Oil filter crushing apparatus

• US 5,383,397 A
• Filed: 08/03/1993
• Issued: 01/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KCS Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: KCS Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Hollnagel, Harold E., Battles, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GERRITY, STEPHEN FRANCIS
• Application Number:
  US08/100,869
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 100/48, 100/51, 100/53, 100/98 R, 100/125, 100/131, 100/137, 100/266, 100/269 A, 100/902
• US Class Current: 100/51
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 1/003 by an elastic bag or diaphragm expanded by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/321 for consolidating empty containers, e.g. cans
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 100/902 Can crushers

Abstract

An oil filter crushing apparatus includes a frame on which is mounted a filter platform configured to receive a used oil filter for crushing. An air spring actuating device is secured within the frame, and a ram is secured to a lower end of the air spring. A control valve regulates the flow of a pressurized gas into the air spring which then forces the ram toward the filter platform to crush the filter. A safety pneumatic circuit prevents inadvertent actuation of the ram.

Claims

1. An apparatus for crushing used oil filters to reclaim residual oil therefrom before disposing of the filters, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid frame having a base and an oil filter platform cooperating with said base for supporting an oil filter on end;

a ram having a ram rod slidably supported by said frame for longitudinal movement toward and away from said base and a crushing head secured to the end of said rod spaced from said base, the crushing head being configured to engage and crush the oil filter;

an air spring having a rigid first end retaining portion secured to said frame, a rigid second end retaining portion secured to said ram, and an intermediate elastic flex member extending between and interconnecting said retaining portions and defining an enclosed expandable chamber for selectively receiving a pressurized gas therein, wherein the receipt of pressurized gas causes said spring to expand between said frame and said ram to displace said crushing head from an unactuated position to an actuated position, crushing the filter interposed between said crushing head and said base;

a gas supply valve disposed in fluid communication with said enclosed expandable chamber;

a door disposed to limit access to the oil filter platform when said door is in a closed position; and

a safety valve disposed for cooperation with said door, said safety valve being configured to prevent gas flow into said enclosed expandable chamber when said door is in an open position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said oil filter platform is attached to said base and configured to support and position the oil filter, said platform having a drain hole aperture extending therethrough to drain the residual oil from the filter upon crushing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one generally U-shaped tubular member having first and second opposed upstanding leg portions, each secured at free ends thereof to said base member and a connecting portion spaced above said base and integrally joining said leg portions.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first end retaining portion is secured to said connecting portion of said U-shaped tubular member and said second end retaining portion is secured to said ram.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a ram rod support portion secured to said leg portions intermediate said connecting portion and said base and slidably supporting said ram rod.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a passageway in said ram rod support portion through which said ram rod extends and a low friction bushing mounted in said passageway and surrounding said ram rod.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a return member acting between said ram and said frame in opposition to said air spring to constantly urge said ram toward said raised unactuated position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said return member comprises a pair of telescopic guides disposed on opposite sides of said ram rod and each including a plunger rod secured to a pressing plate at a top end of said ram, a guide sleeve secured to said base, and slidably receiving said plunger rod, and a compression spring carried about said plunger rod and extending between said pressing plate and said base.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter side wall deforming member configured to move transverse to said ram to engage and inwardly deform a side wall of the oil filter to reduce the oil filter'"'"'s resistance to end-to-end crushing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said filter side wall deforming member comprises a first link member connected to said crushing head, a second link member connected to said frame, and a connection point between said first link and said second link.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first link is pivotally connected to said crushing head, said second link is pivotally connected to said frame, and said connection point between said first link and said second link comprises a pivot connection.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first link is pivotally connected to said crushing head, said second link is fixed to said frame, and said interconnection between said first link and said second link comprises a slot formed in said second link and a follower pin carried by said first link, said pin being received in said slot and said slot being configured to impart transverse movement to said first linkage when said ram moves towards said actuated position.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a floor stand engaging said base for supporting said apparatus off the floor.

14. An apparatus for crushing objects, the apparatus comprising:

a frame having a base for supporting an oil filter or the like on end;

a ram movably mounted within the frame, the ram being configured to move between an unactuated position and an actuated position towards said base;

an air spring mounted within said frame, the air spring including an elastic flex member configured to receive said pressurized gas, wherein upon receipt of said pressurized gas said air spring expands and exerts a force against said ram to move said ram toward said actuated position;

a pressurized gas inlet member connected to the air spring to allow pressurized gas flow into the air spring;

a housing surrounding at least a portion of said frame, said housing having an opening through which the oil filter is moved to place it on said base;

a door pivotably mounted to said housing opening, said door being configured for movement between an open position and a closed position; and

a pneumatic safety circuit connected between said gas inlet and said air spring, said pneumatic safety circuit including a supply valve which controls gas flow into said air spring and a door valve that cooperates with said door to prevent the flow of pressurized gas to said air spring when said door is in said open position.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a mechanical safety latch which maintains said door in said closed position as said ram moves towards its actuated position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said mechanical safety latch includes a channel section attached to said door and an extension arm attached to said ram and disposed to move through said channel section and prevent said door from opening as said ram moves to its actuated position.

17. An apparatus for crushing objects, the apparatus comprising;

a frame having a base for supporting an oil filter or the like on end;

a ram movably mounted within the frame, the ram being configured to move between an unactuated position and an actuated position towards said base;

an air spring mounted within said frame, the air spring including an elastic flex member configured to receive said pressurized gas, wherein upon receipt of said pressurized gas said air spring expands and exerts a force against said ram to move said ram toward said actuated position;

a pressurized gas inlet member connected to the air spring to allow pressurized gas flow into the air spring;

a housing surrounding at least a portion of said frame, said housing having an opening through which the oil filter is moved to place it on said base;

a door pivotably mounted to said housing opening, said door being configured for movement between an open position and a closed position; and

a pneumatic safety circuit connected between said gas inlet and said air spring said pneumatic safety circuit including a supply valve which controls gas flow into said air spring and a door valve that cooperates with said door to prevent the flow of pressurized gas to said air spring when said door is in said open position,

wherein said pneumatic safety circuit includes a pneumatically actuated supply valve having a pressure sensitive actuator port, said supply valve being actuated by sufficient pneumatic pressure at said actuator port to allow said pressurized gas to flow into said air spring.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said door valve communicates with said actuator port and blocks the flow of pressurized gas to said actuator port when said door is in said open position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said pneumatic circuit includes a push button valve connected in series with said door valve, further wherein said push button valve and said door valve must both be in an actuated position before pressurized gas flows to said actuator port to actuate said supply valve.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said pneumatic safety circuit includes a pneumatic timer to control the length of time the pressurized gas actuates said supply valve.

21. An apparatus for crushing oil filters, the apparatus comprising:

a frame having a base for supporting an oil filter or the like on end;

a ram movably mounted within the frame, the ram being configured to move between an unactuated position and an actuated position towards said base;

an air spring mounted within said frame, the air spring including an elastic flex member configured to receive said pressurized gas, wherein upon receipt of said pressurized gas said air spring expands and exerts a force against said ram to move said ram toward said actuated position;

a pressurized gas inlet member connected to the air spring to allow pressurized gas flow into the air spring; and

a pneumatic timer including an air line and a bleed orifice connected between said pressurized gas inlet and said air spring to control the length of time pressurized gas is supplied to said air spring, wherein the timing is controlled by the volume of said air line and the size of said bleed orifice.