US20210259509A1

US20210259509A1 - Reusable food or beverage container washing system

Info

Publication number: US20210259509A1
Application number: US17/173,386
Authority: US
Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry
Original assignee: Sperry Product Innovation Inc
Current assignee: Redi Technology Inc
Priority date: 2020-02-24
Filing date: 2021-02-11
Publication date: 2021-08-26

Abstract

A reusable food or beverage container washing system and method of operation automates tracking, returning, washing, and outputting of reusable food or beverage containers. A reusable food or beverage container has an identification device associated therewith. The reusable food or beverage container is used to supply a food or beverage to a customer and associated with a customer identifier. When the customer is done using the reusable food or beverage container, it is returned to a receptacle of the system, and automatically transported to a washing system where it is washed, sanitized, and dried, and then output to a stack or other organized storage structure of container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/980,661, filed Feb. 24, 2020, and co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/019,678, filed May 4, 2020, for all subject matter contained said applications. The disclosures of said provisional applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reusable food or beverage container washing system that automates the process of tracking, returning, washing, and outputting of reusable food or beverage containers. In particular, the present invention relates an automated washing system designed for a particular reusable container or series of similar or related containers, such as drinking cups, with improved usability and efficient washing and drying cycles.

BACKGROUND

Systems to provide a means of using reusable drinking containers in place of single-use containers for to-go use have also been proposed and attempted. Such systems are typically comprised of a stock of durable reusable containers which require a deposit from the customer to use for their beverage. When the customer returns the drinking container, the deposit is returned to them. Such systems are typically easy for a customer but increase the labor and required equipment for the retailer to handle and wash the used drinking containers before they can be used again. Such increases have made it a challenge for existing retailers to overcome the cost and infrastructure change of implementing the use of such systems.
Most reusable drinking container programs collect the returned cups at the retailer and then transport those containers to a cleaning facility at a different location instead of attempting to appropriately clean and sanitize the containers, at required throughput volumes, on site. Once clean, the containers are transported back to the retailer for reuse. The required labor for handling and cleaning, cost of transportation, and waste of resources for this process are shortcomings that make the long-term success of such programs less feasible. Other large retailers may have the industrial dishwashers capable of properly cleaning and sanitizing the containers on site, but in either case, the systems used to wash the containers are standard industrial dishwashers designed to handle a variety of dishware. As such, the systems are overly large and complex, not efficient, and require labor to load, unload, and subsequently organize the reusable containers such that they are ready for use at the retailer, such as nested stacking of the containers, and require relatively long washing cycles.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a reusable food or beverage container washing system specifically designed to wash multiple-use to-go containers on site and at desired throughput rates, with a comparatively fast turn-around between returned containers and washed containers at a typical volume for the store location at which the system is installed. The present invention provides a system that can quickly load, wash, sanitize, unload, and organize the clean containers with minimal labor and efficient use of both water and electricity. The loading of the washing system is simple enough to be performed by untrained customers, and the unloading of the system requires similar labor and skill as retrieving a new stack of single-use containers. The system may be a stand-alone device, for use in large offices or retail locations where the multiple-use containers do not leave the premises. The system may also be connected as part of a larger tracking system for the multiple-use containers such that the washing system will communicate with the tracking system to notify the system that a customer has returned a container.
A reusable food or beverage container washing system, includes a reusable food or beverage container, a reusable food or beverage container receptacle, and an automated washing system. The automated washing system includes a washing chamber, a reusable food or beverage container washing rack adapted to support the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle, and one or more water nozzles adapted to spray water to wash the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle. A first conveying mechanism is adapted to transport the reusable food or beverage container from the food or beverage container receptacle to the automated washing system. A second conveying mechanism is adapted to transport the reusable food or beverage container from the automated washing system. An automated organizing and outputting subsystem is disposed to receive the reusable food or beverage container from the second conveying system. The reusable food or beverage container receptacle receives the reusable food or beverage container in a used and returned state and the reusable food or beverage container is conveyed to the automated washing system. The automated washing system washes and sanitizes the reusable food or beverage container in used and returned state transforming it to a ready state. The reusable food or beverage container in ready state is conveyed to the automated organizing and outputting subsystem. The automated organizing and outputting subsystem outputs the reusable food or beverage container in ready state and arranged for use.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the washing rack can include a revolving hub and spoke wheel adapted to support a plurality of the reusable food or beverage container. The washing rack can include a revolving turntable adapted to support a plurality of the reusable food or beverage container. The washing rack can include a revolving helix rack adapted to support a plurality of the reusable food or beverage container. The washing rack can use motion to dry the reusable food or beverage container. The motion can include spinning or shaking. The washing rack can include a conveying mechanism.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a retractable receptacle can be adapted to extend to receive the reusable food or beverage container. A receptacle door can be automatically triggered to open when a reader senses the reusable food or beverage container in proximity to the receptacle door. The reader communicates with an identification device on the reusable food or beverage container. The identification device can include one or more of a bar code, a quick response (QR) code, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. A wash cycle can be customized based on size, shape, or material of the reusable food or beverage container.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the reusable food or beverage container washing system can further include a machine vision device adapted to view and assess a level of soil of a returned food or beverage container between receiving at a receptable and washing in the automated washing system. A wash cycle can be customized based on a machine vision determination of level of soil for the reusable food or beverage container.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention the reusable food or beverage container washing system further includes a de-lidder adapted to remove a lid of the reusable food or beverage container following return through the receptacle.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the reusable food or beverage container washing system can further include a tracking subsystem that includes an identification device incorporated into and associated with the reusable food or beverage container, a computing device in communication with a data store storing a status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container, and at least one reader that communicates with the identification device and exchanges container data that characterizes the identification device and associated reusable food or beverage container.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the tracking subsystem can receive the container data and update the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container and stores the status indicator in the data store. The status indicator can include a status of returned, washing, ready, and/or dispatched. An instance of the at least one reader can be disposed to read the identification device of the reusable food or beverage container. The point of receipt can be at the reusable food or beverage container receptacle. When the reusable food or beverage container is at the point of receipt, the reader can read the identification device and receive the container data and communicate the container data to a tracking subsystem, which can update the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container in the tracking subsystem. The status indicator can be updated to a returned status. An instance of the at least one reader can be disposed to read the identification device of the reusable food or beverage container at the automated washing system. When the reusable food or beverage container is at the automated washing system, the reader can read the identification device and receive the container data and communicates the container data to a tracking subsystem, which can update the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container in the tracking subsystem. The status indicator can be updated to a washing status. An instance of the at least one reader can be disposed to read the identification device of the reusable food or beverage container at a storage point. The storage point can be an automated organizing and outputting subsystem. When the reusable food or beverage container is at the storage point, the reader can read the identification device and receives the container data and communicate the container data to a tracking subsystem, which can update the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container in the tracking subsystem. The status indicator can be updated to a ready status.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the identification device can include one or more of a bar code, a quick response (QR) code, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the automated organizing and outputting subsystem can include an automated stacking subsystem that places the reusable food or beverage container onto an existing stack of containers or places the reusable food or beverage container to initiate a new stack of containers. The automated stacking subsystem can include an electro-mechanical device that lifts or pushes the reusable food or beverage container onto or into a stack or lowers or drops the reusable food or beverage container substantially vertically onto a stack. The automated organizing and outputting subsystem can include an alignment device that places the reusable food or beverage container into a predetermined aligned arrangement.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the reusable food or beverage container washing system can further include one or more dryers adapted to dry the reusable food or beverage container at an end of a washing cycle.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a method of washing a reusable food or beverage container using a reusable food or beverage automated washing system includes providing a reusable food or beverage container washing system comprising a reusable food or beverage container, a reusable food or beverage container receptacle, an automated washing system, and an automated organizing and outputting subsystem. The automated washing system receives a returned reusable food or beverage container at reusable food or beverage container receptacle. The reusable food or beverage container is conveyed with a conveying mechanism to the automated washing system, which includes a washing chamber, a reusable food or beverage container washing rack adapted to support the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle, and one or more water nozzles adapted to spray water to wash the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle. The automated washing system washes and sanitizes the reusable food or beverage container. The automated organizing and outputting subsystem outputs the reusable food or beverage container cleaned and sanitized in ready state.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the method can further include the reusable food or beverage container having an identification device incorporated therein and readable by at least one reader. The identification device comprises one or more of a bar code, a quick response (QR) code, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. In certain aspects a receptacle door is automatically triggered to open when a reader senses the reusable food or beverage container in proximity to the receptacle door.
Associating the reusable food or beverage container identification device with a customer identifier can occur in a computer executed data store using one or more computing devices to create a data association between the reusable food or beverage container identification device and the customer identifier. The one or more computing devices can be located on premise with the system, or remotely in a cloud supported network environment. The one or more water nozzles can spray water washing the reusable food or beverage container. The automated washing system can determine wash cycle parameters based on features and characteristics of the reusable container. The features and characteristics can include a level of soil on the reusable food or beverage container.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the method can further include a tracking subsystem with at least one reader collecting and maintaining data regarding a status of the reusable food or beverage container. The tracking subsystem can include a machine vision subsystem having at least one sensor placed to observe the reusable food or beverage container proximal to the receptacle, and the machine vision subsystem observing the reusable food or beverage container and detecting one or more of foreign contaminant, level of soiling, or damage.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a machine vision subsystem having at least one sensor placed to observe the reusable food or beverage container proximal to entrance to the automated washing system can be provided, and the machine vision subsystem can observe the reusable food or beverage container and detecting one or more of foreign contaminant, level of soiling, or damage.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a machine vision subsystem having at least one sensor placed to observe the reusable food or beverage container proximal to exit from the automated washing system can be provided, and the machine vision subsystem can observe the reusable food or beverage container and detecting one or more of foreign contaminant, level of soiling, or damage.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the method can further include one or more dryers provided and adapted to dry the reusable food or beverage container at an end of a washing cycle. The one or more dryers can blow water off of the reusable food or beverage container. The one or more dryers can wipe water off of the reusable food or beverage container. The one or more dryers can dry the reusable food or beverage container at an end of a washing cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other characteristics of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a reusable food or beverage container washing system, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a housing containing an example washing system of the reusable food or beverage container washing system that accepts reusable food or beverage containers with lids attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the housing containing an example washing system of the reusable food or beverage container washing system that accepts reusable food or beverage containers;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the housing containing an example washing system of the reusable food or beverage container washing system that accepts reusable food or beverage containers and lids separated therefrom;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an example reusable food or beverage container for use in the reusable food or beverage container washing system;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a multi-functional scanner used to read order information on the reusable food or beverage container as well as any identifier of the reusable food or beverage container itself for use within the system;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a reusable food or beverage container washing system;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a computing device and related hardware for use in implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a housing containing an example washing system of the reusable food or beverage container washing system that accepts reusable food or beverage containers;

FIG. 10A is an isometric view of the washing system with horizontal rotary conveyor platform loading;

FIG. 10B is an isometric view of the washing system with retractable tray loading;

FIG. 11A is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with vertical rotary conveyance with individual chambers;

FIG. 11B is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with horizontal rotary conveyor platform with guide;

FIG. 11C is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with ramp loading into horizontal rotary system

FIG. 12 is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system of FIG. 9 with focused nozzles for wash and dry;

FIG. 13 is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system of FIG. 9 with centrifugal drying and drying fan

FIG. 14 is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with separate chambers for washing and drying;

FIG. 15 is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with dual chambers of similar functionality using vertical rotary conveyance with individual chambers;

FIG. 16 is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with dual chambers of similar functionality using horizontal rotary conveyor platform loading;

FIG. 17A is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system of FIG. 11B with gravity ramp unloading/stacking;

FIG. 17B is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system of FIG. 11B with vertical lift unloading/stacking;

FIG. 18A is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system of FIG. 11B configured to accept containers and lids;

FIG. 18B is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with separate horizontal rotary platforms for containers and lids;

FIG. 19 is an isometric cut-away view of the washing system with vertical rotary conveyance with individual chambers, further including a mechanism for automated separation of container and lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a reusable food or beverage container washing system that automates the process of tracking, returning, washing, and outputting of reusable food or beverage containers. An automated washing system designed for a particular reusable food or beverage container or plurality of similar or related containers, such as drinking cups, has improved usability and more efficient washing and drying cycles. The reusable food or beverage container washing system automates such processes as the orientation and placement of containers within the system, optimized wash settings, verification of cleanliness, and organization of containers for removal from the system, such as in a nested stack formation. The reusable food or beverage container washing system functions as a stand-alone autonomous washing system or is a subsystem within a closed-loop reusable food or beverage container tracking system such that the washing system records the return of the containers after use and washes, sanitizes, and dries the cups in preparation for re-use. The reusable food or beverage container washing system provides a simple, efficient, and easy to use method for the implementation of the reusable food or beverage containers to replace the current prevalent use of wasteful and environmentally harmful single-use cups and take-out food containers that require recycling or disposal.
FIGS. 1 through 19, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, illustrate an example embodiment or embodiments of an automated washing system for reusable food or beverage containers, according to the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the example embodiment or embodiments illustrated in the figures, it should be understood that many alternative forms can embody the present invention. One of skill in the art will additionally appreciate different ways to alter the parameters of the embodiment(s) disclosed, such as the size, shape, or type of elements or materials, in a manner still in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The example reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 depicted in the figures uses a beverage container for the description and figures merely for purposes of teaching how the invention can be specifically implemented. However, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that other food or beverage containers can be implemented in the system 100 described herein with modification to some of the components for the specific size, shape, and configuration of the containers, such that the present invention is intended to be universally applicable and operable for a variety of different food or beverage container configurations and is not limited to the specific beverage container shown and described. It should also be appreciated that for purposes of efficiency, the figures provided herewith depicting a reusable beverage container and lid and corresponding system are fully applicable to all possible food or beverage containers and corresponding systems. For the avoidance of doubt, references to the reusable container and corresponding system herein are transferable to other food or beverage containers, such as but not limited to, pizza boxes, Asian food takeout containers, donut boxes, pastry boxes, to-go restaurant food containers, carbonated beverage cups, coffee cups, iced coffee cups, tea cups, water bottles, hot chocolate cups, other disposable food or beverage containers, and the like, which are considered to all fall within the scope of the present inventive system.
Continuing with the example beverage container system, a housing 102 can contain a number of subsystems including a receptacle 104 for receiving a reusable container 108 (and optionally a lid 110 shown in other figures) and an automated washing system 112 disposed therein. An organizing and outputting subsystem 118 can receive the reusable container from the automated washing system 112 (or be integrated therewith) and organize and output cleaned reusable containers 108 and/or lids 110 for use. At least one reader 128 that communicates with an identification device 126 incorporated in the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110, and exchanges container data that characterizes the identification device 126 and associated reusable container 108 and/or lid 110. A computing device 136 in communication with a data store 138, such as a database or other form of data storage and organization, is a portion of a tracking subsystem 160 that also includes the identification device 126, the at least one reader 128, and a communication network 162 that enables communication between the tracking subsystem components and sharing of data. The communication network 162 can be a local area network, a wide area network, wired, wireless, cloud-based, or any other network or data sharing construct understood by those of skill in the art. The computing device 136 can be on premise at the same location as, e.g., the housing 102, or remote in a network, cloud supported, wireless, or wired. Those of skill in the art will additionally appreciate that the location of each subsystem as depicted and described herein can vary such that subsystems may be combined, integrate, and/or distal, separated, in different combinations and still perform the stated functionality and operation described herein, all of which combinations are anticipated to fall within the scope of the present invention. The specific hardware and device arrangements described herein are merely representative of one example implementation of the inventive system and method and are therefore not intended to be limiting.
FIG. 2 shows the housing 102 that can contain a number of subsystems. As one of skill in the art would appreciate, various configurations of subsystems can be implemented keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention, including having those subsystems contained inside the housing 102 or separated therefrom. In accordance with one example illustrative embodiment, the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 has the reusable container receptacle 104. The receptacle 104 can include a door 106 or the like of any operable configuration. The receptacle 104 is sized, dimensioned, and configured to receive a reusable container 108 with a lid 110 affixed thereto. The size, dimension, and configuration of the receptacle 104 correlates to the particular reusable container 108 designed for use with the system. In the example illustration, the reusable container 108 and lid 110 are conventional coffee beverage cups and as such have dimensions that can vary but are generally about 2.25 inches to 2.5 inches for the small diameter, about 3 inches to 3.75 inches for the large diameter, and between about 3.25 inches to about 8 inches of height, for containers that range from, e.g., 6 oz to 22 oz of volume. Those of skill in the art will appreciate these dimensions are approximate and are intended to describe the approximate size and shape of conventional coffee cups, or the like, which conventionally fit in conventional automobile cupholders, and can be found in numerous coffee retail stores. As such, the receptacle 104 to receive any of the aforementioned cups must have a diameter slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the desired reusable container largest diameter (e.g., for the above example dimensions, the receptacle 104 has a diameter of about 3.8 inches to 4 inches in order to accommodate the largest large diameter measurement). The receptacle 104 can have a door 106 that is automatically triggered and slides open, or flaps shut like a one-way valve, or have another configuration readily apparent to those of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the door 106 can be unlocked, or otherwise activated upon the sensing a container in proximity to the receptacle by a reader 128. Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate the dimensional attributes are provided for enablement purposes only as it relates to a system for use with a coffee beverage reusable container 108 or the like, and can be altered or varied to accommodate different containers of different dimensions for different purposes, and are therefore not limiting of the system-wide invention.
The receptacle 104 receives the reusable container 108 and lid 110. Inside the housing 102 the reusable container 108 and lid 110 are separated or opened and placed into the automated washing system 112, such as for example by use of a first conveying mechanism 114. The first conveying mechanism 114 can have a number of different configurations, including being any form of electro-mechanical device capable of moving the reusable container 108 and lid 110, such as but not limited to conveyor belts, automated grippers, robotic arms, rotary conveyors, mechanical actuators, and the like, which are readily implemented by those of skill in the art.
The automated washing system 112 washes, sanitizes, and dries the reusable container 108 and lid 110 such that they are ready for reuse when exiting the automated washing system 112. The clean reusable container 108 and lid 110 are moved from the automated washing system 112 and, for example in accordance with one embodiment a second conveying mechanism 116 receives and transports the reusable container 108 and lid 110 to an automated organizing and outputting subsystem 118. The second conveying mechanism 116 can be implemented in any such electro-mechanical devices as described herein relative to the first conveying mechanism 114. When the automated organizing and outputting subsystem 118 is an automated stacking subsystem, the clean reusable container 108 and lid 110 are nested in a container stack 120 and lid stack 122 such that the stacks 120, 122 can be moved and dispensed in the same fashion as conventional disposable single-use containers. In accordance with example alternative embodiments, the reusable container 108 and lid 110 are loaded directly into a dispensing device (not shown). In yet another embodiment, the reusable container 108 and lid 110 are not nested into a stack and instead exit the system housing 102 in another organized fashion, such as via an alignment device that organizes the reusable containers 108 and/or lids 110 into a dish tray or the like in a predetermined order or arrangement. The reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 can further include a display 124 with a graphical user interface providing status and other information to the user. Depending on the desired information, the display 124 can be in communication with a processor and/or local or remote computing system via wired or wireless network connectivity, such as the computing device 136 of the tracking subsystem 160, or the like, as would be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art.
As utilized herein, the terms washing and sanitizing are defined as the required standards by local laws for the food service industry (NSF/ANSI 3 for general US requirements for commercial dishwashers). As utilized herein, drying means substantially dry for all surfaces, or substantially dry on some surfaces, or only dried to a certain extent (such as water droplets are removed but a thin film of water may remain).
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 similar to that of FIG. 2, however, in this embodiment the customer or other user can feed only the reusable container 108 with any lid 110 it may have had removed and not fed into the receptacle 104. Once the reusable container 108 enters the washing system 112 (shown in FIG. 1), the cleaning, sanitizing, and drying process proceeds as previously described, and the reusable container 108 eventually exits cleaned, sanitized, and dried, into the automated organizing and outputting subsystem 118.
FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 similar to that of FIG. 2, however, in this embodiment the customer or other user can feed both the reusable container 108 and the lid 110 into a receptacle 104 that has the container 108 separate from the lid 110. As such, in this instance the customer or other user opens or removes the lid 110 prior to loading into the receptacle 104. Once the reusable container 108 and the lid 110 enters the washing system 112 (shown in FIG. 1), the cleaning, sanitizing, and drying process proceeds as previously described, and the reusable container 108 and lid 110 eventually exit cleaned, sanitized, and dried, into the automated organizing and outputting subsystem 118.
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the reusable container 108 configured for use with the reusable food or beverage system 100. The identification device 126 is incorporated in the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110, such as an RFID tag, on or embedded within the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110, and is read by devices of the system, such as a reader 128 disposed at the washing system 112 or at a receptacle 104 thereof, such as shown in FIG. 2, to track when the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 is used and subsequently returned. Various different types of identification systems and technologies, including but not limited to optical protocols such as bar code, quick response (QR) code, or transmission protocols such as a near-field communication (NFC) chip, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, or the like, are also feasible and can be implemented as the identification device 126 and corresponding reader 128, as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
The reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 can also contain support devices to aid in the automation of the process of linking a customer order to a particular reusable container 108 and/or lid 110.
It is common practice for customer order information to be printed on an adhesive label, which is then attached to a container. This label is used by the retail employee to know which beverage is intended for that container, and by the customer to identify which container contains their order and desired beverage. FIG. 6 shows the at least one reader 128 that can contain a multifunction scanner, including optionally containing an optical reader 134, that can read an identification mark 132 on a label 130 that has been attached to a reusable container 108, such as a bar code, QR code, optical character recognition, or the like, to read the identifier of the reusable container 108 as described herein. As such, the customer or order and a customer identifier from the identification mark 132 on a label 130 is linked to that specific reusable container 108 and its identification device 126 in order to track, charge a refundable deposit for use, or other reasons described herein. Other embodiments, such as a printer connected to the system that can print and apply the label 130, or print directly on the reusable container 108, while reading the identification device 126 of the reusable container 108 are also practicable. At a point of receipt, the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 reads the identification device 126 of the reusable container 108 as it is received by the receptacle 104 to credit the return of that reusable container 108 by the customer. The reusable food or beverage container washing system 100, leveraging the tracking subsystem 160 including a processor of a computing device 136, tracks the return of the reusable container 108 and lid 110 at the point of receipt using unique identifiers of each. In other embodiments, only one of the reusable container 108 or lid 110 is tracked. In accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention, the identification mark 132 printed on a label 130 or printed directly onto the reusable container 108 can itself be the trackable component enabling the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 to track the reusable container 108 directly via the tracking subsystem 160. In such an implementation, the drink order and/or customer identifier are printed or otherwise noted in the identification mark 132 on a label 130 and that information is also submitted to the tracking subsystem 160 in such a way that the information is associated with the reusable container 108 and when the reusable container 108 is later returned, the tracking subsystem 160 is capable of recording that return and implementing any corresponding steps described herein related to such return. In embodiments where an identification mark 132 is printed directly on the reusable container 108, the washing system 112 washes off the identification mark 132. Additionally, if a label 130 is applied to the reusable container 108, the washing system 112 washes of the entire label 130.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a reusable food or beverage container washing system process 140 in operation that links a unique identification of a reusable container 108 to a customer order such that the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 tracks, using the tracking subsystem 160, when that same reusable container 108 is returned to the retailer, or any other retailer using the same reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 and at a point of receipt. Specifically, the customer orders a beverage either directly at a service counter or using an application on a smartphone or a kiosk and that order is linked to the customer via customer identifier (step 142). The order is fulfilled in a reusable container 108 and optionally includes a lid 110 (which can be done by a server or can be automated), each of the reusable container 108 and lid 110 can include an identification device 126 (step 144). The reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 associates the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 with the customer, via customer identifier and using a reader 128 disposed prior to or at the point of handoff, in a computer executed database, such as data store 138 (step 146). By association what is meant is creating a database or other data association between an identification of the customer, e.g., a customer identifier, and the identification device 126, and maintaining that association in a data store 138 accessible by the tracking subsystem 160. The computer executed database can be operated locally at the retail establishment, or can be operated distally via, e.g., a cloud server, and in wired or wireless communication with any reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 installations at all retail and service locations, any of which configurations are readily understood by those of skill in the art such that additional details regarding such database systems are not required. A status indicator of the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 in the tracking subsystem 160 can optionally be set to dispatched status (step 147). The customer receives their order in the reusable container 108, optionally including a lid 110, if desired (step 148). The customer later returns the used and unwashed (or washed) reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 either before leaving the establishment where the beverage was procured, or after leaving and later returning to the same location or any location where the inventive reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 is operable with a receptacle 104 (step 150), and at a point of receipt. The customer places the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 into a receptacle 104 (step 152). An instance of the reader 128 disposed at the receptacle 104 receiving the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 retrieves, e.g., reads, the identification device 126 and records the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 having been appropriately returned (step 154) and stores the container data in the data store 138 while optionally updating the status indicator to a returned status (step 155). The automated washing system 112 washes, sanitizes, and dries the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 (step 156). An instance of a reader 128 disposed at the washing system 112 can again read the identification device 126 and optionally record the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 as being in a washing status (step 157). The cleaned reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 exits the automated washing system 112 and using an organizing and outputting subsystem 118 is stacked or otherwise arranged and stored ready for use (step 158) at a storage point. An instance of a reader 128 disposed at the organizing and outputting subsystem 118 can again read the identification device 126 and optionally record the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 as being in a ready status (step 159). The process 140 can then repeat with a new order prepared in the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 (step 144), with hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of repeated cycles depending on the durability and longevity of the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 materials and condition.
In some embodiments of the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100, a refundable deposit is charged for the use of the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 to encourage return or charge a penalty if the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 is not returned within a specified time. In another embodiment, the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 uses and/or tracks the customer information without a charge. In yet another embodiment, the reusable containers 108 and/or lids 110 of the system have identical tracking information such that the customer can return any container or lid to credit the return of their reusable container 108 and/or lid 110.
In one embodiment, the customer loads the used reusable container 108 directly into the automated washing system 112, while in another embodiment, the customer returns the reusable container 108 and/or lid 110 to a remote collection device form of a receptacle 104, and the reusable containers 108 and/or lids 110 are then moved to and subsequently loaded into the washing system 112.
FIG. 8 depicts an example electronic, computer, or computing device 1000 that can be used to implement one or more aspects of the present invention. The functionality and hardware of such computing device 1000 may be implemented in any of the electronic hardware systems or subsystems described herein as involving or using a “computer” or “computing device” or the like, or related hardware for providing all or part of the described functionality, provided as a separate device or integrated into a system or subsystem described herein, as would be appreciated and understood by those of skill in the art. The terms “computer”, “computing device”, and the like utilized herein are intended to mean a processor at its most basic form, on up to more complex computing systems, including servers and cloud-based systems, in accordance with conventional meanings of such terms. However, for purpose of completeness, example components and related accessories that are intended to be encompassed by the use of the terms “computer”, “computing device”, “processor”, and the like will be provided below in example nonlimiting form.
The computing device 1000 is merely an illustrative example of a suitable computing environment and in no way limits the scope of the present invention. An “electronic device”, “remote device,” or “personal electronic device” as represented in figures and description herein, can include a “workstation,” a “server,” a “laptop,” a “desktop,” a “hand-held device,” a “mobile device,” a “tablet computer,” a “processor,” or other computing devices, as would be understood by those of skill in the art. Given that the computing device 1000 is depicted for illustrative purposes, embodiments of the present invention may utilize any number of computing devices 1000 in any number of different ways to implement a single embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a single computing device 1000, as would be appreciated by one with skill in the art, nor are they limited to a single type of implementation or configuration of the example computing device 1000.
The computing device 1000 can include a bus 1010 that can be coupled to one or more of the following illustrative components, directly or indirectly: a memory 1012, one or more processors 1014, one or more presentation components 1016, input/output ports 1018, input/output components 1020, and a power supply 1024. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the bus 1010 can include one or more busses, such as an address bus, a data bus, or any combination thereof. One of skill in the art additionally will appreciate that, depending on the intended applications and uses of a particular embodiment, multiple of these components can be implemented by a single device. Similarly, in some instances, a single component can be implemented by multiple devices. As such, the figures herein are merely illustrative of an exemplary computing device 1000 that can be used to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention, and in no way limits the invention.
The computing device 1000 can include or interact with a variety of computer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media can include Random Access Memory (RAM); Read Only Memory (ROM); Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory or other memory technologies; CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical or holographic media; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices that can be used to encode information and can be accessed by the computing device 1000.
The memory 1012 can include computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory 1012 may be removable, non-removable, or any combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices are devices such as hard drives, solid-state memory, optical-disc drives, and the like. The computing device 1000 can include one or more processors that read data from components such as the memory 1012, the various I/O components 1020, etc. Presentation component(s) 1016 present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc.
The I/O ports 1018 can enable the computing or electronic device 1000 to be logically coupled to other devices, such as I/O components 1020. Some of the I/O components 1020 can be built into the computing device 1000. Examples of such I/O components 1020 include a sensor (including but not limited to: weight sensor, infrared sensor, camera, chemical sensor, microphone, or the like), keypad, touchpad, joystick, recording or storage device, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, networking device, and the like, as appropriate.
FIG. 9 shows an automated washing system 112 within a housing 102 designed for quick and efficient washing of reusable containers 108. As those of skill in the art would appreciate, the automated washing system 112 has one or more water supplies, electrical or power sources or connections, and gray water returns to building sewer or septic systems. Used reusable containers 108 are loaded individually into the receptacle 104 at a single location. Once loaded, the automated washing system 112 maneuvers the reusable container 108 as required into a washing chamber 230 for washing and drying, and automatically unloads clean reusable containers 108 in an organized fashion, such as in a nested container stack 120 as shown. Since the items to be washed are a known shape and size, for example to-go drinking cups in the illustrative embodiment, the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 design is optimized for the handling and washing of those specific items. Although the example provided herein is designed for beverage containers, the same methodology can be applied to other vessels and containers such as but not limited to: plates, bowls, to-go food containers, and the like.
In accordance with example embodiments, loading of individual items at a single location is completed by dropping the reusable container 108 into a receptable 104 in the automated washing system 112 with a revolving hub and spoke wheel 210 having individual compartments 214 as shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, the user places the used reusable container 108 directly into an open individual compartment 214 or into a receptacle 104 that drops the reusable container 108 into an open individual compartment 214. Other mechanisms for loading at a single location include a receptacle 104 opening on the side of through which to place the container 108 onto a turntable 202 that receives the container 108 and rotates to move the container 108 into the automated washing system 112 (see FIG. 10A), or a retractable receptacle 208 such as a tray, arm, or conveyer (see FIG. 10B) which extends out from the housing 102 so the container 108 can be placed on the retractable receptacle 208, and then retracts to bring the container 108 into the automated washing system 112. In accordance with an embodiment of the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100, the identification device 126, such as an RFID tag, on or embedded within the container 108 is read by a reader 128 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9) of the automated washing system 112 and is used to unlock a door 106, automatically open a door 106, or otherwise activate a loading mechanism such as the turntable 202 or retractable receptacle 208 to allow entry of the container 108. The activation occurs when the reusable container 108 is within a predetermine proximity to the receptacle 104 or location on a loading mechanism. Once a container 108 has entered the automated washing system 112, it is moved away from the loading area in order for another container 108 to be loaded.
Movement of the reusable container 108 within the automated washing system 112 can be achieved by placing the reusable container 108 in or on a predetermined location on a conveying mechanism such that the reusable container 108 remains in that same relative position on the first conveying mechanism 114 as it is transported, such as within a chamber of the revolving hub and spoke wheel 210 having individual compartments 214 as shown in FIG. 11A. The revolving hub and spoke wheel 210 can simultaneously serve as the first conveying mechanism 114 and also a washing rack adapted to support the reusable containers 108 during the washing, sanitizing, and/or drying processes. In another embodiment, the reusable container 108 can be placed onto any location on the conveying mechanism 114 in the form of, e.g., a linear conveyor belt 234 (see FIG. 14), or revolving turntable 202 as shown in FIG. 11B. By allowing the reusable container 108 to partially disengage from such conveying mechanism 114, e.g., by slipping or some other means, the reusable containers 108 are guided using a turntable guide 218 to reach a designated position, such as a turntable guide stop location 220 or a previously loaded reusable container 108, such that the reusable containers 108 align in series within the automated washing system 112 awaiting a next action. The linear conveyor belt 234 or turntable 202 can simultaneously serve as the first conveying mechanism 114 and also a washing rack adapted to support the reusable containers 108 during the washing, sanitizing, and/or drying processes. In another embodiment, the conveying mechanism 114 can take the form of a device that grasps the reusable container 108 that is attached to a typical mechanical positioning device, such as a gantry or robotic arm, and can be used to move the reusable container 108 within the system. In a further embodiment, movement of the reusable containers 108 can be achieved using gravity, such as by falling, sliding, or rolling as shown in FIG. 11C in which helix loader 222 feeds reusable containers 108 into a revolving helix rack 224. The helix loader 222 and helix rack 224 can simultaneously serve as the first conveying mechanism 114 and also a washing rack adapted to support the reusable containers 108 during the washing, sanitizing, and/or drying processes. Any combination or quantity of these methods described, or any other commonly known methods of conveyance and movement, can be utilized to transport the reusable containers 108 within the automated washing system 112.
The automated washing system 112 designed for washing reusable containers 108 can be designed and configured to handle reusable containers 108 having predetermined features and characteristics. For example, the automated washing system 112 can be configured for one specific reusable container 108, a series of similar reusable containers 108 (e.g., small, medium and large of similar material and general design) or any reusable container 108 within a designated size range. In all cases, since the reusable containers 108 are a predetermined dimension, shape, and configuration, and via use of the receptacle 104 positioned in a predetermined location within the automated washing system 112, the automated washing system 112 is configured for fast and efficient washing and if desired, sanitizing. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, pressurized jets of water can emanate from one or more spray nozzles 226 or other mechanical washing means, such as a scrub brush, or any combination of such washing means, which target the surfaces of the reusable containers 108 that require cleaning. This leads to better cleaning and more efficient use of water and power in comparison to a random spraying of water used by conventional dishwashers over longer durations. Furthermore, making use of predetermined materials for fabrication of the reusable containers 108, as well as knowing the typical contents of the reusable containers 108 when in use (e.g., a coffee beverage, shake, tea, or the like) allows the use of particular detergents, sanitizing agents, rinse aids, and the like, to be specially formulated for use with the automated washing system 112 implementation, as would be readily determined by those of skill in the art. Although the use of commonly available items for those purposes is also practicable. The formulation of such detergents, agents, aids, and the like, can additionally be selected to wash off temporary printing directly on the reusable container 108, or to wash off a label 130 affixed to the reusable container 108.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the predetermined characteristics and features of the reusable containers 108 as previously described are used to customize the wash cycle. A system for detecting how the reusable container 108 is soiled, such as a machine vision subsystem 244 capable of detecting the foreign matter within the reusable container 108, or more specifically detecting the type of foreign matter within the reusable container 108, is used to optimize the wash cycle using known washing optimization adjustments. Such optimization may be for the overall wash of a batch of reusable containers 108, or the wash cycle may be optimized for each individual reusable container 108. In some embodiments, that same machine vision subsystem, or similar or different type of detection system, is used to verify the cleanliness or level of soil of the reusable containers 108 after the wash cycle.
More specifically regarding the machine vision subsystem 244, a number of different configurations are capable of implementation with the present reusable food or beverage container washing system 100. As depicted in FIG. 2, the machine vision subsystem 244 can have multiple checkpoints such as, e.g., upon receipt or return of a reusable container 108 through the receptacle 104, before entry into the automated washing system 112, upon completion of a washing cycle, at exit from the washing system 112 and before stacking or other assorting, and the like. The machine vision subsystem 244 can be coupled with or in communication with the communication network 162, or otherwise capable of providing data and information to the reusable food or beverage container washing system 100. Since conventional machine vision subsystem technologies are currently in use in other industries, such as waste stream management and the like, more details regarding the operation of such systems is not required for those of skill in the art. The machine vision subsystem 244 is capable of scanning the reusable containers 108 and checking for such things as foreign contents, level or degree of soiling, unwanted items such as cup sleeves, and chips, cracks, or other damage to the reusable container 108. When a machine vision sensor of the machine vision subsystem 244 is placed at the exit from the automated washing system 112, the machine vision system 244 can identify whether there remain any unwanted items, soiling, or damage to the reusable container 108 upon exit from the automated washing system 112. Other locations and opportunities for machine vision subsystem 244 implementation within the overall reusable food or beverage container washing system 100 will be apparent to those of skill in the art and considered to fall within the scope of the invention described herein.
Minimizing a time required for drying reusable containers 108 is an important aspect of the automated washing system 112. The predetermined location, size, shape, and material of the cup as previously described being advantageous for washing are also beneficial for drying. Use of heat or moving air or combination of both can be focused on the surfaces of the reusable containers 108, as shown in FIG. 12 with drying air emanating from dryers 228, to make the drying process as fast and efficient as possible. The air moving across the surface of the reusable containers 108 can be intended to dry via evaporation or to physically push the water off the surface using a jetting process, or a combination of each. Other known drying processes, such as but not limited to absorption, surface wiping, vacuum to remove water, heating, and the like are also practicable. In accordance with embodiments of the automated washing system 112 the conveying mechanisms within the system (such as a first conveying mechanism 114 in FIG. 13) can themselves be utilized to use motion to generate the force to remove water from the reusable containers 108, such as by rapid acceleration or deceleration, centrifugal force, spinning, shaking, or the like. Any combination of the use of moving air, heat, physical removal, and physical movement of the reusable containers 108 to decrease drying time is also practicable as further shown in FIG. 13.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention and shown in FIG. 12, the entire washing and drying process is completed in substantially the same location. In accordance with further embodiments as shown in FIG. 14, the reusable containers 108 are moved to different areas within an automated washing system 112A to complete one or more sub-processes, such as emptying any remnants left in the reusable containers 108, a pre-rinse process to remove excess foreign matter, washing, or drying. Such systems allow multiple sub-processes as described to occur simultaneously within the automated washing system 112A to increase throughput capacity, such as illustrated in FIG. 14, which shows a separate washing chamber 230 and drying chamber 232. This can be accomplished using a linear or non-linear conveyor belt 234 to move the reusable container 108 through the automated washing system 112A. In accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, a system for queuing reusable containers 108 exist prior to one or more sub-processes such that reusable containers 108 can continue to be loaded into the automated washing system 112A while a sub-process, such as washing, is active. In accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, multiple substantially similar chambers exist within the automated washing system 112A to increase throughput capacity and decrease downtime. A separator door 238 creates separation between the washing and drying processes. In yet further embodiments, two automated washing systems 112A are placed in close proximity to each other such that one system can be loaded while the other system is in the process of washing and drying.
FIG. 15 shows the automated washing system 112 with two receptacles 104, 206 and two internal washing chambers 230 (second washing chamber 231 to the left of the cut-away). A revolving hub and spoke wheel 210 serving as the wash rack receives the reusable containers 108 and simultaneously acts as the first conveying mechanism 114 receiving the reusable containers 108 from the receptacle 104 directly. Once the revolving hub and spoke wheel 210 is full, a wash cycle can be completed by sealing closed the washing chamber 230, spraying the reusable containers 108 with water using spray nozzles 226, and drying the reusable containers 108 using dryers 228 and optionally spinning the revolving hub and spoke wheel 210 quickly to dissipate water more efficiently. The same process can be repeated with a second receptacle 206 and a second hub and spoke wheel 212 in the second washing chamber 231 in alternating fashion to the above.
FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the automated washing system 112 where instead of the revolving hub and spoke wheel 210, there is a turntable 202 and a second turntable 204, each in its own washing chamber 230, 231. The door 106 of the receptacle 104 opens to receive used reusable containers 108 onto a revolving turntable 202. Once that turntable 202 is full, the washing chamber 230 is sealed off and a washing cycle ensues. In the meantime, users can return used reusable containers 108 to a second receptacle 206 onto a second turntable 204. Once the second turntable 204 is full, the door of the second receptacle 206 closes and the second washing chamber 231 is sealed and a wash cycle ensues. Washing in the washing chamber 230 or second washing chamber 231 swaps back and forth as the turntables 202 and 204 are filled. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, two automated washing systems 112 such as those shown in FIG. 9 or 10A are placed in close proximity such that one chamber can be loaded while the other chamber is in the process of washing and drying.
It should be noted that while the present description identifies washing chambers 230 and drying chambers 232 separately, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the washing chambers 230 and drying chambers 232 can be separate, combined, in parallel, in series, or the like, and all such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
A second conveying mechanism 116 as previously described is used to move the clean reusable containers 108 to the exit of the automated washing system 112. The second conveying mechanism 116 may be a separate and/or different type of mechanism than the first conveying mechanism 114 at the entry conveyance, or they may be one and the same. The clean reusable containers 108 are moved and organized for easy removal of a quantity of reusable containers 108, such as in a nested container stack 120. Nesting of reusable containers 108 into a stack may be done by lowering or dropping reusable containers 108 substantially vertically onto the previous reusable containers 108 as shown in FIG. 17A or lifted or pushed onto or into the container stack 120 using a method of conveyance as shown in FIG. 17B. In accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, the clean reusable containers 108 are not stacked and an alternate method for organizing the reusable containers 108 such that a quantity of reusable containers 108 may easily be removed from the automated washing system 112 is used, such as loading reusable containers 108 onto a tray that contains a quantity of reusable containers 108 which can be removed from the automated washing system 112. An unload ramp 240 can be provided to receive cleaned reusable containers 108 and stack them as one implementation of an automated organizing and outputting subsystem 118. Alternatively, a stacking mechanism 242 can push reusable containers 108 up into a container stack 120 as another implementation of an automated organizing and outputting subsystem 118. Alternative electro-mechanical devices can be utilized as stacking mechanisms 242 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, such that the present invention is not limited by the specific examples provided herein.
The automated washing system 112 as described herein has been optimized for the washing and drying process of one particular item or series of similar items, such as reusable containers 108 having predetermined features and characteristics. In an embodiment of the present invention, the automated washing system 112 is optimized for multiple objects of known shapes and sizes, such as reusable containers 108 and lids 110. In accordance with example embodiments, each automated washing system 112 as previously described can move, wash, dry, and stack both reusable containers 108 and lids 110. In such embodiments as shown in FIG. 18A, reusable containers 108 and lids 110 are loaded in substantially the same location through a receptacle 104 and are sorted before exiting the automated washing system 112, such as diverted to separate automated organizing and outputting subsystems 118, such as a stacking device, during unloading process. In accordance with example embodiments, reusable containers 108 and lids 110 are organized prior to washing by loading into separate locations, such as by loading reusable containers 108 onto the turntable 202 and lids 110 into the lid carousel 216 as shown in FIG. 18B, or are loaded in substantially the same location and sorted prior to the wash cycle by the automated washing system 112. The separated reusable containers 108 and lids 110 may be washed within a shared washing chamber 230, or in an alternative embodiment separate subsystems exist for reusable containers 108 and lids 110 such that some or all of the washing and drying processes are optimized for the particular size, shape, and dimension of the object being washed (aka, reusable container 108 or lid 110). In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 19, the automated washing system 112 includes a de-lidder 236, which is a mechanism configured to open or remove the lid 110 from the reusable container 108 such that reusable containers 108 with lids 110 attached can be loaded directly into the automated washing system 112. Such embodiments remove the lid 110 to be washed together with the reusable containers 108 or in a separate optimized process as previously described.
The automated features previously described allow the automated washing system 112 to operate with little to no input beyond the loading and unloading of reusable containers 108 and/or lids 110. This automated operation includes the starting of the washing and drying process when the automated washing system 112 is full or at a designated time or time interval between cycles, although the process can also be initiated manually. The automated operation also selects the appropriate settings as previously described to ensure optimal process. In example embodiments, the automated washing system 112 uses settings needed for previously verified washes, such as by using a machine vision subsystem 244 as previously described, to learn new settings such that wash cycles are continuously being optimized. In yet a further embodiment, wash systems are connected to a network of other systems in communication with each other to share optimal settings, system status, and other relevant information.
To any extent utilized herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are intended to be construed as being inclusive, not exclusive. As utilized herein, the terms “exemplary”, “example”, and “illustrative”, are intended to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and should not be construed as indicating, or not indicating, a preferred or advantageous configuration relative to other configurations. As utilized herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are intended to cover variations that may existing in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of subjective or objective values, such as variations in properties, parameters, sizes, and dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the terms “about” and “approximately” mean at, or plus 10 percent or less, or minus 10 percent or less. In one non-limiting example, the terms “about” and “approximately” mean sufficiently close to be deemed by one of skill in the art in the relevant field to be included. As utilized herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extend or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. For example, an object that is “substantially” circular would mean that the object is either completely a circle to mathematically determinable limits, or nearly a circle as would be recognized or understood by one of skill in the art. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some instances depend on the specific context. However, in general, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were achieved or obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when utilized in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. Any variants of a base reference number with A, B, or the like, are considered included into direct reference to only the base reference number, which whenever used without variants is intended to be inclusive of all such variants to the extent operable and feasible.
Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of the structure may vary substantially without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and exclusive use of all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. It is intended that the present invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A reusable food or beverage container washing system, comprising:

a reusable food or beverage container;

a reusable food or beverage container receptacle;

an automated washing system, comprising:

a washing chamber;

a reusable food or beverage container washing rack adapted to support the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle;

one or more water nozzles adapted to spray water to wash the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle; and

a first conveying mechanism adapted to transport the reusable food or beverage container from the food or beverage container receptacle to the automated washing system;

a second conveying mechanism adapted to transport the reusable food or beverage container from the automated washing system; and

an automated organizing and outputting subsystem disposed to receive the reusable food or beverage container from the second conveying system;

wherein the reusable food or beverage container receptacle receives the reusable food or beverage container in a used and returned state and the reusable food or beverage container is conveyed to the automated washing system;

wherein the automated washing system washes and sanitizes the reusable food or beverage container in used and returned state transforming it to a ready state;

wherein the reusable food or beverage container in ready state is conveyed to the automated organizing and outputting subsystem; and

wherein the automated organizing and outputting subsystem outputs the reusable food or beverage container in ready state and arranged for use.

2. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein the washing rack comprises a revolving hub and spoke wheel adapted to support a plurality of the reusable food or beverage container.

3. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein the washing rack comprises a revolving turntable adapted to support a plurality of the reusable food or beverage container.

4. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein the washing rack comprises a revolving helix rack adapted to support a plurality of the reusable food or beverage container.

5. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein the washing rack uses motion to dry the reusable food or beverage container.

6. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 5, wherein the motion comprises spinning or shaking.

7. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein the washing rack comprises a conveying mechanism.

8. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, further comprising a retractable receptacle adapted to extend to receive the reusable food or beverage container.

9. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein a receptacle door is automatically triggered to open when a reader senses the reusable food or beverage container in proximity to the receptacle door.

10. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 9, wherein the reader communicates with an identification device on the reusable food or beverage container, the identification device comprising one or more of a bar code, a quick response (QR) code, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.

11. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein a wash cycle is customized based on size, shape, or material of the reusable food or beverage container.

12. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, further comprising a machine vision device adapted to view and assess a level of soil of a returned food or beverage container between receiving at a receptable and washing in the automated washing system.

13. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 12, wherein a wash cycle is customized based on a machine vision determination of level of soil for the reusable food or beverage container.

14. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, further comprising a de-lidder adapted to remove a lid of the reusable food or beverage container following return through the receptacle.

15. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a tracking subsystem, comprising:

an identification device incorporated into and associated with the reusable food or beverage container;

a computing device in communication with a data store storing a status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container; and

at least one reader that communicates with the identification device and exchanges container data that characterizes the identification device and associated reusable food or beverage container.

16. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 15, wherein the tracking subsystem receives the container data and updates the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container and stores the status indicator in the data store.

17. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 16, wherein the status indicator comprises a status of returned, washing, ready, and/or dispatched.

18. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 15, wherein an instance of the at least one reader is disposed to read the identification device of the reusable food or beverage container at a point of receipt.

19. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 18, wherein the point of receipt is at the reusable food or beverage container receptacle.

20. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 18, wherein when the reusable food or beverage container is at the point of receipt, the reader reads the identification device and receives the container data and communicates the container data to a tracking subsystem, which updates the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container in the tracking subsystem.

21. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 20, wherein the status indicator is updated to a returned status.

22. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 15, wherein an instance of the at least one reader is disposed to read the identification device of the reusable food or beverage container at the automated washing system.

23. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 22, wherein when the reusable food or beverage container is at the automated washing system, the reader reads the identification device and receives the container data and communicates the container data to a tracking subsystem, which updates the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container in the tracking subsystem.

24. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 23, wherein the status indicator is updated to a washing status.

25. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 15, wherein an instance of the at least one reader is disposed to read the identification device of the reusable food or beverage container at a storage point.

26. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 25, wherein the storage point is an automated organizing and outputting subsystem.

27. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 26, wherein when the reusable food or beverage container is at the storage point, the reader reads the identification device and receives the container data and communicates the container data to a tracking subsystem, which updates the status indicator of the reusable food or beverage container in the tracking subsystem.

28. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 27, wherein the status indicator is updated to a ready status.

29. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 15, wherein the identification device comprises one or more of a bar code, a quick response (QR) code, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.

30. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein the automated organizing and outputting subsystem comprises an automated stacking subsystem that places the reusable food or beverage container onto an existing stack of containers or places the reusable food or beverage container to initiate a new stack of containers.

31. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 30, wherein the automated stacking subsystem comprises an electro-mechanical device that lifts or pushes the reusable food or beverage container onto or into a stack or lowers or drops the reusable food or beverage container substantially vertically onto a stack.

32. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, wherein the automated organizing and outputting subsystem comprises an alignment device that places the reusable food or beverage container into a predetermined aligned arrangement.

33. The reusable food or beverage container washing system of claim 1, further comprising one or more dryers adapted to dry the reusable food or beverage container at an end of a washing cycle.

34. A method of washing a reusable food or beverage container using a reusable food or beverage automated washing system, the method comprising:

providing the reusable food or beverage container washing system comprising the reusable food or beverage container, a reusable food or beverage container receptacle, an automated washing system, and an automated organizing and outputting subsystem,

the automated washing system receiving a returned reusable food or beverage container at reusable food or beverage container receptacle;

the reusable food or beverage container is conveyed with a conveying mechanism to the automated washing system, comprising:

a washing chamber;

a reusable food or beverage container washing rack adapted to support the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle; and

one or more water nozzles adapted to spray water to wash the reusable food or beverage container during a washing cycle;

the automated washing system washing and sanitizing the reusable food or beverage container; and

the automated organizing and outputting subsystem outputting the reusable food or beverage container cleaned and sanitized in ready state.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the reusable food or beverage container having an identification device incorporated therein and readable by at least one reader.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the identification device comprises one or more of a bar code, a quick response (QR) code, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein a receptacle door is automatically triggered to open when a reader senses the reusable food or beverage container in proximity to the receptacle door.