US 2010/0147894 A1 · LOCK-OUT DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

A method and device to insure that a particular dispensing package (18) can only be engaged into an appropriate dispensing location (14). Specifically, the package and the dispenser have mating concentric rings (24, 30) (or portions thereof) to prevent engagement and dispensing of an inappropriate product. In one embodiment, the package (18) is provided with one or more concentric ring projections (24) (or portions thereof) and the dispenser (10) is provided with one or more matching concentric ring recesses (30). The projections and the recesses have similar diameters to define a mating set. In some embodiments, the concentric ring projections are placed on a closure (20), such as a cap, of the package. In alternative embodiments, the projections are placed on the dispenser and the recesses are placed on the package.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A lock-out assembly for controlling engagement between a package and a dispensing apparatus, the lock-out assembly comprising:

a first recess positioned on one of the dispensing apparatus and the package about at least portion of a circumference of a circle having a first diameter;
and
a first projection positioned on the other of the dispensing apparatus and the package about at least a portion of the circumference of a circle having the first diameter;
a second recess positioned on the one of the dispensing apparatus and the package about at least a portion of a circumference of a circle having a second diameter different than the first diameter;
and
a second projection positioned on the other of the dispensing apparatus and the package about at least a portion of the circumference of a circle having the second diameter;
wherein the first projection and the first recess are dimensioned and configured to allow the package to engage the dispenser;
wherein the second projection and the second recess are dimensioned and configured to allow the package to engage the dispenser.

5 more elements

A dispensing apparatus comprising:

a first dispensing location having a first cradle and a selectively replaceable first insert positioned within the cradle, the first insert including a first recess positioned about a circle having the first diameter and a second recess positioned about a circle having the second diameter;
a first package containing a first product to be dispensed, the first package having a first projection positioned about a circle having a first diameter and a second projection positioned about a circle having a second diameter different than the first diameter;
a second dispensing location having a second cradle and a selectively replaceable second insert positioned within the cradle, the second insert including a third recess positioned about a circle having the third diameter and a fourth recess positioned about a circle having a fourth diameter different than the third diameter;
a second package containing a second product to be dispensed, the second package having a third projection positioned about a circle having a third diameter and a fourth projection positioned about a circle having a fourth diameter;
and
wherein the first diameter of the first projection and the first recess and the second diameter of the second projection and the second recess allows the first package to engage the first dispensing location such that the first product can be dispensed from the first package and the third diameter of the third projection and the third recess and the fourth diameter of the fourth projection and the fourth recess allows the second package to engage the second dispensing location such that the second product can be dispensed from the second package;
wherein the diameters of the projections and the recesses prevent the first package from engaging the second dispensing location to dispense the first product and prevent the second package from engaging the first dispensing location to dispense the second product, and
wherein the selectively moveable first and second inserts can be moved from the first and second cradle respectively to the second and first cradle respectively.

5 more elements

A dispensing apparatus comprising:

a first dispensing location having a first cradle and selectively replaceable first insert positioned in the cradle, the first insert including a first projection positioned about a circle having the first diameter and a second projection positioned about a circle having the second diameter;
a first package containing a first product to be dispensed, the first package having a first recess positioned about a circle having a first diameter and a second recess positioned about a circle having a second diameter different than the first diameter;
a second dispensing location having a second cradle and a selectively replaceable second insert positioned within the cradle, the second insert including a third projection positioned about a circle having the third diameter and a fourth projection positioned about a circle having a fourth diameter different than the third diameter;
a second package containing a second product to be dispensed, the second package having a third recess positioned about a circle having a third diameter and a fourth recess positioned about a circle having a fourth diameter;
and
wherein the first diameter of the first projection and the first recess and the second diameter of the second projection and the second recess allows the first package to engage the first dispensing location such that the first product can be dispensed from the first package and the third diameter of the third projection and the third recess and the fourth diameter of the fourth projection and the fourth recess allows the second package to engage the second dispensing location such that the second product can be dispensed from the second package;
wherein the diameters of the projections and the recesses prevent the first package from engaging the second dispensing location to dispense the first product and prevent the second package from engaging the first dispensing location to dispense the second product, and
wherein the selectively moveable first and second inserts can be moved from the first and second cradles respectively to the second and first cradles respectively.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lock-out device and method

Life of this patent

Lock-out device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35