FR2691648A1 - Plastic bottles compaction for heat softening for collection - by steam and compression with piston, springs, plates vacuum, rollers or bands to produce identified prod. for recycling, for simple and efficient vol. redn. - Google Patents

Abstract

A hot fluid is applied to the walls of the container for a time sufficient to soften the container followed by mechanical action to reduce the vol. Application of hot fluid is pref. by introduction of steam into the neck of the bottle. The containers are pref. labelled with the origin. Redn. is by compression along long axis or via a roller transversal to the long axis. A hopper (1210) for receipt of containers, horizontal and orientated in the same direction, has the positioner (1212) of the neck of the bottle. A steam generation system (1220) discharges into the base of the hopper. Transfer and compaction of bottles is via two ribbed bands (1230) on rollers (1232), at least one of which is driven, feeding pressing and refrigeration plates (1250) above the storage space (1260) for compressed containers. Alternative forms of the appts. achieve mechanical compression by steam driven mobile piston, compression springs, pressing plates or by vacuum. Steam under pressure may pref. provide at least part of the energy for mechanical compression. One surface of the container may be pref. pierced to enable flattened discs produced to be skewered and collated. USE/ADVANTAGE - Used for collection and recycling of plastic bottles (claimed). Simple and efficient. Large range of forms of appts. dependent on requirements.

Description

 The present invention relates generally to the selective recovery of certain waste, and in particular relates to a new process and a new apparatus for reducing the volume of used containers such as transparent plastic bottles, or the like.

 The recycling of this type of container poses very diverse problems, the first of which is that of their selective recovery.

 First of all, the multiple categories of materials generally have to be recycled separately, which requires sorting at the level of waste collection, which is extremely difficult in practice.

 Furthermore, with regard to the most bulky containers, such as polyvinyl chloride bottles (hereinafter PVC) for drinks, their disposal is a permanent concern for the consumer, mainly because of this bulk. In addition, the treatment of this type of waste by incineration poses serious ecological problems.

 The present invention aims to facilitate the collection of this kind of container by providing extremely simple and effective arrangements for reducing their volume.

Thus, the invention firstly relates to a process for reducing the volume of a plastic container which can be softened by heat, in particular for collection purposes with a view to its recycling, characterized in that it comprises the following steps
application to the walls of the container of a hot fluid, for a sufficient time to bring them into a softening state,
application to the container of mechanical stress in order to reduce its volume.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for reducing the volume of a plastic container which can be softened by heat, in particular for the purposes of collection for recycling, characterized in that it comprises
means for applying a hot fluid to the walls of the container, for a sufficient time to bring them into a softening state,
means for mechanically urging the container in order to reduce its volume.

 The term “mechanical stress” is understood here to mean either a stress which can be exerted either by one or more solid bodies acting on the container, or again by a stress generated by differences in fluid pressure, for example by exposing its internal volume to vacuum. .

 Preferably, the hot fluid is water vapor.

Other aspects, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of various preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view in side elevation and in partial section of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention,
FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic views in side elevation and in partial section of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, in two different positions,
FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic views in side elevation and in partial section of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention, in two different positions,
FIGS. 4a to 4d are schematic views in elevation and in partial section of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, in different positions, FIG. 4b being a view according to arrow F4 in FIG. 4a,
FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation view in partial section of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 6a is a schematic view in elevation and partial section of an apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 6b is a schematic perspective view of a variant of the device of FIG. 6a,
FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a variant of an apparatus according to the invention,
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 11a and 11b are side elevation views of an apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment of the invention, and
Figure 14 is a schematic elevational view of an attachment of an apparatus according to the invention.

 Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a volume reduction apparatus for empty containers such as PVC bottles.

 The apparatus 100 comprises a main body 110 of which a base part 110a defines a reservoir 112 for water, and of which a hollow cylindrical part 110b, located above the base part and open at its upper end, defines a housing 114 for a bottle B whose volume must be reduced. The tank 112 and the housing 114 are separated by a wall 110c in the center of which a through passage 111 is formed for steam.

 The part 110b is closed at its upper end by a cover 120. The cover 120 is crossed centrally by a passage for a rod 118 of a piston 116 capable of sliding vertically in the housing 114. The upper end of the rod 118 is provided with a handle 122 for manual pushing action of the piston.

 The apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 is used as follows: the apparatus is placed on a stove or an electric or gas stove, so as to heat the water contained in the tank 112. An empty bottle B is placed, in inverted position, in the housing 114 so that the passage 111 opens upwards in its neck.

The cover 120 / piston 116 assembly is then put in place and fixed on the top of the part 110b. When the water rises in temperature, steam begins to enter the bottle B, the walls of which soften. Pressure can then be exerted on the piston 116 to compress the bottle B along its axis.

 At the end of compression, the flattened bottle, in the form of a wafer, can be removed, either from the top of the housing, or using a drawer or the like (not shown) provided at the base of said housing.

 It can be observed here that by establishing a suitable seal between passage 111 and the neck of the bottle, the vapor introduced into the interior volume of the latter causes a variation in the volume of the bottle (in particular increase in volume for PVC, and volume reduction for polyethylene), which causes or facilitates the separation of one or more labels which were stuck on the bottle.

 Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, there is illustrated an apparatus 100 which comprises a base part 212, by which the apparatus rests on a plane, and an upper part 214. The upper part is crossed by a channel 216 of steam supply, the latter being supplied by a suitable device not shown. This channel opens into the central region of the face of the part 214 which faces downwards.

 The parts 212 and 214, having planar facing faces between which a bottle is to be compressed, are connected to each other by at least two compass mechanisms each comprising two connecting rods 210 connected to each other and to the parts 212, 214 by joints 211. The lower connecting rods are slightly longer than the upper connecting rods.

 To reduce the volume of an empty bottle B, for example made of PVC, this bottle is placed between the compression parts 212, 214, so that the steam supply passage 216 opens into its neck, and then hot steam in the bottle to soften its walls. When the required degree of softening is reached, downward pressure is exerted on the part 214, the joints 211 playing the role of guides to ensure a relative displacement of the parts 212 and 214 along the axis of the bottle. Due to the difference in length between the connecting rods, the intermediate joints between the connecting rods follow an upward movement, and there comes a point when a multiplied compressive force can be exerted by applying in the region of said intermediate joints an effort tending to bring them closer together. one of the other. This completes the production of a bottle compressed axially into a wafer, which can be released by performing the reverse movements on the device.

 Referring now to Figures 3a and 3b, there is shown an apparatus which comprises a base portion 310 from two sides from which extend upwards two hooks 312 provided in their upper region with hooking surfaces 312a directed towards inside and facing down. In the center of the base part 310 is formed a steam supply passage 311, supplied with hot steam in an appropriate manner.

 Above the base portion 310 extends an elastic guide sheath 314, in the general shape of a hollow cylinder, made for example of spring steel and capable of seeing its length reduced while retaining the same generally circular section. This sheath 314 defines a housing for a bottle (not shown) to be compressed axially.

 At the upper end of the sheath 314 is provided a cover 316 articulated on the said sheath at 318. This cover 316 has two lateral tabs 316a intended, as will be seen below, to cooperate with the hooks 312.

 To use this device, the cover 316 is opened, a bottle is placed in the housing defined by the sheath 314, neck down, so that the passage 311 opens into said neck, then the cover is closed.

 After applying steam for an appropriate amount of time, downward pressure can be applied to the lid to compress the bottle. At the end of this movement, the hooks 312 come to hang on the legs 316a, on the one hand to signify that a nominal degree of compression is reached, and on the other hand to maintain if necessary the bottle in the compressed state until it has reached a certain degree of cooling necessary for it to retain its compressed form well (in particular the case of polyethylene containers).

 The lid 316 is then opened to extract the compressed container.

 It will be observed here that, in the example above, the rest position of the elastic sheath 314 is that illustrated in FIG. 3a. However, it is of course possible to provide a rest position corresponding to a state of partial or total compression. In this case, the return force of the sheath is a compression assistance force.

 According to another alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the elastic sheath 314 can be replaced by a hollow telescopic tube, optionally associated with elastic means.

 Now with reference to FIGS. 4a to 4d, another embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention will be described.

 A body 410 comprises a base in which a through passage 411 for the vapor is formed centrally, which opens upwards at a projecting part 413 of the base. The body 410 defines above this base a cylindrical tube, in two diametrically opposite regions of which are defined two slots 412 comprising a main lower part oriented vertically and a sinuous upper part, as illustrated.

 A first cylindrical plate 416 is disposed in the cylindrical housing of the body 410, a helical compression spring 414 being interposed between the base of the body 410 and this plate 416. The plate 416 also has a central through passage 417 for steam, capable of communicate with passage 411.

 A second plate 418 is also disposed in the cylindrical housing, and comprises two lateral wings 420 passing through the respective slots 412.

 The apparatus which has just been described can be used in the following way: in FIG. 1, the plate 416 occupies a low position, with the spring 414 with compressed lattate. This state can be maintained using appropriate locking means (not shown) of the plate 416. The bottle B to be compressed was then placed between the plates 416 and 418, after having removed the plate 418 by sliding. the wings 420 upwards along the sinuous parts of the slots 412.

 The upper plate 418 having been replaced, steam is injected into the bottle B and, when the required degree of softening is reached, the two wings 420 are exerted on the two wings manually, by pressing down so as to compress the bottle. The end of this movement is illustrated in Figure 4c.

 After this operation, the plate 416 is unlocked, and the return force of the spring 414 causes the stack of the plate 416, of the compressed bottle and of the plate 418 to rise in the cylindrical housing of the body 410, until the position shown in Figure 4d. The compressed bottle can then easily be extracted by previously removing the upper plate 418.

 Preferably, the locking means of the plate 416 in the low position cooperate with the downward movement of the plate 418, so as to perform the unlocking when said plate 418 has reached a well-determined position close to the plate 416, signifying that the required degree of compression has been obtained.

 According to a variant embodiment not illustrated, the plate 418 provided with its wings 420 can be replaced by a heavy plate, ensuring by itself compression under the effect of gravity. The slots 412 can in this case be omitted.

 In this variant, no manual effort is to be provided by the operator. The spring 414 is in this case chosen so that, when the heavy plate is released, it is capable of exerting upward sufficient force to overcome the weight of said heavy plate.

 The apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a body made up of a base part 510 and a vertical cylindrical tube 512 defining an interior housing 514.

 The base 510 has a central through passage 511 for the supply of hot steam under a certain pressure.

 A piston plate 516 is capable of sliding vertically in the housing 514 and has a transverse passage 518 of smaller section centrally than that of passage 511.

 A cover 520 closes the open upper end of the tube 512.

 The apparatus of FIG. 5 is used as follows: the cover 520 being removed and the plate 516 occupying an extreme lower position, a bottle B is placed in the cylindrical housing, its neck being directed downward so that leads to passage 511.

 When hot pressurized steam is brought into the device through the pipe 511, this steam begins to enter the bottle via the aligned passages 511 and 518. When the walls of the bottle are sufficiently softened, the steam exerts on the face lower of the piston 516 a pressure such that it pushes this piston upwards to compress the bottle.

Vapor pressure adjustment adjusts the degree of compression of the container
It will be observed here that a stop mechanism schematically indicated at 522 is advantageously provided so as to ensure, at the end of the above operations, the maintenance of the piston 516 in a high position allowing, after retracting the cover 520, the extraction of the cake formed by the compressed bottle.

 It will also be noted that, to ensure that a differential pressure exists between the upper and lower faces of the piston 416, this condition being necessary for the ascent thereof, a vapor leakage or recycling can be created by any appropriate means on the side superior.

 According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the upward force of the piston 416 can be increased for example by means of a compression spring acting between the base 510 and said piston.

 Now with reference to FIG. 6, an apparatus according to a sixth embodiment comprises a body defining a base 610 and, above the base, a cylindrical tube 612 defining an interior housing 614.

According to this embodiment, the piston 616 responsible for carrying out the axial compression of the bottle B also constitutes the means for generating steam. To this end, the piston 616 is hollow and constitutes a water tank, closed at its top by a plug 620 for filling. A steam supply tube 618 extends between the upper region of the tank and a steam outlet nozzle 616b located in a projecting portion 616a of the base of the tank. Means for heating the water contained in the tank, for example an immersed electrical resistance, are provided in said tank.

 When the water is heated, by actuation of an appropriate power switch, steam is injected into the container, previously disposed in the tube 612, through its neck. Pressure is then exerted on the piston / reservoir 616 to compress the container axially.

 FIG. 6b illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the body 610, 612 is constituted by a wall support comprising a circular base 610 and a generally semi-cylindrical cavity with vertical axis 614 defined by a part 612, dimensioned so that 'A pill bottle can be held there stably before compression.

 The reservoir / piston 616 is slidably mounted in this cavity using guide grooves 612b or the like.

 Two side wings 612a border the cavity 614 for fixing the device to a wall.

 FIG. 7 illustrates an optional characteristic of an apparatus according to the present invention. Two compression parts 710 and 712 are intended to effect the compression of the bottle B, in this case along its axis, once hot steam therein has been introduced for example using a steam passage 711 formed in the lower part 710, towards which the neck of the bottle is turned, and that it has been sufficiently softened.

 According to this characteristic, the other part 712 has a point-shaped region 713 centrally directed essentially towards the part 710 and intended, when compression is exerted, to make a hole in the bottom of the bottle opposite. bottleneck.

 In this way, the wafer obtained after compression is traversed right through, in this case axially, by a hole which can facilitate the grouping of a plurality of such wafers, for example on a cord, on a rigid rod. ., provided on a support near the volume reduction device.

 Alternatively, the steam injection nozzle may itself constitute the piercing tip.

 We will now describe with reference to Figures 8 and following embodiments of apparatus according to the invention in which a container is compressed in a direction transverse to its major axis. Tests carried out by the Applicants have indeed shown that it was thus possible, for example with PVC bottles subjected to steam at a temperature of the order of 70-800C, a flattened object of a thickness of the order of 5 to 10 mm.

 FIG. 8 illustrates a table-top device 100 comprising a frame 810 which defines a generally elongated cavity 812, dimensioned so as to be able to receive an empty lying bottle. In a side wall 814 of the cavity projects a nozzle 816 for the supply of steam, and the bottle is arranged in the cavity so that its neck comes to the right of this nozzle.

 The upper wall of the frame 810 has a generally rectangular opening through which a generally parallelepipedic pressure member 820 can slide vertically, on which the operator can manually push down once hot steam has been introduced into the bottle and the latter has softened enough. One or more springs are advantageously provided for returning the member 820 to the high position illustrated in the drawing after use.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, a volume reduction device according to the invention can be incorporated into a kitchen furniture drawer, in which case the location of an ordinary drawer defines a housing for a container to be compressed.
FIG. 9 represents an appliance, for example of the wall type, which comprises an upper housing 910 housing a water tank and electrical heating means and comprising at its base a hot steam outlet nozzle (not visible). Below the housing 910 is provided an upright 912 on which are articulated, around two parallel axes located at a short distance (for example 5 mm) from each other, two flat flaps 914a and 914b.

 Below the upright is provided a base portion 916 of generally circular shape, in which a diametrical slot 918 is formed.

 The base part 916 preferably comprises means for attaching a grouping receptacle such as a flexible bag or the like 920.

 The apparatus of Figure 9 is used by placing an empty bottle in the space between the housing 910 and the base portion 916, which supports the bottle, then by introducing steam into the bottle through its neck.

 Once a sufficient softening of the bottle is obtained, the two plates are pressed towards each other, in this case manually, to compress the bottle flat.

 Following this compression, the two plates are spaced from each other and the bottle now has an elongated section which is smaller than the section of the slot 918. The bottle then falls through this slot, into the receptacle.

 In an alternative embodiment not shown, it can be provided that the two plates move parallel to one another, for example using a deformable parallelogram mechanism or pantograph.

 Referring now to Figure 10, there is shown an apparatus which comprises a generally vertical support plate 1010, allowing for example the fixing of the apparatus to a wall. Means for producing hot steam (not shown) are provided.

 Two arms 1012 are articulated at their upper ends at 1011 around a common horizontal axis in the upper region of the plate 1010. Each arm has a longitudinal slot 1014 over a substantial part of its length. In the region of their lower ends, the arms 1012 are joined to each other by an element 1018 forming an operating handle.

A roller 1016 with a horizontal axis has two lateral fingers 1015 which are trapped in the slots 1014, to allow said roller to slide along the arms.

 To use this device, a bottle B is placed along the plate 1010, this bottle being held in place for example by making the neck of the bottle cooperate with a steam outlet nozzle opening into the upper region of the plate 1010. Once the bottle has softened, the roller 1016 being in its high position, outside the neck, and the arms 1012 having a substantial inclination relative to the plate 1010, pressure is exerted on the handle 1018 so as to pivot arms. The orientation of the slots 1012 and the position of the joint 1011 are chosen so that, by this effort, the roller is caused to move down along the slots, rolling on the softened bottle and into it. flattening.

 As a variant, motorized or elastic means may be provided to assist the movement of the roller 1016.

 Of course, the apparatus of FIG. 10 can be used in an orientation other than that illustrated, and in particular in an orientation where the plate 1010 is placed horizontally on a work surface.

 The apparatus shown in Figures îîa and 11b includes a fixed frame 1110 housing a boiler 1112 for the production of hot steam.

 This fixed frame defines a location for a bottle B to be compacted, defined by a large wall 1110a inclined relative to the vertical and by a small wall 1110b substantially at right angles to the wall 1110a.

 a steam pipe 1114 connects the boiler 1112 to a nozzle (not shown) provided essentially centrally on the small wall 1110b.

 A movable frame is capable of sliding along the wall 1110a, a plate 1120 or other guide means being provided for this purpose. A cover 1122 is connected to the plate 1120 at its upper end and extends substantially all along said plate.

 Between the plate 1120 and the cover 1122 is provided a roller 1126 with a horizontal axis rotatably mounted on a support arm 1124.

 When a bottle B, placed in its housing so that the steam nozzle opens into its neck and the roller 1126 is located above its bottom, has been sufficiently softened by the steam, the movable frame is moved towards bottom, manually or using a motor, to flatten the bottle.

 Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown an automated device for reducing the volume of containers made of plastic material which can be softened at high rates. Such a device can in particular be used in collective places (company canteens, collective premises of apartment buildings, etc.).

 This device comprises in its upper region a hopper 1210 in which a large quantity of bottles B can be placed, with their axes essentially parallel to each other and their necks all oriented in the same direction.

 The hopper 1210 has at its base a width substantially equal to or slightly greater than that of a bottle. In this basic region opens a steam duct 1222 connected to a boiler schematically indicated in 1220, comprising a water tank and for example an electrical resistance. A plug 1224 makes it possible to fill the reservoir.

 In the region of the hopper 1210 opposite the outlet of the steam duct is provided a leaf spring 1212 intended so that, when a bottle is present in the base region of the hopper, the latter is pushed towards the steam outlet, so that the steam enters the bottle well through its neck.

 Below the hopper are provided two notched bands 1230 located opposite one another and passing around three rollers 1232, at least one of which is leading. The two bands can be selectively driven in a direction such that their adjacent strands descend. Between their two upper rollers, the two strips 1230 approach each other to perform a pinch on a softened bottle from the hopper intended to flatten it. Between their two lowest rollers, the strips 1230, in their adjacent regions, run in parallel and at a short distance from each other, to apply to the pinched container a prolonged flattening force.

 The strips 1230 are notched so as to ensure effective driving of the bottle to be flattened. Such a notching can be omitted if the material of the strips has a high coefficient of friction.

 Among the rollers 1232, the rollers which are driving are driven by means of an electric motor 1240, a gear train 1242 and, where appropriate, a gear.

Below the lower region for leaving the strips 1230 is optionally provided with a set of two cooling plates, which are particularly intended to keep in a flat state containers of material such as polyethylene pinched by the strips 1230. More specifically, tests carried out by
Applicants have found that polyethylene tends, when it was still relatively high, to return to its original volume. The two plates 1250, made for example of thermally conductive metal, and having a thickness suitable for dissipating part of the heat contained in the flattened container, are intended to pinch the container between them and cool it quickly. 1250 plates are spaced from each other and the flattened container can drop by gravity into a grouping receptacle such as a flexible bag 1260.

 In the embodiment of Figure 12, the two plates 1250 are associated with split guide tabs 1252 which allow their approximation and their mutual spacing. Cams 1256 driven by a shaft itself driven by the electric motor 1240 via the gears 1242, make it possible to selectively ensure the pressure of a container previously brought between the plates and the spacing of the plates (using elastic means (not shown).

 The grouping bag 1260 can be hung directly on the plates 1250, using hooks 1254, or in another way.

 Finally, the device of FIG. 12 comprises a control and regulation panel 1270, allowing in particular the starting and stopping of the device, as well as the control, in synchronism, of the steam generator device, of the bands drive and cooling pressure to process the bottles sequentially.

 FIG. 13 schematically and partially illustrates an apparatus according to the invention, in which the softening of the walls of the bottle is carried out by introduction of hot steam into the bottle through its neck, then by subjecting the interior volume of the bottle, the walls have been softened, to a vacuum.

 The apparatus comprises a steam source, not shown, a steam supply pipe 1312, a vacuum source, not shown, a vacuum pipe 1314, as well as a nozzle 1316 'intended to cooperate in leaktight manner, at the less during the application of the vacuum, with the neck of the bottle B. The nozzle comprises for this purpose, in the present example, a flexible rubber lining or the like 1317 of generally conical shape, capable of cooperating with the free edge of the neck.

 A switching element, schematically indicated in 1318 and which can take the form of any suitable valve mechanism, makes it possible selectively to introduce steam into the interior volume of the bottle and then, when the walls thereof are sufficiently softened, to apply an appropriate degree of vacuum to this interior volume to cause the bottle to collapse, substantially axially, in the direction of the neck.

 In an alternative embodiment, not shown, it is possible to provide a nozzle opening into the neck and comprising two conduits, for example concentric, in particular a central conduit for the introduction of vapor and an annular peropheric conduit for establishing the vacuum.

 According to another aspect of the present invention, which applies particularly to volume reduction devices for household use, an identification number can be provided in association with each device, which also makes it possible to identify an owner of said device. . This number can for example appear on an engraved plate fixed on the device.

 In this case, the device is advantageously supplied to its owner with a large number of labels, for example adhesive labels, on each of which the same identification number is printed. Preferably, these labels are of the water-soluble type, so as to avoid any pollution of the containers recovered by ensuring their elimination during recycling treatments. Alternatively, labels made from the same plastic can be used as the containers themselves.

 The user, each time he has treated a bottle or other container with his device, affixes a label to it. As a variant, as will be seen in detail below, the device includes means for automatically applying such a label to each container treated. The individual compacted bottles can then be collected in collection bins located for example in public places.

 And since each treated bottle carries a means of identifying the owner of a certain compacting device, it is possible to organize draws, by randomly extracting a bottle from the collection bin and assigning all kinds of gain to the aforementioned owner.

 Such individual identification of the treated bottles, and such a draw, constitute a strong incentive for consumers to recover containers.

 Preferably, the identifiers provided on the adhesive labels are coded (for example bar code) or encrypted.

 A device for the automatic affixing of labels is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 14.

It is located to the right of a support plate 1410 against which a flattened bottle B is applied, and it comprises a spool 1412 forming a reserve of a complex constituted, conventionally in itself, by a support film
FS, provided with a low-tack adhesive intended to remain on this film, located on the front side of the labels E and a protective film FP, for example silicone, located on the back side of the labels E. The reference 1416 designates a reel for recovering the FP protective film. A tension roller 1414 is located between the reels 1412 and 1416. Another reel 1420 is intended to recover the support film, and between the reels 1412 and 1420 is provided a pressure roller 1418 capable of applying against the bottle B a label E cleared of its protective film.

 Such a label application device is mounted in translation so as to be able to accompany a rotation of the pressure roller 1418 when the latter is applied against the bottle to affix the label.

 Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, but those skilled in the art will be able to make any variant or modification in accordance with his spirit.

 In particular, in all the embodiments described above where a manual force is required to ensure the compression of the container, this force can alternatively be provided by a motor, in particular electric, and an appropriate transmission.

 In addition, although in the above described apparatuses the softened container is given a generally flattened shape, it is of course possible to give the mechanical members which carry out the compression an appropriate shape so that the volume reduction takes place by giving the containing a particular profile, for example a generally semi-cylindrical hollow profile, such a profile making it possible to stack easily and stably a plurality of such containers of reduced volume.

Claims (28)

 1. Method for reducing the volume of a plastic container (B) softened sand by heat, in particular for collection purposes for recycling, characterized in that it comprises the following steps  application to the walls of the container of a hot fluid, for a sufficient time to bring them into a softening state,  application to the container of a mechanical stress in order to reduce its volume.  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of applying a hot fluid consists in introducing hot steam into the container (B) through its neck.  3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the step of affixing on the container information enabling the origin of the container to be identified, in particular for drawing lots.  4. Method according to claim 1, for a container (B) elongated along a major axis, characterized in that the volume reduction step is carried out in a direction transverse to said major axis.  5. Apparatus (100) for reducing the volume of a plastic container which can be softened by heat, in particular for collection purposes with a view to recycling it, characterized in that it comprises  means for applying a hot fluid to the walls of the container, for a sufficient time to bring them into a softening state,  means for mechanically urging the container in order to reduce its volume.  6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the hot fluid is steam.  7. Apparatus according to claim 6, for containers having a neck, characterized in that the means for applying hot steam to the walls of the container comprises means for injecting hot steam into the container (B) through its neck.  8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for injecting hot steam into the container through its neck comprises a nozzle, and in that there are provided means for pressing said neck against a surface of the device surrounding said nozzle, so that the vapor causes an initial change in the volume of the container.  9. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the hot steam applied to the walls of the container is under pressure, and in that said pressure is used at least partially as energy for the means (516) of biasing mechanical.  10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the mechanical biasing means comprise a movable piston (516) one side of which is exposed to steam under pressure and the other side of which exerts a stress on the container (B).  11. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the mechanical biasing means (712) comprise a drilling means (713) intended to form a hole in at least one wall of the container (B), the container of reduced volume which can thus be crossed by an elongate support element of a plurality of such containers.  12. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a movable body (616) housing means for producing hot steam, a receptacle (614) for a container to be flattened, said receptacle constituting also a guide means for the movable body, a lower surface of which constitutes in cooperation with a fixed bottom (610) of the receptacle the mechanical biasing means.  13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said lower surface of the body essentially comprises in its center a passage (616a) steam ejection.  14. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a housing defining a generally horizontal cavity (812) for a container, a means for producing hot steam opening into a wall (814) of the cavity and a member for pressure (820) capable of flattening the container against a fixed surface located below the cavity.  15. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, for flattening elongated containers having a major axis in a direction generally transverse to said major axis, characterized in that the mechanical biasing means comprise at least one roller (1016; 1126) pressed against a side of the container and moving essentially parallel to the major axis thereof.  16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the roller (1016) can slide relative to two arms (1014) articulated on a fixed part (1010) of the apparatus.  17. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises:  a feed hopper (1210) for receiving a plurality of containers to be flattened;  means for producing hot steam (1220) opening into a space located at the base of the hopper and intended to receive a container,  near said space, drive and pinching means (1230) of a softened container to bring it into a flattened state, and  in an exit region of said drive and nip means, a space (1260) for grouping a plurality of flattened containers.  18. Apparatus according to claim 17, for flattening elongated containers with a neck, having a major axis in a direction generally transverse to said major axis, characterized in that the containers are arranged in the hopper (1210) essentially horizontally and parallel to each other. others, with the same orientation, in that there is provided in a wall defining said space situated at the base of the hopper an orifice for ejecting hot steam, and in that there are means (1212) for position the neck of a container located in said space to the right of said orifice.  19. Apparatus according to one of claims 17 and 18, characterized in that the drive and clamping means comprise at least one strip (1230) passing over rollers (1232) at least one of which is capable of being driven in rotation to move the strip, a range of said strip at least provided located between two rollers defining the gripping means.  20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that there are provided two bands (1230) respectively having, between two associated rollers (1232), convergent bearing surfaces towards one another in the direction of movement of the bands.  21. Apparatus according to one of claims 19 and 20, characterized in that the strip or strips have reliefs facilitating the entrainment of the container.  22. Apparatus according to one of claims 17 to 21, in particular for polyethylene containers, characterized in that it further comprises, between the drive and pinching means and space for grouping a plurality of containers flattened, pressing and cooling means (1250).  23. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the cooling means comprise two facing plates (1250) and means for selectively spreading and bringing the two plates together.  24. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, for flattening elongated containers having a major axis in a direction generally transverse to said major axis, characterized in that the mechanical biasing means comprise two plates (914a, 914b) articulated one to the other along an axis essentially parallel to said major axis and defining between them a space for a container.  25. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, for flattening elongated containers having a major axis in a direction generally transverse to said major axis, characterized in that the mechanical biasing means comprise two plates parallel to each other and to long axis of a container positioned between them.  26. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the mechanical biasing means make use at least partially of the energy of elastic means.  27. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the mechanical biasing means comprise means (1314, 1318) for establishing a vacuum in the interior volume of the container.  28. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 27, characterized in that it comprises means for affixing on the containers treated by the apparatus information allowing identification of the apparatus, in particular for drawing lots.