INTERACTIVE PORTABLE CARRYING CASE FOR HAND SANITIZER

• US 20140266575A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Pelfrey, Keith Allen
• Granted Patent: US 9,412,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1201 hand-carried
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/04 Deformable containers producing the flow, e.g. squeeze bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/108 Means for counting the number of dispensing strokes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/753 characterised by details or accessories associated with outlets
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A dispensing system is provided including a housing that removably supports a container. A material is contained within the container. The material is dispensed from the container. The housing includes a wireless communication system that transmits a first set of information related to a user of the dispensing system. An example method of operating the dispensing system is also provided.

Claims

1. A dispensing system, comprising:

a housing configured to removably support a container within which a material is contained and from which the material is dispensed, the housing comprising a wireless communication system configured to transmit a first set of information related to a user of the dispensing system.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, the wireless communication system configured to receive a second set of information from a second dispensing system related to a second user of the second dispensing system.

3. The dispensing system of claim 2, comprising an audio device for audibly conveying at least one of at least some of the first set of information to the second user or at least some of the second set of information to the user.

4. The dispensing system of claim 2, comprising a visual device for visually conveying at least some of the first set of information to the second user or at least some of the second set of information to the user.

5. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a keying feature unique to the container, the keying feature being disposed on a surface of the container.

6. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a mating portion configured to engage a keying feature of the container to activate the housing when the housing supports the container.

7. The dispensing system of claim 6, wherein the mating portion is configured to apply a force to the container to support the container within the housing.

8. The dispensing system of claim 6, wherein the keying feature comprises at least one of a conductive ink or a conductive film.

9. The dispensing system of claim 1, the wireless communication system configured to receive a second set of information from a second housing related to a location of at least one of the housing or the second housing.

10. The dispensing system of claim 1, the housing configured to track a dispensing event when at least some of the material is dispensed from the container.

11. A dispensing system, comprising:

a housing configured to removably support a container within which a material is contained and from which the material is dispensed, the housing configured to store a first set of information related to a user of the dispensing system, the housing comprising;

a mating portion configured to engage a keying feature of the container to activate the housing when the housing supports the container;

a wireless communication system configured to transmit the first set of information to a second housing and receive a second set of information from the second housing when the housing is in proximity to the second housing when the housing is activated; and

at least one of;

an audio device for audibly conveying at least one of;

at least some of the first set of information to a second user of the second housing, or

at least some of the second set of information to the user, or

a visual device for visually conveying at least one of;

at least some of the first set of information to the second user, or

at least some of the second set of information to the user.

12. The dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the keying feature is unique to the container, the keying feature being disposed on a surface of the container.

13. The dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the mating portion is configured to apply a force to the container to support the container within the housing.

14. The dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the mating portion comprises mechanically biased electrical contacts.

15. The dispensing system of claim 14, wherein the keying feature comprises at least one of a conductive ink or a conductive film, the mechanically biased electrical contacts in contact with the at least one of conductive ink or conductive film when the container is supported by the housing.

16. A method of operating a dispensing system, comprising:

receiving into a housing a container within which a material is contained and from which the material is dispensed, the container received such that a keying feature of the container engages a mating portion of the housing to activate the housing;

maintaining a first set of information related to a user of the dispensing system within the housing; and

at least one of transmitting the first set of information to a second housing that is in proximity to the housing or receiving a second set of information from the second housing when the housing is activated.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second set of information is related to a second user of a second dispensing system comprising the second housing.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising audibly conveying at least one of at least some of the first set of information to the second user or at least some of the second set of information to the user.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising visually conveying at least some of the first set of information to the second user or at least some of the second set of information to the user.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the second set of information is related to a location of at least one of the housing or the second housing.