WO2013044906A1

WO2013044906A1 - Device for storing recycling material

Info

Publication number: WO2013044906A1
Application number: PCT/DE2012/000976
Authority: WO
Inventors: Egon Hübel
Original assignee: Huebel Egon
Priority date: 2011-09-28
Filing date: 2012-09-27
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: DE102011114747A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storing and collecting container closures in the form of screw caps or crown caps with which containers are closed. According to the invention, at least one storage location (1) is provided on the container (6). The storage location (1) corresponds at least partially in dimensions and preferably in shape to those of the container mouth (3). A storage location (1) consists, for example, of two raised areas (2) with a bead (8). The storage location (1) is formed on the container at the same time as the container is produced. After opening a container (6) the user places the container closure (4) still in his hand in the storage location (1). Together with the empty container the container closure then ends up at the collecting point and hence for specific recycling, with the result that a contribution is also made to conservation of energy.

Description

Device for storing recycled material

description

The invention relates to a device for storing and collecting good, which can thus be recycled to the material cycle as a valuable raw material. Widely used are containers and in particular bottles, which are closed with a container closure. These can be screw caps or screw cap caps made of metal or plastic or so-called crown corks or crown corks, preferably of metal. A crown cap is made of high quality sheet steel and an elastic seal, z. B. plastic. In Germany alone, millions of bottles are opened every day. Most of the bottles are pawns. Experience shows that the bottle cap unscrewed or lifted from the bottle is almost always carelessly thrown away by the user, ie at best it ends up in residual waste and unfortunately often enough in the landscape. Even for the few, returned with the empties bottle cap, there is no individual use. The precious steel scrap is largely lost to the national economy. The dimension of the daily loss shows z. B. the accumulation of bottle caps, which come from beverage bottles in Germany alone. It should be assumed that a bottle or container with a bottle cap is opened daily for or by every second person. This is about 40 million bottle caps. At a steel weight of 1, 9 grams per bottle cap, this is 76,000 kg of steel scrap. If, according to the invention, only one in ten bottle corks could initially be sorted according to the invention and fed to specific recycling, this would already amount to approximately 7.6 tonnes in Germany every day. Similar dimensions are assumed in the screw caps made of metal and plastic. Educational and administrative measures can increase this value. Worldwide, these dimensions are correspondingly larger.

The document DE 203 12 950 Ul describes a way to collect ICxonkorken. Here, it is proposed to integrate a crown cap melamine container in the beverage crate. When opening the beverage bottle on the beverage box, the bottle cap gets into the collection container. This is emptied after return at the beverage manufacturer and thus collects the contained therein crown corks targeted. The crates must be equipped or retrofitted accordingly. The disadvantage is that after lifting the Kxonkorkens with integrated in the drinks box opener of these bottle caps for temporarily closing the bottle is no longer available and that usually only a portion of the bottles is opened directly to the beverage box. The object of the invention is to provide a convenient for the user to use device for storing the container unscrewed or lifted container closure, the device should allow a sorted delivery to each recycling and the usual habits of the user when opening, use and returning or disposing the container should not be largely affected.

The invention is suitable for all types of containers which are closed after filling the liquid with a container closure. Most are reusable containers than plastic bottles or glass bottles. Other containers and other materials for this such. As metal, clay or stoneware are also usable according to the invention. The liquids to be filled are preferably drinks. However, the invention also includes all other types of liquids and substances. To simplify the description of the invention, this will be described below using the example of a beverage bottle, with a screw cap or a

Bottle cap is closed. This can be a returnable bottle or a disposable bottle.

The user opens the beverage bottle without tools or in the case of bottle caps with an opener. He holds the unscrewed screw cap and the lifted bottle cap in his hand. In this situation, the last opportunity exists for systematic collection of the container closure, because once this container closure has been put aside after opening, it will no longer be picked up and collected in a targeted manner. He goes a regulated and sorted

Lost recycling. Therefore, the invention proposes to create a repository as a depot for the unscrewed or lifted container closure directly to the container or on the beverage bottle, without having to use the bottle mouth, which should remain open in the rule. If, after opening the container closure, which is immediately in his hand, the user can immediately and conveniently dispose of it in the bottle in front of him, he will do so. This is more convenient for him than putting it away somewhere to then clean it up from there, which usually z. B. also rarely happens in the countryside. If the user initially wants to repeatedly close and open the opened bottle, storage takes place in the depot according to the invention immediately after the last time it is opened.

A depot for a screw cap is designed on the container so that it can take the cap-like screw by pressing or by screwing and store them captive. For this purpose, it is in some embodiments of the invention in the form and in the basic dimensions largely designed as the bottle mouth and the local thread. Depending on the manufacturing process of the container or bottles, z. B. by blow molding, the depots in compliance with the essential dimensions, the captive

Determining the screw caps determine differently shaped than the bottle mouth. By adjusting the dimensions and shapes of the depot, a firmer or loose fit of the screw cap to be deposited can be achieved. A depot for a bottle cap is designed on the container so that it can take the lifted bottle cap by gently pressing, inserting or inserting and store it captive. For this purpose, it is in some embodiments of the invention in the form and in the basic dimensions largely designed as the bottle mouth. As is well known, a lifted bottle cap can be pressed back onto the mouth of the bottle, even if no tightness is achieved as a result. Depending on the manufacturing process of the container or bottles, z. B. by blow molding, the depots can also be shaped in compliance with the essential dimensions that determine the captive receiving the crown caps its as the mouth of the bottle. By modifying the dimensions also a firmer or loose fit of the crown cork can be achieved in or at the depot, even for crown corks that were bent when lifted from the bottle mouth by the opener.

Other embodiments of the invention deviate partially or completely from the shape and thus from the dimensions of the bottle mouth. They also allow a reliable deposit of the bottle caps on the container. The production of the depots takes place at the same time as container production, which results in virtually no additional costs for the container. The minimal additional consumption of material is completely negligible.

The constructive execution of the depots is such that the usual manufacturing process of the bottles z. B. by blow molding, pressing or spraying or the required type of divisible finished molds remain applicable at least in cases where undercuts are introduced at the depot only in the opening directions of the divisible mold or completely avoided. For special containers and more technically demanding finished shapes can be used to attach the depot or.

For refillable bottles, the container closure located in or at the depot reaches the collection point and ultimately the beverage manufacturer. On this well-established way of bottle return delivery, nothing changes for all parties compared to the state of the art. Advantageously, only the beverage manufacturer takes the removal of the container closure of each bottle or from their depot and the sorted collection of the plastic or metal scrap. This process can be automated with comparatively little effort. Due to the sales proceeds of the recyclable materials, a plant amortization can be carried out at short notice.

In the case of disposable bottles, the container closures located in the depot according to the invention generally end up in the glass container or in the return system. They are thus also used in this way for an orderly recycling, because from the glass breakage of the container, the metal is separated and the plastic return is used in total. The embodiments of the depots are preferably designed so that on the one hand the known image of the container, for. As a standard bottle or a designer bottle, not conspicuously changed or on the other hand, that just a promotional effect created by the depot. A located in or depot container closure remains z. B. with a printed advertising permanently in the field of view of the user.

Below show the schematic and not to scale figures 1 to 12 exemplary embodiments of depots on the example of beverage bottles. Figures la to lc show a two-part depot at the bottleneck in two views.

Figure 2 shows a circular depot at the bottleneck in two views.

Figure 3 shows in cross section a depot on the bottom of the bottle in two views.

Figure 4 shows in cross-section another depot on the bottom of the bottle with a bottle cap located therein.

Figure 5 shows in cross-section another depot on the bottom of the bottle with a bottle cap located therein.

Figure 6 shows in cross section another depot on the bottom of the bottle with a bottle cap indicated therein.

FIG. 7 shows the situation of a container closure received in the depot.

FIG. 8 shows an edge grabbing depot on the bottleneck with a bottle cap indicated therein.

FIG. 9 shows another edge grabbing depot on the bottleneck with a bottle cap indicated therein.

FIG. 10 shows a further edge grabbing depot on the bottleneck with a bottle cap indicated therein.

FIG. 11 shows a conical insertion depot for crown corks in two views.

FIG. 12 shows a container for a screw cap with a rim-engaging depot on the neck of the bottle with a screw cap indicated therein. In FIG. 1 a, the depot 1 is located on a bottle neck as part of the bottle base body 6. It consists of at least two concentrically opposite elevations 2, whose outer circumference lies on a common circular path. At this outer circumference, the elevations 2 are designed with a bead-like undercut 14. The diameter and the cross-section of the depot 1 point perpendicular to the circular path level a similar or same diameter and cross-section, as they exist on the bottle mouth 3, in particular as well as the local bead 8. The illustrated two surveys 2 of the depot 1 are only partially executed in this example on their circular path, but to the extent that they give the bottle of cork 4 to be stored for safe keeping. The depot 1 is undercut at the bead 8 to achieve a secure fit in this example. So that the undercuts 14 do not require any additional measures on the blow mold of the bottle, the cast seam 9 of the bottle 6 extends symmetrically to the elevations 2.

The elevations 2 are in this and in other examples on the frustoconical bottleneck. The upper surface or plane 13 of the depot 1 has an identical or similar plane as it exists on the bottle mouth 3, whereby securing the lifted crown cork 4 in the depot 1 is ensured. To achieve the level 13 of the depot 1 on the upper surfaces of the elevations 2, these are due to the there frusto-conical bottle shape in the radial direction to the bottle body, d. H. seen to the central axis, different heights. The smallest height of the elevations 2 to the surface of the bottle is made so large that the pressed onto the depot 1 bottle cap 4 a secure fit on the provided with an undercut 14 bead 8 and is not hindered by the surface of the bottle. The position of the casting 9 allows for the production of the bottle an easily divisible finished shape.

The depot 1 can be filled in its inner region 5 to the outer level with the material of the container 6. It may also, according to the bottle mouth 3 and as shown in the figure la to lc, remain free in the interior 5. To save 6 material in the production of the container, this is preferable. For the same reason, the height of all elevations 2 of a depot 1 is not chosen larger than what is required for a tight fit of aufzudrückenden crown cap 4. The embodiment of the depot 1 according to this figure 1 is also suitable for storing screw caps. The undercut 14 is advantageously designed in this case, as a part of the thread on the bottle mouth third

The illustration of Figure lb shows the same bottle view as Figure la with a bottle cap located thereon 4. The concealed here by the crown cap 4 elevations 2 and their beads 8 are designed so that even a bent by opening the container 6 bottle cap 4 finds secure hold , The illustration of Figure lc shows the same bottle 6 in the side view with a bottle cap located in the depot 1 4th

FIG. 2 shows in the left-hand view a circular depot 1 with a bead 8 cut behind it. It resembles the shape and size of the bottle mouth 3. Additional measures on the divisible blow mold or injection mold are not required if, in the illustrated position of the cast weld 9 the depot 1 is filled to the upper level 13 with the material of the bottle. Especially this eye-catching spot of the depot 1 is suitable as an advertising space. The right view of Figure 2 shows the side view of this depot 1. Clearly, the bead 8 and the undercut 14 can be seen here. This version of the depot is also suitable for screw caps as well as for crown corks.

Figures 3 to 6 show depots 1, which are inconspicuous for the viewer of the partially and in section shown container 6. The generally freely visible surface of the upright container 6 is not used by these depots 1, which are suitable for screw caps and bottle caps. The depot 1 is located at the bottom 7 of the container 6. The bottom 7 is pulled in the central area so high that even a later screwed, pushed or pushed container closure 4 does not extend beyond the bottom 7.

3 shows in the left view in cross-section a depot 1 for bottle caps 4 in the central region of the bottom 7. Visible is also the well known from the bottle mouth bead 8. The interior 5 of the depot 1 is not shown filled. He can also be partially or completely filled with material to z. B. for the bead 8 to achieve greater stability. The same applies to the case that this depot 1 on the circumference only partially, z. B. as shown in the figure 1, is executed. The right-hand view of FIG. 3 shows a bottle cap 4 stored at the depot 1. The elevations 2 do not project beyond the bottom 7, so that the bottle 6 remains stable even with the crown cap 4 located thereon. The illustrated undercut 14 of the elevations 2, which may also be designed thread-like for screw caps, requires special measures of the blow mold or the finished mold to produce the bottle 6, z. B. so-called slider. These additional measures are in the embodiments of depots according to the following figures 4 to 6 and 8 to 10 and 12 is not required.

FIG. 4 shows a depot 1 as a hollow cylinder. The cylinder inner wall is only minimally conical, according to the requirements z. B. the blow molding. The inner diameter of the cylinder is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the container closure 4 to be stored. The crown cap 4 shown here is inserted into the cylinder by the user in the direction shown. H. pressed into the depot 1. As a result of the differences in diameter, the crown cork 4, which is sharp-edged at the outer points, hooks against the cylinder inner wall and remains there. A large precision of the diameter is not required because a lifted crown cork 4 has a sufficiently large flexibility and thus can adapt to the cylinder size, especially if the elevations 2 are performed only partially on the circular path. The same applies to a screw cap 4, which is usually very elastic.

FIG. 5 also shows a depot 1 as a hollow cylinder. The bottle cap 4 to be kept has been pressed into the cylinder with the teeth of the crown cork in advance. FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the user advantageously does not need to pay attention to the indentation direction when storing the crown cork 4 or the screw cap. In both cases, the cylinder holds the container closure 4 firmly.

FIG. 6 shows a depot 1, which clamps the container closure 4 on its inside and on the outside. Depot 1 consists of an annular trench or gap 10. In this gap 10, the prongs of the crown cork 4 or jammed the screw 4. The inner wall of the gap 10 acts as a counter force, whereby the somewhat flexible container closure 4 particularly firm can be clamped. Here, too, there is the possibility of partial execution of the depot on the circular path. The position of a crown cap 4 is indicated for better understanding of this figure 6 with thin lines.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the situation with slightly different diameters of depot 1 and container closure 4 Elevations 2 executed only partially on the circular path, then the slightly flexible bottle cap 4 made of metal or the flexible screw cap 4, which consists of metal or plastic, dodge and adapt to the respective dimensions of the partial elevations 2. The distance between the two opposite partial elevations 2 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the container closure 4 or its circular path 1 1. When pressing and depositing the more or less flexible container closure 4 deviates and takes the avoidance path 12. Thus, a safe storage of the container closure 4 is always achieved even with tolerances of the dimensions involved.

The partial execution of the surveys 2 also allows at the destination of z. B.

Empties a simple lateral accessibility for the removal of a crown cap 4 from the depot 1. Likewise, a frontal accessibility of the container closure is given. These partial embodiments of the elevations 2 are, as shown, for the embodiment of Figure 1 and for Figures 3 to 6. This may also be more than two arranged on the circular path 11 elevations 2 act.

FIG. 8 shows a depot 1 which clamps a container closure 4 on one side only at the edge. The inner elevation 2 corresponds to a survey 2, which has been described using the example of FIG. The outer elevation 2 here has a simple to produce round cross-section. The distance between these two differently shaped elevations 2 is chosen so that the container to be stored container closure 4 is slightly pressed and cuts by means of the bead and / or the rear 14 is held securely. Also the round

Survey 2 may be undercut in the region of the container closure 4. In FIG. 9, the outer elevation 2 has an extended cross-section. This survey 2 may be provided with an undercut 14. The outer elevations 2 of FIGS. 8 and 9 can also be designed conically with the smallest cross section on the outer plane in order to allow the user to easily insert the container closure 4.

In FIG. 10, the container closure 4 is clamped by two partially circular elevations 2. So that an easily divisible finished mold for the preparation of the container 6 is used, here z. B. waives an undercut of the surveys 2. If the radii deviate slightly from the circular path of the container closure 4, Adjusts the flexible container closure 4 when pressing it by clamping

Surveys 2. Thus, a secure hold of the exemplified crown cap 4 is achieved even without undercut.

The embodiments of the depots according to FIGS. 8 to 10 can advantageously also receive very bent crown corks 4 when the container is opened. In these three figures, a stored crown cap 4 is indicated by thin lines for a better overview.

Figure 11 shows in two views a depot 1, which clamps a crown cap 4 from the outer opposite sides. The elongated elevations 2 extend slightly conically in the vertical direction or in the longitudinal direction. They are preferably also provided with an undercut 14 each. The bottle cap 4 to be kept is attached to the depot 1 from above, pushed down and clamped at the diagonally opposite edges. However, for this depot 1 for the preparation of the container 6 a correspondingly multi-part finished mold is required.

FIG. 12 partially shows a container 6 made of glass or plastic with a

External thread 15 at the container mouth 3. This container 6 is provided with a

Screw cap or closed with a screw cap. They are made of metal with an elastic seal or plastic. The screw cap is clamped for storage in the depot 1 at its periphery between the two elevations 2. The inner elevation 2 can be designed for the course of a small circular arc with at least one passage of the external thread 15 as an undercut 14 in order to achieve a particularly firm hold of the container closure in the depot 1. The position of the deposited screw cap is also indicated in Figure 12 for better understanding with thin lines. The introduction of the screw cap in the depot 1 can be done by turning or pushing. The containers 6 with thread 15 at the container mouth 3 may be the illustrated screw thread. However, the invention is also suitable for storing the so-called twist-off screw closures.

All representations in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 8 to 12 show preferred arrangements of the depots 1 on the container 6. However, the depots 1 of the respective type can also be arranged on other surfaces or surfaces of the container 6. It is preferred a depot 1 attached to the container 6 at a location where the surveys 2 do not adversely affect the handling of a reusable container 6 from cleaning and filling to returning the empties. Arrangements for this have been described with reference to the above figures. Other versions of the depot 1 are possible. Basically, a depot 1 can also be arranged at other, not described, locations of a container. The retracted depots 1 described at the bottom can be arranged not only there but also on other surfaces of a container, if the deposited container closure on the container should not or not be completely raised. Also producible are two or more depots on a container. For example, in a longer introduction time of the invention, not every container will be equipped with the depot according to the invention. The as yet accumulating container closures could then be picked up from the containers with multiple depots and fed to the useful recovery. The invention has been described using the example of containers with the widespread container closures. However, it is in principle also suitable for other closures that can be stored and collected in, on or on a depot of a container and collected, as for example for the threaded bottle caps. For departure, tearing or similar closures the corresponding applies. The materials of the containers and their closures can also be composite materials. In all cases, the materials of the container closures as valuable materials according to the invention an individual separation and recycling can be supplied, whereby a significant contribution to energy conservation is made.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 depot

2 surveys

3 container mouth, bottle mouth

4 container closure, screw cap, bottle cap, twist-off screw cap

5 indoor area

6 containers, bottle, body

7 soil

8 bead

9 casting seam

10 gap, ditch

11 circular path

12 avoidance path

13 upper level

14 undercut

15 external thread

Claims

claims

1. A device for storing and collecting a container closure (4) made of metal or plastic, which has been removed from the container mouth (3) of a container (6) has been removed and for supplying this container closure (4) for recycling, characterized by at least one depot ( 1) on the container (6), which is designed so that the container closure (4) can be disposed of there and transported with the container (6), without closing the open container mouth (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a depot (1) consisting of elevations (2) with beads (8), which correspond to the container mouth (3) in the dimensions and in the outer shape at least partially.

3. Device according to one of the claims 1 and 2, characterized by a depot (1) which can be produced at the same time with the production of the container (6) and at the neck, and / or on the base body and / or the retracted body and / or is arranged on the retracted floor.

4. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by a

Depot (1) with circular or at least two on a circular path (1 1) arranged partial elevations (2).

5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by a depot (1) as a hollow cylinder having an inner diameter which is so large that therein the container closure (4) can be clamped at its outer diameter.

6. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized by a depot (1), consisting of a gap (10) in which a container closure (4) can be clamped.

7. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized by a depot (1) consisting of two partially circular tracks and radially spaced elevations (2) with such a distance that between the container closure (4) to be stored in an area of the Edge is clamped.

8. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized by a depot (1) consisting of two elongated opposite and longitudinally conically extending elevations (2), between which the bottle cap (4) to be stored is clamped at its diagonally opposite edges.

9. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized by a

Depot (1) with an at least partial external thread for screw caps or crown caps (4) with thread, which correspond to the external thread on the container mouth (3) of the respective container (6).

10. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized by the shape and arrangement of the depot (1) on the container (6) such that an automatic removal of the crown cap (4) from this depot (1) by lateral or frontal accessibility the container closure (4) to no damage to the container (6) leads.