GB1326425A - Compacting system - Google Patents

Abstract

1326425 Compacting system ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION RESEARCH CORP 3 Aug 1970 [5 Aug 1969] 37365/70 Heading B8C [Also in Division E2] Refuse from a shoot 100 at a receiving station 1 falls through a gate 112 into a container 106 and is compacted at a station 3 by means of a ram 123. If the level of compacted material in the container is below a predetermined level it is returned to a position beneath the shoot 100 to receive more refuse, and if it is above the predetermined level it is ejected from the system down a ramp 129. A control circuit 2 opens the gate 112 when refuse is sensed by sensor 113 in the shoot and when a container 106, is in position below it, indicated by limit switches 120, 121, moves the container 106 to the compacting station 3 when the gate 112 is reclosed, indicated by limit switch 115, actuates the ram when the container 106 is positioned beneath it, as indicated by limit switches 124 and 125, and moves the container back to the receiving station or down the ramp 129 after the level of the compacted material has been sensed by means of a protuberence 127 on a sensor rod 126 co-operating with a switch 128. Control circuit 2 may also operate a sprayer 130 to spray an insecticide, deodorizing agent or sealing compound on to the material. The containers 106 may be mounted in holders 107 and are movable along platforms 101 and 122 by means of dogs on a conveyer belt or chain arrange - ment. To facilitate removal of the contents of the container 106 it is provided with a removable liner (140). The container 106 may be disposable or may have a plastics or paper bag inserted between it and the liner, when the side of the container may be openable. If the containers are placed in holders 107, they may be bottomless. The liner (140) may comprise two semi-cylindrical halves (141, 142) releasably hinged together and being outwardly flared and flanged at their upper ends, or may comprise a split cylinder (165) which springs outwardly when released from constraint in the form of a multiple latch. A section of the shoot may be lined with firebrick and a burner controlled by circuit 2 installed to inject flames above the gate 112 to destroy vermin. Doors 131, 132 are provided above and below the gate 112 to allow access in the event of jamming. In a modification, a second gate (134) is provided above the gate 112 and is closed when gate 112 is open to prevent too great a load of refuse being delivered to the container. In a second modification, additional switches (160 and 161) are provided above switch 128 and additional sensors (162, 163) in shoot 100 to determine whether the container 106 at the compacting station can accommodate the refuse collected in the shoot. The control circuit 2 comprises AND gates, OR gates and flip-flops. The sensors may be sonic, photoelectric or "whisker-type".