METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONVEYING AN ITEM TO A COMPACTION DEVICE

Abstract: Method and device for conveying of an item (1) to a compaction device (2), which includes at least one movable pressing device (20a). An angled feeder hatch (3) has a primarily vertical plate (3a) which is immovably connected at its lower edge to a continuous rotary body (31) rotatably journalled in an axle (7) and with a contact surface (30) whose radial distance to the axle is primarily the same in the direction of the axle (7) but deviates in the peripheral direction in the terminal areas of the rotary body. The contact surface (30) of the rotary body is pressed by a spring against a contact device (23) located on the movable pressing device (20a). An auxiliary hatch (4) is rotatably journalled at its upper edge by means of an axle (41) parallel to the axle (7) of the rotary body and is rotated by a spring (40) with its lower part towards the feeder hatch (3). In the initial position (fig. 3a) the item (1) is located between the feeder hatch (3) and the auxiliary hatch (4). In the motion of the pressing device the contact device (23) is displaced along the contact surface (30). During the concluding stage of the compression motion of the pressing device (20) the radial position of the contact surface alters, and the spring of the rotary body thus rotates the body around the axle (7) in order to retain the contact with the contact device. This rotation ensures (fig. 3b) that the item (1) pushes the auxiliary hatch (4) to one side, and a passage opens to the compaction section of the device. The hatches are restored to their original positions in the return motion of the pressing device.

Description: Method and device for conveying an item to a compaction device The present invention relates to a method and a device for conveying an item, preferably an empty beverage pack of can type, to a com- _» paction device, whereby the compaction device includes at least two pressing devices that are movable relative to one another, and more specifically to disposing a feeder hatch for motion to and from an auxiliary hatch, whereby the position of the feeder hatch is set depending on relative positions of the pressing devices, and to disposing the feeder hatch in order to allow the item located between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch in motion towards the auxiliary hatch to transfer the motion of the feeder hatch to the auxiliary hatch so that the latter can be moved to one side, whereby a passage is formed for the dispacement of the item to a position between two of the pressing devices. .There is, in many contexts, a need for compaction devices intended to be used by persons, who are not specially trained for this task. It is thus necessary to design these compaction devices so that no risk of injury occurs in conjunction with their use. It is especially in the case of small installations, where the distance between the feed aperture of a device and its compaction device is small, that there are problems in achieving the required safety. One example of equip¬ ment where a compaction device of the type referred to is of rele¬ vance, is equipment for reception of empty beverage packs of can type, where this equipment is located e.g. in the vicinity of a sales outlet for filled packs. A device for reception and compaction of empty beverage packs is also subject to the requirement that a number of beverage packs should be able to be placed in the device, which then feeds the packs individu¬ ally into the compaction section of the device. The present invention relates to a method and a device which satis¬ fies the aforementioned requirements. In accordance with the inven¬ tion a compaction device is disposed with a feed device, whereby the compaction device includes pressing devices movable relative to each other, and the feed device includes a feeder hatch and an auxiliary hatch. The feeder hatch is disposed for motion towards or from the auxiliary hatch, and positions of the feeder hatch are set depending upon relative positions of the pressing devices and/or the drive positions the drive mechanisms for the pressing devices assume. In the motion of the feeder hatch towards the auxiliary hatch, an item, located between the feeder hatch and the auxil ary hatch and intended for compaction, transfers the motion of the feeder hatch to the auxiliary hatch in order to move the latter to one side, whereby a passage is formed for the displacement of the item to a. position between the pressing devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention devices are disposed for detection of positions and movements of the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch, in order to allow the movements of the feeder hatch and/or the auxiliary hatch to continue only a predeter- mined relative positions of the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch. This ensures that only an item with dimensions within predetermined dimensional ranges is displaced to a position between the pressing devices. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention the device includes devices which, on the basis of relative positions of the auxiliary hatch and the feeder hatch, respectively, determine the dimensions of the item, and thereby classify it as belonging to a certain group of items, e.g. for subsequent sorting, repayment of deposits etc. In yet another embodiment of the invention the determination of the relative positions of the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch in order, when an item has been determined as having dimensions outside _p.VPI the predetermined range of dimensions, to set the feeder hatch and the .auxiliary hatch to positions, in which an item located between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch can be removed from the feed device. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the motion of the feeder hatch is achieved by the motion of one of the pressing de¬ vices, in that a contact device connected thereto abuts a cam surface connected to the feeder hatch. In a preferred embodiment the feeder hatch is disposed with a protec- tive plate, which in the motion of the feeder hatch towards the auxiliary hatch closes off the feed aperture of the feed device and thereby prevents any pack located in the vicinity of the feed aper¬ ture from being displaced towards the pressing devices. The protec¬ tive plate thus ensures the individual feed of items to the pressing devices and also prevents the pressing devices from being reached by a hand etc, in the absence of items in the feed position. In certain embodiments devices, e.g. mechanical or inductive sensors, are disposed in the vicinity of the space between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch to detect the presence of the item therein. These devices are thus connected to an analysis and control device for regulating the movements of the drive mechanism and/or the feeder hatch as a result of the information received by the analysis and control device. In certain embodiments the analysis and control de¬ vice also determines the dimensions of the item on the basis of the information received. Such determination of dimensions is then em¬ ployed for a subsequent sorting of the goods received. The scope of the invention also contains room to allow the determination of dimen¬ sions to characterise the goods received as unsuitable, e.g. an item with dimensions outside the predetermined range of dimensions, where- by the analysis and control device terminates the feed movements of the drive mechanism and/or the feeder hatch. A hand inserted into the space between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch will thus also cause the aforementioned feed movements to be terminated, by which means injury to the hand is avoided. • The invention is further described in conjunction with a number of figures, where: Fig. 1 shows a lateral view of a compaction device with associated feed device and drive device, Fig. 2 a-d shows lateral views equivalent to that in Fig. 1, where the drive device and the auxiliary hatch of the feed device are omitted, and with the compaction de¬ vice in its subsequent operating positions, Fig. 3 a-d shows the sections 3a-3a, 3b-3b, 3c-3c and 3d-3d in Fig. 2 a-d, Fig. 4 shows a front view of a cam for the motion of the feeder hatch, Fig. 4 a-b shows the lateral views 4a-4a and 4b-4b, respectively, of the cam as shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 4 c-e shows the sections 4c-4c, 4d-4d and 4e-4e in Fig. 4. The embodiment in Fig. 1 shows a compaction device 2 with a pressing device 20a, movable in the direction of the double-headed arrow A, which collaborates with stationary pressing devices 20b and 20c disposed on both sides of the pressing device. By means of a drive mechanism 6 composed of a transmission device 61 and a motor 60, the movable pressing device is displaced between two terminal positions (indicated by dash-dotted lines in the figure), which are located close to the stationary pressing devices. The distance between the movable pressing device and each stationary pressing device thus determines the maximum compaction of the item which is being com¬ pressed. The movable pressing device is journalled in two sliding rods 70 a,b (cf also Fig. 3 a-d) for displacement between the termi- nal positions. The transmission device 61 is driven by a motor 60, and in the em¬ bodiment shown is composed of a drive device 64, e.g. a V-belt, cogged belt etc., a transmission wheel 65 on which two crank rods 66 are mounted, and two transmission rods 67 which are rotatably jour¬ nalled at one end in each of the crank rods 66, and at the other end are rotatably journalled in the movable pressing device 20a. In the figure only the crank rod 66a and the transmission rod 67a on one side are visible. The drive device 64 transfers the rotational motion of the motor to the transmission wheel 65, whose rotational motion is converted by means of the crank rods 66 and the transmission rods 67 into a reciprocating motion of the movable pressing device 20a. In a preferred embodiment the motor 60 has a motor base 68 which is rotatably journalled around an axle 69 in the vicinity of one side. A spring 62 supports the opposite side of the motor base. The resil¬ ience of the spring is matched to the calculated maximum tractive force required in the drive device 64, which means that in the event of tractive forces exceeding this value the spring alters its length, whereby the motor base is rotated around the aforementioned axle 69. This actuates a changeover switch 63 which either interrupts the motion of the motor or actuates e.g. a control device that determines the continued motion of the motor. Above the movable .pressing device 20a there is disposed an auxiliary hatch 4 and a feeder hatch 3 a,b whose construction and functions are described in greater detail hereinafter. Figs. 2 and 3 show in greater detail the embodiment in accordance with Fig. 1. In order to make the figures clearer than in Fig. 2 a-d, the auxiliary hatch 4 has been omitted. In addition to what has al¬ ready been stated in conjunction with Fig. 1, it will be evident from the figures that the auxiliary hatch 4 is rotatably journalled in the vicinity of its upper edge by means of an axle 41. A spring 40 actu¬ ates the hatch in order to rotate its lower part downwards towards the feeder hatch 3. The latter comprises a primarily flat plate 3a, which gives way to a curved plate 3b facing away from the auxiliary "hatch 4, with the transition between the plates 3a and 3b forming an angle of primarily 90°. There is disposed on the side of the transi- tion facing towards the auxiliary hatch a microswitch 8, which via signal connections not shown in the figure is connected to an analy- sis and control device 53, or to a separate device (not shown in the figure) for regulation of the motion of the drive motor 60. The flat plate 3a is journalled in its lower portion by means of an axle 7 for displacement of the upper portion of the flat plate 3a, and thus the curved plate 3b in a direction towards or away from the auxiliary hatch 4. The shaft 7 is further fitted with a recess 9 into which a spring 32 is inserted. The spring 32 actuates the feeder hatch for its motion towards the auxiliary hatch 4. A cam 31 is furthermore permanently connected to the flat plate 3a. The cam has a cam surface 30, which in turn abuts a contact roller 23, movably journalled in a transmission device 21 attached to the movable pressing device 20a. The cam surface abuts the roller in that the spring 32 ' presses the cam 31 and thus its surface against the roller. This ' eans that the position of rotation of the shaft 7 is determined by the shape of the cam surface during the displacement of the pressing device. The cam surface is thus designed so that the cam in the terminal positions of the pressing device 20a should assume those positions which are shown especially in Figs. 3a and 3d. There is disposed below the pressing devices 20 and between the two stationary pressing devices 20b and 20c a support device 22 which supports the item prior to its compaction. The figures further show an embodiment of the invention where there are passages 24 a,b between the support devices and the stationary pressing devices, through which passages a compressed pack leaves the compaction device and thereby drops into a container etc. In the vicinity of the end portions of the feeder and auxiliary hatches there are disposed devices 51, 52 for detection and indica¬ tion of the positions of the hatches. Examples of such suitable de- vices are magnetic and optical sensors. The aforementioned devices are connected by means of signal connections 54 to the analysis and xontrol device 53. Above the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch there is disposed in the embodiment shown a reception device 10, where guide plates 11 a,b preferably form a funnel-shaped device. The figures further show a can 1, la in its consecutive positions as it passes through a device in accordance with the invention. Figs. 4 and 4 a-e show in detail the design of the cam. Fig 4 is a front view of the cam, Figs. 4a and 4b are lateral views 4a-4a and 4b-4b of the cam, and Fig 4 c-e corresponds to the sections 4c-4c, 4d-4d and 4e-4e in Fig. 4. In the embodiment shown each section through the cam is in confirmity with its shape. By this means there is formed a contact surface 30 in the cam which corresponds to the previously mentioned cam surface 30. In order to facilitate comprehension of the shape of the cam, the reference designations 30 " , 30 " and 30 have been placed in the figures, both in the front view and the sections. Reference designa¬ tions agree with those previously shown. When cans are placed in the reception device 10, the lowermost can 1 abuts the auxiliary hatch 4 and the feeder hatch 3a (cf Figs. 2a and 3a). The spring 40 for the rotational motion of the auxiliary hatch is sufficiently powerful to resist the loading that the layer of cans exerts on the auxiliary hatch, for which reason the latter remains in the closed position. The pressing device 20a is simultaneously located in a pos-ition (Fig. 2a) between its two terminal positions and is being displaced towards one of them, which is assumed to be the position closest to the pressing device 20b. The cam 31 abuts the roller 23 by means of its surface 30, and thereby retains its posi- tion of rotation right until the pressing device 20a approaches the terminal position. At this stage the roller 23 comes into contact with that part of the cam surface 30 where the latter alters shape, which causes the cam 31 under the influence of the spring 32 to begin a rotational motion (cf Fig. 3b-3c) and thus the feeder hatch begins to move towards the auxiliary hatch. During the motion of the feeder hatch it abuts the lower can 1, which is in turn in contact with the auxiliary hatch 4 and moves it to one side under the counteracting force of the spring 40 of the auxiliary hatch. The spring force of the spring 32 of the feeder hatch is so chosen that the spring 40 of the auxiliary hatch is incapable of stopping this movement. During the rotational motion the curved disc 3b of the feeder hatch is moved below the can la which is located above the lowermost can, and there¬ by separates the lowermost can 1 from any cans located above it. The pressing device 20a continues towards its terminal position, and the feeder hatch 3 and the auxiliary hatch 4 are displaced to their ter¬ minal positions (cf Fig. 3c), whereby the lower can falls down towards the support device 22 so that resting on the support device it assumes a position between the movable pressing device and one of the stationary pressing devices. The motion of the pressing device 20a in the opposite direction then commences, whereby the can which rests on the support device 22 is brought to abutment against the stationary pressing device 20c and successively compressed during the continuing motion of the movable pressing device. At the same time the design of the cam 31 ensures that the cam and thus the feeder hatch are displaced back to their original postions during the initial stage of the motion of the pressing device, in addition to which the spring 40 of the auxiliary hatch returns the auxiliary hatch to its original position. This allows the next can la to assume the position between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch (cf Fig. 3d). The movable pressing de¬ vice is further displaced towards its terminal pdstion during the final compression of the first can 1, at the same time as the move¬ ments of the cam, the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch are re¬ peated in accordance with the aforementioned pattern. In the terminal position of the pressing device 20a the subsequent can la falls down towards the support device 22 and is then compressed between the mov¬ able pressing device 20a and the opposite pressing device 20b during the continuing and opposite motion of the movable pressing device. When the pressing device begins its opposite motion the can compacted against pressing device 20c is released and falls through the aper¬ ture 24b between the support device 22 and the stationary pressing device 20c. • The exact positions of the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch are transmitted continously in the embodiment shown via signal connec¬ tions 54 to the analysis and control device 53, which detects the mutual positions of the two hatches and, when they deviate from pre- determined patterns, interrupts movements of the drive devices 60,61 or introduces e.g. a mechanical stop that prevents the continuing motion of the feeder hatch towards the auxiliary hatch. This ensures that only items of the predertemined dimensions are allowed to pass down to the pressing devices and be compressed between them. The microswitch 8 comprises a safety switch, which is triggered when it is affected by an excessively great contact force, thus interrupt¬ ing the supply of current to the motor 60. The device described constitutes solely one example of a suitable embodiment. It is especially the equivalent of the cam 31 which can be adapted to the different embodiments. In e.g. application of the invention with the employment of e.g. forced guidance of e.g. the mutual positions of the motor and the movable pressing device, a separate device is connected directly to the motor in certain embodi¬ ments. The movements of the motor are converted by the separate de- vice into a reciprocating motion which is transferred to the feeder hatch and determines its motion. The separate device is designed e.g. with a cam disc that controls the movements of a rocker arm, connect¬ ed in turn to the feeder hatch. The invention has been described in the preceding in one embodiment with only one movable pressing device 20a and two stationary pressing . devices 20b and 20c. The invention is however in no way restricted to this combination of pressing devices, but is applicable in embodi- ments that include e.g. only two pressing devices and/or where more than one pressing device is movable. In addition to the foregoing description the invention is also re¬ vealed in the claims hereinafter. UKtATj"

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for individual conveying of an item (1), preferably an empty beverage pack of can type, to a compaction device (2), whereby the compaction device includes at least two pressing devices (20) movable relative to each other, e.g. pressing " plates, and a drive mechanism (6) for displacement of the pres¬ sing devices, at least when the pressing devices compress the item, characterised in that the positions of a feeder hatch (3), disposed for motion in a direction towards or away from an aux¬ iliary hatch (4), are set depending upon the drive positions of the drive mechanism and/or the relative positions of the pres¬ sing devices, and that in the motion of the feeder hatch towards the auxiliary hatch, the item located between the feeder hatch 'and the auxiliary hatch transfers the movements of the feeder hatch to the auxiliary hatch in order to move the latter to one side, whereby the item is displaced towards the pressing devices and preferably to a position between the pressing devices, alternatively between two of the pressing devices. 2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that in conjunc¬ tion with the movements of the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch, devices (51-53) detect positions of the auxiliary hatch relative to the feeder hatch ' s, in order to allow the movements of the feeder hatch and/or the auxiliary hatch to continue only at predetermined relative positions of the feeder hatch and aux¬ iliary hatch, by which means only an item with dimensions within predetermined ranges of dimensions is displaced to a position between the pressing devices, alternatively, between two of the pressing devices. 3. * Method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that in conjunc¬ tion with the movements of the feeder hatch (3) and the auxilia- ry hatch (4), devices (51-53) detect positions of the auxiliary hatch relative to the feeder hatch ' s in order to allow the move¬ ments of the feeder hatch and/or the auxiliary hatch to continue only at predetermined relative positions of the feeder hatch and auxiliary hatch and/or in order to classify the items as belong¬ ing to a certain group of items, e.g. for subsequent sorting, repayment of deposits etc. 4. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that in conjunc¬ tion with the movements of the feeder hatch (3) and the auxilia¬ ry hatch (4), devices (51-53) detect positions of the auxiliary hatch relative to the feeder hatch ' s in order at predetermined relative positions of the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch to interrupt the motion of the drive device, to interrupt the motion of the feeder hatch or to reverse the motion of the feeder hatch for the setting of the feeder hatch and the auxil¬ iary hatch to positions in which an item (1) located between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch can be removed. 5. Method as claimed in any of claim 1-4, characterised in that the motion of the feeder hatch (3) is achieved by motion of one of the pressing devices (20) in that a contact device (21) therein abuts a cam surface (30) connected to the feeder hatch. 6. Device for achieving the method as claimed in claim 1, for indi- vidual conveying of an item (1), preferably an empty beverage pack of can type, to a compaction device (2), whereby the com¬ paction device includes at least two pressing devices (20) mov¬ able relative to each other, e.g. pressing plates, and a drive mechanism (6) for displacement of the pressing devices, at least in compression of the item, characterised in that a feeder hatch (3) is disposed for motion in a direction towards or away from an auxiliary riatch (4), that the auxiliary hatch is disposed in order to alternately assume a position allowing the passage of the item in a direction towards the compaction device (2) and a position preventing such passage, that a transmission device (21) is disposed in the vicinity of the feeder hatch for trans¬ mission of motion thereto in relative movements of the drive mechanism or the pressing devices (20), and that the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch have a mutual orientation ensuring that with the item (1) located in the space between the hatches, the item, at least during some part of the motion of the feeder hatch towards the auxiliary hatch, abuts said hatches, whereby the item displaces the auxiliary hatch towards and/or to the position allowing the passage of the item from said space. 7. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the trans¬ mission device (21) is fixed in- relation to the movable pressing device (20a) and that the feeder hatch (3) is disposed with a cam surface (30) abutting the transmission device, by which means the feeder hatch is displaced in the motion of the pres¬ sing device in a direction towards or away from the auxiliary hatch. 8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the movable pressing device (20a) is disposed as a double-acting pressing device, disposed for a mechanically controlled reciprocating motion, and in order thereby to interact with two opposing pres¬ sing devices (20b, 20c) and that the cam surface (30) has a curved contour primarily symmetrical around the central position of the double-acting pressing device. 9. Device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterised in that a spring (32) is disposed for abutment of the cam surface (30) against the transmission device (21) and for displacement of the feeder hatch in a direction towards the auxiliary hatch. 10. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that in the vici¬ nity of the feeder hatch (3) and the auxiliary hatch (4) there are diposed devices (51,52) e.g. mechanical or inductive sensors for indicationof the positions of the hatches, in addition ' to which said devices are preferably connected to an analysis and control device (53) for regulation of the movements of the drive mechanism and/or the feeder hatch as a result of information received from said devices. 0?.'P1 VV_rϋ 11. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that in the vici¬ nity of the space between the feeder hatch (3) and the auxiliary hatch (4) there are disposed devices (51, 52), e.g. mechanical or inductive sensors, for indication of the presence of the item in said space, in addition to which said devices are preferably connected to an analysis and control device (53) for regulation of the movements of the drive mechanism and/or the feeder hatch as a result of information received from said devices. 12. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that in the vici- nity of the feeder hatch (3) and the auxil ary hatch (4) there are disposed devices (51, 52), e.g. mechanical and inductive sensors connected to an analysis and control device (53) for determination of the dimesions of the item (1).

Inventors: TROLLE STEN, TROLLE, STEN
Applicants: TROLLE STEN, TROLLE, STEN
Application year: 1983
Main classification: B30B15
IPC codes: B30B9, B30B15