JP2018061992A - Container volume reduction device, empty container recovery device, manufacturing method of empty container for recycling - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container volume reduction device, an empty container recovery device, and a manufacturing method of an empty container for recycling by the container volume reduction device which can reduce a volume of an empty container without tangling a part of the empty container in volume reduction means.SOLUTION: A container volume reduction device for reducing a volume of an empty container includes volume reduction means having a plurality of compression rollers arranged at predetermined intervals along respective rotation shafts of a pair of rotation shafts oppositely arranged. The volume reduction means is structured so that a length in an axial direction between the oppositely arranged compression rollers is approximately equal to or longer than a length in a longitudinal direction of a neck part of a long empty container. The volume reduction means includes the compression roller having blade surfaces on both side surfaces in the axial direction and a spacer alternately arranged side by side along the axial direction on the pair of rotation shafts respectively, and an outer peripheral part of the compression roller arranged on the one rotation shaft is arranged between the plurality of compression rollers arranged on the other rotation shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a container volume reducing device, an empty container collection device, and a method for manufacturing an empty container for recycling.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an empty container volume reduction collection device that accommodates an empty container such as a resin container or an aluminum can by pressing and reducing the volume between opposed compression rollers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-153019 A

  However, if the empty container is simply crushed with a compression roller and the neck part of the empty container is separated from the body part, only the body part having a large size and low density is recovered, and the neck part having a small size and high density is recovered. May not be. There is a demand for an empty container recovery device and a container volume reduction device that can reliably recover the neck portion of an empty container.

  Moreover, in the empty container volume reduction collection | recovery apparatus of patent document 1, when pinching an empty container with a compression roller and crushing, problems, such as a part of container becoming entangled with a compression roller, may arise.

  In addition, the resin container has a high restoring force with respect to the external force, and even if it is simply crushed by the compression roller, it cannot continue to be crushed and the volume after volume reduction. May be relatively large. Further, even if the container is crushed by the compression roller, the compressed container is bent and is bulky when stored in the storage unit of the empty container collection device, resulting in a decrease in the amount that can be stored. There is a case.

The container volume reducing device of the present invention comprises at least the following configuration.
A container volume reducing device for reducing an empty container,
Each of the pair of opposed rotating shafts includes a volume reducing means including a plurality of compression rollers arranged at predetermined intervals along the rotating shaft,
The volume reducing means is characterized in that an axial length between the opposing compression rollers is substantially equal to or longer than a longitudinal length of a neck portion of the long empty container.

  Moreover, the empty container collection | recovery apparatus of this invention has the container volume reduction apparatus which concerns on the said invention, and the accommodating part which accommodates the empty container reduced by the said container volume reduction apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Moreover, the manufacturing method of the empty container for recycling of this invention comprises at least the following structures.
A method for producing an empty container for recycling by a container volume reducing device for reducing the volume of an empty container according to the present invention,
The container volume reducing device includes a volume reducing means provided with a plurality of compression rollers arranged at predetermined intervals along each of the pair of opposed rotation shafts.
A peeling portion that is provided on the container discharge side of the volume reducing means and peels off the volume reduced by the volume reducing means from the compression roller of the volume reducing means;
The compression roller of the volume reducing means includes a plurality of convex pressing portions protruding radially outward at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction,
The volume reducing means reduces the volume of the empty container to a flat shape by the pressing portions of the compression rollers provided on each of the pair of rotating shafts, and the side surface of the empty container by the blade surface of the side surface of the pressing portion. Cutting the part into a slit shape in a state of overlapping, and making the cut part meshed,
The peeling part includes a step of peeling the container reduced in volume by the volume reducing means from the compression roller of the volume reducing means.

The container volume reducing device of the present invention can reliably recover the neck portion of the empty container without separating the neck portion and the body portion of the empty container.
It is possible to provide a container volume reducing device that can reduce the volume of an empty container without a part of the empty container being entangled with the volume reducing means. In addition, it is possible to provide a container volume reducing device in which the volume-reduced container maintains the volume reduction state for a long time.
Moreover, the empty container collection | recovery apparatus provided with the container volume reduction apparatus can be provided.
Moreover, the manufacturing method of the empty container for recycling by a container volume reduction apparatus can be provided.

The figure for demonstrating the empty container collection | recovery apparatus provided with the container volume reduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a whole perspective view of an empty container collection | recovery apparatus, (b) is a figure which shows an example of an opening / closing door. The perspective view of the container volume reducing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows an example of the container volume reduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view of the container volume reducing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing along the AA line of the container volume reduction apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the front surface, side surface, and bottom face of a container volume reduction apparatus. The figure which shows an example of a peeling part (peeling member), (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view. The figure which shows an example of the volume reduction means of a container volume reduction apparatus. The elements on larger scale which show an example of resin-made empty containers, such as a PET bottle. The figure which shows an example of the photograph of the resin-made empty containers reduced by the container volume reduction apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the photograph of the to-be-reduced body in which the cut part and the non-cut part were formed. The conceptual diagram of the to-be-reduced body in which the cutting part and the non-cutting part were formed.

The container volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention reduces the volume of an empty container. This container volume reducing device has a volume reducing means provided with a plurality of compression rollers arranged at predetermined intervals along each of the pair of rotation shafts arranged opposite to each other. The volume reducing means is such that the axial length of the gap between the plurality of compression rollers provided on the rotating shaft is substantially equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion of the long empty container. It is configured.
The container volume reducing device includes a peeling portion that is provided on the container discharge side of the volume reducing means and peels the container reduced by the volume reducing means from the compression roller of the volume reducing means. As the empty container, a resin container, an aluminum container, a steel container, or the like can be used. The empty container handled by the container volume reducing device of the present embodiment is a resin container such as a plastic bottle.

  Hereinafter, a container volume reducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, an empty container collection device equipped with a container volume reducing device, and a method for manufacturing an empty container for recycling by a container volume reducing device will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention includes the contents shown in the drawings, but is not limited to this. In the following description of each drawing, the same parts as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of the overlapping description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the empty container collection | recovery apparatus 100 provided with the container volume reduction apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention has the container volume reduction apparatus 1 in the main-body part 100b, and the container volume reduction apparatus 1 of FIG. The accommodating part 1u is arrange | positioned below. The container volume reducing device 1 reduces the volume of the empty container placed in the horizontal position from the loading port 1k on the upper part of the main body 100b, and then discharges the volume-reduced container to the container 1u. The container 1u is detachably disposed in the main body 100b of the container volume reducing device 1. Further, the container volume reducing device 1 may be provided with a translucent window portion 1w or a transparent window portion on the front side of the main body portion 100b, so that the amount of the container accommodated in the accommodating portion 1u can be easily confirmed. Has been. The container 1u is taken out from the main body 100b periodically or as necessary, and the reduced empty container is collected as an empty container for recycling.

Moreover, the empty container collection | recovery apparatus 100 may be provided with the cap accommodating part which accommodates the cap of a PET bottle (container), and the cap insertion opening 1c, the translucent window part, etc. may be provided in the main-body part 100b.
In addition, the container volume reducing device 1 in the empty container recovery device main body 100b may be detachably provided. For example, by adopting a pull-out structure, maintenance such as replacement can be easily performed. It may be a structure.

Moreover, the opening 1k may be provided with an opening / closing door 1d such as a sliding door that can be freely opened and closed as necessary. The empty container collection device main body 100b may be provided with an operation display unit 1t such as a touch panel display device or a reader / writer 1r capable of data communication with a non-contact type IC card (RFID or the like).
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B, the orientation of the container for loading an empty container (such as a plastic bottle) into the opening / closing door 1d (such as a slide door) or a loading port by printing, sealing, molding, or the like. Or a guidance display showing the position may be displayed. In addition, the empty container collection device 100 includes a sensor and a camera (imaging unit) that detect the direction of a container (such as a plastic bottle) that has been introduced into the insertion port. You may alert | report by displaying by voice guidance by the sound generation part.

Next, the container volume reducing device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The container volume reducing device 1 includes a volume reducing means 200 and a feeding mechanism 5 provided above the volume reducing means 200. The feed mechanism 5 feeds the empty container in the horizontal posture introduced from the introduction port to the volume reducing means 200.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the container volume reducing device 1 includes a pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211 of the volume reducing means 200, and a feed mechanism by a substantially plate-shaped support member 71 and support member 72. 5 rotation shafts 51 are rotatably supported.

The rotating shafts 111, 211, 51 are arranged in parallel with each other with a predetermined interval. In each of the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211, a compression roller 11 (21) having blade surfaces 11k (21k) on both side surfaces in the axial direction, and the compression roller 11 (with a diameter smaller than that of the compression roller 11 (21)) The spacers s slightly thicker than the thickness 21) are alternately arranged along the axial direction.
The outer peripheral portion of the compression roller provided on one rotation shaft is disposed between the compression rollers provided on the other rotation shaft, and is provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotation shaft. The spacer s is disposed at a position separated by a predetermined distance LP.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a gear 211 m is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 211 so as to mesh with a gear 111 m provided at one end of the rotating shaft 111. It is configured.
As shown in FIG. 3, a large-diameter gear 111 n is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 111. The gear 111n is connected to a gear 40n provided on a rotating shaft 40p of a drive unit 40 such as a motor so that power can be transmitted via a power transmission body 41 such as a chain.
During driving, the rotating shaft 40p and the gear 40n of the driving unit 40 rotate, and the power is transmitted to the rotating shaft 111 and the rotating shaft 211 by the power transmission body 41, so that the rotating shaft 111 and the rotating shaft 211 are in opposite directions. Rotate.

In the present embodiment, the gear 211m has a larger diameter than the gear 111m and has a large number of external teeth. The gear 211m and the gear 111m are meshed so that the rotating shaft 111 and the rotating shaft 211 rotate at different speeds in opposite directions. Specifically, the rotating shaft 111 rotates at a higher speed than the rotating shaft 211. Further, the compression rollers 11 and 21 provided on the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211 rotate at different speeds in opposite directions.
Specifically, the rotary shafts 111 and 211 rotate in a predetermined direction so that the volume-removed empty container A that has been input from the input port passes between the rotary shafts 111 and 211 and moves downward. Is configured to do.

  As a comparative example, in the case where the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211 rotate at the same speed in opposite directions, the same portions on the side surfaces of the outer peripheral portions of the opposing compression rollers 11 and 21 are in sliding contact every cycle.

  In the present embodiment, since the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211 are configured to rotate at different speeds in opposite directions, the same portion on the side surface of the outer peripheral portion of the compression rollers 11 and 21 is in sliding contact with each cycle. Therefore, the deterioration of the blade surface on the side surface of the compression roller can be reduced.

  Further, the rotation shaft 111 has a higher rotation speed than the rotation shaft 211 on the inlet side. For this reason, even if it is a case where the thrown empty container is thrown into the compression rollers 11 and 21, it is comprised so that it may not move to the back of an apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the feed mechanism 5 has a plurality of blade portions 52 (made of metal or resin, etc.) as paddles on the rotating shaft 51. When the rotating shaft 51 rotates, the blade portion 52 rotates around the rotating shaft 51 as a rotation center. Specifically, the blade portion 52 is formed in a shape in which one end portion of a substantially rectangular main body portion 52b is connected to the rotary shaft 51 and the other end portion 52a is bent with respect to the main body portion 52b. . Specifically, the tip 52a is formed in a shape that is bent in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 51, and the blade 52 is bent even when an external force exceeding a specified value is applied during driving. The feed mechanism is prevented from being damaged.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip 52a is provided with a plurality of convex portions 52at. The convex portion 52at is formed so as to be able to pass through a position corresponding to a position (a position of the spacer s) between the compression rollers 11 provided on the rotation shaft 111 at a predetermined interval.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a large-diameter gear 51 w is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 51. The gear 51 w receives a rotational force from a small-diameter gear 111 w provided at the end of the rotating shaft 111 by a power transmission body 501 such as a chain.

  That is, at the time of driving, the rotating shaft 40p and the gear 40n of the driving unit 40 rotate, and the power is transmitted to the rotating shaft 111 and the rotating shaft 211 by the power transmission body 41, so that the rotating shaft 111 and the rotating shaft 211 are opposite to each other. The rotating shaft 51 rotates in the same direction as the rotating shaft 111 by rotating in the direction and transmitting the rotational force of the rotating shaft 111 to the rotating shaft 51 via the gear 51 w by the power transmission body 501. That is, the drive unit 40 rotationally drives the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211 at different speeds in the opposite directions.

  As shown in FIG. 5, above the volume reducing means 200, a plate-shaped regulating member 61 and a regulating member 62 are inclined in opposite directions to guide the empty container A to the center of the volume reducing means 200. It is provided and restricts movement of the empty container A to other locations.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, in each of the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211, the compression roller 11 (21) having blade surfaces 11k (21k) on both side surfaces in the axial direction, and the compression roller 11 (21 The spacers s having a smaller diameter than the compression roller 11 (21) and slightly thicker than the compression roller 11 (21) are alternately arranged in parallel along the axial direction.
The outer peripheral portion of the compression roller provided on one rotation shaft is disposed between the compression rollers provided on the other rotation shaft, and is provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotation shaft. The spacer s is disposed at a position separated by a predetermined distance. Therefore, the compression roller 11 and the roller 21 do not interfere with each other, and problems such as roller spillage or breakage do not occur.

The compression rollers 11 and 21 are provided with a plurality of convex pressing portions 11a and 21a protruding radially outward from the circular base portions 11b and 21b at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction.
The base 11 b of the compression roller 11 provided on the rotation shaft 111 is configured not to overlap the base 21 b of the compression roller 21 provided on the opposed rotation shaft 211. Further, the base 21 b of the compression roller 21 provided on the rotation shaft 211 is configured not to overlap the base 11 b of the compression roller 11 provided on the opposite rotation shaft 111.

The pressing portion 11a (11af) of the compression roller 11 provided on the rotation shaft 111 passes through the pressing portion 11a (11ab) of another compression roller provided adjacently via a spacer s along the axial direction of the rotation shaft. It is arranged at a position shifted from a straight line parallel to the rotation axis.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 111, the plurality of pressing portions 11 a (11 af) of the compression roller 11 are compressed in the axial direction via spacers s. It arrange | positions between the some press part 11a (11ab) of a roller.
The same applies to the pressing portion 21a of the compression roller 21 provided on the rotating shaft 211.
That is, with a simple configuration, the uneven portion can be formed cleanly in the empty container, and the cut portions can be formed in a slit shape at a predetermined interval in a part of the empty container. In addition, a substantially flat volume reduction product can be formed. In other words, the side of the body of the empty container is pressed and crushed into a flat shape, and the cut part formed in the slit shape is engaged (locked) with the body of the flat empty container overlapped. State), and the volume after volume reduction is small, and the volume reduction state of a substantially flat shape can be maintained.

  The peeling unit 30 (31, 32) peels the container reduced by the compression rollers 11, 21 of the volume reduction means 200 from the compression rollers 11, 21 of the volume reduction means 200. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the peeling portion 30 (31, 32) includes a tip portion 30 a, an extending portion 30 b, and a connecting portion 30 c.

  The distal end portion 30a is provided between the compression rollers 11 (21) and is disposed in the vicinity of the spacer s. The extension part 30b is formed in a shape extending from the tip part 30a to the container discharge side. In the connecting portion 30 c, extending portions 30 b having a shape extending from the plurality of leading end portions 30 a toward the container discharge side are connected at positions radially outside the compression rollers 11 and 21. Moreover, in this embodiment, the peeling parts 31 and 32 have the comb-shaped part 30w in which the front-end | tip part 30a, the extension part 30b, and the connection part 30c were integrally formed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, a pair of peeling part 30 (31, 32) is provided corresponding to each of a pair of rotating shaft 111,211. The space | interval of a pair of peeling parts 31 and 32 is a space | interval wider as the container discharge | emission direction side is provided, and is provided with respect to the container discharge | emission direction.

When the compression roller 11 (21) rotates, a part or all of the empty container RA reduced by the volume reduction means 200 is peeled off from the compression roller 11 (21) and the spacer s by the tip portion 30a of the peeling portion 30. It is led out to the container discharge side by the extending part 30b of the peeling part 30.
Since the tip end portion 30a of the peeling portion 30 is provided between the plurality of compression rollers 11 (21), the reduced empty container is peeled off from the compression roller 11 (21) of the volume reduction means 200 with a simple structure. Can be made.

  Further, an inclined surface portion 30as is formed at the tip portion 30a of the comb-shaped portion 30w. In other words, the tip portion 30a is formed with an acute cross-sectional shape, and the volume-reduced empty container can be easily peeled off from the compression roller, the spacer or the like.

Further, an inclined surface 30ds is formed in the recess 30d of the comb-shaped portion 30w. That is, the concave portion 30d is formed with an acute cross-sectional shape, and the volume-reduced empty container entangled with the outer peripheral portion of the compression roller can be easily peeled off.
The inclined surface 30ds is formed in a reverse gradient compared to the inclined surface portion 30as of the tip portion 30a of the comb-shaped portion 30w. That is, the volume-reduced container can be easily peeled from between the compression rollers 11 (21), and the volume-reduced container entangled with the outer periphery of the compression roller 11 (21) can be easily peeled off. .

  As shown in FIG. 9, the empty container A such as a PET bottle has a thread A1, a thread A2, and a neck ring A4 formed at the neck Ab. Further, an unopened ring locking projection A3 may be formed on the neck Ab between the neck ring A4 and the thread A2. In the present embodiment, the length LAb (neck length) of the neck Ab is the length from the tip Ac on the opening Ah side to the neck ring A4. Further, the length LAb (neck length) of the neck Ab may be the length from the tip Ac on the opening Ah side to the base A5 of the neck.

The resin-made empty container A such as a plastic bottle is formed thicker than the thickness DAg of other portions, specifically, the shoulder portion Af and the trunk portion Ag, as compared with the thickness DAb of the neck portion Ab. Yes.
As an empty container for recycling, for example, when the neck Ab of the empty container A and other parts are cut into a lump that is smaller than the standard, the recycler may consider it unrecyclable.

  The container volume reducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is such that the empty container is to be recycled in a state where the neck Ab having a relatively thick and heavy mass is not separated from the shoulder Af and the trunk Ag. The volume is reduced to a flat shape in a state larger than the standard.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the container volume reducing device, the distal end Ac on the opening Ah side of the laterally empty container A such as a charged plastic bottle contacts the side surface 71a of the substantially plate-like support member. Or a slight gap.

The distance LC from the side surface 71a of the support member 71 to the compression roller 21 disposed on the side surface side of the rotating shaft 211 is configured to be longer than the length LAb of the neck Ab of the empty container A.
In the present embodiment, the distance LC is set to be longer than the axial length of the spacer ws (s) disposed on the side surface side of the rotating shaft 211. The length (thickness) in the axial direction of the spacer ws (s) is set to about twice as long as the axial length Ls of other spacers.
That is, the compression roller on the support member 71 side provided on the rotating shaft 211 is a predetermined distance from the side surface 71a of the support member 71 so that the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is not separated from the shoulder portion Af and the trunk portion Ag. It is located at a distance.
That is, the container volume reducing device has a structure in which the neck Ab of the empty container A is not separated from the shoulder Af and the trunk Ag when the volume of the container is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the axial thickness L1 of the compression roller 11 (21) is shorter than the length LAb of the neck Ab of the empty container A. For example, when the resin-made empty container A such as a plastic bottle is disposed in the reverse direction, the tip portion Ac formed with the opening Ah of the empty container A is in detail on the substantially plate-shaped support member 72 side. Even when it is arranged so as to be positioned, the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is not separated from the shoulder portion Af and the trunk portion Ag when the volume of the container is reduced.

  The compression roller 11 has the same thickness L1 as the compression roller 21. The axial thickness Ls of the spacer s is the same as or slightly thicker than the thickness L1 of the compression roller 11 (21).

Further, the distance LT between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 111 and the spacer ws (s) provided on the rotating shaft 211 is longer than the outer diameter of the neck Ab of the empty container.
The outer diameter of the neck Ab may be, for example, the outer diameter of the tip end Ac on the opening Ah side, or may be the outer diameter LN of the neck ring A4.

Further, the distance LP between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 111 and the compression roller 21 provided on the rotating shaft 211 facing the spacer s is the maximum outer diameter LAg of the body Ag of the empty container A. Is set smaller than. In the present embodiment, the distance LP is 50% or less, preferably 30% or less, and optimally 20% or less of the maximum outer diameter LAg of the L trunk from the viewpoint of volume reduction. That is, the volume reducing means 200 reduces the body Ag of the empty container A into a flat shape so that the thickness is about the distance LP. That is, the volume reduction rate is large.
Volume reduction rate = [(volume of empty container before volume reduction−volume of empty container after volume reduction) / volume of empty container before volume reduction] × 100.

  In this embodiment, the distance LP is set shorter than the distance LT and the outer diameter of the neck Ab of the empty container A (or the outer diameter LN of the neck ring A4), and the volume reduction rate is large.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a photograph of an empty resin container reduced in volume by the container volume reducing device.
The inventor of the present application actually produced a container volume reduction device and performed volume reduction processing on an empty container. As shown in FIG. 10, the empty container is crushed and reduced in volume without being separated from the neck portion and the trunk portion. In addition, the bottomed cylindrical empty container has a flat shape and the side surfaces of the container overlap, and the slit-shaped cut part is engaged (locked), and the volume after volume reduction is small. Continue to maintain. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the volume-reduced empty container is in a non-curved state, is accommodated without being bulky in the accommodating portion 1u, and has a large amount that can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 1u.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a photograph of a volume to be reduced in which a cut portion and a non-cut portion are formed. Specifically, the to-be-reduced body shown in FIG. 11 is a two-layered resin transparent sheet that has been treated by the volume reducing means with a container volume reducing device. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a to-be-reduced body in which a cut portion and a non-cut portion are formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the compression rollers arranged at predetermined intervals along the axial direction on each of the pair of rotating shafts rotate in the opposite directions to each other, and the two layers are made of resin. By passing the transparent sheet, the two-layered transparent sheet is shaped into a waveform in which the concave portion d and the convex portion t have substantially alternate shapes. By being shaped approximately alternately, the transparent sheet can be maintained in a substantially flat state.

As described above, the blade surfaces (not the blade surfaces but also the end portions) 11k and 21k are formed on the side surfaces of the convex pressing portions of the compression rollers 11 and 21. A plurality of slit-shaped objects can be obtained by cutting a part of the volume to be reduced (empty container) at predetermined intervals by the blade surfaces 11k and 21k of the compression rollers 11 and 21 provided on the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211, respectively. The cut portion cc is formed. Since the blade surfaces 11k and 21k are not slidably contacted as described above, slits may be formed so as to push the ends to the opposite side. By forming it so as to push it down, the volume-reduced object (reduced body) is brought into a meshed state (locked state), and the paired surfaces of the volume-reduced object (reduced body) can be maintained in an overlapping state.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the base 11b of the compression roller 11 provided on the rotating shaft 111 is configured not to overlap the base 21b of the compression roller 21 provided on the opposing rotating shaft 211 ( It does not overlap visually. That is, the to-be-reduced body is not cut, and the non-cut portion ac is formed.

The volume-reduced empty container shown in FIG. 10 can be described in the same manner as the volume-reduced state shown in FIGS.
That is, when the side surfaces of the empty container such as the body portion are overlapped, the corrugated shape is crushed, and when the container side surfaces are overlapped, the cut portion formed in the slit shape is in an engaged state (locked state).

As described above, the container volume reducing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the volume reducing means 200 that reduces the volume of the empty container A. The volume reducing means 200 is configured such that the axial length between the opposing compression rollers is substantially equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion of the long empty container. Specifically, the axial length of the gap between the plurality of compression rollers provided on the rotating shaft is substantially equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion (neck portion Ab) of the long empty container A. It is configured as follows.
That is, it is possible to provide a container volume reducing device that can reliably recover the neck portion of the empty container without separating the neck portion and the body portion of the empty container. Specifically, the interval between the plurality of compression rollers 11 provided on the rotation shaft is such that the neck portion (neck portion Ab) of the PET bottle as an empty container is likely to remain. It is comprised so that it may become substantially equal or longer than the length of the longitudinal direction of neck part Ab. Further, the interval between the plurality of compression rollers 21 provided on the rotation shaft is configured to be substantially equal to or longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the neck Ab of the long empty container A.
That is, for example, when the arrangement of the compression rollers 11, 21, 11 is narrow, the volume of Ac to A 4 is reduced at 11 at two locations, and at least between the rollers 11, 21. Since the volume is not reduced, the recovery rate is less likely to drop.

Further, the volume reducing means 200 of the container volume reducing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a compression roller 11 (with a blade surface 11k (21k) on both side surfaces in the axial direction in each of the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211. 21) and spacers s smaller in diameter than the compression roller 11 (21) and slightly thicker than the compression roller 11 (21) are alternately arranged in parallel along the axial direction. The outer peripheral portion of the compression roller provided on one rotation shaft is disposed between the compression rollers provided on the other rotation shaft, and is provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotation shaft. It is arranged at a position away from the spacer by a predetermined distance.
The peeling portion 30 (31, 32) is provided between the compression rollers 11 (21), and has a distal end portion 30a disposed in the vicinity of the spacer s, and a shape extending from the distal end portion 30a to the container discharge side. And a protruding portion 30b.
In other words, when the compression roller 11 (21) rotates, a part or all of the empty container RA reduced by the volume reduction means 200 is peeled off from the compression roller 11 (21) and the spacer s by the tip portion 30a of the peeling portion 30. Then, it is led out to the container discharge side from the compression roller 11 (21) by the extending part 30b of the peeling part 30.
Since the distal end portion 30a of the peeling portion 30 is provided between the plurality of compression rollers 11 (21), the volume-reduced container is peeled off from the compression roller 11 (21) of the volume reducing means 200 with a simple structure. be able to.

In addition, the container volume reducing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of compression rollers 11 and 21 that are arranged at predetermined intervals along the rotation shafts 111 and 211 on the pair of rotation shafts 111 and 211 that are arranged to face each other. The container which is provided on the container discharge side of the volume reducing means 200 and is reduced in volume by the compression rollers 11 and 21 of the volume reducing means 200 is peeled off from the compression rollers 11 and 21 of the volume reducing means 200. Peeling part 30 (31, 32).
That is, a part or all of the empty container RA reduced by the volume reducing means 200 does not get entangled with the compression rollers 11, 21, etc. of the volume reducing means 200, and the container volume reducing device can efficiently reduce the empty container. Can be provided.

Moreover, as for the peeling part 30 of the container volume reducing apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention, the extension part 30b of the shape extended to the container discharge | emission side from the some front-end | tip part 30a is radial direction rather than the compression rollers 11 and 21. It has the connection part 30c connected in an outer position. That is, the peeling part 30 has the comb-shaped part 30w provided with the front-end | tip part 30a, the extension part 30b, and the connection part 30c.
That is, since the peeling part 30 has the comb-shaped part 30w, it has big intensity | strength compared with the case where the some front-end | tip part 30a formed with the plate-shaped member is simply arranged in parallel, for example. For example, the peeling part 30 which has the comb-shaped part 30w is easily producible by giving the process which forms multiple notch parts in metal board | plate materials.

Further, in the method for manufacturing an empty container for recycling by the container volume reducing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the volume reducing means 200 is emptied by the pressing portions 11a and 21a of the compression roller provided on each of the pair of rotating shafts. While the volume of the container is reduced to a flat shape, the blade surfaces 11k, 21k on the side surfaces of the pressing portions 11a, 21a are cut into a slit shape while the side surfaces of the empty container are overlapped. The step of bringing the cut portion into an engaged state and the step of peeling the container reduced in volume by the volume reduction means 200 from the compression rollers 11 and 21 of the volume reduction means 200 are separated by the peeling portions 30 (31, 32). .
That is, an empty container for recycling can be easily manufactured. Specifically, the side surface of the empty container, such as the body, is pressed and crushed into a flat shape, and the cut portion formed in the slit shape is engaged (locked state) with the container side surface overlapping the flat shape. Thus, the volume reduction state after the volume reduction can be kept small.
That is, it is possible to provide a container volume reducing device in which the volume-reduced container maintains the volume reduction state for a long time. Moreover, the manufacturing method of the recycling empty container which can maintain the volume reduction state for a long period of time can be provided.

Even if the liquid remains in the container, the volume reducing means 200 forms a cut portion in the empty container, so that the liquid inside is discharged outside the container.
The empty container recovery device also has a detection unit that detects the liquid when it leaks outside the reduced volume container or when liquid is accidentally put into the inlet of the main body of the volume reduction device. And when the detection unit reacts, the liquid may be stored in a liquid storage unit or the like different from the volume reduction storage unit (storage unit 1u).

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.
Further, the embodiments described in the above drawings can be combined with each other as long as there is no particular contradiction or problem in the purpose and configuration.
Moreover, the description content of each figure can become independent embodiment, respectively, and embodiment of this invention is not limited to one embodiment which combined each figure.

  In addition, the empty container collection device has a communication unit that can communicate with a computer outside the device, and a sensor in each drive unit. If the sensor in each drive unit detects an abnormality, the empty container collection device is connected to a computer such as a call center. You may be comprised so that abnormality may be notified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Container volume reduction apparatus 1k ... Loading port 1u ... Accommodating part 5 ... Feeding mechanism 11 ... Compression roller 11a ... Pressing part 11k ... Blade surface 21 ... Compression roller 21a ... Pressing part 21k ... Blade surface 30 ... Separation part 30a ... Tip part 30b ... Extension part 30c ... Connecting part 31 ... Peeling part 32 ... Peeling part 40 ... Drive part (drive motor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51 ... Rotating shaft 71, 72 ... Support member 71a ... Side surface 100 ... Empty container collection | recovery apparatus 100b ... Main-body part 111 ... Rotating shaft 200 ... Volume reduction means 211 ... Rotating shaft A ... Empty container Ab ... Neck part (neck part)
s, ws ... spacer

Claims (9)

A container volume reducing device for reducing an empty container,
Each of the pair of opposed rotating shafts includes a volume reducing means including a plurality of compression rollers arranged at predetermined intervals along the rotating shaft,
The volume reducing means is characterized in that the axial length between the opposing compression rollers is substantially equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion of the long empty container. Container device. The rotating shaft is rotatably supported between a pair of support portions,
Among the plurality of compression rollers provided on the rotating shaft, the compression roller on one support portion side has a distance to the side surface of the support portion that is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the neck portion of the long empty container. The container volume reducing device according to claim 1, wherein the container volume reducing device is long. The volume reducing means includes a compression roller having blade surfaces on both side surfaces in the axial direction in each of a pair of rotating shafts, and a spacer having a diameter smaller than the compression roller and slightly thicker than the compression roller. The outer peripheral portion of the compression roller provided on one rotation shaft is arranged between a plurality of compression rollers provided on the other rotation shaft, which are alternately arranged along the axial direction. The container volume reducing device according to claim 1 or 2. Provided on the container discharge side of the volume reducing means, and having a peeling portion for peeling the container reduced in volume by the volume reducing means from the compression roller of the volume reducing means,
The peeling portion includes a tip portion disposed in the vicinity of the spacer between the compression rollers, and an extending portion having a shape extending from the tip portion to the container discharge side. The container volume reducing device according to claim 3.   5. The container volume reducing device according to claim 4, wherein the peeling portion includes a connecting portion that connects the extending portion at a position radially outward from the compression roller.   3. The container volume reducing device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit that rotationally drives the pair of rotation shafts at different speeds in opposite directions. The compression roller of the volume reducing means includes a plurality of convex pressing portions protruding radially outward at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction,
The pressing portion of the compression roller is disposed at a position deviating from a straight line parallel to the rotation shaft that passes through the pressing portion of another compression roller adjacently provided via a spacer along the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The container volume reducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container volume reducing device is provided.   An empty container collection comprising: the container volume reducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and an accommodating portion for accommodating an empty container reduced in volume by the container volume reducing device. apparatus. A method of manufacturing an empty container for recycling by a container volume reducing device for reducing an empty container,
The container volume reducing device includes a volume reducing means provided with a plurality of compression rollers arranged at predetermined intervals along each of the pair of opposed rotation shafts.
A peeling portion that is provided on the container discharge side of the volume reducing means and peels off the volume reduced by the volume reducing means from the compression roller of the volume reducing means;
The compression roller of the volume reducing means includes a plurality of convex pressing portions protruding radially outward at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction,
The volume reducing means reduces the volume of the empty container to a flat shape by the pressing portions of the compression rollers provided on each of the pair of rotating shafts, and the side surface of the empty container by the blade surface of the side surface of the pressing portion. Cutting the part into a slit shape in a state of overlapping, and making the cut part meshed,
The method for producing an empty container for recycling, wherein the peeling portion comprises a step of peeling the container reduced in volume by the volume reducing means from the compression roller of the volume reducing means.

Images