IES20150159A2 - Multi functional compactor and crusher apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Multi-functional compactor and crusher apparatus. The present invention relates to a manual crushing, folding and compacting all types of recycle or refuse items especially metal cans, cardboard and plastic waste containers. The invention may be an attachment for recycling or refuse containers. The purpose of the invention is a multi-functional waste compactor and crusher that provides an effective solution to increasing the capacity of refuse and recycling containers. The invention can be placed on a recycling or refuse container. <Figure 1>

Description

The field of Invention The present invention relates to a manual crushing, folding and compacting all types of recycle or refuse items especially metal cans, cardboard and plastic waste containers. The invention may be an attachment for recycling or refuse containers.

Background to Invention It is common for refuse and recycling containers to exceed its capacity. Often waste contents of an over crammed waste container can fall out of their containers and not be completely collected by a waste contractor. This can leave an unsightly mess and can be time consuming to clean up.

The capacity of a waste container is increased if waste items are compacted and crushed effectively. As a result it may be more efficient, cost effective and allow for better waste and recycling management There are many prior art on compacting waste material. They compact waste material by many different means but do not address a crushing of single items as a method of increasing the capacity of a container.

Several prior art shows inventions with a compacting refuse container and not an attachment for existing domestic or industrial waste containers. This may be an expensive option and may not be a solution to households with a general refuse and recycling container. - 2Some existing compactors may not be secure when placed on a domestic refuse or recycling container.

Also some prior art do not address compacting and crushing of recyclable items, especially as many items ideal for recycling are bulky and can fill a container easily if not crushed. As a result items for recycling may be placed in a general refuse container.

There are can/tin crushing products available on the market but are generally designed for aluminium cans or tins, but not for large metal cans/tins that are hard to crush.

A compacting and crushing apparatus that could be an attachment for existing waste containers is a great advantage especially when recycling items that can be bulky and hard to compress.

As a result a multi functional waste compactor and crusher apparatus that solves the aforementioned problems is desired. - 3Summary of the Invention The purpose of the invention is a multi functional waste compactor and crusher that may provide an effective solution to increasing the capacity of refuse and recycling containers.

The present invention relates to a complete apparatus for compacting and crushing items that can be placed on refuse and recycling containers, commonly known as a wheelie bin, that is easy to operate.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a multi functional compactor and crusher apparatus comprising of a main frame of a front, back and middle stabilising bars, with container holding hooks attached to the said back stabilising bar, an attached curved handle lever, a foldable compacting foot base, a positioning pin located on the middle stabilising bar, a ridged based top crushing plate attached to the said curved handle lever and a bottom crushing plate attached to the said middle stabilising bar.

The invention comprises of a main frame that may sit on top of an opened refuse or recycling container. The main frame comprises of a front stabilising bar attached to a middle stabilising bar, which may be attached to a back stabilising bar.

According to the invention a handle lever is attached to the main frame to allow the user to compact and crush refuse and recycle items.

In one embodiment the handle lever may be attached to the centre of the middle stabilising frame. This may allow the invention to be more stable on the recycling or refuse container when the user is putting downward pressure into the centre of the main frame rather than the back of the frame. - 4The handle lever may be curved for ease of use, as the user can apply less downward pressure when using the multi functional waste compactor and crusher.

The curved handle lever also may make it easier for the user to reach up and pull down the lever without over stretching.

The curved handle lever may provide a hand grip area. The handle may have a textured soft material like rubber that may allow the user to grip the handle and prevent slipping. The handle hand area may be located at the top end of the handle lever which may make it easy for the user to use with less downward pressure.

In the preferred embodiment the curved handle lever may have a hinged foldable compacting foot base. The compacting foot base may fold back up into the handle lever to allow the user use the crusher apparatus function when not operating the compactor.

The compacting foot base may have an indentation that may allow for a pin or any suitable device to securely hold the compacting foot base up into the curved handle lever when not being operated.

The curved handle lever may also have an indentation for a locking device like a pin or means of a hook that the compacting foot base connects to and is held securely in place.

In another embodiment the pin may be permanently fixed to the handle lever by a chain.

The shape of the compacting foot base may be curved or hollowed to allow it to fold neatly back up into the handle lever.

The compacting foot base may comprise of a horizontal strong constructed centre bar that may provide extra strength to the compacting foot and allow it to function more efficiently and allow for greater downward pressure. - 5The compacting foot base may be shaped to suit the contour of a recycling and refuse container, allowing the user to apply force to all areas or target a specific area in the container especially in the corners.

In one embodiment the compacting foot base may be telescopic which gives the advantage of allowing the user to compact recycling/refuse container at different levels. As a result the user can start compacting the recycling/refuse container contents when half full rather than waiting until the bin is full.

In another embodiment the compacting base foot may be attached to the handle lever by a pivot hinge allowing the user to target specific areas in a recycling/refuse container to compact.

In a further embodiment the compacting foot base may be placed on the crushing bottom base plate to allow the user easy access to the recycling or refuse container when not compacting or crushing items.

The bottom crushing plate may have an indent or hook to hold the compacting foot base securely when not being used.

According to this invention the crushing apparatus is ideal for crushing metal cans or cardboard cartons, however it is not limited to these items. Metal cans and cardboard cartons can easily fill a recycling or refuse container. In particular larger metal cans may be difficult to compress. The multi functional waste compactor and crusher may make it easy for a user to compress and compact without having to use separate devices.

The invention may comprise of a top and bottom crushing plates to crush items as desired by the user. The user may place an item for crushing between the top and bottom plate.

A top crushing plate may be attached to the handle lever. The top crushing plate may be pressed down into a bottom crushing plate. The - 6top and bottom crushing plates may be constructed of any suitable shape and material.

The top crushing plate may have a ridge underneath that presses in to the crushed item that forces the item to weaken easily and forces it to fold and crush without much downward force.

The bottom crushing plate may be attached to the main frame ofthe invention and is positioned to hold the item for crushing.

The bottom crushing base plate may be curved to facilitate the item being crushed.

In one embodiment when the item has been crushed, a hinged system may be attached to the bottom crushing plate and handle lever that may lift up to release and drop the item into the recycling or refuse container. As a result the user does not have to touch the crushed item and place it in the bin.

The bottom crushing plate may comprise of an opening area in the centre that facilitates the top plate ridge to be pushed down further into the item, crushing it more effectively. The opening area in the bottom crushing plate centre positions items to be centred with the top plate ridge, which may allow the ridge to crush the item in the centre, and crushing it evenly and efficiently.

The bottom crushing plate centre opening area may also allow the user to access a positioning pin located on the middle stabilising bar. The positioning pin may be slotted into many positions to hold different sized items for crushing in place. The positioning pin may allow the crushing apparatus to be suitable for any size and shape of item for crushing while been held firmly and securely in place during operation. The positioning pin may comprise of any shape and design suitable to hold the item for crushing in place. - 7ln one embodiment the top of the positioning pin may be angled to hold items like metal cans securely when being crushed.

According to the invention the multi functional compactor and crusher may be placed on top of an opened recycling or refuse container. The invention may be attached to a container by holding hooks or any suitable method.

In a preferred embodiment the invention may have two holding hooks, but not limited to two, especially depending on the size of recycling or refuse container. The holding hooks may be attached to the handle or lid hinge part of the recycling or refuse container.

When the invention is not being used, the holding hooks may have a further advantage of being suitable to be hung on the back of the handle area of a recycling or refuse container and stored neatly away.

In one embodiment the holding hooks may be attached to the back stabilising bar by a curved connection bar. The curved connection bar may be flat and allow the lid of a recycling or refuse container to be closed while the invention is still placed inside. As a result the user can keep the invention on their recycling or refuse container at all times.

According to the invention the base of the front stabilising bar may have two or more angled guides that may secure and stabilise the invention inside the recycling or refuse container and prevent the invention from moving when being operated.

In another embodiment the front stabilising bar may allow for an overhang feature at each end of the bar to allow the invention to function on different size recycling or refuse containers and allow for the containers lid to easily close while the invention is still in the container.

Additionally the invention may have domestic and industrial applications. - 8 Brief description of the drawings These and other characteristics of the invention will be clear from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawing wherein: Fig 1 shows a perspective view according to the present invention in an open demonstrating position on a recycling/refuse container.

Fig 2 shows a plan view according to the present invention in a closed position.

Fig 3 shows a top view of a top crushing plate according to the present invention.

Fig 3.1 shows a side elevation of a top crushing plate according to the present invention.

Fig 3.2 shows a bottom elevation of a top crushing plate according to the present invention.

Fig 4 shows a plan view of a base crushing plate according to the present invention.

Fig 4.1 shows a side elevation of a base crushing plate according to the present invention.

A detailed description of a preferential embodiment with reference to the attached drawing, Fig 1 shows a perspective view of the invention in an open demonstrating position on a recycling/refuse container.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a multi functional compactor and crusher apparatus comprising of a main frame (1) of a front (2), back (3) and middle (4) stabilising bar frame; a curved handle lever (5); a foldable compacting foot base (6); and a top (7) and bottom (8) crushing plate.

The invention comprises of a main frame (1) that may sit on top of an opened refuse or recycling container. The main frame comprises of a front stabilising bar (2) attached to a middle stabilising bar (4), which may be attached to a back stabilising bar (3).

In a preferred embodiment a curved handle lever (5) may be attached to the main frame (1) by a hinge (14) or suitable method to the back stabilising bar. In one embodiment a curved handle lever (5) may be attached to the main frame (1) by a hinge (14) or suitable method to the middle stabilising bar (4) which may allow more downward pressure to be placed on the centre of the main frame (1).

The curved handle lever (5) is pulled down to compact or crush items. According to the invention a curved handle lever (5) may require less downward pressure when compacting or crushing recycling or refuse items and may be easier to reach the user handle area (13).

The user handle area (13) may be located at the top end of the curved handle lever (5). The preferred embodiment may have a suitable soft textured grip material on the user handle area (13) to make the invention comfortable to grip and use.

According to the invention the foldable compacting foot base (6) may be attached to the curved handle lever (5) by a hinge (10) or any suitable method.

The foldable compacting foot base (6) may comprise of a vertical bar (6a) attached to the centre of a horizontal strength bar (6b) which may allow the user to apply more downward force when compacting recycling or refuse items. In further embodiments the vertical bar (6a) may be telescopic or pivoted and comprise of many different various lengths.

The foldable compacting foot base (6) may be curved inward (11) which may allow the compacting foot base to fit neatly up into the curved handle lever (5) as illustrated in a plan view in Fig. 2. A hook (12) or pin indent as illustrated on Fig 2. 12 (a) located on the curved handle lever (5) may securely hold the compacting foot base when not being used.

The foldable compacting foot base (6) may comprise of any suitable shape to compact recycling or refuse containers' items.

In the preferred embodiment the mainframe (1) may have two holding hooks (17) attached to the back stabilising bar (3) but not limited to two. The holding hooks (17) securely connect the invention on to the top of the recycling/refuse container. The container holding hooks (17) connection bar (17a) may be curved to facilitate the closing of the recycling or refuse containers' lid when the invention may be placed inside. As a result the invention does not have to be continuously placed or removed from the recycling/refuse container.

According to the invention the front stabilising main frame (2) may have 20 an overhang (15) at each end of the bar which may allow the invention to be placed securely on top of the recycling or refuse container.

According to the invention the base of the front stabilising bar (2) may have two or more angled guides (16) that may secure and stabilise the invention from moving inside the recycling or refuse container.

According to the invention the middle stabilising bar (4) may have indents or any suitable method to allow for a positioning pin (9). The positioning pin may hold the item for crushing securely. The positioning pin (9) may slide or drop into suitable indents in the middle stabilising bar (4). - 11The preferred embodiment may have plastic caps (18) to cover and close the end of the stabilising bars.

In the preferred embodiment the invention may comprise of two crushing plates; a top crushing plate (7) and bottom crushing plate (8).

Fig 1 illustrates where the item for crushing (19) may be placed. The crushing plates crush items when an item is placed on the bottom crushing plate (8) and the top crushing plate (7) is pressed downward by the curved handle lever (5).

In one embodiment when an item has been crushed the bottom crushing plate lifts (8) up to release and drop the item into the recycling or refuse container. As a result the user does not have to touch the crushed item and place it in the bin. The bottom crushing plate (8) may be hinged to the front of the front stabilising bar (2). A lift up hinge arm system attached to the middle stabilising bar (4) and curved handle lever (5) may push the bottom crushing plate (8) up to release and drop the crushed item into the recycling or refuse container.

The top crushing plate (7) may be attached to the curved handle lever (5) parallel to the bottom crushing plate (8). The bottom crushing plate (8) may be attached to the middle stabilising bar (4).

The crushing plates are described further in figures 3 to 4.1 Fig 3 is a plan of the top crushing plate (7). Fig 3.1 is a side elevation of the crushing plate. According to the invention to crush items effectively the top crushing plate (7) may have at least one ridge (7a) underneath the plate. The ridge (7a) may create weakness in the item for crushing making it crush and fold effectively without a lot of pressure from the user. Fig 3.2 illustrates underneath the top crushing plate. In the preferred embodiment a ridge (7a) may be located in the centre of the underside of the top crushing plate (7) which may aim to weaken the item for crushing in the centre to efficiently fold and crush - 12the item. The ridge (7a) or ridges may comprise of any suitable shape, length, and depth.

According the invention figure 4 illustrates a plan view of the bottom crushing plate (8). The overall outer shape may be constructed to correspond with the top crushing plate (7). The bottom crushing plate (8) may have an outlined centre opening area (8a). The centre opening area (8a) may allow for an item for crushing to stay securely on the bottom crushing plate (8) when being crushed. Also the centre opening area (8a) may allow access to a positioning pin (9) located on the middle stabilising bar (4) which may offer additional secure placement for the item to be crushed effectively.

The centre opening area (8a) may position items for crushing to be aligned with the top plate ridge (7a), which may allow the ridge (7a) to crush down on to the centre of the item and crush it more equally and efficiently.

Figure 4.1 illustrates a side elevation of the bottom crushing plate (8).

The top (7) and bottom (8) crushing plate may be constructed of a different material than the main frame (1).

According to the invention a positioning pin (9) may be located on the middle stabilising bar (4). The positioning pin (9) may slot or slide in to indents on the middle stabilising bar (4) to allow for different size items to be held securely when being crushed between the crushing plates. The top of the positioning pin (9) head may be angled to hold the rim of metal can containers securely. In one embodiment the positioning pin may be fixed to the middle stabilising bar (4) by means of a chain or a suitable device.

In the foregoing description only certain embodiments of the invention have been described. The present invention however is not limited to the embodiments described or illustrated, as modifications, equivalents, - 13alternative materials and additions that can be contemplated by those skilled in the art shall also be considered as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

Claims

1. A multi functional compactor and crushing apparatus comprising of: a main frame (1) of a front (2), back (3) and middle(4) stabilising bars, with container holding hooks attached to the said back stabilising bar (3), an attached curved handle lever (5), a foldable compacting foot base (6), having a vertical bar (6a) attached to the centre of an inner horizontal strength bar (6b) which may allow for more downward force when compacting items, a positioning pin (9) located on the middle stabilising bar, a ridged based top crushing plate (7) attached to the handle lever (5), and a bottom crushing plate (8) attached to the middle stabilising bar(4).

2. A multi functional compactor and crushing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said bottom base crushing plate (8) may have a centred opening area (8a) to allow the item for crushing to be held securely while also allowing access to the said positioning pin (9) located on the said middle stabilising bar (4).

3. A multi functional compactor and crushing apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the said positioning pin (9) may slot or slide in to indents on the middle stabilising bar (4) to allow for different size items to be crushed efficiently.

4. A multi functional compactor and crushing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said foldable compacting foot base (6) may have an inward 5. Curve to allow it to fold neatly back up into the curved handle lever (5).

5. A multi functional compactor and crushing apparatus according to claims 1 to 4 further comprising of a hook (12) or pin area (12a) on the curved handle lever (5) which may securely hold the said compacting base foot

6. 10 (6) when not being operated.