Abstract: A split idle station assembly for a transfer press assembly includes a track assembly, a first base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly and a second base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a support configuration with the first base assembly adjacent the second base assembly forming a work piece support assembly for supporting a work piece thereon between work stations of the transfer press assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a split configuration where the first base assembly is moved apart from the second base assembly along the track assembly.

Abstract: A portable electric can crusher is disclosed that crushes cans, at the “point of collection”. The can crusher crushes cans into a crushed relationship wherein the upper and lower circular end faces are generally unaltered and aligned in a co-planar position, the crushed pattern accomplished by the result of placing the can in a perpendicular position adjacent a ram plate and an elongated rectangular crushing plate which is used for creasing a center portion of the can followed by moving the ram plate against the can into contact with a rigid vertical wall. The crushing motions of the crusher are achieved through dual cam and slot means cooperatively drivably connected to a force transfer block which imparts a predetermined relation translation motion of the plates in response to rotation of the transfer block. A high powered rechargeable battery provides the force necessary to crush cans faster and more productively.

Abstract: Bailing systems and methods for bailing a material into bales. The bailing systems may include a movement mechanism, a compactor disposed downstream of the movement mechanism and a controller in wired or wireless communication with the movement mechanism and the compactor. In some examples, the movement mechanism includes an arm, a first sensor configured to collect dynamic arm position data, and a second sensor configured to collect dynamic movement parameter data. In some examples, the controller includes instructions for determining the length of the material by comparing dynamic arm position data and dynamic movement parameter data. In some examples, the compactor includes a ram, a block, and an actuator configured to move the block between a passageway position and a ram position.

Abstract: A can crushing apparatus includes a base and a receiving bin with an end wall and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the base. The base has an aperture positioned adjacent to the end wall. A drive assembly is mounted to the base. The drive assembly includes an arm having a free end that extends into the receiving bin and moves toward the end wall when the drive assembly is actuated in a first direction and away from the end wall when the drive assembly is actuated in a second direction. A can is positioned in the receiving bin and crushed between the free end of the arm and the end wall when the drive assembly is actuated in the first direction. The can then falls through the aperture when the drive assembly is actuated in the second direction.

Abstract: A can crushing device, which crushes the can along its cylindrical axis, supports the can on a can platform, dents the side of the can and flattens the can. A can chute or feed hopper feeds cans to the crush chamber, while various collection devices receive the crushed cans.

Abstract: A two stage oil filter press having a housing with a precompression chamber and a main compression chamber together with a vertically reciprocating precompression ram and a horizontally reciprocating main compression ram powered by individual fluid cylinders. A feed chute with a scoop is raised through a void in the hopper created by a baffle which insures feeding a measured quantity of spent oil filters to the precompression chamber through a feed window. A main compression chamber is defined at the lower end of the precompression chamber by the lower horizontal end surface of the precompression ram, the floor, a pair of side walls of the precompression chamber, the thrust end of the main compression ram and a discharge door.

Abstract: The invention comprises the steps of storing immersed or smothered raw material of soy beans including hulls in a storage chamber provided at the front part of a cylinder barrel, subsequently passing the stored raw material of soybeans through screens furnished at the front end of the cylinder barrel by driving a piston, and urging to press it out, thereby to manufacture a milk of the soy beans of the raw material being extremely refined. At this time, the screens are 60 to 500 meshes, and the pressure is 8.0 to 55.0 MPa.

Abstract: A hydraulic press utilizes a product feed mechanism including a product lifting linkage capable of raising and lowering a product-holding platen while maintaining same in a precise horizontal position during such movement. The hydraulic drive for the lifting and lowering mechanism is capable of moving the platen to any precise vertical position and maintaining same at that position before, during and after press operations. In connection with the lifting and lowering mechanism, a linear motor horizontal drive mechanism is coordinated with the lifting mechanism to enable the product feed system to precisely position the platen anywhere along the travel of the linear motor. The combination of the lifting and lowering mechanism with the linear motor horizontal drive mechanism provides, when operated by an open architecture PC control system, a new and improved product feed mechanism more precisely controllable than heretofore known.

Abstract: To provide a punch press which can realize the high hit rate and the energy saving in the punch drive. A plate material transfer control means 32 and a ram axis control means 33 controlled synchronously are provided. The plate material is started to transfer when a punch tool 6 reaches a pullout height HH2 after punching and it is arranged to come to a height HH1 which is likely to contact with the plate material when completing transferring the plate material. The ram axis control means 33 rotates a servomotor 19 in one direction. Moreover, the ram axis control means 33 controls in a motor speed pattern VP based on the distance of transferring the plate material after the punch tool 6 goes up from the pullout height HH2 and the servomotor 19 is prevented from stopping as possible. The motor speed pattern VP is made to be a trapezoid pattern that the acceleration is constant.

Abstract: A portable can compactor of the present invention includes a housing, a chamber in the housing sized to accept aluminum beverage cans for compacting. A ram is reciprocally driven in the chamber to compact cans against a front wall or anvil of the chamber. The ram front surface is sloped relative to the anvil to reduce the amount of force needed to compact a can. A feed control includes a vane which pivots between an opened and a closed position in response to movement of the ram to prevent a second can from entering the chamber before a first can exits the chamber. The compactor is operated by a momentary-on push button switch. The switch is surrounded by a guard wall which extends around a least a portion of the push-button switch. A cut-off switch is closed by a removable feed tray when the feed tray is mounted to the compactor housing. The compactor therefore cannot be operated without the feed tray mounted to the housing.

Abstract: An automatic can smasher having a frame assembly with a pair of parallel channel members in a spaced relationship for receiving a can to be smashed. A motor is attached to the underside of the frame assembly. The motor drives a plunger arm assembly having a reciprocating plunger that compresses and smashes the can. A switch mounted on a switch mounting plate is operated when a can is placed within the frame assembly. The switch activates the motor and the reciprocating plunger. A hole through the frame assembly in front of the switch mounting plate allows the smashed can to fall through the frame assembly. A can receptacle can be placed over the frame assembly for placement of a plurality of cans and for feeding the cans one at a time into the frame assembly. When the plunger is retracted, one smashed can drops through the hole in the frame assembly, the switch is released and opened and the next can is allowed to fall into place for being smashed.

Abstract: A recycling/crushing apparatus for cans includes a frame housing having an inlet defined in an upper end thereof. A feeding device is mounted in the frame housing and includes an intermittently rotatable axle, a ratchet wheel mounted on the axle to rotate therewith, and a cylindrical wheel mounted on the axle to rotate therewith and having a plurality of annular recesses defined in an outer periphery thereof for receiving cans. A crushing device is mounted in the frame housing and below the feeding device and includes a fixed plate, a movable plate, and a hydraulic cylinder for actuating the movable plate to move relative to the fixed plate between a first, closed position for crushing a can therebetween and a second, open position at which a crushed can will fall. A linking device is interconnected between the movable plate and the ratchet wheel of the feeding device for urging the ratchet wheel to intermittently rotate, thereby feeding a can into the crushing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing cans for recycling which automatically feeds cans one at a time into a cleaning station for cleaning and draining any remaining residue from the cans. At the completion of the cleaning cycle, the cleaned can is fed to a crushing station where the can is crushed to a predetermined thickness and then dropped into a hopper for storage for recycling. In accordance with the invention, three or more aluminum or tinned steel cans may be cleaned and crushed per minute without operator intervention.

Abstract: A system for crushing aluminum cans comprising a work table with four legs and wheels on a pair of the legs, a power cylinder mounted on the table for crushing aluminum cans, a power source mounted on the table for reciprocating the power cylinder, and aluminum can handling mechanisms for receiving and retaining a plurality of aluminum cans to be crushed and allowing passage of crushed aluminum cans therethrough for collection therebeneath.

Abstract: Workpieces are transported step-by-step by means of transport bars which are provided with grippers and which are longitudinally and transversally displaceable only in cyclic relation to the reciprocating movement of a press. The transport bars have the configuration of hollow profiles which are rigid with respect to bending and torsional stresses, and their ends are rigidly constrained and guided by means of angle brackets and by means of longitudinal guidings and transversal guidings both of which are free of play. Thus, a particularly rigid and a relatively lightweight construction results which allows high working cadences.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing articles such as metal cans. A fixed anvil is mounted on a frame and a ram is mounted for movement in a direction toward and away from the anvil to crush an article located therebetween. The articles are fed sequentially to the crushing zone between the anvil and the ram through a vertical chute. A spring loaded wedge plate extends outwardly from the ram toward the anvil and initially contacts the article intermediate its length to bend or deform the article to thereby insure uniform crushing of the article by the ram.

Abstract: A can crusher apparatus is presented for crushing aluminum cans into a crushed relationship wherein the upper and lower circular end faces are generally unaltered and aligned in a co-planar position, the crushed pattern accomplished by the result of placing the can in a perpendicular position to an elongated rectangular crushing plate for creasing a center portion followed by moving a ram plate and can into contact with a vertical wall. The crushing motions of the crusher are achieved through dual cam and slot means cooperatively drivably connected to a force transfer block which imparts a predetermined relation translation motion of the plates in response to rotation of the transfer block.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing formed articles such as tortillas. Embodiments include apparatus comprising a non-sticking, heat tolerant, endless conveyor belt moving at desired constant speeds to position tortilla dough balls between the heated platens of a tortilla press. The press is moveable in the direction of the path of travel of the belt at the same speed as the belt when the platens are in their closed position with the dough balls squeezed between them. Thereafter, the press may be opened sufficiently for the upper platen to disengage the flattened dough and then slowed, stopped and moved counter-directionally to the direction of travel of the belt. At a pre-determined position, the press is again stopped and reversed to cause it to travel again in the direction of travel of the belt.

Abstract: In a screen printing machine, its printing-plate discharge unit is provided with: a pair of printing-plate discharge rollers which may approach to a peripheral surface of a plate cylinder and may also draw therefrom; and a waste-paper container for receiving a waste printing plate having been peeled from the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder. In the waste-paper container is provided a waste printing-plate compression plate which is vertically movable in the waste-paper container. The compression plate is moved up and down in the waste-paper container by means of an operation means which is provided in a position outside the waste-paper container. The compression plate compresses the waste printing plate in the waste-paper container when moved downward therein.

Abstract: A piston type bailer for producing bales of agricultural material comprising a bailing chamber with a reciprocating pressing piston, a crank drive for reciprocating the pressing piston. A feeding element is arranged to feed agricultural material to the bailing chamber. As auxiliary drive changes a position of the feeding element from the crank drive. The auxiliary drive having a first crank unit associated with the feeding element and including a first crank pin rotatably supporting the feeding element, a crank axle and a first crank arm arranged on the crank axle, and a second crank unit associated with the crank drive of the pressing piston and includes a second crank arm driven from the pivot axle of the crank drive and a pivot pin driven by the crank arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for adjusting the feed length of a rack and pinion roll feed mechanism of the type generally used for feeding strip stock into presses. The feed length adjusting mechanism comprises a hub member connected to the press shaft, a throw block connected to the hub, and a slide rotatably connected to the connecting rod of the rack and pinion drive for the feed. A slide is locked to the block by means of a piston and cylinder lock mechanism, and a lead screw is threadedly connected to the slide and rotated by a bidirectional pneumatic motor mounted to the block, whereby rotation of the lead screw causes the slide to translate within the slideway. This changes the length of the eccentric connection between the rotating block and connecting rod thereby proportionately changing its stroke and the amount of strip stock which is fed into the press during each cycle of the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A roll feed device for feeding a material to a press in a predetermined timed relationship to the operation of the press. The device includes a pair of feed rolls between which the material is fed, one being an idle roll and the other being a driven roll. The driven roll has a drive shaft, and an intermittent rotating mechanism is operably associated with the drive shaft of the press and has an output shaft parallel to the drive shaft of the driven roll. Disks are mounted on the ends of these shafts and are in frictional engagement with each other for driving the drive shaft from the output shaft. The disks can be easily exchanged for changing the drive of the roll feed device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and crushing empty cylindrical cans such that after being folded and crushed the can end faces are essentially coplanar. The apparatus comprises a flat stationary anvil and a flat parallel reciprocable platen defining therebetween a folding compartment into which an empty can is inserted, an independently reciprocable creasing element or plunger slidably inserted in an aperture through the center of the reciprocable platen such as to enter and leave said folding compartment, and a drive arrangement simultaneously advancing the reciprocable platen and reciprocable creasing element into said folding compartment towards the can, the creasing element being advanced more rapidly than or ahead of the platen, and drive retracting the creasing element after the creasing element has nearly passed through the can without stopping the advance of the platen, and subsequently retracting the platen.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing cans uses a pair of guide rods having an anvil attached at each end, and a pair of sliding rams sliding on the guide rods. Can support wire members are positioned between each ram and anvil to support a can during crushing. A ram drive cam alternately drives each ram to crush a can against its associated anvil. The single drive cam is connected through reduction gearing to a flywheel which is driven by an electric motor. Each ram has a cam follower and the rams are connected together with springs to maintain the cam followers in continuous contact with the cam. A second embodiment has four rams driven by a single motor and flywheel driving a pair of cams and a can feed mechanism feeds cans in synchronization with the movement of rams.

Abstract: In punching, cutting and forming presses and the like, electronic detecting means and/or sensors are provided so as to trip the press and prevent an operation when a mal-function occurs such as a tear in the strip material or a mis-alignment or a mis-feeding of the strip. When the press is equipped with an elbow arrangement to permit adjustments for feed line height while maintaining feed cycle synchronization, then the arrangement must incorporate the automated locking device of the invention, the same automatically unlocking the swing plate simultaneously with the tripping of the press.