Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
  • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
  • G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
  • B30B9/32—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars
  • B30B9/321—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars for consolidating empty containers, e.g. cans

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a compressor for packaging, preferably tins of the return type.
• the solution implies that only the force of gravity is primarily used for transport of the packaging inside the compressor, which provides a simple construction.
• the members for compressing are so constructed that the necessary forces remain low, which has an advantageous effect on the design.
• Figure 1 shows a front view of the device according to the invention
• Figure 2 shows the interior of the device in a section substantially on the line II-II in Figure 1
• Figure 3 shows the interior of the device in a frontal section substantially on the line III-III in Figure 2
• Figure 4 shows, in perspective, a part of the device
• Figures 5 smd 6 show diagrammatically two alternative embodiments of a detail
• Figure 7 shows a block diagram of the control functions of the device.
• the device has a parallelepiped casing 1 with an upper portion 2 and a lower portion 3.
• the upper portion 2 accommodates the machine components of the device for its automatic operation while the lower portion 3 accommodates the storage space for returned packages received and separated articles received of a non-acceptable nature.
• the front of the upper portion comprises an insertion opening 4 which is surrounded by arrows 5 which can be illuminated, a control knob 12, an instruction panel 6, a so-called display with information which can be illuminated, a calculating panel 7 and a payment opening 8 for coins or the deposit receipt.
• the insertion opening 4 is so large that the intended packaging, in Figure 1 the end of a round tin 9 is shown, can easily be inserted by hand.
• the back of the casing 1 is adapted to be able to be opened to take out the returned packaging and said objects and for access to the mechanical equipment of the device.
• Figure 2 shows the mechanical equipment situated inside the upper portion 2 of the casing and at the same time the upper portion of the container situated in the lower portion 3 for returned packaging.
• the latter consists of a sack 10 which can be fixed in a holder device 11 to be removed when it is full and replaced by an empty sack.
• a smaller container on the right in Figure 3
• This container may be considerably smaller than the container for returned packaging and may consist, for example, of a cardboard box which is installed in the casing alongside the sack 10.
• the insertion opening 4 is shown in Figures 2 and 3 and it is formed in a short inclined tube 13 which is surrounded at the outside by a first annular capacitive sensor 14. Beyond this sensor there is situated a sliding shutter 22 which can be controlled between a closed and an open position (shown in Figure 1) by means of a power cylinder 23. Further in on the tube there is provided a further inductive sensor 15. This is at a certain distance from a third sensor 16 which is on a cover 17 which can be lowered opposite the inner end of the tube 13 by means of a power cylinder 18. Between the two sensors 15 and 16 there is a further sensor 19. The spacing between the sensors 15 and 16 is determined by the minimum length of tins 9 which it is desired to receive for paying out a deposit.
• the sensors 15 and 16 should thus be 120 mm apart.
• the sensor 16 is also adapted to sense the diameter of the tin.
• the sensor 19 between the rensors 15 and 16 is also of the inductive type and is adapted to sense the material of the tin 9. Aluminium actually has its own srecial inductive characteristics while other metals, for example steel, have other characteristics, and these differences can be recorded by the sensor 19.
• the tube 13 and the cover 17 should obviously be of a material which does not disturb the operation of the sensors.
• a curved tube 20 Connected to the inner, lower and open end of the tube 13 is a curved tube 20 which is terminated by a lower, open funnel-shaped end 21.
• the cover 17 is situated in the upper portion of this tube.
• a compressing device 24 with a chamber 25.
• This is formed by an end wall 26, side walls 27, 28 which form a V-shaped bottom, and a pressure plate 29.
• the side wall 27 does not extend entirely up to the end wall 26 but comprises an opening 30 which is about 45 mm from the end wall 26 with the said tin dimensions.
• the pressure plate 29 is fixed to a piston ⁇ od 31 of a power cylinder 32.
• the chamber 25 is adapted in position so that a tin falling down through the mouth of the end portion 21 lies with its side against the V-shaped bottom. It may be advisable to incline the chamber. In the figures, however, it is shown in a horizontal position.
• the compressing device 24 is shown in more detail in Figure 4.
• the end wall 26 has been partly cut away for the sake of clarity.
• the side wall 27 with the opening 30 is fixed to the end wall 26 and to a second end wall 33 which also forms an attachment for the power cylinder 32 and which comprises a slot 34 for the passage of the piston rod 31 .
• the pressure plate 29 can be anved backwards and forwards by means of the power cylinder 32 between the end walls 33 and 26.
• the Figure also shows that the side wall 28 is pivotally suspended, by means of bearing journals 35 in the end walls 26 and 33 so that it can be swung between the closed position shown in Figures 3 and 4 in which the upwardly open cham ber 25 is formed with its V-shaped bottom and a swung out position in which the chamber is also open at the bottom.
• the downwardly directed opening is so large that a tin of the intended diameter placed in the chambe can fall out in an oblique downwardly directed movement as a result of the inclination of the side wall 27.
• the swinging of the side wall 28 between its two positions can be effected by means of a further power cylinder 35, the piston rod 37 of which is connected to the side wall 28.
• Figure 4 also shows that the pressure plate 29, which is triangular so as to fit into the chamber 25 when the side wall 28 is closed, is provided with a cam 38 projecting into the chamber 25.
• Figure 5 where the pressure plate 29 with its cam 38 is shown close to the end wall 26 with a tin 9 shown in the compressed state.
• Figure 6 An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 6 where the end wall 26 is also provided with a cam device, namely two cams 39 at each side of the cam 29.
• the tin 9 is shown compressed.
• Figures 5 and 6 also show how the pressure plate 29 and the end wall 26 can be provided with grooves 40 which are intended to facilitate the escape of air and liquid during the compressing operation.
• a compressor unit which contains a compressor and a pressure tank te store air under a certain pressure
• the tank is connected to the cylinders via valves which are net shown.
• the valves which may appropriately be magnetically operated valves are controlled from a control unit to which the sensors 14, 15, 16 and 29 are connected
• the control unit is also connected to the arrows 5 to light them up and extinguish them, to the panel 6, to the calculating panel 7 and to a discharge device connect ed to the pay-out opening 8.
• the discharge device may be adapted to issue coins corresponding to the deposit received or a redemption ticket.
• the device must, of course, be provided with a cash container and if a redemption ticket is used , there must be some form of printing mechanism.
• This equipment and control members such as magnetically operated valves and electronic devices for picking up the recording values from the sensors and control devices for the various panels can be prepared in detail by the expert on the basis of standard equipment and therefore do not need to be described in detail . How the device is organized is clear from the following block diagram and the description of its operation.
• the sensor 14 is found again which is connected, via a flip-flop 41 to an electronic unit 42 which gives a position of readiness to the three sensors 15, 16 and 19 which are connected in series with one another. and which are shown as a series of flip-flops 43 with two coupling positions. Also shown in the Figure are the compressed-air cylinders 18 and 23 for the covers 17, 22 and 32 and, 36 for the compressing device 24. In addition, part of the panel 6 is shown, the calculating panel 7, the control knob 12 and the pay-out unit which is designated by the pay-out opening 8. In addition a delay relay 45 is shown and a sensor 48 which is below the opening 30 in the chamber 25 and which is adapted to detect the passage of a compressed tin out through the opening 30.
• the device 45 designates a pressure sensor on the power cylinder 32. It is adapted to change over a unit, which is shown as a flip-flop 47, between a position in which the calculating panel 7 can be acted upon by the sensor 48 when the piston in the power cylinder 32 has completed its stroke and the pressure plate 29 has reached its position closest to the end wall 26, and a position in which the power cylinder 36 and the illuminating panel 6 are acted upon which occurs if the pressure in the power cylinder 32 exceeds a certain value. Furthermore, the device is provided with conventional auxiliary equipment such as limit switches so that the intended reciprocating movement of the pistons of the power cylinders can be obtained.
• auxiliary equipment such as limit switches
• the mechanism assumes the position shown in the Figures.. If a tin 9 is now inserted, in the position shown in chain line in Figure 1, it slides down towards the cover 17.
• the sensor 14 is actuated round the insert ion opening.
• the flip-flop 41 then changes over from the position shown in Figure 7 to its other position and so brings the unit 42 into the position of readiness.
• the actuation of the sensor 14 ceases and the flip-flop 41 changes position which actuates the unit 42 so that the sensors 15, 16 and 19 are coupled in.
• the tin is aligned in position by the cover 17, it has its ends close to the sensors 15, 16 and over the sensor 19.
• the flip-flops 43 of the sensors assume the "correct" position which is the opposite to that shown in Figure 6.
• a puls e then passes through the flip-flops, which are now connected in series, to the magnetically operated valves, which control the cylinders 21 and 18 and their pistons execute a stroke so. that the covers 22, 17 change posit ion.
• the cover 21 closes the mouth of the tube 13 and prevents the insertion of a fresh tin.
• the tin slides further and out through the mouth of the end portion 21 and down into the chamber 25.
• the covers 17, 22 can now change position to the initial state and a new tin can be inserted.
• the compressing cylinder 32 is also activated but through the delay relay 45 after a time which is measured so that the tin is atre to have arrived in the chamber 25.
• the pressure plate 29 is pressed towards the end plate 26 and the tin is compressed lengthwise (like a bellows).
• the pressure plate 29 has reached its end position which is situated at a distance of somewhat less than 40 mm from the end plate 26 with the said tin dimensions, the plate returns to its initial position.
• liquid can run out of it and liquid can also run out already in the tube 20. This liquid is collected on the V-shaped bottom and runs down into the sack 10 from this. The air which is pressed out of the tin can escape through the grooves 40 in the plates 26 and 29.
• the two sensors 15 and 16 are not actuated and with a different material, the sensor 19 is not actuated.
• the said sensors and covers 22, 17 thus constitute a sorting device which prevents non-acceptable objects from being conveyed into the compressor. Nevertheless, as is clear from the preceding description, a further sorting device is provided in connection with the compressing device 24. There may actually be objects which are not indicated as unacceptable by the sensors, for example filled, unopened tins of the correct sort in themselves or aluminium tins with a considerably higher compression resistance than the prescribed packaging.
• This sorting device operates in the following manner : With a normal tin, a certain maximum resistance occurs on advance of the pressure plate 29, to which there corr esponds a certain maximum pressure in the power cylinder 32. If this pressure is not exceeded according to the indication in the pressure indicator 46, a signal can be given from the sensor 48 for the addition of a deposit amount in the calculating device which is represented by the calculating panel 7. This occurs when the compressed tin falls out through the opening 30 and past the sensor 48, which happens when the pressure plate
• the pressure plate 29 begins to return and the pressure against the compressed tin is reduced.
• the piston stops and the exceeding of the pressure is indicated by the indicator 46.
• the object does not pass the sensor 48 and so no signal goes out to the calculating unit.
• the pressure plate 29 After the removal of the object from the chamber 25, the pressure plate 29 returns to its initial position and the side wall 28 is closed, after which the compressor is ready to receive a fresh tin.
• the end wall 26 is also provided with projections.
• these projections 39 are offset in relation to the projection 38 on the pressure plate.
• Other arrangements of projections are also conceivable as is the replacement of en accentuated projection by a curved surface. What is important is that an initial bending of the sides of the tin is obtained, so that the bellows formation is facilitated.
• a pulse goes to the calculating unit and the panel 7 shows how many tins have been fed in in succession.
• an instruction "Press button for payment when all tins have been inserted" or the like is shown on the panel 6.
• the arrows 5 are illuminated. If several tins do not have to be fed in, the customer presses the button 12 in accordance with the request and payment takes place in accordance with the value received, through the payment opening 8, either in the form of coin or in the form of a ticket.
• the calculating unit is set to zero and the device is ready to receive a. fresh series of tins.
• the device may appropriately be provided with an alarm to indicate when the sack 10 is full so that staff can change it.
• the device may appropriately be adapted so that the change of sacks and containers for foreign objects can be synchronized as can the replenishment of coin if this is paid out.
• the device can be adapted in its dimensions for other returned objects than tins of the said dimensions. It is also possible to replace the said capacitive or inductive sensors with other sensing members, and photodetectors may be used for example.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
• Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20340510

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (17)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (4)

• 1980
  • 1980-03-14 SE SE8002009A patent/SE420135B/sv unknown
• 1981
  • 1981-03-16 WO PCT/SE1981/000087 patent/WO1981002802A1/en unknown
  • 1981-03-16 EP EP81900739A patent/EP0054030A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1981-11-13 NO NO813851A patent/NO813851L/no unknown

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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