Compactor device for collapsible objects

Abstract

Compactor device (1) comprising a first compacting station (2) with a first compactor member (3) and a second compactor member (4), the compactor members (3, 4) being operatively associated with motorization means (5) for their mutual movement to cause the advancement, and the simultaneous crushing, of a collapsible object (A) interposed between them. The first compactor member (3) comprises a toothed wheel (3a) and the second compactor member (4) comprises a movable element (4a) which is provided with recesses for meshing with the toothed wheel (3a).

Description

[0001] The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of waste compaction. More precisely, the invention concerns a device for compacting collapsible objects, in particular plastic containers and, even more in particular, plastic bottles.

[0002] As is known, many beverages on the market are packaged in plastic bottles. After the beverage has been consumed, the bottle becomes a waste and must be disposed of.

[0003] The high amount of plastic bottles that are consumed results in an equally high amount of waste being produced which, in the case of bottles, has a high volume, with consequent storage costs as well as transport and disposal via landfill.

[0004] In order to limit the aforesaid volume and the related disposal costs, it is known to crush the bottles after use.

[0005] Compactor devices comprising a pair of opposed rollers between which the bottle to be compacted is inserted exist and are known. The rotation of the rollers according to opposed directions causes the advancement and the simultaneous crushing of the bottle.

[0006] A recognized drawback of the aforesaid compactor devices of known type is the fact that, due to the elasticity of the plastic material, the bottle tends to return at least partially to its original shape, thus reducing the effectiveness of crushing. The present invention aims to overcome the above-described prior art drawback.

[0007] In particular, it is a purpose of the invention to provide a compactor device adapted to crush a collapsible object, in particular in plastic material, in such a way as to reduce the elastic return of the object itself after compacting.

[0008] The above purpose is achieved by a compactor device according to the main claim.

[0009] Further detailed features of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0010] Advantageously, the lower elastic return of the compacted object using the device of the invention allows to reduce the final volume of said compacted object compared to what can be obtained by the compactor devices of known type.

[0011] As a result, advantageously, it is also possible to reduce the management costs related to the disposal of the compacted objects via landfill.

[0012] The above purpose and advantages, together with others that will be mentioned below, will be better understood during the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention that is given, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the attached schematic drawing tables listed here: Fig. 1 represents the compactor device of the invention, in axonometric view; Fig. 2 represents the compactor device of Fig. 1, in side view partially sectioned so as to see the internal mechanism thereof; Fig. 3 represents the compactor device of Fig. 1 in partially sectioned front view; Figs. 4 and 5 represent an enlarged detail of Fig. 2, indicated therein with a circle in dashed and dotted line, in two respective steps of compaction.

[0013] The compactor device of the invention, indicated in Fig. 1 as a whole with 1, is particularly suitable for compacting collapsible objects A.

[0014] It should be noted that the expression "collapsible objects" is used in this description to indicate any object that can be crushed in order to reduce its volume.

[0015] The compactor device 1 is particularly suitable for compacting objects in the form of plastic bottles, such as the one indicated in the figures. However, it is clear that the compactor device 1 can be used to compact any object, in particular in plastic material, even more in particular a container, as long as it is collapsible.

[0016] The compactor device 1 comprises a casing 16 which, as can be seen in Fig. 2, encloses a first compacting station 2 comprising a first compactor member 3 and a second compactor member 4, which are operatively associated with motorization means 5 for the mutual movement of the aforesaid compactor members 3, 4.

[0017] The aforesaid mutual movement of the aforesaid compactor members 3, 4 is such as to cause the advancement of the collapsible object A interposed between them according to an advancement direction X and its simultaneous crushing.

[0018] To this end, preferably but not necessarily, the compactor device 1 comprises guide means 13 configured to convey the collapsible object A between the aforesaid compactor members 3, 4.

[0019] According to the invention, the first compactor member 3 comprises at least one toothed wheel 3a and the second compactor member 4 comprises at least one movable element 4a which is provided with recesses for meshing with the toothed wheel 3a .

[0020] In the configuration just described, the rotation of the toothed wheel 3a and the movement of the movable element 4a occur synchronously due to the interaction between the teeth of the toothed wheel 3a and the recesses of the movable element 4a .

[0021] Furthermore, as can be seen in the sequence of Figs. 4 and 5, the aforesaid interaction between the teeth and the recesses on respective opposite sides of the collapsible object A has the effect of causing a deep deformation of the latter which, during crushing, also undergoes punctures and tears which, by interrupting the structural continuity of the material of the object, for example its plastic fibres, hinder its elastic return, thus achieving the purpose of obtaining effective compaction.

[0022] In particular, since the aforesaid punctures and tears occur by virtue of the interaction between the teeth of the toothed wheel 3a and the recesses of the movable element 4a and, thus, at the point where the crushing action is maximum, the compacting efficiency is advantageously high.

[0023] Still advantageously, the aforesaid interaction between the teeth and the recesses favours the grip on the collapsible object A and, thus, its gradual advancement through the first compacting station 2 due to the movement of the two compactor members 3, 4.

[0024] Preferably and as can be seen in Fig. 3, the first compactor member 3 comprises a plurality of toothed wheels 3a arranged side by side according to the common axis of rotation and / or a plurality of flexible elements 4b, also side by side one another so as to cooperate with the aforesaid toothed wheels 3a . Fig. 3 represents four toothed wheels 3a side by side, each of which corresponds to a respective flexible element 4b, but it is clear that in variant embodiments of the invention the number of the aforesaid components could be different from that just described.

[0025] The presence of several toothed wheels 3a and / or several flexible elements 4b advantageously allows to increase the width of the first compacting station 2 so as to involve the entire width of the collapsible object A to advantageously obtain the maximum compacting effect.

[0026] Preferably, the movable element 4a is a flexible element 4b which is kept under tension between two tensioning elements 6, 7.

[0027] Still preferably, the aforesaid flexible element 4b is a chain.

[0028] Advantageously, the aforesaid chain combines strength and flexibility and, therefore, is particularly suitable for the use described above.

[0029] Moreover, variant embodiments of the invention could provide a movable element 4a of a different type from the aforesaid chain as long as it is adapted to mesh the toothed wheel 3a, for example a toothed belt.

[0030] Still preferably, the flexible element 4b is closed into a ring around the aforesaid tensioning elements 6, 7.

[0031] The configuration just described advantageously allows the toothed wheel 3a and, therefore, the movable element 4a to be given a unidirectional and continuous movement in the directions indicated by arrows in Fig. 2, for the benefit of the regularity of operation of the compactor device 1.

[0032] Preferably, the toothed wheel 3a is interposed between the aforesaid two tensioning elements 6, 7 in such a way that the flexible element 4b is partially wrapped around the toothed wheel 3a .

[0033] The configuration just described allows to increase the interaction between the teeth of the wheel 3a and the recesses of the movable element 4a, so as to increase the advantages of the compactor device 1 already described above. Still advantageously, the aforesaid configuration allows to increase the tension of the flexible element 4b and, therefore, the compacting action.

[0034] Preferably, the compactor device 1 comprises one or more further compacting stations.

[0035] The preferred embodiment illustrated by way of example in the figures comprises two such further compacting stations, indicated with 8 and 9. It is moreover evident that variant embodiments of the invention may comprise any number of the aforesaid further stations.

[0036] The aforesaid further compacting stations 8, 9 are arranged in series with each other downstream of the first compacting station 2, in such a way that the collapsible object A advances between any two compacting stations 2, 8, 9 consecutive to each other in the series according to an advancement direction X and undergoes further crushing.

[0037] Advantageously, each of the aforesaid further compacting stations 8 and 9 further increases the compacting efficiency of the compactor device 1.

[0038] Preferably, each of the aforesaid further compacting stations 8 and 9 comprises a respective pair of compactor cylinders 10 and 11. The compactor cylinders of each pair are mutually facing and operatively associated with the aforesaid motorization means 5 for their mutual rotation according to respective opposed directions.

[0039] Each pair of compactor cylinders 10 and 11 is mutually spaced apart by an intermediate space of predefined width which determines the crushing amount of the collapsible object A. Preferably, the aforesaid predefined widths progressively decrease from one compacting station to the next according to the advancement direction X to, advantageously, obtain a progressive crushing of the collapsible object A.

[0040] Preferably, one or more compactor cylinders 10, 11 comprise corresponding reliefs 14 and / or recesses 15 belonging to their cylindrical surfaces facing the other compactor cylinder of the corresponding pair.

[0041] Advantageously, the aforesaid reliefs 14 and recesses 15 favour the advancement of the collapsible object A along the respective compacting stations 8, 9.

[0042] By way of example, in the compactor device 1 represented in the figures, the two compactor cylinders 10 of the compacting station 8 comprise reliefs 14, while the two compactor cylinders 11 of the compacting station 9 comprise recesses 15.

[0043] Obviously, in variant embodiments of the invention the reliefs 14 and / or the recesses 15 could only be present on one of the two compactor cylinders of each compacting station 8, 9, the other of the two cylinders being able to be smooth. Alternatively, the two compactor cylinders of each compacting station 8, 9 could have a combination of reliefs 14 and recesses 15, both on the same cylinder and on two different cylinders.

[0044] As regards the arrangement of the aforesaid further compacting stations 8, 9, preferably each of them is arranged below the preceding compacting station 2, 8, 9 in the aforesaid series. In this way, when the compactor device 1 is in operation, the force of gravity favours the advancement of the collapsible object A between each compacting station and the next.

[0045] Preferably, between two of the aforesaid compacting stations 2, 8, 9 consecutive to each other in the series there is also a conveyor chute 12 configured to guide the collapsible object A between the two stations.

[0046] Advantageously, the aforesaid conveyor chute 12 allows to correctly direct the collapsible object A towards the next compacting station.

[0047] Preferably, the aforesaid conveyor chute 12 has a convex shape and the convexity faces the collapsible object A, so as to favour its sliding.

[0048] In the figures, a conveyor chute 12 is represented arranged between the first compacting station 2 and the next compacting station 8, although variant embodiments of the invention could provide for one or more of the aforesaid chutes between each pair of compacting stations.

[0049] As regards the guide means 13 already described, they preferably comprise an inlet duct 13a for conveying the collapsible object A between the toothed wheel 3a and the movable element 4a .

[0050] Preferably, the aforesaid inlet duct 13a is a tubular duct developed between an upper inlet mouth, accessible from the outside of the casing 16 for the insertion of the collapsible object A, and a lower outlet mouth facing the first compacting station 2.

[0051] Still preferably, the aforesaid tubular duct has a section sized to accommodate the plastic bottles in normal size on the market and allow them to slide towards the first compacting station 2, keeping them oriented in such a way that their largest size is substantially aligned with the first compacting station 2 itself. Advantageously, the aforesaid tubular duct allows the bottles to be directed precisely towards the first compacting station 2.

[0052] Evidently, variant embodiments of the invention may provide a tubular duct with sizes different from those described above, for example to adapt it to receive objects other than plastic bottles.

[0053] Preferably but not necessarily, the casing 16 of the compactor device 1 comprises an outlet opening 16a, represented in Fig. 1, from which the collapsible object A can be taken at the end of compaction.

[0054] Still preferably, the aforesaid outlet opening 16a belongs to one of the vertical walls of the casing 16.

[0055] Variant embodiments of the invention not represented in the drawings may provide that the outlet opening 16a belongs to the lower wall of the casing 16. In any case, preferably, an outlet chute 17 is provided arranged below the last compacting station 9 to receive the compacted object A and direct it towards the aforesaid outlet opening 16a .

[0056] As regards the motorization means 5 that drive the compacting stations 2, 8, 9, they preferably comprise an electric motor 5a operatively connected to the compacting stations 2, 8, 9 by means of transmission means.

[0057] Preferably and as can be seen in Fig. 1, the aforesaid transmission means comprise a toothed wheel 5c rotatably integral with the shaft of the electric motor 5a, a plurality of driven wheels 5d rotatably integral, respectively, with one or more of the compactor members 3, 4 and with one or more of the compactor cylinders 10, 11, and a transmission chain 5b which transmits the motion from the toothed wheel 5c to one or more of the aforesaid driven wheels 5d .

[0058] Still preferably, the aforesaid transmission chain 5b meshes the driven wheels 5d that drive the compactor cylinders 10, 11 of the further compacting stations 8, 9.

[0059] More specifically, the trajectory of the transmission chain 5b, represented in Fig. 2 by a dashed and dotted line, is such as to cause the rotation of each pair of compactor cylinders 10 and 11 according to respective mutually opposed directions of rotation, as described above.

[0060] Still preferably, the motorization means 5 comprise two further driven wheels 5d, visible in Fig. 3. A first of the aforesaid further driven wheels 5d receives the motion from the shaft of one of the compactor cylinders 10 of the second compacting station 8 and, by means of a transmission chain 5e, transmits it to the other further driven wheel 5d which, in turn, is rotatably integral with one of the two tensioning elements 7.

[0061] The aforesaid tensioning element 7 comprises a respective toothed wheel 7a on which it meshes on the flexible element 4b which, in this way, receives the motion and transmits it to the toothed wheel 3a of the first compacting station 2. Advantageously, the aforesaid configuration allows a single electric motor 5a to be used to drive all the compacting stations 2, 8, 9.

[0062] It is evident that further variant embodiments of the invention, not represented in the drawings, may provide motorization means 5 with configurations other than those described above, provided that they are adapted to drive all compacting stations 2, 8, 9.

[0063] Operationally, for performing compaction, the collapsible object A is introduced into the compactor device 1 using the guide means 13.

[0064] From here, the collapsible object A proceeds by gravity towards the first compacting station 2, where it is interposed between the toothed wheel 3a and the movable element 4a .

[0065] The movement of the toothed wheel 3a and of the movable element 4a cause the advancement of the collapsible object A and its progressive crushing. In addition, the teeth of the toothed wheel 3a meshing in the recesses of the movable element 4a penetrate the collapsible object A causing holes and tears in the structure of the material which are adapted to hinder its elastic return.

[0066] After passing through the first compacting station 2 in its entirety, the collapsible object A proceeds, with the aid of the conveyor chute 12, to the next second compacting station 8, where it undergoes further crushing.

[0067] The collapsible object A then passes to the third compacting station 9, where it is further crushed, to finally be directed towards the outlet opening 16a .

[0068] From the above, it is understood that the compactor device of the invention achieves all the intended purposes.

[0069] In particular, the use of compactor members comprising toothed wheels meshing with respective movable elements provided with recesses allows to produce holes and tears in the object being compacted, so as to reduce the elastic return of the object itself.

[0070] The invention is susceptible of modifications and variants falling within the scope of the appended claims and, therefore, protected by this patent. In addition, one or more elements of a specific embodiment of the invention may be introduced in another specific embodiment of the invention, in addition to or in place of elements of the latter, if technically compatible with the latter.

Claims

1. Compactor device (1) comprising a first compacting station (2) in turn comprising a first compactor member (3) and a second compactor member (4), said compactor members (3, 4) being operatively associated with motorization means (5) for their mutual movement in such a way as to cause the advancement, and the simultaneous crushing, of a collapsible object (A) interposed between them, said first compactor member (3) comprising at least one toothed wheel (3a) and said second compactor member (4) comprising at least one movable element (4a) which is provided with recesses for meshing with said toothed wheel (3a), said compactor device (1) being characterized in that said movable element (4a) is a flexible element (4b) kept under tension between two tensioning elements (6, 7), said flexible element (4b) being a chain.

2. Compactor device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said toothed wheel (3a) is interposed between said two tensioning elements (6, 7) in such a way that said flexible element (4b) is partially wound around said toothed wheel (3a).

3. Compactor device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more further compacting stations (8, 9), each of which comprises a respective pair of compactor cylinders (10, 11) mutually facing and operatively associated with said motorization means (5) for their mutual rotation according to respective opposed directions, said further compacting stations (8, 9) being arranged in series with each other and downstream of said first compacting station (2) in such a way that said collapsible object (A) advances between any two compacting stations (2, 8, 9) consecutive to each other in said series and, passing between said compactor cylinders (10, 11) of the second of said any two compacting stations (2, 8, 9), undergoes crushing.

4. Compactor device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said compactor cylinders (10, 11) comprises a plurality of reliefs (14) and / or recesses (15) belonging to the surface of said at least one compactor cylinder (10, 11) facing the other of said compactor cylinders (10, 11) of the corresponding pair.

5. Compactor device (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two of said further compacting stations (8, 9).

6. Compactor device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each of said further compacting stations (8, 9) is arranged below the station preceding it in said series in such a way that, in operation, the force of gravity favours the advancement of said collapsible object (A) between the two stations.

7. Compactor device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one conveyor chute (12) configured to guide said collapsible object (A) between a corresponding pair of said compacting stations (2, 8, 9) consecutive to each other in said series.

8. Compactor device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises guide means (13) configured to convey said collapsible object (A) between said toothed wheel (3a) and said movable element (4a).

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