Patent Description:
Devices for sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers, may be used in reverse vending machines in e.g. super markets. Typically, such sorting devices are arranged to sort received objects in three directions.

An example of a device adapted for sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers, that are conveyed on a conveyor, is disclosed in <CIT>. This document discloses a device where objects conveyed on a conveyor belt are sorted by a channel-like gate which is pivotable about a vertical axis. The gate has two parallel side walls and is arranged to guide an object sideways relative to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt and, in a neutral position, to allow the object to pass unaffected by the gate. An actuator, which may turn the gate towards one side or another of the conveyor belt is connected to the gate.

This device is however bulky and space consuming.

There is hence a need for a less bulky device which may be used in reverse vending machines. <CIT> relates to an apparatus having a conveyor on which articles are transported, and for distributing articles arriving along a supply path to at least two delivery paths by deflecting the articles using a triangular-shaped deflector which is pivotable around an axis. The lever may be controlled via a spring, allowing it to make controlled movements. Alternatively, the deflector may be controlled via drive means. Each delivery path on the conveyor can, if desired, constitute a secondary supply path which leads to a further deflector of the aforementioned kind for distributing the articles arriving from the secondary supply path to respective secondary delivery paths.

<CIT> relates to a device for directionally guiding articles of different shapes that are being conveyed on a conveyor off the conveyor using a movable gate that is controllable to move across the conveyor at an angle to the direction of travel of the article on the conveyor. The device for directionally guiding articles of different shapes that are being conveyed on a conveyor off the conveyor with the aid of a movable gate that is controllable to move across the conveyor at an angle to the direction of travel of the article on the conveyor. The gate is made having a means which, upon movement across the conveyor, is designed to forcibly cause the article to be driven along the gate, in a direction corresponding to said angle, off the conveyor and to an exit.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved and more compact device for sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers.

The invention is defined by the appended independent claim, with embodiments being set forth in the appended dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.

According to a first aspect there is provided a device for sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers that are conveyed on a conveyor, the device being configured to sort at least two types of objects, wherein the device comprises a first guiding member which is pivotable about a first pivot axis and configured to, when the sorting device is situated in a first sorting position, guide objects or containers in a first direction, a second guiding member which is pivotable about a second pivot axis, a rotatable drive member, a first cam mechanism interconnecting the rotatable drive member with the first guiding member, and a second cam mechanism interconnecting the rotatable drive member with the second guiding member, wherein the device is configured to, upon rotation of the drive member, be actuated between said first sorting position and a second sorting position.

The device thus comprises two separate guiding members, each of which may have a guiding surface. By a device with two separate guiding members, each guiding member being pivotable about a separate pivot axis, a laterally compact device, yet enabling objects or containers to be sorted in three different directions, can be provided. The device can thus be made less bulky compared to prior art devices for sorting objects. Furthermore, the first and second cam mechanisms, which together form a cam device for controlling pivotal movement of the first and second guiding members, allows the sorting device to be operated by one single actuator, such as a motor, via the drive member and thus provides for a compact and cost-efficient device.

According to one example the drive member comprises a movable or rotatable element, in the form of e.g. a rotatable plate, which is fixedly mounted to e.g. a drive shaft. The drive shaft may be connected to an actuator, such as e.g. a motor. The drive member is e.g. configured to perform a partial rotation in any direction. The actuator is e.g. capable of rotating the drive member in the clockwise direction and in the anti-clockwise direction.

The sorting device may be used to sort containers in a single sorting direction, in two sorting directions or in three sorting directions.

The sorting device may e.g. be used for sorting objects in a reverse vending machine configured for receiving and processing containers of a single type, containers of two types or containers of three types, thereby providing flexibility.

According to one embodiment the first and second guiding members are configured to, upon rotation of the drive member, pivot one by one about the first and second pivot axes, respectively. In this embodiment the shape of a cam of the first cam mechanism and the shape of a cam of the second cam mechanism are thus configured such that the first and second guiding members, upon rotation of the drive member, are pivoted one by one about the first and second pivot axes, respectively.

According to one embodiment the first and second guiding members are configured to, upon rotation of the drive member, pivot simultaneously about the first and second pivot axes, respectively. In this embodiment the shape of a cam of the first cam mechanism and the shape of a cam of the second cam mechanism are thus configured such that the first and second guiding members, upon rotation of the drive member, are pivoted simultaneously about the first and second pivot axes, respectively.

According to one embodiment the first and second guiding members are configured to, upon rotation of the drive member, pivot partly simultaneously about the first and second pivot axes, respectively. In relation to this application the expression "partly simultaneously" means that, when the sorting device is actuated/moved from one sorting position to another sorting position, both guiding members are pivoted simultaneously during a part of the actuation and during another part of the actuation one single guiding member is pivoted. For instance, during a first part of the movement of the sorting device from a first sorting position to a second sorting position, both guiding members are pivoted and during a subsequent part of the movement only one guiding member is pivoted.

According to one embodiment one of the guiding members makes a full rotational displacement, e.g. <NUM> or <NUM> degrees, and the other guiding member makes a minor rotational displacement, e.g. a few degrees or between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, when the sorting device is moved between two sorting positions. For instance, this can be used when a larger passage for containers is desired when the bottles are redirected.

According to one embodiment containers are allowed to continue in the direction of travel of the conveyor or are guided in a direction being different from said first sorting direction when the device is situated in said second sorting position.

According to one embodiment the second guiding member is configured to guide containers in a second sorting direction when the sorting device is situated in said second sorting position.

The drive member may be rotatable at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°; when rotated from one end position to the other. Additionally, or alternatively, the drive member may be rotatable at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°; when rotated from one end position to the other.

According to one embodiment the angle by which the drive member is rotatable is within the range of <NUM>°-<NUM>°.

The angle of deflection of the first guiding member may be at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°. Additionally, or alternatively, the angle of deflection of the first guiding member may be at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°. According to one embodiment the angle of deflection of the first guiding member is within the range of <NUM>°-<NUM>°. The angle of deflection of a guiding member is the pivotation of the a guiding member when moved between a neutral poisition and a guiding position the first and the third sorting position.

In relation to this application the express "the neutral position of a guiding member" refers to the position wherein the direction of the transported containers are unaffacted or substantially unaffacted by the guiding member; and the expression "the guiding position of a guiding member" refers to the position wherein the transported containers are guided and/or redirected by the guiding member.

The angle of deflection of the second guiding member may be at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°. Additionally, or alternatively, the angle of deflection of the second guiding member may be at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°, or at most <NUM>°. The angle of deflection of the second guiding member is the pivotation of the second guiding member when the sorting device is situated in the second sorting position. According to one embodiment the angle of deflection of the second guiding member is within the range of <NUM>°-<NUM>°.

According to one embodiment said first and second sorting directions are opposite to each other. In this embodiment containers may thus be guided in opposite directions and away from each other.

According to one embodiment the device may assume a third sorting position.

According to one embodiment said third sorting position is an intermediate sorting position in which containers are allowed to continue in the direction of travel of the conveyor.

According to one embodiment at least one of the first and second cam mechanisms comprises a cam that forms a part of one of said guiding members and a cam follower that forms a part of the drive member.

According to one embodiment the first cam mechanism comprises a first cam groove and a first cam follower received in the first cam groove, and the second cam mechanism comprises a second cam groove and a second cam follower received in the second cam groove.

According to one embodiment at least one of said cam followers forms a part of the drive member.

According to one embodiment one of said cam grooves is formed in a part of one of the first and second guiding members and preferably the other one of said cam grooves is formed in a part of the other one of the first and second guiding members.

According to one embodiment at least one of said cam followers comprises a roller assembly. This embodiment has the advantage that friction losses may be reduced.

According to one embodiment at least one of the guiding members comprises a guiding plate.

Each guiding member may have at least two positions, namely a passive position in which the guiding member is arranged to the side of the conveyor, without crossing the conveyor, and an active position in which the guiding member is arranged across the conveyor so objects are guided to the side of the conveyor.

Additionally or alternatively, each guiding plate may have at least two positions, namely a passive position in which the guiding plate is arranged to the side of the conveyor, without crossing the conveyor, and an active position in which the guiding plate is arranged across the conveyor so objects are guided to the side of the conveyor.

According to one embodiment a guiding member or a guiding plate which is arranged in the passive position does not take part in the guiding of the objects and/or objects may pass the guiding member without being brought into contact therewith. Optionally, one, some or all of the objects (e.g. dependent on size) may touch the guiding plate when the plate is arranged in the passive position - however, this will not cause any substatial redirection of the object from its incomming path of transportation.

According to one embodiment, when the device is situated in the first sorting position, the first guiding member and/or a first guiding plate are/is arranged in the active position and the second guiding member and/or a second guiding plate are/is arranged in the passive position.

Optionally, when the device is situated in the second sorting position, the first guiding member and/or the first guiding plate are/is arranged in the passive position and the second guiding member and/or the second guiding plate are/is arranged in the active position.

Optionally, when the device is situated in an idle sorting position or intermediate position, the first and the second guiding members are arranged in their respective passive positions and/or the first and the second guiding plates are arranged in their respective passive positions.

The spatial position of a guiding member and/or a guiding plate may differ, when comparing the passive position used when objects are guided to the side, as compared to the passive position used when the device is arranged in the intermediate position. there are two different positions in which a guiding member and/or a guiding plate may be arranged, one for the intermediate position and one for the sorting position, and both being passive positions. Alternatively, the spatial position of a guiding member and/or a guiding plate is the same, when comparing the passive position used when objects are guided to the side, as compared to the passive position used when the device is arranged in the intermediate position.

According to one embodiment at least one of the guiding members comprises a curved guiding plate.

According to one embodiment the device comprises an actuator, such as e.g. a motor, for rotating the rotatable drive member.

According to one embodiment one single actuator is connected to the drive member, said actuator being capable of rotating the drive member in the clockwise direction and in the anti-clockwise direction.

According to one embodiment said one single actuator is a motor.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a device for sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers, that are conveyed on a conveyor, wherein the device comprises one single guiding member which is pivotable about a pivot axis and configured to, when the sorting device is situated in a first sorting position, guide containers in a first sorting direction; a rotatable drive member; a cam mechanism interconnecting the rotatable drive member with the guiding member; wherein the device is configured to, upon rotation of the drive member, be actuated between said first sorting position and a second sorting position.

This singel guide sorting device may be used in combination with the dual guide sorting device decribed above. Accroding to one example the objects first passes and/or is directed by the dual guide sorting device in a desired direction; further downstream in the transportation path the object passes and/or is directed by the single guide sorting device, which can be arranged in a first or second sorting position. The sigle and dual guide sorting devices may by controlled indiviually, each having a separate drive member.

The single guide sorting device may also be arranged upstream of the dual guide sorting device; and the single guide sorting device may also be used on its own, i.e. without a dual sorting device being present in the transportation path.

What is stated in this application in relation to the dual guide sorting device is also applicable to this single guide sorting device in all aspects except those that concern the interrelation between the guiding members. the guiding member may be provided with a guiding plate, and these may each be arranged in both an active and passive position. When the guiding member is arranged in the passive position, the object continues along the incoming transportation path, and when the guiding member is arranged in the active position the direction of object is altered.

According to one embodiment the single guide sorting device is controlled in the same way as explained in realation to the dual guide sorting device except that there is no second guiding member and/or no second guiding plate - i.e. there is only one guiding member and/or only one guiding plate - so the rotateable drive member and the cam mechanism etc. are configured to act only on one guide member and/or one guiding plate.

<FIG> shows a reverse vending machine <NUM> for receiving, sorting and processing of objects, such as used food and/or beverage containers. The reverse vending machine <NUM> may be located in e.g. a local store, a residential area or a car park, for receiving and processing used beverage and/or food containers from consumers. The reverse vending machine <NUM> is provided with a device for sorting objects according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A reverse vending machine provided with a sorting device according to the present disclosure may be configured to receive and process one single type of containers, e.g. metal containers, two types of containers, e.g. metal containers and plastic containers, or three types of containers, e.g. metal containers, plastic containers and glass containers.

Now referring to <FIG>, which illustrates the interior of the reverse vending machine <NUM>, the reverse vending machine <NUM> comprises an inlet opening <NUM>, a conveyor <NUM>, a sorting device <NUM>, a first container crushing device <NUM> and a second container crushing device <NUM>. The first container crushing device <NUM> may be adapted for crushing metal cans and the second container crushing device <NUM> may be adapted for crushing plastic bottles. The reverse vending machine <NUM> is thus configured to receive and process containers of two types of materials.

In this document the terms guiding member and sorting member are used interchangeably. In this document the terms idle sorting position and intermediate sorting position are used interchangeably, and denotes the sorting position where the objects continue along the incoming transportation path.

The sorting device <NUM> is arranged to sort containers, which are received through the inlet opening <NUM> and conveyed by the conveyor <NUM>, either to the first crushing device <NUM>, to the second crushing device <NUM> or straight through to a trash collector (not shown). To this end, the sorting device <NUM> comprises a first pivotable guiding member <NUM>, a second pivotable sorting member <NUM> and a rotatable drive member <NUM> arranged to operate each of the first and second guiding members <NUM>, <NUM>. The drive member <NUM>, which is rotatable in the clockwise direction and in the anti-clockwise direction by an actuator (not shown), is arranged to drive the sorting members <NUM>, <NUM> between different sorting positions of the sorting device <NUM>. In <FIG>, the sorting device <NUM> is situated in an idle sorting position, also referred to as a second or a third sorting position, in which the guiding members <NUM>, <NUM> are separated from each other and allow containers <NUM> conveyed by the conveyor <NUM> to pass straight through the sorting device <NUM> to a rear part of the machine <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows in <FIG>. Hence, in the idle sorting position containers continue in the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM> or along the incoming transportation path as illustrated by the arrow, and may thus be forwarded to a collector (not shown) situated downstream of the sorting device <NUM>.

In this embodiment the conveyor <NUM> is a V conveyor. Alternatively, the conveyor may be a flat conveyor. The conveyor <NUM> may comprise one or several conveyor belts. A stationary guide device <NUM> comprising two guide plates are arranged to guide containers sorted by the sorting device <NUM> to any of the crushing devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

The reverse vending machine <NUM> further comprises an inspection means (not shown) for identifying containers received through the inlet opening <NUM>. This inspection means, which is situated upstream of the sorting device <NUM>, is capable of identifying the material of a container received through the inlet opening <NUM>. Based on the information obtained by the inspection means the sorting device <NUM> may be driven to an appropriate sorting position to guide the identified container to the left or right, or to allow the container to continue straight ahead. To this end, each of the sorting device <NUM> and the inspection means is connected to a control unit (not shown) of the machine <NUM>. The inspection means may be a camera or a scanner, such as a bar code reader.

Referring to <FIG>, the sorting device <NUM> will now be discussed in detail.

The first sorting member <NUM> of the sorting device <NUM> is at one end 13a pivotally arranged by means of a pivot shaft <NUM> which is connected to a support structure <NUM>. The support structure <NUM> may be secured to a frame part (not shown) of the reverse vending machine <NUM>. The first pivot shaft <NUM> defines a first pivot axis <NUM>.

The second sorting member <NUM> of the sorting device device <NUM> is at one end 15a pivotally arranged by means of a second pivot shaft <NUM> which is connected to the support structure <NUM>. The second pivot shaft <NUM> defines a second pivot axis <NUM>.

The first guiding member <NUM> comprises a first guiding element, in the form of a first guiding plate <NUM>, and a cam element in the form of a cam plate <NUM>. A first cam, in the form of a first curved cam groove <NUM>, is formed in the first cam plate <NUM>. The curvature of the first cam groove <NUM> is adapted to control pivotal movement of the first guiding member <NUM>.

The second guiding member <NUM> comprises a second guiding element, in the form of a second guiding plate <NUM>, and a second cam element in the form of a second cam plate <NUM>. A second cam, in the form of a second curved cam groove <NUM>, is formed in the second cam plate <NUM>. The curvature of the second cam groove is adapted to control pivotal movement of the second guiding member <NUM>.

The first guiding plate <NUM> forms a first guiding surface <NUM> which is configured to, when the sorting device <NUM> is situated in a first sorting position, guide containers <NUM> to the right, as illustrated by arrow C in <FIG>. The second guiding plate <NUM> forms a second guiding surface <NUM> which is configured to, when the sorting device <NUM> is situated in a second sorting position, guide containers <NUM> to the left, as illustrated by arrow F in <FIG>. Each of the first and second guiding surface <NUM>, <NUM> is thus configured to guide containers conveyed on the conveyor <NUM> laterally or away from the incomming transportation path. The first and second guiding surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are facing away from each other. In the third sorting position, in which the guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> are separated from each other to allow containers <NUM> to pass therebetween, none of the guiding surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> is thus active. In the third sorting position, received containers thus continue in a third sorting direction which corresponds to the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM>. Hence, containers, here illustrated by a glass bottle <NUM>, which can not be processed in the first crushing device <NUM> or in the second processing device <NUM>, may be forwarded to a collector at the end of the conveyor <NUM>.

The drive member <NUM> comprises a rotatable element, in the form of a rotatable plate <NUM>, which is fixedly mounted to a drive shaft <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> is connected to an actuator (not shown), such as e.g. a motor, and defines a third pivot axis <NUM>. The drive member <NUM> is configured to perform a partial rotation in any direction. The actuator is capable of rotating the drive member <NUM> in the clockwise direction and in the anti-clockwise direction.

The drive plate <NUM> is at one side of the pivot axis <NUM> provided with a first cam follower, in the form of a first cam follower roller <NUM>, and at an opposite side of the third pivot axis <NUM> provided with a second cam follower in the form of a second cam follower roller <NUM>. Each of the first and second cam follower rollers <NUM>, <NUM> is thus located at a distance from the third pivot axis <NUM>. The first cam follower roller <NUM> is received in the first cam groove <NUM>, which is formed in the first cam plate <NUM>, and the second cam follower roller <NUM> is received in the second cam groove <NUM> which is formed in the second cam plate <NUM>.

In <FIG>, which illustrates the sorting device <NUM> in the first sorting position, the drive member <NUM> has been rotated anti-clockwise about the third pivot axis <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow A. This rotation of the drive member <NUM> causes the first cam follower roller <NUM> to travel in the first cam groove <NUM> and the second cam follower roller <NUM> to travel in the second cam groove <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows B, and the first guiding member <NUM> to pivot about the first pivot axis <NUM>. Upon actuation of the sorting device <NUM> from the intermediate sorting position (<FIG>) to the first sorting position (<FIG>), the drive member <NUM> is rotated approximately <NUM> degrees anti-clockwise about the third pivot axis <NUM>, which causes the first guiding member <NUM> to pivot approximately <NUM> degrees about the first pivot axis <NUM>, i.e. to deflect about <NUM> degrees. In this embodiment, the angle of deflection of the first guiding member <NUM> is thus approximately <NUM> degrees. The second guiding member <NUM> is not pivoted and thus maintains its position. In the first sorting position the first guiding surface <NUM> guides containers <NUM>, such as cans, to the right, as illustrated by arrow C, to be forwarded to the first crushing device <NUM> by the stationary guide plate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> when compared to <FIG>, the second guiding plate <NUM> has slightly different angular positions when the sorting device is arranged in the idle sorting position (<FIG>) as compared to the first sorting position (<FIG>); but the second guiding plate <NUM> is still arranged in the passive position to the side of the incomming transportation path both in <FIG> and <FIG>. Additionally, also the second guiding member <NUM> may have slightly different angular positions when the sorting device is arranged in the idle sorting position (<FIG>) as compared to the first sorting position (<FIG>); but the second guiding member <NUM> is still arranged in the passive position both in <FIG> and <FIG>. Accroding to the illustrated example, the same is true for all parts of the second guiding member, i.e. that also these parts may have a slightly different posistion in the idle sorting position (<FIG>) as compared to the first sorting position (<FIG>) but they are still arranged to the side of the transportation path.

In <FIG>, which illustrates the sorting device <NUM> in the second sorting position, the drive member <NUM> has been rotated clock-clockwise about the third pivot axis <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow D. This rotation of the drive member <NUM> causes the first cam follower roller <NUM> to travel in the first cam groove <NUM> of the first cam plate <NUM> and the second cam follower roller <NUM> to travel in the second cam groove <NUM> of the second cam plate <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows E, and the second guiding member <NUM> to pivot about the second pivot axis <NUM>. Upon actuation of the sorting device <NUM> from the intermediate sorting position (<FIG>) to the second sorting position (<FIG>), the drive member <NUM> is rotated approximately <NUM> degrees clockwise about the third pivot axis <NUM>, which causes the second guiding member <NUM> to pivot approximately <NUM> degrees about the second pivot axis <NUM>, i.e. to deflect about <NUM> degrees. In this embodiment, the angle of deflection of the second guiding member <NUM> is thus approximately <NUM> degrees. The first guiding member <NUM> is not pivoted and thus maintains its position. In the second sorting position the second guiding surface <NUM> directs containers <NUM>, such as plastic bottles, to the left, as illustrated by arrow F, to be forwarded to the second crushing device <NUM> by the stationary guide plate <NUM>.

The first and second cam grooves <NUM>, <NUM> are thus configured to, upon rotation of the drive member <NUM>, control the pivotal movement of the first and second guiding members <NUM>, <NUM>. Upon rotation of the drive member <NUM>, the first and second guiding plates <NUM>, <NUM> are pivoted one by one under the guidance of the first and second cam mechanisms.

Alternatively, upon rotation of the drive member <NUM>, the first and second guiding plates <NUM>, <NUM> are pivoted simultaneously under the guidance of the first and second cam mechanisms.

The curvature of the first cam groove <NUM> and the curvature of the second cam groove <NUM> may thus be adapted such that the first and second guiding members <NUM>, <NUM>, upon rotation of the drive member <NUM>, are pivoted one by one or simultaneously or partly simultaneously about the first and second pivot axes <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively.

The sorting device <NUM> of the present disclosure thus comprises two separate guiding members <NUM>, <NUM>, each of which has a guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>, which are controlled by a cam device and a single actuator.

Hence, the first cam plate <NUM>, in which the first cam groove <NUM> is formed, forms together with the first cam follower <NUM> a first cam mechanism and the second cam plate <NUM>, in which the second cam groove <NUM> is formed, forms together with the second cam follower <NUM> a second cam mechanism. The first and second cam mechanisms together form a cam device that, upon rotation of the drive member <NUM>, causes the first and second guiding members <NUM>, <NUM> to pivot one by one. Hence, when the sorting device <NUM> is actuated from the idle sorting position, illustrated in <FIG>, to the first sorting position, illustrated in <FIG>, only the first sorting member <NUM> is pivoted, and when the sorting device <NUM> is actuated from the idle sorting position to the second sorting position, illustrated in <FIG>, only the second sorting member <NUM> is pivoted. When the sorting device <NUM> is actuated from the first sorting position to the second sorting position the first sorting member <NUM> is first pivoted. Then, i.e. when the first sorting member <NUM> has been pivoted, the second sorting member <NUM> is pivoted. Upon actuation of the sorting device <NUM> from the first sorting position to the second sorting position, the idle sorting position is thus passed. The idle sorting position is thus an intermediate sorting position and the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM> forms a third sorting direction. Upon actuation of the sorting device <NUM> from the first sorting position (<FIG>) to the second sorting position (<FIG>), the drive member <NUM> is rotated approximately <NUM> degrees clockwise about the third pivot axis <NUM>, which first causes the second guiding member <NUM> to pivot approximately <NUM> degrees about the second pivot axis <NUM> and then the first guiding member <NUM> to pivot approximately <NUM> degrees about the first pivot axis <NUM>.

Upon actuation of the sorting device <NUM> between the first sorting position and the second sorting position the drive member <NUM> does not perform a full rotation but a partial rotation.

The reverse vending machine <NUM> is configured to receive and process metal containers and plastic containers. Containers that cannot be proccessed in the first crushing device <NUM> or in the second crushing device <NUM>, which are illustrated by a glass container <NUM> in <FIG>, are allowed to continue straight to e.g. a collector (not shown). The sorting device <NUM> is thus in this case arranged to guide containers <NUM> to the right, guide containers <NUM> to the left and allow containers <NUM> to continue in the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM>.

However, the sorting device <NUM> may be used in a machine configured to receive and process containers of a single type, such as metal containers or plastic containers. Then, the sorting device may be arranged to guide containers in a first sorting direction, e.g. to the right. Received containers that are not to be sorted in the first sorting direction may be allowed to continue in the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM>. In this case, the idle sorting position, illustrated in <FIG>, forms a second sorting position and the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM> forms a second sorting direction. When the sorting device is used in a machine configured to provide two sorting directions, i.e. when only two sorting positions are needed, a shorter rotation of the drive member is sufficient e.g. about half of the rotation needed compared to when the sorting device provides three sorting directions.

Also, the sorting device <NUM> may be used in a machine configured to receive and process containers of three types of containers, such as metal containers, plastic containers and glass containers. Then, the sorting device may be arranged in the same manner as illustrated hereinabove with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, i.e. to guide metal containers <NUM> in a first sorting direction, e.g. to the right, guide plastic containers <NUM> in a second sorting direction, e.g. to the left, and, when the sorting device <NUM> is situated in a third sorting position, allow glass containers <NUM> to continue in a third sorting direction, which corresponds to the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM>, to a glass container processing device.

A sorting device according to the present disclosure may thus be used for sorting objects in a reverse vending machine configured for receiving and processing containers of a single type, two types or three types.

The invention has been described with reference to some detailed examples, however the skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. For example the design of the guiding element of the guiding members may be given different designs depending on e.g. material, size, shape and weight of the containers that the sorting device is to be able to handle. Guided by this description and possibly in combination with some testing the person skilled in the art will be able to find a suitable design.

Hereinbefore, with reference to <FIG>, it has been described that each of the cam mechanisms comprises a cam follower which is secured to the drive member and a cam plate provided with a cam. It is however appreciated that one or both cams may be formed as a part of the drive member and that cam follower(s) may be form a part of one or both of the guiding members.

Furthermore, the cam mechanisms may comprise sliding cam followers instead of rolling cam followers or a combination thereof.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>) for sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), that are conveyed on a conveyor (<NUM>), the device (<NUM>) being configured to sort at least two types of objects,
characterized in that
the device (<NUM>) comprises
a first guiding member (<NUM>) which is pivotable about a first pivot axis (<NUM>) and configured to, when the sorting device (<NUM>) is situated in a first sorting position, guide containers (<NUM>) in a first sorting direction,
a second guiding member (<NUM>) which is pivotable about a second pivot axis (<NUM>),
a rotatable drive member (<NUM>),
a first cam mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) interconnecting the rotatable drive member (<NUM>) with the first guiding member (<NUM>), and
a second cam mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) interconnecting the rotatable drive member (<NUM>) with the second guiding member (<NUM>),
wherein the device (<NUM>) is configured to, upon rotation of the drive member (<NUM>), be actuated between said first sorting position and a second sorting position.