Material or article handling – Device for emptying portable receptacle – For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-23
2004-04-20
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Device for emptying portable receptacle
For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
C414S517000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06722839
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of refuse handling apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to refuse collection bodies of a type having a hopper for receiving refuse and a storage area for storing refuse from the hopper and compressing it to increase storage capacity. In a further and more specific aspect, the present invention concerns novel features for providing a lightweight, structurally rigid collection body comprising a loading assembly for dumping refuse into an elevated hopper; a reception area for refuse dumped into the hopper; a storage area for storage and compaction of refuse; a packer assembly for compression of the refuse within the storage area; a tailgate providing access to the storage area; a latching mechanism for the tailgate; and an actuation system comprised of hydraulic and electrical components for controlling the operation thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modern municipal governments must provide for the collection, removal, and disposal of community refuse. This service, provided either by the municipal government or by contract, consists of requiring the residents to amass their refuse in storage containers for routine collection by refuse collection vehicles. The containers are either provided by the residents or, when standardization is necessary, by the organization providing the service. Residential refuse is generally amassed and stored in containers having a ten to thirty gallon capacity. On a regular basis the containers are placed by the residents for scheduled pick up by the collection service at a designated location, most commonly at the curbside and alley line.
To efficiently perform the collection operation, the service ordinarily uses mechanized and automated refuse collection vehicles supplemented by manual labor. A refuse collection vehicle generally consists of a refuse collection body mounted upon a standard truck chassis, the body having a reception area for the refuse and a storage area where the refuse is stored and generally compacted. The vehicle is attended by a crew of workers that attended to operation of the vehicle and perform loading chores of either manually conveying refuse from collection containers or operating automatic loading devices.
Commonly, the reception area includes a hopper into which refuse is dumped. The hopper may be positioned at a conveniently low loading height so that containers may be manually emptied by workers, or the hopper may be positioned higher on the refuse collection vehicle and accessed by a mechanical loading apparatus which lifts the container and dumps its contents into the hopper. Means are generally provided for transferring the refuse from the hopper to the storage area. The storage area is typically equipped with a packer assembly for compressing loose refuse into a smaller volume so that the carrying capacity of the vehicle is increased. The storage area also typically includes an unloading means for ejecting refuse from the storage area at the disposal site.
Considerable thought has been directed by many in the refuse collection industry towards the development of refuse collection technology. As a result, it is generally agreed that the most efficient method of collecting refuse is for the refuse to be provided at streetside locations in relatively large containers of uniform dimensions which are handled by automated equipment. The containers may, for example, be of sufficient size to service several households. The refuse collection vehicle is equipped with a self-loading device which lifts and dumps the container. Increased load carrying capacity of the vehicle is achieved through the use of compactor-type bodies which compress loose refuse into a smaller area within the storage area. The refuse collection industry has seen numerous designs for accomplishing one or more of these functions, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, it is well-recognized that a compactor-type body is desirable, but this is accomplished in various ways, usually with reciprocating platen or auger-type packer mechanisms. Loading is accomplished by front, side, or rear mounted mechanisms which may incorporate either fixed or extendible length arms. Refuse may be removed from the collection body either by expulsion by the compactor mechanism or by tilting the body to allow gravity to assist in dumping.
There are a number of particular problems which require better solutions. First, because prior art reciprocating packers are normally perform a packing operation in only one direction, termed the forward stroke, normally defined as being away from the vehicle cab towards the rear end by expansion of a piston, the return stroke constitutes wasted motion and wasted time. Furthermore, dumping of the refuse container into the collection body must be coordinated with the packing action to prevent the accumulation of refuse at the rearward or backside of the platen. While an auger arrangement provides continuous operation, it is at the expense of increased manufacturing costs and decreased reliability. Subjected to unequal forces and having bearings at only one end, the device can be wedged to a stop. In either case, the packing mechanism requires power from the vehicle engine for powering; the load placed on the engine by the packing actuating system precludes the simultaneous performance of the packing operation and transportation of the collection vehicle by the vehicle engine. It is desirable to perform multiple, simultaneous operations for speed and efficiency.
Second, with the increased size of the refuse collection containers, the collection bodies of most refuse collection vehicles have also grown to accommodate larger loads. However, these larger collection bodies have an increased tare weight due to the additional weight required by structural members required to accommodate the weight of the refuse and also by the force exerted against the collection body walls as the refuse is compacted. The walls of the present storage bodies are generally bulky and normally include vertical and/or horizontal bracing elements welded to the walls to rigidify and strengthen the walls or bulky support structures for bracing the storage body. Such walls and structures are expensive to construct, reduce the payload that the vehicle can carry, and diminish the general exterior appearance of the storage body. They further disturb the aerodynamic shape of the refuse collection vehicle which correspondingly decreases the gas mileage of the refuse collection vehicle during normal operation, thus increasing its operating cost. The increased forces necessary for compacting a larger, heavier load of refuse also cause a higher damage rate in the wall structure, necessitating routine replacement; if expensive advertising artwork has been applied to the outer wall, the artwork must be reapplied to a replaced outer wall, thus further increasing expense.
Third, to further enhance the automated collection of refuse, many collection bodies incorporate a tailgate assembly mounted to swing rearwardly and act as a closure for the rearward opening. These tailgate assemblies are normally bulky and incorporate complex mechanical features for latching and unlatching the tailgate assembly with the rearward opening. However, the accessible rearward opening allows refuse collected within the storage container to be ejected from the rearward opening. To this end, apparatus currently exist for either tilting the storage body upwardly to allow gravity to move the refuse from the storage area and outwardly through the rearward end for dumping, or direct ejection of the refuse outwardly through the rearward end. To eject the refuse outwardly through the rearward end of the storage body, innovators have adapted packing mechanisms which operate for not only transferring and packing refuse into the storage area from the reception area, but also for ejecting the refuse outwardly through the rearward end for deposit at suitable waste di
Fox Charles A
Harvey III James F.
Pendpac, Inc.
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