A trade term, used in the petroleum marketing equipment business, to refer to a piece of equipment–a nozzle, meter or pump computer –that is returned to the manufacturer in exchange for a new or rebuilt item of the same type.

A “core” mechanical computer, for example, could be one that has become outdated because it does not display current price and gallonage figures. This core computer would be exchanged for a new or rebuilt computer capable of displaying the proper figures.

The core unit, in turn, would be taken by the manufacturer and “recycled.” That is, it would be rebuilt, with new parts substituted for those that had become worn or obsolete.