Electronically keyed dispensing systems and related methods of installation and use

• US 20050127090A1
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph S. Kanfer
• Original Assignee: Joseph S. Kanfer
• Inventors: Waterhouse, Paul, Dolan, Michael J., Sayers, Richard C., Hudgins, William A., Sulkowski, R. Victor, Allen, Spencer W., Obitts, Shane
• Granted Patent: US 7,028,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17559 Cartridge manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

Dispensing systems are disclosed which utilize electronically powered key devices and/or identification codes associated with a refill container to preclude the need for mechanical keys. A first embodiment of the device utilizes a matching code stored in a radio frequency identification tag or bar code associated with a fluid refill container and an identification code associated with the dispenser housing. Matching of the codes by a controller allows for continued use of the dispenser via some type of operational mechanism. Another embodiment employs a key which carries the matching code wherein matching of the codes allows for actuation of a motor actuated pumping device. Yet another embodiment employs a blocking mechanism to prevent use of a dispenser'"'"'s push bar if a key and dispenser housing do not have matching codes. And yet another embodiment requires the use of a key that has a matching code that matches the dispenser'"'"'s identification code in order to permit initial access to the dispenser housing.

Claims

1. A dispensing system comprising:

a housing having a first data communication device associated therewith;

a refill container carrying a material and having a second data communication device associated therewith, said refill container receivable in said housing;

an operational mechanism associated with one of said housing and said refill container to enable dispensing of said material; and

a controller in communication with said first and second data communication devices to facilitate sharing of data therebetween and to selectively enable said operational mechanism.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second communication has stored therein a matching code associated with said refill container, and wherein said first data communication device has stored therein an identification code associated with said housing.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said operational mechanism comprises:

a pump mechanism coupled to said refill container;

a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of said material through said nozzle; and

a pump actuator positioned proximally said pump mechanism, wherein said pump actuator is disabled by said controller if said identification code does not match said matching code.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising:

an actuator motor coupled to said pump actuator, wherein said actuator motor is disabled by said controller if said matching code does not match said identification code.

5. The system according to claim 3, further comprising:

an actuator bar coupled to said pump actuator, wherein said actuator bar is blocked by said controller if said matching code does not match said identification code.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said operational mechanism further comprises:

a detector/lockout assembly carried by said housing;

said detector/lockout assembly comprising

a lockout motor having a rotatable shaft; and

a pushbar lockarm fixed to said shaft, said lockout motor rotating said shaft and said pushbar lockarm into a blocking position with respect to said pump actuator.

7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising:

a key carrying a power supply;

said housing having a port for receiving said key;

said power supply providing power to said controller and to said lockout motor when inserted into said port

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said power supply is a rechargeable battery.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said key provides a battery port for connecting to said rechargeable battery.

10. The system according to claim 2, wherein said second data communication device comprises:

a tag for carrying said matching code, said tag carried by said refill container;

and wherein the dispensing system further comprises

a communication system comprising

a dispenser controller;

a code detector for obtaining said matching code from said tag;

a dispenser memory device for storing said identification code; and

said dispenser controller obtaining said matching code from said code detector and said identification code from said dispenser memory device to determine if said codes match one another.

11. The system according to claim 2, wherein said second data communication device comprises:

a bar code for carrying said matching code, said bar code carried by said refill container; and

said system further comprises

a communication system comprising

a dispenser controller;

a bar code reader for reading said bar code;

a dispenser memory device for storing said identification code; and

said dispenser controller obtaining said matching code from said bar code reader and said identification code from said dispenser memory device to determine if said codes match one another.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a key for carrying said matching code;

said housing having a key port for receiving said key; and

a communication system coupled to said key when received in said key port.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said operational mechanism comprises:

a pump mechanism coupled to said refill container;

a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of said material through said nozzle; and

a pump actuator positioned proximally said pump mechanism, wherein said pump actuator is disabled by said controller if said identification code does not match said matching code.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

an actuator bar coupled to said pump actuator, wherein said actuator bar is blocked by said controller if said matching code does not match said identification code.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising;

a key controller carried by said key;

said communication system comprising

a dispenser controller; and

a dispenser memory device for storing said identification code, said dispenser controller obtaining said matching code from said key controller, and said identification code from said dispenser memory device to determine if said codes match one another.

16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising:

a key count value stored by said key controller, said key controller adjusting a said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code with said identification code.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said dispenser controller disables said pump actuator if said key count value is equal to a predetermined value.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein said operational mechanism comprises:

a detector/lockout assembly carried by said housing;

said detector/lockout assembly comprising

a lockout motor having a rotatable shaft; and

a pushbar lockarm fixed to said shaft

said lockout motor rotating said shaft and said pushbar lockarm into a blocking position.

19. The system according to claim 16, further comprising:

a dispenser display for displaying said count value.

20. The system according to claim 13, wherein said operational mechanism further comprises

an actuator motor coupled to said pump actuator, wherein said actuator motor is disabled by said controller if said matching code does not match said identification code.

21. The system according to claim 20, further comprising:

a key controller carried by said key;

said communication system comprising

a dispenser controller;

a dispenser memory device for storing said identification code, said dispenser controller obtaining said matching code from said key controller, and said identification code from said dispenser memory device to determine if said codes match one another.

22. The system according to claim 21, further comprising:

a key count value stored by said key controller, said key controller adjusting a said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code with said identification code

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said dispenser controller disables said pump actuator if said key count value is equal to a predetermined value.

24. The system according to claim 12, wherein said housing comprises:

a back plate;

a front cover attachable to said back plate; and

said operational mechanism comprises

a latch mechanism releasably securing said front cover to said back plate, wherein said latch mechanism only releases said front cover from said back plate if said matching code matches said identification code.

25. The system according to claim 24, further comprising;

a key controller carried by said key;

said communication system comprising

a dispenser controller; and

a dispenser memory device for storing said identification code, said dispenser controller obtaining said matching code from said key controller, and said identification code from said dispenser memory device to determine if said codes match one another.

26. The system according to claim 25, further comprising:

a key count value stored by said key controller, said key controller adjusting a said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code with said identification code.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said dispenser controller disables said pump actuator if said key count value is equal to a predetermined value.

28. The system according to claim 26, further comprising:

a dispenser display for displaying said count value.

29. The system according to claim 24, wherein said latching mechanism comprises:

a latch carriage;

a motor having a rotatable shaft;

a latch arm fixed to said rotatable shaft;

an extension extending from said backplate, wherein said latch arm engages said extension and wherein said latch arm rotates away from said extension when said matching code matches said identification code so as to allow opening of said front cover from said back plate.

30. The system according to claim 24, wherein said latching mechanism comprises:

a slide bar having a arm end opposite a cam end;

said front cover having a cover arm with an arm hole therethrough, said arm end slidably received therein;

a motor having a rotatable shaft;

a cam fixed to said rotatable shaft and engaging said cam end, wherein said cam disengages said arm end from said arm end from said cover arm when said matching code matches said identification code so as to allow opening of said front cover from said back plate.

31. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a pump mechanism coupled to said refill bag;

a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of fluid through said nozzle; and

wherein said operation mechanism comprises a pump actuator positioned proximally said pump mechanism, wherein said pump actuator is disabled by said controller if said matching code does not match said identification code.

32. The system according to claim 31, further comprising:

a key for carrying said matching code;

said housing having a key port for receiving said key; and

a communication system coupled to said key when received in said key port.

33. The system according to claim 32, further comprising;

a key controller carried by said key;

said communication system comprising

a dispenser controller; and

a dispenser memory device for storing said identification code, said dispenser controller obtaining said matching code from said key controller, and said identification code from said dispenser memory device to determine if said codes match one another.

34. The system according to claim 33, further comprising:

a key count value stored by said key controller, said key controller adjusting a said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code with said identification code.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein said dispenser controller disables said pump actuator if said key count value is equal to a predetermined value.

36. A method for installing a refill container in a dispenser, comprising:

associating a first data communication device with a housing;

associating a second data communication device with a refill container which is receivable in said housing;

associating an operational mechanism with one of said housing and said refill container;

controlling communications between said first and second data communication devices; and

selectively enabling said operational mechanism as a result of said controlling step.

37. The method according to claim 36 further comprising:

storing an identification code in said first data communication device; and

storing a matching code in sais second data communication device.

38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

coupling a pump mechanism with a nozzle to said refill container, said pump mechanism dispensing a quantity of material from said refill container through said nozzle;

proximally positioning a pump actuator near said pump mechanism; and

disabling said pump actuator if said codes do not match each other.

39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

coupling a motor to said pump actuator; and

disabling said motor if said codes do not match one another.

40. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

coupling an actuator bar to said pump actuator; and

blocking said actuator bar if said codes do not match one another.

41. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

carrying a detector/lockout assembly in said housing, said assembly having a rotatable pushbar lockarm; and

moving said rotatable pushbar lockarm to a blocking position if said codes do not match one another.

42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising:

providing a key having a power supply;

providing a key port in said housing;

receiving said key in said key port; and

providing power from said power supply to said detector/lockout assembly.

43. The method according to claim 42 further comprising:

recharging said power supply.

44. The method according to claim 42 further comprising:

providing a battery port in said key for the recharging step.

45. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

attaching a tag to said refill container;

storing said matching code in said tag;

providing a communication system carried by said housing, said communication system comprising a dispenser controller, and a code detector and a dispenser memory device;

storing said identification code in said dispenser memory device;

detecting said tag and receiving said matching code in said dispenser controller; and

accessing said dispenser memory device to obtain said identification code for said controlling step.

46. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

attaching a bar code to said refill container, said bar code carrying said matching code;

providing a communication system carried by said housing, said communication system comprising a dispenser controller, and a code detector and a dispenser memory device;

storing said identification code in said dispenser memory device;

detecting said bar code and receiving said matching code in said dispenser controller; and

accessing said dispenser memory device to obtain said identification code for said controlling step.

47. The method according to claim 36, further comprising:

providing a key for carrying said matching code;

providing a key port in said housing; and

inserting said key into said key port to enable said controlling step.

48. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:

coupling a pump mechanism with a nozzle to said refill container; and

positioning a pump actuator proximally said pump mechanism; and

disabling said pump actuator if said codes do not match one another.

49. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:

coupling an actuator bar to said pump actuator; and

blocking said actuator bar if said codes do not match.

50. The method according to claim 49, further comprising:

providing a key controller in said key;

providing a communication system carried by said housing, said communication system comprising a dispenser controller, and a dispenser memory device;

storing said identification code in said dispenser memory device; and

communicating between said key controller and said dispenser controller to determine if said codes match one another.

51. The method according to claim 50, further comprising:

storing a key count value in said key controller; and

adjusting said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code and said identification code.

52. The method according to claim 51, further comprising:

disabling said dispenser controller if said key count value equals a predetermined value.

53. The method according to claim 49, further comprising:

carrying a detector/lockout assembly in said housing, said detector lockout assembly comprising a lockout motor having a rotatable shaft and a pushbar lockarm fixed to said shaft; and

rotating said shaft and said pushbar lockarm into a locking position if said codes do not match one another.

54. The method according to claim 51, further comprising:

displaying said count value.

55. The method according to claim 48, further comprising:

coupling an actuator motor to said pump actuator; and

disabling said actuator motor if said codes do not match one another.

56. The method according to claim 55, further comprising:

providing a key controller in said key;

providing a communication system carried by said housing, said communication system comprising a dispenser controller, and a dispenser memory device;

storing said identification code in said dispenser memory device; and

communicating between said key controller and said dispenser controller to determine if said codes match one another.

57. The method according to claim 56, further comprising:

storing a key count value in said key controller; and

adjusting said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code and said identification code.

58. The method according to claim 57, further comprising:

disabling said dispenser controller if said key count value equals a predetermined value.

59. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:

providing said housing with a back plate, and a front cover attachable to said back plate;

releasably securing said front cover and said back plate with a latch mechanism; and

releasing said latching mechanism only if said codes match one another.

60. The method according to claim 59, further comprising:

providing a key controller in said key;

providing a communication system carried by said housing, said communication system comprising a dispenser controller, and a dispenser memory device;

storing said identification code in said dispenser memory device; and

communicating between said key controller and said dispenser controller to determine if said codes match one another.

61. The method according to claim 60, further comprising:

storing a key count value in said key controller; and

adjusting said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code and said identification code.

62. The method according to claim 61, further comprising:

disabling said dispenser controller if said key count value equals a predetermined value.

63. The method according to claim 59, further comprising:

providing said latch mechanism with a latch carriage, a motor having a rotatable shaft, a latch arm fixed to said rotatable shaft, and an extension extending from said back plate;

engaging said extension with said latch arm;

comparing said codes; and

rotating said latch arm away from said extension if said codes match.

64. The method according to claim 59, further comprising:

providing said latch mechanism with a slide bar having an arm end opposite a cam end, wherein said front cover has a cover arm with an arm hole therethrough, a motor having a rotatable shaft, a cam fixed to said rotatable shaft and engaging said cam end;

comparing said codes; and

rotating said cam and disengaging said arm end from said arm hole if said codes match.

65. The method according to claim 36, further comprising:

coupling a pump mechanism and a nozzle to said refill container;

positioning said pump actuator proximally said pump mechanism; and

disabling said pump actuator if said codes do not match.

66. The method according to claim 65, further comprising:

carrying said matching code in a key; and

receiving said key in said housing prior to said controlling step.

67. The method according to claim 66, further comprising:

providing a key controller in said key;

providing a communication system carried by said fluid dispenser, said communication system comprising a dispenser controller, and a dispenser memory device;

storing said identification code in said dispenser memory device; and

communicating between said key controller and said dispenser controller to determine if said codes match one another.

68. The method according to claim 67, further comprising:

storing a key count value in said key controller; and

adjusting said key count value after each successful matching of said matching code and said identification code.

69. The method according to claim 61 further comprising:

disabling said dispenser controller if said key count value equals a predetermined value.