BOTTLE RECEIVING AND DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREFORE

摘要

An apparatus for receiving and detecting a bottle having a chute configured for receiving the bottle therein, a first sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a first position within the chute, a second sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a second position within the chute, and a third sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a third position within the chute, and an indicator in communication with the sensors to provide indication that a bottle was received. A method carried out by the apparatus is also provided.

主权项

1. An apparatus for receiving and detecting a bottle, comprising:
a chute configured for receiving the bottle therein, said chute having an inlet for receiving the bottle and an outlet through which the bottle exits said chute; a first bottle stop having a moveable first stop member disposed within said chute and biased towards said bottle to allow said stop member to engage said bottle moving through said chute, said stop member configured such that said stop member is moved by said bottle in a direction away from said bottle as said bottle moves from said inlet to said outlet thereby allowing said bottle to pass, and said stop member is moved by said bottle in accordance with said bias in a direction towards said bottle as said bottle moves in a direction from said outlet to said inlet to more forcibly engage and thereby inhibit movement of said bottle; a second stop having a second stop member disposed to engage the bottle within said chute and inhibit movement of said bottle moving from said outlet to said inlet, said second stop member being disposed to engage said bottle along a different area of said bottle than said first stop member; an indicator for indicating the receipt of a bottle; a first sensor for detecting when the bottle is at a first position within said chute, said sensor being in communication with said indicator; and a second sensor for detecting when the bottle is at a second position within said chute spaced longitudinally from said first position between said first position and said outlet, said second sensor being in communication with said indicator.