EP0396670A1

EP0396670A1 - Device for and method of handling recycling cans

Info

Publication number: EP0396670A1
Application number: EP19890910868
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jukka Luostarinen; Gunnar HÄGG; Timo Mattila
Original assignee: Halton Oy
Current assignee: Halton Oy
Priority date: 1988-11-11
Filing date: 1989-10-05
Publication date: 1990-11-14
Also published as: WO1990005346A1; FI885230A0; DK166290D0; FI885230A; DK166290A

Abstract

Le dispositif décrit (10), qui sert à la manutention de boîtes de recyclage, comprend une auge d'alimentation (11) dans laquelle la boîte de recyclage devant être recyclée et amenée dans la presse (17) est placée avant son transfert dans la presse (17). La presse (17) comporte un mécanisme de commande de presse (18), au moyen duquel le plateau de presse (21) de la presse (17) est mû de façon à presser la boîte de recyclage (T) dans le sens de son axe central reliant ses extrémités pour lui faire subir une réduction de volume. Le dispositif (10) pour la manutention de boîtes de recyclage comprend un moteur (12) grâce à un travail duquel l'auge d'alimentation (11) est amenée à pivoter librement dans une position où la boîte de recyclage est retirée de la presse. Grâce à un autre travail du moteur (12), l'auge d'alimentation est replacée dans sa position initiale, où elle est prête à recevoir une nouvelle boîte de recyclage (T). La présente invention se rapporte également à un procédé de manutention de boîtes de recyclage.The device described (10), which is used for handling recycling boxes, comprises a feed trough (11) in which the recycling box to be recycled and brought into the press (17) is placed before its transfer into the press (17). The press (17) has a press control mechanism (18), by means of which the press plate (21) of the press (17) is moved so as to press the recycling box (T) in the direction of its central axis connecting its ends to make it undergo a reduction in volume. The device (10) for handling recycling boxes comprises a motor (12) by means of which the feed trough (11) is made to pivot freely in a position where the recycling box is removed from the press . Thanks to another work of the motor (12), the feed trough is returned to its initial position, where it is ready to receive a new recycling box (T). The present invention also relates to a method for handling recycling boxes.

Description

Device for and method of handling recycling cans

5

The invention concerns a device and a method for handling of recycling cans or tins.

From prior art a device and a method for handling of recycling cans HQ are known, wherein the recycling tin is placed in a feed trough, which said feed trough is displaced further, by turning a handle, towards a press device while the press carries out pressing of the can dropped into the press to a smaller volume.

-_jς The object of the invention is improvement of the above device.

The device in accordance with the invention for handling of recycling cans is mainly characterized in that the device for handling of re¬ cycling cans comprises a motor by whose operation the feed trough is r₎ made free to pivot into a position that removes the recycling can into the press, the feed trough being returned back to its initial position by means of further operation of said motor, in which said initial position the feed trough is ready to receive a new recycling can.

5 The method in accordance with the invention in the handling of re¬ cycling cans is mainly characterized in that in the method each can is placed in a furrow, via whose inclined face each can is in its turn placed in a feed trough, whereby, in the method, first the material of the recycled can is identified by means of a detector Q device, and thereupon the feed trough is pivoted into a position in which the can falls into the press, and in which said method, upon its shifting into the removing ^'position, the feed trough is lifted back into its initial position, the shifting from the initial position to the removing position taking place by spring force and the shifting 5 from the removing position back to the initial position taking place by means of an eccentric disk under control by rotating the eccentric disk by means of a motor. The invention will be described in the following with reference to some advantageous exemplifying embodiments of the invention illus¬ trated in the figures in the accompanying drawings, the invention being, however, not supposed to be confined to said embodiments alone.

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a device in accordance with the invention for handling of recycling cans.

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of a feed trough arrangement.

Figure 3 is a side view of the equipment shown in Fig. 2. The em¬ bodiment that is shown also detects the weight of the recycling can.

Figure 4A is a side view of the returning of an unacceptable recycling can to the customer. The initial stage of the returning is shown.

Figure 4B shows the rejected recycling can as brought by means of return-pushing members into a position where the can be removed in connection with the feed trough.

Figure 5A shows a stage of the method in which cans have been placed in the feed trough.

Figure 5B shows a stage in which the feed trough pivots and a curved shield plate prevents the next can from falling into the structure.

Figure 5C shows a stage in which the can falls into the trough in the press.

Figure 5D shows a stage in which the can is placed in the trough in the press.

Figure 6 shows a device in accordance with the invention as a block diagram.

Figure 7 shows the functions of the device in accordance with the invention as a pulse diagram. 1 As is shown in Fig. 1, the device 10 for handling of recycling cans or tins comprises a pivotable feed trough 11. The feed trough can be displaced by means of a feed-trough displacing device 12, advan¬ tageously a DC-motor. The displacing device 12, advantageously a DC- 5 motor, is, through a transmission 13, connected to a mechanism 14, by whose means the feed trough 11 is raised from the position in which it feeds the can into the press unit back to its initial position. The feed trough 11 is fitted to be supported on its support legs 15a and 15b. The spring 16 pulls the feed trough 11 from the upper pos- -|0 ition to the lower position, in which said latter position the re¬ cycling can moves into connection with the press 17.

The press 17 comprises a press operating device 18, advantageously an electric motor and preferably an AC-motor. The output shaft of

-|5 the operating device 18 is coupled with the transmission 19, whose output shafts are connected to a linkage 20a and 20b, by means of which the press plate 21 is displaced. The transmission comprises a shaft and two outputs 19a and 19b from it. The shaft output 19a is connected to a first linkage 20a. The other output 19b of the shaft 0 °f the transmission 19 is connected to a second linkage 20b.

One output shaft 19a of the transmission is connected to the lever part 20a^ in the first linkage 20a, said lever part 20a^ being con¬ nected to the lever part 20a2 by means of an articulated joint 20a^' . 5 The lever part 20a2 is linked to the top portion of the press plate 21 by means of an articulated joint 20a2^# . In a corresponding way, the lever part 20b^ in the second linkage 20b is connected to the other output shaft 19b. Further, the lever part 20b-^ is connected through the articulation point 20b^' to the lever part 20b2, which 0 is linked through the articulation point 20b2' to the lower portion of the press plate 21. Thus, the press plate 21 is displaced in the pressing direction indicated by the arrow L^ by rotating the press 17 operating device 18, advantageously an AC-motor.

5 The compressed recycling can or tin T falls out of the feed trough 11 into the trough 22 of the press, which comprises inclined side plates 22a and 22b, between which the recycling can T is positioned 1 after it has fallen off the feed trough 11. The trough 22 further comprises an end plate 23. When the press 17 operating device 18 is in operation, the lever parts 20a and 20b are displaced forwards, whereby the press plate 21 is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow L_j_ and presses the recycled can T between the press plate 21 and the end plate 23. Thus the recycling can T is compressed between its end parts, and the direction of pressing is the direction of the central axis of the can. The compressed can T' falls out of the opening 24 in the trough 22 by the effect of gravity straight -|0 into the collecting container K for compressed cans, and the linkage 20a,20b shifts the press plate 21 back into its initial position in the direction denoted with the arrow L2.

Fig- 2 is an axonometric view of the equipment for displacing the feed •J5 trough. The feed trough 11 comprises a curved plate part 25, advan¬ tageously made of plastic, into which the can T is placed. From one edge of the curved plate part 25, a curved shield plate 26 starts. The curved plate 25 has an opening 27 in its middle area, through which said opening a removing member 28 is brought into connection 20 with the can T. Thus, when the trough 11 pivots, the removing member 28 passes through the opening 27 and pushes the can T out of the interior of the curved plate 25 of the feed trough 11.

The feed trough 11 is further connected with pivot levers 29a^ and 25 29b^ as well as, at the other side, with pivot levers 29a2 and 29b2- The pivot levers 29a^ and 29a2 are connected to the feed trough 11 as fixed. They are also connected to the pivot levers 29b_^ and 29b2 as fixed. The pivot levers 29b^ and 29b2 are further passed through bores provided in the upper part of the support legs 15a and 15b, 30 being journalled in the bore openings.

Thus, the feed trough 11 is fitted as supported on the pivot lever parts 29b^ and 2 b2 while journalled in the support legs 15a and 15b.

35 The feed-trough displacing device, advantageously a DC-motor 12, is connected to an eccentric disk 30 through the transmission 13. At the end of the pivot lever 29a^, there is a frame piece 31, to which 1 a slide wheel 32, placed at a distance from the geometric pivoting axis X^ of the feed trough 11, is further connected, said slide wheel 32 following the outer face 30a of the eccentric disk 30. A microswitch S2 is further connected to the output shaft of the trans- c mission 13 at the proximity of the eccentric disk 30.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the arrangement of equipment in accordance with the invention shown in Fig. 2. The weight of the whole construc¬ tion rests on the frame 33. The frame 33 is fitted to pivot around

-|0 an articulation point 34. A pressure spring 35 is fitted between the frame 33 and the base 36. When an excessively heavy recycling can T is placed in the feed trough 11, the frame 33 pivots around the articulated joint 34 against the limiter piece 37. The limit switch S3 detects said pivoting movement, and pivoting of the feed trough

■jc 11 is prevented. If the can T is of appropriate weight and of appro¬ priate material, the spring 16 pivots the feed trough 11 against the limiter 28. When the feed trough 11 is in its upper position, the spring 16 is tensioned as one end of the spring 16 is fixed to the frame and the other end is fixed to the pivoting linkage 29b2 of the 0 feed trough 11.

Fig. 3 shows a material identifier L_]_, advantageously an inductive detector. The identifier L^ is fitted in connection with the feed trough 11 on the outside face of the curved plate part 25 which 5 forms the furrow in the feed trough 11.

The equipment may further include a shield plate 39 (denoted with dashed lines) which separates the passage of the can from the drive gear proper and, thus, prevents detrimental splashings that may come 0 out of the cans from being carried onto the detectors and other operating equipment.

Fig. 4A illustrates the removal of an unaccepted can out of the feed trough 11. A can may be lifted off the feed trough either because 5 its weight has not been accepted or because its material has not been accepted. The identification of material is thereat carried out by an inductive detector -_ . The feed trough 11, its curved plate 1 part 25 that forms the furrow, comprises openings 40a and 40b, through which the lift part 42, displaced by means of an eccentric wheel 41, can be shifted. The lift part 42 comprises a first portion 42a and a second portion 24b separate from the first portion, which said parts c can be brought into contact with an unaccepted recycling can through the openings in the plate part 25 of the feed trough 11.

As is shown in Fig. 4A, when the microswitch S3 receives a signal from an unacceptable can, by means of the central unit 100 the

-|0 solenoid K_]_, which is returned to its initial position by spring action, is controlled to a position in which the catch 43 connected with the solenoid K_]_ engages the claw part 44 placed at the end of the shield plate 26 of the feed trough 11. The catch 43 is linked so as to pivot around the articulation point 45. Thus, when a signal is

-|5 produced for the solenoid K^ or for any other, corresponding switch device, the feed trough 11 is placed in a locked position and pivoting of the feed trough 11 by the effect of the spring 16 is prevented in spite of the fact that the drive gear 18 revolves one round and, at the same time, rotates the eccentric disk 30 related

20 to the drive gear 18 one revolution.

Fig. 4B shows the locking position of the feed trough 11 as the solenoid K^ is activated by means of the signal S3 and shifts the catch part into engagement with the claw part 44 on the shield plate 25 26 of the feed trough 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the lift part 42 also acts as a can remover claw when the feed trough 11 is pivoted to the can removing position. When the eccentric wheel 41 is used as a 30 remover of an undesirable can, it is operated advantageously through one of the output shafts of the DC-motor. Thus, no extra motors or additional arrangements are needed, but the lift parts 42 can be operated by means of the same motor by which the feed trough is displaced in general.

35

Thus, when the microswitch S3 shown in Fig. 3 receives a signal, the eccentric wheel 41 is rotated by half a revolution, whereby the 1 eccentric disc raises the lift part 42. Thereby the can T is raised to the removing position, wherein it can be grasped by the hand from outside the machine. Between the first lift plate 42a and the second lift plate 42b of the lift part 42 a free space A remains, which c permits location of the inductive detector L^ on the lower face of the feed trough 11.

Fig. 5A is a side view of recycling cans T^, 2 placed in the feed furrow 46. Into the furrow 46, several recycling cans T can be placed ■JO at the same time. The furrow 46 comprises a face 46a that is inclined in relation to the horizontal plane. Thus, the cans T_]_,T2... can be fed by gravity into the feed trough 11.

Fig. 5A shows a step in which two cans T^, 2 have been placed into -|5 the furrow 46, the first can T^ being positioned in the feed trough 11 and the second one at the mouth of the feed trough 11. The inductive detector L^ is notified of the arrival of a can in the feed trough 11, and by means of the central unit 100 the device is activated, whereby the feed trough 11 pivots, being pivoted by the 0 spring 16, in the way shown in Fig. 5B.

As is shown in Fig. 5B, the feed trough 11 pivots, whereby the shield plate 26 of the feed trough 11 is positioned so as to cover the feed opening D and prevents access of the second can T2 into the device. 5

Fig. 5C shows a stage at which the removing member removes the can

T_ out of connection with the feed trough 11 and makes the can T^ fall into the furrow 22 in the press 17.

0 Fig. 5D shows a stage at which the can T-_|_ is placed in the furrow 22 in the press and the feed trough 11, lifted by the eccentric disk 30, can be shifted back to the upper position to receive the next can T2, whereby the spring 16 is tensioned again.

5 Fig. 6 shows a device in accordance with the invention as a block diagram, and Fig. 7 shows a pulse diagram related to the block diagram illustrated in Fig. 6. In the case of an accepted recycling can, the 1 inductive detector L^ gives the control unit 100 a signal when a can T is placed into the feed trough 11. After a short delay, the motor 12 (K_ ) of the feed unit starts rotating the eccentric disk 30, whereby, by the force of the spring 16, the feed trough 11 pivots to its lower position. The microswitch S2 is opened, and the microswitch S^ placed at the proximityof the upper part of the eccentric disk 30 is closed.

When the microswitch S^ is closed, the phase of pivoting of the feed ^■JO trough 11 is detected at which the feed trough is placed in a position in which the shield plate covers the feed opening D and in which the recycling can no longer be taken back out of the feed trough. At that time, the recycling can still affects the inductive detector 1_*1 , and the system control unit 100 detects that the recycling can ^■J5 is still in the feed trough. When the feed trough pivots further, the recycling can moves out of the feed trough into the furrow in the press. The control unit 100 detects the change in the state of the detector L^ and gives the calculator C^ an impulse of accepted recycling.

20

The change in state taking place in the inductive detector L^ for the above purpose of acknowledgement of receipt takes place when the limit switch S^ is in the active state. The DC-motor (M^) is started after a certain delay time as the detector L^ becomes activated. A 25 change in the state of the limit switch S2 from the state 1 into the state 0 after the eccentric disc has revolved one round stops the DC-motor 12.

The acknowledgement of receipt of recycling can as mentioned above 30 ^can also be effected by using a separate detector, which may be placed, e.g., underneath the furrow in the press to ascertain falling of a compressed can into the connecting container. In this case, the detector would, in the last place, acknowledge the receipt of a recycling can, and the central unit 100 would transfer said 35 acknowledgement data further into the printing program of the printer.

Out of the feed trough 11 the recycling can T falls into the furrow 1 22 in the press 17. As the eccentric disk 30 revolves further, the eccentric disk, with the aid of the slide wheel in engagement with it, starts lifting the freed trough 11 towards the upper position of the feed trough. At a corresponding stage, the motor 18 (M2) of the 5 press is started and compresses the can T that has been made to fall into the furrow 22 between the press plate 21 and the end plate 23 to a fraction of its original volume. When the press plate 21 is displaced to press the can T, the microswitch S4 placed in connection with the press plate 21 is opened. The press plate 21 moves to its

-JO extreme position, and the compressed can falls into the collecting container K as the press returns to its initial position, whereby the microswitch S4 is closed and the press motor 18 (M2) stops. hen the eccentric disk revolves, the microswitch S^ is opened.- When the feed trough 11 reaches the upper position, the microswitch S2 is closed

^■J5 and stops the motor 12 (M^) . The feed trough is in the upper position and ready to receive the next recycling can 2.

In the case of rejected recycling, e.g. when the can is full or when its material is inappropriate, the material identifier, e.g. the 0 inductive detector L_]_, or the microswitch S3 that detects the weight of the can, gives a signal. The control unit 100 further supplies the voltage to^■ the solenoid Kι_, whereby the solenoid is displaced into the position in which the feed trough 11 is locked. The motor 12 (M^) revolves half a revolution and turns the lift parts 42a, 2b 5 to the upper positions. When an unaccepted can is removed out of the feed trough 11, the inductive detector L^, through auxiliary means, and/or the microswitch S3 give signals of this, whereby the central unit 100 runs the motor 12 (M^) back to its initial position. The detector L_]_ transmits the data on the material properties, and said 0 data are compared in the central unit with the material data of acceptable cans which have been fed into the unit.

Figs. 6 and 7 further show switches S5 and Sg. The switch S5 is an acknowledgement knob. When the cans have been recycled, the switch 5 S5 is pressed, and the printer, controlled by the microprocessor in the central unit 100, prints the number of cans recycled and the sum of money payable for them. The switch Sg is also an acknowledgement knob, by whose pressing the printer produces a report on cans T recycled during a longer period of time.

In Fig- 7, two functions are separated by a break line. The first one is recycling of an accepted can, and it is followed by return of an unaccepted can of inappropriate weight.

Claims

1 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Device (10) for handling of recycling cans, comprising a feed trough (11) into which the recycling can to be recycled and to be

5 fed into the press (17) is fitted to be placed before it is trans¬ ferred into the press (17), and the press (17) comprising a press drive gear (18) , by means of which the press plate (21) in the press (17) is displaced so as to press the recycling can (T) in the direc¬ tion of the central axis of the recycling can between its ends into

-J O a smaller volume , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the device

(10) for handling of recycling cans comprises a motor (12) by whose operation the feed trough (11) is made free to pivot into a position that removes the recycling can into the press, the feed trough being returned back to its initial position by means of further operation

^•J5 of said motor (12), in which said initial position the feed trough is ready to receive a new recycling can (T) .

2. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the device comprises spring means 0 (16) and an eccentric disk (30) , the feed trough (11) being pivoted by means of the spring means (16) from its initial position to the position in which the recycling can (T) is removed, and the feed trough (11) being raised by means of said eccentric disk (30) back to its initial position while the motor (12) is operationally engaged 5 with the eccentric disk (30) .

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the equipment comprises lever parts (29) for the feed trough (11) , a slide part, advantageously a slide wheel (32), being coupled with 0 said lever parts (29), which said slide wheel is fitted to follow the edge (30a) of the eccentric disk (30), whereby, when the eccentric disk (30) is rotated by the motor (12) by half a revolution, the feed trough (11) is made free to pivot to the position In which the recycling can is removed and, when the eccentric disk (30) revolves 5 the remaining half a revolution back to its initial position, the eccentric disk (30) raises the feed trough (11) back to its initial position while the slide wheel (32) or a corresponding slide part 1 follows the outer face (30a) of the eccentric disk (30) , whereby the pivoting leverage (29) coupled with the slide wheel (32) pivots the feed trough (11) .

4. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the device comprises a press (17), which comprises a drive gear (18), advanta¬ geously an AC-motor, whereby, when the motor is rotated, the movement of rotation is transferred through the transmission (19) to the

-JO leverage (20a,20b), which Is coupled with the press plate (21) and displaces the press plate forwards (arrow L^) , whereby the recycling can (T) is compressed between its ends between the press plate (21) and the end plate (23), whereat the can (T') is made to fall by the effect of gravity Into a collecting container (K) for compressed

-J5 cans (T').

5. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the recycling device includes a limit switch (S3) , by means of which the weight of

20 the can is detected.

6. Device as claimed in the preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r -

I z e d in that the limit switch (S3) Is fitted to operate when a can (T) of a certain weight in the feed trough (11) pivots the frame 25 (33) around the articulated joint (34) against the limit switch (S3) .

7. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the device for handling of recycling cans comprises an inductive detector (L^) in

30 connection with the curved plate part of the feed trough (11) .

8. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the equipment comprises a device for removal of a recycling can (T) , by means of

35 which a recycling can of undesirable weight is removed out of the feed trough (11) , the removal device comprising lift parts which pass through the feed trough (11) and which are fitted to lift up 1 the can (T) out of the feed trough.

9. Device as claimed in the preceding claim,' c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the equipment comprises separate lift plates (42a,

5 42b) , which are raised to- the upper position through openings in the feed trough (11) by means of an eccentric wheel (41) .

10. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the equipment

-JO comprises a solenoid (K^) , which is activated by means of a signal that arrives from a microswitch (S3) or detector (L^) that detects the weight, the solenoid (K^) being displaced to such a position that a catch part (43) connected to it locks the feed trough (11) non-pivotable, and lift plates (42a,42b) being fitted to lift a can

-|5 (T) of undesirable weight or of inappropriate material out of the feed trough (11) .

11. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the handling 0 device comprises a curved shield plate (26) connected to the feed trough (11) , said plate (26) being fitted to constitute a covering plate for the feed opening (D) when the feed trough (11) pivots to the position in which the can is removed into the press (17) .

5 12. Device for handling of recycling cans as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the device com¬ prises a feed furrow (46), into which several recycling cans (T^, 2...) can be fitted, said furrow (46) comprising an inclined face (46a), by means of which each can (T_,T2...) can be fed in its 0 turn by the effect of gravity through the opening (D) into the feed trough (11).

13. Method in the handling of recycling cans, wherein a device is used which comprises a feed trough (11) for the recycling cans, 5 means for pivoting the feed trough (11) into a position for making the recycling can (T) fall into the press (17) by the effect of gravity, by means of which said press (17) the recycling can is 1 compressed into a smaller volume, whereupon it Is made to fall by the effect of gravity into a storage space (K) for compressed cans, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the method each can (T^,T2- ..) is placed in a furrow (46), via whose inclined face (36a) each can 5 Is in its turn placed in a feed trough (11) , whereby, in the method, first the material of the recycled can is identified by means of a detector device (L^) , and thereupon the feed trough (11) is pivoted into a position in which the can falls Into the press (17) , and in which said method, upon its shifting into the removing position, the

^■JO feed trough (11) is lifted back into its initial position, the shifting from the initial position to the removing position taking place by spring force and the shifting from the removing position back to the initial position taking place by means of an eccentric disk (30) under control by rotating the eccentric disk (30) by means

-J5 of a motor (12) .

14. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that in the method the can (T) is made to fall out of the feed trough (11) into the press furrow (12) and hereinafter, 20 by operating the motor (18) of the press (17), the recycled can is pressed by means of the press plate (21) of the press between its ends, whereupon it falls through a removal opening placed at the end of the furrow (22) into the storage space (K) for compressed cans.

25 15. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that in the method the cans (T^,T2...) are fed along an inclined face (46a) by the force of gravity into the feed trough (11) .

30 16. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that in the method a can (T) of undesirable weight or a can (T) of undesirable material is removed out of the feed trough (11) by locking the feed trough (11) in an non-pivotable position and by, by means of lift parts (42a,42b), lifting up the

35 can (T) out of the feed trough (11) .