DISPENSING DEVICE, METHOD FOR OPERATING, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A FRAGRANCE BLEND

Abstract

A dispensing device (FD; FD2), comprises a cartridge (2) rotatable around a rotational axis (R), the cartridge (2) comprising multiple seats (3; 26) for containers (C); and a stem (29) movable parallel to the rotational axis (R). The cartridge (2) is rotatable such that the seats (3; 26) are individually positionable in line with the stem (29). The dispensing device (FD; FD2) is a fragrance dispenser. A method of providing a fragrance blend (FB) blended from multiple different essences comprises loading a digital formula (DF) of the fragrance blend (FB) to a fragrance dispenser (FD; FD2) wherein the containers (C) hold essences; and by the fragrance dispenser (FD; FD2), dispensing the essences according to the loaded digital formula (DF).

Claims

1. A dispensing device, comprising a cartridge rotatable around a rotational axis, the cartridge comprising multiple seats for containers; and a stem movable parallel to the rotational axis; wherein the cartridge is rotatable such that the seats are individually positionable in line with the stem; and wherein the dispensing device is a fragrance dispenser.

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the comprises at least two levels individually rotatable around the rotational axis; wherein an upper level comprises an opening positioned in line with the stem and formed to let the stem pass through if the upper level is in a pre-determined rotational feed-through position; and wherein a lower level comprises an opening formed and positioned in line with the stem if the lower level is in a pre-determined rotational flow-through position.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the levels are disk-shaped levels.

4. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the openings are radial slits.

5. The dispensing device according to any of tho claim 1, wherein the cartridge is supported by freely rotatable rollers.

6. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is rotatable by a drive wheel.

7. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is removable from the dispensing device.

8. The dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge is removable in one piece, including a rotary axle.

9. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein each level of the cartridge is removable from a rotary axle.

10. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein containers seating in the seats are individually replaceable with the cartridge remaining in the dispensing device.

11. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device further comprises at least one reader to identify containers seated in the seats.

12. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one seat is occupied by a respective elongated container that is aligned in parallel to the rotational axis, the at least one elongated container comprising: a hollow cylindrical body; a plunger inserted into the body, the plunger being movable along a longitudinal axis of the body by the stem; a plug fixedly positioned within the body at a longitudinal distance from the plunger such that the body, the plug and the plunger form a cavity; and a channel leading through the plug.

13. The dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein the container further comprises a needle fluidly connected with the channel, a free end of the needle being positioned outside the cavity, and the needle being fully housed within the hollow cylindrical body.

14. (canceled)

15. A method for operating the dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one container is seated in a seat of the upper level and at least one container is seated in a seat of the lower level; the dispensing device is instructed to produce a blend from the content of at least two containers; the dispensing device rotates the upper level such that a corresponding container is positioned in line with the stem and rotates the lower level such that it is in its rotational flow-through position and/or the dispensing device rotates the upper level such that it is in its feed-through position and rotates the lower level such that a corresponding container is positioned in line with the stem; and the dispensing device then pushes the stem onto the container in line with the stem to release fluid from this container.

16. A method of providing a fragrance blend blended from multiple different essences, the method comprising: loading or downloading a digital formula of the fragrance blend to a fragrance dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the containers hold essences; and, by the fragrance dispenser, dispensing the essences according to the loaded digital formula.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the fragrance dispenser blends the essences before dispensing them.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein a description of the digital formula is stored in the a database and is presented by a digital store; and additionally comprising authorizing downloading from the digital store upon request by selecting the description.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. The method according to claim 16, wherein the downloading the digital formula from the a database to the fragrance dispenser comprises indirectly downloading the digital formula from the database to the fragrance dispenser via an end user device.

26. A blending system for blending the fragrance blend according to the method of claim 16, the blending system comprising at least: a co-ordination entity, the co-ordination entity comprising at least one first communication interface adapted to receive digital formulas and respective descriptions, a database adapted to store the received digital formulas and respective descriptions, a digital store adapted to present the stored descriptions and to authorise authorize downloading of a digital formula for which a respective description has been selected, and at least one second communication interface adapted to load or download digital formulas and potentially respective descriptions to a fragrance dispenser, the fragrance dispenser, adapted to load or download at least one digital formula and potentially at least one respective description and to dispense multiple essences specified by the at least one digital formula.

27. The blending system according to claim 26, wherein the fragrance dispenser comprises a cartridge rotatable around a rotational axis, the cartridge comprising multiple seats for containers.

Description

[0090] The above described features and advantages of the invention as well as their kind of implementation will now be schematically described in more detail by at least one embodiment in the context of one or more figures.

[0091] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of a dispensing device comprising a cartridge according to a first embodiment;

[0092] FIG. 2 shows an oblique view of an enlarged cut-out of the dispensing device of FIG. 1;

[0093] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an enlarged cut-out of the dispensing device of FIG. 1;

[0094] FIG. 4 shows an oblique view of the cartridge filled with the containers according of FIG. 1;

[0095] FIG. 5 shows an oblique view of a cartridge filled with containers according to a second embodiment of a dispensing device;

[0096] FIG. 6 shows a top-down view of the cartridge of FIG. 5;

[0097] FIG. 7 shows an oblique view of one level of the cartridge of FIG. 5 with a rotary axle;

[0098] FIG. 8 shows an oblique view of the one level of the cartridge of FIG. 5 without the rotary axle; and

[0099] FIG. 9 shows a blending environment for blending a fragrance blend.

[0100] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of a dispensing device FD comprising a cartridge 2 partially filled with cylindrical containers C according to a first embodiment. The dispensing device FD may be a fragrance dispenser. The dispensing device FD may be a household appliance.

[0101] The cartridge 2 is of a cylindrical form and rotatable around a rotational axis R (see FIG. 4) that coincides with its longitudinal axis. The cartridge 2 and its rotational axis R, respectively, are vertically aligned within the dispensing device FD.

[0102] The cartridge 2 comprises multiple holes that are aligned in parallel to the rotational axis and that serve as seats 3 for the containers C. The seats 3 are arranged in angular symmetry around the rotational axis, in particular having the same radial distance from the rotational axis R and a uniform angular distribution. The seats 3 are formed to hold the containers C in vertical alignment and at the same height. If the containers C have the same length, they stick out of the top of the cartridge 2 at the same height. In particular, all seats 3 may have the same form.

[0103] The cartridge 2 is rotatable around the rotational axis R by a drive wheel 4 that is frictionally engaged with a lateral circular surface of the cartridge 2, namely with a laterally protruding circular rim 5. The drive wheel 4 is driven by a motor 6, e.g. an electric stepping motor 6. The stepping motor 6 is operable to rotate the cartridge 2 such that the positions of the containers C are stepwise altered. This can also be described as a revolver-type rotation.

[0104] The dispensing device FD also comprises a stem 29 (see FIG. 5) which may be linearly moved in parallel to the rotational axis R but has a fixed lateral or perpendicular position with respect to the rotational axis R. One of the seats 3 is in line with the stem 29 such that the stem 29 can be lowered towards this seat 3. If the seat 3 seats a container C, the stem may contact the container C to release a measured amount of fluid from the container C, for example an essence. To achieve a precise dosage of the fluid, the stem 29 is movable and/or is rotatable in a continuous or quasi-continuous manner.

[0105] By rotating the cartridge 2, one or more containers C are selectable to release their fluid/content, for example the essence, in particular from their bottom side. Thus, the cartridge 2 is rotatable such that the seats 3 are individually positionable in line with the stem 29.

[0106] The dispensing device FD further comprises a reader 7 (e.g., a barcode reader) to identify the containers C and/or their ingredient(s). The reader 7 may be coupled to a control unit (not shown) of the dispensing device FD.

[0107] FIG. 2 shows an oblique view of an enlarged cut-out of the dispensing device FD. The cut-out shows a compartment floor 8 that has a hole 9 for inserting a respective pin of a rotary axle of the cartridge 2 or of a bracket or frame thereof. Placed in radial symmetry around this hole 9 is a set of freely rotatable rollers in form of wheels 10.

[0108] The wheels 10 are adapted to support the bottom surface of the cartridge, as can be seen in FIG. 3.

[0109] FIG. 2 also shows a through-hole 11 through which liquid released from a container C may fall or flow, e.g. into a blending chamber (not shown).

[0110] FIG. 4 shows an oblique view of the cartridge 2 filled with the containers C while a lateral side wall is not shown. A rotary axle 12 of the cartridge 2 rotational around the rotational axis L is inserted into a pair of arms 13. The cartridge 2 is freely rotatable with respect to the arms 13.

[0111] The arms 13 are held together by a cover 14. The arms 13 and the cover 14 act as a frame for the rotary axle 12. The cover 14 is used to close a service opening (not shown) of the dispensing device FD. The lower arm 13 has a pin (not shown) at its lower side that can be inserted into the hole 9 for improved positional accuracy. When the cover 14 is removed, the cartridge 2 is removed with is, including the rotary axle 12. This facilitates replacement of the containers C.

[0112] Replacement of the containers C may include removing the cartridge 2 from the dispensing device FD and re-inserting the cartridge 2 into the dispensing device FD. The replacement of the containers C may be performed in one or more of several ways:

[0113] In one variant, the complete unit including the cover 14, the arms 13, the cartridge 2, and the containers C is replaced.

[0114] In another variant, the cartridge 2 is disengaged from the arms 13 and is replaced together with the containers C.

[0115] In yet another variant, the cartridge 2 may or may not remain engaged with the arms 13, and a user replaces the containers C, in particular individually. Particularly in this variant, the user may detach the lateral side wall to replace the containers C. The containers C are then only seated in seats of a disk-shaped base 15 of the cartridge 2.

[0116] In all these variants, the cartridge 2 is removed from the dispensing device FD in one piece.

[0117] In even another variant (not shown), only the cartridge 2 and the containers C are removable from the dispensing device FD for replacement of the containers C.

[0118] Alternatively, the containers C are individually replaceable with the cartridge 2 remaining in the dispensing device (not shown). This may be facilitated by using a tap located in the middle of cover 14 such that the cartridge 2 may be rotated accordingly to put an empty container C at the tap.

[0119] The containers C are aligned in parallel to the rotational axis L. The containers C comprise a hollow cylindrical body B; a plunger P inserted into the body B, the plunger P being movable along a longitudinal axis L of the body B by the stem. For new containers C, the plunger P is positioned at or near the top face of the body B. The containers C further comprise a plug (not shown) fixedly positioned within the body B at a longitudinal distance from the plunger P such that the body B, the plug and the plunger P form a cavity (not shown); and a channel (not shown) leading through the plug towards a bottom face of the body B. The cavity is filled with fluid, e.g. a liquid essence, for example to be used in blending a fragrance blend. The fluid may comprise a fragrance, a fragrance mix and/or solvent. The blend may be a perfume, an Eau de Cologne etc., as chosen by the user. On the outside of its top section T, the body B is structured (here: dentate) to allow a safe grip by a user to handle the containers C.

[0120] FIG. 5 shows an oblique view of a cartridge 22 of a dispensing device FD2, for example a fragrance dispenser, filled with containers C. The containers C may be the same containers as described for the first embodiment.

[0121] The cartridge 22 comprises two sections or levels 23 and 24 positioned one above the other. The levels 23 and 24 are individually rotatable around the rotation axis R. To this effect, the levels 23 and 24 may be rotatable around the same rotary axle 25 or around two collinear rotary axles. In the present embodiment, the configuration having only one rotary axle 25 is shown. This rotary axle 25 may have two or more sections that are freely rotatable around the rotation axis R.

[0122] The levels 23 and 24 may be rotatable by respective motors, e.g. via respective drive wheels (not shown).

[0123] Both levels 23, 24 comprise multiple (here: eight) seats 26 in form of holes into which the containers C are insertable. The seats are uniformly distributed around the rotational axis R. The seats 26 and the containers C may be formed such that a stop is provided to position the containers C at a pre-defined height with respect to the levels 23, 24. Both levels 23, 24 further comprise openings in form of linear radial slits 27 and 28, respectively. Both levels 23, 24 are basically disk-shaped and may be identical in shape.

[0124] To release fluid, such as essence, from a container C seated in a seat 26 of the lower level 24, the dispensing device FD2 rotates the upper level 23 such that it is in its feed-through position in which the upper slit 27 is in line with the stem 29. Thus, the stem 29 may pass through the upper slit 27. Furthermore, the dispensing device FD2 rotates the lower level 24 such that a desired container C is in line with the stem 29. The dispensing device FD2 then pushes the stem 29 onto this container C in line with the stem 29, e.g. to push its plunger P into its body B to release fluid from this container C, as shown. FIG. 6 shows a top-down view of the cartridge 22 in this position.

[0125] To release fluid, such as essence, from a container C seated in a seat 26 of the upper level 23, the dispensing device FD2 rotates the upper level 23 such that a corresponding container C is positioned in line with the stem 29 and rotates the lower level 24 such that it is in its rotational flow-through position in which the lower slit 28 is in line with the stem 29 and thus below the container C to be actuated (not shown).

[0126] FIG. 7 shows an oblique view of one level 23 or 24 of the cartridge 22 with the rotary axle 25. FIG. 8 shows an oblique view of the one level 23 or 24 without the rotation axis.

[0127] To fix the levels 23 and 24 of the cartridge 22 to the rotary axle 25, the levels 23 and 24 have a central hole 30 that is dentate. The slits 27 and 28, respectively, connect the central hole 30 with the outer rim of the levels 23 and 24, respectively.

[0128] To attach the levels 23 and 24 to the rotary axle 25, the rotary axle 25 comprises a butted section 31 of smaller diameter than the slits 27, 28. Below the butted section 31 is a dented section 32 of the axle 25 that is form to closely fit into the central hole 30. The engaging teeth of the central hole 30 and of the dented section 32 prevent rotation of the levels 23 and 24 around the axle 25.

[0129] Below the dented section 32 is a laterally extending flange 33 that acts as a support and longitudinal stop for the levels 23, 24.

[0130] To remove a level 23, 24 of the cartridge 22 from the rotary axle 25 (e.g. to replace containers C), a user may first lift the level(s) 23, 24 to the respective butted section 31 and then slide it off the axle 25 though the slit 27, 28. To insert the level 23, 24, the reverse steps can be performed.

[0131] FIG. 9 shows a blending environment BE for blending a fragrance blend BL. The fragrance blend BL may be blended by a dispensing device such as a fragrance dispenser FD, for example a dispensing device according to any one of the embodiments herein, and then filled into a receptacle like a flacon FL etc. To this effect, the fragrance dispenser FD may comprise a blending chamber (not shown).

[0132] The fragrance dispenser FD is a networked device and may comprise one or more data communication interfaces (not shown) for wireless and/or wire-bound communication, e.g. a WLAN adapter, an Ethernet adapter etc.

[0133] The fragrance dispenser FD may be communicatively coupled with personal devices of end users EU2, e.g. smartphones SP. The fragrance dispenser FD may also be communicatively coupled with a co-ordination entity COE. The co-ordination entity COE may comprise a database DB as a backend and a digital store DS as a front end. End users EU2 may, e.g. via their smartphones SP, access the digital store DS.

[0134] In the database DB is stored a digital library that comprises a multitude of digital recipes DF, DC of fragrance blends BL. Each digital recipe DF, DC comprises a digital formula DF giving parameters defining the respective fragrance blend BL, e.g. identifiers (ID), amounts and dilutions of essences to be mixed to give the fragrance blend BL. Each digital recipe DF, DC also comprises a description DC describing the fragrance blend BL and potentially its applications to an end user EU2. The description DC may by written in easily understandable prose.

[0135] The digital recipes DF, DC may be uploaded into the database DB by commercial users CU and by end users EU1, e.g. via a first communication interface COM1. For example, an end user EU1 may upload a digital recipe DF, DC via a smartphone SM, alternatively via a fragrance dispenser FD.

[0136] In the co-ordination entity COE, the descriptions DC are made available to the digital store DS. An end user EU2 may browse the digital store DS for the descriptions DC. If the end user EU2 finds a description DC that he or she likes, he or she may initiate downloading the respective digital formula DF, e.g. by selecting for downloading a free digital recipe DF, DC and/or by buying a digital recipe DF, DC. This includes authorising to download a respective digital formula DF.

[0137] If downloading has been initiated (and authorized) for a certain digital recipe DF, DC, the respective digital formula DF is downloaded (pushed or requested) to a fragrance dispenser FD selected by the end user EU2, e.g. via a second communication interface COM2 of the co-ordination entity COE. This downloading may be via a direct communication between the co-ordination entity COE and the fragrance dispenser FD, or via the end user EU2, as indicated by the dashed arrows. The fragrance dispenser FD may then produce the fragrance blend BL by dispensing the potentially multiple essences as defined by the downloaded digital formula DF.

[0138] The downloaded digital formula DF may be quasi-permanently stored in the fragrance dispenser FD or may have to be downloaded or streamed from the database DB every time a dispensing process is activated.

[0139] The co-ordination entity COE and the fragrance dispenser FD may form or constitute a blending system COE, FD.

[0140] Of course, the invention is not restricted to the described embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0141] FD Fragrance dispenser

[0142] FD2 Fragrance dispenser

[0143] 2 Cartridge

[0144] 3 Seat

[0145] 4 Drive wheel

[0146] 5 Rim

[0147] 6 Motor

[0148] 7 Reader

[0149] 8 Compartment floor

[0150] 9 Hole

[0151] 10 Wheel

[0152] 11 Through-hole

[0153] 12 Rotary axle

[0154] 13 Arm

[0155] 14 Cover

[0156] 15 Base

[0157] 22 Cartridge

[0158] 23 Upper level

[0159] 24 Lower level

[0160] 25 Rotary axle

[0161] 26 Seat

[0162] 27 Upper radial slit

[0163] 28 Lower radial slit

[0164] 29 Stem

[0165] 30 Central hole

[0166] B Body of the container

[0167] C Container

[0168] P Plunger of the container

[0169] R Rotational axis

[0170] L Longitudinal axis

[0171] BE Blending environment

[0172] BL Fragrance blend

[0173] COE Co-ordination entity

[0174] COM1 First communication interface

[0175] COM2 Second communication interface

[0176] CU Commercial user

[0177] DB Database

[0178] DC Description

[0179] DF Digital formula

[0180] EU1 End user

[0181] EU2 End user

[0182] FL flacon

[0183] SP Smartphone