EP2457722B1 - Compaction device for reverse vending machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a compacting device for reverse vending machines for compacting empties with means for feeding the empties along a feed direction to a reduction, with a cutting unit arranged at the reduction and with a counter-holder for reducing the empties in the volume transverse to the feed direction, wherein the anvil over a Spring unit is arranged biased transversely to the feed direction.

From the DE 10 2006 033 615 A1 a compacting device for automatic reverse vending machines for compacting empties according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, which provides means for supplying empties to a reduction place, on which by the interaction of a cutting element with a counter-holder, the empties in its volume is reduced. The empties are pressed or crimped, for example, so that the empties permanently in its reduced flat shape remains and can then be stored in a downstream storage container to save space. The counter-holder is arranged biased transversely to the feed direction via a spring unit and allows as an abutment that the empties is forced through a reduction gap with reduction of the volume. The spring unit consists of a plastic spring, which acts on the counter-holder with a contact force transversely to the feed direction. In order for relatively small empties to be compacted or reduced relatively reliably in cross-section, the spring unit must provide a relatively large spring force. However, if relatively large or thick empties are to be drawn through the reduction gap in the transverse direction, it may cause jamming due to the relatively large spring force that builds up, which prevents the empties from being conveyed further. For the continued operation of the compacting the relatively thick empties would have to be removed from the compacting, which is associated with a relatively large effort.

Object of the present invention is therefore to develop a compacting device for reverse vending machines for compaction of empties so that a secure compaction of empties different transverse extent or wall thickness is ensured without the risk of jamming the empties is.

To solve this problem, the invention is characterized in connection with the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the spring unit is designed such that upon deflection of the counter-holder, starting from a zero position, in a first deflection region of the counter-holder is subjected to an increasing spring force, and that after exceeding a transitional deflection by the counter-holder it is acted upon by further deflection in a second deflection range with a spring force whose spring force increase is smaller than a spring force increase in the first deflection range.

The particular advantage of the invention is that can be compacted in a relatively wide transverse extension range or thickness range by the inventive design of a spring unit empties. The fact that, starting from a zero position of a counter-holder, in a first deflection region, a relatively large spring force increase acts on the counter-holder or the empties, relatively thin empties can be securely compacted or spent in a relatively flat reduction state. Characterized in that when a Grenzauslenkungsweges reaches a second deflection range, in which the spring force increase is lower than in the first deflection range, relatively thick empties can be compacted, without causing an undesirable jamming of the same in the compacting device. The basic idea of the invention is to provide an adapted pressure force for compacting it as a function of the transverse extent or thickness of the empties. The invention thus enables a setting of the pressing force adapted to the type of empties, which leads to the pressing in a flat reduction state of the same.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first deflection region of the counter-holder is dimensioned such that empties can be compacted with a small cross-section. A subsequent to the first deflection range second deflection region of the counter-holder has a reduced increase in spring force, so that empties can be compacted with a large cross-section. Advantageously, the compacting device allows two defined work areas, with a first working area for empties with a smaller cross section and a second work area for empties with a large cross section is provided. For different categories of empties can thus set an optimal contact pressure, which leads to a correspondingly flat pressing the empties.

According to a development of the invention, the spring unit has at least two spring elements, wherein a first spring element has a larger spring constant than a second spring element. Advantageously, a behavior of the spring unit adapted to the application can be set here, wherein a flattening of the spring characteristic line occurs in the second deflection region. If only two spring elements are used, the pitch of the spring characteristic curves in the first deflection region and the second deflection region is constant in each case. If more than two spring elements of different spring constants are used, the first deflection region and / or the second deflection region can also have sections having different spring characteristic slope. A further optimization of the pressure force can be provided thereby.

According to a development of the invention, a second spring element is biased to a biasing force corresponding to a maximum spring force of the first deflection range. A first spring element is biased to a biasing force that is smaller than the biasing force of the second spring element and greater than a minimum spring force. The pressing force is advantageous hereby set in the initial state of the counter-holder and the Übergangsauslenkungsweg.

According to a development of the invention, the spring elements are designed as helical springs, which are arranged in series with each other. The spring elements are clamped between a base plate and the counter-holder, with corresponding clamping screws or threaded rods for adjusting the different spring elements. Advantageously, this can be done in a space-saving and handling technically simple way to adjust the spring forces.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further subclaims.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS.

Figur 1

eine schematische Seitendarstellung einer Kompaktiervorrichtung mit Mitteln zum Zuführen des Leerguts sowie einer Schneideinheit, einem Gegenhalter und einer Federeinheit im Bereich eines Verkleinerungsortes,

Figur 2

eine Darstellung der Federeinheit in einem Ausgangszustand und bei einer Auslenkung in einem ersten Auslenkungsbereich, wobei lediglich ein erstes Federelement der Federeinheit zusammengedrückt wird,

Figur 3

eine Darstellung der Federeinheit im Zustand einer Übergangsauslenkung und in einem zweiten Auslenkungsbereich, wobei das erste Federelement und ein zweites Federelement zusammengedrückt werden, und

Figur 4

eine Federkennlinie der Federeinheit.

Show it:

FIG. 1

2 shows a schematic side view of a compacting device with means for feeding the empties as well as a cutting unit, a counterholder and a spring unit in the region of a reduction site,

FIG. 2

an illustration of the spring unit in an initial state and at a deflection in a first deflection region, wherein only a first spring element of the spring unit is compressed,

FIG. 3

a representation of the spring unit in the state of a transitional deflection and in a second deflection range, wherein the first spring element and a second spring element are compressed, and

FIG. 4

a spring characteristic of the spring unit.

A compacting apparatus 1 is integrated into a reverse vending machine which is set up in beverage or supermarkets to accept, compact and collect empties (preferably PET sheets) occupied by a deposit.

The compacting device 1 consists essentially of a cutting unit 2, a counter-holder 3 and a spring unit 4, which are arranged at a reduction 5 of the reverse vending machine. The bottle-shaped empties 6 is fed via feed to the reduction location 5 in the feed direction 7, wherein the empties 6 by means of a not shown drivable impeller along the counter-holder 3 is sequentially fed to the reduction site 5.

The cutting unit 2 is formed by a drivable cutting roller 2 whose axis of rotation is oriented perpendicular to the feed direction 7. The cutting roller 2 has a plurality of circumferentially distributed spikes 2 ', which press into the material of the empties 6 when the empties 6 reaches the reduction 5 and is pressed against the biased by the spring unit counter-holder 3, so that after leaving the Reduction site 5 a flat pressed or reduced in volume empties 6 a collecting container, not shown, can be fed.

The counter-holder 3 is formed as a flat plate which is pivotally mounted about a pivot bearing 9. The pivot bearing 9 is arranged at a distance from the reduction location 5, preferably at a rear end of the counter-holder 3 in the feed direction 7.

The spring unit 4 has a pair of a first spring element 10 and a second spring element 11, wherein the two pairs of spring elements 10, 11 are arranged in a common plane which is perpendicular to the feed direction 7. The first spring element 10 and the second spring element 11 of the pair of spring elements 10, 11 are arranged in series with each other, between the anvil 3 and a base plate 12th

The first spring element 10 is disposed on a side facing the anvil 3 and the second spring element 11 is disposed on a side facing the base plate 12. The first spring element 10 and the second spring element 11 are designed as helical springs. An end of the second spring element 11 facing the counter-holder 3 and an end of the first spring element 10 facing away from the counter-holder 3 are supported on opposite sides of a ring nut 13. The ring nut 13 has an internal thread, via which it is in threaded engagement with a clamping screw 14 supported on the base plate 12. The clamping screw 14 extends with its thread within the second spring element eleventh

By tightening the clamping screw 14, the second spring element 11 can be biased by a deflection s, so that the biasing force of the maximum force F2 of the first deflection region 18 corresponds. The clamping screw 14 is inserted through a bore 15 of the base plate 12.

In a second step, the first spring elements 10 can be biased. For this purpose, a threaded rod 16 arranged between adjacent pairs of spring elements 10, 11 is provided which is rotatably and axially fixed to the counter-holder 3 and is rotatably and axially movable relative to the base plate 12 via a thread. On a side facing away from the spring elements 10, 11 side of the base plate 12, the threaded rod 16 with a clamping nut 17 is engaged, by means of which the base plate 12 in the direction of the counter-holder 3 is movable, so that the first spring elements 10 can be biased by tightening the clamping nut 17 , The first spring elements 10 are biased by a deflection path s, so that in the first spring elements 10, a biasing force is set, which is smaller than the biasing force F2 of the second spring element eleventh

This results in a first deflection region 18 of the counter-holder 3 for forming a first working region, in which a first spring constant D1 of the first spring element 10 is effective, and a second deflection region 19 for forming a second working region, in which a resulting spring constant D of the first spring element 10 and the second spring element 11 is effective, which is smaller than the first spring constant D1 of the first spring element 10 and as a second spring constant D2 of the second spring element 11, see FIG. 4 ,

In the first working region or in the first deflection region 18 of the counter-holder 3 between its preloaded zero position S ₁ and the transitional displacement S ₂ , only the first spring element 10 is compressed, while the second spring element 11 remains in the prestressed position. Only after reaching the transitional displacement s ₂ in which the spring force F2 acts, the second spring element 11 is compressed, which has a smaller spring constant D2 than the first spring element 10, so that in the second deflection region 19 with further increase of the deflection s, the spring force F increases less than in the first deflection range 18. In the spring characteristic according to FIG. 4 this is recognizable by a bending of the spring characteristic at the deflection _S2 . The resulting spring characteristic in the second deflection region 19 is flatter than the spring characteristic in the first deflection region 18, or a gradient D of the spring characteristic in the second deflection region 19 is smaller than a gradient D1 of the spring characteristic in the first deflection region 18.

The transitional deflection S ₂ is formed such that in the first deflection region 18, such a spring force F acts on the counter-holder 3, that empties with a small cross-section are securely pressed or reduced on the one hand and that in the second deflection region 19 empties with a large cross-section without the risk of undesirable jamming of the same is pressed or reduced on the other hand.

From the following spring constant equation for a series connection of spring elements 10, 11 it becomes clear that the resulting spring constant D is smaller than the individual spring constants D1 of the first spring element 10 or D2 of the second spring element 11: $$\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{D}}=\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{D}1}+\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{D}2}$$

The set biasing force of the second spring element 11 corresponds to a maximum spring force F2 of the first deflection range 18. The biasing force of the first spring element 10 is smaller than the biasing force F2 of the second spring element 11 and greater than a predetermined minimum spring force, which causes the anvil 3 against the cutting roller 2 presses.

From the Figures 2 and 3 It can be seen that the counter-holder 3 has on a base plate 12 side facing a centering cam 20 on which one end of the first spring element 10 is arranged centered.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, more than two pairs of spring elements 10, 11 may be provided. This is particularly useful when the cutting roller 2 has a relatively large length.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, more than two spring elements can be arranged in series, so that the spring characteristic has more than one kink.

The spring elements 10, 11 are preferably made of a plastic material (PU material) or of a metal material.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

compactor

2, 2 '

Cutting unit / cutting roller

3

backstop

4

spring unit

5

Verkleinerungsort

6

Empties

7

feed

9

pivot bearing

10

first spring element

11

second spring element

12

baseplate

13

ring nut

14

clamping screw

15

drilling

16

threaded rod

17

locknut

18

first deflection range

19

second deflection range

20

centering

S, S ₁ , S ₂

deflection

D, D1, D2

spring constant

F, F1, F2

spring force

Claims (10)

1. Compaction device for compacting empty containers in reverse vending machines, having means for feeding the empty containers in a feed direction to a comminution location, having a cutting unit arranged at the comminution location, and having an abutment for comminuting the empty containers in volume in a direction transverse to the feed direction, wherein the abutment is arranged in a prestressed state via a spring unit in a direction transverse to the feed direction, characterized in that the spring unit (4) is designed such that, upon deflection of the abutment (3), starting from a zero position, in a first region of deflection (18) the abutment (3) is subjected to an increasing spring force (F) and that, once the abutment (3) has exceeded a transition deflection, upon further deflection it is subjected in a second region of deflection (19) to a spring force on the abutment (3) of which the increase in spring force (D) is smaller than an increase in spring force (D1) in the first region of deflection (18).
2. Compaction device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first region of deflection (18) of the abutment (3) is dimensioned such that empty containers (6) of small cross section can be compacted, and in that the second region of deflection (19) of the abutment (3), said second region adjoining the first region of deflection (18), is dimensioned such that empty containers (6) of large cross section can be compacted.
3. Compaction device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring unit (4) has at least two spring elements (10, 11), which are arranged in a row and act in the deflecting direction of the abutment (3), wherein a first spring element (10) has a larger spring constant (D1) than a second spring element (11), and wherein the two spring elements (10, 11) are designed such that the second spring element (11) is compressed from its starting position only when the abutment (3) has reached the transition deflection.
4. Compaction device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second spring element (11) is prestressed to a prestressing force (F2) which corresponds to a maximum spring force of the first region of deflection (18).
5. Compaction device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first spring element (10) is prestressed to a prestressing force which is smaller than the prestressing force (F2) of the second spring element (11) and is larger than a minimum spring force.
6. Compaction device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first spring element (10) and the second spring element (11) are each designed in the form of a helical spring, said springs being clamped in between the abutment (3) and a base plate (12).
7. Compaction device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second spring element (11) is retained between the base plate (12) and an annular nut (13), wherein the annular nut (13) is in threaded engagement with a tensioning screw (14), which extends along the second spring element (11) and is positioned in a bore (15) of the base plate (12).
8. Compaction device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first spring element (10) is retained between the abutment (3) and the annular nut (13), and in that a threaded rod (16) extends between the abutment (3) and the base plate (12), outside the spring elements (10, 11), and is in threaded engagement with a tensioning nut (17) arranged on a side of the base plate (12) which is directed away from the abutment (3).
9. Compaction device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, on a side which is directed towards the base plate (12), the abutment (3) has a centring protuberance (20), on which one end of the first spring element (10) is arranged in a centred manner.
10. Compaction device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a pair of spring elements (10, 11), comprising the first spring element (10) and the second spring element (11), is arranged on either side of the threaded rod (16).

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