Abstract: The present invention is generally applicable to a container. More specifically, the invention is applicable to a waste container for the collection, storage and transport of waste and refuse material. The waste containers of the present invention are particularly useful for the collection, storage and transporting of organic waste material.

Abstract: A trash bag securing system having a plastic liner; the plastic liner inserted into the trash receptacle and placed over the at least one sidewall; a single elastic cord having a first end and a second end and which culminates in at least one knot. The at least one knot anchors the elastic cord to the receptacle. The at least one knot is a stopper at either the first end or the second end of the elastic cord and positioned on the outer surface of the least one sidewall. The elastic cord is inserted into the at least one opening and sized and positioned to fit around the outer rim of the outer surface of the at least one sidewall and over the plastic liner such to secure the plastic liner to the receptacle. The elastic cord may also be further configured to act as a handle.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of a trash can include a cap with a lid and an actuator. The actuator can extend outwardly from the cap at a downward angle. The actuator can be configured to maintain the lid in a closed position when a locking portion of the actuator is engaged with a securement portion of the lid. The lid can be rotationally biased toward an open position and the actuator can be configured to release the lid from the closed position upon an input of force on the actuator. The range of effective angles for the input force can enable a user of the trash can to easily open the lid by contacting the actuator with from a wide variety of angles.

Abstract: A material handling system comprises a main conveyor, a branch conveyor, and a robotic line sorter. The robotic line sorter comprises a robotic arm and an end effector operable to engage an article. The robotic line sorter is operable to perform one or a combination of the functions of orienting, aligning, gapping, and/or moving an article from the main conveyor to the branch conveyor. The material handling system may further comprise a scanner configured to read and communicate information from an article to the robotic line sorter. The robotic line sorter may be configured to deliver an article to the branch conveyor in a predetermined order, until a predetermined condition is met, or based upon a predetermined characteristic.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a first independently operable section having a first number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions, and a second independently operable section in communication with the first independently operable section and having a second number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions. The first and second independently operable sections are configured to provide a respective number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions so that the first number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions substantially matches the second number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system and method uses a robotic arm having an end effector for grasping an object. An arcuate structure is moveable within reach of the robotic arm. A conveyor system brings inventory to the arcuate structure and takes a container that holds picked inventory away from the arcuate structure. A control system fulfills an order by directing the conveyor system to bring inventory to the arcuate structure, positioning the inventory on the arcuate structure relative to the robotic arm, determining a selected inventory item for an order, commanding the robotic arm to move the selected inventory item from a pick location of the selected inventory item to a container location for the order, and directing the conveyor system to take the container from the arcuate structure.

Abstract: Energy is stored by injecting fluid into a hydraulic fracture in the earth and producing the fluid back while recovering power and/or desalinating water. The method is particularly adapted to storage of large amounts of energy such as in grid-scale electric energy systems. The hydraulic fracture may be formed and treated with resin so as to limit fluid loss and to increase propagation pressure. The fluid may be water containing a dissolved salt or fresh water and a portion or all of the water may be desalinated using pressure in the water when it is produced.

Abstract: A foldable and disposable chute trough and base blanks wherein said base can be folded to provide an angled support for said trough and wherein said trough detachably secures to said base at a single pivot point and can thus be replaced once soiled.

Abstract: A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group.

Abstract: A belt for a conveyor comprises at least one elongate strip (1) and at least one slat (2) which forms a part of a conveyor surface upon which a load to be transported can be located. The slat is secured to the strip by a connector (7), optionally through a sliding dovetail joint, the connector comprising the tail part (5) of the joint and the underside of the slat being provided with a groove defining a socket part (3) of the sliding dovetail joint. The connector may pass through a hole (6) in the strip, or may embrace a relatively narrow section (523) of the strip. In an alternative, a belt for a conveyor comprises a plurality of interconnected slats which may support material to be transported and forming a conveyor surface, in which pairs of adjacent slats of the belt are connected together by means of co-operating slots and tabs.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor for positively driving a conveyor belt (20) along a helical path. The spiral conveyor includes a rotating cylindrical tower (10) with parallel drive members (14) extending from the bottom to the top of the tower on its periphery. Each drive member includes an outwardly protruding ridge (28) that varies in height from the bottom to the top of the tower. The variations in height facilitate the belt's entry onto and exit from the tower and robust, positive driving engagement with the inside edge of the belt along the majority of its path along the tower. In another version, a conveyor belt has teeth (62) with guide surfaces (78, 79) at the inside edge of the belt. The teeth guide the drive members between belt rows into driving engagement with drive faces at the inside edge of the belt.

Abstract: A guide rail system for guiding containers moved by one or more conveyors, each container having an interior portion defined therein for receiving a product and an opening in fluid communication with the interior portion. The guide rail system includes a cover assembly including one or more cover elements, and one or more structural elements to which the cover element is secured. The structural element locates the cover element in a preselected location relative to the openings of the containers, for at least partially impeding ingress of foreign matter to the interior portions of the containers.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is described and which includes a base frame; a reciprocally moveable conveyor bed supported by elongated springs and which are attached to each of the conveyor bed, and the base frame, and four unbalanced motors mounted on the base frame, and wherein the unbalanced motors when selectively energized, generate a vibratory force which is transmitted to the reciprocally moveable conveyor bed, and where, selective energizing of the four unbalanced motors can effect the movement of a product along the conveyor bed at a selectively variable speed in a manner not possible heretofore.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a reciprocally moveable conveyor bed, having a product conveying surface, and a magnetic drive which is oriented in spaced relation relative to the conveyor bed and which, when energized, imparts reciprocal motion to the conveyor bed to move the product along the product conveying surface of the conveyor bed.

Abstract: A method and a device for supplying pouring elements arranged and aligned at a distance from each other and comprising a flange, wherein the pouring elements are each supplied directly strung together and are then separated. Acceleration of the first pouring element respectively may occur along a segment of a circle after brief stoppage of the following pouring element and transfer of the separated pouring elements to a further conveying path.

Abstract: A temporary parking station of conveying devices containing only one container of biological, products is described, interfaced with a laboratory automation system, comprising a conveyor belt with at least one dispatching lane with a stop gate adapted to queue the conveying devices let into the station and to release only one of said conveying devices at each step to a diverter fitted on a motorized belt, parallel to the dispatching lane, adapted to move said diverter in steps in either one direction or the other from a start of travel position to an end of travel position, diverting in steps only one at a time said conveying devices on a main conveyor belt moveable in a direction perpendicular to the motorized belt.

Abstract: A tilt-tray sorting installation for articles and a tilt-tray conveying carriage for use in a tilt-tray sorting installation. The tilt-tray conveying carriage has a basic carriage, which is configured for displacement in the tilt-tray sorting installation, a carrying tray, which can be pivoted about a tilting axis relative to the basic carriage, and a tilting drive. A drive device of the tilting drive is fixed in relation to the basic carriage. A traction device is operatively connected to the drive device and the carrying tray. In order to render the devices suitable for heavy articles, the tilt-tray conveying carriage is provided with a traction-device guide which is arranged in a rotatably fixed manner on the carrying tray, against which the traction device abuts, at least in part, and which deflects the traction device.

Abstract: A depalletizing system is disclosed which enables fully automatic depalletizing. Furthermore, a removal unit with at least one ‘knife edge’ is disclosed. The latter may have an all-around belt which wraps around a drive pinion and a deflection.

Abstract: Example vehicle restraint apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example vehicle restraint includes a main body proximate a dock, a vehicle restraint drive unit, and a barrier coupled to the vehicle restraint drive unit and the main body. The barrier is movable relative to the main body between an extended position, a retracted position, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the extended position and the retracted position. A sensor provides a plurality of position feedback signals corresponding to a plurality of sensed positions of the barrier when the barrier moves along the plurality of intermediate positions. A controller receives the plurality of position feedback signals, performs a plurality of comparisons of the plurality of position feedback signals with a stored reference, and generates an output signal based on the compared value.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus includes a stacking member provided to a feeding cassette, a feeding member, a contact portion provided on a regulating member provided on the feeding cassette, a movement unit, and a switching unit. The movement unit raises the feeding member when the feeding cassette is pulled out and lowers the feeding member when the feeding cassette is inserted. The switching unit switches a positional relationship between the feeding and stacking member. After the feeding member is lowered and before the feeding member performs a sheet feeding operation, the switching unit switches the relationship to the second positional relationship from the first. When a stacked sheet amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the contact portion is disposed in contact with the stacked sheets and when the amount is smaller than the predetermined amount, the contact portion is disposed not in contact with the stacked sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medium separation device of an automated teller machine (ATM) that includes a pickup roller for sequentially picking up and feeding stacked media through a friction member on a portion of the outer periphery of the pickup roller, a feed roller for feeding the picked-up and fed media toward a transfer path through a friction member provided on a portion of the outer periphery of the feed roller while rotating with the same phase as the pickup roller, and a medium separation unit for separating a following medium simultaneously fed with a preceding medium fed to the feed roller while in close contact with the bottom, from the preceding medium through a separation belt, to pick up and feed media through a partial roller structure partially having a friction member and simultaneously perform the separation of the media through the medium separation unit.

Abstract: A conveyance device includes an image-forming drum (52) which fixes a rear surface (PB) of a sheet (P) and conveys the sheet along an arc-shaped path at a transfer position (312), a chain gripper which includes a gripper (64D) which is disposed on the downstream side of the image-forming drum in a conveyance direction and holds a leading end portion of the sheet, conveys the sheet along the arc-shaped path at the transfer position, and is disposed at a position at which a portion of the path leads to the image-forming drum side from the transfer position, and a blower unit (300) which is disposed on the chain gripper side from the transfer position, blows air from the chain gripper side to the image-forming drum side on the downstream side of the transfer position in the conveyance direction, and blows air toward the sheet conveyed by the chain gripper.

Abstract: A vacuum roll-to-roll device includes: a first chamber; a second chamber neighboring the first chamber; a shutter disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber; a sealing member attached to the shutter; and a roll-type substrate which moves from the first chamber to the second chamber through the sealing member. A thickness of a lateral side of the roll-type substrate decreases in a direction toward an edge thereof.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a cylindrical sleeve and a length of material that is wound upon itself defining a wound roll. The cylindrical sleeve includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve defines a passage extending through the cylindrical sleeve. The length of material includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A portion of the inner surface of the length of material forms a passage extending through the wound roll. The outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve is secured to the portion of the inner surface of the length of material that forms the passage extending through the wound roll. At least a portion of the inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve is defined by a Sheffield Smoothness that is less than 350. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement (11) for driving a flat substrate along a longitudinal direction, the arrangement being mounted in a packaging production machine. The substrate has a surface that has sustained at least one modification. The arrangement includes a device (9) for driving the substrate along the longitudinal direction, and a device for bearing the substrate against the driving device (9), and having at least one bearing zone (23) facing toward the driving device (9). The substrate is engaged and driven between the driving device (9) and the bearing device. The bearing zone (23) has a transverse dimension (D) and position (Y), chosen as a function of a transverse dimension and a position of the modification on the substrate, so as to prevent damaging the modification between the driving device (9) and the bearing device.

Abstract: A paper discharge device including discharge rollers that discharge a paper sheet and a paper discharge tray on which discharged paper sheets are stacked further includes a control unit that controls the discharge angle of a paper sheet according to at least the stacked amount of paper sheets that are stacked on the paper discharge tray so that the position at which the front end of a paper sheet to be discharged begins to come into contact with the stacked paper sheets on the paper discharge tray is within a specified range from the front end of the stacked paper sheets.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling device that facilitates removal of paper sheets blocked on a conveying path. The device includes a safe casing internally provided with a paper sheet storage box; a processing unit capable of being pulled out from, or stowed in, a main device; a conveying section coupled to the processing unit, and that forms a conveying path; a handover section coupled to a top plate of the safe casing to hand over the sheets between the storage box and the conveying path; and a positioning section that positions for connecting the handover section and the conveying path together when the processing unit is being stowed in the main device.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus performs control to change a sheet discharge destination from a first sheet stacking tray to a second sheet stacking tray in a case where an obstacle prevents the second sheet stacking tray from being moved down while a sheet is discharged to the first sheet stacking tray.

Abstract: A non-stop rack device for temporary receipt of the flat elements in the form of sheets in a converting machine, the device comprising a plurality of parallel bars which are integral with a mobile support which can be displaced between a receipt position, in which the bars can support temporarily the flat elements which are being stacked, and a released position, in which the said bars are placed spaced from any stack of flat elements. Each non-stop bar is mounted so as to be mobile in transverse displacement relative to the mobile support, and the non-stop rack device also comprises a blocking arrangement, which can block the transverse mobility of each non-stop bar.

Abstract: A foil processing device comprises at least two supply units for supplying at least two foils for processing, a processing unit for processing the at least two foils to each other and a transport unit for transporting the foils from the supply unit to the processing unit. At least one of the foils is segmented comprising mechanically weak zones separating subsequent foil segments for enabling real-time correction of a relative position between the foils. The transport unit includes at least two support members for supporting at least two subsequent segments of the segmented foil.

Abstract: A variable cutoff folding device 1 comprising a folding cylinder 40 and a jaw cylinder 50, the folding cylinder 40 comprising: a paper edge holding mechanism 41 configured capable of holding a front edge portion in a conveying direction of an individual sheet FP and capable of changing a timing for releasing holding of the individual sheet FP based on a length in the conveying direction of the individual sheet FP; and a thrust blade mechanism 43 configured capable of thrusting the individual sheet FP to an outer side in a radial direction of the folding cylinder and capable of changing a position in a circumferential direction in the folding cylinder 40 based on the length in the conveying direction of the individual sheet FP.

Abstract: In a cable guide for fibers, particularly carbon fibers, which are combined into cables and extend in a transport direction in a transport plane, characterized in that the cable guide comprises a plurality of individual pins for separating said cables consisting of fibers, it is provided that the pins relative to the transport direction of the cables are inclined in the transport direction and together with the transport plane include an angle from 20° to 70°.

Abstract: A filament-fusing apparatus includes a first body, a first-heating element, a second body and a second-heating element. The first body includes a first surface and a first-filament groove disposed thereon. The first-heating element disposed on the first surface has a first-connecting groove and a first-overflow groove. Two opposite sides of the first-connecting groove connect the first-filament groove. An axial side of the first-connecting groove connects the first-overflow groove. The second body includes a second surface and a second-filament groove disposed thereon. The second-heating element disposed on the second surface has a second-connecting groove and a second-overflow groove. Two opposite sides of the second-connecting groove connect the second-filament groove. An axial side of the second-connecting groove connects the second-overflow groove.

Abstract: A reel includes: a hub in which plural through holes are formed at a connecting portion that interconnects a cylinder portion and an axial center portion; a first flange disposed on one end portion of the hub and equipped with first insertion portions that are inserted into the through holes; a second flange disposed on the other end portion of the hub and equipped with second insertion portions that are inserted into the through holes; and joint portions configured to join the first insertion portions and the second insertion portions, with spaces between radial direction inside wall surfaces of the through holes and radial direction inside wall surfaces of the first insertion portions and the second insertion portions being smaller than spaces between radial direction outside wall surfaces of the through holes and radial direction outside wall surfaces of the first insertion portions and the second insertion portions.

Abstract: An exemplary method of controlling an elevator system includes determining that a temporary heavy traffic condition exists that includes a plurality of passengers requiring elevator service from an originating floor in the building that is distinct from a lobby floor. At least one elevator car out of a plurality of elevator cars within the building is temporarily dedicated to carry the passengers from the originating floor. A peak travel scheduling strategy is temporarily used for controlling the dedicated elevator car or cars for a selected period of time.

Abstract: Smart elevator systems and methods for controlling an elevator system use sensors that transmit data to a processor in a network system for use in operating an elevator system. The elevator system can include a system connected to a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet, etc. and is capable of exchanging data with and retrieving data therefrom. In the smart elevator systems, there are a number of wireless sensors that detect and transmit information on a number of people requesting elevator transport. The smart elevator system uses that information to select or determine one or more transport paths for one or more elevators to follow and, therefore, can be beneficial in enhancing efficient use of one or more elevators in an elevator system to service persons awaiting elevator service.

Abstract: A regenerative electric power storage control system for elevators, including: a converter that converts AC electric power to DC electric power; an inverter that converts the DC electric power to the AC electric power, and drives an electric motor that ascends and descends a car; an electric power storage apparatus provided, via an electric power charge and discharge unit, across DC buses located between the converter and the inverter; an electric power charge and discharge control unit to which DC electric power is supplied from an electric power charge and discharge control power supply and that controls the charge and discharge unit. The charge and discharge control unit calculates on a time zone basis electrical energy stored in and electrical energy discharged from the energy storage apparatus during a predetermined period, and based on the calculation result, determines a discharge operation for each time zone posterior to the predetermined period.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes four or more independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to four spatially separated counterweights at four different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two tracks, each track on one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent balustrade (12) of an escalator (1) or of a moving walk, comprising a balustrade skirt (13), at least one glass panel (33), and a handrail guide (15) with a handrail (14). The at-least one glass panel (33) has an upper edge (9) and a lower end (6) and, at its lower end (6), is gripped in a mounting (18) in the balustrade skirt (13) in locationally fixed manner. The transparent balustrade (12) contains at least one support (20), which is tightly joined to the balustrade skirt (13). The glass panel (33) is deformable perpendicular to its planar extent and therefore in lateral direction. Through its elastic deformability, to absorb lateral forces (F) the glass panel (33) displays lateral displaceability within a permissible deformation play (s), lateral displaceability within the permissible deformation play (s) being limited by the support (20).

Abstract: An endless moving handrail for a passenger conveyor is formed by heating and connecting together both end portions of a handrail developed body with a connection die. The handrail developed body includes a core body that is made of a thermoplastic elastomer and has a substantially C-shaped cross section, a tensile body arranged inside the core body along a longitudinal direction of the core body, and a canvas arranged on an inner surface of the core body. In the moving handrail for a passenger conveyor, both the end portions of the handrail developed body heated with the connection die are formed as a handrail connection section. A bending stiffness of the handrail connection section is reduced from a longitudinal intermediate portion toward a longitudinal outer side of the handrail connection section.

Abstract: A system or method, for controlling at least two automated non-passing rail mounted gantry cranes, has, for each crane, a crane control unit for ensuring execution of at least one work order received by the respective crane from an external scheduling system, and may have a rescheduling unit which performs a rescheduling of the at least one work order based on an expected trajectory along the rail determined for each work order. The rescheduling can be achieved by splitting at least one of the work orders into at least two new work orders and by re-sequencing and re-allocating resulting work orders to reduce the number or duration of situations, where the expected trajectory of one crane blocks the expected trajectory of another crane and/or to reduce a workload imbalance between the cranes. The rescheduling unit operates in parallel with the crane control units, and dynamically updates these original work orders.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a monitoring apparatus of crane hoisting vertical deviation angle. The monitoring apparatus uses a dual-axis inclinometer to measure the vertical deviation angle of the lifting pulley block of a crane, wirelessly transmits the angle signal, and dynamically displays the angle by a control display. The control method adopts the monitoring apparatus mentioned above. The monitoring apparatus thereof fixes a measuring platform on the outside of the guard plate of the movable pulley of the lifting pulley block, and the dual-axis inclinometer is fixed on the measuring platform surface, which becomes a horizontal plane when the crane hoisting vertical deviation angle is 0 degree. The present invention can detect and monitor the verticality of the lifting pulley block in real time, and avoid the risk of non-vertical crane hoisting.

Abstract: An industrial truck has a canopy with two columns arranged laterally on the vehicle, which support a crown equipped with one or more belts. The one or more belts are connected with an assembly plate having an opening for a glass roof, which is glued in a circumferential profile frame. The profile frame is thereby connected with at least one belt and/or support profiles extending between the belts.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle includes a vehicle body and a battery pack, which is placed in the vehicle body. The battery pack includes a counterweight and at least one battery cell, which partially contacts the counterweight. The battery pack is arranged in the vehicle body such that a contact portion of the counterweight that contacts the at least one battery cell exchanges heat with relative wind by a greater amount than a non-contact portion of the at least one battery cell that have no contact with the counterweight.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attachment for a fork of a forklift truck enabling the forklift truck to pull a pallet towards the forklift truck. At least one fork has a generally horizontal section extending away from the forklift truck and a generally vertical section adjacent to the forklift truck. The attachment has an elongate upside down U-shaped channel having a proximal end and a distal end for slipping onto the generally horizontal section of the fork of the forklift truck. The distal end of the attachment carries a U-shaped rod slippable over the generally vertical section of the fork. A troft is in the attachment near the proximal end. Upstanding teeth are retained by the attachment between the proximal end and the troft for retaining pallets so that the forklift truck can pull the pallet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a funnel apparatus for filling of liquids, which comprises a funnel, a sealing means, a locking means, and a soft tube. The funnel apparatus has a fluid receiving member and a tubular member provided for carrying fluid. The latter has a passageway that has a top end portion installed with a handle, and a bottom end portion equipped with a stopper provided for blocking movement of the tubular member. The plunger rod has recessed portions patterned in a longitudinal orientation across its surface. The locking means has an assembly bore and a rim connected with a series of spokes; the assembly bore is fixedly disposed at an end of the receiving member so the plunger rod stretches over the assembly bore and can move axially thereby. The soft tube is inserted into the recessed portions on the plunger rod for providing an air exchange functionality.

Abstract: A device for measuring a keg for beer is disclosed. The keg has a tap opening at its top and a recessed cavity at its bottom. The recess is defined in part by an inside wall around the bottom of the keg. The measuring device disclosed may have an mountable/unmountable housing adapted to be installed to the keg by being mounted on the bottom of the keg at least in part in the recessed cavity. The measuring device disclosed may have a weight sensor on the housing for sensing the weight of the keg.

Abstract: The device (1) consists of a second connection piece (4), which can be welded via its flange (41) onto an aseptically closed tubular bag (2). A first connection piece (33) can be screwed into the second connection piece (4) and is provided at the end with opening means (34). The first connection piece (33) forms the intake piece of a metering pump (3). Securing means (5) hold the metering pump (3) in the correct position relative to the second connection piece (4) before the first use, and further means hold the metering pump (3) in the correct position relative to the second connection piece (4) in the use position.

Abstract: Described is a dispensing device for a liquid product filling machine comprising a plurality of the dispensing devices. Each dispensing device comprises a dispensing conduit having a product outlet opening, a shutter for the outlet opening, an actuating unit adapted to move the shutter from a closed position to an open position of the outlet opening and vice versa, a flexible membrane which separates the dispensing conduit from the actuating unit, a product presence detector, indicating when the flexible membrane is broken and connected to a control unit which each dispensing device is equipped with in such a way as to stop dispensing the product from the dispensing device whose flexible membrane is broken.

Abstract: A bulk liquid dispensing system includes a plurality of dispensing devices for each dispensing a respective type of bulk liquid. Each device includes a primary tank of bulk liquid communicating with a nozzle for dispensing into a reusable container which may be provided by a customer. A secondary portable tank is interchangeably connected above the primary tank to ensure continued dispensing of liquid even as the secondary tank is interchanged. A payment system associates a debit amount with a dispensed fluid from each device resulting from a user selection and a cumulative total of the debit amounts is collected from the customer in a single transaction. The devices can be operated to dispense liquid in response to input of an identification code which is generated when the user prepays, for example through a web interface, a mobile application, a point of sale tool, or a tablet application.