US3776128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for crushing cans
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-29
•
Granted: 1973-12-04
•
Expires: 1992-02-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for crushing cans into flat plate-like form. The cans are inserted into a hopper where they are transported by a compartmented conveyor to a position where they are released into a jaw mechanism which operates in timed relation to the conveyor. The cans are partially collapsed in the jaw mechanism and then are fed into a pair of counter-rotating rollers which further compress them. Synchronization is maintained by use of timing belts and a common power source.
Inventors
- 👤 D Morris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:11
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/321; B30B9/322; B30B9/325; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for crushing empty cans comprising: a cam operated crushing mechanism for reducing the initial volume of said cans, said crushing mechanism operating in a repetitive cycle having an initial stage during which it is able to receive said cans; feeding means for supplying cans to said crushing mechanism in a timed relation such that, said cans arrive at said crushing mechanism during the portion of the cycle when it is able to receive them; a pair of counter-rotating rollers for further compressing said cans; and a single power source operably connected to said feeding means, said crushing mechanism and said counter-rotating rollers for driving these devices in a timed relationship with each other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for crushing empty cans comprising: a cam operated crushing mechanism for reducing the initial volume of said cans, said crushing mechanism operating in a repetitive cycle having an initial stage during which it is able to receive said cans; feeding means for supplying cans to said crushing mechanism in a timed relation such that, said cans arrive at said crushing mechanism during the portion of the cycle when it is able to receive them; a pair of counter-rotating rollers for further compressing said cans; and a single power source operably connected to said feeding means, said crushing mechanism and said counter-rotating rollers for driving these devices in a timed relationship with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cans can be added in random orientation to said feeding means and further including means for eliminating cans from said feeding means that are improperly oriented.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for eliminating cans from said feeding means comprises a paddle wheel for dislodging improperly oriented cans.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said feeding means is a conveyor with buckets for carrying said cans.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each said bucket is designed to carry only a single can.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said crushing mechanism comprises a pair of opposed jaws and further comprising forcing means connected to a first jaw for allowing said first jaw to move away from its opposing jaw when the compressive force, exerted by said opposing jaw on said first jaw, exceeds the opposing force applied by said forcing means on said first jaw.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising forcing means connected to a first roller, of said pair of counter-rotating rollers, for allowing said first roller to move away from its opposing roller when the compressive force, exerted by said opposing roller on said first roller, exceeds the opposing force applied by said forcing means on said first roller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US610122A
Cited
US3066600A
Cited
US1077437A
Cited
US1620659A
Cited
US1582820A
Cited
FR748717A
Cited
US2619150A
Cited
US3036517A
Cited
US3687062A
Cited
US3659520A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |