GB2401339A

GB2401339A - Container Crusher

Info

Publication number: GB2401339A
Application number: GB0410304A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Salim Emile Kahil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-07
Filing date: 2004-05-06
Publication date: 2004-11-10
Also published as: GB0310443D0; GB0410304D0

Abstract

A container crusher for all types of plastic and metal containers such as bottles and cans. Crushing the container from top to bottom into a compact form ready for recycling. The aim of the invention is to use one tool to crush a wide range of different containers with the power to crush the hardest of tins. Comprising a base plate A, which is fixed to a surface, a central support pillar B, then the pedal plate C, where the foot is placed to crush the container. Three guide rods D and springs at each side E, hold the container plate where the container H is placed, the guide rods D, pass through the container plate and support the crusher plate G, which has a central hole to hold a neck of a bottle or a recess for cans. After removing the cap of the bottle or squeezing the cans centre the container is placed between the two plates FIG 1 and applying pressure with the foot on the foot pedal the container is crushed FIG 2.

Description

1 2401339 Container Crusher This invention relates to an empty container

crusher. There are many different types of domestic containers that we use in our everyday lives, which usually end up being thrown away or recycled. Containers such as plastic bottles, drink & food cans made from steel or aluminium. All these containers are a large contributor to the domestic waste stream.

When uncrushed, these containers are bulky because they are full of air using up much unwanted surface space in our waste & recycling bins or bank. For these types of containers to be crushed to their smallest compact form, they should be crushed from top to bottom rather than sideways, where they still take up unnecessary space especially plastic containers. Another advantage of crushing from top to bottom- is that the recycling code for sorting, which is usually at the base, is still intact and can still be read. Over the last few years recycling is on the increase as land-fill sites become a problem to find.

Ideally all used cans and plastic bottles should be recycled but the idea of having clutter tends to put the consumer off.

Summary of the Invention

It is accordingly and object of the present invention to provide a simple device that can be used separately as an industrial tool for use in places such as schools, hospitals, restaurants, recycling banks or centres and even for domestic use at home. The main aim of this tool is to crush all types of plastic bottles, hard food tins & cans and save space in the refuse bin, recycling sacks/bins or banks. By crushing containers to a fourth of their original size and to give an incentive to recycle, as many more containers are saved over a longer period of time due to less space consumed. There would be fewer trips to empty them and the recycling bank would store a greater quantity over a longer period of time.

This is a further object of this invention to provide a container crusher which crushes a wide range of different types and sizes of empty containers, such as plastic bottles, drink and food cans (Steel or Aluminium) even cartons, allowing the user to need only one crusher tool for different jobs. The aim is to ensure that a greater number of crushed containers can be transported for recycling in any one car or track load. Transporting as many containers and as little air inside the container as possible. Having plastic, steel and aluminium containers crushed, up to twenty five times more containers could be stored or transported thus helping the environment. .

The present invention consists in a container crusher for crushing containers such as plastic bottles and cans by exerting pressure along the container axis, the crusher comprising four plates, held together by metal rods either side, a central supporting pillar supporting them and is fixed to a base plate which can be secured to the floor, there are two springs between the second and third plate, the container is crushed by using a foot pedal which is on the second plate, the container is placed between the top plate where there is a central engagement for receiving the top or neck of the container and the crushing is achieved as the container is pressed between the two plates aided by the expansion of the springs. There is a protected cover enclosing the unit for safety, made from plastic or any suitable materials, which has a small window to place the container through and to take out. There is also a safety lock on the door or window, which stops the user to use the crusher if the door or window is left open for security.

Preferably the crusher is worked by using a foot pedal, but it may instead be controlled by a motor or electronic system for industrial use.

Preferably the crusher unit is encased with a secure door opening for safety, but it may be placed into any encasing such as recycling bin or bank.

Preferably the crusher has springs used for tension and to enable the crusher to move up and down, however an air or gas or something similar compression system may be used instead.

Preferably there are three metal guide rods holding the plates but there may be more added for extra strength.

Preferably the safety casing surrounding the enclosure for the container may be fixed or removable and could have an automatic or manual locking system.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows the crusher with an uncrushed container, the plates and pedal Figure 2 shows the crusher with a crushed container, the plates and pedal Fig A Base plate Fig B - Central support Pillar Fig C - Pedal Plate Fig D Guide Rods Fig E - Springs Fig F - Container Base Plate Fig G - Crusher Plate Fig H - Container Fig I - Central Clearance Referring to the drawings the crusher comprises a base plate A, which can be fixed to the floor. In the centre of this base plate there is a centre support pillar B. which ends at the container plate F. Figure C shows the pedal plate, which is where the foot is placed for crushing, the central support pillar B passes through the centre of the pedal plate to allow the plate to move up and down. At either end of the pedal plate C, there are guide rods D, which are fixed onto the plate. The guide rods pass through a hole in both ends or sides or the container base plate F. to the crusher plate G. which are secured one at each side of the plate. The crusher plate G. has a central clearance or hole to receive the neck of the container and an engagement section for the top of cans to fit or lay into Fig 1. Fig E illustrates the two springs either side of the guide rods, which then expand as the pedal is pressed down and the container is crushed. Fig H shows a container uncrushed.

To crush the container first the container is placed onto the based plate F. into the central hole of the crusher plate G. Remove the containers cap for plastic Bottles or if the container is a food or drinks can, the centre is squeezed gently before placing into the crusher. The foot is then placed onto the pedal plate C, and as shown in Fig 2, the container is crushed by exerting pressure from the crusher plate G. In Fig 2 the drawing illustrates how the springs E have expanded as the pedal plate C, is pressed down to the base A. When all the air has been released the cap is then replaced and the container is ready for recycling.

Claims

Claims 1. A crusher for containers such as plastic bottles and metal cans,

comprising a support for a container to be crushed and a crusher plate which is normally located in a starting position a sufficient distance above the support for a container to be placed on the support and below the crusher plate, the crusher plate being movable downwardly, by foot operated means, towards the container support to crush the container.
2. A container crusher according to claim 1 wherein the support for the container comprises a plate mounted on an upright pillar and the crusher plate is fixedly mounted on a plurality of slide rods which pass through the container support so as to be axially slidable therethrough and have lower ends connected to a foot pedal, whereby downward pressure on the foot pedal causes the crusher plate to descend towards the container support to crush a container.
3. A crusher according to claim 2, which comprises three said rods, connected at their upper end to the crusher plate and passing through aperture in the container support at different circumferential positions.
4. A crusher according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the foot pedal comprising a plate which is fixedly secured to the lower ends of said rods.
5. A crusher according to any one of claims 2 or 4 further comprising biasing means for urging the crusher plate towards its starting position.
6. A crusher according to claim 5 wherein the biasing means comprises one or more tension springs connected between the foot pedal and the underside of the container support.
7. A container crusher assembly as herein described with reference to, and illustrated in, the accompanying drawings
8. A crusher assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the crusher plate comprises a central aperture to engage the neck of the container.