Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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' INTERACTIVE WASTE RECEPTACLE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to structures for collecting refuse, such as may be
used, for
example, in a public eating area such as a fast-food restaurant or food court.
Background of the Invention
Maintenance of a clean eating area is an important objective for fast food
restaurants and food court management. It is desirable to encourage patrons to
deposit
their own trash in a refuse receptacle when finished eating. Patrons do not
like to use
refuse receptacles that are overflowing, and they often wish to dispose of
their refuse in a
touchless manner. It is particularly desirable to encourage children to
develop the habit
of depositing their refuse in a receptacle rather than to leave it lying on a
table.
One way to encourage use of waste receptacles by patrons is to ensure that the
receptacles are emptied in a timely manner, before they are jammed to
overflowing. This
involves a number of considerations. First, the amount of trash that can be
transported
away by staff members is limited. Typically, a refuse receptacle should be
emptied when
the amount of refuse in the receptacle is around 25 - 35 lbs. In some
locations the weight
of material to be manipulated by employees is restricted by regulation. Waste
from fast
food restaurants is often a relatively low density mixture, primarily of paper
and cartons
that may fill the receptacle well before the weight limit is reached. In that
situation the
receptacle will need to be emptied more often than should be necessary, with
the
additional requirement for the attention of staff that might better be
employed in other
tasks. In addition, since charges for refuse collection are often related to
volume, it is not
advantageous to ship low density trash. Consequently, in some instances it is
advantageous at least partially to compact the refuse, so that it need not be
emptied out as
often, and so that it may tend not to have excessive volume for shipping.
In a typical fast food outlet, or food court, some patrons are highly diligent
in the
disposal of refuse. Other patrons may not be willing to engage in a
particularly vigorous
search for a waste receptacle, and may only be willing to make a few steps out
of their
way to deposit trash. Consequently, the fast food restaurant or food court
will tend to
require several waste receptacles, spread out strategically. For example, it
is desirable to
have waste receptacles near each door or exit of the eating area, and placed
throughout
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the eating area according to the number of tables and chairs, and the distance
to the
nearest receptacle.
While it is desirable to have waste receptacles placed to cope with most, or
all,
contingencies, some locations may tend to be more heavily used than others.
One
approach to receptacle emptying is to have staff proceed on a regular rotation
from
receptacle to receptacle on a fixed schedule, and to empty all receptacles in
order. The
time period between rounds will then be determined by the average time in
which the
busiest receptacle is filled, less a margin to allow for filling at some times
to be faster
than at others. Such an approach may tend to have staff checking, and
emptying, the
majority of receptacles more often than necessary, and yet may still not be
o$en enough
for the busiest receptacles at peak times. Another approach is to wait until
it is visibly
apparent that the receptacles are full, and only to empty them at that time.
This may often
lead to an unsightly mess, and the extra effort required to clean up an
overflow. In
addition, when the bin is overfilled it may exceed the allowable weight.
Alternatively,
through experience an operator may develop a better schedule for checking and
emptying
receptacles, but will still tend to base collection schedules on estimates of
average or peak
filling rates that may not yield an optimal use of effort. Even then, such a
system depends
on employees adhering diligently to the schedule without being distracted. It
would be
preferable to use a system that notifies an operator that one receptacle or
another is
approaching a full condition, such that effort can be directed to dealing with
actual full
receptacles in a timely manner.
In high use locations, it may be advantageous to employ waste receptacles that
incorporate a compaction device. In relatively low use locations the
additional cost of a
compaction unit may not be as readily justified. Consequently an operator may
wish to
employ a variety, or array, of receptacles some (or perhaps all) having
compaction units,
and others (or perhaps all) that do not. The choice of compacting or non-
compacting
units, or a mix of both, will tend to vary according to the circumstances of
the specific
location.
An interactive receptacle may tend to present a number of advantages. When a
proximity sensor is employed, the door of the refuse bin can be opened for the
patron, so
that the patron need not necessarily touch the refuse receptacle. Many patrons
are put off
by the thought of touching other people's garbage, or the garbage can itself,
and the
ability to deposit trash in a touchless manner may tend to be more
hygienically appealing.
Further, it may be advantageous for the receptacle to be able to interact
audibly with the
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- patron. For example, a proximity sensor used to operate an audible, or
visible, signal may
alert a patron to the location of the waste receptacle, thereby encouraging
its use. A
verbal message given either by tape or digitally synthesized voice may be
attractive to
children, and can include a post-deposit message thanking the patron for
depositing the
S refuse in the bin. Children may tend to find obtaining a response from the
machine a
pleasurable experience. It may be advantageous to employ a program that
chooses from a
number of verbal responses selected according to feedback from internal weight
or
volume sensors. Programmable messages, and message synthesis may tend to
provide
flexibility according to the location, time of day, mix of clientele, and
local language, or
languages.
While the receptacle can be interactive with patrons, it can also be
interactive with
restaurant or food court personnel. Not only can a visual signal be provided
on the
receptacle unit itself to indicate, such as with an amber light "nearly full"
of a red light
1 S "full", but, in addition a radio or infra red signal can be transmitted to
a central
monitoring station, or, alternatively, to a mobile monitoring handset, or
communicated to
a cellular phone or other portable device carned by a staff member, to
indicate the status
of each unit in an array of receptacles. When provided with such a signal,
much of the
guess-work of monitoring the fullness of various units may tend to be reduced,
or largely
eliminated, with a corresponding potential improvement in efficiency and
savings in cost
and effort.
It sometimes occurs that receptacles are provided in sets of two or three,
whether
active (that is, having a compaction unit) or passive (that is, having a
receptacle without a
compaction unit). In terms of interactive units, a single processor may tend
to be able to
monitor a larger number of inputs than required for a single unit. In those
circumstances
it is advantageous to operate more than one receptacle with a single
processor, with
corresponding savings in cost and weight.
It has been observed that a number of patrons have pinched their fingers at
the
point at which the top of the refuse door meets the lintel of the refuse door
on closing. It
is desirable to make it more difficult for fingers to be pinched in this way.
The use of a
continuous hinge that does not close to a pinch may be advantageous in
achieving this
result.
It has also been observed that a proximity sensor with a relatively small,
more or
less conic sensing zone may not necessarily always sense patrons as quickly as
might be
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. desired, particularly if they approach from a relatively oblique direction.
That is, a
narrowly focused sensor may tend to open the refuse access door only when a
patron is
standing directly in front of the receptacle. Patrons do not, typically, wish
to wait for a
slow machine to respond, and may tend not to be stoically patient toward, or
tolerant of, a
lethargic response. It would be advantageous to employ a sensor with a
relatively wide
angled view to encourage opening of the refuse deposit door earlier.
When an electronic control unit is employed, either for interacting with
patrons,
for monitoring receptacle status, or for operating a compaction unit, it would
be
advantageous to be able to service the electronic control unit without undue
effort. To
that end, it would be advantageous to be able to service or remove an
electronic control
module relatively easily. Such servicing is facilitated if access to the
modules can be
simplified, as when the modules can slide to an exposed position.
Summary of the Invention
In an aspect of the invention there is a waste receptacle comprising a housing
having a space defined therein in which a quantity of refuse can be
accumulated. There is
an access door mounted to the housing. The access door is movable to an open
position
to permit refuse to be introduced into the space. There is an actuator
operable to move
the access door to the open position. A controller is connected to the
actuator. The
controller governs operation of the actuator. A sensor is mounted to detect
the presence
of patrons adjacent to the access door. The controller is operable to monitor
the sensor.
The controller is operable to cause the door to open when a patron is sensed
adjacent to
the door. An output signal member is operatively connected to the controller.
The output
signal member is operable to convey a message to the patron adjacent to the
access door.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the output signal
member is
a loudspeaker. In another additional feature, the controller is operable to
cause the output
signal member to emit a message chosen from the set of messages consisting of
a
digitally synthesized voice message and a taped voice message. In still
another additional
feature, the controller is programmable, to permit use of customized messages.
In yet another additional feature, the patron sensor includes a first sensing
element
and a second sensing element. The first sensing element is oriented to cover a
first
approach envelope. The second sensing element is oriented to cover a second
approach
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envelope. The first approach envelope is at least partially different from the
second
approach envelope.
In a further additional feature, the proximity sensor has a plurality of
illumination
elements. The plurality of illumination elements is co-operable to cover all
of the first
approach envelope. In still a further additional feature, the plurality of
illumination
elements includes at least a first illumination element oriented to cover at
least a first
portion of the first approach envelope of the first sensing element, and a
second
illumination element oriented to cover at least a second portion of the first
approach
envelope. The first and second illumination elements are co-operable to cover
all of the
first approach envelope.
In another additional feature, a refuse bin is mounted within the housing. The
bin
is placed to receive refuse introduced through the access door. In yet another
additional
feature, the housing includes a servicing door. The servicing door is movable
to an open
position to permit the bin to be emptied. In still another additional feature,
the waste
receptacle has a compaction unit mounted within the housing to compress refuse
accumulated therein.
In a further additional feature, the waste receptacle is free of compaction
units. In
still a further additional feature, the housing includes a servicing door by
which a refuse
bin can be stationed in the space to receive refuse introduced through the
access door. In
yet a further additional feature, the receptacle includes at least one refuse
sensor. The
sensor is operable to gauge the quantity of accumulated refuse. The controller
is operable
to monitor the refuse sensor. In another additional feature, at least one
refuse monitoring
sensor includes at least one sensor chosen from the set of sensors consisting
of a weight
sensor and a level sensor operable to gauge refuse accumulated on a volumetric
basis.
In still another additional feature, at least one of the refuse monitoring
sensors
includes at least one weight sensor and at least one level sensor. In yet
another additional
feature, a compaction unit is operatively connected to the controller. The
controller is
operable to cause the compaction unit to compress the accumulated refuse in
response to
a signal from the level sensor. In still yet another additional feature, the
controller is in
communication with a remote communication apparatus, and the controller and
the
remote receiving apparatus are co-operable to permit staff to be notified
remotely of a full
condition of the receptacle. In a further additional feature, the remote
communication
apparatus includes at least one telephonic communication element.
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In another additional feature, at least one telephonic communication element
is
chosen from the set of telephonic communications elements consisting of a cell
phone
and a beeper. In yet another additional feature, the receptacle is one member
of an array
of at least two receptacles in communication with the remote receiving
apparatus. In still
yet another additional feature, at least one of at least two receptacles
includes a refuse
compaction unit. In a further additional feature, at least one of at least two
waste
receptacles is free of refuse compaction units.
In another aspect of the invention, there is a waste receptacle system
comprising a
housing having a space defined therein in which refuse can be accumulated. An
access
door is mounted to the housing. The access door is movable to an open position
to permit
refuse to be introduced into the space. A sensor is mounted to detect the
presence of
accumulated refuse. The sensor is operable to indicate when the accumulated
refuse has
1 S reached a full condition. A control system is operable to monitor the
sensor. The control
system is operable to signal the full condition to a person remote from the
housing.
In a further aspect of the invention, there is a waste receptacle array
system,
comprising at least a first waste receptacle, a second waste receptacle, and a
remote
communication device located away from the first and second receptacles. The
first
waste receptacle has a housing having a space defined therein in which refuse
can be
accumulated. An access door is mounted to the housing. The access door is
movable to
an open position to permit refuse to be introduced into the space. A sensor is
mounted to
detect the presence of accumulated refuse. The sensor is operable to indicate
when the
accumulated refuse has reached a full condition. A control system is operable
to monitor
the sensor. The control system is operable to signal the full condition to the
remote
communication device located away from the housing. The second waste
receptacle has a
housing having a space defined therein in which refuse can be accumulated. An
access
door is mounted to the housing. The access door is movable to an open position
to permit
refuse to be introduced into the space. A sensor is mounted to detect the
presence of
accumulated refuse. The sensor is operable to indicate when the accumulated
refuse has
reached a full condition. A control system is operable to monitor the sensor.
The control
system is operable to signal the full condition to the remote communication
device.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the remote
communication
device is operable to notify staff of a full condition any of the first and
the second
receptacles. In another additional feature, the remote communication device
includes at
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- least one telephonic communication element. In still another additional
feature, at least
one telephonic communication element is chosen from the set of telephonic
communications elements consisting of a cell phone and a beeper.
In yet another additional feature, at least one of the at least two
receptacles
includes a refuse compaction unit. In still yet another additional feature, at
least one of
the at least two waste receptacles is free of refuse compaction units.
In another aspect of the invention, there is a waste receptacle comprising a
housing having a space defined therein in which a quantity of refuse can be
accumulated.
An access door is mounted to the housing. The access door is movable to an
open
position to permit refuse to be introduced into the space. An actuator is
operable to move
the access door to the open position. A controller is connected to the
actuator. The
controller governs operation of the actuator. A sensor is mounted to detect
the presence
of patrons adjacent to the access door. The controller is operable to monitor
the sensor.
The sensor has a first sensor element and a second sensor element. The first
sensor
element is positioned to observe a first approach envelope relative to the
access door.
The second sensor element is positioned to observe a second approach envelope
relative
to the access door. The first approach envelope and the second approach
envelope taken
together covers a total approach envelope greater than the first range alone,
and greater
than the second range alone.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the proximity sensor
has a
plurality of illumination elements. The plurality of illumination elements is
co-operable
to cover all of the first approach envelope. In another additional feature,
the plurality of
illumination elements includes at least a first illumination element oriented
to cover at
least a first portion of the first approach envelope of the first sensing
element, and a
second illumination element is oriented to cover at least a second portion of
the first
approach envelope. The first and second portions overlap each other.
In a further additional feature, the first sensing element and the second
sensing
element are mounted on a common base, and are spaced apart from each other on
the
base. In still another additional feature, the first sensing element and the
second sensing
element are mounted to a common base. The first sensing element is oriented at
a first
angle relative to the base. The second element is oriented at a different
angle relative to
the base.
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In yet a further additional feature, the sensor has a base, and a vertical
plane of
symmetry of the base extends normal to the base away from the waste
receptacle. The
- first approach envelope lies at least predominantly to one side of the
plane, and the
second approach envelope lies predominantly to the other side of the plane.
In another additional feature, the first and second approach envelopes
overlap. In
still another additional feature, the sensor includes at least two
illumination elements
placed to co-operate with the first sensing element. In yet another additional
feature, each
of the first and second approach envelopes is illuminated, at least in part,
by more than
one illumination element.
In a further additional feature, the sensor is an infra red proximity sensor.
In yet a
further additional feature, the sensor includes infra red light emitting
diodes and the first
and second approach envelopes are illuminated by the light emitting diodes.
In another aspect of the invention, there is a waste receptacle. It has a
housing
having a space defined therein in which refuse can be accumulated. The housing
has a
first panel. The first panel has an opening formed therein through which
refuse can be
introduced into the space. An access door is mounted to the first panel, the
access door
being movable to an open position to permit refuse to be introduced into the
space. The
housing and the access door mate along respective straight edges and are
joined by a
hinge running parallel to the straight edges. The panel has a first inner face
and a first
outer face. The access door has a second inner face and a second outer face.
The hinge
has first and second wings mounted to the first and second inner faces of the
panel and
the door respectively. The hinge has a hinge pin. Each of the first and second
wings have
tabs bent about the hinge pin. The hinge pin is mounted adjacent to the first
and second
outer faces of the panel and the access door respectively.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the tabs are formed
on a
circular arc to engage the pin. The tabs have an outer radius. The first and
second outer
surfaces lie in a plane when the access door is closed. The tabs lie tangent
to the plane.
In a further additional feature, at least one of (a) the panel and (b) the
access door, is
inwardly relieved, such as by a chamfer, to accommodate pivoting motion of the
access
door about the hinge to an open position.
In a still further additional feature, at least one of (a) the first wing and
(b) the
second wing of the hinge has a proximal portion adjacent the hinge pin and a
distal
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- portion lying away from the hinge pin. The proximal portion is joined to the
distal
portion at a bend. In yet another feature, the bend is a dog leg formed to
seat the first
proximal portion and the distal portion about a chamfer.
In yet another feature, the hinge is a continuous hinge extending along the
majority of the length of the respective straight edges. In a still further
feature, the hinge
pin has a pivot axis and the axis lies closer to the outer face of the panel
than to the inner
face. In another feature, the closed position of the door the proximal portion
of the first
wing and the proximal portion of the second wing are oriented at an acute
included angle
from each other, and as the access door is moved to an open position the
included angle
diminishes.
In another feature, in the closed position of the access door, the proximal
portion
of the first wing of the hinge lies in a first plane. The proximal portion of
the second
wing lies in a second plane. The first and second planes intersect along a
line of
intersection. The hinge pin has a pivot axis. The line of intersection lies
further from the
inner face of the first panel than the hinge pin axis. In a still further
additional feature, the
line of intersection of the first and second planes moves further away from
the hinge pin
axis as the access door is opened.
Brief Description of Drawings
Figure 1 shows a plan view of an eating area served by waste receptacles
employing the principles of the present invention;
Figure 2a is a general arrangement isometric view of an example of a
compacting
waste receptacle used in the eating area of Figure 1;
Figure 2b is a view of the compactor of Figure 2a with portions of its
external
panelling removed to expose the internal structure of the compactor in an
extended position;
Figure 2c is a view of the compactor of Figure 2a with portions of its
external
panelling removed to expose the internal structure of the compactor in a
retracted position;
Figure 3 is a cross-section of the compactor of Figure 2a taken at section '3 -
3',
and showing the structure of a door mechanism;
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Figure 4 is a three quarter view of a door panel of the compactor of Figure
2a;
Figure 5 is an isometric exploded view of elements of the drive system of the
compactor of Figure 2a;
Figure 6 is a cross section of some of the drive elements of Figure 5 as
assembled;
Figure 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the compactor of Figure 3;
Figure 8 illustrates a portion of the operating logic of the compactor of
Figure 2a;
Figure 9 illustrates another portion of the operating logic of the compactor
of
Figure 2a;
Figure 10 illustrates a lower portion of an alternative embodiment of a waste
compactor for co-operation with a rolling bin;
Figure l la shows an isometric view of a non-compacting two bin waste
receptacle
used in the eating area of Figure 1, with service doors closed;
Figure l 1b shows the waste receptacle of Figure l la with a servicing door
open;
Figure 11 c shows a partial view of the waste receptacle of Figurel l a with
control
module exposed in an outward position;
Figure lld shows the control module of Figure llc in an open position;
Figure l 1e shows a view of the control module of Figure l lc from underneath;
Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a refuse receiving door of the waste
receptacle of Figure l la;
Figure 13a shows a top view of a cross-section of a patron sensor taken on
section
'13a -13a' of Figure 12; and
Figure 13b shows an electrical schematic of the patron sensor of Figure 13a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein, are
provided
by way of illustration of an example of a particular embodiment, or examples
of particular
embodiments, of the principles of the present invention. These examples are
provided for
the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of
the invention.
In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the
specification and the
drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not
necessarily to
scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order
more clearly to
depict certain features of the invention
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In Figure 1 an eating area is indicated generally as A20. Eating area A20
could be
the seating area of a fast food restaurant, or the shared seating area of a
food court. In the
embodiment illustrated eating area A20 has a large number of tables A22 and
chairs A24
distributed along aisles A26. Retail food counters at which patrons can
purchase
S beverages and food are indicated as A28, A30, and A32. One aisle, or corndor
A34 leads
to restrooms, and to an exit A36 to an adjacent play area and park (not
shown). An aisle
A38 leads to doors leading outside to a park or parking lot (not shown). A
further
corndor A40 leads through an open gallery into an adjacent shopping mall.
High traffic, compacting refuse receptacles A42 and A44 are located at the
head
of corridor A40 next to the seating area. Medium traffic, passive (that is,
non-
compacting) double unit receptacles A46 and A48 are placed adjacent to the end
of aisle
A38 next to the parking lot. Low traffic single unit passive receptacle A50 is
placed
adjacent to the door to the play area near corridor A34, and a further two
single unit
1 S passive receptacles A52 and A54 are located some distance along corridor
A40 to provide
a further opportunity for patrons to dispose of food wrappings before moving
into the
stores of the adjacent mall. A waste disposal office A60 is located at the end
of eating
area A20 and has a rear exit A61 at which waste disposal vehicle can be loaded
to carry
away the collected waste. Waste disposal office A60 also includes a monitoring
station
A62 at which the status of the various receptacles A42, A44, A46, A48, A50,
A52 and
A54 are monitored. Each of receptacles A42, A44, A46, A48, A50, A52 and A54 is
equipped with a signal transmitter that communicates with a remote
communication
apparatus including a computer console A64 of monitoring station A62 either
along a
fixed land line wire, or by radio. A staff member, shown as a stick man A65,
has a
telephonic communication device in the nature of a cell phone A67 that is
operable to
receive messages sent by monitoring station A62 to provide notification that
one or
another of the waste receptacles requires attention. As illustrated, item A67
is
representative of not only cell phones, but of other electronic devices such
as beepers.
Monitoring station A62, and console A64 need not be stationary, but can be
portable
devices, such as can be carned by a staff member doing rounds or other duties.
Each of the receptacles has a weight sensor and a volume sensor. The weight
sensor indicates the weight of material collected in the bin. This weight is
compared by
the control module with the allowable weight, and a corresponding full or
partially full
signal is generated accordingly. Similarly, the volumetric sensors in the
passive units
indicate when the bin is nearly full, or full, in terms of volume of refuse,
without regard to
weight. Inasmuch as the control module is programmable, it can be provided
with local
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regulatory information, such as allowable weight, to store in memory. The
control
module can be used to provide not only "full" or "almost full" signals, but
also a real time
' indication of either the actual signalled weight, or the signalled level
observed at the
weight and volumetric sensors. When one or another of the receptacles provides
a nearly
full, or full indication, staff can then respond to the signal to empty that
specific
receptacle, such as by having a display console present a real-time read out
in a central
office. In the preferred embodiment staff are not required to wait at
monitoring station
A62, but rather are provided with cell phones, although another type of
telephonic device,
such as a beeper could be used as an alternative. Console A64 includes a
microprocessor
that sends a phone message (which can, for example, be by wireless telephony
or by land
line as may be convenient) to the staff member when one or other receptacle
requires
attention. Thus when no receptacle requires emptying, staff may continue to
attend to
other tasks rather than waiting idly.
Each of the receptacles units of A42, A44, A46, A48, A50, A52 and A54 has a
proximity sensor, or sensor assembly A55, mounted to sense the approach of
patrons.
Proximity sensor assembly A55 has a wide angled scope, or range of coverage
feature,
described below, so that it may tend to sense patrons approaching from a
relatively wide
range of directions. When the presence of a patron is sensed by proximity
sensor
assembly A55, the internal computer of the receptacle causes the refuse inlet
door to
open. When the door is opened, patrons can deposit refuse in the bin of the
receptacle,
without having to touch anything other than their own tray. That is, they may
tend to be
able to make a "touchless" deposit of refuse. The units also each include a
speaker. This
permits the computer to emit audible signals to passersby, and, in particular,
to speak to
patrons. When first sensed, the receptacle can provide an encouraging message,
such as
"I am hungry, please feed me". When the refuse has been deposited, the
receptacle can
emit the audible message "Thank You", or some other suitable phrase. Thus each
receptacle is able to operate interactively with either the patrons, or with
staff.
As noted above, eating area A20, is served by an array of waste receptacle
units
that includes both compacting units, such as units A42 or A44, and units that
are free of
compaction apparatus, such as units A46, A48 and A50. Each of units A42 and
A44 is a
double unit, made up of two single compaction units, such as unit 20,
described in greater
detail below. Each of non-compacting units A46 and A48 is a double unit of two
non-
compacting receptacle assemblies, such as the double unit 350, also described
in greater
detail below.
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- For the purpose of avoiding repetition and duplication of description
herein,
although unit 20 is a single unit, and unit 350 is a double unit, compacting
units such as
unit 20 can be made in a double unit housing, with the same general format as
unit 350,
and non-compacting units can be made in a single unit housing, such as the
single unit
S housing of unit 20. Similarly, although unit 20 employs an internal
skeleton, or frame, of
steel members and external panel members mounted to the steel frame skeleton,
compaction units can be made with a housing made of panels forming an
exoskeleton,
mounted atop a wheeled undercarnage in the manner of housing 364 described
below,
suitable for the forces experienced during compacting. Conversely, passive
units can be
made with internal steel frame skeletons, as in unit 20. Similarly, a wheeled
bin
assembly, namely bin 28, could, be used in a non-compacting waste receptacle,
and an
un-wheeled bin could be used in a compacting receptacle, subject to the
ability to align
the bin relative to the compacting unit, and to providing a load path for
reaction of the
compaction forces. Similarly too, a slide-mounted control unit, or a wide
angled
proximity sensor, or an interactive voice signal apparatus as used in unit 350
could be
placed in unit 20, and a single control unit can be employed to operate a pair
of
compaction units sharing a common housing. That is, in general, and with due
regard to
the forces and functions of the various elements, a feature shown in the
context of unit
350 can be taken as being suitable for use in the context of unit 20, and a
feature shown in
the context of unit 20 can be taken as being suitable for use in the context
of unit 350,
without further need for specific description of each possible combination and
permutation of these features.
By way of a general conceptual overview of a single compacting unit, such as
used in pairs in the double units A42 and A44, in operation, a person carrying
a tray of
garbage approaches a garbage compactor unit 20 such as is shown in Figure 2a.
A
proximity sensor identified as door sensor 22 is mounted to peer through an
aperture 23
in the front panel 24 of unit 20 to sense the approach of a patron adjacent to
panel 24.
When a person approaches unit 20 with a tray, a refuse receiving access door,
indicated as
inlet door 26, opens. Garbage introduced at door 26 falls inside unit 20 to
collect in a
receptacle in the nature of a garbage bin 28 that has a liner, or bag 29 for
collecting
refuse. After a number of such deposits the loose pile of garbage in bin 28
will be
sufficiently high to activate a sensor mounted to detect the presence of
accumulated
refuse, identified as pile sensor 30. A compression unit in the nature of a
scissors jack
mechanism 32 is then extended to compress the garbage. Once the compression is
complete, mechanism 32 retracts and awaits the next full signal from pile
sensor 30
before compressing the garbage again. When the unit reaches a full condition,
an
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' annunciator, or signalling device in the nature of a signal light 34,
signals for an operator
to open front panel 24, which is hinged to form a door, to remove the
collected garbage.
In addition, or as a preferable alternative, an electronic control unit
conveys a message to
remote monitoring station A62 to inform the operator of the full condition.
Refernng to Figures 2a, 2b,and 2c, the structural skeleton of unit 20 is a
support
structure in the nature of a frame 40 that has four hollow square steel tube
corner uprights
42, 44, 46, and 48 whose bottom ends are joined by lower front, rear and side
peripheral
tube members 50, 52, 54, and 56, and whose top ends are joined by upper front,
rear and
side peripheral tube members 58, 60, 62 and 64. Frame 40 has mounting tabs, 66
to
permit the mounting of the outer casing made up of left and right hand side
panels 68 and
70, front panel 72, rear panel 74, and top panel 76. When assembled, unit 20
forms
an enclosure, or housing, that has a space, or accommodation, in which a
receptacle for
accumulating refuse, such as bin 28, can be received. When unit 20 is in
operation, ribs
80 and 82 carry the reaction force on bin 28 to the other members of frame 40.
This load
path forms a closed loop since the other end of the compression unit is also
mounted,
ultimately, to frame 40 as will be described below. Thus the force of
compression is
contained within unit 20, and is not passed to the ground. Frame 40 has a pair
of
intermediate cross bars, in the nature of ribs 80 and 82, extending between
lower front
and rear peripheral tube members 50 and 52 to support bin 28, and to carry, on
their lower
face, a bottom closure panel 84. Frame 40 itself rests on rollers 86 mounted
at each
corner, although it could rest on non-rolling feet. A pair of sidewall cross
supports 88 and
90 extend between uprights 42, 44 and 46, 48 respectively.
Mechanism 32 is also mounted to frame 40. A pair of relatively deep main left
and right hand fore-and-aft stringers 92 and 94 are mounted to uprights 42, 44
and 46, 48
at a level corresponding generally to the upper extremity of inlet door 26. A
pair of
generally parallel front and rear main cross braces 96 and 98 span the
distance between
stringers 92 and 94, inset asymmetrically from uprights 42 through 48, such
that a
centerline drawn between, and parallel to braces 96 and 98 is closer to the
back of unit 20
than to the front. A main motor 100 is mounted to a motor mount 102 that
extends like a
bridge between braces 96 and 98. A motor belt tensioning strut is indicated as
104 and
extends between brace 96 and motor 100. Also mounted across braces 96 and 98
is a
controller enclosure 106 that houses the programmable logic circuitry (that
is, the
electronic controller) that governs operation of unit 20. Enclosure 106 is
removable as a
module for repair, maintenance and upgrade as required. The electronic
controller can be
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' programmed on site to permit customized aural messages to be registered in
memory (or
on tape) for later emission to patrons or servicing personnel.
It is preferred that the controller housed within enclosure 106 be in
communication such as by wireless radio transmission with a remote monitoring
apparatus, such as monitoring station A62, whether the monitoring station is
in a fixed
location or is a portable unit carried by staff.
Refernng to Figures 2b, 3 and 5, motor 100 is slung from mount 102 and
supported by braces 96 and 98 as noted above, in a position to be concealed
behind front
panel 72 and below top panel 76. It is located within the enclosure envelope
of unit 20 in
the location least likely to accumulate splattered material. Motor 100 is a
1/2 h.p.
reversible, 4 pole single phase induction electric motor with a nominal speed
of 1725
r.p.m. It turns a small pulley 110 which is linked by a timing belt 112 to a
driven sheave
1 S 114. The speed reduction in this step has a ratio of 1:3. Sheave 114 is
mounted to turn a
jack screw 116. Jack screw 116 is a 3/4" acme screw having 6 threads per inch.
It is
carned in bearings 118 at either end mounted in stringers 92 and 94.
Mounted in threaded engagement with jack screw 116 is a crosshead yoke
assembly 120, shown in the exploded detail of Figure 5 and in the cross-
section of Figure
6. It has a socket formed by mounting a sleeve 122 perpendicularly to a
transverse yoke
beam 124. A capture plate 126 is attachable at the bolt bosses of sleeve 122
to capture a
spacer, 127, a resilient cushioning member in the nature of a spring 128, and
a screw
follower, or screw engaging member in the nature of a Delrin (T.M.) nut 130.
As
assembled, nut 130 functions as a screw follower, and the remainder of
assembly 120 acts
as a drag member for governing the motion of whatever is attached to the ends
of yoke
beam 124. Spring 128 is located to transmit motion, in at least one direction,
between the
screw follower, nut 130, and the drag member.
When the drive system is returning to is initial, retracted position, the
notched
portions of beam 124, activates a microswitch 134 mounted to brace 98 to cause
the unit to
stop. In the time delay while this occurs and motor 100 decelerates, nut 130
will continue to
travel, but will slow down as it compresses spring 128. The presence of spring
128 causes
the stop to occur more smoothly, and over a longer period of time, than might
otherwise be
the case. It discourages the jerking motion sometimes seen with this kind of
equipment. A
through bore through all of assembly 120 accommodates screw 116. In an
alternative
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' embodiment, springs can be placed to either side of Delrin (T.M.) nut 130 to
cushion motion
in both directions.
Transverse yoke beam 124 has, mounted at either end thereof, stub shafting 138
and 140 at either end, upon which a pair of primary translating arms in the
nature of front
and rear first scissor arm links 142 and 144 are mounted in bushings. At the
outer
extremities of yoke beam 128 are a pair of front and rear upper cam followers
in the
nature of rollers 146 and 148, that ride along respecting front and rear upper
cam tracks
150 and 152. Cross braces 96 and 98 are channel shaped sections with mutually
inwardly
facing toes such that the profile of the channel itself yields tracks 150 and
152.
A pair of front and rear primary pivoting arms 154 and 156 are mounted to
pivot
at one end on bushings mounted at fixed pivot points spaced apart on a common
pivot
axis shaft 158 perpendicular to jack screw 116 and cam tracks 150 and 152 such
that the
linear path of the centers of rollers 146 and 148 lies on a radius extending
perpendicularly
away from the axis of shaft 158. Pivoting arms 154 and 156 are linked to
scissor arm
links 142 and 144 by a primary fulcrum pivot shaft 160 located midway between
the
respective ends of links 142, 144, and arms 154 and 156. In the preferred
embodiment
fulcrum shaft 160 is located at the mid-point of each of the respective arms,
but this is not
a necessary condition for the operation of such scissors devices in general.
Connected in folding-accordion fashion to the distal ends of arms 154 and 156
and
links 142 and 144, are respective front and rear secondary pivoting arms 162
and 164, and
secondary translating links 166 and 168. These pairs of arms are also cross
linked at their
respective end joints by intermediate pivot shafts 170 and 172. As shown in
Figure 3
arms 162 and 164 are stepped outward from arms 154 and 156 to lie generally in
the same
respective vertical planes as links 142 and 144. Similarly, links 166 and 168
are stepped
inwardly of links 142 and 144 to lie in the same respective vertical planes as
arms 154
and 156. At their most extreme points, arms 162 and 164 are pivotally mounted
in fixed
location bushings on a common shaft 174 mounted to the upper side of a
compression
member in the nature of a pressure plate 176. Links 166 and 168 have outwardly
extending stub shafts and rollers 178 and 180 that are engaged in slides, in
the nature of
trackways 182 and 184 formed from channels mounted to the upper face of
pressure plate
176. Rollers 178 and 180 share a common shaft 188. As above, secondary arms
162 and
164 and secondary links 166 and 168 cross in scissors like fashion. They are
linked on a
common fulcrum axis by secondary fulcrum shaft 186.
20853413.1
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As illustrated, shafts 138, 140, 158, 160, 170, 172, 174, 186 and 188 are all
intended to be parallel. Shafts 138, 140, 172 and 188 are coplanar. Shafts
158, 170 and
174 are coplanar. Shafts 160 and 186 are coplanar. The linear paths traced by
the center
of rollers 178 and 180 lie on radii extending perpendicular to the axis of
shaft 174. From
this geometry, the paths of trackways 150, 152, 182 and 184 are all mutually
parallel, and
perpendicular to the axes of the various shafts. For this geometry the
direction of
extension and retraction of pressure plate will be in a direction parallel to
the bisector of
the angle at fulcrum shaft 160 defined between the legs of line 142 (or 144)
and arm 154
(or 156) that have feet constrained, respectively to pivot about shaft 158 and
to follow the
linear path of trackways 150 and 152.
Also, in the case of the geometry illustrated, this bisector will lie in the
plane of
the axes of shaft 160 and 186. The pivot axes 158 and 174, respectively fixed
in location
relative to the support structure of braces 96 and 98, and to pressure plate
176, always lie
to one side of this plane. The axes of rollers 146, 148, 178 and 180 which are
constrained
to follow the linear paths of their respective trackways, always lie to the
other side of the
bisector plane. Furthermore, as shown, the bisector plane is perpendicular to
the linear
travel of the rollers in the trackways. While the geometry of linkages of this
type can be
varied, the inventors have found it convenient for the fulcrums to be located
at the mid
point of the members (that is items 142, 144, 154, 156, 162, 164, 166 and
168), and for
the members to be of equal lengths.
Given the mechanical relationship of motor 100, jackscrew 116 and scissor
mechanism 32 generally as described above, forward operation of motor 100 to
drive
sheave 114 will tend to draw crosshead yoke assembly 120 toward the axis of
shaft 158,
extending scissor mechanism 32. The vertical force exerted by plate 176 for a
given
torque in jackscrew 116 will tend to increase as the arms and links extend. As
pressure
plate 176 encounters more resistance in compressing garbage, at whatever
height, motor
100 will tend to draw a greater current and produce a greater torque until the
chosen
current limit is reached. This load can be measured directly, with load cells
or other
devices, or it can be measured indirectly by measuring motor current to give
suitable
feedback.
Whether the scissors mechanism is a single scissors mechanism having a single
fulcrum axis, a double scissors mechanism having two fulcrum axes as
illustrated, or a
multiple scissors mechanism having a larger number of fulcrum axes, scissor
mechanisms
have, in general, an input end having a pair of legs extending from a common
fulcrum
20853413.1
CA 02335690 2001-02-13
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' axis, and an output pair of members, arms, or fingers, extending from a
fulcrum axis. In
the case of a single scissors mechanism, the fulcrum axis will be the same in
both
instances. The legs at the input end will have feet, or toes, that are
alternately drawn
together to extend the mechanism, and driven apart to retract it. At the
output, there are
feet mounted to a device to be extended.
In the preferred embodiment the input feet are the ends of input arms 154 and
156
that are constrained to pivot about the axis of shaft 158, and the ends of
links 142 and 144
that are constrained to follow the linear path traced by rollers 146 and 148
along
trackways 150 and 152. The output feet are the ends of the secondary pivoting
arms 162
and 164, constrained to pivot about the axis of shaft 174, and the ends of
secondary
translating links 166 and 169 that are constrained to follow the linear path
of rollers 178
and 180 in trackways 182 and 184.
It would be possible to use only one scissors mechanism, but lateral stiffness
is
improved by mounting two such systems in spaced apart parallel relationship,
as shown
in the preferred embodiment. That is, the front mechanism, which includes arm
156, is
parallel to the rearward mechanism, which includes arm 158. It would also he
nn~~;htP r~
use a different kind of compression unit, whether a mechanism that depends on
gears,
hydraulics, of a vertical screw driving a plate. Unit 20 is intended to
provide a moderate
amount of compaction to relatively loose, mostly paper garbage of the kind
found, for
example, in malls and at fast food restaurants and the like. The electrically
driven
scissors mechanism of Figure 3 is preferred, since it permits unit 20 to be
free of a
hydraulic system and hydraulic fluid.
The fixed axes of shafts 158 and 174 may tend to reduce the tendency of plate
176
to twist as compression occurs, as compared to a scissors mechanism in which
both sides
are permitted to travel. A reduction in twistine is desirahle_ c;n~P ;r
rPrt"rPe r>,P
probability that plate 176 will ride against, and damage, the inner walls of
bin 28. Such
twisting can further be discouraged by the use of gears and torque tubes, as
noted below
since this will tend to compel the legs, that is the translating links, to
advance in their
trackways at the same rate.
Operation of mechanism 32 occurs after garbage has been deposited through
inlet
door 26 of front panel 72. Figure 4 shows the inner face of front panel 72. A
generally
rectangular opening 190 is defined in the upper region of panel 72, and a door
26, of a
size to mate with opening 190 pivots inwardly and upwardly of panel 72 about a
hinge
20853413.1
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' 192 extending along the upper margin of door 26 and opening 190. A scrap
section of a
door covering 194 is shown. For the purposes of explanatory illustration cover
194 has
been removed except for the partial section indicated. In actual use covering
194 covers
all of the working parts mounted to door 26, as described below, to discourage
the
accumulation of sticky materials on them.
Located on the upper portion of door 26 is a cam follower made of a bracket
196
fastened to door 26 by rivets, screws or other means. Bracket 196 has an
inwardly and
upwardly extending arm 198. An actuator arm 200 is mounted to frame 40 and is
driven
by a door motor and driving linkage 202 provided that the compression member
is in its
retracted, or inactive position, when door sensor 22 senses that a person is
approaching to
dump garbage, actuator arm 200 is driven forward to engage inwardly extending
arm
198. Although actuator arm 200 and door motor and linkage 202 are mounted to
motor
mount 102 in front of brace 96, they are shown in Figure 4 to illustrate the
spatial
relationship to arm 198. As the motion continues, inwardly extending arm 198
rides
against actuator arm 200 as a cam follower follows a cam, until door 26
reaches its fully
open position. Door 26 is held in the fully open position as long as sensor 22
is activated.
When sensor 22 is deactivated, and after a time delay of 2.0 seconds, actuator
arm 200 is
returned to its initial, inactive position. Notably, door 26 is not driven
closed to lessen the
probability of catching a person's fingers. If a person's fingers are still in
the door, then
only the weight of the door will bear against them. The logic of this process
is set out in
the flow chart of Figure 8.
An alternate, preferred access door actuator mounting arrangement is shown in
Figures lld and 11e. In that arrangement the door actuator is mounted to the
face plate
of the electronic control unit frame, and is in a fixed position relative to
the control unit.
When the servicing door is closed inwardly extending arm 158 is located in a
position for
engagement by the actuator arm.
On the lower inside portion of door 26 there is a solenoid 210 arranged to
extend
or retract a connecting rod 212. Connecting rod 212 bears upon a crank 214
mounted to
pivot about a fulcrum 216. A pair of links 218 and 220 each have one end
mounted to
crank 214, one between fulcrum 216 and rod 212, and the other being to the
other side of
fulcrum 216. The distal ends of links 218 and 220 are restrained by a slide
222 or 224
respectively. Slides 222 and 224 are located to place the distal ends of links
218 and 220
opposite to a pair of door lock sockets 226 and 228 mounted on the inside face
of panel
26. In the general case, when pile sensor 30 has not received a high garbage
signal,
20853413.1
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solenoid 210 is inactive. Its coil is not energized, and so its body is
relatively cool. When
it is activated, rod 212 is forced outward to turn crank 214 about fulcrum
216, in turn
driving links 218 and 220 outward through slides 222 and 224, and into locking
engagement in sockets 226 and 228. Notably, unlike a known type of garbage
compactor
in which a solenoid is used to engage a locking socket, neither slides 222 and
224 nor
sockets 226 and 228 is hot, so the tendency for sticky liquids to dry and
become
encrusted is reduced. Solenoid 210 does become warm when cycled "On", but is
less
exposed.
As noted above, scissors mechanism 32 will not be activated until door 26 is
locked closed. To achieve this, a full travel microswitch 230 is mounted to
panel 36 and
is activated when the locking mechanism is driven fully home. Rod 212 has a
return
spring 232 to urge links 218 and 220 toward their disengaged position when
solenoid 210
is deactivated. An alternate, preferable access door locking system employs a
solenoid
mounted to the inside face of the door jamb to engage a socket in the moving
access door.
Also as noted above, unit 20 includes a level, or proximity, sensor indicated
as
pile sensor 30 for sensing the height of the pile of garbage in bin 28. Pile
sensor 30 is
mounted to frame 40 at an angle to rear panel 38 of unit 20. It is aimed to
sense pile
height closer to the rear of bin 28 than to the front, on the general
assumption that the
trajectory of the garbage entering through door 26 will generally result in a
pile that is
deeper toward the back than toward the front. Pile sensor 30 is a background
suppressed
sensor. It is looking for a pile height that is nominally 16 inches, as
indicted in Figure 9.
However, it will be understood that loose garbage is unlikely to collect in a
level manner
at a precise height. Rather, there will be a random variation of height within
bin 28. The
pile sensor does not rely on brightness of reflection, since that may vary
according to the
reflectivity of the particular object. Instead, sensor 30 has a pair of beams
that cross at a
focus, such that the device detects whether any object is present, rather than
how bright
the reflection may be. Pile sensor 30 provides a means for gauging the level
of refuse in
the receptacle in an approximate manner.
As reflected in the logic of Figure 9, when an object is detected by pile
sensor 30,
the system tests to make sure that the signal persists for a significant
period of time, at
least 5 seconds in the preferred embodiment, to allow the garbage to settle
somewhat. If
the sensor still senses the presence of garbage after 5 seconds then a signal
is sent to lock
door 26 in the closed position. Once it is confirmed that door 26 is locked
then the
compression unit is activated in response to the signal from pile sensor 30.
Motor 100
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begins to drive jack screw 116 to extend mechanism 32, carrying pressure plate
176
downward as it does so.
The time of operation of motor 100, and its current draw are monitored. The
extension (and retraction) can occur in any of three regimes. First, if motor
100 operates
for less than 3 seconds, and yet the current draw is 120 % of the design rated
current
draw, then the controller infers that bin 28 is full. Jack screw 116 is turned
in the other
direction, and the "receptacle full" signal light 34 is activated to tell
staff to empty bin 28.
The second regime is a load limited regime. If the motor current then
increases to
exceed the preset value, then the controller infers that plate 176 has
encountered material,
and has compacted it enough to reach the desired density. In that case the
extension
stroke ends, plate 176 is retracted to its initial, or inactive stored
position, and unit 20
goes into a waiting mode until sensor 30 again senses material. The use of a
load limit in
this way may tend to encourage longer motor life.
In the third regime, if motor 100 current does not reach the limiting value,
then a
full travel microswitch 234, mounted to brace 98, will be activated by the
notched end of
yoke beam 124 when plate 176 reaches full stroke displacement limit.
Microswitches 134
and 234 are mounted in line, roughly 8 inches apart, on brace 98. In the
preferred
embodiment the full stroke displacement limit corresponds to 90 % of full
stroke length
that would occur if the mechanism were allowed to advance until the scissor
arms
jammed. The microswitch can be set to be tripped by plate 176, or by some part
of
mechanism 32 or by counting the number of turns of motor 100, or any other
suitable
means. It is preferred to measure the travel of the sleeve on the jack screw,
since this part
of the mechanism is less likely to accumulate splattered material. In the
event that
microswitch 234 is tripped, the logical inference is that bin 28 is almost
empty. Plate 176
is then retracted to its rest position above the level of door 26.
When the full condition is reached, signal light 34 on the front console of
the unit
is illuminated, to notify the operator to empty bin 28. In addition, a message
is
transmitted by the electronic controller to monitoring station A62. The
control module is
capable of sending real time date of the sensed by the weight and level
sensors to
monitoring station A62 to permit staff to observe the actual values for the
various
receptacles. The controller module is also operable to generate messages to
servicing
personnel and patrons when the either (a) the receptacle is full, in which
case a message
such as "This waste receptacle is presently full, please use another" can be
conveyed; or
20853413.1
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(b) the compactor is in operation, in which case a message such as "The
compactor will
be finished operation soon, please wait" can be conveyed. In an optional
embodiment the
motor controller can count the elapsed time to end of stroke on a current
based limit.
When it is less than, for example, 3 seconds, a light 236 of one colour, such
as yellow,
can be illuminated to warn the operator that bin 28 is almost full, and a red
light, such as
signal light 34 can be illuminated when the "receptacle full" condition is
reached. A
number of other output signal members, or devices, could be used alternatively
or
additionally for indicating the amount of garbage collected in the receptacle,
or for
conveying messages to patrons or staff. Either an LED display 238 showing the
percentage of fullness or a direct weight measurement, or a gauge 240 with a
pointer on a
scale, or similar mechanical or electrical system, or a speaking synthesized
voice system,
or taped message system, including a loudspeaker 242, could be used.
It should be noted that the programmable controller polls the status of door
sensor
22 and pile sensor 30 continuously. If one of these becomes active, then
operation of the
other part of the system is inhibited. That is, if the compactor is operating,
door 26 will
not be opened, whatever sensor 22 may indicate. Similarly, if door 26 is being
held open
in response to a signal from sensor 22, the compaction unit will be disabled
while door 26
is open. If the controller senses input signals that are contradictory, then
it inhibits both
door 26 and scissors mechanism 32 from working, and displays and transmits a
fault
warning instead. This fault warning can be a flashing light signal, as from
light 34, or a
fault code display on LED display 238, or by use of some similar audio or
visual warning
means as well as a radio message sent to monitoring station A62. If one of the
sensors
becomes inoperative, as for example, if pile sensor 30 were to be covered with
ketchup,
then a warning signal is displayed and transmitted accordingly.
Pressure plate 176 has an upwardly bent lip 244 along its front edge. In an
alternative embodiment as illustrated in Figure 7, the entire periphery of
pressure plate
176 has an upwardly extending lip or skirt 246 to discourage material from
accumulating
on top of plate 176. In addition, an inwardly oriented flexible wiper 248
(shown in
Figure 3) is mounted to the inside faces of front panel 72, rear panel 74,
left hand side
panel 68 and right hand side panel 70 at a level roughly corresponding to the
top of inlet
door 26, close to the upper limit of the retraction stroke of pressure plate
176. As plate
176 rises wiper 248 is intended to encourage cups, napkins and other material
that may
have become caught on the edges of plate 176 to be stripped off. Wiper 248 can
have
bristles, or be made of a rubber strip, or have a plurality of inwardly
oriented flexible
fingers that deflect as plate 176 passes.
20853413.1
CA 02335690 2001-02-13
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As noted above, the fullness of bin 28 can be inferred by a direct weight
measurement. This provides a second means to increase the tendency to stay
within the
local weight limit. Furthermore, it permits the weight in bin 28 to be
recorded by the
programmable logic controller as a function of time. In normal use the weight
in bin 28
will increase relatively slowly. A sudden increase in weight could indicate
that matter
has been dumped in bin 28 that may not be suitable for compression. As
illustrated in the
optional alternative embodiment of compactor 250 of Figure 7, the support for
bin 28 is
provided by a floor panel 252 shown in scrap section to reveal three load
cells 254, 256,
and 258 upon which floor panel 252 rests. Load cells 254, 256, and 258 are in
turn
mounted in a three point triangular array to ribs 260 and 262 that complete
the load path
to frame 264 generally. (The remainder of frame 264 is, unless noted
otherwise, the same
as frame 40). The increase in the sum of the values sensed at load cells 254,
256, and 258
over the empty weight of bin 28 will yield the weight of refuse in bin 28.
More than
three load cells could be used if desired. Although other_ me~haniral
.~,~P;at, ~~~m
systems could also be used, load cells are capable of withstanding the loads
imposed
during compression of the refuse in bin 28, (in the range of 600 to 1000 Lbs.)
and yet
provide sufficiently accurate discrimination of smaller weights in the 0 to 50
Lbs. range.
The signals from the load cells and their variation with time are monitored
and the result
displayed on display 238. In the event of a sudden increase in weight, such as
a jump in
excess of 3 Lbs., display 238 can be used to provide a fault warning to the
operator at
monitoring station A62, and to prevent further operation of the compression
unit until the
contents of bin 28 have been examined.
Whether activated inferentially as in the first regime described above, or
directly
by a weight measurement, when the "receptacle full" signal is given, it is
intended that an
operator will empty out the collected garbage and return an empty receptacle
for the next
load. Front panel 24 has mounted to it a contact in the nature of an
electrically
conductive key 266 that fits in a mating socket 268 mounted to doorjamb 270.
If an
electrical connection is not made through key 266 and lock 268, power cannot
reach
motor 100. It is intended that it not be possible to operate motor 100 when
front panel 24
is open. When an operator unlocks and opens door handle 271, door panel 24
swings
outward, withdrawing key 266 from socket 268, and breaking the main power
circuit to
motor 100.
It is possible to achieve this in a number of alternative ways. For example a
logic
system could be used to sense the position of the door, and, through software
or relays,
20853413. I
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prevent the motor from being activated. Alternatively microswitches could be
mounted
either at the hinge or at the closure of door 24. The engaging electrified
lock is preferred
' because, unlike some microswitches, it is relatively difficult, if not
impossible, to fool or
tape closed. Further, it is not vulnerable to a software failure. With the
power shut off to
S motor 100 , a person is able to reach inside and remove bin 28, to remove
the full bag 29
and to replace it with a new bag. Although door panel 24 is shown with hinges
along the
righthand side, the arrangement of the hinges, handle 271, key 266 and socket
268 could
be reversed to permit door panel 24 to swing to the other side.
In the alternative, preferred, embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, rollers 168
and
170 can be replaced by slider blocks 272 joined by a shaft or torque tube 276,
and
trackways 172 and 174 can be replaced by mating slides 278.
In another alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 10, a
compactor unit 280 has a frame 282 that differs from frame 40 of the preferred
embodiment of Figure 2, in that front lower peripheral member 50 has been
removed,
leaving a U-shaped entranceway 284. This permits use of a bin 286 mounted on
wheels
288 as shown, so that a person emptying unit 280 can roll the existing load
away, and
replace bin 286 with an empty bin. Bin 286 can then be rolled to the nearest
dumpster,
bag 289 can be removed, and a new bag put in place.
Bin 286 is equipped with frame engagement members in the nature of inclined
side flanges 290 and 292. These engage, and ride upon, receptacle engaging
members in
the nature of inclined flanges 294 and 296 that have an angle of incline of f
to 4 degrees.
For the last few inches of travel, the entire weight of bin 286 is lifted off
wheels 288, and
carried by flanges 294 and 296 instead. Flanges 294 and 296 can be mounted
directly to
cross supports 88 and 90, or can be mounted to load cells mounted on supports
88 and 90,
to permit the weight of garbage to be monitored over time. In use, the force
during the
compaction cycle holds bin 286 firmly in place on flanges 294 and 296. The
location of
bin 286 in suitable position is further assured by the position of front panel
24, which,
when closed, limits the movement of bin 286. Other engagement means could be
used,
including detent catches, wheels chocks, latches, and other similar mechanical
devices.
It is not necessary that the access panel for removing full bins be the front
panel
of the unit. Either the side or back faces could be used. However, it is
preferred that the
front face be used as this permits several units to be lined up side by side
or back to back.
Equally, although the preferred scissors jack mechanism, 32, is shown as a
double
20853413.1
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scissors jack (that is, is has an upper, or primary scissor pair which
transmits motion to a
lower, or secondary scissor pair), it could be made in a single scissor, or a
multi-scissor
unit, depending on the space available and the stroke to be achieved. It is,
or course, not
necessary that a scissors jack be used. A geared system or a compacting screw,
or a
S hydraulic system could be used. However, a mechanical linkage system, such
as scissors
jack 32 is preferred.
For the purpose of description, a description of non-compacting double unit of
passive receptacle 350 will serve to describe unit A46, and, other than being
of opposite
hand, also unit A48. Although units A46 and A48 have doors in one side face
and one
end face, units can be made with two doors on the same side, doors on opposite
sides in a
kitty-corner manner, or doors on both ends, according to the need of the
eating area
operator.
Passive receptacle 350 is shown in Figures 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d and 11 e.
Passive
receptacle 350 has an enclosure assembly in the nature of a structural shell,
or housing,
364, designed to accommodate a "two unit" set of receptacles. That is, housing
364 has
walls, or panels, defining back side 366, a front side 368, a first end wall
370, a second
end wall 372, a top 374, and, an internal divider in the nature of a medial
partition wall
376 standing in a plane parallel to end walls 370 and 372. The various walls
or panels
co-operate to form a generally rectilinear box enclosure.
Back side 366 is a rigid planar sheet. First end wall 370 is a rigid planar
panel
that extends at right angles from one of the vertically extending edges, or
margins, of
back side 366. Partition wall 376 extends from the middle of back side 366
toward front
side 368, such that a first portion 380 lies to one side of partition wall
376, and a second
portion 382 lies to the other. Front side 368 includes a first, door panel,
portion 384 in
the nature of a servicing door hinged to the front vertically extending edge,
or margin of,
first end wall 370 lying parallel to portion 380 of back side 366, and a
second, rigid
portion 386 lying parallel to second portion 382 of back side 366. Second end
wall 372 is
a hinged wall, or door, hinged to the otherwise free vertically extending
edge, or margin,
of portion 386 of front panel 368.
Top 374 includes a first portion 388 bounded at its margins by portion 380, of
back side 366, partition 376, end wall 370, and door panel 384, such that
those panels
cooperate to define a first enclosed space 390 for housing a control module,
described
below, and a refuse receptacle, or bin, such as to bin 28 identified above.
Top 374 also
includes a second portion 392 bounded at its margins by portion 382 of back
side 366,
20853413.1
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partition wall 376, second portion 386 of front side 368, and the second door
panel,
namely second end wall 372 such that those panels cooperate to define a second
chamber,
' or enclosed space 394 for receiving a second refuse receptacle, or bin 28,
as described
above.
The portions of top panel 374 are each set downward slightly, roughly 3
inches,
from the upper margins of the vertical wall panels such that three-sided
shelves are
defined upon which patrons can stack empty food trays.
Housing 364 is mounted on a rectangular steel frame, 400. Steel frame 400 has
casters 402 at the corners to permit rolling location of unit 350, and
interstitial stringers
404 that are located to support refuse bins within enclosed space 390 or 394.
Door panels
384 and 372 are pivotally movable about their hinges between respective closed
positions
and open positions. When in the open positions refuse bin 28 can be withdrawn
and
replaced, or withdrawn, the garbage bag liner 29 closed and the garbage bag
removed, a
new garbage bag liner 29 put in place, and bin 28 replaced in position ready
again for
filling.
Each of the door portions is of the same construction, and includes an inset
refuse
access door 410 through which refuse may be introduced into the enclosed space
390 (or
394) defined within housing 364. Access door 410 is mounted in a mating refuse
door
opening 412. Elements of proximity sensor 355 are mounted in a round-ended
rectangular strip 414 seated in a through-slot formed in the door panel (be it
372 or 384)
above, and generally parallel to, the upper margin of opening 412. A lock 416
can be
moved to a closed position to secure the door (be it 372 or 384) in place.
When door panel 384 is open, staff have access to bin 28 and to the control
module Garner unit, 430. Bin 28 is the same as described above and shown in
Figure 3.
Bin 28 seats removably on stringers 404, and more particularly, on load cells
424
mounted to stringers 404 so that the weight of trash in bin 28 can be
monitored on a
continuous basis. An internal proximity sensor is located on the back wall of
the
enclosure space to sense the volumetric fullness of bin 28 as described above
in the
context of sensor 30 of unit 20. Control mounted carrier unit 430 includes a
frame 432
mounted between a pair of slides, 436. Each of slides 436 includes and upper
rectangular
slide block 438 and a lower rectangular slide block 440 mounted to the inside
wall of end
wall 370, or the opposed, facing wall of partition wall 376. Upper and lower
slide blocks
438 and 440 are mounted in parallel, and define a horizontally extending
rebate, channel,
or guideway, 442 along which side frame members 444 of frame 432 can slidingly
move.
A face plate 446 is mounted to the outwardly facing end of frame 432.
20853413. I
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A control module 450 is mounted to frame 432, and contains the control
circuitry
used to monitor the weight of bin 28 in either enclosed space, to monitor the
volumetric
fullness of bin 28 in either enclosed space, to monitor the respective wide
angled patron
sensors, to control operation of the door actuator motor, to control the
emission of audio
messages, and to transmit signals to the central control station. Only one
control module
is required for a double unit, the input and output peripheral devices of the
second
enclosure being connected by means of a cable harness 435 passed through an
aperture
formed in the upper regions of partition wall 376.
A power "On" indicator light 420 is also provided. An optional written word
signboard message display can be provided. Control module Garner unit 430
includes a
face plate 431 mounted across the outer end of frame 432. A door actuator 433
is
mounted to the front cross member of frame 432 for engagement with the lever
arm 490
of refuse receiving access door. An output signal member in the nature of a
speaker 418
is mounted to plate 431 and is connected to the electronic control unit, as
noted below. A
programmable input panel is indicated as 437 and permits custom messages to be
input
into the control module noted below. Use of a programmable control unit
permits audio
messages, such as customized messages not only suited to the specific local
market in
terms of age, or time of day, but also in languages other than English. These
voice
messages, whether taped, or preferably digitally synthesized, are emitted
either to patrons
or to servicing staff.
A detail of the door panel, be it panel 384 or 372, is shown in Figure 12. The
upper region of the door panel, that is to say, the region located above
refuse receiving
access door 410, is indicated generally as 460. The through slot for the wide-
angle
patron sensor is indicated as 412, as above. The patron sensor 355 is
generally T-shaped
in cross-section. Sensor 355 has a portion 462 of narrow section engaging slot
412 and a
portion 464 of wider section having shoulders that abut inside face 466 of
upper region
460 of the door panel. Refuse access door 410 has a chamfered upper edge,
indicated as
470, the chamfer being located on the upper inner horizontally extending
margin. A
hinge 472 has first wing 474 attached to the inner face 466 of region 460, and
a second
wing 476 attached to the inside face 478 of refuse receiving door 410.
Although hinge 472 is mounted to the respective inside faces 466 and 478 of
region 460 and refuse receiving door 410, the axis of rotation of hinge 472,
being the
central axis of hinge pin 480, is located toward the plane of the outer face
482 of region
460. Subject to tolerance for fit up, it is intended that the outer face 484
of refuse
receiving door 410 be co-planar with face 482 when refuse receiving door 410
is in the
20853413.1
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-28-
closed position as indicated in Figure 12. In this position, the pivot axis of
hinge pin 480
lies inward from the plane of the outer surface of the door a distance equal
to the radius
of the pin plus the thickness of the material of the hinge tabs 485 that
encircle and engage
pin 480. The rounded tabs of hinge 472 are, subject to manufacturing
tolerance, tangent
to (i.e., flush with) the plane of the outer surface of the door. In achieving
this placement
of hinge pin 480, the first wing has a right angled dog leg bend to conform to
the lower
edge of region 460, the first, proximal, portion of the dog leg bend lying in
the horizontal
plane of the bottom edge of portion 460. The other, distal, portion of the dog
leg bend
lies along, and is fastened to, the inner face of upper region 460 by threaded
fasteners,
namely wood screws 486. Similarly, the second wing 476 has an obtuse dog leg
bend
having a first, proximal portion 491 lying on the 45 degree chamfer of refuse
receiving
door 410 and a distal portion 492 lying along, and being fastened to the inner
face 478 of
refuse receiving door 410 also by wood screws 486 as noted above.
Placement of hinge 480 such that its external tabs are near or at the plane of
the
front face of the door, as opposed to lying on the inside of the door, may
tend to reduce,
or possibly eliminate the opportunity for fingers to be pinched between the
upper edge of
the door and the bottom edge of region 460. This feature is further enhanced
by
employing a continuous hinge across the upper margin of refuse access door 410
rather
than a pair of spaced apart smaller hinges on either side. The hinge itself
thus forms a
barrier to block the small gap that might otherwise remain, and tends to
prevent foreign
objects from being slipped into the crack. Geometrically, the faces of
proximal portions
of the wings lie in first and second planes. When access door 410 is closed,
the planes
meet along a line of intersection lying forward of (that is, to the outside of
the front face
482) and parallel to the axis of hinge pin 480. As access door 410 opens, the
line of
intersection will tend to move further away from the axis of hinge pin 480.
A refuse door lever arm 490 is rigidly mounted to inside face 478 adjacent to
hinge 480 and extends upwardly and inwardly into the enclosed space. When door
410 is
closed, door actuator, 433, engages arm 490, causing refuse receiving door 410
to open.
If manual pressure is applied to refuse receiving door 410, arm 490 will lift
off the cam
roller of the door actuator, and will return to position when released.
Operation of the
door actuator is controlled by the control module in response to signals sent
along cable
harness 357 connecting the control module to wide angled proximity sensor 355.
Referring to Figures 13a and 13b, proximity sensor 355 includes a first
proximity
sensing element in the nature of an infra-red detector 500, and a second
proximity sensing
element in the nature of a second infra-red detector 502. Strip 414 is
centrally mounted on
door panel 384 or 372, as may be. A vertical central line plane perpendicular
to the outer
20853413.1
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surface of door panel 372, (or 384) is indicated as 505 and bisects strip 414.
Infra red
detectors 500 and 502 are mounted at either end of strip 414, and, within
manufacturing
tolerances, are equidistant from plane 505. Infra-red detectors 500 and 502
are also angled
away from each other. The range of coverage, or envelope, of detector 502 is
indicated as
506, and has a central bisector, or main axis 508 extending (when viewed from
above) at an
angle (3 to one side away from vertical plane 505. Similarly detector 500 has
a range of
coverage, or envelope, indicated as 510, whose main axis 509 lies angle ~ to
the other side
of vertical plane 505. As illustrated (not to scale) envelope 506 and envelope
508 have a
zone of overlap, such that detectors 500 and 502 co-operate to cover a range
of approach
envelopes greater than either alone might tend to do. It is preferred that
this type of
relatively wide angled proximity sensor be employed in unit 20 as well, in
preference to the
more narrowly focused, single point proximity sensor 22 noted above.
In addition, detectors 500 and 502 pick up a reflected portion of incident
beams of
radiated illumination from suitable illumination sources. In Figures 13a and
13b the
illumination sources are infra-red illumination sources. Detector S00 is
bracketed by a first
illumination element in the nature of a first infra-red LED 512, and a second
illumination
element in the nature of a second infra-red LED 514. LED's 512 and 514 are
spaced apart,
angled in a splayed manner, and each have a range of coverage that at least
partially
overlaps the other. This may tend to provide stronger illumination of objects
in the
approach region to detectors 500 and 502, and may tend to increase the size of
the region in
which the illumination is adequate to trigger detection by detectors 500 and
502. In this
context, an "illumination source" is a source of radiation in an appropriate
frequency for co-
operation with the proximity sensing element or elements. An illumination
source, in this
context, does not necessarily have a wavelength lying in the visible range,
but merely a
wavelength that matches the desired wavelength, or wavelength range, of the
sensor
elements, whether visible or otherwise. Similarly, LED's 516 and 518 are
arrayed to tend
better to illuminate corresponding portions of the zone of approach, or
sensing envelope, of
detector 502. The use of additional illumination sources in this way may tend
to increase, or
broaden, the angular extent of the zone of the sensor element, 500 or 502. In
the not-to-
scale conceptual illustration of Figure 13a, the zones, or regions covered by
the illumination
of infra red LEDs 1512, 514, 516, and 518 are indicated as al, a2, a3, and a4
respectively.
Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail.
Changes in, or additions to the above-described examples may be made without
departing
from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be
limited to
thereby.
20853413.1
