Sorting apparatus

Abstract

To provide a sorting apparatus that can properly sort and collect containers.SOLUTION: A sorting apparatus 5, which sorts containers 100 put in through a put-in port 10a of a collection apparatus into a first storing part 20A and a second storing part 20B arranged in sequence at one side in one direction that is orthogonal to a vertical direction below the put-in port, is provided with a first sorting plate 51 that can be moved between a first partitioning position 51P1 at which a first space 21A above the first storing part and a second space 21B above the second storing part are partitioned and a first inclination position 51P2 positioned between the put-in port and the first storing part in a vertical direction and arranged so that a first inclination surface 51a pointing upward, which inclines downward as going toward the one side in the one direction, is formed therein.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Beverage containers such as PET bottles and aluminum cans are collected and reused as resources. There are several ways to collect such containers, including by having local governments collect containers collected at collection points on designated days of the week, or by setting up collection boxes (sometimes called recycling boxes) in train stations or near vending machines, asking consumers to drop off their containers, and collecting the accumulated containers from the collection boxes. Patent Document 1 discloses a collection box that has two openings, where plastic bottles can be placed through one opening and cans can be placed through the other opening, allowing containers to be sorted and stored. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-098570 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a collection box like that of Patent Document 1, consumers do not always insert containers into the correct slots according to their types, which may result in the containers not being properly separated in the collection box.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting device that enables containers to be properly sorted and collected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a sorting device that sorts containers inserted through an inlet of a recovery device into a first storage section and a second storage section that are arranged in sequence below the inlet on one side of a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and is equipped with a first sorting plate that is movable between a first partition position that separates a first space above the first storage section and a second space above the second storage section, and a first inclined position that is located between the inlet and the first storage section in the vertical direction and is arranged so that a first inclined surface is formed, the surface facing upward and inclining downward as it approaches one side of the one direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to properly separate and collect containers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a recovery device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of a panel portion P of the recovery device 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of a sorting device 5 and its operation. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view showing a schematic operation of the sorting device 5. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a side view showing a schematic operation of the sorting device 5. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functions of the recovery device 1. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a storage unit 151. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a storage unit 151. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The collection device 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 receives and accumulates inserted containers. The containers accumulated in the collection device 1 are collected by a collection staff member. The containers are, for example, containers for holding beverages, etc. There are types of containers for holding beverages, etc., classified according to the material of the container, such as PET bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans, etc. The containers may be, for example, tubular (cylindrical, rectangular).

[0010] The recovery device 1 has a box 3 with a space inside. A panel unit P is provided on the upper part of the box 3. The panel unit P is equipped with a number of functions. The panel section P is provided with an insertion section 10. The insertion section 10 has an insertion port 10a. A person, such as a consumer, who uses the collection device 1 inserts a container into the insertion port 10a. The shape of the insertion port 10a may be arbitrary, but in this embodiment, it is substantially circular. The size of the insertion port 10a is set to a size that allows containers to be inserted according to the diameters of PET bottles, aluminum cans, and steel cans that are commonly distributed. This allows various containers, such as PET bottles, aluminum cans, and steel cans, to be inserted into the insertion port 10a. Specifically, a cylindrical container can be inserted into the insertion port 10a so that its axial direction faces the insertion direction of the container into the insertion port 10a.

[0011] Furthermore, the insertion port 10a opens in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, a cylindrical container can be inserted into the insertion port 10a with its axial direction facing in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The inclination angle at which the axial direction of the container inserted into the insertion port 10a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction may be greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees, but is preferably as large as possible within this range (for example, 45 degrees or more). In other words, it is preferable that the container is inserted sideways into the insertion port 10a.

[0012] The panel unit P is provided with an imaging unit 11. The imaging unit 11 images a container to be inserted into the insertion port 10a. The imaging unit 11 may, for example, image a barcode attached to the outer surface of the container, or may image the outer surface of the container. Although not shown, the imaging unit 11 may have lighting. In this case, the imaging unit 11 may capture an image with the lighting turned on when the brightness around the collection device 1 is below a certain level. In FIG. 1, the imaging units 11 are arranged in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) with respect to the slot 10a when viewed from the front of the slot 10a, but this is not limited thereto.

[0013] In the recovery device 1, a plurality of storage sections 20 for storing containers inserted from the insertion port 10a are arranged below the input section 10. The plurality of storage sections 20 are arranged inside the box body 3 and open upward. The plurality of storage sections 20 are arranged side by side in one direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). In FIG. 1, the direction in which the plurality of storage sections 20 are arranged is the left-right direction (X-axis direction).

[0014] The multiple storage sections 20 include a first storage section 20A, a second storage section 20B, and a third storage section 20C. The first storage section 20A is disposed below the insertion port 10a. Therefore, a container inserted into the insertion port 10a falls toward the first storage section 20A by its own weight. The second storage section 20B is disposed adjacent to one side in one direction (X-axis positive direction side) of the first storage section 20A. Moreover, the third storage section 20C is disposed adjacent to one side in one direction (X-axis positive direction side) of the second storage section 20B.

[0015] A door 3a is provided at the bottom of the box 3. By opening the door 3a, a plurality of storage sections 20 arranged inside the box 3 are exposed. This allows the containers accumulated in the storage sections 20 to be collected.

[0016] In the recovery device 1, a sorting device 5 is provided between the insertion section 10 and the multiple storage sections 20 arranged in the vertical direction. The sorting device 5 sorts containers inserted from the insertion port 10a into the multiple storage sections 20. The sorting device 5 of this embodiment sorts containers inserted from the insertion port 10a into the storage sections 20 corresponding to the type of container identified by a container identification section 152 (see FIG. 6) described later.

[0017] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the insertion unit 10 may have a lid unit 12 that opens and closes an insertion port 10a. When the lid unit 12 is in an open state, a container can be inserted through the insertion port 10a, and when the lid unit 12 is in a closed state, a container cannot be inserted through the insertion port 10a. In addition, in the closed state, it is possible to prevent foreign objects other than containers from being inserted through the insertion port 10a. That is, by opening the lid unit 12 during the period when a container can be inserted and closing the lid unit 12 during the other period, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from being inserted except at the timing when the container is to be collected.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the sorting device 5 has a first sorting plate 51 and a second sorting plate 52. The first sorting plate 51 is movable between a first partitioning position 51P1 and a first inclined position 51P2. The first partitioning position 51P1 is a position of the first sorting plate 51 that partitions the first space 21A above the first storage section 20A and the second space 21B above the second storage section 20B. The first inclined position 51P2 is a position of the first sorting plate 51 located between the input port 10a and the first storage section 20A in the vertical direction. The first inclined position 51P2 is a position of the first sorting plate 51 that is disposed so as to form a first inclined surface 51a that faces upward and inclines downward toward one side in one direction (the positive X-axis direction). That is, the first inclined surface 51a is inclined downward toward the second storage section 20B.

[0019] The first inclined surface 51a of the first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2 includes a first inclined region 51a1 and a second inclined region 51a2 having different inclination angles. Both the first and second inclined regions 51a1 and 51a2 are inclined downward toward one side in one direction (the positive X-axis direction). The first inclined region 51a1 is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the one direction. The second inclined region 51a2 is located on the one side in one direction (the positive X-axis direction) with respect to the first inclined region 51a1. The inclination angle of the second inclined region 51a2 is smaller than the inclination angle of the first inclined region 51a1. It is sufficient that the inclination angle of the first inclined region 51a1 with respect to the one direction (the X-axis direction) is at least smaller than 90 degrees.

[0020] The first sorting plate 51 of this embodiment is rotatable between a first partitioning position 51P1 and a first inclined position 51P2 about a first rotation shaft 511 extending in the vertical direction and in an orthogonal direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the one direction. The first rotation shaft 511 is located above the multiple storage sections 20, between the first storage section 20A and the second storage section 20B. The distance between the multiple storage sections 20 and the first rotation shaft 511 in the vertical direction is preferably small enough that no containers are placed between them. The first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first partitioning position 51P1 extends upward from the first rotation shaft 511. The first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2 extends so as to incline upward from the first rotation shaft 511 toward the other side in one direction (the negative X-axis direction side).

[0021] The drive unit that rotates the first sorting plate 51 may include, for example, a solenoid actuator and an elastic member. In this case, when the solenoid actuator is off, the first sorting plate 51 may be held at the first partition position 51P1 by the elastic force of the elastic member. Moreover, by turning on the solenoid actuator, the first sorting plate 51 may move from the first partition position 51P1 to the first inclined position 51P2 against the elastic force of the elastic member. Such a configuration has the advantage that the first sorting plate 51 can be held at the first partition position 51P1 when the power supply of the recovery device 1 is off. The drive unit that rotates the first sorting plate 51 is not limited to a solenoid actuator, and may include a stepping motor or the like.

[0022] The second sorting plate 52 is movable between a second partitioning position 52P1 and a second inclined position 52P2. The second partitioning position 52P1 is a position of the second sorting plate 52 that partitions the second space 21B above the second storage section 20B and the third space 21C above the third storage section 20C. The second inclined position 52P2 is a position of the second sorting plate 52 located above the second storage section 20B. The second inclined position 52P2 is a position of the second sorting plate 52 that is disposed so as to form a second inclined surface 52a that faces upward and inclines downward toward one side of one direction (the positive X-axis direction). That is, the second inclined surface 52a is inclined downward toward the third storage section 20C.

[0023] The second inclined surface 52a of the second sorting plate 52 arranged at the second inclined position 52P2 is located lower than the lower end of the first inclined surface 51a of the first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2. In Figures 3 to 5, the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 52a with respect to one direction (X-axis direction) is equal to the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 51a (particularly the second inclined region 51a2), but may be larger or smaller than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 51a, for example.

[0024] The second sorting plate 52 of this embodiment is rotatable between a second partitioning position 52P1 and a second inclined position 52P2 about a second rotation shaft 521 extending in the vertical direction and in an orthogonal direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the one direction. The second rotation shaft 521 is located between the second storage section 20B and the third storage section 20C, above the multiple storage sections 20. The vertical distance between the multiple storage sections 20 and the second rotation shaft 521 is preferably small enough that no containers are placed between them. The second sorting plate 52 arranged at the second partitioning position 52P1 extends upward from the second rotation shaft 521. Meanwhile, the second sorting plate 52 arranged at the second inclined position 52P2 extends so as to incline upward from the second rotation shaft 521 toward the other side in one direction (the negative X-axis direction side).

[0025] The second rotation shaft 521 is positioned lower than the above-mentioned first rotation shaft 511. This allows the second inclined surface 52a of the second sorting plate 52 arranged at the second inclined position 52P2 to be positioned lower than the lower end of the first inclined surface 51a of the first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2.

[0026] The drive unit that rotates the second sorting plate 52 may include, for example, a solenoid actuator and an elastic member. In this configuration, for example, similar to the case of the first sorting plate 51 described above, the second sorting plate 52 can be held at the second partition position 52P1 when the power supply of the recovery device 1 is turned off. The drive unit that rotates the second sorting plate 52 is not limited to a solenoid actuator, and may include a stepping motor or the like.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, in the recovery device 1, the imaging section 11, the lid section 12, the sorting device 5, and the control unit 15 are connected via a bus 19, and are capable of transmitting and receiving signals (electrical signals). The imaging section 11 outputs image data representing the imaging result to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 is disposed, for example, inside the box 3 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 15 includes a storage unit 151, a container determination unit 152, and a drive control unit 153.

[0028] The storage unit 151 stores the type of container corresponding to the barcode data and the product information. The storage unit 151 stores a product data table in which the barcode data, the product information, and the type name of the container are associated with each other, as shown in FIG. A barcode is identification information that is individually assigned to each different product. When this identification information is attached to a product, it is expressed as a one-dimensional barcode and printed on a film and attached to the container as a label, or it is attached by being printed directly on the container.

[0029] Product information is information about a product, for example, information about a beverage product in a container. More specifically, product information includes a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code (equivalent to barcode identification information), the name of the beverage (product name, etc.), the manufacturer, the content, etc. The container type name indicates the name of the type of container, such as a plastic bottle, an aluminum can, a steel can, etc.

[0030] The storage unit 151 shown in Fig. 6 stores storage destinations for containers according to the type of container. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the storage unit 151 stores a data table in which the type of container corresponds to the storage destination of the container. The storage destination of the container represents each storage section 20 provided in the collection device 1. In the data table illustrated in Fig. 8, a plastic bottle corresponds to the first storage section 20A, an aluminum can corresponds to the second storage section 20B, and a steel can corresponds to the third storage section 20C.

[0031] 6 identifies the type of container based on image data (imaging result of imaging unit 11) output from imaging unit 11. The image data may be barcode data or may be data of the outer surface of the container. The image data may include both the barcode data and the outer surface of the container.

[0032] When the image data includes identifiable barcode data, the container determination unit 152 may identify the type of container corresponding to the predetermined barcode data from a product data table (see FIG. 7, for example) stored in the storage unit 151. When the image data includes the outer surface of a container, the container determination unit 152 may estimate or identify product information (product name, manufacturer, content amount, etc.) based on characters or patterns displayed on the outer surface of the container, and identify the type of container corresponding to the predetermined product information from the product data table stored in the storage unit 151.

[0033] The drive control unit 153 controls the operation of the first sorting plate 51 and the second sorting plate 52 of the sorting device 5 according to the type of container identified by the container identification unit 152, and causes the container inserted from the insertion port 10a to be stored in a predetermined storage unit 20. In other words, the drive control unit 153 refers to a data table (see FIG. 8, for example) stored in the memory unit 151, specifies a storage destination (predetermined storage unit 20) for the container corresponding to the type of container identified by the container identification unit 152, and controls the operation of the first sorting plate 51 and the second sorting plate 52 so that the container inserted from the insertion port 10a is stored in the predetermined storage unit 20. The drive control unit 153 in this embodiment controls the drive unit that rotates and drives the first and second sorting plates 51, 52.

[0034] For example, when the type of container is determined to be a plastic bottle (first type) by the container determination unit 152, the drive control unit 153 refers to a data table (e.g., FIG. 8) stored in the memory unit 151, identifies the container 20 corresponding to the plastic bottle as the first container 20A, and places the first sorting plate 51 at the first partition position 51P1 as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the plastic bottle 100A (first type of container 100A) inserted from the insertion port 10a falls and is received in the first container 20A.

[0035] Furthermore, when the container discrimination unit 152 determines that the type of container is an aluminum can (second type), the drive control unit 153 refers to the data table (Figure 8) stored in the memory unit 151 to identify that the storage unit 20 corresponding to the aluminum can is the second storage unit 20B, and positions the first sorting plate 51 at the first inclined position 51P2 and the second sorting plate 52 at the second partition position 52P1, as shown in Figure 4. As a result, an aluminum can 100B (a second type of container 100B) inserted through the insertion port 10a falls onto the first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2. Thereafter, the aluminum can 100B rolls or slides on the first inclined surface 51a due to its own weight and moves downward toward the second storage section 20B, and is stored in the second storage section 20B.

[0036] Furthermore, when the container discrimination unit 152 determines that the type of container is a steel can (third type), the drive control unit 153 refers to the data table (Figure 8) stored in the memory unit 151 to identify that the storage unit 20 corresponding to the steel can is the third storage unit 20C, and positions the first sorting plate 51 in the first inclined position 51P2 and the second sorting plate 52 in the second inclined position 52P2, as shown in Figure 5. As a result, the steel can 100C (third type container 100C) inserted through the insertion port 10a falls onto the first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2. Next, the steel can 100C rolls or slides downward on the first inclined surface 51a due to its own weight, and is delivered to the second inclined surface 52a of the second sorting plate 52 arranged at the second inclined position 52P2. Thereafter, the steel can 100C rolls or slides downward on the second inclined surface 52a due to its own weight toward the third storage section 20C, and is stored in the third storage section 20C. In this manner, the containers 100 (100A, 100B, 100C) inserted through the insertion port 10a are sorted into the storage sections 20 (first to third storage sections 20A to 20C) corresponding to the types of containers (first to third types).

[0037] Furthermore, the drive control unit 153 of this embodiment controls the operation of the lid unit 12 (see FIG. 2) according to the container discrimination result by the container discrimination unit 152. Specifically, when the type of container is identified by the container discrimination unit 152, the drive control unit 153 opens the lid unit 12 so that a container can be inserted into the insertion port 10a. Furthermore, when the type of container is not identified by the container discrimination unit 152, the drive control unit 153 closes the lid unit 12 so that a container or the like cannot be inserted into the insertion port 10a.

[0038] Next, an example of a method for sorting containers in the recovery device 1 of this embodiment will be described. First, the image capturing unit 11 captures an image of a container to be inserted. At this time, the container identifying unit 152 identifies the type of container based on the image capturing result of the image capturing unit 11. When the type of container is identified by the container identifying unit 152, the drive control unit 153 opens the lid unit 12 so that the container can be inserted into the insertion port 10a. In addition, as described above, the drive control unit 153 controls the operation of the first and second sorting plates 51, 52 of the sorting device 5 in accordance with the type of container identified by the container identifying unit 152. As a result, the container inserted into the insertion port 10a is sorted by the sorting device 5 into the storage units 20 (first to third storage units 20A to 20C) corresponding to the types of containers (first to third types).

[0039] As described above, in the collection device 1 of this embodiment, the sorting device 5 sorts containers inserted from the insertion port 10a into the storage sections 20 corresponding to the types of containers identified by the container identification section 152. This allows the containers to be properly separated and collected.

[0040] In addition, in the recovery device 1 of this embodiment, the second storage section 20B and the third storage section 20C are arranged adjacent to each other in sequence on one side (the positive X-axis direction side) of a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction with respect to the first storage section 20A arranged below the inlet 10a.

[0041] When the type of container is a first type (e.g., a plastic bottle), as shown in FIG. 3, the first sorting plate 51 of the sorting device 5 is disposed at a first partitioning position 51P1 that partitions the first space 21A on the first storage section 20A and the second space 21B on the second storage section 20B. In this state, the first type of container 100A inserted from the insertion port 10a falls toward the first storage section 20A. In addition, the first sorting plate 51 disposed at the first partitioning position 51P1 can suppress or prevent the first type of container 100A inserted from the insertion port 10a from being mistakenly stored in the second storage section 20B. That is, the first type of container 100A inserted from the insertion port 10a can be reliably stored in the first storage section 20A.

[0042] When the type of container is a second type (e.g., an aluminum can), the first sorting plate 51 is disposed at a first inclined position 51P2 located between the insertion opening 10a and the first storage section 20A in the vertical direction as shown in Fig. 4. In this state, the first sorting plate 51 can suppress or prevent the second type of container 100B inserted through the insertion opening 10a from being mistakenly stored in the first storage section 20A. Furthermore, the first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2 is formed with a first inclined surface 51a which faces upward and inclines downward toward one side in one direction (the positive X-axis direction). This allows the second type of container 100B that has fallen onto the first sorting plate 51 to move downward on the first inclined surface 51a and toward the second storage section 20B. Furthermore, when the type of container is a second type (e.g., an aluminum can), the second sorting plate 52 is disposed at a second partitioning position 52P1 that partitions the second space 21B above the second storage portion 20B from the third space 21C above the third storage portion 20C. Therefore, the second sorting plate 52 can suppress or prevent the second type of container 100B moving downward on the first inclined surface 51a of the first sorting plate 51 from being mistakenly stored in the third storage portion 20C. From the above, the second type of container 100B can be reliably accommodated in the second accommodating portion 20B.

[0043] 5, when the type of container is a third type (e.g., a steel can), the first sorting plate 51 is disposed at a first inclined position 51P2 covering the upper side of the first storage section 20A, and the second sorting plate 52 is disposed at a second inclined position 52P2 covering the upper side of the second storage section 20B. In this state, the first sorting plate 51 and the second sorting plate 52 can suppress or prevent a third type container 100C inserted through the insertion port 10a from being mistakenly stored in the first and second storage sections 20A and 20B. The first sorting plate 51 arranged at the first inclined position 51P2 has the first inclined surface 51a, and the second sorting plate 52 arranged at the second inclined position 52P2 has the second inclined surface 52a, which faces upward and inclines downward toward one side in one direction (the positive X-axis direction). The second inclined surface 52a is located below the lower end of the first inclined surface 51a. This allows the third type of container 100C that has fallen onto the first sorting plate 51 to move downward on the first inclined surface 51a and the second inclined surface 52a toward the third storage section 20C. From the above, the third type of container 100C can be reliably accommodated in the third accommodation portion 20C. Therefore, the three different types of containers 100A, 100B, 100C can be stored in the storage section 20 in a properly separated state.

[0044] In addition, in the sorting device 5 of this embodiment, the first inclined surface 51a of the first sorting plate 51 includes a first inclined region 51a1 inclined at a predetermined inclination angle in one direction, and a second inclined region 51a2 located on one side of the first inclined region 51a1 in one direction (the positive X-axis direction side) and having a smaller inclination angle in one direction than the first inclined region 51a1. Therefore, when a container falls from the insertion port 10a toward the first inclined surface 51a of the first sorting plate 51, the container first comes into contact with the first inclined region 51a1 with a larger inclination angle, and thus the container can be effectively prevented from bouncing upward. Then, the container is transferred from the first inclined region 51a1 to the second inclined region 51a2 with a smaller inclination angle, so that the container can be smoothly moved downward on the first inclined surface 51a. This allows the container to be smoothly moved toward the second and third storage sections 20B and 20C.

[0045] Furthermore, in the recovery device 1 of this embodiment, the drive control unit 153 opens the lid unit 12 when the type of container is identified by the container identification unit 152, and closes the lid unit 12 when the type of container is not identified by the container identification unit 152. This makes it possible to prevent a container or foreign object whose type has not been identified by the container identification unit 152 from being erroneously inserted through the insertion port 10a and stored in the storage unit 20.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0047] In the present invention, the number of storage sections 20 aligned in one direction may be, for example, two, or may be four or more. When the number of storage units 20 is two, the sorting device 5 may include only one sorting plate (first sorting plate 51). In this case, two different types of containers can be stored in the storage units 20 in a properly separated state. Furthermore, when the number of storage sections 20 is four or more, the sorting device 5 may include a plurality of second sorting plates 52. The number of second sorting plates 52 may be (n-2), where n is the number of storage sections 20 (n is an integer of 3 or more). Furthermore, the plurality of second sorting plates 52 may be arranged in one direction in the manner described in the above embodiment. In this case, n types of containers can be stored in the storage sections 20 in a properly sorted state.

[0048] In the recovery device of the present invention, for example, containers whose type has not been identified by the container discrimination unit 152 may be stored in the first storage unit 20A, and containers whose type has been identified by the container discrimination unit 152 may be stored in other storage units 20 (for example, the second and third storage units 20B and 20C). In this case, the drive unit that rotates the first sorting plate 51 may be configured with a solenoid actuator, so that the first sorting plate 51 is held at the first partition position 51P1 when the power supply of the recovery device 1 is turned off. This allows the containers to be properly separated and recovered with reduced power consumption. Furthermore, in this configuration, the recovery device can properly separate and recover the containers even if it does not have a lid unit 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 Recovery device 5. Sorting device 10a Inlet 20A First storage section 20B Second storage section 20C Third storage section 21A First space 21B Second space 21C Third space 51 First distribution board 51a First slope 51a1 First slope area 51a2 Second slope area 51P1 First partition position 51P2 First tilt position 52 Second distribution board 52a Second slope 52P1 Second partition position 52P2 Second tilt position

Claims

1. A sorting device that sorts containers inserted through an inlet of a recovery device into a first storage section and a second storage section that are arranged in order on one side in a direction perpendicular to a vertical direction below the inlet, A sorting device comprising a first sorting plate that is movable between a first partitioning position that separates a first space above the first storage section from a second space above the second storage section, and a first inclined position that is located between the input port and the first storage section in the vertical direction and is arranged so that a first inclined surface is formed that faces upward and slopes downward as it approaches one side of the one direction.

2. The sorting device described in claim 1, wherein the first inclined surface of the first sorting plate arranged in the first inclined position includes a first inclined region inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the one direction, and a second inclined region located on one side of the one direction with respect to the first inclined region and having a smaller inclination angle than the first inclined region.

3. A sorting device that sorts containers inserted through the insertion port into a first storage section, a second storage section, and a third storage section that are arranged in order below the insertion port on one side in a direction perpendicular to a vertical direction, A second sorting plate is further provided, the second sorting plate being movable between a second partitioning position that partitions a second space above the second storage section and a third space above the third storage section, and a second inclined position that is located above the second storage section and is arranged to form a second inclined surface that faces upward and inclines downward as it approaches one side in the one direction, The sorting device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second inclined surface of the second sorting plate arranged in the second inclined position is located lower than the lower end of the first inclined surface of the first sorting plate arranged in the first inclined position.

Images