Abstract: A paperboard carton piercing-crushing and recycle system and apparatus which includes a safety operated door which controls motor operated carton piercing and crushing rolls in order to crush paperboard cartons for disposal. The safety operated door is provided with a magnetic switch which controls two different timed electrical circuits. One circuit controls an electronic safety latch mechanism which prevents the carton disposal door from opening during operation of motor driven carton crushing rolls and one timed circuit operates the motor during the time that the electronic safety latch mechanism prevents the door from operating. When the motor circuit stops, the timer to the electronic safety latch mechanism releases the safety latch so that the door can be opened. Thus, the system is safe and will not operate if the carton disposal door is open.

Abstract: A solid waste recycling system for use in recycling containers containing residual liquids. The recycling system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving the containers. Two pluralities of oppositely rotating rotary knives shred the containers into shreds. A conveyor transports the shreds toward a drying zone. One plurality of spray heads washes the containers with cold or hot water during shredding and another plurality of spray heads washes the shreds with cold or hot water while the shreds are being conveyed toward the drying zone. The hot water and residual liquids are drained off in the drainage zone. The washed shreds are dried in the drying zone. The dried shreds are then stored in the storage receptacle, which is slidably removable from the housing. The rotary knives, drainage zone, dryer and conveyor are all located inside the housing, which is optionally mounted on rollers to provide a portable system.

Abstract: A solid waste recycling system for use in recycling containers containing residual liquids. The recycling system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving the containers. Two pluralities of oppositely rotating rotary knives shred the containers into shreds. A conveyor transports the shreds toward a drying zone. One plurality of spray heads washes the containers with hot water during shredding and another plurality of spray heads washes the shreds with hot water while the shreds are being conveyed toward the drying zone. The hot water and residual liquids are drained off in the drainage zone. The washed shreds are dried in the drying zone. The dried shreds are then stored in the storage receptacle, which is slidably removable from the housing. The rotary knives, drainage zone, dryer and conveyor are all located inside the housing, which is optionally mounted on rollers to provide a portable system.

Abstract: A method of heat activating the interior surfaces of the top closure, fin forming panels of a paperboard carton of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,275 to thereby render their PE coating tacky prior to folding the panels to form the carton top closure. The geometry of the two fin forming panels is such that their interior surfaces require a U-shaped heating pattern, as opposed to heating their entire areas. This U pattern is achieved by a specific hot air jet arrangement on an otherwise conventional nozzle block and by moving the nozzle towards and away from the carton as the carton moves past the nozzle block. The method also includes heating by a second nozzle block, to increase the rate of production of closed cartons. The fin forming panels of the cartons may also be preheated.