Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
.
The invention relates to a syster,~ and method for the
handling of solid waste involving multiple solid waste handling
stations.
Systems for receiving, transferring and compacting
solid waste are not new. It is well know to deposit waste in a
hopper, and to activate a ram to transfer the waste to, and com-
pact the waste in, a stoxage container for subsequent disposal.
However, when the storage container is filled or
packed, additional waste added to known prior art systems merely
accumulates, eventually overflowing. The results are unsightly
littering, unpleafiant odors or stench, the attraction of rodents
and undesirable insects, and the creation of a health hazard.
Also, known prior art systems are inoperable for the
period during which a packed storage container is being emptied
and returned, or being exchanged.
Furthermore, such systems having reciprocating rams
present dangers, particularly to small children.
It has been found that a system and method according
to the invention is capable of continual, uninterrupted opera-
tion. Problems attendant with waste overflow are avoided. The
inconvenience associated with system shutdown for emptying or ;
exchanging a packed container is nonexistent.
It has further been found that a system according to
the invention is safe to operate and virtually childproof.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide an improved
system and method for the handling of solid waste involving
multiple and operatively interconnected stations.
It is a further object of the invention to provide for
automatic deactivation of a station having a packed storage
unit, and activation of an adjoining station having an empty
storage unit.
Still further, it is an object of the invention to
provide a solid waste handling system capable of continual,
uninterrupted operation, and which is safe to operate.
These and other objects of the invention, and the
advantages thereof, will be apparent in view of the description
of the various embodiments thereof as set forth below.
In general, a solid waste handling system according to
the invention has multiple and operatively interconnected
stations.
Each station has a hopper unit with an opening in the
side thereof for receiving the waste. Each station further has
a removable storage unit for the waste. Each station still
further has a compactor unit having a reciprocally driven
compactor means, for transferring waste from the hopper unit and
compacting waste in the storage unit. Finally, each station has
an associated control means for actuating the compactor means.
Each hopper unit has a door pivotally mounted for
opening and closing movement relative to the side opening and an
associated hopper unit control means for actuating movement of ;
the door. The mounting of the door includes a projection
oscillating between an upper position when the door is open and
a down position when the door is closed.
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Each hopper unit further has an upper limit switch
operatively connected with the hopper unit control means and
positioned for engagement with the mounting projection when in
the upper position, whereby opening movement of the door is
stopped. Each hopper unit also has a lower limit switch
operatively connected with the hopper unit control means and the
compactor unit control means and positioned for engagement with
the mounting projection when in the lower position, whereby
closing movement of the door is stopped and the compactor means
is reciprocated through the hopper unit.
Each compactor unit has associated therewith a
detector means responsive to the density of accumulated waste in
a storage unit for detecting when the storage unit is packed
with waste having reached a predetermined density.
- There is also a station selector means in the
operative interconnection between the stations which is
responsive to a signal generated by a compactor unit detector
means when a storage unit associated therewith has been packed
with waste having a predetermined density.
The system may also have a sensor means capable of
determining the presence of a vehicle adjacent a hopper unit and
actuating the hopper unit control means to open the hopper door.
The system may also have stations arranged in parallel
pair symmetrical about a common access road for a vehicle.
In all forms, the hopper unit door may have a free
edge with a yieldable flap secured thereto.
In use of the preferred embodiment of the system, the
operational steps comprise: sensing the presence of a vehicle
adjacent one of the hopper units and opening the hopper unit;
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depositing waste in the open hopper unit; closing the hopper
unit in the absence of an adjacent vehicle; actuating the
compactor means to transfer waste from the hopper unit and
compacting the waste in the storage unit; detecting the density
of compacted waste in the storage unit; comparing the detected
density of compacted waste in the storage unit to a pre-
determined value; deactivating a station having compacted waste
with a detected density exceeding the predetermined value;
actuating an interconnected station having an empty storage
10unit; and, removing the storage unit from the deactivated
station for emptying.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a dual-station
system for the handling of solid waste according to the inven-
tion;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a station, partly
broken away, showing the hopper, storage and compactor units;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken substantially as
indicated along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is another sectional view, taken substantially
as indicated along line 4-~ of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing a hopper
unit in an open and waste-receivable condition;
Fig. 6 is an isolated sectional view, taken substan-
tially as indicated along line 6-6 af Fig. 3;
Fig. 7 is a schematic operational diagram of the system
of Fig. l; and,
Fig. 8 is a schematic operational diagram of an alter-
native embodiment of the invention. -
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DETAILED DES`CRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
. . _ _ . _
According to the invention, a solid waste handling
system, indicated generally by the numeral 20, has multiple
stations, indicated generally by the numeral 21. Each station
21 has a hopper unit, indicated generally by the numeral 22, a
storage unit, indicated generally by the numeral 23, and a
compactor unit, indicated generally by the numeral 24.
Each compactor unit 24 has detector means, indicated
generally by the numeral 25. Adjoining stations 21 are opera-
tively interconnected by a station selector means, indicated
generally by the numeral 26.
As shown in Fig. 1, a system 20 consists of two or
more stations 21. The system 20 may be manually operated, but
in the preferred embodiment is a fully automatic, drive-through
system, triggered by vehicle arrival and departure. ~he stations
21 may be arranged linearly, but for convenience are preferably
arranged in parallel pairs, symmetrical about a common access
road 27. When referred to individually, the left-hand station
will be designated 21A, and the right-hand station 21B.
The units of each individual station 21 are linearly
arranged. A medial hopper unit 22 is a box-like receptacle,
the upper portion of which is open or openable for the deposit
of solid waste. The hopper unit 22 is open at opposed ends to
communicate with terminal storage and compactor units, 23 and
- 24 respectively.
A hopper unit 22 may be a passive mechanical structure,
the sole function of which is to receive waste, as described
below as an alternative embodiment. Preferably, a hopper unit
22 is an active and participating link in a waste handling
station 21, oriented to~ard convenience and safety.
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With specific reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the upper
portion of the hopper unit 22 is normally closed by a door 28
pivotally mounted or hinged at one edge by a shaft 29 and having
secured thereto at the opposite or free edge a yieldable flap 30.
For safety reasons, the door 28 is hinged at the top and adapted
; to open upwardly and within the hopper unit 22 by a door drive
means 31, for example a hydraulic cylinder 32, actuated by a
suitable hopper control means 33. The flap 30 is a safety pre-
caution, preventing personal injury upon closing of the door 28.
The flap 30 also serves to assure that an overloaded hopper unit
22 will not prevent the door 28 from closing.
As illustrated in Fig. 6, a projection 34, which may be
a generally "L-shaped" finger, extends outwardly from one end
of the shaft 29. As the door 28 swings open and closed, the
shaft 29 rotates back and forth, causing the finger 34 to
oscillate between a down position when the door is closed and
an upper position when the door is open.
As the door 28 opens, the finger 34 moves upwardly into
engagement with an upper limit switch 35, operatively connected
with the hopper control means 33, and positioned so as to stop
the door 28 in a predetermined open position. A check valve 36
prevents accidental closing of the door 28.
Similarly, as the door closes, the finger 34 moves
downwardly into engagement with a lower limit switch 37, also
operatively connected with the hopper control means 33, and
positioned so as to stop the door 28 in a predetermined closed
position.
The hopper control means 33, which triggers the
initial opening and closing movement of the door 28, may be
manual or automatic, and manual operational controls may be
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provided as a stand-by in the event of a failure in the auto-
matic operational controls.
In the preferred embodiment, the hopper control means
33 operates automatically in response to a sensor means, indi-
cated generally by the numeral 38. The sensor means 38 may be
any device capable of detecting the presence or absence of a
vehicle or other object adjacent a door 28, in response to weight,
signal interruption, or otherwise. For reasons of installation
simplicity and low maintenance requirements, an ultrasonic sensor,
marketed under the registered trademark Sonac, has been chosen for
use in the preferred embodiment.
Referring to Figs. l and 7, an ultrasonic signal 39,
indicated by a broken line, is generated between the terminals 40
of the sensor means 38. The hopper control means 33 is respon-
sively connected to the sensor means 38 by suitable circuitry,
such that the hopper control means 33 is alternatively actuated
to open and close the door 28 upon interruption and restoration,
respectively, of the signal 39.
The response of the hopper control means 33 to the
sensor means 38 may be time-deIayed by conventional means to
require signal interruption for a predetermined time so as to
avoid unnecessary actuation by a mere passer-by.
A hopper unit 22 is positioned intermediate a storage
unit 23 and a compactor unit 24. A storage unit 23 is a remov-
able bin or container for accumulating waste, and may be of the
type described in U.S. Patent No. 3,897,882. The storage unit
23 has an opening in one end thereof corresponding with an open
end of a hopper unit 22, to receive waste ejected therefrom.
The storage unit 23 is secured to the hopper unit 22 by a
suitable- fastening means 41, capable of withstanding forces
generated by the compacting operation.
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As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a compactor unit 24
comprises a compactor means 42, which may be an elongated ram
43, reciprocally driven by suitable drive means 44, such as
dual hydraulic cylinders 45. The ram 43 is adapted to traverse
the hopper unit 22, and is guided therethrough as by dual ram
flanges 46 slidably engaged within opposed hopper channels 47.
Referring again to Fig. 7, the lower limit switch 37
on the hopper unit 22 performs a dual function. In addition to
stopping the hopper door 28 in the closed position, the switch
37 triggers the operation of the compactor unit 24.
The lower limit sw-itch 37 is connected to a compactor
control means 48 by suitable circuitry so as to actuate the
compactor unit 24 upon engagement of the switch 37 by the finger
34. The ram 43 is thereby caused to reciprocate through the
hopper unit 22. The compacting cycle is timed, and the ram 43
is actuated for a predetermined period of time, permitting
waste to be transferred to a storage unit 23, while preventing
continuous reciprocation of the ram 43.
The compactor control means 48 may be adapted to
permit completion of a commenced stroke of the cylinders 45 at
the end of the timed compacting cycle, so as to stop the ram 43
in a retracted or rearward position, leaving the hopper unit 22
empty and in a condition for receiving additional waste.
Similarly, upon re-interruption of the signal 39
before completion of the time compacting cycle, the ram 43 is
permitted to complete the stroke in progress at the instant of
engagement of the upper limit switch 35 by the finger 34, before
coming to rest in the retracted position.
As waste accumulates in the storage unit 23, the waste
is compacted to an increasing density. The ram 43 accordingly
meets with increased resistance in traversing the hopper unit 22.
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Associated with a compactQr unit 24 is a detector
means 25 for determining when a s,torage unit 23 i5 packed with
waste having reached a predetermined density. As shown, the
detector means 25 may be a pressure switch 49 to detect the
increased pressure in the hydraulic fluid driving the ram 43.
Adjoining stations 21 are operatively interconnected
by suitable circuitry, including a station selector means or
switch-over device 26. The selector means 26 is responsive to
the detector means 25. When the waste in a storage unit 23 is
packed to a predetermined density, the detector means 25 actuates
the station selector means 26. Upon completion of the timed
cycle of the compactor unit 24, the packed station 21 is thereby
deactivated and an adjoining station 21 having an empty storage
unit 23 will subsequently be responsive to the sensor means 38.
Each station 21 has a signal means 50, which may be a
light 51, to indicate which station 21 is activated for use.
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the light 51 is similar to a traffic
signal, with green indicating activation and red indicating
deactivation.
A conventional transmitting means 52 is provided each
station 21 to signal the need for emptying a packed storage unit '
23.
The operation of a waste handling system 20 according
to the invention is best described with reference to Figs. 1 and
7.
As a vehicle (not shown) approaches the ~ystem 20, a
signal means 50 will indicate which station 21, in this case
21A, is activated for use. The vehicle proceeds along the access
road 27 until the ultrasonic signal 39 is interrupted, triggering
the'cycle of operation. Wh,en the signal 3g has been interrupted
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for a predetermined period of time, the hopper control means 33
is actuated. The hopper door 28 swings open until the f inger 34
engages the upper limit switch 35. ~aste is then deposited in
the exposed empty hopper unit 22.
Upon departure of the vehicle, the ultrasonic signal
39 is restored, again actuating the hopper control means 33.
The door 28 swings downwardly until the finger 34 engages the
lower limit switch 37, triggering the compactor unit 24.
The compactor control means 48 is actuated, and the
ram 43 traverses the hopper unit 22, transferring the deposited
waste to the storage unit 23 and compacting the accumulated
waste to an increasingly high density. The compactor unit 24
is actuated for a predetermined period of time, completing the
cycle of operation.
The cycle may be repeated until the detector means 25
determines that the storage unit 23 of station 21A is packed.
- The station selector means 26 i5 then actuated to deactivate
station 21A upon completion of the cycle, and to activate
adjoining station 21B, having an empty storage unit 23. -
The signal means 50 of station 21A will turn red and
that of station 21B will turn green, refIecting the switch-over.
The transmitting means 52 associated with deactivated station 21A
will signal the need for emptying the packed storage unit 23.
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ALTERNATIVE EMsODIMENT
Referring to Fig. 8, in the embodiment wherein a hopper
unit is a passive mechanical structure, the system 2Q operates
independently of a hopper control means and associated system
components (reference numerals 28-37, inclusive~. A hopper unit
22 is a mere box-like receptacle, the top portion of which is
open.
Whereas in the preferred embodiment, the compactor
control means 48 is directly responsive to a chain of events
triggered by the hopper control means 33, and responsive only
indirectly to the sensor means 38; in this embodiment, the
compactor control means 48 is directly responsive to the sensor
means 38.
The compactor control means 48 is deactuated in response
to an interruption of the sensor signal 39. The compactor unit
24 may be said to be in a state or condition of "readiness,"
analogous to the situation in the preferred embodiment wherein
the hopper door 28 is open.
Upon restoration of the sensor signal 39, the compactor
control means 48 is placed in a condition of "actuation," analo-
gous to the situation in the preferred embodiment wherein the
hopper door 28 is closed. The compactor means 42 is thereby
caused to reciprocally traverse the hopper unit 22 for a pre-
determined period of time completing the cycle of operation.
A system 20 according to the alternative embodiment
is intended to function in all other respects as described above
with reference to a preferred embodiment.
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