EP0774300B1 - Compacting and treating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The crusher has a pair of counter-rotating pulling-in and crushing rolls (2), bounding a roll gap for the passage of the container (3). Each roll has a grip tooth (5) on its circumferential surface to grip an end piece (3a) of the container fed in from an input (8). The batten (6) with the grip tooth on it may be made in one with the grip tooth, and may be formed from several sectors in the axial direction of the roll. These sector may be parallel and or collinear relative to the axial direction.

Description

The invention relates to a squeezing device for crushing used Cups and a squeezing and cutting device for processing used Containers, in particular cups, with a squeezing device with the features of Preambles of claims 1 and 23, respectively.

Such a squeezing device or squeezing and cutting device is known from US-A-4,784,251 known. In the previously known device, bottle-shaped containers sequentially squeezed in a squeezer by a pair of cutting rollers cut into strips and then the strips across their length cut into small pieces by another cutter. The crimping device is formed from a pair of oppositely driven rollers, which have a Seesaw the containers are fed as a feed device. The pair of rollers faces radially protruding ledges, which have a sawtooth-shaped profile at their outer ends.

The known squeezing device is in combination with an automatic machine Arranged cutting device into which the container can be inserted via a feed opening are. The containers are identified within the machine and along a transport path to a collection container for receiving the dismembered container. Along the transport path is the squeezing device, one of the containers Crimping device feeding device and a downstream of the crimping device Arranged cutting unit. The cutting unit is through the appropriate Cutting tools for cutting the squashed containers into parallel strips and formed to further cut the strips in their transverse direction.

Such a squeezing device or the automat contained therein is used in particular for Collect and process single-use containers Plastic used. Such used containers can be bottles, for example or cups made of plastic, aluminum cans or the like.

Another squeezing device for squeezing flat containers or the like for use in a reprocessing device for disposable cups, for example also described in the Italian patent application M093A000140 and the associated EP-A-0 655 715 by the applicant.

US-A-5 211 109 discloses a device for squeezing beverage cans together, this via an input on a vending machine of a squeezing device can be supplied. The actual crimping device is a lower one End of a feeder in the form of a tube in which the cans are stacked are arranged, with a lower end of the lowest can on a flattened Area of a pair of feed and squeeze rollers is set up. The both rollers rotate in opposite directions and through edges that are perpendicular to the flattened Areas, the lower end of the can can be gripped sideways and drawn into the nip formed between the two rollers. To the further retraction of the can are around 90 ° in the circumferential direction the edges or Gripping teeth arranged further teeth. A bow-shaped actuator is pushed out of the tube when a can is present. By pushing it out becomes a motor for the two rollers via a switch and a control circuit switched on.

With regard to the prior art according to US-A-5 211 109, the subject of the application based on the task, the known crimping device and the corresponding Combination device according to the preambles of claims 1 and 23 to improve in that this is simple and reliable and flat squeezed containers quickly and safely a downstream device, such as for example, a cutter.

The crimping device is simple and compact at the same time, is easy to wait and has a long service life.

According to the invention, the gripping tooth becomes an end piece of a supplied container securely gripped and withdrawn from the corresponding feed device. To turn of the rollers to prevent the container from being placed in the recess and is carried by the pull bars before being gripped by the gripping teeth, each points Feed and squeeze roller at least one supporting the end of the container Ring land. The ring land can be essentially outside the area of the depression extend around the roller.

It is sufficient if the ring web is essentially around the height of the pull bars protrudes radially over the circumferential surface of the roller.

In this context, the pull bar can also be used as a gripping tooth pull bar the gripping tooth. The gripping tooth is usually in the direction End piece of the container from the pull bar. The pull bar can be turned outwards Protrude circumferential surface of the corresponding roller or through part of the Circumferential surface of the roller may be formed, for example for receiving the gripping tooth a recess is formed in the peripheral surface into which the gripping tooth protrudes.

Depending on the cross section of the container, the gripping tooth pull bar can be arranged differently be an advantage. For example, the gripping tooth pull bar can be axially Direction of the roller juxtaposed pull bar sections assembled his. The pull strip sections can be on an outer contour of the container be adapted to its end piece.

In the simplest case, the pull bar sections of the gripping tooth pull bar run parallel and / or collinear to the axial direction of the roller.

The pull bars or gripping tooth pull bars can be in the peripheral surface of a roller be arranged or formed along the entire axial direction. At a In another embodiment, the feed and squeeze rollers have a number of in In the axial direction arranged side by side discs, of which at least the disks arranged below the device for feeding the containers as gripping disks are formed, the circumference with corresponding gripping tooth pull bar sections are trained. In this way, the entire peripheral surface does not have to a roller to produce the pull rails, but only the corresponding gripping disks are machined in their peripheral surface.

To the crushed in the remaining area of the peripheral surface of the various discs Pull the cup off safely when the rollers rotate due to increased friction and carry along, the discs can chagrin in their remaining peripheral surface or knurled.

In order to be able to grasp a cup safely on both sides, it proves to be an advantage if for simultaneous initial attack of the gripping teeth on opposite sides the end of the container, the feed and squeeze rollers a synchronization drive assigned.

In order to be able to better arrange the cup end piece between the gripping teeth, In this context, it proves to be advantageous if each feed and squeeze roller in its peripheral surface one in the direction of rotation adjacent to the respective gripping tooth and has this upstream in the direction of rotation. On this deepening Put the cup on with its bottom and then turn the rollers towards each other, gripped by the corresponding gripping teeth and carried along for squeezing.

In the case of rollers with disks or gripping disks, the depression is in the The peripheral surface of each disc is adjacent and in the direction of rotation in front of the respective gripping tooth educated.

With a flat cup bottom surface or a flat edge surrounding the cup bottom an essentially flat bottom surface of the depression is also advantageous. Corresponding differently shaped floor surfaces can be used with appropriately shaped container floors or bottom edges can be used.

In order to achieve an easier and safer grasping of the cup, the bottom surface is stepped with at least one step.

In this context, in order to be able to grasp the lower end of the container directly favorable if the recess is limited on one side by the associated gripping tooth is.

In the case of pull strips protruding from the rollers, it can prove to be advantageous if a number of pull bars on the peripheral surface of the feed and squeeze rollers in uniform circumferential distances for the attack on the gripped by the gripping teeth Containers are arranged. In this way, the container through the gripping teeth drawn between the rollers and by rotating them one after the other traction strips coming into contact with the container and squeezed between the Rollers pushed through.

In order to be able to arrange the rollers close enough together despite the ring webs and the To allow the pull bars of different rollers to interlock, the ring web in be arranged approximately centrally in the axial direction of the roller and in a substantially engage the cylindrical ring groove on the other roller.

It is sufficient if the ring web has a width in the axial direction of the roller has less than the diameter of the end piece of the container. Also in this In this case, the container is securely supported outside the recess.

The ring webs can, for example, be attached to the roller as a separate component. A one-piece production of ring web and pull strips is preferred, for example through machining. In this case, it may prove beneficial if the ring bar is connected on one side with corresponding pull strips.

To simplify processing in this case, it also proves to be advantageous if the ring web is between two adjacent pull bars connected to it the side opposite the annular groove is formed in an arc shape.

Various feeding devices are used to feed the cups to the squeezing device can be used, for example a manual feed is also possible. In the simplest In this case, the feed device for feeding the cups can be positioned above the feed and nip rollers arranged tubular shaft with an upper part and an adjoining lower part with an outlet opening, wherein the upper part has an inner diameter slightly larger than a diameter of a cup and the cups to form a stack from above into the upper part can be entered. This can be done automatically or manually.

In order to be able to grasp the end piece of the cup well, the lower part of the Feeding device at least this end piece of the bottom cup of the stack protrude.

To prevent the cup or stack of cups from being too far towards the crimping device the lower part of the tubular shaft can drop one in the direction Feed and squeeze rollers have a decreasing diameter. Thereby the cups are only up to a certain length from the lower part of the Exit the shaft.

For simplified manufacture and for safe gripping of the containers, it can be from Be advantageous if a flank of the gripping tooth passes directly through a wall surface of the recess is formed.

The squeezing device described above can be part of a squeezing and Cutting combination device for processing used containers, in particular Be cups, which have at least one cutting unit for crushing the used ones Containers, which has a first cutting tool for cutting the container into parallel strips and a second cutting tool for the takeover the strip at the exit of the first cutting tool and for cutting the Has stripes in the transverse direction. In this context, those of the invention Crushing device already squeezed by the first Processing tool processed to which the crimping device is assigned.

Squeezing devices or drawing-in and squeezing rollers of the squeezing device can precede the first cutting tool his. This will put the containers in the first Crushing device squeezed flat and then to the first Cutting tool passed to cut into strips.

Such a first cutting tool can, for example, consist of two oppositely rotatable rollers are formed, each on Roll a number of disks arranged with cutting edges are.

To squeeze and cut the containers in one To combine furnishings, the slices can be cut of the first cutting tool simultaneously formed as gripping disks be, which are correspondingly by pull strip sections in each disc form a pull bar, each pull bar section is formed with at least one gripping tooth and each Pull bar section in the direction of rotation a corresponding recess is upstream. The gripping disks are on everyone Roller of the roller pair of the first cutting tool arranged, which, as described for the feed and squeeze rollers, through the depression is a footprint for a container bottom form, with further rotation of the rollers of the first Cutting tool of the container gripped at its end piece and between the slices for cutting into strips with simultaneous Contusion is pulled.

The second cutting tool can be similar to the first cutting tool be made up of two counter-rotating rollers, which has a nip for the passage of the from the first Limit the strips produced by the cutting tool.

In this context, only one of the two must be rotated in opposite directions Rolling the second cutting tool as so-called Cutting roller and have a number of knives, which are each designed with a cutting edge, which extend along a helix over the circumferential surface the cutting roller extends. This way the parallel Cut strips into small pieces across the direction of the strips. The other roller of the second cutting tool can as a simple counter-pressure roller with a substantially smooth peripheral surface be trained.

Instead of arranging the cutting edge along a helix, the knives with their cutting edges can also be arranged in this way and be designed so that the cutting edges along extend in the axial direction. This means that through the first cutting tool cut parallel strips essentially cut perpendicular to the stripe direction, whereby small squares or rectangles are formed.

To quickly and easily attach the knives to the cutting roller To be able to, this has a number of in the circumferential direction spaced axial grooves, in each of which at least one Knife is releasably attached. This means the knives are worn out can also be replaced quickly and easily.

A simple type of releasable fastening can be formed in this way be that each axial groove in the direction of the axis of rotation Cutting roller converges and the associated knife on one lateral groove wall rests and releasable in the axial groove attached terminal strip is pressed against this. To this The knife is firmly attached to the entire length lateral groove wall pressed and securely held in the axial groove.

The knife can still be held in the axial groove be improved that the terminal strip is frustoconical in cross section and is screwed into the axial groove, for example becomes. The knife is between the groove wall and an outer wall the terminal block.

The axial groove and terminal block can be symmetrical in this way be built that at the same time a knife on each Groove wall is pressed by means of the terminal block. In this way can cut the parallel strips into smaller pieces and fewer axial grooves are necessary.

To the radial protrusion of the knife with their corresponding To ensure cutting edges in a simple manner Grooved a plant paragraph to create a lower, in the Have axial groove inserted end of the knife. By the Plant sales will automatically ensure that the bottom one Opposite cutting edge in a certain end Height to the outside via the axial groove, or the Cutting roller, protrudes.

Since the lower end is protected in the axial groove, in this context it can also prove to be an advantage if the knife has a cutting edge at both ends. Thereby the result is an interchangeable knife that is simply turned with its second cutting edge formed at the lower end can be used again.

In order to match the first with the appropriate cutting rollers Cutting tool to enable a better grasping of the containers, can the corresponding discs of the first cutting tool spaced in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction have running grooves.

The above-described device for processing Used containers can be returned as part of a vending machine of containers contained in it. The device other devices or components within the machine assignable, for example a device for identification containers suitable for entry into the device, a facility for the entry of those identified as suitable Container in the device, one arranged in the device Collection container for those entered in the device Container, a collection container for that when crushing the container and a collection container conveying path connecting the collecting container, with squeezing device and cutting unit at one point of the of the cups too continuous conveyor path can be arranged.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described below based on the figures enclosed in the drawing explained and described.

Figur 1

eine im Schnitt dargestellte Stirnansicht einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Figuren 2, 3,4

eine Figur 1 entsprechende Darstellung der Vorrichtung in drei aufeinanderfolgenden Arbeitsschritten;

Figur 5

eine im Schnitt dargestellte Stirnansicht einer Vorrichtung nach Figur 1 in Kombination mit einem Schneidwerk zum Zerkleinern von gebrauchten Kunststoffbechern;

Figur 6

eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Quetschvorrichtung in der in Figur 5 dargestellten Ausführungsform;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf ein erstes Schneidwerkzeug des in Figur 5 gezeigten Schneidwerks;

Figur 8

eine Draufsicht auf ein zweites Schneidwerkzeug des in Figur 5 dargestellten Schneidwerks;

Figuren 9a u. 9b

eine seitliche Draufsicht auf zwei Walzen eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels für eine Quetschvorrichtung;

Figur 10

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie X-X aus Figur 9a;

Figur 11

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie XI-XI der Figur 9b;

Figur 12

eine schräge Draufsicht auf eine Einzug- und Quetschwalze nach dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 13

eine Draufsicht auf eine erstes Schneidwerkzeug entsprechend zu Figur 7 mit dargestelltem Antrieb;

Figur 14

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels für eine Walze eines Schneidwerkzeugs;

Figur 15

eine Ansicht gemäß Richtung XV-XV aus Figur 14;

Figur 16

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der Erfindung mit in ersten Schneidwerkzeugs integrierter Quetschvorrichtung;

Figur 17

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie XVII-XVII aus Figur 16;

Figur 18

einen entsprechenden Schnitt zu Figur 17 durch die zur Schneidwalze nach Figur 16 komplementäre Schneidwalze des ersten Schneidwerkzeugs;

Figur 19

ein Detail "X" aus Figur 16;

Figur 20

einen Schnitt durch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Schneidwalze des zweiten Schneidwerkzeugs;

Figur 21

ein bei der Schneidwalze nach Figur 20 eingesetztes Messer, und

Figur 22

eine bei der Schneidwalze nach Figur 20 eingesetzte Klemmleiste.

Show it:

Figure 1

a sectional end view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2, 3.4

a representation corresponding to Figure 1 of the device in three successive steps;

Figure 5

a sectional end view of a device according to Figure 1 in combination with a cutting unit for crushing used plastic cups;

Figure 6

a plan view of a squeezing device according to the invention in the embodiment shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7

a plan view of a first cutting tool of the cutting unit shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8

a plan view of a second cutting tool of the cutting unit shown in Figure 5;

Figures 9a u. 9b

a side plan view of two rollers of a second embodiment for a squeezing device;

Figure 10

a section along the line XX of Figure 9a;

Figure 11

a section along the line XI-XI of Figure 9b;

Figure 12

an oblique plan view of a feed and squeeze roller according to the second embodiment;

Figure 13

a plan view of a first cutting tool corresponding to Figure 7 with the drive shown;

Figure 14

a side view of another embodiment of a roller of a cutting tool;

Figure 15

a view according to the direction XV-XV of Figure 14;

Figure 16

a side view of another embodiment according to the invention with a squeezing device integrated in the first cutting tool;

Figure 17

a section along the line XVII-XVII of Figure 16;

Figure 18

17 through the cutting roller of the first cutting tool which is complementary to the cutting roller according to FIG. 16;

Figure 19

a detail "X" from Figure 16;

Figure 20

a section through a further embodiment of a cutting roller of the second cutting tool;

Figure 21

a knife used in the cutting roller of Figure 20, and

Figure 22

a clamping bar used in the cutting roller according to Figure 20.

In the figures of the drawing there is a device for squeezing flat of used containers with a total of 1. The device is used in particular for squeezing flat of used plastic cups, but is also included Benefit usable for processing other used Containers, e.g. Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes and the like. more.

The device 1 contains a pair of feed and squeeze rollers 2, each of which has an essentially cylindrical shape and a nip for the passage of the containers limit. The rollers 2 can be driven to rotate in opposite directions, with their axes of rotation parallel to each other and preferably run horizontally. The rotation of the rollers 2 is carried out by means of a drive (not shown) known type, which on the rollers supporting shafts 24th attacks (Fig. 5).

In the example shown, the containers are expanding upwards, for single use only Plastic cup 3, as in vending machines for Drinks are in use.

The device 1 also includes a device for the Feed the cup 3 to the feed and squeeze rollers 2. Die The feed device preferably guides the cups into shape of a stack and has one in the middle above the and squeeze rollers 2 arranged tubular shaft 8. This has an essentially cylindrical upper part 8a, whose inside diameter is slightly larger than the outside diameter the cup 3. The cups 3 are in a known manner Throwable into the shaft 8 from above, so that they are too nest in a stack.

The tubular shaft 8 has a lower part 8b, the Diameter decreases downwards, and which at the bottom End has an outlet opening 4, from which at least one lower end piece 3a of the lowest cup 3 each Beaker stack protrudes. The diameter of the outlet opening 4 is larger than the bottom diameter of the cup 3, so that the lower end piece 3a of the same emerge from the shaft 8 can, and smaller than the diameter of the cup 3 at its open top.

With respect to the rollers 2, the shaft 8 is arranged that the bottom cup 3 of the stack is centered supported on the rollers. In this way, the tubular Shaft 8 a device for positioning and Center the cup 3 relative to the rollers 2.

Each feed and squeeze roller 2 has on its peripheral surface a gripping tooth 5 which is parallel in the longitudinal direction extends to the axis of rotation of the respective roller 2 and for the attack on the lower end piece 3a of the rollers 2 supporting cup is formed.

First the respective gripping tooth 5 is in the peripheral surface each feed and squeeze roller 2 has a recess 9, with a preferably flat bottom surface 9a, which on one side into the peripheral surface of the respective roller 2 merges and on the opposite side to a perpendicular standing on it, a flank of the respective gripping tooth 5 forming wall surface 9b abuts. In the course of the rotation of the Rollers 2 are the bottom surfaces 9a, as detailed below explained as support surfaces for the stack of Cup 3 effective.

With respect to a center between the axes of the rollers 2 The gripping teeth are the vertical axis of symmetry 5 and depressions 9 of the two rollers 2 mirror-inverted trained and arranged to each other.

The two feed and squeeze rollers 2 are rotating matched to each other so that their gripping teeth 5 each from opposite sides at the same time attack the lower end piece 3a of a cup.

Each feed and squeeze roller 2 also has on its peripheral surface a number of pull bars 6, which are in mutual Extend circumferential distances parallel to the axis of the roller 2 and each after the attack of the gripping teeth 5 attack a cup 3 on this. How to use the drawing recognizes, the rollers 2 are relative to each other arranged that their pull bars 6 when the rollers rotate to overlap a bit. Accordingly, they are Tension strips 6 on the two rollers 2 are preferably arranged in such a way that they are not in contact with the rotation of the rollers come together.

Each feed and squeeze roller 2 also has at least a preferably smooth and cylindrical ring web 7, which with respect to the axis of rotation of the respective roller 2 is coaxial and the support of the lowest Cup 3 of the stack is used. The ring web 7 is in Radial direction substantially the same height as that Pull rails 6 over the circumferential surface of the respective roller 2 out.

The ring web 7 is used to support the lowest Cup 3 of the cup stack before this from the gripping teeth 5 is taken so that the pull rails 6 are not premature come into contact with the lower end of the cup.

Laterally points to the respective ring web 7 each feed and squeeze roller 2 one free from pull bars 6, preferably smooth and cylindrical ring surface 23, which is coaxial with the axis of the respective roller 2 runs. The two rollers 2 are such relative to one another arranged that the ring web 7 of the one roller each The annular surface 23 faces the other. So this means that the ring webs 7 of the two rollers 2 in the axial direction are staggered. Everyone has Ring web 7 preferably an annular end face, which runs perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the respective roller 2 and a corresponding end face of the ring web 7 is directly opposite to other roller 2, as in FIG. 6 clearly visible.

The total width of the ring web 7 and the subsequent one Annular surface 23 in the axial direction of the respective feed and Pinch roller 2 is smaller than the diameter of the container 3. This enables the attack of the pull bars 6 on the the gripping teeth 5 cup 3.

Fig. 5 shows the device 1 in combination with an overall with 30 designated cutting unit for fine grinding the cup.

The cutting unit 30, which is used for the comminution of used containers of various types, e.g. Aluminum cans bottles made of plastic, cardboard boxes and the like. more usable has a below the crimping device 1 arranged first cutting tool 10 and one below this arranged second cutting tool 12. The whole The arrangement is enclosed by a housing 25.

The first cutting tool 10 is arranged so that it by means of the device 1 takes up squeezed cup 3, around them in narrow strips parallel to the running direction to cut.

The first cutting tool 10 has two parallel to each other Shafts 17 with axles, which rotate in opposite directions Rotation are displaceable, as indicated by arrows 18. While one shaft 17 is rotatable about a fixed axis, is the other shaft 17 by means of not shown in the drawing elastic devices towards the first wave loaded.

One shaft 17 carries a series of predetermined ones Axial distances arranged thereon first disks 19, which each have two circumferential cutting edges 20. The other shaft 17 carries a row of the first disks 19 corresponding, two circumferential cutting edges 22 having second disks 21. The first and second Discs 19 and 21 are in this way on the respective shafts 17 arranged that the discs of a row in one piece the spaces between those of the other row take hold.

The second cutting tool 12 is arranged and designed that it is emerging from the first cutting tool 10 Strips 11 picks up to cross them in the direction to cut short pieces.

The second cutting tool 12 has two counter-rotating Rollers 13 and 14, between which the strips 11 pass.

The roller 13 designed as a cutting roller carries a number of teeth extending in their longitudinal direction or Knives 15, which are arranged at mutual circumferential distances are and each one is stretched along a straight line Helix extending over the circumferential surface of the roller 13 Have cutting edge 16.

The other counter-acting roller 14 preferably has a smooth peripheral surface.

One of the two rollers, preferably the cutting roller 13, is in the direction of elastic devices, not shown loaded on the other roller 14.

The arrangement designated as a whole in FIG. 5 is 30 with advantage use in a machine for processing of used cups. To such a machine include a device for identifying for processing cups suitable for the machine, a device for the entry of the appropriate cups into the machine, a collection container arranged inside the machine for the registered cup, a receptacle for that during processing the cup of shredded material, and a conveying path connecting the collecting container with the collecting container.

The formed from the squeezing device 1 and the cutting unit Arrangement 30 is at a suitable one within such a machine Place the said funding path so that the Cup 3 as it moves along the conveyor path through the arrangement 30 run through and are crushed.

A second exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b shown for a pair of feed and squeeze rollers 2. This differ from the first embodiment by the Training of the ring web 7 and its connection with the pull strips 6th

In the second exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 9a and 9b is the ring web 7 in one piece, for example by machining the roller circumferential surface made with pull strips 6. The ring web 7 with the pull bars 6 on it Ring groove 23 opposite side connected to this. Between is adjacent pull bars 6 in the circumferential direction the ring web 7 is arcuate.

The opposite of the annular groove 23 to the annular web 7 further pull strips 6, in Figure 9a on the right side and in Figure 9b on the left side of the figures are corresponding to the pull strips of the first embodiment.

The cooperating shown in Figures 9a and 9b The pair of rollers is to be arranged in accordance with FIG. 6 so that the ring webs 7 protrude into the respective ring grooves 23 and the pull bars connected by the annular web 7 at one axial end 6 the other between themselves and the ring bridge, unconnected pull strips 6.

Analogous to the first embodiment, the indentation and Squeeze rollers 2 of the second embodiment with a recess 9 and a gripping tooth 5, see the figures 10 and 11, the corresponding cuts X-X, respectively XI-XI, from Figures 9a and 9b correspond. Make a difference the rollers of the second embodiment by a stepped bottom surface 9a of the depression 9. The directly to Gripping tooth 5 adjacent part of the bottom surface 9a lies in the radial Direction in the direction of the axis of rotation of the roller lower than one um a step jump 31 radially outward subsequent Area of the bottom surface 9a.

The position of the rollers according to Figures 10 and 11 corresponds to Position of the rollers according to Figure 2, with the step-shaped Bottom surface 9a a corresponding lower end piece 3a of a cup 3 is attachable.

To further clarify the second embodiment 12 is an oblique plan view of a feed and Squeeze roller shown in the second embodiment. It it goes without saying that the bottom surface 9a at the second Embodiment of the feed and squeeze rollers without Step jump and can also be formed, see first embodiment.

The shafts 24 projecting laterally from the rollers, see figures 9a, 9b and 12 are used for rotatable mounting and drive connection the rollers with a drive, not shown.

In Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 7 together with a synchronization drive 26 for driving everything, for example Rolls or shafts of the cutting unit 30 shown in Figure 5.

The first cutting tool 1 shown in plan view is corresponding by means of disks 19 and 21 arranged on shafts 17 corresponding cutting edges 20 and 22 are formed. The waves 17 are at their ends in the housing 25, for example by means of ball bearings rotatably mounted.

The synchronization drive 26 is arranged on one side of the housing 25, one motor 47, one drive shaft 48 and one Row of gears 44 to 46 and others not shown Gears includes. The motor 47 drives the drive shaft 48 driven the upper shaft 17 in Figure 13. This is via gears 44 and 45 with the lower one shown in FIG Synchronized shaft 17 in its rotation. Another Rotation synchronization to the other rollers or shafts, see Figure 5, takes place via a further gear 46, the with corresponding gears, not shown, of the second Cutting tool or the crimping device is engaged.

In Figure 14 is another embodiment for a shaft or roller of the first cutting tool according to FIG. 5, see also Figure 7 shown. This further embodiment differs different from the previously described embodiment by a number of in the disks 19, 21 in their peripheral surface arranged radial grooves 42. Of these are a number arranged at regular circumferential intervals. The grooves 42 of all Disc 19, 21 are at the same center angle 51 arranged relative to an axis of rotation 35 of the shafts 17.

The discs according to Figure 14 or in the embodiment 7 have a radially outer, hardened Circumferential area 49, which extends along the entire circumference extends. The slices harden approximately to to the bottom of the grooves 42.

Outside the grooves 42 or along the entire circumferential surface in the embodiment of Figure 7, the peripheral surfaces the disks 19, 21 are provided with a surface roughening 50, which can be produced by chagrining or knurling.

Figure 15 shows a view according to XV-XV of Figure 14, wherein it can be seen that the grooves 42 at regular circumferential intervals are arranged in the disks 19, 21. Still is visible that the corresponding cutting edges 20, 22 in radial Direction somewhat in the direction of the axis of rotation 35 inwards on both sides to the disks 19 and 21 are offset.

FIG. 16 shows a combination of squeezing device 1 and first cutting tool 10.

On a shaft 17 are corresponding to the embodiments 7 or 14 spaced apart in the axial direction 28 Row of disks 19 and 21 arranged. This are formed with cutting edges 20, 22.

It should be noted that the explanations work together for both Shafts or rollers of the first cutting tool apply see for example Figures 5 or 7.

A number of disks 19, 21 have depressions in their circumference 9 corresponding to the wells of the feeder and Squeeze rollers 2, see for example Figures 1 to 4. Such Depressions are formed in particular in the disks, the below the feed device 8 for containers or cups 3, see Figure 1 or 6, are arranged. The Discs with depressions 9 corresponding to a bottom surface 9a and a wall surface 9b. The wall surface 9b is at its top End formed with a gripping tooth 5. At the same time through the upper end or through the wall surface 9b a pull bar section 29 is formed. The different pull strip sections 29 of the discs formed with recesses 9 19, 21 form a total of a pull bar 27, which can be gripped and pulling off a lower end piece 3a, see FIG. 3, one Mug 3 serves.

Corresponding disks 19, 21 with recesses 9 are in the Figures 17 and 18 shown in side view, wherein Figure 17 a view from the direction XVII-XVII of Figure 6 and Figure 18 a corresponding view of the further wave, see for example Figures 5, 7 or 13, the one shown in Figure 16 Wave is opposite. By the in the disks 19, 21 wells formed is analogous to the indentation and Squeeze rollers 2 according to Figure 2 a footprint for the lower End piece 3a of the cup 3 is formed.

The operation of the recesses 9 of the disks 19 and 21 and their interaction corresponds to that in FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrated steps for pulling and squeezing a Plastic cup by means of the squeezing device 1 after peeling and squeezing through the appropriate Cutting edges 20, 22 of the at least partially crushed cups cut into parallel strips by the slices.

FIG. 19 shows an enlargement of a detail "X" from FIG 16. It becomes part of a peripheral surface of a disk 19, 21 with a surface roughening 50 shown by Chagrin or knurl the peripheral surface of each disc can be produced.

When combined in a pair of shafts or rollers Crushing device 1 first cutting tool 10 according to the figure 16 to 19 can on the upper pair of rollers according to Figure 5, see also Figures 1 to 4, are omitted.

In Figure 20 is another embodiment of a Cutting roller 13 of the second cutting tool 12 according to FIG. 5 shown. This cutting roller 13 acts with a corresponding one Counter roll 14, which is not shown, analogous to the figure 8 together.

The cutting roller 13 has a uniform circumferential spacing Row of in the axial direction 28, see for example figure 16 extending axial grooves 34. These converge in the direction Axis of rotation 35. The corresponding groove walls 36, 37 are step-shaped trained and have a system paragraph 39. This runs essentially to the opposite groove wall and is inclined radially outwards at a small angle.

In the various axial grooves 34 are frustoconical in cross section Terminal strips 38 used. These are by one Number of screws or bolts 52 detachable in the axial grooves 34 attached to the cutting roller 13. The screws or bolts 52 extend radially inwards in the direction of the axis of rotation 35.

Between the outside of the terminal strips 38 and the groove walls 36, 37 a knife 15 is arranged in each case. This is in cross section rhombus-shaped, with the shorter parallel rhombus side abuts the terminal block. The longer rhombus side is on the corresponding groove wall 36, 37, at its ends Cutting edges 16 are formed. These cutting edges protrude the peripheral surface of the cutting roller 13 to the outside, the the lower end opposite the projecting cutting edge 16 40 of each knife 15 bears against the system shoulder 39.

The terminal strips 38 have on their radially outwardly facing Top of a counterbore in which the screw heads the corresponding screws or bolts 52 are received. Furthermore, the top of the terminal strips 38 is essentially arranged flush to the peripheral surface of the cutting roller 13.

A knife 15 is shown enlarged in FIG. there it is clear that a corresponding cutting edge 16 both on lower end 40 and at the opposite, upper end 41 is trained. This allows the knife to double with everyone its cutting edges 16 are used.

In Figure 22, a terminal block 38 is shown in an oblique plan view. The terminal block 38 has one in the axial direction 28 Row of spaced bores 53 into which, according to FIG the corresponding screws or bolts 52 can be inserted and retracted are.

The mode of operation of the invention is briefly described below Crushing device and the processing device for used Containers described with such a squeezing device.

In the first embodiment of the squeezing device the various work steps for gripping and squeezing shown a container. The rotations of the corresponding Feed and squeeze rollers are synchronized so that the recesses 9 in Figure 2 are arranged in one plane and below the container 3. Then will through the gripping teeth 5 of the container to be moved towards one another at its lower one Gripped end piece on both sides and pulled between the rollers, see Figure 4. Then the further transport of the cup 3 supported between the rollers.

Such a crimping device is usually the first tool of a cutting unit 30 used according to Figure 5. The container squeezed by the squeezing device 3 is then cut by a first cutting tool 10 in longitudinal strips and finally by a second cutting tool 12 essentially transverse to the longitudinal direction the strip cut further.

In order to prevent a container in the squeezing device according to FIGS. 1 to 4 already taken in the work step according to FIG. 1 by the corresponding pull strips 6 is arranged outside the recesses 9 ring webs 7, see Figure 6, the support the container.

According to the invention, the squeezing device according to FIGS. 1 to 4 in the first Cutting tool 10 can be integrated according to Figure 5, see Figures 16 to 18. Also at corresponding further depressions 9 are in this further exemplary embodiment of the invention formed in disks of the first cutting tool, their function analogous to that Wells 9 of the squeezing device according to Figures 1 to 4 is. The other one too Embodiment according to Figures 16 to 18 is by supporting the container the circumferential surface of the disks is ensured as ring webs outside of the depressions 9, that a lower end piece 3a, see Figure 3, of a container or cup 3 only through the gripping teeth 5 or a corresponding gripping tooth pull bar 27, see FIG. 16 is gripped with an integrated gripping tooth.

After gripping, the cup is roughened by a surface roughening of the peripheral surface of the various disks, see for example FIG. 19, analogously to the others tension bars carried in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 and at the same time through the cutting edges 20, 22 of the disks 19, 21 cut into longitudinal strips.

Claims (33)

1. Compacting device (1) for squashing flat used cups (3) with at least one pair of intake and compacting rollers (2, 10), which can rotate in opposite directions in respect of each other, with at least one feed strip (6, 27) respectively arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the said rollers, which delineate a gap between the rollers for the cups (3) to pass through and with a device (8) to feed the cups (3) to the intake and compacting rollers (2, 10),
   characterised in that
   each intake and compacting roller (2, 10) has at least one gripping tooth (5) for the initial contact with an end piece (3a) of a cup (3) supplied by the feed device (8) and at least one annular bridge (7) to support the end piece (3a) of the cup (3), which bridge is arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation of the roller concerned and projects in the radial direction over a circumferential surface of the roller substantially by a height of the feed strip (6, 27).
2. Compacting device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the feed strip (6, 27) with gripping tooth (5) takes the form of a gripping tooth feed strip (27).
3. Compacting device according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   a synchronising drive (26) is allocated to the intake and compacting rollers (2, 10) providing simultaneous initial engagement by the gripping teeth (5) on opposite sides of an end piece (3a) of the cup (3).
4. Compacting device according to claim 2 or 3
   characterised in that
   each intake and compacting roller (2, 10) has a recess (9) in its circumferential surface adjacent in the direction of rotation (18) to the respective gripping tooth and preceding this in the direction of rotation.
5. Compacting device according to claim 4
   characterised in that
   the recess (9) has a substantially flat base surface (9a).
6. Compacting device according to one of claims 4 or 5
   characterised in that
   the recess (9) is delineated on one side by the relevant gripping tooth (5).
7. Compacting device according to one of claims 4 - 6
   characterised in that
   the annular bridge (7) extends substantially outside the region of the recess (9) around the roller (2).
8. Compacting device according to one of the preceding claims
   characterised in that
   the feed device (8) for supplying the cups (3) has a tubular shaft arranged above the intake and compacting rollers (2, 10) with an upper part (8a) and a lower part (8b) connected to it and having a discharge opening (4), the upper part (8a) having an internal diameter little greater than the diameter of the container (3) and the container (3) being able to enter the upper part (8a) from above to form a stack.
9. Compacting device according to claim 8
   characterised in that
   at least the end piece (3a) of the respective lowest container (3) of the stack projects out of the lower part (8b) of the feed device (8).
10. Compacting device according to claim 8 or 9,
    characterised in that
    the lower part (8b) of the tubular shaft (8) has a diameter which decreases downwards in the direction of the intake and compacting rollers (2, 10).
11. Compacting device according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 10,
    characterised in that
    one flank of the gripping tooth (5) is formed by a wall surface (9b) of the recess (9).
12. Compacting device according to one of claims 2 - 11,
    characterised in that
    the gripping tooth feed strip (27) is formed by several feed strip sections (29) arranged in the axial direction (28) of the roller.
13. Compacting device according to claim 12,
    characterised in that
    the feed strip sections (29) are parallel and/or colinear to the axial direction (28).
14. Compacting device according to claim 12 or 13,
    characterised in that
    the intake and compacting rollers (10) have a row of discs (19, 21) arranged side by side in the axial direction (28), of which at least the discs arranged under the device (8) for feeding the cups (3) are designed as gripping discs with feed strip sections (29) arranged around their circumference and the circumferential surfaces of which function as annular bridges (7).
15. Compacting device according to claim 14
    characterised in that
    the discs are grained or knurled along their circumference.
16. Compacting device according to one of claims 12 - 15,
    characterised in that
    the recess (9) is arranged in the circumferential surface of at least each gripping disc (19, 21).
17. Compacting device according to one of claims 5 - 11,
    characterised in that
    the base surface (9a) is stepped and includes at least one step (31).
18. Compacting device according to one of claims 4 - 11 or 17,
    characterised in that
    a number of feed strips (6) are arranged on the circumferential surface of the intake and compacting rollers (2) at regular intervals around the circumference to engage in the cups (3) held by the gripping teeth (5).
19. Compacting device according to one of claims 1 - 11 or 17, 18,
    characterised in that
    the annular bridge (7) is arranged approximately centrally in the axial direction (28) of the roller and engages in a substantially cylindrically annular groove (23) in the respective other roller.
20. Compacting device according to one of claims 1 - 11 or 17 - 19,
    characterised in that
    the annular bridge (7) has a width less than the diameter of the end piece (3a) of the cup (3) in the axial direction (28) of the roller.
21. Compacting device according to one of claims 1 - 11 or 17 - 20,
    characterised in that
    the annular bridge (7) is connected on one side in the axial direction (28) with corresponding feed strips (6).
22. Compacting device according to one of claims 1 - 11 or 17 to 21,
    characterised in that
    the annular bridge (7) has an arch shape on the side opposite the annular groove (23) between two adjacent feed strips (6), connected to the said bridge.
23. Compacting and cutting device for preparing used containers, especially cups (3), with at least one cutting unit (30) for reducing the used containers to small pieces, which has a first cutting tool (10) to cut the containers in parallel strips (11) and a second cutting tool which receives the strips (11) at the discharge point of the first cutting tool (10) and cuts up the strips (11) in the transverse direction,
    characterised in that
    a compacting device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 22 is allocated to the first cutting tool (10) for further processing of the compacted containers.
24. Device according to claim 23,
    characterised in that
    the pair of intake and compacting rollers (2) of the compacting device (1) according to one of the claims 17 - 22 precede the first cutting tool (10).
25. Device according to claim 23 or 24
    characterised in that
    the second cutting tool (12) has two rollers (13, 14), able to rotate in opposite directions to each other, which delineates a gap between the rollers for the strips (11) to pass through.
26. Device according to claim 25,
    characterised in that
    one of the two rollers (13, 14), which can rotate in opposite directions to each other, is designed as a cutting roller (13) and has a number of blades (15), each of which has one cutting edge (16), which extends along a line of screws over the circumferential surface of the cutting roller (13).
27. Device according to claim 25,
    characterised in that
    one of the two rollers (13, 14), which can rotate in opposite directions to each other, is designed as a cutting roller (13) and has a number of blades (15) each of which has one cutting edge (16), which extend along the axial direction (28).
28. Device according to one of claims 26 or 27
    characterised in that
    the cutting roller (13) has a number of axial grooves (34) at intervals in the circumferential direction, in which at least one blade (15) is fixed in a detachable manner.
29. Device according to claim 28,
    characterised in that
    each axial groove (34) converges in the direction of the axis of rotation (35) of the cutting roller (13) and the blade (15) is pressed against a lateral groove wall (36, 37) by a clamping strip (38), fixed in the axial groove (34) in a detachable manner.
30. Device according to claim 29,
    characterised in that
    the cross-section of the clamping strip (38) is shaped like a truncated cone.
31. Device according to claim 29 or 30
    characterised in that
    a blade (15) is pressed against each groove wall (36, 37) by means of the clamping strip (38).
32. Device according to one of claims 29 to 31
    characterised in that
    the groove wall (36, 37) has a mounting shoulder (39) to hold a lower end (40) of the blade (15) inserted in the axial groove (34).
33. Device according to claim 31 or 32
    characterised in that
    the blade (15) is designed with sutting edges (16) at both ends (40, 41).

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