JP7052987B2 - Volume reduction device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a volume reducing device.

An empty container recovery device for collecting empty containers is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In a general empty container collection device, an empty container such as a PET bottle thrown in from a charging port is appropriately reduced in volume and stored in a container storage portion in the device.
Further, the volume reducing device for reducing the volume of the article performs the volume reducing process with a large torque assuming the largest (hard) article in order to surely crush the article.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-175789

However, since the volume reduction device that performs the volume reduction process with a large torque requires a volume reduction process time, for example, even when reducing the volume of an article that does not require a large torque, the same volume reduction process time is always required. It was not efficient.

The volume reducing device of the present invention has at least the following configurations.
Specific means for identifying the goods to be volume-reduced to be thrown in from the slot, and
A volume reduction control means for controlling the drive of the volume reduction unit for reducing the volume of the article based on the specific result of the specific means .
The volume reducing portion includes a pair of rotating shafts having a blade surface for reducing the volume of the article on an axial side surface .
When the specific means is specified to have a low load, the volume reduction control means increases the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit and reduces the rotation amount of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit. When the specific means is specified to have a high load, the volume reduction control means is characterized in that the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit is reduced and the rotation amount of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit is increased. And.

Since the volume reduction device of the present invention performs volume reduction processing corresponding to the container in which it is put, the processing capacity per hour is high.

An overall conceptual diagram of an article collecting device as a volume reducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a front view of the volume reducing device, and (b) is a side view of the volume reducing device. The conceptual diagram of the outer door, the inner door, the mounting part, and the measuring part of the volume reduction device (article recovery device) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. An enlarged perspective view of the upper part of the volume reducing device (container collecting device) according to the embodiment of the present invention. A side conceptual diagram showing an example of a volume reducing device in which the outer door is closed and the inner door is closed. A cross-sectional conceptual diagram showing an example of a volume reducing device mounting portion and a volume reducing portion in a state where the outer door is open and the inner door is closed. The perspective view which shows an example of the mounting part of the volume reduction device when the outer door is open state, and the inner door is closed state. A side conceptual diagram showing an example of a mounting portion and a volume reducing portion of a volume reducing device when the outer door is closed and the inner door is open. A conceptual diagram showing an example of a volume reducing part of a volume reducing device and a drive motor. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the volume reduction part of the volume reduction apparatus (article collection apparatus) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. A diagram for explaining an example of a volume reducing device (article recovery device) according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an electrical functional block diagram of the volume reducing device, and (b) is a functional block diagram of a control unit. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the volume reduction device (article collection device) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the message which is notified by the display part of the display operation part of a volume reduction device (article collection device).

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

In the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the outer door of the loading port is opened, the article is collected from the loading port, the volume of the article is reduced by the volume reducing portion, and then the article is placed in a container provided in the machine body. Store in the collection section. Specifically, the article collection device has an outer door that can be opened and closed with respect to the loading port, and a mounting portion that is located inside the loading port and can load articles from the loading port. In addition, the article collection device is configured with a loading port, a mounting portion, and the like so that a PET bottle or the like as an article is placed sideways.
Further, in detail, the volume reducing device controls the drive of the volume reducing unit that reduces the volume of the article based on the specific means for specifying the volume-reducing target article to be input from the input port and the specific result by the specific means. It has a volume reduction control means that makes the difference. For example, the volume reduction control means rotates the rotating shaft provided with the compression roller of the volume reducing portion at high speed and has a small rotation amount (rotation angle) as compared with the large empty container. Drive control.

Goods are not limited to PET bottles, cans, and bottles, but can be collected, for example, milk packs, 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 volume reducing 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 movably provided between the article loading section and the accommodating section is closed. It is 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 mounting section by the discriminating section of the control unit (not shown) such as a computer is the article to be collected (for example, PET bottle, etc.). It is determined whether or not the container is made of resin. 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 section and the storage section is opened, and the container is recovered by the storage section. The door. In the present embodiment, the container recovery device is provided with a volume reduction section (volume reduction mechanism), and the volume of the container is reduced by the volume reduction section (volume reduction mechanism), so that a large amount of volume is reduced in the recovery section having a specified capacity. Empty containers can be collected.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the article collection device 100 as a volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a container charging section 110 at the upper part of the device main body section 100B, and is provided with a container loading section 110. An outer door 111 is provided at the opening (input TS) of the 110. The apparatus 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, in the article collection device 100, the outside of the machine body of the device main body is protected by the exterior cover CV. Specifically, the exterior cover CV has an upper exterior cover CV1, a central exterior cover CV2, and the like.

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 article collection 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 reduction unit 120 crushes the empty container A as an article from the container charging unit 110 to reduce the volume, and the volume-reduced container RA is transferred to the lower container storage unit 140. Output.
Further, the device main body 100B of the article collection 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 to be plugged into 100r and can be locked and unlocked.

Further, a translucent portion 100A (translucent window) is provided on the front side of the apparatus 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 100g used at the time of transportation is provided on the side surface portion of the apparatus main body portion 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 leftover butts, rainwater, etc. are discharged and accumulated by another route by a mesh-like member at the branch portion, so that only the cap fits in the cap accommodating portion 145. You may do it.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a mounting portion 116, a measuring portion 7, and the like of the volume reducing device (article collecting device) according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper part of the volume reducing device (article collecting device). FIG. 4 is a side conceptual diagram showing an example of a volume reducing device in which the outer door 111 is in the closed state and the inner door 112 is in the closed state. FIG. 5 is a volume reducing device in which the outer door 111 is in the open state and the inner door 112 is in the closed state. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the mounting part 116 and volume reduction part 120. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the mounting portion 116 of the volume reducing device when the outer door 111 is in the open state and the inner door 112 is in the closed state. FIG. 7 is a side conceptual diagram showing an example of a volume reducing device mounting portion 116 and a volume reducing portion 120 when the outer door 111 is in the closed state and the inner door 112 is in the open state. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the volume reduction unit 120 of the volume reduction device and the drive motor. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the volume reduction unit 120 of the volume reduction device (article collection device) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the container charging section 110 of the article collecting device 100 (volume reducing device) according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting section 116, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a pedestal 118, and a measuring section 7. It has an outer door support portion S111, an inner door support portion S112, an outer door drive unit 5, an inner door drive 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 side wall portion 116a of the mounting portion 116 is provided with an optical sensor 9 such as a light receiving portion 9a and a light emitting portion 9b, a metal sensor, and the like. Further, a measuring unit 7 is provided at the lower part of the mounting unit 116.

Further, in the present embodiment, the mounting surface 116g of the mounting portion 116 is not horizontal, and the container accommodating portion 140 side is lower than the loading port side (opening side when the outer door 111 is in the open state) of the article. It is provided with an inclination so as to be. 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 it is possible to provide a small article collection device.
Further, the mounting portion 116 has a structure in which the surface of the mounting surface 116 g is surface-treated to form an uneven portion, thereby preventing 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 the surface tension due to wetting becomes small, and the container becomes 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 such as a motor 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. 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 visually recognized from the main body of the apparatus. The guide unit 112D is displayed as information so that the 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 image pickup unit. In addition, if the mounting orientation and position are not correct, notification can be performed by a detection unit such as an image pickup process or an optical sensor.

In the present embodiment, the article collection device 100 has a pedestal 118, which has an outer door 111 and outer door support portions S118 and S111 for supporting the outer door drive unit 5. Specifically, the outer door drive portion 5 and the rotary shaft C111 are provided at the upper ends of the two outer door support portions S118, and the fan-shaped outer door support portion S111 is rotatably provided on the rotary shaft C111. The outer door 111 is supported by the fan-shaped support portion S111 for the outer door. One of the two rotation shafts C111, the rotation shaft C111, is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor of the outer door drive 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 unit 7 is arranged between the pedestal 118 and the mounting unit 116 and supports the mounting unit 116.

Further, the inner door 112 is configured to guide the empty container mounted on the mounting section 116 to the volume reducing section 120 in the open state. Further, in the present embodiment, the inner door drive 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 drive unit 6 is provided with a rotation shaft C112 of the inner door 112, and the rotation shaft C112 is provided with the inner door 112. 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 recovered mounted 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 recovered on the mounting portion 116 can be measured with high accuracy.

Further, the outer door 111 of the article 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 which covers the mounting portion 116. When the outer door 111 is closed, the outer door 111 is configured to be movable 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 to 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 article collection device 100 (empty container collection 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 article collection 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 outer door has a simple mechanical structure. The opening / closing operation of each door can be restricted according to the opening / closing state of each of the 111 and the inner door 112.

Further, the first limiting portion K111 of the article collecting device 100 is configured to respond to the movement of the outer door 111. The second limiting portion K112 is configured to respond to the movement of the inner door 112. Further, the article collection device 100 is configured such that the first limiting unit K111 restricts the movement of the inner door 112 when the outer door 111 is in the open state, and the second limiting portion K111 is configured to restrict the movement of the inner door 112 when the inner door 112 is in the open state. The limiting portion K112 of the above 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 article collection device 100 is configured to limit the inner door 112 from being in the open state while being 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 recovery object or a non-recovery object, it is configured 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.

The volume reducing device has a volume reducing unit 120 and a feeding mechanism 50 provided above the volume reducing unit 120. The feeding mechanism 50 feeds the empty container in the horizontal posture, which is loaded from the charging port, to the volume reducing unit 120.
Further, above 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. Restrict the movement of the empty container A to other places.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the volume reducing device has a structure in which a pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reducing portion and a rotating shaft 51 of the feed mechanism 50 are rotatably supported.

The rotation axes 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, a compression roller 81 (91) having blade surfaces 81k (91k) on both sides in the axial direction and the compression roller 81 (the compression roller 81) having a diameter smaller than that of the compression roller 81 (91). Spacers s slightly thicker than the thickness of 91) 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 spacers.
Therefore, the compression roller 81 and the compression roller 91 do not interfere with each other, and problems such as blade spillage and breakage of the rollers do not occur.

A gear 911 m is provided at one end of the rotary shaft 911, and is configured to mesh with the gear 811 m provided at one end of the rotary shaft 811.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a large-diameter gear 811n is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 811. The gear 811n is connected to the gear 40n provided on the rotating shaft 40p of the drive unit 40 of the motor or the like so as to be able to transmit power via a power transmission body 41 such as a chain.
During driving, the rotary shaft 40p and the gear 40n of the drive unit 40 rotate, and the power is transmitted to the rotary shaft 811 and the rotary shaft 911 by the power transmission body 41, so that the rotary shaft 811 and the rotary shaft 911 are in opposite directions to each other. Rotate.

In the present embodiment, the gear 911 m is formed to have a larger diameter than the gear 811 m, and has a large number of external teeth. The gear 911m and the gear 811m mesh with each other, and the rotary shaft 811 and the rotary shaft 911 are configured to rotate in opposite directions at different speeds. Specifically, the rotating shaft 811 rotates at a higher speed than the rotating shaft 911. Further, the compression rollers 81 and 91 provided on the pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911 rotate in opposite directions at different speeds. That is, the drive unit 40 rotationally drives the pair of rotary shafts 811 and 911 in opposite directions at different speeds.
In the volume reducing device, the rotating shafts 811 and 911 move in a predetermined direction so as to move the empty container A to be volume-reduced loaded from the charging port from the upper side to the lower side through the rotation shafts 811 and 911. It is configured to rotate.

As a comparative example, when the pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911 rotate in opposite directions at the same speed, the same portions on the outer peripheral surfaces of the opposing compression rollers 81 and 91 are in sliding contact with each other in each cycle.

In the present embodiment, since the pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911 are configured to rotate in opposite directions at different speeds, the same portions on the outer peripheral surfaces of the compression rollers 81 and 91 are in sliding contact with each other in each cycle. Since it shifts little by little without any problem, deterioration of the cutting edge surface on the side surface of the compression roller can be reduced.

Further, the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 811 is higher than that of the rotation shaft 911 on the input port side. Therefore, even when the charged empty container is charged into the compression rollers 81 and 91, it is configured so as not to move to the rear of the apparatus.

The feed mechanism 50 has a plurality of blade portions 52 (made of metal, resin, etc.) as paddles on the rotating shaft 51. As the rotation shaft 51 rotates, the blade portion 52 rotates with the rotation shaft 51 as the center of rotation. Specifically, in the blade portion 52, one end portion of a substantially rectangular main body portion is connected to the rotation shaft 51, and the other tip portion is formed in a shape bent with respect to the main body portion. Specifically, the tip portion of the blade portion 52 is formed in a shape bent in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 51, and the blade portion 52 is bent even when an external force exceeding a specified value is applied during driving. By doing so, the structure is such that the feed mechanism is prevented from being damaged.
Further, a plurality of convex portions are provided at the tip portion of the blade portion 52. The convex portion is formed so as to be able to pass through a position corresponding to a position (position of spacers s) between compression rollers 81 provided at predetermined intervals on the rotating shaft 811.

Further, a large-diameter gear is provided at the end of the rotary shaft 51, and the gear is transmitted by a power transmission body such as a chain from a small-diameter gear provided at the end of the rotary shaft 811. Will be done.

The compression rollers 81 and 91 are provided with a plurality of convex pressing portions 811a and 911a protruding radially outward from the circular base at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction.
The base 81b of the compression roller 81 provided on the rotating shaft 811 is configured so as not to overlap the base 91b of the compression roller 91 provided on the opposing rotating shaft 911. Further, the base portion 91b of the compression roller 91 provided on the rotating shaft 911 is configured so as not to overlap with the base portion 81b of the compression roller 81 provided on the opposing rotating shaft 811.

The pressing portion of the compression roller 81 provided on the rotating shaft 811 deviates from a straight line parallel to the rotating shaft, passing through the pressing portion of another compression roller adjacently provided via the spacers along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. It is placed in the same position.
Specifically, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 811, the plurality of pressing portions of the compression roller 81 are arranged between the plurality of pressing portions of other compression rollers adjacent in the axial direction via the spacers. There is.
The same applies to the pressing portion of the compression roller 91 provided on the rotating shaft 911.
That is, with a simple structure, uneven portions can be neatly formed in the empty container, and slit-shaped cut portions can be formed in a part of the empty container at predetermined intervals. Moreover, a substantially flat volume-reduced material can be formed. That is, the side surface of the empty container such as the body is pressed and crushed into a flat shape, and the slit-shaped cut portion is engaged (locked) with the body of the flat empty container overlapped. The volume after volume reduction is small, and the volume reduction state of a substantially flat shape can be maintained.

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 of the volume reducing section 120.

The tip of the peeling portion 30 is provided between the compression rollers 81 (91) and is formed in a comb shape arranged in the vicinity of the spacers.

Further, in the present embodiment, a pair of peeling portions 30 (31, 32) are provided corresponding to each of the pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911. The distance between the pair of peeling portions 31 and 32 is wider toward the container discharge direction side, and is provided diagonally with respect to the container discharge direction.

When the compression roller 81 (91) is rotated, a part or all of the empty container whose volume is reduced by the volume reducing portion 120 is peeled from the compression roller 81 (91) and the spacers by the tip portion of the peeling portion 30, and the container is discharged. Derived to the side.
Since the tip of the peeling portion 30 is provided between the plurality of compression rollers 81 (91), the empty container whose volume has been reduced can be peeled from the compression roller 81 (91) of the volume reducing portion 120 with a simple structure. be able to.

As shown in FIG. 9, the length LAb (neck length) of the neck Ab 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 can be recycled without the neck portion Ab, which is relatively thick and heavy, being separated from the shoulder portion and the 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 a 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 side of the support member 871 having a substantially plate shape. 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 article recovery device 100 as the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 10, the volume reduction device (article 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 (drive motor, etc.), accommodating unit opening / closing sensor (detection unit for article accommodating unit), dirt sensor It has 17 mag. Each component is electrically connected by a signal line or the like.

The control unit 1 (CPU) comprehensively controls each component of the volume reduction device (article 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 or 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 drive unit 5 is a motor or the like for opening and closing the outer door 111, and is driven and controlled by 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 weighing unit 7 is a weighing 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 a measuring unit 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 placed on the mounting section 116 is metal, the control section 1 determines that the object mounted on the mounting section 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 recovered by detecting polarized light transmitted through a translucent empty container such as a PET bottle. It is configured to be able 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 charging unit by the optical sensor 9, and based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 9. , Determine if 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 a discharge port.
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 storage unit 140 (article storage 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 open / close sensor 16 (open / close 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.
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).

The dirt sensor 17 is provided in the vicinity of the mounting unit 116 and the mounting unit 116, detects the contamination of 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 image pickup device that captures dirt on the mounting portion, a liquid detection sensor that detects liquid on the mounting portion, and the like. can.

When the control unit 1 detects the opening of the article storage unit (container storage unit 140) by the detection unit (storage unit opening / closing sensor 16), the control unit 1 controls to open the outer door 111 or controls to expose the mounting unit 116. I do.

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 an instruction unit for instructing the release of the open state of the outer door 111. conduct.

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, for example, by executing a control program.

The first drive control unit 101 controls the outer door drive unit 5 to open the outer door 111 and close the inner door 112 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 the user's hand (according to the notification / display that the outer door 111 should be opened). Includes the act of opening (= manual) by.

In the second drive control unit 102, when the object to be collected is placed on the mounting unit 116 and the volume reduction condition is satisfied, the outer door driving unit 5 and the inner door driving unit 6 close the outer door 111 and the inner door. With 112 in the open state, the volume of a container (article) such as a PET bottle is reduced by the volume reducing unit 120, and the container (article) is controlled to be collected by the container accommodating unit 140.

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 111 is moved from the open position to the closed position by the outer door drive unit 5, the fourth drive control unit 104 closes from the open position of the outer door 111 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 pinched between the outer door 111 and the mounting portion 116, reducing the load on the outer door driving portion 5 and causing a failure. Can be prevented.

For example, when the detection means determines that the article placed on the mounting unit 116 is a non-collected object, the notification processing unit 105 performs notification processing so as to remove the non-collected object from the mounting unit 116. I do. As the notification process, for example, a screen display urging the display unit of the display operation unit 3 to exclude non-collected objects is performed.

The specific unit 106 (specific means) performs a process of specifying an article based on the detection result of the detection means (measuring unit 7, metal sensor 8, optical sensor 9, etc.). The specifying unit 106 specifies, for example, the type of the article based on the mass, length, etc. of the article.

The volume reduction control unit 107 (volume reduction control means) makes the drive control of the volume reduction unit 120 different by the volume reduction drive unit, for example, based on the specific result by the specific unit 106.
Further, the volume reduction control unit 107 controls at least one of the rotation amount (rotation angle) and the rotation speed of the rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reduction unit 120 based on the specific result by the specific means.

Further, when the volume reduction control unit 107 (volume reduction control means) detects the mass of the article by the measuring unit 7 as the detection means and determines that the mass exceeds the set value, the volume reduction control unit 120 determines that the mass exceeds the set value. Do not reduce the volume.

Specifically, the volume reduction control unit 107 performs volume reduction processing according to, for example, the specific result of the article shown in Table 1.

Specifically, the size of the article is small (within the first reference size range), the weight of the article is less than the first reference mass (for example, 40 g), and the length of the article is the first reference length (for example, 150 mm). If it is less than, the volume reduction control unit 107 of the control unit 1 rotates at a high rotation speed (first reference rotation speed), in a normal rotation (direction of rotation so as to eject an article), and a rotation amount (rotation angle). ) Is small (first reference rotation angle), and the rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reduction unit 120 are rotationally driven. In this case, the time from the open state to the closed state of the inner door is a normal specified time.

The size of the article is medium (within the second reference size range), the weight of the article is greater than or equal to the first reference mass (for example, 40 g) and less than the second reference mass (60 kg), and the length of the article is the first reference length. When it is (for example, 150 mm) or more and less than the second reference length (for example, 260 mm), the volume reduction control unit 107 of the control unit 1 sets the rotation speed to medium rotation (second reference rotation speed (<first reference rotation speed)). ), The rotation amount (rotation angle) is medium (second reference rotation angle (> first reference angle)), and the rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reducing unit 120 are rotationally driven. In this case, the time from the open state to the closed state of the inner door is the normal specified time + 200 msec.

Control when the size of the article is large (within the third reference size range), the weight of the article is the second reference mass (for example, 60 g) or more, and the length of the article is the second reference length (for example, 260 mm) or more. The volume reduction control unit 107 of unit 1 has a low rotation speed (third reference rotation speed (<second reference rotation speed)), normal rotation, and a large rotation amount (rotation angle) (third reference). The rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reduction unit 120 are rotationally driven at the rotation angle (> second reference angle). In this case, the time from the open state to the closed state of the inner door is the normal specified time + 200 msec. Further, it is preferable that the control unit 1 controls the start timing of the rotation axis so as to be later than the normal time.

Further, for example, in the event of an abnormality such as when an article or the like is clogged in the volume reduction unit 120, the volume reduction control unit 107 of the control unit 1 first reverses, and the rotation amount (rotation angle) is small, and the volume reduction unit After the rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the 120 are rotationally driven, the rotation amount (rotation angle) is large in the normal rotation, and the rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reduction unit 120 are rotationally driven to form the volume reduction unit 120. It is preferable to control the removal of clogged articles and the like.

Next, an example of the operation of the volume reducing device (article collecting device 100) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and the like.

In step ST1, the article collection device 100 is in a 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 non-contact IC card for members.

In step ST2, the control unit 1 of the article collection device 100 performs processing according to the amount of articles stored in the container storage unit and the like. Specifically, for example, when the container storage unit is full of articles such as a container, the control unit 1 notifies the display unit or the like to prompt the collection of the articles, and opens and closes the container storage unit.

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. It should be noted that 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, non-contact 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 unit 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, size, material, presence / absence of contents, etc. of the object placed on the mounting unit 116 are detected and controlled by various detection processes by the measuring unit 7, the metal sensor 8, the optical sensor 9, and the like. A signal indicating the detection result is output to the unit 1.

In step ST6, the control unit 1 performs a process of specifying an object (article) placed on the mounting unit 116 based on the result of the detection unit processing.

In step ST7, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the outer door closing condition is satisfied. Specifically, when the control unit 1 determines that the article (object) placed on the mounting unit 116 is the object to be collected, the control unit 1 proceeds to the process of step ST8, and in other cases (non-collection of foreign matter or the like). (In the case of an object), the process proceeds to step ST70.
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 ST70, the control unit 1 performs notification processing. Specifically, the notification process of this step ST70 is a process of notifying the inputter (operator) that the article is determined (specified) as a foreign substance or a non-collected object instead of the collected object in ST6. Is. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 1 "takes out the bottle and puts it in again", "put the PET bottle without crushing it (do not crush it)", and "discard the leftover drink". Notify messages (words, images, etc.) such as "Please (NG for leftovers)", "Only PET bottles can be collected (X for other containers)", etc. by displaying them on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. This makes it possible for the thrower (operator) to recognize that the thrown article cannot be collected. Further, the control unit 1 may control to display the above messages on the same screen at the same time, or to switch and display each of the above messages one by one.
Further, the control unit 1 "notifies the leftover drink" because the weight is abnormal based on the information of the article detected in ST5, "leaves other than the PET bottle" because it detects the metal, and the optical sensor could not detect the PET bottle. Based on the detected result, such as "notify without crushing the PET bottle", the notification process may be performed by switching to a predetermined message. The notification method may be screen display, voice output, or the like. Further, the notification process is not limited to the process of displaying a message, and notification may be performed to encourage the collection of goods with an illustration or a moving image.

Further, in the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, a long collected article (PET bottle or the like) is placed in a horizontal position (direction in the horizontal direction in front view) so that the longitudinal direction of the article is parallel to the horizontal direction. Since it has a horizontally long loading port so that it can be loaded into the loading port, for example, as a comparative example, it has a structure (a structure provided with a recovery hole, etc.) for loading the collected article in the vertical direction of the front view. Compared to the collection device, the area where the operator touches the article (PET bottle or the like) is large, and the article can be easily collected.
For example, as a comparative example, in a collection device provided with a vertically long collection hole so that the longitudinal direction of the article is parallel to the vertical direction of the front view, the container is once put in the collection hole. If this happens, when the article is collected by hand, the area that touches the article cannot be secured. Therefore, a mechanism may be provided to send the article back toward the collection hole and discharge it to the outside of the collection device. It is necessary to provide a mechanism for taking in the article, discharging the article from another opening, and returning the article to the operator.
Since the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a horizontally long input port long in the horizontal direction and has a structure that allows easy recovery, it is necessary to provide a special mechanism like the recovery device of the above comparative example. It is possible to reduce the size of the entire volume reduction device.
Further, in the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the input port is formed in a horizontally long shape long in the horizontal direction, and the volume reducing portion is provided so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the input port. Specifically, since the axial directions of the rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reduction portion are formed to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the input port, the time required for volume reduction of the article is equal to the shorter direction of the article ( In the case of a PET bottle, only the diameter width of the body) is used, and the processing time required for volume reduction is short.
For example, the collected article is a PET bottle, and it is provided with a volume reduction portion for reducing the volume of a vertically long PET bottle, which is loaded from a small-diameter input port, from the bottom side to the head side or from the head side to the bottom side. The volume reduction device (comparative example) requires a relatively long volume reduction processing time.

As shown in FIG. 11, in step ST71, when the control unit 1 determines that the object placed on the mounting unit 116 is a non-collected object, the control unit 1 takes a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. , Whether or not it has passed is determined, and as a result of the determination, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step ST72, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the standby state is set until the predetermined time elapses. ..

In step ST72 and step ST73, 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 ST74, the control unit 1 performs notification processing. Specifically, in the control unit 1, when the non-collected object is placed on the mounting unit 116 of the container charging 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 charging section in the section and that the non-collected object is removed from the mounting section 116 is 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 by the transmission / reception unit 4 via a wireless or wired communication path. 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 ST74, 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 store clerk who received the notification sends and receives an IC card with identification information for the administrator (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 steps ST72 and ST73 and foreign matter cannot be inserted, the control unit 1 will read the identification information from the IC card or the like by the transmission / reception unit 4. The process of opening the outer door 111 may be performed regardless of whether or not the user is an administrator. 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.

In step ST8, the control unit 1 closes the outer door. Specifically, the control unit 1 drives and controls the outer door driving unit 5 so that the outer door is closed.

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

In step ST10, 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 ST15, and if the inner door opening condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST15. Proceed to the process of step ST11. 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 ST11, 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 ST11, 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 ST12, 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 ST13.

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 drive unit 5 so that the outer door 111 is in the open state. 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 volume reduction processing according to the article. Specifically, as described above, the volume reduction control unit 107 of the control unit 1 performs volume reduction processing according to the article by the volume reduction unit 120 based on the detection result by the detection unit and the specific result by the specific unit. Specifically, for example, the volume reduction control unit 107 controls at least one or both of the rotation amount and the rotation speed of the volume reduction unit 120 based on the specific result by the specific unit. Further, when the volume reduction control unit 107 determines that the mass of the article detected by the detecting means exceeds the set value, the volume reduction control unit 120 controls the volume reduction control unit 120 so as not to reduce the volume of the article.

In step ST15, 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 (detection 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 ST16.
By proceeding to step ST5 as described above, the container can be continuously charged. Specifically, while the volume reduction unit is in the process of reducing the volume of an empty container, a new container can be loaded into the mounting unit, so detection by the sensor (detection unit) of the mounting unit The processing and the volume reduction processing by the volume reduction unit can be performed 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 charging process, the inner door 112 is closed 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 portion, the debris does not reach the mounting portion.

In step ST16, 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 ST17. Specifically, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "Please insert 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 ST17, 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, the process proceeds to the process of step ST1. If not, the process of step ST15 is performed. Proceed to. Specifically, in step ST17, 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.

As described above, the volume reduction device (article collection device 100) according to the embodiment of the present invention is a specific means (specific unit 106) for specifying the volume reduction target article to be input from the input port, and the identification thereof. Volume reduction control means (volume reduction drive unit 15, volume reduction control unit 107 of control unit 1) that makes the drive control of the volume reduction unit 120 that reduces the volume of the article specified by the specific means different based on the specific result of the means. ) And.
That is, it is possible to provide a volume reducing device having a high processing capacity per hour because the volume reducing treatment corresponding to the put container is performed.
For example, when the volume of a small and lightweight empty container is reduced by the volume reduction unit 120 as an article, the volume reduction control means is a rotary shaft 811 including a compression roller 81 of the volume reduction unit as compared with a large empty container. Since the rotation shaft 911 provided with the compression roller 91 is driven and controlled so as to rotate at high speed and have a small rotation amount (rotation angle), for example, the volume of a plurality of empty containers including a small and lightweight empty container is continuously reduced. In this case, it is possible to provide a volume reducing device having a high processing capacity per hour.

Further, the volume reduction device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes detection means (measuring unit 7, metal sensor 8, etc.) for detecting the characteristics of the article to be loaded from the loading port, and the volume reduction control means of the volume reduction device is provided. , The article is specified based on the detection result by the detection means, and at least one of the rotation amount and the rotation speed of the volume reducing portion is controlled. Specifically, the volume reduction control means (volume reduction drive unit 15, volume reduction control unit 107) is specified by the specific means (specific unit 106) based on the detection results of the detection means (measurement unit 7, metal sensor 8, etc.). At least one of the rotation amount and the rotation speed of the rotation shafts 811 and 911 of the volume reducing unit 120 is controlled according to the article. Specifically, when the volume of a small and lightweight empty container is reduced by the volume reduction unit 120, the rotation speed of the rotation shafts 811,911 of the volume reduction unit 120 is controlled to be smaller than that of the large empty container. , Control the rotation speed of the rotation shafts 811 and 911 at a high speed, or control both or one of them.
That is, for example, when a plurality of empty containers including a small and lightweight empty container are continuously reduced in volume, it is possible to provide a volume reducing device having a high processing capacity per hour.

Further, the volume reducing unit 120 of the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the loading port TS into which the article is loaded. Specifically, the volume reduction unit 120 has a rotary shaft 811 including a compression roller 81 and a rotary shaft 911 including a compression roller 91, and the axial directions of the rotary shafts 811 and 911 are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the input port TS. Therefore, the volume reduction unit 120 is provided.
That is, since the volume reducing device can reduce the volume of a container such as a PET bottle in a sideways posture, it is possible to provide a small volume reducing device.

Further, the measuring unit 7 as a detecting means of the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention detects the mass of the article placed on the mounting unit 116. When the specific means (specific unit 106) of the control unit 1 identifies that the mass of the lightweight article exceeds the set value by the measuring unit 7 of the detection unit, the article placed on the mounting unit is not reduced. The volume reduction control means (volume reduction drive unit 15, volume reduction control unit 107) is determined to be a content object (for example, the contents such as juice and water are contained in the article), and the volume reduction control unit is used. The article placed on the placement portion 116 is treated as a non-volume reduction object without reducing the volume of the article by 120. For example, the control unit 1 opens the outer door 111 and performs a process of displaying on the display unit that the object is a non-volume reduction object. That is, it is possible to prevent a failure of the volume reducing device.

Further, in the volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rotating shaft 811 of the volume reducing unit 120 depends on whether the article to be volume reduced has a low load or a high load for the volume reducing processing of the volume reducing unit 120. , 911 Rotation speed, rotation amount, etc. are controlled.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the article is specified by the specific means (specific unit 106) to have a low load for the volume reduction process of the volume reduction unit 120, the volume reduction control means (volume reduction drive unit 15, control). The volume reduction control unit 107) of the unit 1 controls to increase the rotation speed of the volume reduction unit 120 and reduce the rotation amount of the volume reduction unit 120. That is, when the volume of a low-load article is continuously reduced, it is possible to provide a volume reduction device having a short volume reduction processing time and a large number of volume reductions per hour.
Further, when the specific means (specific unit 106) identifies that the article has a high load for the volume reduction process of the volume reduction unit 120, the volume reduction control means reduces the rotation speed of the volume reduction unit 120 and reduces the volume. Control is performed to increase the amount of rotation of the container 120. That is, when continuously reducing the volume of high-load articles, it is necessary to provide a volume-reducing device capable of reliably reducing the volume of high-load articles with high torque, although the number of volume reductions per hour is relatively small. Can be done.

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 content of each figure can be an independent embodiment, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one embodiment in which each figure is combined.

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

Further, the recovery system having the volume reduction device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a volume reduction device having a measuring unit, a storage unit (empty container storage unit), a communication unit, etc. installed in a store or the like, and a volume reduction device thereof. The container may have a management computer connected to the device so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication path such as a wired communication path or a wireless communication path.

In the above-described embodiment, the detection process is performed in the outer door open state and the inner door closed state in step ST5, the specific process is performed in the outer door open state and the inner door closed state in step ST6, and the outer door is performed in the outer door closed state in step ST13. Volume reduction processing was performed according to the article in the closed state and the inner door closed state, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
For example, the detection process may be performed with the outer door closed and the inner door closed. Further, for example, the specific process may be performed in the state where the outer door is closed and the state where the inner door is closed.

1 ... Control unit 2 ... Storage unit 3 ... Display operation unit 7 ... Measuring unit (detection means)
8 ... Metal sensor (detection means)
9 ... Optical sensor (detection means)
15 ... Volume reduction drive unit (drive motor, etc .; volume reduction control means)
100 ... Article collection device (volume reduction device, empty container collection device, collection device, or container volume reduction device)
100B ... Device main body 106 ... Specific part (specific means)
107 ... Volume reduction control unit (volume reduction control 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 (storage unit or article storage unit)
TS ... Input port

Claims (3)

Specific means for identifying the goods to be volume-reduced to be thrown in from the slot, and
A volume reduction control means for controlling the drive of the volume reduction unit for reducing the volume of the article based on the specific result of the specific means .
The volume reducing portion includes a pair of rotating shafts having a blade surface for reducing the volume of the article on an axial side surface .
When the specific means is specified to have a low load, the volume reduction control means increases the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit and reduces the rotation amount of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit. When the specific means is specified to have a high load, the volume reduction control means is characterized in that the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit is reduced and the rotation amount of the rotation shaft of the volume reduction unit is increased. Volume reduction device. The volume reducing device according to claim 1, wherein the volume reducing portion is provided so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the loading port into which the article is loaded. When the specific means detects the mass characteristic of the article and identifies that the mass of the article exceeds a set value, the volume reduction control means reduces the volume of the article by the volume reduction unit. The volume reducing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there is no such device.

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