Automatic empty container return machine equipped with self-cleaning arrangement

An automatic empty container return machine, comprising:

• (a) a container detection unit having components operable for identifying whether or not an empty container is of a predetermined category;
• (b) a container input unit located upstream of said container detection unit for receiving empty containers to supply the empty containers to said container detection unit;
• (c) a container output unit located downstream of said container detection unit for receiving empty containers that have been identified by said container detection unit as being of the predetermined category;
• (d) a container transport stage having means for conveying empty containers from said container input unit through said container detection unit to said container output unit, said conveying means having surfaces;
• and
• (e) a self-cleaning arrangement having components integrated with at least said conveying means of said container transport stage and being operable at selected times to clean said surfaces of said conveying means that are preselected to be cleaned;
• (f) said components of said self-cleaning arrangement including a sensor for inspecting said surfaces of said conveying means to determine whether or not said surfaces are clean.

An automatic empty container return machine, comprising:

• (a) a container detection unit having components operable for identifying whether or not an empty container is of a predetermined category;
• (b) a container input unit located upstream of said container detection unit for receiving empty containers to supply the empty containers to said container detection unit;
• (c) a container output unit located downstream of said container detection unit for receiving empty containers that have been identified by said container detection unit as being of the predetermined category;
• (d) a container transport stage having means for conveying empty containers from said container input unit through said container detection unit to said container output unit, said conveying means having surfaces;
• and
• (e) a self-cleaning arrangement having components integrated with at least said conveying means of said container transport stage and being operable at selected times to clean said surfaces of said conveying means that are preselected to be cleaned;
• (f) said components of said self-cleaning arrangement including
• (i) at least one nozzle for injecting a cleaning medium upon said surfaces of said conveying means, and
• (ii) an elongated tubular envelope encapsulating said nozzle and said conveying means so as to screen remaining areas of said machine that are not to be cleaned from contact by said cleaning medium;
• (g) said components of said self-cleaning arrangement being also integrated with said container detection unit and operable at selected times to clean components of said container detection unit which include optical devices employing light beams for inspecting the empty containers, at least portions of said tubular envelope through which the light beams pass being made of light-transmissive material.