Abstract: A hammer assembly (51) for a glass bottle breaking apparatus comprises a shaft (52), a series of collars (53) secured on the shaft (52) and spaced one from another longitudinally of the shaft (52), a series of links (58) each being pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the collars (53) and a series of hammers (55) each being connected for pivotal movement relative to a corresponding one of the links (58), the arrangement being such that the links (58) are each provided with a curved profile (65) for locating an adjacent portion of the shaft (52) so that if, in operation, one of the hammers (55) should strike a glass fragment obstruction without dislodging it immediately, the link (58) associated with the hammer (55) will wind up on the shaft (52) thus reducing a radial displacement between the link (58) and the shaft (52) and drawing the hammer (55) under the obstruction without causing jamming of the apparatus.

Abstract: A hammer assembly (51) for a glass bottle breaking apparatus comprises a shaft (52), a series of collars (53) secured on the shaft (52) and spaced one from another longitudinally of the shaft (52), a series of links (58) each being pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the collars (53) and a series of hammers (55) each being connected for pivotal movement relative to a corresponding one of the links (58), the arrangement being such that the links (58) are each provided with a curved profile (65) for locating an adjacent portion of the shaft (52) so that if, in operation, one of the hammers (55) should strike a glass fragment obstruction without dislodging it immediately, the link (58) associated with the hammer (55) will wind up on the shaft (52) thus reducing a radial displacement between the link (58) and the shaft (52) and drawing the hammer (55) under the obstruction without causing jamming of the apparatus.

Abstract: Glass bottle breaking apparatus comprises a hopper (17) for receiving empty glass bottles (47) in bulk, at least a portion of the hopper (17) being formed as a grating including stop means (31), and a shaft (22) located outside of the hopper (17) carrying hammers (43, 44) mounted for pivotal movement relative to the shaft. When the shaft (22) is rotated on its central longitudinal axis by means of a motor (23) and drive (37, 39, 40), the flailing hammers (43, 44) move in an arcuate path into and through the hopper (17) towards and through the stop means (31) and impact with bottles (47) contained within the hopper (17) and lying in the path of the hammers (43, 44) causing breakage of the bottles (47). The apparatus provides for a compact bottle breaking machine with reduced risk of jamming.