K4. This also resets flip-flop Z83 and 29B, turning off relay K2.

in the event that an object in the ram chamber 13 cannot be cut by the shearing blades, the Instantaneous Trip Current Relay K4 will be activated before the ram reaches S9. if this condition occurs, the machine cycle is reinitiated by inverter 21D and gate 28C, which sets S9 closing, ZllA actuates K3, which interrupts the control power and turns on Jam lndicator DS2. Thus,

' the drive system will make three strokes to shear the object or move it through the ram chamber 13. lf it cannot handle the object in this manner, the machine is stopped and a jam is indicated.

Four system interlocks are provided, any one or more of which interrupts control power shutting down the machine when the switch is open. The interlocks are:

Access Door No. 1 S2; Access Door No. 2, S3; Shutoff Door, S4; and Bag End Switch (released when no bag is available to receive refuse), S5. Z1 is a hexode inverter; Z8 is a quad two input gate; and Z9 and Z]! are dual buffers.

What is claimed is:-

l. A refuse compactor comprising:

a. a press module having a vertically moving ram for applying compacting force downwardly to the refuse, a ram chamber through which the ram moves during the compacting cycle, a drive motor assembly which generates compacting force, a jack screw assembly for transmitting the compacting force from the drive motor assembly to the ram, and a nozzle chamber into which the refuse is compacted by the ram; and r r b. a' hopper module having a hopper compartment for receiving gravity-fed; loose refuse, said hopper compartment communicating with said ram chamber by means of a passageway through which loose refuse enters the ram chamber, a feed means as sembly within the hopper compartment to forcibly move the refuse into the ram chamber, and means for actuating the compaction cycle when a desired 7 amount of refuse has accumulated in the compactor; V s

c. said jack screw assembly comprising:

i. a rotatable lead screw held from movement along its longitudinal axis and having its longitudinal axis in a substantially vertical position, to which torque is transmitted by said drive motor assemii. a follower nut moveable vertically on said lead screw and located above said ram; and

iii. support means to connect the ram to the follower nut and maintain a fixed spacial relationship between the ram and the follower nut,

2. A refuse compactor, as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a torsion assembly to eliminate twisting movement in the jack screw assembly, said torsion assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of torsion supports affixed to the jack screw assembly; and a r b. a torsion roller which is fitted to the follower nut and which rides on the torsion supports.

3. A refuse compactor as definedin claim 1 in which the feed means assembly comprises: 7

a. a pushbar platform located within the hopper compartment and having a leading face, an arcuate face, the radius of which is equal to the length of the lead face, and structural supports, all of which together define a platform which in cross-section is pie-shaped, which pushbar platform pivots in a vertical plane between a lower position and an upper position with close clearance between the sides of the pushbar platform and the side walls of the hopper compartment;

b. pushbar linkage connected to the pusher platform and communicating with the jack screw assembly to pivot the pushbar platform between its first position and its second position; and

c. a deflector plate mounted within the hopper compartment, inclined to the horizontal at approximately the. same angle as the leading face of the pushbar assembly when the pushbar platform is in its lower position, and having a close clearance between the lower edge of the deflector plate and the arcuate face of the'pushbar platform.

4. A refuse compactor as defined claim 3 and further comprising an override spring fitted on the pushbar linkage to prevent the pushbar platform from jamming as a result of solid refuse becoming lodge between the pushbar platform and an inner side wall of the hopper compartment.

detect the du 6. A refuse compactor as defined in claim in which 8. A refuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in which the electrical circuitry further comprises: the lead screw and follower nut arrangement of the a. means for reversing the rotational direction of the jack screw assembly further comprises a set of independrive motor assembly when the ram reaches the dent rollers and needle bearings. lowest point in its downward movement during 5 9, A refuse om actor omprising; compaction; a. a press module having a vertically moving ram for b. means for stopping the drive motor assembly durapplying compacting force downwardly to the reing the compaction cycle when it draws more than a predetermined level of electrical current as a rephysical resistance offered by the refuse to the downward movement of the ram.

fuse in a compaction cycle, a ram chamber through which the ram moves during the compaction cycle,

sult of the amount of physical resistance offered by adrive motor assembly which generates compelthe refuse to the downward movement of the ram; ing force a jack screw assembly f transmitting means restarting the i assembly a the compacting force, a jack screw assembly for predetermmed number of durmg the transmitting the compacting force from the drive Paction cycle after it has been stopped as a result motor assembly to the ram, and a nozzle chamber of the amount of physical resistance offered by the mm which the refuse is compacted by the ram; refuse; and b. a hopper module having a hopper compartment d. means for shutting off the machine and indicating for receiving gravityfedy loose refuse said hopper a jammed condition after the drive motor assembly compartment communicating with Said ram charm been. restarted a prefietermmed number of ber by means of a passageway through which loose times during the compaction cycle as a result of refuse enters the ram chamber, a feed means assembly within the hopper compartment to forcibly move the refuse into the ram chamber, and means 7. A refuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in which the ram comprises:

a. a ram face on the lower horizontal side of the ram;

b. an upper shearing bar positioned horizontally with for actuating the compaction cycle when a desired amount of refuse has accumulated in the compactor; and

the cutting edge of the bar pointed down and mounted on the side of the ram face which is closest to the hopper compartment;

. a lower shearing bar positioned horizontally with the cutting edge of the bar pointed up and mounted on the lower inside wall of the ram chamber which is closest to the hopper compartment, said lower shearing bar cooperating with said upper shearing bar to shear any refuse which is across the passageway between the ram chamber and the hopper compartment during the downward stroke of the ram; and

d. a ram shield, the lower portion of which is c. said feed means assembly comprising:

i. a pushbar located within the hopper compartment and having a leading face and a second face and structural supports, all of which together define a pushbar assembly, which pushbar moves between a retracted position and a feeding position with close clearance between the sides of the pushbar and the side walls of the hopper compartment;

ii. pushbar linkage connected to the pushbar and communicating with the jack screw assembly to move the pushbar between its retracted position and its feeding position;

iii. said second face of said pushbar being exposed to the hopper when the pushbar moves between retracted and feeding positions; and

iiii. a deflector plate mounted within the hopper compartment, inclined to the horizontal at a substantial angle, there being provided a close clearance between the lower edge of the deflector plate and the second face of the pushbar. I

Claims (9)

1. A refuse compactor comprising: a. a press module having a vertically moving ram for applying compacting force downwardly to the refuse, a ram chamber through which the ram moves during the compacting cycle, a drive motor assembly which generates compacting force, a jack screw assembly for transmitting the compacting force from the drive motor assembly to the ram, and a nozzle chamber into which the refuse is compacted by the ram; and b. a hopper module having a hopper compartment for receiving gravity-fed; loose refuse, said hopper compartment communicating with said ram chamber by means of a passageway through which loose refuse enters the ram chamber, a feed means assembly within the hopper compartment to forcibly move the refuse into the ram chamber, and means for actuating the compaction cycle when a desired amount of refuse has accumulated in the compactor; c. said jack screw assembly comprising: i. a rotatable lead screw held from movement along its longitudinal axis and having its longitudinal axis in a substantially vertical position, to which torque is transmitted by said drive motor assembly; ii. a follower nut moveable vertically on said lead screw and located above said ram; and iii. support means to connect the ram to the follower nut and maintain a fixed spacial relationship between the ram and the follower nut.

2. A refuse compactor, as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a torsion assembly to eliminate twisting movement in the jack screw assembly, said torsion assembly comprising: a. a plurality of torsion supports affixed to the jack screw assembly; and b. a torsion roller which is fitted to the follower nut and which rides on the torsion supports.

3. A refuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in which the feed means assembly comprises: a. a pushbar platform located within the hopper compartment and having a leading face, an arcuate face, the radius of which is equal to the length of the lead face, and structural supports, all of which together define a platform which in cross-section is pie-shaped, which pushbar platform pivots in a vertical plane between a lower position and an upper position with close clearance between the sides of the pushbar platform and the side walls of the hopper compartment; b. pushbar linkage connected to the pusher platform and communicating with the jack screw assembly to pivot the pushbar platform between its first position and its second position; and c. a deflector plate mounted within the hopper compartment, inclined to the horizontal at approximately the same angle as the leading face of the pushbar assembly when the pushbar platform is in its lower position, and having a close clearance between the lower edge of the deflector plate and the arcuate face of the pushbar platform.

4. A refuse compactor as defined claim 3 and further comprising an override spring fitted on the pushbar linkage to prevent the pushbar platform from jamming as a result of solid refuse becoming lodge between the pushbar platform and an inner side wall of the hopper compartment.

5. A refuse compactor as define d in claim 1, in which the means for actuating the compaction cycle comprise: a. a photosensor device to generate a light beam through which loose refuse passes prior to Being compacted; b. electrical circuitry responsive to the photosensor device to generate a pulse train; c. a plurality of binary counters which detect the duration of the pulse train; and d. a drive motor which is energized when the binary counter receives a pulse train of sufficient duration.

6. A refuse compactor as defined in claim 5 in which the electrical circuitry further comprises: a. means for reversing the rotational direction of the drive motor assembly when the ram reaches the lowest point in its downward movement during compaction; b. means for stopping the drive motor assembly during the compaction cycle when it draws more than a predetermined level of electrical current as a result of the amount of physical resistance offered by the refuse to the downward movement of the ram; c. means for restarting the drive motor assembly a predetermined number of times during the compaction cycle after it has been stopped as a result of the amount of physical resistance offered by the refuse; and d. means for shutting off the machine and indicating a jammed condition after the drive motor assembly has been restarted a predetermined number of times during the compaction cycle as a result of physical resistance offered by the refuse to the downward movement of the ram.

7. A refuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in which the ram comprises: a. a ram face on the lower horizontal side of the ram; b. an upper shearing bar positioned horizontally with the cutting edge of the bar pointed down and mounted on the side of the ram face which is closest to the hopper compartment; c. a lower shearing bar positioned horizontally with the cutting edge of the bar pointed up and mounted on the lower inside wall of the ram chamber which is closest to the hopper compartment, said lower shearing bar cooperating with said upper shearing bar to shear any refuse which is across the passageway between the ram chamber and the hopper compartment during the downward stroke of the ram; and d. a ram shield, the lower portion of which is mounted on the side of ram closest to the hopper compartment, the upper portion of which is mounted on the jack screw assembly, the ram shield moving in conjunction with the ram to expose the passageway and allow communication between the hopper compartment and the ram chamber when the ram is in its upper position and close the passageway when the ram is in its down position.

8. A refuse compactor as defined in claim 1 in which the lead screw and follower nut arrangement of the jack screw assembly further comprises a set of independent rollers and needle bearings.

9. A refuse compactor comprising: a. a press module having a vertically moving ram for applying compacting force downwardly to the refuse in a compaction cycle, a ram chamber through which the ram moves during the compaction cycle, a drive motor assembly which generates compacting force, a jack screw assembly for transmitting the compacting force, a jack screw assembly for transmitting the compacting force from the drive motor assembly to the ram, and a nozzle chamber into which the refuse is compacted by the ram; b. a hopper module having a hopper compartment for receiving gravity-fed, loose refuse, said hopper compartment communicating with said ram chamber by means of a passageway through which loose refuse enters the ram chamber, a feed means assembly within the hopper compartment to forcibly move the refuse into the ram chamber, and means for actuating the compaction cycle when a desired amount of refuse has accumulated in the compactor; and c. said feed means assembly comprising: i. a pushbar located within the hopper compartment and having a leading face and a second face and structural supports, all of which together define a pushbar assembly, which pushbar moves between a retracted position and a feeding position with close clearance between the sides of the pushbar and the side walls of the hopper compartment; ii. pusHbar linkage connected to the pushbar and communicating with the jack screw assembly to move the pushbar between its retracted position and its feeding position; iii. said second face of said pushbar being exposed to the hopper when the pushbar moves between retracted and feeding positions; and iiii. a deflector plate mounted within the hopper compartment, inclined to the horizontal at a substantial angle, there being provided a close clearance between the lower edge of the deflector plate and the second face of the pushbar.

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