US 2003/0079620 A1 · Method and apparatus for crushing and sorting cans

Abstract

A method and apparatus for crushing and sorting cans to collect waste cans in an optimal weight-to-volume ratio. The can crushing and sorting method adapted to crush and sort cans by use of a can crushing device, into which the cans are sequentially supplied, involves an object determining step for determining, by a proximity sensor installed at a can supply unit, whether or not an object is supplied, and then whether or not the supplied object is a can or a foreign matter, a can supplying step for if it is determined that the supplied object is a can, opening an opening/closing plate installed at the can supply unit, thereby supplying the can into a crushing/sorting/discharging unit, and a can crushing/sorting/discharging step for crushing the supplied can by a crushing plate installed in the crushing/sorting/discharging unit, sorting the crushed can using an electromagnetic force applied to the crushing plate by electromagnets mounted to the crushing plate, in accordance with the material of the can, and then discharging the sorted can.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for crushing and sorting cans by use of a can crushing device into which the cans are sequentially supplied, comprising:

an object determining step for determining whether or not an object is supplied, and then whether or not the supplied object is a can or a foreign matter;
a can supplying step for if it is determined that the supplied object is a can, supplying the can into the can crushing device;
and
a can crushing/sorting/discharging step for crushing the supplied can by a crushing plate installed in the can crushing device, sorting the crushed can using an electromagnetic force applied to the crushing plate in accordance with the material of the can, and then discharging the sorted can.

1 more element

A can crushing and sorting apparatus including a case consisting of a door and a case body, a can supply unit installed on a support frame included in the case body, and equipped with a can supply container provided with an opening/closing plate driven to be opened and closed by a drive motor, and a proximity switch mounted to a lower surface of the can supply container, a crushing and sorting unit for crushing and sorting cans supplied from the can supply unit, collecting containers arranged beneath the crushing and sorting unit, and a control unit for controlling each unit of the apparatus, wherein the crushing and sorting unit comprises:

a frame fixedly mounted to the support frame for the can supply unit, and adapted to define a crushing chamber, the frame being opened at its top and bottom;
a driving unit supported by the frame, and equipped with a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a cylinder having a rod extending through the frame;
and
a crushing/sorting/discharging unit including sensors respectively mounted to an upper end of the frame at opposite lateral ends of the frame, a vertically-extending crushing plate mounted to a protruded end of the rod within an interior of the frame, and attached with electromagnets, and a support plate extending horizontally from a lower end of the crushing plate to be integral with the crushing plate, the support plate having a discharge hole while being arranged to be orthogonal to the crushing plate.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for crushing and sorting cans

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for crushing and sorting cans

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10