Abstract: Actuators having electroactive valves are described herein. The actuators can move from a first position to a second position and lock in the second position using an electroactive valve. The device can include an actuator having a fluid-impermeable membrane. The fluid-impermeable membrane can define a compartment, the compartment having a central region, an edge region extending from and fluidly connected with the central region, an electroactive valve between the central region and the edge region, and a dielectric fluid. When actuated, the actuators can force fluid through the electroactive valves and into the edge region. Once in the edge region, the electroactive valves can prevent return flow until receiving an actuation signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a waste processor for processing and compacting different types of waste. The processor has inlets for the different types of waste, each of which are connected to a respective collection zone. Passages may lead between each of the inlets and the respective collection zones. Each passage has a discrete compactor which is formed and arranged for effective compaction of the type of waste associated with the respective inlet. Each of the compactors is actuated by a single drive.

Abstract: A device for forming portions of food is proposed, comprising a hydraulic press. rne press has at least one hydraulic pressure generator and at least two actuators, wherein each of the actuators comprises a working cylinder and the working cylinders are hydraulically connected. It is preferably provided that a die has at least two separate receptacles for receiving portions of food. The receptacles interact with respective pressing tools, and the pressing tools can in each case be moved by means of an actuator, in particular by means of a pressing ram.

Abstract: A pressing device for pressing workpieces includes a base, a supporting module, a pressing module, and a driving module. The supporting module is arranged on the base and includes at least two carriers for respectively supporting the workpieces. The pressing module includes a pressing portion movable downwards to press the workpiece on one corresponding carrier disposed under the pressing portion. The driving module drives the supporting module to rotate thereby selectively disposing one of the carrier under the pressing portion.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus for laminating a separator, a membrane electrode structure member and another separator on top of each other includes a placement base which places the separator on the placement base, a first clamp which holds a portion of the upper surface of the separator placed on the placement base, first moving means which superimpose the membrane electrode structure member on the upper surface of the separator placed on the placement base, a second clamp which holds a portion of the upper surface of the thus superimposed membrane electrode structure member, second moving means which superimpose the separator on the upper surfaces of the membrane electrode structure member and second clamp, a pressing member which presses the separator in the central portion thereof to deform the separator elastically to thereby bring the separator into contact with the membrane electrode structure member, and pull-out means which pull out the second clamp from between the membrane electrode structure member and s

Abstract: A trash compactor designed for public use is powered by a photovoltaic cell array. This allows the trash compactor to be placed in locations where no power is available, but with frequent human traffic. The compaction feature allows the unit to be emptied less often than a typical trash container. The trash compactor can include a storage system to store power for compaction cycles. A removable bin allows easy removal of the compacted trash. The removable bin can include multiple chambers for different trash types.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a compressible trash container that is mainly composed of a top cover and a cylinder. Inside the top cover there is a moveable base that connects to the top cover by several elastic pulleys. External force applied to the top cover presses the moveable base down to compress the trash. It will be back to its original position after the force is removed. In this way, extra storage space can be obtained by effective reduction of trash volume.

Abstract: A trash compactor designed for public use is powered by a photovoltaic cell array. This allows the trash compactor to be placed in locations where no power is available, but with frequent human traffic. The compaction feature allows the unit to be emptied less often than a typical trash container. The trash compactor can include a storage system to store power for compaction cycles. A removable bin allows easy removal of the compacted trash. The removable bin can include multiple chambers for different trash types.

Abstract: A baling press includes a tiltable container arranged underneath a vertically guided compacting ram within a compacting frame, wherein the compacting container is tiltable forwardly about a horizontal shaft. As seen from a front wall of the compacting container, the longitudinal axis of the horizontal shaft is positioned behind a frontal plane extending through the center of gravity of the compacting plane. A unit for a tiltable support of the compacting container arranged on the shaft is fastened directly on the compacting container or on the frame. A locking unit engaging the compacting container is provided on a back side of the compacting frame.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a multi-unit, automatic machine for compaction, packaging, and disposal of plural types of material such as newspaper, plastic containers, glass bottles, aluminum cans, or other household and commercial waste. Each type of material is automatically processed in a separate unit and than separately packaged and sealed in a special bar coded bag, which is then disposed of the machine.The automatic recycling machine is constructed as an appliance and includes housing with inlet for each material type where material is inserted to a specific unit. The material is crushed and compacted as a movable container is moved upwards towards a static container thus reducing the volume of the material between them. The actuation system consists of double scissors member mechanism and pneumatic actuator connected in between members of the mechanism, thus amplifying the travel of the actuator.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle having multiple compartments for recyclable material is provided with a compacting assembly that includes a sub-compartment that does not change in size during compaction operations.

Abstract: A rubbish container with automatic compressing mechanism mainly including a housing, a plurality of rubbish bins positioned inside the housing to collect sorted rubbish, movement control channels provided in the housing to support a transversely extended top board, and an automatic compressing mechanism mounted on the top board. A motor is connected to one end of one of the movement control channels to rotate a threaded rod therein, so that the top board connected to the threaded rod and the compressing mechanism on the top board are brought to translate along the movement control channels to and fro in the housing over the rubbish bins. The compressing mechanism has a motor to drive a compressing member and a compressing plate connected to a lower end of the compressing member to move up and down, compressing rubbish collected in the rubbish bins to a reduced volume.

Abstract: A trash collection and compacting apparatus primarily intended for use onboard an aircraft comprising a stationary compactor unit and interrelated movable trolley unit, the trolley unit having a plurality of separate trash collection chambers into which trash is deposited and compacted. The trolley unit includes wheels for moving the trolley through an aircraft for the collection of trash, and support rails for supporting the trolley unit on the compactor unit for the direct compaction of trash in the trolley. The compactor unit includes a compaction ram mounted on a carriage assembly for movement into discrete positions overlying each collection chamber of the trolley unit, and supports the trolley so that compaction forces are not transmitted to the aircraft.

Abstract: A trash collection and compacting apparatus primarily intended for use onboard an aircraft comprising a stationary compactor unit and interrelated movable wheeled trolley unit, the trolley unit having a plurality of separate trash collection chambers into which trash is deposited and compacted and support rails for supporting the trolley unit on the compactor unit for the direct compaction of trash in the trolley. The trolley unit also has separable sides to facilitate removal of compacted trash, and multiple fail safe locks and latches to ensure that the sides are not inadvertently separated during trash collection and compaction. Fire doors are provided to close the chambers, and removable trash bins are disposed in each trash chamber to facilitate handling of compacted trash, the bins having separable sides for emptying the compacted trash therefrom.

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: An apparatus which collects recyclable refuse in sorted compartments. Through either automatic sensors or through an operator panel, the apparatus determines the contents of the refuse and directs it to the proper compartment or container. In this manner, recyclable material such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastics, etc. are easily sorted to encourage the recycling of this material. Further, periodically, the refuse within the compartments are compacted and disinfected to reduce handling requirements and odors.

Abstract: A trash container having a base and sides, at least a portion of the sides being formed of resilient horizontal pleated material throughout the circumference thereof, and a plunger fitting within the trash container and having a horizontal cross-section conforming to the internal horizontal cross-section of the trash container, the plunger including lips extending about the periphery thereof and shaped and dimensioned to fit over the upper edges of the sides. Alternatively, the top of the container may be used as a plunger. Pressure on the plunger will cause the sides to compress the pleated material, permitting the plunger to be pressed downwardly on the trash and compacting it. In a modification, the sides are rigid and the resilient pleated material is in the top of the container. The pleated or other resilient material has a memory and, so, will return to its original shape after pressure is removed.

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 solid waste compactor having multiple waste receptacles for separately receiving, temporarily holding, and compacting separate classes of solid waste, for example paper, glass, aluminum cans and steel cans. In one preferred embodiment there is a single screw-driven compaction ram which compacts solid waste in the several receptacles, which are rotatable into position beneath the ram on a revolving table. In an alternative embodiment there are multiple compaction rams for the multiple receptacles, with all the compaction rams being driven in series by means of a common drive chain, and with the receptacles being mounted on a slidable carriage for removal from the compactor.

Abstract: A solid waste compactor having multiple waste receptacles for separately receiving, temporarily holding, and compacting separate classes of solid waste, for example paper, glass, aluminum cans and steel cans. In one preferred embodiment there is a single screw-driven compaction ram which compacts solid waste in the several receptacles, which are rotatable into position beneath the ram on a revolving table. In an alternative embodiment there are multiple compaction rams for the multiple receptacles, with all the compaction rams being driven in series by means of a common drive chain, and with the receptacles being mounted on a slidable carriage for removal from the compactor.

Abstract: A hot press for heat forming a disc pad including a pair of presses arranged vertically and in opposition to each other, a support for coupling the pair of presses with each other, a base fixed in a vertically intermediate portion of the support, first heat plates interposed between respective rams of the presses and the base through first adiabatic members respectively so as to be movable up and down vertically together with the rams of the respective presses, second heat plates provided on opposite sides of the base through second adiabatic members respectively, molds respectively inserted between one pair of the first and second heat plates in opposition to each other and the other pair of the first and second heat plates in opposition to each other, each of the molds including a lower mold, and an upper mold fitting into the intermediate mold in which friction material is put, and springs for keeping a predetermined distance to between the springs and the intermediate molds.

Abstract: A solid waste compactor having multiple waste receptacles for separately receiving, temporarily holding and compacting separate classes of solid waste, for example paper, glass, aluminum cans and steel cans. A single screw-driven compaction ram compacts solid waste in the several receptacles. The compaction ram extends from a trolley which is movable in two orthogonal directions on orthogonal tracks positioned above the receptacles. A reversible compaction motor mounted on the trolley drives the compaction ram up and down. The receptacles are mounted on a slidable carriage for removal from the compactor.

Abstract: A high-frequency welding installation for welding particularly plastic material parts includes at least two work stations and one feed station arranged in linear succession and trays on which work pieces are conducted through the stations by means of a transport system in a single direction and are returned into the initial station in the opposite direction outside of the stations in an essentially vertically offset plane, wherein the trays are arranged during the transport in both directions always with the working side facing upwardly. Four essentially straight-line transport units are provided. The first unit is a feed unit, the third unit is a return unit, and the second and fourth units are each vertical elevators. The return unit is arranged essentially parallel to the work unit and at least the return unit operates at a higher transport speed than the feed unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for dewatering wet laundry comprising a base with drain openings for discharging water pressed out of the laundry, a loose cylinder disposed on the base, a bell disposable on the cylinder with a flexible membrane therein defining with the bell a chamber for a pressure medium and a plurality of rods supported on a lifting apparatus and extensible through openings through the peripheral margin of the bell, through annular flanges on the cylinder and through aligned openings in the base. The rods are provided with locking elements and are pivotable to latch the base, cylinder and bell securely together as well as serving to selectively lift the cylinder and bell or just the bell to facilitate loading and unloading of the apparatus.

Abstract: A compactor particularly for junk vehicles, has a flatbed supporting a pair of opposed, hinged compaction doors. Each door has a linkage hydraulically operated to open and close the door for compaction of the vehicle against the flatbed. A winch disposed on the front of the compactor has its tow line extrending beneath the doors and connects to the end of the vehicle opposite the flatbed to progressively advance the vehicle over the flatbed for compaction by the doors. A sequence control circuit is also provided which automatically opens and closes the compactor doors and automatically operates the winch to sequentially advance segments of the vehicle into the compactor. Additionally, the compactor can easily be made portable facilitating its transportation from one location to another.

Abstract: A cotton module builder comprising an open-top frame. At the rear end of the frame is a rear door mounted for pivotal movement. When seed cotton has been compressed into a module, it is removed from the open-top frame, while the rear door is opened. While the seed cotton is being compressed by the cotton module builder, the rear door is closed. Secured to the rear end of the frame is a cradle that supports extractor apparatus for removing foreign matter from seed cotton before the seed cotton is deposited into the open-top frame for compression. Pivotally supported by the cradle is a basket and lifting conveyor. Means are provided for raising and lowering the basket and lifting conveyor. Before the rear door of the module builder is opened for the removal of a cotton module from the open-top frame, the basket and the lifting conveyor are raised out of the path of movement of the rear door and the compressed cotton module advancing therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber and a mechanism for compressing the mash of fibrous material within the extraction chamber to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom. The extraction chamber includes a material inlet opening for filling the chamber with the mash, a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract, and a by-product outlet opening for collecting the dry by-product. The compressing mechanism expells the dry by-product from the extraction chamber once the liquid has been extracted from the mash. The mash is compressed within a movable work station, and the dry by-product is expelled from the extraction chamber by moving the work station and discharging the dry product in accordance therewith.

Abstract: The method of transferring the material between a first and second zone having different atmospheres of a first and second fluid utilizing spaced sealing members and a liner extending between sealing members, said sealing members and liner adapted to be manipulated in a sequence to permit the material to pass from the first zone to the second zone without an admixing of the atmosphere.