Patent US3934498A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3934498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Compacter for compacting objects such as cans and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-01-31
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Granted: 1976-01-27
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Expires: 1994-01-31
Abstract
Abstract An improved compacter for flattening or compacting metal cans and the like wherein the can is initially positioned between a pair of spaced gripping members, the gripping members being subsequently moved toward each other compacting the can disposed therebetween. The gripping members grippingly engage the can and secure the can in a stationary position with respect to each of the gripping members and one of the gripping members is initially rotated as the gripping members are moved toward each other thereby twisting and weakening the structural integrity of the can to facilitate the compacting thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Hochanadel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:56
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/321; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
485 words
A compacter for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like, comprising: a housing having an upper end, a lower end, a chamber formed in a portion thereof, and a handle opening disposed near the upper end and intersecting a portion of the housing chamber; a lower gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face, an outer periphery and a gripping surface formed in the upper face; an upper gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face, an outer periphery and a gripping surface formed in the lower face, the gripping surface of the upper gripping member and the gripping surface of the lower gripping member each being grippingly engageable with a portion of the object to be compacted for securing an adjacent portion of the object to be compacted in a substantially stationary position relative to the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member in gripping engagement therewith during the compacting of the object to be compacted, the upper gripping member being spaced a predetermined distance from the lower gripping member in a start position for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween, the upper gripping member being slidingly disposed in the housing chamber and movable in a compacting direction toward the lower gripping member to a compacting position reducing the space between the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member and compacting the object to be compacted, and the upper gripping member being removable in a return direction away from the lower gripping member; means having a portion connected to at least one of the gripping members rotating the gripping member connected thereto thereby rotating the object to be compacted in gripping engagement with the gripping members for facilitating the compacting thereof; and a handle having opposite ends, one end movably secured to a portion of the housing and a portion engageable with a portion of the upper gripping member, the end of the handle opposite the end movably secured to the housing extending through the handle opening, and the handle movable in one direction engaging a portion of the upper gripping member slidingly moving the upper gripping member in the compacting direction, the handle including: a first handle member, having opposite, ends, one end being movably connected to the housing; and a second handle member, having opposite ends, one end hingedly connected to the end of the first handle member movably connected to the housing, the second handle member movable in one direction to a position extending in substantially the same plane as the first handle member and the first and the second handle members movable in one direction engaging a portion of the upper gripping member in this position at the first and the second handle members, and the second handle member movable in one other direction to a position generally adjacent the housing upper end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
485 words
A compacter for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like, comprising: a housing having an upper end, a lower end, a chamber formed in a portion thereof, and a handle opening disposed near the upper end and intersecting a portion of the housing chamber; a lower gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face, an outer periphery and a gripping surface formed in the upper face; an upper gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face, an outer periphery and a gripping surface formed in the lower face, the gripping surface of the upper gripping member and the gripping surface of the lower gripping member each being grippingly engageable with a portion of the object to be compacted for securing an adjacent portion of the object to be compacted in a substantially stationary position relative to the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member in gripping engagement therewith during the compacting of the object to be compacted, the upper gripping member being spaced a predetermined distance from the lower gripping member in a start position for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween, the upper gripping member being slidingly disposed in the housing chamber and movable in a compacting direction toward the lower gripping member to a compacting position reducing the space between the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member and compacting the object to be compacted, and the upper gripping member being removable in a return direction away from the lower gripping member; means having a portion connected to at least one of the gripping members rotating the gripping member connected thereto thereby rotating the object to be compacted in gripping engagement with the gripping members for facilitating the compacting thereof; and a handle having opposite ends, one end movably secured to a portion of the housing and a portion engageable with a portion of the upper gripping member, the end of the handle opposite the end movably secured to the housing extending through the handle opening, and the handle movable in one direction engaging a portion of the upper gripping member slidingly moving the upper gripping member in the compacting direction, the handle including: a first handle member, having opposite, ends, one end being movably connected to the housing; and a second handle member, having opposite ends, one end hingedly connected to the end of the first handle member movably connected to the housing, the second handle member movable in one direction to a position extending in substantially the same plane as the first handle member and the first and the second handle members movable in one direction engaging a portion of the upper gripping member in this position at the first and the second handle members, and the second handle member movable in one other direction to a position generally adjacent the housing upper end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
326 words
A compacter for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like, comprising: a housing having an upper end, a lower end and a chamber formed in a portion thereof; a lower gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face and a gripping surface on the upper face; an upper gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face and a gripping surface formed on the lower face, the gripping surface of the upper gripping member and the gripping surface of the lower gripping member each being grippingly engageable with a portion of the object to be compacted for securing an adjacent portion of the object to be compacted in a substantially stationary position relative to the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member in gripping engagement therewith during the compacting of the object to be compacted, the upper gripping member being spaced a distance from the lower gripping member in a start position for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween, at least one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member being movably supported in the housing chamber for moving the upper and the lower gripping members to a compacting position reducing the space therebetween and compacting the object to be compacted; and means, having a portion connected to at least one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member, for rotating the one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member connected thereto during the initial movement of the one of the upper and the lower gripping members toward the compacting position, the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member each grippingly engaging the object to be compacted and the rotation by said means of the one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member twisting the object to be compacted for weakening the structural integrity of the object to be compacted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
326 words
A compacter for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like, comprising: a housing having an upper end, a lower end and a chamber formed in a portion thereof; a lower gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face and a gripping surface on the upper face; an upper gripping member disposed in the housing chamber, having an upper face, a lower face and a gripping surface formed on the lower face, the gripping surface of the upper gripping member and the gripping surface of the lower gripping member each being grippingly engageable with a portion of the object to be compacted for securing an adjacent portion of the object to be compacted in a substantially stationary position relative to the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member in gripping engagement therewith during the compacting of the object to be compacted, the upper gripping member being spaced a distance from the lower gripping member in a start position for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween, at least one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member being movably supported in the housing chamber for moving the upper and the lower gripping members to a compacting position reducing the space therebetween and compacting the object to be compacted; and means, having a portion connected to at least one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member, for rotating the one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member connected thereto during the initial movement of the one of the upper and the lower gripping members toward the compacting position, the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member each grippingly engaging the object to be compacted and the rotation by said means of the one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member twisting the object to be compacted for weakening the structural integrity of the object to be compacted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means rotating at least one of the upper and the lower gripping members is defined further as rotating the one of the upper and the lower gripping members connected thereto less than forty-five degrees during the initial movement of the upper and the lower gripping members toward the compacting position twisting the object to be compacted thereby weakening the structural integrity and facilitating the compacting thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member are each defined further as including an outer periphery, and wherein the upper gripping member is slidingly disposed in the housing chamber movable in a compacting direction toward the lower gripping member and movable in a return direction away from the lower gripping member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the upper gripping member includes: a recess formed in the lower face thereof having a portion extending at an angle to the center line axis of the upper gripping member, the recess forming an annular, angularly extending wall in the upper gripping member, the gripping surface being formed on the annular wall for grippingly engaging objects having varying widths; and wherein the lower gripping member includes a recess formed in the upper face thereof having a portion extending at an angle to the center line axis of the lower gripping member, the recess forming an annular, angularly extending wall in the lower gripping member, the gripping surface being formed on the annular wall for grippingly engaging objects having varying widths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 4 defined further to include: a handle having opposite ends, one end moveably secured to a portion of the housing and a portion engageable with a portion of the upper gripping member, the handle moveable in one direction engaging a portion of the upper gripping member slidingly moving the upper gripping member in the compacting direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the handle includes an opening formed therethrough between the opposite ends thereof; and wherein the apparatus includes: a rod having one end secured to the upper face of the upper gripping member and extending a distance therefrom, the end of the rod, opposite the end secured to the upper gripping member extending through the opening in the handle and an annular ledge formed on the rod engageable with a portion of the handle, a portion of the handle generally near the opening therethrough engaging the annular ledge moving the upper gripping member in the compacting direction in the one moving direction of the handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus of claim 6 defined further to include: a return spring having opposite ends, one end of the return spring connected to the housing upper end and the opposite end of the return spring connected to the upper gripping member, the return spring biasing the upper gripping member in a return direction generally toward the start position; and a post disposed in the housing chamber, secured to the housing and having a stop surface engageable with a portion of the upper gripping member limiting the movement of the upper gripping member in the return direction and positioning the upper gripping member in the start position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the housing includes a cam recess formed in a portion thereof and disposed in the housing chamber; the cam recess having a curved portion and as straight portion; and wherein the apparatus is defined further to include: a cam projection connected to the upper gripping member and extending a distance therefrom, a portion of the cam projection being disposed in the cam recess and the cam projection following the cam recess during the movement of the upper gripping member in the compacting direction, the upper gripping member being rotated via the cam projection following the cam recess during the movement of the upper gripping member in the compacting direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the lower gripping member is defined further as being journally supported in the housing chamber and includes a bearing member connected to a portion thereof; and wherein the apparatus includes: a drive gear journally supported in the housing chamber gearingly connected to the bearing member, the drive gear rotating the lower gripping member via the gearing connection between the drive gear and the bearing member in a drive position of the drive gear; and means connected to the drive gear rotatingly driving the drive gear in one position thereof thereby rotating the lower gripping member to facilitate the compacting of the object to be compacted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 10 defined further to include: a handle slidably connected to the housing; cable means connected to the handle and to the upper gripping member, a portion of the cable means connected to the means rotatingly driving the drive gear, the upper gripping member being moved in the compacting direction and means rotatingly driving the drive gear being driven via the cable means during the sliding movement of the handle in one direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the housing includes a pair of channels formed in a portion thereof and disposed generally in the housing chamber; and wherein the apparatus includes: a slide bar connected to the upper face of the upper gripping member, one end of the slide bar slidingly disposed in one of the pair of channels and the opposite end of the slide bar slidingly disposed in the other of the pair of channels, the sliding connection between the slide bar and the pair of channels maintaining the upper gripping member in a predetermined path of travel during the movement of the upper gripping member in the compacting direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 11 defined further to include: return cable means connected to the handle and to the upper gripping member, the return cable means pulling the upper gripping member in the return direction, generally opposite the compacting direction, during the sliding movement of the handle in one direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
367 words
The apparatus of claim 2 defined further to include: a motor having an "on" position and an "off" position; a motor control connected to the motor positioning the motor in the "on" position in one position of the motor control and positioning the motor in the "off" position in one other position of the motor control; a main drive gear connected to the motor, the main drive gear being rotatingly driven in an "on" position at the motor; a compacter drive gear gearingly connected to the main drive gear and being rotatingly driven via the main drive gear in a rotatingly driven position of the main drive gear, the compacter drive gear being connected to the means rotating one of the gripping members and the means rotating one of the upper and the lower gripping members rotating the one of the upper gripping member and the lower gripping member connected thereto when connected to the compacter drive gear and in a driven position of the compacter drive gear; a clutch interposed between the compacter drive gear and the means rotating one of the upper and the lower gripping members, and connecting the compacter drive gear and the means rotating one of the upper and the lower gripping members in one position of the clutch; a can opener drive gear gearingly connected to the main drive gear and being rotatingly driven via the main drive gear in a rotatingly driven position of the main drive gear; a can opener mechanism driven via the can opener drive gear when connected thereto; a clutch connected to the can opener drive gear and the can opener mechanism connecting the can opener drive gear and the can opener mechanism in one position of the clutch; and a clutch control connected to the first mentioned clutch and to the second mentioned clutch positioning the first mentioned clutch in an position connecting the compacter driven gear and the means rotating one of the upper and the lower gripping members in one position of the clutch control and positioning the second mentioned clutch in a position connecting the can opener drive gear and the can opener mechanism in one other position of the clutch control.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like between a pair of gripping members comprising the steps of: spacing the gripping members a predetermined distance apart for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween; placing the object between the two gripping members; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member into engagement with the object to be compacted; holding the object to be compacted in a relatively stationary position with respect to each of the gripping members; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member thereby moving the gripping member toward a compacting position compacting the object between the two gripping members; and rotating at least one of the gripping members for twisting the object to be compacted as the gripping members are moved toward the compacting position, thereby rotating and weakening the structural integrity of the object to be compacted during the movement of the gripping members toward a compacting position.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like between a pair of gripping members comprising the steps of: spacing the gripping members a predetermined distance apart for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween; placing the object between the two gripping members; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member into engagement with the object to be compacted; holding the object to be compacted in a relatively stationary position with respect to each of the gripping members; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member thereby moving the gripping member toward a compacting position compacting the object between the two gripping members; and rotating at least one of the gripping members for twisting the object to be compacted as the gripping members are moved toward the compacting position, thereby rotating and weakening the structural integrity of the object to be compacted during the movement of the gripping members toward a compacting position.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like between a pair of gripping members comprising the steps of: spacing the gripping members a predetermined distance apart for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member into engagement with the object to be compacted; hold the object to be compacted in a relatively stationary position with respect to each of the gripping members; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member thereby moving the gripping members toward a compacting position compacting the object between the two gripping members; and rotating at least one of the gripping members for twisting the object to be compacted as the gripping members are moved toward the compacting position, thereby rotating and weakening the structural integrity of the object to be compacted during the movement of the gripping members toward a compacting position.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for compacting objects such as metal cans and the like between a pair of gripping members comprising the steps of: spacing the gripping members a predetermined distance apart for receiving the object to be compacted therebetween; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member into engagement with the object to be compacted; hold the object to be compacted in a relatively stationary position with respect to each of the gripping members; moving at least one of the gripping members toward the other gripping member thereby moving the gripping members toward a compacting position compacting the object between the two gripping members; and rotating at least one of the gripping members for twisting the object to be compacted as the gripping members are moved toward the compacting position, thereby rotating and weakening the structural integrity of the object to be compacted during the movement of the gripping members toward a compacting position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |