Apparatus for dispensing and accepting return of reusable articles
US4967906A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F7/069
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles each identifiable with its own identification code, comprising: a pair of opposing, stationary arrays of locations, each location being capable of holding a reusable article therein and having its own particular location code; a memory adapted to store details of said location codes and said article codes in memory; a data receiver for receiving informational data from a patron; a receptacle for receiving and discharging said articles; a transfer mechanism for placing an article in a location in said arrays or removing an article therefrom, the transfer mechanism being movable relative to said arrays between operative engagement with any of said locations and said receptacle; an article code sensing device adapted to sense the article code of an article carried by said transfer mechanism; and a control device having means for receiving information and for generating output instructional information and control signals, said control device being responsive to informational data from said receiver to actuate said transfer mechanism to remove a selected article from a location in said arrays to said receptacle by said transfe…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.