# US 8,783,510 B2 · Electronically keyed dispensing systems and related methods utilizing near field frequency response > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,510 B2 - Document ID: US8783510B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/358,511 - Filed: 2009-01-23 - Published: 2009-05-21 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2004-12-15 - Assignees: Joseph Kanfer - Applicants: Aaron R. Reynolds; Mark E. Rosenkranz; Paul Waterhouse - Inventors: Aaron R. Reynolds; Mark E. Rosenkranz; Paul Waterhouse - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783510B2 ## CPC - B67D 7/348: {by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder (B67D7/145 takes precedence)} - A47K 5/1217: {Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism} - B41J 2/17506: {Refilling of the cartridge} - B41J 2/17546: {electronically} - B67D 2001/0811: {provided with coded information} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F) - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A dispensing system is disclosed which utilizes an electronically powered key device and/or identification code associated with a refill container to preclude the need for mechanical keys. The system utilizes a near field frequency response to determine whether a refill container is compatible with a dispensing system. In particular, the refill container is provided with a coil terminated by one of a number of capacitors. The container is received in a housing that provides a pair of coils that are in a spatial relationship with the installed refill container's coil. By energizing one of the housing's coils, the other coil detects a unique electronic signature generated by the container's coil. If the signature is acceptable, the dispensing system is allowed to dispense a quantity of material. The system also provides a unique latching mechanism to retain the container and ensure positioning of all the coils. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A refill container for receipt in a dispensing system, the container comprising: an enclosure for carrying dispensable material; a pump mechanism coupled to said enclosure; a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of material through said nozzle; a neck extending from said enclosure and carrying said pump mechanism and said nozzle; a collar disposed around said neck; and an identifier ring comprising a wire coil having a capacitor connected thereto, said wire coil disposed around and coaxial with said collar and said neck and spaced apart a predetermined distance away from said enclosure, wherein said identifier ring has one of a selected number of electronic signatures, wherein said selected number of electronic signatures corresponds to a different number of dispensing systems in which the enclosure can be received, and wherein a value of said capacitor determines said electronic signature. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The refill container according to claim 1, wherein said identifier ring is circular. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The refill container according to claim 2, wherein said ring is attached to said neck. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The refill container according to claim 3, wherein said ring is removable from said neck. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The refill container according to claim 3, wherein said ring is permanently secured to said neck. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The refill container according to claim 1, wherein said ring is coded according to said capacitor value. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The refill container according to claim 6, wherein said ring is color coded according to said capacitor value. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The refill container according to claim 6, wherein said ring has tactile indicia corresponding to said capacitor value. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The refill container according to claim 2, wherein said identifier generates an electromagnetic signature when an electric field is placed in close proximity thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The refill container according to claim 1, wherein said collar has an exterior surface and an interior surface with a collar opening therethrough, said pump mechanism received in said collar opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The refill container according to claim 10, wherein said interior surface of said collar has at least one detent which secures said collar to said enclosure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The refill container according to claim 10, further comprising: a locking ridge extending from said exterior surface, said locking ridge having a leading edge and a trailing edge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The refill container according to claim 12, wherein said locking ridge has an alignment slot extending at least from said leading edge toward said trailing edge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The refill container according to claim 13, wherein said enclosure provides at least one orientational tab, and wherein said collar provides a notch for receiving said at least one orientational tab. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The refill container according to claim 14, wherein said alignment slot is aligned with said notch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The refill container according to claim 12, wherein said locking ridge has a plurality of ramp slots, each of said ramp slots having at least a ramp edge. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The refill container according to claim 16, wherein said locking ridge has an alignment slot spaced radially apart from said ramp slots. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The refill container according to claim 1, wherein said identifier ring is spaced apart from said enclosure a uniform distance to allow for communications with the dispensing system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The refill container according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure is characterized by at least one of a protrusion and a recess configured for engagement with a corresponding one of a recess and protrusion in the dispensing system to maintain said identifier ring in an operative position when said refill container is associated with the dispensing system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The refill container according to claim 19 wherein said enclosure is axially received by the dispensing system which results in selective engagement by the dispensing system to retain the enclosure. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The refill container according to claim 1, wherein said selected number of electronic signatures substantially span a range of frequencies. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The refill container according to claim 21, wherein said range of frequencies is from about 10 Hz to about 10 KHz. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The refill container according to claim 21, wherein said range of frequencies is segmented into said selected number of electronic signatures. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The refill container according to claim 23, wherein at least one of said selected signatures in said range of frequencies is generated upon exposure to an electric field.