The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 29, 2009
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2007
Applicants:
Geir Sæther, Asker, NO;
Ronald Sivertsen, Vettre, NO;
Tom Lunde, Blommenholm, NO;
Inventors:
Assignee:
Tomra Systems ASA, Asker, NO;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03B 15/03 (2006.01); G03B 17/48 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.