FR2687239A1 - Process and system for recovering an object of no substantial intrinsic value, for example non-returnable packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

Process for recovering an object with no intrinsic value, for example packaging, associated with the delivery of a consumable or useful product, for example a drink, according to which, after consuming the said product, retrieval is monitored by the consumer of the associated object, so as to deliver to him an exchange value, for example a deposit, only if the retrieved object has the same origin as that of the consumable product, characterised in that, at least one reference identification unit characteristic of the origin of the consumable product is delivered to the consumer, and on retrieval of the associated object by the consumer, for delivery of the exchange value carrier, the presence of a said retrieved object is monitored, in tandem with the recognising of an identification unit.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING AN OBJECT

  WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL INTRINSIC VALUE, FOR EXAMPLE

A LOST PACKAGE

  The present invention relates generally to the recovery, for example for recycling, of any object without substantial intrinsic value, associated

  on the delivery of a consumable or useful product of predetermined origin.

  Particularly but not exclusively, and in order only to illustrate the invention, the latter will be introduced, defined and discussed with reference to the field of distribution of hot or cold drinks, constituting a consumable or useful product within the meaning of the invention , in disposable plastic cups, constituting an object associated with the delivery of the consumable product, without intrinsic substantial value,

  still within the meaning of the present invention.

  In this particular field, and in particular with reference to documents FR-A-2 580 418, FR-A-2 618 239, and EP-A-0 436 446, a method of recovering any disposable plastic cup is already known, constituting a waste after absorption by the consumer of the drink contained in said cup, this method consisting in: identifying or distinguishing said cup by any means

  appropriate, shape and / or any dimension characteris-

  tick of said object which can intrinsically constitute this means of identification; but it can also be

  a material sign, for example an integrated label

  rigged or attached to the cup recognize the cup thus identified, at the time of its return by the consumer, by checking the returned cup with respect to the identification means as previously chosen deliver a counter value, for example a deposit such as a token or coins only

  if the returned cup is identical to the original cup

  tially identified or marked, and therefore having the same

  origin than that of the drink consumed.

  Such a process can be implemented by a system or assembly, associating: on one side, a dispenser delivering to the consumer the drink in a cup identified or distinguished as above and on the other side, a recuperator, for example a

  device called in practice "deconsignor",

  carrying means for receiving the empty cup, means for recognizing the means for identifying the

  cup, chosen by the skilled person as above

  ment, to control the cup returned according to its origin, that is to say that of the drink

  absorbed by the consumer, and means of deli-

  receipt of the equivalent value, for example of the deposit, controlled by the control means, and activated by the latter in the event of identity between

  the origin of the cup and that of the drink consumed.

  The implementation of such a recovery process or system involves the use of devices or means for recognizing identified or distinguished cups, which are relatively complicated and relatively little

  reliable in operation Indeed, depending on the means of

  tification retained for the cup, the means of

  recognition can range from detecting a para-

  geometric meter, for example the overall height of said cup, until a profile or shape is detected by video means with image processing And these detection means are not in practice sufficiently discriminating to exclude any relatively close cup, but not having the same origin as that of the

drink consumed.

  The subject of the present invention is therefore a principal

  recovery system, breaking with the solutions traditionally used, and allowing a realization

  much simpler re-use of used cups. According to the present invention, and in all its generality, separately but associated with the delivery of at least one unit quantity of the consumable or useful product (for example a drink), the consumer or user of said product is delivered, at least one so-called reference identification unit, specific and characteristic of the origin of the consumable product, and to the return of the associated object (for example a cup) by the consumer for delivery of the support of

  counter-value (for example deposit), the presence of an object returned in correspondence with the recognition of an identification unit is checked, in order to issue the said counter-value to the consumer only for an identical identification unit to the identification unit

  said reference, and this in correspondence with the presence of a restored object. For the implementation of this principle, on the one hand, the distributor of the consumable product comprises or is associated with separate means for delivering at least one reference identification unit, and on the other hand, the recuperator, for example "deconsignor", comprises, in addition to the means for receiving the returned object, means for detecting the presence of said object, and means for recognizing an identification unit presented by the consumer, with respect to the 'reference identification unit And the control means of the recuperator are arranged to activate the means of issuing the equivalent value, only for an object returned present, in correspondence with a recognized identification unit

  identical to the so-called reference identification unit.

  The present invention thus defined provides the following decisive advantages: it eliminates all recognition of objects associated with the consumable product, the only control exercised consisting in detecting the presence or absence of a

  cup returned, in correspondence with the presenta-

  separate object of an identification unit any object can be used to implement the recovery principle defined previously.

  ment, including standard objects; and in particular

  link several different objects, for example cups with different capacities, can be associated with a single unit

identification.

  In a simplified manner, according to the invention, the reference identification unit is a simple token arranged in a specific manner and characteristic of the origin of the consumable product. 15 In correspondence, on the distributor side, the means of delivery of said product unit consists of a slot through which said token is supplied to the user, at the time o, or immediately after the consumable product is delivered to him And, on the side of the recuperator, the means of recognition of the identification unit,

  and therefore of the token have a simple specific opening

  cement and only suitable for the introduction of said token. In a more advanced manner, the reference identification unit is part of a card, of the credit card type. The latter comprises at least one so-called digital track, supporting at least one digital writing, for example a coded magnetic writing, representing the number of credit identification units of the bearer of

  the Correspondence card, on the distributor side, the means of delivery of the referral identification unit

  There are a digital writing reader present on the card, the latter being introduced by an appropriate slot in the dispenser, at the moment when the consumer or the user receives a unit quantity of the consumable or useful product; in correspondence, the distributor comprises control means incorporating calculation means, which increment the number of identification units, and means for writing the new number of identification units on the digital track of the personal card to the user And on the side of the recuperator, the means for recognizing the identification unit comprise a reader of the digital writing present on the card, and the means

  control systems include incremental calculation means

  both the number of identification units, as well as means for writing the new number of identification units

  tion on the digital track of the card. The present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing, comprising a single figure

  schematically representing a recovery system

  ration according to the present invention, in its version using a personal magnetic card for the user. A system according to the invention, described with reference to the distribution of hot or cold drinks in disposable plastic cups, comprises, on one side a dispenser 3 for delivering to the consumer said drink 2 in a cup 1, and on the other side, a recuperator 4 of the empty cup, after absorption or consumption of the drink according to the invention, are interposed between the dispenser 3 and the recuperator 4, while forming part of the system according to the invention, on the one hand a support or card 8, personal to the user, preferably specific and characteristic of the origin of the drink delivered by the dispenser 3, as well as a separate means 7 for supplying the card 8, by a slot

  provided for this purpose; this means may or may not be integrated into the distributor 3.

  By way of example and without limitation, the card 8, for example a disposable plastic card, includes a track 12 called digital, supporting a digital writing 13, for example a coded magnetic writing, representing a number of units of identification to the credit of the card holder, and a so-called monetary track 15 supporting a writing 16 of monetary value, for example a coded magnetic writing Possibly, the card includes a reference material sign, for example a magnetic signature 21, supported by track 20. This card is kept by the user or consumer of the drinks delivered by the distributor 3.10 The distributor 3, in the form of a parallelepiped cabinet, is arranged in the traditional way, and has an orifice 31 for the reception and filling of a plastic cup 1, stored in the dispenser 3, and brought before and automatically15 into the orifice 31 A nozzle 3 2 is associated with the upper part of the orifice 31, to deliver the hot or cold drink into the cup 1 The consumer controls or triggers the bringing of the cup into the orifice 31, and its filling by the nozzle 32, by introducing a card through the slot 33 in the dispenser 3 Control means 51 make it possible to sequence and trigger the

  different phases necessary for the operation of the device

tributary 3.

  For the processing of the magnetic card according to the invention, on the side of the dispenser 3, the means 7 of

  issuance of the reference reference unit

  carry a reader 44 for digital writing 13 and for monetary writing 16, as well as possibly for the magnetic signature 21 The control means 51 of the distributor comprise calculation means 59 incrementing the number of identification units, each time the distributor supplies a unit quantity of beverages, and means 45 for writing the new number of identification units on the digital track 12 of the card These same control means 51 include a reader for the writing of monetary value 16, identical or different from reader 44, means of calculation identical or different from those 59, making it possible to calculate the available monetary credit according to the writing of value read, and of a value corresponding to the quantity unit5 of the consumable product (drink) delivered by the distributor, as well as writing means, identical or different from those 45, making it possible to write the new credit on the mo track 15. Separately or integrated into the distributor 3, the means 7 for supplying the card 8 allow the consumer to obtain the latter, for example in exchange for a predetermined sum, introduced in the form of coins into the slot 34 provided for this purpose on the supply means 7 The card issued

  includes a monetary writing 16, a blank digital track 12, and possibly the magnetic signature 21.

  The recuperator 4, in the form of a parallelepiped cabinet, comprises: a cavity 10 forming means for receiving the empty cup returned by the consumer, associated with means 9 for detecting the presence of said cup in the cavity 10

  means of recognizing it of the identification unit

  cation present on the card introduced by the consumer

  mateur in the recuperator 4 through the slot 35, means of delivery 6 of a counter value, detailed below and control means 5, actuating in particular the means of delivery 6 of the counter value, only for a cup 1 present in cavity 10, in correspondence with a digital credit or a unit

identification read on the card.

  The recognition means 11 of the identification unit comprise means 14 for reading the writing.

  digital form 13 Correspondingly, the control means 5 comprise calculation means 19, uncreated

  lying about the number of identification units, these means of

  calculation which may consist in the traditional way of a microprocessor loaded with appropriate software; writing means 17 make it possible to write the new number5 of identification units on the digital track 13.

  The means for issuing the equivalent value comprise writing means, identical or different

  rents of those 17, making it possible to write a new value on the monetary track 15 of the card 8 And in correspondence-10 dance, the control means 5 comprise means of

  reading, identical or different from those 18, of the writing

  monetary value 16 on card 8, and means of calculation, identical or different from those 19, of the new value to be written on track 15, as a function of writing 16

  previously read on track 15, and the counter-value issued in exchange for the return of a used cup.

  In correspondence with the magnetic signature 21 present on the card 8, not shown, the

  distributor 3 and recuperator 4 each comprise a reader 20 for the magnetic signature, and means of comparison between the signature read and the signature of reference

  rence, associated with the origin of the consumable product. The use or exploitation of the system previously described is as follows: thanks to the supply means 7, possibly in exchange for a sum introduced into the slot 34, the consumer obtains a card 8, comprising a credit

  currency on track 15, a blank track 13, used

  to increment and de-increment digital credit

  risk corresponding to the number of used cups that can be disconnected by the consumer, as well as the physical signature 21 of the card, specific to the origin of the consumable product dispensed in the dispenser 3 by inserting the card into the slot 33 on the dispenser 3, on the one hand the user triggers and obtains a cup 1 filled with hot drink or

  cold, to consume, and secondly the monetary value

  the silence on track 15 is reduced by the value or price of the unit quantity of drink consumed; simultaneously, the digital value present on track 12 is incremented by an identification unit by presenting a used and empty cup 1 in the cavity 10 of the recuperator 4, while inserting his personal card 8 in the slot 35 of the same device, thanks to the control means 5, on the one hand the used cup is admitted and introduced into the recuperator 4, possibly with destruction, and on the other hand, the digital value present on track 12 of the personal card 8 of the consumer is incremented by one. Two different modes of operation can

  be considered with regard to the counter value

  to the consumer, in return for the return of a used cup, with simultaneous presentation of his personal card 8: in the first case, the monetary value present on

  track 15 can be increased by a value shown

  both the deposit or counter value assigned to the used cup

  in the second case, by counting the number of gob-

  used lets returned, for example on another magnetic strip present on the card 8, when the total number of disconnects reaches a predetermined value, coins, representing a total equivalent value, are delivered to the user by all

  suitable opening on the recuperator 4.

Claims (4)

  1 Method of recovering a worthless object   substantial intrinsic, e.g. packaging, asso-   linked to the delivery of a consumable or useful product, of predetermined origin, for example a drink, according to which after consumption or use of said product, the return by the consumer of the associated object is controlled, in order to issue him a counter value, for example a deposit, only if the object returned originates from that of the consumable product, characterized in that, separately but associated with the delivery of at least one unit quantity of the consumable or useful product, correspondence to the consumer at least one reference identification unit, specific15 and characteristic of the origin of the consumable product, and to the return of the associated object by the consumer, for delivery of the counter-value support, the presence of a said restored object, in correspondence with   recognition of an identification unit, for   pay the consumer said equivalent value, only for an identification unit identical to the identification unit.   reference cation, in correspondence with the presence of said restored object. 2 System for recovering an object (1) without substantial intrinsic value, for example packaging, associated with the delivery of a consumable or useful product (2), of predetermined origin, for example a drink, said system comprising: on the one hand, a distributor (3) for delivering to the consumer said product (2) and said associated object (1) and on the other hand, a recuperator (4) of said object,   after consumption or use of the said product,   bearing means for controlling (5) the object (1)   classified for recovery, depending on the origin of the consumable product, and means of delivery (6) of a counter value, for example a deposit, characterized in that, on the one hand, the distributor (3) comprises or is associated with means (7) for delivering at least one reference identification unit (8), and on the other hand, the recuperator (4) comprises, in addition to means (10) for receiving the object, means for detecting (9) the presence of a said object (1), and means for recognizing (11) an identification unit with respect to the reference identification unit (8) ,   and the control means (5) actuating the detection means   delivery (6) of the equivalent value, only for an object   (1) present in correspondence with an identification unit   recognized as identical to the identification unit of reference (8).   3 System according to claim 2, characterized in that the reference identification unit is a token arranged in a specific manner and characteristic of the origin of the consumable product, and the recognition means (11) of the unit identification include an opening specifically and only adapted to the introduction of said token.   4 System according to claim 2, characterized in that the reference identification unit (8) is part of a card, which comprises at least one track (12) called digital, supporting at least one writing (13) digital , for example a coded magnetic writing, representing the number of credit identification units of the holder of said card, on the distributor side, the   means (7) for issuing the reference identification unit comprise a reader (44) for digital writing   risk, and said distributor comprises control means (51) comprising calculation means, incrementing the number of identification units, and writing means (45) of the new number of identification units on the track of the card, and on the side of the recuperator, the recognition means (11) of the identification unit comprise a reader (14) for digital writing, and the control means (5) comprise calculation means , incrementing the number of identification units, and means for writing the new number of identification units on the track digital (12).   System according to claim 4, characterized in that the card comprises a reference material sign (21), specific and characteristic of the origin of the consumable product, and the control means (5) comprise a reader of a material sign, and means of comparison between the material sign read and the sign reference material.   6 System according to claim 2, characterized   in that the card (8) includes a track (15) called mon-   keep silent, supporting a writing (16) of monetary value, for example a coded magnetic writing, the control means (51) of the distributor (3) comprise a reader of the writing of value, means of calculating the monetary credit available depending on the value entry read   and of a value corresponding to the unit quantity of the consumable product delivered by the distributor, and of means for writing said credit on the monetary track.