Compacting and cutting apparatus, especially for scrap metal

Abstract

 A compressing and cutting apparatus, especially for scrap metal, comprising a scrap metal feeding section defined by a supporting frame with a hinged lengthwise bent supporting side wall (11) and by reversibly movable surfaces for advancing metal scrap towards the cutting device, wherein the supporting frame (1) is sloping forwards and a reversibly movable flat table (17) is arranged on the supporting frame (1), wherein a reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate (19) is disposed on the hinged lengthwise bent supporting side wall (11) for at least two-stage compression of scrap metal, while a lateral punch (30) is disposed on the supporting frame in the area of the last compression stage and a cutting device (38) for cutting the compressed scrap metal is disposed after said lateral punch (30).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a compressing and cutting apparatus, particularly for scrap metal, said apparatus comprising a scrap metal feeding section defined by a supporting frame with a swivelling lengthwise bent supporting side wall, whereon reversibly movable surfaces for advancing metal scrap towards a cutting device are disposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various machines for compressing scrap metal are known, wherein one of said machines comprises a horizontal trough with a pair of forcibly movable compression jaws extending along the entire length of the horizontal trough, whereas one of the said jaws is provided with forcibly movable upper part for downward compression of the inserted scrap metal. The upper part is an integral unit or it may be vertically divided to form two independently operated upper parts. The horizontal trough, as well as the compression jaws, form the processing chamber, into which a compressive plunger extends axially partly for the additional axial compression of the already from both sides and from above pre-compressed scrap metal, however, mainly for advancing the scrap metal into the shears area disposed at the opposite end of the horizontal trough. This machine is designed especially for compressing and subsequent cutting of large and heavy scrap metal, therefore all machine parts have considerable sturdiness and the processing chamber has the needed rigidity and accuracy. It would not be cost-effective to use such machine for cutting of lighter scrap metal, such as motor vehicle bodies. Moreover, such machine would occupy unnecessarily large operating space especially because of the considerably long compressive plunger. Further deficiency is that said plunger enables practically only an intermittent operating cycle without any possibility to refill the machine with another scrap metal during the operating cycle, because the trough has to be closed from all sides before any actuation of the compressive plunger. In general, the trough and the compression side plates are rather long, so that due to the friction of the advancing compressed scrap metal causes a considerable wear of their operating surfaces.

[0003] Another known machine comprises a trough, provided with a fixed side plate on its first side, wherein the fixed plate is connected with an upper compressing part in a manner enabling a forced swinging thereof, while on the opposite side of the trough a movable compression plate is disposed, which may be moved rectilinearly or transversally arbitrarily alternating its front or rear end movement into the compressing position.

[0004] Another known machine is provided with a pair of parallel bow-shaped jaws which may be swivelled for a successive compression of scrap metal from the first side and the second side to form an angular packet.

[0005] Another machine is based on a similar principle, having a pair of parallel, indepenently controlled arms, which may be swivelled, one of the two arms being provided with another arm which may be swivelled as well. Upon insertion of the scrap metal, all arms alternately swing until the required compression of the packet is be reached.

[0006] The majority of disclosed solutions are stationary machines complemented with shears for cutting the compressed scrap metal. Some of these solutions have also the possibility of optional mobile arrangement on a motor- or tow vehicle.

[0007] Further known machines have a body with tilted bottom which shall enable sliding of scrap metal toward the compressing elements and subsequently to a pair of shears or to a shredder. Disadvantage of such machines is the irregular sliding which results in an insufficient and inhomogeneous solidity of the compressed scrap metal.

[0008] CZ Patent No. 292877 discloses a machine for compressing, particularly scrap metal, designated for further processing, especially cutting, said machine comprising a trough type feed hopper provided with a bottom part, with a fixed side plate and an opposite swiveling side plate, the machine further comprising a feed mechanism slidingly arranged at the bottom end of the trough type feed hopper and provided with a fixed movement side plate, a movable bottom part and a swinging movable side plate, wherein to the feed mechanism a compression arm with a punch and a cutting device particularly of scrap metal is swingingly coupled with the trough type feed hopper. The main disadvantage of this solution is that the compression of scrap metal occurs in a relatively narrow trough type feed hopper having a low volume and moreover, the total volume of scrap metal is compressed in one cycle, so that a relatively high compressiing force is required. Further disadvantage of such machine is, that during operation, not only the inserted scrap metal, the feed mechanism and the compression arm with the punch and its driving mechanism, but also the complete cutting device has to be moved, wherein said cutting device is so heavy, that considerably high forces are needed for its movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the currently known machines and to design a machine, which would make possible refilling the scrap feeding section during the cutting stage of the compressed scrap metal and which would also make it possible to cut the compressed scrap metal into pieces of selected length, wherein said machine should have a more simple design and easy production, more reliable service and lower power demand than the currently known machines.

[0010] This objective is solved and the above mentioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the current machines are superseded by the compressing and cutting apparatus, particularly for scrap metal, comprising a scrap metal feeding section defined by a supporting frame, provided with a swingingly arranged lengthwise bent supporting side wall, whereon according to the invention the reversibly movable areas for advancing metal scrap towards the cutting device are disposed. It is the principle of this invention that the supporting frame is forwardly tilted, a reversibly movable flat table is disposed thereon and on the lengthwise bent supporting side wall there is a reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate designated for at least two-stage compression of scrap metal and in the area of the last compression stage there is a lateral punch disposed on the supporting frame and following said lateral punch there is a cutting device for the compressed scrap metal.

[0011] Preferably, the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate is for the purpose of at least two-stage compression of scrap metal provided with at least one salient and bent compression element, supported on the lengthwise bent supporting side wall with at least one corresponding salient supporting part.

[0012] Further, the lateral punch of the compressed scrap metal is preferably fixed on a supporting console coupled with a supporting frame and it comprises a height-adjusted compression element for entering the area above the reversibly movable flat table and below the last salient and bent compression element.

[0013] A squeezing and retaining device may be incorporated between the lateral punch and the cutting device, comprising a squeezing and retaining arm provided with a linear hydraulic motor.

[0014] According to the invention, the swinging lengthwise bent supporting side wall, the reversibly movable flat table, the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate, the lateral punch, the squeezing and retaining device and the cutting device can be combined with linear hydraulic motors, forming the actuating mechanisms.

[0015] The compressing and cutting apparatus according to the invention has the advantage in that it provides for easier refilling of the scrap metal into the scrap feeding section between the fixed side plate and the swinging side plate also during the cutting process of the compressed scrap metal. It enables cutting the compressed scrap metal into specified lengths. It is highly remarkable that the scrap metal is compressed in successive steps in at least two stages, so that for the compression a lower force suffices. This is made possible because of the fact that the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate has in addition to the basic part at least one salient and bent compression element. This arrangement provides for a greater span of a major part of the feeding section during its refilling with the scrap metal. Further distinctive advantage is that only the reversibly movable flat table with scrap metal and the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate are moved, so that a considerably smaller force is required. An indispensable advantage of this apparatus is its simpler design and easier production accompanied by a higher functional reliability and lower power demand in comparison with the currently known machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] An exemplifying embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is an axonometric front elevation view of the compressing and cutting apparatus, particularly for scrap metal, and Fig. 2 is an axonometric rear view from below of the compressing and cutting apparatus, particularly for scrap metal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The compressing and cutting apparatus according to the invention comprises a forwards tilted supporting frame 1 provided with feet 2, 3, 4, 5. The supporting frame 1 comprises a rack 6, preferably consisting of longitudinal hollow shaped elements 7 and lateral hollow shaped elements 8. A lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11, preferably comprising further longitudinal hollow shaped elements 12 and lateral hollow shaped elements 13, is to the first longitudinal side 9 of the supporting frame 1 by means of pivots 10 in a manner enabling swinging of the wall 11 above the supporting frame 1. At least one actuating mechanism is designed for actuating the swinging motion of the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11 relative to the supporting frame 1, the actuating mechanism may be for example a linear hydraulic motor 14, its first end being fixed to the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11 and its opposite end to a supporting column 15, which is attached by its lower part to a supporting console 16, fixed to the supporting frame 1. The supporting frame 1 is provided with a reversibly movable flat table 17, which is preferably provided with a front wall 18 along its front edge. A reversibly movable bent compression plate 19 is arranged on the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11 the bent compression plate 19 comprising at least one angularly salient bent compression element designed for at least two-stage compression of scrap metal. As shown in Fig. 1, there are two angularly salient bent compression elements 20, 21 forming different angles relative to the basic part 22 of the reversibly movable shaped compression plate 19, wherein the second salient bent compression element 21 is tilted at major angle than the first salient bent compression element 20. The depicted solution is designed for the three-stage compression of scrap metal. The salient bent compression elements 20, 21 of reversibly movable bent shaped compression plates 19 are supported by the corresponding angularly salient supporting parts 23, 24 provided on the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11. The reversibly movable flat table 17 is held on the supporting frame 1 for example by means of a set of straps 25 (Fig. 2) fixed from below on the reversibly movable flat table 17, while the straps enclose at least one of the hollow longitudinal shaped elements 7 allowing sliding movement. Also the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate 19 is held on the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11 for example with a further set of straps 26 fixed on its reverse side and enclosing at least one of the hollow longitudinal shaped elements 12 allowing a sliding movement. An actuating mechanism, for example a linear hydraulic motor 27, is applied for actuating the reversibly movable flat table 17,. Another actuating mechanism, for example another linear hydraulic motor 28, is applied for actuating the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate 19.

[0018] An end part of the supporting frame is formed by a solid slab 29 and a lateral punch 30 is disposed in that area. The lateral punch 30 is provided with a compression element 31 height-adjusted to enter the space above the reversibly movable flat table 17 and below the lowered second angularly salient bent compression element 21 of the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate 19. The lateral punch 30 is fixed on a part of the supporting console 16 overlapping the supporting frame 1 and it is provided with an actuating mechanism, for example a linear hydraulic motor 32 leaning on a supporting part 33 provided on the supporting console 16.

[0019] A supporting plate 34 of the second angularly salient bent compression element 21 is fixed on the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11 above the solid slab 29 of the supporting frame 1 and a squeezing and retaining device 35 for the compressed scrap metal may be disposed also next to the supporting plate 34 and may comprise a squeezing and retaining arm 36 coupled a supporting frame 1 in a swivelling manner and provided with an actuating mechanism, for example with a further linear hydraulic motor 37.

[0020] The last element of the compressing and cutting apparatus, particularly for scrap metal, is a cutting device 38. The cutting device 38 preferably includes alligator shears, the sturdy frame 39 of which is coupled to the end part of the supporting frame 1. The alligator shears comprise one fixed jaw 40 and one swinging jaw 41 provided with a movable arm 42 interconnected with the fixed jaw 40 through the linear hydraulic motor 43.

[0021] Each of linear hydraulic motors 14, 27, 28, 32, 37, 43 is coupled to a hydraulic equipment (not shown).

[0022] The compressing and cutting apparatus, particularly for scrap metal, according to the invention operates as follows:

[0023] The scrap feeding section is defined by the supporting frame 1 with the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11 and thereon disposed reversibly movable flat table 17 and the reversibly movable shaped compression plate 19 for advancing scrap metal towards the cutting device 38 and for vertical compression of the scrap metal, said scrap feeding section is at least partially filled and afterwards the operating personnel will start-up the whole apparatus by means of pressing a push button on the control equipment (not shown).

[0024] This will result in the actuation of the linear hydraulic motor 14, which will swing the lengthwise bent supporting side wall 11 along with the reversibly movable shaped compression plate 19, whose basic part 22 and the angularly salient compression elements 20, 21 will perform vertical compression of scrap metal in the first, second and third stages. During those stages the scrap metal will be compressed in the first stage mildly, then highly and finally at maximum. Afterwards the further linear hydraulic motor 27 will be actuated, which will move forward the reversibly movable flat table 17. Simultaneously the further linear hydraulic motor 28 will be actuated, which will synchronously move forward the reversibly movable shaped compression plate 19. During their movement forwards, the scrap metal is drifted by friction towards the cutting device 38, which is facilitated by tilting the whole apparatus in the forward direction. In this compressing position another linear hydraulic motor 32 of the lateral punch 30 will be actuated, which by means of its compression element 31 will perform lateral compression of already vertically precompressed scrap metal situated below the second angularly salient compression element 21.

[0025] Following this lateral compression, the linear hydraulic motor 43, coupled to the movable arm 42 of the cutting device 38 will be actuated, which will initiate cutting movement of the swinging jaw 41 towards the fixed jaw 40 of the cutting device 38, thereby cutting a part of the compressed scrap metal. During the cutting stage another linear hydraulic motor 37 will be actuated, thereby initiating vertical movement of the squeezing and retaining arm 36 of the squeezing and retaining device 35 and thereby initiating the final compression and holding of the compressed scrap metal in the reached position. Further the backwards swing of the reversibly movable shaped compression plate 19 will follow and finally it will move backwards along with the reversibly movable flat table 17 into their starting position. Afterwards the backward movement of the compression element 31 of the lateral punch 30 will be initiated, followed by the backward movement of the squeezing and retaining arm 36 of the squeezing and retaining device 35 and of the swinging jaw 41 of the cutting device 38. After refilling the scrap feeding section with another scrap metal the above described operating cycle is repeated.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0026] The compressing and cutting apparatus according to the invention can be utilized for processing particularly scrap metal. It can be also utilized for processing other materials, such as plastics or wood.

List of reference signs

[0027] 

1

supporting frame

2

foot

3

foot

4

foot

5

foot

6

rack

7

hollow longitudinal shaped element

8

hollow cross shaped element

9

longitudinal side

10

pivot

11

lengthwise bent supporting side wall

12

hollow longitudinal shaped element

13

hollow cross shaped element

14

linear hydraulic motor

15

supporting column

16

supporting console

17

reversibly movable flat table

18

front wall

19

reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate

20

first salient bent compression element

21

second salient bent compression element

22

basic part

23

salient supporting part

24

salient supporting part

25

strap

26

strap

27

linear hydraulic motor

28

linear hydraulic motor

29

solid slab

30

lateral punch

31

compression element

32

linear hydraulic motor

33

supporting part

34

supporting plate

35

squeezing and retaining device

36

squeezing and retaining arm

37

linear hydraulic motor

38

cutting device

39

sturdy frame

40

fixed jaw

41

swinging jaw

42

movable arm

43

linear hydraulic motor

Claims

1. A compressing and cutting apparatus, especially for scrap metal, comprising a scrap metal feeding section defined by a supporting frame with a hinged lengthwise bent supporting side wall (11) and by reversibly movable surfaces for advancing metal scrap towards the cutting device, characterized in that the supporting frame (1) is sloping forwards and a reversibly movable flat table (17) is arranged on the supporting frame (1), wherein a reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate (19) is disposed on the hinged lengthwise bent supporting side wall (11) for at least two-stage compression of scrap metal, while a lateral punch (30) is disposed on the supporting frame in the area of the last compression stage and a cutting device (38) for cutting the compressed scrap metal is disposed after said lateral punch (30).

2. A compressing and cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that for at least two-stage compression of the scrap metal the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate (19) is provided with at least one salient and bent compression element (20, 21) supported on the lengthwise bent supporting side wall (11) by at least one corresponding salient supporting part (23, 24).

3. A compressing and cutting apparatus as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lateral punch (30) for the compressed scrap metal is fixed on a supporting console (16) which is attached to the supporting frame (1) and it comprises a compression element (31) which is height-adjusted for entering the space above the reversibly movable flat table (17) and below the last salient bent compression element (21).

4. A compressing and cutting apparatus according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a squeezing and retaining device (35) is inserted between the lateral punch (30) and the cutting device (38), said squeezing and retaining device (35) comprising a squeezing and retaining arm (36) provided with a linear hydraulic motor (37).

5. A compressing and cutting apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 4, characterized in that linear hydraulic motors (14, 27, 28, 32, 37, 43) used as actuating mechanisms are coupled to the swinging lengthwise bent supporting side wall (11), to the reversibly movable flat table (17), to the reversibly movable bent shaped compression plate (19), to the lateral punch (30), to the squeezing and retaining device (35) and to the cutting device (38).

Drawing