Apparatus for recycling glass containers

A glass container engaging apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• drive means mounted in said frame including at least one rotary shaft;
• means for converting rotary motion of a first said rotary shaft to eccentric motion, said converting means being attached to said first rotary shaft;
• first movable jaw means connected to said converting means;
• second movable jaw means connected to said converting means;
• third movable jaw means connected to said converting means;
• first stationary jaw means mounted to said frame, said first movable jaw means and said first stationary jaw means defining a first converging glass container receiving a throat;
• second stationary jaw mean mounted to said frame, said second movable jaw means and said second stationary jaw means defining a second converging glass container receiving throat;
• third stationary jaw means mounted to said frame, said third movable jaw means and said third stationary jaw means defining a third converging glass container receiving throat;
• means for resisting rotary motion of said glass container engaging apparatus;
• said converting means is an eccentric bushing assembly;
• said eccentric bushing assembly includes:
• movable yoke means to which said first, second and third movable jaw mean are secured;
• an eccentrically mounted bushing secured to said first rotary shaft and disposed within said movable yoke means;
• and
• bearing means disposed between said eccentrically mounted bushing and said movable yoke means, whereby axial rotation of a said first rotary shaft effect responsive rotation of said eccentrically mounted bushing which will, in turn, effect sequential reciprocating movement of said first, second and third movable jaw means;
• said drive means has a second said rotary shaft;
• said converting means includes:
• first converting means connected to said first rotary shaft and
• second converting means connected to said second rotary shaft;
• first resilient pad means mounted to said first movable jaw means;
• second resilient pad means mounted to said first stationary jaw means;
• third resilient pad means mounted to said second movable jaw means;
• fourth resilient pad means mounted to said second stationary jaw means;
• fifth resilient pad means mounted to said third movable jaw means;
• and
• sixth resilient pad means mounted to said third stationary jaw means, whereby glass containers which are engaged by said first and second engaging jaw means have their dropping speed retarded by said respective pad means engaging said glass containers so that breakage of said glass containers is resisted.