The invention relates to a conveyor means in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upwardly oriented storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system , and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.