Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
lOS13~9
l'his inl~ent.ion reiates to the handling and t,ransfer of
refuse.
One aspect of c-nviron~ental consideration which
has ~ecome o nlajo~: concern invol-~es the di.sposal of
refuse. The need for pr~cticable techniques for disL~osin~
of the great amounts of rubbish being produced daily h2s
given rise to a number of proposals in this area. One
co~mon approach has been to dump re~use into sanitary
land fill areas. A more recent, develop~.en. involves the
lC transfer of refuse to a refuse-handlin~ faci'ity,
s~ch as a power g~nerating plant wherein the refuse is
consu~led as fue' in the production of eneryy. In oxder
to assure the economic feasibi~ity o~ thece techniques, it is
important that they be performed in as e~fi.cient and
economicai a fzshion as possi~e. I;he present invention
involves one stage of th,s te~hni~ue, namely the transfer
of refuse fxom one or more remote stations to the disposal
area.
Accordiny to con~erltional practice, refuse is
collected by trucks ~hich travel ~rom one sourc2 of re~use
to an~,her. ~en the truck is full, it i- driven to ~he
dispo~al area and emptied, and .hen returned to pic~ up
more refuse. Recently, tr~nsfer sta.ions have be~n introduced
to the system to minimize travel of individual trucks from
refuse pick-up points to t~le disposal area. These transfer
stations include a compaction clevice ~ihich receives refuse
from the collection trucks, and then con~pres~es the
r~fvse, so that it will occupy a smaller volume. The xefuse
is then transferred to another larger vehiclc by which it is
transported to the dis~osal area. ~n example of one of these
s~s~e~s is disclc~scd i~ U.S. Bowles ~atent No. 3,610,13~.
-1 ~
-
~o5~3~39
lhese convent:ional transfer station.s rcquire
personnel to operate the packer, as ~ell as atten~ants to
supcrvise thc loading of refus~ from the packcr into
trucks. Often, time is lost in attempting to align the
truck body witn the packer, so that the refuse is transfe-red
into the tru-k hody ~ithout spillage.
It would be desirable to perform such operatlons
with a minimal number of one-hand personnel. Understandably,
significant savings can be reali~ed from a system requiring
little supervision and attention. Of course, this shculd
be accomplished while avoidinq the use of unduly complicated
and sophisticated equipment which typically involve high
costs and frequent servicing.
It is, therefore, an object of the present inventio~
to provide improved rnethods and apparatus for transrerring
refuse.
It is another object of the invention 'o provide
meth~ds and apparatus for transferr rlg refuse which
involve a minimal nuMber of on-hand personr.el.
It is a further object of the invention to provide
improved methods and zpparatus for ~he conveyance of refuse
to a refuse handling facility.
It is another obje-t of the inventjoll to provide
refuse handling methods zn~ apparatus which efficien.ly load
refuse from a packer into a container while requirin~ minimal
supervision and attention.
These objects are achieved by the present i~vention
which involves a refuse loadins station comprising a refuse
pac~er assembly, a refuse container having a movable wall
member, and a loading dock disposed in front of the packer
assen~ly. Th~ loadir.~ dock includes a track arrangement
-2-
lOS1389
on which is mounted a loadinc~ carriagc ~or lill~ited movem~llt
toward and away frcm the pac~cr assem~ly. The carriag2 is
structured for removably supporting the refuse cont~iner.
A refuse clcarirg member is provided for clearing refuse
situated bet~een the pacl~er assernbly and the container
subsequent to said container beins loaded. A po~Jer
actuable mechanism is provided on the loading dock for re-
ciprocatinq the carriage to shift the container to~lard
the packer assembly to a refuse loading position, and to s~ift
the container ,oward the pac~er assembly to a refuse loadillg
position, and to shift the container away from .he packer
assembly to a container removal position. The carriage is
movably mounted on a weighing mechanism which provides an
indication of the ~eight of the container when the container
lS is in a refuse loading position. The ~eighing mechanism is
operabl~ coupled to the packer asse~bl~y for controlling the
loading of the container in accordance with 2 preselected
- container weight.
The container is advanced to a refuse loading
position allowing loc~.ing hoolcs to be moved to a loc];ins
position. Then the conta~ner is backed-off to bring the
container into firm engagen~ent with the locking hooks to
minimize vibration during loading.
The cont2iner includes a vertically slidable
closure. The clearing member includes a cutter edge for
severing refuse, and an inclined refuse deflectir.g surface
located under a bottom edge of the closure when the container
is in a refuse loading position. The refuse clearing member
includes a mechanism for partially raising the closure in
response to movement of the container to a refuse 103ding
position so as to locate the bottom edge of the closure
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~05i389
above thc defl~ctincJ surface. Power actuable mecll~r)ism is
provided for raising and lowering the clearing member.
Whcn t~e clearing member is raised it contacts and
raises the closure, and when the clearing member is
lo-.Jered it contacts and lowers the closure. Loading
OL the container is ac~.ieved by inserting -efuse intG
the conta ner by a reciprocable pac]cer head. P.S loading
progresses, an ejector head of the container is urged
rearwardly by the oncoming refuse. ~echanically induced
friction forces are applied to the ejector head to
resist such movement and thereby regulate the degree
of compacticn of the refuse wh;ch ensue~.
An electric control circuit is operably connected
to power actuable devices for reciprocating the carriage, the
refuse clearing member, and the refuse pac~er head. An
electric test circuit is also provided which enables
these power actuable devices to be actuated independently of
the control circuit for test purposes. The control circuit
is arranged to automatically reciprocate the packer head
during a first mode of operation wherein the packer head,
during a forward stroke, is advanced beyond the path of
travel of the clearing member. Subsequently, a power-assist
mechanism is actuated to increase the magnitud of the forward
packing forces of the packer head during a subsequent
mode of operation. In the event that the packer head fails
to reach a forward position ~ithin a pre-set time period
during the first mode of operation, a signal is generated
which activates the subsequent mode of operation.
An unloading station includes a movable un-
loading carriage for receiving a refuse-carrying
105~389
container, a discharge zone, and a plurality of power actuators.
The power actuators are arranged for moving the unloading
carrier toward and away from the receiving zone, opening and
closing the closure, and moving an abutment member carried by
the unloading carriage into and from engagement with the
ejector head. the unloading station further includes a main
control panel for actuating the power actuators to move the
unloading carriage toward the discharge zone, open the closure
for exposing the interior of the container, shift the abutment
member into engagement with the ejector head for displacing
the latter forwardly in a manner discharging refuse into the
discharge zone, close the closure, shift the abutment member
out of engagement with the ejector head and shift the
unloading carriage away from the receiving zone, leaving the
ejector head in a forwardly displaced position.
According to one broad aspect, the invention relates to
a method of handling refuse comprising: depositing a container
on a carriage; aligning the forward end of the container with
the discharge opening of a packer assembly; displacing said
carriage toward said packer assembly, said container having a
movable wall situated near a forward end thereof, said wall
being movable away from said forward end; packing refuse from
said packer assembly through said forward end into said container
while progressively displacing said movable wall rearwardly
under the urgings of oncoming refuse; subsequently displacing
said container from said packer sssembly, placing said
container on a support at an unloading site, and aligning said
movable wall with an extendable-retractable power ejector
means mounted on said support; extending said ejector means
toward said container wall so that said ejector contacts and
pushes said movable wall forwardly toward said end, thereby
10513t39
discharging refuse from the container through said forward
end; retracting said ejector, leaving said movable wall in a
forward position; and transporting said container to a
loading site.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a refuse
loading station comprising: a refuse packer assembly; a
refuse container having a movable bulkhead means and a
vertically slidable closure; a loading dock disposed in front
of said packer assembly, said loading dock including a loading
carriage and track means for supporting said carriage for
limited movement toward and away from said packer assembly;
said carriage including means for removably supporting said
container; power actuable means on said loading dock for
reciprocating said carriage to shift said container toward
said packer assembly to a refuse loading position, and to shift
said container away from said packer assembly to a container- .
removable position; and a refuse clearing member for clearing
refuse situated between said packer assembly and said container :
subsequent to said container being loaded, said clearing .
member including: a cutter edge for severing refuse; and an
inclined refuse deflecting surface located under a bottom edge .
of said closure when said container is in a refuse loading
position to deflect into said container refuse which i8 :
situated under said closure when said closure is lowered.
The objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description
of a preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate
like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a refuse transfer
station embodying principle~ of the present invention;
-SA-
~OS1389
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
2-2 of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a refuse container
being carried ~y a lift vehicle;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a container
securing mechanism employed at a refuse unloading station;
-5B-
~o5~389
Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view cf an alternate
form of refusc transfer station cm~odying principles
of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer
S station taken along line 6-6 of ~ig. 5 and depicting a
refuse container mounted on the loading carriage;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer
station taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 5;
Figs. 8a through 8g are schematic views correspoJId-
ing to Fig. 6 and depicting the sequential refuse loadingopexation of the transfer station;
Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view depicting a
plurality of refuse transfer stations and a power generatir,g
plant, in accordance with the present invention;
Figs. lOa through lQd are schematic side eleva-
tional views of a refuse unloading station depicting the
equential unloading operation;
Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of a loading
station for loading refuse into a container, in accordance
with the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a plan view of the loading station of
Fig. ll with the refuse container being removed and with
a portion of a packer assembly being broken away for
clarity;
2S Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the
packer assembly taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 11, depicting
a refuse clearing member in its downward position;
Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a front
portion of the packer assembly depicting the clearing member
in its downward position;
~05138~
Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13 depictirlg
the clearinc~ memker in an ~Ipward position;
Fig. 16 is a view similar to Pig. 14 depicting the
clearin~ m~m~er in its upward posltion;
Fig. 16A is a schematic side elevational view of
front portion of the packer assembly and a situation
which might occur durins a loading operation;
Fig. 17 is a sectional vi~w taken along line 17-
17 of Fig. 13 depicting the relationship between the front
end of the packer assembly and the front end of the
container as the container is shifted toward a refuse
loading position;
Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along line -~ -
18-1~ of Fig. 13 depicting the relationship between the
lS front end of the packer assembly and the front end of
the containe~ when the container i~ disposed in the refuse
loading position;
Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken along line
19-19 of Fig. 13 depicting a loc~ing mechanism for securing
20 the container against movement relative to the packer ~ -
assembly;
Fig. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view of a
fluid actuated unit for operating the locking ~.echanism
taken along line 20-20 in Fig. 19;
Fig. 21 is a side elevational view, with palts
broken away, depicting the relationship between the front
end of the packer assernbly and the front end of the container
as the latter approaches a refuse loading position;
Fig. 22 is a side elevational view, with parts
broken awa~, depicting the relationship between the front
-7-
` lOSl;3~9
- end of the packer asscmhly and tlle front end of the
container with thc cont2iner beinq disposed in the refuse
loading position;
Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 22 depicting
a closure member of the container being raised by the
refuse clearin~ member;
Fig. 24 s a rear-end view of the container, with
parts broken away, depictina a mechanism for ccntrolling
the rate of rearward movement of an ejector head of the
container;
Fig. 25 is a sectional view taken along line
25-2; of Fig. 24 with a portion of a guide channel borken
away;
Fig. 26 is a schematic illustration of the con-
tainer weighing circuitry for controlling operation of the
packel assembly in accordance with container weight;
Fig. 27 is a schematic view o~ a hydraulic
circuit for actuating hydxaulic cylinders at the lo~d~ng
station; and
Figs. 28A through 28D are schematic views of an
electric circuit for actuating the hydraulic circuitry.
In Figs. 1 through 10 there is depicted a refuse
transfer station or loading station 8 incorporating
principles of the present invention. The transfer station
includes a plurality of adjacently disposed dumping pits10 which service a series of refuse packer asser.~lies 12.
Each dumping pit is situated for receiving refuse dumped
from collection trucks 14 of a conventional nature.
~n endless corveyor 16 is positioned at the bottcm of
each pit, the conveyors keing arranged to transfer
10S13~9
refu~e from the dur.l~ing pi~s to the p~cker assemblies.
The packer ass~rnblies each inclllde a refuse hopper 1
whose refuse inlet o~cning 20 ~Fig. 2) is situated belo~
the discharge end of the associated transfer conveyor 16.
In this manner, refuse that is dumped into the pits from
the trucks 14 is transferred to the interior of the
hoppers 18.
Each hopper 18 includes a front dischaxge opening
21 situated ahead o-. the ref~lse ir.le' 20. The rear of
the pac,~er is enclos~d by a movable packer head 22. A
suitable p~wer mechanism, such as a hydraulic cylinder 24,
is connected to the packer head 22 to reciprocate the latter
forwardly and rearwardly within the hopper 18 (Fig. 8).
During a for~ard stroke the pacXer head 22 is operable to
discharge forwardly through the discharge opening 21
refuse which nas been deposited within the hopper 18.
Disposed in front of the packer assembly 12 is
a container loading dock 26 ~Fig. ~). The loading dock
26'includes a plurality of tracks 28 which slidably support
the wheels 30 of a reciprocable loading carriage 32.
A hydraulic cylinder 3~ (Fig. 8b) mounted on a fixed frame
36 on the loading dock is connected to the underside of the
loading carriage 32 to reciprocate the latter toward and
away from the discharge opening 21 of the packer assembly
12.
The carriage 32 is adapted to support a container
~0 in alignment with th~ discharse opening 21. The
container 40 includes, top, bottom, and side walls, an~
a bulkh~ad, or ejector head 42 (Fig. lOa) that is re-
cipro-able r~lative to such walls. ~he container further
. ~
l()5l38g
includcs a tailgatc 44 locat~ t a ~orward end ~hereof
(Pig. 3). This tailgatc 44 is hingedly mounted to the
upper portion of the container to permit upward
swinying movement of the tailgate about a horizontal
axis. The tailgate has an openlng in its upper portion which
may be covered by a slidable door panel 46 (Figs. 3, 8c).
The tailgate 44 and the door panel 46 serve as closures
for the front of the container 40. During a loading
operation the tailgate 44 is maintained in a closed condi-
tion by a latch located on the underside o_ the tailg~'e44 and the door panel 46 is held open as will be discussed
subsequently.
The loading dock is sunken relaLive ~o the
packer assembly co that the opening of the container
40 exposed by the sliding panel 46 i5 generally al.gned
with the discharge opening 21 of the packer assembly
during a ioading operation.
Disposed at the discharge opening 21 of the
hopper 18 is.a horizontally oriented refuse cleariny
member 48 which is vertically slidable across the
discharge opening 21 in guillotine-like fashion.
During its downward descent, the refuse clearing me~er
48 sweeps across the front face of the packer head 22 and
deflects refuse into the container 40. A 1uid actuated
cylinder 50 is provided-on a fixed frame 52 for vertically
reciprocating the clearing membeL^ 48. The clearins
mem~er 48 includes a lifting arm 54 (Fig. 8a) which
projects toward the cor.tainer 40. The sliding door panel
46 includes a projection 56 which is disposed above the
liftin~ arm 54 and is positioned so as to overlie the
--10--
- . .
. 105~389
lifting arm 54 when the contain~r is in a lo~dinq ~osition
(Fig. 8b). ~s a result, raisin~ of the clearin~ member
48 brings the lifting arm 54 into con~act w~th the
projection 56 and the door panel 46 is raised.
; S For reasons to be subsequently explained,
the ejector head 42 is pref~rably locate~ in a forward
position prior to initiation of a refuse-loading operation
(Figs. 8a-8c). During loading of the container by tne
packer head 22, the ejector head 42 is forced progressively
rearwardly (Figs. 8d-8f).
It is preferable to provide a power actuable hook
arrangement 55 (Fig. 6) at the front of the packer assembly
for locking the container against movement relative to the
packer assembly when the former is situated in a
loading position.
The fluid cylinders 24, 34, and 50 for recipro-
cating the pac~er head 22, the loading carriage 32, and
the clearing member 48, are actuated from a central
control panel at a main control station. These fluid
cylinders are preferably solenoid actuated, with electrical
signals to the solenoids being controlled by an operator
at the central control panel. In this manner, a single
operator is able to control all phases of the refuse
loading operation.
Since these fluid cylinders are permanently located
at the loading station, there is no need for special hook-
ups to be made with the containers as would be required if
any of such actuators were mounted on the containers.
The container 40 can be laid upon and removed
from the carria~e 32 in any suitable fashion, such as by
means of a specialized lift truck 60 (Fig. 3) capable
.
-- 1o51389
of lifting and supportincJ the container betwecn the
.carriage 32 ~nd a transport vehlcle. The trucl~ 6C
~ .
includes lift pla.e 62 which is movable horizontally upon
a support 64, the latter being movable vertically upGn a
frame 66. Sui.table connectors, such.as hooks, for
example, can be provided to engage a container 40.
The truck 60 has the advantage that containers can be
moved freely about a yaxd and stacked. The truck 60 picXs
up a container from the carriage ~2 and carries it to a
- 10 suitable transport vehicle, such as a railroad car, and
vice versa.
Alternatively, an overhead crane system 70 is
depicted in Figs. 5-7 for handling the containers 40 in lieu
of a specialized truck. The crane system 70 includes a
pair of rails 72 upon which are mounted two pairs of
traveling s. dPs 74. Each pair of slides carries a hoisting
plate 76 by means of winch-a-tuated cables 78. The plate
76 can thus be raised and lowered b~y the cables 78 and dis-
placed transversely along the tracks 72 between the
transfer station 8 and transport stations 80, 82. The
transport stations S0, 82 can comprise rail mounted flat-
cars 84 which are adapted to carry the containers 40.
Thus, filled containers 40 can be conveniently transferred
to one transport station 82 for delivery to a power
generating plant P(~ig. 9), and empty containers 40 can
be transferred from the txansport station 84 to the
transfer station 8.
Upon arrival of a filled container 40 at the
power plant P it can be removed from the transport vehicle
by a specialized truck 60 or other suitable container-
handling system, such as an overhead crane systenl 70.
-12-
lU~ fd9
Th~ power plan~ r includes a refuse-hand~ q
f~cilit~ to whic}l the refuse is initially delivered for
subseque~t processin~. ~his facilit~ can include a
conveyor 90 (E`ig. lOd) arranged at a refuse unloading
station 91 to xcceive incoming refuse. The unloa~ing
station ~1 includcs an unloading dock ~2 which carries
a series of track segments 94 supporting the wheels 95 of
an unloading carriage 98. These tracks 94 s~ppor-t the
unloading carriage 9~ for limited rcciprocable movement
to.;ard and away from a discharge zone 100 adjacent
the conveyor 90. A hydraulic cylinder 102 is affixed
to a framewor~ 104 on the unloading dock 91 and is
operably conn~cted tc the unloading carriage 98 to
reciprocate the latter.
The unloading carriage includes two iocking
devi~es 106 (Fig. 4) arranged to receive two associated
r~ar corners of a container 40. These locking deYices 106
include a swiveling loc~ bar 108 ~hich can be rotated
by a fluid cylinder 110. The container 40 has an aperture
At these two corners alisned with and receiving a bar 108
when the container is seated upon the unloading carriage
98. Subsequent rotation of the lock bars 108 within
the recess, in the mannel- of a bayonet connection serves
tv secure the container against movement relative tG the
unloading carriage 98.
A gate opening mechanism 112 is mounted at the
discharge zone and includes a fra~ewor~ 114 upon which is
pivotably moun'ed an arm 116. The pivotal arm 116 carries
a swingable latch 118. The latch 118 can be rotated about
a horizontal axis by a hydraulic cylinder (not sho~n)
-13-
1~5~3t~9
~ounted on the arm 116. me arm 116 is swingable by a
hydraulic cylinder 120. The gate 44 of the container 40
carries an extension 122 which, when the container has
been shifted forwardly to an unloading position by the
hydraulic cylinder 102 (Fig. lOb), can be grabbed by the
latch 118. When the container is in the unloading position,
the latch which locks the tailgate 44 is released by
suitable actuation of a power device mounted on the unloading
carriage. Retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 104 serves
to pivot the arm 116 and the gate 44 upwardly to fully
- expose the front end of the container 40.
An ejector-displacing mechanism 124 is mounted
at the rear-end of the unloading carriage 98. This
e~ector-displacing mechanism preferably comprises
a telescoping hydraulic cylinder assembly 126 which
carries an abutment member 128. Extension of the
cylinder 126 brings the abutment member 128 into
engagement with the back side of the e~ector head 42
and shifts the latter forwardly to dispel the contents
of the container (Fig. lOd). Subsequent retraction of the
telescoping cylinder 126 shifts the abutment member 128
away from the e~ector head~ leaving the latter situatsd
at the front of the container 54 in the manner depicted
in Fi8. 8a.
The fluid cylinders 102, 120, and 126 for
operating the unloading carrisge 98, the arm 116 and
the e~ector head 42, and the cylinder or operating
the latch 118, are preferably of the solenoid-actuated
type and are acutated from a main control panel at the
unloading station. Consequently~ unloading of the
containers requires a minimal number of personnel.
-14_
10513~9
Since the fluid cylinclers are permancntly r,lounted at the
unloading s~ion, .ather than bcing carried by thc
container, there is no need for special hook-ups once
the co~tainer is positioned upon the unloading carriage
98.
~efuse is collected by collection vehicles 14 and
is carricd to an associated transrer station 8, as is
depicted diagramatically in Fig. 9. These vehicles dump
their contents into one of the dump pits 10 at the
transfer station. The dumped refuse is deposited through
the refuse inlet 20 of the hopper 18 by the conveyor 16.
An empty container 40 is positioned upon the loading
carriage 32 with the latter being located in a rearward,
or container-receiving position (Fig. 8a). As a result,
the container 40 becomes aligned with the discharge opening
` 21 of the hopper 18.
From the main control panel at the loadins statior.
the hydraulic cylinder 34 is actua*ed to advance the
carriage 32, and thus the container 40, forwardly into
a container loading position adjacent the packer
assembly (Fig. 8b). In response to this movement the
projection 56 of the container overlies the lifting
arm 54. Subsequent actuation of the hydraulic cylinder
50 from the main control panel raises tpe clearing
member 48 and the sliding door panel 46 (Fig. 8c). l'he
packer head 22 is then advanced to discharge re.use into
the container (Fig. 8d). In response to continued
cycling of the packer head 22 and continued insertion of
refuse into hopper 18 thc container 40 becomes qradually
fillcd. During this procedure, the ejector head 42 is
qradually shifted rearwardly undcr the action of the
-15-
1~)5131~9
incoming refuse. It may be desirable, particularly
for packing in short containers to leave the ejector head
in its rearward position (Fig. 8f) during the loading
operation.
When the container has been suitably loaded,
reciprocation of the packer head 22 is halted, and the
hydraulic cylinder 50 is actuated from the main control
panel to lower the clearing member 48. The door panel
46 also descends at this time. It may be desirable to
provide a shoulder on the clearing member 48 disposed over
the top of the sliding door panel 46 so as to force the
door panel closed in the event that resistance to downward
movement is encountered.
Subsequently, the loading carriage 32 is with-
drawn for the packer assembly 12 by actuation of the
hydraulic cylinder 34. The container 40 is subseqently
lifted from-the loading carriage by the vehicle 60 (Fig. 3)
for example and transferred onto a transport vehicle, su~h
as the railcars 84, and is shipped to the power plant P.
Until needed as fuel, refuse can be stored in the
container 40 at the power plant since the containers
themselves constitute convenient, economical storage units
for the refuse.
When it is desired to empty the container, the
container 40 is seated upon the unloading carriage 98
at the unloading dock 91 (Fig. lOa). Each lock bar 108
(Fig. 4) on the unloading carriage enters its associated
aperture at the corners of the container 40. Rotation
of these lockbars by the cylinder 110 llocks the container
to the carriage 98.
The hydraulic cylinder 102 is acutated by the
-16-
~0513~9
main control operator at the main control panel to shift
the unloading carriage 98 and the container 54 forwardly
to the discharge zone (Fig. IOb). As previously mentioned,
the latch which locks the tailgate 44 is unlocked through
actuation of a power device mounted on the unloading
carraige 98. The latch 118 is then rotated upwardly to
capture the extension 122 of the tailgate 44. The
hydraulic cylinder 120 is then actuated to swing the tail-
gate 44 upwardly (Fig. lOc). Subsequent extension of the
telescoping cylinder 126 brings the abutment member 128
into pushing engagement with the ejector head 42. The
ejector head is thus displaced forwardly to expel refuse
from the container onto the conveyor 90. When unloading
of the container has been accomplished~ reverse actuation of
the hydraulic cylinders is effected to close and lock the
tailgate, retract the abutment member 128, and withdraw the
container from the discharge zone. The container, with
its ejector head 42 preferably being disposed in a for-
ward position, can then be lifted from the unloading
carriage 98 and deposited onto a suitable transporting
vehicle for return shipment to the transfer station for
refilling. Of course, a continuous flow of containers
will be established in that the loading of containers
occurs as other containers are beeing transported, stored,
and/or unloaded.
It will be realized that the present invention
provides a highly simplified and economical system for
transporting refuse from one point to another. Importantly~
loading and unloading functions cna be performed at each
point by an operator at a main control panel. That is,
once a container is deposited onto the loading or unloading
i(~Sl;~89
carriages, it beconles instantly aligned ~Jith the packer
assembly and the discharge zone, respectively, and the
loading and unloading functions can be accomplish~d by
activation of hydraulic cylinders mounted at the loading
S and unloading s~ations. Such actuatlon occurs indep-
; dently of the container, i.e., there are no actuators
mounted on the container that need to be coupled to a
control system at the loading and unloading stations.
As a result, personnel requiremellts are minimized. ~.lso
the cost of the containers is ~inimized. Since it is
envisioned that many containers will be required, this
advantage is substantial. Moreover, due to the relatively
low cost of the containers, they can serve as economical
storage units for storing refuse at the handling facility.
A preferred loading station 8 in accordance with
the present invention is described in Figs. 11 through 28
and ificludes a packe_ assembly 12 and a loading dock 26
disposed thereahead. The packer assembly includes a
' refuse hopper or receptacle 18. The hopper 18 includes ,'
side walls 218, a bottom wall 220, and a top wall 222
which define a forwardly open discharge opening or mouth
224. The top wall 222 provides an inlet 2~6 for r~ceiving
refuse that is supplied to the receptacle in any
convenient manner. A packer head 22 is mounted for
reciprocation within the receptacle 18. The top of the
packer head 22 is spaced from the top wall 222 of the
hopper to define a gap 229 therebetween. A suitable
power actuablc ~echanism, such as a hydraulic cylinder 24,
is connected to the packer head to reciprocate the latter
forwardly and rearwardly. During a forward stroke,
the packer head 22 is opera~le to discharge refu,se from the
_lB -
~0513~9
open mouth 224 of the receptacle.
The loading dock 26 includes four sections 28
of track which slidably support the wheels 30 of a recipro-
cable loading carriage 32. The carriage 32 includes side
and end beams 238, 240 and a series of cross beams 242.
Flanges 244 connected between pairs of cross beams serve
to rotatably mount the wheels 30. As will be discussed,
the cross beams 242 are arranged to removably support
a refuse container 40. The track sections 28 are mounted
on a weigh bridge 252~ the latter being seated at its
corners upon a plura]ity of load cells 254. As will be
explained subsequently, the load cells 254 function to
weigh the container during a loading operation.
- A power actuable mechanism 256 is mounted on the
loading dock 26 to reciprocate the carriaoe 32 toward and
away from the packer assembly 12. More particularly,
a stationary support 258 situated beneath the carriage
32 carries a hydraulic cylinder 34 which is connected to
a cross beam of the carriage. Front and rear bumper
members 260~ 262 limit the fore and aft movement of the
carriage.
The refuse container 40 includes top, bottom,
and side walls 264, 266, 268 (see Figs. 24, 25), and a
movable rear wall or ejector head ,42 slidably mounted
in guide channels on the side walls, as will be discussed
subsequently. In this manner, the ejector head 42 is
capable of fore and aft movement within the container 40.
The container further includes a tailgate 44
located at one end thereof. This tailgate 44 is hingedly
mounted to the upper portion of the container to permit
upward swinging movement of the tailgate about a horizontal
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~051389
axis. A bottom portion of the tailgate is closed by a
plate 271. The tailgate has an opening 273 in its
upper portion and a vertically slidable door panel 276
for covering this opening 273 (Fig. 21). That is, the
door panel 276 includes vertical channel brackets 278
that are slidable along upright guide bars 280 carried
by the tailgate (Fig. 17). The lower edge of the door
panel normally rests atop a downwardly and inwardly
inclined stop ledge 279 of a horizontal beam 281 which
defines the lower edge of the opening 273. The
tailgate 44 and the door panel 276 serve as closures
for the front of the container. During a loading
operation the tailgate 44 is maintained in a closed
condition and the door panel 276 is opened by means to
be discussed subsequently. During unloading of refuse
the tailgate is opened.
The loading dock 26 is oriented relative to the ;-
packer assembly so that the opening 273 of the container
40 exposed by the sliding panel 276 is generally aligned
with the mouth 244 of the packer assembly during a
loading operation.
The container 40 is dimensioned to fit upon the
loading carriage 32. The container 40 is operable to
be lifted from and lowered onto the loading carriage 32
by means of any suitable lifting apparatus, such as a
suitable motorized lift truck (not shown).
The carriage 32 includes a series of corner flanges
at the corners thereof within which the container 40 is
nestingly received. This prevents displacement of the
container during a loading operation.
Mounted at the front of the packer assembly 12 is
a refuse clearing assemble 290 (Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16,
17 18, 21, 22, and 23). The refuse clearing assembly
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` lOS138~
290 includes a stationary framework 52 mounted betweenthe carriage 32 and the packer assembly 12. The frame-
work 52 includes a pair of upstanding posts 294 which
straddle the mouth 224 of the packer receptacle 18 and
a cross bar 296 intersecting the tops of the posts 294
(Fig. 13). Along outer sides of the posts are provided
vertical guide bars 298, 299 which define vertical
guide channels 302. Slidably mounted in these channels
is a reciprocable clearing body 304. The clearing body
304 includes a pair of upstanding side sections 306, a
top section 308 interconnecting the top ends of the
side sections 306 and a lower section 310 interconnecting
the lower ends of the side sections 306, thereby leaving
the central portion 312 of the clearing body open (Fig.
13). The lower section 310 includes a horizontal cutter
edge 314 formed by a bevel face 315. As the clearing
body travels downwardly, the cutter edge 314 sweeps
across the mouth of the hopper in guillotine-like
fashion so as to sever any refuse in its path. Project-
ing from the side sections 306 are guide bars 316 which
are slidably received within the vertical guide channels
302 of the framework 52 (Fig. 17). Suspended from the
cross bar of the framework is a power actuable mechanism,
preferably in the form of a pair of hydraulic lifting
cylinders 50 which are connected to the top section 308
of the clearing body. Retraction of these hydraulic
cylinders 50 raises the clearing body (Figs. 15, 16),
and extension of the cylinders 50 lowers the clearing
body so as to sweep the cutter edge 314 across the
mouth 124 of the packer hopper 18.
A plurality of brackets 319 are employed to secure
the guide bars 298, 299 to the upstanding posts 294.
iO51389
Also, a plurality of flanges 317 are mounted to upper
portions of the guide bars 298, 299 to guide the door
panel 276 in its upper stages of travel as will be
discussed.
` Mounted on the top section 308 of the clearing
body are a pair of lift arms 320 (Figs. 13, 21). The lift
arms 320 project through openings 322 formed in the
top section 308. Each lift arm includes an inner end
whlch is pivotally mounted at 324 on the packer side of the -
clearing body for verti~cal swinging movement~ and an outer
end 326 facing the loading dock. Preferably, each lift
arm 320 has a slight upward angular profile as depicted in
Fig. 21. Downward swinging movement of the arms is limited
by means of a stop shoulder defined by a wall 328 of the
openings 322. The lift arms 320 cooperate with a lift
plate 330 which pro~ects forwardly from an upper portion
of the door panel 276. That ~9, the lift arms 320 are
arranged to underly this lift plate 330 as the container
is advanced toward the packer assembly 12. As depicted
in Figs. 21 and 22, the lift fingers are engaged by a
front surface 332 of the advancing door panel 276 and
are thereb~ caused to swing upwardly in response to
continued advancement of the container. Thereupon, the
upwardly swinging arms 330 abut a raising surface on
the underside of the lift plate 330, causing the entire
door panel 276 to be partially lifted as the container
advances. In this manner, the container is able to assume
a position wherein the end of the opening 273 is essentially
flush with the hopper mouth 224 to minimize spillage of refuse
during actual loading of the refuse.
A pair of brackets 335 are secured to the top
- 105~;~89
,, , ~
section 308 o~ the clearing body 304. These hrackets
335 define shoulders which are disposed in ovcrlying
relation to the door panel 276 when the door panel has
been lifted by the arms 320. As a result, during do~nward
S travel of the clearing body 304, closing of the door 276
will be power-assisted.
The clearing body has, along its bottom section
310 on the container-facing side, a plate 336. This plate
includes a refuse deflection surface 338 which is inclined
upwardly and outwardly from the cutter edge 314 in general
alignment with the bevel face 315. As the clearing
body 304 sweeps across the front face of the packer head
22 at the end of a container loading operation, refuse
is deflected into the container opening 173 by the bevel
face 315 and the deflecting surface 332. This action,
in conjunction with the cutting performed by the cutter
edge 314, serves to clear refuse from the end of the
opening 273, allowing the door 276 to be closed.
As a container 40 is advanced toward the packer
assembly and the lift arms 320 partially raise the door
panel 276 as previously mentioned, the bottom edge of the
door panel 276 is allowed to move into overlying relation-
ship with the surface 33. During downward travel of th~
door panel, the deflecting surface 338 clears the ~-ay for
the door panel by deflecting refuse located therebelow
into the container. In this manner, closing of the door
panel is facilitated.
When the container 40 has been advanced by the
carriage 32 to a loading position preparatory to a loading
operation, the container 40 is secured relative to the
packer assembly 12 prior to operation of the packer.
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~ .
1051389
This is achieved by mcans of a latching assembly 350
(Fig. 19). The latching assembly 3S0 includes a pair
of lockin~ ~rms 352, 353, preferably hook-shaped, that
are pivotally mounted for horizontal swinging movement
on brackets 354 at the front of the hopper 18 below the
hopper mouth 224. Connected to hoth of these hooks
352, 353 is a power actuable mechanism in the form of a
hydraulic cylinder unit 356 (Fig. 20). The hydraulic
cylinder unit 356 includes a sleeve 358 having slide
bushings 360 mounted therein. Mounted for reciprocable
movement within the sleeve is a floating hydraulic cylinder
housing 362. The cylinder housing 362 is pivotably
mounted to a connecting rod 364 that, in turn, is pivotably
connected to one of the hooks 353. Reciprocably mounted
within the cylinder housing 358 is a piston 366 carrying
a piston rod 368. Pivotably connected to the piston
rod 368 is another connecting rod 370 which is pivctably
connected to the other hook 356. ~~ydraulic fittings 372,
374 are provided in the cylinder housing 362 for connection
to conventional flexible fluid hoses 376 for admitting
hydraulic fluid to opposite sides of the piston 366. The
application of pressuri~ed fluid to one side of the piston
via fitting 372 causes the piston 366 to be shifted in
one direction (i.e., to the right in Fig. 20) and causes
the cylinder housing to be shifted in the opposite direction
(i.e., to the left in Fig. 20). As a result, the hooks
352, 353 are pivoted inwardly to ]ocking positions
(Fig. 19). Application of hydraulic fluid to the opposite
side of the piston 366 via fitting 374 reverses this move-
ment of the piston and cylinder housing, causing the hooks
to be swung outwardly to unlocking positions.
-24-
iOSil 3~9
The container side walls 268 include a pair of
upright beams 380, each beam including a steel rod 382
situated along a rear end thereof (Fig. 19). The rods
382 define abutment surfaces to be engaged by the hooks
when the latter are in locking positions. During a
locking procedure, the carriage actuating cylinder 34
advances the loading carriage 32 and the container 40
toward the packer assembly 12 such that the rods are
advanced beyond a point necessary for engagement with
the hooks 352, 353. The hydraulic cylinder unit 356 is
then actuated to swing the hooks 352, 353 inwardly to
locking positions. Thereafter, the carriage actuating
cylinder 34 is retracted to back the rods 382 into firm
engagement with the hooks as depicted in Fig. 19. In
this manner, the container is firmly held against the
locking hooks 352, 353. Also, a slight spacing is
provided between the front of the container 40 and the
clearing body 304 to allow the body to travel generally
unimpededly. Even more importantly, as the container
40 is being loaded by the packer, the firm contact
between the container and lock arms 352, 353 tends to
minimize vibration.
During a loading operation, the packer head 22
rams refuse into the opening 273 of the container. As
the refuse bears against the ejector head 42 of the
container, it tends to displace the ejector head rear-
wardly. In accordance with the present invention,
mechanically-induced friction forces are imparted to
the ejector head so as to resist such rearward displace-
ment in a controlled manner. In so doing, the refuse
being loaded is caused to be compacted, thereby maximizing
the use of container space. A compaction control
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1051389
mech~nism for im~)~rting ~h~ m~hanic~lly induced
friction forces is set forth in detail below.
The second end 401 of the container 40 is
open. To provide an enclosed volume for receiving refuse
material in the container, the container has a longitu-
dinally slidable reruse restraining assembly that prevents
discharge of refuse material from the open end 401. The
refuse restraining assembly includes the transverse
bulkhead assembly 42 that can slide between the ends of
the container 40.
The container walls 268 (see Fig. 24) are
each provided on their inner surface with a guide
assembly 402. The guide assembly 402 may comprise, for
example, a U-shaped channel member 403 which is mounted
on the corresponding side wall 268 so that it extends
longitudinally along the container cavity. Each
channel member 403 is spaced above the horizontal floor
404 and may be provided with beveled support members
405,406. The beveled support members 405, 406, are
connected to the wall 268 and engage the U-shaped channel
40~ adjacent the open end thereof such that a longitudinal
slot is provided along the side wall 268 on the
inside of the container 40. The beveled support
members 405, 406 help to avoid unnecessary corners in
which refuse material may become lodged. The two guide
assemblies 402 are symmetrically disposed with respect
to the longitudinal centerline of the container 40.
The bulkhead assembly 42 includes a frame
assembly 407 (see Fig. 25) having a vertically extending
portion 408 and a horizontally extending portion 409.
The horizontally extending portion 409 is provided with a
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lOS1389
pair of flal-~es 410. Each flange 410 extends toward
a cGrrcspondi~g side wall 268 and has a pair of spaced
apart shoes 411, 412 on the under side~ The shoes 411,
412 slide on a horizontal surface of a corresponding
channel 403 and yuide the bulkhead assembly during
longitudinal translation in the container.
Each flange 410 also has a second pair of shoes
413, 414 positioned on the upper side thereof in general
vertical alignment with the lower shoes 413, 414. The
upper shoes 413, 414 perferably have a small clearance
with the upper horizontal surface of the guide member
403. The upper shoes 413, 414 provide stability
from tipping of the frame assembly about a horizontal
axis extending between the side walls 268.
The vertically upstanding frame portion 408
includes a generally vertical bulkhead portion 415 at
the upper end thereof. Below the generally vertical bulk-
head portion 415 is an inclined bulkhead portion 416
having its upper edge connected to the lower edge of the
vertical bulkhead portion 415. The inclined bulkhead
portion 416 is partially supported by the horizontal frame
portion 409 and has a lower edge 417.
The bulkhead assembly also includes a transversely
extending beam 418 (Fig. 24) which is part of a vertically
displaceable frame assembly. Attached to each end of the
beam 418 is an L-shaped angle section 419 which is
generally perpendicular to the axis of the beam 418.
Each angle section 419 has a projecting finger-like flange
420 which is positioned to be received in the corresponding
U-shaped channel 403. Each flange 420 has a pad 421 of
~051389
suitable friction material Oil the upper surface thereof.
Io prevent the beam 418 from moving laterally
with respect to the bulkhead assembly, the horizontal frame
portion 409 is provided, on each side, with a pair of short
vertical guides 422,423 (Fig. 25). The vertical guides
422, 423 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction
to accommodate the beam 418 and guide vertical movement
thereof.
The friction pads 421 move along with the beam
418 and are positioned between the shoes 413, 414. When
the beam 418 is raised, the friction pads 421 frictionally
contact the upper internal surface of the U-shaped guides
403. At the same time, the lower pads 411, 412 frictior.ally
contact the lower internal surface of the guides 403.
Accordingly, the pads 421, 411, 412 cooperate to resist -
movement of the bulkhead assembly relative to the guides
403 and thus the container 40. With the beam 418 raised,
the pads 411, 412, 421 inhibit movement of the bulkhead
assembly in either longitudinal direction in the container.
On the other hand, if the friction pads 421
are not raised vertically into engagement with the correspond-
ing guide channel surfaces, the friction pads 421 do
not engage and do not cause the lower pads 411, 412 to
frictionally inhibit movement of the bulkhead assembly.
- Spaced inwardly from each end and on the under~
side of the tranverse beam 418 is a bearing pad 424.
Each bearing pad 424 is engaged by a corresponding cam
425 on the end of a corresponding lever cam 426. Each -
lever cam 426 is pivotally attached to the horizontal
frame portion 409 and has a tie rod 427 pivotally connected
-28-
-
1051389
to its distal end. I.ach tie rod 427 is connectcd to an in
~eneral aliqnment with a spring actuated rod 428 that
slidably extends from a corresponding end of a circularly
clyindrical spring housing 429.
The spring housing 429 (Fig. 25) may be
- suitably attached to the horizontal frame portion 409
such as by a bracket 430. The spring housing 429 contains
a compression spring 431 (Fig. 24) that resiliently urges
each actuated rod 428 outwardly from the spring housing
429.
Each end of the spring housing 429 may be
provided with one or more suitable adjustment bolts 432
; to control the resilient force exerted on the end of the
actuator rods 428. It will be seen that the force exerted
on the distal end of each lever cam 426 tends to rotate
the lever cam 426 causing the cam end 425 to act on the
corresponding bearing pad 424. The cam end 425 thus causes
the transverse beam 418 to be raised and the friction pads
421 and the lower pads 411, 412 to engage the channels
403. In this manner the bulkhead assembly is frictionally
restrained.
During advancement of the bulkhead assembly
to discharge the container contents, it is desirable to
release the friction pads 421 from engagemènt with the guides
403. Accordingly, the distal end of each lever cam 426
is connected to a second tie rod 433. Each tie rod
433 is pivotally connected to the lower end of an
actuator rod 434.
The actuator rod 434 is positioned along a
vertical plane of symmetry for the bulkhead assembly and
-29-
1051389
is slidably mountcd in a guide block 435 (Fig. 9) positioned
centrally on the beam 41~. The actuator rod 434 is
pivotally connected at its upper end to one arm of a bell
crank 436 (Fig. 25). A second arm of the bell crank
436 is proximally disposed to a transversely extending
push bar 437 carried by the vertical frame portion 408. The
bell crank 436 is pi~otally mounted to the vertical frame
portion 408 with the second arm 438 in a generally
vertical posture.
When the bulkhead ic to be.advanced, it must
be pushed. Accordingly, a suitable push rod 128 (Fig. 25)
is provided with a U-shaped recess 440 which conforms
to the external contour of the transversely extending
push bar 437. The end of the push rod 439 also engages --
the second arm 438 of the bell crank 436 when it engages
the push bar 437 to forcibly advance the bulkhead assemb]y.
Engagement of the bell crank 436 bv the push rod 439
rotates the bell crank 436 about its pivot and lifts the
actuator rod 434. The actuator rod 434 acts through the
tie rods 433 to pull the lever cams 426 inwardly toward
the center line against the spring bias of the spring
431. Rotation of the lever cams 436 and the cams permits
the transverse beam 418 to lower thereby releasing
frictional engagement between the friction~pads 421
and the longitudinal guides 403.
When the bulkhead assembly has advanced to the
end of the container 40 withdrawal of the push rod 128
releases pressure on the second arm 438 of the bell
crank 436 thereby allowing the compression spring 431
to cause engagement of the friction pads 409 with the guides
403.
-30-
iO~1389
he compac~ion control mechanism described abovc
enables compaction of the refuse to occur as the refuse
is being inser~ed into t}le contailler. As a res~i'c,
greater efficiency is exhibited over systems wherein refuse
is compacted within the hopper prior to being inserted
into the container.
The sequence of operations performed at the loading
station can be summarized as follows. A container 40 is
positioned on the carriage 32. Cylinder 34 advances the
carriage 32 and thus the container toward the packer
assemb]y. ~ear the end of this travel the automatic
lift arms 320 are pivot'ed upwardly by the eontainer,
thereby partially raising the door 276 (Figs. 21-22). The
eylinder unit 356 eloses the lock arms 352, 353
(Fig. 19) and then the cylinder 34 retracts the carriage
to firmly engage the lock arms with the abutment rods
382. The elearing member 304 is then raised by cylinders
50, thereby raising the door 276 through the lifting
aetion of the arms 320 (Fig. 23). The packer head 22
is reeiproeated by the cylinder 24 so as to ram refuse into
the eontainer 40. Compaction of the refuse is regulated
by the forces being applied to the ejector head 42 by the
eom~aetion eontrol meehanism shown in Fig. 24 and described
above. Operation of the packer head can be terminatcd
as the result of manual or automatic control, as will be
diseussed subsequently.
As the container is being filled with refuse, it
may oeeur that an elongate article, such as a tubular metal
support C of a child's swing set, for example, may become
lodged between the inlet 226 of the hopper and the container,
-31-
1~513~9
as depicted in Fig. 16A. Efforts to transfer this article
C into the container may be hampered by 8 tendency for the
article to occupy the gap 229 during advancement of the
packer head 22. The present invention includes steps for
transferring the article under such circumstances. More
particularly, the packer head is retracted from the
discharge opening 224 and the clearing member is lowered
into contact with the article. In this fashion, a portion
of the article becomes crimped downwardly away from the
gap 229 and into the path of the packer head 22. When the
clearing member has been subsequently raised, the packer
head is advanced to shift the article toward the container.
These steps can be repeated at least until the article C
clears the inlet 226, relieving the tendency of;the
article to occupy the gap 229.
When the container has been suitably filled, the
cylinders 50 lower the clearing body 304 to sweep the
cutter edge 314 across the front face of the packer
head 22, the edge severing any refuse in its path. The
deflecting surfaces 315, 336 displace refuse into the con-
tainer, clearing the way for descent of the door panel
276 whose descent may be aided by the shoulders 335 on
the clearing body. Subsequently, the carriage is
advanced to relieve the pressure between the locking arms
352, 353 and the rods 382,and the locking arms are then
opened. The carriage is then withdrawn form the packer
assembly, whereupon the container can be removèd.
In achieving this operation attention is
directed to a control circuitry depicted in Figs. 27, 28
which enable operations to be carried out from a control
-32-
lOS1389
panel at a main control station. In Fig. 27 there is
depi,cted a sch~m~tic ~iagram of a hydraulic system for
powering the hydraulic cylinders situated at the loading
station. In ~igs. 28A-28D there is depicted, in
schematic form, electrical circuitry for activating the
hydraulic system. As will become apparent, this circuitry
enables an operator situated at a main control station
to operate all functions at the loading station.
As shown in Fig. 27, a plurality of hydraulic
pumps 450, 452, 454, 456, are connected to a pump-
driving motor 458. The.pump 450 is connected via conduits
~60, 462 ~o operate the carriage positioning cylinder 34
and the cylinder unit 356 for actuating the locking arms
352, 353. A fluid relief system 464 is provided for
minimizing impact of the carriage 32 against the forward
bumper 262, as will be discussed.
Directing attention to Figs. 28A-28D, the electrical
circuitry for actuating the hydraulic system will be
discussed. Note that these figures contain numerical
references 1-114 at the left of the figures to indicate
various locations or lines of the circuit for simplified
reference.
Connectors Ll, L2, L3 (lines 1, lA, 2) are connected
to a source of power, such as a 480 volt three-phase
branch circuit for example. Connectors Ll and L2 are
connected to the cylinder actuating circuitry by a
transformer TR (line 3). By closing switches SM (lines
1, lA, 2) and S2 (line 6) power is supplied to the
circuitry. When the operator then activates a key-
operated selector switch SSl (line 9), the master relay
_~3_
105138~coil K~ (~ine 9) is e~rc3ized, therehy closin~ the normally
open relay contacts CRA in line 15. Attention is
directed to the right-hand side of Figs. 28A-28C wherein
there are identified the lines containing relay contacts
that are controlled by the corresponding relay coils.
The symbol "K" designates the relay coil and the symbol
"CR" designates the contacts controlled thereby. For
example, coil K5 (line 28) operates the normally closed
contacts CR 5 in line 20, the normally open contacts
CR 5 in line 22, and other contacts CR 5 in lines 23, 25,
30, 38, and 45.
When the switch SSl (line 9) has been depressed,
the indicator light LT-l (line 11) will be illuminated if
a container 40 is in place on the carriage 32. To
effect this, a plurality of normally open limit switches
LSl and LSlA (line 10) are mounted on the carriage and
are closed by the positioning of a container thereon.
By depressing the pump start button PB-2 (line 18),
the relay KB is energized. Relay KB thereby closes all
normally open relay contacts CRB, including those in lines
1, lA, and 2 to operate the hydraulic pump motor 458. At this
~methe pump running indicator light LT2 (line 18) becomes
illuminated.
Upon activating the relay KA being energized,
the rel~y K12 (line 42) is energized since the clearing
body, or guillotine 304 is in a downward position holding
the limit switch LS6 (line 42) closed. The limit switch
LS6 can be mounted at a convenient location on the loading
station so as to be activated by the clearing body 304
in its up and down positions (i.e., in an upward position
the clearing body opens the switch LS6). The energized relay -
'
10513~9
K12 closes the contacts CR 12 (line 20!, thereby illuminating
the advance carriage button LPBl (lir.e 23).
Thereupon, the operator closes the i~minated
advance carriage button LPBl (line 20) to energize the
relay coil K2 (line 20) and thereby close contacts
CR 2 (line 103) to activate solenoid 5 HSolA (line 103 and
Fig. 17). The solenoid 5HSolA is shifted to the right
to communicate the conduit 462 with the piston end of the
hydraulic cylinder 34 (Fig. 17), and the carriage is
advanced. As the carriage reaches the front bumper 262,
the limit switch LS3 (line 28) is engaged by the container
and is closed, thereby energizing the coil K5 and de-
activating the solenoid 5HSolA via opening of the normally
closed contacts CR 5 (line 20). The conduit 462 is
thereby communicated with the hydraulic reservoir through
the valve 5H. Continued advancement of the carriage
under its own momentum causes a check valve 466A (Fig. 27)
to be opened, allowing free flow from the reservoir to the
piston end of the cylinder 34. The rod end of the cylinder
34 forces open a relief valve 468B, re-directing fluid
from the cylinder 34 into the conduit 462 and through the
valve 5H and thence into the reservoir to dissipate some
of the momentum of the carriage. During retraction of the
carriage, the same action occurs via check valve 466B
and relief valve 468A.
In response to closing of the switch LS3 and
energization of the relay K5, the container-advanced light
LT4 is illuminated (line 29), and the close locks button
LPB3 (line 31) is illuminated. Thereupon, the operator
depresses this button LPB3 (line 30) to energize coil K6
-35-
lOS~389
(line 30) and thereby actuate the solenoi~ 4IlSolB (line
102 and Fig. 17). This causes the cylinder
unit 356 to be retracted to swing the locking arms 356
closed (Fig. 19). In response to this movement, the limit
S switch LS5 (line 36) is engaged and closed, thereby closing
the normally open contacts CR 9 (line 30) to deactivate
the relay K6 and the solenoid 4HSolB. Also, the return
carriage button LP~2 (line 25) is illuminated.
The return carriage pushbutton LPB2 (line 11)
is then pushed by the operator to energize the relay K3
and thereby activate the solenoid 5HSolB (line 107).
Accordingly, the carriage is moved away from the packer
assembly 12 until the rods 382 firmly engage the locking
arms 352 (Fig. 19). At this point the limlt switch LS3
(line 28) opens, thereby deenergizing the relay K5 to
open the contacts CR 5 in line 22 and thereby deactivate
solenoid 5HSolB. Now, the pushbutton LPB5 (line 39) is
illuminated indicating that the clearing body should be
raised.
The operator depresses this button LPB5 and the
relay K10 is energized, thereby activating solenoid 3HSolB
(line 97). Hydraulic fluid from the pump 252 is directed
through the pilot conduit 270, through the valve 3H
and against the right-hand side of a valve 472. This
shifts the valve 472 in a manner causing fluid from the
conduit 474 to be directed to the rod side of the cylinders
; 50. Accordingly, the clearing body 304 is raised and
eventually closes the limit switch LS7 (line 44). This
illuminates the light LT8 (line 45) indicating that the
clearing body has been raised, and energizes the relay
K13 (line 44) to deactivate relay K10 (line 38) as by
_J~;_
105131~
closir.y ~lle co~ ac~s CR i8 (line 38). This dea~ivdt~
the valve 3H. ~lso, the contacts CR 13 (line 45) are closed
to energize relay K14 (line 46) thereby closing contacts
CR 14 (line Ll8) to supply power to an automatic
refuse loading circuit. The automatic cycle button LPB7
(line 47) becomes illuminated as relay K14 is energized.
The operator then pushes the illuminated automatic
cycle button LPB7 (line 48) to energize the relay K15 (line
49). This causes contacts CR 15 (lines 51, 76) to close,
allowing power to be conducted to either of the relays
K24 (line 78) or X25 (line 80), depending upon the
condition of the contacts CR 17 in lines 77 and 79.
The condition of these contact CR17 is governed
by relay K17 (line 52) which, in turn, is controlled by
relay K16 (line 51) via contacts CR 16 (line 52) and by
relay K18 (line 54). The relays K16 and K18 are controlled
by limit switches LS8 (line 50) and LS9 (line 54) (Fig. 17).
Limit switch LS8 is open, and switch LS9 is closed, when
the packer head 22 is in a rearward position (Fig. 1).
Conversely, when the packer head 22 is in a forward position
(Fig. 6), the switch LS8 is closed and switch LS9 is
open.
Thus, at the initiation of a loading cycle the
packer head 22 is in a rearward position. The coils K16
and K17 are, therefoxe, deenergized and powèr is
conducted through the contacts CR 17 (line 77) to energize
the relay K24 (line 78). This relay, in turn, activates
the valve lHSolA( line 85) to direct hydraulic fluid from
pilot conduit 480 against the left side of valve 482.
Pressurized fluid from pumps 454, 456 is thereby directed
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1051389
to the piston side of the cylinder 24 to advance the packer
head 22. At its forwardly advanced position during a
loading mode of operation, the packer head is extended
beyond the hopper mouth and into the container (Fig. 6) .
A relief valve 488 is provided to relieve excessive
pressure in conduit 489, should such excessive pressure occur.
That is, pressure buildup in line 487 acts upon an un-
loading valve 484 through a pilot conduit 487 from
the pump 456. The valve 484 is shifted so as to communicate
the pilot side of the relief valve 488 with the fluid
reservoir. Consequently, the valve 488 is opened, allowing
fluid from pump 456 to travel to the reservoir.
When the packer head has been advanced, it closes
the forward packer limit switch LS8 (line 50) and
opens the limit switch LS9 (line 54) Fig. 17. Therefore,
the relay K 17 is energized the relay K18 is deenergized.
As a result, the contacts CR 17 (line 79) and CR 18 (line
80) are opened to energize the relay K25. This produces
activation of the so~enoid lH SolB (line 89), causing
the packer head to be retracted. A pilot actuated check
valve 290 is provided to facilitate conveyance of fluid
from the piston end of the cylinder to the reservoir.
A limit switch LS10 (line 83) is arranged to be
engaged and closed by the packer head 2 2 within two or three
inches of the end of the forward and return packer head
stroke. That is, just as the packer head reaches the
termination of its forward or rearward stroke, it closes
the switch LS10 and energizes the relay K27. This, in
turn activates the solenoid 7HSolA (line 111) to relieve
the pressure at the pilot end of the relief valve 488 and
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~05~389
communicate the pump 456 with the reservoir to reduce
final impact of the packer head. The solenoid 7HSolA
is deactivated unless the limit switch LS10 is closed.
When the packer return limit switch LS9 (line 54)
is closed in response to return of the packer head the relay
coils K16 and K17 will be deenergized and the packer will
again Be advanced. Such cycling of the packer head, in
conjunction with the depositing of refuse into the hopper
1 serves to gradually fill the container with refuse.
Under the action of the oncoming refuse, the ejector
head 70 is urged progressively rearwardly. This rearward
travel is resisted in a controlled manner by the resisting
forces being imposed by the compaction control mechanism.
As a result, a selected compaction of the refuse is obtained.
Cycling of the packer head during a refuse loading mode
of operation will continue repeat~dly until terminated
by one of a number of occurrences. Among such occurrences
are:
(1) Attainment of predetermined container weight,
with packer head 22 in rearward position
(automatically determined),
(2) attainment of sufficiently high resistance to
packing (automatically determined),
(3) manual activation of receptacle clearing button
PB4 (line 57), and
(4) manual activation of stop cycle button PB3
(line 48).
Regarding the first of these occurrences it will
be recalled that the container is weighed by load cells
254 which can be of a conventional nature. These load
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iOS13~39
cells 254 supply electrical si~nals oi a ma~nitude th~t is
proportionate to the weic~ht being sensed. When the to~al
weigl,t sensed by these load cells 254 rea~hes a prede-
termined magnitude, the relay contacts CR~' (line 58) will
be ~l~sed. If the packer returns to a rearward posi.ion
concu_rently ~;ith the cor.tacts CRW bcing closed, then
the hopper clearing cycle will be automaticlally initiated,
and will function in a manner to b~ later described.
Actuation of the contacts C~W (line 58) can be accomplished
in numerous ways, one such way being shown in Fig. 26.
The load cells whic~ define the weigh.ng scale are
electrically coupled to a conver.tional su~ ing amplifier
SA which comDines the signals from the load cells 254 and
directs the resultar.t sigr.al to a conventional sisnal
comparator C. The comparator compares this resultant
signal with a reference signal from an adjustabl~
potentiometer P~. When the su~mation si~nal equals
and/or exceeds the reference signal, the relay coil KW
is energi2ed to close the normally open contacts CRW
(line 58). Closing of the contacts CR~I will not initiate
a hopper clearing mode unless the packer head 42 is in 2
rearward position to energize the relay Kl~. In this
fashion, a true wei~ht reading can be obtaired which will
not be influenced by forces being imposed by the packer
head.
In the event that refuse being loaded is of
relatively lishtweight, the container may be filled
before reaching the preselected weigh~ for
activation of the contacts C~W. In such an event a
pressure switch SPSl (line 55) and a timer Tl(line 55)
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lOS1389
are employed to initiate a hopper clearing mode of
operation. Ihe switch S~Sl is connected in any suitable
- manner so as to bc closed in respGnse to pressuri~ation of
the pac~;er cylinder 24 durin~ a packer operatio~ For
example, the switch SPSl can be connected to the fluid
conduit which conducts fluid to the piston side of the
cylinder 34. In so doing, the timer Tl is energized,
Under normal conditions, i.e., wherein the packer head 22
does not encounter excessive resistance, the packer head
will complete its advancing stroke within the preset
timing period. Thus, when the packer head is returned,
pressure on the switch SPSl is relieved, causing this
switch to open and thereby deactivate the time Tl. In
the event that the packer head encounters significant re-
~istance, as when the container nears a fully packed
condition, the high pressure pump 454 may be vented to the ~-
reservoir by forcing open a relief valve 491 (Fig. 27).
If progress of the packer head is-so slow that .he packer
head is unable to complete its advancing stroke within
the timed period, the timer Tl "times-out" and closes the
switch STl (line 56). This energizes the relay ~19 (line
59) and the hopper clear:inq mode is initiated.
. In the hcpper clearing mode the relay Rl9 activate
the solenoid 6EISol~ (line 108). As a result, pilot
pressure acting on the valve 491 is increased to close
the valve 491 and direct the full fluid force of the
high pressure pump 454 to the cylinder 24 to advance the
packer head 22 throu~h the remainder of its advancing
stro~.e.
h'hen the packer head has been fully advanced,
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~0~13~39
, . .
the limit swi~ch I~ (line 50) closes and the rclay K17
is energized and the relay K18 is decnergized. Con-
sequently, tne relay K25 is energized to return the packer
head. Also, the counter Cl (line 61) will pulse one count
5 in response to activation of the relay XlG when the pac};er
head has reached its forward position.
The packer head will then be cycled forwardly and
rearwardly by the previously discusscd operations, with
the counter Cl pulsing one count each time the packer head
reaches its advanced position. During this period
; refuse within the hopper will be collected ar.d advanced
forwardly. ~hen a preselected number of pulses for which
the counter Cl has been set have been reached, the counter
Cl "counts out" and clo~es switch SCl (line 64) to
initiate a container closure mode of operation.
~uring the container closure mode the packer head
continues to cycle, but dces not r~ach the fully retracted
position. Therefore, no additional refuse is received
within the hopper 16 and the packer head functions to tamp
the refuse with short, high-powered strokes. In this
connection, where the counter Cl "counts out", a counter
C2 ~line 65) is energized. Since the packer head is at
the forward end of its stro~e, the coil X17 is eneryized
and thus energizes a closure mode timer T3 (line 67).
The packer head will begin to retract, but timer T3 will
8time-out" before the packer head is fully retracted.
Timer T3 will thus activate a switch ST3 (line 53) to
deactivate the relay K17. Since the switch LS8 had
opened wl-en the packer head began to retract, the relays
K16 and X17 have been deenergized and the packer head
; ' .
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1051;~9
is agaill adv2nced. This abbreviated cycling conti~ues,
with the countcr C2 pulsiny once each time that the packer
head energizes relay K16 upon reaching a fo~ard
position. During this closure mode the packer head is
advanced its full advance stro~e at high pressure to clear
the forward end of the container of refuse. ~hen thc
counter C2 counts out, it activates switch SC2 (lin~ 67).
Subsequent timing-out of the timer T3 activates switch
CT3 in line 67 to energize the relay K20 (line 68). As
a result, the normally open rèlay contacts CR 20 (line
76) are closed to ener~ize the relay K23 (line 75). The
relay K23 closes the nor~,ally open contacts CR 23 (line
48) to deenergize the automatic packer circuitry. ~lean-
while, the packer head 22 is being advanced in response to
timing out of the timer T~. This advancement continues
until a switch MSl (line 72) is activated to prGduce slOr;
advancement of the pacXer head. This maqnetic switch
energizes a relay K22 (line 72) when the pac};er head nears
the mouth of the hopper. Energizing of the relay K22
during previous modes of operation had no effect in the
absence of concurrent clcsing of the contacts CR 20. In
ar.y event, the relay K22 opens conJcact CR 22 (line 77) 'o
deactivate solenoid lHSolA and thereby block the high
pressure pumps 454, 456 from the packer bylinder 24.
Relay K22 also closes contacts CR 22 ~line 84) to energize
the relay K28. This relay K28 closes contacts CR 28 (line
90) to activate solenoid 2HSolA and ther2by direct fluid
of lower volume from pump l~52 to the piston end of the
cylinder 30 to advance the pacXer head at a slow rate.
Such slow advancement continues ~ntil a switch
~Rl ~lines 69-70) is activated to encrgize the
~43~
10513~9
rclay ~1 (lirl~ 70). lhe switc~les MS-l and ~R-l are
of a conventional nature. The relay K21 opens contacts
CR 21 to deenergiz~ relay X14 ~nd th^rcby deenergize
relay K15 to shut off all power to the packer head ~Ihen
: 5 immediately stops. Switch PRl (line 69) is positioned
in the hopper so as to be activated in response to arri~-al
of the packer head at the mouth of the hopper 18. Also
in response to energization of the relay X21, the
pushbutton LPB6 (line 40) is illuminated, indicating
that the clearins member 304 should be lowered.
It is noted that anytime after initiation of the
hopper clearing or container clcsure modes of operation,
should the packer head fail to reach the for~7ardly
advanced po-ition before the timer T2 (line 56) times-
out, the switch ST2 (line 73) closes, thereby energizing ~ -the relay K23. Relay K23 opens contacts CR 23 (line 48)
to deene~gi~ the relay K15 and thereby deenergi2e tne
autoTnatic cycle circuitry to halt_all movement of the packer
head. Also, the closure mode alarm flasher LT12 (line 74)
will begin flashing, indicating that manual operation is
required.
Manual operation can be effected ~henever the
clearing bodv 3n4 is up, the automatic cycle circuit is
deenergized, and the pumps 454, 456 are running. In
operation, the pushbutton PB5 (line 78) is depressed.
As a result, the relay K24 is energized to activate the
solenoid lHSolA and advance the packer head. Also, the
relay K26 is enerqized to activate solenoid 6~iSolA a~d made
full system power available. When the packer head activates
the ~or~ard limit s~ tch LS8 (line 50), the relay X24 is
deenergized and the packer head stops. The operator can
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lOS1389
thcn ~eprcss the r~turn buttoll }~6 (line 80) to eri~ryize 1-he
relay K25 (line 80) and return the packer head. Once
the packer head activ.~tes the rearward limit switch LS9
(line $4), the relay K25 will be deenerqJzed and the packer
head will stop. ~he packer head will stop upon release o~
either the pack or return buttons PB5, P~6.
When the container closure mode of the packer head
is ~inished, the button LPB6 (line 41) becomes illuminated
and is depressed. Solenoid 3~SolA is thus activated to
lower the clearing body 304. During its descent, the
cutting edge 314 sweeps across the front ~ace of the packer
head to sever refuse bridging the yap between the hopper and
the container. Also, the deflecting surface 336 deflects
into the container xefuse located beneath the door panel
276.
As the clearing body is lowered, the door panel
276 will tend to descend therewith, aided if necessa~
~y the shoulders 335 at the top of the guill~Jtine. When
it closes, tho clearing member 304 activates limit switch
LS6 (line 42) to de~ctivate the solenoid 3HSoL~. Next,
the illur.linat~d carriage ad~ance pushbutton LP~l (line 23)
~s ~ushed to activate solenoid 5~SolA and thereby
ad~ance the carriage to relieve pressure between the container
bars 380 ar.d the lockin~ arms 352, 353 (Fig. 19). The
limit switch LS3 is closed by the carriage to deactivate
the solenoid 5~;SolA and halt the carriage. This ill~ inates
the open-locks pushbutton LPB4 lline 33) which is then
depressed to activate solenoid 4~SolA to s~ing the locking ~-
arms 352,353 to their unlocking positions. Switch LS4
(line 34) is closed when the locXing arms have been swung
open and further movement thereof ceases. The carriage
return button L~B2 (line 25) becomes illuminated and
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10513~9
; .
is pressed to activatc thc solenc~id 511SolB. Tllis callses
iile cylindcr 34 to return thc carriage until the limit
switch LS2 (line 27) is closed. At this point the container
return light LT3 (line 26) is illuminated indicating
that the securing bars can be rotated to unlock the container
from tlle carxiage to permit removal of the container.
The control circuitr~ alsc includes an arrangemen
wherein the various cylinder actuating solencids can
be energized to test the ope7-ahility thereof independently
o~ the normal operating sequence and absent the presenee
of a eontainer on the earriage. In Fig. 28D test
eonduetors 500, 502 are depicted in phantom. A test
eontroi switcn TTGl (line 14) is operable to energize
a test eontrol relay KT (line 13) and thereby elose the
lS normally open oontacts CRT in line 9 to prevent energization
o~ the mast~l- cGntrol re ay Y~ in line 9. ~ test s~art
swi';eh TTG2 (lir.e 17) is closed to energize the pur.~
motor rel~y KB to aetivate the pumps 450, 452, 454, 456.
Attention is direeted to Figs. 28C, 28D wherein test
eireuits 504 through 516 are depieted. These circuits
incl~lde manual eontrol switehes 304S-316S whieh are
operable from the main eon~rol panel. The switeh 30llS
can be operated to aetivate either of the solenoids
lB~olA or lHSolB to advanee or retraet tpe pac~er head.
The switeh 306S ean be operated to activate the solenoid
~HSolA to test the slow advanee speed of the paeker head.
The switeh 308S ean be operated to aetivate the solenoids
3HSolA or 3E{SolB to test operation of the-clearing membe~
304. The switeh 310S can be operated to activate the
solenoids 4E~Sol~ or 4HSolB to te3t opPration of the
-46-
10513~9
locking arms 352~ 353. The switch 312S can be operated
! to activate the solenoids 5HSolA or 5HSolB to test operation
of the carriage 32. The switch 341s can be operated to
activate solenoid 6HSolA in conjunction with testing of
packer head advancement to test power boosting of the power
head cylinder 24.
Finally, the switch 316S can be operated to
activate the solenoid 7H SolA in conjunction with packer
head advancement and retraction to test operability of
the packer head cushioning system. The limit switch
LS7 is connected within the test circuitry (line 114)
to illuminate a lamp 5~0 (line 114) when the clearing member
has been raised during testing.
Among the major advantages provided by the present
invention is the fact that minimal personnel are required
in the loading of a refuse container. All of the power
actuable motors are permanently secured at the loading
station, and thus now power hook-ups to the containers
are required.
2~ Handling of the containers is facilitated by
the use of a movable carriage which is permanently
deployed at the loading station. Thus, upon being
positioned on the carriage~ the container is appropriately
deployed to be acted upon by the various power actuators
for effecting a refuse loading operation.
Opening and closing of the door panel is facilitated
by a clearing member which is able to propel the door panel
upwardly and downwardly, while clearing the way for
the-d~or panel during closing thereof. The pre-lifting
of the door panel by the lift arms 320 enables the container
to be advanced to close proximity with the mouth of
the packer~ thereby minimizing spillage. Such pre-lifting
_47-
::
iOSi3~9
also assures that the deflecting surface 33~ wil1 be
suitably positionecl in underlying relation to the bottom
edge of the door panel.
By backing the container into firm engagement
with the locking arms, vibration effects are minimized
during loading.
System efficiency is magnified by the packer
control mechanism 188 which enables refuse loading and
cmpacting to be accomplished simultaneously.
Control over the loading operation is enhanced
by monitoring refuse wieght and pressure during loading,
and terminating the container loading cycle of the packer
head in response to the attainment of a preselected weight
or pressure.
Although the invention has been described in
connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions,
modifications, substitutions and deletions not specifically
described may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
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