Method for transforming a container into an article
US8112858B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus, a system and a method transform a container into an article. The apparatus, the system and the method operate as a vending machine that allows a user to deposit the container and/or money into the vending machine. After receiving the container and/or the money, a shape of the container, a barcode on the container, and/or a weight of the container are analyzed to determine whether to accept the container or to reject the container. If the container is rejected, the container and/or the money are returned to the user. If the container is accepted, the apparatus, the system and/or the method cuts, washes and/or dries the container. The apparatus, the system and/or the method further cuts, presses, flanges and/or wraps the container into an article. The article may be a toy car and/or other novelty item. A window allows the user to observe the container transformed into the article. A decal may be delivered to the user to decorate the article.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.