APPARATUS FOR EMPTYING A FLUID CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR COUPLING A FLUID CONTAINER TO A CORRESPONDING APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (12) for emptying a fluid container (10), wherein the apparatus (12) comprises: a pumping unit (20) configured to pump fluids, a display device (22); a data input unit comprising a read-out device (26) configured to read out fluid type identifying data from at least one marking element (14) of the fluid container (10) and/or input means (24) configured for a manual input of the fluid type identifying data and/or for choosing the fluid type identifying data manually from a list of reference data displayed on the display device (22); and an identification unit configured to perform a data comparison of the fluid type identifying data with the reference data for identifying the fluid (18) inside the fluid container (10); wherein the apparatus (12) is configured to display fluid type information about the identified fluid type of the fluid in the fluid container (10) on the display device (22). The invention further relates to a corresponding method for coupling a fluid container (10) to an apparatus (12) for emptying said fluid container (10).

Claims

1. An apparatus (12) for emptying a fluid container (10), wherein the apparatus (12) comprises: a pumping unit (20) configured to pump fluids, a display device (22); a data input unit comprising a read-out device (26) configured to read out fluid type identifying data from at least one marking element (14) of the fluid container (10) and/or input means (24) configured for a manual input of the fluid type identifying data and/or for choosing the fluid type identifying data manually from a list of reference data displayed on the display device (22); and an identification unit configured to perform a data comparison of the fluid type identifying data with the reference data for identifying the fluid (18) inside the fluid container (10); wherein the apparatus (12) is configured to display fluid type information about the identified fluid type of the fluid in the fluid container (10) on the display device (22).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (12) is configured to await a manual confirmation entry via the input means (24) in order to start the emptying process.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification unit is configured to perform a data comparison of the current data input of fluid type identifying data with the fluid type identifying data of the fluid container (10) previously coupled to the apparatus (12).

4. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the read-out device (26) is a bar code scanner (28) or a QR code scanner or a scanner for OCR or a RFID chip reader.

5. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a controller module (21) for controlling the pumping unit (20), which controller module (21) comprises a data processor, the display device (22) and/or the data input unit.

6. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the data input unit, especially the read-out device (26), is provided by a cellular phone (30).

7. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a sensor module coupleable to the fluid container (10) and configured to measure a filling level of the fluid container (10) when coupled to the fluid container (10).

8. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus (12) is configured to check whether the pumping unit (20) is qualified for the identified fluid type.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the identification unit is configured to perform a data comparison of the fluid type identifying data with reference data from a list of fluid types the pumping unit (20) is qualified for.

10. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a suction lance (28) fluid-technical coupled to the pumping unit (20).

11. A method for coupling a fluid container (10) to an apparatus (12) for emptying said fluid container (10), especially by means of the apparatus (12) according to one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the following steps: performing a read-out/input of the fluid type identifying data from the at least one marking element (18) of the fluid container (10); identifying the fluid by performing a data comparison of the fluid type identifying data with the reference data; and displaying fluid type information about the identified fluid type of the fluid (18) in the fluid container (10).

12. The method according to claim 11, performed by use of the apparatus (12) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the read-out/input step is performed by means of the read-out device (26) or input means (24); the identifying step is performed by means of the identification unit; and the displaying step is performed by means of the display device (22).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, comprising the further step of confirming the displayed fluid type information subsequent to the displaying step to start the pumping process.

14. The method according to one of claims 11 to 13, comprising the further steps of performing data comparison of the current data input of fluid type identifying data with the fluid type identifying data of the fluid container (10) previously coupled to the apparatus (12).

15. The method according to one of claims 11 to 14, comprising the further steps of checking whether the pumping unit (20) is qualified for pumping the identified fluid type; and pumping the fluid (18) when the pumping unit (20) is qualified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Additional details, features, characteristics and advantages of the object of the invention are disclosed in the figures and the following description of the respective figures, whichin exemplary fashionshow one embodiment and an example of a dispensing system according to the invention. In the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a fluid container and an apparatus for emptying said fluid container according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a fluid container and an apparatus for emptying said fluid container according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] The illustration in FIG. 1 shows a fluid container 10 and an apparatus 12 for emptying the fluid container, which apparatus 12 is coupled to the top of the fluid container 10. The container 10 comprises a marking element 14 being a bar code label 16. The bar code printed on the label 16 contains fluid type identifying data characterizing the fluid 18 inside the fluid container 10 or at least the fluid the container is intended for. The apparatus 12 is an apparatus for fluid delivery from said fluid container 10. Said apparatus 12 comprises a pumping unit 20 configured to pump certain kinds of fluids 18. To be more precise, the pumping unit 20 is a dosing pump unit. The apparatus 12 further comprises a controller module 21 for controlling the pumping unit 20, which controller module 21 comprises a data processor (not shown), a storage device (not shown), a display device 22 and a data input unit with input means 24. The input means 24 in the example are keys of a key panel. These input means 24 are configured for a manual input of said fluid type identifying data and/or for choosing these fluid type identifying data from a list of reference data displayed on the display device 22. The apparatus 12 further comprises a read-out device 26 configured to read out fluid type identifying data directly from the marking element 14 of the fluid container. The read-out device 26 of the shown example is a bar code scanner 28, to be precise, a hand held bar code scanner 28. The read-out device 26 is coupled to the pumping unit 20 by means of wired USB data connection.

[0027] The apparatus 12 further comprises an identification unit provided by the data processor and a data storage device (not shown) of the controller unit 21. The identification unit is configured to perform a data comparison of the fluid type identifying data with the reference data listed in the list. The controller unit 21 is configured to display the fluid type information about the identified fluid type (of the fluid in the fluid container 10) on the display device 22. The apparatus 12 is configured to await a manual confirmation entry via the input means 24 in order to start the emptying process.

[0028] Further on, the apparatus 12 is configured to check whether the pumping unit 20 is qualified for pumping the fluid encased in the fluid container 10. The apparatus 12 further comprises a suction lance 30 protruding into the fluid container 10.

[0029] Coupling a (new) fluid container 10 to the aforementioned apparatus 12 can be performed by the following steps: [0030] performing an automatic read out and input of the fluid type identifying data from the at least one marking element 14 of the fluid container 10 by means of the read-out device 26 or performing a manual input of the fluid type identifying data from the at least one marking element 14 of the fluid container 10 by means of the input means 24; [0031] identifying the fluid type of the fluid 18 by performing a data comparison of the fluid type identifying data with the reference data by use of the identification unit; and [0032] displaying fluid type information about the identified fluid type of the fluid 18 in the fluid container 10 by use of the display unit 22.

[0033] The displayed fluid type information enables the user of the apparatus 12 to check at a glance, which type of fluid 18 is provided by the fluid container 10 coupled to that apparatus 12.

[0034] In an optional confirming step subsequent to the displaying step, the user has to confirm the displayed fluid type information to start the pumping process.

[0035] In an optional comparison step, the identification unit performs a data comparison of the current data input of fluid type identifying data with the fluid type identifying data of the fluid container 10 previously coupled to this apparatus 12.

[0036] In an optional checking step, the apparatus 10 checks whether the pumping unit 20 is qualified for pumping fluids 18 of the identified fluid type. Afterwards, the pumping process is started automatically, if the pumping unit 20 is qualified for the identified fluid type.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the fluid container 10 together with another fluid container emptying apparatus 12 coupled to the fluid container 10. The marking element 14 of the fluid container 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a QR code label 32. In this system, the read-out device 26 is provided by a cellular phone 34, or more precisely a Smartphone. In other words, the system of the apparatus 12 comprises said cellular phone/smartphone 34, which includes the read-out device 26 of the apparatus 12. In this case, the read-out device 26 is a camera (not shown) included in said phone 34. The read-out device 26 is coupled to the pumping unit 20 by means of wireless Bluetooth data connection.

[0038] In several embodiments, the apparatus 12 further comprises a sensor module (not shown) configured to measure a filling level of the fluid container 10 when coupled to the fluid container 10. The display device 22 is configured to display the filling level, which results in the following safety levels:

[0039] Level 1visually with fluid type information (e.g. fluid name):

[0040] After setup with a fluid container 10 and corresponding fluid type information, display device 22 always shows the fluid type information.

[0041] After empty detection, the user is informed that he has to replace the fluid container 10 (e.g. barrel) with the marking element 14 comprising the fluid type identifying data which correspond to the fluid type information displayed on the display device 22.

[0042] After replacing the fluid container, the user has to confirm at the apparatus 12, that he has carried out the replacement with the right fluid type (comparing the fluid type information/fluid type identifying data visually).

[0043] Level 2visually with i.e. a SmartPhone 34 and fluid type identifying data (e.g. label information)

[0044] After setup with a fluid container 10, the display device 22 always shows the corresponding fluid type information.

[0045] After empty detection, the display device 22 shows beneath the fluid type information additional information like a GTIN-13-Code (QR-Code) corresponding to the adjusted fluid type (the additional information might be the pH value, viscosity arid other relevant parameters stored in the pump).

[0046] After replacing the fluid container 10, the user has to scan the fluid type identifying data (e.g. GTIN-13-Code or QR-Code) of the marking element of the fluid container 10.

[0047] Then the user has to scan the fluid type identifying data (e.g. GTIN-13-Code or QR-Code) which is shown on the display. A Mobil App running on the SmartPhone compares the information of both GTIN-13-Code or QR Code and gives green light for identical fluid types, yellow light for similar fluid types and red light for different fluid types. Of course the scan sequence could be vice versa.

[0048] Then the user has to confirm manually at the apparatus 12 the replacement of the fluid container 10. Requirement for level 2 is equipment (i.e. a SmartPhone) with adequate software for scanning and comparing.

[0049] Level 3automatically with connected read-out device (26) like, e.g., a scanner:

[0050] After setup with a fluid container, the display device 22 always shows the fluid type information (like e.g. the fluid name).

[0051] After empty detection, the display device shows beneeth the fluid type information a message that the user has to connect the scanner to the USB port of the apparatus 12.

[0052] After replacing the fluid container 12, the user has to read out the marking element 14 (e.g. GTIN-13-Code, QR-Code) printed on the label of the fluid container 12 with the camera).

[0053] After transmitting the data from the read-out device 26 to the apparatus 12, the software of the apparatus 12 compares the fluid type identifying data (GTIN-13-Code, QR-Code) with the reference data from the list of reference data and gives green for identical fluids 18, yellow for similar fluids 18 and red for different fluids 18.

[0054] When not green, the user he has to confirm manually at the apparatus that the pumping unit has to work with scanned fluid.

[0055] It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing a compound includes a mixture of two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term or is generally employed in its sense including and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.