Apparatus for recovering liquid from liquid-filled containers

An apparatus for recovering liquid from refuse liquid-filled containers, comprising:

• an elongated compression chamber having an open end and including an inlet opening for admitting said refuse containers thereinto, said chamber being formed by a cylindrical wall having a perforated cylindrical wall portion provided with a plurality of liquid collection orifices;
• an annular liquid collection chamber surrounding said perforated wall portion for collecting liquid expelled through said liquid collection orifices;
• a first plunger movable relative to said open end;
• a second plunger axially movable in said compression chamber, said first and second plungers having respective first and second heads with respective first and second perforated plates mounted thereon, each head having a lead surface and the respective heads and perforated plates of said first and second plungers being arranged at one extremity of each said plunger, each plate being provided with a plurality of liquid discharge orifices and being mounted on a respective head in spaced-apart relation to define a gap between each plate and substantially the whole lead surface of each head, said gap permitting liquid flow communication between said liquid discharge orifices and said liquid collection orifices;
• a first plunger actuating means coupled to said first plunger for moving said first head to close said open end and position said first perforated plate inside said compression chamber in working relation to the perforated wall portion thereof;
• and
• a second plunger actuating means coupled to said second plunger for moving said second head with said second perforated plate in a direction toward said first head to compress said refuse containers between said first and second perforated plates and thereby cause said containers to burst and expel liquid, said liquid being expessed through said liquid discharge orifices and said liquid collection orifices as said plungers move closer to one another;
• whereby during compression of said containers, said first and second perforated plates together with said perforated wall portion define a strainer completely enclosing said containers such that said liquid passes freely through said liquid discharge orifices and said liquid collection orifices, and directly into said liquid collection chamber.