Patent US3944339A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4358994A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4358994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Can flattener
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-12-05
•
Granted: 1982-11-16
•
Expires: 2000-12-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus to flatten a container such as a can employed in the soft drink or beer industry. The apparatus is so designed so as to initially bend the can in half and following the bending of the can in half, the can is then flattened or compressed so as to present a relatively thin laminate. The apparatus is designed to operate in a timed sequence of operation of thus effect the bending of the can and subsequently flatten the same.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Talley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:16
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/321; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for flattening cans comprising a cabinet, a can delivery chute extending vertically downwardly from the top wall of said cabinet, a switch extending in said chute, a motorized means within said cabinet for effecting a to and fro movement of a flattening assembly, a movable gate extending in said chute to thereby prevent a can from downward travel in said chute until said switch in said chute is contacted by a can to be flattened, said flattening assembly comprising a post member and a flattener member, said switch in said chute actuating said motorized means, a solenoid switch in said cabinet, said solenoid switch responsive to the opening and closing of said switch in said chute, a solenoid mounted in said cabinet to actuate said gate, a connector means extending between said solenoid and said gate to open said gate thereby permitting downward travel of said can in said chute, a timer associated with said motorized means whereby said post member engages said can at the upper portion of said chute to bend the same and again in timed relationship the can is caused to descend into the lower portion of said chute where the same is contacted with said flattener which is also caused to travel to and fro in said cabinet to effect a flattening of said can in said chute.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for flattening cans comprising a cabinet, a can delivery chute extending vertically downwardly from the top wall of said cabinet, a switch extending in said chute, a motorized means within said cabinet for effecting a to and fro movement of a flattening assembly, a movable gate extending in said chute to thereby prevent a can from downward travel in said chute until said switch in said chute is contacted by a can to be flattened, said flattening assembly comprising a post member and a flattener member, said switch in said chute actuating said motorized means, a solenoid switch in said cabinet, said solenoid switch responsive to the opening and closing of said switch in said chute, a solenoid mounted in said cabinet to actuate said gate, a connector means extending between said solenoid and said gate to open said gate thereby permitting downward travel of said can in said chute, a timer associated with said motorized means whereby said post member engages said can at the upper portion of said chute to bend the same and again in timed relationship the can is caused to descend into the lower portion of said chute where the same is contacted with said flattener which is also caused to travel to and fro in said cabinet to effect a flattening of said can in said chute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said movable gate is spring biased and overlies said chute and wherein said gate is opened in response to the actuation of said solenoid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein a safety switch is provided in said cabinet and wherein a removable cover must be in position in said cabinet before said motorized means can be energized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said cabinet has mounted thereon a counting mechanism to count the number of flattened cans exiting from the outlet end of the cabinet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure recited in claim 1 wherein a spring arm is secured to said post member to arrest the descent of said can into said chute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1248753A
Cited
US2619150A
Cited
US2707503A
Cited
US3062130A
Cited
US3024720A
Cited
US3659520A
Cited
US3732804A
Cited
GB2011302A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-15 | 1986-05-17 | 1986-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-15 | 1990-05-17 | 1990-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-15 | 1994-05-17 | 1994-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |