KR20230140004A - Apparatus for selectively collecting food waste - Google Patents

Abstract

A food waste sorting and collection device is disclosed. The food waste sorting and collection device of the present invention includes a food input unit that provides a space for temporarily storing food waste input by the user, a food analysis unit that analyzes the food waste in the food waste input unit, and a food waste that can be recycled. A recycling food collection bin that provides a space for collecting food waste, a non-recyclable food collection bin that provides a space for collecting non-recyclable food waste, and recycling the food waste in the food input unit according to the analysis results of the food analysis unit. It includes a transport means for selectively moving the food waste to any one of the food waste collection bin and the non-recyclable food waste collection bin.

Description

Food waste sorting and collection device {APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY COLLECTING FOOD WASTE}

The present invention relates to a device for collecting food waste, and more specifically, to a food waste selective collection device that can selectively collect food waste and promote recycling of food waste.

As problems caused by environmental pollution emerge, efforts by governments and companies in each country to reduce the amount of waste disposed of to prevent environmental pollution are continuing. As part of these efforts, much attention is being paid to the separate collection and recycling of general waste (garbage). However, in the case of food waste (garbage), not only is the separate collection not properly carried out, but also the condition and quality of the separated food waste. This is not good, so there is a problem that it takes a lot of cost and time to recycle food waste into feed or energy sources.

Accordingly, when collecting food waste, we collect recyclable food waste separately from non-recyclable food waste or other waste, and while increasing people's interest in and participation in food waste recycling, we also provide user convenience in discharging food waste. There is an urgent need for the development of improved food waste collection devices.

Related prior art documents include Registered Patent Publication No. 10-0841663 (Title of the invention: Food waste collection device, Announcement date: June 26, 2008) and Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1513570 (Title of the invention: Food waste Collection device and its control method, announcement date: April 20, 2015), etc.

The purpose of the present invention is to collect and separate recyclable food waste from non-recyclable food waste, increase people's interest and participation in food waste recycling, and improve user convenience in discharging food waste. The purpose is to provide a food waste sorting and collection device that can be used.

The above purpose is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a food input unit that provides a space for temporarily storing food waste input by a user, a food analysis unit that analyzes food waste in the food waste input unit, and a recycling unit. a recyclable food collection bin that provides a space for collecting recyclable food waste, a non-recyclable food collection bin that provides a space for collecting non-recyclable food waste, and food in the food input unit according to the analysis results of the food analysis unit. This is achieved by a food waste sorting and collection device, which includes a transport means for selectively moving waste to one of the recycled food waste collection box and the non-recyclable food waste collection box.

Preferably, the food analysis unit analyzes whether the food waste in the food input unit contains foreign substances, and the transport means determines whether the food waste in the food input unit contains foreign substances by the food analysis unit. If it is determined that the food waste in the food input unit does not contain foreign substances, the food waste in the food input unit is moved to the recycling food collection bin, and if the food waste analysis unit determines that the food waste in the food input unit contains foreign substances, the food waste in the food input unit is moved to the recycling food waste collection box. The food waste in can be moved to the non-recyclable food collection box.

Preferably, when the food analysis unit determines that the food waste in the food input unit does not contain foreign substances and can be recycled, it uses various sensors to determine the salt content and the degree of decomposition of the food waste in the food input unit. Quality items containing at least one can be measured and analyzed.

Preferably, the quality items measured and analyzed by the food analysis unit are used as standard data for calculating rewards to be provided to users in conjunction with a food waste collection management server, and the food waste collection management is performed through a communication module. Can be sent to the server.

Preferably, the food waste sorting and collection device includes a trash can rental unit that rents food trash cans capable of containing food waste to the user, and a trash can loading portion in which a plurality of the food trash cans to be rented to the user through the trash can rental unit are stacked and stored. More may be included.

Preferably, the food waste input into the food input unit is put in the food waste bin, and the transport means collects the recycled food from the food waste bin in the food input unit according to the analysis result of the food analysis unit. After moving to the non-recyclable food waste collection bin, the food waste contained in the food waste bin can be collected in the recycled food waste bin or the non-recyclable food waste bin.

Preferably, the return of the food waste bin is performed through the food input unit while the user puts food waste in the food waste bin, and the food waste sorting and collection device provides a space for collecting the returned food waste bin. It may further include a waste bin collection box, and the food waste bin returned in the food input unit may be collected in the food waste bin collection box after the food waste contained therein is emptied into the recyclable food waste collection box or the non-recyclable food waste collection box.

Preferably, the food waste sorting and collection device further includes a food grinding unit for grinding food waste input through the food input unit, and the food waste grinding unit is a path through which the food waste in the food input unit moves to the recycled food collection container. It may be installed on or within the recycling food collection box.

Preferably, when the food analysis unit determines that the food waste in the food input unit contains foreign substances, an image taken of the food waste in the food input unit is displayed on the display module, and the food waste that cannot be recycled is displayed on the display module. The user may be provided with the opportunity to choose between paying the cost of waste collection and receiving a return of the food waste placed in the food input unit.

The present invention analyzes the food waste input by the user and collects the recyclable food waste separately from the non-recyclable food waste, thereby reducing the cost and time in recycling the collected food waste into feed or energy sources. It can provide good quality food waste by raising people's environmentally friendly interest and awareness of food waste recycling.

In addition, the present invention improves convenience for users discharging food waste by renting a food waste bin to the user and allowing the user to place food waste in the food waste bin, while also allowing the user to select non-recyclable food waste. Depending on this, it can be returned back to the user.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food waste sorting and collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the food waste sorting and collection device of FIG. 1.
Figure 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control configuration of a food waste sorting and collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order to fully understand the present invention, its operational advantages, and the objectives achieved by practicing the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in explaining the present invention, descriptions of already known functions or configurations will be omitted to make the gist of the present invention clear.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food waste sorting and collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram explaining the internal configuration of the food waste sorting and collection device of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an embodiment of the present invention. This is a block diagram to explain the control configuration of the food waste sorting and collection device according to .

1 to 3, the food waste sorting and collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a device enclosure 110, a display module 120, a food input unit 130, a food analysis unit 135, and a food waste input unit 130. It may include a crushing unit 140, an internal ventilation unit 145, a transfer unit 150, a trash can rental unit 160, a trash can loading unit 165, a communication module 170, and a control unit 190.

In addition, the food waste sorting and collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a recycled food waste collection box (10, 10A), a non-recyclable food waste collection box (20), and a food waste waste collection box (30). Here, the recycled food waste bins 10 and 10A include a first recycled food waste bin 10 and a second recycled food waste bin 10A, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The second recycled food waste bin 10A is used for spare purposes when the first recycling food collection box 10 is full of food waste. However, in the present invention, the number of collection boxes 10, 20, and 30 may be appropriately changed as needed.

The device enclosure 110 forms the overall appearance of the food waste sorting and collection device as shown in FIG. 1 and is composed of an upper enclosure 111 and a lower enclosure 112. Here, the upper enclosure 111 provides a space where the display module 120, food input unit 130, internal ventilation means 145, and trash can rental unit 160 are installed, and the lower enclosure 112 is a recycling unit. It provides an internal space where food waste collection boxes (10, 10A), non-recyclable food waste collection boxes (20), and food waste bin collection boxes (30) are accommodated. And, as shown in FIG. 1, an enclosure door 113 that can open and close the inner space is coupled to the lower enclosure 112. However, in the present invention, the device enclosure is not limited to the shape and structure shown in FIG. 1, and may be appropriately changed into various shapes and structures as needed. For reference, only the left enclosure door 113 is shown in FIG. 1 and the right enclosure door is omitted.

The display module 120 is disposed on the front side of the device enclosure 110 as shown in FIG. 1 and can provide the user with information related to food waste collection. Preferably, the display module 120 is implemented as a touch screen or a touch panel. In this case, the display module 120 can function not only as a display means but also as an input means for receiving necessary information from the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user recognition unit 120 is a means for recognizing or identifying the user before inputting food waste into the food waste sorting and collection device. Specifically, the user recognition unit 120 recognizes the user by displaying a QR code on the display module 120 and scanning it with the user's smartphone, or tagging the user by utilizing functions such as the NFC tag of the smartphone. The user can be recognized in this way. To this end, the user needs to install a dedicated application that can connect to the food waste collection management server (not shown) on his or her smartphone and then proceed with preliminary procedures such as membership registration or user authentication. Alternatively, the user recognition unit 120 may recognize users by recognizing a food waste card issued in advance to each user in a commonly used manner.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the food input unit 130 is a space where food waste is input by a user and is installed on the front side of the device enclosure 110. In particular, in this embodiment, the food input unit 130 does not directly move the food waste input by the user to the food waste collection box 10, 20, but collects the food waste input by the user into the food waste collection box 10, 20. A space will be provided for temporary storage before moving to . Specifically, the food input unit 130 includes a food input supporter 131 on which the food trash can 1 containing food waste is placed, and a food input door 132 that opens and closes the open food input port. Here, the food input support 131 is provided in a structure that can be pulled forward so that the user can easily place the food trash can 1, and the food input door 132 is usually closed to prevent odor or for aesthetics, but is closed when the user uses it. When user recognition is completed by the recognition unit 120, the food inlet opens upward. Meanwhile, the food input supporter 131 may be provided with a weight measurement sensor to measure the weight (discharge amount) of the input food waste. For example, a load cell-type weight measurement sensor may be installed at the lower part of the food input supporter 131. there is.

For reference, in this embodiment, the food waste input into the food input unit 130 is put into the food waste bin 1, and the present invention will be described in detail on this premise below. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only food waste that is not in the food waste bin 1 may be put into the food input unit 130.

The food analysis unit 135 analyzes food waste temporarily stored in the food input unit 130 as shown in FIG. 3 . Specifically, the food analysis unit 135 analyzes whether the food waste in the food input unit 130 contains foreign substances (bones, metals, plastics, etc.). For this purpose, the food analysis unit 135 analyzes the food waste input unit 130. It includes an imaging module (not shown) installed adjacent to the unit 130, and uses this to capture images of the food waste in the food input unit 130 and detect foreign substances in the food waste through an image analysis algorithm. You can analyze and determine whether it is included or not. Here, since the image analysis algorithm for analyzing whether foreign matter is included is already a widely known and common technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment. For reference, in the present invention, food waste containing foreign substances is treated as non-recyclable food waste. That is, the food analysis unit 135 can analyze the food waste in the food input unit 130 to determine whether it can be recycled.

Meanwhile, the food waste sorting and collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention determines that the food waste in the food input unit 130 contains foreign substances by the food analysis unit 135, that is, it is determined that recycling is impossible. If so, the user can be charged a collection fee for non-recyclable food waste. At this time, in order to prevent unnecessary disputes or fights with the user, an image of the food waste in the food input unit 130 is sent to the display module. It is indicated at (120), and the user can be provided with the opportunity to choose between paying the collection cost for non-recyclable food waste and receiving a return for the food waste put into the food input unit 130. . For reference, in the present invention, no collection fee is charged for recyclable food waste, and an appropriate reward (compensation) can be provided to the user according to the quality level.

For example, if the display module 120 is implemented as a touch screen, a confirmation button indicating agreement to bear the collection cost for non-recyclable food waste, and a food waste input unit 130 instead of bearing the collection cost A return button indicating that the food waste put in can be returned on the display module 120, and the user can select one of the confirmation button and the return button. At this time, if the confirmation button is selected, the user can be charged a collection fee for non-recyclable food waste, and if the return button is selected, the food waste in the food input unit 130 is returned (e.g., the food waste input door 132) can be opened and the food input support 131 moved forward) and returned to the user.

Furthermore, if the food analysis unit 135 determines that the food waste in the food input unit 130 does not contain foreign substances, that is, if it is determined that recycling is possible, the food waste in the food input unit 130 is Quality items including at least one of moisture content, salt content, and spoilage level can be analyzed. For this purpose, the food analysis unit 135 is installed at a location adjacent to the food input unit 130 (e.g., food input unit 130). It includes various sensors (not shown) that are installed to be able to move up and down on the upper side of the (130), and uses these to measure the moisture content, salt content, degree of decomposition, etc. of the food waste in the food input unit 130. Analyze. Here, various sensors may include a moisture measurement sensor, a salinity measurement sensor, a pH measurement sensor, etc. for measuring the moisture content, salt content, and acidity (pH) of the food waste input by the user. Additionally, the degree of corruption can be analyzed through acidity (pH) measurement or ammonia (ppm) measurement. For reference, food waste with too much moisture content is generally undesirable in terms of recycling, and when recycling food waste as feed for insect larvae (e.g. black soldier flies) or livestock, if the salt content is high or the degree of decomposition is severe, It is not suitable as feed.

Meanwhile, the quality items (moisture content, salt content, degree of spoilage, etc.) of food waste measured and analyzed by the food analysis unit 135 as described above are used as standard data for calculating rewards to be provided to users. do. In other words, in order to encourage user awareness and participation in food waste recycling, the present invention provides reward points according to the quality of food waste discharged by users by linking with a food waste collection management server and a user application accessible thereto. In this case, quality item data for food waste measured and analyzed by the food analysis unit 135 may be used as standard data for calculating reward points in the food waste collection management server. To this end, quality items for food waste measured and analyzed by the food analysis unit 135 are transmitted to the food waste collection management server through the communication module 170. At this time, information on the weight (discharge) of food waste measured by the weight measurement sensor of the food input unit 130 is also transmitted to the food waste collection management server.

The food grinding unit 140 is installed on the upper side of the recycled food collection box 10 inside the device enclosure 110, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, the food grinding unit 140 is installed on the path through which the food waste in the food input unit 130 moves to the recycling food waste collection box 10. This food grinding unit 140 finely grinds the food waste input through the food input unit 130 to make it more suitable for recycling before moving it to the recycling food waste collection box 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the food grinding unit 140 includes a food tray 141 that is disposed on the upper side of the recycling food waste collection box 10 behind the food input unit 130 and is temporarily filled with food waste. It includes a grinder 142 installed below the food tray 141 to finely grind food waste. At this time, the food waste finely pulverized by the grinder 141 falls into the recycled food waste collection box 10 disposed below the grinder 141 and is collected. However, in the present invention, the food grinding unit is installed on the inside of the recycling food collection box 10, unlike the present embodiment where the food waste in the food input unit 130 moves to the recycling food collection box 10. can be installed in Furthermore, in the present invention, the food grinding unit may be omitted.

The internal ventilation means 145 is installed inside the device enclosure 110 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and purifies the air inside the device enclosure 110 contaminated with food waste into the device enclosure 110. It is a means of discharging to the outside. For example, the internal ventilation means 145 may be provided as a ventilation fan structure.

The transfer means 150 is implemented as a transfer robot arm installed adjacent to the food input unit 130, as shown in FIG. 2. This transport means 150 is used when the food waste analysis unit 135 determines that the food waste in the food input unit 130 does not contain foreign substances, that is, if it is determined to be recyclable, the food waste in the food input unit 130 is operated. Food waste is moved to the recycling food collection box (10) through the food grinding unit (140). At this time, since the food waste input into the food input unit 130 is put in the food waste bin 1 as described above, the transfer means 150 of the transfer robot arm structure is used to collect the food waste in the food input unit 130. After grasping the trash can (1), moving it to the upper side of the food grinding unit (140), tilting it at a certain angle or more, and pouring the food waste contained in the food trash can into the food grinding unit (140), the food grinding unit (140) The pulverized food waste falls freely into the recycling food collection box 10 disposed below and is collected. Then, the transport means 150 moves the emptied food waste bin 1 to the upper side of the food waste bin collection box 30 and then drops it to collect the food waste bin 1 in the food waste bin collection box 30 .

On the contrary, if the food waste analysis unit 135 determines that the food waste in the food input unit 130 contains foreign substances, that is, if it is determined to be non-recyclable, the transport means 150 sends the food waste to the food input unit 130. Move the existing food waste to the non-recyclable food waste collection box (20). Specifically, the transfer means 150 of the transfer robot arm structure grasps the food waste bin 1 in the food input unit 130, moves it to the upper side of the non-recyclable food waste collection box 20, and then tilts it at a certain angle or more to dispose of the food. Collect the food waste contained in the trash can into the non-recyclable food collection box (20). Then, the transport means 150 moves the emptied food waste bin 1 to the upper side of the food waste bin collection box 30 and then drops it to collect the food waste bin 1 in the food waste bin collection box 30 .

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the transfer means 150 is implemented as a transfer robot arm structure, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transfer means in the present invention may be implemented in various other structures such as a transfer conveyor structure.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trash can rental unit 160 is installed on the front side of the device enclosure 110 as a means to rent the food trash can 1 that can contain food waste to a user. Specifically, the trash can rental unit 160 includes a trash can support 161 on which an empty food trash can 1 is placed and a trash can rental door 162 that opens and closes the open trash can rental opening. Here, the trash can supporter 161 is provided in a structure that can be pulled forward so that the user can easily take out the food trash can 1, and the trash can rental door 162 is usually closed to prevent odor or for aesthetics, but allows the user to take out the food trash can. If you return the previously rented food waste bin 1 through the input unit 130, that is, if you put food waste in the previously rented food waste bin 1 and put it into the food input unit 130 to complete discharging the food waste, , open upward to open the trash can rental port.

Meanwhile, the return of the food waste bin 1 is done through the food input unit 130 while the user puts food waste in the food waste bin, and the food waste bin 1 returned after being placed in the food waste input unit 130 is transferred. The food waste contained therein is emptied into the recyclable food waste collection box 10 or the non-recyclable food waste collection box 20 by the means 150 and then collected in the food waste collection box 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the trash can loading unit 165 is disposed on the upper side of the trash can rental unit 160 inside the device enclosure 110 to store food trash cans ( 1) Multiple of these are stacked and stored. This trash can loading unit 165 can continuously and sequentially supply a plurality of stored food trash cans 1 to the trash can rental unit 160 using a transfer robot arm or transfer conveyor. Additionally, the trash can loading unit 165 may be implemented in a structure similar to the disposable paper cup dispenser that has been widely used recently, right above the trash can rental unit 160.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication module 170 is a means for communicating and connecting the food waste sorting and collection device of the present invention with the food waste collection management server through a wired or wireless network. The food waste sorting and collection device of the present invention can exchange necessary information or data with the food waste collection management server through the communication module 170.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 190 includes the configuration of the food waste sorting and collection device of the present invention, that is, the display module 120, the user recognition unit 125, the food input unit 130, and the food analysis unit ( 135), the overall operation of the food grinding unit 140, the internal ventilation unit 145, the transfer unit 150, the trash can rental unit 160, the trash can loading unit 165, and the communication module 170 are controlled. .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, such modifications or variations should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

110: device enclosure
120: display module
125: User recognition unit
130: Food input section
135: Food analysis unit
140: food grinding unit
145: Internal ventilation means
150: means of transportation
160: Trash can rental department
165: trash can loading unit
170: Communication module
190: control unit
1: Food waste bin
10,10A: Recyclable food collection box
20: Non-recyclable food collection box
30: Food waste bin collection box

Claims (9)

A food input unit providing a space for temporarily storing food waste input by the user;
a food analysis unit that analyzes food waste in the food input unit;
recycling bins that provide space for collecting recyclable food waste;
Non-recyclable food waste bins that provide space for collecting non-recyclable food waste; and
a transport means for selectively moving the food waste in the food input unit to one of the recyclable food collection bin and the non-recyclable food waste collection bin according to the analysis result of the food analysis unit;
A food waste sorting and collection device comprising a.
According to paragraph 1,
The food analysis unit
Analyze whether the food waste in the food input unit contains foreign substances,
The means of transportation is
If it is determined by the food analysis unit that the food waste in the food input unit does not contain foreign substances, the food waste in the food input unit is moved to the recycling food collection box,
A food waste sorting and collection device that moves the food waste in the food input unit to the non-recyclable food waste collection box when it is determined by the food analysis unit that the food waste in the food input unit contains foreign substances. .
According to paragraph 2,
The food analysis unit
If it is determined that the food waste in the food input unit does not contain foreign substances and can be recycled,
A food waste sorting and collection device, characterized in that the food waste in the food input unit is measured and analyzed for quality items including at least one of salt content and corruption level using various sensors.
According to paragraph 3,
The quality items measured and analyzed by the food analysis unit are
A food waste sorting and collection device characterized in that it is transmitted to the food waste collection management server through a communication module to be used as standard data for calculating rewards to be provided to users in conjunction with the food waste collection management server.
According to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A trash can rental department that rents food trash cans that can contain food waste to users; and
a trash can loading unit storing a plurality of the food trash cans to be rented to a user through the trash can rental portion;
A food waste sorting and collection device further comprising:
According to clause 5,
Food waste introduced into the food input unit is placed in the food waste bin,
The means of transportation is
After moving the food waste bin in the food input unit to the recycled food collection bin or the non-recyclable food waste bin according to the analysis result of the food analysis unit, the food waste contained in the food waste bin is moved to the recycled food collection bin or the non-recyclable food waste bin. A food waste sorting and collection device characterized in that it is collected in a collection box.
According to clause 5,
Returning the food waste bin is done through the food input unit while the user puts food waste in the food waste bin,
It further includes a food waste bin collection box that provides a space for collecting the returned food waste bins,
The food waste bin returned to the food input unit is emptied of the food waste contained therein into the recyclable food waste collection bin or the non-recyclable food waste collection bin, and then collected into the food waste bin. A food waste sorting and collection device.
According to paragraph 1,
It further includes a food grinding unit for grinding food waste input through the food input unit,
The food waste sorting and collection device is characterized in that the food waste grinding unit is installed on a path along which food waste in the food input unit moves to the recycling food waste collection box, or is installed within the recycling food waste collection box.
According to paragraph 2,
If it is determined by the food analysis unit that the food waste in the food input unit contains foreign substances,
Displaying an image captured of food waste in the food input unit on a display module,
A food waste sorting and collection device that provides the user with the opportunity to choose between bearing the cost of collecting non-recyclable food waste and receiving a return of the food waste put into the food input unit.

Images