Container with electronically controlled interlock
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A first container, comprising:
- an interlock device configured to control transferability of content through a first opening defined by the first container;
a sensor configured to sense a first unique identifier (UID) value from a second container, the second container having contents transferrable through the first opening of the first container;
a memory storing a plurality of UID values acceptable to the first container; and
a controller configured to;
receive the first UID value from the sensor;
determine whether the first UID value matches one of the plurality of acceptable UID values stored in the memory; and
instruct the interlock device to transfer the contents through the first opening of the first container based on a match between the first UID value and an acceptable UID value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus and methods of the current invention utilize a container having an interlock that prevents filling the container, dispensing from the container, or both, as well as a detecting mechanism that senses a unique identifier associated with a particular product allowing its use in conjunction with the container.
985 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A first container, comprising:
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an interlock device configured to control transferability of content through a first opening defined by the first container; a sensor configured to sense a first unique identifier (UID) value from a second container, the second container having contents transferrable through the first opening of the first container; a memory storing a plurality of UID values acceptable to the first container; and a controller configured to; receive the first UID value from the sensor; determine whether the first UID value matches one of the plurality of acceptable UID values stored in the memory; and instruct the interlock device to transfer the contents through the first opening of the first container based on a match between the first UID value and an acceptable UID value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A first container, comprising:
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an interlock device connected to a first opening defined in the first container, wherein the interlock device is configured to control transferability of content through the first opening; a sensor configured to sense a first unique identifier (UID) value from a second container, the second container having contents transferrable through the first opening of the first container; a memory storing at least one set of UID values including a first set of UID values comprising a plurality of UID values acceptable to the first container; and a controller configured to; receive the first UID value from the sensor; determine whether the first UID value matches one of the acceptable UID values of the first set of UID values; provide an instruction to the interlock device associated with a transfer of the contents through the first opening of the first container; and store the first UID value in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A second container, comprising:
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a first unique identifier (UID) value; and contents, wherein said contents are transferrable from said second container through a first opening defined by a first container; wherein the first UID value is configured to be; sensed by a sensor of the first container; received by a controller of the first container; and compared by the controller to a plurality of acceptable UID values stored in a memory of the first container to activate an interlock device of the first container to allow a transfer of the contents of the second container through the first opening based on a match between the first UID value and an acceptable UID value. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification