REFILLABLE DISPENSER CAN WITH REFILL VALVE AND OUTLET VALVE AND A BAG FOR RECEIVING AN ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Abstract

Refillable dispenser can for discharging an active substance, wherein the dispenser can comprises a deformable bag for receiving the active substance, a refill valve which is connected with the bag, for connecting with a refill station for refilling the bag with the active substance, and an outlet valve which is connected with the bag, for discharging the active substance out of the bag in a user-defined manner.

Claims

1.-22. (canceled)

23. Refillable dispenser can for discharging an active substance, wherein the dispenser can comprises: a deformable bag for receiving the active substance; a refill valve which is connected with the bag for connecting with a refill station for refilling the bag with the active substance; and an outlet valve which is connected with the bag for discharging the active substance out of the bag in a user-defined manner.

24. Dispenser can according to claim 23, wherein the refill valve is arranged at a bottom side of the dispenser can.

25. Dispenser can according to claim 23, wherein the outlet valve is arranged at a top side of the dispenser can.

26. Dispenser can according to claim 23, wherein the refill valve and/or the outlet valve is or are fluid-tightly attached to the bag.

27. Dispenser can according to claim 23, comprising a rigid can housing which encloses the bag, with respect to which the refill valve and the outlet valve are exposed.

28. Dispenser can according to claim 27, comprising a pressure medium in a volume between the bag and the can housing.

29. Dispenser can according to claim 28, wherein leaking through the refill valve or through the outlet valve is made impossible for the pressure medium.

30. Dispenser can according to claim 27, wherein the outlet valve is configured for filling a pressure medium between the bag and the can housing.

31. Dispenser can according to claim 28, wherein an active substance in the bag and the pressure medium between the bag and the can housing are pressure-coupled with each other through the bag, without the active substance and the pressure medium being in direct contact with each other.

32. Dispenser can according to claim 27, wherein a volume between the bag and the can housing is hermetically closed.

33. Dispenser can according to claim 27, wherein the can housing is curved at its bottom side.

34. Dispenser can according to claim 23, wherein the bag is elastically deformable or unfoldable.

35. Dispenser can according to claim 23, comprising an outlet unit on the outlet valve.

36. Dispenser can according to claim 23, comprising a distributor pipe at least in portions in the bag, which is at least in portions arranged between the refill valve and the outlet valve, and comprises at least one sidewall opening for forming at least one passage for the active substance between an interior of the distributor pipe and a receiving volume of the bag.

37. Dispenser can according to claim 36, wherein the distributor pipe comprises a plurality of sidewall openings which are arranged axially or radially offset with respect to each other.

38. Dispenser can according to claim 36, comprising at least one of the following features: wherein the distributor pipe comprises a telescopic mechanism for enabling a length compensation of the distributor pipe; wherein the distributor pipe is loosely plugged or firmly connected on the refill valve; wherein the distributor pipe is firmly connected or loosely plugged on the outlet valve.

39. Refill arrangement comprising: a refill station with a receiving device for receiving a dispenser can which is to be refilled with an active substance, and with a control unit for controlling the refill of the dispenser can with the active substance; and a dispenser can which is attachable or attached at the receiving device, according to claim 23.

40. Refill arrangement according to claim 39, comprising an active substance container which contains the active substance and which is coupled or couplable with the receiving device, for providing the active substance for refilling the dispenser can.

41. Method for operating a refill station, wherein the method comprises: receiving a refill valve of a dispenser can which is to be refilled with an active substance, according to claim 23, at a receiving device of the refill station; and controlling the refill of the dispenser can with the active substance by a control unit of the refill station.

42. Method according to claim 41, wherein, by refilling the active substance, a pressure medium is pressurized in a closed volume between the bag and a rigid can housing of the dispenser can.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a refill arrangement with a refill station, an active substance container, and a dispenser can, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram which illustrates a method for operating a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a system with multiple refill arrangements according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention which are communicatively coupled with a reorder device.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a material flow in a refill arrangement with a refill station, an active substance container, and a dispenser can, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a receiving device of a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a bottom of a dispenser can of a refill arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a backside of a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a mechanism for refilling a dispenser can in a refill arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a refillable dispenser can with separated receiving volumes of the active substance and a pressure medium according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 10 shows a refill arrangement with a refill station, active substance containers, and a refillable dispenser can with separated receiving volumes of the active substance and the pressure medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 show different views during a method for manufacturing a refillable dispenser can with separated receiving volumes of the active substance and the pressure medium according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0051] Same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0052] Before, referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described, some general aspects of embodiments of the invention shall be explained.

[0053] According to embodiments of the invention, a refill station is provided which uses an active substance from a container (for example a 20 l canister or a 60 l barrel), to fill or refill a dispenser can. For example, the dispenser can may be an aerosol can with a filling valve at its bottom side. Furthermore, a mechanical code may be formed at the bottom side of the dispenser can which corresponds to a respective shape of a receiving device of the refill station. Moreover, the dispenser can may comprise a spraying valve for discharging an active substance and/or a medium out of the dispenser can at its top side.

[0054] The filling station may comprise a fluid connection to a container from which the active substance is filled into the dispenser can to be refilled. For example, such a fluid connection may be formed by a tube, to supply the active substance and/or the medium to a dispenser can from the container of the refill station. Preferably, such tubes are capable for a ESD-removal (ESD=electrostatic discharge). In particular, the refill station may comprise a receiving device or an attachment unit (German: Aufsetzeinheit) for the dispenser can with a mechanical code, for enabling only mechanically fitting encoded dispenser cans on a corresponding refill station. Furthermore, a fastener may be provided at the receiving device, to hold the dispenser can at the receiving device during its refill. Preferably, the dispenser can, regardless of its angular position to the receiving device, i.e. descriptively freely positionable around 360?, may be configured rotatable around the longitudinal axis on the coding plate (German: Kodierteller), without impeding the correct connection between the dispenser can and the receiving device. Optionally, the refill station may be equipped with a pressure air terminal (wherein pressure air is available in each car repair shop, for example), to fill pressure air into the dispenser can together with the active substance. The control of the filling process may be performed by a control unit. For example, when filling a dispenser can, firstly the active substance and subsequently a pressure medium (for example pressure air) may be conveyed. Both may be controlled, for example pneumatically, by a three way valve. For this purpose, the refill station may be equipped with a piston with a cylinder (for example a stainless steel cylinder or a plastic cylinder), to receive the active substance and to fill a defined amount of the active substance into the dispenser can.

[0055] Advantageously, the refill station may be connected to an electrical potential equalization, since the friction of the active substance when refilling may lead to an electrostatic charging. For example, a mounting of a refill station in a shelf may be performed, wherein in the shelf, at least one container (for example a canister, for example with a volume of 20 l) may be arranged. It is also possible to form a refill station with a placing part (German: Aufsatz) on an active substance barrel (for example with a volume of 60 l), or in a hazardous goods storage cupboard as a ballast adapter (German: Auflastadapter). A suitable potential equilibration may be achieved by grounding.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a refillable dispenser can with a deformable bag for refilling the active substance and with a hermetically closed volume with a permanently received pressure medium between a rigid can housing and the bag may be provided. With advantage, the bag may be equipped on the one hand with an outlet valve for discharging the active substance out of the bag using the pressure medium as discharging working medium, and on the other hand with a refill valve for refilling the active substance into the bag. With advantage, such a dispenser can may be repeatedly refilled over a long lifetime through the refill valve with a new active substance, without the need of refilling the pressure medium which is located permanently in the pressure can. Discharging the active substance out of the dispenser can is conveniently enabled for a user by merely actuating the outlet valve. Thereby, a dispenser can may be provided which can be manufactured and operated in a durable and resource-saving manner, and which ensures a high user comfort and a high operational safety at the same time. From a safety point of view, the permanent separation of the pressure gas and the active substance is especially advantageously.

[0057] For example, a dispenser can according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may be configured as an aerosol can which comprises pressure air and a bag with the active substance. The bag may comprise an outlet valve for the active substance at its top side and an inlet valve or a refill valve at its bottom side for introducing or refilling the active substance. In particular, at the bottom-sided refill valve, a tube, preferably a slidable sleeve or the like, may be attached or attachable for enabling to bring the medium which is introduced through the refill valve in the vicinity of the outlet valve. Advantageously, a multi-filling of the dispenser can of the BoV-type is possible (for example at a logistics branch, a petrol station, a workshop, etc.). Especially advantageously is providing a BoV-dispenser can with two separated valves for discharging and/or filling the bag. The provision of a telescopic tube or telescopic pipe in the interior of the bag is also advantageous, since this promotes a spatially homogenous distribution of the active substance during filling and/or discharging, and therefore an error-free operation of the dispenser can.

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a refill arrangement 116 with a refill station 100, an active substance container 114, and a dispenser can 104 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The refill arrangement 116 serves for filling or refilling a dispenser can 104 which is entirely or partially empty or emptied with an active substance (for example a brake cleaner), for being able to fill the dispenser can 104 with an assigned active substance by a user in a simple manner. The active substance may then be sprayed, or more generally being discharged, out of the dispenser can 104 at a location of use. After evacuating or re-evacuating the dispenser can 104, the dispenser can 104 may then be filled again at the refill arrangement 116 with a new active substance, etc.

[0059] For this purpose, the refill station 100 comprises a receiving device 102 which acts as a dispenser can adapter for receiving a dispenser can 104 in a form-locking and fluid-coupling manner which is to be refilled with an active substance. The receiving device 102 may be configured as a coding plate which has a mechanical interface which is shape-adapted to a corresponding mechanical interface of the dispenser can 104 to be refilled. In this way, only mechanically fitting dispenser cans 104 can be attached at the receiving device 102, which makes an erroneous operation improbable. Despite this is not illustrated in FIG. 1, at the receiving device 102, a fastener unit may be attached, by which a dispenser can 104 which is attached to the receiving device 104 can be fastened at the receiving device 102 during filling. In this way, it can be excluded that during refilling, a pressure which is exerted on the dispenser can 104 or acting forces lead to an undesired release of the dispenser can 104 from the receiving device 102. After the finished refill, the fastening unit may either automatically release the dispenser can 104 or can be transferred in a state which is releasing the dispenser can 104 by a user actuation. A user may then remove the refilled dispenser can 104 from the receiving device 102 and bring it to a location of use.

[0060] Furthermore, the refill arrangement 116 may comprise the active substance container 114 which, for example as canister or barrel, may be filled with an active substance to be refilled (for example brake cleaner). Therefore, the active substance container 114 contains the active substance which is to be refilled into the dispenser can 104 and may be fluidically coupled or couplable with the receiving device 102, to provide the active substance for refilling the dispenser can 104.

[0061] If the dispenser can 104different than in FIG. 1, see description belowis not a BoV (bag-on-valve)dispenser can with a pressure medium which is permanently contained therein, the refill arrangement 116 may further comprise a gas reservoir 124 which is configured for providing pressure gas and which is fluidically coupled or couplable with the receiving device 102. In this way, by the gas reservoir 124, pressure gas (for example pressure air) for refilling into the dispenser can 104 may be provided. For example, the gas reservoir 124 may be a terminal to a pressure gas conduit or a pressure gas bottle in which gas under overpressure is contained.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one valve 111 which is configured as a three way valve in the illustrated embodiment may form a fluid connection between the active substance container 114, the optional pressure gas reservoir 124, and the receiving device 102. As shown, the receiving device 102 may be fluidically coupled with an active substance supply unit 120 for supplying the active substance from the active substance container 114 in a dispenser can 104 which is received at the receiving device 102. Furthermore, the receiving device 102 may be fluidically coupled with an optional pressure gas supply unit 122 for supplying the pressure gas from the gas reservoir 124 into the dispenser can 104 which is received at the receiving device 102. For example, the at least one valve 111 may be controlled by a control unit 110, such that at first only the active substance is filled into the at least partially empty dispenser can 104, before the at least one valve 111 is switched, such that subsequently only pressure gas from the gas reservoir 124 is filled into the dispenser can 104. Thereby, it can be ensured that a predefined amount of the active substance is filled into the dispenser can 104. Between the active substance container 114 and the receiving device 102, a conveying unit 113, for example a pump, may be arranged, for conveying the active substance from the active substance container 114 to the receiving device 102 and from there into the dispenser can 104. Optionally, also between the gas reservoir 124 and the receiving device 102, a conveying unit 115, for example a compressor or a pump, may be arranged.

[0063] FIG. 1 shows with an arrow how the dispenser can 104 is placed on the receiving device 102. In a bottom region of the dispenser can 104 in the region of its refilling valve 162, the dispenser can 104 is equipped with a dispenser can-transponder 108, for example a RFID-tag. At said bottom region, the dispenser can 104 is received at the receiving device 102. Such a dispenser can-transponder 108 which is able to communicate in a contactless manner, may be glued on the dispenser can 104 as a label, for example, or can be attached or embedded at and/or in a can housing 166. In a solid body memory of the dispenser can-transponder 108, dispenser can related data are stored which for example can identify or characterize the dispenser can 104 and an active substance which is to be filled in it, and/or may contain an information about a receiving volume of the dispenser can 104, an information about desired pressure gas properties in the dispenser can 104, an information about a user of the dispenser can 104, etc.

[0064] In the receiving device 102, a transponder-reading device 106 for reading the dispenser can related data of the dispenser can-transponder 108 which is attached to the dispenser can 104 in a contact-free manner is arranged. The transponder-reading device 106 is arranged in a region of the receiving device 102 such that the dispenser can 104 is only located in a reading region of the transponder-reading device 106 when the dispenser can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102. Thereby, it is advantageously ensured that erroneous reading processes of dispenser cans 104 by the transponder-reading device 106 which are located in a larger environment of the transponder-reading device 106 are reliably prevented. For this purpose, the transponder technology on whose basis the transponder-reading device 106 and the dispenser can-transponder 108 communicate, may be configured as a short-range transponder technology, for example with a range of below 10 cm, in particular below 5 cm (for example as short-range RFID-technology). Thereby, the dispenser can related data of the dispenser can-transponder 108 may be selectively read by the transponder-reading device 106 only when the dispenser can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102. The read data may be supplied from the transponder-reading device 106 to a control unit 110 or may be stored in a not illustrated electronical mass storage of the refill station 100.

[0065] Preferably, also the active substance container 114 is provided or associated with an active substance storage-transponder 112 (not shown). In a solid body memory of the active substance container-transponder 112, active substance container related data are stored which are selectively readable by the transponder-reading device 106, when the active substance container-transponder 112as shownis attached to a housing 130 of the refill station 100. To enable or to simplify the readability of the active substance container-transponder 112 by the transponder-reading device 106, the active substance container-transponder 112 may be configured as a label 132 which is separable from the active substance container 114 in a defined manner. For example, the label 132 may be configured as an adhesive label which is equipped with the active substance container-transponder 112, which a user can separate from the active substance container 114 which is for example configured as a canister and can be glued to a position which is provided for this purpose (and which is for example correspondingly marked) at the housing 130. By attaching or adhering or alternatively providing, the active substance container-transponder 112 can be brought into the readability distance of the transponder-reading device 106, such that the active substance container related data can be read by the transponder-reading device 106. By the fact that also the active substance container-transponder 112 firstly must be transferred by a defined user activity into the readability distance of the transponder-reading device 106, before the active substance container related data can be captured by the transponder-reading device 106, a reliable protection against reading false active substance container related data is provided. For example, the active substance container related data may contain an information about the active substance in the active substance container 114, about a filling amount or residual filling amount in the active substance container 114, an information about a dispenser can 104 or the refill station 100 which is suitable for this active substance, etc.

[0066] The control unit 110 can evaluate the dispenser can related data and the active substance container related data which are provided to it by the transponder-reading device 106, and can examine them, for example with respect to their compatibility. In particular, the control unit 110 can be determined from the data which are read by the transponder-reading device 106, if the active substance which is provided by the active substance container 114 fits into the dispenser can 104 which is received at the receiving device 102. In this way, the operational safety can be increased, since it can be excluded that a dispenser can 104 which is unsuitable for a, for example dangerous, active substance (which for example comprises gasoline and is thus at the risk of fire) is used. In a corresponding manner, it can be excluded, that an active substance which origins from an unreliable source is permitted for the refill of a dispenser can 104. Even when a user manipulates the shape of a dispenser can 104, to mount it on a receiving device 102 regardless the incompatibility of an active substance container 114 which is fluidically coupled with the receiving device 102, this may be recognized by the control unit 110 by reading the dispenser can-transponder 108. Filling a dispenser can 104 which is unsuitable for a certain active substance may thus be reliably avoided by the described transponder-configuration. Thereby, a high operational safety can be achieved when using the refill arrangement 116. If the dispenser can related data and the active substance container related data show a compliance, the refill process is triggered or permitted by the control unit 110, in other cases, the refill process is prevented or not permitted.

[0067] FIG. 1 further shows that a portable user end device 134 is communicatively coupled with a software app for a user-sided control of the refill arrangement 116 by the control unit 110. The user end device 134 may be a mobile radio device which may be communicatively coupled in a wireless manner via a communication network 117 (for example a mobile phone network or the public Internet) with a communication interface 119 of the refill station 110. Thus, a user may transmit control commands to the refill arrangement 116 or monitor the operation of the refill arrangement 116 from a remote position.

[0068] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows that the refill station 100 comprises a display unit 118 for displaying an information, such as dispenser can related data, active substance container related data, and/or another information for a user. For example, the display unit 118 may be configured as an LCD-display or a touchscreen. By the display unit 118, during and/or after a refill process, an associated information can be shown to a user at the display unit 118.

[0069] With advantage, the refill station 100 according to FIG. 1 may comprise a scale (German: Waage) 126 which is for example configured as a beam scale (German: Balkenwaage), for capturing a weight, or a weight information which is indicative for it, of the dispenser can 104 at the receiving device 102 prior to a refill process and/or during a refill process. A weight capturing of the dispenser can 104 prior to a refill process enables to qualitatively or quantitatively determine a possible residual filling of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance and/or with a pressure gas, and to correspondingly adapt or perform a refill process which is subsequently to be performed. By considering a possible residual filling of the dispenser can 104 prior to its refill, an overfilling of the dispenser can 104 can be avoided. It is also possible to monitor the weight gain of a dispenser can 104 to be refilled during a refill process, to avoid a possible overfilling and underfilling. The control unit 110 to which the results of the weight capturing by the scale 126 can be provided, may consequently be configured to control a refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance based on the captured weight.

[0070] Preferably, the scale 126 may be configured for capturing a sum weight information which is indicative for a sum weight of the dispenser can 104, a residual filling of the active substance in the dispenser can 104 and a part of the refill station 100 (in particular at least a part of the receiving device 102) prior to a refill process and/or during a refill process. By the control unit 110, a refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance may then be controlled based on the captured sum weight information. With advantage, it may thus be dispensable to specifically capture only the weight of the dispenser can 104. It is also possible, and metrologically substantially simpler, to simply capture the mentioned sum weight, since a separation of the dispenser can 104 and the receiving device 102 during the weight determination process is then dispensable. By, prior to attaching a dispenser can 104 at the receiving device 102, capturing an empty weight of the receiving device 102 without the dispenser can 104, the residual weight which is different from the dispenser can weight of the sum weight can be mathematically subtracted, when, after attaching the dispenser can 104 to the receiving device 102, the sum weight is determined by the scale 126.

[0071] As already described, after attaching a dispenser can 104 to be refilled at the receiving device 102, by the control unit 110, a refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance may be permitted only when the data which are determined by the transponders 108, 112 indicate a compatibility of a dispenser can 104 which is attached to the receiving device 102 for being refilled with an active substance which is provided from a connected active substance container 114.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, permitting a refill of a dispenser can 104 with an active substance can be made depending on the fact that an active substance which is captured at a capturing unit 138 fulfills at least one predetermined permissibility criterion. As a permissibility criterion may be used, if the active substance which is delivered in the supply unit 120 is an active substance which is permissible for the dispenser can 104, and/or if the captured active substance in the supply unit 120 fulfills an active substance origin which is considered as permissible for the dispenser can 104.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 1, by the capturing unit 138, a measurement may be performed at the active substance supply unit 120 for supplying the active substance from the active substance container 114, which measurement serves for characterizing and/or identifying the active substance which flows through the supply unit 120 which is for example configured as a tube when refilling a dispenser can 104. In this way, an active substance can be recognized which shall be used for refilling a dispenser can 104 against one or more predetermined permissibility criteria.

[0074] For example, an active substance which is permitted for refilling a dispenser can 104 may be provided with an optically recognizable marker, for example a fluorescence marker or a DNA-marker at the factory side. In this way, an active substance can be labeled which is for example permitted for refilling into a certain dispenser can 104, and/or fulfills required quality criteria. When such an active substance is conveyed through the supply unit 120, during the conveyance, by the capturing unit 138, it can be, preferably optically, recognized, if the active substance fulfills a predetermined permissibility criterion or not. For example, the permission of the filling of a dispenser can 104 with the active substance may be made depending on being able to optically capture an expected fluorescence signal by the capturing unit 138.

[0075] Data which are captured by the capturing unit 138 and which are indicative for the predetermined permissibility criterion can be supplied to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 may then allow or reject a refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance, namely depending on the fact, if or if not, the active substance which is captured at the capturing unit 138 fulfills the predetermined permissibility criterion. For example, an active substance may be permitted for refilling a dispenser can 104 only when a corresponding expected fluorescence marker is contained in the active substance, which for example indicates a certain active substance and/or the affiliation of the active substance to a reliable source (for example from a certain manufacturer). The examination of a predetermined permissibility criterion thus ensures a high quality of the active substance and an operational safety of the active substance in combination with the dispenser can 104.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the capturing unit 138 is configured as an optical capturing unit for capturing a predetermined optical signal characteristic of the active substance to be refilled. The presence of said signal characteristic shows, that the active substance fulfills the predetermined permissibility criterion. With advantage, the capturing unit 138 may capture the active substance in the tube and/or in the supply unit 120, preferably during flowing through the supply unit 120. When the capturing unit 138 has determined the signal characteristic of the active substance candidate for refilling a dispenser can 104, this signal characteristic may be transferred to the control unit 110 for an evaluation. The control unit 110 may then, for example based on a comparison between the determined actual signal characteristic and an expected target signal characteristic, decide, if the signal characteristic indicates the fulfillment of the predetermined permissibility criterion or not. Depending on the result of this examination, the control unit 110 may then take actions to allow the refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance or not.

[0077] If the captured signal characteristic indicates that the active substance does not fulfill the permissibility criterion, the control unit 110 may control a prevention unit 140 for preventing the refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance. For example, the prevention unit 140 may press together a supply unit 120 which is configured as a flexible tube, such that no active substance can pass the supply conduit 120 anymore. Alternatively, the prevention unit 140 can introduce a curable adhesive in the supply unit 120 which is configured as a supply conduit, which chemically closes the supply conduit 120 and makes it impossible to conduct an active substance through this supply conduit 120.

[0078] The dispenser can 104 may comprise a mixture of the active substance and pressure gas in its interior, wherein, when activating an actuation nozzle 121, an active substance-pressure gas-mixture, for example as an aerosol, is discharged from or rinsed out of the dispenser can 104. In this case, for refilling the dispenser can 104, both new active substance and new pressure gas is required.

[0079] Alternatively, the dispenser can 104 may be configured as a specially configured bag-on-valve dispenser can, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The refillable dispenser can 104 which is shown in FIG. 1 serves for discharging an active substance and comprises a deformable bag 164 receiving the active substance in its interior. For example, the bag 160 may be made of plastic or a metal foil. At its bottom side, the bag 160 is fluid-tightly connected with a refill valve 162. The refill valve 162 may be placed on the receiving device 102 in a liquid-tight manner and may thereby be fluidically coupled with the refill station 100, to be able to fill or refill the bag 160 with the active substance from the active substance container 114. Moreover, the bag 160 is connected at its top side with an outlet valve 164 for user-definedly spraying the active substance out of the bag 160. The actuation nozzle 121 may be placed on the outlet valve 164, to open the outlet valve 164 by activating the actuation nozzle 121, and to thereby discharge the active substance out of the bag 160 in form of a spray.

[0080] Furthermore, the dispenser can 104 according to FIG. 1 comprises a rigid can housing 166 which receives the bag 160, with respect to which the refill valve 162 and the outlet valve 164 are exposed at the bottom side and/or at a top side. In other words, the outlet valve 164 and the refill valve 162 protrude from the rigid can housing 166 at a top side and at a bottom side. For example, the can housing 166 may be a rigid metal housing. A pressure gas may be fluid-tightly enclosed in an intermediate volume 168 between the bag 160 and the can housing 166, and can be protected against a leakage from the dispenser can 104. Therefore, it is made impossible for the pressure gas to leak through the refill valve 162 and/or through the outlet valve 164. Thus, when the active substance is sprayed through the outlet valve 164, the active substance is not mixed with the pressure gas, since the pressure gas remains in the intermediate volume 168 and thus in the dispenser can 104. Thereby, also a refill of pressure gas at the dispenser can 104 according to FIG. 1 is dispensable. Filling pressure gas into the intermediate volume 168 may be performed at the side of the manufacturer, for example, through one of the valves 162, 164 and/or through another valve in the can housing 166 (not shown).

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram 200 which illustrates a method for operating a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0082] The method for operating a refill station 100 starts in a block 202 in which the refill station 100 indicates that it is ready for performing the method. This may be indicated at the display unit 118.

[0083] In a block 204, it is examined if a weight of a dispenser can 104 to be refilled which is captured by a scale 126 is within a predetermined range in a stable manner.

[0084] If this is the case, in a block 206, the dispenser can-transponder 108 is read by the transponder reading device 106. Furthermore, by the transponder reading device 106, an active substance container-transponder 112 can be read.

[0085] In a block 208, it is determined if an active substance and/or a medium which shall be filled into a dispenser can 104 is permissible. If this is not the case, the method concludes, that it is a false dispenser can 104, see block 210. This may be indicated at the display unit 118.

[0086] On the contrary, if this is the case, in a block 212, the residual amount of the active substance in the dispenser can 104 to be refilled is determined. Then, a pump 113 may be switched on, to deliver the active substance for a refill of the dispenser can 104 (block 214).

[0087] After refilling the dispenser can 104 with the active substance, it may be determined (for example by the scale 126) if the refilled amount of active substance in the dispenser can 104 is adequate, see block 216. If this is not the case, the method repeats the procedure according to block 214 and block 216.

[0088] On the contrary, if this is the case, the method determines in the block 218 the filling amount with the active substance and adds the entire filling amount. Corresponding to the block 220, this may be shown to a user at the display unit 118.

[0089] According to the optional block 222, the pump 115 and/or the compressor may then be switched on, to introduce pressure gas into the dispenser can 104.

[0090] In the block 224, it is examined if the pressure in the refilled dispenser can 104 is adequate. If this is not the case, the procedures according to block 222 and block 224 are examined.

[0091] On the contrary, if this is the case, the operational method is finished, see block 226. At the display unit 118, a corresponding information may be shown. An acoustic signal (for example generated by a buzzer) may indicate the completion of the operational method.

[0092] Additionally to the described procedure of filling, it is possible, prior to filling, to detect by a pressure pulse if the dispenser can 104 is correctly placed on the receiving device 102. Furthermore, after the filling, a data transmission to a communicatively coupled node is possible. It is also possible to detect if an active substance container 114 (for example a barrel or a canister) is empty. For example, this is possible by monitoring the weight course of such an active substance container 114 when filling the dispenser cans 104.

[0093] FIG. 3 shows a system with multiple refill arrangements 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention which are communicatively coupled with a reorder unit 123.

[0094] In the system according to FIG. 3, refill arrangements 116 with the above-described features are communicatively coupled with a node 121 (for example a gateway). The node 121 in turn is coupled via a communication network 117 with a reorder unit 123. When a control unit 110 and/or a scale 126 of a refill arrangement 116 recognizes that an active substance container 114 will be empty soon (for example since a residual filling of the active substance container 114 with an active substance fell below a certain threshold value), this information may be transmitted via the node 121 and the communication network 117 of the reorder unit 123, whereby a reorder of a new active substance container 114 with the active substance is triggered.

[0095] According to FIG. 3, consumption data with respect to the active substance may be transferred, for example to a Kanban-system. The transferred data may contain an identifier of a respective refill arrangement 116, an identifier of a dispenser can 104, a date and a time, and an active substance and a consumed and/or a reordered amount of the active substance. As illustrated, a node 121 may commonly function as a gateway for multiple refill arrangements 116. Software and in particular firmware may be installed at the refill arrangements 116, the nodes 121, and/or the reorder unit 123.

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a material flow in a refill arrangement 116 with a refill station 100, an active substance container 114, and a dispenser can 104, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0097] The active substance may be transferred from the active substance container 114 via a supply unit 120 of the refill station 100 and from there to the dispenser can 104 which is mounted at a receiving device 102 after upwardly tilting a cover 135. The pressure gas may be transferred from a pressure gas reservoir via a supply unit 122 of the refill station 100 and from there to a dispenser can 104 which is mounted at the receiving device 102. If the dispenser can 104 is a BoV-dispenser can, refilling the pressure gas is dispensable.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows a receiving device 102 of a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0099] FIG. 6 shows a bottom of a dispenser can 104 which is to be mounted at the receiving device 102 according to FIG. 5 of a refill arrangement 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0100] At the receiving device 102, a coding plate 129 for receiving a bottom region 133 of the dispenser can 104 is formed. The coding plate 129 is formed mechanically complementary to the bottom region 133 of the dispenser can 104 (see FIG. 6). The coding plate 129 may be exposed by upwardly tilting a flap or a cover 135 according to FIG. 4. In a central region of the coding plate 129, a fluid terminal 137 is illustrated, which can be fluidically coupled with a refill valve 162 of the dispenser can 104, to refill the active substance and/or pressure gas through the refill valve 162 into the dispenser can 104 through the fluid terminal 137.

[0101] After mounting the dispenser can 104 at the coding plate 129, a locking unit for locking the dispenser can 104 at the coding plate 129 may be actuated, to prevent an undesired release of the dispenser can 104 from the receiving device 102 during the refill process. After finishing the refill process, the dispenser can 104 may be unlocked and removed from the receiving device 102.

[0102] FIG. 7 shows a backside of a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, in FIG. 7, portions of the supply units 120, 122 are shown.

[0103] FIG. 8 shows a mechanism for refilling a dispenser can 104 in a refill arrangement 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Said mechanism contains a piston and a cylinder of a predetermined size, such that, by a suitable pressure, a filling amount to be dosed is definable.

[0104] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a refillable dispenser can 104 (which is configured as a spraying can here) with separated receiving volumes for the active substance (for example a brake cleaner) and the pressure medium (for example air which is brought to overpressure with respect to the ambience pressure) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Thus, the illustrated refillable dispenser can 104 serves for discharging a refillable and preferably liquid active substance and comprises a deformable bag 160 for receiving the active substance for this purpose. For example, the bag 160 may be made of a metal foil or a plastic foil and may be unfolded and thereby deformed during filling with the active substance. After evacuating the active substance out of the bag 160, the bag may contract or being folded, for example. Filling and/or evacuating the bag 160 may be controlled by the pressure ratios in the interior of the dispenser can 104 and by the operation of valves 162, 164, as described in more detail below.

[0106] The dispenser can 104 comprises at its bottom side a refill valve 162 which is connected with the bag 160 for connecting with a refill station 100 for refilling the bag 160 with the active substance. Such a refill station 100 may then be configured as it is described with respect to FIG. 1 (however without requiring a gas reservoir 124) or FIG. 10, for example. In more detail, for refilling the bag 140 with the active substance, the bottom side of the dispenser can 104 may be placed on the receiving device 102 of the refill station 100 in a form-locking manner, such that the active substance from an active substance container 114 is conveyed through the receiving device 102 and through the refill valve 162 into the bag 160.

[0107] Moreover, the dispenser can 104 comprises at its top side an outlet valve 164 which is connected with the bag 160 for user-definedly discharging the active substance out of the bag 160. In case of a configuration of the dispenser can 104 as a spraying can, an outlet unit 170 which is configured as a spray head on the outlet valve 164 may be actuated by a user, to spray the active substance out of the bag 160 through the outlet valve 164 and the outlet unit 170 out of the dispenser can 104 due to the pressure ratios which are described in the following. Alternatively, other outlet units 170 are possible.

[0108] Advantageously, the refill valve 162 is arranged at a bottom side of the dispenser can 104, such that the dispenser can 104 is displaceable on a receiving device 102 of the refill station 100 in an intuitive and stable manner. In contrast to this, the outlet valve 164 according to FIG. 9 is arranged at a top side of the dispenser can 104, such that a user can actuate the outlet unit 170 at the top side of the dispenser can 104 in a simple manner, to remove the active substance out of the dispenser can 104.

[0109] To ensure a fluid-tight connection between the bag 160 and the valves 162, 164, both the refill valve 162 and the outlet valve 164 may be welded or in any other way fluid-tightly attached to the bag 160 which is made of metal foils, for example.

[0110] The dispenser can 104 additionally comprises a rigid can housing 166 which receives and encloses from all sides the bag 160, which may be made of a suitably formed metal sheet, for example. The can housing 166 is formed substantially hollow cylindrical and has a concave indentation 157 at a bottom side. Thereby, the stability of the dispenser can 104 on a ground may be improved. Moreover, the indentation 157 improves the mechanical resistance of the dispenser can 104 against a deformation. Furthermore, the indentation 157 has the advantage that an end portion of the refill valve 162 which is protruding from the can housing 166 is, protected against mechanical influences, arranged in the indentation 157 and is nevertheless exposed for fluidically coupling with the receiving device 102. As shown in FIG. 9, the refill valve 162 is exposed and therefore externally accessible at a bottom side, and the outlet valve 164 is exposed and therefore externally accessible at a top side with respect to the can housing 166.

[0111] Advantageously, a pressure medium, for example air with an overpressure (for example in a range from 1.5 bar to 4 bar) above the atmospheric pressure, is filled in a hermetically closed volume 168 between the bag 160 and the can housing 166. A leakage through the refill valve 162 and/or through the outlet valve 164 is made impossible for the pressure medium. Thereby, the pressure medium permanently remains in the volume 168 and may function as a working medium there, for exerting a pre-pressure on the active substance in the bag 160.

[0112] For example, for filling the pressure medium between the bag 160 and the can housing 166 at the fabrication side, the pressure medium may be filled-in through the outlet valve 164 (for which in particular a distributor pipe 172 which is described in more detail below may be co-used, which may be temporarily separated at the bottom side from the refill valve 162 for this purpose and, in a manner deviating from FIG. 9, may also protrude beyond the bag 160 at the bottom side, if necessary). Filling the pressure medium into the volume 168 at the fabrication side may also be performed via a separate further valve, for example in the can housing 166 (not shown).

[0113] By the material of the bag 160 which is impermeable for the active substance and the pressure medium, the active substance in the bag 160 and the pressure medium between the bag 160 and the can housing 166 are pressure-coupled and/or force-coupled with each other through the flexible bag 160, whereas a direct physical contact between the active substance and the pressure medium is excluded. Thus, the pressure medium is not in a physical contact with the active substance, but is pressure-connected with it. Due to the spatial decoupling of the active substance and the pressure medium, the operational safety of the dispenser can 104 is improved, since each chemical interaction between the active substance and the pressure medium is avoided. Moreover, thereby, the pressure medium is protected against a leakage out of the dispenser can 104, when the active substance is discharged out of the dispenser can 104. Highly advantageously, refilling the dispenser can 104 with a pressure medium when refilling the dispenser can 104 with the active substance is therefore dispensable, since after refilling with the active substance, the same pressure medium as before can be used for pressurizing the refilled active substance.

[0114] Furthermore, FIG. 9 shows a distributor pipe 172 in the bag 160 which is plugged on the refill valve 162 at its bottom side. At its top side, the distributor pipe 172 is firmly connected with the outlet valve 164. Due to this configuration, the active substance which comes for example from an active substance container 114, which is conveyed through the refill valve 162 into the dispenser can 104 is at first conveyed into the lumen of the distributor pipe 172 and then reaches through a plurality of sidewall openings 174 in the perforated distributor pipe 172 into the interior of the bag 160. In a corresponding manner, the active substance from the bag 160 which shall be discharged (shall be sprayed or misted, for example) through the outlet valve 164 out of the dispenser can 104 is conveyed from the bag 160 through the sidewall openings 174 into the distributor pipe 172 and from there through the outlet valve 164 and the outlet unit 170 to an environment of the dispenser can 104. Thus, the sidewall openings 174 form passages 176 for the active substance between an interior of the distributor pipe 172 and a receiving volume of the bag 160. This has the advantage that, when refilling the active substance, it is filled temporarily in parallel on different height levels into the bag 160, which simplifies the refill especially in case of a collapsed or folded bag 160. In a corresponding manner, when discharging the active substance, it can be simultaneously guided through many passages 176 at first into the distributor pipe 172 and from there through the outlet valve 174, which leads to a homogeneous evacuation of the bag 160. With advantage, the distributor pipe 172 comprises a plurality of sidewall openings 174 which are axially and radially offset with respect to each other, whereby a more homogenous active substance transfer both in axial and in radial direction is caused. By arranging a perforated distributor pipe 172 with a plurality of sidewall openings 174 in the interior of the dispenser can 104, both filling and evacuating the bag 160 may be performed more homogeneously. In particular in case of a strong evacuation of the bag 160 by the active substance discharge, by the perforated distributor pipe 172, descriptively a crumpling of the bag 160 can be avoided.

[0115] Advantageously, the distributor pipe 172 may comprise a telescopic mechanism for enabling a length compensation of the distributor pipe 172. Descriptively, the distributor pipe 172 may be made of a plurality of pipe portions which are arranged within each other, which are connected with each other and are transferable between different use lengths. When unfolding/folding and/or expanding/contracting the bag 160, the distributor pipe 172 may automatically adapt to the bag 160 with respect to its length, whereby the dispenser can 104 can be reliably protected against a damage in operation.

[0116] By merely plugging the distributor pipe 172 on the refill valve 164 and by the telescope-like configuration of the distributor pipe 172, the components of the dispenser can 104 are mechanically relieved in operation, by enabling a delimited compensation between these components in a defined way.

[0117] For example, the outlet valve 164 may be a BoV (Bag on Valve)-valve which may be performed by the one-time filling of the volume 168 with the pressure medium (in particular with pressure air, or propane and/or butane). As refill valve 162, for example a screwable medium valve may be used. The refill valve 162 may be attached by a sealing 161 (for example an O-ring) to a bottom side of the can housing 166.

[0118] FIG. 10 shows a refill arrangement 116 with a refill station 100, active substance containers 114, and a refillable dispenser can 104 with separated receiving volumes of the active substance and the pressure medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] The refill arrangement 116 which is illustrated in FIG. 10 has at its refill station 100 a receiving device 110 which may be configured according to FIG. 5, for example, and may be configured for receiving the dispenser can 104 to be refilled with an active substance. Furthermore, in the refill station 100, a control unit 110 may be contained which is for example configured as a processor for controlling the refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance, which may be configured according to FIG. 1, for example. The dispenser can 104 (for example configured according to FIG. 9) may be attached to the receiving device 102. Moreover, according to FIG. 10, two different active substance containers 114 with the active substance to be refilled may be fluidically coupled via a supply unit 120 with the receiving device 102, to provide the active substance for refilling the dispenser can 104. For example, by a fluid valve 159, a respective one of the active substance containers 114 can be selected.

[0120] During refilling the active substance from a selected active substance container 114 through the refill station 100 and its receiving device 102 into the interior of the bag 160 of the dispenser can 104, the pressure gas in the volume between the bag 160 which expands due to the refill and the rigid can housing 166 of the dispenser can 104 is pressurized or brought to an increased overpressure. The pressure gas, which was on overpressure prior to evacuating the active substance out of the dispenser can 104 and was relaxed by discharging the active substance and the resulting contraction of the bag 160 under the pressure reduction, may thus be automatically brought to a higher overpressure again by the refill process, which is usable as conveying pressure when discharging the refilled active substance. Therefore, a user activity for reactivating the partially relaxed pressure gas beyond triggering the refill is advantageously dispensable.

[0121] FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 show different views during a method for manufacturing a refillable dispenser can 104 with separated receiving volumes of the active substance and the pressure medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 11, the distributor pipe 172 with the pre-mounted outlet valve 164 is inserted in a receiving volume of the can housing 166. According to FIG. 11, the distributor pipe 172 is open at the bottom and circumferentially wrapped by the folded bag 160, such that the bag 160 with the distributor pipe 172 is inserted in the can housing 166. FIG. 12 shows a result of the mounting procedure according to FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 13, at the bottom side of the can housing 166, the refill valve 162 is attached, for example screwed. The refill valve 162 may be plugged on a bottom side of the distributor pipe 172.

[0123] Into the volume 168 which is not illustrated in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, in particular by the outlet valve 164 and the distributor pipe 172, the pressure gas is filled once. In the state of the distributor pipe 172 attached to the refill valve 162, the active substance can be filled through the refill valve 162 which transfers the bag 160 from the folded state according to FIG. 11 to an unfolded expanded state (see FIG. 9). Around the bag 160, the compressed pressure medium exerts a pressure on the active substance in the bag 160. This pressure is used when discharging the active substance out of the outlet valve 164.

[0124] Supplementary, it is to be noted that comprising does not exclude other elements or steps and a or an does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it is noted that features or steps which are described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other above-described embodiments. Reference signs in the claims are not to be construed as limitation.