Methods and apparatus for managing information relating to recycling activities are described. One embodiment described herein is directed to a method for accessing aggregated recycling information for use and/or display in connection with an account-based recycling program. The method comprises receiving first and second container information, the first container information concerning a plurality of first containers for a first recycling transaction and the second container information concerning a plurality of second containers for a second recycling transaction. The first and second container information is stored and associated account information concerning at least one consumer account. The method further comprises accessing, in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, information relating to at least the first and second containers so as to enable the use and/or display of aggregated recycling information.

There is provided a micro factory system for on-demand dispensing of beverages made in response to consumer preferences, providing customized drink preparations at the point of sale, essentially eliminating the need for disposable containers, said system comprising a water supply, a carbon dioxide supply, a plurality of supply means for storing extracts, flavoring agents or additives, such as nutritional additives supplies, a reusable bottle supply, a bottle sanitizer, a bottle filling station, a forced air HEPA filtration system configured to maintain a positive pressure within the micro factory system, wherein the bottles are provided with a removable cap, said system further comprising a consumer interface for programming by consumers so as to cause said micro factory to generate a custom beverage and further comprising network interface for networking said system to a remote location.

A system for detection of fraud attempts in reverse vending machine, which includes one radiation emitting device for illuminating a food or beverage container being received by the reverse vending machine, one radiation detection device configured to detect radiation reflected at and/or transmitted through and/or emitted from the food or beverage container in response to the illumination, one processing unit configured to: receive information corresponding to the detected radiation from the at least one radiation detecting device; analyze the information to determine the existence of additional radiation, which additional radiation is not received from valid food or beverage containers, and upon determination of the existence of the additional radiation classify the food or beverage container as fraudulent; as well as a reverse vending machine provided with such a system and a corresponding method.

A return device for empties includes a housing; an empties-introduction opening by way of which empties are introducible; a conveying mechanism disposed in the housing and by which empties that have been introduced can be conveyed away. The mechanism has an empties-receptacle portion facing the opening and by which the empties from the opening reach the mechanism. The portion is disposed to be adjacent to the opening and spaced apart therefrom such that a gap is present between the opening and the portion. The device further includes an optical detection device disposed in the housing adjacent to the opening, so as to be able to optically detect in an at least substantially encircling manner introduced empties; and a web extending in a region between a lower portion of the opening and the portion, to be able to serve as a bearing for the empties at least partially bridges the gap.

Refill station comprising a receiving device for receiving a dispenser can which is to be refilled with an active substance, a scale for capturing a weight information which is related to the dispenser can at the receiving device prior to a refill process and/or during a refill process, and a control unit which is configured for controlling a refill of the dispenser can with the active substance based on the determined weight information.

Refill station comprising a receiving device for receiving a dispenser can which is to be refilled with an active substance, a capturing unit for capturing if an active substance which is to be refilled into the dispenser can which is received at the receiving device fulfills at least one predetermined permissibility criterion, and a control unit which is configured for permitting a refill of the dispenser can with the active substance via the receiving device only when the active substance which is captured at the capturing unit fulfills the at least one predetermined permissibility criterion.

A reverse vending machine includes a transport device for lifting an object in the reverse vending machine. The transport device includes a conveyor device for lifting the object from a lower level position to a higher level position in the reverse vending machine, and an object supporting device. The object supporting device is arranged substantially parallel to the conveyor device and arranged in such a way as to allow the object to be held between the conveyor device and the object supporting device during the lifting of the object.

Methods and systems are disclosed including a semi-automated propane canister distribution system for distributing and exchanging propane canisters, comprising a system controller; one or more cabinet system having a cabinet controller and a cabinet with a first compartment separated from a second compartment, the first compartment having a first door and the second compartment having a second door, the first door and the second door having an open position and a closed position with a locked state and an unlocked state; a detection device; a remote display; and a remote controller device in communication with the system controller and/or the cabinet controller.

Provided is a computer-implemented method for predicting payment transactions using a machine learning technique that includes receiving transaction data, generating a categorical transaction model based on the transaction data, determining a plurality of prediction scores including determining, for one or more users, a prediction score in each merchant category of a plurality of merchant categories for each predetermined time segment of a plurality of predetermined time segments, where a respective prediction score includes a prediction of whether a user will conduct a payment transaction in a merchant category at a time associated with a predetermined time segment associated with the respective prediction score, determining a recommended merchant category and a recommended predetermined time segment of at least one offer, generating the at least one offer, and communicating the at least one offer to the one or more users. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

A reverse vending machine is provided that includes an interface cabinet having an inlet portal. At least one bin is provided for receiving the accepted recyclable container. A roller system identifies and sorts the recyclable containers. A crusher is driven by a motor with a mechanical coupling between the crusher and the motor. The crusher is adapted to receive various containers and is positioned intermediate between the roller system and the bin. A cart or frame displaceable relative to the interface cabinet, the crusher is mounted on the cart or the frame. A reverse vending machine in another embodiment includes an interface cabinet, the interface cabinet having an inlet portal for recyclable container input and a rejected container depository. At least one bin and a roller system are provided along with a wash system for cleaning components of the interface cabinet between the inlet portal and the bin.