US5257741A — Method and apparatus for container redemption and…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 200 words

An apparatus for redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and uniform product code data on an external surface, the apparatus comprising: conveying means for transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding, the conveying means transporting said container along a fixed path aligned with said longitudinal axis of said container; single means for driving the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path; scanning means disposed adjacent said conveying means between said first and second locations for reading said uniform product code data from said external surface of said container and for sending an output signal corresponding to said uniform product code data; ejecting means for ejecting said container from said fixed path, as said container passes through said second location, when said scanning means fails to read recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container; and shredding means for shredding said container at said third location, when said scanning means reads recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 200 words

An apparatus for redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and uniform product code data on an external surface, the apparatus comprising: conveying means for transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding, the conveying means transporting said container along a fixed path aligned with said longitudinal axis of said container; single means for driving the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path; scanning means disposed adjacent said conveying means between said first and second locations for reading said uniform product code data from said external surface of said container and for sending an output signal corresponding to said uniform product code data; ejecting means for ejecting said container from said fixed path, as said container passes through said second location, when said scanning means fails to read recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container; and shredding means for shredding said container at said third location, when said scanning means reads recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said single means further comprises: spinning means for imparting rotation to said container about said longitudinal axis while passing between said first and second locations.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 82 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said spinning means further comprises: an enlarged rotatably driven roller extending radially inwardly through said conveying means for engaging said external surface of said container, the driven roller disposed at an angle with respect to a plane normal to said conveying means for imparting both rotation and longitudinal movement to said container within said conveying means such that said uniform product code data follows a generally helical path between the driven roller and the second location.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: central processing means for receiving and processing said output signal in accordance with a control program stored in memory and for generating a processed electronic output signal to control said ejecting means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 66 words

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said central processing means further comprises: a central processing unit for comparing two output signals corresponding to two separate individual reads by said scanning means of said uniform product code data from the external surface of said container for identicalness, and if not identical, the central processing unit for sending a processed electronic output signal to actuate the ejecting means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 109 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conveyor means further comprises: an elongated, hollow cylindrical member having open ends and divided into first, second and third sections, the first section having a circular aperture for receiving individual containers from said customer, one at a time, in an orientation with said longitudinal axis of said container coaxial with the hollow cylindrical member, the second section connected for movement between a first position coaxial with the first and third sections and a second position out of alignment with the first and third sections, and the third section having a discharge aperture for directing said container into contact with said shredding means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 61 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said conveying means further comprises: roller means for rollingly engaging said external surface of said container as said container moves through the hollow cylindrical member, said roller means connected to said cylindrical member at equal angularly spaced locations around a periphery of said cylindrical member and extending longitudinally along a portion of the cylindrical member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scanning means further comprises: a scanner for reading uniform product code data at least two times from said external surface of said container as said container moves longitudinally along the fixed path between the first and second locations.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ejecting means further comprises: a moveable member for diverting rejected containers from said fixed path, the moveable member operable between a first position in line with said fixed path and a second position out of alignment with said fixed path.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 49 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shredding means further comprises: a pair of counter-rotating cog gears having intermeshing teeth aligned with the fixed path for shredding containers discharged at the third location, each gear having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to and offset from the fixed path.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 238 words

An apparatus for redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and unfirm product code data on an external surface, the apparatus comprising: conveying means for transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding; container drive means for simultaneously imparting both rotational and longitudinal movement to each container to drive the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path while passing between said first and second locations; scanning means disposed adjacent said conveying means between said container drive means and said second location for reading said uniform product code data from said external surface of said container while heroically spinning and for sending an output signal corresponding to said uniform product code data; central processing means for receiving and processing said output signal in accordance with a control program stored in memory and for generating a processed electronic output signal; ejecting means responsive to said processed electronic output signal for ejecting said container as said container passes through said second location when said scanning means fails to read recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container; and shredding means for shredding said container at said third location when said scanning means reads recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 238 words

An apparatus for redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and unfirm product code data on an external surface, the apparatus comprising: conveying means for transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding; container drive means for simultaneously imparting both rotational and longitudinal movement to each container to drive the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path while passing between said first and second locations; scanning means disposed adjacent said conveying means between said container drive means and said second location for reading said uniform product code data from said external surface of said container while heroically spinning and for sending an output signal corresponding to said uniform product code data; central processing means for receiving and processing said output signal in accordance with a control program stored in memory and for generating a processed electronic output signal; ejecting means responsive to said processed electronic output signal for ejecting said container as said container passes through said second location when said scanning means fails to read recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container; and shredding means for shredding said container at said third location when said scanning means reads recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 159 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said conveyor means further comprises: an elongated, hollow cylindrical member having open ends and divided into first, second and third sections, the first section having a circular aperture for receiving individual containers from said customer, one at a time, in an orientation with said longitudinal axis of said container coaxial with the cylindrical member, the second section connected for movement between a first position coaxial with the first and third sections and a second position out of alignment with the first and third sections, and the third section having a discharge aperture for directing said container into contact with said shredding means; and roller means for rollingly engaging said external surface of said container as said container moves through the hollow cylindrical member, said roller means connected to said cylindrical member at equal angularly spaced locations around a periphery of said cylindrical member and extending longitudinally along a portion of the cylindrical member.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 83 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said container drive means further comprises: an enlarged rotatably driven roller extending radially inwardly through said conveying means for engaging said external surface of said container, the driven roller disposed at an angle with respect to a plane normal to said conveying means for imparting both rotation and longitudinal movement to said container within said conveying means such that said uniform product code data follows a generally helical path between the driven roller and the second location.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said scanning means further comprises: a scanner for reading uniform product code data at least two times from said external surface of said container while said container rotates and moves longitudinally between the spinning means and the second location.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 66 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said central processing means further comprises: a central processing unit for comparing two output signals corresponding to two separate individual reads by said scanning means of said uniform product code data from the external surface of said container for identicalness, and if not identical, the central processing unit for sending a processed electronic output signal to actuate the ejecting means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said ejecting means further comprises: a moveable member for diverting rejected containers from said fixed path, the moveable member operable between a first position in line with said fixed path and a second position out of alignment with said fixed path.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 49 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said shredding means further comprises: a pair of counter-rotating cog gears having intermeshing teeth aligned with the fixed path for shredding containers discharged at the third location, each gear having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to and offset from the fixed path.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 150 words

A method of redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and uniform product code data on an external surface, the method comprising the steps of: transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding, said container transported along a fixed path aligned with said longitudinal axis of said container; driving the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path; scanning uniform product code data from said external surface of said container while helically spinning along the fixed path; sending an output signal corresponding to said scanned uniform product code data; if uniform product code data is not sensed, ejecting said container at said second location; and if uniform product code data is sensed, shredding said container at said third location.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 150 words

A method of redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and uniform product code data on an external surface, the method comprising the steps of: transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding, said container transported along a fixed path aligned with said longitudinal axis of said container; driving the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path; scanning uniform product code data from said external surface of said container while helically spinning along the fixed path; sending an output signal corresponding to said scanned uniform product code data; if uniform product code data is not sensed, ejecting said container at said second location; and if uniform product code data is sensed, shredding said container at said third location.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 18 wherein said driving step further comprises the step of: simultaneously imparting both rotational and longitudinal movement to each individual container during transport from the first location to the second location.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of: processing said output signal in a central processing unit in accordance with a program stored in memory; and generating a processed electronic output signal from said central processing unit to selectively actuate said ejecting step.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-11-01	1997-05-03	1997-11-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-11-01	2001-05-03	2001-11-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-11-01	2005-05-03	2005-11-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for container redemption and recycling

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