WO2004037525A2

WO2004037525A2 - Portable pressing apparatus and method of using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2004037525A2
Application number: PCT/IL2003/000861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Menachem Hartman
Original assignee: A.M. Industrial Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-27
Filing date: 2003-10-23
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: WO2004037525A3; IL152493A0; AU2003274654A1; AU2003274654A8

Abstract

A portable pressing assembly (10) for sequentially pressing portions of bulk scrap into a plurality of briquettes comprises bulk scrap receiving unit (12), scrap chamber (18) that is connected to the receiving unit (12), a compactor adapted to press and mold the portions of bulk scrap into dies (40, 41) that are sequentially positioned at the bottom of the scrap chamber so as to produce briquettes. The briquettes are being sequentially discharged. The portable pressing assembly (10) can be easily transported to a processing machine (102) so as to receive the bulk scrap and press them into molded briquettes.

Description

PORTABLE PRESSING APPARATUS

AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to scrap metal presses and briquetters. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mini-briquetting apparatus that can be easily transported and positioned near any processing machinery in order to collect and briquette any product of scrap, chips, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVETION

Development of technology, new materials to be used, demand for better machinery, market demands, and increased environmental perceptions dictate adjustments of industries. Industries that crave for development and have to constantly adjust to changes are the ones that involve scrap and chip processing. The compulsion to adjust to current needs of this industry obliges better, quicker, more accurate and more sophisticated processing machinery that eventually consumes a vast amount of raw materials and produces endless scrap and chip waste. Scrap and chip wastes are inevitable adjunct products that are gathered near processing machines such as metal processors, in the factory yards, or in warehouses while occupying immense space.

Chip treatment requires extensive resources of time, space, and finance in order to transport and to hold the increasing volumes of scrap and chips that are already threatening to block up the factories and the warehouse sites.

In a specific case of bulky metal chips, the chips contain significant amounts, more than 60% of the annual consumption, of coolant fluids such as emulsions and oil. Transportation of liquid saturated chips may cause severe environmental damage, for which high penalties are involved. Recycling the coolant fluids from the raw metal chips results in economized operation that is directed also towards environmental preservation.

As mentioned herein above, chip and scrap management involves extensive resources. However, metal chips and scrap are recyclable. The chip and scrap metal management has to be controlled in order to assure the quality of the recycled product. There is a need to sort the metals according to their types and to separate them from the coolant liquids. The recycling process yield for itself is substantially low since the chips tend to burn during the re-melting processes that are performed nowadays. There are available briquetters that produce near-solid briquettes. The briquettes are more valuable than the raw metal chips and scrap that are produced by metal scrap processing. However, the briquetters that are available in the art nowadays are parts of comprehensive central systems designated to handle extensive amounts of scrap and chips and comprise scrap transportation systems, centrifuges for scrap drying, grinding mills, presses, and so on. There are also central systems for coolant treatment, where recycled\squeezed coolant is return in central sedimentation tanks for further treat or disposal. Since the management of metal chip and scrap using the available systems is highly expansive and sometimes demands transportation of the scrap to places where such systems are serviceable, the available systems are not suitable for small factories or workshops that produce amounts of metal scrap that doesn't justify recycling in current conditions. However, according to environmental regulations, ISO 14000, there is a request from manufacturers to solve the chip handling problem. There is a long felt need for a briquetter that is relatively small in dimensions and can be transported to or located near the spot where the metal chips and scarp are produced rather than transporting the chips and scrap to the briquetter. In this way, the transportation of the bulky metal chips that is highly expansive and may cause environmental damage is avoided. Moreover, such a device reduces the cost of chip and scraps management so that even workshops and factories having one or two scrap processing machines can recycle their metal scrap and chips and adapt environmental requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and unique pressing assembly for briquetting scrap and chips having relatively small dimensions so that the presser may be easily transported to chip and scrap producing machinery.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and unique pressing assembly for briquetting scrap and chips in which the coolant fluids are immediately recycled and are available for use.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and unique pressing assembly for briquetting scrap and chips for which the operational costs are relatively low as well as the cost of the presser itself.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a pressing assembly for briquetting scarp and chips for immediate scrap management including marking option adapted for future identification. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and unique method for pressing and briquetting scrap and chips using a pressing assembly having relatively small dimensions that may be positioned near the scrap producing machinery and in which the coolant fluids that are originated from the producing process and are incorporated with the chips are immediately recycled and are available for use.

It is therefore provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable pressing assembly for sequentially pressing at least one portion of bulk scrap into at least one of a plurality of briquettes, said pressing assembly comprising: bulk scrap receiving unit; a scrap chamber having a bottom, said scrap chamber is connected to said bulk scrap receiving unit so as to sequentially receive the portion of bulk scrap; a compactor adapted to press the portion of bulk scrap received in said scrap chamber; at least one die sequentially positioned at said bottom of said scrap chamber, wherein said portion of bulk scrap is pressed within said at least one die and molded into at least one of the plurality of briquettes; discharging means for discharging each of the plurality of briquettes from said at least one die; whereby the portable pressing assembly is transported to a processing machine that produces bulk scrap and positioned so that said scrap receiving unit collects the scrap from the processing machine and sequentially presses portions of bulk scrap that are received in the scrap chamber into molded briquettes.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said pressing assembly further comprises a container provided beneath said scrap chamber for receiving the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap by said compactor.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said pressing assembly is further provided with a pump adapted to withdraw liquids accumulated in said container.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said container is removable.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said bulk scrap is metallic scrap and said fluids are coolant fluids.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said scrap receiving unit comprises a hopper that receives the bulk scrap and a conveyer adapted to convey the bulk scrap into said bulk scrap chamber. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said conveyer is an electrical screw conveyer.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compactor comprises a piston that is concentric to said scrap chamber, wherein said piston travels between a first position and a second position wherein in the first position said piston is housed in a cylinder and wherein in the second position the piston is within said scrap chamber so that when said piston travels from the first position to the second position, the bulk scrap is pressed into said at least one die. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said piston is provided with a protrusion adapted to form a concavity in the plurality of briquettes.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said piston is provided with a protrusion adapted to form a concavity in the plurality of briquettes.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said pressing assembly is further provided with at least one erector that is adapted to release one of said plurality of briquettes from within said at least one die. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said at least one die is fixed in a movable bar, and wherein said movable bar moves between at least two positions so that at least one die adapted to receive the bulk scrap is sequentially placed at said bottom of said scrap chamber. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said pressing assembly is further provided with two erectors adapted to sequentially release the plurality of briquettes from within two dies and wherein said two dies are fixed in a movable bar that moves sequentially between a first position in which one die of said two dies receives the bulk scrap and a second position in which a second die of said two dies is being released from a compressed bulk scrap. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said two erectors are positioned on both sides of said scrap chamber so as to define an axis on which said movable bar is moved back and forth so that when said one die is placed at said bottom, said second die is placed beneath one of said two erectors and when said second die is placed at said bottom, said one die is placed beneath another one of said two erectors.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a die changer is adapted to move said movable bar back and forth. Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two cavities are provided in a base underneath said two erectors, each of the two cavities is adapted to receive the plurality of briquettes released by each of the two erectors.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said pressing assembly is further provided with at least one discharge pipes adapted to discharge the plurality of briquettes from said pressing assembly.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, two discharge pipes are provided and wherein each one of said two discharge pipes is rotatable so as to direct the plurality of briquettes that are discharged from the pressing assembly.

In addition, it is provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable pressing assembly for sequentially pressing at least one portion of bulk scrap into at least one of a plurality of briquettes and to recycle fluids from within the bulk scrap, said pressing assembly comprising: bulk scrap receiving unit; a scrap chamber having a bottom, said scrap chamber is connected to said bulk scrap receiving unit so as to sequentially receive the portion of bulk scrap; a compactor adapted to press the portion of bulk scrap received in said scrap chamber; at least one die sequentially positioned at said bottom of said scrap chamber, wherein said portion of bulk scrap is pressed within said at least one die and molded into at least one of the plurality of briquettes; discharging means for discharging each of the plurality of briquettes from said at least one die; a container provided beneath said scrap chamber for receiving the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap; whereby the portable pressing assembly is transported to a processing machine that produces bulk scrap and positioned so that said scrap receiving unit collects the scrap from the processing machine and sequentially presses portions of bulk scrap that are received in the scrap chamber into molded briquettes while the coolant fluids are separated from the portion of bulk scrap for recycling.

It is further provided in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for pressing and briquetting bulk scrap into a plurality of briquettes and for recycling fluids from within the bulk scrap, said method comprising: providing a portable pressing assembly comprising: bulk scrap receiving unit; a scrap chamber having a bottom, said scrap chamber is connected to said bulk scrap receiving unit; a compactor adapted to press bulk scrap received in said scrap chamber; at least one die sequentially positioned at said bottom of said scrap chamber; discharging means for discharging each of the plurality of briquettes from said at least one die; a container provided beneath said scrap chamber for receiving the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap; positioning said pressing assembly near a scrap processing machine so as to collect the bulk scrap; receiving a portion of bulk scrap in said scrap chamber through said bulk scrap receiving unit; positioning one die of said two dies at said bottom of said scrap chamber; pressing the portion of bulk scrap into said one die so as to produce a briquette; discharging the briquette from said one die; collecting the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap in said container; recycling the fluids received in said container into the scrap processing machine; whereby a plurality of briquettes are pressed in said portable pressing assembly in sequences and released from the assembly while fluids from within the bulk scrap are separates and recycled. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, two dies are provided and wherein when bulk scrap is being pressed into one die, briquette from the other die is being released. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method is further comprises marking the briquettes so as to identify the material the briquettes are made of.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, marking is performed by paint. Additionally, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises heating the scrap chamber so as to produce dry briquettes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are attached and references herein. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

It should be noted that the figures are given as examples and preferred embodiments only and in no way limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the appending Description and Claims.

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a pressing assembly for briquetting scrap in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric cross sectional view of the pressing assembly shown in Figure 1 , while the assembly is sectioned along the elongated axis of the scrap chamber.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the pressing assembly shown in Figure 1 sectioned along the elongated axis of the scrap chamber.

Figure 4 depicts an enlargement of the cross sectional view shown in Figure 2, in the dies area.

Figure 5 illustrates the pressing assembly shown in Figure 1 and positioned adjacent to scrap processing machine so as to collect scrap.

Figure 6a illustrates an upper view of a briquette in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pressed by the pressing assembly of the present invention. Figure 6b illustrates a side cross sectional view of the briquette shown in Figure 6a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FIGURES

Scrap and chip processing of metallic products involve scrap and chip management, an expensive operation that usually involves hazardous transportation of bulky scrap that comprises coolant fluids. Recycling the scrap and chips as well as the coolant fluids is a financial as well as an environmental necessity. In this text, the words "chip", "scrap" or "swarf" are alternately used for similar raw products having different size and shape that are produced by processing machinery for metal, wood etc.

The present invention provides a new and unique apparatus for scrap and chips briquetting that presses the bulky material into small and near-solid briquettes that may be molded as desired and in this case, molded in the shape of pills. The pressing and briquetting assembly of the present invention is a transportable apparatus that can be simply moved from place to place so as to be positioned adjacent to the processing machinery. In this way, the hazardous and expensive transportation of the raw chips and scrap to a recycling site is eliminated. The apparatus can be local or transported to serve a few machines. The present invention represents a new conception and method of briquetting, in which the briquetting operation is made at the chip producing site. Briquetting of chips as well as separation and recycling of the coolant fluids is performed at the chip processing site and near the processing machine so that transportation of either the scrap or the coolant fluids is diminished. The new invention provides a pressing and briquetting solution also for small manufacturers and workshops that can not afford an available central chip management system and can not afford or are not allowed to transport the fluid containing chips.

An additional advantage of the new pressing and briquetting assembly is the ability to manage the chips in regard to their type, on the spot. Managing the chips makes the briquetting operation more effective and the resultant briquettes more profitable. There is also an option in the new pressing and briquetting apparatus of the present invention to provide a product marking for identification of the briquettes. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressing assembly is adapted especially for pressing metal swarf into small pills of solid-like and dry metallic material. The pressing assembly comprises a bulk scrap receiving unit that may comprise a hopper and a conveyer or any other assembly of another configuration. The scrap is conveyed to a connected chamber that sequentially receives portions of the bulk scrap. The portions of the bulk scrap are compressed by a compactor adapted to press the portion of the bulk scrap that is received in the chamber as well as to squeeze the coolant fluids from the bulk scrap. The pressing assembly is further provided with at least one die that is positioned at the bottom of the scrap chamber. After the die is filled with the compressed material, the die is moved aside so that the compressed briquette is released. The briquette is released from the die by an erector and is being discharges from the assembly. A container is further provided to the pressing assembly beneath the scrap chamber for receiving the coolant fluids that are being squeezed from the bulk scrap. The portable pressing assembly is transported to a processing machine so that the scrap receiving unit collects the scrap from beneath the processing machine and sequentially presses the bulk scrap into a briquette while the coolant fluids are separated from the bulk scrap for recycling.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 illustrating an isometric view of a pressing assembly for briquetting scrap in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Pressing assembly 10 comprises a hopper 12 for collecting scrap from a processing machine (not shown in Figure 1). When there is a need to collect scrap from a working processing machine, pressing assembly 10 is positioned near or adjacent to the machine while hopper 12 is positioned underneath a scrap discharger or scrap conveyer that discharge or conveys the chips and scrap from the processing machine. The configuration of hopper 12 corresponds the specific form of the chips, scrap or swarf that is manufactured by the machine and the material from which they are made. Hopper 12 is connected to a scrap conveyer 14 so that scrap that is dropped into the hopper passes through it and enters conveyer 14 through the hopper's exit 16. The scrap is then electrically conveyed preferably using a screw conveyer to a scrap chamber 18 provided at the other end of scrap conveyer 14.

Reference is now made also to Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrating an isometric cross sectional view and the cross sectional view itself, respectively, of the pressing assembly shown in Figure 1 , while the assembly is sectioned along the elongated axis of the scrap chamber. A part of scrap conveyer 14 is clearly shown in Figure 2. The scrap is dropped into scrap chamber 18 where a sufficient amount of scrap is assembled. The scrap is then pressed in scrap chamber 18 using a piston 21 that travels between two positions. In the first position, piston 21 is housed in a cylinder 23 that is positioned on top of scrap chamber 18. Piston 21 , which is concentric to scrap chamber 18, travels from the first position to a second position that is within scrap chamber 18. When piston 21 travels towards the second position, it presses the scrap that is accommodated in scrap chamber 18. Piston 21 may be operated hydraulically, electrically or pneumatically, in which case, the pressing pressures are relatively high and therefore compactor 20 is screwed by several screws 25 and secured by an additional fastening construction 27. The pressing pressure of compactor 20 is determined according to the type of material the scrap is made of and the scrap size and shape.

As mentioned herein, the scrap is compressed into a die that is positioned in the bottom of the scrap chamber. In order to improve the efficiency of pressing assembly 10, it is preferable to provide two dies, die 40 and die 41 that are alternatively positioned at the bottom of scrap chamber 18. Die 40 and die 41 are fixed in a movable bar 46 that moves on an axis defined by scrap chamber 18 and two erectors 24 that reside on both sides of the chamber. Erectors 24 are adapted to release the briquettes from the dies. Movable bar 46 is moves by die changer 48 that is provided with a moving element 50 that pushes and withdraws movable bar back and forth. The pressing of the pills and their release is performed in a station 28 that is clearly shown in Figure 1.

In order to better understand the briquette pressing and releasing, reference is now made to Figure 4 depicting an enlargement of the cross sectional view shown in Figure 2, in the dies area. Die 40 is positioned in the bottom of scrap chamber 18 and die 41 is positioned beneath the right hand side erector 24 (only the bottom part of the right hand side erector is shown in Figure 4). As the piston travels downwardly towards the lower position, the scrap that is present in scrap chamber 18 is pressed, received by the die 41 and is being molded into a briquette shaped as a pill (the scrap and the briquettes are not shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4). In this way, the scrap is molded into a compressed pill while the shape of the compressed matter depends on the shape of the die. Since the pressures of the piston used for pressing the scrap into pills are relatively high, the whole apparatus is strengthened by screws and additional strengthening bars 56. Examples of pressures used for certain scrap are as follows: aluminum scrap is pressed using about 200 atm; steel scrap is pressed using 300 atm.

When die 40 is filled with compressed matter, the die changer pushes movable bar 46 so that die 40 is moved and positioned beneath the left hand side erector 24. Each of erectors 24 is provided with an extractor 42, which is concentric to the die so that when extractors 42 travel downwardly through the die, the briquette is released. When die 40 is positioned beneath left hand side erector 24, the erector is moved downwardly to release the pill of compressed matter. At the same time, die 41 is positioned at the bottom of scrap chamber 18 so that another portion of the scrap can be pressed. After the pill is released by the left hand side erector and another portion of scrap is pressed into a pill in die 41 , movable bar 46 is moved withdrawn and so that die 41 that is filled with the compressed matter is beneath the right hand side erector and die 40 is positioned again at the bottom of scrap chamber 18 so that another portion of bulk scrap can be pressed. The pill in die 41 is released by right hand side erector 24. In this way, movable bar 46 is moved back and forth so that a pill is released each time by another erector. The pills are released sequentially into two cavities 44 defined in a base 52 of station 28. Each cavity is provided beneath one of erectors 24 so that when the pills of compressed matter are being pushed by extractor 42, they fall down into the corresponding cavity. The pills that are compressed in the bottom of scrap chamber 18 are being pressed towards base 52 that is a stationary base. The whole procedure of dies exchange and pills release is automatically performed within station 28.

Return to Figure 1 that illustrates an isometric view of the pressing assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The pills of compressed matter that are released from the dies are being discharged from pressing assembly 10 through one of preferably two discharge pipes 26 provided on pressing assembly 10. Discharge pipes 26 are provided on station 28 so that the released pills are immediately released from the pressing assembly. Both discharge pipes 26 are provided with a one way apparatus that assures the pills pass through them in an outwardly direction in order to avoid faults. Discharge pipes 26 can be rotated so that their discharging exit can be adjusted to accord the position of a pills collection box. In order to direct the pills to discharge pipes 26, the pills can be removed from cavity 44 using a part of base 52 that can be designed to move and push the pill from the cavity towards the entrance to the discharge pipes.

One of the problems mentioned herein before is that the scrap is covered with coolant fluids originated from the processing machine. The fluids are redundant as regard to the scrap but they can be recycled and reused in the processing machine. Therefore, beneath station 28, a receiving container 30 is provided. Receiving container 30 is fluidically connected to scrap chamber 18 so that when the fluid-containing scrap is pressed down with compactor 20, the squeezed fluid flows downwardly into receiving container 30. It is preferable to provide receiving container 30 with a level sensor, according to which a pump is operated and recycles the coolant fluid back into the processing machine. It is optional to allow receiving container 30 be a removable container that can be removed from pressing assembly 10 for maintenance purposes. Reference is now made to Figure 5 illustrating the pressing assembly shown in Figure 1 positioned adjacent to scrap processing machine so as to collect scrap and a briquette collector. Pressing assembly 100 is positioned near a machining center or a milling machine 102 so that its scrap collecting hopper 104 is stationed beneath a chip conveyer 106 of the machine. Pressing assembly 100, which is similar to pressing assembly 10 described herein before, collects the scrap (can not be seen in Figure 2) that falls down from chip conveyer 106 that drives the scrap into the pressing assembly where it is pressed into pills. Pills 108 that are discharged from discharge pipes 110 are collected by a swarf bin 112 that is placed beneath the openings of the exhaust pipes. Since exhaust pipes 110 are rotatable and can be directed so as to fit the user and surroundings limitations, it is optional to provide more than one swarf bin, one at each exit of the exhaust pipes.

As mentioned herein before, the briquettes that are pressed and discharged from the pressing assembly of the present invention are shapes as pills. Reference is now made to Figure 6a and b illustrating an upper view and a side cross sectional view of a briquette in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention that is pressed in the pressing assembly of the present invention. One of the problems that are encountered with prior art pressing machines is that during the briquetting process, air or liquid are entrapped substantially in the center of the briquette and form a pocket. As a consequence, in further treatment of the briquettes which involves high temperature processing, the briquettes dash into pieces during the heating process due the excessive heating of the airMiquids entrapped inside the briquette. This issue was also addressed in the pressing assembly of the present invention and the briquettes are pressed into a pill-like briquette. Pill 200 is round and is provided with a recess 202 that provides the pill with a concave shape. Due to the presence of recess 202, the width of pill 200 at the center is narrowed so that air can not be entrapped inside. Moreover, the concaved shape assures maximum squeezing during the pressing process. From those reasons, it is preferable that the briquette size will vary between 60 - 80 mm diameters at a thickness of substantially 20 mm. In order to establish the recess, piston 21 is provided with a corresponding protrusion 204 (shown in Figures 2 and 3).

Returning to Figure 5, a control panel 114 is provided in conjunction with pressing assembly 100. A control unit controls the operations of pressing assembly 100 (not shown in the Figure).

It is optional to provide the pressing assembly of the present invention with a controlled heater by which the bulk scrap is heated in the scrap chamber when it is pressed so as to dry the compressed matter more. The addition of this option depends on the matter to be compressed and the requirements of the end user.

It is another option in the pressing assembly of the present invention to add a means for marking the pills of compressed matter so as to distinguish between types of scrap (e.g., aluminum, steel). It is preferable to add a paint dispenser to the station where the bulk scrap is pressed into pills of compressed matter and discharged. Before discharging the pills, each pill is marked with the paint coming out from the dispenser. The dispenser can be divided into a few compartments while each one of the compartments is provided with different paint and the paint can be applied to the pill by a pneumatic cylinder as a stamp. The dispenser is controlled so that when scrap made of a certain material is pressed, it is stamped by a corresponding paint. When the scrap is changed to scrap made of another material, the dispenser applies other paint. In this way, scrap management is easily achieved.

It should be noted that a pressing assembly for scrap briquetting in accordance with the present invention can be used for briquetting scrap from different processing machines such as metal processing, alloy processing, wood processing, cotton etc. Any chips or scrap raw material can be used without limiting the scope of the present invention.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims. It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification can make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A portable pressing assembly for sequentially pressing at least one portion of bulk scrap into at least one of a plurality of briquettes, said pressing assembly comprising: bulk scrap receiving unit; a scrap chamber having a bottom, said scrap chamber is connected to said bulk scrap receiving unit so as to sequentially receive the portion of bulk scrap; a compactor adapted to press the portion of bulk scrap received in said scrap chamber; at least one die sequentially positioned at said bottom of said scrap chamber, wherein said portion of bulk scrap is pressed within said at least one die and molded into at least one of the plurality of briquettes; discharging means for discharging each of the plurality of briquettes from said at least one die; whereby the portable pressing assembly is transported to a processing machine that produces bulk scrap and positioned so that said scrap receiving unit collects the scrap from the processing machine and sequentially presses portions of bulk scrap that are received in the scrap chamber into molded briquettes.

2. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said pressing assembly further comprises a container provided beneath said scrap chamber for receiving the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap by said compactor.

3. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said pressing assembly is further provided with a pump adapted to withdraw liquids accumulated in said container.

4. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said container is removable.

5. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said bulk scrap is metallic scrap and said fluids are coolant fluids.

6. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said scrap receiving unit comprises a hopper that receives the bulk scrap and a conveyer adapted to convey the bulk scrap into said bulk scrap chamber.

7. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said conveyer is an electrical screw conveyer.

8. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the compactor comprises a piston that is concentric to said scrap chamber, wherein said piston travels between a first position and a second position wherein in the first position said piston is housed in a cylinder and wherein in the second position the piston is within said scrap chamber so that when said piston travels from the first position to the second position, the bulk scrap is pressed into said at least one die.

9. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said piston is provided with a protrusion adapted to form a concavity in the plurality of briquettes.

10. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said pressing assembly is further provided with at least one erector that is adapted to release one of said plurality of briquettes from within said at least one die.

1 1. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said at least one die is fixed in a movable bar, and wherein said movable bar moves between at least two positions so that at least one die adapted to receive the bulk scrap is sequentially placed at said bottom of said scrap chamber.

12. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said pressing assembly is further provided with two erectors adapted to sequentially release the plurality of briquettes from within two dies and wherein said two dies are fixed in a movable bar that moves sequentially between a first position in which one die of said two dies receives the bulk scrap and a second position in which a second die of said two dies is being released from a compressed bulk scrap.

13. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said two erectors are positioned on both sides of said scrap chamber so as to define an axis on which said movable bar is moved back and forth so that when said one die is placed at said bottom, said second die is placed beneath one of said two erectors and when said second die is placed at said bottom, said one die is placed beneath another one of said two erectors.

14. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 13, wherein a die changer is adapted to move said movable bar back and forth.

15. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 12, wherein two cavities are provided in a base underneath said two erectors, each of the two cavities is adapted to receive the plurality of briquettes released by each of the two erectors.

16. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said pressing assembly is further provided with at least one discharge pipes adapted to discharge the plurality of briquettes from said pressing assembly.

17. The pressing assembly as claimed in Claim 16, wherein two discharge pipes are provided and wherein each one of said two discharge pipes is rotatable so as to direct the plurality of briquettes that are discharged from the pressing assembly.

18. A portable pressing assembly for sequentially pressing at least one portion of bulk scrap into at least one of a plurality of briquettes and to recycle coolant fluids from within the bulk scrap, said pressing assembly comprising: bulk scrap receiving unit; a scrap chamber having a bottom, said scrap chamber is connected to said bulk scrap receiving unit so as to sequentially receive the portion of bulk scrap; a compactor adapted to press the portion of bulk scrap received in said scrap chamber and squeeze the coolant fluids; at least one die sequentially positioned at said bottom of said scrap chamber, wherein said portion of bulk scrap is pressed within said at least one die and molded into at least one of the plurality of briquettes; discharging means for discharging each of the plurality of briquettes from said at least one die; a container provided beneath said scrap chamber for receiving the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap; whereby the portable pressing assembly is transported to a processing machine that produces bulk scrap and positioned so that said scrap receiving unit collects the scrap from the processing machine and sequentially presses portions of bulk scrap that are received in the scrap chamber into molded briquettes while the coolant fluids are separated from the portion of bulk scrap for recycling.

9. A method for pressing and briquetting bulk scrap into a plurality of briquettes and for recycling fluids from within the bulk scrap, said method comprising: providing a portable pressing assembly comprising: bulk scrap receiving unit; a scrap chamber having a bottom, said scrap chamber is connected to said bulk scrap receiving unit; a compactor adapted to press bulk scrap received in said scrap chamber; at least one die sequentially positioned at said bottom of said scrap chamber; discharging means for discharging each of the plurality of briquettes from said at least one die; a container provided beneath said scrap chamber for receiving the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap; positioning said pressing assembly near a scrap processing machine so as to collect the bulk scrap; receiving a portion of bulk scrap in said scrap chamber through said bulk scrap receiving unit; positioning one die of said two dies at said bottom of said scrap chamber; pressing the portion of bulk scrap into said one die so as to produce a briquette; discharging the briquette from said one die; collecting the fluids squeezed from the bulk scrap in said container; recycling the fluids received in said container into the scrap processing machine; whereby a plurality of briquettes are pressed in said portable pressing assembly in sequences and released from the assembly while fluids from within the bulk scrap are separates and recycled.

20. The method as claimed in Claim 19, wherein two dies are provided and wherein when bulk scrap is being pressed into one die, briquette from the other die is being released.

21. The method as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the method is further comprises marking the briquettes so as to identify the material the briquettes are made of.

22. The method as claimed in Claim 21 , wherein marking is performed by paint.

23. The method as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the method further comprises heating the scrap chamber so as to produce dry briquettes.

24. A portable pressing assembly for sequentially pressing at least one portion of bulk scrap into at least one of a plurality of briquettes and to recycle fluids from within the bulk scrap substantially as described in the above specification, attached Figures and appending Claims.

25. A method for pressing and briquetting bulk scrap into a plurality of briquettes and for recycling fluids from within the bulk scrap substantially as described in the above specification, attached Figures and appending Claims.