REFILL STATION FOR A DISPENSER CAN WITH A SCALE FOR DETERMINING A WEIGHT INFORMATION OF THE DISPENSER CAN AT A RECEIVING DEVICE

Abstract

Refill station comprising a receiving device for receiving a dispenser can which is to be refilled with an active substance, a scale for capturing a weight information which is related to the dispenser can at the receiving device prior to a refill process and/or during a refill process, and a control unit which is configured for controlling a refill of the dispenser can with the active substance based on the determined weight information.

Claims

1.-18. (canceled)

19. Refill station comprising: a receiving device for receiving a dispenser can which is to be refilled with an active substance; a scale for capturing a weight information which is related to the dispenser can at the receiving device prior to a refill process or during a refill process; and a control unit which is configured for controlling a refill of the dispenser can with the active substance based on the captured weight information.

20. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the scale is arranged below the receiving device, and the dispenser can, in a state received at the receiving device, is arranged in an upright manner.

21. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the scale is arranged above the receiving device, and the dispenser can, in a state received at the receiving device, is arranged upside down.

22. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the scale is a beam scale.

23. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the scale comprises a securing mechanism which provides a protection against an overload of the scale.

24. Refill station according to claim 23, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a double leaf spring which is attached to an end of a weighting beam of the scale which is opposing to another end of the weighting beam, wherein the other end, in a state received at the receiving device, is force-coupled with the dispenser can.

25. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the control unit is configured for determining a residual filling of the dispenser can prior to a refill process based on a weight information which is determined by the scale prior to the refill process, and for controlling the refill process based on this weight information.

26. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the control unit is configured for determining the weight information by the scale during a refill process, and for subsequently continuing the refill process based on this weight information.

27. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling a refill process based on a differential weight determination of the dispenser can which is performed by the scale prior to the refill process and after at least a part of the refill process.

28. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the scale is configured for capturing a weight information which is indicative for a sum weight of the dispenser can, a residual filling of the dispenser can, and a part of the refill station, prior to a refill process or during a refill process.

29. Refill station according to claim 19, comprising a transponder reading device for reading dispenser can-related data of a dispenser can transponder which is assigned to the dispenser can; wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the refill of the dispenser can with the active substance based on the read dispenser can-related data.

30. Refill station according to claim 29, wherein the transponder reading device is configured for reading dispenser can-related data which are indicative for an empty weight of the dispenser can, an active substance which is to be filled into the dispenser can, or a maximum filling amount of the dispenser can.

31. Refill station according to claim 19, wherein the receiving device comprises a receiving side for receiving the dispenser can and a weighting side which is opposing to the receiving side, to which the scale and a supply terminal for supplying the active substance or a pressure gas to the dispenser can which is to be received at the receiving side.

32. Refill station according to claim 31, wherein the receiving device comprises a protrusion at the weighting side, to which the scale is attached, and which delimits a recess through which the supply terminal is guided.

33. Refill arrangement comprising: a refill station according to claim 19; and a dispenser can which is attachable or attached to the receiving device, wherein, by the scale, a weight information which is related to the dispenser can at the receiving device is capturable, when the dispenser can is attached to the receiving device.

34. Refill arrangement according to claim 33, comprising an active substance container which contains an active substance, and which is coupled or couplable with the receiving device, to provide the active substance for refilling the dispenser can.

35. Refill arrangement according to claim 33, comprising a gas reservoir which is configured for providing a pressure gas, and which is coupled or couplable with the receiving device, to provide the pressure gas for refilling the dispenser can.

36. Method for operating a refill station, wherein the method comprises: receiving a dispenser can which is to be refilled with an active substance at a receiving device of the refill station; capturing a weight information which is related to the dispenser can at the receiving device prior to a refill process or during a refill process by a scale; and controlling a refill of the dispenser can with the active substance based on the captured weight information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0035] 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.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram which illustrates a method for operating a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a receiving device of a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a bottom of a dispenser can of a refill arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a backside of a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a mechanism for refilling a dispenser can in a refill arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a scale at a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 10 shows a scale at a refill station according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0045] Same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0046] Before, referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described, some general aspects of embodiments of the invention shall be explained.

[0047] According to embodiments of the invention, a refill station is provided which uses an active substance from a container (for example a 20 I canister or a 60 I 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 I) 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 I), or in a hazardous goods storage cupboard as a ballast adapter (German: Auflastadapter). A suitable potential equilibration may be achieved by grounding.

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, for providing a refill station for refilling the active substance and/or the pressure medium into a dispenser can at a receiving device which is receiving the dispenser can in the refill operation, a scale is mounted. The scale is configured for capturing a weight information prior to and/or during a refill process, which is indicative for an actual mass and/or an actual weight of a dispenser can which is actually completely emptied, partially filled, or completely filled, at the receiving device. In particular, the weight information which is captured by the scale may enable to determine an actual filling state of the dispenser can and, on this basis, to determine how the refill process shall be performed or continued, to achieve a target filling state of the dispenser can. With advantage, by a scale-based and/or weight-controlled refill of a dispenser can both an undesired underfilling and a dangerous overfilling of the dispenser can may be avoided. Therefore, a refill process may be performed both in an operational safe manner and under avoidance of unnecessary short refill intervals between subsequent refill procedures for refilling a dispenser can with the active substance and/or the pressure medium and may therefore be performed in a user-convenient manner.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a scale at a receiving device of a refill station for refilling a refillable dispenser can with the active substance and/or the pressure gas measures the weight and/or the mass of the dispenser can which is formed as an aerosol can, for example, prior to and during the filling process. In particular, thereby the amount of the medium (in particular the active substance and/or the pressure medium) which is introduced into the dispenser can may be measured by a scale which is configured as a beam scale, for example. Advantageously, a filling amount limitation may be achieved by performing a weighting process when filling the dispenser can. According to a preferred embodiment, the control and/or the regulation of the refill process by a control unit allows a controlled filling of a dispenser can under performing a target-/actual comparison. For example, by the scale, an actual filling of the dispenser can may be determined and compared with a target filling. The refill process may then be continued until the actual filling has reached the target filling and may then be finished. Prior to or at the beginning of a refill process, a residual amount of the active substance and/or the pressure gas which is possibly present in the dispenser can which is configured as an aerosol can, for example, may be measured. The refill process may be adapted to this weight information.

[0052] Especially advantageously, the scale of the refill station may be configured for determining a weight and/or a mass of the medium (in particular the active substance and/or the pressure gas) in the dispenser can, of the dispenser can itself (which is configured as an aerosol can, for example), and of a refill device (in particular of a refill device at which the dispenser can to be refilled is received for refilling). This configuration has the advantage that it is not necessary to use complicated means for exactly determining only the weight of the dispenser can itself. Instead, for example under performance of a differential weight determination of a, for example pre-known, dispenser can with a, for example pre-known, empty weight and/or a, for example pre-known, residual filling prior to a filling process and during a filling process and/or at different times during a filling process, an information about the dispenser can may be derived, also when the weight determination is performed with the receiving device. This simplifies the configuration of the scale since it may then be attached at the receiving device in a simple manner and does not have to be arranged directly at the dispenser can in a complicated manner.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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).

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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).

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] FIG. 5 shows a receiving device 102 of a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] FIG. 9 shows a scale 126 at a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0100] In more detail, FIG. 9 shows a refill arrangement 116 with the refill station 100 and a dispenser can 104 which is attached to a receiving device 102 of the refill station 100. The dispenser can 104 may be placed on the receiving device 102 and thereby laches. By an active substance container which is not illustrated in FIG. 9 (compare reference sign 114 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4), the active substance may be refilled into the dispenser can 104 and/or by a gas reservoir which is not illustrated in FIG. 9 (compare reference sign 124 in FIG. 1), the pressure gas may be refilled into the dispenser can 104 via supply units 120 and/or 122 and via the receiving device 102. After finishing a refill process, a user may actuate an unlocking button 188, whereby the dispenser can 104 is unlocked from the receiving device 102. Alternatively, unlocking the dispenser can 104 from the receiving device 102 may be causable by merely exerting a tensile force on the dispenser can 104 which is received at the receiving device 102. The supply units 120 and/or 122 function as active substance conduit and/or pressure gas conduit and may be connected to a pump which is not illustrated in FIG. 9 (which may exert a pressure of up to 2 bar or even of up to 6 bar, for example, to supply the medium to the dispenser can 104 under pressure).

[0101] By the scale 126, in the context of a refill operation of the refill arrangement 116 for refilling the dispenser can 104 with the active substance (and optionally additionally with a pressure gas), a weight information which is related to the dispenser can 104 at the receiving device 102 can be captured. Since the scale 126 is attached to the receiving device 102 according to FIG. 9, to which in turn the dispenser can 104 to be refilled is mounted, the scale 126 determines a mass and/or a weight which includes the individual weights of the empty dispenser can 104, a possibly partial or complete filling of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance and/or the pressure gas, and the receiving device 102.

[0102] Advantageously, the scale 126 serves for capturing a weight information which is related to the dispenser can 104 at the receiving device 102 prior to a refill process and during a refill process. A control unit 110 of the refill station 100 is configured for controlling a refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance based on said captured weight information. According to FIG. 9, the scale 126 is arranged below the receiving device 102. The dispenser can 104 may be placed by a user from above on the receiving device 102 for refilling with the active substance and/or the pressure gas and may be arranged in an upright manner in a state received at the receiving device 102, i.e., with an actuation nozzle 121 which is oriented upwardly.

[0103] According to FIG. 9, the scale 126 is configured as a mechanically simply constructed and robust beam scale. Descriptively, the mechanical coupling of the scale 126 and the disk-shaped receiving device 102 may be denoted as disk-on-beam-construction. The beam-shaped scale 126 comprises a securing mechanism 142 which is configured for the protection against an overload of the scale 126. The securing mechanism 142 includes a double leaf spring 144 which is attached to one end of the weighting beam 146 of the scale 126. The end is opposing to another end of the weighting beam 146, wherein the other end is force-coupled with the receiving device 102 andin a state received at the receiving device 102with the dispenser can 104. The described securing mechanism 142 serves for protecting the scale 126 if an excessive weight is applied.

[0104] Preferably, the receiving device 102 comprises a receiving side 160 for detachably receiving the dispenser can 104 and a weighting side 162 which is opposing to the receiving side 160. At the weighting side 162, the scale 126 and a supply terminal 168 are attached for supplying the active substance and/or a pressure gas to the dispenser can 104 which is to be received at the receiving side 160. The spatial decoupling of the dispenser can mounting from the supply of the medium and from the weight determination protects the scale 126 and the supply terminal 168 against a mechanical load in connection with the user-sided attachment and detachment of a dispenser can 104 to be refilled with respect to the receiving device 102. As a constructively especially simple measure which leads to an error-robust refill station 100 at the same time, the receiving device 102 may be equipped at the weighting side 162 with a rigid protrusion 164 (preferably a ring-protrusion) to which the scale 126 is attached. At the same time, in the interior of the protrusion 164, a recess 166 is delimited, through which the supply terminal 168 is guided.

[0105] According to the embodiment of FIG. 9, the control unit 110 is configured for determining a possible residual filling of the dispenser can 104 prior to a refill process based on a weight information which is determined prior to the refill process by the scale 126, and for controlling the refill process based on this weight information. By, prior to the refill, detecting a residual filling of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance and/or of the pressure gas, both an undesired underfilling and a dangerous overfilling of the dispenser can 104 during the refill may be avoided. Therefore, by the weight-based control of the refill process of the dispenser can 104, on the one hand it may be avoided that the refill process is finished before the dispenser can 104 is substantially completely filled with the active substance and/or the pressure gas. This increases the user comfort, since an excessively frequent refill of the dispenser can 104 is thereby dispensable. At the same time, by the weight-based control of the refill process it may be avoided that the dispenser can 104 is overfilled with the active substance and/or the pressure gas which may lead to an excessive interior pressure of the dispenser can 104 and, under unfavorable circumstances, even to a risk for explosion and/or a leakage of aggressive chemicals out of the dispenser can 104. The prevention of the overfilling of the dispenser can 104 thus causes a high operational safety for a user and protects him against possibly hazardous chemicals of the active substance.

[0106] Preferably, the control unit 110 may be configured for continuously determining the weight information during a refill process by the scale 126, and for subsequently successively controlling, adapting, or regulating the refill process based on this weight information. In particular, the control unit 110 may be configured for controlling a refill process based on a differential weight determination of the dispenser can 104 which is performed by the scale 126 prior to, during, and/or at the end of the refill process. It has turned out as especially advantageous, when the scale 126 provides a 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 the receiving device 102 which is carrying the dispenser can 104, prior to a refill process and during a refill process. The refill process may then be precisely performed by the control unit 110 based on this information. In particular, the control unit 110 may be configured, based on a capturing of the weight information by the scale 126, for determining a residual amount of the active substance in the dispenser can 104 prior to a refill process, and for correspondingly controlling a subsequent refill process.

[0107] It is also especially advantageous to attach in the receiving device 102 a transponder reading device 106 which is for example configured as RFID reading device for reading dispenser can-related data of a dispenser can transponder 108 which is attached to the dispenser can 104 and which is configured as an RFID-tag. When the dispenser can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102 for refilling, the dispenser can transponder 108 may be brought in a readability distance of the transponder reading device 106, such that the transponder reading device 106 can read dispenser can-related data out of the dispenser can transponder 108. For example, such dispenser can-related data may be an empty weight of the dispenser can 104, an active substance to be refilled into the dispenser can 104, and/or a maximum filling amount of the dispenser can 104.

[0108] Advantageously, the control unit 110 may consider the read dispenser can-related data for characterizing the dispenser can 104 when controlling the refill of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance and/or the pressure gas. The control unit 110 may comprise a processor (for example a CPU, central processing unit), for example, which performs both a control of the scale 126 and a procedure control for the refill process. Moreover, the control unit 110 may fulfill further functions, in particular controlling a pump for the medium supply to the dispenser can 104 via the supply units 120, 122, controlling a communication which is described according to FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 3 via a communication network 117, such as the Internet, and/or controlling a display unit 118 (compare FIG. 1).

[0109] In the following, it is exemplarily described how on basis of the measuring data of the scale 126, preferably in combination with the read dispenser can-related data, a refill process for refilling a dispenser can 104 with initially unknown residual filling can be performed:

[0110] After a user has mounted a dispenser can 104 with an unknown residual filling of the active substance and/or the pressure gas on the receiving device 102, the scale 126 may capture a sum weight of the empty weight of the dispenser can 104, the weight of its residual filling, and the weight of the receiving device 102. For example, the empty weight of the dispenser can 104 may be pre-known or may be read as dispenser can-related data out of the dispenser can transponder 108. The weight of the receiving device 102 may be pre-known or may be determined without a placed dispenser can 104 by the scale 126, for example during a calibration. Then, on basis of this information, it is possible to determine a residual filling of the dispenser can 104 by forming a difference between the captured sum weights on the one hand and the empty weight of the receiving device 102 and the dispenser can 104 on the other hand. A target filling of the dispenser can 104 in its completely filled state may be predetermined or may be read as dispenser can-related data out of the dispenser can transponder 108. By determining the difference between the target filling and the residual filling, it may be determined which filling amount shall be filled for refilling the dispenser can 104, to neither underfill nor overfill the dispenser can 104. This filling amount may then be filled into the dispenser can 104, controlled by the control unit 110. Alternatively, the complete filling of the dispenser can 104 may also be guaranteed by continuously or regularly measuring the sum weight during performing the refill by the scale 126, and by forming the difference between an actual partial filling (i.e. a successively increased residual filling) and the target filling, it is determined how long the filling process shall be continued. If the difference between an actual filling and the target filling is zero, the dispenser can 104 is completely refilled, and the refill process can be terminated.

[0111] FIG. 10 shows a scale 126 at a refill station 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0112] The embodiment according to FIG. 10 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 9 in particular in that, according to FIG. 10, the scale 126 is arranged above the receiving device 102. According to FIG. 10, the dispenser can 104 in a state received at the receiving device 102 is arranged upside down, i.e. is placed on the receiving device 102 in a downwardly suspending manner. The actuation nozzle 121 of the dispenser can 104 is directed downwardly. In other words, the orientation of the dispenser can 104 according to FIG. 10 in its configuration attached to the receiving device 102 is rotated around 180? with respect to the orientation according to FIG. 9.

[0113] 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.