SK42021U1 - Equipment for storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

A device is described for the storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles, the device (Z) consisting of a power supply and at least two pairs of lockable boxes arranged one above the other and next to each other and firmly connected to each other ( A1, A2) and (B1, B2) for bottles with the same floor plans and at least two different heights, each lockable box (A1, A2, B1, B2) for bottles being equipped with a door (D) with an electronically controlled lock (1) door (D) and an internal control element (2) for evaluating the size and weight of the bottle, the device (Z) comprising an operating control module (C) with a payment terminal which is electronically wired or wirelessly connected to the electronically controlled door lock (1). (D) and with an internal control element (2) of each lockable bottle box (A1, A2, B1, B2).

Description

Technical field

The technical solution relates to equipment for storage and for paid self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles with propane-butane gas.

Prior art

The sale or exchange of empty propane-butane cylinders (hereinafter referred to as "cylinders") is usually carried out at the dispensing points of companies supplying technical gases, by the customer bringing the empty bottle, handing it over to the dispensing point staff and receiving a full bottle. Another possibility of changing the bottle is realized at pumping stations, where the bottles are usually stored in locked wire cages. The actual exchange or sale of a full bottle is carried out by the service station operator, including manual handling of the bottles. This activity is physically demanding for the operator or a bottle with a 10 kg filling also weighs up to 25 kg with a package. At present, when service stations are mostly women, this practice is inappropriate. Payment for the issued bottle usually takes place inside the filling station, which represents for the operator and the customer the need to move from the bottle storage to the cash register of the filling station. This not only represents a waste of time, but is also forced by the presence of a two-member operator at the gas station. At night, such a bottle replacement practice is risky with regard to the possibility of injury and also dangerous for the possibility of an attack on the operator.

The essence of the technical solution

The essence of the technical solution lies in the fact that the device for storage and exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles (hereinafter referred to as the "device") allows its operation on a self-service principle. The device consists of a plurality of bottle boxes arranged one on top of the other and arranged next to one another and firmly connected to one another by means of a door which can be closed and locked. Bottle boxes have identical floor plans, which allows us to stack them on top of each other. The individual boxes are firmly connected to one another, for example by screw connections, and form a solid unit. The boxes have identical floor plans, but different heights. Due to the fact that two types of bottles are most often changed and used, namely with a filling of 2 kg and with a filling of 10 kg, two types of boxes are used in the device. The box for smaller bottles has, with the same floor plan, half the height as the box for larger bottles. This makes it possible to create a device with an external block shape by suitable folding of the boxes. A plurality of lockable boxes is associated with and firmly connected to a service control module with a payment terminal which is part of the device and which is electrically / electronically wired or wirelessly connected to electronically controlled elements - electronically controlled door locks and internal control elements of lockable bottle boxes. .

Each of the lockable bottle boxes has a door equipped with an electronically controlled lock connected to the service control module, which is also a payment terminal operating in accordance with the applicable accounting law. In each lockable bottle box there is a control device which is able to indicate the occupancy of the box and to distinguish whether the bottle is of the correct shape and weight and whether it is full or empty, and also whether the box door has remained open after inserting or lifting the bottle. , while these data are displayed on the panel of the control module or on the operator's control panel. The device as a whole is equipped with an external gas leakage sensor connected to the light signaling and also to the control module and to the operator's control panel. The power supply for the device can also be a solar system. The described device significantly limits the personal participation of the operator in the physical handling of bottles. Once every few hours, it is necessary to remove empty bottles from the device and refill full bottles. When the customer replaces the bottle, the participation of the operator is limited to the control task of the correct function of the individual parts of the device.

Overview of figures in the drawings

Other advantages and effects of the present technical solution are apparent from the attached drawing, where they mean:

FIG. 1 is a front view (front view) of a device for storing and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles, FIG. 2 floor plan of a device for storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles.

SK 4-2021 U1

Examples of embodiments

Apparatus for the storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane cylinders for full propane-butane cylinders, hereinafter referred to as 'apparatus (Z)', shown in FIG. 1 and 2, consists of a power supply and at least two pairs, arranged on top of each other and next to each other and firmly connected to each other, by door D of lockable boxes A1, A2, B1, B2 for bottles with the same floor plans and at least two different heights, where lockable the bottle boxes A1, A2 are half the height of the lockable bottle boxes B1, B2. Each lockable bottle box A1, A2, B1, B2 is equipped with an electronically controlled door lock 1 D and an internal control element 2 for evaluating the size and weight of the bottle. The lockable boxes A1, A2, BI, B2 for bottles are associated and firmly connected to an operating control module C with a payment terminal, which is part of the device Z and which is electronically wired or wirelessly connected to the electronically controlled door lock 1 D and the internal control element 2. each lockable bottle compartment A1, A2, BI, B2. The external shape and dimensions of the control module C are identical to the shape and dimensions of the lockable bottles B1, B2 for the bottles. Lockable boxes A1, A2 for bottles are intended for small bottles weighing 2 kg, while lockable boxes A1 for empty bottles are intended for empty bottles and lockable boxes A2 for full bottles are intended for full bottles, while lockable boxes B1, B2 for The bottles are designed for large bottles weighing 10 kg, while the lockable boxes B1 for empty bottles are intended for empty bottles and the lockable boxes B2 for full bottles are intended for full bottles. The described embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a device Z composed of three lockable boxes A1 for empty bottles, three lockable boxes A2 for full bottles, five lockable boxes B1 for empty bottles and five lockable boxes B2 for full bottles and one service control module C. Full lockable boxes B2 for full bottles. bottles intended for full large bottles form the bottom row of lockable boxes, supplemented on the left side by two lockable boxes A1 for empty small bottles and two lockable boxes A2 for full small bottles.

On the lower row of lockable boxes B2 for full bottles, a top row of five lockable boxes B1 for empty bottles, for empty large bottles, is built. Attached to them from the left are two lockable boxes A1, A2 for small bottles. The upper row from the left is closed by the control module C, connected to the central control panel of the plant operator. The device assembled in this way has the shape of a rectangular doubles (block). The device is externally equipped with a gas leak sensor 3 connected to the control panel C and a gas leak light S. An alternative power supply for the device is a solar system.

The function of the device is as follows: The initial situation can be characterized by the fact that all lockable boxes A1 and BI for empty bottles are empty and ready to receive empty bottles. All lockable boxes A2 and B2 for full bottles are occupied by full bottles. Door D of all lockable bottles A1, A2, B1, B2 for bottles is closed. A customer who comes with an empty bottle to replace it with a full one proceeds by selecting an action on the panel of the control module C, e.g. replacement of an empty large bottle with a full large bottle. The following is an instruction to pay for the exchange. The customer pays at the payment terminal by card or cash. Then the door of one lockable BI box for empty bottles is opened and the customer inserts an empty bottle in it and closes the door of the lockable box B1 for empty bottles. If the internal control element 2 evaluates the returned bottle as correct, the door of one lockable box B2 for full bottles is opened and the customer picks up the full bottle. As soon as the door closes the already empty box B2, the payment terminal in the service control module C issues a receipt (tax document) to the customer. Empty lockable boxes B2 for full bottles or lockable boxes A2 for full bottles can be replenished by the operator at his discretion and as required. The same applies to the removal of empty bottles from lockable Al and BI boxes for empty bottles. Any faults, including the leaking gas indication, will appear on the control panel C and on the system operator's central control panel.

Industrial applicability

The device can be used for storage and self-service paid exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles.

Claims (5)

1. Device for storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles, characterized in that the device (Z) consists of a power supply and at least two pairs, on top of each other and next to each other, arranged and together with each other fixed lockable boxes (A1, A2) and (BI, B2) for bottles with the same floor plans and at least two different heights, each lockable box (A1, A2, BI, B2) for bottles being equipped with a door (D) with an electronically controlled a door lock (1) (D) and an internal control element (2) for evaluating the size and weight of the bottle, the device (Z) comprising an operating control module (C) with a payment terminal, which is electronically wired or wirelessly connected to the electronically controlled lock (1) a door (D) and an internal control element (2) for each lockable bottle box (A1, A2, BI, B2). Device for storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles according to claim 1, characterized in that the lockable bottle boxes (A1, A2) are half the height of the lockable boxes (B1, B2) for bottles. Device for storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (Z) is externally equipped with a gas leak sensor (3) connected to the service control module (C) and for the gas leak light (S). Device for storing and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply for the device (Z) is a solar system. Device for storage and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles according to any one of claims, characterized in that the service control module (C) with the payment terminal is connected to a central control panel of the operator.