JPH07144708A - Method and device for recycling article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a device and method for densifying articles in a densely populated area and transferring densified articles. CONSTITUTION: This device includes a collecting station having receiving means 11, 12, 13 for receiving articles to be recycled, and densifying means for densifying the articles into densified material. A first transfer means transfers the densified material from the collecting station to temporary storage containers 30, 31, 32 arraigned near a track 300. A track vehicle having at least one compartment for storing the densified material includes a second transfer means for transferring the densified material from the temporary storage containers to a temporary storage compartment of the track vehicle to transfer the densified material to a recycling center. This train transports the densified material to the recycling center.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus and method for recycling articles such as used beverage containers under conditions of artificial congestion. More particularly, the present invention is directed to densifying used beverage containers, temporarily storing the densified container material near the track, and receiving, storing and unloading the densified container material. The use of a reverse vending machine for sending to a recycling center with a route vehicle formed in.

[0002]

Reverse vending machines are well known. These devices are typically installed near stores or container collection facilities. Consumers throw articles such as glass bottles, plastic containers, aluminum cans, or square cardboard juice containers into reverse vending machines, which crush or cut to densify the containers. A refund or buyback coupon is typically provided to the consumer.
The densified containers are then temporarily stored in a nearby storage bin until collected by a large truck for transfer to a recycling center.

Such reverse vending machines are generally disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,324,325, 4,345,679, 4,440,284, 4,469,212 and 4,4. 492,295, 4,784,251, 4,573,641 and 4,579,216.

Prior art reverse vending machines lack the space available for temporary storage of densified container material, and further densify container material from a temporary storage location. Due to the difficulty of transporting them to recycling centers, problems have arisen and are about to arise when used in artificially congested environments.

For example, in a very dense city, it is difficult to find a room for a temporary storage box used to temporarily store densified articles. Therefore, the number of places where such reverse vending machines can be installed is extremely limited.

[0006] Such cities typically have narrow and dense roads, which prevent the use of heavy trucks necessary for the transfer of densified goods from temporary storage to recycling centers. Further, the number of such reverse vending machines that can be installed is limited.

On the other hand, densely populated metropolitan areas typically have transfer devices that operate on railroad tracks such as commuter lines, subways, elevated trains and fixed-route buses.

[0008]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art reverse vending machine, and is an apparatus which is effective and operable for recycling containers under an artificially crowded situation such as in a large city. Provide a way.

[0009]

To solve these problems, the present invention comprises a receiving means for receiving articles to be recycled and a densification means for densifying the articles into a densified material. A route vehicle having a collection station, a first transfer means for transferring the densified material from the collection station to a temporary storage container located near the track, and at least one compartment for storing the densified material, (EN) An article recycling apparatus configured to include a route vehicle including second transfer means for transferring a densified material from a temporary storage container to a route vehicle for transferring to a recycling center.

The present invention also receives an article to be recycled at a collection station, densifies the article at the collection station to be a densified material, and densifies the collection station into a temporary storage container near the rail. A method of recycling an article is also provided, including the steps of transferring the densified material to a route vehicle for transporting the material and from a temporary storage container to a recycling center.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to represent the basics of the invention.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is an article recycling apparatus and an article recycling method.

According to the present invention, an article recycling apparatus includes a collection station including receiving means for receiving articles to be recycled and densification means for densifying the articles into a densified material. Broadly embodied here, the collection station constitutes reverse vending. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a collection station generally includes one or more reverse vending machines 11, 12 and 13. Each machine includes consumer selectable input ports 14, 15 and 16. Each reverse vending machine is configured to receive at least one preferred type of article, such as a plastic container, glass bottle, aluminum or square cardboard juice container. In the illustrated embodiment, port 14 receives an aluminum can and port 1
5 accepts a glass container, and port 16 is configured to accept a plastic or polymer resin (PET) container. Polymeric resins include, for example, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Although not shown in FIG. 1, the inlet port can also be square shaped to receive a square cardboard juice container.

Each machine 11, 12 and 13 has a front panel 2 with a description of the machine and its activation switch.
Including 0, 21 and 22. The operation of such machines is well known in the art, eg US Pat. No. 4,784,
251, No. 4,492,295, No. 4,573,6
No. 41, No. 4,440, 284, No. 4,345, 67
No. 9, No. 4,324, 325, No. 4,469, 212
And assignee's prior patents, including US Pat. No. 4,579,216. 9, 10, 11, and 1
2, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show, in the form of a flow chart, the operation of a reverse vending machine typically used in this device. These charts are described in further detail below.

Within each machine 11, 12 and 13, and in combination with each input port 14, 15 and 16, there is pre-selection means for automatically confirming that the input article is of a given type. . Various alternatives are well known in the art. For example, US Pat. No. 4,784,
An acoustic sensor may be provided to detect the container, as disclosed in No. 251. A laser scanning machine may be provided to scan indicia such as a barcode on a container label. A light source assembly, such as that disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,919,534, is used to generate a light beam that is transmitted through the container and utilizes the intensities measured by the first and second photoanalyses. The characteristics of the light transmitted through the container can be analyzed to detect whether the container is made of glass or plastic and to detect what color it is made of glass. it can.

After ascertaining that the input article is of a given type that will be accepted on a particular machine, the article is accepted by the machine and densified the article into the desired densified material. Transferred to the densification means in the machine. Various densification means are available, such as shredders, crushers, etc., depending on the type of article the reverse vending machine is designed to accept.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,919,126 and 4,
The cutting means disclosed in 573, 641 can be used to cut plastic containers, aluminum cans or square cardboard juice containers. US Pat. No. 4,573
Crushers such as those disclosed in 641 and 5,215,265 may be used in glass bottles.

According to the present invention, a temporary storage container may be provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the temporary storage container includes isolated storage area portions for storing each densified material of a given type. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, three temporary storage containers 30, 31 and 32 are provided.
To machines 11, 12 and 13 respectively,
Connected at 34 and 35. As shown, the conduits 30, 31 and 32 correspond to the composition of the article, such as aluminum, glass and plastic. Each of the temporary storage containers 30, 31 and 32 includes access openings 36, 37 and 38 that can be used to remove the densified material from the temporary storage containers.

While three isolated temporary storage containers are shown in FIG. 2, it should be understood that this configuration is not limiting. For example, if space is limited and separation of densified material is not needed, one temporary storage container can be used. Alternatively, more than two temporary storage containers can be used to form a backup storage space of, for example, aluminum, glass and / or plastic. Furthermore, for example, separation of glass by color (green, brown, transparent) or composition (PVC, PE
Additional temporary storage containers can be used to further separate the densified material, such as the separation of plastics according to T).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the temporarily stored containers 30, 31, 32 are located near the line 300. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
The temporary storage container is located immediately beside the railway 300. However, the temporary storage container can be located at the road level below the elevated track, or anywhere near the track, such as in a subway tunnel. The only limitation is that the temporary storage container must be sufficiently close to the track to allow subsequent transfer of the densified material from the temporary storage container to the track vehicle that has stopped on that track.

According to the invention, a first transfer means is provided for transferring the densified material from the collection station to the temporary storage container. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the first transfer means may include a pneumatic transfer mechanism for transferring the densified material from the collection station to a temporary storage container. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, a first transfer means and a temporary storage container for receiving aluminum material are shown. In FIG. 4, the temporary storage container 3
0 is connected to an intake pipe 40, which leads to a hopper 41 arranged to receive the densified aluminum from the densification means. A blower 42 draws air and chopped aluminum through the hopper 41 and the inlet pipe 40 into the container 30. The outlet tube 43 has a blower 42 so as to create a suction effect.
It leads to. A 1 hp blower is used based on the weight of the densified material. The inlet pipe 40 has a diameter of about 7.6.
cm (3 inches), the outlet pipe 43 has a diameter of 10.2
˜15.2 cm (4-6 inches).

FIG. 5 shows a structure similar to FIG. 4 used in connection with a plastic container. In this construction, the storage container 32 leads to the hopper 51 to receive the shredded plastic, 7.6 cm (3 inches).
It is also connected to the diameter inlet pipe 50. Hopper 5
1 is arranged to receive the plastic cut from the densification means of the plastics machine 13. Blower 52 draws air and chopped plastic into box 32 through hopper 51 and inlet pipe 50. Air is continuously returned to the blower 52 through the outlet pipe 53. In this example, a 1 hp blower is 10.2-1.
5.2-6 cm (4-6 inch) diameter outlet pipe and 6
It can be used with a 4.6 cm (3 inch) diameter inlet pipe.

6 and 7 are similar drawings of a transfer machine used in connection with a glass machine. Figures 6 and 7 show the use of two storage containers, one for receiving clear glass and one for receiving colored glass. In FIG. 6, the storage container 31 is connected to an inlet pipe 60 having a hopper 61 at one end. The hopper 61 is arranged to receive clear glass from the densification means of the machine 12. The blower 62 removes air and glass particles from the hopper 6.
1 and through the inlet pipe 60 into the storage container 31. The air then exits the storage container through outlet pipe 63 to blower 62. Second hopper 61
A is attached, which accepts colored glass as shown in FIG. For glass particles, the inlet pipe is a 7.6 cm (3 inch) pipe and the outlet pipe is a diameter of about 5.1 cm (2 inch). However, a 15.2 cm (6 inch) elbow 64 may also be used for the air outlet from the container 31.

As shown in FIG. 7, the colored glass is conveyed to the second storage container 31A by the separate blower 62A through the hopper 61A and the inlet pipe 60A.
Air passes through outlet pipe 63A to storage container 31A
Leave. In this case an inlet pipe with a diameter of 7.6 cm (3 inches) and an outlet pipe with a diameter of 5.1 cm (2 inches) are used. 5 due to the nature of the properties of the glass particles
The horsepower Spencer Vortex blower is shown in Figures 6 and 7.
Used with the structure shown in.

If desired, one more powerful blower (not shown) is used, such that each different densified material is transferred to the temporary storage container by the suction force of one blower. A control valve (not shown) is configured. This structure saves space, cost, and unnecessary power consumption.

Each reverse vending machine 11, 12 and 13 includes means for providing a voucher (token), receipt or cash refund in response to receipt of a given item. For example, a push button on the front panel of each machine is used to operate a coin dispenser, voucher dispenser, or coupon printer installed inside the machine. An example of such a dispenser is described and illustrated in the assignee's patent of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the cash button 70 can be used to activate the dispenser and the voucher is dispensed through the slot 71. Coupon print to print and give a refundable coupon or receipt depending on the goods accepted and confirmed by the preselection means, in order to eliminate the need to keep a source of coins or money inside the machine. The use of means is preferred.
These coupons are later redeemed for merchandise or cash, thereby eliminating the need to store money or coins on the machine. This results in the elimination of theft from the machine as it is known that nothing valuable can be taken out of the machine. Such coupon printing machines are known in the art and can be easily incorporated into the machine by those skilled in the art.

Each of the machines 11, 12 and 13 includes a microprocessor for recording data corresponding to the articles identified by the preselection means. For example, as described in US Pat. No. 4,579,216, this machine can read an international product code from a particular container, or as described in US Pat. No. 5,068,035. , Including means for acoustically determining the container shape to identify its source.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,216, the microprocessor may communicate with a central processing unit of a central collaborative facility to exchange collected item quantity and type data. Based on this data, trains can be effectively planned to run to specific stations on the device. Furthermore, each station generates data indicating a machine failure and transmits that data to the central processing unit,
You can make sure that repair staff are dispatched effectively. Remote access is done automatically by telephone and no manual intervention is required to obtain the required data from the collection station.

Machines 11, 12 and 1 if desired
Each of the three may include pre-storage means including an isolation space for each predetermined type of article. For example, each machine has a storage space of limited size,
Also, if desired, the densified material can be periodically transferred to a temporary storage container. This preliminary storage means may include a chamber within the bottom of the reverse vending machine 11, 12 and 13 which receives the densified material directly from the densification means. Temporary storage containers 30, 31, 3
Transfers for 1A and 32 occur automatically at predetermined time intervals or when the reserve storage area portion is filled to a predetermined capacity.

According to the present invention, there is provided a route vehicle having at least one compartment for storage of densified material, the route vehicle transferring the densification seat from a temporary storage container to a recycling center. A second transfer means is included for transferring to the vehicle. As embodied here and broadly shown in FIG. 8, each route vehicle 9
0 contains at least one, and preferably several, separate storage compartments 93. A vacuum suction device 92 is provided in the route vehicle 90 to store the densified material in the temporary storage sections 30, 31, 3
From 2 to the section 93 of the corresponding route vehicle. Allows a route vehicle operator to separately hold different densification materials (eg, aluminum, glass, plastic, etc.) during transfer to several storage compartments 93, recycling centers on the route vehicle. Compartment 93 (not shown)
Ancillary features of include: Doors are provided on the sides of each compartment to help remove the densified material from the train at the recycling center. To further facilitate removal of the densified material, the floor of each compartment 93 is preferably inclined about 30 ° to the side of the route vehicle. To further facilitate the removal of the densified material, an electric motor with a 7.6 cm (3 inch) ball exciter is attached to the underside of the floor in each compartment 93, or a forced air jet is placed on each floor. Along the way, the recycling center helps push the densified material outward from the compartment.

The second transfer means is also broadly embodied in FIG. Preferably, a plurality of hose couplings are provided on one side of the route vehicle, these being used for quick installation of the hose 95. This coupling is for each compartment 93
It is connected to each incoming pipe (not shown). Each hose 95 is a flexible plastic hose, preferably reinforced by interlaced wires or other strengthening means, and is suitable for use in handling materials such as broken glass or shredded aluminum.
Larger hoses 95 may be stored in a vehicle storage compartment, elsewhere on the train, or in the temporary storage compartment itself, but are typically 15.2 cm (6 inches) diameter hose 95.
Is used. It is preferable to store the hose on the vehicle itself. Hose storage in a temporary storage container is not desirable as it can be lost or stolen.

Vacuum means are provided to evacuate each of the compartments 93 to transfer the densified material from the temporary storage container to the compartments 963 of the route vehicle 90. A vacuum blower 96 is preferably provided as shown in FIG. The vacuum blower 96 is a positive delivery pump that allows vacuuming at 457.2 mm Hg (18 inches Hg) at sea level atmospheric pressure. It includes soundproof frames and dust boxes, and is sized appropriately for mounting on the route vehicle itself.

The vacuum blower 96 is connected to the top of each separated section via a pipe 97. As shown in FIG. 8, the tubing 97 includes a 15.2 cm (6 inch) diameter central manifold 97a, a branch line 97b. Each branch line 97b is coupled to a pipe via a coupling, which pipe enters the top of the respective storage compartment 93. Each branch line 97b includes a filter member (not shown), such as a mesh screen, to filter any densified article particles that exit the storage compartment with a stream of air.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, vacuum control means are provided for controlling the application of vacuum pressure, and selected compartments 93.
The interior can be evacuated, but not evacuated in other selected compartments 93. As embodied in FIG. 8, a vacuum valve 98, which is preferably a 15.2 cm (6 inch) diameter air butterfly valve, is provided in each branch line 97b. Each butterfly valve is preferably also manually operable. More preferably, each vacuum valve 98 can be opened separately from the other vacuum pressure valves.
When one vacuum valve 98 is opened, its corresponding compartment 93 receives vacuum pressure by energizing vacuum blower 96. However, in the preferred embodiment, no vacuum is applied to any of the other compartments 93 unless its corresponding vacuum valve 98 is opened. Therefore, selected compartments are subjected to vacuum pressure to transfer the densified material to these compartment nails, while the other compartments are held at atmospheric pressure. This allows one compartment to be acted upon, ie emptied, while the other compartment is filled with densified articles.

As shown in FIGS. 9-13, the reverse vending machines 11, 12 and 13 are generally operated according to the flow chart shown. In the case of a can collecting machine, the consumer confronts the machine at block 101, selects whether a product coupon is desired, and starts operation (102). If a coupon is selected, one coupon is awarded every time the machine receives 6 cans (103). The consumer then loads the can into the machine (104) and the preselection means determines whether the can is aluminum (105). If the can is not aluminum, it is rejected (106) and the consumer must continue to load another can. If an aluminum can is provided, the machine reads the bar code on the can (107, 108). Thereafter, additional messages can optionally be printed (109, 110) for a particular manufacturer if desired. When the can is determined to be acceptable, it is sent to the can shredder, reduced in size, and transferred to the temporary storage container 30 (111, 112, 113).
If the temporary storage container 30 is full, the machine is shut down and an error message is displayed (114, 11).
5). The cut cans are put in a temporary storage container (3
0), and if the container is not full, the consumer puts the next can into the input port 14 (1
16). In this case, operation starts again at block 104. When the consumer has finished throwing in all the cans, he can choose to donate the treatment (consideration or refund) to the charity (118) or receive a receipt for later cash payment (117). .

In the case of a glass collecting machine, the operation is shown in FIG.
And substantially the same as shown in FIG. However, glass machines may have protective doors 201, requiring the consumer to rotate the container to allow proper reading of the bar code label (202, 203, 204, 205). Another suitable routine for container acceptability as a "related" vendor is shown in Figure 11 (207, 20).
8). If the door is locked (209), the machine determines (210) whether the glass is tinted or transparent. This determines that a blower or valve is activated to transfer the shattered glass to a suitable temporary storage container (211, 212). A suitable sensor also determines (213, 220) whether the receiving container has sufficient vacuum pressure. If the vacuum pressure is too low, an error message will be displayed (214, 22).
5). If the storage box has sufficient vacuum pressure, the container is broken (215, 221) and inhaled into a suitable temporary storage container 31, 31A. However, the vacuum pressure in the temporary storage container is optionally checked to determine if it is too high (216). If too high, the machine is shut down (217). If the vacuum pressure is acceptable and if the temporary storage container is not full (218), the consumer loads another container (222, 223) or requests receipt benefits (224). If the temporary storage container is full (219), the machine will stop and a "full" message will be displayed.

The plastic container machine 13 operates in substantially the same manner as the glass machine 12 as shown in FIGS. In particular, the loading procedure and barcode reading are the same. After that, there is no necessary color recognition stage,
The machine also proceeds immediately to the cutting or reduction process (305). If the temporary storage container is full, the machine shuts down (312, 313). However, FIG. 14 shows that the receipt can pay for the plastic container even if the machine is out of service (314). This same option could be used for other machines if desired.

With reference to FIG. 15, it is further preferred that the device be provided with remote access means to provide the collection train with radio or computer data relating to the material level of the temporary storage container at each station. For example, the temporary storage container 30, 31 or 32
If is full or at a predetermined level, a signal is automatically sent to the next train notifying that collection is needed. Similarly, if at one station all of the temporary storage containers are empty or below a predetermined level, the train can be automatically notified that there is no need to slow down or stop for collection. .

[0038] In the operation example Example 1 first embodiment, the collection station near the line, for example, provided in the underground. The collection station comprises for example one reverse vending machine for receiving glass bottles. The glass bottle is thrown into the inlet port, analyzed for composition, color, etc. and destroyed. The consumer receives a receipt. The first transfer means transfers the broken glass beside the reverse vending machine near the railroad line to the temporary storage container by vacuum suction. At night, trains are stopped on the tracks. The train includes at least one specially modified line car. The route vehicle includes at least one compartment for storage of the densified material, but may include several isolated compartments to hold separate types of densified material storage. The line vehicle also includes a vacuum blower, piping to evacuate the selected compartment, and a reinforced hose to connect this compartment of the vehicle to a temporary storage compartment. The hose is equipped, a selected section of the route vehicle is evacuated, and the shattered glass is aspirated and removed from the temporary storage container. The train then transfers the shattered glass to the recycling center

Example 2 Example 2 separates and holds several reverse vending machines each configured to separately receive articles and temporary storage of the densified material prior to transfer to the train. Same as Example 1 except that the collection station was configured to include several temporary storage containers for Each separated material is transferred to a separate compartment of the route vehicle.

Example 3 Example 3 is provided with one reverse vending machine, which is similar to Example 2 except that it is configured to accept all types of articles including aluminum, glass and plastic. . Finally, one machine transfers different materials to different segregated temporary storage containers for similar transfer to the train.

Example 4 Example 4 is similar to any of the three examples described above, except that the train is on a raised track. Temporary storage containers will be located at the level of this track and reverse vending machines will be located at the ground level. Long pipes and large blowers are provided to suck the densified material over long distances that must be moved to high track levels.

Example 5 Example 5 includes an elevated track similar to that in Example 4, except that the temporary storage container is located at ground level. In this example, long hoses and more powerful vacuum pumps are required in the train's secondary transfer means to transfer the densified material to the level of the railroad vehicle on the elevated track.

[0043]

The features which are an integral part of the invention result in several improvements over the prior art. The main improvement is that there is only a small amount of space available for temporary storage, and that the roads are too crowded or too narrow to transport densified material in trucks and other large vehicles to accommodate densified materials. And this improved device allows for effective recycling of used articles. Trains are actually used, which are either special trains used for this purpose, or passengers operated with no passengers, with vehicles specially modified to accept the densified material. Can be a train. The train has temporary storage means and typically a reverse vending machine located near the railroad tracks of the train to move different materials to the recycling center. This device saves space and provides effective removal of densified material.

Additional advantages and improvements will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, in its broadest sense not to be limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Therefore, departures may be made from these details without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical collection station of the present invention showing separate reverse vending machines for cans, glass requirements and plastic containers.

2 is a perspective view of a temporary storage container used in the present invention showing a separate storage container for each of the reverse vending machines of FIG. 1 located near the railroad track, away from the reverse vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in which a temporary storage container is located near a reverse vending machine, all of which are located near a railroad track.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the temporary storage container and first transfer means of the present invention, particularly for cans.

FIG. 5 is a temporary storage container and first transfer means 1 of the present invention for use with a polymer resin or plastic container.
The perspective view of an Example.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a temporary storage container and a first transfer means of the present invention used with a glass recycling machine for removing and storing transparent glass.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a temporary storage container for transferring and storing colored glass from a glass recycling machine and a combined first transfer means.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a route vehicle modified to receive densified material and carry it to a recycling center and including secondary transfer means.

FIG. 9 is the first half of an operational flow chart of a can collecting machine used with the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear part of the flowchart following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is the first half of the operational flowchart of the glass collecting machine used in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the flowchart following FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is the first half of the operational flow chart of the plastic collection machine used in the device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the flowchart following FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing a plurality of collection stations showing the interaction of the remote access means and the article collection train of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11,12,13 Reverse vending machine 14,15,16 Input port 30,31,32 Temporary storage container 36,37,38 Access opening 40,50,60 Inlet pipe 41,51,61 Hopper 42,52,62 Blower 43, 53, 63 Exit pipe 90 Train 92 Vacuum suction device 93 Storage compartment 94 Hose coupling 95 Hose 96 Vacuum blower 97 Branch pipe

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A collection station including a receiving means for receiving articles to be recycled and a densification means for densifying the articles into a densified material, the densified material from the collection station near a rail. A route vehicle for transporting densified material from a temporary storage container to a recycling center, the route vehicle having first transfer means for transferring the densified material to a temporary storage container and at least one section for storing the densified material. An article recycling apparatus comprising a route vehicle including second transfer means for transferring to a vehicle. 2. The collection station receives the recycled articles, densifies the articles into a densified material at the collection station, and transfers the densified material from the collection station to a temporary storage container near the railroad tracks. , And a method of recycling articles comprising the steps of transferring densified material to a route vehicle for transfer from a temporary storage container to a recycling center.