Dispenser with a visual indication system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12447488-B2
Application number	US-202016743933-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2020
Priority date	Jan 15, 2020
Publication date	Oct 21, 2025
Grant date	Oct 21, 2025

Abstract

A light ring for a flowable medium dispenser includes an annular shape and is coupled to a body of a dispenser.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method of operating a flowable medium dispenser, the method comprising:
providing a power source to the flowable medium dispenser that defines an axis, and includes a visual indicator, a housing with an exterior surface facing a surrounding environment, and a central aperture that surrounds the axis;
dispensing a flowable medium through the central aperture; and rotating a dial to adjust an intensity level at which the flowable medium is dispensed, the dial coupled to the visual indicator and a top cover coupled to the dial; and
wherein the visual indicator extends around the axis,
includes an annular body, and emits light radially outward through the annular body, wherein a bottom surface of the annular body is adjacent a top exterior surface of the housing surrounding the central aperture such that the annular body extends along a circumference of the central aperture of the housing, wherein a horizontal plane is disposed below the annular body,
wherein the visual indicator is configured to emit at least two different visual indications,
wherein the annular body defines a channel that is configured to at least partially receive at least one LED that is disposed outside of the housing, and
wherein, in a use configuration, a container of the dispenser is disposed entirely below the horizontal plane and entirely below the annular body, and retains a wick having a first end and a second end such that the annular body extends around the first end of the wick.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flowable medium dispenser further comprises a diffusion element,
wherein the diffusion element is configured to be powered by the power source, and
wherein the visual indicator is configured to emit a first visual indication when the diffusion element is powered on.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the visual indicator is configured to emit a second visual indication when the flowable medium dispenser transitions from an off state to an on state.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first visual indication is different from the second visual indication.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing a sleep state interval, wherein the visual indicator is configured to emit a third visual indication during the sleep state interval.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the third visual indication is different from the first visual indication and the second visual indication.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising detecting a low fill status of the flowable medium, wherein the visual indicator is configured to emit a fourth visual indication when the low fill status is detected.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the fourth visual indication is different from the first visual indication, the second visual indication, and the third visual indication.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator is configured to emit the at least two different visual indications over at least 180 degrees of a circumference thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the annular body is a light ring that extends entirely around the axis and the at least one LED is disposed therein.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one LED includes a plurality of LEDs that are radially spaced about the axis.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the annular body includes a securing leg that extends downward from the bottom surface of the visual indicator, and
wherein the securing leg is configured to be received within a receiving opening defined within an inwardly extending lip of the housing to couple the visual indicator to the top exterior surface of the housing, the inwardly extending lip defining the circumference of the central aperture of the housing.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the dial is adjacent a top surface of the visual indicator, and wherein a peripheral edge of the top cover is adjacent an inner wall of the dial.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of rotating the dial adjusts an axial position of an intensity switch arm.

Assignees

• Johnson & Son Inc S C

Inventors

• Richard Jesse
• Haynes Michael
• Watson Richard
• Frankel Seth

Classifications

• B05B12/004

  comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm (B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00) · CPC title

• A61L2209/12

  Lighting means · CPC title

• A61L9/14

  using sprayed or atomised substances {including air-liquid contact processes} · CPC title

• A61L2209/134

  Distributing means, e.g. baffles, valves, manifolds, nozzles · CPC title

• A61L2209/133

  Replaceable cartridges, refills · CPC title