Abstract

Systems and kits, including a semi-automated canister distribution system comprising a cabinet system comprising a cabinet having a door with a locked state and an unlocked state; a remote controller device; and a system controller in communication with the cabinet system, having one or more computer processors executing instructions that cause the one or more computer processors to: receive inventory data indicative of a number of units 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 signals to the cabinet system indicative of instructions to change the door between the locked state and the unlocked state; and receive, via the remote controller device, instructions to change the door between the unlocked state and the locked state.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• G06Q 10/087 - Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G06Q 30/0208 - Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• G06Q 30/0238 - Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates at point-of-sale [POS]
• G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
• G07F 9/00 - Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
• G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• G06Q 10/087 - Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G06Q 30/0208 - Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• G06Q 30/0238 - Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates at point-of-sale [POS]
• G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
• G07F 9/00 - Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
• G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed including a semi-automated canister distribution system comprising one or more cabinet systems, comprising: a cabinet having at least one compartment having at least one door having an open position and a closed position with a locked state and an unlocked state; a human-machine interface in communication with a cabinet controller configured to: receive first signals from the human-machine interface indicative of entry of a data element indicative of details of a transaction; and transmit second signals to the one or more cabinet indicative of instructions to change at least one of the at least one door between the locked state and the unlocked state; and a unit detection device configured for transmitting third signals indicative of removal of one or more substantially full propane canisters from the cabinet and placement of one or more substantially empty propane canisters in the cabinet.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• G07F 9/00 - Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
• G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• G06Q 30/0208 - Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• G06Q 30/0238 - Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates at point-of-sale [POS]
• G06Q 10/087 - Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
• G07F 11/62 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• G07F 11/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• G06Q 30/02 - MarketingPrice estimation or determinationFundraising
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
• G07F 7/06 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, e.g. bottles
• G07F 9/02 - Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when emptyAdvertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
• G07F 5/26 - Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 11/54 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from movable storage containers or supports the storage containers or supports being rotatably mounted about vertical axes