Rotating drum container crusher

Claim 2

A container crusher apparatus for crushing container such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; and (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum having adjustment means for fixedly adjusting said drum and being positioned for selectively alternatively crushing the aluminum can and plastic bottle containers introduced into said inner housing by crushing the containers against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated.

Claim 3

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein: (a) said crusher arm comprises an angle iron section with a first side of said angle iron attached to and abutting said periphery of said drum and a second side of said angle iron extending radially outward from said periphery of said drum.

Claim 4

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 2, including: (a) a tapered leading edge provided along said second side of said angle iron.

Claim 5

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein: (a) said angle iron is positioned so that said second side leads said first side during rotation of said drum, the taper of said tapered edge being on the trailing side of said second side.

Claim 6

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including: (a) a safety cover placed over said feed opening in said top tray, said safety cover including the inlet opening adapted to receive containers fed in a horizontal direction through which containers are introduced into said safety cover, said inlet opening being positioned a sufficient distance from said feed opening to prevent an operator from reaching a hand into said feed opening.

Claim 7

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein: (a) said safety cover includes an access opening displaced from said feed opening in said top tray and adapted to receive a hopper for the efficient introduction of relatively large numbers of the containers into said crusher apparatus.

Claim 8

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including: (a) said drum having a cylinder and an axle extending through the center of said cylinder; said axle having an axle pulley; (b) cooperating apertures in said rectangular inner housing for receiving said axle therethrough; (c) an electric motor mounted outside of said inner housing, but within said outer housing; said motor having a motor pulley; and (d) a belt drive connecting said motor pulley and said axle pulley such that said drum is driven thereby.

Claim 9

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 7, including: (a) said apertures being shaped as elongated slots such that said drum is adjustable toward and away from said side wall of said inner housing to selectively adjust for crushing of the aluminum can and plastic bottle containers; and (b) securing means for securing said axle in a selected position within said slots.

Claim 10

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein: (a) said pulleys are sized such that said drum operably rotates in the range of 500-700 RPM.

Claim 11

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein: (a) each of the containers is crushed by a single pass of said crusher arm.

Claim 12

A container crusher apparatus for crushing container such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (e) wherein said crusher arm comprises an angle from section with a first side of said angle iron attached to and abutting said periphery of said drum and a second side of said angle iron extending radially outward from said periphery of said drum; (f) a tapered leading edge provided along said second side of said angle iron; and (g) wherein there are a plurality of said crusher arms equally spaced about said periphery of said drum, each of said crusher arms being oriented at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of said drum.

Claim 13

A container crusher apparatus for crushing container such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (e) wherein said crusher arm comprises an angle from section with a first side of said angle iron attached to and abutting said periphery of said drum and a second side of said angle iron extending radially outward from said periphery of said drum; (f) a tapered leading edge provided along said second side of said angle iron; and (g) wherein there are a plurality of said crusher arms equally spaced about said periphery of said drum, each of said crusher arms being oriented at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of said drum.

Claim 14

A container crusher apparatus for crushing containers such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (e) a safety cover placed over said feed opening in said top tray, said safety cover including an inlet opening adapted to receive the containers fed in a horizontal direction through which the containers are introduced into said safety cover, said inlet opening being positioned a sufficient distance from said feed opening to prevent an operator from reaching a hand into said feed opening; and (f) wherein said safety cover includes a hinged access panel over said feed opening, said hinged access panel including securing means, said securing means including a safety switch that opens a circuit such that power is cut off from said crusher apparatus upon the opening of said hinged access panel.

Claim 15

A container crusher apparatus for crushing containers such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (e) a safety cover placed over said feed opening in said top tray, said safety cover including an inlet opening adapted to receive the containers fed in a horizontal direction through which the containers are introduced into said safety cover, said inlet opening being positioned a sufficient distance from said feed opening to prevent an operator from reaching a hand into said feed opening; and (f) wherein said safety cover includes a hinged access panel over said feed opening, said hinged access panel including securing means, said securing means including a safety switch that opens a circuit such that power is cut off from said crusher apparatus upon the opening of said hinged access panel.

Claim 16

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein: (a) said securing means include a threaded screw eye affixed to said hinged access panel which mates with a threaded bore in said safety cover, said screw eye requiring at least a first predetermined number of turns to completely secure said hinged cover to said safety cover, said safety switch closing said circuit to supply power to said crusher apparatus only after said screw eye has been threaded into said threaded bore a second predetermined number of turns, said second number being greater than said first number.

Claim 17

The container crusher apparatus in accordance with claim 12, including: (a) a control switch mounted on the outside of said outer housing to control power to said crusher apparatus, said safety switch being wired in series with said control switch.

Claim 18

A container crusher apparatus for crushing containers such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing with said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (a) a safety cover placed over said feed opening in said top tray, said safety cover including an inlet opening adapted to receive the containers fed in a horizontal direction through which the containers are introduced into said safety cover, said inlet opening being positioned a sufficient distance from said feed opening to prevent an operator from reaching a hand into said feed opening; and (f) a solenoid-operated safety door positioned within said inlet opening in said safety cover, said solenoid being adapted to open said safety door when power is switched on to said crusher apparatus and to close said safety door when said crusher apparatus power is switched off.

Claim 19

A container crusher apparatus for crushing containers such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing with said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (a) a safety cover placed over said feed opening in said top tray, said safety cover including an inlet opening adapted to receive the containers fed in a horizontal direction through which the containers are introduced into said safety cover, said inlet opening being positioned a sufficient distance from said feed opening to prevent an operator from reaching a hand into said feed opening; and (f) a solenoid-operated safety door positioned within said inlet opening in said safety cover, said solenoid being adapted to open said safety door when power is switched on to said crusher apparatus and to close said safety door when said crusher apparatus power is switched off.

Claim 20

A container crusher apparatus for crushing containers such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing with said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (e) a safety cover placed over said feed opening in said top tray, said safety cover including an inlet opening adapted to receive the containers fed in a horizontal direction through which the containers are introduced into said safety cover, said inlet opening being positioned a sufficient distance from said feed opening to prevent an operator from reaching a hand into said feed opening; and (f) wherein a plurality of stiff bristles are positioned within said inlet opening in said safety cover, said bristles being adapted to provide a mechanical resistance to containers being placed into said inlet opening.

Claim 21

A container crusher apparatus for crushing containers such as aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles and the like, said crusher apparatus comprising: (a) a longitudinally-extending cylindrical outer housing with a circular bottom plate enclosure and a circular top tray enclosure; (b) a rectangular inner housing with said outer housing, said inner housing having at least one side wall and being attached to said bottom plate and said top tray; (c) said top tray including a feed opening sized and positioned to permit the containers to be introduced into said inner housing, said bottom plate including an outlet opening sized and positioned to permit crushed containers to exit said inner housing; (d) a rotatable cylindrical drum positioned within said inner housing, the rotation axis of said drum being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer housing; said drum having a periphery and having at least one crusher arm attached to said periphery; said drum positioned for crushing the containers introduced into said inner housing against said side wall of said inner housing when said drum is rotated; (e) a safety cover placed over said feed opening in said top tray, said safety cover including an inlet opening adapted to receive the containers fed in a horizontal direction through which the containers are introduced into said safety cover, said inlet opening being positioned a sufficient distance from said feed opening to prevent an operator from reaching a hand into said feed opening; and (f) wherein a plurality of stiff bristles are positioned within said inlet opening in said safety cover, said bristles being adapted to provide a mechanical resistance to containers being placed into said inlet opening.