Apparatus for counting deposit beverage containers

• US 8,919,521 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2013
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas H. Miyashiro
• Original Assignee: Thomas H. Miyashiro
• Inventors: Miyashiro, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DOUGLAS A
• Application Number:
  US13/767,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20130206541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 193/23, 193/25.A, 193/35.FT, 193/29, 193/32, 193/2.D, 193/2.E, 198/565
• US Class Current: 193/2.D
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 11/203 for articles
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 7/02 wherein objects ahead of the sensing element are separated to produce a distinct gap between successive objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 7/04 Counting of piece goods, e.g. of boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0609 by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers

Abstract

An apparatus for counting deposit beverage containers that includes a loading basin for holding a plurality of deposit beverage containers, a feed chute for receiving the containers from the loading basin having an inlet end narrowing into at least one outlet end, and at least one feed channel extending from each outlet end. The feed channel includes a choke opening that orders the containers into a single file row, an upward bend following the choke opening that decreases the downward slope of the feed channel to moderate the flow of the containers, and a downward curve following the upward bend that accelerates each container to create separation between containers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for counting deposit beverage containers, the apparatus comprising:

a loading basin for holding a plurality of deposit beverage containers comprising

a cradle to support and lift a removable bin; and

a retaining member that fits over an opening of the removable bin;

a feed chute for receiving said containers from said loading basin, said feed chute having an inlet end narrowing to at least one outlet end, wherein the retaining member guides containers into the feed chute; and

at least one feed channel extending from each outlet end, said feed channel comprising;

a choke opening that orders said containers into a single file row;

an upward bend following said choke opening that decreases the downward slope of said feed channel to moderate the flow of said containers; and

a downward curve following said upward bend that accelerates each container to create separation between containers.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a V-shaped contact surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a low-friction contact surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a liner insert.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a plurality of ribs extending upward therefrom, said ribs being aligned with the longitudinal axis of said feed channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed chute includes two or more outlet ends, wherein a feed channel extends from each outlet end.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radius of said downward curve is greater than about four inches.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said loading basin includes an angled member for controlling the flow rate of containers into said feed chute.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said loading basin includes transverse wheels for rotating a bin within said loading basin to control the flow rate of containers into said feed chute.

10. An apparatus for counting deposit beverage containers, the apparatus comprising:

a loading basin for holding a plurality of deposit beverage containers comprising

a cradle to support and lift a removable bin; and

a retaining member that fits over an opening of the removable bin;

a feed chute for receiving said containers from said loading basin, said feed chute having an inlet end narrowing to at least one outlet end, wherein the retaining member guides containers into the feed chute; and

at least one feed channel extending from each outlet end, said feed channel comprising;

an upper portion having a choke opening that orders said containers into a single file row;

a middle portion extending from said upper portion having an upward bend that decreases the downward slope of said feed channel to moderate the flow of said containers;

a downward curve following said middle portion that accelerates each container to create separation between containers; and

a lower portion extending from said downward curve having an increased downward slope that further accelerates each container.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a V-shaped contact surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a low-friction contact surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a liner insert.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said feed channel includes a bottom panel having a plurality of ribs extending upward therefrom, said ribs being aligned with the longitudinal axis of said feed channel.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said feed chute includes two or more outlet ends, wherein a feed channel extends from each outlet end.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the radius of said downward curve is greater than about four inches.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said loading basin includes an angled member for controlling the flow rate of containers into said feed chute.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said loading basin includes transverse wheels for rotating a removable bin within said loading basin to control the flow rate of containers into said feed chute.