An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.

Method and apparatus for lamination of substrates, e.g. rigid plastic layers, to manufacture laminated products. The methods include the sequential application of vacuum and mechanical force through a two-stroke process performed by a lamination apparatus having one or more force-producing stroke cylinders. Actuation of a cylinder to produce a first stroke creates a sealed chamber within the apparatus, enclosing a stack of substrates to be laminated. The sealed chamber may be evacuated of air by application of a vacuum. Subsequent actuation of a cylinder to produce a second stroke applies mechanical force to the sealed chamber, which compresses the substrates into a laminated product substantially free of air bubbles or voids.

Method and apparatus for lamination of substrates, e.g. rigid plastic layers, to manufacture laminated products. The methods include the sequential application of vacuum and mechanical force through a two-stroke process performed by a lamination apparatus having one or more force-producing stroke cylinders. Actuation of a cylinder to produce a first stroke creates a sealed chamber within the apparatus, enclosing a stack of substrates to be laminated. The sealed chamber may be evacuated of air by application of a vacuum. Subsequent actuation of a cylinder to produce a second stroke applies mechanical force to the sealed chamber, which compresses the substrates into a laminated product substantially free of air bubbles or voids.

An aircraft lavatory trash compactor includes a water source, a valve actuator connected to the water source, a trash can disposed below the valve actuator, and a controller configured to activate the valve actuator to spray water into the trash can.

An aircraft lavatory trash compactor includes a water source, a valve actuator connected to the water source, a trash can disposed below the valve actuator, and a controller configured to activate the valve actuator to spray water into the trash can.

A compacting apparatus (1) for compacting receptacles has at least one advancing device (2) for conveying a receptacle (G) in a conveying direction (E) to an exit opening (6) of the compacting apparatus (1). The at least one advancing device (2) is configured to act on the receptacle (G) for compacting during conveying. A flap device (5) has an adjustable retaining flap (50) that closes the exit opening (6) in a closed position so that a receptacle (G) conveyed against the retaining flap (50) by the at least one advancing device (2) is retained on the retaining flap (50). The retaining flap (50) is adjustable out of the closed position to release the exit opening (6).

A compacting apparatus (1) for compacting receptacles has at least one advancing device (2) for conveying a receptacle (G) in a conveying direction (E) to an exit opening (6) of the compacting apparatus (1). The at least one advancing device (2) is configured to act on the receptacle (G) for compacting during conveying. A flap device (5) has an adjustable retaining flap (50) that closes the exit opening (6) in a closed position so that a receptacle (G) conveyed against the retaining flap (50) by the at least one advancing device (2) is retained on the retaining flap (50). The retaining flap (50) is adjustable out of the closed position to release the exit opening (6).

An aircraft lavatory trash compactor includes a water source, a valve actuator connected to the water source, a trash can disposed below the valve actuator, and a controller configured to activate the valve actuator to spray water into the trash can. A processor can receive a signal indicating a level of trash in a trash can. The processor can determine the level of trash in the trash can in response to receiving the signal. The processor can determine that the level of trash is above a threshold. The processor can activate a water valve in response to the determination that the level of trash is above the threshold.

An aircraft lavatory trash compactor includes a water source, a valve actuator connected to the water source, a trash can disposed below the valve actuator, and a controller configured to activate the valve actuator to spray water into the trash can. A processor can receive a signal indicating a level of trash in a trash can. The processor can determine the level of trash in the trash can in response to receiving the signal. The processor can determine that the level of trash is above a threshold. The processor can activate a water valve in response to the determination that the level of trash is above the threshold.

A compacting apparatus (1) for compacting receptacles has a compacting unit (3) with at least one first advancing device (4) for transporting at least one receptacle (G) in an insertion direction (E). The compacting unit (3) is configured to compact the receptacle (G) while the receptacle (G) is transported in the insertion direction (E). A post-compacting unit (5) is downstream of the compacting unit (3) in the insertion direction (E) and has at least one second advancing device (6) for transporting the at least one receptacle (G) through the post-compacting unit (5). The post-compacting unit (5) is configured to compact the at least one receptacle (G) further. Positions of the at least one first advancing device (4) of the compacting unit (3) and the at least one second advancing device (6) of the post-compacting unit (5) are changeable with respect to one another in the insertion direction (E).