Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sorting special items – and certain methods and apparatus for... – Sorting bottles – ampoules – jars – drinking vessels – or like...
Patent
1998-02-05
2000-09-05
Walsh, Donald P.
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sorting special items, and certain methods and apparatus for...
Sorting bottles, ampoules, jars, drinking vessels, or like...
209522, 209524, 100902, B07C 500
Patent
active
061129046
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a device and a method in handling of returnable packages, such as recycling bottles and/or cans.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
From the prior art, devices for handling of recycling cans are known, in which the recycling can, which is carried by a conveyor, is brought into connection with a scanning device, which reads the code (preferably bar code) provided on the face of the recycling package and, based on said code reading, gives the refund money or the corresponding receipt for the recycling or, in general, states the sum of money corresponding to the returned packages or the number of recycled units. In the solution of equipment, in a way in itself known, the returned package is rotated on a disk, in which connection the bar code enters within reach of the scanning beam.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the solution of equipment in accordance with the invention, the recycling package is inserted into the intake opening, i.e. into the feed station, in the machine, from which the package is after this transferred into an identification station, which comprises a device that identifies the recycled package in the identification station. As the device that identifies the recycled package, it is possible to use, for example, a scanner that reads a bar code.
In the solution of equipment in accordance with the present invention, the package, such as a bottle or a can, is identified in an identification station placed after the feed station, and if the package is accepted, it is fed further, and if the package is not identified or accepted on the basis of identification carried out in the identification station, it is returned back into the feed station.
In the solution in accordance with the present invention, a rotatable magazine is employed. The further processing can comprise, for example, a package crusher, in which case the package is dropped into the crusher. In such a case, the package is crushed or, in general, brought into smaller volume for storage. In the solution, the space below the device includes a storage container, for example a removable sack.
In the solution in accordance with the present invention, the weight of the returned package is also measured in order that a full package should not move further in the process to be pressed by the press. In the solution of the present invention, the feed station includes a weight detector equipment, which reports the presence of a full package on the measurement base when the limit switch is being activated. The measurement base rests against springs with a spring force, and when a certain weight is surpassed, the measurement base moves downwards and acts upon a limit switch. The information on this is passed into the central unit, which does not accept the returned package. In this connection a signal lamp is switched on, and the person who is returning the package can take the non-accepted package back out of connection with the device.
In the solution of the present invention, a what is called rotatable magazine is used, which preferably comprises just two package receiving spaces or package spaces at opposite sides of the magazine construction. The receiving space is preferably a construction that comprises a vertical curved wall shaped as an arc of a circle, into which space the returnable package, a bottle/can can be placed, the package being moved by means of the walls of said space and supported by said walls, by rotating the magazine, into a second circumferential station, which is the scanning station in the way described above. After the scanning station there is the dropping station, which is placed at the opposite side of the central axis X.sub.1 of the magazine, in relation to the package intake station. When the package is transferred into the scanning station, the wall of the magazine closes the feed station B.sub.1 and prevents feeding of packages into connection with the magazine during scanning. In a situation of failure, the central unit 100 also shifts the magazine into a
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Halton System Oy
Martin Brett C.
Walsh Donald P.
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