Container capacity reduction device

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container reduction device. Place Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an empty container volume reduction and recovery device that compresses and reduces the volume of empty containers such as resin containers and aluminum cans by pinching them between opposing compression rollers and stores them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-153019 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the empty container is simply crushed by a compression roller and the neck portion and the body portion of the empty container are separated, only the body portion, which is large in size and has a low density, may be collected, and the neck portion, which is small in size and has a high density, may not be collected. There is a demand for an empty container recovery device or a container volume reduction device that can reliably collect the neck portion of the empty container.

[0005] Furthermore, in the empty container volume reduction and recovery device described in Patent Document 1, when empty containers are pinched and crushed by compression rollers, problems such as part of the container becoming entangled in the compression rollers may occur.

[0006] In addition, resin containers have a high resilience against external forces, and even if they are simply crushed by compression rollers, they cannot maintain the crushed state, and the volume after reduction may become relatively large. In addition, even if the container is crushed by the compression rollers, the compressed container may be curved, and become bulky when stored in the storage section of the empty container recovery device, resulting in a reduced amount of storage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The container volume reduction device of the present invention has at least the following configuration. A container volume reduction device for reducing the volume of an empty container, An insertion port for inserting the empty container in a horizontal position; An opening and closing door for opening the insertion port; A pair of support parts that rotatably support a pair of rotating shafts that are disposed opposite to each other; Among the compression rollers arranged at a predetermined interval along each of the pair of opposing rotating shafts, the compression roller on one support portion side has a volume reducing portion whose distance to a side surface of the support portion is longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion of the long empty container; A storage section for storing the reduced volume empty container; 、 Equipped with 、 The pair of opposing rotating shafts includes one rotating shaft arranged opposite to the other rotating shaft arranged on the input port side, and the other rotating shaft, and the one rotating shaft has a faster rotation speed than the other rotating shaft arranged on the input port side. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0009] The container volume reduction device of the present invention can reliably recover the neck portion of an empty container without the neck portion and body portion of the empty container being separated. It is possible to provide a container volume reduction device that can reduce the volume of an empty container without a part of the empty container becoming entangled in the volume reduction means. It is also possible to provide a container volume reduction device that allows the reduced container to maintain its reduced state for a long period of time. It is also possible to provide an empty container recovery device equipped with a container volume reducing device. It is also possible to provide a method for producing empty containers for recycling using the container volume reduction device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an empty container recovery device equipped with a container volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is an overall oblique view of the empty container recovery device, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of an opening and closing door. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a container volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a container volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of a container volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the container volume reduction device shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing the front, side, and bottom of a container volume reduction device. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a peeling section (peeling member), in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a front view. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a volume reduction means of a container volume reduction device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing an example of an empty resin container such as a PET bottle. [Figure 10] A figure showing an example of a photograph of an empty resin container whose volume has been reduced by a container volume reduction device. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a photograph of a volume-reduced body in which cut portions and non-cut portions are formed. [Figure 12] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a volume-reduced body in which cut portions and non-cut portions are formed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A container volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention reduces the volume of an empty container. The container volume reduction device has a volume reduction means provided with a pair of opposing rotating shafts, each of which has a plurality of compression rollers arranged at a predetermined interval along the rotating shaft. The volume reduction means is configured so that the axial length of the gap between the plurality of compression rollers provided on the rotating shaft is approximately equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion of the long empty container. The container volume reduction device is provided on the container discharge side of the volume reduction means and has a peeling unit that peels off the container reduced by the volume reduction means from the compression roller of the volume reduction means. The empty container may be a resin container, an aluminum container, a steel container, or the like. The empty container handled by the container volume reduction device of this embodiment is a resin container such as a PET bottle.

[0012] Hereinafter, a container volume reduction device, an empty container recovery device equipped with the container volume reduction device, and a method for manufacturing empty containers for recycling using the container volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention includes the contents shown in the drawings, but is not limited to them. In the following description of each figure, parts that are common to parts already described will be given the same reference numerals and some duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, an empty container recovery device 100 equipped with a container volume reduction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has the container volume reduction device 1 in a main body 100b, and a storage unit 1u is arranged below the container volume reduction device 1. The container volume reduction device 1 reduces the volume of an empty container in a horizontal position inserted from an input port 1k at the top of the main body 100b, and then discharges the reduced container into the storage unit 1u. The storage unit 1u is detachably arranged in the main body 100b of the container volume reduction device 1. In addition, the container volume reduction device 1 may be provided with a semi-transparent window unit 1w or a transparent window unit on the front side of the main body 100b, and is configured to easily check the amount of containers stored in the storage unit 1u. The storage unit 1u is removed from the main body 100b periodically or as needed, and the reduced empty containers are collected as empty containers for recycling.

[0014] Furthermore, the empty container recovery device 100 may be provided with a cap storage section for storing caps of PET bottles (containers), and the main body section 100b may be provided with a cap insertion port 1c and a semi-transparent window section. In addition, the container volume reduction device 1 in the empty container recovery device main body 100b may be arranged to be freely attached and detached, and may be structured to allow easy replacement and other maintenance, for example, by adopting a drawer-type structure.

[0015] The insertion port 1k may be provided with a door 1d such as a sliding door that can be opened and closed as necessary. The empty container recovery device main body 100b may be provided with an operation display unit 1t such as a touch panel display device, and a reader / writer 1r capable of data communication with a non-contact IC card (RFID, etc.). 1(b), a guide display showing the orientation and position of containers for inserting empty containers (PET bottles, etc.) may be provided on the opening and closing door 1d (sliding door, etc.), the insertion port, etc. by printing, stickers, molding, etc. The empty container recovery device 100 may also be equipped with a sensor or camera (image capture unit) that detects the orientation of the container (PET bottle, etc.) inserted into the insertion port, and if the orientation differs from a specified orientation, the device may notify the user by displaying the fact on the display unit, or by an audio guide using the audio unit, etc.

[0016] Next, the container volume reducing device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The container volume reduction device 1 has a volume reduction means 200 and a feeding mechanism 5 provided above the volume reduction means 200. The feeding mechanism 5 feeds an empty container in a horizontal position that is inserted from an insertion port to the volume reduction means 200.

[0017] In detail, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the container volume reduction device 1 has a structure in which a pair of rotating shafts 111, 211 of the volume reduction means 200 and a rotating shaft 51 of the feed mechanism 5 are rotatably supported by approximately plate-shaped support members 71 and 72.

[0018] The rotating shafts 111, 211, 51 are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. On each of the pair of rotating shafts 111, 211, a compression roller 11(21) having blade surfaces 11k (21k) on both axial sides and a spacer s having a smaller diameter than the compression roller 11(21) and a slightly thicker thickness than the compression roller 11(21) are alternately arranged in parallel along the axial direction. The outer periphery of the compression roller provided on one rotating shaft is positioned between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft, and is positioned a predetermined distance LP away from the spacer s provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, a gear 211m is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 211, and is configured to mesh with a gear 111m provided at one end of the rotating shaft 111. 3, a large-diameter gear 111n is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 111. The gear 111n is connected to a gear 40n provided on a rotating shaft 40p of a driving unit 40 such as a motor via a power transmission body 41 such as a chain so as to be able to transmit power. During driving, the rotary shaft 40p and the gear 40n of the driving unit 40 rotate, and the power is transmitted to the rotary shafts 111 and 211 by the power transmission body 41, so that the rotary shafts 111 and 211 rotate in the opposite directions.

[0020] In this embodiment, the gear 211m is formed to have a larger diameter than the gear 111m and has a larger number of external teeth. The gear 211m and the gear 111m mesh with each other, and the rotating shaft 111 and the rotating shaft 211 are configured to rotate in opposite directions at different speeds. Specifically, the rotating shaft 111 rotates faster than the rotating shaft 211. In addition, the compression rollers 11 and 21 provided on each of the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211 rotate in opposite directions at different speeds. In detail, the rotating shafts 111, 211 are configured to rotate in a predetermined direction so that the empty container A to be reduced in volume, which is inserted from the insertion port, passes between the rotating shafts 111, 211 and moves from top to bottom.

[0021] As a comparative example, when a pair of rotating shafts 111, 211 rotate in opposite directions at the same speed, the same locations on the side surfaces of the outer peripheries of the opposing compression rollers 11, 21 come into sliding contact with each other in every cycle.

[0022] In this embodiment, the pair of rotating shafts 111, 211 are configured to rotate in opposite directions at different speeds, so that the same points on the sides of the outer periphery of the compression rollers 11, 21 do not come into sliding contact with each other in each cycle, but instead shift slightly, thereby reducing deterioration of the blade surfaces on the sides of the compression rollers.

[0023] In addition, the rotating shaft 111 rotates faster than the rotating shaft 211 on the insertion port side. Therefore, even if an empty container is inserted into the compression rollers 11 and 21, it is configured not to move to the rear of the device.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the feed mechanism 5 has a plurality of blades 52 (made of metal or resin, etc.) as paddles on a rotating shaft 51. When the rotating shaft 51 rotates, the blades 52 rotate around the rotating shaft 51 as a rotation center. In detail, the blades 52 have one end of a substantially rectangular main body 52b connected to the rotating shaft 51, and the other end 52a is formed in a shape bent with respect to the main body 52b. In detail, the end 52a is formed in a shape bent in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 51, and the blades 52 are bent, so that the feed mechanism is prevented from being damaged even if an external force greater than a specified value is applied during driving. 2, the tip portion 52a is provided with a plurality of protrusions 52at, which are formed to be able to pass through positions corresponding to positions between the compression rollers 11 (positions of the spacers s) provided at predetermined intervals on the rotating shaft 111.

[0025] 2, a large-diameter gear 51w is provided on the end of the rotating shaft 51. A rotational force is transmitted to the gear 51w from a small-diameter gear 111w provided on the end of the rotating shaft 111 via a power transmission body 501 such as a chain.

[0026] That is, during driving, the rotating shaft 40p and gear 40n of the driving unit 40 rotate, and power is transmitted to the rotating shafts 111 and 211 by the power transmission body 41, causing the rotating shafts 111 and 211 to rotate in opposite directions, and the rotational force of the rotating shaft 111 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 51 by the power transmission body 501 via the gear 51w, causing the rotating shaft 51 to rotate in the same direction as the rotating shaft 111. That is, the driving unit 40 drives and rotates the pair of rotating shafts 111 and 211 in opposite directions at different speeds.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, plate-shaped regulating members 61 and 62 are provided above the volume reduction means 200, inclined in opposite directions so as to guide the empty container A toward the center of the volume reduction means 200, and regulate the empty container A from moving to other locations.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, on each of a pair of rotating shafts 111, 211, a compression roller 11 (21) having blade surfaces 11k (21k) on both axial sides and a spacer s having a smaller diameter than the compression roller 11 (21) and a slightly thicker thickness than the compression roller 11 (21) are alternately arranged in parallel along the axial direction. The outer periphery of the compression roller provided on one rotating shaft is disposed between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the spacer s provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft. Therefore, the compression roller 11 and the roller 21 do not interfere with each other, and malfunctions due to chipping or damage to the roller blades are prevented.

[0029] The compression rollers 11 and 21 are provided with a plurality of convex pressing portions 11a and 21a that protrude radially outward from circular base portions 11b and 21b and are spaced at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction. The base 11b of the compression roller 11 provided on the rotating shaft 111 is configured so as not to overlap with the base 21b of the compression roller 21 provided on the opposing rotating shaft 211. In addition, the base 21b of the compression roller 21 provided on the rotating shaft 211 is configured so as not to overlap with the base 11b of the compression roller 11 provided on the opposing rotating shaft 111.

[0030] The pressing portion 11a (11af) of the compression roller 11 provided on the rotating shaft 111 is positioned at a position offset from a straight line parallel to the rotating shaft that passes through the pressing portion 11a (11ab) of another compression roller arranged adjacently via a spacer s along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. In detail, as shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 111, the multiple pressing portions 11a (11af) of the compression roller 11 are arranged between the multiple pressing portions 11a (11ab) of other compression rollers adjacent to each other in the axial direction via spacers s. The same applies to the pressing portion 21a of the compression roller 21 provided on the rotating shaft 211. That is, with a simple configuration, it is possible to form a neat uneven portion in the empty container, and to form slit-shaped cut portions at a predetermined interval in a portion of the empty container. Also, it is possible to form a substantially flat volume-reduced product. That is, the sides of the bodies of the empty containers are pressed and crushed into a flat shape, and when the bodies of the flat-shaped empty containers are overlapped, the cut portions formed in the slit shape are in an interlocking state (locked state), so that the volume after volume reduction is small and the substantially flat volume-reduced state can be maintained.

[0031] The peeling unit 30 (31, 32) peels off the container, which has been reduced in volume by the compression rollers 11, 21 of the volume reduction means 200, from the compression rollers 11, 21 of the volume reduction means 200. In detail, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the peeling unit 30 (31, 32) has a tip portion 30a, an extension portion 30b, and a connecting portion 30c.

[0032] The tip portion 30a is provided between the compression rollers 11 (21) and is disposed in the vicinity of the spacer s. The extension portion 30b is formed in a shape extending from the tip portion 30a toward the container discharge side. The connecting portion 30c connects the extension portions 30b, which are shaped to extend from the multiple tip portions 30a toward the container discharge side, at a position radially outward of the compression rollers 11, 21. In this embodiment, the peeling portions 31, 32 have a comb-shaped portion 30w in which the tip portion 30a, the extension portion 30b, and the connecting portion 30c are integrally formed.

[0033] In this embodiment, a pair of peeling units 30 (31, 32) are provided corresponding to the pair of rotation shafts 111, 211. The distance between the pair of peeling units 31, 32 becomes wider toward the container discharging direction side, and the pair of peeling units are provided at an angle with respect to the container discharging direction.

[0034] When the compression roller 11 (21) rotates, a portion or all of the empty container RA reduced in volume by the volume reduction means 200 is peeled off from the compression roller 11 (21) and the spacer s by the tip 30a of the peeling section 30, and is guided to the container discharge side by the extension section 30b of the peeling section 30. Since the tip portion 30a of the peeling portion 30 is provided between the multiple compression rollers 11 (21), the reduced volume empty containers can be peeled off from the compression rollers 11 (21) of the volume reduction means 200 with a simple structure.

[0035] In addition, an inclined surface portion 30as is formed at the tip portion 30a of the comb-shaped portion 30w. In other words, the tip portion 30a is formed with an acute-angled cross section, so that the reduced-volume empty container can be easily peeled off from the compression roller, the spacer, etc.

[0036] In addition, the recess 30d of the comb-shaped portion 30w is formed with an inclined surface 30ds. In other words, the recess 30d is formed with an acute-angled cross section, so that the reduced-volume empty containers entangled with the outer periphery of the compression roller can be easily peeled off. The inclined surface 30ds is formed with a reverse gradient compared to the inclined surface portion 30as of the tip portion 30a of the comb-shaped portion 30w. In other words, the reduced container can be easily peeled off from between the compression rollers 11 (21), and the reduced container that is entangled in the outer periphery of the compression roller 11 (21) can be easily peeled off.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 9, an empty container A such as a plastic bottle has a neck Ab formed with a screw thread A1, a screw thread A2, and a neck ring A4. An unopened ring locking protrusion A3 may be formed on the neck Ab between the neck ring A4 and the screw thread A2. In this embodiment, the length LAb (neck length) of the neck Ab is the length from the tip Ac on the opening Ah side to the neck ring A4. The length LAb (neck length) of the neck Ab may also be the length from the tip Ac on the opening Ah side to the base A5 of the neck.

[0038] An empty resin container A such as a PET bottle has a neck Ab whose thickness DAb is greater than the thickness DAg of other portions, specifically, a shoulder Af, a body Ag, and the like. For example, when a neck portion Ab of an empty container A is separated from other portions and becomes a lump smaller than a standard size, the empty container A may be deemed ineligible for recycling by a recycler.

[0039] The container volume reduction device of an embodiment of the present invention reduces the volume of empty containers into a flat shape larger than the above standard, without separating the relatively thick and heavy neck portion Ab from the shoulder portion Af and body portion Ag, so that the empty containers can be recycled.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, the container volume reduction device is configured so that the tip Ac on the opening Ah side of an empty container A in a horizontal position, such as a PET bottle, abuts against the side 71a of the approximately plate-shaped support member, or is positioned with a small gap therebetween.

[0041] The distance LC from the side surface 71a of the support member 71 to the compression roller 21 arranged on the side surface of the rotating shaft 211 is configured to be longer than the length LAb of the neck portion Ab of the empty container A. In this embodiment, the distance LC is set to be longer than the axial length of the spacer ws(s) arranged on the side of the rotating shaft 211. The axial length (thickness) of the spacer ws(s) is set to be approximately twice as long as the axial length Ls of the other spacers. In other words, in order to prevent the neck portion Ab of the empty container A from being separated from the shoulder portion Af and the body portion Ag, the compression roller on the support member 71 side provided on the rotating shaft 211 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the side surface 71a of the support member 71. In other words, the container volume reduction device is structured so that the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is not separated from the shoulder portion Af and the body portion Ag when the container volume is reduced.

[0042] In this embodiment, the axial thickness L1 of the compression roller 11 (21) is shorter than the length LAb of the neck portion Ab of the empty container A. For example, even if an empty resin container A such as a PET bottle is placed upside down, specifically, even if the tip portion Ac where the opening Ah of the empty container A is formed is positioned on the side of the substantially plate-shaped support member 72, the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is not separated from the shoulder portion Af or the body portion Ag when the container is reduced in volume.

[0043] The compression roller 11 has the same thickness L1 as the compression roller 21. The axial thickness Ls of the spacer s is formed to be the same as or slightly larger than the thickness L1 of the compression roller 11 (21).

[0044] Further, the distance LT between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 111 and the spacer ws(s) provided on the rotating shaft 211 is longer than the outer diameter of the neck portion Ab of the empty container. The outer diameter of the neck portion Ab may be, for example, the outer diameter of the tip portion Ac on the opening Ah side, or may be the outer diameter LN of the neck ring A4.

[0045] Further, the distance LP between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 111 and the compression roller 21 provided on the rotating shaft 211 facing the spacer s is set to be smaller than the maximum outer diameter LAg of the body portion Ag of the empty container A. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of the volume reduction rate, the distance LP is 50% or less of the maximum outer diameter LAg of the L body portion, preferably 30% or less, and optimally 20% or less. That is, the volume reduction means 200 reduces the volume of the body portion Ag of the empty container A into a flat shape so that the thickness is about the distance LP. That is, the volume reduction rate is large. Volume reduction rate = [(volume of empty container before volume reduction - volume of empty container after volume reduction) / volume of empty container before volume reduction] x 100.

[0046] In this embodiment, the distance LP is set shorter than the distance LT and the outer diameter of the neck portion Ab of the empty container A (or the outer diameter LN of the neck ring A4), and the volume reduction rate is large.

[0047] FIG. 10 shows an example of a photograph of an empty resin container whose volume has been reduced by a container volume reduction device. The inventors of the present application actually created a container volume reduction device and performed volume reduction processing on an empty container. As shown in Fig. 10, the empty container is crushed and reduced in volume without the neck and body being separated. In addition, the empty container with a bottom is flattened, and the cut parts formed in a slit shape are in an interlocking state (locked state) with the container sides overlapping, so that the reduced state with a small volume after volume reduction is maintained. In addition, as shown in Fig. 10, the empty container in the reduced state is in a non-curved state, and can be stored in the storage section 1u without being bulky, and a large amount can be stored in the storage section 1u.

[0048] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a photograph of a volume-reduced body in which a cut portion and a non-cut portion are formed. In detail, the volume-reduced body shown in Fig. 11 is a two-ply transparent resin sheet that has been treated by the volume reduction means of a container volume reduction device. Fig. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a volume-reduced body in which a cut portion and a non-cut portion are formed.

[0049] 11 and 12, compression rollers arranged at a predetermined interval along the axial direction of a pair of rotating shafts via spacers rotate in opposite directions, and two layers of transparent resin sheets are passed between them, so that the two layers of transparent sheets are shaped into a wave shape with approximately alternating concave portions d and convex portions t. By shaping the transparent sheets approximately alternately, it becomes possible for the transparent sheets to maintain a substantially flat state.

[0050] As described above, blade surfaces (or ends) 11k, 21k are formed on the side of the convex pressing portion of the compression rollers 11, 21. The blade surfaces 11k, 21k of the compression rollers 11, 21, which are respectively provided on a pair of rotating shafts 111, 211 and face each other, cut a portion of the object to be reduced (empty container) at a predetermined interval to form a plurality of slit-shaped cut portions cc. Since the blade surfaces 11k, 21k are not in sliding contact as described above, the slits may be formed by pushing the ends of the blade surfaces together to the opposite side. By forming the blade surfaces to be pushed together, the object to be reduced (object to be reduced) is brought into an engaged state (locked state), and the mating surfaces of the object to be reduced (object to be reduced) can be maintained in an overlapping state. 5, the base 11b of the compression roller 11 provided on the rotating shaft 111 is configured not to overlap with the base 21b of the compression roller 21 provided on the opposing rotating shaft 211 (not overlapping when viewed from the axial direction). In other words, the volume-reduced object is not cut, and a non-cut portion ac is formed.

[0051] The empty container in the reduced volume state shown in FIG. 10 can be explained in the same manner as the reduced volume states shown in FIGS. In other words, the sides of the bodies and other parts of the empty containers are crushed into an uneven corrugated shape when they are overlapped, and with the container sides overlapping, the cut portions formed in slit shapes come into an interlocking state (locked state).

[0052] As described above, the container volume reduction device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a volume reduction means 200 that reduces the volume of an empty container A. This volume reduction means 200 is configured so that the axial length between the opposing compression rollers is approximately equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion of a long empty container. In detail, the axial length of the gap between the multiple compression rollers provided on the rotating shaft is approximately equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion (neck portion Ab) of the long empty container A. That is, it is possible to provide a container volume reduction device that can reliably collect the neck portion of an empty container without separating the neck portion from the body portion of the empty container. In detail, in order to easily leave the neck portion (neck portion Ab) Ac to A4 of a PET bottle as an empty container, the interval between the multiple compression rollers 11 provided on the rotating shaft is configured to be approximately equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion Ab of the long empty container A. Also, the interval between the multiple compression rollers 21 provided on the rotating shaft is configured to be approximately equal to or longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion Ab of the long empty container A. That is, for example, if the arrangement of the compression rollers 11, 21, 11 is narrow, the volume of Ac to A4 will be reduced at two locations 11, but since the volume is reduced only between the rollers 11 and 21 at the very least, the recovery rate is less likely to fall.

[0053] In addition, in the volume reduction means 200 of the container volume reduction device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a compression roller 11 (21) having blade surfaces 11k (21k) on both axial sides and a spacer s having a smaller diameter than the compression roller 11 (21) and a slightly thicker thickness than the compression roller 11 (21) are alternately arranged in parallel along the axial direction on each of a pair of rotating shafts 111, 211. The outer periphery of the compression roller provided on one rotating shaft is disposed between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the spacer provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft. The peeling portion 30 (31, 32) is provided between the compression rollers 11 (21) and has a tip portion 30a located in the vicinity of the spacer s and an extension portion 30b extending from the tip portion 30a toward the container discharge side. That is, when the compression roller 11 (21) rotates, a part or all of the empty container RA reduced in volume by the volume reduction means 200 is peeled off from the compression roller 11 (21) and the spacer s by the tip portion 30a of the peeling portion 30, and is guided toward the container discharge side beyond the compression roller 11 (21) by the extension portion 30b of the peeling portion 30. Since the tip portion 30a of the peeling portion 30 is provided between the multiple compression rollers 11 (21), the reduced volume container can be peeled off from the compression rollers 11 (21) of the volume reduction means 200 with a simple structure.

[0054] In addition, the container volume reduction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a volume reduction means 200 equipped with a pair of opposing rotating shafts 111, 211 each having a plurality of compression rollers 11, 21 arranged at a predetermined interval along the rotating shafts 111, 211, and a peeling section 30 (31, 32) provided on the container discharge side of the volume reduction means 200 and peeling off the container reduced in volume by the compression rollers 11, 21 of the volume reduction means 200 from the compression rollers 11, 21 of the volume reduction means 200. In other words, a container volume reduction device can be provided that can efficiently reduce the volume of empty containers without a part or all of the empty container RA reduced in volume by the volume reduction means 200 becoming entangled around the compression rollers 11, 21, etc. of the volume reduction means 200.

[0055] Moreover, the peeling unit 30 of the container volume reduction device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a connecting portion 30c at which extension portions 30b extending from the multiple tip portions 30a toward the container discharge side are connected at a position radially outside the compression rollers 11, 21. That is, the peeling unit 30 has a comb-shaped portion 30w equipped with the tip portions 30a, the extension portions 30b, and the connecting portion 30c. That is, the peeling portion 30 has the comb-shaped portion 30w, and therefore has a greater strength than, for example, a case in which a plurality of tip portions 30a made of a plate-like member are simply arranged side by side. Also, for example, the peeling portion 30 having the comb-shaped portion 30w can be easily manufactured by processing a metal plate material to form a plurality of notches.

[0056] In addition, the method for manufacturing empty containers for recycling by the container volume reduction device 1 of an embodiment of the present invention includes a step in which the volume reduction means 200 reduces the volume of the empty container into a flat shape using the pressing portions 11a, 21a of the compression rollers provided on each of a pair of rotating shafts, while cutting a portion of the empty container into a slit shape with the sides of the empty container overlapping each other using the blade surfaces 11k, 21k on the sides of the pressing portions 11a, 21a, and engaging the cut portions while overlapping in a flat shape; and a step in which the peeling portion 30 (31, 32) peels the container reduced by the volume reduction means 200 from the compression rollers 11, 21 of the volume reduction means 200. In other words, empty containers for recycling can be easily manufactured. In detail, the sides of the body of the empty container are pressed and crushed into a flat shape, and in the state where the container sides overlap in a flat shape, the cut portions formed in slits are in an interlocking state (locked state), so that the reduced volume state with a small volume after reduction can be maintained. In other words, it is possible to provide a container volume reduction device that allows the volume-reduced container to maintain the reduced state for a long period of time. Also, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing empty containers for recycling that allows the volume-reduced container to maintain the reduced state for a long period of time.

[0057] Furthermore, even if liquid remains in the container, the volume reducing means 200 forms a cut portion in the empty container, so that the liquid inside is discharged to the outside of the container. In addition, the empty container recovery device may be equipped with a detection unit that detects liquid if it leaks outside the reduced container or if liquid is mistakenly poured into the inlet of the container volume reduction device main body, and when the detection unit reacts, the liquid may be stored in a liquid storage unit other than the volume reduction storage unit (storage unit 1u).

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the embodiments shown in the above-mentioned drawings can be combined with each other as long as there is no particular contradiction or problem in the purpose, configuration, etc. Furthermore, the contents of each drawing may be independent embodiments, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one embodiment obtained by combining the drawings.

[0059] In addition, the empty container recovery device may have a communication unit capable of communicating with a computer outside the device, and sensors in each drive unit, and may be configured to notify a computer such as a call center of the abnormality if the sensor in each drive unit detects an abnormality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1…Container volume reduction device 1k…Inlet 1u…Housing area 5...Feed mechanism 11…Compression roller 11a...Pressing part 11k…Blade surface 21…Compression roller 21a...Pressing part 21k…Blade surface 30…Peeled part 30a...Tip 30b...Extending part 30c...Connection part 31…Peeled part 32…Peeling part 40...Drive unit (drive motor) 51...Rotation axis 71, 72...Support members 71a...side 100…Empty container recovery device 100b...Main body 111...Rotation axis 200…Volume reduction means 211...Rotation axis A...Empty container Ab…Neck (neck part) s, ws...Spacer

Claims

[Claim 1] A container volume reduction device for reducing the volume of an empty container, An insertion port for inserting the empty container in a horizontal position; An opening and closing door for opening the insertion port; A pair of support parts that rotatably support a pair of rotating shafts that are disposed opposite to each other; Among the compression rollers arranged at a predetermined interval along each of the pair of opposing rotating shafts, the compression roller on one support portion side has a volume reducing portion whose distance to a side surface of the support portion is longer than the longitudinal length of the neck portion of the long empty container; A storage section for storing the reduced volume empty container, The pair of opposing rotating shafts includes one rotating shaft arranged opposite to the other rotating shaft arranged on the input port side, and the other rotating shaft, and the one rotating shaft has a faster rotation speed than the other rotating shaft arranged on the input port side. A container volume reduction device characterized by the above.

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