초록 ▼

A method is presented for indicating the dispensing of a predetermined amount of a material in a dispenser having a dispenser device which dispenses the material during periods of operation and frequency or intensity which can be varied. The inventive method includes determining the amount of time t

A method is presented for indicating the dispensing of a predetermined amount of a material in a dispenser having a dispenser device which dispenses the material during periods of operation and frequency or intensity which can be varied. The inventive method includes determining the amount of time the dispenser device is operational; calculating a dispensing score representative of the time of operation of the dispenser device multiplied by a factor representative of the frequency or intensity of dispensing; and producing a signal indicating the dispensing of the predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed when the dispensing score is at least equal to a predetermined total score required for dispensing a predetermined amount of material. A dispenser incorporating such method is also described.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A dispenser for a material, the dispenser having a system for indicating the dispensing of a predetermined amount of the material, comprising:a. a source of material to be dispensed;b. a housing having an internal cavity sized to permit insertion therein of the source of

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A dispenser for a material, the dispenser having a system for indicating the dispensing of a predetermined amount of the material, comprising:a. a source of material to be dispensed;b. a housing having an internal cavity sized to permit insertion therein of the source of material to be dispensed;c. dispensing means disposed within the housing for dispensing into the environment the material from the source of material to be dispensed when the dispensing means is operational; andd. a system for indicating the dispensing of a predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed, which comprisesi. a timer for determining the amount of time the dispensing means is operational;ii. a calculator for multiplying the time that the dispensing means is operational by a factor representative of the frequency or intensity of operation to produce a dispensing score representative thereof; andiii. signal generating means for producing a signal indicating the dispensing of the predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed when the dispensing score is at least equal to a total score required for dispensing a predetermined amount of material from the source of material to be dispensed. [18.] A method for indicating the dispensing of a predetermined amount of a material in a dispenser having a dispensing means which dispenses the material during periods of operation and frequency or intensity which can be varied, the method comprising:a. determining the amount of time the dispensing means is operational;b. multiplying the time that the dispensing means is operational by a factor representative of the frequency or intensity of operation to produce a dispensing score representative thereof; andc. producing a signal indicating the dispensing of the predetermined amount of the material to be dispensed when the dispensing score is at least equal to a predetermined total score required for dispensing a predetermined amount of material. The method of claim 18 wherein the dispensing score is calculated by multiplying the time during which the dispensing means is operational by a factor representative of the frequency of actuations during the period during which the dispenser is operational.