Collapsible apparatus for recovering and dispensing lightweight objects

摘要

A collapsible apparatus ( 10 ) recovers and dispenses packaging material. The collapsible apparatus ( 10 ) includes a receptacle ( 20 ) that is permeable to air. A disc ( 30 ) defines a lower end of the receptacle ( 20 ). A collection tube ( 36 ) is slideably received in a hole ( 34 ) of the disc ( 30 ) and has an inlet ( 38 ) outside the receptacle ( 20 ) and an outlet ( 40 ) inside the receptacle ( 20 ). A fan ( 60 ) is mounted to the disc ( 30 ) and communicated with the collection tube ( 36 ) to form a vacuum in the collection tube ( 36 ). The vacuum pulls the packaging material through the collection tube ( 36 ) and deposits the packaging material in the receptacle ( 20 ). A discharge valve ( 81 ) is a scissors valve that extends through the disc ( 30 ) for discharging packaging material from the receptacle ( 20 ). The receptacle ( 20 ) is collapsible and the collection tube ( 36 ) is positionable parallel a surface ( 32 ) of the disc ( 30 ) while the disc ( 30 ) carries the fan ( 60 ), the collection tube ( 36 ) and the discharge valve ( 81 ) to enhance compactibility.