Patent ID: 8167168
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: A47K,B05B

Abstract:
1. A dispenser for dispensing material from a refill container comprising: a memory unit that stores at least one reference profile associated with a pump output amount value, said at least one reference profile defined as a priming time value and a peak current magnitude value; a pump adapted to be fluidly coupled to the refill container so as to dispense material therefrom, wherein said pump is configured such that the amount of material dispensed therefrom is adjustable; a current sensor coupled to said pump to generate an operating profile defined as a priming time value and a peak current magnitude value of the electrical current waveform consumed by the operation of said pump; a controller coupled to said memory unit, said pump, and said current sensor, said controller configured to compute at least one usage value; and an actuator coupled to said controller to actuate said pump when engaged, such that said priming time value and said peak current magnitude value of said operating profile is compared with said priming time value and said peak current magnitude value of said at least one reference profile, wherein said pump output amount value associated with said reference profile that matches said operating profile is used by said controller to compute said at least one usage value.