Container crusher and method of use thereof

A method for crushing a container utilizing a vacuum pump to provide an evacuation process and provided therein a framed enclosure, comprising the steps of:

• providing a framed enclosure, further comprising:
• a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel connected to the top ends of both side panels, a bottom panel connected to an intermediary location of both side panels, a rear panel downwardly extending from said top panel and connected to both said side panels and having a plurality of mounting holes, and, a pump mounting panel affixed thereto both side panels in an intermediary location between said top and bottom panels and providing a horizontal shelf wherein said vacuum pump is mounted thereto, wherein said framed enclosure provides a housing for various containers and evacuation equipment in an aesthetic and sound-reducing manner;
• a door panel hingedly connected to said first side panel further comprising a doorknob located on an exterior wall and a chamber support feature attached to an interior wall which provides a male feature which is inserted into a front opening of said vacuum chamber upon closing said door panel, thereby providing structural support to said vacuum chamber as vacuum forces are applied during said evacuation process;
• a door securing mechanism comprising a door latch located on said interior wall of said door panel and a door catch located on a front wall of said pump mounting panel;
• and,
• a first louver and second louver located on an upper half of each said first and second side panel, respectively, and a door panel louver located on an upper half of said door panel;
• providing a vacuum pump mounted within said framed enclosure, comprising a commercially available diaphragm-type pump common in the industry, further comprising:
• a rated flow capacity within a range of three (3) and six (6) cubic feet per minute;
• a peak vacuum level of at least twenty-six (26) inches of mercury (1.27 PSI);
• and, a cartridge filter which provides a protection means to said vacuum pump against entrained airborne particles;
• providing a vacuum chamber within said framed enclosure connected to said vacuum plumbing, comprising a rigid cubic structure with an open end capable of withstanding the forces of an internal high vacuum, thereby providing a temporary collection and containment means for any entrained liquids or solids emitting from said containers during said evacuation process and further comprising a first chamber adapter, a second chamber adapter, a lip for retaining collected entrained solids and liquids, and a gasket for sealing said door panel to said vacuum chamber;
• providing vacuum plumbing, further comprising a solenoid vent valve, vacuum tubing, plumbing fittings, and mounting brackets;
• providing a container adapter for removably connecting said vacuum chamber to said container;
• providing an electrical system supplying power thereto said vacuum pump and vent valve, comprising an electrical box for transferring power to said vacuum pump and said vent valve, and an on/off switch in electrical communication with said box for controlling power to said box;
• selecting a preferred vertical wall surface on which to mount said apparatus, said apparatus having been received in a pre-assembled state wherein said vacuum pump, said vacuum chamber, electrical wiring, and said vacuum plumbing components are installed therein said framed enclosure;
• removing said vacuum chamber temporarily by disassembling said first chamber adapter and said second chamber adapter;
• mounting said apparatus to said vertical wall surface using said mounting holes and provided fasteners;
• re-installing said vacuum chamber;
• connecting said power cord to an available 110 volt AC outlet;
• closing said door panel and verifying that said door latch is connected securely to said door catch, thereby sealing said gasket thereto said door panel and eliminating any possible vacuum leaks;
• placing a mouth of said container to be evacuated upward and centered within said container adapter, thereby forming a snug seal;
• moving said on/off switch to an “ON” position, thereby providing electrical current to said electrical box and thereto said vacuum pump and vent valve and beginning said evacuation process;
• evacuating a volume of said container at a evacuation rate and enabling said container to completely collapse;
• moving said on/off switch to an “OFF” position, thereby discontinuing operation of said vacuum pump;
• activating said vent valve, thereby returning said vacuum plumbing and vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure;
• removing and disposing of said container;
• opening said door panel and cleaning any residual liquid or entrained solids contained within said vacuum chamber;
• and,
• contributing to an environmental maintenance program by reducing a space required to dispose of said containers.

An apparatus for crushing or otherwise evacuating a container, comprising:

• a framed enclosure, further comprising:
• a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel connected to the top ends of both side panels, a bottom panel connected to an intermediary location of both side panels, a rear panel downwardly extending from said top panel and connected to both said side panels and having a plurality of mounting holes, and, a pump mounting panel affixed thereto both side panels in an intermediary location between said top and bottom panels and providing a horizontal shelf wherein said vacuum pump is mounted thereto, wherein said framed enclosure provides a housing for various containers and evacuation equipment in an aesthetic and sound-reducing manner;
• a door panel hingedly connected to said first side panel further comprising a doorknob located on an exterior wall and a chamber support feature attached to an interior wall which provides a male feature which is inserted into a front opening of said vacuum chamber upon closing said door panel, thereby providing structural support to said vacuum chamber as vacuum forces are applied during said evacuation process;
• a door securing mechanism comprising a door latch located on said interior wall of said door panel and a door catch located on a front wall of said pump mounting panel;
• and,
• a first louver and second louver located on an upper half of each said first and second side panel, respectively, and a door panel louver located on an upper half of said door panel;
• a vacuum pump mounted within said framed enclosure, comprising a commercially available diaphragm-type pump common in the industry, further comprising:
• a rated flow capacity within a range of three (3) and six (6) cubic feet per minute;
• a peak vacuum level of at least twenty-six (26) inches of mercury (1.27 PSI);
• and, a cartridge filter which provides a protection means to said vacuum pump against entrained airborne particles;
• a vacuum chamber within said framed enclosure connected to said vacuum plumbing, comprising a rigid cubic structure with an open end capable of withstanding the forces of an internal high vacuum, thereby providing a temporary collection and containment means for any entrained liquids or solids emitting from said containers during said evacuation process and further comprising a first chamber adapter, a second chamber adapter, a lip for retaining collected entrained solids and liquids, and a gasket for sealing said door panel to said vacuum chamber;
• vacuum plumbing, further comprising a solenoid vent valve, vacuum tubing, plumbing fittings, and mounting brackets;
• a container adapter for removably connecting said vacuum chamber to said container;
• and,
• an electrical system supplying power thereto said vacuum pump and vent valve, comprising an electrical box for transferring power to said vacuum pump and said vent valve, and an on/off switch in electrical communication with said box for controlling power to said box.