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K-Cup Recycler. Zack Burchman Travis Gang Dana Geer Ryan Neary Matt Seekins. Faculty Advisor: Mike Rosen GMCR Contacts: Wade Hodge Paul Comey Jason King. Problem Statement. Create a machine that will effectively dismantle waste K-Cups produced from misprocessing and quality testing.
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K-Cup Recycler Zack Burchman Travis Gang Dana Geer Ryan Neary Matt Seekins Faculty Advisor: Mike Rosen GMCR Contacts: Wade Hodge Paul Comey Jason King
Problem Statement • Create a machine that will effectively dismantle waste K-Cups produced from misprocessing and quality testing. • The device should: • Be capable of handling partially assembled and damaged K-Cups • Separate components into four waste streams in recyclable condition • Significantly reduce the waste discarded to the landfill • Be scalable to handle 80,000 cups a day • Be compatible with GMCR safety restraints
Photos from GMCR Factory K-Cup Assembler Foil Welding Device
Flow Chart of Process ORIENTATION MECHANISM Get all cups upright SORT Using vibration ramp Foil and Grounds WASTE STREAMS Separate streams will be ground for shipping to various recyclers SENSORS Determine state of cup (lid, no lid) VACUUM Suck out foil and grounds No Lid Cup and filter Lid HEAT FOIL WELD Using direct contact PUNCH IN FOIL Solid piece pushes in foil REMOVE FILTER Use rubber stopper device to twist out filter and vacuum out
Orientation Mechanism Isometric View: Side View: Top View: • Cups will fall into slot • Conveyors will right cups laying on side • Upside down cups will be re-circulated
Punch and Heating Device • Direct contact heating element • Punch will push foil into cup with grounds
Backup Plan • Heating and punching element could be replaced with direct cutting mechanism • Would produce more waste • May be more efficient • Approaches: • Can opener • Die puncher
Vacuum Mechanism • Vacuum will remove foil and grounds in one step • Ground and foil will have to be sorted later
Holding Cup During Vacuum • Prongs on bottom • Clamps from side Suction from bottom
Filter Remover Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 • Rubber stopper • Will twist and friction will cause filter to release • Vacuum will remove all pieces of filter
Remaining Issues Determine how cups will fall into orientation mechanism Determine feasibility of direct contact heating element Determine best method for sorting grounds and foil Test friction removal of filter with rubber stopper
Questions? Thanks to GMCR for coming out!