WO2018108584A1

WO2018108584A1 - Fragrance dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018108584A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/081244
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manuel Gimeno Asin; Jakub Jan JEDLINSKI; Hugo LASALA ALONSO; Aida RODRIGUEZ GARCIA; Javier SANZ NAVAL; Alvaro Suarez Iribarne
Original assignee: Noustique Perfumes, S.L.
Priority date: 2016-12-16
Filing date: 2017-12-01
Publication date: 2018-06-21

Abstract

A fragrance dispensing apparatus (1) comprises at least one seat (2) for several fragrance reservoirs (CR, CS), at least one solvent reservoir (5) for at least one solvent (S), at least one extraction means (3, 4) for extracting fragrances (F1-F3) from the fragrance reservoirs (CR, CS) and at least one solvent (S) from at least one solvent reservoir (5), a fragrance dispenser (12) for dispensing the fragrance blend (FB), and a user interface (14) for selecting the fragrances (F1-F3) of the fragrance blend (FB) and a type of the fragrance blend (FB). The invention is particularly useful for mixing a tailor-made fragrance blend of a user-selected type and with a user-selected dilution resulting in a respective perfume, perfume water, cologne etc.

Description

Fragrance dispensing apparatus

The invention relates to a fragrance dispensing apparatus. The invention is particularly useful for mixing a tailor-made fragrance blend of a user-selected type and with a user- selected dilution resulting in a respective perfume, perfume water, cologne etc.

NZ 607641 A discloses a container system for liquids such as spray fragrances. The system includes a parent container and a child container. The parent container provides a first cavity for confining a liquid, and couples detachably to the child container for refilling the child container through a supply opening in the parent container. The child container can be used for instance as a travel pack in a handbag or hand luggage. Here the child container is a compact dispenser, comprising a bowl-shaped rigid container having a refill opening, which is kept closed by a valve unless the dispenser is connected to the parent container, and a dispensing opening. These openings are located apart from each other. A pump dispenses liquid from the dispense opening. In a particularly simple construction, the opening of the bowl is covered by a deformable membrane to form a closed dispense cavity, the cavity becoming mainly or completely evacuated as the dispensing means is operated. The membrane then relaxes again, filling the dispenser, when the dispenser is re-applied to the parent container.

CN 202687926 U discloses a perfume filling machine, which comprises a support, a towing bracket arranged in the support, a filling frame arranged at the top of the support, more than one injection device arranged on the filling frame, and a perfume box arranged on one side of the support, wherein a pump body is arranged on the right side in the filling frame, the pump body is connected with the perfume box through a conduit, and the pump body is connected with more than one water pipe. According to the utility model, multiple perfumes can be filled simultaneously, so that the filling efficiency is improved.

CN 202400818 U discloses a valve provided with a pipeline and applicable for fragrance sliding way filling. The valve comprises a valve, wherein a handle switch is arranged on the valve; the vale also comprises a pipeline, wherein the valve is arranged on the pipeline; the valve is closed when the handle switch is parallel to the pipeline; and the valve is opened when the handle switch and the pipeline incline. The valve provided with the pipeline is simple in structure and convenient to operate; the accident of fragrance leakage resulted from misopening caused by the collision of the handle when sliding downwards along the sliding way; the environment pollution and the cost are reduced; and meanwhile, the pipeline and the valve are fixedly connected, so that the installation time is reduced, the production efficiency is improved greatly, and the production cost is saved.

CN 201099609 Y discloses a filling machine for filling drink and flavour into liquid container (as glass bottle), which comprises a frame, a transmission system and a rotary platform. The utility model is characterized in that each filling valve is provided with a temporary liquid storage barrel, a rotary portion control system uses a Siemens wireless PROFINET communication system (industrial wireless Ethernet) which comprises a positioning device, a probe, a wireless access end and a wireless client end, whose signal processing is completed by periphery control system and operation is processed on a touch screen. The filling machine has reasonable structure and high automatic degrees, without explosion and leakage, while the filling capacity has large adjusting range (50- 2000 ml) and the filling accuracy is high as +/- 0.5 ml in 500 ml.

U. S. Patent 5,713,403 relates to a method which simplifies the preparation of packaging units which contain different filling products. It is characterized by the fact that to fill the containers according to a specified or selected filling formation with different filling products, i.e. optionally with at least a first or a second filling product, the filling machine is controlled by a control device so that, as a function of the filling formation, the filling positions dispense different products into containers which are unique and appropriate to each product.

U. S. Patent 6,371 ,451 discloses a scent diffusion apparatus and method that contains individual original scents for a plurality of scents to be diffused, constructs information on position information of the contained original scents and information on various scents to be diffused in a database, and mixes the original scents of the desired scent properly at a desired point in time based on the scent information, to thereby spray the desired scent. The scent diffusion method includes providing a plurality of scent spraying units containing original scents, heating the original scents via a heater, evaporating the original scents, and diffusing the evaporated scent with the air via an air supply pump. Thus, a desired scent can be transferred to a selected subject under correct concentration. The scent diffusion apparatus uses scent cartridges containing the original scents, such as cartridges used in an existing ink-jet printer, and uses the same control commands as those of a general personal computer or ink-jet printer compatibly. Thus, the scent diffusion apparatus can control an amount of diffusion precisely, be manufactured in a compact fashion, and used in connection with a general purpose computer in which almost all kinds of operating systems supporting an ink-jet printer are incorporated.

US 2012/247613 A1 discloses a vending machine for dispensing a selected blend of perfumes in response to the deposit of a pre-selected sum of money includes a plurality of containers and a plurality of distinctive scents with one of the scents disposed in each of the containers. A mechanism for selecting one or more of the scents and an amount of one or more of the scents is provided. Further, the vending machine includes a mechanism for blending the selected scents in the selected percentages and providing a sample to a perspective customer. Further, the mechanism includes a slot receiving payment for a quantity of the selected blend together with a delivery process for providing a bottle of the selected perfume to the customer.

US 2016/045838 A1 discloses an aroma substance delivery device adapted to deliver an aroma substance exclusively to the nasal cavities of an individual, comprising the following elements: (i) a source of carrier gas flow; (ii) regulating means which receives the carrier gas flow and regulates its passage through a plurality of channels; (iii) downstream of the regulating means a plurality of aroma substance-containing cartridges, one being associated with each channel, and (iv) disseminating means located in close proximity to the cartridges and adapted to deliver the individual aroma substances from the cartridges to nasal cavities by means of a conduit; there being positioned in each channel on the upstream side and in close proximity to the origin of the channel a flow restrictor, the flow restrictor being configured such that the pressure drop across the flow restrictor is higher than the pressure drop across the rest of the device. The device is particularly useful as an element in conjunction with an audio-visual display, to provide a complete sensory experience.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the problems associated with the prior art. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a means for dispensing fragrance in a highly flexible and user-friendly manner. The object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments can be found, e.g., in the dependent claims and/or in the description. The object is achieved by a fragrance dispensing apparatus, comprising several fragrance reservoirs, at least one solvent reservoir for at least one solvent, at least one extraction means for extracting fragrances from the fragrance reservoirs and at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir, a fragrance dispenser for dispensing the fragrance blend, and a user interface for at least selecting fragrances of the fragrance blend and a type of the fragrance blend.

This fragrance dispensing apparatus gives the advantage that it enables instantly creating custom-made or tailor-made fragrance blends. There is a high degree of flexibility in creating the fragrance blend since this is not restricted to choosing from pre-defined blends. There is also a high degree of user-friendliness since this creating of custom- made or tailor-made fragrance blends can be performed by the user itself or in the presence of the user. The provision of the at least one solvent reservoir gives the further advantage that a type of fragrance can be selected instantly (e.g., perfume, perfume water, toilet water, cologne, cologne water, fragrance mist etc.). Additionally, a volume of the fragrance reservoir can be kept small that way, enabling a compact design and/or a large number of fragrance reservoirs.

The fragrances in the fragrance reservoirs may be stored as solids (e.g. a powder), gels and/or liquids (e.g. in form of stock solutions).

A fragrance may comprise or be an odorant or scent (e.g. one or more essential oils or aroma compounds). The odorant may be a pure fragrance / odorant or a fragrance / odorant mixture. A liquid fragrance may further comprise at least one solvent (e.g. alcohol (e.g. ethanol), glycol and/or water). The liquid fragrance may further comprise at least one fixative. In particular, depending on its dilution, a liquid fragrance may be a perfume (from 20 vol.-% to 40 vol.-% of stock solution diluted in ethanol and/or water as solvents), perfume water (from 10 vol.-% to 20 vol.-% of stock solution diluted in ethanol and water), toilet water (from 5 vol.-% to 10 vol.-% of stock solution diluted in ethanol and water), cologne (from 3 vol.-% to 5 vol.-% of stock solution diluted in ethanol and water), cologne water (from 1 vol.-% to 3 vol.-% of stock solution diluted in ethanol and water), or fragrance mist and air freshener (with less than 1 vol.-% of stock solution diluted in ethanol and water), etc. In particular, the liquid fragrance is not intended to be used for food or other alimentary purposes. The fragrance reservoirs may comprise stock solution of the single odorant or scent or of the several odorants or scents. The stock solution may refer to concentrated solution that will be diluted by adding solvent to some lower concentration for actual use.

The reservoir may be a removable or exchangeable reservoir. In this case, the reservoir may also be called a cartridge. The cartridge may comprise exactly one reservoir and may then also be called a capsule. Alternatively, the cartridge may comprise several reservoirs (e.g. several capsules) containing different fragrances.

The fragrance dispensing apparatus comprises at least one seat for several fragrance reservoirs, e.g. at least one seat for one or more (multi-reservoir) cartridges and/or several seats for capsules (single-reservoir cartridges).

The reservoir may alternatively be fixedly positioned in the fragrance dispensing apparatus. In this case, the reservoir may be called a tank. Such a tank may be refillable by a user. A solvent tank may comprise one solvent (e.g. water, alcohol, glycerine) or a solvent mixture (e.g. a mixture of water and alcohol). The reservoirs, and in particular a tank, may be equipped with a level sensor.

The fragrance dispensing apparatus may comprise at least one seat for a removable fragrance reservoir and at least one tank for at least one solvent. In particular, the fragrance dispensing apparatus may comprise at least one seat for a fragrance cartridge and at least one solvent tank.

The seat may also be called a compartment, cavity or support.

In particular, the fragrance dispensing apparatus - e.g. via a control device - is adapted to automatically determine a quantity of solvent(s) to be added to the fragrance blend to achieve the desired or user-selected type of the fragrance blend (perfume, cologne etc.). For example, perfume may need less solvent than cologne etc. In an embodiment in which the fragrance dispensing apparatus comprises more than one solvent reservoir and the solvent reservoirs may in particular comprise different types of solvents, the fragrance dispensing apparatus may be adapted to determine and extract the type of solvent (e.g. alcohol, in particular ethanol, glycol and/or water) suited for the user-selected type of fragrance blend.

The user interface is adapted to select fragrances for a desired fragrance blend and a type of the fragrance blend. To this effect, the user interface may be programmed accordingly. In particular, the user interface may present only such fragrances for selection that have been identified to be present or available to be extracted. Additionally, the user interface may present only such types of fragrance blends for selection by a user for which suitable solvent(s) have been identified to be present or available to be extracted.

In one embodiment at least one seat or reservoir is connectable or connected to a respective extraction means via a respective coupling means (also called a connector). The coupling means is adapted to prevent unwanted spill or leakage from the respective reservoir and to connect the reservoir to the extraction means. The coupling means may be opened to generally allowing discharging the reservoir's content. In one variant, the coupling means comprises a valve. The valve may e.g. be a one-way valve. For example, the valve may be a pressure operated valve, a pinch valve, a needle vale etc.

In another variant, the reservoir's outlet is sealed with a rubber cap that works as dropper or dosage means.

In yet another variant, the hollow needle can be inserted into the reservoir through the rubber cap to extract content from the reservoir. The rubber cap makes a tight connection with the needle, and once the needle is pulled out of the reservoir, the rubber cap recovers its shape thanks to its elastic properties thus avoiding spillage of the remaining content. The needle may be a part of the extraction means while the rubber seal may be regarded as the coupling means. The extraction means (or "extractor") may comprise at least one dosing means to precisely control the amount (e.g. weight, flow volume etc.) of the fragrance(s) and solvent(s) dispensed or extracted from the reservoirs. The dosing means may comprise or be a precisely controllable dosage valve.

The extraction means may further comprise a pump for pumping the fragrance(s) and solvent(s) from the reservoirs. This supports a constant and precise flow of the reservoir's content. For example, the pump may be a peristaltic pump. Additionally, the extraction means may comprise a flow meter for measuring the amount of fragrance(s) and solvent(s) dispensed or extracted. This allows a particularly precise measurement and extraction of the reservoir's content.

Regarding a flow direction of the reservoir's contents, the extraction means is positioned between at least one reservoir and the fragrance dispenser.

It is an embodiment that each reservoir is connected to a respective extraction means (e.g. via a respective coupling means). This enables a particularly precise extraction or dosing and avoids an unwanted mixture of fragrances.

It is another embodiment that at least one extraction means is simultaneously / parallely connectable or connected only to at least one fragrance reservoir (e.g. via a respective coupling means) and at least one other extraction means is simultaneously connectable or connected only to at least one solvent reservoir (e.g. via a respective coupling means). This allows a precise and fast dosing and reduced costs. In particular, an extraction means connectable to a solvent reservoir may have a greater flow-rate than an extraction means connectable to a fragrance reservoir which allows fast dispensing of the solvent. This makes use of the fact that a solvent quantity needed for the fragrance mix is typically much higher than the quantity needed of the fragrances. In one variant, exactly one extraction means is connected or connectable to the fragrance reservoir(s) and exactly one other extraction means is connected or connectable to the solvent reservoir(s). Both extraction means may comprise a respective pump and flow meter. It is yet another embodiment that at least one extraction means is simultaneously connectable or connected to at least one fragrance reservoir and additionally connectable or connected to at least one solvent reservoir. This allows a particularly cost effective extraction. In particular, the at least one extraction means comprises exactly one extraction means that is connectable or connected to all reservoirs.

The connection between the extraction means and the fragrance reservoir, its seat, or its valve, respectively, may comprise using a tube, pipe, duct or other conduit. It is even another embodiment that the at least one extraction means comprises an extractions means for consecutively being connectable or connected to several reservoirs. For example, such an extraction means may comprise a needle. By moving the needle and/or the reservoirs, the needle may be consecutively inserted into selected reservoirs to extract the respective fragrance(s) and/or solvent(s). The movement may e.g. be performed by a step motor. In particular, this embodiment comprises exactly one extraction means which allows an especially cost-effective setup. Also, the coupling means may not be needed / avoided in this embodiment. For example, the reservoirs may comprise rubber seals hermetically sealing an opening to allow a tight fit of the needle and a reliable closure after the needle has been removed.

It is yet another embodiment that the fragrance blending apparatus comprises a blending chamber for blending the extracted fragrances and the at least one solvent into a fragrance blend. If the blending chamber is present, the pump may be used for pumping the fragrance(s) and solvent(s) from the reservoirs to the blending chamber. Regarding a flow direction of the reservoir's contents, the extraction means may be positioned between at least one reservoir and the blending chamber.

It is an embodiment thereof that the blending chamber is a "static" chamber that simply holds the extracted fragrance(s) and solvent(s). This is a particularly cost-effective embodiment. The fragrance(s) and/or solvent(s) may be kept for a predefined time to enhance the homogeneity of the fragrance blend. It is another embodiment thereof that the blending chamber is a "continuous" chamber in that the fragrance(s) and/or solvent(s) are blended based on a loss of pressure when they are flowing together through the blending chamber. It is yet another embodiment thereof that the blending chamber is a "bubbling" chamber which is based on creating bubbles at the bottom of the blending chamber that will circulate upwards through all the fragrance(s) and/or solvent(s) thus speeding up the blending process. The bubbles may be created by an air pump and e.g. membranes at the bottom of the blending chamber.

It is even another embodiment thereof that the blending chamber comprises a mixing blade. The mixing blade may be driven by a rotor. Such a blending chamber works with powder-liquid and liquid-liquid blends. In particular, the blending chamber may form a close-clearance mixer. There are several types of close-clearance mixers, most common ones use mixing blades in form of anchors or helical ribbons. Anchor mixers induce solid- body rotation but do not promote vertical mixing, while helical ribbons do promote vertical mixing. Other types of close-clearance mixers may use Rushton blades, hydrofoil blades, radial blades, axial blades etc. The user interface (also called man machine interface or "MMI") allows a user to input choices of different types of fragrances (e.g. according to present fragrance reservoirs) and their amount (e.g. in terms of weight, volume, vol.-% and/or percentage) as well as a type of fragrance (e.g., perfume, perfume water, toilet water, cologne, cologne water, fragrance mist etc.). The fragrance dispensing apparatus is adapted to automatically mix a respective user-selected or user-defined fragrance mix. The user interface may, e.g., comprise keys for inputting commands and/or selections and a display. The user interface may comprise a touchscreen.

It is an embodiment that the fragrance dispensing apparatus comprises an identification means for identifying the reservoirs, in particular cartridges, in particular fragrance cartridges, and the contained fragrances, respectively. Additionally, the fragrance dispensing apparatus may comprise an identification means for identifying the at least one solvent reservoir and eventually the contained type of solvent associated with the solvent reservoir(s). This allows a fast and reliable identification of the reservoirs and facilitates replacing or newly inserting cartridges into the fragrance dispensing apparatus. To this effect, identification technologies like optical reading (e.g. barcode scanning), RFID querying (e.g., NFC) and so on can be used. In one variant, the identification means (or "identificator") comprises an optical code reader (e.g. light and/or IR scanner) to read a code (e.g. a barcode or a QR code) of the cartridges. For example, there is provided one code reader for each cartridge to identify the cartridge's content. The readers may be placed at a certain distance from each cartridge. This is a particularly affordable variant if the fragrance dispensing apparatus may only contain a small number of cartridges.

In another variant, the identification means comprises a wireless radio frequency reader, e.g. a RFID reader, in particular an NFC reader. This variant has the advantage that one reader may be sufficient to read respective RFID tag of multiple, in particular all, cartridges. The cartridges are consequently equipped with such RFID tags. This variant has the further advantage that a distance and orientation of the RFID reader with respect to the RFID tags may be more flexible.

The reader(s) may be placed at a fixed location / fixed locations within the fragrance dispensing apparatus. In an alternative, a reader may be moved or movable within the fragrance dispensing apparatus such that the reader may be placed in front of each code / tag. This is particularly advantageous when using an optical reader. Alternatively, the cartridges may be moved to the fixed reader. This identification means may comprise a rotor that rotates the seats of the cartridges or that rotates the reader for a direct reading, in particular optical reading.

The fragrance dispenser may also be called a fragrance dispensing means, a fragrance dispensing module or a fragrance dispensing component. It is an embodiment that the fragrance dispenser is adapted to apply at least one fragrance stored in the fragrance reservoirs directly (i.e., circumventing the blending chamber, if present) to a test substrate and providing this test substrate. This allows a customer to smell a single fragrance and/or fragrance mix before ordering the fragrance dispensing apparatus to process the final fragrance blend. In one variant, the test substrate is a test strip, e.g. made of blotting paper. In this case, the fragrance dispensing apparatus may comprise a test strip dispenser where the test strip is provided with (e.g. sprayed with) one or more fragrances. The customer can take the strip to smell the sample.

In another - even simpler - variant, the customer takes one test strip from the test strip dispenser and rubs it against a surface that contains the sample fragrance. The fragrance dispensing apparatus may be adapted to allow a customer to smell the single fragrances the customer wants to add to the fragrance blend. To this effect, the extraction means may be adapted to put a drop of the requested fragrance onto the test strip. The customer can take the test strip and smell it. Additionally or alternatively, the fragrance dispensing apparatus may be adapted to allow a customer to smell multiple fragrances. In this case, to achieve a good approximation of the desired fragrance blend, the extraction means may extract and dispense the multiple fragrances in the right proportions. The customer may shake the test strip a little bit to let the ingredients mix.

In yet another variant, the test substrate is housed in a tube ("test tube"). The test substrate may be ceramic wool or any other suitable absorbent material. The fragrance(s) is or are dispensed into the test tube. The test tube may comprise a heater that heats the ceramic wool once the customer wants to smell the sample. The heater may be working until the customer wants to test another fragrance(s) or until the fragrance(s) has totally evaporated. The test tube may be part of the fragrance dispensing apparatus and may not be removable.

The fragrance dispenser may e.g. dispense the test fragrance mix as a liquid or as a spray.

It is an embodiment that the fragrance dispenser is adapted to dispense the selected fragrance(s) and the solvent(s) into a withdrawable container, e.g. into a bottle. Fragrance bottles have the advantage to have a perceived high value. The fragrance dispenser may comprise a flow meter to precisely measure the amount of the fragrance blend let into the withdrawable container. Additionally, the fragrance dispenser may comprise a pump to pump the fragrance blend into the withdrawable container. In particular for the case that the fragrance dispensing apparatus comprises a blending chamber the fragrance dispenser may be adapted to dispense a ready fragrance blend from the blending chamber into the withdrawable container. In this embodiment, the fragrance dispenser may comprise a valve, in particular dosage valve, to let the ready fragrance blend out of the blending chamber. The fragrance dispenser may comprise a flow meter to precisely measure the amount of the fragrance blend let out of the blending chamber and into the withdrawable container. Additionally, the fragrance dispenser may comprise a pump to pump the fragrance blend from the blending chamber into the withdrawable container. Alternatively, and particular for the case that the fragrance dispensing apparatus does not comprise a blending chamber, the fragrance dispenser is adapted to dispense the selected fragrance(s) and the solvent(s) directly into a withdrawable container, e.g. into a bottle. In one variant, the fragrance dispenser is adapted to dispense the liquid fragrance into a bottle that changes its colour when being filled. The bottle may e.g. be covered with a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) coating that allows light emitted from/trough the bottle to change its colour while it is being filled with the fragrance blend. The bottle may be of customized design.

In another variant, the fragrance bottle is designed such that it uses or exhibits the Coanda effect to generate an attractive visual effect for the customer once the solution is being dispensed. To this effect, the bottle comprises a translucent (e.g. transparent) inner curved surface that is wetted by the liquid fragrance blend when it is dispensed into the bottle. Additionally, the fragrance dispensing apparatus - and in particular its fragrance dispenser - comprises a light projector to project light of different colours through this curved surface. This generates different light effects when the light passes through the moving liquid. It is an additional or alternative embodiment that the fragrance dispenser comprises a fragrance spraying device to directly spray the ready fragrance blend from the fragrance dispensing apparatus. The fragrance spraying device may comprise a spray nozzle. The spray nozzle may be activated by a customer, e.g. being mechanically activated by pressing it. Therefore, the fragrance dispenser may be adapted to dispense the selected fragrance(s) and the solvent(s) through the spray nozzle. This can be achieved directly or via the blending chamber.

It is an embodiment that the fragrance dispensing apparatus is a self-cleaning device. This enables to conveniently remove fragrance(s) and/or solvent(s) that have been left over from a dispensing process. Such leftover fragrance(s) and/or solvent(s) may rest in pipes, pumps, the blending chamber etc., or even external components. The fragrance dispensing apparatus may start a self-cleaning process, e.g. automatically and/or by user command. For example, the self-cleaning process may dispense a certain amount of solvent (e.g. ethanol) in order to dissolve and remove leftover fragrance traces. In one variant, at least one solvent used for creating the fragrance blend may be used. This is typically sufficient since most fragrances are soluble. In an alternative or additional variant, dedicated cleaning chemicals may be used, e.g. contained in a specific cleaning reservoir.

To avoid or slow down a degradation of the fragrances, fragrance reservoirs with a reduced amount of oxygen may be used. Rather, the fragrance reservoirs may comprise a protective atmosphere, e.g. made up of nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide. Also, the fragrance bottles given out from the fragrance dispensing apparatus may comprise the fragrance blend in such a protective atmosphere.

It is an embodiment that the fragrance dispensing apparatus comprises a control device (e.g. a microcontroller, control module, control board, etc.) to operate the fragrance dispensing apparatus according to selections made by a user at the user interface. The control device may e.g. operate one or more from the group containing the extraction means, the blending chamber, the fragrance dispenser etc.

One advantage of the fragrance dispensing apparatus is that tailor-made fragrances can be instantly created according to customer needs. The customer can compose and dispose of the fragrance blend. The customer may choose a type of fragrance (perfume, cologne, etc.), the type of fragrances used as components of the fragrance blend and also the relative amount of these fragrances. It is possible to customize existing fragrances to achieve the same organoleptic properties on different customers. As the odour released by a fragrance blend depends on the properties of the skin (which varies from person to person) this new fragrance dispensing apparatus offers the possibility to customize existing fragrance blends to achieve the same results for every customer. Also, the dispensing method can be selected (spray or bottle etc.) The above described features and advantages of the invention as well as their kind of implementation will now be schematically described in more detail by at least one embodiment in the context of one or more figures of the drawing attached. In the drawing,

Fig.1 shows a schematic embodiment of a fragrance dispensing apparatus 1. The fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a seat 2 for a cartridge CR. The cartridge CR exemplarily comprises three fragrance reservoirs in form of capsules CS. The capsules CS contain stock solutions of different liquid fragrances (single fragrances or pre-mixed fragrances) F1 , F2, F3. The fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 further comprises one extraction means 3 for selectively extracting the fragrances F1 , F2, F3 from the capsules CS and one extraction means 4 for extracting a solvent S (e.g. an ethanol/water mix) from a solvent tank 5. While the cartridge CR is removable by a user, the solvent tank 5 is fixedly positioned in the fragrance dispensing apparatus 1. The capsules CS and/or the solvent tank 5 may be equipped with a level sensor (not shown).

The outlets of the capsules CS are each connected to the extraction means 3 via respective coupling means 6 or connectors, e.g. in form of one-way valves. The extraction means 3 can selectively extract the fragrances F1 , F2, F3 from the capsules CS.

To identify the fragrances F1 , F2, F3, the fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 comprises an identification means in form of an optical or radio frequency reader 7 that reads a respective code or tag of the cartridge CR. The queried information may include the kind of fragrance(s), amount of fragrance(s), dilution, etc. contained in the capsules CS. Alternatively or additionally, a code or tag may be associated with each of the capsules CS.

The extraction means 3 comprises dosage valves 8 that are connected to a respective coupling means 6. The dosage valves 8 enable extracting a very precise amount of fragrance F1 , F2 and/or F3. The dosage valves 8 are connected to a flow meter 9 which, in turn, is connected to a pump 10. The pump 10 is connected to a blending chamber 1 1. The blending chamber 1 1 is also connected to the solvent tank 5 via the extraction means 4. While the extraction means 4 may have a generally similar setup (e.g. comprising a dosage valve 8, a flow meter 9, and a pump 10) as the extraction means 3, it may have a larger flow-rate than the extraction means 3. Also, there may not be a coupling means 6 between the solvent tank 5 and the extraction means 4.

The blending chamber 1 1 is used to blend the fragrances F1 , F2 and/or F3 extracted from the capsules CS and eventually the solvent S extracted from the solvent tank 5 to create a fragrance blend FB. The blending chamber 1 1 may be a static chamber, a continuous chamber, a bubbling chamber, a mixing chamber (e.g. a close-clearance mixer), etc.

Further, the blending chamber 1 1 is connected to a fragrance dispenser 12 for dispensing the blended fragrance mixture FB from the blending chamber 1 1 into a fragrance bottle B. The fragrance dispenser 12 may comprise a dosage valve 8, a pump 10, and/or a flow meter (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, the fragrance dispenser 12 may comprise a fragrance spraying device (not shown), e.g. a spray nozzle. An output side of the extraction means 3 is also connected to a test strip dispenser 13 via an optional dosage valve 8 for dispensing at least one fragrance F1 , F2, F3 stored in the capsules CS onto a substrate in form of a test strip (not shown) and providing the test strip. A pump and/or a flow meter (not shown) may also be present between the extraction means 3 and the test strip dispenser 13. Thus, the fragrances F1 , F2, and/or F3 are directly applied to the test strip. The fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 is adapted to selectively extract the fragrances F1 , F2, and/or F3 towards the blending chamber 1 1 or the test strip dispenser 13. Alternatively or additionally to the test strip dispenser 13, a spray nozzle may be used. Alternatively to the test strip dispenser 13, the fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 may comprise a heatable open test tube (not shown) that contains a substrate for the fragrance(s) dispensed from the extraction means 3. To this effect, a 3/2-way valve (not shown) or such may be used.

The fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 further comprises a user interface 14 for selecting fragrances F1 , F2, and/or F3 and for eventually selecting a type / dilution of the desired fragrance blend FB to be blended in the blending chamber 1 1. A user may also use the user interface 14 for selecting fragrances F1 , F2, and/or F3 to be dispensed onto the test strip etc. Additionally, the fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a communication module 15, e.g. for communicating a need to replace the cartridge CR or to fill up the solvent tank 5.

Moreover, the fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a control device 16 (e.g. a control module comprising a microcontroller, an ASIC, a FPGA etc.) to operate or use the fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 , e.g. some or all of its electrically controllable components 3 to 4, 5 (its level sensor), 6 to 14. For example, by activating the reader 7, the control device 16 identifies the available fragrances F1 to F3 and may calculate their remaining amount. Also, the control device 16 has information about the available solvent S and its amount. The control device 16 may thus present available selections / choices in the user interface 4. The control device 16 may also present the possibility to test the available fragrances F1 to F3 in the user interface 4.

If a user selects to test one or more fragrances F1 , F2 and/or F3, the control device 16 opens the respective coupling means 6 and operates the respective dosing valve(s) 8 of the extraction means 3 to extract a small quantity from the respective capsule(s) CS, e.g. one after another for the case that the user has selected more than one fragrance F1 , F2, and/or F3. By command of the control device 16, the pump 10 of the extraction means 3 pumps the fragrance(s) F1 , F2, and/or F3 via the open dosage valve 8 to the test strip dispenser 13. The fragrance(s) F1 , F2, and/or F3 are applied to a test strip, and the test strip is presented to the user.

If a user selects to receive a bottle B of a certain fragrance blend FB, the user must input the desired one or more fragrances F1 , F2 and/or F3, their amount, and the type of the desired fragrance blend FB (perfume, cologne etc.). The control device 16 opens the respective coupling means 6 and operates the respective dosing valve(s) 8 of the extraction means 3 to extract the selected amount or quantity from the respective capsule(s) CS, e.g. one after another. The pump 10 of the extraction means 3 pumps the fragrance(s) F1 , F2, and/or F3 into the blending chamber 1 1. Similarly, the control device 16 commands the extraction means 4 to extract a quantity of the solvent S into the blending chamber 1 1 . The quantity of the solvent S is determined by the control device 16 on basis of the selected or desired type of fragrance blend FB. The quantities of the fragrance(s) F1 , F2, and/or F3 and the solvent S are measurable by the flow meter(s) 9. The control device 16 may also operate the blending chamber 1 1 , if possible. Moreover, the control device 16 operates the fragrance dispenser 12 to dispense the ready fragrance blend FB into the bottle B.

The fragrance dispensing apparatus 1 may be a self-cleaning device.

Of course, the invention is not restricted to the described embodiments.

Claims

1 . A fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ), comprising

- at least one seat (2) for several fragrance reservoirs (CR, CS),

- at least one solvent reservoir (5) provided for at least one solvent (S),

- a user interface (14) adapted to select fragrances (F1 -F3) of a fragrance blend (FB) and a type of the fragrance blend (FB),

- at least one extraction means (3, 4) for extracting the selected fragrances (F1 -F3) from the fragrance reservoirs (CR, CS) and at least one solvent (S) from at least one solvent reservoir (5),

- a blending chamber (1 1 ) for blending the extracted fragrances (F1 -F3) and the at least one solvent (S) into the fragrance blend (FB), and

- a fragrance dispenser (12) for dispensing the fragrance blend (FB),

wherein

- a quantity of the at least one solvent (S) extracted from at least one extraction means (3, 4) is determined on basis of the user-selected type of the fragrance blend (FB).

2. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to claim 1 wherein at least one extraction means (3) is only connectable to at least one fragrance reservoir (CS) and at least one extraction means (4) is only connectable to at least one solvent reservoir (5).

3. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) comprises an identification means (7) for identifying the fragrance reservoirs (CS) and/or the fragrances (F1 -F3).

4. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the blending chamber (1 1 ) is a continuous chamber.

5. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein the blending chamber (1 1 ) is a bubbling chamber.

6. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fragrance dispenser (12) is adapted to apply at least one fragrance (F1 -

F3) stored in the fragrance reservoirs to a test substrate and providing this test substrate.

7. The fragrance mixing (1 ) device according to claim 6 wherein the test substrate is a test strip.

8. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to claim 6 wherein the test substrate is housed in a test tube.

9. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fragrance dispenser (12) is adapted to fill a fragrance bottle (B).

10. The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fragrance dispenser (12) comprises a fragrance spraying device.

1 1 . The fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fragrance dispensing apparatus (1 ) is a self-cleaning device.