Vending system with recyclable packaging having automated deposit and return

• US 9,454,869 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Martuch
• Original Assignee: Michael Martuch
• Inventors: Martuch, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US14/984,583
• Time in Patent Office: 272 Days
• Field of Search: 221/1, 221/2, 221/82, 235/375, 235/454, 186/52, 194/209, 194/212, 194/205, 700/237
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/368 Shaped fuels bundled or contained in a bag or other container
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/10 two or more magazines having a common delivery chute
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/72 Auxiliary equipment, e.g. for lighting cigars, opening bottles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/005 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/06 by returnable containers , i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0609 by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers

Abstract

Vending machines and dispensers, devices, apparatus, systems, and methods of providing and using a vending machine that dispenses goods in recyclable and reusable packaging having automated deposits and returns for the packaging. Customers purchase items such as products, goods, liquids and gasses in reusable containers having electronic tags from automated vending machines. Customers pay for the items at time of purchase along with an extra money deposit fee for using the reusable container. Electronic activator tags fixably attached reusable containers are detected when the containers are returned which triggers a sensor allowing for the deposits to be returned to the customer.

Claims

1. A vending system for reusable containers, comprising:

a housing for storing items in a plurality of reusable containers, the reusable containers comprising;

a plurality of separate transferable weather resistant security tags, each of the separate transferable weather resistant security tags being attached to each of the reusable containers;

a payment window adjacent to the housing for accepting payment for each of the reusable containers with the product and for accepting deposits for each of the reusable containers;

a plurality of vertically stacked racks inside the housing wherein each rack supports a track and a belt for storing the reusable containers thereon, the tracks and belts being above one another, wherein the system dispenses each of the stored reusable containers after each payment, and wherein one track and belt with the stored reusable containers is emptied and depleted before another track and belt with the stored reusable containers is started to be emptied and depleted;

a return window on the housing for returning the reusable containers to the housing without the items;

a verifier for verifying that the returned reusable containers have originated from the housing, the verifier includes a sensor adjacent to the deposit return receptacle, wherein activating the sensor with the security tag on each reusable container is adapted for allowing the deposit return to the customer; and

a deposit return for returning the deposits on verified returned containers.

2. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the reusable containers are reusable rigid containers.

3. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the reusable containers are reusable bags.

4. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the reusable containers are reusable wrapped sleeves.

5. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the items include products.

6. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the items include goods.

7. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the items include liquids.

8. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the items include gases.

9. A system for dispensing items in reusable containers, and for returning deposits when the containers are returned, comprising:

a plurality of reusable containers being selected from one of rigid containers, recyclable bags or recyclable wrapped sleeves;

at least one item packaged in each of the reusable containers;

a plurality of separate transferable weather resistant security tags, each of the separate transferable weather resistant tags being attached to each of the packaged reusable containers;

a plurality of vertically stacked racks wherein each rack supports a track and a belt for storing reusable containers thereon, the tracks and belts being above one another, wherein the system dispenses each of the packaged reusable containers after each transaction, and wherein one track and belt with the packaged reusable containers is emptied and depleted before another track and belt with the packaged reusable containers is started to be emptied and depleted;

a money receiver for receiving a payment for each reusable container and a deposit fee for reusable container, adapted for a consumer providing the payment to the receiver allows for a single packaged reusable container with the attached security tag and the at least one item inside to be dispensed from a dispenser unit;

a recyclable reusable container return unit having a return chamber and a surveillance sensor; and

a deposit return unit attached to the reusable container return unit, adapted for the consumer returning the reusable container with security the tag, and without the at least one item is placed in the chamber and the tag is sensed and verified by the surveillance sensor, allows for return of the deposit to the consumer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the reusable containers are selected from one of rigid containers, bags and sleeves.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one item is selected from one of a good or a product.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one item is selected from one of a liquid or a gas.