Automatic container recycling apparatus

A method for handling containers in a lying position, having the following features:

• a container can be laid on a conveying device comprising a first conveyor and a second conveyor each having one conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belts substantially form a v-shape,
• the contour of the container is detected by means of a container detecting unit, the container is moved from a first position, lying on the conveyor belts, into a second position, lying on the surface areas of two rotating rollers and being rotated by them,
• the bearings of the rotating rollers are arranged stationarily in the relative position to one another,
• a code reader detects an identification code located on the container,
• depending on the detection of the identification code, the container in the first position is either guided to a place located upstream of the conveyors,
• or the container is transported back to a position located downstream of the conveyors or a loading position,
• wherein
• the rotating rollers are each embodied as hollow elements and are provided with a breakthrough in the longitudinal direction in the surface area,
• the first conveyor and the second conveyor are arranged inside the rotating rollers and are stationary in the relative position to one another,
• and in that the respective surface areas of the rotating rollers overlap the conveyor belts, lifting the container from the conveyor belts and rotating it when the rotating rollers are rotated.

An apparatus for handling containers in a lying position, comprising:

• a first conveyor and a second conveyor, each having one conveyor belt,
• wherein the conveyor belts are movable in a parallel direction,
• conveyor belts substantially forming a v-shape,
• a pair of rotating rollers, the rotational axes thereof pointing into the direction of movement of the conveyor belts and having the same rotational direction,
• a container being moved from a first position, lying on the conveyor belts, into a second position, lying on the surface area of the rotating rollers and being rotated by them,
• a detection unit being provided for detecting characteristic features of the container,
• wherein the apparatus guides the container in the first position either to a place located upstream of the conveyors or back to a position downstream of the conveyors,
• and wherein the bearings of the rotating rollers are arranged stationarily in the relative position to one another,
• wherein
• each rotating roller is embodied as a hollow element and has a breakthrough in the longitudinal direction in the surface area thereof,
• the first conveyor and the second conveyor are arranged inside the rotating rollers and are stationary in the relative position to one another,
• and in that the respective surface areas of the rotating rollers overlap the conveyor belts, lifting the container from the conveyor belts and rotating it when the rotating rollers are rotated.

An apparatus for handling containers in a lying position having the following features:

• a container is attachable to a conveying device comprising a first conveyor and a second conveyor, each having one conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belts substantially form a v-shape,
• the contour of the container is detected by means of a container detecting unit,
• the container is moved from a first position, lying on the conveyor belts, into a second position, lying on the surface areas of two rotating rollers and being rotated by them,
• the bearings of the rotating rollers are arranged stationarily in the relative position to one another,
• a code reader detects the identification code located on the container,
• depending on the detection of the identification code, the container in the first position is either guided to a place located upstream of the conveyors,
• or the container is transported back to a position located downstream of the conveyors or a loading position,
• wherein
• the rotating rollers) are each embodied as hollow elements and are provided with a breakthrough in the longitudinal direction in the surface area,
• the first conveyor and the second conveyor are arranged inside the rotating rollers and are stationary in the relative position to one another,
• and in that the respective surface areas of the rotating rollers overlap the conveyor belts, lifting the container from the conveyor belts and rotating it when the rotating rollers are rotated.