Techniques for processing recyclable containers
First Claim
1. A method for performing a redemption transaction involving a return of recyclable containers by a consumer to a return center and a transfer of value to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers, the method comprising acts of:
- (A) providing, at a first time, a receptacle to a consumer, the receptacle being usable by the consumer to drop off recyclable containers at the return center, the receptacle being identifiable via an identifier;
(B) receiving, at a second time subsequent to the first time, the receptacle, containing recyclable containers, at the return center;
(C) processing the recyclable containers, the act of processing including determining a value to be provided to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers; and
(D) based on the determination in the act (C), employing the identifier to transfer a value to the account used by the consumer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for managing consumer recycling activities. In one embodiment, a method is provided for performing a redemption transaction involving a return of recyclable containers by a consumer to a return center and a transfer of value to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers. In accordance with this method, a receptacle is provided to a consumer at a first time. The receptacle is usable to drop off recyclable containers at the return center, and is identifiable via an identifier. At a subsequent time, the receptacle, with recyclable containers, is received at the return center. The containers are processed to determine a value to be provided to the consumer. The value is then automatically transferred to an account designated by the consumer.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for performing a redemption transaction involving a return of recyclable containers by a consumer to a return center and a transfer of value to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers, the method comprising acts of:
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(A) providing, at a first time, a receptacle to a consumer, the receptacle being usable by the consumer to drop off recyclable containers at the return center, the receptacle being identifiable via an identifier;
(B) receiving, at a second time subsequent to the first time, the receptacle, containing recyclable containers, at the return center;
(C) processing the recyclable containers, the act of processing including determining a value to be provided to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers; and
(D) based on the determination in the act (C), employing the identifier to transfer a value to the account used by the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for performing a redemption transaction in which a consumer returns, and receives a value in exchange for, recyclable containers, the system comprising:
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a return center to which the consumer returns recyclable containers;
a receptacle provision facility operable to provide a receptacle usable by the consumer to drop off the recyclable containers at the return center, the receptacle being identifiable via an identifier, the receptacle provision facility being operable to provide the receptacle to the consumer at a first time;
a receptacle receipt facility, located at the return center, operable to receive the receptacle from the consumer, at a second time subsequent to the first time, containing recyclable containers;
a container processing facility operable to process the recyclable containers, the processing comprising determining a value to be provided to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers; and
a value transfer facility operable to, based on the determination performed by the container processing facility, employ the identifier to transfer a value to the account used by the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. At least one computer-readable medium having instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a computer, perform a method of providing value to a consumer in exchange for recyclable containers, the method comprising acts of:
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(A) receiving an identifier from the consumer;
(B) accessing an account to which value has been transferred in exchange for recyclable containers brought by the consumer to a return center; and
(C) presenting an amount available in the account to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification