Method and Apparatus for Refilling a Container with a Fluid

• US 20110000923A1
• Filed: 07/03/2009
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Manuel A. Morales
• Original Assignee: Manuel A. Morales
• Inventors: Morales, Manuel A.
• Application Number:
  US12/497,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20110000923A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/673
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/00 Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators see also B65D5/4212, B65D33/004
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0804 Shape or materials
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/02 for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/346 by reading a code
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/10 with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0609 by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/10 Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cleaning, sanitizing, and refilling reusable containers in order to reduce the non-biodegradable waste and environment contamination. The apparatus and process allows a person/consumer to refill the container with any fluid dispensed by said apparatus such as a vending machine. Depending on the fluid selection of the consumer the vending machine sanitizes the container before any fluid is dispensed in it. Further, the machine provides the branding of the container depending on the consumer selection allowing people and consumer recognition of the product and enticing manufacturers to participate.

Claims

1. A reusable container used in a vending machine comprising:

a hollow body,

an opening, wherein said opening is located at a first distal end of said hollow body,

a plurality of grooves, wherein the grooves are located on said hollow body surface having a parallel and perpendicular pattern with respect to said opening,

wherein said perpendicular grooves are configured to have a non-circular shape,

wherein said parallel grooves are located at a second distal end of said hollow body,

wherein each groove has a predetermined depth; and

readable means.

2. A reusable container as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves are configured to engage said container in a pre-determinate arrangement with a locking mechanism which controls the translation and rotational displacement of said container and wherein each groove assists to limit undesired movements of said container.

3. A reusable container as in claim 1, wherein at least a pair of grooves is spaced apart to assist the hollow body to rotate.

4. A reusable container as in claim 1, wherein at least two grooves are spaced apart to assist the hollow body to rotate upon itself.

5. A reusable container as in claim 1, wherein at least two grooves are spaced apart and perpendicular to each other.

6. A reusable container as in claim 1, wherein at least a first pair of grooves is spaced apart to assist the hollow body to rotate upon itself over a first axis and a second pair of grooves is spaced apart to assist the hollow body to rotate upon itself over a second axis, wherein said first axis and second axis are perpendicular to each other.

7. A reusable container as in claim 1, wherein said readable means is embedded in the container and protected from the environment.

8. A reusable container as in claim 1, wherein said container material comprises a durable substrate material not exhibiting carryover flavors.

9. A reusable container used in a vending machine comprising:

a hollow body,

readable means,

an opening, wherein said opening is located at a first distal end of said hollow body,

a at least a first pair of grooves configured to have a non-circular shape located on said hollow body surface,

wherein said first pair of grooves is perpendicular with respect to said opening and each first pair groove is spaced apart to assist the hollow body to rotate upon itself over a first axis,

a at least a second pair of grooves located on said hollow body surface at a second distal end of said hollow body,

wherein said second pair of grooves is parallel with respect to said opening and each second pair groove is spaced apart to assist the hollow body to rotate upon itself over a second axis, wherein said first axis and second axis are perpendicular to each other; and

wherein said first pair of grooves and said second pair of grooves are shaped to engage said container in a pre-determinate arrangement with a locking mechanism which controls the translation and rotational displacement of said container, wherein each groove assists to limit undesired movements of said container shape limits undesired movements of said container when engaged.