Grooved Input Chute for Bulk Container Recycling Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for recycling empties, such as plastic bottles and metal cans, face issues with bulk material jamming at the input chute due to large objects, requiring extensive manual intervention to clear blockages.
Innovation Solution
The device features grooves on the bottom of the input chute with an inclined floor, allowing empties to align and pass through easily, with minimal manual assistance, and incorporates a conveyor system to guide items to treatment stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a grid with crossing bars is used to cover the input opening, then large objects are prevented from entering, but empties collect on the grid and block passage requiring massive manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The input chute bottom is segmented into multiple grooves (first groove, second groove, third groove, fourth groove) that run parallel to each other in the input direction. Each groove acts as an independent channel that guides empties separately, preventing accumulation and blocking while maintaining the function of filtering out oversized objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional grid surface (crossing bars forming a plane) to a three-dimensional grooved structure (parallel channels with depth). This dimensional change allows empties to pass through the bottom of the chute via multiple parallel pathways rather than attempting to pass over a flat grid surface, eliminating the blocking problem.
2Productivity
If the input opening is made larger to allow bulk material feeding, then feeding efficiency improves, but objects that are too large can enter the device
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are designed with specific local dimensions: each groove has a width and depth configured to accommodate standard empty containers (bottles and cans) while being too narrow for oversized objects. The grooves act as local quality filters that selectively permit passage of appropriately sized items while blocking harmful large objects, regardless of the overall input opening size.
3Productivity
If empties are fed as bulk material, then processing throughput increases, but jamming occurs on the input chute bottom requiring manual clearing
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves perform preliminary alignment and guidance of empties as they enter the input chute. By providing defined pathways from the beginning of the input process, the grooves prevent random stacking and jamming before empties can accumulate and block the chute, maintaining reliable bulk material flow throughout operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures smooth and efficient feeding of bulk empties with reduced manual intervention, preventing large objects from entering while ensuring easy passage and efficient processing.
Implementation Method 1
the inclination of the floor in the input direction, empties lying on the bottom of the input chute are automatically aligned with the passage openings so that they can easily pass through them
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for taking back empty containers, in particular plastic bottles and metal cans, comprising a housing (1), which accommodates apparatuses for handling the inserted empty containers, and comprising an insertion chute (3), which is accessible from outside and which receives the empty containers as bulk goods and which has a bottom (8) pointing downward in the insertion direction (19), wherein means are provided that prevent or hinder the insertion of objects that are too large into the device. The aim of the invention is to provide a generic device by means of which empty goods can be inserted into the insertion chute (3) as bulk goods in a nearly unimpeded manner, wherein at the same time objects that are too large are prevented from entering the device. Said aim is achieved in that the bottom (8) of the insertion chute (3) comprises a plurality of grooves (9) arranged next to each other and extending in the insertion direction (19), wherein said grooves each open into a respective passage opening (10) leading into the device, the cross-section of the passage openings being dimensioned in such a way that empty containers (18) oriented in the insertion direction (19) by the grooves (9) can pass without force.