Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
  • B30B15/30—Feeding material to presses
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
  • B30B9/32—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars
  • B30B9/321—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for consolidating scrap metal or for compacting used cars for consolidating empty containers, e.g. cans

Definitions

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 individually into the compaction section of the device.
• the present invention relates to a method and a device which satisfies the aforementioned requirements.
• 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.
• an item located between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary 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.
• 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 predetermined 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• the motion of the feeder hatch is achieved by the motion of one of the pressing devices, in that a contact device connected thereto abuts a cam surface connected to the feeder hatch.
• 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 aperture from being displaced towards the pressing devices.
• the protective 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.
• 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.
• the analysis and control device also determines the di mens i ons of the i tem on the bas i s of the i nformati on recei ved . Such determination of dimensions is then employed for a subsequent sorting of the goods received.
• the scope of the invention also contains room to allow the determination of dimensions to characterise the goods received as unsuitable, e.g.
• 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.
• 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 device in its subsequent operating positions,
• Fig. 3 a-d shows the sections 3a-3a, 3b-3b, 3c-3c and 3d-3d in
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 compressed.
• the movable pressing device is journalled in two sliding rods 70 a,b (of 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 embodiment 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 journalled at one end in each of the crank rods 66, and at the other end are rotatably journalled in the movable pressing device 20a.
• a drive device 64 e.g. a V-belt, cogged belt etc.
• 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.
• 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 resilience 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.
• auxiliary hatch 4 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.
• the auxiliary hatch 4 has been omitted.
• the auxiliary hatch 4 is rotatably journalled in the vicinity of its upper edge by means of an axle 41.
• a spring 40 actuates 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°.
• a microswitch 8 which via signal connections not shown in the figure is connected to an analysis 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 means 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.
• FIG. 1 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.
• 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
• each section through the cam is in confirmity with its shape.
• a contact surface 30 in the cam which corresponds to the previously mentioned cam surface 30.
• the reference designations 30', 30" and 30''' have been placed in the figures, both in the front view and the sections. Reference designations agree with those previously shown.
• 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 position (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 position of rotation right until the pressing device 20a approaches the terminal position.
• 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 beginsto move towards the auxiliary hatch.
• 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.
• the curved disc 3b of the feeder hatch is moved below the can 1a which is located above the lowermost can, and thereby 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 terminal 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.
• 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 1a to assume the position between the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch (cf Fig. 3d).
• the movable pressing device is further displaced towards its terminal pdstion during the final compression of the first can 1, at the same time as the movements of the cam, the feeder hatch and the auxiliary hatch are repeated in accordance with the aforementioned pattern.
• the subsequent can 1a falls down towards the support device 22 and is then compressed between the movable pressing device 20a and the opposite pressing device 20b during the continuing and opposite motion of the movable pressing device.
• the pressing device begins its opposite motion the can compacted against pressing device 20c is released and falls through the aperture 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 connections 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 interrupting 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.
• a separate device is connected directly to the motor in certain embodiments. The movements of the motor are converted by the separate device 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, connected 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.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Reciprocating Conveyors (AREA)
• Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
• Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20347917

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 1982
  • 1982-09-20 SE SE8205363A patent/SE8205363L/sv not_active Application Discontinuation
• 1983
  • 1983-09-16 WO PCT/SE1983/000331 patent/WO1984001126A1/en unknown
  • 1983-09-16 EP EP19830903017 patent/EP0119244A1/en not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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