Abstract: Apparatus for the collection and storage of empty glass bottles, and for dispensing refund payments therefor, including a laser scanner and microprocessor preselection mechanism for determining whether a bottle offered by a customer in the bottle access area of the apparatus is an acceptable refundable bottle; two panels together forming a V-shaped base portion of the bottle access area for accepting the accepted refundable bottle; a solenoid and latch mechanism for tilting one of the two panels inwardly toward a crushing area in response to a determination by the preselection mechanism of the color of the accepted refundable bottle to sort the bottles by color; one or more crushing wheels positioned beneath each panel for receiving the acceptable refundable bottles deposited by gravity from the inwardly tilted panel, the crushing wheels having a plurality of extending bars capable of smashing the accepted refundable bottle into glass cullet; a collection hopper positioned beneath the crushing wheels located

Abstract: An ampoule opener which comprises an elongated flat body having a ceramic ampoule-neck scorer affixed in the body in a longitudinal dimension thereof, e.g. along a longitudinal edge or upon a longitudinal ledge. The body is provided with a row of holes extending along the edge, the holes being of different sizes to accommodate ampoule heads of different sizes. An ampoule head, after scoring of the neck, is inserted into a selected one of the holes and is snapped off.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the destruction and storage for disposal of used hypodermic needles and for the destruction and storage of parts of disposable hypodermic syringes is disclosed. The device includes a closed compartment with an aperture in one wall for receiving a hypodermic needle and permitting it to be severed and to fall into a storage receptacle. Various ways of retaining the severed needle tips in the receptacle are shown, including a magnet and a viscous liquid which partially coats the severed tips. The device also includes a second aperture dimensioned to similarly allow the severance of the tip of a hypodermic syringe and a receptacle for the storage of the severed syringe tips. In one embodiment, the device includes a perforable matrix or sponge-like region into which a used needle may be temporarily inserted for short term storage prior to being severed. An arrangement for mounting the device on hospital furniture or equipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing used products such as fluorescent lights, thermometers, mercury vapor lamps and batteries which contain injurious substances, particularly mercury compound. Used products are accommodated in a housing and injurious substances suspended in air in the housing are drawn by a suction device. A filter and adsorbent unit are arranged in a passage of ventilating air so as to remove dust and mercury compound. The ventilating air is exhausted from an outlet portion after it has passed through the suction device.

Abstract: A container disposal apparatus raises containers to an elevated position from which they traverse a downwardly inclined chute. Rotatable interrupter plates associated with the chute intermittently align apertures of limited extent with the chute so as to pass along the chute containers arriving at the interrupter plates when the apertures are aligned with the chute and to clear them from the chute otherwise. Containers successfully traversing two successive interrupter plates trigger prize-dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for breaking glass bottles and for crushing or deforming metallic cans and P.E.T. containers includes a glass bottle disintegrating means and separate can and P.E.T. container crushing means. A common entry chute to the apparatus allows for random introduction of containers to the apparatus but during the delivery travel of a container to the respective disintegrating or crushing means, an air flow sweeping across the container delivery course diverts lighter weight metallic cans and P.E.T. containers to the appropriate crushing means, whereas, heavier weight glass bottles are unaffected by the air flow and pass into the glass bottle disintegrating means.

Abstract: A device for opening ampoules comprises a hollow cylindrical body, the peripheral wall of which has slits forming two halves which can flex relatively apart or together at an open end of said body to enable entry of an ampoule head portion and for ejection of a broken head portion respectively. The body is dimensioned to accommodate an ampoule head and an inwardly-directed annular bead is provided at the open end against which the neck of an ampoule can be broken. A cutter protrudes from the bead. The bead is provided at the convergence of an outwardly-directed peripheral flange and an inwardly-directed annular ramp. A plunger whose piston is hollow is provided in the body to eject broken ampoule heads.

Abstract: A medical appliance disposal container is disclosed having at least one opening for insertion of medical appliances, the opening being covered by at least one slotted plastic membrane for insertion of the desired medical appliance into the disposal container. In at least one of the openings at the end of the slot is a needle destruction means whereby needles may be destroyed while attached to a syringe and the destroyed needle-syringe assembly inserted through the slot into the disposal container. In another embodiment, laminated plastic screens can be color-coded to aid in sorting and counting of medical appliances, such as scalpel blades, following surgery. The disposal container of this invention provides for the direct intact disposal of a wide variety of medical appliances while providing an inexpensive container for placement at a large number of locations throughout a health care facility.

Abstract: A device for destroying hypodermic needles and syringes includes a housing in which a pair of fixed blades are secured at their bases and supported in parallel, spaced apart relationship. A rotating shaft extends through aligned holes in the apices of the blades, and a trio of cylindrical members, each having a cylindrical blade secured thereto, is assembled on the shaft with each cylindrical blade adjacent to a fixed triangular blade. The cylindrical members and cylindrical blades are each provided with a slot extending radially therein, all of the slots being generally aligned in the axial direction. A syringe is introduced through an opening in the housing to rest in the aligned slots of the blades and cylindrical members. The shaft is rotated to cause the slot edges of the cylindrical blades to rotate past the fixed triangular blades, thereby shearing the syringe and needle.

Abstract: An opener for an ampule having a head and a body to prevent contamination of material in an ampule from particles formed when the ampule is opened comprises at least one opening mechanism including a head holder and an annular flexible jacket situated around an end of the head holder to extend outwardly therefrom. The head holder includes a hole with a cylindrical opening at one end for receiving at least a part of the head of the ampule, and an outlet communicating with the hole. The inner diameter of the flexible jacket is almost the same as the outer diameter of the body of the ampule to be opened. The outlet of the head holder is connected to a vacuum source to inspire air through the hole. Therefore, the head and the body of the ampule are respectively located in the hole and the flexible jacket, and then the body is bent, so that the particles formed by thereby snapping apart the ampule are inspired with air into the vacuum source.

Abstract: Apparatus for solidifying nuclear waste for permanent disposal are disclosed. A storage container, in the preferred form of a drum or barrel, is charged with a predetermined amount of liquid polymer resin in an uncatalyzed state. Catalyst-containing frangible ampoules are also positioned in the drum with a rotatable mixer mechanism. At a waste filling station, the mixer is rotated to break the ampoules so as to mix the catalyst and the resin. The catalyzed resin is then mixed with added waste material to completely encapsulate the waste prior to solidification of the resin. Monitoring of the filling and mixing process is provided by continually sensing the torque force being applied to the rotating mixer mechanism. Where the waste is a dust-like, dry particulate material, a dust control mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: An ampoule breaker comprises a body member capable of being held in a person's hand and having a hollow end portion constructed of flexible, resilient material. The end portion has an open end adapted to receive an ampule head and is formed with slots extending axially from the open end. The slots permit the end portion to be compressed between a person's fingers so that an ampule head located in the end portion can be firmly held therein and broken off by manipulation of the breaker. The slots comprise two generally V-shaped slots located on diametrically opposite sides of the end portion with the narrow end of each slot being disposed away from the open end. At least the end portion is made of cut-resistant flexible plastic.

Abstract: An ampoule opener for safely and conveniently breaking the tips off elongated ampoules of varying sizes to make possible the extraction of the contents therefrom. The opener includes a housing having an opening formed on the front face thereof for insertion of an ampoule tip therethrough. A projection extending outwardly from the front face is disposed adjacent a lower edge of the opening and serves as a fulcrum upon which the ampoule neck is placed and about which torque is applied to snap off the ampoule tip at the neck when the end of the tip engages an internal bearing surface. A hood over the housing opening protects the user from any spray resulting from the breaking of the ampoule and an internal cavity collects the tips broken from the ampoules.

Abstract: An article breaking device, particularly a glassware breaking device for making cullet, is described. The articles to be broken pass down a chute into a downwardly open chamber. Within the chamber is a rotating member which is not circular in horizontal cross-section and which is rotated at high speed around a vertical axis. The articles to be broken impact on the member, are broken and the broken pieces fall out of the open base of the chamber. The rotating member is preferably frustoconical with a plurality of vertically running external ribs and a plurality of horizontally extending blades.

Abstract: A batch process for recycling plastic container scrap is disclosed comprising the steps of reducing a container bearing an externally disposed label to granules, agitating the granules in hot water to remove the label material portion from the plastic portion, separating the hot water and label portion from the plastic granules, filtering and recycling the hot water into the batch while separating the waste label residue, remixing and reagitating until substantially all of the waste label residue is removed. Subsequently, the plastic granules are floated over a weir and collected in a dewatering station with the hot wash water recycled into a hot water reservoir. A major portion of the wash water is removed from the granules in the dewatering station. Substantially all of the residual wash water is removed in a drying station.

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: 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 ampoule holder receives a glass ampoule with a collar surrounding the ampoule neck to permit smooth breaking away of the ampoule tip at the collar. A stopper is inserted into the ampoule mouth and a bubbler tube is then inserted through the stopper and mouth into the interior of the ampoule to form a tight seal between the stopper and ampoule. A slit extending through the insertion portion of the stopper forms a vent passage for air flowed into the ampoule through the tube. The connection between the stopper and ampoule forms an integral ampoule assembly with the collar confined between the stopper and ampoule. The assembly may be placed in apparatus for conducting an optical analysis of liquid in the ampoule.

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 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.

Abstract: An upright inclined leg supported frame includes a jaw movable toward and away from an anvil by a manually reciprocated handle for crushing ore samples entering the spacing between the movable jaw and anvil from a hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing frangible articles, such as pill bottles, which includes a housing, a support plate mounted within the housing, and a roller movably positioned within the housing so as to be reciprocable in an arcuate path past the support plate and thereby crush any frangible articles located thereon. The support plate is adjustable in position relative to the roller to facilitate the crushing of articles of different sizes. A drawer is removably mounted within the housing below the support plate for collecting the fragments of the crushed articles.

Abstract: A needle chopper apparatus having a rotor with radially extending blades disposed in and along the longitudinal axis of a tube member. While rotating, the blades are in immediate proximity to an inner smooth cylindrical surface of the tube member. A feed chute extends into an inlet of the tube member where the blades react with the edge of the inlet to chop disposable items into particles. The particles go through an outlet in the tube member to a container that holds a disinfectant which is circulated to the feed chute and into the tube while the items are being chopped. One end of the tube is sealed by an annular plug and the other end extends from the top portion of a mounting panel. A housing is formed by an outer cabinet that is slid over an inner cabinet and coupled together by inwardly turned tabs on the outer cabinet. The mounting panel divides the housing into a front compartment and a back compartment.

Abstract: A one at a time can crusher, specifically for recycling aluminum cans, includes an aligning and separating feed chute for cans leading to an end-to-end crusher, and a contact arrangement for detecting the type of can, actuates a solenoid crusher. The unit includes storage for a large number of crushed cans, and a magnetic metal and glass rejector, with an overweight can rejector when used for aluminum.

Abstract: A beverage container crusher which flattens beverage containers to reduce the volume thereof so that the resultant crushed containers require very little storage room. The crushing apparatus includes spaced shafts arranged parallel to one another, and an endless belt is supported by the shaft in such a manner that the belt describes an oval track. A fixed plate is arranged at an acute angle with respect to the oval track. A lower portion of the plate continues about one end of the track so that when a beverage container is dropped into the space between the plate and the track, the container gravitates into a position where it is engaged by the traveling belt, so that the belt forces the container through the narrow space formed between the curved part of the plate and one curved end of the oval track. The flattened container drops into a storage container located below the container crusher apparatus where the containers may be accumulated and subsequently recycled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering metal containers of a selected type from a collection of trash is disclosed. The apparatus includes pneumatic and magnetic separators for removing extraneous debris. The separated containers are crushed and weighed. Compensation is issued in response to the weight of the separated containers. The separated containers are stored in an overhead compartment for collection and transportation.

Abstract: Apparatus for cancelling non-refillable bottles has an unloading section, where the bottles are received and sorted for color, if necesssary. The bottles then proceed to a counting section having a plurality of counting channels containing counters for the passing bottles. After counting, the bottles pass to a crusher section which cancels the bottles by breaking. A second unloading station may be provided at the input of the crusher for bottles which do not need to be counted.

Abstract: A device for breaking various size ampules at the ampule neck, which is the most convenient break point for extracting the fluid from the ampule. The ampule breaker comprises a formed structure having a wedge surface which contacts the ampule at the neck and sides adjacent to the wedge which are contoured to contact the extremities of the appendage to be broken off from the ampule. The contoured sides extend beyond the point where the extremities contact so that no matter which size ampule is inserted into the breaker, a mechanical advantage is provided to help break the ampule appendage. A staggered set of cover plates are used to retain the ampule appendage during and after breaking.

Abstract: A glass breaking machine having a hammer mill removably mounted within the machine. The hammer mill includes multiple series of hammers each following an orbital pattern offset from the remaining hammers. A hammer mill housing opening enables hammer mill removal for service purposes. Similarly, each hammer is readily detachable from the hammer mill. A chute is swingably mounted to enable classifying of the fractured material according to color or other criteria.

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 recyclable blow molded, injection blow molded or injection molded plastic container having laminated walls that include a frangible load-bearing lamina and a non-frangible fluid-barrier lamina which can be easily separated from each other in a crushing operation and recycled to make another container.

Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially compacting a plurality of containers includes first and second plates each juxtaposed with respect to the other and having respective compacting surfaces, one of the plates being operated by a cam for effecting the reciprocal operation toward and away from the other plate so as to crush containers between the two compacting surfaces. A magazine is provided above the compacting plates for feeding the containers into the space therebetween, the magazine being pivoted above the plates such that downward rotation of the magazine occurs responsive to the weight of a predetermined number of the containers to operate a switch which energizes the cam mechanism.

Abstract: A device for reducing solid waste material to a comminuted and/or compacted state for ease in disposal. The device comprises a series of receptacles, one for each class of waste material, provided with power driven cutters. At least one hydraulic ram type compactor compresses waste material.

Abstract: Disposal installation for domestic waste, to be used e.g. in or near kitchens of houses, hotels and the like, whereby the installation comprises a common holder, in which four separate and separated chutes are accommodated, which are meant for the disposal of respectively tins, glass, synthetic material and food remains, and whereby in each chute waste processing devices are accomodated, which reduce and process the waste meant for the chute.

Abstract: A pulverizer is intended, in particular, for pulverizing glass containers. It comprises a barrel closed by a lid at its upper end and having at its base a removable container. A flap is mounted and movable inside the barrel in such a way that, in a closed position, the flap divides the interior of the barrel into a first compartment acting as a filling chamber between the flap and the lid, and a second compartment containing a pulverizing rotor provided with blades. The second compartment thus provides a pulverization chamber between the flap and the removable container.

Abstract: A glass bottle is fragmented for ease of disposal by crushing the bottle between a pair of crushing jaws having pointed teeth which apply highly concentrated crushing loads to the bottle to effect fragmenting of the bottle with minimum crushing force on the jaws. In the preferred form of the invention, the crushing jaws are contained in a housing having a hinged lid mounting one jaw for closing movement of the jaws to crush a bottle by closure of the lid and/or movement of the latter jaw relative to the lid when closed. The bottle fragments are collected in a receptacle which is removable from the housing for disposal of the fragments.

Abstract: Containers made of various materials, such as aluminum and steel beverage cans, and glass beverage bottles, are crushed and separated to permit recycling of the metallic materials by a method and apparatus comprising crushing the containers in a container crushing means having two cone shaped members being rotationally frictionally engageable with each other, one of the cone shaped members being displaceable from the other against the resistance of a spring means, wherein the containers are crushed as they pass between the cone shaped members, conveying the crushed containers away from the crushing means on a container conveyor and separator means comprising an endless belt member having a first end portion for receiving crushed containers from the crushing means and a second end portion, separating the magnetic from the non-magnetic crushed containers by subjecting the containers to a magnetic field at the second end portion of the belt member whereby the non-magnetic containers are discharged from the belt

Abstract: Mechanical delabeling apparatus includes a slotted tubular feed conduit containing drive belts, an open delabeling zone at the end of the conduit circumscribed by adjacent, circularly arranged members comprising an abrading wheel, an article turning wheel and a yieldably biased set of spherical rollers. The dry process includes sequentially driving labeled bottles into the delabeling zone, rotating them about their lengthwise axes prior to and during contact with the abrading wheel while yieldably transversely supporting them in such zone and air conveying labels and adhesive materials from the zone as removed from the bottles.

Abstract: A portable solid waste shredder for automatically shredding refuse or waste materials including any kind of wet or dry trash, glass, metal cans, cartons, wood, cardboard and particularly synthetic plastics. The device comprises oppositely rotating pluralities of rotary shredding jaws, accessible through an open top or a front opening door, chute means from the rotary jaws to feed the shredded materials from the jaws to a conveyor for discharge through an opening in one side of the shredder housing, and means to collect all liquids from the trash inserted into the shredder device for discharge into a wheeled dolly at the bottom of the shredder device.

Abstract: A closure plate to close the open end of a feed chute for a bottle crusher or the like. The closure plate includes a plurality of sheets of relatively stiff but resilient material each having a plurality of equally spaced apart slits extending radially outwardly from the center thereof toward the outer edge of the sheet to form a plurality of flexible tongue segments with the slits of one sheet being offset relative to the slits of the adjacent sheet so that the tongue segments of one sheet overlap the slits of the adjacent sheet. The closure plate may be formed by casting or molding the sheets individually or by providing core plates and a molding cavity and molding a unitary structure with a layer of the stiff, resilient material on each side of each core plate, then slitting the layers to form the tongue segments and then removing the core plates.

Abstract: An object compacting device having a housing with a bearing plate and an entrance opening; a wall, having an object receiving passage, mounted in the housing to divide the housing into an object discharge compartment between the wall and plate and an object receiving compartment communicating with the entrance opening; a workbed secured in the receiving compartment of the housing in endward alignment with the receiving passage and in alignment with the entrance opening; a compression member; and a mechanism mounting the compression member for movement across the workbed to and from the receiving passage in response to the insertion of an object through the entrance opening and on to the workbed.

Abstract: A syringe and needle grinder incorporating a cylindrical-shaped rotor cutting device which is rotated within a stationary housing having an intake duct in the top of the housing offset from the center of rotation of the cutting device and a discharge duct in the bottom sidewall of the housing. The first set of cutting blades extend radially from the hub of the rotor and a second set of cutting blades are longitudinally positioned around the periphery of the rotor which act in conjunction with a plurality of stationary blades on the inside of the housing to further grind and shear the material prior to expelling it from the discharge opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing materials such as cans into flat plate-like forms. The crushing apparatus comprises a hopper for receiving material-to-be-crushed, a feeder, and a symmetrical array of vertically stacked pairs of parallelly aligned, opposed counter-rotating rollers. The feeder includes a rotating element having an axis of rotation parallel to the rotational axes of the rollers, and further having two opposed elongated feed members, each being disposed with a corresponding longitudinal axis substantially parallel to and displaced a predetermined distance from the rotating element axis of rotation. The rotating element is pivotally mounted on a pair of spring loaded lever arms in a manner permitting displacement of its rotational axis between predetermined limits along a cylindrical surface of rotation having an axis of revolution parallel to the roller axes.

Abstract: A trash disposal system and apparatus therefor. A container having an opening at the top, a protective cover therefor loosely fitting and closing the opening, and means on either the container or cover requiring that the cover be centered on the container if the cover is to be removed therefrom. The cover has a ball and socket joint in its center, and a compacting tool such as a ram with an elongated shaft is snugly fit but freely slidable in the ball of the ball and socket joint, the ram having an enlarged head at its inner end and being swiveled with respect to the cover and the container.

Abstract: A shaft is rotatably supported on both the ends of the housing. The housing has an inlet for charging discarded glass articles and an outlet for discharging glass fragments. Crushing bars are mounted on the shaft and arranged from near the inlet toward the neighborhood of outlet of the housing. The glass articles charged through the inlet into the housing are kicked by the crushing bars toward the inner surface of the housing and broken into fragments while being rebounded on the inner surface of the housing. The glass fragments dropped down onto the bottom of the housing are agitated, by poking bars mounted on the shaft in the neighborhood of the outlet, while being subjected to impact forces, to permit them to be reduced to substantially rounded gem-like granules.

Abstract: A bottle crusher formed of an enclosed chute into which bottles are dropped, with a motor driven rotating plate arranged at the lower end of the chute to receive and break the bottles. The motor is located below the plate and mounted upon brackets arranged at spaced points around the periphery of the plate. Vanes are formed upon the upper surface of the plate, with the vanes sloped upwardly from the center of the plate toward the edges and with at least one vane terminating considerably inwardly of the plate edge to form a high point for breaking bottles landing upon it. The bottles are broken by the impacting of the vanes and fragments are thrown upwardly by the slope of the vanes for repeated dropping and impacting, as well as for breaking the bottles between the brackets and vanes, so that the crushed fragments of glass fall off the plate for collection below the plate and motor.