TAGGANT KEYING SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING SYSTEMS

• US 20110253744A1
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Pelfrey, Keith A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,622,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

A dispensing system with an electronic keying mechanism, the dispenser including a housing and a refill unit. The refill unit includes a product reservoir, a pump mechanism and a collar adapted to secure the refill unit within the housing. An infrared sensor is provided in the housing and includes an infrared radiation source and a detector. A taggant is dispersed within at least a portion of the collar, the taggant being detectable by the detector when exposed to infrared radiation.

Claims

1. A product dispenser unit for receipt of a refill unit having a reservoir of a product, the dispenser unit comprising:

a housing being configured to accept the refill unit;

an actuator configured to actuate a pump to dispense at least a portion of the product in the refill unit; and

an infrared sensor configured to detect infrared radiation emitted from said refill unit.

2. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said actuator includes a manually operated pushbar.

3. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein said actuator includes an automated sensor.

4. The product dispenser of claim 3, wherein said infrared sensor and said automated sensor are connected to a common power source and controller.

5. A dispensing system comprising:

a housing including an actuator and an infrared sensor, said infrared sensor including an infrared radiation source and a detector; and

a refill unit including a product reservoir containing a product and a taggant dispersed within at least a portion of said refill unit, said taggant being detectable by the infrared sensor to identify an authorized refill unit.

6. The dispensing system of claim 5, further comprising a controller in communication with said actuator and said infrared sensor, said controller adapted to prevent actuation of said actuator in the absence of a taggant detected by the infrared sensor.

7. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said taggant is dispersed within a plastic component of said refill unit.

8. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said taggant is located in a component of the refill unit that includes polyethylene terephthalate.

9. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said refill unit includes a collar, and said taggant is dispersed within said collar.

10. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said taggant particles have a maximum diameter of between 20 and 600 microns.

11. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said taggant includes a rare-earth metal dopant.

12. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said refill unit includes a flag extending therefrom, said flag containing said taggant therein.

13. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said refill unit includes a mechanical key and said housing includes a keyway, said key being received in said keyway when said refill unit is received in said housing.

14. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said refill unit includes a pump actuated by said actuator of said housing, said pump adapted to dispense a quantity of liquid product from said product reservoir.

15. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein said actuator includes an automated sensor.

16. A method of preventing use of unauthorized refill units in a dispensing system comprising:

providing a dispenser housing including an actuator and an infrared sensor having an infrared radiation source and a detector; and

providing a refill unit having a reservoir of product and a taggant dispersed within at least a portion of said refill unit, wherein said taggant is detectable by said infrared radiation source, and wherein absence of said taggant prevents dispensing of said product.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said taggant includes micro-particles having a maximum diameter of between 20 and 600 microns.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of scanning for said taggant with said infrared radiation source and said detector.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of dispensing a quantity of said product upon detection of said taggant.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of dispensing includes pumping a quantity of liquid from said reservoir.