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(11) | EP 2 319 777 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Method and system for receiving bags and boxes containing deposit bottles, cans or the like |
| (57) Method for receiving deposit bottles, cans (4) or the like contained in bags or boxes
(3) where a user delivers deposit cans or bottles (4) placed in the bags or boxes
(3) to a collecting container (1), where the bags or boxes (3) are marked by a marking
unit (9) in such a way that each bag or box (3) through the marking can be attached
to information of the user, where the user information is derived from an identification
card, a credit card or a debit card. The invention further relates to a system for receiving deposit bottles, cans (4) or the like contained in bags or boxes (3), where a collecting container (1) comprises a marking unit (9) for applying a unique kind of code to the bag or box (3), which code can be linked to a user through an identification card, a credit card or a debit card. |
[0001] The invention relates to a method for receiving deposit bottles, cans or the like in bags or boxes.
[0002] The invention also relates to a system for receiving deposit bottles, cans or the like in bags or boxes.
[0003] It is known to have return vending machines, where it is possible to return recyclable bottles and cans which are emptied from beverages or the like and get a deposit in return.
[0004] Such return vending machines are often configured to receive one bottle or can at a time. A further feature in relation to such machines is the possibility to return a crate with bottles. Such crates are standard crates with individual compartments each for holding a bottle.
[0005] The invention tries to solve the problem that the user has to insert one can or bottle at the time or have to use crates specified to the exact type or size of bottle.
[0006] When more users are going to return cans or bottles at the same time, it takes more than a while to return the cans or bottles because the user has to insert one can or bottle at a time.
[0007] The return vending machines often are placed at narrow passageways at a supermarket, why a queue of people trying to hand in their deposit cans or bottles forms quickly.
[0008] The present invention deals with the problem by placing a collecting container at a recycling centre or at a car park. The car park could be a car park near to a shopping centre.
[0009] This is achieved by the method where a user delivers a number of deposit cans or bottles to a collecting container and when handing in the deposit cans or bottles they are placed in bags or boxes, which bags or boxes are marked by a marking unit in such a way that each bag or box through the marking can be attached to information on the user, where the user information is derived from an identification card, a credit card or a debit card.
[0010] It is further achieved by the system where a collecting container comprises a marking unit for applying a unique code, image or identification chip or tag to a bag or box for deposit cans or bottles, which code, image or identification chip or tag can be linked to a user through an identification card, a credit card or a debit card.
[0011] The collecting container can be provided with one or more depositing inlets configured to receive a bag or box filled with deposit cans or bottles.
[0012] Thereby it is possible for the user to hand in larger amount of deposit items than is possible with the existing systems.
[0013] In the following different embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, where:
figure 1 shows a collecting container placed in a recycling centre;
figure 2 shows a user inserting a card for identification of the user before handing in a bag with deposit cans or bottles;
figure 3 shows layouts of a screen of the collecting container, when handling in a bag of deposit cans or bottles;
figure 4 shows a cutaway view of the collecting container showing a path of the bag containing deposit cans or bottles;
figure 5 shows layouts of the screen after handling in at least one bag of deposit cans or bottles;
figure 6 shows a user activating the system to print out a receipt after handling in at least one bag of deposit cans or bottles;
figure 7 shows a user pick up a receipt and the card for identification of the user from the collecting system; and
figure 8 shows layouts of the screen after handing in the last bag of deposit cans or bottles.
[0014] The system for receiving deposit bottles, cans or the like in bags or boxes comprises a collecting container 1 with at least one inlet 2 for handing in bags, boxes or the like 3 containing deposit cans or bottles 4.
[0015] Near the inlet 2 is provided a slot 5 for insertion of a card 6 for identification of the user handing in the bag or box containing deposit cans or bottles. Other kind of card readers could be used. The type of card reader is not essential, but a type of card reader which is not easy to break or ravage is preferred. The card 6 can be a special card issued from the organisation handling deposit goods, a card 6 attached to one or more chains of shops, a credit card or a debit card.
[0016] Further is provided a kind of keyboard or keypad 7 making it possible for the user to type a code or type a cell phone number on order to receive a SMS or the like containing information, which information could be that the amount of money relating to the handed in deposit cans or bottles is deposited on the users account.
[0017] When the card 6 is inserted in the slot 5 or when the card 6 is read by the card reader, a screen 13 will present information about handling of the bags or boxes 3 when handing in the deposit cans or bottles 4. At substantially the same time a door will open and give access to the inlet opening 2
[0018] The bag or box is placed in the inlet opening 2 on a tray and the user is through information on a display 13 asked if he or she wants to hand in the bag or box.
[0019] Typical information from the display 13 when the card 6 is read could be. "Please place the bag (or box) on the tray". When a bag or box is detected in the inlet the user is asked if he or she wants to hand in the bag or box.
[0020] The user selects yes or no. If "YES" is selected the door will be closed and the bag or box 3 is marked with an individual code or image or an identification chip or tag by a marking unit 9, which code, image, identification chip or tag makes it possible to recognise the exact same bag or box 3 when the bag or box 3 is emptied and the information from the card 6 is linked together with the code or image from the bags or boxes 3 handed in by the card holder. Thereby it is possible later to deposit the correct amount of money to an account of the user. After the bag or box 3 is marked it is transported by a conveyor 8 or the like into the container 1. In an embodiment of the invention the bags or boxes 3 are transported into a first enclosure 10 of the container 1. In an embodiment the container 1 can be divided into two enclosures, a first enclosure 10 and a second enclosure 11 by a moveable dividing wall 12. During the container being filled the dividing wall 12 is moved against the end of the container facing away from the inlet opening 2.
[0021] Thereby it is possible to ensure a more controlled filling of the container and utilize the inner volume of the container 1 in a better way.
[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the collecting container 1 can be provided with more than one inlet for handing in bags or boxes 3 with deposit cans or bottles 4.
[0023] In yet an embodiment, the collecting container 1 is not provided with a moveable dividing wall 12.
[0024] Here the collecting container 1 can be provided with distributing means for positioning the bags or boxes 3 within the collecting container 1 in a convenient manner.
[0025] If the user selects "NO" the user is instructed by the display 13 to remove the bag or box 3 from the inlet 2.
[0026] The size of the collecting container 1 can be determined by data showing the quantity of deposit cans of bottles handed in at the location. The aim is to empty the collecting container regularly, so that the user will not have to wait too long before the deposit amount is transferred to the users account.
[0028] After a bag or box 3 is handed in, the display 13 makes it possible for the user to select handing in more bags or boxes 3. If "YES" is selected the door closes and the process continues as described above, though the user only needs to use the card once.
[0029] If "NO" is selected, the display 13 can ask if the user wants to receive a SMS when the deposit amount is transferred to the users account. If "YES" is selected it will be possible for the user to type a cell phone number for receiving the SMS. The number can be typed directly on the display 13 or at the keyboard or keypad 7 if placed close to the display 13.
[0030] Finally the user can select on the display 13 if he or she wants a receipt 14 for the handed in bags or boxes 3.
[0031] The receipt 14 can contain information on who is the user, name, how many bags or boxes 3 are handed in, the location of the collecting container 1, etc.
[0032] If the user selects "NO" to the receipt 14 or after the receipt 14 is printed out, the system prepares for the next user.
[0033] When the collecting container 1 is full, it is picked up and transported to the nearest authorized handler of deposit cans or bottles.
[0034] Here the bags or boxes are identified, which identification is used i.e. when a user wants information about where in the deposit flow the individual bags or boxes are, and when the deposit amount is expected to be transferred to the users account.
[0035] When the bags or boxes are counted the bags or boxes automatically are identified by the code, image, identification chip or tag, making it possible to determine and prove which bag or box belongs to each return delivery.
[0036] If the user selected that he or she wants a SMS, the SMS is sent when the deposit cans or bottles are counted and tells the user when the deposit amount will be transferred to the users account.
[0037] It is possible to design the system in such a way that information such as name and address of the user will not be displayed to the authorized handler of deposit goods.
1. A method for receiving deposit bottles, cans (4) or the like in bags or boxes (3)
characterized in that a user delivers a number of deposit cans or bottles (4) to a collecting container
(1) and when handing in the deposit cans or bottles (4) they are placed in bags or
boxes (3), which bags or boxes (3) are marked by a marking unit (9) in such a way
that each bag or box (3) through the marking can be attached to information on the
user, where the user information is derived from an identification card, a credit
card or a debit card.
2. A system for receiving deposit bottles, cans (4) or the like in bags or boxes (3)
characterized in that a collecting container (1) comprises a marking unit (9) for applying a unique code,
image or identification chip or tag to a bag or box (3) for deposit cans or bottles
(4), which code, image or identification chip or tag can be linked to a user through
an identification card, a credit card or a debit card.