Abstrict A can crusher has a removable arm member hingedly connected to
a base member, and the arm member has a crushing portion which is
received in nested fashion by a can receiving portion on the base
member. The crushing portion has a bearing wall with a lip and a
plurality of struts perpendicular to the bearing wall. The lip extends
above the struts. The base member has a step pad so that the can
crusher may be either wall mounted or portable. The lip engages
the rim on a container to be crushed to captively secure the container
between the lip and the base member. This avoids accidental ejection
of the container from the can crusher. When the arm member is in
the open position, the lip is spaced from the base member a sufficient
distance to accommodate aluminum beverage cans, steel cans and plastic
bottles of common household sizes. The struts may also be provided
with protective elements to prevent undue wear on the crushing portion.
Thus, the invention provides a universal, portable, and effective
can crusher which may be easily disassembled for cleaning and which
may be made from lighter, cheaper materials while maintaining significant
durability.
Claims I claim:
1. A device for crushing containers, comprising:
a base member having a pair of side walls, a first end wall, a
second end wall and a base wall, said walls defining a container
receiving portion, said second end wall having a journal element
spaced from said base wall;
a removable arm member hingedly connected to said base member,
said arm member having a handle, a crushing portion and a spindle,
said spindle received in said journal element on said base member
so that said crushing portion faces said container receiving portion
and said crushing portion may engage said container receiving portion
in nested fashion;
a step pad extending from said second end wall on said base member;
said arm member crushing portion having a bearing wall separating
an upper crushing portion and a lower crushing portion, said lower
crushing portion having a plurality of struts perpendicular to said
bearing wall and extending in the general longitudinal direction
of said arm member, each strut having a first end adjacent said
spindle and a second end adjacent said bearing wall, said bearing
wall having a lip extending above the second ends of said struts;
said lip defining means for capturing a container between said
arm member and said base member without ejecting said container
so that the container is crushed when the crushing portion of said
arm member is engaged in the container receiving portion of said
base member.
2. The device of claim 1 including a protective element on at least
one of said struts, said protective element positioned between the
first and second ends of said strut.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said journal element has a lip
defining an opening between said lip and said second end wall and
including a snap tab on said lip, said snap tab and said lip defining
means for removably engaging said spindle and said journal element
with a snap-fit.
4. The device of claim 1 including use-instructive indicia on said
step pad.
5. The device of claim 1 including means for securing said base
member to a flat surface.
6. The device of claim 1 including an emblem insert on said arm
member.
7. The device of claim 1 including a stabilizer extending from
the first end wall of said base member.
8. The device of claim 1 including a plurality of raised ribs on
said base member base wall.
9. The device of claim 1 including at least one drain opening in
said base member for adding in rinsing the base member after use.
10. A device for crushing containers, comprising:
a base member having a pair of side walls, a first end wall, a
second end wall and a base wall, said walls defining a container
receiving portion, said second end wall having a journal element
spaced from said base wall;
a removable arm member hingedly connected to said base member,
said arm member having a handle, a crushing portion and a spindle,
said spindle received in said journal element on said base member
so that said crushing portion faces said container receiving portion
and said crushing portion may engage said container receiving portion
in nested fashion;
a step pad extending from said second end wall on said base member;
said arm member crushing portion having a bearing wall separating
an upper crushing portion and a lower crushing portion, said lower
crushing portion having a plurality of struts perpendicular to said
bearing wall and extending in the general longitudinal direction
of said arm member, each strut having a first end adjacent said
spindle and a second end adjacent said bearing wall, said bearing
wall having a lip extending above the second ends of said struts;
a protective element on at least one of said struts and positioned
between the first and second ends of said strut;
said lip defining means for capturing a container between said
arm member and said base member without ejecting said container
so that the container is crushed when the crushing portion of said
arm member is engaged in the container receiving portion of said
base member.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said journal element has a lip
defining an opening between said lip and said second end wall and
including a snap tab on said lip, said snap tab and said lip defining
means for removably engaging said spindle and said journal element
with a snap-fit.
12. The device of claim 10 including use-instructive indicia on
said step pad.
13. The device of claim 10 including means for securing said base
member to a flat surface.
14. The device of claim 10 including an emblem insert on said arm
member.
15. The device of claim 10 including a stabilizer extending from
the first end wall of said base member.
16. The device of claim 10 including a plurality of raised ribs
on said base member base wall.
17. The device of claim 10 including at least one drain opening
in said base member for adding in rinsing the base member after
use.
18. A method for crushing a container having a first end and a
second end with a rim on said second end, in a device having an
arm member hingedly connected to a base member, said arm member
having a crushing portion and a handle, said crushing portion having
a bearing wall and a plurality of struts perpendicular to said bearing
wall, said bearing wall having a lip extending above said struts,
said base member having a receiving portion defined by a first end
wall, a second end wall, a base wall and two side walls, said base
member further having a step pad extending from said second end
wall, said arm member hingedly connected to said base member at
said second end wall, said method comprising the steps of:
(1) placing said base member on a flat surface;
(2) pivoting said arm member so that said arm member is disposed
at an angle with respect to said base member, said angle large enough
to provide clearance between said arm member and said base member
for a container to be crushed;
(3) placing said container in said receiving portion so that the
second end of the container is adjacent said second end wall of
said base member;
(4) applying pressure to said step pad by stepping with a foot
or pressing with a hand;
(5) pivoting said arm member to engage the rim of said container
on the lip of said bearing wall;
(6) further pivoting said arm member in the direction of said base
member to engage said crushing portion in said receiving portion
in nested fashion and crush the container; and
(7) pivoting said arm member out of nested engagement with said
base member to remove the crushed container.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to crushing devices and, more particularly,
to a hand-operated crushing device designed to crush aluminum beverage
cans, steel cans, plastic bottles or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A problem of current concern in the United States is the proliferation
of aluminum beverage cans and other types of cans and bottles (collectively
referred to herein as "cans" or "containers")
in dumps and landfills. In their intact, empty form, these cans
have a relatively large internal volume, and therefore, take up
much needed space in overcrowded landfills. Numerous can crushing
designs are known in the art to crush the cans prior to placing
them in landfills or trash dumps. There are several problems associated
with these crushing devices which are not adequately addressed by
the prior art. Particularly, prior crushing devices have encountered
problems with leaping cans, i.e., the devices eject the cans accidentally
during crushing. This can be both dangerous and messy. There are
insufficient means in these devices to capture the can in the device
and prevent leaping. Further, the prior devices are often limited
to crushing one type of can, to the exclusion of other types. There
is an absence in the art of a universally applicable crushing device.
Additionally, there is a need for a device which can be both wall
and floor mounted. Users have differing preferences in this regard
and a single device offering mounting choices would be desirable.
Cleaning can also be a problem. Prior art devices are not easily
adapted for adequate cleaning, such as by rinsing after each use
or placing in a dishwasher. Metallic construction, multiple moving
parts, and non-removable joints are all factors which complicate
cleaning and hence reduce the useful life of the device. Finally,
there remains a need in the art for a crushing device which is safe,
effective, adaptable, lightweight, easy to clean and yet inexpensive.
However, many inexpensive, light materials from which cheaper crushing
devices might be constructed are subject to deformation and marring
by the can during the crushing operation. It is also desirable to
manufacture crushing devices, such as by injection or extrusion
molding, with somewhat flexible material to provide removable snap-fitting
parts. These flexible materials are also subject to damage while
crushing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5265530 to Perhacs et al. discloses a wall mounted
plastic bottle and can crusher having a base member and a pivotally
movable arm member. The base member includes a pair of brackets,
each having a hinge pin for hingedly engaging the arm member. The
base member is provided with screw holes for mounting the base member
to a wall. A plastic bottle or aluminum beverage can is placed in
the device and crushed between two arc-shaped crushing surfaces
by forcing the arm member toward the base member. This device is
not portable and is only suitable for use when mounted to a wall
or similar surface. Furthermore, the device is apparently limited
to crushing only aluminum beverage cans or plastic bottles. Enlarging
recesses 16 and 24 to accommodate both aluminum beverage cans and
cans of larger diameter would likely result in a leaping can problem
respecting cans of smaller diameter. Nor does this patent disclose
removable arm and base members, so that thorough cleaning may be
difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 5188024 to Li discloses a can crusher having a
crushing assembly with several moving parts which includes a squeezing
chamber in the base of the can crusher and a ratchet and pawl assembly
for crushing aluminum beverage cans between a piston member and
a compression end plate. This device appears unduly complicated
and expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, it does not appear the
device is suitable for disassembly and cleaning. Finally, the device
is substantially limited to crushing one size can as the piston
member apparently must have a diameter coincident with the diameter
of the can to be crushed. The disclosure is limited to crushing
aluminum beverage cans.
Other examples of can crushing devices are set forth in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5293816; 5158013; 5138941; 5038677; and 5009155.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a can crusher which avoids accidental ejection of the can, is simple
to disassemble for cleaning and reassemble for use, is lightweight,
easy to operate, adapted to crush various types of cans and bottles,
able to be wall mounted or portably used on a floor or other flat
surface, has a low cost of manufacturing, and can be made from cheaper
and/or more flexible materials while not subject to undue wear during
the crushing operation. Furthermore, it is an object to embody all
the above advantages in one single crushing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, I have invented a crushing device having a base member
with a pair of side walls, a first end wall, a second end wall and
a base wall defining a container receiving portion. The second end
wall has a journal element spaced from the base wall. A removable
arm member is hingedly connected to the base member, and the arm
member has a handle, a crushing portion and a spindle. The spindle
is received in the journal elements on the base member so that the
crushing portion faces the container receiving portion and the crushing
portion may be engaged in the container receiving portion in nested
fashion. A step pad extends from the second end wall on the base
member.
The arm member crushing portion has a bearing wall separating an
upper crushing portion and a lower crushing portion. The lower crushing
portion has a plurality of struts perpendicular to the bearing wall
and extending in the general longitudinal direction of the arm member.
Each strut has a first end adjacent the spindle and a second end
adjacent the bearing wall. The bearing wall has a lip extending
above the second ends of the struts. The lip captures a container
between the arm member and the base member, without ejecting the
container so that the container is crushed when the crushing portion
of the arm member is engaged in the container receiving portion
of the base member.
Preferably, the crushing device includes a protective element on
at least one of the struts positioned between the first and second
ends of the strut. The preferred embodiment also includes use instructive
indicia on the step pad, means for securing the base member to a
flat surface, such as a wall, an emblem insert on the arm member,
a stabilizer extending from the first end wall of the base member,
a plurality of raised ribs on the base member base wall and at least
one drain opening in the base member for rinsing the base member
after use.
I have also invented a method for crushing a container having a
first end and a second end, with a rim on the second end, in a device
as generally described above. The method includes the steps of:
1) placing the base member on a flat surface;
2) pivoting the arm member so that the arm member is disposed at
an angle with respect to the base member to provide clearance between
the arm member and the base member for a container to be crushed;
3) placing the container in the container receiving portion of
the base member so that the first end of the container is adjacent
the first end wall and the second end of the container is adjacent
the second end wall;
4) applying pressure to the step pad by stepping with a foot or
pressing with a hand;
5) pivoting the arm member to engage the rim of the container on
the bearing wall;
6) further pivoting the arm member in the direction of the base
member to engage the crushing portion in the container receiving
portion in nesting fashion and crush the container; and
7) pivoting the arm member out of nesting engagement with the base
member to remove the crushed container.
Further details and advantages of my invention will be apparent
upon reading the following detailed description, in conjunction
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the can crusher of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the can crusher of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the can crusher of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the can crusher of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the can crusher of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a left side view of the can crusher of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a right side view of the can crusher of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the can crusher of FIG. 1
in an open position;
FIG. 9 is a front end view of the can crusher of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a rear end view of the can crusher of FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the can crusher of FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view showing a can crusher arm member
according to the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a front elevation view showing a can crusher base member
according to the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a side elevation view showing a can to be crushed as
placed between an arm member and a base member of a crushing device
according to the present invention; and
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along lines XV--XV of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Can crusher 10 consists of an arm member 12 hingedly connected
to a base member 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. Referring to FIG.
8 arm member 12 is preferably a single piece of molded plastic
and includes a semi-cylindrical handle 16 a substantially rectangular
crushing portion 18 and a spindle 20. Handle 16 includes a longitudinal
stiffening member 22 integrally connected with a first end wall
24 of crushing portion 18 along with a plurality of stiffening
webs 25. Crushing portion 18 also includes tapering side walls 26
a semi-circular rear wall 28 (shown in FIG. 11) and a second end
wall 32. A bearing wall 34 is located in crushing portion 18 and
separates an upper crushing portion 36 from a lower crushing portion
38. Bearing wall 34 is transverse to handle 16. Upper crushing portion
36 includes three struts 40 substantially perpendicular to bearing
wall 34 and extending between bearing wall 34 and first end wall
24. The struts extend in the general longitudinal direction of arm
member 12. The top surfaces 45 of the struts 40 are coplanar with
the top surface 47 of bearing wall 34.
Lower crushing portion 38 includes three struts 46 extending between
bearing wall 34 and second end wall 32 and parallel to struts 40.
The first ends 48 of struts 46 are level with upper surface 50 of
end wall 32. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 15 a lip 52 is formed on
bearing wall 34 above struts 46 between the second ends 54 of struts
46 and the top surface 47. Struts 46 are preferably provided with
semi-circular protective elements 56 removably connected thereto.
Particularly, elements 56 may include sections of hard plastic tubing
which are slotted to receive struts 46 with an interference fit.
The protective elements are generally made from a harder material
than the arm member 12 to prevent damage to struts 46 during operation.
The protective elements are easily detached from the struts 46 for
replacement when worn. Preferably, the protective elements 56 are
made from Nylon 66 while the arm member 12 and base member 14 are
made from polypropylene copolymer which is softer and more flexible.
Spindle 20 is attached to second end wall 32 via lug 58.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 13 base member 14 is preferably a single
piece of molded plastic having a can receiving portion 60. Can receiving
portion 60 is defined by side walls 62 first end wall 64 second
end wall 66 and base wall 68. The corners of walls 62 64 and 66
are provided with raised shoulders 69. First end wall 64 has a slot
70 disposed therein to receive stiffening member 22 when arm member
12 and base member 14 are in the closed position. Base member 14
receives crushing portion 18 in a nested fashion as shown in FIG.
1. A stabilizer 72 is integrally formed with first end wall 64 and
preferably extends approximately 4.25 inches from wall 64. Stabilizer
72 is provided with stiffening webs 73. Second end wall 66 includes
a pair of semi-cylindrical journal elements 74 extending downward
from shoulders 69 and designed to capture and hingedly hold the
ends of spindle 20 with a snap-fit.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 arm member 12 and base member 14 are
hingedly joined by inserting spindle 20 into journal elements 74
such that crushing portion 18 and receiving portion 60 are generally
facing one another. Journal elements 74 include snap tabs 75 to
ensure spindle 20 remains captive in the journal elements. Spindle
20 is removable from journal elements 74 as discussed below. Snap
tabs 75 have a cross section which tapers in the direction of lip
79 on journal elements 74. The snap tabs are centrally located on
lips 79 and extend slightly beyond the lips into opening 83. Preferably,
the lateral ends of the snap tabs 75 are not coterminous with the
lips. Base member 14 is also provided with portals 77 in base wall
68. The portals are aligned with journal elements 74 and enable
a user to view the journal elements to ensure the spindle 20 is
fully engaged therein. Base wall 68 is equipped with longitudinal
raised ribs 81 which provide a skid surface for a can being crushed
in the device, preventing marring or deformation of the base wall
68. Finally, base wall 68 has two screw holes 80 for attaching base
member 14 to a flat surface, such as a wall or countertop.
Can crusher 10 may thus be mounted to a wall or other fixture by
screws, or it may remain portable. Importantly, the device should
be wall mounted with stabilizer 72 pointed upward to ensure proper
operation. To operate the can crusher in the wall-mounted mode,
a can 82 is placed lengthwise in can receiving portion 60 as shown
in FIG. 14. One end of can 82 is adjacent first end wall 64 and
the other end of can 82 is adjacent second end wall 66. Handle 16
is then pivoted toward base member 14 until a rim of the can is
engaged by lip 52 on bearing wall 34 so that the can is held in
captive fashion between lip 52 and first end wall 64. Thus, can
82 is securely held in the can crusher. The operator then continues
pushing handle 16 toward base member 14 with sufficient force to
crush the can. The can may then be rotated 180.degree. on end and
the above procedure repeated to crush both ends of the can. Because
the ends of can 82 are in secure abutment with first wall 64 and
lip 52 there is no danger of can 82 slipping out of or "leaping"
from the can crusher. It is preferred that lip 52 extend at least
1/8 inch above protective elements 56 to ensure the can is secure
and to prevent leaping.
Alternatively, the base member may be rested on any flat surface
without being fixedly attached thereto. As shown in FIGS. 1 2 and
14 a step pad 76 is formed adjacent to second end wall 66 and contains
indicia of use 78 formed thereon. The step pad allows for portable
use of the can crusher 10 since a downward force may be applied
to the pad by hand or foot to counter the action of pivoting handle
16 during crushing. I have found the pad 76 should extend at least
1 inch from wall 66 for optimal operation. It is believed the indicia
78 will heighten awareness of the portability of the device and
will prevent users from stepping on stabilizer 72 where injury could
result from handle 16. Step pad 76 also contains recessed screw
holes 80.
To crush a can in the portable mode, an operator places the can
lengthwise in can receiving portion 60 as previously described and
places a hand or foot on step pad 76 to securely hold base member
14 in place. Then, as previously described, the operator forces
handle portion 16 toward base member 14 to crush can 82. Stabilizer
72 prevents any rocking motion of base member 14 which could result
from insufficient force applied to step pad 76. Step pad 76 allows
the user to exert appropriate leverage against can 82 via handle
16 and crushing portion 18 to fully crush the can.
The can crusher 10 may also include an emblem insert 84 on rear
wall 28 of arm member 12. The emblem may be provided blank at the
manufacturing stage and later stamped with the name or logo of the
particular distributor for the can crusher. It is envisioned the
emblem could be provided separately from the can crusher to the
distributor, and the distributor can then stamp the emblem with
appropriate indicia and insert the emblem on arm member 12 by gluing,
fusion welding, riveting or similar means well known in the art.
The emblem insert is especially advantageous due to the universal
nature of the can crusher and the expected international market
therefor. Of course, appropriate stamping and securement might also
be carried out by the manufacturer.
Portals 77 may also serve as drain openings in base member 14.
Particularly, base member 14 may collect spillage from crushed can
contents and it is therefore desirable to periodically rinse base
member 14 after use. Rinsing is especially facilitated when the
can crusher is in the portable mode. To rinse, the arm member 12
is pivoted to the open position and the base member 14 is placed
under a faucet or similar water source. Water engages base wall
68 and may be channeled by ribs 81 toward second end wall 66 by
tilting base member 14 appropriately. Water then drains through
openings 77 thereby cleaning the base member.
Bearing wall 34 and lip 52 are preferably located at least 3.5
inches above ribs 81 as measured when arm member 12 and base member
14 are at a 90.degree. angle. This is sufficient clearance to engage
lip 52 on the rim of aluminum beverage cans, steel cans of common
sizes and plastic bottles of common sizes. The varying diameters
of these containers are easily accommodated since the crushing portion
18 is pivotable between 0 and approximately 100.degree. with respect
to base member 14. For varying sized containers, the crushing portion
18 need only be pivoted accordingly to engage lip 52 on a rim of
the container. The can receiving portion 60 preferably measures
5 inches long by approximately 4 3/8 inches wide.
For large sized containers, such as 16-oz. beverage cans or one
(1) liter plastic beverage bottles, it is preferable to first place
the container in can receiving portion 60 transversely to the longitudinal
axis of handle 16. The middle portions of these containers are then
pre-crushed to ensure thorough crushing of the ends of the container
as described above, and to further reduce the likelihood of leaping
cans. During pre-crushing, shoulders 69 serve to secure the oversized
container in can receiving portion 60.
After use, arm member 12 and base member 14 can be easily disassembled
for cleaning by closing can crusher 10 as shown in FIG. 1 applying
downward pressure to rear wall 28 in the area of emblem insert 84
and releasing spindle 20 from journal elements 74. The separate
components may then be placed in a dishwasher and thorough cleaning
is assured. The components are reassembled by replacing crushing
portion 18 in nested engagement with receiving portion 60 and aligning
spindle 20 with journal elements 74. The user then pushes downward
on handle 16 forcing stiffening rib 22 against the bottom of slot
70. The resulting lever action forces spindle 20 upward past snap
tabs 75 and into engagement with journal elements 74.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
in detail herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that various modifications and alternatives to the preferred
embodiment could be developed in light of the overall teachings
of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangement is illustrative
only and is not limiting as to the scope of the invention which
is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and
all equivalents thereof. |