Computer program and method for verifying container of material to be dispensed
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B67D-007/34
B65B-057/00
B67D-007/02
B67D-007/32
출원번호
US-0559423
(2014-12-03)
등록번호
US-9580294
(2017-02-28)
발명자
/ 주소
Lewis, Adam
Edwards, Kevin
출원인 / 주소
Brewer Science Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Hovey Williams LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
12
초록▼
A system for verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred to a process. The system includes a conduit that extends through a mouth of the container. The conduit is supported by an arm that moves between a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth, and a
A system for verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred to a process. The system includes a conduit that extends through a mouth of the container. The conduit is supported by an arm that moves between a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth, and a second position in which the conduit is removed and moved away from the mouth. A reading device extracts information about the container from an information storage element. A computer program receives input regarding the extracted information, receives input regarding the process, and determining whether the container is correct for the process. The program prevents the arm from moving to the first position, and only if the container is determined to be correct does the program allow the arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred.
대표청구항▼
1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon for managing a dispensing system, including verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred from the container to a process that uses the material, wherein the container has a mouth,
1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon for managing a dispensing system, including verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred from the container to a process that uses the material, wherein the container has a mouth, and wherein the dispensing system includes a conduit operable to extend through the mouth of the container and transfer the material from the container, and a first arm supporting the conduit and operable to move between a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth of the container, and a second position in which the conduit is removed from the mouth of the container and moved away from the container such that the conduit is not positioned over the mouth of the container, and wherein the program instructs a processing element to perform the following steps: locking the first arm in the second position and preventing the first arm from moving to the first position;receiving a first input regarding the container;receiving a second input regarding the process that uses the material;determining based on the first and second inputs whether the container is correct for the process that uses the material; andif the container is correct, allowing the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container. 2. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon for managing a dispensing system, including verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred from the container to a process that uses the material, wherein the container has a mouth and presents an information storage element, and wherein the dispensing system includes— an apparatus including— a conduit operable to extend through the mouth of the container and transfer the material from the container,a first arm supporting the conduit and operable to move between— a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth of the container, anda second position in which the conduit is removed from the mouth of the container and moved away from the container such that the conduit is not positioned over the mouth of the container,a reading device operable to extract information about the container and the material in the container from the information storage element, andwherein the program instructs a processing element to perform the following steps:preventing the first arm from moving to the first position; receiving a first input from the reading device regarding the extracted information;receiving a second input regarding the process that uses the material;determining based on the first and second inputs whether the container and the material in the container are correct for the process that uses the material; andif the container and the material in the container are correct, allowing the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container. 3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the container is a bottle. 4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the material is a liquid. 5. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the information storage element is selected from the consisting of: a label, a tag, a radio-frequency identification device tag, an optical identification tag, a magnetic identification tag. 6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the conduit is a tube. 7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first arm is telescopic and rotates and retracts to achieve the first position and extends and rotates to achieve the second position. 8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the reading device is selected from the group consisting of: a quick response code reader, a linear bar code reader, a camera, a radio-frequency identification tag reader, an optical character recognition scanner, a magnetic media reading device. 9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, further including a second arm supporting the reading device and operable to move between— a first position in which the reading device is positioned to read the information storage element; anda second position in which the reading device is not positioned to read the information storage element. 10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second arm is hinged and rotates between the first position and the second position. 11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the determination of whether the container and the material in the container is correct for the process is based on a set of verification criteria used by the program, and information needed to determine whether the set of verification criteria is satisfied is contained in a database which is accessed by the computer program. 12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 11, wherein the set of verification criteria is at least partly determinable by an operator of the dispensing system. 13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 11, wherein the set of verification criteria is selected from the group consisting of: a type of the material; a type of the container; an expiration date of the material; a time, day, or date at or on which the dispensing system is being used; lot numbers; process parameters, including which material is needed; a sequence or batch number; a manufacturer of the container or the material; an identity of the operator. 14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, the apparatus further including one or more sensors operable to measure a property of the apparatus, an environment of the container, the container, or the material, and to report the measured property to the program, and wherein the program is further operable to instruct the processing element to consider the reported measured property when determining whether to allow the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container. 15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, the apparatus further including a weight sensor operable to measure a weight of the container and report the measured weight to the program, wherein the program is further operable to instruct the processing element to determine an amount of the material remaining in the container based on the measured weight of the container. 16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 15, wherein the weight sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a scale, a load cell, a strain gauge. 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, the apparatus further including a communication element operable to communicate engagement of a new container, verification of the new container, release of an engaged container, and warning, trend, predictive, and real-time information generated by the program about operation of the apparatus and the container. 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 17, wherein the communication element is selected from the group consisting of: visual communication elements, audible communication elements, a display screen, one or more lights, a speaker, a buzzer. 19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein the program is further operable to instruct the processing element to generate and send a message to an electronic device concerning an aspect of the operation of the dispensing system. 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a mobile electronic device. 21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 19, wherein the message concerns a subject selected form the group consisting of: a problem with the apparatus, an attempt to install an incorrect container, a level of the material in the container, an upcoming need to replace the container, or a current environmental condition. 22. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein after the container is installed in the apparatus and verified by the computer program, the computer program may be further operable to continue receiving input from the reading device regarding the extracted information, to continue receiving input regarding the process that uses the material, and to continue determining whether the container and the material in the container are correct for the process and whether the material in the container has expired. 23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon for managing a dispensing system, including verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred from the container to a process that uses the material, wherein the container has a mouth and presents an information storage element, and wherein the dispensing system includes— a plurality of apparatuses operable to simultaneously transfer one or more materials from a plurality of containers to one or more processes, with each apparatus including— a connector operable to engage the container,a conduit operable to extend through the mouth of the container and transfer the material from the container,a first arm supporting the connector and the conduit and operable to move between— a first position in which the connector is engaged with the container and the conduit extends through the mouth of the container, anda second position in which the connector is disengaged from the container and the conduit is removed from the mouth of the container and moved away from the container such that the conduit is not positioned over the mouth of the container,a reading device operable to extract information about the container and the material in the container from the information storage element, andwherein the program instructs a processing element to perform the following steps: preventing the first arm from moving to the first position;receiving a first input from the reading device regarding the extracted information;receiving a second input regarding the process that uses the material;determining based on the first and second inputs whether the container and the material in the container are correct for the process that uses the material; andif the container and the material in the container are correct, allowing the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container. 24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses is managed by a separate instance of the program. 25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as set forth in claim 23, wherein all of the plurality of apparatuses are managed by a single instance of the program. 26. A method of managing a dispensing system, including verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred from the container to a process that uses the material, wherein the container has a mouth, and wherein the dispensing system includes a conduit operable to extend through the mouth of the container and transfer the material from the container, and a first arm supporting the conduit and operable to move between a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth of the container, and a second position in which the conduit is removed from the mouth of the container and moved away from the container such that the conduit is not positioned over the mouth of the container, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: (1) locking the first arm in the second position and preventing the first arm from moving to the first position;(2) extracting first information regarding the container from an information storage element associated with the container;(3) receiving second information regarding the process that uses the material;(4) determining based on the first and second information whether the container is correct for the process that uses the material; and(5) if the container is correct, allowing the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container. 27. A method of managing a dispensing system, including verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred from the container to a process that uses the material, wherein the container has a mouth and presents an information storage element, and wherein the dispensing system includes— an apparatus including— a conduit operable to extend through the mouth of the container and transfer the material from the container,a first arm supporting the conduit and operable to move between— a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth of the container, anda second position in which the conduit is removed from the mouth of the container and moved away from the container such that the conduit is not positioned over the mouth of the container,a reading device operable to extract first information about the container and the material in the container from the information storage element, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: (1) locking the first arm in the second position and preventing the first arm from moving to the first position;(2) receiving from the reading device the first information regarding the container and the material in the container;(3) receiving second information regarding the process that uses the material;(4) determining based on the first and second information whether the container and the material in the container are correct for the process that uses the material; and(5) if the container is correct, allowing the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container. 28. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein the container is a bottle. 29. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein the material is a liquid. 30. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein the information storage element is selected from the consisting of: a label, a tag, a radio-frequency identification device tag, an optical identification tag, a magnetic identification tag. 31. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein the conduit is a tube. 32. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein the first arm is telescopic and rotates and retracts to achieve the first position and extends and rotates to achieve the second position. 33. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein the reading device is selected from the group consisting of: a quick response code reader, a linear bar code reader, a camera, a radio-frequency identification tag reader, an optical character recognition scanner, a magnetic media reader. 34. The method as set forth in claim 27, further including a second arm and the step of the second arm moving between— a first position in which the reading device is positioned to read the information storage element; anda second position in which the reading device is not positioned to read the information storage element. 35. The method as set forth in claim 34, wherein the second arm is hinged and rotates between the first position and the second position. 36. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein, in step (3), determining whether the container and the material in the container are correct for the process is based on a set of verification criteria, and information needed to determine whether the set of verification criteria is satisfied is contained in a database which is accessed by the computer program. 37. The method as set forth in claim 36, wherein the set of verification criteria is at least partly determinable by an operator of the dispensing system. 38. The method as set forth in claim 36, wherein the set of verification criteria is selected from the group consisting of: a type of the material; a type of the container; an expiration date of the material; a time, day, or date at or on which the dispensing system is being used; lot numbers; process parameters, including which material is needed; a sequence or batch number; a manufacturer of the container or the material; an identity of the operator. 39. The method as set forth in claim 27, the apparatus further including one or more sensors operable to measure a property of the apparatus, an environment of the container, the container, or the material and to report the measured property as third information, and the method further including the step of receiving and considering the third information when determining whether to allow the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container. 40. The method as set forth in claim 27, the apparatus further including a weight sensor operable to measure a weight of the container and report the measured weight as third information, and the method further including the step of receiving and using the third information to determine an amount of the material remaining in the container. 41. The method as set forth in claim 40, wherein the weight sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a scale, a load cell, a strain gauge. 42. The method as set forth in claim 27, the apparatus further including a communication element, and the method further including the step of communicating via the communication element engagement of a new container, verification of the new container, and release of an old container. 43. The method as set forth in claim 27, further including the step of generating warning, trend, predictive, and real-time information program about operation of the apparatus and the container. 44. The method as set forth in claim 27, further including the step of generating and communicating a message to a mobile electronic device concerning an aspect of the operation of the dispensing system. 45. The method as set forth in claim 44, wherein the message concerns a subject selected from the group consisting of: a problem with the apparatus, an attempt to install an incorrect container, a level of the material in the container, an upcoming need to replace the container, or a current environmental condition. 46. The method as set forth in claim 27, wherein after the container is installed in the apparatus and verified by the computer program, the computer program may be further operable to continue receiving input from the reading device regarding the extracted information, to continue receiving input regarding the process that uses the material, and to continue determining whether the container and the material in the container are correct for the process and whether the material in the container has expired. 47. A method of managing a dispensing system, including verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred from the container to a process that uses the material, wherein the container has a mouth and presents an information storage element, and wherein the dispensing system includes— a plurality of apparatuses operable to simultaneously transfer one or more materials from a plurality of containers to one or more processes, with each apparatus including— a connector operable to engage the container,a conduit operable to extend through the mouth of the container and transfer the material from the container,a first arm supporting the connector and the conduit and operable to move between— a first position in which the connector is engaged with the container and the conduit extends through the mouth of the container, anda second position in which the connector is disengaged from the container and the conduit is removed from the mouth of the container and moved away from the container such that the conduit is not positioned over the mouth of the container, and wherein, for each of the apparatuses, the method comprises the steps of: (1) locking the first arm in the second position and preventing the first arm from moving to the first position;(2) extracting first information regarding the container from an information storage element associated with the container;(3) receiving second information regarding the process that uses the material;(4) accessing a database to determine based on the first and second information whether the container is correct for the process that uses the material;(5) if the container is correct, allowing the first arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred from the container,wherein steps (1) through (5) are performed substantially independently for each of the apparatuses.
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