EP3557541B1 - Bottle positioner, reverse vending machine and assembly - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bottle display device as well as an automatic return machine and a sorting system with such a bottle display device.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Return machines or return systems are used to accept empty beverage packaging and to pay or credit a corresponding deposit to the user. Various types of beverage packaging are intended for return, such as individual bottles, cans or cups, etc. In general, such empty beverage packaging is also referred to as an empty container.

In general, empties can be divided into different classes based on their characteristics, to which different deposit values are assigned. In the case of bottles, for example, the external shape, the weight, any existing damage or residual filling or a closure on the bottle are recorded as characteristics. Reverse machines are designed to determine the characteristics of a bottle introduced into the machine, to decide whether to accept or reject the bottle and to issue a corresponding deposit. Accepted bottles can then be forwarded within the system and, for example, set up and collected using a bottle display on a bottle table or in a corresponding intermediate storage area for further processing by the staff. In which case a pre-sorting of the bottles can already take place in the course of the bottle return in order to be able to process them as efficiently as possible according to their characteristics or properties.

In typical bottle displays, the bottles are supplied lying down via a feed chute, then set up and, if necessary, transported further, see the publication, for example DE 100 61 462 C2 .

The pamphlet DE 10 2006 041 888 B3 describes a positioning device for automatic return machines for empty containers, which has the following: a device for erecting the empty container, in particular a bottle chute, a stabilizing device for stabilizing the erected empty container by means of clamping slide jaws which move towards one another, and a conveyor belt downstream of the stabilizing device for transporting the empty container out of the stabilizing device, the stabilizing device being movably mounted and being able to be accelerated to a speed in the range of the transport speed of the conveyor belt by means of an acceleration drive, so that the empty container held in the stabilization device has precisely this speed of the stabilization device when it is placed on the conveyor belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to find solutions that are as efficient as possible for the return and/or sorting process of empties.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a bottle display with the features of patent claim 1, by a reverse vending machine with the features of patent claim 13 and/or by a sorting system with the features of patent claim 14.

• Ein Flaschenaufsteller, mit einem Transportelement, welches mit zumindest einem Leergutfach ausgebildet ist, mit einer Zuführrutsche zur Zuführung von Leergutgebinden, insbesondere Flaschen, in einen Zuführbereich an das Transportelement, und mit einem Stabilisator, welcher als horizontal, linear bewegliches Andrückteil dazu ausgebildet ist, das zugeführte Leergutgebinde in dem Zuführbereich von der Zuführrutsche in das zumindest eine Leergutfach gegen das Transportelement zu schieben, um das Leergutgebinde in eine senkrecht stabilisierte Ruhelage zu bringen, wobei das Transportelement dazu ausgebildet ist, das beruhigte Leergutgebinde in dem zumindest einen Leergutfach weiter zu transportieren, wobei der Stabilisator dazu ausgebildet ist, aus dem Leergutfach wieder zurückgeführt zu werden, bevor das Leergutgebinde über das Transportelement weiterbewegt wird.
• Ein Rücknahmeautomat mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Flaschenaufsteller.
• Eine Sortieranlage mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Flaschenaufsteller.

Accordingly, it is provided:

• A bottle display device, with a transport element, which is designed with at least one empties compartment, with a feed chute for feeding empties, in particular bottles, into a feed area on the transport element, and with a stabilizer, which is designed as a horizontal, linearly movable pressing part to push the supplied empties container in the feed area from the feed chute into the at least one empties compartment against the transport element, in order to bring the empties into a vertically stabilized rest position, the transport element for this purpose is designed to further transport the calmed empties container in the at least one empties compartment, wherein the stabilizer is designed to be returned from the empties compartment before the empties container is moved on via the transport element.
• A reverse vending machine with a bottle display according to the invention.
• A sorting system with a bottle display device according to the invention.

The idea on which the present invention is based is to stabilize an empty container that is fed via a feed chute and, due to the resulting impulse, may be tumbling, by pressing it against a transport element, which then transports the empty container further. The particular advantage of the present invention can now be seen in the fact that the transport element serves on the one hand as an object or barrier for pressing the empties container on, but on the other hand simultaneously acts as a means of transport for the empties container. Different functional aspects are thus agreed with one another, so that the bottle display device according to the invention can be made particularly compact and simple. In particular, the number of individual parts to be installed can be kept low, which ultimately saves on manufacturing, maintenance and assembly costs. In addition, the system according to the invention is less error-prone than known systems from the prior art.

The bottle display according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in reverse vending machines and/or Sorting systems or similar devices in which a very large number of empty containers as efficiently and error-proof as possible to record, transport and / or sort is. The bottle display according to the invention can be used not only for the installation, transport and sorting of bottles in the true sense. Rather, general empties, such as cans, cups, barrels, containers, etc. can be processed, which can be non-returnable or reusable containers.

Advantageous refinements and developments result from the further dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

According to a further development, the feed chute can be designed for the essentially vertical feed of the empty container. For example, the empties can be moved horizontally via a conveyor belt onto the feed chute, down which they then slide or fall at an angle and/or vertically, so that they arrive in the feed area in an approximately upright and/or approximately vertical position.

In principle, the empties can be provided in the feed area at an angle and/or tumbling via the feed chute, with the empties then being brought into a vertically stabilized rest position via the stabilizer.

According to the invention, the transport element is designed with at least one empties compartment. The stabilizer is designed to push the supplied empties container into the at least one empties compartment. The transport element is designed to further transport the inserted empties container in the at least one empties compartment. According to the invention, the stabilizer thus first pushes the empties container into the empties compartment and there against the transport element, for example against a rear wall of the empties compartment. For example, the stabilizer can be designed to press the empty container against the transport element for a predetermined period of time, during which this is sufficiently stabilized in its rest position. The empties container is then moved on by the transport element.

According to the invention, the stabilizer is designed as a horizontal, linearly movable pressing part. The pressing part is designed to push the supplied empty container from the feed chute against the transport element and to stabilize it in this way. The pressing part is then returned again before the empty container is moved further via the transport element.

The empties compartment can be dimensioned accordingly so that the empties to be transported remain safe and stable in the empties compartment when they are transported further by the transport element. In a specific example, the bottle display device can be designed to transport reusable bottles, with the empties compartment being dimensioned in such a way that a bottle standing upright in the empties compartment cannot tip over.

According to a further development, the transport element can be designed as a body of rotation to the empties by means own rotation to transport further. In this particularly efficient and space-saving development, an empty container is thus fed via the feed chute, pressed against the transport element and thereby stabilized and then moved on by rotating the transport element.

According to a further development, the transport element can be designed as a turnstile with several empties compartments. For example, the turnstile can have two, three, four, five, six or more empties compartments. The empties compartments can be arranged one behind the other in a circumferential direction around the turnstile, wherein the empties compartments can be designed to be open radially outwards. For example, the circumference of the turnstile can be divided into identically designed and dimensioned empties compartments, e.g. four empties compartments, which each occupy an angular range of about 90°. In this specific example, the turnstile can have four identical rotary wings, which are oriented radially outwards from a center point of the turnstile in the form of a cross, with two rotary wings in each case delimiting an empties compartment in the circumferential direction. Due to the provision of several empties compartments, it is possible, for example, to channel several empties containers through the bottle display and the transport element at the same time.

The transport element can be designed to rotate continuously and/or in steps. For example, the transport element can be designed to rotate around an angular range corresponding to the number of empty compartments, for example, in the case of four identical empty compartments, a step-by-step rotation through 90° can be provided. In principle, however, the transport element can also be designed with several empties compartments, which cover different angular ranges, eg a total of three compartments with two 90° and one 180° etc., so that rotation can take place accordingly in variable or different steps. Alternatively, the transport element can also rotate continuously about its axis, in which case the rotational speed can be chosen so low, for example, that the stabilizer can push an empty container into an empty compartment and stabilize it there without, for example, a pressing part of the stabilizer coming into conflict with the movement of the transport element. For example, the pressing part can withdraw again before the transport element has rotated significantly further.

According to a development, the transport element can be designed with three empties compartments. The transport element can be designed to rotate step by step by 120°. In principle, the transport element can alternatively or additionally be designed to rotate continuously. For example, the bottle display device can be designed with different operating modes in which the transport element is operated differently, e.g. is optionally rotated continuously or in steps.

According to a further development, a first conveyor belt can also be provided for further transport of the empty container. The transport element can be designed to transfer the calmed empties container to the first conveyor belt. For example, the transport element can rotate as a body of rotation over at least one section of the first conveyor belt, which is stopped during the rotation of the transport element. As soon as the empty container is on the first conveyor belt, the rotation of the transport element can be stopped and, in return, the first conveyor belt can now be started, which then carries the empty container away.

According to a further development, a second conveyor belt can also be provided for further transport of the empty container. The transport element can be designed to to transfer calmed empties either to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt. For example, the bottle display device and/or the return machine or the sorting system can be designed to determine predetermined features of the empties container. The transport element can now be designed to transfer the empty container either to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt, depending on the feature. In this development, the bottle display device also fulfills a sorting function in addition to a stabilization and transport function.

For example, the reverse vending machine, the sorting system and/or the bottle display device can have a sensor device, by means of which one or more features of the empties container can be detected. For example, a feature can be the external shape and weight of a bottle, any damage or residual filling, an existing bar or bar code, or a closure on the bottle. The sensor device can be connected to a control device, which is designed to evaluate the feature detected by the sensor device. The control device can also control the bottle display device and/or the transport element accordingly, so that after the evaluation of the feature, the transport element is prompted to transfer the empty container to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt.

In a specific example, a reverse vending machine can have an acceptance area into which empty containers can be inserted via an insertion opening attached to the outside of a housing of the reverse vending machine. In the case of a reverse vending machine for individual bottles, this insertion opening can, for example, be circular and the acceptance area as be formed in a hollow-cylindrical area. The acceptance area can also include a conveyor belt, which forwards an empties container introduced into the acceptance area to a sensor device, by means of which one or more features of the empties container are detected. The reverse vending machine can now include a control device which is connected to the sensor device. The control device can be a central control device of the reverse vending machine. However, the control device can also be provided in the bottle display device, eg in the infeed area of the bottle display device. Accordingly, the sensor device or the sensor can be provided in or on the feed area. The control device of the reverse vending machine or the bottle display device can now be designed to instruct the transport element accordingly to sort the empties container according to its determined characteristics.

According to a development, the transport element can be designed to transfer the empty container to the first conveyor belt by rotating it in one direction of rotation.

According to a further development, the transport element can be designed to transfer the empties container to the second conveyor belt by self-rotation counter to the direction of rotation. In this development, a particularly compact and efficient bottle display is thus created, which implements the stabilization, transport and sorting of empties with a minimal number of system components. The transport element serves as a stabilization object or stabilization barrier, as a means of transport and as a sorting aid.

According to a further development, a control device for controlling the stabilizer can also be provided. Furthermore, a presence sensor can be provided in the feed area. The control device can be coupled to the presence sensor. The control device can be designed to determine the presence of a supplied empty container in the supply area by means of the presence sensor. The control device can also be designed to cause the stabilizer to push the empty container against the transport element when the presence of a supplied empty container has been detected.

According to a development, the presence sensor can be designed as an optical sensor and/or weight sensor or the like. For example, the presence sensor can be designed as a laser barrier, which is arranged below the feed chute in the feed area. Alternatively or additionally, the presence sensor may comprise a weight sensor in the infeed area, for example in and/or on a floor below the infeed chute.

According to a development, the stabilizer can be designed with a compensating spring mechanism to provide a variable pressing force. In this way, for example, different container diameters can be compensated for, so that the bottle display device can process bottles of different sizes or different diameters, for example.

• Ein Flaschenaufsteller mit einem Transportelement, mit einer Zuführrutsche zur Zuführung von Leergutgebinden, insbesondere Flaschen, in einen Zuführbereich an das Transportelement, und mit einem ersten Förderband und einem zweiten Förderband zum Weitertransport des Leergutgebindes, wobei das Transportelement dazu ausgebildet ist, das Leergutgebinde wahlweise an das erste Förderband oder das zweite Förderband zu übergeben.

According to one embodiment, the following is provided:

• A bottle display with a transport element, with a feed chute for feeding empty containers, in particular Bottles, in a feed area on the transport element, and with a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt for further transport of the empty container, wherein the transport element is designed to transfer the empty container to either the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt.

The idea on which this exemplary embodiment is based is to selectively transfer an empty container fed via a feed chute to one of at least two conveyor belts by means of a transport element and then to transport it further on this. In contrast to typical bottle displays, a (pre)sorting of the empties is already possible within the bottle display. For example, the bottle display device and/or the return machine or the sorting system can be designed to determine predetermined features of the empties container. The transport element can now be designed to transfer the empty container either to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt, depending on the feature. The bottle display can thus also fulfill a sorting function in addition to a display and transport function. Provision can also be made to transfer empties onto one of the conveyor belts, regardless of their specific characteristics. For example, each of the conveyor belts can lead to a separate (intermediate) storage area for the empties. For example, if one of the storage areas is currently full, all the following empty containers can be routed via an alternative conveyor belt to a storage area that is not yet fully utilized. It is also possible that if one of the conveyor belts fails and/or if one of the components connected to this conveyor belt fails, the empties can be transported via an alternative Conveyor belt to be diverted. The system is thus more convenient, more versatile and less error-prone than known systems from the prior art.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport element can be designed as a rotating body to transfer the empties container by means of its own rotation. In this particularly efficient and space-saving embodiment, an empty container is thus fed via the feed chute and then moved on by rotating the transport element.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport element can be designed to transfer the empty container to the first conveyor belt by rotating it in one direction of rotation. For example, the transport element can rotate as a body of rotation over at least one section of the first conveyor belt, which is stopped during the rotation of the transport element. As soon as the empty container is on the first conveyor belt, the rotation of the transport element can be stopped and, in return, the first conveyor belt can now be started, which then carries the empty container away.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport element can be designed to transfer the empty container to the second conveyor belt by self-rotating counter to the direction of rotation. In this exemplary embodiment, a particularly compact and efficient bottle display device is thus created, which implements the stabilization, transport and sorting of empties with a minimum number of system components. The transport element serves as a means of transport and as a sorting aid and possibly also as a stabilization object or stabilization barrier.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport element can be designed with at least one empties compartment for transporting the empties container. For example, the feed chute can be arranged and designed in such a way that the empties container slides into the empties compartment by itself to a certain extent and is transported further there. Alternatively or additionally, for example, a stabilizer or the like can be designed to push the supplied empties container into the at least one empties compartment. In a specific example, the stabilizer can be designed to push the supplied empty container in the feed area against the transport element in order to bring the empty container into a static rest position. The transport element can be designed to further transport the inserted empties container in the at least one empties compartment. In this exemplary embodiment, the stabilizer thus first pushes the empties container into the empties compartment and there against the transport element, for example against a rear wall of the empties compartment. For example, the stabilizer can be designed to press the empty container against the transport element for a predetermined period of time, during which it is sufficiently stabilized in its rest position. The empties container is then moved on by the transport element. In a specific example, the stabilizer can be designed as a horizontal, linearly movable pressing part. The pressing part can be designed to push the supplied empty container from the feed chute against the transport element and to stabilize it in this way. The pressing part can then be fed back before the empties are passed over the Transport element is moved further. The empties compartment can be dimensioned accordingly so that the empties to be transported remain safe and stable in the empties compartment when they are transported further by the transport element. In a specific example, the bottle display device can be designed to transport reusable bottles, with the empties compartment being dimensioned in such a way that a bottle standing upright in the empties compartment cannot tip over.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport element can be designed as a turnstile with a number of empties compartments. For example, the turnstile can have two, three, four, five, six or more empties compartments. The empties compartments can be arranged one behind the other in a circumferential direction around the turnstile, wherein the empties compartments can be designed to be open radially outwards. For example, the circumference of the turnstile can be divided into identically designed and dimensioned empties compartments, e.g. four empties compartments, which each occupy an angular range of about 90°. In this specific example, the turnstile can have four identical rotary wings, which are oriented radially outwards from a center point of the turnstile in the form of a cross, with two rotary wings in each case delimiting an empties compartment in the circumferential direction. Due to the provision of several empties compartments, it is possible, for example, to channel several empties containers through the bottle display and the transport element at the same time.

The transport element can be designed to rotate continuously and/or in steps. For example, the transport element can be designed to rotate by an angular range corresponding to the number of empties compartments, For example, in the case of four identical empties compartments, a gradual rotation through 90° can be provided. In principle, however, the transport element can also be designed with several empties compartments which cover different angular ranges, eg a total of three compartments with two 90° and one 180° etc., so that rotation can take place accordingly in variable or different steps. Alternatively, the transport element can also rotate continuously about its axis, with the rotational speed being selected so low, for example, that an empty container can be placed in an empty compartment without this coming into conflict with the movement of the transport element. For example, the empties can be pushed into an empties compartment via a pressing part or a stabilizer and stabilized there, with the pressing part retracting again before the transport element has rotated significantly further.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport element can be designed with three empties compartments. The transport element can be designed to rotate step by step by 120°. In principle, the transport element can alternatively or additionally be designed to rotate continuously. For example, the bottle display device can be designed with different operating modes in which the transport element is operated differently, e.g. is optionally rotated continuously or in steps.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport element can be designed to selectively move the empties container to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt on the basis of determined empties characteristics of the empties container hand over. For example, the reverse vending machine, the sorting system and/or the bottle display device can have a sensor device, by means of which one or more empties features of the empties container can be detected. For example, an empties feature can be the external shape and weight of a bottle, any damage or residual filling, an existing bar code or bar code, or a closure on the bottle. The sensor device can be connected to a control device, which is designed to evaluate the empties feature detected by the sensor device. The control device can also control the bottle display device and/or the transport element accordingly, so that after the evaluation of the empties feature, the transport element is prompted to transfer the empties container to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt.

In a specific example, a reverse vending machine can have an acceptance area into which empty containers can be inserted via an insertion opening attached to the outside of a housing of the reverse vending machine. In the case of an automatic return machine for individual bottles, this insertion opening can be circular, for example, and the acceptance area can be designed as a hollow-cylindrical area. The acceptance area can also include a conveyor belt, which forwards an empties container introduced into the acceptance area to a sensor device, by means of which one or more empties features of the empties container are detected. The reverse vending machine can now include a control device which is connected to the sensor device. The control device can be a central control device of the reverse vending machine. However, the control device can also be provided in the bottle display device e.g. in the feed area of the bottle display. Accordingly, the sensor device or the sensor can be provided in or on the feed area. The control device of the reverse vending machine or the bottle display device can now be designed to instruct the transport element accordingly to sort the empties container according to the empties characteristics it has identified.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a control device for controlling the transport element can also be provided. The control device can be designed to determine the empties characteristics of the empties container and, based on this, to cause the transport element to transfer the empties container to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt. The control device can, for example, receive or request empties characteristics of the empties container that have already been determined elsewhere, e.g. by means of communication with a central control device of a reverse vending machine and/or a sorting system, in which case the empties characteristics can already have been recorded, for example, in an acceptance area of the reverse vending machine and/or the sorting system. Based on these characteristics of the empties, the control device can now initiate a corresponding sorting of the empties container onto a specific conveyor belt. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can be coupled to sensors of the bottle display device, which in turn are designed to detect the empties characteristics of the empties container and forward them to the control device.

According to one embodiment, the control device can be coupled to a presence sensor in the feed area. The control device can be designed to Determine the presence of a supplied empty container in the feed area by means of the presence sensor and, based on this, cause the transport element to transfer the empty container to the first conveyor belt or the second conveyor belt.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the presence sensor can be designed as an optical sensor and/or weight sensor or the like. For example, the presence sensor can be designed as a laser barrier, which is arranged below the feed chute in the feed area. Alternatively or additionally, the presence sensor may comprise a weight sensor in the infeed area, for example in and/or on a floor below the infeed chute.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the presence sensor can be designed to detect the empties features of the empties container. For example, the presence sensor can be designed to detect empties features based on labels attached to the empties container and/or based on external features of the empties container such as its weight, its external shape and/or its size or the like. For this purpose, the presence sensor can be designed, for example, as an optical sensor and/or as a weight sensor.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the feed chute can be designed for the essentially vertical feed of the empty container. For example, the empties can be moved horizontally via a conveyor belt onto the feed chute, on which they then slide or fall diagonally and/or vertically downwards, so that they are approximately upright and/or approximately impinge vertical position in the feed area. In principle, the empties can be provided in the feed area at an angle and/or tumbling via the feed chute, with the empties then being brought into a vertically stabilized rest position via a stabilizer or the like. Alternatively, the feed chute, the feed area and/or the transport element can be configured accordingly so that additional stabilization is not necessary, e.g. because the empties container is brought directly into an empties compartment of the transport element, with tumbling due to the walls of the empties compartment being prevented.

The above configurations and developments can be combined with one another as desired, insofar as this makes sense.

Further possible configurations, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1a-d

schematische Draufsichten auf einen Flaschenaufsteller gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel während des Transports eines Leergutgebindes,

Fig. 2a-e

schematische Draufsichten auf einen Flaschenaufsteller gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung während des Transports eines Leergutgebindes,

Fig. 3

schematische Perspektivansicht eines Rücknahmeautomaten von schräg vorne mit dem Flaschenaufsteller aus Fig. 1a-d oder Fig. 2a-e, und

Fig. 4

schematische Perspektivansicht einer Sortieranlage von schräg vorne mit dem Flaschenaufsteller aus Fig. 1a-d oder Fig. 2a-e.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawing. They show:

Fig. 1a-d

schematic plan views of a bottle display according to an embodiment during the transport of an empty container,

Fig. 2a-e

schematic plan views of a bottle display according to an embodiment of the invention during the transport of an empty container,

3

schematic perspective view of a reverse vending machine from diagonally in front with the bottle display Fig. 1a-d or Fig. 2a-e , and

4

schematic perspective view of a sorting system from the front with the bottle display Fig. 1a-d or Fig. 2a-e .

The accompanying drawing figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the foregoing advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawing, elements, features and components that are the same, have the same function and have the same effect--unless stated otherwise--are each provided with the same reference symbols.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1a-d show schematic top views of a bottle display device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment during the transport of an empty container 4.

The bottle opener 1 shown is a machine that enables empty containers 4 such as bottles and the like to be set up, transported and sorted. The empties 4 can be processed in different shapes, sizes and materials. The basic principle of the bottle display is to feed the empty containers 4 via a feed chute 3 and to transfer them to a transport element 2, which sorts them onto different conveyor belts 8a, 8b, where they are then transported further. In a further step, for example, downstream machines can be loaded with the transported empty containers 4 and/or these can be temporarily stored, for example on a collection table (cf. Figures 3 and 4 ). The exact process of transport is described below with reference to Fig. 1a-d explained.

Specifically, the bottle display device 1 comprises a transport element 2 and a feed chute 3, via which empty containers 4, e.g. bottles, are fed into a feed area 5 (indicated by arrows on the feed chute 3 in Fig. 1a ). For example, the empty containers 4 can be moved horizontally onto the feed chute 3 via a conveyor belt (not shown) or the like, on which they then slide or fall at an angle or vertically, so that they arrive in the feed area 5 in a more or less upright or inclined position.

The transport element 2 of the bottle display device 1 is designed to selectively transfer the supplied empty container 4 to the first conveyor belt 8a or the second conveyor belt 8b. For this purpose, the transport element 2 is designed as a turnstile, which the empty container 4 by means of its own rotation hands over. The turnstile has three identically designed empties compartments 7, which each occupy an angular range of 120°. Specifically, the empties container 4 is transferred to the first conveyor belt 8a by self-rotation in a direction of rotation 9 and to the second conveyor belt 8b by self-rotation counter to the direction of rotation 9 . Here, the empties container 4 is carried along within the empties compartment 7 (cf. Fig. 1b ). The transport element 2 is positioned on or on a first conveyor belt 8a in such a way that the empty container 4 is moved onto the conveyor belt 8a due to the rotation of the transport element 2 and can be carried along by it in a conveying direction 16 (cf. 1c ). Due to the symmetrical configuration of the transport element 2, after a rotation of 120°, an empty packaging compartment 7 is again aligned in the direction of the feed chute 3, so that another empty packaging unit 4 can be fed in. In principle, this can already take place during the rotation of the transport element 2 .

As already described, the empties container 4 can optionally also be transferred to the second conveyor belt 8b instead of the first conveyor belt 8a. For this purpose, the transport element 2 can rotate counterclockwise in a counter-rotational direction 9' by self-rotation (cf. Fig. 1d ). The second conveyor belt 8b can now move the empty container 4 further in a conveying direction 16, similar to the first conveyor belt 8a, wherein the conveying direction 16, as shown in FIG. 1e, can be identical to the conveying direction 16 of the first conveyor belt 8a. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that different arrangements are conceivable, for example in which the two conveyor belts 8a, 8b run or are aligned in different directions. In principle, more than two conveyor belts are also possible, eg three, four or more conveyor belts, in which case the person skilled in the art will design the transport element accordingly in these cases, so that empties can be optionally transferred to the conveyor belts.

In the example shown, the transport element 2 is designed to selectively transfer the empty container 4 to the first conveyor belt 8a or the second conveyor belt 8b on the basis of determined empty product characteristics of the empty container 4 . For this purpose, the bottle display device 1 has a control device 12 for controlling the transport element 2, which determines the empties characteristics of the empties container 4 and, based on this, causes the transport element 2 to transfer the empties container 4 to the first conveyor belt 8a or the second conveyor belt 8b. The control device 12 is communicatively connected to a presence sensor 13 in the feed area 5 . The presence sensor 13 is designed to determine the presence of a supplied empty container 4 in the feed area 5 . For this purpose, the presence sensor 13 can be set up, for example, as an optical sensor, e.g. a laser barrier or similar, and/or as a weight sensor. As soon as an empty container 4 is supplied, the presence sensor 13 detects this and transmits this information to the control device 12, which in turn causes the transport element 2 to rotate based on this.

Different designs are conceivable for the sorting or selection of the empty containers 4 . For example, the presence sensor 13 and/or another sensor (not shown) in the feed area 5 can be designed to detect one or more empties features of the empties container 4 . For example, an empties characteristic external shape and weight of the empties container 4, any damage or residue, an existing bar code or a closure on the empties container, etc. The control device 12 can be designed to evaluate the empties feature detected by the sensor and, based on this, to rotate the transport element 2 either in the direction of rotation 9 or alternatively in the counter-rotation direction 9', in order to rotate the empties container 4 either on the first conveyor belt 8a or the second conveyor belt 8b to be transported further.

Alternatively or additionally, the empties characteristics of the supplied empties container 4 can also have been determined before the feed to the bottle opener 1, e.g. by a sensor system of a higher-level or upstream machine, and then transmitted to the control device 12 of the bottle opener 1. For this purpose, the control device 12 can be in communication with a higher-level controller, for example a reverse vending machine or the like (cf. Figures 3 and 4 ).

As a result, a convenient and versatile bottle display device with a sorting function is created, which is less error-prone than known systems from the prior art.

Regarding Fig. 2a-e a bottle display device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is explained. This bottle display 1 is basically similar to that in Fig. 1a-d educated. In addition to this, however, the bottle display device 1 has a stabilizer 6 which is designed to push the supplied empty container 4 in the feed area 5 against the transport element 2 in order to to bring the empties container 4 into an upright static rest position, ie vertically stabilized rest position (cf. Figure 2b ). For this purpose, the bottle display device 1 has a control device 12 which controls the stabilizer 6, among other things. The control device 12 is communicatively connected to a presence sensor 13 in the feed area 5 . The presence sensor 13 is designed to determine the presence of a supplied empty container 4 in the feed area 5 . For this purpose, the presence sensor 13 can be set up, for example, as an optical sensor, for example a laser barrier or similar, and/or as a weight sensor. As soon as an empty container 4 is supplied, the presence sensor 13 detects this and transmits this information to the control device 12 , which in turn, based on this, causes the stabilizer 6 to push the empty container 4 against the transport element 2 . The stabilizer 6 can be designed, for example, as a horizontally displaceable pressing part, which can be moved back and forth in a straight line between the feed chute 3 and the transport element 2 . In the embodiment shown, the stabilizer 6 is driven by a drive, for example an electric motor such as a servomotor or the like, and is pushed against the empty container 4 with a pressing force 15 .

In order to take into account that different empty containers 4 can have different characteristics, eg weight and/or diameter, the stabilizer 6 is designed with a compensating spring mechanism 14 for providing a variable pressing force 15 . The stabilizer 6 thus pushes the empty container 4 against the transport element 2 in such a way that the empty container 4 assumes a static rest position. For example, an embodiment is possible in which the empty container 4 is pressed against the transport element 2 for a certain period of time. In embodiments, a dynamometer, for example a piezoelectric element, can be provided in order to determine whether the empty container 4 is being pressed against the transport element 2 with a predetermined force. In principle, however, particularly simply designed variants are also possible, in which the stabilizer 6 is extended by a predetermined distance, for example via a servomotor, with the compensating spring mechanism 14 compensating for different external dimensions of the empty containers 4 . The control device 12 can then cause the stabilizer bar 6 to be moved back to its initial position.

The transport element 2 is also designed in this embodiment as a turnstile with three identical empty compartments 7, which each occupy an angular range of 120°. The transport element 2 is thus designed as a rotating body in order to further transport the empty container 4 by means of its own rotation. The stabilizer 6 pushes the empties container 4 into one of the empties compartments 7 until it hits the transport element 2 and is stabilized in its rest position. The stabilizer 6 then returns to its starting position. In a next step, the transport element 2 rotates step by step through 120° in a clockwise direction of rotation 9 . Here, the empties container 4 is carried along within the empties compartment 7 (cf. Figure 2c ).

The transport element 2 is positioned on or on a first conveyor belt 8a in such a way that the empty container 4 is moved onto the conveyor belt 8a due to the rotation of the transport element 2 and can be carried along by it in a conveying direction 16 (cf. Fig. 2d ). Because of the symmetrical Configuration of the transport element 2 is after a rotation of 120 ° again aligned an empty compartment 7 in the direction of the feed chute 3, so that another empty container 4 can be fed. In principle, this can already take place during the rotation of the transport element 2 .

The bottle display device 1 is not only designed for setting up and transporting empty containers 4, but can also sort them with regard to their characteristics, as will be explained below with reference to FIG. 1e.

Accordingly, a second conveyor belt 8b is provided for the onward transport of the empty container 4, onto which the transport element 2 can optionally transfer the calmed empty container 4 instead of the first conveyor belt 8a. For this purpose, the transport element 2 can rotate counterclockwise in a counter-rotational direction 9` by self-rotation (cf. Figure 2e ). The second conveyor belt 8b can now move the empty container 4 further in a conveying direction 16, similar to the first conveyor belt 8a, wherein the conveying direction 16, as shown in FIG. 1e, can be identical to the conveying direction 16 of the first conveyor belt 8a.

Different designs are again conceivable for the sorting or selection of the empty containers 4 . For example, the presence sensor 13 and/or another sensor (not shown) in the feed area 5 can be designed to detect one or more empties features of the empties container 4 . For example, an empties feature can be the external shape and the weight of the empties container 4, any existing damage or residual filling, an existing bar code or bar code or one on the empties container closure in place, etc. The control device 12 can also be designed to control the transport element 2 . The control device 12 can be designed to evaluate the empties feature detected by the sensor and, based on this, to rotate the transport element 2 either in the direction of rotation 9 or alternatively in the counter-rotation direction 9' in order to transport the empties container 4 further either on the first conveyor belt 8a or the second conveyor belt 8b.

Alternatively or additionally, the properties of the supplied empty container 4 can also have been determined before it is fed to the bottle opener 1, for example by a sensor system of a higher-level or upstream machine, and then transmitted to the control device 12 of the bottle opener 1. In principle, the control of the transport element 2 can also be taken over by a higher-level control, for example a reverse vending machine or the like (cf. Figures 3 and 4 ).

As a result, a bottle display device 1 is created, which sets up, sorts and transports empty containers 4 such as bottles or the like in the most efficient manner possible. The transport element 2 serves at the same time as a stabilizing barrier for the installation of the empty container 4 and as a rotary lock for the selection of the empty container 4 on the basis of predetermined characteristics. The bottle display 1 is characterized by a particularly simple and robust structure with a minimum number of individual parts. The bottle display device 1 is therefore particularly efficient in terms of costs, maintenance and assembly. This is achieved, among other things, by the design of the transport element 2 is achieved as a three-part turnstile that can be rotated on both sides, via which empty containers 4 can be output on two different conveyor belts 8a, 8b.

Figures 3 and 4 show two exemplary uses of the bottle display Fig. 1a-d and or Fig. 2a-e , on the one hand as a component of a reverse vending machine 10 in 3 and on the other hand as a component of a sorting system 11 in 4 .

The example reverse vending machine 10 in 3 is intended for the return of bottles. The reverse vending machine 1 comprises a housing with an insertion opening 17 embedded in its front side, which is designed as a hollow cylinder for receiving empty bottles. Furthermore, the usual components, such as a display panel and/or an output opening, can be attached to the outside of the front side of the housing. The reverse vending machine 10 includes a conveyor belt (not shown), which forwards a bottle inserted into the insertion opening 17 to a sensor device (also not shown), by which one or more empties features of the bottle are detected. For example, an empties feature can be the outer shape and the weight of the bottle, any damage or residual filling, an existing bar code or bar code or a closure on the bottle. The reverse vending machine also includes a control device (not shown) connected to the conveyor belt and the sensor device. This is designed to evaluate the empties feature detected by the sensor device. After evaluating the entered bottle, the control device causes either - in the event that the bottle is accepted - the onward transport of the bottle through the conveyor belt or - in the event that the bottle is rejected - the return of the bottle. If the bottle is accepted, it is forwarded to a bottle display device 1 via a transport device 18 . For example, bottle display 1 corresponds to that in Fig. 1a-d and/or that in Fig. 2a-e . Accordingly, the bottle is placed here and, depending on the characteristics, forwarded either on the first conveyor belt 8a or the second conveyor belt 8b. The bottle is then placed on a collection table, being placed on different sides of the collection table 19 depending on the characteristics and the conveyor belt 8a, 8b used (indicated by arrows in 3 indicated). The features on which the sorting is based can be determined, for example, by the sensor device of the reverse vending machine 10, so that the transport element 2 of the bottle display device 1 can make a corresponding selection based on this.

The Sorting Plant 11 in 4 also has a bottle display device 1 which is loaded by a transport device 18 and which then guides the bottles onto a collecting table 19 . The bottles are delivered to the sorting system 11 via a roller conveyor 20 . Such a sorting system 11 can in principle be part of a reverse vending machine, e.g. like the one in 3 . In principle, however, further applications are possible, for example within an assembly line production or the like, in which containers are to be set up and selected or sorted before they are possibly filled, for example.

Reference List

1

bottle display

2

transport element

3

feed chute

4

empty containers

5

feeding area

6

stabilizer

7

empties compartment

8a

first conveyor belt

8b

second conveyor belt

9

direction of rotation

9'

counter-rotational direction

10

return machine

11

sorting plant

12

control device

13

presence sensor

14

balancing spring mechanism

15

pressing force

16

conveying direction

17

insertion opening

18

transport device

19

collection table

20

roller conveyor

21

drive

Claims (14)

1. Bottle positioner (1),

   comprising a transport element (2) formed with at least one empties compartment (7),

   comprising a feed slide (3) for feeding empty containers (4), in particular bottles, into a feed region (5) to the transport element (2), and

   comprising a stabiliser (6) formed, as a horizontal, linearly movable contact part, to slide the fed-in empty container (4) in the feed region (5) from the feed slide (3) into the at least one empties compartment (7) against the transport element (2), so as to bring the empty container (4) into a vertically stabilised rest position, wherein the transport element (2) is formed to transport the steadied empty container (4) onwards in the at least one empties compartment (7), the stabiliser (6) being formed to be brought back out of the empties compartment (7) again before the empty container (4) is moved onwards via the transport element (2).
2. Bottle positioner (1) according to claim 1,
   characterised
   in that the feed slide (3) is formed for substantially vertical feeding of the empty container (4).
3. Bottle positioner (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterised
   in that the transport element (2) is formed, as a rotation body, to transport the empty container (4) onwards under its own rotation.
4. Bottle positioner (1) according to claim 3,
   characterised
   in that the transport element (2) is formed as a turnstile comprising a plurality of empties compartments (7).
5. Bottle positioner (1) according to claim 4,
   characterised
   in that the transport element (2) is formed with three empties compartments (7) and can be rotated in increments each of 120°.
6. Bottle positioner (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised
   in that a first conveyor belt (8a) is further provided for transporting the empty container (4) onwards, the transport element (2) being formed to hand the steadied empty container (4) over to the first conveyor belt (8a).
7. Bottle positioner (1) according to claim 6,
   characterised
   in that a second conveyor belt (8b) is provided for transporting the empty container (4) onwards, the transport element (2) being formed to hand the steadied empty container (4) over selectively to the first conveyor belt (8a) or to the second conveyor belt (8b).
8. Bottle positioner (1) according to either claim 6 or claim 7,
   characterised
   in that the transport element (2) is formed to hand the empty container (4) over to the first conveyor belt (8a) under its own rotation in a direction of rotation (9).
9. Bottle positioner (1) according to claim 8,
   characterised
   in that the transport element (2) is formed to hand the empty container (4) over to the second conveyor belt (8b) under its own rotation counter to the direction of rotation (9) .
10. Bottle positioner (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterised
    in that a control device (12) for controlling the stabiliser (6) is further provided and is coupled to a presence sensor (13) in the feed region (5), the control device (12) being formed to establish the presence of a fed-in empty container (4) in the feed region (5) by way of the presence sensor (13) and, building on this, to cause the stabiliser (6) to slide the empty container (4) against the transport element (2) .
11. Bottle positioner (1) according to claim 10, characterised
    in that the presence sensor (13) is formed as an optical sensor and/or weight sensor.
12. Bottle positioner (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterised
    in that the stabiliser (6) is formed with a compensating spring mechanism (14) for providing a variable contact force (15).
13. Reverse vending machine (10) comprising a bottle positioner (1) according to any of the preceding claims.
14. Sorting system (11) comprising a bottle positioner (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13.

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