An apparatus for collecting refuse or empty returnable beverage containers

Abstract

An apparatus collecting refuse or returnable beverage containers. A radar sensor is provided for detecting a person approaching the apparatus. Electronic functional components of the apparatus are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor is not detecting a person approaching the apparatus. Upon detection by means of a radar sensor of a person approaching the apparatus, the idle functional electronic components are activated to enable operation thereof.

Description

[0001] P37081 PC00

[0002] AN APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING REFUSE OR EMPTY RETURNABLE BEVERAGE

[0003] CONTAINERS

[0004] The present invention relates to collecting refuse and an apparatus for this purpose. The invention also relates to collecting empty returnable beverage containers and an apparatus for this purpose.

[0005] It is common for an apparatus for collecting refuse or an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers to comprise multiple electronically powered functional components, such a door actuator which is configured to operate a door for closing and clearing the insertion opening, a compactor mechanism configured to compact refuse, a mechanism to shred or otherwise demote the empty beverage container(s), one or more drives of a container receiving and handling mechanism, or one or more sensors, etc.

[0006] A challenge associated in particular with a battery powered version of such an apparatus is efficient management of the consumption, storage, and supply of energy. As the battery is powered / charged by an external energy source, e.g. a solar panel, the repeated operation of the apparatus may result in the battery becoming too far depleted. For example, when the external energy source is a renewable energy source, e.g. wind and / or sunlight, charging of the battery may fall behind the actual use of energy by the apparatus. This can be remedied, or at least countered to some degree, by having sufficient battery capacity and / or by increasing the capacity of the renewal energy source. Both approaches, however, increase costs of the apparatus. Also, these approaches may lead to increased dimensions of the apparatus, etc.

[0007] The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting refuse, as well as to an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers commonly referred to as a reverse vending machine (RVM).

[0008] Mainly in view of environmental reasons it is desired to collect empty beverage containers, in particular (metallic) cans and plastic bottles. Reverse vending machines are configured for therein receiving and temporarily storing these containers, e.g. the containers being shredded by the machine, to be regularly collected by a collecting service for subsequent recycling. As a motivation to return empty beverage containers, commonly, a user is rewarded by the RVM by means of the issuance of deposits, credits, vouchers, discounts, or alternatively a donation to charity. The reward is in common cases received by the user by a software application on a suitable mobile device owned by the user, generally a smartphone, which communicates with a server associated with the RVM, or by a web-based application. This may be a dedicated software application, e.g. provided by the RVM owner, e.g. a supermarket chain, by an overarching or service supplier associated with the RVM type, or a general software application, e.g. an application for online banking or an online payment service. The reward may also be issued to the user in physical form, e.g. cash, a voucher or receipt redeemable for merchandise, a discount, credits, or a monetary amount.

[0009] Beverage containers which are, for example, envisaged to be handled by the system according to the invention, are cans and plastic bottles, in particular PET-bottles. Plastic bottles are expected to increasingly be collected around the world for the purpose of recycling. The same applies for metallic cans, e.g. aluminum cans. Many known beverage cans have a volume of 0.25 liter or 0.33 liter and a diameter of typically 3 - 8 cm and a height of 8 - 15 cm. Plastic beverage bottles may have a diameter of typically 3 - 15 cm and a height of 10 - 40 cm. For example, a typical 0.33 liter beverage bottle has a diameter of 6 - 7 cm and a height of 10 - 15 cm. Another common size is a 0.5 liter bottle. Cans are regularly 4-8 cm in diameter and 8-20 cm high - common internal volumes are 250, 310, 330 and 500 ml. In the near future, we may expect other beverage containers to become returnable as well, e.g. drink cartons or pouches, and possibly even other food containers, e.g. food cans.

[0010] Examples of reverse vending machines are disclosed e.g. in WO2023227591, NL2028650, W02020089425, and WO2022248614.

[0011] The collection of empty beverage containers nowadays being done mainly in supermarkets, implies that one has to keep the beverage container when empty and then return it to the supermarket. In view of increasing the return of these beverage containers and to avoid littering of the environment, there is a need for collection of the containers at the location where the public drinks the beverage, e.g. at an outdoor location. Examples of such outdoor locations are parking lots, outdoor platforms for public transport, city or shopping centers, leisure or recreation sites, playgrounds, campings, near public buildings, public pares, amusement parks, festival locations, and so on.

[0012] Battery powered devices for collecting returnable empty beverage containers, in contrast to such type of devices that are permanently connected to an electrical power grid as is e.g. presently common for reverse vending machines in a supermarket, are favored when no grid connection is present nearby, when making the electrical connection to the grid is cumbersome, and / or when the device is only temporarily deployed at a certain location, e.g. during an event. It is noted that in areas where the electrical power grid is not reliable, and / or not continuously operational, a battery powered device for receiving and handling returnable empty beverage containers can also be employed with the grid being the external energy source for charging the battery whenever it is available. It is also envisaged that in some conditions, a grid connection forming a back-up power source in addition to a main renewable energy source is employed.

[0013] Battery powered collection devices generally employ a renewable energy source, e.g. solar energy via photovoltaic panels installed on the outside of the housing, for charging the battery, which battery then supplies electronic functional components of the device with energy. It is also possible to e.g. simultaneously, feed at least partly the functional components directly from the source e.g. via a current converter.

[0014] The first aspect of the invention aims to allow for apparatuses for collecting refuse or returnable empty beverage containers to operate in an energy efficient manner. The invention further aims to provide measures to enhance operation speed for the user. The invention furthermore aims to provide measures to increase functionality of the devices.

[0015] Although these measures are in particular intended for battery powered devices, these may prove advantageous for grid connected devices as well, in view of the mentioned aims.

[0016] The first aspect of the invention provides an apparatus and system for collecting refuse or empty returnable beverage containers according to claims 1 and 22.

[0017] According to the first aspect of the invention, an idle state of the apparatus, in particular of at least a selection of multiple electrical functional components thereof, in which these consume no, or substantially no, energy, is provided in conjunction with a radar sensor which is configured to detect a person approaching the apparatus to be continuously maintained in operation for said detection. This involves a continuous powering of the radar sensor. Given that the radar sensor is a particularly economical in terms of energy use, this power consumption is relatively very limited.

[0018] The first aspect of the invention is based on the insight that an energy efficiency through a lower energy consumption by the apparatus is possible by enabling an idle state in periods of not serving a user - in which idle state one or more of the electronic functional components of the apparatus is de-powered to consume a substantially lower amount of energy, e.g. substantially no energy, in combination with a radar sensor detecting an approaching user already prior to its arrival. A wake-up from the idle state to an active state wherein these electronic functional components are ready for operation already being initialized prior to the already predicted arrival of the user makes that a duration of the required time to complete serving a user for throwing away refuse or returning one or more returnable containers from the instant of arrival, can be reduced, as preparative actions are performed already during approaching of the apparatus by the user. Apart from an enhanced user experience, a reduced serving time may also favor energy consumption during use - e.g. due to faster response times. The inventors realized that a radar sensor is capable of detecting a user from a distance already, whereas decreased powering of the functional components during idle times of the apparatus would outweigh continuous operation of the radar sensor during idle times of the apparatus given the particularly low energy consumption thereof, and that a radar sensor would particularly enable continuous operation required for an idle state of the apparatus because of its insusceptibility of its measurement results to e.g. contamination or influences of weather, noise, vibrations (e.g. as encountered at public transport platforms or events with loud music), or of a protective layering and a shielding by a wall from visibility and accessibility by users e.g. for the purpose of th eft- prevention and tamper-proofing, by animals, and for preventing wear and tear. In addition, the inventors recognized a possibility by the provision of a radar sensor to increase functionality of the device in some embodiments, through detection of movements other than a user approaching as well - e.g. passer-by count, which may prove useful in the public places it is intended to be used, or e.g. waiting line detection. In particular given that radar detection allow for contour measurement without transmitting images, it is privacy-friendly to the benefit of its intended application in public spaces.

[0019] A radar sensor may, for example, provide a range of one or several meters, in embodiments up to 1000 meters. A viewing angle of e.g. 120° is possible.

[0020] The radar sensor is, preferably, provided such as to be invisible and inaccessible to users and animals and to be shielded from external influences which could harm its functionality. Thereto it may for example be arranged at the inside of a wall, the wall having a thickness in the order of magnitude of 1 mm or less. In an embodiment the radar sensor is arranged behind a shielding wall at the front of the housing, e.g. a vertical wall. In an embodiment the radar sensor is covered by a circumferential wall defining the insert opening, preferably in front of the door. Alternatively the radar sensor may be arranged behind or covered by a front wall of the door so as to be shielded thereby. In an embodiment, the radar sensor is arranged inside of the upper section and recessed with respect to an inlet of the insertion opening. For example, the radar sensor is arranged at a distance between 1 - 30 cm from the inlet of the insertion opening. By arranging the radar sensor recessed the effective field of view of the radar is reduced, the radar sensor will only be able to detect persons who are standing and / or walking directly in front of the insertion opening. This reduces the chances of false detections by the radar sensor. Furthermore, the radar sensor is more shielded from the environment.

[0021] In an embodiment, wherein the apparatus comprises a door for closing of the insertion opening, the radar sensor is arranged in front of the door as seen from the inlet of the insertion opening, i.e. the door closes the insertion opening.

[0022] It is in particular embodiments envisaged that the insertion opening and the user interface are arranged at a front side of the housing, and the radar sensor is directed forwardly to detect the approaching of the person in a direction towards the front side of the housing.

[0023] The provision of the radar sensor facilitates and renders particularly profitable in terms of energy efficiency, an idle state of one or more of the electronic functional components of the apparatus given its low energy consumption which is released upon detection by the radar sensor of an approaching user. For example the radar sensor may detect an approaching of, i.e. a decrease of the distance to, a person within a range of up to one or several meters, in embodiments up to 1000 meters.

[0024] The apparatus may comprise numerous electronic functional components, as is generally known, which together provide the functionality of the machine to collect refuse or returnable beverage containers of the supported types in a sufficiently demoted form, and optionally additional functionalities such as the provision of user feedback, issuance of rewards, data collection and adaptivity, prevention of improper or inappropriate use, and measures to increase safety and user friendliness. According to the invention one or more of these electronic functional components may be provided with an idle state thereof - in particular one or more of the following required and optional components: the door actuator, which may be embodied as an electronic lock of the door and / or as a drive for moving the door to clear and close off the insert opening; a user interface, in particular a sensor or a reader thereof, e.g. a visual sensor, e.g. a scanning device, and / or a display; the drives of the receiving mechanism for manipulating the container, e.g. for moving I propelling it towards the handling mechanism, miscellaneous sensors including one or more of: o a door sensor for detecting a closed or opened state of the door, or a status of the door actuator, and / or any blockage, and / or any disruptive objects, e.g. a user hand or arm extending through the insertion opening in a tampering attempt e.g. by removing an already accepted container for subsequent repeated insertion; o a level sensor, for detecting an amount, e.g. height level, e.g. volume, e.g. weight, of the containers collected in the receptacle; o sensors involved with the container manipulating parts, e.g. a weighing unit, and force sensors for indicating the force exerted on the container by the drives demoting it; o sensors providing indications of electrical status and properties of the energy supply system, e.g. voltage, current, solar energy availability and battery charge; o sensors providing indications of electrical status and properties of the electrical functional components, e.g. actual consumption, voltage, current; o sensors for indicating environmental and internal conditions, e.g. indicative of weather and climate conditions outside of the housing, such as humidity, light level, temperature, and wind velocity, and for measuring conditions inside the housing, e.g. humidity, temperature, (air) contamination through residual liquids in the receptacle, and / or sensors, e.g. visual sensors such as camera’s, for detecting anomalous situations such as the presence of a container at an inappropriate location, a foreign object, damage to the container, or blockage of access to the apparatus in its direct environment by external objects; a local communication interface for sending and receiving data to and from an external server; one or more actuators for moving components of the housing, e.g. providing access to the receptacle, e.g. arranged and configured to move a cover plate and / or an electronic lock, one or more visual indicators, e.g. (LED-)lights, provided on the outside of the housing to provide feedback to the user on the status of the container, a success or failure of an action thereof, a notice of a detection, etcetera, e.g. in the form of a switching on or off of at least part of the lights or a color change.

[0025] Other components may be envisaged by the skilled person to be included as well. In the idle state these one or more functional components are substantially not powered by the energy supply system and not operable by the control unit, or only powered to an inferior extent. The inferior extent typically involves no more than half of the powering whilst active - that is, whilst fulfilling its defined function in the apparatus, as controlled by the control unit. For example, when idle the powering is below 40%, e.g. below 30%, e.g. below 20%, e.g. below 10%, e.g. below 5% of the powering whilst active.

[0026] In practice, the initiation of the powering and depowering of the functional components may for example involve operating switches in the energy supply line towards the components.

[0027] In an embodiment, wherein the apparatus comprises a door for closing of the insertion opening, the radar sensor is arranged in front of the door as seen from the inlet of the insertion opening. When the no user is detected the door closes the insertion opening. By placing the radar sensor in front of the door, the radar sensor is still able to detect an approaching user. Upon the radar sensor detecting an approaching user the control unit is configured to activate one or more visual indicators provided on the outside of the housing to provide feedback to the user on the status of the container or to activate a display to show an access code. Upon an access code, e.g. a QR-code, being scanned by a user, the door opens allowing the user to insert refuse or an empty returnable beverage container.

[0028] In an embodiment, wherein the apparatus is configured to collect empty returnable beverage containers, wherein the multiple electronically powered functional components comprise;

[0029] • the door for closing of and clearing the insertion opening, wherein the door is operable by the door actuator,

[0030] • the container receiving and handling mechanism, wherein the container receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support a container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle,

[0031] • one or more sensors , including a sensor for said determining of one or more properties of the container.

[0032] The apparatus is configured to when triggered by the radar sensor upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus, activate the idle functional components of the apparatus, involving initiating a powering of these components by the energy supply system, so as to prepare these components for operation, i.e. to fulfil its defined function, e.g. as controlled by the control unit. The triggering is at least done upon said detection by the radar sensor - in the sense that other embodiments wherein other sensors are involved, e.g. to confirm or contradict the detection so as to based thereon proceed or cancel the activation, e.g. further radar sensors or other presence detectors or sensors to measure circumstances wherein becoming active despite said detection is not desired - e.g. energy status, fullness level, special events - e.g. new years eve, are also within the scope.

[0033] In embodiments the extent or powering of the components in sleep mode may be done selectively e.g. based on circumstances, e.g. therein a relatively high powering benefiting a fast ‘waking up’ of the components, e.g. in case of abundant availability of energy, and a relatively low powering benefiting the energy status, e.g. in case of a low energy availability. A selection may furthermore be made based on energy consumption of the components. In an embodiment one or more of the functional components are not powered at all.

[0034] Embodiments wherein the functional components are substantially not, or not at all, powered are envisaged for example in case of certain events, e.g. new year’s eve, or in case of a full receptacle. For example therein an interface or a light indicator, as discussed later, may therein for example be the only components becoming active upon triggering in a way as to inform the approached user of being non-operative.

[0035] The electronic functional components, in particular the sensors thereof, are considered not to include the radar sensor. The radar sensor is maintained in continuous operation whenever the (selected) electronic functional components are idle.

[0036] The electronic control unit of the claimed apparatus, and system, is functionally connected or connectable to the radar sensor and the multiple electronically powered functional components of the apparatus, including the door actuator, drives of the receiving and handling mechanism(s), and the one or more sensors. Thereby it is able to where programmed to do so, functionally control the components. Purely for the sake of clarity the electronic functional components are considered not to include the control unit, though the control unit is electronically powered by the energy supply system and may self-deactivate into an idle state.

[0037] The apparatus comprises an energy supply system for powering the control unit and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external energy sources, e.g. a gridconnection and / or an external renewable energy source, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels provided on the outside of the housing, the energy supply system e.g. further including a rechargeable battery charged by the external energy sources. It is mainly envisaged that the energy supply system comprises a battery powered by one or more renewable energy sources for powering the electronic components of the apparatus, i.e. the functional electronic components, the radar sensor, and the control unit, although other embodiments are within the scope of the invention. For example, a grid connection may also, alternatively or in addition, power these components at least partly or as a back-up in cases of low or no battery charge and / or (predicted) available renewable energy, e.g. solar energy.

[0038] An advantageous effect of the provision of the idle state in conjunction with the radar sensor in terms of energy efficiency and user serving speed may be achieved by providing an idle state for one or more of the functional components and the control unit. For example, an advantageous effect may already be achieved by providing an idle state for one functional component of relatively high power. Examples are visual sensors such as barcode scanners and cameras, but also the control unit, and if present display, and communication interface for data exchange with an external server.

[0039] It is envisaged that in the activation from idle state upon triggering by a detection of an approaching user, the components that are to be used first and / or involve a relatively long reaction time are activated first. In particular, it is envisaged that if a user interface is present, the visual sensor and / or display thereof, are activated first, even as if present the communication unit, wherein the activation involves establishing the connection to the external server. The door actuator and the sensors for determining properties of a received container are envisaged as well as one of the first components for activation from the idle state, as being usable fast after the user arrives.

[0040] In an embodiment, the activation from the idle state to an operative state is established by the control unit. Therein the radar sensor is functionally connected to the electronic control unit such as to trigger the control unit upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus. Therein the control unit is configured to remain in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor does not detect a person approaching the apparatus. The control unit is configured to when triggered by the radar sensor, self-activate to enable control thereby of the multiple functional components, emanating an increased powering of the control unit by the energy supply system, and to then activate the one or more of the idle functional components of the apparatus, to enable operation thereof by the control unit, involving initiating a powering of these components by the energy supply system. The initiation of the powering of the functional components may for example involve operating switches in the energy supply line towards the components. In an embodiment the control unit is furthermore configured to, after a predetermined time period in which it has not been receiving and handling any containers, and the radar sensor has not been detecting any person approaching the apparatus, de-activate the one or more of the multiple functional components involving a de-powering of these components, and self-deactivate to enter the idle state itself. The de-powering of the functional components may for example involve operating switches in the energy supply line towards the components. The self-deactivation may for example involve stopping the execution of particular software programs, including those for operating the functional components entering the idle state, for example all or almost all programs, so that the energy demand by the control unit decreases. The de-powering and self-deactivation consequently emanates a decreased powering of the functional components and the control unit by the energy supply system. For example the predetermined period may be set to one or more minutes, e.g. 1-5 minutes, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes. In an embodiment the apparatus may be set to idle by an action of a user, e.g. after finishing the container handling action. For example, the apparatus may comprise a dedicated physical button functionally connected to the control unit, such that pressing thereof triggers the de-activation by the control unit. In an embodiment wherein a display is present which is functionally connected to the control unit, the display may inform the user of this possibility. In an example the display is a touchscreen, which displays a button for the user to set the apparatus to idle after use, wherein touching of the button triggering the de-activation by the control unit.

[0041] In an embodiment the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor does not detect a person approaching the apparatus include a local communication interface for transmitting data received from the user to an external server and receiving data from the external server. For example, this data is involved with a permission or denial of insertion of one or more returnable beverage containers. Additionally or alternatively this data is involved with the issuance of a reward for an insertion. The local communication interface is functionally connected to the control unit, and the activation of these components from the idle state thereof includes operating the local communication interface such as to establish a data connection thereof with the external server.

[0042] In addition the local communication interface may be suitable for exchanging data with a mobile device of the user, e.g. for said permission or denial and / or the issuance of a reward for an insertion. The local communication interface is functionally connected to the control unit. In an embodiment the communication interface is provided specifically for exchanging data with the mobile device of the user, without exchange of data with an external server. Such embodiment may suit the case wherein the mobile device of the user exchanges data with an external server e.g. for one or both of the mentioned purposes, via a software application to be executed thereon. For example, data is exchanged between the communication interface and the mobile device of the user for opening the door, and data is exchanged between a server and the mobile device for the issuance of a reward - for example a dedicated server or a general server, e.g. of an online banking or payment facility.

[0043] An embodiment without any communication interface to enable any exchange of data, may be based on communication between an external server and the mobile device, e.g. smartphone and / or smartwatch, of the user only, e.g. data being exchanged only between a server and the mobile device, e.g. for the issuance of a reward - for example a dedicated server or a general server, e.g. of an online banking or payment facility. For example the link with the specific device may be established via a QR-code printed on the housing. Or, no data exchange to external devices may take place at all, for example no reward being issued at all or a reward being issued in physical form such as a printed receipt or voucher.

[0044] In an embodiment the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor does not detect a person approaching the apparatus includes an electronic user interface for receiving user input data and presenting output data to the user, the interface being functionally connected to the control unit, arranged on the outside of the housing, and comprising, for locally receiving and / or presenting data from and / or to the user, respectively a sensor, e.g. a visual sensor, e.g. a scanning device, and / or a display device.

[0045] The electronic user interface may for receiving user input data and providing output data to the user be embodied in several forms depending on the form and conditions, e.g. for permitting or denying use of the apparatus and / or e.g. rewarding of returned containers, which may to a more or lesser extent be provided by external user actions, e.g. software on a mobile device, and be based on an initial presentation by the RVM of output on a display, e.g. a QR-code to be scanned by the mobile device of a user, on an initial presentation of input by the user as provided through the interface, e.g. the sensor, e.g. wherein the sensor is a QR-code reader and the input is provided in the form of a QR-code to be read by a QR- code scanner, or wherein the sensor is an RFID reader and the input is provided by reading out an RFID tag of the mobile device, or wherein the sensor performs imaging of physical identification information. In an embodiment the input may be provided through an exchange of data by the user with an external server via a mobile device. In particular the electronic user interface may be used in conjunction with the communication interface, for exchange of data with a mobile device of the user and / or with an external server, as described before. Embodiments comprise at least the necessary parts to provide the user data used in the method the RVM is suited for.

[0046] The control unit may be programmed to, in an active state of the user interface and / or the communication interface, whichever is present, cause a digital issuance of a reward to the user for the return of a received empty beverage container, e.g. via the server, e.g. a deposit on the bank account of the user, e.g. which via a data presentation on the user interface is redeemable via a mobile device of a user or is redeemable via a software application on the user directly via data exchange with the server.

[0047] In an embodiment, the reward increases with the number of containers inserted into and handled by the apparatus. The control unit is configured to permit subsequent insertions after passing of a first container and to memorize the number of containers inserted, e.g. also the determined properties thereof, and to calculate the total reward for one user. For example the user may via the user interface where provided, indicate when finished inserting containers, or the control unit may be programmed to move on to the issuance of the (total) reward by itself e.g. after expiration of a predetermined time period after the last insertion.

[0048] In an embodiment, the user interface only comprises a display. In an embodiment wherein the interface comprises a display, the display may be embodied as a touchscreen for enabling the user to provide input. In an embodiment the user interface comprises both a display and a sensor, e.g. as described.

[0049] In an embodiment the control unit is programmed to, in an active state of the electronic user interface operate the door actuator based on input data received from the user, e.g. via the electronic interface, if present, and / or if the apparatus comprises the communication interface, on the data received from the server. For example the door actuator may be controlled to cause the door to clear the insertion opening in case an assessment of the data results in an insertion to be permitted, and keep it closed in case the assessment results in an insertion to be denied. The control unit may also be programmed to deny access in other cases, e.g. based on energy status, fullness level of the receptacle, maintenance status, other apparatus states including possible harmful anomalies such as detected small animals or exceptional odors as detected by sensors, and / or at certain dates and time periods, e.g. during new year’s eve, special events such as soccer games or demonstrations where stark atmospheres are to be expected.

[0050] In an embodiment the door actuator is embodied such, that it both drives an opening and closing movement of the door, and prevents opening thereof by a user when closing off the insertion opening. In an embodiment the door is a sliding door and the actuator drives the sliding movement of the door to close off and clear the insertion opening. For example the drive itself, e.g. a motor, e.g. driving the movement via a transmission mechanism, blocks the door from being repositioned by a user. A closed state and prevention of opening is envisaged to prevent spreading of possible unpleasant odors, theft or inappropriate use or damage of internal parts, or prevention of use in certain circumstances as e.g. mentioned above. Furthermore, since it is directed to allow intended uses of the apparatus only, it reduces energy being wasted on unintended uses.

[0051] Besides the radar sensor, control unit, energy supply system and electrical functional components the claimed apparatus - e.g. an apparatus for which the claimed system is suited - comprises firstly at least one container collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers. For example one receptacle may be provided, however the invention also envisages multiple bins e.g. for sorting different types of beverage containers, wherein different types are collected in assigned bins. Therein the control unit is configured for determining a type of the received container based on indications by said sensors for determining one or more properties of the (later discussed) receiving mechanism, e.g. based on information on container types in relation to said properties which is stored locally or on an external server and obtained via a data exchange therewith by the communication interface, where provided, said sorting involving discharging the container into the associated assigned bin. In one embodiment, thereto, a sorting device is provided as part of the handling mechanism, for example upstream of said demotion, wherein the already demoted container is guided into the assigned bin by means of one or more movable guides, e.g. chute(s), which is / are by associated guide actuator(s) moved to a position in which it directs the demoted container to the assigned bin. An advantage is that only one handling mechanism is provided. In an embodiment the sorting device is provided as part of the receiving mechanism, wherein the receiving mechanism passes the container into an assigned handling mechanism for the determined container type, after which it is directed to the associated bin. In this embodiment thereto two or more handling mechanisms are provided. An advantage thereof is that the handling mechanism may be embodied as being specifically suited to demotion of a particular container type, which may lead to further advantages in terms of energy - e.g. for example a more specific appropriate demotion principle, force, speed, processing time etc. being employed.

[0052] The apparatus further comprises a housing accommodating the container collection receptacle(s), e.g. bin(s), in a lower section thereof. In practical embodiments the bin(s) is / are accessible for removal of the containers, e.g. via a panel movable by an operator, e.g. after unlocking thereof, so as to provide an opening in the housing.

[0053] The housing comprises in an upper section of the housing an insertion opening, configured to therethrough receive an empty returnable beverage container. The apparatus comprises a door for closing off and clearing the insertion opening, and an associated door actuator for actuating said closing off and clearing, e.g. as controlled by the control unit.

[0054] The container receiving mechanism, mentioned already before, is configured to support the container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, and pass it to the container handling mechanism configured to process the received container to a demoted state thereof. In an embodiment the receiving mechanism comprises a support surface on which the container may be supported, e.g. whilst determining the one or more properties, e.g. including scanning the bar- and / or EAN-code, determining the weight, determining geometric properties, etc. by means of the one or more sensors thereof. In an embodiment, one or more barcode and / or EAN-code readers are provided at or closely behind the circumference of the insertion opening, directly behind the door, so that when the insertion opening is cleared for receipt of a container a user may scan the container practically during the insertion thereof to be supported by the mechanism. This further facilitates a fast use of the device and thus energy efficiency, in particular when multiple containers are to be inserted after one another. In an embodiment multiple, e.g. three, barcode scanners are provided distributed along the circumference. In a preferred embodiment, multiple identifier readers are present, e.g. arranged shortly downstream of the insertion opening and distributed about the circumference of the insertion opening. In this way, a user is enabled to have the identifier read by the apparatus in different positions, e.g. angular orientations, of the container, which further facilitates a fast and efficient use. In these embodiments, the effect of strategic powering and depowering is even larger. In other embodiments, the receiving mechanism is configured to scan the barcode whilst the container is being supported, e.g. comprises positioning means to adjust the position and / or orientation of the supported container to position the barcode within the scanning range of the barcode scanning device, for example longitudinally oriented rollers for axially rotating the container and / or conveyors for translating the container. In an embodiment, the receiving mechanism comprises a guiding surface slanting downwards in a direction from the receiving to the handling mechanism, acting as a chute for passively moving the container thereto, e.g. from the support surface if provided.

[0055] A barcode can be a 1 D barcode or a 2D barcode, e.g. known as QR-code, etc.

[0056] The handling mechanism is configured to process the received container to a demoted state thereof, e.g. to incise and / or compress the received and handled beverage container, and to subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle, e.g. if present through the top opening thereof. In an embodiment the handling mechanism is configured to demote a received and passed container such as to invalidate the barcode thereof and / or make it unreadable so that the container is no longer returnable into the apparatus.

[0057] In an embodiment the receiving mechanism and handling mechanism are integrated to form a receiving and handling mechanism. This receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support the container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, and to subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle. For example said demotion takes place whilst the container is supported on the support surface.

[0058] The mentioned prior art discloses examples of receiving and handling mechanism(s). In an embodiment the handling mechanism comprises two rollers (not shown) which are arranged in a pair and oppositely rotatable by respective rotational drives to compress there between a container whilst propelling it in a resultant common tangential propelling direction. The rollers each having protruding elements, e.g. teeth, e.g. shaped and arranged in axially spaced circumferential rows. The protruding elements are shaped and spaced relative to one another for latching onto a container fed to the rollers between the rotation axes thereof upstream of the rollers in the propelling direction, for creating indentations, folds, and / or bends into the container whilst propelling and compressing it, and for releasing the container downstream of the rollers. For example the rollers are arranged with rotation axes thereof horizontally or at an angle of less than 45° from the horizontal, and the receiving mechanism is configured to feed the container to the rollers by dropping it above the rollers horizontally between the rotation axes thereof. For example the rollers are arranged above the container collection receptacle such that said release makes the container drop into the receptacle.

[0059] The mentioned prior art W02020089425 employs such a handling mechanism. In an embodiment the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor does not detect a person approaching the apparatus include one or more sensors and / or one or more actuators of the container receiving mechanism and / or of the container handling mechanism. For example, these include drives, e.g. motors and / or (hydro)pneumatic components, e.g. for conveying the container and demoting it, e.g. via compression, visual sensors, the sensors determining physical properties of the container, e.g. barcode, geometrical properties, appearance, and / or weight.

[0060] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to operate the receiving mechanism such that the receiving mechanism, in particular the actuators thereof, do not enable, e.g. block, passing the container to the handling mechanism in case an assessment by the control unit of the indications by the sensors indicate that the container is not suitable for being collected therein. Or, that the inserted item is not even a container. For example, if an appropriate barcode is not present, not readable, or is not associated with a container known to the control unit as being suitable for collection therein. For example, a passive or active movement of the container - or other item - to the handling mechanism is blocked, or an active movement thereto not actuated. Examples are also envisaged wherein the container or other item is removed from the apparatus by the actuators or wherein it is moved to a separate bin. In other examples the user may be warned, e.g. via the software application or a display of a user interface, that the container (or other object) should be removed.

[0061] In an embodiment the apparatus comprises one or more sensors of the container receiving mechanism for said determining of one or more properties of a received container, the sensors including one or more barcode readers for reading a barcode of a received container and optionally a weighing unit for providing an indication of the weight of the received container. For example the weight indication is provided by weighing the container receiving mechanism or a part thereof including the received container. In particular the control unit may therein be configured to extract from the measured weight the predetermined weight of the receiving mechanism or the relevant parts thereof that are being weighed. In an embodiment the weight of the (parts of the) receiving mechanism is determined prior to an insertion, so as to account for e.g. contamination, e.g. by residual fluids from the containers.

[0062] Preferably the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor does not detect a person approaching the apparatus includes at least the barcode readers and optionally the weighing unit. In an example the control unit is programmed to determine based on the indication by the weighing unit whether a container of which a barcode has been read has thereafter actually been inserted to be supported by the supporting surface, and wherein the receiving mechanism is operated to pass the container to the handling mechanism only in case said determination is positive.

[0063] In an embodiment, the energy supply system comprises a battery which is charged by the external energy source and is de-charged by power supply to the multiple functional components of the apparatus and the control unit, as controlled by the control unit. In particular the control unit controls the power supply, e.g. per component or per set or group of components, for de-activation into the idle state and activation into the operative state of the components, e.g. by operating switches in supply lines, as described herein before.

[0064] The energy supply system may in embodiments comprise several sensors indicating a state of the electricity supply including availability. These sensors are operatively connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit is programmed to control e.g. a supply to the electrical components and a charging of the battery based on the indications by the sensors. For example the predetermined time period after which the mentioned components including at least the drives of the handling mechanism or the barcode / EAN-code readers are depowered in case of non-receipt of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired end of the use of the apparatus, is shorter as the battery charge detected by a battery charge detector is lower, and / or as a predicted and / or indicated availability of energy via the external source, e.g. renewable energy, e.g. solar energy, is lower. For example the control unit may assess e.g. based on outdoor conditions as e.g. measured by sensors of the apparatus on the housing, or as known from data received from the external server via the communication interface if present, if in the near future low energy availability may be expected over a certain time period, and adjust a policy of idle I switched off times, components to be set to idle or switched off, etc. to save energy. Involved sensors may measure voltage, current, battery charge, solar energy availability e.g. through irradiation measurements, etc.

[0065] Furthermore, in embodiments wherein the external energy source is at least one solar panel, the apparatus may comprise a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) to optimize the power output of the solar panels. For example, this MPPT may be integrated in the control unit, e.g. in conjunction with a DC-DC converter intermediate the battery and the solar panel(s), e.g. in the way described in WO2023135293 by the applicant. These measurement-based policies by the control unit on energy management may lead to an even more energy efficient operation of the device in particular in times where this is more relevant to ensure continuous operation.

[0066] The nature of the radar sensor enables some advantageous embodiments in terms of reaction speed, protection from damage, contamination and theft - also as a consequence of the possibility to hide it from view - need for maintenance, and accuracy.

[0067] In an embodiment the radar sensor is arranged at, integrated with, or at the inside of an inner circumferential wall defining the insertion opening, e.g. in front of the door.

[0068] In an embodiment the insertion opening and the user interface are arranged at a front side of the housing, and the radar sensor is directed forwardly to detect the approaching of the person in a direction towards the front side of the housing.

[0069] In an embodiment the radar sensor is shielded from the environment of the apparatus by a cover, e.g. by being arranged at the inside of a wall of the housing, e.g. at the inside of a circumferential wall defining the insert opening, the cover, e.g. wall, having a thickness in the order of magnitude of 1 mm or less at least over the measurement range of the radar sensor. Herein the radar waves penetrates the cover.

[0070] In an embodiment the apparatus further comprises a visual indicator at the outside of the housing at the front side thereof, functionally connected to the control unit for indicating a detection of, or confirmation of a user, and / or of one or more electronic parts which have been idle or switched off now being powered. The visual indicator comprises one or more lights, e.g. LED-lights, which are by the control unit e.g. selectively switched on or operated to change appearance, e.g. color, (dis)continuous lighting, e.g. flashing, or to form a (e.g. moving) pattern, upon said user approaching detection and / or said functional parts being or becoming active. During use the visual indicator may confirm a user instruction, indicate an action in progress, or indicate an error. Preferably at least a part, e.g. a majority or all, of the lights is switched off in an idle state thereof. Whereas the lights, in particular when embodied as LED-lights and at least partly switched off or in idle state, consume a very limited amount of energy, such visual indication of the actions or state of the device may further facilitate an energy efficient operation through their influence on users. For example, an indication of a low energy status may prompt a user not to use the device - e.g. use another nearby device - to save energy for the processing. For example an indication of a detection of a user may prompt a passerby which approaches the apparatus without an intended use, to stop approaching the apparatus so that it returns to the depowered state, or if this option is provided, set it to idle or switch it off again. For example this indication may also inform a user that it can start using the apparatus, facilitating a shorter use time. For example it may facilitate a shorter use e.g. by an indication that the device is ready for receipt of another container or for completing the user session, so that a user may respond faster.

[0071] The radar sensor may be employed in different ways to facilitate the energy efficiency. For example it may upon detection of an approaching user in a first, further removed distance range, trigger activation of selected parts and components. For example a part of the control unit and the discussed visual indicator and / or the user interface if provided, e.g. for indicating that the device has ‘seen’ the user. When the user is detected to still approach the apparatus in a second, closer by distance range, this may trigger activation of other selected parts and components, e.g. a further part of the control unit, the communication interface and / or the door actuator, so that at least the components which are to be used first are ready for operation by the control unit. When the user is not detected to approach the apparatus in the second distance range the control unit may de-activate the selected parts back to the idle state again.

[0072] In an embodiment the radar sensor is furthermore employed to detect a moving away of the user from the apparatus, the control unit thereby being triggered to enter the idle state, if any subsequent use or approaching of another user is not detected either.

[0073] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to a powering of the container handling mechanism by the energy supply system such that one or more drives thereof are: powered to process received containers only after receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after accepting said desired use by the control unit, e.g. powered to process received containers only when the control unit determines, based on the properties determined by the container receiving mechanism, that a container received first after said user- triggered signal and optionally said acceptance, is accepted for being processed, e.g. when the control unit determines, e.g. based on other sensors of the receiving mechanism, that the accepted container is passed to the handling mechanism, and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion, or a predetermined time period having passed in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism, and such that these are after having been depowered not powered to process received containers, i.e. remaining in the idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit does not receive a user triggered signal indicating a desired use, e.g. accept said desired use, e.g. does not determine acceptance of a container for processing, e.g. its passing to the handling mechanism.

[0074] In an embodiment, the multiple electronically powered functional comprise one or more sensors of the container receiving mechanism for said determining of one or more properties of the container, at least including one or more readers for an identifier, e.g. an EAN-code or barcode, wherein the electronic control unit is programmed to control a powering of the container receiving mechanism by the energy supply system such that at least the identifier reader thereof is: powered to determine an identifier of a received container only after receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after an acceptance thereof by the electronic control unit, and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to the receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion, or a predetermined time period having passed in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism, and such that it is after having been depowered not powered to determine an identifier of a received container, i.e. remaining in the idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit does not receive any user- triggered signal indicating a desired use, e.g. and furthermore any acceptance thereof by the control unit.

[0075] The invention furthermore relates to a method as defined in claim 27. The second aspect of the invention aims to provide measures to operate apparatuses for collecting returnable empty beverage containers in an energy efficient manner.

[0076] The second invention provides an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers comprising:

[0077] - at least one container collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers,

[0078] - a housing accommodating the container collection receptacle in a lower section thereof, the housing comprising in an upper section thereof an insertion opening, configured to receive therethrough an empty returnable beverage container,

[0079] - a container receiving mechanism configured and controllable to

[0080] - support the container received through the insertion opening,

[0081] - determine one or more properties of the container, and

[0082] - pass the received container to a container handling mechanism of the apparatus;

[0083] - the container handling mechanism configured and controllable to

[0084] - process the received container to a demoted state thereof, e.g. the handling mechanism being configured to incise and / or compress the received beverage container, and subsequently

[0085] - discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle, e.g. if present, through the top opening thereof,

[0086] - and optionally, determine a status of said processing and / or discharge;

[0087] - multiple electrically powered functional components, including drives of the receiving and handling mechanisms for manipulating the container, and one or more sensors, including one or more sensors of the container receiving mechanism for said determining of one or more properties of the container, e.g. including one or more readers for an identifier, e.g. an EAN-code or barcode, and e.g. including one or more sensors of the container handling mechanism for said determining of a status of said processing and / or discharge;

[0088] - an electronic control unit functionally connected to the functional components;

[0089] - an energy supply system for powering the control unit and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external renewable energy sources, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels provided on the outside of the housing, the energy supply system further including a rechargeable battery charged by the external renewable energy sources, wherein the electronic control unit is programmed to control a powering of the container handling mechanism by the energy supply system such that one or more drives thereof are: powered to process received containers only after receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after accepting said desired use by the control unit, e.g. powered to process received containers only when the control unit determines, based on the properties determined by the container receiving mechanism, that a container received first after said user- triggered signal and optionally said acceptance, is accepted for being processed, e.g. when the control unit determines, e.g. based on other sensors of the receiving mechanism, that the accepted container is passed to the handling mechanism, and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion, or a predetermined time period having passed in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism, and such that these are after having been depowered not powered to process received containers, i.e. remaining in the idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit does not receive a user triggered signal indicating a desired use, e.g. accept said desired use, e.g. does not determine acceptance of a container for processing, e.g. its passing to the handling mechanism.

[0090] The apparatus thus at least keeps the drives of the container handling mechanism depowered. They are switched on only when an empty container can actually be expected to be fed thereto, since it has been identified or at least detected.

[0091] According to the second aspect of the invention, at least a selection of multiple electrical functional components of the apparatus is depowered as much as possible as long as it its operation is not (yet) required. In particular, the components that require most energy are envisaged: if present one or more scanners for an identifier of the container, e.g. an EAN- code and / or barcode scanner, and in as far present any drives, e.g. motors and / or (hydro)pneumatic components, e.g. for conveying the container and demoting it, e.g. via compression, for demoting the container by exerting targeted forces thereon. The components are powered only when it is determined by a control unit based on previous steps in the use of the apparatus, that subsequent operation of the component is needed. The invention is based on the insight that a required extra amount of energy consumption by the envisaged components that is involved with a switching on of the envisaged components, e.g. six or more times a nominal power, and any additional electrical components involved with the strategic powering and depowering, e.g. additional sensors, is over a typical day of use of the apparatus amply compensated by the energy saved by the downtime in which these consume no, or substantially no, energy relative to continuous nominal powering thereof, which is presently conventional in the state of the art with the purpose of instant availability to a user. The proposed purposeful downtime leads to considerable net energy savings.

[0092] It is envisaged that a user-triggered signal of a desired use of the apparatus is received by the control unit. Thereafter, the user may insert one or more containers for processing by the apparatus. The control unit determines based on the properties determined by the sensors of the receiving mechanism whether the first received container is accepted or not, e.g. by evaluating the read identifier and / or one or more physical properties of the container. Only when the received container is accepted, the one or more drives are powered to process the received container. It is envisaged that the drives remain in a switched-on state until a last container in the present use has been processed and / or discharged.

[0093] It is envisaged that a user triggers a signal indicating a desired completion of the use of the apparatus as soon as the user is done returning its containers. Thereafter, the control unit may as is known in the art, trigger a process to complete the use of the apparatus, e.g. including a process for rewarding the user. In any case, the completion process includes controlling the energy supply unit to depower at least the drives of the receiving and handling mechanism to the idle or switched-off state.

[0094] The user-triggered signals are in a preferred embodiment received by a local communication interface of the apparatus from an external server, and communicated to the control unit. In particular, the user may connect to this server via a mobile device and indicate via an application running on this server or on his mobile device the desired use of the apparatus, and the desired completion thereof. For example, the apparatus may display a code, e.g. a QR-code, e.g. on a display of a user interface of the apparatus, which already includes an identification of the apparatus as an input to this application. The user may trigger the signal for the desired end of the use of the apparatus via the same application. A reward may as is known in the art be obtained via the same application as well, and may as is common, depend on the number of containers returned by the user.

[0095] Alternatively, signals may also be received otherwise, e.g. via respective physical buttons on the apparatus, or on a touch-screen display of a user interface, to be pressed (or touched) by the user to indicate the desired use or end thereof. In one embodiment, the user-triggered signal may be a signal of a (radar) sensor or camera detecting the user.

[0096] At least one or more drives of the handling mechanism, optionally also other components thereof, e.g. sensors for determining a status of the container handling and / or discharge, are strategically powered and depowered by the energy supply system as controlled by the control unit. The drives typically have a relatively large energy consumption. Therefore, strategic powering and depowering may have a considerable effect on the energy efficiency of the apparatus.

[0097] The control unit determines that the processing and / or discharge of the last container by the user has been completed primarily by receipt of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired end of the use. The control unit may also determine the desired completion of the use in case such signal has still not been received after a certain time period. For example the control unit by keeping track of a time period passed since a certain event since the start of the use of the apparatus, e.g.: the acceptance of the last received container for processing, a last operation of one or more components of the receiving mechanism, e.g. drives moving the last received container towards the handling mechanism, a detected passing of the last received container into, or a presence thereof at a certain location in, the handling mechanism e.g. based on signals from the optional sensors of the receiving and / or handling mechanism, a last operation of one or more components of the handling mechanism, e.g. drives processing and / or discharging the last received container, a detected passing of the container out of the handling mechanism and / or into the receptacle by a sensor, e.g. of the handling mechanism.

[0098] For example the length of the time period may be in the range of 1-5 minutes, e.g. be around 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes.

[0099] The acceptance of the control unit of the container for being processed, may in the simplest form be a registration of the presence of the container, or one of its properties, by means of the sensors of the container receiving mechanism. In more advanced forms, it may be conditional, e.g. on a read identifier of the received container corresponding to predetermined accepted identifiers, and / or e.g. on one or more properties meeting predetermined ranges of values, in particular predetermined ranges of values associated with the read identifier. Two corresponding embodiments are explained hereafter. In an embodiment, the one or more sensors of the container receiving mechanism for said determining of one or more properties of a received container comprise:

[0100] - one or more identifier readers for reading an identifier, e.g. barcode or EAN-code, of a received container; and

[0101] - optionally, one or more sensors for measuring one or more physical properties of the received container, including e.g. one or more of:

[0102] - a weighing unit for providing an indication of the weight of the received container, e.g. by weighing the container receiving mechanism or a part thereof including the received container,

[0103] - a visual sensor for providing an indication of the geometry and / or appearance of the received container;

[0104] - a detector for providing an indication of the material of the received container, e.g. a plastic detector or aluminum or tin plate material detector, wherein the electronic control unit is furthermore programmed to determine that the received container is or is not accepted for being processed by evaluating the read identifier thereof and optionally one or more of the measured physical properties.

[0105] In an embodiment, the apparatus does comprise the one or more sensors for measuring one or more physical properties and said evaluating of the identifier and at least one or more of the measured physical properties by the electronic control unit includes verifying in a digital database, e.g. stored on the control unit or a memory connected thereto, or stored on an external server and communicated to the control unit via a local communication interface of the apparatus, in which digital database known physical properties are associated with known identifiers, the extent to which one or more of the measured physical properties correspond to the known physical properties.

[0106] In an embodiment, the container handling mechanism is configured to determine a status of the processing and / or discharging of the received and accepted container by evaluating one or more of:

[0107] - measurement of an electrical resistance through or current drawn by one or more of the drives for demoting the container;

[0108] - measurement of a physical force exerted by or on a mechanical component of the container handling mechanism in contact with the container for demoting it;

[0109] - detection of the container passing a location downstream of said demotion, e.g. by means of a visual or material detector;

[0110] - measurement of a sound indicative of a container falling into the receptacle; - determining exceeding of a predetermined time period since a start of said processing, e.g. one minute or less, e.g. around 45 seconds, around 30 seconds, or around 15 seconds.

[0111] This allows for the determination of the processing and / or discharging of a container by the handling mechanism. A preferred embodiment, wherein an electrical resistance through or current drawn by one or more of the drives for demoting the container is measured, the signals being communicated to the control unit, is based on the insight that the power dissipation by these components is higher during processing of the container as a consequence of physical forces being exerted thereon. The resistance or current may thus indicate a container being processed - when resistance and current are higher -, and a completion thereof - when resistance and current return to nominal values after having been higher. The control unit may determine completion by detecting said return to nominal values and a predetermined time period having passed since without receiving a user-triggered signal. Analogously, the physical forces - e.g. reaction forces - themselves may be sensed by a force I pressure sensor. A return to nominal values may be used as an indication by the control unit of a container having been processed.

[0112] In an embodiment, the container handling mechanism comprises a set of oppositely positioned rollers of which oppositely directed rotations around respective parallel or near parallel rotation axes thereof are driven by respective ones of the drives, wherein the rollers are positioned spaced from each other such as to cooperate in engagement of the received and accepted container between the rollers, and such as to have a shortest mutual distance in the range of 0.5 - 5 cm for passing and compressing the fed container between the rollers, the rollers having annular segments distributed along the length of the respective roller in a direction along said respective rotation axis, wherein each annular segment comprises protruding elements distributed along the circumference of the respective roller, e.g. wherein the drives are for said demotion of the container configured and controlled by the control unit (50) such as to rotate about the respective rotation axes at different rotational speeds, e.g. differing from each other by around 0-50% of the lowest of the rotational speeds.

[0113] The set of adjacent rollers is used in the handling mechanism and driven by the drives thereof for demoting the container between the roller surfaces. A preferred embodiment wherein the drives are configured and controlled by the control unit such as to rotate about the respective rotation axes at different rotational speeds, e.g. differing from each other by 0- 50% of the lowest of the rotational speeds, not only leads to energy savings due to a lower power consumption of the one of the drives that is associated with the slower roller, but also due to more efficient drawing in and discharge of the container. The inventors found that since due to the different speeds the protruding elements of the two rollers are with each cycle repositioned relative to one another, the probability for a favorable relative position to draw in containers of different sizes between the rollers at least within a few cycles is larger than with equal rotational speeds of the rollers. The relative repositioning also considerably reduces the probability of, e.g. prevents, the occasionally encountered problem of a container not loosening from one of the rollers after demotion for subsequent discharge. In the prior art, it is known to apply scrapers downstream of the rollers to loosen any container from a roller - however, such may with this preferred embodiment not be necessary. The invention furthermore relates, independent of the characteristic powering and depowering of components, to an apparatus as described according to this preferred embodiment.

[0114] The second aspect of the invention further provides an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers, comprising:

[0115] - at least one container collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers,

[0116] - a housing accommodating the container collection receptacle in a lower section thereof, the housing comprising in an upper section thereof an insertion opening configured to receive therethrough an empty returnable beverage container,

[0117] - a container receiving mechanism configured and controllable to

[0118] - support the container received through the insertion opening,

[0119] - determine one or more properties of the container, and

[0120] - pass the received container to a container handling mechanism of the apparatus;

[0121] - the container handling mechanism configured and controllable to

[0122] - process the received container to a demoted state thereof, e.g. the handling mechanism being configured to incise and / or compress the received beverage container, and subsequently

[0123] - discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle, e.g. if present, through the top opening thereof,

[0124] - and optionally, determine a status of said processing and / or discharge;

[0125] - multiple electrically powered functional components of the apparatus, including drives of the receiving and handling mechanisms for manipulating the container, and one or more sensors, including one or more sensors of the container receiving mechanism for said determining of one or more properties of the container, at least including one or more readers for an identifier, e.g. an EAN-code or barcode and e.g. including one or more sensors of the container handling mechanism for said determining of a status of said processing and / or discharge;

[0126] - an electronic control unit functionally connected to the functional components;

[0127] - an energy supply system for powering the control unit and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external renewable energy sources, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels provided on the outside of the housing, the energy supply system further including a rechargeable battery charged by the external renewable energy sources, wherein the electronic control unit is programmed to control a powering of the container receiving mechanism by the energy supply system such that at least the identifier reader thereof is: powered to determine an identifier of a received container only after receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after an acceptance thereof by the electronic control unit, and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to the receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion, or a predetermined time period having passed in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism, and such that it is after having been depowered: not powered to determine an identifier of a received container, i.e. remaining in the idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit does not receive any user- triggered signal indicating a desired use, e.g. and furthermore any acceptance thereof by the control unit.

[0128] The apparatus thus keeps at least the one or more scanners for the identifier of an inserted container depowered and switched on only when an empty container can actually be expected to be scanned thereby, since a user has triggered the apparatus for use.

[0129] The least the one or more identifier readers of the container receiving mechanism, optionally also other components thereof, e.g. sensors for determining one or more properties of the container, are strategically powered and depowered by the energy supply system as controlled by the control unit. The identifier readers, generally in the form of barcode and / or EAN-code readers, typically have a relatively large energy consumption - just like the drives of the handling mechanism. Therefore, strategic powering and depowering may have a considerable effect on the energy efficiency of the apparatus.

[0130] In embodiment the control unit furthermore requires an acceptance of the use of the apparatus by the user as an additional condition for the opening of the door to the insertion opening and / or the powering of the identification readers. For example, the acceptance may be based on information associated with the user, the container status, or with certain circumstances or events - e.g. the receptacle being full, the battery - despite all preventive measures - being low, a maintenance status, a defect, possible harmful anomalies such as detected small animals or exceptional odors as detected by sensors, and / or at certain dates and time periods, e.g. during new year’s eve, special events such as soccer games or demonstrations where stark atmospheres are to be expected and / or wherein there are (increased) risks of undue and damaging objects being inserted into the apparatus or there are (increased) risks of vandalism or misuse.

[0131] In an embodiment the electronic components include, as mentioned earlier, a local communication interface for transmitting data to an external server and receiving data from this external server. In examples this data is involved with a permission or denial of insertion of one or more returnable beverage containers. Additionally or alternatively this data is involved with the issuance of a reward for an insertion.

[0132] It is envisaged that all apparatuses, and any particular embodiments of the apparatuses, according to the second aspect of the invention are applied in combination to have combined effects, forming a particularly energy efficient apparatus.

[0133] The acceptance of the control unit of the container for being processed, may in the simplest form be a registration of the presence of the container, or one of its properties, by means of the sensors of the container receiving mechanism. In more advanced forms, it may be conditional, e.g. on a read identifier of the received container corresponding to predetermined accepted identifiers, and / or e.g. on one or more properties meeting predetermined ranges of values, in particular predetermined ranges of values associated with the read identifier.

[0134] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors of the container receiving mechanism for said determining of one or more properties of a received container further comprise:

[0135] - one or more sensors for measuring one or more physical properties of the received container, including e.g. one or more of: - a weighing unit for providing an indication of the weight of a received container, e.g. by weighing the container receiving mechanism or a part thereof including the received container,

[0136] - a visual sensor for providing an indication of the geometry and / or appearance of a received container;

[0137] - a detector for providing an indication of the material of a received container, e.g. a plastic detector or aluminum or tin plate material detector, wherein the electronic control unit is programmed to control a powering of the container receiving mechanism by the energy supply system such that furthermore the one or more sensors for measuring one or more physical properties of a received container thereof are: powered to determine one or more physical properties of a received container only after receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after an acceptance thereof by the electronic control unit, e.g. only after said reading of an identifier, e.g. after an acceptance thereof, and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to the receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion or after expiration of a predetermined time period in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a last processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism, and such that these are after having been depowered not powered to determine the one or more physical properties, i.e. remaining in an idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit does not receive any user- triggered signal indicating a desired use, e.g. and furthermore does not determine any acceptance thereof, wherein the electronic control unit is furthermore programmed to determine that the received container is or is not accepted for being processed by evaluating one or more of the read identifier thereof and the one or more physical properties measured by the one or more sensors, e.g. both the read identifier and one or more of the physical properties.

[0138] In an embodiment, said evaluating of the identifier and at least one or more of the measured physical properties by the electronic control unit includes verifying in a digital database, e.g. stored on the control unit or a memory connected thereto, or stored on an external server and communicated to the control unit via a local communication interface of the apparatus, in which digital database known physical properties are associated with known identifiers, in as far one or more of the measured physical properties correspond to the known physical properties.

[0139] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit is furthermore programmed to control a powering of the container receiving mechanism by the energy supply system such that also the one or more drives of the receiving mechanism are powered to drive one or more parts of the receiving mechanism only after said determining of an identifier, e.g. only after said determining of one or more physical properties, e.g. only after an acceptance of a received container by the electronic control unit, and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to the receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion or after expiration of a predetermined time period in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a last processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism, and such that these are after being depowered not powered to drive the one or more parts of the receiving mechanism, i.e. remaining in an idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit does not receive any user- triggered signal, e.g. and furthermore determine any acceptance thereof, e.g. furthermore in absence of said reading of an identifier and / or measurement of one or more physical properties and / or acceptance of the received container by the control unit.

[0140] In an embodiment, the user-triggered signal indicating a desired use and / or the user- triggered signal indicating a desired completion the use of the apparatus is received by the control unit from an external server via a local communication interface of the apparatus which is functionally connected to the control unit and configured for receiving data from the external server. In an embodiment, the apparatus furthermore comprises a door or closing off and clearing the insertion opening, and an associated door actuator controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively, wherein the electronic control unit is functionally connected to the door actuator, and programmed to control the door actuator such as to: enable access to the insertion opening by clearing the insertion opening after receipt of the user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after an acceptance thereof by the electronic control unit, prevent access to the insertion opening by closing off the insertion opening after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus, e.g. in response to a user-triggered signal indicating the completion, or a predetermined time period having passed in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determination of the processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism.

[0141] It is envisaged that the measures described in relation to the first and second aspects of the invention are combined in a single apparatus. Such an apparatus provide measures to operate the apparatus for collecting returnable empty beverage containers in an energy efficient manner.

[0142] In a third aspect thereof, the invention furthermore relates to an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers, comprising:

[0143] - at least one container collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers,

[0144] - a housing accommodating the container collection receptacle in a lower section thereof, the housing comprising in an upper section of the housing an insertion opening, configured to receive an empty returnable beverage container,

[0145] - a container receiving and handling mechanism configured to support the container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, e.g. the handling device being configured to incise and / or compress the received and handled beverage container, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle, e.g. if present, through the top opening thereof, - a door for closing off and clearing the insertion opening, and an associated door actuator controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively,

[0146] - an electronic control unit functionally connected to multiple electronically powered functional components of the apparatus, including the door actuator, drives of the receiving and handling mechanisms, and one or more sensors, including a sensor for said determining of one or more properties of the container, and

[0147] - an energy supply system for powering the control unit and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external energy sources, e.g. a grid-connection and / or an external renewable energy source, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels provided on the outside of the housing, the energy supply system e.g. further including a rechargeable battery charged by the external energy sources.

[0148] It is envisaged that these parts of the apparatus are, e.g. the apparatus as a whole being, according to any one or more of the embodiments described for the first and / or second aspect of the invention.

[0149] According to the third aspect the container receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support the container received through the insertion opening onto a support surface. At least part of this support surface has a supporting mode and a passing mode. In the supporting mode, the container is supported from below by the support surface. It is envisaged that the container is supported on the support surface as received by the user through the insertion opening, i.e. within manual reach from, and substantially in line with, the insertion opening. It is envisaged that in this position, or in a predetermined position after limited movement of the container by the receiving mechanism, the properties of the container are determined.

[0150] In the passing mode, the (part of the) support surface is removed to form underneath the container a passing opening through which the container falls as a consequence of said removing. Said passing is envisaged to result in the container being passed to the handling mechanism for demotion of said container, if provided separately. In other embodiments wherein said receiving and handling mechanism are integrated, the demotion may also take place with the container still being supported by the support surface. Said removing of the (part of the) support surface may be accomplished by translating and / or pivoting the (part of the) support surface. In an embodiment, a pivot axis therein extends longitudinally, substantially in line with the insertion opening, i.e. in the insertion direction. For example between 0 and 45° with the horizontal. For example the translating or pivoting results in the opening increasing in the direction away from the center of the original support surface in the supporting mode. For example thereto a lateral part of the support surface moves away in this direction. For example, the support surface is formed by two longitudinally extending plates which are juxtaposed laterally and adjoin at a lateral center line, e.g. in line with a center of the insertion opening, one or both of the plates being pivotable about the respective longitudinal pivot axis in a direction away from the lateral center. For example the plates enclose at the center line an obtuse angle in a vertical plane, to limit lateral movement of the longitudinally supported container. Embodiments with three laterally juxtaposed and longitudinally extending plates forming the support surface are also envisaged, e.g. two slanted side plates laterally sandwiching a center plate.

[0151] The third aspect provides particular compactness by combining both the support and passing functions at the support surface, and particular efficiency by enabling controlled passive passing of the (demoted) container utilizing gravity.

[0152] In particularly advantageous embodiments, multiple passing modes are associated with horizontally differently located, e.g. laterally offset, openings, which result in the passing of the container at these respective horizontally differing locations. This may be applied in particular with the purpose of sorting the containers, e.g. directing different types of containers in respective bins, e.g. also in different handling mechanisms. These embodiments advantageously implement also a sorting functionality, providing even further compactness and efficiency.

[0153] The third aspect also relates to the receiving mechanism, if provided separately, a combination thereof with a handling mechanism or multiple respective handling mechanisms, an integrated receiving handling mechanism, and a combination of the receiving and handling mechanism(s) with a bin, or multiple respective bins.

[0154] In a fourth aspect thereof, the invention furthermore relates to an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers, comprising

[0155] - at least one container collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers, - a housing accommodating the container collection receptacle in a lower section thereof, the housing comprising in an upper section of the housing an insertion opening, configured to receive an empty returnable beverage container,

[0156] - a container receiving and handling mechanism configured to support the container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, e.g. the handling device being configured to incise and / or compress the received and handled beverage container, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle, e.g. if present, through the top opening thereof,

[0157] - a door for closing off and clearing the insertion opening, and an associated door actuator controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively,

[0158] - an electronic control unit functionally connected to multiple electronically powered functional components of the apparatus, including the door actuator, drives of the receiving and handling mechanisms, and one or more sensors, including a sensor for said determining of one or more properties of the container, and

[0159] - an energy supply system for powering the control unit and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external energy sources, e.g. a grid-connection and / or an external renewable energy source, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels provided on the outside of the housing, the energy supply system e.g. further including a rechargeable battery charged by the external energy sources.

[0160] It is envisaged that these parts of the apparatus are, e.g. the apparatus as a whole being, according to any one or more of the embodiments described for the first, second, and / or third aspect of the invention.

[0161] According to the fourth aspect, the door actuator limits, preferably blocks, motion of the door in an opening direction, i.e. for clearing the insertion opening, by a position of the actuator and if provided a transmission mechanism, to prevent the insertion opening from becoming accessible by a manual force exerted on the door in that direction. For example, the actuator is a rotational motor which maintains its rotational position despite a force being applied thereto resulting from the manual force as transmitted via the transmission mechanism. The actuator may also be a linear motor which maintains its longitudinal position. In another example the actuator is a (hydro)pneumatic cylinder of which the internal chamber pressure is configured to withstand the transmitted resulting force.

[0162] In an embodiment the transmission mechanism is embodied as a chain, e.g. an endless chain, which is at a first location connected to the door and at a second location to the actuator. In an embodiment the transmission mechanism comprises one or more interconnected gears.

[0163] In one particularly robust and effective embodiment the door is a sliding door, the driving of the actuator resulting in a translation of the door in the plane of the insertion opening, e.g. laterally. For example therein the chain is applied as the transmission mechanism to transmit the actuator motion to the door in the sliding direction.

[0164] The fourth aspect provides robustness, compactness and efficiency in the door control and functionality to protect the internal components of the apparatus against unwanted external influences particularly including intentional abuse by users.

[0165] In a fifth aspect thereof, the invention relates to a method for collecting empty returnable beverage containers.

[0166] The method makes use of an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers, wherein the apparatus comprises:

[0167] - at least one collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers,

[0168] - a housing accommodating the collection receptacle in a lower section thereof, the housing comprising in an upper section of the housing an insertion opening, configured to receive the refuse or an empty returnable beverage container,

[0169] - a door for closing of and clearing the insertion opening, wherein the door is operable by the door actuator,

[0170] - a display which is configured to show an access code, preferably a QR-code and / or a RFID-code, which can be scanned a user’s mobile device,

[0171] - a local communication interface configured to transmit and receive data from an internal or external server,

[0172] - a control unit which is functionally connected to the display, the door actuator, and the local communication interface, wherein the method comprises the steps of: • the internal and / or external server periodically generating an access code, e.g. a QR- code, wherein the generated access is a temporary access code which is only valid for a predetermined time-span, e.g. the time span being between a couple of minutes to a couple of days, or which is only valid for a predetermined number of instances of said access code being scanned or displayed,

[0173] • the display showing said generated temporary access code for a user to scan,

[0174] • upon the temporary access code being scanned the mobile device makes contact with the internal and / or external servers,

[0175] • the internal and / or external server determine if the access code scanned by the mobile device matches the temporary access code which is valid at the time of scanning the code,

[0176] • if the scanned access code matches the temporary access code, the control unit operating the door actuator to provide the user access to the insertion opening. If the scanned access code does not match the temporary access code, the door remains close thereby blocking access to the insertion opening.

[0177] The method according to the fifth aspect of the invention provides a more secure access to the apparatus by displaying the temporary access code. This way it can be ensured that a user is scanning the right code, and not for example a malicious code which was for example attached to the container by a sticker. Now if such a malicious code is scanned, the door will not open, providing instantaneous feedback to the user that the wrong code has been scanned.

[0178] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a radar sensor configured to detect a person approaching the apparatus, wherein upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus the display is activated to show a temporary generated access code.

[0179] In an embodiment, upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus a signal is sent to the internal / external server to generate a temporary access code, and wherein the display is then activated to display said generated temporary access code. In an embodiment, for each person approaching the apparatus a different temporary access code is generated and displayed.

[0180] In an embodiment, the access code is further used to assign the user a reward after an empty returnable beverage has been success fully returned by the user. A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a method for collecting empty returnable beverage containers.

[0181] The method makes use of an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers in combination with a mobile device of a user, wherein the apparatus comprises:

[0182] - at least one collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers,

[0183] - a housing accommodating the collection receptacle in a lower section thereof, the housing comprising in an upper section of the housing an insertion opening configured to receive the empty returnable beverage container,

[0184] - a door for closing of and clearing the insertion opening, wherein the door is operable by a door actuator,

[0185] - optionally, a scanning device,

[0186] - a local communication interface configured to transmit and receive data from an internal or external server,

[0187] - a control unit which is functionally connected to at least the door actuator, the scanning device (when present), and the local communication interface, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

[0188] • the user providing an instruction via the mobile device of the user so that the internal and / or external server generates an access code, e.g. a QR-code, e.g. wherein the generated access code is a temporary access code, e.g. which is only valid for a predetermined time-span, e.g. the time span being a couple of minutes, or which is only valid for a predetermined number of instances of said access code being scanned or displayed, e.g. just once,

[0189] • the generated access code being provided to the mobile device of the user, e.g. being displayed on the mobile device,

[0190] • the generated access code being transmitted from the mobile device to the control unit of the apparatus, e.g. the user presenting the generated access code displayed on the mobile device to the scanning device of the apparatus,

[0191] • the internal and / or external server determining whether the transmitted access code is valid or invalid,

[0192] • if the access code is valid, the control unit operates the door actuator to provide the user access to the insertion opening in order to deposit an empty returnable beverage container(s) and if the access code is invalid the door remains closed thereby blocking access to the insertion opening. The method according to the sixth aspect of the invention provides a more secure access to the apparatus, e.g. avoiding the issue of a malicious code attached to the housing as a sticker.

[0193] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a radar sensor configured to detect a person approaching the apparatus, wherein upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus one or more functional components are activated.

[0194] The seventh aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers, comprising:

[0195] - a housing having a lower section which is configured for accommodating therein at least one collection receptacle, e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers, and the housing comprising an upper section with an insertion opening configured to receive an empty returnable beverage container and with a door associated with the insertion opening,

[0196] - an electronic control unit functionally connected to multiple electronically powered functional components of the apparatus, wherein the multiple electronically powered functional components comprise:

[0197] • a door actuator which is configured to operate the door for closing off and clearing the insertion opening,

[0198] • one or more drives of a container receiving and handling mechanism, wherein the container receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support a container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle,

[0199] • one or more sensors, including a sensor for said determining of one or more properties of the container,

[0200] - an energy supply system for powering the control unit and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external energy sources, e.g. a grid-connection and / or an external renewable energy source, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels provided on the outside of the housing, wherein the apparatus comprises a radar sensor configured to detect a person approaching the apparatus, wherein, preferably, the radar sensor is powered by the energy supply system of the apparatus so as to be continuously maintained in operation for said detection. In an embodiment, the radar sensor is arranged inside of the upper section of the housing and recessed with respect to an inlet of the insertion opening, in front of the door.

[0201] In an embodiment, the insertion opening and the user interface are arranged at a front side of the housing, and the radar sensor is directed forward to detect the approaching of the person in a direction towards the front side of the housing.

[0202] In an embodiment, the radar sensor is shielded from the environment of the apparatus by a cover, the cover, e.g. wall, having a thickness in the order of magnitude of 1 mm or less.

[0203] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a visual indicator at the outside of the housing at the front side thereof, for indicating a detection of the approaching of a user, and / or of one or more functional parts which have been idle now being or becoming active, wherein the visual indicator comprises one or more lights, e.g. LED-lights, which are by the control unit switched on or operated to change appearance, e.g. color, upon said user approaching detection and / or said functional parts being or becoming active, e.g. wherein at least a part, e.g. a majority or all, of the lights is switched off in an idle state thereof.

[0204] It will be appreciated that the apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention may further comprise one or more components and / or functionalities as discussed herein.

[0205] The sixth aspect of the invention also pertains to a method for collecting empty beverage containers wherein use is made of the apparatus.

[0206] It will be appreciated that embodiments discussed in the context of one aspect of the invention can be combined with one or more of the technical features discussed herein with reference to one or more of the other aspects of the invention.

[0207] Each of the aspects of the invention also relates to the combination of an apparatus and a mobile device of a user as described herein, as well as to a method wherein use is made of such a combination, which combination can also be called a system.

[0208] Although some of the features of the aspects of the invention are in particular intended for battery powered devices, these may in some applications prove advantageous for grid connected devices as well, in view of the mentioned aims. For example, a grid connection may, alternatively or in addition, power the components at least partly or as a back-up in cases of low or no battery charge and / or (predicted) available renewable energy, e.g. solar energy. In examples wherein a grid connection forms the only external energy source, e.g. wherein a battery is absent, the advantages of the invention may prove advantageous in terms of energy efficiency, which may be particularly profitable when the apparatus is intensively used e.g. including during peak hours of high demand on the grid.

[0209] The invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the appended figures, illustrating in a non-limiting way possible embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments may be derived therefrom by the skilled person. In the figures: figure 1 schematically shows in perspective view a relevant, upper, part of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; figure 2 schematically shows in a front view the upper part of the same apparatus; figure 3 schematically shows in a front view the same apparatus as a whole; figure 4 schematically shows in a front view the same apparatus as a whole, additionally illustrating a number of relevant internal components; figure 5 is a schematic representation of electronic components of the apparatus, along with their functional, energetic, and data interconnections in an active state; figure 6 shows the same schematic representation with the components and interconnections in idle state; figure 7 shows the same schematic representation with the components and interconnections becoming active directly upon triggering thereof; figure 8 schematically illustrates in particular the second aspect of the invention; and figure 9 schematically illustrates in particular the third aspect of the invention.

[0210] Figures 1-4 show an apparatus 1 for collecting empty returnable beverage containers 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 5-7 show electronic components of the apparatus in a schematic, including the control unit 50 which is functionally connected to the electronic functional components, and the energy supply system 30 for powering the electrical components including the control unit 50.

[0211] Turning to figures 1-4 first, the apparatus 1 comprises a housing 10, which has in upper section 10u thereof an insertion opening 11 , configured to receive an empty returnable beverage container 100. Figures 1 and 2 show an upper part of the apparatus 1 with the insertion opening 11. Figures 3 and 4 show the device over its entire height. In the figures the insertion opening 11 is closed off by a door 14, configured for closing off and clearing the insertion opening. The door actuation is shown in more detail in figure 9. An associated door actuator 15 is controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively - see figures 4 and 9. In this case the door 14 is a sliding door, which is slidable laterally in the plane of the insertion opening to cover and uncover the insertion opening. The actuator 15 is in the form of a motor which via a transmission drives the translation of the door 14. Stopping of the motor 15 keeps the door 14 in place so that when closing off the insertion opening, a user cannot manually open the door 14 by exerting a lateral force.

[0212] Indicated in figures 4 and 8 is that the apparatus 1 comprises at least one container collection receptacle 18, which is embodied as an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the empty returnable beverage containers. Housing 10 accommodates the container collection receptacle 18 in a lower section 101 thereof. In figure 4 a level of received empty beverage containers 100 is about a fourth of the internal volume of the receptacle 18.

[0213] The apparatus 1 comprises a container receiving mechanism 21 configured to support the container 100 received through the insertion opening 11 onto a support surface. The receiving mechanism 21 determines one or more properties thereof by means of sensors 42a-c. These sensors firstly include three barcode scanners 42a which are arranged distributed along the circumference of the insertion opening 11 directly behind the door 14. Upon insertion, the container 100 passes the barcode scanners 42a so that the barcode thereof may be read during - thereto controlled - insertion by the user. The indication by the barcode scanner 42a is sent to the control unit 50. After this scanning, the container 100 may be put down on a support surface of the receiving mechanism 21. A load cell 42b determines the weight of the entire receiving mechanism 21 , which is sent to the control unit 50. In this example, an optional visual sensor 42c determines geometrical properties of the container which are sent to the control unit 50 as well. Further drives are optional to, as controlled by the control unit 50, adjust the orientation and / or position of the supported container 100 to allow for said determination of geometrical properties by the sensor 42c and / or of a scanning of a barcode, if not done during the insertion, by the sensors 42a. The control unit 50 compares the weight with a previous weight measurement prior to the insertion without supporting any container, and assesses based on the barcode, and associated information on the weight and optionally the geometry, whether the container 100 is accepted for collection by the apparatus 1 . In case of a positive assessment the drives 22 of the receiving mechanism 21 are controlled to pass the container 100 to a container handling mechanism 25. See figure 8, which shows the container in a supported position, whilst passing to - falling into - the handling mechanism 25, and whilst being discharged from the handling mechanism 25 to the receptacle 18. In particular the receiving mechanism 21 comprises two juxtaposed panels 23,24 - illustrated in figure 8 - with respective upper support surfaces for together supporting the container, which are by drives 22 each pivotable away from each other downwardly about horizontal pivot axes 23x, 24x to create there between an opening for dropping therethrough the container 100 thereby passing it into the handling device 25. Note that in figure 8 only one panel 23 has been pivoted away. The drives 22 are not shown.

[0214] The handling device 25 is configured to process the received container 100 to a demoted state thereof by compressing the received beverage container 100 between two oppositely rotating toothed rollers 28, 29 as indicated in figure 6 by the arrows, and to subsequently discharge the processed beverage container 100 into the receptacle 18 as shown in figure 4 for two containers 100, and in figure 6 for a single container 100. The tooths 28p,29p are distributed about the circumference in an angular row, each roller comprising multiple of these angular rows distributed about the length thereof, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

[0215] The handling device 25 comprises drives 26,27 to rotate each of the rollers around their rotation axes. The drives 26,27 may be controlled to provide each roller with a different rotational speed, so that the angular positioning of the tooths of the two rollers relative to one another changes over time, which may facilitate the drawing in of containers and effective loosening of the demoted container from the rollers at the discharge thereof. Additional drives (not shown) may be provided to adjust the orientations and positions of the rollers 28,29. For example, these may be adjusted to determined properties of the container 100 to be demoted. For example, where the control unit 50 determines based on the sensors of the receiving mechanism 21 that a received container 100 is relatively small, e.g. a 100ml can, the rollers may be positioned relatively close to one another to achieve effective compression. Or, in case of a relatively large PET-bottle that requires a higher force to compress, it may be favorable to provide a larger spacing between the rollers 28,29. A change in the relative orientations of the rotation axes to provide a small angle between the rotation axes may also be favorable to better match with the contour of the bottle, having a wider bottom and narrower neck. The repositioning I reorienting drives may be controlled accordingly after the acceptance of the container 100.

[0216] In case of a negative assessment on the supported container 100 being suitable for collection by the apparatus 1, the control unit 50 does not cause the receiving mechanism 21 to pass the container 100 to the handling mechanism, thereto not pivoting the panels downwardly. The drives 22 of the panels 23,24, in particular a transmission thereof, furthermore block a manual - undue - downward pivoting of the panels by a user e.g. in an attempt to tamper with or inappropriately use the machine.

[0217] The apparatus 1 is shown to comprise multiple electronically powered functional components of the apparatus 1 , including the door actuator 15, the drives 22 and 26-28 of the receiving and handling mechanisms 21,25, and one or more sensors 41a-c,42a-c,43a-c,44a-c, including the sensors 42a-c for said determining of the container properties by the receiving mechanism 21.

[0218] Figure 5 illustrates in a schematic, the electronic components of the apparatus 1 during use thereof. Shown by dashed lines is the groupings of the electronic components: components of / integrated in the housing 10, container manipulating parts 20, energy supply system 30, sensorium 40, control unit 50, and communication unit 60.

[0219] Energy supply system 30 is provided for powering the control unit 50 and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external energy sources 31, in this case photovoltaic panels 31 as an external renewable energy source provided on the outside of the housing 10. As is shown, the energy supply system 30 supplies energy to the components of component groups 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. The control unit 50 controls the energy flows to the battery 32 and the output 35, in particular through the current converter 33 and the MPPT, based on the availability of the external sources 31, 34 and the demand by the apparatus 1.

[0220] Sensors 43a-c perform measurements on the energy supply system 30. In particular sensor 43a indicates battery charge, sensors 43b indicate voltage and currents in internal and output lines of the system 30, and sensor 43c indicates an actual availability of solar energy. The energy supply system 30 furthermore includes a rechargeable battery 32 charged by the photovoltaic panels 31 with intervention of the current converter 33, in particular a DC-DC converter thereof. A back-up grid connection 34 is also provided for charging the battery 32 via an AC-DC converter of the current converter 33 e.g. in case of low or no energy availability as controlled by the control unit 50 based on the sensor measurements - e.g. in cases of indicated low or no battery charge combined with an indicated low or absent irradiation and / or low or absent irradiation in a following time period as assessed by the control unit 50, e.g. based on indications of sensors 44b measuring outdoor conditions or externally communicated information. As controlled by the control unit 50, energy from the external sources 31,34 and the battery 32 is supplied to the electronic parts via output 35. The control unit 50 may furthermore control a charging of the battery by the solar panels 31 and / or grid connection 34 in an optimal manner, based on the measurement by sensors 43a- c, including optimizing the power output of the solar panels by regulating current and voltage thereof through an MPPT integrated in the controller 50. Furthermore the control unit 50 is configured and arranged to operate switches in the supply lines to the separate electronic components.

[0221] Components of the energy system and supply lines are indicated by the assembled thick-thin lines in the figures 5-7. Control signals are indicated by single lines. Measurement signals from sensors are indicated by double lines. For example, sensors 42a, b,c perform measurements in the receiving mechanism 21 and handling mechanism 25 of the container manipulating parts 20, namely the discussed barcode reading, and physical container properties determination.

[0222] The sensorium 40 comprises sensors 41a,b,c which perform measurements involved with the housing (integrated) components, including a door sensor 41 a, a front panel sensor 41 b, and a level sensor 41c. As discussed sensors 42a, b,c are involved with the container manipulating parts, including the multiple barcode scanners 42a, e.g. CCD or infrared, a weighing unit 42b, e.g. a load cell, and visual sensors 42c. Sensors 43a, b,c provide the discussed indications of electrical properties of the energy supply system 30. Sensors 44a, b,c include a camera 44a, environmental sensors 44b indicative of weather and climate conditions outside of the housing, such as humidity, light level, temperature, and wind velocity, and sensors 44c measure conditions inside the housing, e.g. humidity, temperature, (air) contamination through residual liquids in the receptacle, and anomalous situations such as the presence of a container at an inappropriate location or a foreign object.

[0223] Shown in all figures is that the apparatus 1 comprises a radar sensor 45, configured to detect a person approaching the apparatus 1. It is arranged for being powered by the energy supply system 30 of the apparatus 1 so as to be continuously maintained in operation for the detection. The radar sensor 45 is provided at the upper side of a circumferential, slanted wall defining the insertion opening 11, in front of the door 14. It is directed forwardly and integrated in the wall such as to be covered by a panel having a thickness of around 1 mm.

[0224] The apparatus 1 is configured to maintain one or more of the multiple electronic functional components in an idle state when the apparatus 1 is not in use and the radar sensor 45 does not detect a person approaching the apparatus 1. In the idle state these functional components are substantially not powered by the energy supply system 30 and not operable by the control unit 50. The apparatus 1 is configured to when triggered by the radar sensor upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus 1 , the activate the idle functional components of the apparatus 1, involving initiating a powering of these components by the energy supply system, so as to prepare these components for operation, e.g. as controlled by the control unit 50.

[0225] Figure 5 illustrates the electronic configuration of the apparatus 1 in the active state. Solid lines represent active components and active interconnections. Figure 6 illustrates the electronic configuration in idle state. Dashed lines represent idle components and idle interconnections - e.g. substantially no electricity flow or data communication taking place. Figure 7 illustrates the first steps of activation from the idle state.

[0226] In particular, the implementation of the idle and active state of the components is accomplished in the shown embodiment as follows. Referring to figure 6 first, the radar sensor 45 is functionally connected to the electronic control unit 50 such as to trigger the control unit 50, in particular a dedicated sleep function program 51 thereof, upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus 1. This triggering is indicated by the lightning symbol. The control unit 50 is configured to remain in the idle state shown in figure 6 as long as the radar sensor 45 does not detect a person approaching the apparatus 1. Therein the main program 52 of the control unit 50 is not being executed as commanded by the sleep function program 51. When triggered by the radar sensor 45, the sleep program 51 executes a selfactivation of the control unit 50 to enable control thereby of the multiple functional components through the initiation of the of the general operation program 52, which emanates an increased powering of the control unit by the energy supply system 30. As is illustrated by figure 7, the one or more of the idle functional components of the apparatus 1 are activated by start-up algorithms of the program 52, to enable operation thereof by the program 52, involving initiating a powering of these components by the energy supply system through operation of switches in supply lines of these components. Furthermore the communication with the components is restored. The restoration of the interconnections is indicated by the arrows pointing towards each other at the relevant lines. The active state of figure 5 results.

[0227] Deactivation is also established by program 52 of the control unit 50. After a predetermined time period in which the apparatus 1 has not been receiving and handling any containers, as detected by one or more of the sensors of the groups 10 and 20, and the radar sensor 45 has neither been detecting any person approaching the apparatus 1, the program 52 initiates an algorithm to de-activate the one or more of the multiple functional components involving a de-powering of these components, and to thereafter self-deactivate the programs 53 and 52 to make the control unit 50 enter the idle state itself, emanating a decreased powering thereof by the energy supply system 30.

[0228] Referring to figures 5-7, the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus 1 is not in use and the radar sensor 45 does not detect a person approaching the apparatus includes local communication interface 60 for transmitting data received from the user to an external server 200 and receiving data from the server 200. As explained before, this data may for example be associated with a permission or denial of insertion of one or more returnable beverage containers 100 and / or with the issuance of a reward for an insertion. In particular, the external server 200 has stored thereon a digital database of containers which are suitable for collecting by the apparatus 1 , including barcodes and associated therewith, physical information including weight, and furthermore e.g. geometrical properties and appearance. The local communication interface 60 is functionally connected to the control unit 50, and the activation of the components from the idle state thereof includes operating the local communication interface 60 such as to establish a data connection thereof with the external server 200. It is envisaged that the establishment of this data connection is one of the first actions taken by the program 52 after being triggered to activate the electronic components.

[0229] The electronic functional components further include an electronic user interface comprising for locally receiving and / or presenting data from and to the user, respectively the QR-code scanning device 41b and display 12. The user interface is functionally connected to the control unit 50, as shown in figures 5-7. Both the display 12 and the scanning device 41b are arranged on the outside of the housing 10 as shown in figures 1-4. Therein the display is integrated in the upper part 10u of the housing 10 laterally next to the insertion opening 11, and the scanning device 41b is arranged at the circumferential wall of the insertion opening 11 near the radar sensor 45, integrated in the slanted wall in front of the door 14. This makes it directly accessible to a user, who is thereby able to have a QR-code scanned in a convenient manner directly after arrival. The QR-code scanner is envisaged as one of the first components being activated after triggering of program 51 by the radar sensor 45.

[0230] In the idle state of the functional components, the components of the energy supply system 30, including the measurements by the sensors 43a-c, are still active. The control unit 50 also keeps controlling the energy flows to the battery 32 and the output 35, in particular through the current converter 33 and the MPPT, based on the availability of the external sources 31, 34 and the demand by the apparatus 1.

[0231] The electronic functional components further include a ring 13 of multiple LED-lights which is provided at the front of the housing 10, in particular integrated therewith, circumscribing the insertion opening 11. The number of LED-lights is between 10 and 100, in particular 50 to 60. In the idle state, the ring 13 is operated to have a majority of the LED-lights remaining off, for example 90-99%. For example only 1 to 10 LED-lights remain on whereas 90-99 lights remain off. Alternatively the control unit 50 may keep all LED-lights off in the idle state.

[0232] In a practical use of the apparatus 1 , a user approaches the apparatus 1, which is detected by radar sensor 45. Radar sensor 45 triggers program 52 of the control unit 50, initializing an algorithm thereof to firstly activate the ring of LED-lights 13 to confirm to the user the start of the activation, the scanning device 41b, the display 12 and local communication interface 60 including establishing a connection thereof with external server 200.

[0233] In a first alternative, the display 12 is operated to display instructions to scan a QR-code of a general software application on the mobile device of the user, linked to an online banking or payment system. Upon arrival of the user, the user presents the QR-code to the scanning device 41b, which the main program 52 of the control unit 50 assesses and when accepted, opens the door 14 to clear the insertion opening 11 by operation of door actuator 15.

[0234] In a second alternative, the display 12 is operated to display a QR-code itself to be scanned by the mobile device of the user upon arrival, which directs it to a linked online payment platform provided by or linked with the external server 200. The control unit 50 receives from the external server 200 data on its interconnection with the mobile device and when accepted, opens the door 14 to clear the insertion opening 11 by operation of door actuator 15. Note that in this use the scanner 41b is not employed and is only present for redundancy - however in other embodiments intended for this practical use the scanning device 41b may not be provided at all. As noted before other embodiments may not even employ a display or an initial scanning device at all - e.g. a QR-code or other identification simply being printed on the housing 10 and / or any reward being dealt with completely by use of the mobile device in connection with the external server 200 or even issued by the apparatus in physical form, e.g. a printed receipt or voucher.

[0235] The acceptance of the use by the control unit 50 may be done automatically at all times or depend on predetermined factors - e.g. the energy status of the apparatus 1 , the fulness level of the bin 18, a maintenance status, and / or a check on the user (mobile device) - e.g. if the user (mobile device) is not associated with a previous inappropriate use of the - or another known - apparatus 1.

[0236] The scanning device 42a is subsequently activated even as the door actuator 15. The load cell 42b, camera 42c, and the drives 22-24 and 26-28 of the receiving and handling mechanisms 21, 25 are then activated even as the memory 53 of the control system. By means of the load cell 42b the initial weight of the receiving mechanism 21 prior to insertion is determined and memorized by the control unit 50 - using memory 53. The other sensors 43a-c, 44a-c are activated as well.

[0237] The user inserts a first container 100, scanning the barcode thereof in the insertion movement, and releases the container 100 onto the support surface. The weight of the receiving mechanism 21 now supporting the container 100 is determined by the load cell 42c, after which the program 52 determines if the weight difference with the initial weight corresponds to the expected weight as according to the database for the scanned barcode, e.g. taking into account any possible residual fluids in the container 100. After a positive assessment, the drives 26,27 and optionally the additional reorienting I repositioning drives of the handling mechanism 25 are switched on. The container 100 is by operation of drives 22 passed to the handling mechanism 25 which demotes the container 100 and discharges it into the receptacle 18. Alternatively after a negative assessment, the display 12 presents a message to that end and the user is instructed to remove the container 100, not being passed to the handling mechanism 25, the components of the handling mechanism 25 not being switched on.

[0238] After acceptance of the container 100 the user is invited via the display 12 to insert a subsequent container 100 or to indicate, via the user interface or the mobile device, that the disposal is finished.

[0239] The control unit 50 is programmed to, in particular by means of program 52, store in memory 53 the containers 100 processed by the apparatus 1 by a single user, which is only taken into account for the height of the reward, e.g. deposit, after said positive assessment of suitability for being collected by the apparatus 1, and / or to store in the memory 53 the (so far) summed up reward, e.g. deposit.

[0240] After said indication by the user, or after expiration of a predetermined time period, e.g. 1-5 minutes, after the acceptance of the container 100 without any registered subsequent user action, or after a detected moving away of the user from the apparatus 1 , the door actuator 15 is controlled to close the door 14 and the control unit finishes the process, including - if still possible through the interconnection with the mobile device - the issuance of the reward for all containers 100 inserted by the user via the mobile device and server 200. If not possible, the process may be aborted and e.g. the memorized data on the session removed. The components, including the scanner 42a, load cell 42b and camera 42c and drives 22,26,27 are switched off again, even as the sensors 44a-c.

[0241] After finishing the process and in absence of any subsequent user interaction, and any approaching of a user as detected by the radar sensor 45, over a predetermined time period, e.g. 1-5 minutes, the control unit 50 controls the apparatus 1 to enter the idle state.

[0242] Figures 8 and 9 (highly) schematically illustrate respectively the second and third aspect of the invention.

[0243] Figure 8 shows in a front view, that the container receiving and handling mechanism 21 is separate from the container handling mechanism 25 and that the receiving mechanism 21 behind the insertion opening is configured to support the container 100 received through the insertion opening 11 onto a support surface 29. The support surface 29 is formed by the two laterally juxtaposed longitudinally panels 23,24 which are here seen from the front, in the direction of their longitudinal extension. The panels 23,24 extend longitudinally backwardly from this plane of view, i.e. ‘into the paper’, at a moderate angle of around 20 degrees downwardly, and adjoin at a lateral center line 29c in the same direction, which laterally corresponds to the center of the insertion opening 11. The obtuse angle of around 120 degrees enclosed by the panels 23,24 leads to a favorable support of the container 100 which limits the horizontal movement thereof in both directions. At least part of this support surface 29 has a supporting mode and a passing mode. In the depicted case, the left panel 23 is shown being moved, that is, pivoted about the pivot axis 23x, from the supporting mode (dotted) to the passing mode (solid). The right panel also has these modes. In the supporting mode, the container 100 (dotted) is thus supported from below by the support surface 29. The container 100 is supported on the support surface 29 as received by the user through the insertion opening 11, i.e. within manual reach from, and substantially in line with, the insertion opening 11. It is envisaged that in this position the properties of the container 100 are determined by the before discussed sensors 42b-c.

[0244] In the passing mode of the panel 23 shown in solid lines, the corresponding left half of the support surface 29 is removed to form underneath the container 100 a passing opening through which the container 100 falls, as shown, as a consequence of said removing. In case of receiving and handling being provided in separate mechanisms 21 and 25, separate handling mechanisms 25 may be provided which are particularly attuned to the according type of container 100. This option is shown highly schematically by the dashed blocks representing the dedicated handling mechanisms 25. Therein said passing results as shown in the container 100 being passed to the respective dedicated handling mechanism 25 for demotion of said container 100, if provided separately.

[0245] An embodiment wherein said receiving and handling mechanism 21,25 are integrated is envisaged from figure 8 by imaginarily eliminating the dashed blocks 25. The demotion then takes place with the container still being supported by the support surface 29. The passing of the container 100 through the created opening results in the demoted container 100 being passed directly into the respective dedicated bin 18.

[0246] Said removing of the (part of the) support surface 29 is as shown, accomplished by pivoting the corresponding left or right half of the support surface 29 from the center line 29c between the panels by pivoting the respective panel 23,24 correspondingly. The pivot axes 23x,24x therein extend longitudinally, substantially in line with the insertion opening 11, i.e. in the insertion direction, at around 20 degrees with the horizontal. The pivoting of either panel 23,24 results in the created opening increasing in the direction away from the center 29c of the original support surface 29 in the supporting mode.

[0247] From figure 8, embodiments with three laterally juxtaposed and longitudinally extending plates forming the support surface 29 may also be envisaged, e.g. two slanted side plates which laterally sandwich a center plate, each above a respective (handling mechanism 25 and there below a respective) bin 18.

[0248] Thus, two passing modes are associated with horizontally differently located, e.g. laterally offset, openings, namely, a left and right one, which result in the downwards passing of the container 100 at these respective horizontally differing locations. This may be applied in particular with the purpose of sorting the containers, directing different types of containers in respective bins 18, e.g. also in different handling mechanisms 25.

[0249] The third aspect of the invention is highly schematically depicted in figure 9. For the door 14 for closing off and clearing the insertion opening 11, an associated door actuator 15 is provided which is controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively. The door actuator 15 is provided in the form of a rotational motor of which the axle is vertical. The motor 15 limits, preferably blocks, motion of the door 14 in an opening direction, i.e. rightwards, for clearing the insertion opening 11 , by a rotational position of the motor axle via the transmission mechanism, to prevent the insertion opening 11 from becoming accessible by a manual force exerted on the door 14 in that rightwards direction. For example, the rotational motor 15 maintains its rotational position despite a rightwards force being applied thereto resulting from the manual force as transmitted via the transmission mechanism.

[0250] In this embodiment the transmission mechanism is embodied as a chain, e.g. an endless chain, which is connected to the door at a left location and laterally spaced therefrom, at a right location, to the rotation axle of the motor 15, so that the rotation of the motor 15 results in the lateral sliding of the door 14 in the plane of the insertion opening 11. In figure 9 the actuation and movement of the door 14 behind the insertion opening 11 from the opened (dotted) to the closed position (dashed) is indicated.

[0251] In the passing mode of the panel 23 shown in solid lines, the corresponding left half of the support surface 29 is removed to form underneath the container 100 a passing opening through which the container 100 falls, as shown, as a consequence of said removing. Said removing of the (part of the) support surface 29 is as shown, accomplished by pivoting the corresponding left or right half of the support surface 29 from the center line 29c between the panels by pivoting the respective panel 23,24 correspondingly. The pivot axes 23x,24x therein extend longitudinally, substantially in line with the insertion opening 11, i.e. in the insertion direction, at around 20 degrees with the horizontal. The pivoting of either panel 23,24 results in the created opening increasing in the direction away from the center 29c of the original support surface 29 in the supporting mode.

[0252] In other embodiments, verifiable from the figure 8, wherein the receiving and handling are also provided in separate mechanisms 21 and 25, separate handling mechanisms 25 may be provided which are particularly attuned to the according type of container 100. Therein said passing results as shown in the container 100 being passed to the respective dedicated handling mechanism 25 for demotion of said container 100, if provided separately. For example with the shown receiving mechanism 21, there may in particular be two handling mechanisms 25 each associated with and arranged underneath one of the panels. After determining the type of container 100, it is passed to the mechanism 25 assigned to the container type by pivoting away the associated one of the panels 23,24. Thus, two passing modes are associated with horizontally differently located, e.g. laterally offset, openings, namely, a left and right one, which result in the downwards passing of the container 100 at these respective horizontally differing locations. This may be applied in particular with the purpose of sorting the containers, directing different types of containers in respective bins 18, e.g. also in different handling mechanisms 25.

[0253] An embodiment wherein said receiving and handling mechanism 21,25 are integrated may also be envisaged from figure 8. The demotion then takes place with the container still being supported by the support surface 29. The passing of the container 100 through the created opening results in the demoted container 100 being passed directly into the respective dedicated bin 18.

[0254] From figure 8, embodiments with three laterally juxtaposed and longitudinally extending plates forming the support surface 29 may also be envisaged, e.g. two slanted side plates which laterally sandwich a center plate, each above a respective (handling mechanism 25 and there below a respective) bin 18.

[0255] The actuation of the door is highly schematically depicted in figure 7. For the door 14 for closing off and clearing the insertion opening 11, an associated door actuator 15 is provided which is controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively.

[0256] The door actuator 15 is provided in the form of a rotational motor of which the axle is vertical. The motor 15 limits, preferably blocks, motion of the door 14 in an opening direction, i.e. rightwards, for clearing the insertion opening 11 , by a rotational position of the motor axle via the transmission mechanism, to prevent the insertion opening 11 from becoming accessible by a manual force exerted on the door 14 in that rightwards direction. For example, the rotational motor 15 maintains its rotational position despite a rightwards force being applied thereto resulting from the manual force as transmitted via the transmission mechanism.

[0257] In this embodiment the transmission mechanism is embodied as a chain, e.g. an endless chain, which is connected to the door at a left location and laterally spaced therefrom, at a right location, to the rotation axle of the motor 15, so that the rotation of the motor 15 results in the lateral sliding of the door 14 in the plane of the insertion opening 11. In figure 9 the actuation and movement of the door 14 behind the insertion opening 11 from the opened (dotted) to the closed position (dashed) is indicated.

Claims

1. -54-C L A I M S1. Apparatus (1) for collecting refuse or empty returnable beverage containers (100), comprising:- optionally, at least one collection receptacle (18), e.g. an open topped bin comprising a top opening, for storing therein the refuse or empty returnable beverage containers,- a housing (10) configured for accommodating the collection receptacle in a lower section (101) thereof, the housing comprising in an upper section (10u) of the housing an insertion opening (11), configured to receive the refuse or an empty returnable beverage container (100),- an electronic control unit (50) functionally connected to multiple electronically powered functional components of the apparatus, wherein the multiple electronically powered functional components comprise one or more of:• a door actuator which is configured to operate a door for closing off and clearing the insertion opening, wherein the door actuator is controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively,• a compactor mechanism configured to compact refuse or empty returnable beverage container(s) received in the at least one collection receptacle (18),• drives (22, 26-28) of a container receiving and handling mechanism (21, 25), wherein the container receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support a container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle,• one or more sensors (41a-c,42a-c,43a-c,44a-c), including a sensor (42a) for said determining of one or more properties of the container,- an energy supply system (30) for powering the control unit and the multiple functional components, comprising one or more external energy sources (31), e.g. a grid-connection and / or an external renewable energy source, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels (31) provided on the outside of the housing (10), wherein the apparatus comprises a radar sensor (45) configured to detect a person approaching the apparatus, and arranged for being powered by the energy supply system of the apparatus so as to be continuously maintained in operation for said detection, wherein the apparatus (1) is configured to:-55- maintain one or more of the multiple electronically powered functional components of the apparatus in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) does not detect a person approaching the apparatus, in which idle state these functional components are substantially not, or only minimally, powered by the energy supply system (30) and not operable by the control unit (50), and- when triggered by the radar sensor upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus, activate the idle functional components of the apparatus, involving initiating an increased, e.g. plenary, powering of these components by the energy supply system, so as to prepare these components for operation, e.g. as controlled by the control unit.

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radar sensor (45) is functionally connected to the electronic control unit (50) such as to trigger the control unit upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus, and the control unit is configured to remain in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) does not detect a person approaching the apparatus,- when triggered by the radar sensor, self-activate to enable control thereby of the multiple functional components, emanating an increased powering of the control unit by the energy supply system (30), activate the one or more of the idle functional components of the apparatus, to enable operation thereof by the control unit, involving initiating a powering of these components by the energy supply system.

3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (50) is furthermore configured to, after a predetermined time period in which it has not been used for receiving refuse or any containers (100), and the radar sensor (45) has not been detecting any person approaching the apparatus, de-activate the one or more of the multiple functional components involving a de-powering of these components, and self-deactivate to enter the idle state itself.

4. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) does not detect a person approaching the apparatus includes: a local communication interface (60) for transmitting data received from the user to an external server (200) and receiving data, e.g. associated with a permission or denial of insertion of one or more returnable beverage containers (100) and / or with the issuance of a reward for an insertion, from the server (200);-56- wherein the local communication interface (60) is functionally connected to the control unit (50), and the activation of the electronic functional components from the idle state thereof includes operating the local communication interface such as to establish a data connection thereof with the external server (200).

5. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) does not detect a person approaching the apparatus includes an electronic user interface (41b, 12) functionally connected to the control unit (50), arranged on the outside of the housing, and comprising, for locally receiving and / or presenting data from and to the user, respectively- a sensor, e.g. a visual sensor, e.g. scanning device (41b); and / or- a display device (12).

6. Apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (50) is programmed to, in an active state of the electronic user interface (41b, 12) operate the door actuator (15) based- on the input data received from the user; and / or- if the apparatus is furthermore according to claim 4, on the data received from the server, e.g. such that the door (14) clears the insertion opening (11) in case an assessment of the data results in an insertion to be permitted, and keep it closed in case the assessment results in an insertion to be denied.

7. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is an apparatus for collecting empty returnable beverage containers (100), wherein the apparatus comprises at least:• the door for closing of and clearing the insertion opening, wherein the door is operable by the door actuator,• the container receiving and handling mechanism (21 , 25), wherein the container receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support a container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle,• one or more sensors (41a-c,42a-c,43a-c,44a-c), including a sensor (42a) for said determining of one or more properties of the container.

8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 7 and claim 4 or 5, and optionally claim 6, wherein the control unit (50) is programmed to, in an active state of the user interface (12,41b) and / or-57- the communication interface (60), where present, cause a digital issuance of a reward to the user for the return of a received empty beverage container, e.g. via the server, e.g. a deposit on the bank account of the user, e.g. which via a data presentation on the user interface is redeemable via a mobile device of a user or is redeemable via a software application on the user directly via data exchange with the server.

9. Apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the visual sensor is a scanning device (41b) in the form of a QR-code reader, and / or wherein the control unit (50) and the display (12) are configured to present a QR-code, e.g. received by the local communication interface (60) from the server (200), on the display (12).

10. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) does not detect a person approaching the apparatus include: one or more sensors (42a, b,c) and / or one or more actuators (22-24,26-28) of the container receiving mechanism (21) and / or of the container handling mechanism (25).

11. Apparatus (1) according to at least claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more sensors (42a, b) of the container receiving mechanism (21) for said determining of one or more properties of a received container (100), the sensors including- one or more barcode readers (42a) for reading a barcode of a received container (100); and- optionally, a weighing unit (42b) for providing an indication of the weight of the received container, e.g. by weighing the container receiving mechanism or a part thereof including the received container, wherein the functional components which are maintained in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) does not detect a person approaching the apparatus includes at least the barcode readers (42a) and optionally the weighing unit (42b).

12. Apparatus (1) according to at least claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more sensors (42a, b) of the container receiving mechanism (21) for said determining of one or more properties of a received container (100), including- one or more barcode readers (42a) for reading a barcode of a received container (100); and- a weighing unit (42b) for providing an indication of the weight of the received container, by weighing the container receiving mechanism (21) or at least a supporting surface thereof that is configured to support the weight of the received container,wherein the control unit (50) is programmed to determine based on the indication by the weighing unit whether a container of which a barcode has been read has thereafter actually been inserted to be supported by the supporting surface, and wherein the receiving mechanism (21) is operated to pass the container to the handling mechanism (25) only in case said determination is positive.

13. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the energy supply system (30) comprises a battery (32) which is charged by the external energy source (31) and is de-charged by power supply to the multiple functional components of the apparatus and the control unit (50), as controlled by the control unit.

14. Apparatus (1) according to claims 3 and 13, wherein the energy supply system (30) comprises a battery charge detector (43a) arranged for detecting a charge level of the battery (32) and operatively connected to the control unit (50), wherein the control unit is programmed such that the predetermined time period is shorter as the battery charge detected by the battery charge detector is lower.

15. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the radar sensor (45) is arranged inside of the upper section (10u) of the housing and recessed with respect to an inlet of the insertion opening (11).

16. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, preferably according to claim 15, wherein the insertion opening (11) and the user interface (12) are arranged at a front side of the housing (10), and the radar sensor (45) is directed forwardly to detect the approaching of the person in a direction towards the front side of the housing.

17. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, preferably according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the radar sensor (45) is shielded from the environment of the apparatus by a cover, the cover, e.g. wall, having a thickness in the order of magnitude of 1 mm or less at least over the measurement range of the radar sensor.

18. Apparatus (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a visual indicator (13) at the outside of the housing at the front side thereof, for indicating a detection of the approaching of a user, and / or of one or more functional parts which have been idle now being or becoming active, wherein the visual indicator comprises one or more lights, e.g. LED-lights, which are by the control unit (50) switched on or operated to change appearance, e.g. color, upon said user approaching detection and / or saidfunctional parts being or becoming active, e.g. wherein at least a part, e.g. a majority or all, of the lights is switched off in an idle state thereof.

19. Apparatus (1) according to at least claim 7, wherein the handling mechanism (25) is configured to demote a received and passed container such as to invalidate the barcode thereof and / or make it unreadable so that the container is no longer returnable into the apparatus.

20. Apparatus (1) according to at least claim 7, wherein the receiving and handling mechanism (21,25) comprises a receiving mechanism (21) and a handling mechanism (25), wherein the receiving mechanism is configured to, after the determining of one or more properties thereof, pass the container to the handling mechanism (25) for said subsequent demotion and discharge.

21. Apparatus (1) according to at least claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to a powering of the container handling mechanism (25) by the energy supply system (30) such that one or more drives thereof are: powered to process received beverage containers (100) only after receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after accepting said desired use by the control unit, e.g. powered to process received containers only when the control unit (50) determines, based on the properties determined by the container receiving mechanism (21), that a container received first after said user-triggered signal and optionally said acceptance, is accepted for being processed, e.g. when the control unit determines, e.g. based on other sensors of the receiving mechanism, that the accepted container is passed to the handling mechanism, and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion, or a predetermined time period having passed in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism (25), and such that these are after having been depowered not powered to process received containers (100), i.e. remaining in the idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit (50) does not receive a user triggeredsignal indicating a desired use, e.g. accept said desired use, e.g. does not determine acceptance of a container for processing, e.g. its passing to the handling mechanism.

22. Apparatus according to at least claim 7, wherein the multiple electronically powered functional comprise one or more sensors (42a, b) of the container receiving mechanism (21) for said determining of one or more properties of the container, at least including one or more readers (42a) for an identifier, e.g. an EAN-code or barcode, wherein the electronic control unit (50) is programmed to control a powering of the container receiving mechanism (21) by the energy supply system (30) such that at least the identifier reader (42a) thereof is: powered to determine an identifier of a received container (100) only after receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating a desired use of the apparatus, e.g. only after an acceptance thereof by the electronic control unit (50), and depowered to an idle or switched-off state after determining a desired completion of said use of the apparatus by the control unit, e.g. in response to the receipt by the control unit of a user-triggered signal indicating the desired completion, or a predetermined time period having passed in which the apparatus has not been receiving and / or handling any containers, e.g. a time period having passed since a processing by and / or discharge from the container handling mechanism, e.g. based on the determined processing and / or discharge status by the container handling mechanism (25), and such that it is after having been depowered not powered to determine an identifier of a received container (100), i.e. remaining in the idle or switched-off state, as long as the control unit (50) does not receive any user-triggered signal indicating a desired use, e.g. and furthermore any acceptance thereof by the control unit.

23. System of an electronic control unit (50) and a radar sensor (45) for use in an apparatus (1) for collecting refuse or returnable empty beverage containers (100), wherein the apparatus comprises multiple electronically powered functional components, wherein the multiple electronically powered functional components comprise one or more of:• a door actuator which is configured to operate a door for closing off and clearing the insertion opening, wherein the door actuator is controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively,-61-• a compactor mechanism configured to compact refuse or empty returnable beverage container(s) received in the at least one collection receptacle (18),• drives (22, 26-28) of a container receiving and handling mechanism (21, 25), wherein the container receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support a container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle,• one or more sensors (41a-c,42a-c,43a-c,44a-c), including a sensor (42a) for said determining of one or more properties of the container, wherein the control unit (50) is functionally connectable to the connected functional electronic components of the apparatus, wherein the radar sensor (45) is configured to detect a person approaching the apparatus (1), and for being continuously maintained in operation for said detection, wherein the radar sensor (45) is functionally connected to the electronic control unit (50) such as to trigger the control unit upon detection of a person approaching the apparatus, and the control unit is configured to remain in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) does not detect a person approaching the apparatus,- when triggered by the radar sensor, self-activate to enable control thereby of the multiple functional components, emanating an increased power demand by the control unit, activate the one or more of the idle functional components of the apparatus, to enable operation thereof by the control unit, and involving initiating a power demand or an increase thereof of these components.

24. System according to claim 23, further comprising an energy supply system (30) which comprises a battery (32), suitable for being charged by an external energy source (31) and for being de-charged by power supply to the multiple functional components of the apparatus and the control unit (50), as controlled by the control unit.

25. System according to claim 23, further comprising, as the external energy source (31), a renewable energy collection means, e.g. one or more photovoltaic panels.-62-26. System according to any one or more of claims 23 - 25, wherein the multiple electronically powered functional components include, the door actuator, drives (22,26-28) of the receiving and handling mechanisms (21,22), and one or more sensors (41a-c,42a-c,43a- c,44a-c),27. Method for collecting returnable beverage containers (100) in an apparatus (1) for collecting returnable empty beverage containers (100), wherein the apparatus comprises multiple electronically powered functional components, wherein the multiple electronically powered functional components comprise one or more of:• a door actuator which is configured to operate a door for closing off and clearing the insertion opening, wherein the door actuator is controllable to prevent and enable access to the insertion opening by said closing off and clearing, respectively,• a compactor mechanism configured to compact empty returnable beverage container(s) received in the at least one collection receptacle (18),• drives (22, 26-28) of a container receiving and handling mechanism (21, 25), wherein the container receiving and handling mechanism is configured to support a container received through the insertion opening, determine one or more properties thereof, process the received container to a demoted state thereof, and subsequently discharge the processed beverage container into the receptacle,• one or more sensors (41a-c,42a-c,43a-c,44a-c), including a sensor (42a) for said determining of one or more properties of the container, the method comprising: providing the apparatus and a radar sensor (45), e.g. implemented in the apparatus, for detecting a person approaching the apparatus; maintaining the functional components in an idle state when the apparatus is not in use and the radar sensor (45) is not detecting a person approaching the apparatus (1); detecting by means of a radar sensor (45) a person approaching the apparatus (1); upon said detection, activate of the idle functional electronic components, to enable operation thereof, involving initiating a power demand or an increase thereof of these components, e.g. wherein the maintaining, the detecting, and the triggering is performed by a control unit of the apparatus, e.g. wherein the apparatus is embodied according to any of the claims 1- 22.

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