APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EMPTYING CONTAINERS WITH PERFORATION DEVICE

Abstract

Apparatus for emptying containers and in particular plastic containers with a first holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a first section of the container, with a second holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a second section of the container, wherein the first holding device and the second holding device are movable with respect to one another in order to compress the container located between these holding devices, and with a removal device in order to remove liquid from the container via a mouth thereof. According to the invention the apparatus has a perforation device which perforates at least a wall region of the container.

Claims

1. Apparatus for emptying containers and in particular plastic containers with a first holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a first section of the container, with a second holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a second section of the container, wherein the first holding device and the second holding device are movable with respect to one another in order to compress the container located between these holding devices, and with a removal device in order to remove liquid from the container via a mouth thereof, wherein the apparatus has a perforation device which perforates at least one wall region of the container.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a piercing device in order to puncture a container closure arranged on the container.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the perforation device has a mechanical perforation element which punctures a wall of the container.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first retaining device receives a base section of the container and/or the second holding device receives a mouth region of the container.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the perforation device is arranged on at least one of the two holding devices.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the perforation device has a driving device which moves the perforation element relative to the container.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the driving device moves the perforation element in a direction which has at least a component which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the container.

8. Method for emptying containers, wherein the container is arranged between a first holding device and a second holding device and these holding devices are moved towards one another in order to compress the container arranged between these holding devices, and wherein at least at times during this compression operation liquid is removed from the container via the mouth thereof, and thus this container is at least partially emptied, wherein during or after the emptying process at least one wall section of the container is perforated.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the wall section is perforated by a mechanical perforation element.

10. Method according to claim 8, wherein the perforation of the container takes place automatically.

Description

[0039] Further advantages and embodiments are apparent from the appended drawings.

[0040] In the drawings:

[0041] FIGS. 1a-c show an apparatus for emptying containers according to the prior art;

[0042] FIGS. 2a, 2b show two representations of containers;

[0043] FIGS. 3a, 3b show two representations to illustrate a piercing operation;

[0044] FIGS. 4a, 4b show two representations to illustrate the mode of operation of an apparatus for emptying the containers;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows an apparatus for emptying containers with a perforation device;

[0046] FIG. 6a-6c show a representation of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 7a-7c show a representation of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

[0048] FIG. 8 shows a further representation of an embodiment according to the invention.

[0049] FIGS. 1a to 1c show three representations of an apparatus 1 for emptying containers. In this case FIGS. 1a-1c show three positions of the apparatus 1 in different states of compression or emptying of the apparatus. For better clarity the references have only been added in the left and right part-figures. The apparatus 1 has a first holding device 2 which is suitable and intended for receiving a base region of the container 10 to be compressed.

[0050] The reference 4 designates a second holding device which in this case is designed as a die, and which is suitable for receiving a second region of the container 10, in particular a mouth region. In operation the first holding device 2 is advanced towards the second holding device 4 (i.e. moved upwards in this case), in order thus to compress the container 10 and to press the liquid, for example water, from the container.

[0051] The reference numeral 20 designates as a whole a removal device which serves for withdrawal of the liquid from the container. This removing device has inter alia a removal line 22 by means of which the liquid is removed.

[0052] The reference 12 designates an advancing device which serves to advance the first holding device 2 to the second holding device 4. This advancing device 12 has a driving device 16, such as an electric motor, which can for example drive a spindle 18 which in this way brings about an advance of the first holding device in the direction of the second holding device 4. In the event of the in FIG. 1b illustrated situation is the container approximately half emptied and in the event of the in FIG. 1c Illustrated situation is the container extensive compressed and so that even extensive emptied. The reference L designates a longitudinal direction of the container along which the container is compressed. The container is in particular a plastic container.

[0053] FIGS. 2a and 2b show two representations of containers 10. These containers have a base region 10a which is received by the first holding device 2. The reference 10b relates to a mouth region of the mouth 10c. The container is closed by a closure 11. A piercing device 26 arranged on the removal line 22 is pushed for withdrawal of liquid through a region of the closure 11. The reference 42 designates a guiding device for guiding this removal device 26.

[0054] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a detailed representation of this piercing device 26. It will be seen that this piercing device can penetrate a region 11c of the closure 11. The closure 11 is advantageously constructed in two parts and has a more stable element 11b, as well as a more flexible element 11a, also contains the surface 11c which serves for piercing. FIG. 3b shows a corresponding closure with the piercing device 26 already introduced.

[0055] FIGS. 4a and 4b again illustrates the principle of the present invention. In this case again in FIG. 4a a container 10 is shown which, however, is already in a folded-together or compressed state. This container 10 has a base region 10a, a mouth region 10b, a mouth 10c, and a closure 11. The second holding device 4 is adapted in such a way that the containeras mentioned abovecan be emptied or folded together in an ideal manner.

[0056] FIG. 4b illustrates this state. In this case the container is received precisely between the two holding devices 2 and 4, wherein the second holding device 4 also has a recess 44 to receive the mouth region of the container. Inside the second holding device 4 a piercing device (not shown) for piercing the container closure 11 can be provided.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the invention. In this case it is possible again to see the structure shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, wherein the container is arranged between the two holding devices 2 and 4. In this embodiment a perforation element 52 is arranged by means of a guiding device 54 on a (stationary) support 56. As soon as the container is completely emptied, the perforation element 52 can move out and penetrate the vessel wall. Thus the perforation element 52 here is in the form of a spike, a blade or a drill bit arranged laterally on the arm 56. The hole introduced into the container prevents a refilling or expansion of the container. The reference 60 relates to the perforation device as a whole.

[0058] FIGS. 6a-6c show a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the perforation element 52 together with the guiding device 54 are integrated into the base part or the first holding device 2. As soon as (cf. Figure c) the container is completely compressed, here too the perforation element 52 will penetrate the container wall (cf. FIG. 6c).

[0059] In this case the now rolled-in container is still located on the second holding device 4. The perforation element 52 here is pressed or rotated through the vessel wall in order to destroy the container 10. Thus the perforation element 52 here is arranged in the base cup. Ideally the perforation element creates two holes, since it pierces through the double wall of the (rolled-in) container.

[0060] FIGS. 7a-c show a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the perforation element is integrated into the second holding device 4, i.e. the die. As shown in FIG. 7c, here again the container is arranged on the second holding device 4, but the perforation element acts outwards and so penetrates the container wall. Here again the guiding device 54 is illustrated which supports the perforation element.

[0061] Furthermore, the apparatus could have trigger means (not shown), which automatically implement or initiate a perforation of the container when the two holding devices 2 and 4 are arranged close to one another in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7c.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the perforation is implement during removal of the container from the second holding device 4 or the die. After the container 10 is emptied, the tap system moves down the base cup 2. Simultaneously the hook 32 illustrated in FIG. 8 pulls the container from the die or the second holding device 4. A perforation element 34, which destroys the container as it is pulled down could also be integrated in this hook. In addition it would also be conceivable that a sharp blade makes an elongate cut in the container as the base cup moves down.

[0063] Furthermore it would also be possible that this cutting is also used in order to release the container more easily from the second holding device 4. In this case it would be conceivable that this cut is complete and thus after penetration of the cut the container can be more easily removed from the second holding device 4. In this case it would be conceivable that a groove which co-operates with such a blade or into which this blade can enter is provided in particular so that it runs in a straight line in the longitudinal direction in the holding device on the outer perimeter thereof. In this way a cut could be produced more easily in the container wall.

[0064] In additionin contrast to what is shown in the drawingsit would also be conceivable that a drill bit drills through the closure and the thread region of the container in order to destroy this region.

[0065] The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention in so far as they are individually or in combination novel over the prior art. Furthermore it is pointed out that features which may be advantageous per se have also been described in the individual drawings. The person skilled in the art recognises immediately that a specific feature described in a drawing may also be advantageous without the incorporation of further features from this drawing. Furthermore the person skilled in the art recognises that advantages may also result from a combination of several features shown in individual drawings or in different drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0066] 1 apparatus [0067] 2 first holding device [0068] 4 second holding device [0069] 10 container to be compressed [0070] 10a base region [0071] 10b mouth region [0072] 10c mouth [0073] 11 closure [0074] 11a more flexible element of the closure [0075] 11b more stable element of the closure [0076] 11c region of the closure [0077] 12 advancing device [0078] 16 driving device [0079] 18 spindle [0080] 20 removing device [0081] 22 removal line/liquid pipe [0082] 26 piercing device [0083] 32 hook [0084] 34 perforation element [0085] 42 guiding device [0086] 44 recess [0087] 50 perforation device [0088] 52 perforation element [0089] 54 guiding device [0090] 56 support [0091] L longitudinal direction of the container