Patent classifications
B67D7/30
Custom hair dye dispensing system and intermediate bulk container for storing a bulk hair dye
A system is provided for dispensing a hair dye formulation into a customer container. The system includes a conveyer belt configured to transport the customer container along a fill line; a plurality of dispensing mechanisms, each connected to a respective container having a different bulk hair dye color, the plurality of dispensing mechanisms being disposed over a conveyer belt along the fill line. The system is configured to receive a formula for filling the customer container with one or more bulk hair dye colors from among the plurality of containers having the different bulk hair dye color, and control each of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms to perform a dispensing operation to dispense an amount of bulk hair dye color or to not perform a dispensing operation at a time when the customer container is transported to each of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms along the fill line.
Self-aligning liquid coupler systems and related methods
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.
REAL-TIME DETERMINATION OF METER DRIFT VIA LOSS QUALIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION
In one aspect, data characterizing a fuel storage facility can be received from a sensor in operable communication with the fuel storage facility. An estimate of meter drift of a flow meter of a fuel dispenser in fluid communication with the fuel storage facility can be determined based on the received data. The estimate of meter drift can be determined based on at least one predictive model that predicts whether a calibration parameter characterizing a calibration of the flow meter has deviated from a predetermined flow meter calibration parameter. The estimate of meter drift can be provided.
Methods and systems for dispensing fuel
A method and system of dispensing a fuel from a fuel tank to a recipient fuel tank. The method includes scanning a tag by a scanner from a smart device, wherein the smart device also comprises a communications processor, recording an initial inventory level of the fuel in the fuel tank, estimating a density of the fuel, opening a valve to dispense a predetermined amount of the fuel, and recording a final inventory level after the dispensing the fuel, upon estimating that the density of the fuel is within a predetermined range, and shutting the valve and communicating to relevant personnel about the difference in fuel density, upon estimating that the density is outside of the predetermined range.
Detecting locations associated with anomalous fuel dispensing operations within a network of gas stations
A system determines an interaction period during which a fuel dispensing operation is performed at a fuel dispensing terminal. The system determines a measured volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal by dividing the determined volume for fuel by the interaction period. The system compares the measured volume per unit time parameter with a threshold volume per unit time parameter. In response to determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter, the system retrieves a video feed that shows the fuel dispensing terminal during the fuel dispensing operation. The system creates a file for the fuel dispensing operation. The system stores the video feed in the created file.
Method and apparatus for automatically monitoring fuel tank ullage in an automated fuel authorization program
Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required.
PRODUCT DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR LIQUID PRODUCT TRANSPORT VEHICLES AND METHODS OF LOADING LIQUID PRODUCTS USING THE SAME
A product delivery system includes a product transport vehicle having at least a plurality of tank compartments, internal valves, control valves, fluid property sensors, temperature sensors, overfill sensors, pressure sensors, a system controller, and a memory module. The product delivery system may be operable to communicatively connect with the loading system at a loading station, a fleet management system, or a cloud system to obtain information, such as the amount of liquid product to be loaded into a tank compartment. The product delivery system may be operable to compare the volumes of the tank compartments with the amounts of liquid product to be loaded at a loading station and maintain the internal valve or control valve in a locked state or transition the internal valve or control valve to an unlocked state based on the comparison. Other comparisons based on liquid type or distribution tank volume can also be made.
Access control and metering of liquid storage tanks
A fluid access and control system for controlling access to a fluid storage tank includes a pump, a valve, a communications device, and controller. The pump is configured to supply a fluid output from the fluid storage tank. The valve is configured to control the fluid output of the pump. The communications device is configured to communicate with both a portable electronic device and a remote server. The communications device receives an access request from the portable electric device and transmits the access request to the remote server for validation. The controller is configured to control the operation of the pump and valve as defined by control signals transmitted by the remote server and received by the communications device. The controller is further configured to activate the pump and open the valve when the access request has been validated by the remote server and a START switch is actuated.
Access control and metering of liquid storage tanks
A fluid access and control system for controlling access to a fluid storage tank includes a pump, a valve, a communications device, and controller. The pump is configured to supply a fluid output from the fluid storage tank. The valve is configured to control the fluid output of the pump. The communications device is configured to communicate with both a portable electronic device and a remote server. The communications device receives an access request from the portable electric device and transmits the access request to the remote server for validation. The controller is configured to control the operation of the pump and valve as defined by control signals transmitted by the remote server and received by the communications device. The controller is further configured to activate the pump and open the valve when the access request has been validated by the remote server and a START switch is actuated.
SELF-ALIGNING LIQUID COUPLER SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.