Patent GB-981328-A (GB)
Title: A method and apparatus for receiving returnable containers
IPC: G07F7/06
Filed: 1961-05-19
Abstract: 981, 328. Refunding apparatus for returnable containers. E. H. L. OLOFSSON. May 19,1961 [May 21, 1960], No. 18420/61. Heading G4V. Apparatus for receiving returnable containers, such as empty bottles, of varying size comprises means for measuring both a longitudinal and a lateral dimension of the container and the combined result of these measurements is used to control means for issuing a statement of the required value in a form such as a perforated strip which can be exchanged for coins at a cashier's desk. The bottles are inserted into a shoot 1 having a bottom converging at decreasingly steep angles so that bottles of different diameters sink to different depths. The opening of the shoot is partially covered by a flap 8 tiltable inwardly and a stop rod 27 at the end of the shoot is provided on levers 28 pivoted at 29 and connected to a fork 33 which has a common pivot 74 with another fork 68. The second fork is connected by slots 70 round pins 66<SP>1</SP> to a pair of levers 54 which are pivoted at 55 and have a pair of transverse rods 56, 57 one or other of which engage the bottle to gauge its diameter. For gauging the length of the bottle, a parallelogram linkage 38, 39 carries plates 41, 42 protruding through a slot 5 in the base of the shoot and is connected by a bracket 37 and link 75 to the pivot 74 of the forks. A cylinder 79 eccentrically mounted on a disc 80 driven by a motor is engageable with a recess 78 in the link 75 and a roller 81 on the disc is also movable into engagement with the recess. Prior to a bottle being placed in the shoot, the length-gauging plates 41, 42 bear on a rod 24 on levers 20, 21 and hold a latch rod 25 clear of notches 14 in side wings of the flap 8 so that the flap is free to be tilted inwardly and upwardly. As the bottle pushes the flap upwardly, a bracket 16 disengages from a switch 17 and opens the motor circuit until the flap closes again when the bottle has moved down the shoot to rest on the stop rod 27. The bottle then depresses a leaf spring to close a switch in the motor circuit and start the motor, provided the flap 8 is allowed to remain closed. As the disc 80 is rotated by the motor, the roller 81 disengages from a shoulder 82 on the levers 38, 39 and a spring 77 moves the levers until the plates 41, 42 are stopped by the mouth of the bottle. If the length is correct, a switch 45 on the levers is in position to be closed by a first knob 52 on a flanged disc 48. A cam 85 on a shaft 83 rotated by the motor has also operated a switch 87 to cause an electromagnet 67 to withdraw a latch 65 from a notch on one of the levers 54 and a spring 71 pulls the levers so that the bottle, according to its diameter, is engaged by one or other of the rods 56, 57. If the diameter is correct, a switch 61 is closed by a cam surface 59 and a switch 62 remains open in a recess following the cam surface. When both the switches 45, 61 are closed, means 88 is operated to issue the perforated strip 88<SP>1</SP>. During gauging, the plates 41, 42 are free of the rod 24 and the levers 20, 21 swing so that the rod 25 engages the notches 14 to hold the flap 8 closed. Further,knobs 53 on the disc 48 (and if necessary, on a second flanged disc 50 cooperating with a second switch 45) and further cam surfaces such as 60 on one of the levers 54 operate similarly for different sizes of bottle. When the roller 81 moves into the recess 78 of the link 75, the fork 33 and stop rod 37 are pulled down and the bottle is pushed by the plates 41, 42 to a conveyer hoist. The fork 69 is also pulled down and returns the levers 54 until the latch 65 is engaged. As the roller moves away again from the link 75, the two forks rise again and the plates 41, 42 return to initial position and disengage the rod 25 from the notches 14 on the flap. Finally, after the roller has completed a revolution, a cutout switch for the motor is operated.