Crate for transporting cans and method of collecting cans

Abstract

A crate (1) for transporting a plurality of beverage cans is disclosed herein. The crate comprises a planar base (2) and at least one outer wall (4), jointly defining an inner space (7) for containing the plurality of beverage cans. The crate further comprises at least one dividing member (8) arranged in the inner space to define a plurality of columnar zones (9) for inserting and storing the beverage cans respectively therein. The dividing member is planar, extends parallel to the base and is movable within the inner space between a deployed position, in which the dividing member defines the plurality of columnar zones, and a collapsed position for collapsing the crate.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a crate for transporting a plurality of beverage cans. The present invention further relates to a method of collecting beverage cans made of a recyclable material.

[0002] Beverage cans are commonly made from recyclable materials, such as aluminium, which makes them highly suitable for recycling. To facilitate the recycling process, many countries have implemented deposit return schemes, which incentivise consumers to return empty beverage containers to designated collection points. These collection points are often located in or near supermarkets, where specially engineered collection machines receive the cans and process them for recycling.

[0003] While there are collection systems that have been optimised for handling plastic bottles or crates containing glass bottles, the inclusion of beverage cans into these systems has posed certain challenges. Current collection machines, originally designed to handle plastic bottles or glass bottle crates, have been adapted to accept one beverage can at a time, like individual bottles. However, beverage cans often retain small amounts of liquid but, unlike plastic bottles, lack resealable caps. As a result, this residual liquid can cause a variety of operational problems within collection machines, such as increased cleaning requirements, higher maintenance costs, and frequent malfunctions.

[0004] These issues have created inefficiencies in the recycling process, especially as the popularity of beverage cans continues to rise. Thus, there is a growing need for an improved system that simplifies the collection, transportation, and processing of beverage cans, reducing the strain on collection machines and making recycling more efficient.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention, amongst other objects, to enable a more efficient collection of beverage cans.

[0006] To that end, a crate for transporting a plurality of beverage cans is provided, the crate comprising a planar base and at least one outer wall, jointly defining an inner space for containing the plurality of beverage cans, wherein the crate further comprises at least one dividing member arranged in the inner space to define a plurality of columnar zones for inserting and storing the beverage cans respectively therein, wherein the dividing member is planar, extends parallel to the base and is movable within the inner space between a deployed position, in which the dividing member defines the plurality of columnar zones, and a collapsed position for collapsing the crate.

[0007] The crate enables consumers to conveniently collect beverage cans at home, transport the cans to a collection point, and supply the plurality of cans to the collection machine in one go like glass bottle crates. The at least one dividing member, which is preferably a grid-like plate member, can restrict movement of the beverage cans to ensure that the cans remain upright in the inner space of the crate, thereby preventing residual liquid in the cans from spilling out. As the dividing member is planar and extends parallel to the base, it can be made in a material-efficient manner such that the inner space can be efficiently divided into the respective storing zones. Moreover, with such a dividing member, the crate can be conveniently collapsed and be surprisingly compact in its collapsed state while still providing different storing zones for effectively storing a plurality of beverage cans in an orderly manner.

[0008] This solution may be implemented in a beverage can collection system as follows. A consumer can take the empty crate home conveniently while the crate is in its collapsed state. There, the crate can be unfolded by raising the outer walls and moving the dividing member from its collapsed position to its deployed position. The unfolded crate can be positioned at a suitable location at home and be, over time, filled with emptied beverage cans to be recycled. The crate filled with the emptied beverage cans can then be brought to a collection point and wholly placed in the collection machine, which determines the deposit amount to be refunded and then automatically removes the cans from the crate for recycling. The consumer can take home a different crate of the same type, and the emptied crate can be prepared to be reused by someone else. Thereto, the crate is cleaned and collapsed by, e.g., first moving the dividing member from its deployed position towards the base into its collapsed position and then collapsing the at least one outer wall. Alternatively, the emptied crate may be cleaned at once and taken home again by the same person.

[0009] While the above implementation is an example to illustrate a use of the crate in a beverage can collection system, it is to be appreciated that the crate can also be implemented in the collection system in different ways and can also enable a more efficient collection of beverage cans in collection systems differing from collection systems that include collection machines as described above. For instance, the crate can also enhance efficiency in collection systems in which the beverage cans are collected manually, as the crate can ensure that the beverage cans remain upright while the crate can be conveniently collapsed for compact storage and transport of the empty crate for reuse.

[0010] Thus, by providing the crate, the drawbacks of current beverage can collection systems can be at least partially overcome.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the crate further comprises a lid arranged to cover the inner space. The lid is preferably movable between a closed position, in which the lid covers the inner space, and an open position in which the inner space is open for inserting beverage cans therein. The lid can prevent beverage cans from falling out of the crate during, e.g., transport. The crate may further comprise a lid locking mechanism, such as a clasp closure, arranged for locking the lid in its closed position.

[0012] Preferably, the crate is made of plastic such as polypropylene (PP). In particular its base, lid, one or more outer walls, and / or one or more dividing members are made of the plastic material. Especially PP enables the crate to be effectively reusable a considerable number of times. It is further preferred if additionally, or alternatively, the dividing member, the base, and / or the at least one outer wall has a thickness of less than 4 millimetres, preferably 3 millimetres or less. Such thickness of the crate components is sufficient to support a plurality of empty aluminium cans, whereas a crate for glass bottles is to be bulkier as glass bottles are heavier. Said material type and / or said thickness enable the crate to be lightweight and thereby particularly suitable to be carried.

[0013] To facilitate carrying the crate, the crate is preferably provided with one, two or more handles arranged for manually lifting the crate. For example, a pair of handles in the form of gripping portions may be provided, the gripping portions being provided at mutually opposite sides of the crate, preferably in an upper region of the at least one wall member. Alternatively, or additionally, an upper region of the crate, for example the lid, may be centrally provided with a single handle.

[0014] Preferably, the base is rectangular, and the crate comprises four outer walls. It is then further preferred if the outer walls are each hinged to the rectangular base for collapsing the crate. Thereto, the four outer walls may include a pair of mutually opposite outer walls, each comprising an upper wall segment and a lower segment, hinged to each other about a hinge axis parallel to the base for collapsing the respective outer wall.

[0015] Instead of four outer walls, the crate may comprise one cylindrical outer wall, wherein it is then preferred of the base is circular. The cylindrical outer wall may be, e.g., telescopically arranged for collapsing the crate.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment of the crate comprises a sliding system arranged to guide each dividing member between the deployed position and the collapsed position in a sliding manner. The sliding system preferably comprises one or more pairs of a groove and a protrusion, provided in the at least one outer wall and on the dividing member, wherein the protrusion is slidably arranged in the groove. For example, the groove may be provided in the at least one outer wall and the protrusion may be provided on the dividing member. This way, the sliding system is efficiently provided and arranged for efficiently moving the dividing member between its positions.

[0017] Preferably, the columnar zones of the inner space are at least 23 centimetres in height. This way, as many beverage cans are either 11.5 or 16.8 centimetres in height, the inner space is dimensioned such that not only a beverage can of 16.8-centimetre height can be stored but also at least two cans of 11.5-centimetre height can be stored above one another. Preferably, the inner space is less than 40 centimetres in height, preferably between 25 and 34 centimetres, more preferably between 28.3 and 31 centimetres. This way, the inner space is optimally dimensioned such that also a beverage can of 16.8-centimetre height and a beverage can of 11.5-centimetre height can be stored above one another while the crate can still be designed to be compact also in its unfolded state.

[0018] A further preferred embodiment of the crate comprises at least two dividing members at different distances from the base in their deployed position. This way, the dividing members can restrict movement of a beverage can at respective heights or restrict movement of respective cans positioned at different heights.

[0019] The crate preferably comprises a support system arranged to support each dividing member in the deployed position. For example, each groove-protrusion pair of the sliding system may be provided with one or more support portions for supporting the one or more dividing members. E.g., one or more protrusions on the dividing member may be supported on a respective support portion protruding into the respective groove if the dividing member is in its deployed position. If the crate comprises two or more dividing members as described above, the support system may comprise one or more spacers or suspension elements that interconnect the dividing members for support.

[0020] As mentioned above, when the crate containing beverage cans is placed in a collection machine, the deposit amount to be refunded may be determined. Thereto, the collection machine may scan the crate containing the beverage cans and determine the number of cans and / or the one or more can types of the plurality of cans in the crate. On the basis thereof, the deposit amount to be refunded may be determined.

[0021] To be able to scan the crate and in particular its contents, it is preferred if the one or more outer walls, and preferably also the lid and / or base, are made of an at least partially transparent material. Alternatively, the crate may be provided with scan openings positioned to allow the respective columnar zones to be scanned through the scan openings. Preferably, the crate is scanned at least from above or below, such that each columnar zone can be scanned. The crate is preferably also scanned from at least one lateral direction, preferably from at least two lateral directions, more preferably from at least three lateral directions, most preferably from all four lateral directions.

[0022] In view of this, the inner space is preferably no more than 34 centimetres. This can prevent storing three cans of 11.5-centimetre height above one another. If three cans are stored above one another in a centrally located columnar zone, it may not always be possible to determine the respective types of all of these cans and to, accordingly, determine the deposit amount to be refunded. That is, more generally, the inner space is preferably dimensioned such that in each columnar zone of the inner space only one or two cans can be stored.

[0023] As mentioned above, the beverage cans may be automatically removed from the crate after scanning the crate. Thereto, the base may comprise a base part that is arranged movable between a closed position, in which the base defines the inner space, and an open position in which the inner space is open for removing beverage cans therefrom. That is, in its closed position, the base part closes the inner space from below while, in its open position, the beverage cans can be removed from the inner space. The crate may comprise a base locking mechanism, such as a clasp closure, arranged for locking the base part in its closed position. The collection machine may then be arranged to automatically remove the cans by unlocking the base part to allow the base part to move to its open position in order to allow the cans to fall out of the crate. Alternatively, the cans may be removed via the upper side of the crate, for example under the influence of gravity by turning the crate upside down and opening the lid.

[0024] As mentioned above, the crate may be collapsed and cleaned, preferably in that order, after the beverage cans are removed from the crate. To be able to clean the collapsed crate, the crate, in its collapsed state, is preferably provided with one or more openings arranged to allow liquid to flow into the crate and along one or more of: the dividing member, an inner side of the base, an inner side of the lid, and an inner side of the at least one outer wall. This way, the crate can be rinsed with the liquid, which may be water and optionally a cleaning solution. The crate may be provided with one or more recesses arranged to form the one or more openings in the collapsed state of the crate. It is preferred to be able to clean the crate in its collapsed state, as this conveniently enables more crates to be efficiently cleaned simultaneously in, e.g., an industrial washer.

[0025] Further provided is a method of collecting beverage cans made of a recyclable material such as aluminium, wherein the method comprises the step of receiving one or more crates, each comprising a planar base and at least one outer wall, jointly defining an inner space containing a plurality of beverage cans, wherein the method further comprises the step of automatically removing the beverage cans from the crate.

[0026] The beverage cans may be automatically removed by a beverage container collection machine.

[0027] Preferably, the one or more crates are collapsible. Additionally, or alternatively, the inner space of each of the one or more crates is provided with at least one dividing member dividing the inner space into a plurality of columnar zones respectively containing the beverage cans. More specifically, each of the one or more crates is preferably a crate according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0028] The method preferably further comprises the step of collapsing each of the one or more collapsible crates after removing the beverage cans therefrom.

[0029] The method preferably further comprises the step of cleaning the one or more crates, preferably the one or more collapsed crates. For example, the crate may be rinsed with water or cleaned with a cleaning solution. Preferably, the crates are cleaned simultaneously, for example in an industrial washer.

[0030] The method preferably further comprises the steps of scanning each of the one or more crates and, on the basis thereof, obtaining one or more signals that each relate to, or represent, the number of cans and / or the one or more can types of the plurality of cans in the respective crate. From said one or more signals, the deposit amount to be refunded may be determined. Preferably, the crate is scanned at least from above or below. The crate is preferably also scanned from at least one lateral direction, preferably from at least two lateral directions, more preferably from at least three lateral directions, most preferably from all four lateral directions.

[0031] The method preferably further comprises the step of recycling the recyclable material of the beverage cans after removing the beverage cans from their respective crate.

[0032] In the following, the present invention is further elucidated with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1 represents an isometric view of a crate in its unfolded, closed state; Figure 2 represents a cutaway view of the crate shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 represents an isometric view of the crate in its unfolded, open state; Figure 4 represents an isometric view of the crate in its folded, open state; Figure 5 represents a cross-sectional view of the crate in its folded, closed state; Figure 6 represents a cross-sectional view of a variant of the crate in its unfolded state; Figure 7 represents an isometric view of the crate shown in Figure 6 in its folded state.

[0033] Throughout the drawings, like elements are indicated by like reference signs.

[0034] In Figure 1, a crate 1 is shown, which comprises a rectangular base 2, a first pair of mutually opposite outer walls 3, a second pair of mutually opposite outer walls 4, and a top 5 provided with a hinged lid 50. A handle 6 is provided atop the lid 50. When the lid 50 is closed, it can be locked by a clasp closure 51. The crate 1 is made of semi-transparent PP.

[0035] In Figure 2, one half of the crate 1 has been made invisible to reveal the interior of the crate 1. The base 2, outer walls 3, 4 and the lid 5 jointly define an inner space 7. The inner space 7 of the crate 1 is provided with three identical grid-like plate members 8 extending parallel to the base 2 and at different distances therefrom. The vertically spaced parallel grid members 8 together define sixteen columnar zones 9 in the inner space 7, of which only eight can be seen in the cutaway view of Figure 2. Beverage cans can be respectively stored in the zones 9 as shown in Figure 6, described further below.

[0036] In Figure 3, the crate 1 is shown with its lid 50 flipped open and also with its base 2 opened. For opening the base 2, the base 2 comprises a pair of base plates 20 respectively hinged to a rectangular base frame 21. When the base 2 is closed, the base plates 20 can be locked by a clasp closure 22.

[0037] Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the first walls 3 are each provided with a pair of vertically extending slot-like grooves 31, each accommodating one protrusion 81 of each of the grid members 8. Each protrusion 81 is supported on a respective pair of support portions 32 protruding into the respective groove 31. The grooves 31 enable the grid members 8 to be moved vertically within the inner space 7, all the way down to the base 2. This movement is guided in a sliding manner by the grid member protrusions 81 in the grooves 31.

[0038] Once the grid members 8 are moved all the way down, the walls 3, 4, which are hinged to the base frame 21, can be collapsed. In the shown example, the second walls 4 each comprise an upper wall segment 41 and a lower wall segment 42, hinged to each other for folding the second walls 4. In Figure 4, the crate 1 is shown collapsed but with its lid 50 and base plates 20 opened. In Figure 5, the crate 1 is shown in cross-section fully collapsed, i.e., also with its lid 50 and base plates 20 in their closed positions.

[0039] In Figures 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of the crate 1 is shown, whose features can also be implemented in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, and vice versa. In this variant, the upper region of a pair of mutually opposite outer walls 3 is respectively provided with a pair of gripping holes 30 for lifting the crate 1 with two hands. The inner space 7 of the crate 1 is provided with three identical grid-like plate members 8 extending parallel to the base 2 and at different distances therefrom. The grid members 8 are interconnected by spacer linkages 82 including pins 83 connected to the grid members and intermediate rivets 84. The vertically spaced parallel grid members 8 together define columnar zones in which beverage cans 99 of different types in terms of, e.g., width and height can be respectively stored. In each columnar zone, at most two cans 99 can be stored.

[0040] In Figure 7, the crate 1 is shown fully collapsed. Due to the dimensioning of its components, e.g., the walls 3, 4, the crate 1 is configured to, in its collapsed state, have openings 10 allowing liquid to flow into the collapsed crate 1 and along one or more crate components 2, 3, 4, 5, 8. This way, the crate 1 can be effectively cleaned in its collapsed state, such that multiple crates of the same type can be efficiently cleaned simultaneously in, e.g., an industrial washer.

[0041] The crate 1 according to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings may be implemented in a beverage can collection system as follows. A consumer can take the crate 1 home in its collapsed state, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. There, the crate 1 can be unfolded by opening the lid 50 as shown in Figure 4, and by raising the outer walls 3, 4 and moving the grid members 8 from their collapsed position to their respective deployed positions as shown in Figure 3. The crate 1 in its unfolded state as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, can be positioned at a suitable location at home and be, over time, filled with emptied beverage cans 99 to be recycled. The crate 1 filled with the emptied beverage cans 99 can then be brought to a collection point and wholly placed in the collection machine (not shown), which determines the deposit amount to be refunded by scanning the crate 1 from above and from all four lateral directions, and then automatically removes the cans 99 from the crate 9 via the base 2 under the influence of gravity by releasing the base plates 2 to their open position as shown in Figure 3. The material of the beverage cans 99 can then be recycled. The consumer can take home a different crate of the same type, and the emptied crate 1 can be prepared to be reused by someone else. Thereto, the crate 1 is first collapsed by first moving the grid members from their deployed position into their collapsed position and then collapsing the walls 3, 4. Then, the collapsed crate 1 is cleaned together with other collapsed crates of the same type in an industrial washer.

[0042] The crate 1 hereby represents a step toward improving the efficiency and reliability of beverage can collection and recycling.

[0043] The drawings and the above description serve to illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and do not limit the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0044] The present disclosure further includes the following embodiments: 1. A crate for transporting a plurality of beverage cans, the crate comprising a planar base and at least one outer wall, jointly defining an inner space for containing the plurality of beverage cans, wherein the crate further comprises at least one dividing member arranged in the inner space to define a plurality of columnar zones for inserting and storing the beverage cans respectively therein, wherein the dividing member is planar, extends parallel to the base and is movable within the inner space between a deployed position, in which the dividing member defines the plurality of columnar zones, and a collapsed position for collapsing the crate. 2. Crate according to embodiment 1, comprising a sliding system arranged to guide each dividing member between the deployed position and the collapsed position in a sliding manner. 3. Crate according to embodiment 2, wherein the sliding system comprises one or more pairs of a groove and a protrusion, provided in the at least one outer wall and on the dividing member, wherein the protrusion is slidably arranged in the groove. 4. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein each dividing member is a grid-like plate member. 5. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the crate, in its collapsed state, is provided with one or more openings arranged to allow liquid to flow into the crate and along one or more of: the dividing member, an inner side of the base, and an inner side of the at least one outer wall. 6. Crate according to embodiment 5, provided with one or more recesses arranged to form the one or more openings in the collapsed state of the crate. 7. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least two dividing members at different distances from the base in their deployed position. 8. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a support system arranged to support each dividing member in the deployed position. 9. Crate according to embodiments 7 and 8, wherein the support system comprises at least one spacer interconnecting the at least two dividing members. 10. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a lid arranged movable between a closed position, in which the lid covers the inner space, and an open position in which the inner space is open for inserting beverage cans therein. 11. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the base comprises a base part that is arranged movable between a closed position, in which the base defines the inner space, and an open position in which the inner space is open for removing beverage cans therefrom. 12. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, provided with one, two or more handles arranged for manually lifting the crate. 13. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the base is rectangular, and the crate comprises four outer walls, each hinged to the rectangular base for collapsing the crate. 14. Crate according to embodiment 13, wherein the four outer walls include a pair of mutually opposite outer walls, each comprising an upper wall segment and a lower segment, hinged to each other about a hinge axis parallel to the base for collapsing the respective outer wall. 15. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the crate is made of plastic, preferably polypropylene (PP). 16. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least the at least one outer wall is made of an at least partially transparent material. 17. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the columnar zones of the inner space are between 23 and 34 centimetres in height, preferably between 28.3 and 31 centimetres in height. 18. Crate according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dividing member, the base, and / or the at least one outer wall has a thickness of less than 4 millimetres, preferably 3 millimetres or less. 19. A method of collecting beverage cans made of a recyclable material such as aluminium, wherein the method comprises the step of receiving one or more crates, each comprising a planar base and at least one outer wall, jointly defining an inner space containing a plurality of beverage cans, wherein the method further comprises the step of automatically removing the beverage cans from the crate. 20. Method according to embodiment 19, wherein the one or more crates are collapsible, wherein the method further comprises the step of collapsing each of the one or more collapsible crates after removing the beverage cans therefrom. 21. Method according to embodiment 20, further comprising the step of cleaning the one or more collapsed crates, preferably simultaneously. 22. Method according to embodiment 19, 20 or 21, further comprising the steps of scanning each of the one or more crates and, on the basis thereof, obtaining one or more signals that each relate to, or represent, the number of cans and / or the one or more can types of the plurality of cans in the respective crate. 23. Method according to any of the preceding embodiments 19-22, further comprising the step of recycling the recyclable material of the beverage cans after removing the beverage cans from their respective crate. 24. Method according to any of the preceding embodiments 19-23, wherein each of the one or more crates is a crate according to any of the preceding embodiments 1-18.

Claims

1. A crate for transporting a plurality of beverage cans, the crate comprising a planar base and at least one outer wall, jointly defining an inner space for containing the plurality of beverage cans, wherein the crate further comprises at least one dividing member arranged in the inner space to define a plurality of columnar zones for inserting and storing the beverage cans respectively therein, wherein the dividing member is planar, extends parallel to the base and is movable within the inner space between a deployed position, in which the dividing member defines the plurality of columnar zones, and a collapsed position for collapsing the crate.

2. Crate according to claim 1, comprising a sliding system arranged to guide each dividing member between the deployed position and the collapsed position in a sliding manner.

3. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each dividing member is a grid-like plate member.

4. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the crate, in its collapsed state, is provided with one or more openings arranged to allow liquid to flow into the crate and along one or more of: the dividing member, an inner side of the base, and an inner side of the at least one outer wall.

5. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least two dividing members at different distances from the base in their deployed position.

6. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a support system arranged to support each dividing member in the deployed position.

7. Crate according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the support system comprises at least one spacer interconnecting the at least two dividing members.

8. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid arranged movable between a closed position, in which the lid covers the inner space, and an open position in which the inner space is open for inserting beverage cans therein.

9. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises a base part that is arranged movable between a closed position, in which the base defines the inner space, and an open position in which the inner space is open for removing beverage cans therefrom.

10. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the at least one outer wall is made of an at least partially transparent material.

11. Crate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the columnar zones of the inner space are between 23 and 34 centimetres in height, preferably between 28.3 and 31 centimetres in height.

12. A method of collecting beverage cans made of a recyclable material such as aluminium, wherein the method comprises the step of receiving one or more crates, each comprising a planar base and at least one outer wall, jointly defining an inner space containing a plurality of beverage cans, wherein the method further comprises the step of automatically removing the beverage cans from the crate.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the one or more crates are collapsible, wherein the method further comprises the step of collapsing each of the one or more collapsible crates after removing the beverage cans therefrom.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising the steps of scanning each of the one or more crates and, on the basis thereof, obtaining one or more signals that each relate to, or represent, the number of cans and / or the one or more can types of the plurality of cans in the respective crate.

15. Method according to any of the preceding claims 12-14, wherein each of the one or more crates is a crate according to any of the preceding claims 1-11.

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