Abstract: A compactor for metal articles such as cans or oil filters has a feed that receives metal articles from a hopper or feed tube and feeds them into an elongated tapered compaction die. The compaction die has a cross-sectional area that decreases or tapers from the rearward end of the die to the forward end of the die. A reciprocating ram operates near the wider end of the tapered compaction die. The articles enter the compaction die at a location forward of the ram when the ram is in a retracted position. When the ram is actuated, it moves to an extended position, thereby forcing the articles forward in the compaction die. The ram then retracts, allowing additional articles to enter the compaction die. As the ram operates in this reciprocating manner, it moves additional articles forward in the compaction die and adds them to the increasing mass of articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing a cheesecake into a plurality of neatly cut pie-shaped slices of equal size. It includes a cutting cylinder having a plurality of tensioned cutting wires each extending diametrically across the lower end of the cylinder. The wires are tied at their one ends to retaining pins and at their other ends to guitar tuning peg assemblies at respective annularly spaced, equally distant locations about the cylinder. The cutting cylinder is attached with releasable latches beneath a similar size guide cylinder, in end to end relation. The cutting and guide cylinders are suspended from a U-shaped yoke with their common central axis extending vertically. The side edges of the yoke slidably engage respective vertical tracks which extend from a horizontal planar base. The cutting cylinder can be vertically reciprocated about its vertical axis into and out of close proximity with the base.