Keyed dispensing systems and related methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A refill container for receipt in a dispensing system, the container comprising:
- an enclosure for carrying dispensable material;
a pump mechanism coupled to said enclosure and movable from a first position to a second position and back to said first position; and
a keying identifier carried by a movable portion of said pump mechanism and associated with the dispensable material, said movable portion is movable between said first and second positions so that said keying identifier provides a clear indication of a proper refill container.
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Abstract
A dispensing system includes a housing and a refill container carrying a dispensable material and received in the housing. A pump mechanism is coupled to the refill container and movable from a first position to a second position and back to the first position. An identifier is carried by either the refill container or the pump mechanism, and a detection device is carried by the housing. The detection device monitors a status of the identifier and allows operation of the pump mechanism based on a status change of the identifier.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A refill container for receipt in a dispensing system, the container comprising:
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an enclosure for carrying dispensable material; a pump mechanism coupled to said enclosure and movable from a first position to a second position and back to said first position; and a keying identifier carried by a movable portion of said pump mechanism and associated with the dispensable material, said movable portion is movable between said first and second positions so that said keying identifier provides a clear indication of a proper refill container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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8. A dispensing system, comprising:
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a housing; a refill container carrying a dispensable material and received in said housing; a pump mechanism coupled to said refill container and movable from a first position to a second position and back to said first position; an identifier carried by either said refill container or said pump mechanism; and a detection device carried by said housing, said detection device detecting movement of said identifier and allowing operation of said pump mechanism based on movement of said identifier. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for operating a keyed fluid dispenser, comprising:
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installing a refill container with an identifier into a housing; detecting the presence and validity of said identifier with a detection device and setting a count value; deactivating said identifier with said detection device; and disabling an actuating mechanism if said identifier is not present or said count value is reached. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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20. A method for operating a keyed fluid dispenser, comprising:
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providing a refill container with a pump mechanism that carries an identifier that moves as the pump mechanism moves between a first position and a second position when dispensing material from said refill container; installing said refill container in a housing, said housing carrying a detection device to monitor said identifier; actuating said pump mechanism by a user so that said identifier moves into a position observable by said detection device; and determining whether said identifier carried by said refill container is compatible with said housing and stopping movement of said pump mechanism if said identifier is not compatible. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A refill container for receipt in a dispensing system, the container comprising:
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an enclosure for carrying dispensable material; a pump mechanism coupled to said enclosure and movable from a first position to a second position and back to said first position; and an identifier carried by said pump mechanism and movable between said first and second positions, wherein said identifier is selected from the group consisting of a medium adapted to be observed by a detection device, a metallic component, a ferrite material maintained in a fixed position on a plunger, at least one ferrite bead disposed about and secured to said plunger, and a wire coil having a parallel connected capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification