# US 7,407,056 B2 · Automatic container recycling apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,056 B2 - Document ID: US7407056B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/579,116 - Filed: 2004-09-20 - Published: 2007-04-12 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-11-14 - Assignees: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH - Inventors: Bernhard Lutz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407056B2 ## CPC - G07F 7/0609: {by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers} - B65G 37/005: {comprising two or more co-operating conveying elements with parallel longitudinal axes (the conveying elements being endless surfaces B65G15/10)} - B65G 47/24: orientating the articles - B65G 47/248: by turning over or inverting them (B65G47/244 takes precedence) - Y02W 30/60: Glass recycling - Y02W 30/62: Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract The invention relates to a unit for automatic recycling apparatuses for containers, e.g. cans and bottles made of glass, plastic, or metal. Said unit comprises a conveying device with a conveyor belt for advancing the containers in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, and rotating rollers that are provided with a surface area and can be moved from a neutral position into an identifying position in which said rotating rollers disengage the container from the conveying device and make the container rotate. According to the invention, the rollers are embodied as hollow elements and are provided with a breakthrough in the longitudinal direction. At least one conveying device is disposed in the rollers, respectively, while the conveyor belt is arranged in the area of the breakthrough. The rotating rollers and the conveying device are mounted separately, the surface area of the rollers overlapping the conveyor belt of the conveying device when the rotating rollers are rotated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A unit for automatic container recycling apparatuses for returning containers in a lying position, by means of a conveying device with a conveyor belt for advancing the containers in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, and with rotating rollers that are provided with a surface area and can be moved from a neutral position into an identifying position in which the rotating rollers disengage the container from the conveying device and make the container rotate, a. the rotating rollers are each embodied as hollow elements and are provided with at least one breakthrough in the longitudinal direction, b. at least one conveying device is disposed in the rollers, respectively, and the conveyor belt is arranged in the area of the breakthrough, c. the rotating rollers and the conveying device are mounted separately, the surface area of the rollers overlapping the conveyor belt of the conveying device when the rotating rollers are rotated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The unit according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belts of the conveying devices are arranged in v-shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The unit according to claim 1 wherein the conveyor belt is guided around turn around rollers that are attached to supports. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The unit according claim 1, wherein the rotating rollers are provided with a gear rim on the front side thereof which are driven by a gear wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The unit according to claim 4, wherein the gear wheel is driven by a motor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The unit according to claim 1, wherein the rollers can be moved from a neutral position, in which the breakthroughs are located directly above the conveyor belts with the conveyor belts forming a v-shaped groove for receiving and advancing the container, into an identifying position when rotating in the same direction around the axis thereof, in which identifying position the container is released from the conveyor belts, arrives on the rotating surface areas of the rollers and is rotated here. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The unit according to claim 1, wherein a detection unit for detecting an identification feature of the container during rotation of the container on the rollers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The unit according to claim 1, wherein the rotating rollers are made of lamellar segments disposed in the longitudinal direction of the rollers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The unit according to claim 8, wherein the segments are substantially bent circularly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The unit according to claim 1, wherein a coupled belt drive for driving the conveyor belts of the conveying devices. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The unit according to claim 1, wherein the surface area of the rotating rollers is provided with a coating. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus for recycling containers with an inlet unit for returning containers in a lying position, according to claim 1. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein a testing device determines whether or not an identification code is detectable on the container in the first position, the container is conveyed to the place located upstream of the conveyors or to the loading position if the identification code is detectable, the container is moved into the second position if the identification code is not detectable, and the container is rotated for detecting the identification code, and wherein the container is then moved back into the first position. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the rotating rollers do not rotate during detection of the characteristic feature of the container contour. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a testing device determines whether or not an identification code is detectable on the container in the first position, the container is conveyed to the place located upstream of the conveyors or to the loading position if the identification code is detectable, the container is moved into the second position if the identification code is not detectable, and the container is rotated for detecting the identification code, and wherein the container is then moved back into the first position.