POWER SYSTEMS FOR TOUCH FREE DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS CONTAINING A POWER SOURCE
First Claim
1. An electronic dispenser comprising:
- a housing;
a processor;
a first battery secured to the dispenser;
the first battery providing power to the processor;
actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator;
a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry;
circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device;
a holder for holding a refill unit; and
a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is secured to a refill unit when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and disconnecting from a second battery when a refill unit is removed from the dispenser;
wherein the voltage of the second battery is less than the voltage required for the actuator drive circuitry to operate a pump on the refill unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electronic dispensers and refill units for electronic dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary electronic dispenser includes a housing, a processor and a first battery secured to the dispenser. The first battery provides power to the processor. The dispenser further includes actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator to dispense fluid from a refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry. Circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device is also provided. The dispenser includes a holder for holding a refill unit and a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is provided with the refill unit. The second battery is installed in the connector when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and removed from the connector when the refill unit is removed from the dispenser.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic dispenser comprising:
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a housing; a processor; a first battery secured to the dispenser;
the first battery providing power to the processor;actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator; a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry; circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device; a holder for holding a refill unit; and a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is secured to a refill unit when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and disconnecting from a second battery when a refill unit is removed from the dispenser; wherein the voltage of the second battery is less than the voltage required for the actuator drive circuitry to operate a pump on the refill unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A refill unit for an electronic dispenser comprising:
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a container for holding a fluid; a pump for pumping fluid from the container; and a disposable battery provided with the refill unit; wherein the disposable battery has a voltage that is less than the voltage required to operate an electrically operated actuator in a dispenser to operate the pump. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic dispenser comprising:
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a housing; actuator drive circuitry for driving a pump; a processor; a first power source for powering the processor; a plurality of capacitors; capacitor control circuitry for charging the plurality of capacitors in parallel and for placing the plurality of capacitors in series to power the actuator charge circuitry; and circuitry for electrically coupling to a second battery that is secured to and removable with a refill unit, wherein the second battery supplies the power to charge the plurality of capacitors. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification