Container Interlock System for Product Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Customizable containers are vulnerable to being used with products other than those intended, undermining marketing strategies and potential revenue streams for suppliers, as there is no mechanism to restrict their use to specific products or lines of products.

Innovation Solution

A container with an interlock system that utilizes unique identifiers to control filling and dispensing, ensuring that only authorized products can be used, featuring sensors and interlock devices that communicate based on the analysis of unique identifiers, preventing unauthorized use and allowing for secure filling and controlled dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a customized container is provided to consumers, then marketing effectiveness and customer loyalty are improved, but the container becomes vulnerable to unauthorized use with competing products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer customizationVSAvoidproduct restriction enforcement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates sensors that detect unique identifiers on product containers and provide feedback to an interlock mechanism. This feedback loop enables the container to automatically respond to the presence or absence of authorized products, maintaining reliability through automated product verification and restriction enforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A microcontroller serves as an intermediary between the sensor detecting unique identifiers and the interlock mechanism that controls container access. This intermediary processes the detected identifier information and translates it into appropriate interlock states, enabling sophisticated product restriction logic while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an interlock system with sensors and unique identifier detection is implemented, then product restriction and revenue protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct restriction enforcementVSAvoidinterlock system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container system performs self-verification by using its own integrated sensor to detect unique identifiers on products and automatically controlling its own interlock mechanism. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external verification systems or complex centralized control, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable product restriction enforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the container restricts use to specific products only, then supplier revenue and marketing strategy effectiveness are improved, but consumer flexibility and ease of use are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthorized product verificationVSAvoidcontainer accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual product verification and physical restriction mechanisms with an automated sensor-based identification system. The sensor detects unique identifiers electronically, and the microcontroller automatically controls the interlock, eliminating the need for complex mechanical verification procedures and providing seamless automated access control that maintains ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10421658B2Container with electronically controlled interlock

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 OTSUKA PHARM CO LTD

AI summary

The apparatus and methods of the current invention utilize a container having an interlock that prevents filling the container, dispensing from the container, or both, as well as a detecting mechanism that senses a unique identifier associated with a particular product allowing its use in conjunction with the container.