RECYCLING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20080169342A1
• Filed: 03/03/2008
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTS Recyclebank LLC
• Original Assignee: RecycleBank LLC (RecycleRewards, Inc.)
• Inventors: GONEN, RON
• Granted Patent: US 8,602,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/184 Weighing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of implementing an incentive-based recycling system. In one embodiment of the present invention, A method of implementing a system of incentive-based recycling comprises dispatching a vehicle on a route, lifting a pickup cart comprising a volume of collectable recyclable material and having a radio frequency identification (RFID) readable tag disposed thereon, weighing the collectable recyclable material on a weighing device, using a radio frequency identification reader to obtain a unique set of identification data from the pickup cart, removing the pickup cart from the weighing device, transporting a volume of collectable recyclable material to a drop-off facility, validating collected weight data and identification data, uploading the data to a central database, generating at least one report from the data uploaded to the central database, and allocating rewards to a customer corresponding to a unique set of identification data.

Claims

1. A method of implementing a system of incentive-based recycling comprising:

dispatching a vehicle on a route;

lifting a pickup cart comprising a volume of collectable recyclable material and having a radio frequency identification (RFID) readable tag disposed thereon;

weighing the collectable recyclable material on a weighing device;

using a radio frequency identification reader to obtain a unique set of identification data from the pickup cart;

removing the pickup cart from the weighing device;

transporting a volume of collectable recyclable material to a drop-off facility;

validating collected weight data and identification data;

uploading the data to a central database;

generating at least one report from the data uploaded to the central database; and

allocating rewards to a customer corresponding to a unique set of identification data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the weighing device comprises a scale.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lifting device comprises a rotary actuator lifter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage receptacle is located on-board the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pickup cart comprises a lid for securing the recyclable materials in a volume therein.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a unique identification data programmed on the RFID tag is a 16-digit numerical value.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the rewards allocated are financial rewards.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one report comprises at least one of radio frequency identification value, date of collection, time of collection, gross weight, tare weight, net weight, level indicator, contamination indicator, scale identification value, sequence identification value, or any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein rewards are allocated to a customer in an amount equal to at least one of a proportionate value to the amount of recyclable material collected from a collection point associated with that customer, a fixed amount, or based on the total amount of recyclable material collected from a series of collection points.

11. A system for providing an incentive-based recycling system comprising:

a mobile collection apparatus;

a lifting device disposed on the mobile collection apparatus capable of lifting a pickup cart comprising a volume of collectable recyclable material and a radio frequency identification readable (RFID) tag;

a weighing device disposed on the mobile collection apparatus;

a radio frequency identification tag-reading device disposed on the mobile collection apparatus; and

a storage receptacle for holding collectable recyclable material.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the weighing device is a scale.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the lifting device and the weighing device comprise a single unit.

14. A method of implementing a system of incentive-based recycling comprising:

dispatching a vehicle on a route;

lifting with a lifting device a pickup cart comprising a volume of collectable recyclable material, a graspable bar, and an active radio frequency identification readable tag;

placing the pickup cart containing a volume of collectable recyclable material on a scale;

obtaining a gross weight for the pickup cart containing a volume of collectable recyclable material;

transferring the collectable recyclable material into an on-board storage receptacle;

obtaining a tare weight for the pickup cart;

calculating a net weight of the collectable recyclable material;

using a radio frequency identification reader to obtain a unique set of identification data;

removing the pickup cart from the scale;

transporting a volume of collectable recyclable material to a drop-off facility;

validating collected weight data and identification data;

uploading the data to a central database;

generating at least one report from the data uploaded to the central database; and

allocating financial rewards to a customer corresponding to a unique set of identification data.

15. The method of claim Error! Reference source not found., wherein the at least one report comprises at least one of radio frequency identification value, date of collection, time of collection, gross weight, tare weight, net weight, level indicator, contamination indicator, scale identification value, sequence identification value, or any combination thereof.

16. The wherein rewards are allocated to a customer in an amount equal to at least one of a proportionate value to the amount of recyclable material collected from a collection point associated with that customer, a fixed amount, or based on the total amount of recyclable material collected from a series of collection points.