The present invention refers to the sorting out of packagings of a certain type of material from packagings of other types of materials and more precisely to a method of and a device for sorting in which the packaging is subjected to a compressive force and sorting is bas- ed on the deformation or the final shape thus given to the packaging ^' and/or the size of the compressive force used.

Sorting articles or goods according to such properties as size, shape, colour, material, density, etc. is previously known. In sort¬ ing based on size or shape the actual dimensions of the articles or the goods constitute the basis of sorting.

Through publication DEOS 2 925 946 a device for sorting objects is further known in which sorting is based on the elasticity of the ob¬ jects. A hammer drops onto the objects and they are sorted according to the magnitude of the rebound that occurs.

According to the invention the packaging is subjected to a compres¬ sive force in order to permit sorting of the packaging based on the magnitude of the employed force, power, energy and/or the deformation and final shape thus given to the packaging. Since the power and the energy used are both dependent on the compressive force (converted with regard to the instantaneous velocity and the path of the force) required during the compressing process, determination of the power and energy used constitutes a fundamental sorting criterion embraced by sorting based on the force employed.

In one version-of the invention, sorting of the packaging is deter- mined solely by the maximum compressive force used.

In an alternative version of the invention, sorting of the packaging is determined in part by the maximum compressive force used and in part by the shape of the packaging after compression.

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In another alternative version of the invention the compressive force has a given maximum value and sorting of the packaging is determined by the deformation thus arising.

In still another alternative version of the invention the compressive force similarly has a given maximum value and sorting of the packag¬ ing is determined by its dimensions after deformation.

According to yet another alternative version of the invention the compressive force ceases when the packaging has assumed a predetermi¬ ned minimum size, whereby the packaging is sorted into a special re- ceiving organ when the predetermined minimum size is attained as a result of a compressive force less than or alternatively greater than a given value.

In a version of the invention for packagings of chiefly cylindrical shape the compressive force is applied principally along the axis of the packaging.

In one version of the invention the power consumption during the com¬ pressing process is recorded while in another version of the inven¬ tion the energy used for compressing each individual packaging is recorded. When power consumption is recorded the compressive force used is calculated by means of conversion organs, principally of electronic type, taking into account the relative movements of the pressing organs. It is of course possible in an alternative version to compare the measured power directly with the power consumption determined necessary for compressing packagings of the type of mate- rial in question. When energy consumption is recorded the actual energy consumption is compared with the energy required to compress a packaging of the type of material in question. For example, in the case of measured energy within the interval which it has been deter¬ mined characterizes packagings of the type of material in question the compressed packaging is accordingly classified among packagings which are sorted out. Such recording organs are in that case incor¬ porated in the power supply circuit for the drive organ while the conversion organs, for example, are also connected to indicating

organs showing the Relative movements of the pressing organs.

It will readily be realised that a device in accordance with the pre¬ vious paragraph can easily be fitted with conversion organs for de¬ termining the compressive forces, deformation during compression and dimensions of the compressed packaging on application of the above sorting principles.

Incorporated in a device according to the invention is a supporting organ and a first pressing organ and a second pressing organ. The two latter are arranged to describe relative motion towards and away from each other. The packaging is then carried by the supporting organ which is principally provided with an opening. On movement of the pressing organs towards each other packagings having a mechanical strength within a definite interval are compressed, principally to such a final correct shape as to permit passage of the packaging through the opening and which accordingly separates the packaging from other received goods.

The supporting organ is principally arranged so as to be capable of movement relative to the pressing devices and also constitutes in one presented version a loading organ for placing packagings in position for compression between the pressing organs.

In one version of the invention one of the pressing organs is sta¬ tionary while the other is moved by means of a drive organ through a drive mechanism and an associated overload coupling. This has an ad¬ justment to interrupt the movement of the pressing organ at a prede- termined maximum compressive force. The drive mechanism then consists principally of two arms arranged at an angle to each other and joined together by means of a friction connection.

In an alternative version of the invention one of the pressing organs is spring-loaded and principally placed in an opening. When the com- pressive force exceeds a predetermined maximum value the other press¬ ing organ moves away under spring forces and the packaging is removed from the supporting organ and discharged through the opening.

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In yet another version of the invention one of the pressing organs is spring-loaded so that when it is in the sprung position it actuates a switch which affects the movement of the movable pressing organ. When the switch is actuated the movement of the movable pressing organ is reversed, for example, so that it returns to its starting position.

The spring force of the spring-loaded second pressing organ is .there¬ by adapted to actuate the switch at a pressing force exceeding a pre¬ determined maximum value.

Within the scope of the invention there are naturally other versions for limiting the maximum compressive forces, which are based on limi¬ ting the available force, to ensure that only a force of a magnitude within a predetermined interval is used to compress the packaging to the right shape. For example, in connection with compressing a pack¬ aging which in order to assume the right shape requires greater force than that applied within the interval determined, the limitation of force results in the packaging not being deformed sufficiently to allow its passage through the opening in the supporting organ.

In certain applications an organ is also arranged for receipting the number of packagings passing through the opening in the supporting organ. This receipting is in one version only an accumulating coun¬ ter, in another version it comprises documentation of the packaging introduced on each occasion, including for example cash payment in the form of coins or tokens, etc. In this connection the organ is principally arranged so that it only receipts such packagings as are compressed to the right shape by the application of forces within the above-mentioned interval.

The present invention is described more detailedly with reference to a number of figures, where

Figs. 1 and 2 show a sorting device viewed from the side,

Fig. 3 shows the cross-section III-III in Fig. 1 with a pack¬ aging placed in the sorting device,

Fig. 4 shows the same cross-section as in Fig. 3 where the

packagi ng has undergone axi al compression,

Fig. 5 shows the same cross-section as in Fig. 3 where the packaging leaves the sorting device,

Fig. 6 shows a side view of a drive mechanism-consisting of arms joined together by means of a friction connec¬ tion,

Fig. 7 shows the cross-section VII-VII in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 shows a version of the invention with a switching or¬ gan controlled by one of the pressing organs and arranged to engage and drsengage the drive organ for moving the other pressing organ,

Fig. 9 shows a detail of the sorting device with one of the pressing organs suspended with a form of spring re¬ turn, and

Fig. 10 shows a version of the invention with recording organs for power or energy consumption connected to the drive organ for the pressing organs and with calculating organs for evaluating the measured values.

Figs. ,1-5 contain a frame 21 in which is arranged a bearing 22 for the pivoted suspension of a supporting organ 8 for packaging 7. By means of drive organs (not shown in the figures) the supporting organ is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 1. This naturally also includes purely manual operation of the supporting organ. A spring 23 returns the supporting organ to the position shown in Fig. 2 after the drive organ has been disengaged from supporting organ 8. The part of the supporting organ carrying the packaging 7 is arranged with an opening 18.

The figures also contain a first pressing organ 1 and a second press ing organ- 2. The first pressing organ is secured to a lever 5 which via a connecting rod 4 is connected to an eccentric 3 which in

turn is connected to a drive organ not shown in the figures for rota¬ ting the eccentric in the direction of the arrow. Here, too, the drive organ may consist for example of a manually operated lever, pedal, etc. The first pressing organ is arranged at one end of the lever 5 while the other end of the lever is pivoted in a bracket 6.

The two pressing organs 1 and 2 are arranged on either side of the opening 18. Under the opening 18 is a funnel-like receiving organ 24. Also arranged adjacent to opening 18 is an organ 20 for receipting the number of packagings passing through the opening and a collecting device 26 for accepted packagings (shown in Fig. 5 only). A second collecting device 27 for unaccepted packagings is shown in Fig.9 beside the second pressing organ 2.

Fig. 10 shows in particular a version of the invention where a re¬ cording organ 33 is connected by means of signal lines 39 to a drive organ 34 in the shape of an electrical motor for sensing the power, for example, supplied to the motor. The motor has a drive wheel 35 which via a transmission organ 36 such as a toothed belt transmits the motion of the drive wheel to eccentric 3. A conversion organ 32 is connected via a signal line 52 to recording organ 33. The conver- si on organ is in one version also connected via signal lines 40 to a transmitter (sensor) 45 arranged adjacent to eccentric 3 and inter¬ acting with pulse organs 46, 47 arranged on the eccentric which indi¬ cate the starting position and the stopping position respectively of the packaging compression process. In an alternative version, a coπ- tact organ 30 is arranged between the second pressing organ 2 and the frame 21. Signal lines 37 connect conversion organ 32 to the contact organ which, together with the signal lines, forms a closed electric circuit, for example, when the second pressing organ 2 subjects the packaging 7 to compressing forces.

Fig. 10 also shows an alternative version with a_first collecting organ 41 for packagings of the type of material in question and a second collecting organ 42 for packagings of other types of materi¬ als. The funnel -like receiving organ 24 is adjustable between the two collecting organs by swivelling" in a bearing 43. A drive wheel 44 on the receiving organ 24 ^" is connected via a drive belt 50 (toothed belt) to drive wheel 49 on a motor 48 which in its turn is connected

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to conversion organ 32 via a signal line 51.

A packaging is placed on supporting organ 8 when it is in the posi¬ tion shown in Fig. 2. The supporting organ is then moved to the posi¬ tion shown in Fig. 1, following which the drive organ for rotating eccentric 3 moves the first pressing organ 1 from the- position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4. This causes the packaging 7 to be compressed and assume the shape that is evident from Fig. 4. The first pressing organ has in the process been moved to a position next to the edge of the opening 18 and the packaging has thereby been compressed so that its length between the first and the second press¬ ing organs is less than the distance between the corresponding edges of the opening. As the eccentric continues to rotate, the first pressing organ is moved back to its starting position and the com¬ pressed packaging 1 ^" drops through the opening 18 down into the funnel-like receiving organ 24. Where applicable, the descending packaging is recorded by receipting organ 20 and the packaging is then received by the collecting device 26.

Shown in Figs. 6-7 is a drive mechanism for the first pressing organ where connecting rod 4 has been replaced by two arms 9 and 10 which form an angle to each other.

The arms are joi-ned together by a bolt 11, spring washer 12 which exerts pressure on a friction connection 13 which enables arm 9 to move in relation to arm 10 under a certain degree of friction. As a result, in the event of an overload on the device due to a packaging with prohibited physical properties, for example, being subjected to compression the component corresponding to connecting rod 4 is ex¬ tended in that the angle between arms 9 and 10 changes, causing com- pres€ion of the packaging to cease. The version described makes it possible to set the maximum permissible compressive force for com- pressing the packaging. If this value is exceeded, compression of the packaging ceases and it cannot pass through the opening 18. When the supporting organ returns to the position shown in Fig. 2, lever 5 moves against a stop 14 and causes the arms 9 and 10 to return to their original positions relative to each other.

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Lever 5 can also be fitted with a toggle-joint which is pretensioned in such a manner that the joint is not activated until the load ex¬ ceeds a certain value. In this alternative also packagings are not compressed to the final shape which allow them to pass through the opening 18.

Other versions of the invention are also possible, such as with a telescopic connecting rod 4 which in the event of an overload is ac¬ tivated and can in such manner be extended. A heavily pretensioned spring also comprises an alternative.

Fig.8 shows a version of the invention in which the second pressing organ 2 is arranged with a form of spring return by means of a washer 15, a first force adjusting screw 17 and a second force adjusting screw 28. The first force adjusting screw 17 affects the position of a switch 16, principally an electric switch, which in its turn actu- ates a self-holding relay which reverses the motor driving the eccen¬ tric 3 to the starting position, following which the self-holding relay releases and the motor stops. The second force adjusting screw 28 regulates the position of the pressing organ in the frame and con¬ sequently the pretensioning of washer 15. By means of the force ad- justing screws 17 and 28 the maximum permissible compressing force is accordingly set. When-the maximum permissible compressing force is exceeded, the second pressing organ moves against the switch 16 whereby compression of the packaging ceases in accordance with the chain of events described above.

Shown in Fig.9 is a cross-section of a part of a version of the in¬ vention in which the second pressing organ 2 is arranged in an open- ing 19 by means of a spring device 25. When the compressing force exceeds a predetermined maximum value the second pressing organ moves away under spring force and the first pressing organ moves the pack- aging through the exposed opening 19. In the figure the spring devive 25 is shown only schematically but it can be designed in accordance with any known technique for moving aside a pressure plate when the pressing force against it attains a definite value.

From the detailed description relating to Fig. 10 it will be evident

that the conversion organ 32, depending on the version of the inven¬ tion selected, satisfies the stated requirements of sorting out pack¬ agings of a certain type of material where sorting is based on the compressive force (power, energy) required during the compressing process. The recording organ 33 accordingly informs calculating organ 32 via signal lines 52 about the consumption of energy or power, for example, during the compressing process. Further, calculating organ 32 receives via signal lines 40 the starting and stopping times for each individual compressing process. The invention also embraces the alternative of allowing the calculating organ itself determine these times from the shape of the power consumption curve. In yet another alternative the calculating organ 32 uses the position of contact organ 30 as a basis for determining the starting and stopping times of the compressing process.

Regardless of how calculating organ 32 receives its information, it transmits in the version shown in Fig. 10 control pulses for rotating motor 48 and consequently swivel11ing receiving organ 24 ^" towards one of the collecting organs 40, 41.

In still another version the contact organ 30 is replaced by a load- sensing cell 31 which via connecting line 37 transmits information about the magnitude of the compressive force to calculating organ 32.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the alterna¬ tive versions described with reference to Fig. 10 can also be combin¬ ed with versions described earlier. Accordingly, swivelling of the receiving organ 24 ^" , for example, is replaced by transmitting pulses to motor 34 so that it reverses the rotation of eccentric 3 in order to interrupt compression of the packagings and possibly return them to the loading position in the event that the packagings do not con¬ sist of the type of material in question.

On application of the invention to can-shaped packagings, axial com¬ pression of the packaging is principally used. The advantage of this is that the compressing tools or pressing organs can be of a shape which only slightly exceeds the size of the end surfaces of the pack-

aging. Another advantage of axial compression is that the packaging is compressed without surrounding support. In devices where can-shap¬ ed packagings are compressed at right angles to the generatrix, the projected area of the compressed can occupies a much larger area than that of the uncompressed can and the compressing tools therefore re¬ quire a correspondingly larger area as compared with the tool area of a device according to the invention.

In addition to the above description the invention will be evident from the following patent claims.