Reverse vending apparatus

Abstract

A reverse vending machine for empty cans, wherein a can (21) which is delivered by a machine user is inspected in a first section (1) of the machine with regard to special characteristics, where a non-accepted can is returned to the machine user, whilst an accepted can is fed to a second section (7) for discharge into a receptacle, optionally via a compactor or shredder (17). The first section (1) consists of a first can guide having a first end (1') for can insertion, a second end (1') for can discharge, and a partially open central section (1''). At the first end there is provided a first metal detector (2), and at the second end there is provided a second metal detector (3). An optical reader (4) is provided at a radial distance from the central portion and has its sensing field covering at least a part of the central portion, the reader reading characteristics of the can, such as a bar code applied thereon. Impelling devices (5, 6, M1, M2) are provided at the central section in order to urge a can (21) in a first direction through the first can guide and out via the second end, or return a non-accepted can (21) to the machine user in a second, opposite direction via the first end. A control unit (19) is connected to the metal detectors (2, 3), the optical reader (4), and the impelling means (M1, M2), the control unit (19) being designed to determine whether collected data indicate that: the characteristics are readable and the can is acceptable, or the characteristics are readable, but the can is not acceptable, or the characteristics are not readable and the can is not acceptable. As a consequence of such indication the control unit (19) is designed to actuate the impelling devices (5, 6, M1, M2) to move the can in one direction or the other. The second section (7) is equipped with a blocking body (14) to prevent articles other than cans accepted by the control unit (19) from being transported from the first section (1) to the second section (2).