US 12,076,753 B2
Machine to receive food containers to be reused
Kelly Michalko, Mundelien, IL (US); and Nikolas Shield, Mundelien, IL (US)
Assigned to CARTER-HOFFMANN, LLC, Mundelein, IL (US)
Filed by CARTER-HOFFMANN LLC, Mundelein, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/730,622.
Prior Publication US 2023/0347385 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. G07F 7/06 (2006.01); B07C 5/34 (2006.01); B07C 5/36 (2006.01)
CPC B07C 5/3404 (2013.01) [B07C 5/362 (2013.01); G07F 7/0609 (2013.01); B07C 2501/0045 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A machine to receive used food containers, comprising
a housing that includes an interior volume and an outer shell, the housing comprises an inlet opening and an access opening into the housing;
a rotatable plate positioned within the housing and aligned with respect to the inlet opening such that items passed through the inlet opening are received upon the plate, the plate further comprises a shroud that extends along a majority of a circumference of the plate and a void that exists where the shroud does not extend, wherein an item can be positioned upon the plate when the void of the shroud is aligned with the inlet opening and items are prevented from being positioned upon the plate when the shroud is aligned with the inlet opening;
a sensor disposed upon the housing to monitor the inlet opening and identify when an object is placed upon the plate;
wherein the housing further comprises a fence positioned within the interior volume and disposed above the plate, wherein in operation when an object is disposed upon the plate, the rotation of the plate for a sufficient rotational angle causes the object to contact the fence, wherein contact between the object and the fence with continued rotation of the plate causes the object to slide along the fence until the object falls off of the plate.