Patent · US Active

Soap dispenser with authentication check of the refill

US9642501B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
2References
16Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateMay 25, 2012
Grant dateMay 9, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 19, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07F17/18
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing a product, the dispenser comprising a base unit (2) into which a refill (1) containing the product is removably insertable in a fixed position. The refill has a taggant ink (12) on part of its external surface. The base has a light source (13) to illuminate the ink. The light source has a first wavelength and the ink is arranged to cause the ink to emit light at a second different wavelength. A sensor (14) receives light emitted by the ink upon illumination by the light source. A control circuit receives signal indicative of the wavelength of the detected light from the sensor, compares it with stored data, and prevents operation of a dispensing mechanism unless the refill is authentic.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.