GB2602803A

GB2602803A - Container lowering system for a reverse vending machine

Info

Publication number: GB2602803A
Application number: GB2100427.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Magrini Andrea; wright Greg
Original assignee: Revermatic Ltd
Current assignee: Revermatic Ltd
Priority date: 2021-01-13
Filing date: 2021-01-13
Publication date: 2022-07-20
Also published as: GB202100427D0

Abstract

A container lowering system 22 for a reverse vending machine 10 comprises a ramp 26 configured to slope through an opening O of a container receptacle 12 to control a descent of a received container 24 into the collection bin. A segregator 28 may separate bottles by measuring their weight or scanning their barcodes, where those vessels with higher material ductility could be captured to be lowered into the repository. The lowering system may include an arrestor to stop of slow the container descent; an aligner; and a releaser. The releaser may cause the container to be tipped from the chute in a controllable direction based on a signal from a sensor or timer to control the evenness of filling of the receptacle. Actuators may be configured to move the ramp and alter its length depending on signals from a fill level detector, container counter, or from a user interface.

Description

CONTAINER LOWERING SYSTEM FOR A REVERSE VENDING MACHINE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a container lowering system for a reverse vending machine. In particular, but not exclusively they relate to a reverse vending machine container lowering system for lowering fragile containers into a deep container receptacle such as a wheelie bin.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A reverse vending machine (RVM) is a compact device that accepts used products. Some RVMs accept empty containers such as empty beverage containers. The RVM therefore acts as a collection point for consumers to return empty containers. RVMs may be placed in civic or retail establishments. Unlike a bin, an RVM may selectively accept or refuse containers depending on how its software and onboard sensors are implemented.

There is a need for more RVMs, to help reduce the concerning effects of discarded single-use plastics on the environment, and to improve a circular economy of recycled materials to reduce material consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to various, but not necessarily all examples there is provided a container lowering system for a reverse vending machine, the container lowering system comprising a ramp configured to slope through an opening of a container receptacle to control a descent of a received container into the container receptacle.

According to various, but not necessarily all examples there is provided a reverse vending machine comprising the container lowering system.

The invention is as-defined in the independent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a reverse vending machine; FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a reverse vending machine interior and a container lowering system; FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C illustrate an example of an in-feed system and a segregator; FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a container lowering system; FIGS. 5A, 5B, 50 illustrate an example of releasing a container; FIGS. 6A, 6B illustrate an example of shortening a ramp of the container lowering system; FIGS. 7A, 7B illustrate an example of raising a ramp of the container lowering system; FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a control system; and FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a split door arrangement for a container receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 1 comprising an RVM 10 and a container receptacle 12.

The RVM is viewed from the front. To use the RVM 10, the user inserts a container in exchange for tokens/currency or other benefits.

The RVM can comprise a user interface 16 comprising an input device such as a button/slider/touchscreen display, and/or an output device such as at least one display/touchscreen display, and/or an input/output device such as a touchscreen display. The specific arrangement of the user interface 16 is outside the scope of this disclosure.

The RVM 10 comprises a receiving means 14 for receiving containers (container receiver). The receiving means 14 is configured to enable insertion of a container into the RVM 10.

For example, the illustrated receiving means 14 comprises an aperture through which containers are insertable. The aperture 14 may be on a front panel arrangement 13 of the RVM 10. The dimensions of the aperture 14 depend on the type of containers to be recycled/received. For beverage containers such as drinks cans or water bottles, the minimum diameter of the aperture 14 may be from the range approximately 6cm to approximately 20cm. The aperture 14 may be circular as shown, or a different shape. The aperture 14 is shown uncovered but a door could be provided for reducing smell or preventing misuse. The height of introduction of the containers (height of the receiving means 14) is higher than the top opening 0 of the container receptacle 12 and can optionally be greater than approximately 120cm (e.g. approx. 150cm). A glass bottle falling from this height can smash.

In at least some examples, the RVM 10 is configured to accept different types of containers. In the context of recycling, accepted types of containers may be demarcated based on direct/indirect detection of the material from which they are made. A first type of container can comprise a recyclable material with a relatively high ductility, such as plastic or paper-based products. Such products can be compacted.

A second type of container can comprise a recyclable material with a relatively low ductility (brittle/fragile), such as glass or ceramic. Such containers cannot be compacted and can smash if dropped from height.

In an implementation, the RVM 10 can accept plastic containers for recycling, such as plastic drinks bottles, and the RVM 10 can accept glass containers for recycling, such as glass drinks bottles.

The RVM 10 can be configured to automatically segregate the different types of containers. A first type of container can be fed to a first container receptacle 12 and a second type of container can be fed to a second container receptacle 15.

FIG. 1 illustrates the first container receptacle 12, in a compartment C that, in use, is hidden behind at least one front door. An example of a suitable front door arrangement 18A1, 18A2 is shown in FIG. 9. The RVM 10 is configured to feed the low ductility containers (e.g. glass) to the first container receptacle 12.

The second container receptacle 15 may be hidden behind the front panel arrangement 13 below the aperture 14. The RVM 10 is configured to feed the high ductility containers (e.g. plastic) to the second container receptacle 15. The RVM 10 may be provided with a compactor (not shown) for compacting containers in the second container receptacle 15. In an example, the front panel arrangement 13 also comprises at least one door. The illustration shows the front panel arrangement 13 comprising a pair of front doors 18B, 18C for exposing the second container receptacle 15 The illustrated first container receptacle 12 is a standardized hand-portable design such as a wheelie bin. The RVM 10 may be configured to enable the wheelie bin to be rolled into an operating position, and rolled back out when full. The door 18A1/18A2 may be lockable. If the container receptacle 12 has a lid, the container receptacle 12 may be insertable into the operating position only when its lid is open, to avoid interference with the door 18A2 and/or container lowering system. The lid of a wheelie bin is typically a swing lid covering a top opening 0.

The operating position is a position in which the first container receptacle 12 is located within a compartment C of the RVM 10. The compartment C can be adjacent the aperture 14 as shown, so that containers must pass laterally to reach the first container receptacle 12. The height and other dimensions of the compartment C are greater than the height and other dimensions of the first container receptacle 12. The compartment C may comprise no floor or a sufficiently low floor that the first container receptacle 12 can be wheeled in and out of the compartment C without requiring lifting by an operator.

A characteristic of wheelie bins is that they are tall, to compensate for their small plan-view footprint area. A typical height of a wheelie bin is greater than approximately 70 cm. Often, wheelie bins are between approximately 90 cm and approximately 150 cm in height. Therefore, dropping a brittle/fragile container into the first container receptacle 12 can result in excessive noise or the container could even smash.

Examples of the present disclosure provide a container lowering system 22 for controlling a descent of a container into a tall first container receptacle 12 such as a wheelie bin, without modifying the design of the wheelie bin itself The wheelie bin is approximately 100cm tall in an example.

A container lowering system 22 can be seen in-situ in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates an interior of the RVM 10, viewed from behind. The container lowering system 22 is inside a space defined by a chassis 20 of the RVM 10.

The container lowering system 22 is configured to receive containers 24 from an in-feed system 30 of the RVM 10 and comprises a ramp 26 that droops through an opening 0 of the first container receptacle 12, to control the gravity descent of the container 24 into the first container receptacle 12. In at least some examples, the opening 0 is a top opening.

When containers 24 are inserted into the RVM 10, they pass through an in-feed system before being fed to the container lowering system 22.

FIG. 3A illustrates an in-feed system 30 in the interior of the RVM 10. Several aspects of the design of the in-feed system 30 are outside the scope of this disclosure. However, in an example implementation, the in-feed system 30 may comprise one or more of an order from insertion of a container 24): a conveyor 300 as shown in FIG. 3A; a sensor(s) (not shown) such as a weight sensor and/or photoelectric sensor and/or barcode scanner and/or beam sensor (for knowing where to stop the container 24 for barcode scanning); and rollers (not shown) for rotating containers 24 until the barcode has been scanned.

The in-feed system 30 may comprise actuators controlled by a control system such as the control system 82 shown in FIG. 8. The conveyor 300 may be two-way to enable automatic return of any automatically rejected containers 24.

Then, when a container 24 has passed through the in-feed system 30, the container 24 can be received at the segregator 28 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3B-3C. The segregator 28 is configured to separate the different types of container 24 based on a detectable parameter such as weight, so that containers 24 made of the heavy low-ductility material (e.g. glass) are captured for providing to the container receptacle 12.

Containers 24 made of the lightweight high-ductility material (e.g. plastic) are not captured for providing the container receptacle 12 and instead can be provided to the second container receptacle 15.

In other examples, the containers may be separated based on a detectable parameter other than weight, such as a scannable code (e.g. barcode).

The segregator 28 can be configured to operate in the manner of a production line rejection device or path splitter. That is, a control system 82 (e.g. FIG. 8) may be configured to control an actuator (not shown) to actuate the segregator 28 based on information from a sensor (not shown, e.g. weight/photoelectric/barcode) to cause or enable a first type of container 24 to be fed towards the first container receptacle 12, and to cause a second type of container to be fed towards the second container receptacle 15.

In an example implementation, the segregator 28 is configured as a movable floor 280.

When a container 24 is provided to the segregator 28, e.g. by the conveyor 300, the control system 82 may control an actuator (not shown) to displace the movable floor 280 into a first position for the first type of container 24, and into a second position for the second type of container.

In the illustrations of FIGS. 3B and 30, but not necessarily in all examples, the displacement can comprise angular displacement. The first position can be as shown in FIG. 30, which is horizontal enough for a container 24 to not fall. However, in some examples, the movable floor 280 can remain sloped enough in the first position for a container 24 to slide or roll under gravity in a required direction (towards the container lowering system 22) without requiring further assistance. The second position can be as shown in FIG. 3B, which is vertical enough for a container 24 to fall or to roll to a different path leading towards the second container receptacle. In FIG. 3B the second position is facing upwards, although alternatively the second position could be facing downwards.

In an example of this implementation, the first position is configured to feed the brittle/fragile containers 24 (e.g. glass) to the container lowering system 22, and the second position is configured to drop the other containers (e.g. plastic) directly or indirectly into the second container receptacle 15.

In FIGS. 38-30, but not necessarily in all examples, an obstacle 282 such as a wall-shaped stop plate is provided on the movable floor 280. When the container 24 is ejected from the conveyor 300, the obstacle 282 stops the container 24 from overshooting the end of the movable floor 280, at least when the movable floor is in the first position of FIG. 3C. The illustrated obstacle 282 is angled as a diverter, so that the container 24 bounces off in the required direction when the movable floor 280 is in the first position. The obstacle 282 is inclined with respect to the sliding axis of the container 24 so the container may start rotating to align with the container lowering system 22.

It would be appreciated that alternatives to a movable floor 280 can be provided, such as an actuator that directly pushes/pulls the container 24.

FIG. 4 illustrates the ramp 26 of a container lowering system 22 in more detail. The container lowering system 22 comprises a ramp arrangement RA comprising one or more ramps. FIG. 4 shows a ramp arrangement RA comprising a long ramp 26 (referred to as 'ramp') and two optional aligners 40, 48 which are also tilted and can therefore be considered as short ramps.

The ramp 26 is configured to slope through the opening 0 of the container receptacle 12. The ramp 26 is configured to control the descent of a received container 24 into the container receptacle 12. This is shown in FIG. 2. The ramp 26 can be a suspended cantilevered ramp configured not to touch or rest on the rim/wall of the container receptacle 12. The container lowering system 22 can be a self-supporting system configured to be anchored to the chassis 20 of the RVM 10 to support the ramp 26 without the ramp 26 resting on the container receptacle 12. Therefore, the ramp 26 can be said to droop/dangle into the container receptacle. In at least some examples, the ramp 26 is configured for the container 24 to slide down the ramp 26 before dropping the container 24 by a short final distance.

In the illustrated example, the ramp 26 is configured to droop into the container receptacle 12 through an opening 0 of the container receptacle 12. If the container receptacle 12 is tall such as a wheelie bin, the ramp 26 may be configured to have a long droop distance (vertical ramp height) and droop angle (ramp angle below horizontal) and ramp length (length of container sliding). This enables gentle dropping of containers 24 into tall wheelie bins.

Example ramp dimensions are given below, for the scenario of a wheelie bin-type container receptacle 12, and an RVM 10 with limited packaging space for use in public spaces.

The ramp 26 can be configured to have a ramp length of at least approximately 0.4 metres. If its length is variable as described later, this dimension refers to its length when fully extended. This enables a short container drop distance even if the container receptacle 12 is empty. This dimension does not include the illustrated aligners 40, 48.

In some examples, the ramp length can be no more than approximately 1.2 metres, having regard to the other dimensions of the wheelie bins, the ramp 26 and the RVM 10.

The ramp 26 can be configured to have a droop angle of at least 40 degrees below horizontal. If its droop angle is variable as described later, this dimension refers to its angle when fully drooped.

The droop angle can be no more than approximately 70 degrees below horizontal, having regard to the speed at which containers 24 should be permitted to slide down 20 the ramp 26.

The ramp 26 can be configured to have a vertical droop distance of at least approximately 0.4 metres. This enables the end of the ramp 26 to be at or below the approximate halfway height of the container receptacle 12. This dimension does not include the illustrated aligners 40, 48.

An example cross-sectional geometry of the ramp 26 is shown in section B-B of FIG. 4. The ramp geometry is configured to laterally constrain the container 24 during its descent. For example, the container 24 can be constrained into sliding in a direction parallel to its cylinder-equivalent axis (e.g. the axis extending through the bottle cap and base of a bottle-shaped container 24). The container 24 therefore slides rather than rolling.

The ramp 26 can be a chute-shaped channel to constrain the container 24. section B-B illustrates the ramp 26 comprising a first constraining leg 261A and a second constraining leg 261B. The leg lengths and internal angle between the first constraining leg 261A and the second constraining leg 261B affects the maximum diameter of the container 24. The internal angle can optionally be approximately perpendicular as shown. A different (wider) angle can require less tilting (see FIGS. 7A-7B). The maximum container diameter can be approximately twice the length of the legs 261A, 261B. The angle can therefore differ from perpendicular by a few tens of degrees (e.g. 45 degrees) depending on the implementation. The ramp 26 can optionally have an approximately constant width as shown. In the illustration, but not necessarily all examples, the ramp 26 comprises an angle beam such as an [-section. The angle beam can be in a diagonal orientation, e.g. 45 degrees from horizontal, so that both of its constraining legs 261A, 2618 extend upwards, e.g. by approximately 45 degrees from horizontal. Alternatively, a different geometry could be provided.

FIG. 2 shows the example L-section-shaped ramp 26 drooped into the container receptacle 12 as a cantilever, sloped enough for the container 24 to slide to the end of the ramp 26.

If the container 24 is received from the segregator 28 in a different orientation than that required by the ramp 26, one or more aligners 40, 48 can be provided. FIG. 4 illustrate a first aligner 40 and a second aligner 48 between the segregator 28 and the ramp 26.

The first, upstream aligner 40 is configured to provide a first, coarse alignment and the second, downstream aligner 48 is configured to provide a second, fine alignment. Alternatively, a different number of aligners can be provided.

The first aligner 40 comprises an alignment portion for causing the first alignment, and optionally comprises conveyance means 400 for enabling continued motion of the container 24 towards the ramp 26.

In the illustration, the conveyance means 400 takes the form of an inclined ramp part to enable gravity sliding of the container 24. For example, the conveyance means 400 can comprise an inclined plate or other surface on which the container 24 rolls downhill.

In other examples, an active conveyance means is provided such as a conveyor.

The alignment portion of the first aligner 40 can comprise a rotator obstacle 402 configured to impart rotation of the container 24 when the container 24 hits the rotator obstacle 402. In the illustration, but not necessarily in all examples the rotator obstacle 402 comprises a pin protruding from the sloped surface of the first aligner 40 into the path of the container 24. In the illustration, the neck of the container 24 hits the rotator obstacle 402 which causes the container 24 to rotate about its neck. This reorients the container 24 from a lateral rolling orientation towards a longitudinal sliding orientation.

The illustrated position of the rotator obstacle 402 is for containers that have been inserted base-first. For containers that are inserted neck-first, the rotator obstacle 402 could be moved/re-shaped or an additional rotator obstacle could be provided for orienting neck-first containers. In some examples, it does not matter if the container 24 enters the ramp 26 face-up or face-down.

If the first aligner 40 comprises a ramp part 400, slope adjusters 44a, 44b can optionally be provided for configuring the angle of the first aligner 40 relative to a horizontal horizon. In the illustration, the slope adjusters 44a, 44b comprise slotted plates. The slotted plates may be set with fixings such as screws. The slope adjusters 44a, 44b are tucked out of the way such as beneath the ramp part 400.

The container 24 is then received by the second aligner 48. The second aligner 48 comprises an alignment portion 480a,b, and optionally also comprises conveyance 20 means 482 such as a ramp part.

Optionally, and as shown, the ramp part 482 of the second aligner 48 is configured to have a different ramp angle than the ramp part of the first aligner 40. In the illustration, the second aligner 48 is steeper than the first aligner 40. In some examples, the angle of the second aligner 48 depends on the angle of the ramp 26, as shown and described later in relation to FIGS. 7A-7B.

The alignment portion 480a,b of the second aligner 48 can comprise a funnel arrangement configured to finely align the container 24 with the ramp 26 (e.g. face-up or face-down). The funnel arrangement 480a,b can comprise at least one wall 480b that converges towards a proximal entrance (top) of the ramp 26.

An example cross-section geometry of the second aligner 48 is shown in section A-A of FIG. 4. In the illustration, the funnel arrangement comprises a pair of lateral walls 480a,b, interconnected by a central base 482 along which the container 24 slides/is conveyed. The shape of the funnel arrangement 480a,b can be regarded as a channel section, also referred to as a C-channel, with a horizontally oriented wide web 482 and upstanding wall flanges 480a,b at the left and right sides of the web.

After being funneled through the second aligner 48, the container 24 slides down the ramp 26 as described earlier.

Rather than allowing the container 24 to slide off the end of the ramp 26, an arrestor 59 can be provided to stop or retard the descent of the container 24 before the container 24 is released (dropped) into the container receptacle 12. This enables a further reduction in noise and chance of breakage, and also enables additional control by the even-filling method of FIGS. 5A-5C.

The arrestor 59 in FIG. 4 comprises an end plate 59 at or in the vicinity of a distal end of the ramp 26, so that the container 24 stops in the vicinity of the end of the ramp 26 without sliding off the end of the ramp 26. A separate releaser is provided for dropping the container 24 from the ramp 26, which is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C.

The end plate 59 may comprise a soft material to reduce noise and impact. In an example, the soft material comprises a polymeric material. A drain hole (not shown) may be provided in the vicinity of the end plate 59 and the legs 261A, 261B to enable dripping of liquids from containers and prevent pooling at the end plate 59. For example, the drain hole may be defined by the end plate leaving part of the V-shaped channel between the legs 261A, 261B uncovered.

It would be appreciated that instead of an end plate 59, a different arrestor 59 could be provided such as a converging ramp channel cross-section to increase friction; use of a higher-friction material, etc. FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example of the releaser 50 configured to release the container 24 from the ramp 26 into the container receptacle 12. In this example, the releaser 50 comprises a tipping system 51, 52 configured to tip the container 24 from the ramp 26 into the container receptacle 12.

The tipping system 51, 52 may be configured to tip the ramp 26 until the container 24 falls out due to gravity. FIG. 5A illustrates a releaser actuator 51 configured to tip the ramp 26, FIG. 5B illustrates different tipped positions of the ramp 26 in cross-section, and FIG. 5C illustrates the container lowering system 22 with the ramp 26 in a tipped position.

In the illustrated example, the tipping is in a lateral roll-axis direction, wherein the ramp 26 is rolled (rotated about a ramp-parallel axis) enough for the container 24 to fall out. Additionally, or alternatively, the tipping can be in a longitudinal pitching direction, wherein the ramp 26 is rotated about an axis that controls the droop angle until it reaches an angle at least close enough to 90 degrees, for the container 24 to fall out.

In some examples the ramp 26 may be vibrated to knock out the container 24.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a releaser actuator 51 in the form of a tipper actuator configured to roll the ramp 26 anticlockwise and/or clockwise until the container 24 falls out. In the illustrated example, the tipper actuator 51 is a rotary actuator and a mechanical linkage 52 is provided between the tipper actuator 51 and the ramp 26. The mechanical linkage 52 may optionally comprise a gear arrangement and may comprise a gear ratio greater than 1:1 for a mechanical advantage.

In order to control the releaser actuator 51 without user intervention, a sensor and/or timer can be provided to detect when a container 24 is ready to be tipped. For example, the sensor can comprise a presence control system (e.g. weight sensor/photoelectric sensor). The sensor can provide a signal to the control system 82 of FIG. 8, and the control system 82 may be configured to control the releaser actuator 51 in dependence on the signal. A timer, if provided, could be a function of the control system 82. In some examples, the timer can depend on the actuated droop angle and/or length of the ramp 26, increasing for shallow angles and/or long lengths.

In order to ensure that the ramp 26 is vacated before providing the next container, the control system 82 may control the conveyor 300 in dependence on the state of the releaser actuator 51 and/or in dependence on a signal from the presence control system. In an example, the control system 82 is configured to cause the conveyor 300 to provide the next container to the ramp 26 in dependence on the releaser actuator 51 having completed its cycle for releasing a current container.

FIG. 5B illustrates the same cross-section B-B of the ramp 26 as FIG. 4. The ramp 26 is shown by a solid line to represent the ramp 26 in its tilt-upright position TU (zero tipping). The ramp 26 is also shown in chain dashed lines in a right-tilted position TR (clockwise tipping from this viewpoint). The ramp 26 is also shown in dotted lines in a left-tilted position TL (anticlockwise tipping from this viewpoint).

The tipping can be enough for one of the constraining legs 261A, 261B of the ramp 26 to define a downhill side-slope, causing the container 24 to roll laterally off the ramp 26. The ramp 26 can either be actuated to the tipped position and then reversed back to its tilt-upright position TU, or can complete a full roll-rotation if permitted by the actuator design. The tipped positions could be a value selected from the range 45 degrees and 135 degrees with respect to the tilt-upright position TU. The specific angular displacement can depend on the internal angle between the legs 261A, 261B.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the tipping system 51, 52 may be configured to tip the ramp 26 in a controllable direction. For example, the tipping system 51, 52 may be configured to roll the ramp 26 in a clockwise direction and the tipping system 51, 52 may be configured to roll the ramp 26 in an anti-clockwise direction. Both tilted positions TL, TR of FIG. 5B may be available due to rotation in either direction.

Control of the direction enables the releaser 50 to control an evenness of filling of the container receptacle 12. For example, the releaser 50 may be configured to alternate between the directions. The control system 82 of FIG. 8 may be configured to alternate the directions of the releaser actuator 51. One container can be tipped left, the next container could be tipped right, and the container after-next could be tipped left, for example. In some examples, a fill level sensor 72 (e.g. imaging sensor, ultrasonic sensor, photoelectric sensor, weight sensor, etc) can read the level and indicate the evenness of filling, to affect tip-direction.

An advantage of the illustrated tipping actuation of the ramp 26 is that the releaser actuator 51 can be located towards the proximal, clean end of the ramp 26. Other releaser actuators can be provided in other examples, such as a container flicker actuator that discards the container 24 without actuating the ramp 26. Such actuators may be effective but may be at the dirty, distal end of the ramp 26 closest to splashed fluids.

FIGS. 6A-7B illustrate additional features which enable an adjustable container release height. These features comprise one or more actuators 60, 70 configured to control a container release height. Therefore, as the container receptacle 12 fills up, the container release height can be raised substantially continuously or in one or more increments, optionally until the end of the ramp 26 is above the opening 0 of the container receptacle 12. This enables filling of the container receptacle 12 to the brim, and/or a raised service position of the container lowering system 22 that enables the container receptacle 12 to be removed without interference with the moving parts 22. In some examples, a door-open signal from a door sensor (not shown) for the door 18A1/18A2 may cause the control system 82 to inhibit system functionality (e.g. stop actuating the container lowering system 22).

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an example of a first actuator 60 (ramp length actuator) configured to at least reduce a ramp length of the ramp 26, wherein the ramp 26 is a variable-length ramp. Due to the droop of the ramp 26, decreasing the ramp length has the effect of increasing the height of the end of the ramp 26 (e.g. arrestor 59) from which containers 24 are released.

The variable-length ramp 26 may comprise a proximal ramp portion 260 and a distal ramp portion 262. The proximal ramp portion 260 and the distal ramp portion 262 may be approximately coaxial with each other so that the container 24 smoothly slides from the proximal ramp portion 260 to the distal ramp portion 262. The distal ramp portion 262 comprises the optional arrestor 59.

One or both of the proximal and distal ramp portions 260, 262 can be slidable with respect to the other to change the ramp length. The example ramp length actuator 60 of FIG. 6A is configured to axially slide the distal ramp portion 262 towards or away from the proximal ramp portion 260, wherein the proximal ramp portion 260 may have a constant length. The type of actuator 60 can comprise a belt/chain drive actuator, for example.

When slid towards the proximal ramp portion 260, the distal ramp portion 262 may nest/overlap with the proximal ramp portion 260 in a telescopic manner. When slid away from the proximal ramp portion 260, the overlap is reduced and the length increases. The distal ramp portion 262 may be cantilevered from the proximal ramp portion 260.

FIG. 4 shows the ramp 26 fully extended and FIG. 6B shows the ramp 26 fully retracted. The length difference between fully extended and fully retracted can be at least 0.3 metres in an example. In an example, the ramp length is actuatable from a minimum of approximately 0.5 metres to a maximum of approximately 0.9 metres. The number of incremental steps between the minimum and maximum positions can comprise at least one intermediate position, or a plurality of intermediate positions. A small number of incremental positions reduces energy consumption. The size of the increment between positions can be constant, or can be variable keeping in mind that as the droop is less the container descends slower.

If the ramp length actuator 60 is located towards the proximal, clean end of the ramp 26, a linkage 62 can be provided to link the ramp length actuator 60 to the distal ramp portion 262.

It would be appreciated that a different means for changing the length of the ramp can be provided in a different example. For example, a ramp portion may be folded/unfolded or furled/unfurled rather than telescopically slid. However, the illustrated arrangement works in confined spaces and locates the ramp length actuator 60 towards the clean parts of the RVM 10.

In order to control the ramp length actuator 60 without user intervention, the fill level of the container receptacle 12 can be measured by a fill level sensor 72, and/or assumed based on a container counter. This enables the container release height to be raised as the fill level increases, to counteract the reduction in drop distance and/or to prevent the ramp 26 from being submerged.

The fill level sensor 72 can comprise a range sensor such as an ultrasonic distance sensor or other reflective sensor (e.g. electromagnetic) that can remotely sense the fill level without having to be integrated with the container receptacle. The range sensor can be located above the container receptacle 12 and can be oriented to face down into the container receptacle 12, so that the measured range (distance) decreases as the fill level increases.

The container counter can comprise a container counter sensor coupled to the control system 82 of FIG. 8. The container counter sensor can comprise the earlier-described barcode/weight sensor or any other suitable type of sensor configured to enable the control system 82 to count the number of inserted containers 24. A container count by the control system 82 can be manually/automatically resettable when the container receptacle 12 has been emptied and replaced. If the RVM 10 is configured to accept containers 24 of a predictable volume (e.g. 500m1 to 3 litres), the relationship between the counted number of containers and the fill-level height in the container receptacle 12 can become part of the calibration of the control system 82 with a reasonable degree of accuracy. The counted number of containers may represent the number of containers inserted since the last registered (via user interface 14/sensing) emptying of the container receptacle 12 of known dimensions. More specifically, the counted number of containers may represent the number of containers provided to the first container receptacle 12 according to the sensor for the segregator 28, ignoring those segregated to the second container receptacle 15.

In some examples, an input device of the user interface 16 is configured to enable the ramp length actuator 60 to be controlled for servicing and maintenance by authorised personnel. For example, an input device can be configured to enable an operator to retract the ramp 26 to facilitate removal of the container receptacle 12 for emptying and replacement. An input device can be configured to enable an operator to enable the ramp 26 to be extended to its operating length when an empty container receptacle 12 has been inserted into the RVM 10.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an example of a second actuator 70 configured to displace the ramp 26, that is, the whole ramp 26 (including proximal and distal ramp portions 260, 262). The displacement causes vertical displacement of the end (e.g. arrestor 59) of the ramp 26.

In at least the illustrated examples, the second actuator 70 (e.g. ramp height displacement actuator) is configured to angularly displace the ramp 26. The ramp height displacement actuator 70 can therefore control the droop angle in order to control the height.

An example of a ramp height displacement actuator 70 is a linear actuator such as a piston actuator, e.g. a ram electromechanical actuator coupled to the second aligner 48 or any other suitable location. The ramp 26 can be coupled to the chassis 20 via a hinge joint. The ramp 26 can be braced by the ramp height displacement actuator 70 which acts as a compressive strut of variable length, acting between the fixed structure chassis 20 and a part 48 of the container lowering system 22 to support loads and control the droop angle of the ramp 26.

Depending on the location of the ramp height displacement actuator 70, it can either act as a compressive strut or as a tensile strut.

In the example of FIG. 7A, but not necessarily all examples, the ramp height displacement actuator 70 is coupled to the second aligner 48 to which the ramp 26 is rigidly coupled, so both parts 48, 26 displace together.

FIG. 7A shows the ramp 26 fully drooped and extending through the opening 0, to start filling an empty container receptacle. FIG. 7B shows the ramp 26 at its service position/minimum droop position not extending through the opening 0. In some examples, the droop angle difference between the fully drooped position and the service position can be at least approximately 30 degrees in an example. In an implementation, the service position can correspond to a droop angle from the range 0 to -20 degrees (e.g. approx. -5 degrees), and the full droop position can correspond to a droop angle from the range -40 to -70 degrees (e.g. approx. -60 degrees).

The door 18A1 could be low enough that the service position is above the level of the door 18A1, so that an operator is not given access to the moving parts 22 with the possibility to damage them or get caught in them. As shown in FIG. 9, a separate upper opening/hatch/door 18A2 can be provided to enable authorised access to the moving parts 22. The lower door 18A1 of FIG. 9 could be openable by a first access control device (e.g. key) held by a facility operator and the upper door 18A2 could be openable by an access control device held by a service engineer.

It would be appreciated that a different ramp height displacement actuator 70 can be provided in a different example. For example, the ramp 26 could translationally displace upwardly and downwardly, if interference with the wall/rim of the container receptacle can be avoided.

In order to control the ramp height displacement actuator 70 without user intervention, the fill level sensor 72 could be used, and/or the container counter sensor, as described earlier in relation to FIGS. 6A-6B. In addition, the ramp height displacement actuator 70 could be controlled when adopting the service position selected from the user interface 16.

The height of the end of the ramp 26 can follow an arc if only the illustrated ramp height displacement actuator 70 is controlled. In some examples, the control system 82 of FIG. 8 can be configured to control the ramp length actuator 60 and the ramp height displacement actuator 70 concurrently or in sequence to angularly displace the ramp 26 upwards while retracting the length of the ramp 26, so that the end of the ramp 26 follows less of an arc (or substantially no arc) and therefore does not interfere with the walls of the container receptacle 12. This means that the RVM 10 can accept very tall container receptacles such as wheelie bins, while also enabling the ramp 26 to droop very far into the container receptacle 12, while also enabling the container receptacle 12 to be filled to be brim, and while not being particularly sensitive to the precise placement of the container receptacle 12. The RVM 10 can also be flexible to accommodate a range of container receptacles 12 that are lower than the height of introduction of containers, for instance, the control system 82 may be reprogrammable to change its actuated positions/angles.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example control apparatus 80 comprising a control system 82. The control system 82 comprises one or more controllers. A controller can at least one processor 83 and at least one memory 84. The memory 84 is electrically coupled to the processor 83. The memory 84 has computer program code 85 stored therein. The memory 84 and the computer program code 85 are configured to, with the at least one processor 83, provide one or more of the functions described herein.

The control apparatus 80 can comprise previously-described sensors/input devices such as one or more of: the user interface 16; or sensors 88 including the fill level sensor 72; the container counter sensor 86; or other sensors.

The control apparatus 80 can comprise actuators 90 such as one or more of: the releaser actuator 51; the ramp length actuator 60; the ramp height displacement actuator 70; or other actuators.

The illustrated control system 82 can either be a new standalone control system 82 configured to interface with existing modules of the RVM 10, or its functions can be provided by existing controller(s) of the RVM 10.

The above-described container lowering system 22 can either be retrofitted to existing RVM 10, or can be sold as part of an RVM 10. The container lowering system 22 can be provided with or without the control apparatus 80.

A technical effect of the ramp-type container lowering system 22 described herein is an improved container lowering system 22. The system can be versatile to enable use of standardized container receptacles (e.g. wheelie bins) and a range of containers 24.

A technical effect of the actuatable ramp 26 described herein compared to a claw-type mechanism (e.g. grabbing arm) for grabbing and lowering containers 24 is that the actuatable ramp 26 is faster, can accommodate a wider range of bottle dimensions, and can be more reliable by performing hundreds of thousands fewer movements per year. The movements are also small and therefore significantly less electrical energy is consumed.

Further technical effects of the actuatable ramp 26 include the ability to gently drop containers 24 into tall and slender container receptacles such as wheelie bins, while enabling such container receptacles to be filled to the brim and/or enabling a service position for unobstructed removal of the container receptacle 12.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A container lowering system for a reverse vending machine, the container lowering system comprising a ramp configured to slope through an opening of a container receptacle to control a descent of a received container into the container receptacle.
2. The container lowering system of claim 1, comprising a segregator configured to separate containers so that containers having a detectable parameter associated with a relatively low material ductility are captured for lowering into the container receptacle, and containers having the detectable parameter associated with a relatively high material ductility are not captured for lowering into the container receptacle.
3. The container lowering system of claim 2, wherein the detectable parameter comprises weight and/or a scannable code on the container, and wherein the segregator is configured to capture glass containers based on their detected weight and/or based on the detected scannable code.
4. The container lowering system of claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising an aligner configured to orient the container into alignment with the ramp.
5. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp is configured to laterally constrain the container during the descent.
6. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, comprising an arrestor configured to stop or retard the descent before the container is released into the container receptacle.
7. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, comprising a releaser configured to release the container from the ramp into the container receptacle.
8. The container lowering system of claim 7, wherein the releaser comprises a tipping system configured to cause the container to be tipped from the ramp into the container receptacle.
9. The container lowering system of claim 7 or 8, wherein the releaser is configured to control an evenness of filling of the container receptacle.
10. The container lowering system of claim 8 and 9, wherein the releaser is configured to cause the container to be tipped from the ramp in a controllable direction.
11. The container lowering system of any one of claims 7 to 10, configured to actuate the releaser in dependence on a signal from a sensor and/or a timer.
12. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, comprising one or more actuators configured to control a container release height of the ramp.
13. The container lowering system of claim 12, wherein the one or more actuators comprise a first actuator configured to at least reduce a length of the ramp.
14. The container lowering system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the one or more actuators comprise a second actuator configured to displace the ramp.
15. The container lowering system of any one of claims 12 to 14, configured to control at least one of the one or more actuators in dependence on a signal from a fill level sensor and/or in dependence on a signal from a container counter, to increase a container release height as the container receptacle fills.
16. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp is movable to a position which does not extend through the opening of the container receptacle, to enable removal of the container receptacle and/or to enable brim filling of the container receptacle.
17. The container lowering system of claim 16, configured to actuate the ramp to the position in dependence on a signal from a user interface, to enable removal of the container receptacle.
18. The container lowering system of claim 16 or 17, configured to actuate the ramp to the position in dependence on the signal from the fill level sensor of claim 15 and/or in dependence on the signal from the container counter of claim 15.
19. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp is configured to have a ramp length of at least approximately 0.4 metres.
20. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp is configured to have a droop distance of at least approximately 0.4 metres.
21. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp is configured as a cantilever.
22. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, configured to receive the container from an in-feed system of the reverse vending machine, wherein the in-feed system is configured to scan inserted containers.
23. The container lowering system of any preceding claim, wherein the container lowering system is configured to be located in the reverse vending machine so that a top of the ramp is above a top of the container receptacle and is at least approximately 0.7 metres above a base of the reverse vending machine.
24. A reverse vending machine comprising the container lowering system of any preceding claim.
25. The reverse vending machine of claim 24, configured to accept glass containers and plastic containers, configured to distribute glass containers to the container receptacle, and configured to distribute plastic containers to a second container receptacle.