Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including a semi-automated canister distribution system comprising a cabinet system including a cabinet having at least one compartment having a door, and a system controller in communication with the cabinet system and having computer processor(s) executing instructions that cause the computer processors to: receive inventory data indicative of a number of canisters in the cabinet system; receive a data element indicative of details of a purchase transaction; determine that the purchase transaction can be satisfied based on the details of the purchase transaction and the inventory data; transmit, after determining that purchase transaction can be satisfied, signals to the cabinet system indicative of instructions to change the door between a locked and unlocked state; and receive signals from the cabinet system indicative of a number of substantially full propane canisters removed and/or a number of empty propane canisters placed in the cabinet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 18, 2023
Date of Patent:
March 11, 2025
Assignee:
Anytime Propane, LLC
Inventors:
James P. Clark, Ivan Zhidov, John Gearhart
Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including a semi-automated propane canister distribution system for distributing and exchanging propane canisters, comprising a system controller; one or more cabinet system having a cabinet controller and a cabinet with a first compartment separated from a second compartment, the first compartment having a first door and the second compartment having a second door, the first door and the second door having an open position and a closed position with a locked state and an unlocked state; a detection device; a remote display; and a remote controller device in communication with the system controller and/or the cabinet controller.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 22, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2018
Assignee:
Anytime Propane, LLC
Inventors:
James P. Clark, Ivan Zhidov, John Gearhart
Abstract: A self-service kiosk for storing and dispensing canisters is provided. The kiosk has an automated teller and a canister storage compartment. The canister storage compartment has a series of walls defining an enclosure for storage and dispensing of canisters and a plurality of horizontally extending canister rows within each enclosure. Each row is configured to hold a line of at least three canisters such that a full canister can be dispensed from one end of the row and a canister can be returned at the other end of the row. As canisters are dispensed, the line of canisters is pushed towards the dispensing end of the row.
Abstract: A self-service kiosk for storing and dispensing canisters is provided. The kiosk has an automated teller and a canister storage compartment. The canister storage compartment has a series of walls defining an enclosure for storage and dispensing of canisters and a plurality of horizontally extending canister rows within each enclosure. Each row is configured to hold a line of at least three canisters such that a full canister can be dispensed from one end of the row and a canister can be returned at the other end of the row. As canisters are dispensed, the line of canisters is pushed towards the dispensing end of the row.