Abstract: A fraud detection system for a reverse vending machine, the system including: a detector adapted to detect at least one container entered into the reverse vending machine; a compactor load sensor adapted to measure load of a compactor of the reverse vending machine during operation, wherein the compactor is adapted to compact entered containers downstream of the detector; and a compactor load sensor monitoring device configured to determine whether the detected at least one container is compacted as expected based on the load measured by the compactor load sensor.

Abstract: A system for storing recyclable containers, such as used food or beverage containers, including a storage for housing recyclable containers, the storage having a set of inner surfaces which defines a storage volume for the recyclable containers; a transporting channel, the transporting channel including an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet port is arranged to receive compressed and/or uncompressed recyclable containers, and the outlet port being arranged in at least one of the inner surfaces in the set of inner surfaces, a force feeding transporting mechanism configured to transport transfer at least one recyclable container through the transporting channel, and into the storage volume via the outlet port, a centre axis of the outlet port of the transporting channel is directed upwards from the horizontal plane at an angle, the angle being within the range of 15° and 85° at the outlet port of the transporting channel.

Abstract: A system for storing recyclable containers, such as used food or beverage containers, including a storage for housing recyclable containers, the storage having a set of inner surfaces which defines a storage volume for the recyclable containers; a transporting channel, the transporting channel including an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet port is arranged to receive compressed and/or uncompressed recyclable containers, and the outlet port being arranged in at least one of the inner surfaces in the set of inner surfaces, a force feeding transporting mechanism configured to transport transfer at least one recyclable container through the transporting channel, and into the storage volume via the outlet port, a centre axis of the outlet port of the transporting channel is directed upwards from the horizontal plane at an angle, the angle being within the range of 15° and 85° at the outlet port of the transporting channel.

Abstract: A fraud detection system for a reverse vending machine, the system including: a detector adapted to detect at least one container entered into the reverse vending machine; a compactor load sensor adapted to measure load of a compactor of the reverse vending machine during operation, wherein the compactor is adapted to compact entered containers downstream of the detector; and a compactor load sensor monitoring device configured to determine whether the detected at least one container is compacted as expected based on the load measured by the compactor load sensor.

Abstract: A fraud detection system for a reverse vending machine, the system including: a detector adapted to detect at least one container entered into the reverse vending machine; a compactor load sensor adapted to measure load of a compactor of the reverse vending machine during operation, wherein the compactor is adapted to compact entered containers downstream of said detector; and a compactor load sensor monitoring device configured to determine whether the detected at least one container is compacted as expected based on the load measured by the compactor load sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fraud detection system for a reverse vending machine, the system comprising: a detector adapted to detect at least one container entered into the reverse vending machine; a compactor load sensor adapted to measure load of a compactor of the reverse vending machine during operation, wherein the compactor is adapted to compact entered containers downstream of said detector; and a compactor load sensor monitoring device configured to determine whether the detected at least one container is compacted as expected based on the load measured by the compactor load sensor.

Abstract: A conveyor module for a reverse vending machine, which is mountable to a docking unit, and includes at least one conveyor belt; a housing for supporting the at least one conveyor belt, and a force receiving element for receiving a driving power for driving the at least one conveyor belt, which force receiving element is accessible from outside of the conveyor module through an opening in the housing. Further, a docking unit for a conveyor module of a reverse vending machine includes a housing, and a force feed element for outputting a driving power to the conveyor module, which force feed element is accessible from outside of the docking unit through an opening in the housing.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine, including: a chamber adapted to receive an object returned to the reverse vending machine; a plurality of cameras arranged around the perimeter of the chamber for viewing said object; a transparent or translucent plate arranged such that the cameras in use view the object obliquely through the transparent or translucent plate; and means adapted to couple light into the plate such that the light undergoes total internal reflection in the plate. Also, a method of detecting dirt in a reverse vending machine.

Abstract: A conveyor module for a reverse vending machine, which is mountable to a docking unit, and includes at least one conveyor belt; a housing for supporting the at least one conveyor belt, and a force receiving element for receiving a driving power for driving the at least one conveyor belt, which force receiving element is accessible from outside of the conveyor module through an opening in the housing. Further, a docking unit for a conveyor module of a reverse vending machine includes a housing, and a force feed element for outputting a driving power to the conveyor module, which force feed element is accessible from outside of the docking unit through an opening in the housing.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine, including: a chamber adapted to receive an object returned to the reverse vending machine; a plurality of cameras arranged around the perimeter of the chamber for viewing said object; a transparent or translucent plate arranged such that the cameras in use view the object obliquely through the transparent or translucent plate; and means adapted to couple light into the plate such that the light undergoes total internal reflection in the plate. Also, a method of detecting dirt in a reverse vending machine.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system , and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The safety apparatus for controlling operation of functional equipment having movable parts is configured to use a camera to view and cause detection of a safety related event in a field of view of the camera. The device is useful in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upwardly oriented storage chamber for such items, the safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety apparatus for controlling operation of functional equipment having movable parts. The apparatus is configured to use a camera to view and cause detection of a safety related event in a field of view of the camera. The device is useful in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upwardly oriented storage chamber for such items, the safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to means in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to means in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to means in a reversed vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting, and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to means in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.