WO2020079125A1 - Procédé et système de tri de matériaux provenant de déchets collectés - Google Patents

Procédé et système de tri de matériaux provenant de déchets collectés Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020079125A1
WO2020079125A1 PCT/EP2019/078167 EP2019078167W WO2020079125A1 WO 2020079125 A1 WO2020079125 A1 WO 2020079125A1 EP 2019078167 W EP2019078167 W EP 2019078167W WO 2020079125 A1 WO2020079125 A1 WO 2020079125A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
waste
picking
sorting
bag
picking apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2019/078167
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anna TRAVANTI
Original Assignee
Ecofil Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IT102018000009614A external-priority patent/IT201800009614A1/it
Application filed by Ecofil Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata filed Critical Ecofil Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata
Priority to EP19786356.6A priority Critical patent/EP3866988B1/fr
Publication of WO2020079125A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020079125A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/36Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/342Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/342Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
    • B07C5/3422Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C7/00Sorting by hand only e.g. of mail
    • B07C7/005Computer assisted manual sorting, e.g. for mail
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C2501/00Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material to be sorted
    • B07C2501/0054Sorting of waste or refuse
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C2501/00Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material to be sorted
    • B07C2501/0063Using robots

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the management of solid waste, and particularly to a method for the sorting of materials from collected waste, and to the system used to implement said method.
  • MSW Municipal solid waste
  • the macrocategories of materials that are used for the separation of waste do not offer a homogeneous product to collectors or to the potential purchasers of secondary raw materials. On the contrary, they must be suitably sorted in a plurality of types in order to meet the market requirements.
  • the idea originates from the need to change the current status of said process in order to protect the health of the workers who separate the collected waste manually in sorting facilities. In fact, after the separation performed by the user when delivering the waste, the successive selection is made in sorting facilities by hand.
  • the waste from the selective collection does not comply with the rules that are established for delivery.
  • MSW may contain hazardous waste that can be harmful for the health of the operators because of a physical contact with the waste or inhalation of the fluids produced by the waste.
  • the gloves and masks worn by the workers as personal protective equipment (PPE) are not sufficient to protect the workers (for example, the use of gloves does not eliminate the risk of being pricked by a syringe dumped in the trash containers of community recycling areas).
  • the contamination level of containers is dangerous because hazardous waste can be delivered erroneously or because leaks can be produced by water infiltrations in decomposed fluid waste.
  • the lack of functional solutions prevents the management of waste fractions, such as organic waste, diapers and non- separated waste.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to disclose a method for sorting the separated waste and the non-separated residual fraction delivered to a collection station, said method being capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, and being characterized by a high level of rapidity and operating efficiency.
  • An additional purpose of the present invention is to disclose a system that is suitable for implementing the aforesaid method. These purposes are achieved according to the present invention with the characteristics of the independent claims.
  • the object of the present invention is a method for sorting the waste delivered to a collecting station, comprising the steps of:
  • the remotely operated apparatus is provided with means for the detection and characterization of the sorted waste.
  • the picking apparatuses and the sorting line are interfaced with a processing unit provided with remote control means.
  • said means for the detection and characterization of the waste comprise visual detection means, such as cameras.
  • the waste is picked, displayed and identified relative to the subcategories identified for its category.
  • the detected image is compared with previously acquired images that are allocated to a given subcategory.
  • the present invention also refers to a system suitable for implementing the aforesaid method, which comprises: means for distributing the waste in a given number of categories; one or more sorting lines provided with means for transporting the waste, such a continuous conveyor belt; at least one remotely-operated apparatus suitable for picking the waste from the transportation means of the sorting line and for positioning the waste in a storage container.
  • the picking apparatuses are remotely operated by means of instructions received by one or more operators.
  • said remotely-operated apparatuses are robotic arms mounted on a support disposed along the transportation means of the sorting line in perpendicular position relative to the sliding plane of said transport means, said arms being capable of rotating relative to the axis of said support, and being provided with image acquisition means and picking means provided at the free end of said arm.
  • the peculiarity of the system according to the invention consists in the fact that it can be used universally and can be operated in any environment and on any type of products, including materials that are difficult to sort, such as organic waste, diapers and dry non-recyclable waste, which is also defined as non-separated waste.
  • materials that are difficult to sort such as organic waste, diapers and dry non-recyclable waste, which is also defined as non-separated waste.
  • the purpose of the sorting operation is to reduce the quantity of waste to be dumped or burnt, recovering the noble fractions of the materials.
  • Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the sorting method according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the sorting system according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a diagrammatically plan view of a portion of the sorting system according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is the same view as Fig. 3, except for the fact that it illustrates a sorting line of organic waste; and Fig. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a realization form of the remote control means.
  • Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the sorting method of separated waste delivered to a collecting station according to the present invention.
  • Number 10 indicates the initial step of checking the conditions of the waste in terms of delivery.
  • Number 11 indicates the step of checking whether the waste is inserted in a marked container or not. If a marking is present, according to the precepts of the EP2765540B1 patent of the prior art, the marking data is read (12) and sent to an allocation system (13) and to a sorting system (14) for the part that refers to the properties of the waste. Successively, a step of category sorting (20) is performed.
  • step of category sorting (20) is performed directly.
  • step of category sorting (20) the material is conveyed to a suitable sorting line (S) (Fig.2) of a given category.
  • step 30 the dimensions of the waste from the surface of a conveyor belt (2’) (Fig.2) are detected and in step 40 a vertical profile relative to the plane of the sorting line (S) of the waste is detected.
  • the dimension and profile data 31 and 41 is sent to a processing unit (5) (Fig.2).
  • the next step 50 is the characterization of the waste to be picked.
  • the characterization step is made by image acquisition means, such as cameras (203) (Fig.4 and 5) that acquire images of the waste and send them to a display (115) of the remote control means. By seeing the type of waste on the display (115), the human operator remotely controls the picking apparatus (3) to sort the waste into a correct subcategory.
  • step 51 the characterization data is compared with the characteristics of a subcategory, it being remotely checked by the operator or by the system logic. If the data corresponds to the subcategory, the waste is sent to the picking step (60), otherwise it is left on the sorting line (S) and checked by the following apparatus, or checked according to different characteristics.
  • the picking step (60) provides for using the picking apparatus (3) to pick the waste and place the waste in a container in the collection and storage step (62).
  • Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the sorting system of the separated waste, which operates according to the aforementioned method.
  • Referral number (1 ) indicates a distribution station of separated waste, which distributes the waste into different sorting lines (S).
  • sorting lines 101 , 201 , 301 and 401
  • categories such as plastic, paper, glass and metals.
  • Each sorting line (S) is provided with transportation means (2) of the respective waste category, particularly a conveyor belt (2’) along which the remotely-operated picking apparatuses (3) are disposed and interfaced, like the distribution station 1 , with a processing unit (5) provided with remote control means (105) for interfacing with the operator.
  • Each picking apparatus (3) is provided with a collection and storage container (4) wherein a respective waste subcategory is positioned.
  • Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the system according to the invention, wherein identical parts are identified with identical referral numbers.
  • optical sensor means (102) and cameras (202) are provided on the two sides of the conveyor belt (2’), upstream the sliding direction indicated by the arrow (F), in order to measure the dimensions of the waste relative to the plane of the conveyor belt (2’) and the waste profile.
  • Each picking apparatus (3) comprises a post (103) whereon a robotic arm (303) is revolvingly mounted, it being provided with picking means (313) with sensors (323).
  • a camera (203) is mounted on the top of the post (103).
  • a collection and storage container (4) is disposed behind each picking apparatus (3).
  • the purpose of the method according to the present invention is to offer a solution that will contribute to the efficient development of the sorting systems.
  • the waste characterization is performed with detection and characterization means (C), such as cameras (203).
  • C detection and characterization means
  • the cameras (203) shoot the waste and waits for the approval of the remote operator, who will assess the waste and will send the waste to its subcategory.
  • the program used to implement the method that operates on the processing unit can be a self learning program, and therefore the decisions of the operator will implement the discretionary capacity of the system, which will learn to recognize the principal morphological characteristics for the subcategory of a specific picking apparatus.
  • the picking means (313) are provided with sensors (323) suitable for detecting a chemical-physical property of the waste, which can be compared with stored values of the subcategory, thus additionally supporting the identification of the subcategory for a specific waste.
  • the sensors (323) can be sensors for the detection of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, magnetic permeability or opacity.
  • the method and the system according to the present invention permit to develop a larger number of subcategories, based on an increasingly accurate characterization of the waste, in such a way to increase the attractiveness of the secondary raw materials obtained with the method and the system of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a portion of the sorting system according to the invention, with a sorting line for organic waste.
  • the sorting line of the organic waste will also have a plurality of containers (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) for non-organic waste, such as non-separated waste, glass, plastic, wood and metal.
  • containers for illustrative purposes, six containers are provided for six different waste categories.
  • Only one picking apparatus (3) comprising a robotic arm (303) with picking means (313) suitable for picking a piece of waste (W) transported by the transportation means (2) and for positioning the waste in one of the containers (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e).
  • the picking apparatus (3) may comprise an anthropomorphic robot with multiples axes or a head that can translate on an overhead traveling crane and supports the robotic arm (303).
  • the sorting line is provided with at least one optical sensor (102) and at least one first camera (202) to respectively detect the dimensions and the profile of the waste (W).
  • the sorting line is provided with waste characterization means (C) that comprise image acquisition means, such as at least a second camera (203), in order to shoot the waste (W) on the transportation means (2).
  • the picking apparatus (3) has a CPU (315) connected to the processing unit (5), to the optical sensor (102) and to the first camera (202).
  • the second cameras (203) of the characterization means are connected to the processing unit (5).
  • the remote control means (105) comprise a touch screen (115) and a vocal recognition system (116).
  • the touch screen (115) displays the conveyor belt (2) with the waste (W) framed by the second camera (203).
  • the human operator By looking at the images on the touch screen (115), the human operator identifies the waste (W), selects the waste by touching the image of the waste on the touch screen (115) and vocally says the waste subcategory. Specifically, the operator can say: organic, non-separated, glass, plastic, wood or metal.
  • the operator selects the picking point (indicating the coordinates of the picking point), approximately moves along the perimeter of the object to be picked, providing the width of the picking field to the system.
  • the vocal recognition system (116) identifies the subcategory mentioned by the operator and sends such a piece of information to the CPU (315) of the picking apparatus.
  • the CPU (315) of the picking apparatus already is already provided with the information on the dimensions and the profile of the waste that is necessary in order to pick the waste. Then the CPU (315) receives information on the waste subcategory from the vocal recognition system (116) and places the waste in the container (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) of the subcategory indicated by the operator. It must be considered that organic waste is generally contained in a closed plastic bag. Therefore, the picking means (313) advantageously comprise opening means (325) suitable for opening the bag in such a way that the contents of the bag is positioned on the conveyor belt (2’).
  • the operator will select the open and empty bag, as well as the waste that was contained in the bag in such a way to send the waste to the correct container.
  • the conveyor belt (2’) is provided with a motor for actuation.
  • the touch screen (115) can control the motor for the forward movement of the conveyor belt (2’). If the operator touches the touch screen (115) in an extreme point of the image of the conveyor belt (2’) in the forward direction, the conveyor belt (2’) will stop, allowing the operator the time necessary for viewing the waste transported on the conveyor belt.
  • FIG. 4 and 5 Although if the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 is described with reference to a sorting line of separated organic waste, such an embodiment can be evidently applied to any sorting line and to any type of separated or non-separated waste that is to be divided into a plurality of subcategories.
  • the purpose of the application examples given for the separated waste fractions is to enhance the value of the product (plastic, paper, glass, metals, organic and diapers), characterizing all possible by products. With reference to non-separated waste, it is necessary to enhance the recyclable by-products in order to drastically reduce the quantity of waste intended to be dumped or burnt.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de tri des déchets fournis à une station de collecte de déchets comprend les étapes consistant à : distribuer les déchets à au moins une ligne de tri (S) selon des catégories respectives; identifier au moins deux sous-catégories pour chaque catégorie de déchets; trier les déchets dans les sous-catégories respectives en prélevant les déchets de la ligne de tri avec au moins un appareil de prélèvement (3) qui est actionné à distance; collecter et stocker les déchets triés dans les sous-catégories respectives. L'appareil de prélèvement (3) est pourvu de moyens de prélèvement (313). La ligne de tri (S) comprend des moyens de détection et de caractérisation (C) des déchets triés. L'appareil de prélèvement (3) et la ligne de tri (S) sont interfacés avec une unité de traitement (5) pourvue de moyens de commande à distance (115).
PCT/EP2019/078167 2018-10-19 2019-10-17 Procédé et système de tri de matériaux provenant de déchets collectés WO2020079125A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19786356.6A EP3866988B1 (fr) 2018-10-19 2019-10-17 Système de tri de matériaux provenant de déchets collectés

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102018000009614A IT201800009614A1 (it) 2018-10-19 2018-10-19 Metodo e sistema di selezione dei materiali oggetto di raccolta differenziata
IT102018000009614 2018-10-19
IT102019000004887 2019-04-01
IT201900004887 2019-04-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020079125A1 true WO2020079125A1 (fr) 2020-04-23

Family

ID=70283241

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2019/078167 WO2020079125A1 (fr) 2018-10-19 2019-10-17 Procédé et système de tri de matériaux provenant de déchets collectés

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3866988B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020079125A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113953205A (zh) * 2021-09-23 2022-01-21 安徽省天助纺织科技集团股份有限公司 基于废旧纺织品生产的分类收拣设备及其方法
WO2022082101A1 (fr) * 2020-10-18 2022-04-21 Monotony.ai, Inc. Dispositifs et systèmes de tri de linge robotisés et procédés d'utilisation
GB2612653A (en) * 2021-11-09 2023-05-10 Danu Robotics Ltd Robotic system and method for picking and/or sorting objects
US11660762B2 (en) 2018-05-11 2023-05-30 Mp Zenrobotics Oy Waste sorting robot
US11851292B2 (en) 2018-04-22 2023-12-26 Mp Zenrobotics Oy Waste sorting gantry robot

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0439674A2 (fr) * 1990-01-31 1991-08-07 EDELHOFF POLYTECHNIK GMBH & CO. Dispositif pour trier des déchets
US5628409A (en) * 1995-02-01 1997-05-13 Beloit Technologies, Inc. Thermal imaging refuse separator
WO2000024531A1 (fr) * 1998-10-22 2000-05-04 Jan Boie Pedersen Procede et appareil de tri d'ordures et robot conçu a cet effet
FR2923165A1 (fr) * 2007-11-07 2009-05-08 Veolia Proprete Sa Procede et dispositif de tri selectif d'objets
WO2012164126A1 (fr) * 2011-05-27 2012-12-06 Eric Van Looy Station multitâche de collecte automatique pour le tri de matières en vrac
EP2765540A1 (fr) 2013-02-06 2014-08-13 O.M.G. di Geminiani Gino Appareil et méthode pour la surveillance et la vérification de la livraison des déchets

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0439674A2 (fr) * 1990-01-31 1991-08-07 EDELHOFF POLYTECHNIK GMBH & CO. Dispositif pour trier des déchets
US5628409A (en) * 1995-02-01 1997-05-13 Beloit Technologies, Inc. Thermal imaging refuse separator
WO2000024531A1 (fr) * 1998-10-22 2000-05-04 Jan Boie Pedersen Procede et appareil de tri d'ordures et robot conçu a cet effet
FR2923165A1 (fr) * 2007-11-07 2009-05-08 Veolia Proprete Sa Procede et dispositif de tri selectif d'objets
WO2012164126A1 (fr) * 2011-05-27 2012-12-06 Eric Van Looy Station multitâche de collecte automatique pour le tri de matières en vrac
EP2765540A1 (fr) 2013-02-06 2014-08-13 O.M.G. di Geminiani Gino Appareil et méthode pour la surveillance et la vérification de la livraison des déchets

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11851292B2 (en) 2018-04-22 2023-12-26 Mp Zenrobotics Oy Waste sorting gantry robot
US11660762B2 (en) 2018-05-11 2023-05-30 Mp Zenrobotics Oy Waste sorting robot
WO2022082101A1 (fr) * 2020-10-18 2022-04-21 Monotony.ai, Inc. Dispositifs et systèmes de tri de linge robotisés et procédés d'utilisation
US11643769B2 (en) 2020-10-18 2023-05-09 Monotony.ai, Inc. Robotic laundry sorting devices, systems, and methods of use
US11802368B2 (en) 2020-10-18 2023-10-31 Monotony.ai, Inc. Robotic laundry sorting devices, systems, and methods of use
CN113953205A (zh) * 2021-09-23 2022-01-21 安徽省天助纺织科技集团股份有限公司 基于废旧纺织品生产的分类收拣设备及其方法
CN113953205B (zh) * 2021-09-23 2023-06-16 安徽省天助纺织科技集团股份有限公司 基于废旧纺织品生产的分类收拣设备及其方法
GB2612653A (en) * 2021-11-09 2023-05-10 Danu Robotics Ltd Robotic system and method for picking and/or sorting objects

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3866988A1 (fr) 2021-08-25
EP3866988B1 (fr) 2023-06-21
EP3866988C0 (fr) 2023-06-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3866988B1 (fr) Système de tri de matériaux provenant de déchets collectés
CN110770149B (zh) 使用物体移动重新分配来提供物体的分离以供处理的系统和方法
KR102490357B1 (ko) 쓰레기 분류를 위한 방법, 장치 및 시스템
US5299693A (en) Method and apparatus for extracting selected materials
US9156628B2 (en) Sort systems and methods
CN110199231A (zh) 用于处理物体的系统和方法
CN110740954A (zh) 包括空间高效的分配站和自动化输出处理的用于处理物体的系统和方法
KR20180103898A (ko) 폐기물 회수 시스템 및 방법
CN102574161A (zh) 用于分类废物的方法和设备
US10625306B1 (en) Core wheel processing system and method
US9475652B2 (en) Core wheel processing system and method
CN110049934A (zh) 用于处理在车辆中设置的物品的系统和方法
KR101921858B1 (ko) 중고 의류 분류 시스템
US20210276799A1 (en) Systems and methods for providing order fulfillment using a recirculating routing system
CN111776392B (zh) 贴标设备、装置和系统及贴标方法及存储介质
CN112017151A (zh) 高吞吐量透明物品的分类方法和系统
CN110000175A (zh) 用于对瓶子进行清洁的瓶子清洁机
JPH10202571A (ja) 廃棄物中の特定物を選別するロボットシステム
CN109292300A (zh) 一种主动分类回收装置
Calaiaro AI Takes a Dumpster Dive: Computer-vision systems sort your recyclables at superhuman speed
EP3930930B1 (fr) Système et procédé de tri mobile des déchets
ITMN20120010A1 (it) Macchina automatica di cernita senza contatto.
US20210276798A1 (en) Systems and methods for providing order fulfillment using a spiral tower system
NO325317B1 (no) Fremgangsmåte for å sortere ut avfallsposer og arrangement for å utføre fremgangsmåten
IT201800009614A1 (it) Metodo e sistema di selezione dei materiali oggetto di raccolta differenziata

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 19786356

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2019786356

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20210519