Abstract:
Method and apparatus for bottled beverage distribution. Apparatus includes bin, means for receiving bottles, sensor and receipt dispenser. Method of selling includes providing an inventory, assigning identification indicia, assigning first and second purchase prices and positioning apparatus for receiving, storing and dispensing receipt. Method of distributing includes delivering to a first location water bottles, positioning at a second location a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus, and retrieving empty bottles from the apparatus. Method of distributing includes creating an account, assigning a first amount charged for each bottle sold, assigning a second amount deducted from the first amount for each bottle received, delivering bottles and positioning a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus. Method of distributing includes delivering inventory of drinking water, transferring ownership of the inventory, invoicing for each bottle delivered and retrieving empty drinking water bottles from bottle return apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is entitled to the benefit of, and claims priority to, provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/699,235 filed on Jul. 14, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to the field of beverage distribution and particularly to a new method and apparatus used in the distribution of bottled beverages such as bottled drinking water.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Many residential and commercial water cooler devices use bottles of drinking water that contain at least one gallon—and often several gallons—of drinking water. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated, the terms “bottles,” “bottled drinking water” and the like are used herein to refer to drinking water bottles intended for use with water cooler devices. Two such drinking water bottles are the three-gallon and five-gallon sizes of the bottle disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. 361,039.  
         [0006]     As those of skill in the art will appreciate, “water coolers” is a general term used to describe devices from which bottled drinking water is dispensed. Often, a drinking water bottle is disposed inverted on a water cooler device when in operation. Many water coolers are capable of not only cooling bottled drinking water, but also heating it as well. Thus, as used herein, the terms “water cooler,” “water cooler device” and the like refer to any device from which bottled drinking water is dispensed, and not to any specific device or only to devices which in fact cool drinking water.  
         [0007]     Typically, water bottles used with such cooler devices are not disposable and are intended for reuse. Because of this, such drinking water bottles are more sturdily constructed, and thus more expensive, than beverage bottles such as plastic soft drink bottles that are intended to be thrown away after a single use. Thus, even when empty drinking water bottles have value to a water distributor. Not only do such bottles represent a capital investment on the part of the distributor, but such bottles also represent potential sales because they can be cleaned, refilled and used multiple times.  
         [0008]     Historically, water cooler devices were primarily used in businesses. Bottled water distributors entered into arrangements with businesses having water cooler devices. In such arrangements, a distributor would periodically deliver full bottles of drinking water to a business and retrieve empty drinking water bottles from the business. The distributor would then clean, sanitize, refill and reuse the empty bottles.  
         [0009]     In recent years, however, the use of water cooler devices in residential settings has significantly increased. It is suspected that this increase is due, at least in part, to an increase in consumer demand for pure drinking water and to a decline in prices of water cooler devices. This increased residential demand for bottled drinking water has created a challenge for the historical bottled water distribution system. While there are now more bottled water customers, many of these customers are residential customers that do not have as high of a recurring demand for bottled water as the traditional business customers. It is thus often less economically efficient for a bottled water distributor to make home deliveries as it is for the distributor to make business deliveries.  
         [0010]     In an attempt to address this challenge, bottled water distributors have begun entering into arrangements with retailers. In such arrangements, the bottled water distributor periodically delivers full drinking water bottles to retailers and the retailers sell full water bottles to their customers.  
         [0011]     It should be understood that the terms “retailer” and “seller” as used herein refer to an individual, group of individuals, company or other entity that sell goods or services, regardless of whether such sales are “at retail.” Similarly, the term “store” as used herein refers to any location at which sales are made, regardless of whether such location be an actual store that is open to the public.  
         [0012]     While these retail arrangements are advantageous in that they serve the needs of residential bottled water customers in a more economically efficient manner than home deliveries, the fact that the drinking water bottles are reusable creates at least two significant problems for retailers. The first problem is that retail personnel must be used to receive and verify customer returns of empty bottles. Because customers are usually charged less for a full bottle of drinking water when they return an empty bottle, each store selling bottled water must have a way of verifying whether or not a customer buying a full bottle of drinking water has returned an empty bottle. In known distribution methods, one of the retailer&#39;s employees is used to manually receive each empty drinking water bottle returned by a customer. This means that such employee must temporarily stop what he or she is doing when a customer returns an empty drinking water bottle.  
         [0013]     A second significant problem created for retailers in known methods of distributing bottled drinking water is that the retailer must financially manage deposit amounts. Because empty drinking water bottles have value to distributors, bottled water distributors often charge retailers a deposit for each bottle of drinking water delivered to the retailer to ensure that the distributor gets empty bottles back from the retailer or is made whole for the loss of bottles that are not returned. Retailers typically pass the deposit amounts on to their customers. The result of the deposit system is that retailers are forced to carry the deposit amounts on their financial books, give refunds to customers when empty bottles are returned but full bottles are not purchased, and reconcile deposit amounts with bottled water distributors.  
         [0014]     The necessity of using store personnel to verify and receive empty bottles returned from customers and the burden of managing deposit amounts create significant deterrents to wide-spread adoption of retail bottled water distribution arrangements.  
         [0015]     What is needed in the art is a new way of distributing bottled drinking water using retailers that will not burden retail personnel with additional obligations such as receiving empty bottles returned by customers and managing deposit amounts.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0016]     The present invention overcomes the disadvantage of having to use store personnel to verify and receive empty bottles returned from customers and the burden of managing deposit amounts by providing a new bottle return apparatus and new methods of selling and distributing bottled drinking water.  
         [0017]     A drinking water bottle return apparatus includes a bin capable of holding empty bottles, a door allowing for removal of empty bottles, means for receiving bottles into the bin, a sensor to detect bottles received into the bin and a receipt dispenser that dispenses a receipt in response to detection by the sensor of a bottle received into the bin. A bottle deposited into the empty bin falls by gravity until stopped by the bottom of the bin and is detected by the sensor, which causes the receipt dispenser to dispense a receipt for the bottle. One or more circulation openings may be provided to allow air outside of the bin to circulate among bottles in the bin. Means for receiving bottles into the bin may include a receiving chute or a rotatably mounted receiving tray. The means for receiving bottles into the bin may have a size and shape such that only one bottle at a time can be received into the bin. The sensor may detect a bottle as it passes through the means for receiving bottles into the bin. The sensor may detect a bottle as it falls by gravity in the interior of the bin. The sensor may be a mechanical, electro optical, RFID or other device. Receipts dispensed by the apparatus may by include a universal product code, stock keeping unit or other product identifying information. Receipts dispensed by the apparatus may include an RFID tag. The door, receipt dispenser and receiving means may be accessible from the same side of the bin, as may be a circulation opening.  
         [0018]     A method of selling bottled drinking water includes providing at a first location an inventory of bottled drinking water for sale, assigning product identification information to each bottle in the inventory, assigning a first purchase price to each bottle in the inventory that will be charged to a purchaser of a bottle from the inventory that does not return an empty bottle, assigning a second purchase price to each bottle in the inventory that will be charged to a purchaser of a bottle from the inventory that does return an empty bottle, and positioning at a second location an apparatus capable of receiving and storing empty water bottles from the inventory without damaging the empty bottles and dispensing a receipt having assigned product identification information in response to each empty bottle deposited in the apparatus. A purchaser of a bottle of drinking water from the inventory can thus deposit an empty drinking water bottle in the apparatus, receive a receipt from the apparatus and then present the receipt with the product identification information upon purchase of a full bottle and be charged the second purchase price. The second purchase price may be lower than the first purchase price. The first location may be inside of a store and the second location may be inside or outside of the same store. The first location may be a store that also sells water cooler devices. Product identification information may include a universal product code, a stock keeping unit number or any other suitable information. The product identification information may be encoded on an RFID tag on each bottle. The seller may of bottled drinking water may or may not own the inventory of bottled water and may or may not own the apparatus.  
         [0019]     The inventory may include drinking water in bottles of more than one size. Different product identification information may be assigned to each size of bottle in the inventory and the apparatus may be capable of receiving and storing each size of bottle without damaging such bottle and dispensing in response to each bottle deposited in the apparatus a receipt having product identification information assigned to each size of bottle. Product identification information assigned to each bottle of drinking water in the inventory may be encoded on an RFID tag on each bottle. The first purchase price assigned to a size of drinking water bottle in the inventory may differ from the first purchase price assigned to a different size of drinking water bottle in the inventory. The second purchase price assigned to a size of drinking water bottle in the inventory may differ from the second purchase price assigned to a different size of drinking water bottle in the inventory.  
         [0020]     A method of distributing bottled drinking water may include delivering at a predetermined time to a first location full drinking water bottles for display and sale, positioning at a second location an apparatus capable of receiving and storing bottles without damaging such bottles and dispensing in response to each bottle deposited in the apparatus a receipt having product identification information, retrieving from the apparatus at a time later than the predetermined time bottles contained in the apparatus and delivering to the first location an additional plurality of full drinking water bottles for display and sale. A customer can thus purchase a bottle of drinking water at the first predetermined location and after consuming all water in such bottle deposit the empty bottle at the second predetermined location and receive a receipt evidencing such deposit. The bottles may be delivered to the first location on consignment. The first location may be inside a store and the second location may be inside or outside of the same store. Water cooler devices may also be sold at the first location.  
         [0021]     A method of distributing bottled drinking water may include creating an account for a store operator that will sell drinking water bottles, assigning a first amount to be charged to such account for each bottle of drinking water sold by the operator, assigning a second amount that will be deducted from the first amount for each empty bottle received from the store operator, delivering to the store operator drinking water bottles for display and sale by the operator, positioning an apparatus capable of receiving and storing empty bottles without damaging the bottles and dispensing in response to each empty bottle deposited in the apparatus a receipt having product identification information, later retrieving empty bottles from the apparatus and determining the number of full water bottles that have been sold by the store operator, and invoicing the store operator an amount equal to the first amount multiplied by the number of drinking water bottles that have been sold by the store operator since the predetermined time minus the second amount multiplied by the number of empty bottles retrieved from the apparatus. A store operator can thus sell bottled drinking water and collect empty bottles without managing deposit amounts and without using a store employee to receive empty bottles deposited at the store.  
         [0022]     A method of distributing bottled drinking water may include delivering an inventory of full drinking water bottles to a retailer for display and sale at a location, transferring ownership of the inventory to the retailer at the time that the inventory is delivered, invoicing the retailer a predetermined amount for each full drinking water bottle delivered to the retailer, and retrieving at least one empty drinking water bottle from a bottle return apparatus at the predetermined location that has a receipt dispenser for automatically dispensing a receipt in response to each empty drinking water bottle deposited in the apparatus. A retailer can thus ascertain without otherwise interfacing with the customer that the customer has deposited an empty drinking water bottle in the bottle return apparatus. The receipt may have product identification information corresponding to the drinking water bottle deposited in the apparatus. A customer having an empty drinking water bottle can thus deposit an empty drinking water bottle in the bottle return apparatus and receive a receipt from such apparatus for use in a subsequent purchase of a full drinking water bottle. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should now be had to the preferred embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings, which are not to scale:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bottle return apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bottle return apparatus of  FIG. 1  in which panels are affixed to the bottle return apparatus;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottle return apparatus of  FIG. 2  illustrating the receipt of an empty bottle into the apparatus;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bottle return apparatus of  FIG. 2  with the door open;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway elevation view of a sensor of the bottle return apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway elevation view of the receiving chute and sensor of the bottle return apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are cutaway elevation views illustrating the receipt of an empty bottle into the apparatus of  FIG. 1  and the detection of the empty bottle by the sensor;  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the bottle return apparatus of  FIG. 2  illustrating a receipt dispenser dispensing a receipt;  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is an cutaway elevation view of the receipt dispenser of the bottle return apparatus of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a receipt having a universal product code disposed thereon;  
         [0034]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bottle return apparatus in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIGS. 13 and 14  are cutaway perspective views illustrating the receipt of an empty bottle into the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 12  and the detection of the empty bottle by the sensor;  
         [0036]      FIG. 15  is a cutaway perspective view of a sensor of the bottle return apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bottle return apparatus in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIGS. 17 and 18  are perspective views illustrating the receipt of an empty bottle into the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 16  and the detection of the empty bottle by the sensor;  
         [0039]      FIG. 19  is a schematic illustration of a bottled water distributing method of the present invention; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 20  is a schematic illustration of a bottled water selling method of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0041]     The present invention will now be described fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the preferred embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these preferred embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0042]     The present invention solves problems created for retailers by previous bottled water distribution systems by providing a new empty bottle return apparatus, a new bottled water distribution method and a new method of selling bottled water products. The apparatus of the present invention receives empty bottles being returned, issues a receipt therefore and stores a plurality of empty bottles until they are retrieved by a bottled water distributor. Thus, the present invention allows a retailer to sell bottled water without the need to use store personnel for receiving and storing empty bottles returned to the store by its customers.  
         [0043]     A preferred embodiment of a return apparatus according to the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1-10 . Turning now to  FIGS. 1-3 , a bottle return apparatus  10  has a bin  11  that is capable of holding a plurality of empty drinking water bottles. As those in the art will appreciate, the size of the bin  11  may be selected based upon considerations such as space limitations in the desired bin location, the size of empty bottles desired to be deposited in the bin, the anticipated or actual rate of bottle return in the location of the bin, the anticipated or actual time between pick-ups of empty water bottles from the bin  11 , the desired number of empty water bottles that will be stored in the bin  11  and the desired method of transporting the apparatus. Advantageously, the shape or “footprint” of the apparatus  10  may be designed such that it is suitable for movement on a standard pallet.  
         [0044]     The bin  11  has a plurality of walls  21  and a top  22 . The bin  11 , walls  21  and top  22  may be composed of any suitable materials. If the apparatus is intended to be placed outdoors, then the materials used to construct the bin  11 , and particularly the walls  21  and top  22 , should be suitable weather-resistant materials. For example, the walls  21  and top  22  may be composed of wire or steel mesh material. In addition, the walls  21  and top  22  may be composed of a solid material. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the bin  11  has four walls  21 . A suitable bin  11  in accordance a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be constructed using a top  22  fabricated from 22 gauge steel and walls  21  fabricated from 16 gauge steel and 0.207 inch diameter steel rods.  
         [0045]     The bin  11  has at least one door  13  that is movable between a closed position (illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 ) that retains empty water bottles  16  in the interior of the bin  11 , and an open position (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) that allows access to the interior of the bin  11  for removal of empty water bottles  16  inside the bin  11 . The door  13  may be affixed to the bin  11  by any suitable means. In a preferred embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 1 , the door is connected to the bin  11  by hinges  9  so that the door  13  swings outward and away from the bin  11  to permit access to the contents of the bin  11 .  
         [0046]     The door  13  may be any desired shape and size, provided that the shape and size of the door permit removal of empty bottles  16  within the bin  11  through the door  13  when the door is open. A latch  14  may be used to hold the door  13  in the closed position. The latch  14  may also be used in conjunction with a padlock or other locking mechanism (not illustrated) for securing the door  13  in the closed position. A spring mechanism, or other known devices, may be used to keep the door biased in the closed position.  
         [0047]     While only a single door has been illustrated in the present application, those in the art will appreciate that more than one door may be used, including the use of so-called “French doors.” Moreover, while a generally square door has been illustrated, those in the art will appreciate that the door may be any suitable shape.  
         [0048]     Advantageously, the door  13  may be spaced from the bottom of the bin  11  by a suitable distance S (see  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 ) to retain at least a portion of the empty bottles  16  within the bin  11  when the door  13  is in the open position.  
         [0049]     The bottom  20  of the apparatus  10  may be constructed of any suitable material. Preferably, the bottom  20  should be a material that will not cause bottle breakage or damage when a bottle  16  impacts the bottom  20  upon being deposited in the bin  11 . It should be noted that as used herein, “bottom” means the surface upon the first empty bottle  16  deposited in the bin  11  comes to rest. The bottom  20  may be a structural member that is connected to one or more of the walls  21 . Alternatively, the bottom  20  need not be connected to the bin  11 . For example, the bottom  20  may be the ground, pallet or other surface upon which the apparatus  10  is positioned. Alternatively, the bottom  20  may be a cushioning or protective material (such as foam or rubber padding) that is positioned inside the apparatus. The bottom  20  may be a water-absorbent material, which may be advantageously used if the apparatus is located indoors. The bottom  20  may be a non water-absorbent material, which may be advantageously used if the apparatus is located outdoors where water absorption by the bottom would facilitate mold formation or other undesirable conditions. The bottom  20  may be a so-called “closed cell” material.  
         [0050]     As depicted in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4 ,  9  and  16 , panels  12  may be affixed to the walls  21  and door  13  of the bin  11 . Advertisements, instructions, decorative graphics text or the like may adorn the outside of the panels  12  or walls  21 . If panels  12  are affixed to the walls  21 , or if solid materials are used for the walls  21  and the top  22 , consideration should be given to selecting materials that can satisfactorily withstand the anticipated weather conditions if the bin  11  is to be located outdoors. It may also be advantageous to select a material capable of shielding empty bottles contained within the bin  11  from exposure to excess sunlight if the bottles are made from a material (such as some forms of polycarbonate) that suffers degradation or discoloration from prolonged exposure to sunlight.  
         [0051]     Various means may be used for receiving empty bottles  16  into the bin  11 . One such means that may be advantageously used, which is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , is a receiving chute. A receiving chute  15  provides an opening from the exterior of the bin  11  into the interior of the bin  11  so as to permit a empty bottle  16  traveling through the receiving chute  15  to enter the bin  11 . The receiving chute  15  may be spaced higher in the vertical direction than the bottom  20  so as to allow empty bottles  16  traveling there through to drop by gravity to the bottom  20 . All or a portion of the receiving chute  15  may, but need not necessarily, extend outwardly (i.e., in a direction away from the interior of the bin  11 ) from a wall  21  of the apparatus  10 . All or a portion of the receiving chute  15  may, but need not necessarily, extend inwardly (i.e., in a direction toward the interior of the bin  11 ) from a wall  21  of the apparatus  10 . Extending at least a portion of the receiving chute  15  for a predetermined distance into the interior space of the bin  11  may be used to ensure accurate positioning of empty bottles inserted into the bin  11  relative to the sensor (discussed below).  
         [0052]     In determining the size and shape of the receiving chute  15 , it is useful to consider the size, shape and dimensions of bottles intended to be deposited in the apparatus. As used herein, the term “bottle of predetermined size” means a bottle of the type, and having the shape, size and dimensions, that is intended to be deposited in the apparatus. The receiving chute  15  may, but need not necessarily, be designed to ensure that empty bottles of predetermined size can only be inserted into the apparatus  10  in one orientation. The shape and length of the receiving chute  15  may, but need not necessarily, be designed to ensure that only one bottle of predetermined size at a time can be inserted into the apparatus. The receiving chute  15  may be positioned high enough in the vertical direction so as to allow a desired number of empty bottles  16  to be received and stored in the bin  11 .  
         [0053]      FIGS. 3, 7  and  8  illustrate the insertion of a bottle  16  into the apparatus through a generally cylindrical receiving chute  15 . In these illustrations, the receiving chute  15  is sized and configured such that empty bottles  16  are permitted to pass through the receiving chute  15  only in the bottle&#39;s longitudinal direction. If it is desired that the apparatus  10  be used to collect and store generally cylindrical bottles and that such bottles be received into the apparatus only in the longitudinal direction, then the diameter of the receiving chute should be selected such that it is greater than the diameter of the bottles of predetermined size but less than the length of such bottles.  
         [0054]     It has been found that three gallon and five gallon sized bottles of the type disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. 361,039 and manufactured by Reid Plastics, Inc. may be advantageously used with the present invention. When such bottles are used, a receiving chute  15  having a diameter of between ten inches and eleven inches and a length of between twelve inches and twenty-six inches may be advantageously used. Suitable three gallon and five gallon sized bottles may also be obtained from a variety of other manufacturers, including Grief, Inc. and Consolidated Container Corporation.  
         [0055]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a moveable flap  27  may be used to cover an opening of the receiving chute  15 .  FIGS. 7 and 8  depict a movable flap  27  covering the opening of the receiving chute  15  in the interior of the bin  11 . A movable flap  27  may also be used to cover the other opening of the receiving chute  15  (i.e., the first opening of the receiving chute  15  that a bottle  16  encounters when being inserted into the bin  11 ). A movable flap  27  may also be used to cover both openings of the receiving chute  15 . Positioning a movable flap  27  over the exterior opening of the receiving chute  15  may require that person depositing a bottle into the apparatus manually open such flap  27  in order to access the opening of the receiving chute  15 .  
         [0056]     The movable flap  27  may be made from any suitable material and may be made from the same material as the receiving chute  15 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, there are many ways to attach a flap  27  to a receiving chute  15  in a way that will permit the flap  27  to move and allow a bottle  16  to travel completely through the receiving chute  15 . Such mechanisms include, but are not limited to, hinge mechanisms, spring mechanisms, rotating mechanisms, and the like. For example, the flap  27  may be attached by a hinge as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The flap  27  is thus permitted to swing between a closed position (illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) wherein the flap  27  rests against the receiving chute  15  and an open position (illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) permitting empty bottles  16  to travel completely through the receiving chute  15  and into the bin  11 . The moveable flap  27  may be configured to move from the closed position to the open position by the force of a bottle  16  being inserted through the receiving chute  15  (illustrated in  FIG. 8 ).  
         [0057]     Presuming that the receiving chute  15  is spaced in the vertical direction from the bottom  20 , an empty bottle  16  passing completely through the receiving chute  15  falls to the bottom  20  by gravity. Thereafter, the movable flap  27  returns to the closed position.  
         [0058]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8 , a sensor  17  detects bottles  16  entering the bin  11 . The sensor  17  may be any sensor capable of detecting the presence of an object such as a bottle and may, for example, be a mechanical, electrical, magnetic or optical sensor, all of which are known to those in the art. The sensor  17  may also be a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) reader or other device capable of detecting the presence of RFID tags or so-called “smart labels” on water bottles entering the apparatus.  
         [0059]     One manual sensor suitable for use in the present invention is a general purpose limit switch, such as the limit switch manufactured by Honeywell International, Inc. and designated as manufacturer part number SZL-VL-F. One optical sensor suitable for use in the present invention is a photoelectric proximity detector, such as the photoelectric proximity detector manufactured by SICK, Inc. and designated as manufacturer part number ET 1-N122.  
         [0060]     The sensor  17  is located such that an empty bottle  16  entering the bin  11  is detected. The sensor  17  may, for example, be located inside the receiving chute  15 . Alternatively, the sensor  17  may be positioned in the bin  11  at such a location that a bottle  16  contacts a mechanical sensor or passes through the field of view of an optical sensor upon entering the bin  11 . The sensor  17  may also be positioned such that an empty bottle  16  having passed through the receiving chute  15  is detected by the sensor  17  as the bottle  16  falls by gravity into the interior of the bin  11 .  
         [0061]     If the sensor  17  used is a device capable of detecting an RFID tag on a bottle being deposited in the bin  11 , consideration should be given to ensuring that the presence of one or more RFID tags on bottles already contained within the bin does not interfere with the detection of an RFID tag on a bottle that is being deposited into the bin. For example, such a sensor could be positioned such that RFID tags on empty bottles being deposited into the bin  11  are within the field of view of the sensor  17  but RFID tags on empty bottles having been previously deposited into the bin  11  are not within the field of view of the sensor  17 .  
         [0062]      FIGS. 5-8  illustrate an advantageous placement of an optical sensor. The sensor  17  is positioned in the bin  11  on the interior side of a wall  21  near the interior opening of the receiving chute  15  such that a bottle  16  exiting the receiving chute  15  is detected by the sensor  17 .  
         [0063]     As depicted in  FIGS. 1, 5  and  10 , the sensor  17  is operatively connected to a receipt dispenser  18 , which dispenses a receipt when an empty bottle  16  is deposited in the apparatus  10 . As those in the art will appreciate, there are many methods of providing such operative connectivity, including, but not limited to, electrical wiring, mechanical cabling, optical coupling, radio coupling, and the like. When the sensor  17  detects the presence of a bottle entering the bin  11 , the sensor  17  activates the receipt dispenser  18 , which generates a receipt  19 . The receipt dispenser  18  may be a printer that prints a receipt  19  upon being activated by the sensor  17 . Alternatively, the receipt dispenser  18  may be a device that dispenses preprinted receipts upon being activated by the sensor  17 .  
         [0064]     As those in the art will appreciate, there are many receipt dispensers that are suitable for use with the present invention. One such receipt dispenser that may be advantageously used in the present invention is a ticket dispenser, such as the ticket dispenser manufactured by Deltronic Labs, Inc. and designated a model number DL-4-SS.  
         [0065]     An RFID printer or other device capable of encoding information onto an RFID tag may also be advantageously used as the receipt dispenser  18 .  
         [0066]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9, 12  and  16 , after a receipt is dispensed by the receipt dispenser  18 , a customer having deposited an empty bottle in the apparatus may remove the receipt  19  from the apparatus  10 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 11  illustrates a receipt that may advantageously be used with the present invention. This receipt  19  has product identification indicia that corresponds to the drinking water bottles of the type with which use of the apparatus is intended. The product identification indicia may, for example, include a Universal Product Code (“UPC”), or a Stock Keeping Unit (“SKU”) number, or any other indicia used to identify the bottled water product.  
         [0068]     The receipt  19  may include an RFID device, such as an RFID tag or so-called “smart label” that contains product identification indicia. RFID-capable receipts may have product identification indicia pre-encoded on RFID tags on the receipts or, if the receipt dispenser is an RFID printer or other device capable of encoding information onto an RFID tag, the receipts may include RFID tags that are encoded with product identification indicia by the receipt dispenser  18 .  
         [0069]     Product identification indicia may be on one or both sides of the receipt  19 . If two sizes of water bottles, 3-gallon and 5-gallon sizes for example, are sold by a particular retailer, the receipt  19  may have product identification indicia corresponding to the 3-gallon size on one side and product identification indicia corresponding to the 5-gallon size on the other side. In this way a customer depositing either the three gallon size or the five gallon size in the apparatus receives a corresponding receipt without the necessity of the apparatus determining which size of bottle has been deposited.  
         [0070]     If an RFID reader is used as the sensor  17  and an RFID printer used as the receipt dispenser  18 , the receipt  19  may be encoded with RFID product identification indicia corresponding to the size of water bottle associated with the RFID tag that is detected by the sensor when a bottle having an RFID tag enters the apparatus.  
         [0071]     Because “empty” beverage bottles often still contain moisture, it is desirable to facilitate air flow around empty water bottles that have been deposited in the bin  11  to help remove moisture from the apparatus  10 , dry the empty bottles  16  and provide some deterrence against insect infestation while the bottles  16  are stored in the bin awaiting pick-up and reuse. One or more circulation openings  25  are provided to allow air from the exterior of the bin  11  to pass into the interior of the bin  11  where empty bottles  16  are contained.  
         [0072]     Circulation openings  25  may be any desired shape or size. In determining the number, shape and size of circulation openings, consideration should be given to the size of bottles with which the apparatus is intended to be used and the size and number of circulation openings required to facilitate the desire air flow through the apparatus.  
         [0073]     In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of circulation openings  25  are provided, each such circulation opening  25  having an area less than the area of the opening of the receiving chute  15 . In this way, when the receiving chute  15  is configured to permit only one empty bottle at a time to pass there through, the circulation openings  25  prevent empty bottles  16  from being removed from the bin  11  through the circulation openings  25 .  
         [0074]     Means for receiving a bottle of predetermined size from outside of the bin  11  into the interior space of the bin other than a receiving chute  15  are also within the scope of the present invention. For example,  FIGS. 12-15  and  FIGS. 16-18  illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention in which a receiving tray  31  that rotates around an axis A between an open position and a closed position is used instead of a receiving chute  15 .  
         [0075]     In a preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15 , the exterior tray wall  32  of the receiving tray  31  when in the closed position is generally flat and may be flush with an exterior surface of a wall  21  of the apparatus  10 . A handle  33  extends outwardly from the exterior tray wall  32 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the receiving tray  31  in this preferred embodiment has two tray side walls  34  and an interior tray wall  35 . The receiving tray  31  of this preferred embodiment is attached to the bin  11  is such a way that the receiving tray  31  rotates about an axis A that runs generally along the line formed by the joint between the exterior tray wall  32  and the interior tray wall  35 . A hinge may be used to attach the receiving tray  31  to the bin  11  and thereby create this rotating motion.  
         [0076]     To deposit an empty bottle  16  into the bin  11  in this preferred embodiment, the receiving tray  31  is pulled using the handle  33  to the open position (illustrated in  FIG. 13 ), a bottle is placed in the receiving tray  31 , and the receiving tray  31  is returned to the closed position (illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 14 ), whereupon the bottle  16  falls into the bin  11  by gravity (illustrated in  FIG. 14 ). A spring mechanism or other known device may be used to bias the receiving tray  31  in the closed position.  
         [0077]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the sensor  17  in this preferred embodiment may advantageously be positioned in the bin  11  under the receiving tray  31  so as to detect a bottle  16  falling from the receiving tray  31  into the bin  11 .  
         [0078]     In a preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 16-18 , the exterior tray wall  32  of the receiving tray  31  is arcuate and each tray side wall  34  is semicircular. As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , in the closed position the arcuate exterior tray wall  32  in this preferred embodiment extends outwardly from the wall  21  of the apparatus. A handle  33  extends outwardly from the exterior tray wall  32 .  
         [0079]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the receiving tray  31  in this preferred embodiment is attached to the bin  11  in such a way that the receiving tray  31  rotates about an axis A generally located along a line connecting the mid point of the straight edge of each semicircular tray side wall  34 .  
         [0080]     To deposit a bottle into the bin in this preferred embodiment, the receiving tray  31  is pulled using the handle  33  to the open position (illustrated in  FIG. 17 ), a bottle is placed in the receiving tray  31 , and the receiving tray  31  is returned to the closed position whereupon the bottle  16  falls into the bin  11  by gravity (illustrated in  FIG. 18 ). When the receiving tray  31  is in the open position, a portion of the arcuate exterior tray wall  32  extends into the interior of the bin  11 . A spring mechanism or other known device may be used to bias the receiving tray  31  in the closed position.  
         [0081]     The sensor  17  in this preferred embodiment may be positioned in the bin  11  under the receiving tray  31  so as to detect a bottle falling from the receiving tray  31  into the bin  11 , as previously described. Alternatively, and as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the sensor  17  in this preferred embodiment may be positioned on the interior side of a wall  21  of the bin  11  so as to detect a bottle falling from the receiving tray  31  into the bin  11 .  
         [0082]     The door  13 , receipt dispenser  18 , one or more circulation openings  25  and means for receiving a bottle of predetermined size from outside of the bin may be arranged in any desired configuration in the apparatus  10 . In a preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each is arranged on the same side of the apparatus  10  in order to permit positioning of the apparatus  10  in a location where only one side of the apparatus  10  is accessible. Additionally, the means for receiving a bottle of predetermined size from outside of the bin may, but need not necessarily, be positioned higher in the vertical direction than the receipt dispenser  18 . The receipt dispenser  18  is preferably positioned at a height that permits customers to easily remove the receipt  19  after being dispensed. The receipt dispenser  18  and the door  13  may further be positioned such that each is aligned with the other in a generally coplanar relationship on the apparatus.  
         [0083]     The apparatus of the present invention thus eliminates the problematic need for a store employee to be present when a customer returns an empty bottle in order to verify the return, receive the empty bottle and store it. Using the apparatus of the present invention, a customer simply deposits an empty water bottle  16  into the bin  11 , whereby the sensor  17  detects entry of the bottle into the bin and activates the receipt dispenser  18  to dispense a receipt  19  for the deposited bottle. The receipt  19  has product identification indicia thereon that corresponds to a full drinking water bottle. The customer may then take the receipt  19  from the apparatus and present the receipt to the store cashier when purchasing a full bottle of drinking water. In this way, the receipt  19  can serve both as evidence of bottle return and as a “price tag” that can be entered, scanned or read if a purchaser who returns an empty bottle desires to buy a new full water bottle.  
         [0084]     The apparatus of the present invention may be advantageously utilized in the bottled water distributing and selling methods of the present invention. A preferred embodiment of bottled water distributing method according to the present invention is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0085]     As represented by reference numeral  100 , at a predetermined time a bottled water distributor delivers to a first predetermined location a plurality of full drinking water bottles for display and sale at such location. The first predetermined location may advantageously be a store or other establishment where goods or services are sold. Typically, full drinking water bottles are displayed on a rack, shelf or pallet. Customers desiring to purchase a full drinking water bottle simply remove a full bottle from the rack, shelf or pallet and proceed to the check out station.  
         [0086]     As represented by reference numeral  105 , the distributor positions at a second predetermined location an apparatus that can receive and store empty bottles and dispense a receipt for each empty bottle deposited in the apparatus. The receipt has product identification indicia thereon. The second predetermined location may advantageously be the same store or establishment as the first predetermined location. Also advantageously, full drinking water bottles may be displayed inside of such store and the return apparatus may be placed outside of such store. This allows customers returning an empty drinking water bottle to deposit the empty drinking water bottle in the apparatus outside of the store and then enter the store and purchase a full drinking water bottle.  
         [0087]     As represented by reference numeral  110 , after the time at which the distributor delivers the full drinking water bottles to the location, the distributor retrieves from the apparatus at the second predetermined location any empty drinking water bottles contained in the apparatus and, as represented by reference numeral  115 , delivers an additional plurality of full drinking water bottles to the first predetermined location for display and sale.  
         [0088]     There are at least two accounting arrangements between the distributor an the store operator that may be advantageously employed with the methods of the present invention. In the so-called “consignment model,” the distributor owns the bottled water inventory at a retailer&#39;s stores. The retailer has possession of the inventory of full water bottles and is allowed to sell the inventory. Periodically, the retailer “settles up” with the distributor for the bottles sold and, if the retailer accepts empty bottle returns, for the empty bottles returned to the retailer location. The main advantage of the consignment model for the retailer is that the retailer does not have to tie up its capital in the drinking water inventory and thus the distributor, and not the retailer, bears the risk of poor product sales.  
         [0089]     A second model that may advantageously used with the present invention is the so-called “inventory model.” In this model, a retailer purchases full drinking water bottles from a distributor and thus the retailer owns the inventory in its store locations. Typically, distributors in the inventory model invoice retailers upon or soon after delivery of the bottled water inventory to the retailer.  
         [0090]     These two models are illustrated in the following examples. In each example, it is assumed that the bottled water distributor charges the retailer $10 for each full water bottle delivered, but gives the retailer a cost reduction of $5 for each empty water bottle returned.  
         [0091]     In the consignment model, a distributor initially delivers 20 full water bottles. At this point, the retailer does not owe the distributor because the bottles have been accepted on consignment. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the retailer&#39;s store and finds that 5 bottles have been sold but no empty bottles have been returned. The retailer owes the distributor $50. The distributor then leaves 5 new full water bottles to replenish the store&#39;s inventory. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the store and finds that 5 more bottles have been sold and 3 empty bottles have been returned to the store. The retailer owes the distributor $35. The distributor leaves 5 new full bottles to replenish the inventory of bottles at the store. The distributor also retains the 3 empty bottles for reuse. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the store and finds that 5 bottles have been sold and 10 empty bottles have been returned to the store. The retailer does not owe the distributor because the amount that would have been owed for the 5 full bottles is equally offset by the value of the 10 empty bottles. The distributor leaves 5 new full bottles to replenish the inventory of bottles at the store. The distributor also retains the 10 empty bottles for reuse. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the store and finds that 2 bottles have been sold and 10 empty bottles have been returned to the store. The distributor thus owes the retailer $30 because the cost reductions associated with the returned bottles exceed the cost of the replacement full bottles. Often in such circumstances the distributor will not actually pay the retailer but will instead maintain $30 as a balance on the retailer&#39;s account. The distributor leaves 2 new full bottles to replenish the inventory of bottles at the store. The distributor also retains the 10 empty bottles for reuse.  
         [0092]     In the inventory model, a distributor initially delivers 20 full water bottles. At this point, the retailer owes the distributor $200. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the retailer&#39;s store and finds that 5 bottles have been sold but no empty bottles have been returned. The distributor leaves 5 new full water bottles to replenish the store&#39;s inventory and the retailer owes the distributor $50. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the store and finds that 5 bottles have been sold and 3 empty bottles have been returned to the store. The retailer owes the distributor $35. The distributor leaves 5 new full bottles to replenish the inventory of bottles at the store. The distributor also retains the 3 empty bottles for reuse. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the store and finds that 5 bottles have been sold and 10 empty bottles have been returned to the store. The retailer does not owe the distributor because the amount that would have been owed for the 5 full bottles is equally offset by the value of the 10 empty bottles. The distributor leaves 5 new full bottles to replenish the inventory of bottles at the store. The distributor also retains the 10 empty bottles for reuse. Subsequently, the distributor returns to the store and finds that 2 bottles have been sold and 10 empty bottles have been returned to the store. The distributor thus owes the retailer $30 because the cost reductions associated with the returned bottles exceed the cost of the replacement full bottles. Often in such circumstances the distributor will not actually pay the retailer but will instead maintain a balance of $30 on the retailer&#39;s account. The distributor leaves 2 new full bottles to replenish the inventory of bottles at the store. The distributor also retains the 10 empty bottles for reuse.  
         [0093]      FIG. 20  schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a method of selling bottled drinking water in accordance with the present invention. As represented by reference numeral  120 , a seller provides at a first predetermined location an inventory of bottled drinking water for sale. As represented by reference numeral  125 , product identification indicia is assigned to each type of bottled drinking water in the inventory. As represented by reference numeral  130 , for each type of bottled drinking water in the inventory a purchase price is assigned that will be charged to a purchaser who does not also return an empty drinking water bottle of the same type. As represented by reference numeral  135 , for each type of bottled drinking water in the inventory a purchase price is assigned that will be charged to a purchaser who does return an empty drinking water bottle of the same type. As represented by reference numeral  140 , an apparatus is positioned in a second location that can receive and store each type of drinking water bottle in the inventory, without damaging the empty bottles, and dispense for each bottled deposited in the apparatus a receipt having assigned product identification indicia.  
         [0094]     Advantageously, the first predetermined location at which the inventory of drinking water bottles is provided for sale can be a store that also sells water cooler devices compatible with drinking water bottles in the inventory.  
         [0095]     As shown by the discussion above, the apparatus and methods of the present invention solve the problems associated with previous drinking water distribution systems by providing an apparatus that can receive, store and evidence receipt of an empty drinking water bottle without use of store employees and providing distribution and selling methods in which deposits are not managed by retailers and retailers are not forced to carry deposit amounts on the retailers&#39; financial books.  
         [0096]     It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.