Systems and methods for empty container removal

1. An empty container removal system comprising:

a rollable cart comprising tapered sidewalls, a trapdoor, and a handle configured to slide along a frame of the rollable cart in a lateral direction, wherein the rollable cart is configured to transport empty containers;

a gate system comprising a first gate, a second gate, a trapdoor actuation mechanism, and fencing that forms a closed area between the first gate and the second gate, wherein the first gate is a swinging gate, and the second gate is a sliding gate;

an unlock button that unlocks the first gate and the second gate; and

a chute disposed adjacent to the second gate, the chute leading to a conveyor belt;

wherein the trapdoor actuation mechanism is configured to release the trapdoor and cause the empty containers to fall down the chute.

2. The empty container removal system of claim 1 , wherein the cart further comprises at least one transparent sidewall, and rear caster wheels that are offset from a rear edge of the frame of the rollable cart.

3. The empty container removal system of claim 1 , wherein the fencing comprises a gap through which the handle of the cart is accessible, and wherein the gate system further comprises a raised wedge configured to return the trapdoor to a closed position.

4. A method for removing empty containers comprising:

opening a first gate;

pushing a cart past the first gate, the cart comprising a handle and a trapdoor, wherein the cart comprises the empty containers;

sliding the handle of the cart in a lateral direction from a default position to an extended position;

closing the first gate;

pushing an unlock button after closing the first gate and before opening a second gate;

opening the second gate;

pushing the cart past the second gate using the handle; and

actuating the trapdoor from a closed position to an open position, wherein actuating the trapdoor causes the empty containers to fall down a chute.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

loading the empty containers into the cart; and

pushing the cart to the first gate.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

pulling the cart past the second gate using the handle;

sliding the handle from the extended position to the default position;

closing the second gate;

opening the first gate; and

pulling the cart past the first gate.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

pulling the cart over a raised wedge positioned between the first gate and the second gate, wherein the raised wedge causes the trapdoor to return to the closed position.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

pushing an unlock button after closing the second gate and before opening the first gate.

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein opening the first gate comprises swinging open the first gate, and wherein opening the second gate comprises sliding open the second gate.

10. The method of claim 4 , wherein an area between the first gate and the second gate in a fenced environment.

11. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cart comprises caster wheels offset from a rear edge of a frame of the cart to facilitate opening of the trapdoor.

12. The method of claim 4 , wherein the handle of the cart is a telescoping handle.

13. A method for removing empty containers from a cart comprising:

loading the cart with the empty containers, the cart comprising a handle and a trapdoor;

moving the cart to a first gate;

opening the first gate;

pushing the cart past the first gate;

closing the first gate;

opening a second gate;

pushing the cart past the second gate;

actuating the trapdoor from a closed position to an open position, wherein actuating the trapdoor causes the empty containers to fall down a chute;

pulling the cart past the second gate;

closing the second gate;

opening the first gate; and

pulling the cart past the first gate.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

sliding the handle of the cart in a lateral direction from a default position to an extended position.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

pushing an unlock button after closing the first gate and before opening the second gate.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

pulling the cart over a raised wedge positioned between the first gate and the second gate, wherein the raised wedge causes the trapdoor to return to the closed position.