DE102020126333A1 - Storage system for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system (1) for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide, with at least one goods dispensing machine (2) for issuing containers filled with carbon dioxide and at least one goods return machine (3) to which empty containers can be fed being provided.

Description

The invention relates to a storage system for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide.

Such containers are usually designed in the form of bottles, so-called soda bottles. With such soda bottles, beverages such as mineral water can be enriched with carbonic acid.

The containers are generally refillable. For this purpose, the containers have a valve in the area of their filling opening. The container can thus be connected to a carbon dioxide reservoir, such as a larger storage bottle, by means of a suitable filling device, in order to fill the container with carbon dioxide.

A general requirement is to make the containers filled with carbon dioxide as easily and quickly accessible to users as possible. Furthermore, there is a requirement to supply emptied containers as quickly and efficiently as possible to systems where they can be refilled with carbon dioxide.

The object of the invention is to provide a system with which a simple logistics concept for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide can be implemented.

To solve this problem, the features of claim 1 are provided. Advantageous embodiments and expedient developments are described in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a storage system for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide, with at least one automatic goods dispenser for dispensing containers filled with carbon dioxide and at least one automatic goods return machine, to which empty containers can be fed, being provided.

A simple, efficient logistics system for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide is realized with the storage system according to the invention. The combination of a vending machine with a vending machine for returning goods makes it possible to provide containers filled with carbon dioxide in a simple manner, since users can easily remove them from the vending machine in the desired number for a fee. On the other hand, the goods return machine forms a user-friendly collection point for empty containers, i.e. for containers from which the carbon dioxide has been removed. These can be fed to a filling system by the operator of the goods return machine, in which the containers can be refilled with carbon dioxide.

The storage system according to the invention is very customer-friendly, since the user, that is to say the customer, can not only purchase containers filled with carbon dioxide via the goods dispensing machine, but can also return empty containers to the goods return machine. The user therefore does not have to take care of the disposal or refilling of the containers himself.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the goods issuing machine and the goods return machine are spatially assigned. For example, the goods issuing machine and the goods return machine are set up in a common space of a sales outlet or the like.

The goods issuing machine and the goods return machine are particularly advantageously arranged next to one another.

A user can thus use both the goods issue machine and the goods return machine directly and without detours.

In general, the vending machine has a money input unit, a container being able to be dispensed at the vending machine by entering a predetermined amount of money.

Depending on the amount of money entered, the user can remove a corresponding number of containers from the vending machine and thus cover his needs.

The automatic goods return machine advantageously has a token issuing unit, with a bonus token being issued via the token issuing unit after a container has been returned.

The bonus token corresponds to a predetermined monetary value and the bonus token can be entered as a means of payment in the money input unit of the vending machine.

This creates an incentive system for the user to return emptied containers to the goods return machine of the storage system, since he receives a bonus stamp for each container fed to the goods return machine, the monetary value of which can be offset against the price when purchasing new containers filled with carbon dioxide at the goods issue machine.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the containers are in the form of bottles.

Each bottle typically has a valve in the area of its dispensing opening.

Furthermore, each bottle has a threaded head with an external thread in the area of its removal opening.

In principle, only one type of container, in particular bottles, can be stored in the goods dispensing machine. However, it is particularly advantageous to store different types of containers in the goods dispensing machine.

Different types of containers differ in terms of size, the design of the valves and/or the design of the thread heads.

The containers are stored in the vending machine in such a way that the user can recognize the different types and can select accordingly.

The goods-return machine expediently has at least one insertion opening, via which containers can be fed to the goods-return machine.

In principle, different types of containers can be fed to the automatic goods return machine via different insertion openings, as a result of which the containers can be sorted according to type.

According to a particularly simple and expedient embodiment, the goods return machine has only one insertion opening, via which containers of different types can be fed to the goods return machine.

In this case, the emptied containers are sorted by the operator of the goods return machine.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the goods issuing machine has an arrangement of compartments in which containers are stored individually. The compartments can be selected individually, so that when the amount of money is entered into the cash input unit, a container contained in a selected compartment is dispensed.

In this way, the user can easily obtain a container of his choice from the vending machine.

According to a first variant, the compartments are designed as output compartments. When the amount of money is entered, a selected output compartment is automatically moved into an open position in which the container is exposed for removal.

According to a second variant, the compartments are connected to an output unit via conveying means. When the amount of money is entered, a container is fed from a selected compartment via the conveying means to the dispensing unit.

• 1: Erstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Lagersystems für mit Kohlendioxid befüllbare Behälter.
• 2: Zweites Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Lagersystems für mit Kohlendioxid befüllbare Behälter.
• 3: Einzeldarstellung eines mit Kohlendioxid befüllbaren Behälters.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 : First embodiment of the storage system according to the invention for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide.
• 2 : Second embodiment of the storage system according to the invention for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide.
• 3 : Individual representation of a container that can be filled with carbon dioxide.

the 1 and 2 each show an exemplary embodiment of the storage system 1 according to the invention. The storage system 1 has a goods dispensing machine 2 in which containers filled with carbon dioxide are stored. Furthermore, the storage system 1 has an automatic goods return machine 3, to which emptied containers, ie containers from which the carbon dioxide was removed, are fed and collected there so that they can be transported to a filling system in order to be refilled with carbon dioxide there.

the 1 and 2 show the storage system 1 in a plan view of the front sides of the goods dispensing machine 2 and the goods return machine 3, which are freely accessible for a user. In the present case, the goods dispensing machine 2 and the goods return machine 3 are set up side by side on the floor B of a building such as a sales outlet. Advantageously, the goods issuing machine 2 and the goods return machine 3 are spatially assigned to one another in such a way that a user can easily use both units essentially at the same time.

As 3 shows, the containers that can be stored in the goods dispensing machine 2 or are fed to the goods return machine 3 are designed in the form of bottles 4 or cylinders. At its upper end, the bottle 4 has a removal opening which is closed off with a valve 5 . In addition, there is a threaded head with an external thread 6 in the area of the removal opening. This external thread 6 forms an adapter which in particular forms a means of connection to a filling system, with an empty bottle 4 being able to be refilled with carbon dioxide in the filling system.

In principle, in the goods dispensing machines 2 according to the 1 and 2 identically designed containers are stored. In the present case, two different types of containers are stored in the goods dispensing machines.

Different types of containers differ in terms of size, the design of the valves (5) and/or the design of the thread heads.

The goods dispensers 2 according to 1 and 2 have an arrangement of compartments 7, in each of which a container filled with carbon dioxide is stored individually.

Furthermore, the automatic goods dispensers 2 have a cash input unit 8 . In the present case, the money input unit 8 is designed in such a way that both coins and bills can be input into it. In a known manner, the money input unit 8 has a return unit for returning change. In principle, the money input unit 8 can also have a unit for reading credit cards, so that credit cards can also be used as a means of payment.

The function of the automatic goods dispenser 2 is such that a user can select a compartment 7 . By subsequently entering the corresponding amount of money at the money input unit 8, the container is then dispensed from the selected compartment 7.

A compartment 7 is selected by a central input unit (not shown). In principle, corresponding decentralized input units can also be provided on the individual compartments 7 .

In the embodiment according to 1 the goods dispensing machine has 2 compartments 7, which are designed as output compartments. If a user has selected such an output compartment and entered the corresponding amount of money into the cash input unit 8, the output compartment opens automatically so that the container stored there is exposed and can be removed by the user.

Each output compartment advantageously has a triggering mechanism which is triggered automatically when this output compartment is selected and after money has been inserted, so that a cover closing the output compartment, which is in particular designed as a glass pane, is opened automatically so that a user can remove the container from the output compartment . The output compartment can additionally have a spring mechanism or the like which, when the trigger mechanism is activated, pushes the container slightly out of the output compartment so that it can be removed more easily.

In the embodiment according to 2 the compartments 7 are connected to a central dispensing unit 9 via a conveyor (not shown) arranged in the interior of the goods dispensing machine 2 . In the simplest case, the conveying means can be formed by a chute. The dispensing unit 9 is designed in the form of a trough which opens out at an opening on the front side of the vending machine 2 .

If a user selects one of the compartments 7 and enters the corresponding amount of money, the container from this compartment 7 is automatically removed from the selected compartment 7, for example by means of a spring mechanism, and fed to the conveyor. The container reaches the trough forming the dispensing unit 9 via the conveying means. From there, the user can remove the container through the opening.

The storage system 1 of 1 and 2 has the same goods return machines 3 in each case. The goods return machine 3 has an insertion opening 10 through which emptied containers, in particular containers that were originally stored in the associated goods return machine 2, are fed to the goods return machine 3. In the interior of the goods return machine 3 there is a collection container, not shown, in which the introduced, emptied containers are collected.

The goods return machine 3 also has a token issuing unit 11 . If a user inserts an emptied container into the goods return machine 3 via the insertion opening 10 , he receives a bonus stamp in return, which is issued via the stamp issuing unit 11 .

The bonus token has a specific monetary value and can be used as a means of payment at the vending machine 2 by a user entering the bonus token on the money input unit 8 . A user thus receives a refund for each emptied container entered at the goods return machine 3 with the bonus stamp, which can be used to buy new containers filled with carbon dioxide at the goods issue machine 2 .

Users can return different types of containers to the goods return machine 3 via the insertion opening 10 . In the simplest case, the user receives a bonus token regardless of the type of container. In principle it could Bonus system can also be differentiated according to container types.

As soon as the collection container in the goods return machine 3 is filled with emptied containers, these are removed by the operator of the goods return machine 3 and fed to a filling system, where they are refilled with carbon dioxide. The sorting of the emptied containers according to different types can be carried out by the operator or on site at the filling station.

Reference List

(1)

storage system

(2)

Goods issue machine

(3)

Goods return machine

(4)

bottle

(5)

Valve

(6)

external thread

(7)

academic subject

(8th)

money entry unit

(9)

output unit

(10)

insertion opening

(11)

brand issuing unit

B

floor

Claims (12)

Storage system (1) for containers that can be filled with carbon dioxide, characterized in that at least one goods dispensing machine (2) for issuing containers filled with carbon dioxide and at least one goods return machine (3) to which empty containers can be fed are provided. Storage system (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the goods issuing machine (2) and the goods return machine (3) are spatially associated, in particular are arranged side by side. Storage system (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the containers are designed in the form of bottles (4), each bottle (4) having a valve (5) in the region of its removal opening. Storage system (1) according to claim 3 , characterized in that each bottle (4) has a threaded head with an external thread (6) in the region of its removal opening. Storage system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the goods dispensing machine (2) has a money input unit (8), it being possible for a container to be dispensed at the goods dispensing machine (2) by entering a predetermined amount of money. Storage system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the goods dispensing machine (2) has an arrangement of compartments (7) in which containers are stored individually. Storage system (1) according to one of Claims 5 and 6 , characterized in that the compartments (7) can be selected individually, so that when the amount of money is entered into the cash input unit (8), a container contained in a selected compartment (7) is dispensed. Storage system (1) according to claim 7 , characterized in that the compartments (7) are designed as output compartments, wherein when the amount of money is entered, a selected output compartment is automatically moved into an open position in which the container is exposed for removal, and/or that the compartments (7) are conveyed with are connected to an output unit (9), wherein when the amount of money is entered, a container from a selected compartment (7) is fed to the output unit (9) via the conveying means. Storage system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that containers of the same type or different types of containers are stored in the automatic goods dispenser (2). Storage system (1) according to claim 9 , characterized in that containers of different types differ with regard to size, the design of the valves (5) and/or the design of the thread heads. Storage system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the goods return machine (3) has at least one insertion opening (10) via which containers can be fed to the goods return machine (3). Storage system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that the automatic goods return machine (3) has a token issuing unit (11), a bonus token being issued via the token issuing unit (11) after a container has been returned, the bonus token corresponding to a predetermined monetary value, and in that the bonus token as a means of payment in the Cash input unit (8) of the vending machine (2) can be entered.

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