Method and apparatus for selective scrap metal collections

Collector apparatus for collecting scrap metal of a given type from an assortment of refuse including ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, and non-metals, such as glass, plastic, paper, and the like, and for compensating depositors of such scrap metal of a given type based on the weight of said scrap metal of a given type deposited, comprising:

• input hopper means adapted to have an assortment of refuse, including metal of said given types, placed therein;
• classifier means for classifying and separating said scrap metal of a given type from said assortment of refuse;
• an input conveyor means having an input conveyor motor for transporting said assortment of refuse deposited in said input hopper means to said classifier means;
• ferrous metal separator means operatively disposed proximate the upper end of said input conveyor means for separating out ferrous materials, including tin-plated steel cans, from said assortment of refuse, and for depositing said ferrous scrap metal which is not of said given type, into a first receptacle;
• said upper end of said input conveyor means depositing the remaining non-ferrous assortment of refuse into said classifier means;
• means operably disposed at the input of said classifier means for detecting heavys and generating a signal indicative thereof;
• said classifier means further including digital metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals such as aluminum cans, said classifier means depositing said detected heavys and undetected non-metals into a second receptacle;
• a crusher powered by a crusher motor, for crushing non-ferrous scrap metal of a given type;
• a classifier conveyor means for transporting non-ferrous scrap metal of said given type to the crusher;
• a weigher having a hopper for weighing material dropped into the hopper, said weigher being positioned so that the material passing through the crusher is deposited in the hopper, said weigher including means for producing electrical signals which are a function of the weight of the hopper and of the material placed in the hopper from the crusher;
• said weigher generating said weight indicative signals on a continuous basis and including means for determining when a pre-determined weight of aluminum cans have been deposited into said hopper for generating a signal indicative thereof;
• said means for detecting non-ferrous metals generating a transaction complete signal whenever no incoming aluminum cans have been detected for a pre-determined period of time;
• said weighing means responsive to a control signal generated in response to said transaction complete signal and said indicative signal for entering a time out state;
• said time out state turning off said crusher motor so that incoming aluminum cans accumulate in the input thereto during the weighing operation, and said weighing means delaying a predetermined time for stabilizing the weighing bucket and obtaining a final reading of bucket plus deposited crushed aluminum cans, mean responsive to the termination of the weighing operation for opening the bucket dump door and dumping the contents thereof;
• said weighing means weighing the hopper itself after a predetermined period of time for stabilization, so that the weight of the bucket plus contents less the weight of the bucket is equal to the weight of the contents to a very high degree of accuracy;
• a storage compartment for said non-ferrous metal of a given type;
• a storage bin conveyor means having a storage bin conveyor motor for transporting crushed non-ferrous metal of said given type dumped from said weigher hopper to said storage compartment for temporary storage therein;
• a coin dispenser means responsive to the control signals for dispensing compensation to the depositor, for producing an out-of-order alarm system for identifying the absence of coins to be dispensed, and a jam alarm signal for indicating the presence of a coin jam within said dispenser;
• means for monitoring the operation of the motors and producing a motor alarm signal indicative of a failure thereof;
• jam monitoring means operably disposed proximate to said input conveyor means, said separator conveyor means, and said storage bin conveyor means, for detecting a jam and generating a jam alarm signal indicative thereof;
• digital metal detecting means associated with the chute directing steel cans into said first receptacle for tin-plated steel cans and for ferrous metals and operably disposed proximate said chute for detecting steel cans and the like and enerating a count signal indicative thereof;
• means responsive to an indication that said first receptacle is full for generating an alarm signal indicative thereof;
• means associated with said non-metal and heavys receptacle for detecting when said receptacle is full and generating an alarm signal indicative thereof;
• means operably disposed proximate the input of said crusher for detecting the presence of the jam and generating an alarm signal indicative thereof, and for detecting when the input to said crusher is full for generating an alarm condition indicative thereof;
• means for detecting when storage bin is full and generating an alarm condition indicative thereof;
• a microprocessor-based control means for producing control signals for energizing and de-energizing the input conveyor motor, the classifier conveyor motor, the crusher motor, and the storage bin conveyor motor;
• for automatically calibrating the weighing system;
• for automatically initializing the load cell;
• for dumping the weigher hopper;
• for determining the weight of said given type of non-ferrous metal deposited in the weighing bucket;
• for determining the amount of compensation to be paid to the depositor;
• for controlling the dispensing of the largest value of coin in the dispenser each time the weight in the bucket is incremented by a corresponding amount;
• means for displaying the compensation and incrementing same each time said largest value of coin in said dispenser is dispensed;
• means for continually weighing the contents of said weighing hopper indicating to the depositor each time a given increment is added, signalling time out in response to a transaction complete signal and in response to the weight in said weighing bin having reached a predetermined amount for turning off the crusher motor and allowing incoming cans to accumulate at the input thereof while the weighing operation is completed, for initially weighing, after a predetermined delay, the weight of the hopper plus contents, for subsequently dumping the contents, for then weighing, after a predetermined delay, the weight of the empty bucket, for calculating the difference to arrive at the final weight for which the depositor is to be compensated, displaying the weight to the depositor to the nearest tenth and one-hundredth of a pound and displaying the compensation to the nearest one cent, operating said dispenser means in terms of lesser value coins to pay the final amount to said nearest cent, said control means responsive to said alarm signals for energizing alarms as appropriate, for indicating alarm conditions and out-of-order indications on said display means, and for de-energizing the motors of said apparatus if the condition causing an alarm persists for more than a predetermined period of time, said control means further including means for periodically retesting the alarm condition and re-activating the system if the alarm condition no longer exists.

In a collection apparatus for collecting aluminum cans from an assortment of material and for compensating a depositor for such aluminum cans as a function of the weight of the aluminum cans deposited in the storage compartment of the apparatus, said apparatus having an input means for receiving said assorted material placed therein by a depositor, a start button for initiating operation of the system, a first conveyor for transporting assorted material from the input means to a classifier, said classifier detecting and segregating ferrous metal such as tin-plated steel cans from the non-ferrous materials and for depositing the ferrous metal in a ferrous metal receptacle and for depositing the non-ferrous material into a classifier conveyor, said classifier also including means for detecting heavys, metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum cans, and means for separating non-ferrous metals from non-metals, said classifier conveyor transporting non-ferrous metals comprising aluminum cans to a crusher input hopper for loading said aluminum cans into a crusher and for dumping non-metals and heavys into a second receptacle, said crusher compacting aluminum cans and loading the crushed aluminum cans into a weigher bucket of a weigher means for measuring the weight of the crushed aluminum cans in said bucket, a storage bin, a storage bin conveyor means for transporting the crushed aluminum cans after being weighed and dumping same into the storage bin, and a microprocessor-based control system for initiating the system, for energizing the various motors of the system, for monitoring system operations, for controlling system initiation and calibration, for processing alarm signals, for performing weighing calculations, for performing compensation calculations, and for operating a coin dispenser means for paying the calculated compensation to the depositor, the improvement comprising:

• said means for detecting heavys includes impact platform means operably disposed within the entrance of said classifier for receiving the various non-ferrous materials dropped from the end of said first conveyor means;
• a cantilever beam pivotally coupled to said impact platform means, said cantilever beam including an elongated beam portion and a counterweight operably disposed proximate the end portion of said elongated beam for establishing a threshold weight over which valve any falling object will be classified as a heavy;
• a microswitch means operably disposed proximate the opposite end of said cantilever beam and a predetermined distance therefrom, the weight of an object falling onto said impact platform means being taken as a function of the displacement of the impact platform means and the opposite end of said cantilever beam, said opposite beam of said cantilever beam activating said microswitch whenever the weight of an object falling on said impact platform is greater than the threshold established by said counterweight;
• and
• said microswitch generating a heavys signal to said microprocessor-based control system in response to the detection of a heavy falling upon said impact platform.

In a collection apparatus for collecting aluminum cans from an assortment of material and for compensating a depositor for such aluminum cans as a function of the weight of the aluminum cans deposited in the storage compartment of the apparatus, said apparatus having an input means for receiving said assorted material placed therein by a depositor, a start button for initiating operation of the system, a first conveyor for transporting assorted material from the input means to a classifier, said classifier detecting and segregating ferrous metal such as tin-plated steel cans from the non-ferrous materials and for depositing the ferrous metal in a ferrous metal receptacle and for depositing the non-ferrous material into a classifier conveyor, said classifier also including means for detecting heavys, metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum cans, and means for separating non-ferrous metals from non-metals, said classifier conveyor transporting non-ferrous metals comprising aluminum cans to a crusher input hopper for loading said aluminum cans into a crusher and for dumping non-metals and heavys into a second receptacle, said crusher compacting aluminum cans and loading the crushed aliminum cans into a weigher bucket of a weigher means for measuring the weight of the crushed aluminum cans in said bucket, a storage bin, a storage bin conveyor means for transporting the crushed aluminum cans after being weighed and dumping same into the storage bin, and a microprocessor-based control system for initiating the system, for energizing the various motors of the system, for monitoring system operations, for controlling system initiation and calibration, for processing alarm signals, for performing weighing calculations, for performing compensation calculations, and for operating the coin dispenser means for paying the calculated compensation to the depositor, the improvement comprising:

• said first conveyor, said classifer conveyer, and said storage bin conveyor operating continuously from the initiation of the cycle until the transaction is complete for improving the throughput of the system;
• said metal detection means for detecting non-ferrous metal includes means for generating an aluminum can detection signal each time an item of non-ferrous metal is detected;
• said control system being responsive to said aluminum can detection signal for generating a transaction complete signal whenever no aluminum can detection signal has been generated for a predetermined period of time;
• weighing means including means for detecting when the contents of said weight bucket have reached a predetermined weight for generating a time to weigh signal;
• said microprocessor-based control system including means of responding to at least one of said transaction complete and said time to weigh signal for initiating a time out state;
• said weighing means including a load cell for continually generating an electrical signal indicative of the weight of said weight bucket plus the contents thereof, said load cell being responsive to said time out signal for weighing the bucket plus contents after a predetermined time delay, said microprocessor-based control system being responsive to the completion of weighing said bucket less the contents thereof for generating a dump signal, said bucket including the dump door and means responsive to said dump signal for operatively opening said door to drop the contents thereof to said storage bin conveyor and means for closing the door after all cans have been dumped from the bucket, said load cell means weighing said empty bucket a predetermined time delay after said door closes and said microprocessor-based control system subtracting the weight of the bucket from the weight of the bucket plus contents to get the weight of the crushed aluminum cans contained therein and for multiplying the weight of the crushed aluminum cans by the present compensation rate stored in a non-volatile memory to prevent tampering for obtaining the amount to be paid the depositor, said microprocessor-based control system ending said time out state and reactivating the crusher when the weighing operation is complete for returning the system to normal operation.

In a collection apparatus for collecting aluminum cans from an assortment of material and for compensating a depositor for such aluminum cans as a function of the weight of the aluminum cans deposited in the storage compartment of the apparatus, said apparatus having an input means for receiving said assorted material placed therein by a depositor, a start button for initiating operation of the system, a first conveyor for transporting assorted material from the input means to a classifier, said classifier detecting and segragating ferrous metal such as tin-plated steel cans from the non-ferrous materials and for depositing the ferrous metal in a ferrous metal receptacle and for depositing the non-ferrous material into a classifier conveyor, said classifier also including means for detecting heavys, metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum cans, and means for separating non-ferrous metals comprising aluminum cans to a crusher input hopper for loading said aluminum cans into a crusher and for dumping non-metals and heavys into a second receptabcle, said crusher compacting aluminum cans and loading the crushed aluminum cans into a weigher bucket of a weigher for measuring the weight bucket of a weigher means for measuring the weight of the crushed aluminum cans in said bucket, a storage bin, a storage bin conveyor means for transporting the crushed aluminum cans after being weighed and dumping same into the storage bin, and a microprocessor-based control system for initiating the system, for energizing the various motors of the system, for monitoring system operations, for controlling system initiation and calibration, for processing alarm signals, for performing weighing calculations, for performing compensation calculations, and for operating the coin dispenser means for paying the calculated compensation to the depositor, the imrovement comprising:

• said first conveyor, said classifier conveyor, and said storage bin conveyor operating continuously fron the initiation of the cycle until the transaction is complete for improving the throughput of the system;
• said metal detection means for detecting non-ferrous metal includes means for generating an aluminum can detection signal each time an item of non-ferrous metal is detected;
• said control system being responsive to said aluminum can detection signal for generating an aluminum can detection signal each time an item of non-ferrous metal is detected;
• weighing means including means for detecting when the contents of said weight bucket have reached a predetermined weight for generating a time to weigh signal;
• said microprocessor-based control system including means of responding to at least one of said transaction complete and said time to weigh signal for initiating a time out state;
• said weighing means including a load cell for continually generating an electrical signal indicative of the weight of said weight bucket plus the contents thereof, said load cell being responsive to said time out signal for weighing the bucket plus contents after a predetermined time delay, said microprocessor-based control system being responsive to the completion of weighing said bucket less the contents thereof for generating a dump signal, said bucket including the dump door and means responsive to said dump signal for operatively opening said door to drop the contents thereof to said storage bin conveyor and means for closing the door after all cans have been dumped from the bucket, said load cell means weighing said empty bucket a predetermined time delay after said door closes and said microprocessor-based control system substracting the weight of the bucket from the weight of the crushed aluminum cans contained therein and for multiplying the weight of the crushed aluminum cans by the present compensation rate stored in a non-volatile memory to prevent tampering for obtaining the amount to be paid the depositor, said microprocessor-based control system ending said time out state and reactivating the crusher when the weighing operation is complete for returning the system to normal operation:
• wherein said apparatus includes a display operatively disposed proximate and input means for viewing by the depositor;
• said apparatus for compensating a depositor including a coin dispenser for dispensing several differend denominations of coins for the like;
• said display being operatively controlled by said microprocessor-based control system for continually displaying a weight reading and updating same each time a fixed increment of weight is added to the hopper, means for displaying and periodically updating the value of compensation to be paid to the depositor in multiples of the highest denomination coin in said dispenser, said microprocessor-based control system being responsive to the termination of said time out state for indicating on said display means the exact weight of aluminum cans received from the depositor to the nearest one one-hundredth of a pound and the total value of compensation to be paid therefor to the nearest penny.

In a collection apparatus for collecting aluminum cans from an assortment of material and for compensating a depositor for such aluminum cans as a function of the weight of the aluminum cans deposited in the storage compartment of the apparatus, said apparatus having an input means for receiving said assorted material placed therein by a depositor, a start button for initiating operation of the system, a first conveyor for transporting assorted material from the input means to a classified, said classified detecting and segregating ferrous metal such as tin-plated steel cans from the non-ferrous materials and for depositing the ferrous metal in a ferrous metal receptacle and for depositing the non-ferrous material into a classified conveyor, said classifier also including means for detecting heavys, metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum cans, and means for separating non-ferrous metals, said classifier conveyor transporting non-ferrous metals comprising aluminum cans to a crusher input hopper for leading said aluminum cans to a crusher and for dumping non-metals and heavys into a second receptacle, said crusher compacting aluminum cans and loading the crushed aluminum cans into a weigher bucket of a weigher means for measuring the weight of the crushed aluminum cans in said bucket, a storage bin, a storage bin conveyor means for transporting the crushed aluminum cans after being weighed and dumping same into the storage bin, and a microprocessor-based control system for intitiating the system, for energizing the various motors of the system, for monitoring system operations, for controlling system initiation and calibration for processing alarm signals, for performing weighing calculations, for performing compensation calculations, and for operating the coin dispenser means for paying the calculated compensation to the depositor, the improvement comprising:

• said first conveyor, said classifier conveyor, and said storage bin conveyor operating continuously from the initiation of the cycle until the transaction is complete for improving the throughput of the system;
• said metal detection means for detecting non-ferrous metal includes means for generating an aluminum can detection signal each time an item of non-ferrous metal is detected;
• said control system being responsive to said aluminum can detection signal for generating a termination complete signal whenever no aluminum can detection signal has been generated for a predetermined period of time;
• weighing means including means for detecting when the contents of said weight bucket have reached a predetermined weight for generating a time to weigh signal;
• said microprocessor-based control system including means of responding to at least one of said transaction complete and said time to weigh signal for initiating a time out state;
• said weighing means including a load cell for continually generating an electrical signal indicative of the weight of said weight bucket plus the contents thereof, said load cell being responsive to said time out signal for weighing the bucket plus contents after a predetermined time delay, said microprocessor-based control system being responsive to the completion of weighing said bucket less the contents thereof for generating a dump signal, said bucket signal for operatively opening said door to drop the contents thereof to said storage bin conveyor and means for closing the door after all cans have been dumped from the bucket, said load cell means weighing said empty bucket a predetermined time delay after said door closes and said microprocessor-based control system subtracting the weight of the bucket from the weight of the bucket plus contents to get the weight of the crushed aluminum cans contained therein and for multiplying the weight of the crushed aluminum cans by the present compensation rate stored in a non-volatile memory to prevent tampering for obtaining the amount to be paid the depositor, said microprocessor-based control system ending said time out state and reactivating the crusher when the weighing operation is complete for returning the system to normal operation;
• and
• further including means for detecting an open bucket door and generating an alarm signal indicative thereof.

In a collection apparatus for collecting aluminum cans from an assortment of material and for compensating a depositor for such aluminum cans as a function of the weight of the aluminum cans deposited in the storage compartment of the apparatus, said apparatus having an input means for receiving said assorted material placed therein by a depositor, a start button for initiating operation of the system, a first conveyor for transporting assorted material from the input means to a classifier, said classifier detecting and segregating ferrous metal such as tin-plated steel cans from the non-ferrous materials and for depositing the ferrous metal in a ferrous metal receptacle and for depositing the non-ferrous material into a classifier conveyor, said classifier also including means for detecting heavys, metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum cans, and means for separating non-ferrous metals from non-metals, said classifier conveyor transporting non-ferrous metals comprising aluminum cans to a crusher input hopper for loading said aluminum cans into a crusher and for dumping non-metals and heavys into a second receptacle, said crusher compacting aluminum cans and loading the crushed aluminum cans into a weigher bucket of a weigher means for measuring the weight of the crushed aluminum cans in said bucket, a storage bin, a storage bin conveyor means for transporting the crushed aluminum cans after being weighed and dumping same into the storage bin, and a microprocessor-based control system for initiating the system, for energizing the various motors of the system, for monitoring system operations, for controlling system initiation and calibration, for processing alarm signals, for performing weighing calculations, for performing compensation calculations, and for operating the coin dispenser means for paying the calculated compensation to the depositor, the improvement comprising:

• means for operatively segregating said storage bin from said input conveyor, classifier conveyor, crusher, weigher, and storage bin conveyor;
• A centrifugal fan for generating a high speed stream of air;
• a hollow housing means operatively disposed proximate the floor of said storage bin;
• an opening in the top of said housing means;
• metering means including a paddle wheel operably disposed in said opening for collecting a predetermined quantity of crushed aluminum cans between adjacent paddles and dropping said cans sequentially into said housing as the paddle wheel is rotated;
• said metering means including means for controlling the speed of rotation of said paddle wheel and thus the rate at which said quantities of cans are dumped into said hollow housing means;
• means for operatively coupling the output of said centrifugal fan into an input of said housing means;
• and
• conduit means operatively coupling an output of said housing to an output port in said apparatus for blowing said cans out of said storage bin and into a vehicle means for carrying the cans to a recycling center or the like.

In a collection apparatus for collecting aluminum cans from an assortment of material and for compensating a depositor for such aluminum cans as a function of the weight of the aluminum cans deposited in the storage compartment of the apparatus, said apparatus having an input means for receiving said assorted material placed therein by a depositor, a start button for initiating operation of the system, a first conveyor for transporting assorted material from the input means to a classifier, said classifier detecting and segregating ferrous metal such as tin-plated steel cans from the non-ferrous materials and for depositing the ferrous metal in a ferrous metal receptacle and for depositing the non-ferrous material into a classifier conveyor, said classifier also including means for detecting heavys, metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum cans, and means for separating non-ferrous metals from non-metals, said classifier conveyor transporting non-ferrous metals comprising aluminum cans to a crusher input hopper for loading said aluminum cans into a crusher and for dumping non-metals and heavys into a second receptacle, said crusher compacting aluminum cans and loading the crushed aluminum cans into a weigher bucket of a weigher means for measuring the weight of the crushed aluminum cans in said bucket, a storage bin, a storage bin conveyor means for transporting the crushed aluminum cans after being weighed and dumping same into the storage bin, and a microprocessor-based control system for initiating the system, for energizing the various motors of the system, for monitoring system operations, for controlling system initiation and calibration, for processing alarm signals, for performing weighing calculations, for performing compensation calculations, and for operating the coin dispenser means for paying the calculated compensation to the depositor, the improvement comprising:

• said metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals including a digital self-adjusting metal detector for detecting the presence of aluminum cans and for generating an aluminum can detection signal each time an aluminum can is transported thereby by said classifier conveyor;
• normally-opened trapdoor means for dumping non-metals and heavys into said second receptable;
• said means for separating non-ferrous metals from non-metals including solenoid means operatively coupled to said trapdoor means for normally holding said trapdoor open to drop heavys and non-metals, including plastics, papers, glass, and the like, into said second receptacle and said solenoid means being responsive to the detection of an aluminum can for closing said trapdoor means for allowing said aluminum can to be transported to said classifier conveyor into the input hopper of the crusher.

In a method of controlling a collection apparatus for collecting aluminum cans from an assortment of material and for compensating a depositor for such aluminum cans as a function of the weight of the aluminum cans deposited in the storage compartment of the apparatus, said apparatus having an input means for receiving said assorted material placed therein by a depositor, a start button for initiating operation of the system, a first conveyor for transporting assorted material from the input means to a classifier, said classifier detecting and segregating ferrous metal such as tin-plated steel cans from the non-ferrous materials and for depositing the ferrous metal in a ferrous metal receptacle and for depositing the non-ferrous material into a classifier conveyor, said classifier also including means for detecting heavys, metal detector means for detecting non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum cans, and means for separating non-ferrous metals from non-metals, said classifier conveyor transporting non-ferrous metals comprising aluminum cans to a crusher input hopper for loading said aluminum cans into a crusher and for dumping non-metals and heavys into a second receptacle, said crusher compacting aluminum cans and loading the crushed aluminum cans into a weigher bucket of a weigher means for measuring the weight of the crushed aluminum cans in said bucket, a storage bin, a storage bin conveyor means for transporting the crushed aluminum cans after being weighed and dumping same into the storage bin, and a microprocessor-based control system for initiating the system, for energizing the various motors of the system, for monitoring system operations, for controlling system initiation and calibration, for processing alarm signals, for performing weighing calculations, for performing compensation calculations, for operating the coin dispenser means for paying the calculated compensation to the depositor, and for displaying both the weight and compensation plus various alarm conditions to the depositor, the improved method comprising:

• sensing when the start button is pushed;
• energizing the first conveyor, the classifier conveyor, the crusher, and the storage bin conveyor;
• continuously operating said first conveyor, classifier conveyor, and storage bin conveyor until the depositor is done placing cans in the input means indicating that the transaction is completed;
• detecting the presence of a heavy dropping from the first conveyor into the classifier;
• maintaining a trapdoor open for dropping non-metal objects and heavys into the second receptacle;
• closing the trapdoor to allow detected aluminum cans to pass through the classifier conveyor into the input hopper of the crusher;
• detecting when the input hopper of the crusher is full;
• determining the weight of material dumped into the bucket of the weigher on a continuous basis;
• dispensing compensation in the largest coin denomination present each time a weight corresponding to said largest value denomination is weighed;
• turning off the crusher whenever the depositor is through placing cans into the input means or the weight in the bucket has reached a value at which time weighing is commanded;
• temporarily storing the incoming aluminum cans in the crusher input;
• measuring the weight of the bucket plus the aluminum cans contained therein after a predetermined time delay;
• generating a dump signal after said weighing is complete;
• opening the bucket dump door in response to the dump signal for emptying the bucket into the storage bin conveyor;
• closing the bucket door;
• measuring the weight of the empty bucket after a predetermined delay time;
• calculating the weight of the bucket plus the aluminum cans contained therein less the weight of the bucket to get the weight of aluminum cans deposited;
• reading the current value of compensation stored in the non-volatile memory;
• multiplying the weight of the aluminum cans deposited times the current compensation rate to get the total compensation due the depositor;
• dispensing appropriate valued coins to compensate the depositor to the nearest penny;
• displaying the continuous weight in predetermined increments, the ongoing compensation in increments of the largest value of coin in the dispenser, and the total weight at the end of the transaction to the nearest one-hundredth of a pound and the total compensation to the nearest penny;
• restoring the operation of the crusher once the weighing cycle is complete.

In a scrap metal collection apparatus, an electronic controller comprising:

• means for automatically calibrating the weighing means and initializing a load cell to insure the accuracy of the system;
• means for generating a transaction complete signal whenever no aluminum cans have been fed to the input by the depositor for a predetermined period of time;
• means for detecting when a weight bucket has attained the predetermined weight at which weighing is advisable;
• means responsive to the transaction complete signal and to the attainment of said predetermined weight for generating a time out state;
• means for turning off the crusher to prevent additional crushed aluminum cans from being fed into the weigher hopper during said time out state;
• means for weighing and recording, a predetermined time delay after declaration of the time out state, the weight of the scrap metal weighing container and its contents prior to immediately dumping the container;
• means for subsequently weighing the empty container after a predetermined time delay after dumping;
• means for subtracting the weight of the scrap metal weighing container its contents less the weight of the empty container to obtain the weight of the scrap metal contained therein;
• and
• means for operating said scrap metal collection conveyors on a continuous basis so long as the depositor supplies aluminum cans thereto for improving the throughput of the collection apparatus;
• means for multiplying the weight of the scrap metal contained therein times the current compensation rate to obtain the total compensation due the depositor;
• means for automatically calibrating the weighing means prior to the next cycle;
• and
• means for ending the time out state, re-energizing the crusher, and restoring normal system operations.

In a scrap metal collection apparatus, an electronic controller comprising:

• means for automatically calibrating the weighing means and initializing a load cell to insure the accuracy of the system;
• means for generating a transaction complete signal whenever no aluminum cans have been fed to the input by the depositor for a predetermined period of time;
• means for detecting when a weight bucket has attained the predetermined weight at which weighing is advisable;
• means responsive to the transaction complete signal and to the attainment of said predetermined weight for generating a time out stage;
• means for turning off the crusher to prevent additional crushed aluminum cans from being fed into the weigher hopper during said time out state;
• means for weighing and recording, a predetermined time delay after declaration of the time out state, the weight of the scrap metal weighing container and its contents prior to immediately dumping the container;
• means for subsequently weighing the empty container after a predetermined time delay after dumping;
• means for subtracting the weight of the scrap metal weighing container and its contents less the weight of the empty container to obtain the weight of the scrap metal contained therein;
• means for multiplying the weight of the scrap metal contained therein times the current compensation rate to obtain the total compensation due the depositor;
• means for automatically calibrating the weighing means prior to the next cycle;
• means for ending the time out state, re-energizing the crusher, and restoring the normal system operations;
• means for initially energizing the scrap metal collection conveyors and operating said conveyors on a continuous basis so as long as the depositor supplies aluminum cans thereto for improving the throughput of the collection apparatus;
• said crusher having an input hopper and said system further including means for detecting when the crusher input hopper is full and generating the signal indicative thereof;
• and
• means responsible to said signal indicative of a full crusher input hopper for shutting of the conveyors until the time out stage is complete and crusher operation resumed.