40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
07 - Machines and machine tools
Goods & Services
Recycling services related to waste, in particular, cans and bottles Electronically controlled automatic bottle and can return reward vending machines;electronically controlled reward and deposit return vending machines
3.
DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE LENGTH AND DIAMETER OF A CONTAINER USING STRUCTURED LIGHTING, AND METHOD OF USE
Device for measuring the length and diameter of a container using structured lighting includes a receiving area for receiving a container having a length and width. Receiving area has a surface on which container is received. A first laser line generator is provided and configured for directing a triangular plane of laser light at receiving area and container received in receiving area. A camera provided and configured for detecting an image of a first laser line appearing on surface of container in receiving area, and detecting an image of a second laser line appearing on surface of receiving area. An analyzing device may be provided to receive images of first and second laser lines, and use images of first and second laser lines to determine diameter and length of container received on receiving surface. Analyzing device may determine length and width of container by counting pixels.
G01B 11/02 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness
G01B 11/08 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
4.
Method and transport device for returning empty packaging, particularly bottles and cans
The present invention relates to a method for returning empty packaging, particularly bottles and cans, having a bulk import, in which the empty packaging is routed out of an input chamber through a transport device, rotating the empty packaging along its longitudinal axis past a recognition unit. The transport device for carrying out the method has a plurality of rollers which are arranged transversely with respect to the direction of transport and act as carriers for the empty packaging. The empty packaging is supplied to the detection array of the recognition unit in a field array. To avoid empty packaging being conveyed on top of other empty packaging, thereby blocking the detection of the bottom empty packaging by the recognition unit, the empty packaging undergoes a brief reversal of direction of rotation before its presentation to the detection array.
B65G 47/24 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles
B65G 19/02 - Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for articles, e.g. for containers
B07C 5/02 - Measures preceding sorting, e.g. arranging articles in a stream, orientating
B07C 5/12 - Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for
B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
5.
Device for taking back empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans
Device for taking back empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans, with a housing which has apparatuses for processing inserted empty containers, an intake chute accessible from the outside that receives empty containers as bulk material and a bottom sloping downward in direction of intake chute. Device is provided that prevents or impedes insertion of excessively large objects into device. Device provides almost unimpeded insertion of empty containers as bulk material into intake chute, and simultaneously prevents that excessively large objects can enter into the device. The bottom of intake chute has a plurality of grooves arranged side by side and running in the intake direction, the grooves flowing into a passage opening leading to the device and whose cross-section is dimensioned in such a manner that empty containers aligned longitudinally in the intake direction can pass unimpeded through the grooves.
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
The present invention relates to a compacting device for empty containers, comprising two compressing rollers (2) arranged parallel to each other, each having a roller body (3) and a roller stump (4) at each of the ends of the roller body (3), and a housing having two side walls (14), which are each provided with passage openings (6) for the passage of the roller stumps (4), so that the roller bodies (3) are arranged between the side walls (14) in the installed state. The aim of the invention is to design such a compacting device in such a way that the it is easy to install the compressing rollers in the housing and remove the compressing rollers from the housing and therefore it is also easy to maintain the compressing rollers. The aim is achieved in that the passage openings (6) of each of the side walls (14) are formed by at least one wall slit (20) that opens at an edge of the side walls, wherein the compressing rollers (2) are combined to form a module (1) by bearing intermediate plates (5), one bearing intermediate plate being placed onto each of the end regions of the compressing rollers, whereby the spatial association of the compressing rollers (2) with respect to each other is fixed, and wherein the bearing intermediate plates (5) lie against the side walls (14) from the inside after the roller stumps (4) have been inserted into the wall slits (20), wherein the bearing intermediate plates (5) and the side walls (14) have passage holes (13) aligned with each other for fastening the bearing intermediate plates (5) to the side walls (14).
B30B 3/04 - Presses characterised by the use of rotary pressing members, e.g. rollers, rings, discs co-operating with one another, e.g. with co-operating cones
B30B 9/32 - Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars
Systems and methods are disclosed for the detection and identification of objects, wherein an illumination device emits polychromatic light in the infrared range, creating a light curtain, or an essentially two-dimensional area of light in the X and Z axis. The light from the light curtain and light reflected or transmitted by an object in the light curtain is imaged, via aperture-imaging optics, onto an aperture that is in the optical path and behind the aperture-imaging optics. The aperture is an elongated opening extending along the Z axis. A wavelength-dispersive device, such as a grating, diffracts light admitted by the aperture wavelength-dispersively in a diffraction direction along the Y axis. An image sensor detects the diffraction image and generates image signals which are analyzed to identify the materials comprising the object. An output signal may be generated in response to the material identified.
36 - Financial, insurance and real estate services
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
Goods & Services
Machines, in particular machines for counting, sorting, separating and transporting containers; Automatic machines for recycling empties. Clearing, financial. Transport and storage of waste and recycling materials, as well as of empty packaging.
The present invention relates to a method for returning empty packaging, particularly bottles and cans, having a bulk import, in which the empty packaging (10) is routed out of an input chamber (8) through a transport device (1), rotating about its longitudinal axis, past a recognition unit (14), and also a transport device (1) for carrying out this method having a plurality of rollers (4) which are arranged transversely with respect to the direction of transport, are spaced apart from one another, are driven in rotation and act as carriers for the empty packaging (10), wherein several pieces of empty packaging (10) may be situated next to one another on a roller (4). The empty packaging (10) is supplied to the recognition unit (14) in a field arrangement. The parallel conveyance of the empty packaging (10) out of the input chamber (8) may encounter a roller (4) being occupied by empty packaging (10) on top of one another, which would be an obstacle to proper sensing of identifiers etc. on the empty packaging (10) by the recognition unit (14). To prevent this, the empty packaging (10) undergoes a brief reversal of direction of rotation on its path of conveyance to a detection array (15) in the recognition unit (14).
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
B07C 5/02 - Measures preceding sorting, e.g. arranging articles in a stream, orientating
B07C 5/12 - Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for
B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
B65G 47/14 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic means during feeding
The present invention relates to a unit for container return machines, having an endless conveying means (2) for the longitudinal drive of a container (12) in the direction of its longitudinal axis, having two rotational bodies (4, 5) which are arranged on both sides of the conveying means (2), wherein, when the unit (1) is in a transport function, the container (12) rests on the conveying means (2) in order to be driven longitudinally and, when the unit (1) is in an identification function, said container (12) rests on the rotational bodies (4, 5) in order to be driven rotationally. It is a problem of the invention to provide a further unit of this type for container return machines, which unit is of simple construction with retention of the full functionality. This problem is solved by the fact that, transversely with respect to their longitudinal axis (6, 7), the rotational bodies (4, 5) have the cross section of a circle which is reduced by a circular portion with a curved surface (10) which follows a circular line and a flattened surface (11), wherein, when the unit (1) is in a transport function, the container (12) bears against at least one of the flattened surfaces (11) of the rotational bodies (4, 5).
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
B07C 5/12 - Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for
12.
DEVICE FOR RECYCLING EMPTY CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR PLASTIC BOTTLES AND METAL CANS
The invention relates to a device for recycling empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans, comprising a housing (1), which accommodates apparatuses for handling the inserted empty containers, and comprising an insertion chute (3), which is accessible from outside and which receives the empty containers as bulk goods and which has a bottom (8) pointing downward in the insertion direction (19), wherein means are provided that prevent or hinder the insertion of objects that are too large into the device. The aim of the invention is to provide a generic device by means of which empty goods can be inserted into the insertion chute (3) as bulk goods in a nearly unimpeded manner, wherein at the same time objects that are too large are prevented from entering the device. Said aim is achieved in that the bottom (8) of the insertion chute (3) comprises a plurality of grooves (9) arranged next to each other and extending in the insertion direction (19), wherein said grooves each open into a respective passage opening (10) leading into the device, the cross-section of the passage openings being dimensioned in such a way that empty containers (18) oriented in the insertion direction (19) by the grooves (9) can pass without force. The device comprises an elevator (15).
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
B03B 9/06 - General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for refuse
B30B 9/32 - Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars
The present invention relates to a unit for container returning machines, having an endless conveyor means (2) for driving a container (12) longitudinally in the direction of its longitudinal axis, having two rotational bodies (4, 5) which are arranged on both sides of the conveyor means (2), wherein, when the unit (1) is in a transport function, the container (12) rests, in order to be driven longitudinally, on the conveyor means (2) and, when the unit (1) is in an identification function, rests, in order to be driven rotationally, on the rotational bodies (4, 5). It is a problem of the invention to provide a further unit of this type for container returning machines, which unit is of simple construction with retention of the full functionality. This problem is solved by the fact that, transversely with respect to their longitudinal axis (6, 7), the rotational bodies (4, 5) have the cross section of a polygon, wherein the corners of the polygon which are formed by the longitudinal edges (10) of the rotational bodies (4, 5) lie on a common circumference, and the container (12), when the unit (1) is in a transport function, bears against in each case one of the side surfaces (11) of the rotational bodies (4, 5), which side surfaces (11) connect the longitudinal edges (10).
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
B65G 47/00 - Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyorsMethods employing such devices
B30B 3/04 - Presses characterised by the use of rotary pressing members, e.g. rollers, rings, discs co-operating with one another, e.g. with co-operating cones
B30B 9/32 - Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars
The present invention relates to a method for returning empties, in particular bottles and cans, having a bulk input, in which the empties (10) are moved from an input space (8) past a detection unit (14) by a conveyor device (1) rotating about the longitudinal axis thereof, and further having a conveyor device for implementing said method, comprising a plurality followers mounted transversely to the direction of conveyance and spaced a distance apart. An increased throughput is to be achieved with such a method and such a conveyor device. This is achieved in that the empties (10) are parallelized out of the input space (8) by the conveyor device (1) and fed to the detection unit (14) in a field array, or in that each follower (4) is designed to be wide enough to hold at least two empties (10) side by side, and that an angular momentum is applied to the empties (10) at least in the detection field (15) of the detection unit (14).
B65G 47/00 - Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyorsMethods employing such devices
B07C 5/12 - Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for
B65G 47/14 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic means during feeding
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Machines, in particular machines for counting, sorting, separating and transporting containers; Automatic machines for recycling empties. Organisation,Operation and monitoring of loyalty schemes and incentive schemes. Recycling services.
17.
DEVICE FOR COMPACTING HOLLOW BODIES, IN PARTICULAR BEVERAGE CANS
The present invention relates to a device for compacting hollow bodies, in particular beverage cans, comprising a roller (3) that works against a counter bearing in order to form a draw-in gap (23), the roller having a substantially cylindrical main body (10), from which draw-in elements (12) protrude, which extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the roller substantially over the entire length of the roller and are arranged parallel to each other. The aim of the invention is to provide such a device that is equipped with draw-in elements that perform effective compacting work in addition to effective draw-in. Said aim is achieved in that the draw-in elements are formed by bars (12) having two side flanks (13, 14) and a top surface (15) that connects said side flanks, the bars extending in a wavelike manner.
The present invention relates to a unit for container reverse vending machines, comprising an infeed chamber, which has a bottom for receiving a fed container, and means for delivering the container out of the infeed chamber. The aim of the invention is to provide a further such unit, which in particular has a very simple design. Said aim is achieved in that the infeed chamber (13) is associated with a flap (12), which can be pivoted about an axis (11) into three positions: an infeed position, in which the flap (12) forms the bottom of the infeed chamber (13), a return position, in which the flap (12) has an oblique position such that the container (28) clears the flap (12) and drops into a return chamber (18) due to gravity, and a receiving position, in which the flap (12) has an opposite oblique position and forms a sliding surface for the further delivery of the container (28) due to gravity.
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
19.
DEVICE FOR THE RETURN OF EMPTIES, IN PARTICULAR PLASTIC BOTTLES AND METAL CANS
The present invention relates to an apparatus for recovering empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans, in which the empty containers are guided by a conveying means from a collecting chamber (bulk input) past detectors belonging to a detection unit, and discharging means for removing the empty containers from the conveying means are arranged downstream of the detection unit, in the conveying direction. The aim of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with an increased throughput. This aim is solved according to the invention in that the conveying means is configured as an inclined conveyor (3) which removes the empty containers (10) in a parallel manner on carriers (8, 28) from the collecting space (11) and feeds them to the detectors (15, 32, 33) in a uniformly spaced arrangement. The apparatus also has discharging means (16, 17) which extend transversely in at least two rows, on different levels, over the entire width of the inclined conveyor (3). A further feature of the invention is that discharging means (16, 17) are assigned conveyer belts (18, 19) for advancing the discharged empty containers (10).
B65G 47/14 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic means during feeding
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
20.
APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING EMPTY CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR PLASTIC BOTTLES AND METAL CANS
The present invention relates to an apparatus for recovering empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans, in which the empty containers are guided by a conveying means from a collecting chamber (bulk input) past detectors belonging to a detection unit, and discharging means for removing the empty containers from the conveying means are arranged downstream of the detection unit, in the conveying direction. The aim of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with an increased throughput. This aim is solved according to the invention in that the conveying means is configured as an inclined conveyor (3) which removes the empty containers (10) in a parallel manner on carriers (8, 28) from the collecting space (11) and feeds them to the detectors (15, 32, 33) in a uniformly spaced arrangement. The apparatus also has discharging means (16, 17) which extend transversely in at least two rows, on different levels, over the entire width of the inclined conveyor (3). A further feature of the invention is that discharging means (16, 17) are assigned conveyer belts (18, 19) for advancing the discharged empty containers (10).
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
B65G 47/14 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic means during feeding
The present invention relates to a unit for container reverse vending machines, comprising an endless conveying means for longitudinally driving a container in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof and two rotationally drivable rollers arranged on both sides of the conveying means, wherein the container lies on the rollers for rotational driving of the container when the unit is in an identification function and is operatively connected to the conveying means for longitudinal driving of the container when the unit is in a transport function. The problem of the invention is to design such a container reverse venting machine in such a way that the container reverse vending machine is simply constructed and the full functionality is maintained. Said problem is solved in that the conveying means (2) has a first section (2.1) of smaller thickness and a second section (2.2) of larger thickness as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the conveying means, wherein the first section (2.1) is arranged at a distance (a) below the container (9) in the identification function when the conveying means (2) is standing still, and the conveying means (2) can be driven in such a way to achieve the transport function that the second section (2.2) becomes operatively connected to the container (9).
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
The invention relates to a compacting device (1) for compacting empty containers, in particular beverage bottles or cans of plastic or tinplate, comprising at least one rotatable roller (1a, 1b), which is designed for compressing and perforating empty containers, wherein the roller (1a, 1b) has a basic roller body (2a, 2b) and at least one pin element (3) protruding from the basic roller body (2a, 2b), wherein the pin element (3) is formed as a hollow pin, at least the end face of the hollow pin that is facing away from the basic roller body (2a, 2b) being open.
The present invention relates to a method for returning empties, in particular bottles and cans, having a bulk input, in which the empties (10) are moved from an input space (8) past a detection unit (14) by a conveyor device (1) rotating about the longitudinal axis thereof, and further having a conveyor device for implementing said method, comprising a plurality followers mounted transversely to the direction of conveyance and spaced a distance apart. An increased throughput is to be achieved with such a method and such a conveyor device. This is achieved in that the empties (10) are parallelized out of the input space (8) by the conveyor device (1) and fed to the detection unit (14) in a field array, or in that each follower (4) is designed to be wide enough to hold at least two empties (10) side by side, and that an angular momentum is applied to the empties (10) at least in the detection field (15) of the detection unit (14).
B65G 47/14 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic means during feeding
G07C 5/12 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time in graphical form
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
24.
METHOD AND CONVEYOR DEVICE FOR RETURNING EMPTIES, IN PARTICULAR BOTTLES AND CANS
The present invention relates to a method for returning empties, in particular bottles and cans, having a bulk input, in which the empties (10) are moved from an input space (8) past a detection unit (14) by a conveyor device (1) rotating about the longitudinal axis thereof, and further having a conveyor device for implementing said method, comprising a plurality followers mounted transversely to the direction of conveyance and spaced a distance apart. An increased throughput is to be achieved with such a method and such a conveyor device. This is achieved in that the empties (10) are parallelized out of the input space (8) by the conveyor device (1) and fed to the detection unit (14) in a field array, or in that each follower (4) is designed to be wide enough to hold at least two empties (10) side by side, and that an angular momentum is applied to the empties (10) at least in the detection field (15) of the detection unit (14).
G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
G07C 5/12 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time in graphical form
B65G 47/14 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic means during feeding
