Security system for containers
First Claim
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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 and including a first socket dimensioned to receive and support any of the plurality of 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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system controlling access to containers, and storage for the containers, the system comprising:
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each of a plurality of containers having a readable ID; a scale arranged to weigh containers presented for storage and including a first socket dimensioned to receive and support any of the plurality of 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A container control method comprising:
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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; determining with the controller an initial weight of each container presented for storage when the container is initially presented for storage; 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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A container comprising:
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a touch memory button affording an ID; the touch memory button is mounted on the container in electrical communication with contacts of the container on a portion of the container inserted into a socket of at least one of a weigh scale, a storage, and an enroller, and the contacts of the container engage corresponding contacts of a reader in the socket; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A container controlling method usable in a container storage and dispensing system, the method comprising:
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applying a readable ID to each container; placing each container presented for storage on a weigh scale; weighing each container presented for storage with the weigh scale; reading the ID of each container presented for storage while the container is on the weigh scale; 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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system controlling storage and dispensing of spray containers, the system comprising:
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a touch memory button mounted secured to each container to provide an ID for each container; container storage divided into reusable storage and non-reusable storage, the reusable storage including a first lock and the non-reusable storage including a second lock; container storage including readers of the IDs of stored containers; a weigh scale including an ID reader 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 unlocking the first lock to grant 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 unlocking the second lock to grant 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. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification