Abstract: A recycling machine is provided which compacts containers using a multi-purpose compacting system which includes a roller assembly having a roller configured to draw containers through an adjustable container-receiving throat. The compacting system also includes a base plate assembly with a movable base plate which at least partially defines the throat, the base plate being mounted for movement between a first orientation wherein the base plate is a first predetermined distance from the roller so as to define an open container-receiving throat, and a second orientation wherein the base plate is a second lesser predetermined distance from the roller so as to close the container-receiving throat. The throat typically is closed as the container passes between the roller and the base plate so as to compact the container therebetween.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine is configured to selectively accept bulk fed containers, the machine including an in-feed station with an in-feed door and a hopper accessible via the in-feed door, the hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in an open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in a closed orientation. The in-feed door has a second mouth, which is smaller than the first mouth, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation. The in-feed station thus is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers through the first mouth when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and is configured to receive containers through the second mouth when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine is configured to selectively accept bulk fed containers, the machine including an in-feed station with an in-feed door and a hopper accessible via the in-feed door, the hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in an open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in a closed orientation. The in-feed door has a second mouth, which is smaller than the first mouth, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation. The in-feed station thus is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers through the first mouth when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and is configured to receive containers through the second mouth when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A recycling machine is provided which compacts containers using a multi-purpose compacting system which includes a roller assembly having a roller configured to draw containers through an adjustable container-receiving throat. The compacting system also includes a base plate assembly with a movable base plate which at least partially defines the throat, the base plate being mounted for movement between a first orientation wherein the base plate is a first predetermined distance from the roller so as to define an open container-receiving throat, and a second orientation wherein the base plate is a second lesser predetermined distance from the roller so as to close the container-receiving throat. The throat typically is closed as the container passes between the roller and the base plate so as to compact the container therebetween.

Abstract: A system, such as a reverse vending machine, for handling redeemable beverage containers of the type carrying side-borne, optically readable information codes. Featured in the machine specifically described herein is a scanning station along the sides of which are plural elongate rotary brushes whose bristles engage an endo-fed end for the purpose of both propelling it through the station for further processing, and for spinning it within the station for presentation for reading by an outboard optical scanner of the information code carried on the container.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine provides for the separation, counting and crushing of beverage containers of a predetermined size range and composition. The machine includes an in-feed station for receiving multiple, disarrayed containers, an on-load station, and an in-feed conveyor operable to transport multiple, disarrayed containers from the in-feed station to the on-load station. A separator/conveyor is provided for separating, singularly, a container from the disarrayed containers, and for transporting a container so separated from the on-load station to the off-load station. Mechanisms are provided to reject unacceptable containers between the on-load station and the off-load station. A counter is provided for counting the number of acceptable containers. The containers pass into a crusher which reduces the volume of the containers. A receipt printer is provided to print a receipt indicating the number of acceptable containers processed by the machine. A microprocessor coordinates machine operating cycles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the selective sorting, separating and redemption-handling of redeemable food containers, such as beverage containers. The apparatus includes a weighing station to determine that received containers are empty, and a reading station for reading coded markings (indicia) on containers to determine information such as: authorized redeemability, product brand, and product distribution source. A digital computer monitors data acquired from "reading" operations, controls redemption processing and generates "management" records which are usable by customers to obtain redemption refunds, and by the store (associated with the apparatus) to facilitate accounting with the appropriate distributors, according to product brands.

Abstract: A redeemable carbonated beverage can on the lid of which there is provided a pair of spaced, redundant, arcuately distributed code patches containing regional redemption information. The code patches are read by a scanning laser beam. These patches may be formed in several different ways, as by impressing them, embossing them, or printing them. Information in the patches may be coded in any convenient manner, as, for example, in a binary-type code or in a frequency-type code.