Abstrict A beverage container crusher which flattens beverage containers
to reduce the volume thereof so that the resultant crushed containers
require very little storage room. The crushing apparatus includes
spaced shafts arranged parallel to one another, and an endless belt
is supported by the shaft in such a manner that the belt describes
an oval track. A fixed plate is arranged at an acute angle with
respect to the oval track. A lower portion of the plate continues
about one end of the track so that when a beverage container is
dropped into the space between the plate and the track, the container
gravitates into a position where it is engaged by the traveling
belt, so that the belt forces the container through the narrow space
formed between the curved part of the plate and one curved end of
the oval track. The flattened container drops into a storage container
located below the container crusher apparatus where the containers
may be accumulated and subsequently recycled.
Claims I claim:
1. Apparatus for crushing beverage containers comprising upper
and lower shafts disposed in spaced parallel relationship;
an endless belt, means by which said endless belt is supported
by said upper and lower shafts, drive means by which said endless
belt is caused to move along its length to describe an oval track;
a curved plate member arranged in spaced relationship respective
to said belt, said plate member and the confronting face of said
belt being arranged in planes which lie at an acute angle respective
to one another and which converge towards one another with the plate
member curving about a lower end of the oval track to provide a
slot through which containers are forced;
so that a metal beverage container can be dropped into the converging
space, whereupon the belt forces the container through the slot,
which crushes the opposed sidewalls of the container together.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shafts have spaced pairs
of sprockets mounted thereon, a spaced endless chain meshed with
each pair of sprockets, and a plurality of bars attached to the
chain to provide said belt.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper and lower shafts
are arranged such that a plane passing therethrough lies at an acute
angle respective to the vertical, and a marginal length of said
plate member is arranged substantially vertical, thereby forming
a chamber within which empty containers are received;
said chamber progressively reduces in width in a downward direction
with the lower marginal length of the plate member curving about
and towards the belt such that the opening between the belt and
plate member progressively diminishes to a size which causes the
opposed sidewalls of the container to be forced into engagement
with one another as the container passes therethrough.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 and further including an inlet chute
which is positioned above said chamber, said chute having a divider
wall therein which is longitudinally disposed and divides the chute
into two passageways for receiving containers therein, so that two
containers can be simultaneously placed within the chute whereupon
the containers gravitate down to the chamber.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper and lower shafts
are arranged such that a plane passing therethrough lies at an acute
angle respective to the vertical, and a marginal length of said
plate member is arranged substantially vertical, thereby forming
a chamber within which empty containers are received;
said chamber progressively reduces in width in a downward direction
with the lower marginal length of the plate member curving about
and towards the belt such that the opening between the belt and
plate member progressively diminishes to a size which causes the
opposed sidewalls of the container to be forced into engagement
with one another as the container passes therethrough.
6. Apparatus for crushing beverage containers comprising: spaced
parallel bulkheads, first and second shafts spaced from one another,
means mounting opposed marginal lengths of said first and second
shafts within said bulkheads in parallel relationship respective
to one another;
an endless belt, means supporting said belt about each said shaft
in a manner to enable the belt to describe an oval track as the
belt moves along its length;
a plate member arranged parallel to each said shaft, and having
a marginal length which is disposed at an acute angle to a plane
passing through both shafts, said plate member having a curved marginal
end which curves inwardly towards the lower curved end of the track
and which generally curves about the lower curved end of the oval
track;
an inlet overhanging the area formed between the plate member and
track through which metal containers can travel and gravitate into
the space between the belt and plate member so that the belt engages
and forces the container against the plate member;
whereby the belt and plate member have adjacent surfaces which
downwardly converge with the belt describing a circle about the
lower shaft and with the plate member curving in spaced relationship
therewith, and with the intervening space between the belt surface
and adjacent surface of the plate member being of a dimension which
is smaller than the diameter of a container, so that when the container
is forced therethrough, it is crushed flat into a thickness about
equal to the space between the belt and plate member.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said shafts have spaced pairs
of sprockets mounted thereon, a spaced endless chain meshed with
each pair of sprockets, and a plurality of bars attached to the
chain to provide said belt.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said upper and lower shafts
are arranged such that a plane passing therethrough lies at an acute
angle respective to the vertical, and a marginal length of said
plate member is arranged substantially vertical, thereby forming
a chamber within which empty containers are received;
said chamber progressively reduces in width in a downward direction
with the lower marginal length of the plate member curving about
and towards the belt such that the opening between the belt and
plate member progressively diminishes to a size which causes the
opposed sidewalls of the container to be forced into engagement
with one another as the container passes therethrough.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 and further including an inlet chute
which is positioned above said chamber, said chute having a divider
wall therein which is longitudinally disposed and divides the chute
into two passageways for receiving containers therein, so that two
containers can be simultaneously placed within the chute whereupon
the containers gravitate down to the chamber.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said upper and lower shafts
are arranged such that a plane passing therethrough lies at an acute
angle respective to the vertical, and a marginal length of said
plate member is arranged substantially vertical, thereby forming
a chamber within which empty containers are received;
said chamber progressively reduces in width in a downward direction
with the lower marginal length of the plate member curving about
and towards the belt such that the opening between the belt and
plate member progressively diminishes to a size which causes the
opposed sidewalls of the container to be forced into engagement
with one another as the container passes therethrough.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The patrons of night clubs, bars, sporting events, and other similar
entertainment places consume a vast quantity of beverages. The beverages,
such as soft drinks and beer, usually are purchased in metal containers.
The empty containers accumulate in an astonishing number as the
evening proceeds, and towards closing time, many businesses find
that they have run out of suitable storage area for the empty beverage
containers. The storage of the empty containers requires a considerable
amount of effort as well as an abundance of space until the empty
containers can be hauled to a recycle facility or disposal area.
Surprisingly, a crushed container assumes only about 16% of the
original container volume. Accordingly, where the containers are
being accumulated in a trash receptacle, only a fraction of the
number of receptacles are required for holding the crushed beverage
containers as contrasted to the original container.
The containers usually are made of alluminum, and therefore, are
of significant value for recycle purposes. The crushed containers
are decidedly easier to handle and can easily be transported in
appreciably greater numbers when processed into a flattened or crushed
configuration.
It would therefore be desirable to have made available a simple
apparatus which can be continuously operated and which easily crushes
metal containers into a flat configuration. A mechanism which achieves
this desirable goal is the subject of this invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Apparatus for crushing beverage containers into a flattened configuration
which enables the flattened containers to be stored in a minimum
volume. The apparatus comprises spaced parallel shafts which moveably
support an endless belt. The belt is arranged about the two shafts
in the configuration of an oval track. A curved plate member is
arranged in spaced confronting relation respective to the belt member.
The plate member has a straight portion which lies at an acute angle
respective to a plane passing through the longitudinal axial centerline
of the two spaced shafts, and accordingly, the adjacent or confronting
faces of the plate member and the belt converge downwardly respective
to one another, thereby forming a chamber into which empty containers
are charged. As the plate member approaches the belt, a marginal
portion thereof curves about one end of the track, with the intervening
space left therebetween being approximately equivalent to the thickness
of the crushed beverage container.
An inlet chute overlies the chamber formed between the oval track
and the plate member so that empty beverage containers may be dropped
therethrough and into the container receiving chamber. The endless
belt moves along its length and towards the plate member carrying
the containers through the progressively narrowing slot, so that
the belt presses the container against the curved part of the plate,
thereby crushing the container so that the crushed container exits
from the end of the plate and is received in a suitable storage
means.
A primary object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus
for crushing beverage containers into a flattened configuration
so that the resultant crushed container occupies a much smaller
volume.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus
by which containers can be continuously crushed into a flattened
configuration by collapsing the opposed cylindrical sidewall thereof
towards one another.
A further object of this invention is the provision of container
crushing apparatus for flattening beverage containers which have
an inlet and outlet arranged in a manner to avoid accidentally crushing
the operator's hands.
Another and still further object of the present invention is the
provision of container crushing apparatus comprising an endless
belt which moves to describe an oval track, and having a side of
the belt arranged at an acute angle respective to a plate member
so that beverage containers passing between the belt and plate are
crushed into a flattened configuration.
An additional object of the present invention is the provision
of apparatus for crushing beverage containers into a flattened configuration,
wherein the containers gravitate into the intervening space formed
between an endless moving belt and a fixed plate, with the plate
and belt converging towards one another to provide a converging
slot therebetween, wherein the slot area progressively diminishes
as the plate approaches the surface of the belt, so that as the
container is forced to travel through the slot by the action of
the traveling belt, the container is progressively crushed into
a flattened configuration which reduces its volume considerably.
These and various other objects and advantages of the invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading
the following detailed description and claims and by referring to
the accompanying drawings.
The above objects are attained in accordance with the present invention
by the provision of a combination of elements which are fabricated
in a manner substantially as described in the above abstract and
summary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for crushing beverage
containers made in accordance with the present invention, with some
parts thereof being removed therefrom so as to illustrate the interior
details thereof;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational view of part of the apparatus
disclosed in FIG. 1 with some parts being broken away therefrom
so as to disclose the details of the interior thereof;
FIG. 3 is a fragmented, front elevational view of part of the apparatus
disclosed in the foregoing figures, with some parts thereof being
broken away therefrom so as to better illustrate the details thereof;
FIG. 4 is a top, plan view of part of the apparatus disclosed in
the foregoing figures; and,
FIG. 5 is a part diagrammatical, part schematical illustration
which discloses the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 together with the other figures of the drawings, discloses
apparatus 10 for crushing empty beverage containers, such as empty
12 ounce aluminum beer cans, for example. The apparatus is housed
within a cabinet 12 having a container inlet 14 through which empty
containers to be crushed are introduced into the crusher mechanism
16. The lower end of the housing forms a receptacle 18 which receives
crushed containers exiting from the apparatus 16.
A motor 20 drives a reduction gear box 22 which rotates a shaft
24. The shaft 24 directly drives an upper shaft having an end denoted
by numeral 26. A lower shaft is positioned parallel to shaft 26
and has a terminal shaft end denoted by numeral 28. A wide, metal,
endless belt 30 is supported for movement by the two parallel shafts,
as will be more fully discussed later on in this disclosure.
As particularly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 together with other
figures of the drawings, a fixed plate member 32 is attached to
spaced parallel support plate members in the form of bulkheads 34
and 36. The bulkheads are rigidly affixed to the cabinet frame members
and support spaced marginal lengths of the before mentioned shafts
26 and 28. The upper and lower shafts have inboard sprockets 38
and 40 affixed thereto in spaced relationship respective to a pair
of outboard sprockets 42 and 44. The inboard and outboard pairs
of sprockets are aligned with one another, so that spaced endless
chains 46 and 48 respectively, can be mated with the pairs of sprockets
42 44; and 38 40; respectively, thereby effecting drive sprockets
38 42 and idler sprockets 40 44.
Parallel metal bars 50 are slightly spaced from one another and
laterally positioned in attached relationship to each of the spaced
endless chains 46 and 48 thereby providing the face or surface
of the before mentioned endless belt 30 which is supported for movement
on the spaced shafts 26 and 28.
The container inlet 14 is comprised of dual passageways 54 and
56 of a size to enable a beverage container, such as a beer can,
to be received therewithin, with a divider 58 being positioned coextensive
therewith for preventing one's hand from continuing into the inlet
chamber 90. The length of the inlet is such that an ordinary person's
arm is insufficient in length to enable him to reach the internal
mechanism of the apparatus.
The before mentioned curved plate member 32 includes a straight
marginal length indicated by numeral 60 and a curved marginal length
indicated by numeral 62 and a lower terminal edge portion 64. The
curvature of the plate is progressive and is increased in a direction
towards the axial centerline of the lower shaft from area 66 to
68. The plate curves towards and about the lower end of the oval
track described by the endless belt.
The converging belt and plate member provide a downwardly converging
opening which commences at 90 then more rapidly converges at 66
and which continues to be reduced in a progressive manner until
the inside surface of the plate is slightly spaced from the outer
surface of the belt at 68. The arrow at numeral 70 indicates the
outlet of the mechanism from which flattened containers emerge.
Hence, the belt and plate jointly cooperate together to describe
an upwardly diverging chamber which has a curved slot at the bottom
through which containers are forced whereupon the containers are
progressively flattened as they are forced by the belt to move through
the diminishing slot opening, so that the force required to flatten
the container is exerted over a long length of travel, and a considerable
time interval.
Numeral 72 indicates empty beverage containers which have been
placed within the container inlet 14. The containers fall by gravity
into the chamber 90 and assume a haphazard position indicated by
numeral 74. The crushed containers are illustrated by numeral 76.
Looking again to FIG. 2 it will be noted that numerals 78 and
80 illustrate confronting faces of the endless belt and fixed plate
which describe acute angles 86 88 respective to one another, and,
together with the spaced bulkheads, form the chamber 90. The flat
surface of the belt and the flat surface of the fixed plate describe
planes which are parallel to one another in a horizontal plane and
intersect one another in a vertical plane. The before mentioned
converging opening 66 continues to diminish at 82 and reaches its
minimum at 68 where the containers exit at 70. The curved portion
of the plate member commences at 84 and continues toward the curved
portion 82 of the track at 68.
Either of the spaced, parallel shafts 26 and 28 can be driven.
It is preferred that one of the shafts idle respective to the other.
The sprockets may be of different diameters if preferred. In the
preferred embodiment, the shafts 26 and 28 are one inch in diameter,
and the sprockets are each provided with twelve teeth placed in
the usual manner thereon. The sprockets mesh with a commercially
available roller chain having bent attachments by which the transverse
bars are attached. The plate 60 is 3/16 inch in thickness, and the
space at 68 is reduced to approximately 1/16 inch.
It is preferred to leave the trailing marginal end of the plate
unattached to the spaced bulkheads so that should two containers
overlap one another, the marginal trailing end of the plate can
deform sufficiently to prevent injury to the apparatus.
Eight containers can be accumulated in the inlet. The apparatus
crushes 10-12 cans a minute, using a 1/2 horsepower motor driving
a 6 inch belt at a rotational belt speed of 2.25 rpm. The opening
provided at the top of the belt and plate is 6.times.41/2 inches,
which decreases to a discharge slot opening of 6.times.1/16 inches.
The belt bars are 6.times.1.times.3/16 inches and 6.times.1.times.1/2
inches, with each third bar being the thickest. This constructional
arrangement provides the endless belt with alternate pads of uneven
elevation which act as a lug to help pull the beverage containers
through the progressively narrowing slot, thereby causing the opposed
cylindrical container walls to be forced towards one another. |