EP1959405A1 - Goods retraction device - Google Patents

Abstract

The goods retraction device (10) has a chamber (12) for accommodating the goods (16). A terminal fastener (20) is provided below the chamber. A sensor (38) is provided at the contour of the goods. A guidance mechanism (36) is designed as down pipe (46) for the goods. The contour or the availability of the good detected by another sensor (52) is provided in the area of the end of the down pipe.

Description

The invention relates to a goods return device comprising a chamber receiving the goods, a first closure closing off the chamber, a guide device which adjoins the first closure and directs the goods, and means for detecting data characterizing the goods, one comprising the contour of the goods third sensor is provided.

Such devices are used, for example, to take back returnable bottles or deposit boxes. The deposit bottle or the deposit box is placed in the known goods return devices in a receiving this chamber and then closed the chamber with a flap. Then the goods are scanned for shape and size, for which several sensors are used. The goods are then transported out of the chamber and fed to a collection container. For this purpose, the chamber, for example, a turntable or the product is conveyed out of the chamber in another way, in particular horizontally.

However, such return devices work relatively slowly because the product is scanned in the chamber before it is transported out of the chamber and fed to the sump. There is also the danger that the sensors scanning the goods can be manipulated, as they are accessible via the chamber. Finally, such devices are relatively expensive and therefore expensive.

From the EP 0 301 978 A1 For example, a device is known which is used to withdraw cups. The cups are placed in the known goods return device in a receiving this chamber, which is closed at the bottom of a flap. When we open this flap, the goods leave the chamber and pass a sensor that scans the goods. Subsequently, the goods are supplied to a device in which they are destroyed and collected. Although such devices can also be used for collecting returnable bottles or deposit boxes, and the returnable bottles or deposit boxes are also recognized, but is considered disadvantageous that is not recognized whether originally for the returnable bottles or deposit boxes also a pledge was issued. In addition, the inclined chute may pose a problem for easy returnable bottles or deposit boxes as they will not pass the scanner with certainty or speed. In addition, they must be rotated so that the barcode does not point to the slide but to the scanner.

From the WO 2005/029 419 A1 a goods return device is known in which the goods enters a collecting container in order to then detect them by means of a bar code reader. These devices work unsatisfactorily slowly and are therefore hardly usable in supermarkets.

From the DE 20 2005 005 915 a return device with a downpipe is known in which the goods are scanned with a bar code reader. For all devices but the length of the bottle can not be determined.

The invention has for its object to provide a fast-working and inexpensive goods return device, which is also less susceptible to manipulation.

This object is achieved in a return device of the type mentioned in the present invention, that the guide is designed as a downpipe for the goods and that in the region of the end of the downpipe, a contour or the presence of the goods detected fourth sensor is provided.

Due to the inventive design of the goods return device, namely by the arrangement of the means for detecting the product characteristic data, in particular the Abtastsensoren, scanners and the like, outside the chamber creates the advantage that the goods, such as bottles, cans and the like, not must remain in the chamber until the scanning is completed. The chamber serves only to receive the goods in the correct orientation, ie standing or lying, and the goods can then, after the user has pulled his hand out of the chamber, be removed immediately from the chamber. Immediately thereafter, the next product can be placed in the chamber or inserted. This process is much faster than conventional goods return devices, since the scanning or scanning process does not have to wait. In addition, the device according to the invention is less prone to tampering because the detection means are located outside the chamber and therefore inaccessible to the user. Since the device according to the invention does not require any protective devices for the means which detect the goods, the device according to the invention can be manufactured substantially more cheaply. The means are advantageously provided outside the chamber and in particular below the first closure.

Immediately below the first closure, a third sensor detecting the contour of the product is provided, so that a plausibility check can take place, wherein the data determined by the scanner or the security code are compared with the data of the third sensor scanning the contour of the product , In addition, in the region of the end of the guide, a fourth sensor is provided which detects the contour or the presence of the goods. By means of this fourth sensor can then be decided, where the goods are transported. Advantageously, a plurality of receptacles are provided, in which the guide opens. Depending on the data of this fourth sensor, the guide device, which is designed to be pivotable or flexible, is swung out in the direction of the receptacle or collecting container associated with the detected goods.

The fact that the guide is designed as a drop tube for the goods can be detected by the third sensor, the length of the goods by the passage time is determined. The length of the product can also be determined by means of the third and fourth sensor by the time of the exit of the product from the third sensor and entry of the product is determined in the fourth sensor. By comparing these two length measurements, relatively accurate values for the actual length of the product can be determined.

In the device according to the invention, the first closure is designed as a flap or as a slide and forms the bottom or at least part of the bottom of the chamber. Accordingly, the goods leave the chamber substantially vertically downwards, so that gravity can be used to transport the goods.

A simple embodiment of the invention provides that the first closure forms a support for the goods. If the goods are placed or placed on this first closure, then the product leaves immediately after opening the closure, that is, after opening or closing the closure, the chamber and it can be a new product in the chamber set once the closure again returned to its original location. The closure must only be open until the goods have passed through the passage opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for detecting data characterizing the commodity is a scanner for a bar code or a security code on the commodity, in particular on the bottle. With this scanner, the goods can be clearly identified and it can be decided whether the goods are accepted and / or whether the goods are returned to the user and / or whether a credit is issued upon acceptance of the goods. It can be determined if the goods are to the given Assortment belongs or not, so that the system can not be manipulated by incorrect goods.

It is advantageous that the scanner is arranged directly below the first closure, so that the goods immediately after leaving the chamber, but before reaching the collection container is identified.

In order to detect whether or not the user's hand is still in the chamber, a first sensor monitoring the receiving opening of the chamber is provided. This first sensor acts as a light barrier or light curtain and prevents opening of the first shutter when the user's hand is still in the chamber.

In a further development, it is provided that a second sensor which detects the presence of a product in the chamber is provided. Only when this second sensor detects the presence of a product, for example a bottle or a can, the first closure for removing the product from the chamber is opened. Immediately after the passage of the product through the outlet opening of the first closure closes the chamber again, so that the next goods can be adjusted.

According to the invention, the first, second, third and / or fourth sensor can be used as an optical or acoustic sensor, e.g. be designed as an ultrasonic sensor, as an infrared sensor, as a UV sensor, as a laser sensor, or as a CCD line. For detecting the contour, a sensor curtain is advantageously used.

With preference, the guide has a final second closure on this. The goods are prevented from this second closure from the Leading out. It remains in the guide until it is determined from the sensor data in which container the goods are shipped or if the goods are returned.

A relatively simple embodiment provides that the second closure is designed as a baffle plate. This is preferably provided with a cushion pad, if goods made of glass, or in particular fragile goods, impinge on the baffle plate.

With preference, the first and / or the second closure is equipped with a weight sensor for the goods. In this way, on the one hand, the goods placed in the chamber can be classified as to whether they are accepted or not. In addition, it can be decided by the impact of the goods on the baffle plate only by their weight, whether it is accepted or not, or in which container it is spent. For example, it can be ruled out that filled goods will be delivered.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the guide is equipped with an induction sensor for determining the material of the goods. Thus, for example, plastic or metal existing goods can be distinguished. It can even be determined whether the product is made of aluminum or tinplate. Glass goods are determined by the weight sensor.

A simple embodiment provides that the second closure is rigidly arranged. Above this closure, the guide ends, so that the goods fall directly on this second closure. From this second closure, the goods then by pivoting the end of the guide displaced in the adjacent associated collecting container.

Further advantages, features and details emerge from the following description in which, with reference to the drawing, particularly preferred embodiments are described in detail. The features shown in the drawing and the features mentioned in the description and in the claims may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kammer mit darunter angeordneter Leiteinrichtung in Seitenansicht;

Figur 2

einen Schnitt I - I gemäß Figur 1 auf den sich unterhalb der Leiteinrichtung befindenden zweiten Verschluss;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kammer gemäß Figur 1 mit einem den Durchmesser der Ware erfassenden Sensor; und

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht in Richtung des Pfeils IV gemäß Figur 3.

In the drawing show:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a chamber with arranged below guide in side view;

FIG. 2

a section I - I according to FIG. 1 on the second closure located below the guide;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of a chamber according to FIG. 1 with a sensor detecting the diameter of the goods; and

FIG. 4

a plan view in the direction of the arrow IV according to FIG. 3 ,

The FIG. 1 shows schematically a designated 10 goods return device, with only the relevant sections are shown. These are in particular a chamber 12 into which an article 16, for example a bottle 18, can be adjusted by means of an insertion opening 14 in such a way that it rests on a first closure 20, which forms a bottom 22 of the chamber 12. The presence of the bottle 18 in the chamber 12 is monitored by a second sensor 24 which emits an infrared beam 26 detecting the bottle 18. In addition, a plurality of first sensors 28, which monitor the receiving opening 14, form a light curtain 30 with which it is determined whether the insertion or receiving opening 14 is free or not. For example, it can be determined whether or not a user's hand engages the chamber 12. Furthermore, in FIG. 1 recognizable that the bottle 18 is provided with a bar code 32.

Is the bottle 18, as in FIG. 1 shown, set in the chamber 12, and is no obstacle in the insertion opening 14 and is detected by the second sensor 24, the presence of the bottle 18, by moving or pivoting the first closure 20 in the direction of arrow 34, the chamber 12 is opened downward so that the bottle 18 falls in the direction of a guide 36 by gravity from the chamber 12. In this case, the bottle 18 passes through a plurality of horizontally arranged third sensors 38, which generate a light curtain, which determines the contour of the passing bottle 18. In addition, the bar code 32 of the bottle 18 is read with a scanner 40. With preference, the bottle 18 is set in such a way in the chamber 12 (for example by appropriate reference to the insertion or receiving opening 14 of the goods return device 10) that the bar code 32 faces the scanner 40. However, it is also possible to provide a plurality of such scanners 40. It is important that the scanner 40 and the third sensors 38, the means 42 for detecting the goods 16 characteristic data are arranged below the chamber 12 and outside of the chamber 12. They are therefore protected against manipulation.

The falling out of the chamber 12 bottle 18 enters the guide 36 and passes through this in free fall. The guide 36, which is formed as a downpipe 46 is open at its lower end 44, so that the bottle 18 impinges on a second closure 48. This second closure 48 is provided on its upper side with a damping pad 50, which protects the goods 16 from damage, if it is fragile. At the end 44 of the guide 36 are a plurality of horizontally arranged fourth sensors 52 which detect the lower contour of the goods 16. These fourth sensors 52 and the second shutter 48 also form means 42 for detecting data characteristic of the goods 16. In addition, the second closure 48 is provided with a weight sensor 54, with which the weight of the goods 16 can be determined. Another weight sensor 56 may be provided on the first closure 20, which classifies the weight of the product 16. In this way it can be determined from the outset whether the product 16 is made of a heavy material, such as glass, or of a light material, such as plastic or metal (aluminum or tinplate), and is assumed or not.

Not only can the contour of the goods 16 be determined with the third sensors 38, but also the length of the goods 16 can be determined. In this case, the length is determined from the falling speed and the entry time of the bottom of the goods 16 and the exit time of the upper end of the goods 16.

Another possibility for determining the length of the product 16 is that the falling speed and the exit time of the upper end of the goods 16 from the third sensors 38 and the time of entry of the bottom of the goods 16 in the fourth sensors 52 and the distance of the third sensors 38 from the top of the first shutter 20 and the distance of the sensors 38 and 52 are set in relation to each other. The two determined values for the length of the goods 16 can be compared with one another and from these values an exact value for the length can be calculated.

From the values of the sensors 38, 52 and 54 and the scanner 40, the goods 16 is determined. Depending on this, the guide 36, which is suspended in its suspension 58, for example, or is flexible in itself, is deflected in a direction of the arrows 60, 62. In this way, the product 16 arrives in a receptacle 64 provided for this special type of goods, which is not true to scale FIG. 1 is shown. Finally, in the FIG. 1 Still recognizable that the guide 36 is provided with an induction sensor 74, with which the material of the bottle 18, for example plastic, aluminum or tinplate, can be determined.

In the FIG. 2 a section II-II is shown, and it is the top view of the second closure 48 recognizable. By swinging the guide 36, the goods can be transferred to different receptacles 64 to 72, so that for each type of goods 16 is a special receptacle 64 to 72 is available. The product 16 is therefore not only recorded and filed, but also sorted.

The FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the standing on the bottom 22 of the chamber 12 bottle 18 is encompassed by a bent retaining or guide ring 76. The bottom 18 is after adjusting the bottle 18 in the chamber 12 in the direction of Arrow 34 moves so that the bottle 18 until it stops against the rear wall 78, as in FIG. 4 shown, taken away. On the bottom 22 and below the guide ring 76 are a sensor 80 and a receiver 82, which communicate with each other, as indicated by arrows 84 suggestively. As soon as the bag 18 abuts against the rear wall 78, the bottom 22 is pulled under the bottle 18 away and the sensor 80 and receiver 82 of the bottle 18 approximated. As soon as the bottle 18 enters the detection area of sensor 80 and receiver 82, a characteristic of the bottle 18, eg its thickness, is determined by determining the distance from sensor 80 and receiver 82 to the rear wall 78. This feature can be compared to the bottle type encrypted with the barcode 32.

Another variant of the invention provides that under the bottom 22, a sensor / receiver combination 84 are provided which scans vertically upward, as indicated by the arrow 86. For this purpose, the bottom 22 may have openings 88. This sensor / receiver combination 84 can also be used e.g. the diameter of the bottle 18 can be determined.

A further development of the invention provides that the contour of the product 16 over a fixed time grid, e.g. every 10 mm or every 10 ms. This collected data is compared with stored in a memory data and recognized in this way the nature of the product 16. There is also the possibility that in the case of a new article 16 whose barcode is first detected, the contour can be scanned and stored in a memory for later comparisons. The system is thus self-learning. This goods return device 10 is very quickly converted to new goods 16.

Claims (16)

Goods return device (10) with a chamber (12) receiving the product (16), a first closure (20) closing down the chamber (12), a guide device adjoining the first closure (20) and directing the goods (16) (36) and means (42) for detecting the product (16) characterizing data, wherein a contour of the goods (16) detecting third sensor (38) is provided, characterized in that the guide device (36) as a downpipe (46 ) is formed for the product (16) and that in the region of the end (44) of the downpipe (46) a contour or the presence of the product (16) detecting fourth sensor (52) is provided. Goods return device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first closure (20) is a flap or a slider and forms a support for the goods (16). Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contour of the goods (16) detecting sensor (80, 84) on the first closure (20) is attached. Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (42) is a scanner (40) for a bar code (32) or a security code. Goods return device according to claim 4, characterized in that the scanner (40) is arranged below the first closure (20). Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first sensor (28) monitoring the receiving opening (14) of the chamber (12) is provided. Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a presence of a product (16) in the chamber (12) detecting second sensor (24) is provided. Goods return device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first, second, third and / or fourth sensor (28, 24, 38, 52) an optical or acoustic sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a UV sensor, a Laser sensor, in particular a sensor curtain, or a CCD line is. Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide device (36) final second closure (48) is provided, which is in particular arranged rigidly. Goods return device according to claim 9, characterized in that the second closure (48) is designed as a baffle plate. Goods return device according to claim 10, characterized in that the baffle plate is provided with a damping pad (50). Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second closure (20, 48) with a weight sensor (56, 54) for the goods (16) is equipped. Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (36) is designed to be pivotable or flexible. Goods return device according to claim 13, characterized in that the guide device (36) opens into different receptacles (64 to 72). Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (36) is equipped with an induction sensor (74) for determining the material of the goods (16). Goods return device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contour of the goods (16) detecting sensor scans this transversely or parallel to its longitudinal axis.

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