COMPACTOR DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a compactor device for containers in the domestic scope, configured to give the containers a flat shape and let the flattened containers fall into a collection bin. It has the advantage that the plastic containers do not regain volume after compaction, such that a much greater amount of container waste can be stored in the same space.

Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention

[0002] Container waste occupies a large volume, such that its accumulation in the home is complicated until it is removed from the residence, due to the overall limited space available. To solve the problem, limited manual compression of the containers when they are thrown into their waste bin and the very frequent removal of these containers from the home to the urban selective collection bin is common practice. For the responsible citizen who is committed to recycling, the inconvenience of carrying out these tasks is greater for those with reduced strength or mobility, such that the difficulty in storing container waste in the home prevents recycling from being carried out.

[0003] Container compression and compaction equipment at the industrial level which reduce waste volume are known in the state of the art, but they have no application for home use. For example, the document US5139205A describes a system for compressing plastics, paper, glass and metal, and the document WO91/13010A1 describes a waste treatment machine for home use.

[0004] Mechanical compactors and domestic crushers for waste which are configured as high volume, stand-alone equipment have also been developed.

[0005] The document GB2455232A, which discloses a compactor for domestic refuse that comprises a lower crushing mechanism and two side crushing mechanisms, and also includes cooperating crushing surfaces corresponding to each of the crushing mechanisms and a single actuator for all of the crushing mechanisms, is known.

[0006] The document ES2478691B2 of the same holder as the present patent application, which discloses a compactor device for containers according to the preamble of claim 1 but which neither has anti-entrapment safety characteristics at the machine outlet described by the current application, nor control of the operating times that improves the operation of the device with respect to said document ES2478691B2, is known.

[0007] A compactor device for containers is provided by means of the device object of the invention, which, in a simple, safe and automatic way, very significantly reduces the volume of container waste accumulated in the home prior to its transfer to the collection bin.

Description of the invention

[0008] The compactor device according to the invention is defined by claim 1 and its operating procedure is defined by claim 11. The invention that is described discloses a compactor device for containers that comprises a fixed part and a removable drawer of the fixed part.

[0009] The fixed part comprises a structure that houses a mechanical compression system that comprises a mobile plate configured to slide towards the fixed plate of the drawer.

[0010] The drawer comprises a front plate, a back plate, a support plate, a tilting plate and the fixed plate that faces the mobile plate and is configured to receive a container.

[0011] The tilting plate comprises an "L" shape with two limbs, such that a first limb of the tilting plate fixes the tilting plate to a first spring, and the first spring is also fixed to the support plate; in addition, the second limb of the tilting plate forms a "V" shape with the fixed plate, where this "V" configures the outlet of the device.

[0012] The fixed plate of the drawer is inclined, such that if a container that is going to be compacted still contains liquid, the fixed plate guides that liquid away from the lower heat transmitter when it is compacted, thus protecting the system that provides heat to the device object of the invention.

[0013] The compactor device for containers object of the invention comprises an opening mechanism of the tilting plate which is configured to keep the tilting plate still while the mobile plate moves towards the fixed plate and is configured to make said tilting plate tilt when the mobile plate moves away from the fixed plate.

[0014] The fixed part of the device object of the invention comprises an outer case configured to protect the device.

[0015] Furthermore, the opening mechanism of the tilting plate prevents access to the inside of the device from the outlet of the device during the time that the compaction operation of the container is carried out, such that an accident related to the entrapment of a hand or finger cannot occur while the device is performing compaction.

[0016] The opening mechanism of the tilting plate of the compactor device for containers object of the invention comprises a first piece, with an "L" shape, which is fixed to a first fixed point on the joint of the limbs of the "L", configured to rotate around said first fixed point, and joined to a fixed point of the structure by means of a second spring; it also comprises a second piece, with a "T" shape, which is fixed to a second fixed point on the joint of the flanges and web of the "T", configured to rotate around said second fixed point, and joined to a fixed point of the structure by means of a third spring.

[0017] The first piece comes in contact with the second piece, where one end of the "L" of the first piece is on top of one end of a flange of the "T" of the second piece; wherein the first piece is configured to receive a push from the mobile plate on the limb opposite to the one in contact with the second piece by means of a first lug of said mobile plate, such that the first piece, rotated in a first direction, presses on the second piece, which, in turn, rotates and presses on the tilting plate and, when rotated in the opposite direction of the first direction, avoids contact with the second piece; wherein both the first piece as well as the second piece return to their initial position thanks to the springs.

[0018] The compactor device for containers object of the invention also comprises a system that provides heat, which comprises two independent heat transmitters in the mechanical compression system.

[0019] The fixed part comprises an outer case configured to protect the device, which allows it to be installed as an additional electrodomestic appliance on a kitchen unit.

[0020] The mechanical compression system of the device object of the invention, in addition to the mobile plate, comprises:

• a screw connected to an engine, the screw comprises a first half with threading in one direction of rotation and a second half with threading in the opposite direction of rotation of the first half of the screw,
• a first nut threaded onto the first half of the screw, which comprises a first extension,
• a second nut threaded onto the second half of the screw, which comprises a second extension,
• a rod that is parallel and eccentric to the screw, configured to receive the extensions of the nuts,
• push bars fixed to the nuts at one end and joined to the center of the mobile plate at the other end,
• support bars joined together on one end, and with the other end supported on the mobile plate by means of sliding supports.

[0021] The configuration of the push bars, along with the support bars and the sliding supports on the mobile plate keep the mobile plate parallel to the fixed plate so that the compaction conditions are optimal; furthermore, the rotation of the screw moves the nuts onto that screw, moving the mobile plate, and the extensions introduced into the parallel bar make the nuts move in the direction of the screw without rotating.

[0022] The compactor device for containers object of the invention comprises reduction gear between the engine and the screw, thus improving control of the movement of the nuts, and therefore, the movement of the mobile plate that carries out compaction.

[0023] The screw of the compactor device for containers object of the invention is fixed to the structure by means of a bearing located on the end opposite to the engine, so that the screw is fixed to fixed points on its two ends, where the stability of the screw is greater than if it were simply fixed to the engine and supported the nuts.

[0024] In the compactor device for containers object of the invention, the heating system for the containers comprises an upper transmitter housed inside the structure and a lower transmitter housed inside the structure, wherein each transmitter has a reflector incorporated onto the structure configured to direct heat towards the container increasing the work efficiency of the heat transmitters.

[0025] The compactor device for containers object of the invention comprises detectors of the position of the mobile plate and of the position of the drawer configured to prevent the undesired operation of the device.

[0026] The compactor device for containers object of the invention comprises a control electronic board that commands the movements and heating times of each heat transmitter.

[0027] In the compactor device for containers object of the invention the control board incorporates a microprocessor and a plurality of relays configured to automatically turn on and off each heat transmitter independently, as well as the start-up, shutdown and reverse movement of the engine.

[0028] The compactor device for containers comprises an on/off button, a control button to compact plastic containers and a control button to compact non-plastic containers, such that both plastic and non-plastic waste can be treated by means of the same device and a single compaction mechanism, so that they fall into the same selective collection bin that, according to Spanish legislation, should collect containers of the aforementioned materials, although plastic and/or cardboard containers should go to different bins.

[0029] The operating procedure of the compactor device for containers object of the invention comprises the following steps:

• remove the drawer;
• introduce a container into the drawer;
• close the drawer;
• push an actuator button, either the control button to compact plastic containers or the control button to compact non-plastic containers;
• if the container is made of plastic, the upper transmitter and lower transmitter are activated on a differentiated basis; if the container is not made of plastic, this step is not necessary;
• a mobile plate moves forward toward a fixed plate of the drawer, and
• the mobile plate then moves backwards.

Description of the figures

[0030] To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, the present specification is accompanied by a set of figures constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represent the following:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device object of the invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device object of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the compression mechanism with the mobile plate in an intermediate position of movement.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drawer in which the waste to be compacted is deposited.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the opening mechanism of the tilting plate incorporated onto the device object of the invention.

[0031] The various numerical references found in the figures correspond to the following elements:

1.- fixed part,

2.- drawer,

3.- support,

4a, 4b, 4c.- buttons,

5.- case,

6.- structure,

7.- mechanical compression system,

8.- mobile plate,

9a, 9b.- heat transmitter,

10.- engine,

11.- fixed plate,

12.- tilting plate,

13.- spring,

14.- reduction gear,

15.- screw,

15a.- first half of the screw,

15b.- second half of the screw,

16.- rod,

17a, 17b.- nuts,

18.- push bars,

19.- bearing,

20.- sliding support,

21.- support bars,

22.- back plate,

23.- guide,

24.- handle,

25.- front plate,

26.- support plate,

27.- reflector,

28a, 28b.- extensions,

29.- first lug,

30.- second lug,

31.- first rotating part,

32.- second rotating part,

33.- first fixed point,

34.- second spring,

35.- second fixed point,

36.- third spring, and

37.- opening mechanism of the tilting plate.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0032] The device object of the invention is intended to facilitate the home storage of container waste (bottles, carton packaging, cans, etc.) by means of the compression of said waste and to therefore reduce the number of times it must be then transferred to the public bin.

[0033] The device object of the invention is a compactor device for containers that can possibly be fixed to a kitchen unit, such that it is incorporated inside said kitchen unit. The container to be compacted is received by a sliding drawer integrated into the device, and plastic containers or other types of containers can be compressed by pushing the corresponding control button on the equipment. Once compacted, the container falls by gravity through the bottom of apparatus, away from it.

[0034] The device object of the invention comprises a fixed part (1) and a drawer (2) that can be removed from the fixed part (1) wherein, once removed, the container that is to be compacted is deposited.

[0035] The fixed part (1) of the device object of the invention (shown in figure 1) comprises:

• a structure (6) to which a mechanical compression system (7) is fixed,
• a system for providing heat formed by two heat transmitters (9a, 9b),
• an outer case (5) wherein a support (3) is located in order to fix the device to a kitchen unit,
• a plurality of control and actuator buttons (4), and
• the guide, detection and wiring system.

[0036] The mechanical compression system (7) (shown in figure 3) is located inside the fixed part (1) and moves a mobile plate (8) towards the fixed plate (11) of the drawer (2).

[0037] The mechanical compression system (7) comprises an engine (10) joined to reduction gear (14), where the reduction gear (14) is joined to a screw (15) that is divided in two parts: a first half (15a) with threading that rotates in one direction and a second half (15b) with threading that rotates in the direction opposite the rotational direction of the threading of the first half (15a). A first nut (17a) is threaded onto the first half of the screw (15), and a second nut (17b) is threaded onto the second half of the screw (15).

[0038] The screw (15) is fixed to the support structure (6) by a bearing (19) located on the end opposite to the joint of the reduction gear (14), said reduction gear (149 also being fixed to the structure (6) in such a way that the screw (15) is fixed to the structure (6) at the two ends of the screw (15).

[0039] The nuts (17a, 17b) that thread onto the two halves (15a, 15b) of the screw (15) comprise an extension (28) that joins each nut to a rod (16) that is parallel and eccentric to the screw (15) such that the nuts (17a, 17b) slide along the rod (16) and the screw (15) by means of the extensions (28) of each nut (17a, 17b), but do not cause the nuts themselves to rotate (17a, 17b). With this configuration, the rotation of the engine (10) moves the nuts (17a, 17b) along the screw (15), moving them closer or away from each other according to the rotational direction of the engine (10), with the particularity that the distance of movement of each nut (17a, 17b) is equal, but in opposite directions.

[0040] The mechanical compression system (7) also comprises push bars (18) that are fixed at one end to the nuts (17a, 17b) and they are joined together and to the center of the mobile plate (8) at the opposite end. The joints can be rotated and therefore, when the nuts (17a, 17b) are positioned the farthest away from each other, the mobile plate (8) will be completely retracted, such that the drawer (2), in which the container to be compressed is placed, can be removed. With the mobile plate (8) in a retracted position, the compression movement begins by rotating the screw (15) which moves the nuts (17a, 17b) together, thus making the mobile plate (8) move towards the fixed plate (11) in the drawer (2), compressing the waste that has been placed in said drawer (2).

[0041] To prevent the mobile plate (8) from pivoting around the joint with the push bars (18), the mechanical compression system (7) comprises four support bars (21) joined together in pairs on one end which are also joined to the screw (15) and are joined to the push bars (18) at the middle; the other end has a sliding support (20) that slides along the mobile plate (8) and is in permanent contact with said mobile plate (8).

[0042] Given the configuration of the push bars (18), the support bars (21) and the sliding supports (20) during the forward and backward movement of the mobile plate (8), said mobile plate (8) is always parallel to the fixed plate (11). The push bars (18) and the support bars (21) are located at different levels so that there is no interference in their movement.

[0043] To guide the movement of the sliding supports (20) along the mobile plate (8), said mobile plate (8) comprises, on the face opposite to the one pressing against the container, a central piece and two lateral pieces that have a cross-sectional section in a "U" shape, such that the limbs of the U guide the support bars (21) with the sliding supports (20) on its ends, moving them along the mobile plate (8).

[0044] The drawer (2) of the device (shown in figure 4) comprises a front plate (25) that houses a handle (24), a back plate (22) parallel to the front plate (25), a support plate (26) and a fixed plate (11) that are perpendicular to both the back plate (22) and the front plate; furthermore, it comprises a tilting plate (12) supported on a first spring (13), with the first spring (13) also supported on the support plate (26). The front plate (25), the back plate (22), the fixed plate (11) and the tilting plate (12) configure housing to deposit the container to be compacted.

[0045] The tilting plate (12) of the device object of the invention has an "L" shape, where one limb of the "L" is fixed to the first spring (13) and the other limb of the "L" faces the fixed plate (11) and forms a "V" with the fixed plate (11), this "V" configuring the outlet of the housing once the container has been compacted; in addition, the "V" of the tilting plate (12) prevents access to the inside of the device from the outlet, thus increasing the safety of the device when it is operating. The tilting plate (12) is also pushed by the mobile plate (8) of the mechanical compression system (7) by means of an opening mechanism of the tilting plate (37) (see figure 5). Thus, when the mobile plate (8) moves forward, while the container is being compressed at the same time, the tilting plate (12) tilts, and when the mobile plate (8) returns to its initial position, the tilting plate (12) returns to its position thanks to the first spring (13).

[0046] The opening mechanism of the tilting plate (37) in the preferred embodiment of the invention is a mechanical mechanism that comprises:

• a first piece (31) in an "L" shape that is fixed to a first fixed point (33) on the joint of the limbs of the "L", such that it rotates around said first fixed point (33); in addition, it joins, by means of a second spring (34), to a fixed point of the structure (6), where, even if the first piece (31) changes its position around the first fixed point (33), it always returns to its initial position thanks to the second spring (34), and
• a second piece (32) in a "T" shape that is fixed to a second fixed point (35) on the joint of the flanges and web of the "T", such that the second piece (32) rotates around said second fixed point (35); in addition, it joins, by means of a third spring (36), to a fixed point of the structure (6), where, even if the second rotational piece (32) changes its position around the second fixed point (35), it always returns to its initial position thanks to the third spring (34).

[0047] The first piece (31) and the second piece (32) are joined together, with a limb of the "L" of the first piece (31) supported on a limb of the "T" of the second piece (32), where the two pieces (31, 32) are in a resting state.

[0048] The operation of the opening mechanism of the tilting plate (37) is as follows: as the mobile plate (8) moves forward, by means of a first lug (29) incorporated onto the mobile plate (8), it pushes the first piece (31) along the limb opposite the one in contact with the second piece (32) in a rotational direction, so that it does not interfere with the second piece (32) until the first lug (29) exceeds the first piece (31) which returns to its initial position; the mobile plate (8) continues to move towards the fixed plate (11), compacting the container; once the container has been compacted, the mobile plate (8) begins to move backwards, and the first lug (29) once again comes in contact with the first piece (31), which begins to turn in the opposite direction; this rotation of the first piece (31) pushes the second piece (32) that rotates, such that one end of the web of the "T" of the second piece (32) pushes the tilting plate (12) on a second lug (30); it does so in such a way that the tilting plate (12) begins to tilt and allows the compacted container to exit; when the first lug (29) of the mobile plate (8) exceeds the first piece (31) thanks to both the second spring (34) and the third spring (36), the two rotational pieces (31, 32) return to their initial position and the tilting plate (12) closes the outlet of the device.

[0049] Thanks to the opening mechanism of the tilting plate (37) explained above, it is impossible to access the inside of the device while the mobile plate (8) is compacting the container, thus offering the necessary safety characteristics for a device of this type.

[0050] The already compacted containers exit through the vertex of the "V" that results from the arrangement of the fixed plate (11) and tilting plate (12) once the mobile plate (8) has moved the maximum distance towards the fixed plate (11) and the tilting plate (12) has tilted, pushed by that mobile plate (8) and allowing the compacted container to exit.

[0051] The container is deposited in the housing of the drawer (2) with said drawer (2) removed so that the drawer (2), with the incorporated container, can then be introduced inside the fixed part (1). The container is compacted by the mobile plate (8) as it moves closer to the fixed plate (11), and thanks to the fact that the tilting plate (12) is supported on the first spring (13) and can tilt on an axis parallel to the support plate (26) as the container is compressed, it assures that the stretching of the container in a direction perpendicular to the compression direction always remains within the width of the plates that hold the aforementioned container, ensuring the flat shape of the compressed container.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first spring (13) is a torsion spring with two limbs that form approximately 90 degrees between them, such that the tilting plate (12) that has an "L" shape has one limb of the L joined to a limb of the first spring (13) and, as previously mentioned, the other limb of the "L" prevents access to the inside of the device object of the invention, thus increasing the operational safety of the device object of the invention with respect to those known in the state of the art.

[0053] The drawer (2) also comprises at least two sliding, guide and positioning guides (23) to move the drawer (2) with respect to the fixed part (1) of the device.

[0054] The drawer (2) can be completely removed from the fixed part (1) and has a lightweight design, where the structure (6) supports the deformation of the fixed plate (11) of the drawer when compression is carried out.

[0055] The heating system is fixed to the structure (6) of the fixed part (1) where, as previously described, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises two heat transmitters (9a, 9b) that heat the container through radiation; the two heat transmitters (9a, 9b) are located in a longitudinal way in the sliding direction of the drawer (2) without interfering in its movements or in the movements of the mechanical compression system (7). The heating system comprises an upper transmitter (9a) to heat the upper part of the container and a lower transmitter (9b) to heat the lower part of the container, preventing the compacted container from returning to its original shape on its sides that were not heated. Each transmitter (9a, 9b) has a reflector (27) to reflect heat onto the surface of the container introduced into the drawer (2). Due to the action of the heat transmitters (9a, 9b), the plastic container increases its temperature until it begins to contract. Furthermore, due to the action of the heat, the heat-compressed plastic container maintains its flattened shape when cooled, without regaining volume.

[0056] The configuration of the drawer (2) with the fixed plate (11) inclined inside the drawer (2) allows the container located between the heat transmitters (9a, 9b) to be heated, but prevents any liquid that remains inside the container during the compacting process from falling onto said heat transmitters (9a, 9b), specifically the lower transmitter (9b).

[0057] The device also has detectors of the positions of the mobile plate (8) and drawer (2), and it incorporates an electronic control board that commands the movements and heating times of each heat transmitter (9a, 9b). It also has an on/off button (4a), a control button to compact plastic containers (4b) and a control button to compact non-plastic containers (4c). The control board incorporates a microprocessor and several relays that can automatically turn on and turn off each heat transmitter (9a, 9b) independently, as well as the start-up, shutdown and reverse rotation of the engine (10), allowing both plastic and non-plastic containers to be automatically compacted. The electronic control simultaneously allows for the device to move the mobile plate (8) and for heating through the heating system to achieve optimal compaction with minimum energy consumption.

[0058] The device also has a light that indicates if it is prepared to receive a container, if it is compacting plastic containers, or if another type of container is being compacted. It also indicates if there is an error and, given a possible power cut, it returns to its initial position, preventing any movement from being carried out if the inside has been accessed.

[0059] The operation of the device is as follows:

• remove the drawer (2) so that said removal is possible, the mobile plate (8) is retracted inside the device and is parallel to the fixed plate (11) of the drawer;
• introduce a container into the drawer (2);
• close the drawer (2); if it is not completely closed, the device will not turn on the ready signal and it will not operate,

• push an actuator button, either the control button to compact plastic containers or the control button to compact non-plastic containers (4c);
• if the container is made of plastic, the upper transmitter (9a) and lower transmitter (9b) are activated on a differentiated basis; if the container is not made of plastic, this step is not necessary;
• the compression mechanism (7) is activated with a forward movement of the mobile plate (8) that is parallel to the fixed plate (11) of the drawer (2) until the container is compressed, and a later backward movement of the mobile plate (8), thus releasing the already compacted container;
• the already compacted container falls by gravity through the gap of the drawer (2) located between the fixed plate (11) and the tilting plate (12);
• collection from the compacted container by a bin located under the device;
• move the mobile plate (8) backwards until it reaches its initial position.

[0060] This equipment facilitates the domestic removal of containers and recycling since the discarded containers are stored separately from the rest of the domestic refuse. Thus, it is very easy to get rid of the used containers, since the user only has to slide the drawer of the electrodomestic appliance located on the kitchen unit, opening it to throw away the container and, after closing it, pressing an activation button; then the container will fall into the bin that has been placed to collect and store the waste. This generates greater storage capacity in the same space and decreases how often the user should take the waste to the public bin.

[0061] The invention should not be taken to be limited to the embodiment described in this document. Those skilled in the art can develop other embodiments in light of the description made herein. As such, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A compactor device for containers that comprises a fixed part (1) and a removable drawer (2) of the fixed part (1), wherein the fixed part (1) comprises a structure (6) that houses a mechanical compression system (7) that comprises a mobile plate (8), and wherein the drawer (2) comprises a front plate (25), a back plate (22), a support plate (26), a tilting plate (12), and a fixed plate (11) facing the mobile plate (8), wherein the fixed plate (11) of the drawer (2) is configured to receive a container, and the mobile plate (8) of the mechanical compression system (7) is configured to move towards the fixed plate (11) of the drawer (2) where:

- the tilting plate (12) comprises an "L" shape with two limbs, such that a first limb of the tilting plate (12) fixes the tilting plate (12) to a first spring (13), and the first spring (13) is also fixed to the support plate (26); and a second limb of the tilting plate (12) forms a "V" shape with the fixed plate (11), where this "V" configures the outlet of the device;

- it comprises an opening mechanism (37) of the tilting plate (12) configured to keep the tilting plate (12) still while the mobile plate (8) moves towards the fixed plate (11) and is configured to make said tilting plate (12) tilt when the mobile plate (8) moves away from the fixed plate (11);

- the fixed plate (11) is arranged in an inclined position,

- the fixed part (1) comprises an outer case (5) configured to protect the device; characterized in that the opening mechanism (37) of the tilting plate (12) prevents access to the inside of the device from the outlet of the device during container compaction, and that the opening mechanism of the tilting plate (12) comprises:

- a first piece (31) in an "L" shape fixed to a first fixed point (33) on the joint of the limbs of the "L", configured to rotate around said first fixed point (33), and joining by means of a second spring (34), to a fixed point of the structure (6), and

- a second piece (32) in a "T" shape that is fixed to a second fixed point (35) on the joint of the flanges and web of the "T", configured to rotate around said second fixed point (35), and joining by means of a third spring (36) to a fixed point of the structure (6),

wherein the first piece (31) comes in contact with the second piece (32), where one end of the "L" of the first piece (31) is on top of one end of a flange of the "T" of the second piece (32), and wherein the first piece (31) is configured to receive a push from the mobile plate (8) on the limb opposite to the one in contact with the second piece (32) by means of a first lug (29) of said mobile plate (8), such that the first piece (31), rotated in a first direction, presses on the second piece (32), which, in turn, rotates and presses on the tilting plate (12) and, when rotated in the opposite direction of the first direction, avoids contact with the second piece (32), and wherein both the first piece (31) as well as the second piece (32) return to their initial position thanks to the springs (34, 36).

2. The compactor device for containers according claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a system that provides heat, which comprises two independent heat transmitters (9a, 9b) in the mechanical compression system (7).

3. The compactor device for containers according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical compression system (7), in addition to the mobile plate (8), comprises:

- a screw (15) connected to an engine (10), the screw (15) comprising a first half (15a) with threading in one direction of rotation and a second half (15b) with threading in the opposite direction of rotation of the first half (15a) of the screw (15),

- a first nut (17a) threaded onto the first half (15a) of the screw (15), which comprises a first extension (28a),

- a second nut (17b) threaded onto the second half (15b) of the screw (15), which comprises a second extension (28b),

- a rod (16) that is parallel and eccentric to the screw (15), configured to receive the extensions (28a, 28b) of the nuts (17a, 17b), such that the nuts move towards the screw (15) without rotating,

- push bars (18) fixed to the nuts (17a, 17b) at one end and joined to the center of the mobile plate (8) at the other end,

- support bars (21) joined together on one end, and with the other end supported on the mobile plate (8) by means of sliding supports (20),

wherein the push bars (18), along with the support bars (21) and the sliding supports (20) keep the mobile plate (8) parallel to the fixed plate (11), and the rotation of the screw (15) moves the nuts (17a, 17b) along the screw itself (15), moving the mobile plate (8).

4. The compactor device for containers according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a reduction gear (14) between the engine (10) and the screw (15).

5. The compactor device for containers according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the screw (15) is fixed to the structure (6) by means of a bearing (19) located on the end opposite to the engine (10).

6. The compactor device for containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating system of the containers comprises:

- an upper transmitter (9a), housed inside the structure (6);

- a lower transmitter (9b), housed inside the structure (6);

wherein each transmitter (9a, 9b) has a reflector (27) incorporated onto the structure (6) configured to direct heat towards the container.

7. The compactor device for containers according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises detectors of the position of the mobile plate (8) and the position of the drawer (2) configured to prevent undesired operation of the device.

8. The compactor device for containers according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electronic control board that commands the movements and heating times of each heat transmitter (9a, 9b).

9. The compactor device for containers according to claim 4, characterized in that the control board incorporates a microprocessor and a plurality of relays configured to automatically turn on and off each heat transmitter (9a, 9b) independently, as well as the start-up, shutdown and reverse movement of the engine (10).

10. The compactor device for containers according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an on/off button (4a), a control button to compact plastic containers (4b) and a control button to compact non-plastic containers (4c).

11. An operating procedure of the compactor device for containers defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- remove the drawer (2);

- introduce a container into the drawer (2);

- close the drawer (2);

- push an actuator button, either the control button to compact plastic containers (4b) or the control button to compact non-plastic containers (4c);

- if the container is made of plastic, the upper transmitter (9a) and lower transmitter (9b) are activated on a differentiated basis; if the container is not made of plastic, this step is not necessary;

- activation of the compression mechanism (7) with a forward movement of the mobile plate (8) that is parallel to the fixed plate (11) of the drawer (2) until the container is compressed, and a later backward movement of the mobile plate (8);

- the already compacted container falls by gravity through the gap of the drawer (2) located between the fixed plate (11) and the tilting plate (12); and

- collection from the compacted container by a bin located under the device.

Ansprüche

1. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter, die einen feststehenden Teil (1) und einen entnehmbaren Einschub (2) des feststehenden Teils (1) umfasst, wobei der feststehende Teil (1) eine Struktur (6) umfasst, die ein mechanisches Verdichtungssystem (7) aufnimmt, dass eine bewegliche Platte (8) umfasst, und wobei der Einschub (2), eine vordere Platte (25), eine hintere Platte (22), eine Stützplatte (26), eine schwenkbare Platte (12) sowie eine feststehende Platte (11) umfasst, die der beweglichen Platte (8) zugewandt ist, die feststehende Platte (11) des Einschubs (2) so eingerichtet ist, dass sie einen Behälter aufnimmt, und die bewegliche Platte (8) des mechanischen Verdichtungssystems (7) so eingerichtet ist, dass sie sich auf die feststehende Platte (11) des Einschubs (2) zu bewegt, wobei:

die schwenkbare Platte (12) die Form eines "L" mit zwei Schenkeln umfasst, wobei ein erster Schenkel der schwenkbaren Platte (12) die schwenkbare Platte (12) an einer ersten Feder (13) befestigt und die erste Feder (13) auch an der Stützplatte (26) befestigt ist und ein zweiter Schenkel der schwenkbaren Platte (12) die Form eines "V" mit der feststehenden Platte (11) bildet, wobei dieses "V" den Auslass der Vorrichtung bildet;

sie einen Öffnungsmechanismus (37) der schwenkbaren Platte (12) umfasst, der so eingerichtet ist, dass er

die schwenkbare Platte (12) unbewegt hält, wenn sich die bewegliche Platte (8) auf die feststehende Platte (11) zu bewegt, und so eingerichtet ist, dass die schwenkbare Platte (12) geschwenkt wird, wenn sich die bewegliche Platte (8) von der feststehenden Platte (11) weg bewegt;

die feststehende Platte (11) in einer geneigten Position angeordnet ist,

der feststehende Teil (1) eine äußere Verkleidung (5) umfasst, die so eingerichtet ist, dass sie die Vorrichtung schützt;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Öffnungsmechanismus (37) der schwenkbaren Platte (12) Zugang zu dem Innenraum der Vorrichtung über den Auslass der Vorrichtung bei Verdichtung in dem Behälter verhindert, und dadurch, dass der Öffnungsmechanismus der schwenkbaren Platte (12) umfasst:

ein erstes Teil (31) in Form eines "L", das an einem ersten feststehenden Punkt (33) an der Verbindung der Schenkel des "L" befestigt ist, so eingerichtet ist, dass es sich um den ersten feststehenden Punkt (33) herum dreht und mittels einer zweiten Feder (34) Verbindung mit einem feststehenden Punkt der Struktur (6) herstellt, sowie

ein zweites Teil (32) in Form eines "T", das an einem zweiten feststehenden Punkt (35) an der Verbindung der Flansche und des Stegs des "T" befestigt ist, so eingerichtet ist, dass es sich um den zweiten feststehenden Punkt (35) herum dreht und mittels einer dritten Feder (36) Verbindung mit einem feststehenden Punkt der Struktur (6) herstellt,

wobei das erste Teil (31) in Kontakt mit dem zweiten Teil (32) kommt, sich ein Ende des "L" des ersten Teils (31) über einem Ende eines Flansches des "T" des zweiten Teils (32) befindet und das erste Teil (31) so eingerichtet ist, dass es einen Druck von der beweglichen Platte (8) an dem Schenkel, der demjenigen gegenüberliegt, der in Kontakt mit dem zweiten Teil (32) ist, über einen ersten Ansatz (29) der beweglichen Platte (8) empfängt, so dass das erste Teil (31), das in einer ersten Richtung gedreht wird, auf das zweite Teil (32) drückt, das sich seinerseits dreht und auf die schwenkbare Platte (12) drückt, und wenn es in der zu der ersten Richtung entgegengesetzten Richtung gedreht wird, Kontakt mit dem zweiten Teil (32) umgeht, und wobei sowohl das erste Teil (31) als auch das zweite Teil (32) aufgrund der Federn (34, 36) an ihre Ausgangsposition zurückkehren.

2. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein System umfasst, das Wärme erzeugt und zwei unabhängige Wärmeübertragungseinrichtungen (9a, 9b) in dem mechanischen Verdichtungssystem (7) umfasst.

3. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das mechanische Verdichtungssystem (7) zusätzlich zu der beweglichen Platte (8) umfasst:

eine Schraube (15), die mit einem Motor (10) verbunden ist, wobei die Schraube (15) eine erste Hälfte (15a) mit Gewinde in einer ersten Drehrichtung und eine zweite Hälfte (15b) mit Gewinde in der zu der ersten Hälfte (15a) der Schraube (15) entgegengesetzten Drehrichtung umfasst,

eine erste Mutter (17a), die auf die erste Hälfte (15a) der Schraube (15) aufgeschraubt ist und eine erste Verlängerung (28a) umfasst,

eine zweite Mutter (17b), die auf die zweite Hälfte (15b) der Schraube (15) aufgeschraubt ist und eine zweite Verlängerung (28b) umfasst,

eine Stange (16), die parallel und exzentrisch zu der Schraube (15) ist und so eingerichtet ist, dass sie die Verlängerungen (28a, 28b) der Muttern (17a, 17b) aufnimmt,

so dass sich die Muttern, ohne sich zu drehen, auf die Schraube (15) zu bewegen,

Schubstangen (18), die an den Muttern (17a, 17b) an einem Ende befestigt sind und an dem anderen Ende mit der Mitte der beweglichen Platte (8) verbunden sind,

Tragestangen (21), die an einem Ende miteinander verbunden sind und mit dem anderen Ende über gleitende Lagerungen (20) an der beweglichen Platte (8) gelagert sind,

wobei die Schubstangen (18) zusammen mit den Tragestangen (21) und den gleitenden Lagerungen (20) die bewegliche Platte (8) parallel zu der feststehenden Platte (11) halten und durch die Drehung der Schraube (15) die Muttern (17a, 17b) an der Schraube (15) entlang bewegt werden und so die bewegliche Platte (8) bewegt wird.

4. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein Untersetzungsgetriebe (14) zwischen dem Motor (10) und der Schraube (15) umfasst.

5. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schraube (15) mittels eines Lagers (19), das sich an dem dem Motor (10) gegenüberliegenden Ende befindet, an der Struktur (6) befestigt ist.

6. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Wärmeerzeugungssystem der Behälter umfasst:

eine obere Übertragungseinrichtung (9a), die im Inneren der Struktur (6) aufgenommen ist;

eine untere Übertragungseinrichtung (9b), die im Inneren der Struktur (6) aufgenommen ist;

wobei jede Übertragungseinrichtung (9a, 9b) einen Reflektor (27) aufweist, der in die Struktur (6) integriert ist und so eingerichtet ist, dass er Wärme auf den Behälter richtet.

7. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie Detektoren für die Position der beweglichen Platte (8) und die Position des Einschubs (2) umfasst, die so eingerichtet sind, dass sie ungewollte Betätigung der Vorrichtung verhindern.

8. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine elektronische Steuerplatine umfasst, die die Bewegungen und Erwärmungs-Zeiten beider Wärmeübertragungseinrichtungen (9a, 9b) anweist.

9. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Steuerplatine einen Mikroprozessor sowie eine Vielzahl von Relais enthält, die so eingerichtet sind, dass sie unabhängig automatisch beide Wärmeübertragungseinrichtungen (9a, 9b) sowie Starten, Abschaltung und umgekehrte Bewegung des Motors (10) an- und ausschalten.

10. Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie einen An/Aus-Knopf, einen Steuer-Knopf (4b) zum Verdichten von Kunststoffbehältern sowie einen Steuer-Knopf (4c) zum Verdichten von Nicht-Kunststoff-behältern umfasst.

11. Betätigungsablauf der Verdichtungsvorrichtung für Behälter nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

Entnehmen des Einschubs (2);

Einlegen eines Behälters in den Einschub (2);

Schließen des Einschubs (2);

Drücken eines Betätigungs-Knopfs, d.h. entweder des Steuer-Knopfes (4b) zum Verdichten von Kunststoffbehältern oder des Steuer-Knopfes (4c) zum Verdichten von Nicht-Kunststoffbehältern;

wobei, wenn der Behälter aus Kunststoff besteht, die obere Übertragungseinrichtung (9a) und die untere Übertragungseinrichtung (9b) auf unterschiedlicher Basis aktiviert werden, und, wenn der Behälter nicht aus Kunststoff besteht, dieser Schritt nicht erforderlich ist;

Aktivierung des Verdichtungsmechanismus (7) mit einer Vorwärtsbewegung der beweglichen Platte (8), die parallel zu der feststehenden Platte (11) des Einschubs (2) ist, bis der Behälter verdichtet ist, und einer späteren Rückwärtsbewegung der beweglichen Platte (8);

wobei der bereits verdichtete Behälter aufgrund der Schwerkraft durch den Spalt des Einschubs (2) fällt, der sich zwischen der feststehenden Platte (11) und der schwenkbaren Platte (12) befindet; sowie

Auffangen des verdichteten Behälters in einem unter der Vorrichtung befindlichen Müllbehälter.

Revendications

1. Un dispositif de compactage pour récipients comprenant une partie fixe (1) et un tiroir amovible (2) de la partie fixe (1), la partie fixe (1) comportant une structure (6) qui loge un système de compression mécanique (7) qui comprend une plaque mobile (8), et le tiroir (2) comprenant une plaque antérieure (25), une plaque postérieure (22), une plaque de support (26), une plaque basculante (12) et une plaque fixe (11) faisant face à la plaque mobile (8), la plaque fixe (11) du tiroir étant configurée pour recevoir un récipient, et la plaque mobile (8) du système de compression mécanique (7) étant configurée pour se déplacer vers le plaque fixe (11) du tiroir (2), dans lequel :

- la plaque basculante (12) comporte une forme en "L" à deux branches, de sorte qu'une première branche de la plaque basculante (12) fixe la plaque basculante (12) à un premier ressort (13) et le premier ressort (13) est également fixé à la plaque de support (26) ; et une deuxième branche de la plaque d'inclinaison (12) présente une forme en "V" avec la plaque fixe (11), ce "V" configurant la sortie du dispositif ;

- il comprend un mécanisme d'ouverture (37) de la plaque d'inclinaison (12) configuré pour maintenir la plaque d'inclinaison (12) immobile pendant que la plaque mobile (8) se déplace vers la plaque fixe (11) et est configuré pour incliner ladite plaque basculante (12) lorsque la plaque mobile (8) s'éloigne de la plaque fixe (11) ;

- la plaque fixe (11) est agencée dans une position inclinée,

- la partie fixe (1) comprend un boîtier externe (5) configuré pour protéger le dispositif ;

caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme d'ouverture (37) de la plaque d'inclinaison (12) empêche l'accès à l'intérieur du dispositif depuis la sortie du dispositif pendant le compactage du récipient, et en ce que le mécanisme d'ouverture de la plaque basculante (12) comprend :

- une première pièce (31) en forme de "L" fixée à un premier point fixe (33) sur la jonction des branches du "L", configurée pour tourner autour dudit premier point fixe (33), et reliée, au moyen d'un deuxième ressort (34), à un point fixe de la structure (6), et

- une deuxième pièce (32) en forme de "T" qui est fixée à un deuxième point fixe (35) à la jonction de la branche et de l'âme du "T", configurée pour tourner autour dudit deuxième point fixe (35), et reliée, au moyen d'un troisième ressort (36), à un point fixe de la structure (6),

la première pièce (31) venant en contact avec la deuxième pièce (32), une extrémité du "L" de la première pièce (31) étant au sommet d'une extrémité d'une bride du "T" de la deuxième pièce (32), et la première pièce (31) étant configurée pour recevoir une poussée de la plaque mobile (8) sur la branche opposée à celle en contact avec la deuxième pièce (32) au moyen d'un premier ergot (29) de ladite plaque mobile (8), de telle sorte que la première pièce (31), tournée dans une première direction, appuie sur la deuxième pièce (32) qui, à son tour, tourne et appuie sur la plaque basculante (12) et que, lorsqu'elle est tournée dans la direction opposée à la première direction, évite le contact avec la deuxième pièce (32), la première pièce (31) et la deuxième pièce (32), tant l'une que l'autre, revenant à leur position initiale grâce aux ressorts (34, 36).

2. Le dispositif de compactage pour récipients selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un système qui fournit de la chaleur, qui comprend deux transmetteurs de chaleur indépendants (9a, 9b) dans le système de compression mécanique (7).

3. Le dispositif de compactage pour conteneurs selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le système de compression mécanique (7), en plus de la plaque mobile (8), comprend :

- une vis (15) reliée à un moteur (10), la vis (15) comprenant une première moitié (15a) à filetage dans un sens de rotation et une deuxième moitié (15b) à filetage dans le sens de rotation opposé de la première moitié (15a) de la vis (15),

- un premier écrou (17a) vissé sur la première moitié (15a) de la vis (15), qui comporte une première extension (28a),

- un deuxième écrou (17b) vissé sur la deuxième moitié (15b) de la vis (15), qui comprend une deuxième extension (28b),

- une tige (16) parallèle à la vis (15) et excentrée par rapport à celle-ci, configurée pour recevoir les extensions (28a, 28b) des écrous (17a, 17b), de sorte que les écrous se déplacent vers la vis (15) sans rotation,

- des barres de poussée (18) fixées aux écrous (17a, 17b) à une extrémité et reliées au centre de la plaque mobile (8) à l'autre extrémité,

- des barres de support (21) réunies à une extrémité, et avec l'autre extrémité supportée sur la plaque mobile (8) au moyen de supports coulissants (20),

les barres de poussée (18), ainsi que les barres de support (21) et les supports coulissants (20) maintenant la plaque mobile (8) parallèle à la plaque fixe (11), et la rotation de la vis (15) déplaçant les écrous (17a, 17b) le long de la vis (15) elle-même, déplaçant la plaque mobile (8).

4. Le dispositif de compactage pour conteneurs selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un réducteur (14) entre le moteur (10) et la vis (15).

5. Le dispositif de compactage pour récipients selon les revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la vis (15) est fixée à la structure (6) au moyen d'un palier (19) situé à l'extrémité opposée au moteur (10).

6. Le dispositif de compactage pour récipients selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le système de chauffage des récipients comprend :

- un émetteur supérieur (9a), logé à l'intérieur de la structure (6) ;

- un émetteur inférieur (9b), logé à l'intérieur de la structure (6) ;

chaque émetteur (9a, 9b) ayant un réflecteur (27) incorporé à la structure (6), configuré pour diriger de la chaleur vers le conteneur.

7. Le dispositif de compactage pour récipients selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des détecteurs de la position de la plaque mobile (8) et de la position du tiroir (2) configurés pour éviter un fonctionnement indésirable du dispositif.

8. Le dispositif de compactage pour récipients selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une carte de commande électronique qui commande les mouvements et les temps de chauffage de chaque émetteur de chaleur (9a, 9b).

9. Le dispositif de compactage pour récipients selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la carte de commande incorpore un microprocesseur et une pluralité de relais configurés pour allumer et éteindre automatiquement chaque émetteur de chaleur (9a, 9b) indépendamment, ainsi que le démarrage., l'arrêt et marche du moteur (10) en sens inverse.

10. Le dispositif de compactage pour conteneurs selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un bouton marche / arrêt (4a), un bouton de commande pour compacter des récipients (4b) en matière plastique et un bouton de commande pour compacter des récipients (4c) non en matière plastique.

11. Un procédé de fonctionnement du dispositif de compactage pour récipients défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes :

- retirer le tiroir (2) ;

- introduire un récipient dans le tiroir (2) ;

- fermer le tiroir (2) ;

- appuyer sur un bouton d'actionneur, soit le bouton de commande pour compacter les récipients (4b) en matière plastique, soit le bouton de commande pour compacter les récipients (4c) non en matière plastique ;

- si le conteneur est en matière plastique, l'émetteur supérieur (9a) et l'émetteur inférieur (9b) sont activés de manière différenciée ; si le conteneur n'est pas en matière plastique, cette étape n'est pas nécessaire ;

- activation du mécanisme de compression (7) avec un mouvement vers l'avant de la plaque mobile (8) qui est parallèle à la plaque fixe (11) du tiroir (2) jusqu'à ce que le récipient soit comprimé, et un mouvement arrière ultérieur de la plaque mobile (8) ;

- le récipient déjà compacté tombe par gravité à travers l'espace du tiroir (2) situé entre la plaque fixe (11) et la plaque basculante (12) ; et

- collecte du récipient compacté par un bac situé sous le dispositif.

Drawing