Acceptance assembly for a reverse vending machine
US5630493A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 20, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/10
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An acceptance assembly for a commodity collection, densification, and storage device includes a frame, an insert tube disposed in the frame defining an inlet for receiving a commodity and an outlet, a sensor disposed in the frame proximate the outlet for sensing a feature of the commodity, and an iris device disposed in the frame between the outlet and the sensor. The iris device includes a base secured to the frame and defining an opening therethrough adjacent the outlet, and further includes three plates swingably secured to the base, the plates being pivotable between a first position covering the opening and the outlet, and a second position uncovering the opening and the outlet. The iris device precludes access to the sensor via the inlet of the insert tube when the iris device is in the first position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.