Patent Publication Number: US-11020923-B2

Title: Portable electro-pneumatic aluminum beverage can crusher

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     N/A 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE) 
     N/A 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE) 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to lightweight aluminum soda/drink can crushing devices. There are many designs and patents for can crushers from manual lever operated to fully automatic electric, pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical devices. Since the beginning of metal cans being produced it seems that man has been trying to reduce the size of the used cans to reduce their volume and waste profile. 
     Previous can crusher patents describe a broad spectrum of reasons for developing a can crusher. One of the leading reasons in numerous previous patents was the need to reduce the volume of the cans to a manageable size for storage and disposal and/or subsequent transportation to a recycle center. This invention was conceived by the inventor for the above stated reason. The inventor wanted to make the process of reducing the size of aluminum drink cans as easy as possible and fun. Typical small and medium aluminum soda and beer cans are manufactured with lightweight aluminum for the purpose of storing and dispersing liquids. Being a good steward of the earth the inventor doesn&#39;t believe in adding unnecessary waste to our landfills and therefore recycles his waste products as appropriate. Aluminum cans are one of the waste products that the inventor saves and recycles. The stated problem is that aluminum drink cans are relatively large compared to their weight (large volume to weight ratio) and saving them takes up considerable space over time. This invention is intended to solve the space problem, both in storage and transportation by crushing the cans to a manageable size, while reducing the physical work required to crush cans and being fun to operate. As pointed out in several previous patents many recycle centers pay the going market rate for aluminum cans, therefore the invention can pay for itself over time. 
     At the time this invention was conceived the inventor did a market search to see what was available for the home consumer to purchase. The inventor found that there were primarily only manually operated lever type can crushers on the market for the home consumer which is the demographics the inventor is initially interested in helping. As previously stated there are many designs and patents for can crushers from the manual lever operated to fully automatic electric, pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical devices, but apparently very few are actually suitable for the home consumer, possibly due to the complexity, impracticality, cost of the invention, or any combination of reasons. 
     The lever operated can crushers currently on the market for the home consumer work fine but require a force applied by a person to crush the cans. Force applied equals work. The inventor wanted to reduce the work of hand crushing aluminum cans and thus went to work designing a home can crusher which would reduce the physical work of crushing aluminum cans and be fun and safe to operate. 
     This particular design was envisioned and built solely by the inventor after attempting other designs that seemed like good ideals but ended up just not being practical. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is designed to take nearly all of the physical work out of crushing typical aluminum drink cans via an electro-pneumatic system that applies simple engineering principles to achieve the desired outcome. The system uses pneumatics (air) to perform the actual work and electricity for control, and is light weight and portable. The invention is designed to crush small to medium aluminum drink cans inside of a containment structure using air pressure via a pneumatic air cylinder mounted to a containment structure and then eject the crushed can utilizing a pneumatic air cylinder. A hub type crushing head ensures the can stays inside the containment structure during the crushing process. 
     A prototype of a preferred embodiment has been built and tested to prove the design works as presented in this patent application. To date the prototype has crushed several thousand aluminum cans of various sizes without any component or structural failures. The prototype is built with off the shelf components for testing and development purposes. All components used in the design are readily available for purchase by the public. It is envisioned by the inventor that the final product would be of the same design but, several of the components could be made out of different materials as determined by the manufacturer. 
     The crushing components for the invention were selected based on requirements derived from tests performed by the inventor to determine the minimum required crushing force to reliably crush aluminum cans. The containment and crushing components were selected based on the requirements to safely contain the crushing process and to maintain containment integrity through the crushing process for the entire life cycle of the invention. 
     The invention requires a pneumatic (air/inert gas) supply at ˜90-125 psi and an 110 VAC power supply. The invention will operate on 60 Hz US or 50 Hz European AC power. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The concept, design, use, and advantages of the invention will be presented in the detailed description and will become obvious when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated 3D isometric side view of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus in position ready to crush cans, according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A-D  are side views with a section of the containment outer wall cutout, and the pneumatic cylinders outer walls removed showing the crushing and ejection process of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A-B  are human interface front perspective views of loading and two handed operation of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the crushing cylinder, containment head, and the hub type crushing head in the retracted position of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the crushing cylinder showing the hub type crushing head in the extended/crushing position of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the ejection cylinder with the ejection ram in the retracted position of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the ejection cylinder with the ejection ram in the extended/ejection position of an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 11A  is a schematic view of the electrical and pneumatic control circuits for an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 11B  shows the contact closure sequence for a 3-positon control switch for an electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The following is a list of the elements referenced in the detailed description of the invention:
           10 . portable electro-pneumatic beverage can crusher     100 . containment structure     110 . upper containment     120 . upper containment head     130 . containment barrel     140 . lower containment     150 . lower containment floor/crushing base     160 . crushing chamber     170 . positioning spacers     200 . crushing cylinder     202 . crushing cylinder actuator piston     204 . crushing cylinder actuator rod     206 . crushing cylinder return spring     208 . crushing cylinder vent hole     210 . hub type crushing head     300 . ejection cylinder     302 . ejection cylinder actuator piston     304 . ejection cylinder actuator rod     306 . ejection cylinder return spring     308 . ejection cylinder vent hole     310 . ejection cylinder mounting base     320 . ejection cylinder mounting bracket     330 . ejection ram     340 . ejection ram access opening     400 . pneumatic manifold     410 . male straight pneumatic push-to-connect fitting     420 . male rotating elbow pneumatic push-to-connect fitting     430 . poly tubing     440 . quick disconnect 0.25 inch pneumatic supply nipple     500 . control circuit     505 . safety interlock push button     510 . safety interlock push button enclosure     520 . 3 position control switch     530 . 3 position control switch enclosure     540 . crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve     545 . ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve     550 . solenoid control valve mounting bracket     560 . control wiring with plastic wire wrap     570 . contactors     580 . power cord/supply, with and without plastic wire wrap     585 . adhesive wire retainer     600 . operating platform     610 . operating platform legs     620 . carrying handle     700 . aluminum can       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The detailed description with reference to the drawings in  FIGS. 1 through 113  describes the embodiment of the invention  10  in precise terms and details, which will allow any skilled person in the art to reproduce the art and put it to use as intended. 
     An electro-pneumatic can crushing apparatus according to the present embodiment of the invention  10  has a vertically mounted cylindrical containment structure  100  with a pneumatic crushing cylinder  200  vertically mounted to an upper containment head  120 . A hub type crushing head  210  is attached to the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  which strokes vertically downward to crush aluminum cans  700  inside a crushing chamber  160  against a lower containment floor/crushing base  150 . A pneumatic ejection cylinder  300  is horizontally mounted to an operating platform  600  to provide for ejection of a crushed can  700  from the crushing chamber  160  after the crushing event. 
     As seen in  FIG. 6A , Cans  700 , are manually placed in the crushing chamber  160  of the containment structure  100 . As seen in  FIGS. 3, 5A, and 5B  positioning spacers  170  are provided in the lower containment  140  peripheries and are sized to ensure that the cans  700  are properly positioned in the crushing chamber  160  to ensure the cans  700  are crushed by the internal crushing surface of the hub type crushing head  210  i.e. proper positioning as afforded by the positioning spacers  170  ensures the hub type crushing head  210  hub envelops the upper portion of the can  700  during the crushing event. The positioning spacers  170  are inside the lower crushing chamber  160  on each side of the chamber. The positioning spacers  170  are sized not to interfere with the hub type crushing head  210  during the crushing event and are designed not to interfere with the ejection event. The prototype positioning spacers  170  are secured to the lower containment  140  walls with screws and glued. 
     The prototype cylindrical containment structure  100  is made out of six common off-the-shelf 4 inch PVC components and off-the-shelf hardware (nuts, bolts &amp; screws.) As seen in  FIGS. 1-5D , the containment structure  100  is comprised of; an upper containment  110 , an upper containment head  120 , a containment barrel  130 , a lower containment  140 , a lower containment floor/crushing base  150  and an integral crushing chamber  160 . The containment structure  100 , the integral crushing chamber  160  and the hub type crushing head  210  contain the aluminum can  700  during the crushing event. The containment structure  100  shall be made out of material that is robust enough to contain the crushing force of the invention  10  during operation and maintain its integrity during the life cycle of the invention  10 . It is preferable that the containment structure  100  be made out of light weight material to aid in keeping the invention  10  a portable light weight apparatus. The crushing chamber  160  is the inside of the containment structure  100  where the aluminum cans  700  are placed to be crushed. The crushing chamber  160  is sized to accept various sizes of aluminum or light weight metal/tin cans up to approximately 7 inches in height and approximately 3.5 inches in diameter. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , the prototype upper containment  110  and lower containment  140  components are 4 inch diameter PVC Schedule 40 Adapter Fittings. The prototype containment barrel  130  is made out of 4 inch diameter Schedule 40 Solidcore PVC DWV piping. The containment barrel fits inside the upper and lower containment  110  and  140  components. The upper containment  110  and lower containment  140  components and the containment barrel  130  are secured together with standard PVC glue and stainless steel screws and nuts. The lower containment floor/crushing base  150  must be robust, and when properly attached to the operating platform  600  must be able to hold up to the forces and stresses of crushing aluminum cans  700  over the life expectancy of the invention  10 . The prototype lower containment floor/crushing base  150  is a PVC Schedule 40 flat threaded plug. The containment structure  100  is through wall mounted to the operating platform  600  via the lower containment floor/crushing base  150  with high strength stainless steel bolts/screws. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 8 , the upper containment head  120  is the mounting point for the crushing cylinder  200  and is therefore an extremely important component due to the forces it is subjected to over the lifetime of the invention  10 . Each crushing cycle of the invention  10  produces up to the maximum force that the crushing cylinder  200  can produce, which in this case is 170 lbs force at 100 psig supplied air pressure. The prototype upper containment head  120  is a threaded hub type PVC Schedule 40 Cleanout Plug Fitting with a square protrusion/nut. The upper containment head  120  is removable for maintenance purposes and is threaded into the upper containment  110  adapter fitting. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-6B , the containment structure  100  and integral crushing chamber  160  have two openings; one combination manual feed and crushed aluminum can  700  ejection opening on the front, and one ejection ram access opening  340  on the rear. The openings are sized for their particular tasks. The combination manual feed and crushed aluminum can  700  ejection opening on the front is sized to provide access for manually loading the crushing chamber  160  with aluminum cans  700 . The upper part of the crushing chamber  160  opening is sized to allow for loading up to ˜20 oz aluminum cans  700 . The lower part of the crushing chamber  160  opening is wider than the upper part of the opening and is sized to allow for ejection of the crushed cans. The ejection ram access opening  340  on the rear is sized to allow for the ejection ram  330  to extend and retract during the ejection process. 
     The crushing cylinder  200  performs the Crushing work for the invention  10 . The crushing cylinder  200  was chosen based on five criteria; quality, crushing force, stroke length, air usage and price:
         a. The inventor believes that using quality components assures a quality product.   b. The minimum crushing force requirement was based on empirical testing performed by the inventor which showed that the minimum force required to consistently crush small and medium aluminum cans  700  is approximately 160 lbs of force.   c. The stroke length was selected to allow crushing of small and medium sized typical ˜2.5 inch by ˜5 inch aluminum beer and soda cans. The inventor has found that cans up to 7 inches in height and inches 3.5 in diameter easily fit in the crushing chamber  160  and are usually within the design capabilities of the crushing cylinder  200 .   d. A single acting spring return pneumatic air cylinder was chosen to reduce the air usage per cycle of the invention  10 . Using a single acting pneumatic air cylinder as stated above reduces the air usage per cycle and therefore reduces the load on the air supply allowing for smaller air compressors to keep up with the invention  10  during operation and allows bottled compressed gas to last longer. Note: The inventor doesn&#39;t rule out future models employing the use of double acting pneumatic air cylinders due to their increased capabilities.   e. Individual component prices determine the marketability of the invention  10  therefore the inventor searched for quality components at a reasonable price and believes that is what he has accomplished.       

     As seen in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7, and 8 , the crushing cylinder  200  is a single acting, front nose mount pneumatic air cylinder. The crushing cylinder  200  includes the; crushing cylinder actuator piston  202 , crushing cylinder actuator rod  204 , crushing cylinder return spring  204 , crushing cylinder vent hole  208 , and a female NPT air/gas port. The crushing cylinder  200  and associated components are designed for a maintenance free life and are made from high quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors and stresses of the invention  10 . As seen in  FIG. 5B , the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  stroke length must be long enough to allow the hub type crushing head  210  to adequately crush the aluminum cans  700  without impacting the positioning spacers  170  during the crushing event. As seen in  FIG. 7 , the crushing cylinder  200  is front nose mounted vertically to the upper containment head  120  via an appropriately sized hole in the square protrusion/nut. The nose of the crushing cylinder  200  is secured using an appropriately sized flat washer and mounting nut. The operating medium, air in this case is supplied to the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  over piston area via the female NPT inlet port. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5D, 7, and 8 , the crushing cylinder  200  operating cycle uses Pneumatic principles; the application of compressed gas to produce mechanical motion. (Ref: http://www.rignitc.com/pneumatics-tutorial-1/.) Air is supplied at ˜100 psig to the top of the crushing cylinder  200  via the female NPT port above the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202 . The crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  converts the supplied air into linear work. Air is supplied to only one side of the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  and the other side is open to the atmosphere via the crushing cylinder vent hole  208 . When air is supplied at the required pressure to the actuator over piston area the actuator moves linearly against spring pressure compressing the crushing cylinder return spring  206  until the air supply is shutoff and vented off. While the actuator is moving in the direction of work the air in the actuator under piston area i.e. the crushing cylinder return spring  206  area is vented off via the crushing cylinder vent hole  208  while the crushing cylinder return spring  206  is being compressed. The size of the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  determines the force that the actuator produces. The crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  is required to have a minimum of 1.7 sq. inch piston surface area to meet the design criteria of 170.0 lbs force at 100 psi air pressure. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 5A-5D, 7, and 8 , the prototype hub type crushing head  210  is a threaded hub type PVC Schedule 40 Cleanout Plug Fitting with a square protrusion/nut. The hub type crushing head  210  is sized to fit inside the upper containment head  120  when retracted and freely move up and down in the crushing chamber  160 . The hub type crushing head  210  is attached to the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  via the actuator rod end. An appropriate size hole is drilled in the hub type crushing head  210  protrusion and the threaded crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  rod end is inserted into the hub type crushing head  210 . The hub type crushing head  210  is secured to the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  with two mounting nuts. The hub on the hub type crushing head  210  ensures that the aluminum cans  700  stay in the crushing chamber  160  during the crushing event. The hub type crushing head  210  delivers the crushing force to crush the aluminum cans  700  each work cycle, and therefore must be robust and able to withstand the maximum design force each crushing stroke of the invention  10 , which in this case is ˜170 lbs force at 100 psig supplied air pressure. It is the inventor&#39;s desire that the hub type crushing head  210  have a minimum  50 , 000  “crushed can” duty cycle and that it is replaceable. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5D, 9, and 10 , the ejection cylinder  300  provides the mechanism to eject the crushed aluminum cans  700  from the invention  10 . The ejection cylinder  300  is a single acting, front nose mount pneumatic air cylinder. The ejection cylinder  300  includes the; ejection cylinder actuator piston  302 , ejection cylinder actuator rod  304 , ejection cylinder return spring  306 , ejection cylinder vent hole  308 , and a female NPT air/gas port. The ejection cylinder  300  and associated components are designed for a maintenance free life and are made from high quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors and stresses of the invention  10 . The ejection cylinder actuator rod  304  stroke length must be long enough to impact the crushed can and eject it from the crushing chamber  160 . The ejection cylinder  300  is front nose mounted horizontally with a steel ejection cylinder mounting bracket  320  which is through wall mounted to the ejection cylinder mounting base  310  and the operating platform  600 . The operating medium, air in this case is supplied to the ejection cylinder  300  via the female NPT port. 
     The ejection cylinder  300  operating cycle uses the same pneumatic principles as the crushing cylinder  200 . As with the crushing cylinder  200 , the size of the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  determines the force that the actuator produces. The ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  is required to have a minimum of 0.20 sq. inch surface area to meet the design criteria of the invention  10  for the ejection process. The prototype invention  10  has a 0.40 sq. inch piston surface area and the extend force at 100 psi=40.0 lbs which is more than adequate for the ejection process. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-3, 9, and 10 , the prototype ejection ram  330  is a steel rod clevis locked in place with a Hex nut. The ejection ram  330  is mounted to the ejection cylinder actuator rod  304  threaded rod end and is the component that impacts the crushed aluminum cans  700  during the ejection process. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-5D , a pneumatic manifold  400  is attached to the operating platform  600  via through wall mounting and is the air supply and distribution component of the invention  10 . The prototype pneumatic manifold  400  is a rectangular, aluminum, 1000 psi pneumatic valve manifold. It has six stations; two air/gas supply female NPT inlets/outlets and four female NPT air/gas distribution outlets with standard hole spacing. Air is supplied to the pneumatic manifold  400  by the user via a standard steel quick disconnect pneumatic supply nipple  440  at the required pressure. Only two of the four female NPT air/gas distribution outlets on the pneumatic manifold  400  are used on the prototype. The remainder of the pneumatic manifold  400  outlets are plugged. Two male, straight, pneumatic push-to-connect fittings  410  are used to route air to the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545 . The pneumatic manifold should be rated above the minimum pressure for the maximum possible air/gas supply pressure and should incorporate a safety relief valve if the maximum possible supply pressure is above the design pressure of the most limiting component of the invention  10 . The pneumatic manifold is only required to have enough ports to support the invention  10 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , all Pneumatic Fittings  410  and  420  used on the invention  10  are pneumatic push-to-connect, rotating or straight male fittings. The pneumatic fittings, rotating or straight, for each particular application were selected based on ensuring minimal bend stress and no kinking of the pneumatic poly tubing  430 . Pneumatic push-to-connect fittings were selected for use on the prototype invention  10  due to the ease of connecting and disconnecting during the design phase of the invention  10 . It is not the inventor&#39;s intention to limit future models solely to push to connect fittings. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , five male, straight, pneumatic push-to-connect fittings  410  are used on the invention  10 ; two are used on the pneumatic manifold  400  to route the operating medium (air) to the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545 , two are used on the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545  to route air to the crushing cylinder  200  and ejection cylinder  300 , and one is used on the ejection cylinder  300  air supply port. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , five Male, Rotating Elbow, Push-to-Connect Pneumatic Fittings  420  are used on the invention  10 ; four are used on the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545 , and one is used on the crushing cylinder  200  air supply port. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-6B , five pieces of poly tubing  430  are used too route air/gas to the various components of the prototype invention  10 . Any pressure rated tubing that can supply the appropriate air quantity to the operating components can be used. The tubing must be rated for pressures greater than the design working pressure of the invention  10 . The poly tubing  430  for the prototype is rated at 150 psi air or water pressure. The poly tubing  430  is cut to length for each application to ensure that there is minimal bend stress and no kinking with the tubing. The five pieces of poly tubing  430  are connected via the push-to-connect fittings  410  and  420 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1, and 2 , the safety interlock push button  505  is mounted on the safety interlock push button enclosure  510 . As seen in  FIGS. 6B, and 11A , providing a safety interlock push button  505 , physically requires two handed operation to electrically energize either of the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  or  545 , which ensures that the operator&#39;s hands are free from the operating components during operation. The safety interlock push button  510  for the prototype is a momentary plastic pushbutton with one normally open contactor attached. The safety interlock push button contactor should be rated for at least 200% of the maximum current rating of the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545 . When the safety interlock push button  505  is in the non-depressed position no power is routed through the safety interlock push button&#39;s  505  normally open contact to the 3 position control switch  520 . It is not the inventor&#39;s intention to limit future models solely to a push button type safety interlock switch. 
     Note: The invention  10  can be produced without the safety interlock push button  505 , but for personnel protection the inventor recommends that consumer models of the invention  10  incorporate the safety interlock switch  505 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1, and 2 , the 3 position control switch  520  is mounted on the control switch enclosure  530 . As seen in  FIGS. 11A, and 11B  when the 3 position control switch  520  is operated in conjunction with the Safety Interlock Switch  505 , 110 VAC electrical power is routed to one of the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  or  545 . The 3 position control switch  520  is a 3-position plastic selector switch with two normally open momentary contacts. The control switch  520  contactors  570  should be rated for at least 200% of the maximum current rating of the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545 . When the 3 position control switch  520  is in the mid position no power is routed through the two normally open contacts to either of the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  or  545 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-6B, 11A, and 11B , the safety interlock push button enclosure  510  and control switch enclosure  530  provide the control interface for the invention  10 . The safety interlock push button enclosure  510  and control switch enclosure  530  provides for power isolation, distribution and control. The enclosures are the mounting point for the safety interlock push button  505  and the 3 position control switch  520 , and allow for the safe connection of the power and control wiring. The safety interlock push button enclosure  510  and control switch enclosure  530  for the prototype invention  10  are 600 VAC, wall mount, thermoplastic ABS, pushbutton/3 position control switch enclosures with a screw type cover. Any pushbutton enclosure that meets the requirements of safely providing power and control functions to the invention  10  is acceptable for use. The safety interlock push button enclosure  510  and control switch enclosure  530  are through wall mounted to the operating platform  600 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, 11A, and 11B , two 3-way solenoid control valves i.e. the crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  540  and the ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  545  are the components used to route air/gas at ˜100 psig to the crushing cylinder  200  and the ejection cylinder  300 . The prototype crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  540  and the ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  545  are 110 VAC 3-port (3-way) stackable poppet style, 2-position, normally closed, spring return, aluminum bodied solenoid valves. The two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545  each have two FNPT inlets, one FNPT outlet, and one exhaust vent hole. The two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545  for the prototype invention  10  each have a flow Coefficient (Cv) of 0.05 and are rated at 3.5 VA at 120 VAC and have 11 mm DIN style wiring plugs. Any appropriately rated solenoid valves that can perform the function of reliably routing air/gas to the working components of the invention  10  are acceptable for use. As seen in  FIG. 11A , the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545  are normally de-energized with the 3-way valve blocking air to the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  over piston area and the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  over piston area. Also, the vent path from the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  over piston area and ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  over piston areas are open allowing the crushing cylinder return spring  202  and ejection cylinder return spring  306  to retract the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  and ejection cylinder actuator piston  302 . Energizing either of two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  or  545  repositions the associated 3-way valve, closing the vent path and routing air to the associated cylinders over piston area allowing it to perform its intended function. 
     As seen in  FIG. 11A , the control wiring  560  and contactors  570  in conjunction with the safety interlock push button  505  and 3 position control switch  520  provide the means to route 110 VAC control power to the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545  solenoids. The control wiring  560  for the prototype invention  10  is 14 gauge red, green &amp; white, stranded copper wires rated for 600V. Any control wiring which meets the electrical ratings of the operating components is acceptable for use. The control wiring  560  is cut to length and ties the 3 position control switch contactors  570  outputs to the two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545  solenoids input terminals. The control wiring  560  to each solenoid is wrapped in a UL listed plastic wire wrap. The contactors  570  for the prototype invention  10  are contained in contact blocks which are rated for standard 50/60 Hz AC up to 600 VAC. The contact ratings must be sufficient to meet the continuous operating and make/break current requirements of the invention  10 . Each contact block contains one normally open contact. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-5D , the power cord  580  for the prototype invention  10 , is not shown in full detail but is described here. The power cord  580  for the prototype invention  10 , is a 15 foot, medium duty, braided copper  3  wire, grounded power cord. The power cord  580  wire ends are terminated and spliced inside the safety interlock push button enclosure  510 . The power cord  580  from the safety interlock push button enclosure  510  to the control switch enclosure  530  is a medium duty, braided copper  3  wire, grounded, power cord which is terminated and spliced inside the two switch enclosures to supply 110 VAC control power to the invention  10 . Any appropriately rated grounded power cord is acceptable for use. A 15 ft minimum length power cord is desirable for convenience. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the prototype invention&#39;s two 3-way solenoid control valves  540  and  545  are mounted to individual solenoid control valve mounting brackets  550 , with the associated individual mounting brackets through wall mounted to the operating platform  600 . The remaining mounting hardware for the invention  10  is off-the-shelf appropriately sized and rated stainless steel and zinc alloy screws, nuts, bolts and washers. An adhesive wire retainer  585  is used to secure the power cord  580  to the operating platform which limits movement of the power cord  580  between the wire retainer and the safety interlock push button enclosure  510  to prevent stress on the electrical connections inside the safety interlock push button enclosure  510 . Any appropriately rated mounting hardware is acceptable for use. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-6B , the operating platform  600  is the mounting point and human interface point for all of the invention&#39;s components. The prototype operating platform  600  is a 12 inch, by 18 inch, by 0.375 inch, off-the-shelf nylon cutting board. The prototype operating platform  600  has four synthetic cork legs attached that support the platform and provide for vibration dampening. It is the inventor&#39;s intention that production models of the invention  10  would use rubber feet/legs in place of the synthetic cork legs. The legs provide a gap between the operating platform and the operating interface surface; typically a table, and allow for through wall attachment of the invention&#39;s components. Through wall mounting/attachment is an important aspect of the invention&#39;s robustness. The operating platform  600  can be made out of any material that is robust and has the properties to allow it to endure the stresses associated with the operation of the invention  10 . Light materials are preferred. 
     User supplied air/gas at ˜100 psig is the motive force of the invention  10 . The air/gas source should be filtered and dried to increase the life span of the components. The inventor uses a standard shop/home air compressor which supplies filtered and dried compressed air at ˜100 psig. However, any inert non-corrosive gas can be used as the motive force for the invention  10 , for example; bottled compressed air, N 2 , or Co2 gas regulated to 100 psig would be viable options. In the event that a high pressure supply is used and regulated to ˜100 psig the inventor recommends adding a 125 psig safety relief valve to the pneumatic manifold  400  to protect the invention  10  from over pressurization in the event of a pressure regulator failure. The motive force source shall be supplied at a pressure less than the maximum design pressure of the components, but as high as possible to maximize the crushing capabilities of the crushing cylinder  200 . Lower motive force (pressure) results in less crushing pressure: F=P×A. 
     DETAILED OPERATING DESCRIPTION 
     There are three main processes that are used to perform the invention&#39;s intended function; loading, crushing, and ejection/collection. Each step of the process is described in detail below. 
     Note: This description assumes that the invention  10  has qualified sources of power and air supplied to it and that the invention  10  is in the standby condition. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A  the invention  10  is loaded manually by physically placing an aluminum can  700 , top up, into the crushing chamber  160 . The aluminum can  700  is loaded so that it is sitting on the lower containment floor/crushing base  150  and is pressed into the crushing chamber  160  up against the position spacers  170 . 
     Note: The invention  10  is capable of crushing cans that have no dents or imperfections, but an undented can takes the most force to crush. Therefore it is recommended, but not required, that while loading the can to be crushed to make a small indention in the middle area of the can. It only takes a small indention/imperfection to help in the crushing process. 
     With a can properly loaded the crushing process can be performed. As seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, 5A-5C, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 11A, and 11B , while standing or sitting in the operating position, perform the following: With your left hand, depress and hold the safety interlock push button  505  in the depressed position, and with your right hand turn and hold the 3 position control switch  520  to the RIGHT momentary positon. When the safety interlock push button  505  is depressed the normally open safety interlock push button  505  contactor  570  closes and routes power to the 3 position control switch  520 . With the 3 position control switch  520  in the RIGHT positon, the RIGHT normally open contactor  570  attached to the 3 position control switch  520  closes, routing 110 VAC power to the crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid valve  540 , solenoid. When the crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid valve  540 , solenoid is energized it repositions the 3-way solenoid valve, which routes ˜100 psig air to the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  over piston area. The ˜100 psig air causes the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  and hub type crushing head  210  to stroke downward to the extended position. As the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  and the hub type crushing head  210  stroke to the extended position the following three things happen: 1. Air is vented off the under piston area of the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  via the under piston crushing cylinder vent hole  208 . 2. The crushing cylinder return spring  206  is compressed. 3. The hub type crushing head  210  impacts the can with ˜170 lbs force and crushes the can. The crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  and the hub type crushing head  210  stay in the extended position as long as adequate air is supplied to the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  over piston area. 
     When the Crushing Process is complete, turn the 3 position control switch  520  to the MID stay-put positon and release the safety interlock push button  505 . When the 3 position control switch  520  is placed in the MID stay-put positon or the safety interlock push button  505  is released, their associated contactors  570  return to the normally open position interrupting the 110 VAC power to the crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid valve  540 , solenoid. When the crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid valve  540 , solenoid is de-energized the crushing cylinder 3-way solenoid valve  540  repositions blocking air to the crushing cylinder  200  and venting the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  over piston area to atmosphere. As the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  over piston area is vented the crushing cylinder return spring  206  causes the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  to stroke to the retracted position. As the crushing cylinder actuator rod  204  strokes to the retracted position air is drawn into the crushing cylinder actuator piston  202  under piston area via the crushing cylinder vent hole  208 . The invention  10  is now ready for the ejection Process. Note: Occasionally more than one crushing stroke may be required to crush a can completely. 
     Once the can is crushed the ejection process is performed. As seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, 5C, 5D, 6B, 9, 10, 11A, and 11B , while standing or sitting in the operating position perform the following: With your left hand, depress and hold the safety interlock push button  505  in the depressed position and with your right hand turn and HOLD the 3 position control switch  520  in the LEFT momentary positon. When the safety interlock push button  505  is depressed the normally open safety interlock push button  505  contactor  570  closes and routes power to the 3 position control switch  520 . With the 3 position control switch  520  in the LEFT positon, the LEFT normally open contactor  570  attached to the 3 position control switch  520  closes, routing 110 VAC power to the ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  545 , solenoid. When the ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid valve  545 , solenoid is energized it repositions the 3-way solenoid valve, which routes ˜100 psig air to the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  over piston area. The ˜100 psig air causes the ejection cylinder actuator rod  304  and the ejection ram  330  to stroke linearly to the extended position. As the ejection cylinder actuator rod  304  and ejection ram  330  stroke to the extended position the following three things happen: 1. Air is vented off the under piston area of the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  via the under piston ejection cylinder vent hole  308 . 2. The ejection cylinder return spring  306  is compressed. 3. The ejection ram  330  impacts the crushed can with ˜40 lbs force and ejects the can from the crushing chamber  160 . The ejection cylinder actuator rod  304  and ejection ram  330  stay in the extended position as long as adequate air is supplied to the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  over piston area. 
     When the Ejection Process is complete, turn the 3 position control switch  520  to the MID stay-put positon and release the safety interlock push button  505 . When the 3 position control switch  520  is placed in the MID stay-put positon or the safety interlock push button  505  is released, their associated contactors  570  return to the normally open position, interrupting the 110 VAC power to the ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  545 , solenoid. When the ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  545 , solenoid is de-energized the ejection cylinder 3-way solenoid control valve  545  repositions blocking air to the ejection cylinder  300  and venting the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  over piston area to atmosphere. As the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  over piston area is vented the ejection cylinder return spring  306  causes the ejection cylinder actuator rod  304  to stroke to the retracted position. As the ejection cylinder actuator rod  304  strokes to the retracted position air is drawn into the ejection cylinder actuator piston  302  under piston area via the ejection cylinder vent hole  308 . The invention  10  is now ready for the next can crushing cycle. Note: Occasionally more than one ejection stroke may be required to eject a can. 
     This detailed description is not intended to limit the scope of materials or manufacturing processes used to produce future models. Since changes may be made to the presented apparatus without changing the scope or method of the invention as presented, it is intended that all matter in the above description, including drawings shall be consider illustrative and not in a limiting or constraining sense.