JPH07115229B2 - Equipment for identification and separation of beverage cans - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for compacting empty beverage cans. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for identification and separation of beverage cans. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for handling and compacting empty beverage cans for recycling.

Such cans are often made of metal, such as aluminum or steel, although some are made of plastic material. Thus, the type of can material should not be construed as limited to the present invention.

A device for compacting empty metal beverage cans is, inter alia, of the type in which the cans are squeezed between the smooth wall and the movable chain means, reducing the space between the wall and the chain means. Such prior devices require high power and generate a lot of noise.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for compacting empty metal beverage cans with minimal power at much lower noise levels than prior art devices.

A device for identifying and separating metal beverage cans is known, inter alia, from US Pat. No. 4,532,859.

However, the present invention provides a functionally simple device for the identification and separation of beverage cans that can operate on a continuous basis as long as unauthorized cans are not accommodated. The apparatus according to US Pat. No. 4,532,859 can be used in a system for handling and compacting empty recycled metal beverage cans, but the invention is for identification and separation of beverage cans. Is preferred.

According to the present invention, a method for compacting empty beverage cans comprises transferring the cans to an operating site of a compaction device, placing the cans substantially parallel to the can abutment surface of the device, and an intermediate portion of the cans. Treating the can in a first consolidation stage using a first pressure acting transversely of the surface to compress the surface, and in the direction of the surface to bring the end face of the can approximately parallel to the surface. Applying second and third acting pressures to the end regions of the can respectively, removing the consolidated can from the site, and collecting the consolidated can.

Preferably, the can undergoes material type detection prior to transfer to the operating site, and if a single material of recycled form is detected, the step is performed. Conversely, if a non-recycled type of material or an undesired material type is detected through the metal detection, the unconsolidated can is returned to the can return site.

An apparatus for compacting empty beverage cans includes an electric motor means, a gear means connected to the output shaft of the electric motor means, a can delivery device for accommodating the can, and placing the accommodating can at an operating site. Means for providing a butt surface for the can at the site, and a first arm movable across the site toward the surface for compressing an intermediate portion of the can against the surface. Means and second and third arms moveable across the site towards the surface to compress the end regions of the can relative to the surface, respectively, to cause the can end surface to be substantially parallel to the surface. Means, gear means for providing synchronous movement of the second and third arm means to and from the surface, and movement of the first arm means with respect to movement of the second and third arm means, and the can falling By retracting movement of the arm means from the surface to establish an exit hole To remove the trap door means at said site, after the can has passed the bore, comprises a reciprocating operating means for closing the bore by the trap door means.

A device for identifying and separating beverage cans comprises a first can output, a second can output, means at the can input for sensing the type of material of the can, electric motor means, horizontal rotation. Having an axis and pivotable in at least one direction through 360 ° by the electric motor means to receive a can at the input and hold the can until delivered at the first or second can output Rotatable can support means having cradle means for moving the can to the either the first can output or the second can output, based on the output signal from the sensing means, the motor means. Processing means capable of controlling the direction of rotation of the can, the first can output being below the can input to return an unacceptable type of can, and the second can output being Located about 180 ° with respect to the can input , Above the operating site for compaction of the can for subsequent processing.

A system for handling and consolidating empty recycled beverage cans distinguishes between recycled and non-recycled cans, means for rejecting non-recyclable cans, and at least one of the consolidated cans. A first device having means for detecting dimension, means for determining a can amortization value based on such detection, first arm means for contacting and compressing an intermediate portion of the can and the rest of the can A second device for compacting the can by the interaction of three arm means consisting of second and third arm means acting on the end regions on opposite sides of the intermediate part for compressing a section of Means for removing the compacted can when the arm means is retracted after each compression action.

Further features of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following claims, in conjunction with the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a consolidation device according to the present invention.

2, 3 and 4 show the steps in the process of compacting a beverage can according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the consolidation device shown in FIG. 1 in which the motor drive is not shown.

6 is a sectional view of FIG. 7 taken along section VI-VI,
And FIG. 7 shows in top view the means for moving the trapdoor means at the compaction site of the can, elements not related to the function of the trapdoor means being removed for simplicity. FIG. 8 shows a functional diagram of an apparatus for identification and separation of beverage cans according to the invention.

9 and 10 are top perspective views of the device of FIG. 8 in two different states of the device.

11 and 12 are front views of the device of FIG. 8 in the condition of the device according to FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a main schematic diagram showing the overall system according to the invention.

A can compacting device according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 and the principle of operation is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

For example, a device for compacting empty metal beverage cans is
It comprises an electric motor means 1 and gear means 2, 3, 4
Cooperate with the output shaft 5 of the electric motor means 1. The motor means are suitably connected to the stand 6 by means of bolts 7. Suitably, the shaft 5 is connected to the motor 1 via a rotary link or gear 8. When a can is delivered to the device from a can delivery device (not shown in FIGS. 1-5 but described below), the can is positioned at the operating site 9. The can is designated in FIGS. 2-5 by the reference numeral 10. The abutting surface 11 at the operating portion is
A counter member is provided when the can is subjected to compression.

The first arm means 12 has a member 11 as shown clearly in FIG.
On the other hand, in order to compress the intermediate part 10 'of the can, it is movable across the operating part towards the member 11. Thus the can
It is noted that when the force acts laterally on the can surface, it is initially compressed in the middle, which is the structurally weakest part of the can. Thus, the first arm means is provided with the initial compression of the can 10 and then the completion of compression or consolidation of the can is provided with the second and third arm means 13 and 14, respectively. The second and third arm means are provided for compressing the end regions 10 ", 10 of the can 10, respectively, as clearly shown in FIG.
It is movable with respect to 11 across the operating site. By the completion of the movement of the second and third arm means 13, 14, the end member of the can 10
15, 15 'are substantially parallel to the member 11, as clearly shown in FIG.

The gear means 2, 3 and 4 are the second and the third which come into contact with and separate from the member 11.
There is provided a synchronous movement of the arm means 13, 14, and movement of the first arm means 12 is associated with movement of the second and third arm means. Suitably, the first gear has a first radius and the second and third
The gears 3 and 4 have a second large radius. The first gear is connected to the output shaft 5 from an electric motor, and the second and third gears 3, 4 rotate at the same speed and in opposite directions.

The second arm means 13 has a support means 16 at one end 13 '.
Hinged to the first end 17 "of the first link means 17 at the other end 13" and pivotally connected to the first end 17 "of the first link means 17 at the other end 17" in the circumferential position. Two gears 3 are pivotally connected. The third arm means 14 is hinged to the support 16 at one end 14 '.
The hinged connection to the support is a stud projecting upwardly from the support means for pivotally engaging the respective arm means.
There are 18 formats. At the other end 14 ", the third arm means
14 is pivotally connected to the first end 19 'of the second link means 19 and the second link means at the other end 19 "is pivotally connected to the third gear 4 in the circumferential position.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 1-5, the first arm means is a substantially V, U or L shaped prismatic two-legged configuration, with one leg 12 'at the free end 12 ". There is provided a slot means 20 pivotally connected to the support means 16 via a stud 18 or equivalent and in the other end region 12 interacting with a slide means 21 in the circumferential position of the third gear means. And the other leg 22 of the first arm means extends from the other end region 12 of the first arm means in the direction toward the abutment surface or member 11 as described above.
The movement of 13 is controlled by the movement of the link means 17 and the second gear means 3. The movement of the arm means 14 is carried out by the link means 19 and the third
It is controlled by the movement of the gear means 4. Finally, the movement of the first arm means 12 includes the movement of the third gear means 4 and the slot means 20.
And the sliding means 21 are controlled by the interaction. As shown in FIG. 1, the first, second and third arm means 12, 1
Each of the 3, 14 has an engaging means 22, 13, 14 respectively for physically contacting the can during consolidation. The total surface area of the engagement means for contacting the can is approximately equal to the longitudinal section of the unconsolidated can.

The stand 6 is connected to the support means 16 using a bracket 23 and bolts 24. Butt surface or counteracting member 11
Is not attached to the support member 16 but instead is attached to the base means or table means 25 below the support means. The support means 16 has a slot 26 in the support means 16.
And a pin 27 that engages the support means 16 and is slidably secured to the base or table means 25 and is slidably coupled to the base or table means 25. The spring means 28 at one end 28 'is an upright edge of the base or table means 25.
25 'and, at the other end 28 ", to the upstanding edge 16' of the support means 16. Thus, the spring 28
Under normal operation tends to pull the support means 16 in the direction of the upstanding edge 25 '. The reason for the mutual sliding ability between the support means 16 and the base or table means 25 is that foreign matter accidentally enters the operating site and the distance between the arm means 12, 13 and 14 and the member 11 is not automatically increased. Then, it is a safety precaution when the compaction device is clogged. Such sliding ability also
Together with the functionally relevant elements, it protects the gears 2, 3, 4 from overload. Such an event may also occur, for example, at the operating site 9
Caused by a non-open liquid canister that penetrates into.

The spring 28 is easily replaced by a suitable elastic member means for urging the base means 16 towards the rim 25 ', such elastic member means yielding in the event of ingress of foreign matter and as described above. It is immediately understood that increasing the space between the arm means 12, 13 and 14 and the member 11.

The pressure detector 66 is shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 13, it is properly positioned between the support bracket 67 behind the member 11 and the member 11. Suitably, the pressure detector 66 is positioned to operate by the action of the third arm means 13 which compresses the corresponding part of the can against the member 11. Such a pressure detector is alternatively or additionally located on a support bracket 68, as indicated by the dotted line 66 ', for operation by the action of the second arm means 12.
However, in many cases such pressure detectors 66 are sensitive to the overall compression of the can by the first, second and third arm means. Thus, positive detection of the compacted can is provided by the pressure sensitive detector 66 (and / or 66 '). Thus, since the amortization rating is not provided until the compaction can exits through the lap door means 29 and into the opening 9 ', the compaction device is substantially captive when operating in the amortization system.

The operating part 9 for compaction of the can has trap door means 29. Before further describing the operation of the trapdoor means, for clarity, the arm means, link means, springs, support means, base or table means described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the operation of the trapdoor means. Note that it is not shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, supporting means
16 is shown to show how the trap door means are arranged on the bottom side of the support means 16. The openings 30 'and 31', which are described more fully below, are thus located in the support means 16. The base or table means 25 is designed so as to never interfere with the operation of the trap door means 29. Thus, the pin 27 also acts as a spacer member between the support means 16 and the base 25, or the base 25 is
A cutout area is provided in the operation area of the trap door means 29.

The trap door means 29 has two cams 30 and 31.
A cam 30 is used to close the opening 9'of the operating site, and a cam 31 is used to leave the opening 9'at the operating site so that the compression or consolidation can falls through it. Used to move the trapdoor 29 out of. No spring means are needed to interact with the movement of the trap door means 29. The pins 32 projecting downward from the bottom side of the gear 4 are positioned so as to alternately engage the cams 30 and 31. Thus, the upright cams 31, 32, only the cam 31 of which is shown in FIG.
It is seen to be movable at 0 ', 31' (not shown in Figures 1-5 for clarity). To obtain a controlled slidability between the trap door means 29 and the support means 16 and the operating part 9, the slots 33, 33 'are respectively provided with
It is provided in the trap door means 29 cooperating with the guide pins 34, 34 '. Also, guide pins 34 ", 34 are provided along the edge 29 'of the trap door means 29. Thus,
It is easy to see that the base or table means 25 does not interfere with the area dominated by the trapdoor means 29.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, a low power motor means 1 is used and a compaction means is provided for completely compressing empty beverage cans which provide low noise. In addition, the device is compact, mechanically simple, requires little or no maintenance, but is safe to operate and foreign objects or whole cans penetrate the space between the member 11 and the arm means 12, 13 and 14. Safe in this case, in this case the assembly unit in the base means including the trap door means 29 is separated from the member 11,
In this way, an opening 9 ', through which foreign matter or all cans fall, is created.

Having thus described the present compaction device, a device according to the invention for identifying whether or not a beverage can to be compacted and separating it is described below.

The device for identification and separation comprises a can input 35, a first can output 36.
And a second can output 37. Sensing means 38 are provided to sense the type of material of the can. Such sensing devices are of the inductive or capacitive type. The rotary can support means 39
It is designed like a drum with a horizontal axis of rotation and which can be swiveled by the electric motor 40 through 360 ° in at least one direction. The rotatable can support means comprises cradle means and, in a preferred embodiment, to each other.
It is in the form of two cradle 41 and 42 separated by 180 °. A logic processing means 43 is provided and is connected to the sensing means 38 and sends an output signal to an electric motor 40 for controlling the rotation direction and rotation angle of the drum 39. The direction of rotation of the motor 40 is based on the output signal from the sensing means 38, and the can is moved to the first direction.
Transfer to either can output 36 or second can output 37. If the sensing means 38 detects that the can is made from an undesired material, the can is not accepted and the drum 39
Is swiveled clockwise through approximately 90 ° as shown in FIG. 13, delivering the cans from the cradle 41 to the first can output 36 and collected by the person placing the cans in the rotary can support means 39. It Also, the can is normally returned to the first can output if it contains foreign material that is considered to be in a form of material other than the material of the can itself, such as a metal nail. Many conventional beverage cans are made exclusively of aluminum or steel, and it is desirable to recycle empty beverage cans. If a recyclable one-material-type can is penetrated into the cradle 41 or 42 adjacent to the can input 35, the drum 39 will act as a means 38.
Upon proper detection by 43, the can 19 can be provided in a counterclockwise manner to the second can output 37, i.e., at the operating portion of a compaction device of the type disclosed, for example, in connection with the description of Figures 1-7 of the drawings. Is spun by a motor 40 by swiveling the drum through approximately 180 ° to deliver
The consolidation device delivers the consolidation can 10 to a collection bottle 44.

Sensing device 38 is powered through line 45 and is
Send the signal back through 45 to the logic processing means. Electric motor 40 is powered through logic means 43 via electrical wires 46 and 47. Suitably, the electric motor 40 is a stepper motor, or the logic processing means includes a timing device to ensure that the electric motor rotates through at least 90 °, so that the reject can can be used in any situation. Is returned to the first can output 36 at. The logic processing means is powered from the mains inlet 48 and the logic processing means is provided with a DC voltage through a rectifier 49. AC
Power is also delivered to the electric motor means 1, such electric motor means being an inexpensive low power AC motor. Alternatively, a DC motor is used, in which case the electric motor means is connected to the output of the rectifier 49.

To determine the amortized value of a recyclable beverage can, the dimension sensing device 50 detects one or more dimensions of the can in the cradle, such as the length and width of the can.
It is placed on drum 39, as shown schematically in FIG. The sensing means 50 is any suitable for detecting such a dimension that can be mounted on the surface of the can as it passes by the rotation from the can input 35 to the second can output 37 by its rotation. Type, for example, a mechanical cam member. Alternatively, the can dimension sensing means 50 is an optical, capacitive or inductive detection device.

The sensing means 50 is linked to the processing means 43 via a line 51. If the sensing device needs power, the power is
It is transmitted from the logic processing means 43 through the line 51.

Based on the input from the sensing means 50, the logic processing means 43
The depreciation value of the can 10 is calculated, it is consolidated based on the output value from the sensing means 50 and the previously stored data in the logic processing means 43, and the redemption value is output to the printer 52, which outputs the receipt 53. Then, the cans are collected by the customer who put them into the rotary can support means 39. Alternatively or additionally,
The sensing means 50 is an image reader capable of reading an imprint on the can, eg a bar code, to accurately determine the type of can to be recycled and the appropriate amortization value. To avoid the possibility of "fooling" the system, the container is not validated (depreciation value) until after reliable detection of can compaction is obtained from the pressure sensitive detector 54.

The apparatus for identifying and separating metal beverage cans, generally disclosed in connection with FIG. 13, is further described in connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention, as more fully shown in FIGS. Described in detail. The reference numbers in FIG. 13 also indicate
It is also used in Figures 8-12 to disclose the same or equivalent elements.

Suitably, the device of FIG. 8 is provided with a shielding means 54 at the output of the second can, which shield directs the can directly to the operating site 9 of the compaction device described above. A butt surface or counteracting member 11 is also shown, and the consolidating action is shown with the first arm means 12 initially engaging the can surface in the central portion of the can 10. If the can detected by the sensing means 38 is not considered to be of the correct type by the logic processing means, the rotatable can support means 39 or drum will rotate in the clockwise direction until the can falls to the first can output 36. To be done. Under normal circumstances, the drum 39 rotates counterclockwise. Suitably, under normal operation, the drum 39 rotates continuously in the counterclockwise direction, collecting the cans 10 at the input 35 and delivering the cans to the output 37 at regular intervals on a continuous basis. In a simple type of sensing means 50, the means is constituted by a cam member 55 that can be mounted on the drum and can surface as shown in FIG. 8 as the can passes through the cam member 55. Fig. 9 and
The use of multiple cam members 55, as shown in FIG. 10, allows the cradle 41 or
The length of the can at 42 can be measured in width (or cross-sectional dimension). To match the cross-sectional diameter of the can with respect to the bottom of the cradle, the can detects the tilt angle of one of the cams, for example by using the shadow image of the cam, and
It is measured by detecting the image with an array of photodetectors 56. Alternatively or additionally, for example, cam member 5
Each cam, as shown in Figure 10 by 5'and 55 ",
It is connected to a microswitch 57 to detect whether it falls in front of and behind the can in the cradle. The central cam member 55 can be mounted on the surface of the can. In a preferred simplified embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 8-12, the member 55 comprises a cradle 41 or 42.
Detects only the length of the can in. In Figures 9-12,
As shown in FIG. 8, the top lid member 58 has been removed for clarity. The device according to FIG. 8 has side panels 59 and 60, an upper front panel 61, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
It has an input tray 62 and a lower front panel 63. See FIG.

In order to avoid liquid-filled or unopened cans, or other foreign cans (which are of the same type of material as the can itself and therefore may not be detected in material type detection) from entering the compaction device, Detecting (via line 70) the motor current of the motor means 40 driving the drum 39 and / or
Alternatively, it is convenient to provide a device for the identification and separation of the beverage cans by means of the motor-driven moment control means 69 which is controlled (via line 71).

As can be readily seen, the weight of the can is related to the total motor moment of the motor 40 (idle moment and additional moment due to can loading on the drum).

Thus, the motor current is a function of the weight of the can located on the drum. Thus, if the sensor means 69 senses a motor current above a set threshold, the holding force moment of the motor is released, so that the drum pivots to the first can outlet 36 and ejects the unacceptable can. To do. Alternatively, the sensor means 69 is set at a specific motor current, thus producing a set motor moment. If the can is of such a weight that the total moment exerted on the motor is greater than the moment provided by the set current, the motor means 40, suitably a stepper motor, the overweight can is the first can. It is slipped back until it exits the drum at output or exit 36.

The front panel is also more clearly seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 relates to the situation in FIG. 9,
The can has just entered the cradle. In FIG. 12, the can 10 is shown returned to the first output 36 due to a non-renewable can.

The side members of the device according to Figures 8 to 12 have side flanges 64,65 with holes or recesses for engagement with screws (not shown).
And the apparatus of Figures 8-12 can be mounted to the base or table means 25 shown in Figures 1 and 5.

At the top of FIGS. 11 and 12, two cog-shaped teeth cooperating with the cam member 55 to properly position the member 55 at selected positions along the length of the can that penetrates the cradle 41 or 42. There are two arrays.

Although the present invention has been described in detail in the context of Figures 1 to 13, it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the device according to the invention does not limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be readily appreciated that variations and modifications can be made.

Thus, the compaction device is used with or without a device for identification and separation of beverage cans, and if used with such a device, the device is no.
The form disclosed in connection with Figures and 13 or any other suitable form of such a device, eg US Pat.
This is the format disclosed in No. 2,859. Also, as disclosed herein, for example, a device for identification and separation of metal beverage cans may be used in a compaction device of a type other than that disclosed herein. However, in the context of the present invention, the described embodiments are to be considered as preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the invention. According to the invention, the compaction device can operate on a continuous basis at the first cycle rate, and if all the sequentially housed cans are of the correct type, where the device operates at the second cycle rate: It will be appreciated that the identification and separation device can also operate on a continuous basis. Thus, asynchronous operation between the two devices can be obtained. Suitably, the cycle rate of the compaction device is higher than the cycle rate of the device for beverage can identification and separation in order to obtain such asynchronous operation.

When a synchronous operation is desired, the control of the motor means 40 and the position of the drum cradle 41 or 42 are linked to the operation of the detector 66, the can has an empty operating part 9 and the arm means 11 ...
The operating part 9 of the compaction device is entered only when 13 is in the retracted state. Alternatively, a separate detector means (not shown) is located under the trap door means or to sense when the compacted can falls through the opening 9'or the trap door retracts to drop the can. To work.

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location G07F 7/06 (72) Inventor Wergeland, Halber Norway 1370 Asker Hogstedsbeijen 39 (72) Inventor Planke, Trenor Norway N-3180 Nikirke (No house number) (72) Inventor Wincent, Tommy Sweden S-19 19461 Atsplan Zvesbe Stargrende 7 (56) References JP-A-59-107799 (JP, A) US Patent 4291618 (US, A) US Patent 4532859 (US, A)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A can input, a first can output, a second can output, sensing means at the can input for sensing the type of material of the can, an electric motor means, and a horizontal axis of rotation. A rotatable can support means capable of being rotated by 360 degrees in at least one direction by the electric motor means, the can housing at the can input and receiving a can at the first or second can output, Rotating direction of the electric motor means is controlled on the basis of an output signal from the rotary can support means having a cradle means for holding the can, and the can output to the first can output or the first can output. Logic processing means for transferring to either of the two can outputs, the first can output being below the can input for returning an unacceptable type of can, and the second can output being Around the rotary support means Located approximately 180 ° angularly to the input, above the operating site for consolidation of the can for subsequent processing, and above the path from the can input to the second can output. A can-sensing means disposed in the can-sensing means, the can-sensing means sending a signal to the logic processing means for determining the can type and size, and outputting a signal indicative of a can redemption value from the logic processing means. The can sensing means comprises a set of cam members, the set of cam members resting on a portion of the can surface as the can passes through the set of cam members, Apparatus for identification and separation of beverage cans, characterized in that the diameter of the cans is detected relative to the bottom of the holding cradle means. 2. The logic processing means includes motor drive moment control means for sliding the rotatable can support means back in the case of an overweight can and ejecting such a can at the first can output. The device according to claim 1. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein two cradle means are provided 180 ° apart in said rotatable can support means. 4. The can, wherein the can comprises a first cam member capable of falling adjacent to a first end surface of the can and a second cam member capable of falling adjacent to a second end surface of the can. The apparatus of claim 1 having sensing means and ends cooperating with means for detecting the distance between the cam members to determine the approximate length or end-to-end dimension of the can. 5. A can input, a first can output, a second can output, a sensing means at the can input for sensing the type of material of the can, an electric motor means, and a horizontal axis of rotation. A rotatable can support means capable of being rotated by 360 degrees in at least one direction by the electric motor means, the can housing at the can input and receiving a can at the first or second can output, Rotating direction of the electric motor means is controlled on the basis of an output signal from the rotary can support means having a cradle means for holding the can, and the can output to the first can output or the first can output. Logic processing means for transferring to either of the two can outputs, the first can output being below the can input for returning an unacceptable type of can, and the second can output being Around the rotary support means Located approximately 180 ° angularly to the input, above the operating site for consolidation of the can for subsequent processing, and above the path from the can input to the second can output. A can-sensing means disposed in the can-sensing means, the can-sensing means sending a signal to the logic processing means for determining the can type and size, and outputting a signal indicative of a can redemption value from the logic processing means. , The can cooperating with the can sensing means by a first cam member capable of falling adjacent a first end surface of the can and a second cam member capable of falling adjacent a second end surface of the can. For the identification and separation of beverage cans, characterized in that it has an end cooperating with means for detecting the distance between the cam members and determining the approximate length or end-to-end dimension of the can. Equipment. 6. The logic processing means includes motor drive moment control means for sliding the rotatable can support means back in the case of an overweight can and ejecting such a can at the first can output. The device according to claim 5. 7. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein two cradle means are provided 180 ° apart in said rotatable can support means.