GB2447612A

GB2447612A - A waste compactor

Info

Publication number: GB2447612A
Application number: GB0705511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Preen; Sasha Branch
Original assignee: Krushr PLC
Current assignee: Krushr PLC
Priority date: 2007-03-22
Filing date: 2007-03-22
Publication date: 2008-09-24
Also published as: GB0705511D0

Abstract

A compactor (5) for handling waste materials, including household waste is provided. The compactor (5) comprises a receptacle (10) for receiving material to be compacted; an inflatable member (6); and an inflation means (7) for inflating said inflatable member (6). Inflation of the inflatable member (6) by the inflation means (7) causes it to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained with the receptacle (10).

Description

A Waste Compactor The present invention relates to a compactor, and in

particular to a compactor for handling waste materials, including household waste.

Traditionally, domestic waste has been collected in waste bins and disposed of in waste bags via a refuse collection service or directly at a municipal landfill site. In recent years, social and legislative pressures have led to an increase in the recycling of domestic waste, with a significant increase in the number of recycling collection centres, and many refuse collection services being supplemented with the additional collection of recyclable waste.

Metal and plastic waste, in particular, are the focus of government initiatives aimed at encouraging increased recycling of these waste types. Today many households will place recyclable items in separate containers by the road side for council pick up, or will dispose of these items at refuse or recycling collection points. However, recyclable waste must be segregated from other domestic waste prior to collection or disposal, requiring additional waste bins dedicated to recyclable waste. In some cases several bins may be required to enable the waste to be suitably segregated. This increase in waste storage bins consequently requires additional space within the home. * *. S...

Furthermore, to encourage householders to recycle more of their waste, many refuse services now only collect waste on a bi-weekly cycle. This places a burden on the space *SS.

* available for waste within the home. S..

*..: This invention relates to the efficient compacting of waste within the household. Much of the waste produced domestically comprises a significant amount of'dead' volume, such that the volume to weight ratio is relatively high. For example, storing waste plastic bottles requires a large volume relative to the weight of the bottle. It is therefore desirable to provide a means of reducing the volume of domestic waste, to increase the amount of waste which can be stored within a given storage space. This will enable the space required for waste storage within the home to be reduced, as well as reducing the frequency with which waste must be disposed of due to lack of available storage space.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in relation to one or more of the matters discussed above; or generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a compactor as described in the accompanying claims. According to the present invention there is also provided a waste management unit as described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of one aspect of the invention there is provided a compactor for compacting material such as household refuse, the compactor comprising a receptacle for receiving material to be compacted; an inflatable member; and an inflation means for inflating said inflatable member, wherein inflation of the inflatable member by the inflation means causes it to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained with said receptacle.

The inflatable member is preferably an airbag. The airbag may be formed of a flexible, airtight material. The airbag material may be non-elastic. In addition, the airbag may comprise a flexible membrane to reinforce the airbag. * ** * * S * S.

*::::* Using air, as opposed to hydraulics, provides a more hygienic mechanism that can be used in clean' environments, and is particularly suitable for the kitchen environment. In addition, an airbag requires less energy to effect compression, resulting in a more energy *..

efficient system. This makes the apparatus particulaly appropriate for the handling of domestic waste.

S *SS *

As the airbag is compressible, the apparatus is more space efficient, avoiding the need for a long travel distance required by a piston arm of a hydraulic system. Therefore, it can be incorporated into a compact unit for household use. In contrast, a piston arrangement would require a housing of equivalent length to the compaction stroke distance.

In an embodiment, the apparatus is used to reduce the volume of household waste. The waste is deposited into the receptacle and then compressed via the inflation of the airbag. The inflation means ma)' be an air compressor, or pump, connected to the inflatable member, to supply air to the inflatable member to cause it to inflate between a deflated and an inflated condition. When the airbag is inflated, it exerts a force on the waste to compress it. The process can be repeated until the maximum safe storage capacity is reached.

In an embodiment, the inflatable member is be used to directly compact the waste, with inflation forcing the walls of the inflatable member against the waste. The inflatable member may be an airbag having a reinforced base wall to protect the airbag from damage by the waste.

Preferably, the compactor further includes a pressure plate. The pressure plate may be operatively connected to the airbag, such that inflation of the airbag urges the pressure plate against the waste. The pressure plate provides a rigid member to provide a compacting force to compact the waste when moved by the airbag. In addition, the pressure plate protects the airbag from damage. The pressure plate may also protect the airbag and other workings of the compactor from contamination by the waste being compacted. The airbag and pressure plate arrangement better ensures the compaction * ** . . . **.*. force is evenly distributed over the waste. Preferably a seal is provided between the *::::* pressure plate and the receptacle to ensure that no waste can escape into the airbag mechanism. *S*. * **.*

S *55

* 25 The compactor may further comprise at least one pair of rollers for compacting the waste. The airbag co-operates with the rollers to improve the efficacy and efficiency of *. the compacting process. In this embodiment, the airbag is provided above the roller arrangement, and the receptacle for receiving the waste is defined between the airbag and the roller arrangement for receiving waste material. In this way, as the airbag is inflated it acts on and applies pressure to the waste material, to urge it against the rollers, to cause the waste to be drawn between the rollers.

In an embodiment, the rollers are arranged to draw waste products through a small aperture and thus compact the waste as it passes through. The rollers are preferably arranged in opposing pairs, and the compactor may comprise one or more pairs of rollers. The pairs of rollers are spaced apart and may be driven by a drive means to rotate in opposing directions. In use, the waste contacts and is drawn between the rollers, causing the waste to be compacted due to the reduction in the space between the rollers as the waste is drawn therebetween.

In an embodiment, a plurality of pairs of rollers may be arranged in a wedge, or v-shaped formation, with the space between each pair of rollers decreasing towards the base of the wedge. The waste is first compacted by the uppermost pair of rollers, and then passes in a semi-compacted state to a lower pair of rollers where it is compacted further. Eventually, the waste passes from the last pair of rollers into a storage receptacle.

The drive means for the rollers may be an electric motor. The drive means may also include a drive train for transferring drive from the drive means to the rollers. The drive train may include one or more of a drive shaft, drive belt, drive chain or other drive train linkage. The motor may be housed within one of the pair of opposing rollers. Each roller may includes a gear at its end, the gears meshing to transfer drive between the rollers. * S. * S * * *5

*:::: In an alternative embodiment, the motor may be rigidly connected to the housing of the unit, with the rollers being detachably connected to the drive means to allow them to be moved away from the drive means. For example the rollers may be housed in a drawer S..

Unit, with the detachable connection allowing the rollers to disconnect from the motor to enable the drawer to be slid open. The removable connection may be a movable or detachable connection between the rollers and the drive shaft, or a drive shaft which is detachably connected to the motor.

In an embodiment in which the airbag is operatively connected to a pressure plate, the pressure plate contacts the waste as the airbag inflates to urge the waste against the rollers. The pressure plate may be a flat plate oriented tangentially with the uppermost pair of rollers, or may comprise a shaped surface.

The pressure plate may comprise a wedge, or v-shaped contact surface, corresponding to the wedge shape defined between the rollers. The wedge configuration may be integral with the pressure plate, or may be separate member with which the pressure plate engages. The wedge shaped contact surface is arranged such that the base of the wedge is positioned in line with the midway between the uppermost pair of roller.

In this way, as the pressure plate is forced downwards against the waste by the airbag, the wedge arrangement forces the waste into the space between the rollers, rather than simply urging the waste against the uppermost surface of the rollers. The pressure plate may also include a knife edge, or spikes, to puncture sealed, hollow waste such as sealed plastic bottles, to assist in compacting.

In an embodiment, the rollers may be provided with a textured surface to increase the frictional engagement between the rollers and the waste. The frictional surface may comprise, for example, an abrasive coating, surface knurling, or longitudinal grooves defined along the rollers. The rollers may be provided with projections extending from their surface, such as teeth or spikes to grip the waste as it is compacted. The *:*::* projections, and in particular the spikes, may also act to puncture waste. * * *S*.

In an embodiment, the complete roller mechanism may be slid out of the compactor and **** . . . dismantled easily for cleaning purposes While the roller mechanism may be used for all *..

* 25 waste types but is particularly suited to handle metals and plastics. The rollers may be interchangeable for different compacting ratios and waste types. *

S

The compactor may include more than one roller mechanism. For example, the compactor may include a first roller mechanism comprising a single pair of opposing rollers, and a second roller mechanism comprising multiple pairs of rollers arranged in a v-shaped formation. The more than one roller mechanisms may be driven by the same drive means, and may be arranged along side each other in a single compartment. For example, the more than one roller mechanisms may be provided in a drawer, which may be slid open to place the waste onto the rollers, and closed to allow the compacting to commence. The more than one roller mechanisms may be specifically configured to compact different waste types.

In an embodiment, the compactor is connected to and housed within a housing, or cabinet, to define a compacting, or waste management unit. The compacting unit may include one or more compactors. The compacting unit may comprise a plurality of storage receptacles for segregating waste types. The storage receptacles may comprise drawers, or compartments having doors, flaps or similar access. The doors, drawers or other entry points to the compacting unit may be provided with automated catches or other restraining devices to prevent access to the compacting unit during operation.

The waste management unit may comprise a sump for collecting liquid expelled from the waste during compacting. A waste collection receptacle may be provided for collecting and storing compacted waste. The collection receptacle may be the waste receptacle in which the waste to be compacted is placed, or may be a separate receptacle. The waste receptacle may comprise a drainage port in its base, which may include a valve arrangement. A sump may be provided in fluid communication with the collection receptacle. The collection receptacle may be connected to the sump such that liquid may drain from the receptacle into the sump. The sump may be removable from *::::* compacting for disposal of the collected liquid. The valve arrangement may include a valve which remains open when the collection receptacle is connected to the pump, but which closes when the receptacle is disconnected to prevent liquid continuing to drain from the receptacle. a.

The sump arrangement ensures that as little liquid as possible remains within the collection receptacle to prevent contamination of the waste, and to prevent unpleasant odours from developing.

The waste management unit may comprise a single airbag which is movable within the unit between a plurality of receptacles for receiving waste material to be compacted. The airbag may be slid horizontally between the receptacles. Each receptacle for receiving waste may correspond with a storage receptacle for receiving the compacted waste. The unit may include a first compartment having a receptacle in which an airbag cooperates with a pressure plate to compact the waste within the waste receptacle, and a second compartment in which a receptacle is defined between the airbag and a roller mechanisms, the airbag cooperating with a pressure plate, to act against and apply pressure to the waste within the receptacle to urge the waste against the roller mechanism to cause it to be compacted, the airbag being moveable between the two waste receptacle compartments. The airbag may be slidable between compartments on low friction carriages, bushings or other slidable members, along slider rails or tracks.

The compacting unit may also include additional waste compartments in which the waste is compacted by the same, or an additional airbag.

The compactor may include a warning device or indicator to alert the user to the fact that a maximum allowable pressure has been exceeded, and/or that the storage receptacle requires emptying. The compactor unit may include an override device to prevent the compactor from compacting waste once the storage receptacle requires emptying.

The receptacle for receiving waste to be compacted may be a holding receptacle for holding the waste before and/or after it has been compacted. As such, the receptacle for *..

receiving waste to be compacted may also be the storage recepracle. The compacting unit may include additional storage receptacle, to which the waste may be transferred S...

after compaction, to segregate the compacted waste. The storage receptacle may include a door or hatch in its base to allow waste to be emptied into a further receptacle. For example, once the waste has been compacted it could be emptied directly into a separate waste bin.

The compacting unit may form part of a unit which is a central system that allows for the segregation of different waste types within the household and the effective compacting of these waste products for the reduction of volume. One aim of the invention is to provide an efficient waste management facility for use within the home that simplifies the process for onward recycling of the waste and integration into the existing council roadside collection facilities.

For black bin, or non-recyclable waste, which is normally disposed of via council landfill or incinerators, the compacting unit provides a clean' way of significantly reducing the volume of the waste prior to roadside pick up.

The present invention will now be described by way of exan-iple only, and with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 shows a waste management unit according to an embodiment of the invention, with a cut-away section provided for illustrative purposes; Figure 2 shows a partial section view of the waste management unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a compactor according to an embodiment of the invention, and of the waste management; Figure 4 shows the waste management unit of Figure 1 with the drawer in *:*::* the open position; ***. * S *e.

Figure 5 shows a section view of a compactor according to an 5.* * embodiment of the invention; *..

*:*. Figure 6 shows a section view of a compactor according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows a perspective section view of a waste management unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 shows the waste management unit of Figure 7 with the compacting drawer unit in the open position; Figure 9 shows the waste management unit of Figure 7 with the storage drawer in the open position; Figure 10 shows an exploded view of a waste management unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a compactor according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the compactor of Figure 11 taken along section line C-C; Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the compactor of Figure 12 taken along section line B-B; Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a waste management unit according to an embodiment of the invention, with the drawer unit of the compactor in the open position; * ** * * . * IS *I*.

Figure 15 is an elevated sectional view of the drawer unit of Figure 14; *SI.

I SI..

* Figure 16 shows a compactor including a pair of receptacles, with the *5 airbag associated with a first receptacle, according to an embodiment of *:. the invention;

S **.

S

Figure 1 7 shows the compactor of Figure 16 with the airbag associated with the second receptacle; Figure 1 8 is a perspective view of a compactor according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the compactor of Figure 18 taken along section line A-A, with the airbag in the collapsed position; Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the compactor of Figure 18 taken along section line A-A, with the airbag in the inflated position; Figure 21 shows a roller mechanism and drive means according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 22 shows a waste management unit according to an embodiment of the invention including a waste paper storage unit; and Figure 23 is a side view of the storage unit of Figure 22.

Referring now to Figure 1, a waste management unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided for the segregation, sorting and compacting of domestic waste. The unit I includes a waste compactor 5, and a plurality of drawers for storage and segregation of waste products. The waste management unit I comprises a housing 3 including a plurality of compartments. Waste is placed within the compactor 5 for compaction to reduce its volume. * ** * a * * *. **** * *

The compactor 5 comprises an airbag 6 operatively connected at its lower edge to a pressure plate 8, which provides a rigid compaction surface to apply pressure to the **..

waste. However, it will be appreciated that the wall of the airbag, or an alternative structure, may provide the required compaction surface. The airbag is also connected at *: its upper edge to an upper support plate 11. **. *

A receptacle 10 is provided for receiving the waste material to be compacted. The receptacle 10 is preferably a formed storage container, but may be any space defined beneath the airbag suitable to receive the waste to be compacted.

The airbag 6 and pressure plate 8 are positioned above the upper opening of the receptacle 10. The airbag 6 is connected to a compressor 7 via flexible air supply lines 9.

In the deflated condition, the airbag 6 is held in a collapsed state such that the pressure plate 8 is adjacent the support plate 11. As the airbag 6 is inflated by the compressor 7, it expands to move the pressure plate 8 downwardly. The pressure plate 8 is configured to fit within the receptacle 10, and preferably is closely toleranced such that little or no gap extends between the outer edge of the pressure plate 8 and the inner surface of the receptacle 10. Inflation of the airbag 6 causes the pressure plate 8 to move downwardly within the receptacle 10.

In use, waste material to be compacted is placed within the receptacle 10. A waste bag 12 is provided to line the receptacle 10. A retainer 48 is used to hold the waste bag 12 in position, and to prevent the bag 12 from slipping during compaction. Alternatively, the receptacle 10 may be used without a waste bag 12, and may be removable to remove and dispose of compacted waste from the waste management unit 1. The compactor 5 is housed in a slidable drawer 2 within the housing 3, which is slidably connected to the housing 3 by sliders 15. The drawer 2 is pulled out of the waste management unit I to allow waste to be inserted or removed from the receptacle 10, and to allow the waste * 20 bag 12 to be inserted or replaced. The waste is inserted into the receptacle 10, when the airbag 6 is in the deflated state. ***. * S

When the receptacle 10 has been filled with waste material, the drawer 2 is slid back S...

into the unit 1. The unit I includes a sensor for detecting whether the drawer 2 has been * : 25 closed correctly. If the drawer 2 has been closed correctly, the user may then activate * .* the compacting routine. *S

The compacting routine is activated by a control panel 18, which may be on the front of the unit, or by some other activation means. The user will activate the compacting mechanism by pushing a button on the control panel, which activates the air compressor unit 7. On activation, the air compressor 7 pumps pressurised air through the air lines 11 into the airbag 6 via the upper support plate 11. As the pressure increases, the airbag 6 expands, forcing the attached pressure plate 8 to move downwards within the receptacle 10. As the air compressor 7 continues to supply pressurised air to the airbag 6 the pressure plate begins to impact on the waste material within the receptacle 10. As the airbag 6 forces the pressure plate further downwards within the receptacle 10, it compacts the waste material, thereby reducing its volume.

A cut off valve is provided to limit the inflation of the airbag 6, when the pressure within the airbag 6 reaches a reaches a pre-determined level. Once inflation has ceased, the compressor 7 is activated to reverse the airflow to the airbag 6 to collapse the airbag 6 and return it to the default deflated position, where it remains in an inactive state. The drawer 2 is provided with an automated catch, which is operated to prevent the drawer 2 from being opened while the compactor 5 is in operation. Once compaction in completed, the drawer 2 can be opened to allow the compacted waste 16 to be removed, or to enable additional waste material to be added for further compaction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the compactor 5 includes a sump 13 located in the base of the housing 3, beneath the receptacle 10. The sump 1 3 is provided to collect liquid 13 expelled from the compacted waste 16. The base of the receptacle 10 includes an aperture 20 for receiving a one way valve 19 integrated into the base of the waste bag 12. * *a * a * ** e*. * I

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the receptacle 10 is used without waste bags 12, in which case the one-way valve 19 may be integrated into the base of the receptacle :. 10. The valve 19 aligns and cooperates with the sump valve 17 to provide a fluid a. : 25 pathway from the waste receptacle 10 to the sump 1 3. Insertion of the one way valve 19 * into the sump valve 17 opens both valves. When the valve 19 is removed, both valves close to prevent leakage from the waste bag 12 or the receptacle 10, and to seal the sump 13. A lower support plate 22 is provided beneath the receptacle 10, to support the receptacle 10, resist the compacting force of the airbag 6, and prevent the sump 13 from being compressed.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment in which the compactor 5 includes compacting rollers 24. The purpose of the roller mechanism is to enable waste products to be compacted individually, especially metal and plastic household waste, whilst also storing the resulting compacted waste material in a loose form which allows recycling to take place.

The rollers 24 are driven by a motor 71 to rotate towards each other in opposing directions. The airbag 6 is positioned above the rollers 24. The space above the rollers 24, between the rollers 24 and the airbag compaction plate 8, defines a receptacle 32 for receiving waste material to be compacted. The rollers 24 are housed within a drawer unit 33 which is slidably supported on slider rails 35. A drip tray 31 is positioned below the rollers 24 to collect any liquid expelled from the waste 27.

The motor 71 is preferably housed within one of the pair of rollers 24 in the roller mechanism 36, as shown in Figure 21. Each roller 24 includes a gear 72 at its end, the gears 72 meshing to transfer drive between the rollers. In addition, drive from the motor 71 is transferred to the v-shaped roller mechanism 37, via a series of bevel gears 73, and drive belts 74. However, any suitable drive means and drive train may be ultilised to rotate the rollers 24. * I. * * *

* . In use, the drawer unit 33 is slid out to allow waste to be placed on the rollers 24. The S... * .

drawer unit 33 is then closed and the compactor 5 activated. The airbag 6 is inflated by the compressor 7, and moves the pressure plate 8 downwards towards the rollers 24, which are rotated by the motor. The pressure plate 8 urges the waste 27 against the . : 25 rollers 24. The pressure plate 8 includes a compaction wedge 28 for forcing the waste 27 * * between the rollers. The compaction wedge 28 also includes spikes 29 for puncturing waste to assist in compaction. As the waste 27 is urged against and between the rollers 24, the rollers 24 engage the waste 27 which is drawn therebetween.

The rollers 24 may include teeth 25 and/or textured surface detail 30 to more effectively grip the waste 27. As the waste 27 is drawn between the rollers 24, it is compacted down to a minimum thickness defined by the compaction gap 30 between the rollers.

Once the waste 27 has passed through and been compacted by the rollers 24, it is deposited and stored in storage receptacle 34. The storage receptacles 34 can be completely removed from the unit I following compaction for transport of the waste for recycling collection.

Figure 6 shows a second roller mechanism arrangement 37 in which multiple pairs of rollers 24 are arranged in a v-shaped, with the spacing between the opposing pairs of rollers 24 decreasing towards the base of the v-shaped formation. The waste 27 is forced into the wedge defined by the rollers 24 by the compaction wedge 28, and is drawn between each pair of opposing rollers 24 towards the base of the v-shaped formation.

Figure 7 shows and arrangement in which two roller mechanisms 36 and 37 are housed with in the same drawer unit 33, for compacting different types and sizes of waste. Each roller arrangement 36 and 37 corresponds to a specific storage receptacle. This enables the compacted waste to be selectively segregated for onward recycling. Both roller mechanisms 36 and 37 are driven by the same drive motor.

A waste management unit I may be provided including both the airbag and pressure plate arrangement, and the airbag and roller arrangement in a single unit. Figure 4 shows a unit 1 including the airbag and pressure plate compactor 40 and a roller compactor 41 which is hidden from view by the drawer front. The same airbag 6 is used for both compacting units 40 and 41, although each compactor may include a dedicated airbag and pressure plate. The airbag 6 is moved between compactors 40 and 41 by * *S * * * sliding along slider rails 23 on slider carriages 21. The airbag 6 may be automatically **** * moved by the waste management unit 1, for example by a pneumatic actuator, or by driver lead screws, depending on which waste management unit is selectively activated **** by the user. The airbag 6 and pressure plate 8 may also be slid out of the unit I for cleaning or maintenance, or to enable a replaceable cover on the pressure plate 8 to be ** * replaced. *SS * 30 In the embodiment shown in Figures 16 and 17, the upper support plate I

I is slidably connected to a first slider rail 101 at its rear edge by a pair of sliding bushes 96, and to a second slider rail 102 at its front edge by a pair of sliding bushes 98. In Figure 16 the airbag 6 is positioned above the receptacle 10. In Figure 17, the airbag 6 has been slid along the rails 101 and 102 such that it is positioned above the roller mechanism 41.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the compactor 5 includes a pressure cell 50 to oppose and contain the compaction forces, and protect elements of the waste management unit 1 from damage. The pressure cell 50 surrounds the receptacle 10 and includes a pair of opposing side walls 54 interconnected by support bars 53. The side walls 54 and support bars 53 are formed from a high strength, rigid material. The upper support member 11 includes flange sections 52 which extend outwardly from its base.

As the airbag 6 is inflated, and the pressure plate 8 begins to exert a compacting force on the waste, the flange sections 52 contact the support bars 53 to oppose the compacting force. This prevents the force from being transferred to, and damaging other components such as the slider rails 35. In addition, resilient support members 55, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, may be provided between the receptacle 10 and the lower support plate 22. The resilient members 55 are selected such that they begin to compress once the compacting force exceeds a predetermined level, to limit the force exerted on the flange sections 52. The side walls 54 restrict the receptacle 10 to prevent bulging during compaction.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15, a receptacle 70 is provided which is includes a door section 71 hingedly connected to a wall section 72. The door section 71 is vertically hinged such that it pivots horizontally relative to the wall section 72, to S..

provide access to the waste bag 12. This enables the waste bag 12 to be slid sideways *:** out of the unit 1, rather than lifted. The hinge 74 is preferably a sprung hinge which S** biases the door section 71 to the open position. The door section 71 is held in the closed position by a catch. A release button 69 operates the catch to release the door section 71, : causing it to swing open.

Figures 18 to 20 show an arrangement in which the airbag 6 and support plate 8 are supported by at least one collapsible trapezoidal frame 90, although preferably a pair of frames 90 are provided on opposing sides of the airbag 6. The frame 90 comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid frame members 93. The frame 90 is connected at its upper end to the upper support plate 11, and at its lower end to the pressure plate 8.

One of the frame members 93 is connected to the upper support plate 11 by a fixed pivot, with a corresponding frame member 93 being similarly connected to the pressure plate 8. A further frame member 93 is slidably and pivotally connected to the upper support member 11 by slot 94, with corresponding frame member 93 being similarly connected to the pressure plate 8. In this way, the frame 90 is able to extend as the airbag 6 inflates, and collapse as it deflates.

The frame 90 may comprise sprung pivot points, such that the frame is biassed to the collapsed position. In this way, the frame 90 opposes the downward movement of the pressure plate 8 to support the airbag 6, and to return it to the collapsed position when following compaction. Alternatively, the frame 90 may simply be provided to prevent over-extension of the pressure plate, to prevent damage to the airbag 6.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 22 and 23, the unit 1 further includes a paper storage unit 78 for storing waste paper such as newspaper and magazines. The storage unit 78 comprises a drawer section 63, a lid 65 and a door front 64. The lid 65 is connected to the drawer 63 by a sprung hinge, which biases the door to the open position shown in Figure 23. The drawer 63 is slidably supported on slider rails 75, which include a biassing means to bias the drawer 63 to the open position shown in Figure 22. The storage unit further comprises a releaseable catch 66, which retains the * .1 drawer 63 in the closed position. When the catch 66 is released, the drawer 63 slides *** S .... 25 forward, pivoting the door front 64 forwards. As the drawer 63 opens further, the lid 65 is pivoted to the open position by the sprung hinge. The storage unit 78 is preferably *5.* * positioned within the unit I beneath the compactor 5. The storage unit 78 may also be

S

used for storage of flat crushed waste items such as plastic bottles.

It will be appreciated that in further embodiments various modifications to the specific arrangements described above and shown in the drawings may be made. For example while the inflatable means is describes as comprising an airbag, it may alternatively be a liquid inflatable member.

Claims

Claims I. A compactor for compacting material such as household refuse,

the compactor comprising: a receptacle for receiving material to be compacted; an inflatable member associated with the receptacle; and an inflation means for inflating said inflatable member, wherein inflation of the inflatable member by the inflation means causes it, in use, to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained within said receptacle.
2. The compactor of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member is an airbag.
3. The compactor of claim 2, wherein the airbag is formed of a flexible, airtight material.
4. The compactor of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pressure plate operably connected to the inflatable member such that inflation of the inflatable member causes the pressure plate to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained with the receptacle.
5. The compactor of claim 4, wherein the inflatable member acts on, and applies pressure to, material contained with said receptacle via the pressure plate.
6. The compactor of claim 4 or 5, wherein the pressure plate is slidable within, ** 25 the receptacle.
7. The compactor of claim 6, wherein a seal is provided between the pressure ** plate and the receptacle.
S *.

*. 30 8. The compactor of any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a collapsible support frame for supporting the inflatable member.
9. The compactor of claim 8, wherein the collapsible support frame is connected at its upper end to an upper support plate connected to and supporting the inflatable member, and connected at its lower end to the pressure plate.
10. The compactor of any preceding claim, wherein the inflation means is a compressor.
11. The compactor of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one pair of opposing rollers, wherein inflation of the inflatable member by the inflation means causes it, in use, to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained within said receptacle, to urge the material against said rollers.
12. The compactor of claim 12, further comprising a drive means for rotating the least one pair of opposing rollers towards each other in opposite directions, to draw material contained within the receptacle between the rollers to compact the material.
13. The compactor of claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one pair of oppàsing rollers are positioned below the inflatable member, and the receptacle is defined between the inflatable member and the rollers.
14. The compactor of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the compactor comprises multiple pairs of opposing rollers arranged in a v-shaped formation. *
15. The compactor of any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising a 25 projection member extending from the inflatable member towards the rollers, the projection member being operably connected to the inflatable member such that * inflation of the inflatable member causes the projection member to act on, and apply *** pressure to, material contained with the receptacle, to urge the material between the rollers. * 30
16. The compactor of claim 15, wherein the projection comprises a blade.
17. The compactor of claim 15 or 16, wherein the projection includes at least one spike for piercing material contained within the receptacle.
18. The compactor of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein at least one roller comprises multiple projections extending from its surface.
19. The compactor of claim 18, where in the projections comprises a plurality of teeth.
20. A waste management unit including at least one compactor according to any preceding claim.
21. A waste management unit, comprising: a housing; at least one inflatable member; at least one inflation means for inflating said at least one inflatable member; and a plurality of receptacles for receiving material to be compacted; wherein inflation of the at least one inflatable member by the inflation means causes it to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained within at least one of said plurality of receptacles.
22. The waste management unit of claim 21, further comprising at least one pair * ** of opposing rollers associated with at least one of the plurality of receptacles, wherein *.* e inflation of the at least one inflatable member by the inflation means causes it to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained within said associated receptacle, to urge the * material against said rollers. ***

S
23. The waste management unit of claim 21 or 22, further comprising a pressure 30 plate operably connected to the inflatable member such that inflation of the inflatable member causes the pressure plate to act on, and apply pressure to, material contained within at least one of the plurality of receptacles.
24. The waste management unit of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein at least one inflatable member is movable such that it may be associated with more than one receptacle.
25. The waste management unit of claim 24, wherein the plurality of receptacles includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle, the unit further including: at least one pair of opposing rollers associated with said second receptacle; and wherein the inflatable member is movable between a first position in which inflation of the at least one inflatable member by the inflation means causes it to, in use, act on, and apply pressure to, material contained within said first receptacle, and a second position in which inflation of the at least one inflatable member by the inflation means causes it to, in use, act on, and apply pressure to, material contained within the second receptacle, to urge the material against said rollers.
26. The waste management unit of claim 25, further including a drive means for rotating the least one pair of opposing rollers towards each other in opposite directions,
27. The waste management unit of any one of claims 21 to 26, further comprising at least one drawer unit, wherein at least one of the receptacles is housed with the at least one drawer unit.
28. The waste management unit of any one of claims 21 to 27, further * * * comprising at least one sump associated with at least one of the plurality of receptacles *.** which is releaseably connectable to the sump such that a fluid pathway is defined therebetween to allow fluid to drain from said at least one receptacle into said at least *:. one sump.

:
29. The waste management unit of claim 28, wherein a one-way valve is 30 provided between the at least one receptacle and the at least one sump, the one way valve preventing fluid from leaving the at least one receptacle when the at least one receptacle is disconnected from the at least one sump.
30. A compactor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, andlor as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to (include when figures finalised).
31. A waste management unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, andlor as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to (include when figures finalised). * ** * * S.

S * *SdS

S *..

S *5 * S * * ** 55*