CONNECTED DISPENSING POINT FOR A CLEANING AND/OR DISINFECTING SOLUTION

Abstract

The invention deals with a dispenser 1 of a cleaning and/or sanitizing solution with a radiofrequency communication module 2B for remote monitoring by a portable communication device UL to deliver a preset dose of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. The invention also deals with a control process 6 of such a dispenser 1, wherein the control process 6 includes an identification step 62 of the portable communication device UL by the dispenser 1 and—under condition of authorization after identification—a step of release 63 of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution.

Claims

1. A dispenser for a cleaning and/or sanitizing solution, wherein the dispenser includes: a tank designed to contain the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution; a delivery system of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution, wherein the delivery system includes a delivery head in fluidic communication with the tank through a delivery pipe, a pump designed to regulate the flow of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution through the delivery pipe; a command module designed to selectively monitor the pump and the delivery head of the delivery system; a radiofrequency communication module designed for a wireless two-way communication between the dispenser and a portable communication device, and to activate and deactivate the dispenser according to a control signal from the communication appliance to the radiofrequency communication module; a power source connected to the delivery system, to the command module and to the radiofrequency communication module.

2. A dispenser according claim 1, wherein the radiofrequency communication module includes at least a communication antenna and a modulation-demodulation unit-connected to at least one communication antenna.

3. A dispenser according to the previous claim, wherein the communication antenna is of a Bluetooth antenna.

4. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the communication antenna is a near field communication antenna.

5. Control process of a dispenser according to claim 1 thanks to a portable communication device, (UL), wherein the control process includes the following steps: an identification step of the portable communication device by the dispenser thanks to the transmission of an identifier of the portable communication device (UL) that is received by the radiofrequency communication module of the dispenser; a step of release of a dose of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution by the dispenser.

6. Control process according to claim 5, wherein the identification step includes setting up a Bluetooth link between the portable communication device (UL) and the radiofrequency communication module of the dispenser.

7. Control process according to claim 5, wherein the identification step includes setting up a near field link between the portable communication device (UL) and the radiofrequency communication module of the dispenser.

8. Control process according to claim 5, wherein the identification step includes a transmission step of a delivery command by the portable communication device (UL) to the dispenser through its radiofrequency communication module.

9. Control process according to claim 8, wherein the identification step of the portable communication device (UL) and the transmission step of the delivery command are made according to identical communication protocols.

10. Control process according to claim 8, wherein the identification step of the portable communication device (UL) and the transmission step of the delivery command are made according to different communication protocols.

11. Control process according to claim 10, wherein the identification step of the portable communication device (UL) is a Bluetooth link and the transmission step of the delivery command is a near field link.

12. Control process according to claim 5, wherein the control process includes a location step of the dispenser relative to the portable communication device (UL).

13. Control process according to claim 12, wherein the location step (61A, 61B) includes: a reception step of a geo-positioning signal by the portable communication device (UL); an identification step of the geographic coordinates of the portable communication device (UL); a display step of at least one dispenser—called activatable dispensers—located within a preset perimeter from the geographical coordinates of the portable communication device (UL).

14. Control process according to claim 12, wherein the location step includes an emission step of a dispenser identifier by the dispenser through its radiofrequency communication module.

15. Control process according to claim 15, wherein the emission step of the dispenser identifier is made at a frequency that is preset by the dispenser.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0063] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear thanks to the following description, on one hand, and thanks to several embodiments produced as a guide and non-limitative with a reference to the appended schematic pictures, on the other hand, where:

[0064] The FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a dispenser according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0065] The FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of the dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0066] The FIG. 3 shows a schematical view of the electronic design of the dispenser according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0067] The FIG. 4 shows a synoptic view of the control process according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0068] Of course, the characteristics, the variants and the various embodiments of the invention can be associated under various combinations, as far as they are not mutually incompatible or exclusive. You could conceive variants of the invention, which only include a selection of characteristics as described below, apart from the other describe characteristics, as far as this selection of characteristics is enough to give a technical advantage or to distinguish the invention from the previous state of the art.

[0069] In particular, all described variants and embodiments can be associated if it is technically possible.

[0070] On the figures, common items to several figures keep the same reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] The FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, describe a dispenser 1 according to the first aspect of the invention that dispense a preset quantity of cleaning and sanitizing solution in a controlled manner. In a particularly advantageous manner, the dispenser 1 is remote controlled by a portable communication device not visible on the FIGS. 1 and 2. The FIGS. 1 and 2 show a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a dispenser 1 according to the invention, and the [FIG. 3] shows a schematic view of an electronic system 2 of said dispenser 1.

[0072] The dispenser 1 can include fixing members to fix it to a vertical mount, or the dispenser 1 can take the form of a totem, such as visible in the implementation illustrated in the FIGS. 1 and 2, where the dispenser 1 includes a base plate 14 to stand on the ground and remain there standing.

[0073] In the embodiment in the FIGS. 1 et 2, the dispenser 1 is delineated by a housing 10 that is an outer shell with all or a part of the components of the dispenser 1 inside. In particular, the housing 10 includes at least the following components of the dispenser 1. [0074] a tank 3 designed to contain the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution; [0075] a delivery system 4 of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution; [0076] an electronic system 2 designed to monitor the functioning of the dispenser 1, wherein the electronic system 2 includes a command module 2C designed to monitor the delivery system 4, a radiofrequency communication module 2B designed for a wireless two-way communication between the dispenser 1 and a portable communication device, an electrical power module 2A of the dispenser 1.

[0077] In the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 of the dispenser 1 has a longitudinal vertical shape and includes an upper part 11, a lower part 13 and a middle part 12. The lower part 13 of the housing 10 of the dispenser 1 has a rectangular or cylindrical shape. The middle part 12 of the housing 10 is located in line with the lower part 13. The middle part 12 of the housing 10 has a rectangular or cylindrical shape.

[0078] To narrow the hold on the ground of the dispenser 10, a first lateral dimension L1 of the housing 10 is between 400 mm and 600 mm Preferably, the first lateral dimension L1 of the housing 10 is 550 mm. The first lateral dimension L1 is measured between two lateral faces 101 of the carter 10. A second lateral dimension L2 of the housing 10 is between 300 mm and 500 mm Preferably, the second lateral dimension L2 of the housing 10 is 400 mm A height L3 of the dispenser 1 is advantageously between 1200 mm and 1800 mm to make its user easier for a standing user in front of it. Preferably, a total height of the dispenser 1 is 1600 mm.

[0079] The housing 10 of the dispenser 1 can be made of any material that makes it compatible for integration in the public landscape and resistant to intensive use and/or to the weather. As non-limitative examples, the housing 10 can be totally or partially made of plastic or metallic materials.

[0080] In the embodiment shown on the [FIG. 2], the lower part 13 of the housing 10 of the dispenser includes the tank 3 and the electronic system 2 inside a specific housing 131. A removable or rotatably mounted trap door 132 gives access to the receptacle 131 of the lower part 13 of the housing 10, notably for maintenance and/or replenishment of the tank 3. The trap door is closed by a locking member 133, such as a lock.

[0081] The middle part 12 of the housing 10 of the dispenser 1 includes a recess 122 where a user of the dispenser 1 can put his hands to receive the dose of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. The recess is advantageously located at a height between 1000 mm and 1300 mm above the ground and/or above the base plate 14.

[0082] In the upper part 11, the housing 10 incudes a bevel part: a front side 110 of the housing 10 is tilted so that the second lateral dimension L2 of the housing 10 decreases when closer to an upper vertical end of the dispenser 1. At last, the upper part 11 of the dispenser 1 includes a visual communication device 111 to explain how it works and/or for sanitary awareness programs and/or to carry advertising. In the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2, the visual communication device has the shape of an integrated screen for interactive communication with the users. The screen is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light-emitting diode screen (LED) or an organic light-emitting diode screen (OLED), for example.

[0083] The delivery system 4 of the dispenser 1 makes it possible to deliver a preset dose of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution to a user of the dispenser 1. The delivery system 4 includes a delivery head 121 in fluidic communication with the tank 3 through at least one delivery pipe 42, and a pump designed to regulate the flow of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution through the delivery pipe.

[0084] The delivery pipes 42 establish a fluidic communication between the tank 3 an the delivery head 121 to send the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution to the delivery head 121. Advantageously, the delivery pipes 42 of the delivery system 42 are hermetically coupled to the tank 3 and to the delivery head 121.

[0085] The tank 3 has the shape of a closed container, designed to contain a preset volume of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. The volume of the tank is preferably between 0.5 liter and 10 liters. The tank is preferably located in the lower part 13 of the dispenser 1 to help it stand and for an easier design. The tank 3 is made of plastic or metal. Additionally, the tank 3 is hermetically closed to prevent the evaporation of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution and to reduce the risk of ignition.

[0086] The delivery system 4 makes it possible to circulate the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution from the tank 3 to the delivery head 121 while monitoring the flow of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. The regulation of the flow rate of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution through the delivery system 4 is made by the pump that is driven by the command module 2C of the dispenser 1.

[0087] The pump of the delivery system 4 is driven by the command module 2C of the electronic system 2 so that it regulates the flow rate of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution to a non-zero nominal value for a preset duration that matches the delivery of a preset nominal volume of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution by the delivery head 121. When the nominal volume is reached, the command module 2C drives the pump to disrupt the flow of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution through the delivery head 121.

[0088] The delivery head 121 of the delivery system 4 is located at the recess 122 of the middle part 12 of the housing 10. More precisely, in the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2, the delivery head is located at an upper wall of the recess 121, so that the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution can fall into the recess simply by gravity. Notably, this advantageously design makes it possible to recover in a collecting bin 5 any excess of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution that would not be used by the user of the dispenser 1. To do so, the recess 122 includes, at its lower wall face to the delivery head 121, a drainage grid and a collecting pipe with a fluidic coupling to the collecting bin.

[0089] The delivery head 121 includes at least one delivery nozzle 1211 designed to release the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution and to let a user of the dispenser 1 retrieve said solution and apply it, for example on their hands. According to the intended uses and effects, the at least one delivery nozzle 1211 of the delivery head 121 is designed to spray the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution in the form of droplets or as a jet.

[0090] Possibly, the delivery system 4 also includes a sensor designed to measure a volume of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution inside the tank 3. Thus, the sensor makes it possible to determine whether the residual volume of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution falls under a threshold value that requires planning a maintenance or replenishment operation of the dispenser 1;

[0091] The delivery system 4 can also include a proximity sensor 1212 that is electrically connected to the command module 2C, wherein the proximity sensor 1212 is designed to activate the delivery system 4 when a user of the dispenser 1 moves their hands close to said dispenser 1, in particular close to its delivery head 121. As non-limitative examples, the proximity sensor can be an infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a capacitive sensor.

[0092] Preferably but not restrictively, the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution released by the dispenser 1 according to the first aspect of the invention is a hand sanitizing solution or a solution containing a soap. In addition, the delivery head 121 releases the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution by doses of a preset volume as a liquid, a gel, a foam or a nebulization, for example.

[0093] In reference to [FIG. 3], here is the electronic system 2 of the dispenser 1 according to the first aspect of the invention described with more details. The electronic system includes the electrical power module 2A, the radiofrequency communication module 2B and the command module 2C.

[0094] The electrical power module 2A is designed to produce the electrical energy necessary to the functioning of the radiofrequency communication module 2B and the command module 2C through a power source 21. According to a first embodiment, the electrical power module 2A includes a power source that allows the dispenser 1 to work autonomously. The power source takes the shape of a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Alternatively, the electrical power module takes the shape of an electric connection member between the dispenser 1 and a neighboring electrical grid. In this embodiment, the dispenser does not include any power source and the electrical connection member makes it possible to easily connect the dispenser 1 with the neighboring electrical grid. As a non-limitative example, the electrical connection member of the dispenser 1 is a power outlet.

[0095] Thus, the electrical power module 2A is made of the power source 21 and a conditioning device 22.

[0096] Thus, the power source 21 can generate an electric power signal that drives the other modules 2B, 2C of the electronic system 2; and the conditioning device makes it possible to adjust the electric characteristics of the electric power signal to the requirements of each module 2B, 2C. As a non-limitative example, the conditioning device makes it possible to selectively generate a tension and/or a current and/or a frequency and/or a phase of the electric power signal. The conditioning device 21 is designed to distinctly generate a first electric power signal for the radiofrequency communication module 2B and a second electric power signal for the command module 2C.

[0097] The command module 2C is designed to monitor the various members of the dispenser 1, such as, notably, the delivery system 4 and/or the proximity sensor 1212 and/or the screen that is the visual communication device 111. In particular, the command module 2C includes: [0098] a monitoring device 27 of the proximity sensor 1212, designed to focus the proximity sensor to detect a user who put their hands in to the recess 122 of the dispenser 1; and [0099] a controller 26 designed to monitor the pump and the delivery head 121 of the delivery system 4, wherein the controller is designed to electrically power the pump and/or the delivery head 121 when the proximity sensor 1212 has detected a user, who has put their hands into the recess 122 of the dispenser 1.

[0100] The radiofrequency communication module 2B is designed to emit and receive a respectively inbound RFin and outbound RFout modulated radiocommunication signal. The outbound modulated communication signal RFout is generated by the radiofrequency communication module 2B and the inbound modulated communication signal RFin is generated by a portable communication device UL located close to the dispenser 1 and detected by said radiofrequency communication module 2B.

[0101] To do so, the radiofrequency communication module 2B includes: [0102] a treatment unit 24 notably designed to modulate the outbound modulated communication signal RFout and demodulate the inbound modulated communication signal RFin according to a plurality of communication protocols; and/or [0103] a communication antenna 23, 25 designed to emit and/or receive a modulate radiofrequency signal.

[0104] The dispenser 1 according to the first aspect of the invention is designed to communicate according to various protocols. Preferably, it is designed only for Bluetooth communication or only for near field communication or selectively for Bluetooth or near field communication. Several communication modes between the dispenser 1—through its radiofrequency communication module 2B—and the portable communication device UL will be described below with reference to [FIG. 4].

[0105] In the electronic system 2 as in [FIG. 3], the radiofrequency communication module 2B includes a Bluetooth antenna 23 and a NFC antenna 25, wherein the treatment unit 24 makes it possible to communicate selectively according to either one of the communication protocols according to the intended uses. This way, the treatment unit 24 constitutes both a modulation-demodulation unit that is electrically and functionally connected to the Bluetooth antenna 23 and a communication terminal that is electrically and functionally connected to the NFC antenna 25, as specified above.

[0106] To make the interaction between the portable communication device UL and the dispenser 1 easier, the Bluetooth antenna 23 and/or the NCF antenna 25 are preferably located at the upper part 11 of the dispenser 1, in an intermediary position between the visual communication device 111 and the recess 122 close to or inside a cartridge 112 on the frontal surface of the housing 10.

[0107] The treatment unit 24 of the radiofrequency communication module 2B advantageously includes one or several controllers and/or one or several microprocessors and/or one or several microcontrollers and/or one or several field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and/or one or several application specific integrated circuits (ASIC). The treatment unit 24 also includes a memory that is electrically and operationally connected to the antenna.

[0108] The electronic system 2 of the dispenser 1 according to the invention takes the form of one or several PCB connected between each other—for example one per module 2A, 2B, 2C—and with the delivery system 4 of the dispenser 1. As non-limitative examples, the PCB of each module 2A, 2B, 2C of the electronic system 2 can include integrated circuits for the treatment of the exchanged data between the command module 2C with the radiofrequency communication module 2B and the delivery system 4 and/or for the monitoring of the radiofrequency communication module 2B, of the delivery system 4 and of the electrical power module 2A. Integrated circuits can take the form of one or several controllers and/or one or several microprocessors and/or one or several microcontrollers and/or one or several field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and/or one or several application specific integrated circuits (ASIC).

[0109] Complementarily, each module 2A, 2B, 2C that form the electronic system 2 can include and/or be connected and/or be designed to access a memory designed to store digital data, for example a RAM and/or a ROM and/or a cache and/or a buffer and/or an optical memory and/or an erasable programmable read-only memory.

[0110] The [FIG. 4] shows a synoptic view of the control process 6 according to the second aspect of the invention. The control process 6 makes it possible to monitor the dispenser 1 as described above in any one of its embodiments thanks to a portable communication device UL to get a dose of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. To do so, the control process 6 includes: [0111] an identification step 62 of the portable communication device UL by the dispenser 1; and [0112] a step of release 63 of a dose of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution by the dispenser 1.

[0113] The identification step 62 makes it possible to the dispenser 1 to receive—through its radiofrequency communication module 2B—a, identifier transmitted from the portable communication device UL located nearby.

[0114] The concept of proximity depends on the communication protocol that the dispenser 1 is using. As a rule, a portable communication device UL is considered as being close to the dispenser 1 if the dispenser can communicate with it through one of its communication protocols, which means, preferably, through a Bluetooth or a NFC link. For illustrative purpose, in the case of a Bluetooth link between the dispenser 1 and the portable communication device UL, such a link can be established if said portable communication device UL is located within ca. 50 m from the dispenser 1. In the case of a NFC link between the dispenser 1 and the portable communication device UL, such a link can be established if said portable communication device UL is located within ca. 10 cm from the dispenser 1. [0115] During the identification step 62, the control process 6 includes a connection step 621 between the dispenser 1 and the portable communication device UL. According to a first embodiment, during the connection step 621, the dispenser 1 sets up a link with the portable communication device UL—in particular in the case of a Bluetooth link. According to a second embodiment of the connection step 621, the portable communication device UL sets up a link with the dispenser 1—in particular in the case of a NFC link.

[0116] Thus, contrarily to the known dispensers, the dispenser 1 according to the invention only works if an identifier has been recognized by said dispenser 1. So, these dispensers cannot be used by anyone, but they are locked by an application that unlocks dispensers if some conditions are met.

[0117] Preferably, the identification step 621 sets up a two-way link between the dispenser 1 and the portable communication device UL. Then, the portable communication device UL sends to the dispenser 1 at least one parameter that the dispenser 1 recognizes to launch the release of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. For illustrative purpose, the parameters can be a unique identifier of the portable communication device UL, a Boolean value, an activation command . . . .

[0118] The step of release 63 includes a step of actuation 632 of the delivery system 4 of the dispenser 1 to deliver the expected dose of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. Possibly, the step of release 63 includes a prior step of transmission 631 of a dispensing command by the portable communication device UL to the dispenser 1 through its radiofrequency communication module 2B. In this case, the identifier transmitted at the identification step 62 allows the dispenser to check at least the validity of the identifier associated with the portable communication device UL. Hereafter, if the identifier is considered as valid by the dispenser 1, then the delivery command from the portable communication device UL initiates the distribution step 1, more specifically the step of actuation 632 of the delivery system 4 of the dispenser 1.

[0119] Advantageously, the identification step 62 of the portable communication device UL by the dispenser 1 is made by a Bluetooth link, while the transmission step 631 of the dispensing command is made by a NFC link between the portable communication device UL and the dispenser 1.

[0120] Alternatively, the identification step of the portable communication device UL by the dispenser 1 and the transmission step 631 of the dispensing command are made by a Bluetooth link.

[0121] Alternatively again, the identification step of the portable communication device UL by the dispenser 1 and the transmission step 631 of the dispensing command are made by a NFC link.

[0122] As seen on the [FIG. 4], the control process 6 according to the second aspect of the invention can include a prior location step 61A, 61B of the dispenser 1 relative to the portable communication device UL. This location step makes the access of the dispensers 1 easier to the users, in particular in urban environment.

[0123] According to a first embodiment, the location step 61A includes: [0124] a step of reception 611 of a geo-positioning signal by the portable communication device UL; [0125] an identification step 612 of the geographic coordinates of the portable communication device UL; and [0126] a display step 613 of at least one dispenser 1—called activatable dispensers—located within a preset perimeter from the geographical coordinates of the portable communication device UL.

[0127] In this first embodiment, the geographical coordinates of all dispensers 1 are preset and those relative to the activatable dispensers 1 are then transmitted to the portable communication device UL through a wireless communication network from a central server. The geographical coordinates of the dispensers 1 are previously input and centrally stored in the central server. This embodiment makes it possible to know the place of any dispenser 1, no matter the position of the portable communication device UL or of the dispensers 1.

[0128] Alternatively, for this first embodiment, in the location step 61, each dispenser 1 transmits its geographical coordinates to the portable communication device UL through its radiofrequency communication module 2B. Thus, the dispenser 1 emits a carrier signal—for example through its Bluetooth antenna 23—of its geographical coordinates that can be received by any close portable communication device located UL, which will be able to calculate its position relative to the dispenser 1.

[0129] According to a second embodiment, the location step 61B includes an emission step 614 of a dispenser identifier by the dispenser 1 through its radiofrequency communication module 2B. In this embodiment, a central server keeping all geographical coordinates of the dispensers 1 is not needed, since each dispenser transmits data including its location information.

[0130] Advantageously, the dispenser 1 completes the emission step 614 of the dispenser identifier at a preset frequency.

[0131] The emission step 614 is completed in a non-specific manner according to a “broadcast” communication mode:

[0132] all portable communication devices within the range of the dispenser 1 can thus receive and detect the transmitted dispenser identifier. As a non-limitative example, the emission step 614 is periodically completed at a frequency equal or substantially equal to 1 Hz.

[0133] As a rule, the location step 61 is completed through a Bluetooth-type communication via the radiofrequency communication module 2B of the dispenser 1.

[0134] At last, the control process 6 can also include a transmission step 64 of a validation step for the delivered dose of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution to the portable communication device UL and through the radiofrequency communication module 2B of the dispenser 1. This step makes it possible to check whether the service has been completed by the dispenser 1, which means that the dose of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution has been delivered to the user of the dispenser 1. Afterward, the transmission step 64 advantageously includes an update step 641 of the user data associated to the identifier of said portable communication device UL, including notably a number of uses of the dispenser. This step makes it possible to synchronize an application on the portable communication device UL that monitors the dispensers 1 with the use of said dispensers 1 by people carrying said portable communication device UL. Of course, the update step 641 is after the portable communication device has received the status of validation from the portable communication device UL.

[0135] To sum up, the invention deals with a dispenser 1 of a cleaning and/or sanitizing solution with a radiofrequency communication module 2B for remote monitoring by a portable communication device UL to deliver a preset dose of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution. The invention also deals with a control process 6 of such a dispenser 1, wherein the control process 6 includes an identification step 62 of the portable communication device UL by the dispenser 1 and—under condition of authorization after identification—a step of release 63 of the cleaning and/or sanitizing solution.

[0136] Of course, the invention is not restricted to the examples above, and many refinements may be added to these example in the framework of the invention. In particular, the other characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with one another under various combinations, as far as they are not mutually incompatible or exclusive. In particular, all variants and embodiments above can be associated.