Patent ID: 6186308
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: G07F,Y10S

Abstract:
A reverse vending machine for processing containers, the reverse vending machine comprising:an in-feed station including an in-feed door movable between an open orientation wherein the in-feed station is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers, and a closed orientation wherein the in-feed station is configured to restrict, but not prevent, receipt of containers;a container advancement mechanism which includes one or more container carrier elements configured for driven passage through the in-feed station to capture and advance individual containers along a container advancement path;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; andwherein the in-feed station includes a hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation, and wherein the in-feed door has a second mouth which defines a non-linear channel configured to provide for passage of containers to the container advancement mechanism, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation so as to provide limited access to the hopper when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.