WO2012059945A1

WO2012059945A1 - Apparatus for crushing glass containers

Info

Publication number: WO2012059945A1
Application number: PCT/IT2010/000442
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Ceccarelli
Original assignee: Constantini, Paolo
Priority date: 2010-11-03
Filing date: 2010-11-03
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Also published as: WO2012059945A8

Abstract

An apparatus for crushing glass containers, which comprises, in combination, means for insertion and housing of at least one glass container to be crushed, mechanical means for crushing the glass container, and means for collecting the shivers of glass of the glass container.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CRUSHING GLASS CONTAINERS

^•k ~k ~k ~k

The present invention relates to the sector of electrical household appliances and in particular regards an^' apparatus designed to^' crush mechanically glass containers, which can be installed preferably in the compartment that is commonly located underneath the kitchen sink.

It is known that in a domestic environment or in commercial premises (restaurants or premises for c-ohsuming beverages and other foodstuffs) , glass- containers,^' such as for example water bottles or wine bottles, once they have been emptied, are accumulated before being thrown^' into the purposely provided refuse bi .

Irrespective of the place in which the empty containers, are accumulated, whether inside or outside a building, the drawback is that said containers present a considerable -encumbrance , even though they are empty.

A further drawback is represented by the fact that the bins are rapidly filled by said empty containers and, consequently, the various operations of collection of the glass containers, of transport, and of subsequent ^' storage are not facilitated.

The main purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by -providing an electrical - household appliance for^■ crushing glass containers that will reduce their volume by - approximately 90%.

According to the invention, the above has been obtained by providing an apparatus that, comprises, in combination, means for housing at least one glass container to. be crushed, means for crushing said container, and means for collecting the pieces of glass.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the ensuing detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate, merely by way of example, some ^'preferred embodiments.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the apparatus for crushing glass containers forming the subject of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the apparatus of Figure 1, housed in which is a glass container;

Figure 3, similar to the previous one, shows the glass container that is reduced to shivers ,^' which will be made to drop into an underlying collection drawer;

Figure 4A is a partially sectioned front view of the apparatus with a glass container to be crushed inside, resting on a purposely provided rotating support or cradle;

Figure 4B, similar to the previous one, shows the glass container reduced to shivers;

Figures 4C and 4D, which are similar to Figure 4A, show, respectively, the rotating ^' support with the shivers of glass that drop by gravity into the collection drawer of the apparatus, . and the support at its top end-of-travel position;

Figures 5A and^' 5B, which are similar to Figure 4A, show in sequence the movement of return of the support as far as its bottom end-of-travel position ready for receiving another glass container to be crushed;

Figure 6A is a perspective view of the collection drawer of the apparatus;

Figure 6B is a front view of- the collection drawer of Figure 6A.;

Figure 6C is a sectioned side view of the collection drawer of Figure 6A that contains shivers of glass ;

Figure 7A shows a detail of the apparatus of. Figure 1 representing a punch;

Figure 7B is a front view of the punch of Figure

7A;

Figure 8 shows a detail of the apparatus of Figure 1 representing the motor-driven rotating support or cradle for the glass container;

Figure 9 is a front cross-sectional view of the detail of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a front view of a second embodiment of the apparatus;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 10, which is provided with a further rotating lateral support for receiving, in series, a plurality of glass containers to be crushed.

With reference to Figures 1 to 9, in the first- embodiment that is described, an apparatus for crushing glass containers is provided, comprising:

- means for insertion and housing of at least one glass, container to be crushed; .

. - mechanical means for crushing the glass container;

- means for collecting the shivers of glass of the glass container; and

- means for actuation of said mechanical crushing means ..

According to the invention, said means for insertion and housing of .at least one glass container to be reduced into shivers of glass are substantially constituted by a loading compartment B, provided in which are rotating means for supporting and centring said container during crushing and which are designed to be rotated after the container has been reduced to shivers to cause said shivers of glass to drop by gravity into the collection means.

The loading compartment B is provided with an opening/closing element 12, preferably a shutter element.

The means for supporting and, centring the glass container comprise a rotating support or cradle 5, having a substantially semicylindrical shape designed to support and keep said container in a - horizontal position. In other words, said rotating support 5 is nothing more than a semitubular element on which the container to be crushed rests.

In particular, said support 5 is designed to perform a first axial rotation through 180°, in which the support 5 passes from an initial position, in which the concavity faces upwards- and in which it remains until the container is reduced to shivers, to a final position, in which the concavity faces downwards to cause ^' all the- shivers of glass to drop downwards, and a second axial rotation through 180°, preferably opposite to the previous one, in which the support 5 returns into the initial position to be able to receive another container to be crushed.^"

During carrying-out of the first rotation of ^· the support 5, the shivers of glass start to drop downwards and end up. into the collection means until the support 5, having reached its final position, is completely empty.

The support 5 turned preferably by- an electric motor E.

In particular, in order to turn said support 5 about its longitudinal axis of rotation, provided at the rear is an axial pin rendered fixed with respect to the electric motor E and provided at the front are circular guides, arranged in the proximity of the opening/closing shutter element 12.

The opening/closing element 12 is provided with an actuation handle. or knob.

It is preferable for the access opening of ^■ the loading compartment B to be provided with a diaphragm 13 with purposely shaped radial notches, made of rubber or bristle, to prevent accidental exit of ^~ shivers of glass upon- insertion of another glass container to be crushed.

The mechanical crushing means are substantially constituted by a self-propelled box-shaped body A, which is designed to be lowered for applying pressure on the glass container and comprises a plurality of automatic punches 2, set preferably longitudinally, each of which is provided with at least one adjustable- tension spring, provided inside it, and a retractable tip P that comes out of said box-shaped body A so as to facilitate^■ breaking of the container before said box- shaped body A reduces it to shivers.

In other words, thanks to the descending movement of the box-shaped body 1, the tips P of the punches 2 first rest upon the outer surface of the . glass container, and the springs begin to undergo compression, loading until they are suddenly released causing the tips P of the punches 2 to impact violently against the container, breaking it; the container is then reduced to shivers by the box-shaped body A, which continues to descend as far as its own end-of-travel position.

The breaking force varies according to the type of springs present within the punches 2.

The geometry of,, the tips P of the punches 2 varies according to the requirements of the material of which the container to be crushed is made.

It is preferable for each of the tips P of said punches 2 to be pyramidal or conical in shape.

In addition, it is preferable to provide for each tip P of the punches 2 means 11 designed to ^' favour breaking of the glass container - in the case where the punch 2 has only perforated and/or partially cracked the container itself, which are fixed with respect to the self-propelled box-shaped body A. In the example described, said means 11 are, for example, pyramidal^' in shape, preferably with edges in relief, or else conical .

In the example described, the box-shaped body A comprises four punches 2 aligned along the axis of the glass container, which are positioned in such a way as to be arranged radially above the glass container and act directly on said container favouring breaking thereof before crushing by the box-shaped body A.

The self-propelled box-shaped body A is fixed ^"to the structure of the apparatus by means of purposely provided slide guides 10.

According to the invention, the box-shaped body A is moved vertically via an electric motor M, fixed to the load-bearing structure of the apparatus and provided with a gear 4 fitted on its own shaft, which meshes with- a vertical rack 3, fixed with respect to the box-shaped body.

The means for collecting the shivers of glass are substantially constituted by a drawer C, preferably extractable, which is set underneath the rotating support 5.

The drawer C is equipped on its top edges with purposely provided shaped guides 16.

It is preferable to provide in a side wall of the apparatus, preferably in a position corresponding^' to the drawer C, a gap for enabling housing. of a diaphragm 15, which is designed to -be inserted horizontally in a purposely provided slit, or slot 18 on the front wall of the apparatus for closing at the top the drawer C, which can be extracted ^"in conditions of safety when it contains pieces of glass.

Said horizontal slit 18 is provided with a brush 17 for cleaning the. diaphragm 15 in a position- corresponding to the guide^' 16.

It- is also advisable for the front wall of said drawer C to be provided with at least one portion made of transparent material to. enable the user of verify the amount of shivers of glass -that have, dropped into the drawer itself, i.e., its level of filling.

The rear wall of the drawer C is provided with a shaped guide 19^' to facilitate and guide exit from said drawer of the shivers of glass collected therein and introduction thereof into the purposely provided bin.

In the example described, said guide 19 is provided with a shutter 20 for opening and closing it so as to eliminate any accidental contact by the user with the shivered (and hence sharp) glass.

The drawer C is provided on its front wall with a handle.

The entire operating . cycle is kept under control by an electronic board, which, by means of appropriate sensors and/or end-of-travel elements 21 (for example micro-switches) set, for example, at the end of the box-shaped body A and of the loading compartment B or in other strategic positions, maintains the apparatus in conditions . of safety.

The means for actuation of the mechanical means for crushing the glass container comprise an electrical wiring system and at least two pushbuttons set on an outer- all of the electrical household appliance:

- a main ON/OFF switch;

- a switch for start of the crushing cycle.

In ^■ the example described, said pushbuttons are positioned on the front wall of the apparatus._.

In ^: a second embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11, the apparatus comprises a further rotating support or cradle .5' for enabling housing in a horizontal position of a further■ glass_^ container to be crushed.

In the example described, said further support 5' is set laterally with respect to the support 5 previously described, and is connected thereto by means of an inclined surface or slide S to enable said further container to slide or roll in the support 5 once the latter is empty in its initial position ready for a new crushing cycle.

Advantageously, in said second embodiment, it is possible to introduce a plurality of further glass containers to be crushed so as to form a stack of containers,, in which only the one positioned at the bottom of said stack rests directly on the further support or cradle 5' .

In this way, the support 5 can be loaded automatically with a further glass container to be crushed once the cycle of crushing of the container previously described is completed.

In order to move said further support or cradle 5' , a further electric motor D is purposely provided, designed to be operated when the first support 5 is empty and in its initial bottom position.

In order for a glass container resting on the further cradle 5' to roll into the cradle 5 when the latter is empty, means are provided for detecting the presence of a container on the cradle 5, such as for example at■ least one- photoelectric cell or sensor, and sending a signal to_. the further electric motor D when said cradle 5 is empty in such a way that- said- electric motor D will turn the further cradle 5' , thus enabling the container resting thereon to roll along the inclined surface S.

Said detection means are preferably provided in the proximity of the further cradle 5'■.

Obviously, the invention is earthed and is equipped with fuse arid all the arrangements required by law.

Advantageously, the apparatus forming the 'subject of the invention enables crushing of all types of glass containers that may be found in a domestic environment or in commercial^{■ ■} premises, with a considerable reduction of their volume.

The present invention has been described and illustrated according to some preferred embodiments, but it is understood that any person skilled in the branch may make modifications and/or equivalent replacements, without^' thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the present industrial patent right.

Claims

1. An apparatus for crushing glass containers,, characterized in that it comprises, in combination:

- means for insertion and housing of at least one glass container to be crushed;

mechanical means for crushing the glass container; and

- means for collecting the shivers of the glass container.

2. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in^' that said insertion and housing means are substantially constituted by a loading compartment (B) _.for introduction of the glass container, which is provided with an opening/closing element (12) and with rotating means for supporting and centring said container during crushing, which are designed to be rotated after the container has been reduced to shivers so as to cause said shivers to. drop by gravity into, the underlying collection means .

3. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said means for supporting and centring comprise a rotating support or cradle (5) of a substantially semicylindrical shape, which is designed to support and keep said container- in a horizontal position/

4. - The ^'apparatus according to. ^' the preceding claim, characterized in that said rotating ^' support (5) is designed to perform a first axial rotation through 1.80° in which said support (5) passes from ^' an initial position, in which the concavity faces upwards and in which it remains until the container is- reduced to shivers, to -a final position in which the concavity faces downwards to cause all the shivers of glass to drop down, and a second axial rotation through 180°, in which the .empty support (5)^' returns into the initial 5 -position to be able to receive another container to be crushed.

5. The apparatus according to either^' Claim 3 or Claim 4, characterized in that it envisages an electric motor (E) for causing rotation of said support (5) .

10 6. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in order to cause rotation of said support (5) about its longitudinal axis of rotation, provided at the rear is an axial pin rendered fixed with respect to the electric motor (E)

15 and provided at the front are circular guides arranged in the proximity of the opening/closing element (12).

7. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 onwards, characterized in that said opening/closing element (12) is a shutter element.

20- 8. The apparatus according to any one of Claims

2 onwards, characterized in that the access opening of ■ the loading compartment (B) is provided with a purposely shaped diaphragm (13), with radial notches, made of rubber or bristle.

25 9. The apparatus according to Claim 1,

- characterized in that the crushing- means are substantially constituted by a self-propelled box- - shaped body (A) designed to be lowered for crushing the glass container,

30 10. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said box-shaped body (A) comprises a plurality of automatic plungers or punches • (2) , each of which is provided with at least one spring with adjustable tension, set inside it, and a retractable tip (P) , which comes out of said box-shaped body (A) so as to facilitate smashing of the container before said box-shaped body (A) reduces it to shivers. -

11. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, thanks to the descending movement of the box-shaped body (A) , the tips (P) _. of the punches (2) are designed first to come to rest upon the outer surface of the glass container and then cause compression of the springs, which are loaded and then released suddenly causing said.,- tips (P) to- impact violently against the container, smashing it, said container then being reduced to shivers by the box- shaped body (A) which continues to descend as far as its own end-of-travel position.

12. The apparatus according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, characterized in that each tip (P) of the punches (2) has a pyramidal or conical shape.

13. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 onwards, characterized in that the box-shaped body (A) comprises four punches (2) aligned along the axis of the glass container, which are positioned in such a way as to be arranged radially above the glass container and act directly on said container.

14. -The apparatus according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, .characterized in that for each tip (P) of the punches (2) means (11) are^' provided designed to favour smashing of the glass container in the case where the punch (2) has only perforated and/or partially cracked the container itself.

15. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said means (11) have a pyramidal shape, preferably with projecting sharp edges,. or a conical shape.

.

16. The apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that the box-shaped body (A) is fixed to the structure of said apparatus by means of purposely .provided . slide guides (10).

17. The apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that the box-shaped body is moved vertically by an electric motor (M) fixed to the load- bearing structure of the apparatus and provided with a gear wheel (4) fitted on its own axis which- meshes with, a vertical rack (3) fixed with respect to the box- shaped body (A) .

18. The apparatus according to Claim 1,-- characterized in that the means for collection of the shivers of glass are substantially constituted by a drawer (C) set underneath said means for insertion and housing of at least one glass container.

19. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said drawer (C) is extractable.

20. The apparatus according to Claim 18 or Claim 19, characterized in that said drawer (C) is provided with purposely designed shaped guides (16) on its top edges.

21. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 18 onwards, characterized in that the collection drawer (C) is provided with a gap for enabling housing of a diaphragm (15) designed to be inserted horizontally in a purposely, provided slit or slot (18) on the front- wall of the apparatus for closing the drawer (C) .

22. The . apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said slit (18)^' is provided with a cleaning brush (17) .

23. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 18 onwards, characterized in that said drawer (C) is provided with at least one transparent portion on its front wall.

24. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 18 onwards, characterized in that the rear wall of the drawer (C) is provided with a guide (19) shaped so as to facilitate and guide outlet from said drawer of the shivers of glass collected therein and their introduction in a purposely provided bin.

25. The apparatus according to the preceding^' claim, characterized in that said guide (19) is provided with a shutter (20) for opening and closing . it.

26. The apparatus according to Claim- 4, characterized in that it comprises a further rotating support or cradle (5') for enabling housing in a horizontal position of a further glass container; said further support (5') being connected to the support (5) by means of an inclined surface or chute (S) to enable said further container to slide or roll into said ■support (5) when the · latter is empty in its initial position; said further support (5') being set laterally with respect to the support (5) .

27. The apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a further electric motor (D) for moving said further support (5' ) .

28. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that ^· means are provided ^■ designed to detect the presence of a container on the support (5) and to issue a signal to said electric motor^' (D) when said support (5) is empty for rotating- the further -support { 5 ' ) , ■ enabling the container ■resting on the latter to roll along the inclined surface as far . as the support- (5) .

29. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire working cycle is kept under control by an electronic card, which,, by means of appropriate sensors and/or limit switches (21), maintains the apparatus itself in conditions of safety; said sensors (21) being preferably provided at the ends of the box-shaped body (A) and of the loading compartment (B) or in other strategic positions.

30. The apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises- means for actuation of said mechanical crushing means, said actuation means comprising an electric wiring, system and at least two push-buttons on the front wall of the apparatus:

- a main ON/OFF switch; an

- a switch for starting up the crushing cycle.