Aerosol dispensing apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for determining if an aerosol can is authorized for use within an aerosol can dispenser where the aerosol can dispenser has an aerosol can dispensing system for repeated mechanical contact with a nozzle of an aerosol can operatively connected to the aerosol can dispenser and where the aerosol can dispensing system has a controller having means for activation of the aerosol can dispensing system for repeated activation of the aerosol can nozzle by a aerosol can dispensing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. mounting an aerosol can within the aerosol can dispenser to engage the aerosol can nozzle with the aerosol can dispensing mechanism;
b. activating at least one LED emitter/receiver pair operatively connected to the controller, the LED emitter/receiver pair for emitting LED light against an outer surface of an aerosol can and receiving reflected light from the outer surface of the aerosol can;
c. detecting if the reflected light corresponds to an authorized reflected light signal pattern;
wherein if the reflected light signal pattern is authorized, enabling the aerosol can dispensing mechanism to dispense a quantity of aerosol can contents and wherein if the reflected light signal pattern is not authorized, preventing activation of the aerosol can dispensing mechanism.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing system adapted for repeated activation of an aerosol can is described. The dispensing system includes components that improve the ability to receive and secure aerosol cans of different sizes within the dispensing system as well as improving the reliability and energy efficiency of the system.
38 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for determining if an aerosol can is authorized for use within an aerosol can dispenser where the aerosol can dispenser has an aerosol can dispensing system for repeated mechanical contact with a nozzle of an aerosol can operatively connected to the aerosol can dispenser and where the aerosol can dispensing system has a controller having means for activation of the aerosol can dispensing system for repeated activation of the aerosol can nozzle by a aerosol can dispensing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. mounting an aerosol can within the aerosol can dispenser to engage the aerosol can nozzle with the aerosol can dispensing mechanism; b. activating at least one LED emitter/receiver pair operatively connected to the controller, the LED emitter/receiver pair for emitting LED light against an outer surface of an aerosol can and receiving reflected light from the outer surface of the aerosol can; c. detecting if the reflected light corresponds to an authorized reflected light signal pattern; wherein if the reflected light signal pattern is authorized, enabling the aerosol can dispensing mechanism to dispense a quantity of aerosol can contents and wherein if the reflected light signal pattern is not authorized, preventing activation of the aerosol can dispensing mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An aerosol can comprising:
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at least one photoreflective surface, the photoreflective surface having reflective properties to provide a reflected light signal pattern when operatively interacting with at least one LED emitter/receiver pair operatively connected to a dispensing apparatus for authorizing use of the aerosol can within the dispensing apparatus; and an aerosol can nozzle configured to engage with the dispensing apparatus to enable repeated activation of the aerosol can nozzle by the dispensing apparatus when the reflected light signal pattern is authorized. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification