Abstract: A collapsible apparatus (10) recovers and dispenses packaging material. The collapsible apparatus (10) includes a receptacle (20) that is permeable to air. A disc (30) defines a lower end of the receptacle (20). A collection tube (36) is slideably received in a hole (34) of the disc (30) and has an inlet (38) outside the receptacle (20) and an outlet (40) inside the receptacle (20). A fan (60) is mounted to the disc (30) and communicated with the collection tube (36) to form a vacuum in the collection tube (36). The vacuum pulls the packaging material through the collection tube (36) and deposits the packaging material in the receptacle (20). A discharge valve (81) is a scissors valve that extends through the disc (30) for discharging packaging material from the receptacle (20).

Abstract: Air packaging peanut recovery system for recovering packing peanuts includes an operator held wand connected to a flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a discharge end extending into a collection hopper having a mesh top. The wand is provided with an air valve having an actuating handle and a discharge jet. The air valve is connected to a connected source of air under pressure. The orifice of the discharge jet faces downstream and produces a vacuum at the inlet end of the wand when air under pressure flows through the discharge jet orifice. A turbulator pin is mounted on the wand and is adjustable to project into the path of the air stream discharged from the orifice of the discharge jet. By manipulation of the handle or adjustment of the turbulator pin, the vacuum may be readily adjusted.

Abstract: A shopping cart rental system containing one or more stations (49) per shopping center, several locking mechanisms (43) per station, and one shopping cart per locking mechanism. A bail (23) permanently fastened to a shopping cart locks into the locking mechanism. Three quarters inserted into the three coin slots (28) and simultaneously depressed by the flap (34) mechanically unlock the bail, releasing the cart. When the cart is returned and the bail is reinserted into the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism once again secures the bail in place and at the same time returns, by mechanical actuation only, one of the three quarters that was initially used to release the cart.

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).