Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for crushing empty cans has a U-shaped support with a bottom wall which supports the tubular wall of an empty can and two upstanding sidewalls. The sidewalls pivotably support the free end portions of two legs forming part of a yoke having a web which constitutes a handle. The legs support a first crushing section in the form of a plate which is located between the sidewalls of the support and defines with the bottom wall a compartment for an empty can which is received in the compartment in such orientation that one of its end walls or its single end wall is adjacent the plate. The plate pivotably supports a second crushing section in the form of a single flap or two links which can engage the tubular wall of a can in the compartment. When the yoke is pivoted from a starting position, the second crushing section provides the tubular wall of the can in the compartment with a transverse fold line and thereupon moves out of the way while the plate pivots the can about the fold line to move one end wall or the only end wall of the can over the previously folded and collapsed tubular wall. The handle is then pivoted to return the plate and the flap to their starting positions and the crushed can is ready to be evacuated from the compartment by gravity or in response to insertion of a fresh empty can.

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First Claim