Abstract
A dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, a retrofit kit for a dispenser, a method for provision of portions of a tissue web, and a method for upgrading a dispenser. The dispenser comprises a first transport arrangement for unused tissue and a second transport arrangement for used tissue, a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes, a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit, preferably comprising a first sensor and a second sensor, for detecting a user change, and a control unit adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, comprising: a first transport arrangement for unused tissue and a second transport arrangement for used tissue; a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes; a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting a user change; and a control unit adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.
17. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the control unit is adapted to activate the first transport arrangement when a user change is detected.
18. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor unit comprises a first sensor and a second sensor.
19. The dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor unit comprises a third sensor for detecting a user change.
20. The dispenser according to claim 19, wherein: the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor have the same detection principles; the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor have the same detection fields; the at least one sensor unit has a detection field in the direction of a user; the at least one sensor unit has a detection field in the direction of the tissue web; or the at least one sensor unit is positioned on a front face of the dispenser, adjacent the dispensing opening, or on an intermediate part of the dispenser housing.
20. (canceled)
21. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor unit is chosen from the group of sensors consisting of: an acceleration sensor; a motion sensor; a thermal sensor; an infrared sensor; an electromagnetic radiation sensor; an optic sensor; a time-of-flight sensor; a capacitive sensor; an image sensor; a reflective sensor; a pyroelectric (passive) infrared sensor; or a thermopile sensor.
22. The dispenser according to claim 19, wherein at least two of the first sensor, the second sensor, or the third sensor are arranged on a single circuit board.
23. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the second transport arrangement comprises a blocking element, and wherein activation of the second transport arrangement via the control unit triggers a release of the blocking element.
24. The dispenser according to claim 23, wherein: the blocking element is a time controlled blocking element; and the second transport arrangement comprises a release element adapted to release the blocking element.
25. The dispenser according to claim 23, wherein the blocking element is a mechanical blocking element.
26. The dispenser according to claim 24, wherein the release element comprises a valve.
27. The dispenser according to claim 26, wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of an electric valve, a solenoid valve, or an electric drive.
28. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein: the first transport arrangement comprises a manual transport mechanism or an automatic transport mechanism; and the second transport arrangement comprises a manual transport mechanism or an automatic transport mechanism.
29. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein: the detection arrangement is adapted to an energy-saving sleeping mode by default and is adapted to raise to an active mode upon activation of the first transport arrangement; the control unit is adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a repeated activation of the first transport arrangement by a single user is detected; and the control unit is adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a departure speed of a user is detected that is above a threshold value.
30. A retrofit kit for a dispenser according to claim 16, the retrofit kit comprising: a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting a user change; and a control unit adapted to activate a second transport arrangement of the dispenser when a user change is detected.
31. The retrofit kit according to claim 30, further comprising: a release element adapted to release a blocking element of the second transport arrangement of the dispenser.
32. A method for provision of portions of a tissue web, the method comprising: transporting unused tissue and transporting used tissue such that a tissue portion located between a first transport arrangement and a second transport arrangement protrudes through a dispensing opening in a housing of a dispenser; detecting a user change; and activating the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.
33. A method for upgrading a dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, the method comprising: installing a retrofit kit comprising a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit for detecting a user change and a control unit adapted to activate a second transport arrangement of the dispenser when a user change is detected; wherein the dispenser comprises a first transport arrangement for unused tissue, a second transport arrangement for used tissue, and a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes.
34. The dispenser according to claim 19, wherein: the first sensor, the second sensor, or the third sensor have different detection principles; or the first sensor, the second sensor, or the third sensor have different detection fields.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] Preferred embodiments shall now be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which
[0063] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wall-mounted dispenser with three users in a high-frequency operating situation;
[0064] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an example of a dispenser with first and second transport arrangements;
[0065] FIG. 3 shows examples of two dispensers with two different detection principles;
[0066] FIG. 4 shows examples of three sensors with three different detection principles;
[0067] FIG. 5 shows an example of a dispenser in different stages of use and a possible detection principle;
[0068] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a section of an example of a dispenser with a second transport arrangement and a front slot of a dispensing opening;
[0069] FIG. 7 shows side views of examples of three dispensers with different positions of sensors having detection fields in different directions;
[0070] FIG. 8 shows an example of a dispenser over a washbasin;
[0071] FIG. 9 shows an example of a dispenser with a sensor having a detection field in the direction of a user;
[0072] FIG. 10a shows a further example of a dispenser with a sensor having a detection field in the direction of a user;
[0073] FIG. 10b shows an example of a dispenser with a sensor having a detection field in the direction of a user where three users queue in line;
[0074] FIG. 11 shows an example of a dispenser with a sensor having a detection field in the direction of the hands of a user;
[0075] FIG. 12 shows a further example of a dispenser with a sensor having a detection field in the direction of the hands of a user;
[0076] FIG. 13 shows an example of a dispenser over a washbasin having a detection field in the direction of the hands of a user;
[0077] FIG. 14 shows an example of a blocking element of a second transport arrangement and a release element;
[0078] FIG. 15 shows an example of a first schematic set up of a detection arrangement and a control unit;
[0079] FIG. 16 shows an example of a second schematic set up of a detection arrangement and a control unit;
[0080] FIG. 17 shows an example of a schematic basic set up of sensors on a printed circuit board;
[0081] FIG. 18 shows an example of a schematic flow diagram of an activation of the second transport arrangement;
[0082] FIG. 19 shows two examples of a sensor output evaluation;
[0083] FIG. 20 shows an example of an evaluation of sensor data of a first sensor;
[0084] FIG. 21 shows an example of an evaluation of sensor data of a second sensor;
[0085] FIG. 22 shows an example of a schematic flow diagram of a method for provision of portions of a tissue roll; and
[0086] FIG. 23 shows an example of a schematic flow diagram of a method for upgrading a dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0087] In the figures, elements with the same or comparable functions are indicated with the same reference numerals.
[0088] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wall-mounted dispenser 1 with three users U in a high-frequency operating situation. FIG. 2 shows a dispenser 1 in a side view.
[0089] The dispenser 1 for provision of portions of a tissue web 30 has a first transport arrangement 41 and a second transport arrangement 42. In the figures, only schematic parts of the first and second transport arrangement 41, 42 are shown. Further, the dispenser 1 has a housing 10 with a back part 13, in particular, for wall mounting the dispenser 1, and an openable housing cover 11 with a front face 12. The dispenser 1 further has a dispensing opening 20 comprising a front slot 21 and a back slot 22. The front slot 21 and the back slot 22 are separated by an intermediate part 14 of the housing 10.
[0090] A tissue portion 33 located between the first transport arrangement 41 and the second transport arrangement 42 protrudes through the dispensing opening 20. The tissue portion 33 protruding through the dispensing opening 20 has the form of a loop, as can be seen in FIG. 1, for example. A part 33a of the tissue portion 33 faces the user U and a part 33b of the tissue portion 33 faces the wall or away from the user. Typically, the part 33a of the tissue portion 33 facing the user is unused. The part 33b of the tissue portion 33 facing the wall may be used.
[0091] Preferably, unused tissue 31 is provided in a coiled form as a roll and dispensed through the front slot 21 of the dispensing opening 20 by the first transport arrangement 41. Once a user U has dried his or her hands, the part 33b of the tissue portion 33 facing the wall is retracted through the back slot 22 of the dispensing opening 20 via the second transport arrangement 42 and coiled up to a roll of used tissue 32.
[0092] In the next dispensing cycle, when the first transport arrangement 41 is activated and provides tissue web 30 through the front slot 21 of the dispensing opening 20, the former part 33a of the tissue portion facing the user U, which has just been used, becomes the part 33b of the tissue portion facing the wall. In this way, the part 33a of the tissue portion 33 facing the user U is usually freshly dispensed from the unused tissue 31 through the front slot 21 of the dispensing opening 20 via the first transport arrangement 41. Once this part 33a of the tissue portion 33 has been used and the part 33b of the tissue portion 33b facing the wall has been retracted through the back slot 22 of the dispensing opening 20 by the second transport arrangement 42, the former user facing part 33a of the tissue portion 33 becomes the new wall facing part of the tissue portion 33b.
[0093] The dispenser 1 further comprises a detection arrangement 100 with a sensor unit 120 comprising a first sensor 101 and a second sensor 102 for detecting a user change. Preferably, the detection arrangement can comprise a third sensor 103 and possibly a fourth sensor and possibly further sensor(s). Further, a control unit 50 is provided, which is adapted to activate the second transport arrangement 42 when a user change is detected. Further preferably, the control unit 50 is also adapted to activate the first transport arrangement 41 when a user change is detected.
[0094] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show dispensers 1 with different detection arrangements 100 having at least a first and a second sensor 101, 102, for detecting a user change. For example, the detection arrangement 100 in the left-hand dispenser 1 in FIG. 3 is arranged at the intermediate part 14 of the housing 10 of the dispenser 1 and adapted to detect movements of the hands H of a user U and the resulting movements of the portion 33 of tissue web 30 protruding from the dispensing opening 20. On the right-hand side of FIG. 3, the detection arrangement 100 of the dispenser 1 is adapted to detect the proximity of a user U or of his or her hand H in front of the sensor 1.
[0095] The left-hand dispenser 1 in FIG. 4 has a detection arrangement 100 comprising a first sensor 101 in the form of a passive infrared sensor for detecting the proximity of a user's U hand H. In the middle of FIG. 4, a dispenser 1 is depicted comprising a second sensor 102 in the form of a capacitive sensor, which is also adapted to detect the presence of a user's U hands H. On the right-hand side of FIG. 4, a dispenser 1 is depicted with a detection arrangement 100 having a third sensor 103 in the form of a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor adapted for detecting a user's U presence, as well as his or her arrival and/or departure to or from the dispenser 1.
[0096] FIG. 5 shows a dispenser 1 with different forms of the portions 33 of tissue web 30 protruding from the dispensing opening 20 during use. On the left-hand side of FIG. 5 the portion 33 protruding from the dispensing opening 20 of the dispenser 1 is small. In the second depiction of the dispenser 1 in FIG. 5 the first transport arrangement 42 has been activated by pulling the tissue and the portion 33 protruding from the dispensing opening 20 has increased and clearly shows a user facing part 33a and a wall facing part 33b. In the third depiction of the dispenser 1 in FIG. 5, the loop of the portion 33 of tissue web is hanging freely from the dispensing opening 20. The right-hand side depiction of the dispenser 1 in FIG. 5 shows a situation similar to the second depiction of the dispenser 1 in FIG. 5, where the loop of the portion 33 of the tissue web is tilted towards the right-hand side, which means in the direction towards the user U. In particular, when a user U uses a dispenser 1, he would draw the loop of the portion 33 of tissue web, in particular, the part 33a towards him or her, leading to a situation as depicted in the second and fourth depiction of the dispenser 1 in FIG. 5. For the detection of the movement of the tissue, a sensor can be deployed, for example, detecting the varying distance between the user facing part 33a of the portion 33 protruding from the dispensing opening 20 and the intermediate portion 14 of the housing, as indicated in the second and third depiction of the dispenser 1 in FIG. 5. Alternatively or additionally, the detection arrangement 100 may comprise a sensor 104 depicted on the right-hand side in FIG. 5, adapted to detect the position of the wall facing part 33b of the tissue portion 33 protruding from the dispensing opening.
[0097] The individual sensors and detection principles shown herein are preferably combined in a detection arrangement and/or in a sensor unit 120 having at least a first and a second sensor 101, 102, which together produce a combination of sensor signals based on which a change user can be detected.
[0098] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a section of an example of the dispenser 1 with a roll 41a of a first transport arrangement 41 and a front slot 21 of a dispensing opening 20. A first sensor 101 of a detection arrangement 100 is positioned in the front face 12 of the housing cover 10. In FIG. 6, two different positions of the user facing part 33a of the tissue web is shown. 33a′ schematically shows the position when a user pulls the user facing part 33a of the tissue web. 33a″ indicates a situation where the loop of tissue web can hang freely and the front facing part 33a″ hangs downward through the front such 21 of the dispensing opening 20.
[0099] FIG. 7 shows three dispensers 1 with different positions of sensors 101 having different detection fields 110 oriented in different directions. On the left-hand side, the sensor 101 is positioned at a lower end of the intermediate housing part 14 and has a detection field 110 directed towards the lower end of the user facing part 33a of the portion 33 of tissue web protruding from the dispensing opening 20. In the middle of FIG. 7, the sensor 101 is positioned at an upper end of the intermediate housing part 14 and has a detection field 110 directed towards the inner side of the loop of the tissue portion 33. On the right side of FIG. 7, the sensor 101 is located at a lower part of the front face 12 of the housing 10 and has a detection field 110 directed towards a likely position of a user's U hands H during use of the dispenser 1.
[0100] FIG. 8 shows a dispenser 1 with a sensor having a similar detection field 110 as on the right-hand side of FIG. 7 in a situation where a dispenser 1 is wall-mounted over a washbasin 2.
[0101] FIG. 9 shows a dispenser 1 with a detection arrangement having at least one sensor with a detection field 110 in a substantially horizontal direction towards a user U.
[0102] FIG. 10a shows a dispenser 1 having a detection arrangement with at least one sensor having a detection field 110 in the direction of a user U. FIG. 10b shows a similar situation as FIG. 8 but with a queue of three users U, i.e., a high-frequency situation.
[0103] FIG. 11 shows a dispenser 1 with a detection arrangement having at least one sensor with a detection field 110 directed towards the likely position of the hands H of a user U during use of the dispenser 1.
[0104] FIG. 12 shows a dispenser 1 similar to the dispenser depicted in FIG. 11 in a top view.
[0105] FIG. 13 shows a dispenser 1 similar to the dispenser depicted in FIG. 11. In FIG. 13, additional washroom components are shown, which are common in practice and often pose challenges to the correct detection of a user change, in particular, a washbasin 2 with metallic surface, ceiling mounted elements 3 like heat radiators, light bulbs, or heaters, and underfloor heating 4.
[0106] FIG. 14 shows an example of a blocking element 210 of a second transport arrangement 42 and a release element 220. The blocking element 210 is in the form of a time controlled, mechanical blocking element having a spring 211 and a pneumatic component 212 controlled by a time controlled valve 215.
[0107] When the first transport arrangement 41 is activated, the blocking element 210 is moved against the force of spring 211 into its blocking position, where the pneumatic element 212 is brought against the wall 213 having a hole 214. The pneumatic element 212 is sucked there against and will be released only after a certain amount of time, which is defined by the time controlled valve 215. For example, the certain amount of time, after which the pneumatic element 212 will be released, can be changed by adjusting or exchanging the time controlled valve 215.
[0108] On the other side of the wall 213, the opening 214 is closed by a closure element 222 connected to a release valve 221 in the form of a solenoid valve. This release element 220 is adapted to release the blocking element 210 by moving the closure element 222 away from the hole 214. In this way, the pneumatic element 212 relaxes prematurely, i.e., before the determined time of the time controlled valve 215 of the blocking element 210 is over.
[0109] Once the pneumatic element 212 is released (either after a certain time via the time controlled valve 215 or prematurely via the release valve 221), the blocking element 210 moves back into its unblocked position shown on the left-hand side in FIG. 14 via the force of spring 211. The detail on the right-hand side on FIG. 14 shows the blocking element 210 in its blocking position.
[0110] FIGS. 15 and 16 show examples of schematic setups of a detection arrangement 100 and a control unit 50. In principle, a retrofit kit 300 as described herein can comprise or consist of such a detection arrangement and a control unit. For example, in FIG. 15, a first printed circuit board 51 as well as a second and third printed circuit board 52 and 53 are provided. The first printed circuit board 51 is the main board comprising the central processing unit (CPU) and the batteries and is connected via for spring connectors 54 to the third printed circuit board 53 the which the release valve 221 of the release element 220 and a switch, preferably a magnetic switch 230 are connected to activate the release element. Further, the first printed circuit board 51 is connected to a second printed circuit board 52 housing a sensor 101, for example, a TOF sensor, and having a detection field 110.
[0111] FIG. 16 shows an example where a first sensor 101, for example, a TOF sensor having a detection field 110, a second sensor 102, for example, an infrared sensor having a detection field 110, and a third sensor 103, for example, an acceleration sensor, are all located on one single printed circuit board 51 together with the control unit 50. In this case, on the main printed circuit board the CPU and the battery are also positioned having a detection field 110. The release valve 221 of the release element is connected to this single printed circuit board 51.
[0112] FIG. 17 shows a further example of a printed circuit board with a first sensor, for example, a time of flight sensor 101 with a detection field 110, a second sensor 102, for example, in the form of an infrared sensor with a detection field 110, a third sensor 103, in the form of an accelerometer.
[0113] FIG. 18 shows a schematic flow diagram of an example activation of the second transport arrangement. On the right-hand side, the steps related to the blocking element 210 are shown, on the left-hand side the steps related to the detection arrangement 100 are shown. Step 401 depicts the start, which can be the activation of the first transport arrangement. This moves the blocking elements 210 in the blocking position and thereby switches the switch 230. This leads to the raising of the detection arrangement 100 from energy-saving sleeping mode to an active mode in step 403. In the following steps, the sensors of the detection arrangement 100 are detecting whether the user change takes place or not. Firstly, in step 404 it is detected whether a user is present in front of the dispenser. In step 408 the value is stored in case a user is present in front of the sensor. In step 406 it is determined whether the user moves away from the sensor. This is done as long as the user does not move away. As soon as the user does move away, the release element is activated in step 407 and the blocking element 210 is released. Subsequently, in step 408, the detection arrangement goes back into energy-saving sleeping mode.
[0114] Further, after step 403 and parallel to step 404, a timer countdown is started in step 409, wherein in step 410 a time value can be set for this timer countdown. This timer countdown preferably corresponds to the predetermined time of the time controlled locking element 210. Step 411 checks whether the timer has counted down to zero. Once the timer is counted down to zero, the detection arrangement 100 is also put into energy-saving sleeping mode again, possibly without activating the release element in step 407, in case the timer has counted down to zero before a user change has been detected in steps 404, 406, and 408.
[0115] FIG. 19 shows an example of two different sensor outputs over time. For the reliability and accuracy of the detection of a user change it is advantageous when the sensor output gives a clear indication of an event to be detected. In the left-hand example of FIG. 19, the sensor signal indicates the use of the dispenser when the sensor output is larger than a threshold for certain period of time. On the right-hand side of FIG. 19, a use is detected when the sensor output, for example, resembling a proximity of a user, is below a certain threshold for certain period of time. Sensors are preferred, which produce a reliable sensor signal allowing to indicate an event in a very short amount of time, i.e., having a short response time.
[0116] FIGS. 20 and 21 show examples on how sensor signals can be interpreted for further assessment, in particular in order to have the control unit act upon detected events. In FIG. 20, the line S shows the sensor signal indicating the end of usage, and line I shows the interpretation thereof that the user is out of range. FIG. 21 shows with S1 a peak in the sensor signal indicating that a new tissue portion is released and a second peak S2 that the tissue portion is swinging. The vertical portion in dashed line I shows the interpretation of the end of usage.
[0117] FIGS. 22 and 23, finally, show schematic flow diagrams of the following methods.
[0118] FIG. 22 shows a method 1000 for provision of portions of a tissue web, the method comprising transporting 1001 unused tissue and transporting used tissue such that a tissue portion located between a first transport arrangement and a second transport arrangement protrudes through a dispensing opening in a housing of a dispenser, detecting 1002 a user change; activating 1003 the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.
[0119] The method 2000 for upgrading a dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, depicted in FIG. 23 comprises installing 2001 a retrofit kit 300 in a dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, the dispenser comprising a first transport arrangement for unused tissue and a second transport arrangement for used tissue and a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes.
