Abstract: A continuously cycling oil filter disassembly and recycle apparatus and method comprising tandem transport of filters and filter components in a given spaced relation to and from a disassembling facility where the filters are cut while rotatably retained by selectively depressible pins, and the disassembled components shifted to recycle receptacles arranged to receive the components spaced as removed from the disassembling facility.

Abstract: An automatic compactor-crusher for processing spent aerosol spray cans safely depressurizes, evacuates, and crushes cans for subsequent environmentally sound disposal and/or recycling. Fluid residue is safely captured within a reservoir. A vertically upright, supporting frame secured to a floor in the work area supports a telescoping can receiver assembly. The receiver assembly matingly receives cans for processing. A hydraulic crusher assembly located on top of the frame compresses cans against the receiver assembly with an extensible ram. The receiver assembly comprises a tubular sleeve which coaxially receives a displaceable cylinder. A rigid union at the bottom of the sleeve limits travel of the cylinder, and establishes a fluid flow path into a holding tank. A rigid valve guide projecting from the union mounts a fluid control valve for selectively blocking fluid escape from the receiver, and a rigid, canpiercing lance which punctures cans after sufficient ram displacement.

Abstract: A device for crushing aluminum cans has a lid that can be engaged with a receptacle, and an aperture through which crushed cans can drop is formed in the lid. A housing is mounted on the lid, and the housing forms a channel. The housing has a closed surface positioned against the lid, an open side opposite the closed surface, and a closed end. An opening is formed through the closed surface and is juxtaposed with the aperture of the lid. A crushing plate is reciprocally disposed in the channel and can be moved toward the closed end of the aperture. When a can is to be crushed, it is laid on its side in the channel, and the plate is moved to axially compress the can against the closed end of the housing. When the can has been sufficiently compressed, it drops through the opening into the receptacle.

Abstract: A hand held and hand operated device for compacting and crushing an aluminum beverage can is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate handle that is grasped by the user's hand. An aluminum can is held in a gripper element at one end of the handle. The free end of the aluminum can extending from the gripper element is then pounded against a solid object in a manner similar to pounding one's clenched fist against a table top thereby crushing and compacting the aluminum can.

Abstract: An oil filter crusher includes a housing within which a piston assembly is mounted for reciprocating movement. The crusher is connectable to an external source of pressurized air, and an air valve is located in the interior of the housing for controlling supply of pressurized air to the piston assembly. A door is mounted to the housing for movement between open and closed positions. An actuator arrangement is provided between the door and the air valve, for actuating the air valve upon closing of the door to initiate a crushing stroke of the piston assembly. A locking arrangement is provided between the piston assembly and the door, to prevent the door from being moved to its open position during the crushing stroke of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A compacting and selecting machine for solid refuse such as containers and similar includes a loading hopper provided with a detector and guide of objects, a crushing press at the end of the hopper, a lateral conveyor belt to which the object leaving the press is directed by a lateral ejector, the conveyor belt being located over a magnetic plate for the retention of ferrous or similar objects, and at least two collecting bins for the selected objects, one of these bins being for non-ferrous materials and the other for ferrous materials selected by the magnetic plate, the machine cycle being carried out with the aid of auxiliary control device.

Abstract: An improvement for an apparatus for recycling oil filters enables crushed oil filters to be removed from the compartment, in which they are crushed to remove used oil therefrom and to render them safely disposable, by a mechanical means. The improvement involves the use of a U-shaped member disposed through an opening at the base of the crushing compartment. Mechanical means pull the arms of the U-shaped member from the crushing compartment, thereby enabling the base of the U-shaped member to sweep crushed oil filters out through the opening. The crushing compartment has a door which need only be opened to introduce oil filters to be crushed.

Abstract: A food press, having an elongated body including a forward end with perforations through which pressed foodstuffs can pass, and chamber means adjacent said forward end for receiving and pressing foodstuffs. A reciprocating piston is slidably fitted within the chamber means for moving and pressing foodstuffs, wherein the piston is adapted to be positioned rearwardly of the foodstuffs in the chamber means in its retracted position and against said forward end for pressing the foodstuffs through the perforations in its forward position. The press also has a rotatable handle pivotally connected to the elongated body rearwardly of the piston, and linking means which are connected to the handle and to the piston. When the handle is rotated in one direction the piston is moved to its retracted position to allow the chamber means to receive foodstuffs. When the handle is rotated in the other direction the piston is moved to its forward position for pressing foodstuffs through the perforations.

Abstract: A novel can flattening apparatus and process is provided comprising a generally rectangular housing having side walls and a front compaction plate with the housing defining an entrance opening and an exit opening, a pivot rod extending through the housing, a pair of arms fixedly attached to the pivot rod and having rollers attached at the opposite ends thereof, a flattener plate disposed within the housing and being pivotally attached to the housing such that the flattener plate can fit flush against the front compaction plate, a structure for crimping the middle of a can mounted to the top of the flattener plate, a captive plate mounted to the structure for crimping the middle of a can.

Abstract: A reverse vending apparatus (10) for receiving returnable beverage containers includes a housing (12) having an opening (20) through which an empty beverage container is inserted in exchanger for a redeemable coupon. Inside the housing (12), a V-shaped support trough cradles the container while a conveyor belt (38) rotates the container. An optical scanner (32) inspects the rotating container to identify its origin, and upon recognition that the container is properly returnable electronically signals the apparatus (10) to issue a coupon. The container falls from the support trough and is diverted by a moveable diverter (60) plate to either of two compaction roller sets (56, 58), depending upon the material composition of the container. Wedge-shaped guides (96, 96') funnel the container into the center of the nip between a first (62, 62') and a second, (66, 66') compaction roller to flatten the container. A cleated steel band (82, 82') surrounds the first compaction roller (62, 62').

Abstract: The can crushing device disclosed herein comprises a base plate which has an upper movable arm pivotally connected at one end of the base plate, said base plate having an arm rigidly connected to said base plate with the rigid arm having its upper surface substantially in the same plane as the upper surface of said base plate and said arm being connected to said base plate at a position other than the end of said base plate where said movable arm is connected. The movable arm has a bar rigidly connected thereto and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom and in a position to come down on said arm rigidly connected to said base plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a can crusher formed entirely of wood components that can be easily fabricated by an amateur wood worker. The can crusher has a channel body which, at its upper end, provides a slide for a mechanical wooden ram and, at its lower portion, a crushing station to receive and crush aluminum beverage cans. The front of the crusher is covered with a protective plate which limits access to the slide above the can, thus preventing one, such as a child, from inserting fingers between the can and the ram. The ram is carried on the end of a push rod which is linked to a lever which has its fulcrum at a location, relative to the pivot link between the rod and the lever, which insures that the ram moves over center at the completion of the stroke, thereby withdrawing the ram from the can and preventing jamming of the crushing mechanism.

Abstract: A compactor for automotive oil filters is illustrated wherein an upright hydraulic cylinder D is its lower end upon a vertical housing A open on one side for reception of an oil filter and for removal thereof after compaction with a central passageway F in a lower support C for relieving air pressure generated during compression and compaction.

Abstract: A manually operated aluminum can crushing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. A centrally located upwardly extending protuberance is disclosed and defines a cavity in the lower surface of the apparatus. First and second alignment means are provided that are adapted to contactingly receive an aluminum can to be crushed and to align the same perpendicular to the axis of the applied crushing force. Optional handles and gripping surfaces may be provided.

Abstract: A device for crushing cans and cutting plastic containers to facilitate efficient, space-saving storage, compact disposal, and recycling of the material. The device includes a rigid base member adapted for placement on a level surface, a handle plate portion pivotally connected to the base member and adapted for crushing cans, a handle projecting outwardly from the handle plate portion and adpated for manual gripping, and a longitudinally-extending groove located on the base member. A pair of oppositely-disposed sculpted recesses for holding a can upright while the handle plate portion is pivoted downward for engaging and crushing the can are located adjacent the groove. A removable crushing plate is adapted for placement over the groove to support a can positioned lengthwise thereon for crushing by the handle plate portion. Projecting up through the groove is a rotary blade which is driven by a motor unit located within the base member.

Abstract: The invented device includes a chamber in which articles to be crushed are placed, a bulkhead at one end of the chamber, a plunger operating in the chamber to compress articles against the bulkhead, a collection area adjacent to the chamber for collecting liquid extracted from the articles and also for collecting the articles after they have been crushed, and a plate that sweeps any liquid and the articles from the collection area into appropriate receptacles.

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: A beverage container recycling machine is disclosed. The machine includes a first module for receiving and handling plastic containers, a second module for receiving and handling glass containers and a third module for receiving and handling metal containers. Each of the three modules is contained in the same housing or storage unit. Preferably, the machine includes one or more coupon dispensers for dispensing redeemable coupons and the machine is conveniently located near a store or other outlet at which the coupons can be redeemed. Each of the three modules is separately accessed but their operations are, preferably, under the common control of a single processor unit. The housing also contains a separate coin dispensing unit for each of the three modules and in one embodiment, both coins and a coupon are dispensed upon receipt of an acceptable container in the appropriate module.

Abstract: An improved oil filter crusher unit is provided for use in recovering used motor oil from an oil filter of the type used in automotive vehicles and for reducing the volumetric size of an oil filter prior to disposal with other trash in a landfill or the like. The crusher unit includes a crushing piston assembly having a pneumatic piston connected via a bearingless piston shaft to a filter crushing head. An air circuit system provides pressurized air to the piston assembly to advance the crushing head into engagement with an oil filter disposed within a crushing chamber. A control lever on the outside of the unit mechanically interlocks with a safety door to prevent access to the crushing chamber during unit operation. In addition, the geometry of the crushing head incorporates one or more protrusions which initiate filter crushing by crimping localized areas of the filter and thereby weaken the filter so that crushing can be accomplished with relatively low peak crush forces.

Abstract: A household recycling appliance for recycling aluminum cans. The appliance has a housing containing a vertical crushing chamber with a frontal opening into which an empty aluminum can is to be inserted. The bottom plate of the crushing chamber, serving as a plunger or piston, is advanced upwardly by a motor and bell crank assembly to crush the can against the fixed top plate. As the bottom plate recedes, a spring-operated lever ejects the crushed can rearwardly via a conduit into a can storage receptacle which is sized to hold a selective number of crushed cans. Any residual fluid draining from the crushed can is collected in a fluid storage receptacle located below the can storage receptacle. The can and fluid storage receptacles are removable for transferring the crushed cans and disposing of the fluids.

Abstract: A device is provided for releasing cans clinging to an outer wall surface of a crushing roller and/or an inner wall surface of a tubular drum in a can crushing apparatus. To remove cans adhered to the roller, a scraping mechanism is adjustably mounted on a support arm of the can crushing apparatus. To remove cans from the inner wall surface of the tubular drum, a second scraping mechanism is adjustably mounted on a support of the can crushing apparatus.

Abstract: A can crushing machine comprising a first crusher device (14, 15) for crushing a can (2) from a side of the can (2) such that a first side (2a) of the can (2) is forced towards a second side (2b) of the can (2) and such that ends (2c, 2d) of the can (2) are caused to pivot inwardly towards each other and towards the second side (2b), a second crusher device (10) for acting on the pivoted ends (2c, 2d) of the can (b 2) to further crush the can (2), a magnetic separator (45, 46, 39) for holding steel based cans but not aluminium based cans whereby the magnetic separator (45, 46, 39) is able to separate steel based cans from the aluminium based cans during use of the can crushing machine, and an adjuster device (70, 89) for moving all cans placed in the can crushing machine against a stop member (93).

Abstract: A container crusher for crushing aluminum beverage cans, two-liter plastic beverage bottles, and the like uses a motor-driven rotatable drum in a housing. Mounted on the periphery of the drum are a plurality of angled crusher arms which contact containers introduced into the housing and crush them between the rotating crusher arms and the walls of the housing. Mounted on top of the housing is a circular tray into which containers to be crushed are placed. The tray has a feed opening into the crusher housing which is covered by a safety cover which, in turn, has an inlet opening displaced from the feed opening. Containers are introduced into the feed opening of the safety cover which is sized and positioned so as to prevent an operator's hand from entering the crusher housing. The crusher unit can be directly attached to a conventional 40-gallon trash can, or, alternatively, can be placed inside a conventional 55-gallon drum.

Abstract: An aluminum can compactor includes a main body fixed on a fixing plate mounted on a wall for receiving a can to be compacted loaded into a trough of the main body from a hopper mounted on the main body, a pressing member urged by a driving device connected with a handle bar, and a colleciton bag hung under the main body, whereby upon a lowering of the handle bar to forward the pressing member to squeeze a can in the trough, the compacted can can be discharged and collected into the collection bag for an efficient can-compacting operation.

Abstract: A method for disposal of aerosol dispensers and the contents thereof, which comprises cooling of the aerosol dispenser and its residual contents to a temperature below which the propellant exhibits a substantial vapor pressure (i.e., below the boiling point(s) of the propellant(s)). It is then possible to puncture the container without danger of an uncontrolled release of the contents. The cold liquefied propellant and any additional liquid contents of the spray container may then be drained, without any danger of propellant release to the atmosphere, into a collection container capable of subsequently accommodating the vapor pressure of the propellant at ambient temperature. The container is sealed while its contents are still cold and the liquid is allowed to reach ambient temperature, whereby the propellant regains its vapor pressure and some of the propellant mixture returns to a gaseous form.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting articles is housed in a parallelepipedic casing, on the front panel of which is arranged a display part of a playing part. An article-return part with an article-receiving container is also provided in the apparatus. The front panel of the casing is subdivided into a number of fields of which one field forms a door for an access to an article collecting container. A gaming machine is arranged in another field, and the article-return part in the third field. The gaming machine is at least partly visible through a window so that its game can be seen. Increased use of the apparatus results from the visibility and/or audibility of the game.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided inclining an upper housing containing spaced parallel side walls, with the side walls including aligned slots. A crusher bar is arranged to crush a can between a floor of the housing as the bar is directed through the slots. A push bar is pivotally mounted to a rear upper wall of the housing to project a crushed can into a storage container removably mounted to a lower forward wall of the housing.

Abstract: The can crushing device disclosed herein comprises two parts. One part uses a relatively narrow bar to bend inwardly the middle of the can, preferably one made of aluminum. This step also tilts the ends of the can inwardly, thereby making it more susceptible to be more easily crushed into one compact, relatively flat piece. This second step is effected by a second part which comprises a base portion on which the partially bent can is positioned and an upper movable portion which is pivotally connected to the base portion.

Abstract: A can crusher comprising a container, a reversible motor mounted therein, a pinion gear driven by said motor and a gear driven by said motor and a gear of greater diameter driven by said pinion gear. A threaded shaft, having right hand threads on one side and left hand threads on the opposite side, is provided as the gear of greater diameter. A pair of can-crushing arms, one geared to the right hand threads and the other geared to the left hand threads, effects crushing of a can therebetween. A reversing switch is operated by one of the can-crushing arms after predetermined movement in the crushing direction to drive the arms apart.

Abstract: A multi-stage, batch or continuous, manual or automated process and apparatus for safely depressurizing, de-capping (decrimping plus pulling caps), and recycling aerosol cans, propellants, solvents, chemicals, dip tubes, and can tops. The apparatus includes a synchronized sorting and loading unit for guiding the cans onto an advancing line. The cans are first depressurized by a vacuum head until comprising a vacuum seal and a reciprocable hollow needle which punctures the can recessed top cap and removes the propellants by suction for later reuse or disposal. The cans are advanced to a decapping until where the cap member is removed by decrimping to crack the seal followed by being vertically pulled off without damage to the can's rolled lip.

Abstract: A press, in an automotive service facility to extract oil from a used automotive oil filter, mounted by brackets on a waste disposal band over an opening in the top of the barrel. An access door to the press having a cam acting on a press control knob to prevent operation of the press when the door is open. A hydraulic cylinder in the press and a plate under the cylinder and oil filters being deposited on the plate and being pressed to extract oil by the hydraulic cylinder lifting the plate against the bottom of the cylinder. The press being powered by low pressure air in the service facility which is converted to high pressure hydraulic pressure by a multiple stroke pumping system that includes a larger diameter air piston, in an air cylinder, attached to a smaller diameter hydraulic piston. An on-off control shaft manually shifted by manual operation of the press control knob.

Abstract: An aluminum can crusher of the type having a driving gear mounted on a movable axle, which is transversely disposed inside a housing, and engaged with a gear rack on the back of the vertical surface portion of a substantially L-shaped crushing plate. A substantially U-shaped handle is coupled to the movable axle to carry it to rotate. Lowering the handle causes the driving gear to move the crushing plate downward against the base of the housing for crushing an interposed aluminum can.

Abstract: A platform is supported on uprights on a base and extends over the top of an open top waste receptacle arranged to be supported on the base. A can crushing compartment is supported on the platform and has a powered plunger arranged to crush cans in the compartment to a reduced size. The compartment in which the cans are crushed has a bottom opening which is of restricted size whereby to maintain cans in the compartment prior to crushing but which allows cans to fall by gravity into the waste receptacle after being crushed. Sealing structure is provided between the platform and the waste receptacle and also between a cover on the crushing compartment. Venting inlets and outlets are provided on the platform that admit fresh air and that carry away fumes from the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A system for collecting and recycling used containers made from metal and plastic materials, having two different operative cycles for processing the containers in a closed cubicle compartment provided with two openings for introducing containers while pre-separating the plastic from the metal containers; lower doors provide access to the cubicle for removal of processed containers, a gate including a central opening for receiving the neck and only allowing passage of the plastic container sensed by a neck sensor and for operating an electrically operated piston-cylinder assembly to operate the gate and permit the entire plastic bottle to be conveyed to a first roller set for squeezing thereof including intermediate rollers positioned between two squeezing rollers, the intermediate rollers having different diameters for reducing the size of the container, and the metal container is also conveyed to a second set of squeezing rollers and both types of containers pass a sensor for counting the number thereof, th

Abstract: A can crusher for compacting cans, such as aluminum soft drink cans, into a substantially flat configuration for storage, recycling or disposal. The can crusher includes a base with opposing flanges and a handle which rotates about the flanges. The handle includes an extending crimping member which compresses the center of the can downwardly, and also forces the ends of the can inwardly. The handle also includes a flat surface which then flattens and rotates the ends of the can towards a mid-portion of the can into a substantially flat configuration. The first action of the extending crimping member against the can and the second action of the flat surface against the can crush the can into a substantially flat can which is environmentally and ecologically useful in recycling processes. The crushed can consumes less space in recycling operations or disposal, and environmentally and ecologically presents itself in a more pleasing manner for recycling or disposal.

Abstract: An improved can crusher device including a coil spring, forming a chamber, attached at its upper end to a substantially flat disk. When force is applied to the disk a can placed within the chamber is crushed. Preferrably, the coil spring is flared progressively toward its lower end to confer stability to the device during the can crushing operation and promote optimal can compression. The preferred disk has a peripheral edge and annular wall on its lower surface which work with the coil spring to hold the can in place. One preferred embodiment has gaps in the annular wall to release accumulated air pressure. When not in use, the can crusher may be compacted for storage or transportation with holders positioned through the disk and under the coil. The device is light-weight, yet durable, promotes quick, efficient can crushing, and enhances the economic virtues associated with recycling empty cans.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for processing disposable containers at their collecting site uses a single pair of counter-rotating crushing rollers mounted one above the other. The containers are dropped against the upper surface of an indented feeding roller parallel and adjacent to the lower crushing roller. The cans are caught by a the peripheral indentations of the feeding rollers and horizontally kicked between the merging surfaces of the crushing rollers. An indented take-up roller on the opposite side of the lowest crushing roller catches the crushed containers and propels them obliquely upwards into a collecting bin.

Abstract: An apparatus including a disposal conduit mounted in underlying relationship to a tray. The tray includes an entrance opening in alignment with the conduit, and wherein the conduit includes a lowermost terminal end and an arcuate chute mounted to the lower terminal end of the conduit and directed downwardly and forwardly of the conduit and positioned to deposit an associated can forwardly of a reciprocatable ram. The ram is coaxially aligned with a support chute, wherein the support chute includes a forward terminal end spaced from a side wall of a surrounding housing a distance less than one-half a predetermined length of the associated can. A can deposited within the support chute actuates a switch to energize the ram and accordingly crushes the can to subsequently deposit the can in underlying storage compartment of the housing.

Abstract: A device, suitable for household use, for the purpose of crushing ordinary aluminum beverage cans between a movable and a stationary compression plate. The movable compression plate moves generally parallel to a can's axis, initially engaging the can at an edge thereof to apply crushing force along one side of the can and tending to overcome the can's structural integrity. The movable plate rotates slightly as it moves through a compression stroke. At the end of the stroke the two compression plates are parallel to one another and spaced apart sufficiently to (1) make the crushed can as compact as possible and (2) to minimize the possibility of injury which might result from, for example, closing the plates on human fingers when a can is not in place. The operating portions of the device are mounted to a back plate which is sufficiently long to provide leverage to allow the device to be operated without being mounted to a surface such as a wall.

Abstract: The can flattening machine of the present invention comprises a first conveyor for carrying the cans to the upper end of a hopper located above a pair of belt assemblies. The belt assemblies are elongated and are positioned relative to one another so as to create a V-shaped notch therebetween. The cans fall between the belt assemblies and are flattened between the lower ends of the belt assemblies. One of the lower ends of the belt assemblies is spring mounted with respect to the other so as to be yieldably movable away from the other belt assembly.

Abstract: A large cylindrical enclosure shaped to look like a huge beverage can has a recessed area in its outer wall containing an operator's panel and an opening into the interior for inserting empty recyclable beverage cans. Inside the enclosure is a conveyor for receiving the inserted cans, means for distinguishing between ferrous and non-ferrous recyclable cans, means for counting the number of ferrous and non-ferrous cans and pneumatic transporting means for carrying the cans to a mechanical crusher which compacts the cans individually and discharges them into a temporary storage area from which they are removed from time to time for recycling. The operator's panel includes manually operable buttons for initiating operation of the mechanisms in the interior of the strucutres and may also include various visual readouts as well as a dispenser for feeding out coins, printed credit slips and receipts.

Abstract: A simple household type can crusher to be used on aluminum beverage cans causes a crushing action in which the ends of the can are rotated so that they lie flat on an upper surface of the crushed can with the peripheral wall of the can remaining in tact on one side of the crushed can for inspection of the printed material so that the origin of the can can be determined. The can crusher includes a pair of handles which, when rotated to the vertical position brings two rods into contact with the upper surface of the can while it lies horizontal thereby creasing the can and causing the ends of the can to rotate towards the creased portion. When the handles are rotated to the horizontal position this brings two paddles into contact with the partially rotated ends of the can and, with minimal pressure on the handles, the can is compressed into a readily salvagable shape of four inches by six inches. The handles are then rotated to the original clear position which allows easy removal of the compacted can.

Abstract: An electrically actuated can crushing apparatus having a housing, a reversible motor mounted within the housing, a threaded shaft coupled for rotation with the output shaft of the motor, and an arm threadingly engaged to the threaded shaft. An antirotation device prohibits the arm from rotation thus permitting the arm to move upwardly and downwardly, dependent upon the direction of rotation of the threaded shaft. An uppermost pressure plate is secured to the arm at an angle skewed to the longitudial axis of the vertically disposed threaded shaft. The housing supports a lowermost pressure plate which is affixed in a horizontal plane and is adapted with an upwardly directed protrusion to accommodate the depression usually found in the base of cans to be crushed. Upon the actuation of the motor, the uppermost pressure plate, which is constantly maintained at a slight angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft, approaches the lowermost pressure plate.

Abstract: A method utilizing a simple mechanism to circumvent the effect of the magnetic conveyor head (12) of a magnetic separator (11), whereby ferrous material such as steel cans can be diverted from the stationary reject chute (13) to go instead to the place where nonferrous materials go. The mechanism, called a movable chute (14), is actually a movable extention of the stationary reject chute (13) and pivots up or down on a hinge device (15) that connects it to the stationary reject chute (13). It can be secured in the up position by a latching device (16). It can be maintained at a constant angle in the down position by a stopping device (17). Edges (18) to the movable chute are provided to prevent material from falling off the sides. These edges are mounted either on the movable chute or on the sides of the magnetic separator. In the latter case they are called stationary guides (19). When the movable chute (14) is in the up position it forms a straight extension to the stationary reject chute (13).

Abstract: A crusher is provided for crushing typical beverage cans to shorten their height for facilitating disposal and recycling. An upright wall-mounted magazine carries a column of cans disposed with their lengths horizontally and the cans move gravitationally, one by one, into a crushing chamber in which a manually operated plunger functions to crush each can axially to a shortened length enabling it to drop from the crushing chamber into a waiting receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus crushes aluminum cans at a fast rate and dispenses compensation for the crushed cans. The apparatus crushes the cans on the longitudinal axis rather than lengthwise which results in a more compact unit thus saving storage space. The apparatus also processes the cans faster than most existing machines. The apparatus comprises an enclosure with an opening for receiving cans leading to a chute for the cans to fall one at a time with the cylindrical axis substantially vertical. A dispenser releases one can at a time from the chute past a detector to reject any cans that are not aluminum, through a gate which closes and permits a platen to crush the can on the closed gate. The crushed can is ejected into a discharge container and compensation commensurate with the number of cans processed is issued.

Abstract: Presented is a can crushing device which may be manually operated by employing a foot-operated piston to impose a compressive force on the end of a can contained within a cylindrical cavity. A handle is provided on the device to stabilize the device and provide a support by which the operator may balance himself during use.

Abstract: A specialized crusher has an upright compartment sized to receive an individual oil filter resting on a grate at the bottom. A crusher plate above the filter is guided for vertical sliding movement in the compartment and is moved up and down by a hydraulic jack. Downward movement of the crusher plate collapses the oil filter casing to compact condition and oil contained in it passes through the bottom grate into a spout leading to a receptacle. When a desired pressure has been reached, the jack automatically lifts the crusher plate and the collapsed casing can be removed for salvaging. All components of the apparatus are incorporated in a compact cabinet which can have a bottom drawer for the oil receptacle and a bin in which the collapsed casings can be collected.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for separating returnable beverage containers from non-returnable beverage containers includes a V-shaped receptacle (20) for receiving the container (C), an access door (36) and an exit door (38). A downwardly sloping ramp (56) guides the container (C) from the receptacle (20) to a pair of rollers (52, 54) for rotating the container (C). First (60) and second (62) panels extend laterally outwardly and upwardly of the rollers (52, 54) for continuously guiding the container (C) back onto the rollers (52, 54) during rotation. A sweeper arm (70) moves in a path above the rollers (52, 54) to eject the container (C) rearwardly toward a pair of deflection gates (78, 79) for directing the container (C) to either an accept station (64) where the container (C) is crushed or a reject station (66) where the container (C) is returned to the operator.

Abstract: A crusher for battery electrodes having a wall, a plurality of crusher heads opposite the wall, a belt carried by the crusher heads for moving battery cathodes through the crusher, and an opening defined between the first floor and the second floor through walls discharged from crushed battery cathodes.