WO2016005699A1

WO2016005699A1 - Device for preparing aerosol containers for the disposal or recycling thereof, facility including such a device and method for preparing aerosol containers for the disposal or recycling thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2016005699A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/051882
Authority: WO
Inventors: Valentino MENIACADORE
Original assignee: Eco-Emballages
Priority date: 2014-07-10
Filing date: 2015-07-07
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Also published as: FR3023496A1; FR3023496B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for preparing aerosol containers (2) for the disposal or recycling thereof, including an enclosure (3) at atmospheric pressure including at least two counter-rotating cylinders (4, 5), arranged adjacent to one another and separated by a space (6) in which said aerosol containers (2) are crushed and pierced, at least one or both of the cylinders (4, 5) including teeth (7), projecting radially into said space (6), capable of piercing said aerosol containers (2), said device (1) also including a hopper (10) for feeding aerosols (2), capable of receiving the aerosols (2) from a batch of aerosols (2) or from a continuous sorting flow and arranged above said cylinders (4, 5), a hopper (12) for discharging pierced and crushed aerosol containers (2), arranged below said cylinders (4, 5), means (14) for discharging residual gas and/or vapours, and means (19) for recovering residual liquids flowing from said pierced and crushed aerosol containers (2). The invention also relates to a facility including the device (1) and to a method using the device (1).

Description

DEVICE FOR PREPARING AEROSOL CONTAINERS FOR THEIR DISPOSAL OR RECYCLING, INSTALLATION COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING AEROSOL CONTAINERS

FOR DISPOSAL OR RECYCLING

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for preparing aerosol containers for their disposal or recycling and an installation comprising such a device.

State of the art [0002] Waste, particularly household waste, comprises a multitude of objects, residues or substances, resulting from the activity or the human diet. Some are inert and not very dangerous, while others are more dangerous to treat or recycle.

Household waste generally includes a multitude of substances of very different nature, some mixed waste is non-recyclable, such as some plastic packaging, while others are recyclable as newspapers magazines, cardboard packaging, plastic bottles, food blocks, boxes and aerosols in steel or aluminum.

The collection of waste is usually done through traditional household garbage collection, selective collections, collections of bulky items and those brought in waste disposal.

Generally, all the previously sorted waste, whatever their mode of collection, arrive in sorting centers in which they are prepared for recycling or disposal. They are eventually sorted again, before being packaged and sent to recovery centers for processing into new raw materials.

As regards the preparation of the recycling of objects or metal residues, it generally implements a first separation of these objects from the remains of the waste by a magnetic separation to recover the ferrous objects first, then a separation, for example by eddy current, to sort the non-ferrous objects of metal objects. The waste thus sorted is then packaged generally in the form of bales using presses, a packaging which proves to be the easiest at this stage of recycling. Indeed, in the sorting centers, the use of crushers which would reduce the powdered metal containers, or at least small particles, is not possible because the small particles, in particular the powders, are difficult to condition for a transport and further processing and requires many protective equipment to prevent particulate contamination of industrial facilities, the environment and people who are led to handle them.

As regards aerosols, pressurized containers made of aluminum or steel, grinding is also not possible because of the high risk of explosions that would damage the grinding equipment. Similarly, packaging directly in the form of bales also has the disadvantage of inducing explosions or fires due to crushing and / or indirect piercing of containers, releasing residual contents still present (such as gas or mixture of propellants, the active product (s) and possibly solvents), which are generally highly flammable. In addition, it is generally not recommended to isolate aerosols from the sorted aluminum stream so as not to concentrate them at a point in the sorting center as this increases the risk of exposure.

It is known in the state of the art Spanish patent ES2261012 describing a device for preparing aerosol containers, providing two sets of gear wheels mounted on an axis. This document states that these gears are intended to pierce the aerosol filled and that they are separated by a certain distance being that allows these aerosols after piercing through the two gears lines fall to the bottom, and not to impede or block the machine. It specifies that the aerosols are entrained in the slight separation provided between the two rows of toothed wheels secured to the transmission shafts and provided with long teeth. The synchronized movement of these gears allows to drive the aerosol and press the flattened gas and perforated so that the liquid falls on the bottom. In addition, the Spanish patent ES2261012 provides a device for drilling aerosols one after the other, to the unit, provided by a feed wheel, while the invention carried by the patent application provides to treat a continuous flow of metal product, and thus the treatment of a large number of aerosols at the same time. Also known in the state of the art German patent DE19535554 déc rivant another destruction solution by grinding aerosol packages. Disadvantages of prior art

The solution proposed by the patent ES226102 is not satisfactory because the space between the two sets of gears does not guarantee robust operation in actual use condition. Indeed, the "unwanted objects" can come to block the operation, because of their size, their rigidity or come to impale the gears when it comes to plastic products.

Goals of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a device for preparing aerosol containers for disposal or recycling and an installation comprising such a device, which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art. The object of the invention is to prevent so-called "undesirable" objects from disturbing the operation of the installation. It is indeed an installation intended for the treatment of large volumes of waste, which, even if they have been previously sorted, may nevertheless contain aerosol packages of metal objects, in particular aluminum or steel, such as beverage cans, cans, cans of beer, engine parts or pressure cookers, or large items to recycle, such as cartons, rigid or flexible plastics.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims in particular to provide a treatment solution, batch and continuous, a multitude of aerosols to remove residual gases and liquids that may be there, before packaging by compacting.

The present invention also aims to provide a solution for packaging by compaction baler or packets.

The present invention relates to a device for preparing aerosol containers for their disposal or recycling, the device comprising an atmospheric pressure chamber comprising at least two counter-rotating cylinders, arranged adjacent to one another and separated by a space in which the aerosol containers are pierced and crushed, at least one or both cylinders comprising radially spaced teeth projecting to pierce the aerosol containers, the device further comprising a aerosol feed hopper, adapted to receive the aerosols from a batch of aerosols or a continuous sorting stream and disposed above said cylinders, a hopper for discharging aerosol containers pierced and crushed, disposed below the cylinders, means for evacuating residual gases and / or vapors, and means for recovering liquids residuals flowing from said pierced and crushed aerosol containers, at least one of said cylinders being movable along another axis than their axis of rotation to allow said space to be increased.

The solution provided by the invention is to provide a mobility of one or two toothed rollers, which allows to adapt in real time the distance between the toothed surfaces and allow the passage of an undesirable object by a spacing transient of toothed rollers. This embodiment also has the advantage of allowing easy access for the maintenance, cleaning or replacement of the means for piercing aerosols and / or cylinders cleaning the enclosure, but also to eliminate possible jams and safeguarding the integrity of the cylinders in case of arrival of larger objects than a predetermined volume or a predetermined size as being a limit value of volume or size of aerosols that can be processed.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the device according to the invention comprises at least one, or any suitable combination, of the following characteristics: the teeth extend over the entire circumference of the cylinder or cylinders, the teeth being equally spaced from each other and arranged on the cylinder or cylinders in the form of longitudinal straight lines equally spaced from each other, the teeth of each line of a cylinder being arranged in staggered relation to the tooth lines the other cylinder, - one or both cylinders are movable relative to an axis parallel to their axis of rotation in a pendulum movement,

the means for evacuating the residual gases and / or vapors comprise one or more openings in the enclosure and / or a duct, connected at the top of the device and opening to the open air, or to means of treatment or recovery of the residual gases and / or vapors, and comprising a fan and a flame stop, the residual gas and / or vapor evacuation means further comprising a flammable gas and / or vapor detector or a flame detector disposed in the enclosure of the device the detector cooperating and / or controlling the activation or increase of the air flow of said fan, - the device further comprises means for closing the aerosol feed hopper and the hopper evacuation of pierced and crushed aerosol containers, the device further comprises means for managing undesirable elements comprising means for spacing the rolls and / or means for stopping the rotation of the rolls.

The present invention also relates to an installation comprising one or more devices according to the invention.

The installation according to the invention may further comprise means for diverting the continuous flow of aerosols to be treated.

The present invention also relates to a method for preparing aerosol containers for their elimination or recycling comprising the steps of taking the device according to the invention, supply it continuously or batch of aerosols to be treated, piercing and crushing a multitude of aerosols with the aid of two cylinders of the device according to the invention, evacuating and / or recovering residual gases and / or vapors and residual liquids from the aerosols, recovering the aerosols drilled and crushed, storing , or condition, aerosols drilled and crushed.

The method according to the invention further comprises a step of spacing the rolls and / or stopping the rotation of the rolls and / or the engine or motors driving the rolls, when detecting the arrival of one or more objects of a size or a volume greater than a size or a volume defined as corresponding to a limit value of volume or size of aerosols that can be treated using the device according to the 'invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a transverse schematic representation of the device for preparing aerosol containers for their elimination or recycling according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 is a schematic transverse representation of the device for preparing aerosol containers for their disposal or recycling according to a second embodiment.

Figure 3 is a schematic transverse representation of a particular embodiment of the counter-rotating cylinders of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the pivoting of one cylinder relative to the other in the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

Figure 5 is a first schematic longitudinal representation of the mode. particular embodiment shown in FIG.

Figure 6 is a second schematic longitudinal representation of the particular embodiment shown in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The device 1 for aerosol recycling preparation 1 according to the present invention has the advantage of allowing the treatment of a multitude of aerosols 2 at a time, thus of treating one of them. large volume from a continuous stream from a waste sorting line and from a batch of aerosols 2. The device 1 according to the invention has the advantage of being able to process between five kilograms and two tons per hour, or between fifteen and seven thousand aerosols per hour.

The term "aerosol" is used in the present description to denote the container of a device for dispersing very fine particles of a liquid, a solution or a solid, whatever the material or materials. the container is made, whether or not under pressure, whether the receptacle is empty or filled, wholly or in part, with one or more propellants, one or more active ingredients and / or one or more solvent, liquid form or vapors.

The device 1 according to the invention comprises an enclosure 3, under atmospheric pressure, preferably without an atmosphere other than air, an enclosure defined by walls and having a shape and adequate dimensions. In a first example of the device according to the invention, the chamber 3 comprises at least one cylinder 4, movable pendular about its axis and capable of piercing and crushing aerosols 2. Preferably, the cylinder 4 cooperates with a fixed wall for drilling and crushing aerosols.

In a second example of the device according to the invention, the cylinder 4 does not cooperate with a fixed wall, but with a second cylinder 5, itself also movable about its axis. Preferably, the two cylinders 4 and 5 are said to be "counter-rotating" because they rotate respectively in opposite directions. The two cylinders 4 and 5 are movable relative to each other, along an axis perpendicular to the axes of the cylinders 4 and 5, so as to allow spacing or bringing the two rollers closer, and modify the drilling space provided between the two cylinders. This mobility can be achieved by pendular arms supporting the axes of the cylinders 4 and 5. The approximation of the two cylinders can be ensured either by the weight of the cylinders or by a return means. The cooperation of the first cylinder 4 with a fixed wall or a second cylinder 5 has the advantage of releasing the pressure, and thus the gas and / or the liquids included in the aerosols 2, and to allow a first compacting compaction also forcing the release of residual gases, vapors and / or liquids. Preferably, the cylinders 4 and 5 have substantially identical dimensions.

Advantageously, their length is between 40 cm and 1 m and their diameter is between 5 and 40 cm.

The cylinders 4 and 5 and the fixed wall are made of all suitable materials, preferably they are made of stainless steel. Preferably, the rolls 4 and 5 are solid, but may also be hollow to make them lighter.

The cylinders 4 and 5 are adjacent, their axis of rotation being substantially parallel and preferably disposed substantially in the same plane.

The cylinder 4 and the fixed wall or the cylinders 4 and 5 are separated by a space 6 in which the aerosols 2 are pierced and crushed, compressed or compressed, but not ground, the space 6 being defined as the space separating the outer surface of the fixed wall and the body of the cylinder 4 or separating the outer surface of the body of each cylinder 4 and 5.

The space 6 has adequate size to compress the aerosols in the manner of a rolling mill, while allowing the passage of aerosols 2 tablets. Preferably, the dimensioned space 6 is between 20 and 50 mm, advantageously the space 6 is about 20 mm.

Preferably, one of the two cylinders 4 and 5, preferably the two cylinders 4 and 5, are movable along another axis that their axis of rotation allowing them to increase the space 6 and so to move away one of the other, for example in a pendulum movement (Figure 4). This embodiment has the advantage of allowing automatic adaptation of the drilling space according to the size of the aerosol, easy access for the maintenance, cleaning or replacement of the aerosol piercing means 2 and / or cylinders 4 and 5, the cleaning of the enclosure 3, but also to eliminate possible jams and safeguard the integrity of the cylinders 4 and 5 in case of arrival of objects larger than a predetermined volume or a predetermined size as being a limit value of volume or size of aerosols 2 that can be processed.

The cylinders 4 and 5, optionally the fixed wall cooperating with the first cylinder 4, comprise teeth 7 which project radially from their surface in space 6. They preferably extend over the entire surface of the fixed wall or the circumference of the cylinder (s) 4 and / or 5. Preferably, the teeth 7 are spaced from each other equally and arranged on the fixed wall or the cylinder or cylinders 4 and / or 5 in the form of longitudinal straight lines, preferably spaced apart from each other equally, the teeth 7 of each line being aligned with respect to the rows of teeth 7 above and below (Figures 3, 5 and 6), or arranged in staggered rows.

Preferably, the rows, or columns, of teeth 7 of the fixed wall, or cylinders 4 or 5, are arranged staggered, staggered respectively relative to the rows or columns of teeth of the first cylinder 4 , or staggered, with respect to rows or columns of teeth, of the second cylinder 5 (Figures 3, 5 and 6).

The teeth 7 are able to pierce the envelope of the aerosols, whatever the material or materials of which they are made, whether it is, for example, aluminum or steel. Preferably, the teeth 7 are in the form of a pointed needle or a conical, pyramidal or sawtooth shape. Advantageously, they have a shape substantially identical to an arrowhead or a shark tooth, one or more edges are sharp. Preferably, the edges of the end of the teeth 7 for piercing the aerosols 2 form an angle of between 45 and 90 °. Advantageously, the angle is about 90 °.

The shapes of the teeth 7 described above have the advantage of allowing effective piercing of the walls of the aerosol containers 2.

Preferably, the teeth 7 have a height dimension smaller than the dimension of the space 6 so as not to touch the surface of the fixed wall or of the adjacent cylinder, but preferably sufficiently large to pierce, or to start drilling. aerosols 2 before the cylinders 4 or 5 crushes them. Preferably, the teeth 7 may have the same size or different sizes on the fixed wall, on the same cylinder 4 or 5, or the same or different between the fixed wall and the first cylinder 4 or a cylinder 4 or 5 to the other.

The teeth 7 are made of any suitable material for piercing the walls of the aerosols 2. They are for example made of stainless steel, materials for piercing aluminum casing, but also steel. Preferably, the teeth are made of a material that reduces or eliminates the production of sparks during aerosol piercing 2.

Preferably, the teeth 7 are removably mounted on the fixed wall or the body of the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5, which has the advantage of being able to change them in case of wear or breakage without having to change the entire cylinder 4 or 5.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 1 comprises two cylinders 4 and 5 counter-rotating, made of steel, about 1m long and about 40cm in diameter; they comprise 25 rows of 12 teeth 7, made of steel and spaced from each other by 80mm, the lines being spaced 60mm.

Preferably, each cylinder 4 and 5 is driven by a motor 8 and 9 independent of each other; nevertheless, an embodiment of the invention may comprise a single motor driving the two cylinders 4 and 5. The or the motors 8, 9 may be electric or thermal, and are capable of driving the cylinders 4 and 5 to one the other, both rotating at the same or different speed, a speed preferably between 10 and 40 revolutions per minute, preferably about 20 revolutions per minute.

Preferably, the cylinder 4 and the fixed wall or the cylinders 4 and 5 are disposed substantially in the center of the enclosure 3 and thus form an aerosol receiving zone above the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5 and a aerosol evacuation zone pierced and crushed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the device 1 may comprise a multitude of cylinders 4 and 5 counter-rotating arranged in the chamber 3. The device 1 may also include one or more series of two counter-rotating cylinders allowing the piercing the aerosols without crushing them and one or more other series of two counter-rotating cylinders not including teeth 7, but allowing them to be crushed; advantageously, the cylinders without teeth 7 are arranged close to the piercing cylinders and comprise an inter-cylinder space smaller than the inter-cylinder space of the piercing cylinders.

The use of the counter-rotating cylinders 4 and 5, or the multitude of counter-rotating cylinders, has the advantage of allowing the piercing and compression, or crushing, of the aerosols 2 concomitantly, or sequentially, but so-called then "almost concomitant" because taking place immediately one after the other in a very short time interval.

The device 1 according to the invention further comprises a feed hopper 10 aerosols 2, disposed in the upper part of the device 1, connected or forming part of the aerosol receiving zone 2, preferably above the first cylinder 4 and the fixed wall or cylinders 4 and 5, or the multitude of cylinders 4 and 5. This feed hopper 10 is adapted to receiving the aerosols from a continuous sort flow or from a batch, for example via a first conveyor belt 11.

The device 1 further comprises a discharge hopper 12, arranged at the bottom of the device 1, connected to or forming part of the aerosol evacuation zone 2 drilled, preferably below the first cylinder 4 and the fixed wall or cylinders 4 and 5, or the multitude of cylinders 4 and 5. This discharge hopper 12 is adapted to receive aerosols 2 pierced and crushed and discharge to storage means, directly or by the intermediate of a second belt conveyor 13, the storage means may be a container, before a possible packaging, or discharge directly into a packaging device, for example a baler or packet.

Preferably, the hoppers 10 and 12 comprise inclined walls at an appropriate angle for feeding or discharging the device 1 in aerosols 2 by gravity. Preferably, the angle of the walls is between 45 and 50 °, which has the advantage of allowing a sufficient supply of the device 1 by gravity without inducing jamming. The device 1 further comprises means 14 for discharging residual gases and / or vapors.

In a first embodiment, the means 14 for evacuating the residual gases and / or vapors comprise one or more openings in the chamber 3 for the continuous evacuation of gases and / or vapors by natural convection, arranged either in the roof wall and possibly in the side wall forming one side of the chamber 3 (Figure 1). Preferably, the means 14 furthermore comprise either a fan or an air blower device for forcing the residual gases and vapors towards the outside of the enclosure 3. This embodiment is particularly suitable for an implantation of the device 1 outside, that is to say outside the buildings of the sorting centers. In a second embodiment (FIG. 2), the means 14 for evacuating the residual gases and / or vapors comprise a duct 15 connected at the top of the device 1 and opening into the open air or to means treatment or recovery of residual gases and / or vapors. This arrangement makes it possible to prevent the aerosols 2 to be treated or already treated from obstructing the conduit 15. The means 14 can furthermore comprise a flammable gas and / or vapor detector 16 or a flame detector disposed in the enclosure 3 of the device 1 or the junction between the enclosure 3 and the conduit 15. The means 14 may further comprise a fan 17, for the extraction of residual gases and vapors through the conduit 15 and disposed in said conduit 15 , or a blowing device of air to force the residual gases and vapors in the duct 15. Preferably, the detector 16 cooperates and controls the activation, or the increase of the air flow, of the fan 17 in the case of continuous operation. of the fan 17, and advantageously cooperate with the motor (s) of the cylinder (s) 4 and 5 to stop the operation of the device 1. This embodiment is particularly suitable for implantation of the device 1 inside, that is to say inside the buildings of the sorting centers, however it can also be envisaged for an implantation in outside.

For example, the duct 15 may have a diameter of about 20 cm, the detector 16 be of the infra-red type and the fan 17 be of the ATEX type allowing a flow of air to be evacuated between 46 and 92 Nm ³ / h.

Preferably, the detector 16 continuously analyzes the content of air in flammable gas and / or vapor. It can be coupled with means of warning a malfunction, allowing maintenance (cleaning) or replacement of the detector 16 in case of malfunction and / or filtration means, filters for example, capturing the particles produced by fires. Advantageously, the detector 16 is disposed in the duct 15 after bends that form the latter, and this to protect it from possible fouling.

Preferably, the means 14 for evacuating the residual gases and / or vapors comprise or cooperate with a flame stop 18, advantageously arranged in the duct 15. Preferably, they comprise or cooperate with means of treatment or recovery. residual gases and / or vapors.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises means 23 for closing the enclosure 3. These means 23, preferably arranged at each hopper 10 and 12, make it possible to isolate the interior of the enclosure 3 from the outside of the device 1 to prevent the spread of a fire or explosion. Preferably, the means 23 comprise fire dampers controlled by an electromagnet keeping them open in normal operation and releasing them during the occurrence of a fire or an explosion, the fire dampers obstructing the hoppers 10 and 12, for example by a rotational movement or guillotine. Preferably, these means 23 cooperate with the flame detector (s) and / or detector (16) of flammable gas and / or vapor, arranged in the enclosure (3) or outside the device (1).

Preferably, the device 1 comprises means for extinguishing a fire, comprising for example one or powder extinguishers and / or one or more pipes comprising nozzles for diffusing fire extinguishing compositions. Advantageously, these means for extinguishing a fire may also comprise or be the means for cleaning the inner surface of the walls of the enclosure 3.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises anti-explosion means comprising for example one or more vents, one or more portions of one or more walls of the enclosure 3 of lesser resistance that may yield under the breath of the explosion and avoid the bursting of the enclosure 3.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises means 19 for recovering the residual liquids, advantageously arranged under the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5. Preferably, these means 19 comprise a perforated wall 20, preferably an inclined wall, for the recovery of residual liquids by gravity, opening into a funnel 21, then a reservoir 22 disposed vertically of the funnel 21. Preferably, the perforated wall 20, the funnel 21 and the reservoir 22 are of a material resistant to liquid residues included in the aerosols 2. For example the perforated wall 20 and the funnel 21 may be made of stainless steel and the reservoir 22 may be made of polyethylene, preferably transparent in order to visualize the filling level, of a sufficient volume to collect the residual liquid, but also to be handled by an operator. Preferably, the connection between the funnel 21 and the reservoir 22 is impermeable to liquids and gases in order to reduce the evaporation of the vapors in the reservoir 22.

Preferably, the device 1 further comprises means for cleaning the inner surface of the walls of the enclosure 3 and elements disposed in the enclosure 3. This has the advantage of being able to treat aerosols 2 containing principles Foam producing active ingredients of the polyurethane foam type. Preferably, these cleaning means cooperate or use the residual liquid recovery means to evacuate the cleaning solutions.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises means for cleaning the fixed wall or the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5 or multitudes of cylinders 4 and 5, said means comprising a comb for removing residues on or between the teeth 7 fixed wall and cylinders 4 and 5.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises means for managing undesirable elements, making it possible to avoid jamming of the device 1. In fact, in the stream of aerosols coming from the sorting chain, objects that are larger than aerosols 2 can accidentally pass the sorting steps and arrive at the device 1. To prevent damage to the device 1, the undesirable element management means allow either the spacing of the or cylinders 4 and 5, to increase the space 6 up to 200mm, for example, stopping the rotation of the cylinders 4 and 5 and / or the motor or motors driving the cylinders 4 and 5 in case of detection of an overload. Preferably, these means comprise one or more infra-red sensors disposed at the inlet of the aerosol feed hopper 2 and / or a hopper 10 having a calibrated aperture.

Preferably, the spacing of the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5 is obtained by the fact that the first cylinder 4, or, in the embodiment comprising two counter-rotating cylinders, one of the two cylinders 4 and 5, advantageously both. cylinders 4 and 5, are movable along another axis that their axis of rotation allowing them to increase the space 6. Preferably, the device 1 comprises one or more springs 24 (Figure 6) allowing the fixed wall, the first cylinder 4 or cylinders 4 and 5 to be in a suitable position to cooperate, springs 24 which compress when the occurrence of a bulky object or during a jam and then relax in order to reposition the fixed wall, the first cylinder 4 or the cylinder or cylinders 4, 5 again in the proper operating position.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises maintenance means comprising for example one or more openings in one or more walls of the enclosure 3 for inspection and / or maintenance of the elements of the device 1. This or these openings allow to inspect the interior of the chamber 3 and the elements therein, but also to intervene either on the cylinders 4 and 5, their teeth, clean or empty the chamber 3 in case of jam.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises means for locking the means 23 for closing the enclosure 3, in particular fire dampers, and openings for the maintenance means, comprising, for example, locks, means for interlocking at the same time all the openings of the device 1 and cooperating with the means 14 for discharging residual gases and / or vapors, in particular with the detector (s) 16 of flammable gas and / or vapor or a flame detector to prevent access to the enclosure 3 if a fire or a fire hazard is present.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises means for starting and stopping, automatic or manual. Advantageously, these means are coupled and cooperate with the means for detecting an explosive and / or flammable fire or vapor disposed in the chamber 3, or outside the device 1. EXAMPLE

By way of example, Table 1 shows the main characteristics of the particular embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention.

Table 1

The facility for preparing the aerosol containers 2 for their disposal or recycling comprises one or more devices 1 according to the invention. The installation according to the invention may further comprise means for diverting the stream of aerosols 2 to be treated to, for example, the belt conveyor 13 or directly to storage means for further processing. This makes it possible to interrupt the arrival of the aerosols 2 to be treated in the device or devices 1 in case of malfunction or during interviews. Preferably, these means are arranged before entering the device or devices 1, advantageously at the supply belt conveyor 11.

The installation according to the invention may further comprise means for detecting an explosive and / or flammable fire or vapor disposed outside the enclosure 3, preferably at the inlet of the hopper. 11, which has the advantage of being able to stop the device or devices 1 and thus prevent the occurrence and / or spread of a fire to the devices 1.

The installation according to the invention may further comprise a first belt conveyor 11 adapted to feed the aerosol feed hopper 10 of the device 1 from a sorting flow, and a second conveyor belt 13 able to unload aerosols 2 drilled and tablets to storage means and / or packaging means.

The plant according to the invention may further comprise aerosol storage means 2 drilled and crushed, comprising for example a container, and / or packaging means, a baler or packets for example. The installation according to the invention further comprises means for supplying the device or devices 1 with energy.

The method of preparation of the aerosol containers 2 for their disposal or recycling comprises the steps of feeding, the device 1 according to the invention in aerosols 2 from a continuous flow or a batch of aerosols 2, previously sorted or not, manually or automatically, to drill and compress a multitude of aerosols 2 using a first cylinder 4 and a fixed wall or with two cylinders 4 and 5 counter-rotating , the fixed wall and / or the cylinder or cylinders 4,5 comprising teeth 7 projecting radially from the surface of the fixed wall, of a cylinder 4 or 5, said cylinders 4 and 5 being able to be arranged adjacent to each other; other in an enclosure 3 at atmospheric pressure and separated from each other by a gap 6 of 20 to 50 mm, the rolls 4 and 5, the teeth 7 preferably having the same characteristics as those described for the device 1 according to the invention.

Preferably, the piercing and the compression of the aerosols are concomitant, but these steps can be sequential, but then say "almost concomitant" because taking place immediately one after the other in a very short time interval. The method according to the invention further comprises a step of recovering aerosols 2 drilled, possibly a storage step of said aerosols 2 drilled and crushed and possibly a packaging step in the form of balls or packets, using for example balers or packets.

The method according to the invention also comprises a step of evacuation and / or recovery of residual gases and / or vapors and recoveries of residual liquids.

The method may further comprise continuously analyzing the content of air in flammable gases and / or vapors and the activation or increase of the flow rate of a fan 17, in the case of a continuous operation of the fan 17 and / or concomitantly closing the openings of the enclosure 3, for example by the maintenance means, and the hoppers 10 and 12 via fire dampers, to prevent gas propagation and / or flammable vapors, fire or explosion and / or stop the rotation of cylinders 4 and 5. The method may further comprise a step of spacing the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5, and / or the stopping of the rotation of the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5 and / or the motor or motors driving the cylinders 4 and 5 in the case of the arrival of one or more objects of a larger size or a volume greater than a defined size or volume defined as being a limit value of volume or size of aerosols 2 that it is possible to treat.

The method further comprises a step away from the cylinder or cylinders 4 and 5 of the fixed wall or a cylinder of the other to allow maintenance, cleaning or replacement of the teeth 7, and / or or cylinders 4 and 5, the enclosure 3, and / or to eliminate possible jams and safeguard the integrity of the cylinders 4 and 5 in case of arrival of larger objects than aerosols 2.

The method may include a step of activating an audible alarm in case of fire, explosion or any malfunction of the device 1 or the installation according to the invention.

Claims

Apparatus (1) for the preparation of aerosol containers (2) for their elimination or recycling comprising an enclosure (3) at atmospheric pressure comprising at least two counter-rotating cylinders (4, 5) arranged adjacent to each other. and separated by a space (6) in which said aerosol containers (2) are pierced and crushed, at least one or both cylinders (4, 5) including teeth (7) projecting radially therein space (6), able to pierce said aerosol containers (2), said device (1) further comprising an aerosol feed hopper (10) (2), adapted to receive the aerosols (2) originating from a batch of aerosols (2) or a continuous sorting stream and disposed above said cylinders (4, 5), a hopper (12) for discharging the aerosol containers (2) drilled and crushed, arranged below said cylinders (4, 5), means (14) for evacuating residual gases and / or vapors, and means (19) for recovering n residual liquids flowing from said aerosol containers (2) drilled and crushed characterized in that at least one of said cylinders (4, 5) is movable along another axis that their axis of rotation to allow to increase said space (6).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two cylinders (4, 5) are movable along another axis that their axis of rotation to increase said space (6).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said cylinder or cylinders (4, 5) are movable relative to an axis parallel to their axis of rotation in a pendular motion.

4. Device (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the teeth (7) extend over the entire circumference of the cylinder or cylinders (4, 5), said teeth (7) being spaced apart from each other. equal and disposed on the cylinder or cylinders (4, 5) in the form of longitudinal straight lines spaced from each other equally, said teeth (7) of each line of a cylinder (4 or 5) being arranged in staggered rows relative to the rows of teeth (7) of the other cylinder (4 or 5).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (14) for evacuation of residual gases and / or vapors comprise one or more openings in the chamber (3) and / or a conduit ( 15), connected at the top of the device (1) and opening into the open air or to means for treating or recovering residual gases and / or vapors, and comprising a fan (17) and a flame stop (18) said residual gas and / or vapor evacuation means (14) further comprising a flammable gas and / or vapor detector (16) or a flame detector, disposed in the enclosure (3) of said device (1), said detector (16) cooperating and / or controlling the activation or increase of the air flow of said fan (17).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for closing the hopper (10) for supplying aerosols (2) and the hopper (12) for evacuating the containers aerosols (2) pierced and crushed.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for managing undesirable elements comprising means for spacing the rolls (4, 5) and / or means for stopping the rotation. cylinders (4, 5).

Aerosol container preparation plant (2) for their disposal or recycling comprising one or more devices (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Installation according to claim 8 further comprising means for diverting the continuous flow of aerosols (2) to be treated.

10. Method of preparing aerosol containers (2) for their disposal or recycling comprises the following steps:

- Take the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

feeding continuously or in batches said device (1) in aerosols (2) to be treated,

- Drilling and crushing a multitude of aerosols (2) with two cylinders (4, 5) of said device (1),

- evacuating and / or recovering residual gases and / or vapors and residual liquids from said aerosols (2),

- recover the aerosols (2) pierced and crushed,

- Store, or condition, said aerosols (2) drilled and crushed.

The method of claim 9 further comprises a step of spacing the rolls (4 and 5) and / or stopping the rotation of said rolls (4 and 5) and / or the at least one motor (8, 9). ) driving said cylinders (4 and 5), when detecting the arrival of one or more objects of a size or volume greater than a size or a volume defined as corresponding to a limit value of volume or size of aerosols (2) that can be treated using the device (1).