WO2020099619A1

WO2020099619A1 - A fragrance dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2020099619A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/081437
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan Ramon Soler Costa; Jesús CEAMANOS; Alvaro Suarez Iribarne; Hugo LASALA ALONSO; Francisco Javier Aznar Peligero
Original assignee: Noustique Perfumes, S.L.
Priority date: 2018-11-16
Filing date: 2019-11-15
Publication date: 2020-05-22
Also published as: EP3880259A1

Abstract

A fragrance dispensing device is provided. The fragrance dispensing device comprises a casing, an axially rotatable carrousel, a carrousel actuator for rotating the carrousel so as to place a fragrance cartridge in a dispensing position and a dosing actuator for causing the release of a predefined amount of liquid from the fragrance cartridge at the dispensing position. The axially rotatable carrousel is mounted on a carrousel support inside the casing and comprises a plurality of seats for arranging a plurality of fragrance cartridges. The carrousel support is movable between an operating position inside the casing and an access position substantially outside the casing.

Description

A fragrance dispensing device

The present application claims the benefit and priority of EP 18 382 816.9, filed on November 16, 2018.

The invention relates to fluid dispensing devices, more specifically to fragrance dispensing devices.

BACKGROUND

Some dispensing devices for dispensing fluids e.g. perfume, hair dye, etc., are known. Such solutions may involve a plurality of fluid containers from which the contents are extracted and dispensed. Known devices, however, involve several problems such as a low reliability and/or accuracy when actuating on the containers for extracting the contents, leakage of the contents, noisy and/or bulky mechanisms, etc.

Some of the dispensing devices, in order to provide a good dosing accuracy and/or high precision mechanisms, comprise complex designs which involve high manufacturing costs, and/or a cumbersome handling of the containers, and/or require the replacement of the whole device in case of damage to one of the parts, manufacturing and/or assembling difficulties, and are not suitable for mass production. There is a need to provide a fragrance dispensing device having a compact and simple design which provides a good accuracy and reliability which at the same time is suitable for to mass production at reasonable costs.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect a fragrance dispensing device is provided. The fragrance dispensing device comprises a casing, an axially rotatable carrousel, a carrousel actuator for rotating the carrousel so as to place a fragrance cartridge in a dispensing position and a dosing actuator for causing the release of a predefined amount of liquid from the fragrance cartridge at the dispensing position. The axially rotatable carrousel is mounted on a carrousel support and comprises a plurality of seats for arranging a plurality of fragrance cartridges. The carrousel support is movable between an operating position inside the casing and an access position substantially outside the casing.

The use of a carrousel support which is movable between an operating position and an access position facilitates the removal and/or insertion of fragrance cartridges into the rotatable carrousel as the carrousel support, and thus, the carrousel mounted thereon may be more easily accessed, and at the same time, the device has a compact design requiring a reduced space in operation because the carrousel support is inside the casing in an operating position.

The rotatable carrousel and carrousel support may also be easily replaced in case of damage, without the need to change the whole device.

In an example, the carrousel support may be horizontally displaceable between the operating position and the access position, the casing may comprise guide elements for guiding the carrousel support displacement. Enabling a horizontal displacement of the carrousel support via guide elements permits the user an easier access to the carrousel so as to place or remove the fragrance cartridges.

In an example, carrousel actuator comprises a Maltese cross drive transmission, a precise, simple and reliable rotation of the rotatable carrousel may therefore be obtained.

In an example, the fragrance dispensing device may further comprise a carrousel locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the rotatable carrousel.

In an example, the fragrance dispensing device may further comprise handle with releasable coupling elements to be coupled to the carrousel for removing the carrousel from the carrousel support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of fragrance dispensing device according to an example having a carrousel support in an access position; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a simplified longitudinal view of a fragrance dispensing device according to an example; Figure 3 schematically illustrates an exploded view of part of a fragrance dispensing device according to an example;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a perspective view of part of a carrousel actuator and a locking mechanism according to an example;

Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of part of a fragrance dispensing device according to an example; and

Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart of a fragrance dispensing method according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The fragrance dispensing device 1 according examples disclosed herein may dispense a fragrance composition e.g. selected or created by a user via a user interface. The fragrance dispensing device 1 may comprise a casing 10, an axially rotatable carrousel 230 having a plurality of seats 231 in which a plurality fragrance cartridges 2 may be arranged, a carrousel actuator 310 for rotating the carrousel and a dosing actuator 110 for actuating the fragrance cartridges.

The fragrance cartridges 2 (see Figure 2) may comprise a receptacle 2a for containing a liquid fragrance 2b, e.g. about 20 ml, and a pump mechanism (not shown) that, when actuated, may draw a predetermined amount of liquid, e.g. 0.1 ml, through an outlet conduit (not shown). The fragrance cartridges 2 may further comprise a read/write identification element (not shown) which may comprise permanent data, i.e. data which may not need to be updated or re-written, such as the type of fragrance, a brief description of the fragrance, etc., and may also comprise non-permanent data, e.g. the remaining fragrance amount, which may be re-written in order to be updated. Additionally, the fragrance cartridges 2 may comprise an authentication element (not shown) to be checked by an external device, e.g. an antenna of the fragrance dispensing device, and prevent the use or the actuation of fragrance cartridges which origin is not verified. The fragrance dispensing device 1 may further comprise a carrousel support 210, e.g. made of aluminium, which may be movable between an operating position inside the casing, and an access position (see Figure 1 ) substantially outside the casing. The rotatable carrousel 230 may be mounted on the carrousel support 210 and therefore, when the carrousel support is in the access position, the user may have access to the rotatable carrousel, e.g. to place and/or remove fragrance cartridges.

In use, the user may select or create a composition, i.e. a blend of a plurality of fragrances, to be dispensed and may move the carrousel support 210 from the operating position to the access position (as shown in Figure 1 ) thereby enabling the user to gain access to the rotatable carrousel. Depending on the fragrance composition to be dispensed, and e.g. if any of the required fragrances is missing or if the remaining amount of a fragrance is not enough for the composition to be dispensed, the user may place a plurality of fragrance cartridges 2 in the seats of the rotatable carrousel, may replace the whole rotatable carrousel or may replace at least some of the fragrance cartridges.

The carrousel support 210 may then be moved to the operating position, i.e. inside the casing, and the carrousel actuator 310 may then cause the rotation of the rotatable carrousel 230 so as to place a predetermined fragrance cartridge into a dispensing position, i.e. a position in which the fragrance cartridge is aligned with the dosing actuator. Once in the dispensing position, the dosing actuator may cause a predefined amount of liquid to be released from the fragrance cartridge into a vessel. The rotatable carrousel may be rotated to place a subsequent fragrance cartridge in the dispensing position, and the process may be repeated until all the fragrances of the composition are dispensed. The user may then remove the vessel comprising the composition.

Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective of an example of a fragrance dispensing device 1 comprising a casing 10, a carrousel support 210 in an access position and a rotatable carrousel 230 mounted on the carrousel support.

The casing 10 may comprise a top wall 15, a bottom wall 17 and two side walls 16, thereby defining a cavity.

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may further comprise a front panel 280 attached to the carrousel support 210. The front panel 280 may comprise a holder (not shown), e.g. a pair of clamps having integrated springs, for removably attaching a vessel in which the dispensed fragrances may be received. The holder may be arranged in correspondence with the dispensing position or at least with an outlet conduit, e.g. a hole, of the carrousel support from which the liquid fragrance is dispensed, the dispensed fragrance may therefore be received in the vessel.

In an example, the front panel 280 may comprise a hollow portion e.g. concave recess, at the bottom in which the holder may be arranged.

The front panel 280 may also comprise a sensor, e.g. an optical sensor, (not shown) for checking whether the vessel is arranged at the holder e.g. to avoid dispensing any fragrance if the vessel is not at the holder. In addition, the front panel 280 may comprise a light source (not shown), e.g. a RGB LED, for lighting the vessel and/or the holder. The light source may change the colour in order to indicate to the user the stage of the dispensing process. For example, a red light may be used to indicate that the dispensing of the fragrance is in progress and that the vessel should therefore not be removed from the holder. To indicate that the dispensing of the fragrance composition is finished, a green light may be used.

In addition, the front panel 280 may also comprise a read/write antenna (not shown) e.g. a RFID board. As the fragrance cartridges are rotated, the read/write antenna may read the information, e.g. fragrance type, volume, etc., stored in each cartridge, e.g. in a read/write identification element such as a RIFD tag, and may store the read information in a data storage element. Additionally or alternatively, the read/write antenna may read an authentication element arranged on each cartridge.

The read/write antenna may also (re)write a read/write identification element arranged in each fragrance cartridge to update non-permanent data, e.g. the remaining fragrance volume, that may need to be re-written or updated after each use of the fragrance cartridge

In addition, the read/write antenna may also check whether a fragrance cartridge is placed in the dispensing position e.g. to avoid actuating the dosing actuator if the carrousel seat is empty. And moreover, the read/write antenna may also identify, i.e. due to the read identification element, which specific fragrance cartridge is in the dispensing position. Figures 2 show a longitudinal cross-section of fragrance dispensing device 1 , and Figure 3 depicts an exploded view of part of the fragrance dispensing device 1 .

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may comprise a carrousel frame 210 which may comprise flaps or outwardly projecting portions 221 (see Figure 5) in order to rest in an opening of the carrousel support 220. The carrousel frame 210 may protect the rotatable carrousel 230 and ensure that despite the rotation, the rotatable carrousel is kept in place. In addition, the carrousel frame 210 may comprise a plurality, e.g. three, wheels (not shown) e.g. made of plastic, in its base which may enhance the rotation of the rotatable carrousel.

The casing 10 may further comprise an inner support structure 400, e.g. made of steel, to arrange part of the elements of the fragrance dispensing device 1 within the casing more easily. The casing 10 may comprise recesses 1 1 , e.g. horizontal recesses, for arranging the inner support structure 400 within the casing. In an example, the recesses 1 1 may be arranged on the side-walls 16.

In an example, the inner support structure 400 may comprise a top self 401 and a bottom self 402 in which may the dosing actuator 1 10 and the carrousel actuator 310, may be respectively placed. The selves 401 , 402 may be independent structures or may be connected e.g. by beams.

The casing 10 may comprise a top level 1 1 in which the dosing actuator may be arranged, a middle level 12 in which the carrousel support may be arranged and a bottom level 13 in which the carrousel actuator 310 may be placed.

The rotatable carrousel 230 may comprise a plurality of seats 231 , e.g. twelve seats, which may be arranged e.g. in a circumferential pattern. The seats 231 of the rotatable carrousel may comprise a cross-section for matching the shape of the fragrance cartridges to facilitate the insertion of the cartridges 2 in a predetermined position e.g. to be aligned with the dosing actuator in the dispensing position.

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may further comprise a handle 240 for facilitating the removal of the rotatable carrousel 230. The handle 240 may comprise a gripping portion 241 and may also have releasable coupling elements 243 (see Figure 5), e.g. snap fittings, to be coupled to the carrousel support 220 which may comprise complementary couplings (not shown). In an example, the handle 240 may comprise a shaft 244, in such an example the gripping portion may be arranged in the distal end of the shaft.

In an example, the handle 240 may also comprise a main body 242 having e.g. cylindrical, rectangular or any other suitable cross-section. The main body 242 may comprise recesses, e.g. concave recesses, in the periphery shaped for matching the outer shape of the fragrance cartridges 2 and thereby forming, once coupled to the rotatable carrousel, an elongated gap between the rotatable carrousel and the main body of the handle that extends upwardly from the seats. When the handle 240 is coupled to the rotatable carrousel, such elongated gaps may further facilitate the insertion/removal of the fragrance cartridges 2 while at the same time may hold the cartridges in place.

The dosing actuator 1 10 may comprise a vertically movable actuator 1 1 1 , e.g. a plunger, a motor e.g. a stepper motor with two stages, and a transmission mechanism, e.g. a cam mechanism. The dosing actuator 1 10 may further comprise noise and/or vibration reducing elements (not shown), e.g. foams, to avoid or substantially reduce the noise and/or vibrations of the transmission mechanism when actuated, and thus, a substantially quiet/noiseless fragrance dispensing device may be obtained.

In an example, the dosing actuator 1 10 may comprise a sensor (not shown), e.g. an optical sensor, that may identify the position of the movable actuator 1 1 1 and may consequently facilitate an accurate regulation of the dosing process, as for example calibrating the position where the movable actuator comes into contact with the pump mechanism of the fragrance cartridge placed in the dispensing position.

In an example, the dosing actuator 1 10 may be arranged in the top self 401 of the inner support structure 400.

In an example, the fragrance dispensing device 1 may comprise a control system 120 in data communication with the read/write antenna, a data storage element (not shown) and a communication system.

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may comprise a communication system, e.g. wireless communication system, to stablish communication between the fragrance dispensing device 1 and an external device e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, etc., from which the user may interact with the fragrance dispensing device e.g. via a user interface.

In an example, the fragrance dispensing device 1 may not be provided with control buttons and/or a display screen through which the user may interact with the fragrance dispensing device 1 e.g. to select and/or create the fragrance composition to be dispensed. That is, the user may control the fragrance dispensing device, e.g. with a user interface, via the communication system e.g. a wireless communication, for example.

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may also comprise a power source (not shown), e.g. a rechargeable battery, which may comprise a switch (not shown) for switching on/off the power source. The power source and, optionally a fan, may be arranged in a top self 401 of the inner support structure 400.

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may further comprise a rear cover plate 22 and a front cover plate 21 to close the casing 10 and protect the elements therein. The front and/or rear cover plates 21 , 22 may be removable cover plates which may comprise releasable coupling elements such as snap fittings, magnets, etc. The front cover plate 21 may be releasably attached to the front panel 280 which may also comprise complementary releasable coupling elements 281 . Besides, the rear cover 22 plate may be releasably attached to either to the inner support structure 400 or to the casing 10 that may similarly complementary releasable coupling elements.

In an example, the front cover plate 21 may be divided in at least a top part and a bottom part. In an example, the top part may be fixed part and the bottom part may be removable. In an alternative examples, both top and bottom parts of the front panel may be removable.

The use of removable cover plates 21 , 22 may enable their easy replacement, in case of wear of damage, without replacing the whole casing. In an example, the cover plates 21 , 22 may comprise different appearance, textures, colours, etc. and may enable the user to configure or customize the fragrance dispensing device 1 as desired.

The front and rear cover plates 21 , 22 may be made of e.g. wood, stone, marble, plastic or any other suitable material, and may comprise a thickness that prevents the cover plates from substantially protruding from the casing, e.g. of about 4 mm. The fragrance dispensing device 1 may therefore be compact.

In order to guide the movement of the carrousel support 210 between an operating position and an access position, the fragrance dispensing device 1 may further comprise guiding elements 260, e.g. rails. The guiding elements 260 may comprise a first part coupled to the carrousel support 210, a second part attached to the inner support 400 e.g. to a bottom self 402, and a bearing, e.g. a telescopic bearing, for displacing the first part with respect to the second part and thereby the movement of the carrousel support with respect to the casing may be enabled.

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may further comprise a push-to-open system (not shown) to facilitate the movement of the carrousel support 210 at least from the operating position to the access position. The user may therefore press/push the front panel 280 and/or the front cover plate 21 , and as a consequence, the carrousel support 210 may be displaced substantially outside the casing, i.e. to a position in which the rotatable carrousel is at least partly accessible. To move the carrousel support from the access position to the operating position, the user may push or press the front cover plate 21 and/or the front panel 280 until the carrousel support 210 is inside the casing 10.

In an example, the front cover plate 21 and/or the front panel 280 may comprise a tab or a recess which may be used to move the carrousel support between the access position and the operating position.

The carrousel actuator 310 may be arranged e.g. in the bottom level 13 of the casing 10 for instance in the bottom wall 17. The carrousel actuator 310 may comprise a motor 312 and a transmission mechanism to provide a rotational movement to the rotatable carrousel.

In an example, the transmission mechanism may comprise a Maltese cross drive transmission (see also Figure 4) which may comprise a drive element 320 rotated by the motor 321 , and a driven wheel 330 connected to the rotatable carrousel.

The driven wheel 330 may comprise a shaft 333 for connecting the driven wheel 330 to the rotatable carrousel, and may also comprise a plurality of slots 331. In an example the slots 331 may be arranged in the periphery of the driven wheel. In an example, the slots 331 may be substantially straight and extending from the periphery to the centre of the driven wheel. The slots 331 may define teeth 332 in the driven wheel which may comprise a distal end 332a having a predefined shape e.g. a concave shape, or any other suitable shape, so as to match with the drive element 320, an enable the movement transmission.

The drive element 320 may comprise a shaft 323 connected to a motor 312, e.g. through a mechanism which may comprise a plurality of gear(s) and an endless screw, of the carrousel actuator which may cause the rotation, e.g. clockwise or anti clockwise, of the drive element around axis C. The drive element 320 may comprise a drive pin 321 for engaging in the slots 331 of the driven wheel and thereby cause the rotation, e.g. clockwise or anti-clockwise, of the driven wheel.

The drive element 320 may also comprise a matching pin 322 (see Figure 4) which may comprise an outer shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the distal end 332a of the teeth 332. In such cases, the drive element may comprise a gap 324 between the drive pin 321 and the matching pin 322 to enable the tooth between two adjacent slots to be inserted, and therefore, enable the rotation of the driven wheel Consequently, when the drive element rotates, the rotation around B axis of the rotatable carrousel may be obtained. An accurate and reliable transmission may therefore be obtained.

The transmission mechanism may further comprise a carrousel gear 340 which may be inserted in the shaft 333 of the driven wheel 330 and may, for instance, be arranged within the carrousel support and/or the carrousel frame. The carrousel gear 340 may be coupled to the rotatable carrousel which may have a recess 232 having a shape complementary to the carrousel gear and enable the coupling. In some examples such as the ones shown in Figures 3 and 5, the carrousel gear 340 and the complementary recess of the rotatable carrousel may be cone-shaped.

The fragrance dispensing device 1 may further comprise a locking mechanism 270 which may prevent the rotation of the rotatable carrousel which may be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 depicts a locking mechanism 270 and also part of the transmission mechanism, i.e. the Maltese cross drive mechanism, of the carrousel actuator according to an example.

In an example such as the one depicted in Figure 4, the locking mechanism 270 may comprise a tilting element 271 which may be displaced from a locking position to a passive position e.g. by tilting around axis A. The tilting element 271 may comprise a protruding portion or a protrusion 272 which may engage a slot 331 of the driven wheel of the Malta cross drive transmission (see Figure 5). In an example such as the one shown in Figure 4, the tilting element 271 may comprise a pair of protrusions 272 that may engage two adjacent slots of the driven wheel.

In the locking position, the protrusion(s) 272 of the tilting element 271 may engage a slot(s) 331 of the driven wheel 330 and thus, impede the rotation of the driven wheel 330. Consequently, the rotation of the rotatable carrousel 230 may also be prevented e.g. when a liquid amount is to be dispensed or during dispensing of the liquid.

In the passive position, the locking mechanism 270 may allow the free rotation of the rotatable carrousel, e.g. to place a subsequent cartridge into the dispensing position, as the protrusion(s) 271 do not engage a slot 331 of the driven wheel 330.

In an example, the tilting element 271 may be arc-shaped but any other suitable shape may also be used. In a further example, the locking mechanism 270 may be horizontally or vertically displaceable.

The locking mechanism 270 may also comprise an elastic and/or resilient element 273 e.g. a spring, for recovering an original position e.g. a non-engaged position, i.e. the passive position, after a dispensing operation is completed.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of some of the elements of a fragrance dispensing device 1 which the device are connected together. The figure depicts a handle which may comprise a gripping portion 241 , a main body 242 and releasable couplings 243. Also in the figure, a rotatable carrousel 230 comprising seats 231 , a carrousel gear 340 and a carrousel frame 220. A tilting element 271 of the locking mechanism 270 and a gear, e.g. a driven wheel 330, of a transmission mechanism e.g. a Maltese cross drive transmission are also depicted. The fragrance dispensing device 1 according to any of the disclosed examples, due to its modularity, may enable a simple and fast replacement of any of the elements. Furthermore, the fragrance dispensing device according to any of the disclosed examples comprises a simple and compact design, and may be implemented in mass production at reasonable costs.

Figure 6 depicts a flow chart of a fragrance dispensing method. In use, the user may purchase or be provided with a plurality of fragrance cartridges comprising a plurality of fragrances, and also a dispensing device according to any of the disclosed examples.

The user may select or may create a fragrance composition, in block 601 , to be dispensed via a user interface. The control system 120 of the fragrance dispensing device 1 may then check, in block 602, whether the fragrances required for the selected composition are available in the rotatable carrousel, and may inform the user if any element, i.e. a fragrance, is missing or if the amount of a fragrance is not enough for the selected composition.

To check the available fragrances and the remaining fragrance amount in each fragrance cartridge, the rotatable carrousel 230 may be axially rotated e.g. around a vertical axis B. As the rotatable carrousel is rotated, the read/write antenna, arranged e.g. in the front panel, may read an identification element that may store information related to each fragrance cartridge. The information stored in each identification element may comprise permanent data, and non-permanent data which may be re written in order to be updated e.g. the remaining fragrance amount.

The control system 120 may also associate each fragrance cartridge to a specific seat 231 in the rotatable carrousel, and save the position of the fragrance cartridges e.g. in a data storage element.

The control system may also verify if the cartridges 2 are official or certified, i.e. confirm that the origin is valid. The read/write antenna of the fragrance dispensing device 1 may read the authentication element of each fragrance cartridge, e.g. a symbol made of a security ink, a proportion of magnetic particles or any other suitable system, and the control system may compare the read authentication element, e.g. a symbol, with a reference symbol in order to authenticate the fragrance cartridge. In case a fragrance cartridge needs to be replaced or added, the user may the move the carrousel support to the access position, in block 603, in order to gain access to the rotatable carrousel and replace/insert the cartridge(s). Due to the cross-section of the seats, which may be complementary to the cross-section of the cartridges, each cartridge may be inserted into a seat of the rotatable carrousel in a predetermined position e.g. to be aligned with the dosing actuator in a dispensing position.

In an example, the user may remove the entire rotatable carrousel e.g. to be replaced by another rotatable carrousel comprising the fragrances cartridges having other fragrances or having the fragrances of the composition to be dispensed. The user may couple a handle 240 to the rotatable carrousel to remove it and place another carrousel subsequently. The carrousel support may then be moved, in block 604, to the operating position.

In an example, before starting the dispensing process, the control system 120 may again check the available fragrances and the remaining volume of each fragrance cartridge placed in the rotatable carrousel.

Once the availability of required fragrances is verified, the control system 120 may then search for the cartridge comprising a first fragrance of the selected/created composition and rotate the rotatable carrousel, e.g. via carrousel actuator, so as to arrange such fragrance cartridge in a predetermined dispensing position i.e. aligned with a vertically movable actuator, e.g. a plunger, of the dosing actuator.

The carrousel actuator may comprise a Maltese cross drive transmission according to any of the disclosed examples, the motor of the carrousel actuator may rotate the drive element around axis C and as a result the drive pin may engage a slot of the driven wheel, which is similarly rotated. The rotatable carrousel may therefore be rotated, in block 605, e.g. via a carrousel gear coupled to a shaft of the driven wheel, around axis B until the fragrance cartridge to be dispensed is in the dispensing position.

Once the fragrance cartridge 2 to be actuated is placed in the dispensing position, the control system may lock, in block 606, the rotatable carrousel to avoid undesired rotations of the rotatable support via a locking mechanism 270 according to any of the disclosed examples. To lock the rotatable carrousel, a tilting element of the locking mechanism may be tilted around axis A and a protrusion of the tilting element may engage a slot of the driven wheel thereby preventing its rotation. Before actuating the dosing actuator, the control system 120 e.g. via a read/write antenna, may verify that the cartridge 2 to be actuated is the predetermined position. Once the predetermined position is confirmed, the dosing actuator may, in block 607, be actuated, e.g. the vertically movable actuator 110 may then be downwardly displaced and, as a consequence, the pump mechanism of the cartridge may be actuated e.g. by pressing a pushing button, thereby drawing and dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid fragrance. In addition, the control system may, e.g. via a sensor such as an optical sensor, determine the position of a vertically movable actuator e.g. with respect to the pump mechanism of the cartridge in the dispensing position, to precisely calibrate the dosing process.

In some examples, the selected composition may require an increased amount of a particular fragrance comparing to the predetermined amount dispensed by the pump mechanism when it is actuated. In such cases, the vertically movable actuator may be subsequently actuated as many times as necessary to dispense the required liquid quantity. For instance, if the required amount of a fragrance to be released for a selected composition is twice the predetermined amount drawn by the pump mechanism, the actuator may be actuated two subsequent times.

The dispensed liquid amount may be output through an outlet and be receiver by a removable vessel removably arranged in a holder. After actuating the pump mechanism of a fragrance cartridge, that is, after releasing the required amount of liquid, the control system 120 may register, e.g. in a data storage element, the number of times that the pump mechanism has been actuated in order to calculate and save, e.g. in a data storage element, the data of the remaining fragrance quantity in the fragrance cartridge. In addition, such information, i.e. the remaining liquid amount, may be re-written in the identification element of the fragrance cartridge thereby updating the information. Each fragrance cartridge may therefore comprise an updated status after being actuated which enables for example, retrieving the information offline i.e. without need to access a specific data storage element. Being able to update the information of the identification element also enables the possibility of using the fragrance cartridges in a different fragrance dispensing device as the varying information i.e. the information to be updated e.g. the remaining liquid amount, may be directly retrieved from each cartridge. Once the required amount of liquid is released from the actuated fragrance cartridge, e.g. into a removable vessel (not shown), the control system 120 may unlock, in block 608, the rotatable carrousel e.g. by tilting the tiling element 271 of the locking mechanism into a passive position. In an example, resilient or elastic elements 273 may be used to lead the tilting mechanism into such a passive position.

The control system may search the fragrance cartridge comprising the next fragrance of the selected composition, and repeat the steps until the corresponding amount of all the fragrances of the composition is released.

Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1 . A fragrance dispensing device comprising:

a casing;

an axially rotatable carrousel mounted on a carrousel support and comprising a plurality of seats for arranging a plurality of fragrance cartridges;

a carrousel actuator for rotating the carrousel so as to place a fragrance cartridge in a dispensing position;

a dosing actuator for causing the release of a predefined amount of liquid from the fragrance cartridge at the dispensing position; and

wherein the carrousel support is movable between an operating position inside the casing and an access position substantially outside the casing.

2. The fragrance dispensing device according to claim 1 , the carrousel support being horizontally displaceable between the operating position and the access position, the casing comprising guide elements for guiding the carrousel support displacement.

3. The fragrance dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dosing actuator comprises a vertically movable actuator.

4. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the carrousel actuator comprises a Maltese cross drive transmission.

5. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 4, wherein the Maltese cross drive transmission comprises a drive element rotated by a motor, and a driven wheel connected to the carrousel, the driven wheel comprising a plurality of slots and the drive element comprising a drive pin for engaging in the slots of the driven wheel and causing a rotation of the driven wheel.

6. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 5, further comprising a carrousel locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the rotatable carrousel.

7. The fragrance dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a tilting element with a protruding portion to engage a slot of the driven wheel of the Malta cross drive transmission.

8. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 7, further comprising a handle with releasable coupling elements to be coupled to the carrousel for removing the carrousel from the carrousel support.

9. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 8, further comprising a carrousel gear to be coupled between the rotatable carrousel and the driven wheel of the Maltese cross drive transmission.

10. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 9, further comprising a front and a rear removable cover plates to close the casing.

1 1. The fragrance dispensing device according to claim 10, further comprising snap fittings or magnets for removably attaching and detaching the front and rear cover plates with respect to the casing.

12. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 3 - 1 1 , further comprising a sensor for determining the position of the vertically movable actuator.

13. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 12, further comprising a read/write antenna.

14. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 13, further comprising noise and/or vibration reducing elements.

15. The fragrance dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 14, further comprising a holder for removably attaching a vessel to the carrousel support in correspondence with the dispensing position, for receiving the dispenses fragrance amount.