Security system for containers

• US 8,624,705 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2011
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Key Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Key Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Eckerdt, George H
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dorsey, Renee
• Application Number:
  US13/090,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20120268236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 340 101- 106, 3405721-5729, 340612-614, 340626-627, 340/665, 340/539.1, 340/568.1, 340/539.13, 340/540, 340/870.16, 340/686.1
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/01 Pure fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/035 High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0421 Mass or weight of the content of the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/028 Avoiding unauthorised transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/07 for household use
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/06 for filling with compressed gases
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A storage system for material containers provides a readable ID distinguishing each container, and includes a scale that weighs containers, so that the system can distinguish between containers that are sufficiently loaded to be effective and containers that are insufficiently loaded. The system preferably includes storage for containers held in contact with readers of the container IDs. This allows a controller to keep track of containers checked out for use and returned for storage, and to identify containers that have been discharged.

Claims

1. A system controlling access to containers, and storage for the containers, the system comprising:

each of a plurality of containers having a readable ID;

a scale arranged to weigh containers presented for storage;

a reader arranged to read the IDs of containers presented for storage; and

a controller communicating with the readers and the scale and granting access to the storage if a container presented for storage has an ID known to the controller and sufficient weight to be reusable.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the storage includes a non-reusable portion to which the controller grants access for a presented container having a weight insufficient for reuse.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the reader is combined with the scale to determine the ID and the weight of containers presented for storage.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the readable ID is a touch memory button mounted in a conductive washer secured to each container.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein a reader for the touch memory button includes a conductive coiled spring contacting the touch memory button.

6. The system of claim 5 including second conductive coiled spring contacting the washer.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the storage contains sockets to receive containers oriented to engage respective readers.

8. The system of claim 1 including a container enroller communicating with the controller to register IDs of new containers.

9. A container control method comprising:

applying a readable ID to each container;

providing container storage having readers that read the ID of each container stored;

providing a reader of container IDs combined with a weigh scale to determine the weights and the IDs of containers presented for storage;

providing a controller communicating with the readers and with the scale and with authorized users;

arranging the controller to determine the IDs and users of containers removed from storage; and

arranging the controller to determine weights and IDs of containers presented for storage and to distinguish between reusable and non-reusable containers based on predetermined weight ranges for containers presented for storage.

10. The method of claim 9 including using a touch memory button to supply the ID for each container, mounting the touch memory button in a conductive washer, and securing the washer and the button to each container.

11. The method of claim 10 including contacting the button and the washer with respective conductive coil springs to read the button ID.

12. The method of claim 9 including dividing the storage into reusable and non-reusable portions to which the controller grants access based on the weight distinction.

13. The method of claim 9 including a container enroller communicating new container IDs to the controller.

14. A container comprising:

a touch memory button affording an ID;

the touch memory button is mounted in a conductive washer; and

the washer with the touch memory button is secured to the container so that the ID afforded by the touch memory button is permanently associated with the container.

15. The container of claim 14 wherein the button is press fit into a central hole in the washer.

16. The container of claim 14 wherein an ID of the memory button is readable via a pair of conductive coiled springs respectively engaging the button and the washer.

17. The container of claim 14 wherein the washer with the touch memory button provides a flat bottom to the container.

18. A container controlling method usable in a container storage and dispensing system, the method comprising:

applying a readable ID to each container;

weighing and reading the ID of each container presented for storage;

arranging ID readers within the storage to identify the containers stored;

admitting authorized users access to storage to remove a container from storage;

noting the ID of any container removed from storage;

admitting to reusable storage any container presented by an authorized user if the container has a known ID and a weight within a predetermined range; and

admitting to non-reusable storage any container presented by an authorized user if the container has a known ID and a weight outside the predetermined range.

19. The method of claim 18 including forming the readable ID as a touch memory button mounted in a conductive washer applied to each container.

20. The method of claim 19 including using a pair of conductive coil springs to respectively engage the button and the washer to read the ID.

21. The method of claim 18 including noting a loss of weight of a container presented for storage.

22. The method of claim 18 including providing the storage with a plurality of receptacles each shaped to hold a container in a position engaging a reader.

23. The method of claim 18 including enrolling with a controller the ID of each new container to be used before each container is weighed.

24. A system controlling storage and dispensing of spray containers, the system comprising:

a touch memory button mounted in a washer secured to each container to provide an ID for each container;

container storage divided into reusable storage and non-reusable storage;

container storage including readers of the IDs of stored containers;

an ID reader and a weigh scale to determine a weight and an ID of containers presented for storage;

a controller communicating with the readers, with the weigh scale and with authorized users;

the controller granting access to reusable storage for a container presented by an authorized user if the container has a known ID and a weight within a predetermined range; and

the controller granting access to non-reusable storage for a container presented by an authorized user if the container has a known ID and a weight outside the predetermined range.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the readers comprise a pair of conductive coiled springs respectively contacting the touch memory button and the washer.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the storage comprises a plurality of receptacles each shaped to hold a container in a position engaging one of the readers.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the IDs of new containers are communicated to the controller before the weigh step.