US3889587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Can crusher
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-05
•
Granted: 1975-06-17
•
Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of crushing a can having a top, a bottom, and a sidewall, and apparatus therefor. The method comprises the steps of making at least one slit in the sidewall of the can from the top to the bottom and restraining the sidewall of the can from outward expansion. The can is axially compressed so as to crush the can while the sidewall is restrained from outward expansion so that the can sidewall is forced to collapse inwardly. As a result, there are a minimum of exposed sharp edges on the crushed can.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin Eugene Wharton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:17
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/321; B30B9/30; B30B9/306; B30B9/3067; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A device for crushing cans wherein the junctures of the top and the sidewall and the bottom and the sidewall are stronger than the sidewall which comprises: a. a base, b. a hollow cylinder open at both its upper and lower ends mounted at its lower end on the base and having a length greater than the can and an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the can and having a strength sufficient to contain and restrain the can while it is being crushed: c. at least one blade resiliently mounted in the side of the cylinder and having a cutting edge thereon extending inwardly thereof a short distance, the plane of the cutting edge of the blade comprising a radius of the cylinder, so as to longitudinally slit the sidewall of the can as it is inserted into the cylinder starting at the upper end thereof and moves past the blade; d. A piston having a diameter such that it can pass through the cylinder without touching the blade and adapted to press down on the can within the cylinder; e. means for moving the piston longitudinally within the cylinder from a position near the upper end to a position near the lower end so as to crush the can, the inside surface of cylinder restraining expansion of the can as it is crushed so that the can sidewall is forced to collapse inwardly, whereby there will be a minimum of exposed sharp edges on the crushed can.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
A device for crushing cans wherein the junctures of the top and the sidewall and the bottom and the sidewall are stronger than the sidewall which comprises: a. a base, b. a hollow cylinder open at both its upper and lower ends mounted at its lower end on the base and having a length greater than the can and an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the can and having a strength sufficient to contain and restrain the can while it is being crushed: c. at least one blade resiliently mounted in the side of the cylinder and having a cutting edge thereon extending inwardly thereof a short distance, the plane of the cutting edge of the blade comprising a radius of the cylinder, so as to longitudinally slit the sidewall of the can as it is inserted into the cylinder starting at the upper end thereof and moves past the blade; d. A piston having a diameter such that it can pass through the cylinder without touching the blade and adapted to press down on the can within the cylinder; e. means for moving the piston longitudinally within the cylinder from a position near the upper end to a position near the lower end so as to crush the can, the inside surface of cylinder restraining expansion of the can as it is crushed so that the can sidewall is forced to collapse inwardly, whereby there will be a minimum of exposed sharp edges on the crushed can.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 including means pivotally connecting the cylinder and the base so that the cylinder and the base may be pivoted away from one another for removal of the crushed can from the cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 including a cap pivotally connected to the upper end of the cylinder and having a central channel through which the piston passes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the resilient mount for the blade is a torsional ring positioned within the wall of the cylinder, the blade being attached to the torsional ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the blade has a protruding heel thereon which extends radially through the side of the cylinder to the exterior thereof and including a sleeve having an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the cylinder and adapted to slide down over the cylinder and engage the heel of the blade forcing it inwardly causing the blade to cut into the sideWall of a can positioned in the cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the number of blades is 8 and the blades are uniformly circumferentially distributed in the side of the can.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the torsional ring is triangular in cross section and the blade has a corresponding triangular shaped opening therein through which the torsional ring passes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2602483A
Cited
US3780647A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |