JP2017012955A - Classification apparatus and classification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized apparatus which classifies a can, a bottle and a PET bottle.SOLUTION: A classification apparatus is provided that comprises: a first region 11 in which an iron can, an aluminum can, a PET bottle and a bottle are aligned; a second region 12 in which the iron can is separated and collected; a third region 13 in which the aluminum can is separated and collected; a fourth region 14 in which the PET bottle is separated and collected; and a fifth region 15 in which the bottle is separated and collected. A classification method is also provided that comprises: a first step of aligning an iron can, an aluminum can, a PET bottle and a bottle; a second step of separating and collecting the iron can; a third step of separating and collecting the aluminum can; a fourth step of separating and collecting the PET bottle; and a fifth step of separating and collecting the bottle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus and a sorting method. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for separating cans, bottles, and PET bottles.

  Used cans, bottles, and plastic bottles are collected from vending machines and shops. These are separated and recycled. Conventionally, there has been an apparatus for separating these. A conventional sorting device (Patent Document 1) transports a large number of cans and bottles by a belt conveyor and sorts them. Many cans and bottles are placed on a belt conveyor and transported, while iron cans are separated by magnetism, aluminum cans are separated by a metal sensor, and finally the bins are collected.

JP-A-11-171303

However, the conventional sorting apparatus is a large facility. Furthermore, the plastic container could not be separated.
This invention makes it a subject to classify | categorize a can, a bottle, and a plastic bottle with a small apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first region for aligning aluminum cans, plastic bottles and bottles, a second region for separating and recovering iron cans, a third region for separating and recovering aluminum cans, and separating and recovering PET bottles A separation device including a fourth region to be collected and a fifth region to collect the bin.

  A first step of aligning the aluminum can, the plastic bottle and the bottle; a second step of separating and collecting the iron can; a third step of separating and collecting the aluminum can; a fourth step of separating and collecting the plastic bottle; And a fifth step of collection.

  In the separation apparatus and method of the present invention, cans, bottles and plastic bottles can be separated with a small apparatus. Furthermore, as an ability to separate cans, bottles, and plastic bottles, it can be sorted without over 90% error.

(A) Side view of the sorting apparatus of Embodiment 1, (b) Plan view of the sorting apparatus of the embodiment Flow chart of sorting device (A) Sectional drawing of 1st area | region of Embodiment 1, (b) Plan view of 1st area | region of Embodiment (A)-(b) Sectional drawing of 1st area | region of Embodiment 1, (c) Top view of 1st area | region of Embodiment (A)-(f) Sectional drawing of 2nd area | region of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A)-(d) Sectional drawing of 3rd area | region of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A)-(c) Sectional drawing of 4th area | region of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A)-(b) Sectional drawing of 4th area | region of Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure explaining the boundary from the 1st field of Embodiment 1 to the 2nd field (A)-(d) The figure explaining 1st area | region of Embodiment 2. FIG. (A)-(b) The figure explaining the separation apparatus of Embodiment 3

(Embodiment 1)
(Overall structure)
An example of the sorting apparatus 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). FIGS. 1A and 1B are a side view and a plan view of the sorting apparatus 100, respectively.
The first area 11 is a receiving part. Accepts iron cans, aluminum cans, bottles, and plastic bottles that are objects to be separated. Align the objects to be sorted. Send to the second area 12.

The second area 12 is an area for separating the iron can at the magnetic part 17.
The third region 13 is a region where the detection unit 18 and the first removal unit 19 separate aluminum cans. The fourth region 14 is a region where the second removing unit 20 separates the plastic bottle.

The fifth area 15 is a part for collecting the last remaining bin.
The second region 12 and the third region 13 may be in the reverse order. In the second area 12 to the fifth area 15, there is a collection unit 9. The collection units 9 are containers for collecting iron cans, aluminum cans, bottles, and plastic bottles, respectively. In the second area 12 to the fifth area 15, there is a transport unit 16. One belt conveyor or a plurality of belt conveyors may be connected.

(Whole process)
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart. In the first step, first, the collected separation objects (iron cans, aluminum cans, bottles, PET bottles) are placed in the first region 11. Align cans, bottles and plastic bottles in a row. Align the longitudinal direction of each object to be sorted. The aligned cans, bottles, and plastic bottles are delivered to the second region 12.

In the second step, the iron can is taken out and collected by the magnetic unit 17 from the iron can, aluminum can, bottle, and plastic bottle. Deliver aluminum cans, bottles, and PET bottles to the third step.
In the third step, aluminum is detected by a sensor from an aluminum can, a bottle, and a plastic bottle, and the aluminum can is taken out and collected. A bottle and a plastic bottle are handed over to the 4th process.

In the fourth step, the plastic bottle is taken out and collected from the bottle and the plastic bottle. Separate the bottle and bottle with air pressure. Pass the bin to the fifth step.
In the fifth step, the remaining bins are collected.

(First region 11)
The first region 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3 </ b> B, and 4 </ b> A to 4 </ b> C. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B change to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4C, respectively.

  3A and 4A are cross-sectional views. FIG. 3B and FIG. 4C are plan views. FIG. 4B is a side view. In the 1st field 11, there is a lift part 35, and iron can 4, aluminum can 3, plastic bottle 2, and bottle 1 are arranged in one direction.

<Configuration>
The first region 11 includes a first inclined portion 33, a second inclined portion 34, and a lift portion 35. As for the 1st inclination part 33 and the 2nd inclination part 34, the flat plate is arrange | positioned diagonally. In the lower part between the first inclined part 33 and the second inclined part 34, there is a lift part 35 that is movable in the vertical direction. The lift part 35 moves up and down through the opening 30 between the first inclined part 33 and the second inclined part 34.
There is a moving mechanism 31 on the upper surface of the lift 35. The iron can 4, the aluminum can 3, the plastic bottle 2, and the bottle 1 are randomly placed on the first inclined portion 33 and the second inclined portion 34.
Either the first inclined portion 33 or the second inclined portion 34 may be in the vertical direction. That is, there may be one inclined portion.

<Process>
If the lift part 35 moves upward from the state of Fig.3 (a), it will be in the state of Fig.4 (a)-FIG.4 (c). The iron can 4, the aluminum can 3, the PET bottle 2, and the bottle 1 are arranged in a line (in a straight line) on the moving mechanism 31 on the upper part of the lift part 35 (FIG. 4B).

Thereafter, the iron can 4, the aluminum can 3, the plastic bottle 2, and the bottle 1 are driven out to the second region 12 by the moving mechanism 31. That is, the moving mechanism 31 is a belt conveyor or the like, and moves the object on it. The moving mechanism may be other methods. A mechanism that pushes out a can, a bottle, a plastic bottle, or the like with a pin or the like may be used.
In addition, the upper part of the moving mechanism 31 is concave and can hold a can, a bottle, a plastic bottle, or the like.

If the can, bottle, or plastic bottle does not go to the second region 12 and is clogged, it is indicated or notified that the state is an emergency by a sensor (not shown).
In FIG. 3A, the lower end of the first inclined portion 33 and the lower end of the second inclined portion 34 are shifted in the height position of the lowermost end. The iron can 4, the aluminum can 3, the plastic bottle 2, and the bottle 1 are placed on the lift part 35 without clogging from one side.

In addition, after the lift part 35 raises and provides a can etc., it falls again and returns. When descending, push out the cans to the sides and move down.
(Second region 12)
The 2nd field 12 is explained using Drawing 5 (a)-Drawing 5 (f). FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D to FIG. 5F are cross-sectional views of the second region 12 in different scenes. In the 2nd field 12, an iron can is separated and collected from an iron can, an aluminum can, a PET bottle, and a bottle.

  5A and 5D show a state where the iron can 4 is sent to the second region 12 by the transport unit 16. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5E, the iron can 4 is attracted to the magnet 52 and attached to the belt 51. Thereafter, the belt 51 is carried. At the place where the magnetism 52 is lost, the iron can 4 is dropped from the belt 51 and collected (FIGS. 5C and 5F).

A protrusion 53 is provided on the belt 51. The protrusion 53 ensures that the iron can 4 is sent to the magnet 52.
(Third region 13)
The 3rd field 13 is explained using Drawing 6 (a)-Drawing 6 (d). FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D are cross-sectional views of the third region 13. In the 3rd field 13, an aluminum can is separated and collected from an aluminum can, a plastic bottle, and a bottle.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B show a state where the aluminum can 3 has been sent to the third region 13 by the transport unit 16. The detection unit 18 detects that the aluminum can 3 is made of aluminum. Thereafter, when the first removal unit 19 is reached in FIG. 6C, the aluminum can 3 is removed from the transport unit 16 with compressed air and collected (FIG. 6D).

You may exclude the aluminum can 3 from the conveyance part 16 with a pin, a rod, etc. instead of compressed air.
(Fourth region 14)
The fourth region 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are cross-sectional views of the fourth region 14. A second removal unit 20 is provided in the fourth region 14. In the fourth region, the PET bottle is separated and collected from the PET bottle and the bottle.

  FIG. 7A shows a state in which the PET bottle 2 has been sent to the fourth region 14 by the transport unit 16. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the plastic bottle 2 is sent to the second removal unit 20. At this time, the plastic bottle 2 is dropped from the transport unit 16 by the air pressure from the second removal unit 20. Although the 2nd removal part 20 may always take out the compressed air, it may detect the PET bottle 2 and the bottle 1, and may take out compressed air at the timing.

The output of the second removal unit 20 needs to be set so that the PET bottle 2 is skipped but the bin 1 is not skipped. Since the bottle 1 is heavy in terms of density and the plastic bottle 2 is light in terms of density, compressed air can be easily set.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, the plastic bottle 2 is excluded from the transport unit 16.

Here, it is preferable that the conveyance part 16 inclines. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views. From the state of FIG. 8A, the PET bottle 2 is removed from the transport unit 16 by air pressure by the second removal unit 20. As a result, FIG.
Moreover, since the conveyance part 16 inclines, the can, the bottle 1, and the plastic bottle 2 can move toward a fixed side, and are stabilized.

(Fifth region 15)
As can be seen in FIG. 1, the fifth region 15 collects the bin 1 that has not been separated and collected in the previous region from the transport unit 16. It is only necessary to arrange a collection box at the end of the transport unit 16. An elastic body such as a cushion may be provided in the collection box so that the bin 1 at the time of collection is not broken.

  FIG. 9 is a view of the first region 11 as viewed from the second region 12. The place where the aluminum can 3 moves from the moving mechanism 31 to the transport unit 16 is shown. To move between the two objects, there is a curtain 32 so that it does not fall to the side. Even if the aluminum can 32 is displaced to the side surface by the curtain 32, it is directed to the center of the moving mechanism 31.

The second region 12 and the third region 13 may be in the reverse order.
The separation device according to the embodiment can cope with a deformed can and bottle. The order of separation may be changed. However, the last is the collection of the bottle. Either a can, a bottle or a plastic bottle may be omitted.

The iron can is not only for beverages but also for food (fish, meat, etc.). The PET bottle includes not only beverages but also PET bottles such as seasonings. Aluminum cans and bottles are also included for various purposes.
In this method and apparatus, when the above four types were classified, 95% or more could be definitely classified. In the sorter generally used, it is about 50%.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (d). The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the alignment portion 21 of the first region 11. The other parts are the same.
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are cross-sectional views perpendicular to the moving direction of the separation object.
FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view parallel to the moving direction of the separation target.
FIG. 10D is a plan view.

In the first embodiment, the lift portion 35 moves up and down, but in the second embodiment, the lift portion 35 is fixed so as to lean against the second region 12 obliquely.
The lift 35 includes a moving part 61 and a non-moving part 62. The moving part 61 and the non-moving part 62 constitute one set, and the two sets constitute a triangular prism shaped receiver. The iron can 4, the aluminum can 3, the plastic bottle 2, and the bottle 1 are received in the triangular column-shaped portion.

The surface of the moving unit 61 moves. For example, a belt conveyor. The surface does not slip. The surface is like rubber and the object to be separated does not slip.
On the other hand, the surface of the non-moving part 62 does not move and is a surface with low frictional resistance. For example, the surface is polished with a metal plate. The separation object is easy to slide on it.
An iron can 4, an aluminum can 3, a plastic bottle 2, and a bottle 1 (hereinafter, a separation object) are placed below the lift portion 35. The surface of the moving part 61 moves upward. The object to be sorted moves upward. At this time, the separation object existing on the surface of the non-moving part 62 moves to the separation object moving upward.

As the lift portion 35 is moved upward, the number of separation objects existing on the surface of the non-moving portion 62 decreases. At the final upper end of the lift part 35, the separation objects are arranged in one row. Sorting objects can be passed to the second region 12 in one row. Not all need to be in one row. Even if there are several cases of two rows, it can be drawn into one row by a metal plate such as a guide at the entrance of the second region 12 portion. The objects to be sorted are aligned in the longitudinal direction. However, even if they are not completely aligned, they can narrow their mouths and align their directions when passing to the next area.
In FIG. 10A, the width d of the surface of the moving unit 61 in contact with the separation object is narrower than one or more widths of the separation object. This is because the separation objects are arranged in a line. The width of the separation object is preferably considered as an average width.

It is preferable to provide a gap 66 between the two sets of the moving part 61 and the non-moving part 62. Dust and the like can be excluded from the gap 66. The gap 66 is smaller than the minimum width of the separation object.
A place for receiving the separation object of the lift part 35 is provided with a receiving part 63. It is wider than the non-moving part 62 and can receive many separation objects. The receiving part 63 is plate-like like the non-moving part 62, and the non-moving part 62 may be extended.
When the order of the regions is changed as in the third embodiment, the lift unit 35 is fixed so as to lean against the third region 13 instead of the second region 12.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. Matters not described are the same as in the first and second embodiments.
The difference from the first and second embodiments is that the second area 12 is in front (upstream) of the first area 11. The separation object is first introduced into the second region 12 (introduction section).

FIG. 11A is a side view of the sorting device. The second area 12 is located in front of the first area 11. The 2nd field 12 is constituted by a belt conveyor, and magnetic part 17 is located in the end (downstream side). A separation object is placed on the second region 12. The object to be separated moves to the right on the belt conveyor and changes direction at the end. The iron can 4 is attracted by the magnetic part 17 located at the end. As a result, it is collected by the collection unit 9. On the other hand, the other separation object moves to the first area 11.
The movement of the separation object is indicated by an arrow.

FIG.11 (b) is a top view of the modification of the sorting apparatus of Fig.11 (a). The difference is that the second region 12 (introducing portion 65) is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the separation target.
This makes the sorting device compact.
(Note)
The above embodiments can be combined.

As a sorting device, it can be used to sort sorting objects in a wide variety of fields.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bin 2 PET bottle 3 Aluminum can 4 Iron can 9 Collection | recovery part 11 1st area | region 12 2nd area | region 13 3rd area | region 14 4th area | region 15 5th area | region 16 Conveyance part 17 Magnetic part 18 Detection part 19 1st removal part 20 1st 2 removing section 31 moving mechanism 33 inclined section 34 inclined section 35 lift section 46 moving section 51 belt 52 magnetism 53 projection 100 sorting device

Claims (10)

A first region for aligning the aluminum can, the plastic bottle and the bottle;
A second region for separating and collecting iron cans;
A third region for separating and collecting the aluminum can;
A fourth region for separating and collecting the plastic bottle;
A fifth region for collecting the bin;
Sorting device including. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the first region, the aluminum can, the pet bottle, and the bottle are arranged in a straight line. The sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein sorting is performed in the order of the second area, the first area, the third area, the fourth area, and the fifth area. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the first region, the iron can, the aluminum can, the plastic bottle, and the bottle are aligned. The sorting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein sorting is performed in the order of the first area, the second area, the third area, the fourth area, and the fifth area. The separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the fourth region, the plastic bottle and the bottle are separated by air pressure. 7. The first area according to claim 1, wherein the first area has an obliquely arranged lift part connected to the second area, and an upper part of the lift part is connected to the second area or the third area. The sorting apparatus according to any one of the above. A first step of aligning the aluminum can, the plastic bottle and the bottle;
A second step of separating and recovering the iron can;
A third step of separating and collecting the aluminum can;
A fourth step of separating and collecting the plastic bottle;
A fifth step of collecting the bottle;
Sorting method including. The separation method according to claim 8, wherein in the first step, the iron can, the aluminum can, the plastic bottle, and the bottle are aligned. The separation method according to claim 8, wherein the separation is performed in the order of the second step, the first step, the third step, the fourth step, and the fifth step.

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