KR20230063228A - Multi-use beverage cup collection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to easily collect borrowed multi-use drinking cups so that the cost for the beverage cups can be refunded and to reduce the use of disposable cups to minimize resource waste and environmental pollution. In the multi-use beverage cup collection device for selectively collecting multi-use beverage cups and accessories having an identification means capable of recognition or code recognition, a storage container in which the multi-use beverage cups and accessories are selectively loaded is provided inside. loaded housing; a recovery housing having a side wall, a rear wall, and a cover formed on an upper portion of the loading housing and having an open front; a beverage cup collecting unit provided on the top of the loading housing and selectively collecting multi-use beverage cups through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition; and a stopper recovery unit provided on the top of the loading housing and selectively collecting the stopper of the multi-use beverage cup through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition.

Description

Multi-use beverage cup collection apparatus {Multi-use beverage cup collection apparatus}

The present invention relates to a multi-use beverage cup collection device, and more particularly, to easily collect borrowed multi-use beverage cups so that the cost of the beverage cup can be refunded and to reduce the use of disposable cups. It relates to a multi-use beverage cup collection device that can minimize waste and environmental pollution.

As the environmental pollution problem caused by the use of plastic and disposable items has become serious, the Ministry of Environment is banning the use of disposable cups in coffee shops and fast food restaurants according to the 50% plastic waste reduction plan and the Resource Recycling Act by 2030.

As the above regulations are enforced, stores are indirectly reducing the use of disposable cups by providing drinks to customers using glass cups or mugs, or by providing tumblers or the like in stores to induce purchase.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency, despite the discount benefits for using tumblers, the use rate of personal tumblers was only 7.5%. However, most consumers give up discount benefits due to the inconvenience of carrying and washing the tumbler.

Due to the government's regulations on the use of disposable cups, fixed costs such as labor and water costs for washing and managing mugs have increased, and hygiene complaints from customers are increasing as mugs are not cleaned properly.

On the other hand, recently, several recovery devices for multi-use beverage cups have been proposed, but they are limited to simply collecting and loading cups, and are treated as simple separate collection devices that are difficult to manage systematically, so they are not actively used in the field. The situation is.

KR 10-1903470 B1 KR 10-2021-0059360 A

An object of the present invention to solve the problems derived from the foregoing background art is to provide a multi-use beverage cup collection device capable of various functions and systematic management so as to actively induce use in the field.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-use beverage cup collection device that reduces manpower and time requirements in collecting multi-use beverage cups and enables safe and sanitary collection and treatment.

Another object of the present invention is to accurately identify whether it is a borrowed drink cup so that the rental refund can be made automatically, and to prevent safety accidents and hygiene problems that may occur in the process of collecting the drink cup in advance. To provide a multi-use beverage cup collecting device.

On the other hand, the object of the present invention is not limited to the purpose mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood from the description below.

The above object is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a multi-use beverage cup collection device for selectively collecting multi-use beverage cups having an identification means capable of short-range wireless recognition or code recognition and items attached thereto, A loading housing equipped with a storage container in which multi-use beverage cups and accessories are selectively loaded; a recovery housing having a side wall, a rear wall, and a cover formed on an upper portion of the loading housing and having an open front; a beverage cup collecting unit provided on the top of the loading housing and selectively collecting multi-use beverage cups through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition; And a stopper recovery unit provided on the upper part of the loading housing and selectively recovering the stopper of the multi-use drink cup through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition. .

Preferably, the beverage cup recovery unit is provided on a rear wall of the recovery housing, and a beverage cup holder for opening and closing an inlet communicating with a storage container of the loading housing to selectively insert a multi-use beverage cup into the storage container. It is characterized in that it includes a beverage cup identification leader for transmitting a signal to a controller to recognize the identification means formed on the multi-use beverage cup and selectively open and close the beverage cup stand.

Preferably, a support rod formed upright at a position adjacent to the drink cup stand, and a guide consisting of a guide ring connected to the upper end of the support rod and formed in a form corresponding to the rim of the drink cup stand, the drink cup identification leader, and It is provided at an opposite position to cover a part of the front surface of the mounting guide, and an alignment groove is formed in the central portion to guide the identification means formed on the multi-use beverage cup to be positioned within a range recognizable by the beverage cup identification reader. Characterized in that it further comprises an induction panel.

Preferably, the stopper recovery unit is provided on a cover of the recovery housing and a stopper opening and closing door for selectively inserting the stopper of the multi-use beverage cup into the storage container by opening and closing an inlet communicating with the storage container of the loading housing. and a stopper identification reader for recognizing an identification means formed on the stopper and transmitting a signal to a controller to selectively open and close the stopper opening/closing door.

Preferably, the light irradiation for frequency generation or code recognition for short-range wireless recognition of the stopper identification reader is directed toward the stopper opening and closing door, but the frequency generation range or the light irradiation range is limited within a certain distance, so that the stopper It is characterized in that the identification means is recognized only when is higher than a certain height from the stopper opening and closing door.

Preferably, the stopper identification leader protrudes from the cover of the recovery housing in the direction of the stopper opening and closing door and is formed in a column shape, and a front surface of the stopper identification leader corresponds to the center of the frequency generation range or the light irradiation range. A recognition induction mark is formed at the location, and a front-opened guide cover is formed upright on the rim of the stopper opening and closing door to guide the insertion position of the stopper and the recognition range of the identification means.

Preferably, a motion detection unit is provided on the inside of the opened front of the recovery housing to sense movement of an internal space composed of a side wall, a rear wall, and a cover and transmits a signal to the controller, wherein the controller detects movement of the motion detection unit. It is characterized in that the opening and closing of the beverage cup stand or the stopper opening and closing door is controlled according to the detection signal.

According to the present invention according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be expected.

First, it is possible to reduce the cost of labor, water, detergent, etc. required for washing mugs in the store, and it is possible to improve the environmental pollution problem because disposable cups are not used.

Second, in addition to improving the image of the store as an eco-friendly image, it can provide a publicity effect for stores where multi-use beverage cups are available.

Third, the process of returning the multi-use beverage cups, the process of stacking the returned multi-use beverage cups by standard, and the process of collecting the stacked beverage cups can be handled in one device, so manpower and time can be reduced. ..

Fourth, since the inlet is opened only when the multi-use drinking cup and the stopper are normally recognized, it is possible to prevent the inflow of other garbage except for the multi-use drinking cup.

Fifth, a motion detection unit is provided at a predetermined position based on the inlet, and the inlet is closed only when the hand or arm is separated from a certain point in the inlet, so safety accidents can be prevented.

Sixth, when the stopper of the multi-use drink cup is recovered, the inlet is opened only at a certain height, so that the device is prevented from being contaminated by residues attached to the stopper and the stopper of the multi-use drink cup can be returned hygienically.

Seventh, since the state in which the returned beverage cups are stacked inside the loading housing can be grasped in real time, the time of collection and replacement of the device can be accurately determined.

Eighth, since multi-use beverage cups are automatically separated and stacked by grade according to the state of multi-use beverage cups by image sensing, it is possible to easily select beverage cups that cannot be washed and reused.

1 is a perspective view of a multi-use beverage cup collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a rear view of Figure 1,
Figure 4 is a perspective view, a front view and a rear view showing a multi-use beverage cup used in the present invention,
5 is a conceptual diagram showing that the multi-use beverage cup and stopper are located in a recognizable range in the beverage cup recovery unit and stopper recovery unit of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the operating principle of the beverage cup recovery unit of the present invention,
7 is a conceptual diagram showing the operating principle of the stopper recovery unit of the present invention;
8 is a conceptual diagram showing the operating principle of the motion sensing unit of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms, only the present embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and those skilled in the art in the art to which the present invention belongs It is provided to fully inform the person of the scope of the invention. And terms used in this specification are for describing the embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. On the other hand, the drawings and detailed descriptions of configurations and their actions and effects, which can be easily known by those skilled in the art, are simplified or omitted, and will be described in detail focusing on parts related to the present invention.

An apparatus for collecting multi-use beverage cups according to an embodiment of the present invention is to selectively collect multi-use beverage cups having identification means capable of short-distance wireless recognition or code recognition and products attached thereto.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the multi-use beverage cup 10 used in the present invention has an identification means 12 formed on one side, and a predetermined logo ( 14) or characters are formed. A stopper 20 is fitted to the upper portion of the multi-use beverage cup 10, and an identification means 22 is formed on the upper surface of the stopper 20.

1 to 3, the present invention is largely composed of a loading housing 100, a recovery housing 300, a beverage cup recovery unit 500 and a stopper recovery unit 700.

First, the loading housing 100 is provided with a storage container in which the multi-use beverage cup 10 and accessories are selectively loaded.

Although not shown, the storage container is divided into compartments or separate storage containers so that the multi-use beverage cup 10 and accessories can be selected and loaded.

In addition, a proximity sensor is provided in the storage container to detect the loaded capacity of the multi-use beverage cup 10 and accessories, and the proximity sensor is connected to a communication module to display information on the capacity loaded in the storage container in real time. It is transmitted to a remote monitoring terminal so that the collection and replacement time can be accurately identified.

The proximity sensor is a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a nearby object without physical contact, and emits an electromagnetic field or electromagnetic wave (infrared rays) and detects the surroundings with a signal returned. In the present invention, a capacitive sensor or a photoelectric sensor suitable for a plastic type object may be used.

In addition, pests and bacteria may propagate inside the storage container due to residues such as beverages, and pest control devices and sterilization devices may be provided to prevent this.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3 , an openable door is formed on the rear side of the loading housing 100 so that only the storage container can be separately collected and replaced, thereby reducing the hassle of replacing the entire collection device.

Next, the recovery housing 300 is provided on the top of the loading housing 100, and is formed of a side wall, a rear wall, and a cover so that the front side is open.

An ultraviolet sterilizing lamp 320 of a predetermined color is provided on at least one of the side wall, rear wall, and cover of the recovery housing 300 so that the internal space composed of the side wall, rear wall, and cover can maintain sterilization and antibacterial action.

The ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 320 have a long wavelength of 315 to 405 mm, and emit purple as well as sterilization and antibacterial functions, so that a beautiful design can be produced.

Next, the beverage cup collection unit 500 is provided on the top of the loading housing 100 and selectively collects the multi-use beverage cup 10 through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the beverage cup recovery unit 500 opens and closes the inlet communicating with the storage container of the loading housing 100 to selectively retrieve the multi-use beverage cup 10. By recognizing the drink cup holder 520 to be put into the storage container and the identification means 12 provided on the rear wall of the collection housing 300 and formed on the multi-use drink cup 10, the drink cup holder 520 It includes a beverage cup identification leader 540 that transmits a signal to the controller to be selectively opened and closed.

Since only the multi-use drink cup 10 for which rental is certified can be put into the drink cup recovery unit 500 configured as described above, it is possible to prevent the inflow of other garbage except for the certified multi-use drink cup 10, and to collect Ensure that the device can be managed and maintained hygienically.

In addition, the beverage cup collecting unit 500 includes a holding guide 560 to align the multi-use beverage cup 10 to a position where it is normally inserted, and an identification means 12 of the multi-use beverage cup 10. ) may further include a recognition induction panel 580 for inducing the beverage cup to be located in a recognizable range in the identification leader 540.

Here, the mounting guide 560 is composed of a support bar formed upright at a position adjacent to the beverage cup holder 520 and a guide ring connected to the upper end of the support bar and formed in a shape corresponding to the rim of the beverage cup holder. .

In addition, the recognition induction panel 580 is provided at a position facing the beverage cup identification leader 540 and is made to cover a part of the front surface of the mounting guide 560, and an alignment groove 582 is formed in the central portion to The identification means 12 formed on the multi-use beverage cup 10 is guided to be positioned within a range recognizable by the beverage cup identification leader 540.

That is, as shown in detail in FIG. 5, the multi-use beverage cup 10 is formed by aligning the logo 14 or letter formed at the opposite position of the multi-use beverage cup 10 to the alignment groove 582. Recognition by the beverage cup identification reader 540 at the time of return is made easy.

RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) may be applied to the short-range wireless recognition described above. In this case, an RFID tag is embedded in the multi-use beverage cup, and the beverage cup identification reader may include an RFID reader.

The RFID is a recognition system that reads data stored in a tag in a non-contact manner using radio frequency. In the present invention, a passive tag operated by an electromagnetic field of an RFID reader is preferably used.

These RFID tags can be checked or tracked automatically anytime, anywhere, and information can be updated and modified by embedding a memory inside the tag.

The RFID reader has an electronic circuit that transmits and receives radio waves toward the tag, and a microprocessor of the electronic circuit converts a signal coming from the tag or verifies the signal of the data.

In addition, the code recognition described above may be performed by a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode (QR code). In this case, a QR code is formed in the multi-use beverage cup, and the beverage cup identification reader includes a barcode scanner can be configured.

The one-dimensional barcode is a combination of black bars and white bars having different thicknesses to code characters or numbers so that a computer can easily read information.

The 2-dimensional barcode is a high-density coded high-density code of a large amount of information such as text or photos in a 2-dimensional symbol in a small square by overcoming the data capacity limitation of existing 1-dimensional barcodes. In the present invention, it is preferable to use a 2-dimensional barcode. .

The barcode scanner includes a scanner, a decoder, and a Micro Controller Unit (MCU), and irradiates light toward the barcode, detects the reflected light, converts it into an electrical signal, converts it into binary numbers, and then interprets it as letters and numbers.

Next, the stopper recovery unit 700 is provided on the top of the loading housing 100 and selectively retrieves the stopper 20 of the multi-use beverage cup through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the stopper recovery unit 700 selectively opens and closes the inlet communicating with the storage container of the loading housing 100 to open and close the stopper 20 of the multi-use beverage cup. By recognizing the stopper opening/closing door 720 to be put into the storage container and the identification means 22 provided on the cover of the recovery housing 300 and formed on the stopper 20, the stopper opening/closing door 720 is selectively opened and closed. It includes a stopper identification leader 740 that transmits a signal to the controller to be opened or closed.

Since the stopper recovery unit 700 configured as described above can only insert the stopper 20 of the multi-use drink cup certified for rental, it is possible to prevent the inflow of other garbage except for the certified multi-use drink cup stopper 20, , so that the collection device can be managed and maintained hygienically.

Here, light irradiation for code recognition or frequency generation for short-range wireless recognition of the stopper identification reader 740 is directed toward the stopper opening/closing door 720, but the frequency generation range or the light irradiation range is limited within a certain distance. Therefore, it is preferable that the identification means 22 be recognized only when the stopper 20 is above a certain height from the stopper opening/closing door 720.

The stopper identification leader 740 made as described above allows the stopper 20 of the multi-use beverage cup to be opened without contacting the stopper opening/closing door 720, thereby removing whipped cream, etc. Residues are prevented from contacting the stopper opening/closing door 720 or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the collection device from being contaminated by residues attached to the stopper 20 and to return the stopper 20 of the multi-use beverage cup hygienically.

In addition, the stopper identification leader 740 may protrude from the cover of the recovery housing 300 toward the stopper opening/closing door and be formed in a column shape.

A recognition induction mark 742 is formed at a position corresponding to the center of the frequency generation range or the light irradiation range on the front of the stopper identification leader 740 formed in the form of a column as described above, and the stopper opening/closing door 720 A guide cover 760 with an open front is formed upright on the rim to guide the input position of the stopper 20 and the recognition range of the identification means 22 . Accordingly, the stopper 20 can be easily positioned where it can be normally inserted, and the identification means 22 of the stopper 20 can be easily positioned within a range recognizable by the stopper identification reader 740. there will be

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the present invention may further include a motion sensing unit 900 provided inside the open front surface of the recovery housing 300.

The motion detection unit 900 detects movement occurring in the inner space of the recovery housing 300 composed of the side wall, the rear wall, and the cover and transmits a signal to the controller, and the controller detects the movement of the motion detection unit 900. Depending on whether or not the signal is to control the opening and closing of the beverage cup stand 520 or the stopper opening and closing door 720.

Specifically, in order to recover the multi-use beverage cup 10 and the stopper 20, the beverage cup holder 520 and the stopper opening/closing door 720 are opened to remove the multi-use beverage cup 10 and the stopper 20. is recovered, while the body such as a person's hand or arm is detected by the motion detection unit 900, the beverage cup holder 520 and the stopper opening and closing door 720 remain open without being closed, The beverage cup holder 520 and the stopper opening/closing door 720 are closed only when the human body is separated from the inner space of the recovery housing 300 and there is no body part detected by the motion sensing unit 900. By doing so, it is possible to prevent safety accidents such as hand jamming in advance.

The motion sensing unit 900 may be formed of an infrared sensor, and the infrared sensor detects an external material by generating external free charge by changing the polarization of a material having a spontaneous polarization in the sensor by infrared rays emitted from an external material.

An infrared sensor is divided into a light emitting part composed of LEDs that generate infrared light and a light receiving part that is a light sensor that detects infrared rays. By measuring what changes, it becomes possible to detect objects or movements.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described so far, the following effects can be expected.

First, it is possible to reduce the cost of labor, water, detergent, etc. required for washing mugs in the store, and it is possible to improve the environmental pollution problem because disposable cups are not used.

Second, in addition to improving the image of the store as an eco-friendly image, it can provide a publicity effect for stores where multi-use beverage cups are available.

Third, the process of returning the multi-use beverage cups, the process of stacking the returned multi-use beverage cups by standard, and the process of collecting the stacked beverage cups can be handled in one device, so manpower and time can be reduced. ..

Fourth, since the inlet is opened only when the multi-use drinking cup and the stopper are normally recognized, it is possible to prevent the inflow of other garbage except for the multi-use drinking cup.

Fifth, a motion detection unit is provided at a predetermined position based on the inlet, and the inlet is closed only when the hand or arm is separated from a certain point in the inlet, so safety accidents can be prevented.

Sixth, when the stopper of the multi-use drink cup is recovered, the inlet is opened only at a certain height, so that the device is prevented from being contaminated by residues attached to the stopper and the stopper of the multi-use drink cup can be returned hygienically.

Seventh, since the state in which the returned beverage cups are stacked inside the loading housing can be grasped in real time, the time of collection and replacement of the device can be accurately determined.

Eighth, since multi-use beverage cups are automatically separated and stacked by grade according to the state of multi-use beverage cups by image sensing, it is possible to easily select beverage cups that cannot be washed and reused.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the scope of the invention which follows may be better understood. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the claims and equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: multi-use drink cup
12: identification means
14: logo
20: stopper
22: identification means
100: loading housing
300: recovery housing
320: ultraviolet sterilization lamp
500: beverage cup recovery unit
520: drink cup stand
540: beverage cup identification reader
560: mounting guide
580: recognition induction panel
582 alignment groove
700: stopper recovery unit
720: stopper opening door
740: stopper identification reader
742: recognition induction mark
760: guide cover
900: motion detection unit

Claims (7)

In the multi-use beverage cup collection device for selectively collecting multi-use beverage cups having identification means capable of short-range wireless recognition or code recognition and items attached thereto,
Inside, a loading housing provided with a storage container in which the multi-use beverage cup and accessories are selectively loaded;
a recovery housing having a side wall, a rear wall, and a cover formed on an upper portion of the loading housing and having an open front;
a beverage cup collecting unit provided on the top of the loading housing and selectively collecting multi-use beverage cups through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition; and
a stopper recovery unit provided on the top of the loading housing and selectively collecting the stopper of the multi-use beverage cup through short-range wireless recognition or code recognition;
A multi-use beverage cup collection device comprising a. According to claim 1,
The beverage cup recovery unit,
A beverage cup holder for selectively inserting a multi-use beverage cup into the storage container by opening and closing an inlet communicating with a storage container of the loading housing;
A beverage cup identification reader provided on the rear wall of the recovery housing recognizes an identification means formed on the multi-use beverage cup and transmits a signal to a controller so that the beverage cup holder is selectively opened and closed. Device. According to claim 2,
A mounting guide composed of a support rod formed upright at a position adjacent to the drink cup stand and a guide ring connected to an upper end of the support rod and formed in a shape corresponding to the rim of the drink cup stand;
It is provided at a position facing the beverage cup identification leader to cover a part of the front surface of the mounting guide, and an alignment groove is formed in the central portion so that the identification means formed on the multi-use beverage cup can be recognized by the beverage cup identification leader. Multi-use beverage cup collection device characterized in that it further comprises a recognition induction panel for inducing to be located. According to claim 1,
The stopper recovery unit,
A stopper opening and closing door that opens and closes an inlet communicating with the storage container of the loading housing to selectively insert the stopper of the multi-use beverage cup into the storage container;
and a stopper identification reader provided on a cover of the collection housing to recognize an identification means formed on the stopper and transmit a signal to a controller to selectively open and close the stopper opening/closing door. According to claim 4,
Frequency generation for short-range wireless recognition or light irradiation for code recognition of the stopper identification reader is directed toward the stopper opening/closing door, but the frequency generation range or the light irradiation range is limited within a certain distance so that the stopper opens and closes the stopper. A multi-use beverage cup collection device, characterized in that the identification means is recognized only when it is above a certain height from the door. According to claim 5,
The stopper identification leader protrudes from the cover of the recovery housing in the direction of the stopper opening and closing door and is formed in a column shape, and the front surface of the stopper identification leader induces recognition at a position corresponding to the center of the frequency generation range or the light irradiation range. mark is formed,
A multi-use beverage cup collection device, characterized in that a guide cover with an open front is formed upright on the edge of the stopper opening and closing door to guide the insertion position of the stopper and the recognition range of the identification means. According to claim 2 or 4,
A motion detection unit provided on the inside of the opened front of the recovery housing detects movement of an inner space composed of a side wall, a rear wall, and a cover and transmits a signal to the controller,
The multi-use beverage cup collection device, characterized in that the controller controls the opening and closing of the beverage cup holder or the stopper opening and closing door according to a motion detection signal of the motion sensing unit.

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