EP4348611A1 - Station de recharge pour une boîte de distribution comportant un dispositif de lecture de transpondeur, et transpondeur de boîte de distribution - Google Patents

Station de recharge pour une boîte de distribution comportant un dispositif de lecture de transpondeur, et transpondeur de boîte de distribution

Info

Publication number
EP4348611A1
EP4348611A1 EP22728051.8A EP22728051A EP4348611A1 EP 4348611 A1 EP4348611 A1 EP 4348611A1 EP 22728051 A EP22728051 A EP 22728051A EP 4348611 A1 EP4348611 A1 EP 4348611A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dispenser
active substance
transponder
refill
active ingredient
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22728051.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Scheuber
Herbert Reuther
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wuerth International AG
Adolf Wuerth GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Wuerth International AG
Adolf Wuerth GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wuerth International AG, Adolf Wuerth GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Wuerth International AG
Publication of EP4348611A1 publication Critical patent/EP4348611A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
    • G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/003—Adding propellants in fluid form to aerosol containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
    • G06K7/10366—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/04—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs by weight
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
    • B05B7/04—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge
    • B05B7/0416—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge with arrangements for mixing one gas and one liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant
    • B65D83/42—Filling or charging means

Definitions

  • Refill station for dispenser can with transponder reader and dispenser can transponder
  • the invention relates to a refill station, a refill arrangement and a method for operating a refill station.
  • Dispenser cans are known which can be refilled automatically by means of a refill station.
  • a refill station is the REFILLO® mat station from the applicant Würth.
  • This safe and economical system is based on the automatic refilling of empty dispenser cans with active substance and compressed air.
  • the dispenser doses for the individual active ingredients are pressed onto the corresponding refill station.
  • the dispenser can is then filled with active substance and compressed air in a predetermined ratio.
  • the can holder is mechanically coded so that only the correct dispenser can be mechanically attached to the correct can holder.
  • a potentially dangerous mix-up of active ingredients and dispenser doses is thus mechanically suppressed.
  • a refill station comprising a receiving device for accommodating a dispenser can to be refilled with an active ingredient, a transponder reader for reading dispenser can-related data from a dispenser can transponder attached to the dispenser can when the dispenser can is attached to the receiving device, and a controller for controlling the refilling of the dispenser can with the active ingredient on the read donor can-related data.
  • a refill assembly comprising a refill station having the features described above and a dispenser can attachable or attached to the receptacle and having a dispenser can transponder storing dispenser can-related data which can be read by the transponder reader can be read when the dispenser box is attached to the receiving device.
  • a method for operating a refill station involves picking up a dispenser can to be refilled with an active substance on a receiving device of the refill station, reading donor can-related data from a dispenser can transponder attached to the dispenser can by means of a transponder reading device of the refilling station when the dispenser can is attached to the receiving device, and controlling the refilling of the dispenser can with the active substance based on the read dispenser-can-related data by means of a control device of the refilling station.
  • a "refill station” can be understood in particular as an apparatus that is designed to refill an at least partially emptied dispenser can that can be mechanically and fluidically coupled to the refill station with an active substance from an active substance container to be connected.
  • a refill station can therefore have a fluid connection between a container for providing active ingredient to be refilled and the dispenser can to be refilled provide, and optionally be designed to provide compressed gas to be refilled to the dispenser can.
  • a "receiving device” can be understood to mean in particular a mechanical and fluidic adapter which is designed to receive a dispenser can to be refilled in a particularly positive manner and, in the received state, can provide active substance and/or compressed gas to the dispenser can.
  • the receiving device can also function as a fluidic adapter for providing a fluid connection between a container with active substance and the dispenser can to be refilled with the active substance.
  • a "dispenser can” (e.g. designed as a spray can) can be understood in particular as a can that can be handled by a user and is used for dispensing (in particular for spraying a spray mist or for dispensing active substance in the form of a jet of active substance, a foam or a gel) is formed from preferably liquid active ingredient.
  • This active ingredient is under pressure inside the dispenser can, with compressed or propellant gases in the dispenser can (e.g. propane, butane, compressed air, carbon dioxide, helium or nitrogen) for discharging the active ingredient from the Dispenser can be used.
  • compressed or propellant gases in the dispenser can e.g. propane, butane, compressed air, carbon dioxide, helium or nitrogen
  • the ingredients can be sprayed out of the spray can, atomized and/or discharged in some other form through a nozzle.
  • Medium located in the spray can can be sprayed out of the spray can in particular as an aerosol.
  • an "active substance" can be understood in particular as a medium which, when sprayed out of the dispenser can, provides the actual function of the dispenser can.
  • Such an active substance can be a liquid, a gel, a viscous medium and/or a gas have, optionally having solid particles such an active ingredient can be a cleaner (e.g. a brake cleaner), a rust remover, a maintenance oil, a silicone spray, a window cleaner, a leak detection medium, a welding spray, etc.
  • a cleaner e.g. a brake cleaner
  • a rust remover e.g. a maintenance oil
  • a silicone spray e.g. a silicone spray
  • window cleaner e.g. a window cleaner
  • a leak detection medium e.g. a welding spray
  • a "control device” can be understood in particular as a device that controls the process of refilling active substance in a dispenser can, in particular allows it in a defined manner or prevents it in the event of an error.
  • a control device can have at least one processor and / or have part of a processor that evaluates the information provided about an intended and/or implemented refilling process and, if necessary, carries out, adapts, restricts, expands or makes impossible the refilling process.
  • the control device can control or regulate individual components of the refilling station for this purpose.
  • a transponder can be understood in particular as a device for wireless communication, monitoring and/or control, which receives wireless signals and can automatically respond to them.
  • a transponder can be active or passive. Active transponders are self-sufficient with energy.
  • An active transponder can, for example, have a built-in battery, or an active transponder can be connected to an external power grid. Passive transponders do not have their own energy source and obtain the energy used for communication from the electromagnetic field of a transponder reader. Examples of Transponders are RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) transponders, NFC (Near Field Communication) transponders, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) transponders, Bluetooth transponders, ZigBee transponders, etc.
  • RFID Radio Frequency Identification Tag
  • NFC Near Field Communication
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
  • Bluetooth transponders ZigBee transponders, etc.
  • Optical scanners for ID or 2D codes can also be provided.
  • a "donor can transponder” can be understood in particular as a transponder that is physically connected to a donor can and logically associated with the donor can. Therefore, a donor can transponder is structurally and functionally assigned to an associated donor can -related data of the donor can transponder relates to an associated donor can.
  • a transponder reader can be understood in particular as a device that is designed to wirelessly read out the identifier of a transponder form of alternating magnetic fields with a short range or by high-frequency radio waves). Not only can data be transmitted with this, but the transponder can also be supplied with energy.
  • the transponder reading device contains software that controls the reading process and, if necessary, additional software for providing an interface to one or more other communicatively coupled systems.
  • a dispenser can transponder is attached to the dispenser can in such a position that the dispenser can transponder can be read by a transponder reader of the refill station (in particular only or selectively) can then be read when the dispenser is attached to a receiving device of the refill station for refilling the active substance.
  • a fluid connection to the active substance in an active substance container can be established by means of the receiving device for refilling the active substance into the dispensing can and the active substance can be conveyed into the dispensing can.
  • the transponder reader with a limited reading range be provided so that a readability distance of the transponder reader for reading the dispenser can transponder is not reached until the dispenser can is attached to the receiving device.
  • the dispenser can transponder can be attached to the dispenser can, for example, on the bottom or so close to the floor that only when a refill valve of the dispenser can is mounted on a corresponding fluid interface of the receiving device - i.e. when the dispenser can is positioned for refilling at the refill station - can the Dispenser can transponder is made possible by the transponder reader of the refill station.
  • incorrect reading of transponders that do not belong to a dispenser can to be refilled can be reliably prevented.
  • the dispenser can transponder can advantageously be placed, for example, in the vicinity of the refill valve or can be arranged on the spray head or spray neck.
  • the transponder reading device can be used to read dispenser can-related data that can be used by a control device to control the refill station to correctly control the refilling.
  • dispenser can-related data can be used by a control device to control the refill station to correctly control the refilling.
  • it can be ensured that only an active substance that is suitable and approved for this dispenser can can be filled into the dispenser can characterized by it.
  • Incorrect filling of a dispenser can with an unsuitable active substance, which can be dangerous with regard to operational safety, can prevent a user from being adversely affected (e.g.
  • the transponder reading device can be designed to read active substance container-related data of an active substance container transponder assigned to an active substance container for providing active substance, with the control device for controlling the refilling of the dispenser dose with the active substance from the active substance container assigned to the active substance container transponder can be formed based on the read active ingredient package-related data.
  • the active ingredient package can be provided with or associated with an active ingredient package transponder, in which data related to the active ingredient package are stored.
  • an active substance container transponder it is extremely advantageous for an active substance container transponder to also be assigned to the active substance container for providing active substance for refilling the dispenser can.
  • the active substance package transponder can contain or store data that characterize the active substance package and/or an active substance contained therein.
  • the active substance container-related data can indicate which active substance (e.g. brake cleaner) is contained in an active substance container and/or which properties the active substance container has (e.g. capacity, residual filling with active substance, etc.).
  • the control device If the control device is supplied with the data relating to the active ingredient container, it can check, by comparing it with the data from the dispenser can, whether an active ingredient provided from the active ingredient container is compatible with a dispenser can, in particular whether it satisfies predetermined safety criteria. For example, a suitable dose transponder and active substance container transponder will not lead to a filling if the refill station is not released for the active substance. A refill station cannot then be recoded to a different active substance by the end user.
  • the transponder reading device can be configured to read the data relating to the active substance package selectively when the active substance package transponder is attached by a user in a predetermined area on a housing of the refilling station or is held in front of it.
  • the active substance container can be provided or associated with an active substance container transponder, in which data relating to the active substance container are stored, which can then be read out selectively by means of the transponder reader when the active substance container transponder is in a predetermined area on a housing of the refilling station is attached or maintained.
  • the transponder for the active substance container only comes within a readability distance of the transponder reader of the refilling station when the transponder for the active substance container is attached to a predefined position (particularly marked accordingly for a user) of a housing of the refill station, in particular if it is glued there . Incorrect reading by other transponders in the vicinity of the refill station can then be avoided.
  • a user can remove such an active ingredient container transponder from the assigned active ingredient container and attach it to a correspondingly marked housing surface of the refill station, for example, in order to enable it to be read out by the transponder reader.
  • each active ingredient package transponder only Can be used once or shared. This ensures high operational and process reliability.
  • the transponder reading device can have a common reading unit for reading the dispenser dose transponder and the transponder of the active substance package, for example containing a common reading coil.
  • the transponder reading device can have a first reading unit for reading a dispenser can transponder arranged on the receiving device, for example containing a first reading coil, and a separate second reading unit for reading the active substance container transponder attached to the housing of the refill station can, for example containing a second reading coil.
  • the control device can be configured to allow the dispenser can to be refilled with the active ingredient only if the read dispenser can-related data and/or the read active ingredient package-related data indicate compatibility of the dispenser can with the active ingredient.
  • the dispenser can-related data can show which active substance the associated dispenser can is suitable for.
  • the active substance package-related data can indicate for which type of dispenser doses the active substance provided is suitable.
  • a comparison of the data relating to the dispenser can with the data relating to the active ingredient container allows for error-resistant refilling.
  • the control device can be designed to allow the dispenser can to be refilled with the active ingredient only if the read dispenser can-related data and/or the read active ingredient package-related data indicate compatibility of the active ingredient with the refill station.
  • a refill station may be incompatible with certain (eg, corrosive) agents. If the data read indicates the presence of an active substance with properties for which an existing refill station is unsuitable the control device prevent a refilling of a dispenser can with this active ingredient at the present refilling station in order to protect the refilling station from damage.
  • the refilling station can have a display device for displaying data relating to the dispenser can and/or data relating to the active substance container.
  • a display device can be an electronic display device such as a liquid crystal display. It is also possible for the display device to enable a user to make a user input, for example when the display device is configured as a touchpad.
  • the display device can be attached to a housing of the refill station.
  • a display device can guide a user through a filling process, enable a configuration by a user and/or display information that was read from a transponder of the dispenser can and/or the active ingredient container.
  • the dispenser can-related data may include data identifying and/or characterizing a dispenser can, data identifying a user of a dispenser can, data identifying and/or characterizing an active ingredient for refilling the dispenser can, and/or data specifying an in have a dispenser dose to be refilled with an amount of active ingredient.
  • the dispenser can-related data can have other information for characterizing the associated dispenser can and/or a user associated with the dispenser can.
  • the active substance package-related data can have data for identifying and/or characterizing an active substance package, data for identifying and/or characterizing an active substance in the active substance package, and/or data for specifying a quantity of active substance in the active substance package.
  • the data relating to the active ingredient package can be different Have information for characterizing the associated drug container.
  • the transponder reading device can have a readability distance of at most 10 cm, in particular at most 5 cm.
  • the transponder reader can be configured so that it can only read transponders that are within said readability distance, i.e. within a maximum distance from the transponder reader of at most 10 cm and preferably at most 5 cm.
  • Said reading distance can be set by selecting a suitable transponder technology (in particular RFID technology, further in particular with low frequencies (for example as 125 kHz LF transponder)) and/or an excitation energy for the transponder reading device.
  • the transponder reading device can have a power limitation and/or an enclosure that protects against electrostatic discharges at the refill station even in the presence of an inflammable active substance, ie ensures ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection.
  • ESD electrostatic discharge
  • the transponder reading device can therefore be operated in the low-energy range in order to rule out the formation of sparks or even a risk of explosion. Targeted grounding at the refill station can also further improve ESD protection.
  • the receiving device can be coupled with an active substance supply device for supplying active substance from an active substance container into a dispenser can accommodated on the receiving device and/or with a compressed gas supply device for supplying compressed gas from a gas reservoir into a dispenser can accommodated on the receiving device or be connectable.
  • the feed devices can have hoses.
  • Such hoses or the like can be fluidically coupled to the receiving device via one or more suitable fluid valves in order to control the chronological sequence of the supply of active ingredient and compressed gas.
  • control device can be designed to determine a quantity of active ingredient that has been refilled into the dispenser can. Such information can be derived by the control device from operating data and/or data of the refilling station detected by sensors.
  • the control device can be designed to determine a number of refilling processes of the dispenser can. For example, a counter can be incrementally increased for this purpose each time a dispenser can is refilled.
  • the consumption of active ingredient associated with a user of a dispenser can also be documented and stored, for example in a database of the refill station associated with the control device and/or in the dispenser can transponder.
  • a dispenser box can thus be personalized, i.e. assigned to a user (e.g. fitter).
  • this makes it possible to limit a maximum number of refilling processes from a dispenser can, for example to ensure operational reliability with regard to wear and tear of a dispenser can.
  • control device can be designed to determine a residual amount of active ingredient in the dispenser can before a refilling process and a subsequent one To control refilling to avoid overfilling the dispenser can.
  • This can be done, for example, by means of scales, which can be arranged in the area of the receiving device and can determine any residual filling of a dispenser can with active substance (characterized in particular by means of dispenser can-related data read from the dispenser can transponder) before refilling.
  • active substance characterized in particular by means of dispenser can-related data read from the dispenser can transponder
  • the control device can be designed to trigger a reordering of an active ingredient container with active ingredient if the control device and/or a scale detects a drop in the remaining filling of an active ingredient container currently in use below a predetermined threshold value. For example, on the basis of active ingredient package-related data read out from an active ingredient package transponder assigned to an active ingredient package in combination with a count of refill processes and refill quantities using an active ingredient package as an active ingredient source, the control device can determine the remaining amount of active ingredient in an active ingredient package.
  • the refill station can trigger a repeat order of an active substance container with new active substance, for example via a communication network. This ensures that a new active ingredient container arrives in good time before the previously used active ingredient container is emptied and can be attached to the refill station.
  • the refilling station can have a scale for detecting weight information indicative of the weight of the dispenser can on the receiving device before a refilling process and/or during a refilling process
  • the Control device can be designed to control a refilling of the dispenser can with the active ingredient based on the recorded weight information.
  • a scale can be designed as a beam scale and can determine the remaining filling in a dispenser can before it is refilled.
  • the refilling process can be precisely controlled and overfilling can be avoided.
  • the transponder reading device can be designed as an RFID reading device, in particular as an RFID reading device with an operating frequency of 125 kHz, or as an NFC reading device.
  • the dispenser can transponder and/or the active substance container transponder can be designed as an RFID transponder, in particular as an RFID transponder with an operating frequency of 125 kHz, or as an NFC transponder.
  • RFID technology in combination with the mentioned low operating frequency allows the adjustment of a sufficiently low readability distance and thus a precise avoidance of wrong reading processes of RFID tags that are further away.
  • the transponder technology used can also be near-field communication.
  • the refill arrangement can have an active ingredient container that contains active ingredient and is coupled or can be coupled to the receiving device in order to provide active ingredient for refilling the dispenser can.
  • an active substance container can be, for example, a canister or a barrel, for example with a capacity of active substance in the range from 5 l to 100 l, in particular in the range from 5 l to 80 l.
  • the active ingredient package transponder can be designed as a label, in particular an adhesive label, that can be separated from the active ingredient package in a defined manner.
  • a label preferably has an imprint.
  • the active ingredient package transponder assigned to an active ingredient package can be attached to an adhesive label that a user tears off the active ingredient package and can bring the transponder reader of the refilling station within a readable distance, in particular by holding up or attaching the transponder of the active ingredient package to a housing of the refilling station.
  • a user can preferably bring the transponder of the active substance package within the readability distance of the transponder reader by sticking the adhesive label with the transponder of the active substance package to a correspondingly marked area on an outside of the housing of the refill station.
  • the read process is triggered in a targeted and error-resistant manner.
  • a multi-label ie an RFID transponder printed with an ID, 2D and/or 3D code
  • the release process at the refill station can be implemented, but also the internal and external goods process.
  • the refill arrangement can have a gas reservoir which is designed to provide pressurized gas and which is or can be coupled to the receiving device in order to provide pressurized gas for refilling the dispenser can.
  • a gas reservoir can, for example, be a compressed gas container or a connection to a compressed gas line.
  • the dispenser can is designed as a BoV (Bag-on-Valve) dispenser can in which compressed gas is permanently contained and does not escape from the dispenser can when dispensing active substance, a compressed gas reservoir for refilling compressed gas in a dispenser can can be dispensed with.
  • BoV BoV
  • the refill arrangement can have a portable user terminal with an app, which is coupled in a communicative manner to the control device in order to control the refill arrangement.
  • a user can control the refill station from his mobile radio device and also supply the control device with control commands.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 2 shows a flow chart representing a method for operating a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows a system with a plurality of refill arrangements according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which are communicatively coupled to a refill device.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 5 shows a receiving device of a refilling station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 shows a base of a dispenser can of a refill arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 shows a rear side of a refilling station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 8 shows a mechanism for refilling a dispensing can in a refill assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 shows communication connections in a refill arrangement with a refill station, an active substance container and a dispenser can according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 shows a control logic in a refill arrangement with a refill station, an active substance container and a dispenser can according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 11 shows components of a transponder reading device of a refilling station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 12 shows a dispenser can transponder according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 13 shows an active ingredient package transponder designed as a tear-off adhesive label according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 14 shows a refill station having a buttonless display mounted on a housing thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 15 shows a refill station with a display device with buttons attached to a housing thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 16 shows a portable user terminal which is coupled in a manner capable of communicating with a control device of a refilling station according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • a refilling station which uses active substance from a container (for example a 20 l canister or a 60 l barrel) in order to fill or refill a dispenser can.
  • the dispenser can be, for example, an aerosol can with a filling valve on its underside.
  • a mechanical code can be formed on the underside of the dispenser can, which corresponds to a corresponding shape of a receiving device of the refill station.
  • the dispenser can on their Top have a spray valve for dispensing an active substance or medium from the dispenser can.
  • the filling station can have a fluid connection to a container from which the active substance is filled into the dispenser can to be refilled.
  • a fluid connection can be formed by means of a hose in order to supply active substance or medium from the container of the refilling station to a dispensing can.
  • the refill station can have a receiving device or placement device for the dispenser can with a mechanical coding, so that only mechanically appropriately coded dispenser cans can be placed on a corresponding refill station.
  • a locking mechanism can be provided on the receiving device in order to hold the dispensing can on the receiving device while it is being filled.
  • the dispensing box can preferably be designed to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis, regardless of its angular position relative to the receiving device, ie freely positionable by 360° on the coding plate, without impairing the correct connection between the dispensing box and receiving device.
  • the refill station can be equipped with a compressed air connection (whereby compressed air is available in every car workshop, for example) in order to fill the dispenser can with compressed air together with the active substance.
  • the filling process can be controlled by means of a control device. For example, when filling a dispenser can, active substance can be conveyed first and then a pressure medium (for example compressed air). Both can be controlled pneumatically using a three-way valve, for example.
  • the refilling station can be equipped with a piston with a cylinder (for example a stainless steel or plastic cylinder) in order to take up active substance and to fill a defined quantity of the active substance into the dispenser can.
  • the refilling station can be connected to an electrical potential equalization, since friction of the active substance when refilling can lead to an electrostatic charge.
  • a refill station can be installed on a shelf, with at least one container (for example a canister, for example with a capacity of 20 l) being arranged on the shelf. It is also possible to design the refill station with an attachment on an active ingredient barrel (e.g. with a capacity of 60 l) or in a hazardous materials cabinet as a load adapter. A suitable equipotential bonding can be achieved by grounding.
  • an RFID transponder or another suitable dispenser can transponder can be glued to the bottom of a dispenser can, for example, or attached to the dispenser can protected under a plastic layer. If an associated dispenser can is to be refilled with an active substance and the dispenser can is attached to a receiving device of a filling station for this reason, the dispenser can transponder comes within the readability range of a transponder reader of the refill station, which can therefore read data related to the dispenser can from the dispenser can transponder. Based on this dispenser-related data, a control device can correctly and precisely control a refilling process of the dispenser and in particular ensure that only suitable and approved active substance is filled into the dispenser for the dispenser can characterized by the dispenser-related data.
  • An active substance container which can provide active substance for refilling a dispenser can, can also advantageously be equipped with an active substance container transponder, which can be read out by means of the transponder reader.
  • an active substance container transponder which can be read out by means of the transponder reader.
  • a refilling station can advantageously be equipped with a short-range (for example no more than 5 cm) RFID reader.
  • An associated dispenser can (especially an aerosol can) can be equipped with an RFID transponder.
  • the RFID technology used can operate in a low-frequency range of 125 kHz.
  • a spatial range can then correspond to a range of no more than 5 cm, for example.
  • a drug container can operate in a related manner with another RFID transponder in a low-frequency range of 125 kHz.
  • a spatial range of the further RFID transponder can, for example, also correspond to a range of no more than 5 cm. This enables the refill station to identify which drug container is connected to the refill station.
  • the RFID transponder of the active substance container can advantageously be designed as a tear-off transponder (which can also be referred to as a Stick&Go label). Such a tear-off transponder can have a tear-off ticket on the active ingredient container, which has an RFID transponder.
  • the section of the label that can be torn off has the RFID transponder and chip on it.
  • the torn-off section with the RFID transponder can be held or glued to the refill station in order to identify or characterize an associated active ingredient container (in particular with regard to the quantity and/or type of active ingredient).
  • the refilling station can detect the amount of active ingredient or medium that was filled into the dispenser can or aerosol can. Furthermore, it can be possible to record how many filling processes have been carried out with a dispenser can or with an active substance container. In addition, it is possible to record the residual amount of active ingredient or medium in the dispenser before a filling process. Repeat orders for an active ingredient container can be triggered in good time before it is emptied. In addition, protection against misuse is possible due to a comparison between the dispenser dose and the active substance in an active substance container, specifically on the basis of read data that are stored in the dispenser dose transponder or the active substance container transponder. It is also possible to detect a residual amount of active substance in a connected active substance container.
  • a spray or aerosol can can be assigned to a user.
  • the number of filling processes and/or filled quantities of active substance (for example current and accumulated over all filling processes) can be recorded and/or calculated.
  • a refilling station can advantageously be used in a gas station or in a logistics station where a user can refill a dispenser can.
  • a drug container can have a detachable RFID transponder on the drug container, which can be separated from the drug container and attached to a refill station in order to identify the drug container at the refill station.
  • the refill station can therefore determine which active substance is connected and how much active substance is in the active substance container. If an active ingredient is unsuitable for the refill station (e.g. because the active ingredient has a corrosive effect in the refill station), the refill station will not fill the active ingredient. If a dispenser can (in particular an aerosol can) is unsuitable for a medium or an active substance, the refilling station does not fill the medium or the active substance into the dispenser can, which is designed as an aerosol can, for example.
  • FIG. 1 shows a refill assembly 116 with a refill station 100, an active ingredient container 114 and a dispenser 104 according to a exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the refill arrangement 116 serves to fill or refill a completely or partially empty or emptied dispenser can 104 with an active substance (for example brake cleaner) so that the dispenser can 104 can be easily filled by a user with an associated active substance.
  • the active ingredient can then be sprayed or, more generally, discharged from the dispensing can 104 at a point of use.
  • the dispenser can 104 can then be refilled with new active ingredient at the refill arrangement 116, etc.
  • the refilling station 100 has a receiving device 102 functioning as a dispenser-dose adapter for positively and fluidly coupling receiving a dispenser can 104 to be refilled with an active ingredient.
  • the receiving device 102 can be designed as a coding plate which has a mechanical interface which is adapted in shape to a corresponding mechanical interface of the dispenser can 104 to be refilled. In this way, only mechanically fitting dispensing cans 104 can be attached to the receiving device 102, which makes incorrect operation unlikely.
  • a locking device can be attached to the receiving device 102, with which a dispenser can 104 attached to the receiving device 102 can be locked to the receiving device 102 during filling.
  • the locking device can either release the dispenser can 104 automatically or can be brought into a state in which the dispenser can 104 is released by user actuation. A user can then remove the refilled dispensing can 104 from the receptacle 102 and take it to a use site.
  • the refill arrangement 116 can have the active substance container 114 which can be filled, for example, as a canister or barrel with an active substance to be refilled (for example brake cleaner).
  • the active substance container 114 thus contains the active substance to be filled into the dispenser can 104 and can be or can be fluidically coupled to the receiving device 102 in order to provide active substance for refilling the dispenser can 104 .
  • the refill arrangement 116 can also have a gas reservoir 124 which is designed to provide pressurized gas and is fluidically coupled or can be coupled to receiving device 102 .
  • the gas reservoir 124 can be used to provide pressurized gas (for example compressed air) for filling into the dispensing can 104 .
  • the gas reservoir 124 can be a connection to a pressurized gas line or a pressurized gas bottle containing gas under overpressure.
  • At least one valve 111 which is designed as a three-way valve in the exemplary embodiment shown, can form a fluid connection between the active substance container 114, the optional compressed gas reservoir 124 and the receiving device 102.
  • the receiving device 102 can be fluidically coupled to an active substance supply device 120 for supplying active substance from the active substance container 114 into a dispenser can 104 received on the receiving device 102 .
  • the receiving device 102 can be fluidically coupled to an optional compressed gas supply device 122 for supplying compressed gas from the gas reservoir 124 into the dispenser can 104 accommodated on the receiving device 102 .
  • the at least one valve 111 can be controlled by a control device 110 in such a way that initially only active substance is filled into the at least partially emptied dispenser can 104 before the at least one valve 111 is switched over in such a way that subsequently only Pressurized gas from the gas reservoir 124 is filled into the dispenser box 104. In this way it can be ensured that a predefined amount of active substance is filled into the dispenser can 104 .
  • a conveying device 113 for example a pump, can be arranged between the active substance container 114 and the receiving device 102 in order to convey active substance from the active substance container 114 to the receiving device 102 and from there into the dispenser can 104.
  • a delivery device 115 for example a compressor or a pump, can also be arranged between the gas reservoir 124 and the receiving device 102.
  • FIG. 1 shows with an arrow how the dispensing can 104 is placed on the receiving device 102 .
  • the dispenser box 104 In a bottom area of the dispenser box 104 in the area of its refill valve 162, the dispenser box 104 is equipped with a dispenser box transponder 108, for example an RFID tag.
  • the dispensing can 104 is received on the receiving device 102 in said floor area.
  • a dispenser box transponder 108 capable of contactless communication can, for example, be stuck onto the dispenser box 104 as a label or attached to and/or in a box housing 166 or embedded.
  • Donor can-related data are stored in a solid state memory of the dispenser can transponder 108, which can identify or characterize, for example, the dispenser can 104 and an active substance to be filled in it and/or information about a capacity of the dispenser can 104, information about desired compressed gas properties in the dispenser can 104, information about a user of the dispenser can 104, etc.
  • a transponder reading device 106 for contactless reading of the data relating to the dispenser can of the dispenser can transponder 108 attached to the dispenser can 104 is arranged in the receiving device 102 .
  • the transponder reader 106 is arranged in an area of the receiving device 102 that the dispenser can 104 is only in a reading range of the transponder reader 106 when the dispenser can 104 at the Recording device 102 is attached. This advantageously ensures that incorrect readings of dispenser cans 104 by the transponder reading device 106 that are located in a wider area surrounding the transponder reading device 106 are reliably prevented.
  • the transponder technology on the basis of which the transponder reader 106 and the dispenser can transponder 108 communicate can be designed as short-range transponder technology with a range of, for example, less than 10 cm, in particular less than 5 cm (for example, as short-range RFID -Technology).
  • the donor can-related data of the dispenser can transponder 108 can be selectively read out by the transponder reader 106 only when the dispenser can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102.
  • the data read out can be fed from the transponder reader 106 to a control device 110 or stored in an electronic mass memory, not shown, of the refill station 100 .
  • the active ingredient container 114 is preferably also provided with or associated with an active ingredient container transponder 112 (not shown).
  • Drug container-related data are stored in a solid state memory of the drug container transponder 112 and can then be read out selectively by the transponder reader 106 when the drug container transponder 112 is attached to a housing 130 of the refill station 100, as shown.
  • the active substance package transponder 112 can be designed as a label 132 that can be detached from the active substance package 114 in a defined manner.
  • the label 132 can be designed as an adhesive label equipped with the active substance container transponder 112, which a user can separate from the active substance container 114, which is designed as a canister, for example, and can be stuck on the housing 130 at a position provided for this purpose (and, for example, marked accordingly).
  • the active ingredient package transponder 112 can be brought within the readability distance of the transponder reading device 106 so that the active ingredient package-related data can be read out by the transponder reading device 106 .
  • the active ingredient container transponder 112 Since the active ingredient container transponder 112 must also first be transferred to the readability distance of the transponder reader 106 by a defined user activity before the active ingredient container-related data can be recorded by the transponder reader 106, reliable protection against reading out incorrect active ingredient containers is more related data provided.
  • the active substance container-related data can contain information about the active substance in the active substance container 114, about a filling quantity or remaining filling quantity in the active substance container 114, information about a dispenser can 104 or refill station 100 suitable for this active substance, etc.
  • the control device 110 can evaluate the data relating to the dispenser can and the data relating to the active substance container made available to it by the transponder reader 106 and, for example, check their compatibility. In particular, the control device 110 can determine from the data read out by means of the transponder reader 106 whether the active substance provided by the active substance container 114 fits into the dispenser can 104 received on the receiving device 102 . In this way, the operational reliability can be increased, since it can be ruled out that a dispenser can 104 that is unsuitable for an active ingredient that is, for example, dangerous (for example, contains petrol and is therefore at risk of fire) is used.
  • dangerous for example, contains petrol and is therefore at risk of fire
  • an active ingredient originating from an impermissible source is permitted for the refilling of a dispenser can 104 .
  • a user manipulates the shape of a dispenser can 104 in order to mount it on a receiving device 102 regardless of the incompatibility of an active substance container 114 fluidically coupled to the receiving device 102, this can be detected by the control device 110 by reading the dispenser can transponder 108 be recognized. Filling a dispenser can 104 that is unsuitable for a specific active ingredient can therefore be reliably avoided by the described transponder configuration. As a result, a high level of operational reliability can be achieved when the refill arrangement 116 is used. If the data relating to the dispenser dose and the data relating to the active ingredient container match, the refilling process is triggered or permitted by the control device 110, otherwise the refilling process is prevented or not permitted.
  • FIG. 1 also shows that a portable user terminal 134 is coupled with a software app for the user to control the refill arrangement 116 by means of the control device 110 so that it can communicate.
  • the user terminal 134 can be, for example, a mobile radio device that can be wirelessly communicatively coupled to a communication interface 119 of the refill station 110 via a communication network 117 (for example a mobile radio network or the public Internet).
  • a user can thus also transmit control commands to the refill arrangement 116 from a remote position or monitor the operation of the refill arrangement 116 .
  • FIG. 1 also shows that the refilling station 100 has a display device 118 for displaying information such as, for example, dispenser can-related data, active substance container-related data and/or other information for a user.
  • the display device 118 can be in the form of an LCD display or a touch screen. Pertinent information can be displayed to a user on the display device 118 by means of the display device 118 before, during and/or after a refilling process.
  • the refilling station 100 have refilling process. Recording the weight of the dispenser can 104 before a refilling process allows any residual filling of the dispenser can 104 with active substance and/or with compressed gas to be determined qualitatively or quantitatively and a refilling process to be carried out subsequently to be adjusted or carried out accordingly. Overfilling of the dispenser can 104 can be avoided by taking into account any residual filling of the dispenser can 104 before it is refilled. It is also possible to monitor the weight gain of a dispenser can 104 being refilled during a refilling operation to avoid any overfilling and underfilling.
  • the control device 110 to which the results of the weight detection by means of the scales 126 can be made available, can consequently be designed to control a refilling of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance based on the detected weight.
  • Scales 126 can preferably be configured to record total weight information indicative of a total weight of dispenser can 104, a residual filling of active substance in dispenser can 104 and part of refill station 100 (in particular at least part of receiving device 102) before a refill process and/or during a refill process be. Refilling of the dispenser can 104 with the active ingredient can then be controlled by means of the control device 110 on the basis of the total weight information recorded.
  • it can therefore be unnecessary to specifically record only the weight of the dispenser can 104 . It is also possible and much easier in terms of measurement technology to simply record the total weight mentioned, because then there is no need to separate the dispensing can 104 and the receiving device 102 during the weight determination process.
  • the residual weight By detecting an empty weight of the receiving device 102 without a dispenser can 104 before attaching a dispenser can 104 to the receiving device 102, the residual weight, which differs from the dispenser can weight, can be deducted from the total weight by calculation when the total weight is determined by means of the scales 126 after the dispensing can 104 has been attached to the receiving device 102 .
  • the dispenser can 104 can only be refilled with the active ingredient if the data determined by means of the transponders 108, 112 indicate the compatibility of a substance on the receiving device 102 for refilling display attached dispensing can 104 with an active substance that is provided by a connected active substance container 114 .
  • allowing a dispenser can 104 to be refilled with an active substance can be made dependent on an active substance detected at a detection device 138 fulfilling at least one predetermined acceptance criterion.
  • the admissibility criterion that can be used is whether the active substance conveyed in the feed device 120 is an active substance that is permissible for the dispenser can 104 and/or whether the active substance detected in the feed device 120 has an active substance origin that is considered permissible for the dispenser can 104.
  • a measurement can be carried out by means of the detection device 138 on the active substance supply device 120 for supplying active substance from the active substance container 114, which serves to characterize and/or identify active substance which, when a dispenser can 104 is refilled by the e.g designed as a hose feed device 120 flows.
  • active ingredient can be identified which is intended to be used for refilling a dispenser can 104 contrary to one or more predetermined acceptance criteria.
  • an active agent released for refilling a dispenser can 104 can be provided with an optically recognizable marker, such as a fluorescent marker or a DNA marker, at the factory.
  • an optically recognizable marker such as a fluorescent marker or a DNA marker
  • active ingredient can be identified that is released for refilling in a specific dispenser can 104, for example is and/or meets the required quality criteria.
  • an active substance If such an active substance is conveyed through the supply device 120, it can preferably be detected optically during the conveying by means of the detection device 138 whether or not the active substance satisfies a predetermined acceptance criterion.
  • the approval of filling a dispenser can 104 with active substance can be made dependent on an expected fluorescence signal being able to be optically detected by means of the detection device 138 .
  • the control device 110 can be supplied with data recorded by the detection device 138 and indicative of the predetermined admissibility criterion.
  • the control device 102 can then permit or reject a refilling of the dispenser can 104 with the active ingredient, depending on whether or not the active ingredient detected by the detection device 138 meets the predetermined acceptance criterion.
  • an active ingredient can only be approved for refilling a dispenser dose 104 if a corresponding expected fluorescent marker is contained in the active ingredient, which indicates, for example, a specific active ingredient and/or the affiliation of active ingredient with a reliable source (e.g. from a specific manufacturer ) indicates.
  • the checking of a predetermined admissibility criterion thus ensures a high quality of the active substance and operational reliability of the active substance in combination with the dispenser can 104 .
  • the detection device 138 is designed as an optical detection device for detecting a predetermined optical signal characteristic of the active substance to be refilled.
  • the presence of said signal characteristic indicates that the active ingredient meets the predetermined admissibility criterion.
  • the detection device 138 can advantageously detect the active substance in the hose or in the delivery device 120, preferably while it is flowing through the delivery device 120. If the detection device 138 has determined the signal characteristic of the active substance candidate for refilling a dispenser can 104, this signal characteristic can be used by the control device 110 evaluation are transmitted.
  • the control device 110 can then decide, for example on the basis of a comparison between the determined actual signal characteristic and an expected desired signal characteristic, whether or not the signal characteristic indicates that the predetermined admissibility criteria have been met. Depending on the result of this check, the controller 110 can then take action to allow or not to allow the dispensing can 104 to be refilled with the active substance.
  • the control device 110 can activate a suppression device 140 for preventing the refilling of the dispenser can 104 with the active ingredient.
  • the suppression device 140 can squeeze a supply device 120 designed as a flexible tube in such a way that no active substance can get through the supply line 120 .
  • the suppression device 140 can introduce a hardenable adhesive into the supply device 120 designed as a fluid line, which chemically closes the supply line 120 and makes it impossible for active substance to be passed through the supply line 120 .
  • the dispenser can 104 can have a mixture of active substance and compressed gas inside, with an active substance and compressed gas mixture being discharged or flushed out of the dispenser can 104 when an actuating nozzle 121 is actuated, for example as an aerosol. In this case, both new active ingredient and new compressed gas are required to refill the dispenser can 104 .
  • the dispenser can 104 can be designed as a specially configured bag-on-valve dispenser can, as shown in FIG.
  • the refillable dispensing can 104 shown in FIG. 1 is used for dispensing an active substance and has a deformable bag 160 inside it for receiving active substance.
  • the pouch 160 can be made of plastic or metal foil, for example.
  • the bag 160 is connected to a refill valve 162 in a fluid-tight manner on its underside.
  • the refill valve 162 can be placed liquid-tight on the receiving device 102 and thereby be fluidically coupled to the refill station 100 in order to be able to fill or refill the bag 160 with the active substance from the active substance container 114 .
  • the bag 160 is connected at its top to an outlet valve 164 for spraying active substance from the bag 160 in a user-defined manner.
  • the actuating nozzle 121 can be placed on the outlet valve 164 in order to open the outlet valve 164 by actuating the actuating nozzle 121 and thereby discharge active substance from the bag 160 in the form of a spray.
  • the dispensing can 104 has a rigid can housing 166 that accommodates the bag 160, with respect to which the refill valve 162 and the outlet valve 164 are exposed on the underside and the upper side.
  • the outlet valve 164 protrudes from the top of the rigid can housing 166 and the refill valve 162 from the bottom.
  • the socket housing 166 may be a rigid metal housing.
  • a pressurized gas may be fluid-tightly sealed in an interstitial volume 168 between the bag 160 and the can body 166 and may be protected from escaping the dispensing can 104 . It is thus impossible for the compressed gas to escape through the refill valve 162 and/or through the outlet valve 164 .
  • the active ingredient when active ingredient is sprayed through the outlet valve 164, the active ingredient will not be mixed with the pressurized gas since the pressurized gas remains in the intermediate volume 168 and thus in the dispensing can 104. As a result, it is also not necessary to refill the dispenser can 104 according to FIG. 1 with compressed gas.
  • the filling of pressurized gas into the intermediate volume 168 can be done at the factory, for example through one of the valves 162, 164 and/or through another valve in the can body 166 (not shown).
  • FIG. 2 shows a flow chart 200 that represents a method for operating a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the method of operating a refill station 100 begins at a block 202 where the refill station 100 indicates that it is ready to perform the method. This can be displayed on the display device 118 .
  • a weight of a dispenser can 104 to be refilled which is detected by means of scales 126, is stable within a predetermined range.
  • the dispenser can transponder 108 is read out in a block 206 by means of the transponder reading device 106 .
  • an active ingredient package transponder 112 can be read out by means of the transponder reader 106 .
  • a block 208 it is determined whether an active substance or medium which is to be filled into a dispensing can 104 is permissible. If this is not the case, the method concludes that an incorrect dispenser can 104 is involved, see block 210. This can be displayed on the display device 118.
  • a block 212 the remaining amount of active ingredient in the dispenser can 104 to be refilled is determined.
  • a pump 113 can then be switched on to deliver active substance for refilling the dispenser can 104 (block 214).
  • the method in block 218 determines the filling quantity with active ingredient and adds up the total filling quantity. According to block 220, this can be displayed to a user on the display device 118. According to the optional block 222, the pump 115 or the compressor can then be switched on in order to introduce pressurized gas into the dispenser can 104.
  • block 224 it is checked whether the pressure in the refilled dispenser can 104 is appropriate. If not, the procedures of block 222 and block 224 are checked.
  • the operating method is terminated, see block 226.
  • Corresponding information can be displayed on the display device 118.
  • An audible signal (e.g. generated by a buzzer) may indicate the completion of the operating procedure.
  • a pressure pulse to detect before filling whether the dispensing can 104 is correctly placed on the receiving device 102 . Furthermore, after filling, data transmission to a node capable of communication is possible. It is also possible to detect whether an active substance container 114 (for example a barrel or a canister) is empty. This is possible, for example, by monitoring the weight progression of such an active ingredient container 114 when dispensing cans 104 are filled.
  • an active substance container 114 for example a barrel or a canister
  • FIG. 3 shows a system with a plurality of refill arrangements 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which are coupled with a reordering device 123 so that they can communicate.
  • a plurality of refill arrangements 116 having the features described above are communicatively coupled to a node 121 (for example a gateway).
  • the node 121 in turn is coupled to the reordering device 123 via a communication network 117 . If a control device 110 and/or a scale 126 of a refill arrangement 116 recognizes that an active substance container 114 will soon be empty (e.g. because the residual filling of the active substance container 114 with active substance has fallen below a predetermined threshold value), this information can be transmitted via the node 121 and the communication network 117 the Reordering device 123 are transmitted, whereby a reordering of a new drug container 114 is triggered with the drug.
  • consumption data with regard to the active substance can be transmitted to a kanban system, for example.
  • the transmitted data can contain an identifier of a respective refill arrangement 116, an identifier of a dispenser can 104, date and time, as well as active ingredient and consumed and/or reordered amount of active ingredient.
  • a node 121 can act as a gateway for multiple refill devices 116 together.
  • Software, and particularly firmware, may be installed on the refill assemblies 116, the nodes 121, and/or the reorder facility 123.
  • 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.
  • Active substance can be transferred from the active substance container 114 via a feed device 120 to the refill station 100 and from there to a dispenser can 104 mounted on a receiving device 102 after a cover 135 has been folded up.
  • Compressed gas can be transferred from a compressed gas reservoir via a feed device 122 to the refill station 100 and from there to a dispenser can 104 mounted on the receiving device 102 . If the dispenser can 104 is a BoV dispenser can, refilling with compressed gas is not necessary.
  • FIG. 5 shows a receiving device 102 of a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 shows a bottom of a dispenser can 104 of a refill arrangement 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention to be mounted on the receiving device 102 according to FIG.
  • a coding plate 129 for receiving a base area 133 of the dispensing can 104 is formed on the receiving device 102 .
  • the coding plate 129 is mechanically complementary to the bottom area 133 of the dispenser box 104 (see Figure 6) formed.
  • the coding plate 129 can be uncovered by folding a flap or cover 135 according to FIG. 4 upwards.
  • a fluid connection 137 is shown in a central area of coding plate 129, which can be fluidically coupled to a refill valve 162 of dispenser can 104 in order to refill active ingredient and/or compressed gas through refill valve 162 into dispenser can 104 through fluid connection 137.
  • a locking device for locking the dispenser can 104 on the coding plate 129 can be actuated in order to prevent an undesired release of the dispenser can 104 from the receiving device 102 during the refilling process.
  • the dispensing can 104 can be unlocked from the receiving device 102 and removed.
  • FIG. 7 shows a rear side of a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • portions of the feeders 120, 122 are shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 8 shows a mechanism for refilling a dispensing can 104 in a refill assembly 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Said mechanism contains a piston and a cylinder of predetermined size, so that a filling quantity to be dosed can be defined by a suitable pressure.
  • FIG. 9 shows communication connections 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.
  • the refill arrangement 116 shown in FIG. 9 thus has the refill station 100 and the dispenser can 104 attached to the receiving device 102 with a dispenser can transponder 108 in which donor can-related data are stored which can only then be read out selectively by means of the transponder reader 106 , when the dispenser can 104 is attached to the receptacle 102. Furthermore, the Refill arrangement 116 on the active substance container 114, which contains active substance and is fluidically coupled or can be coupled to the receiving device 102 in order to provide active substance for refilling the dispenser can 104. As shown, the drug package 114 is provided with and associated with a drug package transponder 112 in which drug package related data is stored.
  • the active ingredient container transponder 112 is preferably designed as an adhesive label that can be separated from the active ingredient container 114 in a defined manner.
  • the dispenser can transponder 108 and the active substance container transponder 112 are designed as RFID transponders with an operating frequency of 125 kHz. Accordingly, the transponder reading device 106 is designed as an RFID reading device with an operating frequency of 125 kHz and a readability distance of 5 cm.
  • the refill arrangement 116 can, if required, additionally have a gas reservoir 124, which is designed to provide pressurized gas and can be fluidically coupled to the receiving device 102 in order to provide pressurized gas for refilling the dispenser can 104 (see Figure 1 or Figure 4).
  • the transponder reader 106 is for reading dispenser can-related data from the dispenser can transponder 108 attached to the dispenser can 104 selectively when the dispenser can 104 is attached to the receptacle 102 . Furthermore, the transponder reader 106 functions to read active substance package-related data from the active substance package transponder 112 attached by a user to a housing 130 of the refill station 100. Said dispenser can-related data can, for example, be data for identifying the dispenser can 104,
  • the Drug package-related data can include data for identifying a drug package 114, data for identifying an active ingredient in the drug package 114 and/or data for specifying a quantity of active ingredient in the drug package 114.
  • the control device 110 is designed to control the refilling of the dispenser can 104 with the active substance based on the data related to the dispenser can that has been read and/or based on the data related to the active substance container that has been read.
  • the control device 110 is designed to allow the dispenser can 104 to be refilled with the active ingredient only if the read dispenser can-related data and the read active ingredient package-related data indicate compatibility of the dispenser can 104 with the active ingredient. Such compatibility is lacking in particular when the dispensing can 104 is not approved for containing this active substance, for example for operational safety reasons.
  • Compatibility between the active substance and the refill station 100 can also be a condition for carrying out a desired refill procedure and is missing, for example, if the active substance for the refill station is considered to be corrosive.
  • the transponder reading device 106 advantageously has a readability distance of at most 5 cm, as a result of which incorrect reading of transponders that are further away is suppressed. For the same reason and additionally for reasons of operational safety, the transponder reader 106 has a power limitation and/or an enclosure that protects against electrostatic discharges at the refill station 100 even in the presence of a flammable substance (such as gasoline) or ESD protection provides.
  • a flammable substance such as gasoline
  • the receiving device 102 is coupled to an active substance supply device 120 for supplying active substance from an active substance container 114 into a dispenser can 104 held on the receiving device 102 . Furthermore, the receiving device 102 can, if required, be equipped with a compressed gas supply device 122 for supplying pressurized gas from a gas reservoir 124 into a dispenser can 104 accommodated on the receiving device 102.
  • the control device 110 can determine a quantity of active substance refilled into the dispenser can 104, a number of refill processes of the dispenser can 104 and/or a residual amount of active substance in the dispenser can 104 before a refill process and determine a control subsequent refilling process to avoid overfilling of the dispenser can 104.
  • the control device 110 can be designed to trigger a reordering of an active ingredient container 114 with active ingredient if the control device 110 and/or scales 126 detect that the residual filling of a currently used active ingredient container 114 with an initial filling of 20 l, for example, has fallen below a predetermined threshold value of, for example, Example 5 I recognizes.
  • FIG. 10 shows control logic 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.
  • the control device 110 can also be configured to refill the dispenser can 104 to control with the active substance based on the recorded weight or the recorded weight information.
  • the dispenser can transponder 108 is arranged on the outlet valve 164, i.e. opposite the receiving device 102.
  • the dispenser can 104 is designed as a BoV dispenser can, in which a compressed gas permanently remains inside the dispenser can 104 without escaping from the dispenser can 104 when the active substance is dispensed.
  • a pressure sensor with reference number 157 is shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 11 shows components of a transponder reader 106 of a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • an RFID antenna 141 is arranged on a filling valve and can be connected by means of an electric cable 155.
  • Associated control electronics are implemented on a printed circuit board 143 .
  • FIG. 12 shows a dispenser box transponder 108 designed as a ring transponder according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the dispenser can transponder 108 shown in FIG. 12 can be attached in the area of a bottom of the dispenser can 104, preferably around a refill valve 162.
  • Numeral 145 shows an associated chip.
  • FIG. 13 shows an active ingredient package transponder 112 designed as a tear-off adhesive label according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the active substance container transponder 112 according to FIG. 13 is an adhesive label for identifying the active substance and is designed, for example, as a removable or tear-off tag.
  • FIG. 14 shows a refill station 100 having a buttonless display device 118 mounted on a housing 130 thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 15 shows a refill station 100 with a display device 118 mounted on a housing 130 thereof with buttons according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the electronic display device 118 is used to display data to a user and additionally allows a user to control an operation of the refill station 100 in a user-defined manner.
  • FIG. 16 shows a portable user terminal 134 which is communicatively coupled to a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the illustrated portable user terminal 134 can for example a smartphone.
  • An app can be installed on this, which can be coupled in a communicative manner to control the refill arrangement 116 with its control device 110, for example via a mobile radio network.
  • a user can use his user terminal 134 with the refill station 100, and in particular with the control device

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une station de recharge (100) comprenant un dispositif de réception (102) destiné à recevoir une boîte de distribution (104) qui doit être remplie avec une substance active, un dispositif de lecture de transpondeur (106) pour lire sélectivement des données associées à la boîte de distribution d'un transpondeur de boîte de distribution (108) fixé à la boîte de distribution (104) lorsque la boîte de distribution (104) est fixée au dispositif de réception (102), et un dispositif de commande (110) pour commander le remplissage de la boîte de distribution (104) avec la substance active sur la base des données de lecture relatives à la boîte de distribution.
EP22728051.8A 2021-06-02 2022-05-04 Station de recharge pour une boîte de distribution comportant un dispositif de lecture de transpondeur, et transpondeur de boîte de distribution Pending EP4348611A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102021114319.5A DE102021114319A1 (de) 2021-06-02 2021-06-02 Nachfüllstation für Spenderdose mit Transponder-Lesegerät und Spenderdose-Transponder
PCT/EP2022/061905 WO2022253511A1 (fr) 2021-06-02 2022-05-04 Station de recharge pour une boîte de distribution comportant un dispositif de lecture de transpondeur, et transpondeur de boîte de distribution

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4348611A1 true EP4348611A1 (fr) 2024-04-10

Family

ID=81941131

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22728051.8A Pending EP4348611A1 (fr) 2021-06-02 2022-05-04 Station de recharge pour une boîte de distribution comportant un dispositif de lecture de transpondeur, et transpondeur de boîte de distribution

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20240246707A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4348611A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2024532000A (fr)
CN (1) CN117480532A (fr)
DE (1) DE102021114319A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2022253511A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8844584B1 (en) 2010-02-05 2014-09-30 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Apparatus and method for a pressurized dispenser refill system
US9054818B2 (en) 2012-08-21 2015-06-09 Anheuser-Busch Inbev Gesture based polling using an intelligent beverage container
US20170022045A1 (en) * 2013-11-25 2017-01-26 Lorna G. Ray System and method for dispensing product into refillable containers
US10377623B2 (en) * 2014-06-27 2019-08-13 Neurones Vision Inc. System and method for dispensing and sale of bulk products

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20240246707A1 (en) 2024-07-25
DE102021114319A1 (de) 2022-12-08
JP2024532000A (ja) 2024-09-04
CN117480532A (zh) 2024-01-30
WO2022253511A1 (fr) 2022-12-08

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