APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING A TOWEL OR A CLEANING LIQUID

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing a towel and/or a liquid, which stores information pertaining to an amount of the towel and/or liquid that is arranged in the apparatus and/or dispensed by the apparatus. The apparatus stores the information in a control data memory that is able to be written to only once. The control data memory is part of a radio chip. The apparatus stores the information pertaining to the dispensed amount in a comparison data memory that is erasable and rewritable. The apparatus automatically compares the information pertaining to the dispensed amount of the towel and/or liquid that is stored in the control data memory and in the comparison data memory with one another. The apparatus prevents the towel and/or liquid from being dispensed, or stores the information pertaining to the amount that is stored in the control data memory in the comparison data memory, if the information of the control data memory and that of the comparison data memory are not consistent with one another.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing a towel or a cleaning liquid, comprising an information storage that retains information pertaining to an amount of the towel or cleaning liquid that is arranged in the apparatus and/or dispensed by the apparatus, wherein the storage is configured to store the information so that the information is not alterable after storage.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage includes a control data memory that is able to be written to only once.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control data memory is electronic.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control data memory is part of a radio chip.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control data memory is an RFID transponder.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control data memory is a read-only memory.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control data memory is a one-time programmable module.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information storage includes a comparison data memory.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the comparison data memory is erasable and rewritable.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information storage is configured to automatically compare the information pertaining to the dispensed amount that is stored in the control data memory and in the comparison data memory with one another.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is configured to prevent the towel or cleaning liquid from being dispensed, or to store the information pertaining to the amount that is stored in the control data memory in the comparison data memory, if the amount-dispensed information of the control data memory and of the comparison data memory are not consistent with one another.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a towel or liquid carrier, wherein the towel or liquid carrier is provided with the control data memory and if need be the comparison data memory.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a dosing dispenser or a hand towel dispenser.

14. A towel or liquid carrier for arrangement in an apparatus for dispensing a towel or a cleaning liquid, wherein the towel or liquid carrier is provided with a control data memory for storing information pertaining to an amount of the towel or cleaning liquid dispensed by the towel or liquid carrier, and the control data memory is configured so that the stored information is not alterable after it is stored.

15. The towel or liquid carrier according to claim 14, further comprising a comparison data memory that is alterable.

16. The towel or liquid carrier according to claim 15, wherein the towel or liquid carrier is configured so that the information is storable in the control data memory and if need be the comparison data memory by the apparatus.

17. A method for dispensing a towel or a cleaning liquid, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for holding and dispensing the towel or liquid; and storing information pertaining to an amount of the towel or liquid dispensed by the apparatus, wherein the information is stored so that the information is not alterable after the information is stored.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the information is stored in an electronic control data memory that is able to be written to only once and in an erasable and rewritable comparison data memory

19. The method according to claim 18, including automatically comparing the information stored in the control data memory and in the comparison data memory with one another.

20. The method according to claim 19, including preventing the towel or liquid from being dispensed, or storing the information pertaining to the amount that is stored in the control data memory in the comparison data memory, if the amount-dispensed information of the control data memory and the amount dispensed information of the comparison data memory are not consistent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0035] In the drawing:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to the invention in different views,

[0037] FIG. 2 schematically shows the design of components of the apparatus according to the invention shown in FIG. 1,

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a further apparatus according to the invention in different views, and

[0039] FIG. 4 schematically shows the design of components of the apparatus according to the invention shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment that is shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 according to the invention is in the form of a paper hand towel dispenser. FIG. 1a shows a housing 9 of the apparatus 1, in which there is provision for a dispensing opening 10 through which a paper hand towel is dispensed outward. As FIGS. 1b and c show, a carrying reel on which the paper hand towel 6 is rolled up is arranged in the housing 9 on a reel holder 8 as hand towel carrier 5. To dispense the paper hand towel 6, there is provision for a drive 11 by means of which the paper hand towel 6 together with the hand towel carrier 5 can be set in rotation.

[0041] FIG. 1d uses a section through the reel holder 8 and the hand towel carrier 5 to show that an RFID reader/writer 7 is arranged in the reel holder 8. An RFID transponder 3 that can be read and written to using the RFID reader/writer 7 sits in the carrying reel 5.

[0042] A measuring device 15, shown merely schematically in FIG. 2b in this case, that can be used to measure the number of revolutions of the hand towel carrier 5 in the apparatus 1 is further formed in the reel holder 8. From the number of revolutions, the length of dispensed paper hand towel 6 can be determined by means of a computer 14 of the apparatus 1 and stored in a data memory 16 of the apparatus 1.

[0043] FIG. 2a schematically shows that the RFID transponder 3 has a control data memory 2, which can be written to just a single time and cannot be erased or written to again. The control data memory 2 can be a read-only memory, in particular an electronic one-time programmable module.

[0044] The RFID transponder 3 furthermore has a further, erasable and rewritable, data memory 4. A data memory area 4a of the data memory 4 has an identifier of the RFID transponder 3 deposited in it, from which the computer 14 of the apparatus 1 can read, by means of the RFID reader/writer 7, whether the hand towel carrier 5 is authorized for use in the apparatus 1.

[0045] The data transmission between the RFID reader/writer 7 and the RFID transponder 3 is effected by radio via an antenna 12 of the RFID transponder 3 and an antenna 13 of the RFID reader/writer 7.

[0046] In the example explained below, the paper hand towel 6 in a length of 320 m is provided on the hand towel carrier 5 and a 32-bit memory is provided as control data memory 2.

[0047] When the paper hand towel 6 is dispensed from the apparatus 1, the measuring device 15 is used to determine the length of the dispensed paper hand towel 6, e.g. from revolutions of the hand towel carrier 5 in the apparatus. Whenever 10 m of the paper hand towel 6 has been dispensed, the RFID reader/writer 7 is used to write the digit “1” to a bit of the control data memory 2 each time. The dispensed paper hand towel length can be ascertained from the control data memory 2 with an accuracy of 10 m, e.g. by means of the computer 14. In particular, the paper hand towel 6 has been dispensed from the hand towel carrier 5 completely when the 32 bits of the control data memory 2 have been written to completely.

[0048] The computer 14 of the apparatus 1 is programmed such that dispensing of the paper hand towel 6 is permitted only if the control data memory 2 has not been written to completely.

[0049] Since the apparatus 1 repeatedly writes to the control data memory 2 following gradual dispensing of 10 m of the paper hand towel 6 each time, the hand towel carrier 5 provided with the RFID transponder 3 can consequently be used to dispense just the aforementioned 320 m of the paper hand towel 6. Even if the hand towel carrier 5 were to be refilled with new paper hand towel after the paper hand towel 6 has been dispensed, it would not be possible for more than the 320 m to be dispensed from the hand towel carrier 5. Advantageously, this prevents paper hand towel placed onto the hand towel carrier 5 without authorization from being able to be dispensed by means of the apparatus 1.

[0050] In a further exemplary embodiment, in addition to the storage in the control data memory 2, the information about the length of the dispensed paper hand towel 6 is stored in a comparison data memory 4b, which is a data memory area of the further, erasable and rewritable, data memory 4. In order to be able to determine the length of the dispensed paper hand towel 6 more accurately, appropriate information is stored in the comparison data memory 4b each time 2 m of the paper hand towel 6 has been dispensed.

[0051] The computer 14 of the apparatus 1 is intended to use an algorithm to compare the information from the control data memory 2 with that of the comparison data memory 4b. Should the length information determinable therefrom be consistent with one another, i.e. the length information from the comparison data memory 4b that has been created in 2 m steps is within the length information from the control data memory 2, which is provided in 10 m steps, paper hand towel dispensing by means of the apparatus 1 is enabled. Otherwise, i.e. if the information in the comparison data memory 4b has been manipulated, dispensing is blocked.

[0052] Alternatively, there can be provision for length information consistent with the information from the control data memory 2 to be written to the comparison data memory 4b if the information from the control data memory 2 is consistent with that from the comparison data memory 4b. The hand towel carrier 5 can then dispense as much paper hand towel 6 as there is provision for on the basis of the information from the control data memory 2.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a liquid dispenser, intended for dispensing soap or disinfectant, as a further apparatus 1a according to the invention. The apparatus has a housing 9a that has an area for receiving a liquid container 5a. The liquid container 5a is provided with an outlet 19 through which the liquid can be dispensed. To dispense the liquid in a controlled manner, there is provision for a pump, e.g. a geared pump, hose pump or piston pump, that can be operated by means of a pump motor 18.

[0054] Arranged inside the housing 9a is an RFID reader/writer 7a, beside which an RFID transponder 3a of the liquid container 5a is arranged when the liquid container 5a sits in the housing.

[0055] FIG. 4a schematically shows that the RFID transponder 3a has a control data memory 2a, e.g. an electronic one-time programmable module, which can be written to just a single time and cannot be erased or written to again.

[0056] The RFID transponder 3a furthermore has a further, erasable and rewritable, data memory 40. A data memory area 40a of the data memory 40 has an identifier of the RFID transponder 3a deposited in it, from which the computer 14a of the apparatus 1a can read, by means of the RFID reader/writer 7a, whether the liquid container 5a is authorized for use in the apparatus 1a. The data transmission between the RFID reader/writer 7a and the RFID transponder 3a is effected by radio via an antenna 12a of the RFID transponder 3a and an antenna 13a of the RFID reader/writer 7a.

[0057] The apparatus 1a has a computer 14a and a data memory 16a and is also configured by means of a pump meter 15a, shown only in FIG. 4b, to count the pumping operations. From the number of pumping operations, the volume of dispensed liquid can be determined by means of the computer 14a.

[0058] In the example explained below, the liquid container contains 640 ml of soap 6a and the control data memory 2a provided is a 32-bit memory. The pump 17 is configured such that 20 ml of the soap 6a is dispensed for each pumping operation.

[0059] When the soap 6a is dispensed from the apparatus 1a, the volume of the dispensed soap 6a is determined by means of the apparatus 14a and the pump meter, as explained above. Whenever a pumping operation has been performed and the 20 ml of the soap 6a has been dispensed, the RFID reader/writer 7 is used to write the digit “1” to a bit of the control data memory 2 each time. 640 ml of the soap 6a has been dispensed from the liquid container when the 32 bits of the control data memory 2 have been written to completely.

[0060] The computer 14a of the apparatus 1a is programmed such that dispensing of the soap 6a is permitted only if the control data memory 2a has not been written to completely.

[0061] Since the apparatus 1a repeatedly writes to the control data memory 2a following gradual dispensing of 20 ml of the soap 6a each time, only the aforementioned 640 ml of the soap 6a can be dispensed using the liquid container 5a provided with the RFID transponder 3a. Even if the liquid container 5a has been refilled when the soap 6a has been dispensed, no more than the 640 ml could be dispensed in total. This prevents the liquid container 5a from being able to be refilled without authorization and the soap 6a put into the liquid container 5a without authorization from being able to be dispensed by means of the apparatus 1a.

[0062] In a further exemplary embodiment, in addition to the storage in the control data memory 2a, the information about the volume of the dispensed soap 6a is stored in a comparison data memory 40b, which is a data memory area of the further, erasable and rewritable, data memory 40. In order to be able to determine the volume more accurately, appropriate information is stored in the comparison data memory 40b each time 5 ml of the soap 6a has been dispensed.

[0063] The computer 14a is intended to use an algorithm to compare the information from the control data memory 2a with that of the comparison data memory 40b. Should the length information determinable therefrom be consistent with one another, i.e. the length information from the comparison data memory 40b that has been created in 5 ml steps is within the volume information from the control data memory 2a, which is provided in 20 ml steps, soap dispensing by means of the apparatus 1 is enabled. Otherwise, i.e. if the information in the comparison data memory 40b has been manipulated, dispensing is blocked.

[0064] Alternatively, there can be provision for volume information consistent with the information from the control data memory 2a to be written to the comparison data memory 40b if the information from the control data memory 2a is consistent with that from the comparison data memory 40b. The liquid container 5a can then dispense as much soap 6a as there is provision for on the basis of the information from the control data memory 2a.

[0065] It goes without saying that the liquid container 5a could also be filled with disinfectant instead of the aforementioned soap 6a.

[0066] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.