JP2000187761A - In-line arranged type container collecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container collecting device capable of utilizing the upper parts of plural vending machines(VMs) arranged side by side as a space for storing containers. SOLUTION: In the device 1, an empty cointainer A is supplied from a supply port 2a of a supply route 2 arranged on one side of plural VMs B and stored in part 4 arranged on the upper parts of plural VMs B arranged side by side. In the case of collecting empty containers, these containers are discharged from a discharge port 3a of a discharge route 3 arranged on the other side of the VMs B, so that plural VMs can be arranged adjacently or close to each other and the optional number of AVMs can be arranged on an optional place. When a route for supplying and discharging empty cointainers is arranged on one side of a certain VM or a supply route and a discharge route are independently formed, the side part of an VM arranged on one side is made approximately flat, so that plural VMs can be arranged adjacently to an obstacle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine for selling containers in which contents (content liquids) such as soft drinks, carbonated drinks, drinking water, tea, alcoholic beverages and the like are enclosed. The present invention relates to a continuous-type container collection device used when collecting containers (for example, PET bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans, glass bottles, etc.) from which the water has been discharged.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for collecting containers as described above, for example, there is a collection box for collecting a container in which a content liquid has been drunk up into a collection box provided at a vending machine side. A vending machine (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-39424) and a container collection structure (Practical Model No. 3042523) in which a container in which a content liquid is drunk is put into a collection box placed above the vending machine and collected. ).

[0003]

However, when a plurality of vending machines described above are installed, the volume of the collection box is small, and all containers sold by each vending machine cannot be collected. Since the collection box is immediately full or the collection time arrives early, the number of operations for collecting the containers increases, and the operation takes time and effort. In addition, when a plurality of collection boxes are provided or a large collection box is provided, the installation area of the vending machine is reduced, and the number and location of the vending machines are limited.

[0004] On the other hand, when a container is put into a collection box provided at the top of a vending machine, it is difficult to put the container accurately, the container is scattered around, and the residual liquid adheres to the vending machine. May adhere to the purchaser or worker. In addition, there is a problem that the collection box must be lowered from the top of the vending machine, the working posture is poor, and the container may be accidentally discharged.

[0005] Furthermore, a collecting device for putting a container into a collecting box built in a vending machine (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-1820).
No. 66, JP-A-6-259646), but the structure inside the vending machine is complicated and the vending machine itself tends to be smaller and thinner. There is a problem that the number is limited.

In view of the above problems, according to the present invention, a plurality of vending machines arranged side by side are provided with a housing portion for housing the containers in a row so as to be connected to each other. Can be effectively used as a space for
It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous container collection device in which an arbitrary number can be installed at an arbitrary place.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
At the top of a plurality of vending machines arranged side by side, a housing section for housing a container from which the contents have been discharged is provided so as to be connected to each other, and the vending machine arranged at one side is provided with the vending machine. A supply port is provided in communication with the storage section provided on the vending machine side, and a discharge port for discharging the container in communication with the storage section provided on the vending machine side is provided on the side of the vending machine disposed on the other side. It is a continuous container collection device provided with an outlet.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, accommodating portions for accommodating containers from which contents have been discharged are provided in an upper part of a plurality of vending machines arranged side by side, and are provided on one side. On the side or front of the vending machine, a dual-purpose port for supplying and discharging a container in communication with the storage unit provided on the vending machine side is provided, and the container stored in the storage unit is provided in the storage unit. It is a continuous-type container recovery device provided with return means for returning to the dual-purpose port.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the dual-purpose port includes a supply port for supplying a container to the storage section, and a container stored in the storage section. It is characterized by being a continuous type container recovery device composed of a discharge port for discharging.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a direction in which the container is accommodated in the accommodation portion and a direction in which the container is discharged from the accommodation portion. It is a continuous container collection device provided with a container transfer means for transferring to a container.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the continuous container collecting device supplies and stores the containers from the supply ports provided on one side in the plurality of vending machine upper housing portions. The rate is large and many containers can be stocked. At the time of collection, the containers housed in each storage section are released and collected from the discharge port provided on the other side, so that the facing surfaces of the vending machines installed on one side and the other side are substantially flat, Multiple vending machines can be installed in close proximity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a continuous-type container collecting apparatus for supplying containers to a plurality of vending machines arranged side by side from a side port or a front dual-use port provided in one vending machine. And accommodate. At the time of recovery, drive the return means,
Since the containers stored in each storage unit are released and collected through the combined use port, the vending machine installed on the other side is substantially flat, and can be used, for example, for obstacles such as building walls, fences, and structures. Can be installed in close proximity.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the second aspect, the continuous container collection device accommodates a container supplied from one side of the supply port in the accommodation portion above the vending machine, and accommodates the container. Since the container accommodated in the vending machine is discharged and collected from the discharge port on one side, the side of the vending machine installed on the other side is substantially flat.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the continuous container collection device transfers the container in the storage direction by the container transfer means and stores the container in each storage section. Since the containers accommodated in the section are transferred and ejected in the ejection direction, a large number of containers can be accommodated and ejected in a line, and the operation can be performed mechanically.

[0015]

According to the container collecting apparatus of the present invention, the accommodating portion for accommodating the containers is provided in the upper part of the plurality of vending machines arranged side by side. Can be effectively used as a storage section for storing a container. In addition, since the overall volume ratio is increased and a large number of containers can be stocked, the arrival of the full time and the collection time is delayed, and the collection work can be reduced and extended.

Further, there is no need to secure a space for installing a collection box on the side of the vending machine as in the conventional example, and it is sufficient to secure the installation space for the vending machine itself. Vending machines can be installed close to each other, and the number and location of vending machines are not regulated.
Any number can be installed. In addition, there is no need to modify an existing vending machine or design and manufacture a new vending machine, and the vending machine can be easily attached to an already installed vending machine.

Further, since the containers stored in the respective storage sections are returned and discharged from the dual-purpose port provided in the vending machine on one side, the operation of supplying and collecting the containers can be performed from one side, and can be performed on the other side. The vending machine to be installed has a substantially flat side, so vending machines can be installed close to obstacles, and any number can be installed at any location where obstacles exist on the side can do.

Further, when the dual-purpose port is provided at the front of the vending machine, the sides of the vending machines installed on one side and the other side are substantially flat, and the vending machine is connected to one side. Alternatively, any number can be installed at any place where obstacles exist on both sides.

Further, the container supplied from the supply port on one side is stored in the storage section at the upper part of the vending machine, and the container stored in the storage section is discharged from the discharge port on one side, so that the container is stored. Work and collection work can be performed independently, and work efficiency can be improved.

Furthermore, since the containers are transferred in the receiving direction and the discharging direction by the container transferring means, a large number of containers are aligned and stored, so that the space in the storing portion can be effectively utilized and the containers can be stored. The operation of accommodating or discharging from the storage section can be performed mechanically, and labor saving and efficiency improvement of the operation can be achieved.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an example in which a plurality of continuous-type container collecting apparatuses 1 are installed above a plurality of vending machines B arranged side by side, and vending machines B installed on one side (the left side in the figure). The supply path 2 for supplying the container A to the storage section 4 on the upper side on one side is provided on the side of the vending machine B installed on the other side (right side in the figure), and the supply path 2 on the upper side on the other side. A discharge path 4 for discharging the container A stored in the storage section 4 is provided, and storage sections 4 provided on an upper portion (top plate) of the vending machines B are connected in series.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the upper end of the supply path 2 is connected to the side of the accommodating section 4 provided on one side of the vending machine B, and formed at the lower front side. Supply port 2a
Is formed in such a size that a container A such as a PET bottle, an aluminum can, a steel can, and a glass bottle can be taken in and out.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the upper end of the discharge passage 3 is connected to the side of the accommodating portion 4 provided above the vending machine B on the other side, and the discharge passage 3 is formed at the lower end. The outlet 3a is connected to or opened to a collection unit 13 (for example, a box or a bag) disposed below the discharge side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom of the supply path 2
The content liquid C is inclined and shaped (for example, gutter-like) at an angle at which the content liquid C flows down toward the drain hole 2b formed on the side portion, and the content liquid C dropped to the bottom is discharged through the drain hole 2b. .

The screen 2c (for example, a screen such as a net, a nonwoven fabric, a cloth, and a punched plate) provided on the bottom allows only a liquid such as a liquid content or rainwater to pass therethrough.

The transfer belts 7, 7 installed inside the supply path 2 and the discharge path 3 are vertically stretched at intervals in which the container A is held, and the pushing force of the container A pushed between them ( Or a motor). Further, the transfer belt 7 may be rotated continuously or intermittently by detecting the container A with a detection sensor or operating a switch.

The transfer belts 7, 7 of the discharge path 3 are rotated by the weight of the container A itself (or a motor), or separated from the discharge side housing 4 by an interval at which the holding of the container A is released. The container A to be discharged may be discharged from the discharge port 3a of the discharge path 3. Further, the transfer belt 7 is removed, and the container A
May be released under its own weight.

As another transfer method, the container A may be transferred by elevating means such as an elevator or a bucket, or air supplied from a blower (blower).

Further, for example, the transfer belt 7 is rotated in conjunction with the operation of a lever, a handle, or the like, or a fluid pressure cylinder,
By moving the pusher up and down with a solenoid, motor, etc.
Container A may be transferred.

The residual liquid discharger 11 provided immediately after the supply port 2a of the supply path 2 is driven based on detection by detection sensors S1, S2, and S3 described later, and the residual liquid C in the container A is driven.
To discharge.

The type detecting sensor S1 determines the type and material of the container A, and counts the number of containers. As other determination methods, for example, irradiating light, radio waves, magnetic force, etc., weight,
The difference between the hardness and the electric resistance may be inspected, or may be determined by imaging with an imaging camera or reading a barcode. The detection sensor S1 may be provided in a container sorting machine 12 or a container weight reducing machine 20, which will be described later.

The residual liquid detection sensor S2 is a pair of holding belts 1
The weight of the container A held in 1a is weighed, and the presence or absence of residual liquid is determined based on the weighing data. As another detection method, the presence or absence of residual liquid may be determined by, for example, measuring a difference in electric resistance or performing spectrum analysis.

The posture detection sensor S3 detects the throwing posture of the container A (for example, by detecting the presence or absence of unevenness, determining by imaging with an imaging camera, etc.), and based on the detection, the mouth of the container A is directed upward. It is determined whether the camera is facing downward or horizontally.

The pair of holding belts 11a are, for example, motors,
Drive means such as solenoids and fluid pressure cylinders (not shown)
The container A is rotated in a direction for transferring and discharging the container A upward, and is rotated to a position for transferring and discharging the container A upward (for example, about 90 degrees or about 360 degrees). It is moved forward and backward at the release interval.

Further, based on the detection by the detection sensors S2 and S3, the container A determined to have the residual liquid is rotated to a position in which the mouth is downward or lowered, or the centrifugal force causes the container A to rotate.
The residual liquid C is discharged.

As another method of discharging the residual liquid C, a cap attached to the mouth of the container A may be held and held by a holder (for example, a chuck or an adsorber) to be separated and opened. Further, the opening to which the cap is attached is cut off by a cutting means such as a cutter, a saw, a heater, or the like.
The remaining content liquid C may be discharged by making a hole in an arbitrary portion of the above, or cutting off the bottom or the side.

The container sorter 12 provided inside the supply path 2
Based on the detection by the detection sensor S1, the containers A are separately stored in the storage section 4 by material or type. Further, a specific container A mainly or frequently sold is collectively accommodated in the accommodating portion 4 or a container weight reduction machine 20 described later.
The container A whose weight has been reduced may be stored separately according to the material.

The container weight reduction device 20 provided in the supply-side storage unit 4
For example, the air in the container A is evacuated and decompressed to reduce the size, the container A is pressed to crush it into a flat state,
Crushed or shredded to reduce weight and volume.

As another method for reducing the weight, a container A made of synthetic resin is used.
May be heated with a heater, hot water, hot air, or the like, or may be softened by a chemical solution or other softening means to reduce the volume, and the container A may be separated by material based on detection by the detection sensor S1. Alternatively, they may be stored separately by type.

Before the weight reduction, the label attached to the container A and the opening with the cap are cut with a cutting tool (for example, cutter,
Heterogeneous portions of the container A may be separated and collected by cutting with scissors or the like, or by separating the labels and caps by a machine or a human hand.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
It is formed in a volume capable of accommodating substantially all the containers A sold by the vending machine B. For example, a hook (not shown) attached to the lower surface side of the accommodating portion 4 is engaged with the upper outer wall of the vending machine B. The upper part of the vending machine B disposed on one side, the center, and the other side by fitting or fitting the opposing surfaces or by locking the locking hole and the locking claw. Are fixed so as to be continuously connected to the container A so that the container A can be stored and released.

As another fixing method, for example, a magnet,
You may fix with fixing means, such as a double-sided adhesive tape, a surface fastener, an adhesive, a screw, a bolt, and a pin.

The accommodation portion 4 is provided so as to be adjustable in the width direction and the front-rear direction substantially corresponding to the width and depth of the vending machine B, and the peripheral wall portion of the accommodation portion 4 is arranged in the vertical direction. The height may be adjustable.

The bottom part 4a of the housing part 4 is formed to be inclined and shaped (or gutter-like) at an angle at which the content liquid C flows down toward the drain hole 4b formed in the side wall, and through the drain hole 4b, the bottom part is formed. The content liquid C dropped to 4a is discharged.

The alignment conveyor 27 (eg, an endless belt such as a belt or a punched plate having water holes such as a net, a screen, a nonwoven fabric, and a cloth) provided on the bottom 4a allows only a liquid such as a content liquid or rainwater to pass therethrough. I do.

An elevating device 29 (for example, a fluid pressure cylinder, a solenoid, a motor, etc.) connected to both ends of the alignment conveyor 27 moves the alignment conveyor 27 between an ascending position where one end or both ends is at a high position, and a descent position where it is at a low position. To move up and down.

The storage units 4 are connected to each other so that the container A can be supplied to and discharged from the adjacent storage unit 4, and the storage unit 4 is connected to the wall 4c of the storage unit 4 to which the supply path 2 is connected. A wall 4d of the housing 4 to which the path 3 is connected and an opposing wall 4e of the housing 4 are provided so as to be opened and closed by opening and closing means (for example, a solenoid, a motor, a fluid pressure cylinder, and the like).

The container A may be accommodated or discharged by vibrating the bottom 4a of the accommodating portion 4 or the alignment conveyor 27 or inclining the bottom 4a of the accommodating portion 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, a display 32 (for example, a neon light, an electric light, an electric signboard) or a signboard is attached to the front of the housing 4 as shown in FIG.
The display 32 displays and reports the amount of the container A based on the detection by the type detection sensor S1 when the amount of the container A is almost full or the collection time has come.

As another notification method, a notification device 33 (for example, a buzzer (sound), a lamp (light), a speaker (voice, melody) or other notification means attached to the storage section 4 notifies the storage amount of the container A. May be.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation when the container A is collected by the continuous container collection device 1 will be described below. First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the container A supplied from the supply port 2 a of the supply path 2 is pushed between the transfer belts 7, and the transfer belts 7, 7.
Is rotated in the supply direction, and the container A is put into the accommodation section 4 above the vending machine B installed on one side.

At the time of storage, the alignment conveyors 27 at one side and the center are rotated in the storage direction while being stopped substantially horizontally, and the container A is stored from one side to the other side. Supply to section 4.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the alignment conveyor 27 on the other side is tilted and rotated, and the alignment conveyor 27 is gradually lowered to a substantially horizontal state so that a predetermined amount of containers A Are aligned and accommodated in the accommodation section 4 on the other side. Similarly, a predetermined amount of the container A is accommodated in the accommodating portions 4 in the central portion and the other side portion.

When the container A is stored without being separated,
At the time of collection, separate and collect by material and type. At the time of storage, the residual liquid discharging device 11 is connected to the detection sensors S2, S
3 to discharge the content liquid C from the container A determined to have residual liquid, and the container A determined to have been discharged and to have no residual liquid is held by the transfer belts 7, 7. It may be put into the storage unit 4.

The container sorter 12 is connected to the detection sensor S1.
, The containers A of a plurality of types are separately stored in the storage section 4 by material and type, or after the labels and caps are separated and collected from the containers A, the container weight reducing machine 20 is driven. Thus, a plurality of or specific containers A may be stored in a reduced amount.

Further, based on the detection by the detection sensor S1, the type and material of the container A are determined, the specific container A is stored, and the other containers A are discharged by, for example, a pusher, pressurized air or the like. Alternatively, charging may be refused, or the unopened container A may be discharged or charged.

When the storage units 4 are substantially full or the collection time has come, as shown in FIG. 7, the wall 4d of the other storage unit 4 is opened, and the alignment conveyor 27 is tilted and rotated in the discharge direction. Are supplied to the discharge path 3.

Subsequently, the walls 4e of the consecutively provided storage units 4 are sequentially opened (or opened all at once), and the alignment conveyor 27 is tilted and rotated to be stored in the central and one side storage units 4. Are supplied to the discharge path 3.

Next, the unreduced or reduced container A discharged from the discharge port 3a of the discharge path 3 is charged into the collection unit 13,
When the container A is almost full or an arbitrary amount is charged, the discharging operation is stopped, and the container A charged in the collection unit 13 is collected.

If the container A remains, the collection operation is continued. After the collection of all the containers A is completed, the containers A
Is continuously performed in the storage unit 4.

After the container A is stored without being separated and reduced, the unreduced container A discharged from the storage unit 4 is reduced by the container reduction machine 20 provided in the discharge path 3 or the recovery unit 13. The container A may be collected, and the unsorted container A may be separated and collected by the material using the container separator 12, or the unreduced container A may be collected by reducing the amount of the container A by the container reducer 20.

As described above, since the accommodating section 4 for accommodating the container A is continuously installed above the plurality of vending machines B arranged side by side, the space above the vending machines B is reduced. Container A
Can be effectively utilized as the storage section 4 for storing the information. In addition, since the entire volume ratio is large and a large number of containers A can be stocked, the arrival of the full time and the collection time is delayed, and the collection work can be reduced and extended.

Moreover, since the housings 4 are connected and provided above the vending machine B, there is no need to secure a space for installing a collection box as in the conventional example, and the vending machine B itself is installed. Since only the space is required, the vending machines B can be installed close to each other, and the number and location of the vending machines B are not restricted, and any number can be installed. In addition, there is no need to modify the existing vending machine B or design and manufacture a new one, and the vending machine B can be easily attached to the already installed vending machine B.

Further, the container A supplied from the supply port 2a provided in the supply passage 2 on one side is accommodated in the accommodation portion 4 above the vending machine B, and the container A accommodated in the accommodation portion 4 is Since the gas is discharged from the discharge port 3a provided in the side discharge path 3, the container A
The work for housing and the work for collecting can be performed independently, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Further, the container A to be put into the accommodation section 4
Are transported by the alignment conveyor 27 in the receiving direction and the releasing direction, so that a large number of containers A can be aligned and stored or released, and the storing and discharging operations can be performed mechanically.

FIG. 8 shows another example of the continuous container collection device 1 used when the vending machine B on one side (or the other side) approaches the obstacle D. The supply path 2 provided on the side (or inside) of the vending machine B is also used for supplying and discharging the container A.

First, as shown in FIG. 9, the containers A supplied from the supply ports 2a of the supply path 2 are sequentially stored in the storage sections 4 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

At the time of collection, as shown in FIG. 10, the walls 4c of the one-side housing portion 4 are opened, and the walls 4e of the successively provided housing portions 4 are sequentially opened (or opened all at once), and aligned. The conveyor 27 is rotated and / or tilted in the return direction (release direction) to supply the containers A ... stored in the storage units 4 ... to the supply path 2.

Since the container A discharged from the supply port 2a of the supply path 2 is charged into the recovery section 13 and recovered, substantially the same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the side (outer wall) of the vending machine B installed on one side is substantially flat, the vending machine B on one side can be installed close to the obstacle D, and the obstacle D Any number can be installed at any place where there is.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show one side (or the other side).
Another example of the continuous-type container collecting apparatus 1 in which the supply path 2 and the discharge path 3 are independently provided in the vending machine B, and the one side part and the central part are similar to the above-described embodiment. The alignment conveyors 27a and 27b installed in the storage unit 4 of the other side and the alignment conveyors 28a and 2 installed in the storage unit 4 of the other side (return side).
8b and 28c are rotated and / or tilted in the housing direction, and the container A supplied from the supply port 2a of the supply path 2 is stored in the storage section 4.
In order.

At the time of collection, the alignment conveyors 27a, 27
7b and the alignment conveyors 28a, 28b, 28c are rotated and / or inclined in the return direction, and the container A accommodated in the accommodation sections 4 is supplied to the discharge path 3.

Since the container A discharged from the discharge port 3a of the discharge path 3 is put into the collecting unit 13 and collected, the side of the vending machine B installed on one side is substantially flat, and the same as the above-described embodiment. Substantially the same operational effects can be obtained. In addition, the operation of housing the container A and the operation of collecting the container A can be performed independently, and the efficiency of the operation can be improved.

FIG. 13 shows another example of the continuous-type container collecting apparatus 1 used when the vending machines B on one side and the other side approach the obstacle D, and supplies and discharges the container A. A dual-purpose supply path 2 is provided inside the vending machine B on one side or the other side, and a supply port 2a is provided at the front (door) thereof.

First, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the containers A supplied from the supply ports 2a of the supply path 2 are sequentially stored in the storage portions 4. Since the container A discharged from the discharge port 2a of the supply path 2 is charged into the recovery section 13 and recovered, substantially the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Further, since the sides of the vending machines B installed on both sides are substantially flat, any number of vending machines B are installed in any places where obstacles D are present on both sides. And installation space can be effectively utilized. The supply path 2 and the discharge path 3 may be independently provided inside the vending machine B.

When the above-described supply path 2 is used exclusively for supply, as shown in FIG. 14, the holding belt 11a of the residual liquid discharger 11 or the container A held by the purchaser's hand is placed inside the supply path 2. The container A is pushed into the pushing hole 9a of the receiving plate 9 erected at the same time, and the flexible plate 9b... The containers A that have been lifted may be sequentially lifted upward and thrown into the accommodating portion 4, and substantially the same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 15, the container A held by the purchaser's hand is pushed into the pushing hole 9a of the receiving plate 9,
The container A is transferred upward by the pushing force and is put into the storage section 4. A container B (for example, an aluminum can, a steel can, or a glass bottle) having a smaller diameter than the press-in hole 9a is discharged from the supply port 2a. The large-diameter and short container A is attached to the bottom receiving plate 9.
And the space between the upper holding plate 10 and the upper holding plate 10 is wide, so that the container is not held and is discharged from the supply port 2a, so that the specific container A can be collected.

In the correspondence between the structure of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the dual-purpose port of the present invention corresponds to the supply port 2a provided in the supply path 2 of the embodiment. Means include alignment conveyors 27, 27a, 27b
, The alignment conveyors 28a, 28b, and 28c, and the transfer means such as the pusher and the pressurized air, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

As another return means in place of the alignment conveyors 27a, 27b and the alignment conveyors 28a, 28b, 28c, for example, the container A accommodated in the accommodation section 4 is discharged by a transfer means such as a pusher or pressurized air. You may return in the direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an attached state of a continuous container collection device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which housing sections are connected in series.

FIG. 3 is a vertical side view showing an internal structure of a supply path.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an operation of supplying a container to a storage unit.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an operation of accommodating the container in the other-side accommodation section.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an operation of accommodating the container in one side accommodating portion.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an operation of discharging the container from the other-side storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing another example of supplying and discharging a container from one side.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an operation of accommodating the container in the accommodating portion on the obstacle side.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the operation of discharging the container from one side.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another example of supplying and discharging a container from one side.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an operation of supplying and discharging a container from one side.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state where the device is mounted on a vending machine between obstacles.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing another supply method for supplying a container with a belt.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing another supply method in which a container is manually pushed and supplied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Container B: Vending machine D: Obstacle 1 ... Continuous container collection device 2 ... Supply path 2a ... Supply port 3 ... Release path 3a ... Release port 4 ... Housing parts 4c, 4d, 4e ... Wall part 7 ... Transfer belt 9 ... Receiving plate 11 ... Remaining liquid discharger 12 ... Container separator 13 ... Recovery unit 20 ... Container reduction machine 27,27a, 27b ... Alignment conveyor 28a, 28b, 28c ... Alignment conveyor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine having a plurality of vending machines arranged side by side with a housing section for housing a container from which contents have been discharged, and a side section of the vending machine arranged on one side. In addition, a supply port is provided in communication with the accommodation unit provided on the vending machine side, and the side of the vending machine arranged on the other side is communicated with the accommodation unit provided on the vending machine side. A continuous container collection device provided with a discharge port for discharging containers. 2. A vending machine in which a plurality of vending machines are arranged side by side, and a container for accommodating a container from which contents have been discharged is provided in series with each other. Or, a return port for supplying and discharging a container in communication with the storage section provided on the vending machine side is provided in the front portion, and the return section returns the container stored in the storage section to the dual-use port in the storage section. A continuous container collection device provided with means. 3. The continuous container according to claim 2, wherein said dual-purpose port comprises a supply port for supplying a container to said storage section and a discharge port for discharging the container stored in said storage section. Collection device. 4. The continuous type according to claim 1, wherein the container is provided with a container transferring means for transferring the container in a direction in which the container is stored in the container and in a direction in which the container is discharged from the container. Container collection device.