Input unit for a reverse vending machine, and reverse vending machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9845199-B2
Application number	US-201615294808-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 17, 2016
Priority date	Oct 21, 2015
Publication date	Dec 19, 2017
Grant date	Dec 19, 2017

Abstract

Various embodiments provide an input unit for a reverse vending machine. The input unit includes a conveying unit with at least one conveying belt configured to receive and transport an empty container, and a guide structure configured to carry and guide the conveying unit relative to a housing of the reverse vending machine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An input unit for a reverse vending machine, the input unit comprising:
a conveying unit with at least one conveying belt configured to receive and transport an empty container; and
a guide structure configured to carry and guide the conveying unit relative to a housing of the reverse vending machine,
wherein the guide structure has at least one rail, on which the conveying unit is carried, and guided, in a displaceable manner and
wherein the at least one rail is designed in the form of a telescopic rail.

2. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the conveying unit is designed such that the empty container placed on the at least one conveying belt can be transported along a transporting direction; and
wherein the guide structure is configured to carry and guide the conveying unit along the transporting direction.

3. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the at least one conveying belt circulates on a conveying-belt carrying arm which, at one end, is coupled to the conveying unit in a releasable manner by a displacement-action coupling device and a pivoting-action coupling device.

4. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the conveying unit is designed in the form of a drawer.

5. The input unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one drive for driving the at least one conveying belt.

6. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the at least one drive has a motor.

7. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the conveying unit is coupled to the guide structure in a releasable manner.

8. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the conveying unit further comprises:
a carrier plate; and
one or more printed circuit boards which are mounted on the carrier plate and have at least one drive-control circuit.

9. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the conveying unit has a plurality of conveying belts arranged at an angle in relation to one another.

10. The input unit of claim 9 , further comprising:
a plurality of drives for driving the plurality of conveying belts;
wherein in each case one drive for driving a respectively associated conveying belt is coupled to the respective conveying belt.

11. The input unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the conveying unit further comprises:
a weighing machine with one or more load cells;
wherein the at least one conveying belt is arranged on the weighing machine.

12. The input unit of claim 11 ,
wherein the conveying unit further comprises:
a carrier plate; and
one or more printed circuit boards which are mounted on the carrier plate and have at least one drive-control circuit;

wherein the carrier plate is uncoupled from the weighing machine in respect of forces.

13. A reverse vending machine, comprising:
a housing;
a door with an opening through which to guide an empty container, the door being fastened on the housing in a pivotable manner;
an input unit, comprising:
a conveying unit with at least one conveying belt configured to receive and transport an empty container; and
a guide structure configured to carry and guide the conveying unit relative to a housing of the reverse vending machine,

wherein the conveying unit is arranged in the housing relative to the opening such that an empty container guided through the opening can be placed on the at least one conveying belt;
wherein, in a closed state of the door, access to the guide structure is prevented and
wherein, in an open state, the door allows access to the guide structure and the conveying unit can be moved counter to the transporting direction.

14. An input unit for a reverse vending machine, the input unit comprising:
a conveying unit with at least one conveying belt configured to receive and transport an empty container, wherein the conveying unit is designed in the form of a drawer; and
a guide structure configured to carry and guide the conveying unit relative to a housing of the reverse vending machine.

15. The input unit of claim 14 ,
wherein the conveying unit is designed such that the empty container placed on the at least one conveying belt can be transported along a transporting direction; and
wherein the guide structure is configured to carry and guide the conveying unit along the transporting direction.

16. The input unit of claim 14 ,
wherein the conveying unit has a plurality of conveying belts arranged at an angle in relation to one another.

17. The input unit of claim 14 ,
wherein the at least one conveying belt circulates on a conveying-belt carrying arm which, at one end, is coupled to the conveying unit in a releasable manner by a displacement-action coupling device and a pivoting-action coupling device.

18. The input unit of claim 14 ,
wherein the conveying unit further comprises:
a weighing machine with one or more load cells;
wherein the at least one conveying belt is arranged on the weighing machine.

19. The input unit of claim 14 ,
wherein the guide structure has at least one rail, on which the conveying unit is carried, and guided, in a displaceable manner.

20. The input unit of claim 19 ,
wherein the at least one rail is designed in the form of a telescopic rail.

Assignees

• Wincor Nixdorf Int Gmbh

Inventors

• Hartung Domenic
• Fischer Axel
• Rhein Patrick

Classifications

• G07F7/0609 Primary

  by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers · CPC title

• B65G37/005 Primary

  comprising two or more co-operating conveying elements with parallel longitudinal axes (the conveying elements being endless surfaces B65G15/10) · CPC title

• G07F7/06

  by returnable containers {, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value}, e.g. bottles · CPC title

• G07F9/10

  Casings {or parts thereof}, e.g. with means for heating or cooling · CPC title

• B65G21/04

  the ties being formed by longitudinal cables or ropes · CPC title