Abstract: An improved oil filter crusher, includes a cylinder positioned over a movable platform. Upon initiation of operation of the crusher, the platform moves upwardly toward a base member of the cylinder to crush the oil filter and discharge oil therefrom.

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: The press comprises a frame (1), a feed zone (3) receiving the waste to be treated, a pressing chamber (9) comprising an intake aperture (10) and an outlet aperture (11) and a chamber (14) for discharging the solid phase. The press also comprises a component (15) movable transversely relative to the axis of the pressing chamber (9) between a first position for closing off the outlet aperture (11) and a second position for opening the outlet aperture (11), comprising jacks (20) for horizontal movement of the movable component in the direction of the axis of the pressing chamber (9) in order to apply the face of the movable component facing the outlet aperture (11) against the outlet aperture during compression of the heterogeneous waste.

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: A can crusher apparatus having an end wall plate and a relatively movable press plate selectively directed onto the end wall plate to crush can members therebetween. The end wall plate having longitudinally aligned recesses contained therewithin cooperative with press plate recesses to position can members to be crushed therebetween. A modification of the invention includes vacuum manifold structure to eliminate residual fluids from within can members to be crushed.

Abstract: A can crusher for flattening cans is provided which has a cylindrical body having a first upstream end and a second downstream end. A fluid cylinder having a piston rod is connected to the first end of the body and a piston rod is mounted within the body and attached to the piston rod for movement from a retracted upstream position to an extended downstream position. A discharge opening is provided in the body adjacent the downstream end thereof. A can receiving opening is provided in the body spaced a distance from the discharge opening at least equal to the maximum can height to be accommodated by the can crusher. A ripper tooth extends longitudinally within the body from the can receiving opening to the discharge opening. A control device selectively supplies hydraulic fluid to opposite ends of the fluid cylinder to move the piston between the retracted position and the extended position to simultaneously drain liquid from the can as it is crushed.

Abstract: A beverage can crusher has a pair of rollers which rotate toward one another to crush a can between them. The crusher has a deposit window and chute which place the cans above the rollers and ensure that the cans are flattened from the sides rather than smashed from the top. This provides for a repeatable, baleable crushed can. An actuator placed less than one can length above the rollers in the chute energizes the drive motor to rotate the rollers and continues to have the rollers rotating as long as there is a can engaging the actuator The rollers have a special receiving surface and engaging surfaces which grip the sides of the can to minimize slipping so that the can will be pulled down between the rollers. In addition, pins extend radially outward from the outer surface of the rollers to further grip the can.

Abstract: A baling machine has an outer housing forming an elongate, rectangular main baling chamber with a discharge opening at one end and an auxiliary baling chamber intersecting the main baling chamber. An inlet opening directs cans into the chambers at the intersection. An auxiliary piston is reciprocally mounted in the auxiliary baling chamber to compress cans to a first compression pressure in an initial compaction stage, while a main piston is reciprocally mounted in the main baling chamber to compress the compacted cans to a second compression pressure in a final compaction stage in which a bale of predetermined dimensions and weight is formed without any need for pre-weighing the cans.

Abstract: Machine for extracting juice from citrus fruit in which the fruit are squeezed between a fixed plate (41) and a movable plate (42) mutually convergent at their lower part. At the beginning of every operative cycle, the fruit (6) is introduced between the plates from their upper part. During the first half of the operating cycle, the movable plate (42) approaches the fixed plate (41) by the action of a crank (31-32-34) - connecting rod (35) unit controlled by a motor reducer (30). The approaching movement of the movable plate (42) causes the squeezing of the fruit (6). The squeezed juice falls into the hopper (22) and, then, into the container (8). Afterwards, the movable plate (42) goes away from the fixed plate (41) and the squeezing residual product (6A) comes off said plates (41,42), it falls on the inclined grill (23) and it slides from the grill into the drawer (26).

Abstract: An assembly for perforating, crushing and baling crushable objects includes a hopper for receiving crushable objects at a first location. A conveyor moves the crushable objects from the first location to a second location. At the second location, a perforating and crushing apparatus receives the crushable objects and perforates them while crushing them to a flat, plate-like configuration. The objects then move, under the force of gravity, to a baling apparatus which compresses the crushed objects into a bale of predetermined configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing workpieces includes a drive mechanism having a gear reduction train and a moveable rack member which is centered above a compression plate for even, linear force transmission. Force is transmitted to the rack member on two opposite sides thereof by a pair of pinions which engage opposite rows of rack teeth. The compression plate is integral with a pair of opposite guide sleeves, which are mounted for sliding movement with respect to vertically extending guideposts. A crimper mechanism is mounted to the compression plate for crimping the workpiece prior to compression. The combination of the improved drive train, which prevents jamming of the apparatus due to uneven force transmission, and the crimper mechanism allows a relatively small motor to be used in the unit, which increases its portability, economy and affordability.

Abstract: A pressing apparatus for citrus fruit including upright blades extending radially outwardly from a vertical axis to define V-shaped segments therebetween, the upper edges of the blades being sloped downwardly toward the axis to centrally support a piece of fruit. A press is vertically reciprocated between an upper feed position allowing fruit to be located on the blades and a lower pressing position a selected spacing above the peel ejectors. Peel ejectors within each of the V-shaped segments are pivotally supported for movement between (1) a horizontal ready position when the press is moved to the pressing position and (2) an ejecting position sloped downwardly away from the axis when the press is moved toward the feed position. A feed assembly cyclically feeds fruit to the blades through a chute, and includes a cylindrical enclosure open on one side to the chute and a feed drum supported for rotation about a horizontal axis within the enclosure.

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: An automatic compactor-crusher for processing spent aerosol spray cans safely depressurizes, evacuates, and crushes cans for subsequent environmentally sound disposal and/or recycling. Fluid residue is safely captured within a reservoir. A vertically upright, supporting frame secured to a floor in the work area supports a telescoping can receiver assembly. The receiver assembly matingly receives cans for processing. A hydraulic crusher assembly located on top of the frame compresses cans against the receiver assembly with an extensible ram. The receiver assembly comprises a tubular sleeve which coaxially receives a displaceable cylinder. A rigid union at the bottom of the sleeve limits travel of the cylinder, and establishes a fluid flow path into a holding tank. A rigid valve guide projecting from the union mounts a fluid control valve for selectively blocking fluid escape from the receiver, and a rigid, canpiercing lance which punctures cans after sufficient ram displacement.

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: In juice extractor apparatus there is usually provided an orifice tube inside a strainer tube. The orifice tube would have a central aperture through its length for the transport of fruit pulp. The orifice tube of conventional structure is replaced by a fluted column that allows transport of the fruit pulp on the outside of the fluted column and inside the strainer tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting juice from raw juice containing material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a supporting housing, a pair of meshing helical gears (2,3) for crushing the raw juice containing material to initially extract juice therefrom and with each helical gear terminating in a tapered screw. A sieve (4) is operatively positioned around the helical gears and each of the tapered screws with the sieve being branched (47,48) with each branch housing at least a portion of one of the tapered screws, respectively. Each branch of the sieve has a terminal end with a discharge outlet formed thereat to enable each of the screws to further extract juice from the crushed raw juice containing material by compressingly moving the crushed juice containing material along one of the branch portions of the sieve and toward one of the discharge outlets formed in the sieve.

Abstract: An improved oil filter crusher unit is provided for use in recovering used motor oil from an oil filter of the type used in automotive vehicles and for reducing the volumetric size of an oil filter prior to disposal with other trash in a landfill or the like. The crusher unit includes a crushing piston assembly having a pneumatic piston connected via a bearingless piston shaft to a filter crushing head. An air circuit system provides pressurized air to the piston assembly to advance the crushing head into engagement with an oil filter disposed within a crushing chamber. A control lever on the outside of the unit mechanically interlocks with a safety door to prevent access to the crushing chamber during unit operation. In addition, the geometry of the crushing head incorporates one or more protrusions which initiate filter crushing by crimping localized areas of the filter and thereby weaken the filter so that crushing can be accomplished with relatively low peak crush forces.

Abstract: A machine for extracting juice from citrus fruit, in particular oranges, includes an inclined chute conveying the fruits to be squeezed against a step, a spoon that raises the fruit resting on the step, and two squeezing plates below the step. The plates include a front plate and a back plate, the front plate being pivoted at its upper part and urged by a spring toward the back plate. The back plate is connected to a connecting rod and crank driven by a speed reducer by which the back plate is slid longitudinally horizontally toward and away from the front plate. As the two plates converge, the fruit interposed therebetween is squeezed by the back plate. Juice thus extracted from the fruit drips into an underlying hopper and from there is collected in a container. Afterwards, as the back plate moves away from the front plate, the residue of the previously squeezed fuit falls down on an inclined grill disposed over the hopper and is collected in a collecting drawer.

Abstract: Citrus juice extraction equipment is provided with an annular cutter head provided with a plurality of apertures or window means which allow peel oil that is pressed out of plug of citrus fuit rind cut by annular cutter head to pass therethrough and join the rind of citrus fruit which passes adjacent the windows in the annular cutter head when the citrus fruit is being processed to extract citrus juice.

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: The machine has a containment box which holds the material to be compacted. The material is advanced through the containment box by a pivoted inlet wall of the containment box which is acted upon by a fluid actuated cylinder. Two compaction stations are arranged in series inside the containment box to achieve two successive compactions of the material. Each compaction station has an L-shaped presser element which is provided to the containment box and which oscillates under the action of a fluid actuated cylinder. The L-shaped presser element oscillates between a non-working position, and a working position in which the volume inside the compaction station is decreased to compact the material. Guillotine shears are arranged after the compaction stations to cut the compacted material.

Abstract: A densification apparatus for use in recycling plastic containers utilizes a hopper with a movable lid to feed collected plastic containers to a continuous chain conveyor having a plurality of wedge-shape teeth which perforate the containers and urge them between a set of compression plates and rollers such that the plastics are compressed beyond their ability to resume their original shape. The vertical conveyor and hopper-closing lid prevent ballistic rejection of containers and enable iterative processing of plastic in a movable or stationary curbside apparatus.

Abstract: An electrically actuated can crushing apparatus having a housing, a reversible motor mounted within the housing, a threaded shaft coupled for rotation with the output shaft of the motor, and an arm threadingly engaged to the threaded shaft. An antirotation device prohibits the arm from rotation thus permitting the arm to move upwardly and downwardly, dependent upon the direction of rotation of the threaded shaft. An uppermost pressure plate is secured to the arm at an angle skewed to the longitudial axis of the vertically disposed threaded shaft. The housing supports a lowermost pressure plate which is affixed in a horizontal plane and is adapted with an upwardly directed protrusion to accommodate the depression usually found in the base of cans to be crushed. Upon the actuation of the motor, the uppermost pressure plate, which is constantly maintained at a slight angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft, approaches the lowermost pressure plate.

Abstract: In a juicer, a level has a shaft member inserted into a horizontal cylindrical mounting member formed on the top of a support body and a prolonged radial lever arm whose terminating end can be turned to below the bottom end of the support body. An annular partition plate is fixed in the cylindrical mounting member and a locking sleeve is fitted in the partition plate. The locking sleeve has radial flanges to abut with the partition plate so that the locking sleeve does not move away from the partition plate when it is moved axially. However, a notch is provided in the partition plate at a predetermined position to permit one of the radial flanges to pass therethrough. The lever shaft which carries a gear is inserted into the locking sleeve. A rack is connected to a pressing member and inserted into the support body, engaging with the gear. The rack can be easily drawn out of the support body for cleaning when the lever arm is turned to below the bottom end of the support body.

Abstract: An arrangement for the compressing of refuse and similar materials by means of a number of roller-shaped compressing bodies acting in a container or similar receptacle and moving along the container so as to compress the material. The arrangement permits the effective compressing of the intended material without the need for a major labor input, etc.

Abstract: A livestock feed bagging machine includes a wheeled chassis having a feed stock receiving trough extending transversely across the front. An auger in the trough distributes the feed stock to a toothed drum which forces ground feed stock through comb fingers into a compression and shaping compartment. Compacted feed stock moves from the compression and shaping compartment through a feed stock discharge section into a flexible bag. An adjustable brake retards the movement of the chassis in a controlled reactive response to the discharge of feed stock into the bag.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for continuously producing blocks of cheese curd from a sheet of cheese curd. The apparatus may include means for producing the sheet of cheese curd but includes inclined surfaces for guiding the sheet into a conditioning tower. The tower receives the sheet in overlying face-to-face relation. A lower slide gate is disposed at the bottom of the tower to permit build up of a curd mass in the tower. Thereafter, a combination sliding gate and knife blade positioned above the slide gate is closed so as to cut a block of cheese curd above the lower slide gate. A carton may be elevated to telescopically surround a discharge section provided at the bottom of the tower to receive the block. When the knife blade closes, the curd thereabove is supported and the lower slide gate is then opened, allowing the block to descend through the discharge section into the elevated carton.

Abstract: A juice extractor uses two commonly driven crank arm drive systems to provide a low profile juice extractor.

Abstract: A low-cost strainer tube which can be quickly replaced in a citrus fruit juice extractor. The tube includes a hollow perforated sleeve which can be quickly inserted into a hollow body member and can be quickly removed. The sleeve has a plurality of groups of radial perforations which align with corresponding radial holes in the body member to allow juice to flow from an inside of the sleeve to an outside of the body member. To the amount of pulp which flows through the perforations it is necessary to remove only the sleeve and substitute another sleeve with different size perforations.

Abstract: A juicing apparatus includes a conveyor for delivering citrus fruit to the top of a truncated cone. The top of the cone defines a circular knife with a tube extending concentrically from the circular knife and through the convex cone. The fruit is centered on the convex cone by deflectable centering supports. A plurality of radially aligned knives are directed toward the upper portion of the convex cone. A concave cone is movably disposed over the fruit and over the convex cone. Downward movement of the concave cone causes a central cylindrical plug to be cut from each fruit and gently juiced in the tube extending from the circular knife. Further downward movement of the concave cone urges the fruit into the radially aligned knives and cuts the fruit into sections that can be squeezed and wiped against the outer surface of the convex cone.

Abstract: A juice extractor uses two commonly driven crank arm drive systems to provide a low profile juice extractor.

Abstract: A hydraulic scrap shear having a multiple segmented shearing blade configuration at one end of a feed channel. The shearing blade configuration compresses and cuts the scrap into multiple uniform chunks on a single cycle.

Abstract: The plastic syringe destruction device employs a cylinder and piston compaction unit together with heat to thermally smash plastic syringes into a compacted mass or slug. During compaction, the syringes are heated to temperatures between 100.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. to bring about melting of the syringes as well as sterilization. A removable transparent cover is also provided to permit only individual depositing of syringes into the cylinder when the main cover is in an opened position. A water injector nozzle is also provided as an option to permit compaction in a dry or wet state.

Abstract: Mounted in a frame are: (a) a hopper having at its base an opening and slots delimiting optionally articulated, inclined and vertical walls which open into the opening; (b) an inclined conveyor or chute for supplying the hopper with containers through a lock; and (c) a tool controlling one or a plurality of knives for cutting the container, which tool is mounted in the frame so as to be displaced against the containers and is provided with a manual actuator, the knife having a contour adapted to the shape of the containers and being positioned so as to partly and transversely sever the containers in the medial region of their bodies; (d) the tool including a ram for opening and flattening the containers against the inclined walls of the hopper, after the containers have been cut by the knife, while causing the containers to be emptied into a receptacle placed under the hopper.

Abstract: A mobile scrap shear machine is comprised of a shear head assembly and a chute which is postionable between a lowered, transport position and a raised operational position. A frame work extends from the shear head assembly and hydraulic lifting assemblies are attached to the shear head assembly and framework so that upon extension of foot pads attached to the hydraulic ram assemblies the machine is lifted and the weight of the chute, the shear head assembly and the framework is borne through the support pads of the hydraulic ram assemblies. In operation, the chute is raised and has a bed which serves to gravity-feed scrap to the shear head assembly. A set of wheels is mounted to the framework and the chute includes a hookup mechanism which can be lowered onto and attached to a truck. When the chute is lowered onto a truck and when the support pads of the hydraulic assemblies are retracted, the weight of the shear machine is transferred to the wheels of the framework and the wheels of the truck.

Abstract: A stationary knife blade for shearing bales of recompressed hay disposed across the discharge end of a decompression chamber of a recompression apparatus designed to recompress and retie bales of fibrous material.

Abstract: Apparatus for crushing cans or the like comprises a conveyor formed from a plurality of endless chains cooperating with a fixed inclined crushing plate converging toward the discharge end of the conveyor. The crushing plate includes an actuator strip-like member hinged to the plate which when depressed engages an electrical switch to operate a drive mechanism for the conveyor. A can deposited into the apparatus depresses the actuator which operates the electrical switch to start the drive mechanism. The can is gripped by the chain conveyor and pulled downward between the conveyor and crushing plate flattening the can. When the flattened can exits the crushing apparatus the actuator is released stopping the drive mechanism. A support housing for the apparatus is provided with an opening for receiving cans which is spaced a distance from the crushing plate and conveyor to reduce the risk of injury.

Abstract: A waste compactor utilizing the combined forces of compression and vibration for reducing, leveling and compacting waste within a container. The pressure force is expelled through a guided hydraulic ram assembly, the pressurized movement of which is coordinated with an applied vibrating energy developed through a mechanical vibrator and/or sonic frequency emitter, the rate and intensity of which encompasses a varying range. The sonic vibrating energy generator may be carried by and movable with the compacting ram or it may be embedded in the base platform of the compactor.

Abstract: A modular automatic bale tier for separately tying one or more wires each in a closed loop having an adjustable predetermined length about a compacted bale of material so as to eliminate wire breakage and slack due to variations in bale material, density and dimensions. Each closed loop is formed by engagement of opposite portions of the wire by a reciprocating wire transport head which brings the portions together for the twisting and cutting operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a citrus fruit extractor of the type wherein a whole fruit is positioned in one of opposed interfitting cup halves which are provided with means for cutting the skin or rind at diametrically opposed areas. Concurrent movement of one or both cups toward each other compresses the fruit and produces the diametrically opposed cuts. Cutting and compressing ruptures the juice sacks and the juice flows through one of the cut areas of the skin, through a screen and to a collecting trough. In its path to the trough, the juice makes little or no contact with the freshly cut surfaces of the skin.

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 method and apparatus is disclosed for automatically controlling operation of a juice finishing machine of a type having a cylindrical perforated screen in a housing forming an inlet for introducing initial juice or the like into an interior portion of the screen, temperature of juice solids in the pad area and temperature of the initial juice entering the machine being separately monitored and converted to proportional electrical signals, a differential controller establishing a differential output signal proportional to the differential between the sensed temperatures, the differential electrical signal being converted to a pneumatic signal suitable for regulating operation of the actuator means in order to automatically control finished quality of juice product from the machine. A fail-safe control is also provided for establishing a predetermined setting for the actuator means if the differential electrical signal exceeds predetermined limits.

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: A waste baling machine having a baling or compression chamber of generally parallelopiped configuration is provided with a charging passage leading thereto with the head of a charging ram reciprocable in the passage and normally forming, in one position, a wall of the chamber. A discharge passage leads from the chamber at right angles to the charging passage and the head of a discharge ram, which when retracted forms a wall of the chamber, is advancable through the chamber and the discharge passage to eject waste material compressed in the chamber by the charging ram, i.e. a bale. If the bale is oversize and protrudes back into the charging passage, a portion of the wall of the discharge passage which forms a part of the charging passage is moved to enlarge the discharge passage sufficiently to permit ejection of the oversize bale.

Abstract: A hydra-extractor includes an extractor screw and dewatering chamber, a cone for directing dried material to a plug cutter, the plug cutter, and a discharge chute. Associated power apparatus is mounted on the hydra-extractor. A novel cone is provided which is hyberolic in shape, composed of a high density urethane, and separable into two parts. The cone is affixed to the plug cutter which is also separable into two parts. The plug cutter is affixed to and rotated by the extractor screw shaft.

Abstract: In a channel press for producing bales, preferably tied, of non-metallic waste materials, such as office waste and the like, a press piston is reciprocably mounted in a press channel or shaft into which the waste material is introduced. A knife member is mounted on and is movable with the press piston. A stationary counterknife member is located in the press channel. At least the stationary knife has individual teeth each formed with a point. The teeth are located along a line directed oppositely relative to the line of the cutting edge of the movable knife member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for collection, compaction, and ejection of refuse wherein refuse initially dumped into a forward hopper compartment is conducted through an opening in a compaction plate into a storage compartment. A shredding device such as an auger-type impeller is formed as part of the compaction blade assembly and is moveable therewith between a forward position in the hopper compartment and a rearward, compaction position in the storage compartment. The combined impeller and compaction blade assembly permits initial shredding and compaction of refuse during transmission to the storage compartment, with periodic compaction of the storage compartment contents by displacement of the compaction blade assembly rearward. Ejection of refuse from the storage compartment is also accomplished by rearward displacement of the impeller and compaction blade assembly, thereby forcing the contained refuse through a rearward ejection door.

Abstract: Module builder having a generally rectangular framework with an open top side and with spaced apart side walls and spaced apart front and rear walls. The rear wall is formed by a door movable between open and closed positions. A carriage is mounted on the framework for movement longitudinally of the framework between the front and rear walls. A motor is provided for causing movement of said carriage between the front and rear walls. A tramper mechanism is carried by the carriage and has a tramper foot. A hydraulic actuator is provided for moving said tramper foot vertically within said framework for forming a module of material which is dumped into the framework. Wheels are mounted on opposite sides of said framework to permit the module builder to be transported from one location to another. The side walls have upwardly and outwardly flared portions so that imaginery vertical lines depending from the outer upper margins of the side walls clear the wheels on the sides of the rectangular framework.

Abstract: A machine for crushing metal cans into rectangular blocks or bales wherein cans are fed through a precrusher, which flattens and rips open the cans to drain liquids therefrom and leaves protruding torn tabs and flaps that facilitate bonding of the cans into a self-sustaining bale. The flattened cans are collected in a charging bin until a predetermined weight is reached; then the cans are released into a bale-forming chamber, which is closed by a hinged door forming an initial compression member. A ram then compresses the cans longitudinally in the chamber, the ram having ribs on the compression face to form grooves in the bale for future stack-retaining straps. A sliding door opens the end of the baling chamber for ejection of the formed bale by continued extension of the ram.