JPH0137795B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an empty can collecting machine for collecting empty cans of canned products such as canned coffee, canned coffee, and canned beer.

(Prior Art) Recently, empty can collection machines using a deposit method (temporary deposit method) have been used to improve the effectiveness of collecting empty cans of canned products such as canned coffee, canned beverages, and canned beer. The deposit system is a system in which the canned products are sold by adding a certain amount, for example 10 yen, as a deposit to the list price and attaching a sticker to the bottom of the can as a sign of the deposit. This is a system in which the deposit is returned.

Empty can collection machines used in this type of deposit system conventionally detect whether or not the empty can inserted through the input port has a sticker, and if the can has a sticker, it collects coins equivalent to the deposit. The empty cans dispensed from the dispensing port are pressed and collected in a collection box.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, such conventional empty can collection machines with a press are configured to press and collect empty cans into a collection box regardless of whether or not they have a seal. Therefore, there was a problem in that the storage capacity of the collection box was reduced due to the introduction of empty cans without seals. In addition, if the person who throws the food misunderstands that there is a sticker even though there is no sticker,
Empty cans without this seal are pressed and collected in a collection box, but no coins are dispensed, leading to the misunderstanding that the collection machine itself is malfunctioning, leading to various problems. Furthermore, even if it is erroneously determined that there is no seal due to a seal detection error, the empty can that has been detected incorrectly is pressed and collected in a collection box, and no coins are dispensed, which puts the user at a disadvantage. Also, if you insert an empty can, the pressing time will take several seconds, but
There was also the problem that if a user continuously loaded empty cans with stickers, the cans would clog the empty can slot, making it impossible to load the cans.

In addition, some machines lock the input slot when the power is cut off, when the machine is out of operation, or when the machine is unable to operate.In this case, there was a problem in that some users tried to force the input slot open, causing damage to the machine.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and is an empty can collection machine that can press only empty cans determined to have a seal and collect them in a collection box, and return cans without a seal to a discharge port. If the structure is such that multiple empty cans with seals can be accommodated in the shutter between the stopper plate of the press machine and the passage switching mechanism, not only when an empty can without a seal is detected, but also when the shutter between the stopper plate of the press machine and the passage switching mechanism is detected. To provide an empty can collecting machine which prevents can jamming by guiding even sealed empty cans to a discharge port after reaching the allowable number that can be accommodated in a container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an empty can collecting machine which guides empty cans to a discharge port when the power is cut off or when the machine is in an inoperable state.

(Means for Solving the Problems) According to the present invention, this purpose is achieved by providing an empty can inlet;
A shutter that guides empty cans inputted from the empty can input port downward; a seal detector that detects stickers attached to empty cans passing through the shutter; and a collection box that collects only empty cans with stickers attached. a discharge port for discharging empty cans not collected in the collection box to the outside; a passage switching mechanism for selectively guiding the empty cans guided by the shooter to a passage leading to the collection box or a passage leading to the discharge port; A press device that presses empty cans guided toward a collection box by a switching mechanism and discharges them into the collection box, a coin dispensing device that dispenses coins when collecting empty cans with a seal, and a coin dispensing device that discharges coins into the collection box. An empty can passage detector for detecting the number of pressed empty cans, and a control device, the control device comprising a counter that calculates the difference between the number of empty cans with a seal passed through the seal detector and the number of empty cans passed through the empty can passage detector; and a comparison means for controlling the passage switching mechanism so that when the difference exceeds the number that can be accommodated in the shooter space, the empty cans are guided to the press device, and when the difference exceeds the number that can be accommodated, the empty cans are guided to the discharge port. This is achieved by a special empty can collection machine.

That is, a branch leading to an empty can discharge port is provided in the shooter that leads from the empty can input port to the collection box, and furthermore, when empty cans without a seal are inserted into this branch path, empty cans are guided to the discharge port. While a path switching mechanism is provided to switch paths, an empty can passage detector is also provided to detect pressed empty cans discharged from the press device to the collection box, thereby reducing the number of empty cans remaining in the shooter between the press device stopper plate and the path switching mechanism. When the allowable number of cans to be accommodated is exceeded, the passage switching mechanism is switched so that even empty cans with seals are returned to the discharge port.

Further, the other object is achieved by using a control device to detect whether the power is cut off or in a power outage state or in an inoperable state when the power is turned on, and by controlling the path switching mechanism with the control device.

(Function) Based on the seal detection result, if it is determined that there is a seal, the empty can passing through the shooter is switched to face the press device, and if it is determined that there is no seal, it is switched to face the discharge port.

Further, when the number of sealed empty cans remaining in the shutter between the stopper plate of the press device and the passage switching mechanism exceeds the allowable number of empty cans, the cans are switched to be guided to the discharge port.

(Example) The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated example.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which a front door 1 of the main body of the collecting machine is provided with an empty can input port 2, a coin payout port 3, and an empty can discharge port 4.

A can receiving door 2A is attached to the input port 2 so as to be openable and closable using its lower edge as a fulcrum, and when empty cans are placed on the open can receiving door 2A and closed, empty cans are loaded one by one. The insertion of an empty can is detected by the insertion detector 16 which detects that the can receiving door 2A is closed.

The input port 2 communicates with a collection box 6 via a shutter 5 that guides the loaded empty cans downward.
It communicates with the discharge port 4 via a branch path 7 provided in the middle of the shooter 5 . A path switching mechanism 9 is provided on the branch path of the shooter 5 to selectively guide empty cans input from the input port 2 to the collection box 6 or the discharge port 4. Furthermore, a seal detector 10 is provided on the upstream side of the branch path 7 to detect the presence or absence of a seal. Also, collection box 6
A press device 11 and an empty can passage detector 12 for detecting that pressed empty cans have passed toward the collection box 6 are installed in the empty can passageway of the shooter 5 leading to the storage box 6 .
is provided.

The passage switching mechanism 9 includes a switching plate 9A and a solenoid 9B for operating the switching plate 9A. The switching plate 9A is inserted when sealed empty cans are introduced and the number of empty cans remaining in the shooter space 11G between the stopper plate 11F of the press device 11 and the passage switching mechanism 9 is within the allowable number of storage, as will be described later. It is switched to guide empty cans with a seal to the press device 11 side, and is returned to guide input cans to the discharge port 4 when the power is cut off, during a power outage, or in an inoperable state.

The press device 11 includes an eccentric cam 11B rotated by a press motor 11A;
A movable plate 11D contacts the cam 11B, advances into the empty can passage of the shooter 5 as the cam 11B rotates, and retreats from the can passage of the shooter 5 after a certain rotation by the biasing force of the tension spring 11C; and a press sensor 11E that detects when the can has traveled the distance required for pressing.Empty cans dropped toward the collection box 6 with the switching plate 9A switched to the side shown by the imaginary line are moved to a swingable stopper. It stops at the position of the plate 11F, is pressed by the reciprocating movement of the movable plate 11D, and is stored in the collection box 6 through the gap between the stopper plate 11F and the wall of the shooter 5.
At this time, the empty cans stored in the collection box 6 are detected by the empty can passage detector 12. In this case, when the collection box 6 is full of pressed empty cans, the pressed empty cans will stay in the path of the detector 12, and the detection signal of this detector 12 will continuously have a constant voltage level. It becomes a DC signal.
Therefore, when the detection signal of the detector 12 changes to a DC signal at a constant voltage level, it can be determined that the collection box 6 is full.

On the other hand, a coin dispensing device 13 is installed upstream of the coin dispensing port 3. This coin dispensing device 13 includes a coin-out detector 13A that detects a shortage of coins based on a change in the weight of the coin hopper, and a coin jam detector 13A that detects that a coin is clogged in the passage leading to the dispensing port 3. A container 13B is provided.

Further, at the top of the front door 1, there is an indicator lamp 1 that indicates that the collection machine is ready for operation.
4 is provided.

All of the output signals of the various detectors described above are input to the control device 15. The passage switching mechanism 9, the press device 11, the coin dispensing device 13, and the display lamp 14 are controlled by this control device 15. This control device 15 includes a seal detector 1
0 detects the passage of sealed empty cans and calculates the difference (n-m) between the number n of empty cans guided to the shutter space 11G of the press device 11 and the number m of pressed cans that have passed through the passage detector 12. Built-in counter for counting. The control device 15 calculates this count value (nm)
A comparison means is provided for comparing the number a that can be accommodated in the computer space 11G (accommodation allowable number) a, and (n-m)=
When the time point a is reached, the passage switching mechanism 9 switches to the solid line position in FIG. 1, and even if the can is a regular empty can with a seal, it is discharged to the discharge port 4.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

First, when the power of the control device 15 is turned on (step 100), this empty can collecting machine becomes operational.
When the power is turned on, the control device 15 first determines whether or not the empty can collecting machine can be operated normally (step 101). That is, the press sensor 11E
The movable plate 11 of the press device 11 based on the output signal of
Detecting whether D has returned to the press start position, and detecting whether the collection box 6 is full based on the output signal of the empty can passage detector 12,
Further, based on the output signal of the coin out-of-coin detector 13A, it is determined whether there is a shortage of coins for dispensing, and furthermore, based on the output signal of the coin jam detector 13B, it is determined whether coins are jammed on the upstream side of the dispensing port 3. Detect whether or not.

As a result, if it is found that the movable plate 11D has returned to the press opening position, the collection box 6 is not full, and there is no coin shortage or coin jam, the empty can collection machine is operating normally. It is determined that the vehicle is ready for operation, and the display lamp 14 is turned on.

However, if the movable plate 11D does not return to the normal pressing starting position due to engagement with pressed empty cans or foreign objects, or if the collection box 6
If it is full, or if there is insufficient hardening or coin jams, it is determined that the machine is inoperable, and the indicator lamp 14 remains off.
In this case, the switching plate 9A of the passage switching mechanism 9 is
It is held in the position shown by the solid line in the figure until all causes of the inoperable state are removed. Once the machine is ready for operation, the switching plate 9A is immediately switched to the side shown by the imaginary line when an empty can with a regular sticker affixed is inserted. Therefore, even if an empty can is thrown in when the system is in an inoperable state, the empty can is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 4 through the branch path 7 of the computer 5 (step 102).

On the other hand, when the state is ready for operation, the input port 2
When an empty can is thrown in (step 103), the empty can is detected by the feeding detector 16.

The control device 15 puts the seal detector 10 into an operating state based on the input detector 16 detecting the input of an empty can. Note that this seal detector 10 is in a non-operating state before an empty can is inserted.

When an empty can reaches the position of the seal detector 10, the seal detector 10 detects whether or not a seal is affixed to the bottom of the can (step 1).
104). The control device 15 determines whether the time required from the insertion of the empty can to the detection of the seal is within a preset range, and if it is within the range, it is determined that an empty can with a regular seal has been input. As a result, when a detection signal indicating the presence of a seal is output from the seal detector 10, the control device 15 sends a payout command to the coin dispensing device 13, and causes the coin dispensing device 13 to pay out coins equivalent to the deposit from the payout port 3 (step 106). Further, when a detection signal indicating the presence of a seal is output from the seal detector 10, the control device 15 drives the solenoid 9B of the passage switching mechanism 9 to quickly switch the switching plate 9A to the side shown by the imaginary line. As a result, the empty can with the seal falls to the position of the stopper plate 11F of the press device 11 via the switching plate 9A. Further, empty cans without seals are discharged to the discharge port 4 through the branch path 7.

The control device 15 drives the press motor 11A to rotate the eccentric cam 11B after a certain period of time, taking into consideration the time it takes for the empty can to fall to the position of the stopper plate 11F. As a result, the movable plate 11D reciprocates, the empty cans located at the stopper plate 11F are pressed (step 107), and the pressed empty cans pass between the stopper plate 11F and the wall of the shooter 5 into the collection box. 6 (step 108). This falling of pressed cans is detected by the empty can passage detector 12.
Detected by

Note that when empty cans are continuously fed in, the control device 15 calculates the number of sealed cans guided to the shutter space 11G of the press device 11 by the switching mechanism 9 and the number of empty cans passing through the empty can passage detector 12. From the difference with the number, the shutter space 11G of the press device 11
The number of pressable empty cans remaining in the press is constantly determined (step 105), and while the remaining empty cans exist, the motor 11A of the press device 11 is continuously operated to dispense coins from the dispensing port 3 (step 106).
When there are no remaining empty cans, the motor 11A stops. Furthermore, when the number of remaining empty cans reaches the capacity capacity of the press device, the control device 15 controls the passage switching mechanism 9 to guide the empty cans to the press device 11, even if the seal detector 10 detects that an empty can with a seal is inserted. This empty can with the seal is discharged to the discharge port 4 without switching (step 102), this is notified to the user by a display lamp or voice, and the dispensing of coins is stopped.

The control device 15 repeats the above steps every time an empty can is introduced.

Note that when the power is cut off or the power is cut off, the switching plate 9A is switched to the side that closes the passage leading to the press device 11, and the loaded empty cans are discharged to the outside from the discharge port 4.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, when the number of empty cans remaining in the press device reaches its capacity, the loaded empty cans are unconditionally discharged from the discharge port. This prevents the occurrence of can jams and prevents any disadvantages to users.

In addition, if the empty cans put in cans are discharged from the outlet when the power is turned on, cut off or out of power, or when the machine is inoperable, there will be no need to install a locking device at the input opening as mentioned above, and other industrial effects. is large.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an empty can collecting machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of the operation of this embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Front door, 2...Input port, 3...Discharge port, 4...Discharge port, 5...Shooter, 6...Collection box, 7...Diversion path, 9...Aisle switching mechanism, 10
...Seal detector, 11...Press device, 12...
...Empty can passage detector, 13...Coin dispensing device,
14...Display lamp, 15...Control device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An empty can input port, a shutter that guides empty cans input from the empty can input port downward, a seal detector that detects a seal attached to an empty can passing through the shutter, and a seal detector that detects a seal attached to an empty can passing through the shutter. a collection box for collecting only the attached empty cans, a discharge port for discharging empty cans that are not collected in the collection box to the outside, and a passage leading to the collection box or a passage leading to the discharge port for empty cans guided by the shooter to the outside. A passage switching mechanism that selectively guides the cans, a press device that presses the empty cans guided toward the collection box by the passage switching mechanism and discharges them into the collection box, and a press device that presses the empty cans guided toward the collection box by the passage switching mechanism and discharges them into the collection box. It includes a coin dispensing device, an empty can passage detector that detects the number of pressed empty cans to be discharged to a collection box, and a control device, and the control device detects the number of empty cans with a seal passed by the seal detector and the empty can passing detection. a counter that calculates the difference between the number of cans that can be passed; and a passage that guides the empty cans to the press device when the difference is less than the number that can be accommodated in the shooter space, and to guide the empty cans to the discharge port when the difference exceeds the number that can be accommodated. An empty can collecting machine characterized by comprising: comparison means for controlling a switching mechanism. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device monitors the operating state of the collecting machine and, when determining that the collecting machine is in an inoperable state, controls the path switching mechanism so as to guide the loaded empty cans to the discharge port. Empty can collection machine.