Packaging differentiation system for packaging comprising a characterisation element according to the type of product contents

Abstract

 A differentiating machine (1) for packaging comprising a characterisation element according to the type of product contained. The differentiating machine comprises receiving means (2) of the packaging to be differentiated, recognition means (3) able to differentiate the packaging according to said characterisation element and at least one packaging stocking site (7) connected to the respective recognition means (3). The recognition means (3) comprise at least a "lock" (4) with its own specific shape and able to recognise the corresponding plug of a packaging.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a differentiating machine for packaging comprising a characterisation element according to the type of product contents.

[0002] The problem of correct disposal and/or recycling of packaging is becoming ever more urgent and pressing. Various regulations regarding the recycling of packaging have been introduced that envisage direct involvement of the local authorities and also of manufacturers, retailers and end users. In particular, for the packaging of hazardous products, a restriction is applied according to which, once the respective products have been removed, the packaging must not be disposed of in the environment but according to particular procedures established by specific laws. Phytopharmaceutical products represent one type of hazardous product and disposal of the related packaging is governed by specific regulations.

[0003] Although these regulations exist, compliance with these is in fact often very complex and, therefore, not very efficient.

[0004] In fact, there is no physical differentiation between packaging according to its contents, nor are there any automated controls able to prevent the presence of hazardous products in the packaging to be disposed of or incorrect allocation of the different types of packaging also according to the products they contain. For this reason, at the moment, the effectiveness and correctness of disposal procedures is based exclusively on the public spirit and good will of those involved in the disposal chain.

[0005] The present invention relates to a "key-lock" differentiation system with technical characteristics such as to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, economical manner, characterising the packaging according to its physical characteristics.

[0006] The present invention relates to a differentiation system of which the main characteristics are indicated in claim 1, and of which the preferred and/or auxiliary characteristics are indicated in claims 2-9.

[0007] In order to better understand the present invention, a non-limiting preferred embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the attached drawing in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a differentiating machine comprised in the system of the present invention; and

figure 2 is a block diagram that illustrates functioning of the machine of figure 1.

[0008] In figure 1, designated as a whole by number 1 is a differentiating machine of the recycling system of the present invention. The machine 1 comprises packaging receiving means 2, and recognition means 3 connected to the receiving means 2 and characterised by a plurality of different "locks" 4, each defined by a specific shape and able to recognise a corresponding plug of a packaging.

[0009] For that purpose, the packaging must be provided with a plug with a specific shape according to the type of product contained. In this way, the packaging is classified according to the product contained and/or the type of packaging, for example the material used to manufacture the packaging, and packaging of the same class is characterised by the fact that it comprises a specific plug.

[0010] In this way, the plug will represent an effective "differentiation key" for the packaging insofar as it must be recognised by a corresponding "lock".

[0011] To prevent the possibility of the plug of one class of packaging being replaced with that of a different class, each type of plug is characterised by a thread with a specific pitch different from that of the plugs of different packaging classes.

[0012] The differentiating machine 1 comprises emptying detection means 5 arranged close to the locks 4. The emptying detection means 5 may envisage optical reading or other technologies. In order for such emptying detection means 5 to function, the packaging must comprise at least a reading window close to the plug or in the plug so that once the packaging has been placed vertically with the plug facing down so as to engage the respective lock 4, any product still present in the packaging is conveyed towards the plug and detected by the emptying detection means 5.

[0013] The machine 1 comprises emptying and rinsing means 6, useful when the emptying detection means 5 detect the presence of product in the packaging. The differentiating machine 1 comprises product quantification means 6a, placed upstream of the emptying and rinsing means 6 with the task of checking whether or not the product contained in the packaging exceeds a specific quantity. If the product contained in the packaging exceeds a pre-established quantity, the packaging is rejected by the differentiating machine 1 as it can still be used for its intended purpose.

[0014] The machine 1 also comprises packaging stocking sites 7 connected to the respective locks by means of packaging conveyor channels 8. Crushing means 9 able to release the selected packaging that has been crushed and that has therefore already been partially processed and is easier to stock, are connected to the stocking sites 7.

[0015] Lastly, the machine 1 comprises a residual product stocking site 10 and a rinsing stocking site 11, both connected to the emptying and rinsing means 6.

[0016] Differently to what has been described above, the machine according to the present invention may comprise a single lock and, therefore, a single packaging stocking site and possibly a single residual product stocking site and rinsing stocking site.

[0017] In figure 2 number 12 indicates a flow chart showing the steps performed by the machine 1.

[0018] The flow chart 1 comprises a first step F1 of receiving the packaging, followed by a second step F2 of recognition by means of lock-plug correspondence, followed by a third emptying detection step F3 performed by the emptying detection means 5.

[0019] At this point, if step F3 is positive (absence of residual product), step F3 is followed by the stocking step F4 and subsequently by the crushing step F5. Otherwise, if step F3 is negative (presence of residual product), step F3 is followed by a product quantification step F6a and, subsequently, by the emptying and rinsing step F6, after which it initiates steps F4 and F5.

[0020] According to the present invention, the recognition step F2 can be carried out with different recognition means 3 from those indicated above, provided that they are able to guarantee certain recognition of the packaging relating to one class from the packaging of other classes.

[0021] The system according to the present invention permits efficient, safe differentiation of various classes of packaging, thereby ensuring correct disposal of packaging that has come into contact with hazardous or other products, and which cannot therefore be disposed of in the environment. Furthermore, the system also guarantees correct disposal of any residual product still present in the packaging and of the rinsing water.

[0022] The presence of crushing means makes it possible to carry out a first disposal phase already in the differentiating machine.

Claims

1. Differentiation system (1) for packaging comprising a characterisation element according to the type of product contained; said differentiating machine comprising receiving means (2) of the packaging to be differentiated, recognition means (3) able to differentiate the packaging according to said characterisation element and at least one packaging stocking site (7) connected to the respective recognition means (3); said differentiating machine being characterised in that said recognition means (3) comprise at least one "lock" (4) defined by its own specific shape able to recognise a corresponding plug of a packaging.

2. Differentiation system according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of locks (4), each defined by its own specific shape and able to recognise a corresponding plug of a packaging and a plurality of packaging stocking sites (7), each connected to a specific lock (4).

3. Differentiation system according to Claim 1 o 2, characterised in that it comprises emptying detection means (5) able to detect the presence of residual product in the packaging to be disposed of.

4. Differentiation system according to Claim 3, characterised in that said emptying detection means (5) comprise an optical reading device; said packaging comprising at least a reading window close to or on the plug.

5. Differentiation system according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that it comprises product quantification means (6a), able to verify whether or not the remaining product in the packaging exceeds a pre-established quantity.

6. Differentiation system according to any of the Claims from 3 to 5, characterised in that it comprises emptying and rinsing means (6) useful in case the emptying detection means (5) detect the presence of product in the packaging.

7. Differentiation system according to Claim 6, characterised in that it comprises a stocking site of residual products (10) and a rinsing stocking site (11); both said stocking sites (10, 11) being connected to the emptying and rinsing means (6).

8. Differentiation system according to any one of the previous Claims, characterised in that said differentiating machine comprises crushing means (9) connected to said stocking sites (7).

9. Differentiation system of packaging comprising a characterisation element according to the type of product contained; said system being characterised in that it comprises a differentiating machine according to any one of the previous Claims and in that each plug having a particular shape comprises a thread with a different pitch from that of plugs of different shapes.

Drawing