Household waste recycling module and appliance assembly

Abstract

The present invention includes a packaging, carton and container compacting and storing module including a receptacle. The module also includes a drive assembly and a compacting assembly. The drive assembly is operably connected to the compacting assembly, and, during a compacting operation, the drive assembly drives the compacting assembly into the receptacle.

Claims

1. A module for storing and compacting packaging, cartons and containers, the module comprising: a chassis having a front and three runners; a drawer slidable into and out of the chassis and including a container part, wherein the container part includes three arms that correspond to the three runners of the chassis, wherein each arm runs over a corresponding runner, wherein a first arm of the three arms lies in a first plane, wherein a second arm of the three arms lies in a second plane, wherein a third arm of the three arms lies in a third plane, wherein the second plane and the third plane are parallel to one another, and further wherein the second plane and the third plane each are perpendicular to the first plane; a receptacle slidably mounted in the drawer and configured to be received by and sit in the container part, wherein the receptacle is slidable relative to the drawer, wherein the module comprises a load-bearing member, wherein the load-bearing member is mounted on a part of the chassis, wherein the load-bearing member engages at least one of the receptacle and the container part when the drawer is slid to a fully closed position, wherein the receptacle is spaced from the load-bearing member when the drawer is slid out of the chassis, and further wherein the load-bearing member engages the receptacle to slide the receptacle vertically upwards relative to the container part when the drawer is slid from a fully open position to the fully closed position; a compacting means; and a drive means operably connected to the compacting means, wherein the drive means and the compacting means are slidably mounted as a pullout insert in the module, said pullout insert being slidable in and out of the front of the chassis, and further wherein during a compacting operation the drive means drives the compacting means into the receptacle along an operational axis that is upright.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein the load-bearing member supports the receptacle clear of the container part when the drawer is slid to the fully closed position.

3. The module according to claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises an electrically powered linear ram and a reciprocating drive shaft, wherein the linear ram is connected to the reciprocating drive shaft and wherein the reciprocating drive shaft operates in a generally vertical orientation.

4. The module according to claim 3, wherein the linear ram is a sealed unit.

5. The module according to claim 3, wherein the drive means comprises a scissor jack-type mechanism, and further wherein the scissor jack-type mechanism is connected to the reciprocating drive shaft.

6. The module according to claim 5, wherein the drive means is located in a compactor compartment.

7. The module according to claim 6, wherein the scissor jack-type mechanism comprises two side flanges and the compactor compartment comprises two side runner ledges extending in parallel with the side flanges from front to back over most of the length of the compactor compartment such that the scissor jack-type mechanism is located and supported in the compactor compartment.

8. The module according to claim 3, wherein the reciprocating drive shaft has an operational axis at an angle between 10 and 60 in its rest position prior to a compacting operation.

9. The module according to claim 5, wherein the compacting means comprises a compacting plate.

10. The module according to claim 9, wherein the scissor jack-type mechanism is connected to the compacting plate.

11. The module according to claim 9, wherein the drive means is operable to drive the compacting plate to a first position within the receptacle, withdraw the compacting plate and drive the compacting plate to a second position within the receptacle, and further wherein the second position is situated further into the receptacle than the first position.

12. The module according to claim 9, wherein the drive means is operable to drive the compacting plate to a first position within the receptacle, withdraw the compacting plate to a second position within the receptacle, hold the compacting plate at the second position for a predetermined length of time, and withdraw the compacting plate from the receptacle.

13. The module according to claim 1, further comprising control electronics for the drive means, wherein the control electronics comprise an initiation switch which is operated by the drawer when the drawer is in the fully closed position.

14. The module according to claim 9, wherein the drive means is operable to drive the compacting plate to an extended position and pause for a predetermined time before retracting.

15. The module according to claim 5, wherein the scissor jack-type mechanism comprises a pair of mutually parallel frameworks, and further wherein the linear ram is accommodated between and within the pair of mutually parallel frameworks.

16. An appliance comprising: (i) a module for storing and compacting packaging, cartons and containers, the module comprising: a chassis having a front and three runners; a drawer slidable into and out of the chassis and including a container part, wherein the container part includes three arms that correspond to the three runners of the chassis, wherein each arm runs over a corresponding runner, wherein a first arm of the three arms lies in a first plane, wherein a second arm of the three arms lies in a second plane, wherein a third arm of the three arms lies in a third plane, wherein the second plane and the third plane are parallel to one another, and further wherein the second plane and the third plane each are perpendicular to the first plane; a receptacle slidably mounted in the drawer and configured to be received by and sit in the container part, wherein the receptacle is slidable relative to the drawer, wherein the module comprises a load-bearing member, wherein the load-bearing member is mounted on a part of the chassis, wherein the load-bearing member engages at least one of the receptacle and the container part when the drawer is slid to a fully closed position, wherein the receptacle is spaced from the load-bearing member when the drawer is slid out of the chassis, and further wherein the load-bearing member engages the receptacle to slide the receptacle vertically upwards relative to the container part when the drawer is slid from a fully open position to the fully closed position; a compacting means; and a drive means operably connected to the compacting means, wherein the drive means and the compacting means are slidably mounted as a pullout insert in the module, said pullout insert being slidable in and out of the front of the chassis, and further wherein during a compacting operation the drive means drives the compacting means into the receptacle along an operational axis that is upright; and (ii) a second module for crushing and storing cans.

17. The appliance according to claim 16, wherein the chassis of the module is a first chassis, and wherein the second module comprises a second chassis that is fastened to the first chassis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a waste compacting and storing module according to the present invention, with the storage unit drawer fully pulled out;

(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b show isometric views of the chassis and the underside of the storage unit drawer of waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 3a and 3b show an exploded isometric view of the storage unit drawer within the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, and its cage-like container part, and a frontal cross-sectional view of the receptacle of the storage unit drawer, held by three arms of the container part;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an exploded isometric view of the storage unit drawer receptacle of the storage unit drawer of the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, and its pull-out insert;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a plan cross-sectional view near the bottom storage unit drawer of the drawer of the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, and the bottom of the chassis, positioned below the drawer which is slid outwards of the chassis;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a side cross-sectional view of the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, with the storage unit drawer further pushed in, and the compacting drive means fully retracted;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, with the storage unit drawer partially pushed in, and the compacting drive means fully retracted;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a side cross-sectional view of the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, with the storage unit drawer further pushed in, and the compacting drive means fully retracted;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a side cross-sectional view of the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, with the storage unit drawer fully pushed in, and the compacting drive means fully retracted;

(11) FIG. 10 shows an exploded isometric view of the chassis and the compacting drive means of the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1;

(12) FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c show an exploded isometric view of the compacting drive means waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1, and side cross-sectional views of the compacting drive means fully retracted and extended;

(13) FIG. 12a shows an isometric view of an extended module comprising two different modules for crushing, compacting and storing recyclable waste, including the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1. FIG. 12b shows a cross-sectional view from the longitudinal mid-point of the extended module of FIG. 12a facing rearwardly; and

(14) FIG. 13 shows an exploded isometric view of an appliance comprising three different modules for crushing, compacting and/or storing recyclable waste, including the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a packaging, carton and container compacting and storing module 1 has a chassis 2 comprising a framework consisting of metal structural members defining a cuboidal box-shaped space.

(16) The space is enclosed on all sides apart from the forward facing side 3 by a polypropylene skin 4 (not shown). The module 1 has a drawer 5 comprising a front 6 and a cage-like container part 7. The drawer 5 slides in and out of the space. The front 6 covers the whole of the forward facing side 3 of the space. A handle 8 is fixed on the front 6.

(17) Referring also to FIG. 3, in the compacting and storing module 1, the cage-like container part 7 is elongate from the front to the rear, and as part of the drawer 5 is slidable in and out of the front of the chassis 2 to and from the rear of the chassis 2 in a direction generally corresponding to its elongate dimension.

(18) The cage-like container part 7 comprises three arms 9a, 9b, 9c that extend from the inside face of the drawer front 6 in the sliding-in direction of the drawer 5.

(19) The first arm 9a extends from a position on the inside surface of the drawer front 6, adjacent the lower edge 10 of the drawer front 6, approximately midway between the right- and left-hand edges 11, 12 of the drawer front 6.

(20) The second and third arms 9b, 9c each extend from a position adjacent to the top right- and left-hand corners 13, 14 of the inside surface of the drawer front 6 respectively. The three arms 9a, 9b, 9c are slightly shorter than the depth of the space and are interconnected at their ends remote from the drawer 5 front 6 by an integral T-piece 15.

(21) Each arm 9a, 9b, 9c comprises an inner, box-section part 16a, 16b, 16c and an outer C-shaped channel part 17a, 17b, 17c. The channel opening of each arm 9a, 9b, 9c faces outwards towards the polypropylene skin 4. The first arm channel opening faces downwards and the plane of the mid-section of the C-channel 17a is horizontal; the second and third arm channel openings each face sideways to different sides, and the planes of the mid-sections of their C-channels 17b, 17c are vertical. Hence, the planes of the first arm channel 17a and the second and third arm channels 17b, 17c are perpendicular.

(22) The chassis 2 also comprises three runner members 18a, 18b, 18c each of which is fixed to the chassis in a position corresponding to the positions of one of the first, second and third arms 9a, 9b, 9c of the drawer 5.

(23) Each C-shaped channel 17a, 17b, 17c slots onto the corresponding one of the runners 18a, 18b, 18c, and the channels 17a, 17b, 17c are able to run back and forth on the runners 18a, 18b, 18c so as to enable the drawer 5 to be slid in and out.

(24) Each runner 18a, 18b, 18c comprises first and second members (not shown), wherein the first member is mounted on the chassis 3, extending rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 from the front of the module 1 and the second member loosely conforms internally to the outside of the first member and is held captive by a C-shaped channel, respectively 17a, 17b, 17c, that slots and runs over the corresponding runner second member. This arrangement allows each runner 18a, 18b, 18c to float within controlled limits to take up any inaccuracies in the cage-like container part 7.

(25) Drawer runners usually tend to be rigid in one direction only. Thus, each of the runners 18b, 18c in a lateral position corresponding to one of the second and third arms 9b, 9c, and over which each of the C-shaped channels 17b, 17c slots and runs, are rigid to vertical motion but not lateral. The bottom runner 18a in a position corresponding to the first arm 9a, and over which the C-shaped channel 17a slots and runs, is rigid to lateral motion but not vertical. The bottom runner 18a makes the top runners 18b, 18c more rigid laterally and the top runners 18b, 18c make the bottom runner 18a more rigid vertically.

(26) The perpendicular relationship of the first channel 17a and second and third channels 17b and 17c and between the corresponding runners 18a, 18b, 18c means that the drawer 5 is stable when it is slid in and out and prevented from rocking or rotating.

(27) An open-toped receptacle 19 is elongate from the front to the rear, and is in the form of an open-top generally cuboidal box-shaped structure, splaying slightly on all sides in the direction of the top side of the chassis, and is smaller than, conforms to, is received in, and is slidable upwardly out of, the cage-like container part 7.

(28) The receptacle 19 has a projecting lip 69 extending in a generally horizontal direction on all sides from the top of the receptacle 19, by which it is supported solely on the second and third arms 9b, 9c, extending from a rear face 10 of the drawer front 6 rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5, and not on the first arm 9a towards the bottom of the chassis 2.

(29) The receptacle 19 is used for storing recyclable waste material. Any such material may be deposited in the receptacle 19 by a user when the drawer 5 is slid open.

(30) Referring also to FIG. 4, the receptacle 19 has a pull-out insert 33, which conforms to the sides 34a, 34b and bottom 38 of the receptacle 19, sits in the receptacle 19, and is slidable upwardly out of the receptacle. It has lifting means, here slot handles 35a, 35b on each side. Following a compacting operation, the pull-out insert 33 aids in the removal of recyclable waste compacted by the action of the compacting means from the receptacle.

(31) Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the receptacle 19 has four pairs of trunnions 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, each of which is in the form of an open-bottomed generally triangular prism-shaped structure, integral with the bottom 38 of the receptacle, and defining an inner space, enclosed on all sides apart from the downward facing side. The pairs 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d are adjacent to the corners of the rectangular bottom 38, and in turn form a front pair 37a, 37b, and a rear pair 37c, 37d, each of which is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the receptacle 19 in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5. Each of the pairs of trunnions 37a, 37b and 37c, 37d houses a front pair 38a, 38b, and a rear pair 38c, 38d of rollers, rotatably mounted in the internal space on an axle, such that the roller 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d projects downwardly clear of the cage-like container part 7. The front and rear pairs of rollers 38a, 38b, and 38c, 38d are not in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5.

(32) When the drawer 5 is slid out, the receptacle 19 is supported by the second and third arms 9b, 9c.

(33) There is a recess 20 in the bottom of the receptacle 19, running from front 6 to back along the centre, and the majority of the bottom of the receptacle 19, to either side of the recess 20, sits below the first arm 9a.

(34) The first and second arms 9a, 9b, 9c and the T-piece 15 restrict the receptacle 19 from sideways or backwards movement respectively.

(35) Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the chassis 2 in the compacting and storing module 1 further comprises a single load bearing member 21, mounted on, and attached to, the chassis 2, and extending from front to back over most of the bottom of the module 1.

(36) The runner 18a in a position corresponding to the first arm 9a of the container part 7 and over which the C-shaped channel 17a of that arm 9a slots and runs so as to enable the drawer 5 to be slid in and out, together with the second and third channels 17b and 17c, is mounted on the single load bearing member 21, which is disposed and extends symmetrically on each side of the runner 18a. The load bearing member 21 is so positioned that when the drawer 5 is fully slid in, it supports the receptacle 19 clear of the bottom of the container part 7.

(37) The profile from the side of the load bearing member 21 comprises, in sequence from front to back of the module 1 underneath the container part 7;

(38) a first inclined part 22, which is inclined upwardly from the front of the module 1 towards the back, and extends from side to side of the module 1;

(39) first sections 23a, 23b near the front of the module 1 of a low depressed part 23, extending in a generally horizontal direction from the front towards the back of the module 1;

(40) a high projecting part 24 extending in a generally horizontal direction from front to back and from side to side of the module 1;

(41) a second inclined part 25a, 25b which is inclined downwardly from the front towards the back of the module 1; and

(42) second sections 23c, 23d near the back of the module 1, of the low depressed part 23, extending in a generally horizontal direction from the front towards the back of the module 1.

(43) The purpose of these parts is to take over supporting the receptacle 19 when the drawer 5 is fully slid into the space. The parts achieve this by lifting the receptacle 19 off of the arms 9b, 9c of the container part 7 as the drawer 5 is slid in such that the load bearing member 21 is carrying the load of the receptacle 19 and any compacting load applied to it.

(44) The first sections 23a, 23b near the front of the module 1 of the low depressed part 23 are disposed symmetrically on each side of the runner 18a at the line 26 adjacent to the front bottom edge of the module 1. Along this line, where the load bearing member 21 changes from the first inclined part 22 to the high projecting part 24, the first sections 23a, 23b are in the form of niches in the first inclined part 22 and the high projecting part 24, which are in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 with, and are capable of receiving, the front pair of rollers 39a, 39b of the receptacle 19.

(45) The second inclined part 25a, 25b and the second sections 23c, 23d of the low depressed part 23, all near the back of the module 1, are in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5, and disposed symmetrically on each side of the runner 18a corresponding to the first arm 9a, and over which the C-shaped channel of that first arm 9a runs.

(46) The second inclined part 25a, 25b and the second sections 23c, 23d of the low depressed part 23, all near the back of the module 1, are disposed symmetrically on each side of the runner 18a corresponding to the first arm 9a, and over which the C-shaped channel of that first arm 9a runs, and are in the form of slots in the high projecting part 24, which are in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 with, and are capable of receiving, the rear pair of rollers 39c, 39d of the receptacle 19.

(47) The second inclined part 25a, 25b and the second sections 23c, 23d of the low depressed part 23, all near the back of the module 1, are in not in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 with the first sections 26a, 26b near the front of the module 1 of the low depressed part 26.

(48) The reception of the rollers 39a, 39b and 39c, 39d of the receptacle 19 keeps the receptacle 19 in place during waste compaction.

(49) At the line 26 adjacent to the front bottom edge of the module 1 where the load bearing member 21 changes from the first inclined part 22 to the high projecting part 24, a pair of rollers 33a, 33b is rotatably mounted on axles in a pair of recesses symmetrically about the runner 18a in the first inclined part 22 and the high projecting part 24, such that the rollers 33a, 33b project upwardly of the load bearing member 21 to each side of the runner.

(50) Thus, the rollers 33a, 33b may engage the bottom 38 of the receptacle 19 and ease the passage of the drawer 5 as it is slid in. This pair of rollers 33a, 33b is not in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 with any other integer.

(51) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6 to 11, the module 1 further comprises a compacting drive means and a compacting means, here respectively:

(52) an electrically powered linear ram 29 which is pivotally attached to a scissor jack mechanism 28, which is slidably located and sits in a compactor compartment 40 at the top of the space enclosed by the chassis 2; and

(53) a compacting plate 27 which is attached to a bottom plate 46 of the scissor jack mechanism 28.

(54) The mechanism 28 has two side flanges 41a, 41b, extending from front to back over most of the length of the sides of the mechanism 28, the lower surfaces of which respectively engage the upper surfaces of two side runner ledges 42a, 42b, extending in parallel with the two flanges 41a, 41b from front to back over most of the length of the compactor compartment 40, so that they locate and support the mechanism 28 in the compactor compartment 40.

(55) The scissor jack mechanism 28 comprises two mutually parallel frameworks 43a, 43b, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the first 43a positioned adjacent to the left-hand inside surface of the chassis 2, and the second 43b positioned adjacent to the right-hand inside surface of the chassis 2, with the planes of the frameworks lying in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5. Each framework 43a, 43b is of elongate members, collectively 44a and 44b, pivotally connected together at their ends and middles.

(56) The mechanism 28 comprises a rectangular top plate 45 with a pair of downwardly projecting flanges 47a, 47b extending from front to back over most of the length of the scissor jack mechanism 28.

(57) The mechanism 28 also comprises a rectangular bottom plate 46 with upwardly projecting flanges 48a, 48b extending from front to back over most of the length of the scissor jack mechanism 28.

(58) The compacting plate 27 is attached to a bottom plate 46 of the scissor jack mechanism 28. (Alternatively, the bottom plate 46 of the scissor jack mechanism 28 may be the compacting plate 27.)

(59) The top plate 45 abuts the top inside surfaces of the chassis 2, and the latter take the upward reactive thrust on the scissor jack mechanism 28 when, during a compacting operation, the linear ram 29 drives the compacting plate 27 into the receptacle 19.

(60) The uppermost members of each framework 43a, 43b, as illustrated in FIG. 11 are connected to the downwardly projecting flanges 47a, 47b of the top plate 45 of the scissor jack mechanism 28, respectively pivotally attached at a pivot point 49a, 49b and by a follower pin 50a, 50b slidably located and running in a slot 51a, 51b.

(61) The lowermost members of each framework 43a, 43b, as illustrated in FIG. 11 are connected to the upwardly projecting flanges 48a, 48b of the bottom plate 48 of the scissor jack mechanism 28, respectively pivotally attached at a pivot point 52a, 52b and by a follower pin 53a, 53b slidably located and running in a slot 54a, 54b.

(62) The plate 27 is driven between the high and low positions by the action of a linear ram 29 which is an electrically powered device with a reciprocating drive shaft 30. The linear ram 29 lies between the two mutually parallel frameworks 43a, 43b, of the scissor jack mechanism 28, and like the planes of the frameworks 43a, 43b, the linear ram 29 lies in a plane in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5. The free end of the drive shaft 30 is pivotally attached at the pivot point 49a to the downwardly projecting flange 47a of the top plate 45 of the scissor jack mechanism 28. The body 56 of the ram 29 is pivotally attached to a middle pivot point 55a of the scissor jack mechanism 28. The extension of the drive shaft 30 from the body 56 of the ram 29 is thus translated into extension of the scissor mechanism 28, and, as a result the compacting plate 27 is driven downwards.

(63) The linear ram 29 and its drive shaft 30 in their rest position before the compacting operation lie at an angle of about 60 to the upright, and the plate 27 in its corresponding high position is clear of the receptacle.

(64) The extendability of the scissor jack mechanism 28 is such that, when the cage-like container part 7 containing a receptacle 19 is fully slid into the module 1, the scissor jack mechanism 28 is extendable to drive the compacting plate 27 from its high position clear of the receptacle 19 to a low position inside the receptacle 19 close to the bottom of the receptacle 19. The plate 27 is sized so that there is minimal clearance between the edges of the plate 27 and the sides of the receptacle 19. At full extension of the scissor jack mechanism 28 in the compacting operation to drive the compacting plate 27 from its high position clear of the receptacle 19 to a low position inside the receptacle 19 close to the bottom of the receptacle 19, the linear ram 29 and its drive shaft 30 in that position lie at an angle of about 45 to the upright.

(65) The linear ram 29 is controlled by control electronics 31 (not shown) housed within the space. The control electronics 31 are activated by a user initiation switch 32. When the user switch 32 is operated, the control electronics 31 command the linear ram 29 to drive the compacting plate 27 down into the receptacle 19, thereby to apply a compacting force to any recyclable waste material deposited in the receptacle 19 and to compact it.

(66) The linear ram 29 can be commanded to undergo any number of routines, here any one of three routines;

(67) A first routine involves the compacting plate 27 extending into the receptacle 19 to up to the maximum extension and retracting completely when it has reached the maximum extension.

(68) The second routine involves the compacting plate 27 extending 80% of its maximum extension, retracting and then extending to 100% of its maximum extension.

(69) The purpose of the second routine is to prevent straining the linear ram 29 in the event the receptacle 19 is quite full with recyclable waste material.

(70) The third routine involves the compacting plate 27 extending to 100% of its maxium extension, retracting to 80% of its maximum extension and pausing there for a predetermined time before fully retracting.

(71) In effect, the material is compacted stage-wise in two stages: an initial, partial compacting stage; and, a final, complete compacting pass.

(72) The purpose of the third routine is to deal with recyclable waste materials that have a memory or a tendency to resume their original shape after initial compaction. By retracting to 80% of its maximum extension following the main compacting extension, the compacting plate 27 keeps the waste material compacted, preventing it from resuming its original shape. The pause time is determined to be the amount of time required for the waste material to lose its memory.

(73) In use of the module 1, a user first opens the drawer 5 and deposits cardboard packaging and plastics materials cartons for storage into the receptacle 19.

(74) Referring to FIG. 1, when the drawer 5 is fully slid out, the receptacle 19 is supported by the first, second and third arms 9a, 9b, 9c of the cage-like container part 7. Referring to FIG. 6, as the drawer 5 is slid in, the rear pair of rollers 39c, 39d of the receptacle 19 engages the first inclined parts 23a, 23b of the load bearing member 21, starting to lift the rear of the receptacle 19 off of the arms 9b, 9c of the container part 7.

(75) Referring to FIG. 7, as the drawer 5 is slid in further, the pair of rollers 33a, 33b rotatably mounted on axles in a pair of recesses at the point 26 adjacent to the front bottom edge of the module 1 where the load bearing member 21 changes from the first inclined part 22 to the high projecting part 24, engages the bottom 38 of the receptacle 19 and eases the passage of the drawer 5 as it is slid in.

(76) Referring to FIG. 8, as the drawer 5 is slid in further, the rear pair of rollers 39c, 39d of the receptacle 19 then engages the high projecting part 24 of the load bearing member 21, lifting the front of the receptacle 19 off of the arms 9a, 9b, 9c of the container part 7.

(77) Referring to FIG. 9, as the drawer 5 is slid in yet further, the rear pair of rollers 39c, 39d of the receptacle 19 then run into the slots in the high projecting part 24, down the second inclined part 25a, 25b onto the second sections 23c, 23d of the low depressed part 23.

(78) The second inclined part 25a, 25b and the second sections 23c, 23d of the low depressed part 23, all near the back of the module 1, are in not in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 with the first sections 26a, 26b of the low depressed part 26 near the front of the module 1. The slots are thus in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 only with, and only receive, the rear pair of rollers 39c, 39d of the receptacle 19.

(79) Simultaneously, the front pair of rollers 39a, 39b of the receptacle 19 then runs into the niches in the first inclined part 22 and the high projecting part 24, which are in register in the direction of sliding of the drawer 5 only with, and receive, the front pair of rollers 39a, 39b of the receptacle 19.

(80) At this point, the bottom 38 of the receptacle 19 is grounded on and supported by, and the load of the receptacle is then completely taken by, the high projecting part 24 of the load bearing member 21, and the receptacle 19 is no longer supported by the second and third arms 9a, 9b, 9c of the cage-like container part 7.

(81) Once the drawer 5 is fully closed, the user actuates the compacting operation initiation button. This starts the linear ram 29 working and its drive shaft 30 begins to extend from the body 56 of the ram 29. Because of the way that the body 56 of the ram 29 is pivotally attached to a middle pivot point 55a of the scissor jack mechanism 28 and the

(82) The extension of the drive shaft 30 out of the body 56 of the ram 29 is translated into extension of the scissor mechanism 28, and, as a result the compacting plate 27 is driven downwards, from its parked position, towards the receptacle 19. The scissor mechanism 28 continues to extend and the compactor plate 27 continues to move downwards, further into the receptacle 19.

(83) The downwards movement continues until the compactor plate 27 encounters the packaging, cartons and containers deposited in the receptacle 19, whereupon the compactor plate 27 begins to compact them towards the bottom of the receptacle 19. The compactor plate 27 continues to compact the material until it reaches maximum extension.

(84) At that point the control electronics 31 switches the linear ram 29 to operate in reverse causing the drive shaft 30 to begin to retracting and, consequently, causing the scissor mechanism 28 to retract also. This results in the compactor plate 27 moving back up the receptacle 19 in a withdrawing motion which continues until the compactor plate 27 is back in its rest position. The user is then free to open the drawer 5 and deposit further material for compacting and storing into the receptacle 19.

(85) Alternatively, the user can select one of the alternative modes of compacting operation: either the second or third routine.

(86) When the receptacle 19 is full of compacted recyclable waste material following one or more compacting operations, any such recyclable waste material in the receptacle 19 may be removed by lifting out the pull-out insert 33, which sits in the receptacle 19, and is slidable upwardly out of the receptacle by means of its slot handles 25a, 35b on each side.

(87) FIG. 12 shows an extended module comprising two different modules for crushing, compacting and storing recyclable waste, including the waste compacting and storing module of FIG. 1.

(88) The term extended module as used herein refers to a module for crushing and/or compacting recyclable waste materials which comprises two or more sub-modules. Each sub-module of the extended module performs a different function, such as a sub-module for crushing cans and storing the crushed cans, or for compacting paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers and storing the compacted materials.

(89) The extended module 61 illustrated comprises two different modules:

(90) A crushing unit 76 comprising a first drawer 77, mounted in, and adjacent to the top left side edge 64a of, the chassis 62 of the extended module 61, occupying approximately half of the top one third of the volume of the space 63 within the chassis 62, and extends rearwardly the front of the chassis 62.

(91) An electrically powered drive means 28 of a compacting and storing module 1 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers is mounted in, and adjacent to the right top side edge 64a of, the chassis 62, also occupying approximately half of the top one third of the volume of the space 63 within the chassis 62, and extends rearwardly the front of the chassis 62.

(92) The drive means 28 of a compacting and storing module for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers 60 is operably connected to compacting means 29 (not shown), here a planar and rectangular plate which extends in a generally horizontal direction.

(93) The drive means 28 and the crushing unit 6 abut each other laterally. Although each component of the module performs different functions, the compacting drive means 28 and the crushing unit 6 share a common storage unit, here a storage unit drawer 65 with a cage-like container part 71 and an open-top generally box-shaped receptacle 72, which is smaller than the container part 71 and is slidably received in the container part 71.

(94) The storage unit drawer 65 is slidably mounted in the chassis 2 below the crushing unit 6 and the compacting drive means 28, such that in use a crushed can drops into it and the drive means 48 drives the compacting means 49 downwardly into the receptacle from a rest position clear of the receptacle before the compacting operation, such that any cans, cartons, packaging or containers in the receptacle are compacted. The drawer 65 occupies the remaining two thirds of the volume of the space 3.

(95) The cage-like container part 71 comprises members which are first, second and third arms 59a, 59b, 59c.

(96) The arms 59a, 59b, 59c extend from a rear face 60 of a drawer front 71 rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer 65 and further extend transversely of the direction of sliding of the drawer 65 to meet adjacent to the rear of the drawer 65. The arms 59a, 59b, 59c are so arranged that they conform to the outside of the receptacle 72 to hold the receptacle 72.

(97) The cage-like container part 71 so formed has a first arm 59a in perpendicular relationship with second and third arms 59b, 59c. Each arm 59a, 59b, 59c comprises a C-shaped channel 60a, 60b, 60c and the chassis 2 comprises three runners 61a, 61b, 61c, each in a position corresponding to one of the first, second and third arms 59a, 59b, 59c. 59a, 59b, 59c Each of the C-shaped channels 60a, 60b, 60c slots and runs over a corresponding runner 61a, 61b, 61c.

(98) Each runner 61a, 61b, 61c comprises first and second members (not shown), wherein the first member is mounted on the chassis 3, extending rearwardly in the direction of sliding of the drawer 45 from the front of the module 41 and the second member loosely conforms internally to the outside of the first member and is held captive by a C-shaped channel, respectively 60a, 60b, 60c, that slots and runs over the corresponding runner second member. This arrangement allows each runner 61a, 61b, 61c to float within controlled limits to take up any inaccuracies in the cage-like container part 51.

(99) The C-shaped channel 60a of the first arm 59a lies in one plane on the bottom 63 of the chassis 3, and the C-shaped channel 60b, 60c of each of the other arms 59b, 59c lies in another plane, perpendicular to the first plane.

(100) Drawer runners usually tend to be rigid in one direction only. Thus, each of the runners 61b, 61c in a lateral position corresponding to one of the second and third arms 59b, 59c, and over which each of the C-shaped channels 60b, 60c slots and runs, are rigid to vertical motion but not lateral. The bottom runner 61a in a position corresponding to the first arm 59a, and over which the C-shaped channel 60a slots and runs, is rigid to lateral motion but not vertical. The bottom runner 61a makes the top runners 61b, 61c more rigid laterally and the top runners 61b, 61c make the bottom runner 61a more rigid vertically.

(101) The perpendicular relationship of the first channel and the second and third channels and between the corresponding runners gives rise to a triangulated structure, which means that the drawer is stable when it is slid in and out and prevented from rocking or rotating, and which prevents runners binding, e.g. a pair of lower runners and channels in parallel with a pair of upper runners and channels preventing the latter from running smoothly, or vice versa.

(102) The perpendicular relationship of the first channel 59a and the second and third channels 59b, 59c give the drawer 65 stability when it is slid in and out and prevent it rocking or rotating, and prevent the drawer runners binding.

(103) In use, a can may be crushed in the crushing unit 6, with the crushed can being dropped from the crushing unit drawer 77 into the receptacle 62, which acts as a storage unit for compacted recyclable waste materials.

(104) Alternatively or subsequently, the drawer 65 is slid outwards, and paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers are put into the receptacle 72. The drive means 48 drives the compacting plate 49 downwardly into the receptacle 72 from a rest position clear of the receptacle 72 before the compacting operation, such that any cans, cartons, packaging or containers in the receptacle are compacted. Following a compacting operation, the drive means 48 drives the compacting plate 49 in a withdrawing operation out of the receptacle 72 to its rest position clear of the receptacle 72 before the compacting operation. The receptacle 72 then acts as a storage unit for compacted recyclable waste materials.

(105) Referring to FIG. 13, a recycling appliance is indicated generally at 80.

(106) The term appliance as used herein refers to one or more modules for crushing and/or compacting recyclable waste materials, such as cans, and or storing compacted or non-compacted recyclable waste materials. Each module of the appliance performs one or more different functions. An appliance may consist of any one of the modules or a combination of any two or more of the modules.

(107) The appliances illustrated consist of modules selected from three different modules: a first, left-hand, can crushing and storing module 76; a second, centre, compacting and storing module 1 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; and, a third, right -hand, storage module 78, e.g. for glass.

(108) The appliance may consist of:

(109) The compacting and storing module 1 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers in the casing 81 with bezel 91 and drawer front 101;

(110) The can crushing and storing module 76 with the compacting and storing module 1 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers in the casing 82 with bezel 92 and drawer front 102;

(111) The can crushing and storing module 76 with the compacting and storing module 1 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers and the storage module 78, e.g. for glass, in the casing 83 with bezel 93 and drawer front 103.

(112) Each module has its own chassis and where the first, can crushing and storing module 76 is combined with the second, compacting and storing module 1 for paper, cardboard cartons or cardboard or plastics material containers; or also with the storage module 83, e.g. for glass, the chassis of the first module 76 is fastened to the chassis of the second module 1 to form an integrated, two-module unit, or the chassis of the third module 78 is also fastened to the chassis of the second module 1 to form an integrated, three-module unit.

(113) Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words comprise and contain and variations of them mean including but not limited to and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

(114) Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to any details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

(115) The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.