Carlsson, Pervi (Hagagatan 11 Västerås, S-723 37, SE)
| 1. | A feeding arrangement for containers (6) such as bottles or cans, said arrangement comprising a transport arrangement for transporting each container from a feed end (4) to an output end (5), the direction from the feed end to the output end defining the transport direction (A) of the arrangement, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the transport arrangement comprises a plurality of rollers (8) arranged one after the other in transport direction, said rollers (8) being rotatable, each about its own axis of rotation (X), and at least some of the rollers (8) being driven, and in that each axis of rotation (X) forms a nonright angled angle (a) with the direction of transport (A). |
| 2. | A feeding arrangement as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t said angles (a) are adjustable. |
| 3. | A feeding arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t said angles (a) are different from each other, the angle being greater for the rollers (8) located nearest to the output end (5). |
| 4. | A feeding arrangement as claimed in any of claims 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y first detecting means (23) arranged to identify a first characteristic, preferably a bar code on each container (6). |
| 5. | A feeding arrangement as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the arrangement comprises output means (10) arranged to selectively feed out each container to different feedout destinations, control means (25) arranged to control the output means (10) and first signal means (24) arranged to transmit signals from said first detecting means (23) to said first control means (25) whereupon the feedout destination is determined depending on said first characteristic. |
| 6. | A feeding arrangement as claimed in any of claims 15, characterized by second detecting means (27) arranged to identify a second characteristic, preferably weight and/or material of each container (6). |
| 7. | A feeding arrangement as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the direction of rotation of at least some of the rollers (8) is reversible, that second control means (29) are arranged to control reversal of the direction of rotation, that second signal means (28) are arranged to transmit signals from said second detecting means (27) to said second control means (29), the second control means (29) being arranged to reverse the direction of rotation depending on said second characteristic. |
| 8. | A method of feeding containers such as bottles or cans, each container being placed on a transport arrangement for transport from a feed end to an output end, characterized in that by means of a number of driven rollers, the containers are given a translation and rotation movement, said rollers being located one after the other in transport direction and obliquely relative thereto. |
| 9. | A method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in t h a t feeding is achieved by means of an arrangement of the type defined in any of claims 17. |
Technical field: The present invention relates to a feeding arrangement of the type described in the preamble to claim 1. The arrangement is primarily intended for use in systems for handling return beverage containers in the form of cans and plastic and glass bottles, but is naturally not limited to this application area.
Background art: Recycling systems of this type may be constructed in various ways.
Different hoppers may be provided for different types of containers.
However, this requires considerable space in the shops and entails the risk of containers being incorrectly returned. The system in accordance with the present invention is based on the arrangement being able to accept two or more different types of containers and sort these. The arrangement must therefore be able to reliably identify which type each container belongs to. This is most suitably achieved by reading a bar code on the container. Since the containers, which are usually substantially cylindrical, are fed in in arbitrary position the bar code, placed on the cylindrical surface, will not always be facing towards the detecting means. The container must therefore be revolved up to one complete turn before the bar code arrives in a position where it can be read. At the same time the container shall be transported from the feed point to an output point.
US 4 707 251 shows a feeding arrangement that addresses the problem of achieving this combined translation and rotation movement. This is achieved by feeding the containers, in this case cans, onto an inclined conveyor belt above which is arranged an inclined rail or wire. The cans are conveyed by the movement and inclination of the belt so that they slide along the wire, while at the same time rotating. The arrangement is provided with a bar reader which detects the codes on the cans to determine the make of each can.
The known apparatus is relatively complicated and designed for containers of the same type. Since movement is achieved partially by the cans sliding along due to gravity it may be sensitive to disturbances. handlingofdifferenttypesofcontainersismoreFurthermore,the difficult.
Account of the invention: The object of the present invention is, against this background, to provide a feeding arrangement of the type described in the preamble to claim 1 which can handle different types of containers in a simple and reliable manner and one that enables identification of the type of container.
The object has been achieved in accordance with the invention by an arrangement of the type described in the preamble to claim 1 comprising the specific features defined in the characterizing part of the claim.
Thanks to the inclined driving rollers, the containers fed in will acquire both translation and rotation movement. Each container is moved by the translation movement from the feed end to the output end and, thanks to the rotation movement, the entire cylindrical surface will be exposed in a certain direction so that the marking on the container can be read. Feeding of the containers is reliable and simple.
Relatively high velocity is achieved for handling the containers.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the axes of rotation of the rollers are adjustable. The relation between translation and rotation movement can therefore be optimally regulated.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment the angles are greater for the rollers situated nearest the output end. This ensures that initially the rotation movement is greater, since it is important to
obtain readability, whereas in the final phase a larger translation movement is necessary to increase the speed of transport.
The arrangement is preferably provided with first detecting means able to read a first characteristic on the container. This may be a mark such as a bar code.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment output means are provided which sort the containers according to type, these means being controlled by signals from the first detecting member.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment second detecting means are arranged to identify a second characteristic, such as the weight of the container. These means can suitably control the rolls to reverse if the weight deviates from a predetermined value. Full containers or unacceptable containers can therefore be sorted out and returned to the feed end so that the person feeding them in is forced to take care of them before a new container can be fed in.
The preferred embodiments of the feeding arrangement in accordance with the invention described above are defined in the claims dependent on claim 1.
From another aspect the invention relates to a method for feeding containers in accordance with the content of claim 8.
The invention is explained more fully in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a part of the feeding arrangement seen from the feed end, Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of a part of the feeding arrangement seen from the output end,
Figure 3 shows a section through the feeding arrangement, transverse to the feeding direction, Figure 4 illustrates the orientation of the rollers in a schematic view from above, Figure 5 shows a basic layout sketch illustrating the sorting functions.
Description of preferred embodiment: Figure 1 illustrates a feeding arrangement in accordance with the invention, seen in perspective from its feed end. The conveyor belt comprises a trough 1 with a bottom 2 and two parallel side flanges 3.
The feed end is designated 4 and the output end 5. The trough 1 is suitably dimensioned to be able to convey normal sizes of beverage containers such as metal cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles. The figure illustrates feeding of a can 6. A number of openings 7 have been made in the bottom of the trough 2. Below each opening 7 a transport roller 8 is journalled so that a small part of the cylindrical surface of each roller 8 protrudes through the opening 7.
The rollers 8 are driven to rotate about their respective axes. Each roller 8 is inclined in relation to the feeding direction, each axis of rotation X forming an angle a with the feeding direction A. Thanks to this inclination, when the rollers rotate they will move the container 6 forwards in the direction of transport A and will also rotate the container 6 as shown by the arrow B in the figure. The more obliquely inclined the rollers are, i. e. the larger the angle a is, the larger will be the part of the movement taken up by the feeding movement. When the can has reached the output end 5, it is removed from the feeding arrangement.
Figures 2 and 3 show this procedure. Output means 10, which in the example shown is in the form of a rocking mechanism with two vertical plates 11 provided with perforations 16 and connected by a waist section 12 on the upper side, is arranged at the output end 5. The output means 10 is tiltably suspended by means of a yoke attached to
Figure 3 shows a section through the feeding arrangement, transverse to the feeding direction, Figure 4 illustrates the orientation of the rollers in a schematic view from above, Figure 5 shows a basic layout sketch illustrating the sorting functions.
Description of preferred embodiment: Figure 1 illustrates a feeding arrangement in accordance with the invention, seen in perspective from its feed end. The conveyor belt comprises a trough 1 with a bottom 2 and two parallel side flanges 3.
The feed end is designated 4 and the output end 5. The trough 1 is suitably dimensioned to be able to convey normal sizes of beverage containers such as metal cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles. The figure illustrates feeding of a can 6. A number of openings 7 have been made in the bottom of the trough 2. Below each opening 7 a transport roller 8 is journalled so that a small part of the cylindrical surface of each roller 8 protrudes through the opening 7.
The rollers 8 are driven to rotate about their respective axes. Each roller 8 is inclined in relation to the feeding direction, each axis of rotation X forming an angle a with the feeding direction A. Thanks to this inclination, when the rollers rotate they will move the container 6 forwards in the direction of transport A and will also rotate the container 6 as shown by the arrow B in the figure. The more obliquely inclined the rollers are, i. e. the larger the angle a is, the larger will be the part of the movement taken up by the feeding movement. When the can has reached the output end 5, it is removed from the feeding arrangement.
Figures 2 and 3 show this procedure. Output means 10, which in the example shown is in the form of a rocking mechanism with two vertical plates 11 provided with perforations 16 and connected by a waist section 12 on the upper side, is arranged at the output end 5. The output means 10 is tiltably suspended by means of a yoke attached to
the waist section 12, in a shaft 14 that is pivotably journalled in a stand part 15. Rotation of the shaft 14 causes one or other of the two plates 11 to push down a can located on the output side of the feeding arrangement to one or the other side.
Figure 3 also illustrates the arrangement of each individual roller 8.
Each roller 8 is suspended in a yoke 22 with shanks 19 protruding downwardly from an upper part 18. The upper part 18 is located immediately below the bottom part 2 of the feeding arrangement, and has a corresponding opening through which the roller 8 protrudes.
A notch 20 is provided in each shank 19. A shaft end 21, on which the roller 8 can freely pivot, fits into each pair of notches, the shaft end 21 defining the axis of rotation X of the roller 8. Each roller 8 has a cylindrical surface coated with friction material 17, e. g. rubber. Fixed to each roller 8 is a pulley (not shown) for belt driving the roller 8, e. g. with an O-ring. A common driving shaft (not shown) beneath the bottom part 2 of the arrangement, drives all the drive belts. Driving of the rollers 8 can naturally be achieved in some other conventional manner.
The yokes 22 are not attached to each other and can therefore be turned in the horizontal plane. Figure 4 shows how the rollers 8a, 8b can be individually inclined in relation to the direction of feed, where one roller 8a close to the feed end 4 has a smaller angle aa between its axis of rotation Xa and the direction of feed A than the equivalent angle ab for a roller 8b close to the output end 5. The result is that the can will rotate more quickly and move more slowly in longitudinal direction at the feed end than at the output end. The yokes can also be arranged so that the angles aa, ab etc. are adjustable.
Figure 5 illustrates the principle of how, using the arrangement in accordance with the invention, it is possible to sort different types of containers and also reject faulty containers. Here the arrangement is seen from the side with a container 8 being transported in the manner described from the feed end 4 to the output end 5. A bar-code reader 23
the waist section 12, in a shaft 14 that is pivotably journalled in a stand part 15. Rotation of the shaft 14 causes one or other of the two plates 11 to push down a can located on the output side of the feeding arrangement to one or the other side.
Figure 3 also illustrates the arrangement of each individual roller 8.
Each roller 8 is suspended in a yoke 22 with shanks 19 protruding downwardly from an upper part 18. The upper part 18 is located immediately below the bottom part 2 of the feeding arrangement, and has a corresponding opening through which the roller 8 protrudes.
A notch 20 is provided in each shank 19. A shaft end 21, on which the roller 8 can freely pivot, fits into each pair of notches, the shaft end 21 defining the axis of rotation X of the roller 8. Each roller 8 has a cylindrical surface coated with friction material 17, e. g. rubber. Fixed to each roller 8 is a pulley (not shown) for belt driving the roller 8, e. g. with an O-ring. A common driving shaft (not shown) beneath the bottom part 2 of the arrangement, drives all the drive belts. Driving of the rollers 8 can naturally be achieved in some other conventional manner.
The yokes 22 are not attached to each other and can therefore be turned in the horizontal plane. Figure 4 shows how the rollers 8a, 8b can be individually inclined in relation to the direction of feed, where one roller 8a close to the feed end 4 has a smaller angle aa between its axis of rotation Xa and the direction of feed A than the equivalent angle ab for a roller 8b close to the output end 5. The result is that the can will rotate more quickly and move more slowly in longitudinal direction at the feed end than at the output end. The yokes can also be arranged so that the angles aa, ab etc. are adjustable.
Figure 5 illustrates the principle of how, using the arrangement in accordance with the invention, it is possible to sort different types of containers and also reject faulty containers. Here the arrangement is seen from the side with a container 8 being transported in the manner described from the feed end 4 to the output end 5. A bar-code reader 23
is arranged a short distance from the feed end to read the bar code 33 on the container 8. Rotation of the container ensures that the bar code will be exposed to the reader 23 somewhere as it passes below. The information read is transmitted via a signalling circuit 24 to a control providedwithmicroprocessorwhichprocessesthemeans25 information and, depending on this, emits a control signal 26 to the output means 10 to tilt this to the right or the left. The containers are thus sorted into two different groups, e. g. PET bottles and metal cans, the detected bar code being the determining factor. It will be understood that the principle can be used for sorting into four or more categories by arranging several output arrangements 10 one after the other.
The arrangement in Figure 5 also includes a sorting function by means of which certain containers are rejected. This consists of a detecting means 27 in the form of scales arranged in conjunction with one of the first rollers. The scales emit an information signal 28 to the control unit 29 where the information is processed in a microprocessor. If the weight lies outside a predetermined interval, e. g. indicates a full container, a control signal 30 is emitted to the motor 31 driving the drive shaft 32 to which the drive belts are connected, instructing them to reverse the direction of rotation. The rollers will then rotate in the opposite direction and return the container 8 to the feed end 4.
An optional characteristic instead of weight may be detected and made decisive. Material, transparency, colour, dimension, etc. may be decisive for whether the container is returned or not.
Containers that are not accepted and therefore returned prevent a new container from being fed in. The consumer who is feeding in containers is therefore forced to remove and take care of the returned container before a new one can be fed in.
The first characteristic may also be varied and is thus not limited to consisting of a bar code. Here, too, material, colour, shape, etc. may
constitute the determining characteristic. It is also possible for information to be read which is utilized but does not affect the sorting.
A container which is of acceptable size and material, for example, but which is of foreign origin, with a bar code that can be read, will arrive he compartmentascorrespondingSwedishcontainerssorting but the information will influence a counter for paying back deposits so that no deposit is recorded in this case.
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