Can crusher
OwnerConstantino J. Balbo, Leonard F. Bruhn +1inventors
InventorsConstantino J. Balbo, Leonard F. Bruhn, Clements E. Bruhn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compacting device for crushing aluminum beverage containers to render them more readily storable and transportable to salvage facilities. The device comprises a housing with a side opening for receiving an empty container, an open end aligned with a movable piston actuated by a linkage controlled by a hand lever, and a closed end supporting a pivotal anvil. The can is initially crimped as it is inserted through a narrowed portion of the side opening to help start its axial crushing when engaged by the piston. When the can is fully collapsed, the anvil pivots to eject the can from a lower opening in the housing. The device is preferably constructed from a strong, light, plastic material and can be mounted in either a vertical or horizontal position.
Claims14
A device for crushing and compressing a thin walled, generally cylindrical container comprising:
- elongated base means having bearing means near one end thereof;
- housing means fixed to said base means having a side opening for receiving a can to be crushed, and end opening and a generally cylindrical cavity with an inner diameter somewhat larger than a container to be crushed;
- an actuating lever pivotally attached at one end to said bearing means on said base means;
- a movable piston within said housing and attached to a piston rod extending at least partially through said end opening of said housing, the end of said piston rod being pivotally attached to said actuating lever;
- an anvil means pivotally mounted within said housing at its end opposite from said open end;
- and means in said base means adjacent said anvil means forming an exit opening for a crushed can, whereby said anvil means remains substantially perpendicular to the central axis of said cylindrical cavity as crushing pressure is applied by the piston and moves from said perpendicular position when the piston is retracted, thereby releasing the crushed can.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.