GB2636069A

GB2636069A - Refill container, dispenser device and dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2636069A
Application number: GB2317769.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paz Fuentes Francisco
Original assignee: Reckitt and Colman Overseas Hygiene Home Ltd
Current assignee: Reckitt and Colman Overseas Hygiene Home Ltd
Priority date: 2023-11-21
Filing date: 2023-11-21
Publication date: 2025-06-11
Also published as: WO2025108363A1

Abstract

A refill container, a dispenser device and a dispenser are described. The refill container includes a magnetic tag configured to be magnetised at different magnetic field strengths, wherein a current magnet field strength is associated with at least one property of the refill container. The dispenser device has a sensor coupled to a processing unit of the dispenser device for determining a magnetic field strength encoded in the magnet tag of the refill container when the refill container is installed in the dispenser device. The dispenser includes the refill container and the dispenser device, wherein the refill container is installed in the dispenser device. The sensor is preferably a Hall sensor, and the dispenser is preferably a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control dispenser. In preferred embodiments, the operation of the dispenser is guided by a determined strength of the magnetic field encoded in the magnetic tag of the refill container.

Description

Refill container, dispenser device and dispenser This invention relates to a refill container, a dispenser device and a dispenser, in particular a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control dispenser.

In general, devices for dispensing fragrances, deodorising agents, sanitising fluids, soaps or pest control formulations consist of a device containing a removable source of fluid which is usually held in a refill container.

An example of such a device is the AirwickTM product called "24/7 active fresh". It is an automatic non-aerosol dispenser. Non-aerosol liquids require a greater force to be used for activation because the force is directly related to the distance the liquid is projected into e.g. a room.

In connection with e.g. such device, it is desirable to increase the safety of operation as well as to optimise the emanation of the fragrance or other fluid.

In a first aspect, a refill container, in particular a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control refill container, is disclosed which comprises a body for holding a liquid or gel to be dispensed and a magnetic tag arranged on the body. The magnetic tag is configured to be magnetised at different magnetic field strengths, wherein a current magnet field strength is associated with at least one property of the refill container. In this embodiment, the magnetic tag may have properties allowing for magnetisation at different magnet field strength levels, without the need to use different magnetic tags for different magnetic field strength levels. The magnetisation may be done by magnets of different magnetic field strengths, or by an electro-magnet to which varying electrical voltages can be applied.

The at least one property can e.g. be an origin of the refill container, a content of the refill container, an expiry date of the content, a presence of the refill container or a dispensing program related to the content. In that context, the origin of the refill container can relate to the manufacturer. The content of the refill container may e.g. refer to the type of refill container such as a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control formulation. It can further refer to the type of fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control formulation.

The magnetic tag may comprise magnetic ink. In this embodiment, the magnetic tag can be printed on the body of the refill container instead of requiring a separate physical element.

In a second aspect, a dispenser device, in particular a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control dispenser device is disclosed. The device comprises a container unit for receiving a refill container holding a liquid or gel to be dispensed by the dispenser device, a processing unit for operating the dispenser device and a dispensing unit coupled with the container unit and the processing unit for dispensing the liquid or gel. The device further comprises a sensor coupled to the processing unit for determining a magnetic field strength encoded in a magnet tag of the refill container when the refill container is installed in the dispenser device.

Preferably, the sensor is a Hall sensor. Such sensor leverages the Hall effect.

It is also possible that the magnetic tag can carry a dynamic as opposed to a static magnetic field. In such embodiments, not only static properties of the magnetic field can be leveraged such as a constant magnetic field strength, but also dynamic properties such as a magnetic strength varying over time, to e.g. differentiate between different types of refill containers. A dynamic magnetic field can for example be realised by using an active magnetic tag to which a varying level of energy is applied, resulting in a varying (=dynamic) magnetic field. In such embodiment, the magnetic tag may comprise an electrical coil, the energy may be supplied by e.g. a solar cell, and the varying level of energy to be supplied to the coil may be generated by a -preferably miniature -electrical circuit.

In a third aspect, a dispenser, in particular a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control dispenser, is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a refill container and a dispenser device as described before, wherein the refill container is installed in the container unit of the dispenser device.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor of the dispenser device and the magnetic tag of the refill container are arranged at a fixed distance from each other, in particular in close proximity to each other.

The fixed distance between the sensor and the magnetic tag can be maintained when the refill container is replaced by a new refill container and the new refill container is installed in the container unit of the dispenser device. The strength (or level) of the magnetic field encoded in the magnetic tab depends on the strength of the magnet which was used to magnetise the magnetic tag and the magnetic material included in the magnetic tab. The strength of the magnetic field as detected by the sensor will further depend on the distance between the sensor and the magnetic tag when the refill container is installed in the dispenser device. In this embodiment, the dispenser device and the refill container exhibit a tight fit such that said distance does not vary significantly when the refill container is replaced by a new refill container. This leads to a robust set up such that the magnetic field strength as determined by the sensor does not vary between two or more refill containers of the same type. For refill containers of different types, however, the detected magnetic field strength will vary -as intended by design.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing unit is configured to inhibit operation of the dispenser device if the determined magnetic field strength falls outside a pre-determined range of the magnetic field strength. In this embodiment, the magnetic tag of the original manufacturer's refill container carries a magnetic field of a pre-determined strength which has been imprinted on the magnetic tag at production time. The dispenser device can be locked if a refill container is detected not originating from the original manufacturer. This makes sure that unknown, unwanted or dangerous content is emanated, thus serving consumer protection purposes.

In another preferred embodiment, the processing unit is configured to operate the dispensing unit at a number of different dispensing programs wherein a current dispensing program is selected from the number of different dispensing programs based on the determined magnetic field strength. In this embodiment, refill containers with different contents, such as different fragrances, can carry magnetic tags exhibiting magnetic fields of different magnetic field strengths such that the magnetic field strength can be representative of the fragrance of the currently installed refill container. During operation of the dispenser, the current magnetic field strength of the magnetic tag (i.e. the magnetic field strength encoded on the magnetic tag of the currently installed refill container) is determined by the sensor. The processing unit includes a number of dispensing programs corresponding to a number of different refill container contents. Such dispensing program is selected (based on the currently determined strength of the magnetic field as encoded on the magnetic tag) which corresponds to the currently installed refill container. E.g., different fragrances can be dispensed using different time schedules best suiting their respective olfactory profile. E.g., a weaker, more subtle fragrance can be dispensed more often and/or for longer time periods of a first dispensing program whereas a stronger fragrance can be dispensed for shorter time periods and/or with a higher release rate of a second dispensing program. The dispensing programs can be designed according to user preferences. The one or more dispensing programs may also encompass operating the dispenser at different temperature levels, e.g. when the dispenser is a plug-in device where a heating element is used to vaporise the liquid such as a fragrance composition. Furthermore, the one or more dispensing programs may also include operating the dispenser at different voltage levels, e.g. when the dispenser is an automatic spray which is activated by a motor to which said voltage levels are applied. The higher the voltage level applied to the motor, the faster the dispenser will emit the liquid or aerosol, such as a fragrance composition, and/or the more powerful the spray burst will be, usually reaching farther into the room where the dispenser is placed.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the dispenser is a fragrance or pest control dispenser and the number of different dispensing programs includes different time schedules defining periods of fragrance respectively pest control formulation emanation and periods where no fragrance respectively pest control formulation is emanated.

Alternatively, the dispenser can be a soap or disinfectant dispenser, and the number of different dispensing programs includes a program for dispensing a single dose of soap respectively disinfectant.

In the following, an example of the invention is described with reference to the Figures.

FIGURE 1 shows a refill container according to the invention; FIGURE 2 shows a dispenser device according to the invention; and FIGURE 3 shows a refill container together with a dispenser device, according to the invention.

In Figure 1, a refill container 1 according to the invention is shown. The refill container 1 has a body 3 with a certain volume, to hold a liquid or gel to be dispensed from the refill container 1. A magnetic tag 5 is arranged on the body 3, preferably on a rear side of the body 3 such that the magnetic tag 5 can communicate with a sensor arranged on a dispenser device when the refill container 1 is installed in the dispenser device. The magnetic tag can be embodied e.g. by a strip of magnetic material, or by magnetic ink printed onto the body 3. The magnetic tag 5 can carry a magnetic field the strength of which is associated with an origin of the refill container (such as the manufacturer), a content of the refill container (such as fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control formulation), an expiry date of the content, a presence of the refill container (i.e. when a refill container 1 is installed in a dispenser device, the magnetic strength encoded in the magnetic tag 5 may signal to the dispenser device that a refill container 1 is present in the dispenser device, whereas if no refill container is installed, no magnetic field strength will be detected), or a dispensing program related to the content (e.g., different fragrances may benefit from different dispensing programs to be applied by the dispenser device; the currently detected magnetic field strength of the magnetic tag S can thus signal to the dispenser device which fragrance is currently installed and select a matching dispensing program accordingly). As stated, the origin of the refill container can relate to the manufacturer and/or location of manufacturing. The content of the refill container may e.g. refer to the type of refill container such as a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control formulation. It can also further specify the fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control formulation. Furthermore, the installed refill may have a specific initial volume of content that can be monitored by the dispensing device via the duration of operation and/or number of activations -allowing for the dispenser device to give feedback to the user when the refill is about to get empty.

Figure 2 exhibits a dispensing device 10 according to the invention. The device 10 is shown in the opened state, ready to receive a refill container 1 according to the invention (see also Figure 1). The refill container 1 can be received by a container unit 12 of the dispenser device 10. The container unit 12 may include a cavity in the shape of a rear side of the refill container such that the refill container 1 can be inserted into the cavity of the dispenser device 10. The device 10 further includes a sensor 14 for determining a magnetic field strength. Preferably, the sensor 14 is a Hall sensor. When the refill container 1 is inserted into the device 10, the magnetic tag 5 of the refill container 1 will be arranged in close proximity to the sensor 14 of the device 10. The refill container 1 and the device 10 exhibit a "tight fit", such that the distance between the magnetic tag 5 and the sensor 14 remains constant during operation of the device 10 and also when the refill container 1 is replaced by a new refill container after depletion of its content. This leads to an accurate and robust determination of the magnetic field strength of the magnetic tag 5 by the sensor 14. The sensor is connected with a processing unit 16 which is configured to do all the necessary calculations, comparisons etc. E.g., the processing unit 16 may have stored thereon one or more pre-determined ranges to which a currently detected magnetic field strength can be compared. If the determined magnetic field strength falls into the pre-determined range, this can mean that e.g. the inserted refill container is an OEM refill container, and/or of which type it is, and/or which content it holds, and/or the volume of the content (e.g. "big refill" vs. "small refill"). If no magnetic field strength is detected or if the determined magnetic field strength is outside the pre-determined range, the inserted refill container 1 may not be an OEM refill container, or it holds a content not suitable for dispensing with the dispenser device 10, and the processing unit 16 can lock the dispenser device 10 then. The processing unit 16 can further include a number of different dispensing programs which can be selected depending on the currently determined magnetic field strength of the magnetic tag 5 of a currently installed refill container 1. Finally, the device 10 further includes a dispensing unit 18 for dispensing the content of the refill container 1, wherein the dispensing unit 18 is connected with the processing unit 16 and configured to be connected with the refill container 1 when the latter is installed in the device.

Figure 3 exhibits another embodiment of a refill container and a dispenser device, according to the invention. The refill container 1 and the dispenser device 10 are shown together in this figure. The same reference signs as in Figures 1 and 2 have been used in Figure 3 such that the elements depicted in Figure 3 can easily be identified by referring to the description above in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

In SUMMARY, the invention relates to A refill container, a dispenser device and a dispenser.

The refill container includes a magnetic tag configured to be magnetised at different magnetic field strengths, wherein a current magnet field strength is associated with at least one property of the refill container.

The dispenser device has a sensor coupled to a processing unit of the dispenser device for determining a magnetic field strength encoded in the magnet tag of the refill container when the refill container is installed in the dispenser device.

The dispenser includes the refill container and the dispenser device, wherein the refill container is installed in the dispenser device.

The sensor is preferably a Hall sensor, and the dispenser is preferably a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control dispenser.

In preferred embodiments, the operation of the dispenser is guided by a determined strength of the magnetic field encoded in the magnetic tag of the refill container.

Claims

Claims 1. A refill container (1), in particular a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control refill container, comprising: A body (3) for holding a liquid or gel to be dispensed, and A magnetic tag (5) arranged on the body (3), Characterised in that The magnetic tag (5) is configured to be magnetised at different magnetic field strengths, wherein a current magnet field strength is associated with at least one property of the refill container (1).
2. The refill container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of an origin of the refill container (1), a content of the refill container (1), an expiry date of the content of the refill container (1), a presence of the refill container(1) and a dispensing program related to the content of the refill container (1).
3. The refill container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic tag (5) comprises magnetic ink.
4. A dispenser device (10), in particular a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control dispenser device, comprising: A container unit (12) for receiving a refill container (1) holding a liquid or gel to be dispensed by the dispenser device (10); A processing unit (16) for operating the dispenser device (10); and A dispensing unit (18) coupled with the container unit (12) and the processing unit (16) for dispensing the liquid or gel; characterised by A sensor (14) coupled to the processing unit (16) for determining a magnetic field strength encoded in a magnet tag (5) of the refill container (1) when the refill container (1) is installed in the dispenser device (10).
5. The dispenser device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the sensor (14) is a Hall sensor.
6. A dispenser, in particular a fragrance, soap, disinfectant or pest control dispenser, comprising: A refill container (1) according to any of claims 1-3, and A dispenser device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the refill container (1) is installed in the container unit (12) of the dispenser device (10).
7. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the sensor (14) of the dispenser device (10) and the magnetic tag (5) of the refill container are arranged at a fixed distance from each other, in particular in close proximity to each other.
8. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the fixed distance between the sensor (14) and the magnetic tag (5) remains the same when the refill container (1) is replaced by a new refill container and the new refill container is installed in the container unit (12) of the dispenser device (10).
9. The dispenser according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the processing unit (16) is configured to inhibit operation of the dispenser device (10) if the determined magnetic field strength falls outside a pre-determined range of the magnetic field strength.
10. The dispenser according to any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the processing unit (16) is configured to operate the dispensing device (10) at a number of different dispensing programs wherein a current dispensing program is selected from the number of different dispensing programs based on the determined magnetic field strength.
11. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the dispenser is a fragrance or pest control dispenser and the number of different dispensing programs includes different time schedules defining periods of fragrance respectively pest control formulation emanation and periods where no fragrance respectively pest control formulation is emanated.
12. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the dispenser is a soap or disinfectant dispenser and the number of different dispensing programs includes a program for dispensing a single dose of soap respectively disinfectant.