Abstract:
The invention relates to a device (10) for handling returnable cans, by means of which device a returnable can is handled mechanically such that it can be formed into a smaller size for transportation and further handling. The device (10) for handling returnable cans includes a press unit (12) arranged below an upper transfer unit (13), which has a conveyor (14) preferably a belt conveyor, on which a returnable can is first placed in an inlet gate (A) on top of an upper run of (14a) the belt, run as a closed loop. The equipment further includes a conveyor passage (F) having at least one diagonal side wall surface (16), by means of which a distance is provided between adjacent returnable cans to facilitate the identification and further handling of the returnable can.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device for handling returnable cans, by means of which device a returnable can is handled mechanically such that it can be formed into a smaller size for transportation and further handling and from which device the person returning the can receives a receipt or directly a compensation corresponding to the quantity and/or type of the cans to be returned. 
     Devices for handling returnable cans are known in prior art, by means of which returnable can is pressed in a press into a smaller size and from which devices the person returning the can receives a receipt or directly a compensation corresponding to the quantity of the returnable items. In known device solutions, the can is placed in a trough, which turns into a position transferring the can to a press. The material and weight of the can are measured before the transfer to the press, whereby a non-accepted can can be transferred to rejection. The identification of the can material occurs by means of an inductive sensor. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is a device solution of a new type, in which the feeding rate of the cans is sufficient, at least 50 cans/min. An object is also to provide a simple device solution, which is thereby reliable in operation and has a simple construction, whereby the constructional costs of the device decrease in comparison with known device solutions. 
     It has been realized in the invention that it is advantageous to form in connection with the lower press unit of the device for handling returnable cans an upper transfer unit such that said transfer unit comprises a conveyor belt, which transfers the returned can from an inlet gate A along a conveyor passage to the end of the belt run. In this manner, the can, which is received and accepted by the device, is gravitationally transferred further from the end of the belt run to a press, in which the press forms the can into a smaller volume by pressing it between a press drum and a counterplate into a longitudinal plate-like structure. 
     The inventive device for handling returnable cans is mainly characterized in that the device for handling returnable cans comprises above a press unit an upper transfer unit, which as a conveyor comprises a belt conveyor, on which a returnable can is first placed an inlet gate on top of the upper run of the belt run as a closed loop. The device further includes a conveyor passage comprising at least one diagonal side wall surface, by means of which a distance is provided between adjacent returnable cans to facililite the identification and further handling of the returnable can. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is next described with reference to certain preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings, to which the invention is not intended solely to be limited. 
     FIG. 1 shows axonometrically an inventive device for handling returnable cans in accordance with the present invention, when its cover has been removed. 
     FIG. 2 shows a section I--I of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 shows axonometrically, partially the inventive device in accordance with the invention with its main drive. 
     FIG. 4 shows a view of FIG. 1 from the direction of the arrow K 1 . 
     FIG. 5 shows the equipment of FIG. 1 from the direction of the arrow K 2 . 
     FIG. 6 shows a section II--II of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the inventive device, in which the returnable cans are sorted into aluminium cans and steel cans. 
     FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the inventive device, in which the cans are separated by means of a magnetic wheel after the press unit. 
     FIG. 9 shows the operation of the inventive device as a block diagram representation. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows an inventive device 10 for handling returnable cans, which device comprises a cover 11 and above a lower press unit 12 an upper transfer unit 13. (In FIG. 1, the cover 11 is removed from top of the device.) In accordance with the invention, the transfer unit 13 is formed such that it comprises a conveyor 14 and most preferably a belt conveyor. In the figure, a returnable can is fed to an inlet gate A, and if said can is rejected, it is returned to the customer and can be removed from an outlet gate B. 
     The inventive equipment thus comprises a conveyor passage F on top of a belt run 14a. At the end of the belt run 14a is located a first passage 17, preferably a trough, via which the returnable can, which has been accepted, is transferred to the press, which forms the can into a smaller volume. A second passage 18 is located at the end of the belt run 14a on the other side of the belt run. The second passage is preferably a trough, via which a rejected can gravitationally transfers to the outlet gate B. 
     The conveyor passage F is comprised of side walls 16 and a ceiling H, and the bottom of the conveyor passage F is formed by the movable belt run 14a. According to FIG. 1, the equipment further comprises a device 19, for removing a rejected can from the belt run. The rejection device 19 is preferably a solenoid kicker which transfers the can from top of the the belt run 14a to said passage 18 designed for rejected cans. The device 19 preferably comprises a piston part or the like, which hits the rejected can when the can enters at the device 19. In the cover 11, an acknowledgement button is marked with the letter C and an outlet opening for a receipt and/or compensation money is marked with the letter G. 
     FIG. 2 shows a section I--I of FIG. 1. The passage F is bounded by side walls 16a 2 , 16a 2  and 16a 3  as well as 16b 1 , 16b 2  and 16b 3 . The side walls 16a 1  and 16a 2 , like correspondingly their side walls 16b 1  and 16b 2  paralled thereto are located diagonally relative to a center axis X of the belt run 14a. According to the figure, the returnable can transfers, conveyed by the belt run, along the passage F such that the returnable can transfers to the side wall 16a 2 . The returnable can transfers in the direction of an arrow S 1  and rotates in compliance with the side wall 16a 2  and along it to a point N at the end of the side wall 16a 2 . From the end of the side wall 16a 2 , the returnable can is guided in compliance with the side wall 16a 3  to the vicinity of the rejection device 19 in an exact alignment, which is given to said returnable can by the side wall 16a 3  parallel to the center axis X of the belt run 14a. Since the side wall 16a 2  in a diagonal position relative to the center axis X of the belt run 14a, it gives the returnable can P a rotational movement S 2 . The rotation of the returnable can thus occurs against the side wall 16a 2 . The material of the wall 16a 2  is selected so that it has good frictional properties, whereby the can does not slide on the surface 16a 2  but rotates in compliance with said surface. The dark and protected space between the walls 16a 2  and 16b 2  can then be used for reading a line code. A scanner 24, which reads the line code on the returnable can, is advantageously fitted to the wall 16b 3 , and in the figure, it is according to an arrow d fitted to send a scanning strip along the wall 16a 2  towards the rotating can P. As the can rotates, the line code on the can in some phase inevitably enters the scanning line, whereby the scanner 24 reads the line code of the returnable can. The purpose of the walls 16 and the ceiling H is also to form such a passage F, from which it is difficult to reach the returnable can, when it has once been transferred to the inlet gate A. The walls thus bound the dark and protected space, which comprises the scanner 24, whereby the reading accuracy of the scanner improves, since external light is prevented from entering into the dark space between the walls 16a 2  and 16b 2 . 
     The rotational movement provided for the can by means of the wall 16a 2  in turn makes it possible that the scanner is capable of reading the line code, since in the rotational movement S 2 , the line code in some phase enters the scanning line. 
     An identification device 20 is located in the vicinity of the gate A. The identification device 20 is preferably a photocell, an infrared cell or some other corresponding identification device, by means of which the entry of the returnable can into the gate A is identified. This information is further transmitted to the central unit of the device, which unit starts up a motor 25, whereby the belt 14a receives a rotational movement. 
     At the initial end of the wall 16a 3 , 16b 2  are located sensors, preferably light sensors, which are comprised of transmitter/receiver units 22a 1 , 22b 1 , 22a 2 , 22b 2 . The sensors are located one after the other, and by means of them, the travelling direction of the returnable can is identified and possibly also the fact that the returnable can is in a vertical position on top of the belt run 14a. An incorrect use is eliminated by means of the above-mentioned light-sensor devices, since the travelling direction of the returnable can is determined by means of the light sensors, and when the travelling direction is the direction L 1 , an acceptance signal is given thereof. After the transmitter/receiver light sensor devices is located a weight identification device 21, preferably a strain-gauge transducer located under the belt 14a. After the weight identification device 21 is then located a material identification device 23, preferably an inductive sensor, which checks the material of the returnable can, and when it detects that e.g. a steel can is concerned, the central unit starts up the rejection means, i.e., a kicker 19, after a certain delay. The kicker 19 which transfers a rejected returnable can from the belt run 14a to the passage 18, which is preferably a trough, via which the non-accepted can is transferred to the outlet gate B. From the gate B, the customer can pick up the non-accepted returnable can back to her/himself. 
     FIG. 2 further shows the above-mentioned branching point, whereby an accepted can transfers from the end of the belt conveyor in the direction of the arrow L 2  directly to the passage 17 and to the press, and a rejected can transfers in the direction of the arrow L 3  to the passage 18 and to the gate B. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the actuators of the inventive device. The motor 25 is preferably an electric motor, which rotates via a herringbone gear 26 a press drum 27 of the press unit 12. 
     The press drum 27 comprises a shell 28 and therein wings 29 or the like. The ends of the shell 28 have end flanges 30, which comprise shafts 31a and 31b. The shaft 31b, on the side opposite to the motor 25, is connected to a belt pulley 32. The motor 25 is preferably an electric motor. When the press drum 27 is thus rotated in the directions of the arrows, the belt pulley 32 is rotated and a belt 33 is moved, which is as a closed loop guided via the first belt pulley 32 and a second belt pulley 34. The belt pulley 34 is connected to a first turning roll 35 of the belt run 14a, to its shaft 35a, and provides a drive for the belt run 14. A second turning roll 36 of the belt run 14 is located near the inlet gate A. The turning rolls 36 and 35 are mounted on the body of the device with bearing devices (not shown). 
     FIG. 4 shows the inventive device from the direction of the arrow K 1  of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 shows the device of the figure seen from the direction of the arrow K 2  of FIG. 1. 
     The rotational drive of the belt 14a of the transfer conveyor 14, preferably a belt conveyor, is preferably thus taken from the belt 33 shown in FIG. 5, which is further driven by one end shaft 31b of the press drum 27. One motor 25 thus rotates the conveyor belt 14a and the press drum 27. When the placement of a can on the belt run 14a is detected by the identification device 20, preferably a photocell, the motor 25 automatically starts up. 
     FIG. 6 shows a section II--II of FIG. 1. The press unit 12 comprises the press drum 27, between the shell 28 and a counterpart 38 of which forms a wedge-like press gap 37. When the press drum 27 is rotated, the wings 29 transfer the returnable can by force into the wedge-like gap 37, which narrows in a wedge-like manner. The returnable can is formed into a flat longitudinal space-saving form. According to FIG. 6, the counterpart 38 is fitted to turn at an articulated point 39 against the spring force of a spring 40. The press drive thus receives flexibility, since the counterpart 38 can be moved against the spring force of the spring 40. In addition, the counterpart 38 is provided with a rotatable roll 41, which facilitates the travelling of the can at the narrowest point of the gap 37 and the removal of the can from the gap and further to a storage T. 
     It is also possible to use in the invention an embodiment, in which the conveyor is driven directly by its own motor, preferably an electric motor, which connects from its outlet shaft either directly or via a gear system to the roll driving the belt 14a. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment, in which both aluminium cans and steel cans are crushed. The equipment is provided with a magnetic wheel 42, whereby the steel cans stick to the magnetic wheel and transfer, loosened by a guide 43, to a passage 44, which transfers the returned steel can to its own press or to a certain sector of the press drum. The aluminium can transfers directly on the belt run 14a to a passage located at the end of the belt run, which passage transfers the aluminium can to its own press or to a certain sector of the same press. In the embodiment of FIG. 7 is given a receipt for or directly a compensation corresponding to the returned number of steel cans and aluminium cans. 
     FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the inventive device, in which the aluminium cans and the steel cans are separated after the press drum by the rotatable magnetic wheel 42, which is fitted after the press gap 37. The magnetic wheel 42 transfers e.g. the aluminium cans directly to a storate station T 1  located below the magnetic wheel 42, whereas the steel cans stick to the magnetic wheel 42, which transfers them above a storage T 2 , where the guide 43 loosens the steel can magnetically stuck to the magnetic wheel 42 from the magnetic wheel 42. The steel can then drops into its own storage T 2 . In this embodiment of the invention, one press unit can thus be used and the separation of the Al/FE cans occurs after the pressing occurrence. 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram representation of the operation of the inventive device. In the first step, the returnable can is fed into the inlet opening A. The photocell detects the returned can and starts up the motor. In the next step, the line code is scanned, as the returnable can travels on a diagonal surface diagonally relative to the center axis X of the conveyor and diagonally relative to the travelling direction of the conveyor belt. In the next step, a pair of photocells identifies the travelling direction of the can. After this, the weight is identified from under the belt by the weight identification device 21, preferably a strain-gauge transducer, and in the final step, an inductive sensor identifies the material of the returnable can. If the can is accepted, the solenoid does not react and the can transfers to a passage leading to the press. If the can is rejected, the solenoid or some other corresponding rejector transfers the non-accepted returnable can to its own conveyor passage, from which the can transfers back to the vicinity of the front panel of the device, where is located the outlet gate B for rejected returnable cans.