Patent Number: 12699064
Patent Title: Vessel for smart vessel system
Company: Diversey, Inc.
Innovation Behind the Smart Vessel System
The patented invention introduces a vessel equipped with an integrated memory, a processor, and internal sensors. The processor initiates a timer for the shelf life of any solution placed inside and actively conducts measurements of the solution’s properties. By comparing these real-time metrics against predefined thresholds, the system can automatically activate an indicator if the solution has expired or degraded past an acceptable level. This automated approach to monitoring solution efficacy reduces human error, ensures safety, and prevents the use of compromised chemicals in critical sanitation or industrial processes.
South Carolina Patent of the Month
This technological achievement earned Diversey, Inc. the title of Patent of the Month for the South-Carolina state for the month of September 2026 granted by Swanson Reed. The recognition highlights the company’s contribution to the local innovation ecosystem in South Carolina, where Diversey operates key facilities. Swanson Reed selected this patent because it successfully merges traditional chemical storage with modern electronic monitoring capabilities. The invention demonstrates a high level of technical complexity and practical utility in the fields of hygiene management and environmental sustainability, which aligns with the award’s criteria for engineering excellence.
Eligibility for the U.S. R&D Tax Credit
The practical applications of this patent present several avenues for companies to claim the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit in the United States. Integrating electronic sensors, processors, and digital indicators into commercial vessels involves significant technical challenges. Businesses that develop similar smart packaging must undergo a process of experimentation to resolve uncertainties related to sensor accuracy, battery longevity, and chemical compatibility. Testing hardware durability against corrosive solutions, developing algorithms for threshold detection, and designing waterproof electronic enclosures are all complex engineering activities. The design and iterative prototyping required to overcome these design hurdles directly align with the four-part test of Internal Revenue Code Section 41, making the associated wages, contractor fees, and supply costs eligible for R&D tax incentives.
