GB2404064A

GB2404064A - Distribution system

Info

Publication number: GB2404064A
Application number: GB0316432A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Norgrove
Original assignee: Egbert H Taylor and Co Ltd
Current assignee: Egbert H Taylor and Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-14
Filing date: 2003-07-14
Publication date: 2005-01-19
Also published as: GB0316432D0

Abstract

A system of delivering recycling containers to households uses an address list of households in geographically successive locations. Each container has a unique identity, provided by e.g. a bar code or electronic chip, which is electronically assigned to the respective address at the time of delivery of the container to the address. Pre-assignment of containers is not required, and thus containers need not be taken from a store in identity order.

Description

Distribution System The present invention relates to a system for the

distribution of articles to households, and particularly to a system for the distribution of waste recycling containers. s

Waste recycling is an increasingly important activity. Recycling of suitable waste, typically paper, metal, glass and some types of plastic, reduces the demand for landfill and/or incineration. Local authorities are keen to encourage participation in recycling schemes, and particularly to identify those households who do not separate recyclable waste from general waste. It is envisaged that such households may in future be penalized, for example by an increased charge for waste collection, or non qualification for a recycling rebate.

It is known to provide commercial waste containers, typically in excess of 1000 litre capacity, with an unique identity which can be read during the container emptying process. The identity is typically read during lifting of the container on a refuse vehicle hoist, and the container contents are weighed so as to permit weight related invoicing.

In the case of these commercial waste containers, the unique identity is recorded when the container is first delivered to the customer. Such containers are delivered in small batches because for practical reasons, only 4-10 can be carried by the local authority delivery vehicle. As a consequence the task of recording the unique identity in each customer record is only a small part of the relevant delivery cycle, and such identity is typically recorded by manual input to a computer.

However when delivering recycling containers, typically in the size range 20-30 litre, the time to record each unique container identity is a significant proportion of the delivery cycle, especially because the delivery vehicle will carry hundreds of such containers stacked within each other. It is hardly practicable to pre-assign each container to a particular street address, but nevertheless, a record must be made linking each unique container identity to the relevant household if participation is to be checked.

According to the invention there is provided a system for distributing containers to households, and recording the location of each individual container, the system comprising the steps of: pre-assigning a unique identity to each container; obtaining an address list of households in geographically successive locations; and delivering a container to each household in sequence; wherein the unique identity of each container is recorded electronically at the time of delivery to the household; and the unique identity of each container is electronically assigned to the respective household address.

Such a system is based on the realization that placing the containers in identity order, for example in numerical order, is not essential provided that the container identity is captured at the point of delivery to the household, and electronically assigned to a database of household addresses. The database addresses may further include the residents name.

Preferably the unique identity is captured during a delivery sequence which commences with removing the container from a bulk store, and finishes with the container being deposited at the household.

The unique container identity may be provided by bar code, electronic chip or any other suitable device. Preferably the identity is contained in a read only memory of a chip, the chip being energized when placed in an RF field generated by a scanning device.

Such a chip may be fixed to a container in any convenient manner, for example under a patch welded to the exterior surface of the container.

In a preferred embodiment a delivery vehicle for the containers includes a scanner adjacent the vehicle drop-off point, each container being brought into the vicinity of the scanner as it is delivered to a respective household.

Preferably the scanner further includes a display linked to said address list, and for displaying the next delivery address in a sequence. Such an arrangement allows an operative to check the address and record the respective unique identity as the container is removed from the vehicle for delivery to the household. In this way the identity is recorded as the container passes from the vehicle to the household, thus minimizing opportunity for errors.

It should be emphasized that speed and accuracy are absolute requirements of a suitable container delivery system. Speed reduces the per unit delivery cost, which is an important factor where a geographical area is universally provided with a recycling container. Accuracy is also a prerequisite for identifying non-participants in a recycling scheme, and the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides assurance by indicating the delivery address, and recording the unique identity as the container is in the delivery path.

Once the unique identity is captured, each recycling event can be recorded as the container is brought within the field of an RF scanner of a collection vehicle. Non participants are identified by non-recordal of a container identity, and corrective action can then be taken.

The invention also provides a method of delivery recycling containers to a sequence of addresses, each container having an electronically readable unique identity, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of containers in unknown identity sequence; a) commencing a delivery to an address by taking one of said containers; b) during the delivery electronically reading the unique identity of said one of said containers; c) electronically assigning said unique identity to said address; d) completing said delivery by depositing said one of said containers at said address; and repeating steps a-d for successive addresses in said sequence.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a delivery truck; Fig. 2 shows in side elevation an example container; and Fig. 3 represents a computer record.

With reference to Fig. 1 a light delivery truck 11 carries a stack of nested recycling containers 12. Each such container (Fig. 2) has a unique identifier constituted by an electronic chip 13 welded under a plastic patch 14 and having a read only memory containing a unique alphanumeric identification.

The recycling container 12 is typically about 500 mm long, 400 mm wide and 400 mm high. A lid may also be provided.

The containers 12 are assumed to be stacked in random identity order. Typically they will have been supplied in bulk to a local authority depot, for example in batches of up to 10,000, and then loaded on to a light delivery truck for household delivery in part-batches of for example 8001000.

Even if delivered to the depot in identity order, it is a feature of the present invention that identity order is not important. Thus no special controls are required to ensure that an identity order is preserved, and it is not necessary to provide each container with a human readable identifier.

The light delivery truck 11 carries a scanner 15 and display 16. These are shown in the drawing in a representative manner, and any suitable equivalent may be used, including a hand held device incorporating both features.

In use the truck is taken to the required delivery location, where the first delivery address 21 is indicated. A container is removed from the truck by an operative, and its electronic identity is captured, by holding it in the vicinity of the scanner 13. The operator may be required to 'enter' the identity by pressing a key, or the system may automatically step to the next delivery address as soon as an identity is scanned. The operative then completes the delivery cycle by delivering the container to the first address. The relevant unique identity 22 is assigned to the relevant address 21, and the next address 23 is displayed. The delivery sequence proceeds rapidly and accurately until all addresses have been supplied with a container, or the supply of containers is exhausted.

Claims

Claims 1. A system for distributing containers to households, and

recording the location of each individual container, the system comprising the steps of: pre-assigning a unique identity to each container; obtaining an address list of households in geographically successive locations; and delivering a container to each household in sequence; wherein the unique identity of each container is recorded electronically at the time of t3 delivery to the household; and the unique identity of each container is electronically assigned to the respective household address.
2. A system according to claim 1 and including the steps of capturing the unique identity during a delivery sequence which commences with removing the container from a bulk store, and finishes with the container being deposited at the household.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the unique container identity is provided by one of a bar code and electronic chip.
4. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the unique container identity is contained in a read only memory of a chip, the chip being energized when placed in an RF field generated by a scanning device.
5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said chip is under a patch welded to the exterior surface of a container.
6. A system according to any preceding claim and including a delivery vehicle for the containers, the vehicle including a scanner adjacent the vehicle drop-off point, each container being brought into the vicinity of the scanner as it is delivered to a respective household.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said scanner includes a display linked to said address list, and for displaying the next delivery address in a sequence.
8. A method of delivery recycling containers to a sequence of addresses, each container having an electronically readable unique identity, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of containers in unknown identity sequence; a) commencing a delivery to an address by taking one of said containers; b) during the delivery electronically reading the unique identity of said one of said containers; c) electronically assigning said unique identity to said address; d) completing said delivery by depositing said one of said containers at said address; and repeating steps a-d for successive addresses in the sequence.
9. A system for distributing containers to households, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A method of delivering recycling containers to a sequence of addresses, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.