JP2003181693A - Container compression device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a household automatic waste can crusher which is small and has a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: In the container crusher, containers such a waste cans are crushed and dropped by cooperation between a movable crushing body 28 connected to a movable device so as to be operated and a fixed crushing body 26 fixed on a frame. In the crusher, the body 28 is driven by a first crank arm 30 by driving force of a motor 22 through a worm gear 18, a rotating shaft 20 and a rotating disk 22, and a stopper plate is released by a second crank arm 38 to discharge the crushed waste cans. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an aluminum or steel metal can filled with drinking water or the like, and a plastic bottle, which are empty cans / bottles (hereinafter Except when they are used separately, they are collectively referred to as "empty cans") and relate to an empty can compressing device for crushing, and in particular, they are of an electric type and have a relatively compact structure and are necessary. Accordingly, the present invention relates to an empty can compressing device that can be movably placed in a home kitchen or can be incorporated as a system kitchen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, from the viewpoint of efficiency in resource reuse and promotion of environmental protection, used empty cans are compressed one by one to reduce the volume, thereby facilitating empty can collection.
Various devices that have been made easy to recycle have been developed and put into practical use. Among them, there are from a simple foot-operated type for household use to an electric type empty can compression device.

[0003]

Although the above-mentioned household foot-operated type has the merit that it is relatively inexpensive to process a small amount of empty cans, it often requires a considerably large pressure for compression. Also, if the pressure is insufficient, it is necessary to repeat the stepping action for compression many times, and in the case of resin bottles such as PET (PET) bottles, the stepping is performed by compressing. It is also experienced that later, it will return to its original, swollen state.

Further, regarding the electric empty can compressing device,
Many proposals have been made so far, but all have complicated structures. For example, it has been proposed that a plurality of gears are combined in a tapered shape and rotated, and an empty can is inserted between the gears to compress the gears, or a structure of a caterpillar type or a belt type instead of the gears. However, as described above, the internal structure is too complicated, and a large metallic compression noise is generated in the compression process, which is extremely unsuitable for household use.

Therefore, although some results can be expected for business use, it is necessary to take a large installation space for the device and the manufacturing cost of the device itself becomes high. Therefore, it is unsuitable for general household use and improved. There was room for.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is relatively small in size that can be installed or moved side by side with a sink, a range stand, or other kitchen equipment so as to form a harmonious appearance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a household automatic empty can compressing device having a simple structure. Further, the present invention provides a lightweight and compact empty can compressing device which is optimal as a system kitchen built-in type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel empty can compressing device which can be expected to have a remarkable effect on management of waste such as empty cans and space saving of kitchens and kitchens.

[0008]

The empty can compressing device of the present invention has the following constitution. That is, in a container compression device that compresses and drops a container such as an empty can by the cooperation of a movable pressing body that is operatively connected to a movable device and a fixing plate that is fixed to a frame body, a motor and a rotating shaft of the motor The engaged worm gear, a pair of opposed rotating discs that rotate in connection with the worm gear, a first crank arm means coupled to the rotating disc, and a first crank arm means coupled to the rotating disc and the first Second crank arm means interlocking with the crank arm means, fixed side compression plate vertically fixed substantially vertically to the upper position of the frame, facing the fixed side compression plate, and the first crank arm means The movable side compression plate which can be pressed against the fixed side compression plate and the second crank arm means in a state where the shaft that moves by the operation of the Therefore, a stopper plate that is opened and closed by fixing one end to a rotating shaft that is rotated, the first crank arm is actuated by the rotation of the motor, and the moving side compression plate is the fixed side compression plate. To compress the empty can, and then the moving side compression plate retracts to open the stopper plate by the operation of the second crank arm so that the compressed empty can can be discharged. , A container compression device.

Further, in the above construction, a casing is provided which covers the outside of the frame body and has an opening at the upper side, and the opening is made to correspond to the positions of the upper ends of the moving side compression plate and the fixed side compression plate. , It is possible to insert an empty can to be compressed through the opening, and a shutter is provided in the opening for inserting the container to be compressed. The shutter does not turn on until the shutter is completely closed. In this way, the user's safety is ensured.

The first by one rotation of the rotating disk
The reciprocating motion of the crank arm opens and closes the moving side compression plate.

In the above, in the reciprocating motion stroke by one rotation of the rotary disk, the stopper operates on the second crank arm so that the container is not discharged in the compression process of the empty can and is discharged in the discharge process. It will be combined.

The compression plates on both the moving side and the fixed side are
At least the surfaces facing each other are exchangeably covered with elastic bodies. The elastic body of the compression plate is preferably made of polyurethane resin.

[0013]

As described above, the present invention provides a container compression device for compressing and dropping a container such as an empty can by the cooperation of a movable pressing body operatively connected to a movable device and a fixing plate fixed to a frame body. A motor, a worm gear engaged with a rotation shaft of the motor, and a worm gear connected to rotate 1
A pair of opposed rotary discs, first crank arm means coupled to the rotary disc, second crank arm means coupled to the rotary disc and interlocking with the first crank arm means, and a frame body Of the fixed side compression plate, which is vertically fixed substantially vertically to the upper position of the fixed side compression plate, is opposed to the fixed side compression plate, and is pressed against the fixed side compression plate in a rolling manner by the operation of the first crank arm means. A first movable side compression plate, and a stopper plate that opens and closes by fixing one end to a rotary shaft rotated by the second crank arm means, and rotates the motor to rotate the first crank arm. Is activated to move the moving side compression plate forward and approach the fixed side compression plate to compress the empty can, and then the moving side compression plate moves backward to move the second crank arm. It is a container compressing device that opens the above stopper plate to discharge the compressed empty can by the operation of the system, so it can be installed side by side with a sink, a range stand, or other kitchen equipment, or it is movably arranged. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a household automatic empty can compressing device having a relatively small size and a simple structure, which can form a harmonious arrangement in appearance. Further, the present invention is a lightweight and compact empty can compressing device which is optimal as a system kitchen built-in type.

Further, it is possible to provide a novel container compression device which can be expected to have a remarkable effect on the management of waste such as empty cans and the space saving of the kitchen and kitchen.

Further, in cooperation with the stationary side compression plate for compressing the container and the movable side compression plate, the movable side compression plate is connected to the first crank arm and is rotatable about a moving shaft as a shaft. As a result, the pressure applied to the container is dispersed by making a rolling movement with respect to the fixed side compression plate, and with a smaller pressure than the case where the moving side compression plate moves in parallel as it is as in the conventional example. The container can be compressed as desired.

Further, by making the compression plate elastic by coating the elastic body, it is possible to absorb the variation in the drag force due to the unevenness of the container to be compressed, and at the same time to prevent the empty can from slipping during the compression process. ing.
In addition, when it is consumed, it is convenient to replace only this part and reproduce the function. Further, the elastic body may be either the fixed side compression plate or the moving side compression plate, but it is preferable that both opposing surfaces are elastic bodies.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1, the empty can compressor 1 of the present invention is stably held by four legs 10 and two side walls 12 facing each other with a space therebetween.
The frame body 14 is constituted by. A motor 16 is provided on one side of the frame body 14.
And a worm gear mechanism 18 coupled to the output rotation shaft thereof.
And the worm gear mechanism 18 includes a pair of rotating discs 22 and 22 coupled to each other via a rotating shaft 20.
Is arranged, and when the motor 16 is driven, it is rotated via the worm gear 18 and the rotary shaft 20. Reference numeral 24 is a side plate attached to the side wall 12, and the motor 16 and the worm gear mechanism 18 are attached to the outer surface of the side plate.

A fixed side compression plate 26 having an inwardly facing surface coated with an elastic resin body such as polyurethane is fixed to the inside of the side plate 24, and the side walls 12 facing each other are fixed.
In the space formed by, a moving side compression plate 28 is provided facing the fixed side compression plate. Similar to the fixed side compression plate, at least the inside, that is, the surface facing the fixed side compression plate 26 of this moving side compression plate is covered with an elastic resin body such as polyurethane. Of course, it is also possible to cover the entire surfaces of both the fixed and movable compression plates 26, 28 with the elastic resin body. Further, only this portion may be replaceably attached so as to cope with the consumption of the elastic resin body.

Outside the side walls 12 and 12, a pair of first crank arms 30 connected to the rotary disk 22 is provided. This first crank arm 30,
As described above, the connecting rod 30 is connected to the rotating disk 22 at one end thereof, and has the other end also serving as a rotating shaft which slidably projects an elongated guide hole 32 (FIG. 2) formed in the side wall 12. The compression plate holding pieces 36, 36 are fitted to the shaft of the compression plate holding piece 36. The holding piece 36 is fixed to the outer side portion of the moving side compression plate 28, and when the first crank arm moves due to the rotation of the rotating disk 22, the connecting rod 34 is correspondingly moved.
By moving the guide hole 32, the moving side compression plate 28 is also moved. Thus, the first crank arm reciprocates with respect to the fixed compression plate 26 by one rotation of the rotary disk 22, and thereby the holding piece 36 connected to the moving compression plate 28 via the connecting rod 34. As a result, the moving side compression plate moves forward and backward to approach and separate the moving side compression plate. Of course, the approach of the moving side compression plate forms a compression stroke for crushing empty cans (FIG. 2), and conversely, the separation from the fixed side compression plate discharges the crushed empty cans.

One end of the first crank arm 30 is operatively connected to one end of a second crank arm 38, and the other end of the second crank arm 38 is connected to a rotary shaft 42 to which a stopper 40 is fixed. Is bound to. The stopper 40 is a plate-shaped body that is bent in a dish shape or an obtuse angle shape, and has a hole having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the mouth portion of a plastic bottle or a recess 40a at the tip thereof, such as a PET bottle. It has the function of letting the mouth of a plastic bottle escape. This is because the mouth of a plastic bottle is extremely rigid, so not only does it require a great deal of pressure to squeeze it, but when it is squeezed, fragments and liquids of the plastic material are This is because there is a risk of scattering, and in order to prevent it, it is not always required to crush the plastic bottle to the mouth.

In FIG. 1, a movable storage box 44 is provided below the frame body 14 constituting the main body of the compression device and between the leg portions 10. Reference numeral 46 is a casing, which has a structure that covers the outside of the frame body and has an opening portion 48 provided above. The casing 46 has the opening 4
8 corresponds to the positions of the upper ends of the moving side compression plate 28 and the fixed side compression plate 26 so that an empty can to be compressed can be inserted from the opening 48, and the opening 48 into which a container to be compressed is inserted. Further, a shutter 50 is provided, and a safety pin 52 is provided so as to interlock with a power switch 56 so that the power is not turned on until the shutter is completely closed to ensure the safety of the user.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show an example of the completed appearance of the present apparatus in which the casters 54 are attached to the main body of the empty can compressing device. The basic internal structure is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. By attaching the casters 54, it is possible to easily move not only in the kitchen but also to a necessary place.

FIG. 6 shows another application example of the movable type empty can compressing device shown in FIGS. As shown in the figure, it is of a type that can be stored in a kitchen sink or cooking table.

Next, the operation of this apparatus will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1 showing only the internal structure, an empty can or a resin bottle is loaded in a state in which the moving side compression plate is located at a position away from the fixed side compression plate 26, that is, in the open position of the compression plate. Upon loading, the shutter 50 provided on the upper surface of the casing 46 is opened, and loading is performed through the opening 48. At this time, stopper 40
Is located below the compression plates 26 and 28 and covers the space between the compression plates 26 and 28 from below. Thus, the empty can that has been loaded from above is supported by the stopper 40 and is prevented from falling. Here, in the case where a plastic bottle such as a plastic bottle is to be charged, the mouth portion of the bottle is directed downward, and the mouth portion is positioned so as to drop into the recess 40a of the stopper 40.

In this way, empty cans and the like are compressed on both compression plates 2.
After putting in the space between 6, 28, the shutter 50
The shutter 50 and the power switch are interlocked by the safety pin 52 by closing. After that, the switch of the operation switch board 56 attached to the upper surface of the casing 46 is pressed to drive the motor 16 and the operation of the present compression device is started.

The rotation of the motor 16 causes the worm gear 1 to rotate.
8, rotating disks 22 on both sides via a rotating shaft 20
Rotates, which causes the first crank arm 30 and the second crank arm 38 to interlock and reciprocate.
Thus, the first crank arm 30 causes the moving side compression plate 28 to move toward the fixed side compression plate 26, and further approaches while crushing the empty can inserted between the two compression plates 26, 28. At this time, since elastic bodies are attached to the opposing surfaces of the compression plates 26 and 28, the crushing operation is performed without slipping or making a loud metallic noise when pressing the empty can. Also, with the operation of the first crank arm 30,
Since the coupling rod 34 moves in the direction of the fixed side compression plate 26 while slightly rotating with the hole 36a of the holding piece 36 as a bearing, the moving side compression plate 28 pushed by the holding piece 36 is opposed to the fixed side compression plate 26. The compression plate on the fixed side 2 according to the shape and drag of the empty can as if rolling
Approach 6 Thus, a reliable compression operation of the compressed empty can and the like can be obtained. The operation up to this point is the half rotation of the rotary disk 22.

The rotary disk rotates half a turn and the moving side compression plate 2
When 8 is brought to the fixed side compression plate 26 as much as possible and the compression operation is completed, the rotary disk 22 further rotates and the crank arms 30, 38 are retracted. With this backward movement, the moving side compression plate 28 returns to the original position again to widen the gap between the moving side compression plate 28 and the fixed side compression plate 26, and in conjunction with this movement, the second crank arm 38 is moved backward to move it. The stopper 40 located in the closed state is rotated downward. As a result, the compressed empty cans are dropped and stored in the storage box 44. When the storage box is full, it can be pulled out and dumped at a predetermined place.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another usage mode of the empty can compression device according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, the empty can compression device 1 of the present invention is installed near a sink (side or lower part, side in the illustrated example) so that the inside of the empty can compression device 1 can be cleaned. is there. That is, by connecting a short pipe (not shown) such as a hose to the faucet of the sink, flush water is poured from the upper surface of the empty can compressor 1, and the drain pipe 52 provided below is connected to the drain main pipe 54 of the sink. It is designed to be drained.

[0029]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION With the above-mentioned structure, the present invention can be installed side by side in a sink, a range, or other kitchen equipment, or can be movably arranged, and can form a harmonious arrangement in appearance. It is possible to obtain an automatic household empty can compressing device having a relatively small size and a simple structure. In addition, it is a lightweight and compact empty can compression device that is optimal as a system kitchen built-in type. In addition, it is a new empty can compression device that can be expected to have a remarkable effect on waste management such as empty cans and space saving of kitchens and kitchens.

Further, in cooperation with the stationary side compression plate and the moving side compression plate for compressing the container, the moving side compression plate is connected to the first crank arm and is rotatable about a moving shaft as a shaft. As a result, the pressure applied to the container is dispersed by making a rolling movement with respect to the fixed side compression plate, and with a smaller pressure than the case where the moving side compression plate moves in parallel as it is as in the conventional example. The container can be compressed as desired. Further, by providing the compression plate with elasticity by covering the elastic body, it is possible to absorb the variation in the drag force due to the unevenness of the container to be compressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structural example of an empty can compression device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part and an operation example of the empty can compression device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the overall configuration of the empty can compression device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing the entire structure of the empty can compression device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a configuration in which the empty can compression device according to the present invention is a movable type.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the empty can compression device of the present invention is incorporated in a system kitchen.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a configuration in which the empty can compressing device of the present invention is provided in the vicinity of a sink such as a kitchen so that the empty can compressing device can be washed with water.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Side wall 14 frame 16 motor 18 Worm Gear 20 rotating shaft 22 rotating discs 24 side plate 26 Fixed side compression plate 28 Moving side compression plate 30 First crank arm 34 connecting rod 36 holding piece 38 Second crank arm 40 stopper 46 casing 50 shutters 52 Safety pin 56 switch board

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A movable pressing body operatively connected to a movable device,
In a container compression device for compressing and dropping a container such as an empty can in cooperation with a fixing plate fixed to a frame, a motor, a worm gear engaged with a rotation shaft of the motor, and a worm gear connected to each other. A pair of opposed rotating discs that rotate, first crank arm means coupled to the rotary disc, and second crank arm means coupled to the rotary disc and interlocking with the first crank arm means. , A fixed compression plate which is vertically fixed substantially vertically to the upper position of the frame, and a shaft which opposes the fixed compression plate and which is moved by the operation of the first crank arm means as a rotation axis. In this state, one end is fixed to the movable side compression plate which can be pressed against the fixed side compression plate and the rotary shaft rotated by the second crank arm means. And a stopper plate that opens and closes
With the rotation of the motor, the first crank arm operates to move the compression plate on the moving side forward to approach the compression plate on the stationary side to compress the empty can. Thereafter, the compression plate on the moving side retracts. By doing so, by operating the second crank arm, the stopper plate is opened and the compressed empty can can be discharged. 2. A casing that covers the outside of the frame body and has an opening portion provided above is provided, and the opening portion is made to correspond to the positions of the upper end portions of the moving side compression plate and the fixed side compression plate, and the opening portion is provided. It is possible to insert an empty can to be compressed from, and to use a shutter provided at the opening where the container to be compressed is inserted, and linked with the power switch so that the power does not turn on until the shutter is completely closed. The container compression device according to claim 1, wherein the safety of the operator is ensured. 3. The container compression device according to claim 1, wherein the movable side compression plate can be opened and closed by the reciprocating motion of the first crank arm by one rotation of the rotary disk. 4. The stopper is operatively connected to the second crank arm so that the container is not discharged in the compression process of the empty can and the container is discharged in the discharge process in the reciprocating motion stroke by one rotation of the rotating disk. The container compression device according to claim 3, wherein 5. The container compression device according to claim 1, wherein at least the surfaces of the moving-side compression plate and the stationary-side compression plate that face each other are covered with replaceable elastic bodies. 6. The container compression device according to claim 5, wherein the elastic body of the compression plate is a polyurethane resin.