EP0550728B1 - Process and device for sorting mixtures of waste - Google Patents

Process and device for sorting mixtures of waste Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0550728B1
EP0550728B1 EP92916038A EP92916038A EP0550728B1 EP 0550728 B1 EP0550728 B1 EP 0550728B1 EP 92916038 A EP92916038 A EP 92916038A EP 92916038 A EP92916038 A EP 92916038A EP 0550728 B1 EP0550728 B1 EP 0550728B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
waste
objects
signal processor
characteristic features
waves
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92916038A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0550728A1 (en
Inventor
Dieter Kaiser
Franz Wintrich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RWE Entsorgung AG
Original Assignee
RWE Entsorgung AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by RWE Entsorgung AG filed Critical RWE Entsorgung AG
Publication of EP0550728A1 publication Critical patent/EP0550728A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0550728B1 publication Critical patent/EP0550728B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
    • B07B13/00—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices
    • B07B13/003—Separation of articles by differences in their geometrical form or by difference in their physical properties, e.g. elasticity, compressibility, hardness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
    • Y10S209/939—Video scanning

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for sorting waste mixtures by irradiating the waste objects with electromagnetic waves, recording the waves arriving from the irradiated waste object in a signal processor for identifying the waste objects and forwarding signals from the signal processor to a pneumatic separation device which sorts out the identified waste object .
  • This collection produces a mixture of materials such as foils, cups, bottles and foams made of plastic, cardboard packaging made of composite materials for liquid foods and metal packaging materials, e.g. tinplate and aluminum.
  • a well-known example from the prior art is the AKW process, according to which heavy plastics such as polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride in hydrocyclones are separated from the light fraction consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene (AKW-Apparat + Maschinen GmbH, Georg-Schiffer-Strasse 70, 8452 Hirschau).
  • EP 0 439 674 A1 discloses a device for sorting waste which is detected by a sensor which extends over the width of the conveyor belt and which reacts to ultrasound, infrared and visible light. At least one further conveyor belt is arranged parallel to the conveyor belt. A movable gripper robot detects identified objects. A conveyor belt is assigned to each gripper robot responsible for a specific waste location.
  • DE 35 20 486 A1 discloses a method and a device for separating plastic waste from waste, by means of which largely pure plastics can be recovered.
  • unsorted plastic waste is transported on a transport line on an optical recording device, e.g. a video camera, which is connected to a memory for identifying the various plastic parts.
  • Branches, switches or the like are arranged downstream on the transport line and, depending on the identified plastic parts, release feeds to individual intermediate collecting containers for collecting plastic parts of the same type.
  • objects are sorted from a mixture of objects in such a way that the objects are identified by a sensor and these are transported in free fall by air flow from air nozzles into various containers.
  • the applicant has now surprisingly succeeded in reliably and economically carrying out the separation of individual waste components or waste objects by a process, characterized in that characteristic features of the waste objects which can be detected by light wave radiation and the external shape, namely bottles, cups, tubes -, cubic shapes, foil shapes as well as color, lettering, product names, company or manufacturer names and trademarks are exposed to lightwave radiation, that the objects are scanned with a video camera to record these characteristic features, which lightwave radiation picks up and starts from the objects Takes an image of the objects, which contains the characteristic features, that the waste objects are identified on the basis of these characteristic features by an electronic signal processor for processing these characteristic features, that a signal from the video camera is transmitted to the electronic signal processor which has stored the data relating to the characteristic features, the electronic signal processor responding to the signals arriving from the video camera, that the signals arriving from the video camera are processed by the electronic signal processor on the basis of the stored data and determines the material from which the waste objects are made that a signal is transmitted from the electronic signal processor to a pneumatic separator, the pneu
  • the solution to the stated problem is achieved in that, by means of the method and the device according to the invention, characteristic features of the waste objects, which can be detected by light wave irradiation, are evaluated in such a way that the identification of the waste object is possible, after which a pneumatic separation device is started which will sort out the identified object.
  • the characteristic features include the external shape of the object, namely bottle, mug, tube, cubic shapes, foil shapes as well as color, lettering, product names, company or manufacturer names and trademarks.
  • the electronic signal processor is not only able to identify and sort waste objects according to the above-mentioned features, but is also able to evaluate the features based on stored data in such a way that an assignment to the material forming the waste object is possible, for example from a Cup shape with other features, such as the manufacturer's name and the product name, to determine that it is a polystyrene object.
  • the signal processor passes the information on to a pneumatic separation device, which brings about the sorting out of the identified object.
  • the waste object must first be exposed to radiation with electromagnetic waves.
  • the waves reflected from or penetrating the waste object are first recorded by a video camera. This device forwards the signals to the actual signal processor.
  • the waves used to identify the waste object are generally or predominantly reflected rays that occur during irradiation or those that first penetrated the object. Of less importance are those waves that arise from a secondary radiation, e.g. Heat rays, which an object that is initially heated then emits as an IR radiation transmitter.
  • visible light IR rays and UV rays are used.
  • a pneumatically operating separation device is used.
  • the waste object is removed from a moving belt by an air jet, the object being directed in a certain direction.
  • waste mixture is distributed sufficiently. This can preferably be done on a moving conveyor belt or rotating plate, but other devices according to the prior art can also be used.
  • an arrangement according to the invention is shown as an example.
  • 1) represents the conveyor belt, 2) a waste object, 3) is a video camera, 4) a signal processor and 5) a separation device.

Landscapes

  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Combined Means For Separation Of Solids (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/DE92/00627 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 4, 1993 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 4, 1993 PCT Filed Jul. 27, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO93/02813 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 18, 1993The present invention relates to a process to sort waste mixtures by irradiating the waste objects with electromagnetic and/or acoustic waves, by picking up the waves emanating from each irradiated waste object in a signal processor to identify it, and by transmitting signals from the signal processor to a separator which sorts out the identified waste object.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Sortieren von Abfallgemischen durch Bestrahlen der Abfallobjekte mit elektromagnetischen Wellen, Aufnahme der von dem bestrahlten Abfallobjekt ankommenden Wellen in einem Signalprozessor zur Identifizierung der Abfallobjekte und Weiterleitung von Signalen aus dem Signalprozessor zu einer pneumatischen Abtrennvorrichtung, die das identifizierte Abfallobjekt aussortiert.The present invention relates to a method for sorting waste mixtures by irradiating the waste objects with electromagnetic waves, recording the waves arriving from the irradiated waste object in a signal processor for identifying the waste objects and forwarding signals from the signal processor to a pneumatic separation device which sorts out the identified waste object .

Die Rückgewinnung wiederverwendbarer Materialien aus Abfällen gewinnt in Industrie und Haushaltungen wachsende Bedeutung. Hier sei insbesondere das Duale System genannt, nach dem Verpackungsmaterialien und -erzeugnisse in besonderen Wertstofftonnen in den Haushalten getrennt gesammelt werden, wobei die beteiligte Wirtschaft garantiert, das gesammelte Material vollständig abzunehmen und einer stofflichen Verwertung zuzuführen.The recovery of reusable materials from waste is becoming increasingly important in industry and households. The dual system is particularly worth mentioning here, according to which packaging materials and products are collected separately in special recycling bins in the households, with the participating economy guaranteeing that the collected material is completely removed and used for recycling.

Bei dieser Sammlung fällt ein Gemisch von Materialien wie Folien, Bechern, Flaschen und Schaumstoffen aus Kunststoff an, Kartonverpackungen aus Verbundwerkstoffen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel und Metallverpackungsmaterialien, beispielsweise aus Weißblech und Aluminium.This collection produces a mixture of materials such as foils, cups, bottles and foams made of plastic, cardboard packaging made of composite materials for liquid foods and metal packaging materials, e.g. tinplate and aluminum.

Da bei der Wiederverwertung um so qualitativ hochwertigere Produkte erzeugt werden können, je sortenreiner das rückgewonnene Material ist, ist die Weiterentwicklung der Sortiertechnik ein entscheidendes Kriterium zum erfolgreichen Einsatz des Dualen Systems.Since the higher the quality of the recovered material, the more high-quality products can be produced during recycling, the further development of the sorting technology is a decisive criterion for the successful use of the dual system.

Obgleich die Sortiertechnik intensiv weiterentwickelt wird, ist es bisher nicht möglich, beispielsweise aus einem Gemisch chemisch verwandter Kunststoffe wie Polyethylen und Polypropylen die einzelnen Komponenten auszusortieren. Ein zusätzliches Problem sind die in den Kunststoffen enthaltenen Füllstoffe und Additive, welche zu beträchtlichen Veränderungen der Eigenschaften des reinen Kunststoffs führen.Although the sorting technology is being developed intensively, it has not been possible to sort out the individual components from a mixture of chemically related plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene, for example. An additional problem is the fillers and additives contained in the plastics, which lead to considerable changes in the properties of the pure plastic.

Ein bekanntes Beispiel aus dem Stand der Technik ist das AKW-Verfahren, nach dem schwere Kunststoffe wie Polystyrol und Polyvinylchlorid in Hydrozyklonen von der aus Polyethylen und Polypropylen bestehenden Leichtfraktion getrennt werden (AKW-Apparate + Verfahren GmbH, Georg-Schiffer-Straße 70, 8452 Hirschau).A well-known example from the prior art is the AKW process, according to which heavy plastics such as polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride in hydrocyclones are separated from the light fraction consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene (AKW-Apparat + Verfahren GmbH, Georg-Schiffer-Strasse 70, 8452 Hirschau).

In der EP 0 439 674 A1 ist eine Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Abfällen offenbart, die durch einen Sensor erfaßt werden, der sich über die Breite des Transportbandes erstreckt und auf Ultraschall, Infrarot und sichtbares Licht reagiert.
Parallel zu dem Transportband ist mindestens ein weiteres Transportband angeordnet. Identifizierte Objekte werden von einem verfahrbaren Greifroboter erfaßt. Jedem für eine bestimmte Abfallsorte zuständigen Greifroboter ist ein Transportband zugeordnet.EP 0 439 674 A1 discloses a device for sorting waste which is detected by a sensor which extends over the width of the conveyor belt and which reacts to ultrasound, infrared and visible light.
At least one further conveyor belt is arranged parallel to the conveyor belt. A movable gripper robot detects identified objects. A conveyor belt is assigned to each gripper robot responsible for a specific waste location.

In der DE 35 20 486 A1 werden ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Trennung von Kunststoffabfällen aus Müll offenbart, durch die weitgehend sortenreine Kunststoffe zurückgewonnen werden können.DE 35 20 486 A1 discloses a method and a device for separating plastic waste from waste, by means of which largely pure plastics can be recovered.

Hierzu wird unsortierter Kunststoffmüll auf einer Transportstraße an einem optischen Erfassungsgerät, wie z.B. einer Videokamera, vorbeigeführt, das mit einem Speicher zur Identifizierung der verschiedenen Kunststoffteile verbunden ist. Stromabwärts sind an der Transportstraße Abzweigungen, Weichen oder dergleichen angeordnet, die gesteuert in Abhängigkeit von den identifizierten Kunststoffteilen Zuführungen zu einzelnen Zwischensammelbehältern zum Sammeln von Kunststoffteilen gleicher Art freigeben.For this purpose, unsorted plastic waste is transported on a transport line on an optical recording device, e.g. a video camera, which is connected to a memory for identifying the various plastic parts. Branches, switches or the like are arranged downstream on the transport line and, depending on the identified plastic parts, release feeds to individual intermediate collecting containers for collecting plastic parts of the same type.

Nach US-A 3,179,247 werden Objekte aus einem Objektgemisch in der Weise sortiert, daß über einen Sensor die Objekte identifiziert werden und diese im freien Fall durch einen Luftstrom aus Luftdüsen in verschiedene Behälter befördert werden.According to US Pat. No. 3,179,247, objects are sorted from a mixture of objects in such a way that the objects are identified by a sensor and these are transported in free fall by air flow from air nozzles into various containers.

Der Anmelderin ist es nunmehr überraschend gelungen, die Trennung einzelner Abfallbestandteile bzw. Abfallobjekte durch ein Verfahren zuverlässig und wirtschaftlich durchzuführen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß charakteristische Merkmale der Abfallobjekte, welche durch Lichtwellenbestrahlung erfaßbar sind und die äußere Form, nämlich Flaschen-, Becher-, Tuben-, kubische Formen, Folienformen sowie Farbe, Schriftzüge, Produktnamen, Firmen- bzw. Herstellernamen und Warenzeichen umfassen, einer Lichtwellenbestrahlung ausgesetzt werden, daß die Objekte mit einer Videokamera zum Erfassen dieser charakteristischen Merkmale abgetastet werden, welche Lichtwellenbestrahlung ausgehend von den Objekten aufnimmt und ein Bild der Objekte aufnimmt, das die charakteristischen Merkmale enthält, daß die Abfallobjekte aufgrund dieser charakteristischen Merkmale durch einen elektronischen Signalprozessor zum Verarbeiten dieser charakteristischen Merkmale identifiziert werden, daß ein Signal von der Videokamera auf den elektronischen Signalprozessor übertragen wird, welcher die charakteristischen Merkmale betreffenden Daten gespeichert hat, wobei der elektronische Signalprozessor auf die von der Videokamera ankommenden Signale reagiert, daß die von der Videokamera ankommenden Signale von dem elektronischen Signalprozessor auf der Grundlage der gespeicherten Daten verarbeitet werden und das Material, aus dem die Abfallobjekte bestehen, bestimmt wird, daß ein Signal von dem elektronischen Signalprozessor zu einer pneumatischen Trennvorrichtung übertragen wird, wobei die pneumatische Trennvorrichtung auf das Signal des elektronischen Signalprozessors reagiert und daß die pneumatische Trennvorrichtung Luftdüsen zum Entfernen der Objekte von dem Transportband aufweist, wobei die unterschiedlichen Objekttypen in bestimmte Richtungen geblasen werden.The applicant has now surprisingly succeeded in reliably and economically carrying out the separation of individual waste components or waste objects by a process, characterized in that characteristic features of the waste objects which can be detected by light wave radiation and the external shape, namely bottles, cups, tubes -, cubic shapes, foil shapes as well as color, lettering, product names, company or manufacturer names and trademarks are exposed to lightwave radiation, that the objects are scanned with a video camera to record these characteristic features, which lightwave radiation picks up and starts from the objects Takes an image of the objects, which contains the characteristic features, that the waste objects are identified on the basis of these characteristic features by an electronic signal processor for processing these characteristic features, that a signal from the video camera is transmitted to the electronic signal processor which has stored the data relating to the characteristic features, the electronic signal processor responding to the signals arriving from the video camera, that the signals arriving from the video camera are processed by the electronic signal processor on the basis of the stored data and determines the material from which the waste objects are made that a signal is transmitted from the electronic signal processor to a pneumatic separator, the pneumatic separator responding to the signal from the electronic signal processor, and the pneumatic separator has air nozzles for removing the objects from the conveyor belt, the different object types being blown in certain directions become.

Die Lösung der gestellten Aufgabe wird dadurch erreicht, daß durch das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren und die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung charakteristische Merkmale der Abfallobjekte, welche durch Lichtwellenbestrahlung erfaßbar sind, in der Weise ausgewertet werden, daß die Identifizierung des Abfallobjektes möglich ist, wonach eine pneumatische Abtrennvorrichtung in Gang gesetzt wird, welche das identifizierte Objekt aussortiert. Die charakteristischen Merkmale umfassen die äußere Form des Objektes, nämlich Flaschen-, Becher-, Tuben-, kubische Formen, Folienformen sowie Farbe, Schriftzüge, Produktnamen, Firmen- bzw. Herstellernamen und Warenzeichen.The solution to the stated problem is achieved in that, by means of the method and the device according to the invention, characteristic features of the waste objects, which can be detected by light wave irradiation, are evaluated in such a way that the identification of the waste object is possible, after which a pneumatic separation device is started which will sort out the identified object. The characteristic features include the external shape of the object, namely bottle, mug, tube, cubic shapes, foil shapes as well as color, lettering, product names, company or manufacturer names and trademarks.

Der elektronische Signalprozessor ist nicht nur in der Lage, Abfallobjekte nach den genannten Merkmalen zu identifizieren und auszusortieren, sondern ist zusätzlich in der Lage, aufgrund gespeicherter Daten die Merkmale so auszuwerten, daß eine Zuordnung zu dem das Abfallobjekt bildenden Material möglich ist, beispielsweise aus einer Becherform ggf. mit weiteren Merkmalen, wie den Herstellernamen und den Produktnamen, zu ermitteln, daß es sich um ein Objekt aus Polystyrol handelt. Nach erfolgter Identifizierung gibt der Signalprozessor die Information an eine pneumatische Abtrennvorrichtung weiter, welche die Aussortierung des identifizierten Objektes herbeiführt.The electronic signal processor is not only able to identify and sort waste objects according to the above-mentioned features, but is also able to evaluate the features based on stored data in such a way that an assignment to the material forming the waste object is possible, for example from a Cup shape with other features, such as the manufacturer's name and the product name, to determine that it is a polystyrene object. After identification has taken place, the signal processor passes the information on to a pneumatic separation device, which brings about the sorting out of the identified object.

Im erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren muß das Abfallobjekt zunächst einer Bestrahlung mit elektromagnetischen Wellen ausgesetzt werden.In the method according to the invention, the waste object must first be exposed to radiation with electromagnetic waves.

Die vom Abfallobjekt reflektierten oder dieses durchdringenden Wellen werden zunächst durch eine Videokamera, aufgenommen. Dieses Gerät leitet die Signale weiter an den eigentlichen Signalprozessor. Die zur Abfallobjektidentifizierung verwendeten Wellen sind im allgemeinen bzw. überwiegend bei der Bestrahlung auftretende reflektierte Strahlen oder solche, die zunächst das Objekt durchdrungen haben. Von geringerer Bedeutung sind solche Wellen, die durch eine sekundäre Ausstrahlung entstehen, wie z.B. Wärmestrahlen, die ein zunächst erwärmtes Objekt anschließend als IR-Strahlen-Sender aussendet.The waves reflected from or penetrating the waste object are first recorded by a video camera. This device forwards the signals to the actual signal processor. The waves used to identify the waste object are generally or predominantly reflected rays that occur during irradiation or those that first penetrated the object. Of less importance are those waves that arise from a secondary radiation, e.g. Heat rays, which an object that is initially heated then emits as an IR radiation transmitter.

Erfindungsgemäß werden sichtbares Licht, IR-Strahlen und UV-Strahlen verwendet.According to the invention, visible light, IR rays and UV rays are used.

Erfindungsgemäß wird eine pneumatisch arbeitende Abtrennvorrichtung eingesetzt.According to the invention, a pneumatically operating separation device is used.

Durch eine Luftstrahl erfolgt die Entfernung des Abfallobjektes von einem sich bewegenden Band, wobei das Objekt in eine bestimmte Richtung gelenkt wird.The waste object is removed from a moving belt by an air jet, the object being directed in a certain direction.

Zu einer vollständigen Abtrennung ist es erforderlich, daß das Abfallgemisch ausreichend verteilt wird. Dies kann bevorzugt auf einem sich bewegenden Transportband oder sich drehenden Teller erfolgen, jedoch andere Geräte nach dem Stand der Technik sind ebenfalls verwendbar.For a complete separation it is necessary that the waste mixture is distributed sufficiently. This can preferably be done on a moving conveyor belt or rotating plate, but other devices according to the prior art can also be used.

Strahlungsquellen und signalverarbeitende Vorrichtungen sind dem Fachmann bekannt. Sie brauchen daher nicht näher erläutert werden.Radiation sources and signal processing devices are known to the person skilled in the art. They therefore do not need to be explained in more detail.

In der Figur ist beispielhaft eine erfindungsgemäße Anordnung wiedergegeben. 1) stellt das Transportband dar, 2) ein Abfallobjekt, 3) ist eine Videokamera, 4) ein Signalprozessor und 5) eine Abtrennvorrichtung.In the figure, an arrangement according to the invention is shown as an example. 1) represents the conveyor belt, 2) a waste object, 3) is a video camera, 4) a signal processor and 5) a separation device.

Claims (8)

  1. Process for sorting a waste mixture after having sufficiently distributed the waste mixture on a conveyor belt, characterized
    in that characteristic features of the waste objects, which are recordable by irradiation with light waves, and which embrace the outer shape, namely bottle-, beaker-, tube-, cubic shapes, foil shapes as well as colors, marks in writing, product names, company respectively producer names and trade marks, are exposed to irradiation with light waves,
    in that the objects are scanned by a video camera, for recording these characteristic features, which collects irradiation by light waves, emanating from the objects and takes a picture of the objects,
    in that the waste objects, based on these characteristic features, are identified by an electronic signal processor suited for processing these characteristic features,
    in that a signal is transferred from the video camera to an electronic signal processor, which has stored data concerning the characteristic features, whereby the electronic signal processor responds to signals arriving from the video camera,
    in that the signals arriving from the video camera are processed by the electronic signal processor, based on the data stored, and in that the materials, the waste objects consist of, are determined,
    in that a signal is transferred from the electronic signal processor to a pneumatic sorting device, whereby the pneumatic sorting device responds to the signal of the electronic signal processor,
    and in that the pneumatic sorting device is equipped with air jets for the removal of the objects from the conveyor belt, whereby different types of objects are blown into specific directions.
  2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the waves applied, are visible light and/or IR-rays and/or UV-rays.
  3. Process according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the waste mixture is distributed in such a way, that the waste objects are recorded by the waves applied, as completely as possible.
  4. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that the distribution takes place on a conveyor belt.
  5. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that the distribution takes place on a distributing tray.
  6. Device for sorting waste mixtures, characterized in that the device comprises a source of irradiation for electromagnetic waves, a video camera for recording the waves arriving from the waste object by recording characteristic features of the waste objects, which are recordable by irradiation with light waves, embracing the outer shape, namely bottle-, beaker-, tube-, cubic shapes, foil shapes as well as colors, marks in writing, product names, company respectively producer names and trade marks, a signal processor for processing these characteristic features of the waste objects in order to identify the materials and a pneumatic sorting device for sorting the waste objects identified, which is controlled by signals emanating from the signal processor and which is equipped with air jets.
  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the device is equipped with a conveyor belt for the distribution of the waste mixture.
  8. Application of the device according to claims 6 and 7 for sorting waste mixtures.
EP92916038A 1991-07-29 1992-07-27 Process and device for sorting mixtures of waste Expired - Lifetime EP0550728B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4125045A DE4125045A1 (en) 1991-07-29 1991-07-29 METHOD FOR SORTING WASTE MIXTURES
DE4125045 1991-07-29
PCT/DE1992/000627 WO1993002813A1 (en) 1991-07-29 1992-07-27 Process for sorting mixtures of waste

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0550728A1 EP0550728A1 (en) 1993-07-14
EP0550728B1 true EP0550728B1 (en) 1996-04-17

Family

ID=6437216

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92916038A Expired - Lifetime EP0550728B1 (en) 1991-07-29 1992-07-27 Process and device for sorting mixtures of waste

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US5615778A (en)
EP (1) EP0550728B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH06506152A (en)
AT (1) ATE136818T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2092805A1 (en)
DE (2) DE4125045A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2042476T1 (en)
MX (1) MX9204426A (en)
WO (1) WO1993002813A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (50)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4235956C2 (en) * 1992-10-23 1995-09-28 Rwe Entsorgung Ag Use of electromagnetic waves in the UV and visible range to identify the materials by detecting the material structure
DE4241250C2 (en) * 1992-12-08 1996-04-11 Rwe Entsorgung Ag Method for identifying objects and device for carrying out the method
DE4241262C1 (en) * 1992-12-08 1994-06-23 Rwe Entsorgung Ag Segregation of objects from object mixt. - involves mixt. placed on vibrating device on which it is moved towards conveyor unit with simultaneous segregation of objects
DE4241990C2 (en) * 1992-12-12 1997-02-06 Rwe Entsorgung Ag System for recognizing and sorting waste objects
DE4305562A1 (en) * 1993-02-24 1994-09-01 Bodenseewerk Geraetetech Method and device for sorting packaging wastes
DE4314396A1 (en) * 1993-04-30 1994-11-03 Robert Prof Dr Ing Massen Optical sorting of plastics
DE4317513A1 (en) * 1993-05-26 1994-12-01 Select Ingenieurgesellschaft F Method and device for selective separation of bodies and use of the method
DE4321447C2 (en) * 1993-06-29 1996-03-14 Bfi Entsorgungstech Device for separating material mixtures with adjustable selectivity
DE4323391C2 (en) * 1993-07-13 1996-03-14 Bfi Entsorgungstech Device for sorting out large objects from material mixtures and method using the device
DE4343058A1 (en) * 1993-12-19 1995-06-22 Robert Prof Dr Ing Massen Multiple sensor camera for quality control
DE4401207A1 (en) * 1994-01-18 1995-07-20 Tobias Fey Identification of plastics packaging to facilitate recycling
DE4402321C2 (en) * 1994-01-27 2000-04-27 Gpa Ges Fuer Prozes Automation Method and device for sorting nuts
DE4414112A1 (en) * 1994-04-22 1995-10-26 Johannes Bauer Maschinen Und A Automated waste material separation method for packaging material recycling
US6060677A (en) * 1994-08-19 2000-05-09 Tiedemanns-Jon H. Andresen Ans Determination of characteristics of material
WO1997020204A1 (en) * 1995-12-01 1997-06-05 System Planning Corporation Method and apparatus for detecting recyclable items
DE19753202A1 (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-06-10 Trienekens Gmbh Recycling plant for scrap packaging
DE19753203A1 (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-06-10 Trienekens Gmbh Assembly to process waste packaging materials
DE19800521C2 (en) * 1998-01-09 2000-10-05 Trienekens Gmbh Process and device for completely dry, automatic processing of packaging waste
US6369882B1 (en) 1999-04-29 2002-04-09 Advanced Sorting Technologies Llc System and method for sensing white paper
US6374998B1 (en) 1999-04-29 2002-04-23 Advanced Sorting Technologies Llc “Acceleration conveyor”
US7019822B1 (en) * 1999-04-29 2006-03-28 Mss, Inc. Multi-grade object sorting system and method
JP3481581B2 (en) * 2000-05-15 2003-12-22 日本電気株式会社 Plastic identification method and apparatus
US6855901B1 (en) 2001-04-20 2005-02-15 National Recovery Technologies, Inc. Process and apparatus for spectroscopic identification and sorting of barrier materials
GB0322043D0 (en) * 2003-09-20 2003-10-22 Qinetiq Ltd Apparatus for,and method of,classifying objects in waste stream
US7326871B2 (en) * 2004-08-18 2008-02-05 Mss, Inc. Sorting system using narrow-band electromagnetic radiation
US20070182776A1 (en) * 2006-02-08 2007-08-09 Bart Parish Optical sensing equipment
FR2923403B1 (en) * 2007-11-13 2011-06-03 Veolia Proprete PROCESS FOR AUTOMATIC WASTE TREATMENT
US8812149B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2014-08-19 Mss, Inc. Sequential scanning of multiple wavelengths
US10121218B2 (en) 2012-06-12 2018-11-06 Elwha Llc Substrate structure injection treatment system and method for ingestible product system and method
US20130054384A1 (en) * 2011-08-26 2013-02-28 Elwha LLC, a limited liability company of the State of Delaware Refuse intelligence acquisition system and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
US9997006B2 (en) 2011-08-26 2018-06-12 Elwha Llc Treatment system and method for ingestible product dispensing system and method
US9785985B2 (en) 2011-08-26 2017-10-10 Elwha Llc Selection information system and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
US9922576B2 (en) 2011-08-26 2018-03-20 Elwha Llc Ingestion intelligence acquisition system and method for ingestible material preparation system and method
US10026336B2 (en) * 2011-08-26 2018-07-17 Elwha Llc Refuse intelligence acquisition system and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
US10115093B2 (en) 2011-08-26 2018-10-30 Elwha Llc Food printing goal implementation substrate structure ingestible material preparation system and method
US10239256B2 (en) 2012-06-12 2019-03-26 Elwha Llc Food printing additive layering substrate structure ingestible material preparation system and method
US9947167B2 (en) 2011-08-26 2018-04-17 Elwha Llc Treatment system and method for ingestible product dispensing system and method
US20130330447A1 (en) 2012-06-12 2013-12-12 Elwha LLC, a limited liability company of the State of Delaware Substrate Structure Deposition Treatment System And Method For Ingestible Product System and Method
US10192037B2 (en) 2011-08-26 2019-01-29 Elwah LLC Reporting system and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
US9240028B2 (en) 2011-08-26 2016-01-19 Elwha Llc Reporting system and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
US20130054255A1 (en) 2011-08-26 2013-02-28 Elwha LLC, a limited liability company of the State of Delaware Controlled substance authorization and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
US11962876B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2024-04-16 Digimarc Corporation Recycling methods and systems, and related plastic containers
US20190306385A1 (en) 2014-01-31 2019-10-03 Digimarc Corporation Concerning digital marking and reading of plastic items, useful in recycling
GB2572183A (en) * 2018-03-21 2019-09-25 Sutton Philip Recycling method and taggant for a recyclable product
CN109513717B (en) * 2018-11-16 2022-04-01 广州环投环境服务有限公司 Automatic management method for incoming wastes
CN113748007A (en) 2019-03-13 2021-12-03 数字标记公司 Digital marking of recycled articles
US11524318B2 (en) * 2019-07-31 2022-12-13 Michael David Shrout Method and system for marking and encoding recyclability of material to enable automated sorting of recycled items
CA3175908A1 (en) 2020-03-26 2021-09-30 Digimarc Corporation Arrangements for digital marking and reading of items, useful in recycling
WO2022221680A1 (en) 2021-04-16 2022-10-20 Digimarc Corporation Methods and arrangements to aid recycling
WO2024015385A1 (en) 2022-07-14 2024-01-18 Digimarc Corporation Methods and arrangements to utilize end-of-life data generated during recycling and waste sortation for counterfeit deterrence and other actions

Family Cites Families (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2898801A (en) * 1955-06-09 1959-08-11 Robotron Corp Inspection device for detecting differences in two objects
US2999587A (en) * 1957-08-12 1961-09-12 Pacific Semiconductors Inc Automatic diode sorter
US3028960A (en) * 1957-09-09 1962-04-10 Georgia Tech Res Inst High-speed scanning type sorter
US3179247A (en) * 1962-06-28 1965-04-20 Sphere Invest Ltd Random stream materials sorter
US3356211A (en) * 1964-12-07 1967-12-05 Ted C Mathews Separation of ore particles preferentially coated with liquid fluorescent material
US3327850A (en) * 1965-02-08 1967-06-27 Genevieve I Magnuson Apparatus for separating produce
US3650400A (en) * 1970-02-09 1972-03-21 American Cyanamid Co Optical sensing system usable in ambient light
US3661258A (en) * 1970-03-12 1972-05-09 American Cyanamid Co Ultraviolet light label monitoring system
DD117191A1 (en) * 1974-12-30 1976-01-05
US4352431A (en) * 1979-06-04 1982-10-05 Black Clawson Inc. Apparatus for sorting contaminant material from processing material
US4493420A (en) * 1981-01-29 1985-01-15 Lockwood Graders (U.K.) Limited Method and apparatus for detecting bounded regions of images, and method and apparatus for sorting articles and detecting flaws
US4360539A (en) * 1981-06-18 1982-11-23 Aluminum Company Of America Method for increasing resistance to treeing in polymeric insulating layer
US4576286A (en) * 1983-06-27 1986-03-18 Cochlea Corporation Parts sorting systems
DE3520486A1 (en) * 1985-06-07 1986-12-11 Josef 7084 Westhausen Thor Process and device for separating plastics wastes from refuse, in particular domestic refuse
DE3611926A1 (en) * 1986-04-09 1987-10-22 Farkas Ingbuero Method for dry screening products mixed with one another and apparatus for carrying out the method
EP0267790A3 (en) * 1986-11-12 1990-01-17 Lockwood Graders (U.K.) Limited Method and apparatus for sorting articles
JPH01249181A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-10-04 Tdk Corp Parts sorting method for automatic appearance screening machine for chip parts
JPH0782542B2 (en) * 1988-01-29 1995-09-06 株式会社スキャンテクノロジー Print inspection method, print inspection device, and automatic printed matter distribution system
US5085325A (en) * 1988-03-08 1992-02-04 Simco/Ramic Corporation Color sorting system and method
IT1234506B (en) * 1988-05-31 1992-05-19 Gd Spa METHOD FOR ELECTRO-OPTICAL CONTROL OF CIGARETTES
JPH0630742B2 (en) * 1988-07-08 1994-04-27 有限会社安西総合研究所 Sorting method and sorting device
ATE103069T1 (en) * 1988-10-11 1994-04-15 Rieter Ag Maschf DETECTION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL IN TEXTILE FIBERS.
US4924088A (en) * 1989-02-28 1990-05-08 George Carman Apparatus for reading information marks
DE3910567A1 (en) * 1989-04-01 1990-10-04 Sczimarowski Klaus Device for ejecting and selecting individual pieces from a moving line
DE3926641A1 (en) * 1989-08-11 1991-02-14 Gottfried Wanner Re-usable specific waste item separating appts. - has vibratory pre-sorting, conveyor handling, colour and material type selection and removal to slide under overall computer control
WO1991005220A1 (en) * 1989-09-28 1991-04-18 Environmental Products Corporation Acoustic holographic array measurement device and related method
US5141110A (en) * 1990-02-09 1992-08-25 Hoover Universal, Inc. Method for sorting plastic articles
US5135113A (en) * 1991-04-01 1992-08-04 Modern Controls, Inc. High-speed tablet sorting machine
US5134291A (en) * 1991-04-30 1992-07-28 The Dow Chemical Company Method for sorting used plastic containers and the like
DE69203439T2 (en) * 1992-01-10 1996-02-01 Toyo Glass Co Ltd Device for sorting opaque foreign objects between transparent bodies.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX9204426A (en) 1993-02-01
DE4125045A1 (en) 1993-02-04
JPH06506152A (en) 1994-07-14
ATE136818T1 (en) 1996-05-15
DE59206047D1 (en) 1996-05-23
ES2042476T1 (en) 1993-12-16
US5615778A (en) 1997-04-01
WO1993002813A1 (en) 1993-02-18
EP0550728A1 (en) 1993-07-14
CA2092805A1 (en) 1993-01-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0550728B1 (en) Process and device for sorting mixtures of waste
DE69328744T2 (en) Process for dividing and separating plastic containers
DE102016102656B4 (en) Device and method for processing metal raw parts and for sorting metal waste parts
EP0439674B1 (en) Device for sorting waste
DE3520486C2 (en)
DE10024309A1 (en) Method and device for the dry separation of collective waste with packaging waste
EP2823945B1 (en) Method and device for recovery of plastic waste
DE4129754A1 (en) METHOD FOR OBTAINING VARIETY PLASTIC FRACTIONS
DE4414112A1 (en) Automated waste material separation method for packaging material recycling
DE4241990C2 (en) System for recognizing and sorting waste objects
DE19800521C2 (en) Process and device for completely dry, automatic processing of packaging waste
EP0601422A2 (en) Method and apparatus for identifying objects
DE9116904U1 (en) Device for sorting waste mixtures
DE4305562A1 (en) Method and device for sorting packaging wastes
DE10123304A1 (en) Line for automatic sorting of waste includes station with compressed air jets for ballistic separation of film from heavier particles
DE4316422C1 (en) Process and device for screening waste mixtures
DE20310406U1 (en) Plastic waste sorting unit, consists of detection stations with sensors for material, shape and colour, and an ejection system with compressed air nozzles
DE4241262C1 (en) Segregation of objects from object mixt. - involves mixt. placed on vibrating device on which it is moved towards conveyor unit with simultaneous segregation of objects
DE10228292A1 (en) Bottle cap labelling assembly has printer unit and label application unit
EP2180959A1 (en) Device and method for processing objects having information attached thereto
DE4337646C1 (en) Device for mechanical singling and sorting of waste, in particular domestic waste
DE29800229U1 (en) Device for completely dry, automatic processing of packaging waste
DE19628613C2 (en) Process for sorting waste mixtures and sorting system for carrying out the process
DE4135394A1 (en) Waste paper sorting installation with reduced labour requirement - has sieve feeding conveyors with a series of discharges operated by colour sensors
DE29722242U1 (en) Improved device for sorting packaging waste

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19930312

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

ITCL It: translation for ep claims filed

Representative=s name: SOCIETA' ITALIANA BREVETTI S.P.A.

GBC Gb: translation of claims filed (gb section 78(7)/1977)
EL Fr: translation of claims filed
TCNL Nl: translation of patent claims filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: BA2A

Ref document number: 2042476

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T1

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950511

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19960417

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19960417

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19960417

Ref country code: FR

Effective date: 19960417

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19960417

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 136818

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19960515

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59206047

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19960523

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: E. BLUM & CO. PATENTANWAELTE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19960717

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19960727

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19960728

EN Fr: translation not filed
NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
GBV Gb: ep patent (uk) treated as always having been void in accordance with gb section 77(7)/1977 [no translation filed]

Effective date: 19960417

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 19980811

Year of fee payment: 7

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990731

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20050714

Year of fee payment: 14

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070201