US4054196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for receiving and storing empty bottles
Assignee: FIRM OF EUGEN SCHAUFELE
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Filing: 1976-02-02
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Granted: 1977-10-18
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Expires: 1996-02-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically receiving empty bottles and storing them in an internal container includes a mechanism which discriminates against improperly sized bottles and also returns the monetary deposit which may have been made at the time of purchase of the full bottle. The apparatus includes a bottle conveyor mechanism which accepts bottles in a horizontal position on sprocket discs and, after suitable actuation of door-locking and dimension-checking switches, rotates the discs and transports the bottle upwardly. The positive insertion of the transported bottle into the bottle storage container above causes a realignment of the bottles already stored there. The stored bottles align themselves in parallel layers until a limit switch prevents further operation when the container is filled up.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugen Schaufele
- 👤 Hans Herman Trautwein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B21/00; B65B21/02; G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/06; G07F7/0609
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for storing cylindrical objects, especially empty bottles, comprising: a cabinet having a bottle chamber; a bottle storage container disposed in said cabinet and further comprising a base including an aperture; a bracket means aligned with said aperture in said cabinet, switch means in proximity to said bracket means arranged to be actuated upon insertion of an empty bottle into said cabinet; bottle conveyor means disposed adjacent to and below said bottle storage container further including at least one rotatably disposed conveyor disc which extends into said bottle chamber for transporting individual bottles after insertion through said aperture upwardly into said bottle storage container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for storing cylindrical objects, especially empty bottles, comprising: a cabinet having a bottle chamber; a bottle storage container disposed in said cabinet and further comprising a base including an aperture; a bracket means aligned with said aperture in said cabinet, switch means in proximity to said bracket means arranged to be actuated upon insertion of an empty bottle into said cabinet; bottle conveyor means disposed adjacent to and below said bottle storage container further including at least one rotatably disposed conveyor disc which extends into said bottle chamber for transporting individual bottles after insertion through said aperture upwardly into said bottle storage container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said at least one conveyor means is a plurality of rotatably disposed conveyor discs, mounted on a common, drivable shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein each of said conveyor discs has at least one substantially semi-circular recess in its circumference, the size of said recess being substantially adapted to the form of the bottles to be properly received by said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 3 in which said recess in one of said conveyor discs is substantially aligned axially with the recess in another of said conveyor discs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein at least one of said conveyor discs includes a surface discontinuity and the conveyor means includes power drive means and first switch means which engages said surface discontinuity, thereby controlling said drive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 5, said apparatus further comprising resilient plate means for defining one wall of said bottle chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 6, further comprising second switch means, for controlling the electric circuit of said drive means, actuated by said resilient plate means, thereby testing the length of a bottle inserted in said bottle chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 7, further comprising baffle means, pivotably mounted in said bottle chamber and urged by spring means against an inserted bottle, and third switch means associated with said baffle means, for testing the lateral dimension of a bottle inserted in said bottle chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 8, further comprising lever means, pivotably attached to said conveyor means and protruding under spring tension into said bottle chamber, for holding the bottom of a bottle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 9, further comprising fourth switch means, actuated by a bottle inserted into said apparatus, for enabling the operation of associated coin return means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 10, further comprising a door in said bottle container and fifth switch means associated therewith for controlling said drive means when said door is opened and closed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 11, wherein said door includes slide means defining a variable opening in said door and sixth switch means associated therewith for controlling said drive means when said slide means is opened and closed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 12, further comprising solenoid-actuated bolt means for locking said slide means in the closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 13, further comprising seventh switch means, associated with said bottle container, for actuation by bottles stored in said container and for controlling said drive means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-17 | 1981-04-18 | 1981-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-17 | 1985-04-18 | 1985-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-17 | 1989-04-18 | 1989-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |