EP4241889B1 - Glass crushing device - Google Patents

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to the field of domestic management of used glass containers, and more particularly to domestic glass crushing equipment.

Used glass bottles and jars represent significant volumes of household waste, which must be transported in dedicated containers and which in the meantime clutter up living space. The aim is to reduce the volume of this waste and to facilitate its disposal and transfer to containers for glass items.

This allows the consumer to reduce the bulky volume of glass container waste storage, by crushing them and then transporting them neatly to a dedicated receptacle to safely unwind them into the city's glass sorting bins provided for this purpose.

Currently, when the various industrial glass food containers are empty, the orderly individual provides a box at home to store them in bulk while waiting for grouped transport. This box fills up quickly because the empty bottles of different sizes and not stored take up volume. Once the box is full, the individual will be confronted with the weight, the absence of carrying handles and the bulk of the box, when leaving the house, and when arriving at the dumpster to load and unload it from the car trunk. The individual must then do the opposite to insert bottle by bottle into the inspection chamber of the glass recycling bin.

• un temps passé non négligeable du fait de prendre bouteille par bouteille
• un effort physique par de nombreux mouvements du dos et des bras et du fait de la différence de hauteur entre la caisse, posée au sol, et le niveau d'introduction du regard
• un risque de blessure avec une possible bouteille cassée
• un inconvénient de salissures avec les fonds de bouteilles qui ont coulé dans la caisse.

This handling of the skip presents different constraints

• a significant amount of time spent taking bottle by bottle
• physical effort through numerous movements of the back and arms and due to the difference in height between the box, placed on the ground, and the level at which the gaze is introduced
• a risk of injury with a possible broken bottle
• a drawback of dirt from the bottoms of bottles that have leaked into the crate.

In conclusion, it is necessary to find a simple solution to increase the number of individuals who take charge of the selective ecological sorting of glass in the city by making it faster, less painful and less risky.

State of the art

In the state of the art, multiple solutions have been proposed for grinding glass. For example, the patent DE6934677 proposes a bottle crushing system comprising a control device for actuating the clamping and triggering device of the striker and the low tilting grid is designed as a lever linkage, which consists of two articulated control rods connected to each other, at the articulation point of which another control rod acts, the lower free end of which is fixed to a pivoting lever on the articulated pivoting grid and which is connected to the pivoting lever and to one of the first two control rods in such a way that the pivoting grid has a closed position when the pivoting hood is open, and one of the two aforementioned control rods comprises a control rod with its free end at the linkage
The patent DE9106481 relates to another example of a glass crusher, characterized in that glass bottles or other glass containers are crushed in a mechanically or electromechanically operated device.

Disadvantages of the prior art

The solutions proposed in the prior art are not very satisfactory for domestic use because the grinding systems present a risk of introduction of a child's hand and arm through an automatic grinding trigger system.

Solution provided by the invention

In order to overcome these drawbacks, the invention relates, in its most general sense, to a glass crushing device having the characteristics set out in claim 1.

It consists of a grinding head having an opening on the upper surface, for the introduction of bottles, characterized in that said grinding head has a lower opening opening into a removable cartridge collector.

Advantageously, said crushing head comprises a hollow tilting box having a cutout for the passage of a bottle and having on its lower surface a keel for the bursting of a bottle.

Preferably, said grinding head comprises a hollow tilting box having a square section, open at the front frontal end.

Preferably, the upper face of said hollow box has in its front part a cutout which is positioned at rest under the opening for the introduction of the bottle and, at the rear of this cutout a deflector standing vertically, to direct the bottle passing through the opening in the box.

Advantageously, said opening for the introduction of bottles has rubber lips ensuring closure and preventing the projection of splinters.

According to one variant, said grinding head has an arched rear face with a slot for the passage of the lever for actuating the grinding box.

Preferably, said grinding head comprises a container having a base on which the bottle to be ground will rest, and opening with a cutout for the passage of the ground material towards a neck directing the ground material towards the cartridge collector.

According to a first embodiment, said grinding head is mounted on a support provided with a base.

According to a second embodiment, said grinding head comprises a fixing lug for wall mounting.

According to a particular embodiment, the device further comprises a sensor capable of detecting the crushing of a bottle as well as a means of recording on a physical or digital medium the outcome of a crushing.

Detailed description of a non-limiting example of embodiment

• [FIG. 1] La figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de broyage selon l'invention.
• [FIG. 2] La figure 2 représente une vue en perspective et en coupe partielle d'un dispositif de broyage selon l'invention.
• [FIG. 3] La figure 3 représente une vue en perspective et en coupe partielle du chariot basculant.
• [FIG. 4] La figure 4 représente une vue en perspective et en coupe partielle de la tête de broyage.
• [FIG. 5] La figure 5 représente une vue en en coupe la position du chariot basculant en cours de chargement.
• FIG. 6] La figure 6 représente une vue en coupe des positions du chariot basculant avant et après l'écrasement d'une bouteille.
• [FIG. 7] La figure 7 représente une variante de réalisation pour un accrochage mural.
• [FIG. 8] La figure 8 représente une autre variante de réalisation en position d'attente
• [FIG. 9] La figure 9 représente de cette autre variante de réalisation en position de broyagel.

The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, concerning a non-limiting example of embodiment illustrated by the attached drawings where:

• [ FIG. 1 ] There figure 1 represents a perspective view of a grinding device according to the invention.
• [ FIG. 2 ] There figure 2 represents a perspective and partial sectional view of a grinding device according to the invention.
• [ FIG. 3 ] There figure 3 represents a perspective and partial sectional view of the tipping truck.
• [ FIG. 4 ] There figure 4 represents a perspective and partial sectional view of the grinding head.
• [ FIG. 5 ] There figure 5 shows a sectional view of the position of the tilting trolley during loading.
• FIG. 6 ] There figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the tilting carriage positions before and after crushing a bottle.
• [ FIG. 7 ] There figure 7 represents a variant of realization for a wall hanging.
• [ FIG. 8 ] There figure 8 represents another variant of realization in waiting position
• [ FIG. 9 ] There figure 9 represents this other variant embodiment in the grinding position.

General presentation of the crusher according to the invention

THE figures 1 And 2 represent an overview of an example of a glass crushing device according to the invention. The generic term "glass" is included in the definition in the recycling instructions, designating the various glass waste: standard-sized bottles of beer, wine, cider, champagne, etc., but also canned food glass, sauce in standard sizes that can be broken and recycled, excluding crockery glasses, dishes, plates and light bulb glasses as well as all metal and plastic container closure elements not provided for recycling in the bin provided in town for this purpose.

It consists of a support (100), for example a metal profile, having at its lower part a base (101) ensuring stability. It comprises a crushing head (200) having an opening (201) at the upper surface, for the introduction of the bottles to be treated. It can be closed by a cap outside periods of use.

Optionally, the foot size and the cartridge collector size can be adapted to a disabled person to adjust the height of the opening to the reach of a person in a wheelchair for example.

This opening advantageously has rubber lips ensuring a watertight closure and preventing the projection of splinters and preventing the introduction of the hand. It also has a handle for operating the grinding system, operated manually and not by an electric motor.

However, as a variant, electric assistance, via a jack, could be installed.

The crushed material is collected in a cartridge collector (150) in the form of a hollow column, resting on the base (101) and housed under the grinding head (200).

Once the cartridge collector is full, it is separated from the support (100) to be capped. A new empty cartridge collector can be inserted so that the equipment can continue to operate, while the first one is emptied.

Full cartridge collectors can be stored or transported to the city's glass recycling bin. The user simply unscrews or removes the cartridge cap to insert it into the circular opening of the bin.

A handle that makes it easier to tilt the cartridge collector and prevents it from accidentally falling into the glass bin provides valuable assistance to the user. The cap will be replaced once this operation is complete.

Crushing Box Details (250)

There figure 3 shows a detailed view of the grinding head (200). It is made of a material, for example stainless steel, in the form of a box (251) of square section for example, open at one of the front ends and closed at the other.

The upper face has in its front part a cutout (253) which is positioned under the opening (201) for the introduction of the bottle. At the rear of this cutout (253), there is a deflector (254) standing vertically, and which cuts the bottle when the control handle is lifted. The partially crushed bottle passes through the opening (210) and goes into the box (251).

The grinding head has on the lower surface (255) of the box (251) a rigid keel (260), made of steel for example, having an inclined front face (261) and an arched rear face (262) having a radius of curvature corresponding to that of the rear edge (205) of the shell of the grinding head (200). The box (250) is crossed by a pivot axis (270) located above the upper face (256) of the hollow box (250).

Grinding head details (200)

There figure 4 represents a view of the inside of the grinding head (200). It has an arched rear face (205) with a slot (206) for the passage of the lever for actuating the grinding box (250). It comprises a deflector (207) extending vertically to orient the bottles introduced into the opening (201). A pivot (208) ensures the pivoting of the box (250) by crossing its pivot axis (270).

The lower part has a solid steel tray (220) having a bottom (221) on which the bottle to be crushed will rest, and opening by a cutout (222) for the passage of the crushed material towards a neck (230) directing the crushed material towards the cartridge collector (150). This neck (230) has a defined length to allow the installation and removal of the cartridge collector (150) which is wedged between a cavity formed in the base (101) and the neck (230) which is engaged in its opening.

How the crusher works

At rest, ( figure 4 ) the crushing box (250) is positioned horizontally, the handle (201) being at the bottom of the slide (206). The bottle (1) is introduced by passing through the orifice (201) and enters the hollow box (250) in which it is placed (position of the small bottle shown in dotted lines on the figure 5 ). This is particularly the case for small fragile bottles (beer bottles for example).

The handle (201) is then moved upwards, and the box (250) tilts into a vertical position, which allows the bottle (1) to slide onto the tray (220), formed of two triangular rails, so that the bottle is naturally placed in the axis of the edge of the keel (260). By lowering the handle (201), the box (250) tilts in the other direction (box hatched on the figure 5 ), and the keel (260) exerts pressure on the bottle (1) held in the tank (220), which causes it to burst. The dimensions of the keel (260) are determined so that its lower surface is sufficient to pass through the slot (222) formed in the tank (220) during its rotation, in order to sweep the slot (222) and prevent the formation of glass plugs that would block it during the next use. The shards pass through the cutout (222) and fall into the cartridge collector (250).

For large bottles such as wine bottles, the bottle cannot pass through the tilting box (250) due to their size (position of the large bottle shown in dotted lines on the figure 5 ). The blade (254), when lifting the control handle, breaks the "large bottle" for the first time and then enters the box (250) and then follows the same treatment as a "small bottle". This phase is important because it allows the "large bottles" to be broken at their weak point.

The gauge (301) is a sliding rod held raised by a spring and entering the upper opening of the cartridge collector (150). When the cartridge collector (150) is being filled, the gauge (301) is not blocked in its descent. The user can thus check the filling level by pressing the gauge (301) whenever he wishes. If the rod retracts completely, the cartridge collector (150) can still be filled. If on the contrary the rod, during a pushing action by the user, is stopped during its travel by the glass level of the cartridge collector (150), it is then time to plug the full cartridge collector (screw cap type) and replace it with an empty one. The cartridge collector once capped by the device, is then completely waterproof and easy to transport (back strap/handle for handling).

The connecting plate (215) between the foot (150) and the grinder (200) can also be fixed to the wall with a "triangle wedge". The grinder can be hung without the foot, which is not necessary for this application.

Implementation variant

There figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a device that is not mounted on a stand, but hung on a wall. For this purpose, the grinding head (200) has an extension (215) allowing screwing onto a wall. The cartridge collector (150) is held under the grinding head by hooking or screwing, or by a bayonet engagement system.

Another variant of realization

According to another embodiment, the device comprises a sensor for detecting the completion of a crushing operation and a means for recording on a physical or digital medium information justifying the completion of a crushing operation. Such a device can be installed in a public space or at a retailer's to encourage the public to return glass bottles by providing a commercial advantage, in the form of a discount coupon for example or recording a bonus on a loyalty card. The sensor is for example a force sensor placed under the cradle (220), which triggers a signal when the pressure exerted by the bottle on the cradle (220) due to the force exerted by the keel (260) exceeds a threshold value.

The recording means may be a print head associated with a ticket feeder, or a mini-printer delivering a printed coupon, or a memory card interface, allowing the user to use a loyalty card for example.

Optionally, the device can be equipped with an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor providing assistance in tilting the grinding head (200).

Another variant of realization

THE Figures 8 And 9 represent another embodiment variant respectively in the waiting position and in the casing position. The handle (210) and the keel (260) form a single metal part articulated relative to a transverse pivot (211) on the side opposite the handle to form a lever arm amplifying the force exerted for crushing. The edge of the keel (260) can be grooved or coated with tungsten or other solid metal shot or points to prevent the bottle from slipping.

The front part of the bottle receiving cradle may have an opening to allow the passage of the neck of large bottles, for example champagne bottles.

Claims (9)

1. Glass crushing device consisting of a support (100) and a crushing head (200) which has an opening (201) at the upper surface, for the introduction of bottles, characterized in that said crushing head (200) has a lower opening leading into a removable cartridge collector (150) and in that said crushing head (200) comprises a hollow tilting compartment (250) which has a cut-out (253) for a bottle (1) to pass therethrough and which has on its lower surface a keel (260) for shattering a bottle (1).
2. Glass crushing device according to the preceding claim,
   characterized in that said crushing head (200) comprises a hollow tilting compartment (250) which has a square cross-section and which is open at the front end.
3. Glass crushing device according to the preceding claim,
   characterized in that the upper face of said hollow compartment (250) has in its front portion a cut-out (253) and positioned, when at rest, underneath the opening (201) for the introduction of the bottle and, at the back of this cut-out (253), a deflector (254) standing vertically, to direct the bottle passing through the opening (210) into the compartment (250).
4. Glass crushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening (201) for the introduction of bottles (1) has rubber lips which ensure closure and prevent flying shards.
5. Glass crushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said crushing head (200)has an arched rear face (205) with a slot (206) for the actuating lever of a crushing compartment (250) to pass therethrough.
6. Glass crushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said crushing head (200)comprises a tray (220) having a bottom (221) on which the bottle to be crushed will rest, and opening by means of a cut-out (222) for channeling the crushed material toward a neck (230) directing the crushed material toward the cartridge collector (150).
7. Glass crushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said crushing head (200) is mounted on a support (100) provided with a base (101).
8. Glass crushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said crushing head (200)comprises a mounting bracket (215) for securing to a wall.
9. Glass crushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a sensor capable of detecting the crushing of a bottle, and a means of recording the result of a crushing operation on a physical or digital medium.

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