BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a litter collection and compactor device .

Furthermore , the invention relates to a method for collecting and compacting litter, in particular by means of a litter collection and compactor device .

Such a litter collection and compactor device , for example, is known from the U . S . patent publication US 9, 694 , 973 , which discloses a litter collection apparatus including an inlet into the interior of the collection apparatus ; a removable collection bin receiving material placed into the collection apparatus ; a compacting mechanism including a ram body, wherein the ram body travels between a home position located above the collection bin to a maximum travel position located inside the collection bin, wherein during each compaction cycle the ram body travels along a variable length of the compaction path; a fullness-reporting module that determines the height of the material in the collection bin; and a controller that determines the length of the compaction path the ram body travels during each compaction cycle based on the input received from the fullness reporting module , wherein at the end of each compaction cycle in which the material height is below a maximum height , the ram body is brought to rest at a height below the home position . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The known litter collection apparatus comprises a deposit door with a handle in order to prevent or to provide access to the inlet to the interior of the collection apparatus . A disadvantage of the known litter collection apparatus is that during compacting litter within the removable collection bin, a person is still able to insert litter into the litter collection apparatus . In order to insert litter into the litter collection apparatus , the person may put its hand through the inlet . When the person has put its hand through the inlet and the litter collection apparatus , for example , starts compacting the litter therein, the person' s hand for example may get stuck between the ram body and the litter to be compacted . This is disadvantageous and even dangerous , as the person may sustain a serious inj ury .

It is an obj ect of the present invention to ameliorate or to eliminate one or more disadvantages of the known litter collection apparatus , to provide an improved litter collection apparatus or to at least provide an alternative litter collection apparatus .

According to a first aspect , the invention provides a litter collection and compactor device configured for collecting and compacting litter, wherein the litter collection and compactor device comprises : a housing having a front face, a top face and a rear face, wherein a litter collection space is defined within the housing and the front face is provided with a litter insert opening for inserting litter into the litter collection space ; and a compacting module arranged within the housing and configured for compacting litter inserted into the litter collection space, wherein the compacting module comprises a compacting plate and a compacting drive operatively connected to the compacting plate for moving the compacting plate within the litter collection space, wherein the compacting module comprises a litter insert opening closure configured for moving between an open position, in which the litter insert opening is open, and a closed position, in which the litter insert opening is closed, wherein the compacting drive is operatively connected to the litter insert opening closure, such that the litter insert opening closure moves into the closed position when the compacting module is triggered to compact litter within the litter collection space .

During use of the litter collection and compactor device according to the invention, passers-by may insert litter into the litter collection space via the litter insert opening in order to get rid of the litter . When the litter within the litter collection space reaches a predetermined level and/or after a predetermined time period has lapsed, the compacting module is triggered to compact the litter within the compacting space by means of the compacting plate pushing on top of the collected litter . Because of compacting the litter within the litter collection space, more litter may be collected within the litter collection space . The compacting module comprises a litter insert opening closure configured for closing the litter insert opening, such that a passer-by is temporarily prevented from inserting litter into the litter collection space via the litter insert opening . Since the litter insert opening closure is operatively connected to the compacting drive, the litter insert opening is closed automatically by the litter insert opening closure when the compacting module is triggered to compact litter within the litter collection space . It thereby is prevented that a passer-by is able, for example , to insert a hand into the litter collection space, while the compacting module is compacting litter . The litter collection and compactor device according to the invention, thus , is safer in comparison to the known litter collection apparatus . In an embodiment , the compacting drive is configured for allowing the litter insert opening closure to move into the closed position, preferably completely, before moving the compacting plate within the litter collection space , when the compacting module is triggered to compact litter within the litter collection space . According to this embodiment , the litter insert opening closure is allowed to move into the closed position before the compacting plate starts compacting litter within the litter collection space .

In an embodiment , the compacting drive is configured to move the compacting plate between a collapsed state, in which the compacting plate is located at a first height and the litter insert opening closure is in the open position, and an extended state, in which the compacting plate is at a second height for compacting litter within the litter collection space and the litter insert opening closure is in the closed position . Preferably, the first height is above the height at which the litter insert opening is located . According to this embodiment, the compacting plate is positioned above the litter in the litter collection space when in the collapsed state . It thereby is prevented that litter falls onto the compacting plate and gets entangled with the driving cylinder .

In an embodiment , the compacting drive is configured to move the compacting plate from the collapsed state to the extended state in two or more steps , wherein a first one of the two or more steps is for allowing the litter insert opening closure to move into the closed position . During use , when the compacting module is triggered to compact litter within the litter collection space, the compacting plate is moved firstly during a first step, for example slightly downwards over for example 7 mm, in order to allow the litter insert opening closure to move into the closed position thereof , preferably under influence of gravity . During the second step the compacting plate is moved into the extended state . This is advantageous , as the litter insert opening is closed before the compacting plate actually starts compacting .

In an embodiment, the litter insert opening closure comprises a closure wall that is moveable between the open position and the closed position . By providing a closure wall , the litter insert opening closure, in particular the construction thereof , is advantageously kept relatively simple .

In an embodiment, the compacting module comprises a module frame for arranging the compacting module at the housing of the litter collection and compactor device . Preferably, the module frame comprises a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion that are running parallel to and at a distance from each other, wherein a rear frame portion is provided and extending between the first and second side frame portions .

In an embodiment, the litter collection and compactor device comprises a shield arranged between the compacting plate and the litter insert opening closure and configured for preventing litter from reaching the compacting drive . In an embodiment thereof , the shield comprises one or more shield walls that are nestable into each other . By providing one or more shield walls that are nestable into each other for forming the shield, the shield, in particular the dimensions thereof , may be adj usted to fit within the litter insert opening closure when the litter insert opening closure is in the open position thereof . This is advantageous , as the space required for implementing such shield is therewith kept to a minimum.

In an embodiment , each of the closure wall and the one or more shield walls is connected rotatable around a closure rotational axis to the compacting module, and the closure wall and the one or more shield walls are nestable into each other . In an embodiment thereof , each of the closure wall and the one or more shield walls is connected rotatable around the closure rotational axis to the rear frame portion of the module frame . In an embodiment thereof , each of the closure wall and the one or more shield walls is substantially U-shaped . Preferably, each of the closure wall and the one or more shield walls has a curved front portion with an upper and lower side, facing towards the front face of the housing, and two side portions provided at opposite sides of the front portion and extending therefrom parallel to each other and towards the rear frame portion, thereby forming a U-shape . By arranging the closure wall and the one or more shield walls rotatable to the module frame, in particular the rear frame portion, in particular at the end of the side portions facing away from the front portions of the respective wall , the closure wall and the one or more shield walls together have a substantially fan-shape that may be folded and unfolded while moving the closure wall between the open position and the closed position . The closure wall is moved between the open position and the closed position when the compacting module is triggered to compact litter within the litter collection space, and triggering of the driving cylinder results in movement of the compacting plate and therewith the one or more shield walls . Therefore , the construction of the compacting module may be kept relatively simple and compact .

In an embodiment, the front portion of the closure wall , at the side facing towards the rear frame portion and at lower side thereof , is provided with an abutting ledge .

In an embodiment , the one or more shield walls comprise an outer shield wall , an intermediate shield wall , and an inner shield wall . In an embodiment thereof , when the compacting drive is configured to move the compacting plate between a collapsed state, in which the compacting plate is located at a first height and the litter insert opening closure is in the open position, and an extended state, in which the compacting plate is at a second height for compacting litter within the litter collection space and the litter insert opening closure is in the closed position, the front portion of the outer shield wall at the upper side is provided with a first abutting part for abutting against the intermediate shield wall when in or moving into the collapsed stated, and with a second abutting part at the lower side for abutting against the intermediate shield wall when in or moving into the extended state , wherein the front portion of the intermediate shield wall at the upper side is provided, in a direction from the lower side to the upper side , with a third abutting part for abutting against the outer shield wall when in or moving into the extended state, and with a fourth abutting part for abutting against the inner shield wall when in or moving into the collapsed state , and at the lower side with a fifth abutting part for abutting against the inner shield wall when in or moving into the extended state, and wherein the front portion of the inner shield wall at the upper side thereof is provided with a sixth abutting part for abutting against the fifth abutting part of the intermediate shield wall when in or moving into the extended state, and against the third abutting part of the intermediate shield wall when in the collapsed state, and with a connector part for connecting to the compacting plate .

In a further embodiment, the compacting module comprises a collapsing mechanism operatively connected to the litter insert opening closure and configured for moving the litter insert opening closure from the closed position into the open position, or vice versa, wherein the collapsing mechanism is configured to be operated by a side portion of one of the one or more shield walls . When the one of the one or more shield walls are moving from the collapsed state into the extended state, or vice versa, the collapsing mechanism is operated by a side portion thereof , such that the litter insert opening closure moves simultaneously with the one of the one or more shield walls until the litter insert opening closure reaches the closed or open position thereof . This is advantageous as it allows the one or more shields walls to move the litter insert opening closure into the open position thereof while moving upwards .

In an embodiment, when the module frame comprises a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion that are running parallel to and at a distance from each other, wherein a rear frame portion is provided and extending between the first and second side frame portions , the collapsing mechanism comprises a first collapsing arm arranged rotatable around a collapsing rotational axis at the rear frame portion and extending towards the front face, and a second collapsing arm connected rotatable around a further collapsing rotational axis to the first collapsing arm at the end thereof facing away from the rear frame portion, wherein the second collapsing arm extends downwards and towards the rear frame portion of the module frame, and wherein the end of the second collapsing arm facing away from the first collapsing arm is connected rotatable to one of the side portions of the closure wall . Preferably, the further collapsing rotational axis is located above the side portions of the one or more shield walls . In a preferred embodiment , at least one of the side portions of the one or more shield walls is configured to abut against the collapsing mechanism at a position where the first and second collapsing arms are connected to each other in order to move the further collapsing rotational axis upwards , while moving from the extended state to the collapsed state .

In an embodiment, the compacting plate comprises a center plate portion, a first side plate portion and a second side plate portion, arranged substantially parallel to each other and standing upright to the center plate portion . A connector for connecting the driving cylinder to the compacting plate is provided at the center plate portion and between the first and second side plate portions . In a further embodiment , the connector comprises a driving arm connected rotatable to the compacting plate at one side thereof , and connected rotatable to the driving cylinder at another side thereof , opposite to the one side . Preferably, when the module frame comprises a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion that are running parallel to and at a distance from each other, wherein a rear frame portion is provided and extending between the first and second side frame portions , a guiding arm is provided between the compacting plate and the rear frame portion . Due to the driving arm between the driving cylinder and the compacting plate and to the guiding arm between the rear frame portion and the compacting plate , the compacting plate may be moved from an inclined orientation, when the compacting module is idle, to an horizonal orientation, when the compacting module is compacting .

In an embodiment, the litter collection and compactor device comprises a controller operatively connected to the compacting drive and configured for controlling the compacting drive .

In an embodiment, the litter collection and compactor device comprises an energy storage operatively connected to the controller and the compacting drive, and configured for storing electrical energy . In an embodiment , thereof , the litter collection and compactor device comprises one or more solar panels operatively connected to the energy storage .

In an embodiment, the litter collection and compactor device comprises one or more sensors operatively connected to the controller and configured for sensing whether the litter insert opening closure is in the open or closed position . In an embodiment thereof , the controller is configured to control the compacting module to move the compacting plate into the litter collection space, only when it is determined that the litter insert opening closure is in the closed position thereof . It therewith is advantageously prevented that the compacting plate is moved into the litter collection space, while the litter insert opening is open . Therefore , a passer-by may not be able to reach the compacting plate while compacting .

In an embodiment, the litter collection and compactor device comprises a litter buffer positioned in front of the litter insert opening and configured for buf fering litter temporarily when the litter insert opening closure is in the closed position . The litter buffer advantageously allows a passer-by to throw away litter even when the compacting module is compacting and the litter insert opening is closed .

In an embodiment, the litter collection and compactor device comprises an litter collection bin, in particular an open topped litter collection bin, which is removably arranged within the litter collection space . The open topped litter collection bin allows litter collected therein to be remove from the litter collection and compactor device relatively easily .

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for collecting and compacting litter by means of a litter collection and compactor device according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of : inserting litter into the litter collection space via the litter insert opening; initiating compacting of litter collected within the litter collection space ; and compacting litter collected within the litter collection space , wherein the method comprises the step of closing the litter insert opening by the litter insert opening closure before compacting litter .

The method according to the invention provides at least the same technical advantage as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention .

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a compacting module for use in a litter collection and compactor device according to the first aspect of the invention, preferably as defined in the first aspect of the invention .

The compacting module according to the invention provides at least the same technical advantages as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention .

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible . These individual aspects , in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims , can be made subj ect of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings , in which :

Figures 1A and IB show a cross-sectional view of a litter collection and compactor device with a compacting module in a collapsed state and in an extended state, respectively, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 2A-2E show an isometric view of the compacting module of the litter collection and compactor device of figure IB with a litter insert opening closure and with a shield; an isometric view of the compacting module of figure 2A without the litter insert opening closure and shield, and with a compacting plate ; a detailed view of the compacting plate of figure 2B; a part of the shield as shown in figure 2A; and a side view of the compacting module of figure 1A with a portion removed . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A cross-sectional view of a litter collection and compactor device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in a collapsed state in figure 1A, and in an extended state in figure IB . The litter collection and compactor device 1 comprises a housing 2 with a front face 3 , for example arranged as a door, a rear face 4 opposite to the front face 3 , a top face 5 extending between the front face 3 and the rear face 4 , and a bottom face 6 opposite to the top face 5 . Although not shown, the housing 2 is also provided with two side faces , such that the front, rear, top, bottom and side face 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 together define a litter collection space 7 , optionally a contained litter collection space 7 . The front face 3 is provided with a litter insert opening 8 , preferably located near the top face 5 of the housing 2 . The litter insert opening 8 provides access to the litter collection space 7 such that passers-by are enabled to throw litter into the litter collection space 7 . An open topped litter collection bin 9 is removeable arranged within the litter collection space 7 , such that litter may be removed from the litter collection and compactor device 1 by removing the open topped litter collection bin 9 from the litter collection space 7 and by emptying it .

The litter collection and compactor device 1 further comprises a compacting module 10 configured for compacting litter within the open topped litter collection bin 9, such that litter collected within the open topped litter collection bin 9 may be compacted therein . The compacting module 10 is arranged at the inner surface of the side faces of the housing 2 . By compacting litter within the open topped litter collection bin 9 , more litter may be collected within the open topped litter collection bin 9 before the open topped litter collection bin 9 needs to be emptied .

As best shown in figure 2A, the compacting module 10 has a module frame 11 for securing the compacting module 10 to the housing 2 . The module frame 11 has a first side frame portion 12 and a second side frame portion 13 , which are running parallel to and at a distance from each other . The distance between the first and second side frame portions 12 , 13 is slightly smaller than the distance between the two side faces , such that the module frame 11 may be arranged between the internal surfaces of the side faces . The module frame 11 further has a rear frame portion 14 provided and extending between the first and second side frame portions 12 , 13 .

As best shown in figure 2B, the compacting module 10 comprises a compacting drive 15, such as a hydraulic or linear actuator, in this embodiment formed by an electronic driving cylinder 16, and a compacting plate 17 for compacting litter within the open topped litter collection bin 9. The compacting plate 17 has a center plate portion 18 , oriented substantially parallel to the top face 5 and the bottom face 6 of the housing 2 when in the extended state, a first side plate portion 19 and a second side plate portion 20 , arranged substantially parallel to each other and at the side edges of the center plate portion 18 facing the inner surface of the side faces of the housing 2 .

As best shown in figures 2B and 2C, a connector 21 for connecting the electronic driving cylinder 16 to the compacting plate 17 is arranged at the upper surface of the center plate portion 18 . The connector 21 comprises two connector plates 22 that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the center plate portion 18 and substantially parallel to and at a distance from each other . Each connector plate 22 has a rectangular-shaped portion 23 that merges into a triangular-shaped portion 24 at the side facing the front face 3 of the housing 2 and extending, slightly, beyond the front edge of the center plate portion 18 . A first rotation axle 25 is arranged and/or defined between the upper tips 26 of the triangular- shaped portions 24 , and a second rotation axle 27 is arranged and/or defined between the front tips 28 of the triangular-shaped portions 24 facing away from the rectangular-shaped portions 23 . The front tips 28 and the upper tips 26 of the triangular-shaped portions 24 are rounded . When seen in the direction from the front tip 28 towards the rectangular-shaped portion 23 , a receiving recess 29, shaped as a right triangle, is provided behind the second rotation axle 28 , wherein the receiving recess

29 merges into the rounded front tip 28 of the respective triangular-shaped portion 24 .

As shown in figures 2B and 2C, the connector 21 comprises two driving arms 30 provided between the two connector plates 22 , which driving arms 30 are arranged rotatable around and/or to the second rotation axle 27 . The two driving arms 30 are arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from each other . Each of the driving arms

30 has an elongated arm portion 31 and, at the side facing away from the front face 3 of the housing 2 and at the end remote from the second rotation axle 27 , a connecting protrusion 32 protruding away from the elongated arm portion 31 . At the side facing towards the front face 3 of the housing 2 and at the end remote from the second rotation axle 27 , each driving arm 30 is provided with an engaging protrusion 33 protruding away from the elongated arm portion 31 . Between the two driving arms 30 , in particular between the connecting protrusions 32 , a third rotation axle 34 is arranged and/or defined .

The electronic driving cylinder 16 is connected rotatably to the rear frame portion 14 at one end thereof , thereby being rotatable around a first rear rotational axis Al , and is operatively connected to the compacting plate 17 at the other end thereof , in particular is rotatably connected to the driving arms 30 around and/or at the third rotation axle 34 . Additionally, a connecting strip 36 is arranged at and extending transverse or substantially transverse to the driving arms 30 . Furthermore , as shown in figure 2B, a guiding arm, in particular an A-shaped guiding arm 35 is provided between the rear frame portion 14 of the module frame 11 and the compacting plate 17 . The A-shaped guiding arm 35 is connected rotatable around and/or to the first rotation axle 25 of the connector 21 , in particular at the tip of the A-shape, and is connected rotatable to the rear frame portion 14 of the module frame 11 , in particular at the opposite side thereof , thereby being rotatable around a second rear rotational axis A2 . It is noted that the second rear rotational axis A2 is located below the first rear rotational axis Al .

As shown in figures 1A, IB and 2A, the compacting module 10 is provided with a litter insert opening closure 50 configured for allowing access to the litter collection space 7 via the litter insert opening 8 , when the compacting module 10 is in the collapsed state as shown in figure 1A, and for preventing access to the litter collection space 7 by closing the litter insert opening 8 , when the compacting module 10 is in the extended state as shown in figure IB .

The litter insert opening closure 50 has a closure wall 51 that is moveable between an open position, as shown in figure 1A, and a closed position, as shown in figure IB . The closure wall 51 has a front portion 60 , facing towards the front face 3 of the housing 2 , and two side portions 61 provided at opposite sides of the front portion 60 and extending therefrom parallel to each other and towards the closure rotational axis A3 . The side portions 61 taper in the direction of the closure rotational axis A3 . As shown in figure 1A, the front portion 60 is slightly curved and, at the side facing towards the closure rotational axis A3 , is provided with two abutting ledges 62 . The abutting ledges 62 , in this example, are formed by folding around the lower edge and the upper edge, respectively, of the front portion 60 of the closure wall 51 . When the closure wall 51 is in the closed position, the front portion 60 of the closure wall 51 is positioned such that it closes the litter insert opening 8 , as shown in figure IB .

The compacting module 10 is further provided with a shield having a number of shield walls , in particular an outer shield wall 53 , an intermediate shield wall 54 , and an inner shield wall 55. The shield walls 53-55 and the closure wall 51 are nestable into each other, such that the outer dimensions of the closure wall 51 in the collapsed state of the compacting module substantially corresponds to the outer dimensions of the closure wall 51 . When in the collapsed state of the compacting module , the inner shield wall 55 is nested within the intermediate shield wall 54 , the intermediate shield wall 54 is nested within the outer shield wall 53 , and the outer shield wall 53 is nested within the closure wall 51 . In order to enable nesting of the closure wall 51 and the shield walls 53-55, each of the closure wall 51 and the shield walls 53-55 is arranged rotatable at the rear frame portion 14 of the module frame 11 , wherein the walls are rotatable around a closure rotational axis A3 that is located below the second rear rotational axis A2 .

The outer shield wall 53 is provided with a front portion 56 , facing towards the front face 3 of the housing 2 , and two side portions 57 provided at opposite sides of the front portion 56 and extending therefrom parallel to each other and towards the closure rotational axis A3 . As shown in figure 1A, the front portion 56 is slightly curved and has an upper side and a lower side . At the upper side , the front portion 56 is provided with a first abutting part 58 that is inclined in a direction away from the front face 3 of the housing 2 with a first inclination . At the lower side, the front portion 56 has a second abutting part 59 that is inclined in a direction away from the front face 3 of the housing . The second abutting part 59 has a second inclination that di ffers from the first inclination .

Furthermore , as shown in figure 2A, the outer shield wall 53 , in particular each of the side portions 57 thereof , are provided with a limiting protrusion 95 that is received within a limiting groove 96 within the side frame portions 12 , 13 . The limiting protrusions 95 and the limiting grooves 96 cooperate in order to limit downwards movement of the outer shield wall 53 .

The intermediate shield wall 54 is provided with a front portion 63 , facing towards the front face 3 of the housing 2 , and two side portions 64 provided at opposite sides of the front portion 63 and extending therefrom parallel to each other and towards the closure rotational axis A3 . As shown in figure 1A, the front portion 63 of the intermediate shield wall 54 is slightly curved and has an upper side and a lower side . At the upper side , the front portion 63 is provided, in a direction from the lower side to the upper side, with a third abutting part 65 that is inclined in a direction towards the front face 3 of the housing 2 with a third inclination, followed by a fourth abutting part 66 that is inclined in a direction away from the front face 3 of the housing 2 . At the lower side , the front portion 63 has an fi fth abutting part 67 that is inclined in a direction away from the front face 3 of the housing . The fi fth abutting part 67 has a fourth inclination that corresponds to the second inclination such that the third abutting part 65 may abut the second abutting part 59 of the outer shield wall 53 when the compacting module 10 is in the extended state .

The inner shield wall 55 , which is shown in more detail in figure 2D, has a front portion 68 , facing towards the front face 3 of the housing 2 , and two side portions 69 provided at opposite sides of the front portion 68 and extending therefrom parallel to each other and towards the closure rotational axis A3 . As shown in figure IB, the front portion 68 is slightly curved and has an upper side and a lower side . At the upper side, the front portion 68 is provided with a sixth abutting part 70 that is inclined in a direction towards the front face 3 of the housing 2 with an inclination corresponding to the second inclination, such that the sixth abutting part 70 may abut against the fifth abutting part 67 , at the side facing towards the closure rotational axis A3 , when the compacting module 10 is in the extended state thereof . As shown in figure IB, the engaging protrusion 33 of each driving arm 30 is connected in a complementary manner to the sixth abutting part 70 at the side facing towards the closure rotational axis A3 , while the side of each driving arm 30 facing towards the front portion 68 is abutting against the front portion 68 . Additionally, at the lower side, the front portion 68 is provided with a curved part 71 , also called connector part , of which the curvature corresponds to the curvature of the rounded front tip 28 of the respective triangular-shaped portion 24 of the connector plates 22 . As a result , the lower edge of the front portion 68 may move along the outer surface of the rounded front tip 28 , thereby ending up in the receiving recess 29 when the compacting module 10 moves from the collapsed state into the extended state .

Furthermore , as best shown in figure 2D, each of the side portions 69 of the inner shield wall 55 has a stepped upper edge 72 in the direction of the closure rotational axis A3 . Each of the side portions 69, in the direction from the front portion 68 to the closure rotational axis A3 , has a first wall part 73 that is diverging from a first height Hl to a second height H2 , which is larger than the first height Hl , in the direction from the front portion 68 towards the closure rotational axis A3 , followed by a second wall part 74 that is converging from the second height H2 to a third height H3 , which is smaller than the second height H2 and larger than the first height Hl . Subsequently, the side portion 69 has a third wall part 75 that is diverging from the third height H3 to a fourth height H4 , which is larger than the second height H2 , followed by a fourth wall part 76 that is converging from the fourth height H4 to a fi fth height H5 , which is smaller than the first height Hl . Following on the fourth wall part 76 a fifth wall part 77 is provided that is converging from the fi fth height H5 and at which the side portions 69 of the inner shield wall 55 are arranged rotatable at the rear frame portion 14 of the module frame 11 .

In order to limit the downward movement of the closure wall 51 when the litter insert opening closure 50 is moving into the open position, the side frame portions 12 , 13 of the module frame 11 are provided with a stopping groove 80 extending at an angle to a notional vertical plane parallel to the rear frame portion wall 81 towards the front face 3 of the housing . As shown in figure 2A, the stopping groove 80 is oriented downwards . The side portions 61 of the closure wall 51 are provided with a stopping protrusion 82 that is received within the stopping groove 80 . When the closure wall 51 of the litter insert opening closure 50 reaches its closed position, the stopping protrusion 82 abuts against the bottom of the stopping groove 80 , thereby preventing further downward movement thereof .

The litter insert opening closure 50 may be moved into the open position, as shown in figure 1A, by means of the driving cylinder 16 , wherein the inner shield wall 55 drags along the intermediate shield wall 54 , and the intermediate shield wall 54 drags along the outer shield wall 53 , as explained below . In order to move the closure wall 51 into the open position, the compacting module 11 is provided with a collapsing mechanism 85 . The collapsing mechanism 85 comprises for each side portion 61 of the closure wall 51 a first collapsing arm 86 that is arranged rotatable at the rear frame portion 14 of the module frame 11 , wherein the first collapsing arm 86 is rotatable about a collapsing rotational axis A5 . When in the open position, the first collapsing arm 86 extends from the rear frame portion 14 towards the front face 3 and to the top face 5 of the housing 2 . At the end facing away from the rear frame portion 14 , a second collapsing arm 87 is connected rotatable to the first collapsing arm 86 wherein the first and second collapsing arms 86 , 87 are rotatable with respect to each other about a further collapsing rotational axis A4 . The first collapsing arm 86 comprises two elongated arm plates 90 running parallel to and at a distance from each other, and connected to each other by two spacers 91 defining the collapsing rotational axis A5 and further collapsing rotational axis A4 , respectively . The second collapsing arm 87 extends downwards and towards the rear frame portion 14 of the module frame 11 from the first collapsing arm 86 . The end of the second collapsing arm 87 facing away from the first collapsing arm 86 is connected rotatable to the respective side portion 61 of the closure wall 51 , such that the side portion 61 and the second collapsing arm 87 are rotatable with respect to each other about a wall rotational axis A6 . As shown in figure 2E, the further collapsing rotational axis A4 is abutting against the third wall part 75 of the side portion 69 of the inner shield wall 55 . Therefore, when the inner shield wall 55 is moved into the collapsed state, the side portions 69 of the inner shield wall 55 pushes further collapsing rotational axis A4 upwards , thereby pulling the closure wall 51 into the open position thereof .

When the litter insert opening closure 50 is moved towards the extended state , the driving cylinder 16 moves among others the inner shield wall 55 slightly downwards , in a first step, by rotating the inner shield wall 55 about the closure rotational axis A3 , while the outer and intermediate shield wall 53 , 54 follow due to the fourth abutting part 66 of the intermediate shield wall 54 remaining in contact with the sixth abutting part 70 of the inner shield wall 55, and to the fourth abutting part 66 of the outer shield wall 53 remaining in contact with the first abutting part 58 of the intermediate shield wall 54 . Due to the inner shield wall 55 moving slightly downwards , for example about 7mm, further collapsing rotational axis A4 follows the side portions 69 of the inner shield wall 55, such that the first collapsing arm 87 moves downwards by rotating around the collapsing rotational axis A5 . As a result the closure wall 51 is enabled and allowed to move downwards into the closed position thereof , before further downwards movement of the outer, intermediate and inner shield walls 53-55, until the stopping protrusion 82 abuts against the bottom of the stopping groove 80 and the closure wall 51 is maintained in the position in which it closes off the litter insert opening 8 . A sensor 78 is provided for sensing whether the litter insert opening 8 is closed by the litter insert opening closure 50 . I f it is determined that the litter insert opening 8 is closed, subsequently, as a second step, the outer, intermediate and inner shield walls 53-55 move further downwards for compacting litter, for example until the compacting plate 17 is in the position shown in figure IB . How far the compacting plate 17 is moved downwards is determined by the compacting drive 15 .

When the litter is compacted, the driving cylinder 16 moves the inner shield wall 55 upwards by rotating the inner shield wall 55 upwardly about the closure rotational axis A3 . While moving upwards , the sixth abutting part 70 of the inner shield wall 55 abuts against the fourth abutting part 66 of the intermediate shield wall 54 , such that the intermediate shield wall 54 is moved upwards together with the inner shield wall 55. Subsequently, the fourth abutting part 66 of the intermediate shield wall 54 abuts against the first abutting part 58 of the outer shield wall 53 such that the outer shield wall 53 is moved upwards together with the intermediate and inner shield walls 54 , 55. Shortly before the outer, intermediate and outer shield walls 53-55 reach the position shown in figure 1A, the side portions 69 of the inner shield wall 55, in particular the third wall part 75 thereof , abut against further collapsing rotational axis A4 , thereby pushing further collapsing rotational axis A4 upwards . Due to further collapsing rotational axis A4 being pushed upwards , the closure wall 51 is dragged upwards by the collapsing mechanism 85 into the position shown in figure 1A, such that the litter insert opening 8 is no longer closed of f by the litter insert opening closure 50 and a passer-by may throw litter into the litter collection space 7 via the litter insert opening 8 .

When in the closed position, the litter insert opening closure 50 prevents a passer-by from inserting a hand into the litter collection space 7 , while the compacting module 10 is compacting litter collected therein . Additionally, the shield prevents litter from getting on top of the compacting plate 17 , while the compacting module 10 is compacting, such that it is prevented that litter gets tangled up, for example, within the driving cylinder 16 and/or the A-shaped guiding arm 35.

As schematically indicated in figure 1A, the litter collection and compactor device is provided with solar panels configured for charging a non-shown energy storage configured for storing electrical energy, which energy storage is electrically connected to among other the compacting drive 15 and a non-shown controller configured for controlling the compacting module 10 .

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention . From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention .