Abstract: A container compaction assembly includes a chamber. First and second parallel counter-rotating shafts are mounted in the chamber. A plurality of interleaved compacting wheels are mounted on the first and second shafts, respectively. A divider is mounted in the chamber perpendicular to the shafts, having first and second arcuate openings through which the respective shafts pass, the divider dividing the chamber into first and second chamber portions. A diverter is provided which, in response to a characteristic of the container sensed by a sensing device, diverts containers into one or the other of the chamber portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a characteristic of a material, such as composition and/or color, has an electromagnetic radiation source having a first amount of circular polarization. The electromagnetic radiation from the source has the capability of passing through the material. A processor determines the characteristic of the material based on changes in the electromagnetic radiation caused by passing through the material. Changes in electromagnetic radiation include changes in rotation. Additionally, the processor may determine what, if any, electromagnetic radiation was blocked by the material and the amplitude of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the material.

Abstract: An acceptance assembly for a commodity collection, densification, and storage device includes a frame, an insert tube disposed in the frame defining an inlet for receiving a commodity and an outlet, a sensor disposed in the frame proximate the outlet for sensing a feature of the commodity, and an iris device disposed in the frame between the outlet and the sensor. The iris device includes a base secured to the frame and defining an opening therethrough adjacent the outlet, and further includes three plates swingably secured to the base, the plates being pivotable between a first position covering the opening and the outlet, and a second position uncovering the opening and the outlet. The iris device precludes access to the sensor via the inlet of the insert tube when the iris device is in the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying information contained in deviations in the surface of an article, such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles, has a source for radiating the article to provide a reflection from the deviations. An observing device observes the deviations in the reflection characteristics. A computer algorithm identifies the deviations and determines whether they correlate to a known pattern of surface deviations. The deviations are in the form of a plurality of lines having a predetermined uniquely identifiable spacing, providing a pattern which may be easily detected by its reflection characteristics and compared to a known pattern of surface deviations. The plurality of lines may be arcs orientated relative to a point on the surface of the article to provide an origin for the arcs, thereby permitting the article to be rotated about its origin for easy location and measurement.

Abstract: A container cutting assembly includes first and second parallel counter-rotatable shafts defining first and second axes. A first and second plurality of cutting wheels are positioned on the first and second shafts, respectively, interleaved with cutting wheels on the other shaft. Each cutting wheel has several cutting teeth, each tooth having a leading surface and two trailing surfaces. The second trailing surface has a preselected length. The leading surface and first trailing surface define a cutting edge, which is skewed with respect to the respective axis, defining a cutting point. Each cutting wheel is positioned on the shaft such that each cutting point of each tooth passes between two second trailing surfaces of cutting teeth disposed on either side approximately midway along the preselected lengths thereof. The cutting points of corresponding teeth in each plurality of cutting wheels align in lines which are parallel and coplanar to the respective axes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying advertisements and printing coupons on remote systems of a distributed data processing system. A host system downloads display files, command file and transaction files describing the advertisements to be displayed and coupons to be printed to a remote system. The remote system keeps statistics on the number of times each advertisement is displayed and the number of times each coupon is printed, and periodically relays these statistics to the host system.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the character of a translucent container including a light source for directing a beam of light along an optical axis through a container. A first optical analyzer is provided for analyzing the color of light passing through a container. The first optical analyzer includes one or more detectors for generating signals in response to light incident thereon. A first directing means directs one or more portions of the beam of light passing through the container toward the one or more detectors. Means are provide for determining the color of the container depending upon the relative magnitudes of the signals from the one or more detectors.

Abstract: A commodity densification and storage assembly has a housing having an insert port for receiving a commodity, such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, and PET bottles. The assembly further includes a device for densifying the commodity oriented downstream of the insert port; a storage device for storing the densified commodity; and a pneumatic device for conveying the densified commodity to the storage device. The pneumatic device includes an inlet pipe for receiving the densified commodity from the densifying device. The inlet pipe is in communication with the storage device. The pneumatic device further has a blower for creating suction and an outlet pipe in communication with the storage device and the blower. The blower draws the densified commodity to the storage device through the inlet pipe via suction. Additionally, the pneumatic device includes an air filter system for preventing densified commodity from entering the blower.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for densifying and distributing recycled commodities, such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, and PET bottles. A sensor senses a feature of the commodity, including material of composition and color. Based on the sensed material of composition, the commodity is either shredded (aluminum and PET) or crushed (glass) into densified material. A distribution device receives the densified material and, according to its sensed material of composition and color, distributes it to the proper storage path for storage in one of a plurality of segregated storage bins.

Abstract: A method of collecting a plurality of commodities includes the steps of densifying each of the pluralities of commodities into a plurality of densified materials, collecting the plurality of densified materials into at least one of a plurality of segregated temporary storage bins, and transferring at least one of the plurality of densified materials to at least one of a plurality of segregated storage compartments on a mobile multi-compartment storage vehicle.

Abstract: An article collection system includes a housing having a port for receiving articles, such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles. The assembly also includes a mechanism for classifying the articles, and for densifying the articles.

Abstract: A commodity collection, densification and storage assembly comprises a housing, an insert port in the housing for receiving a commodity, a gate mechanism adjacent the insert port movable between an open and closed position for allowing the commodity to pass therethrough into the housing, an intake device for drawing the commodity from the insert port through the gate mechanism, a first sensor device for sensing the presence of an object in the gate mechanism, a second sensor for verifying whether the inserted commodity is a participating commodity and for determining a composition of the commodity, a densification assembly for densifying the commodity, a storage compartment for storing the densified commodity according to its composition, a removal device for removing the densified commodity from the densifier to the storage compartment, and a timing device for coordinating a sequential operation of the intake device, gate mechanism, second sensor, densification assembly and removal device.

Abstract: A pressure testable flexible entry boot that provides sealed piping penetration through a container wall including a first elastomeric boot which cooperates with a second elastomeric boot to form a sealed air pocket, which may be pressurized by introducing air through a port extending through one of the elastomeric boots to detect leaks.

Abstract: A multiple use commodity collection and storage system, comprises a plurality of collection stations remotely located, each for receiving a plurality of different predetermined post-consumer recyclable commodities.

Abstract: An acoustic device and related method for measuring the shape of an object. The device includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting acoustic waves at an object to be measured and a plurality receivers for receiving the acoustic waves reflected by the object. A phase detector measures phase data of the reflected acoustic waves, the phase data being processed to calculate a value representing a shape of the object as a function of the phase data. This value is then compared with known reference value to accurately identify the shape of the object.

Abstract: A device for discriminating metal in an object is provided including a sense coil and related circuitry, with variations in the self inductance of the sense coil being measured as the object is passed substantially through the center of the coil.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine for comminuting plastic containers includes devices for identifying different sizes of container and bar codes at various locations on the container without manipulating the container. A container is dropped from a pivotable cradle end first and is physically engaged on diametrically opposite sides substantially simultaneously and forced into a mechanism for cutting the container into strips and then for cutting the strips into small pieces. The presence of the container, and the state and operation of the shredding apparatus, customer door, coin supply, and storage bins are continually monitored with appropriate action taken during operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for the collection and storage of empty glass bottles, and for dispensing refund payments therefor, including a laser scanner and microprocessor preselection mechanism for determining whether a bottle offered by a customer in the bottle access area of the apparatus is an acceptable refundable bottle; two panels together forming a V-shaped base portion of the bottle access area for accepting the accepted refundable bottle; a solenoid and latch mechanism for tilting one of the two panels inwardly toward a crushing area in response to a determination by the preselection mechanism of the color of the accepted refundable bottle to sort the bottles by color; one or more crushing wheels positioned beneath each panel for receiving the acceptable refundable bottles deposited by gravity from the inwardly tilted panel, the crushing wheels having a plurality of extending bars capable of smashing the accepted refundable bottle into glass cullet; a collection hopper positioned beneath the crushing wheels located

Abstract: Apparatus for collection of metal containers and for direct payment of refund deposits for containers bearing a distinguishing indicia, including an exterior housing having an access port therein, a container access area sized to accommodate both crushed and non-crushed containers, a metal detector for determining whether a container offered by a customer is substantially aluminum or steel, an optical sensing device for detecting the presence of the distinguishing indicia, a movable shelf responsive to the metal detector and the optical scanning device for accepting a container identified as being substantially aluminum or steel and bearing the distinguishing indicia, a dispenser for dispensing refunds for containers accepted, a crusher for crushing the containers, and a bag for storing the crushed containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for collection of aluminum containers and for dispensing payment therefor, including an exterior housing having an access port therein; a container access area sized to accommodate both crushed and non-crushed containers; an aluminum detector for determining whether a container offered by a customer is substantially aluminum, independent of the configuration of the container; a movable shelf responsive to the aluminum detector for accepting a container identified by the aluminum detector as being substantially aluminum; coin-dispensing structure for dispensing payment for containers accepted; a piston-actuated crusher for crushing the containers, the shelf being horizontally mounted on the piston; and a bag for storing the crushed containers.