NL2028650B1 - Device, system and method for receiving and handling beverage containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for receiving and handling returnable empty beverage containers. The device has a receiving and handling mechanism which comprises a main channel extending substantially vertically and defining at a lower end thereof an outlet of the mechanism. A supply channel extends from an insert opening and ends in a lateral opening in the main channel. At least a downstream portion of the supply channel has a slanted downwards orientation towards the lateral opening. After passing through the supply channel, the container comes into a handling position with a reanNard longitudinal end thereof inside the supply channel and with a forward longitudinal end thereof resting against a wall portion facing the lateral opening. A container engaging body is translated and/or pivoted downwards in the main channel from an initial upper position to a lower position, such that a downwardly directed cutting element of the container engaging body makes an incision in the container side wall and the container is discharged from the outlet.

Description

P35034NL01 DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING AND HANDLING BEVERAGE

CONTAINERS The present invention pertains to a device, system and method for receiving and handling empty returnable beverage containers. In the prior art, such devices are known in the form of reverse vending machines. Reverse vending machines are known e.g. from US7754990 and JP2005153019 and are configured for receiving, handling, and storing returnable items, such as empty beverage containers like plastic bottles, cans, or the like. The reverse vending machine enables a user to return these items, after consumption of its contents, so that the items can subsequently be recycled. For example, the return of these items is rewarded by tokens, coupons, or cash, which are dispensed by the machine after receipt of the item. The items are stored in a bin, which can be emptied regularly by a trash collection service. After emptying and collecting the items stored in the bins of multiple reverse vending machines, the items can subsequently be transported to a recycling location and be recycled. The bin can be integral with the machine, or be a separate bin, which can temporarily be removed by the collection service for emptying, and subsequently be placed back inside the machine.

For efficiently storing the items in the bin, it is known to, prior to passing of the items into the container, compress the items to a smaller size, in order for them to reduce in volume and therefore take up less space in the bin. This enables to advantageously increase the amount of items to be stored in the bin. In known reverse vending machines, rollers or chains with spikes are used to weaken and compress each item before it is passed into the container.

The current invention aims to provide an improved device for receiving and handling empty beverage containers for storage thereof. At least, the current invention aims to provide an alternative device for receiving and handling the empty beverage containers for storage thereof.

The device according to a first aspect of the invention is configured for receiving and handling returnable empty beverage containers, the beverage containers each having a circumferential side wall and two opposed longitudinal ends. The containers each have a length between the two longitudinal ends. Beverage containers which are, for example, envisaged to be received and handled by the device according to the invention, are PET-bottles, as these are expected to increasingly be collected around the world for the purpose of recycling. The same applies for metallic cans, e.g. aluminum cans, e.g. cans for soda, energy drinks, and beer. The shape of such beverage containers generally comprise or correspond to a cylinder.

The beverage containers to be received and handled may be in the size range of that of beverage cans, to large bottles. Cans generally have volumes of 0.2L to 3L, e.g. cans of 0.25L or 0.33L, and may have a diameter of typically 3-8 cm and a height of 8-15 cm. Bottles may have a diameter of typically 3-15 cm and a height of 10-40 cm. For example, a typical 0.33L bottle has a diameter of 6-7 cm and a height of 10-15 cm. A typical 1.5L bottle has a diameter of 9-10 cm and a height of 30-35 cm.

The device is envisaged, e.g. in appropriate embodiments thereof, to be used both outdoors and indoors, e.g. in places where people are likely to consume beverages from beverage containers or to return other pieces of refuse. Outdoor spaces where the device may be of particular use, is a public refuse collection point, for example for a residential area, or an area near a (supermarket, a parking lot, or outdoor activity areas where people recreate such as parks, beaches, terraces or festival grounds. Indoor spaces where the device may be of particular use are indoor catering establishments such as cafes and (takeaway) restaurants, or retail stores such as supermarkets.

The device comprises a housing and a receiving and handling mechanism. The receiving and handling mechanism has an insert opening configured to receive an empty beverage container, a main channel which runs substantially vertically and defines at a lower end thereof an outlet of the mechanism, and a supply channel which defines the insert opening of the device, extends from the insert opening to end in a lateral opening in the main channel - so as to end in the main channel. It has, or has at least at least a downstream portion that has, a slanted downwards orientation towards the lateral opening. The supply channel preferably has a substantially circular cross-section - in line with the fact that beverage containers such as bottles and cans have a circular cross-section as well. However, other shapes are envisaged as well. The main channel preferably has a rectangular cross-section.

The supply channel is configured to pass the empty beverage containers therethrough from the insert opening into the main channel via the lateral opening. Thus the supply channel must be dimensioned such as to enable passing of the beverage containers at least in the longitudinal direction thereof. Thus, by this configuration, a user of the device is enabled to insert a can or bottle into the housing through the insert opening and into the supply channel. The beverage container, e.g. can or bottle, may subsequently move, under the influence of gravity, through the supply channel into the main channel via the lateral opening in the main channel, as enabled by the slanted orientation of at least the downstream portion of the supply channel. For example, the orientation of the supply channel has an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees with the vertical, e.g. between 30 and 60 degrees. The insert opening and the supply channel are dimensioned such that the envisaged beverage containers to be handled can pass therethrough in their longitudinal direction, and, for a range of beverage containers with a certain minimum length, preferably not in their lateral direction. For example, a diameter of the supply channel is not larger than 12-15 cm. The receiving and handling mechanism is such, that an inserted empty beverage container that has passed through the supply channel, comes into a handling position. In this handling position the container is still supported by the supply channel with a rearward one of the longitudinal ends thereof inside the supply channel, while extending through the lateral opening into the main channel with the other, forward one of the longitudinal ends thereof, with this second longitudinal end resting against a rest wall portion that is opposite to the lateral opening. Thus, the second longitudinal end of the beverage container sticks out of the supply channel into the main channel, and is held there by the rest wall portion, so that the rearward longitudinal end remains inside the supply channel. To achieve this, a distance between the lateral opening and the rest wall portion opposite thereto is shorter than a length of the container. In fact, this distance is such as to be shorter than a certain minimum length of containers, so that only containers with a certain length remain supported partly inside the supply channel, and shorter containers can pass freely between the lateral opening and the opposed wall, and therefore, fall through the main channel to the outlet directly after entering the main channel. Thus, such shorter containers can still be inserted and handled by the device. For example, the distance is shorter than the length of a typical 0.33L-bottle, but longer than the length of a small drink can. For example, the distance is between 10 and 30 cm, e.g.

between 15 and 25 cm. For example, in case of a circular cross-section of the main channel, the diameter of the main channel is between 5 and 25 cm. For example in case of a square cross-section of the main channel, the side of the main channel is between 5 and 25 cm wide.

The device subjects a beverage container that is after passing through the supply channel in the handling position, thus still supported at its longitudinal ends by the supply channel and the rest wall portion, to a weakening step, and a compression step inside the device. Thereto, the device further comprises a container engaging body havinga cutting element. This cutting element is provided at a surface of the container engaging body which is in an upper initial position of the container engaging body, located above, and directed downwardly towards, the forward one of the longitudinal ends in the handling position of the container. For example in case of an elongate cutting element, it preferably extends substantially parallel to the lateral opening, i.e. perpendicular to the orientation of the supply channel when seen from above. The cutting element may however also be a puncturing element, or have only a limited length. In any case the cutting element should be capable of making an incision in the side wall of the container. The container engaging body is movable such that at least a front part thereof moves up and down through the main channel by a drive.

The drive is configured to, when the container is in the handling position, move the container engaging body relative to the main channel from the raised initial position in which its surface and cutting element are above the lateral opening, through a cutting range in which its cutting element moves downward. Thereby, in the cutting range, its cutting element engages the side wall of the beverage container in the handling position, and makes an incision in this side wall, thus in between the longitudinal ends of the container.

The downwards movement through the cutting range enables the cutting element to make the incision in the side wall. In case the cutting element is oriented substantially parallel to the lateral opening, the container is cut laterally, so as to in at least a circumferential portion of the container, separate the longitudinal ends from each other. Cutting the side wall effectively weakens the material of the circumferential wall of the container, and furthermore importantly, creates an opening in the container. Through this opening, air inside the container can flow out of the container. Both effects, the material weakening and the escape of air, facilitate a subsequent compression of the container. The weakening of the material makes that less force is necessary to deform the material. The opening in the container makes that compression can take place regardless of the container being closed off for air when inserted. This is the case for example for a bottle which is, after consumption of the beverage, closed off again by the cap of the bottle. Compressing such closed off bottle would involve an increase in the air pressure inside the container, and would therefore require a high compressive force to counteract this pressure increase, and compress the bottle against the increasing internal air pressure. Furthermore, when the internal air pressure exceeds the strength of the bottle wall, the bottle will explode. The opening in the container created by the cutting of the container, advantageously avoids both the requirement of a high compressive force, and the explosion. 5 The drive is furthermore configured to move the container engaging element further, from the cutting range to a lower position in which the cutting element of the container engaging body is below the lateral opening, e.g. below the outlet, and in which the incised container is discharged from the outlet.

In an embodiment the container engaging body is provided such as to be vertically translatable through the main channel - such that it can be translated by the drive downwardly from the initial upper position through the cutting range to the lower position, e.g. the pressing position, if provided. Therein the circumference of the container engaging body preferably substantially corresponds to the inner circumference of the main channel, so that it snugly fits therein and is consequently guided by the main channel walls in its up and down movement through the channel. The surface having the cutting element is preferably a bottom surface of the container engaging body. The container engaging body may thus practically act as a plunger inside the main channel.

In an embodiment, the container engaging body is not (only) vertically translatable, but (also) pivotable by the drive around a horizontal pivot axis through a rearward end thereof, from the initial upper position through the cutting range to the downward position - and optionally the later discussed pressing position, namely such that the cutting element is movable by this pivoting from above the forward end of the container in the handling position in the initial upper position of the container engaging body, downward to make the incision, and further down to below the lateral opening in the lower position of the container engaging body. Therein the horizontal pivot axis preferably runs parallel to the lateral opening, when seen from above, thus perpendicular to the direction of the supply channel. The horizontal pivot axis may however also run differently, for example perpendicular to the lateral opening and parallel to the direction of the supply channel. In an example with a pivotable container engaging body, the container engaging body is substantially wedge-shaped, having a round front wall and upper and lower walls which taper towards a corner of the wedge.

Therein the horizontal pivot axis is provided in the tapered corner, running parallel to the lateral opening.

The container engaging body may, in particular in case of a pivotable container engaging body, extend with a rearward section thereof containing its tapered corner outside the main channel, and with a frontmost section thereof containing the indent inside the main channel at least in the initial upper position and the cutting range of the container engaging body.

In an embodiment the rest wall portion facing the lateral opening is a portion of a wall of the main channel.

In another embodiment the rest wall portion facing the lateral opening is a portion of an outer wall of the container engaging body in the upper position thereof, the rest wall portion being located below the downwardly facing surface having the cutting element.

In the movement of the translatable and/or pivotable container engaging body, after the engagement, the incising starts at the upwardly facing portion of the side wall of the container, i.e. the portion of the side wall that faces the bottom side of the container engaging body.

Moving the container engaging body further downwards presses the container engaging body further against the partially cut circumferential side wall of the container.

Thereby, the longitudinal end inside the main channel is pressed downwards while initially the longitudinal end still in the supply channel initially still pulls the container upwardly against the downwardly facing surface of the container engaging body with the cutting element.

Thereby, the container is compressed against the downwardly facing surface of the container engaging body.

At the same time, the cutting element may cut the side wall of the container further.

The downwards movement of the container engaging body, and the engagement of the cut container thereby, may depending on the properties of the container, rotate and pull the cut container into the main channel towards the outlet.

For example, as a consequence of the cutting and rotating of the container, and the downwards pulling thereon by the container engaging body, the whole container may have been pulled underneath the bottom surface of the container engaging body as soon as the bottom surface is below the lateral opening.

As a consequence the container will pass through the outlet and into the bin.

Or, when the container has been separated by the cutting laterally into an upstream and downstream part, for example in case of a brittle, slim and long bottle, only a downstream part of the container may end up underneath the downwardly facing surface of the container engaging body as it moves towards the lower position, leaving the first longitudinal end behind in the supply channel. This part will generally fall into the main channel and through the outlet in the movement of the container engaging body back to the initial position, when its bottom surface upwardly passes the lateral opening. Even though this part is not compressed inside the main channel, the container as a whole has still been stored more efficiently inside the bin having been cut through, and partly compressed. In a preferred, later discussed embodiment however, the container is dragged downwards by the downwards movement of the container engaging body, and compressed against a portion of the main channel side wall below the container as the container engaging body moves past the lateral opening. In embodiments discussed later, wherein the container engaging body has a pressing position for compacting the containers already present in the bin, the container being incised will facilitate the compression of the incised containers inside the bin. To facilitate release of the container in the bin, the device may comprise one or more latching elements, e.g. attached to the main channel, e.g. at the outlet, which are configured to engage a container handled by the plunger in the lower position, and counteract an upwards movement thereof along with the container engaging body. For example a downwardly slanting element which enables a downwards movement of the container but counteracts an upwards movement. A container that is for example unduly still engaged by the cutting element, may by the engagement of the latching element be disengaged from the cutting element and released into the bin.

During the downwards translation and/or pivoting of the container engaging body with the cutting element against the container, the orientation of the container may change so that the bottle is not compressed solely, or in some cases not compressed, in the lateral direction of the container, as is the case in prior art reverse vending machines, but also, or at some point even predominantly, in the longitudinal direction thereof. This may be advantageous, as this requires less compressive force. Generally, the beverage containers have at least at one longitudinal end a base wall, which typically has a circular circumference. By means of this base wall the container can be supported on a surface, e.g. a table, a shelf, or the ground. To facilitate the stability of the container when supported, this base is typically rigid and in case of bottles, e.g.

PET-bottles, often purposely reinforced by means of multiple bends in the material along the base. Furthermore, the other longitudinal end, the top of the container is generally made more stiff than the side walls as well, as this end comprises means for closing the container and for drinking and/or pouring the contents out of the container in a controlled way. As a consequence of the extension of the base and top wall extending perpendicular to the lateral direction of the container, and any reinforcement thereof, the base and top walls, and thereby the container as a whole, is very hard to deform in the lateral direction. The resistance of the container against a compression of the container as a whole in the lateral direction, e.g. for the purpose of volume reduction for efficient storage in a bin, is generally large and requires a high compressive force.

Compressing in the longitudinal direction of the container, as may require less compressive force, because this does not involve compressing against the stiffer base and top walls of the container so that the resistance to compression of the bottle as a whole may be much lower in the longitudinal direction.

The container engaging body of the invented device is also movable back from the lower position to the raised initial position. Thereby the container engaging body is ready for handling the next inserted item. Furthermore, in the rare case that the beverage container has completely been split into two parts - an upstream and downstream part - as a consequence of the action of the cutting element, the upstream part of the beverage container may still be left in the supply channel. After movement of the container engaging body back to the initial position, also this longitudinal end of the container can be released in to the main channel, and fall through the outlet of the device. Note that in this case, a space saving effect in the bin has still been achieved. After all, the downstream end of the beverage container has been compressed, and the upstream part is now open. Other containers or parts thereof may in the bin end up partly or completely inside the upstream part to save space, furthermore the upstream part may be compressed in the container by the weight of other containers and/or by subsequent pressing actions of the container engaging body.

In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a compression space between a wall portion of the main channel directly below the lateral opening and a front wall of the container engaging element. This compression space is formed between the lateral opening and the outlet, between a wall portion of the main channel directly below the lateral opening, the wall portion extending towards the outlet, and a front wall of the container engaging body, as the container engaging body moves towards its lower position. It may extend vertically from the lateral opening to the outlet, for example in case the container engaging body is a plunger which translates vertically through the main channel.

Horizontally the compression space preferably extends at least along a horizontally central portion of the lateral opening, e.g. along the entire lateral opening.

The beverage container is enabled, during the movement of the container engaging body from the cutting position to the lower position, to pass through the compression space from the lateral opening towards the outlet.

In this embodiment, in operation as envisaged, the cutting element makes an incision through an upward facing portion of the side wall of the container in the handling position.

A forward section of the container may remain connected to a rearward section of the container via a downward facing portion of the side wall, i.e. which is not incised.

The further downward motion of the container engaging body to the lower position thereof drags the rearward section into the compression space which is thereby compressed in the compression space.

In an example wherein the container engaging body acts as a plunger through the main channel, the compression space is formed by providing, vertically below the lateral opening an additional section of surface area of the main channel cross-section frontwards of the container engaging body in the relevant positions thereof.

To facilitate compression of the container by reducing its cross-section, a horizontal cross- section of the compression space between the wall portion of the main channel below the lateral opening and the front wall of the container engaging body is preferably smaller than the cross-section of the supply channel.

It is envisaged that the cross-section is at least dimensioned such, that passing of envisaged beverage containers with a certain minimum cross-section or larger through this compression space, involves compression of at least the upstream section in the compression space between the main channel wall portion below the lateral opening and the front wall of the container engaging body, while the container engaging body moves to the lower position.

In an example, a dimension of the horizontal cross-section of the compression space is at least 0.5-4 cm, e.g. at least around 1 cm in order to be able to pass a standard bottle cap on the bottle without compression.

In an example a diameter of the horizontal cross-section of the compression space is at most 5 centimetres in the horizontal direction of the supply channel.

For example the horizontal cross-section of the compression space is 5-50 cm2, e.g. 5-35 cm2, e.g. around 5-15 cm2. The downwards translation and/or pivoting of the plunger will drag the beverage container through the compression space as the container engaging body engages the beverage container so as to pull it downwards.

In this embodiment the bottom surface of the container engaging body is in the lower position of the container engaging body preferably at least a number of centimetres lower than the lateral opening, so that in the lower position the first longitudinal end of a container of a certain length will have been pulled to below the lateral opening.

For example, considering a standard 1.5L bottle to have to be pulled through, the bottom surface is 15-25 cm below the lateral opening in the lower position, depending on the distance between the lateral opening and the opposite main channel wall against which the second longitudinal end is to be initially supported prior to cutting.

Or, considering a standard 0.33L PET-bottle to be pulled through, the bottom surface is 5-8 cm below the lateral opening in the lower position.

The compression space may be created in several ways - of which one example has been mentioned already.

In case of a plunger, the main channel may, at least below the lateral opening have a larger horizontal cross-section than the plunger, for example a larger diameter.

Alternatively the main channel wall below the lateral opening may have an outward protrusion, and/or the plunger may comprise an inward recess, over a height that corresponds to the compression space in the lower position, in the tangential range of the lateral opening.

Or the plunger may have a smaller cross-section than the main channel along a larger part of its circumference, e.g. along its whole circumference, e.g. at least along a lower part of the height of the plunger.

Alternatively or in addition, the plunger may have a smaller cross-section, e.g. diameter, than the main channel along the entire height range of the main channel at least between the raised initial position and the lower position, and is provided with one or more circumferential guide elements within the annular gap between the main channel wall and the plunger outer wall, so that it is guided in its vertical movement along the main channel walls.

Similar solutions may be applied in case of, for example, a pivoting container engaging body.

At least there must be some distance between the main channel wall part below the lateral opening and the front wall of the container engaging body as it moves past the lateral opening to the lower position.

Further to facilitating compression of beverage containers, the device also provides an advantage in terms of reducing safety risks of the user.

The longitudinal end of the container that remains inside the supply channel blocks access to the main channel, and thus the moving container engaging body with the cutting element, to the user, e.g. in case the user sticks his arm inside the supply channel to insert the container.

In prior art devices, the rollers used for compression are generally provided directly at the end of the supply channel, which may be directly accessible to a user - and thus less safe.

Another advantage is found in the fact that, opposed to prior art systems, the compression does not require separate parts for positioning or holding of the beverage container.

The container is by passing through the slanted portion of the supply channel and bumping against the wall portion of the main channel already automatically positioned for being engaged by the cutting and compressing element, namely the container engaging body.

Conventional devices have for this purpose a separate holding part, or provide active positioning and/or removal of the container after compression or cutting.

The current invention advantageously also obviates a separate removal step, because after cutting and compressing, the container falls in the bin under the influence of gravity.

Furthermore, the cutting and compression is both accomplished by moving one single moving part of the device, namely the plunger, whereas prior art devices employ separate parts for this purpose, the acts generally also involving separate positioning prior to, and removal after, each of both acts.

Moreover, the cutting element cuts or punctures the container at the side wall of the container, which is generally the surface with the least bending stiffness.

The cutting and puncturing takes place in one, lateral direction of the container.

By this single lateral cut or puncture, the whole container is effectively weakened to facilitate compression.

This provides an efficient alternative to the working principles of conventional solutions, which cut the containers in multiple places by spiked rollers, or by making multiple cutting in the length direction along the circumference of the container.

In all, the current invention thus yields a robust, compact, effective and efficient way of compacting the containers when compared to the prior art.

In an embodiment, the device the housing is configured to accommodate an open topped bin below the outlet of the mechanism, which open topped bin is configured to collect the incised containers therein that are discharged from the outlet, for example a wheeled bin.

In an embodiment, the container engaging body is configured to move, driven by the drive, into a pressing position, in which, when the device accommodates the bin, the bottom surface of the container engaging body extends below the outlet and inside the bin, for example wherein the lower position coincides with the pressing position.

In an embodiment, the drive is configured to compact incised containers in the bin once the bin is filled with incised containers.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive effectuates the compacting by moving the container engaging body to the pressing position by pressing the bottom surface of the container engaging body against the incised containers, wherein the pressing position may coincide with the lower position.

Thus, a compaction of the beverage containers inside the bin may be enabled by engagement of these beverage containers by the container engaging body, for example a bottom surface of the container engaging body.

This compaction may take place from the point that the filling level of the bin by the beverage containers is such that it corresponds to or exceeds the height of the bottom surface of the container engaging body in the pressing position thereof.

The bottom surface of the container engaging body engages the beverage containers and presses these downwards to compact the total of beverage containers.

This compaction may advantageously increase the number of beverage containers to be stored in the bin.

The downwards movement into the pressing position to achieve this, forms an extension of the downwards movement of the plunger from the raised initial position and through the cutting range, so that it may take place directly after releasing an incised, and optionally compressed, container.

By timing the compaction movement directly after handling an inserted container, the compaction thus requires only a small additional movement, or none at all, in the case that the lower position coincides with the pressing position.

The handling of an inserted beverage container, and the compaction of the stored beverage containers in the bin, may thus efficiently take place in one single downward translating and/or pivoting movement of the container engaging body.

In an example wherein the lower position and the pressing position do not coincide, for example where there is a large space between the outlet and the envisaged maximum filling level of the container, the container engaging body may be moved from the lower position further downwards to the pressing position only in certain conditions to save energy - for example only after the level of the beverage containers in the bin exceeds the height of the bottom side of the container engaging body in the pressing position thereof.

For example, the actual level of the beverage containers may be detected automatically by means of sensors as will be discussed later.

In an embodiment the device comprises a horizontal plate which is configured to be placed over an open top side of a bin accommodated by the housing.

The bin in conjunction with which the device according to the invention is envisaged to be used, is in particular a four-sided top- opening bin with an internal collection space for the empty beverage containers of between 80 and 120 litres, more in particular a bin corresponding to the norm NEN-EN 840-1:2012. Preferably, the plate is dimensioned to cover the top opening of the bin completely, so as to form a lid for the bin, e.g. when the original hinged cover thereof is opened.

The horizontal plate has an opening that is vertically aligned with the outlet of the device and within the contour of a top opening of the bin, when supported thereon. The opening of the plate may adjoin or enclose the outlet of the device, wherein the horizontal plate supports the housing of the device thereon. In an embodiment the outlet is provided in the plate. Preferably the plate engages on the top side of the bin. For example the plate is dimensioned to cover the top opening of the bin completely, for example to form a temporary lid for the bin. In an embodiment, the device is configured to receive and handle a specific type of beverage containers, for example plastic bottles, e.g. PET-bottles. In another embodiment, or in a multiple container type embodiment, the device is (also) embodied to receive and handle beverage cans, e.g. aluminum cans. Or to receive and handle drink cartons. In an embodiment, the device is configured to receive and handle PET-bottles. These embodiments suit applications wherein specifically one type of beverage container is to be collected and recycled. In these embodiments the channels and other parts of the device are preferably adapted to suit the relevant type of containers, for instance relating to its dimensions. For example, for PET-bottles, the supply channel can be between 5-12 cm in diameter, and the main channel between 8 - 12 cm in diameter, so that regular PET-bottles of

0.25L or more can be supported between the lateral opening and the opposite wall portion and engaged by the plunger. For example, for beverage cans, the supply channel can be between 7-10 cm in diameter and the main channel 3-10 cm, so that regular beverage cans can be supported and engaged by the container engaging body. Other adaptations are for instance the material of the channel walls, the type, dimensions and sharpness of the cutting element, the weight of the container engaging body and speed during the downwards translating and/or pivoting movement thereof as imparted by the drive. In embodiments, the device may be configured for two or more types of beverage containers, for example plastic bottles and beverage cans.

Embodiments may be configured to alternatively or additionally receive and handle containers with other selected properties, for example size, material, or weight.

The embodiments configured for one or more specific beverage containers, preferably, comprise means to detect whether the inserted item is indeed a beverage container of the applicable type, and a control unit that acts upon this detection as will be explained below.

In an embodiment, the supply channel has a testing portion, for example a horizontal section directly downstream of the insert opening and upstream of a slanted portion of the supply channel towards the lateral opening. The device may then be provided with one or more sensors for determining if the inserted item is indeed an empty beverage container which fulfils one or more predetermined conditions relating to one or more of its relevant properties, for instance the size, e.g. 12-35 cm length and 5-15 cm diameter, weight, e.g. less than 50-70 grams, material, e.g. for bottles, plastic, e.g. PET, or for cans, aluminium or tin plated steel, and type of beverage container, e.g. a bottle, a can, or other. For instance the one or more sensors are together able to identify one or more of these properties of the item, quantifying one or more of the dimensions, the weight, the material, thereof and to determine if the inserted item is indeed a beverage container, and if so, what type of beverage container it is. In addition one or more sensors may identify other properties, for example transparency, orientation, the presence of a cap on a bottle, or an already compressed condition of the beverage container. The sensors may for detecting the ane or more properties of the item for instance comprise for instance a camera directed into the channel, a weight sensor, e.g. a load cell or force sensor at the bottom surface of the test portion, a photoelectric sensor, e.g. photo-reflective, and/or a magnetic/eddy current sensor, though there are multiple other possibilities.

The sensors are in communication with a control unit of the device. The control unit is configured to, based on the sensor measurements, determine whether or not, and if yes, how to handle the inserted item. For example if the item does not fulfil one or more conditions, the control unit may determine to remove it from the supply channel, for example by returning the item to the user via the insert opening, or by transferring it to a collection space separate from the bin. The testing portion may thereto comprise actuators, for example controlled driven rollers or a conveyor, to transfer the item back to the user through the insert opening or to transport it out of the supply channel via a lateral opening in the wall thereof. This lateral opening may be openable or closable by for instance a flap, the opening and closing being controlled by the control unit in response to a negative or positive determination thereby of the fulfilment of the relevant conditions, respectively. A side channel may form a branch of the supply channel from the lateral opening, which leads to e.g. a separate collection space inside the device, or to a bypass channel to a second opening in the housing for returning the item to the user and removing the item from the device. Such sorting methods are well-known in the art for reverse vending machines. For example, in case a received item is while it is in the testing portion determined based on a camera image to not fulfil the condition of a device configured for PET-bottles that the item is a bottle, a flap of a lateral opening is opened by the control unit and the bottle is transferred by actuation of a set of conveyors in the testing portion through the lateral opening to a separate collections space. In case, on the other hand, the received item is while it is in the testing portion determined based on a camera image and a weight sensor to fulfil the conditions of a device configured for PET-bottles, the flap of the lateral opening is closed by the control unit and the bottle is transferred by conveyors to the slanted portion of the supply channel for being handled by the plunger.

In an embodiment the device comprises an automated user interface including, one or more of: - a video screen for displaying information to users, e.g. based on the sensor measurements in the device, e.g. relating to the beverage in the testing portion of the supply channel, or to the current filling level of the bin, or e.g. information on the current status of the device, on applied tariffs per returned item, or instructions to use the device, - a user input panel for entering information, e.g. the type of container to be inserted, e.g. a can, a drink carton, or a bottle, e.g. a PET-bottle, - a scanner for scanning specific objects, e.g. a code on a beverage container to be inserted, e.g. a QR-code or a barcode, or a user ID, - an automated payment system, e.g. a coupon printer for issuing coupons to users, or a system configured to automatically give out cash from the device to the user via the housing, e.g. by an amount that is determined based on sensor measurements in the testing portion, if present, or based on information via the user interface, e.g. a scanned code.

Such automated user interfaces are known e.g. from US8851265. The user interface may be in communication with a control unit which processes user-given information and commands from the user interface to act there upon. For example when the user enters that a can is to be inserted, the control panel may test the inserted container for the conditions applicable to cans. Furthermore, the user ID may be used to check whether the user, based on information associated with the user stored in a digital memory, is allowed to return items via the device, e.g. if it has not reached a predetermined maximum of returned items for a certain period. Or, if the user is blocked because of previous attempts to insert inappropriate items. The control unit may be configured to open a door that closes off the insert opening only in case certain requirements are fulfilled, for example if the user ID is satisfactory and/or a suitable barcode is scanned.

In an embodiment, the housing comprises a door for closing and opening the insert opening for insertion of items, which blocks access from outside the housing through the insert opening into the supply channel.

This door is, preferably, connected to an actuator for opening and closing the door.

The actuator is, preferably, in communication with a control unit, which operates the actuator based on input signals.

For example, an input signal for opening the door may be the actuation of a button by a user, or a positive determination by the control unit that certain requirements are fulfilled via the user input panel.

Preferably, the device comprises a sensor to detect if the device is open for access by a user, e.g. if the door is open, e.g. a magnetic sensor, and the control unit is configured to not cause any cutting and compressing action by the container engaging body while the door is open, for example to block the drive from moving the container engaging body at all inside the main channel.

Thereto, in an embodiment a control unit of the device is in communication with the drive and is configured to control the drive to move the container engaging body through a cutting range, lower position and pressing position only when the housing is detected by a sensor of the device to be closed for access, e.g. when a door for closing off the insert opening is closed.

This would contribute to the safety of the device, as with an opened door the supply channel is then still accessible from outside the device by a user.

The control unit may block any other functions of the device while the door is open, for example the testing of the beverage can in the test portion of the supply channel.

The cutting element at the bottom surface of the plunger may be a knife that has a certain horizontal extension in a vertical plane, or may e.g. be in the form one or more puncturing elements.

In an embodiment, the cutting element is provided at or near a circumference of the bottom surface of the container engaging body at a tangential location that adjoins the lateral opening in the cutting position of the container engaging body.

The location at or near the circumference makes that the cutting element is near the lateral opening, and thus near a bottom wall portion of the supply channel onto which the upstream section of the beverage can is upwardly supported.

This means that a force moment which is exerted by the cutting element in the downward motion thereof relative to the edge of the bottom wall portion of the supply channel and the lateral opening, has a very small moment arm, to facilitate a favorable angle of the cutting element relative to the side wall of the container.

In an embodiment the cutting element, in the cutting position of the plunger, substantially extends in at least a horizontally central portion of the horizontal extension of the lateral opening. The center portion of the lateral opening is most likely to accommodate the container, so that this tangential location of the cutting element yields the largest chance to effectively engage the side wall of the container.

The container engaging body has, in a preferred embodiment, dimensions which are chosen such that in the lower position, a front wall of the container engaging body blocks access from the supply channel to the main channel via the lateral opening. Thus, when the container engaging body is in the lower position with its bottom surface lower than the lateral opening, the front wall of the container engaging body still extends within the height range of the lateral opening, preferably the entire lateral opening. When the device also has a pressing position, the front wall of the container engaging body may also in this position cover the majority, e.g. the entire lateral opening. A purpose of this measure is to prevent that any object can pass from the supply channel through the lateral opening to above the container engaging body, where it may get stuck or interfere with the movement of the container engaging body relative to the main channel. Such an object may be a remaining part of a beverage container, e.g. an upstream part thereof that did not pass into the main channel with the downward translation and/or pivoting of the container engaging body. However, this measure may also be provided in view of safety when the lateral opening could be accessible by a user from outside the device. In that case the measure may prevent injury e.g. when the user ends up with his hand inside the main channel. In an embodiment, the device is provided with means for detaching an incised and compressed beverage container from the container engaging body, for example when it remains engaged by the cutting element after compression. For example multiple hinging wedges or hooks may be provided near the outlet of the device, which hinge in the downwards but not in the upwards direction, and which allow movement of the container engaging body between its positions but block by a bottom surface thereof an upward movement of an engaged object below the bottom surface thereof with the upward movement of the container engaging body to the initial upper position. Other actuated elements which are moveable relative to the surface of the container engaging body with the cutting element, e.g. attached to the surface or to the main channel, may be provided, e.g. actuated by separate drives, e.g. in response to detection of the engagement of a beverage container after the container engaging body has reached the lower and/or pressing position, may also be provided. In an embodiment, the drive that imparts the movement to the container engaging body between the different positions thereof, comprises a motor, e.g. an electric motor. The drive may comprises a linear motor drive or a rotating drive with a transmission to a linear movement operatively connected to the container engaging body. In an embodiment, the drive comprises a linear actuator comprising an electrical motor, a spindle, and a piston or nut moving along the spindle, wherein the container engaging body is operatively connected to the piston or nut. For example in case of a vertically moving plunger, the spindle is oriented vertically, directly above the plunger. For example, a linear actuator with an electromotor may be provided in the main channel above the container engaging body, with the container engaging body attached to the piston of the actuator.

For example in case of a pivoting container engaging body, the spindle needs a moment arm relative to the horizontal pivot axis, and the piston or nut is connected at some distance therefrom to the container engaging body such that it runs perpendicular tangentially from the pivot axis, thus in line with the line of the pivoting movement of the container engaging body. A pivoting container engaging body may also be driven by rotational means directly, for example by connection to a shaft of an electromotor.

The drive may also be a pneumatic or hydraulic drive, for example with a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, wherein the container engaging body is connected to the piston end of the cylinder and the cylinder body is fixed relative to the main channel, for example fixed to the main channel or the housing, or, alternatively, vice versa. In an example, the cylinder is a telescopic cylinder. The cylinder may be a rod-style cylinder. In case of a pivoting container engaging body, a drive solution alike in NL2023535 may also be considered.

In an alternative embodiment wherein the container engaging body acts as a plunger inside the main channel, the plunger is moved up and down by varying a gas pressure in the main channel above the plunger with respect to the gas pressure in the main channel underneath the plunger. The plunger is moved downwards between the positions by providing an overpressure in the main channel above the plunger with respect to the gas pressure in the main channel underneath the plunger, and upwards by an underpressure. This may be accomplished by an air compressor. In an embodiment, the device further comprises a control unit which is in communication with the drive and is configured to control the drive in order to move the container engaging body.

The control unit may be configured to control the force exerted by the drive on the container engaging body. For example wherein a pressing position is provided for the container engaging body, and wherein the control unit controls the drive to exert more force when the level of the beverage containers in the bin, above a height of the bottom surface of the container engaging body, is higher. The control unit may additionally or alternatively be configured to move the container engaging body to the lower and/or pressing position based on one or more conditions. In an embodiment, e.g. wherein a pressing position is provided for the container engaging body, the control unit may be configured to control the drive to move the container engaging body based on a level of beverage containers in the bin and/or an expected availability of an energy source that powers the drive. For example, when a separate pressing position is provided, the drive can be controlled to move the container engaging body to the pressing position only when the bin has been filled up to a level at which the bottom surface of the plunger can actually reach the stored containers, because it is effective only then. In this way, energy use for driving the container engaging body from the lower to the pressing position can be saved. Or, the drive may be controlled to not move at all when a certain filling level is reached or when a certain exerted force is required.

For this purpose the device may further comprise detection means, e.g. for detecting the level of beverage containers in the bin and/or the exerted force on the containers. These means are in communication with the control unit and may include one or more of: - sensors directed at the inside of the bin for measuring directly the actual level of beverage containers present in the bin, e.g. an acoustic transceiver, an ultrasonic transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a laser transceiver, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor or a camera, - sensors for detecting passing of a beverage container through the channels, e.g. through the insert opening, through the supply channel, through the lateral opening, through the main channel, underneath the surface of the container engaging body, and/or through the outlet of the device, e.g. a light sensor, a movement sensor, or a camera, - sensors for detecting an opening and closing of a door for closing off the insert opening, the control unit being configured to determine the number of times the door has been opened and closed since a predetermined time instant for insertion of an item, e.g. a time instant on which the bin has been emptied, - sensors for detecting the force of the container engaging body against the beverage containers in the bin in order to move to the pressing position, for example a load cell at the bottom surface or a sensor of the drive.

In case a pressing position is provided, the control unit is preferably configured to, based on the detected level of beverage containers by the means, control the drive to move the container engaging body to the pressing position only when the detected level of beverage containers is above a predetermined level.

In an embodiment, the drive is controlled for moving the plunger in dependency of a detected property or state of the beverage container being handled. For example, a larger and stiffer PET-bottle may need a higher compression force than a smaller thin-walled drink can. The control unit may, based on a detection of a property of the container, control the drive such that the plunger has a different downwards speed, or applies a different force to the container upon engagement, while cutting, and/or while compressing. For example, a higher speed and/or force in case of larger and/or stiffer containers. Additionally or alternatively, the drive may be controlled to move the container engaging body up and down a varying number of times to handle a single beverage container. In an embodiment the device comprises sensors for detecting the effort in cutting and compressing a beverage container actually being handled. For example, the device comprises a force sensor for detecting the force of the container engaging body against the beverage container actually being cut and/or compressed by the container engaging body, e.g. at the cutting element. For example, the device comprises a sensor for detecting the position, speed, and/or acceleration of the container engaging body when cutting and/or compressing. When the sensor(s) indicate that more effort is required for the cutting and/or compression of the container, e.g. because a larger force and/or a larger deceleration of the downwards movement of the container engaging body is detected, e.g. in case of a larger and/or stiffer beverage container, the drive may be controlled such that the container engaging body applies a higher force, moves with a larger downwards speed, and/or to moves back and forth again another time through its movement range, or multiple times. For instance when the container engaging body is driven downwards by an overpressure, the quantity of the overpressure may be controlled such as to be attuned to a detected property and/or state of the container, e.g. a detected required effort.

In an embodiment, the energy source of the drive is a solar-powered battery of the device. Therein the housing of the device may be provided with photovoltaic panels for capturing solar irradiation, and the panels are connected via a transformer to the battery. Such a device is dependent on the intensity and amount of solar irradiation that is available - which varies along days and along seasons, depending on the weather type and the climate. These variations may at times be predictable - which may be employed in the device according to the invention to anticipate to expected energy availability, for example in moving the container engaging body to the pressing position. The control unit may be configured to control the drive to move the container engaging body e.g. to the pressing position, or to at all move the container engaging body, based on an availability of solar energy predicted thereby for a certain forthcoming time period, e.g. three months, e.g. based on one or more of the actual season, the actual month of the year, the actual date, an actual weather forecast, or a received and/or measured solar irradiation over a certain time period by a sensor of the device. For example the control unit is configured to, in case of a low predicted availability of solar energy for a certain forthcoming time period, control the drive to move the container engaging body, e.g. to the pressing position, less frequent than in case of a high predicted availability of solar energy for a certain forthcoming time period, e.g. relative to a detected level of beverage containers in the bin by means of one or more of the sensors of the device. For example, in areas with a moderate latitude, during winter, the solar irradiation can be expected to be less than in summer as the number of daylight hours per day is less. The control unit may be configured to set the device to an energy saving mode during the winter period. This may include to move the container engaging body, e.g. to the pressing position, less or less frequent during winter months, or e.g. already during fall, because a lower availability of solar energy during the forthcoming months can be expected. The expected solar irradiation can be expected to be less in areas where less sun hours are expected per day, for example in areas with a high latitude, than in areas where more sun hours are expected, for example areas with moderate latitude. In the same line of thought, climate data may be used to make anticipations on the operation of the device. In an example, GPS data or manually provided data may be used to make predictions on the expected solar irradiation and the associated availability of energy in the near future.

Besides moving the container engaging body less or less frequent, other anticipations may be made as well.

For example, in case of more seriously limited, or expected limited, availability of solar energy, the movement of the container engaging body may in itself be limited or eliminated as a whole, so that the inserted beverage containers are not cut and compressed but directly stored in the bin.

Or, the device as a whole may be set out of service, with e.g. a door to the insert opening being closed, e.g. until the next emptying of the bin.

The anticipation may additionally be based on for instance the next scheduled date of emptying of the bin, and the filling level of the bin.

For example, if the energy level is very low and the next emptying is scheduled on a date very close to the current date, while the filling level of the bin is such that until the emptying date, the bin is not expected to be full even if the containers are stored therein without compression, the movement of the container engaging body may be eliminated as a whole, while receipt and storage of beverage containers is still enabled.

In an example, in case of expected lower capacity of the battery, anticipations may be made in the form of providing information and/or signals, accessible to an operator, which indicate that the container should be emptied sooner and/or more frequently.

In an embodiment wherein the device is at least partially powered by a rechargeable battery, e.g. a solar powered battery as discussed, or another battery connected or connectable to another energy source, e.g. a renewable energy source, for charging the battery, anticipations on the operation of the device, e.g. one or more of the anticipations discussed above, are made to ensure that the battery remains to have a sufficient amount of capacity left at any time to ensure operation of the device, for example a predetermined amount.

In an particularly preferred example, the control unit is configured to control the operation of the device such as to save a discharge of the battery without involving any measurement on the battery, e.g. of voltage and/or current.

The control unit does this by making the anticipations based on a certain state of the device that is not the state of the battery.

The state of the device is kept in a state parameter.

This is common for an algorithm of a control unit of a device for receiving refuse - the current embodiment makes use of this state parameter, and manipulates it to control the discharge of the battery through the control of the operation of the device based on the state parameter.

The control unit does this by changing the value of the state parameter in response to certain operations of the device.

The extent of the change in the state parameter can then be made larger or smaller, in dependence of the expected future energy availability, so as to make the anticipations, e.g. the instant and/or the extent of these anticipations. Thus, the control unit adjusts a value representing the change in the state of the device, or, of the accommodated bin, that is caused by a certain operation performed by the device, based on conditions indicative of a future availability of energy for charging the battery. For example, such conditions may be conditions that are indicative to a future availability of the solar irradiation, as discussed above. The state of the device is coupled to an anticipation of the device, e.g. to the number of times the drive is controlled to move the container engaging body of the receiving and handling mechanism to the lower and/or pressing position, and/or e.g. the instant at which an operator is advised to empty the container and/or recharge the battery, and/or e.g. the time or number of insertions of containers for which the device still remains accessible to a user e.g. via the doar of the insert opening, and/or e.g. the time or number of insertions for which the device still remains in service at all. The value representing the imaginary state change involved with a certain operation of the device is adjusted in one direction, e.g. upwards, in case of conditions indicative of a lower future availability of energy to charge the battery, e.g. solar irradiation, and is adjusted in another direction, e.g. downwards, in case of conditions indicative of a higher future energy availability. Such a state change may for example be the change in the level of containers in the bin which is involved with the receipt and handling of one container, and is adjusted upwards in case of conditions indicative of a lower future energy availability. The state is for example coupled to the accessibility of the container via the door of the insert opening, and to a status that is visible, e.g. reported, to the operator of the device and/or bin, e.g. the municipality or refuse collection service. Therein the access is denied in case the bin is full, and the visible status also represents the ‘full’ state of the bin. The result is that the bin is registered as being filled up further, and access is already denied and the visible status is already full, after receiving and handling less containers. Thus a larger part of the battery capacity remains when the device is already no longer accessible, and the operator is motivated to empty the bin earlier. For example, the operator is also motivated to charge the battery by other means.

In an example, in case of conditions indicative of a lower future availability of solar irradiation which powers the solar powered battery, e.g. the actual date indicating that it is the winter season, or e.g. a weather forecast predicting a period of cloudy weather, the control unit adjusts the value representing the imaginary change of the filling level of the bin by receiving and handling a single container, upwardly from 0,1% to 0,2% of the total volume. Thus,

assuming to start with an empty bin, the control unit now allows instead of 1000 containers, only 500 containers to be received and handled before denying access to the device, so that a higher capacity remains in the battery and energy is saved. When conditions change to indicate a higher future availability of solar irradiation, the control unit adjusts the value downwards again so as to allow the receipt and handling of more containers again.

The invention furthermore pertains to a system comprising a device according to the first aspect of the invention, and an open-topped bin as described herein to be accommodated at least partially below the outlet of the mechanism. For example, the system may further comprise an outer frame on which the device is supported, and a space underneath the device for the bin to be placed. However preferably, the device is supported directly by the bin, e.g. on top thereof, for example the device having the horizontal plate as described. The invention furthermore pertains to a use of the system or device according to the first aspect of the invention in a method for collecting beverage containers, e.g. one or more specific types of beverage containers, e.g. cans and/or plastic bottles, e.g. PET-bottles. In a second aspect thereof, the invention pertains to a device, which is configured for receiving and handling returnable empty beverage containers. The device comprises a receiving and handling mechanism. The receiving and handling mechanism comprises an insert opening, configured to receive a empty beverage container, a supply channel which extends from the insert opening for passing the received empty beverage container therethrough to a handling device which is driven by a drive and is configured to handle the received container, and an outlet for discharge of the received and handled beverage container. For example, the handling device is configured to incise and/or compress the received and handled beverage container. For example, the receiving and handling mechanism is embodied according to the first aspect of the invention. The device, e.g. a housing thereof, may be configured to accommodate an open topped bin below the outlet, which is configured to collect the beverage containers therein that are received and handled by the receiving and handling mechanism of the device. The device and/or bin may be embodied according to the first aspect of the invention. The device comprises a rechargeable battery to power the device, e.g. to power at least the drive of the device, wherein the battery is powered by an external energy source. Preferably,

the external energy source is a renewable energy source, for example solar energy captured by a solar panel mounted at the exterior of the device.

The device comprises a control unit, which is configured to predict an availability of the external energy source for a certain forthcoming time period, e.g. three months.

For example, in case of solar energy, the control unit may base this prediction on one or more of the actual season, the actual month of the year, the actual date, the GPS-location, e.g. at least the latitude, climate data, an actual weather forecast, and a measured solar irradiation over a certain time period by a sensor of the device.

The GPS location and/or other data may e.g. be determined by a sensor of device, be set manually, or retrieved from a server.

The control unit is furthermore configured to control the operation of the device, e.g. the drive of the device and/or a door at the insert opening.

The control unit is configured to adapt an operation of the device based on the predicted energy availability, such as to adapt the energy use of the device to the energy availability.

For example, the control unit may be configured to limit the number of beverage containers that is still allowed to be inserted in the bin, e.g. by controlling the door at the insert opening, and/or the handling of an inserted container by the handling device, dependent on the available energy availability.

The number of containers still allowed to be inserted is lower in case of a lower predicted energy availability, and higher in case of a higher predicted energy availability.

Thereby, advantageously, the energy use may be reduced in case of lower predicted energy availability, which may lead to the battery being discharged less in case it is expected to be charged to a lesser extent by the external energy source in the near future.

Advantageously, no measurement of the battery charge is involved at all in this process, while still a battery discharge is saved in anticipation on a lower energy availability for recharging it.

In an embodiment, the control unit has implemented therein, as is common, an algorithm which is configured to keep track of at least one state of the device and/or bin, - a filling level of the bin, and/or

- a number of items that has been inserted or passed a certain point of the device, e.g. a channel or e.g. an outlet of the device, and/or - a received or supplied monetary value to a user, e.g. coins or tokens, or digital credit, and/or - wear of a part of the device, e.g. the handling device and/or

- a cleanliness and/or maintenance status of the device.

The operation of the device that is adapted based on the state(s), as previously discussed in relation the first aspect, may for example be the number of the containers to still be allowed for insertion, the handling thereof, and/or an indication to an operator that the bin is (almost) full, that the maximum of a certain monetary value has been reached, that the device and/or bin needs maintenance or cleaning, and/or is out of service.

Such a control unit may according to an embodiment of the second aspect be configured to manipulate the registered state in order to manipulate the operation, and thereby, the energy use of the device, e.g. in a way previously discussed.

Thus, the control unit makes use of this already existing part of its programming.

The manipulation involves adjusting an parameter, associated with the state of the device and/or bin and representing the state, based on an operation of the device which involves a change in the state of the device or the bin that is accommodated below the outlet.

For example, such operation may be the detection of the receipt of a beverage container through the insert opening, or the passing of the container through the supply channel and/or outlet, the handling of the container by the handling device, or an input of a user via a user interface.

Such operation involves a state change of the device, for example a change in the filling level of the bin, namely an increase thereof.

Notably, the state does not involve a state of the battery of the device, but another state, of which examples have been given before.

The control unit is configured to adjust the parameter associated with the state of the device, e.g. the filling level of the bin, based on the operation - for example, to adjust the parameter associated with the filling level upwards upon a detected passing of a beverage container through the outlet.

According to the second aspect the control unit is in this embodiment configured to vary the extent by which the parameter associated with the state of the device is adjusted upon a certain operation in dependence of the predicted availability of the external energy source for a certain forthcoming time period.

For example, the extent is decreased in case of a high predicted availability, and is increased in case of a low predicted availability.

This enables that in case of a low predicted availability, the bin is registered by the control unit as becoming more filled for the same number of inserted beverage containers.

The control unit is furthermore configured to control the operation of the device, e.g. the drive of the device and/or a door at the insert opening. The control unit is configured to adapt an operation of the device based on the parameter associated with the state of the device to adapt the energy use of the device to the state. For example, if the parameter relates to the filling level of the bin, the control unit may be configured to limit the number of beverage containers that is still allowed to be inserted in the bin, e.g. by controlling the door at the insert opening, and/or the handling of an inserted container by the handling device, dependent on the filling level.

For example, in case of a low predicted energy availability, the value of the parameter relating to the filling level is higher with a lower number of containers being inserted, because the extent by which it is adjusted upon each container insertion is set higher. In effect, less containers may be allowed into the bin, e.g. the door may be controlled to open a lower number of times, than when the filling level is still low or medium. The fact that less containers are allowed into the device, makes that the device has to receive and handle less beverage containers, and less energy is used by the device to receive and handle beverage containers. Therefore, the withdrawal of battery capacity is decreased, and the battery capacity is saved without involving any measurement on the battery capacity. In case of a high predicted energy availability, the extent of adjustment of the filling level parameter may be set lower again, so that a larger number of containers may be received and handled by the device before the filling level is registered as high, so that the battery capacity is not saved. Thus, a device is obtained which dynamically adjusts its operation to a predicted energy availability to save battery life, and thus anticipates on the energy availability, without measuring the actual available battery capacity.

The second aspect furthermore relates to a system of the device as described an a bin accommodated below the outlet of the device. The second aspect furthermore relates to a method for receiving and handling empty returnable beverage containers, by means of a battery-powered device or system configured therefor, e.g. a device or system according to at least the second aspect of the invention, comprising: - predicting an availability of an external energy source for the device, e.g. a source of solar energy, e.g. based on one or more of the actual season, the actual month of the year, the actual date, the GPS-location, e.g. at least the latitude, climate data, an actual weather forecast, and a measured solar irradiation over a certain time period by a sensor of the device; - adapting the operation of the device based on the predicted energy availability, so as to decrease the energy use of the device in case of a lower predicted energy availability and to increase the energy use of the device in case of a higher predicted energy availability.

In an embodiment the method comprises: - keeping track of a state of the device and/or a bin that is accommodated below an outlet of the device, by adjusting a parameter associated with the state and representing the state, the adjusting being based on an operation of the device which involves a change in the state of the device or the bin, said state not involving a state of the battery of the device; - varying the extent by which the parameter associated with the state is adjusted based on an operation of the device, in dependence of the predicted availability of the external energy source for a certain forthcoming time period.

In this embodiment, the adapting of the operation of the device is based on the parameter associated with the state.

The second aspect furthermore relates to a system comprising a device and a bin as described.

For example, the system may further comprise an outer frame on which the device is supported, and a space underneath the device for the bin to be placed.

However preferably, the device is supported directly by the bin, e.g. on top thereof, for example the device having the horizontal plate as described.

The second aspect of the invention furthermore pertains to a use of the system or device according to the second aspect of the invention in a method for collecting beverage containers, e.g. one or more specific types of beverage containers, e.g. cans and/or plastic bottles, e.g.

PET-bottles.

Features discussed in relation to the first aspect of the invention may be combined with those discussed in relation to the second aspect, and vice versa, to obtain similar effects and advantages in combination.

The invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings.

In the drawings:

figures 1, 2 show, schematically, a first embodiment of the system according to the invention with a plunger in the initial upper position,

figure 3 shows the same embodiment with the plunger being about to move downwards towards an inserted and beverage container in a handling position,

figure 4 shows the same embodiment with the plunger engaging the container,

figures 5,6,7 show the same embodiment with the plunger moving downwards through the cutting range,

figure 8 shows the same embodiment with the plunger in the lower, pressing position,

figure 9 shows the same embodiment with the plunger moving upwards back towards the raised initial position, figure 10 shows the same embodiment with the plunger back in the raised initial position, figure 11 shows schematically, top views of possible lateral cross-sections of the main channel above the plunger, figure 12 shows an embodiment with the plunger in the pressing position, figure 13 shows schematically another embodiment of the system according to the invention, figure 14 shows schematically a possible arrangement of sensors and electrical units in the system, figure 15 shows schematically the interconnection between the sensors and electrical units, figure 16 shows schematically an embodiment of a system according to the invention in a perspective view,

figures 17, 18 show, in perspective view a second embodiment of the system according to the invention with a pivoting container engaging body in the initial upper position,

figures 19, 20 show, in a side view the same embodiment with the pivoting container engaging body in the initial upper position,

figures 21-25 show, in a side view, the same embodiment with the progression of the pivoting container engaging body moving from the upper initial position to the pressing position,

figure 26 illustrates, in a side view, the handling of a container by the pivoting body.

The figures 1-11 depict a first possible embodiment of the system according to the invention.

The system comprises a bin 6 and a device 1 according to the invention, see figure 1. The device 1 is suitable for receiving and handling returnable empty beverage containers 100. Such beverage container has a circumferential side wall 101 and opposed longitudinal ends 102,103, indicated in figure 4. The device comprises a housing 2 with an insert opening 21 configured to receive an empty beverage container 100. In figure 2, the device 1 is shown while receiving an empty beverage container 100 through the insert opening 21. A door 23 for closing the insert opening 21, as in figure 1, is therein opened for clearing the insert opening 21 so that the container 100 may pass through it.

The device comprises a main channel 3 which runs substantially vertically, and defines at a lower end thereof an outlet 31 of the device, see figures 1 and 2. The device also comprises a supply channel 4 which defines the insert opening 21 of the device and ends in a lateral opening 32 in the main channel 3, so as to end in the main channel 3. The supply channel 4 has a slanted downwards orientation in the direction from the insert opening 32 towards the lateral opening 32. The supply channel 4 is configured to pass the empty beverage container 100 therethrough from the insert opening 21 into the main channel 3, thus advancing from figure 2 to figure 3. The main channel 3 is dimensioned such, that a distance between the lateral opening 32 and a portion of the main channel wall 33 that is opposite to the lateral opening, in the direction of the orientation of the supply channel 4, is shorter than a predetermined minimum length of the empty beverage containers 100 to be received and handled by the device, such that one of such beverage containers, after having passed from the insert opening 21 through the supply channel 4, is still supported by the supply channel 4 with a rearward one of the longitudinal ends 102 thereof still inside the supply channel 4, while it extends through the lateral opening 32 into the main channel 3 with the other, forward one of the longitudinal ends 103 thereof, with this second longitudinal end 103 resting against said wall portion of the main channel 3, see figures 3 and 4.

The bin 8 of the system has a top opening, above which the device 1 is supported by a support element 22 of the device 1. The support element 22 is in the form of a horizontal plate 22 which is placed on the top side of the bin 6. The horizontal plate 22 has an opening that adjoins the outlet 31 of the device, and is within the contour of the top opening of the bin 6 when the device is supported thereon, so that beverage containers passing through the outlet 31 fall into the bin

6. The horizontal plate 22 supports the housing 2 of the device 1 thereon. Figure 16 shows an embodiment of the system in a perspective view to clarify the spatial arrangement. Of the device, a downstream part of the main channel 3 and supply channel 4 are shown, as well as the plate 22.

Here the bin 6 is a open-topped wheeled bin, e.g. a 240 liter wheeled bin, and the plate 22 extends over the open top of the bin 6 so as to form a temporary lid for the bin 6. There is an outer frame inside which the device and the bin are placed.

As shown the bin 6 may have a hinged lid, that is opened (folded along a side of the bin), before the bin is placed in the housing.

The bin 6 may be of plastic material, as is known in the art.

The device 1 further comprises a drive and a container engaging body 5, which is embodies as a plunger 5 having, at a bottom surface 51 thereof, a cutting element 52 in the form of a vertical knife element that extends, seen from above, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the supply channel 4 - see for example figure 11 which shows top views of possible cross-sections right above the plunger 5. The supply channel here longitudinally extends from the left to the right, and the knife element extends perpendicularly thereto. In other embodiments the cutting element may also be a vertical puncturing element.

The plunger 5 is shown in a initial upper position in figure 1. In this position, its bottom surface 51 and cutting element 52 is higher than the lateral opening 32. In figure 2, the door 23 is opened and an empty beverage container 100 is being inserted by a user (not shown) through the insert opening. In figure 3, the beverage container 100 has passed under the influence of gravity through the supply channel 4 and through the lateral opening 32, and is supported by the supply channel 4 and against the portion of the main channel wall 33 diametrically opposed to the lateral opening 32.

The drive is not shown here. As can however be envisaged from the figures, the top of the plunger 5 may however be fixed to a piston that moves over a vertical spindle above the plunger, which is connected to an electromotor. Alternatively, an overpressure may be applied above the plunger 5 by the drive, inside a telescopic pneumatic cylinder fixed relative to the main channel 3, of which cylinder the piston end is connected to the plunger 5. Such arrangements are in the figures 1-11 simplified to an arrow indicating the downward force exerted by the cylinder on the plunger 5. Because of the downward force by the pneumatic cylinder, the plunger 5 is in figure 3 about to move downwards through the main channel 3 towards the container 100.

In this embodiment, the main channel is formed by a closed vertical surface which encloses the plunger 5, in particular with a substantially circular, oval, square or rectangular cross-section. The plunger snugly fits into the main channel.

Advancing from figure 3 to figure 4, plunger 5 has under the downwards force of the cylinder vertically moved from the initial position to a position in which its cutting element 52 engages the side wall 101 of the supported beverage container 100 for cutting the side wall 101 in between the longitudinal ends 102,103.

In figure 5, the plunger 5 has moved further downward into a cutting range. It has already made an incision in the side wall 101 of the container 100, and the downwards movement of the container pushes the side wall 101 on the downstream side of the incision downwards, and has thereby already slightly compressed the downstream part longitudinally.

Infigure 6, the downward movement has progressed a little bit further, and the pushing of the cutting element against the container wall part underneath the cut has caused the container to rotate around the bottom edge of the lateral opening 32 towards a more upright position. Now the container starts being compressed laterally as well in a compression space 36 that is in between an outer front wall 53 of the plunger 5 and a wall portion 37 of the main channel 3 directly below the lateral opening 32. This compression space 36 is indicated in the top views of figure 11. The compression space 36 extends vertically from the lateral opening 32 to the outlet, and horizontally along the entire lateral opening 32. The compression space 38 is created by letting a lower section 35 of the main channel 3 below the lateral opening 32 have a larger cross-section, than the plunger 5. An upper section 34 of the main channel has a cross-

section which corresponds to that of the plunger 5, so that the outer front wall 53 of the plunger lies against the main channel wall 33 in this upper section 34. The sections 45,35 are indicated in figure 2. Referring again to figures 6 and 11, a dimension of the horizontal cross- section of the compression space 36 between the wall portion 37 of the main channel 3 below 5 the lateral opening 31 and the front wall 53 of the plunger 5 is smaller than the cross-section of the supply channel 4. The distance s indicated in figure 11 is here about 0.5-2 cm, namely around 1 cm. An upstream section of the beverage container 100 is dragged, during the movement of the plunger 5 from the cutting position to the lower position, from the lateral opening through the compression space to the outlet 36. For containers 100 having a certain cross-section, including the shown container, this involves compression of the container in the compression space 36 between the main channel wall 33 and the front wall 53 of the plunger 5, while the plunger 5 moves further downward from the cutting range to a lower position with the bottom surface 51 of the plunger 5 below the lateral opening 32.

Another possibility to provide the compression space 36 is to, instead of or in addition to the larger dimension of the main channel lower section 35 relative to the upper section 34, have the plunger 5 have a cross-section smaller than both the upper and the lower section. If the plunger 5 is moved by varying a gas pressure above it, the plunger 5 may at a top section be provided with guides 53 that guide the plunger 5 in its vertical motion through the main channel 3 against the wall thereof.

In figure 7, the lateral compression of the container 100 has been continued by the further downwards movement of the plunger 5 which pulls the container 100 further into the compression space 36. In figure 8, the plunger 5 has moved into a lower position in which the bottom surface 51 of the plunger 5 is even further below the lateral opening 32, namely below the outlet 31, so that the container 100 has passed through the compression space 36 completely, through the outlet 31, and is cleared from the plunger 5 so as to fall in the bin 6. Thereafter, as shown in figure 9, an upwards force is applied by the drive above the plunger 5.

This is indicated by the upwardly directed arrow. As a consequence the plunger 5 moves upwardly from the lower position back to the raised initial position shown in figure 10.

It is shown in figure 12, that the plunger 5 may furthermore be vertically movable through the main channel 3 into a pressing position, e.g. after the lower position, in which the bottom surface 51 of the plunger 5 extends even further below the outlet 31 and inside the bin 8. In this position, when a certain level of stored containers in the bin has been reached, the plunger compresses the stored containers so as to decrease their volumes even further. It is noted that the lower position shown in figure 8 can here also be considered as a pressing position, because it would press on the stored containers whenever the filling level would be a higher, namely corresponding to the height of the bottom surface 51 of the plunger 5 in this lower position.

Note that the height of the plunger 5 is such that, in all positions of the plunger 5, at least top section of the plunger 5 is in the upper section 34 of the main channel 3. In this way, the outer side surface 53 of the plunger 5 remains abutted to the inner wall of the main channel 3 in the upper section 34. Its top surface is in none of the positions below within the contour of the lateral opening 32, or within the lower section 35. Thus the plunger 5 substantially blocks access from the supply channel 4 to the main channel 3 via the lateral opening 32 in the positions of figures 4-8 and 12. In figures 4-7, the access is blocked by the container 100 and the plunger 5 barricading the lateral opening 32. Via the compression space 36, e.g. in figure 8 showing the lower position, access to the main channel 3 is nearly impossible as well for a user given the dimension s of 1 cm, see figure 11.

The cutting element 52 is provided at or near a circumference of the bottom surface 51 of the plunger 5 at a tangential location that adjoins the lateral opening 32 in the cutting position of the plunger 5 - see figure 4. The cutting element 52, in this cutting position of the plunger 5, substantially extends in at least a horizontally central portion of the horizontal extension of the lateral opening 32, see figure 11.

A cross-section of the supply channel 4 is dimensioned such as to correspond to predetermined maximum lateral dimensions of the beverage containers 100 to be inserted. A diameter of the supply channel corresponds to a maximum diameter of the beverage containers to be inserted.

Alternatively to the mentioned telescopic pneumatic cylinder, the drive (not shown) may in embodiments be a motor, namely a linear motor, comprising an electrical motor, a spindle, and a piston moving along the spindle, wherein the piston is fixed to the plunger.

Now referring to figures 14 and 15, the device further comprises a control unit © which is in communication with the drive 85 and is configured to control the drive 85 to move plunger 5, wherein the control includes controlling the force exerted by the drive 85 on the plunger 5 for driving the bottom surface 51 of the plunger 5 against the container 100 being handled and/or against the stored containers in the lower and/or pressing position, wherein the force is higher when respectively the container 100 gives more resistance against the plunger, and/or when the height of a level of the beverage containers in the bin 6 is higher.

The control unit 9 is communication with the drive 85 and is configured to control the drive 85 to move plunger 5 based on a level of beverage containers in the bin 8, and an expected availability of an energy source that powers the drive 85. For example when the expected availability is low, the plunger 5 can be moved less to save energy, for example the movement towards the pressing position in figure 12 may be omitted.

To accomplish this, the device 1 may further comprise means for detecting the level of beverage containers in the bin 6. Figure 14 shows an example with sensors 71,72,73,74. Figure 15, which schematically shows the interconnection between the electric units of the device 1, shows that these sensors are in communication with the control unit 9. Sensor 71 is a laser transceiver that is directed at the inside of the bin 6 for measuring directly the actual level of beverage containers present in the bin 6 - some laser beams have been indicated to illustrate the principle. Multiple measurements are taken along a range of angles from the sensor to obtain an accurate indication of the filling level over the whole range of the bin. Sensor 72 is a movement sensor for detecting passing of a beverage container through the supply channel 4. Sensor 73 is a magnetic sensor for detecting opening and closing of the door

23. The control unit 9 is configured to determine the number of times has been opened since the bin 6 has been emptied. Sensor 74 is a load cell for detecting the force of the plunger 5 against the beverage containers in the bin 6 in order to move to the pressing position. A higher force indicates more or stiffer beverage containers being present in the bin 6. The control unit 9 is configured to, based on the detected level of beverage containers by these means, control the drive to move the plunger 5 to the pressing position only when the detected level of beverage containers is above a predetermined level that is indicated in figure 14. Below this level, the plunger 5 cannot reach the containers in the bin 8 and moving it to the pressing position would therefore be a waste of energy.

The device further comprises a sensor for detecting the position and/or speed of the plunger 5 over time. The energy source of the drive 85 is a solar-powered battery 84 of the device 1 which also powers the sensors 71,72,73,74, see figure 15. The housing 2 of the device 1 is provided with photovoltaic panels 82 for capturing solar irradiation, see figure 14, and these panels 82 are connected via a transformer to the battery 84, see figure 15. The control unit 9 is configured to control the drive 85 to move the plunger 5 to the pressing position based on an availability of solar energy predicted thereby for a certain forthcoming time period. The prediction by the control unit 9 is based on one or more of the actual season, the actual month of the year, the actual date, an actual weather forecast, for which the data may be obtained via a server 91 in communication with the control unit 9, and and/or solar irradiation over a certain time period, registered as being received by the panels 82 and/or as measured by a sensor of the device 1. The control unit is configured to, in case of a low predicted availability of solar energy for a certain forthcoming time period, control the drive 85 to move the plunger 5 to the pressing position less frequent than in case of a low predicted availability of solar energy for a certain forthcoming time period, e.g. relative to a detected level of beverage containers in the bin 8 by means of the sensors 71,72,73,74.

For safety reasons, the control unit 9 is configured to control the drive 85 to move plunger 5 to the cutting, releasing and pressing position only when the housing 2 is detected by a sensor of the device to be closed for access by a user from outside the device, i.e. when the door 23 for closing off the insert opening 21 is closed.

The control by the control unit 9 is adjustable via server 91 by authorized persons, e.g. the municipality and/or the refuse collection service.

In the embodiment of figure 14, the door 83 is controlled by the electronically controlled door mechanism 83 which is powered by the solar battery 84, see figure 15. The control unit 9 controls it to be opened only if it is determined that an authorized user identified himself and/or paid a fee, as determined at a server 91. The user may thereto identify himself or herself by means of identifier 19 on the housing. For example, via a card readable by the identifier 19, or a mobile device. For example via NFC and/or RFID and/or Bluetooth and/or WLAN technology. The identifier 19 may be connected to the control unit 9 and/or to the server 91, e.g. via a wireless internet connection, see the dashed lines in figure 15. The control unit and/or the server 91 may determine, e.g. based on the payment of a fee, and/or based on an identification of the user in a digital database, whether or not to grant access to the device 1. If access is granted, the door mechanics 83 may be controlled by the control unit 9 to open the door 23.

Or, the identifier 19 may not be connected thereto at all, as it is in the form of a code scannable by a mobile device of the user, e.g. a mobile device, e.g. a smartphone. The identifier may therein be a QR-code which is unique for the specific device 1. After scanning the code, the mobile device may connect to the server 91, sending to the server 91 data associated with the device 1 and data associated with the user, may determine, e.g. based on the payment of a fee, and/or based on an identification of the user in a digital database, whether or not to grant access to the device 1, and send a corresponding command to the control unit 9. If access is granted, the door mechanics 83 may be controlled by the control unit 9 to open the door 23.

The control unit 9 denies access to the device also in case of a certain determined filling level: namely if the bin 6 is completely full and the last detected force exerted by the plunger on the containers 100 in the pressing position exceeded a certain level. The control unit 9 also denies access to the device in case the battery 84 is charged only below a certain level, i.e. just enough to power the door mechanics 83 and the control unit 9.

The control unit 9 has, or is connected to, a memory in which the sensor values are logged. By analysis of these values, valuable information can be derived on the contents of the bin and on the operation of the device. Such information may be made available to operators - for example information may be sent actively to operators in case of any malfunctioning or an anomalous state.

For example, the detected values of the position of the plunger 5, the force exerted thereby while handling an inserted item, and the elapsed time are indicative of the effort that has been necessary to handle a particular item. When an item made of a material that is not, or hardly, compressible by the plunger 5 has been handled by the device, the detected force may be notably high, the number of cycles of the plunger may be higher than usual, even as the time needed to handle the item before it moves into the container. Or, a blockage of the plunger 5 may be detected. For example, the control unit 9 may be programmed to initiate an alarm signal in this case. In the log, operators may check for indications of any malfunctioning. A low detected force combined with a detected passage of a beverage container through the outlet 31 may indicate a beverage container which did not require compression, or required only slight compression. A detected passage of a beverage container through the outlet 31 without any movement of the plunger 5 may indicate that the beverage container was smaller than the cross-section of the main channel 3 below the lateral opening 32, so that it did not come into the handling position at all, and passed without compression through the main channel 3 and into the bin. Figures 17-20 depict a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the same parts are denoted by the same reference number as in the first embodiment. The figures 17-20 show the system right after a plastic PET-bottle 100 of 0.5L has been inserted into the supply channel 4 via the insert opening 21. The container engaging body 5 is still in the initial upper position thereof.

In this embodiment, the container engaging body 5 is not a plunger, as in the first embodiment, but a pivoting body 5 which is substantially wedge-shaped when viewed from the side, see figures 19-20. Also, in this embodiment, other than in the first embodiment, the wall portion facing the lateral opening 32 is not a wall portion of the main channel 3, but a wall portion 54 of the wedge-shaped pivoting body 5, see in particular figure 20. This wall portion 54 is part of an indent of the front wall 53 of the pivoting body 5 towards the horizontal pivot axis 5a, which also has the surface 51 with the cutting element 52. It is noted, that such indent is also applicable in the first embodiment.

The main channel 3 is open at the rear side, the side and front walls forming substantially a U- shape when viewed in a horizontal cross-section. There is thus no rear wall, so that the wedge- shaped pivoting body 5 moves only with a front section thereof inside the main channel 3 for handling the bottle 100. A rear section of the pivoting body 5 is located outside the main channel 3. The pivot axis 5a runs parallel to the lateral opening 32 and perpendicular to the direction of the supply channel.

In the figures depicting the second embodiment, the drive 85 is indeed shown. It has an electromotor 84e, which is via a transmission connected to the spindle 85s. The piston of the spindle is pivotally connected to the pivoting body 5 at a horizontal distance between the pivot axis 5a thereof, via a drive pivot axis 85a. By this configuration, the drive can pivot the pivoting body downwards through the cutting range and to the lower position and further to a pressing position. The progression of this pivoting movement is shown in figures 21-25, showing the device 1 according to the second embodiment.

Upon pivoting downwards from the initial upper position shown in figure 21, the cutting element moves downwards to engage the side wall 101 at some distance of the frontmost longitudinal end 103 of the bottle 100. The longitudinal end 103, which forms the very stiff, laterally hardly compressible basis of the bottle, rotates slightly forward (that is, counterclockwise in the view of figure 20) and ends up sideways between the wall portion 54 and the main channel wall portion 37 directly below the lateral opening as the pivoting body 5 moves through the cutting range. Because of the engagement below the surface 51, the stiff base advantageously does not need lateral compression to be moved downwards towards the outlet 31. This saves energy given the amount of force which would be required for such compression, as discussed before.

As the pivoting body 5 pivots further from the cutting range towards the lower position illustrated in figure 24, the bottle 100 is dragged with a longitudinally central section thereof in the compression space 36 formed between the front wall 53 and the main channel wall portion directly below the lateral opening 32, where it is compressed laterally. The rounded shape of the front wall 53 of the wedge, makes that after incising the container while moving through the cutting range, a lateral compression of the bottle 100 between the front wall 53 and the main channel front wall portion directly underneath the lateral opening, takes place in a compression space that substantially remains the same size as the pivoting body pivots towards the lower position, since the distance between this main channel front wall portion and the front wall 53 of the pivoting body remains substantially the same. Thus, the bottle 100 can be compressed by substantially the same amount along the length of its side wall 101.

After the compression of the central section, the neck of the bottle 100, which forms the rearward longitudinal end 102, is passed between the front wall 53 of the container engaging element 5 and the wall portion 37 uncompressed, because of the shape of the front wall 53 being such, that the compression ends right below the neck of the bottle at the rearward end 102 thereof. This is advantageous because the neck of the bottle 100 is also stiff and hardly compressible in the lateral direction. To this end, the curvature of the rounded front wall progressively increases onwards from a distance above the cutting element which corresponds to the length of the longitudinally central section of the bottle 100. This is done such that the distance between the wall portion 37 and the front wall 53 is increased enough to fit the neck of the bottle 100 as soon as this part of the front wall 53 faces the wall portion 37. In the lower position of the pivoting body, the bottle 100 is released into the bin 6 through the outlet 31.

Figure 25 shows the pressing position of the container engaging body, in which it is pivoted approximately 10-20 degrees beyond the lower position. Even though the container engaging body 5, because of its shape, already extends with its bottom side below the plate 22 and into the bin 6 as soon as it pivots downwards from the initial upper position, the pressing position enables an even larger vertical reach of the container engaging body 5 - and thus a lower filling level of incised containers in the bin 6 at which the container engaging body 5 may start to compact the containers in the bin 6. Figure 26 illustrates the container engaging body 5 both in the position of figure 22 when moving from the cutting range towards the lower position, and of figure 24 in the lower position.

The 0.5L PET-bottle 100 is shown after the incision is made above the base of the bottle 100 this part still being uncompressed. The center section of the bottle 100 is in the shown position of figure 22 being compressed in the compression space 36, between the front wall 53 and the wall portion 37. It can be verified that the center section of the side wall 101 of the bottle 100 is forced to assume a smaller lateral cross-section, corresponding to the compression space 36.

Furthermore, the bottle 100 is shown while the container engaging element is in the lower position of figure 24, thus while the part of the front wall 53 with the increased curvature faces the wall portion 37 and realizes a larger horizontal distance between the wall portion 37 and the container engaging element 5. It can be verified that this enables that the neck of the bottle 100 can pass unhindered and uncompressed, and through the outlet 31.

As best shown in figure 17 and indicated in figure 25, the pivoting body 5 comprises side plates which form upper flanges 55 at the tangential end of the wedge that is remote from the cutting element 52. These flanges are positioned against a front plate 24 of the housing 2 when the pivoting body is in the initial upper position. Sensors, operationally connected to the control unit 9, are positioned between the flanges to check if the pivoting body is in the initial upper position thereof. The control unit 9, sensors, solar panels, and other features of the first embodiment, shown in figure 15, may be applied similarly to the second embodiment. Furthermore, the configuration shown in figure 16 with the plate 22 covering a wheeled bin 6, may be applied equally.

Other features of the first embodiment may also be applied in the second embodiment and vice versa.

For example, the plunger 5 of the first embodiment may equally be provided with an indent forming the surfaces 51 and 53 as in the second embodiment, and/or equally be provided with adrive shown in the second embodiment.

Claims (20)

-42- CONCLUSIONS Device (1) arranged for receiving and processing returnable empty beverage packages, the beverage packages each having a circumferential side wall (101) and a length between two longitudinal ends (102,103) of the package, wherein the device comprises: - a housing ( 2); - a receiving and processing mechanism comprising: o an insertion opening (21) adapted to receive an empty beverage package (100), c a main channel (3) extending substantially vertically and at a lower end thereof an outlet (31) of the mechanism defines, o a supply channel (4) extending from the insertion opening (21) and terminating in a lateral opening (32) in the main channel (3), at least a downstream portion of the supply channel (4) having an oblique orientation towards the lateral opening (32), the feed channel (4) being adapted to allow the received package (100) to pass therethrough in an orientation in which the length of the package is substantially parallel to the feed channel, with a distance between the lateral opening (32) and a resting wall portion (33; 54) facing the lateral opening is shorter than the length of the package (100) such that after it has passed through the feed channel (4), the package (100) comes into a processing position in which a rearmost one of its longitudinal ends {102) is in the feed channel (4) and a frontmost one of its longitudinal ends (103) is against said resting wall portion (33; 54), and wherein the receiving and processing mechanism further comprises a drive and a package engaging body (5) movable relative to the main channel, the package engaging body (5) having a surface (51) which, in a upper initial position of the packaging gripping body, is above, and directed downwards towards, the front of the longitudinal ends (103), the surface (51) being provided with a cutting element (52), e.g. the cutting element (52 ) is, viewed from above, substantially perpendicular to the supply channel (4), wherein the drive is adapted to move the package gripping body (5) relative to the main channel (3) when the package is in the processing position. to move - 43. from the upper initial position through a cutting range in which its cutting element (52) moves downward through a cutting range whereby it engages and makes an incision in the side wall (101) of the container, and further downwards to a lower position in which the cutting element is below the lateral opening (32), e.g. below the outlet (31), and wherein the incised package is discharged from the outlet (31) of the mechanism, and wherein the drive is further arranged to move the package gripping body (5) upwards from the bottom position back to the top starting position. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the packaging gripping body (5) is provided vertically translatable in the main channel, such that it can be translatable downwards by the drive from the upper initial position through the cutting range to the lower position, e.g. the press position, if provided. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging gripping body is pivotable by the drive about a horizontal pivot axis through a rear end thereof, from the upper initial position through the cutting range to the downward position, and optionally the pressing position, if provided namely such that the cutting element is movable by this articulation from above the front end of the package in the processing position in the upper initial position of the container gripping body, downwards to make the incision, and further downwards to below the lateral opening in the lower position of the packaging gripping body, with the horizontal hinge axis preferably running parallel to the lateral opening, viewed from above, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the supply channel. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the packaging gripping body (5) is substantially pie slice-shaped, has a rounded front wall and upper and lower walls tapering towards a corner of the pie slice, wherein the horizontal pivot axis (5a) is provided in the tapered corner, and is parallel to the lateral opening, viewed from above, e.g. with a rear end thereof, comprising its tapered corner, extending outside the main channel, and with a front section thereof , which includes the notch, inside the main channel, at least in the upper initial position and the cutting range of the packaging gripping body. 5. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein -44 - - the surface (51) is a bottom surface of the package gripping body, and the resting wall portion is a portion (33) of a wall of the main channel opposite to the lateral opening, or - a front wall of the package gripping body has a backward notch which forms the surface (51) and the rest wall portion (54), Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the housing accommodates or is arranged to accommodate a top-open tray below the outlet of the mechanism, which top-open tray (6) is arranged to contain the outlet of the mechanism. collecting incised packages discharged through the outlet (31), e.g. a bin on wheels. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the drive is adapted to move the package gripping body (5) to a pressing position, in which the package gripping body (5) extends at least partially below the outlet (31). e.g. wherein when the device (1) accommodates the tray (8), the package gripping body (5) extends at least partially under the outlet (31) and inside the tray (6), e.g. where the bottom position coincides with the press position. 8. Device according to at least claim 7, wherein the drive is adapted to compact incised packages in the tray by means of the package gripping body as soon as the tray is filled with incised packages, e.g. wherein the device is also embodied according to claim 6 and the drive causes the compaction by moving the package gripping body (5) to the pressing position, pressing the bottom surface of the package gripping body (5) against the incised packages. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a plate (22) adapted to extend over the open top of the tray (6) housed in the housing, the outlet (31) being provided in the plate (22), the plate (22) preferably engaging the top of the tray (6), e.g. the plate (22) being dimensioned around the top opening of the tray (6) completely, e.g. to form a temporary lid for the container (8). The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, vertically below the lateral opening (31), a compression space is formed between a wall portion of the main channel (3) immediately below the lateral opening (31), the wall portion (37 ) extends towards the outlet, and a side wall (53) of the package gripping body (5) when the package gripping body moves to its lower position, so that - - 45. in operation - the movement of the package gripping body to its lower position drags the incised container into the compression space, the incised package thereby at least with a central section thereof against the wall portion of the main channel and the side wall of the package gripping body is compressed, e.g. wherein - in operation - the cutting element (52) makes an incision through an upwardly facing portion of the sidewall of the package in the processing position, a forward section of the package remaining connected to a rearward section of the package via a downwardly facing portion of the side wall. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting element (52) is provided at or near the periphery of the surface (51) of the package-engaging body (5) at a tangential location abutting against the lateral opening (32). ) is on in the cutting position of the packaging gripping body (5). The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting element (52) extends, in the cutting position of the packaging gripping body (5}, substantially in at least a horizontal central portion of the horizontal extent of the lateral opening (32). Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging gripping body (5) has such a height that in the lower position a front wall portion (52) of the packaging gripping body (5) facing the lateral opening can be accessed from blocks the supply channel (4) to the main channel (3) via the lateral opening (32). 14. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the drive is - a linear actuator comprising an electric motor and a spindle, - is a hydraulic drive, or - a pneumatic drive. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a control unit (9) which communicates with the drive (85) and is arranged to control the drive to move the packaging gripping body (5). , wherein: - the control unit is adapted to control the force exerted by the drive on the package-gripping body (5), and/or - the control unit is arranged to move the packaging-gripping body (5) to the bottom and/or pressing position. move, based on one or more of the following conditions: oc a level of beverage containers in the bin (6), - 46 - o an expected availability of an energy source that supplies the drive with energy, and/or - the control unit (9) is arranged to move the packaging gripping body (5) only when the insertion opening is closed, e.g. by a door e.g. a sensor (73) detecting when the door (23) is closed, e.g. the door is locked by a locking device during operation of the mechanism. An apparatus according to claims 6 and 15, further comprising means (71,72,73,74) for detecting the level of beverage packages in the bin (6), the means communicating with the control unit (8) and one or include more of the following: - a sensor (71) directed to the inside of the bin (6) to directly measure the actual level of beverage packages in the bin (6), e.g. an acoustic transceiver, an ultrasonic transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a laser transceiver, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a camera, - a sensor (72) to detect passage of a beverage package through the channels, e.g. through the insertion opening, through the supply channel, through the lateral opening, through the main channel below the plunger, and/or through the outlet of the device, e.g. a light sensor, a motion sensor, or a camera, - a sensor (73) for an opening and closing of a door (23) of the device, arranged to open the insertion opening (21 ), e.g. a magnetic sensor, the control unit being arranged to determine the number of times the door has been opened since a predetermined time, e.g. a time when the bin (6) has been emptied, and - a sensor (74) to detect the force of the package gripping body (5) against the beverage packages in the tray (6) to move to the pressing position, if provided, wherein, preferably, the control unit is arranged to, based on the level of beverage packages detected by this means, control the drive to move the package gripping body (5) to the lower end position only when the detected level of beverage packages is above a predetermined level. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the drive of the device comprises a solar powered battery (84) to power the device (1), e.g. an electric motor thereof, and wherein the device is provided with a solar panel (82) connected to the battery, the control unit (9) being arranged to control the drive (85) to move the packaging gripping body (5), e.g. to a pressing position or to close the packaging gripping body to move at all, based on -47 - a predicted availability of solar energy for a certain upcoming time period, e.g. three months, e.g. based on one or more of: - the current season, - the current month of the year, - the current date, - the GPS location, e.g. at least the altitude, - climate data, - a current weather forecast, and - a measured solar irradiation over a certain period of time by a sensor of the device. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the control unit (9) is arranged, in case of a low predicted availability of solar energy for a certain upcoming time period, to control the drive (85) to move the packaging-engaging body (5) move less often than in case of a high predicted solar energy availability for a certain upcoming time period, e.g. relative to a detected level of beverage packages in the tray (6) by means of one or more of the sensors (71, 72,73,74) of the device according to claim 186. System comprising a device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, and a tray (6) to be accommodated under the outlet (31) of the mechanism, e.g. according to at least claim 6. A method for receiving and processing returnable beverage packages (100), using a device (1) according to one or more of claims 1-18 or a system according to claim 19.