Abstract: An improved feeding mechanism is provided for apparatus used for evacuating and compacting filled aerosol cans. The feeding mechanism is made up of a support plate adapted to be fitted into an inclined feed chute of a compaction and evacuation apparatus. Connected to the support plate is a rocker stop which by reciprocating between first and second positions serves to feed one can at a time into the crushing mechanism. By use of a toggle mechanism connected to both the rocker stop and a chamber door and operated by a pneumatic cylinder, the chamber in which the compaction and evacuation of the containers takes place is separated from the feed mechanism. The feeding mechanism and rocker stop are retained by quick-disconnect devices so that an entire feeding mechanism may be quickly substituted to adapt to feeding cans of different sizes.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for evacuating and compacting filled aerosol cans. The cans are manually placed into a feed chute and sensing means are provided to confirm proper can orientation and to permit gravity feed of the can into a crushing mechanism. A hydraulic ram pushes the can against a stator plate. A punch reciprocates through an opening in the stator plate puncturing the bottom of the can so that the contents discharge into a receiver where the liquid contents are separated from the propellent and recovered. An air logic means controls the sequencing of the operative steps. The apparatus can be used in an explosive area.