Integrated open-loop reusable eco-friendly cup collection system

Abstract

An integrated open-loop recycling eco-friendly cup registration system is provided for managing at least one reusable cup. The reusable cup is equipped with an identification unit, which is identified by a reading device. The system is then connected to a payment system and a database by a management system. By assigning the reusable cup a payment value, the system can deduct payment information such as the stored value of the reusable cup during use. At the same time, the system collects information on the carbon emissions pre-deducted and deducted by the on-site cleaning system during the use of the reusable cup.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the commercial operation system architecture of reusable cups, specifically to an integrated open-loop reusable environmentally friendly cup loading system. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Considering the international trend of reducing plastic and the environmental impact of reducing the production and disposal of single-use beverage cups, we guide businesses to provide recycling services and cultivate the public's habit of bringing their own, reusing, and minimizing the use of single-use beverage cups.

[0003] Domestic legislation prohibits the provision of single-use plastic cups. In addition to achieving the goal of reducing plastic, it also encourages the public to develop the habit of bringing their own reusable cups and establish a consumption concept of recycling.

[0004] Many stores and retailers have increased discounts on beverages and promoted reusable cups in order to serve consumers and establish a concept of recycling. However, the following problems have arisen with reusable cups:

[0005] 1. Recycled cups have no cash flow value, causing consumers to forget to return them within the specified period after renting them, increasing the equipment costs for operators.

[0006] 2. Since domestic regulations have established a carbon audit system, although it currently mainly targets petrochemical or high-pollution industries, it is believed that carbon audits will be conducted on daily necessities and catering in the future. With the current reusable cup rental system, it is impossible to obtain the carbon emissions generated by the borrowed reusable cups during round-trip transportation.

[0007] 3. The vast majority of reusable cup cleaning methods are rental methods with one borrowing and one return. The returned environmentally friendly cups are collected and sent back to the cleaning company for cleaning. After cleaning, the entire batch is wrapped and sealed, which increases carbon emissions.

[0008] 4. After being cleaned by a cleaning company, the cleaning process cannot be seen, and the reusable cups are provided to consumers in an open environment, which makes some consumers concerned about the hygiene of the reusable cups.

[0009] How to solve the above problems is a topic that relevant businesses are actively working to address. [Summary of the Invention]

[0010] This invention provides an integrated open-loop recycling environmental cup registration system. The main purpose is to: establish the economic value of recycling cups, promote the economic benefits of consumers using recycling cups, and obtain product carbon emissions when using recycling cups, so as to facilitate future carbon audit activities.

[0011] Therefore, the structure of the present invention includes:

[0012] At least one recirculating cup body, the recirculating cup body being used to hold beverages, and an identification unit being provided at a predetermined position on the recirculating cup body;

[0013] At least one reading device, the reading device being used to identify the identification unit of the recirculating cup body and obtain information about the recirculating cup body;

[0014] A management system, which is connected to the aforementioned reading device, after obtaining the information corresponding to the aforementioned circulating cup body, displays the relevant information of the circulating cup body through a display device;

[0015] A payment system, which is connected to the management system and has payment information such as the stored value in the recycle cup. The payment system can generate a deduction information after each use of the recycle cup and gradually deduct the stored value in the recycle cup.

[0016] A database, which is connected to the management system, is used to record usage information such as the manufacturing date, borrowing date, sales date, return date, and number of uses of the reusable cup.

[0017] By giving the recycle cup a cash flow value, cash flow information such as the stored value of the recycle cup can be deducted when it is used, and at the same time, information on the carbon emissions during the use of the recycle cup can be collected.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the management system is further connected to an on-site cleaning system. The on-site cleaning system reads the identification unit of the circulating cup body through a reader. Then, the on-site cleaning system connects to the management system to record cleaning information such as the number of times the circulating cup body is cleaned and the cleaning method, and records the carbon emissions such as the water consumption and power consumption used in the aforementioned cleaning information.

[0019] Based on the above description, the features and effects of the present invention are briefly summarized as follows:

[0020] 1. This invention gives the reusable cup body economic value. Consumers can store value in the reusable cup body to generate cash flow. When they make purchases at participating stores, they can offset the cost, thus encouraging consumers to use the reusable cup economically.

[0021] 2. When the reusable cup is no longer used, it can be recycled through stores, vending stations or vending machines after being read, and the corresponding purchase price will be obtained by the payment system.

[0022] 3. When the circulating cup is cleaned and reused, the corresponding carbon emission amount and carbon footprint can be obtained, which makes it convenient for relevant businesses to pay carbon tax or to make profits from carbon emission reduction. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0023] Figure 1: System diagram of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the circulation cup body identification process of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3: Schematic diagram of cash flow activities in this invention.

[0023] Figure 4: Schematic diagram of the present invention being consumed.

[0023] Figure 5: A schematic diagram of the cleaning cycle of the circulating cup body of the present invention.

Implementation Method

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the present invention integrates an open-loop recyclable environmental cup registration system, comprising: a recyclable cup body 1, a reading device 21, a display device 22, a management system 3, a payment system 4, a database 5, and an on-site cleaning system 6.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the recirculating cup body 1 is used to hold beverages, and an identification unit 11 is provided at a predetermined position on the recirculating cup body 1. The aforementioned identification unit 11 can be a QR code, barcode, RFID chip, or NFC chip. As long as it can provide a way for the reading device 21 to read it, it can be a means that can be used in this invention.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reading device 21 is used to identify the identification unit 11 of the recirculating cup body 1 and obtain the information of the recirculating cup body 1. The reading device 21 is usually installed in the store and can be read by a scanner or sensor.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the display device 22 is connected to the management system 3 to obtain information about the circulating cup body 1 and then display it.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the management system 3 is connected to the aforementioned reading device 21. After obtaining the information corresponding to the aforementioned circulating cup body 1, the management system 3 displays the relevant information of the circulating cup body 1 through a display device 22.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the payment system 4 is connected to the management system 3. When a user purchases the reusable cup 1, they can store value according to the value of the reusable cup 1, such as 100 yuan or 500 yuan. As shown in Figure 4, the payment system 4 can generate a deduction information 42 after each use of the reusable cup 1, gradually deducting the stored value in the reusable cup 1.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the database 5 is connected to the management system 3. The database 5 is used to record usage information 51 such as the manufacturing date, borrowing date, number of times used, sales date, return date, and number of times the cup body 1 is cleaned by the cleaning equipment.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the aforementioned on-site cleaning system 6 is used to record cleaning information 61 such as the number of times the circulating cup body 1 is cleaned and the cleaning method. In addition, the on-site cleaning system 6 is also equipped with a reader 62, which is also used to read the information of the circulating cup body 1, connect to the management system, record the cleaning information 61, and further cooperate with the payment system 4 to deduct cleaning fees, and record the carbon emissions such as water consumption and power consumption used in the aforementioned cleaning information 61.

[0032] The above is a system introduction of the present invention. Please refer to Figures 2 to 4 to explain the system operation mode and the effects that can be obtained.

[0033] 1. As shown in Figure 2, consumers can purchase the reusable cup body 1 according to their own preferences. Further customization is possible, such as printing exclusive patterns, names, etc. on the reusable cup body 1. Then, consumers can inform the merchant or store to store value for the reusable cup body 1. First, the store establishes and identifies the data of the identification unit 11 of the reusable cup body 1 through the reading device 21. Then, it connects to the management system 3. The management system 3 provides the collected value to the cash flow system 4 to establish cash flow information 41, giving the reusable cup body 1 actual cash flow value. In addition, the management system 3 establishes the usage information 51 of the reusable cup body 1 in the database 5.

[0034] 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when a consumer uses the reusable cup 1 a certain number of times or no longer wants to use it, the reusable cup 1 enters the market cycle. The consumer goes to the merchant or location that recycles the reusable cup 1 and returns it. After receiving the instruction, the management system 3 retrieves the payment information 41 and usage information 51 from the payment system 4 and the database 5. After confirming that there is no stored value or other payment information 41 in the reusable cup 1, a corresponding refund is made according to the usage status of the reusable cup 1. For example, if there is no problem with the appearance, a larger amount can be refunded, but if the reusable cup 1 may be unusable, a smaller amount will be refunded. Through the refund, consumers can be attracted to cherish the reusable cup 1, and each reusable cup 1 has economic value, thereby promoting the reusable cup economy.

[0035] 3. As shown in Figure 4, when a consumer purchases a beverage, the deduction information 42 is obtained from the management system 3 through the reading device 21. Then, discounts or direct deduction of stored value can be used to further achieve contactless transactions and greatly improve consumption efficiency.

[0036] 4. As shown in Figure 5, traditional circulating cup cleaning requires passing through a recycling bin and being sent to a cleaning company for cleaning, which greatly increases carbon emissions. However, the present invention can be cleaned at the store or a cleaning device can be installed at the store. The management system 3 cleans the circulating cup body 1 through the on-site cleaning system 6. After each cleaning, the on-site cleaning system 6 generates cleaning information 61 and transmits it to the database 5 for recording.

[0037] 5. By integrating the above usage process, the manufacturer can grasp the cycle life of the circulating cup body 1, calculate the carbon emissions generated in the process, and facilitate the subsequent statistics and calculation of carbon tax and other information.

[0038] 6. Furthermore, in addition to being used in manual stores, the system of the present invention can also be used in conjunction with vending machines and other equipment, so its use is not limited by time, location or other related factors.

[0039] In summary, the system of the present invention has not been seen in any books or publications or publicly used, and it truly meets the requirements for an invention patent application. We earnestly request that the Bureau of Patent and Design grant the patent as soon as possible. We are most grateful for this.

[0040] It should be noted that the above description is a specific embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles used. If any changes are made in accordance with the concept of the present invention and the resulting functions do not exceed the spirit covered by the specification and drawings, they should be included within the scope of the present invention and are hereby stated.

Claims

1. An integrated open-access, reusable eco-friendly cup registration system, comprising: at least one reusable cup body for holding beverages, with an identification unit located at a predetermined position on the cup body; at least one reading device for identifying the identification unit of the reusable cup body to obtain information about the cup body; a management system connected to the reading device for receiving and displaying information about the reusable cup body; a payment system connected to the management system for generating deduction information after each use of the reusable cup body; a database connected to the management system for recording information such as the manufacturing date, sales date, borrowing date, return date, and number of uses of the reusable cup body; and an on-site cleaning system that reads the identification unit of the reusable cup body through the reading device and connects to the management system to record cleaning information of the reusable cup body; wherein... The management system calculates the carbon emissions during the recycling period of the recycling cup based on the usage and cleaning information of the cup body, and records the carbon emissions information in the database.

2. The integrated open-loop recyclable eco-friendly cup loading system as described in claim 1, wherein, The identification unit can use a QR code, barcode, RFID chip, or NFC chip.

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