JP2000268251A - Container recovery device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize almost the whole height of a side of an automatic vending machine(AVM) by forming a charging port for charging a container from which contents are discharged to the inside of a storing part formed on the side part of the AVM on the upper part of the storing part. SOLUTION: The container recovery device 1 for the AVM A for vending a specific container B is arranged on the side part of the AVM A and an empty container B is thrown into the storing part 2 formed on the side part of the AVM A for recovery from the front and upper parts of the storing part 2. The storing part 2 is fitted to a supporting frame 3 fixed on the side part of the AVM A so as to be movable back and forth, the side part of the storing part 2 is engaged with a rail 4 laid on the upper end side of the frame 3 and the bottom part of the storing part 2 is engaged with a rail 5 laid on the lower end part of the frame 3 so that the storing part 2 can be attached/detached to/from the AVM A. An upper charging port 7 of the storing part 2 is formed so that the whole upper part or front upper part of the charging port 7 is opened by a size and a shape allowing only a specific container B to be charged and the height of both side edge parts are gradually increased from the front to the rear.

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 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 a method of collecting the above-mentioned containers, for example, a vending machine with a collection box (actually a fair vending machine) in which a container in which a liquid content has been swallowed is put into a collection box installed on the side of the vending machine. No. 6-39424) and a container collection structure to be put into a collection box installed above the vending machine (Utility Model No. 3)
No. 042523).

[0003]

However, when installing the above-mentioned vending machine, it is necessary to secure a space for installing a collection box, and a large space is required for installing the vending machine. Therefore, the number of installations is limited. In addition, since containers of different materials are collectively put into one collection box, the containers must be sorted out by type at the time of recycling, and the work is troublesome and time-consuming.

[0004] Since the volume of the collection box is small and the collection box is immediately full or the collection time comes early, the number of operations for collecting the containers is large, and the operation takes time and effort. Further, when a plurality of collection boxes are provided or a large collection box is provided, there is a problem that the installation area of the vending machine is reduced, and the number and location of the vending machines are limited.

[0005] Further, when the container is put into a charging box at the top of the vending machine, it is difficult to put the container accurately, the container is scattered around, the residual liquid adheres to the vending machine, May adhere to buyers and workers. and,
The collection box must be lowered from the top of the vending machine. are doing.

[0006] Furthermore, there is a collection device (JP-A-5-182666 and JP-A-6-259646) for putting a container into a collection box inside a vending machine, but the structure inside the vending machine is complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the size and the number of the collection boxes are limited due to the tendency to reduce the size and the thickness, and a large number of containers cannot be accommodated.

In view of the above problems, the present invention directly inserts a large number of containers into a container provided on the side of the vending machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a container collection device that can be effectively used as a space, has a small accommodation width, and can easily secure an installation space.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
On the side of the vending machine, there is provided a receiving portion formed in a size substantially corresponding to the overall height of the side of the vending machine, and at the top of the receiving portion, the contents are discharged into the receiving portion. Characterized in that it is a container collection device provided with an input port for inputting a container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, there is provided a container collection device in which the input port of the storage section is formed to have a size that allows only the specific container to be inserted. It is characterized by the following.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first or second aspect, the door provided at the outlet of the side of the storage section is arranged in a direction corresponding to the side of the vending machine. The container collection device is provided so as to be openable and closable.

[0011] The invention described in claim 4 is the first and second claims.
Or, in combination with the configuration described in 3, the container collecting device is provided so that the container can be moved in a direction parallel to the side of the vending machine.

[0012] The fifth aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
In addition to the configuration described in 2, 3 or 4,
The container collecting device is characterized in that the container collecting device is formed in a storage width in which the containers are aligned and stored in a posture parallel to the side of the vending machine.

[0013]

According to the container collecting device of the present invention, since the container from which the contents have been discharged is directly charged into the container provided on the side of the vending machine, a large number of containers can be temporarily stocked. The substantially entire height of the side of the vending machine can be effectively used as a space for accommodating a large number of containers.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the charging port allows only a specific container to be charged and passed, and blocks the loading and passing of other containers. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a container other than the specific container from being erroneously charged.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the container recovery device opens and closes the door provided in the housing in a direction corresponding to the side of the vending machine. Even if the working range at the front of the vending machine is narrow, collection of containers can be easily performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the container is drawn out to the front side (front side) in parallel with the vending machine side. After that, since the containers accommodated in the accommodation section are collected, even if obstacles such as vending machines, buildings, structures, and the like are close to each other, the operation is not hindered, and the collection operation can be easily performed.

In the container collecting device according to the fifth aspect, in addition to the operation according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, the container is guided to be introduced by the inner wall surfaces on both sides of the accommodation portion, so that the vending machine side portion is provided. And can be accommodated in alignment with the posture parallel to.

[0018]

According to the present invention, since a large number of containers are directly charged into the accommodating portion provided on the side of the vending machine, the overall height of the vending machine can be reduced substantially to accommodate a large number of containers. It can be effectively used as a space. And the accommodation part,
Since it is installed on the side of the vending machine, there is no need to modify the existing vending machine or manufacture a vending machine with a collection function, it can be easily installed on the already installed vending machine Can be.

Moreover, since only the specific container that has passed through the input port is charged into the storage section, it is possible to reliably prevent a container other than the specific container from being erroneously charged or mixed, and to prevent the container from being collected. In this case, the labor for separating the containers can be omitted, and recycling can be easily performed.

Further, since the door is opened and closed in the direction corresponding to the side of the vending machine, the work for collecting containers can be carried out in places where the working area in front of the vending machine is narrow and there are many passersby. Easy to do. In addition, the opening and closing of the vending machine itself is not hindered, and the operation of loading the container to be sold can be easily performed.

Furthermore, since the container is pulled out to the front side of the vending machine and the container accommodated in the container is collected, even if an obstacle is close to the container side, the container is collected. Work and the work of getting in and out of the storage section are not hindered, and the collection work can be easily performed.

Furthermore, since the containers are accommodated in a state of being aligned in a position parallel to the side of the vending machine, the installation space of the accommodating portion can be reduced, and the container can be thinned. An arbitrary number of vending machines can be installed at an arbitrary location, for example, in the vicinity of a building or a structure.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show a container collecting device for a vending machine used for an operation of mainly collecting a specific container. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the container collecting device 1 for a vending machine includes:
The vending machine A is provided on the side (the right side wall or the left side wall when viewed from the front) of the vending machine A that sells a large number or mainly of specific containers B (for example, PET resin containers = pet bottles). The empty container B is put into the storage section 2 provided at the front and from above and collected.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the accommodation section 2 is attached to the support frame 3 fixed to the side (right side wall) of the vending machine A so as to be movable back and forth. The side of the part 2 (the side facing the right side wall of the vending machine A) is engaged with the rail 4 erected on the upper end side of the support frame 3, and the bottom of the housing part 2 is connected to the lower end side of the support frame 3. In the direction parallel to the right wall of the vending machine A (slidable). In addition, the accommodating part 2 may be directly fixed to the side part of the vending machine A.

At the center of the front side of the housing 2, a handle 6 for inserting and removing the housing 2 is attached. In addition,
Only the side portion of the storage section 2 may be slidably mounted on the support frame 3 via the plurality of rails 4. Further, the accommodation section 2 may be attached to the left side wall of the vending machine A,
The mounting position can be changed according to the installation location or installation status.

The accommodation section 2 has a storage position where the entirety is stored in the vending machine A side, and a protruding position where the storage section 2 projects in front of the vending machine A (opening / closing operation of a door 9 described later is allowed. State) is regulated by a regulating means such as a stopper. When the storage unit 2 is stored in the vending machine A side, for example, it may be fixed by a locking means such as a hook, a lever, or a pin, or may be fixed by a cylinder, dial, or electronic locking type locking means. Good.

The support frame 3 is detachably fixed to the right side wall portion of the vending machine A, for example, is fixed by a hooking means such as a hook or a hook, a band, a bolt, a screw, a pin, a magnet. It is fixed by a fixing means such as a double-sided adhesive tape, a surface fastener, an adsorbent, and an adhesive.

The accommodation section 2 is formed to have a size lower than the overall height of the side of the vending machine A and higher than substantially half of the overall height of the vending machine A, and is substantially equal to or shorter than the depth of the vending machine A. And a tapered shape that gradually narrows from the front to the rear when viewed from a plane. In addition,
It may be formed substantially equal to the overall height of the side portion.

The inside of the vending machine A has a volume in which a large number (for example, about 90 or more) of containers B are accommodated.
B in a position substantially parallel to the right side wall (or left side wall)
Are formed in a width (for example, about 10 cm) in which the sheets are stacked and accommodated. Further, the accommodation unit 2 is provided so as to be adjustable substantially corresponding to the depth and height of the vending machine A, or the vending machine A
May be formed in a volume in which substantially all the containers B sold by are sold.

An inlet 7 formed in the upper part of the housing 2
Is a specific container B
Only a 500 mml size or 350 mml size PET bottle is opened to a size and shape that is allowed to be inserted, and both side edges are formed so as to gradually increase from the front to the rear. In addition, the side edges and the rear edge of the charging port 7 may be formed so as to be higher than the front edge, and the container B may be guided in the direction of being charged into the charging port 7.

The guide plate 7a provided on the front inner wall of the charging port 7 is obliquely provided with a length and an angle for guiding the container B with respect to the substantially central portion of the storage section 2.

The outlet 8 formed on the side of the container 2 opens the entire side (or lower part) of the container 2 to a size that allows the collection of the container A and the storage bag E.

The door 9 attached via the hinge 10 to the rear edge of the opening 8 on the open side is formed in a size and shape that closes the entire outlet 8. , Door part 9
A handle 11 for opening and closing the vending machine A is attached so that the opening 8 can be opened and closed in a closed state and an open state in which the opening 8 is closed and opened in a direction corresponding to the right side wall of the vending machine A. ing.

The door portion 9 is fixed in a closed state by, for example, attracting a magnet and a metal plate, engaging a concave portion with a convex portion, or fixed by the above-mentioned locking means or locking means. You may. Further, the door 9 may be provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

The storage bag E laid inside the storage section 2 is formed of a transparent or translucent material such as a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or vinyl chloride, and has a volume substantially equal to or larger than the inside of the storage section 2 and a large number. The container B is formed in a size to be accommodated.

The mouth Ea of the storage bag E is engaged with a hook 12 provided on the upper inner wall surface of the storage portion 2 to hold the opening approximately the same size as the insertion port 7 and to hold the storage bag E itself. To
It is laid and set in a state where it is expanded to a size substantially corresponding to the inside of the storage section 2.

As another holding means instead of the hook 12,
For example, it may be held by holding means such as a clip, a chuck, a hook-and-loop fastener, or an adhesive tape. Further, instead of the storage bag E, a bag formed by combining a synthetic resin and paper or a bag formed only of paper may be used.

In addition, a cover member 13 (indicated by a virtual line in the figure) such as a top plate, a roof, and a cover is erected above the input port 7, and, for example, rainwater, dust, and the like enter the storage section 2. May be prevented, and the container B may be, for example, a distribution plate,
The distribution means such as an impeller may equally distribute and supply the inside of the collection unit 2.

The display 16 provided on the upper front surface (or side surface) of the housing 2 is constituted by display means such as neon lights, illuminated lights, and electronic bulletin boards, for example, for displaying advertisement contents of the sold product,
It indicates that the container B is almost full or the collection time has come.

The alarm 17 provided below (or above) the display 16 is constituted by alarm means such as a buzzer, a lamp, and a speaker, for example, and informs the storage amount of the container B (for example, sound,
(Light, voice, melody, etc.), or informs that it is almost full or that the collection time has come.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and a method for collecting the container B by the container collecting device 1 attached to the vending machine A will be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the container B in which the content liquid has been swallowed is held by a purchaser (or an operator) in a posture substantially parallel to the input port 7 of the storage unit 2. Then, it is directly inserted into the insertion port 7 of the storage section 2 from the front and above.

At this time, the charging port 7 allows only a specific container B (for example, a PET bottle) to be charged and passed, and blocks the loading and passing of other containers B.

When the content liquid remains inside the container B, a cap (not shown) is separated from the mouth of the container B by a separating means such as a chuck or an adsorber, or a cutter, a saw, a heater or the like is cut. The residual content liquid is discharged by cutting off the mouth or part of the container B by means, or making a hole in part.

As shown in FIG. 4, the container B to be charged from the charging port 7 is guided toward a substantially central portion of the storage bag E laid inside the storage portion 2 along the guide plate 7a, and the storage bag is guided. It falls under its own weight while contacting the inner wall surface of E and is stocked inside the storage bag E. At this time, due to the contact with the storage bag E, the falling speed of the container B is reduced, and the impact and noise generated when the container B is dropped are reduced.

Further, the container B is dropped and guided along the inner wall surfaces on both sides of the housing portion 2 and is stacked and housed in a posture substantially parallel to the right wall portion of the vending machine A. In the same manner, the next container B in which the content liquid has been drunk is put into a storage bag E laid inside the storage section 2 through the input port 7, and a large number of containers B ...
Is temporarily stocked.

Next, when the storage bag E is almost full or the collection time has come, as shown in FIG. 5, the handle 6 attached to the storage unit 2 is gripped by hand, and the storage unit 2 is moved to the vending machine. A is drawn out to the near side (front side) in parallel with the right side wall portion of A, and then the door portion 9
Is opened, and the outlet 8 is opened.

The storage bags E are detached from the hooks 12 provided inside the storage section 2, and the storage bags E in which the containers have been stored are taken out through the outlet 8 of the storage section 2, and a large number of containers B.
Collect in bagged state. The indicator 16 and / or the annunciator 17 may notify the full or the collection time.

After collection, the mouth Ea of the storage bag E prepared in advance
Is opened and locked by a hook 12 provided inside the storage unit 2, the outlet 8 is closed by the door 9, the storage unit 2 is pushed back by hand, and the storage position on the side of the vending machine A is stored. After that, the operation of charging and collecting the container B is continuously performed in the same manner as described above.

As described above, since a large number of containers B are directly charged into the storage section 2 provided on the side of the vending machine A, the overall height of the side of the vending machine A is reduced to a large number of containers B. It can be effectively used as a space for In addition, since the accommodating section 2 is attached to the vending machine A side, there is no need to modify the existing vending machine A or to design and manufacture a vending machine A having a new collecting function. It can be easily and easily attached to the vending machine A already installed.

Further, since the container B is accommodated at a height corresponding to substantially the entire height of the accommodating portion 2, an accommodation amount equal to or greater than that of the conventional collection box can be secured. In addition, since only the specific container B that has passed through the input port 7 is inserted into the storage section 2, a container (for example, an aluminum can or a steel can) other than the specific container B (for example, a PET bottle) is erroneously inserted or mixed. Can be reliably prevented, and at the time of collection, the trouble of separating the container B can be omitted, and recycling can be easily performed.

Further, after the container 2 is pulled out to the front side of the vending machine A, the door 9 is opened in a direction corresponding to the right side wall of the vending machine A. In places where the front work area is narrow and there are many passersby,
The work of recovering can be easily performed. In addition, the opening and closing of the vending machine A itself is not hindered, and the operation of loading the container B to be sold can be easily performed.

Furthermore, since the container B is accommodated in a state of being aligned in a position parallel to the right side wall of the vending machine A, the installation space of the accommodation section 2 can be narrowed and the thickness can be reduced. The number of vending machines A can be set at an arbitrary location, for example, by approaching the vending machine A of any of the above or by approaching a building or a structure.

Further, since the container B is directly charged into the storage bag E, the falling speed of the container B is reduced by the contact with the storage bag E, and the impact and noise generated when the container B is dropped are reduced. Collection work can be done quietly. In addition, since a large number of containers B are put into the storage bag E and collectively collected, the collection operation can be performed easily and easily, and the efficiency of the operation can be improved. It can be reliably prevented from adhering to a person.

FIG. 6 shows another collection method for collecting the storage bag E in a state where the storage section 2 is stored or fixed on the side of the vending machine A, and stores the container B in which the content liquid has been drunk up. It is sequentially charged into the storage bag E laid inside the part 2.

When the storage bag E is substantially full of the container B or when the collection time has come, the door 9 is opened, and the storage bag E in which a large number of containers B are stored is removed from the outlet 8 of the storage unit 2. Since the container B is taken out and collected, the operation of collecting the container B can be easily performed in a place where the work area in front of the vending machine A is narrow and there are many passers-by.

After the collection, the storage bag E prepared in advance is laid and set inside the storage portion 2, the outlet 8 is closed by the door 9, and the operation of collecting the specific container B is continuously performed. Thus, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 7 shows another charging method for charging the container B from the charging port 7 provided on the upper front surface of the storage section 2.
Since the position and height of the insertion port 7 are visually checked, the container B can be accurately and easily inserted.

The storage bag E laid inside the storage section 2 is
When it is almost full or the collection time has come, the storage unit 2 is pulled out to the front side of the vending machine A, and then the door unit 9 is opened.
Since the storage bag E into which the container B is put is collected, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

The operation of collecting the storage bags E in a state where the storage section 2 is stored or fixed on the side of the vending machine A may be performed. In addition, since the inlet 7 is open toward the front side, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, and the like from entering the housing 2.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. In the embodiment, a specific container B is put into the storage section 2.
May be put into the storage unit 2 at a time, or may be separately put into the front and rear portions or the upper and lower portions of the storage unit 2.

Further, the storage state of the container B accommodated in the housing part 2 is changed by forming a window on the side part or the front part of the housing part 2 or forming a part of the window part transparent or translucent. It may be provided so that it can be visually recognized.

Further, the container B may be recovered by reducing or reducing the volume thereof by, for example, decompression, compression, pulverization, heating, a chemical solution or the like. At this time, the label and cap attached to the container B may be removed. Alternatively, the container B may be separated by the above-described separating means or cutting means, or a portion made of a different material (for example, a neck, a body, a bottom, etc.) of the container B may be separated.

Further, the storage section 2 having the open opening 8 may be provided so as to be able to enter and exit the inside of the case fixed to the vending machine A side, and the door section 9 is not required.
The operation of collecting the container B can be easily performed. Further, the storage section 2 with a door may be provided so as to be able to enter and exit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a container collecting device is attached to a side of a vending machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the container is inserted.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a state in which a container is charged.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the container is inserted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a collection unit is pulled out and a method for collecting a storage bag.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another method of collecting the storage bag in which the container is stored.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another charging method for charging the container into the storage section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Vending machine B: Container E: Container bag 1 ... Container collection device 2 ... Container unit 3 ... Support frame 4, 5 ... Rail 6 ... Handle 7 ... Input port 8 ... Exit 9 ... Door

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine having a receiving portion formed on a side portion thereof and having a size substantially corresponding to a total height of a side portion of the vending machine. A container recovery device provided with an input port for inputting a container from which the contents have been discharged. 2. The container recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the input port of the storage section is formed to have a size that allows only the specific container to be input. 3. A door provided at an outlet on the side of the storage section,
3. The container collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the container collecting device is provided so as to be openable and closable in a direction corresponding to the side of the vending machine. 4. The container collecting device according to claim 1, wherein said storage portion is provided so as to be movable back and forth in parallel with said vending machine side portion. 5. The container collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the container is formed to have an accommodation width in which containers are arranged and accommodated in a posture parallel to the side of the vending machine.