Dispensing device

Abstract

A dispensing system includes a dispensing device and a container of fluid to be dispensed. The dispensing device includes a fluid flow tube through which the fluid can flow from the container to an outlet, a valve that controls the flow of fluid through the tube, and a control system that actuates the valve to dispense fluid at predetermined intervals. The container includes an RFID tag having an ID number associated uniquely with the container, and the control system includes an RFID reader configured to read the ID number of the container. The control system includes a memory device that stores the ID numbers of containers that have been used previously and is configured to provide an alarm signal when it senses the ID number of a container that has been used previously.

1 . A dispensing system including a dispensing device and a container of fluid to be dispensed, wherein the dispensing device includes a fluid flow tube through which the fluid can flow from the container to an outlet, a valve that controls the flow of fluid through the tube, and a control system that actuates the valve to dispense fluid at predetermined intervals, wherein the container includes an RFID tag having an ID number associated uniquely with the container, and the control system includes an RFID reader configured to read the ID number of the container, and wherein the control system includes a memory device that stores the ID numbers of containers that have been used previously and is configured to provide an alarm signal when it senses the ID number of a container that has been used previously. 
     
     
         2 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the control system is configured to provide an alarm signal when it determines that the container needs replacing. 
     
     
         3 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the control system is configured to deactivate the valve either when the control system senses the reuse of a container that has been used previously or when the control system determines that the container needs replacing. 
     
     
         4 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the control system is configured to deactivate the alarm signal when it senses the ID number of a container that has been used previously. 
     
     
         5 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve for controlling the flow of fluid is an electrically operated latching or bi-stable valve. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the control system is configured to increase the dwell time of the valve as the quantity of fluid in the container decreases. 
     
     
         7 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the container of fluid includes a flexible bag inside a substantially rigid outer box. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the fluid includes a grease degrading enzyme. 
     
     
         9 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the dispensing system includes an enclosure having a first compartment that receives the container of fluid and a second compartment that encloses the control system. 
     
     
         10 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , in which the enclosure comprises a compartment that encloses the control system. 
     
     
         11 . A dispensing system according to  claim 10 , in which the control system includes the RFID reader, the valve, the memory device, the alarm device and an electronic control unit. 
     
     
         12 . A dispensing system according to  claim 11 , in which the control system includes a battery. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing system is constructed and arranged to be mounted on a wall. 
     
     
         14 . A dispensing device for dispensing fluid from a fluid container that includes an RFID tag having an ID number associated uniquely with the container, the dispensing device including a fluid flow tube through which the fluid can flow from a container to an outlet, a valve that controls the flow of fluid through the tube, and a control system that actuates the valve to dispense fluid at predetermined intervals, wherein the control system includes an RFID reader configured to read the ID number of the container, wherein the control system includes a memory device that stores the ID numbers of containers that have been used previously, and wherein the control system is configured to provide an alarm signal when it senses the ID number of a container that has been used previously. 
     
     
         15 . A container of fluid for use in a dispensing system, the dispensing system including a dispensing device and a container of fluid to be dispensed, wherein the dispensing device includes a fluid flow tube through which the fluid can flow from the container to an outlet, a valve that controls the flow of fluid through the tube, and a control system that actuates the valve to dispense fluid at predetermined intervals, wherein the container includes an RFID tag having an ID number associated uniquely with the container, and the control system includes an RFID reader configured to read the ID number of the container, and wherein the control system includes a memory device that stores the ID numbers of containers that have been used previously and is configured to provide an alarm signal when it senses the ID number of a container that has been used previously, wherein the fluid includes a grease degrading enzyme, and the container includes a flexible bag inside a substantially rigid outer box, and an RFID tag having an ID number associated uniquely with the container. 
     
     
         16 . A dispensing system according to  claim 2 , in which the control system is configured to deactivate the valve either when the control system senses the reuse of a container that has been used previously or when the control system determines that the container needs replacing. 
     
     
         17 . A dispensing system according to  claim 2 , in which the control system is configured to deactivate the alarm signal when it senses the ID number of a container that has been used previously. 
     
     
         18 . A dispensing system according to  claim 3 , in which the control system is configured to deactivate the alarm signal when it senses the ID number of a container that has been used previously. 
     
     
         19 . A dispensing system according to  claim 2 , wherein the valve for controlling the flow of fluid is an electrically operated latching or bi-stable valve. 
     
     
         20 . A dispensing system according to  claim 3 , wherein the valve for controlling the flow of fluid is an electrically operated latching or bi-stable valve.