CRUSHER FOR METAL CONTAINERS TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an apparatus for crushing metal containers, such as oil filter housings. BACKGROUND ART

Disposal of used metal oil filter housings which have contained liquids such as oil, in the case of oil filter housings, then before the metal can recycled the oil must be extracted. The residual oil is a hazard , and also represents a waste of material.

It is common to crush used metal containers . With oil filter housings, however, the oil must be extracted and prevented from escaping. The oil may be recycled, and represents a significant value. The crushing of oil filter housings must done without the container being broken, so that the oil can be collected and recycled. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With a view to providing a crusher apparatus for crushing metal containers, the invention comprises fixed platen on which a container may rest, a moveable support for carrying a moveable die towards and away from said fixed platen, said moveable support being moveable downwardly and upwardly along a predetermined axis, a single ended air cylinder closed at one end, and open at the other end, having a central axis aligned with said axis, and an air piston moveable within said open ended air cylinder, air inlet means for admitting air to said closed end of said air cylinder, for moving same along said axis towards said open end, and, resilient means connected to said moveable support, and being adapted to yield in response to air pressure within said air cylinder, and permit said moveable support to move downwardly along said axis, and being resiliently moveable in the reverse direction when said pressure is released, whereby to move said moveable support along said axis away from said fixed platen means.

In a preferred form of the invention, the fixed platen comprises a plate having a central die defining a recess, and a drain opening, for drainage of fluids therefrom, and openings through said plate, and wherein said moveable support comprises a cross member spanning said fixed plate, and moveable columns extending through said openings in said fixed plate, and being secured to said transverse bar, and a crushing die secured to said moveable bar, said crushing die having a generally downwardly directed convex conical shape, for progressively crushing a container, from the central axis of said container, towards its exterior as said moveable die descends towards said fixed plate.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective schematic illustration, illustrating a general view of the crushing apparatus according to the invention, and, Figure 2 is an enlarged section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with portions in phantom illustrating movement. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figure 1, this illustrates a general perspective view of the crusher apparatus according to the invention. It will be seen to comprise an upper container station indicated generally as 10 and a lower pressure cylinder station 12, located immediately beneath the crusher station 10.

The crusher station 10 and pressure station 12 are illustrated in more detail in Figure 2.

Crusher station 10 has a fixed base plate 14, or lower platen, and having a central lower container receiving die

16. Drainage passageways 18 are provided for draining fluids to a suitable container (not shown) .

The base plate 14 is supported on the upper end of an air cylinder 20. An upper moveable die support 22 is supported on two vertical slide columns 24. Columns 24 pass through suitable bearings in fixed plate 14 and extend into air cylinder 20. The moveable support 22 is a channel shaped structure, and columns 24 pass through each end of the support 22 and are secured to it.

On the underside of the support 22 there is an upper crushing die 26. Die 26 is of conical shape . The upper die 26 is vertically aligned directly above the lower die 16, and is moveable downwardly and upwardly to define a crushing axis. A container indicated generally as C is shown on the lower die, with the upper die raised. As the upper die is lowered , the container is progressively crushed downwardly, against the lower die. Any oil or liquid is ejected downwardly and flows through the drainage openings for collection elsewhere.

The power source is a conventional air compressor, typically of the type used in small workshops and service stations. Such small air compressors typically produce compressed air at about 100 psi. In order to provide adequate force, using such a relatively low pressure compressed air source, the air cylinder 20 is provided beneath the base plate 14, and has a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the lower and upper dies. Air cylinder 20 is closed at its upper end, by crusher base plate 14, and is open at its lower end, for example at vent openings 28, for allowing free passage of air out of and into the lower end of the cylinder. Base plate 14 is sealed by seals 30 and is secured in air cylinder 20 by means such as a circlip 32.

An additional plate may be located beneath the cylinder (not shown) if it is desired to mount the crusher

directly over the open top of a waste oil drum, for example.

Within cylinder 20 there is an air piston 34, with O- rings. The piston 34 is secured to the lower free ends of the columns 24 and can move downwardly, as air is forced into the upper end of the cylinder through air passageway 36.

Resilient return means are provided for the upper moveable support 22 such as gas filled struts 40. Struts 40 are secured at their upper ends to the outer ends of moveable support 22, as at 42, and are secured at their lower ends to flanges 38 welded to the exterior of cylinder 20.

Struts 40 contract telescopically, during the downward power stroke of piston 34, and when pressure is released, the struts force the upper support back upwardly.

The crushing action provided by the conical upper die has the effect of crushing the central area of the container, and squeezing the liquid contents cleanly downwardly through the usual opening at the lower end of the container .A safety housing 44 is provided over upper crushing station 10. A door gives access for inserting and removing containers. Compressed air is supplied through hose 48 and valve 50. A safety switch 52 is operated by door 46 to cut out valve 50 when the door is open, and activates valve 50 to operate piston 34 when the door is closed.

The crushing effect of the upper die is such as to squeeze the interior of the container as flat as possible, without building up excessive pressure in the side wall of the container. The liquid contents are squeezed out, without breaking the container, and the container is squeezed as flat as possible, for ease of shipping. The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but

comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.