AIRPLANE-DERIVED REFUSE COMPACTING SYSTEM AND METHOD

A top-loaded refuse compacting system (20) comprises a compaction chamber (15) having an upper opening (85) through which refuse is introducible; a main platen mount (121) having a vertical and rearwardly positioned main platen (132) and an occluding surface (133) for occluding the upper opening; an auxiliary platen mount (123) adapted to movably support the main platen mount thereunder and having a horizontally disposed refuse-receiving surface (151) and a rearwardly positioned auxiliary platen (154); a holder assembly movably positioned underneath the auxiliary platen mount; and force transmitting elements that are always retained within an interior of the compaction chamber. The main platen mount is linearly driven between a first position at which it is located completely forwardly of the upper opening and a second position at which the upper opening is completely occluded by the occluding surface, and is additionally driven to rearwardly displace and to enable outward discharge of the received refuse. A method is also disclosed.