Dispensing System for Filling and Refilling Propane Containers

A Dispensing System for Filling and Refilling Propane Containers comprising:

• Setting up an account;
• customer would download an app, create an account, adding a login, password, two-step authentication and payment information;
• Purchasing;
• when a user propane tank is filled, a confirmation code is emailed or texted to customer, these steps may also be completed at a built-in display at a dispensing location. All tanks have an RFID # for identification and also to ensure that the user propane tank is properly filled by a autofill dispenser;
• Setting Up Dispensing System at Dispensing Locations;
• Utilizing a self-contained main enclosure to hold all components comprising;
• a structural frame;
• dispensing tanks with storage within the main enclosure, distribution tank has bottom flange connecting attachments fill lines, regulator, valves and sits on a distribution tank pedestal;
• measuring and communication equipment incorporated into the dispensing tank;
• a storage location within a main enclosure for multiple new user propane tanks;
• placement apparatus for placing the user propane tank accessible to users;
• a user propane tank moving system;
• an access door covering the entry point of the placement apparatus;
• a robotic picker system that places the users propane storage tanks in position to be filled and removes the user propane storage tank after it is filled to a user tank movement system;
• automatic filling of the user propane tanks, with a with a dispenser tank with dispensing connection that automatically connects to the user propane tank;
• an exit location where user propane storage tanks can be released once filled;
• secure storage device that will release one user propane tank at a time;
• an access door covering the exit point of the placement apparatus;
• an autofill nozzle for cases where it is not practical to insert a user propane tank into the automated system, such as with some RV applications, the autofill nozzle, autofill valve are also available on the distribution tank and the amount dispensed is incorporated into the billing;
• wherein the user simply put a user propane tank, new or used, into a fixed placement apparatus inside the entry door, closes the door and pushes the start button and retrieves a tank from the exit location;
• a code entry system for people who purchase with their cell phone;
• and a payment system, which also can issue codes, located at the main enclosure for refilling tanks and includes a credit card reader system;
• a control system, which may be one or more controllers, the control system consisting of a start button, moving the user propane tank placement apparatus to a location where a robotic picker can pick up the user storage device, a sensor device that notifies the dispenser that the user propane tank is in the proper position, activates the user propane tank device filling procedure, measures the amount of propane dispensed, disconnects the user propane tank dispenser system, activates the user propane tank movement system to move the user propane tank to the exit position, which once the user propane tank reaches that position activates an signal for the user to take the user propane tank away, and the control system then calculates a billing amount, prepares an invoice and sends it to the card reader or a central payment processing site.