Used objects, such as packages from beverages, form part of a recycling system in which they are delivered to a point of sale which pays back the deposit. The point of sale is responsible for the sorting, transport, etc. of the used packages.

A multitude of various package types exist in the market, such as bottles of glass or plastics, cans of iron, aluminium or plastics. They moreover exist in a large number of physical variants.

Thus, it is clear that systems capable of handling used packages must be constructed at points of sale, such as supermarkets. It is observed in this connection that the packages are to be sorted not only according to how they look, but also according to which supplier has supplied the package.

Typically, used packages are delivered to a reception system comprising an identification apparatus, e. g. of the vision type, which identifies the used package with a view to calculating the deposit to be paid back. The used package is conveyed from the vision system into a conveyor belt where either a manual sorting or a partial machine sorting is carried out.

Today, the machine sorting takes place with a rather complicated, me- chanical structure where ejectors are arranged above the conveyor belt.

However, it is a drawback that some bottle types may get jammed under

the action of the ejectors positioned above the belt. Also, there is a risk that operators may be injured because of the easily accessible, movable ejec- tors.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a system in particular for the sorting of bottles, cans and the like, wherein the sorting may be performed with as few and brief operational stoppages as possible.

The object of the invention is achieved by a system of the type defined in the introductory portion of claim 1, which is characterized in that the ejec- tors are arranged in a housing below the conveyor and out through the gaps which are formed in the conveyor. Hereby, bottles, cans and the like may be sorted in a simple manner without any risk that bottles get jammed.

To ensure optimum utilization of space in the system, it is an advantage if, as stated in claim 2, ejectors are arranged on both sides of the sorting sys- tem.

When, as stated in claim 3, the ejectors are formed by a plate with an ejec- tion part terminated by a bent edge which is optionally coated with a fric- tional coating at whose one end a boss is arranged, and the ejectors may be moved in the gaps by means of connected drive mechanisms which are shielded by the housing, all movable parts which are not in contact with the objects to be sorted are effectively shielded, thereby protecting the opera- tors against injury. It is moreover ensured that the objects are effectively ejected beyond the edge, since the boss prevents further movement of the object longitudinally of the system.

To ensure good hygienic conditions in the sorting system, it is an advan- tage, if, as stated in claim 4, the housing is constructed symmetrically with a longitudinal V-shaped groove in which the gaps are provided, since residual

contents from bottles and cans as well as perhaps broken bottles may be collected in the V-shaped groove without any risk of getting into contact with the interior parts in the housing.

With a view to ensuring a system which is easy to service, it is an advan- tage if, as stated in claim 5, the conveyor is configured as two belts running in parallel and extending in depressions which are formed in their respect guide plates, said belts being arranged replaceably at the top of the hous- ing on each side of the V-shaped groove. Replacement of the wearing parts of the conveyors is facilitated in this manner.

It is observed in this connection that even though the guide plates are made of steel, they are worn more rapidly than the belts which extend in the de- pressions. It is therefore advantageous that the guide plates are easy to replace.

When, as stated in claim 6, the housing extends obliquely downwards in the area where the guide plates are arranged, it is ensured that the obstacles being ejected may slide into the reception locations with a reduced risk of crushing, e. g. if the objects are bottles of glass.

With a view to making the objects hit the reception locations with their bot- toms, it is advantageous if, as stated in claim 7, the ejectors are given an oblique movement through the gaps.

This oblique movement may expediently be established in that, as stated in claim 8, each of the ejectors is pivotally connected with a pivot which is spaced from the gap, said ejectors having an arm to whose one end the pivot is fixed, while its other end merges into the ejection part of the ejector.

The movement of the ejectors may be established by actuators which are

connected with the arm at a point between the pivot and the ejection part, as stated in claim 9.

To additionally ensure that the operators of the system will not be injured, it is an advantage if, as stated in claim 10, the ejectors just receive a force when they are to eject an object, while they return to a position of rest in the gap by their own weight when the object has been ejected. Hereby, the op- erators do not risk e. g. getting their fingers jammed when the ejectors re- turn to their position of rest.

With a view to guiding the objects through and out of the conveyor of the identification apparatus to another conveyor which has a path extending perpendicularly relative to the conveyor, it is an advantage if, as stated in claim 11, at least one inclined ramp is provided at the point where the con- veyor meets the other conveyor. Hereby, the objects will slide down the ramp and be turned in the same direction when they hit the belts of the conveyor.

It is moreover expedient if, as stated in claim 12, the system has two in- clined ramps which are arranged on each side of the conveyor, and, as stated in claim 13, that the inclined ramps are formed by bent plates which have an angle of 45° relative to the plane of the conveyor, and, as stated in claim 14, that the bent plate disposed closest to the identification appara- tus, is bent inwards at its ends toward the conveyor at an angle of about 20°, thereby ensuring that all objects, and in particular bottles, will be turned in the same direction.

If the objects are formed by cans which are relatively light, it is an advan- tage if, as stated in claim 15, a narrow metal plate is arranged at an angle of about 45° at a short distance from the bent plate which is disposed clos- est to the identification apparatus, since a can, which might be disposed

transversely, will hit the narrow metal plate and be turned correctly on the conveyor.

With a view to conveying objects from the conveyor roller of the identifica- tion apparatus to another conveyor which has a path extending perpen- dicularly relative to the conveyor rollers, it is an advantage if, as stated in claim 16, a reception device is provided, said reception device having three inclined faces which connect the conveyor rollers with the other conveyor.

Advantageously, as stated in claim 17, the free ends of the inclined faces are rounded, and, as stated in claim 18, two of the inclined faces extend in parallel with the other conveyor, and their angles are 105° and 152°, re- spectively, relative to horizontal.

A further expedient embodiment of the invention is defined in claim 19.

The invention will now be explained more fully with reference to the draw- ing, in which fig. 1 shows the outer configuration of the system according to the invention in perspective, fig. 2 shows the basic structure of the central parts of the system according to the invention in cross-section, fig. 3 shows a close-up of an ejector in an outer position, fig. 4 shows the structure of the ejector according to the invention, fig. 5 shows the system in an embodiment where objects are admit- ted perpendicularly to the system,

fig. 6 shows a sketch of the system of fig. 6, seen from above, fig. 7 shows a reception device in an embodiment where the ob- jects are discharged perpendicularly from an identification ap- paratus, fig. 8 shows the reception device of fig. 7, seen in cross-section, while fig. 9 shows the reception device of fig. 8, seen from the right.

In fig. 1, a system as a whole according to the invention is designated 1.

As will be seen, the system consists of a conveyor formed by two belts 2,3 which transport objects, shown here as bottles 4. The two belts extend in depressions 7A in their respective guide plate 7, as will be seen best in fig.

2.

Fig. 1 moreover shows an ejector 8 whose function is to eject objects be- yond the side of the system, as will be explained below.

Fig. 1 just shows one ejector, but, normally, several will be provided along both sides of the system. Reception locations (not shown) for the objects discharged by the ejectors are arranged at each ejector.

The system operates in the following manner: An ordinary identification device (not shown in the figures) is arranged at one end of the system, said identification device being intended to identify the objects which are to be transported on the conveyor of the system. The identification may be performed by an image processing system, where the

exterior of an object is imaged and compared with the images of objects previously stored in the identification apparatus, as is known in the art.

A signal is transferred to an actuator associated with the ejectors on the basis of the identification of the object, and this actuator, when receiving the signal from the identification unit, activates the ejector at the moment when the object reaches the ejector, which causes the object to be moved be- yond the edge and down into a container or another suitable collecting unit which is positioned at the reception location.

The actual structure of the central parts of the system will now be explained in connection with fig. 2.

Fig. 2 shows the system 1 which is formed by a housing consisting of two vertical walls 9, which are terminated by inclined walls 11 at their one end and by a tray formed as two smaller, straight walls 10 and 14 at their other end.

The two smaller walls 10 and 14 together with the wall 9 form a shelf where electrical wires, plugs and the like necessary for the operation of the system may be placed.

The inclined walls 11 are terminated by additional inclined walls 12 which together form a V-shaped groove.

On top of the walls 11 and 12 there is arranged a guide plate 7 which, as will be seen, has a depression 7A which is terminated by a straight portion 7. This guide profile, which is easy to replace, is intended to receive the belts 2.

Fig. 2 moreover shows two ejectors 8 which may be moved into and out of

the housing, as will be explained more fully in connection with fig. 3 and fig.

4.

Fig. 3 shows one of the ejectors 8 in figs. 1 and 2, but in a position protrud- ing partly from the system, where it has just ejected an object (not shown).

As will be seen in fig. 4, the ejector 8 consists of an ejection part 16 which is terminated at the top by a bent edge 15. The bent edge may be provided with a frictional coating, e. g. of rubber, which may serve to brake e. g. the movement of a bottle. A boss 21 is provided at the end of the bent edge, and this boss serves as a stop for the movement of the bottle which is to be ejected.

At the bottom, the ejector is connected with an intermediate member 17 having an eye 18 which is adapted to be connected with an actuator (not shown). The intermediate member 17 is terminated by a connecting part 19 in which a pivot shown at 20 is provided.

The function of the ejector is as follows : When the actuator (not shown) receives a signal from the identification ap- paratus, it will pull the ejector out of the gap in the inclined edges 12 of the housing, and since it is connected with a pivot 20 spaced from the pull eye 18, the ejector, as is shown in fig. 3, will be pulled out in an oblique move- ment and affect e. g. a bottle by a push beyond the edge to a reception lo- cation. The boss ensures that the movement of the bottle longitudinally of the conveyor is discontinued so that it goes not get past.

It is ensured with this pattern of movement that the bottle to be thrown be- yond the edge will"land"with the bottom first in the reception location con- nected with the actuator.

After the object has been thrown beyond the edge, the actuator will drop back into the gap by its own force, until an activation is initiated again by a signal from the identification apparatus.

As will be appreciated from the above explanation, the invention is without mechanical parts which are disposed at a higher level than the objects which are to be sorted. Most mechanical parts and all electrical parts are concealed well in the housing of the system without any risk of the opera- tors being exposed to danger in the operation of the system.

Nor do the ejectors with ejection parts involve any risk to the operators, as the ejection parts are only affected by a force when they leave the gaps, while they drop back into the gaps by their own weight when they have ejected an object.

Thus, a system for the sorting of objects, in particular bottles and cans, has been provided which, owing to its simple structure, is very reliable in opera- tion and in any respect safe for the operators to use without any risk of inju- ries.

Fig. 5 shows the system shown in the preceding figures, but now in an em- bodiment where the objects, such as the bottles from a conveyor 21, are fed to the system perpendicularly to it, shown in fig. 5 at the bottle 4. As will be seen, the bottle 4 has just left the conveyor 21, while the bottle 22 is ly- ing on the conveyor 21.

Fig. 6 shows the system in fig. 5, seen from above and in sketch form, but now with a sorting machine or an identification apparatus 26 connected to the system according to the invention.

As will be seen in figs. 5 and 6, a bent plate is secured on each side of the

system, one being designated 24, the other being designated 23. The angle between the plates 24 and 23 is 90°, while the angle between the plane of the conveyor and the plates is 45°. The plate 23 moreover has a bend of about 20 ° at its ends, as will be seen best in fig. 6 at 27. As will be seen best in fig. 6, the plate 23 is configured as a hopper.

Finally, a narrow metal plate 25 is arranged at a small distance from the one of the plates which is disposed closest to the conveyor 21.

The function of the bent plates shown in figs. 5 and 6 is as follows : When the bottle 22 leaves the conveyor 21, it slides down the metal plate 23, and at the moment it hits the conveyor belts of the system the bottle 22 will lie down as shown with the bottle 4.

The plate 24 serves as a stop and guide plate so that all types of bottles will always lie down as shown in fig. 5.

If a can is transported by the conveyor 21, it may assume a position trans- verse to the system because of its low weight, but the can will be straight- ened by the thin metal plate 25 when the can hits it.

Reference is now made to figs. 7-9, which show a reception device that is arranged to receive bottles or cans perpendicular to the conveyor rollers of an identification apparatus, which are designated 41 in fig. 7.

The reception device consists of three downwardly inclined faces 31,33 and 35 which are terminated at the bottom by conveyor belts 37,38. As will be seen, the free ends of the faces 31,33 and 35 are rounded.

The reception device operates in the following manner:

When bottles or cans are moved out of the identification device, they will be oriented uniformly on the reception device and be fed by the conveyor from this to e. g. a sorting system of the type which has been explained in con- nection with figs. 1-4.