Method and apparatus for container redemption and recycling

An apparatus for redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and unfirm product code data on an external surface, the apparatus comprising:

• conveying means for transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding;
• container drive means for simultaneously imparting both rotational and longitudinal movement to each container to drive the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path while passing between said first and second locations;
• scanning means disposed adjacent said conveying means between said container drive means and said second location for reading said uniform product code data from said external surface of said container while heroically spinning and for sending an output signal corresponding to said uniform product code data;
• central processing means for receiving and processing said output signal in accordance with a control program stored in memory and for generating a processed electronic output signal;
• ejecting means responsive to said processed electronic output signal for ejecting said container as said container passes through said second location when said scanning means fails to read recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container;
• and
• shredding means for shredding said container at said third location when said scanning means reads recognizable uniform product code data from said external surface of said container.

A method of redeeming returnable containers inserted by a customer, said returnable containers having a longitudinal axis and uniform product code data on an external surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• transporting individual containers from a first location for customer insertion, to a second location for selective container ejection and to a third location for selective container shredding, said container transported along a fixed path aligned with said longitudinal axis of said container;
• driving the uniform product code data in a generally helical path along the fixed path;
• scanning uniform product code data from said external surface of said container while helically spinning along the fixed path;
• sending an output signal corresponding to said scanned uniform product code data;
• if uniform product code data is not sensed, ejecting said container at said second location;
• and
• if uniform product code data is sensed, shredding said container at said third location.