Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sorting special items – and certain methods and apparatus for... – Sorting bottles – ampoules – jars – drinking vessels – or like...
Patent
1997-12-01
2000-01-11
Bollinger, David H.
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sorting special items, and certain methods and apparatus for...
Sorting bottles, ampoules, jars, drinking vessels, or like...
209524, 209540, 209544, 209924, 209939, B07C 500
Patent
active
060125888
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a device for a conveyor means for moving containers of different shapes and sizes, e.g., cans or bottles of glass or plastic, past a detector station in order to produce characteristic data about the containers, and means which, on the basis of such data, determines how the containers are to be handled subsequently, e.g., sorted out, compacted, further treated, recycled or reused, wherein at the downstream end of the conveyor means there is located a bottle raiser for putting transported bottles which arrive bottom first into a standing position, and wherein the bottle raiser comprises a, preferably curved, guide duct or shaft which guides the bottle in standing position down towards a rest.
It is previously known to conduct articles in a lying position into an upright position with the aid of guide rails, guide wheels or the like. These are solutions which function well in those cases where the articles are homogeneous in shape and size. When handling bottles which are of different weight, shape, width and height, and where such bottles arrive in random order, it is problematic to get the known solutions work according to their purpose because of the instability of the bottles when they are in a vertical position. This is especially a problem with light-weight bottles, so-called PET bottles.
It is also known to stabilise bottles of different types with the aid of rotating brushes. Such solutions are however critical with a view to bottle diameter and bottle weight, and will function for certain bottle types, but not for all types with one and the same rotating brush. The older, known solutions using rotating foam rollers will not always be as suitable for stabilising all types of bottles.
Another device for the reception and further transport of bottles is known from Norwegian Patent 176 791, where bottles of various shapes and sizes can be handled, but where no stabilising manoeuvres are taken before the bottles are discharged. The solution also entails more moving parts than is desirable according to the present invention.
According to the invention, the device is characterised in that it comprises: a motor in a first position in contact freedom with the bottle as a function of data regarding the bottle, such as its diameter, height and weight, so that the bottle is fed freely down towards the rest, and which is then adjusted in order to be brought into a second position for contact against a portion of the bottle and for pushing the bottle against a back wall in the duct or shaft; and the bottle in standing position onto a further conveyor.
According to additional embodiments of the device, the bottle stabiliser and the bottle ejector are made of a common rotating unit consisting of at least one vertical wing which is secured to a vertical spindle, and which on one rotational movement is rotatable in towards the bottle for stabilisation thereof against said back wall, and on an opposite rotational movement is moveable out through said back wall for ejection of the bottle.
It is advantageous to allow at least a lower portion of the wing to be made having fingers. Since said back wall is made having fingers, the fingers of the wing can pass in the space between the fingers of the back wall.
In order to form the best possible operative engagement with bottles of different types and sizes, it will be preferable to allow the wing, seen in horizontal section, to be slightly curved.
In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the drawings and described, the rotating unit has three wings with the same angular separation.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a reverse vending apparatus for use with the present invention.
FIG. 2 and the continuation FIG.2A show in simplified block diagram form the circuit structure in a reverse vending apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3a-g show typical video images in connection with a detector station in the reverse vending apparatus according to FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a simplified flo
REFERENCES:
patent: 2858929 (1958-11-01), Vamvakas
patent: 3517793 (1970-06-01), Bocker
patent: 5555497 (1996-09-01), Helbling
patent: 5671666 (1997-09-01), Wenglar
Hanevold Geir
Steidel Tom
Tvinnereim Per K.ang.re
Bollinger David H.
Tomra Systems ASA
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