Patent ID: 7104467

Claim:
A dispensing apparatus for delivering fluid to a container, the apparatus comprising: container holding means for receiving in use a container having a fill port and a container identifier key, the container holding means including mechanical keying means arranged to permit a container with a predetermined identifier key to be completely inserted to a refill position in the container holding means, a dispensing outlet for delivering fluid to the fill port of a container at said refill position, fluid delivery means for delivering fluid to the dispensing outlet ( 18 ), an actuation member movable from a start position and operatively linked to the fluid delivery means to cause the fluid delivery means to deliver fluid in response to movement of the actuation member from said start position, characterized by a dispensing lock having a first position in which it blocks movement of the actuation member from said start position, and a second position in which it permits movement of the actuation member, and release means for releasing the dispensing lock including a movable release member which is moved by a container, during its insertion into the refill position in the container holding means, so as to release the dispensing lock by bringing the dispensing lock to said second position, thus enabling fluid to be delivered.