Patent Publication Number: US-8528474-B2

Title: Recycling and accessory storage apparatus

Description:
The invention relates to a recycling and accessory storage apparatus for use crushing cans in small scale recycling and in storing hand held devices. The invention is directed particularly but not solely towards an apparatus for crushing cans and storing a portable vacuum cleaner, for use in the household or office. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Recycling is an important issue affecting most local councils and consumers. Local councils have been forced through a lack of storage space and cost to introduce various recycling scheme such as separate movable bins for recycled and non recycled materials. However the same pressures also affect work environments and householders who are producing more and more refuse that needs to be sorted. Space in a household is more of a problem 
     Space also affects the need to use various devices to keep areas clean and tidy. For example it is not possible to easily store a vacuum cleaner in a kitchen. Though cleaner devices are smaller, there is still a problem with storing or mounting these devices. Convenience is also an important consideration for encouraging cleaning, tidying and recycling. 
     In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved recycling and accessory storage apparatus that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In a first aspect the invention resides in an improved recycling and accessory storage apparatus for crushing items and storing accessory devices, the apparatus including a housing having apertures therein, wherein at least one of the apertures is formed as including a recess to allow the storage of an accessory therein and at least one other aperture is formed as including a recess and crushing means adapted to allow an item to be inserted, then crushed and ejected out of the apparatus. 
     Preferably, the storage aperture includes a body which is cantilevered from and within the housing to form a recess. 
     Preferably the housing defines an internal space therein including side walls and a front wall panel. 
     Preferably, the storage aperture includes a body which is shaped for at least a portion of portable vacuum cleaner. 
     Preferably, the other aperture recess comprises a curved passageway within the housing, to allow the item to be directed to be crushed and ejected therefrom. 
     Preferably, the crushing means includes opposing lever means having ends, forming a crushing throat space at one end adapted to accept the item to be crushed whereby one lever means is stationary while the other lever means can be rotated, to abut the item to be crushed against the stationary lever means to cause crushing. 
     Preferably, both lever means comprise a pair of bent arms, and the arms each have teeth attached to a jaw member located at the crushing throat space at the said one end wherein each arm forms a C-shape formed of straight sections. 
     Preferably, the housing has another aperture shaped and dimensioned for the storage of other accessories. 
     Preferably, the front wall is a curved front wall and the side walls are upright in orientation. 
     Preferably, the apparatus can have power activation means to activate any accessory that requires power both portable or mains. 
     Preferably the stationary lever means includes a foot plate extending from an aperture in the front wall to allow weight to be downwardly applied when crushing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective upper front view in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear upper perspective view in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is another rear perspective upper view of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective end view of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is front end view of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is top plan view of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of one side of the apparatus, showing main internal parts. 
         FIG. 8  is a front end view showing the axis for a sectional view BB. 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional side view along axis BB. 
         FIG. 10  is front end view showing the position of axis for a sectional view CC. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional side view along axis CC. 
         FIG. 12  is an upper perspective view of the crusher. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the crusher of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of the crusher. 
         FIG. 15  is a rear elevation view of the crusher. 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan elevation view of the crusher. 
         FIGS. 17-21  are cross sectional side views of the apparatus being loaded with a can. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view showing a can being placed in front of the opening 
         FIG. 18  is a side view showing the can in the crushing throat. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view showing the can being crushed upon pedal being pressing down. 
         FIG. 20  is side view of the apparatus showing the can falling out of the jaws upon pedal release as shown by upwardly pointing arrow. 
         FIG. 21  shows the can finally exiting the assembly via ramp or plate and opening at the bottom. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a recycling and accessory storage apparatus. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     A recycling and accessory storage apparatus  1  is shown in the  FIGS. 1-21  having a modern shaped housing  2  adapted and constructed to provide a space  3  therein for a recycling means  4 , and accessory/storage locating means  5  and  6 . The recycling means  4  in this example is a can compressing or crushing means and the accessory storage/location means  5  is a vacuum locating means and accessory storage/locating means  6  is shaped and adapted to provide at least one holder for a variety of different handheld devices or tools such as scissors, knives and peelers or inserts for generic handles etc. 
     The housing  2  is shown being shaped having a front portion  10  which can be curved in the vertical plane and side portions  11  and  12  which are upright and planar. In this example front portion  10  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is shown as being formed with the side portions  11  and  12  joined down the middle  14  with there being a rear facing enclosed area or space as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     Front housing portion  10  has ribbed edges  15  with various apertures, recesses and means whereby the edges  15  function to provide strength and aesthetics. The crushing means  4  includes a first lever means  16  pivotally connected to a second lever means  17  which each have a portion which protrudes from and beyond the front portion  10  of housing  2  through a portion of a first aperture  18  leading into a recess but being an exit aperture. Crushing means  4  also has a second aperture  19  located above the first aperture  18  but linked to the first aperture  18 , to provide an entrance for inserting items for crushing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  first aperture  18  is square U-shaped formed by having a base aperture  18   a  in a rectangular shape with upright arm apertures  18   b  whereby the first lever means  16  operatively protrudes from the upright arm apertures  18   b  on each side whereas the base aperture  18   a  is more for the item being crushed to exit the apparatus after being crushed. 
     For example the item to be crushed can be at least one can  21 . The crushing means  4  is generally located at the lower portion of the apparatus  1  so that the vacuum locating means  5  is situated above. Accessory locating means  5  includes a specially shaped recess called a first recess or pocket  25  being adapted to hold at least a portion of a vacuum cleaner  20 . For example as shown in  FIG. 7  a portable vacuum cleaner  20  can be located within the pocket  25 . Pocket  25  can also include a charging port for the vacuum cleaner or any other suitable device. The recesses for accessory locating means  5  and  6  can be formed such that they cantilever from the front wall  10 . 
     As shown in the figures above the accessory locating means  5  there can be a second recess  26  for the location of other accessories such as utensils and various tools. 
     As shown especially in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  12  and  17 - 21  the crushing means  4  also includes the following components of a processing path  28  leading from an entrance in the form of the first aperture  19 . This processing path  28  is shaped in a curved manner with a curved elongate base member to form a guiding track from a top to bottom apertures  19  to  18  which curves downwardly firstly to a can crushing position between first lever means  16  and second lever means  17 , and then to base aperture  18   b  of the exit aperture  18 . The can crushing position is more located at one end or at an upper end of the arms. 
     First lever means  16  is rotatably connected to second lever means  17  in an opposing type relationship as shown in  FIG. 9  whereby a throat or space or crush zone  30  is formed there between to carry out the actual crushing. The space  30  is adapted in shape and dimensions to receive an item to be crushed and allow it to be crushed. 
     As shown in the figures each lever means  16  and  17  includes a pair of arms, overall shaped similarly as a C shape formed from straight sections. It is also possible to form the arms as straight sections or curved sections or in combination. 
     Second lever means  17  as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 9  is supported by the ground or horizontal support and first lever means  16  movably mounted at pivot position  31  to second lever means  17 . As shown in  FIG. 3  the processing path  28  can extend from one side wall to the other. The overall curved shaped is almost continuous from top to bottom except for slit portion  28   b  (see  FIG. 3 ) that allows a portion of the second lever means  17  to extend there through. 
     First lever means  16  as seen in  FIG. 9  includes frame like arrangement comprising a pedal member  32  joined to or formed at one end of two parallel spaced second lever arms  33 , pivoted about pivot point  31 . At an end distal to the pedal  32  there is a first jaw member  36 . First lever means  16  is generally formed whereby the arms  33  are bent in sections having a first elbow  34  leading to the pivot point  31 . After the pivot point  31 , the arms  33  bend upwardly again at a second elbow  35  to form one half of a first jaw portion. The first jaw portion comprises jaw member  36  with teeth  37  extending distally. The first jaw member  36  as shown in  FIGS. 12 &amp; 13  can include a rectangular shaped frame and/or plate  36   a  construction, extending across the space between the arms  33 . As shown in  FIG. 13  the plates  36   a  (and  45   a ) extend from both sides towards each other to protrude from the arms  16  and  17 . Therefore as shown there can be four such plates in total for plates  36   a  and  45   a.    
     Second lever means  17  also includes a rectangular frame-like arrangement comprising a bottom plate or ramp  40  being supported by a horizontal support like a floor  41 , with plate  40  being attached at one end of two arms  42 . The arms  42  are firstly bent forming a third elbow  43  which lead to pivot point  31 . After pivot point  31 , the arms  42  are bent a second time at elbow  44  leading to a second jaw member  45 . The second jaw member  45  comprises a plate  45   a  and/or jaw frame with teeth  46  extending distally also extending between the arms  42 . The first and second jaw members  36  and  45  together operationally form the throat or crushing zone  30 . 
     The components of the crushing means  4  are shown in an exploded view of  FIG. 13 . The frame of the arms can be formed from folded steel and the other components from a plastic.  FIGS. 17-21  show a can for example which is inserted into the second aperture  19  leading into the throat space  30  between the first and second jaw portions. Other components like pins  47  and mounting are also shown in  FIG. 13 . The foot plate can be shaped as being wide enough to allow a foot to hold the lever  17  down but include apertures  48  and/or roughed means thereon. Plate  40  can be necked  49  to allow it to be attached to the lever  14 . 
     Operation—See  FIGS. 17-21   
     As shown in  FIGS. 17-21  a can  21  is shown with various arrows to indication direction of movement. To initiate crushing or compressing, pedal  32  of lever means  16  is pushed down using a persons feet (see  FIGS. 17 ,  18 ) which causes the first lever means  16  to rotate about pivot point  31 , downwardly at  50  (see  FIG. 19 ) whereby the first jaw portion moves towards the stationary second jaw portion  17  to crush the can  21  to form a can  21   a —see  FIGS. 20 &amp; 21 . 
     After crushing, as in  FIG. 20  the first lever means  16  moves back up (automatically using a biasing means such as a spring—not shown) to allow the resulting crushed can to drop back onto path  28  and fall out or be ejected out of the first aperture  18 . When the pedal  32  is released it goes up as seen in  FIG. 20  thereby releasing the crushed can  21   a.    
     Accessory locating means  5  and  6  are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as being formed of a polygonal shaped tubular member which can be rear supported by cantilevered wall brackets  55 . The tubular member is also generally formed to cantilever from the front face  10  of the apparatus. Also shown in  FIG. 3  the apparatus  1  includes power activation means  56 , which is adapted to charge the vacuum cleaner charging port, is connected to any power point outlet which can be mains sourced or portable like batteries. 
     ADVANTAGES 
     
         
         
           
             a) Modern looking 
             b) Convenient 
             c) Efficient use of space 
             d) Reduces waste 
             e) Simple to manufacture 
             f) Easy to use 
           
         
       
    
     VARIATIONS 
     Throughout the description of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprising” and “comprises”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 
     The housing  2  though shown having only sides and a curved front can also be formed having a different shape as required and can also have a base and rear panel if necessary or desired. The sides are shown as being formed with the front portion and portions of the crushing and vacuum locating means though these can be formed separately and simply fitted together. The housing can be formed as part of other cabinetry or structures. 
     Also though the apparatus housing is shown as one piece it can be formed as conveniently as required such by moulding in halves. Other forms of recycling means  4  other than crushing cans, are crushing any other types of materials such as plastic bottles for example. The apparatus can be formed as a portable apparatus that can easily be fitted in combination with other furniture or it can be stand alone. Depending on the volume and size of items to be recycled or stored, will determine either how many apparatus and what their size is. 
     All of the apertures though shown as being rectangular or square U-shaped can be formed of other shapes as desired. This will depend on what is being crushed or compressed or what is being stored. 
     The vacuum recess  19  can be shaped to fit any shaped vacuum cleaner. The pocket  25  can be recessed or can be apertured. A base along the bottom of the pocket is not entirely necessary to hold the vacuum cleaner in place. The same applies to the second recess  26  which can be simply a recess or be apertured 
     It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described. 
     It will also be understood that where a product, method or process as herein described or claimed and that is sold incomplete, as individual components, or as a “kit of Parts”, that such exploitation will fall within the ambit of the invention. 
     For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.