Structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses

Abstract

 This invention refers to the structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses.
This structure comprises an outer containing casing (11) which provides a seat (12) for a refuse container (13) open toward the top and extractable from the seat by extracting means (14).
A refuse compacting pressing plate (16) is attached to the outer containing casing (11), so as to be capable of sliding inside the refuse container (13) through a mechanism of a linked "pantograph" type (17). An arm (20, 21) of the latter (17) carries a hinged sliding actuator (27) for moving said mechanism (17), which is in turn hinged to the outer containing casing (11).
When said pressing plate (16) is in a completely lifted position, the sliding actuator (27) conveniently moves in a prevalent manner in a direction at a right angle to the sliding direction of the pressing plate (16) itself.

Description

[0001] The object of this invention is a structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses. Apart from in a purely domestic environment, the invention is also conveniently applicable in professional environments such as, for instance, in restaurant kitchens, hotels, communities etc.

[0002] In particular, the invention is prevalently applicable to a "dry" type refuse.

[0003] As it is known, the differential refuse collection spreading ever wider in our country no longer allows a combined accumulation of all kinds of refuse produced in a domestic and professional environment.

[0004] It is therefore necessary to make available a number of containers to be charged with refuse sorted in a "wet" and "dry" type, such as tetrapak® containers, polystyrene food bins, nylon bags, plasticized containers and throwaway papers.

[0005] The refuse generally occupies a significant volume; the need for reducing its volume is therefore strongly felt.

[0006] An existing solution consists in compactors capable of reducing the apparent volume of the refuse mass.

[0007] As regards the compaction of "wet" refuse, there are various applied solutions, all tending to compact the refuse and to minimize the bad odours emanating from it, as well as to treat and eliminate the percolate.

[0008] As regards the refuse of a prevalently "dry" type, the presently known solutions refer to normal industrial-type presses, featuring a pressing piston and its relative pressing mechanism set up vertically above the refuse container, of very large overall dimensions; in this case, the piston length is in fact at least equal to the pressing stroke.

[0009] A known solution features a piston acting as a container lid, or that happens to be hooked up to the lead nut of a worm screw connected to an electric motor arranged on the outside of the same container.

[0010] It is evident that there must be a gap to move the linkage between the piston and lead screw along the container.

[0011] This gap is such as to frequently allow the refuse to escape and spread over the surroundings.

[0012] Such a gap is also incapable of retaining the bad odours that may occasionally also emanate from "dry" refuse.

[0013] The gap also prevents using containing bags, as the piston has a vertical slide.

[0014] Moreover, the electric motor's emplacement and the necessary piston mass tend to make the container unstable as a whole.

[0015] This configuration is also inconvenient from a functional viewpoint. The force acting on the piston from the bottom up induces a reaction in the direction of the worm screw, and a bending moment on the worm screw centered on the lead nut.

[0016] The aim of this invention is to set up a structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses capable of resolving the drawbacks affecting the known compactors.

[0017] Within the aforementioned aim, an important object of this invention is to set up a structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses having a limited size.

[0018] A further important object of this invention is to set up a structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses, capable of preventing bad odours from escaping.

[0019] Not the last object of this invention is to set up a structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses to be produced by known systems and technologies.

[0020] This aim and other objects that will be better apparent in the following are achieved by the structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses in accordance with the enclosed claims.

[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better seen in the description of the preferred yet not exclusive executive embodiments of the invention, shown for indicative but non limiting purposes in the attached drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a simplified sectional side view of a structure of a first embodiment of the invention in a first operating condition,
• Figure 2 shows a simplified sectional side view of the structure of the first embodiment of the invention in a second operating condition,
• Figure 3 shows a simplified sectional side view of a portion of the structure according to the first embodiment of the invention, incorporating a first variant;
• Figure 4 shows a simplified sectional side view of a portion of the structure according to the first embodiment of the invention, incorporating another variant;
• Figure 5 shows a simplified sectional side view of a portion of the structure according to a second embodiment of the invention in a first operating condition;
• Figure 6 shows a simplified sectional side view of a portion of the structure according to a second embodiment of the invention in a second operating condition.

[0022] With reference to the mentioned figures, the structure of the refuse compactor, according to the invention, is indicated as a whole by the number 10.

[0023] This structure 10 comprises and outer casing 11 providing a seat 12 for a refuse container 13, extractable from the same by extraction means 14.

[0024] The container 13 is open at the top, while the casing 11 has an opening 15 on one side, so as to allow the container 13 to slide out.

[0025] The containing outer casing 11 holds an internally attached pressing plate for refuse compaction 16, which is capable of sliding inside the refuse container 13.

[0026] This attachment is formed by a sliding mechanism of a linked "pantograph" type 17.

[0027] This linked "pantograph" type mechanism consists of a double pair of linkage arms, in particular of a first pair 19 linked in an "X"-form with the extremity of a first arm 20 hinged to the roof 11a of the casing 11, and the extremity of a second arm 21 attached so a to slide on a first track 22 formed in a fixed manner in said casing 11

[0028] This first pair 19 is linked to a second pair 23 linked in an "X"-form, with the extremity of a third arm 24 hinged to the pressing plate 16, and the extremity of a fourth arm 25 linked so as to slide on a second track 26 provided in a fixed form on said pressing plate 16.

[0029] One arm of this "pantograph" type mechanism 17, in particular said first arm 20 or said second arm 21, is hinged to a sliding actuator 27 to move the mechanism 17; this sliding actuator 27 is in turn connected to the containing outer casing 11.

[0030] The sliding actuator 27 is of a known type, for instance of a pneumatic type (in this latter case, connected to a small electrical compressor), of a hydraulic type (needing an appropriate electrical pumping system), or of an electrical type.

[0031] According to the first embodiment of the structure of the refuse compactor 10 shown in the Figures 1 and 2, said sliding actuator 27 consists of a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator hinged between the rear wall of the containing casing 11 and the first arm 20 of the linkage mechanism 17.

[0032] As can be clearly seen in Figure 2, when the pressing plate 16 is in a fully lifted position, the sliding actuator 27 moves prevalently in a direction at a right angle to the sliding direction of the pressing plate itself.

[0033] In particular, the sliding actuator 27 is in this phase almost totally horizontal, being slightly inclined downward in the sliding-out direction of the container 13, so as to favour the motion of the mechanism 17 at the start.

[0034] According to the second embodiment of the structure of a refuse compactor 10 shown in the Figures 5 and 6, said sliding actuator 27 consists of an electrical-type actuator composed of an electrical motor fastened to the roof of the containing casing 11 and by a worm screw and lead nut unit wherein the lead nut is hinged to the upper extremity of the second arm 21 of the linkage mechanism 17. The worm screw and lead nut unit is driven by the electrical motor and conveniently moved in a direction at a right angle to the sliding direction of the pressing plate.

[0035] The mentioned extracting means 14 of the container 13 comprise, on the lateral flanks of the casing 11, sliding guides 29 in an extracting direction for a small supporting chassis 30 laterally holding the container 13. These guides 29 may be of a known type, for instance of a type used in the drawers of kitchen cabinets or the like.

[0036] This small supporting chassis 30 is defined by a laterally surrounding frame 31, wherein the container can freely slide upward.

[0037] The small supporting chassis 30 can evidently support the full perimeter of the container, or only a part of the same. The container 13 carries, on the sides opposite its upper opening, some protruding edges 32 that rest on the small supporting chassis 30 when the container 13 is extracted from the casing 11.

[0038] The resting plate 33 between the container and the casing 11 is conveniently inclined downward, in the extracting direction of the container 13 itself.

[0039] Whenever the container 13 is extracted from its seat 12, it is thus supported by the small supporting chassis 30, while resting on the chassis 31 with its protruding edges 32.

[0040] On the other hand, whenever the container 13 is pushed in, the supporting plate 33 causes the container 13 to lift itself up, so as to quit resting on the small chassis 30.

[0041] Whenever the pressing plate compresses the refuse inside the container, the vertical force is thus discharged on the inclined surface, instead of being discharged on the guides 29. In order to prevent the horizontal component of the pushing force from pushing out the container 13 from its seat 12, a stop may be used (not shown in the Figures). Figure 3 shows a variant for closing the overall refuse carrying structure 10.

[0042] It can be seen in this Figure that the closing is achieved by providing a complete closing of the perimeter (indicated as a whole by the number 15a) of the opening 15 by the outline of the container 13.

[0043] Figure 4 shows another closing variant. The pressing plate 16 has in this case the same lateral dimensions as the inside of the container 13.

[0044] The pressing plate 16 can therefore remain inside the container 13 (next to the upper opening) while guaranteeing the closure of the same, and lift up whenever the container itself is to be extracted. Alternatively, the container may be closed from an outer topside, on a level flush with the upper opening.

[0045] It has in practice been found that the invention described above leads to solve the drawbacks displayed by the known refuse holding structures; in particular, this invention sets up a structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses that turns out to be highly compact, thanks to the essentially horizontal layout of the sliding actuator 27 and to the use of a "pantograph" type linkage mechanism to move the pressing plate.

[0046] Moreover, the present invention sets up a structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses that turns out to be stable and allows a good closing of the region occupied by the refuse.

[0047] The invention conceived in this way is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept. In particular, the variants of the Figures 3 and 4, described above only in reference to the first executive form of the invention described above, are also applicable to the second executive form of the invention described above.

[0048] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by others of a technically equivalent nature.

[0049] In a practical execution, the applied materials as well as the dimensions may be of any kind, provided they're compatible with the specified uses, and in accordance with the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. Structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses, characterized in that it comprises an outer containing casing (11), providing a seat (12) for a refuse container (13) extractable from said casing (11) by extraction means 14 and open at the top, where said outer containing casing (11) is attached to a refuse compacting pressing plate (16) that can be slid inside said refuse container (13) by a sliding mechanism of a "pantograph" linked type (17), where an arm (20, 21) of said sliding mechanism (17) is hinged to a sliding actuator (27) to move said mechanism (17), said sliding actuator (27) is in turn associated with said outer containing casing (11), and said sliding actuator (27) moves prevalently in a direction at a right angle to the sliding direction of the pressing plate itself (16), when said pressing plate (16) is in a fully lifted position.

2. Structure, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the resting plane (33) between said container (13) and said casing (11) is inclined downward essentially in the extracting direction of the container (13), where said extracting means (14) of said container (11) comprise, on the lateral flanks of said casing (11) and in said extracting direction, some sliding guides (29) for a small supporting chassis (30) containing at least laterally said container (13), said container (13) can be freely slid upward with respect to said chassis (30), and said container (13) further comprises protruding edges (32) on the sides that rest on said small supporting chassis (30) when said container (30) is extracted from said casing (11).

3. Structure, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said mechanism of a "pantograph" linked type (17) is composed of a first pair of arms (19) linked in an X-form with an extremity of a first arm (20) hinged to the roof (11a) of said casing (11), and an extremity of a second arm (21) attached to slide in a first track (22) provided in a fixed manner on said casing (11), where this first pair of arms (19) is linked to a second pair of arms (23) linked in an X-form, with an extremity of a third arm (24) hinged to said pressing plate (16) and an extremity of a fourth arm (25) attached to slide on a second track (26) provided in a fixed manner on said pressing plate (16), and said sliding actuator (27) is hinged to said first arm (20) or to said second arm (21).

4. Structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sliding actuator (27) is slightly inclined downward in the sliding-out direction of said container (13) when said pressing plate is in a fully lifted position, so as to favour the motion of said mechanism (17) at the start.

5. Structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said small supporting chassis (30) is defined by a frame (31) laterally surrounding said container.

6. Structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the perimeter of said opening (15) is completely closed by the outline of said container (13).

7. Structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pressing plate (16) has the same lateral dimensions of the interior of said container (13).

8. Structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuator (27) is of a pneumatic or a hydraulic or an electrical type.

9. Structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuator (27) of an electrical type comprises an electrical motor fastened to the roof of said containing casing (11) and a worm screw and lead nut unit, where said lead nut is hinged to the upper extremity of said second arm (21) of said mechanism (17).

10. Structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said worm screw and lead nut unit is driven by said electric motor and moves in a direction at a right angle to the sliding direction of said pressing plate (16).

Drawing