A can crusher (102), having: a backing plate (120); a left crush-arm (126) pivotally secured to the backing plate and having a left handle (130) and a left crush surface (128) that faces the backing plate when the can crusher is in a closed configuration (190); a right crush-arm (140) pivotally secured to the backing plate and having a right handle (144) and a right crush surface (142) that faces the backing plate when in the closed configuration; and a support plate (150). In a vertical orientation (152) the backing plate is oriented vertically; the support plate is disposed below horizontal sweeps (154, 156) of the crush surfaces; and the support plate supports a can in between the crush surfaces when the can crusher is in an open configuration (104).

A can crusher (102), having: a backing plate (120); a left crush-arm (126) pivotally secured to the backing plate and having a left handle (130) and a left crush surface (128) that faces the backing plate when the can crusher is in a closed configuration (190); a right crush-arm (140) pivotally secured to the backing plate and having a right handle (144) and a right crush surface (142) that faces the backing plate when in the closed configuration; and a support plate (150). In a vertical orientation (152) the backing plate is oriented vertically; the support plate is disposed below horizontal sweeps (154, 156) of the crush surfaces; and the support plate supports a can in between the crush surfaces when the can crusher is in an open configuration (104).

A beverage brewing cartridge includes a base including a sidewall having first and second open ends and a cover sealed to a rim of the first open end, and a plug configured to be inserted into the second open end. The cartridge is configured to hold beverage brewing material when the plug is inserted. The cover is configured to be breached to allow pressurized liquid to enter the cartridge to brew a beverage. The plug includes weakened areas configured to open after the pressurized liquid enters the cartridge to allow the beverage to flow from the cartridge. A method of constructing the cartridge includes placing the base in a holder, inserting a portion of brewing material into the base through the second open sidewall end, tamping the brewing material in the base through the second open sidewall end, and inserting the plug into the second open sidewall end.

A bottom fillable espresso cartridge base and apparatus and method for filling and plugging the bottom of the espresso cartridge base. The espresso cartridge base includes an open bottom and a press in bottom plug. The top of the espresso cartridge may be sealed by a foil lid or the like, or be open and an adhesive attachable lid may be included for attachment by a user. A first method utilizes a hand held multi-function tool including a cartridge holder with a holder lid to capture the espresso cartridge, and a bottom tamper and plug seating arm. A second method utilizes a stationary base residing on a flat surface, a cartridge holder to retain cartridges on the base, and individual tools to fill and tamp brewing material in the cartridge, and to attach the bottom plug to the cartridge.

A bottom fillable espresso cartridge base and apparatus and method for filling and plugging the bottom of the espresso cartridge base. The espresso cartridge base includes an open bottom and a press in bottom plug. The top of the espresso cartridge may be sealed by a foil lid or the like, or be open and an adhesive attachable lid may be included for attachment by a user. A first method utilizes a hand held multi-function tool including a cartridge holder with a holder lid to capture the espresso cartridge, and a bottom tamper and plug seating arm. A second method utilizes a stationary base residing on a flat surface, a cartridge holder to retain cartridges on the base, and individual tools to fill and tamp brewing material in the cartridge, and to attach the bottom plug to the cartridge.

A bottom fillable espresso cartridge base and apparatus and method for filling and plugging the bottom of the espresso cartridge base. The espresso cartridge base includes an open bottom and a press in bottom plug. The top of the espresso cartridge may be sealed by a foil lid or the like, or be open and an adhesive attachable lid may be included for attachment by a user. A first method utilizes a hand held multi-function tool including a cartridge holder with a holder lid to capture the espresso cartridge, and a bottom tamper and plug seating arm. A second method utilizes a stationary base residing on a flat surface, a cartridge holder to retain cartridges on the base, and individual tools to fill and tamp brewing material in the cartridge, and to attach the bottom plug to the cartridge.

A bottom fillable espresso cartridge base and apparatus and method for filling and plugging the bottom of the espresso cartridge base. The espresso cartridge base includes an open bottom and a press in bottom plug. The top of the espresso cartridge may be sealed by a foil lid or the like, or be open and an adhesive attachable lid may be included for attachment by a user. A first method utilizes a hand held multi-function tool including a cartridge holder with a holder lid to capture the espresso cartridge, and a bottom tamper and plug seating arm. A second method utilizes a stationary base residing on a flat surface, a cartridge holder to retain cartridges on the base, and individual tools to fill and tamp brewing material in the cartridge, and to attach the bottom plug to the cartridge.

An arbor press includes a limiter for limiting load and/or travel of a ram used to press on an object. The ram includes a pair of pieces, a shaft and a sleeve, which are capable of relative translation, modulated by the spring. The spring may be preloaded, and configured to prevent overloading of the object, by limiting the transmission of force through the ram. The ram may also be configured to limit travel of the ram. The arbor press may include gearing to translate rotational movement of a handle to translational movement of the ram. The gearing may include a rack that is part of or is coupled to the shaft, and a pinion that is connected to the handle. Parts of the arbor press may be enclosed in a housing, to contain debris from metal-to-metal sliding in the arbor press, facilitating use in clean rooms.

An arbor press includes a limiter for limiting load and/or travel of a ram used to press on an object. The ram includes a pair of pieces, a shaft and a sleeve, which are capable of relative translation, modulated by the spring. The spring may be preloaded, and configured to prevent overloading of the object, by limiting the transmission of force through the ram. The ram may also be configured to limit travel of the ram. The arbor press may include gearing to translate rotational movement of a handle to translational movement of the ram. The gearing may include a rack that is part of or is coupled to the shaft, and a pinion that is connected to the handle. Parts of the arbor press may be enclosed in a housing, to contain debris from metal-to-metal sliding in the arbor press, facilitating use in clean rooms.

A heat press includes a base, a handle, a heater arm, a controller, a lower platen, and an upper platen. The handle is pivotally coupled to the base. The heater arm is pivotally coupled to the base. The controller is pivotally coupled to the handle and the heater arm such that the controller pivots from a first position to a second position during a pivotal movement of the handle from an open position to a closed position. The lower platen is connected to base. The upper platen is connected to the heater arm. A surface of the upper platen is separated from a surface of the lower platen in the open position. The surface of the upper platen is in contact with the surface of the lower platen in the closed position.