US3916780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Can crusher
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-12
•
Granted: 1975-11-04
•
Expires: 1994-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for crushing empty cans, comprising a feed chute leading to a space between a stationary platen and a reciprocating platen. The empty cans are loaded in the chute and lead one by one between the platens, crushed and dumped one by one by gravity into a receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren R Heiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:03
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/321; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18248; Y10T74/18256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
333 words
A can crusher comprising a frame, a stationary platen mounted in said frame in a substantially vertical position, a reciprocable platen slidably supported in said frame in a substantially parallel relationship to said stationary platen, power means for reciprocating said reciprocable platen through a single cycle from a first position away from said stationary platen to a second position proximate to said stationary platen and back to said first position, a gravity feed chute for feeding cans in sequence between said platens, an aperture at the bottom of said gravity feed chute directing said cans between said platens, means for feeding a single one of said cans at a time through said aperture when said platens are away from each other, said means comprising movable stop means disposed proximate the bottom of said gravity feed chute, means actuated conjointly with said reciprocable platen for controllably disposing said stop means in the path of said can in said chute when said reciprocable platen is in said first position and for retracting said stop means when said reciprocable platen is in said second position, and for preventing said can from dropping between said platens until said reciprocable platen is reciprocated to a position proximate to said first position, said last mentioned means comprising a trap door defining bracket fastened in a substantially horizontal position to said reciprocable platen for closing said aperture when said reciprocable platen is reciprocated proximate to said stationary platen and opening said aperture when said reciprocable platen is reciprocated away from said stationary platen, control means energized by the presence of a can in said chute for actuating said power means, and a plate member disposed for Supporting said single can between said platens when away from each other, said plate member having a terminal edge disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship relative to said stationary platen for defining a gravity eject aperture for a crushed can upon return of said reciprocable platen from said second position to said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
333 words
A can crusher comprising a frame, a stationary platen mounted in said frame in a substantially vertical position, a reciprocable platen slidably supported in said frame in a substantially parallel relationship to said stationary platen, power means for reciprocating said reciprocable platen through a single cycle from a first position away from said stationary platen to a second position proximate to said stationary platen and back to said first position, a gravity feed chute for feeding cans in sequence between said platens, an aperture at the bottom of said gravity feed chute directing said cans between said platens, means for feeding a single one of said cans at a time through said aperture when said platens are away from each other, said means comprising movable stop means disposed proximate the bottom of said gravity feed chute, means actuated conjointly with said reciprocable platen for controllably disposing said stop means in the path of said can in said chute when said reciprocable platen is in said first position and for retracting said stop means when said reciprocable platen is in said second position, and for preventing said can from dropping between said platens until said reciprocable platen is reciprocated to a position proximate to said first position, said last mentioned means comprising a trap door defining bracket fastened in a substantially horizontal position to said reciprocable platen for closing said aperture when said reciprocable platen is reciprocated proximate to said stationary platen and opening said aperture when said reciprocable platen is reciprocated away from said stationary platen, control means energized by the presence of a can in said chute for actuating said power means, and a plate member disposed for Supporting said single can between said platens when away from each other, said plate member having a terminal edge disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship relative to said stationary platen for defining a gravity eject aperture for a crushed can upon return of said reciprocable platen from said second position to said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The can crusher of claim 1 wherein each of said cans is fed between said platens with the longitudinal axis of said can substantially parallel to said platens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The can crusher of claim 1 wherein said means for reciprocating the reciprocable platen comprises a slide having said reciprocable platen mounted on an end thereof, linear bearing means for guiding and supporting said slide, a drive shaft, prime mover means for said drive shaft, a crank mounted on said driveshaft for rotation thereby, a roller eccentrically mounted on said crank, and a laternally extending slot formed on the other end of said slide, said roller being disposed in said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The can crusher of claim 1 wherein said reciprocable platen has a substantially horizontally disposed slot and said plate member is fixedly mounted on said frame with the terminal edge thereof extending through said slot when said reciprocable platen is reciprocated away from said second
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The can crusher of claim 1 wherein said gravity feed chute comprises at least a first and a second inclined plane, disposed one above the other and defining a baffle preventing straight line hand access to said platens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |