Patent Publication Number: US-8112858-B2

Title: Method for transforming a container into an article

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for transforming a container into an article. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a method that operate as a vending machine. A user may deposit the container and/or money into the vending machine. The container may be an empty beverage container, such as, for example, an aluminum soda can and/or a plastic bottle. The money may be deposited as, for example, cash, coins, tokens, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards and/or checks. The apparatus and/or the system may have a receiving bay for receiving the container. The apparatus and/or the system may have one or more deposit slots for receiving the money. After receiving the container and the money, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may analyze a shape of the container, a barcode on the container, and/or a weight of the container to determine whether to accept the container as a suitable container or to reject the container as an unsuitable container. If the apparatus, the system and/or the method rejects the container as an unsuitable container, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may return the unsuitable container and/or the money to the user. 
     If the apparatus, the system and/or the method accepts the container, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may cut in half, wash and/or dry the container creating component parts. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may further cut, press, flange and/or wrap the component parts into an article. The article may be a toy car and/or other novelty item that may be desirable to the user. Before and/or after depositing the container and/or money into the apparatus and/or the system, the user may select the article to be manufactured. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have a window that may allow the user to observe the container transformed into the article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may use additional fasteners and/or materials to form the article from the container. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have a delivery bay for delivering the article to the user. Further, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may deliver one or more decals to the user for use in decorating the article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may be controlled by a programming logic control (PLC). The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have one or more marks and/or advertisements. 
     It is generally known that vendors and/or retailers sell beverages and/or other consumable to consumers in one and/or more single serving containers (hereinafter “the containers”), such as, for example, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and/or the like. The vendors and/or retailers may incorporate a cost of a manufacture of the containers and/or a cost of a material of the containers in a selling price of the beverages. Typically, after the consumers drink and/or remove the beverages from the containers, the consumers may dispose of the containers in one or more ways. The consumers may dispose of the containers by placing the containers in the garbage and/or by sending the containers to be recycled. 
     After consuming and/or removing the beverages from the containers, the consumers may not recoup the value of the cost of the manufacture of the containers and/or the cost of the material of the containers. Further, the consumers may not use the containers for a purpose other than for holding, for drinking and/or for removing the beverages from the containers. Further, manually transforming the containers into an article useful for another purpose may be inconvenient to the consumers, may be difficult for the consumers and/or may be time consuming for the consumers. Moreover, the vendors, the retailers and/or one or more interested parties may not capitalize from the transforming of the containers if and/or when the consumers manually transform the material of containers into an article. 
     A need, therefore, exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article. Additionally, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article that operate as a vending machine that may allow a user to deposit the container and money into the vending machine. Further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that has one or more deposit slots for receiving the money. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may analyze a shape of the container, a barcode on the container, and/or a weight of the container to determine whether to accept the container as a suitable container or to reject the container as an unsuitable container. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may return the unsuitable container and/or the money to the user. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may cut in half, wash and/or dry the suitable container creating component parts. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may further cut, press, flange and/or wrap the component parts into an article. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may allow the user to select the article to be manufactured. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may have a window that may allow the user to observe the container transformed into the article. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may use additional fasteners and/or materials to form the article from the container. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may have a delivery bay for delivering the article to the user. Moreover, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may deliver decals to the user for decorating the article. Additionally, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and/or a method that may advertise to one or more users. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may operate as a vending machine that may allow a user to deposit the container and money into the vending machine. The container may be, for example, an empty beverage container such as, for example, an aluminum soda can and/or a plastic bottle. The money may be deposited as, for example, cash, coins, tokens, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards and/or checks. The apparatus and/or the system may have a receiving bay sized for receiving the container. The apparatus and/or the system may have one or more deposit slots for receiving the money. 
     After receiving the container and/or the money, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may analyze a shape of the container using one or more sensors and/or one or more rotatable motorized rods. Further, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may read a barcode on the container using a laser reader. Still further, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may weigh the container with one or more spring sensors connected to one or more of the motorized rods. 
     After analyzing the shape of the container, reading the barcode on the container and/or weighing the container, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may determine whether to accept the container as a suitable container and/or to reject the container as an unsuitable container. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may use a selector to engage and/or to transport the container from the receiving bay to a second step of manufacture. If the apparatus, the system and/or the method rejects the container as an unsuitable container, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may use the selector to return the unsuitable container to the user. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may return the money to the user. 
     If the apparatus, the system and/or the method accepts the container, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may secure the container at one or more ends of the container with one or more rotating members. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may use a rotatable disc blade to cut the container into two halves along a longitudinal axis of the container. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may wash one or more halves of the container using a water-based solution. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may dry one or more halves of the container using one or more air blowers. One or more of the washed halves and/or the dried halves of the container may become component parts for manufacture of the article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may further cut, press, flange and/or wrap the component parts into the article. The article may be a toy car and/or other novelty item that may be desirable to the user. 
     Before and/or after depositing the container and/or money into the apparatus and/or the system, the user may select the article to be manufactured. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have a window that may allow the user to observe the container transformed into the article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may use additional fasteners and/or materials to form the article from the component parts. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have a delivery bay sized for delivering the article to the user. Further, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may deliver decals to the user for use in decorating the article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may be controlled by a PLC. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have one or more marks and/or advertisements. 
     To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for transforming a container into an article is provided. The apparatus has a base portion having a height defined between a top side of the base portion and a bottom side of the base portion wherein the bottom side of the base portion is in a position opposite to the top side of the base portion wherein the base portion has a payment panel for receiving a payment wherein the base portion has a delivery bay sized to deliver the article wherein the base portion has a decal slot sized to deliver a decal used to decorate the article. Further, the apparatus has a hood portion having a height defined between a top surface of the hood portion and a bottom end of the hood portion wherein the bottom end of the hood portion is in a position opposite to the top surface of the hood portion wherein the hood portion has a width defined between a front side of the hood portion and a backside of the hood portion wherein the backside of the hood portion is in a position opposite to the front side of the hood portion wherein the hood portion is in a position adjacent to the top side of the base portion wherein the hood portion is connected to the top side of the base portion at the bottom end of the hood portion wherein the hood portion has a receiving bay sized to receive the container wherein the front side of the hood portion is made from a transparent material. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus has a screen integrally formed with the base portion wherein the screen displays information. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus has a panel integrally formed with the base portion wherein the panel receives a plurality of information. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus has indicia on the base portion wherein the indicia is an advertisement. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus has a selector adjacent to the receiving bay of the hood portion wherein the selector is sized to receive the container. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus has a die for pressing the container into a press wherein the press is formed as a negative image of the article. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for transforming a container into an article is provided. The system has a selector wherein the selector is sized to receive the container wherein the selector rotates at a hinge in a first direction wherein the selector rotates at the hinge in a second direction wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction wherein the selector rotates at the hinge in the first direction to return the container wherein the selector rotates at the hinge in the second direction to accept the container. Further, the system has a rod adjacent to the selector wherein the rod is positioned to support a weight of the container wherein the rod rotates in a first direction wherein the rod is connected to a sensor to determine the weight of the container. Still further, the system has a blade adjacent to the selector to cut the container into a first portion of the container and a second portion of the container. Still further, the system has a cleaning member adjacent to the first portion of the container and the second portion of the container to spray the first portion of the container and the second portion of the container with a cleaning solution. Still further, the system has a blower adjacent to the cleaning member to dry the first portion of the container and the second portion of the container. Still further, the system has cutting rods adjacent to the cleaning member to cut the container into a plurality of pieces. Still further, the system has a die adjacent to the blade to press the container into a press wherein the press is formed as a negative image of the article and further wherein the die is formed as a positive image of the manufactured good. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a laser reader adjacent to the selector to read a barcode on the container. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a sensor adjacent to the selector to determine a shape of the container. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a programming logic control connected to the selector to control the selector. 
     In an embodiment, the system has rotating members adjacent to the selector to secure the container and to transport the first portion of the container and the second portion of the container to the cleaning member and to the blower. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a table to secure the press wherein the table rotates to invert the press to release the article. 
     In another embodiment, a method for transforming a container into an article is provided. The method has the step of analyzing a weight of the container to determine if the container is empty. Further, the method has the step of cutting the container into a first portion and a second portion. Still further, the method has the step of cleaning the first portion of the container and the second portion of the container. Still further, the method has the step of drying the first portion of the container and the second portion of the container. Still further, the method has the step of pressing the first portion of the container between a press and a first die to form an exterior of the article. Still further, the method has the step of cutting the second portion of the container into a plurality of pieces. Still further, the method has the step of pressing at least one of the plurality of pieces between the press containing the exterior of the article and a second die to form an interior of the article. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of determining a shape of the container. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of reading a barcode of the container to determine an origin of the container. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of delivering a decal to decorate the article. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of securing a flange of the exterior of the article to the interior of the article. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of providing a bay to receive the container. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of selecting the article to be made from the container. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of providing a delivery bay to deliver the article. 
     It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may operate as a vending machine that may allow a user to deposit the container and/or money into the vending machine. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may have a receiving bay for receiving the container. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may which may analyze a shape of the container, a barcode on the container, and/or a weight of the container to determine whether to accept the container as a suitable container or to reject the container as an unsuitable container. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may return an unsuitable container and/or money to the user. 
     Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may cut in half, wash and/or dry the container creating component parts. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may cut, press, flange and/or wrap component parts of the container into the article. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may allow a user to select the article to be manufactured from the container. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may have a window that may allow a user to observe the container transformed into the article. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may use additional fasteners and/or materials to form the article from the container. 
     A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may have a delivery bay for delivering the article to a user. 
     Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may deliver one or more decals to the user for use in decorating the article. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may allow a user to create a toy and/or other novelty item made from the container. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may increase sales of beverages from vending machines located in close proximity to the apparatus, the system and/or the method. 
     Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may allow vendors, beverage retailers and/or other interested parties to make additional money off the containers that the vendors sell with the beverages. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article which may allow one or more vendors, retailers and/or other interested parties to advertise to consumers. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for transforming a container into an article in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a system for transforming a container into an article in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a system for transforming a container into an article in an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and/or a method for transforming a container into an article. A user may deposit the container and/or money into the apparatus. The container may be, for example, an empty beverage container, such as, for example, an aluminum soda can and/or a plastic bottle. The money may be deposited as, for example, cash, coins, tokens, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards and/or checks. The apparatus and/or the system may have a receiving bay for receiving the container. The apparatus and/or the system may have one or more deposit slots for receiving the money. After receiving the container and the money, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may analyze a shape of the container, a barcode on the container, and/or a weight of the container to determine whether to accept the container as a suitable container or to reject the container as an unsuitable container. If the apparatus, the system and/or the method rejects the container as an unsuitable container, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may return the unsuitable container and/or the money to the user. 
     If the apparatus, the system and/or the method accepts the container, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may cut in half, wash and/or dry the container creating component parts. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may further cut, press, flange and/or wrap the component parts into an article. The article may be a toy car and/or other novelty item that may be desirable to the user, such as, for example, replica of a car, a nameplate, a box, a replica of a baseball, a replica of a football, a replica of a basketball, a replica of a soccer ball, a photograph print plate, a toy battleship, a toy space ship, a picture frame, a letter opener, a coin, a piggy bank, a toy phone, a flower pot, a postcard, a tool, a frisbee, a boomerang, a toy helicopter, a wind chime, a weather vane, a lawn ornament, a toy soldier, a toy action figure, a toy doll, a piece of jewelry, an accessory for clothing and/or the like. Before and/or after depositing the container and/or money into the apparatus and/or the system, the user may select the article to be manufactured. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have a window that may allow the user to observe the container transformed into the article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may use additional fasteners and/or materials to form the article from the container. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have a delivery bay for delivering the article to the user. Further, the apparatus, the system and/or the method may deliver one or more decals to the user for use in decorating the article. The apparatus, the system and/or the method may be controlled by a programming logic control (PLC). The apparatus, the system and/or the method may have one or more marks and/or advertisements. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus  10  for transforming a container  20  into an article  30  in an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 1 and 3  illustrate the article  30 . In an embodiment, the article may be a novelty item such as, for example, a toy car, a nameplate, a box, a baseball, a football, a photograph print plate, a toy battle ship, a toy space ship and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the article  30 . It should be understood that the article  30  may be any novelty item as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the container  20 . The container  20  may have bottom portion  22 , a top portion  24 , exterior walls  26  and/or a bar code  28 . The top portion  24  of the container  20  may be located opposite to the bottom portion  22  of the container  20 . The container  20  may be cylindrical and/or may be symmetrical about an axis of the container  20 . 
     In an embodiment, the container  20  may be, for example, a can, a bottle and/or the like. In an embodiment, the container  20  may be made from a material, such as, for example, aluminum, plastic, glass and/or the like. In an embodiment, the container  20  may be empty. In an embodiment, the container  20  may contain a beverage. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the material of the container  20  and/or a specific embodiment of the container  20 . It should be understood that the container  20  may be any container for holding beverages as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  may have a base portion  100  and a hood portion  200 . In an embodiment, the base portion  100  of the apparatus  10  may have a height defined between a top side  102  of the base portion  100  and a bottom side  104  of the base portion  100 . The bottom side  104  of the base portion  100  may be in a position opposite to the top side  102  of the base portion  100 . The base portion  100  may have a length defined between a first end  106  of the base portion  100  and a second end  108  of the base portion  100 . The second end  108  of the base portion  100  may be in a position opposite to the first end  106  of the base portion  100 . The base portion  100  may have a width defined between a front side  110  of the base portion  100  and a backside  112  of the base portion  100 . The backside  112  of the base portion  100  may be in a position opposite to the front side  110  of the base portion  100 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the base portion  100  of the apparatus  10 . 
     In an embodiment, the first end  106  of the base portion  100 , the second end  108  of base portion  100 , the front side  110  of the base portion  100  and/or the backside  112  of the base portion may have a delivery bay  50  sized for delivering the article  30 . In an embodiment, the first end  106  of the base portion  100 , the second end  108  of base portion  100 , the front side  110  of the base portion  100  and/or the backside  112  of the base portion may have a decal slot  60  sized for delivering one or more decals  70  for use in decorating the article  30 . The decals  70  may be, for example, stickers, logos, photographs and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the decals  70  and/or the decal slot  60 . It should be understood that the decals  70  may be any item for use in decorating the article  30  as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the first end  106  of the base portion  100 , the second end  108  of base portion  100 , the front side  110  of the base portion  100  and/or the backside  112  of the base portion  100  may have a payment panel  90  for receiving a payment and/or a return bay  98  for returning money, change and/or a receipt. The payment panel  90  may have a coin slot  92  for accepting one or more money coins and/or one or more tokens. The payment panel  90  may have one or more flat slots  94  for accepting one or more money bills, one or more coupons, one or more checks, one or more credit cards, one or more debit cards and/or one or more ATM cards. The payment panel  90  may have one or more release buttons  96  for returning one or more of the money coins, one or more of the tokens, one or more of the money bills, one or more of the coupons, one or more of the checks, one or more of the credit cards, one or more of the debit cards and/or one or more of the ATM cards. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the payment panel  90 , the coin slot  92 , the flat slots  94 , the release buttons  96 , the return bay  98  and/or the payment. It should be understood that the payment may be any payment as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the first end  106  of the base portion  100 , the second end  108  of the base portion  100 , the front side  110  of the base portion  100  and/or the backside  112  of the base portion  100  may have an input panel  118 . The input panel  118  may be used to input a type of article  30  to be manufactured by the apparatus  10 . The input panel  118  may have, for example, input keys, touch screen keys and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the input panel  118 . It should be understood that the input panel  118  may any input mechanism as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the first end  106  of the base portion  100 , the second end  108  of the base portion  100 , the front side  110  of the base portion  100  and/or the backside  112  of the base portion  100  may have a display panel  116 . The display panel  116  may display information such as, for example, a type of article  30  to be manufactured by the apparatus  10 , a type of the container  20  that may have been deposited, a weight of the container  20  that may have been deposited, a suitability of the container  20  that may have been deposited, a payment required by the apparatus, a payment deposited into the apparatus, a status of a transformation of the container  20  into the article  30  and/or other like information. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the display panel  116 . It should be understood that the display panel  116  may display any information as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the base portion  100  and/or the hood portion  200  may have indicia  114 . The indicia  114  may be and/or may display marks, such as, for example, a word, a name, a phrase, a numeral, a numerical sequence, a design, an insignia, a language character, an object, an image, a cartoon, a logo, a trademark and/or the like. The marks may relate to a topic, such as, for example, a cartoon character, an athlete, a musical performer, a political figure, a visual scene, a competition, a written message, a theme and/or the like. Further, the indicia  114  may display a first color and/or a second color. Still further, the indicia  114  may relate to an entity, such as, for example, an entertainment company, a food manufacturing company, a bottling company, an advertising company, a marketing company, a sporting team, an association, a company and/or the like. Moreover, the indicia  114  may be, for example, an advertisement, an announcement and/or a broadcast which may relate to the topic, the entity, a name of a person, a name of a group of people and/or the like. As a result, the apparatus  10  may advertise and/or may market the topic, the entity, the person and/or the group of people to one or more users via the indicia  114 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments of specific marks, specific topics and/or specific entities of the indicia  114 . It should be understood that the indicia  114  may be and/or may display any information as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     The hood portion  200  of the apparatus  10  may have a height defined between a top surface  202  of the hood portion  200  and a bottom end  204  of the hood portion  200 . The bottom end  204  of the hood portion  200  may be in a position opposite to the top surface  202  of the hood portion  200 . The hood portion  200  may have a length defined between a first end  206  of the hood portion  200  and a second end  208  of the hood portion  200 . The second end  208  of the hood portion  200  may be in a position opposite to the first end  206  of the hood portion  200 . The hood portion  200  may have a width defined between a front side  210  of the hood portion  200  and a backside  212  of the hood portion  200 . The backside  212  of the hood portion  200  may be in a position opposite to the front side  210  of the hood portion  200 . In an embodiment, the front side  210  of the hood portion  200  may extend parabolically from the bottom end  204  of the hood portion  200  toward the top surface  202  of the hood portion  200 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the hood portion  200 . 
     In an embodiment, the top surface  202  of the hood portion  200 , the first end  206  of the hood portion  200 , the second end  208  of the hood portion  200 , the front side  210  of the hood portion  200  and/or the backside  212  of the hood portion  200  may have one or more receiving bays  40  for receiving the container  20 . In an embodiment, the top surface  202  of the hood portion  200 , the first end  206  of the hood portion  200 , the second end  208  of the hood portion  200 , the front side  210  of the hood portion  200  and/or the backside  212  of the hood portion  200  may be made from a transparent material, such as, for example, plastic, glass and/or the like. A transformation of the container  20  into the article  30  may be viewable through the top surface  202  of the hood portion  200 , through the first end  206  of the hood portion  200 , through the second end  208  of the hood portion  200 , through the front side  210  of the hood portion  200  and/or through the backside  212  of the hood portion  200 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the receiving bays  40  and/or the transparent material. It should be understood that the transparent material may be any transparent material as known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , after the container  20  is placed in the receiving bay  40  of the apparatus  10  and after the payment is deposited into the payment panel  90 , a system  12  may analyze the shape of the container  20 , the barcode  28  on the container  20 , and/or the weight of the container  20  to determine whether to accept the container  20  or to reject the container  20 . In an embodiment, to analyze the shape of the container  20 , the system  12  may have one or more shape sensors  300   a ,  300   b , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The shape sensors  300   a ,  300   b  may use light, radio frequencies, magnetic fields and/or the like to analyze the shape of the container  20  as the container  20  rotates on one or more motorized rods  301   a ,  301   b , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The motorized rods  301   a ,  301   b  may rotate in a single direction to rotate the container  20 . The motorized rods  301   a ,  301   b  may be cylindrical in shape, may be sized to receive the container  20  and/or may be spaced to receive the container  20  without allowing the container  20  to fall through a space between the motorized rods  301   a ,  301   b . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the sensors  300   a ,  300   b  and/or the motorized rods  301   a ,  301   b . It should be understood that the sensors  300   a ,  300   b  and/or the motorized rods  301   a ,  301   b  may be any sensors and/or rods as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, to analyze the weight of the container  20 , the motorized rods  301   a ,  301   b  may connect to one or more spring sensors  302   a ,  302   b . The spring sensors  302   a ,  302   b  may sense the weight of the container  20 . To analyze the barcode  28  on the container  20 , the apparatus  10  may have one or more laser readers  303 . As the container  20  rotates on the motorized rods  302   a ,  302   b , the laser reader  303  may read the barcode  28  on the container  20  to determine information about the container  20 , such as, for example, the type of the material of the container  20 , a recycling code of the container  20  and/or a state of origin of the container  20 . The barcode  28  may be, for example, a UPC code and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the spring sensors  302   a ,  302   b , the laser readers  303  and/or the barcode  28 . It should be understood that the spring sensors  302   a ,  302   b , the laser readers  303  and/or the barcode  28  may be any sensors, barcode readers and/or barcodes known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     After analyzing the shape of the container  20 , the barcode  28  on the container  20 , and/or the weight of the container  20 , the system  12  may use a motorized selector  304  to return the container  20  to the user and/or to transport the container  20  to a next stage of manufacture. The motorized selector  304  may rotate about a hinge  305  up to ninety (90) degrees in a first direction and/or up to ninety (90) degrees in a second direction. The first direction may be in a direction opposite to the second direction. If the container  20  is unsuitable, the motorized selector  304  may be rotated in the first direction to return the container  20  to the user. If the container  20  is suitable, the motorized selector  304  may be rotated in the second direction to transport the container  20  to the next stage of manufacture. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the motorized selector  304  and/or the hinge  305 . It should be understood that the motorized selector  304  may be any selector known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the container  20  may be transported by the motorized selector  304  to one or more rotating members  306   a ,  306   b ,  306   c ,  306   d . The rotating members  306   a ,  306   b ,  306   c ,  306   d  may secure the container  20  at the bottom portion  22  of the container  20  and/or at the top portion  24  of the container  20 . A rotating disc blade  307  may be used to cut the container  20  into a first half  20   a  of the container  20  and into a second half  20   b  of the container  20 . The rotating members  306   a ,  306   c  may be simultaneously rotated ninety (90) degrees in a downward direction to transport the first half  20   a  of the container  20  into a position for a cleaning process and/or a drying process. The rotational members  306   b ,  306   d  may be simultaneously rotated ninety (90) degrees in a downward direction to transport the second half  20   b  of the container  20  into a position for the cleaning process and/or the drying process. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the rotating members  306   a ,  306   b ,  306   c ,  306   d  and/or the disc blade  307 . It should be understood that the disc blade  307  may be any cutting means known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the first half  20   a  of the container  20  and/or the second half  20   b  of the container  20  may be washed by a cleaning member  308  which may spray the first half  20   a  and/or the second half  20   b  of the container  20  with, for example, a cleaning solution  308   a . The cleaning member  308  may be a tubular pipe with one or more nozzles  308   b  for pressurizing and/or for directing the cleaning solution  308   a  at the first half  20   a  and/or at the second half  20   b  of the container  20 . The first half  20   a  and/or the second half  20   b  of the container  20  may be dried with one or more blowers  309 . One or more of the blowers  309  may circulate air around the first half  20   a  and/or around the second half  20   b  of the container  20  to increase the speed of the drying process. Further, the air may be heated prior to circulation to expedite the drying process. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the cleaning member  308 , the cleaning nozzles  308   b , the cleaning solution  308   a , and/or the blowers  309 . It should be understood that the cleaning solution  308   a  may be any solution for cleaning the container  20  known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the second half  20   b  of the container  20  may be further cut by one or more disc blades  312   a ,  312   b . The disc blades  312   a ,  312   b  may positioned in a direction perpendicular to the disc blade  307  and/or may be used to cut the remaining top portion  24  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  and/or the remaining bottom portion  22  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  from the second half  20   b  of the container  20 . As a result, a sheet  20   c  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  may fall and/or may be transported to a press  400 . The press  400  may be molded as a negative form of the article  30 . A press extender  401  may be placed on top of the sheet  20   c . The press extender  401  may be sized to correspond to a perimeter of the press  400 . The press extender  401  may have an opening sized for receiving a die  402 . The press extender  401  may secure the sheet  20   c  between the press  400  and the press extender  401 . The die  402  may be molded as a positive form of the article  30 . The die  402  may be passed through the press extender  401  and/or into the sheet  20   c  and/or may form a punched exterior of the article  30 . The press extender  401  may be formed to cut one or more flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) in the sheet  20   c . The press extender  401 , the punched exterior of the article  30  and/or the press  400  may then be transported below one or more motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the disc blades  312   a ,  312   b , the sheet  20   c , the press  400 , the press extender  401 , the die  402  and/or the flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d . It should be understood that the disc blades  312   a ,  312   b  may be any means for cutting the second half  20   b  of the container  20  as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Further, it should be understood the press  400 , the press extender  401  and/or the die may be any dies, press attachments and/or presses as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the first half  20   a  of the container  20 , the remaining top portion  24  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  and/or the remaining bottom portion  22  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  may be transported and/or released above the motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b . The cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b  may have one or more gears  310   c ,  310   d . The cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b  may have one or more cutting discs blades  310   d ,  310   e . The motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b  may be simultaneously rotated. The motorized cylindrical cutting rod  310   a  may be simultaneously rotated in a direction of rotation opposite to a direction of rotation of the motorized cylindrical cutting rod  310   b . The motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b  may be spaced and/or staggered so as to cut and/or to bend the first half  20   a  of the container  20 , the remaining top portion  24  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  and/or the remaining bottom portion  22  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  into one or more pieces  310   g . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b , the gears  310   c ,  310   d  and/or the cutting disc blades  310   d ,  310   e . It should be understood that the motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b  may be any means for cutting, bending and/or shredding the container  20  as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, one or more of the pieces  310   g  may fall into and/or be transported into the press extender  401  and/or into the press  400 . The pieces  310   g  may collect in the press extender  401  on top of the punched exterior of the article  30 . Together with the pieces  310   d , the press extender  401 , the punched exterior of the article  30  and/or the press  400  may be transported to a position below a die  403 . The die  403  may be formed as a negative of a bottom portion of the article  30 . The die  403  may be passed through the press extender  401  and/or into the pieces  310   g  and/or may compress the pieces  310   g  to form an interior of the article  30  adjacent to the punched exterior of the article  30 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the die  403  and/or the interior of the article  30 . It should be understood that the die  403  may be any die for forming the article as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the press extender  401  may be removed from a position on top of the punched exterior of the article  30 . Further, one or more scraps  20   d  of the punched exterior of the article  30  may be removed from the press  400 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a system  14  may have one or more flanging members  600   a ,  600   b ,  600   c ,  600   d  that may be passed over the press  400  and/or that may lift, may wrap and/or may bend the flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  over the interior of the article  30 . The die  403  may be pressed into the flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  and/or into the interior of the article  30  while in the press  400  and/or may secure the flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  to the interior of the article  30 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the scraps  20   d  and/or the flanging members  600   a ,  600   b ,  600   c ,  600   d . It should be understood that the flanging members  600   a ,  600   b ,  600   c ,  600   d  may be any means for lifting, wrapping and/or bending flanges as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the press  400  and/or the article  30  may be transported to a press table  707 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . One or more wheel sets with axles  705   a ,  705   b  may be retrieved from one or more wheel feeders  706   a ,  706   b  with a wheel tool positioner  704 . The wheel tool positioner  704  may transport one or more of the wheel sets with axles  705   a ,  705   b  and place the wheel sets with axles  705   a ,  705   b  on the interior of the article  30 . A cover  700  may be retrieved from a cover feeder  701  with a vacuum cap  703 . The vacuum cap  703  may transport the cover  700  to cover the wheel sets with axles  705   a ,  705   b  and/or the interior of the article  30 . One or more motorized screwdrivers  702   a ,  702   b  may fasten the cover  700  to the interior of the article  30  with one or more screws. The press  400  may be secured to the press table  707 . The press table  707  may rotate about a hinge  707   a  and/or the press  400  may release the article  30  into the delivery bay  50 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the press table  707 , the hinge  707   a , the wheel sets with axles  705   a ,  705   b , wheel feeders  706   a ,  706   b , the cover  700 , the cover feeder  701 , the vacuum cap  703 , motorized screwdrivers  702   a ,  702   b , and/or the screws. It should be understood that the screws may be any fasteners as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the user may place the container  20  into the receiving bay  40  of the hood portion  200  of the apparatus  10 . The user may deposit the payment into the payment panel  90  of the base portion  100  of the apparatus  10 . The user may select the type of the article  30  to be manufactured by the apparatus  10  by using the input panel  118  of the base portion  100  of the apparatus  10 . The system  12  of the apparatus  10  may analyze the shape of the container  20 , the barcode  28  on the container  20 , and/or the weight of the container  20  to determine whether to accept the container  20 . The display panel  116  of the base portion  100  may display information including, but not limited to the type of article  30  selected by the user, the type of container  20  placed into the receiving bay  40 , the weight of the container  20  placed into the receiving bay  40 , the payment deposited by the user into the payment panel  90 , the status of the transformation of the container  20  into the article  30 , and/or other like information. The system  12 , the system  14  and/or the apparatus  10  and/or all connected parts of the system  12 , the system  14  and/or the apparatus  10  may be controlled by one or more of the PLCs (not shown). 
     After accepting the container  20 , the motorized selector  304  may rotate about the hinge  305  in the second direction to transport the container  20  to the next stage of manufacture. In the next stage of manufacture, the container  20  may be secured by one or more of the rotating members  306   a ,  306   b ,  306   c ,  306   d . The rotating disc blade  307  may be used to cut the container  20  into the first half  20   a  of the container  20  and into the second half  20   b  of the container  20 . The rotating members  306   a ,  306   b ,  306   c ,  306   d  may be simultaneously rotated ninety (90) degrees in the downward direction to transport the first half  20   a  of the container  20  and/or the second half  20   b  of the container  20  into a position for the cleaning process and/or the drying process. The first half  20   a  and/or the second half  20   b  may be sprayed with a cleaning solution  308  by the cleaning member  308 . The warm air may be circulated around the first half  20   a  and the second half  20   b  by one or more of the blowers  309  to increase the speed of the drying process. 
     The second half  20   b  of the container  20  may be further cut by one or more of the disc blades  312   a ,  312   b  creating the sheet  20   c  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20 . The sheet  20   c  may fall and/or may be transported to the press  400 . The press extender  401  may be placed on top of the sheet  20   c , may secure the sheet  20   c  between the press extender  401  and/or the press  400  and/or may cut one or more of the flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  in the sheet  20   c . The die  402  may be passed through the press extender  401  and/or into the sheet  20   c  and/or may form the punched exterior of the article  30 . The die  402  may be removed from the press  400  and/or the press extender  401 . The press extender  401 , the punched exterior of the article  30  and/or the press  400  may then be transported below one or more of the motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b.    
     The first half  20   a  of the container  20 , the remaining top portion  24  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  and/or the remaining bottom portion  22  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  may be transported and/or released above the motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b . The motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b  may cut, may bend and/or may shred the first half  20   a  of the container  20 , the remaining top portion  24  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  and/or the remaining bottom portion  22  of the second half  20   b  of the container  20  into one or more of the pieces  310   g . One or more of the pieces  310   g  may fall into and/or may be transported into the press extender  401 , the exterior of the article  30  and/or the press  400  which may be below the motorized cylindrical cutting rods  310   a ,  310   b . The press extender  401 , the exterior of the article  30  and/or the press  400  together with one or more of the pieces  310   g  may be transported to and/or situated below the die  403 . The die  403  may be passed through the press extender  401  and/or into the pieces  310   g  and/or may compress the pieces  310   g  to form an interior of the article  30  adjacent to the exterior of the article  30  in the press  400  and or in the press extender  401 . 
     The press extender  401  may be removed from the position on top of the exterior of the article  30  and/or on top of the press  400 . One or more of the scraps  20   d  may be removed from the press  400  and/or from the exterior of the article. One or more of the flanging members  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  may be lifted, may be wrapped and/or may be bent over the interior of the article  30 . The die  403  may be pressed into the flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  and/or may secure the flanges  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d  to the interior of the article  30 . The press  400  and/or the article  30  may be transported and/or secured to the press table  707 . One or more additional components and/or accessories may be secured to the article  30 , and/or the press table  707  may rotate about the hinge  707   a  and/or the press  400  may release the article  30  into the delivery bay  50 . The apparatus  10  may deliver one or more of the decals  70  through the decal slot  60 . The user may remove the article  30  from the delivery bay  50  and/or may remove the decals  70  from the decal slot  60 . The user may decorate the article  30  with the decals  70 . The apparatus  10  may deliver the receipt to the user through the return bay  98 . The user may watch the container  20  being transformed into the article  30  through the transparent material of the top surface  202  of the hood portion  200 , of the first end  206  of the hood portion  200 , of the second end  208  of the hood portion  200 , of the front side  210  of the hood portion  200  and/or of the backside  212  of the hood portion  200 . 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.