Compactor container

Abstract

To provide a container for a compactor, where the compactor with an extrusion port can push waste into the container with the gate plate opening and the container inlet and extrusion port being connected to each other, the sliding portion between the gate drive unit and the engaged portion of the gate plate during container advancement being reduced to prevent premature wear of the sliding portion.SOLUTION: A gate plate 22 includes: an upper end with an engaged portion 22ah that engages an engaging portion P of a gate drive unit Dg; an engaged portion 22g that extends over the approximately entire area of the right and left ends; and a frame 21 that has on the upper part of the frame 21 a guiding frame portion 21s with a guiding support portion 21sg for the gate plate 22 and a connecting portion 21p that is vertically slidably engaged and connected to the engaged portion 22g. The connecting portion 21p is in engagement with the engaged portion 22g and allows the gate plate 22 to tilt around the connecting portion 21p, even during the gate opening, where an entrance 10i is opened until the gate plate 22 goes into a predetermined opening position disengaged from the guiding support portion 21sg.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for a compactor, which includes a container body having an entrance on one side, a gate plate that can open and close the entrance, and a frame that is attached to the container body and slidably supports the gate plate so that it can be opened and closed. In particular, the present invention relates to a container that can be used by a compactor having an extrusion port that can be connected to the entrance of the container body, and which can push waste into the container through the inlet with the gate plate open and the entrance and the extrusion port connected to each other. [Background technology]

[0002] The above-mentioned compactor container is well known, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1. In the container of Patent Document 1, the locking portion of the gate lifting device, i.e., the fork (25), is inserted into and locked to the locking portion 22 provided at the upper end of the gate plate (lid body 19), and then, while in this locked state, the gate plate (19) is raised together with the fork (25), thereby opening the gate plate.

[0003] After the gate is opened, the container is moved forward toward the compactor while maintaining the above-mentioned locked state, thereby connecting the container entrance to the compactor's extrusion outlet, and in this connected state, the waste can be pushed from the compactor into the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 58-23284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of Patent Document 1, when the container is moved forward toward the compactor after the gate is opened, the engaged part (22) that follows the container slides forward on the fork (25) while moving forward toward the compactor, which raises concerns that the sliding contact part between the engaging part (22) and the fork (25) may wear out early or become deformed or damaged.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container for a compactor that can solve the above problems of conventional devices with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a compactor container comprising a container body having an entrance on one side, a gate plate capable of opening and closing the entrance, and a frame attached to the container body and supporting the gate plate so that it can slide up and down to open and close, wherein a compactor having an extrusion port connectable to the entrance is used to push waste into the container through the entrance in a state where the gate plate is opened and the entrance and the extrusion port are connected to each other, and the gate plate has an engaged portion at its upper end that engages with an engaging portion of a gate drive device that can drive the gate plate in a vertical direction in an engageable and detachable manner. The first feature is that the frame frame has left and right guide frame portions with guide support portions that can guide and support the gate plate so that it can slide up and down, and has connecting portions at the top of the frame frame that engage and connect to the engaging portions so that it can slide up and down, and the connecting portions remain engaged with the engaging portions even when the gate is opened to open the entrance until the gate plate is released from the guide support portions and reaches a predetermined open position, allowing the gate plate to tilt relative to the frame frame around the connecting portions.

[0008] The present invention also provides a container for a compactor, comprising a container body having an entrance on one side, a gate plate capable of opening and closing the entrance, and a frame attached to the container body and supporting the gate plate so that it can slide left and right to open and close, wherein a compactor having an extrusion port connectable to the entrance is used to push waste into the container through the entrance in a state where the gate plate is opened and the entrance and the extrusion port are connected to each other, and the gate plate has, at one left or right end of the gate plate, an engaged portion that engages with an engaging portion of a gate drive device that can drive the gate plate in the left and right directions in an engageable and detachable manner. Both have engaging portions that extend over almost the entire area of ​​both the upper and lower ends of the gate plate, and the frame frame has upper and lower guide frame portions that have guide support portions that can guide and support the gate plate so that it can slide left and right, over almost the entire area of ​​both the upper and lower ends of the frame frame, and has connecting portions on one of the left and right sides of the frame frame that engage and connect to the engaging portions so that it can slide left and right, and the connecting portions remain in an engaged state with the engaging portions even when the gate is opened to open the entrance until the gate plate is released from the guide support portions and reaches a predetermined open position, allowing the gate plate to tilt relative to the frame frame around the connecting portions.

[0009] Furthermore, in addition to the first or second feature, the present invention has a third feature in that the guide support portion is configured as a guide recess provided on the surface of the guide frame portion facing the gate plate and into which the corresponding edge portion of the gate plate slidably fits, and the engagement portion is provided on the edge portion of the gate plate.

[0010] Furthermore, in addition to the first or second feature, the present invention has a fourth feature in that the guide support portion is composed of a guide protrusion provided on the surface of the guide frame portion facing the gate plate, and a guide recess into which the guide protrusion slidably fits is provided at the edge portion of the gate plate corresponding to the guide protrusion, and the engagement portion is provided on the inner bottom surface of the guide recess.

[0011] Furthermore, in addition to any one of the first to fourth features, the present invention has a fifth feature in that the engagement portion is an engagement groove recessed into the edge portion of the gate plate and extending in the opening and closing direction of the gate plate, and a stopper wall fixed to the gate plate is provided at the end of the engagement groove on the closing side of the gate plate, and the stopper wall is positioned in a position where it does not come into contact with the connecting portion even when the gate plate has reached the predetermined open position and tilted around the connecting portion.

[0012] Furthermore, in addition to any one of the first to fifth features, the present invention has a sixth feature in that the frame is formed in a rectangular shape with an opening corresponding to the entrance, the opening can be opened and closed by the gate plate, and the frame is attached to the container body so that the entrance can be opened and closed while the gate plate is held by the frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to a first feature of the present invention, the gate plate has at its upper end a latched portion that latches onto a latching portion of the gate drive device, and has engaging portions that extend over almost the entire area of ​​both left and right ends of the gate plate, and the frame has left and right guide frame portions that have guide support portions for the gate plate, over almost the entire area of ​​both left and right ends of the frame, and has connecting portions at the top of the frame that engage and are connected to the engaging portions so as to be slidable up and down, and the connecting portions remain in an engaged state with the engaging portions even when the gate is opened to open the container entrance until the gate plate is released from the guide support portions and reaches a predetermined open position, allowing the gate plate to tilt around the connecting portions relative to the frame. According to a second feature, the gate plate has, at one of its left and right ends, latched portions that latch onto the latching portions of the gate drive device, and has engaging portions that extend over almost the entire area of ​​both the upper and lower ends of the gate plate, and the frame has upper and lower guide frame portions that have guide support portions for the gate plate over almost the entire area of ​​both the upper and lower ends of the frame, and has connecting portions on one of its left and right sides that engage and are connected to the engaging portions so as to be slidable left and right, and the connecting portions remain engaged with the engaging portions even when the gate is opened to open the container entrance until the gate plate is released from the guide support portions and reaches a predetermined open position, allowing the gate plate to tilt about the connecting portions relative to the frame.

[0014] As a result, in both the first and second features, when the container is moved forward toward the compactor after the gate is opened, the gate plate simply tilts around the connecting part while maintaining the engagement between its engaged part and the engaging part on the gate drive device side, and the entire gate plate does not move forward in a vertical position, so that the relative sliding parts between the gate drive device (engaging part) and the gate plate (engaged part) when the container is moved forward can be significantly reduced, making it possible to effectively suppress early wear and deformation / breakage of the sliding parts.

[0015] According to the third feature, the guide support portion of the frame is formed of a guide recess provided on the surface of the guide frame facing the gate plate, into which the corresponding edge portion of the gate plate slidably fits, and an engaging portion is provided on the edge portion of the gate plate, so that the edge portion of the gate plate slides while fitting into the mating recess of the frame to open the container entrance, and at that time, the edge portion of the gate plate (engaging portion) slides and connects with the connecting portion over its entire area to open to a predetermined open position, so that the tilting movement of the gate plate is performed without hindrance.

[0016] According to the fourth feature, the guide support portion is composed of a guide convex portion provided on the surface of the guide frame portion facing the gate plate, and a guide recess into which the guide convex portion slidably fits is provided at the edge portion of the gate plate corresponding to the guide convex portion, and an engaging portion is provided at the inner bottom surface of the guide recess.Therefore, the gate plate slides with the guide recess at its edge portion fitting into the guide convex portion of the guide frame portion to open the container entrance, and at that time, the edge portion of the gate plate (the engaging portion provided on the inner bottom surface of the guide recess) sliding and connecting with the connecting portion over its entire area to open to a predetermined open position, so the tilting movement of the gate plate is carried out without hindrance.

[0017] According to a fifth feature, the engagement portion is an engagement groove recessed in an edge portion of the gate plate and extending in the gate plate opening / closing direction, and a stopper wall fixed to the gate plate is provided at the end of the engagement groove on the gate plate closing side, and the stopper wall is positioned so that the stopper wall does not come into contact with the connecting portion even when the gate plate reaches the predetermined open position and tilts around the connecting portion. This makes it possible to avoid contact of the connecting portion with the stopper wall when the gate plate tilts around the connecting portion as it opens to the predetermined open position, thereby avoiding stress concentration due to such contact and contributing to improving the durability of the gate plate and the connecting portion.

[0018] According to the sixth feature, the frame is attached to the container body so that the entrance can be opened and closed with the gate plate held therein. Therefore, when opening and closing the container entrance, it is possible to appropriately select a usage mode in which only the gate plate is opened and closed, or a usage mode in which the entire frame is opened and closed, depending on the application. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall side view showing a waste pushing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, particularly showing a state in which a container is in an initial position during a forward movement process. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an overall side view showing the waste pushing system, particularly the state where the container is in the approach position A1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of the waste pushing system, particularly showing the state where the container is in the pushing position A2. [Figure 4] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of Figure 1, viewed from the 4X arrow. [Figure 5] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of Figure 2, viewed from the arrow 5X. [Figure 6] A diagram corresponding to Figure 5 showing the gate plate raised to the upper limit position when the container is stopped at the approach position. [Figure 7] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of Figure 3 taken along the arrow 7X. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the waste pushing system, particularly showing the state in which the container has been returned to the return position A1′ during the return process. [Figure 9] 9X-9X cross section of Figure 5 [Figure 10] 10X-10X cross section of Figure 7 [Figure 11] 11X-11X cross section of Figure 10 [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the main parts of the waste pushing system (particularly the container and the gate drive device) with the container body cut away. [Figure 13] Plan view showing the container support stand and its accessories [Figure 14] 14X-14X cross section of Figure 13 [Figure 15]Front view as seen from the direction of arrow 15X in Figure 13 [Figure 16] 16A and 16B are front views as seen from the direction of the arrow 16X in FIG. 13, in which (a) shows a state in which the stopper member 52 of the locking mechanism 50 is in a stopper position 52X, and (b) shows a state in which the stopper member 52 is in a standby position 52Y. [Figure 17] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a waste pushing system according to a second embodiment (corresponding to FIG. 4); [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view of the waste pushing system showing a state in which the hydraulic cylinder of the container driving device is extended to its extension limit and the locking hook is swung upward to the locking position from the state shown in FIG. 17 (a view corresponding to FIG. 17). [Figure 19] 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views of the waste pushing system, showing a state in which the hydraulic cylinder of the container driving device is contracted to an intermediate contraction position to draw the container to the approach position A2 from the state shown in FIG. 18A (corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 18A and 18B). [Figure 20] 19A and 19B are cross-sectional views of the waste pushing system, showing a state in which the hydraulic cylinder of the container drive device is contracted to its contraction limit to pull the container to the pushing position A3 from the state shown in FIG. 19A (corresponding to FIGS. 7 and 19A and 19B). [Figure 21] 21X-21X cross section of Figure 20 [Figure 22] 20A and 20B are cross-sectional views of the waste pushing system, showing a state in which the hydraulic cylinder of the container drive device is extended to its extension limit to push the container back to the return position A1′ during the return movement process from the state shown in FIG. 20A (corresponding to FIGS. 8 and 20A and 8B). [Figure 23] (a) shows an example of a structure in which a recess for collecting water at the bottom of a container is formed by placing a raised bottom wall portion near the rear end of the bottom surface of the container body, and (b) shows an example of a structure in which a recess for collecting water at the bottom of a container is formed by placing a raised bottom wall portion near the front end of the bottom surface of the container body. [Figure 24] 23(a) and 23(b) show a modified example in which the step portion of the water collecting recess illustrated in FIG. 23(a) is replaced with a slope. [Figure 25]1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part (a connecting part between the front end of the compactor and the rear end of the container) of a waste pushing system according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a corresponding cross-sectional view showing a comparative example. [Figure 26] 1A is a side view showing a simplified state change of an operating mode of a fail-safe stopper mechanism according to an embodiment, depending on a container position; FIG. 1B is a side view showing a simplified state change of the operating mode of a fail-safe stopper mechanism according to a modified example; [Figure 27] 27X-27X sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between the container entrance periphery and the gate drive device, showing the state in which the container is in the initial position during the onward movement process in the fourth embodiment (corresponding to FIG. 4 and a cross-sectional view taken along line 27X-27X in FIG. 27). [Figure 28] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between the container entrance periphery and the gate drive device, illustrating the state in which the container is at the approach position A1 and the gate plate has been driven up to the predetermined open position in the fourth embodiment (corresponding to FIGS. 27 and 6). [Figure 29] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the state in which the container is in the push-in position A2 in the fourth embodiment, and showing the relationship between the container entrance periphery and the gate drive device (corresponding to FIGS. 27 and 7). [Figure 30] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 31] 29, showing a second modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 32] 9 showing the fifth embodiment. [Figure 33] 10 showing a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] 1 to 16 show a first embodiment of a system for pushing waste into a container Ct by a compactor Cp. Referring to Fig. 1, the main components of the system include a container Ct that is movable in the front-rear direction on a support base B installed on the ground, the compactor Cp that can push waste into the container Ct through an entrance 10i at the rear end of the container Ct when the container Ct is at a pushing position A3 (see Figs. 3 and 7) on the support base B, a container drive device D1 that can drive the container Ct back and forth in the front-rear direction from a predetermined initial position A1 (see Figs. 1 and 4) away from the compactor Cp, via the pushing position A3, to a predetermined return position A1', a gate drive device Dg that is disposed between the container Ct and the compactor Cp and that vertically drives a gate plate 22 of a tailgate 20 that can open and close the entrance 10i, and a fail-safe stopper mechanism 50 that restricts movement of the container Ct so that it does not go beyond the predetermined position.

[0022] The system also includes a control panel U with a built-in control device Uc that controls the operation of the compactor Cp, container drive device D1, gate drive device Dg, stopper mechanism 50, etc., and the control panel U is installed in an appropriate location where it does not interfere with other equipment. The support base B is formed by framing multiple vertical frames, horizontal frames, and support frames together, and is formed in a ladder shape in a plan view.

[0023] In this specification, the "front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the container Ct when it is pushed by the compactor Cp, and in particular the front direction coincides with the pushing direction of the compactor Cp. The "left-right direction" refers to the left-right direction of the container Ct when it is pushed by the compactor Cp, and coincides with the width direction of the container Ct and the gate plate 22.

[0024] The compactor Cp comprises a hollow body 1 that is open at the front end and long in the front-to-rear direction, a hopper 2 that is connected to the upper wall near the front of the body 1 and can supply waste material into the body 1, a piston 3 that is slidably arranged on the inner periphery of the body 1 to push forward the waste material that has been supplied into the body 1 through the hopper 2, and a piston drive device 4 (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder) that drives the piston 3 back and forth.

[0025] The trunk 1 has at its front end a square-shaped outlet tube 1o that is slightly smaller in diameter than the main body of the trunk 1 and has an upper wall 1ot that slopes downward toward the front, and the front end opening of the outlet tube 1o functions as an outlet, i.e., an extrusion port, for the waste pushed out by the piston 3. The trunk 1 is installed and fixed on a plurality of bases 5 that are fixed on the ground.

[0026] In addition, in the body 1 of this embodiment, a partition gate 6 is disposed behind the outlet tube 1o and ahead of the hopper 2, separating the interior of the body 1 in front of the piston 3 into front and rear. The partition gate 6 is movable up and down between a lower limit position where it blocks part of the interior of the body 1 and an upper limit position where it opens it, and is driven up and down by a drive unit 7. By advancing the piston 3 up to the front of the partition gate 6 while the partition gate 6 is in the lower limit position, the waste can be pre-compressed inside the body 1 before being pushed into the container Ct, and by raising and opening the partition gate 6 after the pre-compression, the pre-compressed waste can be pushed into the container Ct by the compactor Cp.

[0027] The partition gate 6 and the vertical drive device 7 are well known in the art, so a detailed structural description will be omitted.

[0028] Furthermore, the partition gate 6 and the vertical drive device 7 may be omitted as needed.

[0029] Therefore, when the compactor Cp is operated with the outlet tube 1o inserted and connected to the entrance 10i at the rear end of the container Ct (i.e., with the container Ct in the pushing position A3 shown in Figure 3), waste can be pushed from the compactor Cp into the container Ct through the outlet tube 1o and the entrance 10i.

[0030] A support base B that is long in the front-rear direction is fixed to the ground in front of the compactor Cp, and a pair of left and right guide rails Br that extend in the front-rear direction and have an L-shaped cross section are fixed to the upper surface of the support base B. Correspondingly, wheel support frames 15 are fixed (for example, welded) to the bottom of the container Ct at intervals in the front-rear and left-right directions, and four wheels 14 are rotatably supported on each wheel support frame 15. Therefore, the container Ct can roll in the front-rear direction on the left and right guide rails Br via the left and right wheels 14.

[0031] Containers Ct that can be transported by a conventionally known container transport vehicle (not shown) can be loaded and unloaded onto this guide rail Br. The container transport vehicle is equipped with a loading and unloading device (e.g., a hook arm) to which the container Ct can be attached and detached and which enables the above-mentioned loading and unloading operations. The loading and unloading device can engage with and disengage from a lift bar 19 fixed to the front wall of the container Ct. When engaged, the container Ct can be lowered from the container transport vehicle onto the guide rail Br by a conventionally known method and can be forcibly moved in the forward and backward directions along the rail Br to a predetermined initial position A1 (see Figures 1, 4, etc.).

[0032] The fact that the container Ct has reached the initial position A1 on the guide rail Br is detected by an initial position sensor provided on the support base B or a predetermined location on the ground. In this embodiment, a photoelectric sensor 8 (shown only in FIGS. 9 and 10 ) consisting of a light-emitting element 8a and a light-receiving element 8b facing each other across the movement path of the container Ct is used as the initial position sensor. The arrival of the container Ct at the initial position A1 is detected by the photoelectric sensor 8 detecting a specific portion of the container Ct, for example, the rear end portion (i.e., the light-receiving element 8b is blocked by the specific portion of the container Ct). An alarm (e.g., an alarm lamp, a buzzer, etc.) that alarms the detection allows a worker to recognize that the container Ct has reached the initial position A1 and stop the work of unloading the container Ct from the container carrier onto the guide rail Br, thereby placing the container Ct at the initial position A1.

[0033] The fact that the container Ct has reached the initial position A1 may be detected by a sensor other than the photoelectric sensor 8 (for example, a proximity sensor disposed between the bottom of the container Ct and the support base B).

[0034] The container Ct has as its main parts a box-shaped container body 10 having a bottom wall 11 that is rectangular in plan view and has at least most of its upper surface formed horizontally and flat, side walls 12 (i.e., left and right side walls and a front wall) that stand vertically from at least three sides of the bottom wall 11 (in this embodiment, the left and right side edges and the front edge), and a ceiling wall 13 that is connected to the upper ends of the side walls 12 and faces the top surface of the bottom wall 11 across the container space.

[0035] A first hinge bracket b1 is fixed to the rear end of the ceiling wall 13 of the container body 10, and an upper part of a tailgate 20 serving as an opening / closing door for opening and closing an entrance 10i at the rear end of the container body 10 is pivotally supported on the first hinge bracket b1 so as to be able to swing open and close in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, a pair of left and right reinforcing vertical frames 18 (e.g., I-shaped frames) each extending in the front-to-rear direction are fixed (e.g., welded) to the underside of the bottom wall 11 at a distance on the left and right.

[0036] A conventionally known locking mechanism (not shown) is interposed between the tailgate 20 and the container body 10 to lock the tailgate 20 in a closed position relative to the entrance 10i. When this locking mechanism is unlocked and the container Ct is dumped with its front raised by a container transport vehicle, the tailgate 20 opens under its own weight, allowing the waste contained in the container Ct to be discharged. The tailgate 20 may also be designed to open sideways relative to the entrance 10i of the container Ct, i.e., to swing open and closed about a vertical axis.

[0037] A sealing member (not shown) is disposed between the tailgate 20 and the container body 10 to seal the gap therebetween, as is well known in the art.

[0038] In the embodiment, the entrance 10i of the container Ct is formed in a portion where the side wall 12 of the container body 10 is discontinued at the rear end (i.e., a portion where the rear side wall is missing), but the opening position of the entrance 10i is not limited to the rear end of the container body 10. In addition, the entrance 10i may be opened in only a portion of one of the front, rear, left, or right side walls.

[0039] The tailgate 20 includes a rectangular frame 21 having an opening 21o corresponding to the entrance 10i of the container Ct, and a rectangular, flat gate plate 22 slidably supported by the frame 21 to open and close the opening 21o. The left and right sides of the gate plate 22 are fitted into and supported so as to be vertically slidable in groove-like guide recesses 21sg provided in the vertical direction on the opposing surfaces of the left and right side frame portions 21s of the frame 21. This vertical sliding movement allows the gate plate 22 to be raised and lowered to a lower limit position where it closes the opening 21o and an upper limit position where it opens the opening 21o. In addition, a slit 21ua (see FIG. 6) is formed in the upper frame portion 21u of the frame 21, into which the gate plate 22 is fitted so as to be vertically slidable and removable.

[0040] Furthermore, narrow engagement grooves 22g extending in the opening / closing direction, i.e., the vertical direction, are provided on the edge portions (side end faces) of both the left and right sides of the gate plate 22. The tip of a connecting pin 21p is fitted into and held in this engagement groove 22g so as to be able to slide up and down and rotate relatively, and the base of this connecting pin 21p protrudes inward in the horizontal direction from a second hinge bracket b2 erected on the top surface of the upper frame portion 21u of the framework 21.

[0041] A stopper wall 22gw fixed to the gate plate 22 is disposed at the end (i.e., the lower end) of the engagement groove 22g on the closing side of the gate plate 22. The stopper wall 22gw may be formed integrally with the gate plate 22. As is clear from FIGS. 6 and 7, the stopper wall 22gw is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the connecting pin 21p even when the gate plate 22 reaches a predetermined open position (for example, the upper limit position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) and tilts around the connecting pin 21p.

[0042] Thus, the left and right side frame portions 21s and guide recesses 21sg of the frame 21 respectively constitute the guide frame portions and guide support portions in the first feature of the present invention, the connecting pin 21p constitutes the connecting portion in the first feature of the present invention, and the engagement groove 22g constitutes the engaging portion in the first feature of the present invention.

[0043] Next, a specific example of the container driving device D1 will be described. In the first embodiment, the container driving device D1 includes a rod-shaped engaged portion 10k fixed to the bottom of the container Ct and extending in the left-right direction, a pair of first and second engaging claws t1, t2 on each side as engaging members engageable with and disengaging from the engaged portion 10k, a pair of left and right endless chains 41 to which the first and second engaging claws t1, t2 are respectively fixed, a pair of front and rear sprockets 42, 43 on each side that are rotatably supported on the support base B so as to wrap the chains 41 around them, a motor 44 that rotates and drives one of the front and rear sprockets 42 via an interlocking mechanism (a separate chain transmission mechanism in this embodiment), and a sensor 45 that can detect, in cooperation with the control device Uc, whether the container Ct is in a predetermined position (i.e., the initial position A1, the intermediate approach position A2, the pushed-in position A3, or the returned position A1′) based on the amount of rotation of the motor 44.

[0044] The engaged portion 10k has both ends fixed (for example, welded) to the left and right vertical frames 18, 18 of the bottom of the container Ct, respectively.

[0045] The left and right chains 41, 41 are connected to each other at the locations where the first and second locking claws t1, t2 are fixed via a crossbar 47 for locking claw synchronization. The control device Uc is configured to be able to control the operation of the motor 44 based on the detection results of the sensor 45 (for example, the amount of motor rotation).

[0046] In addition, the first and second locking claws t1, t2 in this embodiment are fixed to the chain 41 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. When the container Ct is driven forward from the initial position A1 toward the push-in position A3 (i.e., leftward in FIGS. 1 to 3), the chain 41 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 14. At this time, the first locking claw t1 engages with the engaged portion 10k, thereby pulling the container Ct toward the compactor Cp.

[0047] On the other hand, when the container Ct is driven in the return direction from the pushing position A3 toward the return position A1′ (i.e., to the right in FIGS. 1 to 3), the chain 41 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 14. At this time, the second locking claw t2 engages with the engaged portion 10k, and the container Ct is pulled out to the side opposite the compactor Cp.

[0048] Furthermore, the sensor 45 in this embodiment is a sensor capable of measuring the rotation state including the amount of rotation of the motor 44. When a container Ct unloaded from a container transport vehicle is carried into the initial position A1 or carried out from the return position A1' to the outside, the first and second locking claws t1, t2 are on standby at the standby position (see solid line in FIG. 14) away from the engaged portion 10k, and therefore the two locking claws t1, t2 do not hinder the carrying in or out of the container Ct.

[0049] Next, when the container Ct reaches the initial position A1 and stops, the motor 44 is started to operate by an operator's operation input to the control panel U, etc., and the chain 41 is rotated counterclockwise. When the first locking claw t1 engages with the engaged portion 10k (see the chain line in FIG. 14) in accordance with the rotation of the chain 41, the control device Uc detects the engagement by a sudden increase in the load current of the motor 44, and the rotation sensor 45 measures the amount of motor rotation from the time of detection (engagement) and outputs the result to the control device Uc.

[0050] In this case, the control device Uc temporarily stops the movement of the container Ct when it determines based on the amount of motor rotation that the container Ct has reached the predetermined approach position A2 and push-in position A3, respectively.

[0051] In the embodiment, as a method for detecting engagement of the first locking claw t1 with the engaged portion 10k, the control device Uc detects the engagement from a sudden change in the load current of the motor 44 that accompanies the engagement, but the detection method is not limited to the embodiment, and other sensors (for example, a proximity sensor interposed between the container Ct and the support base B, or an optical sensor such as a photoelectric sensor) may also be used.

[0052] The aforementioned approach position A2 (see FIGS. 2, 5, and 6) is an intermediate operation position where the container Ct is temporarily stopped in order to raise (open) or lower (close) the gate plate 22 of the tailgate 20, and at this position the rear end of the container Ct and the front end of the body 1 of the compactor Cp face each other and are close to each other in the front-to-rear direction. The pushing position A3 (see FIGS. 3 and 7) is a pushing operation position of the container Ct to receive the waste pushing action from the compactor Cp, and at this pushing position A3, not only the tailgate 20 of the container Ct but also the rear end of the container body 10 are arranged to overlap with the front end of the body 1 of the compactor Cp (more specifically, the outlet tube 1o) in the front-to-rear direction.

[0053] In the embodiment, a stopper mechanism 50 is provided independently of the container driving device D1, capable of restricting the movement of the container Ct so that the container Ct does not go beyond a predetermined position (in the embodiment, the pushing position A3 and the returning position A1') as the container Ct is driven by the container driving device D1 to move back and forth from the initial position A1 through the pushing position A3 to the returning position A1'.

[0054] As is clear from Figures 13, 16 and 25(a), this stopper mechanism 50 includes a pair of front and rear engaged portions 51f, 51r protruding from the bottom of the container Ct at a distance in the front-to-rear direction, a single stopper member 52 journaled 52p on a fixed plate Bt on the support base B so that it can selectively move (rotate) between a stopper position 52X where it can engage with the engaged portions 51f, 51r and a standby position 52Y where it cannot engage with them, and an actuator 58 (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder) that is operated and controlled by the control device Uc to drive the stopper member 52 to rotate between the stopper position 52X and the standby position 52Y.

[0055] The actuator 58 is pivotally connected 58p to the fixed plate Bt via a bracket 59. Each of the engaged portions 51f, 51r extends in the left-right direction like a rod, and both ends of each are fixed (for example, welded) to the left and right vertical frames 18, 18 of the bottom of the container Ct, respectively.

[0056] The stopper member 52 of this embodiment is divided into two stopper member halves 52a, 52b that are oriented in the same front-to-rear direction, and both halves 52a, 52b can rotate by the same amount in the same rotational direction via a synchronization link mechanism 54. The stopper member 52 may be formed from a single member (for example, only one stopper half 52b) rather than being divided as described above, in which case the other stopper half 52a and the synchronization link mechanism 54 can be omitted.

[0057] Thus, when a container Ct is carried into the initial position A1 or carried out from the return position A1' by a container transport vehicle, the stopper member 52 is held in the standby position 52Y and does not interfere with the carrying in or out of the container Ct. Furthermore, when the container Ct leaves the initial position A1 and moves toward the push-in position A3, the stopper member 52 is held in the stopper position 52X. In this state, the stopper member 52 engages with the front engaged portion 51f, thereby restricting the outgoing movement of the container Ct so that it does not pass the push-in position A3. Meanwhile, during the return movement of the container Ct from the push-in position A3 toward the return position A1', the stopper member 52 is held in the stopper position 52X. In this state, the stopper member 52 engages with the rear engaged portion 51r, thereby restricting the return movement of the container Ct so that it does not pass the return position A1'.

[0058] 25(b) shows a modified example of the above-described stopper mechanism 50. The stopper mechanism 50 of this modified example includes a single engaged portion 55 protruding from the bottom of the container Ct, a pair of front and rear stopper members 56, 56 journaled on a support base B and arranged at a distance in the front-rear direction so as to be able to selectively move (rotate) between a stopper position where the engaged portion 55 can be engaged and a standby position where the engaged portion cannot be engaged, and an actuator whose operation is controlled by the control device Uc and which drives each stopper member 56 to rotate between a stopper position 56X and a standby position 56Y.

[0059] Thus, in the above-described modified example, during the outward movement of the container Ct from the initial position A1 toward the push-in position A3, only the rear stopper member 56 is held at the stopper position 52X, and in this state the rear stopper member 56 engages with the engaged portion 55, thereby restricting the outward movement of the container Ct so that it does not go beyond the push-in position A3. On the other hand, during the above-described return movement of the container Ct, only the front stopper member 56 is held at the stopper position 56X, and in this state the front stopper member 56 engages with the engaged portion 55, thereby restricting the return movement of the container Ct so that it does not go beyond the return position A1'.

[0060] The forward limit position of the container Ct restricted by the stopper mechanism 50 may be set to approximately coincide with the regular push-in position A3 of the container Ct, or the forward limit position may be set to be slightly shifted rearward from the regular push-in position A3. The backward limit position of the container Ct restricted by the stopper mechanism 50 may be set to approximately coincide with the regular return position A1' of the container Ct, or the backward limit position may be set to be slightly shifted forward from the regular return position A1'.

[0061] The stopper mechanism 50 is used as a fail-safe means for preventing the container Ct from going beyond the limit position for going or the limit position for returning by activating the stopper members 52, 56 to the stopper positions 52X, 56X at a predetermined control timing when the container Ct moves forward or backward. However, instead of this use example, the stopper members 52, 56 may be normally held in the standby positions 52Y, 56Y, and the stopper members 52, 56 may be activated to the stopper positions 52X, 56X only in an emergency when it is necessary to prevent the container Ct from running out of control due to a malfunction of the container drive device D1, etc.

[0062] The bottom wall 11 of the container body 10 has a specific portion of its upper surface (in this embodiment, a large portion near the front) that is recessed one step from the other portions, forming a water collecting recess O that can collect water from the waste inside the container Ct. In order to form this water collecting recess O on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11, a raised bottom wall portion 11w of a predetermined thickness that forms the bottom of the entrance 10i is joined to the bottom wall 11 across the entire width of the bottom wall 11, as is clear from Figures 4 to 8 and 23(a). In other words, by providing this raised bottom wall portion 11w, the water collecting recess O, which is one step lower than the upper surface of the raised bottom wall portion 11w, is formed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11 at a position a predetermined distance forward from the entrance 10i.

[0063] The raised bottom wall portion 11w may be disposed anywhere on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11 of the container body 10. For example, as is clear in Figure 23(b), the raised bottom wall portion 11w may be joined to the front end portion of the upper surface of the bottom wall 11 across the entire width, with the water pool recess O' formed further rearward. In this case, the water pool recess O' is disposed on the bottom surface of the container Ct so as to be adjacent to the entrance 10i of the container body 10 (and therefore the tailgate 20 that opens and closes the entrance 10i).

[0064] The water collecting recesses O, O' do not necessarily have to be formed across the entire width of the bottom wall 11. For example, they may be formed in the shape of a groove extending in the front-rear direction in a portion of the width direction, or alternatively, they may be formed in the shape of a groove extending in the front-rear direction in a portion of the width direction.

[0065] As is clear from the structural example shown in Figures 23(a) and 23(b) and Figures 24(a) and 24(b) which show modified examples of the structural example, a step portion 11s is formed between the bottom surface of the water pool recesses O, O' and the surrounding area of ​​the water pool recesses O, O' on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the container.

[0066] 24(a) and 24(b) in particular, at least the portion of the step 11s that connects to the container entrance 10i (in the illustrated example, the portion that extends around the entire periphery of the water-retention recesses O, O') is formed as a slope that slopes downward toward the inside of the water-retention recesses O, O'. By forming the step 11s as a slope, there is an advantage that dust and the like can be effectively prevented from adhering to the lower end of the step 11s. Furthermore, particularly if the step 11s that connects to the container entrance 10i is a slope, dust that is forced into the container Ct through the entrance 10i slides down the slope and reaches the bottom of the water-retention recesses O, O', thereby reducing the impact when it reaches the bottom.

[0067] Next, with reference mainly to FIGS. 4 to 12, an example of a gate driving device Dg capable of driving the gate plate 22 of the tailgate 20 in the up and down direction to open and close the entrance 10i of the container Ct will be described.

[0068] The gate drive device Dg comprises a support pin P that is removably inserted into a receiving hole 22ah provided in the upper part of the gate plate 22, a lifting support 35 that supports the support pin P so that the support pin P moves up and down integrally, and a lifting drive device 30 that drives the support pin P to move up and down via the lifting support 35. Thus, the support pin P constitutes the locking portion of the present invention, and the receiving hole 22ah constitutes the locked portion of the present invention.

[0069] The lifting drive device 30 comprises a pair of left and right bases 31 that are installed and fixed to the ground between the compactor Cp and the container support base B, a pair of left and right support columns 32, 32 that are erected on the bases 31 and extend vertically, guiding and supporting both ends of the lifting support body 35 so that it can be raised and lowered, an upper frame 33 that connects the upper ends of the left and right support columns 32, 32 and extends in the left-right direction, and a pair of left and right hydraulic cylinders 34, 34 that are interposed between the left and right support columns 32, 32 and both left and right ends of the lifting support body 35, respectively, and extend in the up-and-down direction along the support columns 32, 32.

[0070] The left and right hydraulic cylinders 34, 34 are provided with a synchronization mechanism (e.g., a hydraulic control unit using a synchronization valve, a sensor, etc.) in the hydraulic circuit that operates them, so that the left and right hydraulic cylinders 34, 34 can synchronize and expand and contract by the same amount, thereby allowing the lifting support 35 to be driven up and down in a balanced manner.

[0071] The pair of left and right support columns 32, 32 are arranged in parallel at positions sandwiching the movement trajectory of a container Ct, which can move forward and backward relative to the compactor Cp, from the left and right. Vertically extending front and rear guide rails 32ra, 32rb are respectively provided on the front and rear surfaces of each support column 32. Upper and lower pairs of front and rear rollers 36a, 36b; 37a, 37b, which are rollably engaged with the front and rear guide rails 32ra, 32rb, respectively, are rotatably supported by left and right brackets 38, 38 connected to both left and right ends of the lifting support body 35. The upper and lower pairs of front and rear rollers 36a, 36b; 37a, 37b stably sandwich the support column 32 from the front and rear via the front and rear guide rails 32ra, 32rb, thereby allowing the lifting support body 35 to be lifted and lowered by the left and right support columns 32 while maintaining a stable horizontal position.

[0072] In this way, the left and right ends of the lifting support 35 are guided and supported so as to be able to roll on the left and right support columns 32, 32 via front and rear rollers 36a, 36b; 37a, 37b and guide rails 32ra, 32rb, and are driven to move up and down along the support columns 32 by the left and right hydraulic cylinders 34.

[0073] Incidentally, the base ends of a pair of left and right support pins P extending forward are fixed to the middle part near both the left and right ends of the lifting support 35, and the tip of each support pin P is tapered, more specifically, formed into a cone shape. More specifically, as is clear from Figure 9, the support pin P has a cylindrical shaft and a tapered tip that is integrally connected to the tip of the shaft, and the axial length of the tip is set to any length equal to or greater than the diameter of the shaft.

[0074] Meanwhile, an extension wall portion 22a is integrally connected to the upper edge of the rectangular gate plate 22 of the tailgate 20. The extension wall portion 22a projects upward from the upper surface of the container Ct (more specifically, the frame 21 of the tailgate 20) and extends in the width direction of the gate plate 22. The extension wall portion 22a is connected to the upper edge of the gate plate 22 over the entire area in the width direction (i.e., the left-right direction), and a pair of left and right receiving holes 22ah into which the support pins P are removably inserted are provided in the extension wall portion 22a.

[0075] The left and right receiving holes 22ah are arranged so as to be at the same height as the support pins P when the lifting support 35 and the gate plate 22 are both at their lowest positions. Therefore, when the container Ct is moved from the initial position A1 toward the compactor Cp, the support pins P are inserted into the receiving holes 22ah when the container Ct reaches the approach position A2.

[0076] In the embodiment, the receiving hole 22ah is formed as a long hole that is long in the left-right direction, but it may be formed as a circular hole or an oval hole. Furthermore, the extension wall portion 22a may be connected to the upper edge of the gate plate 22 only in a partial area in the width direction (i.e., the left-right direction) of the gate plate 22.

[0077] The lifting support 35 is also provided with a locking mechanism L that prevents the support pin P from slipping out of the receiving hole 22ah. The locking mechanism L includes a hook-shaped locking member Lf that is rotatably supported on the lifting support 35, and a lock cylinder Lc that is interposed between the locking member Lf and the lifting support 35 to rotate the locking member Lf between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0078] In its locked position (see FIGS. 5 to 7), the locking member Lf is close to the upper end of the gate plate 22 and the tip of the support pin P, and can prevent the support pin P from coming out of the receiving hole 22ah. On the other hand, in its unlocked position (see FIGS. 4 and 8), the locking member Lf is separated from the tip of the support pin P, and allows the support pin P to be inserted into and removed from the receiving hole 22ah.

[0079] Thus, in the embodiment, the locking mechanism L is capable of automatically locking the locking member Lf by having a sensor (not shown) detect the support pin P approaching the gate plate 22 (for example, insertion into the receiving hole 22ah) and actuating the locking cylinder Lc, thereby driving the locking member Lf to the locking position, and in this case, the control of the locking cylinder Lc is also performed by the control device Uc.

[0080] A container fastening mechanism 70 (see Figures 4 and 12) is disposed between the support base B and the bottom of the container Ct. When the container Ct is at the pushing position A3 and the compactor Cp is performing a pushing operation, the mechanism prevents the container Ct from being separated from the compactor Cp due to the strong pushing load.

[0081] This container lashing mechanism 70 comprises a rod-shaped lashing member 71 extending in the left-right direction and supported at both ends on the bottom of the container Ct via a pair of left and right hanging walls, a lashing hook 72 rotatably supported on a fixed base 74 installed on the ground and capable of engaging and disengaging with the lashing member 71, and a drive device 73 that can be selectively switched between a lashing position where the lashing hook 72 engages with and lashes the lashing member 71 at the pushing position A3 of the container Ct, and a release position where the lashing member 71 is released, and the operation of this drive device 73 is also controlled by the control device Uc. Note that the structure and function of this container lashing mechanism 70 are well known and therefore will not be described further.

[0082] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0083] When a container Ct is transported near the compactor Cp by a container transport vehicle (not shown), the container Ct is lowered from the container transport vehicle onto the guide rails Br of the support platform B by a conventionally known loading / unloading device, and then moves to and stops at the initial position A1 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). During this container lowering process, the control device Uc holds the stopper member 52 of the stopper mechanism 50 at the standby position 50Y to avoid interference with the engaged portions 51f, 51r at the bottom of the container Ct, but as the container Ct stops at the initial position A1, the stopper member 52 is switched to and held at the stopper position 52X.

[0084] When it is confirmed that the container Ct has stopped at the initial position A1, the control device Uc rotates the motor 44 of the container drive device D1 in the forward direction to rotate the chain 41 counterclockwise in FIG. 14. Accordingly, when the first locking claw t1 on the chain 41 engages with the engaged portion 10k at the bottom of the container Ct, the container Ct, receiving the driving force of the chain 41, starts moving backward (i.e., forward) toward the compactor Cp from the point of engagement. At the same time, the control device Uc starts measuring the amount of motor rotation from the point of engagement, and based on that amount of rotation, rotates the motor 44 in the forward direction to move the container Ct backward toward the approach position A2 close to the front end of the body 1 of the compactor Cp. Then, when the container Ct reaches the approach position A2, the motor 11 (and therefore the container Ct) is stopped (see FIGS. 2 and 5).

[0085] In this case, the control device Uc has the amount of motor rotation required for the container Ct to move from the initial position A1 to the approach position A2 set and stored in advance, so the control device Uc can detect that the container Ct has reached the approach position A2 from that amount of motor rotation.

[0086] When the container Ct reaches the approach position A2, the support pin P of the gate drive device Dg is inserted into the receiving hole 22ah in the upper part of the gate plate 22 of the tailgate 20. Then, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lock arm Lf is rotated to the lock position by the cylinder Lc of the lock device L, thereby preventing the support pin P from coming out of the receiving hole 22ah.

[0087] From this state, the lifting support 35 is driven to rise to its upper limit position by the lifting drive device 30 (hydraulic cylinder 34) of the gate drive device Dg, and in conjunction with this, the gate plate 22 is raised to its upper limit position as a predetermined open position. As a result, the gate plate 22 opens the opening 21o of the tailgate 20, thereby opening the entrance 10i of the container Ct.

[0088] At this time, the lower end of the gate plate 22 in the upper limit position is out of the groove beyond the open upper end of the guide recess 21sg of the frame 21, and therefore the upper end of the gate plate 22 is suspended by the support pin P of the gate drive device Dg. However, even in this state, the lower end of the gate plate 22 is in a supported (pivoted) form that allows the lower end of the gate plate 22 to tilt around the connecting pin 21p relative to the frame 21, i.e., swing back and forth, due to the engagement between the connecting pin 21p fixed to the second hinge bracket b2 on the container Ct (frame 21) and the engagement grooves 22g on both the left and right sides of the gate plate 22.

[0089] Next, the control device Uc resumes the forward rotation of the motor 44 while holding the lifting support 35 (and therefore the gate plate 22) at the upper limit position, thereby moving the container Ct further backward toward the compactor Cp. When the container Ct reaches the pushing-in position A3 as a result of this movement, the control device Uc stops the forward rotation of the motor 44, thereby stopping the container Ct at the pushing-in position A3. In this case, the amount of motor rotation required for the container Ct to move from the approach position A2 to the pushing-in position A3 is set and stored in the control device Uc in advance, so the control device Uc can detect that the container Ct has reached the pushing-in position A3 from the amount of motor rotation.

[0090] During the above-mentioned forward movement of the container Ct, even if the container Ct tries to pass the pushing position A3 due to a malfunction of the motor 44 or the like, the stopper member 52 at the stopper position 52X engages with the front engaging portion 51f of the bottom of the container Ct, thereby restricting the container Ct from passing too far.

[0091] Furthermore, in the process of the container Ct moving backward from the approach position A2 to the push-in position A3, even if the lower end of the gate plate 22 suspended from the support pins P as described above comes out of the guide recesses 21sg of the framework 21, the connecting pins 21p fixed on the container Ct are engaged with the lower parts of the engaging grooves 22g on both the left and right sides of the gate plate 22, and therefore, as is clear from Figures 3 and 7, the gate plate 22 swings so as to tilt backward about the connecting pins 21p in conjunction with the approach of the container Ct to the push-in position A3. In this case, even when the gate plate 22 is tilted rearward to the maximum, the stopper walls 22gw at the ends of the engaging grooves 22g are in a position that does not contact the connecting pins 21p, as is clear from Figure 7.

[0092] When the container Ct is stopped at the pushing-in position A3, the front end of the barrel 1 of the compactor Cp, i.e., the outlet tube 1o, is inserted a predetermined amount into the container body 10 through the inlet 10i of the container Ct, as is clear from FIGS. 3 and 7. In this inserted state, the rear of the container Ct and the front-end opening of the compactor Cp (i.e., the outlet tube 1o) are in direct communication with each other, allowing the container Ct to receive waste from the compactor Cp, and they are overlapped with each other over a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction. This overlap effectively prevents waste from leaking between the compactor Cp and the container Ct during the subsequent pushing operation of the compactor Cp.

[0093] In the compactor Cp, the waste introduced from the hopper 2 can be pre-compressed in the body 1 of the compactor Cp by reciprocating the piston 3 with the partition gate 6 closed. This pre-compression may be omitted as necessary, but in any case, if the compactor Cp is operated to push the container Ct while it is held in the pushing position A3, the waste will be pushed into the container Ct from the front end opening of the body 1 of the compactor Cp.

[0094] Then, when the container Ct becomes full of waste, the pushing operation of the compactor Cp is stopped, and then the container Ct is moved forward (i.e., returned) from the pushing position A3 to the return position A1' via a temporary stop period at the approach position A2 by the container drive device D1, whose operation is controlled by the control device Uc. Note that the stopping of the pushing operation of the compactor Cp and the start of the return movement of the container Ct from the pushing position A3 may be performed arbitrarily by a manual operation of the control panel U by an operator, or may be automatically controlled by the control device Uc based on the detection of a waste full sensor inside the container Ct.

[0095] Furthermore, the forward movement (returning) process of the container Ct from the pushing-in position A3 described above is the reverse of the backward movement (going) process, and links the forward movement of the container Ct by the container drive device D1 with the raising and lowering of the gate plate 22 by the gate drive device Dg. That is, the control device Uc moves the container Ct forward from the pushing-in position A3 to the approach position A2, pauses it at the approach position A2, and during this pause, lowers the gate plate 22, which is in a vertical position, from the upper limit position to the lower limit position. Thereafter, the container Ct is moved forward again from the approach position A2, and when it reaches a predetermined return position A1', it is stopped there.

[0096] In this case, the control device Uc has previously set and stored the amount of motor rotation required for the container Ct to return from the pushing position A3 to the approach position A2 and the return position A1', so even during the return process of the container Ct, the control device Uc can detect that the container Ct has reached the approach position A2 and the return position A1' from the amount of motor rotation.

[0097] In particular, the return position A1' may be set to either the same position as the initial position A1 or a position close to it.

[0098] Thus, when the container Ct reaches the return position A1' and stops, the container Ct is then loaded onto a container transport vehicle by the loading / unloading device (not shown), but before that, the stopper member 52 of the stopper mechanism 50 is switched and moved from the stopper position 52X to the standby position 52Y. Therefore, there is no risk that the stopper member 52 will interfere with the loading operation of the container Ct onto the container transport vehicle.

[0099] According to the first embodiment described above, the chain-type container driving device D1 includes the chain 41 having first and second locking claws t1, t2 as locking members that can be engaged with and disengaged from the bottom of the container Ct, a pair of sprockets 42, 43 around which the chain 41 is wound, a motor 44 that rotates and drives one of the sprockets 42, a sensor 45 that can detect whether the container Ct is at the push-in position A3 or the return position A1′, and a control device Uc that controls the motor 44 based on the detection by the sensor 45. As a result, the container Ct can be accurately stopped at the push-in position A3 or the return position A1′ as long as at least the sensor 45 and the control device Uc are normal.

[0100] Furthermore, a stopper mechanism 50 capable of restricting movement of the container Ct so that the container Ct does not pass at least the pushing-in position A3 and the return position A1' during the process of the container Ct reciprocating from the initial position A1 to the return position A1' via the pushing-in position A3 is provided independent of the container driving device D1. As a result, if the container driving device D1 experiences some kind of abnormality and the container Ct tries to pass the pushing-in position A3 during outward movement or the return position A1' during return movement, the stopper mechanism 50 independent of the container driving device D1 can reliably stop the container Ct at the pushing-in position A3 or the return position A1', thereby improving the safety of the operation.

[0101] Furthermore, the stopper mechanism 50 of the embodiment (see FIGS. 13, 16 and 25(a)) includes front and rear engaged portions 51f, 51r protruding from the bottom of the container Ct at a distance in the front-rear direction, and a single stopper member 52 pivotally supported 52p on the support base B so as to be selectively movable between a stopper position 52X where the engaged portions 51f, 51r can be engaged and a standby position 52Y where the engaged portions cannot be engaged. Therefore, the container Ct can be reliably stopped at the push-in position A3 (forward movement) and the return position A1' (forward movement) by mechanical engagement between the engaged portions 51f, 51r and the stopper member 52. Moreover, the single stopper member 52 on the support base B can be commonly used for the multiple engaged portions 51f, 51r on the container Ct, which contributes to cost reduction.

[0102] Furthermore, the stopper mechanism 50 of the modified example (see FIG. 25(b)) includes a single engaged portion 55 protruding from the bottom of the container Ct, and front and rear stopper members 56, 56 that are pivotally supported 56p on the support base B and are arranged at a distance in the front-to-rear direction so as to be able to selectively move between a stopper position 56X that is engageable with the engaged portion 55 and a standby position 56Y that is not engageable, so that the container Ct can be reliably stopped at the push-in position A3 (when moving forward) and the return position A1' (when moving backward) by the mechanical engagement between the engaged portion 55 and the front and rear stopper members 56, 56. Moreover, the single engaged portion 55 on the container Ct side can be used in common for the front and rear stopper members 56, 56 arranged side by side on the support base B, which contributes to cost reduction.

[0103] In the above embodiment and its modified example, a control example has been shown in which the stopper mechanism 50 restricts the movement of the container Ct, particularly from passing the push-in position A3 during the forward movement process and from passing the return position A1' during the return movement process.However, in addition to this control example, a control example can also be implemented in which the stopper mechanism 50 restricts the movement of the container Ct from passing other predetermined positions (for example, the initial position A1 or the approach position A2).

[0104] Furthermore, the stopper mechanism 50 may be used as a dedicated stopper mechanism (i.e., a combination mechanism of a dedicated stopper member and an engaged portion) that is used exclusively to regulate at least one of the pushing position A3, the approach position A2, the initial position A1, and the return position A1'.

[0105] 23, in the container body 10 of this embodiment, a specific portion of the upper surface of the bottom wall 11 is recessed one level more than the other portions, forming water collecting recesses O, O' that can collect water from the waste inside the container Ct. As a result, when water comes out from the waste pushed into the container Ct, it can be collected in the water collecting recesses O, O', effectively preventing the water from flowing down the bottom surface of the container body 10 and out of the container Ct through the entrance 10i. This effectively prevents water collected at the bottom of the container Ct from polluting roads and the surrounding environment during container transport.

[0106] The gate drive device Dg of the above embodiment is equipped with support pins P that are removably inserted into receiving holes 22ah provided in the upper part of the gate plate 22, lifting supports 35 that support the support pins P so that they rise and fall together, and a lifting drive device 30 that drives the support pins P to rise and fall via the lifting supports 35. In particular, the support pins P have tapered tips, which makes it easy to insert the support pins P into the receiving holes 22ah and also makes it easy to remove the support pins P from the receiving holes 22ah. Furthermore, there is no need to make the receiving holes 22ah particularly large to facilitate the insertion of the support pins P, and this also makes it possible to suppress rattling at the insertion portion that occurs when the receiving holes 22ah are made larger.

[0107] In particular, the gate plate 22 of this embodiment is composed of a rectangular plate capable of closing the entrance 10i of the container Ct, and an extension wall 22a is provided on at least a portion (the entirety in the illustrated example) of the upper edge of the gate plate 22, protruding upward from the top surface of the container Ct and extending in the width direction of the gate plate 22. The extension wall 22a has a receiving hole 22ah. This allows the sturdy extension wall 22a to reinforce a wide area around the receiving hole 22ah. Therefore, when the gate plate 22 is raised, the large load transmitted from the support pins P to the area around the receiving hole 22ah can be distributed and reasonably received by the extension wall 22a, thereby improving durability. Furthermore, providing the receiving hole 22ah in the extension wall 22a extending in the width direction of the gate plate 22 also increases the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement and shape of the receiving hole 22ah.

[0108] Furthermore, by forming the extension wall portion 22a across the entire width of the gate plate 22 as in the embodiment, the extension wall portion 22a can be easily processed and manufactured without complicating the shape of the upper edge of the rectangular gate plate 22, thereby reducing costs and improving productivity.

[0109] Furthermore, in the gate drive device Dg of this embodiment, a locking mechanism L that prevents the support pin P from coming out of the receiving hole 22ah is provided on the lifting support 35. This makes it possible for the locking mechanism L to reliably prevent the support pin P from accidentally coming out when inserted into the receiving hole 22ah, which not only stabilizes the lifting and lowering operation of the gate plate 22 but also effectively prevents the gate plate 22 from accidentally slipping down during lifting.

[0110] In particular, the lifting support body 35 is supported at both ends so as to be able to rise and fall by a pair of left and right pillars 32, 32 that are fixed in a vertical upright position on the ground and are arranged at a distance from each other, and the pair of left and right pillars 32, 32 are arranged in positions where they can sandwich the movement trajectory of the container Ct.Therefore, the lifting support body 35 can be stably supported by the pair of left and right pillars 32, 32 that are sufficiently spaced apart from each other, and a long support span can be ensured, so that the lifting and lowering operation of the gate plate 22 can be made even more stable.

[0111] Moreover, at least one pair of front and rear rollers 36a, 36b; 37a, 37b that sandwich the corresponding support column 32 from the front and rear are rotatably supported on both the left and right ends of the lifting support body 35, so that the lifting support body 35 can be raised and lowered smoothly and without any play by sandwiching the support column 32 between the front and rear rollers 36a, 36b; 37a, 37b.

[0112] Furthermore, the lifting support 35 is driven to rise and fall by a pair of left and right hydraulic cylinders 34, 34 connected to the peripheries of both left and right ends thereof, so that the lifting support 35 can be driven to rise and fall in a balanced manner by the left and right cylinders 34, 34, and the load acting on the guide support parts of the left and right support columns 32, 32 for the lifting support 35 is well balanced. This allows the lifting support 35 to rise and fall more smoothly along the left and right support columns 32, 32.

[0113] The gate plate 22 has, at its upper end, receiving holes 22ah (engaged portions) that engage with support pins P, which are engaging portions of the gate drive device Dg, and has engaging grooves 22g that extend over substantially the entire area of ​​both left and right ends of the gate plate 22. On the other hand, the frame 21 has, over substantially the entire area of ​​both left and right ends of the frame 21, left and right side frame portions 21s (guide frame portions) that have guide recesses 21sg that guide the gate plate 22 in a vertical sliding manner, and has connecting pins 21p on the upper part of the frame 21 that engage and are connected to the engaging grooves 22g so as to be vertically slidable. Even when the gate is opened (see FIG. 7) and the container entrance 10i is opened, the connecting pins 21p remain engaged with the engaging grooves 22g, allowing the gate plate 22 to tilt forward and backward relative to the frame 21 around the connecting pins 21p.

[0114] As a result, when the container Ct is moved forward toward the compactor Cp after the gate is opened, the gate plate 22 simply tilts about the connecting pin 21p while maintaining the engagement between its receiving hole 22ah and the support pin P on the gate drive device Dg side, and the entire gate plate 22 does not move forward in a vertical position as in the conventional example. Therefore, the relative sliding portion between the gate drive device Dg (support pin P) and the gate plate 22 (receiving hole 22ah) when the container Ct is moved forward can be significantly reduced, and early wear and deformation / breakage of the sliding portion can be effectively suppressed.

[0115] Furthermore, the guide recesses 21sg of the frame 21 in this embodiment are formed on the surfaces of the left and right side frame portions 21s (guide frame portions) facing the gate plate 22, and are configured as guide recesses 21sg into which the corresponding edge portions of the gate plate 22 slidably fit, and engagement grooves 22g are provided on the edge portions of the gate plate 22. As a result, the edge portions of the gate plate 22 slide while fitting into the engagement recesses 21sg of the frame 21 to open the container entrance 10i, and at that time, the edge portions of the gate plate 22 (engagement grooves 22g) slide and connect with the connecting pins 21p over their entire area, so that the gate plate 22 performs an opening operation up to a predetermined open position, and therefore the tilting operation of the gate plate 22 is performed without hindrance.

[0116] Furthermore, the engagement groove 22g in this embodiment is configured as a recessed groove recessed into the edge portion of the gate plate 22 and extending in the opening and closing direction of the gate plate 22, and a stopper wall 22gw fixed to the gate plate 22 is provided at the end of the engagement groove 22g on the closing side of the gate plate 22. As is clear from Fig. 7, the stopper wall 22gw is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the connecting pin 21p even when the gate plate 22 reaches the upper limit position (predetermined open position) and tilts around the connecting pin 21p.

[0117] 7, the connecting pin 21p is shown by a solid line when the gate plate 22 has reached the upper limit position (predetermined open position) and tilted around the connecting pin 21p, whereas the dashed line shows the relative position of the connecting pin 21p with respect to the gate plate 22 (engagement groove 22g) when the gate plate 22 is in the vertical state before tilting (see FIG. 6). The position of the connecting pin 21p in both of these states is shifted by a predetermined amount z depending on whether the gate plate 22 is tilted or not, but even with this shift, the connecting pin 21p is positioned so that it does not come into contact with the stopper wall 22gw when the gate plate 22 tilts.

[0118] Thus, when the gate plate 22 tilts around the connecting pin 21p as it opens to the upper limit position (predetermined open position), the connecting pin 21p is prevented from coming into contact with the stopper wall 22gw, thereby avoiding stress concentration due to such contact and improving the durability of the gate plate 22 and the connecting pin 21p.

[0119] Furthermore, the frame 21 of the embodiment is attached to the container body 10 so that the entrance 10i of the container Ct can be opened and closed while holding the gate plate 22 thereon. Therefore, when opening and closing the entrance 10i, it is possible to appropriately use either a usage mode in which only the gate plate 22 is opened and closed, or a usage mode in which not only the gate plate 22 but also the entire frame 21 is opened and closed, depending on the application, which is convenient.

[0120] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 22. In the first embodiment, the container driving device D1 is driven by a chain transmission mechanism, but in the second embodiment, the container driving device D2 is driven by a telescopic cylinder.

[0121] That is, the container driving device D2 of the second embodiment includes an engaged portion 61 protruding downward from the bottom of the container Ct, a locking hook 62 as a locking member that can be engaged with and disengaged from the engaged portion 61, an inner pipe 63 as a movable support member that supports the locking hook 62 and can move only in the front-to-rear direction together with the locking hook 62, and a hydraulic cylinder 60 as a telescopic cylinder that can drive the container Ct in the front-to-rear direction between the initial position A1 and the pushed-in position A3 via the inner pipe 63 and the locking hook 62.

[0122] 21, the locking hook 62 comprises a pair of left and right strip-like hook bodies 62m, 62m that are spaced apart and extend linearly in the front-to-rear direction, a tip pin 62p1 that joins the tips of the hook bodies 62m, 62m together, and a base pin 62p2 that joins the base ends of the hook bodies 62m, 62m together and pivotally connects them to the inner pipe 63 so that they can swing up and down. The engaged portion 61 is removably inserted into a gap space that is open at the top and bottom and is defined between the hook bodies 62m, 62m, the tip pin 62p1, and the base pin 62p2, with play in the front-to-rear direction.

[0123] The locking hook 62 can swing up and down around a base pin 62p2 between an locking position (see Figs. 18 to 20) in which it is locked to the engaged part 61 in a horizontal position facing the front-to-rear direction, and a standby position (see Figs. 17 and 22) in which it is in a forward-downward position and cannot be locked by the engaged part 61, and this up and down swinging drive is performed by a hydraulic cylinder 65 that is interposed between the locking hook 62 and the inner pipe 63 and whose operation is controlled by the control device Uc. The hydraulic cylinder 65 has a cylinder portion pivotally connected 65p to the inner pipe 63, and a piston rod portion pivotally connected via a link mechanism to a downward arm portion that is integral with the base of the hook main bodies 62m, 62m.

[0124] In the second embodiment, the locking hook 62 is formed in a straight line when viewed from the side, but a hook-shaped hook similar to the fastening hook 62 may also be used.

[0125] The inner pipe 63 is formed in a square tube shape having a rectangular cross section and extending in the front-to-rear direction, and is fitted and supported in the outer pipe 64, which is also square tube-shaped, so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction. The outer pipe 64 is fixed in a forward-facing position on a fixing base 69 directly below the compactor Cp, with its axis facing in the front-to-rear direction.

[0126] Furthermore, a push plate 66 is fixed to the upper front end of the inner pipe 63, which can come into contact with and separate from the lower rear end of the container body 10 (the engaged portion 61 in this embodiment) when the hydraulic cylinder 60 is extended, thereby pressing the container Ct forward, and a cushion member 67 made of a hard elastic material that absorbs impact when the push plate 66 comes into contact with the container Ct is joined to the surface of the push plate 66 facing the container Ct. Thus, during the extension process of the hydraulic cylinder 60, a forward (return) driving force is transmitted to the container Ct via the inner pipe 63, the push plate 66, and the cushion member 67, which are linked to the extension operation.

[0127] 20 and 21, one set of container driving devices D2 of the second embodiment is disposed immediately below the center in the left-right direction in an area spanning the movement trajectory of the container Ct on the support base B and the front part of the compactor Cp. In this regard, the container fastening mechanisms 70 described in the first embodiment are disposed in parallel on the left and right sides of the container driving mechanism D2 so as not to interfere with the container driving mechanism D2.

[0128] Other structures of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. Each component of the second embodiment is assigned the same reference numeral as the corresponding component of the first embodiment, and further structural description will be omitted.

[0129] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

[0130] When the container Ct is transported close to the compactor Cp by the container transport vehicle, the container Ct is lowered onto the guide rail Br of the support base B in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and is then transported and driven to the initial position A1, where it stops (see Figure 17).

[0131] When the photoelectric sensor 8 or other sensors confirm that the container Ct has stopped at the initial position A1, the control device Uc extends the hydraulic cylinder 60 of the container driving device D2 to advance the inner pipe 63 (and therefore the locking hook 62 at the standby position). Then, when the hydraulic cylinder 60 reaches its extension limit, the inner pipe 63 (locking hook 62) linked to the hydraulic cylinder 60 stops at its forward limit. From this state, the control device Uc rotates the locking hook 62 upward about the base pin 62p2 from the standby position to the locking position, and engages it with the engaged portion 61 at the bottom of the container Ct. At this time, as is clear from FIG. 18, there is some play in the engaging portion of the locking hook 62 with the engaged portion 61.

[0132] Next, the hydraulic cylinder 60 is contracted to move the inner pipe 63 (locking hook 62) backward, causing the container Ct to move forward, i.e., to be pulled toward the compactor Cp. Then, during the pulling, when a proximity sensor (not shown) provided between the bottom of the container Ct and the support base B detects that the container Ct has reached the approach position A2, the control device Uc, based on the detection result, stops the contraction of the hydraulic cylinder 60, therefore the backward movement of the container Ct, and temporarily stops the container Ct at the approach position A (see FIG. 19).

[0133] Accordingly, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the gate drive device Dg drives the gate plate 22 of the tailgate 20 to rise to the upper limit position, opening the opening 21o of the tailgate 20 and thus opening the entrance 10i of the container Ct.

[0134] Next, the control device Uc resumes the contraction operation of the hydraulic cylinder 60 while maintaining the gate plate 22 at the upper limit position, thereby further drawing the container Ct toward the compactor Cp (i.e., moving it backward). Accordingly, as is clear from Fig. 20, the hydraulic cylinder 60 reaches its contraction limit and stops contracting, causing the container Ct to stop at the push-in position A3. At this time, the push plate 66 with the cushion member 67 attached at the front end of the inner pipe 63 is in close proximity to the lower rear end of the container body 10 (the rear surface of the engaged portion 61 in this embodiment) with a small gap therebetween. This small gap causes an ineffective stroke when the hydraulic cylinder 60 starts to extend from the push-in position A3 (i.e., moving the container Ct backward).

[0135] Furthermore, during the forward movement of the container Ct from the approach position A2 toward the push-in position A3, the gate plate 22 swings forward around the connecting pin 21p in conjunction with the container Ct's approach to the push-in position A3, as in the first embodiment (see Figure 7).

[0136] Next, the control device Uc, as in the first embodiment, operates the compactor Cp to push the waste from the compactor Cp into the container Ct at the push-in position A3.

[0137] Then, when the container Ct becomes full of waste, the control device Uc stops the pushing operation of the compactor Cp and then extends the hydraulic cylinder 60. In this case, the extension force of the hydraulic cylinder 60 is transmitted to the lower rear end (engaged portion 61) of the container main body 10 via the inner pipe 63 and the push plate 66 with the cushion member 67, and the container Ct starts to move forward (outward). As a result, the container Ct moves forward (i.e., returns) from the pushing position A3 to the initial position A1 after a temporary stop period at the approach position A2.

[0138] Furthermore, the pushing operation of the compactor Cp can be stopped and the extension of the hydraulic cylinder 60 can be resumed at will by an operator manually operating the control panel U, or the control device Uc can automatically control this based on the detection of the waste-full sensor inside the container Ct.

[0139] Meanwhile, in the process of moving the container Ct forward (returning) from the push-in position A3, the forward and backward movement of the container Ct by the hydraulic cylinder 60 of the container drive device D2 and the lifting and lowering of the gate plate 22 by the gate drive device Dg are linked in the reverse order to the aforementioned backward movement (going) process. That is, when the container Ct moves forward from the push-in position A3 to the approach position A2, the control device Uc stops the extension of the hydraulic cylinder 60 based on the detection result of the proximity sensor to temporarily suspend the container Ct at the approach position A2, and during this temporary suspension, lowers the gate plate 22 in a vertical position from the upper limit position to the lower limit position.

[0140] Thereafter, the control device Uc resumes extension of the hydraulic cylinder 60, thereby moving the container Ct forward from the approach position A2 toward the initial position A1. In this case, as is clear from Fig. 22, when the hydraulic cylinder 60 reaches its extension limit (i.e., full stroke), extension automatically stops, and the container Ct stops at a predetermined return position A1'. The container Ct is then loaded onto a container transport vehicle by the loading / unloading device (not shown).

[0141] It should be noted that the return position A1' is slightly deviated from the initial position A1 due to the aforementioned invalid stroke at the beginning of the return movement of the container Ct from the pushing position A3, but this deviation is slight and does not pose a practical problem.

[0142] When the container Ct starts to move back from the pushing position A3, the locking hook 62 is rotated downward about the base pin 62p2 to be placed in the standby position. This downward rotation to the standby position may be performed after the container Ct has stopped at the return position A1', but is performed before loading onto the container transport vehicle.

[0143] In the second embodiment described above, the container driving device D2 includes a locking hook 62 as a locking member that can be engaged with and disengaged from the bottom of the container Ct, an inner pipe 63 as a movable support member that supports the locking hook 62 and can move in the forward and backward directions together with the locking hook 62, and a hydraulic cylinder 60 that can drive the container Ct between the initial position A1 and the pushing-in position A3 via the inner pipe 63 and the locking hook 62, and the hydraulic cylinder 60 is interposed between the outer pipe 64 and the inner pipe 63 so that the container Ct is in the initial position when the hydraulic cylinder 60 is in the extension limit position and the container Ct is in the pushing-in position A3 when the hydraulic cylinder 60 is in the contraction limit position.

[0144] As a result, even if the container Ct attempts to move beyond the appropriate position due to a failure in the hydraulic cylinder 60 or the hydraulic circuit (not shown) that operates it, the hydraulic cylinder 60 will reach its extension or retraction limit at that time, and excessive movement of the container Ct will be restricted by the stroke limit of the hydraulic cylinder 60 itself. Therefore, the container Ct can be stopped accurately at the push-in position A3 (when moving outward) or the initial position A1 (when moving back).

[0145] Furthermore, the other effects of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0146] In the first and second embodiments, the upper surface 21dt of the lower frame portion 21d of the frame 21 of the tailgate 20 facing the opening 21o is formed as a horizontal surface. In contrast, in the third embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 24(a), the upper surface 21dt of the lower frame portion 21d of the frame 21 of the tailgate 20 facing the opening 21o is formed as a slope that slopes downward toward the inside of the container body 10.

[0147] Moreover, in the third embodiment, the container Ct is positioned so that even when the compactor Cp is pushing in, the rear end of the frame 21, which faces the compactor Cp, abuts against the front end of the body 1 of the compactor Cp directly or with a sealing material in between (i.e., the front end of the compactor Cp and the rear end of the container Ct are directly butted together without overlapping in the fore-and-aft direction).

[0148] However, in the above-mentioned arrangement of the third embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 24(b), if the upper surface of the lower frame portion 21d of the frame 21 is horizontal and there is a large step between that horizontal upper surface and the bottom surface of the container body 10 facing the entrance 10i, the impact when the waste that has passed through the frame 21 during the pushing operation of the compactor Cp falls to the bottom surface of the container body 10 tends to be large (the impact is particularly large when the bottom surface of the container body 10 facing the entrance 10i is a low-level water puddle recess O' as shown in Figure 24).

[0149] In contrast, in the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 24(a), the upper surface 21dt of the lower frame portion 21d of the frame frame 21 is formed as a slope that slopes downward toward the inside of the container body 10, and the waste falls by sliding down the slope, thereby effectively reducing the above-mentioned impact when it falls onto the bottom surface of the container body 10.

[0150] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0151] In the first to third embodiments, the guide support portions provided on the left and right side frame portions 21s as guide frame portions of the framework 21 and slidably guiding the gate plate 22 are configured as guide recesses 21sg provided on the surfaces of the left and right side frame portions 21s facing the gate plate 22 and into which the corresponding left and right edge portions of the gate plate 22 slidably fit, and engagement portions 22g are provided on the left and right edge portions of the gate plate 22. In contrast to this, the guide support portions of the fourth embodiment are configured as guide protrusions 21st provided on the surfaces of the left and right side frame portions 21s facing the gate plate 22, and guide recesses 22g' into which the guide protrusions 21st fit are provided on the left and right edge portions of the gate plate 22 corresponding to the guide protrusions 21st, and engagement grooves 22g" as engagement portions of the present invention with which the connecting pin 21p (connecting portion) slidably engages are provided on the inner bottom surfaces of the guide recesses 22g'.

[0152] That is, the recessed and projecting engagement relationship between the left and right edge portions of the gate plate 22 and the guide support portions of the frame 21 that guide the gate plate 22 is reversed in the fourth embodiment from that in the first to third embodiments. In the fourth embodiment, the guide protrusions 21st that are integrally provided on the surfaces of the left and right side frame portions 21s that face the gate plate 22 extend upward beyond the upper end of the frame 21, as is clear from Fig. 27, and a connecting pin 21p is provided on the extending portion 21sta that protrudes inward (i.e., toward the gate plate 22).

[0153] Furthermore, as in the first to third embodiments, a stopper wall 22gw fixed to the gate plate 22 is disposed at the end (i.e., the lower end) of the engagement groove 22g" recessed into the inner bottom surface of the guide recess 22g' on the left and right end edges of the gate plate 22 on the closing side of the gate plate 22. This stopper wall 22gw is disposed at a position where the stopper wall 22gw does not come into contact with the connecting pin 21p even when the gate plate 22 reaches a predetermined open position (for example, the upper limit position as shown in Figures 28 and 29) and tilts around the connecting pin 21p.

[0154] The extending portion 21sta of the guide protrusion 21st from which the connecting pin 21p protrudes may be reinforced with a reinforcing bracket (not shown) fixed to the upper end of the frame 21 and joined to the extending portion 21sta. Alternatively, the connecting pin 21p may be provided with the same support structure as in the first embodiment (i.e., protruding from a second hinge bracket b2 erected on the upper frame portion 21u of the frame 21).

[0155] Since the other configurations of the fourth embodiment are basically the same as those of the first to third embodiments, the components of the fourth embodiment are simply given the same reference numerals as the corresponding components of the first embodiment, and further explanation will be omitted. The fourth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments.

[0156] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the gate plate 22 slides while the guide recesses 22g' on the left and right edges thereof are fitted into the guide protrusions 21st of the left and right side frame portions 21s, thereby opening the container entrance 10i. At this time, the left and right edge portions (engagement grooves 22g" provided on the inner bottom surfaces of the guide recesses 22g') of the gate plate 22 slide and connect with the connecting pins 21p over their entire area while performing the opening operation up to the upper limit position (predetermined opening position), so the tilting operation of the gate plate 22 is performed without hindrance.

[0157] 30 shows a first modified example of the fourth embodiment. This first modified example differs from the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 in that the lower end of the gate plate 22, particularly the portions that form the lower end of the rear wall of the engagement groove 22g" and the fitting recess 22g', are cut out, and the cutout portion 22k exposes the connecting pin 21p and the guide protrusion 21st from the rear side when the gate plate 22 is in the upper limit position (predetermined open position). Even with the provision of such cutout portion 22k, the above-described effects of the connecting pin 21p and the guide protrusion 21st, as well as the engagement groove 22" and the guide protrusion 21st in the fourth embodiment are maintained, and therefore the first modified example can also exhibit effects equivalent to those of the fourth embodiment.

[0158] 27 to 29 and the first modified example shown in FIG. 30, cylindrical pins 21p having a diameter smaller than the front-to-rear width of guide protrusions 21st are provided on extensions 21sta of guide protrusions 21st provided on left and right side frame portions 21s of the frame 21. In contrast, in the second modified example, recesses 21sk recessed inward (i.e., toward the gate plate 22) are provided on extensions 21sta of guide protrusions 21st, each having a rectangular cross section, and the upper end of extensions 21sta distal to recesses 21sk serves as connecting shafts 21p' serving as connecting portions that serve as fulcrums for tilting of the gate plate 22. These connecting shafts 21p' slidably engage with engaging grooves 22g recessed in the outer end surfaces of the left and right edges of the gate plate 22. The connecting shaft portion 21p' has a rectangular cross section, but the outer corners thereof are chamfered or rounded as required.

[0159] Thus, in the second modified example, the gate plate 22 slides upward while the guide projections 21st of the left and right side frame portions 21s are fitted into the engagement grooves 22g on the left and right edges of the gate plate 22 to open the container entrance 10i. At this time, the gate plate 22 opens to its upper limit position (predetermined open position) while the engagement grooves 22g slide and connect with the connecting shafts 21p' over their entire area, allowing the gate plate 22 to tilt smoothly around the connecting shafts 21p'. During this tilting operation, the recesses 21sk avoid interference with the lower end of the gate plate 22 (particularly the lower end of the rear wall of the engagement grooves 22g), allowing for smooth tilting. The second modified example can also achieve the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment.

[0160] 32 and 33 show a fifth embodiment. Whereas the above-described embodiments are of an upward-opening type in which the gate plate 22 is driven to open and close in the vertical direction, the fifth embodiment is different in that the gate plate 22 is driven to open and close in the horizontal direction, but the mechanism for driving the gate plate 22 to open and close in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (although the orientation is different by 90 degrees). Therefore, the components of the fifth embodiment are simply given the same reference numerals as the corresponding components of the first embodiment, and structural descriptions thereof will be omitted except for structural portions unique to the fifth embodiment.

[0161] That is, in the fifth embodiment, a compactor container Ct is provided with a container body 10 having an entrance 10i on one side, a gate plate 22 that can open and close the entrance 10i, and a frame 21 that is attached to the container body 10 and supports the gate plate 22 so that it can slide left and right to open and close it, and a compactor Cp having an extrusion port 10 that can be connected to the entrance 10i is used to push waste into the container Ct through the entrance 10i with the gate plate 22 open and the entrance 10i and the extrusion port 10 connected to each other.

[0162] The gate plate 22 has receiving holes 22ah (engaged portions) at one left or right end of the gate plate 22 for detachably engaging support pins P (engaging portions) of a gate drive device Dg that can drive the gate plate in the left and right direction, and has engagement grooves 22g (engaging portions) that extend over almost the entire area of ​​both the upper and lower ends of the gate plate 22. The frame 21 has upper and lower frame portions 21s (guide frame portions) that have guide recesses 21sg (guide support portions) that can guide and support the gate plate 22 so that it can slide left and right, over almost the entire area of ​​both the upper and lower ends of the frame 21, and has connecting pins 21p (connecting portions) at one left or right side of the frame 21 that engage and connect with the engaging grooves 22g so that they can slide left and right.

[0163] Furthermore, even when the gate is opened to open the entrance 10i until the gate plate 22 is disengaged from the upper and lower guide recesses 21sg and reaches a predetermined open position (i.e., the state shown in Figure 33), the connecting pin 21p remains engaged with the engaging groove 22g, allowing the gate plate 22 to tilt relative to the frame 21 around the connecting pin 21p.

[0164] In the first embodiment, the lifting drive device 30 of the gate drive unit Dg includes left and right support columns 32, 32 erected on a base 31 fixed to the ground, an upper frame 33 connecting the upper ends of the support columns 32, 32, and left and right hydraulic cylinders 34, 34 respectively mounted between the left and right ends of the left and right support columns 32, 32 and the lifting support body 35, and front and rear guide rails 32ra, 32rb are provided on each support column 32. However, in constructing the fifth embodiment with this arrangement rotated 90 degrees, the following innovation is made. That is, in the fifth embodiment, left and right support columns 33, 33' are erected on the base 31, and front and rear guide rails 32ra, 32rb extending in the left-right direction are respectively provided to protrude from the relatively long upper frame 32 connecting the upper ends of the support columns 33, 33'. Furthermore, a relatively short lower frame 32' is arranged parallel to the upper frame 32 and fixed to the base 31, and has upward-facing guide rails 32rb' protruding therefrom so as to support the support body 35 and gate plate 22 from below. Rollers 36b, 37b, which are journalled on brackets 38 fixed to the support body 35, are rotatably engaged and placed on the guide rails 32rb'.

[0165] The rest of the configuration of the fifth embodiment is basically the same as that of the first to fourth embodiments, except that the orientation of the mechanism that drives the opening and closing of the gate plate 22 is different by 90 degrees and that the gate plate 22 opens to the side or upward. Therefore, the fifth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0166] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0167] For example, in the first to third embodiments, a container Ct carried by a container transport vehicle is moved back and forth on the support base B to the initial position A1, and then driven by the container driving devices D1 and D2 toward the pushing position A3. However, a container Ct carried by a container transport vehicle may be moved back and forth on the support base B to the initial position A1, and then driven by the container driving devices D1 and D2 toward the pushing position A3.

[0168] In addition, in the first to third embodiments, the photoelectric sensor 8 detects that the container Ct has reached the initial position A1, but the arrival of the container Ct at the initial position A1 may also be detected by various sensors other than the photoelectric sensor (for example, a proximity sensor provided between the container Ct and the support base B).

[0169] In the first to third embodiments, the hydraulic cylinder 34 is used as the telescopic cylinder that functions as the actuator of the gate drive device Dg. However, an air cylinder may be used instead of the hydraulic cylinder, or a hydraulic or electric motor may be used as the actuator of the gate drive device Dg.

[0170] In the first to third embodiments, the locking member Lf of the locking mechanism L, which prevents the support pin P from falling out of the receiving hole 22ah, is automatically switched between its locked and unlocked positions by an actuator Lc (hydraulic cylinder), but the actuator may be an air cylinder or a hydraulic or electric motor. Alternatively, the locking mechanism L may be manually operated, and for example, an operator may manually insert or remove a retaining pin that prevents the support pin P from falling out when inserted into the receiving hole 22ah.

[0171] In addition, in the first to third embodiments, a container Ct having a ceiling wall 13 is shown, but the container of the present invention may be a type that does not have a ceiling wall 13, or may be a type that has an openable ceiling.

[0172] In the first to third embodiments, only the tip of the support pin P is formed in a tapered shape (for example, a conical shape), but most or all of the support pin P, including the tip, may be formed in a tapered shape.

[0173] In the first to third embodiments, the tip of the support pin P is conical and the receiving hole 22ah into which it is inserted is formed in an oval shape, but the receiving hole 22ah may also be a circular hole. Alternatively, the tip of the support pin P may be a tapered shape other than a cone, such as a polygonal pyramid (e.g., a triangular pyramid, a square pyramid, etc.), in which case the receiving hole 22ah may be a polygonal hole (e.g., a triangle, a square, etc.).

[0174] In the first embodiment, the chain 41 used in the chain transmission mechanism of the container driving device D1 is an endless chain, but an ended chain (that is, a sprocket winding type chain) may also be used.

[0175] In addition, in the first embodiment, a sensor 45 capable of detecting the amount of rotation of the motor 44 is used as a sensor to detect whether the container Ct is in a predetermined position (i.e., the initial position A1, the approach position A2, the pushed-in position A3, or the return position A'). However, other sensors, such as a proximity sensor interposed between the container Ct and the support base B, may also be used.

[0176] In addition, in the first embodiment, the fail-safe stopper mechanism 50 for reliably stopping the container Ct at a predetermined position, i.e., the pushing position A3 (when moving forward) or the initial position A1 (when moving back), is shown as being arranged separately and independently from the container driving device D1, but a stopper mechanism 50 with a similar structure and function may also be arranged separately and independently from the container driving device D2 in the second and third embodiments.

[0177] In the second embodiment, the container Ct is in the initial position A1 at the extension limit of the hydraulic cylinder 60 arranged between the outer pipe 64 and the inner pipe 63, and in the pushed-in position A3 at the retraction limit. However, a modified example can also be implemented in which the container Ct is in the initial position A1 at the retraction limit of the hydraulic cylinder, and in the pushed-in position A3 at the extension limit. In this modified example, the same effects as those in the second embodiment can be expected.

[0178] In addition, in the above embodiment, the support pin P is fixed to the lifting support body 35 which is provided separately from the cylinder 34 of the lifting drive device 30 and is driven to rise and fall by the cylinder 34, but the tip of the piston rod of the cylinder 34 or a fixed object at the tip (for example, a bracket) may also be used as the lifting support body.

[0179] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment (including the first and second modified examples), the guide protrusions 21st as guide support parts provided on the frame 21 (left and right side frame parts 21s) are illustrated as being made up of bar members extending linearly in the opening and closing direction of the gate plate 22 and fixed (for example, welded) to the frame 21 (left and right side frame parts 21s). However, in the present invention, the guide protrusions 21st as guide support parts may be formed integrally with the frame 21 (left and right side frame parts 21s).

[0180] Furthermore, the sliding support structure for the gate plate 22 in the frame 21 of the fourth embodiment (including the first and second modifications) may be applied to the sliding support structure for the gate plate 22 in the frame 21 of the second and third embodiments.

[0181] In the first and fourth embodiments, since the stopper wall portion 22gw that closes the lower end of the engagement grooves 22g, 22g" that serve as the engagement portion is provided with the groove, the connecting pin 21p that serves as the connecting portion is fixed to the frame 21 after the gate plate 22 has been fitted into the frame 21 first. This fitting method includes, for example, a first method in which the gate plate 22 is fitted into the frame 21, and then the connecting pin 21p is welded to the frame 21 and the tip of the pin is inserted into the engagement grooves 22g, 22g"; and a second method in which the gate plate 22 is fitted into the frame 21, and then the connecting pin 21p made of a bolt is screwed into the frame 21 and the tip shaft portion of the pin is inserted into the engagement grooves 22g, 22g".

[0182] With the first method described above, after fitting the gate plate 22 into the frame 21, the work of welding the connecting pin 21p to the frame 21 is not easy, and when removing the gate plate 22 later, the connecting pin 21p cannot be easily removed, resulting in problems such as poor usability. In contrast, with the second method described above, not only can the bolt-shaped connecting pin 21 be attached and detached to and from the frame 21 quickly and easily, but it is also advantageous in adjusting the sliding resistance of the gate plate 22 relative to the connecting pin 21p and suppressing running vibrations (i.e., rattling of the gate plate 22 when running) by adjusting the amount of protrusion of the bolt-shaped connecting pin 21p into the engagement grooves 22g, 22g''.

[0183] In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, the stopper wall portion 22gw that closes the lower end of the engagement groove 22g, 22g'' as the engagement portion is provided, but such a stopper wall portion 22gw may be applied to the first and second modified examples of the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment.

[0184] Furthermore, the sliding support structure of the gate plate 22 in the frame 21 of the second and third embodiments and the fourth embodiment (including the first and second modified examples), in which the gate plate 22 has an upward opening structure, may also be applied to the gate plate 22 having a side opening structure as in the fifth embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] Cp Compactor Ct... Container Dg...Gate driver P... Support pin as a locking part 10i...Entrance 21. Frame 21p, 21p'...Connecting pin and connecting shaft as connecting parts 21s...Left and right side frame parts as guide frame parts 21sg···Guide recess as a guide support 21st... Guide protrusion as a guide support part 21o····Frame opening 22 Gate plate 22ah....Receiving hole as the locked part 22g, 22g" Engagement groove as engagement part 22g'···Guide recess 22gw...Stopper wall 22p... Connecting pin as a connecting part

Claims

1. A compactor container (Ct) includes a container body (10) having an entrance (10i) on one side, a gate plate (22) capable of opening and closing the entrance (10i), and a frame (21) attached to the container body (10) and supporting the gate plate so that it can slide up and down to open and close, wherein a compactor (Cp) having an extrusion port (1o) connectable to the entrance (10i) is used to push waste into the container (Ct) through the entrance (10i) with the gate plate (22) opened and the entrance (10i) and the extrusion port (1o) connected to each other, The gate plate (22) has, at its upper end, a latched portion (22ah) for detachably latching a latching portion (P) of a gate drive device (Dg) capable of driving the gate plate in the up and down direction, and also has engaging portions (22g, 22g″) extending over substantially the entire area of ​​both left and right end portions of the gate plate (22), The frame (21) has left and right guide frame portions (21s) having guide support portions (21sg) capable of guiding and supporting the gate plate (22) so as to be vertically slidable, extending over substantially the entire area of ​​both left and right ends of the frame (21), and also has connecting portions (21p, 21p') at the top of the frame (21) that are engaged and connected to the engaging portions (22g, 22g'') so as to be vertically slidable, The container for compactor is characterized in that the connecting portions (21p, 21p') are in an engaged state with the engaging portions (22g, 22g'') even when the gate is opened to open the entrance (10i) until the gate plate (22) is disengaged from the guide support portion (21sg) and reaches a predetermined open position, thereby allowing the gate plate (22) to tilt relative to the frame (21) around the connecting portions (21p, 21p').

2. A compactor container (Ct) includes a container body (10) having an entrance (10i) on one side, a gate plate (22) capable of opening and closing the entrance (10i), and a frame (21) attached to the container body (10) and supporting the gate plate (22) so as to be slidable left and right to open and close the gate plate (22), wherein a compactor (Cp) having an extrusion port (1o) connectable to the entrance (10i) pushes waste into the container (Ct) through the extrusion port (10i) with the gate plate (22) opened and the entrance (10i) and the extrusion port (1o) connected to each other, The gate plate (22) has, at one left or right end of the gate plate (22), a latched portion (22ah) that latches with a latching portion (P) of a gate drive device (Dg) that can drive the gate plate in the left and right direction in a detachable manner, and also has engaging portions (22g, 22g") that extend over substantially the entire area of ​​both upper and lower ends of the gate plate (22). The frame (21) has, over substantially the entire area of ​​both upper and lower ends of the frame (21), upper and lower guide frame portions (21s) that have guide support portions (21sg) that can guide and support the gate plate (22) so that it can slide left and right, and also has connecting portions (21p, 21p') on one left or right side of the frame (21) that engage and connect with the engaging portions (22g, 22g") so that it can slide left and right. The container for compactor is characterized in that the connecting portions (21p, 21p') are in an engaged state with the engaging portions (22g, 22g'') even when the gate is opened to open the entrance (10i) until the gate plate (22) is disengaged from the guide support portion (21sg) and reaches a predetermined open position, thereby allowing the gate plate (22) to tilt relative to the frame (21) around the connecting portions (21p, 21p').

3. the guide support portion is formed of a guide recess (21sg) provided on a surface of the guide frame portion (21s) facing the gate plate (22), and into which a corresponding edge portion of the gate plate (22) is slidably fitted, 3. The container for a compactor according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion (22g) is provided on the edge portion of the gate plate (22).

4. The guide support portion is composed of a guide protrusion (21st) provided on a surface of the guide frame portion (21s) facing the gate plate (22), and a guide recess (22g') into which the guide protrusion (21st) slidably fits is provided on an edge portion of the gate plate (22) corresponding to the guide protrusion (21st), 3. The container for a compactor according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion (22g'') is provided on an inner bottom surface of the guide recess (22g').

5. The engaging portion is an engaging groove (22g, 22g'') recessed in the edge portion of the gate plate (22) and extending in the opening and closing direction of the gate plate (22), and a stopper wall (22gw) fixed to the gate plate (22) is provided at the end of the engaging groove (22g, 22g'') on the closing side of the gate plate (22), The container for a compactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stopper wall (22gw) is arranged in a position where the stopper wall (22gw) does not come into contact with the connecting portion (21p) even when the gate plate (22) reaches the predetermined open position and tilts around the connecting portion (21p).

6. 6. The compactor container according to claim 1, wherein the frame (21) is formed in a rectangular shape having an opening (21o) corresponding to the entrance (10i), the opening (21o) can be opened and closed by the gate plate (22), and the frame (21) is attached to the container body (10) so that the entrance (10i) can be opened and closed while the gate plate (22) is held by the frame (21).

Images