Apparatus and method of dispensing asphalt sealant during non-business hours

• US 6,301,523 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2000
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Lazzerini
• Original Assignee: LGM Inc.
• Inventors: Lazzerini, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E
• Application Number:
  US09/616,779
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 700/232, 700/236, 700/237, 700/244
• US Class Current: 700/232
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/12 in which metering is on a time basis

Abstract

An asphalt sealant dispensing system includes an electronic user interface adapted to allow customers during non-business hours access to asphalt sealant. A recording device indicates how much asphalt has been pumped and then customers can be billed based on their usage. A security enclosure is provided to prevent access and tampering with the pumps, the strainer, and the meter during non-business hours. The security enclosure is removed to allow access to these components during business hours. Existing systems can be readily retrofit using the present invention. Alternatively, new systems can also be built with the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing asphalt sealant from a tank during non-business hours of a business without a representative of said business being present, comprising:

electronically identifying a customer from a plurality of customers;

accessing an asphalt sealant pump once a customer is electronically identified;

pumping asphalt sealant from the tank; and

recording a quantity of asphalt sealant pumped from the tank.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

securely enclosing the pump and associated components including a first readable meter adapted to provide an indication of the amount of asphalt sealant pumped during the non-business hours with a security enclosure to prevent tampering with said pump and associated components, a hose extending outside of the security enclosure during non-business hours; and

opening the security enclosure during business hours to allow worker access to said pump and associated components.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a second readable meter output adapted to provide an indication of the amount of asphalt sealant pumped not enclosed by the security enclosure during non-business hours.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of accessing, comprises:

switching an electrical connection to a hydraulic pump to an on state from an off state; and

hydraulically actuating the asphalt sealant pump.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

timing the access to the asphalt sealant pump; and

ending the access after a predetermined amount of time.

6. An apparatus for dispensing asphalt sealant from a tank during non-business hours of a business without a representative of said business being present, comprising:

means for electronically identifying a customer from a plurality of customers;

means for accessing an asphalt sealant pump once a customer is electronically identified;

means for pumping asphalt sealant from the tank; and

means for recording a quantity of asphalt sealant pumped from the tank.

7. An apparatus for dispensing asphalt sealant from a tank during non-business hours of a business without a representative of said business being present, comprising:

a tank containing asphalt sealant;

an asphalt sealant pump fluidically connected to the tank adapted to pump asphalt sealant from the tank;

a hydraulic actuating pump having an electrical input and a hydraulic output, the hydraulic output driving the asphalt sealant pump; and

a first meter providing a first meter readout of the amount of asphalt sealant pumped from the tank;

an electronic user access interface having a user input adapted to identify a customer of the business from a plurality of customers, the user access interface controlling the electrical input to the hydraulic actuating pump, allowing pumping of asphalt sealant when a customer is identified and preventing pumping of asphalt sealant when a customer is not identified; and

a recorder responsive to the meter adapted to record the amount of asphalt sealant pumped.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a security enclosure having open and closed positions, the security enclosure securely enclosing the meter, the hydraulic actuating pump and the asphalt sealant pump during the closed position, a hose adapted to receive pumped asphalt sealant extending outside of the security enclosure when in the closed position, the security enclosure allowing access to the meter, the hydraulic actuating pump and the asphalt sealant pump during the open position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the security enclosure is mounted on guide tracks for linear sliding movement between open and closed positions, further comprising a lock locking the security enclosure in the enclosed position.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a second meter readout adapted to indicate the quantity of asphalt sealant pumped, the second meter readout mounted external relative to the security enclosure such that the second readable meter readout can be viewed during both open and closed positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second meter readout is connected to the first meter indicating the output of the first meter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second meter readout is positioned on one side of the security enclosure and the electronic user access interface is positioned on a stand on the other side of the security enclosure.

13. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the recorder is secured at a non accessible location inside a building.

14. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pumps and the meter are supported by a support structure and the electronic user access interface is located on a stand separate from said support structure.