Apparatus including a selective interface system between two sub-components

Abstract

A three-dimensional selectively actuating interface system includes mating complementary raised and recessed surfaces, which may be projected in the shape of an indicium, such as a trade logo or trade mark, to limit the number of spatial relationships at which two sub-parts of an assembly may be assembled. Additional complementary opposing surface irregularities disposed on the raised and recessed surfaces provide a further mechanical restriction in a height direction on the number of possible spatial relationships at which the two sub-parts may be matably assembled. Combined, there is only a single spatial orientation at which the two sub-parts may be assembled. In addition, an electronic switching or detection system may be implemented, which is activated by the proper mating of the two sub-parts. The detection system acts an electronic switch for turning on (or off) another system coupled to the assembly.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a first component that mates to a second component;    the first component including a projected surface having a shape of an indicium;    the second component having a recessed surface complementary to the projected surface and adapted to receive the projected surface therein;    a first surface irregularity disposed on the projected surface;    a second surface irregularity disposed on the recessed surface and adapted to interfittingly receive the first surface irregularity;    wherein the first component mates to the second component in a pre-selected spatial orientation complementary to the shape of the indicium.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first component includes a reusable dispensing unit and the second component includes a container for a product to be dispensed by the dispensing unit.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first component mates to the second component in at most one pre-selected spatial orientation complementary to the shape of the indicium with the first surface irregularity interfittingly received by the second surface irregularity.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shape is a trade indicium.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface irregularity includes a high region having a high point at a first level and a low region having another high point at another level.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface irregularity includes a groove and the second surface irregularity includes a ridge that interfits with the groove.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a first portion of a detection circuit carried by the first component and a second portion of the detection circuit carried by the second component, wherein the first portion of the detection circuit and the second portion of the detection circuit are engaged to complete the detection circuit only when the first component mates to the second component.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for dispensing a flowable substance contained therein, the apparatus comprising: 
 a base unit releasably attachable to a container unit containing the flowable substance, the base unit adapted to broadcast the flowable substance into the atmosphere;    one of the base unit and the container unit including a raised surface defining a shape of a trade indicium and the other of the base unit and the container unit including a recessed surface that selectively engages the raised surface;    wherein the apparatus has an assembled position in which the base unit is in fluid communication with the container unit when the raised surface is selectively engaged with the recessed surface; and    a dispensing activator having a first portion associated with the base unit and a second portion associated with the container unit, wherein the dispensing activator is activated to broadcast the flowable substance when the apparatus is in the assembled position.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a decoder circuit associated with the dispensing activator, wherein the decoder circuit enables the dispensing activator to activate when a pre-selected validation signal is received thereby.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the dispensing activator includes an electrical signal circuit having a first circuit portion associated with the base unit and a second circuit portion associated with the container unit, wherein the electrical signal circuit allows activation of the dispensing activator only when the apparatus is in the assembled position.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first circuit portion includes a first electrical contact and the second circuit portion includes a second electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact interfaces with the second electrical contact only when the apparatus is in the assembled position.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a first surface irregularity disposed on the raised surface that is complementary to a second surface irregularity disposed on the recessed surface, wherein the first surface irregularity interfits with the second surface irregularity when the apparatus is in the assembled position.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first surface irregularity and the second surface irregularity define a substantially continuous interface surface between the base dispenser unit and the container unit in the assembled position.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first surface irregularity includes a plurality of ridges and the second surface irregularity includes a plurality of grooves that are complementary to the ridges.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein one of the ridges has a first height and another of the ridges has a second height different than the first height.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the flowable substance includes a fluid volatile air care product.  
     
     
         17 . A refill unit for releasable attachment to a base unit, the refill unit comprising: 
 a container having an outer wall surface;    a first guide member surface having a shape of a trade indicium disposed on and displaced from the outer wall surface; and    a second guide member surface disposed on and displaced from the first guide member surface;    wherein the refill unit is adapted for fluid communication with the base unit when the first guide member surface and the second guide member surface are interfittingly mated with complementary second and third base unit guide member surfaces.    
     
     
         18 . The refill unit of  claim 17 , wherein the second guide member surface includes a plurality of ridges.  
     
     
         19 . The refill unit of  claim 18 , wherein a first portion of the ridges has a first height at a first level and a second portion of the ridges has a second height at a second level.  
     
     
         20 . The refill unit of  claim 17 , and further comprising a first portion of a sensor disposed on the outer wall surface and a second portion of a sensor disposed on the first guide member surface.