US4579216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Returnable container redemption method
Assignee: ARK CLO 2000-1 Ltd
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Filing: 1984-09-17
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Granted: 1986-04-01
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Expires: 2004-09-17
Abstract
Abstract The method of redeeming returnable containers includes a plurality of remotely-located machines receiving returnable containers and storing information about the numbers of such containers received according to different values of an identifying parameter. A central coordination facility accesses the stored information and determines how many returned containers the different facilities have collected, and ensures that all parties are properly reimbursed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce H. Dewoolfson
- 👤 Darrell J. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/06; G07F7/0609; G07F9/00; G07F9/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of redeeming returnable containers comprising the steps of: receiving said containers by plurality of remotely-located machines; sensing by each of said machines, product code data on said containers, said product code data containing a specific identifying parameter, different values of which each correspond to a different facility; storing, by each of said machines, information corresponding to said sensed product code data according to said different values of said specific identifying parameter in said product code data; combining, by a central processing facility according to said different values of said specific identifying parameter, said stored information from each of said remotely-located machines; comparing said combined product code data for each of said different identifying parameter values with a stored amount corresponding to that identifying parameter value to determine a deviation from said stored amount; and recording each said deviation for transmission to the facility corresponding to each different value of said identifying parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of redeeming returnable containers comprising the steps of: receiving said containers by plurality of remotely-located machines; sensing by each of said machines, product code data on said containers, said product code data containing a specific identifying parameter, different values of which each correspond to a different facility; storing, by each of said machines, information corresponding to said sensed product code data according to said different values of said specific identifying parameter in said product code data; combining, by a central processing facility according to said different values of said specific identifying parameter, said stored information from each of said remotely-located machines; comparing said combined product code data for each of said different identifying parameter values with a stored amount corresponding to that identifying parameter value to determine a deviation from said stored amount; and recording each said deviation for transmission to the facility corresponding to each different value of said identifying parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method in claim 1 wherein said identifying parameter indicates a source of the container having said product code data and wherein storing step includes the step of storing said information according to said source indication; and wherein said recording step includes the steps of: subtracting, for each said facility, said corresponding deviation from an amount relating to said corresponding combined product code data to determine an invoice amount; and recording each said invoice amount for transmittal to a facility corresponding to each indicated source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said container source indicator is brand information and said corresponding facility is a distributor and wherein said recording step includes the step of transmitting said invoice amounts to each distributor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of printing invoices according to said invoice amounts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of mailing said invoices and checks to each said facility.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, including the steps of effecting electronic fund transfers in the amounts of said invoice amounts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: determining the presence of acceptable value of said identifying parameter; and dispensing valuable tokens for containers with acceptable values of said identifying parameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: crushing said containers into a compact form; and storing said crushed containers in a receptacle.
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) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-09-30 | 1990-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-09-30 | 1994-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-31 | 1997-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |