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Self-propelled waste collection vehicle

  • US 5,768,744 A
  • Filed: 10/10/1996
  • Issued: 06/23/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A self-propelled waste collection vehicle for being moved in at least a forward direction over a ground surface for collecting and processing wind-blown litter, said vehicle comprising:

  • (a) a fluid duct defined by walls and having an inlet communicating with the ground surface for receiving the wind-blown litter into the vehicle, and an upwardly-turned feed section downstream of the inlet for directing the litter upwardly into a body of the vehicle, and said inlet extending across substantially the full width of the vehicle;

    (b) fluid flow means communicating with said fluid duct, and operable for creating a fluid flow path along the fluid duct from the inlet to the upwardly turned feed section, thereby drawing the litter into the inlet for collection as the vehicle passes over the ground surface;

    (c) compactor means carried by the vehicle and located downstream of said inlet for compacting the litter received through said fluid duct into a self-contained bale; and

    (d) release means located downstream of said compactor means for automatically releasing the bales from the vehicle as they are formed and while collection continues, whereby the weight of the vehicle remains substantially constant as more waste material is collected.

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