EP0591120A1 - A method in the returning of bottles and a bottle return system - Google Patents

A method in the returning of bottles and a bottle return system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0591120A1
EP0591120A1 EP93850183A EP93850183A EP0591120A1 EP 0591120 A1 EP0591120 A1 EP 0591120A1 EP 93850183 A EP93850183 A EP 93850183A EP 93850183 A EP93850183 A EP 93850183A EP 0591120 A1 EP0591120 A1 EP 0591120A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crating
bottle
unit
return
conveyor belt
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93850183A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mika Koivisto
Petri Komonen
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.)
Halton System Oy
Original Assignee
Halton System Oy
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 Halton System Oy filed Critical Halton System Oy
Publication of EP0591120A1 publication Critical patent/EP0591120A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
    • G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method in the returning of bottles and a bottle return system
  • the prior art describes return centers, wherein the returnable bottles are conveyed via a return bottle automaton, which identifies the returnable bottle and gives a receipt and/or a sum of money corresponding to the bottle.
  • the returnable bottle is further transferred along with a conveyor belt onto a collector table, from which they are generally manually placed in bottle crates.
  • the return center comprises several bottle return automatons, which each is fitted to be served by one common crating unit.
  • One embodiment of the inventive crating unit comprises an unloading device for empty crates, which device transfers an empty crate from a stack of crates to a crating means onto its conveyor belt, whereon an empty crate is filled with bottles.
  • an empty crate is filled, it is transfered by means of a crating-unit belt conveyor onto a roller track located after the crating unit and from said roller track laterally onto a conveyor track for full crates.
  • the crating unit is fitted to be transferred to alternately serve each bottle return automaton.
  • the belt of each bottle return automaton may be run full with returnable bottles, whereafter the crating unit may be transferred on guides in a controllable manner alternately to the end of the belt conveyor of each bottle return automaton.
  • the returnable bottles are further transferred to a crating unit, wherein an empty crate is filled with returnable bottles.
  • the inventive method is mainly characterized in that in the method is used a crating unit to alternately serve each return-center return automaton, whereby the crating unit may be freely transferred to the connection of a conveyor belt of each bottle return automaton, whereby the returnable bottles may be alternately fed from each conveyor belt to the bottle crating means of the crating unit, which crating means disposes the returnable bottles into empty crates.
  • the inventive system is mainly characterized in that the system comprises a crating unit comprising at least a bottle crating means, by means of which the empty bottles may be disposed in an empty crate and that the crating unit is freely movable such that the same crating unit may be transferred alternately to serve each bottle return automation.
  • Fig. 1A shows an inventive return center seen from the top as a schematic representation.
  • Fig. 1B shows an inventive transferable crating unit.
  • Fig. 1C shows a cross-section A-A of Fig. 1B.
  • Fig. 1A shows schematically seen from the top an inventive bottle return system.
  • the bottle return system comprises at least two, preferably several parallel bottle return automatons 10a1, 10a2, 10a3, 10a4...
  • a returnable bottle is fed to a bottle return automaton, which identifies the returnable bottle, e.g. on the basis of the bottle profile or on a bar code.
  • the returner of the bottle receives a receipt or a remuneration corresponding to the bottle.
  • the bottle is further transferred forwards along the conveyor belt 10c1, 10c2...
  • the conveyor belt is rotated via sheaves F1 and F2 as a closed loop.
  • the conveyor belt 10c1, 10c2... is preferably used by means of a drum motor from the sheave F1 or F2.
  • the bottles are run to the end of the conveyor belt 10c1, 10c2..., as guides 10d1, 10d2... located on the sides of the conveyor belt keep the returnable bottles on the belt 10c1, 10c2...
  • Fig. 1A shows an embodiment of the invention, wherein a crating unit 12, in addition to a bottle crating means I, comprises a roller track II, which removes a full crate from the crating unit 12, and crate-stack unloader III, with which an empty crate is fed into the crating means I.
  • the crating unit 12 only comprises a bottle crating means I.
  • the crating means I may be located a roller track II, by means of which a full crate is removed from the connection of the crating unit 12.
  • the crating means I of the crating unit 12 may be a device solution, which comprises a narrow belt conveyor of the crating means I, on the upper run of which the bottles are fed in a linear form. On the belt run is located a U-shaped guide open from the bottom, inside which guide the returnable bottles are fed. When the guide is filled with bottles, the guide is transferred laterally, whereby the bottles drop into an empty crate located on the conveyor, into its bottle cell line. The crate is transferred forwards by means of a crate conveyor below on the crating means I to the next dropping station. A full crate is transferred to the roller track and further away therefrom by means of a separate lateral conveyor.
  • the inventive crating means may of another type, and in this application the intention is not to limit the crating means solely to the crating means type described above.
  • the system comprises a crating unit 12, which is fitted to serve the bottle return automatons 10a1, 10a2... of the bottle return center, each separately.
  • the crating unit 12 comprises at least a returnable-bottle crating means I.
  • the returnable-bottle crating means I comprises a conveyor belt, which transfers in a linear form one line of bottles to a dropping station, from which the returnable bottles transfer one crate at a time to a lower empty crate, to its bottle line.
  • the crate located below is moved one crate line at a time forwards on the conveyor belt of the crating means I.
  • Said device application is the most simple embodiment of the crating unit 12.
  • the crating unit 12 may comprise after the crating means I a roller track II and thereon a conveyor 18, by means of which the a full crate is transferred to a conveyor track 11 for full crates.
  • the crating unit 12 may further be comprised of a device configuration (as shown in the figures), which comprises, except for a bottle crating means I and thereafter a roller track II relative to the travelling direction of the crates, and also before the crating means I a crate-stack unloader III, by means of which the empty crate is brought to the crating means I.
  • Fig. 1A shows the feeding of empty crates to a crate stacker with an arrow S1.
  • An arrow S2 shows the travelling of the crate in the crating unit 12 and an arrow S3 shows the unloading of a full crate away from the roller track II onto the conveyor track 11 for full crates.
  • the full crate travels according to an arrow S4 from below the conveyor belts 10c1, 10c2, 10c3... further either to a storage station or to such a crate stacker, which stacks the crates on a pallet or on another conveyor base.
  • the crating unit 12 is transferred freely according to an arrow L1 to the connection of the ends of the belt conveyor 10c1, 10c2, 10c3... of each bottle-return automaton, as the crating unit 12 is guided on a slide part 16, preferably a rotatable roller, on a guide 15 of the crating unit 12.
  • a roller 16a is fixed by its shaft 16b to a floor G.
  • the conveyor track 11 for full crates comprises alternately a belt conveyor 11a2 and a roller track 11a1.
  • the belt conveyors 11a2 comprise conveyor belts, which are run via sheaves as a closed loop, whereby one of the sheaves is a drum motor.
  • the roller tracks 11a2 are tilted relative to the horizontal plane, whereby the crate transfers gravitionally from the end of the roller track 11a1 to the end and further to the next belt conveyor 11a2 to be used.
  • Fig. 1B shows schematically a crating unit 12.
  • the crating unit 12 comprises a frame R, on top of which is located a crate stacker/unloader designated with the numeral III, from which an empty crate is fed to the crating means I onto the belt conveyor.
  • the crate on the belt conveyor is filled with bottles and a full crate is transferred from the crating means I to the roller track II.
  • a full crate is transferred by means of a conveyor 18 away e.g. to the conveyor 11 just filled with full crates.
  • the crating unit 12 its frame R further comprises sheaves 13a,13b,13c,13d, on which the unit may be transferred.
  • the unit 12 further comprises a guide 15, by means of which the unit may be guided into an accurate position to the end of each conveyor 10c1, 10c2, 10c3...
  • the unit 12 may be locked with a sheave brake 14 into an accurate crating position to the end of the conveyor 10c1, 10c2...
  • a gate e1 or e2 or e3... is opened.
  • the gate e1, e2... may be slided to close and open a discharge track M of the conveyor end.
  • the crating unit 12 may be moved manually or also mechanically by means of a motor.
  • Fig. 1C shows a section A-A of Fig. 1B.
  • the unit 12 is guided by means of a guide 15 joined to the frame R, as the guide 15 is a C-profile cross-section.
  • a roller 16a fixed to the floor G leads the guide 15 and thereby the unit 12.
  • the roller 16a is fitted to rotate on a shaft 16b, which shaft 16b is joined to the concrete floor G.
  • Several rollers 16a, 16b are mounted on the floor G adjacently to each other on a line such that the unit 12 may be guided with a sufficient accuracy by means of one guide 14 on the unit 12.
  • the C-profile opens downwards.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
  • Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
EP93850183A 1992-10-01 1993-09-30 A method in the returning of bottles and a bottle return system Withdrawn EP0591120A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI924430 1992-10-01
FI924430A FI92380C (fi) 1992-10-01 1992-10-01 Menetelmä pullojen palautuksessa ja pullojen palautusjärjestelmä

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0591120A1 true EP0591120A1 (en) 1994-04-06

Family

ID=8535954

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93850183A Withdrawn EP0591120A1 (en) 1992-10-01 1993-09-30 A method in the returning of bottles and a bottle return system

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0591120A1 (fi)
DE (1) DE4333428A1 (fi)
DK (1) DK110793A (fi)
FI (1) FI92380C (fi)
NO (1) NO933502L (fi)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29609410U1 (de) * 1996-05-25 1996-08-14 Kern, Michael, 91301 Forchheim Rücknahmestation für Mehrwegbehälter
WO2012051999A3 (de) * 2010-10-18 2012-06-14 Envipco Holding N.V. Vorrichtung zur rücknahme von leergut, insbesondere von kunststoffflaschen und metalldosen

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29503823U1 (de) * 1995-03-09 1995-06-14 Baumüller Anlagen-Systemtechnik GmbH & Co., 90482 Nürnberg Kundenterminal für vollautomatisches Getränketerminal

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0010686A1 (de) * 1978-10-20 1980-05-14 Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft Einpackmaschine mit gestrennten Zuführbahnen für Flaschen
US4518073A (en) * 1983-07-08 1985-05-21 Smarte Carte, Inc. Vehicle lock apparatus and method
WO1988007244A1 (fr) * 1987-03-12 1988-09-22 Michel Ropelato Machine a deconsigner les bouteilles vides reprises par les magasins a grande surface

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0010686A1 (de) * 1978-10-20 1980-05-14 Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft Einpackmaschine mit gestrennten Zuführbahnen für Flaschen
US4518073A (en) * 1983-07-08 1985-05-21 Smarte Carte, Inc. Vehicle lock apparatus and method
WO1988007244A1 (fr) * 1987-03-12 1988-09-22 Michel Ropelato Machine a deconsigner les bouteilles vides reprises par les magasins a grande surface

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29609410U1 (de) * 1996-05-25 1996-08-14 Kern, Michael, 91301 Forchheim Rücknahmestation für Mehrwegbehälter
WO2012051999A3 (de) * 2010-10-18 2012-06-14 Envipco Holding N.V. Vorrichtung zur rücknahme von leergut, insbesondere von kunststoffflaschen und metalldosen
US8813938B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2014-08-26 Envipco Holding N.V. Device for taking back empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans
AU2011317931B2 (en) * 2010-10-18 2017-02-02 Envipco Holding N.V. Device for recycling empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI92380C (fi) 1994-11-10
FI924430A0 (fi) 1992-10-01
DK110793A (da) 1994-04-02
FI924430A (fi) 1994-04-02
FI92380B (fi) 1994-07-29
NO933502L (no) 1994-04-05
DK110793D0 (da) 1993-10-01
DE4333428A1 (de) 1994-04-28
NO933502D0 (no) 1993-09-30

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