CA2115942A1 - Method and device in the handling of recycling packages, such as bottles and cans - Google Patents
Method and device in the handling of recycling packages, such as bottles and cansInfo
- Publication number
- CA2115942A1 CA2115942A1 CA 2115942 CA2115942A CA2115942A1 CA 2115942 A1 CA2115942 A1 CA 2115942A1 CA 2115942 CA2115942 CA 2115942 CA 2115942 A CA2115942 A CA 2115942A CA 2115942 A1 CA2115942 A1 CA 2115942A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- package
- recycling
- crusher
- crusher device
- press
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B30—PRESSES
- B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
- B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
- B30B9/32—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars
- B30B9/321—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars for consolidating empty containers, e.g. cans
- B30B9/325—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars for consolidating empty containers, e.g. cans between rotary pressing members, e.g. rollers, discs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
- B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
- B02C19/00—Other disintegrating devices or methods
- B02C19/0056—Other disintegrating devices or methods specially adapted for specific materials not otherwise provided for
- B02C19/0081—Other disintegrating devices or methods specially adapted for specific materials not otherwise provided for specially adapted for breaking-up bottles
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Method and device for handling recycling packages, such as bottles and cans in which a recycling package is introduced into a receiving space in the device and is transferred by a conveyor device into an identification position. After the identification of the package, the recycling package is transferred based on the identification, either to a plastic bottle crusher device or a can crusher device. A press drum in the can crusher device is rotated by a motor and press drums in the plastic bottle crusher device are also rotated by means of the same motor.
Method and device for handling recycling packages, such as bottles and cans in which a recycling package is introduced into a receiving space in the device and is transferred by a conveyor device into an identification position. After the identification of the package, the recycling package is transferred based on the identification, either to a plastic bottle crusher device or a can crusher device. A press drum in the can crusher device is rotated by a motor and press drums in the plastic bottle crusher device are also rotated by means of the same motor.
Description
21~942 MET~IOD AND DEVICE FOR HANDI-IlIG
RECYCLIN~ PAC~A~E8, 81JCN A~3 BOTTLE8 AND CAN8 s BAC~GROUND O~_~IIE INV~3N~ION
The present invention relates to a method and device for handling recycling packages, such as bottles and cans.
In the prior art, devices for handling recyclable or returnable packages, also referred to as return automats, are Xnown in which a recyclable bottle or can is passed into connection with a ~canning reader device which reads the code label or bar code placed on the face of the product and, on the basis of the scanned code, identifies the product and transfers the product to further procesRing/rejection. The prior art devices have, however, not permitted a versat~le acceptance of recycling packages. Generally, the return automats have been designecl for only one recycling product, either recyclable cans or recyclable plastic bottles.
RECYCLIN~ PAC~A~E8, 81JCN A~3 BOTTLE8 AND CAN8 s BAC~GROUND O~_~IIE INV~3N~ION
The present invention relates to a method and device for handling recycling packages, such as bottles and cans.
In the prior art, devices for handling recyclable or returnable packages, also referred to as return automats, are Xnown in which a recyclable bottle or can is passed into connection with a ~canning reader device which reads the code label or bar code placed on the face of the product and, on the basis of the scanned code, identifies the product and transfers the product to further procesRing/rejection. The prior art devices have, however, not permitted a versat~le acceptance of recycling packages. Generally, the return automats have been designecl for only one recycling product, either recyclable cans or recyclable plastic bottles.
2 0 OE3JECT~ AND ~UMMA~RY OF TH~ NVEN?IO~
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and impro~ed m~thod and device for handling both recyclable plastic containers and metal containers in the same unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method and device ~or handling recyclable plastic ! ` containers and metal containers in which only a single motox is required to operate both a crusher device ~or crushing the plastic containers, ~uch as bottles, and another crusher device for ~ru~hing metal containers, such as cans.
21159~2 It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel method and device wherein the above-mentioned problem related to the prior art devices has been substantially overcome and which p~rmlt~ a versatile acceptance of recycling packages.
In the device in accordance with the present invention, both recycling cans and recycling bottles are received and processed.
The recyclable cans are passed to a crusher device of their own, preferably a press, which presses the can into a smaller volume.
In a corresponding manner, the plastic bottles are passed to a crusher device of their own, separate from the can crusher device, which presses the plastic bottles into a smaller volume. The recycllng packages that have been brought into a smaller volume, i.e., compressed or crushed, are transferred further into storage facilities. ~
The device in accordance with the present invention, i.e., a return automat, receives recycling packagesl preferably plastic bottles and can~, and comprises a frame construction have a front panel and a receiving opening in the front panel. The recycling package, such as a bottle or a can or other plastic and metal containers, is placed into the receiving opening which leads to a receiving space in the device. The receiving space comprises an obliqua inclined bottom onto which the recycling package is placed.
The recycling package is guided by the inclined bottom and is positioned against the end wall of the space by the force of ~5 gravity.
In the device in accordance with the invention, the bottom ~;
part is linked so as to pivot on hinge means and, if the weight of the recycling package exceeds a certain maximum weight, a limit switch is switched on. In this case, the device does not transfer the recycling package further but, e.g., rejects the can. In this way, the processin~ of full packages is substantially eliminated.
In the device, a photocell detects a recycling package when it is 2 ~ 2 in a lifting position ready to be transferred to an identification position~ Moreover, a light curtain i5 placed at the mouth of the receiving space. When the light curtain does not detect an object or ob~tacle in the receivlng space, such as the hand of the person who iB returning the package, and when the press switch connected with the bottom part of the space is not in the closed position, the recycling package is transferred upwards by means of a tray part pas~ing through an opening in the bottom plate. The tray part is fixed to a conveyor belt, and the belt is passed over three belt pulleys. By moving the belt, the recycling package is shifted onto two rollers placed side by side adjacent to one ano~her, which are rotated to rotate the package so as read the bar code.
After a central unit has identified the recycling package as either, e.g., a metal container such as an aluminum can or as a pla~tic container such a~ a plastic bottle, a receipt or a ~um of money corresponding to the identification data is delivered to the person returniny the package, and the recycling package is trans~erred away ~rom the rollers onto troughs passing to the plastic-bottle press or to the can press.
If the package is not identified, it is pas~ed to a rejection sy~tem. In this case, the recycling package i8 brought back to the vicinity of the front panel o~ the device into a reject opening, from which the returning person can pick up the rejected package.
In a preferred embodiment, when a plastic bottle is concerned, the .
package is shifted to the`side of~ the rollers and through a trough to a plastic-bottle processing device, preferably a crusher device, between whose roll wheels the recycling package is flattened into a smaller volume.
If the cen~ral unit has identified the recyoling paokage as an aluminum can on the basis of the bar code that has been read, the can ic shifted forwards by operating the belt in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rollers so that the can is 21159~2 -moved out of connection with the upper ends of the rollers and into a discharge trough. The can is moved through the discharge trough to a can press device which presses the can and crushes it into a smaller volume.
By means this construction, the device in accordance with the present invention comprises a separate press for recycling cans and a separate press for plastic bottles. Th~ device also comprises one motor which operates both the press drum of the can crusher and at least one of the press drums of the plastic-bottle crusher.
Thus, two crusher units are operated by means of a single motor drive.
In the method in accordance with the present invention, the press drum of the can crusher device is rotated by means of a motor, and at least one of the press drums of the plastic-bottle crusher device is also rotated by means of a corresponding motor drive connected to the same motor.
The device in accordance with the invention includes a motor and a motor output from which both the crusher device for cans and the ¢rusher device for pla~tic bottles are operated.
~he present invention will be described in the following with re~erence to some preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures in the accompanying drawings. However~
the invention is not supposed to be confined to these embodiments alone~
BRIEF DE~CRIP~IQN OF ~HE DRAWIN~8 The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as encompassed by the claims.
~igure lA is an illustration of a device in accordance with the present invéntion viewed from the direction of the front panel.
Figure lB illustrates the basic constructions of the device in 211~9~2 accordanse with the present invention.
Figure lC illustrate~ the movability of the slide frame R~ in relation to the base frame R.
Figure lD is a sectional view taken along the line I-I in Fig.
lC.
Figure lE is an illustration of principle of a crusher device for crushing metal containers such as cans.
Fi~ure lF is an illustration of principle of a crusher device for crushing plastic containers such as plastic bottles.
Figure 2 is an axonometric illustration of the slide frame and of the related means ~or transferring the package.
Figure 3A is an axonometric illustration of the construction of the space for receiving the recycling packages in the device in accor~ance w~th the present invention.
Figure 3B is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 3A showing the manner in which the recycling package is placed on tha bottom part of the receiving space, after which the tray ~ixed to the belt lifts the package in the direction ~.
Figure 3C shows the passage of the tray part fixed to th~ belt through a gap between end walls of the receiving space through the brush construction arranged the space between the end walls.
Figure 4A illustrates the transfer o~ the package onto the rollers.
Figure 4~ illustrates the rotation of the package.
. .
2~ Figure 4C is an illustration ln the direction K1 in Fig. 4B.
Figure 4D shows the removal of the recycling package after the rotation, either directly forwards (arrow L3) when shifted by the conveyor, or to the side (arrow L2) when diverted by a pivotal wall.
Figure 5 is an illustration in the direction K2 in Fig. 2 ~howing an arrangement for removing the xecycling package from the revolving rollers to one side of the rollers.
2~1~942 Figure 6 shows a solenoid mechanism for shifting of the side wall in Fig. 5.
Figure 7 shows a sorting arrangement related to rejection of ~ pa~kage.
Figure 8A shows a lifting member fixed to the belt when viewed from above.
Figure 8B is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig~ 8A.
Figure 9 i~ a sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV in Fig. 2.
Figure 10 shows the arrangement of joint operation of a can crusher device and a plastic bottle crusher device seen in the direction of the arrow K3 in Fig. 2, i.e., from above.
DETAIIED DE8C~IP'rION OF THE :tNVE~N~:CON
Fig. lA is an axonometric illustration of a device in aacordance with the present invention, viewed from outside. ~he device 10 is suitable for receiving both recycling plastic bottles and recycling can6, prefsrably aluminum cans, and al80 glass bottles. The device 10 comprises a receiving space A for the recycling packages, which opens from a plane of the surface of a ~ront panel E of the device into the interior of the device. Front panel Q of the device can be pivoted to the open position on hinge meanSlGl~G2-Besides the receivlng space A, the front panel Q also ~omprises a reject space T, through which a non-accepted recycling package - a can or a plastic bottle or a glass bottle - can be removed. After all of the person's recycling packages have been fed into the device, the receipt knob U1 is depressed. From a receipt opening U~, a receipt for the recycled number of packages and/or a sum of mon~y correspond~ng to the package~ is/are received, the returned money cominy from a money trough U3. By 2:l15~2 ,.
pulling handles U4, the storage containers Sl and S2 for the crushed packages can be pulled out for further transportation.
Fig. lB illustrates the different parts of the device in a~cordance with the present invention. The devi~e comprls~s a crusher Dl provided for cans, a storage container S1 which is placed preferably underneath the press and into which the crushed cans, which have ~een pressed and crushed into a smaller voll~me, are gathered. The device also comprises a second crusher D2, preferably a press, by whose means the plastic bottles are crushed into a smaller volume. A storage container S2 for these crushed packages is placed underneath the crusher D2.
The device comprises a slide ~rame R' displaceably mounted on a frame R and which comprises all substantial means necessary for transferring of the package to be identified by an identification device H. The slide frame R' can be displaced into a forward position when the front panel E of the device is opened. For ~ervice operations, there is easy access to all essential parts of the device. The device further com'prises a scanner as the identification device H is situated in a position above the slide frame R' so that the bar code is scanned by means of the ~canner from the surface of the product.
The slide frame comprises frame parts R'j, and R'b which define the transfer means in the space between them. The transfer means comprise, e.g., a transfer member that is passed as a closed 2S endle~s loop, preferably a conveyor belt 16 or, for example, a chain. ~he transfer loop is passed over guide pulleys.
Preferably, there are three guide pulleys and, thus, the trans~er member comprises three runs: a first transfer-member run that runs upwardly inclined, a subsequent second, shorter transfer-member run which runs as sllghtly upwardly inclined in relation to the horizontal plané, and a downward running third run, The transer conveyor 16 for transferring the packages is ~ 5 ~ ~ 2 passed as an endless conveyor loop 16' over guide pulleys, such as belt pulleys. The transfer conveyor 16 is preferably a convayor belt, from which lifting members 19 project outward. The function o~ the li~ting membor~ i~ to lift the recycllng packag~ from th~
5bottom o~ the receiving space A onto the rotated rollers on which the bar code is read. Since the transfer member is a belt, the gulde pulleys are belt pulleys, of which one belt pulley i~ driven by a motor M2 50 as to operate the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can also be substituted ~or by a chain or a rope or by 10equivalent transfer means. In the embodiment wherein the belt is substitutes for by a claim, the belt pulleys are substituted ~or by ahain pulleys. However, it is important that lifting members 19 pro~ect from the transfer member so that the recycling package is lifted forwards.
15Fig. lC shows the slide frame R' of the devic~, which can be displaced in relation to the stationary base frame R of the device.
Fig. lD is a sectional view taken along the line I-I in Fig.
lC. As shown in Fig. lD, the slide frame R' is displaced in the direction X (Fig. lA) in a guide formed between plate parts El and 20E2 o~ the frame R. Flange part E3 is bent to the side of the slide frame R' ~nd is guided between the plate parts E1 and E2 to enable the slide frame Rl to move relative to the frame R.
~ig. lE illustrates the principle of operation of the can crusher D1. The crusher D comprises a crusher drum Dl' and a wedge- -25shaped back-up part F1. When the drum D1' is rotated, the dropped can P is shi~ted into a narrowing gap N between the back-up part F1 and the crusher drum D1' which is rotated by a motor M1. The final result that is obtained is a flattened can which has been crushed and brought into a smaller volume and passed into storage ~1.
30Fig. lF illustrates the operation of the plastic-bottle crusher device. A recycled bottle P is passed into a gap N2 between crusher drums or press drums D2',D2". Both of the crusher 2 ~ 2 drums D2', D2" are rotated by means of the drive obtained from the same motor M~ which rotates the crusher drum D1' of the can crusher D~. The final result is a flattened package which is passed into a storage tank S2.
Fig. shows the device 10 in accordance with the present invention, in whose slide frame R' the main parts of the device are placed. The device 10 for handling of recycling packages comprises a 3pace A for receiving the packages, which is defined by a bottom part 11 and by side walls 12. In the area of the inlet opening of the receiving space A, there is a light curtain 13 which comprises a transmitter 13a, a mirror 13b, and a receiving detector 13c. A
beam of light is emitted from the transmitter 13a to the mirror 13b, from which it is re~lected to the receiving detector 13c to be received. By means of the light curtain 13, it is possible to detect if a hand or any other obstacle is present or has been removed from the receiving space A and if the transfer operation of the p~ckage aan start. The bottom part 11 is inclined to provide a lower end lla onto which the bottle is transferred by the effect of yravity. The device also includes a transmitter 14 and a receiver 15 which monitor and detect if a recycling package P is placed in the transfer position on the end lla of the bottom part 11 .
A~ shown in Fig. 2, the device further comprises a conveyor band 16, which is passed over three belt pulleys 17a, 17b and 17c.
' A shaft of belt pulley 17a is rotated by mean~ of a motor M2 .
mounted on the frame Rl. The belt pulleys 17a, 17b and 17c are mounted to revolve on their sha~ts on bearing means (not shown) in relation to the slide frame R'.
The conveyor belt 16 preferably comprises three trays 19 or ~:
lifting members which are arranged to be placed against the bottom .. :
of the recycling package. By means of the lifting members, the recycling package is lifted upwards along an inclined path, and ~ .
2tl~9~2 further onto rollers 20a,20b. $he rollers 20a,20b are rotated during the stage of identification of the bar code so that the scanning signal sweeps across the surface of the package P that is rot~ted by means o~ ~he rollers 20a,20b. One o~ ~he rollers, e.g., roller 20a, has a drum motor in its interior so that the roller is ro~ated by means of the drum motor. The rota~ion is transferred from the roller 20a to the roller 20b via a slave wheel 21, arranged in engagement and contact with the faces of both of ths rollers 20a,20b. The shafts of the roller 20a are denoted by reference numerals 22a,22b~ and the shafts of the roller 20b are denoted by reference numerals 23a,23b. The roller 20a i~
articulated by its shafts by bearing means (not shown) on the slide frame R'. In a corresponding manner, the roller 20b is mounted on ~ -it~ shafts 23a,23b to revolve on bearing means (not shown) in relation to the frame R'. ~he slave wheel 21 is mounted to revolve on its sha~t on bearing means (not shown) on the frame R'.
In proximity to the rollers 20a,20b, there are the walls 24 and 25 having planes parallel to the rollers. Walls 24, 25 are linked so as to pivot on bearing means G3,G4,G5,G6. The walls 24,25 are pivoted by means of an actuator so that it is possible to carry out the sorting ~rom the top of the rollers in the direction ~
ghown in Fig. 2. A second function of the walls 24 and 25 is to act as guide walls so as to prevent package from ~alling off the top o~ the rotated rollers 20a,20b at the scanning sta~e.
Fig. 3A is an illustration o the construction of the package receiving space A. The receiving space for the recycled packages i~ dePined by side walls 12 as well as end walls 27a,27b. The bottom part 11, which defines the receiving space A from below, comprises an opening 26 which corresponds to the shape of the lifting member or tray 19 fixed to the belt. During operation of the device, the lifting member 19 is shifted through the opening 26 in the bottom part 11 into contact with a bottom surface of the 2115~l12 recycling package P.
A gap 28 remains between the end walls 2?a, 27b, in which brushes 29a,29b are arranged. The function of the brushes 29a,29b i~ to pr~vent a fres contact between the receiving ~paoe and the objects therein and the run of the belt conveyor. Howev~r, the brushes 29a,29b permit a movement of the tray 19 through the gap 28 between the end walls 27a,27b in the space A.
The end walls 27a,27b are shaped so that only one recycling package at a time can be placed in the space between the end walls.
Fig. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and impro~ed m~thod and device for handling both recyclable plastic containers and metal containers in the same unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method and device ~or handling recyclable plastic ! ` containers and metal containers in which only a single motox is required to operate both a crusher device ~or crushing the plastic containers, ~uch as bottles, and another crusher device for ~ru~hing metal containers, such as cans.
21159~2 It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel method and device wherein the above-mentioned problem related to the prior art devices has been substantially overcome and which p~rmlt~ a versatile acceptance of recycling packages.
In the device in accordance with the present invention, both recycling cans and recycling bottles are received and processed.
The recyclable cans are passed to a crusher device of their own, preferably a press, which presses the can into a smaller volume.
In a corresponding manner, the plastic bottles are passed to a crusher device of their own, separate from the can crusher device, which presses the plastic bottles into a smaller volume. The recycllng packages that have been brought into a smaller volume, i.e., compressed or crushed, are transferred further into storage facilities. ~
The device in accordance with the present invention, i.e., a return automat, receives recycling packagesl preferably plastic bottles and can~, and comprises a frame construction have a front panel and a receiving opening in the front panel. The recycling package, such as a bottle or a can or other plastic and metal containers, is placed into the receiving opening which leads to a receiving space in the device. The receiving space comprises an obliqua inclined bottom onto which the recycling package is placed.
The recycling package is guided by the inclined bottom and is positioned against the end wall of the space by the force of ~5 gravity.
In the device in accordance with the invention, the bottom ~;
part is linked so as to pivot on hinge means and, if the weight of the recycling package exceeds a certain maximum weight, a limit switch is switched on. In this case, the device does not transfer the recycling package further but, e.g., rejects the can. In this way, the processin~ of full packages is substantially eliminated.
In the device, a photocell detects a recycling package when it is 2 ~ 2 in a lifting position ready to be transferred to an identification position~ Moreover, a light curtain i5 placed at the mouth of the receiving space. When the light curtain does not detect an object or ob~tacle in the receivlng space, such as the hand of the person who iB returning the package, and when the press switch connected with the bottom part of the space is not in the closed position, the recycling package is transferred upwards by means of a tray part pas~ing through an opening in the bottom plate. The tray part is fixed to a conveyor belt, and the belt is passed over three belt pulleys. By moving the belt, the recycling package is shifted onto two rollers placed side by side adjacent to one ano~her, which are rotated to rotate the package so as read the bar code.
After a central unit has identified the recycling package as either, e.g., a metal container such as an aluminum can or as a pla~tic container such a~ a plastic bottle, a receipt or a ~um of money corresponding to the identification data is delivered to the person returniny the package, and the recycling package is trans~erred away ~rom the rollers onto troughs passing to the plastic-bottle press or to the can press.
If the package is not identified, it is pas~ed to a rejection sy~tem. In this case, the recycling package i8 brought back to the vicinity of the front panel o~ the device into a reject opening, from which the returning person can pick up the rejected package.
In a preferred embodiment, when a plastic bottle is concerned, the .
package is shifted to the`side of~ the rollers and through a trough to a plastic-bottle processing device, preferably a crusher device, between whose roll wheels the recycling package is flattened into a smaller volume.
If the cen~ral unit has identified the recyoling paokage as an aluminum can on the basis of the bar code that has been read, the can ic shifted forwards by operating the belt in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rollers so that the can is 21159~2 -moved out of connection with the upper ends of the rollers and into a discharge trough. The can is moved through the discharge trough to a can press device which presses the can and crushes it into a smaller volume.
By means this construction, the device in accordance with the present invention comprises a separate press for recycling cans and a separate press for plastic bottles. Th~ device also comprises one motor which operates both the press drum of the can crusher and at least one of the press drums of the plastic-bottle crusher.
Thus, two crusher units are operated by means of a single motor drive.
In the method in accordance with the present invention, the press drum of the can crusher device is rotated by means of a motor, and at least one of the press drums of the plastic-bottle crusher device is also rotated by means of a corresponding motor drive connected to the same motor.
The device in accordance with the invention includes a motor and a motor output from which both the crusher device for cans and the ¢rusher device for pla~tic bottles are operated.
~he present invention will be described in the following with re~erence to some preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures in the accompanying drawings. However~
the invention is not supposed to be confined to these embodiments alone~
BRIEF DE~CRIP~IQN OF ~HE DRAWIN~8 The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as encompassed by the claims.
~igure lA is an illustration of a device in accordance with the present invéntion viewed from the direction of the front panel.
Figure lB illustrates the basic constructions of the device in 211~9~2 accordanse with the present invention.
Figure lC illustrate~ the movability of the slide frame R~ in relation to the base frame R.
Figure lD is a sectional view taken along the line I-I in Fig.
lC.
Figure lE is an illustration of principle of a crusher device for crushing metal containers such as cans.
Fi~ure lF is an illustration of principle of a crusher device for crushing plastic containers such as plastic bottles.
Figure 2 is an axonometric illustration of the slide frame and of the related means ~or transferring the package.
Figure 3A is an axonometric illustration of the construction of the space for receiving the recycling packages in the device in accor~ance w~th the present invention.
Figure 3B is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 3A showing the manner in which the recycling package is placed on tha bottom part of the receiving space, after which the tray ~ixed to the belt lifts the package in the direction ~.
Figure 3C shows the passage of the tray part fixed to th~ belt through a gap between end walls of the receiving space through the brush construction arranged the space between the end walls.
Figure 4A illustrates the transfer o~ the package onto the rollers.
Figure 4~ illustrates the rotation of the package.
. .
2~ Figure 4C is an illustration ln the direction K1 in Fig. 4B.
Figure 4D shows the removal of the recycling package after the rotation, either directly forwards (arrow L3) when shifted by the conveyor, or to the side (arrow L2) when diverted by a pivotal wall.
Figure 5 is an illustration in the direction K2 in Fig. 2 ~howing an arrangement for removing the xecycling package from the revolving rollers to one side of the rollers.
2~1~942 Figure 6 shows a solenoid mechanism for shifting of the side wall in Fig. 5.
Figure 7 shows a sorting arrangement related to rejection of ~ pa~kage.
Figure 8A shows a lifting member fixed to the belt when viewed from above.
Figure 8B is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig~ 8A.
Figure 9 i~ a sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV in Fig. 2.
Figure 10 shows the arrangement of joint operation of a can crusher device and a plastic bottle crusher device seen in the direction of the arrow K3 in Fig. 2, i.e., from above.
DETAIIED DE8C~IP'rION OF THE :tNVE~N~:CON
Fig. lA is an axonometric illustration of a device in aacordance with the present invention, viewed from outside. ~he device 10 is suitable for receiving both recycling plastic bottles and recycling can6, prefsrably aluminum cans, and al80 glass bottles. The device 10 comprises a receiving space A for the recycling packages, which opens from a plane of the surface of a ~ront panel E of the device into the interior of the device. Front panel Q of the device can be pivoted to the open position on hinge meanSlGl~G2-Besides the receivlng space A, the front panel Q also ~omprises a reject space T, through which a non-accepted recycling package - a can or a plastic bottle or a glass bottle - can be removed. After all of the person's recycling packages have been fed into the device, the receipt knob U1 is depressed. From a receipt opening U~, a receipt for the recycled number of packages and/or a sum of mon~y correspond~ng to the package~ is/are received, the returned money cominy from a money trough U3. By 2:l15~2 ,.
pulling handles U4, the storage containers Sl and S2 for the crushed packages can be pulled out for further transportation.
Fig. lB illustrates the different parts of the device in a~cordance with the present invention. The devi~e comprls~s a crusher Dl provided for cans, a storage container S1 which is placed preferably underneath the press and into which the crushed cans, which have ~een pressed and crushed into a smaller voll~me, are gathered. The device also comprises a second crusher D2, preferably a press, by whose means the plastic bottles are crushed into a smaller volume. A storage container S2 for these crushed packages is placed underneath the crusher D2.
The device comprises a slide ~rame R' displaceably mounted on a frame R and which comprises all substantial means necessary for transferring of the package to be identified by an identification device H. The slide frame R' can be displaced into a forward position when the front panel E of the device is opened. For ~ervice operations, there is easy access to all essential parts of the device. The device further com'prises a scanner as the identification device H is situated in a position above the slide frame R' so that the bar code is scanned by means of the ~canner from the surface of the product.
The slide frame comprises frame parts R'j, and R'b which define the transfer means in the space between them. The transfer means comprise, e.g., a transfer member that is passed as a closed 2S endle~s loop, preferably a conveyor belt 16 or, for example, a chain. ~he transfer loop is passed over guide pulleys.
Preferably, there are three guide pulleys and, thus, the trans~er member comprises three runs: a first transfer-member run that runs upwardly inclined, a subsequent second, shorter transfer-member run which runs as sllghtly upwardly inclined in relation to the horizontal plané, and a downward running third run, The transer conveyor 16 for transferring the packages is ~ 5 ~ ~ 2 passed as an endless conveyor loop 16' over guide pulleys, such as belt pulleys. The transfer conveyor 16 is preferably a convayor belt, from which lifting members 19 project outward. The function o~ the li~ting membor~ i~ to lift the recycllng packag~ from th~
5bottom o~ the receiving space A onto the rotated rollers on which the bar code is read. Since the transfer member is a belt, the gulde pulleys are belt pulleys, of which one belt pulley i~ driven by a motor M2 50 as to operate the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can also be substituted ~or by a chain or a rope or by 10equivalent transfer means. In the embodiment wherein the belt is substitutes for by a claim, the belt pulleys are substituted ~or by ahain pulleys. However, it is important that lifting members 19 pro~ect from the transfer member so that the recycling package is lifted forwards.
15Fig. lC shows the slide frame R' of the devic~, which can be displaced in relation to the stationary base frame R of the device.
Fig. lD is a sectional view taken along the line I-I in Fig.
lC. As shown in Fig. lD, the slide frame R' is displaced in the direction X (Fig. lA) in a guide formed between plate parts El and 20E2 o~ the frame R. Flange part E3 is bent to the side of the slide frame R' ~nd is guided between the plate parts E1 and E2 to enable the slide frame Rl to move relative to the frame R.
~ig. lE illustrates the principle of operation of the can crusher D1. The crusher D comprises a crusher drum Dl' and a wedge- -25shaped back-up part F1. When the drum D1' is rotated, the dropped can P is shi~ted into a narrowing gap N between the back-up part F1 and the crusher drum D1' which is rotated by a motor M1. The final result that is obtained is a flattened can which has been crushed and brought into a smaller volume and passed into storage ~1.
30Fig. lF illustrates the operation of the plastic-bottle crusher device. A recycled bottle P is passed into a gap N2 between crusher drums or press drums D2',D2". Both of the crusher 2 ~ 2 drums D2', D2" are rotated by means of the drive obtained from the same motor M~ which rotates the crusher drum D1' of the can crusher D~. The final result is a flattened package which is passed into a storage tank S2.
Fig. shows the device 10 in accordance with the present invention, in whose slide frame R' the main parts of the device are placed. The device 10 for handling of recycling packages comprises a 3pace A for receiving the packages, which is defined by a bottom part 11 and by side walls 12. In the area of the inlet opening of the receiving space A, there is a light curtain 13 which comprises a transmitter 13a, a mirror 13b, and a receiving detector 13c. A
beam of light is emitted from the transmitter 13a to the mirror 13b, from which it is re~lected to the receiving detector 13c to be received. By means of the light curtain 13, it is possible to detect if a hand or any other obstacle is present or has been removed from the receiving space A and if the transfer operation of the p~ckage aan start. The bottom part 11 is inclined to provide a lower end lla onto which the bottle is transferred by the effect of yravity. The device also includes a transmitter 14 and a receiver 15 which monitor and detect if a recycling package P is placed in the transfer position on the end lla of the bottom part 11 .
A~ shown in Fig. 2, the device further comprises a conveyor band 16, which is passed over three belt pulleys 17a, 17b and 17c.
' A shaft of belt pulley 17a is rotated by mean~ of a motor M2 .
mounted on the frame Rl. The belt pulleys 17a, 17b and 17c are mounted to revolve on their sha~ts on bearing means (not shown) in relation to the slide frame R'.
The conveyor belt 16 preferably comprises three trays 19 or ~:
lifting members which are arranged to be placed against the bottom .. :
of the recycling package. By means of the lifting members, the recycling package is lifted upwards along an inclined path, and ~ .
2tl~9~2 further onto rollers 20a,20b. $he rollers 20a,20b are rotated during the stage of identification of the bar code so that the scanning signal sweeps across the surface of the package P that is rot~ted by means o~ ~he rollers 20a,20b. One o~ ~he rollers, e.g., roller 20a, has a drum motor in its interior so that the roller is ro~ated by means of the drum motor. The rota~ion is transferred from the roller 20a to the roller 20b via a slave wheel 21, arranged in engagement and contact with the faces of both of ths rollers 20a,20b. The shafts of the roller 20a are denoted by reference numerals 22a,22b~ and the shafts of the roller 20b are denoted by reference numerals 23a,23b. The roller 20a i~
articulated by its shafts by bearing means (not shown) on the slide frame R'. In a corresponding manner, the roller 20b is mounted on ~ -it~ shafts 23a,23b to revolve on bearing means (not shown) in relation to the frame R'. ~he slave wheel 21 is mounted to revolve on its sha~t on bearing means (not shown) on the frame R'.
In proximity to the rollers 20a,20b, there are the walls 24 and 25 having planes parallel to the rollers. Walls 24, 25 are linked so as to pivot on bearing means G3,G4,G5,G6. The walls 24,25 are pivoted by means of an actuator so that it is possible to carry out the sorting ~rom the top of the rollers in the direction ~
ghown in Fig. 2. A second function of the walls 24 and 25 is to act as guide walls so as to prevent package from ~alling off the top o~ the rotated rollers 20a,20b at the scanning sta~e.
Fig. 3A is an illustration o the construction of the package receiving space A. The receiving space for the recycled packages i~ dePined by side walls 12 as well as end walls 27a,27b. The bottom part 11, which defines the receiving space A from below, comprises an opening 26 which corresponds to the shape of the lifting member or tray 19 fixed to the belt. During operation of the device, the lifting member 19 is shifted through the opening 26 in the bottom part 11 into contact with a bottom surface of the 2115~l12 recycling package P.
A gap 28 remains between the end walls 2?a, 27b, in which brushes 29a,29b are arranged. The function of the brushes 29a,29b i~ to pr~vent a fres contact between the receiving ~paoe and the objects therein and the run of the belt conveyor. Howev~r, the brushes 29a,29b permit a movement of the tray 19 through the gap 28 between the end walls 27a,27b in the space A.
The end walls 27a,27b are shaped so that only one recycling package at a time can be placed in the space between the end walls.
Fig. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig.
3~. The recycling package P is placed into t~e receiving space A
on the bottom part 11 which is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane X. The package i5 placed against the end walls 27a,27b on the end area lla o~ the bottom part by the effect of gravity. By means o~ a detector device, preferably a photocell receiver arrangement 14 or equivalent, the arrival of a package in the lifting position lla is monitored. If a press switch 34 does not go into the closed position and, if it is ascertained by means of a light curtain 13 that the space A is free, the package P i5 then lifted by means of the liftinq member 19 fixed to the belt 16.
The turning movement of th~ bottom part 11 is denoted by letter J1- The flap part 30 o~ the bottom part ll is provided with a spring 32. The bottom part 11 is linked to pivot on a hinge 3~
or equivalent articulated joint means. This structure is applied when the package is too heavy and is to be rejected, i.e., a full package.
~ ig. 3C is an axonometric illustration of the brushes 29a,29b in the space 28 between the walls 27a,27b. The lifting member 19 is arranged to be displaced vertically. The brush construction, being a security construction, however, prevents direct unintentional ~ontact with the belt 16.
Fig. 4A illustrates the transfer of a package by means of the 2 ~ 2 , belt 16 and the related lifting member 19 onto the rollers 20a and 20b to bring the recyclable package to the scanning/identification position.
Fig. 4B shows a ~tage in which the rollers 20a and 20b are rotated in the directions indicated in the fi~ure with arrows so that the package revolves in the direction of rotation indic~ted by arrow L4. If the rollers 20a,20b are rotated clockwise, then the package would be rotated counterclockwise. At the scanning identification stage concerned, a scanning beam is passed in the direction parallal to the side line of the package, and the bar code on the package is read. After this, based on the identi~ication data, the central unit of the device carries out the sorting of the recycling package. The ends of the rollers 20a,20b at tha inlet side are positioned lower than the ends of the rollers 20a,20b at the outlet side. Thus, the rollers are placed in a positlon inclined from the horizontal plane and inclined upward Pron~ the inlet side to the outlet side.
Fig. 4C is an illustration viewed in the direction Kl in Fig.
4B. The r~ller 20a comprises a drum motor. The slave wheel, preferably a friction wheel 21, is pre~sed by force against ths rollers 20a,20b. When the roller 20a i~ rotated, the other roller 20b is thus also rotated by means of the wheel 21, and the directlon o~ rotation at the roller 20b is the same as that of roller 20a~ In Fig. 4C, the directions of rotation are indicated I . ' by arrows.
As shown in Fiy. 4D, the recycling package may be shifted in the direction L2, to the side as shown. In this situation, the wall 24 shifts a rejected package and/or an accepted plastic bottle lnto the first path placed at the side of the device, preferably a trough 35. A rejected package is shifted while the pivotal bottom 45 in the initial part o~ the trough 35 is in an open position, so that the reject~d package falls directly into the return path, 21~942 pref~rably a return trough 46, and back to the customer. However, a plastic bottle is passed along the trough 35 to the crusher D2.
If a metal container such as a can is identified as the recyclable package, the can is passed forward by operating the belt 516 and is dropped near the belt pulley 17a into the second path, prefarably a trouyh 36, which is placed near the belt pulley.
Trough 36 transfers the recycling package to the can crusher device Dl.
Fig. 5 shows the walls 24 and 25 placed alongside the rollers 1020a,20b, which walls form a protected space therebetween in which the recycling package can be rotated on the rollers 20a,20b. Thus, be~ore the recycling package is shifted off the rollers by means of the wall part 24 (arrow L2) into the first trough 35 or on the belt into the second trou~h 36 ~arrow L3), the bar code is read from the 15face o~ the rotating product. As shown in Fig. 5, the package P is shifted onto the rollers 20a,20b by means of the thin belt 16 and the related li~ting member 19 running in the 6pace between the rollers.
The wall 24 is coupled with a first actuator 37, and the 20second wall 25 is coupled with a second actuator 38. The actuators 37,38 are preferably solenoids, having a displaceable push arm 43 is di~placed. When a recycling package, such as a re~ected can, is shifted in the direction L2, the first wall 24 is pivoted in the direction L2. Before that, the second wall 25 is shifted out of .
25the way for the shifting movement of the wall 24, likewise in the direction L2. Thus, when the wall 24 is pivoted and the package is pushed by means o~ the wall 24 to the side~(in the direction L2), the second wall 25 does not stand in the way or impede the sihifting movement.
30Fig. 6 shows a coupling construction related to ~he wall 24. ~:
The construction is also the same in the coupling between the : -~
actuator 38 and the wall 25. In its upper portion, the wall 24 ~.
13 .
2~1~9~2 comprises a square-section bar 3g connected to a lever 39a. An intermediate lever 40 is connected at one end by an articulated ~oint 41 with the lever 39a and is connected at the opposite end hy means o an articulated joint 42 with a push arm 43 of an actuator 3~, preferably a solenoid. The square-section bar 39 is provided with a circular shaft 39b mou~ted in a bearing Gn. The other end of the square-section bar 39 is also mounted in a similar manner by means of another bearing G~.
~ig. 7 shows the construction of the recycling trough placed at the side of the rollers 20a,20b. The recycling trough 35 passes a recycling package that has been dropped off to a side of the rollers 20a,20b to the plastic-bottle crusher D2. Both rejected packages and identified plastic bottles are passed into the trough part 35. In the case of rejected packages, the bottom part 45 of the path, preferably the trough portion 35, is raised by means of an actuator 44 on hinge means Glo, and the bottom part is pivoted into a position ~arrow L5) in which the recycling package is dropped into a third path 46 placed underneath, preferably a trough, which passes the recycling package into the re~ec~ opening T by the force of qravity back to the customer. The pivotal bottom part 45 is provided with a coupling between the plate part and the solenoid similar t~ that illustrated in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8A shows the lifting member 19 as viewed from above. Fig.
8B is a seetional view taken along the line III~III in Fig. 8A.
The construction of the lifting member 19 comprises a grasping part 47 which contacts a bottom surface of the recycling package.
The grasping part 47 is connected with an arm 48 which branches into a bracket 49a,49b between which a spring 50 is arranged. A
shaft 51, preferably a cotter pin, is passed through the brackets 49a,4gb. The frame 53 is attached to the belt 16 by means of a collar 52a,52b. The collar 52a,52b is passed around the ~rame 53 and around the belt 16. When the belt is displaced upward6 as 2 ~ 4 2 indicated by arrow L1, the recycling package placed on the lifting member 19 is rai~ed. If the process is congested, the grasping part 47 is bent down as indicated by the arrow S1, and the package i8 dropped back onto the botkom part 11 to await a sub3equent lifting member on the conveyor. The spring 50 returns the grasping part 47 again to its original position after the package has been dropped.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the plane IV IV in Fig.
2. The belt 16 is passed over the belt pulleys 17a,17b,17c. The belt pulleys are articulated to revolve on their shafts in relation to the frame R' on bearing means (not shown). The belt 16 comprises three lifting members l9a,19b,19c. The lifting members are arranged on the belt 16 to be uniformly spaced such that the lifting member l9a is placed at the vicinity of the forward end of the roller 20a,20b, the lifting member l9b is plaaed in a synchronization position in proximity to the detector 60 on the downward belt run, and the lifting member l9c is placed in the lifting position in the vicinity of the end lla of the plate 11.
Thus, when the belt 16 is at a stop, one liftinq member 19 is always placed at a synchronization detector 60.
Fig. 9 shows the curved trough-shaped upper portion 61, from which the recycling package is passed to the r~llers 20a,20b when being carried by the belt 16.
Fig. 10 shows the operation of the can crusher D~ and of the , , l -plastia-bottle crusher D2. From the motor M1, the motive force or dri~e is passed through the transmission system V directly to the :;
shaft 54a and the press drum D~' of the can crusher D1. Similarly, ~;~
by mean~ of a coupling 55, the output shaft 54a of the motor M~ -directly operates the shaft 54b. Further, by means of cogwheels 56a,56b,56c,56d, the drums D2',D2" of the second crusher D2, provided for plastic bottles, are also operated. Thus, in a favorable way, a drive both of the drum D1' of the crusher D1 and .--lS
5 ~ 4 ~
of the drums D2',D2" o~ the crusher D2 have been achieved by means of the same motor Ml.
The examples provided above are not meant to be exclusive.
Many other variations of the present invention would be obvious to those skilled in the art, and are contemplated to be within the scope of the appended claims.
on the bottom part 11 which is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane X. The package i5 placed against the end walls 27a,27b on the end area lla o~ the bottom part by the effect of gravity. By means o~ a detector device, preferably a photocell receiver arrangement 14 or equivalent, the arrival of a package in the lifting position lla is monitored. If a press switch 34 does not go into the closed position and, if it is ascertained by means of a light curtain 13 that the space A is free, the package P i5 then lifted by means of the liftinq member 19 fixed to the belt 16.
The turning movement of th~ bottom part 11 is denoted by letter J1- The flap part 30 o~ the bottom part ll is provided with a spring 32. The bottom part 11 is linked to pivot on a hinge 3~
or equivalent articulated joint means. This structure is applied when the package is too heavy and is to be rejected, i.e., a full package.
~ ig. 3C is an axonometric illustration of the brushes 29a,29b in the space 28 between the walls 27a,27b. The lifting member 19 is arranged to be displaced vertically. The brush construction, being a security construction, however, prevents direct unintentional ~ontact with the belt 16.
Fig. 4A illustrates the transfer of a package by means of the 2 ~ 2 , belt 16 and the related lifting member 19 onto the rollers 20a and 20b to bring the recyclable package to the scanning/identification position.
Fig. 4B shows a ~tage in which the rollers 20a and 20b are rotated in the directions indicated in the fi~ure with arrows so that the package revolves in the direction of rotation indic~ted by arrow L4. If the rollers 20a,20b are rotated clockwise, then the package would be rotated counterclockwise. At the scanning identification stage concerned, a scanning beam is passed in the direction parallal to the side line of the package, and the bar code on the package is read. After this, based on the identi~ication data, the central unit of the device carries out the sorting of the recycling package. The ends of the rollers 20a,20b at tha inlet side are positioned lower than the ends of the rollers 20a,20b at the outlet side. Thus, the rollers are placed in a positlon inclined from the horizontal plane and inclined upward Pron~ the inlet side to the outlet side.
Fig. 4C is an illustration viewed in the direction Kl in Fig.
4B. The r~ller 20a comprises a drum motor. The slave wheel, preferably a friction wheel 21, is pre~sed by force against ths rollers 20a,20b. When the roller 20a i~ rotated, the other roller 20b is thus also rotated by means of the wheel 21, and the directlon o~ rotation at the roller 20b is the same as that of roller 20a~ In Fig. 4C, the directions of rotation are indicated I . ' by arrows.
As shown in Fiy. 4D, the recycling package may be shifted in the direction L2, to the side as shown. In this situation, the wall 24 shifts a rejected package and/or an accepted plastic bottle lnto the first path placed at the side of the device, preferably a trough 35. A rejected package is shifted while the pivotal bottom 45 in the initial part o~ the trough 35 is in an open position, so that the reject~d package falls directly into the return path, 21~942 pref~rably a return trough 46, and back to the customer. However, a plastic bottle is passed along the trough 35 to the crusher D2.
If a metal container such as a can is identified as the recyclable package, the can is passed forward by operating the belt 516 and is dropped near the belt pulley 17a into the second path, prefarably a trouyh 36, which is placed near the belt pulley.
Trough 36 transfers the recycling package to the can crusher device Dl.
Fig. 5 shows the walls 24 and 25 placed alongside the rollers 1020a,20b, which walls form a protected space therebetween in which the recycling package can be rotated on the rollers 20a,20b. Thus, be~ore the recycling package is shifted off the rollers by means of the wall part 24 (arrow L2) into the first trough 35 or on the belt into the second trou~h 36 ~arrow L3), the bar code is read from the 15face o~ the rotating product. As shown in Fig. 5, the package P is shifted onto the rollers 20a,20b by means of the thin belt 16 and the related li~ting member 19 running in the 6pace between the rollers.
The wall 24 is coupled with a first actuator 37, and the 20second wall 25 is coupled with a second actuator 38. The actuators 37,38 are preferably solenoids, having a displaceable push arm 43 is di~placed. When a recycling package, such as a re~ected can, is shifted in the direction L2, the first wall 24 is pivoted in the direction L2. Before that, the second wall 25 is shifted out of .
25the way for the shifting movement of the wall 24, likewise in the direction L2. Thus, when the wall 24 is pivoted and the package is pushed by means o~ the wall 24 to the side~(in the direction L2), the second wall 25 does not stand in the way or impede the sihifting movement.
30Fig. 6 shows a coupling construction related to ~he wall 24. ~:
The construction is also the same in the coupling between the : -~
actuator 38 and the wall 25. In its upper portion, the wall 24 ~.
13 .
2~1~9~2 comprises a square-section bar 3g connected to a lever 39a. An intermediate lever 40 is connected at one end by an articulated ~oint 41 with the lever 39a and is connected at the opposite end hy means o an articulated joint 42 with a push arm 43 of an actuator 3~, preferably a solenoid. The square-section bar 39 is provided with a circular shaft 39b mou~ted in a bearing Gn. The other end of the square-section bar 39 is also mounted in a similar manner by means of another bearing G~.
~ig. 7 shows the construction of the recycling trough placed at the side of the rollers 20a,20b. The recycling trough 35 passes a recycling package that has been dropped off to a side of the rollers 20a,20b to the plastic-bottle crusher D2. Both rejected packages and identified plastic bottles are passed into the trough part 35. In the case of rejected packages, the bottom part 45 of the path, preferably the trough portion 35, is raised by means of an actuator 44 on hinge means Glo, and the bottom part is pivoted into a position ~arrow L5) in which the recycling package is dropped into a third path 46 placed underneath, preferably a trough, which passes the recycling package into the re~ec~ opening T by the force of qravity back to the customer. The pivotal bottom part 45 is provided with a coupling between the plate part and the solenoid similar t~ that illustrated in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8A shows the lifting member 19 as viewed from above. Fig.
8B is a seetional view taken along the line III~III in Fig. 8A.
The construction of the lifting member 19 comprises a grasping part 47 which contacts a bottom surface of the recycling package.
The grasping part 47 is connected with an arm 48 which branches into a bracket 49a,49b between which a spring 50 is arranged. A
shaft 51, preferably a cotter pin, is passed through the brackets 49a,4gb. The frame 53 is attached to the belt 16 by means of a collar 52a,52b. The collar 52a,52b is passed around the ~rame 53 and around the belt 16. When the belt is displaced upward6 as 2 ~ 4 2 indicated by arrow L1, the recycling package placed on the lifting member 19 is rai~ed. If the process is congested, the grasping part 47 is bent down as indicated by the arrow S1, and the package i8 dropped back onto the botkom part 11 to await a sub3equent lifting member on the conveyor. The spring 50 returns the grasping part 47 again to its original position after the package has been dropped.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the plane IV IV in Fig.
2. The belt 16 is passed over the belt pulleys 17a,17b,17c. The belt pulleys are articulated to revolve on their shafts in relation to the frame R' on bearing means (not shown). The belt 16 comprises three lifting members l9a,19b,19c. The lifting members are arranged on the belt 16 to be uniformly spaced such that the lifting member l9a is placed at the vicinity of the forward end of the roller 20a,20b, the lifting member l9b is plaaed in a synchronization position in proximity to the detector 60 on the downward belt run, and the lifting member l9c is placed in the lifting position in the vicinity of the end lla of the plate 11.
Thus, when the belt 16 is at a stop, one liftinq member 19 is always placed at a synchronization detector 60.
Fig. 9 shows the curved trough-shaped upper portion 61, from which the recycling package is passed to the r~llers 20a,20b when being carried by the belt 16.
Fig. 10 shows the operation of the can crusher D~ and of the , , l -plastia-bottle crusher D2. From the motor M1, the motive force or dri~e is passed through the transmission system V directly to the :;
shaft 54a and the press drum D~' of the can crusher D1. Similarly, ~;~
by mean~ of a coupling 55, the output shaft 54a of the motor M~ -directly operates the shaft 54b. Further, by means of cogwheels 56a,56b,56c,56d, the drums D2',D2" of the second crusher D2, provided for plastic bottles, are also operated. Thus, in a favorable way, a drive both of the drum D1' of the crusher D1 and .--lS
5 ~ 4 ~
of the drums D2',D2" o~ the crusher D2 have been achieved by means of the same motor Ml.
The examples provided above are not meant to be exclusive.
Many other variations of the present invention would be obvious to those skilled in the art, and are contemplated to be within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (12)
1. A method for handling recycling packages introduced into a receiving space in a recycling device, comprising the steps of:
determining whether the recycling package is a plastic container or a metal container, transferring the recycling package to a first crusher device including two press drums for crushing plastic containers if the recycling package is a plastic container, transferring the recycling package to a second crusher device including at least one press drum for crushing metal containers if the recycling package is a metal container, and rotating at least one of the two press drums of the first crusher device and the at least one press drum of the second crusher device by means of a single motor.
determining whether the recycling package is a plastic container or a metal container, transferring the recycling package to a first crusher device including two press drums for crushing plastic containers if the recycling package is a plastic container, transferring the recycling package to a second crusher device including at least one press drum for crushing metal containers if the recycling package is a metal container, and rotating at least one of the two press drums of the first crusher device and the at least one press drum of the second crusher device by means of a single motor.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal container is a metallic can and the plastic container is a plastic bottle.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transferring the recycling package on a conveyor to an identification position in which it is determined whether the recycling package is a plastic container or a metal container.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of arranging a wedge-shaped part at a distance from the at least one press drum of the second crusher device to define a gap therebetween in which metal containers are crushed by the rotation of the at least one press drum of the second crusher device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of arranging a first rotatable shaft to pass through the at least one press drum of the second crusher device, coupling the first shaft to a second rotatable shaft, arranging a cogwheel on the second shaft, arranging cogwheels on the two press drums of the first crusher device, and coupling the cogwheel on the second shaft to the cogwheels on the two press drums of the second crusher device such that rotation of the first shaft by the single motor causes a rotation of the second shaft and the two press drums of the second crusher device.
6. A device for handling recycling packages placed into a receiving space of the device, comprising identification means for identifying whether the recycling package is a plastic container or a metal container, a first crusher device to which the package is transferred if it is identified as a plastic container, a second crusher device to which the package is transferred if it is identified as a metal container, and a single motor for operating both the first crusher device and the second crusher device.
7. The device of claim 6, further comprising transfer means for transferring the recycling package from the receiving space to said identification means.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said transfer means comprise a conveyor.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the metal container is a metallic can and the plastic container is a plastic bottle.
10. The device of claim 6, wherein said first crusher device comprises two press drums for crushing plastic containers and said second crusher device comprises at least one press drum for crushing metal containers, said motor comprises at least one output shaft for rotating said two press drums of said first crusher device and at least one of said two press drums of said second crusher device.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein said motor further comprises a gearbox for rotating said at least one press drum of said first crusher device, said first crusher device further comprising a wedge-shaped back-up part arranged at a distance from said at least one press drum of said first crusher device to define a gap therebetween, metal containers being fed into said gap and being crushed therein.
12. The device of claim 10, further comprising transmission means coupled to said motor having cogwheels for rotating said two press drums of said second crusher device.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FI930731A FI91046B (en) | 1993-02-18 | 1993-02-18 | Method and apparatus for handling returnable packaging such as bottles and cans |
| FI930731 | 1993-02-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2115942A1 true CA2115942A1 (en) | 1994-08-19 |
Family
ID=8537416
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2115942 Abandoned CA2115942A1 (en) | 1993-02-18 | 1994-02-18 | Method and device in the handling of recycling packages, such as bottles and cans |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0611601A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2115942A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI91046B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO940549D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8560459B2 (en) | 2005-11-17 | 2013-10-15 | Casella Waste Systems, Inc. | Methods and facilities for a municipal solid waste management system |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB0026381D0 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2000-12-13 | Dennis Eagle Ltd | Crushing apparatus |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4537361A (en) * | 1983-09-02 | 1985-08-27 | Boro Recycling Center, Inc. | Apparatus for breaking glass bottles and crushing cans and like containers |
| EP0389735A1 (en) * | 1989-03-28 | 1990-10-03 | Govoni Spa | Unit for collecting and recycling used bottles, cans and similar in metal and plastic materials |
-
1993
- 1993-02-18 FI FI930731A patent/FI91046B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1994
- 1994-02-10 EP EP94102068A patent/EP0611601A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-02-17 NO NO940549A patent/NO940549D0/en unknown
- 1994-02-18 CA CA 2115942 patent/CA2115942A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8560459B2 (en) | 2005-11-17 | 2013-10-15 | Casella Waste Systems, Inc. | Methods and facilities for a municipal solid waste management system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0611601A1 (en) | 1994-08-24 |
| NO940549D0 (en) | 1994-02-17 |
| FI91046B (en) | 1994-01-31 |
| NO940549L (en) | 1994-08-19 |
| FI930731A0 (en) | 1993-02-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |