WO2008095758A1 - Empty receptacle return machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an empty receptacle return machine (10), comprising a horizontal conveyor, which is preferably driven in cycles, for transporting (11) containers (14, 15), such as bottles and cans, placed horizontally thereon, comprising a detection unit installed in the region of the horizontal conveyor (11) for the containers (14, 15) that can be transported by means of the horizontal conveyor (11), and comprising a controller, which can be fed the values determined by the detection unit and which can convert them in control signals for the horizontal conveyor (11) and for determining the deposit value of each container (14, 15), wherein above the horizontal conveyor (11) a throw opening blocking device (16) is provided, which can be pivoted between a blocking position and a passage position for the containers (14, 15) placed on the horizontal conveyor (11).

Description

 description

EMPTY RETENTION AUTOMATION Technical Field

The invention relates to a reverse vending machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

The reverse vending machines in question are preferably placed in supermarkets, so that customers can return empty containers such as bottles and cans. However, only packages that have been sold with a deposit will be taken back. If disposable containers are entered in the reverse vending machines, they will not be accepted. In addition, the control of the reverse vending machine may optionally be programmed to accept only those cans and bottles sold in the respective market. The reverse vending machine is provided at the front with an opening so that the packages to be returned can be placed lying on the horizontal conveyor, i. the central longitudinal axis of the container is horizontal. Normally, the bottom of the container is in front, seen in the direction of passage. As soon as the first container has been laid on, the horizontal conveyor is put into operation, so that the container is transported into the area of the detection unit. The horizontal conveyor is then stopped so that the detection unit determines the necessary values. Once released by the computer, the horizontal conveyor is put back into operation, so that the next container can be transported in the area of the detection unit. The horizontal conveyor can be followed by another conveyor to order the container weiterzuf. The horizontal conveyor for successive containers to be entered is installed in the upper area of the reverse vending machines. In the lower area usually another horizontal conveyor and a detection unit for completely or partially filled boxes is provided.

The withdrawal of the container by means of reverse vending machines is done without supervision. It has now been found that unaccounted packages are thrown through the detection area, so that they are transported away from the conveyor. It has also been found that containers are also delayed in an improper manner. Due to the aforementioned circumstances, the redemption process is disturbed. In addition, it has also been found that a thread is tied to a container, so that after accepting and registering the container, this is removed again and stored again on the horizontal conveyor, so that fraudulently takes place a multiple registration. Presentation of the invention

The stated object is achieved in that above the horizontal conveyor a throw-locking device is arranged, which can be brought into a blocking position and in a passage position for the launched on the horizontal conveyor container.

Through the through-throw blocking device, at least the space lying above the horizontal conveyor is shielded so that an insertion of the container through the area of the detection unit is prevented therethrough. The throw-blocking device is designed and controlled so that only the passage of the container through the detection unit is only possible by the transport by means of the horizontal conveyor. If it is mounted in a suitable place, it is also prevented that a detected container can be retrieved again from the area of the detection unit.

A structurally simple solution is achieved if the throw-locking device has at least one blocking wing, which can be brought at least in the area above the horizontal conveyor.

In the blocking position, the blocking wing is then in the middle of above the horizontal conveyor resulting channel. It can be assumed that it is at least considerably more difficult to throw a container through the area of the recognition unit. Since the blocking wing must be movable from the blocking position into the passage position, a free space still remains in the blocking position laterally next to it. In order to reduce the free space for the movement of the blocking wing, it is provided that the Durchwerfsperperreinrichtung has two blocking wings, which are movable in opposite directions. As a result, the channel lying above the horizontal conveyor is also shielded in the area laterally next to the horizontal conveyor, so that it can be assumed that it is impossible to throw a container through the area of the recognition unit.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that each barrier leaf is pivotable about a horizontal, extending in the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor and arranged above the same axis. This pivoting has the advantage that the movement can be achieved with the simplest means.

If the throw-locking device is equipped with a poppet, this is in the central longitudinal axis of the horizontal conveyor. However, if the throw-locking device has two blocking wings, these horizontal pivot axes are in the same offset to the central longitudinal axis of the horizontal conveyor.

In the simplest embodiment, each barrier wing is formed as a plate and designed trapezoidal in its basic contour, with the largest width facing the horizontal conveyor. If the through-throw barrier device is equipped with two blocking wings, it is provided that each blocking wing is provided with a damping element, wherein the damping element of a first blocking wing on a stationary stop of the second blocking wing impinges in the blocking position and that the damping element of the second blocking blade impinges on a stationary stop.

In a preferred embodiment, each damping element is a gas spring, wherein each damping element can be formed as a block of an elastically deformable material in a structurally simple manner.

A structurally simple solution for the pivotability of the blocking wing in the blocking position is given if they are designed so that they can be brought by gravity into the blocking position or that they can be brought by means of a discharging force storage in the blocking position. Such an energy storage could be a compression spring in the simplest version.

Thus, the barrier wings are pivotable in the passage position, it is provided that they are pivotable by means of a rotary drive. So that both blocking vanes are pivotable by a single rotary drive, it is also provided that the blocking vanes are drive-coupled with each other. This could for example be done by two meshing gears whose pitch circle diameter and their number of teeth are the same. Such a rotary drive would be, for example, a rotary magnet, which offers the advantage that the blocking vanes are held in the flow position of this. This rotary magnet is set in the simplest manner on a support plate, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotary magnet is at the same time the pivot axis of a blocking wing. The use of a rotary magnet also offers the advantage that can be dispensed with position sensors.

As an alternative solution for pivoting the blocking wing in the flow position is still provided that the rotary drive is an electric motor, and with which a transversely to the axis of rotation of the electric motor stationary bearing pin is driven, on which a rotatable disc is placed, with two each other opposite bolt is fitted. The arrangement is such that the blocking wings are pivoted into the passage position when the bolts are at the same height.

In the blocking position, the bolts of the disc are perpendicular to each other. By rotation through an angle of about 90 °, the blocking wings are then moved apart. For this purpose, the areas of the blocking wings over which the bolts pass are designed as curves. In the flow position of the through-throw blocking device is then each bolt in the pivot axis remote from the region of the curve.

Thus, the container can not be retrieved by means of a thread attached thereto after registration by the detection unit, it is provided that the flow-blocking device is installed adjacent to the task area of the horizontal conveyor.

Thus, the mass to be moved of the poppet is as low as possible, it is provided that at least each poppet is angled on one side. If the throw-blocking device is equipped with two blocking wings, these angled edges lie outside, ie at the edges facing away from each other. Brief description of the drawings

Reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail.

[0019] FIG.

Figure 1 shows the front view of a reverse vending machine in the flow position of the barrier wing purely schematically

Figure 2 is a representation corresponding to Figure 1, but in which the blocking vanes are in the locked position

Figure 3 is a representation corresponding to Figure 2 showing the drive

FIG. 4 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 3

Figure 5 is a representation corresponding to Figure 3, with a view of the underside of the drive, but in which the blocking vanes are in the passage position and

Figure 6 shows a variant in which the blocking vanes are moved by means of an electric motor in the flow position.

For the sake of simplified illustration, only the front side is shown in the figures, from which the container to be recovered are entered individually. The beverage take-back machine 10 is equipped with a horizontal conveyor 11, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment of two belt drives 12, 13. This belt drives 12, 13 are inclined in opposite directions to the horizontal, in such a way that the mutually facing edges of the belt drive are lower than the opposite lying, so that thereby the suggestively illustrated bottle 14 or the box 15 is guided. The belt drives 12, 13 may have flat or round belts.

Once a bottle 14 or a box 15 is placed on the end portion of the horizontal conveyor 11, this is put into operation. The bottle or can 15 is then transported to an unidentified recognition unit, and the horizontal conveyor 11 is stopped. The recognition unit transmits the values to the computer of the beverage return vending machine 10 and then the removal of the bottle 14 or the can 15 takes place. In addition, the deposit value is displayed. If several bottles or cans 15 are entered, the sum of the individual deposit values is formed. However, if it is a disposable bottle or a disposable can, it must be returned.

So that no bottle or box can be thrown by the detection unit, the beverage take-back machine 10 is provided with a through-throw blocking device 16 which has two blocking wings 17, 18 which are pivotable about horizontal axes 19, 20. The locking device 16 is arranged above the horizontal conveyor 11 and the axes 19, 20 extend in the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor 11. They also stand in offset to the central longitudinal axis of the horizontal conveyor eleventh

The barrier wings 17, 18 may be designed so that they pivot automatically, ie by gravity into the blocking position shown in Figure 2. To the Blocking wings 17, 18 bring in the passage shown in Figure 1 position, a rotary drive 21 is provided which is formed in the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 5 as a rotary magnet. In the pass position, the blocking vanes 17, 18 are then held.

Thus, the mutually facing edges of the two locking wings 17, 18 do not touch, it is provided that on a blocking wing, in the illustrated embodiment, it is the blocking wing 17 with a damping element, for example in the form of a gas spring provided on one at the other Sperrflügel, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking wing 18 fixed stop 23 hits. The other blocking wing, in the illustrated embodiment, the blocking wing 18 is also provided with a damping element 24 which, however, impinges against a stationary, fixed to the frame stop 25 when the blocking wings 17, 18 are moved into the flow position.

The damping elements 22, 24 could be gas springs, but it is also conceivable that elastically deformable dampers are used, for example made of rubber or a rubber-like plastic. As FIGS. 3 to 5 show, only one rotary drive 21 is required for both blocking vanes 17, 18, since two toothed wheels 26, 27 meshing with one another are placed on the two axes 19, 20. The left in the illustration of Figures 1 and 2 gear 26 is driven directly by the rotary drive 21, so that the right gear 27 is the driven gear.

3 shows that the rotary drive 21 is fixed to a support plate 28.

This support plate 28 is attached to two spacers 29, 30. On the opposite side for supporting the axes 26, 27 is still a bearing plate 31 is arranged.

5 shows that instead of the damping element 22 in the form of a gas spring, a block-like damping element 32 can be used, which consists of an elastic material. Such a material would be for example rubber or sponge rubber. The stop 23 could remain unchanged, but is mounted opposite to the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 on the other side of the blocking wing.

The embodiment of Figure 6 shows that the rotary drive and an electric motor 33 may be, which may be formed as a geared motor. On a bearing pin 34 which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the electric motor 33, a disc 35 is mounted rotationally fixed. On this disc 35 two bolts 36, 37 are mounted in the outer edge region. Instead of these bolts 36, 37 could be used on bolts patch rollers. These bolts 36, 37 are diametrically opposed to each other.

In the illustration with the blocking wings 17, 18 in the flow position are the

Bolts 36, 37 at the same height. In the blocking position of the blocking wings 17, 18 they are on top of each other. The blocking vanes 17, 18 are provided in the range of movement of the bolts 36, 37 with curves 38, 39, so that by rotation of the disc 35, the blocking vanes 17, 18th be pivoted in the drawn passage position. In this embodiment, not shown sensors are necessary, which limit the end positions of the blocking vanes 17, 18.

In all embodiments, the blocking vanes 17, 18 by energy storage, preferably by compression springs, moved from the flow position to the blocking position. Furthermore, it is also possible that the blocking vanes 17, 18 are designed and mounted so that they pivot automatically by gravity from the passage position to the blocking position. As the figures show, the outer edges of the two blocking vanes 17, 18 are provided with bends 40, 41 to increase the stability.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. It is essential that preferably two oppositely pivotable blocking wings 17, 18 are provided, which are controlled and mounted so that no bottles 14 or cans 15 can be thrown through the area above the horizontal conveyor and through the area of the detection unit. It is particularly advantageous if the passage locking device is mounted in the task area of the horizontal conveyor 11, since then it is no longer possible that after registration of the bottle 14 or the box 15 by the detection unit, the bottle 14 or the can can be pulled out of the beverage return machines.

Claims

claims Reverse emptying machine (10) with a preferably drivable in time Horizontal conveyor for transport (11) of flat lying placed containers (14, 15) such as bottles and cans, with a in the region of the horizontal conveyor (11) installed detection unit for the means of the horizontal conveyor (11) transportable container (14, 15), and with a controller, in which the values determined by the detection unit can be fed in and converted into control signals for the horizontal conveyor (11) and for determining the deposit value of each container (14, 15), characterized in that above the horizontal conveyor (11) a thrown Locking device (16) is arranged, the position in a blocking position and a passage position for on the horizontal conveyor (11) launched container (14, 15) can be brought. Reverse emptying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the At least one movable blocking wing (17, 18), which can be brought at least into the area above the horizontal conveyor (11), is provided by the throw blocking device (16). Reverse emptying machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the By throw barrier device (16) has two blocking wings (17, 18) which are movable in opposite directions. Reverse emptying machine according to claim 3, characterized in that each blocking wing (17, 18) about a horizontal, in the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor (11) extending and above the same axis (19, 20) is pivotable. Reverse emptying machine, according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that the axes (19, 20) are arranged in the same offset to the central longitudinal axis of the horizontal conveyor (11). Reverse emptying machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that each blocking wing (17, 18) is designed trapezoidal in its basic contour, wherein the largest width of the horizontal conveyor (11) faces. Reverse emptying machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that each locking wing (17, 18) with a damping element (22, 24) is provided, wherein the damping element (22) of the first blocking wing (17) on a stationary stop (23) of the second blocking wing (18) impinges , and the damping element (24) of the second blocking blade (18) impinges against a fixed stop (25). Reverse emptying machine according to claim 7, characterized in that each damping element (22, 24) formed as a gas spring or as a block (32) made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber, foam rubber or the like. Reverse emptying machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that each blocking wing (17, 18) is automatically brought by gravity or by a respective energy storage, preferably by a compression spring in the blocking position. [0010] Empties return machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that the blocking wing or the blocking vanes (17, 18) by means of a rotary drive (21) are movable into the passage position. Reverse emptying machine according to claim 10, wherein the passage locking device (16) with two blocking wings (17, 18) is provided, characterized in that the blocking wings (17, 18) are drivingly coupled together. Reverse emptying machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the drive technology coupling by two rotatably mounted on the axes (19, 20) patch, intermeshing gears (26, 27) is formed with the same pitch circle diameters and the same number of teeth. [0013] Empties return machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that the rotary drive (21) is a rotary magnet, which is fixed to a support plate (28). [0014] Empties return machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that the rotary drive (21) is an electric motor with which a transverse to the axis of rotation of the motor stationary bearing pin (34) is drivable, on which a disc (35) is placed, which with two diametrically opposed bolts (36 , 37) is equipped. Reverse emptying machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the blocking wings (17, 18) in the range of movement of the bolts (36, 37) as curves (38, 39) are formed. [0016] Empties return machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that the through-throw blocking device (16) is installed adjacent to the application area of the horizontal conveyor (11). Reverse emptying machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that each blocking wing (17, 18) on at least one side has a bend (40, 41). Reverse emptying machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the bends (40, 41) of the two blocking wings (17, 18) lie on the edges facing away from each other.