JP6900030B2 - Goods collection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an article collection device.

An empty container collecting device for collecting an empty container is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2009-175789

However, the container inlet of the empty container collection device is easily soiled, and regular cleaning is indispensable to prevent abnormality detection of optical sensors and maintain a clean state. The device has a structure in which it is difficult to clean the container charging part, and if regular cleaning is forgotten, it is not possible to maintain a clean state.
Further, in an empty container collection device in which the container inlet is closed during normal standby, the inside of the container inlet cannot be visually recognized, and cleaning tends to be neglected.

The article collection device of the present invention has at least the following configurations.
An article collection device that collects articles
A mounting part on which articles can be placed and
The outer door that covers the above-mentioned place and
Volume reduction section that reduces the volume of articles placed on the above-mentioned placement section,
An article accommodating portion provided below the above-mentioned placing portion and accommodating an article whose volume has been reduced by the volume reducing portion, and an article accommodating portion.
A detection unit that detects an operation related to the opening of the article storage unit, and
When the detection unit detects an operation related to the opening of the article accommodating unit, it is characterized by having a control unit that notifies by a notification means so as to clean the above-mentioned storage unit.

According to the present invention, the article collection device can provide an article collection device having a simple structure that gives a notification prompting cleaning of the mounting portion, such as when collecting articles housed in the device main body.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article collection device having a simple structure capable of easily cleaning the mounting portion, such as when collecting articles housed in the device main body.

An overall conceptual view of the container recovery device as the article recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a front view of the container recovery device, and (b) is a side view of the container recovery device. The conceptual diagram of the container input part of the article collection device (container collection device) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows an example of the article collection device (container collection device) in the state which the outer door is closed and the inner door is closed. A side conceptual diagram showing an example of an article collection device (container collection device) in which the outer door is closed and the inner door is closed. The perspective view which shows an example of the article collection device (container collection device) in the state which the outer door is open and the inner door is closed. A side conceptual diagram showing an example of an article collection device (container collection device) in which the outer door is open and the inner door is closed. A perspective view from a front upper position showing an example of an article collection device (container collection device) in which the outer door is open and the inner door is closed. A side conceptual diagram showing an example of an article collection device (container collection device) in which the outer door is closed and the inner door is open. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of an article collection device (container collection device) in which the outer door (not shown) is closed and the inner door is open. The side conceptual view which shows an example of the volume reduction part of the article collection apparatus (container collection apparatus) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The plan view which shows an example of the volume reduction part of the article collection apparatus (container collection apparatus) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. A diagram for explaining an article collection device (container collection device) according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an electrical functional block diagram of the article collection device (container collection device), and (b) is shown in (a). The functional block diagram of the control unit shown. The figure for demonstrating an example of the container accommodating part of the article collection device (container collecting device) which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a perspective view which shows an example of a container accommodating part, (b) is a container accommodating bag. The figure which shows an example of the container accommodating part with the cap accommodating bag attached. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the article collection apparatus (container collection apparatus) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the article collection apparatus (container collection apparatus) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the instruction part (close button, open button, etc.) of the article collection device (container collection device).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the contents shown in the illustration. In the following description of each figure, parts common to the parts already described are designated by the same reference numerals, and some duplicate explanations will be omitted.
As the article recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a container recovery device will be described.

The article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a mounting unit on which an article can be placed, an article accommodating portion for accommodating the collected article, and a detecting unit for detecting an operation related to opening of the article accommodating portion. When the unit detects an operation related to the opening of the article accommodating unit, it has a control unit that notifies by a notification means so as to clean the mounting unit.
Goods are not limited to PET bottles, cans, and bottles, but include, for example, milk cartons, trays, ink cartridges, items returned to libraries and rental stores (books, DVDs, etc.), cleaning items, batteries, light bulbs, etc. Any article will do. That is, the container recovery device is an embodiment of the article recovery device.

Specifically, in the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the outer door of the article loading section is closed during standby, and the inner door provided openable and closable between the article loading section and the accommodating section is closed. It is in a state. At the time of collecting the article, the outer door of the article loading section is opened, and the object placed on the loading section of the article loading section by the discriminating section is the article to be collected (for example, an empty resin container such as a PET bottle). ) Is determined. When it is determined that the object is an article (empty container) to be collected, the outer door is closed, the inner door provided between the article loading part and the accommodating part is opened, and the container is collected by the accommodating part. The door. In the present embodiment, the container collection device is provided with a volume reduction mechanism, and by reducing the volume of the container by the volume reduction mechanism, a large amount of empty containers whose volume has been reduced can be collected by the collection unit having a specified capacity.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a container charging section 110 above the device main body 100B, and the container loading section 110 is provided. An outer door 111 is provided on the outside of the opening of the portion 110. The device main body 100B is provided with a display operation unit 3 and a transmission / reception unit 4 (communication unit) on the front side near the upper part of the outer door 111. Further, a luggage hook 100f is provided on the front side of the device main body 100B.

Further, a passage communicating with the container storage unit 140 is provided below the container charging unit 110, and an inner door 112 is provided in the passage 71 from the mounting unit 116 of the container charging unit 110 to the container storage unit 140. ing.

In the present embodiment, the empty container collecting device 100 is provided with a volume reducing portion 120 (volume reducing mechanism) between the inner door 112 and the container accommodating portion 140. When the inner door 112 is in the open state, the volume reducing unit 120 crushes the empty container A from the container charging unit 110 to reduce the volume, and outputs the reduced volume container RA to the lower container accommodating unit 140.
Further, the device main body 100B of the empty container collecting device 100 has a drawer 100C on which the container accommodating portion 140 is placed, and a drawer handle 100e and a key hole 100r are provided on the front side, and the key is keyed. It is configured so that it can be locked and unlocked by inserting it into the hole 100r.

Further, a translucent portion 100A (translucent window) is provided on the front side of the device main body portion 100B, specifically, on the front side of the drawer 100C, and an empty container accommodated in the container accommodating portion 140 from the outside. Is configured to be visible.

Further, a moving handle 100 g used at the time of transportation is provided on the side surface portion of the apparatus main body 100B.

Further, the apparatus main body 100B is provided with a cap insertion portion 108 on the front side, a cap passage 72 is provided downward from the cap insertion portion 108 in the apparatus main body, and the cap inserted into the cap insertion portion 108 is a cap. It is configured to be accommodated in the cap accommodating portion 145 via the passage 72.
The cap passage 72 may have a mechanism for sorting the cap and those smaller than the cap. Specifically, the cap passage 72 is branched, and a mesh-like member at the branch portion discharges and accumulates leftover butts, rainwater, etc. by another route so that only the cap fits in the cap accommodating portion 145. It may be.

Next, the container charging section 110 of the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device will be described. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a container loading portion of the empty container collecting device. 3 and 4 are views showing an example of an empty container collecting device in which the outer door 111 is closed and the inner door 112 is closed. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views showing an example of an empty container collecting device 100 in which the outer door 111 is in the open state and the inner door 112 is in the closed state. 8 and 9 are conceptual diagrams showing an example of an empty container collecting device in which the outer door 111 is closed and the inner door 112 is open. Note that the outer door is not shown in FIG.

The container loading section 110 of the empty container collecting device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting section 116, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a pedestal 118, a measuring section 7, an outer door support section S111, and an inner door support. It has a unit S112, an outer door driving unit 5, an inner door driving unit 6, a first limiting unit K111, a second limiting unit K112, and the like.

The mounting unit 116 is configured so that an object to be collected or the like can be mounted. The mounting portion 116 is provided with, for example, an optical sensor 9 such as a light receiving portion 9a or a light emitting portion 9b, a metal sensor, or the like on the side wall portion 116a of the mounting portion 116. Further, a measuring unit 7 is provided below the mounting unit 116.

Further, in the present embodiment, the mounting surface of the mounting portion 116 is not horizontal, and the container accommodating portion 140 side is lower than the article loading port side (opening side when the outer door 111 is in the open state). It is provided with an inclination. That is, the mounting portion 116 is configured to encourage the loaded article to fall to the container accommodating portion 140 side (or volume reducing portion 120 side) due to its own weight. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a transport mechanism for sending the article (load) to the container accommodating portion 140, and a small article collection device can be provided.
Further, the mounting portion 116 has a structure in which the surface of the mounting surface is surface-treated to form an uneven portion to prevent the loaded article from sticking to the mounting portion. When the article collection device is a container collection device, even if the container is wet, the contact area between the container surface and the uneven surface of the mounting portion is relatively small, so that the surface tension due to wetting is small and the container is a container. It easily moves to the accommodating portion 140 side. That is, it is possible to prevent a problem that the wet container does not fall to the container storage portion side.

The outer door 111 is provided on the outside of the mounting portion 116. The outer door driving unit 5 drives the outer door 111 so as to be openable and closable.
The inner door 112 is provided in the passage 71 between the mounting portion 116 and the volume reducing portion 120. The inner door driving unit 6 drives the inner door 112 so as to be openable and closable. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the inner door 112 is provided with a guide portion 112D for guiding the mounting state of the empty container. The guide portion 112D is provided at a position where it is exposed and can be seen from the main body of the apparatus. The guide unit 112D is displayed as information so that an article (empty container such as a PET bottle) is placed in a specified direction and a specified position (for example, 350 ml, 500 ml, 2000 ml, etc.). The guide portion 112D may be a concave portion, a convex portion, a sticker, an LED display portion, an LCD, or the like provided on the surface of the inner door 112.
Further, the article collecting device may be provided with a determination means for determining whether or not the article is correctly placed at the placement position indicated by the guide unit 112D by a detection sensor such as an imaging unit. In addition, if the mounting orientation and position are incorrect, notification can be performed by a detection unit such as an imaging process or an optical sensor.

In the present embodiment, the empty container collecting device 100 has a pedestal 118, and the pedestal 118 has an outer door 111 and outer door support portions S118 and S111 for supporting the outer door driving unit 5. Specifically, an outer door driving unit 5 and a rotating shaft C111 are provided at the upper ends of the two outer door support portions S118, and a fan-shaped outer door supporting portion S111 is rotatably provided on the rotating shaft C111. The outer door 111 is supported by the fan-shaped support portion S111 for the outer door. One of the two rotating shafts C111, the rotating shaft C111, is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor of the outer door driving unit 5.
The fan-shaped outer door support portion S111 is provided with a hole portion S111h through which the rotation shaft C112 of the inner door 112 penetrates.

The measuring section 7 is arranged between the pedestal 118 and the mounting section 116 and supports the mounting section 116.

Further, the inner door 112 is configured to guide an empty container placed on the mounting portion 116 to the volume reducing portion 120 in the open state. Further, in the present embodiment, the inner door driving unit 6 and the inner door 112 are supported by the inner door support portion S112 which is arranged on the measuring unit 7 and has a structure extending from between the measuring unit 7 and the mounting unit 116. Has been done. The inner door driving unit 6 is provided with a rotating shaft C112 of the inner door 112, and the inner door 112 is provided on the rotating shaft C112. By opening the inner door 112, the object to be collected can be guided to the container accommodating portion 140 in the main body of the apparatus. Further, the inner door support portion S112 has a hole portion S112h through which the rotation shaft C111 is passed.

That is, the outer door driving unit 5 and the outer door 111 are supported by the outer door support portion S111 of the pedestal 118, and the mounting portion 116 is provided on the upper portion of the measuring portion 7 arranged on the pedestal 118. The unit 7 can measure the mass of the object to be collected and the like placed on the mounting unit 116 with high accuracy. Specifically, since the measuring unit 7 does not support the outer door 111 or the outer door driving unit 5, the measuring unit 7 is affected by the vibration of the outer door 111 or the outer door driving unit 5. It has a structure that is difficult to receive, and the mass of the object to be collected on the mounting portion 116 can be measured with high accuracy.

Further, the outer door 111 of the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention can move between the open position where the mounting portion 116 is exposed and the closed position where the mounting portion 116 is covered. When the outer door 111 is closed, the outer door 111 can be moved from the open position to the closed position toward the mounting portion 116. That is, since the outer door 111 is configured to move toward and close the mounting portion 116 from the open state, for example, a user's hand or arm is sandwiched between the outer door 111 and the mounting portion 116. At that time, the measured value by the measuring unit fluctuates, and the control unit detects the fluctuation, so that the user's hand, arm, foreign matter, etc. can be easily caught between the outer door 111 and the mounting unit 116. Can be detected.

Further, in the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the outer door 111 includes a first limiting unit K111 that restricts the movement of the inner door 112. The inner door 112 includes a second limiting portion K112 that limits the movement of the outer door 111. The first limiting unit K111 and the second limiting unit K112 have a mechanism for restricting that both the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 are in the open state.
That is, since the empty container collecting device 100 has a first limiting portion K111 provided on the outer door 111 and a second limiting portion K112 provided on the inner door 112, the empty container collecting device 100 has a mechanically simple structure and is outer. The opening / closing operation of each door can be restricted according to the opening / closing state of each of the door 111 and the inner door 112.

Further, the first limiting portion K111 of the empty container collecting device 100 as an article collecting device is configured to respond to the movement of the outer door 111. The second limiting unit K112 is configured to respond to the movement of the inner door 112. Further, the empty container collecting device 100 is configured such that the first limiting portion K111 restricts the movement of the inner door 112 when the outer door 111 is in the open state, and when the inner door 112 is in the open state, the first limiting portion K111 is configured to restrict the movement of the inner door 112. The limiting portion K112 of 2 is configured to limit the movement of the outer door 111.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the outer door 111 is in the open state, the empty container collecting device 100 is configured to limit the inner door 112 from being in the open state while remaining in the closed state. That is, when the outer door 111 is in the open state and the thrown object is placed on the mounting portion 116, the inner door 112 is in the closed state and is not in the open state, but is placed on the mounting portion 116. Regardless of whether the object is a collection object or a non-collection object, it is configured so as not to be accommodated in the container accommodating portion 140 in the apparatus main body 100B. That is, in this state, the article (collected object or non-collected object) is in contact with the inner door 112, and the inner door 112 has a structure that also serves as a part of the mounting portion.

Further, the first limiting unit K111 and the second limiting unit K112 are configured so that the movement paths overlap. Further, in the present embodiment, in the empty container collecting device 100, when one of the first limiting unit K111 and the second limiting unit K112 restricts the movement of the other, the first limiting unit K111 and the second limiting unit K111 and the second limiting unit K112. The limiting portion K112 has a structure adjacent to the arc shape with a slight interval. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first limiting portion K111 is formed in a substantially fan shape. The first limiting portion K111 has a convex arc-shaped portion K111a and a concave-shaped portion K111b. Further, the second limiting portion K112 is formed in a substantially fan shape. Specifically, the second limiting portion K112 has a convex arc-shaped portion K112a and a concave-shaped portion K112b.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the outer door 111 is open and the inner door 112 is closed and the first limiting portion K111 restricts the movement of the second limiting portion K112, the first The convex arc-shaped portion K111a of the limiting portion K111 and the concave arc-shaped portion K112b of the second limiting portion K112 are adjacent to each other with a slight interval in the arc shape.
That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, when the outer door 111 is in the open state, the inner door 112 is in the closed state, and the movement of the second limiting portion K112 is restricted by the first limiting portion K111. Therefore, the inner door 112 is maintained in the closed state and is not opened.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the inner door 112 is in the open state and the outer door 111 is in the closed state and the second limiting portion K112 restricts the movement of the first limiting portion K111, the first The convex arc-shaped portion K112a of the limiting portion K112 of 2 and the concave arc-shaped portion K111b of the first limiting portion K111 have a structure adjacent to the arc shape with a slight interval.

That is, in the empty container collecting device as the article collecting device of the embodiment of the present invention, when the outer door 111 is in the closed state and the inner door 112 is in the open state, the second limiting part K112 causes the first limiting part K111. Since the movement of the door is restricted, the outer door 111 is maintained in the closed state and is not opened.

Further, in the present embodiment, the empty container collecting device 100 may have a prohibiting means for prohibiting the movement of one or both of the first limiting unit K111 and the second limiting unit K112. Specifically, the prohibiting means has, for example, a solenoid. In this solenoid, for example, a metal movable pin (plunger) is arranged in the coil, and when the coil is not energized, the movable pin (plunger) is arranged at a position where the movable pin (plunger) protrudes from the end of the coil by the urging portion. The structure is such that the movable pin moves into the coil when the coil is energized.
For example, as a prohibition means capable of prohibiting the movement of the outer door 111 from the closed state to the open state, a movable pin (plunger) of the solenoid for the outer door engages with a hole provided in the first limiting portion K111. It may be configured to be possible, and when the closed state of the first limiting portion K111 is maintained and the movement to the open state is prohibited, the movable pin is engaged with the hole portion and the movement is not prohibited. Is configured to be controlled by a control unit so that the movable pin is in a non-engaged state. That is, the prohibiting means can prohibit the movement of the first limiting portion K111 from the closed state to the open state with a simple structure.
Further, as a prohibition means capable of prohibiting the movement of the inner door 112 from the closed state to the open state, a movable pin (plunger) of the solenoid for the inner door engages with the hole provided in the second limiting portion K112. It may be configured to be possible, and when the closed state of the second limiting portion K112 is maintained and the movement to the open state is prohibited, the movable pin is engaged with the hole portion and the movement is not prohibited. Is configured to be controlled by a control unit so that the movable pin is in a non-engaged state. That is, the prohibiting means can prohibit the movement of the second limiting portion K112 from the closed state to the open state with a simple structure.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a standby unit AA in which the outer door 111 stands by at a closed position. The standby portion AA is provided at a position where the outer door 111 does not touch the mounting portion 116, and functions as a stopper for the outer door 111.

FIG. 10 is a side conceptual diagram showing an example of a volume reduction unit of the empty container collection device as the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan conceptual diagram showing an example of a volume reduction portion of the empty container collecting device.
The volume reducing portion 120 has a structure in which a pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911 are rotatably supported by two support members having a substantially plate shape.

Further, a feed mechanism 50 is provided on the upper portion of the volume reduction portion 120, and the rotation shaft 51 of the feed mechanism 50 is rotatably supported by the substantially plate-shaped support member. The feed mechanism 50 has a plurality of blade portions 52 (made of metal, resin, etc.) as paddles on the rotating shaft 51. In the feed mechanism 50, when the rotation shaft 51 rotates, the blade portion 52 rotates about the rotation shaft 51 as the rotation center, and guides the empty container A to the volume reduction portion 120.

Further, on the upper part of the volume reducing portion 120, a plate-shaped regulating member 61 and a regulating member 62 are provided so as to be inclined in opposite directions so as to guide the empty container A to the center of the volume reducing portion 120. It regulates the movement of the empty container A to other places.

The rotating shafts 811, 911, and 51 are arranged in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals. In each of the pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911, the compression rollers 81 and 91 having the blade surfaces 81k or the blade surfaces 91k on both side surfaces in the axial direction and the compression rollers 81 and 91 having a diameter smaller than the compression rollers 81 and 91. Spacers s, which are slightly thicker than the thickness of the above, are alternately arranged side by side along the axial direction.
The outer peripheral portion of the compression roller provided on one rotating shaft is arranged between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft, and is provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft. It is arranged at a position separated by a predetermined distance LP from the spacer s. Further, the distance LP between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 811 and the compression roller 91 provided on the rotating shaft 911 facing the spacer s is the maximum outer diameter LAg of the body portion Ag of the empty container A. Is set smaller than.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a gear 811 m is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 811 and is configured to mesh with a gear 911 m provided at one end of the rotating shaft 911. ing. The rotating shafts 811, 911, and 51 are rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). During driving, the rotating shaft 811 and the rotating shaft 911 rotate in opposite directions, the empty container A put into the central portion is compressed by the compression rollers 81 and 91, and the reduced volume empty container is output downward. ..

The peeling section 30 (31, 32) is configured to peel off the container whose volume has been reduced by the compression rollers 81, 91 of the volume reducing section 120 from the compression rollers 81, 91.

As shown in FIG. 11, the length LAb (neck length) of the neck Ab (neck length) of the empty container A such as a PET bottle is the length from the tip Ac on the opening Ah side to the neck ring or the base of the neck. ..

The empty resin container A such as a PET bottle is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the neck portion Ab and the thickness of other portions, specifically, the shoulder portion and the body portion Ag and the like. As an empty container for recycling, for example, when the neck Ab of the empty container A and other parts are separated to form a lump smaller than the standard, the recycling company may consider it as not subject to recycling. The volume reduction portion 120 has a flat shape larger than the above standard so that the empty container is subject to recycling without the relatively thick and heavy neck portion Ab being separated from the shoulder portion and body portion Ag. Reduce the volume.

Further, the distance LT between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 911 and the spacer ws (s) provided on the rotating shaft 811 is longer than the outer diameter of the neck Ab of the empty container.
Further, the distance LC from the inner side surface of the support member 871 to the compression roller 81 arranged on the side surface side of the rotating shaft 811 is configured to be longer than the length LAb of the neck portion Ab of the empty container A.
Further, in the present embodiment, the distance LC is set longer than the axial length of the spacer ws (s) arranged on the side surface side of the rotating shaft 811. The axial length (thickness) of the spacer ws (s) is set to be about twice as long as the axial length Ls of the other spacers.
That is, the compression roller on the support member 871 side provided on the rotating shaft 811 is separated from the side surface of the support member 871 by a predetermined distance so as not to be separated from the neck portion Ab of the empty container A and the shoulder portion or body portion Ag. It is placed in position. That is, the volume reducing portion 120 has a structure in which the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is connected to the shoulder portion and the body portion Ag when the volume of the container is reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the axial thickness L1 of the compression rollers 81 and 91 is shorter than the length LAb of the neck portion Ab of the empty container A. For example, when an empty container A made of resin such as a PET bottle is arranged in the opposite direction, specifically, the tip Ac formed of the opening Ah of the empty container A is located on the substantially plate-shaped support member 871 side. Even when the container is arranged so as to be positioned, the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is not separated from the shoulder portion and the body portion Ag when the volume of the container is reduced.

Next, an example of the electrical configuration of the empty container recovery device 100 as the article recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12, the article collection device (empty container collection device 100) includes a control unit 1 (CPU), a storage unit 2, a display operation unit 3, a transmission / reception unit 4, an outer door drive unit 5, and an inner door drive unit. 6. Weighing unit 7, metal sensor 8, optical sensor 9, door position sensor 10, door lock unit 11, volume reduction drive unit 15, accommodating unit opening / closing sensor 16 (detection unit for article accommodating unit), dirt sensor 17, etc. Have. Each component is electrically connected by a signal line or the like.

The control unit 1 (CPU) comprehensively controls each component of the article collection device (empty container collection device 100). The control unit 1 realizes the function according to the present invention on a computer by, for example, executing a control program.

The storage unit 2 is a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The storage unit 2 stores a control program and the like. Further, the storage unit 2 stores the characteristics of the empty container of the object to be collected. The characteristics of the empty container are, for example, the range of the container mass and whether or not it is a resin material.

The display operation unit 3 performs a predetermined display under the control of the control unit 1. Further, the display operation unit 3 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation of the user or the like to the control unit 1. The display operation unit 3 is, for example, a touch panel type display device or the like.

The transmission / reception unit 4 is a transmission / reception device that communicates with a non-contact IC card, an IC tag, or the like, and performs predetermined communication under the control of the control unit 1. Further, the transmission / reception unit 4 performs predetermined communication with another terminal device (computer) via a wireless communication path or a wired communication path under the control of the control unit 1.

The outer door driving unit 5 is a motor or the like for opening and closing the outer door 111, and is driven and controlled by the control from the control unit 1.

The inner door drive unit 6 is a motor or the like for opening and closing the inner door 112, and is driven and controlled to open or close the inner door by control from the control unit 1.

The measuring unit 7 measures the mass of the empty container or the non-collected object placed on the mounting unit 116 of the container charging unit 110. The measuring unit 7 is a measuring device such as a load cell.
Further, the measuring unit 7 is used as a sensor for determining whether or not the container can be collected by detecting leftovers in the container placed on the mounting unit 116 of the container charging unit 110. Further, the measuring unit 7 is configured to be able to specify the total weight contained in the container accommodating unit 140 by integrating the weight values of the containers determined to be recoverable. With this function, it is not necessary to provide the measuring unit 140 in the container accommodating unit 140, a large capacity container accommodating unit 140 can be secured, and the measuring unit 7 itself can be made smaller. Since the object to be weighed is relatively small, it is not necessary to provide a large weighing unit 7.

The metal sensor 8 detects whether the object placed on the mounting portion 116 of the container charging portion 110 is metal or non-metal. In the present embodiment, when the metal sensor 8 detects that the object mounted on the mounting unit 116 is metal, the control unit 1 determines that the object mounted on the mounting unit 116 is a non-collected object. Determine if there is.

Further, the optical sensor 9 has a light receiving unit 9a that receives light from the light emitting unit 9b provided in the container charging unit 110. The optical sensor 9 is provided with, for example, a polarizing plate, and is configured to receive light through the polarizing plate, and is to be collected by detecting polarized light transmitted through a translucent empty container such as a PET bottle. It is configured to detect empty containers.
The control unit 1 detects the light transmitted through and received by the translucent empty container mounted on the mounting unit of the container loading unit by the optical sensor 9, and based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 9. , Determine whether it is an empty container to be collected.

The article collection device is provided with the above-mentioned sensors for determining the necessity of collection around the mounting portion. For example, in a conventional collection device, an article is taken into the device, it is determined whether or not it is a collection target, and a non-object is discharged from a discharge port different from the input port, and a determination unit is provided in the device. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an outlet.
On the other hand, the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with sensors for determining the necessity of collection in the mounting portion corresponding to the input port of the device, so that it is not necessary to take the object to be collected into the device. It has become. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a discharge port, and a small article collection device can be provided.

The door position sensor 10 detects the position of the outer door 111 and the position of the inner door 112, and outputs a signal regarding the position of the outer door 111 and the position of the inner door 112 to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the open / closed state of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 based on the signal.

The door lock unit 11 has, for example, a locking device such as a solenoid, and locks the movement of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 as needed by the control from the control unit 1.

The volume reduction drive unit 15 controls the drive of the volume reduction unit 120 by the control of the control unit 1.

In the present embodiment, the article collection device is provided with a container accommodating unit 140 (article accommodating unit) for accommodating a container as a collected article at the lower part of the device main body. The container accommodating portion 140 has a structure that can be pulled out with respect to the apparatus main body portion.

The storage unit opening / closing sensor 16 (detection unit for the article storage unit) detects an operation related to opening the article storage unit (container storage unit 140).
Specifically, the storage unit opening / closing sensor 16 (detection unit for the article storage unit) detects the open (open state) or closed state of the container storage unit 140 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 1. In the present embodiment, the open (open state) of the container accommodating portion 140 corresponds to a state in which the container accommodating portion 140 is pulled out from the main body portion of the article collection device. Specifically, the accommodating portion opening / closing sensor 16 is a switch or an optical sensor provided in the main body of the device or in the container accommodating portion 140 to detect the open (open state) or closed state of the container accommodating portion 140.
Further, the accommodating portion opening / closing sensor 16 is provided in the main body portion of the article collecting device or the container accommodating portion 140 (article accommodating portion).
Further, the detection unit detects an operation related to opening the article storage unit (container storage unit 140), for example, when the key of the key hole 100r provided in the drawer 100C of the empty container collection device 100 is unlocked. It may be detected that the container has been operated in the above direction, that the drawer 100C has been opened, that the container housing unit 140 has been pulled out, or the like, or that the display operation unit has been opened. Opening operation of the container housing unit 140 by an open button 502 button for instructing the outer door 111 to be opened or a switch (not shown) for instructing the same operation, which is displayed on the screen of the display unit of 3. It may be the detection of.

The dirt sensor 17 is provided in the vicinity of the mounting unit 116 and the mounting unit 116, detects the dirt on the mounting unit 116, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 1. Examples of the dirt sensor 17 include an odor sensor that detects an odor generated from dirt on the mounting portion, an imaging device that images dirt on the mounting portion, a liquid detection sensor that detects liquid on the mounting portion, and the like. it can.

When the control unit 1 detects an operation related to opening the article storage unit (container storage unit 140) by the detection unit (storage unit opening / closing sensor 16), the control unit 1 notifies by a notification means to clean the mounting unit 116. ..

Further, when the detection unit (accommodation unit opening / closing sensor 16) detects the opening of the article accommodating unit (container accommodating unit 140), the control unit 1 controls to open the outer door 111 or exposes the mounting unit 116. Control to make it.

Further, when the article accommodating unit (container accommodating unit 140) is in the open state, the control unit 1 performs a permission process for closing the outer door 111 by a release instruction of the instruction unit for instructing the release of the open state of the outer door 111. Do.

Further, the control unit 1 controls to close the outer door 111 when the article accommodating unit (container accommodating unit 140) detects an operation from the open state to the closed state.

Further, the control unit 1 includes a first drive control unit 101, a second drive control unit 102, a third drive control unit 103, a fourth drive control unit 104, a notification processing unit 105, and the like. The control unit 1 realizes the function of each drive control unit in an article collection device (empty container collection device) as a computer by executing a control program, for example.

The first drive control unit 101 controls the outer door drive unit 5 to open the outer door 111 when the container is collected. To control the outer door 111 to be in the open state, not only the outer door 111 is automatically opened, but also, for example, the lock is simply released, but the door itself is a user's hand (according to the notification / display indicating that the outer door 111 should be opened). Includes the act of opening (= manually) by.

When the object to be collected is placed on the mounting unit 116, the second drive control unit 102 sets the outer door 111 in the closed state and the inner door 112 in the open state by the outer door driving unit 5 and the inner door driving unit 6. , The container accommodating unit 140 controls to collect the container.

In the case of a non-collected object, the third drive control unit 103 is detected by the detection unit, and when the non-collected object is not excluded for a predetermined time or longer, the outer door driving unit 5 and the inner door driving unit 6 cause the inner door 112. The closed state of the door 111 is maintained, and the outer door 111 is controlled to be closed.

When the outer door driving unit 5 moves the outer door 111 from the open position to the closed position, the fourth drive control unit 104 closes the outer door 111 from the open position when the measuring unit 7 detects a change in the measured value. Controls to stop the movement to the position. That is, when the outer door 111 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the control unit 1 stops the movement of the outer door 111 from the open position to the closed position when the measuring unit 7 detects a change in the measured value. By performing control, it is possible to prevent the user's hand, arm, foreign matter, etc. from being caught between the outer door 111 and the mounting portion 116, reducing the load on the outer door driving portion 5 and causing a failure. Prevention can be done.

The notification processing unit 105 notifies by a display unit, a sounding unit, or the like so as to clean the mounting unit. Further, when the detection unit detects the opening of the outer door 111 or the exposure of the mounting unit 116, the notification processing unit 105 performs the above notification. Further, the notification processing unit 105 notifies the display unit of the display operation unit 3 to open the outer door 111 for cleaning.
Further, when the detection unit detects a non-collected object, the notification processing unit 105 performs notification processing so as to eliminate the non-collected object. As the notification process, for example, a screen display prompting the display unit to eliminate the non-collected object is performed.

<Empty container housing>
Next, an example of the container accommodating portion 140 of the empty container collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In detail, FIG. 13 (a) is a perspective view showing an example of a container accommodating portion, and FIG. 13 (b) is a diagram showing an example of a container accommodating portion equipped with a container accommodating bag and a cap accommodating bag. ..

As shown in FIG. 14A, the container accommodating portion 140 detachably provided at the lower portion of the device main body portion 100B of the empty container collecting device 100 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having an opening at the top and a bottom at the bottom. It is a container, and a translucent portion 140a or a semi-translucent portion is provided on the front side, so that the inside of the container accommodating portion 140 can be easily visually recognized from the outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a large container accommodating bag is detachably provided in the container accommodating portion 140 having an opening at the top. In the present embodiment, the container accommodating portion 140 having a substantially rectangular opening at the upper portion is provided with an insertion port 140b for fixing the container accommodating bag BB near the upper end of the side surface. In the present embodiment, a slit-shaped insertion port 140b is formed in the central portion of the oval elastic member.

When the container accommodating bag BB is attached to the container accommodating portion 140, the container accommodating bag BB is accommodated in the central portion of the container accommodating portion 140, the upper end of the container accommodating bag BB is folded outward, and the container accommodating bag BB is inserted into the insertion port 140b. Plug it in. That is, the container accommodating bag BB is fixed to the container accommodating portion 140 by inserting the elastic member into the slit-shaped insertion port 140b and engaging the bag with the slit.

For example, when removing the container accommodating bag BB from the container accommodating portion 140 after collecting a plurality of containers in the container accommodating bag BB, pull the container accommodating bag BB from the insertion port 140b with a predetermined force or more. Then, it becomes disengaged and the bag can be easily removed.

Further, in the present embodiment, a cap accommodating portion is provided in a part of the container accommodating portion 140. Specifically, the cap accommodating bag BS is arranged in one corner of the container accommodating portion 140. The cap accommodating bag BS preferably includes, for example, two handle portions.
The container accommodating portion 140 is provided with a locking portion such as an uncus portion near the upper part of the side surface of the corner portion. The container accommodating portion 140 has a simple structure by locking the handle portion of the cap accommodating bag BS to the locking portion and arranging the opening of the bag near the outlet of the cap passage. Can be easily accommodated.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the cap accommodating portion has a structure supported in the container accommodating portion 140. Further, the handle portion BSa of the cap accommodating bag BS as the cap accommodating portion is locked to the locking portion such as a hook near the upper part of the outer surface of the container accommodating portion 140 to easily realize the above configuration. can do. Further, since the container accommodating portion 140 has a structure in which the cap accommodating portion is provided, space saving can be realized.

Next, an example of the operation of the article collection device (empty container collection device 100) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and the like.

In step ST1, the empty container collecting device 100 is in the standby state. When the control unit 1 receives a signal from the transmission / reception unit 4 (communication unit) or the display operation unit 3, the control unit 1 performs processing according to the signal. Further, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "Please touch a card (membership card or the like)" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. The card (membership card, etc.) is, for example, a contactless IC card for members.

In step ST2, the control unit 1 of the empty container collection device 100 performs processing according to the open / closed state of the container storage unit 140 and the like. An example of the operation of step ST2 will be described in detail in steps ST201 to ST207.

As shown in FIG. 15, in step ST201, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the container storage unit is open (open state) based on the signal from the storage unit open / close sensor 16, and in the open state. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step ST202, and in other cases, the process proceeds to step ST3.

In step ST202, the control unit 1 proceeds to the process of step ST204 when the dirt of the mounting unit 116 is detected based on the signal from the dirt sensor 17, and proceeds to the process of step ST203 in other cases.

In step ST203, when the control unit 1 determines whether or not a predetermined fixed period, for example, several hours to several tens of hours has passed since the cleaning of the mounting unit 116, and determines that the time has passed. The process proceeds to step ST204, and in other cases, the process proceeds to step ST3.

In step ST204, the control unit 1 performs the outer door opening process. Alternatively, the control unit 1 controls to expose the mounting unit 116. Specifically, the control unit 1 releases the door lock portion of the outer door 111, and the outer door drive unit 5 performs drive control to move the outer door 111 to the open state.
That is, when the container accommodating portion 140 is in the open state (the state in which the container accommodating portion 140 is pulled out from the device main body portion), the outer door 111 is in the open state. The operator (user) can visually recognize the mounting portion 116, and can clean the mounting portion 116 without forgetting to clean the mounting portion 116.

In step ST205, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the close button has been operated, and if it determines that the close button has been operated, performs the outer door closing process (step ST206) and proceeds to the process of step ST1. In the case of, the process proceeds to step ST207.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation unit of the article collection device. As shown in FIG. 16, when the container storage unit is open (open state), the control unit displays an image 501 or characters indicating that the container storage unit is in the open state on the display operation unit. The process is performed, and the open button 502 instructing the outer door to be in the open state and the close button 503 instructing the outer door to be in the closed state are operably displayed. When the close button 503 is operated, the control unit performs drive control for closing the outer door.

In step ST207, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the container storage unit is in the closed state based on the signal from the storage unit open / close sensor 16, and if it is determined that the container storage unit is in the closed state, the process of step ST206 is performed. In other cases, the process proceeds to step ST205.

As shown in FIG. 14, in step ST3, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the outer door opening condition is satisfied, and if the outer door opening condition is satisfied, proceeds to the process of step ST4. As a condition for opening the outer door, for example, when the display operation unit 3 such as a touch panel operates the empty container collection start button or the like, the process proceeds to step ST4. The process of step ST4 may proceed on the condition that the membership card possessed by the user and the transmission / reception unit 4 communicate with each other and the personal authentication is correctly performed (condition for opening the outer door). Membership cards include, for example, contactless IC cards, magnetic cards, cards on which barcodes and 2D codes are printed, display devices on which barcodes and 2D codes are displayed, smartphones with membership card functions, and so on. Mobile phones, etc. can be mentioned.
Further, in step ST3, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "Please put the container" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3.

In step ST4, the control unit 1 performs the outer door opening process. Specifically, the control unit 1 releases the door lock portion of the outer door 111, and the outer door drive unit 5 performs drive control to move the outer door 111 to the open state.

In step ST5, the mass, material, presence / absence of contents, etc. of the object placed on the mounting unit 116 are detected by various detection processes by the measuring unit 7, the metal sensor 8, the optical sensor 9, etc., and the control unit 1 receives the detection process. Outputs a signal indicating the detected result.

In step ST6, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the outer door closing condition is satisfied. Specifically, when it is determined that the object placed on the mounting unit 116 is the object to be collected, the process proceeds to step ST7, and in other cases (in the case of a non-collected object such as a foreign substance), step ST61 Proceed to the process of.
As a result of the detection process, the control unit 1 determines, for example, that the article placed on the mounting unit 116 is an empty container, for example, a predetermined amount of liquid left undrinked in the container. When it is detected that it is present, it may be determined that it contains a foreign substance.

In step ST7, the control unit 1 closes the outer door. Specifically, the control unit 1 drives and controls the outer door driving unit 5 so as to close the outer door.

In step ST8, the control unit 1 determines whether or not a change in the measurement value by the measurement unit 7 is detected, and if the change in the measurement value is detected, proceeds to the process of step ST9, and in other cases, measurement. The detection process in step ST8 is continued until the change in the value subsides.

In step ST9, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the inner door opening condition is satisfied, and as a result of the determination, if the inner door opening condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST14, and if the inner door opening condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST14. The process proceeds to step ST10. The condition for opening the inner door is, for example, that the object placed on the mounting portion 116 is the object to be collected.

In step ST10, the control unit 1 performs an inner door opening process. Specifically, the control unit 1 performs drive control by the inner door drive unit 6 so that the inner door 112 is in the open state.
In step ST10, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "recycling container XX" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. As will be described later, in the case of continuous container charging processing, the control unit 1 counts up the number of containers and performs a process of displaying the number on the display unit. Further, when the container is not continuously charged, the control unit performs a process of displaying on one container and the display unit.

In step ST11, the control unit 1 closes the inner door. Specifically, the control unit 1 performs drive control by the inner door drive unit 6 so that the inner door 112 is closed. The inner door 112 is in a closed state, and the mounting portion and the volume reducing portion are separated (separated). Then, the process proceeds to step ST12.

In step ST13, the control unit 1 performs the outer door opening process. Specifically, the control unit 1 performs drive control by the outer door driving unit 5 so that the outer door 111 is opened. The outer door 111 is in the open state, and the next container can be put in.
In step ST14, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "Please put the next container, if not, touch the screen" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. As will be described later, when the operator (user or the like) touches the screen of the display operation unit 3, the end is declared.

In step ST15, the control unit 1 performs volume reduction processing. Specifically, the control unit 1 performs a process of reducing the volume of the empty container A by the volume reducing unit 120. The volume reduction process in step ST13 does not have to be performed. Further, if necessary, the volume of the container may be reduced or not reduced.

In step ST14, the control unit 1 determines whether or not a new article has been loaded into the mounting unit by a signal from each sensor, and as a result of the determination, the article is determined by any sensor (detecting unit) of the mounting unit. When is detected, the process proceeds to step ST5, and when the article is not detected, the process proceeds to step ST15.
By proceeding to step ST5 as described above, the container can be continuously charged. Specifically, since the volume reduction unit is in a state where a new container can be put into the mounting unit while the empty container is being reduced in volume, it is detected by the sensor (detection unit) of the mounting unit. The processing and the volume reduction processing by the volume reduction unit can be processed in parallel. That is, the article collection device can efficiently reduce the volume of empty containers.
Further, even in the case of not the continuous loading process, the inner door 112 is in the closed state during the volume reduction process, and the mounting portion and the volume reduction portion 120 are separated (separated state). Therefore, even if debris such as a container is scattered by the volume reduction process by the volume reduction section, the debris does not reach the mounting section.

In step ST15, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the end operation has been detected, and if the end operation is detected, proceeds to the process of step ST1, and if not, proceeds to the process of step ST16. Specifically, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "Please put the next container, please touch the screen" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3, and by touching the screen. When the end of the operation is detected, the process proceeds to the process of step ST1.

In step ST16, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the volume reduction process of the container by the volume reduction unit 120 is completed, and if it is completed, proceeds to the process of step ST1. If not, the process of step ST14. Proceed to. Specifically, in step ST16, the control unit 1 starts timing from the state where the outer door of ST12 is open, determines that there is no next container when a predetermined time has elapsed, and automatically performs the above-mentioned standby state. The process proceeds to step ST1.

In step ST61, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the outer door closing condition is satisfied in step ST6, and if it is determined that the object placed on the mounting unit 116 is a non-collected object, it is predetermined. It is determined whether or not the time, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute has elapsed, and as a result of the determination, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step ST62, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step ST62. It is in a standby state until a predetermined time elapses.

In step ST62 and step ST63, the control unit 1 performs an outer door closing process for closing the outer door 111 while maintaining the closed state of the inner door 112. Specifically, the outer door driving unit 5 is driven and controlled so that the control unit 1 and the outer door 111 are closed.

In step ST64, the control unit 1 performs the notification process. Specifically, in the control unit 1, when the non-collected object is placed on the mounting unit 116 of the container loading unit 110 and the outer door 111 is closed, the volume of the non-collected object is reduced. A process of notifying that the non-collected object remains in the input section in the section and not being collected, and a process of notifying that the non-collected object is removed from the mounting section 116 are performed. As the notification process, a process of displaying on the display unit of the display operation unit 3, a process of producing a predetermined notification sound, and a process of causing a light emitting element such as an LED to emit light are performed. Then, the process proceeds to step ST1.
Further, as the notification process of the control unit 1, the above notification may be performed to an external terminal device (not shown). The external terminal device is, for example, a POS terminal installed in a store, a portable terminal device carried by a store clerk or a system administrator, a host server, or the like. The control unit 1 may perform the above notification (pop-up screen display, lamp lighting, sound output, etc.) to the external terminal device via a wireless or wired communication path by the transmission / reception unit 4. Further, the control unit 1 may output an error so that each terminal device can directly notify the error, or the control unit 1 may output an error to a higher-level server and the POS terminal or the like may perform the above notification via the server. Further, the control unit 1 may similarly notify other error information (fullness detection, replacement sign of consumable parts, other failure error, etc.).
In addition, after the processing of step ST64, the case where the collector of the container is specified and the case where the collector of the container is not specified will be described in detail.
When identifying the collector, the clerk who received the notification sends and receives an IC card with identification information for the administrator (the identification information for the administrator is stored in the storage unit of the IC card) and the like. When it is held over or touched (or brought close to) the unit 4, the control unit controls to open the outer door 111 after confirming that the authentication process has been performed correctly for the administrator. The outer door 111 is opened so that a clerk or the like can remove the non-collected material. That is, by giving the authority to open the outer door at the time of an error only to a limited number of people, it is possible to prevent further introduction of foreign matter and mischief.
When the collector is not specified, even if the outer door 111 is closed in ST62 and ST63 and foreign matter cannot be inserted, when the identification information is read from the IC card or the like by the transmission / reception unit 4, the control unit 1 will perform. Regardless of whether or not the administrator is an administrator, the process of opening the outer door 111 may be performed. As a result, the user who wants to use the article collection device can remove the non-collected object. That is, it is possible to prevent a chance loss that the article collection device cannot be used until a clerk or the like comes and removes the non-collected object.

As described above, the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the device main body 100B provided with the accommodating unit (container accommodating unit 140) for accommodating the articles, and the container loading unit 110. Has. The container loading unit 110 includes a mounting unit 116 on which an article can be placed, an outer door 111 provided outside the mounting unit 116, and a storage unit (container storage unit) in the device main body 100B from the mounting unit 116. It has an inner door 112 provided in a passage 71 leading to 140). Further, the empty container collecting device 100 as an article collecting device includes an outer door driving unit 5 for opening and closing the outer door 111 and an inner door driving unit 6 for opening and closing the inner door 112.
Further, the control unit 1 of the empty container collection device 100 is provided in the mounting unit, and is based on the detection means (measurement unit 7 or the like) for detecting the article placed on the mounting unit and the detection result by the detecting means. It also has a discriminating unit (control unit 1) for determining whether or not it is a collection target.
That is, it is possible to determine whether or not the charged object is the object to be collected without taking it into the device main body 100B of the empty container collecting device 100, and it is possible to collect a small empty container with a simple structure. Equipment can be provided.

Further, the detection means of the empty container recovery device 100 as the article recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided in the mounting section 116 of the container loading section 110, and the mass of the object mounted on the mounting section 116. It has a mass detection unit (weighing unit 7) for detecting. The discriminating unit of the control unit 1 determines whether or not the object is a recovery target based on the mass of the object mounted on the mounting unit 116 detected by the mass detecting unit (weighing unit 7).
Specifically, for example, when the mass of the object placed on the mounting section 116 is within a predetermined range with respect to the mass of the empty container of the object to be collected, the discriminating section may be used on the mounting section 116. It is determined that the placed object is the object to be collected, the outer door is closed, the inner door is opened, and the empty container to be collected is stored in the main body of the device. The control is performed to keep the inner door closed and keep the outer door open so that the door is not collected in the main body of the device.
That is, based on the mass of the object mounted on the mounting section 116, when the object mounted on the mounting section 116 is a non-recoverable object, it is not housed in the device main body 100B and is to be recovered. It is possible to provide a small empty container collecting device having a simple structure capable of accommodating only an object in the container accommodating portion 140 in the apparatus main body portion 100B.

Further, the control unit 1 of the empty container collection device 100 as the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention maintains the closed state of the inner door 112 when the determination unit determines that the object is not a collection target. Drive control is performed by the door drive unit 6, and drive control is performed by the inner door drive unit 6 so that the inner door 112 is opened when the determination unit determines that the object is to be collected.
That is, when the loaded article is a non-collection object, it is not accommodated in the device main body 100B, but only the recovery object can be accommodated in the container accommodating portion 140 in the device main body 100B, which is a simple structure. Can provide a small empty container recovery device.

As described above, the empty container collection device 100 as the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention collects an empty container or the like as an article. The empty container collection device 100 relates to opening a mounting unit 116 on which articles can be placed, an article storage unit (container storage unit 140) for accommodating collected articles, and an article storage unit (container storage unit 140). When the detection unit (container opening / closing sensor 16) that detects the operation and the detection unit (container opening / closing sensor 16) detect the operation related to the opening of the article storage unit (container storage unit 140), the mounting unit 116 is cleaned. It has a control unit 1 that performs notification by the notification means (notification processing unit 105) so as to perform the above.
That is, it is possible to provide an article collection device having a simple structure that gives a notification prompting cleaning of the mounting portion 116, such as when collecting articles stored in the main body of the empty container collection device 100 (article collection device). it can.

Further, the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention has an outer door 111 that covers the mounting portion 116. The notification "prompting the cleaning of the mounting portion 116" by the notification means may be, for example, opening the outer door 111 by the outer door driving unit 5 or exposing the mounting portion 116. Good.
That is, by opening the outer door 111 or exposing the mounting portion 116, it is possible to provide an article collecting device having a simple structure that gives a notification prompting cleaning of the mounting portion 116.

Further, the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a display unit (display unit of the display operation unit 3). As described above, when the notification unit (notification processing unit 105 of the control unit 1) detects an operation related to opening the article storage unit (container storage unit 140) by the detection unit (storage unit opening / closing sensor 16), the notification unit (display unit) The outer door 111 is opened to notify the user to perform cleaning.
That is, by displaying characters and images on the display unit so as to open the outer door 111 for cleaning, it is possible to provide an article collection device that reliably notifies the store clerk, the operator, and the like to that effect. ..

Further, the empty container collecting device 100 as the article collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention has an instruction unit for instructing the release of the open state of the outer door 111. When the article storage unit (container storage unit 140) is in the open state, the control unit 1 performs a permission process for closing the outer door 111 in response to a release instruction from the instruction unit. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a process of operably displaying a close button for releasing the open state of the outer door 111 is performed on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. The control unit 1 drives and controls the outer door driving unit 5 so as to close the outer door 111 when the close button is operated. Alternatively, when the article accommodating unit is locked in the open state and the outer door 111 is locked in the open state, the control unit 1 may perform a process of releasing the lock so that the door can be manually closed.
That is, for example, when the operator (user) visually observes the mounting portion and determines that cleaning of the mounting portion is unnecessary, the outer door 111 can be closed by operating the close button (indicating portion). it can.

Further, when the control unit 1 of the empty container collection device 100 as the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention detects the operation of the article storage unit (container storage unit 140) from the open state to the closed state, the outer door Control is performed to close 111.
That is, for example, when the article accommodating portion (container accommodating portion 140) is changed from the open state to the closed state by the operation of the operator (user), the outer door 111 can be closed. After cleaning, it is possible to prevent forgetting to close the outer door 111. Further, by setting the power off state or the standby state (power saving state) on the condition that the outer door 111 is closed, it is possible to provide an article collection device having low power consumption.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Even included in the present invention.
Further, the embodiments shown in the above figures can be combined with each other as long as there is no particular contradiction or problem in the purpose and configuration thereof.
Further, the description contents of each figure can be independent embodiments, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one embodiment in which each figure is combined.

The empty container collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above includes a volume reduction unit (volume reduction mechanism) for reducing the volume of the empty container, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and for example, the volume reduction mechanism. The empty container of the input object to be collected may be collected as it is.

In the above-described embodiment, the empty container collection device collects empty containers such as PET bottles, but may be configured to collect aluminum cans, steel cans, and the like, and collects PET bottles, aluminum cans, and steel cans. It may be a device that is also used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when dirt is detected by the dirt sensor 17 (odor sensor or the like), the control unit performs notification processing, but when dirt is not detected by the dirt sensor 17, a notification prompting cleaning is performed. You don't have to. In addition, the control unit does not have to notify that cleaning is unnecessary for a certain period of time after the previous cleaning.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit opens the outer door when the article accommodating unit detects the opening by the detection unit, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the article is not limited to this embodiment. When the accommodating portion detects the opening, a notification process may be performed to notify the opening of the outer door or to expose the above-mentioned storage portion.
That is, the control unit operably displays an instruction unit (open button or close button) instructing the outer door to be in the open state on the display operation unit, so that an operator such as a clerk can open or close the outer door. Can be selected.

Further, as the notification process, the control unit may display the instruction unit in an operable manner and may perform a display process for guiding the mounting unit to be cleaned. That is, the article collection device can guide an operator such as a clerk to clean the article with a simple configuration.

Further, the control unit may control to close the outer door when the article accommodating unit detects the operation from the open state to the closed state.

In summary, the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be described as the following appendix.
[Appendix 1]
An article collection device that collects articles
A mounting part on which articles can be placed and
An article storage unit that houses the collected articles,
The outer door that covers the above-mentioned place and
A detection unit that detects the opening of the article storage unit, and
When the article accommodating portion detects the opening by the detecting unit, the notification means for notifying the opening of the outer door or exposing the above-mentioned storage unit, and the notification means.
An article collection device characterized by having.
[Appendix 2]
Has a display
The article collecting device according to Appendix 1, wherein the notification means operably displays an instruction unit for instructing the release of the open state of the outer door on the display unit.
[Appendix 3]
The article collecting device according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the notification means displays the instruction unit in an operable manner and also displays a display for guiding the user to clean the above-mentioned storage unit.
[Appendix 4]
The item according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3, wherein the article accommodating portion has a control unit that controls the outer door to be closed when the operation from the open state to the closed state is detected. Goods collection device.

Further, the above-mentioned steps ST201 to ST207 are set as the first mode, the processes of the appendices 1 to 4 are set as the second mode, and the mode switching means for switching between the first mode and the second mode as needed is provided as an article. You may have a recovery device.

1 ... Control unit 2 ... Storage unit 3 ... Display operation unit 4 ... Transmission / reception unit 5 ... Outer door drive unit 6 ... Inner door drive unit 7 ... Weighing unit 8 ... Metal sensor 9 ... Optical sensor 10 ... Door position sensor (door detection unit) )
16 ... Storage unit open / close sensor (detection unit for empty container storage unit)
17 ... Dirt sensor (odor sensor, etc.)
71 ... Passage 10 ... Door position sensor 11 ... Door lock 100 ... Empty container collection device (article collection device (container volume reduction device))
100B ... Device main body 105 ... Notification processing unit (notification means)
110 ... Container loading section (article loading section)
111 ... Outer door 112 ... Inner door 116 ... Mounting part 120 ... Volume reduction part (volume reduction mechanism)
140 ... Container storage unit (article storage unit)

Claims (6)

An article collection device that collects articles
A mounting part on which articles can be placed and
The outer door that covers the above-mentioned place and
Volume reduction section that reduces the volume of articles placed on the above-mentioned placement section,
An article accommodating portion provided below the above-mentioned placing portion and accommodating an article whose volume has been reduced by the volume reducing portion, and an article accommodating portion.
A detection unit that detects an operation related to the opening of the article storage unit, and
When the detection unit detects an operation related to the opening of the article accommodating unit, a control unit that notifies by a notification means so as to clean the above-mentioned storage unit, and a control unit.
An article collection device characterized by having. The article collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means performs the notification by opening the outer door or exposing the above-mentioned placing portion. It also has a display
The article collection device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies the display unit to open the outer door for cleaning. It has an instruction unit that instructs the release of the open state of the outer door.
The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the article accommodating unit is in the open state, the control unit performs a permission process for closing the outer door in response to a release instruction from the instruction unit. The article collection device described. The operation related to the opening detected by the detection unit is
The article collection according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is an operation of pulling out the article storage unit from the article collection device or an operation of unlocking a key hole provided in the article collection device. apparatus. The article collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer door is controlled to be opened when an operation to start collecting articles is performed.

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