Abstract: The present invention is a reverse vending machine which accepts non-metallic and metallic beverage containers for processing. The beverage containers are inserted by the user into an intake chute, where they are then compacted, sorted, and deposited in storage bins contained in the machine. A number of additional functions are provided by the reverse vending machine, including a self cleaning system, a video screen for displaying information to users, a bar code scanner for scanning bar codes, a user ID reader, and a coupon printer for issuing coupons to users. All transaction information is processed by a computer and stored electronically. The invention automatically returns non-empty containers and containers with unacceptable or unreadable bar codes to the user. The user is also provided warning messages when the storage bins are nearly full, or when a container is jammed in the machine.

Abstract: This invention is to prevent a MAC of a correct answer from being calculated by use of an IC card even if count data in the database of a PC is falsified since the MAC calculated by the IC card is made invisible from the exterior of the IC card. Thus, falsification of data by enciphering the number (total sum) of cut sheets in a sheet checking equipment.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for defacing and/or destroying items stored in an alarmed value space (30), wherein there is used a piercable or openable container (80) that contains a defacing agent/destructive agent (C). When an alarm is triggered, the defacing agent/destructive agent (C) is distributed in the value space (30) while, at the same time, reducing the combined volume of the container (80) and the value space (30). The arrangement (50) includes a container (80) which contains defacing agent/destructive agent (C) and an element (62, 63) for piercing or opening the container (80) in conjunction with triggering of the alarm. The arrangement (50) also includes a spring activated press element or press plate (71) and an element (75, 76) for causing the press element/press plate (71) and the piercing element or opening element (62, 63) to move in response to triggering of the alarm. The arrangement can be used effectively in all working directions relative to the value space.

Abstract: This invention is to prevent a MAC of a correct answer from being calculated by use of an IC card even if count data in the database of a PC is falsified since the MAC calculated by the IC card is made invisible from the exterior of the IC card. Thus, falsification of data by enciphering the number (total sum) of cut sheets in a sheet checking equipment.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed herein provides a transportable recycling center (10) that has a container (12) and a partition (18) within the container (12). The partition (18) separates a work area (20) from a storage area (22). An attendant may accept recyclable materials from consumers in the work area (20) and store the recyclable material in the storage area (22). After the container (12) has been filled with recyclable material, doors (14, 16) on the container (12) may be secured and the container (12) may be loaded onto a truck and transported to a recycling facility.

Abstract: A return device for containers, such as bottles, cups, cans, or the like, comprises an insertion opening for receiving the container and at least one distributing means for transporting the container from the insertion opening to a selectable processing means of the return device. For a faster and easier sorting of the containers in a compact way, the distributing means comprises at least one intermediate bottom and a receiving means which is movable relative to the bottom, transports the container away from the insertion opening and is provided with a bottom opening, the intermediate bottom being movably supported in the return device and comprising at least one sorting opening which can be positioned below the bottom opening for passing the container therethrough to the selected processing means.

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: An appliance timing system includes a housing that has a perimeter all for defining an interior space. A switching assembly is positioned within the interior space of the housing. The switching assembly is operationally coupled between the appliance and a power source. The switching assembly is for allowing power from the power source to be provided to the appliance when the user actuates the switching assembly. A card is insertable into the interior space of the housing through a slot in the perimeter wall of the housing. The card is for actuating the switching assembly when the user inserts the card into the slot of the housing. A timer assembly is operationally coupled between the switching assembly and the appliance. The timer assembly is for allowing the appliance to operate for the pre-determined amount of time before discontinuing power to the appliance.

Abstract: A container compacting system comprising a frame, a reference surface operatively mounted on the frame and a cam operatively mounted to the frame for rotation about a cam axis and a base plate assembly including a foldable base plate and a cam follower operatively secured to the foldable base plate to form at least a portion of a driving connection between the reference surface and the foldable base plate, the foldable base plate being operatively pivotally mounted on the frame for movement with the cam follower, under driving influence of the cam, between a first orientation wherein the foldable base plate is a first predetermined distance from the reference surface so as to define an open container-receiving throat, and a second orientation wherein the foldable base plate is a second lesser predetermined distance from the reference surface so as to close the container-receiving throat, the base plate assembly further including a shock absorber arrangement operatively secured to a folding portion of the base

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 method and system for implementing a secure return policy of supply chain for digitally stored products. The method and system verifies whether each product for return originated within the supply chain. If the product did originate within the supply chain and qualifies for return under the supply chain's return policy, the data existing on the physical media is securely rendered unusable. A record of the destruction allows for a reversal of the entire transaction within the supply chain.

Abstract: In a novel financial transaction system, a consumer exchanges payment means for goods or services provided by a retailer. The retailer then feeds the payment means, which may be in the form of bills or coinage, into a device which reads the value of the payment means. The value is transmitted to a financial institution for crediting to the account of the retailer. The retailer then destroys the payment means. The monetary value may be sent to the financial institution by electronic transmission, or may be written to a smart card. For security purposes, the information may be encrypted to require at least one code to allow writing and/or reading.

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 can collection apparatus that permits the user to insert empty beverage cans, one at a time, into the apparatus. The apparatus ascertains whether the article inserted is a valid empty can or is not a valid empty can. If it is not a valid empty can, the article is dispensed through a discharge chute back to the user. If the article is a valid empty can, that empty can is moved to a can crusher where the can is crushed and deposited within a collection area. Simultaneously with the moving to the can crusher, a computer generated image of rotatable reels are spun, which then are stopped which display a coupon value for a product or products imprinted on a segment of each reel. A coupon value is then to be printed and dispensed to the user corresponding to the displayed coupon value.

Abstract: An aluminum can recycling center for receiving aluminum cans from individual consumers, preparing the cans to be recycled and compensating the consumer for the recycle value of the aluminum comprising coupon display and dispensing, an improved aluminum can sorter and a unique aluminum can crusher is disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus consists of a machine for refunding glass bottle deposits, crushing the bottle and sorting the crushed glass as to color, either clear, brown or green. The bottle has a label provided with an optically read bar code which identifies the bottle's 1) color, 2) whether it must be returned to the manufacturer in one piece, and 3) whether a refund is, in fact, due for the particular bottle. The bottle is inserted in the apparatus and the bar code on the bottle passes beneath an optical scanner. If the bottle is refundable and of a particular color (i.e., clear, green, brown), a microprocessor electrically connected to the scanner activates a door and a deflector causing the bottle to fall into a glass crusher including a bin provided with a rotating plate which smashes the bottle. A chute beneath the glass crusher is positioned by the microprocessor so that the crushed glass is conveyed to one of three collection bins depending on the sensed color.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking the correct processing of bank notes in automatic bank note sorters for sorting certain amounts of money into different categories according to given criteria, whereby partial amounts are destroyed if necessary, and a log is prepared, after a given amount of money has been processed or after a certain unit of time, to record information about the processed bank notes, among other things, and the log additionally contains at least one authenticity marking calculated from given log data and clearly related to the data included in the calculation.

Abstract: Can crusher apparatus includes a cylindrical housing and a can receiving slot in a lower portion of the cylindrical housing. Cans fall into a conveyor belt which transmits or transports the cans to a conduit which conveys the cans upwardly and to a crusher. Ferrous cans remain in the conveyor by magnetic elements and move off the conveyor and are discarded. After being crushed, the cans are transported upwardly by air pressure or a moving air stream to the upper portion of the housing where they remain until they are transported out of the apparatus. The cans are moved out of the apparatus by air pressure which is the exhaust portion of the air pressure applied to the conduit which transports the cans from the conveyor to the crusher.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling discount coupons includes a scanner, a point of sale terminal and a coupon acceptor. In one embodiment, a coupon file manager is also included. The coupon acceptor receives coupons which have been determined to be genuine and properly related to goods being purchased. The coupons are inserted into an opening in the acceptor and are then drawn into the acceptor by a pair of aligned counter-rotating cylinders. The coupons are also marked within the acceptor to indicate that they have been used. The coupon acceptor provides a secure structure so that coupons cannot be removed therefrom except by an authorized person.

Abstract: A reverse vending apparatus (10) for receiving returnable beverage containers includes a housing (12) having an opening (20) through which an empty beverage container is inserted in exchanger for a redeemable coupon. Inside the housing (12), a V-shaped support trough cradles the container while a conveyor belt (38) rotates the container. An optical scanner (32) inspects the rotating container to identify its origin, and upon recognition that the container is properly returnable electronically signals the apparatus (10) to issue a coupon. The container falls from the support trough and is diverted by a moveable diverter (60) plate to either of two compaction roller sets (56, 58), depending upon the material composition of the container. Wedge-shaped guides (96, 96') funnel the container into the center of the nip between a first (62, 62') and a second, (66, 66') compaction roller to flatten the container. A cleated steel band (82, 82') surrounds the first compaction roller (62, 62').

Abstract: An apparatus crushes aluminum cans at a fast rate and dispenses compensation for the crushed cans. The apparatus crushes the cans on the longitudinal axis rather than lengthwise which results in a more compact unit thus saving storage space. The apparatus also processes the cans faster than most existing machines. The apparatus comprises an enclosure with an opening for receiving cans leading to a chute for the cans to fall one at a time with the cylindrical axis substantially vertical. A dispenser releases one can at a time from the chute past a detector to reject any cans that are not aluminum, through a gate which closes and permits a platen to crush the can on the closed gate. The crushed can is ejected into a discharge container and compensation commensurate with the number of cans processed is issued.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for separating returnable beverage containers from non-returnable beverage containers includes a V-shaped receptacle (20) for receiving the container (C), an access door (36) and an exit door (38). A downwardly sloping ramp (56) guides the container (C) from the receptacle (20) to a pair of rollers (52, 54) for rotating the container (C). First (60) and second (62) panels extend laterally outwardly and upwardly of the rollers (52, 54) for continuously guiding the container (C) back onto the rollers (52, 54) during rotation. A sweeper arm (70) moves in a path above the rollers (52, 54) to eject the container (C) rearwardly toward a pair of deflection gates (78, 79) for directing the container (C) to either an accept station (64) where the container (C) is crushed or a reject station (66) where the container (C) is returned to the operator.

Abstract: A key activated control unit to be activated by a key having a shank portion and a blade portion, the unit is operated by inserting the key and having the blade portion trigger a switch at a predetermined location. The blade portion is not returnable from that predetermined position, and a key destruction blade is provided to destroy the blade portion once at that predetermined position.

Abstract: Capstans and winches secured to beach or boat launching ramp. Operate on electric power for predetermined time interval upon insertion of coin, token or card for common use by the general public. Assist in launching and especially hauling out of watercraft and watercraft carriers. Also reduces potential for personal injury and property damage from loss of traction on slippery slopes.