Abstract: A device for crushing metal containers to facilitate recycling the containers, the device having a base and an operating lever pivotally secured to the base. The base has a base shoe sized to receive one end of a metal container and the operating lever has a crushing shoe at one end thereof. The crushing shoe has an annular groove formed in one face and sized to receive the other end of the metal container.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for individually flattening cylindrical containers, such as metal cans. A base is provided for supporting a can in a crushing position in which the can is disposed on its side on the base. A lever mechanism is pivotally attached to the base and is swingable upwardly therefrom to a raised position to permit a can to be positioned on its side on the base and downwardly toward the base for crushing the positioned can. The lever mechanism is jointed and includes a can engaging edge projecting from the joint whereby the edge is pivotable both about the pivot axis of the lever mechanism on the base and about the joint to effect crushing of one side of the can at one end thereof with the one end flattened over the crushed side. The partially flattened can then is turned over for similarly flattening the other side and other end thereof until the can is completely crushed into a flattened condition.

Abstract: Can crushing apparatus including a base portion, a can holding portion, a crusher portion, and a crusher actuating portion; the can holding portion extending upwardly from the base portion, the can holding portion including a can retaining section, the can retaining section including a can receiving opening adjacent the upper end of the can retaining section, a crushed can outlet opening adjacent the lower end of the can retaining section; the crusher portion including a piston, a piston rod having one end connected to the piston and the opposite end thereof connected to the crusher actuating portion, the piston rod being of a length greater than the length of the can retaining section; the crusher actuating portion including a support section extending upwardly from the base portion adjacent to the can retaining section, a handle member having one end thereof pivotally connected to the upper end of the support section and extending from the support section over the upper end of the can retaining section and

Abstract: Apparatus for collection of metallic containers and for dispensing tokens therefo, including an exterior housing having an access port therein; a rotating belt havig a plurality of generally horizontal shelves formed thereon, each shelf for receiving and supporting a container, a pair of curved actuator arms for passing an electric current directly through the container 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: An article crushing device having a base support on which is mounted an anvil bracket for supporting the item to be crushed includes a crushing piston disposed in a cylindrical housing which is adapted to slidably move therein. An operating handle, pivotally connected to the base support, is provided with a means connecting the operating handle to the piston for progressively increasing the ratio of force on the piston to moment on the operating handle as the piston approaches the anvil bracket during the crushing operation of the article.

Abstract: A compact can crusher in which used beverage cans and the like are dropped into a chute and are crushed flat between an oscillating crusher plate and a wall of the chute, the crushed cans being dropped through an open lower end of the chute. A drive motor is coupled to the crusher plate to apply maximum thrust at opposite ends of the oscillating stroke, so that cans are effectively flattened to a minimum thickness. In one form spring stored energy adds to the initial crushing action when the most pressure is needed, and provision is made to prevent cans from jamming in the chute and to prevent the mechanism from being jammed by articles which are not readily crushed.

Abstract: A compacting device for crushing aluminum beverage containers to render them more readily storable and transportable to salvage facilities. The device comprises a housing with a side opening for receiving an empty container, an open end aligned with a movable piston actuated by a linkage controlled by a hand lever, and a closed end supporting a pivotal anvil. The can is initially crimped as it is inserted through a narrowed portion of the side opening to help start its axial crushing when engaged by the piston. When the can is fully collapsed, the anvil pivots to eject the can from a lower opening in the housing. The device is preferably constructed from a strong, light, plastic material and can be mounted in either a vertical or horizontal position.

Abstract: A can crusher having a housing, a hopper removably supported on the housing for holding cans to be crushed, a baffle secured inside the hopper gravitationally supports cans thereon and permits descent of the cans into the bottom of the hopper whereby said cans drop into and rest upon a can cradle attached to a ram, a drive sprocket extending from a motor is connected to a sprocket wheel whereby the sprocket wheel turns upon turning of the drive sprocket, a ram connected to the sprocket wheel pivots on a ram support and reciprocates within guide means on said ram support upon turning of the sprocket wheel, a can engaging plate attached to the ram advances toward a can engaging plate attached to the ram support, a can supported on the can cradle is crushed between the plates as the ram advances with the sprocket wheel, the crushed can drops by gravity through an opening in the bottom of the housing upon the return stroke of the ram.

Abstract: A can crusher is provided utilizing a single lever arm pivoted in two places to a pivotal link and a crusher plate respectively and having a unique action wherein upon lifting the lever arm space is provided for a can and a foot extended from the lever arm crushes one end of the can, and upon depressing the arm the can is completely crushed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and crushing empty cylindrical cans such that after being folded and crushed the can end faces are essentially coplanar. The apparatus comprises a flat stationary anvil and a flat parallel reciprocable platen defining therebetween a folding compartment into which an empty can is inserted, an independently reciprocable creasing element or plunger slidably inserted in an aperture through the center of the reciprocable platen such as to enter and leave said folding compartment, and a drive arrangement simultaneously advancing the reciprocable platen and reciprocable creasing element into said folding compartment towards the can, the creasing element being advanced more rapidly than or ahead of the platen, and drive retracting the creasing element after the creasing element has nearly passed through the can without stopping the advance of the platen, and subsequently retracting the platen.

Abstract: A redemption apparatus or system and process for accepting the return of selected types of non-refillable containers, and issuing to the customer a cash return or a coupon redeemable at a store for the face value printed thereon. In one embodiment of the invention the redemption system includes an open round carousel turntable having circumferentially separated compartments thereon in which a customer places a returned bottle or can. The returned container is placed on the carousel with a code thereon, which may be of UPC type, facing radially outwardly therefrom such that rotation of the carousel results in movement of the code past a code reader within the redemption apparatus which scans and detects the code markings.