Devices and systems for the return of used textiles

Abstract

Used textile recycling device (1), which is trained to identify a person (2) and a used textile (3), preferably by means of a common identification unit (17) or each with a different identification unit, wherein the waste textile return device (1) has a drop-in opening (11) for receiving the identified waste textile (3) from the identified person (2) and wherein the waste textile return device (1), preferably a control unit of the waste textile return device (1), is designed and configured to assign the identified waste textile (3) to the identified person (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste textile return device and several waste textile return systems.

[0002] Textile production has been known for a long time, primarily for the manufacture of clothing for humans. However, textiles can also be used for technical purposes.

[0003] Initially, plant-based natural fibers such as cotton, flax, and hemp, or animal-based natural fibers such as wool, silk, and fur were used. Today, mineral-based natural fibers such as asbestos and rock wool are also common. The use of man-made fibers from "natural polymers," such as regenerated cellulose-based fibers like viscose, lyocell, or rubber, and from "synthetic polymers" such as polyacrylonitrile, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, or polyurethane, is also widespread. "Inorganic fibers," such as ceramic, glass, and metal fibers, are also well-known.

[0004] In every case, the fibers are spun to create linear structures such as yarn. This yarn or thread is then processed, for example by weaving, into a flat textile material, which can be further processed into a garment, also called a textile, by cutting and sewing. Textile materials are also used in the home and for interior design, for example as upholstery, curtains, towels, bed linen, tablecloths, or cleaning cloths. In addition, there are numerous technical applications for textile materials, which are referred to as technical textiles.

[0005] Today, there is a great demand for textile materials, and especially for clothing. This is due to the large number of people who wear clothes and want to change them, whether for hygienic reasons such as washing worn garments, for personal taste, or for aesthetic reasons, to change one's appearance through different clothing. Clothing is also changed depending on the climate and season. Textile materials are also used in households, and therefore the more households there are, the greater the quantity required. Furthermore, textile materials are also exchanged within the household for cleaning or to change the look, and thus multiple items may be available.

[0006] This leads to a growing number and quantity of textile materials, and especially clothing, which humanity uses and needs and therefore must constantly replace. This results in a corresponding demand for raw materials for the production of fibers, yarns, and textile materials, including clothing. This also applies to technical textiles.

[0007] At the same time, this high demand for new textile materials, and especially for new clothing, also results in a correspondingly large quantity of used textile materials and, in particular, used clothing that is no longer usable or at least no longer desired by the original user. This can be due to damage or soiling, but also purely for reasons of personal taste or current fashion.

[0008] It has long been known to reuse used textile materials, and especially used clothing, which can be referred to as waste textiles or used clothing. This can be described as textile recycling.

[0009] This includes the further use of old textiles or clothing as secondhand goods by other people, which can be described as secondhand clothing and presupposes an interest in using it by the other person. Old textiles or clothing can also be reused for a purpose other than their original one, such as an old towel as a cleaning rag.

[0010] Furthermore, used textiles, including old clothing and textile industry production waste, can be processed into shredded fibers. These fibers can then be used in other industries, such as nonwovens, paper, and as insulation materials, for example, in the automotive industry. This can be described as material recycling, since the material itself, in the form of shredded fibers, is reused. Chemical recycling, which involves recovering the chemical components of the fibers, is another method. Finally, thermal recycling through incineration allows for the recovery of the energy used in production.

[0011] A disadvantage of current textile recycling methods is that they are not used by many people. Instead, used textiles and clothing end up in household waste or residual waste, and are thus often lost as a resource, apart from thermal utilization through incineration of household waste or residual waste.

[0012] A disadvantage of the existing so-called used clothing containers, which are used as collection points for used textiles and are set up and operated by charitable organizations such as the German Red Cross for the free disposal of used textiles or clothing, is that the used clothing containers are often dirty, damaged and / or overfilled, which impairs the quality of the collected used textiles or clothing or prevents used textiles or clothing from being accepted and thus results in the loss of a resource.

[0013] One object of the present invention is to improve the possibilities for taking back used textiles. In particular, the possibilities for textile recycling are to be improved. Specifically, the opportunities for individuals to participate in the take-back of used textiles or in textile recycling are to be improved. Additionally or alternatively, the incentives for individuals to participate in the take-back of used textiles or in textile recycling are to be increased. Additionally or alternatively, the take-back of used textiles or textile recycling is to be improved and, in particular, simplified for operators of the take-back or recycling process. This is to be made possible especially for used clothing. At the very least, an alternative to the known possibilities for taking back used textiles or textile recycling is to be created.

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved by a waste textile collection device and by several waste textile collection systems with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] The present invention therefore relates to methods for the return of used textiles. As previously described, the term "used textiles" refers to flat textile structures, also called textile material, that are no longer needed or desired by the user for any other reason. This includes, among other things, garments or clothing, also called textiles, which can then also be referred to as used textiles or used clothing. The return of used textiles can preferably take place within the framework of textile recycling in order to reuse the returned used textiles in some form, as previously described.

[0016] The method is carried out using at least one used textile collection device, which is designed to receive at least one used textile item from a person. Receipt can occur when the person transports the used textile to the collection device and deposits it there, in particular by throwing it into the device, inserting it, or the like, so that the used textile can be accepted, picked up, or received by the collection device. The received used textile can then be stored by the collection device so that it can later be removed from the storage area by an authorized person, such as a service employee, and transported away, preferably to a textile recycling process.

[0017] The procedure includes at least the following steps: • Automatic identification of the person, preferably through the used textile return device or through a mobile device, • Automatic identification of the used textile, preferably by the used textile return device or by the mobile device, or vice versa, • Automatic assignment of the identified used textile to the identified person, preferably via the used textile return device, the mobile device or a cloud, and • Acceptance of the identified used textile from the identified person by the used textile return device.

[0018] An automated action is understood to be a process step or procedure that is carried out automatically by technical means and essentially "works on its own" without requiring human intervention. A person may, however, intervene before, during, and / or after the automated process step to enable or support its execution.

[0019] The automatic identification of the person wishing to hand over the used textile to the textile collection point can be carried out in any suitable manner. This can be done using the textile collection point itself, or a mobile device, such as a smartphone, belonging to the person or another person, as a technical means.

[0020] In any case, the person can identify themselves by entering information, such as a username or similar, combined with a password. This input can be made using physical keys or virtual keys, for example, on a touchscreen, and / or via voice input or speech recognition. The system can then automatically capture and process the person's input in order to respond to it, for example, by successfully identifying the person or by displaying a message or error message indicating that identification was unsuccessful. The person can take action by pressing or touching the keys or by using voice input.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the person can identify themselves using at least one physical characteristic, such as facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, or voice recognition. In this case, the sensory capture and subsequent evaluation or recognition of the person's physical characteristic can constitute automatic identification. Optical recognition can be AI-supported, which can improve the quality of the optical recognition and / or accelerate its execution. A classification system, including a confidence score, can be used for this purpose. The person can actively provide the physical characteristic for sensory capture, for example, by positioning a finger in front of a sensor or the sensor in front of their face.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the person can also identify themselves using a document such as an identity card, passport, or an identification card or similar document associated with a used textile collection point or textile recycling process. The information on the document suitable for identifying the person can be in legible text or as a recognizable photograph of the person and thus be optically captured and subsequently evaluated, which in this case can constitute automatic identification of the person. Additionally or alternatively, the document can also contain machine-readable information only, such as a barcode or a QR code, which can also be optically captured and evaluated. Additionally or alternatively, the document can also be read electronically, for example, using electromagnetic waves.This can be achieved through electromagnetic coupling, for example, to read an RFID transponder or similar device, which can also constitute automatic identification of the person. The person can take the following actions: making the document available for sensor detection and reading, or positioning themselves accordingly in relation to the respective sensor.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, a person can identify themselves using software or an app associated with the used textile collection device or a textile recycling process. This could involve, for example, displaying a QR code or similar on their smartphone, which would then be captured by a camera on the used textile collection device. Such an app can also establish a wireless data connection to the used textile collection device to enable person recognition and identification. This can also constitute self-identification. In this case, the person can actively operate the software or app, allowing the software's output to be captured or read by sensors, or by positioning themselves accordingly in relation to the respective sensor.

[0024] The automatic identification of the used textile item to be handed over to the used textile collection point can also be carried out in any suitable manner. This can be done using the used textile collection point itself, or a mobile device, such as a smartphone belonging to the person or another person, as a technical means.

[0025] The identification or recognition of the used textile can also be carried out by the user, who can provide information suitable for identification. This input can be done via physical or virtual buttons, such as a touchscreen, and / or via voice input or speech recognition. In this case, the user's input is automatically recorded and processed in order to react to it, for example, by successfully identifying the used textile or by displaying a message or error message to the user indicating that identification was unsuccessful. Again, the user can contribute to the automatic identification of the used textile by pressing or touching buttons or by speaking.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the used textile can be identified by at least one visual characteristic, which can be achieved, for example, by optically recognizing the textile as a whole, particularly when spread out by a person. The captured image data can be analyzed, for instance, to determine whether the contour, color, material, and / or surface appearance of the used textile can be used for identification or at least contribute to its identification. Motifs, patterns, and similar features on the surface of the used textile can also be used for identification. Furthermore, a material analysis of the used textile, such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR spectroscopy), can be performed, particularly using suitable sensors in the used textile collection device.This type of analysis can be supported by weight sensors to determine the weight of the used textile, particularly after it has been received by the used textile collection device. This is achieved by weighing all collected used textiles together and determining any weight change upon receipt of another used textile, thus also enabling the determination of the quantities of materials in the used textile. In this case, the visual recording of the used textile's appearance, as well as its evaluation and recognition, can constitute the automatic identification of the person, who can then position the used textile and an optical sensor for visual recognition in relation to each other.

[0027] Unlike identifying a person, which can yield a unique result, identifying a used textile may require only determining or identifying a product type or category of used textile. According to the invention, identifying a unique used textile, comparable to identifying a person, is not necessary, although this can also be achieved. A product type of textile material is understood to be a group of products with similar attributes, such as pillows, towels, curtains, and the like, or outerwear, underwear, sportswear, and the like. Product types thus refer to fundamental categories of clothing. A product category of textile material is understood to be a more specific subdivision within a particular product type of textile material.For example, outerwear can be divided into product types such as trousers, skirts, dresses, shirts, jackets, coats and the like.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the identification or recognition of the used textile can be carried out using a document such as a label, order form, invoice, and / or an identification card or similar document associated with the used textile collection point or textile recycling process. The information on the document suitable for identifying the used textile can be presented in legible text and / or as a recognizable photograph or image of the textile, allowing it to be optically captured and subsequently evaluated. In this case, this can constitute automatic identification of the used textile. Alternatively, the document can also contain machine-readable information only, such as a barcode or QR code, particularly on the label, which can also be optically captured and evaluated.The document can also be read electronically, either additionally or alternatively, for example using electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic coupling, to read an RFID transponder or similar device, which can also represent the automatic identification of the used textile. In this case as well, the person can position the used textile and a sensor opposite each other for recognition.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the used textile can be recognized or identified using software or an app that can be associated with the used textile collection point or a textile recycling process. This involves storing or storing at least the used textile, and preferably several or all of the person's textile materials, and especially clothing items, in the app, allowing the person to select them if a textile material can be submitted to the used textile collection point. Depending on the person's selection from their virtual collection of textile materials or their "virtual wardrobe," a QR code or similar can then be generated, displayed on the smartphone, and scanned by a camera at the used textile collection point. Such an app can also establish a wireless data connection to the used textile collection point to enable recognition or...to identify the used textile. This can also involve the automatic identification of the used textile. In this case as well, the person can use the app.

[0030] In any case, a digital product passport, such as a serial number, can be assigned to the identified used textile either before or at least from the moment of identification, thus enabling tracking of the used textile, at least along its journey, and especially during subsequent textile recycling. This allows for tracking up to and during the recycling process. This can be achieved using tamper-proof logging of the used textile, for example, via blockchain, which can be used for auditing purposes.

[0031] As mentioned previously, the automatic identification of the person and / or the automatic identification of the used textile can be carried out using one of the methods described above, or redundantly using several of the methods described above. The results of these methods can then be used for mutual verification to increase the certainty that the steps for the automatic identification of the person and / or the automatic identification of the used textile have been carried out successfully and correctly. This can increase the robustness of the statements and the results.

[0032] The steps of self-identification of the person and / or self-identification of the used textile can also be carried out by technical means in such a way that those activities requiring hardware, such as buttons for input by the person, a camera for capturing optical data, a scanner for electromagnetic coupling with an RFID transponder, and the like, are performed by the used textile collection device, by the mobile device, and / or by another technical means available to the person at the location of the used textile collection device. The captured data can then be transmitted, particularly wirelessly, to another technical means, such as the used textile collection device or the mobile device, in order to carry out or complete the self-identification process itself.The collected data can also be transmitted additionally or alternatively, particularly wirelessly, to a remote technical device such as software in a cloud located away from the site of the used textile collection point, in order to carry out or complete the automatic identification process there. This software or cloud can, in particular, be a component of a textile recycling system that includes the operation of the used textile collection point or into which the used textile collection point is integrated.

[0033] The steps of the inventive method of automatically identifying the person and automatically identifying the used textile can be carried out in this order, but also in reverse order, which can increase the flexibility for the person as user.

[0034] In any case, the identified used textile is then automatically assigned to the identified person by suitable technical means as a further automatically running process step or process of the inventive method.

[0035] This process step can be carried out by the used textile collection device. For this purpose, the used textile collection device may have already performed the preceding steps of automatically identifying the person and the used textile, in particular partially through a control unit of the used textile collection device, in order to have the results of these two steps already available, especially in a memory, and to be able to process them directly.

[0036] The control unit can be connected to the internet or similar via a wireless data connection such as Wi-Fi to exchange data with software in the cloud, as previously mentioned. The control unit's software can also be updated wirelessly via an over-the-air (OTA) update. This OTA update can also include a rollback function, allowing the system to revert to a previous version in case of problems. This also applies to firmware updates and / or machine learning (ML) models. The control unit can also feature edge / cloud failover capabilities to shift the operation of applications and services from the edge infrastructure to the cloud infrastructure (or vice versa) in the event of a failure or malfunction.This ensures that services remain available and usable even if part of the infrastructure fails. This can be achieved through offline buffering and subsequent synchronization. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit and / or wireless data transmissions can incorporate security features such as end-to-end encryption and / or digital signatures. In any case, the used textile collection device and / or its control unit should also offer the possibility of remote operation and / or remote evaluation and diagnostics.

[0037] Alternatively, the used textile collection device may have only performed one of the two preceding steps of automatically identifying the person and automatically identifying the used textile, so that this information or result is already available. The other process step can then be carried out differently, preferably by the aforementioned mobile device or its app, and the result transmitted to the used textile collection device, particularly wirelessly.

[0038] Alternatively, the mobile device may have already performed the preceding steps of automatically identifying the person and automatically identifying the used textile, in particular partially through a control unit of the mobile device, in order to already have the results of these two steps available, especially in a memory, and to be able to process them directly.

[0039] Alternatively, at least one of the two preceding steps—automatic identification of the person and automatic identification of the used textile—or even both steps, can be completed by the aforementioned software or cloud service. In such a case, the result of this step, or both steps, is available there and can be transmitted, particularly wirelessly, to the used textile collection point and / or the mobile device for further use. Alternatively, the software or cloud service can also automatically assign the identified used textile to the identified person. In this case, the result of this step can be made available to the used textile collection point.

[0040] In any case, the identified used textile item from the identified person will then be accepted by the used textile collection device. For this purpose, the identified person can hand over the used textile item to the used textile collection device, which can be done in particular by throwing it through a slot in the housing of the used textile collection device into a collection container of the used textile collection device.

[0041] Preferably, the used textile collection device can also have several collection containers, which can be made accessible to the user separately for sequential use and filling, thus simplifying emptying or replacement for a service employee. Furthermore, the multiple collection containers can be assigned to different types of used textiles, for example, according to manufacturer, product type, material, condition, and the like, and can be activated or deactivated accordingly depending on the identified used textile. This allows for immediate sorting of the used textiles according to these criteria upon receipt of the identified item.Alternatively, this can also be done by allowing the used textiles to be handed over to the used textile collection device through a single opening, and then, within the used textile collection device, for example by means of diverters as in parcel sorting, an automatic allocation of the used textiles to the respective collection container can take place according to these criteria.

[0042] As a simple implementation, the person can deposit the item directly after automatic identification of both the person and the used textile. Preferably, the person's identification can be confirmed as successful to indicate that the necessary information is available to automatically assign the identified used textile to the identified person. This allows the person to then hand over the used textile to the recycling device, confident that the assignment has been or will be successful. To further enhance the person's confidence, a notification can also be displayed confirming that the assignment has already been successful.In any case, the person can then leave the location of the used textile collection point or identify another used textile item and hand it over to the used textile collection point, in which case a further automatic identification of the person may be omitted.

[0043] An alternative implementation could involve keeping the deposit opening permanently locked to ensure that only identified used textiles are handed over to the textile recycling device. In this case, the deposit opening or flap can only be released if the preceding steps of automatic identification of the person, automatic identification of the used textile, and automatic assignment of the identified textile to the identified person have been successful. This release of the deposit opening or flap can preferably be limited to accepting only the identified used textile to ensure that each individual item of used textile received can be identified and assigned to a person in order to be accepted.

[0044] Advantageously, the possibility of blocking the opening or flap also prevents waste and the like from being passed through the opening to the used textile recycling device, which can improve the cleanliness of the received used textiles.

[0045] Preferably, the used textile collection device can detect if the deposit flap is blocked, i.e., if it cannot be moved by the user to access the deposit opening. This can trigger a notification, for example, indicating a malfunction or the unavailability of the used textile collection device, either from the device itself or from a mobile device. Additionally or alternatively, a service technician can be notified of the blocked deposit flap so they can locate the device and clear the obstruction. This event can also be recorded or logged to investigate its cause, monitor the operational performance of the used textile collection device, and / or for statistical purposes.

[0046] The inventive method is based on the understanding that, until now, the only way for people to take back used textiles has been to hand them over to a textile collection point, the collection area of ​​which is always accessible. While this can simplify and speed up the process for individuals, experience has shown that the textile collection point is also used for general waste disposal, which can impair the quality of the collected textiles and reduce the capacity of the collection area. Furthermore, the person handing over a textile remains anonymous, which has the disadvantage of making it impossible to thank them for their contribution to the collection of used textiles and, if applicable, for participating in or contributing to textile recycling, which can improve environmental protection.

[0047] According to the invention, it is therefore possible to record which specific person has submitted which, if applicable, specific used textile item to the used textile collection device. This can prevent a person from submitting items other than used textiles to the used textile collection device. In particular, barring deliberate misuse by the person, this can be reliably prevented if the possibility of the used textile collection device accepting the identified used textile item can be enabled only for the identified used textile item and otherwise blocked.

[0048] According to the invention, the recording of which specific person has handed over which used textile to the used textile collection device can alternatively or additionally be used to attribute the handover of the used textile or the person's contribution to textile recycling or environmental protection to that person. This can be used to reward the person as an incentive to hand over another used textile to the used textile collection device or to participate in textile recycling, as will be described in more detail below.

[0049] In any case, according to the invention, communication between all participating technical means of the inventive method, such as the used textile collection device, mobile device, and / or cloud, can be enabled or used. Communication between multiple used textile collection devices is also possible, which, within the framework of fleet management of an operator's used textile collection devices, can serve to exchange information about the condition of the used textile collection devices, their fill levels of collected used textiles, the distribution of loads, and the like.

[0050] In any case, an operator's used textile collection device(s) can have standardized interfaces or APLs (Application Programming Interfaces) to third-party systems to simplify or support data exchange for activities such as trading collected used textiles, invoicing, and / or communication with sustainability platforms. Such standardized interfaces or APLs can also be used to issue event-based notifications, for example, about the current fill level, a reached maximum fill level (which can be considered a warning), or an exceeded fill level (which can be considered an error message). This can also occur if sabotage or a malfunction of the used textile collection device is detected.

[0051] The aspects, properties, and advantages of the method according to the invention, as described above and below, can also be implemented individually or in combination using a suitable used textile collection device and / or a suitable mobile device or computer program running on it (also called an app), and / or a suitable cloud or computer program running there. A suitable used textile collection device and a suitable mobile device can together be referred to as a used textile collection system. Conversely, this also applies to the aspects, properties, and advantages of a used textile collection device and / or a suitable used textile collection system according to the invention, which can also be implemented using the method according to the invention.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the following step: • Automatically changing a parameter of the identified person depending on the used textile received, preferably by the used textile return device, by the mobile device or by the cloud.

[0053] A parameter of the identified person can be understood as any information that can be used to describe and / or influence that person's behavior regarding the use and disposal of textile materials or used textiles. In this way, feedback can be given to the person about their own behavior regarding the use and disposal of textile materials or used textiles. In particular, an incentive can be created to improve or carry out the disposal of textile materials or used textiles.

[0054] This aspect of the invention is based on the understanding that the return of used textiles using known methods or used textile collection devices has so far been anonymous and essentially based on the individual's personal conviction. This may not be sufficient for many people to hand over their used textiles to a collection device or within the framework of a take-back process, as this usually requires the time and effort of traveling to and from the collection point. This can already be too inconvenient for many people.

[0055] If, according to the invention, the returned or surrendered used textile is assigned to a specific person, this assignment can be used to create an incentive for that person to surrender used textiles in general or more frequently within the framework of a take-back procedure or to a used textile take-back device.

[0056] For this purpose, a parameter can be assigned to the person or their identity, particularly according to the self-identification process described above, which can represent the intensity and / or quality of the person's participation in the take-back procedure. This parameter can, for example, be a points account to collect points for each used textile returned, the number of points depending on the type of textile and / or the person, as will be described in more detail below. These points can then be converted into monetary amounts, vouchers, or the like. In particular, such a points account can be an existing points account from a retailer's loyalty program, allowing its features to be used in combination with the method according to the invention.

[0057] This process step can also be implemented by the used textile collection device, the mobile device or the cloud or the software running there, in order to utilize the corresponding properties and advantages already described in this regard.

[0058] In any case, exactly one parameter, especially a parameter as described below, or several parameters, especially also as described below, can be changed. This can increase the design flexibility.

[0059] In any case, the change in the parameter(s) can also be used and communicated for other purposes. For example, an operator of a used textile collection point can be informed, possibly anonymously, about changes in parameters resulting from the collection of used textiles, particularly those assigned to one of several collection points, possibly combined with temporal information, in order to evaluate the utilization and capacity of the collection point(s). This information about the change in the parameter(s) can also be used, or alternatively, within a subsequent textile recycling process. Additionally or alternatively, the information about the change in the parameter(s) can also be communicated to the respective manufacturer of the textile materials.

[0060] According to another aspect of the invention, the parameter of the identified person is a number of used textiles, a sum of money, a deposit amount, a voucher amount, a loyalty point amount and / or an environmental impact value.

[0061] This can include various concrete ways of using a parameter of the identified person to create an incentive for that person to hand over used textiles at all or more frequently within the framework of a take-back procedure or to a used textile take-back facility.

[0062] Thus, a relatively simple parameter to record is the number of used textiles with which a person has already participated in the process. Statistics can also be compiled from this data, showing, for example, the average number of used textiles per month, per year, and so on, that a person submits to the process.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, the parameter can be a monetary amount that can be changed or increased if the person returns a used textile item as part of a take-back procedure or to a used textile collection point. The amount of money can preferably depend on the quality, material composition, product type, and / or product category to reflect these factors.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, a deposit can be charged when purchasing the textile material, which can be refunded as a parameter when returning the old textile as part of a take-back procedure or to an old textile take-back facility.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, the parameter can be a voucher amount, especially from the manufacturer of the returned used textile, in order to create an incentive to purchase a new textile material from this manufacturer and to use the voucher amount or a voucher sum accumulated as a parameter.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the parameter can be a loyalty point amount, which can be used within a retailer's loyalty point system, as previously described.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, the parameter can be an environmental impact score, or simply environmental score, for a person, which can represent a measure of how much or how little a person's behavior impacts the environment or contributes to pollution. Such a parameter can be viewed positively, as environmentally friendly behavior, and especially environmentally conscious consumption habits, can earn points that make this behavior measurable and rewardable. Conversely, such a parameter can also be viewed negatively, as a person continuously accumulates points due to their consumption of natural resources or their generation of environmentally harmful impacts, for example, as a CO2 value. These points can be reduced through environmentally friendly actions such as donating used textiles to a take-back program or textile recycling facility.

[0068] According to a further aspect of the invention, the parameter of the identified person is automatically changed depending on the identified used textile, the identified person, the time of receipt of the identified used textile and / or the location of the used textile return device.

[0069] Thus, the parameter can be changed differently, for example, depending on the type of product being handed in. For instance, a pair of trousers can cause a greater change in a parameter than handing in a small cleaning rag or a sock, since trousers represent a larger quantity of textile material than a small cleaning rag or a sock. Accordingly, while the number of used textiles handed in can be increased by the value "1" each time, a loyalty point amount, for example, can be increased much more significantly, perhaps by a factor of 10 or more.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the quality of the used textile, which can be specified by the person or determined by visual identification of the used textile, can also be used to consider a parameter, such as the amount of loyalty points awarded for a garment in comparatively good condition with a larger change in the parameter, and to reward it, for example, because the garment can be sold second-hand, unlike a garment that could only be used as a cleaning rag.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the identified person can also be taken into account when changing the parameter, in order to grant a person participating in the inventive method for the first time a larger parameter change as an entry bonus. Similarly, a person who has previously only donated a specific product type, such as home textiles like towels or pillowcases, can be rewarded with a larger parameter change if they now also donate clothing. This can increase the incentive for people to donate used textiles within the framework of the take-back procedure or to the used textile collection device.

[0072] Additionally or alternatively, the timing of when the used textile is accepted by the textile recycling device can also influence the parameter change. For example, a higher change in a loyalty points system could occur at a time or during a period when the textile recycling device is typically less busy. The higher change would then serve as an incentive to achieve a more consistent utilization of the device and thus avoid peak times or queues. This can also apply to the location of the textile recycling device, in order to achieve a more even utilization of multiple devices.

[0073] In any case, the results can be the same or different for different parameters that are used together.

[0074] According to a further aspect of the invention, the automatic identification of the used textile comprises the automatic identification of a specific used textile, a product type of the used textile, a product category of the used textile, a manufacturer of the used textile and / or a material composition of the used textile.

[0075] Thus, according to the invention, a unique piece of used textile can be identified in order to, for example, refund the deposit amount if precisely this used textile is handed in or returned to the used textile collection point as part of the take-back process. For this purpose, the used textile can have an individual identifier, such as a uniquely assigned value, which can be displayed, in particular, as a QR code on the label. This can also be implemented additionally or alternatively using an RFID transponder.

[0076] Additionally or alternatively, the product type and / or category of the used textile can be provided as information. This information can be obtained, for example, through optical identification of the used textile, by visually distinguishing trousers from a towel or a sock.

[0077] Additionally or alternatively, the manufacturer of the used textile can be identified, which can be done based on a brand on the used textile and / or on a label with information readable by the person, or additionally or alternatively in coded form and / or by means of RFID transponders.

[0078] Additionally or alternatively, the material composition of the used textile can also be identified, for example, based on information that may be legible to the person on a label, but also additionally or alternatively in coded form and / or by means of RFID transponders. Additionally or alternatively, the material composition of the used textile can also be obtained by optical identification of the used textile.

[0079] According to another aspect of the invention, the identified used textile is automatically assigned to the identified person by means of a transponder, preferably an RFID transponder, of the used textile.

[0080] In this way, the properties and advantages of transponders, and in particular RFID transponders, can be implemented and utilized in the implementation of the method according to the invention. The transponders can be read by the used textile collection device using a suitable scanner. This also applies to a person's mobile device.

[0081] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the step: • Release of a drop-in opening of the used textile return device for the receipt of the used textile only if the used textile and the person have previously been identified and matched.

[0082] This makes it possible to keep the opening of the used textile collection device generally closed, for example to prevent the disposal of waste and the like, and to only make it accessible if the combination of used textile and person has been identified and matched, in order to then accept the identified used textile, as previously described.

[0083] According to another aspect of the invention • Locking the opening of the used textile recycling device after receiving the used textile.

[0084] In this way, the opening of the used textile return device can be locked again after the identified used textile has been received, in order to prevent the insertion of waste and the like until a new combination of used textile and person can be identified and matched.

[0085] The present invention also relates to a waste textile return device, preferably for use in a method as described above, which is configured to identify a person and a waste textile, preferably by means of a common identification unit or each with a different identification unit, wherein the waste textile return device has a drop-in opening for receiving the identified waste textile from the identified person and wherein the waste textile return device, preferably a control unit of the waste textile return device, is configured and set up to assign the identified waste textile to the identified person.

[0086] Thus, the present invention, which was previously explained with reference to a method according to the invention, can also be implemented and used directly or exclusively by means of a waste textile collection device. Preferably, the waste textile collection device according to the invention can be used to implement the previously described method according to the invention.

[0087] The identification of both the used textile and the person, as previously described, can be carried out by the used textile collection device itself, so that the relevant information is directly available there. Two different identification units can be used for this purpose: for example, a wireless receiver of the used textile collection device for communication with the person's smartphone to identify the person using an app, preferably the method according to the invention, and an RFID scanner of the used textile collection device to identify an RFID transponder of the used textile.

[0088] The assignment of identified used textiles to the identified person can also be carried out by the used textile collection device in order to have or be able to provide the result of these activities or process steps.

[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, the used textile return device, preferably the control unit of the used textile return device, is further designed and configured to change a parameter of the identified person depending on the used textile received.

[0090] Thus, the corresponding properties and advantages, which were previously explained using a method according to the invention, can also be implemented and used by means of the waste textile return device.

[0091] The present invention further relates to a waste textile return system, preferably for use in a method as described above, comprising a waste textile return device and a mobile device, wherein the waste textile return device has an identification unit configured to identify a waste textile, wherein the mobile device has an identification unit configured to identify a person, or vice versa, wherein the waste textile return device has a drop-in opening for receiving the identified waste textile from the identified person, and wherein the waste textile return device, preferably a control unit of the waste textile return device, or the mobile device, preferably a control unit of the mobile device, is configured and set up to assign the identified waste textile to the identified person.

[0092] Thus, the present invention, which has been previously explained using a method according to the invention, can also be implemented and used by means of a combination of a waste textile return device and a mobile device of the person, in particular their smartphone or an app of the smartphone.

[0093] In this case, the identification activities are divided between the used textile collection device and the mobile device, with one identification being carried out by one device and the other identification by the other device.

[0094] The assignment of identified used textiles to the identified person can be carried out by the used textile collection device or by the mobile device. The data required for this identification process, which was performed by the other device, can be transmitted for this purpose, in particular wirelessly.

[0095] According to one aspect of the invention, the used textile return device, preferably the control unit of the used textile return device, or the mobile terminal, preferably the control unit of the mobile terminal, is further designed and configured to change a parameter of the identified person depending on the used textile received.

[0096] Thus, the corresponding properties and advantages previously explained using a method according to the invention can also be implemented and utilized by means of the used textile collection device or the mobile device. This can preferably be done by the device that also performed the assignment of the identified used textile to the identified person, in order to save the effort of data transmission.

[0097] The present invention further relates to a waste textile return system, preferably for use in a method as described above, comprising a waste textile return device and a mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to identify a person and a waste textile, preferably by means of a common identification unit or each with a different identification unit, wherein the waste textile return device has a drop-in opening for receiving the identified waste textile from the identified person, wherein the mobile terminal, preferably a control unit of the mobile terminal, is configured and set up to assign the identified waste textile to the identified person.

[0098] Thus, the present invention can essentially be implemented and used by means of a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or a smartphone app. Only the physical receipt of the used textile needs to be handled by the used textile collection device. This can make the used textile collection device particularly simple and cost-effective. It can also increase user convenience, as the user typically has the mobile device available for other activities and services.

[0099] According to one aspect of the invention, the mobile device, preferably the control unit of the mobile device, is further designed and configured to change a parameter of the identified person depending on the received used textile.

[0100] Thus, the corresponding properties and advantages, which were previously explained using a method according to the invention, can also be essentially implemented and used by means of the mobile device.

[0101] According to another aspect of the invention, the parameter of the identified person is a number of used textiles, a sum of money, a deposit amount, a voucher amount, a loyalty point amount and / or an environmental impact value.

[0102] In this way, the corresponding properties and advantages as previously described with regard to the inventive method can also be implemented and used in the inventive waste textile take-back device and / or in the inventive waste textile take-back systems.

[0103] According to a further aspect of the invention, the used textile return device, preferably the control unit of the used textile return device, and / or the mobile device, preferably the control unit of the mobile device, is further designed and configured to change the parameter of the identified person depending on the identified used textile, the identified person, the time of receipt of the identified used textile and / or the location of the used textile return device.

[0104] In this way, the corresponding properties and advantages as previously described with regard to the inventive method can also be implemented and used in the inventive waste textile take-back device and / or in the inventive waste textile take-back systems.

[0105] According to another aspect of the invention, the used textile return device has a drop-in opening which is designed to accept the used textile only if the used textile and the person have previously been identified and matched.

[0106] In this way, the corresponding properties and advantages as previously described with regard to the inventive method can also be implemented and used in the inventive waste textile take-back device and / or in the inventive waste textile take-back systems.

[0107] According to a further aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device is designed, preferably by means of a movable and lockable deposit flap, to lock the deposit opening of the waste textile return device, preferably after the waste textile has been received.

[0108] In this way, the corresponding properties and advantages as previously described with regard to the inventive method can also be implemented and used in the inventive waste textile take-back device and / or in the inventive waste textile take-back systems.

[0109] According to another aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device has a drop-in detection system designed to recognize the receipt of the waste textile.

[0110] In this way, the used textile collection device can detect and monitor whether and when a used textile item is being accepted. This can enable automatic detection by the used textile collection device, for example, to lock the released insertion opening again as soon as the acceptance of an identified used textile item has been detected.

[0111] Such a detection system can be installed, in particular, at a dispensing opening through which the used textile can enter the interior of the textile recycling device or a collection container located therein. Various sensors can be used for this purpose. For example, an electrical contact that can be opened and closed can detect whether a dispensing flap is closed or open, with the latter state being interpreted as the insertion of the used textile. This can be achieved similarly with a switch or button on the dispensing flap, which can only be activated when the flap is closed. Additionally or alternatively, a light barrier, a distance sensor, and / or a motion sensor, particularly an infrared sensor, can be used to detect movement of the dispensing flap and / or the opening.or to detect the used textile sensorially inside the used textile return device and thereby recognize when the used textile has been inserted.

[0112] According to a further aspect of the invention, the used textile collection device, preferably the control unit of the used textile collection device, and / or the mobile device, preferably the control unit of the mobile device, is further designed and configured to identify a specific used textile, a product type of used textile, a product category of used textile, a manufacturer of used textile and / or a material composition of used textile.

[0113] In this way, the corresponding properties and advantages as previously described with regard to the inventive method can also be implemented and used in the inventive waste textile take-back device and / or in the inventive waste textile take-back systems.

[0114] According to a further aspect of the invention, the used textile collection device, preferably the control unit of the used textile collection device, and / or the mobile device, preferably the control unit of the mobile device, is further designed and configured to collect the used textile. • by means of a transponder, preferably by means of an RFID transponder, and / or • by means of image recognition and / or • by means of a one-dimensional barcode and / or • by means of a two-dimensional code, preferably by means of a QR code, and / or • to be identified using character recognition.

[0115] This can include various concrete ways to identify the used textile, as previously described.

[0116] According to a further aspect of the invention, the used textile return device and / or the mobile terminal further comprises an output element, preferably a display element, particularly preferably a touchscreen, which is designed and configured • the identification of the identified person and / or • the identification of the identified used textile and / or • a one-dimensional barcode and / or a two-dimensional code, preferably a QR code, and / or • status information from the used textile collection device, preferably a fill level of a collection container of the used textile collection device, and / or • a menu navigation and / or • an instruction to perform an action by the person and / or • confirmation of an action performed by the person, • preferably and / or an unaltered parameter of the identified person, • preferably and / or the modified parameters of the identified person, • preferably and / or a change in the parameter of the identified person, to be output to the identified person.

[0117] This can involve various concrete ways of providing information to the individual. This allows the individual to be informed and / or prompted to perform an action, for example, via a menu or as an instruction, such as handing the used textile to the textile recycling device. The information that can be provided can also include the combination or assignment of the identified individual and the identified used textile, preferably with further information such as date, location, and the like.

[0118] According to a further aspect of the invention, the used textile return device and / or the mobile terminal further comprises an input element, preferably a control element, particularly preferably a touchscreen, which is designed and configured • the identification of the identified person and / or • the identification of the identified used textile and / or • to obtain an action from the staff input of the identified person.

[0119] This can represent various specific input options, as previously described.

[0120] According to a further aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device is designed to be operated electrically autonomously, preferably by means of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device and / or by means of an electrical energy source, particularly preferably by means of solar cells.

[0121] This can enable the operation of the used textile collection device independently of a power supply. This can be achieved as an emergency power supply or as a supplementary power supply in addition to a connection to the electrical grid. Alternatively, electrically self-sufficient operation can be implemented continuously or exclusively, allowing the used textile collection device to be set up and used in locations without an electrical power supply or grid connection, such as a supermarket parking lot or similar, thus eliminating the costs and effort of establishing a grid connection.

[0122] According to a further aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device, preferably the control unit of the waste textile return device, is designed and set up to be operated autonomously in terms of control technology.

[0123] Thus, the used textile collection device can operate independently, as described above, without requiring a data connection to a higher-level and geographically separate control unit or similar system. In particular, a connection to the internet or a mobile network is unnecessary. Data can be temporarily stored and only transmitted to and from the used textile collection device as needed. This ensures the operational readiness of the used textile collection device even in the event of a data connection failure.

[0124] According to a further aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device is designed to detect the level of humidity within the waste textile return device by means of a humidity sensor, wherein the waste textile return device, preferably the control unit of the waste textile return device, is designed and configured to generate a blower to produce an airflow through a ventilation opening depending on the detected humidity.

[0125] This prevents excessively high humidity levels inside the used textile collection device, which could lead to mold growth on the collected textiles. To achieve this, the humidity inside the device can be monitored by sensors, and a ventilation system or fan can be operated accordingly to keep the humidity sufficiently low to prevent mold formation. An additional temperature sensor inside the device can also take the internal temperature into account. Furthermore, odor filters and / or particle or dust filters can be installed in the airflow to filter the air before it is released. In this way, the area surrounding the used textile collection device can be protected from odors, unpleasant smells, and / or dust.

[0126] Preferably, regardless of the humidity-dependent ventilation, the collected used textiles can additionally or alternatively be disinfected by irradiating them with UV radiation (ultraviolet radiation), which can kill bacteria and viruses.

[0127] According to a further aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device has an access opening to a removable collection container, wherein the collection container is received by a collection container holder of the waste textile return device in such a way as to receive the waste textile received.

[0128] This can make it possible to collect the used textiles in the collection container, as mentioned previously, and thus to remove them more easily, which can be done together within the collection container instead of individually and loosely.

[0129] According to another aspect of the invention, the access opening of the used textile return device is designed to be closable.

[0130] This can prevent unauthorized access to the collected used textiles inside the textile recycling device. Authorized personnel, such as service staff, can open the lock, for example, a door or access panel, with a key or similar device to access the collected used textiles inside the device.

[0131] According to another aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device has a fill level detection system which is designed and configured to detect the fill level of the collection container.

[0132] For this purpose, a distance sensor, such as an ultrasonic or laser sensor, can be used to detect the fill level of an area inside the used textile collection device where the collected textiles are received and stored. This information can then be used by the control unit of the used textile collection device, and in particular, displayed to the user. This can be done especially for a collection container, preferably removable, which can be arranged inside the used textile collection device to receive and collect the collected textiles.

[0133] The fill level information can be used, for example, to prevent the used textile collection device from accepting further used textiles if the fill level is too high. Additionally or alternatively, a service technician can be notified that a certain fill level has been reached, making the removal of the collected used textiles worthwhile, or because a maximum fill level is expected soon, which should be prevented to avoid interrupting the operational readiness of the used textile collection device.

[0134] According to a further aspect of the invention, the waste textile return device, preferably the control unit of the waste textile return device, and / or the mobile device, preferably the control unit of the mobile device, is further designed and configured, • to issue a notification that the collection container is full, preferably by means of an output element, and / or • to prevent the possibility of accepting any further identified used textile.

[0135] This can represent concrete possibilities for using the information about the detected fill level, as partially described previously.

[0136] Preferably, the used textile collection device according to the invention can also include an alarm system and / or sensors for detecting unauthorized access or sabotage in order to trigger or send an alarm and / or a notification to the operator of the used textile collection device in this case. This can increase the security of the used textile collection device.

[0137] The present invention further relates to a computer program which includes instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a mobile device, preferably a smartphone, cause the mobile device to perform at least one step of the method as described above: • automatic identification of the person and / or • automatic identification of the used textile and / or • Automatic assignment of the identified used textile to the identified person.

[0138] In this way, the method according to the invention can be implemented at least partially by means of instructions which can be made available to a mobile device as a computer program or as a computer program product, i.e., which can be readable or loadable there, for example in working memory or on a computer-readable storage medium. This can enable the provision and transmission of a computer program in order to execute the method according to the invention at least partially on the mobile device.

[0139] The present invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored as described above.

[0140] The computer-readable storage medium can be any data carrier, whether integrated into the mobile device or used separately, that can serve as a storage medium. For example, this could be the data storage device itself, such as the mobile device's hard drive, or a removable or detachable storage medium, such as a USB flash drive, an external hard drive, and the like. The storage medium could also be a component of an edge or cloud computer. In any case, the computer program described above can be stored, transferred, and made available in this way.

[0141] An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are presented and explained in more detail below in purely schematic terms in connection with the following figures. These figures show: Fig. 1 a representation of a waste textile take-back system according to the invention with a waste textile take-back device according to the invention in combination with a mobile device and a cloud for carrying out a method according to the invention; Fig. 2 a flowchart of the method according to the invention; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the waste textile return device according to the invention from a slanted front view; Fig. 4 the used textile collection device of the Fig. 3 from the front with exemplary dimensions and a person next to it for size comparison; Fig. 5 the representation of the Fig. 4 from the right side without a person; Fig. 6 a perspective view of an upper area of ​​the used textile collection device of the Fig. 3 to 5; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the used textile collection device of the Fig. 3 to 6 from the diagonally upper rear; Fig. 8 the representation of the Fig. 3 with open access opening and with collection container; Fig. 9 a partially transparent representation of the Fig. 8 with partially extended collection container support without collection container; Fig. 10 a perspective standalone representation of the retracted collection container holder of the Fig. 9; Fig. 11 the representation of the Fig. 8 with fully extended collection container housing with collection container; and Fig. 12 a detailed view of the Fig. 11.

[0142] The figures above are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. A longitudinal axis X extends, which can also be called depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X extends a transverse axis Y, which can also be called width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y extends a vertical axis Z, which can also be called height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity. The longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y together form the horizontal X,Y, which can also be called the horizontal plane X,Y.

[0143] Fig. Figure 1 shows a representation of a waste textile return system 1, 4 according to the invention with a waste textile return device 1 according to the invention in combination with a mobile terminal 4 and a cloud 5 for carrying out a method according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart of the method according to the invention.

[0144] In order to simplify or make it more attractive for person 2 to recycle a used textile material as waste textile 3 and in particular a used garment as waste clothing 3 instead of disposing of it as residual waste, the invention provides, on the one hand, the aforementioned waste textile return device 1 and, on the other hand, the aforementioned mobile terminal 4, which together can form the aforementioned waste textile return system 1, 4.

[0145] The used textile take-back system 1, 4 can additionally also include a cloud 5 or a computer program running in cloud 5 as software or as a computer program, as exemplified in the Fig. Figure 1 is shown and described below. Alternatively, the invention or the method according to the invention can also be implemented solely by a corresponding used textile collection device 1. Alternatively, the essential steps of the method according to the invention can also be implemented by the mobile device 4, and the corresponding used textile collection device 1 can serve only to receive the used textiles 3.

[0146] The used textile return device 1, which can also be referred to as a drop cabinet 1, has a collection container 16 inside (in the Fig. 1 not shown, see below. Fig. 8, Fig. 11 and Fig. 12) which serves to receive or collect used textiles 3. The collection container 16 can be accessed by person 2 via a loading opening 11 of the used textile return device 1. The loading opening 11 has a loading flap 11c, which can be opened or closed by the used textile return device 1 to make the loading opening 11 accessible or not. To the left of the loading opening 11, the used textile return device 1 has an input / output element 12 arranged one above the other in the form of a display / control element 12, which is implemented as a touchscreen 12. Above this is an identification unit 17, which can be implemented as an optical image capture unit 17 or as an RFID scanner 17.

[0147] A smartphone 4 belonging to person 2 can be used as the mobile device 4. In any case, the mobile device 4 can have a housing 40, which can enclose and protect the components of the mobile device 4. Facing person 2, the housing 40 contains an input / output element 41 in the form of a display / control element 41, which is also implemented as a touchscreen 41. On the opposite rear side (not labeled) of the housing 40, an identification unit 42 is also arranged in the upper area, which can also be implemented as an optical image capture unit 42.

[0148] Both the used textile collection device 1 and the mobile device 4 can establish a wireless data connection A directly with each other, for example via Bluetooth, and / or with a mobile network or the internet, for example via WiFi, in order to communicate with each other and exchange information, which may include data, instructions and the like. Communication with software in the cloud 5 can also take place via the wireless data connection A to the mobile network or the internet.

[0149] To increase the incentive for person 2 to dispose of used textiles 3, such as a used hoodie, not in household waste or residual waste, where the resources of the used textile 3 would be at least substantially lost, but rather to textile recycling, the aforementioned used textile collection device 1 can be provided according to the invention, for example, in a supermarket parking lot or a public area. Furthermore, person 2 can download and install software as an app on their mobile device 4. Both the used textile collection device 1 and the mobile device 4 are connected to the cloud 5 and the software located there via wireless data connections A.

[0150] The method according to the invention can, for example, be carried out by person 2 visiting the used textile collection device 1 with their mobile device 4 and the used textile 2 to be disposed of. The insertion opening 11 of the used textile collection device 1 is generally, or in its normal state, locked by means of its locked insertion flap 11c in order to prevent the unwanted disposal of waste into the collection container 16.

[0151] Upon arriving at the location of the used textile collection device 1, person 2 can identify themselves in order to participate in the inventive process or in textile recycling. For this purpose, a step of automatic identification 100 of person 2 can be carried out, for example, by the mobile device 2, by person 2 accessing the textile recycling app and logging in using a password.

[0152] Subsequently or prior to this, automatic identification of the used textile 3 can be carried out, for example, by the used textile collection device 1, by the person 2 holding a section of the used textile 2, such as its label, which has an RFID transponder with a unique identifier, against the RFID scanner 17 of the used textile collection device 1 so that the RFID transponder of the used textile 3 can be read there. Additionally or alternatively, a QR code from the label of the used textile 3 can be read by an optical image capture unit 17 of the used textile collection device 1.

[0153] The data read from the RFID transponder in the QR code of the used textile 3 by the RFID scanner 17 or the optical image capture unit 17 of the used textile collection device 1 can now be transmitted to the mobile device 4 via the wireless data connection A. This ensures that both the result of the automatic identification 100 of person 2 and the result of the automatic identification 200 of the used textile 3 are available on the mobile device 4 or in its memory and can be processed there by a control unit. This can be done by automatically assigning 300 the identified used textile 3 to the identified person 2 to create a combined data set. Additional information, such as the location of the used textile collection device 1, the date, the time, and the like, can be added to the data set if necessary.

[0154] Once the automatic assignment 300 has been completed, the mobile device 4 can notify the used textile collection device 1 that this is the case, i.e., that the automatic assignment 300 was successful. This allows the used textile collection device 1 to be informed that a used textile item 3 is available on site to be handed over to the used textile collection device 1. Accordingly, the used textile collection device 1 can release 400 the insertion opening 11.

[0155] Person 2 can now insert the used textile item 3 into the insertion opening 11 of the used textile return device 1. To do this, the now movable insertion flap 11c can be pivoted to open the insertion opening 11. Behind the insertion opening 11, the used textile item 3 can fall into the collection container 16. This is referred to as the acceptance of the used textile item 3 by the used textile return device 1.

[0156] Subsequently, the insertion opening 11 of the used textile return device 1 can be locked 600 after the used textile 3 has been received 500, until a successful automatic assignment 300 occurs again. In this process, the used textile return device 1 or its control unit can detect, or determine, by means of an insertion detection system, which can be implemented, for example, using a light barrier, a distance sensor, or a motion sensor, that exactly one used textile 3 has been inserted and thus received by the used textile return device 1 after the insertion opening 11 has been released 400.

[0157] After the used textile item 3 is received by the used textile collection device 1, or rather, after its detection, a parameter of the identified person 2 can be automatically changed depending on the received used textile item 3. In the example under consideration, this can be done by the cloud 4. For this purpose, the used textile collection device 1 can inform the cloud 5 via the wireless data connection A that exactly one used textile item 3, which can be considered the identified used textile item 3, has been detected as being deposited. Furthermore, the mobile device 4 can inform the cloud 5 via the wireless data connection A of the result of the automatic assignment 300 of the identified used textile item 3 to the identified person 2.

[0158] Cloud 5 can now increase the parameter of the identified person 2. This parameter could, for example, be a voucher amount, which is increased to reward person 2 for the donated used textile 3. The voucher amount can then be redeemed, for instance, at the manufacturer of the donated used textile 3 when purchasing a new garment, thus reducing its purchase price. This can incentivize person 2 to donate the used textile 3 to the used textile collection point 1 instead of throwing it in the regular trash. The voucher amount can depend on the individual and, for example, be higher if person 2 is participating in the textile recycling process for the first time.The amount of the voucher may also depend on the type of old textile 3 and may be higher for a larger item of clothing such as a hoodie than for a smaller item of clothing such as a sock or a pair of socks.

[0159] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the waste textile return device 1 according to the invention from a slanted front view. Fig. Figure 4 shows the used textile return device 1 of the Fig. 3 from the front with exemplary dimensions and a person 2 next to it for size comparison. Fig. 5 shows the representation of the Fig. 4 from the right side without person 2. Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an upper area of ​​the used textile return device 1 of the Fig. 3 to 5. Fig. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the used textile return device 1 of the Fig. 3 to 6 from the diagonally upper rear. Fig. Figure 8 shows the representation of the Fig. 3 with open access opening 22 and with collection container 16. Fig. Figure 9 shows a partially transparent representation of the Fig. 8 with partially extended collection container 15 without collection container 16. Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the retracted collection container holder 15. Fig. 9. Fig. 11 shows the representation of the Fig. 8 with fully extended collection container 15 with collection container 16. Fig. 12 shows a detailed view of the Fig. 11.

[0160] The previously mentioned used textile collection device 1 has a housing 10, which essentially contains and encloses the components of the used textile collection device 1 to protect them from external influences and access. The housing 10 has a front 10a, a right side 10b, a left side 10c, a back 10d, a top 10e (or roof 10e), and a bottom 10f (or base 10f). The housing 10, or the used textile collection device 1, rests firmly on a base (not shown) by means of four feet 10g at its corners (not labeled).

[0161] The front face 10a of the housing 10 has, in its upper area, the aforementioned insertion opening 11 with the locked insertion flap 11c. The insertion flap 11c is oriented obliquely relative to the horizontal X, Y, i.e., set back from the front face 10a of the housing 10, so that the insertion flap 11c can rest against a flap stop 11b on the front face 10a of the housing 10 due to its weight. From there to the front face 10a of the housing 10, the housing 10 is closed by means of an opening slope 11a, see for example. Fig. 6.

[0162] To supply the waste textile collection device 1 and its electrical and electronic components with energy-efficient and self-sufficient power, the top 10e or roof 10e of the housing 10 has an electrical energy source 13 in the form of solar cells 13. The necessary technology, such as charge controllers and / or inverters, can be located inside the housing 10 and communicate with the control unit of the waste textile collection device 1.

[0163] On both sides 10b, 10c of the housing 10, ventilation slots 10ba, 10bb, 10ca, 10cb are provided in the lower and upper regions, i.e., there are lower ventilation slots 10ba on the right side 10b of the housing 10, upper ventilation slots 10bb on the right side 10b of the housing 10, lower ventilation slots 10ca on the left side 10c of the housing 10, and upper ventilation slots 10cb on the left side 10c of the housing 10, wherein the lower ventilation slots 10ba, 10ca and the upper ventilation slots 10bb, 10cb are arranged at the same height along the vertical axis Z and are thus opposite each other along the transverse axis Y. This allows for a certain degree of ventilation of an interior (not specified) of the housing 10 or the waste textile return device 1 in a simple manner, in order to reduce the humidity there and thus prevent the formation of mold on the waste textiles 3 received there.

[0164] To improve this, a humidity sensor (not shown) may be provided inside the housing 10, particularly in the area of ​​or above the collection container 16, to detect and determine the prevailing humidity. Furthermore, a fan (not shown) may be provided inside the waste textile return device 1, particularly in the area of ​​or above the collection container 16, to generate an airflow between the upper ventilation slots 10bb, 10cb, which are opposite each other along the transverse axis Y. Accordingly, the humidity level inside the housing 10 or within the waste textile return device 1 can be detected by the humidity sensor, and the fan can be operated by the control unit of the waste textile return device 1 depending on the detected humidity level.The humidity must be regulated to keep it sufficiently low so that the formation of mold can be reliably prevented. For this purpose, a UV lamp can also be positioned above the collection container 16 to further kill bacteria and viruses using UV light, thus improving the hygiene of the used textiles 3.

[0165] The collection container 16 for the collected or received waste textiles 3, which has already been mentioned several times, is designed in the considered embodiment as a textile collection container 16, whose robust textile material forms a cuboid-shaped receiving space 16a that is completely open at the top, in order to receive the waste textiles 3 by falling into it from above along the vertical axis Z, cf. for example Fig. 12. The two upper edges (not labelled) of the collection container 16, which extend along the longitudinal axis X, each have three elongated retaining loops 16b for holding it in place, cf. for example Fig. 12.

[0166] To hold the collection container 16 inside the used textile return device 1, a collection container holder 15 is provided, which has a pair of collection container receptacles 15a extending parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis X and spaced apart from each other along the transverse axis Y. The two collection container receptacles 15a are movably connected to the housing 10 of the used textile return device 1 along the longitudinal axis X by means of a pull-out unit 15c in the form of telescopic slides 15c, similar to the pull-out system of a drawer. The collection container receptacles 15a are fixedly connected to each other by means of a collection container frame 15b in a U-shape along the transverse axis Y and upwards along the vertical axis Z, and openly in both directions along the longitudinal axis X.Facing away from the interior of the housing 10, the side areas (not designated) of the collection container frame 15b each have an arc-shaped handle 15d in the form of handles 15d, so that a service employee can grasp them and pull them out of the interior of the housing 10 along the longitudinal axis X through an access opening 14 of the front 10a of the housing 10, in order to then be able to more easily remove the collection container 16 from the collection container holder 15 and empty or replace it.

[0167] To protect the collection container 16 and the used textiles 3 contained therein from unauthorized access, i.e., in the absence of a service employee or during operation, the access opening 14 on the front 10a of the housing 10 can be closed and locked by means of a pivoting door 14a. The door can be operated or pivoted by the service employee using a handle 14aa. REFERENCE MARK LIST (Part of the description) Wireless data connections X Longitudinal axis; Depth; Length Y transverse axis; width Z vertical axis; height X, Y Horizontal; horizontal plane 1, 4 Used textile take-back system 1 used textile collection device; drop cabinet 10 cases 10a Front of the housing 10 10b right side of the housing 10 10ba lower ventilation slots on the right side 10b of the housing 10 10bb upper ventilation slots of the right side 10b of the housing 10 10c left side of the case 10 10ca lower ventilation slots on the left side 10c of the case 10 10cb upper ventilation slots of the left side 10c of the housing 10 10d Back of the case 10 10e Top or roof of the case 10 10f Underside or bottom of the case 10 10g feet of the case 10 11. Inlet opening (of the front 10a of the housing 10) 11a Opening angle of the insertion opening 11 11b Flap stop of the insertion opening 11 11c Drop-in flap 12. Input / output element; display / control element; touchscreen 13 electrical energy source; solar cells 14 Access opening (of the front 10a of the housing 10) 14a Door of the access opening 14 14aa Door handle 14a Access opening 14 15 Collection container holder 15a Collection container recordings 15b Collection container rack 15c Extension unit; Telescopic rails 15d Handles; Handle bars 16 (textile) collection containers 16a Recording Room 16b Mounting loops 17 Identification unit; optical image capture unit; RFID scanner 2 Person 3. Used textiles; used clothing 4. Mobile device; smartphone 40 cases 41 Output / input element; Display / control element; Touchscreen 42 Identification unit; optical image capture unit; RFID scanner 5 Cloud 100 Automatic identification of a person 2 200 automatic identification of a used textile 3, or vice versa, 300 Automatic assignment of the identified used textile 3 to the identified person 2 400 Release of a slot opening 11 of a used textile return device 1 500 Acceptance of the identified used textile 3 of the identified person 2 by the used textile return device 1 600 Blocking the insertion opening 11 of the used textile return device 1 after receiving 500 of the used textile 3 700 automatic change of a parameter of the identified person 2 depending on the received used textile 3

Claims

[1] Used textile recycling device (1), which is trained to identify a person (2) and a used textile (3), preferably by means of a common identification unit (17) or each with a different identification unit, wherein the waste textile return device (1) has a drop-in opening (11) for receiving the identified waste textile (3) from the identified person (2) and wherein the waste textile return device (1), preferably a control unit of the waste textile return device (1), is designed and configured to assign the identified waste textile (3) to the identified person (2). [2] Used textile return device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the used textile return device (1), preferably the control unit of the used textile return device (1), is further designed and configured to change a parameter of the identified person (2) depending on the used textile (3) received. [3] Used textile take-back system (1, 4), with a waste textile take-back device (1) and with a mobile device (4), wherein the waste textile return device (1) has an identification unit (17) which is configured to identify a waste textile (3), wherein the mobile device (4) has an identification unit (42) which is designed to identify a person (2), or vice versa, wherein the waste textile return device (1) has a drop-in opening (11) for receiving the identified waste textile (3) from the identified person (2), wherein the waste textile return device (1), preferably a control unit of the waste textile return device (1), or the mobile terminal (4), preferably a control unit of the mobile terminal (4), is designed and configured to assign the identified waste textile (3) to the identified person (2). [4] Used textile take-back system (1, 4) according to claim 3, wherein the used textile take-back device (1), preferably the control unit of the used textile take-back device (1), or the mobile terminal (4), preferably the control unit of the mobile terminal (4), is further designed and configured to change a parameter of the identified person (2) depending on the used textile (3) received. [5] Used textile take-back scheme (1, 4), with a waste textile take-back device (1) and with a mobile device (4), wherein the mobile device (4) is configured to identify a person (2) and a waste textile (3), preferably by means of a common identification unit (42) or each with a different identification unit, wherein the waste textile return device (1) has a drop-in opening (11) for receiving the identified waste textile (3) from the identified person (2), wherein the mobile device (4), preferably a control unit of the mobile device (4), is designed and configured to assign the identified used textile (3) to the identified person (2). [6] Used textile take-back system (1, 4) according to claim 5, wherein the mobile terminal (4), preferably the control unit of the mobile terminal (4), is further designed and configured to change a parameter of the identified person (2) depending on the used textile (3) received. [7] Used textile take-back device (1) according to claim 2 or used textile take-back system (1, 4) according to claim 4 or 6, wherein the parameter of the identified person (2) is a number of used textiles (3), a monetary amount, a deposit amount, a voucher amount, a loyalty point amount and / or an environmental impact value. [8] Used textile take-back device (1) according to claim 2 or 7 or used textile take-back system (1, 4) according to one of claims 4, 6 or 7, wherein the used textile take-back device (1), preferably the control unit of the used textile take-back device (1), and / or the mobile terminal (4), preferably the control unit of the mobile terminal (4), is further configured and set up to change the parameter of the identified person (2) depending on the identified used textile (3), the identified person (2), the time of receipt of the identified used textile (3) and / or the location of the used textile take-back device (1). [9] Used textile return device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2, 7 or 8 or used textile return system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the used textile return device (1) has a drop-in opening (11) which is designed to accept the used textile (3) only if the used textile (3) and the person (2) have previously been identified and matched. [10] Waste textile return device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 9 or waste textile return system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the waste textile return device (1) is preferably designed by means of a movable and lockable drop flap (11c) to lock the drop opening (11) of the waste textile return device (1), preferably after receiving the waste textile (3). [11] Waste textile return device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 10 or waste textile return system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the waste textile return device (1) has a drop-in detection system designed to detect the receipt of the waste textile (3). [12] Used textile take-back device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 11 or used textile take-back system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the used textile take-back device (1), preferably the control unit of the used textile take-back device (1), and / or the mobile terminal (4), preferably the control unit of the mobile terminal (4), is further configured and set up to identify a specific used textile (3), a product type of the used textile (3), a product category of the used textile (3), a manufacturer of the used textile (3) and / or a material composition of the used textile (3). [13] Used textile take-back device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 12 or used textile take-back system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 12, wherein the used textile take-back device (1), preferably the control unit of the used textile take-back device (1), and / or the mobile terminal (4), preferably the control unit of the mobile terminal (4), is further configured and set up to collect the used textile (3) • by means of a transponder, preferably an RFID transponder, and / or • using image recognition and / or • by means of a one-dimensional barcode and / or • by means of a two-dimensional code, preferably by means of a QR code, and / or • to be identified using character recognition. [14] Used textile collection device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 13 or used textile collection system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 13, wherein the used textile collection device (1) and / or the mobile terminal (4) further comprises an output element (12; 41), preferably a display element (12; 41), particularly preferably a touchscreen (12; 41), which is designed and configured, • the identification of the identified person (2) and / or • the identification of the identified used textile (3) and / or • a one-dimensional barcode and / or a two-dimensional code, preferably a QR code, and / or • status information of the waste textile collection device (1), preferably a fill level of a collection container (16) of the waste textile collection device (1), and / or • a menu navigation and / or • an instruction to perform an action by the person (2) and / or • confirmation of an action taken by the person (2), • preferably and / or an unaltered parameter of the identified person (2), • preferably and / or the modified parameters of the identified person (2), • preferably and / or a change in the parameter of the identified person (2), to be output to the identified person (2). [15] Waste textile take-back device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 14 or waste textile take-back system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 14, wherein the waste textile return device (1) and / or the mobile terminal (4) further comprises an input element (12; 41), preferably an operating element (12; 41), particularly preferably a touchscreen (12; 41), which is designed and configured, • the identification of the identified person (2) and / or • the identification of the identified used textile (3) and / or • an action of the person (2) as input from the identified person (2). [16] Waste textile take-back device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 15 or waste textile take-back system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 15, wherein the waste textile take-back device (1) is designed to be operated electrically autonomously, preferably by means of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device and / or by means of an electrical energy source (13), particularly preferably by means of solar cells (13). [17] Waste textile take-back device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 16 or waste textile take-back system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 16, wherein the waste textile take-back device (1), preferably the control unit of the waste textile take-back device (1), is designed and configured to be operated autonomously in terms of control technology. [18] Waste textile return device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 17 or waste textile return system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 17, wherein the waste textile return device (1) is configured to detect the level of humidity within the waste textile return device (1) by means of a humidity sensor, wherein the waste textile return device (1), preferably the control unit of the waste textile return device (1), is configured and set up to generate a blower to produce an airflow through a ventilation opening (10ba, 10bb, 10ca, 10cb) depending on the detected humidity. [19] Waste textile take-back device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 7 to 18 or waste textile take-back system (1, 4) according to one of claims 3 to 18, wherein the waste textile return device (1) has an access opening (14) to a removable collection container (16), wherein the collection container (16) is received by a collection container holder (15) of the waste textile return device (1) in such a way as to receive the waste textile (3) received. [20] Waste textile return device (1) according to claim 19 or waste textile return system (1, 4) according to claim 19, wherein the access opening (14) of the waste textile return device (1) is designed to be closable. [21] Waste textile return device (1) according to claim 19 or 20 or Used textile take-back system (1, 4) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the waste textile return device (1) has a fill level detection system which is designed and configured to detect a fill level of the collection container (16). [22] Waste textile collection device (1) according to claim 21 or waste textile collection system (1, 4) according to claim 21, wherein the waste textile collection device (1), preferably the control unit of the waste textile collection device (1), and / or the mobile terminal (4), preferably the control unit of the mobile terminal (4), is further configured and set up, • to output an indication of a full collection container (16), preferably by means of an output element (12; 41) and / or • to prevent the possibility of accepting any further identified used textile (3).

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