Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
  • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
  • G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an automated system for receiving and distributing product containers.
• the field of the invention is that of consumer products presented in containers. These containers are consigned during distribution, and disconsigned during reception.
• time is lost during the collection of the deposit, during the disbursement of the consignment, or during the double exchange operation between an empty container and a full container. The same applies when a document is sent to the client.
• a container reception and distribution system comprises a container distribution means and a container reception means; moreover, it comprises a control unit for controlling at least one of the means.
• at least one of the means is in the form of a rack with multiple compartments, each compartment being provided with an access and being intended to receive a container.
• the locker is provided with a detector informing the control unit of the identification of the container present in one of the compartments.
• the detector is a scanner such as a barcode reader.
• the system includes actuators intended to allow access to the compartments.
• control unit is provided with at least one element of the assembly comprising an electronic card reader, a man-machine interface, a link to detectors, a link to actuators, control software, a power supply, telephone link and remote alarm.
• the actuators are actuated using digital codes.
• the actuators are electrically actuated by the control unit.
• control unit is provided with a key distributor-receiver and a document transmitter.
• the lockers can provide both distribution and reception of containers.
• SARD system consists of three parts:
• a CARD reception locker also comprising several CORD compartments
• each CORD reception compartment of the CODC reception locker is waiting for an empty CONDRD container brought by a depositing customer.
• the CARD receiving compartments are filled until the operator of the SARD system comes to empty them.
• Each CORD reception compartment is closed by a PRD reception door, often screened or transparent.
• This PRD door is fitted with a closing-opening system, such as an ACTRD receiving actuator.
• This ACTRD actuator allows user access to the CORD receiving compartment. It is usually a lock. The user can then insert an empty CONRD container, then close the PRD door.
• Each CORD reception compartment is also accessible by a DETRD reception detector, for example a scanner.
• This DETRD detector can thus read the bar code COB which carries the empty container, and allow it to be identified precisely in size, brand, content and variety within the family of containers that the CADC bin can contain. He can then inform the TRANS control unit about the identity of the empty container CONRD. He may possibly refuse to validate the introduction of the container if it differs from the family managed by the SARD system.
• the detector DETRD and the actuator ACTRD are connected to the control unit TRANS.
• each CODC distribution compartment in the CADC distribution locker contains a full CONDDC container awaiting a customer to collect.
• the CODC distribution compartments of the CADC distribution locker are emptied until the operator of the SARD system comes to replenish them.
• Each CODC distribution compartment is closed by a closing device, such as a PDC distribution door, often screened or transparent.
• This PDC door is provided with a closing-opening system such as an ACTDC distribution actuator, generally a lock.
• This ACTDC actuator allows user access to the CODC distribution compartment, which can then grab a full CONDDC container, then close the PDC door.
• Each CODC distribution compartment is also fitted with a DETDC distribution detector.
• This distribution detector is similar to the DETRD reception detector. He can therefore inform the TRANS control unit of the identity of the full container CONDDC. It turns out that many customers bring an empty container and simultaneously take a full container.
• the DETRD, DETDC detectors not only allow the reading of COD barcodes, but also, preferably, the acquisition of data. simple on the geometry and / or the weight of the containers. Beyond scanners, we can consider the implementation, within compartments or in their immediate vicinity of presence detectors such as photoelectric cells, piezoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc.
• a typical case of products received and distributed by such a system is that of gas cylinders, such as butane or propane cylinders.
• the lockers and their compartments may have standardized dimensions. All or part of a CADC locker, CARD can be located far from the TRANS control unit, the connections being modified accordingly.
• FIG. 1 shows a CARD receiving rack located on the right side of the TRAN control unit, and a CADC distribution rack located on the left side.
• the control unit includes:
• LG management software supervising all the operations carried out on the lockers, and in particular memorizing the content of these different lockers;
• an HMI man-machine interface allowing dialogue with the user using a CLA keyboard and an ECR screen;
• LECT electronic card reader opening and closing a transaction when the customer inserts or withdraws his card.
• the latter may be a bank card, or a prepaid type card;
• the customer wishing to deposit an empty CONDRD container introduces his electronic card into the LECT reader, which opens a transaction. He may subsequently request the extension of the current transaction if he wishes to carry out a series of transactions.
• the LG management software triggers the remote opening of the PRD reception door of the CORD reception compartment, or the issuance of a key by the DRC key distributor-receiver.
• the reception detector DETRD informs the control unit TRANS of the presence of the empty container CONDRD, and the reception actuator ACTRD on the closing of the door.
• the depositing customer's card is credited then returned and an accounting document issued by the ED document editor for the depositing customer.
• the latter must eventually return the key to the DRC key distributor-receiver.
• the latter can also remain locked in the ACTRD reception actuator until it is recovered by the system operator.
• the transaction is closed when the customer withdraws his card.
• Customers wishing to purchase a full CONDDC container insert their electronic card into the LECT reader, which opens a transaction once the card has been identified and accepted.
• the LG management software can trigger the electric remote opening of the PDC distribution door of the CODC distribution compartment, which contains the desired CONDDC full container .
• the software can trigger the delivery by the distributor-receiver of DRC keys either of a plastic or metal key, or of a ticket of digicode number, this so that the sampler customer opens the compartment himself.
• the DETDC distribution detector informs the TRANS control unit of the absence of a full CONDDC container, and the distribution actuator ACTDC on closing the PDC distribution door.
• the customer's card is then debited and ejected, and an accounting document is issued by the ED document editor for the attention of the customer.
• the latter must eventually return the key to the DRC key distributor-receiver.
• the latter can also remain locked in the ACTDC distribution actuator until it is recovered by the system operator.
• the transaction is closed when the customer withdraws his card.
• provision can be made for CORD, CODC compartments and mixed CARD, CADC compartments, ensuring reception and distribution operations equally. This doubles the number of mixed deposit-debit transactions. This also makes it possible to compensate for a difference between the number of receptions and distributions.
• the size of such a system must obviously be in harmony with the number of requests separating two possible interventions of the operator, taking into account the fluctuations of the request according to the day and the hour.
• ACTDC ACTDC actuators
• ACTRD actuators can also be operated by a universal key intended for operator interventions. This key can either activate these actuators ACTDC, ACTRD, or twin locks ACTUDC, ACTURD neutralizing the previous ones.
• a remote alarm (not shown) to the operator in the TRANS control unit, in particular to alert it when the CADC distribution boxes are empty and / or when the CARD reception boxes are full. The latter can be telephone or IT.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
• Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (8)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2003
  • 2003-10-20 FR FR0312375A patent/FR2853438B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-03-31 EP EP04742414A patent/EP1614074A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-03-31 WO PCT/FR2004/000814 patent/WO2004090357A2/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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