WO2002020373A1

WO2002020373A1 - Compartmented receptacle for recyclable waste having display function

Info

Publication number: WO2002020373A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001498
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong-Gon Kim
Original assignee: Kim Yong Gon
Priority date: 2000-09-05
Filing date: 2001-09-05
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: AU2001286292A1; KR20020019300A

Abstract

Disclosed is a compartmented receptacle for recyclable waste which is installed at a public place, such as an amusement park or zoo, where many people are gathered, while having diverse functions capable of sensing inputting of a recyclable waste into the receptacle, and playing back a previously recorded message or moving a toy in response to the sensed inputting, thereby providing interest.

Description

COMPARTMENTED RECEPTACLE FOR RECYCLABLE WASTE HAVING DISPLAY FUNCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions, and more particularly, to a compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions, which is located at public places such as amusement parks, zoos, and the like, where many people gather, and which senses disposal of recyclable material thereinto, and reproduces a message recorded in advance and/or actuates a model device, providing interest.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, compartmented receptacles for recyclable material are located at public places such as amusement parks, zoos, and the like, where many people gather.

The conventional compartmented receptacle having several bins for different recyclable material is manufactured to have a construction intended to only receive recyclable material. However, although the conventional compartmented receptacle may reliably perform a function of receiving the recyclable material, since it has a simple box-shaped configuration, it fails to arouse any public concern or interest. Also, the compartmented receptacle has limitations in that it cannot provide other services in addition to the original receiving function, such as sound and/or character information services.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions, which senses disposal of recyclable material, and reproduces a sound message recorded in advance and/or actuates a model device for a predetermined period of time, thereby leading the public to separately dispose of recyclable material and arousing public concern or interest, and which irradiates lights to a shaped article upon deposal of recyclable material, thereby increasing value of the compartmented receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions, which has a can press for allowing bulky material such as a can and the like to be crushed before disposal and a cup stand for allowing cups to be separately collected, thereby enabling specified recyclable material to be disposed of independently of other recyclable material.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compartmented receptacle for recyclable material, characterized in that a miniature goal post with a net and a miniature soccer ball are positioned on an upper end of a body of the compartmented receptacle; the miniature soccer ball is coupled to actuating means capable of linear movement; two or more disposal openings are defined through a wall of the body; infrared sensors for sensing disposal of recyclable material are installed adjacent to the disposal openings; a liquid crystal display window is located on an upper end of the miniature goal post to display images and characters under the control of a displayer; lamp on/off means for turning on or off a lamp and a flicking lamp and a sound-reproducing means for reproducing sound and outputting the sound through a speaker are arranged on the upper end of the compartmented receptacle body or in front of the miniature goal post; and a memory for storing images, sound, music, characters and the like and a controller connected to the memory to control operations of the display means, the lamp on/off means and the sound reproducing means upon input of a signal from the infrared sensors are disposed inside the body of the compartmented receptacle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the position shift means comprises a geared motor capable of being rotated in both forward and reverse directions and reduced in its speed/rpm; a ball screw shaft connected to an output shaft of the geared motor and supported by a pair of bearings at its both ends, respectively; a ball screw nut threadedly coupled to the ball screw shaft and secured at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the miniature soccer ball; a pair of proximity sensors respectively installed on the pair of bearings which guide rotation of the ball screw shaft, to limit a straight stroke of the ball screw nut to a predetermined distance; and a pair of dog members affixed to the ball screw nut to be sensed by the pair of proximity sensors approach thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a construction of a compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing actuating means employed in the compartment receptacle according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the compartmented receptacle according to the present invention;

FIGs. 5 a and 5 b are circuit diagrams showing an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver which are employed in the compartmented receptacle according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the construction of the compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numeral will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a construction of a compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing actuating means employed in the compartment receptacle according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the compartmented receptacle according to the present invention. FIGs. 5a and 5b are circuit diagrams showing an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver which are employed in the compartmented receptacle according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the construction of the compartmented receptacle for recyclable material having display functions according to the present invention. As can be readily seen from FIG. 1, the compartmented receptacle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is formed to deviate from the appearance of the conventional compartment receptacle for recyclable material and instead to have an environment-friendly outer appearance suited to an installation place. The compartmented receptacle according to the present invention can have a variety of outer appearances. For example, the compartment receptacle can be formed to have an outer appearance related with the FIFA 2002 World Cup. Concretely speaking, the compartmented receptacle has a body 10, and a miniature goal post 11 with a net 12 and a miniature soccer ball 13 which are properly positioned on an upper end of the body 10. An actuator 20 capable of linear movement is coupled to the miniature soccer ball 13.

The above actuator 20 comprises a geared motor 21, a ball screw shaft 23, a ball screw nut 24, a pair of proximity sensors 25 and 25', and a pair of dog members 26 and 26'. The geared motor 21 can be rotated in the both forward and reverse directions and reduced in its speed/rpm. The ball screw shaft 23 is connected to an output shaft of the geared motor 21 and is supported by a pair of bearings 22 at its both ends, respectively. The ball screw nut 24 is threadly coupled to the ball screw shaft 23 and secured at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the miniature soccer ball 13. The pair of proximity sensors 25 and 25' is respectively installed on the pair of bearings 22 which guide rotation of the ball screw shafts 23, to limit a straight stroke if the ball screw nut 24 is to a predetermined distance. The pair of dog members 26 and 26' is affixed to the ball screw nut 24 to be sensed by the pair of proximity sensors 25 and 25' approach thereto.

In the case that the proximity sensors 25 and 25' are not used, although not shown in the drawings, a stepping motor capable of being controlled in its number of revolutions can be used in place of the geared motor 21. As shown in FIG. 1, at least two disposal openings 14 for allowing cans and bottles to be separately disposed of are defined on a front wall of the body 10 of the compartmented receptacle. The disposal openings 14 are sufficiently spaced apart from each other in a manner such that an advertisement plate 15 can be attached to the front wall of the body 19 between the openings 14.

Infrared sensors 30 are respectively installed adjacent to the disposal openings 14, to sense disposal of recyclable material inside the body 10 of the compartmented receptacle. A liquid crystal display window 41 is located on an upper end of the miniature goal post 11 to display images or characters under the control of a display unit 40. A lamp on/off unit 50 for turning on or off a lamp 51 and/or a flicking lamp 52 and a sound-reproducer 60 for reproducing sound and outputting the sound through a speaker 61 are arranged on the upper end of the body 10 or in front of the miniature goal post 11. Further, a memory 70 and a controller 80 are disposed inside the body

10 of the compartmented receptacle. The memory 70 functions to store images or characters to be displayed on the liquid crystal display window 41 , and music or sound to be outputted through the speaker 61. When a signal is inputted from the infrared sensors 30 to the controller 80, the controller 80 controls the sound reproducer 60 to read out specific music or sound from the memory 70 and reproduce it. At the same time, the controller 80 controls the lamp on/off unit 50 and the display unit 40 to display images or characters on the liquid crystal display window 41.

The infrared sensor 30 comprises an infrared transmitter 31 for transmitting infrared rays, and an infrared receiver 32 for receiving infrared rays. When a recyclable material is sensed between the infrared transmitter 31 and the infrared receiver 32, a sensing signal is generated to be inputted into the controller 80.

While not shown in the drawings, a remote control device can be adapted as an input unit of the controller 80, in a manner such that a desired notice or an advertisement can be selected from various kinds of character messages or image data stored in the memory 70, to be displayed on the liquid crystal display window 41. In this connection, the input unit may comprise a computer which is connected through wires with the liquid crystal display window 41 and a control center. A transmitting and receiving antenna may be attached to the remote control device for wireless transmission and receipt of signals between a computer of a control center and the remote control device.

Also, a can press 90 for pressing a can and thereby reducing a volume of the can before disposal thereof, and a cup stand 95 for separately collecting cups, are placed at both sides of the compartmented receptacle, respectively. It can be to be readily understood that the can press 90 is provided to reduce a volume of the can and at the same time arouse interest of a user.

The can press 90 operates in a manner such that a can is crushed by application of pressure. The can press 90 includes a base 91 on which a can is laid and a foot lever 92 which is hingedly connected with an end of the base 91 to crush the can upon application of pressure thereto.

Hereafter, operations of the compartmented receptacle construction as mentioned above will be described. If recyclable material is disposed through the disposal opening 14 which is defined on the front wall of the body 10 of the compartmented receptacle, the recyclable material is dumped into the body 10 of the compartmented receptacle. At this time, as the recyclable material is momentarily sensed by the infrared transmitter 31 for transmitting an infrared ray and the infrared receiver 32 for receiving the infrared ray, a sensing signal is outputted to the controller 80.

In response to the sensing signal and according to a preset program, the controller 80 controls the sound reproducer 60 to reproduce music or sound stored in the memory 70. At the same time, the controller 80 controls the lamp on/off unit 50 and the display unit 40 to display images and characters on the liquid crystal display window 41.

Also, when the sensing signal is inputted into the controller 80 from the infrared sensor 30, the controller 80 actuates the actuator 20. Concretely speaking, as current is applied to the geared motor 21 and thereby the ball screw shaft 23 supported by the pair of bearings 22 is rotated in a backward direction, a straight stroke is effected in a manner such that the ball screw nut 14, which is threadedly coupled to the ball screw shaft 23 and to which the miniature soccer ball 13 is secured, is moved toward the geared motor 21 to produce a goal scoring scene in which the miniature soccer ball 13 passes through the goal post 11 with the net 12.

As the dog member 26 affixed to one end of the ball screw nut 24 approaches, by the geared motor 21 rotated in the backward direction, to the proximity sensor 25 which is installed on the bearing 22, and the proximity sensor 25 senses the dog member 26, the ball screw shaft 23 is rotated in the forward direction by the geared motor 21 in response to the sensing signal, whereby the miniature soccer ball 13 is allowed to be returned to the original position. Of course, the original position of the miniature soccer ball 13 may be a position where the other dog member 26' affixed to the other end of the ball screw nut 24 adjoins the proximity sensor 25' installed on the other bearing 22 located adjacent to the front wall of the body 10 of the compartmented receptacle.

Hereinbelow, an exemplary operation of the compartmented receptacle according to the present invention, having the above-stated operational effect, will be described. If a person disposes recyclable material through the disposal opening

14, the infrared sensor 30 senses the recyclable material and outputs a sensing signal to the controller 80. Accordingly, the controller 80 controls operations of the display unit 40, the lamp on/off unit 50, and the sound reproducer 60. That is to say, characters such as "SCORE" are displayed on the liquid crystal display window 41 under the control of the display unit 40.

At the same time, sound recorded in advance, such as "IT'S A GOAL" which is shouted with excitement, is reproduced through the speaker 61, and a goal scoring scene in which the miniature soccer ball 13 passes through the goal post 11 with the net 12 by linear movement of the actuator 20 is produced. Of course, the controller 80 controls the lamp on/off unit 50 to turn on or off the lamp and the flicker lamp.

The provision of the cup stand 95 aids to deter disposal of a cup through the disposal opening 14, thereby allowing cups to be separately collected. The can press 90 is used to press a can and thereby reducing a volume of the can before disposal thereof through the disposal opening 14, so that a space defined in the body 10 can be efficiently used and separate disposal of recyclable material is encouraged.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As apparent from above description, in the compartmented receptacle according to the present invention, in order to perform a function of receiving the recyclable material and at the same time to arouse public concern or interest, the compartmented receptacle has diverse display elements which create various visual effects through a liquid crystal display window, a miniature soccer ball, lamps and the like, and an audio effect through a speaker. The compartmented receptacle is further equipped with a can press for pressing cans and a cup stand for separately collecting cups. Thus, advantages are provided in that the compartmented receptacle leads the public to separately dispose of recyclable material and arouse public concern and interest. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A compartmented receptacle for recyclable material, characterized in that a miniature goal post with a net and a miniature soccer ball are positioned on an upper end of a body of the compartmented receptacle; the miniature soccer ball is coupled to actuating means capable of linear movement; two or more disposal openings are defined through a wall of the body; infrared sensors for sensing disposal of recyclable material are installed adjacent to the disposal openings; a liquid crystal display window is located on an upper end of the miniature goal post to display images and characters under the control of a displayer; lamp on/off means for turning on or off a lamp and a flicking lamp and a sound-reproducing means for reproducing sound and outputting the sound through a speaker are arranged on the upper end of the compartmented receptacle body or in front of the miniature goal post; and a memory for storing images, sound, music, characters and the like and a controller connected to the memory to control operations of the display means, the lamp on/off means and the sound reproducing means upon input of a signal from the infrared sensors are disposed inside the body of the compartmented receptacle.

2. The compartmented receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprises: a geared motor capable of being rotated in both forward and reverse directions and reduced in its speed/rpm; a ball screw shaft connected to an output shaft of the geared motor and supported by a pair of bearings at its both ends, respectively; a ball screw nut threadedly coupled to the ball screw shaft and secured at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the miniature soccer ball ; a pair of proximity sensors respectively installed on the pair of bearings which guide rotation of the ball screw shaft, to limit a straight stroke of the ball screw nut to a predetermined distance; and a pair of dog members affixed to the ball screw nut to be sensed by the pair of proximity sensors approach thereto.

3. The compartmented receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein a can press for pressing a can and thereby reducing a volume of the can before disposal thereof and a cup stand for separately collecting cups are placed at both sides of the compartmented receptacle, respectively.