Abstrict A can crusher and storage system is provided including a piston
housing having a first face, a second face, and a periphery formed
therebetween defining an interior space. The piston housing has
an inlet formed in the periphery thereof adjacent the first face.
A thin rectangular outlet is formed in the periphery of the piston
housing between the inlet and the first face and is further situated
opposite of and offset from the inlet. Next provided is a piston
assembly situated within the interior space of the piston housing
for crushing cans situated within the inlet upon the actuation thereof.
A control assembly is provided for selectively actuating the piston
assembly.
Claims What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by UTILITY
PATENT of the United States is as follows:
1. A can crusher and storage system comprising, in combination:
a piston housing having a cylindrical configuration with a first
circular face, a second circular face, and a tubular periphery formed
therebetween defining an interior space, the piston housing having
a rectangular inlet formed in the periphery thereof adjacent the
first circular face with a recessed lip formed about an inner periphery
of the inlet, a spring biased lid hingably coupled over the inlet
with a biased open orientation and an unbiased closed orientation,
a thin rectangular outlet formed in the periphery of the piston
housing between the inlet and the first circular face and further
situated diametrically opposite of and offset from the inlet, and
a rectangular chute integrally coupled about the outlet and extending
radially therefrom with a plurality of undulations formed about
an outer surface thereof;
a piston assembly including a motor mounted within the interior
space of the piston housing adjacent the second circular face thereof,
a screwdriver shaft coupled to a rotor of the motor and extending
in concentric relationship with the piston housing, and a piston
with a cylindrical configuration slidably situated within the interior
space of the piston housing with a threaded coaxial bore formed
therein for threadedly receiving the screwdriver shaft, whereby
upon the actuation of the motor, the motor is adapted to rotate
the screwdriver shaft such that the piston engages the first circular
face and subsequently retracts to a rest position adjacent the motor
thereby crushing a can inserted within the inlet and allowing the
expelling of the crushed can through the outlet for disposal;
an electrical control assembly including a pair of contacts situated
on the recessed lip of the inlet of the piston housing and a conductive
tab mounted on the lid such that upon the lid residing in the open
orientation thereof, a first activation signal is transmitted and
upon the lid residing in the closed orientation thereof, a second
activation signal is transmitted, the electrical control assembly
further including a push button mounted on an exterior of the piston
housing for generating a third activation signal upon the depression
thereof, a mode switch situated on the exterior of the piston housing
for effecting the operation of the electrical control assembly in
a first mode of operation in a first orientation and effecting the
operation of the control assembly in a second mode of operation
in a second orientation, and control means connected between the
motor, contacts, push button, and mode switch, the control means
adapted to effect the actuation of the motor after a predetermined
amount of time upon the receipt of the first activation signal and
the subsequent receipt of the second activation signal in the first
mode of operation thereby effecting the crushing the can upon the
opening and subsequent closing of the lid, the electrical control
assembly further adapted to effect the immediate actuation of the
motor upon the receipt of the third activation signal in the second
mode of operation thereby effecting the crushing of the can upon
the depression of the push button;
a plurality of dispensing adapters each having a hollow rectangular
cross-section with a pair of open ends, the dispensing adapters
each having a top end with a plurality of peripheral undulations
formed on an interior surface thereof and a bottom end with a plurality
of peripheral undulations formed on an exterior surface thereof,
whereby the dispensing adapters may be coupled in linear alignment
and further coupled to chute of the piston housing for receiving
a crushed can dispensed therefrom;
a mounting base having an L-shaped configuration with a pair of
side walls defining an L-shaped channel, the mounting base having
a plurality of apertures formed therein for fixedly coupling the
same to a recipient surface, the mounting base having a C-shaped
top having a plurality of ridges formed on an exterior surface thereof;
a hollow container having a top face, a bottom face, a front face,
a rear face, and a pair of side faces integrally coupled therebetween
thereby defining an interior space, the container having a circular
opening formed on the top face adjacent the front face of the container
with a peripheral lip coupled thereabout and extending upwardly
therefrom, an inverted V-shaped handle integrally coupled to the
top face of the container, a pair of protrusions integrally formed
in the front face and extending outwardly therefrom, a gripping
arm integrally coupled to the bottom face of the container adjacent
the rear face thereof for facilitating the handling of the container,
a gripping inset portion integrally formed in the rear face of the
container adjacent to the top face thereof for facilitating the
handling of the container, and a locking bump formed in the bottom
face of the container and extending downwardly therefrom for engaging
a complimentary bump formed in the mounting base when the container
is situated within the L-shaped channel of the mounting base for
maintaining the container therein, whereby the circular opening
of the container is in coaxial alignment with the C-shaped top of
the mounting base when mounted therein, the bottom face of the container
having a beveled upper surface within the interior space of the
container for effecting the flow of fluid to the front face of the
container;
an interconnect having an upper extent with a rectangular cross-section
and a plurality of peripheral undulations formed in an interior
surface thereof for engaging those of the bottom end of the one
of the dispensing adapters and a lower extent with a circular cross-section
and having a plurality of indentations formed in an interior surface
thereof for releasably coupling with the ridges of the C-shaped
top of the mounting base, whereby cans dispensed through the dispensing
adapters are guided through the interconnect and into the container
for storage purposes; and
a lid for removably securing about the peripheral lip of the container
for sealing the same, the lid having an O-ring coupled to the lid
for securing to the container to coupling the lid to the container
when the lid is not in use, the lid further having a flapper valve
formed therein for being selectively opened to allow the drainage
of fluid from the container.
2. A can crusher and storage system comprising:
a piston housing having a first face, a second face, and a periphery
formed therebetween defining an interior space, the piston housing
having an inlet formed in the periphery thereof adjacent the first
face, a thin rectangular outlet formed in the periphery of the piston
housing between the inlet and the first face and further situated
opposite of and offset from the inlet;
a piston assembly situated within the interior space of the piston
housing for crushing cans situated within the interior space upon
the actuation thereof;
a control assembly for selectively actuating the piston assembly;
and
a plurality of dispensing adapters each having a hollow cross-section
with a pair of open ends each having a coupling means formed thereon,
whereby the dispensing adapters may be coupled in linear alignment
and further coupled to the outlet of the piston housing for receiving
a crushed can dispensed therefrom.
3. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 2 wherein
the piston assembly includes a motor mounted within the interior
space of the piston housing adjacent the second face thereof, a
screwdriver shaft coupled to a rotor of the motor and extending
in concentric relationship with the piston housing, and a piston
with a cylindrical configuration slidably situated within the interior
space of the piston housing with a threaded coaxial bore formed
therein for threadedly receiving the screwdriver shaft.
4. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 2 wherein
a lid is situated about the inlet of the housing.
5. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 4 wherein
the motor is actuated upon the opening and closing of the lid.
6. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 4 wherein
the motor is actuated after a predetermined amount of time upon
the opening and closing of the lid.
7. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 2 and
further including a push button, whereby the motor is actuated immediately
upon the depression of the push button.
8. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 2 wherein
the coupling means includes a plurality of peripheral undulations
formed on an interior surface of a top end of each dispensing adapter
and a plurality of peripheral undulations formed on an exterior
surface of a bottom end of each dispensing adapter.
9. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 2 wherein
a collection bin is releasably mounted to the inlet of the piston
housing for receiving cans therein and directing the same into the
inlet.
10. A can crusher and storage system comprising:
a piston housing having a first face, a second face, and a periphery
formed therebetween defining an interior space, the piston housing
having an inlet formed in the periphery thereof adjacent the first
face, a thin rectangular outlet formed in the periphery of the piston
housing between the inlet and the first face and further situated
opposite of and offset from the inlet;
a piston assembly situated within the interior space of the piston
housing for crushing cans situated within the interior space upon
the actuation thereof;
a control assembly for selectively actuating the piston assembly;
and
a container for receiving crushed cans from the outlet of the piston
housing for storage and transportation purposes;
wherein a bottom face of the container has a beveled upper surface
within an interior space of the container for effecting the flow
of fluid to the front face of the container.
11. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 10 and
further including a mounting base for receiving the container while
receiving cans from the outlet of the piston housing.
12. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 11 and
further including a plurality of dispensing adapters each having
a hollow cross-section with a pair of open ends each having coupling
means formed thereon, whereby the dispensing adapters may be coupled
in linear alignment and further coupled to the outlet of the piston
housing for receiving a crushed can dispensed therefrom, and further
including an interconnect for coupling the dispensing adapters to
the mounting base such that the dispensing adapters are in alignment
with the opening of the container.
13. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 11 wherein
the container includes a locking bump formed in a bottom face thereof
and extends downwardly therefrom for engaging a complimentary bump
formed in the mounting base when the container is situated therein.
14. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 10 wherein
the container includes an inverted V-shaped handle integrally coupled
to a top face thereof.
15. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 10 wherein
the container includes a pair of protrusions integrally formed in
a front face thereof.
16. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 10 wherein
the container includes a gripping arm integrally coupled to a bottom
face of the container adjacent a rear face thereof for facilitating
the handling of the container.
17. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 10 wherein
the container includes a gripping inset portion integrally formed
in a rear face of the container adjacent to the top face thereof
for facilitating the handling of the container.
18. A can crusher and storage system as set forth in claim 10 wherein
the container includes a lid for sealing the container.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a can crusher and storage system
and more particularly pertains to crushing cans and further storing
such crushed cans in a container prior to recycling.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of can compactors is known in the prior art. More specifically,
can compactors heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of
crushing cans are known to consist basically of familiar, expected
and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad
of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been
developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, the prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5067398;
U.S. Pat. No. 5188022; U.S. Pat. No. 4216713; U.S. Pat. Des.
No. 253771; U.S. Pat. No. 4561350; and U.S. Pat. No. 4970951.
In this respect, the can crusher and storage system according to
the present invention substantially departs from the conventional
concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides
an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of crushing cans
and further storing such crushed cans in a container prior to recycling.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing
need for a new and improved can crusher and storage system which
can be used for crushing cans and further storing such crushed cans
in a container prior to recycling. In this regard, the present invention
substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of can compactors now present in the prior art, the present invention
provides an improved can crusher and storage system. As such, the
general purpose of the present invention, which will be described
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved
can crusher and storage system which has all the advantages of the
prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a piston
housing having a cylindrical configuration. As shown in FIG. 1
the piston housing has a first circular face, a second circular
face, and a tubular periphery formed therebetween defining an interior
space. A rectangular inlet is formed in the periphery of the piston
housing adjacent the first circular face with a recessed lip formed
about an inner periphery of the inlet. A spring biased lid is hingably
coupled over the inlet with a biased open orientation and an unbiased
closed orientation. A thin rectangular outlet is formed in the periphery
of the piston housing between the inlet and the first circular face.
As shown in FIG. 1 the outlet is further situated diametrically
opposite of and offset from the inlet. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5
a rectangular chute is integrally coupled about the outlet and extends
radially therefrom. For reasons that will become apparent later,
a plurality of undulations are formed about an outer surface of
the chute. With references still to FIGS. 3-5 it is shown that
a piston assembly is provided including a motor mounted within the
interior space of the piston housing adjacent the second circular
face thereof. A screwdriver shaft is coupled to a rotor of the motor
and extends in concentric relationship with the piston housing.
A piston with a cylindrical configuration is slidably situated within
the interior space of the piston housing with a threaded coaxial
bore formed therein for threadedly receiving the screwdriver shaft.
Upon the actuation of the motor, the motor is adapted to rotate
the screwdriver shaft such that the piston engages the first circular
face and subsequently retracts to a rest position adjacent the motor.
As such, a can is crushed when inserted within the inlet thereby
allowing the expelling of the crushed can through the outlet for
disposal. For controlling the operation of the piston assembly,
an electrical control assembly is included. Such assembly includes
a pair of contacts situated on the recessed lip of the inlet of
the piston housing. Associated therewith is a conductive tab mounted
on the lid. Upon the lid residing in the open orientation thereof,
a first activation signal is transmitted. When the lid is in the
closed orientation thereof, a second activation signal is transmitted.
The electrical control assembly further includes a push button mounted
on an exterior of the piston housing. During use, the push button
serves for generating a third activation signal upon the depression
thereof. The electrical control assembly further includes a mode
switch situated on the exterior of the piston housing for effecting
the operation of the electrical control assembly in a first mode
of operation in a first orientation and effecting the operation
of the control assembly in a second mode of operation in a second
orientation. Finally, unillustrated control means is connected between
the motor, contacts, push button, and mode switch. In use, the control
means functions to effect the actuation of the motor after a predetermined
amount of time upon the receipt of the first activation signal and
the subsequent receipt of the second activation signal in the first
mode of operation. As such, the crushing of the can is effected
upon the opening and subsequent closing of the lid. The electrical
control assembly is further adapted to effect the immediate actuation
of the motor upon the receipt of the third activation signal in
the second mode operation. In such mode, the crushing of the can
is effected upon the depression of the push button. With attention
now to FIGS. 6 & 7 a plurality of dispensing adapters each
have a hollow rectangular cross-section with a pair of open ends.
Each of the dispensing adapters have a top end with a plurality
of peripheral undulations formed on an interior surface thereof.
A bottom end of each of the dispensing adapters are equipped with
a plurality of peripheral undulations formed on an exterior surface
thereof. By this structure, the dispensing adapters may be coupled
in linear alignment and further coupled to the chute of the piston
housing for receiving a crushed can dispensed therefrom. Also included
is a mounting base having an L-shaped configuration, as shown in
FIGS. 1 6 & 9. The mounting base is equipped with a pair of
side walls defining an L-shaped channel. The mounting base further
has a plurality of apertures formed therein for fixedly coupling
the same to a recipient surface. As best shown in FIG. 9 the mounting
base has a C-shaped top having a plurality of ridges formed on an
exterior surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 10 a hollow container
is included having a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a rear
face, and a pair of side faces integrally coupled therebetween thereby
defining an interior space. The container has a circular opening
formed on the top face adjacent the front face of the container.
A peripheral lip is coupled about the circular opening and extends
upwardly therefrom. An inverted V-shaped handle is integrally coupled
to the top face of the container. A pair of protrusions are integrally
formed in the front face and extend outwardly therefrom. For facilitating
the handling of the container, a gripping arm is integrally coupled
to the bottom face of the container adjacent the rear face thereof.
A gripping inset portion is integrally formed in the rear face of
the container adjacent to the top face thereof for facilitating
the handling of the container, similar to the gripping arm. A locking
bump is formed in the bottom face of the container and extends downwardly
therefrom for engaging a complimentary bump formed in the mounting
base when the container is situated within the L-shaped channel
of the mounting base. The bumps work together for maintaining the
container within the mounting base such that the circular opening
of the container is in coaxial alignment with the C-shaped top of
the mounting base. The bottom face of the container has a beveled
upper surface within the interior space of the container for effecting
the flow of fluid to the front face of the container. FIGS. 8 &
9 show an interconnect having an upper extent with a rectangular
cross-section. The upper extent has a plurality of peripheral undulations
formed in an interior surface thereof for engaging those of the
bottom end of the one of the dispensing adapters. The interconnect
further has a lower extent with a circular cross-section. A plurality
of indentations are formed in an interior surface of the lower extent
of the interconnect for releasably coupling with the ridges of the
C-shaped top of the mounting base. The interconnect ensures that
the cans dispensed through the dispensing adapters are guided through
the interconnect and into the container for storage purposes. Finally,
a lid is included for removably securing about the peripheral lip
of the container to seal the same. Note FIGS. 10 & 11. The lid
has an O-ring coupled thereto for securing to the container to couple
the lid to the container when the lid is not in use. The lid further
has a flapper valve formed therein for being selectively opened
to allow the drainage of fluid from the container.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of
the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the hollowing
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable
of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various
ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not
be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as
a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems
for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.
It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including
such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved can crusher and storage system which has all the
advantages of the prior art can compactors and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved can crusher and storage system which may be easily
and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved can crusher and storage system which is of a durable
and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved can crusher and storage system which is susceptible
of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor,
and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale
to the consuming public, thereby making such can crusher and storage
system economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved can crusher and storage system which provides
in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages
normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to crushing cans
and further storing such crushed cans in a container prior to recycling.
Another object of the present invention is to render the act of
recycling both convenient and more efficient so as to afford at
a greater extent the benefits of recycling.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved can crusher and storage system including a piston housing
having a first face, a second face, and a periphery formed therebetween
defining an interior space. The piston housing has an inlet formed
in the periphery thereof adjacent the first face. A thin rectangular
outlet is formed in the periphery of the piston housing between
the inlet and the first face and is further situated opposite of
and offset from the inlet. Next provided is a piston assembly situated
within the interior space of the piston housing for crushing cans
situated within the inlet upon the actuation thereof. A control
assembly is provided for selectively actuating the piston assemble.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the invention,
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the can
crusher and storage system constructed in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inlet and lid of the piston
housing of the present invention.
FIGS. 3-5 are cross-sectional views of the piston assembly during
use.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the mounting base, container, dispensing
adapters, and interconnect of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the interconnection between
the dispensing adapters of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a top view of the interconnect of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the mounting base and interconnect
of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the container showing the interior space
thereof.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lid of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout
the several views of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1
thereof, a new and improved can crusher and storage system embodying
the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
The present invention, the new and improved can crusher and storage
system, is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components
in their broadest context include a piston housing, dispensing adapters,
mounting base, interconnect, lid and electrical control assembly.
Such components are individually configured and correlated with
respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.
More specifically, it will be noted that the system 10 of the present
invention includes a piston housing 12 having a cylindrical configuration.
As shown in FIG. 1 the piston housing has a first circular face,
a second circular face, and a tubular periphery formed therebetween
defining an interior space. While not shown, it should be understood
that the piston housing may be equipped with a mounting plate for
coupling the piston housing to a recipient surface at various angles,
elevations, and the like.
A rectangular inlet 14 is formed in the periphery of the piston
housing adjacent the first circular face. A recessed lip 16 is formed
about an inner periphery of the inlet. A spring biased lid 18 is
hingably coupled over the inlet with a biased open orientation and
an unbiased closed orientation. To facilitate the opening of the
lid, a tab 22 is extended therefrom. A thin rectangular outlet 24
is formed in the periphery of the piston housing between the inlet
and the first circular face. As shown in FIG. 1 the outlet is further
situated diametrically opposite of and offset from the inlet. As
best shown in FIGS. 3-5 a rectangular chute 26 is integrally coupled
about the outlet and extends radially therefrom. As an option, the
chute may be angled with respect to the piston housing for accommodating
various applications. For reasons that will become apparent later,
a plurality of undulations 28 are formed about an outer surface
of the chute.
With references still to FIGS. 3-5 it is shown that a piston assembly
is provided including a motor 30 mounted within the interior space
of the piston housing adjacent the second circular face thereof.
A screwdriver shaft 32 is coupled to a rotor of the motor and extends
in concentric relationship with the piston housing. A piston 34
with a cylindrical configuration is slidably situated within the
interior space of the piston housing with a threaded coaxial bore
36 formed therein for threadedly receiving the screwdriver shaft.
The piston is imperatively slidably situated within the housing
such that rotation is precluded. This is preferably accomplished
by way of a tongue and groove combination. In the preferred embodiment,
an annular bushing encompasses the piston to prevent fluid from
contacting the motor.
Upon the actuation of the motor, the motor is adapted to rotate
the screwdriver shaft such that the piston engages the first circular
face and subsequently retracts to a rest position adjacent the motor.
Limit switches may be employed to afford such operation. As such,
a can is crushed when inserted within the inlet thereby allowing
the expelling of the crushed can through the outlet for disposal.
In alternate embodiments, the piston housing may be vertically
oriented or slanted with the piston adapted to abut either one of
the circular faces. In such embodiments, the outlet may be situated
at various points along the piston housing and both an engagement
surface of the piston and the circular face which it abuts may be
beveled to effect the sliding of the crushed can via gravity through
the outlet as the piston is retracted.
For controlling the operation of the piston assembly, an electrical
control assembly is included. Such assembly includes a pair of contacts
40 situated on the recessed lip of the inlet of the piston housing.
Associated therewith is a conductive tab 42 mounted on the lid.
Upon the lid residing in the open orientation thereof, a first activation
signal is transmitted. When the lid is in the closed orientation
thereof, a second activation signal is transmitted. It should be
understood that the transmission of the signals is accomplished
by the shorting and opening of the contacts. The electrical control
assembly further includes a push button 44 mounted on an exterior
of the piston housing. During use, the push button serves for generating
a third activation signal upon the depression thereof.
The electrical control assembly further includes a mode switch
46 situated on the exterior of the piston housing for effecting
the operation of the electrical control assembly in a first mode
of operation in a first orientation and effecting the operation
of the control assembly in a second mode of operation in a second
orientation. Finally, unillustrated control means is connected between
the motor, contacts, push button, and mode switch. In use, the control
means functions to effect the actuation of the motor after a predetermined
amount of time upon the receipt of the first activation signal and
the subsequent receipt of the second activation signal in the first
mode of operation. The predetermined amount of time is preferably
3 seconds. As such, the crushing of the can is effected upon the
opening and subsequent closing of the lid. The electrical control
assembly is further adapted to effect the immediate actuation of
the motor upon the receipt of the third activation signal in the
second mode operation. In such mode, the crushing of the can is
effected upon the depression of the push button. It should be noted
that, in either mode of operation, the control means requires that
the contacts be shorted for the motor to be actuates for safety
reasons.
In the preferred embodiment, the relay mechanism may either be
built into the motor or reside in an external circuit. Such relay
mechanism performs both the timer function and further has memory
means for storing the amount of rotations required to abut the piston
with the circular face.
With attention now to FIGS. 6 & 7 a plurality of dispensing
adapters 50 each have a hollow rectangular cross-section with a
pair of open ends. Each of the dispensing adapters have a top end
with a plurality of peripheral undulations 52 formed on an interior
surface thereof. A bottom end of each of the dispensing adapters
is equipped with a plurality of peripheral undulations 53 formed
on an exterior surface thereof. By this structure, the dispensing
adapters may be coupled in linear alignment and further coupled
to the chute of the piston housing for receiving a crushed can dispensed
therefrom. In the alternative, the dispensing adapters may comprise
of either "A" or "B" elbows for accomodating
various applications.
Also included is a mounting base 54 having an L-shaped configuration,
as shown in FIGS. 1 6 & 9. The mounting base is equipped with
a pair of side walls 56 defining an L-shaped channel. The mounting
base further has a plurality of apertures 58 formed therein for
fixedly coupling the same to a recipient surface. As best shown
in FIG. 9 the mounting base has a C-shaped top 60 having a plurality
of ridges 62 formed on an exterior surface thereof.
As shown in FIG. 10 a hollow container 64 is included having a
top face, a bottom face, a front face, a rear face, and a pair of
side faces integrally coupled therebetween thereby defining an interior
space. The container has a circular opening 66 formed on the top
face adjacent the front face thereof. It is imperative that such
opening be of a greater diameter than that of the C-shaped top 60
thereby ensuring that all liquid is funneled into the container.
A peripheral lip 68 is coupled about the circular opening and extends
upwardly therefrom. An inverted V-shaped handle 70 is integrally
coupled to the top face of the container. A pair of protrusions
72 are integrally formed in the front face and extend outwardly
therefrom. For facilitating the handling of the container and further
maintaining the container level when residing in the L-shaped mounting
base, a gripping arm 74 is integrally coupled to the bottom face
of the container adjacent the rear face thereof. A gripping inset
portion 76 is integrally formed in the rear face of the container
adjacent to the top face thereof for further facilitating the handling
of the container. Basically, the inset portion includes a recess
shaped to allow handling by a user.
A locking bump 80 is formed in the bottom face of the container
and extends downwardly therefrom for engaging an unillustrated,
similarly shaped complimentary bump formed in the mounting base
when the container is situated within the L-shaped channel of the
mounting base. The bumps work together for maintaining the container
within the mounting base such that the circular opening of the container
is in coaxial alignment with the C-shaped top of the mounting base.
The bottom face of the container has a beveled upper surface 82
within the interior space of the container for effecting the flow
of fluid to the front face of the container.
FIGS. 8 & 9 show an interconnect 84 having an upper extent
with a rectangular cross-section. The upper extent has a plurality
of peripheral undulations formed in an interior surface thereof
for engaging those of the bottom end of the one of the dispensing
adapters. The interconnect further has a lower extent with an outer
portion having a circular cross-section and an inner portion which
is an extension of the upper extent of the interconnect. Note FIG.
9. A plurality of indentations 86 are formed in an interior surface
of the lower extent for releasably coupling with the ridges of the
C-shaped top of the mounting base. The interconnect ensures that
the cans dispensed through the dispensing adapters are guided through
the interconnect and into the container for storage purposes.
Finally, a lid 88 is included for removably securing about the
peripheral lip of the container to seal the same. Note FIGS. 10
& 11. The lid has an O-ring 90 coupled thereto for securing
to the container to couple the lid to the container when the lid
is not in use. The lid further has a flapper valve 92 formed therein
for being selectively opened to allow the drainage of fluid from
the container.
As an option, the hinged lid of the piston housing may be removed
from the inlet and a boot 95 releasably mounted on the recessed
lip formed about the inlet of the piston housing. Preferably, a
bottom of the boot has a contact 98 situated thereon for shorting
the contacts of the recessed lip thereby allowing the operation
of the electrical control assembly in the second mode of operation.
The boot is adapted to be releasably coupled to a bin 96. In use,
the bin serves for receiving cans therein and directing the same
into the inlet. In the alternative, a plurality of dispensing adapters
may be coupled between the inlet and the bin for allowing such components
to remain distant during use. See FIG. 12. It is imperative that
the dispensing adapters connected with the bin and boot have a larger
cross-sectional area than those connected to the outlet of the piston
assembly to accommodate full sized cans.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention,
the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly,
no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation
will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily
apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described
in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of
the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of
the invention. |