Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
  • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
  • G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to automated redemption by so-called reverse vending machines, of used commodities returned for the purpose of reuse thereof, or for recycling of materials recoverable therefrom.
• the invention relates to a method and apparatus for giving customers the option of donating to charity a monetary amount refunded by such a machine.
• the invention can give the customer the option of selecting refunding shared between himself and one or more charity organizations, or the like.
• a commonly known type of reverse vending machines to which the present invention relates is that designed for receiving used beverage containers for which the customer paid a deposit when purchased.
• Today, such machines are installed in almost every major grocery store allowing the customer to return empty bottles and cans, and receive some kind of token, most often a printed coupon, indicating the monetary value of the containers delivered to and accepted by the machine.
• a machine of the reverse vending type comprises some kind of verifying means for recognizing and accepting predetermined types of three-dimensional objects being inserted into a port of a corresponding shape and arranged readily accessible in the front of the machine.
• the verifying means may comprise microcomputer or process ⁇ ing means associated with a memory for storing data corresponding to acceptable returnable objects, and any kind of detection means known in the art for measuring certain predetermined properties identifying acceptable objects expected to be received.
• a voucher dispenser or coupon printer is included in the machine.
• US Patent No. 5 226 519 in the name of DeWoolfson discloses a multiple use commo ⁇ dity collection and storage system in which the customer, in the case of a can collection machine, can make a decision when finished inserting all cans, to donate the proceeds (value or deposit refunds) to charity, or to receive a voucher for subsequent payment in cash.
• the customer in the case of a can collection machine, can make a decision when finished inserting all cans, to donate the proceeds (value or deposit refunds) to charity, or to receive a voucher for subsequent payment in cash.
• no indication whatsoever is given as to how to implement such an arrangement, leaving the option merely as a wish.
• the main object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement making the option feasible, of devoting such refunded monetary values, partly or completely, to charity.
• the present invention provides a method of donating a monetary value to charity, the monetary value being paid as compensation for used commodity objects returned to a reverse vending machine for the purpose of reuse thereof, or for recycling of materials recoverable therefrom, the method according to the invention being characterized in the steps of:
• a user-machine interface adapted to allow a user to decide, when about to insert returned objects into the machine, that the compensation paid is to be devoted partly or completely to charity
• the reverse vending machine report producing means to produce a report on monetary values thus being donated to charity, the report producing means being capable of keeping a record of at least one recipient of the monetary values collected by the machine.
• the invention relates to an apparatus for the same purpose, the apparatus accord ⁇ ing to the invention being characterized in that:
• the reverse vending machine comprises a user-machine interface (5) adapted to allow a user to decide, when about to insert returned objects into the machine, that the compensation paid is to be devoted partly or completely to charity, and that - the apparatus comprises report producing means implemented to produce a report on monetary values thus being donated to charity, the report producing means being capable of keeping a record of at least one recipient of the monetary values collected by the machine.
• the donation redemption system is shown to comprise processing 1 , detection 2, and memory 3 means as well as a printer 4 disposed in a machine at a collection site.
• user-machine 5 and owner-machine 7 interfaces are provided.
• the user-machine interface is the form of a front panel readily accessible to customers, whereas the owner-machine interface is hidden to customers and comprises as a minimum an ordinary counter mechanism, reset buttons, and the like, accessible to the owner only.
• the machine comprises some kind of transport mechanism (not shown), generally a conveyor belt, for moving objects presented to the machine passed its detection means 2.
• the machine according to the invention comprises report producing means either constituting a part of the machine itself, or implemented in combination with an external computer 9 connected to the machine through a communi ⁇ cation interface 6.
• the external computer may be located at the site of the machine, or remotely in a report centre for the charity organization(s) in question, a bank, or other centralized location.
• the communication interface is adapted to allow for communication with the remote computer 7 through a • corresponding communication network 8.
• a data communication modem can be used for telecommunicating via a public telephone or data network, a dedicated network, or leased communication lines.
• the processing means 1 is a processor capable of being operated according to software loaded from the associated memory 3, or otherwise loaded software.
• the memory is designed to hold software for the operation of the processor 1 , data processed by the processor, data describing allowable objects, and at least one register of the number and types of objects being accepted under customer "sessions" (see below).
• the memory 3 is adapted to hold one or more registers pertaining to respective charity organizations.
• the detection means 2 may comprise mechanical, optical and/or acoustic devices, included means for weighing, assemblies of acoustic emitters and/or receivers, and/or optical light sources and receivers, sensors, scanners or readers, possibly of laser or holographic type.
• the printer 4 is of any type known in the art for printing vouchers and value coupons which is adapted also to be used for printing simple reports at the command of the owner of the machine.
• the man-machine interfaces 5, 7 are designed to ensure simple communication between the machine and the customer and owner, respectively, and may comprise push-buttons, switches, lamps, and/or a display, e.g. of the LCD type. According to the invention, the user-machine interface 5 may comprise one or more special buttons or keys disposed on the front panel and designated charity donation.
• the main task of the report producing means mentioned above is to produce reports on the monetary value which has been donated to a recipient. Such reports may be prepared periodically or on request by authorized persons, and in the case of a plurality of recipients, reports are made for each individual recipient.
• the report producing means typically comprises an owner-machine interface 7 through which an authorized person can communicated with a report system implemented basically in the software of the machine and stored in its memory 3, for example.
• the report system keeps a record for each of the recipients, of the donations collected by the machine in question.
• a command may be entered through the owner-machine interface 7 -to inititate the preparation of a report, which then is printed by the printer 4 included in the machine.
• the record-keeping system may be comprised of simple mechanical counters only, the values of which being readable by the authorized person just like reading an electric consumption meter, for example.
• the report system software may at least partly be implemented in the external computer 9, and the data produced by the processor 1 of a machine which forms the basis for such reports, may be stored in the memory 3 of that machine, or be transferred (periodically, or when needed) to the external computer for processing.
• some kind of polling via the communication network 8 from a centralized computer 9, of a plurality of reverse vending machines may be arranged for, the individual machines themselves then storing at least the data needed for producing such reports.
• the integrated report system described above could be replaced by one in which the monetary amount to be donated is indi ⁇ cated only on the receipt or coupon, in bar codes, for example, issued by a machine of the invention, the customer then bringing the receipt/voucher to the cash desk or check-out point for the registration of the donation with the shop cash desk system at the same time as he exchanges possible excess amounts for cash.
• a simplifi- ed mode of operation could be useful in the case of faulty operation of the automated report system, for example.
• a typical "user session" comprising the successive insertion of a given number of objects, can be as follows: When having inserted the number of objects the refund of which he wishes to devote to charity, the customer presses the "donation" button marked with the charity purpose or organization he wishes to support, to effect donation of the compensation paid so far, and then continues inserting objects the refund of which he wishes to keep himself.
• the session may be ended by pressing the "print coupon” button, or a receipt may be printed automatically a predetermined length of time after the last object was inserted (if this latter procedure is implemented, a "print coupon” button is not needed on the machine front panel).
• the steps of the user session are as follows: - Insert objects - press donation key - continue insert objects - end (manually or automatically) - print coupon.
• the machine may itself be "devoted" to charity, i.e. all compensation paid through the machine is transferred automatically by the donation system of the invention to a charity organization, or the like. In such a case the machine may be fully automatic having no buttons on the front panel.
• the machine may be structured as explained above, i.e. leaving it up to the customer the decide the amount to be donated through the system of the invention. In such a case the front panel of the machine may be provided with one or more
• the present invention is considered as being particulary useful in the context of redeemable commodities for which a specific deposit was paid when pur- chased.
• the invention is applicable to automated redemption of nearly any kind of used and recognisable commodity. If compensation was paid for the return of other objects that often are regarded as waiste or litter, such as "disposible” articles, “disposible” glass containers, carton/paperboard boxes and other packaging material, for example, the ordinary customer would be encouraged to bring his "waste", whether reusable or recyclable, or not, to collection sites.
• the present invention may equally well be used in a system for collecting such used commodities at large regard- ess of whether a specific deposit was paid upon purchase, or not.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19899456

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (13)

Citations (4)

• 1996
  • 1996-06-03 NO NO962272A patent/NO962272D0/no unknown
• 1997
  • 1997-06-03 EP EP97927501A patent/EP0919045A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1997-06-03 WO PCT/NO1997/000140 patent/WO1997046985A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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