APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING RETURNABLE BOTTLES

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for handling returnable bottles. The apparatus (10) comprises a dropping pipe (13a1, 13a2) for a returnable bottle, said dropping pipe comprising an inner retarding mechanism (15) for retarding or stopping the dropping movement of returnable bottles. At the lower end, the dropping pipe (13a1, 13a2) is placed in connection with a turning unit (20) receiving the bottle, said unit being turnable into vertical position with an actuator (23).

Description: Apparatus and method for handling returnable bottles Handling systems of returnable bottles are known in the art, in which systems a returnable bottle can be dropped from a shop space above to a store space underneath through a separate dropping pipe. Such apparatus designs are known in the art in which the space underneath is provided with a rotating brush means, wherewith the returnable bottle can be moved from the space underneath forward onto a separate belt conveyor. In addition to being used as a transfer means, the rotating brush means also serves as a retarding means in dropping the returnable bottle, thus lessening the bumping of the bottle against the location underneath. Also known in the art are retarding mechanisms in the dropping pipe, such as retarding wheels, with the aid of which the dropping motion of the bottle falling down in the dropping pipe is retarded. Also damping materials in underneath locations are known in the art. For a damping material, such as expanded plastic may serve as an example. However, the above state-of-art apparatus designs do not provide sufficient reliability in handling a returnable bottle. The risk is the breaking of the bottle and consequently, an interruption in the operation of the entire mechanism. Neither are the apparatus designs of the present invention appropriate for use in all instances to be connected directly to a returnable bottle automation because their handling speeds are not sufficient. However, the apparatus designs known in the art have not sufficently enough been able to dampen the dropping of the bottle. A consequence thereof has been breaking of bottles. In the present application, an enhancement is proposed for the problems above. As taught by the invention, a novel handling apparatus for returnable bottles has been formed, with which the returnable bottle can be dropped from a space above to a space underneath via a dropping pipe. As taught by the invention, the dropping pipe is disposed to be in oblique position relative to the vertical direction, and such dropping pipe is advantageously used which comprises straight walls and an angle therebetween, so that the returnable bottle can be guided to pass via both walls and furthermore, with the aid of gravity to be depressed at a downward angle in the dropping space. As taught by the invention, the dropping pipe is provided with a retarding mechanism, and furthermore, the end of the dropping pipe is provided with a separate turning unit, wherewith the returnable bottle is turned into vertical position while on top of the transfer belt. Advantageously, the turning unit is a means provided with straight sides and an angle therebetween, so that the walls have been positioned to be in the conveyance direction of the conveyor in the manner in the fashion that when the belt is turned on, the walls support the returnable bottle upon the belt and prevent it from being overturning. Preferably, separate support means, such as support gates, are used in conjunction with the rning unit, with the aid of which the returnable bottle is pressed tightly against a corner in the turning unit. The compatibility of the operation of the retarding mechanism, the tiirning unit and feeding means above the dropping pipe of returnable bottles has been secured by using a light source detector system, with which the entry of a bottle dropped in the station is detected, and further, its dropping to the conjunction with the turning unit. Advantageously, two light source detector means are used: the first ones at the mouth of the dropping pipe and the two other means in conjunction with the turning unit. The apparatus of the invention and the method in handling returnable bottles are characterized in what is presented in the claims. The invention is described below, reference being made to certain advantageous embodiments of the invention depicted in the figures of the drawings, whereto, however, the invention is not intended to be exclusively restricted. In Figure 1A, the apparatus of the invention is presented as a lateral image, and on the basis of Fig. 1A, an advantageous use of the means of the invention is described for moving returnable bottles from a shop space above to a store space underneath. Figure IB shows the apparatus in the direction of arrow Ki in Figure 1A. Figure 1C shows an exchanger in conjunction with the inlet pipe, disposed to move the end of the inlet pipe into alternative positions to be in conjunction with two different dropping pipes. Figure 2 A presents the apparatus of the invention in lateral view. Figure 2B presents the apparatus of Figure 2A in the direction of arrow K 2 in Figure 2A. Figure 3 A demonstrates the retarding mechanism in the dropping pipe. Figure 3B shows section I— I in Figure 3A. Figure 4A presents a lower turning unit in conjunction with the bottle handling apparatus of the invention, the turning unit being turned into vertical position while supported by its joint. Figure 4B shows section II— II in Figure 4A. Figure 4C presents guidance of a beam of light for detecting a returnable bottle dropped through the apertures in the wall structure as in Figure 4A in conjunction with the turning unit 20. Figure 1A presents a general image of the apparatus of the invention, in which from a shop space E γ above, returnable bottles are dropped to a store space E2 underneath with the aid of the apparatus 10 of the invention. The shop space E1 above comprises advantageously a returnable bottle automation P receiving returnable bottles, from the transfer belt H 10υ of which a returnable bottle is transferred into an inlet pipe 11 and therethrough into a dropping pipe 13a j or 13a 2 . The dropping pipes 13a l 5 13a 2 have been placed next to one another, and in addition, they have been positioned, concerning the longitudinal axes, relative to vertical direction Y j - , in oblique angle a. From the inlet pipe 11 the returnable bottle is guided with the aid of an exchanger 12 either into the dropping pipe 13a j or the dropping pipe 13a 2 . Figure IB shows the apparatus design of Figure 1A when viewed in direction of arrow K j of Figure 1A. In Figure IB, an alternative position of the inlet pipe 11 is shown in broken lines. The exchanger 12 moves the end 11a of the inlet pipe 11 into alternative positions to be either in conjunction with the dropping pipe lSa j or the dropping pipe 13a . The other alternative position of the end 1 la of the inlet pipe 11 is marked with broken lines. The transfer distance is marked with S. Figure 1C shows the exchanger 12 in principle image. The exchanger 12 comprises a compressed-air cylinder 12a j^ and a piston 12b j therein, whereto the body 12c j has been mounted. An inlet pipe 11 has been further joined to the body 12c;, , being moved with the aid of the piston 12b j sidewise into either end position of the cylinder 12a ! , in which the dropping pipe 13a j or 13a 2 is located. The cylinder 12a comprises a magnet detector 12d j in its conjunction, detecting the locations of the piston 12b j and the location of the end 11a of the inlet pipe 11 connected thereto. Figure 2A displays the apparatus 10 of the invention in lateral view. The exchanger 12 has been disposed to the inlet pipe 11 and it has been arranged to move the end of the inlet pipe 11 to be alternatively in conjunction with either the dropping pipe 13a j - or the other dropping pipe 13a 2 adjacent thereto as shown in the figure. Via the dropping pipe 13a 1 ,13a 2 the returnable bottle is moved further to be in conjunction with the lower turning apparatus 20. Each dropping pipe 13a 1 ,13a 2 comprises equivalent arrangements in handling returnable bottles. The dropping pipe 13a 1 ; 13a 2 comprises a retarding mechanism 15 moved with an actuator 16, preferably with a cylinder means. A response part 17 is connected to the shaft 16a of the cylinder means 16, being movable in the dropping pipe 13aι , 13a 2 to be in the way of the bottle to retard and to stop its dropping. The cylinder 16 is advantageously a pneumatic cylinder wherewith sufficient damping is achieved. Within the scope of the invention, an embodiment is also conceivable, with the aid of which merely the dropping of the bottle is retarded with the retarding mechanism 15. The retarding mechanism 15 can therefore stop either entirely the dropping movement of the bottle or merely to retard it. The end of the dropping pipe 13a 1 ( 13a 2 is provided with a turning unit 20, comprising an actuator 23 for turning the turning unit 20 supported by a joint 22 from an oblique position receiving the bottle into vertical position upon the belt H j . Figure 2B shows the apparatus of Figure 2A in the direction of arrow K 2 . As shown in the figure, both the dropping pipe 13aι and 13a 2 are preferably made of square cross-sections in a corner D of which the returnable bottle is placed on the strength of gravity. A pipe with round cross-section may also be used. A beam of light from a light source 14a j is directed via a mirror 14b j to a detector 14c j and back to the adjacency of the light source 14a l 5 and the entry of the bottle in the dropping pipe 13a j is detected. The pipes 13a j and 13a 2 are provided with two adjacent detection means. Respectively, the entry of a bottle in the dropping pipe 13a 2 into the conjunction of the dropping pipe is detected. A beam of light is directed via the apertures f 1 ? f 2 of the dropping pipe 13a 1 ,13a 2 . Instead of a detection means based on a beam of light, also other detectors such as ultrasonic detectors can be used. Figure 3A displays a retarding mechanism 15 in the dropping pipe 13a 1 ; being moved with an actuator 16, advantageously with a cylinder means. On the shaft 16a of the cylinder means 16, a mobile response part 17 is joined, which can be made to close transversely the dropping route in the dropping pipe 13a j ,13a 2 . Each dropping pipe 13a 1 ,13a comprises a separate retarding mechanism 15 for the returnable bottle dropped therethrough. The response part 17 has been articulated to turn in a joint 17a ]^ and the cylinder 16 has been articulated with a joint 16^ in the cylinder shaft to the response part 17 and from the cylinder body with a joint 16c, to the mechanism body R. Figure 3B shows section I— I in Figure 3A. In the presentation of the figure, the response part 17 is in a position receiving a bottle and damping its dropping. With the aid of the response part 17 the dropping of the bottle can be stopped entirely. Figure 4 A shows a turning unit 20 at the end of the dropping pipe. The ends of each dropping pipe 13a l 5 13a 2 are provided with individual turning units 20, turned with an actuator 23 supported by joint 22, preferably with a pneumatic cylinder. The turning unit may also be another actuator, for instance an electric solenoid. Hence, the turning unit 20 can be positioned with the actuator 23 into vertical position and back into oblique position relative to vertical level; in angle α, which is the same as the angle of bevel of the dropping pipe 13a 1 ; 13a 2 . In the oblique position, said position corresponding to the position of the dropping pipe 13a 1 ,13a 2 , the turning unit 20 receives a returned bottle from the dropping pipe 13a j or 13a 2 . Using the actuator 23, the bottle dropped on the belt H j is raised into vertical position. The body of the turning unit 20 comprises walls 21aι ,21a 2 being at 90° to each other, so that the returnable bottle is placed in a corner D between the walls on the strength of gravity when it is dropped from the dropping pipe 13a j , 13a 2 upon the turning unit 20. The turning unit 20 is then turned into vertical position with the actuator 21. As shown in Figure 4A, gates 24a j ,24a 2 movable with actuators 25a 1 ( 25a 2 , advantageously with pneumatic cylinders, are provided to be in conjunction with walls 21a l 5 21a 2 , said gates being made to close the space between the walls 21a j ,21a 2 and to direct the returnable bottle into a corner D between the walls 21a 1 ; 21a 2 when the returnable bottle was dropped into the dropping space F between the walls 21a } ,21a 2 . Each gate 24a 1 ( 24a 2 is driven by an actuator of its own 25a j or 25a 2 . The actuator 23 is advantageously also a cylinder means articulated from the cylinder body 23a j with a joint O j on the machine frame R and from the cylinder shaft 23a 2 articulated with a joint O 2 onto the walls 21a j ,21a 2 . For actuator 23, also an electric solenoid may be used. As shown in Figure 4B, the space F between the walls 20a l 5 20a 2 opens in the movement direction L 1 of the upper conveyor of the belt H j . Thereby, when the belt is set on, the returnable bottle is supported effectively on the walls 21aι ,21a 2 in the corner D therebetween. The cylinder body 25b j of the actuator 25 has been articulated at a joint C j on the apparatus body 21a 1 ; 21a 2 , and the end of the piston shaft 25b 2 of the actuator 25a at a joint C 2 to the intermediate shaft j connected to the gate 24a ! . The gate 24a γ has been articulated at a joint C 3 to the wall 21a . Respectively, the attachment arrangement and the actuator arrangement of the other support gate 24a 2 is identical. In addition, Figure 4C shows the damping unit 26 underneath the belt H^ Advan- tageously, the damping unit 26 is made of expanded plastic. Figure 4C shows the bottle detection equipment in association with the turning unit 20. A beam of light is sent from a light source 27a to a mirror 27b. The beam of light reflected from the mirror 27b is received with a detector 27c. The beam of light has been made to pass through the plate apertures f 3 ,f , as demonstrated in Figure 4C. After the returnable bottle has been detected, the exchanger 12 can thereafter be guided via the central unit so that it moves the inlet pipe 11 to be in association with the other dropping pipe 13a 1 ? 13a 2 .

Claims: Claims 1. Apparatus in handling returnable bottles, characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises a dropping pipe (13a 1 ? 13a 2 ) for a returnable bottle, said dropping pipe comprising an inner retarding mechanism (15) for retarding or stopping the dropping movement of returnable bottles, said dropping pipe (13a j ,13a 2 ) being at the lower end in conjunction with a turning unit (20) receiving the bottle, said unit being turnable into vertical position with an actuator (23). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the turning unit (20) comprises a joint (22), supported by which the turning unit (20) is turnable, and that an actuator (23) is provided, advantageously a cylinder means, with the aid of which the turning unit (20) is turned into vertical position from an oblique position relative to vertical direction. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 to 2, characterized in that the turning unit (20) comprises walls (21a2,21a 2 ), in the corner (D) wherebetween the returnable bottle is settled, while the turning unit (20) is in a position receiving the bottle, and that the turning unit (20) comprises, in association therewith, gates (24a j ,24a 2 ) moved with an actuator (25a ! ,25a 2 ), with the aid of which the returnable bottle is kept pressed against the walls ^la^la^) when the turning unit (20) is lifted into vertical position. 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dropping pipe (13a j ) comprises a square or rectangular cross-section, in a corner (D) whereof the returnable bottle is by means of gravity settled as it falls in said dropping pipe and that the dropping pipe comprises inside thereof a retarding mechanism (15) driven with a cylinder means (16) so that a mobile response part (17) can be made to close the dropping pipe in order to slow down the dropping of the returnable bottle. 5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus comprises means to detect the travelling of the returnable bottle at the upper end of the dropping pipe (13a 1 ,13a 2 ), such as a light source (14a) generating a beam of light and a detector (14c) receiving the beam of light, with the aid of which the travelling of the returnable bottle into the dropping pipe (13aι ,13a 2 ) is detected. 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turning unit (20) comprises, in association therewith, a source of light (27a) and a mirror (27b), and a detector (27c), wherewith a returnable bottle dropped in the space between the walls (21a l 5 21a 2 ) of the turning unit (20) is detected when a beam of light has been directed to travel through the apertures (21b l 5 21b 2 ) of the walls (21a 1 ,21a 2 ). 7. A means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means comprises two dropping pipes ( a^lSa^ in parallel and two turning units (20) at the ends thereof, so that the apparatus comprises an exchanger (12) wherewith a returnable bottle dropped from the inlet pipe (11) is guided alternately either into the dropping pipe (13a^ or (13a 2 ). 8. A method in handling returnable bottles, characterized in that in the method a returnable bottle is guided into a dropping pipe (13a l 5 13a 2 ), this being positioned obliquely relative to the vertical level, and that the returnable bottle is retarded or stopped in the dropping pipe with the aid of a retarding mechanism (15) or equival- ent, and that the returnable bottle is thereafter guided from the dropping pipe to the turning unit (20) into a space (F) between the walls (21a j ,21a 2 ) thereof and against said walls, and that the turning unit (20) is then guided so that it raises into vertical position, whereby the turning unit (20) turns the returnable bottle from oblique position upright. 9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the returnable bottle is directed to be upright on top of a transfer belt (H j ) and that the gates (24a 1 ; 24a 2 ) in association with the turning unit (20) are so guided that the returnable bottle is thereafter enabled to be transferred by the belt (H) away from the space (F) between the walls (21a j ,21a 2 ) of the turning unit (20).

Inventors: OLLIKAINEN JUHA, OLLIKAINEN, JUHA
Applicants: OLLIKAINEN JUHA, TOMRA AB OY, OLLIKAINEN, JUHA, OY TOMRA AB
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B65G11
IPC codes: B65G11, B65G69