CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/948,057, filed December 13, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The presently disclosed technology relates to new and improved self-contained compactor systems and more particularly self-contained compactor systems incorporating a straight push cylinder design.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Commercial trash compactors offer businesses tremendous benefits in the form of reducing trash volume and costs associated with hauling, reducing odors and fire damage, and protecting against pests. Self-contained trash compactors are compactors in which the storage or container body and compaction system are combined into one structure that may be hauled to the landfill as a single unit. They are effective in locations where a compactor must reside in place for extended periods of time as it collects waste materials. Self-contained compactors should accommodate waste with high levels of liquid, such as organic wet waste, in a manner that will prevent contamination of public areas during residency and also minimize the risk of leakage during transportation to the landfill for emptying. Compacting wet waste naturally warrants more frequent cleaning of the compactor over time. Self-contained compactors currently available may not be cleaned as frequently as required due to the design of their cleanout systems and the foul environment caused by this type of waste, therefore methods for facilitating easier cleaning are necessary. In many cases, such avoidance of cleaning out these types of compactors has also resulted in damage to the equipment, requiring repair or replacement. Further, because commercial trash compactors frequently accommodate heavy loads, over time the parts often become worn and require replacement. Current self-contained compactor systems typically require a person to enter into the packer’s interior or charge chamber itself to perform maintenance on parts such as hydraulic cylinders, and therefore repair or replacement usually involves work in a confined space where the worker is in direct contact with any waste material remaining inside the compactor, which can be unsanitary and potentially hazardous. Therefore, a self-contained compactor system which allows exterior access to repair parts, provides superior design of parts that encounter heavy wear, and enables improved cleaning methods is needed.

[0004] Self-contained compactor systems are more beneficial to a customer when they do not have to be frequently transported away for emptying. Current designs attempt to maximize storage volume, but are restricted in that they must not exceed a footprint which can be effectively transported by commonly available methods, such as a roll-off hoist transport truck. Early designs of self-contained compactor systems incorporated a straight-push cylinder configuration. This design was effective and durable, but required a long tail section, approximately 5 feet, before the charge chamber to accommodate cylinder length. This tail section cannot store refuse, and as such effectively decreases the total storage volume available in any given footprint. In an effort to maximize storage volume per footprint, current self- contained compactor systems now incorporate a more compact cross-cylinder design; however, this configuration may cause decreased life of cylinders, pins, and other parts due to non-linear secondary forces being applied to the components over time. A self-contained compactor system design that can maximize available storage volume within the required footprint for transportation without impacting component life is needed.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to these and other considerations.

SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to new and improved trash compactor systems or self-contained compactor systems incorporating a straight-push cylinder design, in which the compactor system is actuated in a horizontal direction. The improved design accommodates simplified reservoir cleaning and easier access to the internal components, cylinders, and hoses of the self-contained compactor system.

[0007] In some embodiments, the self-contained compactor system can comprise a packer including a back wall and side walls defining a space for receiving refuse to be compacted and first and second pockets disposed across a top portion of each of the side walls of the packer. The self-contained compactor system can further comprise a ram comprising a ram body and first and second arms coupled to the ram body, the first and second arms each having a top surface disposed approximately planar to a top surface of the ram body and each of the first and second arms projecting outwardly from the ram body. The first and second arms can be configured to be inserted within the first and second pockets of the packer and move horizontally within the first and second pockets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figures 1A-1F illustrate various views of a ram for a self-contained compactor system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure IF in particular is an inverted isometric view.

[0009] Figures 2A-2F illustrate various views of a packer for a self-contained compactor system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figures 3A-3E illustrate various views of a self-contained compactor system in various stages of ram extension and retraction from the packer, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figures 4A-4C illustrates a back view, a horizontal cutaway view, and a detail view of a ram, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figures 5A-5B illustrates a front view and a detail view of a self-contained compactor system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figures 6A-6B illustrates a top view and a vertical cutaway view of a self-contained compactor system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figures 7A-7D illustrates a side view, a horizontal cutaway view, and two detail views of a self-contained compactor system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 8 illustrates a self-contained compactor system with container body, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 9 illustrates a prior art cleanout system, which some embodiments of the present disclosure have improved upon.

[0017] Figures 10A-10C illustrate isometric views of another ram for a self-contained compactor system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figures 11A and 11B illustrate various views of another packer for a self-contained compactor system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 12 illustrates another self-contained compactor system that includes the ram of Figures 10A-10C and the packer of Figures 11A and 11B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Trash compactors generally include a ram, a packer, a container body, and hydraulics for actuating the ram to compact debris contained within the packer to the container body. The hydraulics work to move the ram away from the packer to force debris into a compact state inside the container body. Embodiments of the presently disclosed self-contained compactor system incorporate a unique housing for the hydraulic cylinders to actuate the ram in a way that facilitates a straight-push design, which maintains the same compactor footprint of the prior design while increasing storage volume, accommodating simplified reservoir cleaning, and providing easier access to non-structural components such as cylinders, and hoses. Access to these components is important because maintaining the trash compactor during its life will undoubtedly require replacement or repair of these parts and cleaning out of the compactor. The various features and functions of the presently disclosed self-contained compactor systems are described in detail below with respect to figures depicting an exemplary embodiment. [0021] Figures 1A-1F illustrate various views of a ram 100 of a self-contained compactor system 300 (depicted in Figures 3A-3E), according to some embodiments. The ram 100 of Figures 1A-1F generally comprises a first arm 110, a second arm 120, and a ram body 130. The first arm 110 and the second arm 120 comprise extensions of the ram body 130 via a top surface 111, 121 of each of the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 which top surfaces 111, 121 are integral to a top surface 131 of the ram body 130, as illustrated for instance in Figure 1C. As such, the top surface 111, 121 of each of the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 is substantially planar to or co-planar with a top surface 131 of the ram body 130. Additionally, each of the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 can be defined by an insertion end 112, 122 and an extension end 115, 125. Each of the first arm 110 and the second arm 120 can be set parallel to each other and perpendicular to and beyond and in front of a front face 133 of the ram 100. Each of the first and second arms 110, 120 have an axial length between the extension end 115, 125 and the insertion end 112, 122 of each respective arm 110, 120 with the insertion end 112,122 offset rearward of the compacting face 133, opening towards the back 135 of the ram body 130.

[0022] The ram arms 110, 120 comprise substantially hollow structures, each defining an interior space which houses the hydraulic cylinders 310, 320 (depicted in greater detail in Figures 6B, 7B-7D) when the ram 100 is combined with a packer 200 (depicted in greater detail in Figures 2A-2F), the combination of which further enables a self-contained compactor system 300 (as illustrated in Figures 3A-3E). In some embodiments, the arms 110, 120 can be substantially rectangular in shape, as illustrated in Figures 1A-1F In some embodiments, the arms 110, 120 can comprise slot-and-tabs 113, 123 disposed lengthwise along the arms so that the top surface 111, 121 and bottom surface 116, 126 are juxtaposed with the inside surface 117a, 117b and outside surface 127a, 127b of the arms 110, 120. The slot-and-tabs form apart of an interlocking design that assists with structural integrity and assembly of the arms 110, 120. The interlocking design minimizes the need for complex fixturing and helps make the assembly more repeatable.

[0023] As mentioned above, each of the arms 110, 120 can be defined by an insertion end 112, 122 and an extension end 115, 125. The insertion end 112, 122 is the end of the arms 110, 120 that is inserted into the packer 200 (depicted in greater detail in Figures 2A-2F). The extension ends 115, 125 are the end of the arms farthest from the ram body 130. In other words, the extension ends 115, 125 are disposed distal to a front or compacting face 133 of the ram body 130. The insertion end 112, 122 can be open such that it is configured to receive a hydraulic cylinder. The extension end 115, 125 can comprise a bevel 114, 124 and a cap 118, 128 to cover the extension end 115, 125. Proximate the extension end 115, 125 of each of the arms 110, 120 is a hole 119, 129 for securing a respective hydraulic cylinder. In some embodiments, the arms 110, 120 may each comprise a pin cap 150a, 150b.

[0024] Disposed on a top surface 111, 121 and a bottom surface 116, 126 of the arms 110, 120 is an abrasion-resistant liner 151. The abrasion-resistant liner 151 can be any suitable abrasion- resistant liner known in the art, including steels.

[0025] The ram body 130 can generally comprise a compacting face 133 that extends downwards from the arms 110, 120 and serves to compact trash disposed within the charge chamber 305 of the compactor system 300 (as illustrated in Figure 3A). In some embodiments, the ram body 130 can comprise the structure illustrated in Figure IF. The front face 133 of and in particular, a top surface 131 and a bottom surface 139 can be substantially flat. The back 135 of ram body 130 can comprise a plurality of vertical panels 137, disposed between tapered side portions 138a, 138b, further comprising a plurality of horizontal shelves 136, such that the back 135 is divided into a honeycomb-like structure open at the back and with front 133 forming a closed end of each cell of the honeycomb-like structure. The rearmost face 132 can comprise tabs 134a, 134b for catching a drag plate 340 as shown in Figures 3A-3C of the assembly 300 when the ram is being extended. The drag plate prevents material from falling behind the ram when fully extended.

[0026] Figures 2A-2Fillustrate various views and elements of a packer 200, according to some embodiments of the presently disclosed self-contained compactor systems. The packer 200 can generally comprise a floor 201, side walls 202, 203, and a back wall 204. Disposed proximate a top portion of each side wall 202, 203 is a pocket 210, 220 for slidably receiving a respective arm 110, 120 of the ram 100, as illustrated for instance in Figures 3A-3B. The pockets 210, 220 can be disposed horizontally across the top portion of each side wall 202, 203 and parallel to the floor 201 of the packer 200. The pockets 210, 220 are composed of cut-outs within the side walls 202, 203 of the packer 200 and have approximately a rectangular C-shaped cross- section, as illustrated in Figures 5A-5B. The pockets 210, 220 comprise open ends. A front end 212, 222 of each pocket 210, 220 is configured to receive an insertion end 112, 122 of each respective arm 110, 120 and a back end 211, 221 of each pocket 210, 220 facilitates access to the hydraulic cylinders 310, 320 to be disposed within the pockets 210, 220. In some embodiments, the packer 200 can comprise covers 230, 231 for covering the back end 211, 221 of each pocket 210, 220, as illustrated in Figure 2E. The pockets 210, 220 further comprise an abrasion-resistant liner 251 on the top and bottom surface of each pocket 210, 220, composed of the same, a similar, or a complimentary material as the abrasion-resistant liners 151 lining the arms 110, 120 of the ram 100.

[0027] In some embodiments, the floor 201 of the packer 200 can be flat and solid unlike prior designs which had an open cavity under the packer floor to allow liquid and material that got behind the ram a path to empty out the front of the packer floor.

[0028] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 2A-2F, the packer 200 can further comprise an improved cleanout system, used in place of the open cavity under the packer floor in previous designs, illustrated in Figure 9. As illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2F, the improved cleanout system can comprise circular holes 261, 262 disposed within an exterior surface 206 below the back wall 204, the holes 261, 262 opening into such space 308 (Figure 6B) as can be defined within system 300 as that which is internal to the packer 200 and also behind the back 135 of the ram body 130. The circular holes 261, 262 can be disposed on a bottom portion of the back wall 204 of the packer 200 and beneath a projecting portion of the back wall 204 of the packer 200. The improved cleanout system can further comprise caps 263, 264 (shown in Figure 2E and 3C) that cover the circular holes 261, 262. The caps 263, 264 can be removable so that the interior of the self-contained compactor system can be cleaned out easily with commonly available tools, rather than by physically entering a confined space. [0029] To provide hydraulic power to the cylinders 310, 320 and actuate the ram 100, the packer 200 can comprise a plurality of internal hoses 330 (Figure 6B) and a plurality of external hoses 240 (Figure 2E). In some embodiments, for example, the packer 200 can comprise 4 internal hoses and 4 external hoses. In some embodiments, the internal hoses 330 can be disposed underneath each hydraulic cylinder and connect at connectors 331 to the external hoses 240 which can be disposed beneath a back wall 204 of the packer 200.

[0030] Figures 3A-3E illustrate an assembly of the packer 200 and ram 100 to form the self- contained compactor system 300, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. A back end 135 of the ram body 130 can be inserted into the packer 200, such that the insertion end (112, 122) of each of the first and second arms 110, 120 is inserted within the pockets 210,

220 of the packer 200. As illustrated in Figure 3B, the extension ends (115, 125) of each of the arms 110, 120 can be disposed external to the self-contained compactor system 300 when the ram is in a fully extended position. As the self-contained compactor system is actuated, the arms 110, 120 can move horizontally within the pockets 210, 220 away from the back end 211,

221 of each pocket 210, 220. The pockets serve both to retain and guide the arms 110, 120 and thus guide and retain the ram body 130 in position within the packer 200. Further, the pockets 210, 220 serve to support the weight of ram 100 in such a way as to limit the friction wear during compaction to the abrasion-resistant liners 151, 251 (shown working together in Figure 5B) and therefore extend the life of the packer floor 201 and the ram bottom 139.

[0031] Figures 6A and 6B depict various sectioned views illustrating the inside of the pockets 210, 220 of packer 200. As illustrated in Figure 6B, as Figure 6A is sectioned along the line A-A, a portion of the arm 110 is inserted within the pocket 210. A hydraulic cylinder 310 is disposed within the arm 110. Internal hoses 330 are disposed within the self-contained compactor system 300 and external hoses 240 disposed outside the self-contained compactor system 300. Figure 6B further depicts a side view of a cap 263 for the improved cleanout system.

[0032] Figure 7B, sectioned along the line B-B in Figure 7A, illustrates the connecting method of the cylinders 310, 320 with the pockets 210, 220 and the arms 110, 120. As illustrated in Figure 7B, each cylinder 310, 320 comprises connecting members 350a, 350b (further illustrated in Figures 7C and 7D) disposed proximate each end of the cylinder. The connecting member 350a, 350b can be disposed widthwise within the pocket 210. In some embodiments, the connecting member can comprise a cylindrical structure disposed perpendicular to the hydraulic cylinder 310, 320 (and therefore widthwise within the first and second arms 110, 120).

[0033] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 7C, the mechanism for connecting the arm 110 to the cylinder 310 includes a cotter pin 353 which extends through the cap 150a (see Figure 1A) and terminates proximate a structural gusset 354. The cotter pin 353 extends through the connecting member 350b to couple the cylinder 310 with the arm 110. This allows a cylinder to be disconnected from the packer 100 while outside the system 300.

[0034] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 7D, the mechanism for connecting the cylinder 310 to the pocket 210 includes coupling the connecting member 350a to circular holes 271, 273 in the pocket and holding it in place via a removable plug 352. This allows a cylinder to be disconnected from the packer 200 and then removed from the outside of the self-contained compactor system 300 after also disconnecting member 350b and removing the covers 230, 231

[0035] The self-contained compactor system 300 further comprises additional conventional features such as a container body 500 as illustrated in Figure 8, and a breaker bar 313 as shown in Figure 3A, which adds rigidity to the structure so that if a large object becomes obstructed at the opening of the container body 500, continued compaction will not damage the container body 500. Retainer teeth 315 are attached to the breaker bar 313 prevent material from springing back into the charge chamber 305 of the complete system 300 during compaction of refuse into the container body 500.

[0036] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the self-contained compactor system 300 in various stages of ram 100 extension from the packer 200. Figure 3A shows the system 300 in a retracted position 410, functionally open and configured for receiving refuse in the charge chamber 305. Figure 3B shows the system 300 in a fully extended position 420, such that refuse which may have been in the charge chamber 305 is now compacted into a container body 500 which would be attached at the front of packer 200, proximal to the breaker bar 313. This extension and retraction is powered by the hydraulic cylinders 310, 320 which extend to move the arms 110, 120 of the ram 100 within the pockets 210, 220 of the packer 200.

[0037] Figures 10A-10C illustrate various views of a ram 600 of another self-contained compactor system 800 (depicted in Figure 12), according to some embodiments. As can be seen in Figures 10A-10C, the ram 600 generally comprises a first arm 610, a second arm 620, and a ram body 630. The first arm 110 and the second arm 120 comprise extensions of the ram body 130 via a top surface 611, 621 of each of the first arm 610 and the second arm 620 which top surfaces 611, 621 are integral to a top surface 631 of the ram body 630, as illustrated for instance in Figure 10A. Additionally, each of the first arm 610 and the second arm 620 can be defined by an insertion end 612, 622 and an extension end 615, 625. Each of the first arm 610 and the second arm 620 can be set parallel to each other and perpendicular to and beyond and in front of a front face 633 of the ram 600. Each of the first and second arms 610, 620 have an axial length between the extension end 615, 625 and the insertion end 612, 622 of each respective arm 610, 620 with the insertion end 612, 622 offset rearward of the compacting face 633, opening towards the back 635 of the ram body 630.

[0038] The ram arms 610, 620 comprise substantially hollow structures, each defining an interior space which houses hydraulic cylinders (e.g. hydraulic cylinders 310, 320 in Figures 6B, 7B-7D) when the ram 600 is combined with a packer 700 (depicted in greater detail in Figures 11A-11B), the combination of which further enables a self-contained compactor system 800 (as illustrated in Figure 12). The insertion end 612, 622 is the end of the arms 610, 620 that is inserted into the packer 700. The extension ends 615, 625 are disposed distal to a front or compacting face 633 of the ram body 630.

[0039] The ram body 630 can generally comprise a compacting face 633 that extends downwards from the arms 610, 620 and serves to compact trash disposed within a charge chamber (e.g., chamber 305 of Figure 3A) of the compactor system 800 (as illustrated in Figure 12). In some embodiments, the ram body 630 can comprise the structure illustrated in Figure IOC. For example, the front face 633 of and in particular, a top surface 631 and a bottom surface 639 of the ram body 630 can be substantially flat. The back 635 of ram body 630 can comprise a plurality of vertical panels 637, disposed between tapered side portions 638a, 638b, further comprising one or more horizontal shelves 636, such that the back 635 is divided into a honeycomb-like structure open at the back and with front 633 forming a closed end of each cell of the honeycomb-like structure. As depicted in Figure IOC, in some implementations, the bottom surface 639 of the ram body 630 can be configured to extend beyond the one or more horizontal shelves 636, which allows for improved engagement of the ram 600 with the packer 700 when the ram 600 is in a fully extended position (as depicted in Figure 12).

[0040] Figures 11A and 11B illustrate front and rear views of a packer 700 of the compactor system 800 (as depicted in Figure 12). The packer 700 can generally comprise a floor 701, side walls 702, 703, and a back wall 704. Disposed proximate a top portion of each side wall 702, 703 is a pocket 710, 720 for slidably receiving a respective arm 610, 620 of the ram 600, as illustrated for instance in Figure 12. The pockets 710, 720 can be disposed horizontally across the top portion of each side wall 702, 703 and parallel to the floor 701 of the packer 700. The pockets 710, 720 are composed of cut-outs within the side walls 702, 703 of the packer 700 and have approximately a rectangular C-shaped cross-section. The pockets 710, 720 comprise open ends. A front end 712, 722 of each pocket 710, 720 is configured to receive an insertion end 612, 622 of each respective arm 610, 620 and a back end 711, 721 of each pocket 710, 720 facilitates access to the hydraulic cylinders to be disposed within the pockets 710, 720. As can be seen in Figures 11A and 11B, in some implementations, the pockets 710, 712 extend beyond the respective side walls 702,703 such that the front end 712, 722 of each pocket 710, 720 is positioned in front of and extends beyond the floor 701 of the packer 700, which allows for improved engagement of the packer 700 with the ram 600 when the ram 600 is in a fully extended position (as depicted in Figure 12).

[0041] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B, the packer 700 can further comprise an improved cleanout system, used in place of the open cavity under the packer floor in previous designs. As illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B, the improved cleanout system can comprise circular holes 761, 762 disposed within an exterior surface 706 below the back wall 704, the holes 761, 762 opening into such space as can be defined within system 800 as that which is internal to the packer 700 and also behind the back 635 of the ram body 630. The circular holes 761, 762 can be disposed on a bottom portion of the back wall 704 of the packer 700 and beneath a projecting portion of the back wall 704 of the packer 700. The improved cleanout system can further comprise caps (e.g., caps 263, 264 shown in Figure 2E and 3C) that cover the circular holes 761, 762. The caps can be removable so that the interior of the self-contained compactor system 800 can be cleaned out easily with commonly available tools, rather than by physically entering a confined space.

[0042] To provide hydraulic power to the cylinders and actuate the ram 600, the packer 700 can comprise a plurality of internal hoses (e.g., hose 330 of Figure 6B) and a plurality of external hoses (e.g., hose 240 of Figure 2E).

[0043] The self-contained compactor system 800 further comprises additional conventional features such as a container body (e.g., container body 500 as illustrated in Figure 8) and a breaker bar (e.g., breaker bar 313 as shown in Figure 3A), which adds rigidity to the structure so that if a large object becomes obstructed at the opening of the container body 500, continued compaction will not damage the container body.

[0044] Figure 12 shows the self-contained compactor system 800 in a fully extended position 820, such that refuse which may have been in the charge chamber of the system 800 is compacted into a container body be attached at the front of packer 700, proximal to the breaker bar. Extension and retraction of the ram 600 within the packer 700 is powered by hydraulic cylinders which extend to move the arms 610, 620 of the ram 600 within the pockets 710, 720 of the packer 700. As previously discussed, the bottom surface 639 of the ram body 630 extends beyond the one or more horizontal shelves 636 and the pockets 710, 712 of the packer 700 extend forward such that the front end 712, 722 of each pocket 710, 720 is positioned in front and extends beyond the floor 701 of the packer 700. These features allows for improved engagement of the packer 700 with the ram 600 when the ram 600 is in a fully extended position

820.

[0045] Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.