Waste reduction equipment

Claim 2

A compactor for compacting and storing waste material, said compactor comprising a storage box having an enclosed storage space for storing the compacted material and having charge chamber means for receiving the material to be compacted, said charge chamber means including a chute connected integrally with the storage box and forming a charge chamber space for loading separate from said storage space, a separate and portable packing mechanism including a platen and power means for driving the platen through the charge chamber means to eject and compact the material from the charge chamber means into the storage box, and connecting means for detachably connecting the packing mechanism to the storage box whereby a single packing mechanism with a self-contained platen can be used with a number of storage boxes and none of the storage boxes needs to include a platen.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the charge chamber means include a top loading chute which extends outwardly from one wall of the storage box.

Claim 4

A compactor for compacting and storing waste material, said compactor comprising, a storage box for storing the compacted material and having charge chamber means for receiving the material to be compacted and stored, a packing mechanism including a platen and power means for driving the platen through the charge chamber means to eject and compact the material from the charge chamber means into the storage box, and connecting means for detachably connecting the packing mechanism to the storage box whereby a single packing mechanism can be used with a number of storage boxes, and wherein the charge chamber means include a top opening for loading the material into the charge chamber means, the packing mechanism includes a main frame assembly and a subframe assembly and the subframe is positionable over said opening to close the opening when the packing mechanism is connected to the storage box by said connecting means, the subframe assembly includes a platen and platen pivot means pivotally connnecting the platen in the subframe, said power means include a ram connected in the subframe assembly for swinging the platen about said pivot and through the charge chamber means, and wherein the compactor includes a subframe pivotal connection between the subframe assembly and the main frame assembly which permits the entire subframe assembly to be swung upwardly about the pivot to open said charge chamber opening.

Claim 5

A compactor for compacting and storing waste material, said compactor comprising, a storage box for storing the compacted material and having charge chamber means for receiving the material to be compacted and stored, a packing mechanism including a platen and power means for driving the platen through the charge chamber means to eject and compact the material from the charge chamber means into the storage box, and connecting means for detachably connecting the packing mechanism to the storage box whereby a single packing mechanism can be used with a number of storage boxes, and wherein the charge chamber means include a top opening for loading the material into the charge chamber means, the packing mechanism includes a main frame assembly and a subframe assembly and the subframe is positionable over said opening to close the opening when the packing mechanism is connected to the storage box by said connecting means, the subframe assembly includes a platen and platen pivot means pivotally connnecting the platen in the subframe, said power means include a ram connected in the subframe assembly for swinging the platen about said pivot and through the charge chamber means, and wherein the compactor includes a subframe pivotal connection between the subframe assembly and the main frame assembly which permits the entire subframe assembly to be swung upwardly about the pivot to open said charge chamber opening.

Claim 6

The invention defined in claim 3 including latching means for latching the subframe assembly to the charge chamber means to hold the subframe assembly in the closed position over said opening during the power stroke of the platen. 5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the charge chamber means include a chute and the latching means include a movable hook on the subfreme assembly and a fixed stop on the chute.

Claim 7

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the latching means include an overcenter link mechanism on the subframe assembly.

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the overcenter mechanism includes a handle for operating the mechanism and for raising the subframe assembly about said pivotal connection.

Claim 9

The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the ram is a hydraulic ram and the power means include a hydraulic motor mounted on the main frame assembly.

Claim 10

The invention defined in claim 3 including a counter spring connected between the subframe assembly and the main frame assembly for biasing the subframe assembly toward the opened position.

Claim 11

The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the connecting means include channels on the storage box and end part on the main frame assembly which interfit in the channels when the packing mechanism is connected to the storage box.

Claim 12

The invention defined in claim 3 and wherein the charge chamber means include a chute and a lid pivotally connected to the chute for movement between an open position in which the packing mechanism can be connected to the storage box and a closed position for covering said opening when the packing mechanism is disconnected from the storage box.

Claim 13

The invention defined in claim 3 including wheels on the main frame for transporting the packing mechanism as a portable unit.

Claim 14

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the storage box includes a hinged top and lift arm receptacles for facilitating the dumping of compacted material from the storage box.

Claim 17

The invention defined in claim 14 including covering the opening in the charging chute by closing a chute lid after the packing mechanism has been disconnected and removed.

Claim 18

The invention defined in claim 15 including dumping the compacted material out of the storage box.

Claim 19

The invention defined in claim 14 including repeating steps (a) through (g) with a different storage box.