GB2233594A

GB2233594A - A can crushing device

Info

Publication number: GB2233594A
Application number: GB9008252A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Richard Mulley; James Edward Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-07-07
Filing date: 1990-04-11
Publication date: 1991-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-11
Also published as: GB9008252D0; GB2233594B; GB8915677D0

Abstract

A can crushing device comprises a platform 27 upon which a can 37 to be crushed is supported, a plunger 23 which is movable between a raised position and a lowered position to crush the can, and means for moving the plunger between the raised and lowered positions. The device may also comprise a housing 19 to enclose a can. A can is located by projection 28, on the platform. A handle 26 acts through a pinion 21 and a rack 22 to raise and lower the plunger. The plunger may be retained in its racked position by a rubber ring 35 engaging rack 22. The plunger 23 carries projections 38 which effect initial localised can deformation. The housing 19 has a pivoted door (30, Fig. 9) which cannot be opened unless the plunger is in the raised position. In an alternative embodiment, the plunger (5, Fig. 1) can be swung clear of a housing (11) to allow a can to be dropped into the housing (11). The crushed can is removed from the housing through a bottom aperture (14). The plunger may be moved between raised and lowered positions by an electric motor. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION A Can Crushing Device.

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a can crushing device.

There has been increasing concern in recent years relating to the protection of the environment and the conservation of raw materials. This has resulted in an increase in the recycling of products formed from materials which may be re-used.

One example is the recyling of aluminium cans such as are commonly used to contain drinks. The empty cans are collected and transported to a recyling plant. In their normal state an aluminium can accommodates a considerable volume of space in relation to the amount of material from which the can is formed. Transportation and handling of the empty cans is made considerably easier and more cost efficient if the can is initially crushed so as to minimise the volume of space which it accommodates during transportation. Previously cans have been compacted by standing the can upright on the ground and crushing the can underfoot so that the can is compacted along its longitudinal axis.

Crushing a can in this way has normally involved going out of doors in order to place the can on solid ground.

Stamping on a can in this way can sometimes be dangerous in that the foot or ankle of the person stamping on the can may easily be injured.

The present invention seeks to provide a can crushing device which does not suffer from the problems outlined above.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a can crushing device comprising a platform to support a can to be crushed, a plunger movable between raised and lowered positions above the platform and means for moving the plunger between the raised and lowered positions.

Preferably the device has a planar base and is freestanding.

Conveniently the platform is formed upon the upper surface of the base.

The platform may incorporate locating means to facilitate correct positioning of a can on the platform.

The locating means may comprise a raised portion formed on the platform, the raised portion being configured and dimensioned to be received in a recess formed in one end of a can.

Advantageously the device incorporates a housing which substantially surrounds a can located upon the platform during crushing of the can. The housing may be of generally tubular form and may be mounted upon the base of the device.

In one embodiment the housing has an open upper end and defines an aperture extending into the housing adjacent its lower end, the aperture serving as an outlet for a crushed can.

In an alternative embodiment the housing is formed with a door movable between an open position which permits the insertion of a can into the housing and a closed position in which the can is fully surrounded by the housing.

Preferably the door incorporates a safety feature which prevents the door from being opened unless the plunger is in the raised position and which prevents the plunger from moving towards the lowered position when the door is open.

The means for moving the plunger between the raised and lowered positions comprise manually operable means, such as a rack and pinion drive arrangement, the pinion being mounted for rotation by means of a manually operable handle.

The plunger may be connected to an element which supports the pinion, rotation of the pinion causing movement of the element and the plunger between the raised and lowered positions.

Alternatively the plunger may be mounted upon the lower end of the rack, rotation of the pinion causing movement of the rack and the plunger between raised and lowered positions.

Rather than being manual the means for moving the plunger between the raised and lowered positions may comprise an electric motor.

Preferably the device incorporates means for releasably retaining the plunger in the raised position.

The releasable retaining means may comprise a flexible member located in the device and configured to engage and grip the upper end of the rack when the plunger is in the raised position, such as an 0being.

Conveniently the plunger incorporates one or more projections on its underside designed to engage a can to be crushed and effect an initial deformation of the can before the main body of the plunger engages the can.

In a second aspect this invention provides a method of crushing a can, said method comprising the steps of locating the can on the platform of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, and moving the plunger from a raised position to a lowered position so as to crush the can between the plunger and the platform.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a can crushing device in accordance with one embodiment of this invention; FIGURE 2 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2; FIGURE 4 is a schematic, cross-sectional view on the line IV-IV shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 5 is a side view of a can crushing device in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention; FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 5; FIGURE 7 is a schematic, cross-sectional view through the device shown in Figures 5 and 6;; FIGURE 8 is a schematic, cross-sectional view on the line VIII-VIII shown in Figure 7; and FIGURE 9 is a schematic, cross-sectional view on the line IX-IX shown in Figure 7.

Referring initially to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a can crushing device comprises a substantially planar base plate 1 carrying an upstanding column 2 which is formed with a toothed rack 3 over the majority of its length from a position spaced upwardly of the base plate 1 to a point spaced from the uppermost end of the column.

The column 2 carries a tubular element 4 which surrounds the column and which is connected to a disc-like circular plunger 5 by means of a web 6. The plunger lies in a horizontal plane, to one side of the column 2, above the base 1.

The element 4 is formed, adjacent its upper end, with an additional housing portion 7 within which a pinion or gear wheel 8 is rotatably mounted so as to engage the teeth of the rack 3. The pinion 8 is rigidly mounted upon a shaft 9 which passes out of the housing portion 7 and extends into a manually rotatable cranked handle 10.

Rotation of the handle 10 causes rotation of the pinion 8 which results in the tubular element and the plunger 5 moving relative to the rack 3. In this way the plunger (and the element 4 and handle 10) are movable between a raised position shown in solid lines in Figure 1 and a lowered position shown in dotted lines. Thus, rotating the handle 10 in one direction will raise the plunger whilst rotating the handle 10 in the opposite direction will lower the plunger.

The device is provided with a substantially tubular housing 11 of a height and diameter designed to accommodate standard sizes of drinks cans. A drinks can 12 is shown in chain-dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The housing 11 is mounted on the base 1 adjacent the column 2, beneath the plunger 5 and has an open upper end 13 and an aperture 14 at its lower end, the aperture extending around approximately half the circumference of the tubular housing at a position remote from the column 2. The aperture 14 forms an outlet for a crushed can.

A can receiving platform 15 is mounted on the base 1 within the housing 11.

When in the raised position the plunger 5 is disposed just above the upper end of the housing 11 and may be rotated about the column 2 (together with the element 4 and the handle 10) by means of a groove or recess 16 formed in the column 2 at a position adjacent the top of the teeth in the rack 3, the groove or recess 16 allowing the pinion 8 to move out of engagement with the teeth and to rotate around the column 2, within the recess 16, by an amount sufficient to allow the plunger 5 to move clear of the upper end of the housing 11.

When the plunger has been rotated or swung clear of the housing 11 a can may be dropped into the housing via the open upper end 13 and will stand on the platform 15.

The plunger 5 is then again rotated about the column 2 until the pinion 8 engages the teeth in the rack 3. At this point the plunger 5 is aligned centrally above the housing 11, as shown in Figure 3. As can be seen, the diameter of the housing 11 is slightly larger than the diameter of the plunger 5. This is to accommodate sideways expansion of a can when it is crushed. The handle 10 is now rotated so as to lower the plunger 6. A knob 17 is provided on the upper end of the column 2 which may be held as the handle 10 is rotated in order to ensure that the device remains stable during crushing. As the plunger is lowered so the can in the housing 11 is crushed. The underside of the plunger may be provided with one or more small projections which engage the can before the main body of the plunger and effect an initial deformation of the can.

When the can is fully crushed it is of a height slightly less than that of the aperture 14 at the bottom of the housing 11 and can therefore easily be removed from the housing through that aperture. An ejector spring may be mounted at the base of the housing opposite the aperture 14 so as to automatically eject the crushed can from the housing once the pressure exerted on the can by the plunger 6 is released.

The handle 10 is then rotated in the opposite direction so as to raise the plunger 6 and the device is ready to receive another can to be crushed.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 of the drawings, this design of crushing device has a planar base 18 carrying an upstanding, tubular housing 19 provided at its upper end with a cover 20. The cover 20 accommodates a pinion 21 which engages teeth formed on a rack 22 which passes through the cover 20 and carries a plunger 23 at its lower end. The plunger 23 is received within the tubular housing 19, whilst the upper end of the rack 22 extends upwardly out of the cover 20 and is enclosed within a tubular extension 24. The pinion 21 is mounted upon a shaft 25 which is connected to a rotatable handle 26.

Looking at the various components of this second embodiment in more detail, the base 18 defines an upstanding platform 27 within the lower end of the housing 19, the platform 27 itself carrying an upwardly extending projection 28 which serves as a locating means for a can to be crushed.

Most conventional drinks cans are formed with a recess in their base and the projection 28 is dimensioned to be received within that recess so as to correctly locate a can upon the platform 27. The lower end of the housing 19 is secured to the upstanding platform 27 of the base by means of bolts or the like 29. The housing 19 is effectively formed in two semi-circular parts, with one part forming a hinged door 30. The hinge of the door 30 is formed with a small projection 31 which extends into the housing when the door is in the open position, as shown in Figure 9 but lies immediately adjacent the internal surface of the housing 11 when the door is in the closed position. This position of the projection 31 is illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 9.The projection 31 extends over the full length of the door hinge and, when the door is in the open position, prevents the downward movement of the plunger 23 since the projection extends beneath the plunger. However, when the door is closed the projection is moved to one side and allows the downward movement of the plunger.

The cover 20 is formed as a generally dome-shaped component. The cover defines a central, vertically extending bore 32 which snuggly receives the rack 22 and guides vertical movement of the rack. The pinion 21 is received within a cut-out portion in the cover 20 and is rotatably mounted therein. When the rack 22 is received within the bore 32 the teeth of the pinion 21 engage the teeth of the rack 22. Rotation of the handle 26 causes the pinion 21 to rotate which in turn raises or lowers the rack 22 and the plunger 23 carried on the lower end thereof.

The lower, outer edge of the cover 20 defines a shoulder 33 which enables the cover 20 to be located upon the open, upper end of the tubular housing 19. The central, upper region of the cover 20 defines an upstanding projection 34 which is dimensioned to receive the extension 24. The uppermost end of the extension 24 accommodates an O-ring 35 formed of rubber or a similar flexible material.

The O-ring 35 is designed to engage and grip the upper end of the rack 22 when the plunger is in the raised position, thereby retaining the rack and the plunger in the raised position, as shown in Figure 7. A knob 36 is mounted on the free end of the extension 24.

A can 37 is illustrated in chain dotted lines in Figure 7 of the drawings and is inserted into the housing 19 by opening the door 30 whilst the plunger 23 is in the raised position. The can is located upon the projection 28 defined by the platform 27 and the door 30 is closed. As the door is closed the projection 31 moves away from underneath the plunger 23 and the plunger is now able to move in a downwards direction. The handle 26 is rotated so as to lower the rack 22 and the plunger 23 into engagement with the can 37. The underside of the plunger 23 carries a plurality of small, downwardly directed projections 38 which initially engage the can and effect a small, initial deformation of the can in order to reduce the force which must be exerted in order to overcome the initial resistance to crushing.Continued rotation of the handle 26 lowers the plunger 23 and crushes the can. When the can has been fully crushed, the plunger 23 must be raised by rotating the handle 26 in the opposite direction before the door 30 can be opened, because the projection 31 will otherwise simply engage the side of the plunger 23, thereby preventing opening of the door. Once the plunger has been fully raised the door 30 can be opened and the crushed can removed. The device is now ready to receive a further can for crushing.

It will be appreciated that the design of the door hinge, including the projection 31 effectively constitutes a safety feature which prevents the door 30 from being opened unless the plunger 23 is in the fully raised position. The projection 31 also serves to prevent the plunger from moving towards the lowered position when the door 30 is open.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to either of the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, it is to be appreciated that the plunger may be driven by means of an electric motor rather than a manually operated rack and pinion drive arrangement.

Claims

1. A can crushing device comprising a platform to support a can to be crushed, a plunger movable between raised and lowered positions above the platform and means for moving the plunger between the raised and lowered positions.

2. A can crushing device according to Claim 1 wherein the device has a planar base and is free-standing.

3. A can crushing device according to Claim 2 wherein the platform is formed upon the upper surface of the base.

4. A can crushing device according to Claim 3 wherein the platform incorporates locating means to facilitate correct positioning of a can on the platform.

5. A can crushing device according to Claim 4 wherein the locating means comprise a raised portion formed on the platform, the raised portion being configured and dimensioned to be received in a recess formed in one end of a can.

6. A can crushing device according to any one of Clanks 2 to 5 wherein the device incorporates a hcus nb wr i or substantially surrounds a can located upon the platform during crushing of the can.

7. A can crushing device according to Claim 6 wherein the housing is of generally tubular form and is mounted upon the base of the device.

8. A can crushing device according to Claim 7 wherein the housing has an open upper end and defines an aperture extending into the housing adjacent its lower end, the aperture serving as an outlet for a crushed can.

9. A can crushing device according to Claim 7 wherein the housing is formed with a door movable between an open position which permits the insertion of a can into the housing and a closed position in which the can is fully surrounded by the housing.

10. A can crushing device according to Claim 9 wherein the door incorporates a safety feature which prevents the door from being opened unless the plunger is in the raised position and which prevents the plunger from moving towards the lowered position when the door is open.

11. A can crushing device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for moving the plunger between the raised and lowered positions comprise manually operable means.

12. A can crushing device according to Claim 7 wherein the manually operable means comprise l rack and pinion drive arrangement, the pinion being mounted for rotation by means of a manually operable handle.

13. A can crushing device according to Claim 12 wherein the plunger is connected to an element which supports the pinion, rotation of the pinion causing movement of the element and the plunger between the raised an lowered positions.

14. A can crushing device according to Claim 12 wherein the plunger is mounted upon the lower end of the rack, rotation of the pinion causing movement of the rack and the plunger between raised and lowered positions.

15. A can crushing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the means for moving the plunger between the raised and lowered positions comprise an electric motor.

16. A can crushing device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the device incorporates means for releasably retaining the plunger in the raised position.

17. A can crushing device according to Claim 16, as dependant upon Claim 14, wherein the releasable retaining means comprise a flexible member located in the device and configured to engage and grip the upper end of the rack when the plunger is in the raised position.

18. A can crushing device according to Claim 17 wherein the flexible member comprises an O-ring.

19. A can crushing device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plunger incorporates one or more projections on its underside designed to engage a can to be crushed and effect an initial deformation of the can before the main body of the plunger engages the can.

20. A method of crushing a can, said method comprising the steps of locating the can on the platform of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, and moving the plunger from a raised position to a lowered pcitio to crush te can between the plunger and the platfor:.

21. A can crushing device substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A can crushing device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.