A transport unit for transporting waste objects for recycling and a system for collecting waste objects for recycling

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport unit (3) for transporting waste objects (2) for recycling, the waste objects (2) being deposit-return objects. The transport unit (3) comprises an inlet (8) for receiving the waste objects (2) and an outlet (9) for exiting the waste objects (2), the inlet (8) being arranged at a lower altitude than the outlet (9), a conveyor (10) having a plurality of flange means (11), the flange means (11) being arranged at a distance from each other along a transport direction of the conveyor (10) and adapted to transport the waste objects (2) from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2), and a guide means (12) arranged in connection with the conveyor (10) adapted to carry the waste objects (2) while transported towards the outlet (9). The invention also relates to a system (1) for collecting waste objects (2) for recycling.

Description

[0001] A TRANSPORT UNIT FOR TRANSPORTING WASTE OBJECTS FOR RECYCLING AND A SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING WASTE OBJECTS FOR RECYCLING

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a transport unit for transporting waste objects for recycling and a system for collecting waste objects for recycling.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Devices for receiving, identifying and / or sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers, may be used in reverse vending machines in e.g. supermarkets.

[0006] Reverse vending machines are generally arranged so that a person can return empty containers, and in some cases receive some money in return. The reverse vending machine may collect a large number of containers in a short period of time. This means that the reverse vending machine needs to be very efficiently storing the containers so that the storage bin for the containers need not be replaced too frequently. Therefore, the containers are compressed by the reverse vending machine so that they each take up less space than before being compressed.

[0007] US4345679A discloses an apparatus for collection of metallic containers and for dispensing tokens therefor. The apparatus includes an exterior housing having an access port therein, a rotating belt having a plurality of generally perpendicular shelves formed thereon, each shelf for receiving and supporting a container, a search coil for exposing the container to an electromagnetic field for identifying a specific predetermined metallic composition, a dispenser for selectively dispensing a token for a received container having the predetermined metallic composition, a crusher cooperating with the rotating belt for crushing the container, and a hopper for storing the crushed containers.

[0008] A problem with this type of device is however that it is bulky and space consuming and therefore not adapted for use in reverse vending machines in e.g. a supermarket. Summary of the invention

[0009] It is an objective of the present invention to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solve at least the above-mentioned problems.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a transport unit for transporting waste objects for recycling, the waste objects being deposit-return objects. The transport unit comprises an inlet for receiving the waste objects and an outlet for exiting the waste objects, the inlet being arranged at a lower altitude than the outlet, a conveyor having a plurality of flange means, the flange means being arranged at a distance from each other along a transport direction of the conveyor and adapted to transport the waste objects from a first position to a second position, and a guide means arranged in connection with the conveyor adapted to carry the waste objects while transported towards the outlet.

[0011] This is advantageous in that the transport unit is of a very compact design which in turn makes the entire collection system space efficient.

[0012] Another advantage with the design of the transport unit is that the inlet is arranged at a lower altitude than the outlet making it accessible for chairbound users.

[0013] The guide means may further comprise a support portion adapted to carry the waste objects in a first direction and a guide portion adapted to guide the waste objects in a second direction. The guide means may thus comprise a support portion adapted to carry the waste objects as they are transported in a first direction and a guide portion adapted to guide the waste objects as they are transported in a second direction.

[0014] The inlet may be arranged above the first position such that waste objects entering the inlet will fall to the first position by means of gravity.

[0015] A protrusion may be arranged between the inlet and the first position, the protrusion being adapted to direct the waste objects towards the first position.

[0016] The conveyor may have a C-shape, when viewed from the side.

[0017] Each flange means may extend perpendicular with respect to the transport direction of the conveyor.

[0018] Each flange means may comprise a flexible portion. Each flange means may be cup-shaped.

[0019] Each flange means may be collapsible.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by system for collecting waste objects for recycling, the waste objects being deposit-return objects. The system comprises a transport unit according to any one of the preceding claims, a transporter connected to the inlet of the transport unit, and a cabinet connected to the transport unit. The cabinet is adapted to receive a collection means for receiving the waste objects downstream of the outlet of the transport unit.

[0021] The system may further comprise a devaluation means connected to the outlet of the transport unit.

[0022] The devaluation means may be arranged in an upper section of the cabinet.

[0023] The transporter may be a v-belt.

[0024] Effects and features of the second aspect of the present invention are largely analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect of the inventive concept. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the present invention are largely compatible with the further aspects of the invention.

[0025] Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims, as well as from the drawings. It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features.

[0026] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0027] As used herein, the term "comprising", and variations of that term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps.

[0028] As used herein, the term "horizontal", and variations of that term includes any substantially horizontal direction.

[0029] As used herein, the term "vertical", and variations of that term includes any substantially vertical direction. Brief of the

[0030] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals may be used for similar elements, and wherein:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a system for collecting waste objects for recycling including a transport unit for transporting waste objects.

[0032] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the system for collecting waste objects.

[0033] Fig. 3A to 3C are side views of exemplary embodiments of a flange means included in the transport unit.

[0034] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0035] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system 1 for collecting waste objects 2 for recycling. The waste objects 2 is normally deposit-return objects. The system 1 comprises a transport unit 3 for transporting the waste objects 2 within the system 1, a transporter 4 constituted by a v-belt for transporting the waste objects 2 to the transport unit 3, and a cabinet 5 connected to the transport unit 3 and adapted to receive a collection means 6 for receiving the waste objects 2 downstream of the transport unit 3. A devaluation means 7 is arranged in an upper section of the cabinet 5 and adapted to compress the waste objects 2 before reaching the collection means 6.

[0036] Naturally, the components of the system 1 can be varied in different suitable ways. For example, waste objects 2 can be fed into the system 1 from two individual transport lines.

[0037] The transport unit 3 has an inlet 8 for receiving the waste objects 2 and an outlet 9 for exiting the waste objects 2. The inlet 8, which is connected to the transporter 4, is arranged at a lower altitude than the outlet 9, which is connected to the devaluation means 7. The transport unit 3 further has a conveyor 10 provided with a plurality of flange means 11 and a guide means 12 arranged in connection with the conveyor 10 and adapted to carry the waste objects 2 while transported towards the outlet 9. The conveyor 10 is shaped as a C with a first horizontal portion 13, an intermediate vertical portion 14, and a second horizontal portion 15.

[0038] Naturally, the radius of the curves of the C-shaped conveyor 10 can be varied in any suitable manner. A larger radius will reduce the load from the waste objects 2 onto the conveyor 10. Also, with a lager radius it will be possible to move the devaluation means 7 further into the cabinet 5.

[0039] The flange means 11 of the conveyor 10 are arranged at a distance from each other along a transport direction of the conveyor and adapted to transport the waste objects 2 from a first position Pl to a second position P2 within the transport unit 3. Each flange means 11 means extends perpendicular with respect to the transport direction of the conveyor 10.

[0040] The guide means 12 has a support portion 16 adapted to carry the waste objects 2 in a first direction DI and a guide portion 17 adapted to guide the waste objects 2 in a second direction D2. At least a part of the guide portion 17 of the guide means 12 extends substantially parallel in relation to the intermediate vertical portion 14 of the conveyor 10, and at least a part of the support portion 16 of the guide means 12 extends substantially parallel in relation to the second horizontal portion 15 of the conveyor 10.

[0041] The inlet 8 of the transport unit 3 is arranged above the first position Pl in a manner such that the waste objects 2 entering the inlet 8 will fall to the first position Pl by means of gravity. During that fall, the waste objects 2 will, if necessary, be directed towards the first position by means of a protrusion 18 which is arranged between the inlet and the first position Pl.

[0042] In Fig. 2, another exemplary embodiment of the system 1 for collecting waste objects 2 for recycling is illustrated. Here, the transport unit 3 has another design. For example, the radius of the curves of the C-shaped conveyor 10 is smaller than the one of the transport unit 3 illustrated in Fig. 1. The shape of the guide means 12 is also changed such that the support portion 16 and the guide portion 17 thereof are aligned with the conveyor 10.

[0043] Fig. 3A to 3C illustrate different embodiments of the flange means 11. The flange means 11 can be straight and solid (Fig. 3A), cup-shaped (Fig. 3B), or divided into one solid portion 19 and one flexible portion 20 (Fig. 3C). Naturally, a vast number of other design solutions are also possible. When a waste object 2 enters into the system 1 it is provided on the transporter 4 which transports the waste object 2 to the inlet 8 of the transport unit 3. From there, it will be pushed off the transporter 4 by means of an active sort element 21 and fall to the first position Pl by means of gravity. During that fall, the waste objects 2 will, if necessary, be directed towards the first position Pl by means of a protrusion 18 which is arranged between the inlet and the first position Pl. From the first position Pl, the waste object 2 will be transported in the transport unit 3 by means of the conveyor 10. Specifically, the waste object 2 will initially be carried by the conveyor 10 while being pushed in a horizontal direction by means of the flange means 11. Thereafter, the waste object 2 will be carried in a vertical direction by means of the flange means 11 while being guided between the conveyor 10 and the guide portion 17 of the guide means 12. Finally, the waste object 2 will be carried by means of the support portion 16 of the guide means 12 while being pushed in a horizontal direction, towards the outlet 9 of the transport unit 3, by means of the flange means 11.

[0044] Note that the active sort element 21 can either let the waste objects 2 pass through, or be sorted into the transport unit 3 for devaluation. It will be possible to have several of systems after one another, either for redundancy or to sort different material fractions into different cabinets.

[0045] From the outlet 9 of the transport unit 3, the waste object 2 will, again, fall by means of gravity or roll along the support portion 16 of the guide means 12 into the devaluation means 7, which is arranged in the upper section of the cabinet 4, and adapted to compress the waste objects 2 before reaching the collection means 6.

[0046] It is understood that other variations in the present invention are contemplated and, in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

[0047] For instance, the sizes of the flange means 11 may be different such that different flange means 11 are adapted for different types or sizes of waste objects 2.

[0048] The flange means 11 and / or the waste object supporting surface of the flange means 11 may for example be rectangular, elliptical, flat, cup-shaped, formed as a paddle or shovel etc., or be a combination of these such as flat and rectangular. It may be solid or have small openings. If the transport unit 3 comprises more than one flange means 11, the shape of the flange means 11 may, but need not, be the same.

[0049] Further, each flange means 11 may, but need not, be provided with a rim arranged at the outer periphery of the flange means 11, and extending in the transport direction, for providing additional support to the waste object 2 upon transport of the waste object 2 from the first position Pl to the second position P2.

[0050] The flange means 11 may be collapsible such that it is fixed in one direction (when the conveyor 10 is moving upwards) and collapsible in another direction (when the conveyor 10 is moving downwards). The is advantageous in that the transport unit can be made even more compact.

[0051] The system may further include inspection means (not shown). The inspection means may be a camera or a scanner, such as a bar code reader.

[0052] As an example, the inspection means may be an OneRing system which comprises a camera for identifying a large part of the waste object. The camera of the OneRing system may be able to handle 80 to 220 objects per minute. There may be further number and types of inspection means, e.g. cameras, scanners etc., arranged in series or in parallel in order to obtain different information of the waste objects 2 such that the waste objects can be sorted based on this information.

[0053] The system 1 may further be provided with a decision unit (not shown) arranged for receiving a signal from the inspection means and based on this signal being arranged to send a waste object 2 back to a sorting station or the like.

[0054] A waste object 2 may be rejected if the inspection means is not able to identify the waste object 2.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A transport unit (3) for transporting waste objects (2) for recycling, the waste objects (2) being deposit-return objects, comprising: an inlet (8) for receiving the waste objects (2) and an outlet (9) for exiting the waste objects (2), the inlet (8) being arranged at a lower altitude than the outlet (9), a conveyor (10) having a plurality of flange means (11), the flange means (11) being arranged at a distance from each other along a transport direction of the conveyor (10) and adapted to transport the waste objects (2) from a first position (Pl) to a second position (P2), and a guide means (12) arranged in connection with the conveyor (10) adapted to carry the waste objects (2) while transported towards the outlet (9).

2. The transport unit (3) according to claim 1, wherein the guide means (12) further comprises a support portion (16) adapted to carry the waste objects (2) in a first direction (DI) and a guide portion (17) adapted to guide the waste objects (2) in a second direction (D2).

3. The transport unit (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet (8) is arranged above the first position (Pl) such that waste objects (2) entering the inlet (8) will fall to the first position (Pl) by means of gravity.

4. The transport unit (3) according to claim 3, wherein a protrusion (18) is arranged between the inlet (8) and the first position (Pl), the protrusion (18) being adapted to direct the waste objects (2) towards the first position (Pl).

5. The transport unit (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor (10) has a C-shape, when viewed from the side.

6. The transport unit (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each flange means (11) extends perpendicular with respect to the transport direction of the conveyor (10).

7. The transport unit (3) according to any one of the preceding means, wherein each flange means (11) comprises a flexible portion.

8. The transport unit (3) according to any one of the preceding means, wherein each flange means (11) is cup-shaped.

9. The transport unit (3) according to any one of the preceding means, wherein each flange means (11) is collapsible.

10. System (1) for collecting waste objects (2) for recycling, the waste objects (2) being deposit-return objects, comprising: a transport unit (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, a transporter (4) connected to the inlet (8) of the transport unit (3), and a cabinet (5) connected to the transport unit (3), the cabinet (5) being adapted to receive a collection means (6) for receiving the waste objects (2) downstream of the outlet (9) of the transport unit (3).

11. The system (1) according to claim 10, further comprising a devaluation means (7) connected to the outlet (9) of the transport unit (3).

12. The system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the devaluation means (7) is arranged in an upper section of the cabinet (5).

13. The system (1) according to any one of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the transporter (4) is a v-belt.

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