# US 8,464,905 B2 · Dispensers and functional operation and timing control improvements for dispensers

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- Number: US 8,464,905 B2
- Document ID: US8464905B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/915,427
- Filed: 2010-10-29
- Published: 2012-05-03
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2010-10-29
- Assignees: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
- Applicants: Christopher S. Hoppe; Thomas P. Gasper; Bhaveshkumar Shah
- Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe; Thomas P. Gasper; Bhaveshkumar Shah
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464905B2

## CPC

- A61L 9/14: using sprayed or atomised substances {including air-liquid contact processes}
- A01M 1/026: {combined with devices for monitoring insect presence, e.g. termites (bait stations A01M1/2005; detecting other animals in a given area A01M31/002)}
- A01M 1/2038: {Holders or dispensers for pressurized insecticide, e.g. pressurized vessels, cans}
- A61L 2209/111: Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- 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 method of operating a dispensing unit includes the step of entering a first active state, during which the detection of motion within a sensory path of a sensor of a dispensing unit initiates a first pattern activation sequence to release a volume A and a volume B of material from a fluid container. The method further includes the step of entering a second active state upon completion of the first pattern activation sequence, in which the detection of motion in the second active state initiates a second pattern activation sequence to release a volume C and a volume D of material from the container if motion is detected before the lapsing of a time period P and initiates the first pattern activation sequence if the motion is detected after the lapsing of the time period P.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating a dispensing unit, comprising the steps of:
entering a first active state, wherein if there is motion within a sensory path of a sensor of a dispensing unit the following steps are taken:
detecting the motion;
initiating a first pattern activation sequence comprising:
releasing a volume A of material from the fluid container;
releasing a volume B of material from a fluid container, subsequent to the release of the volume A of material from the fluid container;
wherein the motion sensor is deactivated during the first pattern activation sequence;
entering a second active state upon completion of the first pattern activation sequence, wherein if there is motion within a sensory path of a sensor of a dispensing unit before the lapsing of a time period P, the following steps are taken;
detecting the motion;
initiating a second pattern activation sequence comprising:
releasing a volume C of material from the fluid container;
releasing a volume D of material from the container, subsequent to the release of the volume C of material from the container;
wherein the motion sensor is deactivated during the second pattern activation sequence;
wherein volumes A, B, C, and D are not all the same;
wherein upon entering the second active state, if there is no motion within a sensory path of a sensor of a dispensing unit before the lapsing of a time period P, the following steps are taken:
initiating the first pattern activation sequence.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first pattern activation sequence includes a first lockout period between the release of the volume A and the volume B of material and a second lockout period between the release of the volume B of material and the entering of the second active state.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the first lockout period is preferably between about 5 to about 30 minutes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the second lockout period is preferably between about 1 to about 20 minutes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the volume A of material is preferably between about 10 μL to about 100 μL.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the volume B of material is preferably between about 10 μL to about 50 μL.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the volume A of material is greater than the volume B of material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the second pattern activation sequence includes a third lockout period between the release of the volume C and the volume D of material and a fourth lockout period between the release of the volume D of material and the entering of the second active state.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the third and fourth lockout periods are preferably between about 5 to about 30 minutes.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the volume C and the volume D of material are preferably between about 10 μL to about 50 μL.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the volume C and the volume D of material are equal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the time period P is preferably between about 30 and about 90 minutes.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a remote sensor.

### Claim 14

A method of operating a dispensing unit, comprising the steps of:
entering an active state, wherein a sensor is activated, when there is motion within a sensory path of a sensor the following steps are taken:
detecting the motion;
randomly selecting of one of a first activation sequence comprising a volume E of material to be dispensed and a first lockout period, a second activation sequence comprising a volume F of material to be dispensed and a second lockout period, and a third activation sequence comprising a volume G of material to be dispensed and a third lockout period;
releasing one of the volume E, a volume F, and a volume G of material from a fluid container in response to the selection of one of the first, the second, and the third activation sequences, respectively, wherein volumes E, F, and G are not all the same;
initiating one of the first lockout period, the second lockout period, and the third lockout period upon the release of one of the volume E, the volume F, and the volume G of material, respectively, wherein the sensor is deactivated;
reentering the active state.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third lockout periods are preferably between about 5 to about 30 minutes.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the first, the second, and the third lockout periods comprise different time periods.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the volume E, the volume F, and the volume G of material are preferably between about 10 μL to about 100 μL.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the volume E, the volume F, and the volume G of material are all different.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor is a remote sensor.