EP2905086B1 - Method for sorting containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for sorting containers according to the preamble of claim 1.

A sorting device for sorting containers comprises a conveying path, along which at least one container can be conveyed in a conveying direction. The conveyor line has a conveyor section, on which the at least one container is to be conveyed standing or lying and which may be formed, for example, by a conveyor belt or another propulsion device for conveying the at least one container. In addition, the sorting device has an opening into which the at least one container for sorting to promote or at which the at least one container is to promote past.

Such a sorting device is used for example in take-back systems for taking back empties. In such return systems empties in the form of containers, such as plastic bottles, glass bottles or beverage cans, entered by a customer in a reverse vending machine. The reverse vending machine verifies the packages, determines their deposit value and creates, for example, a deposit, which is issued to the customer to pay the pledge. About a conveyor line, the container entered by the customer are passed to one or more sorting devices, the container from the conveyor line For example, lead to a compacting device to compact containers in the form of plastic bottles or beverage cans, ie to reduce their volume. The compacted containers can then be stored in suitable sacks or containers and / or transported away.

Conventional devices lead containers laterally from a conveyor line towards one or more compacting devices, which are placed next to the conveyor line. Characterized in that the conveyor line with one or more sorting devices arranged thereon and one or more Kompaktiervorrichtungen stand side by side, such an arrangement requires - for example, in a retail store - a considerable amount of space that is provided, for example, in a separate store, separate room.

Thus, there is a need for sorting devices or methods for sorting containers which make sorting in a simple way different from the usual practice and, in particular with regard to the space requirement of the overall system, may be cheaper than previously known solutions.

From the DE 697 15 876 T2 a conveyor is known in which a container can be thrown laterally by moving a conveyor belt section.

At one of the DE 10 2004 010 133 A1 known separation device containers are guided on lower conveyor belts in a conveying direction and thereby isolated. For maintenance purposes swing frame, on which the conveyor belts are arranged to be swung open.

Sorting devices in which containers can be derived laterally from a conveyor belt, for example, from DE 10 2008 047 279 A1 and the DE 10 2009 011 716 A1 known.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for sorting containers, which enables a compact construction of a return system.

• mindestens ein Gebinde in eine Förderrichtung entlang einer Förderstrecke befördert wird, wobei die Förderstrecke einen Förderabschnitt aufweist, auf dem das mindestens eine Gebinde stehend oder liegend befördert wird, und
• das mindestens eine Gebinde zum Sortieren wahlweise in eine Öffnung oder an der Öffnung vorbei befördert wird.

Dabei ist vorgesehen, dass zum Sortieren das mindestens eine Gebinde zunächst in Förderrichtung über den Förderabschnitt hinweg und sodann in eine der Förderrichtung entgegengesetzte Gegenrichtung in die Öffnung hinein befördert wird.This object is achieved by a method for sorting containers with the features of claim 1, wherein

• at least one container is conveyed in a conveying direction along a conveyor line, wherein the conveyor line has a conveyor section, on which the at least one container is conveyed standing or lying, and
• the at least one container for sorting is optionally conveyed into an opening or past the opening.

It is provided that for sorting the at least one container initially in the conveying direction over the conveyor section and then in a conveying direction opposite opposite direction is conveyed into the opening.

Preferably, the conveyor section is respectively for releasing the opening between a closed position in which the conveyor section closes the opening and the at least one container is conveyable on the conveyor section across the opening, and an open position in which the conveyor section releases the opening and the at least one container can be conveyed into the opening, movable. The conveyor section can thus be moved between its closed position and the open position. If a container is to be conveyed over the conveyor section, then the conveyor section is in its closed position. If a container is to be conveyed into the opening, then the conveyor section is transferred from its closed position to the open position, so that the opening disposed therebelow is released and the container can be conveyed into the opening.

This method is based on the idea of effecting a delivery of a container into an opening for sorting by conveying the container in an opposite direction to the conveying direction. In order to promote the container into the opening, the container must thus be transported over the conveyor section first. If the container has passed the conveying section, the container can be conveyed into the opening by reversing the direction of movement (from the conveying direction in the opposite direction).

Preferably, in this case, the conveying section is movable and initially closes the opening arranged therebelow in order to convey the container over the conveying section and thus the opening. Then, the conveyor section is opened, thereby releasing the opening, so that the container can be conveyed into the opening.

However, this is not absolutely necessary. Arrangements are also conceivable in which the conveyor section is stationary, that is, invariable in its position, and the opening is located, for example, behind and below the conveyor section such that a container can pass into the opening only by conveying in the opposite direction after passing through the conveyor section. For example, the conveying section may have a step downstream of the conveying section. After passing through the conveyor section, the container falls down the step and can then be conveyed by conveying in the opposite direction, in an opening below the conveyor section.

In a sorting device for sorting containers, in which the method according to the invention can be used, the conveying section is for releasing the opening between a closed position, in which the conveyor section closes the opening and the at least one container on the conveyor section over the opening away conveyed is, and an open position in which the conveyor section releases the opening and the at least one container is conveyed into the opening, movable.

In this case, the conveyor section of the conveyor line, on which the container is conveyed standing or lying, movable, that is variable in its position. The opening to be conveyed into the containers for sorting or to be conveyed beyond the containers is arranged below this conveyor section and is covered by the conveyor section in the closed position of the conveyor section. In order to release the opening, the conveyor section can be moved to its open position, so that a container can be conveyed into the opening and directed, for example, to a compactor connected downstream of the opening.

Containers are in particular emptied empties in the form of e.g. Beverage containers such as plastic bottles or beverage cans or glass bottles.

In the sorting device, the conveying section represents a bottom section of the conveying path on which containers are to be conveyed standing or lying. Due to the effect of gravity, containers are thus lying or lying on the conveyor section and are conveyed along the conveyor section. If the conveyor section is in its closed position, the containers are moved over the opening on the conveyor section. If the conveyor section is open, containers can get into the opening.

The opening is preferably arranged along a direction of gravity, in which the force of gravity acts when the sorting device is used as intended and installed, below the conveying section. If the conveyor section is open, containers can thus fall into the opening due to the effect of gravity and are discharged downwards from the conveyor section.

Characterized in that the opening is arranged below the conveying section and the conveying section for selectively closing or releasing the opening is movable, an arrangement is possible in which, for example, a compacting device can be arranged directly below the conveying path. The sorting of containers takes place in that containers are optionally conveyed across the opening or into the opening. The fact that, for example, a compacting device is arranged below the conveying path of the sorting device, results in a vertical structure in which the sorting device above the compacting (and not as usual next to the Kompaktiervorrichtung) is arranged so that the space required for the installation of a Can reduce overall system.

Preferably, the conveyor section is pivotable about a pivot axis between the closed position and the open position. The pivot axis is preferably directed transversely to the direction of gravity and thus extends horizontally, so that the conveyor section about its pivot axis from the closed position in which the conveyor section is substantially horizontally extending, in its open position, in which the conveyor section is pivoted upwards, for example , can be moved.

The conveying section preferably has a first end and a second end in the conveying direction to the first end. In the conveying direction, the second end is thus behind the first end, so that a container, which is conveyed via the conveyor section in the conveying direction, first passes the first end of the conveyor section and is conveyed towards the second end. The pivot axis is in this case preferably in the region of the first end of the conveyor section, so that the conveyor section for releasing the opening around the first end can be pivoted upwards, for example, with its second end remote from the first end.

With such an arrangement of the conveying section results for sorting the following sequence. For sorting, a container is first in the conveying direction towards Guided sorting device and moved in the conveying direction along the conveying path. The container first passes through the conveyor section in the conveying direction. If the container for the purpose of sorting are conveyed into the opening arranged below the conveyor section, the conveyor section is moved from its closed position into the open position after passing through the conveyor section, so that the container is conveyed into the opening by reversing the conveying direction can be.

This results in a sequence in which a container to be derived is first conveyed away via the conveying section located in its closed position. If the container has passed the conveying section, the conveying section is moved to release the opening and the container is conveyed into the opening in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. This procedure has the advantage that a container to be diverted can be automatically separated from a subsequent container, possibly accumulated on the container to be diverted. Because by reversing the conveying direction for conveying the container into the opening, it can be ensured that the following container is not also conveyed into the opening when the subsequent container has not yet passed the conveying section. The following container is rather transported back along the conveying path, without getting into the opening.

At the conveyor section is preferably a propulsion device, in particular a drivable conveyor belt, a roller device, a chain drive or the like, arranged to move the at least one container. The conveying section thus serves in an active manner for advancing the container conveyed thereon, wherein the advancing device can effect a conveying in the conveying direction or in the opposite direction opposite to the conveying direction.

The sorting device preferably has a drive device for driving the propulsion device, for example in the form of an electric motor, which is in operative connection with the propulsion device. In this case, in a preferred embodiment, the drive device also has a transmission which establishes the connection of a motor to the propulsion device. The gear is in this case designed such that the propulsion device for conveying the at least one container in the conveying direction and in the opposite direction of the conveying direction can be driven. Further, the transmission is preferably designed so that when driving the propulsion device for conveying the at least one container in the opposite direction at the same time the movable conveyor section is moved from its closed to the open position, so that upon reversal of the direction of movement of the propulsion device from the conveying direction in the opposite direction and the conveyor section is moved simultaneously.

Thus, it is merely provided a drive device for driving the propulsion device and for moving the conveying section. If the conveyor section is in its closed position, the conveyor section is transferred from its closed position to the open position when the direction of movement is reversed (from the conveying direction in the opposite direction). As a result, when the direction of movement is reversed, the opening arranged below the conveyor section is automatically released, so that a container can be conveyed into the opening. If there is a new direction of movement reversal (from the opposite direction in the conveying direction), the conveyor section is transferred from the open position to the closed position and thus closed the opening, so that subsequent containers can be transported over the conveyor section in the conveying direction.

In an advantageous embodiment, the conveying path on the sorting device to a plurality of conveyor sections, one of which is movable to release the opening disposed thereunder. In a specific embodiment, for example, a first conveying section fixed, a second conveying section following in the conveying direction can be designed to be movable and a third conveying section adjoining thereto can in turn be designed to be stationary. The middle, second conveyor section is thus movable and can optionally release or close an opening arranged thereunder. In this case, a propulsion device can be arranged on each conveyor section, for example in the form of a conveyor belt, so that a container can be conveyed over the conveyor sections in an actively driven manner.

The one or more conveyor sections form a bottom of the conveyor line, can be transported on the container standing or lying. In order to limit the conveyor line also laterally, one or more baffles may be arranged on the conveyor line, which extend as vertical walls along the conveyor line.

This baffles can be designed modular and (releasably) arranged at a base of the sorting device. Depending on the configuration of the baffles here different conveyor lines can be specified at the base, for example, a straight extending conveyor line or a 90 ° angled conveyor line. For this purpose, the baffles may possibly be exchanged in a modular manner, to specify different conveyor sections depending on their configuration.

In particular, when the conveyor section in a bent manner describes a 90 ° angle, a guide wall may be arranged on the movable conveyor section, which is to move together with the movable conveyor section. By means of such a baffle can be carried out a lateral derivation of a thread from the conveyor line to a bent, lateral portion of the conveyor line.

Otherwise, the advantages and advantageous embodiments described above for the sorting device can also be applied analogously to the method, so that reference should be made to what has been described above.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Rücknahmesystems mit einer Fördereinrichtung und daran angeordneten Sortiervorrichtungen;

Fig. 2A

eine Ansicht einer Sortiervorrichtung mit einer Förderstrecke mit einem Förderabschnitt in einer geschlossenen Stellung;

Fig. 2B

eine Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß Fig. 2A, mit dem Förderabschnitt in einer geöffneten Stellung;

Fig. 3A

eine Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß Fig. 2A, von oben;

Fig. 3B

eine Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß Fig. 2B, von oben; und

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht der Sortiervorrichtung, mit anderer Konfiguration von an der Förderstrecke angeordneten Leitwänden;

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a return system with a conveyor and sorting devices arranged thereon;

Fig. 2A

a view of a sorting device with a conveyor line with a conveyor section in a closed position;

Fig. 2B

a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 2A with the conveyor section in an open position;

Fig. 3A

a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 2A , from above;

Fig. 3B

a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 2B , from above; and

Fig. 4

a view of the sorting device, with a different configuration of arranged on the conveyor guide walls;

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a take-back system 1 for taking back of containers, for example in a shop. The return system 1 has, in a manner known per se, a reverse vending machine 2, into which a customer can enter containers G, for example beverage bottles or beverage cans or other containers afflicted with a deposit. The reverse vending machine 2 accepts the container G, determines their deposit value and outputs the deposit value in the form of money or in the form of a payable for disbursement deposit.

From the take-back system 2, the containers G are conveyed by a conveyor 3, for example a conveyor belt arrangement, and arrive at one or more compacting devices 4, 5, in which the containers G are compacted, ie in their volume for simplified, space-saving storage and transport be reduced. From the compacting devices 4, 5 compacted container G 'in containers 40, 50 are issued and can thus be transported away or stored.

In order to guide the containers G, for example, depending on their nature, their shape or their color, to specific compacting devices 4, 5, sorting devices 30 are provided on the conveyor 3, which is an optional derivation of containers G to the compacting devices 4, 5 or a passing of containers G to the compactors 4, 5 over effect.

An embodiment of such a sorting device 30 is shown in FIG Fig. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B shown. The sorting device 30 has on a base 300 three conveyor sections 31, 32, 33, each having a propulsion device 310, 320, 330 in the form of a conveyor belt.

The conveying sections 31, 32, 33 form a conveying path 302, along which containers G can be conveyed in a conveying direction F. The conveyor line 302 is bounded laterally by baffles 34, 35 which extend laterally on the conveyor sections 31, 32, 33 as vertical walls.

By virtue of the fact that propulsion devices 310, 320, 330 in the form of conveyor belts are arranged on the conveyor sections 31, 32, 33, containers G can be actively conveyed along the conveyor sections 31, 32, 33. The propulsion devices 310, 320, 330 in each case a drive device associated with an electric motor and a suitable transmission or a common drive device.

Of the conveyor sections 31, 32, 33 of the input side, first conveyor section 31 and the output side, third conveyor section 33 of the sorter 30 are fixed, so - with the exception of the movement of the propulsion device 310, 330 forming conveyor belt - immutable in their position. The middle, second conveyor section 32 located between these conveyor sections 31, 33, on the other hand, is variable in its position, as can be seen from FIG Fig. 2B and 3B results, about a pivot axis S along an opening direction O can be pivoted.

Viewed in the direction of gravity A below this movable, central conveyor section 32, an opening 36 is arranged, through which containers G can be conveyed to a compacting device 4, 5 located below the sorting device 30. This opening 36 is in a closed position of the central conveyor section 32 (FIG. Fig. 2A . 3A ) are covered by the conveyor section 32 and thus closed, so that container G can be transported over the conveyor section 32 away at the opening 36 past. From this closed position, however, the conveying section 32 can be moved in the opening direction O into an open position (FIG. Fig. 2B . 3B ), in which the opening 36 is released, so that containers G can be conveyed into the opening 36 inside.

The pivot axis S is located at an end 321 of the movable conveyor section 32, which faces the input-side, first conveyor section 31. In the conveying direction F spaced from this end 321 is a distal end 322, with which the conveying portion 32 is pivoted to release the opening 36 in the opening direction O, as shown Fig. 2B is apparent.

To get a container G1 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ) to convey into the opening 36, the container G1 is first conveyed in the conveying direction F on the input side, first conveyor section 31 and the middle, second conveyor section 32 away and so passes to the output side, third conveyor section 33. Then the direction of movement the propulsion devices 310, 320, 330 of the conveyor sections 31, 32, 33 vice versa and thus the container G1 on the output side, third conveyor section 33 in a conveying direction F opposite opposite direction F 'transported after the rear, second conveyor section 32 from its closed position ( Fig. 2A ) in the open position ( Fig. 2B ) and thus located below the conveyor section 32 opening 36 is thus released (see Fig. 3B ). The Container G1 thus enters the opening 36 and is derived from the conveying path 302.

By the reversal of the direction of movement is achieved that accumulated containers G1, G2 can be separated from each other in a simple manner. If, in fact, the direction of movement is reversed as soon as a container G1 to be diverted has passed the middle, second conveyor section 32, a subsequent container G2 is still on the middle, second conveyor section 32 and can not be conveyed into the opening 36 correspondingly when the direction of movement is reversed (see Fig. 3B ).

Advantageously, the reversal of the direction of movement of the driving devices 310, 320, 330 is synchronized with the opening of the middle, second conveying section 32. For this purpose, for example, a single drive device 323 (in Fig. 2B schematically indicated by an arrow) on the one hand driving the propulsion devices 310, 320, 330 and driving the opening movement of the central, second conveying section 32 effect. Thus, it can be provided that the drive device 323 first drives the propulsion devices 310, 320, 330 for conveying the container G in the conveying direction F. If the direction of travel is reversed and the propulsion devices 310, 320, 330 are operated in the opposite direction F ', the drive device 323 simultaneously causes the movable conveyor section 32 to open in the opening direction O, so that a container G from the outlet-side conveyor section 33 into the opening 36 can be transported into it.

For synchronization, for example, a suitable mechanical transmission can be provided. It is also conceivable to provide separate motor drives, which are synchronized electronically.

If a new direction of movement is reversed (from the opposite direction F 'in the conveying direction F), then the middle, second conveying section 32 is closed again and reaches its closed position (FIG. Fig. 2A . 3A ), so that further, subsequent container G2 can be transported across the opening 36 away.

The conveyor line 302 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B by laterally extended, lateral guide walls 34, 35 laterally limited and is thus between the vertical walls in the form of the guide walls 34, 35 extends longitudinally. The guide walls 34, 35 are in this case designed in a modular manner and to the base 300 of the sorting device 30 detachably recognized, so that by reconfiguration of the guide walls 34, 35 and other conveyor lines 302 may be formed on the base 300.

This shows the embodiment according to Fig. 4 in which guide walls 37, 38 are attached to the base 300 and, in addition, a guide wall 39 are arranged on the middle, movable conveying section 32. Through these baffles 37, 38, 39 in conjunction with the left at the base 300 baffle 35 a conveyor line 302 is set, which is bent by 90 °, thus allowing a conveyance of containers G around a corner around.

The basic operation of the sorter 30 is identical to that described above. Container G are initially conveyed in the conveying direction F along the conveying path 302. If a container G has passed the movable conveyor section 32, the direction of movement is reversed and the movable conveyor section 32 is pivoted to release the opening 36 below and to convey the container G into this opening 36.

During the pivoting of the movable conveyor section 32, the guide wall 39 fixed to the conveyor section 32 is pivoted in this case.

In the configuration according to Fig. 4 Container 301 is guided via a slider 301 on the base 300 away to the conveyor section 32. The slider 301 itself has no propulsion means in the form of a conveyor belt or the like, so that packages G slide over the slider 301, without being actively driven become.

Of course, it is also conceivable and possible to provide a propulsion device on the slider 301, for example in the form of a conveyor belt.

Other configurations are possible. For example, a conveying path 302 bent in the other direction can be provided. Or a longitudinally extending conveyor line 302 can be provided together with one or two bent conveyor sections 302, so that containers G can be introduced into the sorting device 30 from different directions and from different conveyor devices.

The method for sorting containers G is based on the general idea of conveying containers G by reversing the direction of movement into an opening 36 for sorting. This can advantageously be done, as in the preceding embodiments, in that a conveying section 32 is movable and is opened when the direction of movement is reversed (from the conveying direction F in the opposite direction F '), so that an opening 36 is released and a container G is conveyed into the opening 36 can be.

In principle, however, such a method is also conceivable and applicable without providing a movable conveyor section. Thus, a container G on a fixed, ie unchangeable in its position conveyor section 32, are transported in the conveying direction F and passes, after passing through the conveyor section 32, to a step and the stage on a subsequent conveying direction F, reduced in height conveyor section 33. Between the upper conveyor section 32 and the subsequent lower conveyor section 33, an opening 36 is formed in the region of the step, into which a container G, after it has reached the subsequent, lower conveyor section 33, is conveyed by reversing the direction of movement in the opposite direction F ' can be.

In this embodiment, the separation between different containers G is thus achieved in that different conveyor sections 32, 33 are offset from each other along the direction of gravity A and between these conveyor sections 32, 33, an opening 36 is formed in the direction of movement reversal a container G are conveyed into it can. This is done without a conveyor section 32, 33 would have to be changed in its position, ie without a movable conveyor section 32, 33 is provided.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can in principle be realized even in completely different types of embodiments.

For example, a plurality of movable conveyor sections may also be provided on a sorting device in order to permit discharge to an opening at several points.

Propulsion devices are advantageously provided at the conveyor sections, but not necessarily present. Are propulsion facilities provided, These allow an active driving of transported containers and can be configured, for example, as conveyor belts, as chain drives, as roller drives or the like.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

return system

2

reverse vending machine

3

Conveyor

30

sorter

300

Base

301

slide

302

conveyor line

31-33

conveyor section

310-330

Propulsion device (conveyor belt)

321, 322

The End

323

driving device

34, 35

baffle

36

opening

37, 38, 39

baffle

4, 5

compacting

40, 50

Container

A

The direction of gravity

F

conveying direction

F '

opposite direction

G, G1, G2

container

G'

Compacted container

O

opening direction

S

swivel axis

Claims (3)

1. Method (30) for sorting containers (G), in which

   - at least one container (G) is conveyed in a conveying direction (F) along a conveying route (302), wherein the conveying route (302) has a conveying portion (32), on which the at least one container (G) is conveyed in an upright or lying-down state, and

   - the at least one container (G), for sorting purposes, is conveyed optionally into an opening (36) or past the opening (36),

   characterized
   in that, for sorting purposes, the at least one container (G) is conveyed first of all beyond the conveying portion (32), in the conveying direction (F), and then into the opening (36), in an opposing direction (F'), which is counter to the conveying direction (F).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for the purpose of the opening (36) being freed, the conveying portion (32) is moved between a closed position, in which the conveying portion (32) closes the opening (36) and the at least one container (G) can be conveyed, on the conveying portion (32), beyond the opening (36), and an open position, in which the conveying portion (32) frees the opening (36) and the at least one container (G) can be conveyed into the opening (36).
3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the conveying portion (32) is located in the closed position for the purpose of the at least one container (G) being conveyed beyond the conveying portion (32) and, once the at least one container (G) has been conveyed beyond the conveying portion (32), said conveying portion is transferred into the open position for the purpose of the at least one container (G) being conveyed into the opening (36).

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