US3772801A

US3772801A - Compactor demonstration device

Info

Publication number: US3772801A
Application number: US00279246A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Evans; J Barber; E Grunewald; J Pernik
Original assignee: Hobart Manfacturing Co
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 1972-08-09
Filing date: 1972-08-09
Publication date: 1973-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-20

Abstract

For use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof an air-tight flexible cover constructed to assume the shape of the compactor receptacle in an expanded condition, a cellular compressible block of material inside the cover is normally erect with air contained in its cells to urge the cover to its expanded condition, and a one-way valve in the cover inhibits the ingress of air into said cover. Compression of the cover and block forces air from the cells of the block to exit from said cover through the valve, and thereafter atmospheric pressure will prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said block tending to resume its normal shape until the valve is opened. The cover includes on its outer surface two dimensional replicas of trash items such as bottles, cans, cartons, and the like. An incompressible block may be supported in the top of the cover to avoid its entanglement with the face of the compactor ram.

Description

[451 Nov. 2e, new

COMPACTOR DEMONSTRATION DEVICE Inventors: Charles R. Evans, Troy; .lames B.

Barber, Dayton; [Ernst Grunewalld, Troy; John F. Pernilr, J12, Dayton,

Primary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb Att0meyLawrence B. Biebel et a1.

[57 ABSTRACT For use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof an air-tight flexible cover constructed to assume the shape of the compactor receptacle in an expanded condition, a cellular compressible block of material inside the cover is normally erect with air contained in its cells to urge the cover to its expanded condition, and a one-way valve in the cover inhibits the ingress of air into said cover. Compression of the cover and block forces air from the cells of the block to exit from said cover through the valve, and thereafter atmospheric pressure will prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said block tending to resume its normal shape until the valve is opened. The cover includes on its outer surface two dimensional replicas of trash items such as bottles, cans, cartons, and the like. An incompressible block may be supported in the top of the cover to avoid its entanglement with the face of the compactor ram.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU NOV 20 ms FiG-l k llllllll FIG-2 m \f Q 4 s COMPACTOR DEMONSTRATION DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to trash compacting apparatus and particularly to a demonstration device which may conveniently be employed to demonstrate the function of trash compacting machines in an environment where use of actual trash is either inconvenient or impossible. Within the past two years or so, due in part to increasing interest in ecological matters, there has been a widening interest in trash compactors, particularly for domestic use. Like many other home appliances, these trash compactors intended for installation in the home are sold from department stores, appliance stores, and similar establishments, where it is often desirable to have live demonstrations to prospective customers. This has been accomplished, so far, by collecting empty cans, bottles, or paperboard cartons, crumpled papers and the like, in other words actual trash, using it in the live demonstrations, and then disposing of it after it is compacted. Obviously, this presents some difficulty in acquiring and disposing of them, particularly in business establishments where facilities for trash disposal are remote, or sometimes expensive.

The need exists, therefore, for some means to provide reusable trash which can be employed for demonstration purposes without the need for collection and/or disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a demonstration device is provided which simulates an actual load of uncompressed items in the compactor, the device being capable of being compressed to simulate the actual functioning of the compactor, essentially retain the compacted condition, and later easily be restored to an original position in which an uncompacted load again is simulated. The essential parts of the demonstration device are a flexible cover formed of air-tight material, shaped and connected to define a block-like member which fits into the receptacle of the trash compactor. A one-way air valve is provided in a convenient location on the cover, preferably near its top, and arranged to permit air to exit or exhaust from the cover automatically and normally to inhibit ingress of air into the cover. The valve also includes a means for opening it against the action of atmospheric pressure tending to close it when the cover is collapsed, whereby air can enter the cover as it is urged to its normal erected condition.

Within the cover there is a collapsible means which normally urges the cover into its erected condition. Preferably, this means is in the form of a cellular compressible block, such as a block of relatively dense compressible synthetic foam material. This block is dimensioned such that in its normal state it expands the cover to the erected condition, but application of compressive forces to the cover will cause the foam to collapse, with air from the cells and interstices of the block being forced out and through the valve to collapse the block and the cover, simulating a compressed quantity of trash items.

Preferably the exterior of the cover is provided with two-dimensional replicas of trash items, such as bottles, can, cartons and the like in a non-compacted condition. When the cover is collapsed these replicas will simulate compressed itemsof the same type.

Also, the device preferably includes a noncompressible block or piece supported within the upper end of the cover, and attached to the cover, to prevent the cover from entangling around the ram of the compactor as the demonstration device is collapsed within the compactor by pressure of the ram.

A principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a demonstration device for use in compacting apparatus, which simulates a non-compacted load of trash items, can be compacted and maintained in the compacted condition to simulate a compacted load of the same items, and can later be erected for reuse in demonstration of the trash compacting apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the compactor showing the receptacle thereof in both its compacting and non-compacting positions;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with some parts broken away and interior parts shown in cross-section, of the demonstration device provided by the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a somewhat enlarged scale showing details of the interior construction of the device; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are, respectively, elevation and crosssectional views of a one-way valve used in the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the compactor includes an upstanding housing 12 within which a receptacle 14 is received over the base 15. As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle 14 may take the form of a drawer mounted on slides 14a between a compacting position fully within the housing 12 and a non-compacting or loading position outwardly of the housing, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

A ram 16 is also positioned in the housing and carries a motor 18 which, through a suitable drive chain 2%, drives sprockets 21 to cause the entire ram mounted assembly to move upwardly and downwardly along the stationary jack screws 22. Preferably, three such jack screws will be utilized, arranged in triangular relationship with two jack screws positioned adjacent the front of the housing and one jack screw positioned centrally adjacent a rear wall of the housing.

Thus, the ram is movable between an inactive or retfr'acted position wherein its lower surface M clears an upper edge 26 of the receptacle, permitting the receptacle to be moved outwardly to the non-compacting position where loading and unloading can occur, and a compacting position within said receptacle when the receptacle is fully positioned with in the housing 12.

The drive motor 18 for the ram is provided with a starting and reversing control (not shown) which will automatically initiate a compacting stroke of the ram, and will cause the ram to retract to its inactive position after some predetermined load is imposed on the motor as it drives the ram in the compacting stroke.

While the receptacle 114i is locked in position during compacting movement of the ram, access may still be had to the interior of the compactor through the upper access door 28. Waste material, particularly small items such as milk cartons, bottles, cans, etc., can be deposited in the compactor, where they will rest in a small compartment formed by the inclined shelf 30 and the protective wall 32, until such time as the receptacle 14 is moved outwardly of the housing. This will allow articles lying on shelf 30 to fall into the receptacle 14. The user, therefore, need not wait until the receptacle is unlocked to deposit material in the compactor, but he is of course protected against injury, etc., during operation of the ram by the wall 32.

A safety interlock switch (not shown), the housing for which is shown at 34, is mounted inside the front of the housing, as seen in FIG. 1, and is engaged by a pin 35 when the receptacle 14 is in its compacting position.

The demonstration device, as shown particularly in FIG. 2, comprises a collapsible means, preferably in the form of a block of compressible cellular material, such as a resilient synthetic foam material, which is rather dense and has a great number of interstices throughout, whereby in its normal erect condition the block contains a substantial amount of air. This block is shown at 40, and it is surrounded by an air-tight cover 42 which may be constructed, for example, of a vinyl sheet material heat sealed at the seams, and preferably having a somewhat greater volume than the block 40, leaving a space at its upper end. Within this space there is supported a solid, relatively incompressible, block 44 which is suitably secured into the top of the cover, for example by cementing or otherwise adhering it to the cover, or as shown in FIG. 3, supporting it with a web 45 which extends from one side to the other of the cover, attached to the narrower sides and free to move on the other sides providing essentially free passage of air past the web 45. In place of the block other devices may be used such as an inverted rigid pan-like structure.

A one-way air control valve 50 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is fastened to the cover, for example mounted on one of the major sides near the top thereof as shown in FIG. 2. This valve may conveniently be formed of a flap body 52 dimensioned to cover one or more holes 53 in the cover, and attached to the cover at three of its sides as by a heat weld 55 or the like to the exterior of the cover 42, providing a mounting and hinge for the valve body. The valve flap can be manually released merely by inserting a blunt tool, or a finger, between the flap and the cover.

The valve is mounted to the exterior of the cover such that air is permitted to exit from within the cover when it and the compressible block 40 therein are compressed, however inflow of air into the cover once it is compressed is blocked by reason of the flap being positioned over the holes 53, and atmospheric pressure acting to seat the flap in this condition.

The exterior of the cover 42 preferably is provided with two dimensional replicas of trash items, such as bottles, cans, cartons and the like, indicated generally at 60. These are reproduced on the cover by a simple printing process, and shown in an uncompacted condition when the cover is fully extended, with the compressible block in its normal condition.

The cover, when fully expanded, is dimensioned to fit within the receptacle 14, to simulate a load of trash in the receptacle. When the compacting apparatus is operated through a compacting cycle, the demonstration device will be compacted or collapsed with the compressible block 40 collapsing on itself as air is squeezed from its many passages and interstices. This air flows to the interior walls of cover 42 and is forced out past the valve flap 52. The incompressible block 44, being secured to and in the upper portion of the cover, assures that parts of the cover do not fold around the face of ram 16 during the compacting operation. As the compactor finishes its cycle, and the ram is withdrawing, the valve flap will close, inhibiting ingress of air into the cover, and atmospheric pressure on the valve flap will hold it closed, leaving the demonstration device compacted within the bottom of the receptacle 14. The replicas of trash items on the exterior of the cover will appear to be distorted and compacted together, simulating an actual operating condition of the compactor where trash items are compressed together within the receptacle.

The demonstration device can readily be withdrawn from the receptacle, and will show the compaction which has occurred. Merely by moving the flap 52, the valve can be opened. The compressible block 40 will expand to its normal shape, and air will flow in through the hole 53 during this operation, causing the demonstration device to resume its normal erected dimensions at which time it can then again be used for demonstration purposes. Other devices, such as springs or the like, can provide the compressible means within the cover, however the cellular block is desirable from the standpoint of simplicity, expense and reliability.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A demonstration device for use with trash compacting apparatus, comprising an essentially air-tight flexible cover, compressible means inside said cover and normally urging said cover to an erect expanded condition,

and a one-way valve in said cover arranged to allow free flow of air out of said cover upon compaction of said cover and said compressible means and thereafter automatically to inhibit the ingress of air into said cover whereby compression of said cover and said compressible means will force air to exit from said cover and atmospheric pressure will thereafter prevent restoration of said cover under the influence of said compressible means tending to resume its normal shape until said valve is opened.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover includes on its outer surface two dimensional replicas of trash items such as bottles, cans, cartons, and the like.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said compressible means is a cellular compressible block of material normally having a shape corresponding to the expanded shape of said cover.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said block occupies the major part of the internal volume of said cover,

and a relatively rigid block within said cover filling the top thereof above said compressible block.

5. A device of the type described for use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof, comprising an essentially air tight flexible cover contructed and arranged in an expanded condition to assume a predetermined shape,

a cellular compressible block of material inside said cover and normally erect with air contained in its cells to urge said cover to its expanded condition a one-way valve in said cover arranged to inhibit the ingress of air into said cover such that compression of said cover and said block will force air from the cells of said block to exit from said cover through said valve whereby thereafter atmospheric pressure will prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said block tending to resume its normal shape,

said cover including on its outer surface two dimensional replicas of trash items such as bottles, cans, cartons, and the like.

6. A device of the type described for use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof, comprising an essentially air-tight flexible cover constructed and arranged in an expanded condition to assume a predetermined shape,

a cellular compressible block of material inside said cover and normally erect with air contained in its cells to urge said cover to its expanded condition, a rigid relatively incompressible member attached to the interior of said cover at its top,

and a one-way valve in said cover arranged to inhibit the ingress of air into said cover such that compression of said cover and said block will force air from the cells of said block to exit from said cover through said valve whereby thereafter atmospheric pressure will prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said block tending to resume its normal shape until said valve is openedv 7; A device of the type described for use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof, comprising a flexible cover constructed and arranged in an expanded condition to assume a predetermined shape,

a compressible member inside said cover and normally erect to urge said cover to its expanded condition,

manually releasable means arranged to prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said compressible member to prevent said cover resuming its normal shape immediately following its compression by the compacting apparatus,

said cover including on its outer surface two dimensional replicas of trash items such as bottles, cans, cartons, and the like simulating actual trash items upon which the compacting apparatus will operate.

Claims

1. A demonstration device for use with trash compacting apparatus, comprising an essentially air-tight flexible cover, compressible means inside said cover and normally urging said cover to an erect expanded condition, and a one-way valve in said cover arranged to allow free flow of air out of said cover upon compaction of said cover and said compressible means and thereafter automatically to inhibit the ingress of air into said cover whereby compression of said cover and said compressible means will force air to exit from said cover and atmospheric pressure will thereafter prevent restoration of said cover under the influence of said compressible means tending to resume its normal shape until said valve is opened.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said block occupies the major part of the internal volume of said cover, and a relatively rigid block within said cover filling the top thereof above said compressible block.

5. A device of the type described for use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof, comprising an essentially air tight flexible cover contructed and arranged in an expanded condition to assume a predetermined shape, a cellular compressible block of material inside said cover and normally erect with air contained in its cells to urge said cover to its expanded condition a one-way valve in said cover arranged to inhibit the ingress of air into said cover such that compression of said cover and said block will force air from the cells of said block to exit from said cover through said valve whereby thereafter atmospheric pressure will prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said block tending to resume its normal shape, said cover including on its outer surface two dimensional replicas of trash items such as bottles, cans, cartons, and the like.

6. A device of the type described for use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof, comprising an essentially air-tight flexible cover constructed and arranged in an expanded condition to assume a predetermined shape, a cellular compressible block of material inside said cover and normally erect with air contained in its cellS to urge said cover to its expanded condition, a rigid relatively incompressible member attached to the interior of said cover at its top, and a one-way valve in said cover arranged to inhibit the ingress of air into said cover such that compression of said cover and said block will force air from the cells of said block to exit from said cover through said valve whereby thereafter atmospheric pressure will prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said block tending to resume its normal shape until said valve is opened.

7. A device of the type described for use with trash compacting apparatus in repeated demonstrations thereof, comprising a flexible cover constructed and arranged in an expanded condition to assume a predetermined shape, a compressible member inside said cover and normally erect to urge said cover to its expanded condition, manually releasable means arranged to prevent expansion of said cover under the influence of said compressible member to prevent said cover resuming its normal shape immediately following its compression by the compacting apparatus, said cover including on its outer surface two dimensional replicas of trash items such as bottles, cans, cartons, and the like simulating actual trash items upon which the compacting apparatus will operate.