Compression system and compression method

Abstract

A compression system 1 for compressing an object B comprises: a insertion port 2 through which the object B can be inserted and which can open / close; a storage unit 3 for storing the object B; a compression device 5 capable of assuming a compression posture for applying a compression force to the object B by abutting the object B stored in the storage unit 3; a detection device for detecting the open / close state of the insertion port 2; and a controller. The controller causes the compression device to change the posture thereof to the compression posture when the detection device detects that the insertion port 2 is closed.

Description

Compression system and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a compression system and method for compressing an object.

[0002] Resin containers such as PET bottles and food trays are widely used in retail and other fields because they are lighter than containers of the same volume made from other materials such as metal, wood, and glass. On the other hand, this characteristic means that they are bulky, which poses a challenge when collecting resin containers for reuse or disposal. As a device that can solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-79438 (Patent Document 1) discloses a device that uses air pressure to compress and reduce the volume of garbage.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-79438

[0004] The device described in Patent Document 1 requires an operation to compress the waste after it has been placed in the container, and therefore the usage procedure is more complicated than devices without a compression function.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a compression system and method that is easy to use.

[0006] The compression system of the present invention is a compression system for compressing an object, and comprises an inlet into which the object can be fed and which can be opened and closed, a container for storing the object, a compression device that can assume a compression posture in which it contacts the object stored in the container and applies a compressive force, a detection device that detects the open / closed state of the inlet, and a control device, wherein the control device changes the position of the compression device to the compression posture when the detection device detects that the inlet is closed.

[0007] The compression method of the present invention is a compression method for compressing an object using a compression system including an inlet into which an object can be fed and which can be opened and closed, a container for storing the object, and a compression device that can assume a compression posture in which it contacts the object stored in the container and applies a compressive force, and is characterized by having a detection step for detecting that the inlet has been closed, and a compression step for changing the position of the compression device to the compression posture when it is detected in the detection step that the inlet has been closed.

[0008] With these configurations, the user simply inserts the object into the insertion port and then closes the insertion port, causing the compression device to change its position to the compression position, applying a compressive force to the object. Because the object is compressed simply by inserting the object, the user experience is similar to that of a recovery device without a compression function. Therefore, the usage procedure is simpler than that of conventional devices.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described below.

[0010] In one aspect of the compression system of the present invention, the compression device can assume a distanced position away from the object contained in the container, and it is preferable that the control device changes the position of the compression device to the distanced position when the detection device detects that the inlet has been opened.

[0011] With this configuration, the compressor can be shifted to the separated position when the loading port is opened, i.e., when the object is about to be loaded, making it easy to load the object. Also, since no special operation is required to shift the position of the compressor, the usage procedure is simple.

[0012] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, the compression device preferably includes a pneumatic cylinder.

[0013] In this configuration, air pressure is used as the compressing force of the compression device, so it is easier to reduce the dimensions of the device required to achieve the required compressing force compared to when other power sources are used.

[0014] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, the compression device preferably further includes an adjustment valve capable of adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder.

[0015] With this configuration, the magnitude of the compressive force applied to the object can be adjusted.

[0016] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, the container preferably has at least one openable side surface.

[0017] When an object stored in a container is compressed, the sides of the container are subjected to a force that causes the compressed object to expand horizontally. This force acts as a resistance when trying to remove the compressed object from the top opening of the container. Therefore, by making at least one side of the container openable, this resistance force can be released, making it easier to remove the object.

[0018] In one aspect, the compression system according to the present invention preferably further includes a container opening through which the container can be inserted and removed.

[0019] According to this configuration, the container can be removed from the compression system, making it easier to remove the object from the container.

[0020] In one aspect of the compression system of the present invention, the detection device is further capable of detecting the open / closed state of the container mouth, and the control device is preferably configured not to change the position of the compression device to the compression position when it detects that the container mouth is open.

[0021] This configuration makes it easier to prevent malfunction of the compressor.

[0022] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the container is capable of storing the compressed object.

[0023] This configuration is suitable for applications such as recovering objects as resources.

[0024] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, the detection device is preferably further capable of detecting that the container is full.

[0025] This configuration makes it easy to determine the timing to remove the object stored in the container.

[0026] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the bottom surface and the side surface on the inlet side of the container has a downward slope with the inlet side as a base end.

[0027] This configuration makes it easier to guide the object below the compression device.

[0028] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the bottom surface of the container has the downward slope, and the compression device has an inclined surface that abuts the object at a lower position as it moves away from the inlet.

[0029] This configuration makes it easier to compress the object.

[0030] In one aspect of the compression system according to the present invention, the object is preferably a plastic bottle.

[0031] PET bottles are one of the most widely distributed items that can be compressed by the present invention, and therefore the benefits of efficiently compressing them using the compression system of the present invention are particularly great.

[0032] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which is given with reference to the drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a front view of a recovery device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a right side view of a recovery device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a compression device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing a control system of a recovery device according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view showing a method of using a recovery device according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view showing a method of using a recovery device according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view showing a method of using a recovery device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a right side perspective view of a recovery device according to a modified example.

[0034] An embodiment of a compression system and a compression method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, an example will be described in which the compression system and the compression method according to the present invention are applied to a recovery device 1 (an example of a compression system) that recovers PET bottles B (an example of a target object).

[0035] [Configuration of the Collection Container] The collection device 1 according to this embodiment includes an inlet 2, a container 3, a container mouth 4, a compression device 5, a detection device 6, and a control device 7 (Figs. 1 to 7). A compressor C is also placed on top of the collection device 1. In this embodiment, the inlet 2 is provided in a part of a door body 41 that closes the container mouth 4. The collection device 1 is generally a device that collects PET bottles B inserted through the inlet 2 by storing them in the container 3. When referring to up, down, left, and right directions in the following description, these refer to up, down, left, and right directions in the front view (Fig. 1) unless otherwise specified.

[0036] The inlet 2 is an opening through which PET bottles B can be inserted. PET bottles B inserted through the inlet 2 are stored in the container 3. The inlet 2 has a substantially rectangular door body 21, guide members 22 provided on both the left and right sides of the back side of the door body 21, and a handle 23 provided on the front side of the door body 21, and the door body 21 is pivotally supported by a hinge 24 along one side (bottom side) located on the lower side when viewed from the front. The front side refers to the side facing outward from the recovery device 1, and the back side refers to the side facing inward from the recovery device 1.

[0037] The material constituting the door body 21 is not particularly limited. For example, it is preferable to use a material that can be detected by the detection device 6 (first detector 61) described below, at least in a position directly facing the detection device 6 (first detector 61). Furthermore, it is preferable if at least a portion of the door body 21 is transparent, since this makes it easier to see the internal state of the recovery device 1 (such as the amount of PET bottles B stored and the posture of the compression device 5). One example of the structure of the door body 21 is a structure in which a transparent plate material such as an acrylic plate is attached to a metal frame.

[0038] The guide member 22 is a plate member having an arc-shaped guide groove 22a. A guide protrusion 25 is provided opposite the guide groove 22a and is inserted into the guide groove 22a.

[0039] When the handle 23 is pulled toward the user, the door body 21 rotates around the axis of the hinge 24, and the insertion slot 2 opens toward the user. The movement of the door body 21 is restricted by the guide groove 22a and the guide protrusion 25. The insertion slot 2 opens to the maximum extent when the guide protrusion 25 abuts against the lower end of the guide groove 22a.

[0040] The container 3 is a box-shaped container for storing PET bottles B, and has an opening 31 at the top, four side members 32, and a bottom member 33 (FIGS. 4 and 5). PET bottles B dropped from the insertion port 2 are received in the container 3 through the opening 31, and are stored in the container 3 after being compressed. The material constituting the container 3 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, resin, metal, paper, etc. A bag for collecting the PET bottles B may be attached to the container 3.

[0041] The first side member 32a, which is one of the four side members 32 of the container 3, is pivotally supported by hinges 34 attached to the bottom member 33, and is locked by locking members 35 attached to the adjacent second side members 32b on either side. When the locking of the first side member 32a by the locking members 35 is released, the first side member 32a rotates around the hinges 34 and falls forward (FIG. 5).

[0042] The container 3 is inserted into and removed from the recovery device 1 through the container opening 4. It is preferable that wheels are attached to the bottom of the container 3, as this facilitates the insertion and removal operation.

[0043] The container opening 4 is an opening through which the container 3 can be put in and taken out, and has a substantially rectangular door body 41 which is pivotally supported by a hinge 42 .

[0044] The door body 41 is made of the same material as the door body 21 of the inlet 2. That is, it is preferable to use a material that can be detected by the detection device 6 (second detector 62) described below, at least in a position directly facing the detection device 6 (second detector 62). In addition, it is preferable if at least a part of the door body 41 is transparent, since this makes it easier to see the internal state of the recovery device 1.

[0045] The compression device 5 compresses the PET bottles B stored in the container 3 and is installed at the top of the recovery device 1 (above the container 3). The compression device 5 has a pneumatic cylinder 51, a compressor 52, a control valve 53, and on-off valves 54 (first on-off valve 54a, second on-off valve 54b) (Figure 6). The compression device 5 can be in a compression position in which a compressive force is applied to the PET bottles B, and a separation position in which no compressive force is applied to the PET bottles B. In the compression position, the pneumatic cylinder 51 extends, and the compressor 52 abuts against the PET bottles B. In the separation position, the pneumatic cylinder 51 contracts, and the compressor 52 separates from the PET bottles B. The pneumatic cylinder 51 is driven by compressed air supplied from a compressor C.

[0046] The compressor 52 is a box-shaped member attached to the tip of the pneumatic cylinder 51. The compressor 52 has a bottom plate 52a that directly contacts the PET bottle B, four side plates 52b that surround the pneumatic cylinder 51, guide rails 52c attached to the side plates 52b, and a sliding member 52d that extends vertically on the inner wall surface of the recovery device 1. When the pneumatic cylinder 51 extends, the compressor 52 moves downward. That is, the pneumatic cylinder 51 is installed with its cylinder head facing downward. When the pneumatic cylinder 51 extends or retracts, the movement of the compressor 52 in the vertical direction is restricted by the sliding of the guide rails 52c and the sliding member 52d.

[0047] The adjustment valve 53 is a valve (regulator) that adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 51. By adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 51 using the adjustment valve 53, it is possible to adjust the compressive force applied to the PET bottle B in the compressed position. When the pressure of the air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 51 and the stress that the compressor 52 receives from the PET bottle B are balanced, the pneumatic cylinder 51 stops.

[0048] The on-off valve 54 is a valve for controlling the extension and retraction of the pneumatic cylinder 51, and is controlled by the control device 7. When the pneumatic cylinder 51 is extended, the first on-off valve 54a on the rod side is opened and the second on-off valve 54b on the head side is closed. When the pneumatic cylinder 51 is retracted, the second on-off valve 54b on the head side is opened and the first on-off valve 54a on the rod side is closed.

[0049] The detection device 6 has a first detector 61 capable of detecting the open / closed state of the inlet 2, a second detector 62 capable of detecting the open / closed state of the container inlet 4, and a third detector 63 capable of detecting the position of the compressor 52.

[0050] If necessary, detectable parts that can be detected by the detector 6 are provided on the sides of the inlet 2 and the container mouth 4. These detectable parts are provided in parts that face the detector 6 when the inlet 2 and the container mouth 4 are both closed. For example, if a magnetic proximity sensor is used as the detector 6, at least the parts of the inlet 2 and the container mouth 4 that face the detector 6 are made of a magnetic material that can be detected by the proximity sensor.

[0051] The third detector 63 is a sensor for detecting whether the container 3 is full, and can detect fullness based on the positional relationship between the guide rail 52c and the sliding member 52d, for example. The pneumatic cylinder 51 stops when the pressure of the air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 51 and the stress exerted by the PET bottles B on the compressor 52 are balanced. This balance position is higher the more PET bottles B are contained in the container 3. Therefore, the positional relationship between the guide rail 52c and the sliding member 52d when the pneumatic cylinder 51 stops varies depending on the amount of PET bottles B. Therefore, the third detector 63 should be installed in a position that can detect the positional relationship between the guide rail 52c and the sliding member 52d when the amount of PET bottles B reaches a preset full level. For example, if the third detector 63 is attached to the guide rail 52c, a detection target that can be detected by the third detector 63 is provided on the sliding member 52d, which faces the third detector 63 when the container 3 is full.

[0052] The control device 7 controls the compressor 5 in accordance with the detection signal from the detector 6. A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), for example, can be used as the control device 7. The relationship between the components involved in the control by the control device 7 is shown in FIG.

[0053] [Control of Recovery Device] Next, a description will be given of the control of the recovery device 1. The control of the recovery device 1 is performed by the control device 7, and therefore, the control of the recovery device 1 will be described below as a function of the control device 7.

[0054] (1) Compression The first function is to change the position of the compressor 5 to the compression position. This function creates a state in which a compressive force is applied to the PET bottle B. The control device 7 sends an electrical signal to open the first on-off valve 54a and close the second on-off valve 54b. When the first on-off valve 54a is opened, the pneumatic cylinder 51 extends, and the compressor 5 assumes the compression position.

[0055] When the compression device 5 changes its position to the compression position, the compressor 52 enters the container 3 through the opening 31 and applies a compressive force to the PET bottles B contained in the container 3. This compressive force crushes the PET bottles B. This reduces the volume of space occupied by the collected PET bottles B, improving the space efficiency in collecting the PET bottles B.

[0056] The control device 7 controls the compressor 5 to change its posture to the compression posture when the first detector 61 detects that the inlet 2 is closed. When the first detector 61 transitions from a state in which it does not detect the door body 21 to a state in which it detects the door body 21, the closure of the inlet 2 is detected.

[0057] The control device 7 also controls the compressor 5 to change its posture to the compression posture when the second detector 62 detects that the container opening 4 is closed. When the second detector 62 transitions from a state in which it does not detect the door body 41 to a state in which it detects the door body 41, it detects that the input opening 2 is closed.

[0058] However, the control device 7 has a function (a so-called interlock function) that prohibits the compressor 5 from changing its position to the compression position when the container mouth 4 is open. When the container mouth 4 is open, the container 3 being put in or taken out through the container mouth 4, or the worker performing this putting in or taking out work, may interfere with the compressor 5. To avoid this, the control device 7 is configured not to allow the compressor 5 to change its position to the compression position when the second detector 62 detects that the container mouth 4 is open.

[0059] Therefore, the compressor 5 changes its position to the compressing position only when both the feed port 2 and the container port 4 are closed. More specifically, when one of the feed port 2 and the container port 4 is closed and the other is open, the compressor 5 is controlled to the separated position, and when the other is closed, the compressor 5 changes its position to the compressing position.

[0060] The change in the attitude of the compressor 5 is completed by stopping the pneumatic cylinder 51 when the pressure of the air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 51 and the stress that the compressor 52 receives from the PET bottles B are balanced. At this time, the control device 7 determines whether the container 3 is full or not based on the detection result of the third detector 63. Note that some kind of notification may be given when the container 3 is full. Such notification may be given by a known method such as emitting sound, emitting light, or via electrical communication, and a device corresponding to the notification method (speaker, light, communication device, etc.) may be provided as appropriate.

[0061] (2) Release of Compression The second function is to change the position of the compressor 5 to the separated position, thereby releasing the compressive force applied to the PET bottle B. The control device 7 sends an electrical signal that opens the second on-off valve 54b and closes the first on-off valve 54a. When the second on-off valve 54b is opened, the pneumatic cylinder 51 contracts, and the compressor 5 assumes the separated position. In the separated position, the pneumatic cylinder 51 contracts and the compressor 52 is retracted, allowing the PET bottle B to be inserted through the opening 31 of the container 3. It is also possible to remove the container 3 from the container opening 4.

[0062] The control device 7 controls the compression device 5 to change its position to the separated position when the first detector 61 detects that the inlet 2 has been opened. The opening of the inlet 2 is detected when the first detector 61 transitions from a state in which it detects the door body 21 to a state in which it does not detect the door body 21. When the inlet 2 is opened, there is a possibility that a PET bottle B may be inserted into the recovery device 1, so the air pressure cylinder 51 is contracted to assume a state in which the PET bottle B can be inserted.

[0063] The control device 7 also controls the compression device 5 to change its position to the separated position when the second detector 62 detects that the container mouth 4 has been opened. The opening of the container mouth 4 is detected when the second detector 62 transitions from a state in which it detects the door body 41 to a state in which it does not detect the door body 41. When the container mouth 4 is opened, there is a possibility that the container 3 may be removed from the recovery device 1, so the air cylinder 51 is contracted to assume a state in which the container 3 can be removed.

[0064] [Method of Using the Recovery Device] Next, a method of using the recovery device 1 will be described. Here, an example will be described in which the recovery device 1 is installed in a retail store or the like, and the recovery device 1 recovers PET bottles B brought in by customers or the like of the retail store, and a manager such as a store clerk or the like of the retail store takes out the PET bottles B recovered by the recovery device 1.

[0065] The recovery device 1 is normally installed with the input port 2 and the container port 4 closed. At this time, the compression device 5 is in a compressed position, and the PET bottles B contained in the container 3 are subjected to a compressive force (FIG. 8).

[0066] When a customer or the like wishes to insert a new PET bottle B into the collection device 1, they pull the handle 23 toward themselves to open the insertion port 2. When the insertion port 2 is opened, the control device 7 controls the compression device 5 to change its position to the separated position. At this time, the pneumatic cylinder 51 is retracted from the opening 31, so the PET bottle B can be inserted into the container 3 through the insertion port 2 (FIG. 9).

[0067] After inserting the PET bottle B, the customer closes the insertion port 2. When the insertion port 2 is closed, the control device 7 controls the compressor 5 to change its position to a compressed position. A compressive force is applied to the newly inserted PET bottle B, crushing it (FIG. 8). In the above procedure, the only operations required of the customer are to open and close the insertion port 2 and insert the PET bottle B; no special operations are required to operate the compressor 5.

[0068] The compressed position is maintained until the next time the insertion port 2 or the container port 4 is opened. Because the PET bottles B are containers made of resin (polyethylene terephthalate), viscous distortion occurs when they are continuously subjected to compression, making it difficult for them to return to their original shape. This reduces the volume of space occupied by the collected PET bottles B, and allows them to maintain this state even after the compression is released.

[0069] When a manager (e.g., a store clerk) attempts to remove a PET bottle B from the recovery device 1, he or she opens the door 41 to open the container opening 4. When the container opening 4 is opened, the control device 7 controls the compressor 5 to change its position to the separated position (FIG. 10). At this time, the pneumatic cylinder 51 is contracted, allowing the container 3 to be pulled forward (FIG. 11). At this time, the control to change the position of the compressor 5 to the compressed position is prohibited, so the pneumatic cylinder 51 does not come into contact with the manager attempting to remove the container 3.

[0070] After removing the container 3 from the container opening 4, the manager releases the first side member 32a from the locking member 35 and tilts the first side member 32a toward themselves (FIGS. 5 and 12). This opens one side of the container 3, allowing the PET bottle B to be removed from the open side. Because the PET bottle B is compressed by the recycling device 1, its density increases, and a considerable force is required to lift the PET bottle B upward. Furthermore, the side of the container 3 is subjected to a force that causes the compressed PET bottle B to expand horizontally, which acts as a resistance when attempting to remove the compressed PET bottle B from the top opening of the container. In this embodiment, by making one side of the container 3 openable, this resistance is relieved, making it easier to remove the PET bottle B. These actions reduce the manager's workload.

[0071] Next, a modification of the present invention will be described. Components similar to those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified. The control and usage of the recovery device 1A are similar to those in the above embodiment.

[0072] The recovery device 1A according to the modified example includes an inlet 2A, a container 3A, a container mouth 4, a compression device 5A, a detection device 6, and a control device 7 (FIG. 13). The functions of each component are the same as those of the recovery device 1. In the following description, when referring to the front-to-rear direction, the side of the recovery device 1A on which the container mouth 4 is provided is referred to as the "front" (or "near side"). Furthermore, the "rear" (or "deep side") refers to the side opposite the above-mentioned "front" (or "near side"). The left side of FIG. 13 is the "front" (or "near side"), and the right side of FIG. 13 is the "rear" (or "deep side").

[0073] The inlet 2A of the recovery device 1A is provided on the top surface of the recovery device 1A, and has a structure in which a substantially rectangular door 26 slides to open and close the opening. The materials constituting the door 26 are the same as those of the door 21 according to the above embodiment. The PET bottle B inserted through the inlet 2A falls into the container 3A.

[0074] The container 3A is a box-shaped container for storing PET bottles B, and has an opening at the top, four side members 36, and a bottom member 37. Of the four side members 36, a first side member 36a, which is disposed on the front side of the recovery device 1A, is provided as a downward slope with its base end at the front side (the side of the inlet 2A). The bottom member 37 is also provided as a downward slope with its base end at the front side. Because PET bottles B that fall through the inlet 2A are guided to the back by the downward slopes of the first side member 36a and the bottom member 37, the PET bottles B are less likely to remain directly below the inlet 2A and are more likely to enter the area below the compression device 5A.

[0075] Because the bottom surface material 37 is inclined, the container 3A does not stand upright. For this reason, in this modified example, a support member S is provided to support the container 3A. The upper surface of the support member S is formed approximately parallel to the bottom surface material 37, and the container 3A is supported by the support member S to stand upright. The support member S can be inserted and removed from the container opening 4 together with the container 3A.

[0076] The compression device 5A includes a pneumatic cylinder 51, a compressor 55, a control valve 53, and on-off valves 54 (first on-off valve 54a, second on-off valve 54b), and is similar to the above-described embodiment except for the shape of the compressor 55. The compressor 55 has an inclined surface 56 on its underside. The inclined surface 56 is generally parallel to the bottom material 37, and therefore, the further away from the insertion port 2A it contacts the PET bottles B, the lower the inclination of the inclined surface 56. The inclination of the inclined surface 56 also contributes to guiding the PET bottles B to the back. Furthermore, because the inclined surface 56 and the bottom material 37 are generally parallel and the gap between the inclined surface 56 and the bottom material 37 is generally the same at the front and the back, the compression device 5A can apply a compressive force to the PET bottles B throughout the entire container 3A.

[0077] The detection device 6 is the same as in the above embodiment except that the position of the first detector 62 is different in accordance with the difference in the position of the insertion port between the above embodiment and this modified example.

[0078] [Other Embodiments] Finally, other embodiments of the compression system and compression method according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments can also be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the recovery device 1 is described as having a container opening 4, allowing the container 3 to be inserted and removed. However, in the present invention, the presence or absence of a container opening is optional. In other words, it is sufficient if the recovered objects can be removed, and the device is not limited to a configuration in which the entire container can be removed.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the input port 2 is provided in a part of the door body 41 that closes the container opening 4. However, in the configuration of the present invention that includes a container opening, the input port and the container opening may be provided separately.

[0081] The above describes an example (embodiment) in which the drop opening is pivoted at the bottom edge of the door body 21 and the movement of the door body 21 is restricted by the guide groove 22a and the guide protrusion 25, and an example (variant) in which the drop opening has a sliding door body 26. However, the configuration of the drop opening in the present invention is not limited as long as it can accept objects and be opened and closed. Furthermore, the number of drop openings in the present invention may be one or more. For example, both the drop opening 2 according to the above embodiment and the drop opening 2A according to the variant may be provided, allowing the two drop openings to be used depending on the shape and size of the objects, the user's preferences, etc.

[0082] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first side member 32a of the container 3 can be tilted down. However, in the present invention, the side of the container does not necessarily have to be openable.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the control device 7 controls the compressor 5 in accordance with the detection signal from the detector 6. However, the compressor 5 may be controlled using a manual button operation or the like as a trigger, or control in accordance with the detection signal and control in accordance with manual operation may be used in combination. Therefore, the present invention may include an operating tool such as a button or lever that is used for manual operation.

[0084] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device 7 can control the compressor 5 to change its position to the compressed position and the compressor 5 to the separated position. However, in the present invention, any function other than the control to change the position of the compressor 5 to the compressed position when the detection device detects that the inlet is closed is possible. For example, instead of or in addition to the control to change the position of the compressor 5 to the separated position when the detection device detects that the inlet is open, the control to change the position of the compressor 5 to the compressed position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the compressor 5 changed its position to the compressed position may be performed.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the compression device 5 is described as including the pneumatic cylinder 51. However, any power source can be used to generate the compression force of the compression device 5, and a device appropriate for that power source can be used. Therefore, the compression device can include a device such as a hydraulic cylinder or a motor.

[0086] In the present invention, when the compressor has a pneumatic cylinder, the compression system of the present invention may further include a guide pipe for guiding the exhaust air of the pneumatic cylinder to the opening of the container. With this configuration, the air pressure can be used to move an object in the container, making it easier to guide the object below the compressor.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the compressor 5 is described as having the control valve 53, but the presence or absence of the control valve is optional in the present invention. Furthermore, if the compressor is driven by a power source other than air pressure, a device for adjusting the compression force can be selected depending on the power source used.

[0088] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which compressed PET bottles B are stored in the container 3. This configuration is suitable for storing brought-in objects and collectively reusing or disposing of them, i.e., for recovering the objects. However, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which objects are stored in a container. In other words, it is sufficient for the container to store the objects before compression and provide a place for the compression device to apply a compressive force to the objects, and it is not essential that the container store the objects after compression.

[0089] The objects to be collected in the present invention are not limited to PET bottles, but may also include plastic containers such as food trays, cosmetic containers, candy bags, and tube containers, metal containers such as cans, and paper containers such as cardboard boxes and gable-top containers.

[0090] Regarding other configurations, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all respects and that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. Those skilled in the art will easily understand that appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention.

[0091] The present invention can be used, for example, in a recovery device for recovering PET bottles.

[0092] LIST OF NUMERALS 1: Recovery device 1A: Recovery device (modified example) 2: Insertion port 2A: Insertion port (modified example) 21: Door body 22: Guide material 22a: Guide groove 23: Handle 24: Hinge 25: Guide protrusion 26: Door body (modified example) 3: Container 3A: Container (modified example) 31: Opening 32: Side material 32a: First side material 32b: Second side material 33: Bottom material 34: Hinge 35: Locking material 36: Side material (modified example) 36a: First side material (modified example) 37: Bottom material (modified example) 4: Container opening 41: Door body 42: Hinge 5: Compression device 5A: Compression device (modified example) 51: Pneumatic cylinder 52: Compressor 53 : Control valve 54 : On-off valve 54a : First on-off valve 54b : Second on-off valve 55 : Compressor (modified example) 56 : Inclined surface (modified example) 6 : Detecting device 61 : First detector 62 : Second detector 7 : Control device C : Compressor B : PET bottle

Claims

1. A compression system for compressing an object, comprising: an inlet into which the object can be fed and which can be opened and closed; a container for containing the object; a compression device capable of assuming a compression posture in which it contacts the object contained in the container to apply a compressive force; a detection device for detecting the open / closed state of the inlet; and a control device, wherein the control device changes the position of the compression device to the compression posture when the detection device detects that the inlet is closed.

2. A compression system as described in claim 1, wherein the compression device can be configured to assume a separated position away from the object contained in the container, and the control device changes the position of the compression device to the separated position when the detection device detects that the inlet has been opened.

3. The compression system of claim 1, wherein said compression device comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

4. The compression system according to claim 3, wherein said compression device further comprises a regulator valve capable of regulating the pressure of air supplied to said pneumatic cylinder.

5. The compression system of claim 1, wherein said container has at least one openable side.

6. The compression system of claim 1, further comprising a container port through which the container can be inserted and removed.

7. A compression system as described in claim 6, wherein the detection device is further capable of detecting an open / closed state of the container mouth, and the control device is configured not to change the position of the compression device to the compression position when it detects that the container mouth is open.

8. The compression system of claim 1, wherein the container is capable of storing the compressed object.

9. The compression system of claim 8, wherein said detection device is further capable of detecting when said reservoir is full.

10. The compression system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the bottom surface and the side surface of the container on the inlet side has a downward slope starting from the inlet side.

11. The compression system according to claim 10, wherein the bottom surface of the container has the downward slope, and the compression device has an inclined surface that abuts against the object at a lower position as it moves away from the inlet.

12. A compression system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the object is a plastic bottle.

13. A compression method for compressing an object using a compression system including an inlet into which an object can be inserted and which can be opened and closed, a container for containing the object, and a compression device capable of assuming a compression posture in which it contacts the object contained in the container and applies a compressive force, the compression method comprising: a detection step for detecting that the inlet is closed; and a compression step for changing the position of the compression device to the compression posture when it is detected in the detection step that the inlet is closed.

Images