Refuse compaction apparatus and method

Abstract

In successive cycles of movement of packing panel means in a hopper, refuse is stuffed at high pressures into a progressively narrowed throat in the hopper and is churned, fragmented and compacted during such stuffing operation. At positions beyond the throat, the refuse is directed at reduced pressures through the passage into a storage body. When the pressure of the refuse in the passage reaches a particular value, a servo obtains the movement of an ejection panel in a direction to relieve such pressure. A retainer panel is movable, in accordance with the cyclic movement of the packing panel means through the hopper, between a first position opening the passage and a second position closing the passage and is disposed in the first position to define an extension of the passage. A distance accommodating human fingers is provided between the edge on the packing panel means and a curved inner surface in the hopper at a point adjacent to a sill in the hopper. This distance is maintained as the packing panel moves through the hopper for some distance past the sill to a pinch point near the bottom of the hopper. The packer panel means includes a body with a generally elliptical cross-sectional configuration and a high torque-transmitting capability. Drive means are connected to only one end of the packer panel means to impart a rotational force to the packer panel means at one end through the generally elliptically-shaped body. Rigidifying means are provided at one end of the packer panel means and stiffening means are provided at the other end of the packer panel means. A plurality of longitudinal members interconnect first and second rigid frames at opposite ends of the storage body and a plurality of flexible metal sheet members enclose the storage body. The flexible sheet members are bowed outwardly from their points of support into tension in resisting pressure within the storage body.