Abstract: A juice press for extracting the juice from a non-citrus fruit or vegetable uses a pair of cups into which a press plunger is cycled to the fruit to be processed to be compressed and extruded through an orifice tube wherein a significant volume of juice will be pressed.

Abstract: An oil filter crushing apparatus and method utilizing a housing defining an interior space and a bottom surface, a crushing member fitted within the housing having a crushing surface and defining a slot opening through the crushing surface, a puncturer having a point and movably attached to the crushing member within the slot opening so that the puncturer is behind the crushing surface in a retracted position and at least the point of the puncturer is forward of the crushing surface in a puncturing position.

Abstract: A hand operated can crushing apparatus installed on a vertical wall or on top of a storage container to crush individual cans and allow them to drop into the storage container using an apparatus with a housing that includes an inside channel to crush the cans between a moving piston surface and an end of the housing with the force applied by a handle that is pivotally connected to a rear end of the housing to pivot downwardly above the housing forcing the piston member to slide lengthwise in the channel. Force against the piston member is first applied through a convex cam surface extending frontwardly from a rear end of the handle member against a rotating wheel cam follower and then through a lever connected at one end to a median position on the handle and at the other end to the piston member with the connecting apparatus of the lever delaying the effect of that lever until the piston movement has moved the cam follower wheel out of range of the cam surface.

Abstract: A compacting device for conforming a variety of refuse materials, such as glass and plastic, into generally rectilinear bales, and for compacting aluminum and tin refuse material into generally square-shaped stable bales for recycling. The compacting device includes a housing enclosing a chamber and an extendable and retractable plunger disposed within the chamber. A hopper receives refuse material to be crushed or compacted, and directs the material into the chamber. An exit chamber door has a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart rectilinear chamber door protrusions projecting from the inner face of the exit chamber door, and the face of the plunger includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart rectilinear plunger face protrusions extending forwardly from the plunger face. The plunger face protrusions are adapted for forcibly contacting and compressing the material deposited within the chamber door protrusions.

Abstract: This invention is particularly useful in food processing for separating crumbs and particles of breading material which have become suspended in frying oil, so that the oil may be reused. Separation is done in a unique cylinder having a hollow piston, whose forward end has a screen and whose aft face is imperforate. The cylinder has an openable door at its forward end. Near its end door the cylinder has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet spaced somewhat aft therefrom. When the piston is in its retracted position its screen end is positioned axially between the inlet and outlet, so that the liquid may pass through the screen. Air pressure in the portion of the cylinder aft of the piston acts against its imperforate face to drive it forward. The screen end of the piston filters and drives the liquid back to the outlet, solids are compacted against the door.

Abstract: The apparatus is for crushing used automotive oil filters, and for squeezing out and collecting the dirty oil. The used filter is placed on the platen of a piston, which is actuated directly by pneumatic pressure. The piston has an area of 400 sq cm, giving a crush force of 3 to 4 tonnes. There are no other moving parts associated with the movement of the piston. The piston platen is set in a chamber with a window for receiving the filter, and a door closes off the chamber during crushing. A pneumatic trip valve is actuated by the act of closing the door, to pressurize the piston. The piston is guided in bearings, comprising strips of anti-friction material set in the cylinder walls, which rub on the same surface as the pneumatic seal. The piston is very heavy and returns under its own weight when pressure is released. The seal/bearing surface of the piston is well lubricated by being splashed with oil from the crushed filter. Grooves in the platen direct jetting oil away from the door.

Abstract: A baler for recyclable materials and any other materials. The baler includes a power unit which engages to the rear of the gatherer desk. An operator stands on the gatherer deck between the rear of the hopper, which provides for visual observation, and forward of the power unit. Material is fed into the hopper. A compression chamber of bale chamber is at the forward end of the system for baling of the materials and subsequent discharge by an ejection ram for later disposition. The system provides for adjustment of the hold-down assembly for the ram and the charging box section, as well as for adjustment of the knife between the ram and the knife on the shear beam. The baler provides for adjustability for proper movement of the ram through the charging box, and for proper shearing of most materials which may be above the ram prior to entering the bale compression chamber area.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a compactor for recyclable containers that uses gravity instead of brute force to compact recyclable containers. An upper section slides over a lower section. A recyclable container is placed on top of the lower section. The user applies his or her weight to the upper section. As the upper section approaches the lower section, the recyclable container is compacted.

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: 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 railroad car trash compactor includes an elongated box defining an elongated trash compartment therein. A compactor blade is movably mounted within the box and is movable from a fill position adjacent the forward end of the box to a discharge position adjacent the rear end of the box. Discharge doors are openable at the rear end of the box to permit the expelling of trash from the box by means of the trash compactor. Steam jets are provided within the compartment for cleaning the compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for crushing and severely reducing the overall dimensions of used fluid filters before they are discarded includes a housing assembly having a base portion, a head portion, and side wall portions joining the base portion to the head portion. First and second cylindrical sleeves positioned within the housing substantially completely enclose each filter during the crushing operation. During the crushing operation, each filter rests on the base portion and a hydraulically operated ram assembly forces a piston against the filter and crushes the filter between the base portion and the piston. The side walls portions and the first cylindrical sleeve restrict lateral movement of the piston and filter during the crushing operation. A considerable amount of used fluid is re-claimed from the filters as a result of the crushing operation.

Abstract: A device for crushing aluminum cans has a lid that can be engaged with a receptacle, and an aperture through which crushed cans can drop is formed in the lid. A housing is mounted on the lid, and the housing forms a channel. The housing has a closed surface positioned against the lid, an open side opposite the closed surface, and a closed end. An opening is formed through the closed surface and is juxtaposed with the aperture of the lid. A crushing plate is reciprocally disposed in the channel and can be moved toward the closed end of the aperture. When a can is to be crushed, it is laid on its side in the channel, and the plate is moved to axially compress the can against the closed end of the housing. When the can has been sufficiently compressed, it drops through the opening into the receptacle.

Abstract: A sample holder and compactor system (10), for use in an industrial NMR (or like) instrument, wherein particulate non-uniform samples can be loaded and compacted. The system comprises a tubular holder/compactor member (20) with an internal sleeve (26) and a ram (30), all fabricated from materials that are non-interactive with the excitation NMR fields and do not interfere with the sample analysis and provides a repeatable, simple way of handling disparate materials in routine repeatable ways ensuring reliable NMR analyses.

Abstract: A trash compactor is provided having at least a hollow compaction chamber rtically disposed on a base and a compacting ram slidaly fitted within the compaction chamber, such that the compacting ram is disposed above the trash to be compacted. The trash to be compacted is first loaded into the compaction chamber between the base and the compacting ram. A downward compaction force is then applied to the compacting ram to compact the trash within the compaction chamber to the required density. The downward compaction force is then maintained while the compaction chamber is removed from around the compacted trash. Finally, the downward compaction force is removed from the compacting ram thereby leaving a compacted trash slug. The trash may be wetted prior to compaction to further enhance the delamination characteristics of the trash slug.

Abstract: A compactor for automotive oil filters is illustrated wherein an upright hydraulic cylinder D is its lower end upon a vertical housing A open on one side for reception of an oil filter and for removal thereof after compaction with a central passageway F in a lower support C for relieving air pressure generated during compression and compaction.

Abstract: A cylindrical container and cover to be firmly fitted thereon with a bayonet coupling and supports for a lever multiplier to supply to a rack rod a force "n" times stronger than the one applied to the levers, the lever multiplier being integral with a cylinder which slides inside a housing with cuts fitted in the cover center to allow a constant compression according to the heap height; force is transmitted onto the waste to compress it with a piston, which is firmly connected with a nut to the lower part of the rack rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided inclining an upper housing containing spaced parallel side walls, with the side walls including aligned slots. A crusher bar is arranged to crush a can between a floor of the housing as the bar is directed through the slots. A push bar is pivotally mounted to a rear upper wall of the housing to project a crushed can into a storage container removably mounted to a lower forward wall of the housing.

Abstract: A built-in bale ejector for use in a trash compactor comprises an elongated band which is fastened at one end to the floor portion of the compactor cabinet at a front edge thereof and which passes between the floor and a box in which the refuse is to be compacted and then up the inside rear wall of the compactor to a predetermined height. The compactor includes a vertically movable compaction plate which can be driven in reciprocal fashion downward into the box to compress the refuse therein and upward to a "ready" position. When it is desired to eject a filled box, a spring-loaded take-up reel mechanism coupled to the compaction plate can be latched against rotation by a locking mechanism. When so locked, the return stroke of the compaction plate pulls the band tight and thus urges the box filled with the compacted trash to be ejected out through the door opening of the compactor cabinet.

Abstract: A press, in an automotive service facility to extract oil from a used automotive oil filter, mounted by brackets on a waste disposal band over an opening in the top of the barrel. An access door to the press having a cam acting on a press control knob to prevent operation of the press when the door is open. A hydraulic cylinder in the press and a plate under the cylinder and oil filters being deposited on the plate and being pressed to extract oil by the hydraulic cylinder lifting the plate against the bottom of the cylinder. The press being powered by low pressure air in the service facility which is converted to high pressure hydraulic pressure by a multiple stroke pumping system that includes a larger diameter air piston, in an air cylinder, attached to a smaller diameter hydraulic piston. An on-off control shaft manually shifted by manual operation of the press control knob.

Abstract: An aluminum can crusher of the type having a driving gear mounted on a movable axle, which is transversely disposed inside a housing, and engaged with a gear rack on the back of the vertical surface portion of a substantially L-shaped crushing plate. A substantially U-shaped handle is coupled to the movable axle to carry it to rotate. Lowering the handle causes the driving gear to move the crushing plate downward against the base of the housing for crushing an interposed aluminum can.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for extracting juice is disclosed. The apparatus disclosed provide a novel safety switch arranged such that the apparatus may be operated only when fully closed, thereby precluding injury to the operator or damage due to objects being placed in the path of the downwardly descending squeezer. In a preferred embodiment the juice extraction cycle is carried out automatically by means of limit switches, once the safety switch enables the motor. Embodiments are disclosed wherein the limit switches which govern the extraction cycle operate by determining the amount of pressure placed on an object, the level of pressure being adjustable, thus allowing the complete and efficient squeezing of objects of different sizes and firmness. Also disclosed are embodiments incorporating a feeder tube and actuation device whereby the juice extraction apparatus is automatically fed.

Abstract: A trash compactor includes a receptacle with a receptacle opening, a closure member, and a collapsible compacting mechanism mounted in the closure member. The closure member is adapted to be secured over the receptacle opening in a compacting position. With the closure member in the compacting position, the compacting mechanism is adapted to be operated, preferably driven by an electric drive motor, so as to extend a compacting head into the receptacle through the receptacle opening to compact trash received therein. The compacting mechanism is also adapted to retract the compacting head substantially from the trash receptacle. A drive motor control system controls the operation of the drive motor in driving the compacting mechanism. Once the compacting head is retracted from the receptacle the closure member is adapted to be released from the compacting position thereby exposing the receptacle opening so that more trash may be deposited into the receptacle for compacting.

Abstract: A horizontal waste material baling machine has a charging passage which leads to a compressing chamber of generally parallelopiped configuration and in which a charging plunger is reciprocably moveable for pushing waste material into the compressing chamber and compressing it into a bale. A discharge passage leads from the compressing chamber at right angles to the charging passage, and an ejection plunger is advanceable through the chamber and the discharge passage to eject the baled waste material. To ease the ejection of an oversize bale, the discharge passage wall adjacent the exit end of the charging passage is a vertically oriented planar surface of a structure that is moveable by a linear motor, such as a hydraulic cylinder, from a normal operative position at which the vertical planar surface and the opposite sidewall of the discharge passage determine the exit width to a position at which the planar surface is displaced by an amount it is desired to increase the exit width of the discharge passage.

Abstract: A refuse compactor device has a container housing having an open top end for holding a trash bag in which the bag mouth is in registration with and folded over the open top end of the container for receiving trash to be compacted. The compactor device further includes a compactor plate received within the container housing for manual movement from the open top end of the housing toward the bottom end of the housing to compress refuse material in the trash bag. The housing has ventilation apertures in its side wall and bottom to allow air trapped between the bag and the side walls of the housing to be expelled from the container. The compactor plate also has ventilation apertures to allow air included in the refuse to be expelled from the container as the plate is moved into the trash bag and housing. The compactor plate further has an opening to receive therethrough the mouth end of the bag for convenient closing of the bag mouth.

Abstract: A device for use in waste containers wherein the waste is packed, compressed and secured in its compact state within the container. The device comprises a rack consisting of a pair of telescoping cross bars with the opposite ends of said cross bars provided with yieldable anti spring back retainers that are adapted to be received and locked in guide channels carried by confronting interior wall surfaces of the waste container. These channels are complete with cooperating yieldable or pivotal anti spring back retainer clips positioned interiorly of the channels in the path of the respective ends of the rack's cross bars so as to secure the same in a latched depressed position against the compacted waste material within the container.

Abstract: An extension is provided for a compacting device of the type adapted to be inserted into a container and having a plurality of compacting plates adapted to press loose material into the container and engage the compacting device to prevent expansion of the compacted material. The extension is adapted to sit on the upper end of the compacting device and extends above the container to hold excess loose material prior to compaction by the compacting plates. Smooth guide rods are provided on the inner surface of the extension for guiding the compacting plates into engagement with aligned threaded rods in the compacting device.

Abstract: A compactor comprising a frame with a fluid operated, double acting ram mounted on the frame. A compactor plate is slidably mounted in the frame to be reciprocable by the ram. A back plate is positioned at an end of the frame remote from the ram. A container receives material to be compacted. The container is mounted adjacent the back plate. The container is open ended and has a top, sides and a base. The base is hingedly attached to one side. The compactor plate can be received in the container so that material in the container can be compacted by the plate. A housing in the container top allows lifting of the container for unloading of compacted material by hinging downwardly of the base. This housing comprises a plurality of open mouthed compartments arranged in a circle and extending upwardly outwardly to receive a grapple of a lifting crane for lifting the container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to preparation and dispensing of moist, hot towels which has become standard practice in international airline travel and is recognized as a desired passenger convenience. Limitations on cost, storage space, and airline attendant time have restricted the airlines' ability to make such a convenience more widespread. The present invention provides a compact, efficient means for containing, preparing and dispensing moist, hot towels that overcomes these drawbacks. As disclosed, the container of the invention includes a bottom formed at least partially of heat insulating material that is adapted to contain a stack of, for example, disposable towels and that has self-supporting sidewalls. A top cover is included that is similarly shaped, but of a slightly smaller dimension so that it will fit inside the cavity of the bottom.

Abstract: A compression apparatus for reducing solid waste in volume, including: a base; an axial compression mechanism for axially compressing a columnar container containing the solid waste, the axial compression mechanism including a punching mechanism having first teeth projecting radially outwards from an outer periphery thereof at equal angular intervals about an axis thereof, a bottom mold mechanism mounted on the base, and a drive mechanism for driving the punching mechanism toward the bottom mold mechanism for axial compression; and a mold adapted to be placed on the bottom mold mechanism to be concentric with the punching mechanism and having a cavity wall for coaxially receiving the container, the cavity wall including a plurality of mold projections projecting radially inwards therefrom and extending axially at equal angular intervals about the axis, each mold projection including an inclined inner face inclined to the axis and in contact with a conical plane tapering toward both the axis and the bottom mol

Abstract: A compression apparatus for solid waste includes a precompression device and main compression device. A precompression device includes a precompression sleeve for receiving therein a cylindrical vessel filled with the solid waste and a press ram arranged above said precompression sleeve and movable upward and downward for compressing, at high pressure, the cylindrical vessel in the precompression sleeve. The compression sleeve includes an upper straight large diameter portion, and an intermediate tapered portion, thereby compressing the cylindrical vessel and reducing its volume in three dimensional directions by compressing the vessel radially inwardly at the tapered inner surface of the intermediate tapered portion. The main compression device includes a main compression press ram and a main compression sleeve having an inner diameter no more than the inner diameter of a lowermost end of the intermediate tapered portion.

Abstract: A vertical baler comprises a piston having two brackets attached to the rear thereof, the brackets extending through slots between panels in the rear wall of the baler. Chains are attached to the floor of the baler near the front thereof, pass through the slots in the rear wall of the baler, and are attached to a horizontal bar. The bar has two legs extending downwardly therefrom, the legs having slots in the ends thereof. The rear wall of the baler has a pair of dog members pivotally attached thereto. When it is desired to remove a bale from the baler, the door of the baler is opened, the horizontal bar is manually placed onto the brackets extending from the rear of the piston, and the piston is raised. As the piston raises, it lifts up the chains and throws the bale out of the baler. The dog members present no resistance to the upward movement of the horizontal member, since they pivot upwardly out of the way of the horizontal member.

Abstract: An improved electrically powered can compacting apparatus including a piston-type plunger to longitudinally crush cans and then deposit them either in a container therebelow or onto the surface upon which the compactor is supported. The improved compacting apparatus incorporates an automatic feed safety hopper and is powered by a non-reversing electric motor which drives a series of low-friction reduction gear assemblies. The final reduction gear assembly, in turn, reciprocally drives the compacting piston.

Abstract: A compression and volume reduction treatment apparatus for solid waste comprises a main compression and a pre-compression device. The main compression device includes a compression sleeve for receiving therein a cylindrical vessel filled with the solid waste and a press ram for compressing downward the filled cylindrical vessel. The pre-compression device comprises a pre-compression press ram and a pre-compression tapered sleeve for inserting the cylindrical vessel into the compression sleeve. The cylindrical vessel has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the compression sleeve, while the pre-compression tapered sleeve has at a lowermost end an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the compression sleeve. An inner circumferential surface of the pre-compression tapered sleeve and an outer circumferential surface of the pre-compression press ram are formed with grooves and ridges slidably fitted with each other.

Abstract: An extrusion-type trash compactor in which the trash receiving chamber is inclined downwardly towards an outlet opening at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and the outlet opening connects with the inlet of a compacting chamber that is disposed horizontally, whereby the overall length of the compactor is reduced to adapt the compactor for use in smaller trash rooms. The angle of the ram also functions to reduce blockages in the hopper by working the bottom of the accumulated pile of trash as it's moved relative thereto - which reduces the possibility of trash backing up into the chute leading into the hopper and thus reduces damage that may be caused by fire. The compacting chamber is also pivoted to the outlet opening of the receiving chamber to permit it to be opened for the purpose of clearing jams in the compacting chamber.

Abstract: A press is provided for compacting small scale objects such as beverage cans. The press includes a hollow, cylindrical housing having a floor and sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom to define a housing cavity, a compacting arrangement slidable within the cavity, the compacting arrangement being arranged to travel within the cavity in close proximity to the sidewalls of the housing, and an arrangement for drawing the compacting means downwards toward the floor of the housing. The drawing arrangment may include an arrangement for producing negative pressure within the housing cavity or an electromagnet and is capable of drawing the compacting arrangement toward the floor of the housing with sufficient force to substantially crush an object positioned between the compacting arrangement and the floor of the housing.

Abstract: A method for operating a dewatering press wherein a mass for wet fibrous material is dewatered on all six sides by compressing the mass with a second ram against a plurality of liners arranged on a front face of the second ram, on a rear face of a door, and on a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls of a press box. Before entering the press box, a quantity of the mass of wet fibrous material is selected by a first ram which is guided a predetermined distance beneath a hopper of wet fibrous material by a pair of piston rods and cylinders arranged on opposite external sides of the first ram. On one side edge of the front face of the second ram and also on one side wall of the press box, there are positioned four-edged knives which cut off a selected quantity of wet fibrous material after such material is fed into the compression chamber but before such material is pushed into the press box by the second ram.

Abstract: A press efficently dewaters a mass of wet fibrous material on all six sides by compressing the mass with a second ram against a plurality of liners arranged on a front face of the second ram, on a rear face of a door, and on a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls of a press box. Before entering the press box, a quantity of the mass of wet fibrous material is selected by a first ram which is guided a predetermined distance beneath a hopper of wet fibrous material by a pair of piston rods and cylinders arranged on opposite external sides of the first ram. On one side edge of the front face of the second ram and also on one side wall of the press box, there are positioned four-edged knives which cut off a selected quantity of wet fibrous material after such material is fed into the compression chamber but before such material is pushed into the press box by the second ram. A method for operating the dewatering press is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved trash receptacle is provided according to this invention. The invention is particularly directed to trash containers of the type having a top assembly having a frame and a pivoting door which encloses a central opening of the frame. The improvement comprises a pivot means for the door including a pivot member and a socket which enable the door to be retained in its normal position by gravity, but which permits the door to be easily detached from the frame to enable it to be inserted into the trash container to compress material therein. Once the user has completed the compaction step, the door is re-engaged with the frame.

Abstract: An improved trash receptacle is provided according to this invention. This invention is particularly directed to trash containers of the type having a top assembly which attaches to the open perimeter of a container wherein the top assembly pivotably mounts a swinging door which permits access to the interior cavity of the container. The improvement comprises the addition of releasable pivot means permitting the door to be released from its pivotable engagement with the top frame such that the top can be pushed downwardly into the interior cavity of the container by the user, thereby compacting trash material therein. Once the user has completed the compaction step, the door is re-engageable with the top frame.

Abstract: A stock baler comprising a container having a bottom floor, two side walls, a stationary end wall and a movable end wall and a pair of side rams positioned in the side wall adjacent to the stationary end wall. Both the movable end wall and the pair of side rams include means to advance and retract one another respectively. The stationary end wall and the movable end wall have mating V-shaped grooves in which the open portion of the groove mates with the open end of the other groove, and the apex of each V-shaped groove is positioned on substantially the same horizontal plane. The pair of side rams are shaped to advance and retract within the mating V-shaped grooves.

Abstract: According to the invention, elongate legs suspend a refuse engaging ram surface and guide reciprocative movement thereof between retracted and compacting positions. Adjustable pressure equalizing pads are spaced lengthwise on each of the legs and have flat contact areas for facial engagement with a guiding surface to effect distribution of forces transverse to the line of the ram compacting stroke over the guiding surface. The invention contemplates sufficient force distribution that the inside surface of a thin wall, typically forming the exposed shell of the compactor, is suitable as a sole ram guiding structure.

Abstract: An improved baling press with a vertical operating direction and with a press plate guided within a press case by means of rollers and cooperating coordinated guides, and with the press plate being solidly connected to spindle nuts, which in each case are crossed through by a driven press spindle; the baling press permitting the guiding of the press plate of the press case only along one wall thereof, while the other walls with the exception of the wall disposed above or below the drive are available for other use, such as corresponding feed openings. Thus, the guiding of the press plate of the press case is only along one wall of the press case, preferably the rear wall thereof.

Abstract: A fluid actuated press is defined by two interlinked box shaped members having open sides with the upper member fixed and the lower member moveable with respect to the upper member. The top wall of the moveable member is positioned between the top and bottom walls of the fixed member and the space between the top wall of the moveable member and the bottom wall of the fixed member defines an expandable fluid chamber to receive pressurized fluid. When pressurized fluid is introduced into the chamber it expands the fluid chamber driving the moveable member in an upward direction toward the top wall of the fixed member and to apply a compressive force to a work piece positioned between the upper wall of the fixed member and the top wall of the moveable member. The walls of the boxed shaped member are reinforced with parallel bars which are notched or provided with tabs at the ends thereof to interlock with the bars of the adjacent connecting wall to oppose relative outward movement.

Abstract: Refuse delivered into an elevatable pivoted dumping bin is transferred by gravity and by the operation of a positive pusher element into a hopper bin above and in communication with a horizontal axis ram compactor. The hopper bin/ram compactor unit is interfaced with a large volume refuse transporting container which is removed to a refuse dumping site periodically. The system is capable of on-site operation for extended periods of time with minimal operator attendance. The system assures a substantially trash-free environment.

Abstract: A device for use with waste containers wherein the waste is packed, compressed and held in its compact state within the container until the container's capacity is reached. The device comprises a frame consisting of a pair of cross bars with the opposite ends of certain of the cross bars received in vertical channels carried by confronting interior wall surfaces of the wall container. The channels are provided with yieldable locking members projecting inwardly of the channels and adapted to retain the cross bars in a depressed position against the compacted waste material within the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for compacting waste material. The apparatus includes a over adapted to close the open end of a waste container. The cover includes a lip member adapted to engage the top ends of the container. The lip member has a central aperture formed therein. A cover member having a shape proximate the shape of the central aperture in the lip member is removably supported on the lip member to close the central aperture. The cover member is adapted to be inserted through the central aperture in the lip member into the interior of the container and urged downward to compact the contents of the container.

Abstract: A crushing apparatus adapted for crushing cans and the like has a piston assembly reciprocal within a cylindrical housing. The piston assembly includes a piston head and a drive rod which is provided with a plurality of gear teeth. The gear teeth of the drive rod are engaged by a circular gear mounted on a shaft positioned transversely in the housing with the shaft being rotatable by means of a crank arm to reciprocate the piston assembly in the housing. An end wall secured to the housing defines a fixed crushing surface while the piston head provides a movable crushing surface. An enlarged entry opening is provided in the housing to permit insertion of a can to be crushed between the fixed and movable crushing surfaces with the piston head being movable completely past this opening. An exit opening is also provided in the housing, preferably at an angularly spaced-apart orientation to the entry opening with the exit opening permitting the removal of the can after it has been crushed.

Abstract: A can crusher having continuous incremental crushing action for reducing cans or similar containers to a compact size is disclosed. The crusher consists of a housing having a cylindrical configuration with a cylindrical cavity disposed therein enclosed at one end by a mounting fixture for horizontal attachment to a wall or the like and enclosed at the other end by a front plug which provides a crushing surface. Disposed within the cylindrical cavity is a ram slidably engageable therein having ratchet arms attached in a spaced-apart relationship thereto adapted for attachment to a handle for propelling the ram through the cavity in a continuous incremental manner toward the front plug. The housing includes a can insertion opening disposed in a top portion thereof for enabling a can to be inserted into the cavity between the ram and the plug and a can ejection slot disposed in the bottom portion thereof proximate the front plug for passing a can which has been crushed out of the housing.

Abstract: A cabinet for a trash or refuse compactor having a recessed area formed in the inside surfaces of its side and rear panels and extending upward from the floor thereof for a predetermined distance, the depth and size of the recess in the side and rear panels being such that the vertical sides of a box-type container may be disposed completely within the recess so as to avoid contact with a descending compaction plate.