Manual fluid dispenser with discharge measurement
First Claim
8-1. A fluid dispenser as claimed in claim 13 whereinsaid function comprises a predetermined relationship between values for the measured result for the feature and estimates of the volume of fluid discharged, andthe feature is selected from the group consisting of:
- a peak voltage level of the electrical energy generated within a period of time,a peak current level of the electrical energy generated within a period of time,a peak rate of generation of electrical energy within a time period,a summation of voltage of the electrical energy generated within a period of time,a summation of current of the electrical energy generated within a period of time,a summation of electrical energy generated within a time period,a pulse of one or more of current, voltage or energy of the electrical energy generated,a duration of a pulse of one or more of current, voltage or energy of the electrical energy generated, anda feature of a pulse of one or more of current, voltage or energy of the electrical energy generated including as measured over time a feature selected from the group consisting of duration, amplitude, and average value.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus including a product dispenser in which product is dispensed by manual movement of an activation mechanism as, for example, by moving a lever with a person'"'"'s hand, arm or foot. The dispensing apparatus includes an electrical generator for generating electrical energy as a result of the manual movement of the activation mechanism, preferably by electromagnetic induction, electrochemistry or piezoelectricity. The electrical energy from the generator may be utilized in the dispensing apparatus to power a data communication unit for receiving information about the product dispenser and transmitting the information to a receiver, preferably but not necessarily wirelessly. The relative amounts of electrical energy generated may be used to estimate the amount of fluid dispensed and the extent to which a fluid reservoir is full.
39 Citations
20 Claims
-
8-1. A fluid dispenser as claimed in claim 13 wherein
said function comprises a predetermined relationship between values for the measured result for the feature and estimates of the volume of fluid discharged, and the feature is selected from the group consisting of: -
a peak voltage level of the electrical energy generated within a period of time, a peak current level of the electrical energy generated within a period of time, a peak rate of generation of electrical energy within a time period, a summation of voltage of the electrical energy generated within a period of time, a summation of current of the electrical energy generated within a period of time, a summation of electrical energy generated within a time period, a pulse of one or more of current, voltage or energy of the electrical energy generated, a duration of a pulse of one or more of current, voltage or energy of the electrical energy generated, and a feature of a pulse of one or more of current, voltage or energy of the electrical energy generated including as measured over time a feature selected from the group consisting of duration, amplitude, and average value.
-
-
11. The method of 8 including the step (y) of changing the predetermined minimum dose volume dependant on factors selected from one or more of:
-
a nature of the fluid being dispensed, information regarding risk of infection in the environment in which the apparatus is located, temperature in the environment in which the apparatus is located, the length of time since fluid was last discharged, and the length of time since the reservoir initially had fluid dispensed.
-
-
13. A fluid dispensing apparatus comprising:
-
a fluid containing reservoir, a dispensing mechanism which on activation causes fluid to be discharged from the reservoir, an activation mechanism for activation of the dispensing mechanism by movement of the activation mechanism, the activation mechanism adapted for engagement by a user to move the activation mechanism, an electrical generator for generating electric energy, the electrical generator coupled to the activation-mechanism such that on movement of the activation-mechanism to activate the dispensing mechanism the generator generates electrical energy, a control mechanism which; a. measures at least one feature of the energy generated to produce a measured result, which feature is selected from the group consisting of a feature of the current of the energy generated, a feature of the voltage of the energy generated, a feature of the energy generated and combinations thereof, and b. estimates as a function of said measured result for the feature an estimated amount of fluid discharged. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)
-
Specification