GB2621225A

GB2621225A - Reverse vending machine

Info

Publication number: GB2621225A
Application number: GB2308436.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craeye Julien; Lennon Michael
Original assignee: Ecoboxtec Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ecoboxtec Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-08
Filing date: 2023-06-06
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: GB202308436D0; AU2023203488A1

Abstract

A reverse vending / beverage container recycling deposit machine 1000 comprising a framed enclosure (100, Fig 1) with an opening (115) into which containers / bottles may be inserted. Front door panel (110) housing opening (115) may also include at least one video display (120). Containers are identified by optical scanning and then sorted via a diverter conveyor assembly (300, Fig 25). This assembly has at least one conveyor belt (310) and a plurality of pivoted and paired diverter gates (325) which when opened / closed allow containers to fall off diverter conveyor assembly (3000) by gravity into a plurality of receptacles (500, Fig 21) within respective collection chambers which correspond to respective diverter gates (see Fig 20). A take-up conveyor belt (210, Fig 23) which transfers inserted containers between opening (115) and diverter conveyor assembly has slanted side walls (225). Gate (245) is controlled by controller (240) at the rear of conveyor (210) may be included. Sorted material may be subject to shredding by rotational shredding shafts (Fig 31) to reduce the volume and maximise machine storage.

Description

REVERSE VENDING MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[1] The present invention relates to beverage container recycling machines, and more particularly to a novel reverse vending machine.

BACKGROUND

[2] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[3] The present invention relates generally to beverage container recycling machines, and more particularly to a reverse vending machine for beverage containers which provides a significant variety of useful functions in addition to compacting and storing beverage containers.

[4] In recent times as various types of beverage containers have been produced in ever increasing quantities, a corresponding need has developed to recycle used beverage containers in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible. Legislation has been enacted in many states requiring that redemption deposits be imposed on beverage containers to encourage consumers to redeem their used beverage containers, thereby avoiding the environmental problems caused by discarded beverage containers. Other states have initiated programs to encourage voluntary recycling of beverage containers without imposing redemption deposits on beverage containers. Redemption of used beverage containers has thus necessitated the development of economical and effective beverage container recycling equipment.

[5] Recycling of used beverage containers, without the use of automated equipment, usually requires extensive manual labor, personnel costs, and production space in order to properly sort, compact, and count large quantities of used beverage containers. Such methods of recycling may require unacceptably high production costs, making the recycling process economically impractical. A need has therefore developed in the recycling industry for convenient, efficient, cost effective container recycling equipment, capable of accepting a variety of beverage container types.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[6] In an aspect, the invention provides a reverse vending machine for processing containers, the reverse vending machine comprising: an opening positioned within an enclosure frame of the reverse vending machine for allowing insertion of containers into an internal volume of the vending machine; a take-up conveyor assembly with at least one take-up conveyor belt being positioned to receive containers inserted into the opening and convey said received contains from a first end to a second end of the take-up conveyor assembly along a container advancement path, the second end of the assembly further comprising a feeding gate that is operable to be opened and closed by a first gate controlling arrangement; a diverter conveyor assembly comprising at east one diverter conveyor belt being positioned lengthwise to receive a container from the take up conveyor assembly when the gate is open and convey the received container along a length of the diverter conveyor belt, the diverter conveyor assembly further comprising a plurality of container diverter gates; each of the diverter gates being positioned over the diverter conveyor belt and controlled by a second diverter gate controller arrangement to pivot between a closed position and an open position wherein in the closed position, the gates define a pathway to allow received containers to be conveyed along the length of the diverter conveyor; and in an open position the diverter gates pivot to engage and divert the received container towards a transverse direction relative to the length of the diverter conveyor belt and fall off the diverter conveyor belt under gravity; and a plurality of receptacles being positioned along lateral sides of the diverter conveyor assembly, each collection chamber being arranged below the diverter conveyor assembly to receive the containers diverted by a corresponding diverter Gate.

[007] In an embodiment, the reverse vending machine further comprises an optical scanner positioned along the container advancement path, the optical scanner being positioned to read codes on the containers during advancement of the containers along the take-up conveyor assembly, the optical scanner being capable of producing an output signal which is interpretable to identify selected containers as acceptable and wherein the first gate controiler and the second diverter gate controllers are operable to control opening and closing of the feeding Gate and the diverter gates in response to the output signal generated by the optical scanner.

[8] in an embodiment, the reverse vending machine further comprises a plurality of processing assemblies being located along one or both lateral sides of the isingth of the diverter conveyor belt such that a respective shredding or compacting assembly is arranged to rere.ve and process containers diverted by a respective diverter gate.

[9] in an embodiment, the reverse vending machine further comprises at least a first plurality of processing assemblies being arranged lengthwise along one of the lateral sides of the diverter conveyor belt wherein the first plurality of process assernhhes are driven by a common drive shaft to transmit torque introduced by a motor, preferably an electric motor.

[0010] in an embodmnert, the reverse vending machine further comprises a plur lity of ouiding chutes arranged along one or oth lateral sides of the diverter conveyor belt wherein each guiding chute is arranged to guide the containers diverted by a respective diverter gate to wards a corresponding processing assembly.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, rient, the processing assembly comprises: a first plurality of one or more processing assemblies having shredding members driven by the common drive shaft to shred diverted containers diverted by a first corresponding plurality of one or more corresponding diverter gates and direct shredded portions of the diverted containers to respective receptacles positioned thereunder; and a second plurality of processing assemblies having compacting members driven by the common drive shaft to flatten or compress diverted containers diverted by a second corresponding plurality of one or nore corresponding diverter gates and direct the compressed or flattened and diverted containers to respective receptai ies positioned thereunder.

[0012] In an embodiment, the first plurality of the orocessing assemblies comprises at least two shredding shafts rotatably mourned and coupled to the common drive shaft to enable the drive motor to counter-drive the shafts in respective opposing rotational cutting directions, and each of the shredding shafts including positive cutter elements and negative cutter elements configured to cooperate to shred the containers as the shredding shafts are rotationally counte,bidriven by the 'drive system in the respective rotational cutting directions thereof.

[0013] In an embodiment, the second plurality of the processing assemblies comprises at east two compressing shafts rotatably mounted and coupled to the common drive shaft to enable the drive motor to counter-drive the compressing shafts in respective opposing rotational directions: and each of the shredding shafts including container engaging surfaces configured to cooperate to compress the containeN as the compressing shafts are rotationally counter-driven by the drive system in the respective rotational cutting directions thereof.

[0014] in an embodiment, the one or more processing assemblies driven by the common drive shaft and the motor are supported on a sliding ran mounted on the enclosure frame.

[0015] In an embodiment, the take-up conveyor assembly is supported on sliding rails mounted on the enclosure frame to enable the take-up conveyor to slide out of the internal volume of the enclosure.

[0016] in an embodiment. the one or more of the receptacles are supported on sliding rails mounted on the enclosure frame to enable the take p conveyor to siide out of the internal volume of the enclosure.

[0017] In an embodiment, the diveder conveyor assembly is also supported on sliding rails mounted on the enclosure frame to enable the diverter conveyor assembly to slide out of the internal volume of the enclosure.

[0018] In an embodiment, the take-up conveyor in the take-up conveyor assembly is flanked by side walls located lengthwise along lateral sides of the take-up conveyor belt to retain the container on the conveyor belt and allow containers to be advanced along the advancement path.

[0019] IIn an embodiment, the diverter gates pivot a transverse direction relative to the length of the diverter conveyor beit.

[0020] in an embodiment, the reverse vending machine further comprises a PLC (programmable logic controller) and associated loot circuits for communicating with the output signal from the optical scanner and controlling operation of the first and second controlling arrangements in response to the output signal from the optical scanner.

[0021] In an embodiment, the revese vending machine further comprises: a micro oc,essor-based computersystem; a memory device configured for storing and retrieving data: a computer operating system; software for recording and analyzing data.

[0022] In an embodiment, the memory device comprises computer executable instructions operative on the microprocessor to generate control signals for controlling the first controlling arrangement and/or second controlling arrangement in response by processing the output signal or a derivative thereof.

[0023] In another aspect, the invention provides a reverse vending machine for processing containers, the reverse vending machine comprising: an opening positioned within an enclosure frame of the reverse vending machine for allowing insertion of containers into an internal volume of the vending machine; a diverter conveyor assembly comprising at least one diverter conveyor belt being positioned lengthwise to receive a container from the opening and convey the received container along a length of the diverter conveyor belt, the diverter conveyor assembly further comprising a plurality of container diverter gates, each of the diverter gates being positioned over the diverter conveyor belt and controlled by a second diverter gate controil:-.3r arrangement to pivot between a closed position and an open position wherein in the closed position, the gates define a pathway to allow received containers to be conveyed along the length of the diverter conveyor: and in an open position the diverter gates pivot to engage and divert the received container towards a transverse direction relative to the length of the diverter conveyor belt fall off the diverter conveyor belt under gravity; a plurality of receptacles being positioned along lateral sides of the diverter conveyor assembly; each collection chamber being arranged below the diverter conveyor assernbiy to receive the containers diverted by a corresponding diverter Gate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure 1 is a first frontal view of a reverse vending machine 1000 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a second frontal view of the reverse vending machine 1000. Figure 3 is a right hand side view of the reverse vending machine 1000. Figure 4 is a left hand side view of the vending machine 1000.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the vending machine 1000 with a rear door removed.

Figure 6 shows receptacles 500 being slidably mounted on rails.

Figure 7 is a top view of the reverse vending machine 1000.

Figure 8 us a right hand side rear perspective view of the reverse vending machine 1000.

Figure 9 is a left-hand side view of the reverse vending machine 1000.

Figure 10 is a rear view of the reverse vending machine 1000 with the rear door removed.

Figure 11 is an internal view of the enclosure of the reverse vending machine 1000 (bins removed) showing the underside of the shredding assembly 400 as mounted.

Figure 12 shows the take-up conveyor assembly 200 as positioned internally within the enclosure of the reverse vending machine 1000.

Figure 13 is an enlarged internal view (frontal) of the reverse vending machine 1000.

Figures 14 and 15 are frontal views of the reverse vending machine 100 showing the slidably mounted shredding assembly 400.

Figure 16 is a top view of the reverse vending machine 1000 showing the slidably mounted shredding assembly 400.

Figure 17 is a frontal view of reverse vending machine 1000 showing the slidably mounted take-up conveyor assembly 200.

Figure 18 is a top view of the reverse vending machine 1000 showing the slidably mounted take-up conveyor assembly 200.

Figure 19 is a top view of the reverse vending machine 1000 Figure 20 is a top left perspective view of the vending machine 1000. Figure 21 is an internal view of the reverse vending machine 1000. Figure 22 is a top internal view of the reverse vending machine 1000.

Figures 23 and 24 are isolated views of the take-up conveyor assembly 200. Figures 25 and 26 are isolated views of the diverter conveyor assembly 300.

Figures 27 and 28 show a pair of diverter gates 325 in a neutral/non-diverting configuration.

Figures 29 and 30 show the diverter gates 325 in a diverting configuration. Figures 31 and 32 illustrate isolated views of a shredding assembly 400.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Figures 1 to 22 illustrate various views of a reverse vending machine 1000 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present invention, a reverse vending machine 10, is shown in FIG. 1. The reverse vending machine 1000 accepts non-metallic (including PET-Polyethylene and HDPE-High Density Polyethylene) and metallic beverage containers for processing, which includes compacting, sorting, and storing the beverage containers. Other functions of the reverse vending machine 1000 may include issuing coupons to users, storing all transaction information including the date, time, user ID, beverage container bar code, coupon data, and ingress/egress status.

[0026]The reverse vending machine 1000 includes a frame 100 that defines a substantially enclosed internal volume within which beverage containers are sorted and processed. A front panel door 110 allows access to the interior volume of the reverse vending machine 1000. One or more video displays 120 may be mounted on the outside of the frame 100 so that users may conveniently view reverse vending machine 1000 user instructions, transaction information, public information, advertisements, etc. [0027] The front panel door 110 comprises a substantially circular opening 115 (though the opening might take other shapes) for allowing insertion of empty beverage containers into the internal volume of the enclosure frame 100. Figures 12 and 13 show a perspective view of the reverse vending machine 100 with one of the front panel doors 110 removed for ease of understanding. The reverse vending machine comprises a take-up conveyor assembly 200 that is positioned internally within the enclosure frame 100 to receive any containers inserted through the opening 115. Figures 23 to 26 show isolated views of the take-up conveyor assembly 200. The take-up conveyor assembly 200 comprises a take-up conveyor belt 210 being positioned to receive the beverage containers inserted into the opening 115 and convey the received container from a first frontal end to a second rear end of the take-up conveyor assembly along a container advancement path. The endless conveyor belt 210 is driven by conveyor motors to convey the received container from the frontal end to a rear end of the take-up conveyor assembly 200. The take-up conveyor belt 210 is flanked by slanting lateral side wall members 225 arranged along both lateral sides of the length of the take-up conveyor belt 210. The side wall members 225 slant inwardly and are provided to keep the received containers along a middle or central portion of the conveyor belt 210 as they are conveyed from the frontal end towards the rear end of the take-up conveyor assembly.

[0028] An optical scanner assembly (not shown) comprising a plurality of optical scanners (such as but not limited to laser scanners) are positioned along the container advancement path of the take-up conveyor assembly 200. The optical scanners are preferably configured to carry out a optical scanning of readable information codes printed on the outer walls of the containers being conveyed by the conveyor belt 210 of the take-up conveyor assembly 200. The optical scanners are preferably disposed around the conveyor belt 210 to allow the optical scanner to read any readable codes on the travelling containers. The provision of the side wall members 225 results in the containers undergoing rotation when the container contacts the side wall members 225 as the take-up conveyor belt 210 is moving and the arrangement of the optical scanners in the vicinity of the take-up conveyor assembly 200 allows for the optically readable codes to eb easily read by the optical scanners. The optical scanners generate an output signal which are interpretable to indicate information about the beverage container scanned by the optical scanner assembly.

[9029]1n at least some embodiments, the output signal may be communicated to an on-board computer device which includes a memory device contoured for storing and retrieving data; a computer operating system and software for recording and analyzing data. The output signal Generated by the optical scanners may be processed in accordance with one or more rules stored on the memory by way of utilising the operating system to initially determine if the scanned container is acceptable. Once the container is deemed acceptabie, the on-board computer may generate a control signal to actuate a first gate controller 240 to open a gate 245 positioned at the second or rearward end of the take-up conveyor assembly 200.

[0030] The provision of the gate 245 at the second or rear end of the take-up conveyor assembly 200 is therefore useful in ensuring that oniy acceptable containers can pass through the gate 245. If containers are not acceptable and the gate 2.45 remains closed, then the containers may be returned back to the opening 115 by triggering operation of the take up conveyor belt 210 in a reverse direction to send the refused container back from the second end of the take-up conveyor assembly 200 to the first end of the take-up conveyor assembly 200. In another alternative embodiment, if a container is deemed unacceptable by the optical scanners, one or both of the slanting slide wall members 225 located along the length of each lateral side of the take-tap conveyor belt 210 may pivot to aliow the unacceptable container to fall off the conveyor belt 210 into a receptacle container positioned under the take-up conveyor assembly 200 to allow retrieval of the unacceptable container.

[0031] As shown in Figures 17 and 18 in particular, the take-up conveyor assembly 200 is slidabiy mounted on the enclosure frame to enable the take-up conveyor assembly 200 to slide, out of the internal volume of the enclosure ease of cleaning and maintenance.

[0032] The reverse vending machine 1000 further comprises a diverter conveyor assembly 300 (!solated views shown n Figures 25 and 26) compr!sng at least one diverter conveyor belt 310 that is positioned lengthwise to receive the container from the second end of the take up conveyor assembly 200 when the gate 245 is open and convey the received container along -a length of the diverter conveyor belt 310. The divertor conveyor assembly 300 includes two pairs of diverter gates (generally denoted by 325) located along the length of the divertor conveyor assembly 300. Figures 27 to 30 illustrate isolated views of the diverter gates 325. Each pair of the divertor gates 325 is positioned along respective lateral sides of the divertor conveyor y 300. Each pair-of diverter gates 325 is inked, to a respective diverter gate frame 327 and a diverter gate controller 340 is provided to control the movement of the diverter gates 325. In a neutral or closed position, the diverter gates are substantially aligned along the lateral sides of the diverter conveyor belt 315 to retain the beverage containers aiong the diverter conveyor belt 315. The diverter gates 325 can be pivoted using the diverter gate controller 340 to pivot into an inwaidly position which allows the beverage containers to be deflected by the inwardly positioned diverter gates 325 towards any of the lateral sides. In the presently described embodiment, the two pairs of diverter gates 325 can therefore be used to deflect beverage containers in a transverse direction (relative to the length of the diverter conveyor belt 310) into any one of four specific regions. The operation of the diverter gate controllers 340 may be controlled by a control signal Generated by the on-board computer after receiving and processing the output signal from the optical scanning assembly.

[0033] By way of example only, an acceptable beverage container that has been received onto the diverter conveyor assembly 300 may be sorted into any one of four different categories of containers by activating the movement of any one of the ales 325 based on a control signal generated by the computer in response to the output signal received from the optical scanner. Four separate collecting receptacles 500 are positioned below the diyertor conveyor assembly 300 to collect respective beverage containers diverted by each of the diverter gates 325 during use as they fall off the divertor conveyor belt 310 under gravity after being deflected. As a result, beverage coritSners can be sorted into categories such as metals, HDPE, PET and other(s).

[0034] Advantageously diverted containers may be processed by respective processing assemblies in the form of a shredder compacter assembly generally denoted by the reference numeral 400 that are located at an intermediate location to receive and process the diverted containers to direct the processed containers into the respective receptacles 500 positioned underneath. isolated views of the shredding assembly 400 have been shown in Figures 31 and 32. The shredding assemblies 400 are located along both the laterai sides of the diverter conveyor belt 310 such that a respective shredding assembly 400 (or a compacting assembly) is arranged to receive and process containers diverted by a corresponding diverter gate 325. As shown particularly dearly in Figures 14 to 16 and Figures 19 to 22, at least a pair of the shredding assemblies 400 are arranged lengthwise along one of the lateral sides of the divertor conveyor belt 310. Importantly, such an arrangement allows a single motor 410 to be utilised to transm t torque to a motor drive shaft 420 which can be coupled to shredding shafts in each of the shredding assemblies 400. The motor drive shaft 420 in combinahon with a single motor 410 allows a plurality of shredder assemblies 400 (two assemblies arranged lengthwise arid, operably coupled to the motor drive shaft 420 and the motor 410).

[0035] Figures 31 and 32 show isolated views for each shredding assembly 400 which comprises two shredding shafts 425 rotatably mounted and coupled to the common drive shaft to enable the drive motor to counter-drive the shafts 425 in respective opposing rotational cutting directions. Each shredding shaft 425 comprises positive cutter elements and negative cutter elements configured to cooperate to shred the containers as the shredding shafts are rotationally counter-driven by the drive system in the respective rotational cutting directions. One of the shredding shafts comprises a shaft coupier 427 that can be coupled to the motor unit 410 via the common motor shaft 420.

[0036] It is to be understood that any one of the shre assemhhss 400 could be replaced by a compacting assembly (not shown) for flattening the diverted containers instead of shredding the containers The compacting assembly could also comprises of two slightly spaced p cting rollers without cutting elements which would be rotated in opposite directions by using the common drive shaft 420 driven by the motor 410. Therefore, one or more of the shredding assemblies 400 can be easily replaced by a compacting assembly; as mentioned herein wkhout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0037] As shown clearly in Figures 14 to 16, the shredding assemblies 400 with the common drive shaft 420 and motor unit 410 may be mounted onto sliding rails to allow the shredding assemblies to easily slide out of the enclosure for cleaning and maintenance.

[0038] Referring to Figures 19 to 22, further comprises a piuraiity of guiding chutes 600 arranged along one or both lateral sides of the diverter conveyor bet 310 whereby each guiding chute 600 is arranged to guide the diverted containers diverted by a respective diverter gate 325 towards a corresponding shredding assembly 400.

[0039] The aforementioned combination of the take-up conveyor assembly 200 in combination with the diverter conveyor assembly 300 and the processing assembly in the form of the shredding assembly 400 or the compacting assembly with collection receptacles 500 positioned thereunder allow beverage containers to be easily sorted and processed based on the initial scanning carried out by the optical scanners in a very compact configuration. As shown in Figures 19 to 22, three assembly lines, each assembly line comprising a take-up conveyor assembly 200 and the diverted conveyor assembly 300, and four processing lines, each processing line being driven by a single motor and drive shaft, could be provided in an alternating arrangement to provide a highly compact and efficient reverse vending machine 1000. The number of assembly lines or processing lines used in a single reverse vending machine is not limiting.

[0040] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[0041] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0042] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A reverse vending machine for processing containers, the reverse vending machine comprising: an opening positioned within an enclosure frame of the reverse vending machine for allowing insertion of containers into an internal volume of the vending machine; a take-up conveyor assembly with at least one take-up conveyor belt being positioned to receive containers inserted into the opening and convey said received contains from a first end to a second end of the take-up conveyor assembly along a container advancement path, the second end of the assembly further comprising a feeding gate that is operable to be opened and closed by a first gate controlling arrangement; a diverter conveyor assembly comprising at least one diverter conveyor belt being positioned lengthwise to receive a container from the take up conveyor assembly when the gate is open and convey the received container along a length of the diverter conveyor bet, the diverter conveyor assembly further comprising a plurality of container diverier gates, each of the diverter gates being positioned over the diverter conveyor belt and co trolled by a second diverter gate controller arrangement to pivot * etween a closed position and an open position wherein in the closed position. the gates define a pathway to ailow received containers to be conveyed along the length of the diverter conveyor; and in an open position the diverter gates pivot to engage and divert the received container towards a transverse direction relative to the length of the diverter conveyor belt and fall off the diverter conveyor belt under gravity; a plurality-of receptacles being positioned along lateral sides of the diverter conveyor assembly, each collection chamber being arranged below the diverter conveyor assembly to receive the containers diverted by a corresponding diverter gate.
2. A reverse vending machine in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an optical scanner positioned along the container advancement path, the optical scanner being positioned to read codes on the containers during advancement of the containers along the take-up conveyor assembly, the optical scanner being capable of producing an output signal which is interpretable to identify selected containers as acceptable and wherein the first gate controUer and the second diverter gate controllers are operable to control openina and closing of the feeding gate and the diverter gates in response to the output signal generated by the optical scanner.
3. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of claim 1 or claim 2 Further comprising a plurality of processing assemblies being located along one or both lateral sides of the length of the diverter conveyor belt such that a respective shredding or compacting assembly is arranged to receive and process containers diverted by a respective diverter Gate.
A reverse vending machine in accordance with claim 3 comprising at least a first plurality of processing assemblies being arranged lengthwise along one of the lateral sides of the diverter conveyor belt wherein the first plurality of processing assemblies are driven by a common drive shaft to transmit torque introduced by a motor, preferably an electric motor.
A reverse vendirro machine in accordance with claim 3 or claim 4 further comprises a plurality of guiding chutes arranged along one or both lateral sides of the diverter conveyor belt wherein each guiding chute is arranged to guide the containers diverted by a respective diverter gate to wards a corresponding processing assembly.
6. A reverse vending machine in accordance with claims 3 to 5 wherein the processing assembly comprises: a first piurality of one or more processing assemblies having shredding members driven by the common drive shaft to shred diverted containers diverted by a first corresponding plurality of one or more corresponding diverter pates and direct shredded portions of the diverted containers to respective receptacles posit cried thereunder; and a second plurality of processing assemblies having compacting members driven by the common drive shaft to flatten or compress diverted containers diverted by a second corresponding plurality of one or more corresponding diverter gates and direct the compressed or flattened and diverted containers to respective e, ) ."s positioned thereunder.
7. A reverse vending machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein the first plurality of the processing assemblies comprises at least two shredding shafts ro.tatably mounted and coupled to the common drive shaft to enable the drive motor to counter-drive the shafts in respective oppo ng rotational cutting directions: and each of the shredding shafts including positive cutter elements and negative cutter elements configured to cooperate to shred the containers as the shredding shafts are rotationally counter-dri.ven by the drive system in the respe otational cutting directions thereof.
A reverse vending machine in accordance with claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the second plurality of the processing assemblies comprises at:east two compressing shafts rotatably mounted and coupled to the common drive shaft to enable the drive motor to counter-drive the compressing shafts in respective opposing rotational directions and each of the shredding shafts including container engaging surfaces configured to cooperate to compress the containers as the compressing shafts are rotationally counter-driven by the drive system in the respective rotational cutting directions thereof.
9. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the one or more processing assemblies driven by the common drive shaft and the motor are supported on a sliding rail mounted on the enclosure frame_
10. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the take-up conveyor assembly is supported on sliding rails mounted on the enclosure e to enahe the take-up conveyor to slide out of the internal volume of the enclosure,.
11. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the receptacles are supported on sliding rails mounted on the enclosure frame to enable the take-uo conveyor to slide out of the internal volume of the enclosure.
12. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the diverter conveyor assembly is supported on siiding rails mounted on the enclosure frame to enable the diverter conveyor a emblv to slide out of the internal volume of the enclosure.
13. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the take-up conveyor in the take-up conveyor assembly is flanked by side wa is located lengthwise along lateral sides of the take-up conveyor belt to retain the container on the conveyor belt and allow containers to be advanced aiong the advancement path.
14. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the diverter gates pivot a transverse direction relative to the length of the diverter conveyor belt
15. A reverse vending machine in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising a PLC (programmable logic controlier) and associated logic circ.uits for communicating with the output signal from the optical scanner and controlling operation of the first and second controlling arrangements in response to the output signal from the optical scanner.
16. A reverse vending machine in accordance with claim 15 further comprising:a microprocessor-based computer system; a memory device configured for storing and retrieving data; a computer operating system; software for recording and analyzing data.
17. A reverse vending machine in accordance with claim 16 wherein the memory device comprises computer executable instructions operative on the microprocessor to generate control signals for controlling the first controlling arrangement and/or second controlling arrangement in;esponse by processing the output signal or a derivative thereof.
18 A reverse vending machine for processing containers, the reverse vending machine comprising: an opening positioned within an enclosure frame of the reverse vending machine for allowing insertion of containers into an internal volume of the vending machine; a cliverter conveyor assembly c reprising at least o. e cliverter conveyor belt being positioned iengthw se to receive a container from the opening and convey the received container along a iength of the diverter corr yor belt, the diverter conveyor assembly further comprising a plurality of container diverter gates, each of the diverter gates being positioned over the diverter conveyor belt and controlled by a second diverter gate controller arrangement to pivot between a dosed position and an open position wherein in the dosed position; the gates define a pathway to allow received containers to be conveyed along the length of the diverter conveyor; and in an open position the diverter gates pivot to engage and divert the received container towards a transverse ciirection relative to the ienath of the diverter conveyor belt and fall off the diverter conveyor belt under gravity; a plurality of receptacles being positioned along lateral sdes of the diverter conveyor assembly, each collection chamber being arranged below the diverter conveyor assemhiy to receive the containers diverted by a corresponding diverter cote.