TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING INFORMATION RELATING TO 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:
- (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;
(B) receiving, at a second time subsequent to the first time, the receptacle, containing recyclable containers, at the return center, the receptacle being identified via an identifier;
(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) making the value determined in (C) available in an account accessible to the consumer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for managing information relating to recycling activities. In one embodiment, a method is provided in which a consumer returns beverage containers to a redemption kiosk offering a significantly improved consumer experience. Rather than having to wait for an attendant to count the containers and provide value in exchange, an account is maintained for the consumer to which the containers'"'"' value is ascribed. The redemption kiosk projects a neat and sanitary appearance, and is designed to be situated in a parking lot outside a retail location so as not to occupy valuable floor space. Information on consumer recycling activities is captured and analyzed to support marketing activities.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
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:
-
(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; (B) receiving, at a second time subsequent to the first time, the receptacle, containing recyclable containers, at the return center, the receptacle being identified via an identifier; (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) making the value determined in (C) available in an account accessible to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system for performing redemption transactions, comprising:
-
a receptacle provision facility operable to provide a receptacle, usable for dropping off recyclable containers, to a consumer, a provided receptacle being identified via an identifier; a receptacle receipt facility operable to receive a receptacle from a consumer containing recyclable containers; a recyclable container processing facility operable to receive recyclable containers contained in a receptacle and to determine a value to be provided in exchange for the recyclable containers; and a value accessibility facility operable to make the value determined by the recyclable container processing facility available in an account accessible to a consumer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification