Article recovery apparatus

Abstract

To provide an article recovery device capable of respectively classifying and recovering remaining articles including the container of merchandise to be sold by a vending machine and having a simple structure.SOLUTION: An article recovery device 10 includes a box 20 that recovers a remaining article 14 after a content is taken out from a product 12,13 sold by a vending machine, the remaining article 14 includes a container 16,17, a label 19 attached to a container 16, and a cap 18 that closes a content take-out port of the container 16, and the box 20 separately includes an input port 21,22 into which the container 16,17 is input, an input port 23 into which the label 19 is input, and an input port 24 into which the cap 18 is input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an article recovery device that recovers articles including containers of products sold in vending machines. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an article recovery device that recovers articles including containers of products sold in vending machines is described in Patent Document 1. The container recovery device for vending machines described in Patent Document 1 has a storage section at the top of a vending machine that sells containers filled with contents and that stores specific containers into which contents have been discharged, an insertion port at the side of the vending machine through which the containers into which contents have been discharged are inserted, container transfer means for transferring the containers is provided between the insertion port and the storage section, and container limiting means is provided at the insertion port that allows only specific containers to be inserted.

[0003] In addition, the container recovery device for vending machines described in Patent Document 1 has a liquid discharger that discharges the remaining liquid contents in the container, a cap separator that separates the cap attached to the mouth of the container when discharging the liquid, and a label separator that separates the label attached to the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-30123 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present application have recognized that although the container recovery device for a vending machine described in Patent Document 1 can separate the containers, caps, and labels, it has a problem in that it has a complex structure.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an article recovery device that can separate and recover articles, including containers of products sold in vending machines, and that has a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This embodiment is an item recovery device that includes a box for recovering remaining items after the contents have been removed from products sold in a vending machine, where the remaining items include a container, a label attached to the container, and a cap that covers the content removal port of the container, and the box is configured to have a first insertion port through which the container is inserted, a second insertion port through which the label is inserted, and a third insertion port through which the cap is inserted, separately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The article recovery device of this embodiment can separate and recover the remaining articles, including the containers of the products sold in the vending machine, and has a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a vending machine and an article recovery device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an item recovery device. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vending machine and an article recovery device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the item recovery device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (overview) In this embodiment, an example of an article collection system including an article collection device is disclosed based on the drawings. The article collection system 60 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 includes an article collection device 10 and a vending machine 11. The article collection device 10 is placed on the side of the vending machine 11. The article collection device 10 is managed by a manager (company, corporation, sponsoring company) that sells products 12 and 13 in the vending machine 11 or a recycling company different from the manager. The article collection device 10 is connected to an external computer 43 via a network 42, for example, the Internet network. The article collection device 10 is connected to the vending machine 11 via a network 42, for example, short-range wireless communication.

[0011] The article collection device 10 in FIG. 2 is provided for collecting "remaining articles 14" other than the contents from the products 12 and 13 sold in the vending machine 11. The products 12 and 13 sold in the vending machine 11 have their contents filled in containers. The container of product 12 is, for example, a PET bottle 16, and the container of product 13 is, for example, a can 17. When product 12 is housed in the vending machine 11, a synthetic resin cap 18 is attached to the opening of the PET bottle 16, and a resin film label 19 is attached to the outer surface of the PET bottle 16. The cans 17 include those made of aluminum and steel. The contents include, for example, coffee, juice, tea, green tea, carbonated beverages, sports drinks, etc. The remaining articles 14 collected by the article collection device 10 are the PET bottle 16, the can 17, the cap 18, and the label 19.

[0012] (Article Collection Device) The article collection device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The article collection device 10 has a box 20, inlets 21, 22, 23, 24, an inlet sensor 25, a monitor 26, a camera 27, a speaker 28, a computer 29, a power source 61, etc. The box 20 is placed at an installation location 30. The box 20 is a hollow container made of, for example, one or more of materials such as metal, synthetic resin, wood, paper, etc. The inlets 21 and 22 are openings provided in the inclined wall 20A of the box 20. The inclined wall 20A is provided inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0013] Also attached to box 20 is plate 31. Plate 31 is made of, for example, metal or synthetic resin, and has horizontal portion 31A and vertical portion 31B. Horizontal portion 31A is disposed approximately horizontally, and vertical portion 31B is disposed approximately vertically. Horizontal portion 31A and vertical portion 31B are connected, and horizontal portion 31A is disposed above insertion ports 21 and 22. Insertion ports 23 and 24 are provided to pass through vertical portion 31B. Insertion port 21 is an insertion port dedicated to PET bottles 16, insertion port 22 is an insertion port dedicated to cans 17, insertion port 23 is an insertion port dedicated to labels 19 peeled off from PET bottles 16, and insertion port 24 is an insertion port dedicated to caps 18 of PET bottles 16.

[0014] A plurality of item collection bags are provided inside the box 20. The item collection bags are made of, for example, nylon, polyethylene, calcium carbonate, etc. The openings of the item collection bags are connected to four drop-in openings 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively. The box 20 also has a window 32. The window 32 is made of synthetic resin or glass, and is transparent or translucent. This allows users of the item collection device 10 to see the inside of the box 20 from outside the box 20 through the window 32.

[0015] The inlet sensors 25 are provided corresponding to the four inlets 21, 22, 23, and 24. The inlet sensors 25 are provided, for example, inside the box 20. The inlet sensors 25 separately detect whether or not each of the plastic bottles 16, cans 17, caps 18, and labels 19 has been inserted, and whether or not any items other than the plastic bottles 16, cans 17, caps 18, and labels 19 have been inserted, and output signals.

[0016] The monitor 26 is provided so as to be exposed from the outer surface of the box 20. People near the item recovery device 10 can see the monitor 26 from outside the box 20. The monitor 26 is configured, for example, as at least one of an LCD monitor and an organic electroluminescence monitor. The monitor 26 is configured to display information as an image. The image includes video, still images, etc. The monitor 26 can also be considered a display. The still images and videos displayed by the monitor 26 include fortune-telling slips, games, information related to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of supporting companies, weather information for the area where the vending machine 11 is installed, disaster information, crime prevention information, public safety information, etc.

[0017] The camera 27 is attached to the box 20. The camera 27 has the function of capturing images of objects around the item recovery device 10, such as users, people, and items being dropped into the drop-in slots 21, 22, 23, and 24, generating images, and outputting information including the generated images. The images generated by the camera 27 include still images and videos. The camera 27 is configured using one or more cameras, such as an analog high-definition camera, a digital high-definition camera, or a network camera. The information output from the camera 27 includes the image, the location where the image was captured, the date and time the image was captured, and the like. If the camera 27 is an AI (artificial intelligence) camera, the camera 27 has an image and video analysis function. By combining the capture function and analysis function, the camera 27 can extract, confirm, and analyze necessary information and data from the video and images. The speaker 28 is attached to the box 20. The speaker 28 outputs audio. The audio includes spoken words, music, onomatopoeia, natural sounds, and natural environmental sounds.

[0018] The computer 29 is attached to the box 20. The computer 29 includes a processor 33, a main memory 34, an auxiliary memory 35, a communication interface 36, etc. The processor 33 is configured by a central processing unit (CPU) that integrates an arithmetic unit (arithmetic circuit) and a control unit (control circuit). The processor 33 is communicatively connected to the main memory 34, the auxiliary memory 35, the communication interface 36, etc. via a bus 37. The bus 37 includes a communication circuit and a communication cable. The computer 29 is also communicatively connected to the insertion port sensor 25, the monitor 26, the camera 27, and the speaker 28 via the bus 37.

[0019] The main memory 34 is a volatile storage device that functions as a work area and a buffer area when the processor 33 executes various processes and makes decisions. The auxiliary memory 35 has a larger capacity than the main memory 34 and operates in response to input and output commands from the processor 33. The auxiliary memory 35 is a non-volatile storage device, i.e., a non-transitory storage medium. The auxiliary memory 35 may be implemented, for example, by a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. An example of a magnetic disk is a hard disk drive. An example of an optical disk is a compact disk, a digital video disk, a Blu-ray disk, or the like. A flash memory is a type of semiconductor memory, and examples of flash memory include an SD memory card, a USB flash drive, and a solid-state drive. One or more elements included in the auxiliary memory 35 can be defined as a storage medium 35A that can be attached to and detached from the main body.

[0020] Non-transient applications are stored in the auxiliary memory 35. The applications include programs, setting files, files for storing data, various libraries, etc. The auxiliary memory 35 also stores information to be processed and judged by the processor 33, information used for executing the processing and judgment by the processor 33, etc. The information stored in the auxiliary memory 35 includes the processing results of the processor 33, images, various information, data, etc.

[0021] The processor 33 is configured to function as an item monitoring unit 38, an image processing unit 39, an audio processing unit 40, and an information processing unit 41 by loading and running applications stored in the auxiliary memory 35. The item monitoring unit 38 processes the signals of each inlet sensor 25 to separately determine whether a PET bottle 16, a can 17, a cap 18, or a label 19 has been inserted, and has the function of mutually distinguishing between the PET bottle 16, the can 17, the cap 18, and the label 19. The item monitoring unit 38 processes the signals of each inlet sensor 25 to determine whether an item other than the PET bottle 16, the can 17, the cap 18, or the label 19 has been inserted. The image processing unit 39 processes images to be displayed on the monitor 26 and images captured by the camera 27.

[0022] The audio processing unit 40 has a function of processing audio output from the speaker 28. The information processing unit 41 has a function of processing various information and data to be processed by the computer 29, processing information and data to be sent from the item recovery device 10 to an external computer 43 via the network 42, and processing various information and data to be obtained from the external computer 43 via the network 42.

[0023] The power supply 61 has the function of supplying power to the electrical and electronic components that make up the item collection device 10. The power supply may be either an AC power supply or a DC power supply. The power supply 61 may also be a battery, for example, a battery that stores power obtained from a solar power generation device that converts solar energy into electrical energy. Furthermore, the power supply 61 may also be a dry cell.

[0024] The communication interface 36 includes a structure and standard for connecting the computer 29 to an external computer 43 via a network 42 using at least one of a wireless communication system and a wired communication system. The structure for connecting the computer 29 to the network 42 includes a communication circuit, a communication cable, a communication terminal, an antenna, etc. The communication interface 36 may also be connected to the communication interface 58 of the vending machine 11 via short-range wireless communication. Examples of short-range wireless communication include wireless LAN (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0025] (Vending machine) The vending machine 11 is a product vending device managed by a product seller or the like. The vending machine 11 is placed in an installation location 30. The vending machine 11 has a box-shaped main body 44 and a front face 45 attached to the main body 44. The front face 45 is a door that is closed with a locking mechanism. Products 12 and 13 are stored in a product rack via a product insertion slot. The front face 45 is provided with an electric light (product display) 46, a coin insertion slot 47, a bill insertion slot 48, a reader 49, a return lever 50, a coin return slot 51, a product removal slot 52, and the like.

[0026] The illuminated unit 46 is a section that indicates the types of products 12, 13 to the purchaser. The illuminated unit 46 includes a plurality of dummy product rows 53 and product selection buttons 54 provided corresponding to each of the dummy product rows 53. The dummy product rows 53 are configured by arranging a plurality of dummies 53A horizontally. The dummies 53A are labels that resemble the actual products 12, 13, or models of the containers for the products 12, 13. In other words, the plurality of product selection buttons 54 are provided corresponding to the types of products 12, 13 sold by the vending machine 11.

[0027] Furthermore, the main body 44 includes an item insertion slot, a rack, an item chute, a control device (control circuit) 55, an item delivery mechanism 56, a memory 57, a communication interface 58, and the like. The control device 55 is configured with a processor having an input port, an output port, a central processing circuit, and the like. The control device 55 is communicatively connected to the reading unit 49, a plurality of item selection buttons 54, the item delivery mechanism 56, the memory 57, and the communication interface 58 via a bus 59. The item delivery mechanisms 56 are provided corresponding to the plurality of item selection buttons 54, respectively, and their operation is controlled by the control device 55. The communication interface 58 is connected to the item collection device 10 and the external computer 43 via the network 42. The control device 55 can acquire information such as the number of times each item selection button 54 is pressed and the type of item 12, 13 corresponding to each item selection button 54. The control device 55 can execute a process of sending the acquired information, i.e., information on the purchased items 12, 13, to the item collection device 10 via the network 42.

[0028] (Example of purchasing a product) An example of a user purchasing products 12 and 13 using the vending machine 11 is as follows. When the user inserts a coin into the coin slot 47 or a bill into the bill slot 48, the lamp of the product selection button 54 corresponding to the available product 12 or 13 is lit. When the user presses one of the lit product selection buttons 54, the control device 55 operates the product delivery mechanism 56 corresponding to the pressed product selection button 54. As a result, the product 12 or 13 selected by the user is transported to the product removal slot 52 and stops. The user can open the cover of the product removal slot 52 and remove the product 12 or 13. When the user operates the return lever 50, the change is returned to the coin return slot 51.

[0029] When purchasing a product using a cashless device other than cash, first press the product selection button 54 to turn on the lamp, then bring the cashless device close to the reading unit 49. The reading unit 49 reads the cashless device, and the control device operates the product delivery mechanism. As a result, the product 12 or 13 is transported to the product removal opening 52 and stops there. The cashless device may be a cashless card, a user terminal, a wristwatch-type device, or the like.

[0030] (Example of use of item recovery device) 4 is a flowchart showing an example of how the item collection device 10 is used. After a user removes the contents of the products 12 and 13 purchased from the vending machine 11, the user puts the remaining items 14 into the item collection device 10. For example, a plastic bottle 16 is put into an insertion port 21, a cap 18 removed from the plastic bottle 16 by the user is put into an insertion port 24, and a label 19 peeled off from the plastic bottle 16 by the user is put into an insertion port 23.

[0031] In step S10, the computer 29 of the item recovery device 10 processes the acquired information and data. Then, in step S11, the computer 29 determines whether the remaining items 14 have been placed in the box 20. If the computer 29 determines Yes in step S11, it can execute the processes of steps S12 and S13. In step S12, the computer 29 outputs a sound, such as "Thank you" or "Good job," from the speaker 28. In step S13, the computer 29 displays an image, such as a fortune slip, a game, or a corporate social responsibility activity of a sponsoring company, on the monitor 26.

[0032] After executing steps S12 and S13, or if the answer is No in step S11, the computer 29 executes a process in step S14 in which the camera 27 captures an image of an object around the item collection device 10. The computer 29 processes the image captured by the camera 27 to obtain people flow analysis data around the item collection device 10. The people flow analysis data includes, for example, the number of people passing by each time period in a day, the number of people passing by each day of the week, and the attributes of the people passing by. The attributes of the people passing by include, for example, age group and gender. The number of people passing by and the people passing by include users of the item collection device 10 and users of the vending machine 11.

[0033] Computer 29 can send the people flow analysis data acquired in step S14 to external computer 43. If external computer 43 is operated by a product seller who sells products 12 and 13 in vending machine 11, the product seller can reflect the people flow analysis data acquired by external computer 43 in the types and number of products 12 and 13 sold in vending machine 11.

[0034] In step S15, computer 29 can display weather information, disaster information, crime prevention information, and public safety information on monitor 26 and output them as audio from speaker 28. Computer 29 can obtain weather information, disaster information, crime prevention information, and public safety information from information provided to websites on network 42 by external computers 43 operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the disaster management center in the area where item recovery device 10 is located, the police station in the area where item recovery device 10 is located, etc. Furthermore, in step S16, computer 29 can also send various types of information and data to external computer 43 via network 42.

[0035] The computer 29 can execute one or more of steps S12 and S13. The computer 29 may execute steps S12 and S13 at the same time. The computer 29 may also execute steps S12 and S13 at different times.

[0036] Furthermore, the computer 29 can execute one or more of steps S14, S15, and S16. The computer 29 may execute steps S14, S15, and S16 at the same time. Furthermore, the computer 29 may execute steps S14, S15, and S16 at different times.

[0037] (Effects of the embodiment) The item recovery device 10 can recover the remaining items 14, including the containers of the products 12 and 13 sold in the vending machine 11, as resources rather than as garbage. Furthermore, the device has a simple structure, as it does not have a sorting mechanism for separating the PET bottles 16, cans 17, caps 18, and labels 19. The PET bottles 16, cans 17, caps 18, and labels 19 are transported to a recycling company and reborn as new products.

[0038] Furthermore, the item recovery device 10 has an external appearance similar to that of a robot character, with two cameras 27 positioned in positions corresponding to the eyes of the robot's face and a speaker 28 positioned in a position corresponding to the mouth of the robot's face. Therefore, the item recovery device 10 is also visually friendly.

[0039] Furthermore, users passing by the item recovery device 10 can check weather information, disaster information, crime prevention information, and public safety information by looking at the monitor 26. This contributes to environmental conservation in the local community. Furthermore, the computer 29 can send images taken by the camera 27 to an external computer 43 via the network 42. Therefore, if the external computer 43 is operated by a government agency, a school, or the like, the external computer 43 can share weather information, disaster information, crime prevention information, and public safety information.

[0040] Furthermore, in the event of a disaster, the computer 29 can display a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), on the monitor 26. The two-dimensional code allows a user to obtain products 12 and 13 from the vending machine 11 for free. A user reads the two-dimensional code with a portable terminal, displays the read two-dimensional code on a screen, and brings the screen close to the reading unit 49 of the vending machine 11. When the product selection button 54 is pressed without inserting a coin or using a cashless device, the control device 55 of the vending machine 11 operates the product delivery mechanism 56 to supply the products 12 and 13 to the product dispensing slot 52.

[0041] Furthermore, the user can see inside the box 20 through the window 32. Therefore, the user can roughly confirm the amount of remaining items 14 collected (accumulated) in the box 20. Furthermore, the plastic bottles 16 and the cans 17 pass between the inclined wall 20A and the plate 31 and are inserted into the insertion ports 21 and 22, respectively. Furthermore, a horizontal portion 31A is disposed above the insertion ports 21 and 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from entering the box 20 through the insertion ports 21 and 22.

[0042] Furthermore, after determining Yes in step S11, computer 29 proceeds to step S16 and can send the number of each of the plastic bottles 16, cans 17, caps 18, and labels 19 placed in box 20 to external computer 43 operated by the product seller. This allows the product seller to obtain the number of products 12 and 13 sold in vending machine 11 in real time, before an operator periodically opens front portion 45 of vending machine 11 to replenish products 12 and 13. This makes it easier for the product seller to manage the products 12 and 13 sold in vending machine 11.

[0043] Furthermore, in step S10, computer 29 may obtain information from vending machine 11, such as the number of times the product selection button 54 was pressed in a day, the time period during which the product selection button 54 was pressed, and the types of products 12 and 13 corresponding to the pressed product selection buttons 54. Then, computer 29 may proceed to step S16 and send the information obtained from vending machine 11 to external computer 43 operated by the product seller. This allows the product seller to obtain information such as the types and quantities of products 12 and 13 sold in vending machine 11 in real time, before an operator periodically opens front panel 45 of vending machine 11 to replenish products 12 and 13. This makes it easier for the product seller to manage the products 12 and 13 sold in vending machine 11.

[0044] Furthermore, in step S11, computer 29 may determine whether the item placed in box 20 is any one of plastic bottle 16, can 17, cap 18, and label 19. If computer 29 determines No in step S11, computer 29 may transmit to external computer 43 in step S16 that an item other than (an item other than) plastic bottle 16, can 17, cap 18, and label 19 has been placed in box 20.

[0045] In addition, in step S16, the computer 29 may execute one or more of the following processes: displaying on the monitor 26 "Do not insert items other than the plastic bottles 16, cans 17, caps 18, and labels 19"; and outputting through the speaker 28 a voice message saying "Do not insert items other than the plastic bottles 16, cans 17, caps 18, and labels 19."

[0046] (Other explanations) An example of the technical meaning of the matters disclosed in this embodiment is as follows: The vending machine 11 is an example of a vending machine. The box 20 is an example of a box. The item recovery device 10 is an example of an item recovery device. The insertion ports 21 and 22 are an example of a first insertion port, the insertion port 23 is an example of a second insertion port, and the insertion port 24 is an example of a third insertion port. The processor 33 is an example of a processor. The speaker 28 is an example of a speaker. The monitor 26 is an example of a monitor 26. The camera 27 is an example of a camera. The communication interface 36 is an example of a communication interface. The window 32 is an example of a window. The plate 31 is an example of a plate. The inclined wall 20A is an example of an inclined wall and corresponds to a part of a plate. Furthermore, the manager of the item recovery device 10 and the manager of the vending machine 11 may be the same person or different people.

[0047] This embodiment discloses an article recovery system having the following configuration: The article recovery system includes a vending machine that sells products, and an article recovery device that recovers remaining articles after the contents of the products sold by the vending machine have been removed, wherein the remaining articles include containers, labels attached to the containers, and caps that close the content removal openings of the containers, and the article recovery device has a hollow box into which the remaining articles are placed, a first insertion port provided in the box and through which the containers are placed, a second insertion port provided in the box and through which the labels are placed, and a third insertion port provided in the box and through which the caps are placed.

[0048] Furthermore, each processing unit configured by the computer may be understood as a processing circuit, a processor, or processing means. Furthermore, a monitoring unit configured by the computer may be understood as a monitoring circuit, a monitor, or monitoring means. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] This embodiment can be used as an article collection device that collects articles including containers of products sold in vending machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10...Item collection device, 11...Vending machine, 20...Box, 20A...Inclined wall, 21, 22, 23, 24...Inlet, 26...Monitor, 27...Camera, 28...Speaker, 31...Plate, 31A...Horizontal portion, 32...Window, 33...Processor, 36...Communication interface

Claims

1. An article recovery device having a box for recovering remaining articles after contents are removed from an article sold in a vending machine, The remaining articles include a container, a label attached to the container, and a cap that closes a content outlet of the container; The box a first inlet into which the container is inserted; a second inlet into which the label is inserted; a third inlet into which the cap is inserted; The article recovery device is provided with the above items separately.

2. The article recovery device according to claim 1, a processor for executing the processing; a speaker for outputting audio; a monitor for displaying an image; is further provided, The processor: a process of determining whether the remaining items have been inserted into one or more of the first insertion port, the second insertion port, and the third insertion port; When it is determined that the remaining articles have been inserted into one or more of the first insertion port, the second insertion port, and the third insertion port, one or more of the following processes are performed: outputting a sound from the speaker; or displaying an image on the monitor; An item recovery device configured to perform the above.

3. The article recovery device according to claim 1, a processor for executing the processing; a camera that captures an image of the surroundings of the box; a communication interface connected to an external computer via a network; is further provided, The processor is configured to execute a process of sending the image captured by the camera to the external computer via the network.

4. The article recovery device according to claim 1, a processor for executing the processing; A monitor that displays information, a communication interface connected to an external computer via a network; is further provided, The processor is configured to execute a process for displaying information acquired from the external computer on the monitor.

5. The article recovery device according to claim 1, The box has a window through which the inside of the box can be seen from the outside of the box.

6. The article recovery device according to claim 1, The box has an inclined wall inclined relative to a horizontal plane, The first input port is provided through the inclined wall, a plate for preventing foreign matter from entering the first inlet is provided in the box; An article recovery device, wherein a portion of the plate is positioned above the first insertion port.

7. 5. The article recovery device according to claim 4, The processor: A process of acquiring information on a user's purchase of the product sold in the vending machine from a control device provided in the vending machine; a process of sending the information acquired from the control device to the external computer operated by a product seller who sells the product through the vending machine; An item recovery device configured to perform the above.

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