Container with electronically controlled interlock
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first container defining a first opening, wherein the first container comprises;
a sensor configured to sense a unique identifier (UID) value;
an interlock device configured to control transferability of content through the first opening; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the interlock device;
a memory storing a plurality of UID values acceptable to the first container; and
a second container, comprising;
a first UID value capable of being sensed by the sensor; and
contents transferrable through the first opening of the first container;
wherein the controller of the first container is programmed to;
receive the first UID value from the sensor;
determine whether the first UID value matches one of the plurality of acceptable UID values stored in the memory; and
instruct the interlock device to transfer the contents through the first opening of the first container based on a match between the first UID value and an acceptable UID value.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus and methods of the current invention utilize a container having an interlock that prevents filling the container, dispensing from the container, or both, as well as a detecting mechanism that senses a unique identifier associated with a particular product allowing its use in conjunction with the container.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a first container defining a first opening, wherein the first container comprises; a sensor configured to sense a unique identifier (UID) value; an interlock device configured to control transferability of content through the first opening; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the interlock device; a memory storing a plurality of UID values acceptable to the first container; and a second container, comprising; a first UID value capable of being sensed by the sensor; and contents transferrable through the first opening of the first container; wherein the controller of the first container is programmed to; receive the first UID value from the sensor; determine whether the first UID value matches one of the plurality of acceptable UID values stored in the memory; and instruct the interlock device to transfer the contents through the first opening of the first container based on a match between the first UID value and an acceptable UID value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a first container defining a first opening, wherein the first container comprises; a sensor configured to sense a unique identifier (UID) value; a memory storing at least one set of UID values including a first set of UID values comprising a plurality of UID values acceptable to the first container; an interlock device configured to control transferability of content through the first opening; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the memory, and the interlock device; and a second container, comprising; a first UID value; and contents transferrable through the first opening of the first container; wherein the controller of the first container is programmed to; receive the first UID value from the sensor; determine whether the first UID value matches one of the acceptable UID values of the first set of UID values; provide an instruction to the interlock device associated with a transfer of the contents through the first opening of the first container; and store the first UID value in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a first container defining a first opening, wherein the first container comprises; a sensor positioned to sense a unique identifier (UID); an interlock device connected to the first opening, wherein the interlock device is configured to control transferability of content through the first opening; and a controller; a memory communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the memory stores a plurality of UIDs acceptable to the first container; and a second container, comprising; a first UID; and contents transferrable through the first opening of the first container; wherein the controller of the first container is programmed to; receive the first UID from the sensor; determine that the first UID matches an acceptable UID stored in the memory; and activate the interlock device to allow a transfer of the contents through the first opening of the first container.
-
Specification