Abstract:
A can crusher apparatus having an end wall plate and a relatively movable press plate selectively directed onto the end wall plate to crush can members therebetween. The end wall plate having longitudinally aligned recesses contained therewithin cooperative with press plate recesses to position can members to be crushed therebetween. A modification of the invention includes vacuum manifold structure to eliminate residual fluids from within can members to be crushed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The field of invention relates to can crushing apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved can crusher apparatus wherein the same is arranged to compactly crush cans or other containers for subsequent recycling. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various can crushing apparatus is available in the prior art to minimize volumetric storage of such cans prior to their recycling and the like. Such can crushing apparatus is exemplified in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,072 to Wittemeier setting forth a can crusher apparatus having selectively directed plate members to crush cans therebetween. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,701 to Stralow sets forth a further example of a can crushing structure having a receptacle mounted therebelow. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,269 to Watkins set forth a portable can crusher having a hopper to direct cans to a crushing wheel. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. 282,076 to Taylor sets forth various configurations of a movable plate relative to a fixed plate to crush can members therebetween. 
     Accordingly, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved can crusher apparatus as set forth by the instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness in construction and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of can crusher apparatus now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a can crusher apparatus wherein the same is arranged to align and position cans to be crushed between opposing plate members. 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 apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art can crusher apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
     To attain this, the present invention provides a can crusher apparatus having an end wall plate and a relatively movable press plate selectively directed onto the end wall plate to crush can members therebetween. The end wall plate having longitudinally aligned recesses contained therewithin cooperative with press plate recesses to position can members to be crushed therebetween. A modification of the invention includes vacuum manifold structure to eliminate residual fluids from within can members to be crushed. 
     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
     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. 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. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved can crusher apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art can crusher apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved can crusher apparatus 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 apparatus 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 apparatus 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 apparatus economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved can crusher apparatus which provides in the apparatus and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     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 isometric illustration of a prior art can crusher structure. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of a further prior art can crusher structure. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of the anvil plate structure of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 3 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric illustration of the press plate structure of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
     FIG. 7 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 7--7 of FIG. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric illustration of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric illustration of a modified anvil plate structure of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 10--10 of FIG. 9 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
     FIG. 11 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 11--11 of FIG. 9 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 11 thereof, a new and improved can crusher apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art can crusher structure, as set forth in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,072 to accommodate a can member between opposing plates. The FIG. 2 illustrates a further prior art structure set forth in Design Pat. No. 282,076. 
     More specifically, the can crusher apparatus 10 of the instant invention essentially comprises an anvil plate 11, with a press plate 12 movably mounted relative to the anvil plate 11. The anvil plate includes a rear side edge 13 spaced from an anvil plate forward side edge and having an anvil plate first end edge 14 spaced from an anvil plate second end edge 15. A first mounting leg 16 and a second mounting leg 17 arranged in a parallel relationship are orthogonally mounted to the anvil plate at the rear side edge 13. The first and second mounting legs 16 and 17 terminate in respective first and second bifurcated ends 18 and 19. A first and second cylindrical recess 20 and 21 positioned adjacent relative to one another are directed into the top surface of the anvil plate, with an elongate third semi-cylindrical recess 22 directed from the second cylindrical recess 21 to the second end edge 15. The recesses 20-22 are arranged in a longitudinally aligned relationship aligned along the axis 22a of the third semi-cylindrical recess 22. In this manner, can members may be vertically crushed or when positioned in the third recess 22, crushed in a parallel relationship relative to a can axis. The recesses further provide positioning of a can member to be crushed. 
     The FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the press plate structure having a press plate rear side edge 23 spaced from a press plate forward side edge and press plate first and second end edges 24 and 25. A first pivot leg 26 and a second pivot leg 27 are respectively and pivotally received within the first and second bifurcated ends 18 and 19 at lower distal ends of each pivot leg 26 and 27. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the press plate includes first and second cylindrical recesses 28 and 29 that are coaxially aligned with the anvil plate&#39;s first and second cylindrical recess 20 and 21 when the press plate is in a parallel relationship to the anvil plate in a can crushing procedure. In this manner, can members in the first and second cylindrical recesses of each of the anvil and press plates are maintained in an aligned relationship. A can positioned within the third semi-cylindrical recess 22 is adequately maintained and does not require a cavity within the press plate. Further, it should be noted that the longitudinally aligned relationship of the recesses permit simultaneous crushing of a plurality of such can members. 
     First and second bifurcated press plate bosses 30 and 31 pivotally mount at lower distal ends respective first and second press plate legs 32 and 33. The press plate legs 32 and 33 extend upwardly and are orthogonally mounted to connecting leg 34. The connecting leg 34 has its ends received within a pivot leg slot 35 of each of the first and second pivot legs 26 and 27. In this manner, sliding engagement of the press plate legs 32 and 33 maintains alignment of the press plate relative to the anvil plate in a can crushing procedure. 
     The FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a modified anvil plate 11a having a respective first and second piercing tip 36 and 37 coaxially directed into the anvil plate&#39;s first and second cylindrical recess 20 and 21. A plurality of third piercing tips 38 are directed into the third semi-cylindrical recess 22. Each piercing tip (see FIG. 11) is formed with a vacuum conduit 39 directed therethrough to pierce an associated can simultaneously during a crushing procedure and direct residual fluid within such can through the vacuum conduit 39. The vacuum conduits 39 are directed into a vacuum manifold 40 positioned below the anvil plate, with a vacuum pump 41 in pneumatic communication with the vacuum manifold 40. A receptacle 42 positioned below the vacuum pump receives the excess fluid thusly obtained through the vacuuming procedure. In this manner, excess fluid is drained to minimize attracting various insects into storage of cans that have been crushed awaiting further processing. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention shall 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.