Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for pushing four piles into the ground or into a seabed in a square configuration or in a diamond configuration, the device comprising: —a bridge assembly which defines a first, second, third and fourth connecting location arranged in a square or diamond configuration, —four connection assemblies via which in use each of the four piles is connected to the bridge assembly, wherein each pile connection assembly comprises: ?an actuator comprising an upper actuator part and a lower actuator part, wherein the actuator is configured to extend, ?a pile connector connected to the lower actuator part, ?a control device configured for alternately letting each of the actuators extend, and configured for letting the pile which is pushed into the ground or seabed receive a greater force than the opposite pile of the square or diamond configuration, wherein the exerted push force is transferred into the bridge assembly and transferred at least partially from the bridge assembly as

Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) includes a laminate between a first core and a second core. The first core is located in a middle position of the multi-layer PCB and includes a resistive heating element directly upon a first core substrate. A portion of the resistive heating element protrudes from the multi-layer PCB perimeter. A laminator that fabricates the PCB includes a platen, a power supply, a processor, and memory that has program instructions embodied therewith which are readable by the processor to cause the laminator to position the platen against a surface of the multi-layer PCB and cure the laminate by heating the multi-layer PCB with the platen and cure the laminate by heating the multi-layer PCB with the resistive heating element.

Abstract: A bailing apparatus may include a multi-component bolster assemblies that may ease installation and removal, reduce wear and tear and maintenance, and/or improve baling efficiency by reducing material waste, imperfections, and/or contamination. The bolster assemblies may include a plurality of coupling portions that engage a hydraulic rod and may enable the bolster assembly to self-center within a press chamber during normal baling operations. The bolster assemblies also may include an island portion that may be attached to the coupling portions and to a bolster cap, and the latter may be attached using retainer bolts having substantially planar heads that may define lips that run about frustums. The bolts may substantially planar head may reduce irregularities in the bale and the lips may prevent material seepage into the bolster assemblies.

Abstract: A feeder system for advancing a compressible material has a hydraulic circuit associated with a final compression stage. The hydraulic circuit includes a platen attached to a primary ram configured to travel within a primary cylinder. The platen is operatively connected to a main piston cylinder assembly and at least two ancillary piston cylinder assemblies. In a first mode of operation, the hydraulic circuit forces the ancillary piston cylinder assemblies to advance the platen and ram in a forward compression direction until they reach a first predetermined position between travel extremes, while the main piston cylinder assembly passively travels along in the forward compression direction. Once the first predetermined position is reached, in a second mode of operation, the hydraulic circuit additionally forces the main piston cylinder assembly to compress the compressible material. In a third mode of operation, the hydraulic circuit retracts the platen and primary ram.

Abstract: A feeder system for advancing a compressible material has a hydraulic circuit associated with a final compression stage. The hydraulic circuit includes a platen attached to a primary ram configured to travel within a primary cylinder. The platen is operatively connected to a main piston cylinder assembly and at least two ancillary piston cylinder assemblies. In a first mode of operation, the hydraulic circuit forces the ancillary piston cylinder assemblies to advance the platen and ram in a forward compression direction until they reach a first predetermined position between travel extremes, while the main piston cylinder assembly passively travels along in the forward compression direction. Once the first predetermined position is reached, in a second mode of operation, the hydraulic circuit additionally forces the main piston cylinder assembly to compress the compressible material. In a third mode of operation, the hydraulic circuit retracts the platen and primary ram.

Abstract: Modular printed circuit board (PCB) structures and methods of producing them are described herein. In some embodiments, a PCB structure may include a first PCB module including first structures on one or more layers of the first PCB module. The PCB structure may further include a second PCB module including second structures on one or more layers of the second PCB module. The PCB structure may additionally include a middle layer between the first PCB module and the second PCB module. The middle layer electrically coupling, without connectors, one or more of the first structures aligned with one or more of the second structures.

Abstract: Stall condition in an elevator is potentially dangerous situation if it causes slack to the ropes of the elevator. In such situation a counterweight or elevator car does not move even if the hoisting machine is still operating. This situation may be prevented by stopping the elevator as early as possible after detecting such stall condition. The detection of the stall condition is based on monitoring the torque generated by the hoisting machine of the elevator. When rapid change in the torque is detected a stall condition is suspected. The elevator may be stopped or an alarm may be launched when the stall condition is suspected.

Abstract: A baler and a method of using the baler to produce high density bales based on arrangement and control of compression rollers. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a rotary feeder; a compression assembly comprising at least one compression roller configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression roller and another compression component in the baler; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression roller and compression component define an adjustable gap therebetween. The one or more compression rollers and/or baler compression components may be located in various locations in the baler. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers and baler compression components may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density.

Abstract: An aircraft collapsing device that collapses an aircraft fuselage inward includes: a gate-shaped shell which covers a circumference of both sides and an upper portion of a fuselage of an aircraft body from which horizontal wings and a vertical wing have been decoupled, a wedge-shaped pressing member that is mounted to an upper portion of the shell to press at least one portion of a circumference of at least one of annular frames juxtaposed in a longitudinal direction of the fuselage toward a center of the fuselage, a pair of sidewall pressing members that is mounted to both sides of the shell to press the fuselage simultaneously from two directions crossing a pressing direction of the wedge-shaped pressing member at the center of the fuselage after pressing by the wedge-shaped pressing member, and a moving unit that moves the fuselage of the aircraft and the shell relative to one another.

Abstract: A manually operated press includes a cam disc that is pivotably mounted about an axis, an actuation member that acts upon the cam disc for producing a pivoting movement, a press slide and a press stand that accommodates the press slide allowing it to perform a stroke movement. The pivoting movement triggered by the actuation member is converted by the cam disc into a stroke movement of the primary piston and is transferred to the press slide via the hydraulic line and the secondary piston.

Abstract: A portable electric can crusher is disclosed that crushes cans, at the “point of collection”. The can crusher crushes cans into a crushed relationship wherein the upper and lower circular end faces are generally unaltered and aligned in a co-planar position, the crushed pattern accomplished by the result of placing the can in a perpendicular position adjacent a ram plate and an elongated rectangular crushing plate which is used for creasing a center portion of the can followed by moving the ram plate against the can into contact with a rigid vertical wall. The crushing motions of the crusher are achieved through dual cam and slot means cooperatively drivably connected to a force transfer block which imparts a predetermined relation translation motion of the plates in response to rotation of the transfer block. A high powered rechargeable battery provides the force necessary to crush cans faster and more productively.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a round baler, comprising: a first compartment comprising a bale forming system, the bale forming system configured to form a round bale; a compression system; a second compartment comprising a moveable wall operably coupled to the compression system, the compression system configured to cause the moveable wall to compress a round bale formed in the first compartment; and a gate located between the first compartment and the second compartment, the gate moveable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A system and method for determining how food products might be portioned includes a scanner for scanning the food product and then using a computer to analyze the scanning data to develop a volume distribution of the food product. The computer operating scanning software carries out modeling to determine potential sets of end products achievable from the initial work product, taking into consideration the possibility of adjusting the thickness of the food product, either before or after cutting of the food product occurs. The computer evaluates the potential yield provided by the potential sets of end products and then one of the potential sets of end products is selected. Thereafter, the present system or a further portioning system is used to cut and optionally adjust the thickness of the food product, either before or after the cutting occurs, thereby to achieve the selected end product set.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of trash management systems and methods for the disposal and/or collection of trash. In one embodiment under the invention, a trash management system may include a mobile cart, a trash vessel connected to the cart, a piston adapted to compact trash within the trash vessel, and a passageway adapted to be connected to a vacuum trash disposal. The piston may be adapted to travel from one position to a second position, and back from the second position to the first position. This movement of the piston may be achieved utilizing multiple passageways which are each adapted to be connected to a vacuum source and a vent source.

Abstract: In the method for precalendering a paper or paperboard web (W) a web that has undergone earlier dewatering stages is calendered to attain a suitable surface for the coating process. The web is calendered (C) one-sidedly in such a manner that the absorption level of the second side (W2) of the web entering the calendering, which is higher than the absorption level of the first side (W1), is reduced in the calendering nearly to the same level or at least to the same level with the first side (W1).

Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely affecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In general, the process includes the steps of placing a base web in between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. In other applications, the shear inducing roll can also be a nip roll for decreasing the caliper of the base web. The shear inducing roll may be stationary, as in the form of a stationary shoe with a convex edge, or may rotate. In one embodiment, the shear inducing roll can rotate on an air bearing.

Abstract: An improved pressing machine for forming a work (21) being progressively or sequentially fed along a coil line, having a press assembly (1) that comprises a plurality of modular press units (11, 12, 13, . . . ) connected from one to another in a direction in which the work (21) is progressively fed. Each of the press units (11, 12, 13, . . . ) includes a C-form frame (2), a slide drive mechanism (6) disposed in an upper part of the C-form frame (2) and having in its drive source (7) a servo motor means operable under NC, and a slide (5) adapted to be driven by the slide drive mechanism to move in a given movement pattern. The press units (11, 12, 13, . . . ) having their respective slides (5), at least some of which have at least one slide adapter plate (19) attached thereto, the at least one slide adapter plate extending across those at least some of the slides as a whole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calender intended to calender a paper or board web (4), which calander comprising a calendering section, in which there are at least two members, such as rolls (1, 2, 3), in nip contact, between which the web (4) being calendered is arranged to run. For reducing the moisture and heat leaving the web (4) while it is being calendered a wall (16, 17), covering at least part of the calendering section, is formed from the web (4) being calendered by changing its direction of travel.

Abstract: An empty-container pressing machine comprises a pedestal including a container bearing portion capable of carrying thereon an empty container in an upright posture, a pair of guide posts provided outside the container bearing portion, a container presser vertically movable along the guide posts, and a buckling mechanism for buckling the body of the empty container. The container presser has a function to press and crush the empty container on the container bearing portion from above. The buckling mechanism has a function to buckle or deform the body of the empty container by pressing the sidewall of the body of the empty container before the empty container is crushed by means of the container presser.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into bales having a minimum of about 20 whole tires and a maximum of about 150 tires in a bale to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting liquids from a slurry formed of liquids and fibers, like diluted manure or paper mills residue. The apparatus has a rotatable drum covered with a resilient layer. The apparatus also has two draining rolls which are pressed against the drum so that the slurry passing in between is squeezed. Each roll has a hollow cylindrical shell with a uniform distribution of openings. Each roll also has a perforated filter screen fixed to is. The screen has perforations evenly distributed so that only some perforations lie over the openings in the shell. The perforations are smaller in size than the openings. The apparatus also has a pair of wipers in order to wipe the fibers out of the draining rolls and guide the liquids collected in the shells towards a liquids outlet. A reservoir can be mounted above the drum and upper draining roll for receiving the slurry, storing it to build-up a constant pressure, and supplying it in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires is disclosed, including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive at least about 2400 scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into about 24 bales to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: A multi-slot closed type powerful garbage compression structure including a housing, an inner cylinder internally provided with guide plates and being inclined forwardly, and a push bar behind the inner cylinder. The housing is provided with four slots at a rear section adapted to receive garbage, and a garbage outlet at a front end, the outlet being provided with a slide plate, and a waste water receiving trough at a bottom side. When garbage is dumped into the housing via the slots, the push bar rotates to push the garbage into the inner cylinder which rotates to compress the garbage. When the garbage inside the inner cylinder is full, the push bar may prevent reverse flow of the garbage. By the use of both the push bar and the guide plates inside the inner cylinder, better compression effects are achievable to reduce garbage storage space and eliminate use of hydraulic cylinders and thrust devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting and compacting articles, such as hospital scrub garments. Included is a cabinet assembly, having user and operator accessible doors; collection bags and support associate with the cabinet; a control assembly including a microprocessor and receiver board capable of recognizing an authorized user and permit him or her access to the apparatus, and optionally a video monitoring system; a drive assembly comprising a drive motor, arm linkage, drive chain and sprockets; a pair of sweeping arms operable by the drive assembly and which cooperate with a pair of packing arm assemblies. The sweeping arms urge garments deposited by authorized users downward and to the side in the cabinet and the packing arm cooperates to compact garments which have dropped into the collection bags. A method is disclosed for selectively identifying and permitting user access to the apparatus and for automatically processing received garments into a compacted condition in the collection bags.

Abstract: A can crusher device that has a base member with an upper surface connected by linkages to a moveable plate member with a lower planar surface wherein the linkages includes levers that interconnect the forward portions of the base and plate members as well as the rearward portions of the base and plate members in a parallelogram type of linkage so that on movement of the levers the lower surface of the plate member is maintained in a parallel relationship to the upper surface of the base member during the crushing action on the can. The force exerted on the can is an endwise downward force along the full longitudinal length of the can.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing and releasing articles such as metal cans. A fixed anvil is mounted on the frame and a ram is mounted for movement in a direction toward and away from the anvil to crush an article located therebetween. The articles are fed sequentially to the crushing zone between the anvil and ram through a vertical chute. A spring loaded wedge plate extends outwardly from the ram towards the anvil and initially contacts the article intermediate its length to bend or deform the article to thereby insure uniform crushing of the article by the ram. A coil spring is mounted on the frame and has an adjustable finger which projects downwardly into the crushing zone to guide incoming cans fed from the chute into the crushing zone, and to facilitate release of the crushed can in the crushing zone.

Abstract: A combination can crushing and retrieving device having a movable gripping and crushing jaw means. An aluminum can can be gripped and positioned within the device for pivotal engagement of a crushing jaw by pressure inserted thereon by the user's foot. The can is crushed and folded and can be transported by the device for release and disposal as well as initial gripping of the can for positioning within the crushing device.

Abstract: Method and device for handling recycling packages, such as bottles and cans in which a recycling package is introduced into a receiving space in the device and is transferred by a conveyor device into an identification position. After the identification of the package, the recycling package is transferred to a crusher device for crushing the package and then the crushed package is transferred to a storage container. The conveyor device includes a conveyor having lifting members fixed thereto and which contact the recycling package in the receiving space. The package is lifted by the lifting members to the identification position.

Abstract: Process for compacting and removing liquid from liquid containing waste materials including the steps of feeding the waste materials into compaction chambers, simultaneously compressing and heating the waste materials inside the compaction chambers, and removing liquid from the waste materials during the steps of compressing and heating.

Abstract: The can crusher herein is a pedal, and optionally arm powered, safe, can folding crusher which is vertically hopper fed. An optional flywheel stores mechanical energy during periods of non-maximum power demand to enable the crushing process to proceed with an even application of power. The form of the can folding crusher is that of an exercise bicycle having a horizontal ram which engages cans in a first stroke to prepare the can to be creased into a folded relationship, and in a second stroke in which the folding crushing occurs. The exit chamber is barely the diameter of an adult finger, and is designed to have a length which prohibits both adult and child fingers and hands from reaching any point near the crushing chamber. The feed hopper is adjustable for a variety of lengths of cans, and the seat is adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of human power providers.

Abstract: A pie making toy includes a generally rectangular base having an angularly disposed roller bed surface and a pair of upwardly extending side walls on either side thereof. A generally cylindrical roller is movable upon the roller bed surface to facilitate the flattening or compressing of a bread slice placed upon the roller bed. The rectangular base further supports an upwardly extending rectangular die having an outer cutting edge and a recess formed in the interior portion thereof. A pivotally supported crimper is pivotally secured to the base proximate the upwardly extending die. A crimping die extends downwardly from the pivotal crimper and is configured to be received upon the upwardly extending die in a precision fit. The flattened bread slice is placed within the pie making toy so as to overlie the upwardly extending die and a quantity of filling material is deposited upon the upper surface of the bread slice.

Abstract: An oil filter crushing apparatus includes a frame on which is mounted a filter platform configured to receive a used oil filter for crushing. An air spring actuating device is secured within the frame, and a ram is secured to a lower end of the air spring. A control valve regulates the flow of a pressurized gas into the air spring which then forces the ram toward the filter platform to crush the filter. A safety pneumatic circuit prevents inadvertent actuation of the ram.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing empty cans has a U-shaped support with a bottom wall which supports the tubular wall of an empty can and two upstanding sidewalls. The sidewalls pivotably support the free end portions of two legs forming part of a yoke having a web which constitutes a handle. The legs support a first crushing section in the form of a plate which is located between the sidewalls of the support and defines with the bottom wall a compartment for an empty can which is received in the compartment in such orientation that one of its end walls or its single end wall is adjacent the plate. The plate pivotably supports a second crushing section in the form of a single flap or two links which can engage the tubular wall of a can in the compartment.

Abstract: A piston plate received within a container is provided, such that the container having an apertured container floor directs squeezed water from a chamois positioned between the piston plate and the container floor. The container is arranged for reception within a supporting plate that is further apertured, wherein an articulated linkage is arranged to project the piston plate into the container permitting periodic extraction of water from the chamois.

Abstract: A manual can crusher for crushing a can having a housing with a top opening for receiving a can to be crushed, a bottom opening for discharging a crushed can, and an interior crushing wall with a creasing block mounted thereon. A crushing ram is disposed within the housing and is pivotable between an open position where the ram is opposite the crushing wall and a closed position where the ram is adjacent to the crushing wall. A longitudinally extending handle is rotatably mounted on the housing, and linkage couples the handle to the ram. A can to be crushed is placed into the top opening and the handle is rotated to move the ram between the open and closed positions via the linkage. The can is crushed against the interior crushing wall until is is sufficiently crushed to be discharged through the bottom opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing articles such as metal cans. A fixed anvil is mounted on a frame and a ram is mounted for movement in a direction toward and away from the anvil to crush an article located therebetween. The articles are fed sequentially to the crushing zone between the anvil and the ram through a vertical chute. A spring loaded wedge plate extends outwardly from the ram toward the anvil and initially contacts the article intermediate its length to bend or deform the article to thereby insure uniform crushing of the article by the ram.

Abstract: A grid crusher apparatus and method are provided for a nuclear fuel rod consolidation system. Spacer grids are crushed within a basket which is then placed in a storage canister. The grid crusher apparatus has a ram assembly and a basket driving mechanism. The ram assembly has a sleeve ram and a central ram. The sleeve ram surrounds the central ram which is longitudinally movable within the sleeve ram. The central ram protrudes from the sleeve ram at a ram contact end and is retractable upon application of a preselected force to the central ram so that the central ram is flush with the sleeve ram at the ram contact end. The basket driving mechanism is configured to move the basket containing a spacer grid towards the ram contact end so that the spacer grid is crushed within the basket. The spacer grid is crushed by the combination of successive forces from the central ram and the sleeve ram, respectively.

Abstract: A system for identification, separation and compacting of empty beverage cans including a first device for distinguishing between cans to be accepted and not accepted and rejecting non-acceptable cans, and for detecting at least one dimension of a can to be compacted, and for determining a can redemption value based on such detection, and a second device for compacting the can through interaction of a three arm device, a first arm contacting a mid-portion of the can and compressing that mid portion, and second and third arms acting on end regions on either side of the mid-portion to compress the remaining portions of the can. The arm device is retracted and the compacted can is removed after the compressing action is completed by the arm device.

Abstract: A trash compactor is provided that has a single ram that simultaneously precompacts trash in an auxiliary precompacting chamber and compacts trash that has already been precompacted in a main compacted and storage chamber. The ram has a single actuating device and efficiently provides for both precompacting in the auxiliary precompacting chamber and for compacting in the compacting and storage chamber with each stroke of the ram.

Abstract: A novel can flattening apparatus and process is provided comprising a generally rectangular housing having side walls and a front compaction plate with the housing defining an entrance opening and an exit opening, a pivot rod extending through the housing, a pair of arms fixedly attached to the pivot rod and having rollers attached at the opposite ends thereof, a flattener plate disposed within the housing and being pivotally attached to the housing such that the flattener plate can fit flush against the front compaction plate, a structure for crimping the middle of a can mounted to the top of the flattener plate, a captive plate mounted to the structure for crimping the middle of a can.

Abstract: The can crushing device disclosed herein comprises a base plate which has an upper movable arm pivotally connected at one end of the base plate, said base plate having an arm rigidly connected to said base plate with the rigid arm having its upper surface substantially in the same plane as the upper surface of said base plate and said arm being connected to said base plate at a position other than the end of said base plate where said movable arm is connected. The movable arm has a bar rigidly connected thereto and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom and in a position to come down on said arm rigidly connected to said base plate.

Abstract: A refuse compacting system including a plurality of containers, each of the containers being substantially square and when placed in groups of four, forming four compacting stations, adjacent one another for occupying a reduced amount of space. In addition, the four containers would be set upon a manually rotatable platform, that would be rotatable upon a central axis for rotating the containers to a specific point when that particular container would be the point of compaction. The system would further include a single ram movable between a single preferably hydraulically operated ram movable between upper and lower positions, so that when a particular container removed directly beneath the ram, the turn-table would be manually placed in a stop position, and the ram moving to the down position in order to crush and containerize any waste materials in the container.

Abstract: A can crusher apparatus is presented for crushing aluminum cans into a crushed relationship wherein the upper and lower circular end faces are generally unaltered and aligned in a co-planar position, the crushed pattern accomplished by the result of placing the can in a perpendicular position to an elongated rectangular crushing plate for creasing a center portion followed by moving a ram plate and can into contact with a vertical wall. The crushing motions of the crusher are achieved through dual cam and slot means cooperatively drivably connected to a force transfer block which imparts a predetermined relation translation motion of the plates in response to rotation of the transfer block.

Abstract: A can crushing machine comprising a first crusher device (14, 15) for crushing a can (2) from a side of the can (2) such that a first side (2a) of the can (2) is forced towards a second side (2b) of the can (2) and such that ends (2c, 2d) of the can (2) are caused to pivot inwardly towards each other and towards the second side (2b), a second crusher device (10) for acting on the pivoted ends (2c, 2d) of the can (b 2) to further crush the can (2), a magnetic separator (45, 46, 39) for holding steel based cans but not aluminium based cans whereby the magnetic separator (45, 46, 39) is able to separate steel based cans from the aluminium based cans during use of the can crushing machine, and an adjuster device (70, 89) for moving all cans placed in the can crushing machine against a stop member (93).

Abstract: The can crushing device disclosed herein comprises two parts. One part uses a relatively narrow bar to bend inwardly the middle of the can, preferably one made of aluminum. This step also tilts the ends of the can inwardly, thereby making it more susceptible to be more easily crushed into one compact, relatively flat piece. This second step is effected by a second part which comprises a base portion on which the partially bent can is positioned and an upper movable portion which is pivotally connected to the base portion.

Abstract: In a press for cutting and bending the leads of semiconductor packages, a series of cams on a common drive shaft operate both the feeding mechanism and the working presses to achieve high speed operation, up to 500 cycles per minute, through accurate timing and avoidance of delays inherent in fluid-operated presses. The path of movement of the packages through the apparatus is linear, and the axis of the camshaft is parallel to the path of movement.

Abstract: A can crusher for compacting cans, such as aluminum soft drink cans, into a substantially flat configuration for storage, recycling or disposal. The can crusher includes a base with opposing flanges and a handle which rotates about the flanges. The handle includes an extending crimping member which compresses the center of the can downwardly, and also forces the ends of the can inwardly. The handle also includes a flat surface which then flattens and rotates the ends of the can towards a mid-portion of the can into a substantially flat configuration. The first action of the extending crimping member against the can and the second action of the flat surface against the can crush the can into a substantially flat can which is environmentally and ecologically useful in recycling processes. The crushed can consumes less space in recycling operations or disposal, and environmentally and ecologically presents itself in a more pleasing manner for recycling or disposal.

Abstract: A densification apparatus for use in recycling plastic containers utilizes a hopper with a movable lid to feed collected plastic containers to a continuous chain conveyor having a plurality of wedge-shape teeth which perforate the containers and urge them between a set of compression plates and rollers such that the plastics are compressed beyond their ability to resume their original shape. The vertical conveyor and hopper-closing lid prevent ballistic rejection of containers and enable iterative processing of plastic in a movable or stationary curbside apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for compacting and advancing a mass of particulate or fibrous material to a discharge end of a conduit combines an auger with a reciprocating annular piston. The improvement of the invention is in driving the piston by way of a flywheel equipped crankshaft which also drives a dynamically counter balancing member to reduce vibrations transmitted to the frame of the apparatus. Special hydrostatic guide sleeves are used to guide the reciprocating piston at a high speed. Further improvements include gas and liquid vents and a cooling jacket, both associated with the conduit to increase efficiency of the compacting. A density sensor controlled conical choke member at the discharge end assists in maintaining uniform density of the highly compacted plug of the material. Also, it breaks up the exiting plug to improve subsequent processing of the material.

Abstract: A device for pressing cylindrical containers holding nuclear facility waste materials into disk pellets includes an initial press and a main press. In the initial press, the container is deformed by an arrangement of movable dies and tension-relieving rams into a shape suitable to fit into a compaction chamber in the main press. After the container is collapsed by the dies and rams of the initial press, the initial press is opened and the collapsed container is deposited into the compaction chamber of the main press where it is compacted into a disk-like pellets and discharged from the compaction chamber.