NZ579710A - Can crushing recycling apparatus with a storage area - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a recycling apparatus for crushing items, typically aluminium or tin cans. The apparatus includes a housing which defines an internal space surrounded by side walls (11, 12) and a front wall panel (10) as well as a base member (40). The housing has a number of apertures therein. At least one of the apertures reveals a recessed storage area to allow the storage of an accessory (5, 6). At least one other aperture (19) provides access to a crushing means which allows a can to be inserted, then crushed and ejected out of the apparatus. The crushing means includes opposing lever arms with ends which together form a crushing throat space. One lever arm (17) is stationery while the other lever arm (16) is rotatable to abut the can against the stationary lever arm means to cause crushing. The base member is attached to the stationary lever arm and is held down by the floor which enables the stationery lever arm to remain stationery during operation of the apparatus.

Description

Patents Form # 5 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NO.: 579710 PRIORITY DATE : 16 September 2009 TITLE : RECYCLING AND ACCESSORY STORAGE APPARATUS I, MONTEITH, Stuart Hamilton Address: 483 Drury Hills Road, Drury, Auckland, New Zealand, 2577 Nationality: A citizen of New Zealand do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 192503NZ_Cap_20100913_1059_EHB.doc FEE CODE 1050 Recylcing and accessory storage apparatus 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, 5 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 10 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 15 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 20 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.

G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc Received at IPONZ on 15 December 2011 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 5 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, wherein the housing defines an internal space therein including side walls and a front wall panel, a base member forming a processing path for the item to be crushed, and a floor together to form a space therebetween, the crushing 10 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 stationery while the other lever means can be rotated to abut the item to be crushed against the stationary lever means to cause crushing, the base member also providing an aperture for the stationery lever to pass therethrough and to then held down by the floor thereby enabling the stationery lever 15 means to be stationery.

Preferably, the storage aperture includes a body which is cantilevered from and within the housing to form a recess.

Preferably, the storage aperture includes a body which is shaped for at least a portion of 20 portable vacuum cleaner.

Preferably, the other aperture recess includes the curved passageway within the housing, to allow the item to be directed to be crushed and ejected therefrom.

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 30 accessories.

Preferably, the front wall is a curved front wall and the side walls are upright in orientation.

G:\192503NZ AMND SPEC 15Dec2011 EHB.doc 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 10 accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective upper front view in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear upper perspective view in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of 15 the invention.

Figure 3 is another rear perspective upper view of the invention.

Figure 4 is a rear perspective end view of the invention.

Figure 5 is front end view of the invention.

Figure 6 is top plan view of the invention.

Figure 7 is a side view of one side of the apparatus, showing main internal parts.

Figure 8 is a front end view showing the axis for a sectional view BB.

Figure 9 is a sectional side view along axis BB.

Figure 10 is front end view showing the position of axis for a sectional view CC.

Figure 11 is a sectional side view along axis CC.

Figure 12 is an upper perspective view of the crusher.

Figure 13 is an exploded view of the crusher of figure 12.

Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the crusher.

G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc Figure 15 is a rear elevation view of the crusher.

Figure 16 is a top plan elevation view of the crusher.

Figures 17-21 are cross sectional side views of the apparatus being loaded with a can.

Figure 17 is a side view showing a can being placed in front of the opening Figure 18 is a side view showing the can in the crushing throat.

Figure 19 is a side view showing the can being crushed upon pedal being pressing down. Figure 20 is side view of the apparatus showing the can falling out of the jaws upon pedal 10 release as shown by upwardly pointing arrow.

Figure 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 figures 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 25 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 30 vertical plane and side portions 11 and 12 which are upright and planar. In this example front portion 10 as shown in figures 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 figure 2.

G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc 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 5 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 figure 1 first aperture 18 is square U-shaped formed by having a base aperture 18a in a rectangular shape with upright arm apertures 18b whereby the first lever means 16 operatively protrudes from the upright arm apertures 18b on each side whereas the base aperture 18a 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 figure 7 a portable vacuum cleaner 20 can be located within the pocket 20 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 25 26 for the location of other accessories such as utensils and various tools.

As shown especially in figures 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 3 0 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 18b of the exit aperture 18. The can crushing position is more located at one end or at an upper end of the arms.

G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc First lever means 16 is rotatably connected to second lever means 17 in an opposing type relationship as shown in figure 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 5 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 figures 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 figure 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 15 portion 28b (see figure 3) that allows a portion of the second lever means 17 to extend there through.

First lever means 16 as seen in figure 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, 20 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 3 3 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 25 as shown in figures 12 & 13 can include a rectangular shaped frame and/or plate 36a construction, extending across the space between the arms 33. As shown in figure 13 the plates 36a (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 36a and 45a.

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 G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc time at elbow 44 leading to a second jaw member 45. The second jaw member 45 comprises a plate 45a 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 figure 13. The frame of the arms can be formed from folded steel and the other components from a plastic. Figures 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 10 pins 47 and mounting are also shown in figure 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 figures 17-21 As shown in figures 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 figure 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 j aw portion 17 to crush the can 21 to form a can 21a -see figure 20 & 20 21.

After crushing, as in figure 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 25 released it goes up as seen in figure 20 thereby releasing the crushed can 21a.

Accessory locating means 5 and 6 are shown in figures 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 30 apparatus. Also shown in figure 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..

G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc 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 25 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 30 being stored.

G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc 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", 15 "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 20 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.

G:\192503NZ COMPSPEC 9 Sept2010 MCG.doc Received at IPONZ on 15 December 2011 What I Claim is:

Claims (10)

1. Claim 1: A recycling and accessory storage apparatus for crushing items and storing accessory devices, the apparatus including a housing having apertures therein, wherein at 5 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, wherein the housing defines an internal space therein including side walls and a front wall panel, a base member forming a processing path for the item to be crushed, and a floor 10 together to form a space therebetween, 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 stationery while the other lever means can be rotated to abut the item to be crushed against the stationary lever means to cause crushing, the base member also providing an aperture for the stationery lever to pass therethrough and to then 15 held down by the floor thereby enabling the stationery lever means to be stationery.
2. Claim 2: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the storage aperture includes a body which is cantilevered from and within the housing to form a recess. 20
3. Claim 3: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein, the storage aperture includes a body which is shaped for at least a portion of portable vacuum cleaner.
4. Claim 4: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein, 25 the other aperture recess includes the curved passageway within the housing, to allow the item to be directed to be crushed and ejected therefrom.
5. Claim 5: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein, both lever means comprise a pair of bent arms, and the arms each have teeth attached to a 30 jaw member located at the crushing throat space at the said one end wherein each arm forms a C-shape formed of straight sections. G:\192503NZ AMND SPEC 15Dec2011 EHB.doc Received at IPONZ on 15 December 2011 - 12-
6. Claim 6: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein, the housing has another aperture shaped and dimensioned for the storage of other accessories. 5
7. Claim 7: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the front wall is a curved front wall and the side walls are upright in orientation.
8. Claim 8: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein, the apparatus can have power activation means to activate any accessory that requires power 10 both portable or mains.
9. Claim 9: The recycling and accessory storage apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein 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. 15
10. Claim 10: A recycling and accessory storage apparatus for crushing items substantial as herein described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. 20 PlteRS Attorneys for the Applicant iMONTEITH, Stuart Hamilton 30 G:\192503NZ AMND SPEC 15Dec2011 EHB.doc