Apparatus For Compressing Refuse

Abstract

Apparatus for compressing refuse having a hydraulic ram which receives refuse from a hopper and presses it into a tapered nozzle. The nozzle has a hydraulically biassed flap which is deflected by the refuse to vary the nozzle discharge opening. In a modification, the nozzle is formed by an S-shaped tube and has a hinged wall portion biassed into the tube.

Description

The invention concerns an apparatus for compressing untreated refuse by means of a press.

In a known apparatus for compressing refuse, the press is connected directly to a refuse container and presses the refuse into this container, compressing the same therein. This apparatus has the disadvantage that the construction of the container must match the pressure of the press and also that a closable stopper opening must be provided. In this connection it is to be noted that satisfactory compression can only be achieved with a comparatively high pressure.

In another known apparatus for compressing refuse, the latter is pressed against a fixed plate by a press member moving to and fro; the plate can be manually or automatically opened so that the refuse is discharged into a container by the press member. This apparatus has the disadvantage that, to achieve the required manner of operation either manual operation or an expensive control is required for the plate.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for compressing untreated refuse which can permanently compress the refuse without the need for special vessels and in which can operate largely automatically without the need for expensive controls.

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for pressing untreated refuse, comprising a press device arranged to act on the refuse, and a refuse discharge nozzle connected to the press device, which nozzle has at least one movable, biassed wall portion adapted to resiliently yield under the pressure of the compressed refuse to increase the nozzle opening.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into practice, a number of embodiments thereof having further advantageous features will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section through an apparatus for compressing untreated refuse,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the discharge nozzle of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the discharge nozzle,

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the hydraulic circuit of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 6 is a side view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of the invention, and,

FIG. 7 shows features of a further variation of the apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the drawing shows an apparatus for compressing refuse having a casing 1 in which a drawer-form press member 2 is movable to and fro. This press member is driven by a piston rod 3, the piston of which moves in a hydraulic cylinder 4. A loading hopper 5 for the supply of refuse to be treated is positioned on top of the casing 1. The forward end of the casing 1 carries a replaceable discharge nozzle 6 through a flange 7. The bottom wall 8, both side walls 9 and 10 and the top wall 11 of nozzle 6 are inclined towards one another in forward direction so that the nozzle 6 tapers forwardly, whereby the refuse pressed forward through the nozzle 6 by the press member 2 is compressed. The top wall 11 is in the form of a flap which can be lifted about a hinge 12. Linked to this flap 11 is a piston rod 13, the piston of which moves in a hydraulic cylinder 14. The flap 11 is held under bias by the hydraulic pressure acting on the piston rod 13. This bias enables the following to be achieved.

At the beginning of the compressing operation, the flap 11 at least partly restricts the passage of refuse through the discharge nozzle 6. Since this passage is partly closed, the material delivered is compressed in the interior space 37 of the nozzle. However, a substantial part of the compression occurs at the forward surface 38 of the drawer-form press member 2, with the result that compression takes place over the whole cross-sectional surface of the member 2. The material compressed in this way is thus pushed into the interior of the nozzle, producing an impact effect and increasing the pressure on the flap 11. Since this flap is yieldably mounted, it automatically opens only sufficiently wide as to obtain a predetermined degree of compression.

It will be appreciated that a discharge nozzle which tapers outwardly is important to achieve this effect.

The biasing of the flap 11 has the further result that the majority of refuse in the nozzle 6 is crushed and compressed, while larger, uncompressible objects will raise the flap 11 further against the biassing so that such objects can also pass through the nozzle.

V-form inserts 15 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are built into the inner surface of the flap 11 to augment the compression effect, and ribs 16, e.g., of welded metal strips, are provided on the inner side of the bottom wall 8 for the purpose of shredding the refuse. These metal strips can be in the form of knives or be provided with cutting teeth 32. Further, angle members 17 are welded transversely to the bottom wall 8 and flap 11 to impart a preliminary compression to the refuse and to serve as abutments holding back the refuse in the nozzle 6 to prevent reverse flow of the same.

A drain-off channel 18 is provided in the press casing 1 to allow liquid pressed out of the refuse to be drained off if necessary. The fact that the bottom wall 8 is inclined upwardly prevents such liquid leaving the nozzle forwardly.

As can be seen from the hydraulic circuit shown in FIG. 5, oil is delivered from a reservoir 19, through a pump 20 and a control valve 21 to the hydraulic cylinder 4 to operate the press member 2. A second pump 22 delivers oil to the hydraulic cylinder 14, to which is connected an adjustable pressure regulating valve 23 through which the oil can be returned to the reservoir 19. The biassing force applied to the flap 11 can be adjusted by means of this pressure regulating valve 23. If the pressure produced in the discharge nozzle 6 by the press member 2 exceeds the biassing force applied to the flap 11 by the cylinder 14, the flap 11 will be pushed up so that the oil in the hydraulic cylinder will flow back to the oil reservoir 19 through the pressure regulating valve 23. Should the pressure in the discharge nozzle fall off, the flap 11 will close and oil will be pumped to the cylinder 14 by pump 22. Pump 22 has only a small delivery volume to avoid producing unnecessary heat.

Instead of being supplied with oil through pump 22, hydraulic cylinder 14 could be fed from a branch of the conduit to hydraulic cylinder 4, allowing pump 22 to be omitted. However, in this event, the diameter of the piston in cylinder 14 and thereby the biassing applied to the flap 11 must be co-ordinated with the press performance.

As the discharge nozzle 6 is removably secured to the press casing 1 by the flange 7 in the described apparatus, it can be removed as a whole and replaced by a different discharge nozzle. Discharge nozzles constructed according to the type of refuse or with different inserts can then be used.

It has been shown in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 how the required biassing effect can be attained using a hydraulic arrangement. This gives a constant biassing force. If a spring is used as will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a biassing force is obtained which can be adjusted and the magnitude of which depends in each case on the position of the wall parts. It will be appreciated that an effect similar to that achieved using hydraulics can be obtained by using resilient elements in the hydraulic arrangement.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, an `S`-form curved tube 26 is connected to flange 7; it essentially comprises a first tubular curve 27, a second tubular curve 28 and a straight part 33 therebetween. The curves in tube 26 have the effect of producing a resistance, which is a pre-requisite for compression by press member 2. The resistance to the material in the `S`-form tube is not however adjustable, and in particular cannot adapt to different materials, the composition of which can vary. According to the invention, such a discharge nozzle in the form of an `S`-form tube 26 can be used to advantage. Behind the first curve and on the inside of the curve, a flap form wall part 24 is provided, the hinge of which is designated 34 and which is influenced by a spring 29 adapted to be regulated by a screw 35. The provision of wall part 24 at the position described is to be preferred since the compression is not uniform across the cross section of the tubular curve. It has been found that compression is greater on the inner side of the first curve than in the outer region so that the advantageous effect of the movable, biassed wall part 24 at the position referred to takes effect.

FIG. 7 shows another variation of the invention which also uses an `S`-form curved tube 26.

As has already been explained, in a tube which curves in two places, a greater compression occurs on the inner side of the first curve. This greater compression can, at the second curve 28, cause the material to jam at the outer side of the curve. By providing, at this point, a yieldable flap 25 which is influenced by spring 30 and can be hinged about a joint 36, sufficient compression is ensured for almost any material, whilst the danger of jams is avoided.

In some circumstances, it may be advantageous to arrange a brake strip 31 at the inner side of this second curve to avoid, at least partly, the disadvantageous layering of the material which is indicated by chain lines 39.

The invention can be varied and supplemented in a number of ways. Thus, a device for delivering liquid can be provided in the discharge nozzle to moisten paper and cardboard. Such materials loose their residual stress under the influence of moisture so that they no longer have inherent springiness.

The apparatus of the invention is particularly suitable for small refuse treatment installations, e.g., below refuse discharge chutes under houses. The apparatus of the invention can, in addition to this use for refuse, also be used for example as a baling press for old paper or for pressing sewage.

Claims

1. Apparatus for uniformly compressing refuse comprising, in combination, an elongated casing, having a forward opening;

a refuse hopper opening downwardly into said casing for permitting refuse to descend therein;

fluid-pressure-operated press-member means reciprocatingly supported in said casing for movement beneath said hopper and including a forward, enlarged pressure portion for driving refuse toward said forward opening of the casing while a rear portion behind said forward portion underlies said hopper and prevents additional refuse from entering said casing; and

pressure-responsive discharge nozzle means connected to the forward end of said casing and communicating therewith for receiving compacted refuse therein until a predetermined pressure is developed therein whereby compacted refuse is pushed out of said discharge-nozzle means during a forward stroke of said press-member means, said discharge-nozzle means comprising a plurality of forwardly converging, generally planar walls forming a generally converging rectangular cross-sectioned forward opening for refuse after it has been compacted to a predetermined degree, one of said walls being hinged on a transverse pivot axis rearwardly of the exit for the compacted refuse, said one wall being pivotal between adjacent side walls and substantially engageable adjacent an underlying wall for substantially closing said forward opening and retaining refuse in said discharge-nozzle means until the refuse is compacted to a certain degree; and automatically operated pressure-responsive biasing means engaging said one wall and urging it toward said underlying wall whereby as refuse is compacted to the predetermined degree, application of pressure on refuse by said press member means will overcome said pressure-responsive biasing means and urge the compacted refuse out of the forward opening of said discharge-nozzle means, said pressure-responsive retaining means comprising a piston-and-cylinder fluid-motor assembly pivotally connected to said one wall and a fixed portion normally urging the one wall toward a closed position, and pressure relief valve means operatively connected to said fluid motor assembly for permitting the one wall to pivot away from the underlying wall and substantially open the forward end of the discharge nozzle means after the one wall is subjected to a predetermined internal pressure from within the discharge nozzle means while refuse is

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said piston-and-cylinder assembly extends angularly between a fixed portion and a forward upper

3. The apparatus for uniformly compressing refuse comprising, in combination, an elongated casing, having a forward opening;

a refuse hopper opening downwardly into said casing for permitting refuse to descend therein;

fluid-pressure-operated press-member means reciprocatingly supported in said casing for movement beneath said hopper and including a forward, enlarged pressure portion for driving refuse toward said forward opening of the casing while a rear portion behind said forward portion underlies said hopper and prevents additional refuse from entering said casing; and

pressure-responsive discharge nozzle means connected to the forward end of said casing and communicating therewith for receiving compacted refuse therein until a predetermined pressure is developed therein whereby compacted refuse is pushed out of said discharge-nozzle means during a forward stroke of said press-member means, said discharge-nozzle means comprising a plurality of forwardly converging, generally planar walls forming a generally converging rectangular cross-sectioned forward opening for refuse after it has been compacted to a predetermined degree, one of said walls being hinged on a transverse pivot axis rearwardly of the exit for the compacted refuse, said one wall being pivotal between adjacent side walls and substantially engageable adjacent an underlying wall for substantially closing said forward opening and retaining refuse in said discharge-nozzle means until the refuse is compacted to a certain degree; and automatically operated pressure-responsive biasing means engaging said one wall and urging it toward said underlying wall whereby as refuse is compacted to the predetermined degree, application of pressure on refuse by said press member means will overcome said pressure-responsive biasing means and urge the compacted refuse out of the forward opening of said discharge-nozzle means, said discharge nozzle means including abutment means rearwardly of said forward opening closed by said one wall and over which refuse is forced by said press-member means, said abutment means retaining compressed refuse in said means and preventing back-flow of the compressed refuse as the press-member means moves away from said

4. The apparatus means as claimed in claim 3 in wich said abutment means comprises a pair of opposed, transversely disposed plate elements projecting into said discharge-nozzle means at a rear portion of said

5. The apparatus for uniformly compressing refuse comprising, in combination, an elongated casing, having a forward opening;

a refuse hopper opening downwardly into said casing for permitting refuse to descend therein;

fluid-pressure-operated press-member means reciprocatingly supported in said casing for movement beneath said hopper and including a forward, enlarged pressure-portion for driving refuse toward said forward opening of the casing while a rear portion behind said forward portion underlies said hopper and prevents additional refuse from entering said casing; and

pressure-responsive discharge nozzle means connected to the forward end of said casing and communicating therewith for receiving compacted refuse therein until a predetermined pressure is developed therein whereby compacted refuse is pushed out of said discharge-nozzle means during a forward stroke of said press-member means, said discharge-nozzle means comprising a plurality of forwardly converging, generally planar walls forming a generally converging rectangular cross-sectioned forward opening for refuse after it has been compacted to a predetermined degree, one of said walls being hinged on a transverse pivot axis rearwardly of the exit for the compacted refuse, said one wall being pivotal between adjacent side walls and substantially engagable adjacent an underlying wall for substantially closing said forward opening and retaining refuse in said discharge-nozzle means until the refuse is compacted to a certain degree; and automatically operated pressure-responsive biasing means engaging said one wall and urging it toward said underlying wall whereby as refuse is compacted to the predetermined degree, application of pressure on refuse by said press member means will overcome said pressure-responsive biasing means and urge the compacted refuse out of the forward opening of said discharge nozzle means, said one wall including a plurality of V-cross sectioned, forwardly-diverging inserts depending partially into said discharge-nozzle means from the inner surface of said one wall for

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including abutment means projecting into said compression chamber means, rearwardly of the forward opening and comprising opposed, transversely disposed members for retaining compressed refuse in said discharge-nozzle means, and longitudinally-extending rib means in said compression chamber toward said forward end, said rib means including cutter portions for shredding the refuse as it is being

7. The apparatus for uniformly compressing refuse comprising, in combination, an elongated casing, having a forward opening;

a refuse hopper opening downwardly into said casing for permitting refuse to descend therein;

fluid-pressure-operated press-member means reciprocatingly supported in said casing for movement beneath said hopper and including a forward, enlarged pressure-portion for driving refuse toward said forward opening of the casing while a rear portion behind said forward portion underlies said hopper and prevents additional refuse from entering said casing; and

pressure-responsive discharge nozzle means connected to the forward end of said casing and communicating therewith for receiving compacted refuse therein until a predetermined pressure is developed therein whereby compacted refuse is pushed out of said discharge-nozzle means during a forward stroke of said press-member means, said discharge-nozzle means comprising a plurality of forwardly converging, generally planar walls forming a generally converging rectangular cross-sectioned forward opening for refuse after it has been compacted to a predetermined degree, one of said walls being hinged on a transverse pivot axis rearwardly of the exit for the compacted refuse, said one wall being pivotal between adjacent side walls and substantially engagable adjacent an underlying wall for substantially closing said forward opening and retaining refuse in said discharge-nozzle means until the refuse is compacted to a certain degree; and automatically operated pressure-responsive biasing means engaging said one wall and urging it toward said underlying wall whereby as refuse is compacted to the predetermined degree, application of pressure on refuse by said press member means will overcome said pressure-responsive biasing means and urge the compacted refuse out of the forward opening of said discharge nozzle means, said discharge-nozzle means is replacably connected to said casing for permitting interchangeability of said nozzle-means for compacting different types of refuse being compacted.