Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This is a division of co-~ending Canadian Patent Application
Serial No. 346,5~0 filed February ~7, 1980.
The present invention relates to a system of refuse
collection and disposal as well as to a container especially
adapted for use in such a system.
A problem with which society has been, is and will
continue to face is that of collecting and disposing of refuse.
The prime objective of the present invention is to provide a
system and an apparatus which renders the task of refuse disposal
more simple~ efficient and less expensive than conventional
systems and apparatuses.
Refuse disposal in general normally involves three separate
and distinct phases, namely, collection, transportation and dis-
posal.
The first phase, collection, involves the gathering of
refuse from residential and commercial generating locations at
predetermined intervals. A number of collection methods have
been used and will be discussed in greater detail below. The
collection phase is primarily conducted by public or private
haulers. However, in some cases, residents themselves will
transport theix own refuse to a disposal site.
Public or private haulers normally utilize transportation
vehicles to collect refuse from a generation point and convey or
transport the refuse to its ultimate and permanent disposal site
which may be a sanitary land fill location.
The transportation phase relates to the movement of
refuse from the facility where the colleation process is terminated
to a sanitary land fill location. As indicated earlier, it has
been conventional to utilize the collection vehicles to transport
the refuse to the disposal site. Since collection vehicles normally
29 have a relatively small capacity, the cost of transporting the
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refuse from the collection site -to the disposal site ma~ be
unnecessarily expensive if the distance to be travell~d is fairly
large.
The disposal phase o~ the refuse disposal process in-
volves, perhaps, the compaction of re~use and, certainly the
covering of collected and transported refuse at a sanitary
land fill location in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The present invention is primarily concerned with the
collection and transportation phases of the refuse disposal
process. Various collection and transportation schemes have
been conceived and have been used. The following is a brief
summary of some conventional schemes.
One existing system of collecting and transporting
refuse is the "green box system". This system provides containers
of three to six ~ubic yard capacity which are placed at strategic
locations for use ~y local residents. The containers are
serviced and emptied regularly with specially designed front
end loader vehicles. The vehicles are conventionally e~uipped
with a compaction type body having a volume in the neighbourhood
of thirty to thirty five cubic yards and a normal gross vehicle
weight ~GVW) rating of about 49,000 pounds. The vehicles trans-
port their contents to a disposal site.
This system has a decided cost advantage over conventional
collection systems in that the collection site development costs
are lower than a system using larger containers such as the
"roll off system" discussed ~elow. In addition, the containers
have lids which reduce wind blowing of refuse. The major dis-
28 advantage of this system is that the container size is rather
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inadequate in the handling o~ larger items generated at certain
times by the general population. In addition, this system makes
no provision to receive refuse from a collection vehicle used
in the residential collection process and the cost of the lon~
haul may be greater than other systems.
The "roll o~ system" involves the use oE containers
having a capacity in the neighbourhood of 30 to 50 cubic yards
which, again, are placed at strategic locations in a municipality.
This system affords the user the advantage of handling large
1~ items and/or large loads to thus overcome one major disadvantage
of the "green box system". However, since the container is
larger, the opening and closing of large lids or covers creates
a problem for the residential or private user and, in addition,
this system requires the construction o~ a more expensive collection
site. The containers are themselves carried to and from the
ultimate disposal site by means o~ vehicles especially equipped
to load and unload the containers. Thus, in addition to the
containers themselves, this system requires special transportation
vehicles.
In general, prior systems did not distin~uish between
collection and transportation o~ re~use. The container in which
the re~use is gathered is either transported directly to the
disposal site and then returned or its contents are emptied into
a collection vehicle which transports the refuse to the disposal
site. Thus, the vehicles serve both as collection as well as
transportation means. They have a relatively small capacity and~
thereore, the cost o~ transporting a given weight of re~use tends
28 to be relatively high.
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Aforementioned Canadian Application Serial No. 346,520
relates to a refuse transfer station and a refuse container
assembly for use therein. The present invention relates to
an actuating mechanism for effecting movement of the receptacle
of the assembly between a lower refuse receiving position
and an elevated refuse discharge position. Generally, the
invention provides first and second spaced arm means adapted
to be mounted on a receptacle support for pivotal movement
about the pivot axis of the receptacle and first and second
extendable and retractable motor means associated with each
arm means. One end of the first motor means is connected to
its associated arm means at a point thereof remote from its
pivot axis and the other end of the motor means being adapted
to be connected to the support. One end of the second motor
means is connected to its associated arm means at a point
thereof remote from the pivot axis and the other end of the
second motor means being adapted to be connected to the
receptacle.
-These and other features of the invention are described
in greater detail in the following description in which
reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a map illustrating a typical area in which
refuse is to be collected and which is subdivided into
service areas;
Figure 2 is a pictorial illustration of a transfer
station utilizing the container of the present invention and
showing a collection vehicle in the process of discharging
its contents into the container;
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Figure 3 i5 a view similar to Fi.gure 2 but illustrating
the container emptying its contents into a transportation vehîcle;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an articulated refuse
container for use at a transfer station;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the container of
Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but illustrating :.
a lid assembly in a position whereby a collection vehicle may
discharge its contents into the container;
. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 6 ~ut illustrating
the container discharglng its contents into a transportation vehicle;
Figure 8 is a pictorial, diagrammatic illustration of a
hydraulic circuitry for actuating the various hydraulic cylinders
of the container;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a container similar to
Figure 4 ~ut having an alternative Iid assembly; .
Figure 10 is a partially ~roken, side elevational view of
the container of Figure 9;
. . Figures 11 and 12 are views similar to Figure 10 but
illustrating the lid assem~ly in different positions;
Figure 13 is a view similar to Figures 10 to I2 ~ut
illustrating the container in a discharging position; r~",
Figures 14 and 15 are side elevational views of the
container of Figure 9 illustrating lid actuating mechanisms;
Figure 14a is a view taken along lines 14a-14a of
Figure 14; and
Figure 16 is an elevational view illustrating an alter-
native container mounting arrangement.
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DETAIL DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 represents a map of a region or municipality
in which refuse is to be collected. The circles represent the
boundaries of service areas within which, depending upon the
population, one or more collection vehicles operate on one or
more predetermined days per week. Each service area includes
a transfer station having one or more transfer containers to
be described in greater detail later. Generally, the transfer
containers are adapted to receive refuse from collection vehicles
and discharge refuse into transportation vehicles.' The number
of transfer containers at each transfer station depends upon the
quantity of refuse expected to be collected within the service
area. The transfer station is located within its service'
area so as to minimize the "transportation" distance between the
collection site and disposal site by the collection vehicles
so as to optimize the efficiency of the collection vehicles and
crew and minimize fuel consumption. This objective is based
upon the notion that refuse collectlon vehicles' tend to be
inefficient means for long-distance refuse transportation since
the ratio of vehicle weight to refuse weight is relatively high
in comparison to other modes of transportation. Furthermore,
in conventional refuse collection systems, the refuse collection
crew is normally inactive while the collection vehicle is in
transit to and from the disposal site. The size of the service
area may depend, to some extent, upon the nature of the service
area, that is, whether it is an urban or rural area In any case,
the area should not exceed a diameter of about 15 miles. A diamet~r f
27 of 9 or 1~ miles is preferred, as indicated in Figure 1.
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The present invention provides for the servicing of
the service areas by conventional refusP collectin~ vehicles
which may be of the compacting ox non-compacting type. When
loaded, the collection vehicles transport their contents to
the local transfer station which will be considerably closer
than the municipal or regional disposal site. The collection
vehicles empty their contents into the transfer containers.
The transfer containers have a capacity of several times that
of collection vehicles, for example, 2 to 6 times.
Figures 2 and 3 pictorially illustrate a transfer
station as contemplated by the present invention. ~s illustrated,
the transf~er station includes only one transfer container but,
as indicated earlier, the transfer station may have several
containers if necessary to properly service an area. Figure 2
illustrates a refuse vehicle emptying its contents into a
transfer container.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, high capacity transportation vehicles, such as a
tractor-trailer arrangement illustrated in Figure 3, periodically
travel between transfer stations and collect refuse temporarily
stored in transfer con-tainers. Figure 3 illustrates a trans-
portation vehicle receiving refuse from a transfer container.
The transportation vehicles will have a capacity of several
transfer containers, that is, two or more times that of a transfer
container depending upon the capacity of the transfer container.
In general, a transfer container may have a capacity of from
~0 to 60 cubic yards while a transportation vehicle will have a
28 capacity of about 100 cubic yards or more. Once filled or once
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a transpor-tation vehicle has visited the transfer stations within
its predetermine~ route, it transports its contents to a regional
or municipal disposal site. High capacity transportation vehicles
are a much more efficient means of transporting refuse over
relatively long distances inasmuch as the ratio Gf vehicle weight
to refuse weight is considerably less than that of conven-tional
refuse collection vehicles.
Thus, one aspect of the prese~t inYention provides a
method or system of refuse collection comprising sub-dividing
a municipality or region in which refuse is to be collected into
a pluralit~7 of service areas with each service area havlng a
diameter of less than about 15 miles and preferably a diameter
of 9 or 10 miles,providing a transfer station within each area,
each transfer station having at least one transfer container,
collecting refuse within each service area on a regular basis
utilizing at least one relatively low capacity collection vehicle,
transporting the collected refuse to the transfer station r
emptying the collectea refuse into a transfer container, collecting
the refuse from a plurality of transfer stations utilizing a
relatively high capacity transportation vehicle and transporting
the so collected refuse to a local disposal site.
It will be seen that there are several advantages t~
the above described method or system. Firstly, the provision
of strategically located transfer stations in a given collection
area ensures that the collection vehicles are collecting refuse
rather than merel~7 transporting refuseO Not only does this
render the collection vehicles more efficient, it is also more
28 economical in terms of refuse weight per vehicle weight dollar.
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It is also more economical in -terms of the collec-tion crew which
is occup.ied a grea~er percentage of the time.
Secondly, becaus~ of the provision of special transfer
containers to be described later, the nature o -the transfer
station, the disposal site for collection vehicles, is neat and
tidy and the refuse disposed thereat is sealed ~rom the elements
and environment. Thus, there is a reduced likelyhood that
vehicles or local residents utilizing the trans~er station are
apt to be damaged or injured.
Thirdly, the use o~ large transportation vehicles is
the most economical manner in terms of labour and machinery
of transporting refuse.
Fourthly, as will become clear later, the transfer of
refuse from the collection vehicles to the trans~er trailers is
readily and quickly accomplished.
Fifthly, the number of vehicles which need attend the
ultimate disposal site is considerabl~ reduced and, therefore,
the organization of the site is much more readily accomplished
and maintained.
A transfer station as invisaged by the present invention
will now be described in greater detail.
Figures 2 and 3.illustrate a transfer station 100. The
transfer station includes an articulated refuse container 102
which serves to temporarily store refuse between visits of
collection vehicles 10~, local residents and transportati.on
vehicles 106. The container 102 is pivotally mounted on a frame
assembly 108 which is rigidly secured to the ground adjacent to
28 and in a steep embankment 110. A gentle ramp 112 leads to the
r ;~
top of the embankment, adjacent the upper end of the container
for use by collection vehicles and local residents for placing
contents into the container. A roadway lI4 runnin~ generally
perpendicular to ramp 112 is located at the hase of embankment
110 on the opposite side of the container from the ramp. The
roadway 114 is for use by transportation vehicles.
Generally, the container 102 is formed with a large
horizontal opening at its upper end so Lhat collection vehicles
may discharge their contents directly into the container. The
10opening is closed by means of an appropriate lid assembl~,
various embodiments of which are described later. The lid
assembly is movable to one position when it is desired to charge
the container and to another position when it is desired to
empty the container. The container and its lid assembly ensure
that the temporary disposal site is neat and tidy in appearance,
free of refuse which might potentially present a safety or health
hazard, free of scavenging animals and not susceptable to wind
blowing. The container is pivotable rom a first position in
which it is adapted to receive and store refuse and a second f
20position in which it is adapted to discharge its contents. The
container will now be described in greater detail.
With reference to Figures ~ to 7, container 102 is
mounted on a frame assembly 108. Frame assembly 108 includes a
pair of unright ~olumns or members 120 which are secured in the
~round adjacent the base of embankmen~ 110 in any suitable manner.
A horizontal frame member 122 interconnects uprights 120 approximately
midway between their upper and lower ends 124 and 126
while longitudinal, horizontal frame members 128 extend from
29 the midpoint of each upright 120 into embankment 110 and are
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suitably secured thereto. ~ brace member 130 connec-ts the upper
end of each upright 120 to its respective longi-tudinal ho~izontal
frame member 128. A horizontal pivot shaft 132 extends between
the upper ends 124 of uprights 120.
As men-tioned earlier, container 102 is mounted on shaft
132 for pivotal movement in a vertical plane between a first
position illustrated in Figure 5 wherein the container may receive
refuse from collection vehicles and private residence and a
second position shown in Figure 7 wherein the container may
discharge its contents into the trailer of a transportation
vehicle 106.
The container is formed with a storage section 136 and
a hopper section 138. The hopper section, located at the upper
end of the storage section, includes a large opening 140 (see
Figure 4) through which refuse is received and discharged. The
opening is generally horizontal but is formed with a generally
vertical portion at the end thereof adjacent ramp 112. The
opening is closed by a lid assembly 142. The lid assembly is
movable to different positions depending upon whether it is
desired to charge or discharge the container. Various lid
assembly configurations will be described later.
The storage section, which may have a capacity in the
neighbourhood of about 40 to 60 cùbic yards, is formed with
a pair of side walls 144, an inclined rearward wall 146 and
a forward wall 148. Forward wall 148 is shaped so as not to
interfere with the embankment during pivotal movement of the
container but otherwise may be of any desired shape such as the
28 generally arcuate shape shown in the drawings. The rearward
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wall 146 is inclined with respect to the vertical so as to
reduce the angular travel of the container to ensure complete
discharge thereof. Container 102 normally assumes the position
illustrated in Figure 5. In this position, the weight of the
container and its contents are borne by a pair of seating
blocks 150 connected to braces 130. The seating blocks 150
abut the lower extremity of wall 146. The upper end of wall
146 is provided with appropria-te bearing sections 152 which
receive pivot shaft 132.
The hopper section 138 is generally a vertical e~tension
of the storage section 136 but may be of any suitable size and
shape. The hopper section is formed with a pair of vertical
side walls 154 which e~tend vertically from side walls 144 of
the storage sectlon and a rearward inclined wall 156 coplanar
with wall 146 of the storage section. The forward marginal i
edges 158 of the side walls are generally parallel with rear ,
wall 156. It will be noted that the forward end of the hopper
section is open. This portion of the refuse receiving opening
140 is provided to permit the rearward end of collection vehicles
to be positioned as close as possible to the interior of the
container. Thus, the side walls 154 of the hopper section serve
to prevent spillage of refuse over the side of the c~ntainer
and prevent wind blowing of refuse while the collection vehicles
discharge into the container. It will be apparent that the
marginal edges of the hopper walls define the intake and discharge-
26 opening 140.
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26
~ igures 4 to 7 illustrate one embo~iment of a lid asse~bly.In this embodiment, the lid assembly includes two pivotally inter-
connected lid members which are adapted to overlie the entire
opening 140. The lid as~embly is movable from a closed position
illustrated in Figure 5 to a first open position *or permitting
charging of the container. The assembly is movable to the first
open position by means of hydraulic cylinders and levers described
hereinbelow. The assembly is also movable to a second, at least
partially open position under the influence of gravity to permit
discharging of the container.
Lia assembly 142 includes two lid members 160 and 162
which overlie the marginal edges of the hopper. Lid member 160
is formed with a pair of rigidly interconnected panels 164 and
166. Panel 16~ covers the forward end of the hori~ontal portion
of the opening while panel 166 covers the inclined or generally
vertical portion of the opening. Lid member 162 is generally
coplanar with panel 164 in the closed position of the assembly
and covers the rearward end of the opening. Panel 166 is formed
with a small pivGtable chute 167 for use by local residents in
manually feeding small quantities of reuse into the container.
Lid members 160 and 162 are pi~otally interconnected along
their adjacent marginal edges by any suitable arrangement for
movemen-t about transverse axis 170. The other transverse marginal
edge of lid member 162 carries transverse, outwardly directed
pins 172, each of which is releasably received in a seat 174
26 formed at each end of the upper edge of rearwall 156.
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.
The lid assembly is pivotally connected to -the hopper
section by a pair of arms 176, one arm on each side of the
container. The rearward end of each arm is pivotally connected
to a wall 154 by a pin 178 while the forward end is pivotally
connected to a side ed~e of panel 166 by a pin 180. In the
normal position of the lid assembly and container, the arms are
generally parallel to the plane of the lid members as shown in
Figure 5. Thus, counter-clockwise movement of arms 176 from
the position illustrated in Figure 5 will move the lid assembly
upwardly and rearwardly of the hopper opening with the two lid
members pivoting relative to one another about axis 170 and
the rear lid mem~er pivoting a~out pins 172 in seats 17~, as ~!
illustrated in Figures 4 and 6. The distance between the pivot
axis of arms 176 is equal to that of lid member 162 and the
arms and member i62 are parallel to one another so -that the arms
176, lid member 162, lid member 160 and hopper side walls 154
together define a parallelogram arrangement.
Any suitable means for actuating arms 176 may be provided.
One such means is illustrated in Figures 4 to 7 and includes a
second pair of arms 184 and a pair of hydraulic cylinders 186,
one of each being associated with each arm 176. One end of each
arm 184 is pivotally connected to side wall 154 by a pin 188
while the other end of arm 184 is pivo-tally and slidably conne~ted
to arm 176 by a pin 190. Pin 190 is secured to arm 176, approx-
imately midway between its ends, and extends into an elongated,
longitudinal slot 191 in arm 184. Slot 191 provides for relative
movement between the arms. Piston rod 192 of cylinder 186 is
pivotally connected to arm 184 at 194 while the opposite end of
29 the cylinder is pivotally connected to a side wall o~ the container
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as at 196.
When it is desired to charge the container, the lid
assembly is moved to its ~irst open position (Figure 6) by
actuating cylinders 186. In so doing, piston rods 192 move
outwardly and rearwardly to cause arms 184 to pivo-t in a
çounter-clockwise direction about pins 188. This action, in
turn, transmits a force to arms 176, causing them to rotate
~i in a counter-cloc~wise direction and move lid members 160 and
162 away from the opening as explained earlier. In particular,
member 162 will pivot in a counter-clockwise direction about
the axis of pins 172 while members 160 and 162 will pivot
relative to one another about a~is 170. When the collection
vehicle has been discharged, the cylinders are dèactuated or
reversed and the lid assembly is returned to its normal position.
When it is desired to discharge the container, the
container is rotated to the position shown in Figures 3 and 8
by means to be described hereinbelow. In this position, lid
member 160 is maintained in a closed position by means of fluid
pressure in cylinders 186. However, as illustrated in Figure 7,
once the container reaches a predetermined angular disposition,
pins 172 are free to move away from seats 172 and permit rear
lid member 162 to move away from the.marginal edges of the
hopper section in a clockwise direction about axis 170. Thus,
the contents of the container are then free to slide outwardly
of the container. It will be seen that lid member 162, in
addition to removably closing the opening of the hopper, also
serves as a windshield during the discharge process.
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The container may be pivoted about sha~t 132 in any
suitable manner. Figure 5 illustrates a container actuating
arrangement. This arrangement utiliæes a pair o~ hydraulic
cylinders and an arm associated with each upright member.
As illustrated in Figure 5, one end 200 of an arm 202
is rotatably mounted at one end of pivot shaft 132 and extends
downwardly and forwardly therefrom. A first hydraulic cylinder
`~ 204 is pivotally connected between the other end 206 of arm 202
and upright 120 and a second hydraulic cylinder 208 is pivotally
connected between end 206 of arm 202 and container 102 as shown.
Preferably, the angles su~tended between the axis of the cylinders
and the centerline of the arm are equal.
The hydraulic cylinders 204 and 208 may be operated in
unison or independently in order to raise and lower the container.
It will be understood that a single hydraulic cylinder
can replace the pair of hydraulic cylinders as above described
on each side o~ the container. However, the pair o~ cylinders
in tandum are preferred because the applied forces tend to be
directed more perpendicularly to arms 202 than the forces applied
by a single cylinder arrangement. Thus, the capacity of cylinders
may be reduced and the stresses on the various parts may be
minimized.
When it is desired to discharge the container, cyli~ders
204 are actuated to cause arms 202 to pivot in a counter-clockwise
direction about shaft 1320 The force produced by cylinders 204
is transmitted through end 206 o~ arms 202, through cylinders
208 and their respective piston rods and then to container 102.
Thus, arms 202 simply serve a guiding function. Once the piston
_ 16 _
rods of cylinders 20~ have reached -their limit of travel,
cylinders 208 are pressurized. As the piston rods of cylinders
208 mov~ outwardly, container 102 will pivot in a counter-elock
wise direction as viewed in Figure 5 and the forces produced
by the eylinder are transmitted back to eolumn members 120 via
end 206 of arms 202 and eylinders 204. It will be appreciated
that the cylinders may be actuated in reverse order or in unison
as suggested earlier. -
Once the eontainer has pivoted through 90 degrees, pins
172 of lid member 162 will unseat. Further pivoting of the
eontainer will cause lid member 162 to uncover opening 144.
At this point, rear walls 146 and 156 of the storage and hopper
sections, respectively, will already be inclined downwardly and
rearwardly so that the refuse within the container will already
have started to slide toward opening 1~0. Little ~urther pivoting
of the eontainer is then required to fully discharge the eontainer.
As shown in Figure 7, lid member 162 serves to prevent spillage
of refuse over the sides of the -transportation vehicle while
also serving to minimize windblowing of the refuse heing
diseharged~
It is contemplated that the lid assembly lifting cylinders
and container lifting eylinders be provided wi-th eonventional
conduits, eontrol valves, pumps and motors. In order to minimize
the eost of the containers, the eontainer lif-ting hydraulic
cylinders may be powered by the hydraulic system of the trans-
portation vehicles. It is also eontemplated that the lid assembly
lifting eylinders may also be arranged to eouple directly into
28 the hydraulic system of collection vehicles.
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Figure 8 diagrammatically illustrates a hydraulic circuit
wherein the container cylinders are adapted to be actuated by
the transportation vehicle hydraulic system while the lid
cylinders are provided with a separate and independent hydraulic
power circuit.
In the arrangement of Figure 8, cylinders 204 and 208
are adapted to be actuated by the hydraulic systems of a trans-
portation vehicle. A first hydraulic condui-t 220 connects adjacent
ends 222 and 22~ of cylinders 204 and 208, respectively, to a
first hydraulic break-away 226 while a second conduit 228 connects
the other ends 230 and.232 of cylinders 204 and 208, respectively,
to a second break-away 234. Thus, when conduit 220 is pressurized,
piston rods 236 and 238 of cylinders 204 and 208, respectively,
will be extended to raise the container and when line 228 is
pressurized piston rods 236 and 238 will be withdrawn to lower
the container.
Lid cylinders 186 are provided with an independent
hydraulic system having a hydraulic power and control unit 240,
a first hydraulic line or conduit 232 connecting ends 244 of
cylinders 186 to unit 230 and a second hydraulic line.or conduit
246 connecting ends 248 of cylinders 186 to unit 240. As will
be evident, the cylinders are connected in parallel. Thus,
hen conduit 242 is pressurized, piston rods 192 will be extended
to raise the lid assembly to the first open position discussed
earlier and when line 246 is pressurized, the piston rods will
be withdrawn to return the lid assembly to its closed position.
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Figures 9 to 1~ illustrate an alternative lid assembly
300 which tends to be less affected by wind loads because of
a lower profile in an open position and which requires less
energy to actuate due to a counterb~lancing effect by a portion
of the assembly as will be explained.
In this embodiment of the lid assembly, certain lid
members are provided with rollers which travel along the marginal
edges of the side wall of the hopper. Further, the hopper
~ ;~
section is modified by removing the rear inclined wall 156
so that the hopper section consists only of side walls 154.
This modification provides a generally inverted U-shaped refuse
receiving and discharge opening 340 when viewed in side eleva-
tion such as in Figures 9 to 13.
The lid assembly is movable from a normally closed
position (Figure 10) overlying opening 340 to an, at least,
partially open position (Figure 12) wherein the container may
receive refuse from collection vehicles. The assembly also
includes a discharge gate for discharging the container as
will be explained hereinbelow.
Lid assembly 300 includes three pivotally interconnected,
generally flat, rectangular lid members or panels 302, 304 and
306 o~ tubular and sheet steel construction. Each panel is
adapted to overlie the three lengths of opening 340. First
panel 302 normally overlies the rearward portion of opening 340
and generally occupies the space previously occupied by rear
wall 156. Panel 302 is pivotally connected to pivo-t shaft 132
along longitudinal marginal edge 308. However, panel 302 may
alternatively be pivotally connected -to the container itself
29 rather than to the pivot shaft if so desired. Second panel 304
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overlies the horizontal, intermediate portion of opening 340 ,~
and is pivotally connected along its rearward marginal edge
310 to the upper marginal edge 312 of panel 302 by pins 314.
Third panel 306 overlies the front portion of opening 340 and
is pivotally connected along its upper marginal edge 316 to
the front marginal edge 318 of second panel 304 by pins 320.
Second and third panels 304 and 306 are each provided
a with a pair of rollers 322 and 324, respectively, one roller
belng located on either side edge of the respective panels.
Rollers 322 and 324 support panels 304 and 306, respectively,
and are adapted to travel along the front and upper marginal
edg~s 326 and 328 o~ side walls 156 of the hopper section.
~ id assembly 300 is movable to the position illustrated
in Figure 12 when it is desired to charge the container. The
lid.assembly may be actuated by any suitable means. A particular
means will be described later. In general, the lid assembly
may be actuated by applying either a rearwardly directed force
to panel 304 or a counter-clockwise torque to panel 302. In
either case, panel 302 will pivot in a counter-clockwise direc-
tion abou-t its pivotal connection to pivot shaft 182 while
panel 304 will travel rearwardly as rollers 322 roll along edges
326 of side walls 154 and simultaneously pivot in a counter-
clockwise direction about the axis of rollers 322 to an inter-
mediate position lllustrated in Figure 11. I.ikewise, panel 306
will follow panel 304 as rollers 324 roll along edges 326 and
328 of side walls 154. An appropriate stop (not shown) may be
provided to defi.ne the limit of rearward travel of the lid assembly,
28 that illustrated in Figure 12.
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.
When the lid assembly is in the position illustrated
in Figure 12, refuse collection vehicles may discharge their
contents directly into ~he container. As with the previous
embodiment, side walls 15~ serve to prevent spillage and reduce
wind blowing o xefuse. Panels 306 and 304 also serve to prevent
spillage and wind blowing of refuse. ~Iowe~er, because of the
l~wer profile (area of assembly projecting vertically above the
` side walls) the wind loading on the assembly is conslderably
reduced.
In order to discharge the container, second panel member
304 is provided with a generally rectangular gate member 330
which extends substantially across the entire width of panel
304 and extends from just rearwardly of rollers 322 to the rearward
en~ thereof. As shown in Figure 13, the forward end 332 of gate
330 is pivotally mounted to panel 304 by means of pins 334. The
rearward marginal edge 336 of gate 330 rests, under the influence
of gra~ity, upon the upper marginal edge 312 of panel 302 when
the lid assembly and container are in the position illustrated
in Figures 10 to 12. However, once the container has been
pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction by an amount exceeding
90 degrees such as is illustrated in Figure 13, gate 330 will
pivot about pins 334 and depend vertically downwardly as shown
in Figure 13 permitting discharge of refuse within the containex.
Thus, gate 330 functions in a manner similar to panel 162 of the
previously described embodiment.
Any suitable means may be provided for retracting lid
assembly 300 from its closed position to the open posi-tion illus-
trated in Figure 12. For example, hydraulic or electric motors,
29 either independently powered, if a source of power is readily
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available, or powered by the hydraulic or electric system of
collection vehicles may be provided. However, an advantage of
the lid assembly 300 is that little energy is required to move
it between the two above mentioned positions. Accorclingly, a
manual lid actuating mechanism is ~easible. Such a mechanism
is diagrammatically illustrated in Fiyure 14. ~s illustrated in
Figure 14, three chain sprockets 350, 352 and 354 are rotatably
`~1 mounted into each side wall 154 of the hopper section of the
container. A chain 356 is trained about sprockets 350, 352 and
354 as shown and its ends are secured in any suitable manner
to cross shaft 358 of rollers 322. A crank handle 360 is rotatably
mounted at the forward end of one side wall 154 o~ the hopper
section adjacent sprocket 352. A chain sprocket 362 is non
rotatably secured to handle 360 while a second cha:in sprocket
364 is mounted for rotation with chain sprocket 352 as illustrated
in Figure 14A. A second chain 366 is trained about sprocket 364
and 362. Thus, it will be seen that rota-tion of crank handle 360
in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14 will
tension chain 35G and cause the lid assembly to retract from the
closed position towards the open position. Sprockets 352, 362
and 364 are suitably sized to minimize the torque necessary to
effect rotation of crank handle 360~
It will be apparent that lid assembly 300 requires means
to maintain the assembly in its closed position while the container
is being discharged. A suitabIe means is illustrated in Figure 15
and includes an L-shaped lever arm 370 pivotally connected inter-
mediate its ends to side wall 154 of the hopper section by means
28 of a pivot pin-372. Lever arm 3iO is formed wi-th a transversely
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outwardly projecting leg 374 which is adapted to engage an
abutment 376 secured to panel 304 of the lid assembly. A
second lever 378 is rigidly secured at one end to lever arm
370 and depends downwardly therefrom. The free en~ 380 of
lever 378 is connected to one end o~ a flexible cable 382 while
the other end of the cable is partially wrapped around and
secured to pivot shaft 132 as shown. ~ spring 384 has one
end connected to the end of lever arm 370 opposite leg 37~ and
its other end connected to side wall 154 as shown in Figure 15
and biases lever arm 370 in a counter-clockwise direction.
Cable 382 is ad~usted such that leg 37~ of arm 370
assumes the position illustrated in solid lines in Figure 15.
In this position, the lid assembly is free to move to and from
its closed and open positions to permit charging of the container.
However, when the container is pivoted in a counter-clockwise
direction towards its discharging position, cable 382 will
unwrap from pivo-t shaft 132 and slacken. In so doing, spring
384 we will be permi-tted to retract and move lever arm 370 to
the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 15 wherein leg
37~ engages abutment 376, thus preventing retraction of the
lid assembly. ~s the container returns to its normal position
illustrated in Figure 10, cable 382 will again partially wrap
around shaft 132 and tension. This action will cause lever
arm 370 to return to the solid line position o~ Figure 15~
While a particular lid assembly locking means has been
described and illustrated it will be understood that various
alternatives may be provided. For example, appropriate means
28 may be provided to prevent rotation of cran~ handle 360. Such
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a means could be manually setta~le and releasable by the
collection vehicle operator.
Figure 16 illustrates an alternative container mounting
arrangement. This arrangement permits the container to be mounted
closer to the ground thereby reducing the height of the ramp
and associated expenses yet still permits the container to be
raised a sufficient height for discharging into a transportation
vehicle. This is achieved generally by rearwardly displacing
the pivot axis of the container as will be described hereinbelow.
The alternative mounting arrangement illustrated in
Figure 16 utilizes the same hydraulic actuating mechanism described
with respect to Figures 1 to 9 and, accordingly, the same
reference numerals have been used to designate the same or
similar elements.
As shown in Figure 16, the container of the previous
embodiments is modified by securing to the opposed ends of shaft
132 and to the side walls 154 of the hopper section a rearwardly
extending arm or plate 384. The free end 386 of each arm 384
is pivotally connected to frame 108 at the location thereon
where shaft 132 of the previous embodiments is connected. The
outer end of the piston rod of each hydxaulic cylinder 208 may
be connected to the arm 384 as shown in Figure 16 or may be
connected to either the side wall 154 of the hopper section or
side wall 144 of the container. In each of these cases, it will
be appreciated that outward displacement of the piston rods of
cylinders 204 and 208, as previously described, will cause the
container to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction about the
28 pivotal connection of the free ends 386 of arms 384 from the
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material receiving posi-tion illustrated in solid lines in
Figure 16 to the material discharge position illustrated in
dotted lines therein. As is evident from Figure 16, the arms
38~ permit the container to be raised well above the side walls
of the transportation vehicle while permitting the materîal
receiving opening of the container in its material receiving
position at a height which is less than that of the previous
embodiments. As a result, the height of the ramp necessary
to permit discharging into the container by collection vehicles
may be reduced and this, in turn, will tend to reduce the
cost of the transfer station.
The particular arrangement used will depend to some
extent upon the contour o~ the land selected ~or the transfer
station. If the location has a hill which would be suitable
for a xamp, the arrangement of Figures 1 to 9 may be utilized.
However, if it is necessary to construct a ramp, the arrangement
of Figure 16 would be preferred.
While the container illustrated in the previous embodiments
includes a lid assembly, it will be appreciated that there are
circumstances wherein a lid assembly would not be required. It
is within the spirit and scope of the present-invention, for
example, that a building could be construc-ted to enclose the trans-
fer station in its entirety including at least a portion o~
the ramp and the roadway for the transportation vehicles. In
such circumstances, the need of a lid assembly and i~s associated
operative mechanism is not as great.
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It should be understood further that the specific
configurations of lid assemblies described herein are for
illustrative purposes only. Various alternative assemblies
can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
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