EP1054363A1 - Method and system for dispensing gas cylinders - Google Patents

Abstract

Device has two or more access openings (2a, 2b, 2c) with a similar number of blocking flaps (16a-16c) for the openings. Clos sensors (14a-c) are associated with the flaps and a non- contact identification sensor (3) is associated with each bottle connec An electronic processing unit (UTED) is connected to the sensors (3) for identification of a bottle in a cell, its type and characteristics.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device and a method for self-service gas cylinder distribution.

The technical sector of the invention is that of the manufacture of distributors of liquefied gas cylinders, in particular propane or butane.

Patent application FR 2423190 describes a method for obtaining the replacement of an empty recoverable container with a similar container filled with a consumable product, this replacement taking place by through a vending machine containing full containers and maneuverable by the consumer himself, in which one spares the dispenser a freely accessible location intended for receive the empty container at the same time that the one or more is made inaccessible full containers; a container is only made accessible to the consumer full only when, on the one hand, the empty container to be exchanged has been placed in the freely accessible space reserved for this use and that, on the other hand, the price of the product contained in a full container has been paid by the consumer, by introducing a token into the dispenser; in addition, payment of the price is prohibited until the empty container has been placed in the space reserved for this purpose. The payment of the price free access to a full container that can be removed from the dispenser as well that access to another location intended to receive a new container empty to exchange; at the same time as we allow the payment of the price, we prohibits the removal of the empty exchange container previously placed in the space reserved for this purpose.

This document also describes a dispensing device comprising a series of locations for receiving empty containers for swap, a series of locations each containing a full container, means making the locations containing the containers inaccessible full as well as means making the reserved spaces inaccessible to empty receptacles, except one of them, means for detecting the presence of the empty container to be exchanged when it is introduced into the space whose access is free, the detector means controlling access to means of release of one of the locations containing a full container, and means for implementing the means for releasing one of the locations containing a full container.

• un premier système de verrouillage des supports bloquant les supports lorsqu'un emplacement vide du premier support se trouve en face de l'ouverture, ce système de verrouillage étant débloqué par les moyens détecteurs de la présence d'un récipient vide ;
• un second système de verrouillage verrouillant les moyens de libération d'un des emplacements contenant un récipient plein, ce système de verrouillage étant débloqué par un dispositif de contrôle de l'acquittement du prix ;
• et un troisième système de verrouillage bloquant le dispositif de contrôle d'acquittement du prix et débloqué par le déplacement du support garni du récipient vide à échanger depuis sa position en regard de l'ouverture à une position décalée par rapport à l'ouverture et dans laquelle le récipient vide est inaccessible.

The locations are provided on movable supports inside a fixed envelope having an opening in front of which the movable supports pass in such a way that never more than one entire location of each of the supports appears in front of the opening; in addition, the device includes:

• a first support locking system blocking the supports when an empty location of the first support is opposite the opening, this locking system being released by the means detecting the presence of an empty container;
• a second locking system locking the means for releasing one of the locations containing a full container, this locking system being unlocked by a device for controlling the payment of the price;
• and a third locking system blocking the payment acknowledgment control device and released by moving the support lined with the empty container to be exchanged from its position opposite the opening to a position offset from the opening and in which the empty container is inaccessible.

The dispenser is in the form of a cage surrounding two horizontal trays superimposed integral with a tube mounted to pivot according to a vertical axis; each tray is partitioned by rods sparing ten slots for holding empty bottles - for the tray upper - and full bottles - for the lower tray; a system mechanical drive (by the user) in rotation of the plates in a single direction, associated with a magnetic presence detection bar an empty bottle returned, and locking mechanisms are described in this document.

Although this method and this device have certain advantages, experience has shown that it is not fully satisfactory.

An object of the invention is to propose a method and an apparatus self-service distribution of liquefied gas cylinders, which are improved.

Patent application EP-A-860 648 describes a device for managing industrial gas cylinders which has an enclosure defining a cell receiving a bottle fitted with a collar including a circuit electronic, as well as a portable reading clip in contact with the necklace; patent application FR-A-2685519 defines a concept consisting to use electromagnetic waves to read recorded data in a label affixed to a bottle, without however describing clearly and completely an embodiment.

According to a first aspect, the invention consists in proposing an apparatus according to claim 1.

Preferably the means for detection and identification an empty bottle inserted into a cell (as well as the detection and the identification of a full bottle extracted from a cell) includes at minus a means of contactless reading of data recorded in a electronic micro-circuit integrated into each bottle, which is associated with each of the access openings.

According to an alternative embodiment, which can if necessary be combined with said reading means in a micro-circuit, and in which the bottle itself forms a data carrier, the means identification includes a camera associated with means of recognition of the shape and / or color of the bottles.

The invention makes it possible to detect the presence and to identify the characteristics of a bottle introduced by a user into a cell through an access opening, precisely, reliably and very fast.

The invention allows, in particular by repeated reading to several repeats as long as a signal representative of the opening of the hatch is transmitted to the UETD by a sensor sensitive to this opening, to avoid fraudulent use of introducing a bottle (for exchange) then to withdraw it; this also makes it possible to verify that the empty bottle enter into the socket by the user corresponds to a predetermined type bottle, in particular corresponds to a bottle intended to contain butane or, on the contrary, a bottle intended to contain propane ; this also makes it possible to verify that the introduced bottle is part of the fleet of bottles of a predetermined distribution company.

By providing a means of reading by access opening, it is possible to use for this reading of the means of transmission and reception of signals short-range radio frequency (RF) (around 10 to 30 cm per example), and we reduce the risk of interference between two transceivers neighbors built into the device that could lead to errors detection and identification; in addition, the sensitivity of the system to electromagnetic interference likely to result from the emission of radio electric noise by devices located neighborhood of the reading means, or of mass movements not non-magnetic in the vicinity of the readers, for example the movement opening or closing the access hatch.

In addition, in order to limit the emission of electromagnetic interference by actuators integrated into the distributor (to ensure in particular opening and / or closing of the doors and / or displacement of the cells in if a turntable is used), it is preferable to use this effect one or more pneumatic actuators.

Preferably one or two transmitting and transmitting antennas are used. reception of RF signals, which are located at the top or bottom of the access opening, and RF frequency signals are used preferably located in a range from 1 to 100 megahertz, for example close to 10 to 15 megahertz to both provide the micro circuit integrated into the energy bottle and to receive signals RF identification returned by this micro circuit associated with an antenna also integrated into the bottle.

A mechanical guide member is preferably also provided. and bottle positioning which is integral with each cell; this further facilitates automatic and contactless bottle identification by promoting optimal positioning of the bottle under the antenna reading and / or in the field of view of the camera.

According to another aspect, the invention consists in proposing a distributor comprising at least two respectively closable access openings by a hatch (or shutter or door); the at least two hatches being of preferably arranged superimposed and of identical rectangular shape, and being mounted - preferably articulated - on a common frame making part of a service door, preferably rectangular, for access simultaneous with several of said openings; this particular configuration facilitates filling of the dispenser while making it possible to offer a fixed enclosure (in metal, plastic, concrete) and resistant access doors weather and vandalism, thanks to a simple mechanical structure and rigid; according to a preferred embodiment, at least part of said service door and / or said hatch is made of a material non-magnetic, in particular in plastic material, in order to limit the electromagnetic (RF reading system) disturbances caused by its opening and closing.

According to another aspect, the invention consists in filling the dispenser comprising a plurality of cells intended to receive a type of predetermined bottle, leaving one - and only one - empty cell, which can be chosen arbitrarily by the person filling among said plurality of cells; this allows optimal use of the dispenser loading capacity.

According to another aspect, the invention consists in providing, integrated into the bottle dispenser, dispenser dispenser, means (such as a keyboard) for the introduction of a choice item by the consumer a bottle purchase transaction (without prior deposit of a empty bottle), and a means of actuating the regulator distributor according to said choice data.

The advantages of the invention will be better understood from through the following description which refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate without any limiting character preferential modes of realization of the invention.

La figure 1 illustre schématiquement les principaux composants d'une application selon l'invention.

Les figures 2 à 4 illustrent la structure mécanique d'ensemble d'un mode particulier de réalisation d'un distributeur :

• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de l'appareil et une vue selon III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 2 est une vue latérale et une vue selon II de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon IV-IV de la figure 3.

La figure 5 illustre un barillet d'un distributeur détendeur intégré à l'appareil selon l'invention.

In the drawings, identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated, have the same references from one figure to another.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates the main components of an application according to the invention.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the overall mechanical structure of a particular embodiment of a dispenser:

• Figure 3 is a top view of the apparatus and a view along III of Figure 2;
• Figure 2 is a side view and a view along II of Figure 3;
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a barrel of a pressure reducing valve integrated into the device according to the invention.

The distributor 1 comprises, inside an envelope 20, a barrel 22 rotatably mounted along the vertical axis 21; the barrel is driven in rotation by a motor 10 via a pinion 23 with an axis 24 meshing with a chain encircling the base of the barrel; the barrel comprises three superimposed trays 25 which are each surmounted of reinforcements 26 delimiting six cells (of identical shape) 27 for receiving a bottle 28; a template 26a is provided at the bottom of each cell for promote correct positioning of a bottle by cooperating with the body and / or the flange or handle provided in the upper part of the bottle.

On a face 20a of the envelope are grouped a door 16 of service carrying three superimposed hatches 16a, 16b, 16c allowing the respective closing of three openings 2a, 2b, 2c provided in door 16, as well as a keyboard 5, a display unit 6 and a payment terminal 8 by bank card which are arranged in a niche 3, and finally a hatch 29 of access to a housing for the delivery of a regulator distributed by a distributor 4 housed in the envelope.

The door 16 is pivotally mounted along the axis 31 relative to the envelope 20 and the doors 16a to 16c are pivotally mounted along the axis 32 relative to door 16.

In the upper part of each opening obscured by its hatch respective 16a to 16c, an antenna 3 is provided allowing the supply (by induction) of an integrated circuit to each bottle as well as the reading of identification data contained in signals transmitted by an antenna associated with this circuit integrated into the structure of each bottle; alternatively, a camera 3 allows recognition of the bottle by comparison of its shape and / or color with data corresponding stored in a memory associated with the UETD.

• un clavier 5, un afficheur 6 et un transducteur sonore 7 pour le 〈〈 dialogue 〉〉 entre l'utilisateur et l'UETD ;
• un terminal 8 de paiement par carte bancaire 8a ;
• les trois antennes 3 respectivement associées aux ouvertures 2a - 2c et pilotées par une interface 17 ;
• un modem 9 pour la communication à distance ;
• deux interfaces 11, 12 de contrôle et de commande respective d'un moteur 10 d'entraínement du barillet 22 et d'un distributeur 4 de détendeurs ;
• un actionneur de verrouillage 13, 13a à 13c, un capteur de fermeture 14, 14a à 14c, qui sont respectivement associés à chacune des quatre portes 16, 16a à 16c ;
• un indicateur visuel 15a à 15c associé à chacune des trois trappes pour faciliter l'indication à l'utilisateur de la trappe à ouvrir.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the distributor comprises a UETD associated with a memory M and connected (by means 37 of connection) to the various sensors, actuators and interface members, namely:

• a keyboard 5, a display 6 and a sound transducer 7 for the 〈〈 dialogue 〉〉 between the user and the UETD;
• a terminal 8 for payment by bank card 8a;
• the three antennas 3 respectively associated with the openings 2a - 2c and controlled by an interface 17;
• a modem 9 for remote communication;
• two interfaces 11, 12 for controlling and commanding a respective motor 10 for driving the barrel 22 and a distributor 4 for regulators;
• a locking actuator 13, 13a to 13c, a closing sensor 14, 14a to 14c, which are respectively associated with each of the four doors 16, 16a to 16c;
• a visual indicator 15a to 15c associated with each of the three hatches to facilitate the indication to the user of the hatch to be opened.

• une enveloppe 41 cylindrique fixe d'axe 42 horizontal à l'intérieur de laquelle un tambour 43 est monté rotatif selon cet axe ; ce tambour comporte six logements séparés par six cloisons épaisses 44, chaque logement 45 recevant un détendeur 40 ;
• un actionneur 46 d'entraínement du tambour 43 en rotation, et trois capteurs 47 de position du tambour et de détection de présence d'un détendeur dans chacune des deux alvéoles situées de part et d'autre d'une ouverture d'échappement 48 prévue dans l'enveloppe 41 et permettant la chute d'un détendeur jusqu'à la trappe 29 figure 2.

The distributor 4 of regulators 40a, 40b illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises:

• a fixed cylindrical casing 41 with a horizontal axis 42 inside which a drum 43 is rotatably mounted along this axis; this drum has six housings separated by six thick partitions 44, each housing 45 receiving a regulator 40;
• an actuator 46 for driving the drum 43 in rotation, and three sensors 47 for positioning the drum and for detecting the presence of a regulator in each of the two cells located on either side of an exhaust opening 48 provided in the casing 41 and allowing the fall of a regulator up to the hatch 29 in FIG. 2.

This dispenser can be filled with two different types of regulators: three regulators 40a adapted to a first type of cylinder (for example butane) present in distributor 1, and three regulators 40b suitable for a second type of bottle (for example propane) simultaneously present in the dispenser.

For the purchase of a bottle by a customer, the operation is the following: the customer introduces his bank card, which the distributor blocks; the UETD broadcasts a message 〈〈 Welcome 〉〉 and offers the choice 〈〈 Exchange 〉〉 or 〈〈 Purchase 〉〉 (consignment); after the customer has selected 〈〈 Purchase 〉〉, UETD broadcasts the message “Product Purchase” and offers the choice: 〈〈 Butane 〉〉 or 〈〈 Propane 〉〉, which the customer selects using keyboard 5; UETD checks in memory M the presence of a cylinder and a pressure reducer corresponding to the selected product, and if the product is not available, the UETD displays the message 〈〈 Product not available 〉〉 and ends the procedure.

(a) Le moteur 10 contrôlé par l'UETD positionne le cylindre 22 sur une position correspondant à une bouteille pleine du produit à distribuer ; l'UETD allume le voyant (15a ou 15b ou 15c) de la porte correspondante et donne l'autorisation d'ouverture en désactivant le verrouillage ; l'UETD affiche un message et attend de l'interface 17 correspondant à l'ouverture concernée, un signal signifiant l'absence de la bouteille dans l'emplacement (avec répétition du message). Le client ouvre la porte et prend la bouteille pleine de l'emplacement ; l'UETD éteint le voyant, supprime l'autorisation d'ouverture, diffuse un message et attend la fermeture de la porte (avec répétition du message) ; après que le client ait fermé la porte, l'UETD provoque la distribution du détendeur correspondant au produit. l'UETD confirme la transaction bancaire, imprime un reçu client, met à jour la mémoire et archive l'événement, puis termine la procédure d'achat et provoque le déverrouillage de la carte bancaire. Pour l'échange d'une bouteille par un client, le fonctionnement s'effectue selon une séquence d'étapes similaire mais sans distribution de détendeur et comporte en outre les étapes suivantes, avant la distribution (étape (a) ci-dessus) de la bouteille pleine :

(b) La machine diffuse le message 〈〈 Range Bouteille 〉〉 et attend la présence d'une bouteille vide dans l'emplacement (avec répétition du message) ; si le client appuie sur une touche 〈〈 Annulation 〉〉, la machine diffuse le message 〈〈 Fermer Porte 〉〉 et attend la fermeture de la porte (avec répétition du message) ; après que le client ait fermé la porte, la machine termine la procédure d'échange ; après que le client ait placé une bouteille vide dans l'alvéole, la machine éteint le voyant correspondant et envoie une commande de fermeture porte, diffuse un message 〈〈 Fermer Porte 〉〉 et attend la fermeture de la porte (avec répétition du message) ; après que le client ait fermé la porte, l'UETD contrôle la présence et l'identité de la bouteille vide : si la bouteille est absente ou si son identité ne correspond pas au type de bouteille prédéterminé ; la machine ouvre à nouveau la porte et retourne à l'étape (b) ; dans le cas contraire, l'UETD commande les opérations décrites ci-dessus pour le retrait d'une bouteille pleine.

Otherwise, the UETD broadcasts the message "Buy Butane or Buy Propane" confirming the customer's choice and waits for the customer to enter their secret code and validate or cancel the operation; if the authorization fails, the distributor displays a 〈〈 Abandon message message and ends the procedure.

(a) The motor 10 controlled by the UETD positions the cylinder 22 in a position corresponding to a full bottle of the product to be dispensed; the UETD lights the indicator (15a or 15b or 15c) of the corresponding door and gives the authorization to open by deactivating the locking; the UETD displays a message and waits for the interface 17 corresponding to the opening concerned, a signal signifying the absence of the bottle in the location (with repetition of the message). The customer opens the door and takes the full bottle from the location; the UETD extinguishes the warning light, removes the authorization to open, broadcasts a message and waits for the door to close (with repetition of the message); after the customer has closed the door, the UETD causes the distribution of the regulator corresponding to the product. the UETD confirms the bank transaction, prints a customer receipt, updates the memory and archives the event, then completes the purchase procedure and causes the unlocking of the bank card. For the exchange of a bottle by a customer, the operation is carried out according to a sequence of similar steps but without distribution of regulator and further comprises the following steps, before the distribution (step (a) above) of the full bottle:

(b) The machine broadcasts the message 〈〈 Bottle Range 〉〉 and waits for the presence of an empty bottle in the location (with repetition of the message); if the customer presses a ulation Cancel touche key, the machine broadcasts the message 〈〈 Close Door 〉〉 and waits for the door to close (with repetition of the message); after the customer has closed the door, the machine completes the exchange procedure; after the customer has placed an empty bottle in the cell, the machine turns off the corresponding light and sends a door close command, broadcasts a message 〈〈 Close Door 〉〉 and waits for the door to close (with repetition of the message) ; after the client has closed the door, the UETD checks the presence and identity of the empty bottle: if the bottle is missing or if its identity does not correspond to the predetermined type of bottle; the machine opens the door again and returns to step (b); otherwise, the UETD orders the operations described above for the removal of a full bottle.

For the filling of the dispenser by a delivery man, the operation is as follows: the delivery man introduces a card and enters a code identification; UETD displays a message 〈〈 Delivery in progress 〉〉, archive the event, and broadcasts a message to open the service door 16; after the delivery man opens the door, the distributor lights up the lights cells containing empty bottles to be replaced. (c) The delivery person remove empty bottles from the slots and as soon as a bottle is removed, the dispenser records the withdrawal of the bottle in the memory; (d) the delivery person places the full bottles one by one and as soon as a new one bottle is recognized, the dispenser turns off the corresponding indicator, and saves the new bottle by updating the memory; (e) the delivery man presses two forced barrel rotation control buttons which advance one position by rotating 60 degrees; operations (c) to (e) above are repeated until the barrel is filled with the exception of one cell left empty for each type of bottle contained in the distributor; after the delivery person has closed the service door, the UETD prints the delivery report.

Claims (10)

Apparatus (1) for self-service distribution of liquefied gas bottles, which comprises a plurality of mobile cells (27) capable of receiving a bottle, characterized in that it comprises: at least two access openings (2a, 2b, 2c), at least two hatches (16a, 16b, 16c) for respectively closing one of said openings, at least two closing sensors (14a, 14b, 14c) respectively associated with one of said hatches, a means (3) of contactless identification of the bottle, an electronic data processing unit (UETD) which is connected to said sensors and to said means (3) of identification, making it possible to detect the presence and to identify the characteristics of a bottle introduced by a user into a cell through d '' an access opening, in a precise, reliable and fast way. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means identification comprises a reading means (3) associated with each said access openings, wherein each reading means includes one or two antenna (s) (3) capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the range of 1 megahertz at 100 megahertz, which is (are) located at the top or bottom of the access opening, so as to allow reading without contact of data recorded in an electronic micro-circuit integrated into each bottle. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the means (3) identification includes a camera associated with means of recognition of the shape and / or color of the bottles. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the envelope of which comprises at least two hatches (16a, 16b, 16c) superimposed mounted articulated on a common frame forming part a service door (16) for simultaneous access to several cells. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which comprises a distributor (4) of regulators, as well as a means (5) of data entry connected to said electronic unit of data processing (UETD) to activate the distributor (4) in function of choice data entered by the user thanks to medium (5). Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes means (9) remote transmission of data relating to the content of the distributor (4) of regulators. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the cells are arranged on at least three levels superimposed on a barrel (22) with a vertical axis (21) comprising several cells by level, which device further comprises, on a facade of the envelope containing the barrel, a terminal (5, 6, 7, 8) of dialogue and payment, and an access hatch to a means (4) of distribution of regulators. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, which comprises a mechanical member (26a) for guiding and positioning of the bottle, which is integral with each cell, in which said hatches and / or a service door is (are) partly made of a non-magnetic material, and which additionally comprises less one actuator (10, 12, 13) (pneumatic or electromechanical) for moving the cells and / or for opening and closing doors, which actuator is connected to said electronic unit (UETD). Method for distributing liquefied gas cylinders in which one uses an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and in which the device is filled leaving a single cell empty for each type of bottle. Method according to claim 9, in which a memory (M) is recorded and transmitted remotely, by means (9), under the control of said electronic unit (UETD) of the distributor, data relating to the content of the cells (27), data relating to the content of a regulator distributor (4).

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