FR2959334A1 - MULTIFUNCTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-function system comprising a first module (1) for automatic distribution of articles and a second module (21) for recovering used or unusable tennis balls and / or tubes of empty tennis balls.

Description

MULTIFUNCTION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to the field of automatic distribution of articles, including sports balls, and more particularly the field of storage, storage and recycling of sports balls, including tennis balls tubes. The tennis balls consist of 53 grams of rubber and textile felt that wilt quite quickly. It is also the most renewed consumable because of its rather short life. In France, around fifteen million bullets are sold each year, making tennis the fifth most polluting sport (Sport et Vie Magazine - January 2007). The player's game is affected by a ball that loses its elasticity and has erratic behavior. Thus, the club competitor exhausts the qualities of a tennis ball in two to four hours of play, while in international tournaments, each ball can be used only for nine games in accordance with the legislation in force (seven to nine games on ATP circuit in forty five minutes of play). It follows from the above that the type of balls sought by the player will depend on his level of play. It is therefore obvious that if the major competitors and professionals are indifferent to the parameters of longevity and cost price for the benefit of exceptional quality, it is not the same for the regular player who asks the ball a level of good performance with a satisfactory longevity. The occasional player or beginner is content with a low-end ball whose quality decline is necessarily offset by a significant decrease in the selling price. It should be noted that the balls that are popular in tennis clubs are above all quality balls. To date, the tubes of tennis balls are mainly distributed via large sports distribution stores, specialized sports equipment stores. Mail order and internet media remain alternatives that are still secondary because they are emerging. In tennis clubs, a more or less organized provision of balls tubes sometimes allows the player to buy new balls in situ. Tennis clubs mainly buy from major retailers their stock of pressurized bullets in the form of 18, 24 or 36-tube cartons or in the form of barrels of bullets. The tubes are intended for the vast majority to meet the needs of these clubs in the context of tournaments and competitions they organize throughout the year, then for sale to their members.

The observation of uses within the clubs shows that none of the distribution networks is fully satisfactory, especially for reasons of geographical proximity and management. Indeed, unsecured service throughout the range of opening of the courts, the availability of staff or volunteers according to the organizational scheme of the clubs, cash or cash issues, with inherent difficulties in the management stocks make it difficult for tennis players to get new tennis balls. In addition, another major problem that arises in tennis clubs in particular, concerns the storage conditions and recycling of balls. It appears that the storage of bullets in inappropriate premises, that is to say that can suffer significant temperature differences can alter the properties of tennis balls. Also, it is essential to ensure that the properties of tennis balls remain constant and unchanged before use.

It is true that tennis balls are, even before their use, unusable in game situation. The changes in the properties of the balls may be due to environmental factors such as in particular significant differences in temperature, humidity and / or pressure. Similarly, the tubes of tennis balls, depending on the materials that compose them, may also undergo changes in shape under certain pressure and / or temperature conditions, making the product unfit for sale. The collection or recovery of tennis balls and tubes of tennis balls for recycling is also a problem in tennis clubs. To date, there are no solutions with low carbon impact. We know document FR2 620 548, the use in a tennis club, a vending machine in a monitored premises to deliver bullets contained in their original tube via a coin mechanism. Also known from document FR 2 604 277, automatic dispensers of tennis balls tubes of great strength. These vending machines are, according to this document, equally suited to be placed outdoors, in a closed environment or on the tennis courts. Finally, the document FR 2 616 566 also discloses an apparatus for dispensing tubes containing tennis balls.

However, none of the distributors according to the above documents include the possibility of recovering the tubes of tennis balls or the used or unusable tennis balls.

Also, a goal that the present invention has set itself is to provide a system for both delivering articles and in particular tennis balls and / or tubes of tennis balls, while offering the possibility of recovering within said system of tubes of tennis balls or even used or unusable tennis balls, this for their future recycling. The invention therefore has as its first object a multifunctional system comprising: a first automatic article distribution module; and a second module for recovering used or unusable tennis balls and / or tubes of empty tennis balls.

Indeed, the Applicant has been able to highlight that by associating within the same system, a function of automatic distribution of articles, including tennis articles such as tennis balls and / or bullet tubes of tennis, and a function of recovery of the tubes of empty tennis balls and used or unusable balls, it becomes possible to answer a wait of the clubs of tennis in term of services of proximity. Similarly, the function of recovering tubes of empty tennis balls and used or unusable balls allows clubs to be part of a sustainable development approach to reduce waste management costs and their carbon footprint. Indeed, once the waste recovered at a single point, the restocking of said waste and the collection of bullets can be done synchronously in a single operation. Preferably, the first distribution module and the second recovery module are held together. Advantageously, the collection or recovery of the tubes of empty tennis balls and used or unusable bales can be combined with the supply of the distribution part of the system, the two stages being carried out in a single operation by the service provider.

None of the documents of the state of the art suggest to combine, within a single system, a distribution module and a recovery module. The invention also relates to a method for dispensing and recovering sports balls comprising the steps of filling a first automatic article distribution module; distribution of the said articles against payment of a corresponding sum; and recovering used or unusable tennis balls, tubes of empty tennis balls and / or other organic or inorganic wastes. The third object of the invention is the use of an automatic multifunctional system for dispensing tubes of balls and tennis balls, recovering and / or reducing said tubes and tennis balls, before their recycling. Finally, the fourth object of the invention is a tube of tennis balls stored in a system according to the invention. Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be better understood on reading the description and the following preferred embodiments, which are not limiting to the object and scope of the present patent application and are written. with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically, a front view of an embodiment of the multifunctional system according to the invention; FIG. 2 schematically represents a front view of a second embodiment of the multifunctional system according to the invention; FIG. 3 represents a front view of tennis ball tubes before and after the reduction of their size by crushing; FIGS. 4 to 9 represent front views of different alternatives of tools for measuring the performance of the possible usable bales; FIG. 10 represents a sagittal view of a device for filtering tennis balls according to the invention; - Figures 11 and 12 show different clamping systems to maintain a constant spacing between the rails of the filtering device tennis balls; and - Figure 13 shows a sagittal view of a clamping system to maintain a constant spacing between the rails of the tennis ball filter device. Figures 1 and 2 show different possible alternatives of realization of multifunctional automatic systems according to the invention. Thus, according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the systems comprise a first article dispensing module 1, allowing the distribution of articles such as, for example, sports balls or tubes comprising sports balls 3. Said articles 3 are arranged on shelves 2 and can be delivered to a product and / or coin recovery tank 5 by a motorized elevator 4 in an X and Y plane. Preferably, the elevator is activated after insertion of the corresponding sum in a payment means 7 and after composition of the code for delivering the chosen product to a selection keyboard 6. The systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 also contain a second module for recovering used or unusable tennis balls and / or tubes of empty tennis balls 21. The recovery of tennis balls and tubes can be performed by the same input 12 as shown in Figure 1, or by two inputs 12, 13 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Among the articles that may be delivered by the first module 1 according to the invention, mention may also be made of the refrigable products chosen from tennis accessories, drinks and / or Food. As non-limiting examples of tennis accessories, mention may be made of overgrips, antivibration or antiperspirant wrists. As non-limiting examples of drinks, mention may be made of mineral waters, fruit juices or sodas, in conventional sizes of 25 cl, 33 cl, 50 cl or 125 cl. As non-limiting examples of foods, mention may be made of products enriched in carbohydrate intake, especially products adapted to sports such as mineral waters energy.

Preferably, the sports balls delivered by the first module 1 are tennis balls. More preferably, said tennis balls are contained in tubes, also called boxes of tennis balls. Among the other distribution mechanisms that can be used for the first module 1 according to the invention, mention may be made by way of non-limiting example of the spirals, the conveyor belts or the turnstiles. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably, the distribution mechanism of the first module 1 according to the invention is a motorized elevator in an X and Y plane, more preferably the elevator consists of a robotic arm system. in a plane in X and Y. This distribution mechanism has the advantage of delivering the products smoothly thanks to its robotic arm system. Preferably, the first module 1 according to the invention further comprises a payment means. As non-limiting examples of means of payment, there may be mentioned coin changers, card readers, acceptors of tickets or contactless payments. Advantageously, the payment means is a coin mechanism 7 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. By way of non-limiting example of a card reader, mention may be made of credit card readers and the electronic purse such as in particular the Moneo® wallet available in France. The dispensing module 1 according to the invention may preferably contain between 10 and 100 rows of balls or tubes of balls, each row comprising between 4 and 30 balls or tubes of balls. More preferably, the module 1 comprises between 20 and 64 rows of balls or tubes of tubes of balls, each row comprising between 6 and 10 balls or tubes of balls. Advantageously, the height of the first module 1 according to the invention is between 1200 and 2400 mm, preferably between 1400 and 2000 mm, more preferably, the height is 1830 mm. The width of the first module 1 according to the invention is preferably between 400 and 1600 mm, more preferably between 750 and 990 mm. The depth of the first module 1 according to the invention is preferably between 400 and 1500 mm, more preferably, the depth is about 870 to 880 mm.

The weight of the first module 1 according to the invention is preferably between 200 and 1000 kg, more preferably, the weight is about 400kg. According to the invention, the system further includes a waste recovery module 21. In order to be part of an ecological approach, the system according to the invention is also capable of recovering not only used or unusable tennis balls, but also the tubes of empty tennis balls, as well as the various wastes, that is to say organic or inorganic, left by the players on the courts such as cans of drinks or bottles. Advantageously, the second module 21 according to the invention recovers other organic or inorganic waste, by the same inputs 12 and / or 13, or by one or more additional inputs 14 as shown in FIG. means fermentable waste. These are residues of plant or animal origin that can be degraded by the micro-organisms for which they represent a source of food. They include plants, putrescible waste, soiled paper and cardboard. Inorganic waste is defined as solid waste based on glass, paper, metal and plastics. As non-limiting examples of inorganic waste, mention may be made of recyclable products such as beverage cans, plastic or glass bottles or cardboard bricks. Preferably, the waste recovery module 21 must be able to recover all the components of tennis balls and tubes of tennis balls. Thus, said recovery module is particularly suitable for recovering materials of tinplate, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Advantageously, the height of the second module 21 according to the invention is between 1200 and 2400 mm, preferably between 1400 and 2000 mm, more preferably, the height is 1830 mm. The width of the second module 21 according to the invention is preferably between 150 and 1200 mm, more preferably between 200 and 400 mm.

The depth of the second module 21 according to the invention is preferably between 400 and 1500 mm, more preferably, the depth is about 870 to 880 mm. The weight of the second module 21 according to the invention is preferably between 20 and 1000 kg, more preferably, the weight is about 70 kg. Advantageously, said second module has a capacity to contain the volume equivalent of the tennis ball content of the first module according to the invention. According to a first alternative as illustrated in FIG. 1, the waste recovery module 21 comprises a single inlet 12. This unique entry has the advantage of reducing the space requirement, the manufacturing, maintenance and energy consumption costs. According to a second alternative, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the waste recovery module 21 comprises several inputs 12, 13 and / or 14. This plurality of inputs makes it possible to perform selective sorting of the balls, tubes and / or or waste and this, before the collection step for recycling. Advantageously, the waste recovery module 21 also incorporates a reducer for bales, tubes and / or waste.

The reduction can advantageously be carried out by crushing or shredding. The crushing has the advantage of reducing the volume of waste, up to 75% reduction for metal bullet tubes, as shown in Figure 3. The shredding has the advantage of reducing the volume of waste types balls, tubes of plastic balls, and this, with a high efficiency. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the system according to the invention also includes, instead, in addition, or integrated in the waste recovery module 21, a module for measuring the performance of tennis balls. Indeed, the quality of the balls is an important element for the level of play but also for the comfort of the user. According to a first alternative, among the tools for measuring the performance of tennis balls that can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the use of a weight system as illustrated in FIG. 4. According to this system, the system effort is provided by the use of weights sized according to the value of the effort required, and by gravity. This system makes it possible to apply a perfectly constant force on the ball, while being reliable and easy to use. According to a second alternative, among the tools for measuring the performance of tennis balls that can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the use of a pneumatic or hydraulic jack as illustrated in FIG.

According to this system, the effort is provided by the use of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder double effect. This system makes it possible to apply a constant force on the ball during the entire test and offers a possibility of adjusting the level of effort by simply adjusting the pressure in the cylinder.

According to a third alternative, among the tools for measuring the performance of tennis balls that can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the use of an electric jack as shown in FIG. 6. This system allows fine adjustment of the parameters such as speed or effort and can significantly reduce the number of parts making up the cylinder. According to a fourth alternative, among the tools for measuring the performance of tennis balls that can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the use of an electric motor as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. According to this system, the effort is provided by the use of an electric motor whose torque is kept constant. The rotary motion is transformed into linear motion by means of a mechanical system. The possible variants may for example be of the rack or pinion type as illustrated in FIG. 7, of the cam system type as illustrated in FIG. 8 or of other variants as illustrated in FIG. 9. This system allows a fine adjustment of the level of effort and offers the possibility of having several possible solutions to transform the motor torque in linear force. Preferably, in order to protect the system from malfeasance, it is best to filter the objects at the entrance of the module measuring the performance of the tennis balls, so that only the tennis balls are tested and the other objects are redirected to the output without going through this test phase. This filtering can be carried out either by a control of the diameter of the tennis ball, or by a control of the weight of the tennis ball, or by a visual control, that is to say of the shape or the color of the ball. More preferably, the filtering is performed by simple control of the diameter of the ball. According to this device, it is possible to filter the objects according to their size: too small, correct, too big. According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 10, the tennis ball filtering device makes it possible to roll the object introduced into the second module onto two inclined parallel rails whose spacing has been previously adjusted. Objects that are too narrow fall into a recycling bin while other objects continue to run on the rails. Thus, using two portions of rails, with different spacings E and E2, the balls can be separated from all objects. According to the invention, the filtration procedure may comprise two phases. In the first phase, spacing E allows objects that are too narrow to fall into a bin before being redirected to the exit. The second phase corresponding to the E2 spacing allows the tennis balls to fall into a bin while the oversized objects continue to roll on the rails before being redirected to the exit. This device is interesting in that it uses only gravity to filter objects. In addition, the number of parts needed is reduced to a minimum. According to the invention, the spacing between the rails must advantageously be able to be adjusted simply and quickly by a person in charge of the maintenance of the system. Indeed, the design was made in such a way that only a conventional screwdriver or key type tooling is required for adjusting the spacings E and E2.

To make this adjustment, several technical solutions are possible. Preferably, a pivoting system with screw and / or spring is used as illustrated in FIG. 11, a screw tightening system and oblong holes as illustrated in FIG. 13 or a system using the elastic deformation of the as is illustrated in FIG. 12. In a still preferred manner, the screw-tightening system with oblong holes is used as illustrated in FIG. 11. This system has the particular advantage of partly eliminating the problems related to the adjustment. the distance between the rails. Indeed, even in case of deformation of the frame, the spacing remains constant. According to the invention, the system can be arranged inside or outside. When the system is disposed outside, it is preferentially energetically autonomous. Energy autonomy is also part of a sustainable development approach. In addition to the convenience (the terminal placed outside can not be systematically connected to the network), the autonomy represents a significant argument. Thus, preferably, the energy autonomy of the system according to the invention is obtained by the use of a photovoltaic solar system. Advantageously, the system according to the invention further comprises a communication module also called Media Player. Said communication module is preferably integrated at the system level and comprises an integrated dynamic screen with directional sound. Said communication module may in particular allow the broadcasting of programs or advertising spots.

Advantageously, the communication module receives information relayed by satellite and / or line carrier (CPL), that is to say that it simply requires a connection to the mains socket. This allows for ultra-light maintenance, self-healing functions, remote-controlled information dissemination and telematic management. For example, this dematerialized communication makes it possible to save on publication costs in particular, allows an acceleration of exchanges within the sector and is also part of a sustainable development approach, insofar as it reduces waste. related to the publication of information. The communication module is advantageously a Tenniscreen® media which makes it possible in particular to broadcast an audiovisual loop of regularly updated quality, free spaces reserved for the communication of the club, the league or, for example, the French Tennis Federation. As a non-limiting example of the Media Player 10 that can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the models marketed by SpinetixTM, in particular the HMP100TM. According to another embodiment of the invention, the second module 21 also comprises a coin mechanism 7 and a selection keyboard 6, as detailed above. Advantageously, the system according to the invention may furthermore contain: one or more screens and / or one or more cutouts for payment system 8 as illustrated in FIG. 2; one or more returns 9 as shown in Figure 2; one or more closure valves as shown in Figure 2; one or more wall fasteners 11 as illustrated in Figure 2 to maintain fixed first and second modules 1 and 21 one or more showcases, preferably thermo-insulating panoramic windows. advantageously, the first module according to the invention comprises an electronic refrigeration system or thermostat. Preferably, the refrigeration system is electronically refrigerated and De allows to have a temperature between + 6 ° C and + 25 ° C, preferably between + 8 ° C and + 14 ° C . The invention also relates to a method for dispensing and recovering sports balls comprising the steps of filling said first module 1 of article distribution; distribution of the said articles against payment of a corresponding sum; and recovering used or unusable tennis balls, tubes of empty tennis balls and / or other organic or non-organic waste in said second module 21. According to the invention, the method may further comprise a step of used or unusable tennis balls, tubes of empty tennis balls and / or other organic or inorganic wastes are reduced. The reduction can be performed for example by crushing or shredding. Advantageously, the method according to the invention also comprises a step of recycling used or unusable tennis balls, tubes of empty tennis balls and / or other organic or inorganic waste. Preferably, as regards the recycling of tennis balls, recycling can be part of the "yellow ball operation" which consists in: - harvesting the balls during major tennis events in the system according to the invention ; - grind them to obtain aggregates; - Recycle them into sports equipment such as sports mats or sports flooring. Thus, from approximately 40,000 recycled tennis balls, it is possible to obtain approximately 100 m2 of sports flooring. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying figures and the person skilled in the art may be led, by means of routine operations, to make other embodiments not explicitly described. without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Multifunctional system comprising: - a first module (1) for automatic distribution of articles; and a second module (21) for recovering used or unusable tennis balls and / or tubes of empty tennis balls. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the articles are selected from sport balls, tennis ball tubes, tennis accessories, beverages and / or foods. 3. System according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a communication module. 4. System according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a module for reducing the size of the tennis balls by shredding and / or the size of the tubes of tennis balls by crushing. 5. System according to one of the preceding claims, for the recovery and / or reduction of other organic or inorganic waste. 25 6. System according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a module for measuring the performance of tennis balls and / or a solar photovoltaic system to be energetically autonomous. 7. A method of dispensing and recovering sports balls of a multifunction system according to one of claims 1 to 6 comprising the steps of: - filling said first module (1) automatic distribution of articles; - distribution of the said articles against payment of a corresponding sum; and - recovering used or unusable tennis balls, tubes of empty tennis balls and / or other organic or inorganic wastes in said second module (21). 8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a further step in which the used or unusable tennis balls, tubes of empty tennis balls and / or other organic or inorganic waste are reduced and / or recycled. . 9. Use of a multifunction system according to one of claims 1 to 6 for the automatic distribution of tubes of balls and tennis balls, the recovery and / or reduction of said tubes and tennis balls, before recycling. 10. Tube of tennis balls stored in a system according to one of claims 1 to 6.