WO2010139963A1

WO2010139963A1 - Dispenser assembly and ultraviolet light protection indicator

Info

Publication number: WO2010139963A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/001104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Coleman; Alexander Charles Stainton-Bygrave
Original assignee: Guy's And St. Thomas's Nhs Foundation Trust
Priority date: 2009-06-04
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2010-12-09
Also published as: GB0909666D0

Abstract

The invention in one aspect provides a dispensing assembly for a container for creams, gels or other fluids including a closure member for closing a top of a container, the closure member including a top surface and an aperture therein for dispensing content from the container; and an openable lid (34), the lid (34) being fitted on and rotatable or slidable relative to the closure member between a closed and an open position, wherein rotation or sliding of the lid from its open to its closed positions causes the lid to wipe across the aperture in the top surface of the closure member. The invention provides in another aspect a device for providing an indication of safe exposure time, the device including a UV index sensor (12) operable to obtain a measure of ultraviolet index, an input operable to receive a sun protection factor for a sun screen, a processor (16) operable to determine from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a display (14) for displaying said safe exposure time.

Description

DISPENSER ASSEMBLY AND ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT PROTECTION INDICATOR

The present invention relates to a dispenser assembly, for instance for dispensing sun cream from a bottle, and to a device and method for use in providing an indication of UV exposure for protection against excessive exposure.

It is now well documented that excessive exposure to sunlight can be harmful and has lead to increases of incidences of skin cancers, caused by excessive exposure to UV rays. There is a large industry devoted to the production and sale of sun protection products, these products having a variety of sun protection factors. Even so, these products do not always provide reliable protection as they are dependent upon usage by individuals and particular circumstances including the strength of the sun and a person's skin complexion.

In order to give some guidance, the World Health Organisation has promoted the use of the now internationally accepted ultraviolet index (UVI or UV Index), which is a measure of the level of UV radiation and expressed in values ranging from zero upwards, typically to a value of 11 or more. The higher the index, the greater is the UV radiation and therefore the shorter is the advised time of exposure. The UV Index is used by meteorological offices to give guidance to the population as to the safe exposure times in the sun. The UV Index can generally be predicted in advance.

In addition to the UV Index, there has been developed a classification relating to the characteristics of a person's skin. This classification, known as the skin type, provides an indication of the skin's reaction to sun exposure, which varies according to the individual. Each skin type is able to accept a specific amount of UV rays before burning. The amount of UV rays needed to generate erythema is termed the minimal erythema dose (MED). The MED and expected sun exposure, in turn, can be used determine the time before a dose sufficient to cause erythema (MED) is obtained. Figure 1 is a table of MED and Skin Types.

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a ratio between the ultraviolet dose required to produce minimal erythema reaction (redness) in protected skin (skin with sunscreen) compared to unprotected skin (skin without any sunscreen). The number indicates how many times longer a person can stay in the sun before beginning to burn while wearing sun protection than if he or she were not wearing any sunscreen at all. This amount of time varies from one individual to another. SPF numbers usually range from 2 to 50. For example, if a person has a skin type which burns in 20 minutes without sunscreen, an SPF of 15 would allow that person to stay in the sun 15 times longer (20 minutes x 15 = 300 minutes or five hours).

The UV Index (UVI), is a derived quantity based on the measured solar spectral irradiance at ground level, weighted by the CIE action spectrum for the response of Caucasian skin to sunburn or erythema. Ground-based measurements of UVI from metrology laboratories tend to be taken with sophisticated meters located at permanent installations for use by public information authorities or for environmental studies. The increasing awareness amongst the public of skin damage from solar exposure has led to a growing need for simple cheap UVI meters for personal use. There are various different models currently available for purchase. However, these tend either to suffer accuracy problems or are too complex for everyday use.

In another aspect of the teachings herein, there are provided many forms of container for sun creams and other similar products, that is cream, gel or other fluid based. There is a problem with such containers in that the content they dispense is generally of a form which does not drop off the container, with the result that some excess content remains at the outlet. Over time this dries, with the result that the outlet becomes clogged. Moreover, the presence of content on the outside of the device acts as an attractant for dirt and debris and is unpleasant for the user.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved dispensing assembly for a container for cream, gel or other fluid as well as a device and method for providing a user with an indication of a safe UV exposure time based on incident UV radiation and sun screen characteristics.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing assembly for a container for creams, gels or other fluids including a closure member for closing a top of a container, the closure member including a top surface and an aperture therein for dispensing content from the container; and an openable lid, the lid being fitted on and rotatable or slidable relative to the closure member between a closed and an open position, wherein rotation or sliding of the Hd from its open to its closed positions causes the lid to wipe across the aperture in the top surface of the closure member. This structure of lid can, in the preferred embodiments, wipe away excess content from the top surface of the closure member, thereby wiping this clean. For this purpose, the lid is preferably a tight fit to the top surface of the closure member, so as to be in contact therewith during the wiping across the aperture

In an embodiment, the lid includes a bottom surface facing the top surface of the closure member. The bottom surface, where provided, can form the seal to the opening. In an embodiment, however, the opening is provided with a valving element, preferably openable by pressure applied from within the container, that is upon squeezing thereof, and closable by elastomeric force.

It is not necessary for the lid to include a wiping surface. In some embodiments, described below and illustrated in the drawings, the lid includes a wiping blade for wiping away excess content. The wiping blade is advantageously a part of a depending wall of the lid.

In an embodiment, the lid includes a closure pin sized to fit within or over the aperture and to close this. Advantageously, the pin is flexibly disposed on the lid, so as to be able to flex during movement of the lid. This enables the pin to depend from the lid by more than the position of the top surface of the closure member, so as in practice to be able to slide part way into the aperture. This enables the pin to effect a cleaning action on the aperture, so as to remove from the aperture of content which might otherwise block the aperture over time, for instance when the content dries and solidifies. The pin may be flexible or pivotable on the lid.

The lid is preferably rotatable along an axis which is at an angle to the longitudinal or vertical axis of the closure and of the container to which the assembly is fitted. In practice the angle of rotation of the lid will also be at an angle to the vertical when the container is in a standing position. This has the effect of causing the lid both to rotate and also to tilt relative to the vertical (the major axis of the container), thus giving a strong visual and tactile indication of the state of the lid. It also usefully allows for the top surface of the closure member to be curved, as shown in the preferred embodiments for instance, which is ergonomically preferable. The angle is preferably considerably less than 45 degrees and most preferably less than 20 degrees.

In practice, the lid can be made to rotate at an angle to the vertical or upright axis of the dispenser assembly and container by locating the pivot point or axis of rotation on a part of the closure member which itself is at an angle to this axis, in the preferred embodiment at a curved part of the top surface of the closure member.

Advantageously, the lid is a snap fit onto the closure member, the snap fit providing the pivot point and axis of rotation of the lid.

In the preferred embodiment, the closure assembly includes a built-in UV monitor as specified herein.

Advantageously, the device includes a processor operable to determine from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a display for displaying said safe exposure time.

In another embodiment, the device includes a communications unit operable to communicate with a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or other electronic device, which electronic device includes a processor operable to determine from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a display for displaying said safe exposure time.

Preferably, the device includes a solar panel.

In the preferred embodiment, the input for receiving the sun protection factor includes a code reader for reading a code indicative of the sun protection factor of the associated sun screen. Most preferably, the code is provided on the sun screen container and may be in the form of a graphical code such as a bar code. The bar code could be a specific SPF code or could be related to the product itself, for instance to be the barcode conventionally used for the sale and processing of that product, in which case the device would include a record of the product code matched to its determined or stated sun protection factor.

In one embodiment, the code is provided on an upper portion of the container and the device is provided on a lid of the container, such that when the lid is fitted to the container, the code can then be read by the code sensor. This arrangement does not require any further input or action by the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for providing an indication of safe exposure time, the device including a UV index sensor operable to obtain a measure of ultraviolet index, a input operable to receive a sun protection factor for a sun screen, a processor operable to determine from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a display for displaying said safe exposure time.

Advantageously, the device includes an input for receiving skin type data, said processor being operable to determine said safe exposure time from the measured UV Index, the sun protection factor and the skin type data.

In the preferred embodiment, the sun protection factor input includes a sensor operable to sense a sun protection factor code.

Preferably, the device includes a unit forming part of a container for sun screen. Advantageously, the unit includes the UV sensor and, where provided, the sun protection factor sensor. The unit may also include the display and the processing means. In another embodiment, the unit includes a communications device operable to communicate with another device, such as a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant or other electronic device. The communications device may be a Bluetooth, RFID or other wireless communications device and/or a wired connection such as a USB connection. In such an embodiment, the unit may include the processing stage or may in other cases supply only data to the electronic device for processing and display of the results.

The preferred device is thus able to provide to a user an indication of safe exposure time based on that user's skin type, the SPF of the sun screen applied by the user and the UV radiation at the location at which the user is located. The device can thus provide a realistic and reliable indication of safe exposure time for that person's particular circumstances.

The device preferably also includes a solar panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sun screen container including a UV metering device, which device includes a UV index sensor operable to obtain a measure of ultraviolet index, a input operable to receive a sun protection factor for a sun screen, and means for providing an indication of the UV index and the sun protection factor.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an indication of safe exposure time, including the steps of obtaining a UV index measure, receiving a sun protection factor for a sun screen, determining from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a indicating said safe exposure time to a user. Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a table of skin type index and UV index;

Figure 2, there is shown a block diagram of the preferred structure of meter;

Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram of another embodiment of circuit;

Figure 4 shows a front elevational view of a lid portion of an example of sun screen container incorporating an embodiment of meter as taught herein;

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of lid portion of a container for sun screen container incorporating an embodiment of meter as taught herein;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the lid portion of Figure 4 or 5;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of lid assembly;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an upper moulding of the lid of the embodiments ofFigures 4 to 6;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a middle moulding of the lid;

Figure 10 is a view from below of the bottom moulding of the lid;

Figure 11 is a schematic view in cross-section of the bottom moulding;

Figure 12 shows a connector element of the bottom moulding;

Figure 13 shows a connector element of the middle moulding;

Figure 14 shows the coupling of the two connector elements of Figures 12 and 13;

Figure 15 shows the lid of Figures 7 to 14 in an open configuration;

Figure 16 shows various configurations of a valve of the lid of Figures 4 to 15;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a container attachable to the lid of Figures 4 to 16 or a variant of this;

Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of implementation of the meter when incorporated in a container or sun screen;

Figures 19 to 23 show another embodiment of dispenser assembly;

Figures 24 and 25 show another embodiment of dispenser assembly;

Figures 26 and 27 show yet another embodiment of dispenser assembly;

Figures 28 to 31 show how the dispenser assembly taught herein can dispense content from a bottle and can clean the dispensing orifice;

Figures 32 and 33 show yet another embodiment of dispenser assembly; and Figures 34 and 35 shows another embodiment of dispenser assembly, in which the lid slides relative to the closure element

Before describing a number of preferred embodiments of the devices and methods taught herein, a summary of the salient features is provided.

The preferred embodiments described herein are directed to of a simple and relatively cheap UV Index meter of sufficient accuracy for public educational purposes. A small solar powered UV Index meter was developed as a device aimed at providing information to the public on erythema! exposure times. Special attention was taken to ensure the device was adequately accurate for the application, and the performance of the meter was compared with other commercial systems currently on the market. Specifically, the wavelength and directional response of a range of commercial photodiodes were measured and compared with the CIE erythemal action spectrum. Specified minimal erythemal doses (MEDs) for a range of skin types were used to calculate sub-erythemal exposure times and these times were adjusted for sun creams with skin protection factors (SPFs) in the range 1-50. The accuracy of the device was modelled under a range of different solar exposure conditions derived from radiative transfer equations. The UV Index for each photodiode was calculated for solar spectra with air masses ranging from 1 to 1.5, and ground cover varying between grass, water and snow. The device was found to provide an accuracy of +/- 0.5 UV Index over a wide range of exposure conditions. This level of accuracy is considered adequate to provide guidance to the public on the erythemal exposure time and better than comparable systems currently on the market.

A commercial photodiode can be selected on the basis of the measured spectral and directional responses (suitable photodiodes can be obtained, for example, from Scitec Instruments Limited of Redruth Cornwall, UK and from several other suppliers). The device also incorporates design features aimed at enhancing responsible solar exposure. The accuracy of the UVI measurement such photodiodes would provide in varying environmental conditions can be modelled using an accepted atmospheric radiative transfer model.

The described embodiments include several features which can increase usability, including: a) they may be solar powered - using standard photovoltaic technology; b) they can be incorporated in the top or other part of a sun screen container, increasing its usability and providing it in a form in which it is likely to be kept adjacent the person using the sun screen and thus in an environment which will be subjected to the same UV radiation; c) they may also transmit to a mobile telephone suitably programmed to provide the display of safe or remaining exposure time; d) the preferred meter uses a standard photodiode which has been selected from measurement to be the best fit with the CIE erythema response of skin, as well as having the best cosine response - making it respond as the skin to rays from different angles of incidence (a Lambertian receiver); e) the preferred embodiments include a model of the effect of taking the meter to different latitudes (AM varying) and in different ground conditions (snow, grass, sand). This gives us a measure of the likely accuracy. As UV radiation intensity is affected by many factors including environment, it is advantageous to give the device a Lambertian response in order for it to give accurate readings in all environments. The device preferably also allows different environments to be selected (by adjusting calibration). A photodiode can be given a Lambertian response, if it does not already exhibit this, by the provision of a PTFE filter or a Teflon filter, quartz diffuser for instance.

The preferred embodiment comprises a detector head which receives the UV rays radiated by the sun and a control unit which provides the user interface and also the calculation and display of the UVI levels. The meter obtains a measure of the UV Index of the sun's radiated UV rays as. Using this measurement of UVI, the skin type of the user and the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the sun screen used, the meter will then work out the safe exposure time the user can stay in the sun before sun screen needs to be reapplied.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a block diagram of the preferred components of the meter 10.

The hardware of the preferred embodiment performs the following functions: measurement and display of UV index; measurement and display of temperature; exposure time calculation and display based on current UV Index, sun cream SPF and Skin type (for example based on the Fitzgerald scale); and providing exposure time and display with an alarm at end of exposure time. A small photodiode 12 is used to measure the UV intensity from the sun. This photodiode has a response which follows the erythema action curve and produces a current which is proportional to the UV index (+/- 1 UVI error). As explained above, suitable photodiode are available, for instance from Scitec Instruments Limited of Cornwall UK.

The functions that are provided by the meter 10, such as driving a display 14, A/D conversion, logic and mathematical functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication etc), are performed by a microprocessor 16 (which may be a PIC 18F4550).

The photodiode 12 produces a current which is proportional to the UV index. The current produced is in the region of 2nA per UV index, thus 2nA = IUVI, 1OmA = 5 UVI, 2OnA = 10 UVI and so on.

The current is converted to a voltage using a current to voltage amplifier arrangement 18. The gain of the amplifier 18 is set to give a voltage of 20OmV per 2nA of current produced by the photodiode thus IUVI = 20OmV, 5UVI = IV etc.

When a UVI measurement is required, the microprocessor 16 samples this voltage using a built in A/D converter of the microprocessor. The microprocessor 16 used in the prototype has several 10 bit A/D converters which can be used for sampling analogue voltages.

The voltage from the current to voltage amplifier 18 is sampled by the A/D converter, 10 bit refers to the number of bits which can represent a voltage, e.g. in binary the biggest decimal number which can be represented by 10 bits is 1023. This means using a voltage reference of 5v, 1023d or 111111111 Ib represents 5v, 0 or 0000000000 = Ov, 1 or 0000000001 = approx 5mV.

So if a sample is taken when the photodiode 12 is producing current for 1 UVI, the A/D of the microprocessor 16 will give a value of 40, 5 UVI = 200, 10 UVI = 400, 20 UVI =800 ....

This value representing the UVI can then be divided by 40 to give the exact value of UVI.

The skin type classification and SPF and the equations explained above to calculate exposure are stored within the microprocessor memory (not shown) and, using the measured UVI value, the exposure time is calculated. The calculation of the UV Index, temperature and exposure time is performed by the microprocessor 16, which has all the relevant equations and data stored within its memory.

The LCD 14 used is a standard display, such as a Hitachi HD44780 2x12 line display, which is controlled by the microcontroller 16.

The unit 10 preferably includes a set of push button switches 20.

Ambient temperature is measured using a temperature sensor 22, which produces a voltage linear to the temperature. This voltage is then sampled as required by the A/D (lObit) of the microprocessor 16, in a similar way to the UV sampling.

An alarm buzzer 24 is controlled by the microprocessor 16 and operates when required (end of exposure).

The meter 10 is preferably powered by a small solar panel and rechargeable battery (not shown in Figure 2). The solar panel produces a voltage dependent on the sunlight irradiating the panel. This voltage charges a Ni-Mh rechargeable battery which provides power for the hardware. The battery can also be recharged by USB connection to a PC. In this embodiment, the unit 10 can thus be powered by either or both the solar panel and battery depending on the sunlight available.

Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram of an embodiment which includes a temperature sensor IC operable to provide a temperature signal which varies linearly with temperature, a solar cell/USB charging unit 26 and a Bluetooth module 28. The Bluetooth module 28 can be used to couple the device 10 to a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, computer or other electronic device.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a front elevational view of an embodiment of lid portion of a sun screen container. The lid incorporates the circuitry and sensors for providing to a user an indication of safe exposure time. The device preferably will be solar powered, by means of the solar panels 30 provided at the top of the lid. The device reads the sun screen sun protection factor (SPF) from the bottle, as explained below, and calculates a safe sun exposure time based on the UV intensity, the SPF and the user's skin type. This particular embodiment is provided with a display 14, in this case a liquid crystal display, for displaying the safe exposure time. By contrast, in the embodiment of Figure 5, the device is provided with a Bluetooth module or a USB port 32 for transmitting data to a module telephone, personal digital assistant or other electronic device of the user so as to make use of the display of that device. In some instances, the meter of the embodiment of Figure 5 would not provide any processing either, which processing could be carrier out by a suitable software application in the user's module telephone, personal digital assistant or other electronic device.

The lid 34 (also seen in better view in Figure 6, for instance) is designed to be impervious to the ingress of both sand and water. It is also design to protect the UV measurement components and prevent the usual build up of sun cream around the nozzle, by a mechanism described in further detail below.

The components of the preferred lid assembly 34 can be seen better in Figures 7 to 11. Referring first to Figure 7, the lid 34 is formed in this embodiment of three mouldings, an upper moulding 36, a middle moulding 38 and a bottom moulding 42. The upper and middle mouldings 34, 38 provide a chamber 50 for housing the electronics and the upper moulding 36 provides a recess 52 for housing the solar panel. The lid 34 is such as to provide a seal both to the circuitry held between the upper and middle mouldings of the lid 34, as well as a seal to the nozzle 46 through which sun screen can be dispensed. The upper and middle mouldings can be rotated to open access to the sun screen container, as described in detail below.

Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a perspective view of the upper moulding 36, which is preferably moulded in ABS plastics with a TPE over mould which covers the electronic components of the meter and supports and houses the solar panel 30, as well as holding the USB cover 32 (where provided). TPE over mould can also be used to create the button (33 in Figure 5 and 31 in Figure 4). The upper moulding 34 is sealed to the middle moulding 38 by any suitable means.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the middle moulding 38 of the lid 34 and this provides in effect, a closure device for closing the space of the upper moulding and thereby for providing a sealed zone within which the electronic components of the lid 34 can be housed, as will be apparent from Figure 7 when seen in conjunction with Figures 4 and 5.

The middle moulding 38 includes a snap-fit rotatable coupling 40 which fits to the bottom moulding shown in Figure 10 and described in further detail below.

Referring to Figure 10, the bottom moulding 42 includes a standard disc clip 43 which clips onto the top of a bottle or other container so as to fix the bottom moulding 42 to the bottle or other container so as not to be removable therefrom. In some embodiments, however, the bottom moulding 42 and thus the lid 34 itself are removable connectable to a bottle or other container, which allows the lid to be reused.

The bottom mounding 42 also includes an optical reader housing 45 in which there is provided an optical reader for reading a code indicative of the SPF of the sun screen in the container.

As can be seen in Figure 11, the bottom moulding 42 includes a path 44 through which sun screen can pass from the container to a nozzle 46. The nozzle 46 is closed by a valve, explained in further detail below.

Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown in enlarged form the preferred embodiment of rotatable coupling 47 provided at the top of the bottom moulding 42. This is a snap-fit with a generally circular form. Figure 13 shows the mating coupling 49 provided at the bottom of the middle moulding 38. As can be seen in Figure 14, these couplings 47, 49 snap-fit together in a manner which allows the middle moulding 38 (and by consequence the upper moulding 34 also) to rotate relative to the bottom moulding 42, thereby to open access to the nozzle 46 of the lid 34. In the preferred embodiment, the coupling 47, 49 provides a path through its centre for the passage of cabling, in particular the cabling from the optical sensor provided in the bottom moulding 42 to the electronics in the chamber 50.

The effect of the rotation of the coupling 47, 49 can be seen more clearly in Figure 15, in which the lid 34 has been twisted by 90 degrees to reveal the nozzle 46. The shape of the bottom and middle mouldings 38, 42 and the off-centre position of the couplings 47, 49 cause the upper part 34, 38 of the lid 34 to twist to one side of the bottle as it rotates.

Referring now to Figure 16, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the valve 54 provided at the nozzle 46 of the bottom moulding 42. The valve 54 is a silicon valve having a slit 56 therein. The valve 54 is normally held in a recessed configuration (concave as seen from outside the bottle) as shown in Figure 16 A. Should a user squeeze the bottle or the container while the middle moulding (that is the top part of the lid 34) still covers the nozzle area 46, pressure within the bottle causes the valve 54 to expand outwardly into a convex shape but this will not open as the valve 54 will come into contact with the base wall of the middle moulding 38 (Figures 16B and 16C). The same will occur if there is an increase in pressure in the container, as a result for instance of heat. The valve 54 will only open once the top part of the lid (formed of the upper and middle mouldings 34, 38) has been rotated and the container squeezed, as shown in Figure 16D.

The lid 34 is of a form that is it completely fluid tight, both when closed and when open. Only passage through the nozzle 46 is openable when the lid is rotated to its dispensing position.

Referring to Figure 15 again, the lid 34 is closed by rotating this by 90 degrees in a closing direction. The lid 34 is designed to cause the bottom of the middle moulding 38 to brush against the valve 54 as the lid closes, which cleans the valve 54 of any residual sun screen. That sun screen will be wiped to the edge of the bottle, to be consumed by the user as desired.

In summary, in the preferred embodiment, thus, the majority of the electronics are to be housed within the upper moulding 38 which is sealed at manufacture by a polycarbonate top that covers the solar panel and photodiode bonded/welded in position. The TPE over mould is in this case responsible for the creation of the button only (in other instances it may form the USB cover also). The USB cover is to be considered as a separate TPE part. The middle moulding is inserted in to the underside of the upper moulding and bonded in position, sealing the upper section of the product (with the exception of the hole through the centre of the rotary clip joint).

The joint seals, connects electrically and secures the two parts (rotatable and non-rotatable parts) of the product. The upper section is connected electrically via a ribbon cable/wiring to the optical sensors housed in the lower moulding 42 through the rotary joint. The Upper section of the product is then fastened to the lower moulding using the snap fits on the rotary joint. When clipped together the rotary joint seals the two halves sections of the product, upper and lower (assuming the optical sensor housing cover has been assembled /ultrasonically welded in position).

Referring now to Figure 17, there is shown an embodiment of container 60 (with the lid removed) which includes a coding device 62 which provides a code indicative of the sun protection factor (SPF) of the sun screen contained within the bottle 60. This can be any form of coding system, for instance a barcode or similar coding. In a case where the coding system is provided at the top of the container as shown in Figure 13, the bottom moulding 42 of the lid 34 is preferably provided with a code reader (not shown) on its lower surface which would align with the coding device 62, such that the code reader is able to read the code 62 and thus provide automatically to the circuitry an indication of the SPF of the sun cream of the container. This enables the circuitry to calculate automatically the sun protection factor and also for the lid 34 to be reused with different bottles of sun cream. This can be particularly advantageous in being able to provide a lid 34 which can be used repeatedly or with different sun creams for different members of a group of users.

Referring now to Figure 18, there is shown an implementation of the device. Having entered a skin type, the device reads the UV index by means of the photo sensor, as well as the SPF factor of the sun cream and then generates, as shown in Figure 14, a safe exposure time based on these factors. In the preferred embodiment, the device will continue counting down the time for an application of the sun cream, so as to give the user an indication of the remaining safe exposure time and an indication as to when further sun screen should be applied or when a user should take protection from the sun. When the safe exposure time has expired, the system preferably issues a warning to the user, either via the display 14 and/or by means of a buzzer.

In the preferred embodiment, the operation of the device is as follows. In step 1 the device checks the SPF of the sun screen (typically by reading this form the coded label), in step 2 the device asks the user to confirm the SPF by depression of an appropriate switch on the lid, in step 3 the device asks the user to enter the skin type, at step 4 the device instructs the user to point the sensor to the sun, at step 5 the device reads the UV Index and calculates the safe exposure time, in step 6 the device asks the user to confirm the start of the measurement of exposure, in step 7 the device starts counting down form the determined safe exposure time, in step 8 the device warns the user when the time has expired.

It is envisaged that the device could include the ability to be updated with new software and look-up tables, for instance to be able to accommodate different or new types of sun screens. This can readily be done with embodiments which include wireless or wired connectivity as described above.

Figures 19 to 31 show different embodiments of dispenser assembly having characteristics in common with the dispenser assembly shown in Figures 6 to 16, although with different structural features. The embodiments of Figures 19 to 31 do not show the provision of a UV meter and monitor of the type taught herein. These embodiments can equally be provided with such a meter, in accordance with the teachings herein, in cases where it is desired to include such a meter within the dispenser assemblies shown in these Figures. It is to be understood also that in the dispenser assembly shown in Figures 6 to 16 (as well as the description and other drawings which relate to this embodiment) it is not essential to include a UV monitor of the type taught herein. The preferred embodiments provide a combination of the dispenser assembly and UV monitor but it is envisaged that in other embodiments this would not be a combination which would be necessary.

Figure 19 shows a dispenser assembly 100 again formed of two components, a rotatable lid 102 and a closure member 104. The closure member typically fits over the top of a bottle or other container and seals this.

With reference in particular to Figures 20 and 21, the closure element 104 includes a depending flange 106 which fits, preferably by a snap-fit, onto the neck of a bottle or other container. It will be apparent that this neck and the top of the bottle or the container will be suitable for fitting to and being sealed by the closure member 104. The depending flange 106, which seals the top of the container, also provides access to a dispensing aperture 108 in the closure element 104, which can best be seen in Figures 21 and 22. This aperture 108 is the aperture from which contents of the container is accessed by the user.

As can be seen in Figure 20 in particular, the rotatable lid 102 and the closure device 104 include cooperating pivot elements 110, 112, which are a snapped-fit together and can provide a rotatable coupling so that the lid 102 can rotate relative to the closure member 104.

As can be seen in these Figures, the closure device has a top surface 114 which is curved. The curvature provides a number of advantages to the dispensing device, including an ergonomically pleasant dispensing surface for a user and also, as will be apparent in particular from Figures 22 and 23, with an arrangement such that when the lid 102 is rotated relative to the closure element 104, the lid will tilt relative to the upright axis 116 of the closure assembly. This provides to a user a clear indication that the lid 102 has been opened.

The embodiment shown in these Figures has a different seal mechanism to that of the embodiments of Figures 6 to 16, in particular. In the embodiment of Figures 19 to 23, the seal arrangement is provided by a pin or rod 120 which fits within the aperture 108 in the closure element 104, as can be seen in particular in Figure 20. The pin 120 is sized so as to fit in and substantially close off completely the aperture 108 and is thus dimensioned to have a diameter about the same as or only just a little bit smaller than the diameter of the aperture 108. In order to facilitate the location of the pin 120 into the aperture 108, the size of the aperture 108 on the upper surface of the closure device 104 are preferably bevelled, as can be seen in particular in Figures 20 and 22. The pin 120 is preferably flexible so as to be able to flex into and out of its registration with the aperture 108 but in other embodiments may be pivotable, as described below. It will be apparent that the pin 120 provides an effective seal at the opening of the dispenser device and thus prevents some of the disadvantages of prior art cream and gel containers.

As can be seen in Figures 22 and 23 in particular, the rotatable lid 102 is a close fit on the top surface 114 of the closure element 104 and is designed such that, in the preferred embodiment, the edge 116 of the depending wall 118 of the Hd 102 will slide along, in substantial contact with, the top surface 114 of the closure element 104. The edge 116, as explained below, acts to scrape off any excess content from the top surface 114 for removal by a user, such that excess content does not remain on the outside of the container able to dry or otherwise cause nuisance.

Referring now to Figures 24 and 25, there is shown another embodiment of dispenser assembly which is very similar to the dispenser assembly of the previously described embodiments and which includes a rotatable lid 132 and closure device 134. The lid 132 includes a rotatable coupling 136 which cooperates with an equivalent coupling 138 on the closure element 134. It can be seen that the couplings 136, 138 are at an angle to the vertical 140, so as to cause the lid 132 to rotate in a tilting manner between its open and closed positions. The lid 132 includes a pin 142 which in use fits into the aperture 144 in the closure device 134 to seal this. The pin 142, in this embodiment, has a narrow tip for facilitating fitting of this into the aperture 144 and is pivotally coupled to the top wall of the lid 132 by resilient couplings 146. The closure element 134 includes first and second stop members 146, 148 for restricting the amount by which the lid 132 can rotate. The operation of this lid is similar to that of the embodiments of Figures 19 to 23.

Another embodiment is shown in Figures 26 and 27. In this embodiment, the lid 152 includes a sprung pin 156 which fits within an aperture 158 of the closure device 154. In this embodiment the pin 156 and aperture 158 are substantially aligned with the central and vertical axis 160 of the dispensing assembly and, in practice, of the container. The lid is rotatable about a pivotable coupling of the type shown in the previous embodiments and which is located on a curved portion 159 of the closure device 154 so as to cause the lid 152 to rotate and tilt, as shown in Figure 27.

As can be seen in Figure 27 in particular, the pin 156 is coupled by a resilient arm 162, integral with the lid 152 and pin 156, which enables the pin to pivot but yet which remains able to spring back to its normal, sealing, condition as shown in Figure 26.

The advantage of the described embodiments of dispending device taught herein can be seen in particular in Figures 28 to 31. It is to be understood that the embodiment shown in Figures 28 to 31 has characteristics which can be found in all of the described embodiments taught in this application and contemplated herein and that this embodiment can also incorporate the UV monitor also taught herein.

With reference to Figure 28, it can be seen that the lid 172 has been rotated relative to the closure device 170 to enable content, in this example sun cream 174, to be dispensed from a container 176. The sun cream can be taken by a user's finger and applied in conventional manner. When the user no longer wishes to have more sun cream, the lid 172 is twisted back to its closed position. In the course of the twisting or rotation action, as can be seen in particular in Figure 29, the bottom edge 178 of the depending wall 180 of the Hd 172 slides along the top surface 182 of the closure element 170, thereby scraping off excess cream from the location of the nozzle 184 (seen the best in Figure 31). By the point at which the lid 172 is completely closed, as shown in Figure 30, the excess cream has been pushed to the side of the container and can be wiped away by a user's finger. When the lid 172 is opened again, as can be seen in Figure 31, the top surface 182 of the closure device 170 is clean. Thus, there is no leftover content on the top surface of the closure device 170 which can spoil over time or otherwise attract dirt or debris.

Figures 32 and 33 show another embodiment of dispenser assembly the principal features of which are equivalent to the principal features of the embodiments disclosed above. The features of this embodiment will be readily apparent from the drawings.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of Figures 28 to 33 will provide either a pin or valving element of the type taught above so as to seal the aperture 184 thus ensuring that there is no undue drying of content on the bottle.

The lid member need not be rotatable on the closure element. In another embodiment shown in Figures 34 and 35, the lid is slidable relative to the closure member, for instance by being coupled to the closure element by one or more guide rails which provide for backward and forward sliding of the lid relative to the closure element. The lid will equally perform the action of wiping the top surface of the closure element so as to clean the aperture in the top surface of the closure element. This embodiment shows a lid which is linearly slidable. It is to be understood that it could also be designed to slide along a curve or arc.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of dispenser assembly taught herein could be provided separately from the UV monitor embodiments or with any of the embodiments of UV monitor taught herein. Similarly, the UV monitor embodiments taught herein could be provided separately or with any of the embodiments of dispenser assembly taught herein.

It is envisaged that the dispenser assembly could be reusable, that is moved form one container to another, although could equally be disposable, that is thrown with the container when this is empty. In the case of a disposable dispenser assembly, the closure member could be an integral part of the container.

The dispenser device may be provided with a tamper evident seal, in one embodiment this being by means of a circular or annular panel in an aperture of the lid member which is coupled to the lid by one or more breakable tabs, such that on rotation of the lid the tabs break to allow the panel to rotate relative to the lid and thus to provide evidence of opening. The panel could be connected to the closure element. It is preferred, however, that the tamper proof element is located at the top of the sealing pin, in which case this ruptures when the pin is pivoted relative to the lid.

In the embodiments which use a pin to close the aperture in the closure element, it is currently envisaged that the pin could be a simple slide fit. In some embodiments, however, the pin could be an interference fit in the aperture, for which the pin may be provided with one or more annular protrusions which fit in an interference manner into the aperture, interfering with the annular internal wall of the aperture. In another embodiment, the internal annular wall of the aperture may be provided with an annular groove or other shaped recess or recesses shaped and sized to receive one or more corresponding protrusions on the pin, such that the two components connect together in a snap-fit manner. Of course, the arrangement of protrusions and recesses could be reversed. It will be apparent also that protrusions on the pin could extend to below the top wall of the closure element and engage with this at the other side of the aperture to achieve a snap-fit coupling.

It will be apparent that the lid element and closure element need not be a snap-fit together. They could be coupled in any other manner, including by means of a screw fitting, bonding or other fitting.

The UV monitor could also be configured or modified to give an indication of the recommended sun protection factor (SPF) cream to apply on the basis of the desired amount of time a person wishes to remain in the sun.

Claims

1. A dispensing assembly for a container for creams, gels or other fluids including a closure member for closing a top of a container, the closure member including a top surface and an aperture therein for dispensing content from the container; and an openable lid, the lid being fitted on and rotatable or slidable relative to the closure member between a closed and an open position, wherein rotation or slidable of the lid from its open to its closed positions causes the lid to wipe across the aperture in the top surface of the closure member.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid is a tight fit to the top surface of the closure member, so as to be in contact therewith during the wiping across the aperture.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Hd includes a bottom surface facing the top surface of the closure member.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface forms a seal to the opening.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening is provided with a valving element.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the valving element is openable by pressure applied from within the container and closable by elastomeric force.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid includes a wiping blade for wiping away excess content.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the wiping blade is a bottom edge of a depending wall of the lid.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the Hd includes a closure pin sized to fit within or over the aperture.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the pin is flexibly or pivotally disposed on the lid.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid is rotatable along an axis which is at an angle to the axis of the closure and of the container to which the assembly is fitted.

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid is a snap fit onto the closure member, the snap fit providing the pivot point and axis of rotation of the lid.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure member is integral with the container.

14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the closure member and container are formed as a single component.

15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly includes a built-in UV monitor.

16. An assembly according to claim 15, including a processor operable to determine from a measured UV Index and a sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a display for displaying said safe exposure time.

17. An assembly according to claim 15 or 16, including a communications unit operable to communicate with a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or other electronic device, which electronic device includes a processor operable to determine from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a display for displaying said safe exposure time.

18. An assembly according to claim 15, 16 or 17, including a solar panel.

19. An assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 18, including an input for receiving a sun protection factor measurement.

20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the input for receiving the sun protection factor includes a code reader for reading a code indicative of the sun protection factor of the associated sun screen.

21. An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the code is provided on a sun screen container.

22. An assembly according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the code is a graphical code

23. An assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the code is a bar code.

24. An assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the code is a specific SPF code or related to the product itself.

25. An assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 24, including a container of sun cream, wherein the code is provided on an upper portion of the container and the code reader is provided on the dispenser assembly, such that when the dispenser assembly is fitted to the container, the code can then be read by the code sensor.

26. A device for providing an indication of safe exposure time, the device including a UV index sensor operable to obtain a measure of ultraviolet index, a input operable to receive a sun protection factor for a sun screen, a processor operable to determine from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a display for displaying said safe exposure time.

27. A device according to claim 26, including an input for receiving skin type data, device being operable to determine said safe exposure time from the measured UV Index, the sun protection factor and the skin type data.

28. A device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the sun protection factor input includes a sensor operable to sense a sun protection factor code.

29. A device according to claim 26, 27 or 28, including a unit forming part of a container for sun screen.

30. A device according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the unit includes the UV sensor and/or sun protection factor sensor.

31. A device according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the unit includes the display and the processing means.

32. A device according to claim 29, 30 or 31 , wherein the unit includes a communications device operable to communicate with another device.

33. A sun screen container including a UV metering device, which device includes a UV index sensor operable to obtain a measure of ultraviolet index, a input operable to receive a sun protection factor for a sun screen, and means for providing an indication of the UV index and the sun protection factor.

34. A method of providing an indication of safe exposure time, including the steps of obtaining a UV index measure, receiving a sun protection factor for a sun screen, determining from the measured UV Index and the sun protection factor a safe exposure time and a indicating said safe exposure time to a user.