Patent classifications
B67D7/348
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING PRODUCT INTO REFILLABLE CONTAINERS
Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing product into refillable containers. A refill station is configured to provide initial fills and refills of a product in a refillable container. The refill station includes a display and a computing device. The computing device is configured to record refill data describing product refills by customers via the refill station. The computing device is further configured to determine one or more environmental impacts saved by the refill station over a use of non-refillable containers based at least in part on the refill data. The computing device is further configured to render the environmental impact(s) upon the display.
Method and apparatus for vending a containerized liquid product utilizing an automatic self-service refill system
A method and apparatus for vending a containerized fluid includes placing a machine-readable indicia on the container identifying the base fluid. The container may be filled and then distributed or distributed prior to filling through various distribution channels to consumers. When a consumer wishes to fill or re-fill the container, the consumer places the container adjacent a reader that interprets the indicia to identify the base fluid to be dispensed. A dispenser then fills the container through a movable fill probe that elevates as the liquid within the container rises. In some embodiments, and prior to filling, the dispenser apparatus may also query the consumer about options are provided at the time of dispensing for further dispensing various optional ingredients, including scents, flavors, colors, nutritional supplements or other additives together with the base product. In further embodiments, the dispenser may also print discount tickets or coupons that may discount the purchase of the containerized fluid or other promotional merchandise. The machine-readable indicia may include affiliate codes that permit crediting or compensating various affiliates in relation to the container filling.
Systems and methods for generating a one-time use token for item purchase
Systems and methods are disclosed for payment system that uses one-time use tokens for securely facilitating and controlling user purchases using company funds. A user (e.g., driver) may generate a request to make a purchase using a user application. The request may be sent to a server running a payment system that may generate a one-time use token for the purchase of an item (e.g., fuel). The one-time use token may have an expiration time and may only be redeemable at certain locations (e.g., fueling stations) that have been preapproved. The system may send the user application running on the user device the token for purchasing fuel and approved locations. The user may input the token to a controller at an approved location which may request that the server authenticate the token and approve the purchase. Once authenticated and approved, the controller may permit the purchase of the desired item.
Retrieval system and method for operating a retrieval system
A removal system (1) with at least one container (2) with a container opening (6), to which a removal head (4) can be attached, such that by means of the removal head (4), liquid (3) can be removed from the container (2) or liquid (3) can be supplied to the container (2). An RFID chip (9) is present on the container (2). A measurement head (14) with a coil (15) of an RFID reader unit can be attached to a movable robot arm (11). A code can be read from the RFID chip (9) with the RFID reader unit when it is within the reading range of the RFID reader unit, wherein when the code is read, it is adopted as positioning signal in a control unit (12) of the robot (10), on the basis of which the removal head (4) can be positioned on the container opening (6).
System and method for managing a fuel dispensing account
Described herein are systems and methods for managing a fuel dispensing account associated with fuel dispensing transactions. Aspects of such systems and methods include receiving, from a user device associated with a primary user account, a fuel request to dispense requested fuel, wherein the fuel request is received by a receiver of a fuel dispensing device; and if authorization exists from the primary account for the fuel request, instructing the requested fuel to be dispensed from the fuel dispensing apparatus, or if authorization does not exist from the primary account, instructing the request to be refused by the fuel dispensing apparatus.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A ONE-TIME USE TOKEN FOR ITEM PURCHASE
Systems and methods are disclosed for payment system that uses one-time use tokens for securely facilitating and controlling user purchases using company funds. A user (e.g., driver) may generate a request to make a purchase using a user application. The request may be sent to a server running a payment system that may generate a one-time use token for the purchase of an item (e.g., fuel). The one-time use token may have an expiration time and may only be redeemable at certain locations (e.g., fueling stations) that have been preapproved. The system may send the user application running on the user device the token for purchasing fuel and approved locations. The user may input the token to a controller at an approved location which may request that the server authenticate the token and approve the purchase. Once authenticated and approved, the controller may permit the purchase of the desired item.
Fluid management system and fluid dispenser
A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
POSITION BASED SMART ELBOW CROSSOVER PROTECTION SYSTEM
A crossover protection system includes a processor, a memory, and machine readable instructions. The machine readable instructions cause the processor to determine a smart elbow position based on a signal output of a sensor of a smart elbow and determine whether the smart elbow position is within a geofence of a distribution tank including a same fuel type as a liquid product stored in a tank compartment. The processor further, in response to a determination that the smart elbow position is within the geofence of the distribution tank of the same fuel type as the liquid product, permits the liquid product to the distribution tank, and in response to a determination that the smart elbow position is outside the geofence of the distribution tank of the same fuel type as the liquid product, prevents the liquid product from flowing to the distribution tank.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DISPENSING OF FUEL BY A VENDING APPARATUS
A system for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, comprising at least one dispensing assembly, at least one mobile processing device, and a central remote processing device. The dispensing assembly and the mobile device are mutually connectable by means of a short-range wireless communication network, while the mobile device and the central remote device are mutually connectable by means of a telematic communication network; the mobile device comprises mobile storage means, configured to store a list of driver users) who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly, and an authorization verification module, configured to enable the dispensing of fuel as a consequence of the connection between the mobile device and the dispensing assembly, by virtue of respective short-range wireless communication modules, if the driver user is registered and authorized.
Systems and methods for managing fuel dispenser operations using a client device
In one aspect, data characterizing a session during which fuel is to be dispensed from a fuel dispenser can be received from the fuel dispenser and by a client device of a user of the fuel dispenser. A fuel dispensing parameter characterizing an operational parameter of the fuel dispenser can be received at a field of a graphical interface displayed on the client device. A token characterizing a credential associated with the user for initializing the dispensing of the fuel during the session can be determined. An initialization of the dispensing of the fuel from the fuel dispenser can be authorized based on the determined token and the received fuel dispensing parameter.