Material or article handling – Device for emptying portable receptacle – For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-21
2001-12-25
Bratlie, Steven A. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Device for emptying portable receptacle
For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
C414S408000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332745
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to systems and apparatus for lifting and loading materials into storage containers. The invention more particularly relates to an automated vehicular apparatus and method for the collection of waste materials.
In many environments, there is a need to efficiently lift and load large volumes of materials. The collection of waste materials is a good example of one such environment.
The use of curbside waste collection containers is becoming more and more widespread. In one arrangement, waste materials are accumulated by a household in plastic or metal containers. The refuse crew may empty the contents of these containers into waste collection vehicles using specially designed lifting and loading assemblies. By using these relatively large collection containers in association with specially designed lifting and loading assemblies, large volumes of waste materials can be collected in a relatively short period of time, compared to conventional hand-loading operations.
A conventional refuse collection vehicle includes a cab, a body for storing refuse positioned at the rear of the cab, and a container-handling mechanism, (such as a lift arm or boom connected to a container gripper), carried on a wheeled chassis adjacent either the cab or the body. With an automated vehicle, the container-handling mechanism is typically controllably actuated by pressurized hydraulic fluid selectively directed by controls located at the operator's compartment within the cab. Conventionally, the container-handling mechanism includes pivoting forks or opposed gripping members carried at the end of the lifting arm(s) or boom which is extendable and retractable relative to the curb or pick-up side of the vehicle. When the vehicle is brought to a stop, the lifting arm(s) and the associated fork(s) or gripping members engage the container. The container is then elevated through coordinated movement of the lifting arm(s) and/or boom and forks, for example, to position the container adjacent or over a hopper located behind the cab to deposit the refuse.
Lifting and loading mechanisms that engage the container in the front of the waste collection vehicle, known as “frontloaders”, are in common use. (Throughout this application, “front” or “forward” will be used to signify the cab-end of the vehicle while “back” or “rearward” will denote the opposite direction of the vehicle.) These mechanisms conventionally have two curved arms that clear the cab in front of the vehicle, connected to a pair of pivoting forks that fit into side or bottom pockets of a steel collection container. Other conventional mechanisms employ a triangular frame in front of the cab that locks into a triangular pocket on the rear face of a collection container. Other types of collection containers can be used, as well.
Another example of a lifting assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,767 to Edelhoff et. al. Edelhoff discloses a lift arm arranged to pick-up the containers along the side of the cab, generically known as a “sideloader.”
Conventional refuse vehicles include a packing blade or ram to periodically compact the refuse within the storage body, permitting larger loads. The specific location of the packing blade is typically not monitored by a feedback control system. Instead, trip switches are conventionally used to detect whether a predetermined “packing point” has been reached by the the packing ram; if not, the ram is returned to its original forward or home position, and the operator is apprized of the presence of a full load by an indicator light or other means. It would be advantageous to continuously monitor the packer ram movement, and to maintain a packing pressure on the load at predetermined times, even when the packing point cannot be reached, to increase payloads.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a refuse compacting system with enhanced packing efficiency.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a refuse vehicle with a fast and efficient return-from-dump cycle.
Yet another object is to provide an automated vehicular waste system in which movement of the arms and forks is constantly monitored to avoid undesirable arm or fork motion which might damage the vehicle.
It is also an object to provide an automated refuse vehicle which can handle conventional containers, in addition to those specially designed for automated use.
Another objective is to permit the use of an automated refuse vehicle of the “frontloader” variety that is “low profile” in the sense that the lift arm does not exceed a relatively low, predetermined height “envelope” during lifting and dumping of the container.
Another objective of this invention is to provide a lifting and loading apparatus that performs all primary operations with a single control lever.
Still another objective of this invention is to provide a lifting and loading apparatus that permits the use of a conventional, unmodified cab.
Still other objects will be recognized upon reading the following disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objectives are provided by the present invention. One feature of the invention includes a compacting system for use with transportable or stationary packers. Packing means, such as a packing panel(s), blade(s) or ram(s) are adapted to compact refuse deposited within an enclosure. The packing means is preferably capable of extending and retracting between a predetermined packing point and a home position. The compacting system includes a control system for continuously monitoring the rate of movement of the packing means. The packing means is capable of operation in a creep mode in which if the rate of movement of the packing means is less than a pre-programmed rate of movement, the packing means maintains a compacting force on the refuse in the direction of its original movement for a preselected time period or until the packing point is reached, whichever occurs first, after which the packing means reverses its direction.
In another preferred embodiment, the compacting system of the present invention is used within the environment of the storage body of a refuse vehicle. The storage body has a loading opening for receiving refuse. A packing ram is located within the storage body and is adapted to compact refuse deposited within the body. The packing ram is capable of extending to a pre-programmed packing point and retracting to a home position. A control system is provided for monitoring the movement of the packing ram. The packing ram is also capable of operation in a creep mode in which, if the rate of movement of the packing ram is less than a pre-programmed rate of movement, the packing ram maintains a compacting force on the refuse in the direction of its original movement for a preselected time period or until the packing point is reached, after which the packing ram reverses direction. This embodiment is fully adaptable to refuse vehicles of either the “eject” or “dump” style for removing collected refuse.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a follower cover is automatically positionable over the loading opening in response to movement (extension) of the packing blade.
A method for compacting refuse within the storage body of a vehicle during refuse collection also forms part of the present invention. This invention includes the step of providing a packing ram located within the storage body and adapted to compact refuse deposited within the storage body. The packing ram is preferably capable of extending to a predetermined packing point and retracting to a home position. A control system is also provided for continuously monitoring the rate of movement of the packing ram. The control system is used to extend the packing ram and begin compacting refuse within the storage body. If the rate of movement of the packing ram is less than a pre-programmed rate of movement, the packing ram is placed in a creep mode in which a compacting force is maintained on the refuse in the direction of its original movement for a preselected time period
Duell Charles A.
Horning Larry D.
Pfeifer Thomas E.
Bratlie Steven A.
Galion Solid Waste Equipment Co.
Niro Scavone Haller & Niro
LandOfFree
Compacting system and refuse vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Compacting system and refuse vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Compacting system and refuse vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2583562