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 thermal transfer press for applying heat transfer style images to a plain paper cube. The press is comprised of a heater block assembly with thermal conductive material attached to a working surface; a mechanism that causes the heater block assembly to make flush parallel contact with the paper cube; and an adjustable clamping device for securing the paper cube during the imprinting process.

Abstract: A container crushing apparatus which is particularly useful with plastic beverage containers employs a stationary presser member, a confronting movable presser member, links which constrain the movable presser member for movement along an arcuate path toward and away from the stationary member, and a lever for effecting movement of the movable presser member along the arcuate path. The confronting surfaces of the presser members carry an elastomeric material for gripping the sidewalls of a container to be crushed. As the movable presser member is forced toward the stationary presser member, the sidewalls of the container are displaced toward each other and longitudinally, and the container base pivots toward a position generally aligned with the sidewalls. The lever is connected between the presser members for increased force multiplication as the crushing operation progresses.

Abstract: A control and safety system for coordinating movement of multiple hydraulic cylinders to reciprocally rotate a truck-mounted refuse compacting arm. The system includes a logic board controller in communication with a cam and switch arrangement mechanically linked to the rotating arm. Signals from the switches indicate the position of the arm to the logic board which responds by operating directional control valves to regulate movement of the cylinders. A pressure switch is activated to rotate the arm in the opposite direction if the arm is prevented from reaching a limit switch.

Abstract: A portable press device for repairing truss joints includes jaw members spaced opposite each other having first and second end portions. A mechanism interconnects the jaw members for relative pivotal movement therebetween. A pair of plate members are disposed at the first end portions of the jaw members with the plate members facing opposite each other for receiving a truss joint therebetween. A lever arrangement is disposed at the second end portions of the jaw members to control the relative pivotal movement of the jaw members. Finally, a drive mechanism is secured to the lever members to selectively move the second end portions of the jaw members to both close and open the jaw members.

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 baling municipal solid waste, characterized in that it comprises a waste compacting press composed of a compartment, which encloses a chamber, and is provided, in an upward region, with an opening for loading the loose waste, and is laterally provided with an axial opening for discharging the compacted waste; the upper opening is closeable by two articulated covers, subjected to the action of two pusher jacks to apply a pre-compaction pressure to the waste fed into the chamber, and the axial opening can be closed by a door against which the waste is compacted, so as to form a prism-like bale, by an axial jack, with an action line perpendicular to the door; the door can be removed to clear the axial opening and transfer the bale from the chamber into a sorting channel, whereat a pusher element advances the bale through a strapping machine adapted to place straps around the bale.

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: Device for scrapping cars (26), in which the car is guided along some stations by a conveyor trolley (25) provided with pivotably mounted supporting members (30). One of the stations comprises a turning device for rotating the car around its longitudinal axis, whereby the bottom side of the car is accessible from above. The turning device comprises a pair of clamping bars (18) that can be pushed towards and away from each other by pivotable legs (17) supported by a bridge (13) being pivotably supported by a framework (2), in such a way that the bridge is rotatable around its longitudinal axis and adjustable in height. At the end of the transport track (31) there is a press for crushing the body of the scrapped car, substantially consisting of metal.

Abstract: A bag squeezing apparatus for breaking up bridging of material being delivered from the bag. A pair of jaws are sequentially operated to impact opposite sides of the bag.

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: A recycling/crushing apparatus for cans includes a frame housing having an inlet defined in an upper end thereof. A feeding device is mounted in the frame housing and includes an intermittently rotatable axle, a ratchet wheel mounted on the axle to rotate therewith, and a cylindrical wheel mounted on the axle to rotate therewith and having a plurality of annular recesses defined in an outer periphery thereof for receiving cans. A crushing device is mounted in the frame housing and below the feeding device and includes a fixed plate, a movable plate, and a hydraulic cylinder for actuating the movable plate to move relative to the fixed plate between a first, closed position for crushing a can therebetween and a second, open position at which a crushed can will fall. A linking device is interconnected between the movable plate and the ratchet wheel of the feeding device for urging the ratchet wheel to intermittently rotate, thereby feeding a can into the crushing device.

Abstract: A lid is sealed to an integrated circuit package using a spring biased pressure foot that is structurally carried by a secondary loading jig to impose sealant curing load on the lid. The secondary jig attaches to the fabrication boat at a position indexed to apply optimal assembly force at the package center normal of the package lid plane.

Abstract: A device for temporarily compressing or bending branches of a palm tree into a gathered position wherein the branches extend lengthwise upwardly from the trunk of the palm tree and for holding the branches in the gathered position during relocation and planting of the palm tree. The device has several embodiments, all of which include handles for grasping and forcibly urging the trunk encircling member, when closed around the trunk just below the branches, upwardly to inwardly deflect and temporarily hold the branches in the gathered configuration.

Abstract: A trash handling device for receiving trash in a trash container enclosed within a housing where the housing has mounted therein a trash compacting device for selectively compacting the trash received in the container, and a safety lock prevents delivery of trash to the container during a compacting operation.

Abstract: A swiveling piston press, in particular for compacting waste cardboard, including an arcuate compression channel in which a compression piston is supported for pivotal movement between two positions by a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit with the piston press being designed in such a way that the piston rod is loaded in tension during the compression stroke movements of the compression piston, and in its extended position, forms an acute angle with the line connecting the pivot axis of the compression piston with the connection point of the compression piston with the piston rod.

Abstract: A collection and compacting apparatus for cardboard refuse such as flat pieces of cardboard and broken down or collapsed cardboard boxes and a uniquely shaped coil of flexible lashing for use with the apparatus for bundling the cardboard refuse. The apparatus, preferably wall mounted, includes a rigid support frame which defines a stationary upright surface and a lower horizontal support surface extending from a lower portion or margin of the stationary surface. A movable platen defines a flat cardboard refuse crushing surface and is pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to the horizontal support surface about an axis spaced from and parallel to the stationary surface.

Abstract: A container of prismatic shape, in particular with a square ground plan shape, has a bottom, a base frame, and side walls extending upwardly therefrom, wherein a front side wall is pivotably journalled for opening the container, and wherein the container is furthermore equipped with a pressing device provided for compressing the filling material. At its lower side, the front side wall is rigidly connected to the bottom, and the unit thus formed is journalled on the front side of the container so as to be outwardly pivotable. The pressing device is comprised of a pressing lid and a toggle lever mechanism provided for pressing down the pressing lid and actuatable by a hand lever.

Abstract: A machine (34) for use in assembling a stringer (32) from two C-shaped charges (22), each channel charge being draped about a mandrel (20), is disclosed. The machine includes a framework (36) having a first platform (40) for supporting the mandrels and C-shaped charges such that the C-shaped charges are back to back. A U-shaped anvil (48), connected to the framework, is rotatable between an engaged position overlying the mandrels and the C-shaped charges, and a disengaged position away from the mandrels and C-shaped charges. The anvil (48) includes a side bladder (58) for compacting the C-shaped charges against one another by pressing the mandrels and C-shaped charges together and against a wall of the anvil opposite to the side bladder, and a top bladder (62) for aligning the mandrels and C-shaped charges by compressing the mandrels and C-shaped charges against the platform.

Abstract: A sheet sticker apparatus includes a pair of bases for supporting sheets, at least one of which has an adhesive thereon. One of the bases can be overlaid on the other. The apparatus also includes a positioning device for correctly positioning the sheets on the respective bases; an attraction device for at least one of the bases for attracting the sheet positioned by the positioning device; and an aligning device for aligning the bases relative to each other when the bases are overlaid with each other.

Abstract: A refuse compactor especially designed for fast food restaurants is of a predetermined limited height dimension allowing its upper surface to function as a serving tray storage rack. The refuse compactor is characterized by having a foldable compaction plate driven by a hydraulic ram. When the compaction plate is elevated to its uppermost position, it is folded in a way that does not interfere with the opening of the refuse entry door. When moving through its compaction stroke, the foldable compaction plate becomes locked in a flat, planar configuration. In this way, it is unnecessary to locate the compaction plate above the refuse entry door, thereby providing a lower profile to the refuse compactor cabinet.

Abstract: A refuse collection and storage body is carried by the frame of a truck chassis having a cab at the forward end thereof. A hopper having a rotatably reciprocal platen therein resides at the forward end of the body. Refuse within the body is discharged through an openable tailgate assembly at the rear of the body. A fixed length arm is pivotly connected at one end thereof to a carriage which is reciprocally movable along a transverse support beam. The arm, having refuse container gripping arms at the free end thereof, is rotatably elevatable for dumping the contents of the container into the hopper. The several movable components are responsive to a control apparatus located within the cab.

Abstract: A can crusher has a removable arm member hingedly connected to a base member, and the arm member has a crushing portion which is received in nested fashion by a can receiving portion on the base member. The crushing portion has a bearing wall with a lip and a plurality of struts perpendicular to the bearing wall. The lip extends above the struts. The base member has a step pad so that the can crusher may be either wall mounted or portable. The lip engages the rim on a container to be crushed to captively secure the container between the lip and the base member. This avoids accidental ejection of the container from the can crusher. When the arm member is in the open position, the lip is spaced from the base member a sufficient distance to accommodate aluminum beverage cans, steel cans and plastic bottles of common household sizes. The struts may also be provided with protective elements to prevent undue wear on the crushing portion.

Abstract: A heat-sealing apparatus includes a casing, a pair of lower and upper binding members for vertically binding a portion of a heat-fusible wrapper therebetween, a heater attached to a binding face of the lower binding member which is in turn fixed to the casing. The heater is operable to heat-fuse the portion of the wrapper. The apparatus further includes a switching mechanism for switching over the upper binding member between a binding position where the upper binding member is pressed against the binding face of the lower binding member and a releasing position where the upper binding member is retracted in an upper-rear direction away from the binding face of the lower binding member. The upper binding member is a heat-resistant elastic pressing roller rotatable about an axis extending along a length of the heater.

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: A waste container reformer, for reforming generally disk-shaped compacted waste containers into prismatic forms, sequentially presses the sides of the waste container into a prism with a 45.degree.-90.degree.-45.degree. triangular base so that when it is placed adjacent to another reformed container, the two form a rectangular box for more efficient use of storage space. The pressure surfaces are controlled by hydraulic cylinders to provide the forces needed to reform the container. The reforming process is controlled so that one angle is formed at a time, beginning with one of the 45.degree. angles, followed by the 90.degree. angle, and then completed by forming the other 45.degree. angle. By forming one angle at a time, the load requirements of the reformer are reduced, and a consistently similar shaped reformed waste container is created.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing bulky materials, like microfibers having a bulk density of less than about 0.2 PCF, to a much higher density, e.g. about 10.8 PCF, and packaging the compressed mass without damaging the material. The apparatus comprises a hopper having a pivoting wall wherein one edge of the pivoting wall is tapered and cooperates with a curved extension of one wall of an adjoining compression chamber to prevent the material from being pinched or scarffed which would damage the material. The compression chamber is long enough that when the compression means is withdrawn to accept another charge (each package requires a plurality of charging and compressing cycles) the compressed material cannot expand into the opening the compression chamber leading to the hopper. Finally, one end portion of a wall of the compression chamber has a movable retaining wall that also forms a portion of a wall of an adjoining packaging chamber.

Abstract: A device for packing or compressing refuse material into a container, which my be mounted on a vehicle or installed at a fixed site. The device includes a paddle mounted for oscillatory angular motion about a generally vertical axis in a hopper assembly. The paddle is oscillated by a crank arm mounted on the same axis and in a fixed angular relationship with the paddle. The crank arm, in turn, is driven by a pair of extensible devices, such as hydraulic cylinders, which are pivotally coupled to the crank arm and pivotally anchored by their other ends to selected points on the hopper frame. The selection of anchor points for the hydraulic cylinders assures that they act in unison over much of the range of oscillatory motion of the paddle, compressing the refuse repeatedly on alternate sides of the container. In one version of the device, the crank arm and the paddle are aligned in identical angular orientations and the cylinders push in unison to compress the refuse.

Abstract: A waste paper receptacle/compactor employing a container section and a lid section. Suspended within the container section is an expandable liner with a cylinder supported inside of the liner at the top thereof. The cylinder serves as a staging area for placement of spent and crumpled paper towels. The cylinder works in conjunction with a piston which extends down from the lid section. The liner is biased to contract circumferentially. In such manner, when a used desires to discard spent and crumpled paper towels, that user opens the lid section and inserts the towel into the staging area and allows lid section to close thereon. The piston drives the paper towel down into the liner below the cylinder. The inwardly direction bias of the liner prevents the towels from opening or flowering in the container section. A loop is provided at the top of the liner providing a handle for extracting a full liner from the container section.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing separated materials includes a material receiving container having at least one horizontal longitudinally extending partition subdividing the container into upper and lower compartments. The container is provided with a packing device for simultaneously compacting the materials in the upper and lower compartments. The packing device includes a lower packer blade mounted to lower swing arms that are pivotally mounted for pendular movement toward and away from the rear end of the container, to compact the materials in the lower compartment, an upper packer blade mounted to upper swing arms that are pivotally mounted for pendular movement toward and away from the rear end of the container, to compact the materials in the upper compartment, and swing links pivotally connecting the upper and lower swing arms so that the upper and lower packer blades move simultaneously.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment mechanism for a top side cooker head includes an adjustable element secured to the top side cooker head arm. In one embodiment the element is adjustable in discrete one-half turn increments of a screw and in another embodiment is continuously adjustable. Both embodiments change the moment arm of a pneumatic cylinder ram that applies a counterbalance force to the cooker head. The invention permits adjustment of the force applied to foodstuffs on the griddle surface from 0 to the weight of the cooker head.

Abstract: A waste container system includes a receptacle box having side walls that define a storage space, at least one individual container positioned within the receptacle box, each container being forwardly-tiltable, having an open top and being removable from the receptacle box, a cover attached to the side and rear walls of the receptacle box, and a compacting arm mounted on the underside of the cover above the open top of each container. The compacting arm is slidable and pivotable with respect to the underside of the cover into a position which permits downward manual compaction of the contents of an individual container.

Abstract: A refuse packer includes a paddle (14) which oscillates horizontally about axis (19) through about 200.degree. to sweep refuse into a storage chamber of a vehicle (not shown). The paddle has an actuating assembly (26) supported by a single housing (27) secured to a vehicle chassis. The actuating assembly has a drive shaft with a hexagonal end clamped in a hexagonal opening (21) of the paddle. The drive shaft also has a pinion engaged by a pair of opposed toothed racks which slide in respective hydraulic cylinders (35, 36, 37, 38) which act to oscillate the shaft and paddle. A pair of hydraulic resistance cylinders (40) oppose side loads set up by the engagement of the racks with the pinion. In former arrangements the paddle was coupled to a crank plate moved by hydraulic rams which swung as they reciprocated. This led to uneven torque on the paddle and a tendency to stall midstroke, whereas the present drive provides even torque, throughout the oscillations.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an air seal for a device discharging a compressible product, the apparatus including a generally horizontal conduit having an upwardly opening inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, a packer blade mounted in the conduit for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, the packer blade having a stroke path extending beneath the inlet, a motor connected to the packer blade to cause reciprocating pivotal movement of the packer blade about the axis so that product entering the conduit via the inlet is swept by the packer blade toward the outlet, and a discharge resistor which is located in the conduit between the packer blade and the outlet, which resists the flow of product through the conduit toward the outlet, and which permits compressed product to flow out of the conduit via the outlet, such that the packer blade and the discharge resistor cause uniform compression of the product between the packer blade and the discharge resistor so as to form a plug of product that subst

Abstract: A crushing attachment is provided for removable support from the lift arms of a front loader and the attachment includes a pair of horizontally spaced apart forwardly projecting lower support arms which taper forwardly in height. The attachment also includes a pair of forwardly projecting crusher arms spaced above and in vertical alignment with the support arms and pivotally supported relative to the support arms for vertical swinging about a horizontal transverse axis extending between the rear ends of the crusher arms. The crusher arms are interconnected by a plurality of reinforcing bars extending and secured therebetween at points spaced longitudinally along the crusher arms and hydraulic cylinders are operatively connected between the crusher arms and the support arms for angularly displacing the crusher arms relative to the support arms.

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 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 automated pallet and garment retaining frame for screen printing apparatus including a pallet mounted on a supporting base and provided with a planar, horizontally extending printing surface for receiving a layer of material to be printed. The retaining frame includes a central opening and is mounted for pivotal movement to the supporting base about a first hinge disposed rearwardly of said pallet relative to an opposing front end adapted to load the garment for printing. The rear hinge is also movably mounted in a cam slot for travel in a vertical and horizontal direction as the pallet is caused to move by a piston and cylinder assembly located between the rear hinge point and the rear end of the retaining frame. The forward end of the retaining frame is adapted to engage the forward end of the pallet to form a second hinge about which the retaining frame rotates as it is caused to move between an open fully raised position and a closed position retaining the garment in taut condition on the pallet.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus comprising a charging hopper (3) having an upper first opening (6) through which material can be loaded into the charging hopper (3) and a lower second opening (7) through which material can be discharged from the charging hopper (3). The apparatus includes a control member (10) having a work head (12) which is mounted for movement within the charging hopper (3) about a pivot axis (20) which extends generally laterally with respect to the normal upright operative position of the apparatus, the control member (10) being pivotally movable about the pivot axis (20) between a first position in which the work head (12) is spaced from and disposed above the second opening (7), and a second position in which the work head is adjacent or within the second opening (7).

Abstract: An industrial-type compactor for a waste material container is disclosed. The compactor includes a supporting frame that receives the waste material container, with the supporting frame having a waste material channel that communicates with the waste material container. A waste compacting ram is pivotally supported at one end of the supporting frame for compacting waste materials. In order to keep the waste material within the waste material container during compacting, locking levers are operatively associated with the waste material container to maintain a pivotally mounted cover in a fixed and non-movable position atop the waste material container. The locking levers are activated when the waste material container is positioned relative to the supporting frame. In addition, a door is operatively associated to the supporting frame for closing off the waste material channel during compacting.

Abstract: A trash compactor having a single inlet and multiple parallel outlets a single ram mechanism for servicing all of the outlets. a semi-circular ram chamber and a pie-shaped ram which is connected to the ram chamber at the center of the semi-circular diameter. The outlets are disposed on either side of the center point so that when the ram is moved in a pivotal compacting motion the material is pushed out the outlets into rigid containers, bags or the like. The ram driving mechanism can be a yoke and parallel piston-cylinder mechanism, a gear rack and spur gear or pinion driven by a pair of piston-cylinders or a gear reduction motor whose output shaft is connected to the ram to provide the compacting motion. A sensing device such as a photo-electric eye can be placed in the compactor with its beam traversing the inside of the body.

Abstract: A device for compacting hollow aluminum or plastic containers comprising a base having a concave arc-shaped surface having a first radius, an arm having a convex arc-shaped surface having a second radius, substantially equal to or smaller than the first radius, and a hinge for hingedly securing a first end of the arm adjacent to a first end of the base whereby the arm is pivotally movable on the hinge relative to the base between a closed position in which the convex surface is received and nested in the radius of the concave surface recess and the concave and convex surfaces are substantially parallel along their respective arcs.

Abstract: A plastic bottle crushing device that crushes the side of a bottle in two directions at the same time. The device includes a hollow housing surrounding the plastic bottle which includes a pair of opposite spaced apart crushing members movable between an open position and a closed position that converge toward each other in a first direction. Folding panels hinged to each other and to the edges of the crushing plates move simultaneously with the crushing plates between open and closed positions to converge inwardly in a second squeezing direction which is perpendicular to the first crushing direction. Gear driven threaded members are utilized to drive the crushing plates and squeezing panels between their respective open and closed positions.

Abstract: A lever-arm can crushing device comprising a base having a disposal opening extending therethrough, a lever arm hingedly secured to the base by a hinge such that the lever arm is movable between an open position and a closed position, a can support surface for supporting a can adjacent the disposal opening before crushing and a can engaging member on the lever arm for engaging the can as the lever arm is advanced from the open position to the closed position. As the lever arm is advanced to the closed position, the engaging member crushes the can and advances the center of gravity of the can from being vertically positioned over the support surface to over the disposal opening such that the can falls through the disposal opening when the lever arm is subsequently advanced to the open position. The can engaging member engages the can on an upper surface thereof on a side of the can upper surface closest the disposal opening.

Abstract: The invention concerns a compactor for wastes, in particular for compressible trash, and includes a compaction plunger with a compaction blade in the lower part of a trash receiving chamber of a compactor housing. The plunger is horizontally displaceable and conveys the trash into a container adjoining the receiving chamber where the trash is compacted. The invention provides a scoop pivotally supported by the compaction plunger and comprising an acute-angle leading edge for slipping underneath the trash which is continuously accumulating in the receiving chamber. During the return stroke of the plunger, the scoop can be tipped upward about its pivot axis so that the trash behind the compaction plunger is moved in front of the compaction blade of the compaction plunger.

Abstract: A refuse collecting truck combines the attributes of a rear loading, compacting refuse collecting system with a plurality of specialty containers which can be used to collect, compact and eject curbside separated recyclable materials of a plurality of types. The plurality of separate recyclable containers are designed to be mounted ahead of the rear loading, compacting refuse container behind the cab. The number and volume length of such containers may be varied as desired. The containers are configured with a side entry port and are accessed and operated from the side both for loading and unloading. Complete compacting and ejecting mechanisms are provided.

Abstract: A heat sealing machine for imprinting garments and the like has a base (10) carrying a lower, horizontal platen (18) above which an upper heated platen may swing from an open, generally vertical position at the rear of the lower platen to a closed position superimposing the lower platen with the upper platen (24) being carried by lever arm (28) pivoted at (26) adjacent its rear end with over-center locking and force multiplying linkage (82, 84 and 96, 98) operatively connected by actuating links (90, 92) to a relatively movable handle mechanism (70) whereby as the handle is swung downwardly to close the upper platen, during the last increments of such closure, relative downward movement of the handle with respect to the platen causes the over-center and force multiplying linkage (82, 84 and 96, 98) to squeeze the upper platen against the lower platen. Threaded member (62) is provided for adjusting the pressure imposed by the upper platen.

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: An improvement is made to a die cutting press and to the method of die cutting in a press by providing two opposing and oppositely driven clamping bars which move together to clamp the die board and to accurately position the clamped die board at a predetermined location within the press. The press is operated to determine the adequacy of the cut produced by the die in sheet material fed into the press. If the cut is unsatisfactory, the opposing clamp bars are quickly driven apart thereby releasing the die board. The die board can be removed from the press and then manipulated or modified to cure any imperfection in the cut. The modified die board is then reinserted into the press and accurately repositioned at the predetermined location within the press by driving the opposing clamping bars towards each other against the die board.

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.