SET CONSISTING OF A PUMP DISPENSER AND AN EVALUATION UNIT

Abstract

A set including a pump dispenser for discharging pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids and an external evaluation unit, which is designed to be exchangeable so that, after the pump dispenser has been emptied, the evaluation unit can be attached to a new pump dispenser. The evaluation unit can be attached to the discharging head of the pump dispenser such that the evaluation unit detects an actuation button and can be partially displaced with same. The evaluation unit can alternatively have a receiving container which is open on at least one side and into which the pump dispenser can be inserted and the force application of which is detected on actuation.

Claims

1. A set consisting of a pump dispenser for the discharge of pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids, and further consisting of an evaluation unit with the following features: a. the pump dispenser has a liquid reservoir, to the upper end of which a discharge head is attached, and b. the discharge head has a base which is fastened to the liquid reservoir, and an actuating button which can be pressed down with respect to the base for the purpose of the discharge, and c. the discharge head has a pump device which can be actuated by way of pressing down of the actuating button, and which, in the case of actuation, conveys liquid from an inlet channel, which is connected to the liquid reservoir, to a discharge opening which is provided on the discharge head, and d. the evaluation unit is configured for the detection of the actuation of the pump device, the evaluation unit being configured as an external evaluation unit which has a main segment which is attached releasably in a stationary manner to the liquid reservoir or the base of the discharge head, and which has an actuating segment which can be moved with respect to the main segment and the movement of which with respect to the main segment can be detected by way of a detection sensor, the actuating segment being arranged on or above the actuating button in such a way that, when the actuating button is pressed down with respect to the base, the actuating segment is also moved with respect to the main segment, or the evaluation unit being configured as an external evaluation unit which has a receiving container which is open at least on one side and into which at least the liquid reservoir is pushed releasably, with the result that at least the discharge opening protrudes out of the receiving container at a first upper end, wherein a detection sensor is arranged at an opposite second end of the receiving container or a closure which is attached thereto, which, when the actuating button is pressed down, a force is applied to by the liquid reservoir, with the result that the actuation can be detected by the detection sensor.

2. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the set comprises a protective cap which, in the fitted state, covers the actuating button and/or the discharge opening, preferably with at least one of the following further features: b. the protective cap is adapted to the discharge head and the main segment of the evaluation unit in such a way that it can be coupled in a non-positive or positively locking manner to the discharge head and the main segment, and/or c. the protective cap and the main segment of the evaluation unit have identical coupling devices which can be coupled in each case to a coupling device on the discharge head or the liquid reservoir, and/or d. the protective cap is configured for latching coupling on the main segment of the evaluation unit, and the main segment is configured for latching coupling on the discharge head or the liquid reservoir, a lower tensile force being provided for releasing the latching coupling between the protective cap and the main segment.

3. The set as claimed in claim 1 claims with the following additional feature: a. the main segment of the evaluation unit has a ring section which surrounds a free region, through which the pump dispenser can be pushed as far as into a coupling position, preferably with the following further feature: b. a receiving housing for electronic components and/or a battery is provided on the ring section on one side.

4. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the actuating segment is guided by way of a sliding guide in a translational manner on the main segment of the evaluation unit, preferably with the following further feature: b. the actuating segment has a guide section of the sliding guide, which guide section has a curved cross section, by way of which the guide section surrounds the actuating button partially.

5. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the actuating segment has a pressing face which protrudes from one side beyond the actuating button, with the result that the actuating button is likewise pressed down indirectly by way of the actuating segment being pressed down.

6. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the evaluation unit has a transmission device, by way of which the movement of the actuating segment with respect to the main segment is converted into a movement which is directed differently or is limited differently, which movement is then utilized for triggering the detection sensor, preferably with the following further feature: b. the transmission device has a contact member which is arranged in such a way that, in the case of movement of the actuating segment, it is first of all likewise moved, and subsequently slides without individual movement on the actuating segment which is moved in a continued manner.

7. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional features: a. the evaluation unit has a sensor unit which comprises the detection sensor, and b. the sensor unit is arranged between the liquid reservoir of the pump dispenser and a bottom or a closure which is attached on the bottom side, preferably with the following additional feature: c. the detection sensor is configured as a force sensor or a pressure sensor which measures the force or the pressure which acts from the liquid reservoir in the direction of the bottom of the receiving container or the bottom-side closure.

8. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the receiving container is of permanently closed configuration at the second end and, at its first end, has an opening which is sufficiently great, in order that at least the liquid reservoir can be pushed in, preferably with at least one of the following further features: b. the receiving container has a length which is sufficiently great, in order that the liquid reservoir can be received therein completely or virtually completely, and/or c. the receiving container has a holding device at the first end, by way of which holding device the pump dispenser which is pushed in can be secured in a non-positive or positively locking manner against sliding out.

9. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the receiving container is of open configuration on both sides, an opening at the first end having an inside free cross section which is smaller at least in sections than the maximum cross section of the pump dispenser, with the result that the pump dispenser can be pushed from the inside through the opening only partially, but at least with the discharge opening.

10. The set as claimed in claim 9 with the following additional feature: a. the evaluation unit has a closure for closing the receiving container at the second end, the closure being configured such that it can be removed and coupled, preferably with at least one of the following further features: b. together with the receiving container, the closure delimits an interior space which is sufficiently great, in order that the liquid reservoir can be received therein completely or virtually completely, and/or c. the closure can be coupled on the receiving container by means of a thread or a bayonet coupling, and/or d. the closure has the sensor unit, the closure forming a housing of the sensor unit or being configured for fixed or releasable receiving of a housing of the sensor unit.

11. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the receiving container is manufactured at least in sections from a transparent material, preferably from a transparent plastic.

12. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the receiving container has a shell wall, the shape of which corresponds substantially to the shape of a shell wall of the liquid reservoir, the shell walls preferably in each case having a circular-cylindrical form.

13. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the set comprises a protective cap which is configured for releasable fastening to the first end of the receiving container.

14. The set as claimed in claim 1 and with at least one of the following additional features: a. the liquid reservoir of the pump dispenser is connected via a snap-action connection or a threaded connection to the discharge head, or the base of the discharge head is configured in one piece with the liquid reservoir, and/or b. the liquid reservoir is shaped in a substantially circular-cylindrical manner, and/or c. the liquid reservoir is provided in the region of a shell wall on the outer side with an inscription, and/or d. the pump device has a pump chamber, an inlet-side inlet valve and an outlet-side outlet valve, the inlet valve opening in the case of negative pressure in the pump chamber with respect to the liquid reservoir, and the outlet valve opening in the case of positive pressure in the pump chamber with respect to the surrounding atmosphere, and/or e. the discharge opening is attached to the actuating button, with the result that, when the actuating button is pressed down with respect to the base of the discharge head, it is likewise pressed down, and/or f. the liquid reservoir is filled with a cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquid, in particular with a cream, an ointment or a lotion.

15. The set as claimed in claim 1 with the following additional feature: a. the set comprises a mobile evaluation device, in particular in the form of a mobile telephone, which is connected via a wireless interface to the evaluation unit, preferably with at least one of the following further features: b. the wireless data interface is a Bluetooth interface, and/or c. the evaluation unit has a memory, in which data which are detected by the detection sensor are stored, in order later, in the case of an existing radio connection, to be transmitted to the mobile evaluation device or a central server.

16. The set as claimed in claim 1 with at least one of the following additional features: a. the evaluation unit has at least one sensor in the manner of a pressure sensor, force sensor or displacement sensor, in particular in the form of a switch, and/or b. the evaluation unit has at least one sensor which is provided for the detection of the liquid quantity which is remaining in the liquid reservoir, and/or c. the evaluation unit has at least one acceleration sensor, and/or d. the evaluation unit or the mobile evaluation device has at least one sensor in the manner of a global position detection device, and/or e. the evaluation unit or the mobile evaluation device is configured, in the case of each actuation which is detected by way of the detection sensor, to store the time, the location, characteristic features of the actuation or surrounding parameters, and/or to send them via the Internet to a central server, and/or f. the evaluation unit has an indicator device, in particular in the form of light emitting diodes or a display.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] Further advantages and aspects of the invention result from the claims and from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention which are described in the following text on the basis of the figures.

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a customary pump dispenser, as known from the prior art.

[0066] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the method of operation in the case of actuation with respect to the pump dispenser from FIG. 1, in a sectioned illustration.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows a set according to the invention with the pump dispenser from FIGS. 1 to 3 and an evaluation unit which is attached to the latter in accordance with a first overall design.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a sectioned illustration of the individual components of the set from FIG. 4 and the type of assembly.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows the set according to FIG. 4 in a sectioned illustration after assembly has been concluded.

[0070] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the method of operation in the case of actuation with respect to the set from FIG. 4 in a sectioned illustration.

[0071] FIG. 9 shows a set according to the invention with the pump dispenser from FIGS. 1 to 3 and an evaluation unit which is attached to the latter in accordance with a second overall design in a first design variant.

[0072] FIGS. 10 and 11 show the set from FIG. 9 after assembly has been concluded.

[0073] FIG. 12 shows the method of operation in the case of actuation with respect to the set from FIG. 9 in a sectioned illustration.

[0074] FIG. 13 shows a set according to the invention with the pump dispenser from FIGS. 1 to 3 and an evaluation unit which is attached to the latter in accordance with a second overall design in a second design variant.

[0075] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the set from FIG. 13 after assembly has been concluded.

[0076] FIG. 16 shows the method of operation in the case of actuation with respect to the set from FIG. 13 in a sectioned illustration.

[0077] FIG. 17 shows the connection of a set according to the invention by way of a mobile telephone to a central server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0078] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a substantially conventional pump dispenser, as will be part of a set according to the invention.

[0079] With respect to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the pump dispenser 10 has a liquid reservoir 20 which is configured as a container which is open at the top, on the shell wall 22 of which liquid reservoir 20 an inscription 26 is provided. A discharge head 30 is coupled to the liquid reservoir by means of a coupling device 42 in the manner of a thread. Said discharge head 30 has an actuating button 60 which can be pressed down in the direction of the main direction of extent 2 of the pump dispenser, which actuating button 60, in proper use, is pressed down manually by applying a force in the region of an actuating face 64, in order, as a result, to discharge liquid from the liquid reservoir 20 through a discharge opening 62 which is provided on the actuating button. In the unused state, the discharge head can be covered by way of a protective cap 70 which is fastened to the base 40 of the discharge head in a latching manner in the region of a latching edge 44.

[0080] As can be gathered from FIG. 2, a pump device 50 is provided within the discharge head 30. Said pump device 50 comprises a pump chamber 52, the volume of which can be reduced by way of pressing down of the actuating button 60, which pump chamber 52 is connected via an inlet channel 53 to the liquid reservoir 20 and via an outlet channel 55 to the discharge opening 62. Both the inlet channel 53 and the outlet channel 55 in each case have a valve 54, 56. The inlet valve 54 opens in the case of negative pressure in the pump chamber 52 with respect to the liquid reservoir 20 and therefore in the case of an upwardly directed restoring movement of the actuating button 60. In this phase, the outlet valve 56 is closed, since it opens only in the case of positive pressure in the pump chamber 52 with respect to the surrounding atmosphere and otherwise closes. In the case of pressing down of the actuating button 60 in contrast, the outlet valve 56 opens, whereas the inlet valve 54 is closed. In this way, it is possible in the manner which can be seen in FIG. 3 for liquid from the pump chamber 52 to be moved in the actuating direction 4 by way of pressing down of the actuating button 60. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the pump device 50 is configured as a bellows pump device, and therefore has a bellows body 51 which surrounds the pump chamber 52. Other possible overall designs are provided, for example, a piston pump, in the case of which, in the case of pressing down of the actuating button 60, a piston is moved within a cylinder in order to reduce the pump chamber 52.

[0081] FIGS. 4 to 8 show a first exemplary embodiment of a set according to the invention.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows the assembled state, just like FIG. 6. It can be seen that the above-described pump dispenser 10 is supplemented by an evaluation unit 100. Said evaluation unit 100 will be described on the basis of the preassembly situation of FIG. 5, in which it is shown in sectioned form.

[0083] The evaluation unit 100 has a ring section 114 which merges on one side into a receiving housing 116 for receiving electronic components. Together, the ring section 114 and the receiving housing 116 form the essential parts of a main segment 110 of the evaluation unit 100. The second element of the evaluation unit 100 which can be seen from the outside is an actuating segment 120 which is provided in an approximately L-shaped form on the upper side of the evaluation unit 100 and can be moved by means of a vertical sliding guide 118 in a translational manner with respect to the main segment 110. This is suitable in a way which will still be explained in the further text for pivoting a transmission component 150 which for its part actuates a switch 140.

[0084] The switch 140 is part of a sensor unit 130 in the receiving housing 116. Moreover, in a way which is not denoted in greater detail, the sensor unit 130 has radio elements for Bluetooth, WLAN and/or mobile communications (3G, 4G, 5G). Also included, furthermore, are a battery as power supply and further sensors, such as, in particular, a temperature sensor, a GPS chip and an acceleration sensor. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, furthermore, a display 160 is also provided which can also be dispensed with, however, depending on the intended purpose.

[0085] Furthermore, it can be seen with reference to FIG. 5 how the assembly takes place. A coupling device in the manner of a groove 115 is provided on the inner side of the ring section 114 of the main segment 110. Said coupling device is dimensioned in such a way that it can be coupled to the latching edge 44 of the base 40 of the discharge head, the connection which is joined in this way deliberately being very stiff, in order that the evaluation unit is not accidentally pulled off together with the cap. Furthermore, the ring section 114 of the main segment 110 has a latching edge 117 which, with regard to its configuration, corresponds approximately to that of the latching edge 44, with the result that the protective cap 70 can be latched here with the latching groove 72 which is provided on it.

[0086] In other words, in the case of the assembly of a set according to FIGS. 4 to 8, the evaluation unit 100 is fastened to the discharge head 30 where otherwise the protective cap 70 would be fastened. The protective cap 70 for its part is fastened to the latching edge 117 of the evaluation unit 100.

[0087] FIG. 6 shows a sectioned illustration of the assembled state.

[0088] The operation is clarified on the basis of FIGS. 7 and 8. The actuating segment 120 of the evaluation unit 100 protrudes beyond the actuating face 64 of the actuating button 60, with the result that an application of a force to the actuating button 60 takes place in a manner which is intuitive and obvious to the user by way of pressing down of the actuating segment 120. For this purpose, a pressing face 124 is provided on the upper side of the actuating segment 120. If the actuating segment 120 is pressed down in the actuating direction 4 in the way which is clarified in FIG. 8, this also leads to pressing down of the actuating button 60 and, accordingly, to a discharge of liquid.

[0089] At the same time, however, a lower edge 126 of the actuating segment 120 presses the transmission component 150 to the side, as FIG. 8 shows. Said transmission component 150 pivots in the process about a pivot axis which is provided at the lower end of the transmission component 150, with the result that a boom 154 triggers the switch 140 and therefore allows said sensor unit 130 of the evaluation unit 100 to detect the discharge operation which has taken place. The sensor module can store the actuation together with time stamp, location specification and/or data of the other sensors, and/or can transmit it in a wireless manner to a receiver.

[0090] Continued pressing down of the actuating segment 120 does not lead to a further deflection of the transmission component 150, since the latter then slides along on the actuating segment 120. There is therefore no reason to fear that an excessively great movement of the actuating segment 120 damages any other components of the evaluation unit 100.

[0091] FIGS. 9 to 12 show a second exemplary embodiment. A pump dispenser 10 is also used here, which pump dispenser 10 can be configured in the same way as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0092] In addition, a set according to FIGS. 9 to 12 comprises an evaluation unit 200 which is formed in this case primarily by way of a receiving container 210, on the lower bottom 214 of which a sensor unit 230 rests. A force or pressure sensor 242 is arranged in said sensor unit 230, which force or pressure sensor 242 can be triggered by way of force applied to the upper side 232 of the sensor unit 230. The receiving container 210 has a length, by way of which the pump dispenser 10 can be received predominantly and its liquid reservoir 20 can be received completely.

[0093] FIG. 11 shows the assembled state. It can be seen that a holding device 240 in the form of a latching ring on the inner side of the receiving container 210 at its upper end 210a ensures that the inserted pump dispenser 10 is not at risk of slipping out of the receiving container 210. Furthermore, it can be seen that the liquid reservoir 20 of the pump dispenser 10 lies with its bottom 28 on the upper side 232 of the sensor unit 230. FIG. 11 otherwise shows, furthermore, that the set has a protective cap 270 which, in the present case, is fastened via a frictionally locking coupling to the upper end 210a of the receiving container 210.

[0094] FIG. 12 clarifies the use of the set according to FIGS. 9 to 11. During said use, a user usually grips around the receiving container 210 at least with his/her thumb and middle finger, and actuates the actuating button 60 in the actuating direction 4 by means of his/her index finger. In the way which has already been described above, the force which is applied here brings about the reduction in volume of the pump chamber 52 and therefore the discharge of liquid from the pump chamber 52.

[0095] Furthermore, said force also acts (indicated by way of the arrow 6) on the upper side 232 of the sensor unit 230, however, and therefore makes it possible for the electronic components of the evaluation unit 200 to detect the discharge operation. Proceeding from the detected actuation, the further processing can take place in the above-described manner.

[0096] FIGS. 13 to 16 show a design of similar type. Here too, a pump dispenser 10 in accordance with that from FIGS. 1 to 3 is provided, which pump dispenser 10 is received in a receiving container 210.

[0097] In this case, however, the pump dispenser 10 is pushed from below in the assembly direction into the receiving container 210, with the result that ultimately the discharge head 30 or at least the actuating button 60 protrudes out of the receiving container 210 at the top. A closure 220 is fastened in the assembly direction 8 by means of a thread 222 to the lower end 210B of the receiving container, said closure having a sensor unit 230 which is similar or identical to that of the preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0098] The fundamental method of operation (shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) is the same as that in FIGS. 11 and 12. Here too, the actuation acts in the actuating direction 4 on the sensor unit 230, with the result that the force or pressure sensor 242 triggers and makes further processing of said information possible in the above-described way.

[0099] A substantial difference arises only in the case of the replacement of the pump dispenser. In the case of the design according to FIGS. 13 to 16, the closure 220 is first of all to be unscrewed for the purpose of the replacement, and the pump dispenser 10 is then to be removed and replaced by a new pump dispenser 10, with the result that the closure 220 can then be screwed on again.

[0100] The described receiving containers 210 are manufactured from a transparent plastic, with the result that the inscription 26 remains legible despite the receiving container.

[0101] FIG. 17 shows (by way of example on the basis of the set according to FIGS. 4 to 8) the method of operation of the set with regard to the data transfer. In its receiving housing 116, the pump dispenser 10 which is provided with the evaluation unit 100 has a wireless interface in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. Via this, the evaluation unit 100 is coupled to a separate evaluation device 300, in the present case in the manner of a mobile telephone. This means that, in the case of every discharge which has taken place or at a later time in the case of an absence of the evaluation device, the evaluation unit 100 transmits the actuation to the mobile evaluation device 300, where the data can be aggregated and evaluated.

[0102] The data can also be supplemented with further data. Thus, for example, the GPS chip set of the mobile telephone can be used, in order to supplement the data with the location of the actuation.

[0103] The mobile evaluation device 300 is connected via the Internet to a central server 400 which can be located, in particular, in the area of control of the manufacturer of the pump dispenser. As a result, said manufacturer receives data about the usage which it can use during the improvement of the product. After evaluation of the data from the mobile evaluation device 300, the central server 400 can also send the latter information with respect to suggested actions for the user. It is also conceivable that the filling level of the dispenser is taken into consideration and an additional delivery of a pump dispenser is possibly offered or takes place automatically.

[0104] The determination of the filling level of the pump dispenser is firstly possible indirectly via the fact that the number of discharge operations is counted. It is also conceivable, however, that, for example, the sensor unit 230 is capable of determining how much liquid still remains in the pump dispenser 10 on the basis of the weight of said pump dispenser 10, which weight acts on said sensor unit 230 in the rest state.