Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh

Envipco Holding N.v.

Dieter Beyer

Siegmar Hecht

Hans-Peter Krull

The present invention relates to a method for returning empty packaging, particularly bottles and cans, having a bulk import, in which the empty packaging is routed out of an input chamber through a transport device, rotating the empty packaging along its longitudinal axis past a recognition unit. The transport device for carrying out the method has a plurality of rollers which are arranged transversely with respect to the direction of transport and act as carriers for the empty packaging. The empty packaging is supplied to the detection array of the recognition unit in a field array. To avoid empty packaging being conveyed on top of other empty packaging, thereby blocking the detection of the bottom empty packaging by the recognition unit, the empty packaging undergoes a brief reversal of direction of rotation before its presentation to the detection array.

Method and transport device for returning empty packaging, particularly bottles and cans

The invention described here concerns a unit for automatic container returns systems, with a conveyor device for transporting the containers in the direction of their longitudinal axis, with two rotary-driven rollers arranged along the conveyor path and which can be transferred from a neutral position into an identification position in which they release the container from the conveyor device and rotate said container, and with a sorting means for the selective, lateral removal of the container from the conveyor device according to the identification. It is the object of the invention to provide a generic unit for automatic container returns systems that is characterised by a simple construction. This object is achieved in that the two rollers ( ) act as a sorting mechanism by way of their being transferred transverse to the conveyor path into a sorting position in which the lateral distance between one or other of the rollers ( ) and the conveyor path is so large that the container ( ) can drop down between the conveyor path and the respective roller ( ) displaced sideways.

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Friedersdorf, Germany

Dieter Beyer