Oil filter disassembly and recycling apparatus

Apparatus for the disassembly and recycling of oil filters comprising a perforated metal base fixed to a canister and a filter element within the canister, said apparatus comprising a severing locus having disposed therein cutting means comprising a cutting blade adapted to engage the filter canister adjacent the metal base, means to shift the filter element from the severing locus;

• a loading locus at a fixed spacing before said severing locus;
• and a series of recycling receptacles beyond said severing locus;
• a shuttle movable along a predetermined path between said loading locus, said severing locus and said recycling receptacles, said shuttle carrying a canister shifting means and a base shifting means;
• a filter element shifting means adjacent said severing locus;
• said canister shifting means and said base shifting means being in spaced relation on said shuttle corresponding to said spaced relation of said loading locus to said severing locus and said severing locus to said recycling receptacles enabling registration of said canister and base shifting means with said loading and severing locus and subsequent registration with said receptacles, whereby translational movement of said shuttle along said predetermined path registers said canister shifting means with said loading locus for pickup of a filter assembly while said base shifting means registers with said severing locus for pickup of a severed base, and further translational movement of said shuttle along said predetermined path registers said canister shifting means with said severing locus for depositing said canister therein and thereafter removing the severed canister from the severing locus, and still further translational movement of said shuttle along said predetermined path registers said canister shifting means with a canister recycling receptacle and said base shifting means with a base recycling receptacle such that said canister and said base can be deposited into their respective receptacles, whereby said shifting means is cleared of said canister and said base for return to said loading locus and said severing locus for a further cycle.

Apparatus for disassembling and recycling the filter element, perforated base and canister components of oil filters of internal combustion engines, comprising longitudinally separated facilities for receiving, disassembling and recycling oil filter components, shuttle means interconnecting said facilities, said shuttle means comprising a track extending between facilities, a shuttle car movable along said track, and first and second operating heads carried by said shuttle car in longitudinally spaced relation corresponding to the longitudinal separation of said facilities;

• said first operating head comprising means to transfer the canister, said second operating head comprising means to transfer the base;
• and a third operating head comprising means to transfer the filter element;
• said first and second operating heads cooperating to deliver an oil filter from the receiving facility to the disassembling facility with the first operating head, while transferring a separated base from the disassembling facility toward the recycling facility with the second operating head, to transfer a separated canister from the disassembly facility to the recycling facility with the first operating head, while transferring the separated base to the recycling facility with the second operating head;
• said third operating head clearing the disassembly facility of separated filter elements after filter disassembly and before further delivery of oil filters to be disassembled.