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: 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 video cassette vending machine has a plurality of storage positions which are not user-accessible and a vend position which is user-accessible. A carrier unit is provided for carrying a selected video cassette between one of the storage positons and the vend position. a positioning unit is provided for positioning the carrier unit proximate to a selected storage position in response to user input. An engaging unit fixed to the carrier unit is provided for engaging and disengaging a selected video cassette. A reader unit is provided for identifying a selected video cassette. A microprocessor memory system is provided for recording and processing information about the contents of the storage positions and the identity of the selected video cassette.