Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the insertion of a recyclable container into a container receiving station in a manually operated rotatable carrier normally maintained in a non-rotatable condition; and for analysis and initial acceptance or rejection of the container for recycling without mechanical movement apparent to the user. The apparatus includes detecting means adjacent the receiving station to determine the presence of a container comprised of material acceptable for recycling and scanning means for reading code markings on the container. The information read from the code markings on the container may be recorded for subsequent use in determining amounts of deposits to be paid as well as sources of containers. Releasing means are provided for subsequently permitting movement of said rotatable carrier if said container comprises a material acceptable for recycling.

Abstract: A portable can crushing device particularly suitable for crushing aluminum cans. The can crushing device is comprised of a housing having a carriage with an abutment movable towards a fixed abutment supported by the housing. The carriage is mounted for horizontal movement in slots in the housing and is moved toward the abutment by means of an eccentric cam, which has a curvature such that maximum force is applied to the can during the first few inches of travel, then a lesser force at higher speed is applied to complete the crushing of the can. The cam is provided by the edge of a rotably mounted plate engaging a roller on the carriage with the plate having a handle or lever for rotating the cam and applying the force. Aluminum cans placed between the carriage and end wall are crushed by rotating the handle up to apply a force through the cam to the carriage to crush the cans down to approximately less than one-fifth (1/5) their full size.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing articles, such as aluminum beverage cans. The crushing apparatus includes a primary crusher followed by a secondary crusher. The primary crusher is composed of a rotatable, polygonal-shaped drum having a blade mounted on each flat surface which projects outwardly beyond the surface. The articles or cans to be crushed are introduced into the area between the drum and a spring loaded pressure plate, and on rotation of the drum, the blades engage the articles and move them into the nip between the drum and the pressure plate to provide a primary stage of flattening of the cans. The cans are then delivered to the secondary crusher which comprises a pair of cooperating rolls, which more fully crush or flatten the cans and deliver them to a pneumatic discharge conveyor. The apparatus also includes a feed conveyor having a provision for rejecting steel cans, as well as heavy objects, such as cans filled with liquid or foreign materials.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for receiving and crushing containers consisting essentially of recyclable material comprising an enclosure having a manually operated rotatable carrier with a first station comprising a pocket in the carrier to receive a container. Means are provided for detecting the presence of a container in the pocket and for detecting the type of material comprising the wall of the container. The apparatus also contains latching means to prevent rotation of the rotatable carrier until a container inserted therein has passed all tests performed in the first station. Means are also provided for measuring the weight of the container and for crushing metallic containers having a predetermined acceptable weight.

Abstract: Recycling apparatus for receiving and crushing recyclable containers is provided comprising a frame and an enclosure. A manually operated rotatable carrier is associated with the enclosure and has at least one open pocket therein to receive a recyclable container. The apparatus also is provided with detector means to determine the presence of a container in the pocket. Means are provided to lock the rotatable carrier to substantially prevent rotation of the carrier unless a container has been inserted into the pocket. Releasing means are also provided to permit rotation in response to actuation by the detector means when a container has been inserted into the pocket. The container is eventually crushed after rotation of the carrier to carry a container inserted into the pocket to a crushing station.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for receiving and crushing containers consisting essentially of recyclable material comprising an enclosure having a manually operated rotatable carrier with one or more stations comprising pockets in the carrier to permit insertion of a container. Means are also provided to detect the presence of a container inserted into the pocket. Shock absorbing means are associated with the rotatable carrier to inhibit damage to the apparatus by rapid or jerking motions during rotation of the carrier to transport an inserted container to one or more subsequent stations for testing and eventual crushing of a container accepted for recycling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling cans is disclosed. Magnetic material comprising mostly steel cans is separated from a material input. Conductive material, comprising mostly aluminum cans, is then separated from the balance of the material input. The conductive material is weighed and paid for and the magnetic material and conductive material are recombined for storage.

Abstract: A compression device particularly for aluminum cans comprises a frame and an endless driven belt mounted therein and provided with friction means on its outer side. A hold-down member in the form of a plate of a low-friction elastic plastic material is so disposed along and opposite one run of the belt that this run and the hold-down member at one end (inlet end) of the belt will be spaced from each other a distance which exceeds the maximum diameter of the can to be subjected to compression, and progressively approach one another such that they will be located close to each other at the opposite end (discharge end) of the belt.

Abstract: Machine for crushing cylindrical aluminium cans for beer, soft drinks etc. The machine comprises a can intake. A craddle for receiving the can in a substantially horizontal position is displacable between a receiving position in the can intake and a crushing position in a press device for squeezing the cans axially between the end walls thereof. The displacement of the craddle between said position is effected by displacement of a closure member for the can intake between opened and closed positions. A perforated sloping plane is arranged below the press device for receiving the crushed can falling down from the press device at the return movement thereof after crushing, and diverting the crushed can to a collecting container.

Abstract: An unmanned apparatus for collecting scrap aluminum cans and for compensating depositors based on the weight of such cans deposited includes a micro-processor control means which produces control signals for operating the apparatus and dispensing compensation, calibrating a weighing means, monitoring and displaying the existence of alarm conditions and de-energizing the apparatus until the conditions which caused the alarm are corrected. Further, a communication port is provided to transmit and receive remote information as for example from a central dispatch. The compensation and the rate thereof is controlled by a permanent non-volatile memory means and the weight of the cans upon which compensation is based is displayed to the depositor.

Abstract: A can crusher includes a base, a handle pivoted to the base, crusher plates pivoted to the base and handle, and guide means to maintain the plates parallel. The crusher is made of slightly flexible plastics material, is assembled by snapping it together without separate fasteners, and is hollowed out for lightness and strengthened and rigidified with strategically placed ribs.

Abstract: Apparatus for collection of metal containers and for direct payment of refund deposits for containers bearing a distinguishing indicia, including an exterior housing having an access port therein, a container access area sized to accommodate both crushed and non-crushed containers, a metal detector for determining whether a container offered by a customer is substantially aluminum or steel, an optical sensing device for detecting the presence of the distinguishing indicia, a movable shelf responsive to the metal detector and the optical scanning device for accepting a container identified as being substantially aluminum or steel and bearing the distinguishing indicia, a dispenser for dispensing refunds for containers accepted, a crusher for crushing the containers, and a bag for storing the crushed containers.

Abstract: A can compacter assembly comprising a motor, a fluid pump driven by the motor, a fluid cylinder operatively connected to the fluid pump, a piston movably disposed in the fluid cylinder, a plunger connected to the piston and disposed outside the fluid cylinder but slidably within a plunger slide assembly, and a cradle disposed adjacent the plunger slide assembly, the cradle being adapted to receive a can and being further adapted to receive the plunger, whereby the plunger is adapted to exercise a compressive force against the can to compact the can.

Abstract: The recycling machine is provided with a baling chamber having a cyclable hydraulic ram. The ram cycles continuously, and each time it retracts, no more than a predetermined number of cans are admitted to the baling chamber for crushing and adding to the bale therein. A counting mechanism is provided as well as a mechanism for separating steel cans before baling.

Abstract: Apparatus for crushing a plurality of metal containers into a unitary compacted unit and the method associated therewith. A first power operated ram which reciprocates within a compaction chamber. A supply of cans is introduced into the compaction chamber preferably by a predetermined weight measurement. The door between the supply source and the compaction chamber is operated by movement of the ram and its associated platen. Each sequential charge of cans is compressed in the compaction chamber until a compacted unit of predetermined size and weight is established. In another embodiment depressions may be provided to eliminate the need for pallets in handling groups of compacted units. A moveable floor member is opened to permit the compacted unit to be delivered to an underlying discharge chamber. A second powered ram moves the compacted unit out of the compactor while preferably, simultaneously restoring the floor to a closed position.

Abstract: A method for compacting an empty container which comprises applying a compressive force to the sidewall of the container at two points substantially opposite to each other and approximately midway between the container ends thereby causing the sidewall of the container to collapse inwardly on a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and approximately midway between the container ends. Upon release of the compressive force to the container sidewall, a second compressive force is applied to one end of the container while the other end is held firm, thereby causing the container sidewall to collapse along the longitudinal axis of the container so as to bring the container ends together. An empty container compacting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic can crushing machine, preferably used for compressing standard aluminum 12 ounce beverage cans, is constructed of a housing having an angularly inclined feed chute for receiving a supply stack of cans to be crushed therein and an adjacent, parallel-arranged crushing station in which a piston reciprocates back and forth to crush the cans one at a time delivered from the feed chute. The feed chute is adapted to contain a serial stack of spent cans which are disposed, under the influence of gravity, to pass downward in the chute toward an ejection end. An ejector mechanism in the form of a plunger passes transversely through the ejection end of the chute to force a can about to be crushed through a delivery opening covered by a flap valve for deposit into a trough mounted in the crushing station. A crushing piston reciprocates within the trough. Movement of the crushing piston along the trough longitudinally compresses the can to approximately one-eighth of its original length over an outlet gap.

Abstract: A crusher for articles such as aluminum cans, having a crushing chamber with a bearing plate disposed in the base thereof. An ejection lever is disposed within the bottom of the crushing chamber and is utilized to actuate a crusher piston and eject the crushed article at the end of a cycle. In the embodiment disclosed, the placing of an article within the crushing chamber retracts the ejection lever against a spring or other mechanical bias element. This movement of the ejection lever then actuates a switch to operate the crusher piston. The downward operation of the crusher piston causes a latch to restrain the ejection lever in its retracted position. As the crusher piston reaches the maximum amount of travel, a limit switch reverses the drive mechanism and the crusher piston moves upward.

Abstract: A can crusher for axially crushing an empty can of the type having a recessed top and bottom and a pour hole in the top, the pour hole appearing when the tab is removed to empty the can. The present invention comprises first and second members having a hinge at one end for connecting the members in a hinged fashion. One of the members comprises a protrusion arranged for engaging the can bottom, preferably by protruding into the recessed bottom of the can. The other member comprises a pour hole protrusion for engaging the top of the can by protruding into the pour hole. The two protrusions are positioned on the respective members so that the can may be retained between the two members as the can is axially crushed by moving the unhinged ends of the members toward one another.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for evacuating and compacting filled aerosol cans. The cans are manually placed into a feed chute and sensing means are provided to confirm proper can orientation and to permit gravity feed of the can into a crushing mechanism. A hydraulic ram pushes the can against a stator plate. A punch reciprocates through an opening in the stator plate puncturing the bottom of the can so that the contents discharge into a receiver where the liquid contents are separated from the propellent and recovered. An air logic means controls the sequencing of the operative steps. The apparatus can be used in an explosive area.

Abstract: A compactor for salvaging aluminum cans has a removable upright tube that fits into a groove in the base; a replaceable anvil has an arcuate slot that fits over a section of the above-mentioned groove, and the tube wall passes through this slot to reach the groove. A thrust rod, bearing a crushing block, is hingedly connected to a lever arm by means of a U-bolt so that it can remain substantially upright.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for crushing cylindrical cans is disclosed. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for crushing cylindrical beverage cans such as those commonly used as containers for soft drinks and beer. The cans are crushed along their longitudinal axes by parallel crushing faces which each move towards each other along predetermined arcual paths. The faces are continuously moving along an arcual path so that the faces crush the can and then move away from the can to discharge it from the bottom of the apparatus.

Abstract: A can sorting, counting and flattening machine flattens empty cans by folding the can body over the back side of the ring or top end of the can so that both the brand name of the can on the can body and all identifying indicia on the ring end of the can are easily readable after the can has been completely flattened in a one step operation by a single machine operator. The machine employs a series of resettable counters which automatically count the total number of each brand of cans, the total number of cans returned per individual customer and the total number of cans reprocessed by the machine in a given time period.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing cans inserted into an opening in the housing thereof. The cans are crushed between a rotary drum and a roller rotatably mounted within the drum. A slide guide means directs the cans into the nip between the roller and drum. Crushed cans drop through an opening into a collecting bin.

Abstract: A novel system and a method are provided for selecting and segregating used, deformable containers having a UPC designation imprinted thereon. The system is customer-operated, customer-controlled, and directly fed, respectively. The system preferably includes means for compacting and internally storing the containers after compacting.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for crushing cans, such as aluminum cans, for facilitated further handling. The apparatus is adapted for crushing the can longitudinally to a partially crushed configuration defined by a collapsed cylindrical sidewall, a bottom wall extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the sidewall, and a top wall extending at an acute angle to the axis. The apparatus is further arranged to permit manipulating the partially crushed can to a different disposition wherein the partially crushed can is crushed to a final configuration defined by a further collapsed cylindrical sidewall thereof, a bottom wall extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the further collapsed sidewall, and a top wall reversely repositioned at a displacement angle to the original acute angle of the partially crushed can.

Abstract: An empty can crusher for crushing and flattening empty cans, comprising an inlet, a chute, a stopper device, a pressing device and a forked chute. Empty cans supplied in the crusher are crushed and flattened by the pressing device and are sorted into aluminium cans and steel cans by means of a magnet embedded in the pressing device, which fall down into respective receptacles through the forked chute.

Abstract: Can crushing apparatus wherein mutually angularly disposed convex and flat conical disks are rotated to define an open, wedge-shaped receiving region which progressively diminishes about a circular locus to an exit position of close adjacency of the surfaces. Cans are introduced into the receiving region whereupon they are progressively longitudinally flattened, thus facilitating the expulsion of any liquids remaining within the cans while carrying out flattening. By introducing cans from an upwardly disposed trough structure, inherent safety is achieved such that the operator cannot reach into the crushing components of the apparatus. The slope of the disk member engaging surfaces preferably is about 9.degree., while the included angle therebetween at the receiving region preferably is about 33.degree.. By operating the disks at about 60 rpm, improved silent operation is achieved.

Abstract: A flattener for beverage cans is disclosed. The flattener comprises a rotating drum and a series of roller assemblies mounted in a converging arc with respect to the drum to provide a progressively decreasing nip between the roller assemblies and the drum between which the cans may be flattened.

Abstract: A multi-metal container separating apparatus is provided for orienting, delidding and compacting containers. The apparatus includes an orienting unit which orients the lids of the containers in a predetermined direction. After orientation, the containers are fed to a delidding unit. The delidding unit includes a clamping assembly for gripping each container during the delidding process in which one end is removed from each container. While each container is held fixed in position, a piercing element is extended from within a moving plunger body to penetrate an end of the container. The piercing element is then retracted within the plunger body. Movement of the plunger body continues through the body of the container and the plunger body engages the other end of the container. The force of the plunger body in a direction inwardly to outwardly of the container removes this end of the container. The delidded container falls to a pivotable support platform.

Abstract: A reclaim system for plastic bottles whereby the bottles are held between moving belts and the contaminated portion sawed from the uncontaminated portion, thereby permitting suitable reclaim of the respective parts. The method of operation is also shown.

Abstract: An improved can crushing device designed to crush cans such as aluminum beverage containers for recycling purposes comprises a vertically reciprocating plunger 60, the faceplate 68 of which acts in conjunction with an elevated can platform 26, mounted on a primary column 10 to exert force at the top and bottom of the can 100 to effectuate the crushing process. A handlebar 62 attached at the top and a footbar 82 attached at the bottom of the plunger assembly 60 provides a means for the operator simultaneously to apply force from arm and leg muscles and body weight to crush the can. A suppressor 16 is built into the primary column to permit the operator to gain and maximize the use of momentum at the first and at the final stages of the crushing process and to absorb the abrupt reduction of downward movement at the last stage of the crushing process. A return spring 28 holds the device at its fully extended height except during the crushing process.

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 for flattening cylindrical cans such as soft drink and beer cans made of aluminum. The crusher is designed to receive a plurality of cans, one on top of the other. The crusher crimps the cans prior to folding and flattening the top and bottom of the can against the sides of the can. The crusher is operated by raising and lowering a handle and the cans are flattened as fast as the cans can be loaded into the top of the crusher.

Abstract: A machine for reducing, crushing, and joining used metal cans to form an ingot comprising a stack of laminated crushed cans. The reducing chamber contains a vertically adjustable platen on which the ingot is formed. The cans are reduced, crushed, and joined by a ram which is operated within the chamber. Punches on the ram are effective to pierce extruded holes in the crushed cans after the cans have been flattened. The ram is powered hydraulically, or by any other pressure producing device, via a toggle so that an increasing compression force is developed as the cans are 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: This compactor device is for crushing cans, so as to enable them to be stored in a smaller space than when they are in their normal dimensions, and it consists primarily of a base plate with a pair of legs attached. The legs include a cup portion, in which one end of an aluminum can is placed, and a handle is secured by a hinge to the base plate, and is used to compact the can by manual pressure of the user's hands.

Abstract: A device for crushing containers embodies a base having a supporting surface for receiving the container to be crushed. Upstanding crushing members are mounted for rectilinear movement along the supporting surface selectively to a first position in spaced relation to each other for receiving the container to be crushed and to a second position with the crushing members being juxtaposed relative to each other to crush the container. Elongated power transmitting members are connected to the crushing members and are mounted for sliding movement along the supporting surface. A power transmitting element is mounted for rotation above each power transmitting member and imparts rectilinear movement thereto and to the crushing members carried thereby selectively to their first and second positions.

Abstract: A can crimping and folding device is shown which has a base plate having a crimping area and a folding area. The areas are adapted to sequentially receive a can, the length of which is transversely aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base plate. A pivotable handle is attached at one end of the base plate and rotates toward and away from the base plate. The handle has a two-position can crimping portion adapted to meet the base crimping area and a can folding portion adapted to meet the base folding area. The can folding portion of the handle has double concave depressions therein to increase the mechanical advantage of the device.

Abstract: A can and bottle crusher and separator with stationary and oscillating tooth jaw plates confronting each other and converging with each other in a downward direction and dropping crushed glass and metal containers into the discharge chute. A glass discharging port in the bottom of the discharge chute directs glass particles directly into a collecting barrel. A gate is provided to alternately close the chute or to close the glass discharge port. The chute has a separating wheel at its bottom end to initially stop and then propel aluminum cans over the top of it. The wheel has magnetic belts to carry steel containers around with the wheel until they are stripped off and dropped into an appropriate barrel.

Abstract: A rotating force vector is applied to the sidewall of a can at a sufficient distance removed from the end of that can to permit the easy distortion of that sidewall and the ready rotation of the can-end toward a plane which lies essentially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the can. Means are provided to further distort the can and, through the second application of a rotating force vector, to rotate the second end of the can into a plane essentially parallel with the cylindrical axis of the can. Flattening means applied to the can after each revolution of a can-end tends to bring the planes into which the can-ends lie into close juxtaposition so as to provide a relatively flat package requiring comparatively little storage space when compared to the amount of space required to store the original undistorted can.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing articles, such as aluminum beverage cans. The crushing apparatus comprises a rotatable, polygonal-shaped drum having blades mounted on each flat outer surface of the drum which project outwardly beyond the respective surface. The articles to be crushed are introduced into the area between the drum and a spring-loaded pressure plate, and on rotation of the drum, the blades engage the articles and move them into the nip between the drum and pressure plate to crush and flatten the articles. The apparatus also includes a quick release mechanism in which the pressure plate can be readily released to correct a jamming situation.

Abstract: An apparatus to flatten a container such as a can employed in the soft drink or beer industry. The apparatus is so designed so as to initially bend the can in half and following the bending of the can in half, the can is then flattened or compressed so as to present a relatively thin laminate. The apparatus is designed to operate in a timed sequence of operation of thus effect the bending of the can and subsequently flatten the same.

Abstract: An improved can crusher which has a pair of pivotal arms responsive to the position of a piston within an elongated, base mounted tube for denting or creasing and piercing the side of the can prior to the crushing the can by the piston. The piston is activated with a pivotable handle which engages the piston through apertures in the tube. The pivot arms are mounted to the outside of the tube and their ends remote from the base are biased toward the axis of the tube into engagement with the side of the piston. As the piston moves towards the can, the protruding portions of the upper ends of the pivot arms are forced away from the axis of the tube thus forcing protruding portions on the lower ends of the arms into the side of the can, thereby piercing and denting the can. As the piston crushes the can, the lower protruding portion is pivoted away from the can by the action of a biasing spring. The end of the pivotal handle can be curved to reduce off-axis forces on the piston.

Abstract: Apparatus for collection of metallic containers and for dispensing tokens therefor, including an exterior housing having an access port therein, a rotating belt having a plurality of generally perpendicular shelves formed thereon, each shelf for receiving and supporting a container, a search coil for exposing the container to an electromagnetic field for identifying a specific predetermined metallic composition, a dispenser for selectively dispensing a token for a received container having the predetermined metallic composition, a crusher cooperating with the rotating belt for crushing the container, and a hopper for storing the crushed containers.

Abstract: A portable can crushing apparatus which is preferably also readily mountable to a horizontal or vertical support surface is disclosed herein. This apparatus includes a pair of spaced rods and a front end plate which together serve to support a can to be crushed. A back end plate is also provided and serves to support rearward ends of the rods and also the front edge of a holding plate which acts as a footrest during the can crushing operation. This latter operation is carried out by means of a crush plate mounted for slidable movement along the rods and a handle arrangement disposed between and connected with the crush plate and the back end plate.

Abstract: A vertical can crusher of the type having a vertical standard carrying a cantilever head supporting a vertically movable crushing ram, and means for vertically actuating the ram reciprocatably relative to an upwardly facing worktable substantially spaced below the head and fixed relative to the standard, and comprising a vertical tubular can receptacle having its lower end separably supported on the work table and having its upper end open to receive a can therein and adapted to receive the ram for crushing the can against the worktable. Horizontal means attached to the receptacle and guided by the standard controls the receptacle for movement relative to the standard and the head between a first position operatively aligned under the ram so that a can placed in the receptacle is adapted to be crushed by the ram into a flattened disk, and a second position adapted for discharging the crushed can disk from the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing tin cans for convenient disposal, the apparatus including an enclosure fitted with a door for placing cans therein, a crank operated pressure plate inside the enclosure for pressing downward against the cans and a stepped conical seat upon which cans are placed so to not slip during crushing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a two-stage crushing of empty cans along their longitudinal axes to collapse them to minimum bulk. The apparatus has a stanchion fixed to a base and long and short lever arms pivotally mounted on the stanchion. A pivotal linkage interconnects the long lever arm with the short lever arm. First and second crush heads are pivotally mounted between the base and the long and short lever arms with a pantograph type linkage to control the attitude of the crush heads.In the first stage of crushing, the can is placed between the first of the crush heads and the base, and the long lever arm is moved toward the base to partially crush the can axially. In the second stage, the partially collapsed can is placed between the base and the second crush head. The long lever arm is moved toward the base thereby moving the short lever arm toward the base and the can is thereby completely axially crushed.