REFUSE DISTRIBUTION AND COMPACTION DEVICES AND METHODS

Abstract

A top loading refuse distributing and compacting device for mounting above or in the top of a refuse collection container is operable to receive, compact and distribute refuse collected with the container. The device includes a pivotal handling member, which is pivotal between a leftward and rightward guiding position, in which left and right opposed inclined surfaces of the handling member alternatingly guide refuse into the right and left side of the container such as to distribute it evenly over said sides, while with the other surface compacting refuse already present in the container. The handling member includes a weight sensor. The device may be operated based on the signals of weight sensor and preferably other sensors, for instance to indicate a living organism being received. The handling member may be one single unit, combining the functions of weighing, distributing and compacting.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A top loading refuse distributing and compacting device that is adapted to be mounted above or in a top of a refuse collection container, the device being operable to receive refuse, that has dropped into the device and to distribute said refuse over said refuse collection container as well as to compact refuse collected with said container, the device defining an entry opening at a top thereof for entry of refuse dropped into the device, and defining an outlet at a bottom thereof allowing refuse to drop into the refuse collection container underneath, the device comprising: a frame adapted to be mounted above or in the top of the refuse collection container; a refuse handling assembly, comprising: a pivotal handling member, that is pivotally mounted to the frame about a horizontal pivot axis, the horizontal pivot axis extending beneath said entry opening, the pivotal handling member having a distribution and compaction part, comprising a left surface, and a right surface; and a receiving part, comprising a top surface, extending parallel to and remote from said pivot axis, and adjoining the left and right surfaces of the distribution and compaction part at respective opposed sides thereof; and a drive assembly operably connected to said refuse handling assembly and at least including one drive motor, wherein the refuse handling assembly is selectively movable by the drive assembly between and into a receiving position, a leftward guiding position and a rightward guiding position, wherein the drive assembly is configured to move the refuse handling assembly into the receiving position by pivoting the handling member around said pivot axis such that the top surface of the receiving part extends substantially underneath the entry opening, such that refuse that is dropped into the device through the entry opening is received by the top surface and thereby supported on the handling member, wherein the drive assembly is configured to move the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into the leftward guiding position by pivoting the handling member to the right, seen in direction of the pivot axis, around said pivot axis such that the left surface of the distribution and compaction part assumes a leftward inclination relative to an imaginary vertical plane above and parallel to the horizontal pivot axis, wherein the drive assembly is configured to move the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into the rightward guiding position by pivoting the handling member to the left, seen in direction of the pivot axis, around said pivot axis such that the right surface of the distribution and compaction part assumes a rightward inclination relative to the imaginary vertical plane above and parallel to the horizontal pivot axis, wherein in said leftward guiding position the left surface of the distribution and compaction part upwardly faces the entry opening, forming an inclined chute that guides received refuse towards a left-hand side of the outlet, wherein in said rightward guiding position the right surface of the distribution and compaction part upwardly faces the entry opening, forming an inclined chute that guides received refuse towards a right-hand side of the outlet, wherein the drive assembly is configured to compact refuse, if the collection container has been sufficiently filled with refuse, by means of the refuse handling assembly as it is moved by the drive assembly into leftward and rightward compacting positions, and wherein the pivotal handling member further comprises a weighing unit, operating between the receiving part of the handling member and the frame, the weighing unit being configured to provide an indication of the weight of an object received on the top surface, said weighing unit comprising one or more weight sensors configured to produce one or more signals indicative of the weight of the received object on the top surface in the receiving position of the refuse handling assembly.

17. The device according to claim 16, further comprising a control unit operatively connected to the drive assembly, and configured to, based on the signals produced by the weight sensors and/or signals of one or more other sensors of the device, operate the drive assembly such that the drive assembly, when refuse is received on the top surface of the receiving part, and the indication of the weight of the received refuse is provided by the weighing unit: moves the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into the left or right guiding position, such as to guide the received refuse towards the outlet, and thereafter moves the refuse handling assembly from the one of the guiding positions or compacting positions, if distinct therefrom, into the receiving position.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the pivotal handling member of the refuse handling assembly comprises one or more pivot axles by means of which the handling member is pivotally connected to the frame, the pivot axles extending along or parallel to the horizontal pivot axis inside one or more slots, configured to be mounted to the container, wherein the slots are aligned along the horizontal pivot axis, such that said movement of the refuse handling assembly between and into the receiving position, the leftward guiding position, the rightward guiding position, and the leftward and rightward compacting positions, if distinct from the guiding positions, is established by rotation of the pivot axles around the pivot axis, and wherein the drive assembly engages one or more of the pivot axles such as to impart said rotation of the pivot axle(s) around the horizontal pivot axis and establish said movement of the refuse handling assembly between and into said positions.

19. The device according to claim 16, wherein the drive assembly further comprises a lock mechanism, configured to releasably lock the refuse handling assembly in the receiving position, and to release the refuse handling assembly therefrom such as to enable the movement of the refuse handling assembly between and into said positions.

20. The device according to claim 16, wherein the weight sensors of the weighing unit comprise one or more strain gauge force transducers and/or one or more piezoelectric force transducers, which connect the distribution and compaction part of the handling member with the receiving part thereof.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the one or more weight sensors of the weighing unit are embodied as a load cell, wherein the weighing unit further comprises one or more end stops, mounted between the distribution and compaction part and the receiving part of the handling member, configured to limit a downwards movement of the top surface of the receiving part caused by the weight of received refuse with respect to the distribution and compaction part.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the weighing unit further comprises a frame, to which the load cell and/or the end stops are mounted, said frame being mounted to the distribution and compaction part, whereas the load cell and the end stops are mounted to the frame in between the frame and the receiving part of the handling member.

23. The device according to claim 17, wherein the weight sensors of the weighing unit are configured to provide the signals indicative of the weight of a received object continuously over time at least as long as the object is being supported on the top surface of the handling member in the receiving position of the refuse handling assembly, and wherein the control unit is configured to operate the drive assembly such that the refuse handling assembly remains in the receiving position for at least as long as the signals fluctuate over time to an extent that exceeds a predetermined range, and such that the drive assembly moves the refuse handling assembly to one of the guiding positions and compacting positions only after said fluctuating has stopped or remained within said predetermined range for a predetermined time period.

24. The device according to claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more of: presence detection sensors, configured to detect whether or not an object is supported on the top surface of the receiving part of the handling member and to produce one or more signals indicative of the received object being supported on said top surface or not; one or more movement detection sensors, configured to detect movement of a received object, and to produce one or more signals indicative of movement of the received object; and one or more temperature sensors, configured to indicate the temperature of a received object, and to produce one or more signals indicative of the temperature of the received object, wherein the one or more of the signals based on which the control unit operates the drive assembly, are said signals produced by the presence detection, movement detection, and/or temperature sensors.

25. The device according to claim 17, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the drive assembly such that the drive assembly: does not move the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position if the signals produced by the sensors indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member, and moves the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into one of the guiding positions and compacting positions after said signals no longer indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member, and/or moves the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into one of the guiding positions and compacting positions after receiving an external signal that the living organism is no longer supported by the handling member.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the control unit is configured to interpret the one or more signals produced by the sensors such as to determine if a living organism is being supported by the handling member, by the ability to recognize signals produced by sensors after an object has been received onto the top surface not being typically caused by the dropping of the object onto the top surface and shifting and sliding of different parts of the object with respect to one another and/or initial stabilizing movements of the received object to reach equilibrium on the top surface, and/or other typical signal characteristics for non-living refuse, and/or the ability to recognize signals produced by sensors being characteristic for living organisms, said abilities being based on one or more of: when interpreting signals of weight sensors, the indicated weight and/or the frequency, pattern, magnitude and/or duration of fluctuations of the signals over time, and/or when interpreting signals of presence detection sensors, detected size and/or any variations of the signals over time, and/or when interpreting signals of movement detection sensors, the duration, magnitudes and directions of detected movements, when interpreting signals of temperature sensors, the indicated temperature and/or the deviation thereof with respect to commonly encountered values for non-living refuse,

27. The device according to claim 17, wherein the control unit is furthermore configured to register in a memory an indication of the total weight of refuse actually present into the container, by adding up the weight of actually received and guided refuse as indicated by the signals of the weight sensors to the registered indication of the total weight every time the handling member guides received and weighed refuse through the outlet into the container.

28. The device according to claim 16, wherein the drive assembly comprises: a first hydraulic actuator including a first cylinder and a first rod moveable within and extending from said first cylinder; a second hydraulic actuator including a second cylinder and a second rod moveable within and extending from said second cylinder; and a connection member, rotatable about a rotation axis in a first rotational direction and in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and connected to the handling member such that rotation of the connection member causes the handling member to pivot about said pivot axis, wherein the first and second cylinder are mounted to each other to be moveable as a unit, wherein the first and second rod extend parallel to each other in opposite directions from the unit, wherein the first and second rod extending from the unit are connected to the frame of the refuse handling device or are to be connected to the refuse collection container, and wherein the connection member is rotatable about a rotation axis in a first rotational direction and in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and wherein the unit is connected to the connection member using a first pulling member configured to cause the connection member to rotate in the first rotational direction upon movement of the unit in a first direction, and a second pulling member configured to cause the connection member to rotate in the second rotational direction upon movement of the unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

29. The device according to claim 16, wherein in the receiving position the top surface of the receiving part of the handling member extends in vertical projection below substantially the whole entry opening, and the guiding surfaces extend substantially outside of the contour of the entry opening, and wherein in the leftward and rightward guiding positions and compacting positions the receiving surface of the receiving part of the handling member extends in vertical projection substantially outside of the contour of the entry opening.

30. A refuse collection system comprising: a refuse collection container; and a top loading refuse distributing and compacting device that is configured to be mounted above or in a top of the refuse collection container, the device being operable to receive refuse that has dropped into the device and to distribute said refuse over said container as well as to compact refuse collected with said container, wherein the device is the device according to claim 16.

31. The refuse collection system according to claim 30, wherein the system is a subterranean refuse collection system comprising a pit in the ground, wherein the collection container is adapted to be arranged in the pit and to be lifted from the pit for discharge of refuse such as to empty the container, wherein the top loading refuse distributing and compacting device is mounted in the top of the refuse collection container, and wherein the refuse collection system further comprises a refuse introduction housing having an introduction opening allowing a user to introduce refuse therein, so that the refuse drops into the device.

32. The refuse collection system according to claim 31, further comprising a control unit operatively connected to the drive assembly, and configured to, based on the signals produced by the weight sensors and/or signals of one or more other sensors of the device, operate the drive assembly such that the drive assembly, when refuse is received on the top surface of the receiving part, and the indication of the weight of the received refuse is provided by the weighing unit: moves the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into the left or right guiding position, such as to guide the received refuse towards the outlet, and thereafter moves the refuse handling assembly from the one of the guiding positions or compacting positions, if distinct therefrom, into the receiving position, wherein the introduction opening comprises a releasably lockable closure element, which is configured to, when locked, prevent a user to introduce refuse into the refuse introduction housing by extending within the opening such as to close it off to the introduction of refuse, said extension within the opening being releasably maintained by one or more closure actuators in communication with the control unit such as to be operable thereby, wherein the control unit is furthermore configured to operate the closure actuators such as to lock said closure element if: the control unit is configured to operate the drive assembly such that the drive assembly: does not move the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position if the signals produced by the sensors indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member, and moves the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into one of the guiding positions and compacting positions after said signals no longer indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member, and/or moves the refuse handling assembly from the receiving position into one of the guiding positions and compacting positions after receiving an external signal that the living organism is no longer supported by the handling member, if the signals produced by the sensors indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member, and/or the control unit is furthermore configured to register in a memory an indication of the total weight of refuse actually present into the container, by adding up the weight of actually received and guided refuse as indicated by the signals of the weight sensors to the registered indication of the total weight every time the handling member guides received and weighed refuse through the outlet into the container, if the indication of the total weight of refuse actually present into the container exceeds a predetermined value, and/or if the signals produced by the weight sensors indicate a weight of received refuse that exceeds a predetermined value, and/or if the signals produced by temperature sensors indicate a temperature exceeding a predetermined value.

33. A method for handling refuse introduced in a refuse collection system comprising a collection container and a top loading refuse distributing and compacting device that is mounted above or in the top of the refuse collection container, the device being operable to receive refuse that has dropped into the device and to distribute said refuse over said container as well as to compact refuse collected with said container, wherein the device is the device according to claim 16, wherein the method comprises the following steps: receiving introduced refuse on the top surface of the device, such that it is supported on the handling member; weighing the received refuse being supported on the handling member; pivoting the handling member to the left or right side underneath the refuse such that said right or left surface, respectively, shifts underneath the refuse such that the refuse is supported thereon, and said right or left surface assumes a downward inclination towards the container; and maintaining the right or left surface under the downward inclination such that the refuse slides downwards over said right or left surface, respectively, towards and into the container, and such that respectively the left or right surface downwardly engages any refuse already present in the container directly underneath said left or right surface, such as to compact said already present refuse.

34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising, after the step of maintaining the right or left surface under the downward inclination, pivoting the handling member such as to increase said downward inclination, such that respectively the left or right surface downwardly engages any refuse already present in the container directly underneath said left or right surface, such as to compact said already present refuse.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0223] In the drawings, like parts are indicated using like reference symbols, and wherein:

[0224] FIG. 1a shows in a perspective view a refuse collection system according to the invention, wherein a first embodiment of the device according to the invention is mounted in the top of a refuse collection container, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the rightward guiding position thereof,

[0225] FIG. 1b shows in another perspective view the same system, with the refuse handling assembly in the same position,

[0226] FIG. 1c shows in a perspective view the same system, with the refuse handling assembly in the same position, wherein a refuse bag slides from the right surface of the assembly into the container,

[0227] FIG. 2a shows in a side view the refuse collection system of FIG. 1, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0228] FIG. 2b shows in a side view the system of FIG. 1, the refuse handling assembly being in the receiving position thereof,

[0229] FIG. 2c shows in a front view a refuse collection system of FIG. 1, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the leftward guiding position thereof,

[0230] FIG. 2d shows in a front view a refuse collection system of FIG. 1, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the rightward guiding position thereof,

[0231] FIG. 2e shows in a front view a part of the refuse collection system, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the leftward guiding position thereof,

[0232] FIG. 2f shows in a front view a part of the refuse collection system of FIG. 1, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the rightward guiding position thereof,

[0233] FIG. 3a shows in a front view the first embodiment of the device according to the invention, with a front part of the frame being removed, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0234] FIG. 3b shows in a front view a sideward cross-section of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0235] FIG. 3c shows in a perspective view the first embodiment of the device according to the invention with a front part of the frame being removed, and the top surface of the receiving part being removed, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0236] FIG. 4a shows in a front view a cross-section of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0237] FIG. 4b shows in a perspective view the second embodiment of the device according to the invention with a front part of the frame being removed, and the top surface of the receiving part being removed, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0238] FIG. 5 shows in a left side view the second embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0239] FIG. 6 shows in a rear view the second embodiment of the device according to the invention,

[0240] FIG. 7a shows in a perspective view the handling assembly, the rear wall of the frame and the drive assembly of a device according to the invention, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0241] FIG. 7b shows in a perspective view the same parts, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the leftward guiding position thereof,

[0242] FIG. 8a shows in a rear view the same parts, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0243] FIG. 8b shows in a rear view the same parts, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the rightward guiding position thereof,

[0244] FIG. 8c shows in a rear view the same parts, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the leftward guiding position thereof,

[0245] FIG. 9a shows in a rear view a second embodiment of the device, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the receiving position thereof,

[0246] FIG. 9b shows in a rear view the second embodiment of the device, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the rightward guiding position thereof,

[0247] FIG. 9c shows in a rear view the second embodiment of the device, wherein the refuse handling assembly is in the leftward guiding position thereof,

[0248] FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of possible intercommunications between a number of parts of the device—the solid lines indicating a transfer of signals, and double lines a mechanical connection, and

[0249] FIG. 11 schematically depicts a hydraulic scheme of the drive assembly of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0250] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a top loading refuse distributing and compacting device 10 according to the invention is shown being mounted in the top of a subterranean refuse collection container 2 of a refuse collection system 1. In the figures the front and right side wall of the container 2 have been removed, such as to enable the view of the inside of the container 2. The refuse collection system 1 further comprises an overhead or above ground refuse introduction housing 3 and a refuse handling device 10.

[0251] The overhead refuse introduction housing 3 has an introduction opening 4 allowing a user to introduce refuse therein. Here, the housing is provided with an introduction device 5, namely a drum type introduction device, so that the refuse drops into a duct of the overhead refuse introduction housing 3 to guide the refuse towards the refuse handling device 10. The overhead introduction housing 3 is depicted here to one side of the container 2, but it is also known and possible to have the overhead introduction housing 3 centrally above the container 2.

[0252] FIG. 1 shows that the introduction opening 4 comprises a releasably lockable closure element 4c, which when locked prevents a user to introduce refuse into the refuse introduction housing. A user interface panel 7 is provided to the introduction housing 3 next to the introduction opening 4. The closure element 4c only opens after a user has identified himself at the user interface panel 7.

[0253] As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the depicted container 2 may be arranged in a pit in the ground, e.g. a concrete pit, as is known in the art. The refuse container 2 is adapted to be arranged in the pit and to be lifted from the pit for discharge of refuse such as to empty the container 2. It is visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the container thereto comprises a openable bottom with a front and rear pivotal bottom element 8a, 8b.

[0254] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 1 comprises a refuse introduction housing 3 having an introduction opening 4 allowing a user to introduce refuse therein.

[0255] The device 10 is operable to receive refuse 6, e.g. a domestic refuse bag 6 as is depicted in FIG. 1c, that has dropped into the device 10 and to distribute said refuse over said refuse collection container 2 as well as to compact refuse collected with said container 2. Because the refuse handling device 10 is used for both distributing and compacting refuse in the container 2, the refuse handling device 10 may alternatively be referred to as a top loading refuse distributing and compacting device.

[0256] The figures show several embodiments of the device 10. FIGS. 3, 7, 8 and 11 depict a first embodiment, and FIGS. 4 and 9 a second embodiment. The system 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, comprises the first embodiment. However, in the system 1 the first embodiment is replaceable by the second embodiment to obtain another system 1 according to the invention.

[0257] In both embodiments, but shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the system 1 comprising the device 10 according to the first embodiment, the device 10 has an entry opening 10e at a top thereof for entry of refuse dropped into the device, via overhead refuse insertion housing 3, and has an outlet 10o at a bottom thereof allowing refuse to drop into the refuse collection container 2 underneath.

[0258] In both embodiments the device 10 comprises firstly a frame 11 adapted to be mounted above or in the top of refuse collection container 2 of the system. The frame 11 comprises a rear wall 12s.

[0259] The frame is e.g. bolted or otherwise releasably secured, e.g. to horizontal girders 9a and 9b in the top of the container 2. For example, as shown here, said girders 9a, 9b form a support structure for the housing 3 and/or a floor panel 9f on which user of the system 1 can stand and walk.

[0260] The refuse handling device 10 may be retrofitted into an existing refuse collection system 1 in which case the frame 11 may be separately from a frame of the container 2, and the frame 11 and/or other components of the refuse handling device 10 are mounted to the frame or other components of the container 2. Additionally, or alternatively, the frame 11 may be have been part of a transport frame comprising portions that are only used during transport and which are removed before or after retrofitting of the refuse handling device 10 into the refuse collection system.

[0261] Instead of being retrofitted into an existing refuse collection system, the refuse handling device 10 may also be an integral part of the refuse collection system in which case the frame 11 may be integrated with or be part of the frame of the container 2.

[0262] Applying to both of the above described situations, it may be preferred that the entire refuse handling device 10 or parts thereof are exchangeable or at least releasable, e.g. for maintenance or repair operations.

[0263] In both embodiments the device 10 secondly comprises a refuse handling assembly 20, and thirdly a motorized drive assembly 40 which is operably connected to the refuse handling assembly 20. This drive assembly 40 is mounted to the rear wall 12s at the rear side thereof, as is visible from FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0264] In both embodiments the refuse handling assembly 20 comprises a pivotal handling member 21, that is mounted to the frame 11, namely to the rear wall 12s thereof at the front side thereof, to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis 13 in order to allow the handling member 21 to distribute and/or compact refuse in the refuse collection container 2. This horizontal pivot axis 13 extends between the rear wall 12s and the front wall of the container (not shown), beneath the entry opening 10e, and intersecting said sidewalls perpendicular thereto.

[0265] The pivotal handling member 21 has a distribution and compaction part 22 and a receiving part 23. The distribution and compaction part 22 comprises a left surface 221 and a right surface 22r. The receiving part 23 comprises a top surface 23t extends parallel to and remote from said pivot axis 13, and adjoins the left and right surfaces 221, 22r of the distribution and compaction part 22 at respective opposed sides thereof. Here, the top surface 23t, the first refuse engaging surface 22r and the second refuse engaging surface 221 are closed surfaces, as is preferred. Further, the handling member 21 comprises a front surface 22f and rear surface 22b, which are opposite to each other and are also closed thereby resulting in a closed handling member 21. The handling member 21 may be solid, but may also be hollow to minimize the weight of the handling member 21.

[0266] The handling member 21 has a shape seen in front and rear view that substantially resembles a circular sector with the top surface 23t corresponding to the arc of the circular sector and the left and right surfaces 22r, 221 corresponding to the radii of the circular sector.

[0267] The refuse handling assembly 20 is selectively movable by the drive assembly 40 between and into a receiving position 20e, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2a, a leftward guiding position 201, shown in FIG. 2b, and a rightward guiding position 20r, shown in FIG. 2c. The drive assembly 40 of the first embodiment of the device 10 is best visible in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the drive assembly 40 of the second embodiment of the device 10 in FIG. 9.

[0268] The drive assembly 40 is operably connected to the handling member 21 to pivot the handling member 21 about the pivot axis 13. In FIGS. 1-6, the drive assembly 40 is not visible as it is hidden in a housing part 14 of the frame 11. FIGS. 7 and 8 depict a first embodiment of the refuse handling device 10 in isolation, and FIG. 9 depicts a second embodiment of the device 10 in isolation, omitting in these figures a rear wall 14b of the housing 14 to show the interior of the housing 14 including the drive assembly 40. The use of the housing part 14, which main function is to support and cover the drive assembly 40, has the advantage that the drive assembly 40 is sufficiently protected and for instance operation thereof cannot be interfered with by the presence of refuse as refuse is not able to reach the drive assembly 40, not even in case the refuse is compacted by the refuse handling device 10. FIG. 11 depicts a hydraulic scheme of the drive assembly 40.

[0269] The drive assembly 40 is configured to move the refuse handling assembly 20 into the receiving position 20e of FIG. 7a, also shown in FIGS. 2a-b, 3, 4b,5, 8a, and 9a by pivoting the handling member 21 around said pivot axis 13 such that the top surface 23t of the receiving part extends substantially underneath the entry opening 12e, preferably substantially horizontally, such that refuse that is dropped into the duct 12 through the entry opening 12e is received by the top surface 23t and thereby supported on the handling member 21.

[0270] The drive assembly 40 is furthermore configured to move the refuse handling assembly 20 from the receiving position 20e into the leftward guiding position 201 of FIGS. 2c,e, 7b, 8c, and 9c. Thereto it pivots the handling member 21 to the right—seen in direction along the pivot axis 13 from the handling member 21 towards the drive assembly 40—around said pivot axis 13 such that the left surface 221 of the distribution and compaction part 22 assumes a leftward inclination θ1 relative to an imaginary vertical plane above and parallel to the horizontal pivot axis 13. In the leftward guiding position 201, the left surface 221 of the distribution and compaction part 22 upwardly faces the entry opening 12e, forming an inclined chute that guides received refuse 6 towards a left-hand side of the outlet 12o.

[0271] The drive assembly 40 is furthermore configured to move the refuse handling assembly 20 from the receiving position 20e into the rightward guiding position 20r of FIGS. 1b-c, 2d,f, 4a, and 8b. Thereto it pivots the handling member 21 to the left—seen in direction of the pivot axis 13 from the handling member 21 towards the drive assembly 40—around said pivot axis 13 such that the right surface 22r of the distribution and compaction part 22 assumes a rightward inclination Or relative to the imaginary vertical plane above and parallel to the horizontal pivot axis 13. In the rightward guiding position the right surface 22r of the distribution and compaction part 22 upwardly faces the entry opening 12e, forming an inclined chute that guides received refuse 6 towards a right-hand side of the outlet 12o.

[0272] As can be envisaged from the figures, in particular from FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive assembly 40 is configured to compact refuse, if the collection container 2 has been sufficiently filled with refuse, that is, up to the level of the right surface 22r in the leftward guiding position 201 of FIG. 2b, and of the left surface 221 in the rightward guiding position 20r of FIG. 2c, by means of the refuse handling assembly 20 as it is moved by the drive assembly 40 into these guiding positions 221, 22r. The left and right guiding positions 221, 22r correspond to left and right compacting positions, respectively.

[0273] Now referring to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 11, the drive assembly 40 comprises a first hydraulic actuator 43, a second hydraulic actuator 44, a first frame part 47, a second frame part 48, a first pulling member 28, a second pulling member 29, a connection member 26, a hydraulic pump 45 and a motor 41.

[0274] In both embodiments of the device 10 the first hydraulic actuator 43 comprises a first cylinder 43c and a first rod 43r moveable within and extending from the first cylinder 43c. The second hydraulic actuator 44 comprises a second cylinder 44c and a second rod 44r moveable within and extending from the second cylinder 44c. The movability of the first and second rod 43r, 44r is to be interpreted as a relative movement with respect to the corresponding first and second cylinder 43c, 44c.

[0275] The first frame part 47 and the second frame part 48 may be interconnected using connecting beams 47c, 48c as indicated in FIG. 7a thereby allowing to increase the rigidity and/or stiffness of the unit 49. In both embodiments the first cylinder 43c and the second cylinder 44c are mounted to each other to moveable as a unit 49.

[0276] In both embodiments the first frame part 47 connects a bottom side end of the first cylinder 43c to a rod side end of the second cylinder 44c while the second frame part 48 connects a bottom side end of the second cylinder 44c to a rod side end of the first cylinder 43c. As a result thereof, the first and second cylinder 43c, 44c are arranged parallel to each other with the first and second rod 43r, 44r also extending parallel to each other in opposite directions from the unit 49.

[0277] The first and second rod 43r, 44r are connected to the frame 11, i.e. the housing part 14, of the refuse handling device 10. However, in an alternative embodiment, the first and second rod are connected to a frame of the refuse collection container. In anyway, the first and second rod 43r, 44r form a stationary part of the drive assembly allowing the unit 28 to be the moveable part of the drive assembly 40.

[0278] In the first embodiment, the unit 49 is formed by the first and second cylinders 43c, 44c, the first frame part 47, the second frame part 48, the hydraulic pump 45 and the motor 41, see FIGS. 7 and 8. An advantage of providing the hydraulic pump 45 and the motor 41 as part of the unit 49 is that all hydraulic components move together on the unit 49 and power needs to be provided to the motor 41 only.

[0279] In the second embodiment the unit 49 is formed by the first and second cylinders 43c, 44c, the first frame part 47, the second frame part 48, see FIG. 9. The hydraulic pump 45 and the motor 41 are fixed to the housing 14 via fixation 49d. The unit 49 thus moves relative to the motor 41 and the hydraulic pump 45. A horizontal guiding rod 49g is provided which extends horizontally through the frame members 47, 48. An advantage of the motor 41 and the hydraulic pump 45 not being part of the unit 49, the unit 49 being movable relative to the motor 41 and the hydraulic pump 45 is that the number of moving parts is reduced, facilitating the robustness of the drive assembly 40. Furthermore, excluding the motor 41 and the pump 45 from the unit results in the mass of the moveable unit 49 that moves back and forth being reduced, improving mechanical stability and robustness, and reducing the dynamic load on the frame.

[0280] In both embodiments the connection member 26 is rotatable about a rotation axis 27 in a first rotational direction 27f and in a second rotational direction 27s opposite to the first rotational direction 27f, see FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The rotation axis 27 in both embodiments coincides with the pivot axis 13 of the handling member 21 as the connection member 26 is directly mounted to the handling member 21.

[0281] The connection member 26 is in both embodiments a cylindrically shaped element having a central bore 26b extending through the element along rotation axis 27 and aligned with the slot 12t in the frame 11. The central bore 26b is able to receive a pivot axle 15. The first embodiment is shown without such pivot axle 15, and the second with a pivot axle 15 being inserted into the bore 26b to rotatably connect the connection member 26 to the frame 11. The bore 26b and the pivot axle 15 is the same in both embodiments. The pivot axle 15 is also connectable or connected to, or integrated with, the handling member 21 such as to interconnect the drive assembly 40 with the handling member 21, so that the handling member 21 rotates with the connection member 26 between its positions. In both embodiments the handling member 21 also comprises a bore 21b aligned with the bore 26b of the drive assembly and with the slot 12t and the bearing. The pivot axle 15 is to extend through both bores 21b, 26b and the bearing. The pivot axle and the connection member 26 together form a common connection member of the drive assembly 40 and the handling assembly 20. For the second embodiment, it is visible that the pivot axle 15 is also supported in a bearing in a recess in the rear surface 14b of the housing part 14, see FIG. 9.

[0282] In both embodiments the connection member 26 is connected to the first frame part 47 via the first pulling member 28 in such a way that the connection member 26 is caused to rotate in the first rotational direction 27f upon movement of the unit 49 in a first direction as will be explained below in more detail. The connection member 26 is further connected to the second frame part 48 via the second pulling member 29 in such a way that the connection member 26 is caused to rotate in the second rotational direction 27s upon movement of the unit 49 in a second direction as will be explained below in more detail.

[0283] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 respectively depict the refuse handling device 10 according to the first and second embodiment in rear view with the handling member 21 in different positions caused by the drive assembly 40, which positions correspond to the positions of the handling member 21 as depicted in the respective FIGS. 2a-b, 2d and 2c. It is explicitly noted here that FIGS. 2a-d are front views of the refuse collection system and thus also front views of the refuse handling device 10 while the FIGS. 8 and 9 are rear views of the refuse handling device 10.

[0284] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict respectively for the first and second embodiment three respective different positions of the unit 49 relative to the first and second rods 43r, 44r, and thus relative to the frame 11 of the refuse handling device 10 according to the respective embodiment. In FIGS. 8b and 9b—and thus also in FIG. 2d, though not visible therein—the unit 49 is in a first position in which the first rod 43r is maximally retracted and the second rod 44r is maximally extended. In FIGS. 7b, 8b and 9b—and thus also in FIG. 2c, though not visible therein—the unit 49 is in a second position in which the second rod 44r is maximally retracted and the first rod 43r is maximally extended. In FIGS. 7a, 8a, 9a and 11—and thus in FIGS. 2a-b, though not visible therein—the unit 49 is in an intermediate position substantially halfway the first and second position.

[0285] The three positions of the unit 49 in FIGS. 8 and 9 also show that the connection member 26 which has a cylindrical shape and is connected to the unit 49 via the first pulling member 28 and the second pulling member 29 is rotated about 180 degrees about the rotation axis 27 when moving between the first and second position.

[0286] In the first position, depicted in FIGS. 8b and 9b, the first pulling member 28 is mainly wound on the connection member while the second pulling member 29 mainly extends parallel to the first and second cylinder 43c, 44c. In the second position, depicted in FIGS. 8c and 9c, the second pulling member 29 is mainly wound on the connection member 26 while the first pulling member 28 mainly extends parallel to the first and second cylinder 43c, 44c. In the intermediate position of FIGS. 7a, 8a, 9a and 11, both the first and second pulling member 28, 29 extend partially parallel to the first and second cylinder 43c, 44c and are partially wound on the connection member.

[0287] The first direction 49f of the unit 49 corresponding to the first rotational direction 27f of the connection member 26 is indicated in FIGS. 8b and 9b by an arrow. Hence, moving the unit 49 in the first direction 49f, as has been done in FIGS. 8c, and 9c, corresponds to a movement towards the second position. The second direction 49s of the unit 49 corresponding to the second rotational direction 27s of the connection member 26 is indicated by an arrow in FIGS. 8b and 9b. Hence, moving the unit 49 in the second direction 49s corresponds to a movement towards the first position.

[0288] FIG. 11 depicts a schematic view of the drive assembly 40 only in the intermediate position of FIGS. 8a and 9a, but additionally showing some interior details which apply to the drive assembly in both embodiments of the device 10 as will be explained below.

[0289] The first hydraulic actuator 43 comprises a piston 43p connected to the first rod 43r, wherein the piston 43p divides a space inside the first cylinder 43c in a cap side chamber 43cc and a rod side chamber 43rc. The second hydraulic actuator 44 also comprises a piston 44p connected to the second rod 44r, wherein the piston 44p divides a space inside the second cylinder 44c in a cap side chamber 44cc and a rod side chamber 44rc.

[0290] Each chamber 43cc, 43rc, 44cc, 44rc has an associated respective hydraulic port 43ch, 43rh, 44ch, 44rh allowing fluid communication. In a preferred embodiment, the rod side chamber 43cc of the first actuator 43 is in fluid communication with the rod side chamber 44cc of the second actuator 44, so that upon movement of the unit 49, hydraulic fluid forced out of one of the rod side chambers due to a decrease in volume of the chamber can flow to the other one of the rod side chambers due to an increase volume of the chamber as indicated by hydraulic line 49h between hydraulic ports 43ch and 44ch. Preferably, the decrease in volume of one rod side chamber is equal to the increase in volume of the other rod side chamber so that no reservoir or only a small reservoir is needed in hydraulic line 49h.

[0291] The hydraulic pump 45 and the motor 41 configured to drive the hydraulic pump 45 are provided to drive motion of the unit 49 by forcing hydraulic fluid into one of the cap side chambers 43cc, 44cc and preferably extracting hydraulic fluid from the other one of the cap side chambers. Hence, cap side chambers 43cc, 44cc are in fluid communication with opposite sides of the hydraulic pump 45 as indicated by hydraulic line 45fh between hydraulic port 43ch and the pump 45 and hydraulic line 45sh between hydraulic port 44ch and the pump 45. Preferably, during movement of the unit 49, the decrease in volume of one cap side chamber is equal to the increase in volume of the other cap side chamber so that no reservoir or only a small reservoir is needed.

[0292] The pump 45 has a first mode in which hydraulic fluid is pumped from the second cylinder 44c to the first cylinder 43c, i.e. from the cap side chamber 44cc to the cap side chamber 43cc, corresponding to movement of the unit 43 in the first direction 49f. The pump 45 further has a second mode in which hydraulic fluid is pumped from the first cylinder 43c to the second cylinder 44c, i.e. from the cap side chamber 43cc to the cap side chamber 44cc. Driving the motor 41 in one direction or in an opposite direction results in operating the pump 45 in either the first or second mode.

[0293] Positioning the unit 49 in the first or second position, and thereby the refuse handling member 21 in the rightward or leftward guiding position 21r, 211, respectively, allows to distribute the refuse over the container 2. Correspondingly, positioning the unit 49 in the intermediate position results in positioning of the refuse handling member 21 in the receiving position 21e.

[0294] When the container 2 is relatively empty, no compaction is required yet. However, as can be envisaged by the skilled person, when the refuse collection container 2 has been sufficiently filled with refuse, that is, at least up to the level of the left surface 221 in the first position, i.e. the level of the right surface 22r in the second position, the refuse handling member 21 can be operated by the drive assembly 40 to compact refuse by moving the unit 49 into one of the first and second position and therewith the refuse handling member into one of the rightward or leftward guiding position 21r, 21l.

[0295] Advantages of the drive assembly 40 as described above may be that the dimensions of the drive assembly 40 in a width direction of the housing part 14 can be relatively small as can be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, while at the same time two hydraulic actuators are used allowing to exert a relatively large force in both rotational directions of the connecting member 26, which force is independent of the rotational direction and is independent of the rotational position of the connecting member 26. As a result thereof, the connecting member 26 can be rotated over a relatively large rotational moving range with a relatively large force allowing efficient compacting.

[0296] The relatively small dimension in the width direction is obtained by designing and arranging the components of the drive assembly 40 in a convenient manner as will be explained below.

[0297] As indicated in FIG. 7a but visible for the second embodiment as well, the connection member 26 includes a ridge 26r extending over at least a part of an outer circumferential surface of the connection member 26. The ridge 26r extends in an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis 27. As can be seen from the figures, the first and second pulling members 28, 29 are arranged at opposite sides of said imaginary plane.

[0298] Preferably, as depicted, the unit 49 is in both embodiments arranged next to the connection member 26 in said imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 27. More preferably, as depicted, the combination of first and second actuator 43, 44 is arranged next to the hydraulic pump 45 and motor 41 in said imaginary plane. Most preferably, as depicted, the first actuator and the second actuator 43, 44 are arranged next to each other in said imaginary plane. As a result thereof, the drive assembly is a stack extending in said imaginary plane, which stack comprises the connection member 26, the second actuator 44, the first actuator 43 and the combination of hydraulic pump 45 and the motor 41. As a result thereof, the dimension in width direction is determined by the component having the largest dimension in width direction, but it also allows to design the drive assembly such that these components all have a similar or equal dimension in width direction.

[0299] As indicated in FIG. 8a, but applicable to the second embodiment as well, a centre 49c of unit 49—seen in moving directions 49f, 49s of the unit—is, as preferred, aligned with the rotation axis 27 of the connection member 26 when the unit is in the intermediate position.

[0300] Although the first and second pulling members 28, 29 are depicted as chain members, it will be clear that other embodiments, including but not limited to band members and cable members are also envisaged.

[0301] The pivotal handling member 21 further comprises a weighing unit 24, operating between the distribution and compaction part 22 and the receiving part 23 of the handling member 21, and configured to provide an indication of the weight of an object, e.g. refuse, received on the top surface 23t. For the first embodiment, the weighing unit 24 is best visible in FIGS. 3b-c and for the second embodiment in FIG. 4a-b. The weighing unit 24 comprises a weight sensor 25, embodied as a load cell 25c, configured to produce a signal indicative of the weight of the received object 6 on the top surface 23t in the receiving position 20e of the refuse handling assembly 20.

[0302] In the first embodiment, the weighing unit 24 further comprises four end stops 25s, mounted between the compaction and distribution part 22 and the receiving part 23 of the handling member 21, configured to limit a downwards movement of the top surface 23t of the receiving part 23 caused by the weight of received refuse 6 with respect to the compaction and distribution part 22, see FIGS. 3b-c. The weighing unit 24 further comprises a frame 25f, to which the load cell 25c and the end stops 25s are mounted. The frame 25f is mounted to the compaction and distribution part 22, whereas the load cell 25c and the end stops 25s are mounted to the frame 25f in between the frame 25f and the receiving part 23 of the handling member 21.

[0303] In the second embodiment, the frame 25f of the weighing unit 24 comprises three transverse, parallel vertical intermediate plates 25p onto which the top surface 23t of the receiving part rests. The intermediate plates 25p transfer the force of the refuse 6 received on the top surface to the load cell 25c of the weight sensor 25. Resilient end plates 25e serve as end stops to limit the downward movement of the top surface 23t and the plates 25p caused by the weight of the received object 6. This is best shown in FIGS. 4a-b, where FIG. 4a is a transverse vertical cross-section directly in front of the frontmost intermediate plate 25c, see FIG. 4b.

[0304] In use, the handling assembly 20 is in the receiving position, prior to the dropping of a refuse bag 6 into the entry opening 10e of the device. When a refuse bag is been dropped through the entry opening 10e and the duct 12 into the device 10, the bag 6 is received on the top surface 23t of the handling member 21, and supported by the handling member 21. After the refuse bag 6 has been weighed by means of the weighing unit 24, the member 21 may be pivoted to the left by the drive assembly 40, so that the handling assembly 20 is in the rightward guiding position 20r. During this pivoting, the top surface 23t has shifted underneath the refuse bag 6 to the left with respect thereto, while the refuse bag remained in substantially the same position. Thereby the top surface 23t moved away from the refuse bag 6 and the right surface 22r of the handling member 21 moved toward the refuse bag 6 underneath it, such that the refuse bag 6 crossed the joint between the top surface 23t and the right surface 22r and moved onto the right surface 22r, until the handling assembly 20 was in the rightward guiding position 20r and only the right surface supports the refuse bag. Now in the rightward guiding position 20r, the right surface 22r of the handling member 21 forms an inclined chute, which enabled the refuse bag 6 to slide downwards by gravity.

[0305] It is envisaged, that if refuse has already been collected in the container 2 such that the collected refuse is at the level of the guiding surfaces when in the respective guiding positions, the refuse is compacted by the movement of the handling assembly 20 into the guiding positions 201, 20r by means of the drive assembly 40. The refuse is compacted at the right side by the movement of the handling assembly 20 into the leftward guiding position of FIG. 2b, and the temporary stay in this position, by the right surface 22r pressing onto the refuse. The refuse is compacted at the left side by the movement of the handling assembly 20 into the rightward guiding position of FIGS. 2c and 8, and the temporary stay in this position, by the left surface 221 pressing onto the refuse.

[0306] As shown schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10, the device 10 according to either of the two embodiments further comprises a control unit 30 operatively connected to the drive assembly 40. This control unit 30 is configured to, based on signals produced by sensors of a sensor system 31 operate the drive assembly 40. In particular the drive the hydraulic pump 45 and/or the motor 41 are controlled by the control unit 30 as depicted in FIG. 10, which control system 30 may be configured to base its control at least partially on signals received from the sensor system 31. The sensor system 31 comprises the weighing unit 24, but other sensors, e.g. level sensors, may be included as well.

[0307] In particular, the control unit 30 is configured to operate the drive assembly 40 such that the drive assembly 40, when refuse 6 is received on the top surface 23t of the receiving part 23, and the indication of the weight of the received refuse is provided by the weighing unit 24, move the refuse assembly 20 from the receiving position 20e of FIGS. 1a-b, 2a, 5a, 6a-b and 7a into one of the guiding positions 221, 22r of FIGS. 2b and 2c such as to guide the received refuse 6 towards the outlet. It is furthermore configured to, thereafter, move the refuse handling assembly 20 from the one of the guiding positions 221, 22r back into the receiving position 20e.

[0308] Therein the produced signals include the signals produced by the load cell 25c. In an embodiment this is the only sensor present—however, as discussed, the provision of other sensors is also envisaged. The control unit 30 is configured to operate the drive assembly 40 such that it moves the refuse handling assembly 20 into a respective guiding position 201, 20r only after receiving the signals indicative of the weight of the received refuse 6 produced by the load cell 25c.

[0309] In both embodiments, the drive assembly 40 comprises a lock mechanism 42 configured to releasably lock the refuse handling member 21 in any position, preferably at least in the intermediate position, and to release it therefrom to enable movement of the refuse handling member 21 to another position. This lock mechanism 42 is also controlled by the control system 30. The lock mechanism 42 is in both embodiments a resistance by the motor 41 to moving it out of the actual position assumed, in the form of the closing of valves, e.g. in the hydraulic ports of the cylinders 43ch, 43rh, 44ch, 44rh of the actuators 43, 44 of the drive assembly 40 to hydraulic fluid when the pistons 43p, 44p, discussed later in relation to FIG. 11, are in positions inside the respective cylinders 43c, 44c that correspond to the receiving position 20e, the leftward guiding position 201, and the rightward guiding position 20r of the handling assembly 20, these positions being determined by sensors in communication with the control unit. This valve closure is controlled by the control unit 30 based on the sensor signals.

[0310] Thereby, the lock mechanism 42 is configured to releasably lock the refuse handling assembly 20 in the receiving position 20e, and to release it therefrom such as to enable the movement of the refuse handling assembly 20 between and into said positions 201, 20r.

[0311] As illustrated schematically in FIG. 9, the control unit 30 is furthermore configured to, based on the signals produced by the one or more sensors of the sensor system 31, at least including the signals of the load cell 25c, operate the lock mechanism 42 such that the lock mechanism 42, firstly, releasably locks the refuse handling assembly 20 in the receiving position 20e while the handling member 21 is supporting received refuse 6 at least from the moment that the refuse 6 is received until the weighing unit 24 provides said indication of the weight of received refuse 6, and releases the refuse handling assembly 20 after said provision of said indication. The control unit 30 of FIG. 9 is configured to operate the lock mechanism 42 such that it also releasably locks the refuse handling assembly 20 in the receiving position 20e whenever the handling member 21 is not supporting any refuse 6.

[0312] The control unit 30 is also configured to, based on the signals of the sensors of the sensor system 31, including level sensors for the refuse stored in the container, lock the handling assembly in any of the guiding positions 201, 20r thereof for a set period of time in case the sensors indicate a level of refuse above a certain reference value, in order to facilitate a further compacting of the refuse. The control unit 30 locks the closure element 4c while the assembly is being held in a guiding position 201, 20r so that no refuse can be thrown into the device 10 while compacting.

[0313] By means of the pivot axle (not shown) inserted into the bore 26b of connection member 26, the handling member 21 is pivotally connected to the frame 11. The pivot axle extends along the horizontal pivot axis 13 inside a slot 12t of the rear wall 12s, such that said movement of the refuse handling assembly 20 between and into the leftward guiding position 201, the rightward guiding position 20r and the receiving position 20e is established by rotation of the connection member 26, with the inserted pivot axle, around the pivot axis 13. The connection member 26, and thereby the pivot axle, is interconnected with said drive motor 41 of the drive assembly 41. The slot 12t is complementary to the rear end of the pivot axle extending therein. The pivot axle within connection member 26 is rotatable inside the respective slot 12t such as to enable the rotation of the connection member 26 around the pivot axis 13. To facilitate this rotation the slot comprises a rotary bearing. The drive assembly 40 engages the connection member 26 in the way described before, such as to impart said rotation of the pivot axle around the horizontal pivot axis 13 and establish said movement of the refuse handling assembly 20 between and into said positions 20e, 201, 20r.

[0314] As visible in FIGS. 1-6, the device 10 comprises a front mounting structure, comprising a front bearing. This mounting structure comprises a front slot 12t with a bearing, inside which a front end of the pivot axle 15 rotates. The mounting structure is configured to be mounted to the front wall of the container by means of bolts, as can best be envisaged from FIG. 1.

[0315] The pivot axle 15 is hollow, and the handling member 21, including the weighing unit 24, comprises cabling or wiring which runs through the hollow pivot axle and the rear wall 12s in the slot 12t of which the pivot axle extends, to the rear side of the rear wall 12s, for the transfer of the signals produced by the sensors including the load cell 25c, and the control unit 30 or another receiver, and for the transfer of power to the load cell 25c.

[0316] The load cell 25c of the weighing unit 24 of the first embodiment of the device 10 comprises a strain gauge force transducer which connect the distribution and compaction part 22 of the handling member 21 with the receiving part 23 thereof. The load cell 25c of the weighing unit 24 provides a signal indicative of the weight of a received object 6, e.g. refuse 6, continuously over time at least as long as the object 6, e.g. refuse 6 is being supported on the top surface 23t of the handling member 21 in the receiving position 20e of the refuse handling assembly 20.

[0317] Referring now additionally to FIG. 9, the control unit 30 of the device 10 according to any of the two embodiments operates the drive assembly 40 such that the refuse handling assembly 20 remains in the receiving position 20e for at least as long as the signals fluctuate over time to an extent that exceeds a predetermined range. The fluctuating e.g. occurs directly after being received on the top surface 23t in the way shown in FIG. 6b, due to the dropping of the object 6 onto the top surface 23t, due to shifting and/or sliding of different parts of the object 6 with respect to one another and/or due to initial stabilizing movements of the received object 6 to reach equilibrium on the top surface 23t. Furthermore the control unit 30 operates the drive assembly 40 such that the drive assembly 40 moves the refuse handling assembly 20 to one of the guiding positions 201, 20r only after said fluctuating has stopped or remained within said predetermined range for a predetermined time period.

[0318] In addition the control unit 30 operates the lock mechanism 42 such that the lock mechanism locks the refuse handling assembly 20 in the receiving position 20e for at least as long as the signals fluctuate over time to an extent that exceeds the predetermined range, and releases the refuse handling assembly 20 only after said fluctuating has stopped or remained within said predetermined range for said predetermined time period. It operates the drive assembly 40 such that the drive assembly 40 moves the refuse handling assembly 20 to one of the guiding positions 201, 20r after said releasing of the refuse handling assembly 20.

[0319] The control unit 30 operates the drive assembly 40 such that the drive assembly 40 does not move the refuse handling assembly 20 from the receiving position 20e if the signals produced by the sensors indicate, after interpretation of the signals by the control unit 30, that a living organism is supported by the handling member 21. The operation of the drive assembly 40 is furthermore such that it moves the refuse handling assembly 20 to one of the guiding positions 201, 20r only after said signals no longer indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member 21 for a predetermined time period. The drive assembly 40 is operated to releases the refuse handling assembly 20 after receiving an external, e.g. remedial signal, e.g. an input signal from an external source, e.g. an operator device or a control switch, that the living organism is no longer supported by the handling member 21.

[0320] The control unit 30 is furthermore configured to operate the lock mechanism 42, when present, such that the lock mechanism 42 releasably locks the refuse handling assembly 20 in the receiving position if the signals produced by the sensors indicate after interpretation of the signals by the control unit 30, that a living organism is supported by the handling member 21. It is operated to release the refuse handling assembly 20 after the signals no longer indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member 21 for a predetermined time period. Lastly the lock mechanism is operated to release the refuse handling assembly 21 after receiving an external, e.g. remedial signal that the living organism is no longer supported by the handling member 21.

[0321] The control unit 30 is configured to interpret the one or more signals produced by the sensors such as to determine if a living organism is being supported by the handling member 21, by the ability to recognize signals produced by sensors after an object 6 has been received onto the top surface 23t not being typically caused by the dropping of the object 6 onto the top surface 23t and shifting and sliding of different parts of the object 6 with respect to one another and/or initial stabilizing movements of the received object 6 to reach equilibrium on the top surface 23t, and/or other typical signal characteristics for non-living refuse, and the ability to recognize signals produced by sensors being characteristic for living organisms, e.g. animals and human beings. This ability is based on the interpretation of the weight, the frequency, pattern, magnitude, and duration of fluctuations of the signals over time indicated by the signal produced by the weight sensor 25.

[0322] The control unit 30 is furthermore configured to, if the signals produced by the sensors indicate that a living organism is supported by the handling member 21, produce a warning signal that is observable externally from the device 10, e.g. by emergency services, passers-by and/or determined operators of the device 10.

[0323] The control unit 30 is furthermore configured to operate the lock mechanism 42 based on the signals produced by the sensors such that the lock mechanism 42 releases the refuse handling assembly 20 whenever the handling member 21 is not supporting any refuse 6, and locks the refuse handling assembly 20 in the receiving position immediately after the signals indicate that refuse 6 has been received onto the top surface 23t and/or that refuse 6 has been dropped into the device 10.

[0324] The control unit 30 of FIG. 9 is furthermore configured to operate the closure element 4c such as to lock it in a closed position and in an opened position, and to release it. For instance the control unit 30 locks the closure element 4c in the closed position in case the signal produced by the sensor 25 indicates that a living organism is supported by the handling member 21, and if the indication of the total weight of refuse actually present into the container exceeds a predetermined value, and if the signals produced by the weight sensors 25 indicate a weight of received refuse that exceeds a predetermined value.

[0325] The control unit 30 is furthermore configured to register in a memory an indication of the total weight of refuse 6 actually present into the container 2, by adding up the weight of actually received and guided refuse 6 as indicated by the signals of the weight sensors 25 to the registered indication of the total weight every time the handling member 21 guides received and weighed refuse 6 through the outlet into the container 2.

[0326] The registered indication is set to zero after the container 2 has been emptied, e.g. in response to a signal produced externally, e.g. produced by sensors of the container 2 or by an input signal from an external source, e.g. an operator device or a control switch. The registered indication of the total weight is observable externally, e.g. displayed on an interface on the outside of the device or sent to external operator devices.

[0327] Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the opposed left and right surfaces 221, 22r of the handling member 21 in both embodiments of the device 10 are, seen in direction of the pivot axis 13, diverging towards the receiving surface 23t in a direction away from said pivot axis 13, e.g. said left and right surfaces 221, 22r being planar surfaces that are arranged in a V, e.g. said surfaces including an angle between of 50°. The distance between the horizontal pivot axis 13 and the top surface 23t is between 40 and 80 centimetres.

[0328] In said leftward guiding position 201, the left surface 221 of the distribution and compaction part 22 of the handling member 21 that is upwardly facing the entry opening 12e has an angle θl relative to the imaginary vertical plane above and parallel to the pivot axis 13 of 65°, and in said rightward guiding position 20r the right surface 22r that is upwardly facing the entry opening 12e has an angle θr relative to said imaginary vertical plane above of 65°. This is visible in FIGS. 2b, 2c, 5b, 6c, 6d, 8b-c and 9b-c and specifically indicated in FIGS. 2d-e for the first embodiment of the device 10. However, it can be verified that this applies to the second embodiment of the device 1—as well.

[0329] It is visible in the figures that the top ends of the left and right guiding surface 221, 22r comprise a laterally, substantially perpendicular, extending shoulder defined by a protruding edge that adjoins the lateral outer end of the top surface 23t. From the figures it may be envisaged that this shoulder facilitates the compacting of refuse already present in the container 2, as it latches laterally behind the refuse 6 such as to reduce refuse moving laterally, e.g. sliding along the left or right surface, while it engages the refuse during compacting thereof in the shown position 201, as a consequence of the downward force on the refuse.

[0330] It is shown that in the receiving position the top surface 23t of the receiving part 23 of the handling member 21 extends in vertical projection below substantially the whole receiving opening 12e, and the guiding surfaces 22l, 22r extend substantially outside of the contour of the entry opening 12e.