EP1386293A1

EP1386293A1 - Marking a deposit item

Info

Publication number: EP1386293A1
Application number: EP02721943A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sven-Erik Carlson
Original assignee: Trion AG
Current assignee: Trion AG
Priority date: 2001-05-07
Filing date: 2002-05-07
Publication date: 2004-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-07
Also published as: DE50203090D1; WO2002091313A1; US7316351B2; US20040195306A1; ATE295587T1; EP1386293B1; EP1256910A1

Abstract

Method for identification of a returnable object (1) to which a deposit has been applied. The object has an element (11) that can be switched or activated prior to sale or to activate the object deposit. When the object is returned and the deposit paid, then the element is deactivated to show that the object no longer has a deposit. The object is activated or switched with a low frequency radio wave. An Independent claim is made for a returnable or non-returnable object that has an element that can be switched between deposit, i.e. returnable, and non-deposit modes. The element is re-useable, i.e. it can by used multiple times if the object is being returned.

Description

MARKING AN DEPOSIT ITEM

Identify an object with a deposit

The present invention relates to a method for identifying an object which can be occupied with a return deposit, an object which must be identifiable, an application of the method and a use of the object.

In the case of objects, products, containers such as bottles, containers and the like, for which return / return is desired, a deposit is generally levied when the objects are returned. This ensures that the object returned is also returned, for example for environmental reasons or for reasons of order. On the one hand, it is often difficult to distinguish between objects with a deposit, such as bottles, and those without a deposit, and there is often a need to return only "own" objects from an issuing point, such as ^' a certain chain of stores, for a deposit - to take. In addition, one would like to make sure that "for a returned object with a deposit, the deposit is paid only once and thus abuse and manipulation with repeated unauthorized payment can be excluded. For these reasons, it has so far proven extremely difficult to determine whether a repurposed object at an issuing or return point is certainly entitled to a deposit. Until now, in addition to manual return, done by employees, mechanical and electronic form Systems and systems that can read a bar code, such as an EAN or UPC code. These systems have the disadvantage that they are inaccurate and / or manipulable and / or cannot carry out identification or only with great inaccuracy if the object is contained in a container such as a container or a harass. In addition, in the case of facilities of this type, the staff of the issuing or return point can misuse the goods by having the items themselves pass through such facilities several times, and the deposit is therefore collected several times.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a method and associated devices by means of which the above-mentioned problem can be solved simply and inexpensively.

The above-mentioned object is achieved by means of a method according to the wording of claim 1.

It is proposed that for the identification of an object which can be occupied with a return deposit, an element which can be switched or activated in or on the object is activated or described before or upon delivery of the object and / or a deposit for the object in such a way that the Object can be identified as having a deposit and that when the object is taken back and the property is returned

Deposit, the element is activated or deactivated in such a way that the object can be identified as not having a deposit. The element arranged on the object is preferably an identification chip, a circuit or magnetic strip, which is provided with the information when the object is handed in and a deposit is paid for the object that the object is occupied by a deposit. When the object is returned and the deposit is returned, the information on the chip or circuit or magnetic stripe is deleted or overwritten or reset to "not deposited". In addition to the deposit information, additional information such as a chip, an integrated circuit or magnetic stripe can preferably be transferred to the element when the object is handed in, such as the delivery point, delivery date, identification of the content, identification number, etc., which further information depending on the return location of the

Object can be read upon return and deleted or changed in whole or in part. This further information can also include information as to whether the object belongs to a specific "deposit system", ie that a deposit is only collected, for example, from a specific delivery point, such as a chain of stores, and accordingly only from a specific return point, such as the one mentioned Store chain, is also repaid again. The method defined according to the invention can be used to prevent objects of the same type which are not entitled to a deposit from being introduced into this "deposit system".

The activation, data transfer or writing when the object is handed over or reading, deactivating, According to a preferred embodiment, the data is overwritten and / or deleted using infrared, magnetic recording technology or using RFID technology (radio frequency identification). Especially in the latter case, the data is transferred to the object or between the objects on an identification chip by data transmission in the radio frequency range from a so-called interrogator (reader / writer) and the data from the chip can be read by a reader / writer and, if necessary, changed, overwritten or to be deleted.

In other words, the communication between the chip and the interrogator takes place, for example, by means of radio waves.

Another object of the present invention relates to the identification of a single-use or multi-use object.

To solve this further problem, a single-use or multiple-use object is proposed, which must be easily and clearly identifiable, and which, if appropriate, preferably has an activatable or writable element, which is arranged in, on or on the object, and which can be written or written with information On or on which information can be applied, wherein this information can at least partially be deactivated, deleted or overwritten.

The element is preferably fixedly connected to the object or preferably arranged integrally on, on or in this. A so-called RF identification chip, a magnetic stripe or an integrated circuit is particularly suitable as an identifiable element, which is preferably an activatable or writable element, and which is at least readable, optionally preferably actively writable and / or can be switched on and off and on stored data, if appropriate, are preferably at least partially overwritable and / or partially erasable. According to a preferred embodiment variant, an RFID chip is proposed as an element which can be written and read, overwritten and at least partially erased in the radio frequency range.

Such so-called RFID chips (radio frequency identification) are already well known per se. With these

Chips which can be applied to any object can be, for example, so-called "smart labels", ie wafer-thin, so-called "low cost data carriers" in label design, which are used as an alternative to so-called "bar codes". Also known are self-adhesive flexible data carriers which, as a rule, can be used because of the higher-quality design than the "smart labels" mentioned under tougher operating conditions, such as, in particular, higher operating temperatures. Finally, rigid RFID chips or data carriers that can be applied to any carrier material are also known. Such RFID chips or tags are offered, for example, by Gemplus, Montgomeryville USA, or ID Systems AG in 2557 Studen, Switzerland. The transmission frequencies vary in a range from approx. 50 KHz to 2.5 GHz. The use of microwaves is also conceivable in itself. The RFID systems currently used commercially usually operate in a range from 125 KHz to 13.5 MHz. Systems up to 800 MHz are also under development and we are already talking about even higher frequency ranges. According to reliable sources, the manufacturing costs of the 800 MHz tags mentioned should only cost a few euro cents. An actual industry standard for these identification systems using the aforementioned RFID chips has not yet been defined per se; at the moment the most common standards are the so-called I-code from Philips and the Tag-It standard from Motorola. Other solutions are also known. Such identification solutions are already being used in some cases in libraries where books and video tapes are provided with such RFID chips. In this connection, reference is made, for example, to international patent application WO 99/64974. According to a further embodiment variant, the further object is achieved in that an identification chip or semiconductor chip is arranged on the disposable or multiple-use object, which is readable in the radio wave frequency range, and if appropriate can preferably also be written to or erased again. It has been shown that identification chips of this type, which can only be read in the radio frequency wave range, can already essentially solve the problems or difficulties which arise with the EAN or UPC codes used today. The method defined in accordance with the invention is particularly suitable for multiple-use objects, such as bottles, containers, barrels, canisters, etc., which are provided with a filling material and are returned in return for a deposit and are taken back empty when the deposit is returned.

However, the method according to the invention is also suitable for the identification of shopping carts or other objects, where an object is given, which is then to be returned again for regulatory or economic reasons.

However, the method is also suitable, for example, for deposit-bearing containers, such as trays, which are used for the sale of foods such as meat and cheese. Such a process is operated, for example, by the company Eco Tray Systems in Holland.

Again, the method according to the invention is also suitable for disposable objects, such as PET bottles, batteries, TV sets, refrigerators, etc., which have to be returned to an appropriately equipped or designated take-back point for correct disposal.

The invention will now be explained in more detail for example and with reference to the accompanying figures.

Show:

1 schematically shows the basic principle of the present invention;

2 schematically shows a preferred embodiment variant of a return station for objects with a deposit; 3 shows a further embodiment variant of a return station, shown schematically;

FIG. 4 again schematically shows a further embodiment variant of a return station for objects with a deposit, and

Fig. 5 shows schematically, a return station, particularly suitable for the simultaneous withdrawal of several objects with a deposit.

A full bottle 1 is on the conveyor belt 3 at a cash register 5, where the bottle is to be paid. In the lower area of the bottle 1 there is a label according to the invention with an identification chip 11, which is, for example, in two parts, on the one hand having an area 13 which is reserved for object-related data and an area 15 which is reserved for data relating to the deposit system. This chip can be, for example, a magnetic stripe or an identification chip based on semiconductors. It is essential that this chip must be at least legible, preferably writable and preferably at least partially erasable or rewritable. For this purpose, a chip is preferably used which can be read or written in the radio frequency range. In this context, reference should be made to the recently used RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology) technology, which appears to be particularly suitable for the described application area. Such chips have a miniaturized radio antenna and are applied, for example, to a thin polyester film, which chips are permanently on the bottle surface can be arranged, for example provided with a laminated protective layer. Of course, it is also possible to pour such a chip directly into the bottle wall, especially if it is a plastic bottle.

The area 13 can contain information such as a clear product identification (e.g. an EAN or UPC code) and information about the filling goods, filling date, production batch, and the like. , while in section 15 you can find information such as deposit system, chain of stores, whether or not there is a deposit and the date of sale. The latter information in particular can be applied when paying and paying the deposit by means of a so-called interrogator 17, the transmission being carried out by means of radio waves. Such read / write devices or interrogators are offered, for example, by the American company "Escort Memory Systems" in Scotts Valley, 95066 California, which is a subsidiary of the "Datalogic Group Co any". This interrogator in the area of a cash register 5 is primarily a writing device, which, however, may also be a reading device when it comes to reading the data in the area 13.

Of course, the interrogator 17 only has to be a writing device if the identification chip 11 is to be written, for example with regard to the band information mentioned above. In principle, it is already advantageous if a disposable or reusable object, such as the bottle 1, has an identification chip 11 which can be read at least in the radio wave range. An identification chip, at least legible in the radio wave range, has important advantages over the identification elements based on bar codes, such as EAN or UPC codes, which are common and known today. Now there is a so-called life cycle of the bottle 1, in that it reaches the consumer, there the content, for example, is drunk, and finally the cycle ends in that the bottle is brought back again. For this purpose, special facilities are arranged in sales shops, into which the empty bottles can be entered. This is, for example, a tower-like device 21 which has a circular, rotatable disk 23, onto which the empty bottle 1 is inserted. The bottle now rotates in the direction of the arrow to get into a slot-like opening 25, at the entrance of which an interrogator 31 is again provided, which is at least one reading device, preferably a reading / writing device. On the one hand, the interrogator 31 determines whether the deposit information in the area 15 of the identification chip 11 fulfills the requirements, ie whether, for example, the deposit was paid when the bottle that was still full was purchased. This can be the case, for example, in that the identification chip 11 is activated. If this is the case, a counting pulse is generated in order to either return the money directly to the consumer

Issuing a voucher to the consumer in the amount of the deposit, or paying the consumer the deposit in another way (credit card, customer account, etc.). After the deposit information has been registered by the interrogator 31, this deposit information must be deleted so that it does not another deposit for bottle 1 is paid. In addition, of course, it is also possible to delete further information, such as that in the identification area 13, since the bottle is now empty. After passing through the slit-like opening 25, the bottle 1 finally arrives via a conveyor belt 27 in an accumulation system provided for this purpose.

The interrogator 31 also preferably works by means of radio frequency data communication. The great advantage of radio frequency data communication is that there is not necessarily a visual contact between the interrogator and the identification chip. Thus, it does not matter if a bottle rotated through 180 ° is entered on the disk 23, or, if the opening 25 is made larger, it is also possible to enter the harass, whether bottles are contained in a harass, since information is also provided the identification chip 11 can be read by the interrogator 31 and then deleted, for example. However, when returning several bottles in a Harrass, there is the problem of the collision between the different identification chips. It may be necessary, for example, to determine how many bottles are in a Harrass before identification. If a Harrass is full, the reader must identify and evaluate the number of bottles of a full Harrass identification chip. This problem of simultaneous multiple return of pawn objects will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 5. In addition to the assessment of whether or not an object is subject to a deposit, the method according to the invention or the disposable or multiple-use object defined according to the invention can also be used to determine which deposit system or to which chain of stores the object belongs. It is also possible in this way to encourage at least one consumer to bring an object back to a specific location if so desired. In this case, the identification chip is activated in such a way that the deposit is only returned at a certain issuing point. If the object is returned to another issuing point, the interrogator 31 identifies the corresponding information on the chip and refuses to repay the deposit or to accept the object or objects.

However, this can also prevent foreign objects from being returned and a deposit being erroneously paid out.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a further embodiment variant of a return station, which has advantages over the return device 21 from FIG. 1 insofar as misuse can be at least partially excluded. The return station 35 consists of the following essential elements: An input opening 47 into which a user can place or place objects on a conveyor belt 40.

An output opening 48 from which accepted objects 38 can be fed to a collection system or a sorting system. A transport system or a transport path 49, through which or by means of which objects 38 are transported from the input opening 47 to the output opening 48. The transport system 49 is preferably designed such that it is optimally adapted to the properties such as dimensions, weight and material of the objects 38 to be taken back.

An interrogator 50, or preferably specifically an RFID reader / writer or reader, which is placed at the input opening 47. The placement can take place on the side of the transport system 49 or above or below, depending on the properties of the objects 38 to be taken back regarding dimensions, weight, material and the placement of the RFID label 46 on the object 38. Another interrogator 51 or preferably a concrete one RFID reader / writer, which is placed at the output opening 48. The placement can again take place on the side of the transport system 49 or above or below it, depending on the properties of the objects 38 to be taken back, regarding dimensions, weight, material and the placement of the RFID label 46. The placement of the interrogator 51 relative to the transport system 49 is preferably the same as that of the interrogator 50 at the entrance. A display 62 for communication with a user or the operator.

- A receipt button 63 for triggering the receipt and finally

-A receipt 64 for "deposit receipts". The mode of operation of the system according to FIG. 2 is as follows:

The interrogator 50 recognizes the presence of a valid object 38 on which a valid RFID label 46 is affixed and in which the deposit system identification is valid and the deposit payment authorization is still activated. In this case, the conveyor system 49 starts and leads the object 38 to the interrogator 51, which deactivates the deposit payment authorization and increases the customer credit. This process can be repeated until either the user interrupts the operation of the system or until no more objects are recognized by the interrogator 50 during the input. A receipt is then printed and the process is finished. If the interrogator 50 now reads an RFID label that is not part of the current deposit system, this is reported to the user or a customer by the display 62. The conveyor system 49 is then stopped if it is still running. After removing the wrong object, the conveyor system starts again if it was stopped by the wrong detection.

If the interrogator 50 reads an RFID label, which is part of the current deposit system, but has an already deactivated deposit payment authorization, this is reported on the display 62 and a signal, such as a theft alarm on the machine, is triggered. This can also be a silent alarm, for example to an employee with a pager or similar. At the same time, the conveyor system 49 is stopped in the event that it is running. After removing the the wrong object, the information on the display 62 goes out and any alarm is switched off immediately, after a certain time or after a manual acknowledgment at the machine. The conveyor system 49 starts running again, provided that it was previously stopped by the false detection.

If an object 38 has successfully passed the interrogator 50, it arrives at the interrogator 51, which reads the RFID labels 46 from the objects conveyed past and, like the interrogator 50, again checks the deposit system identification and the deposit payment authorization. If it is determined that the deposit system identification is in order and the deposit payment authorization is activated, the object is registered by the machine as accepted. This means that the deposit payment authorization is deactivated or deleted and that relevant information for the later deposit payment, e.g. Product identification and deposit value, read and saved. This, if necessary, together with further data for statistical and / or reporting purposes. Possibly. new information can also be written on the memory chip 46 and / or old information can be deleted.

If the interrogator 51 reads an RFID label 46, which is not part of the current deposit system, this is reported to the customer on the display and on the deposit ticket. In this case, the content of the RFID label is not manipulated. Information may be read and stored for statistical and reporting purposes. If the interrogator 51 reads an RFID label 46, which is part of the current deposit system but with a deactivated deposit payment authorization, this is reported on the display 62 and a signal, such as theft alarm, is triggered on the machine and / or a silent alarm ; possibly also remotely, for example to an employee with a pager. At the same time, the conveyor system 49 is stopped in the event that it is running. After removing the wrong object, the information on the display 62 goes out and any alarm, either immediately, after a certain time or after manual acknowledgment at the machine, is deactivated. The conveyor system 49 starts running again, provided that it was previously stopped by the false detection. If the user or a customer presses the receipt button 63, the machine checks, for example, whether a certain period of time has passed since the interrogator 50 read the last RFID label with a valid deposit system identification and activated deposit payment authorization. A certain time is also waited after the interrogator 51 has registered the last valid object. This time should preferably be waited until the receipt voucher is printed so that any objects in the system have time to be recorded by the interrogator 51 and are thus also recorded on the receipt. In addition to specifying deposit values, the receipt can also contain other relevant information about the accepted objects. Such ^'information has been added for each object from the interrogator 51 and stored. However, does a user or customer have a theft alarm during the Operation triggered, the output of a receipt is of course suspended until a machine operator at the machine has acknowledged the alarm.

The transport system 49 preferably runs a certain preprogrammed time after the interrogator 50 has read the last RFID label with a valid deposit system identification and activated deposit payment authorization, and also a certain time after the interrogator 51 registers the last valid object 38 has, so that all objects 38 are safely transported away in the output opening 48 before the transport system 49 is parked and, for example, have been fed to a sorting system.

In the return device described with reference to FIG. 2, misuse of the deposit system is only possible to a very reduced extent. Withdrawal of objects that have already been used is physically possible at any time, but an alarm is usually triggered. This means that if an attempted theft occurs before a receipt is printed, the receipt delivery is stopped until the operators unblock an alarm. In this case, a thief won nothing. However, if the customer waits for a receipt to be printed, he can then begin to withdraw or deactivate objects that have already been registered and deactivated, or steal them from the collection system.However, stolen objects are worthless in relation to the deposit, since the deposit authorization is already in the return facility or has been deactivated in the machine.

In theory, it is of course also possible for a user to try to use external recognition to kung, such as by inserting a metal plate into the input opening 47. Or an attempt could be made to bypass the detection by pulling the object back very quickly through an area that is not or only poorly covered by the measuring system. As a countermeasure in this case, it would make sense to attach optical sensors, such as photocells, along the transport system 49, which monitor the direction of movement of the entered objects. In this way, a backward movement of an object can be determined and an alarm can be triggered. Or a metal detector can be arranged at the input opening 47, which detects whether metal objects are input into the input opening. This can be done, for example, by inductance measurement _. the entry opening 47. If unusual values are determined, an alarm is triggered and, according to the above description, the transport system 49 is stopped and the issuance of a receipt is suspended.

According to a further embodiment variant, it would be quite conceivable to omit the interrogator 50 and to replace it by the optical sensors such as photocells along the transport system 49 already mentioned. The result of this solution is that the conveyor system 49 is set in motion by actuating an optical light barrier and not by positive detection of an object entitled to a deposit.

A further embodiment variant of a return device 35 is shown schematically in FIG. 3. At this The device or automat 35 according to FIG. 3, the following precautions are additionally provided with respect to FIG. 2:

The automat 35 has arranged a door or lock 60 at the dispensing opening 48, which can be implemented in any form, such as a trap door, swinging door, slide, etc. The functioning of the automat 35 is as follows:

The door 60 is closed when the machine is not in use, i.e. it is prevented that a user can pull back an object 38 that has already been entered and is subject to a deposit, by hand or by means of a cord. Only when the transport system 49 has started up and a first object is accepted by the interrogator 51 does the door 60 open and close as soon as all the objects entered have been safely transported out of the dispensing opening 48 and are fed to a collection system or sorting system. The receipt of the receipt from the machine 35 only takes place when the door 60 is closed again.

3, the problem with withdrawing objects after the receipt is issued is solved. For this purpose, the door 60 is mounted at the exit of the machine 35, which is only open during customer service and is closed after each operation. It is also necessary for the receipt to be issued that all objects have been transported out of the machine and the door is closed again. There are hardly any manipulations here. If the thief tries to keep the door artificially open after the entry, his receipt is never printed - an alarm may even be triggered. The door or lock 60 can be opened in two ways, for example:

- Either if the interrogator 50 sees a depositable object when inputting or - if interrogator 51 sees and registers a depositable object when outputting 48.

The former method is very unfavorable since a thief can only hold a lien object at the entry opening 47 in order to open the door. Therefore, the first solution is equivalent to the solution shown in Fig. 2. The second method, on the other hand, is very efficient because the object 38 that is used to open the door is itself deactivated so that the door opens. This means that a thief lost at least the deposit for an object when leaving the machine. In addition, the time in which the door 60 is open is kept to a minimum in this way.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment variant of a take-back device 36, which practically completely prevents misuse. An object 2, provided with the RFID label 11, is inserted through a reclosable opening 22 in a processing plane 24 into a chamber 10, whereupon the reclosable wall 22 is closed. Now the label 11 is read by the interrogator 31 and, for example, the deposit authorization is activated. If membership of the deposit system and deposit authorization are flawless, a second wall, which can be closed again, such as door 26, is opened and the object 2 is removed from the chamber 10. Finally, the door 26 is closed and the former can be closed again Wall or door 22 is opened again for the entry of a further object 2 into the chamber 10. With this device 36, abuse is practically completely impossible. The return device 36 from FIG. 4, in particular, is suitable, for example, for taking back books in libraries and the like.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows a take-back device 32, particularly suitable for the simultaneous take-back of several objects entitled to a deposit. Again, several objects 4, provided with an RFID label 11, are entered on a conveyor belt 8 and passed past an interrogator 31. This can be, for example, food trays which are stacked one on the other on the conveyor belt 8. Or it can be a bottle harrass that contains several bottles. The RFID labels 11 are read again by the interrogator 31 and it is determined how many of the objects entered belong to the deposit system on the one hand and additionally how many of these objects are entitled to a deposit. The number of objects whose labels 11 meet both requirements is shown on a display 65 and the user or customer can check whether the number detected by the interrogator corresponds to his ideas. If so, he can confirm the detected number and a receipt will be issued accordingly. If his imagination does not match the specification, he has the option of not confirming what all objects or the entire Harrass is removed from the system or what the conveyor belt 8 is stopped on. The problem with this multiple return is to deactivate the labels by either the RFID labels or the deposit authorization are only deactivated after the OK confirmation by the customer, as a result of which the take-back device 32 is susceptible to theft or incorrect manipulation. If the deposit authorization is deactivated before the customer confirms it, the problem is that if the customer does not confirm it, the labels are deactivated and the customer is therefore completely empty.

Finally, a further problem is that objects are occasionally already offered in sales rooms that have a deposit-entitled label. This means that the deposit authorization is not activated at the checkout when the object is paid for, but rather for reasons of saving, for example, in order to be able to move to a writing instrument at the checkout, the labels are already activated. So there is a possibility that a customer can still fill full bottles to the return facility and thus receive a deposit for a full bottle, which he never paid for or whose contents he never consumed. To counter this problem, there is the possibility that, for example, a scale is arranged at the input opening 47 on the return device in order to weigh the input object. If this is much too heavy, the conveyor belt 49 is stopped. Finally, it is also possible to provide an additional field on the label to determine whether the object is in the "consumer cycle" or in the "producer / supplier" cycle. Both label sections can be activated or deactivated. It goes without saying simultaneous activation of the two label fields is not desired, but it must always be clearly defined in which circuit segment an object is located.

The examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 serve only to explain the inventive idea. Of course, the present invention is by no means restricted to the relationships shown in the figures, and both the acceptance and return points can be designed completely differently than those shown in the figures described. Also, it does not have to be a reusable object, but the present method is also suitable for one-way objects, which should be returned to a suitable location for environmental reasons, for example. However, the method according to the invention can also be used to prevent objects that are no longer used from being dumped wildly by introducing waste charges. Because of the deposit, it is worthwhile in any case to return an object to the appropriate place instead of a wild disposal. For example, when a television set is sold, a deposit can be levied at the same time, which is at least partially repaid if the television set is returned to the appropriate location and disposed of if the television set is no longer used.

It is also conceivable that a certain amount will not be paid out or credited when the objects are taken back, but that there is also the possibility of crediting the use directly to a non-profit institution. ben, or to use as a bet. It is also possible to pay an additional bonus, such as a loyalty voucher, if 10 or another number of objects are returned at the same time. For example, a keyboard can be provided at the return station, on which the customer can enter how the deposit is to be paid out or used.

In other words, the present invention is in no way limited to any specific object or to a specific type of deposit, but can be used wherever a clear identification or designation of a one-way or reusable object is necessary, as well as return, correct disposal or Recycling of a given object is desirable, sensible or necessary.

Claims

claims

1. A method for identifying an object (1) which can be occupied by a return deposit, characterized in that an element (11, 13, 15, 46) which can be switched or activated on the object (1, 38) is before or upon delivery of the object and / or upon payment of a pledge for the object is activated such that the object can be identified as having a pledge, and that when the object is withdrawn and the pledge is paid, the element (11, 13, 15, 46) is activated in this way or is deactivated that the object can be identified as not having a deposit.

2. The method, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that an identification chip (11, 13, 15, 46) or magnetic strip arranged on the object is provided with the information that the object is being handed in and a deposit is paid for the object Object is covered by a deposit, and that when the object is returned and the deposit is returned, the information on the chip (11, 13, 15) or magnetic strips is deleted or overwritten, or is reset to "not deposited".

3. The method, in particular according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, in addition to the deposit information, further information is transmitted to the element (11, 13, 15, 46) or the chip or magnetic strip when the object (1, 38) is delivered such as the delivery point, delivery date, identification of the content, identification number, deposit system, etc., which additional information depends on the return point of the object can be deleted or changed in whole or in part when the object is returned.

4. The method, in particular according to one of claims 1 to

3, characterized in that the activation or data transmission upon delivery of the object or. when paying a deposit and reading, deactivating and / or overwriting or deleting the data by means of infrared, magnetic recording technology or by means of radio frequency identification technology (RFID).

5. The method, in particular according to one of claims 1 to

4, characterized in that an identification chip is written on the object by data transmission in the radio frequency range by a so-called interrogator (reader / writer), or the data of the chip by an interrogator (reader / writer) (17, 31, 30, 51) ) read and, if necessary, changed and / or deleted.

6. Disposable or multiple use object, which must be identifiable, characterized by an activatable or writable element (11, 13, 15, 46), which is arranged on the object (1, 38), and which is writable with information or on or on which information can be arranged, which information can at least partially be deactivated, deleted or overwritten again.

7. Disposable or multiple use object, in particular according to claim 6, characterized in that the activatable or writable element (11, 13, 15, 46) with the object (1, 38) is fixedly connected, such as preferably integrally arranged on or in this is.

8. Disposable or multiple use object according to claim 6, characterized in that the activatable or writable element (11, 13, 15, 46) is an element to be arranged on or on the object (1, 38) such as a label, such as a so-called " smart label ", a flexible data carrier or a rigid data carrier which is arranged, for example, in an adhesive or glued manner on or on the object.

9. Disposable or multiple use object, in particular according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the activatable or writable element is an identification chip, an integrated circuit or a magnetic strip, which can be activated, writable, switched on / off, readable, at least partially can be overwritten and / or at least partially deleted.

10. Disposable or multiple use object, in particular according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the activatable or writable element is a so-called RFID (radio frequency identification technology) chip.

11. Disposable or multiple use object according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the activatable or writable element selected from a frequency range of approximately 50 KHz to 1 GHz, preferably 125 KHz to 800 MHz, is readable or writable.

12. Disposable or multiple use object that must be clearly identifiable, characterized by an at least readable identification chip, which is a so-called RFID (radio frequency identification technology) chip, which is readable at least in the radio frequency range.

13. Application of the method according to one of claims 1 to 5 for designating a disposable or reusable object, such as a container, bottle, barrel, canister or the like. Which or which is provided with a filling material is returned against a deposit, and empty against return of the pledge is withdrawn.

14. Application of the method according to one of claims 1 to 5 for the identification of shopping carts when dispensed for use by a consumer against deposit and return of the shopping cart against simultaneous return of the deposit.

15. Application of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for the identification of containers to be deposited, such as trays for the sale of food such as Meat and cheese, which containers have to be returned for possible re-use.

16. Application of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for the identification of disposable items, such as PET bottles, batteries, refrigerators, television sets, etc., which objects are to be disposed of in a manner appropriate to the species and / or returned to a specially provided or suitable return location are.

17. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 5 for designating / identifying a one-way or reusable object for its identification, such as belonging to a deposit system, deposit or deposit free, belonging to a distribution organization, such as a chain of stores, information about Content, filling date, hazard class, etc.

18. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a device for taking back objects which can be assigned a deposit (1, 2, 4, 38), comprising: - an area (47) for the input or return of the objects to be returned (1, 2, 4, 38),

a transport device (49) for conveying the objects (1, 2, 4, 38),

at least one detection means (31, 50, 51) such as a reading / writing device for reading the elements (11, 46) arranged on the object and possibly for deleting or changing the data stored on the element, such as the deposit payment authorization,

a circuit for evaluating the data read by the detection means, such as belonging to a specific one

Deposit system and / or authorization to pay the deposit, and

- At least one display (62) which shows the deposit amount and / or the deposit authorization.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that a further detection device (50) is provided, such as preferably a reading device, arranged between the input (47) and the one detection means (31, 51), provided for detecting the membership of the deposit system and / or the deposit payment authorization, the further detection device possibly being coupled to the drive of the transport device and this if the membership to the deposit system and / or the deposit payment is not fulfilled. authorization interrupts the drive or the transport system stops.

20. Device according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the detection means or the further detection device are so-called RFID interrogators, suitable for reading or reading / writing RFID labels.

21. Device according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that a sorting point and / or collecting point is provided downstream of the output area (48) for receiving the objects (1, 2, 4, 38) delivered by the transport system (49), if the detection means (31, 50, 51) or the further detection device have detected membership of the deposit system as well as authorization to pay the deposit on the object, both in a positive sense.

22. Device according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that a signal transmitter or alarm transmitter (64) is provided for the acoustic and / or visual display of an object detected by the further detection device and / or the detection means, which either as not Deposit system was detected or was detected as not entitled to a deposit.

23. Device according to one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that an operating member (63) is provided so that a user after successfully completed

Deposit return can trigger the deposit payment, display the deposit payment or trigger the printout of a receipt.

24. Device according to one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that a displaceable wall (26, 60), such as a door, a slide or the like, is arranged downstream of the detection means, which wall with the detection means and / or the further detection device It is coupled that if the element is positively identified in terms of belonging to the deposit system and entitlement to deposit payment, the wall is opened and the door is closed again after the object (s) (1, 2, 4, 38) has been detected.