Prior art reflects the need for compacting the contents of a waste container, both due to the desire of restricting the size of the container and due to the need for increasing the efficiency of waste transport.

GB A 2.315. 404 describes a compactor device for the contents of a waste container, in which the compactor device is provided with an articulated stay connection of nonadjustable length between a compactor arm and a compactor plate. The compactor device is hingedly attached to the edge of the container by means of an end portion having a C-shaped profile, which is suited for gripping about a cross pipe at the hinge portion of the container lid.

Similarly, GB A 2.382. 516 describes a compactor device, in which the device is hingedly attached to the edge of the container. The end portions of the compactor device have a U- shape suited for gripping about the cross pipe at the hinge portion of the container lid.

Norwegian patent application no. 20023541 describes a compactor device rotatably attached to the hinge portion of the container by means of the U-shaped end portions of a compactor arm gripping about the cross pipe at the hinge portion of the container lid. The openings of the U-profiles are facing away from the container.

Common to the prior art devices is that the rotatable attachment of the compactor arm to the hinge portion of the container insignificantly prevents the compactor arm from unintentional gliding/pulling/pushing out of engagement with the hinge portion when operating the compactor device.

The object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantages of prior art.

The object is achieved according to the invention and by means of the features disclosed in the description below and in the subsequent claims.

A compactor for a waste container, the compactor comprising a plunger, a plunger rod and a compactor arm, is rotatably and releasably attached, in a manner per se, to a cross pipe between the hinge portion of the container, one end of the compactor arm (s) being provided with a portion gripping about the cross pipe. Rotation of the compactor arm takes place about a horizontal axis through the one end of the compactor

arm. Preferably, the one end of the compactor arm is branched off to allow the compactor arm to be fastened in at least two places.

The one end of the compactor arm comprises one or more end portions each being provided with an upper end portion that grips, from above, about the hinge portion of the container when the compactor arm assumes an approximately horizontal position of use, as well as a lower end portion that grips, from below, about the hinge portion of the container. In position of use as viewed in a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction of the compactor arm, the projection of the assembled end portion forms an approximately U-shaped recess extending substantially in a horizontal direction when the compactor arm assumes an approximately horizontal position of use. At the recess entry opening, the approximately U-shaped recess is provided with a protuberance suited for contributing to keep the compactor arm in engagement with the hinge portion of the container during use. This is achieved by providing the lower end portion with a protuberance at the upper side edge thereof and proximate the end of the end portion.

Externally, the lower end portion (s) of the compactor arm is provided with a cam portion. When the compactor arm is in a position of use, the cam portion contributes to keep the compactor arm in engagement with the hinge portion of the container, the cam portion bearing against the wall of the container, or against a projecting edge portion arranged about the opening of the container, when attempting to pull the compactor arm away from the hinge portion of the container.

Expediently, the upper and lower end portion are arranged in the one and same vertical plane, each forming individual portions of, for example, a plate provide with an approximately U-shaped recess.

Alternatively, each end portion of the compactor arm may be branched off, in which the upper end portion is formed from a first branch, whereas the lower end portion and the cam portion is formed from a second branch. Said first and second branch may be individually branched off.

By rotating the compactor arm upwards into an approximately vertical position, a narrower cam portion will face against the container wall, or against the projecting edge portion thereof, simultaneous with the U-shaped recess of the end portion having its entry opening facing downwards. Thus, the compactor arm may be easily lifted away from engagement with the hinge portion of the container.

When compaction of the waste is completed, the compactor is removed from the container by lifting the compactor arm into an approximately vertical position and pulling it upwards until the gripping components of the compactor arm are released from the hinge portion of the container. Then the plunger and the plunger rod may be separated from the compactor arm, and the parts may be stored individually near the container, for example suspended from (a) suitable, wall- fixed bracket (s).

In the following, a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment is described and illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a compactor in a working position in a waste container; Figure 2 shows the compactor and the waste container seen from above; Figure 3 shows, in larger scale, a section of the compactor as it is guided in towards or away from the hinge portion of the waste container; Figure 4 shows, in the same scale, a section of the compactor while in working position.

On the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a compactor arm comprising a handle 3 provided with a rounded end 4, two branch offs 5, 5'provided with an end portion 6, 6'. A joint 7 connects the handle 3 and branch offs 5, 5'by means of a pin bolt 9, a stop bolt 11 provided with a distance sleeve (not shown), a stop bolt 13 as well as a contact sleeve 15 with associated bolt 16.

A plunger rod 17 has been inserted through joint 7 between the end of handle 3 and the contact sleeve 15. Plunger rod 17 is provided with a tooth-shaped side edge 18. The recesses between the teeth correspond to the diameter of the contact sleeve 15. Plunger rod 17 is connected to a plunger 19 by means of a joint 21.

A waste container 23 having a rectangular cross section comprises a container opening 24 provided with a collar 24', a lid 25, hinges 27, a connecting pipe 29 between hinges 27, a carrying handle 30 as well as a bottom portion 31.

End portion 6,6'of the compactor arm 1 comprises an upper end portion 32a and a lower end portion 32b as well as an approximately U-shaped recess 33. At a recess opening 37, lower end portion 32b is provided with a curve-shaped protuberance 39. Externally, the end portion 6, 6'comprises a cam 41 projecting downwards and towards the container opening 24 (as seen when the compactor arm is in a position of use).

When used, a compactor arm 1 is placed on top of a waste container 23 having a rectangular cross section and a lid 25 provided with associated hinges 27. Provided with their U- shaped recesses 33, the two branch offs 5, 5'of the compactor arm are introduced about a connecting pipe 29 between hinges 27, forming a rotatable connection between the container 23 and the compactor arm 1.

Protuberance 39 of the recess 33 ensures that the compactor arm 1, when being in an approximately horizontal position of use while in engagement with the connecting pipe 29, is prevented from gliding/being pulled out of its engagement position by means of the protuberances 39 providing resistance against such movement. Moreover, the cam 41 contributes to keep the compactor arm 1, when in position of use, in engagement with the connecting pipe 29, the cam surface 41 bearing against collar 24'of the container opening 24 when attempting to pull the compactor arm 1 away from the connecting pipe 29.

By rotating the compactor arm 1 up towards an approximately vertical position, a narrower portion of the cam 41 will face against the collar 24'simultaneous with the U-shaped recess 33 having its opening 37 facing downwards. Thus, the compactor arm 1 may be easily lifted away from engagement with the connecting pipe 29.