WO2001026828A1

WO2001026828A1 - Handling system for returnable empties

Info

Publication number: WO2001026828A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/001947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Björn HALLDÉN
Original assignee: Recyc Ab
Priority date: 1999-10-14
Filing date: 2000-10-06
Publication date: 2001-04-19
Also published as: SE9903714D0; WO2001026828A8

Abstract

A handling plant (1) and a method for improved handling of returnable empties, in which returnable empties are deposited at a receiving station (2) for evaluation. The returnable empties are then transported in a transport device (3) to an unloading station (4) where they are unloaded into empties trays for re-use. During handling evaluation of the returnable empties and identification of respective carrier members are processed together in a central control unit (15). The empties trays are also evaluated, and this evaluation is transmitted and processed by the central control unit (15). Processing information concerning the returnable empties, empties trays and their position in the system provides improved survey and handling of returnable empties.

Description

HANDLING SYSTEM FOR RETURNABLE EMPΗES

Technical field The present invention relates to a method for handling returnable empties in accordance with the preamble to the appended claim 1. The invention also relates to a plant for handling returnable empties in accordance with the preamble to the appended claim 8.

Background art

Handling systems of the above type for handling returnable empties have been known for a long time. With increased use of plastic bottles (including PET bottles), glass bottles, cartons and cans, recycling and reuse of these packagings have also increased. In the brewery branch, for instance, two main types of returnable empties are used - those that are used only once and then recycled, and those that are used a number of times before being recycled.

The system of paying a deposit on returnable bottles, etc., together with an increased concern for the environment, has resulted in large quantities of empties being returned every year for handling. This causes problems and places great demands on the handling of returnable empties at the deposit stations as well as in food stores. The consumers return empties to the receiving station and obtain a receipt for the returnable empties they have deposited. It is primarily the subsequent handling of the bulky empties deposited that has become increasingly problematical. Much of the final handling of returnable empties is time consuming and entails monotonous work.

SE-9304317 describes an arrangement for sorting returned empties. The arrangement comprises a feed-in part, a control part and at least one feed-out part. The control part has a scanning unit in the form of a barcode reader that performs a check of the empties returned. The control part also includes a conveyor for feeding returnable empties to the scanner. Returnable empties are conveyed past the scanner in horizontal position to facilitate reading the bar-code. Ejectors in the form of jets of blast air are then used to dispatch the returnable empties to different collection points in accordance with predetermined parameters, such as bottles/ cans on which a deposit has been paid, material or contents.

A similar arrangement and method for identifying and sorting returned bottles, cans, plastic bottles or other returnable empties are described in patent publication WO 92/01272. A station evaluates the returned empty and transmits the information to a central control unit. A sorting unit arranged after the evaluating station is activated to dispatch the returnable empties with the aid of jets of blast air, from a conveyor belt to storage stations, on the basis of the evaluation of the empty. Extremely expensive and advanced equipment is required to check the placing of the empty on the conveyor belt. The returnable empties are moved from the storage stations further along in the plant for continued handling on collection tables, for instance.

The problem with these arrangements is the handling of the sorted empties at the collection sites. Manual handling is required to prepare the returnable empties for transport back to the brewery, for instance, or some other packing industry. The returnable empties requires a great deal of space at the collection sites and problems of hygiene may even arise if they are not removed immediately. The manual handling comprises both empties and empties trays such as frames, pallets, crates, cardboard supports or other transport packaging.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems in comparison with known technology.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve a more efficient, automatic procedure for handling returnable empties. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a better plant for handling returnable empties than is available through known technology.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a method and a plant for handling returnable empties that enable improved logistics for the handling procedure.

These and other objects revealed in the following description, are achieved by the method and the plant in accordance with the invention being given the features revealed in the characterizing parts of the appended main claims 1, 2 and 8. Preferred embodiments are defined in the subordinate claims.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention a sorted unloading of returnable empties is achieved into empties trays, via control from a central control unit, in that an identified carrier member is brought into engagement with a returnable empty and in that at least one empties tray is evaluated and arranged to receive returnable empties. The central control unit processes information about the returnable empty and its position in the handling system, together with information about the empties tray and its position in the handling system, in order to be obtain a better survey over the returnable empties being handled. This means that the returnable empties placed in each empties tray can be controlled. The increase in efficiency for breweries, for instance, is considerable since returnable empties arrive at the breweries already sorted in empties trays.

In accordance with a second, less preferred, aspect of the invention a sorted unloading of returnable empties is performed into empties trays by means of control from a central control unit, by a sorting member being brought into contact with an evaluated returnable empty and at least one empties tray being evaluated and arranged for receipt of returnable empties. This aspect of the invention does not have the advantages associated with the carrier member in the first aspect of the invention. However, it enables returnable empties to be unloaded into empties trays as desired.

In a preferred embodiment returnable empties with the same evaluation are placed in the same empties tray. Returnable empties that are to undergo the same subsequent treatment can then be placed directly into the same empties tray.

In accordance with another embodiment, evaluated returnable empties destined for recycling can also be handled by the system and unloaded by the transport device into recycling units with coinciding evaluation. Separate systems for handling recyclable and re-usable returnable empties are then unnecessary.

Before the preferred embodiment of the invention is described, important concepts with regard to the invention will be described in more detail.

The expression "evaluation" as used here refers to every form of assessment of the returnable empties being handled or the type of empties tray, by means of bar-codes, weight, shape, material, volume, label, support ring, colour, light transmission or other suitable control.

The expression "identifying" as used herein refers to every form of determination of the specific type of each carrier member or its position in the system by means of marking, shape, numbering, colour or other suitable distinguishing mark of the carrier member.

Brief description of the drawings The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram for the handling method in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view showing a section of a transport device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3(a) is a side view showing a carrier member in an active position.

Figure 3(b) is a side view showing the carrier member in an inactive position.

Figure 4 is a side view showing the storage unit of the unloading station in accordance with the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic, sectional view from above or a second aspect of the invention.

Description of preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the method and plant in accordance with the present invention. The handling system 1 has one or more receiving stations 2 comprising an evaluation unit 7 for evaluating individual returnable empties. After the receiving station 2 is a transport device 3 for conveying returnable empties from the receiving station 2 to an unloading station 4. A sorted unloading of the returnable empties is performed by the transport device 3 in the storage unit 5 of the unloading station 4 and /or the recycling unit 6.

The storage unit 5, which has empties trays arranged for receipt of reusable returnable empties, is also provided with an evaluation unit for evaluating the empties trays. The recycling unit 6 is arranged for receipt of recyclable returnable empties. The sorted unloading of returnable empties is controlled by a central control unit 15 which processes information from the receiving station 2, the transport device 3 and the unloading station 4. Returnable empties such as glass bottles, plastic bottles, cartons, cans or other returnable empties, are handed in at the receiving station 2, usually located in a food store. The evaluation unit 7 of the receiving station is provided with transducers or bar-code scanners that evaluate each returnable empty by means of bar-code, label, weight, shape, volume, or light transmission control. The evaluation result for each returnable empty, which also includes the identity and position of the empties tray in the handling system 1, is transmitted to a central control unit 15 via a control cable 14.

The central control unit 15 has access to, and controls the evaluation results against an article register of all acceptable returnable empties, e.g. empties on which a deposit has been paid, recyclable or re-usable empties. The article register is, of course, updated at regular intervals. The transmission of information to and from the control unit 15 takes place via control cables 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 or preferably IR communication. If the evaluation of the returnable empty is not approved by the control unit 15 for recycling or re-use, the empty will be rejected.

The transport device 3 in Figure 2 is preferably arranged above head level, i.e. at least about 2.4 m above ground level. This is to enable removable of the returnable empties 25 from the receiving station 2 without impeding accessibility and other work in connection with the transport device 3. The receiving station 2 is therefore provided with a hoist device for vertical transport of the returnable empties 25 to the transport device 3. During this vertical transport the evaluation unit 7 can perform its evaluation of the returnable empties 25. This also saves floor save since the returnable empties 25 are moved vertically to the transport device 3.

The transport device 3 is provided with a transport rail 20, preferably extending in a closed loop from the receiving station 2 to the unloading station 4 and back to the receiving station 2. A plurality of carrier members 30, one of which is shown in Figure 3, is carried and controlled by the transport rail 20. The number of carrier members 30 in the transport device, and the distance between them, may naturally be varied as required. In the preferred embodiment the transport device 3 has a capacity of 20 returnable empties /minute.

The carrier members 30, shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), are designed to be able to engage with an engagement part in the upper part 2 of the returnable empty 25. In this embodiment the engagement part (27) comprises a supporting ring protruding from the neck of the returnable empty, the returnable empty thus being suspended substantially vertically beneath the transport device 3. The engagement part 27 may cover changes in dimension in the returnable empty, such as a collar, an edge, a rim, a lid, a groove or other grippable part that permits engagement of the gripping device 35 of the carrier member 30. Each carrier member 30 has its own identity in the form of a position or marking in the transport device 3. When a returnable empty 25 is collected by a carrier member 30, the identity of the carrier member 30 is transmitted to the central control unit 15 via a control cable 16. The identity is combined with the evaluation of the returnable empty 25 in the central control unit 15.

The carrier member 30 must be designed so that its gripping device 35 is able to engage with returnable empties 25 of varying shape and size. Alternatively, different carrier members 30 may be used for different returnable empties 25. For PET bottles, for instance, two gripping arms 36 in the gripping device 35 of the carrier member 30 engage with the support ring 27 arranged below the screw cork 28 of the plastic bottle, as shown in Figure 3. The dimensions of the support ring 27 vary somewhat for different types of PET bottles. This means that the previously mentioned evaluation of returnable empties 25 can in certain cases be performed by measuring the support ring 27 of the returnable bottle 25.

Each carrier member 30 is suspended in the transport rail 20 at a first end 31 by means of a ball or gyro-suspension 32. The carrier member 30 has a first sleeve 33 extending down from the gyro-suspension 32. Inside the first sleeve 33 is a second sleeve 34 and inside this a shaft 37 is arranged telescopically. The gripping device 35 is arranged at the other end 39 of the carrier member 30, at the lower end 37(b) of the shaft 37, the latter being telescopically displaceable in longitudinal direction. Both the second sleeve 34 and the shaft 37 are provided with flanges 34(a), 37(a) at their upper ends, to enable a cam control 22, also known as curved line control, of the substantially vertical, telescopic displacement 23 of the carrier member 30. The cam control 22 is provided with grooves or slots (not shown) arranged in or near the transport rail 20 influencing the flanges 34(a), 37(a) of the carrier member 30. When a flange 34(a), 37(a) encounters a groove, the position of the flange 34(a), 37(a), is quickly and accurately adjusted. Inexpensive and reliable control of the telescopic displacement 23 of the carrier member 30 and control of the gripping device 35 are thus achieved. The collection of a returnable empty 25 takes approximately 1 / 10 second. An electro-controlled solution with equivalent performance to the cam control 22 would be considerably more expensive.

While collecting returnable empties 25 from the receiving station 2 and unloading returnable empties 25 in the unloading station 4, the carrier members 30 are guided into mechanically controlled switching units 22 (shown schematically in Figure 2) along the transport rail 20. At least one switching unit 22 is provided per unloading and loading position in the transport device 3. The switching unit 22 may be arranged in the transport rail 20 or as a "by-pass" in conjunction with the transport rail 20. The switching unit 22 is provided with at least one cam part and cam control as described above. By means of a signal in the signal cable 17 to the transport device 3, the central control unit 15 controls which carrier member 30 shall collect or leave a returnable empty 25, i.e. which carrier member 30 shall be influenced by the cam-controlled switching units 22. When a carrier member 30 is not to be influenced by the cam control in the switching unit 22, a pass signal is sent from the central control unit 15 to the transport device 3 and the carrier member 30 is swung substantially transversely across the transport rail 20 so that the flanges 34(a), 37(a) are not influenced by the cam control. The carrier member 30 is then in an inactive position 38, shown in Figure 2 (schematically) and in Figure 3(b). The oscillation of the carrier member 30 is made possible by the gyro-suspension 32. The gyro-suspension 32 also enables the gripping device 35 of the carrier member 30 to rotate about its own longitudinal axis A-A, allowing the returnable empty 25 to rotate about the extended longitudinal axis of the carrier member 30 during transport. An evaluation of the returnable empty could be performed during its rotation while being transported since the bar-code, for instance, on the returnable empty becomes accessible during said rotation. The possibility of rotating the returnable empty during transport can be exploited to perform a security identification of its profile, bar-code (EAN-code) or material, for instance.

The closed loop of the transport rail 20 ensures that returnable empties 25 that are not unloaded in the unloading station 4 will continue around in the transport device 3 until a coinciding evaluation is encountered. The transport device 3 thus functions as a buffer store. When a returnable empty 25 is to be unloaded or collected the carrier member 30 passes through the switching unit 22 and the cam control influences the telescopic displacement 23 of the carrier member 30 and the engagement or release of the returnable empty 25 by the gripping device 35.

Unloading the returnable empties 25 from the transport device 3 is controlled by the central control unit 15 and is performed in the unloading station 4. An unloading signal is sent from the control 15 to the transport device through the control cable 17. At least one storage unit 5 is provided in the unloading station 4 to receive re-usable returnable empties 25 in empties trays. Re-usable returnable empties 25 in this embodiment refers to bottles, e.g. glass bottles or plastic bottles, that are returned to the breweries, for instance, from the stores for cleaning and refilling for re-use in the stores. The re-usable returnable empties 25 are finally recycled when their quality has deteriorated after they have been re-used a number of times.

Recycling units 6 are also provided in the unloading station 4, to receive recyclable returnable empties 25. Each recycling unit 6 has an evaluation which is transmitted to the control unit 15 via cable 19. Recyclable returnable empties 25 refers in this embodiment to bottles, returnable cartons or cans (preserve cans or aluminium cans), the material of which can be used for manufacturing new bottles, cartons, cans or other suitable products. The unloading station 4 is preferably located some distance from the receiving station 2 so that the complete handling system 1 need not be installed in the immediate proximity of the food store. This is an advantage since large storage space need not be taken up for storing and handling returnable empties 25 in the immediate proximity of the store.

Figure 4 shows a storage unit 5. The storage unit 5 is provided with a first stack 42 of empty empties trays 41. The expression empties trays 41 refers to some form of geometrically defining container such as a frame, pallet, empty crate, friction slab or support. These empties trays 41 are evaluated by an evaluation unit 8 and the evaluation is transmitted to the central control unit 15 via the cable 18. The returnable empties may be marked by means of punching, which is an inexpensive method. Marking, such as TTY code (teletype code), microwave chips or radiowave-activated transponder marking is generally used.

A hoist device 45 transports the empties tray vertically up above the stack 42 of empty trays 41 in order to save floor space. The hoisted empties tray 41 is placed on a base 46. The base moves the empties tray 41 substantially transversely across the transport device 3 so that returnable empties 25 can be placed at an intersection point 47 between the transport device 3 and the empties tray 41 to be filled. The intersection point 47 is created momentarily along the intersection line of the transport device 3 and the storage unit 5 at each unloading. The fact that unloading of the returnable empties 25 into the empties trays 41 takes place above the stacks or empty and filled empties trays 41 creates temporary storage of the returnable empties 25, thereby minimising the use of floor space.

A sensor 48 is arranged in the store unit 5, to detect a storage space in the empties tray. The first row of returnable empties 25 is placed in the tray 41 by means of a mechanical guide (not shown). The first row then acts as guide when the second row is being placed in the tray 41. The mechanical guide is then flapped up and supports the first row of returnable empties 25 to prevent them from tilting. When the tray 41 has been filled with returnable empties 25 with the desired evaluation, it is lowered by a second hoist device 49 and stacked with filled trays 41 in a second stack 43. The stacked, filled empties trays 41 are then moved to a pallet in a third stack 44 for removal to a brewery, for instance, or some other subsequent treatment. The vertical stacking of filled empties trays also provides buffer storage of returnable empties, thereby saving additional floor space. Unloading the returnable empties in the vertical extension of the stacks 42, 43 minimises the floor space requirement. For increased unloading capacity several storage units 5 with empties trays 41 can be arranged one after the other in the storage station 4. Each of these storage units 5 can handle empties trays 41 with different evaluations.

The central control unit 15 may comprise a computer or some other suitable unit with a CPU (central processing unit). The supervised control of the handling system 1 is enabled since each returnable empty 25 and empties tray 41 in the system are evaluated, constituting a position of the returnable empty 25 or the empties tray 41 in the system. This, combined with the transport device 3 having individual carrier members 30 for each returnable empty 25, ensures that the central control unit 15 knows where every returnable empty 25 or tray 41 is in the handling system 1. Recyclable returnable empties 25 can thus be unloaded in the correct recycling units 6 and desired re-usable returnable empties 25 can be placed in the desired tray 41. This ensures that different types of returnable bottles, e.g. for Coca-Cola, Fanta or Ramlosa, can be placed immediately in a tray 41 for the relevant type of bottle. Information as to which returnable empties 25 have been placed in which tray 41 can then be transmitted to breweries, forwarding companies or companies handling the empties trays, for instance, via a connection such as a modem and the Internet, in order to improve their logistics in handling returnable empties 25 received. Alternatively, an operator at a service station can gather data from a number of different handling systems and pass on the information to those concerned as mentioned above. Evaluation of the filled empties trays upon arrival at the brewery provides information as to the contents of the trays.

Figure 5 shows a second aspect of the invention. A transport device 50 conveys returnable empties 25 in the direction of the arrow P, to a conveyor belt 51. The returnable empties 25, evaluated in the receiving station (not shown), are conveyed to the unloading station 55. The unloading station 55 has at least one storage unit 56 with a conveyor for the empties trays 41 and a recycling unit 57 arranged below and preferably transversely across the transport device 50. The sorting means 52 comprises a mechanical arm, for instance, or a jet of blast air that unloads the desired returnable empty 25 into the desired niche 53 in the transport device 50 via control from the central control unit 60 that communicates with other parts of the system via IR signals (infrared). Unloading is performed at the intersection point 58 between the transport device 50 and the storage unit 56. The evaluated returnable empties 25 are thus unloaded into evaluated empties trays 41, thereby offering the advantages of improved logistics and sorting mentioned for the first aspect of the invention. A recycling unit 57 can be arranged at the end of the conveyor to receive returnable empties for recycling.

In accordance with a third embodiment (not shown), a first sorting of the evaluated returnable empties is performed when they have passed the receiving station. The sorting is performed by means of a rotating disc with a plurality of individual gripping devices that engage with the upper part of each returnable empty. The rotating disc can be vertically raised or lowered to enable engagement with returnable empties of varying fraction and size. The returnable empties registered as recyclable at this sorting are diverted to a recycling station. This is achieved by the gripping means of the rotating disc transporting and releasing returnable empties in a recycling station which generally comprises a reduction in volume of the returnable empties by means of compression, baling, crushing or grinding prior to final removal. The returnable empties registered by the central control unit as re-usable are passed on to a transport device shown in Figure 2.

If evaluation between returnable empty and frame or returnable empty and recycling unit coincides, it is assumed that the returnable empty belongs to the frame or recycling as regards subsequent treatment upon arrival at the brewery, for instance.

It will be appreciated that many modifications of the embodiments of the invention described above are feasible within the scope of the invention, such as defined in the appended claims. As described above, thus, several receiving stations 2 may be used in order to increase the capacity for the returnable empties 25 fed in. Furthermore, the evaluation unit for returnable empties 25 may be arranged in the transport device 3 so that evaluation of the returnable empties 25 is performed during transport. Naturally various parts of the different embodiments of the invention can be combined.

Claims

CLA I M S

1. A method for handling returnable empties (25) wherein the returnable empties (25) are placed in at least one receiving station (2), the returnable empties (25) are evaluated and this evaluation is transmitted to a central control unit (15), and the returnable empties (25) are conveyed by means of a transport device (3) from the receiving station (2) to an unloading station (4) for sorted unloading of the evaluated returnable empties (25) from the transport device (3) through control from the central unit (15), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t identified carrier members (30) arranged in the transport device (3) are brought into engagement with one returnable empty (25) each, in that at least one empties tray (41) in the storage unit (5) of the unloading station (4) is evaluated and arranged to receive returnable empties (25), in that the evaluation of the empties tray (41), evaluations of the returnable empties (25) and identification of the carrier members (30) are processed by the central control unit (15), and in that the returnable empties (25) are placed in the empties tray (41) by the carrier members (30).

2. A method for handling returnable empties (25) wherein the returnable empties (25) are placed in at least one receiving station (2), the returnable empties (25) are evaluated and this evaluation is transmitted to a central control unit (60), and the returnable empties (25) are conveyed by means of a transport device (50) from the receiving station (2) to an unloading station (55) for sorted unloading of the evaluated returnable empties (25) from the transport device (50) through control from the central unit (60), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t at least one sorting member (52) arranged in the transport device (50) is brought into contact with one returnable empty (25) each, in that at least one empties tray (41) in the storage unit (56) of the unloading station (55) is evaluated and arranged to receive returnable empties (25), in that the evaluation of the empties tray (41) and evaluations of the returnable empties (25) are processed by the central control unit (60), and in that the returnable empties (25) are unloaded into the empties tray (41) in the control member (52).

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the evaluations of the returnable empties (25) are processed by the central control unit (15, 60) so that returnable empties (25) with coinciding evaluations are placed in the same empties tray (41).

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the empties trays (41) of the storage unit (5, 56) are transported beneath and substantially transversely across the transport device (3, 50), and in that the returnable empties (25) are unloaded at the intersection point (47, 58) between the transport device (3, 50) and the storage unit (5, 56).

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the engagement of the carrier members (30) with the returnable empties (25) is controlled by a switching unit (22) arranged in conjunction with the transport rail (20) of the transport device (3).

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 or 3-5, characterized in that the carrier member (30) is brought into engagement with an engagement part (27) in the upper part (26) of the returnable empty (25) so that the returnable empties (25) are transported suspended below the transport device (3).

7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the returnable empties (25) with an evaluation that differs from the returnable empties (25) in the empties tray (41) are unloaded in one of the recycling units (6, 57) of the unloading station (4, 55) with a coinciding evaluation.

8. A plant for handling returnable empties (25), comprising at least one receiving station (2) arranged to receive returnable empties (25), an evaluation unit (7) for evaluating returnable empties (25), a central control unit (15) connected to the evaluation unit (7), and a transport device (3) for removing the returnable empties (25) from the receiving station (2) to an unloading station (4) arranged for sorted unloading of the evaluated returnable empties (25) from the transport device (3) through the control of the central control unit (15), characterized in that the transport device (3) is provided with identified carrier members (30) for engagement with one returnable empty (25) each, and in that the unloading station (4) is provided with a storage unit (5) for empties trays (41), the storage unit (5) being provided with an evaluation unit (8) for evaluating the empties trays (41) and being arranged to enable the carrier members (30) to place the sorted returnable empties (25) in at least one empties tray (41), through processing in the central control unit (15) of the evaluation of the empties tray (41), evaluations of the returnable empties (25) and identifications of the carrier members (30).

9. A plant as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the unloading station (4) is provided with recycling stations (6) arranged to receive returnable empties (25) with an evaluation that coincides with that of the recycling stations (6).

10. A plant as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the empties trays (41) of the storage unit (5) are arranged to receive unloaded returnable empties (25) at the intersection point (47) between the transport device (3) and the storage unit (5).

11. A plant as claimed in any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the carrier members (30) are arranged for engagement with an engagement part (27) in the upper part (26) of the returnable empty (25) to achieve suspended transport of the returnable empties (25).

12. A plant as claimed in any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that a transport rail (20) is arranged in the transport device (3) to carry the carrier member (30), and that a switching unit (22) is arranged in conjunction with the transport rail (20) in order to control the engagement of each carrier member (30) with a returnable empty (25).

13. A plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 8-12, characterized in that the receiving station (2) is provided with a hoist device for vertical transport of the returnable empties (25) to the transport device (3), preferably arranged above head level, and in that the evaluation unit (7) is arranged to perform evaluation of the returnable empty during its vertical transport so that returnable empties (25) with undesired evaluation are rejected.