Abstract: Machine for compacting fuel assemblies, constituted by protective structures containing the fuel and carrying caps at their ends, and for separating the caps from said structures, wherein it comprises a frame forming a lateral bearing surface, a compacting slide block forming a lateral bearing surface facing the first-mentioned bearing surface, a feed opening formed in the frame for introducing an assembly between these surfaces, means for displacing the slide block in a direction perpendicular to these surfaces, two cutting members carried by the slide block and respectively facing the two discharge openings for the caps formed in the frame at the ends of the bearing surface formed thereon, means for displacing the cutting members in said direction in order to separate the caps from the structures, and means for discharging the compacted structure to a discharge opening for the same, formed in the frame.

Abstract: A charge door assembly for automated operation of a baler utilizes a truncated wedge-shaped door pivotally mounted to the baler at a point beneath the lowest point of travel of a conventional movable platen. The door pivots outwardly to admit a charge of material onto the platen from a feed apparatus. Intermeshing teeth are provided along the door assembly fact to separate any material extending outwardly of the door as the door closes. Sufficient space is provided between the door and the passageway therefor to allow material stringing from the teeth to be attenuated and subsequently entrained by the action of the baler.

Abstract: A pair of side plates are provided in opposing and spaced relationship, a pair of jaw members are pivoted to a pair of main shafts extending between said side plates, a pair of opposing crushing blades are mounted on the leading end side of said jaw members for pinching and partially crushing a workpiece positioned therebetween in response to the closing movement of said jaw members and a pair of shearing blades are mounted on the base end side of the jaw members for shearing off said workpiece on the crushed portions of the workpiece in response to the closing movement of the jaw members.

Abstract: A soft drink can crusher, including a piston slidable in a cylinder, and a motor drive for a connecting rod pushing the piston against a metal can placed in one end of the cylinder and crushing the can against an anvil.

Abstract: To compact such scrap materials as relatively comminuted chip, waste, and the like, an apparatus is provided which comprises a vertically extending briguetting machine, upstream whereof there is provided at least one horizontal pre-compression device. The briquetting machine has a portal-like configuration and a vertical compacting ram arranged to penetrate a side intake feed chamber and a vertical axis die. A closure anvil is movable under the die. The die is mounted with a small clearance in the die holder and has an indentation along one generatrix of the outer surface. Thus, the die will be ruptured along the generatrix line during the compression stroke. This does not jeopardize functionality but rather makes die replacement easier. The vertical arrangement eliminates eccentric wear as due to the weight of the horizontally moving elements of known briquetting machines, and facilitates the intaking of the pre-compressed material.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning the flanges of cans. After fruit has been deposited in cans being carried by a conveyor, pistons that are slidably carried by a second conveyor are caused to enter each can. Each piston is so constructed that it severs fruit material on the can flange and compresses the fruit therein.

Abstract: A scrap metal press is disclosed which includes an inclined feeder box, downstream whereof there are provided at least one compacting unit and a guillotine shears unit for the production of compacted scrap blocks. To ensure that a smooth downward movement of the scrap metal can occur even with the feeder box only slightly inclined on a horizontal plane, a plate is provided at the box bottom which is at least temporarily reciprocated with a component in the same direction as the box longitudinal direction. The plate motion, which brings about a condition of dynamic friction between the scrap metal and plate, is preferably accomplished by the use of a slow-motion hydraulic motor having an off-centered pivot pin passed through an opening in the box bottom and engaging pivotally with a body attached to the plate and being loosely movable within the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus is presented for slicing a large round bale into two parts prior to discharge from the baler. Slicing is accomplished by inserting a knife blade into the bale forming chamber during or subsequent to the tying-off event while the bale rotates. The knife is inserted between the belts which encircle the periphery of the baling chamber. The butt end of a more than two foot long knife blade is secured to the center of a T-shaped crossbar. One end of the crossbar is hinge mounted to the top rear midpoint of the baler. The second end of the crossbar is pivotally mounted to the piston shaft of a hydraulic cylinder. The base end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted to the top front midpoint of the baler. In the unactivated state of the cylinder wherein the shaft is in its extended position, the top edge of the knife blade will clear the lower edge of the top front roller of the baling chamber.

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: 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: An apparatus for cutting foodstuffs and the like. The apparatus comprises an open-end cutting compartment of rectangular cross-sectional configuration provided with a fixed lateral wall and an oppositely positioned movable lateral press wall. Positioned above and communicating with the cutting compartment is a foodstuff holding compartment from which foodstuff is fed to the cutting compartment. A plate for covering the opening between the holding and cutting compartments is associated with a compacting piston which retracts and repositions the press wall for pre-pressing foodstuff in the cutting compartment. One end of the cutting compartment is provided with means for cutting the foodstuff while the other end is provided with a piston for forcing the foodstuff through the cutting compartment and against the cutting means. A compacting wall for contacting the foodstuff during lateral pre-pressing of the foodstuff is positioned in front of and is adapted to be contacted by the press wall.

Abstract: A juicer for separating pulp and juice from fruit. The juicer comprises an indexing assembly for accepting fruit from a conveyor system and urging the fruit past a cutter to halve the fruit. The cut halves are arranged in opposition to a pair of reamers which remove juice and juice saturated pulp for passage to a pulper assembly. A piston system in the pulper assembly is adapted to compress the juice saturated pulp and contemporaneously discharge compressed pulp. Features include agitators in the conveyor system to facilitate movement of the fruit to the indexing assembly, flexible cups for receiving various sizes of fruit, and operation of the indexing assembly in timed relation to movement of the reamers.

Abstract: The wood baler of the present invention comprises a rectangular frame adapted to receive a plurality of split pieces of wood. A pressure member is movably mounted to the frame so as to move toward and away from one of the end frame members. Hydraulic cylinders are connected to the pressure member for causing it to move toward the opposite frame member, thereby compressing the wood so that it can be bound together in a bale. One of the upper or lower frame members is movable from a first position to a second position which increases the distance between the upper and lower frame members. This permits release of the bale after it has been secured together.

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: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber, a movable piston for compressing the mash of fibrous material, an agitator coupled to the piston so that the agitator moves coincident with the piston, and a drive mechanism for rotating the agitator to mix the mash. The extraction chamber includes an open end for expelling the by-product, a material inlet opening in proximity to the open end for filling the chamber with the mash, and a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract. A gate closes the open end to form a work station within the extraction chamber which is filled with the mash. The mash is agitated and compressed within the work station to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom, and the gate is removed to open the end of the chamber to allow the dry product to be expelled.

Abstract: A shear baler is disclosed which is designed to efficiently process large volumes of desparate scrap metals into discrete, high intensity, compact bundles and includes novel structure for the facile mounting of shear blades in the movable shear ram and for preventing damage to the side mount ram due to scrap metal working around the ram head.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a printing or cutting force to an elongated strip of tape comprising a base, a printing station, a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the base and each including a tape receiving opening, a printing or cutting member and a force exerting element. The force exerting element includes a curved force exerting surface with the axis of its center of curvature being parallel to the path of travel of tape through the apparatus and a structure for supporting and guiding the force exerting element in movement between a first and second position.

Abstract: There are provided improved process and apparatus for preparing a laminated heat-shrinkable strip comprising upper and lower heat-shrinkable sheets fused together with an electric conductor wire sandwiched therebetween as means for covering and protecting joints of steel pipes of oil pipelines or cables.

Abstract: A refuse handling system for transporting refuse from the lower end of a refuse disposal chute, for example, to a location adjacent the outer wall of a building. The system includes a straight elongate tubular chamber of substantially uniform cross section and open at one end. The chamber includes a refuse-infeed section in spaced relation to the open end and a refuse-compression section located closest to and communicating with the open end. A refuse infeed opening is provided in the wall of the chamber to the refuse-infeed section. A refuse conveying pipe having a larger cross sectional area than that of the chamber is connected to the open end of the chamber. The opposite end of the conveying pipe is connected to a remotely located refuse receiving station.

Abstract: Device for baling scrap such as corrugated paper cartons and the like, including a pointed spindle extending upwardly through a support platform. The point of the spindle is detachable from the spindle shaft, and supports tie strings routed from beneath the support platform. A baling lever disposed above the support platform is drawn downward from its rest position toward the spindle to impale scrap on the spindle; an accumulation of impaled material on the spindle forms a stack to be baled. The spindle is linked to a vertically movable spindle support lever beneath the platform; the support lever is normally latched in its uppermost position to support the spindle in its operative position. When the stack of material is to be bound into a bale, the point of the spindle is detached and the spindle support lever is released and lowered, withdrawing the spindle shaft from the stack of material and leaving the strings threaded through the stack.

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: 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: An apparatus for cutting a scrapped good such as a scrapped automobile. The apparatus has a machine frame having a table provided with a recess, and a bifurcated pressing member rotatable into and out of the recess by means of a pressing cylinder. The pressing member has a lifting portion and a cutting portion provided at its both side with cutting edges for co-operation with cutting edges formed at both sides of the recess. As the pressing cylinder is energized, the pressing member is rotated into the recess to cut and press the scrap into tabular form. The pressed tabular scrap is then lifted by the returning rotation of the pressing member to the level of the table surface, and is discharged to the out of the apparatus by means of a pay-off device mounted on the machine frame.

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 method is disclosed for treating cheese, preferably cheese offcuts, to form a reconstituted block of cheese. The offcuts are first cut into small chips and then repressed in an evacuated environment to form the reconstituted block of cheese which may then be cut to commercially saleable sizes and packaged.

Abstract: A machine for compressing and cutting random loaded scrap metal comprises gravity advancing scrap metal to a cutting zone, applying a first transversal compression to the scrap metal being advanced, guillotine cutting a portion of the scrap metal and concurrently applying a further transversal compression. The machine comprises a scrap metal conveying trough, a transversally movable pressing plunger adapted for traversing the conveying trough and compacting the conveyed scrap metal, a guillotine block for cutting the compacted scrap metal and a guillotine driven compacting block movable perpendicularly to the pressing plunger and cooperating therewith.

Abstract: An improved citrus fruit juice extractor of the type that includes interdigitating fruit cups which progressively compress a fruit as they are brought together to force juice-bearing material out of the peel of the fruit incorporates a strainer tube that has apertures of differing sizes. The apertures that are spaced from the cups are larger than those apertures that are closest to the cups. The larger apertures in the strainer tube permit substantially whole, ruptured juice sacs to be exuded therethrough at the outset of a juicing cycle without substantially comminuting the juice sacs, and the smaller apertures prevent undesirable material, such as membranes or embryonic seeds, from being forced therethrough under the higher pressures induced at the end of a juicing cycle.

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 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: A citrus fruit juice extractor capable of processing at least 900 fruit per minute includes a set of lower extractor cups rigidly mounted in a linear arrangement to the extractor frame and a set of movable upper extractor cups adapted to interdigitate with the lower cups to extract juice from fruit received in the lower cups. The upper cups are mounted upon separate drive rods that are respectively clamped to cam follower arms, and the follower arms are sequentially driven by cams affixed in a balanced arrangement upon a camshaft to drive the upper extractor cups in a preselected sequence. The juice extractor further includes perforated strainer tubes extending downwardly of the lower extractor cups and hollow orifice tubes slidably received within the strainer tubes. The orifice tubes are sequentially driven by hydraulic slave cylinders that, in turn, are respectively controlled by master cylinders.

Abstract: A citrus fruit juice extractor wherein a whole citrus fruit is squeezed between a pair of opposed cups to force the juice-bearing internal portions of the fruit into a strainer tube and wherein an orifice or plunger tube is driven upwardly within the strainer tube concurrently to force juice and some minute solid material through the perforations in the strainer tube is disclosed herein. The extractor includes a juice collection manifold having separate chambers arranged along the length of the strainer tube to receive juice extracted through separate portions of the strainer tube. Since the juice expressed through the end of the strainer tube that is farthest from the cups is subjected to considerably less pressure than the juice forced from the upper end of the strainer tube adjacent the cups, such juice component collected in the associated lower chamber of the manifold has less undesirable fruit material suspended therein than that of the juice in the upper chamber of the manifold.

Abstract: A screw press for extracting liquids from materials such as fruits, vegetables, or the like having a cylindrical barrel and a rotatable shaft and helical feed and compression screw concentric with the barrel and having the shaft extending through the barrel. A portion of the barrel rearward from the feed and compression screw forms a cylindrical pressing chamber having screen walls for passing extracted liquids therethrough. The outlet end of the cylindrical pressing chamber is closed by a circular door slidably mounted on the drive shaft. Hydraulic actuators apply adjustable pressure to the outside surface of the door closing the chamber when in a non-operating condition. When material is being pressed in the pressing chamber, the internal pressure will overcome the external pressure causing the door to open for ejection of the dried material. The inner surface of the door includes projecting cutter bars.

Abstract: A multistage continuous rotary screw press assembly with the helical or spiral collars, vanes or ribs of each stage within the casing separated from those of an adjacent stage in the direction of material feed through the casing by a transition zone in which fixed material impingement elements, for example, knives, are mounted for dividing the material as it is expressed from one stage to the next adjacent stage in the material feeding direction.

Abstract: A screw press for extracting liquids from materials such as fruits, vegetables, or the like having a cylindrical barrel having a concentric variable-speed helical feed and compression screw. The rearward portion of the cylindrical barrel comprises a cage section having perforate filter screens for passing extracted liquids and filtering out undesired solids from the material being pressed. The cage section is formed by at least one pair of open semicircular frames having a plurality of spaced apart ribs which support replaceable filter screens. The repair of frames is attached along its bottom edge to a set of interleaved hinge blocks which are hingedly attached to the frame of the press. The pair of frames is removably joined along the upper edges of the frame. When the press is nonoperating, the frames are separated at the upper edges and the hinged blocks permit the frames to open in a book-like manner and swing downward and outward completely clear of the feed and compression screw.

Abstract: A double-acting compacting apparatus comprises two movable compaction plates and a stationary compaction plate arranged between said movable plates. Arranged between respective ones of said movable plates and said stationary plate is a free-fall aperture through which compacted objects can fall under gravity. Means are provided for connecting the movable plates together such that during a compaction stroke utilizing one of said movable plates the other of said movable plates defines with said stationary plate a space for receiving further material to be compacted.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material such as meat. The apparatus includes a turret which rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into one of a plurality of mold cavities and a discharge station where each formed patty is ejected by a piston. An improved sealing means is provided for effecting sealing engagement of a feed spout assembly with the bottom surface of the rotating turret. An improved cut-off band is also provided for separating the formed patties from the turret at the discharge station. Reciprocation of the piston in each mold cavity is regulated by a control means which includes means for limiting the free upward movement of the piston until the cavity opening is fully aligned with a feed opening in the feed spout assembly.

Abstract: A piston/cylinder type element particularly suited for embodiment in a refuse compactor as the ram thereof comprises adjustable guide means for guiding the piston-like element in sliding movement within the cylinder. The guide means are adjustable to accommodate wear in the mating surfaces thereof. There is also disclosed a discharge cone for a compactor which is releasably secured to the ram-housing structure in a selected one of a plurality of positions evenly to distribute wear on the cone produced by the passage of refuse therethrough and that cone is removable from the ram housing to be replaced by a different structure, depending upon the refuse to be compacted. Additionally, the ram member of a compactor includes novel teeth elements to cut through refuse which might otherwise be wedged between adjacent surfaces of the ram and cylinder and cause jamming.

Abstract: A method for compressing and cutting random loaded scrap metal comprises the steps of gravity advancing scrap metal to a cutting zone, applying a first transversal compression to the scrap metal being advanced, guillotine cutting a portion of the scrap metal and concurrently applying a further transversal compression. The machine comprises a scrap metal conveying trough, a transversally movable pressing plunger adapted for traversing the conveying trough and compacting the conveyed scrap metal, a guillotine block for cutting the compacted scrap metal and a guillotine driven compacting block movable perpendicularly to the pressing plunger and cooperating therewith.

Abstract: A device for baling cut crop, comprising a baling chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port and a compression member adapted to move in the baling chamber, the compressing stroke of the compression member extends along the inlet port to near the outlet port and is equal to or slightly larger than the distance between the inlet and outlet ports; a construction of the device according to the invention is suitable for making bundles having a materially higher "specific weight" than the generally known "straw bales".

Abstract: A method of portioning a material and a portioning machine for carrying out the method, the portioning machine comprising a body having an inlet and outlet with gate means movable within the body to selectively open the inlet and the outlet and piston means for compacting material in said body to a predetermined density and for extruding a predetermined quantity of material from the outlet. The piston may be provided with pressure sensitive means which are adjustable so that the density of material compacted can be preselected.

Abstract: A baling machine comprises a frame defining a first baling chamber having an open top and an opening formed in one end and a second baling chamber which communicates with the first baling chamber through the opening. A cover member is pivotally mounted on the frame and movable between an open position permitting access into the first baling chamber through the open top and a closed position covering the open top. A feed hopper is mounted on the frame for introducing material to be baled into the first baling chamber. A first compression ram is mounted adjacent to the first baling chamber and is movable into the first baling chamber for compressing the material in the first baling chamber and for thereby forming the material into a block having one end section which is aligned with the opening. A feed ram is mounted adjacent to the first baling chamber and is movable into the first baling chamber for moving the block end section into the second baling chamber through the opening.

Abstract: An improved punching press employing a crank shaft, two crank arms having wide longitudinal surfaces for driving to a pressure head connected with a slide, and a crank pin connecting punch ram so as to complete the procedures of pressing and punching during one revolution of the crank shaft.

Abstract: A double-acting compacting apparatus comprises two movable compaction plates and stationary compaction plate arranged between said movable plates. Arranged between respective ones of said movable plates and said stationary plate is a free-fall aperture through which compacted objects can fall under gravity. Means are provided for connecting the movable plates together such that during a compaction stroke utilizing one of said movable plates the other of said movable plates defines with said stationary plate a space for receiving further material to be compacted.

Abstract: Compacting apparatus comprising a first compacting plate and a second compacting plate arranged for linear, reciprocating movement relative to the first compacting plate. Arranged between the plates in the neighborhood of one of said plates is a free-fall aperture, such that a compacted object is able to fall freely, through gravity, from said apparatus subsequent to completing a compacting stroke.

Abstract: A refuse bunker of the kind having a horizontal open-topped pressing box disposed beneath a filling hopper and a pressing plunger which is movable longitudinally in the pressing box to feed refuse through an outlet opening of the bunker and, in use, into a container, is provided with a closure which is situated on the outlet side of the outlet opening. The closure includes three passage openings for the passage of refuse from the outlet opening, the passage openings being disposed in two spaced-apart vertical planes. One passage opening, which is in a plane furthest from the outlet opening, is in a stationary member and is aligned with the outlet opening and the other two of the passage openings are vertically movable, are spaced apart one above the other, are of different heights from each other and are situated in a plane between the plane of the stationary opening and the plane of the outlet opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for disintegrating a can includes a feeding chute for feeding the cans into a cutter-compactor mechanism in which cutting blades are fixedly positioned on a rotating drum for cutting each can fed into the mechanism and driving the can further into the compacting portion of the drum. The rotating drum compacts the cans against a fixed arcuate surface and drops the cut and compacted can pieces into a receptacle. The rotating drum has annular raised sides for holding the cans therebetween and protruding cleats on its surface for dragging the cam into the compacting portion. The fixed compacting surface is arcuate to gradually compress the can being pulled against it as the space narrows between the surface and the rotating drum. The chute may have a ferrous can detector to eliminate ferrous cans from the unit, and the fixed compacting surface has a slot to allow the blades to pass therethrough as the drum rotates.

Abstract: An improved molding apparatus is provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material, particularly meat in frozen flake cut form. The apparatus includes a rotating turret with a plurality of mold cavities and reciprocable pistons. The turret rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into the mold cavities and a discharge station where the formed patties are ejected and separated by a continuous cut-off band. An improved cut-off band is also provided in which the band is disposed at a slight angle to facilitate its entry into the interfaces between the bottom surfaces of the pistons and the formed patties. The leading corners of the pistons are chamfered to receive the blade. The band is looped between a pair of pulleys on adjustable supports for providing the desired inclination of the band. Scrapers and spray nozzles are provided to maintain the cleanliness of the band and the pulley grooves.

Abstract: A piston/cylinder type element particularly suited for embodiment in a refuse compactor as the ram thereof comprises adjustable guide means for guiding the piston-like element in sliding movement within the cylinder. The guide means are adjustable to accommodate wear in the mating surfaces thereof. There is also disclosed a discharge cone for a compactor which is releasably secured to the ramhousing structure in a selected one of a plurality of positions evenly to distribute wear on the cone produced by the passage of refuse therethrough and that cone is removable from the ram housing to be replaced by a different structure, depending upon the refuse to be compacted. Additionally, the ram member of a compactor includes novel teeth elements to cut through refuse which might otherwise be wedged between adjacent surfaces of the ram and cylinder and cause jamming.

Abstract: Compression apparatus including a press framework defining a compression region for housing material such as straw to be compressed, one or more compression elements such as two opposed arrays of compression teeth for compressing material by movement along the compression region, and a drive mechanism for moving the compression teeth in a cycle of movement. The cycle includes the compression teeth entering into the compression region, moving along the compression region along a substantially rectilinear path to compress material in the compression region, and returning to the position occupied at the beginning of the cycle, the compression teeth being at least partially removed from the compression region during the return movement.

Abstract: Fruit juice extraction apparatus in which a pair of confronting frusto-conical discs are supported on a rotatable main shaft by ball and socket connections and retained in angular tilted relation by guide bearing assemblies to provide a point of minimum peripheral spacing between the discs on one side, a stationary wall being interposed between the discs and cooperating therewith to form separate pressure-applying travel paths for the respective halves of cut fruit sections, each of the paths converging in the direction of disc rotation from a path inlet adjacent the minimum spacing point to an outlet. The whole uncut fruits are supplied in advance of the minimum spacing point and gripped between the discs and carried to a slicing knife for cutting into half-sections which are carried through the converging paths and forced against perforate portions of the stationary wall by progressively applied pressure to extract the juice.