# US 12,222,232 B2 · Removable signaling device of the exhaustion of a dispenser/diffuser of liquid active substances > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,232 B2 - Document ID: US12222232B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/683,407 - Filed: 2022-08-31 - Published: 2024-08-08 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-01 - Assignees: Zobele Holding SPA - Applicants: Zobele Holding S.P.A. - Inventors: Stefano Deflorian; Cedric Morhain - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222232B2 ## CPC - G01F 23/0007: {for discrete indicating and measuring (G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence)} - A01M 1/2022: {Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide} - G01F 23/22: by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water (involving the use of floats G01F23/30) - G01F 23/265: {for discrete levels} - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS ## Abstract A removable signaling device of the exhaustion of a dispenser/diffuser of a liquid active substance contained in a container of the dispenser/diffuser, wherein the device consists of a central body from which project two opposite lateral arms, which surround at least part of the dispenser/diffuser, and an appendix which extends alongside the container and carries a self-powered liquid sensor facing the container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Removable signaling device of the exhaustion of a dispenser/diffuser of a liquid active substance contained in a container of said dispenser/diffuser, the removable signaling device comprising: a central body from which project two opposite lateral arms, which surround at least part of said dispenser/diffuser, and an appendix which extends alongside said container, in a vertically adjustable position with respect to the central body and the lateral arms, and carries a self-powered liquid sensor facing said container. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The removable signaling device as in claim 1, wherein said lateral arms, as a whole, have a C- or U-shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The removable signaling device as in claim 2, wherein said lateral arms are extended and thin enough to be imparted with a shape elasticity which allows an elastic snap coupling of said removable signaling device on the dispenser/diffuser. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The removable signaling device as in claim 3, wherein said lateral arms extend beyond a half of the dispenser/diffuser. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The removable signaling device as in claim 1, wherein said lateral arms have an internal rib apt to be coupled with a parting groove between an upper housing and lower housing of said dispenser/diffuser. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The removable signaling device as in claim 1, wherein said appendix length is such that said liquid sensor applied on the inner wall of the appendix is arranged in a position corresponding to an area wherein the liquid active substance contained in the container can be measured prior to exhaustion of the liquid active substance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The removable signaling device as in claim 6, wherein said appendix is formed in a separate element which can vertically slide with respect to the central body and the lateral arms of the removable signaling device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The removable signaling device as in claim 1, wherein said liquid sensor is powered by a button cell and controlled by a microprocessor responsive to detection of a signal representing the level of liquid active substance in the container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The removable signaling device as in claim 8, wherein said microprocessor is configured to perform the following steps: a. waking up the microprocessor; b. activating the liquid sensor; c. recording a signal reading from the liquid sensor which represents the quantity of active liquid substance in the container; d. checking whether the afore-mentioned signal reading, based on a specific algorithm, defines the container as exhausted; i. if YES, sending a predefined warning signal to the user; ii. if NO, updating the system clock to the next microprocessor wake-up operation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The removable signaling device as in claim 2, wherein said liquid sensor is powered by a button cell and controlled by a microprocessor responsive to detection of a signal representing the level of liquid active substance in the container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The removable signaling device as in claim 3, wherein said liquid sensor is powered by a button cell and controlled by a microprocessor responsive to detection of a signal representing the level of liquid active substance in the container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The removable signaling device as in claim 4, wherein said liquid sensor is powered by a button cell and controlled by a microprocessor responsive to detection of a signal representing the level of liquid active substance in the container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The removable signaling device as in claim 5, wherein said liquid sensor is powered by a button cell and controlled by a microprocessor responsive to detection of a signal representing the level of liquid active substance in the container. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The removable signaling device as in claim 6, wherein said liquid sensor is powered by a button cell and controlled by a microprocessor responsive to detection of a signal representing the level of liquid active substance in the container. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The removable signaling device as in claim 7, wherein said liquid sensor is powered by a button cell and controlled by a microprocessor responsive to detection of a signal representing the level of liquid active substance in the container.