Volume reduction device and program

Abstract

To provide a volume reduction device capable of performing efficient volume reduction and collection even when a nonstandard PET bottle is placed on a placing part.SOLUTION: A volume reduction device comprises a volume reduction part for reducing the volume of an empty container, an outer door covering an input port for inputting the empty container, an inner door provided in a passage leading from the input port to the volume reduction part, and a control unit for controlling opening and closing of the outer door and the inner door. The control unit opens the inner door even when it is determined that the outer door cannot fully close.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a volume reduction device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A volume reduction device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The volume reduction device described in Patent Document 1 includes an outer door and an inner door. With the outer door open, an empty container such as a PET bottle is placed on the placement part. After the outer door is closed, the inner door opens, guiding the empty container to the volume reduction part for volume reduction and collection.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the volume reduction device described in Patent Document 1, from the viewpoint of safety, the inner door is set to be in an open state after the outer door is completely closed. Therefore, when an out-of-specification PET bottle is placed such that the outer door cannot be closed, the outer door cannot be completely closed, leading to a decrease in the collection speed. <000​​​​​​​​​​​The device comprises a volume reduction section for reducing the volume of an empty container, an outer door covering an input opening for inserting an empty container, an inner door provided in a passage leading from the input opening to the volume reduction section, and a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the outer door and the inner door, wherein the control unit opens the inner door even if it is determined that the outer door cannot be completely closed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a volume reduction device capable of efficiently collecting and reducing the volume of PET bottles can be provided. Furthermore, if the predetermined amount is set appropriately, there will be no serious safety issues. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a recovery system having a volume reduction device (empty container recovery device) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an overall conceptual diagram of a volume reduction device according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view of the volume reduction device and (b) is a side view of the volume reduction device. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a volume reduction device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an electrical functional block diagram of a volume reduction device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a container input section of a volume reduction device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a conceptual side view showing an example of a container input section in a volume reduction device, where the outer door is closed and the inner door is closed. [Figure 7] This is a conceptual side view showing an example of a container input section in a volume reduction device, where the outer door is open and the inner door is closed. [Figure 8] This is a conceptual side view showing an example of a container input section in a volume reduction device, where the inner door is opened after the outer door is closed. [Figure 9]This is a conceptual side view showing an example of a container input section in a volume reduction device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the inner door is left open after the outer door has closed to a predetermined extent. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a volume reduction device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention generally comprises an input section for inputting empty containers, a volume reduction section for reducing the volume of the empty containers inputted into the input section, and a recovery section for recovering the empty containers.

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the following drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and in order to make them easier to understand, some components that are not necessary for the explanation may be intentionally omitted. Also, for illustrative purposes, some components may be intentionally enlarged or reduced in size, and the drawings do not represent an accurate scale. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention include the contents shown in the drawings, but are not limited to these. In the following descriptions of each figure, parts that are common with parts already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and some redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] (System configuration of the collection system) Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a recovery system having a volume reduction device (empty container recovery device) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in Figure 1, a volume reduction device (sometimes called an empty container collection device 100 or collection device 100) is installed at each of the multiple store CSs. The collection device 100 may be installed inside the store CS building, or it may be installed in a location facing the outdoors, such as under the eaves, on the store CS premises. The store CSs are, for example, stores of the same chain. As a specific example, the store CSs are convenience stores of the same chain.

[0012] The recycling device 100 functions as an accumulation facility for PET bottles as recycled products. The customer C who visits the store CS, for example, inserts a PET bottle (empty container) that he / she has finished drinking and is empty into the recycling device 100. The recycling device 100 of the present embodiment reduces the volume of the inserted PET bottle (empty container) and then stores it in the recycling device.

[0013] In addition, the recycling device 100 is communicably connected to the recycling management server 200 via the network NT. The recycling device 100 may be configured to communicate with the recycling management server 200 via, for example, a mobile phone communication network or the like and the network NT. The recycling device 100 can perform communication wirelessly, and since there is no need to connect a cable for the network, for example, the degree of freedom in installation is increased. Although an example in which one recycling device 100 is installed in one store CS is shown, the number of recycling devices 100 installed in one store CS is not particularly limited.

[0014] The recycling management server 200 is a server that performs information processing related to the recycling of PET bottles by the recycling device 100. The recycling management server 200 is, for example, operated by a company that provides the recycling device 100. Specifically, the recycling management server 200 manages recycling history information indicating the history of PET bottle recycling in the recycling device 100 of each store CS. In addition, the recycling management server 200 derives the performance (recycling performance) of the customer C regarding cooperation in PET bottle recycling using the recycling device 100, and notifies the customer C of the derived recycling performance. The notification of the recycling performance to the customer C is performed by displaying information related to the recycling performance on the customer terminal device 300 of the customer C.

[0015] The customer terminal device 300 is a terminal device owned by the customer C. The customer terminal device 300 may be, for example, a stationary or notebook personal computer, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a mobile phone. The customer terminal device 300 can communicate with the recycling management server 200 via the network NT.

[0016] Also, customer C shown in FIG. 1 is registered as a member of store CS. Customer C, who is a member of store CS, owns a membership card CD. The card information recorded on membership card CD includes a member identifier. The member identifier is also a card identifier assigned to be unique for each membership card CD. Since one membership card CD is provided for each customer C as a member, the card identifier unique for each membership card CD is treated as a member identifier that uniquely indicates customer C as a member who is the owner of the membership card CD.

[0017] The membership card CD can be used as a prepaid card when making a payment at store CS. Also, the membership card CD can be used as a point card. For example, when making a payment at store CS, the customer who is a member presents the membership card CD to the store clerk. In this case, points are also added according to the collection record of PET bottles. By the way, assuming such a point system, among customers, there will be those who store PET bottles without taking them to the garbage collection site in the residential area and then bring a large amount of PET bottles to store CS at once. Although this is what this collection system aims for and is desirable, there are also problems. Customers who try to bring in a large amount of PET bottles tend to crush the PET bottles so that they are easy to carry, but for the collection device 100, originally, it is assumed that non-crushed PET bottles are to be inserted. Continuing the explanation of the collection system. When the store clerk operates the POS register 400 installed in store CS to perform accounting according to the goods purchased by the customer, an operation is performed to have the card information recorded on the membership card CD read by the card reader of the POS register 400. Note that the membership card CD may be an IC card with a wireless communication function, or may be a card with a barcode or two-dimensional code indicating the member identifier printed thereon. The barcode or two-dimensional code may indicate identification information associated with the member identifier.

[0018] The POS register 400 performs accounting processes, including product registration, which registers the items purchased by the customer, and settlement processing, which is based on the registered items. When the POS register 400 reads card information from the member card CD during accounting, it sends the read card information to the store management server 500. This allows the store management server 500 to perform processes such as payment from the prepaid balance, addition of points based on the payment amount, conversion of points to the prepaid balance, and charging of prepaid amounts. Although Figure 1 shows an example where one POS register 400 is installed in one store CS, the number of POS registers 400 installed in one store CS is not particularly limited.

[0019] The store management server 500 is the server that centrally manages the store CS (Customer Service). The store management server 500 is operated by the store CS. Specifically, the store management server 500 manages prepaid balances, point balances, etc., for each member identifier. The store management server 500 may also be configured to manage product information for each store CS, for example.

[0020] (Overall configuration of the volume reduction device) Figure 2 shows an example of an empty container collection device 100, which is a volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention, for collecting empty containers (such as PET bottles) that are to be recovered (sometimes referred to as "volume reduction targets").

[0021] In standby mode, the empty container collection device 100 has an outer door 111 of the container input section 110 in a closed state, and an inner door 112, which is provided between the container input section and the container storage section 140 so as to be openable and closable, is also in a closed state. When empty containers are to be collected, the outer door 111 of the container input section opens, and a determination means determines whether the object placed on the placement section 116 of the container input section is a target object for collection (for example, an empty resin container such as a PET bottle). If it is determined that the object is an empty container of the target object for collection, the outer door 111 closes, or if it is determined that the outer door can only be closed to a predetermined extent, the inner door 112 provided between the container input section and the container storage section 140 opens. When the outer door 111 is completely closed, the empty container quickly moves to the volume reduction section 120. However, even if the outer door is only closed to a predetermined extent, the inner door 112 opens, creating space inside and removing the support from the inner door 112, so the empty container moves to the volume reduction section 120. Although there may be a slight time difference, the empty container is reduced in volume in the volume reduction section 120 and then collected by the container storage section 140.

[0022] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the empty container collection device 100, as a volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention, has a container input section 110 at the top of the main body 100B of the device, and an outer door 111 is provided on the outside of the opening of the container input section 110. The main body 100B of the device has a display operation section 3, a transmitting / receiving section 4 (communication section), and a reader / writer 17 (card reader / writer) on the front side near the top of the outer door 111. In addition, a luggage hook 100f is provided on the front side of the main body 100B of the device.

[0023] Furthermore, 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 mounting section 116 of the container input section 110 to the container storage section 140.

[0024] In this embodiment, the empty container recovery device 100 is provided with a volume reduction unit 120 (volume reduction mechanism) between the inner door 112 and the container storage unit 140. When the inner door 112 is open, the volume reduction unit 120 crushes and reduces the volume of empty containers A from the container input unit 110, and outputs the reduced-volume containers RA to the container storage unit 140 below. Furthermore, the main body 100B of the empty container collection device 100 has a drawer 100C (drawer member) on which the container storage section 140 is placed, and a drawer handle 100e and a keyhole 100r are provided on the front side, and it is configured so that the drawer can be locked and unlocked by inserting a key into the keyhole 100r. Furthermore, the main body 100B of the empty container collection device 100 has a lock / unlock detection unit 18, which detects whether the keyhole 100r of the drawer 100C is locked or unlocked.

[0025] Furthermore, a light-transmitting section 100A (light-transmitting window) is provided on the front side of the main body 100B of the device, and more specifically, on the front side of the drawer 100C, allowing the empty containers stored in the container storage section 140 to be seen from the outside.

[0026] Furthermore, a handle 100g for transport is provided on the side of the main body 100B of the device.

[0027] Furthermore, the main body 100B of the device is equipped with a cap insertion section 108 on its front side, and a cap passage 72 is provided extending downward from the cap insertion section 108 into the main body of the device, so that caps inserted into the cap insertion section 108 are stored in the cap storage section 145 via the cap passage 72. Furthermore, the cap passage 72 may have a mechanism for separating caps from items smaller than caps. Specifically, the cap passage 72 may be branched, and a mesh-like material may be used at the branching point to allow leftover cigarette butts, rainwater, etc., to be discharged and accumulated via a separate route, so that only caps are placed in the cap storage section 145.

[0028] The volume reduction section 120 has a structure in which, for example, a pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911 are rotatably supported. Furthermore, a feeding mechanism 50 is provided at the top of the volume reduction section 120, and the rotating shaft 51 of the feeding mechanism 50 is rotatably supported by the aforementioned roughly plate-shaped support member. The feeding mechanism 50 has a plurality of blade sections 52 (made of metal or resin, etc.) as paddles on the rotating shaft 51. As the rotating shaft 51 rotates, the blade sections 52 rotate around the rotating shaft 51 as the center of rotation, guiding the empty container A to the volume reduction section 120.

[0029] Furthermore, at the top of the volume reduction section 120, inclined plate-shaped restricting members 60, 61, and 62, which have an inverse slope relative to the restricting member 61, are provided to guide the empty container A to the center of the volume reduction section 120, thereby restricting the movement of the empty container A to other locations.

[0030] The rotating shafts 811, 911, and 51 are arranged parallel to each other at predetermined intervals. On each of the pair of rotating shafts 811 and 911, compression rollers 81 and 91, each having cutting surfaces on both sides in the axial direction, and spacers (not shown) with a smaller diameter than the compression rollers 81 and 91 and slightly thicker than the thickness of the compression rollers 81 and 91 are arranged alternately along the axial direction. The outer circumference of a compression roller provided on one rotating shaft is positioned between compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft, and is positioned at a predetermined distance from a spacer provided between the compression rollers on the other rotating shaft.

[0031] A gear (not shown) is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 811, and is configured to mesh with a gear (not shown) provided at one end of the rotating shaft 911. These rotating shafts 811, 911, and 51 are rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). When driven, the rotating shafts 811 and 911 rotate in opposite directions, and the empty container A placed in the center is compressed by the compression rollers 81 and 91, and the reduced-volume empty container is output downwards. The peeling section 32 (peeling member 30) is configured to peel the container, whose volume has been reduced by the compression rollers 81 and 91 of the volume reduction section 120, away from the compression rollers 81 and 91.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a first splash prevention section 75 and a second splash prevention section 78 are located above the volume reduction section 120. An empty container collection device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a first scattering prevention section 75 between a volume reduction section 120 provided in the main body and an inner door 112. The first scattering prevention section 75 may be, for example, a flexible plate-shaped member or a rigid plate-shaped member. In this embodiment, the first scattering prevention section 75 is made of a flexible material such as PET canvas. In this embodiment, the first scattering prevention section 75 is suspended in the middle of the passage 71 leading from the mounting section 116 to the volume reduction section 120. It is preferable that the first scattering prevention section 75 is configured to move in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the inner door 112.

[0033] The second splash-proof section 78 functions as a maintenance door for the volume reduction device (empty container collection device 100). Specifically, the second splash-proof section 78 is pivotally supported by a hinge on a fixing member provided inside the empty container collection device, allowing the opening to be opened and closed. During maintenance, the operator can open the second splash-proof section 78 by grasping the gripping section 78d (handle) of the second splash-proof section 78 with the upper outer cover of the empty container collection device 100 open. The volume reduction device may also be configured to be controllable so that the volume reduction section 120 and other operations cannot be performed when the second splash-proof section 78 is not in the closed state.

[0034] Furthermore, the empty container collection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention performs a process to notify the user when the container storage section 140 becomes full. When the empty container collection device 100 detects, for example, an operation by an administrator or cleaner to open the container storage section 140, specifically an unlocking operation to pull out the drawer 100C containing the container storage section 140, it performs a process to notify the user to clean the storage section on which the containers are placed.

[0035] (Configuration around the input port of the volume reduction device) Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the empty container recovery device 100 as a volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the container input section 110 of the volume reduction device (empty container recovery device 100). Using both figures, the configuration around the input port of the volume reduction device will be described below.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the empty container collection device 100 includes a control unit 1 (CPU), a storage unit 2, a display operation unit 3, a transmitting / receiving unit 4, an outer door drive unit 5, an inner door drive unit 6, a weighing unit 7, a metal detection sensor 8, a PET sensor 901, a container detection sensor 902, a safety detection sensor 903, a door position sensor 10, a door lock unit 11, a human presence sensor 12, a volume reduction drive unit 15, a reader / writer 17, a lock / unlock detection unit 18, an imaging unit 19, and the like. Each component is electrically connected by signal lines or the like. In this embodiment, for example, the PET sensor 901, the container detection sensor 902, and the safety detection sensor 903 are composed of optical sensors 9. The imaging unit 19, as its name suggests, is composed mainly of a CCD camera and has the function of determining whether the placed PET bottle is subject to collection or not. Specifically, it distinguishes between suitable PET bottles that are subject to volume reduction (collection) and items that are not subject to volume reduction (collection), such as crushed PET bottles, PET bottles with caps still attached, PET bottles with labels still attached, PET bottles with leftover drinks, and other items. Furthermore, the weighing unit 7, metal detection sensor 8, PET sensor 901, container detection sensor 902, safety detection sensor 903, and imaging unit 19 are provided near the mounting unit 116 or on the mounting unit 116 itself, and also function as a detection unit 180 that detects whether cleaning has been performed on the mounting unit 116. Then, receiving detection information from the detection unit 180, the control unit 1 (CPU), described later, functions as a determination means to determine whether the item placed on the mounting unit is a target for collection, and whether any item other than the target for collection has been put into the input opening. This will be explained in detail in the section "Opening and closing control of the volume reduction device according to the embodiment" described later.

[0037] The control unit 1 (CPU) comprehensively controls each component of the volume reduction device (empty container recovery device 100). The control unit 1, for example, executes a control program to enable the computer to implement the functions according to the present invention.

[0038] Memory Unit 2 is a storage device such as RAM or ROM. Memory Unit 2 stores control programs and other information. It also stores the characteristics of empty containers of the items to be recovered. These characteristics include, for example, the range of container mass and whether or not the container is made of resin. Memory Unit 2 also stores member identifiers in association with attribute information. This attribute information includes, for example, information about the operator, such as age, whether they are a member or not, and the number of times the recovery device has been used.

[0039] The display operation unit 3 performs predetermined displays under the control of the control unit 1. The display operation unit 3 also outputs signals to the control unit 1 in response to user operations. The display operation unit 3 is, for example, a touch panel display device.

[0040] The transmitting / receiving unit 4, under the control of the control unit 1, performs predetermined communication with other terminal devices (computers) via a wireless or wired communication path.

[0041] The reader / writer 17 (card reader / writer) is a transceiver that communicates with contactless IC cards, IC tags, etc., and performs predetermined communication under the control of the control unit 1. Alternatively, the collection device 100 may have a code reader that reads a barcode or 2D code indicating a card identifier (member identifier) ​​recorded on the member card CD instead of the reader / writer 17.

[0042] The outer door drive unit 5 is a motor or the like for opening and closing the outer door 111, and its drive is controlled by the control unit 1.

[0043] The inner door drive unit 6 is a motor or the like for opening and closing the inner door 112, and is controlled by the control unit 1 to drive the inner door to either the open or closed state.

[0044] The weighing unit 7 weighs the mass of the empty container or non-recoverable object placed on the placement section 116 of the container input section 110. The weighing unit 7 is a weighing device such as a load cell. Furthermore, the weighing unit 7 is used as a sensor to determine whether or not a container can be recovered by detecting any remaining liquid inside the container placed on the placement section 116 of the container input section 110. The weighing unit 7 is also configured to determine the total weight of the containers stored in the container storage section 140 by accumulating the weight values ​​of the containers that have been determined to be recoverable. This function eliminates the need to provide a weighing unit in the container storage section 140, allowing for a larger capacity container storage section 140, and also allows the weighing unit 7 itself to be made smaller. Because the objects to be weighed are relatively small, there is no need to provide a large weighing unit 7.

[0045] The metal detection sensor 8 detects whether an object placed on the placement section 116 of the container input section 110 is metallic or non-metallic. In this embodiment, if the metal detection sensor 8 detects that an object placed on the placement section 116 is metallic, the control unit 1 determines that the object placed on the placement section 116 is not subject to collection. In this embodiment, the metal detection sensor 8 is provided on the inner door 112. Alternatively, the metal detection sensor 8 may be provided on the mounting section 116.

[0046] In this embodiment, the PET sensor 901, container detection sensor 902, and safety detection sensor 903 are all optical sensors 9. The optical sensor 9 is configured to receive light from a light-emitting unit provided on one of the left or right sides of the mounting unit 116 with a light-receiving unit provided on the other side.

[0047] The PET sensor 901 is configured to receive light from a light-emitting part provided on one of the left or right side walls of the mounting part 116, with a light-receiving part provided on the other side. The PET sensor 901 also includes a polarizing plate and is configured to receive light through the polarizing plate, enabling it to detect empty containers to be collected by detecting polarized light that has passed through a translucent empty container such as a PET bottle. The control unit 1 detects the light received through the translucent empty container placed on the container loading area using the light receiving unit (optical sensor 9) of the PET sensor 901, and determines whether or not it is an empty container to be collected based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 9.

[0048] The container detection sensor 902 is configured to receive light from a light-emitting unit provided on one of the left or right side walls of the mounting unit 116 with a light-receiving unit provided on the other side. When an empty container or the like is placed on the mounting unit 116 of the container loading unit, the control unit 1 determines whether or not an empty container is placed there based on the intensity of the light received by the light-receiving unit of the container detection sensor 902.

[0049] The safety detection sensor 903 has a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit located on the left and right sides of the opening, respectively, at a position appropriately set back from the opening. More specifically, it is positioned so that the outer door 111 closes to a predetermined amount (this predetermined amount will be described in detail later). The light-emitting unit on one side is configured to receive light from the light-receiving unit on the other side. The control unit 1 detects, for example, whether a person's hand or other object is in or near the opening, based on the intensity of the light received by the light-receiving unit of the safety detection sensor 903. If the light-emitting unit of the safety detection sensor 903 receives light from the light-emitting unit, the control unit 1 determines that there is no person's hand or other object in a position appropriately set back from the opening. If the light-receiving unit does not receive light, the control unit 1 determines that there is a person's hand or other object in a position appropriately set back from the opening, and for example, determines that the outer door 111 cannot be safely closed. In the volume reduction device described later, a safety detection sensor 903 was provided near the input opening. However, in this embodiment, since it is assumed that crushed empty containers may get caught in the outer door 111, the position of the safety detection sensor 903 is set to be slightly further back from the input opening than in the previous model. However, if the sensor accuracy is high and it is possible to distinguish between a human hand and a crushed PET bottle by setting a threshold, then there is no need to change the position of the safety detection sensor 903.

[0050] In this embodiment, in addition to the light sensor 9, an imaging unit 19 for imaging the mounting unit 116 is provided near the mounting unit 116. The imaging unit 19 is used, for example, to determine whether a container placed on the mounting unit 116 is to be collected or not. Specifically, it distinguishes between items to be collected, such as suitable PET bottles, and items not to be collected, such as crushed PET bottles, PET bottles with caps still attached, PET bottles with labels still attached, PET bottles with leftover drinks, and other items. The system is designed to allow switching between using the light sensor 9 and the imaging unit 19, but it may also be configured to automatically switch to compensate for the light sensor 9 if the light sensor 9 does not function properly due to the illumination conditions at the location where the collection device 100 is installed. Furthermore, the imaging unit 19 may be used in cleaning mode to determine whether or not the mounting unit 116 has been cleaned by a cleaner or the like.

[0051] Furthermore, the volume reduction device is equipped with the aforementioned sensors around the mounting section to determine whether or not recovery is necessary. For example, in conventional recovery devices, a container is taken into the device, it is determined whether or not it is a target for recovery, and non-target items are discharged from an outlet different from the input port. Since the device is equipped with a determination unit, it is necessary to provide an outlet. On the other hand, the volume reduction device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that it is not necessary to take the material to be recovered into the device, as sensors for determining whether or not recovery is necessary are provided in the mounting section which is the input port of the device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an outlet, and a compact volume reduction device can be provided.

[0052] The door position sensor 10 detects the position (opening degree) of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112, and outputs signals related to the positions of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 to the control unit 1. Based on these signals, the control unit 1 controls the open / closed state of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112.

[0053] The door locking unit 11 has a locking device such as a solenoid, and locks the movement of the outer door 111 or inner door 112 as needed under control from the control unit 1.

[0054] The motion sensor 12 is installed, for example, on the main body 100B of the retrieval device 100, and can detect operators or other objects in the vicinity of the main body 100B. The motion sensor 12 is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a visible light sensor, or a combination thereof. The motion sensor 12 outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 1.

[0055] The lock / unlock detection unit 18 is located in the main body 100B of the empty container collection device 100, and the lock / unlock detection unit 18 detects whether the keyhole 100r of the drawer 100C is locked or unlocked.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the container input section 110 of the empty container recovery device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting section 116, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a front shelf section 113 (not shown in Figure 5, see Figure 2), a base 118, a weighing section 7, an outer door support section S111, an inner door support section S112, an outer door drive section 5, an inner door drive section 6, a first restriction section K111, a second restriction section K112, and the like.

[0057] The front shelf section 113 is positioned to be in close contact with the outer door 111 when it is closed (see Figure 2), and when the outer door 111 is open, it connects with the storage section 116. The storage section 116 is configured to allow the storage of items to be collected. For example, the side wall 116a of the storage section 116 is equipped with light sensors 9, such as a light receiving section 9a and a light emitting section 9b. A weighing section 7 is also provided at the bottom of the storage section 116.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mounting section 116 is not horizontal, but is inclined so that the container storage section 140 side is lower than the container input side (the opening side when the outer door 111 is open). In other words, the mounting section 116 is configured to encourage the inserted container to fall towards the container storage section 140 side (or the volume reduction section 120 side) due to its own weight. As a result, there is no need to provide a transport mechanism to send the inserted container to the container storage section 140, and a compact volume reduction device can be provided. Furthermore, the mounting section 116 has a surface treatment applied to the surface of the mounting surface, forming an uneven surface, which prevents the placed container from sticking to the mounting section. When the volume reduction device is a container recovery device, even if the container is wet, the contact area between the container surface and the uneven surface of the mounting section is relatively small, so the surface tension due to wetness is reduced, and the container moves easily towards the container storage section 140. In other words, it is possible to prevent problems such as wet containers not falling into the container storage section.

[0059] The outer door 111 is located on the outside of the mounting section 116. The outer door drive unit 5 drives the outer door 111 so that it can be opened and closed. The inner door 112 is provided in the passage 71 between the placement section 116 and the volume reduction section 120. The inner door drive unit 6 drives the inner door 112 so that it can be opened and closed. The inner door 112 is provided with a guide section 112D that guides the placement of empty containers. The guide section 112D is exposed and positioned so that it can be seen from the main body of the device. The guide section 112D provides information to guide the placement of containers (empty containers such as PET bottles) in a specified orientation and position. This guide section 112D may be a recess, protrusion, sticker, LED display, LCD, etc., provided on the surface of the inner door 112. Furthermore, the volume reduction device may include a determination means that uses detection sensors, such as an imaging unit, to determine whether the container is correctly placed at the placement position indicated by the guide unit 112D. Additionally, if the placement orientation and position are incorrect, the device may provide notification or other alerts using imaging processing or detection units such as optical sensors.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the empty container collection device 100 has a base 118, which has outer door support parts S118, S111 that support the outer door 111 and the outer door drive unit 5. In detail, the outer door drive unit 5 and a rotating shaft C111 are provided at the upper ends of the two outer door support parts S118, and a fan-shaped outer door support part S111 is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft C111, and the outer door 111 is supported by the fan-shaped outer door support part 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 S111h through which the rotation axis C112 of the inner door 112 passes.

[0061] The weighing unit 7 is positioned between the base 118 and the mounting unit 116, and supports the mounting unit 116.

[0062] Furthermore, the inner door 112 is configured to guide empty containers placed on the mounting section 116 to the volume reduction section 120 when it is 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 part S112, which is positioned on the weighing section 7 and extends from between the weighing section 7 and the mounting section 116. The inner door drive unit 6 is provided with a rotation shaft C112 for the inner door 112, and the inner door 112 is mounted on this rotation shaft C112. By opening the inner door 112, the items to be collected can be guided to the container storage section 140 inside the main body of the device. This can be achieved even if the protruding part of a crushed PET bottle is caught in the outer door 111. The inner door support part S112 has a hole S112h through which the rotation shaft C111 passes.

[0063] In other words, the outer door drive unit 5 and the outer door 111 are supported by the outer door support part S111 of the base 118, and the mounting part 116 is provided on top of the weighing unit 7 which is positioned on the base 118. Therefore, the weighing unit 7 can accurately weigh the mass of objects to be recovered that are placed on the mounting part 116. More specifically, since the outer door 111 and the outer door drive unit 5 are not supported on the weighing unit 7, the weighing unit 7 is less susceptible to vibrations from the outer door 111 and the outer door drive unit 5, and can accurately weigh the mass of objects to be recovered on the mounting part 116.

[0064] Furthermore, the outer door 111 is configured to move between an open position that exposes the mounting section 116 and a closed position that covers the mounting section 116. When the outer door 111 is closed, it is configured to move from the open position towards the mounting section 116. In other words, since the outer door 111 is configured to move from the open state towards the mounting section 116 and close, for example, if a user's hand or arm gets caught between the outer door 111 and the mounting section 116, the metering value measured by the metering unit will change, and the control unit will detect this change, making it easy to detect that a user's hand or arm, foreign object, etc., is caught between the outer door 111 and the mounting section 116.

[0065] (Structure of the opening and closing operation restriction of the volume reduction device, which is a prerequisite) From here, we will explain the mechanism for restricting the opening of the inner door 112, but to make it easier to understand, we will first explain the volume reduction device, which is the prerequisite technology, that is, a volume reduction device in which the inner door does not open unless the outer door is completely closed. Figure 6 is a conceptual side view showing an example of the container input section 110 of a volume reduction device (empty container recovery device 100) in the prerequisite volume reduction device, where the outer door 111 is closed and the inner door 112 is closed. Figure 7 is a conceptual side view showing an example of the container input section 110 of a volume reduction device in the prerequisite volume reduction device, where the outer door 111 is open and the inner door 112 is closed. Figure 8 is a conceptual side view showing an example of the container input section 110 of a volume reduction device in the prerequisite volume reduction device, where the outer door 111 is closed and the inner door 112 is open.

[0066] In the state shown in Figure 6, the front end of the outer door 111 is in contact with the front shelf 113. That is, the outer door 111 is completely closed. As shown in the figure, the outer door 111 is equipped with a first restricting part K111 that restricts the movement of the inner door 112. The inner door 112 is equipped with a second restricting part K112 that restricts the movement of the outer door 111. The first restricting part K111 and the second restricting part K112 provide a mechanism that prevents both the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 from being in an open state. In other words, the empty container collection device 100 has a first restricting section K111 provided on the outer door 111 and a second restricting section K112 provided on the inner door 112, so it has a mechanically simple structure and can restrict the opening and closing operation of each door according to the open and closed state of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112, respectively.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the first restricting part K111 is configured to respond to the movement of the outer door 111. The second restricting part K112 is configured to respond to the movement of the inner door 112. In addition, the empty container collection device 100 is configured such that when the outer door 111 is open, the first restricting part K111 restricts the movement of the inner door 112, and when the inner door 112 is open, the second restricting part K112 restricts the movement of the outer door 111. In detail, in the underlying technology, the empty container recovery device 100 is configured such that when the outer door 111 is open, the inner door 112 remains closed, preventing it from opening. That is, when the outer door 111 is open and an object is placed on the loading section 116, the inner door 112 remains closed and does not open, and regardless of whether the object placed on the loading section 116 is an object to be recovered or not, it is configured not to be placed in the container storage section 140 within the main body 100B of the recovery device. In other words, in this state, the container (object to be recovered or not) is in contact with the inner door 112, and the inner door 112 also functions as part of the loading section.

[0068] Furthermore, the first restricting section K111 and the second restricting section K112 are configured such that their movement paths overlap. In the underlying technology, when one of the first restricting section K111 and the second restricting section K112 restricts the movement of the other, the empty container recovery device 100 has a structure in which the first restricting section K111 and the second restricting section K112 are adjacent to each other with a slight gap in an arc shape. In detail, in the underlying technology, the first restricting section K111 is formed in a substantially fan shape. The first restricting section K111 has a convex arc-shaped section K111a and a concave section K111b. The second restricting section K112 is also formed in a substantially fan shape. In detail, the second restricting section K112 has a convex arc-shaped section K112a and a concave section K112b.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7, when the outer door 111 is open and the inner door 112 is closed, and the first restricting part K111 restricts the movement of the second restricting part K112, the convex arc-shaped part K111a of the first restricting part K111 and the concave arc-shaped part K112b of the second restricting part K112 are adjacent to each other with a slight gap in the arc shape. In other words, in the volume reduction device that is the premise of the present invention, as described above, when the outer door 111 is open, the inner door 112 is closed, and the movement of the second restricting part K112 is restricted by the first restricting part K111, so the inner door 112 remains closed and does not open.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, when the inner door 112 is open and the outer door 111 is closed, and the second restricting part K112 restricts the movement of the first restricting part K111, the convex arc-shaped part K112a of the second restricting part K112 and the concave arc-shaped part K111b of the first restricting part K111 are adjacent to each other with a slight gap in the arc shape. At this time, the front end of the outer door 111 is in contact with the front shelf part 113. In other words, the outer door 111 is in a completely closed state.

[0071] In other words, the empty container recovery device, which is the premise of the present invention as a volume reduction device, has a structure in which, when the outer door 111 is closed and the inner door 112 is open, the movement of the first restricting part K111 is restricted by the second restricting part K112, so that the outer door 111 remains closed and does not open.

[0072] Furthermore, in the assumed volume reduction device, the empty container recovery device 100 may have a prohibition means that prohibits the movement of one or both of the first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112. In detail, the prohibition means may include, for example, a solenoid. This solenoid has a structure in which, for example, a metal movable pin (plunger) is arranged inside a coil, and when the coil is not energized, the movable pin (plunger) is positioned to protrude from the end of the coil by a biasing part, and is configured to move inside the coil when the coil is energized. For example, as a means of preventing movement of the outer door 111 from a closed state to an open state, the movable pin (plunger) of the solenoid for the outer door may be configured to engage with a hole provided in the first restricting part K111. The control unit controls the system so that when the closed state of the first restricting part K111 is maintained and movement to the open state is prohibited, the movable pin is engaged with the hole, and when movement is not prohibited, the movable pin is disengaged. In other words, the means of preventing movement of the first restricting part K111 from a closed state to an open state can be prevented with a simple structure. Furthermore, as a means of preventing the inner door 112 from moving from the closed state to the open state, the movable pin (plunger) of the solenoid for the inner door may be configured to engage with a hole provided in the second restricting part K112. The control unit controls the system so that when the closed state of the second restricting part K112 is maintained and movement to the open state is prohibited, the movable pin is engaged with the hole, and when movement is not prohibited, the movable pin is disengaged. In other words, the means of preventing movement of the second restricting part K112 from the closed state to the open state can be prevented with a simple structure.

[0073] Thus, the volume reduction device that forms the basis of the present invention is perfectly safe. However, some customers try to bring in crushed PET bottles, which are not anticipated in the original volume reduction device. This tendency is stronger among customers who bring in large quantities of PET bottles. In addition, children who do not fully understand the instructions on the guide unit 112D may insert PET bottles vertically instead of horizontally. As explained above, in the original volume reduction device, the inner door is opened only after the outer door is completely closed. Therefore, if a large, crushed PET bottle is placed on the loading area, or if a smaller, uncrushed PET bottle is placed vertically, the protruding part of the PET bottle can get caught in the outer door, preventing the outer door from closing completely. As a result, the PET bottle remains on the loading area, leading to a decrease in the collection speed.

[0074] (Structure for limiting the opening and closing operation of the volume reduction device according to the embodiment) Therefore, in the volume reduction device according to the embodiment of the present invention, structural and control measures are taken to open the inner door when it is determined that the outer door is closed, and also to open the inner door even when it is determined that the outer door has not closed to a predetermined extent. First, the structure of the opening and closing operation limit will be explained using Figure 9. Figure 9 is a conceptual side view showing an example of a container input section in a volume reduction device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the inner door is in an open state after the outer door has not closed to a predetermined extent.

[0075] In the state shown in Figure 9, the front end of the outer door 111 is only closed to a position separated by a distance G from the front shelf 113. Although not shown in the illustration, the outer door 111 is trapping the protruding parts of crushed PET bottles and the necks of vertically placed PET bottles. In other words, the outer door 111 is not completely closed. However, as shown in the illustration, the inner door 112 is open without any restriction on its movement. This is achieved by reducing the size of the fan-shaped portion of the roughly fan-shaped first limiting portion K111. Specifically, the concave portion K111b of the first limiting portion K111 is set to a position shifted toward the center of rotation. As can be seen by comparing Figures 8 and 9, in the original volume reduction device, the first limiting part K111 prevented the second limiting part K112 from rotating unless the outer door 111 was completely closed. However, in the volume reduction device according to this embodiment, even if the outer door 111 is not completely closed, the position of the concave part K111b of the first limiting part K111 is set such that the obstruction to the rotation of the second limiting part K112 is released if the outer door 111 is closed to the extent that the distance between the outer door 111 and the front shelf part 113 is a predetermined distance G. The predetermined distance G can be determined by setting it appropriately based on the average thickness when a large PET bottle is crushed by hand, or the average thickness of the neck of a small PET bottle. Importantly, a distance where the outer door 111 is only partially closed with a wrist inserted all the way in should be eliminated. By setting the predetermined distance G in this way, reasonable safety is ensured.

[0076] (Opening and closing control of the volume reduction device according to the embodiment) A suitable control for a volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 10 shows an example of the operation of a volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] In step ST1, the empty container collection device 100 is in a standby state. When the control unit 1 receives a signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 4 (communication unit) or the display operation unit 3, it processes the signal accordingly. The control unit 1 also processes the display on the display operation unit 3 to display a message, for example, "Please touch your card (membership card, etc.)." The card (membership card, etc.) is, for example, a membership card CD (see Figure 1), which is a contactless IC card for members.

[0078] In step ST2, the control unit 1 determines whether the outer door opening condition is met, and if the condition is met, proceeds to step ST3. As an outer door opening condition, for example, when the empty container collection start button is operated on the display operation unit 3 such as a touch panel, the process proceeds to step ST3. Alternatively, the process may proceed to step ST3 if the user's membership card communicates with the transmitting / receiving unit 4 and successful personal authentication is performed (outer door opening condition). Examples of membership cards include contactless IC cards, magnetic cards, cards with barcodes or 2D codes printed on them, display devices that show barcodes or 2D codes, and smartphones or mobile phones with membership card functionality. Furthermore, in step ST2, the control unit 1 performs a process to display on the display unit 3, for example, "Please insert the container."

[0079] In step ST3, the control unit 1 performs the outer door opening process. Specifically, the control unit 1 releases the door lock portion of the outer door 111 and performs drive control to move the outer door 111 to the open position using the outer door drive unit 5.

[0080] In step ST4, the mass, material, and presence or absence of contents of the object placed on the placement unit 116 are detected by various detection processes using the weighing unit 7, metal detection sensor 8, optical sensor 9, imaging unit 19, etc., and each detection system outputs a signal to the control unit 1 indicating the detected result. In the various detection processes, although not shown in the figures, a determination is also made as to whether or not the outer door closing condition is met. Specifically, if the object placed on the placement unit 116 is determined to be an object to be recovered, the process proceeds to the next step ST5. Otherwise (if a non-recoverable object such as a foreign object is detected), the process does not proceed to step ST5, and appropriate processing such as notification processing is performed (not shown).

[0081] In step ST5, the control unit 1 performs the outer door closing process. Specifically, the control unit 1 drives the outer door drive unit 5 to close the outer door 111.

[0082] In step ST6, the control unit 1 determines whether the closing operation of the outer door 111 has been completed. If it is determined that it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S7. However, even if it is determined that it has not been completed, in step ST8, it is determined whether the door is not completely closed. Specifically, if the position information (opening degree information) from the door position sensor 10 determines that the outer door 111 has closed to a predetermined distance G from the front shelf 113, and if this condition has continued for a certain period of time (for example, 1 second) using an appropriate timer means, it is determined that the door is not completely closed. However, if the distance is greater than the predetermined distance even if the door is not completely closed, that is, if the outer door 111 is not completely closed, the process proceeds to step ST9 and notification processing is performed.

[0083] If it is determined in step ST6 that the outer door 111 is completely closed, or if it is determined in step ST8 that the outer door 111 is not completely closed, the control unit 1 performs the inner door opening process in step ST7 or step ST10, respectively. Specifically, the control unit 1 drives the inner door drive unit 6 to open the inner door 112.

[0084] As shown in the diagram, in step ST7, when the inner door is opened, the PET bottle begins to fall toward the volume reduction section. In step ST12, a fall confirmation process is performed to confirm that the PET bottle has fallen into the volume reduction section 120. As a method for determining that the PET bottle has fallen into the volume reduction section 120, an appropriate method can be adopted, such as determination by the imaging unit 19, determination when the weighing becomes zero, or determination by the PET sensor or the like when the PET bottle has disappeared from the placement section 116. Once this confirmation is performed, the inner door is closed in step ST13, and then the volume reduction process is promptly executed in step ST14. At this time, almost simultaneously, in step ST15, the process corresponding to the next container, i.e., the outer door is opened. If a PET bottle is placed, it is treated as a continuous input, and the volume reduction and recovery processes are carried out. If no PET bottle is placed for a certain period of time, the outer door is closed as a termination process. On the other hand, in step ST10, even if the inner door is opened, the PET bottle may not fall into the volume reduction section depending on how well the outer door 111 is engaged with the PET bottle. Therefore, in step ST11, it is confirmed that the outer door 111 is completely closed, and after the drop confirmation process in step ST12, the process proceeds to step ST13, where the inner door is closed, and then the volume reduction process is executed in step ST14. If it is determined in step ST11 that the outer door will not close completely, the inner door closing process will be performed in step ST16, followed by the outer door opening process in step ST17, and notification processing (not shown) will also be performed as appropriate.

[0085] The control configuration shown here is merely an example. In the example described above, various detection processes for determining whether or not foreign objects or other non-recoverable objects have been placed are placed before step ST5. However, if the empty container recovery device 100 does not have an imaging unit 19 and only has an optical sensor 9, and therefore sufficient detection cannot be performed unless it is in the dark, the various detection processes may be placed between step ST6 and step ST7, or between step ST8 and step ST10. If it is determined that an object placed on the placement unit 116 is a recovery object, the outer door 111 is closed once. However, if it is determined that a non-recoverable object has been placed or entered before the outer door is completely closed, recovery will not be performed, i.e., the inner door opening process will not be performed, and the outer door 111 will be controlled to open immediately. Furthermore, in this configuration, the various detection processes may be configured to detect both recovery objects and non-recoverable objects simultaneously. At this time, the control unit 1 uses the detection results from the weighing unit 7, metal detection sensor 8, optical sensor 9, imaging unit 19, etc. to determine that the item placed on the placement unit 116 is a target for collection, and that no other items are placed on or entered the placement unit 116, i.e., no items are entered into the input opening (container input unit 110), and then executes the process of opening the inner door 112. Even if the outer door 111 is not completely closed, it is conceivable that a child who sees the PET bottle being sucked in and processed might try to play a prank by putting a sheet-like foreign object into the gap if there is a small opening. However, by accurately detecting that only the target items for collection are placed on the unit and no other items have entered, it is possible to eliminate the contamination of foreign objects to a near-complete degree.

[0086] In addition, in the decision-making process in step ST11, before making the final determination that the outer door 111 will not close completely, the system may be made to perform several attempts to drop the PET bottle into the volume reduction section 120. For example, it is effective to perform control that encourages the PET bottle to enter the volume reduction section by repeatedly opening and closing the inner door 112 and causing vibrations around the mounting section 116. Furthermore, non-standard PET bottles may get partially stuck on their way from the inner door 112 to the volume reduction section 120. The drop confirmation process shown in Figure 10 is just one step in the sequential processing, but if the drop confirmation process in step ST12 is treated as a drop determination process, and it is determined that the bottle will not fall, this means that the inner door 112 will not close, and therefore the outer door 111 will not open either. In this case, a corresponding process may be provided. Specifically, the system may be configured to provide an appropriate error notification to call a store employee or the like.

[0087] In the original volume reduction device, for safety reasons, the inner door 112 was opened only after the outer door 111 was completely closed. However, if the predetermined interval G is set to an appropriate value, safety is not so critical. Nevertheless, in the past, if a crushed plastic bottle brought in got stuck in the outer door 111 and the processing could not proceed, the crushed plastic bottle would be flattened and put back in after being explained by a store employee. Customers who came in with a large number of plastic bottles were more likely to bring them in crushed, which further slowed down the overall processing and forced other customers to wait in long lines. According to the volume reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention, even if the PET bottles are crushed, as long as the outer door is closed to a predetermined interval G, processing can proceed without hindering continuous feeding, thereby significantly improving customer satisfaction.

[0088] <Summary of Embodiments> [Technical field] This invention relates to a volume reduction device and a program. [Background technology] Volume reduction devices are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The volume reduction device described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an outer door and an inner door. When the outer door is open, an empty container such as a PET bottle is placed on the placement section. After the outer door is closed, the inner door opens, guiding the empty container to the volume reduction section, where it is reduced in volume and collected. [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-189553 [Overview of the prefecture] [Problems the invention aims to solve] In the volume reduction device described in Patent Document 1, for safety reasons, the inner door is opened only after the outer door is completely closed. Therefore, if a non-standard PET bottle is placed in the device that prevents the outer door from closing completely, the outer door will not close completely, leading to a decrease in the collection speed. The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a volume reduction device that can efficiently reduce the volume of PET bottles even when non-standard PET bottles are placed on the mounting section. [Means for solving the problem] (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a volume reduction device (empty container recovery device 100) comprising: a volume reduction section 120 for reducing the volume of empty containers; an outer door 111 covering an input port (container input section 110) into which empty containers are inserted; an inner door 112 provided in a passage leading from the input port (container input section 110) to the volume reduction section 120; and a control unit 1 that controls the opening and closing of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112, wherein the control unit 1 opens the inner door 112 even if it is determined that the outer door 111 is not completely closed.

[0089] With the above configuration, even if non-standard PET bottles, such as large, crushed PET bottles or smaller, uncrushed PET bottles placed vertically on the mounting area, are prevented from remaining in the mounting area, enabling efficient volume reduction and recovery.

[0090] (2) In one aspect of this embodiment, in the volume reduction device (empty container recovery device 100) described in (1), the control unit 1 sets as a condition for starting volume reduction in the volume reduction unit 120 that at least the outer door 111 has been closed after the inner door 112 has been opened.

[0091] With the above configuration, the volume reduction section is activated only when the PET bottle is reliably guided to it, so there is no waste.

[0092] (3) In one aspect of this embodiment, in the volume reduction device (empty container recovery device 100) described in (1), the control unit 1 opens the outer door 111 again if the outer door 111 does not close after the inner door 112 has been opened.

[0093] With the above configuration, if the PET bottle is not guided into the volume reduction section, the process of removing the PET bottle becomes easier.

[0094] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is a volume reduction device (empty container recovery device 100) described in (1), which is equipped with a determination means (control unit 1) that determines whether or not an object put into the input port (container input section 110) is an empty container to be reduced in volume, and the control unit 1 opens the inner door 112 on the condition that the determination means (control unit 1) determines that it is an object to be reduced in volume and that no object other than the object to be recovered has been put into the input port.

[0095] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the figures above can be combined, provided there are no particular inconsistencies or problems in their purpose, structure, etc. Furthermore, each figure can represent an independent embodiment, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a single embodiment formed by combining each figure. In particular, this invention focuses on the significant aspect of being able to open the inner door even when the outer door is not completely closed, and the basic idea of ​​this invention is based on this point. Therefore, this invention should not be limited to the structural or control features described in the embodiments, but should be broadly understood as an inventive concept. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 1…………Control Unit 2…………Storage section 3…………Display operation section 4…………Transmitting and receiving unit 5…………Exterior door drive unit 6…………Inner door drive unit 7…………Measuring part 8…………Metal detection sensor 9…………Light sensor 10... Door position sensor 11... Door lock section 12… Human motion sensor 15…Volume reduction drive unit 17... Reader / Writer 18... Lock / unlock detection unit 100... Empty container recovery device (volume reduction device) 100B...Main unit of the device 110...Container input section 111……Outer door 112...Inner door 113...Front shelf 116... Mounting section 118... Pedestal 120……Volume reduction section 140... Container housing section K111...First restriction section K112...Second restriction section

Claims

1. A volume reduction section for reducing the volume of empty containers, An outer door covering the opening into which empty containers are inserted, An inner door is provided in the passage leading from the input opening to the volume reduction section, The system includes a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the outer door and the inner door, The control unit will open the inner door even if it determines that the outer door is not completely closed. A volume reduction device characterized by the following features.

2. The control unit has, as a condition for initiating volume reduction in the volume reduction section, at least the condition that the outer door is closed after the inner door has been opened. The volume reduction device according to feature 1.

3. The control unit, if the outer door does not close after the inner door has been opened, will open the outer door again. The volume reduction device according to feature 1.

4. The system includes a determination means for determining whether the object introduced into the input port is an empty container to be reduced in volume, The control unit opens the inner door if the determination means determines that the item is subject to volume reduction and that no items other than those subject to volume reduction have been placed into the input opening. The volume reduction device according to feature 1.

5. The computer of the volume reduction device, which has an outer door, an inner door, and a volume reduction section, An outer door drive control step that opens the outer door, A determination step to determine whether the outer door is not completely closed, After the determination step, an inner door driving step to open the inner door. A program characterized by causing the execution of a specific action.

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