Article collection device

Abstract

To provide an article recovery device capable of preventing a trouble to a component inside a device due to liquid such as rainwater or the like by a simple structure without requiring a waterproofing packing or the like.SOLUTION: An article recovery device for recovering an article from an input port has an accommodation passage that recovers an article from the input port and accommodates the same to an accommodation part and a drain passage that drains a liquid intruding into the article recovery device to an outside of the article recovery device through a passage different from the accommodation passage. Also, the drain passage is provided between an airframe of the article recovery device and an exterior cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article collection device.

Background Art

[0002] An empty container collection device for collecting empty containers is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A general empty container collection device appropriately reduces the volume of empty containers such as PET bottles input from an input port and stores them in a container storage section inside the device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a general empty container collection device is installed outdoors, there is a risk that rainwater or the like may enter the device and cause problems in the components inside the device. In addition, when a liquid (such as juice) is deliberately poured into the empty container collection device, there is a risk that the liquid may enter the device from the collection port and cause problems in the components inside the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The article collection device of the present invention comprises at least the following configuration. An article collection device that collects articles from an input port, a storage path that collects articles from the input port and stores them in a storage section, an outer door provided slidably so as to be openable and closable with respect to the input port at a position inside an outer cover having an opening as the input port, an outflow section provided at the lower end position of the outer door for allowing liquid to flow out, comprising the outer door has left and right wall portions rising from the surface of the outer door provided on both left and right sides, and a protruding portion protruding forward from the lower end portion; the protruding portion is configured such that liquid from the outer door flows toward the outflow portion; the outflow portion discharges the liquid flowing from the protruding portion characterized in that 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] The article collection device of the present invention does not require waterproof packing or the like, has a simple structure, and can prevent problems caused by liquids such as rainwater from occurring to the internal components of the article collection device. Further, even when the article collection device of the present invention is arranged outdoors, it is possible to prevent liquids such as rainwater from accumulating in the article collection part (container accommodation part) such as the article collection bag inside the machine body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention include the illustrated content, but are not limited thereto. In the description of each of the following figures, parts common to those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description is partially omitted. Note that, as an article collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, a container collection device will be described.

[0009] The article collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention opens the outer door of the input port to collect articles from the input port, and stores the articles in a container collection part provided in the machine body. Further, the article collection device may reduce the volume of the articles by a volume reduction part as necessary, and then store the volume-reduced articles in the container collection part. Specifically, the article collection device has an outer door provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the input port, and a placement part located inside the input port and capable of placing articles from the input port. In addition, the input port, the placement part, etc. of the article collection device are configured so as to place PET bottles etc. as articles horizontally.

[0010] The articles are not limited to PET bottles, cans, and bottles. For example, milk cartons, trays, ink cartridges, items returned to libraries or rental stores (books, DVDs, etc.), cleaning items, batteries, light bulbs, etc. may be any articles subject to collection. That is, the container collection device is an embodiment of the article collection device.

[0011] In addition, in this embodiment, the article collection device that collects articles from the input port has a storage path that collects articles from the input port and stores them in the storage section, and a drainage path that discharges the liquid that enters the article collection device to the outside of the article collection device through a path different from the storage path. Examples of this liquid include rainwater, drinking water, tap water, cleaning liquid, etc. In addition, the placement section of the article collection device has a guiding section that guides the liquid such as rainwater from the outer door to the drainage path that drains the liquid such as rainwater to the outside of the device. Further, the placement section is arranged on the weighing section, and the guiding section of the placement section is arranged at a distance from the outflow section of the outer door, the drainage path, the exterior cover, etc. so as to accurately weigh the mass of the placed article.

[0012] In addition, when the article collection device is on standby, the outer door of the article input section is in a closed state, and the inner door provided between the article input section and the storage section is in a closed state. When collecting an article, the outer door of the article input section is opened, and it is determined by a discrimination section of a control section (not shown) such as a computer whether the article placed on the placement section is an article to be collected (for example, an empty resin container such as a PET bottle). If it is determined that the article (empty container) is an article to be collected, the outer door is closed, the inner door provided between the article input section and the storage section is opened, and the container is collected by the storage section. In this embodiment, the container collection device is provided with a volume reduction mechanism, and by reducing the volume of the container by the volume reduction mechanism, a large amount of reduced empty containers can be collected in the collection section with a specified capacity.

[0013] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, in the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a container input section 110 is provided at the upper part of the device main body section 100B, and an outer door 111 is provided at the opening of the container input section 110. On the front side of the device main body section 100B near the upper part than the outer door 111, a display operation section 3 and a transmission / reception section 4 (communication section) are provided. Further, a luggage hook 100f is provided on the front side of the device main body section 100B.

[0014] In addition, in the article collection device 100, the outside of the body of the device main body section is protected by an exterior cover CV. Specifically, the exterior cover CV includes an upper exterior cover CV1, a central exterior cover CV2, and the like.

[0015] Also, a passage communicating with the container storage section 140 is provided below the container input section 110, and an inner door 112 is provided in the passage 71 from the placement section 116 of the container input section 110 to the container storage section 140.

[0016] In this embodiment, in the article collection device 100, a volume reduction section 120 (volume reduction mechanism) is provided between the inner door 112 and the container storage section 140. When the inner door 112 is in the open state, the volume reduction section 120 crushes the empty container A from the container input section 110 to reduce the volume, and outputs the volume-reduced container RA to the lower container storage section 140. Further, the device main body section 100B of the article collection device 100 has a drawer 100C on which the container storage section 140 is placed, and a drawer handle 100e and a keyhole 100r are provided on the front side. It is configured such that a key can be inserted into the keyhole 100r for locking and unlocking.

[0017] Also, on the front side of the device main body section 100B, specifically, on the front side of the drawer 100C, a light-transmitting section 100A (light-transmitting window) is provided, and it is configured to be able to visually recognize the empty containers stored in the container storage section 140 from the outside. Also, a moving handle 100g used during transportation is provided on the side surface of the device main body section 100B.

[0018] In addition, the apparatus main body 100B is provided with a cap insertion part 108 on the front side, and a cap passage 72 is provided in the apparatus main body downward from the cap insertion part 108. The cap inserted into the cap insertion part 108 is configured to be accommodated in the cap storage part 145 through the cap passage 72. In addition, the cap passage 72 may have a mechanism for sorting the cap and objects smaller than the cap. Specifically, the cap passage 72 may be branched, and at the branch part, a mesh-like member is provided so that the remaining drink shells, rainwater, etc. are discharged and accumulated through separate paths, and only the cap is accommodated in the cap storage part 145.

[0019] <Container storage part> Next, an example of the container storage part 140 of the article collection apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Specifically, FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing an example of the container storage part 140, and FIG. 2(b) is a view showing an example of the container storage part 140 with the container storage bag BB and the cap storage bag BS attached.

[0020] The container storage part 140 detachably provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body 100B of the article collection apparatus 100 is, as shown in FIG. 2(a), a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container having an opening at the upper part and a bottom at the lower part, and a light transmitting part 140a or a semi-light transmitting part is provided on the front side, and the inside of the container storage part 140 can be easily visually recognized from the outside.

[0021] In addition, a large container storage bag is detachably provided in the container storage part 140 having an opening at the upper part. In this embodiment, the container storage part 140 having a substantially rectangular opening at the upper part is provided with an insertion port 140b for fixing the container storage bag BB near the upper end of the side surface. In this embodiment, a slit-shaped insertion port 140b is formed at the center of the oval elastic member.

[0022] When attaching the container storage bag BB to the container storage part 140, the container storage bag BB is placed in the central part of the container storage part 140, and the upper end of the container storage bag BB is folded back outward and inserted into the insertion port 140b. That is, by inserting it into the slit-shaped insertion port 140b of the elastic member, the bag is locked to the slit, and the container storage bag BB is fixed to the container storage part 140.

[0023] For example, when removing the container storage bag BB from the container storage part 140 after collecting a plurality of containers in the container storage bag BB, by pulling the container storage bag BB from the insertion port 140b with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined force, a non-engagement state is achieved, and the bag can be easily removed.

[0024] Also, in this embodiment, a cap storage portion is provided in a part of the container storage part 140. Specifically, the cap storage bag BS is arranged at a corner of the container storage part 140. The cap storage bag BS preferably has, for example, two handle parts. The container storage part 140 is provided with a locking part such as a hook near the upper part of the side surface of the corner part. By locking the handle part of the cap storage bag BS to this locking part of the container storage part 140 and arranging the opening of the bag near the outlet of the cap passage, the cap can be easily stored with a simple structure.

[0025] That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the cap storage part has a structure supported inside the container storage part 140. Also, the handle part BSa of the cap storage bag BS as the cap storage part can be easily locked to the locking part 140f such as a hook near the upper part of the outer surface of the container storage part 140, thereby realizing the above configuration. Also, since the cap storage part is provided inside the container storage part 140, space saving can be realized.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a partial transparent view for explaining an example of the outer door 111, the placement part, and the drainage path of the article collection device 100 (container collection device). The article collection device 100 is provided with an outer door 111 that can be opened and closed with respect to the input port TS. Near the left and right ends of the lower end of the outer door 111, an outflow portion 111c for allowing liquid such as rainwater to flow downward is provided. The placement portion 116 is located inside the input port TS and is configured to be able to place articles from the input port TS. Below the placement portion, a drainage member D1 and a drainage pipe member D2 as a drainage path DR for draining liquid such as rainwater to the outside of the device are provided. Further, the drainage member D1 of the drainage path DR has an inclined portion D1a for guiding liquid such as rainwater to the outside of the machine body. The placement portion 116 has a guiding portion 116c for guiding liquid such as rainwater from the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111 to the drainage path DR.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 4, inside the main body of the article collection device 100, a drainage member D1 as a drainage path DR is provided at a position below the guiding portion 116c of the placement portion 116. Further, a drainage pipe member D2 connected to the drainage member D1 is provided so as to pass between the container storage portion 140 (article storage portion) and the inner side surface of the main body portion and reach a hole portion 100h provided on the bottom surface, back surface, or side surface of the machine body, and liquid such as rainwater is drained to the outside of the machine body. Examples of the drainage pipe member D2 include pipes made of resin. Liquid such as rainwater is discharged to the outside of the machine body of the device main body portion 100B of the article collection device 100 through the outflow portion of the outer door 111, the guiding portion of the placement portion, and the drainage path (drainage member).

[0028] When the article collection device 100 is installed indoors, instead of draining rainwater and the like to the outside of the machine body, the drainage path may be defined so as to guide rainwater and the like into the bag of the container storage portion 140 or a dedicated bag. Specifically, for example, when liquid such as juice is spilled on the article collection device, if it is discharged to the outside of the machine body, it will be drained indoors, so the drainage path may be defined so as to guide the liquid into the bag of the container storage portion 140 or a dedicated bag. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 4, a flexible resin drainage pipe member D2 as a drainage path is configured to be arranged so as to guide to the bag of the article collection portion (container storage portion). In this embodiment, the article collection device 100 is configured such that the drainage destination can be switched between when it is installed outdoors and when it is installed indoors.

[0029] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the outer door 111 of the article collection device 100 is in the closed state, the guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116 is located at a predetermined distance below the lower end portion of the outflow portion 111c provided at the lower end portion of the outer door 111, and a drainage member D1 serving as a drainage path DR is disposed at a predetermined distance below the lower portion of the guide portion 116c. In this embodiment, the drainage member D1 has a groove in a shape where the lower end portion of a metal flat plate is folded back at an acute angle. Liquids such as rainwater flow along the surface of the outer door 111 to the lower end side and naturally fall from the outflow portion 111c at the lower end portion to the guide portion 116c of the lower placement portion 116. Then, the liquids such as rainwater naturally fall from the guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116 to the groove portion of the lower drainage member D1, flow along the sloped groove portion to the tubular drainage pipe member D2, and are naturally drained outside the machine body as described above.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the container insertion portion 110 of the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a placement portion 116, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a pedestal 118, a weighing portion 7, an outer door support portion S111, an inner door support portion S112, an outer door drive portion 5, an inner door drive portion 6, a first restriction portion K111, a second restriction portion K112, and the like.

[0031] The placement portion 116 is configured to be able to place objects to be collected and the like. Light sensors 9 such as a light receiving portion 9a and a light emitting portion 9b and a metal sensor are provided on the side wall portion 116a of the placement portion 116. Also, a weighing portion 7 is provided below the placement portion 116.

[0032] In addition, in the present embodiment, the placement portion 116 is provided with an inclination such that its placement surface is not horizontal and the container accommodation portion 140 side is lower than the article insertion port side (the opening side when the outer door 111 is open). That is, the placement portion 116 is configured to encourage the inserted article to fall toward the container accommodation portion 140 side (or the volume reduction portion 120 side) due to its own weight. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a transport mechanism for sending the article (inserted object) to the container accommodation portion 140, and a small article collection device can be provided. Further, the placement portion 116 has a structure in which a surface treatment is applied to the surface of the placement surface to form uneven portions, and the inserted article is prevented from sticking to the placement portion. When the article collection device is a container collection device, even if the container is wet, the contact area between the container surface and the uneven surface of the placement portion is relatively small, so the surface tension due to wetting is reduced, and the container easily moves toward the container accommodation portion 140 side. That is, it is possible to prevent problems such as a wet container not falling toward the container accommodation portion side.

[0033] The outer door 111 is provided outside the placement portion 116. The outer door drive portion 5 such as a motor drives the outer door 111 to be openable and closable. The inner door 112 is provided in the passage 71 between the placement portion 116 and the volume reduction portion 120. The inner door drive portion 6 drives the inner door 112 to be openable and closable. A guide portion 112D for guiding the placement state of the empty container is provided on the inner door 112. The guide portion 112D is provided at a position visible from the exposed device main body portion. The guide portion 112D is guide-displayed as information so that an article (such as an empty container like a PET bottle) is placed in a specified orientation and at a specified position (for example, 350 ml, 500 ml, 2000 ml, etc.). The guide portion 112D may be a concave portion, a convex portion, a sticker, an LED display portion, an LCD, etc. provided on the surface of the inner door 112. In addition, the article collection device may include a determination means for determining whether the article is correctly placed at the placement position indicated by the guide portion 112D by a detection sensor such as an imaging portion. Also, when the placement orientation and position are incorrect, notification and the like can be performed by a detection portion such as an imaging process or an optical sensor.

[0034] In this embodiment, the article collection device 100 has a pedestal 118, and this pedestal 118 has an outer door 111 and outer door support portions S118 and S111 that support the outer door drive unit 5. Specifically, the outer door drive unit 5 and the rotating shaft C111 are provided at the upper ends of the two outer door support portions S118, and a fan-shaped outer door support portion S111 is rotatably provided on the rotating shaft C111, and the outer door 111 is supported by the fan-shaped outer door support portion S111. One of the two rotating shafts C111 is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor of the outer door drive unit 5. The fan-shaped outer door support portion S111 is provided with a hole portion S111h through which the rotating shaft C112 of the inner door 112 passes.

[0035] The weighing unit 7 is disposed between the pedestal 118 and the placement portion 116 and supports the placement portion 116.

[0036] Also, the inner door 112 is configured to guide an empty container placed on the placement portion 116 to the volume reduction portion 120 in the open state. In this embodiment, the inner door drive unit 6 and the inner door 112 are supported by an inner door support portion S112 that is disposed on the weighing unit 7 and extends from between the weighing unit 7 and the placement portion 116. The rotating shaft C112 of the inner door 112 is provided on the inner door drive unit 6, and the inner door 112 is provided on the rotating shaft C112. By opening the inner door 112, the object to be collected can be guided to the container storage portion 140 in the apparatus main body portion. The inner door support portion S112 has a hole portion S112h through which the rotating shaft C111 passes.

[0037] That is, the outer door drive unit 5 and the outer door 111 are supported by the outer door support portion S111 of the pedestal 118, and the placement portion 116 is provided above the weighing unit 7 disposed on the pedestal 118. Therefore, the weighing unit 7 can accurately weigh the mass of the object to be collected placed on the placement portion 116. Specifically, since the structure on the weighing unit 7 does not support the outer door 111 or the outer door drive unit 5, the weighing unit 7 is structured to be less affected by vibrations of the outer door 111 or the outer door drive unit 5, and can accurately weigh the mass of the object to be collected on the placement portion 116.

[0038] Further, the outer door 111 of the article collection device 100 as the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to be movable between an open position where the placement portion 116 is exposed and a closed position where the placement portion 116 is covered. When the outer door 111 is closed, the outer door 111 is configured to be movable from the open position toward the closed position toward the placement portion 116. That is, since the outer door 111 is configured to move from the open state toward the placement portion 116 and close, for example, when a user's hand or arm is sandwiched between the outer door 111 and the placement portion 116, the measured value by the weighing unit fluctuates, and the control unit detects the fluctuation, it is possible to easily detect that a user's hand or arm, a foreign object, etc. are sandwiched between the outer door 111 and the placement portion 116.

[0039] Also, in the article collection device 100 (container collection device) according to the embodiment of the present invention, the outer door 111 includes a first restricting portion K111 that restricts the movement of the inner door 112. The inner door 112 includes a second restricting portion K112 that restricts the movement of the outer door 111. The first restricting portion K111 and the second restricting portion K112 have a mechanism that restricts both the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 from being in an open state. That is, since the article collection device 100 has the first restricting portion K111 provided on the outer door 111 and the second restricting portion K112 provided on the inner door 112, with a mechanically simple structure, it is possible to restrict the opening and closing operations of each door according to the opening and closing states of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 respectively.

[0040] Also, the first restricting portion K111 of the article collection device 100 is configured to operate in response to the movement of the outer door 111. The second restricting portion K112 is configured to operate in response to the movement of the inner door 112. Further, in the article collection device 100, when the outer door 111 is in an open state, the first restricting portion K111 is configured to restrict the movement of the inner door 112, and when the inner door 112 is in an open state, the second restricting portion K112 is configured to restrict the movement of the outer door 111. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the outer door 111 is in the open state, the inner door 112 is configured to be restricted from being in the open state while remaining in the closed state. That is, when the outer door 111 is in the open state and the inserted object is placed on the placement portion 116, the inner door 112 is in the closed state and does not become open, and regardless of whether the object placed on the placement portion 116 is an object to be collected or a non-collectible object, it is configured not to be accommodated in the container accommodation portion 140 within the apparatus main body portion 100B. That is, in this state, an article (an object to be collected or a non-collectible object) is in contact with the inner door 112, and the inner door 112 has a structure that also serves as a part of the placement portion.

[0041] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, etc., the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111 of the article collection apparatus 100, the guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116, etc. will be described.

[0042] The outer door 111 has a curved surface portion 111a that is curved outward from the upper part toward the lower end portion, a protruding portion 111b that protrudes forward from the lower end portion, and outflow portions 111c, 111c provided near the left and right end portions of the lower end portion of the outer door 111. The outflow portion 111c is a concave portion, a hole portion, a notch portion, or the like, and is formed in a shape such that liquid such as rainwater flows downward. In addition, wall portions 111e, 111f, 111g that protrude to a predetermined height to prevent the intrusion of rainwater or the like into the machine are provided at portions other than the lower end of the peripheral portion of the curved surface portion 111a of the outer door 111. The wall portions 111e, 111f on the left and right sides are provided along the opening and closing direction of the outer door 111. The wall portion 111g is provided at the upper part of the outer door 111. The wall portion 111g is provided at the upper part of the outer door 111 when the outer door 111 is in the closed state, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the opening and closing direction.

[0043] When the outer door 111 is in the closed state, the portion outside the wall portions 111e, 111f, 111g is covered by an exterior cover, and has a structure that prevents rainwater or the like from entering the machine body beyond the wall portions 111e, 111f, 111g.

[0044] The guide portions 116c provided on both the left and right sides of the front end of the placement portion 116 are groove portions recessed so as to extend in the outflow direction of rainwater or the like. At the front end of the placement portion 116, a flat portion 116f extending in the left-right direction (a direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction) is provided. In the present embodiment, this flat portion 116f is formed to be slightly inclined downward toward the front.

[0045] Specifically, the guide portion 116c has a first inclined portion 116ca, a second inclined portion 116cb, and a wall portion 116cc. The first inclined portion 116ca is formed at a position lower than the flat portion 116f and is inclined downward toward the front. In the present embodiment, the first inclined portion 116ca is inclined at an angle of about 20° with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0046] The second inclined portion 116cb is provided above the first inclined portion 116ca and is inclined at an angle larger than that of the first inclined portion 116ca. In the present embodiment, the second inclined portion 116cb is inclined at an angle of about 60° with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0047] The wall portion 116cc is provided on both the left and right sides of the first inclined portion 116ca and the second inclined portion 116cb, and is configured to guide rainwater or the like in the outflow direction and prevent rainwater or the like from flowing out from both the left and right sides.

[0048] As described above, when the outer door 111 is in the closed state, the liquid such as rainwater adhering to the surface of the outer door 111 flows downward along the curved surface of the outer door 111 and flows downward from the outflow portions 111c, 111c. Below the outflow portions 111c, 111c, the guide portions 116c of the placement portion 116 are installed at a position separated by a predetermined distance. Rainwater or the like from the outflow portions 111c flows down onto the guide portions 116c, and from the guide portions 116c, the rainwater or the like flows out through a water channel to a drainage channel provided below the guide portions 116c and is discharged outside the container recovery device.

[0049] The article collection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 10 has a liquid guide part 116v that receives liquid (contents such as juice, water, and coffee flowing out from a container or the like) flowing downstream of the article inclined part 116g of the placement part 116 and guides the liquid to the drainage path DR. This liquid guide part 116v is provided below the placement surface of the placement part 116, and preferably, is provided between the placement surface and the weighing part 7. This liquid guide part 116v may be arranged on the weighing part 7 in the same manner as the placement part 116, or may be arranged separately from the weighing part 7 in the same manner as the outer door 111. For example, even when there is liquid remaining in an article such as a container from the inlet, and the liquid leaks to the placement part and flows to the back side along the inclined surface of the placement part, it can be drained outside the machine through the liquid guide part 116v and the drainage path DR.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the upper exterior cover CV1 of the article collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 11(a) is a front view of the upper exterior cover CV1, FIG. 11(b) is a plan view, FIG. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 11(b), and FIG. 11(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the D-D line of FIG. 11(b).

[0051] A groove part CV1a extending in the left-right direction is provided in the upper surface part of the upper exterior cover CV1. The central part of this groove part CV1a has a convex shape, and an inclined surface that inclines downward to the left and right ends is formed. That is, when it rains, the liquid such as rainwater on the upper surface of the article collection device flows through the groove part CV1a to the left and right ends of the device main body part and is drained.

[0052] Further, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the upper exterior cover CV1 has a cap insertion part 108 into which a cap CP such as a PET bottle cap is inserted. The cap insertion part 108 is formed in a structure that prevents liquid such as rainwater from easily entering the machine. Specifically, at the upper part of the cap insertion part 108, a protruding part 108a (eaves part) protruding forward is formed. Also, the hole part of the cap insertion part 108 is formed in a shape where the upper end 108b is located forward of the lower end 108c of the hole part. Further, at the lower part of the cap insertion part 108, an inclined surface 108d inclined downward toward the front is formed. That is, even when a liquid such as rainwater flows from the upper part of the upper exterior cover CV1 along the curved surface toward the cap insertion part 108, the liquid naturally falls downward due to the protruding part 108a (eaves part) or flows downward along the hole part, so that a structure is provided to prevent the liquid such as rainwater from entering the inside of the cap insertion part 108. Since the inclined surface 108d is formed at the lower part of the hole part of the cap insertion part 108, the liquid such as rainwater is naturally drained downward.

[0053] As described above, the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to collect articles from the insertion port TS. Specifically, the article collection device 100 has a storage path (a path from the insertion port TS to the placement part 116 and then to the container storage part 140 via the passage 71) for collecting articles from the insertion port TS and storing them in the storage part (container storage part 140), and a drainage path (a drainage path DR such as the drainage member D1) for discharging the liquid that has entered the article collection device 100 to the outside of the article collection device through a path different from the above storage path. That is, the article collection device of the present invention does not require a waterproof packing or the like, has a simple structure, and can prevent problems caused by a liquid such as rainwater to the internal components of the article collection device. Further, the article collection device of the present invention can prevent the liquid such as rainwater from accumulating in the article collection part (container storage part) such as the article collection bag inside the machine body even when the article collection device is arranged outdoors.

[0054] In addition, the article collection device 100 includes an outer door 111 that is provided to be openable and closable with respect to the input port TS, and a placement portion 116 that is located inside the input port TS and on which articles from the input port TS can be placed. The placement portion 116 has a guiding portion 116c that guides liquid such as rainwater from the outer door 111 to a drainage path DR such as a drainage member D1 that drains the liquid such as rainwater outside the device. Further, in the present embodiment, the guiding portion 116c of the placement portion 116 is provided separately from the drainage path DR such as the drainage member D1. Specifically, the guiding portion 116c of the placement portion 116 is disposed separately from the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111 and the drainage path DR such as the drainage member D1. That is, since the article collection device includes the guiding portion 116c in the placement portion 116, with a simple structure, liquid such as rainwater from the outer door 111 can be easily drained outside the article collection device.

[0055] In addition, the drainage path DR of the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided at a position between the body 100k of the article collection device 100 and the exterior cover CV (central exterior cover CV2). That is, since the drainage path DR is provided between the body 100k and the exterior cover CV2 (central exterior cover), it is possible to provide a small article collection device 100 with a simple structure without impairing the aesthetic appearance of the exterior and without reducing the arrangement space of the internal components of the device.

[0056] In addition, the drainage member D1 of the drainage path DR of the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided below the guiding portion 116c of the placement portion 116 and has an inclined portion D1a that guides liquid such as rainwater from the guiding portion 116c outside the device body. That is, since the article collection device 100 has the drainage member D1 of the drainage path DR, with a simple structure, liquid such as rainwater can be naturally drained outside the device body along the inclined portion D1a without providing, for example, a suction device.

[0057] In addition, the outer door 111 of the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the input port TS by sliding at a position inside the exterior cover CV1 (upper exterior cover) having the opening CV1h as the input port TS. Specifically, the outer door 111 is in a closed state with respect to the opening CV1h of the exterior cover CV1, and has wall portions 111e, 111f, 111g provided at peripheral portions other than the lower end of the outer door 111 to prevent intrusion of liquids such as rainwater, and an outflow portion 111c provided at the lower end position of the peripheral portion of the outer door 111 for allowing liquids such as rainwater to flow out to the drainage path DR. In the present embodiment, the outflow portion 111c is provided near the left and right end portions of the lower end of the outer door 111. That is, when the outer door 111 is in the closed state, the wall portions 111e, 111f, 111g of the outer door 111 can prevent intrusion of liquids such as rainwater into the device. In addition, liquids such as rainwater flowing along the curved outer surface of the outer door 111 can be drained outside the device body from the outflow portion 111c through the guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116 and the drainage path DR.

[0058] In addition, the outflow portion 111c of the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed at substantially both ends of the outer door 111. That is, compared with the case where one outflow portion is provided, the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has outflow portions 111c at substantially both ends of the outer door 111, so that it has a simple structure and a large drainage volume without impairing the appearance of the article collection device.

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment, the outer door 111 has a curved surface portion 111a that is curved outward from the upper portion to the lower end portion, and a protruding portion 111b that protrudes forward from the lower end portion. The upper surface of the protruding portion is formed with an inclined surface so that the central portion is convex, and liquids such as rainwater are configured to flow along the inclined surface to the outflow portions 111c provided at the left and right end portions of the lower end of the outer door. That is, with a simple structure, liquids such as rainwater can be drained from the outflow portions 111c provided at the left and right end portions of the lower end of the outer door.

[0060] Further, the guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116 of the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided at a predetermined interval below the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111 with the outer door 111 in the closed state. The guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116 and the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111 are separated by a predetermined distance. That is, with a simple structure, liquids such as rainwater can be naturally drained outside the machine body through the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111 and the guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116.

[0061] Further, the article collection device 100 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the placement portion 116 is arranged on the weighing portion 7, and the mass of an article such as a container placed on the placement portion 116 is weighed by the weighing portion 7. The placement portion 116 is separated from the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111 so as to be in a non-contact state, and the mass of the article placed on the placement portion 116 can be accurately weighed by the weighing portion 7, and liquids such as rainwater can be drained outside the machine body by the guide portion 116c.

[0062] Further, specifically, the guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116 has a structure separated from the outer door 111, the drainage path DR, and the exterior cover CV (CV1, CV2). That is, the placement portion 116 is separated from the outflow portion 111c of the outer door 111, the drainage path DR, and the exterior cover CV (CV1, CV2) so as to be in a non-contact state, and the mass of the article placed on the placement portion can be accurately weighed by the weighing portion, and liquids such as rainwater can be drained outside the machine body by the guide portion 116c.

[0063] Further, the placement portion 116 of the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has an article inclined portion 116g in which the end portion on the side opposite to the input port TS is inclined downward. The guide portion 116c of the placement portion 116 is provided at the end portion on the input port side of the placement portion 116, and has a liquid inclined portion (first inclined portion 116ca, second inclined portion 116cb) with an inverse gradient with respect to the inclination of the article inclined portion 116g. That is, liquids such as rainwater can easily be naturally drained outside the article collection device through the liquid inclined portion (first inclined portion 116ca, second inclined portion 116cb) of the guide portion 116c.

[0064] Further, the article collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a liquid guide portion 116v that receives liquid (contents such as juice flowing out from a container or the like) flowing downstream of the article inclined portion 116g of the placement portion 116 and guides the liquid to the drainage path DR. This liquid guide portion 116v is provided below the placement surface of the placement portion 116, and preferably, is provided between the placement surface and the weighing portion 7. That is, for example, even when liquid such as juice flows out from a container or the like placed on the placement portion 116, it is possible to provide an article collection device 100 having a simple structure that can discharge the liquid outside the machine body through the liquid guide portion 116v and the drainage path DR.

[0065] Further, a collection system having the article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention may include, for example, an article collection device having a weighing portion, a storage portion (container storage portion), a communication portion, etc. installed in a store or the like, and a management computer communicably connected to the article collection device via a communication path such as a wired communication path or a wireless communication path.

[0066] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. In addition, the embodiments shown in the above-described respective figures can be combined with each other's description content as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purposes and configurations. In addition, the description content of each figure can be an independent embodiment, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a single embodiment combining the respective figures.

[0067] The article collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above includes a volume reduction portion (volume reduction mechanism) for reducing the volume of an empty container. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it may not include a volume reduction mechanism and may collect the empty container of the object to be collected as it is.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the article collection device collects empty containers such as PET bottles, but it may be configured to collect aluminum cans, steel cans, etc., or it may be a device that can also collect PET bottles, aluminum cans, and steel cans.

Explanation of Signs

[0069] 7…Measuring unit 100…Article collection device (container collection device, collection device, or container volume reduction device) 100B…Device main body part 100k…Machine body 110…Container input part (article input part) 111…Outer door 111c…Outlet part 111e…Wall part 111f…Wall part 111g…Wall part 112…Inner door 116…Placement part 116c…Guide part 116ca…First inclined part 116cb…Second inclined part 116cc…Wall part 116g…Article inclined part 116v…Liquid guide part 120…Volume reduction part (volume reduction mechanism) 140…Container storage part (storage part, accommodation part, or article storage part) CV…Exterior cover CV1…Upper exterior cover (exterior cover) CV2…Central exterior cover (exterior cover) D1a…Inclined part DR…Drainage path TS…Input port

Claims

1. An article collection device for collecting articles from an inlet, comprising: a storage path for collecting articles from the inlet and storing them in a storage section; an outer door provided to be openable and closable with respect to the inlet by sliding at a position inside an outer cover having an opening as the inlet; an outflow section provided at a lower end position of the outer door for discharging liquid; the outer door having left and right wall portions rising from the surface of the outer door provided on both left and right sides, and a protruding portion protruding forward from a lower end portion; the protruding portion being configured such that liquid from the outer door flows toward the outflow section; the outflow section discharging the liquid flowing from the protruding portion; An article collection device characterized by the above.

2. A drainage path for discharging liquid that has entered the article collection device to the outside of the article collection device through a path different from the storage path, The article collection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flows out from the outflow section into the drainage path.

3. The article collection device according to claim 2, wherein the drainage path is provided at a position between the body of the article collection device and the outer cover.

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