WO2004106047A1

WO2004106047A1 - Can crusher apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2004106047A1
Application number: PCT/CA2004/000830
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Gagnon; Patrick Marcoux
Original assignee: ROBOVIC Inc
Current assignee: ROBOVIC Inc
Priority date: 2003-05-30
Filing date: 2004-05-31
Publication date: 2004-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2005-11-30
Also published as: CA2430538A1

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a can crusher and more specifically, to an apparatus which progressively crushes a can such that the crushed can and its content may be recuperated after a cycle in the apparatus. Many types of cans are often disposed of by their users with a remaining content. However, the cans and their containments may be recuperated for future uses or come to pollute the environment if not recuperated. A can crushing apparatus of the present invention includes means to progressively process cans through crushing and compression stages, such that as they get processed, the cans are compacted and may be significantly emptied of their containments.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Can crusher apparatus and method

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to can crushers.

More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an apparatus which progressively crushes a can such that the crushed can and its content may be recuperated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In order to be recycled, cans and containers must generally conform to strict environmental norms which regulate, among other things, the list of materials and substances which can be recycled and the state into which they can be reintroduced into the recycling loop. Prior to being recycled, cans and containers may contain multiple types of products in liquid, solid or even gaseous states. When they are recycled, such cans and containers usually still contain leftovers of their original contents.

[0003] In most prior art crushing systems, the can is usually compressed along its axial direction and usually comprise a hole near its top or bottom to provide an exit to any remaining contents. In those cases however, multiple circumferentially extending pockets, grooves or recesses are generated o the can's cylindrical or side surface as it gets crushed, such that paint or other substances in the can may accumulate and get stuck in those pockets during the crushing process. The pockets also significantly impair an objective of achieving an optimal crushing thickness of the cans, since even a crushed can using such prior art devices still includes a plurality of pockets, grooves or recesses located on top of one another and along the circumference of the cans.

[0004] Although paint cans are of prime interest for such apparatuses, the need to crush various types of containers which can be recycled and which may have to be emptied from a significant portion of their remaining containment may be sought.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus which efficiently crushes cans such that they are put in an optimal crushed configuration.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which process the cans by squeezing a significant portion of their remaining containment during the crushing process. ^•

[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a method of processing cans such that they become crushed and such that a significant portion of their remaining containment may be squeezed out of the can during the crushing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for crushing cans including a crushing portion which includes a carrier assembly defining a carrying surface for moving a can along a crushing direction; the crushing portion also including a contact assembly located adjacent to and above the carrier assembly and defining a contacting surface, the contacting surface extending toward the carrying surface along the crushing direction defining a passage thereby, the passage having a first end and a second end; whereby upon operation of the crusher, a can positioned on the carrying surface is progressively crushed from the first end to the second end as it interferes (i.e. contacts or engages) with the contacting surface.

[0009] There is furthermore provided an apparatus for crushing cans with substances remaining in the cans including a crushing portion which includes a carrier assembly defining a carrying surface for moving a can along a crushing direction; the crushing portion further including a contact assembly located adjacent to and above the carrier assembly and defining a contacting surface, the contacting surface extending toward the carrying surface along the crushing direction defining a passage thereby, the passage having a first end and a second end; the apparatus further including a compression portion in communication with the second end of the passage through the carrying surface and including a compressing means so configured as to supply a compressive force along a direction generally normal to the crushing direction; whereby upon operation of the apparatus, a can positioned on the carrying surface is progressively crushed from the first end to the second end as it interferes (i.e. contacts or engages) with the contacting surface and the substance is significantly expelled from the cans as they go through the compressing means.

[0010] There is furthermore provided a method for crushing cans containing a substance including progressively crushing a can with an opened area located on a conveyor moving along a crushing direction, by interference of a portion of the can with a contacting means above the conveyor; the method further including progressively compressing the crushed can such that the substance is squeezed out of the crushed can.

[0011] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non- restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the appended drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 is a side elevation view showing a can crusher apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a top view showing the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0015] Figure 3 is a detail view taken from enclosure 3 in Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 4 is a detail view taken from enclosure 4 in Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 5 is a detail view taken from enclosure 5 in Figure 1 ;

[0018] Figure 6 is a detail view taken from enclosure 6 in Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 7 is a detail view taken from enclosure 7 in Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a can entering the apparatus of Figure 1 ; and

[0022] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a can exiting the apparatus of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Generally stated, the present invention relates to a can crusher apparatus which progressively crushes a can such that the crushed can and its content may be recuperated.

[0024] The can crusher apparatus generally operates in a continuous mode to crush or compress cans or small containers of different sizes and shapes, such that the cans may be emptied from their contents and therefore reduced to a configuration which greatly improves their ability to be recycled. Throughout a cycle in the apparatus, each can more or less follows a path which progressively and continuously transforms it from its original shape to a crushed state.

[0025] As illustrated in Figures 1 , 2, 8, 9 and 10 the apparatus 20 includes a frame 22, an introduction portion 24, a crushing portion 26, a recuperation portion 28, a compression portion 30 and an exit portion 32.

[0026] The introduction portion 24 is illustrated in more details in

Figure 3. The introduction portion 24 of the apparatus 20 is the area where the cans 34 are placed, waiting to be crushed. The introduction portion 24 includes a can receiver 36, an introduction conveyor 38 and a guide 40.

[0027] The can receiver 36 is generally a plate fixedly mounted on the frame 22 or is so configured as to be readily accessible to receive cans 34a and redirect them to feed the introduction conveyor 38.

[0028] The introduction conveyor 38 includes an upper surface 42 so configured as to carry the can 34a along a crushing direction 44a into the apparatus 20, after being fed from the can receiver 36. A first end 46 of the introduction conveyor is located adjacent to the can receiver 36 and a second end 48 is located toward the crushing portion 26. Accordingly, the apparatus 20 may further include a magazine type dispenser or a manual feed system to feed the introduction conveyor 38 with cans 34a.

[0029] The guide 40 is a plate-like member extending at a distance from the upper surface 42 of the introduction conveyor 38 and in a direction which is generally similar to crushing direction 44a. In the shown embodiment, the guide 40 includes two flaps 49a, 49b and lips 50 so configured as to cooperate with the can 34b in order to orient them before entering the crushing portion 26.

[0030] As better seen in Figure 2, the flaps 49a, 49b are rotatably mounted to the frame 22 of the apparatus 20 between a rest position and an open position. The flaps 49a, 49b are operatable by the can 34b along its passage through the guide 40.

[0031] The lips 50a, 50b are bent portions of the flaps 49a, 49b or may be fixedly mounted on and at an angle with respect to the flaps 49a, 49b such that upon arrival of the can 34b near the lips, the can 34b is helped into a rotation.

[0032] From the introduction portion 24, the cans 34 are carried to the crushing portion 26 which progressively modifies the shape of the can 34c along a crushing direction 44b. As shown in more details in Figure 4, the crushing portion 26 includes a contact assembly 52 and a carrier assembly 54 located adjacent to the contact assembly 52.

[0033] The contact assembly 52 is a roll-type conveyor which is generally independently controlled and operated. The contact assembly 52 includes a plurality of laterally extending rollers 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e which are rotatably mounted to the frame 22 and longitudinally positioned one with respect to the other such that a laterally extending contacting surface 58 is defined. The rollers 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d are provided with teeth 60 which are protruding from their respective outer surface. In the illustrative embodiment, the last roll 56e is not provided with teeth to help minimize obstruction caused by paint or other residues left by previous cans 34c.

[0034] The carrier assembly 54 includes a longitudinally extending crushing conveyor 62 which is generally located underneath the contact assembly 52. The crushing conveyor 62 is a "table top conveyor" which offers an almost continuous carrying surface 64 moving along a crushing direction 44b. The crushing conveyor 62 is mounted on the frame 22 and is so configured as to support the can 34c as it leaves the introduction portion 24. The first end 66 of the crushing conveyor 62 located in the vicinity of the second end 48 of the introduction conveyor 38, and a second end 68 of the crushing conveyor 62 is located near the last roller 56e and in the vicinity of the compression portion 30.

[0035] The contacting surface 58 generally converges toward the carrying surface 64 along the crushing direction 44b. The contacting surface 58 may also be located at an angle or in a step-like manner with respect to the carrying surface 64 to define a longitudinally extending passage 70 into which the can 34c engages. The configuration of the contacting surface 58 does not have to be predetermined and the crushing portion 26 may comprise a position control to orient the rollers 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e for other modes of operation of the apparatus 20, for other size or types of cans to be crushed or to get another desired crushing condition.

[0036] The positioning between the contacting surface 58 and the carrying surface 64 is such that the highest distance is near the entry of the can 34c into the crushing portion 26 and the lowest distance is near the compression portion 30.

[0037] The lowest distance can also be adjusted and pre-selected for various types of cans in order to put them in a desired pre-crushed state, with a certain thickness and such that a variable amount of paint has had a chance to be removed before the can enters the compression portion 30.

[0038] As seen in Figures 1 and 5, the recuperation portion 28 is generally located in the vicinity of the introduction portion 24, the crushing portion 26, the compression portion 30 and the exit portion 32. The recuperating portion 28 is a container 72 removably mounted to the frame 22, having a chamber 74 so configured as to recuperate paint dropping from the can throughout its sojourns in the apparatus 20. The recuperating portion 28 is generally located underneath and aligned with at least the vertical projection of the portions 24, 26, 30, 32 and may comprise wheels 76 for transportation away from the apparatus 20.

[0039] As seen in Figure 6, the compression portion 30 includes at least two generally parallel and laterally extending geared rolls 78, 80 which are rotatably mounted to the frame 22. The geared rolls 78, 80 are generally located one on top of the other in the vicinity of the second end 68 of the crushing conveyor 62 and of the last roller 56e. The geared rolls 78, 80 may also be vertically aligned for complementary and are generally located longitudinally in rows for if more than two geared rolls 78, 80 are used. Each geared roll 78, 80 include a gear-type section profile having teeth 82 which are extending along the length of the geared rolls 78, 80.

[0040] The distance between the geared rolls 78, 80 depends on the number of teeth 82, on the size and the shape of the section profiles, on the desired compression induced to the can 34d as it goes through the compression portion 30 and on the fact that the can 34d still needs to be moved out of the apparatus 20 after compression, which requires a friction and/or "meshing" grip by the geared rolls 78, 80 on the can 34d. The level of compression is generally provided by the distance between the geared rolls 78, 80.

[0041] A person skilled in the art would easily understand that any other teeth 82 or geared roll 78, 80 configurations may be used as substitute to the toothed rolls 78, 80 as described herein.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 7, the exit portion 32 generally follows the compression portion 30. The exit portion includes an exit conveyor 84 fixedly positioned on the frame 22 and so configured as to extend from the vicinity of the compression area 30 to away from the apparatus 20 or toward an outside containment (not shown) so configured for the reception of the crushed cans.

[0043] In another embodiment, the apparatus 20 further comprises an opener system (not shown), physically mounted on the frame 22 and so configured as to cooperate with the introduction portion 24 to remove the bottoms or the covers of the cans, or to perform the required openings on at least one of the surfaces of the can 34.

[0044] Also, another embodiment of the apparatus 20 includes a mechanism, automated or not, which allows the upper roll 78 in the compression portion 30 to be temporarily more spaced apart from the lower roll 80 in order to minimize the quantity of debris such as for example paint or other substances which may be stuck at the entry of the compression portion 30. This operation can be introduced after each can 34 has gone trough a full cycle in the apparatus 20.

[0045] A further embodiment of the apparatus 20 includes a spring system mounted to the upper roll 80 of the compression portion 30 which is so configured as to provide a thickness control of the can as it goes through the compression portion 30.

[0046] The sequence of the operations to crush a can and to simultaneously extract its containment will now be discussed by having the can 34 go through and interact with the various portions 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 in sequential steps.

[0047] In the introduction portion 24 shown in Figure 3, the can 34a generally arrives with one of its extremities removed, being either the bottom or the cover of the can 34a. The can 34a may also include an opening located elsewhere on its surface (not shown) to facilitate the extraction of the paint or other substances remaining inside the can 34a. [0048] In the shown embodiment, the can 34a enters the introduction portion 24 with its opened area 90 and one closed surface 91 resting on the introduction conveyor 38. It is to be noted that other can introducing orientations may also be used.

[0049] After engaging the introduction portion 24, the can 34a is carried by the introduction conveyor 38 along the crushing direction 44a until it abuts the guide 40. The guide 40 has the capabilities of flipping the can 34b if it is necessary, to put it in the optimized orientation for crushing.

[0050] When the can's upper edge 92 or side surface 93 starts interfering with the guide 40, the can 34b is flipped along a generally lateral direction, such that its side surface 93 now rests on the introduction conveyor 38 and that its closed surface 91 faces the crushing portion 26. The frame 22 and the guide 40 are so configured as to help keep the can 34b on the introduction conveyor 38 once flipped.

[0051] As stated hereinabove, the lips 50a, 50b are angled such that they help to flip the can around a portion of the edge 94 of the closed surface 91. Once flipped, if the can 34b is taller than the distance between the guide 40 and the introduction conveyor 24, the flaps 49a, 49b longitudinally rotate about the frame 22 such that more clearance is provided for the passage of the can 34b underneath the guide 40.

[0052] As seen in Figure 4, the can 34c enters the crushing portion

26 by transferring from the introduction conveyor 38 to the carrying surface 64 of the crushing conveyor 62 and along the crushing direction 44b. The can's 34c first moments in the crushing portion 26 may not yet involve the contact assembly 52, even if it is engaged in the passage 70. [0053] The carrying surface 64 generally advances without interference toward the compression portion 30, at a pre-determined speed, until a portion of the can's edge 91 contacts the contacting surface 58. In the shown embodiment, the rollers 56a to 56e rotate in a counterclockwise direction such that the contacting surface 58 generally moves in the same direction as the crushing direction 44b, but with a vertical component due to its angularity with respect to the carrying surface 64. The speed of the contacting surface is also generally predetermined and may be different than the speed of the carrying surface 64.

[0054] When the portion of the edge 94 interferes with the contacting surface 58, the can 34c is progressively crushed by a shear force. In the illustrative embodiment, the carrying surface 64 advances at a higher speed than the contacting surface 58 speed to facilitate the crushing operation of the can 34c. This may be partly explained because a portion of the can 34c resting on the carrying surface 64 goes at a higher speed than the portion of the can 34c in contact with the contacting surface 58.

[0055] In the illustrative embodiment, the can 34c which is moving along the crushing direction 44b is progressively crushed by the rollers 56a to 56e, from its closed surface 91 to its open area 90. As a result, any remaining paint or other squeezable substances may therefore be progressively squeezed out of the can 34c, from the closed surface 91 to its open area 90.

[0056] The progressive shear force of the crushing process and the specific can positioning provided by the apparatus 20 significantly reduces the occurrences of pockets (not shown) in the crushed can 34c, such that the thickness of the crushed can 34c and the residual quantities of paint or other substances inside the can 34c are minimized. [0057] After exiting the crushing portion 26, the can enters the compression portion 30, as shown in Figure 6. In the compression portion 30, the toothed rolls 78, 80 compress the pre-crushed can to its desired final thickness, and then carry the crushed can 34d toward the exit portion 32.

[0058] The geared rolls 78, 80 are rotating in opposite directions such the can 34d advance in a crushing direction 44c which allows the progression of the can 34d in the apparatus 20. The compression portion 30 therefore performs the final compression of the can 34d.

[0059] The meshing of the corresponding geared rolls 78, 80 does not physically implicate the complete entry of the teeth 82 of one geared roll 78 inside the space defined between consecutive teeth 82 in the other geared roll 80. The geared rolls 78, 80 which are positioned at a pre-selected distance from one another generally act like claws gripping on the crushed can 34d, therefore performing a final compression step.

[0060] At the end of the compression portion 30, the geared rolls 78,

80 push the crushed can 34d to the exit area 32.

[0061] During the crushing process of the apparatus 20, the remaining paint or squeezable substance in the can is significantly squeezed out from the can. Since the recuperation portion 28 is generally vertically aligned with the other portions 24, 26, 30, 32 of the apparatus 20, the squeezed substance may fall in the chamber 74 of the recuperation portion 28.

[0062] The apparatus 20 generally operates in a continuous mode which does not require constant repositioning of the can 34 during its sojourn in the apparatus 20. Therefore the estimated duration of a cycle between the time where a can enters the introduction portion 24 to the time where the can 34 enters the exit portion may be approximately 5 seconds.

[0063] For maintenance of the apparatus 20, a plurality of fixed and laterally extending scrapers (not shown) are located near the rollers 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e, near any other surface on the frame 22 or near conveyors 38, 62, 84 where paint or other substances can be accumulated and not fall in the recuperation portion 28. For cumbersome or difficult access areas, mobile scrapers (not shown) are located in the vicinity of the components of the apparatus 20 where paint may need to be removed.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for crushing cans, comprising: a crushing portion comprising i. a carrier assembly defining a carrying surface for moving a can along a crushing direction; ii. a contact assembly located adjacent to and above said carrier assembly and defining a contacting surface, said contacting surface extending toward said carrying surface along said crushing direction defining a passage thereby, said passage having a first end and a second end; whereby upon operation of said crusher, a can positioned on said carrying surface is progressively crushed from said first end to said second end as it interferes with said contacting surface.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises an introduction portion comprising receiving means for receiving a can, said receiving means being in communication with said carrying surface.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, said introduction portion comprises a can receiver means, an introduction conveyor comprising one end located adjacent to said can receiver means and a second end located adjacent to said carrying surface.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said introduction portion comprises a guide extending along said crushing direction and positioned at a distance from said introduction conveyor.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said guide comprises two flaps rotatably mounted on each side of said introduction conveyor and operatable between a rest position and an open position.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flaps are provided with lips fixedly mounted to the flaps and at an angle with respect to said crushing direction.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said introduction portion comprises a magazine so configured as to feed said introduction conveyor with cans.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said introduction portion comprises an opener assembly which performs openings on a can entering said apparatus.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said contact assembly comprises a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted to said crushing portion and located one next to the other along said crushing direction.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of rollers have an outside surface defining said contacting surface at a point being tangent to each of said plurality of rollers and generally closest to said carrying surface.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of rollers are positioned in a step-like configuration.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of rollers are positioned at an angle with respect to said carrying surface.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of rollers comprise teeth which are protruding from said outer surface.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of rollers includes a first roller closer to said first end of said passage and a last roller closer to said second end of said passage and at least one roller in between said first roller and said last roller, said last roller being closest to said carrying surface.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said first and said at least one roller comprise teeth protruding from said outer surface.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of rollers are adjustably positioned with respect to said carrying surface.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said rollers are individually driven at a roller speed along said crushing direction.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said carrying surface moves at a carrier speed which is different than said roller speed.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said carrier speed is higher than said roller speed.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said carrying surface is defined by a conveyor.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a recuperation portion located underneath said crushing portion.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said recuperating portion comprises a container removably mounted to said apparatus and a chamber so configured as to recuperate substances dropping from the can being crushed.

i

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a compression portion in communication with said second end of said passage near said carrying surface, said compression portion including a compressing means so configured as to supply a compressive force along a direction generally normal to said crushing direction.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said compressing means comprises geared rolls rotatably mounted to said compression portion and located one on top of the other and at a distance generally aligned with said second end of said passage.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said geared rolls are generally aligned along a direction normal to said crushing direction.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said geared_. rolls comprise an outside surface and teeth protruding from said outside surface and extending along said geared rolls.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said distance between said geared rolls is adjustable.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said compression portion comprises a spring system mounted to one of said geared roll for spring biasing said one of said geared rolls toward the other geared roll.

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises an exit portion comprising receiving means for receiving a can, said receiving means being located near said second end of said passage.

30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein said exit portion comprises a conveyor having a first end near said crushing portion and a second end extending away from said apparatus.

31. An apparatus for crushing cans with substances remaining in the cans, comprising: a) a crushing portion comprising: i. a carrier assembly defining a carrying surface for moving a can along a crushing direction; ii. a contact assembly located adjacent to and above said carrier assembly and defining a contacting surface, said contacting surface extending toward said carrying surface along said crushing direction defining a passage thereby, said passage having a first end and a second end; and b) a compression portion in communication with said second end of said passage through said carrying surface and including a compressing means so configured as to supply a compressive force along a direction generally normal to said crushing direction; whereby upon operation of said apparatus, a can positioned on said carrying surface is progressively crushed from said first end to said second end as it interferes with said contacting surface and the substance is significantly expelled from the cans as they go through said compressing means.

32. A method for crushing cans containing a substance comprising:

, a) progressively crushing a can with an opened area located on a conveyor moving along a crushing direction by interference of a portion of the can with a contacting means above said conveyor; b) progressively compressing the crushed can such that the substance is squeezed out of the crushed can.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, including generating said opened area.

34. A method as claimed in claim 32, including a flipping of the can on said conveyor whereby said opened area is oriented facing away from said crushing direction before the can is crushed.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, including recuperating with a container the substance forced out of the can.

36. A method for crushing cans comprising: a) progressively crushing a can with an opened area located on a conveyor moving along a crushing direction by interference of a portion of the can with a contacting means above said conveyor.