Targeted sorting of pulp bottles during recycling

Abstract

Method for sorting a material flow (2) of a sorting system (1), comprising detecting, by means of a sensor system of the sorting system (1), at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) of a material part (3) that is transported in the material flow (2) of the sorting system (1), identifying, by means of a control device of the sorting system (1), on the basis of the at least one feature (10, 11, 12), that the material part (3) is a pulp container or a part of a pulp container, and controlling a sorting device (6) of the sorting system (1) such that the material part (3) is removed from the material flow (2).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a method for sorting a material flow of a sorting system, as well as a device for sorting a material flow of a sorting system. background

[0002] As an alternative, particularly to PET bottles, free-form containers made of pulp are known in the prior art as a packaging solution for beverages. Manufacturing processes for such bottles are described, for example, in WO 2019 / 034707 A1, EP 3 642 414 B1, or EP 1 285 994 A1. However, such bottles have not yet achieved widespread market penetration.

[0003] Such bottles, like other packaging, are disposed of together with other packaging waste or recyclables. In Germany, for example, bottles can be disposed of using the "Green Dot" or "Yellow Bag" recycling scheme, at sorting stations, or at recycling centers or construction sites. Similar sorting and collection systems for household waste, both deposit-based and non-deposit-based, also exist in other countries. However, it is also possible for the bottles to be disposed of directly with residual waste.

[0004] The current state of the art does not yet provide a solution for recycling pulp bottles, their reuse, their material separation or their sortability during recycling.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method which enables efficient recycling of bottles made of pulp material. Summary

[0006] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The method is a method for sorting a material stream of a sorting plant and includes: Detecting, by means of a sensor system of the sorting system, at least one unique feature of a material part that is transported in the material flow of the sorting system, identifying, by means of a control device of the sorting system, on the basis of the at least one feature, that the material part is a pulp container or a part of a pulp container, and controlling a sorting device of the sorting system in such a way that the material part is removed from the material flow.

[0008] The sorting system can, in particular, be a sorting system for waste or recyclable materials. The sorting system can, in particular, be part of a recycling plant for beverage containers. The material flow can, in particular, be a mixed material flow, which is understood to mean a material flow that contains various types of material. For example, a mixed material flow can include plastic parts, paper parts, pulp parts, metal parts, etc.

[0009] The term "pulp container" refers here and below to a container made of pulp. However, it is possible for a pulp container to comprise other materials, for example, for a coating. The pulp may comprise fibers, in particular fibers of natural origin. The fibers may contain lignin and / or quinine. The fibers may comprise, for example, cellulose fibers, fibers from conifers, deciduous trees and / or plane trees and / or grasses, reeds and / or bamboo, or the like. The fibers may comprise silk threads, spider threads, algae, natural fibers (such as Danube silphium fibers, hemp, corn, cotton), banana peels, banana leaves, orange peels, grass, straw, potato starch, or processed cow dung. Pulp fibers originating from a process by which they were artificially cultivated may also be provided.These alternative materials can fully or partially replace wood as a raw material for a fluid mass containing fibers in cases of material shortages. The fibers can include fiber blends of non-wood materials, such as cotton, hemp, and / or textile fibers.

[0010] By specifically identifying the material part based on its unique characteristic and then removing it, the collection of material that is as pure as possible for subsequent recycling is made possible. Recycling is understood in particular to mean the reuse or further use of the material. Thermal recovery, however, is not considered recycling. In other words, recycling is understood in particular to mean the reuse or further use of the material without thermal recovery.

[0011] The material removed from the material stream can, for example, be transferred to a suitable collection container. It is also possible for the material to be transferred into a single-material stream, for example, onto a suitable conveyor belt.

[0012] In particular, identifying that the material part is part of a container made of pulp can be done automatically.

[0013] The sensor system may comprise an optical sensor, for example, a camera. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor system may comprise a receiver for electromagnetic waves in the long-wave and / or short-wave and / or ultra-high-frequency and / or microwave range. It is furthermore possible for the sensor system to comprise a source of infrared and / or UV radiation and / or a sensor for infrared and / or UV radiation. It is furthermore possible for the sensor system to comprise a sensor for measuring magnetic and / or electric fields or for measuring changes in such fields. The sensor system may comprise a combination of different sensor types.

[0014] With a sensor system that has one or more such sensors, reliable detection of the unique feature can be achieved.

[0015] Sensors of the sensor system can be arranged above the material flow. Alternatively or additionally, sensors of the sensor system can be arranged to the side of the material flow. It is also possible for sensors of the sensor system to be arranged below a transport device, e.g., a conveyor belt, on which the material flow is conveyed.

[0016] The at least one unique feature can comprise a signal emitted by a transponder, in particular an RFID transponder, which is part of the material part. Suitable transponders can be very small and arranged at various locations on the pulp container. They can, for example, be located inside the container or even in the container wall. This allows the transponders to be mounted inconspicuously, i.e., without disrupting the design of the pulp container, yet still enable unique identification of the pulp container. Furthermore, the transponder signal can be reliably detected even if the view of the material part is obscured, for example, by other waste or similar.

[0017] The at least one unique feature may further comprise an engraving present on the material part. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one unique feature may comprise a three-dimensional structure on the material part.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one unique feature may comprise an imprint on the material part, in particular an imprint applied directly to a surface of the material part, wherein the imprint may be applied to any part of the surface. In this case, it is particularly possible for the imprint to be applied at least partially to the material part using an ink invisible to the human eye. This may also enable unique identification of the material part without compromising the design of the pulp container.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one unique feature can comprise a marking, in particular a holographic marking, on the material part. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one unique feature can comprise a code, in particular a QR code and / or a barcode, which is applied to the material part. It is also possible for the at least one unique feature to comprise a digital watermark on the material part. A digital watermark is understood here in particular to be a marking that is interwoven with another pattern, for example a print, but is not directly perceptible by a human. For example, a pixel pattern can be hidden in a print, which can only be detected and identified as a watermark through digital analysis of the print.

[0020] One of the at least one unique features can be arranged on a side of the material part that corresponds to an outer side of a pulp container, in particular a bottle. It is also possible for one of the at least one unique features to be arranged on a side of the material part that corresponds to an inner side of a pulp container, in particular a bottle.

[0021] It is possible for the pulp container to have several of the unique features mentioned above. The pulp container can have different types of unique features, but it is also possible for the pulp container to have one type of different feature in several places. A combination of these variants is also possible. Furthermore, it is possible for the sensor system to be configured to detect several of the unique features mentioned above. Because the pulp container has several unique features and because the sensor system is configured to detect these several unique features, the material part can be clearly identified as belonging to the pulp container, even if the material part is partially obscured or the material part merely represents a part of the pulp container, for example if the pulp container is broken.

[0022] For example, it is possible for a print to be applied to the pulp container that fluoresces when exposed to UV light. At the same time, one or more RFID transponders can be arranged on or in the pulp container, particularly at locations not covered by the print. The sensor system can comprise a UV lamp that excites the print to fluoresce, a camera that detects the fluorescent light, and an RFID receiver. In this case, parts of the pulp container on which the print is present can be identified using the detected fluorescent radiation, while other parts of the pulp container can be identified by detecting the signal from the RFID transponder.

[0023] Furthermore, the control device can be configured to identify that the material part is part of a pulp container based solely on part of the at least one unique feature. For example, it is possible for the at least one unique feature to comprise a printed pattern and / or a three-dimensional structure, and for the control device to be configured to recognize the pattern or structure even if the sensor system only partially detects the pattern or structure. For this purpose, the control device can be configured to use corresponding pattern recognition systems. It is further possible for the control device to be configured to use artificial intelligence or machine learning methods for this purpose.

[0024] In this way, reliable identification of the material part can be ensured even in the case where the material part cannot be completely or only partially covered by the sensor system.

[0025] It is possible for the control device to be configured to identify specific properties of the pulp container based on the unique feature. The specific properties may, in particular, relate to the material composition of the pulp. In particular, the control device may be configured to detect whether the pulp comprises one or more of the above-mentioned fibers. Alternatively or additionally, the specific properties may relate to a best-before date of the pulp container and / or dimensions of the pulp container and / or a closure type of the pulp container and / or a calorific value of the pulp container and / or a color of the pulp container. It is possible for the specific properties to be encoded in the unique feature.By identifying specific properties of the pulp container based on the unique feature, the collection of as pure material as possible for subsequent recycling of the material can be further improved.

[0026] It is possible for the control device to be configured to detect the size of the material part based on the data from the sensor system. For example, it is possible for the control device to be configured to process image data to determine the size of the material part. For example, the size can be determined based on a comparison of the size of an imprint or part of an imprint with the detected outline of the material part. The size can be determined only after the material part has been identified based on the at least one unique feature in order to conserve computing resources.

[0027] Controlling the sorting device can include controlling a compressed air device to remove the material part from the material stream. Using a suitable compressed air device, relatively light pulp material parts can be easily blown out of the material stream. Controlling the compressed air device can also be based on a determined size of the material part. Thus, it is possible to select a lower compressed air flow strength for a smaller part than for a larger part. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the sorting device to include controlling another discharge element, for example, a pusher.

[0028] The invention further provides a device for sorting a material flow of a sorting system, wherein the device is configured to carry out a method having one or more of the features described above.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention provides a pulp container having one of the at least one unique features described above. Short description of the drawings

[0030] Further features and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the exemplary figures. Herein: Figure 1 schematically shows a sorting system for a material stream; Figure 2 schematically shows a container; and Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for sorting a material stream. Detailed description

[0031] Figure 1This schematically shows a sorting system 1 for a material stream 2, which is a sorting system in a waste, recyclables, or recycling facility. Material stream 2 contains pulp containers 3 or parts of pulp containers 3. Furthermore, material stream 2 contains objects 4 made of other materials.

[0032] The material flow 2 is transported on a conveyor belt 8 in the direction of arrow T. The pulp containers 3 or parts of pulp containers 3 and the objects 4 are guided past sensors 5 of a sensor system. In the arrangement shown, the sensors 5 are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt 8. However, additional sensors can be arranged above and / or below the conveyor belt. Downstream of the sensors 5 there is a compressed air device 6 and a collecting container 7. By means of the compressed air device 6, the pulp containers 3 or parts of the pulp containers 3 can be blown from the material flow 2 into the collecting container 7. Alternatively, the pulp containers 3 or parts of the pulp containers 3 can be blown from the material flow 2 onto a Figure 1 another conveyor belt not shown.

[0033] The sensors 5 and the compressed air device 6 are connected to a control device (not shown) for data exchange. The control device is configured to evaluate the sensor data from the sensors 5 and to control the compressed air device 6 based on the sensor data.

[0034] The sensors 5 are configured to detect unique characteristics of the pulp containers 3 or the parts of the pulp containers 3.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a pulp container 3. The pulp container 3 has several unique features, namely an imprint 10, two transponders 11, and a QR code 12. The imprint 10 consists at least partially of an ink imperceptible to the human eye. Each of the unique features identifies the pulp container 3 as a container made of pulp.

[0036] Figure 3shows a schematic flow diagram for a process for sorting a material stream in a sorting plant.

[0037] In step 101, a sensor system of the sorting system detects at least one unique feature of a material part being transported in the material stream of the sorting system. In step 102, a control device of the sorting system uses the at least one feature to identify that the material part is part of a pulp container. In step 103, a sorting device of the sorting system is controlled such that the material part is removed from the material stream.

Claims

1. A method for sorting a material flow (2) of a sorting system (1), comprising: detecting, by means of a sensor system of the sorting system (1), at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) of a material part (3) that is transported in the material flow (2) of the sorting system (1); identifying, by means of a control device of the sorting system (1), on the basis of the at least one feature (10, 11, 12), that the material part (3) is a pulp container or a part of a pulp container; and controlling a sorting device (6) of the sorting system (1) such that the material part (3) is removed from the material flow (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises an optical sensor.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sensor system comprises a receiver for electromagnetic waves in the longwave and / or shortwave and / or ultra-high frequency and / or microwave range.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system comprises a source of infrared and / or UV radiation, and / or wherein the sensor system comprises a sensor for infrared and / or UV radiation.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) comprises a signal emitted by an RFID transponder of the material part.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) comprises an engraving present on the material part.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) comprises a three-dimensional structure on the material part.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) comprises an imprint on the material part, in particular wherein the imprint is applied directly to the surface of the material part.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the imprint comprises a portion applied to the material portion with an ink invisible to the human eye.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) comprises a marking, in particular a holographic marking, on the material part.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) comprises a code, in particular a QR code and / or a barcode.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one unique feature (10, 11, 12) comprises a digital watermark on the material part.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation of the sorting device (4) comprises the actuation of a compressed air device in order to remove the material part (3) from the material flow (2).

14. Device for sorting a material stream of a sorting system, wherein the device is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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