Feeding mechanism for a container cutting machine

A feeding mechanism is for feeding cylindrical containers having a diameter and a major length dimension to a cutting machine and includes a pair of parallel feed shafts centrally disposed above the cutting machine. The feed shafts have parallel axes of rotation for rotation in opposite directions. The feed shafts have a predetermined distance therebetween to provide a predetermined gap between the feed shafts which is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical container. Each of the feed shafts includes a pair of feed discs mounted for rotation therewith. The pair of feed discs on each shaft include corresponding curved sectors which cooperate with corresponding curved sectors of the pair of feed discs on the other shaft for gripping the sides of the container therebetween. Rotation of the shafts toward the cutting machine causes the container entrapped by the corresponding curved sectors to be fed in an end first direction toward the cutting machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of Invention 
This invention relates to a feeding machanism for a container cutting 
machine and, more specifically, to such a feeding mechanism which can 
direct cylindrical containers toward the cutting machine for cutting the 
cylindrical containers into small pieces thereby. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,126, entitled "Machine For Cutting Disposable 
Containers" by Frank J. Lodovico and John W. Wagner and patented on May 8, 
1990, is incorporated by reference as if included in its entirety herein. 
The cutting machine diclosed therein is capable of cutting into small 
pieces the thin wall material of a plurality of disposable cotainers such 
as plastic bottles and/or metal cylindrical cans. These cutting machines 
are typically used to cut the plastic bottles and/or metal cans of the 
type used in the soft drink industry. The bottles or cans are returned for 
deposit and individually cut into small pieces for collection and 
disposition. The cutting section of the machine includes a pair of 
parallel shafts mounted for rotation in opposite directions about the 
center axes thereof. Each of the shafts rigidly supports a plurality of 
overlapping cutting wheels for rotation therewith. Each cutting wheel 
preferably has a plurality of identical cutting teeth with each tooth 
having an apex at the maximum diameter and a root at a root diameter of 
the cutting wheel. Each cutting tooth has a leading surface and a trailing 
surface which meet at the apex to form a straight edge at the maximum 
diameter which is parallel to the center axis of the shaft. The leading 
surface and the trailing surface respectively lie in planes which are 
parallel with the center axis of the shaft and extend toward the same side 
thereof to cause the straight edge of the apex to circumferentially lead a 
remainder of the leading surface during rotation of the cutting wheel. 
The basic cutting wheel configuration has been found to effectively and 
reliably produce the small pieces of the containers as disclosed therein. 
Generally, the embodiment in U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,126 is configured to 
cause most of the small pieces to be ejected downwardly from the cutting 
area between the cutting wheels. A dispersing section below the cutting 
area is intended to disperse the small pieces throughout a collecting 
section therebelow. The small pieces are received within a container in 
the collecting section and eventually removed for further disposition. 
However, it has been found that suctioning or vacuuming means disposed in 
the lower area of the machine is preferred in order to transport the small 
pieces to a larger container remote from the machine itself. In either 
case, it is clearly desirable that all of the containers be completely cut 
into the small pieces and that the small pieces produced in the cutting 
section be discharged from the cutting area and collected or transported 
for further disposition. 
As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,126, such machines are typically 
utilized for cutting disposable containers employed in the soft drink 
industry. As a result, there have been continuing problems with the 
cutting of such disposable containers which have not typically existed in 
the operation of other types of cutting machines found in the prior art. 
The soft drink liquid remaining in the disposable containers has been 
found, in a short time of operation, to completely engulf the interior of 
the container cutting machine. The liquid is extremely corrosive and the 
sugary substance can cause even greater problems when heated. 
Additionally, because the soft drink liquid is deposited on many of the 
small pieces produced by the cutting machine, the small pieces also become 
sticky. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,899, entitled "Feeding Device For A Container Cutting 
Machine" by Frank J. Lodovico and patented on Nov. 3, 1987, dicloses a 
typical mechanism which can be utilized for feeding plastic bottles and/or 
metal cans to the type of cutting machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,923,126. U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,899 is incorporated by reference as if 
included in its entirety herein. 
The feeding device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,899 primarily dicusses 
various size plastic bottles which can be directed to the cutting section 
of the machine thereof. However, the same feeding device has heretofore 
been successfully employed for the feeding of cans to a cutting section. 
Generally, the cutting machines of U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,126 for cutting 
large plastic bottles or for cutting small metal cans used in the soft 
drink industry are identical except for the effective width of the 
machines as determined by the effective length of the cutting shafts. In 
other words, if the machine is intended to cut metal cans, the effective 
length of the cutting shafts is about 5.625 inches while the effective 
length of the cutting shafts of the machine which is intended to cut 
plastic bottles would be about 8 inches. The smaller machine simply 
includes a lesser number of identically sized cutting wheels on the shafts 
thereof. Similarly, if the machine is intended to cut smaller metal cans, 
the overall length of the paddles of the feeding device would be of a 
comparable smaller length. 
Although the cutting machine of U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,126 typically produced 
the desired small pieces of plastic bottles and/or metal cans for 
disposition therebelow, with the advent of a suctioning or vacuuming means 
for transporting these smaller pieces to a different location, new 
problems were experienced. For example, when collecting small pieces below 
the cuttting section, the inclusion of larger pieces in the form of 
elongated strips, rather than the specifically intended small pieces, was 
of no particular concern. The primary objective of cutting the plastic 
bottles and/or metal cans into small pieces was to effectively reduce the 
volume of the material for collection and further disposition. If a few 
elongated strips which were not reduced to small pieces were present, the 
volume was still effectively reduced. 
On the other hand, with the advent of the improved suctioning or vacuuming 
means for further disposition of the smaller pieces, there is a 
significant concern that all of the plastic bottles and/or metal cans be 
cut into the desired small pieces rather than including any elongated 
strips. The elongated strips tend to interfere with the suctioning or 
vacuuming of the small pieces to a remote location. This problem of 
interference by the elongated strips is complicated by the existance of 
the sticky, sugary substance on both the small pieces and the elongated 
strips. 
Specifically, the overall configuration of the prior art feeding device and 
cutting machine is such that those portions of the plastic bottle and/or 
metal cans which are cut by the cutting wheels located at the ends of the 
cutting shaft would produce the elongated strips of the thin wall material 
rather than the desired small pieces. Accordingly, while the feeding 
device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,899 can effectively direct plastic bottles 
and/or metal cans to the cutting section to be generally cut thereby, 
there is no assurance that the plastic bottles and/or metal cans will be 
directed toward and confined to a central area of the cutting section to 
insure that the entire container will be cut into the desired small 
pieces. 
Accordingly, there remains a need for a feeding mechanism which will insure 
that the cylindrical containers are directed toward the center of the 
cutting section so that no portion of the containers will be cut by the 
cutting wheels located at the end thereof. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a feeding mechanism 
for feeding cylindrical containers or the like to a cutting machine with 
the container being directed to the central area of the cutting machine. 
It is another object to provide such a feeding mechanism which is reliable 
to operate and insures that the cylindrical container will be directed end 
first to the central area of the cutting machine for the cutting of the 
container into a plurality of small pieces. 
These and other objects of the invention are provided in a preferred 
embodiment thereof including a feeding mechanism for feeding cylindrical 
containers or the like through a cutting machine of a type for cutting a 
thin wall material of the cylindrical containers into small pieces. The 
cylindrical container has a length and a diameter with the length being 
greater than the diameter. The feeding machanism is for first directing a 
leading end of the cylindrical container toward the cutting machine for 
initial cutting thereby. The cutting machine has an effective width 
greater than the diameter of the container. The feeding mechanism includes 
a pair of parallel feed shafts centrally disposed above the cutting 
machine. Each of the feed shafts has an axis of rotation. The axes of 
rotation are parallel and disposed an equal distance above the cutting 
machine. The feed shafts have a predetermined shaft distance therebetween 
to provide a predetermined gap between the feed shafts. The predetermined 
gap is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical container. Each feed 
shaft has a pair of feed discs mounted for rotation therewith. Each feed 
disc has a central area and a peripheral area. The pair of feed discs are 
mounted on the feed shaft with the central areas having a first 
predetermined distance therebetween. The peripheral areas include a 
plurality of first curved sectors and a plurality of second curved 
sectors. Circumferentially adjacent first curved sectors are separated by 
one of the second curved sectors therebetween. The first curved sectors of 
the pair of feed discs on each feed shaft are circumferentially aligned on 
the feed shaft. The second curved sections of the pair of feed discs on 
each feed shaft are circumferentially aligned on the feed shaft. The pair 
of feed shafts are mounted for rotation in opposite directions and at the 
same speed toward the cutting machine. The pair of feed shafts are 
rotationally aligned to cause the first curved sectors and the second 
curved sectors on the respective feed shafts to be aligned when positioned 
between the feed shafts. Corresponding first curved sectors of the feed 
discs on each feed shaft are a second predetermined distance apart. 
Corresponding second curved sectors of the feed discs on each feed shaft 
are a third predetermined maximum distance apart. The second predetermined 
distance is greater than the first predetermined distance and less than 
the diameter of the container. The third predetermined maximum distance is 
greater than the diameter. The pair of feed discs on one of the feed 
shafts cooperates with the pair of feed discs on the other of the feed 
shafts to entrap the cylindrical containers generally between the 
corresponding first curved sectors of the pair of feed discs on one feed 
shaft and aligned corresponding first curved sectors of the pair of feed 
discs on the other of the feed shafts for advancement of the leading end 
of the cylindrical container toward the cutting machine. 
In the preferred feeding mechanism, the predetermined shaft distance is 
about twice the diameter. The pair of feed discs on each feed shaft are 
centrally disposed within the effective width of the cutting machine. The 
effective width of the cutting machine is greater than twice the diameter 
and the third predetermined maximum distance is less than one-half of the 
effective width. Each feed disc has an effective radius less than the 
diameter. The plurality of first curved sectors includes three first 
curved sectors and the plurality of second curved sectors includes three 
second curved sectors. 
More specifically, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a 
feeding mechanism for feeding cylindrical containers or the like through a 
cutting machine of the type for cutting a thin wall material of 
cylindrical containers into small pieces, the cutting machine having a 
pair of parallel cutting shafts mounted for rotation in opposite 
directions about parallel central axes thereof. Each of the cutting shafts 
includes a plurality of cutting wheels fixedly mounted for rotation 
therewith. Each cutting wheel on one of the cutting shafts extends between 
and axially separates axially adjacent cutting wheels on the other of the 
cutting shafts. The cylindrical container has a length and a diameter with 
the length being greater than the diameter. The cutting machine has an 
effective width greater than the diameter. The feeding mechanism includes 
a pair of parallel feed shafts centrally disposed above the parallel 
cutting shafts. Each of the feed shafts has an axis of rotation. Each axis 
of rotation is parallel with and disposed an equal distance above a 
corresponding one of the cutting shafts. Each feed shaft is for rotation 
in the same direction as the corresponding one of the cutting shafts. The 
pair of feed shafts have a predetermined shaft distance therebetween to 
provide a predetermined gap between the feed shafts. The predetermined gap 
is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical container and less than 
the length of the cylindrical container. Each feed shaft has a pair of 
feed discs mounted for rotation therewith. Each feed disc has a central 
area and a peripheral area. The pair of feed discs are mounted on the feed 
shaft with the central areas having a first predetermined distance 
therebetween. The peripheral areas include a plurality of first curved 
sectors and a plurality of second curved sectors. Circumferentially 
adjacent first curved sectors are separated by one of the second curved 
sectors therebetween. The first curved sectors of the pair of feed discs 
on each feed shaft are circumferentially aligned on the feed shaft. The 
second curved sectors of the pair of feed discs on each feed shaft are 
circumferentially aligned on the feed shaft. The pair of feed shafts 
rotate in opposite directions and at the same speed. The pair of feed 
shafts are rotationally aligned to cause the first curved sectors and the 
second curved sectors on respective feed shafts to be aligned when 
positioned between the feed shafts. Corresponding first curved sectors of 
the pair of feed discs on the feed shaft are a second predetermined 
distance apart. Corresponding second curved sectors of the pair of feed 
discs on the feed shaft are a third predetermined maximum distance apart. 
The second predetermined distance is greater than the first predetermined 
distance and less than the diameter. The third predetermined maximum 
distance is greater than the diameter. The pair of feed discs on one of 
the feed shafts cooperates with the pair of feed discs on the other of the 
feed shafts to entrap the cylindrical cans generally between the 
corresponding first curved sectors of the pair of feed discs on the feed 
shaft and aligned corresponding first curved sectors of the pair of feed 
discs on the other feed shaft for advancement of the leading end of the 
cylindrical container toward the cutting wheels for gripping and cutting 
of the cylindrical container thereby. 
The predetermined shaft distance is preferably about twice the diameter. 
The diameter of the cylindrical container is about 2.5 inches and the 
predetermined shaft distance is about 5.0 inches. Each feed disc includes 
an effective radius and the effective radius is less than one-half of the 
predetermined shaft distance, is less than the diameter, and is preferably 
about 2.375 inches. The preferred first predetermined distance is about 
1.5 inches. With the diameter of the cylindrical container being about 2.5 
inches, the second predetermined distance is about 1.875 inches and the 
third predetermined maximum distance is about 4 inches. There are 
preferably three first curved sectors and three second curved sectors. 
The effective width of the cutting machine is greater than twice the 
diameter and the third predetermined maximum distance is less than 
one-half of the effective width. The pair of feed discs on each feed shaft 
are centrally disposed within the effective width of the cutting machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, a preferred feeding mechanism 10 is for 
feeding metal cylindrical cans 12 or the like through a cutting machine 14 
of the type having a pair of parallel cutting shafts 16. The parallel 
cutting shafts 16 are mounted for rotation in opposite directions about 
parallel central axes 17 thereof. Each of the cutting shafts 16 includes a 
plurality of cutting wheels 18 fixedly mounted for rotation therewith. 
Each cutting wheel 18 on one of the cutting shafts 16 extends between and 
axially separates axially adjacent cutting wheels 18 on the other of the 
cutting shafts 16. 
The typical metal cylindrical can or container 12 to be cut by the cutting 
machine 14 includes a length L and a diameter D with the length L being 
greater than the diameter D and is of the type which is typically found in 
the soft drink industry. Generally, the preferred feeding mechanism 10 
will be seen to be configured to be capable of effectively feeding a first 
end 13 of a cylindrical container 12 toward a cutting machine 14 for being 
initially cut thereby. In other words, the preferred feeding mechanism 10 
will generally feed the cylindrical container 12 in a longitudinal manner 
between the cutting shafts 16 and the cutting wheels 18 thereon. It should 
be understood that the general configuration provided for the preferred 
feeding mechanism 10 will be capable of feeding any elongated container 
having a length substantially greater than the diameter thereof in this 
"end first" manner toward a cutting machine. 
It should also be understood that preferred feeding mechanism 10 and 
cutting machine 14 would preferably be employed in a revised vending 
machine of the type generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,899. The 
revised vending machine generally includes an access door in which the 
customer will be capable of depositing a bottle or a can depending on 
which particular machine is being employed. For example, the can must be 
deposited in a top upwardly or downwardly position depending on the 
location of the UPC Code. The can is placed in a trough which is 
positioned generally vertically inside the opening of the revised vending 
machine. When the access door is closed, the can is caused to rotate by 
friction wheels mounted in the trough to produce the proper alignment and 
movement of the can required to electronically read the UPC Code. The 
reverse vending machine is so configured to provide a proper accounting of 
the particular can deposited therein in order to verify that the soft 
drink company will provide the redemption money for the grocery store. 
After the UPC Code is properly read the trough is automatically reoriented 
to cause the can to slide downwardly in an end first position toward the 
entrance to the cutting section of the cutting machine disposed therein. 
Gravity alone will not insure that the can will be properly oriented to be 
gripped by and cut in the cutting section. The can or container falling by 
gravity can bounce on the upper portion of the cutting wheels or can 
assume a position on its side which would not prevent the undesired 
cutting at the cutting wheels located at the ends of the cutting shafts. 
Accordingly, as will be seen, the preferred feeding mechanism 10 generally 
accepts cans or other containers in an "end first" manner. However, the 
mechanism 10 also includes means for positively feeding the cans in the 
"end first" manner which would not be obtained by simply allowing gravity 
to direct the cans or containers to the cutting section. The typical 
revised vending machine would orient the cylindrical can or container 12 
for advancement to the feeding mechanism 10 with the first end 13 being 
disposed downwardly by gravity, as generally seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, 
for continued positive feeding to the cutting machine 14. 
The feeding mechanism 10 includes a pair of parallel feed shafts 20 which 
are centrally disposed above the parallel cutting shafts 16. The feed 
shafts 20 respectively include an axis of rotation 21 which is parallel 
with and disposed an equal distance above a corresponding one of the 
cutting shafts 16. Each feed shaft 20 is mounted for rotation in the same 
direction as its corresponding one of the cutting shafts 16. 
As seen in FIG. 2, the rotating cutting shafts 16 preferably include a 
drive sprocket 22 mounted on one end thereof. The cutting shafts 16 are 
driven at the opposite end by a motor and reduction gear configuration 
(not shown) and are geared together for rotation in opposite directions R1 
and at the same speed of rotation. Each of the feed shafts 20 includes a 
driven sprocket 24 mounted on the corresponding end thereof in general 
alignment with the drive sprockets 22. A chain 26 connected between each 
drive sprocket 22 and each driven sprocket 24 causes corresponding 
rotation R2 of the respective feed shafts 20 by the corresponding cutting 
shafts 16. Generally, the axes of rotation 21 of the feed shafts 20 have a 
predetermined shaft distance SD therebetween which is greater than the 
diameter D of the cylindrical can or container 12 and is preferably about 
twice the diameter D. 
Each feed shaft 20 includes a pair of feed discs 30 mounted for rotation 
therewith. Each feed disc 30 has a central area 32 and a general 
peripheral area 34. The pair of feed discs 30 are mounted on the feed 
shafts 20 with the central areas 32 having a first predetermined distance 
D1 therebetween. 
The peripheral area 34 of each feed disc 30 include a plurality of first 
curved sectors 36 and a plurality of second curved sectors 38. The first 
curved sectors 36 curve inwardly toward the center of the cutting shafts 
20 while the second curved sectors 38 curve outwardly toward the ends of 
the cutting shafts 20. Each feed disc 30 has an effective radius R which 
generally locates the first curved sectors 36 and second curved sectors 38 
of the peripheral area 34 outwardly of the shafts 20. The preferred radius 
R is close to but less than the diameter D of the can or container 12. 
Circumferentially adjacent first curved sectors 36 of each feed disc 30 are 
separated by one of the second curved sectors 38 therebetween. More 
specifically, the respective first curved sectors 36 and second curved 
sectors 38 are generally curved in opposite directions along the 
circumference of the feed disc 30. The preferred disc 30 is formed of 
three basic sectors 39 which are slightly larger than 120 degree sectors 
of a circular disc. Each of the three basic sectors 39 are bent or curved 
at the center region thereof and are joined together by being welded at 
their radial edges 40. The bent or curved center region forms the second 
curved sector 38. The welded junction of the radial edges 40 of the three 
basic sectors 39 is at an angle to form each of the first curved sectors 
36. Accordingly, while the preferred discs are generally composed of at 
least three basic sectors 39, it should be understood that only two larger 
or perhaps four smaller such basic sectors might be employed with curved 
or bent center regions and edges thereof welding at an angle. On the other 
hand, it is also possible that with a different form of fabrication, the 
oppositely curved or bent first sectors 36 and second sectors 38 could be 
formed in a generally curved or wavy manner without the second sectors 
being formed from bent planar basic sectors 39 and without the first 
sectors 36 including the angled configuration resulting from the welding 
of the adjacent radial edges of the basic sectors 39. 
The first curved sectors 36 of the pair of feed disc 30 on each shaft 20 
are circumferentially aligned. Similarly, the second curved sectors 38 of 
the pair of feed discs 30 on each shaft 20 are circumferentially aligned. 
Generally, the feed shafts 20 are configured to rotate at the same speed 
and are rotationally aligned to cause the first curved sectors 36 and the 
second curved sectors 38 on the respective feed shafts 20 to be aligned 
when positioned between the pair of feed shafts 20. 
In order to provide proper spacing for the receipt of a cylindrical can or 
container 12 therebetween and for feeding the leading end 13 thereof 
toward the cutting machine 14, there are provided preferred relative 
dimensions for the cooperating curved sectors 36, 38 of the pair of feed 
discs 30 on both feed shafts 20. Generally, the corresponding first curved 
sectors 36 of the pair feed discs 30 on one of the feed shafts 20 are at a 
second predetermined distance D2 apart. Similarly, the corresponding 
second curved sectors 38 of the pair of feed discs 30 on one of the feed 
shafts 20 are at a third predetermined maximum distance D3 apart. 
Generally, the second predetermined distance D2 is greater than the first 
predetermined distance D1 and less than the diameter D of the cylindrical 
container 12. Additionally, the third predetermined maximum distance D3 is 
greater than the diameter D of the cylindrical container. 
Accordingly, the preferred relationship between the second predetermined 
distance D2 and the third predetermined maximum distance D3 is such that 
the diameter D of the metal can 12 is dimensionally therebetween. When the 
leading end 13 of a can or container 12 is first directed between the pair 
of feed discs 30 on one shaft 20 and the pair of feed discs 30 on the 
other shaft 20, the leading end 13 of the cylindrical can 12 can be freely 
positioned between the corresponding second curved sectors 38 of the pair 
of feed discs 30 of both feed shafts 20. With continued rotation of the 
feed discs 30, the first curved sectors 36 are brought into alignment with 
the sides of the can or container 12. With the first curved sectors 36 
having therebetween the smaller second predetermined distance D2 which is 
less than the diameter D, the first curved sectors 36 generally deflect 
and grip the sides of the can 12 therebetween to feed the can or container 
12 to the cutting machine 14. The feed discs 30 on one of the shafts 20 
cooperates with the feed discs 30 on the other feed shaft 20 to entrap the 
cylindrical cans 12 at the sides generally between the corresponding first 
curved sectors 36 on both shafts 20 for advancement of the first end 13 of 
the cylindrical can or container 12 toward the cutting machine 14. 
With the leading, first end 13 being initially advanced toward the cutting 
machine 14, the cutting teeth on the cutting wheels 18 tend to grip the 
end 13 to direct it between the cutting shafts 16. Continued gripping by 
the cutting teeth causes cutting by the cutting wheels 18 as the entire 
can 12 is advanced between the feed shafts 16 and cut by the array of 
overlapping cutting wheels 18 located centrally within the cutting machine 
14. More specifically, entrapping the can or container 12 between the 
cooperating feed discs 30 causes the can or container 12 to the centrally 
disposed along the cutting shaft 16 so that the can or container 12 is not 
capable of being positioned toward the ends of the cutting shafts 16. By 
preventing the can or container 12 from being located at either end of the 
cutting shafts 16, the cutting wheels 18 at the ends of the cutting shafts 
16 are not employed to cut the can or container 12 and thus produce the 
undesired elongated strips. When the can or container 12 is properly 
positioned, only the centrally disposed cutting wheels 18 on the cutting 
shafts 16 will specifically cut the can or container 12. As a result, the 
centrally disposed cutting wheels 18 will produce the desired small pieces 
which can then be suctioned or vacuumed for disposition at a remote 
location. 
In order to better understand the preferred feeding mechanism 10, it is 
appropriate to provide typical dimensions which can be utilized to 
properly feed a metal, cylindrical can employed in the soft drink industry 
to a typical cutting machine 14. If a different sized container were to be 
cut, correspondingly different dimensions would be employed by those 
skilled in the container cutting art to produce similar results. Although 
the cylindrical cans have slightly different dimensions, a typical can has 
a diameter D of about 2.5 inches and a length L of about 5 inches. The 
cutting machine 14 would have an effective shaft length of about 5.625 
inches to include nine cutting wheels on one cutting shaft with ten 
cutting wheels on the other cutting shaft. The cutting shafts would be 
disposed with about 4.010 inches therebetween so that there is overlapping 
of the cutting wheels having a diameter of about 4.875 inches. Each of the 
cutting wheels would have a thickness or width of about 0.2945 inches. 
With each cutting wheel having 24 cutting teeth thereon, the small pieces 
produced by the cutting wheels would be about 0.625 inches long and about 
0.2945 inches wide with a characteristic bend or fold in the middle 
thereof. 
The preferred cutting machine and feeding mechanism would be powered by an 
electric motor having a rating of about two horsepower used in conjunction 
with a speed reducer to cause the cutting shafts to have a rotation R1 of 
about 34 RPM. The drive sprockets, having 11 teeth, and the driven 
sprockets, having 15 teeth, are configured to produce the corresponding 
rotation R2 of the feed shafts but with a speed of about 25 RPM. 
The feed shafts would be disposed to provide a predetermined shaft distance 
SD of about 5 inches. 
With each feed shaft having a diameter of about two inches, the gap G 
between the feed shafts is about three inches. The gap G must be greater 
than the diameter D of each can 12 to facilitate the passages of the cans 
12 therebetween. The effective radius R of each feed disc would be about 
2.375 inches. The preferred first predetermined distance D1 would be about 
1.5 inches. The second predetermined distance D2 would be about 1.875 
inches with the third predetermined maximum distance being about 4.0 
inches. 
While the specific dimensions provided hereinabove are preferred to advance 
the typical cylindrical containers found in the soft drink industry, it 
should be clear that other alterations could be made to the preferred 
embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. 
Similarly, slight variations in the relative dimensions could be employed 
while still advancing the cylindrical container toward the cutting machine 
in the manner as claimed. For example, while the preferred dimensions are 
given in terms of "about" specific inches or fractions of inches, it 
should be understood that the dimensions might be varied by an amount plus 
or minus 0.10 inches without adversely affecting the operation or 
reliability of the preferred feeding mechanism. Clearly, minor dimensional 
changes could be employed by one skilled in the art without departing from 
the scope of the invention as claimed.