Abstract: A device for recycling automotive windshields. An automotive windshield is comprised of two layers of glass and a plastic liner sandwiched in between The present invention strips the glass from both surfaces of the inner plastic liner, comminutes the glass and separates the two substances for recovery. A windshield is fed into the unit by means of dual horizontal feed rollers. The windshield then passes over a stationery breaker bar and into the path of a plurality of rotating flexible impactors. The force of the rotating impactors on the top surface and the stationery breaker bar on the under surface act together to strip the glass from both sides of the inner plastic liner material. The glass is hammered into small particles the size of gravel and sand while the plastic breaks into much larger fragments. A shaker screen located below the rotating impactors serves to separate the two substances for individual recovery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glass pulverizer 6 in which two rotatable flail assemblies 39 and 46 are housed within two contiguous drum-like housings 8 and 16 respectively. One housing 8 has an inlet 10 on one end and the other housing 16 has an outlet 20 located on an end furthest from the end adjacent the inlet. The housing 8 having an outlet 20 is longer than the other housing 16 thereby allowing the pulverized glass to exit the device in a relatively low speed and controlled manner. The flails may be of chain or single-link type, and are designed for ready replacement in the event of wear or damage. Replaceable liners are provided within the cylindrical housings.

Abstract: A trommel separator includes a clutch mechanism that operates with a shaft mounted right angle gear reducer for direct drive of the drum and a flexible mount. The clutch mechanism has a clutch slip disk which is located between first and second disks. The first disk receives the torque from the shaft mounted gear reducer which is then transferred to the second disk, which is rigidly connected to a rotating drum, when the first and second disk are pulled together. A clutch regulating system, namely jam nuts and a spring coil, are connected to the first and second disks through shafts for pulling the first disk and the second disk together. The flexible mount has a mount which rests upon a pivot plate for rotating the mount around a vertical axis. A first and second plate is attached to the gear reducer and horizontally rotatable within the mount. Clips keep the mount from lifting off a frame and spacers prevent the clamping of the mount. Pads are also used to prevent wear of the clips.