Patent ID: 6547055
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G07F,Y10S

Abstract:
A reverse vending machine for processing containers, the reverse vending machine comprising:an in-feed station configured to selectively freely receive multiple disarrayed containers; a container advancement mechanism which includes a wheel with one or more container carrier elements configured for driven passage through the in-feed station to capture and advance individual containers along an arcuate container advancement path upon rotation of the wheels, each container carrier element defining a peripheral through-hole adapted to support a captured container through rotation of the wheel; an off-load station spaced from the in-feed station along the container advancement path, the off-load station including a container selector configured to selectively direct off-load of containers from the container advancement mechanism to a container storage bin while allowing continued passage of the one or more container carrier elements along the container advancement path, the container selector having a first pneumatic jet on a first side of the wheel to urge acceptable containers from the container advancement mechanism to the container storage bin; and a container identifier disposed along the container advancement path between the infeed station and the offload station, the container identifier being configured to identify selected containers as acceptable.