Abstract: A simple household type can crusher to be used on aluminum beverage cans causes a crushing action in which the ends of the can are rotated so that they lie flat on an upper surface of the crushed can with the peripheral wall of the can remaining in tact on one side of the crushed can for inspection of the printed material so that the origin of the can can be determined. The can crusher includes a pair of handles which, when rotated to the vertical position brings two rods into contact with the upper surface of the can while it lies horizontal thereby creasing the can and causing the ends of the can to rotate towards the creased portion. When the handles are rotated to the horizontal position this brings two paddles into contact with the partially rotated ends of the can and, with minimal pressure on the handles, the can is compressed into a readily salvagable shape of four inches by six inches. The handles are then rotated to the original clear position which allows easy removal of the compacted can.

Abstract: A thermal desorption unit includes a base plate and a pair of spaced apart plates arranged perpendicularly to the base plate and positioned to hold a magazine of tubes between the spaced apart plates. The unit includes apparatus for selectively extracting, handling, heating, and reinserting a tube from the magazine. The tubes are heated to drive off the contents and flushed to clean the inside of the tubes.

Abstract: An air sampler includes a magazine having a plurality of sampling tubes, and an inlet and an outlet at a sampling position. A tube advancing mechanism sequentially advances the sampling tubes to and from the sampling position. A tube sealing arrangement is provided at the sampling position. An air pump draws air through the inlet, a sampling tube at the sampling position, and the outlet. A control sequentially operates the magazine, obtaining air samples within the sampling tubes.