JP2604300B2 - Collection system for empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for collecting empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers made of plastic or paper, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is well known that the amount of generated empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. has been enormous and cannot be left unattended. Locally, local governments are the core,
Attempts to create a full-fledged collection system have been made from the viewpoints of environmental beautification and resource recycling, with some success.

On the other hand, there is also known a machine which collects empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers and the like, and refunds a predetermined amount in order to provide an economic stimulus to the collection. This machine intends to provide a mechanical device that can be called a reverse vending machine for collecting containers such as empty cans and empty bottles. The barcode is read by a laser reader, and based on the result, a predetermined cash or coupon is automatically paid out to the recoverer, and empty cans are automatically crushed and recovered by a press using a motor. It is stored in the machine until the trader comes to collect it.

[0004]

However, according to the above-mentioned known technique, a manufacturer of canned beverages or the like pays a predetermined collection cost in advance, or a consumer pays a part of the collection cost when purchasing cans. It is premised on the existence of a so-called deposit refund system, which refunds a predetermined amount at the time of empty can collection, so it can read products and barcodes of traders who do not bear collection costs (the manufacturer name can be identified with a barcode). If there is no empty can, no refund will be done.

[0005] Empty cans and the like that have not been collected by the aforementioned machine are:
Although it will be separately disposed of as municipal waste, it is needless to say that it is desirable for the local government that handles waste to utilize such machines more and more to reduce waste and reduce the number of workers. Nonetheless, it is quite reasonable to devote a portion of the cost to fund refunds on such machines.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an economic stimulus to the recovery with respect to the prior art. Specifically, a deposit refund system is provided. For empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. that have not been adopted, a predetermined amount is charged for empty cans, empty bottles,
Enables refunds to collectors of empty containers, etc., and further improves collection efficiency by incorporating collection work, including settlement of refunds, etc., into one large system using ID cards as a medium. Empty cans, empty bottles,
It is intended to provide a collection system for empty containers and the like.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a bar code recorded on a surface of an empty can, an empty bottle, an empty container, or the like inserted from an inlet is provided by a bar code. If it is recognized as an empty can, empty bottle, empty container, etc. that uses the deposit refund system by reading the reading part and identifying the manufacturer name and material, etc., the amount deposited and the predetermined amount In the case where the above-mentioned recognition is not performed, a predetermined amount is determined as a consideration for the collector, and at the same time, a consideration / selling amount determination mechanism for determining a sale amount to the collection company, a card insertion A value credit mechanism for writing the value on the magnetic card inserted through the hole, a machine for transmitting basic data such as the manufacturer name and material identified by the barcode and data such as the value and sales price A collection / payment machine equipped with a data transmission mechanism having a pre-processing mechanism for separating empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. for each material and processing them into a predetermined shape; and a collection / price payment machine and a communication line And a centralized management center that centrally manages the distribution and value settlement of empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. based on the transmission data from the data transmission mechanism.

[0008]

According to the above-mentioned technical means, the collecting person can use the mechanism for determining the value of the collecting / paying machine to determine the price / sales amount of the collecting / paying machine to the surface of the empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. The recorded barcode is read by a barcode reading section to identify a maker name, material, etc., to determine a price, a price to be sold to a collection company, and the like, and that the barcode is collected by a price credit mechanism of a collection / value payment machine. The price determined by reading the code is magnetically written on the magnetic card inserted by the collector to receive the price, and the collection / payment machine that made the collection / payment collects empty cans, empty bottles, The contents of the empty container, etc., the data of the payee, etc. are transmitted to the host computer of the central management center immediately or at regular intervals, and the host computer of this central management center
Data collected from each collection / payment machine are collected and analyzed, and immediately or at regular intervals, the burden calculated by the collection data is paid to the financial institution that bears the funds to provide economic stimulus to collection. If you are instructed to sell to a collection company that performs collection business under the management of the money, you will be charged to the collection company and the difference between the prescribed contribution and the sale price And also empty cans,
If the payment to the collectors of empty bottles, empty containers, etc. is not cash but credit by magnetic card, the amount corresponding to the amount shall be paid by the funds to provide economic stimulation for collection. Bill the institution and then pool as a reserve for payment to the seller when the product is purchased with the credited amount, or notify the seller to pay directly when the purchase is made . In this case, for empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. in which the deposit refund system is adopted, a request is made to pay the refunded amount withdrawing from the deposit, and this system will be used for empty cans, empty bottles, To be able to establish a commercial distribution system that manages the collection and payment of empty containers etc. in an integrated manner.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The collection system for empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. of the present invention is shown in FIG. Bottle, empty container 1
Are collected, and the data of the collected material is analyzed.
In the case of empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1 and the like in which the deposit refund system is adopted, in order to provide an economical stimulus to collection, A predetermined amount negotiated with the collector 8 of the empty container 1 or the like (which is determined mechanically when the individual is a consumer), and a deposit refund system is adopted. For empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1, etc., only a predetermined amount (may be the same as the above-mentioned predetermined amount) is paid, and the collected material is further sorted for each material for reuse. A collection / payment machine 2 that has a mechanism to carry out initial processing into a shape that takes into account cost reductions in transportation or reuse factories, and performs storage for a short period of time, and funds to provide economic stimulation to collection. The funding agencies to bear, 5 that performs collection operations under the management of, and a centralized management that connects them with a communication line and centrally manages the distribution and value settlement of empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1, etc. between them And a computer network centered on the central management center 4.

The collection / payment machine 2 is a special collection machine controlled by a microcomputer. The collection machine 2 is provided with a bar code stamped on the surface of an empty can, an empty bottle, an empty container 1 or the like inserted from an input port. A bar code reading unit 6 reads the bar code by identifying a maker name, a material, and the like, and determining a price, a price to be sold to the collection company 5, and the like, and a price / selling amount determining mechanism 7 that is determined by reading the bar code. The value credit mechanism 10 that magnetically writes the value on the magnetic card 9 inserted by the collector 8 and the basic data in which the bar code is read and the manufacturer name, material, and the like are identified are further integrated and processed. Recovered amount of recovered material by material, magnetic card 9
A data transmission mechanism 11a for transmitting in real time the amount credited and the credit destination to each machine to a host computer installed in the central management center 4 which is online and the same; A data transmission mechanism 11b for transmitting data such as the amount of money sold to the collection company 5 and the results of the collection by the collection company 5 to the host computer in real time, and separation and pulverization by metal for each material identified by reading the bar code. And a pre-stage processing mechanism 12 for performing heat treatment, pressing and the like.

In addition, the value credit mechanism 10 includes:
If a more reliable, cheaper and more affordable system than the future magnetic card 9 is developed, it will be possible to cope with it, but this system will ultimately be compatible with bank cash card systems. Since it aims to cooperate, it is reasonable to match the current bank cash card system (magnetic card system).

The pre-stage processing mechanism 12 may apply a known aluminum can sorting technique, a metal crushing technique, a pressing technique, or the like. Eventually, these will be registered collectors 5
Is collected from the machine 2 and reprocessing is required in some cases. However, performing the pre-stage processing at the time of collection greatly contributes to a reduction in distribution and reprocessing costs and labor savings thereafter. In this case, barcode unregistered products, foreign matter input, and the like are selected at this stage and discharged outside the machine.

Although the collecting / paying machine 2 is installed independently, it may be built in a conventional drinking water vending machine.

On the other hand, the central management center 4 has a collector registration database 13 and a collector registration database 1.
4. It has a collection / payment machine administrator registration database 15, a maker name / material / price registration database 16, etc.
A credit card amount is issued based on the collector magnetic card issuance 17 for issuing a magnetic card 9 to the collector 8 in order to provide an economic stimulus to the collection and the data transmitted from each of the collection / payment machines 2 (terminal devices). The collector pays 18 to pay the collector 8 to give an economic stimulus to each collection, the manager fee payment 19 pays the fee to the manager 3 of each collection / payment machine, and the collector 5 is registered. Then, based on the data transmitted from each of the collection / consideration payment machines 2 (terminal devices), a request is made to the collection company 5 and a collection company price collection 20 for collecting the price is performed. .

Next, an application example of the recovery system for empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, and the like according to the present invention will be described. Since the present system itself has one complete cycle, it can be applied to an extremely wide range. .

As the central management center 4 (host computer), the central management center 4 alone, a plurality of joint organizations, third sectors, etc., such as drinking water manufacturers, voluntary organizations, municipalities, local governments, public offices, railways ,
Bus companies, road corporations, banks, broadcasters, newspapers, publishers,
Supermarkets, convenience stores, oil companies, credit companies, NTT, movie companies, professional baseball teams, and the like.

The manager 3 of the collection / payment machine 2 (terminal device) includes a drinking water store, a welfare organization, a school, a drinking water maker, a voluntary organization, a municipal office, a municipal office, a public hall, and a shopping center. , Supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, stations, airfields, hotels, department stores, banks, pachinko parlors, game centers,
Examples include a drive-in (highway service area), a telephone office, a movie theater, and a baseball field.

In addition, as a fund-bearing organization that bears funds for providing economic stimulus to collection, and a collector 8 that performs collection operations under the management, all cans, bottles, containers (plastic bottles) can be used. ) Individuals who are consumers of drinking water and food, including volunteers, volunteer volunteer groups,
Examples include schools, welfare organizations, workplace groups, and labor unions. The funding agencies are companies that manufacture and sell products that use the containers. There are companies that co-sponsor, including upscaling.

On the other hand, while this system itself is a complete cycle, it is a centralized management system using a computer, so it is easy to have an interface for coupling with other cycles. The cycle can be combined without changing the computer program due to regional differences because the items handled are originally sold nationwide. In addition, since bar codes are common throughout the country for each product, a single cycle throughout the country is also possible.

There are various methods for redeeming the credited amount depending on the characteristics of the magnetic card 9 issued by the central management center 4. For example, a magnetic card for purchasing a product issued by a company to a customer. By using the card as a card for this system and using it to pay for purchasing its own products, you can shop with empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1, etc., fill with gasoline, make calls, call trains and buses You can see the movie and baseball. If the bank or credit company is a centralized management center, a cash card or credit card of each bank can be used as a card for this system and can be transferred to the bank account of the cash card or credit card. Save money with bottles, empty containers 1, etc. And if your municipalities, municipalities, or government agencies are centralized management centers,
Taxes can be paid with the credited amount, and taxes can be paid with empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1 and the like. Furthermore, if all cash cards and credit cards are unified in the future, empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1, etc. will be the same as cash.

[0022]

As described above, the collection system for empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc., according to the present invention,
A barcode recorded on the surface of an empty bottle, an empty container 1 or the like is read by a barcode reading section 6 to identify a maker name, a material, and the like, and an empty can, an empty bottle, and an empty container 1 employing a deposit refund system. If it is recognized that the total amount of the deposited amount and a predetermined amount, if the recognition is not performed, a predetermined amount,
It is determined as a price for the collector 8 and the collector 5
Consideration / Selling Amount Determination Mechanism 7, which determines the selling amount to
A value credit mechanism 10 for writing the value on the magnetic card 9 inserted through the card insertion hole, and a function of transmitting basic data such as a maker name and material identified by the barcode and data such as the value and sales price. Data transmission mechanisms 11a and 11b, and empty cans, empty bottles and empty containers 1
A collection / payment machine 2 provided with a pre-stage processing mechanism 12 for separating materials and the like for each material and processing the same into a predetermined shape, and the collection / payment machine 2 is connected via a communication line to the data transmission mechanism 11a, Since the centralized management center 4 manages the distribution of the empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1 and the like based on the transmission data from 11b, and centralized settlement, the collector 8 collects and pays the price. Consideration / sales amount determination mechanism 7 for machine 2
, Empty can, empty bottle, empty container 1
The bar code reading unit 6 reads the bar code recorded on the surface of the device and the like, identifies the maker name, material, and the like, determines the price, the amount to be sold to the collection company 5, and the like. The consideration credit mechanism 10 magnetically writes the consideration determined by reading the bar code on the magnetic card 9 inserted by the collector 8 to receive the consideration, and performs the collection and payment for the collection and payment. The machine 2 transmits the collected contents of the empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1 and the like, the payment destination and the like to the host computer of the central management center 4 immediately or at regular intervals, and the host computer of the central management center 4 Collects and analyzes the data received from each collection / payment machine 2 and, immediately or at regular intervals, to a fund-bureau that bears the funds to provide economic stimulus to collection. If the user is instructed to claim the contribution calculated based on the collection data and sell the collection to the collection company 5 that performs the collection business under the management, the collection fee is charged to the collection company 5 and determined. Claim the difference between the paid contribution and the sale price, and if the payment to the collector 1 of empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. 1 is not cash but credit by magnetic card 9, the amount will be charged The amount according to
Request a funding agency to fund the collection to provide economic stimulus, and then pool the product as a reserve to pay the seller when the product is purchased with the credited amount, or purchase the product To inform the seller to pay directly when the payment is made, which can give the prior art a more economic stimulus for recovery,
Empty cans with a deposit refund system,
With respect to empty bottles, empty containers 1 and the like, a predetermined amount can be refunded to the collector 8 of empty cans, empty bottles and empty containers 1 and the like. The work can be incorporated into one large system using an ID card as a medium to significantly improve the collection efficiency.

In this case, for an empty can, an empty bottle, an empty container 1 and the like in which the deposit refund system is adopted,
Since the refund amount is demanded to be paid from the deposit, this system can be established as a commercial distribution system that integrally manages the collection and payment of empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1, etc. The collection itself is transformed from a volunteer activity to an economic activity. In addition, by installing a collection / payment machine 2 serving as a terminal, sorting by material at the collection point and delivery of the sorted collection to a collection company 5 Can be unmanned, and the collection and reuse of empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 1 and the like can be carried out permanently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers 2 Collection / payment machine 3 Manager 4 Centralized management center 5 Collection company 6 Barcode reader 7 Price / sales amount determination mechanism 8 Collector 9 Magnetic card 10 Value credit mechanism 11a Data Transmission mechanism 11b Data transmission mechanism 12 Pre-stage processing mechanism 13 Collection person registration database 14 Collection company registration database 15 Collection / payment machine administrator registration database 16 Manufacturer name, material, price registration database 17 Collector magnetic card issuance 18 Collection person payment 19 Payment of administrator fee 20 Collection of collection fee

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A deposit refund system is adopted in which a bar code recorded on the surface of an empty can, an empty bottle, an empty container, or the like input from an input port is read by a bar code reading section to identify a maker name, material, and the like. Empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc. are recognized as the total amount of the deposited amount and a predetermined amount, or a predetermined amount if the recognition is not performed. a compensation-Sale amount determination mechanism that determines the Sale amount like to recyclers and determines in exchange for recovering's consideration credit mechanism for writing the pair number on the magnetic card inserted from the card insertion hole, said bar A data transmission mechanism having a function of transmitting basic data such as the manufacturer name and material identified by the code, and data such as the consideration and sales amount, and empty cans, empty bottles,
Pre-stage for separating empty containers etc. for each material and processing them into a prescribed shape
A collection / payment machine having a processing mechanism, connected to the collection / payment machine via a communication line, and distribution of empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, etc., based on transmission data from the data transmission mechanism, A collection system for empty cans, empty bottles, empty containers, and the like, comprising a centralized management center that centrally manages payment settlement.