Industrial and Commercial Applications of Theft-Deterrent Dispensers
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept leverages the core technology of theft-deterrent dispensers to address specific needs in various industries, including industrial tank monitoring, medical supply security, smart vending, portable laboratory workstations, and IoT-enabled cleaning solutions.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed the problem of theft in public bathrooms by providing a theft-deterrent liquid dispenser and mounting assembly. However, this technology has broader applications in industries where secure and controlled dispensing of liquids or materials is critical. The new inventive concept solves the problem of adapting this technology to meet the unique needs of these industries.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept involves integrating the theft-deterrent dispenser and mounting assembly into various industrial and commercial applications. For instance, in industrial tank monitoring, the dispenser is adapted for industrial use and paired with a sensor to detect liquid levels in tanks. In medical supply security, the dispenser is configured to dispense medical supplies only to authorized personnel. Similarly, in smart vending, the dispenser is integrated into the vending machine and paired with a payment processing system. In portable laboratory workstations, the dispenser is adapted for dispensing laboratory chemicals, and in IoT-enabled cleaning solutions, the dispenser is integrated with a cloud-based management platform.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the theft-deterrent dispenser and mounting assembly, which are not obvious from the original patent. The inventive step lies in adapting the core technology to address specific needs in various industries, thereby expanding its commercial potential.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in dispenser design, sensor integration, and software platforms to accommodate different industries and use cases. For example, a dispenser for industrial tank monitoring could be designed with a more ruggedized exterior, while a dispenser for medical supply security could incorporate biometric authentication.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including industrial manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and facilities management. The target market includes companies seeking to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance security in their respective industries.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A47 | A47K5/1205 |
| A | A47 | A47K2201/02 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Liquid dispensing systems and mounting assemblies, with expertise in mechanical design, fluid transfer mechanisms, and security-focused dispensing technologies
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A mechanical engineer or industrial designer with 3-5 years experience in product design for commercial and industrial dispensing systems, familiar with sensor integration, modular mounting techniques, and security-oriented product adaptations
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize the fundamental modular design of the source patent's theft-deterrent dispenser as inherently adaptable to multiple industrial contexts. The core mounting assembly and dispensing mechanism provides a flexible technological platform that can be readily modified for different specialized applications. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the original patent's core technological principles by applying known integration techniques to specific industry requirements.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,126 |
|---|---|
| Title | Theft deterrent dispenser and mounting assembly |
| Assignee(s) | Cintas Corporate Services, Inc. |